Hanging Around

I want to thank littlebixuit for reminding me that "writing just frees your nerves and feelings in a special way."

On Sunday 1/10/10 I received a call that my sister had passed away. As I prepare for the funeral on Friday 1/22, I realized that because we lived in different states most of our adult lives, she had never heard me teach and never got to read any of my stories. I would like to dedicate this story in her memory.

Thank you littlebixuit for being such a good friend.

Song "Cherish" written by Terry Kirkland, performed by "The Association" 1966

In the movie SD 2, the scene is Patrick saving Velma when the catwalk grating falls and Velma is left hanging. I don't own Scooby Doo or the characters. If I did I'd change the scene to something like this...

Chapter One: What's a nice girl doing in a place like this?

Velma walked slowly along the catwalk, hoping she hadn't made a mistake in giving the control panel to Shaggy and Scooby. She had ran off as a decoy for the skeleton misfits and finally lost them. She had no idea where Shaggy and Scooby had gone but she hoped it was in the right direction. She would never admit to being lost, but she was.

Cherish is the word I use to describe

All the feeling that I have hiding here for you inside

You don't know how many times I've wished that I had told you

You don't know how many times I've wished that I could hold you

You don't know how many times I've wished I could mold you

Into someone who could cherish me as much as I cherish you.

"Velma!" She heard her name being called. She recognized the voice and turned to see Shaggy running toward her. Her mind registered the fact that Scooby wasn't with him which disturbed her greatly.

"What are you doing here, Shaggy?" She asked when he got close enough. The control panel was clutched in one hand like a discus. He stopped in front of her, started to say something when they felt the grating give way from the combined weight, crashing to the floor below them. The sound of the crashing grate reverberating throughout the building. Velma instinctively threw her arms around Shaggy's neck, holding on for dear life. Shaggy had just enough time to throw the control panel to the remaining section and grab hold of the catwalk, saving them both from following the grating.

"Velma, I didn't know you were a swinger," Their bodies swung like a pendulum, back and forth, the arc becoming shorter until at last the swaying stopped, "don't look down."

"I try not to make it a habit, but it felt like a good idea at the time, my eyes are shut tight, I'm not looking believe me!"

"So, you hang out here often?" The last thing he needed was for her to freak out.

"I've been known to drop by on occasion," she replied, "Shaggy, how do we get out of this?"

"Wait for the calvary, that works in the movies."

"Excuse me for stating the obvious but this isn't the movies!"

"Good point. You're excused."

"I wish Patrick was here," Velma sighed.

"Good old Patrick. He saves you, and steps on my fingers in the process. I'll wait for the calvary."

"He wouldn't do that! And there is no calvary riding to the rescue!"

"Oh, I forgot."

Perish is the word that more than applies

To the hope in my heart each time I realize

That I an not gonna be the one to share your dreams

That I am not gonna be the one to share your schemes

That I am not gonna be the one to share what seems to be

The life that you could cherish as much as I do yours.

"What's a nice girl like you doing in a dump like this?"

"I was just walking along and...are you trying to pick me up?"

"I was only trying to heighten your spirits. Velma, would you hang out with me?"

"You are trying to pick me up! You mean as in a "date"?. You'd bring Scooby, you don't bring your pet along on a date. If we went out to diner, he'd lick my plate clean. No thanks."

"Velma, I have a plan."

"That's Fred's line."

"Yeah, I know but I won't tell if you don't. Besides, I don't see him around to complain."

"What's your plan, and it better be good. How long can you keep holding both of us like this?"

"Oh, it's 'us' now? Okay, I have a plan but it's going to cost you."

Oh, I'm beginning to think that man has never found

The words that could make you want me

That have the right amount of letters, just the right sound

That could make you hear, make you see

That you are driving me out of my mind

"I'm almost afraid to ask, what is it going to cost me?"

"A kiss."

"What!? A kiss? What kind of kiss?"

"Nothing special. A good bye kiss. I'm leaving Mystery Inc."

TBC