Christmastime at the Cunninghams'

[FonzFan82]

Ch 2:

Joanie went to the car and drove away from the hospital.

"How is your friend doing?" the principal asked.

"Not so good. He fell on his back. I hope to get him out of the hospital before Christmas," Joanie said.

"Hope your friend feels better soon," the principal said.

"Thanks."

Joanie left the principal's office. She got to the house and found Chachi there doing laundry.

"Hi, Joanie. I was expecting you at work," Chachi said, forgetting that Joanie had called earlier.

"I was. Remember I called you earlier about Potsie?" Joanie asked.

"How is Potsie?" Chachi asked.

"Fine. He has to go through physical therapy," Joanie said.

"That's a bummer," Chachi said.

"I know," Joanie said, her nose still sniffling.

"Will he be in the hospital for Christmas?" Chachi asked.

"I thought so but we'll have to wait and see. I want him here for Christmas," Joanie said.

"I talked to Richie earlier," Chachi said.

"You did? How is he?" Joanie asked.

"Fine," Chachi said.

"What about Potsie? How long would he be in the hospital with that back of his?" Chachi asked.

"I don't know," Joanie said.

The two worked more on that's night meal for a while longer and chatted about other subjects, such as Christmas.

"I do want Potsie here for Christmas, Chachi. You know this means a lot to me," Joanie said.

"I know how that feels," Chachi said.

"Potsie was saying something about having some Christmas performances at the Grand Ole Opry this Christmas. He doesn't want to cancel that," Joanie said.

"I don't blame him. I think I have somebody in mind," Chachi said.

"Who?" Joanie asked.

"Fonzie."

"Fonzie? Come on, Chachi. Do you think he would do that?" Joanie asked.

"No, but I think he would do anything for Potsie," Chachi said.

"Well, all right. We'll have to talk to Potsie first," Joanie said.

"You got a point there," Chachi said.

"What room is he in at the hospital?" Chachi asked.

"Second floor. Room 2020," Joanie said.

"Okay," Chachi said.

"I was going to see him later. Want to come along?" Joanie asked.

"Sure," Chachi said.

The two worked on that night's supper for a bit longer that afternoon and put the meal back in the oven for the rest of the afternoon.

"Looks like the squash will take a while," Joanie said.

"I know," Chachi agreed.

"Do we need to bring Potsie anything?" Chachi asked.

"He didn't tell me anything," Joanie said.

Chachi and Joanie entered Potsie's room minutes later. Potsie knew about Joanie coming later to see him but didn't know about Joanie bringing Chachi with her. Potsie watched as his hospital door opened. He saw his friend's younger sister's head peek in.

"May we come in?" Joanie asked.

"Why do you say 'we' for, Joanie?" Potsie asked.

"I brought a friend with me," she said.

"Sure. Come in," he said.

Chachi and Joanie walked in, but Joanie walked in first with Chachi at her heels.

"Hi, Chachi," Potsie greeted his Italian friend.

"Hi, Potsie. I heard what happened," Chachi said.

"I know."

"What did the doctors say?" Joanie asked worriedly.

"The good news is I don't need surgery," he said.

"That's good," Joanie said.

"I still do need a lot of therapy," he said.

"I bet. When do you start?" Joanie asked.

"Next year," he said.

"Potsie, I did come up with a plan for your performances at the Grand Ole Opry so they will stay on instead of getting cancelled," Joanie said.

"How did you do that? Do you know about this, Chachi?" Potsie asked.

Chachi nodded his head yes.

"You'll love the idea, Potsie," Chachi said.

"I will?" he asked.

"You will," Chachi said, looking at Joanie.

"Tell him," Chachi said.

"No, you tell him. You're the one who mentioned the idea," Joanie said.

"Fine. I'll tell," Chachi said.

"Stop arguing about it and tell me," he said to his friend's sister and Italian friend.

"The idea is that Fonzie will take your place at the Grand Ole Opry and perform," Chachi said.

"What! Fonzie singing my shows? You've got to be kidding," Potsie said, shaking his head.

"He's your only hope, Potsie. What do you think of the idea?" Joanie asked.

"Let me think about it some more," Potsie said.

"Okay. If you don't let Fonzie do it, who would you get?" Chachi asked.

"I'll come up with somebody," he said.

"Like who?" Chachi asked.

"I don't know."

"Richie? Ralph?" Chachi asked.

"Ralph's busy, Chachi. He can't come just to sing my songs," Potsie said.

Joanie and Chachi stayed with Potsie for a while longer in the hospital room and the three chatted.

"I'll come up with something for my shows. If I don't, Fonzie can take over for me," Potsie said.

"All right. Fonzie doesn't have a good voice like you do," Chachi said.

"Tell Fonzie he has to audition for me first," Potsie said.

"I will," Chachi said.

It was now time for Chachi and Joanie to leave.

"Do you need anything from home?" Joanie asked.

"I can't think of anything right now, but thanks for asking. When I do think of something, I'll let you know," Potsie said.

"Okay. Call us and Chachi will come and give it to you," Joanie said.

"Gee, thanks," Potsie said and watched the two disappear.

Potsie had an idea who could perform his Christmas shows before he could ask Fonzie to take his place. Why not his good friend Keith Urban? Potsie laughed at the idea. He picked up the phone and dialed Keith.

"Hi, Potsie. I wasn't expecting to hear from you since you took off from your holiday," Keith said.

"I know you weren't, Keith. I was calling to ask you something," Potsie said.

"What?" Keith asked.

"I had a fall but nothing too serious. I don't need surgery but only physical therapy," Potsie said.

"That's a shame. You should be careful next time. I don't think I can get away because I have my own shows on Christmas to perform. I wish I could but I can't. Sorry," Keith said, feeling sorry about it.

"That's okay. I already have somebody else in mind in case you couldn't make it. He's no performer," Potsie said.

The two talked a bit longer and hung up.

"The favor I want you to do for Potsie is perform his Christmas shows at the Grand Ole Opry. He said for you to audition for him if you agree to this," Joanie said.

"Me sing in the spotlight?" Fonzie asked as both Chachi and Joanie nodded.

"Let me think about it. When is the date?" Fonzie asked.

"Christmas Eve," Joanie said.

"A lot of girls will be there," Chachi said.

Joanie gave Chachi a punch in the ribs.

"That hurt!" Chachi said.

"I have to go. I'll let you know about this whole singing thing. When do I give a deadline?" Fonzie asked.

"End of the week," Joanie said.

"I'll talk at the end of the week," Fonzie said and was out of the door.

"Why did you do that for?" Chachi asked.

"You know how Fonzie is about girls. That's why I punched you," Joanie said.

"I know. I was doing it so he could say he's interested," Chachi said.

"He'll say he'll do it. You'll see," Joanie said as she headed upstairs.

Chachi watched his friend walk up the stairs, knowing Joanie was right that Fonzie would step in for Potsie at the Grand Ole Opry.

"She's right," Chachi said to himself.