Remember, p.9
Remember, page 9
“Take your time. Have a few glasses and read a bit. It will help you sleep.”
“No, I shouldn’t intrude any further. You should be sleeping also.”
“I told you cat naps. They work wonders. You should try one and see if it helps.”
Johnny offered a smile at Gabriel. He was a thoughtful man and a wonderful host even if Johnny was the only guest that he had. He took a sip from the glass and let out a yawn. He did admit that he felt more comfortable. Standing he grasped a book from the shelf, it did not matter what it was. Hearing the door click behind Gabriel as he left the room. He wasn’t sure what he could accomplish at two in the morning, but he decided not to question it. Taking his seat again he opened the book to the first page and began into the tale, only interrupted by his occasional sip from his glass.
***
“What are your plans for the weekend?” Luna asked as she shuffled several large textbooks into her backpack, smashing several homework assignments to the bottom in the process.
“Nothing much. Going to help grandpa get the lawn mower going and after that maybe just play some video games.” Johnny said as he hovered over her awkwardly.
He had been debating on asking her out. Pocketing any money that he got from chores, he had even attempted to fix Mrs. Olsen’s computer — thank god for search engines — to earn a bit more for a nice dinner in town. Though now he could feel the panic creeping in, his heart racing and thumbed against his chest madly. He had envisioned it all day, planning every detail, even if someone interrupted him.
“Want to come over and have dinner? My mother already said you could.”
“Hey Luna? How…” He stuttered the words. His tongue filling his entire mouth as though he had just eaten a spoonful of peanut butter. “How about we go out someplace nice? I have some extra cash.”
He smiled at the thought of how cool he had played it off. Though as he caught Luna staring at him half ready to lift her backpack onto her shoulder. He felt the panic set in again, had he gone too far? Maybe she only saw him as a friend?
“Like where?”
“My mom says there is this nice Italian restaurant, Bruno’s something Italian. She said she’d take us; she had some errands to run in town anyways.”
“Yeah that sounds nice.”
Johnny felt his heart jump with excitement. He could already see the dinner table laid out in front of them. Candlelight dinner, soft music. A perfect setting for him to ask her if she’d like to be his girlfriend. He felt like had waited an eternity to turn fifteen, her mother had told him that he could only ask her daughter out when they were old enough. Fifteen was old enough, he knew enough.
“Hey. Come on or we’ll miss the bus.”
“Right.” He said as he began to follow her.
“John Everleaf. Can I have a word with you?”
Johnny turned to see his English teacher poking his head outside of a room several feet behind them. Johnny’s last class for the day and one of his least favorite. Not because he was bad at the subject, but because he felt that Mr. Hemling was too harsh on his papers. Barely above a C most of the time.
“I’ll miss the bus if I don’t go now.”
“That’s alright. Luna be sure to tell your driver to wait for John. He’ll just be a minute.”
“No problem, Mr. Hemling.”
Johnny glared at Luna which only sparked a laugh from her as she rushed forward towards the doors. Towards freedom. He turned on his heel and went into the classroom which Mr. Hemling sharply closed behind him.
“Is anything wrong Mr. Hemling?”
“No. I was just going over the paper you handed in today. I have to say you’re most interesting paper I’ve read from you all year.”
“Did I forget to cross a T or dot a I.”
“Very funny John. No, I wanted to say that it’s rather good. Better than anything you’ve written for me. Creative writing seems to suit you well. I know I have been rather harsh when it comes to your papers, but I also know that you do them between my ramblings.”
Mr. Hemling was famous for rambling, if you could get him off course in conversation and little work was guaranteed for that day. Johnny had little interest to listen and he often tuned out the conversation and worked on some homework. If he didn’t have to do it at home all the better.
“Which is why I think you would be better suited in a higher placement of English.”
“I barely pass on your papers. Why would I want to fail?”
“I don’t think you are challenged enough. If you can complete an assignment while in class, I think with a bit more pressure you might be an A student and it will look good on a college resume.”
Johnny was leaning against the edge of one of the desks in the front row. Like hell he wanted a harder class. Though another part of him felt a bit of ego flowing, Mr. Hemling was flattering him with the idea that he was smart enough to be in another class. Glancing at the clock that hung above the door, it was already five past the normal time to leave.
“I’ll talk it over with my mother.” He lied.
“That’d be great. I’m sure we can discuss it at the upcoming parent-teacher conference.”
Johnny had forgotten about that and while his mother normally did not have much interest in anything he did when it came to his schooling. She always found time to come to his conferences. He would have to figure out a way around this whole mess. Maybe he could tell his mother that he just didn’t feel like he was smart enough. Though he doubted she would buy that.
“Fair enough. I’ll see you Monday”
“You have a good weekend John.”
Leaving the room, he began to walk down the hall. The hall was completely empty, a Friday after school and everyone scattered. He was sure Luna was going to ask him about what happened. Luna was in the class with him, he didn’t really want to leave having the only period they had together.
“Hi.”
The voice was not Mr. Hemlings or anyone he knew and as he turned, he saw a girl about his age with red curled hair and green shimmering eyes. He was caught in the eyes as he stared at her. She was beautiful. Beautiful enough to ignore Johnny and giggle behind his back about his acne or his unkempt hair.
“Hello.” He croaked out.
The girl smiled as she took a step towards him and instinctively Johnny took a step back. Something in some forgotten region of his memory warned him to be careful. The girl tilted her head slightly at him as though she was sizing him up. Before he could react, she was had shoved herself against him and pushed him into the lockers which rattled their padlocks in response. He tensed up as she leaned towards him and pressed her lips against his. While he knew that it was his first kiss and he knew that he wanted it to be with Luna he melted into it, her lips so soft and ready for him.
He continued to kiss air as she pulled away from him. Wrapping her arms around his neck and a wicked playful smile on his lips.
“Remember?”
***
The book that Johnny had been reading, tumbled to the floor which startled Johnny awake. He glanced around the room in a half daze. He hadn’t remembered falling asleep and another odd dream. Though he didn’t mind as much, it was better than seeing his dead grandfather. Rubbing between his eyes he stretched out in the chair. While it was comfortable enough to sit in, sleeping was another story, one that ached. Reaching down he picked up the book and set it on the end-table.
Standing he wondered why Gabriel had not come and woken him up. He doubted that he never came back to the room. His mind lingered slightly at the thought of the red headed girl, there was little doubt that she wasn’t Elisabeth when she was younger. It was like his mind was being warped and directly injecting her into different moments of his life.
Sighing he rubbed his chin and felt the slight stubble from not shaving for two days now. His glass was empty and the decanter that was sitting near the back of the end table. It was nearly empty, and he could only assume that was the culprit for him not remembering falling asleep or even remembering where he had been in the book. Gabriel must have thought he was harboring a drunk if the last few days were any indicator.
Leaving the room, he looked down towards the pool that laid below. He would have to at least dip his toes into it sometime before he left. It wasn’t very often that he was near a pool and heated one at that. Climbing the stairs, he came to the landing and saw Gabriel sitting in the sitting room with a cup of coffee in his hand and a book.
“Morning Johnny. Did you sleep any better?”
“Besides a stiff neck and a cloudy memory of falling asleep. Yes.”
“Yeah a good book and some liquor always does me in.”
“You’ll have to tell me the brand and I’ll get some more to replenish what I drank.”
“Doubt you’d find it around here. Besides what’s a good host for?”
“You’ve gone up and beyond a host level at this point.”
“Well you can just call me a superior host then.”
Johnny laughed at Gabriel. The man was an enigma, he had never met someone that did not help another without wanting something in return. Even when he watched a video online about someone doing a good deed, he knew they had recorded it in hopes to inflate their own ego. Though it made him feel better when he watched them, so was he any different?
“What are you reading?”
“Hemingway’s ‘A Farwell to Arms’. Per your suggestion. His look on how the world treats people in rather interesting, but I think he got it wrong a bit.”
Johnny knew the passage well enough. He had memorized it along with several other quotes he thought were remarkable when he was a young impressionable teen — when he was so edgy and understood more than an adult could ever hope.
“How so?”
“I think the world favors those that are strong enough. Strong enough to go against its current and it embraces them.”
“That’s a beautiful way of thinking.”
“You don’t agree?”
“I just have a hard time seeing anything beyond what’s in front of me.”
Gabriel set the book to his side, with a finger between the pages in order to keep his place. His coffee cup came down on the counter rather hard, harder than both expected, and Johnny could tell that he may have upset him in some manner.
“Says the man that has an overactive imagination.”
“Point taken.”
“Though I have had a remarkable blessed life. I can’t help but romantically hope for the good. I hope someday you get to see that side of the world as well.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Johnny lingered for a moment longer in the framework. The conversation had gone awkwardly, and he could tell Gabriel did not wish to continue it, but he was unsure on how to exit.
“What’s your plans for today? I suggest you go and visit Elisabeth, she’s not a woman that likes to be kept waiting.”
“I should go and see Luna. I need to apologize.”
He happily took the hint and left.
Chapter 8
Johnny stood on the porch of the B&B; he would have to remember to apologize to Gabriel as well. Though first Luna, if he was unlucky, she would blow it off and if he was extremely unlucky, she would ignore him completely. A good walk there should be enough time to cool off and think about what he was going to say. Stepping out into the road he decided that there was no harm in walking by Gretchen Olsen’s home, he was only going to the station, she couldn’t possible gossip about that. As he began down the way he would occasionally kick a rock, his mind racing with possible ways the conversation could go with Luna.
Coming to the small hill that lowered the road back towards the station and his grandfather’s home, he pondered on turning back and getting his car. It would have been faster, and he could have avoided any unwanted attention if Brad McClain was out and about. He was already a good minute away from the B&B and the weather was warm enough, he pushed the idea out of his head. The hill only took a few minutes to walk down, when he was younger it had been the very hill that he would breeze up on his bike without hesitation. One that he had known so well that he was able to avoid the potholes and worn tracks that would have slowed him.
He glanced up towards Mrs. Olsen’s home and wondered if she was sitting in the old flora patterned chair with a set of binoculars watching him. He waved towards the home, it was better to be cautious, didn’t need her to spread rumors. Hearing a car door slam shut he turned to see Larry stumbling towards him. He must have been parked along the side street that ran parallel with Mrs. Olsen’s.
“Hey Larry.”
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“What do you mean?”
Larry had covered the ground between them and now stood in arms reach and Johnny could smell the alcohol. It rolled off him like a thick cologne, the type that you wrinkled your nose at the smell.
“Do you think you can just come back here and just do whatever you want?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about Larry.”
“Luna! You just think you can come rolling in here with your charms and wrap her around your finger again. It’s the talk of the town that you went to her house and left late.”
“We had dinner together.” Johnny said realizing that if he mentioned anything further it would only escalate the argument.
“Do you think I’m stupid?” Larry pressed a finger against Johnny’s chest, his words slurring.
“No. Larry let’s just calm down and talk about this. Nothing happened that night. Luna can contest to it.”
“You’ve always been a terrible liar. When I saw you at the golf course I knew, I knew, you couldn’t stay away from her. Always with the charm, the funny little teases between you two, it’s so disgusting.”
Johnny felt a ting of anger fester in his gut. It wasn’t like Larry had ever confessed to Luna that he cared about her when they were younger. He now stood on the chasm of unresolved feelings between them, his feet halfway off, waiting for him to fall. He straightened his back and swatted Larry’s hand away.
“At least I was honest with her. You just kept your mouth shut and stood on the sidelines. So just stand there and keep it shut again.”
Larry’s face contorted into a bit of shock and anger and Johnny knew that he had taken the step into the chasm and now was free falling and god the rush felt great. Though it was short lived as Larry struck him against his cheek and Johnny fell backwards with Larry following him down striking him again. Johnny should have known that this would have been the outcome, but even as he laid there attempting to cover his face from the blows, he smiled.
***
The muffled voices infiltrated his mind as he stirred from his unconsciousness. Opening his eyes, he stared into a tiled ceiling, stained yellow from age. His right eye stung as he attempted to open it wider and clear his vision. Groaning he rolled onto his shoulder, the couch was either extremely uncomfortable or he had taken a worse beating from Larry then he expected. Pushing up away from the couch his vision blurred as the world before him rattled in front of him, he felt like he was in a martini shaker. Raising his hand to his cheek he winched as soon as he touched his face, he couldn’t remember the last time he got into a fight — must have been sixth grade.
Resting his arms on his knees he hunched forward as he looked around the living-room. Its walls were panels of fake wood which rolled roughly into a red and green shag carpet. It was the ugliest color that he had seen, and it was hard to forget it. Mrs. Olsen’s home was built in the early sixties and he doubted one item in it had been changed since it had been built. The couch was facing one of the dark walls with an old tube TV sitting on an entertainment center that took up half the wall, with a lounge chair that was facing towards the large bay window. He wondered how she had managed to drag his unconscious body into the house, he would have to thank her. His attention was drawn away from the bay window as he heard a door shut somewhere within the house.
“I’m just saying Gretchen, let me handle this.” Brad McClain’s voice echoed down the hall. That explained how she had managed to get him inside.
“What if he doesn’t wake up? Will you call the sheriff or better yet a doctor then?”
They rounded the corner and stopped. Brad’s hair was a mess as though he had been running his hands through it in thought and Gretchen looked just as frazzled. This was likely the most excitement they had seen in some time, a fist fight. Well if you wanted to call it that, it was more like Johnny had been Larry’s punching bag.
“Johnny. How are you feeling?” Brad composed himself first.
“I’ve been better.”
Gretchen nearly shoved Brad out of the way as she sat beside Johnny — the couch lunged forward from the movement before it sat back against the wall with a soft thud. Her face was another point of contention for how bad Johnny’s face must have looked as he saw the concern on her face.
“How many fingers?” She held up three fingers.
“Three.”
“How about now?” Changing it to one.
“One. Mrs. Olsen I’m okay. A little sore and stiff but I’m okay.”
“Are you sure dear?”
“Gretchen, if he says he’s okay. I suspect he isn’t lying.”
“What happened to Larry?”
“I sent him home.”
“He should be in jail.” Gretchen warned with a threatening tone that Johnny could only compare to a mother.
“Do you know why he attacked you Johnny?”
Johnny debated on telling them the truth.
“He was upset that I went to dinner with Luna.” Johnny said.
“So, he punched you? God Brad are you hearing this? That boy is unstable.”
Johnny folded his hands together as he wondered how destructive the event had been, not just for the bruises. Those would heal, but he had leaped into that chasm. The keep out signs he had posted at its border beckoned his curiosity, like an old abandoned building it was irresistible. He doubted that he would ever trust Larry again, but he also doubted that he could look Luna in the face.
