Becky Slater – An Alternative Storyline, Part 1
Based on "The Wonder Years" (TV Series)
"Becky Slater – An Alternative Storyline" by Daniel Maria Rencher
Story starts at season 3, episode 14, minute 13
Story refers to season 2, episode 4
season 2, episode 5
season 2, episode 11
...(Becky and Kevin standing in the library)
„Becky, that valentine wasn't for you!" I said finally.
„oh ..." she replied disappointed.
„look, I'm sorry, but ..." I went on to explain, but she already was taking the incorrect delivery out of her bag.
„Here, I can be graceful about this." Becky was looking serious as she offered the valentine to me.
At this instant a lot of old memories and feelings bounced back to me.
I looked into her eyes and on a sudden remembered the time when we were standing at the bus-station last year. When I've tried to convince Becky that I liked her, not Winnie Cooper. It has been the first time, that I felt a real tenderness for another than Winnie. It has been the first time, that I really fought for Becky.
I also remembered how happy we have been. Fooling around two by two in my room. Having fun with Paul and Carla in the basement. I remembered how uncomplicated life seemed to be that time. And I remembered kissing Becky.
And right now I felt this warmth again. This tenderness. An attraction towards that girl,who never had preconditions for being together.
Winnie, on the other side, always encounters a problem. Throughout all of time you have to walk on eggshells around her and although she's going to find an issue of some sort. Currently she wasn't talking to me, because Paul told me, that she told him, that she liked me. ...how could I?!
Becky was much more straightforward. And in her way more likable. More lovable. More faithful.
And now, after all what we have done to each other, she was willing to forget about this and take me back. Actually she already had taken me back. She had forgiven me and was ready to start over. Strictly speaking we have been a couple again since Becky kissed me in the cafeteria some hours ago. Until now I didn't have the chance, or courage, to clarify this. Now, as I was about to do so, I felt a complete fool.
In this two seconds I went on a real roller-coaster of emotions. And it ended with me looking straight in Becky Slater's eyes. Angry and equally sad eyes.
„Becky...", I said without reaching for the valentine in her hand.
„What?!", she said, waggling with the paper heart. Her voice was angry and shaking a little.
„It's... it's true, the valentine was for someone else, but I don't think, that this was a sheer coincidence."
She looked at me startled.
My hand was still pausing in the air, not grabbing for the valentine. I took the hand down and proceeded slightly stuttering:
„Think about it… How difficult can it be to deliver a note to somebody who lives next door to you? To someone who is on the same school as you are?"
She said nothing, but looked cogitating about what I've just told her.
And then I just spoke my mind openly. I said a lot of what I've had just perceived.
„Maybe I did that purposely. um… unconsciously. Maybe I wanted this to happen.", I tried to smile charming when I said that.
She crossed her arms. Saying nothing.
„Becky, it feels good to be your boyfriend again. And I, I don't want that it ends this time. Even if it has been an accident."
She let her arms fall down and smiled for a brief moment. I smiled back.
But before I could make a move she looked severe again.
„Somebody who lives next door?", her voice sounded quiet and threatening.
„Um...", I felt a bit embarrassed.
„The heart was for Winnie, huh?", she became a little louder.
I bowed my head in shame and answered whispering:
„Yes, it was.".
When I looked up again she was biting her lower lip. Then she clenched her left fist in anger, wadding up the valentine. Next she hauled off and hit me with this very fist in the stomach. I held onto a shelf as I tilted forwards, coughing up the contents of my lungs.
„Winnie again?!", she growled furious and chucked the valentine on the floor. Then she turned around and went straight towards the exit.
I looked down to take a deep breath or two. As soon as possible I raised my voice and yelled after her:
„Are we still a couple?!"
Without looking back to me she shouted in an angry tone:
„Yes."
Short before she disappeared behind a big rack she turned around once more.
„...you jerk!", then she was gone and some seconds later I heard a door being slammed.
I never knew until that moment how much it can please to gain something you actually already had.
I stayed there bent forward for one moment, gasping for air.
I caught myself smiling.
Then I stood up and looked around. Some kids were watching me, but not as much as I thought. I saw the valentine on the floor in front of me and picked it up.
An 8th grader, who I didn't recognize, was chucking and asked mockingly:
„Did she treat you too hard?"
„She mostly does.", I answered still smiling.
I went to the exit. When I reached the door, there was a big dust bin.
I looked at the heart in my hand and without unfolding, I trashed it. When I left the library I realized that I haven't even thought about Winnie when I trashed this stupid note that I had set so much hope on.
Somehow it felt like a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders. A burden of unreasonable hopes and dreams. Ever since Winnie had come back without glasses I've had this fixation that she was perfect for me.
But I reckoned here without one's host.
I reckoned without Becky.
Winnie made me insecure. Becky, somehow, gave me self esteem.
But maybe sometimes you have to pursue the wrong aim, just to stumble over the right one.
I didn't see Becky or Winnie for the rest of the day. When I left school in the afternoon I was accompanied by Craig Hobson.
"What are you so cheerful about?", he asked irritated.
"I...", I was looking around for someone special. I was looking around for… Becky! There she was. About sixty feet away, saddling her bike.
"I...", I was staring at her and when she noticed me, I smiled and waved my hand shyly. She raised her hand and smiled for a second. Then returned to a severe look and got on her bike. I was still holding my hand in place when she drove away.
Hobson was looking at her, then he turned to me again.
"Becky Slater?!", Craig sounded stunned, "Are you serious?"
"Yes… Becky Slater.", my response sounded preoccupied.
"Man, you're hopeless.", he said and toddled off.
And there you had it. Nothing left to do but run home and help mom baste the ol' valentine goose. Indeed I assumed Becky knew by now, that this has been a stupid excuse.
I looked around and observed several couples passing by. It felt good to be one of them again.
On my way home I saw Winnie on the other side of the street. As I passed by she faced me.
"You're such a jerk!", she said upset.
I stood still.
"You're not the first one mentioning that today."
She stopped as well.
"Why do you have to embarrass me in front of everyone like that?", she asked reproachfully.
I sighed. "Winnie,… let's not talk about that right now!"
She looked concerned.
"What about you and Becky?"
I switched to the other side of the street.
"I think, we found the way back to each other.", I answered thoughtfully.
"That's nice.", Winnie said and continued her way home.
"I am happy for the two of you."
She nodded to me, then looked forward.
"Thanks.", I responded and went on too.
The rest of our way we didn't talk. Probably there wasn't much more to say.
For dinner we had meatloaf with mashed potatoes. No goose.
After that I waited until Karen and especially Wayne had left for their valentine dates.
Mom and dad were sitting in font of the TV and I used this moment of privacy for an urgent phone call.
"Hello, Mr. Slater! Here is Kevin Arnold. Is Becky home?"
I never liked the period while parents called their daughter over. You never know, if she is going to answer your call. I always felt a bit like being at somebody's mercy.
"Hi, Kevin!", Becky sounded jolly.
"You're not mad anymore?", I asked cautiously.
"Oh yes, I am… but you've got the chance to put things right.". Now she sounded amused.
"I did not abandon all hope in you. You can do this!"
"Thank you.", I said, giggling and added careful:
"I… I really mean it."
We talked for about eight minutes more, then hung up. We did not meet this night. We both didn't go to this party or had a family valentine's day dinner. But I think we were happy how the day had ended.
After our talk I remembered a book Karen gave to our parents for their wedding anniversary two years ago. I took it from the bookshelf in our living room, sat down at the table in the kitchen and began reading.
Cyrano de Bergerac.
- - - - - to be continued... - - - - -