The Rock

High school graduation came and went. Betty didn’t feel up to going to the ceremony.

 Dilton Doiley was the valedictorian.

Hal Cooper, Polly and Chic went to the ceremony. Alice Cooper stayed with Betty.

Dilton’s  whole speech was about Betty her goodness, citizenship and bravery.

 “Betty Cooper will get through this. I think it is harder on her friends to know that someone would hurt her…” Dilton got choked up, and couldn’t continue.

“We just want Betty to get better. We will help her all we can. We all love you Betty. You are here with us, in spirit. Thank you”

There wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd. Reggie led a chant:

“Betty !Betty!”

Hal Cooper came home loaded with awards, flowers, gifts  and graduation cards for Betty.

But no Reggie Mantle.

Betty and Reggie had both applied to and got accepted into NYU. They were both going to study Journalism. Betty and Reggie had wanted to be near each other, see where their feelings took them. This was before ‘the incident’

Betty didn’t know what to think now. She was missing a vital link to her recovery.

Reggie still has not come to her house.

How was she to act when she saw him at college? They were supposed to share an apartment. What should she do?

Betty cried at the thought of her not having Reggie’s friendship.

The Blossoms settled a huge sum of money on Betty in an out of court settlement. The high powered  lawyers the Coopers had retained had filed a major civil suit for attempted rape and assault with intent to kill. There would be a criminal trial, no amount of money would stop that.

Betty would be a very rich young lady. The money was in trust until Betty turned 21, though it could be used for her college education.

The Blossom lawyers continued to try to make deals with the DA. No good.

Someone had to stop Jason before he killed someone.

 The scandal of what Jason Blossom and his family had done was tremendous.

The Blossoms were forced out of Riverdale. Hiram Lodge had a lot to do with that.

The whole family was  an anathema. They were actually receiving death threats.

They gave  a public apology, but it was too little too late.

Their apologies were not accepted or wanted.

 Betty insisted that she get on the stand, though she didn’t have to. Betty was emotional in her testimony, brave and beautiful to ensure that monster got convicted. Past victims of Jason testified also, taking courage from Betty. She didn’t want any other victims of abuse to make the mistakes she did.

“ You have to tell someone if a guy is stalking and threatening you. I thought I could handle him myself. I couldn’t. Please ask for help. Tell someone you trust. There are laws and restraining orders to keep these men away from you.  I know some woman have not been as blessed as I was. I am lucky to be alive. I know he would have killed me if my friends didn’t sense something was wrong.” Betty couldn’t help weeping. There wasn’t a dry eye in the courtroom.

She searched the courtroom and saw the dark haired young man her heart craved.

Reggie was right there, looking at her with approval and admiration.

Betty’s heart leapt with joy.

‘He’s here. He must still care about me’

After the verdict, Reggie went to her and held her for a few minutes. Then he was gone.

Betty called but he didn’t hear her. “Reggie! Wait!”

She was soon surrounded by her family and friends. Her heart was breaking. ‘Reggie’s disgusted by me!’

The Blossoms left Riverdale as soon as Jason was sentenced.

 He got life in prison for kidnapping , attempted rape and attempted murder. Possibility of parole in 40 years.

The whole town celebrated. The monster who hurt their Betty was never going to be free to hurt anyone else.

 But at least that monster won’t be able to hurt anyone else.

 Jason Blossom’s family’s money could not help him. There were many more complaints lodged against him. More criminal complaints were filed against him. And more civil suits to come.