Mommie Dearest

“Shit it’s my Dad.” John said as he jumped up and brushed himself off. Ellie sat up and made sure everything was in order and not out of place. “Ok is it alright to let him in?” he asked her. Ellie just shooked her head yes and grabbed her drink. John went over to the door and opened it. “Hey Dad what’s up?” he asked with a nervous smile on his face.

“Nothing much son we were just wondering if you two have eaten anything yet?” John asked smiling from ear to ear.

John looked at his Dad, “If we’ve eaten? Really Dad? We’re adults we’ll get something when we’re hungry.” John told his Dad.

“I know son but between your mother, Marsha and Mike they’re worried about Ellie not eating and getting sick so they wanted to know if you both have had something. So I volunteered to go ask if you did. I thought it would be easier if I did if you know what I mean.” He told his son as he winked at him as Ellie wanted to die when she heard that Marsha and Mike were checking up on her.

“Thanks Dad tell them we’ll be out in a few ok.” John told his Dad as John Sr. left and John closed the door. He went back to sit next to her as she was playing with her rings. He finally took her hand in his and asked her, “Ellie are we ok? I mean you froze on me. Did I do something wrong?” he wanted to know.

She didn’t know what to say to him. She was really confused and didn’t know whether it was because of the party or that she just wasn’t ready yet. All she did know was she was falling for him and falling hard. “John you didn’t do anything wrong ok. I just don’t feel comfortable here right now while the party is going on that’s all.” She told him nervous as a jitter bug.

Smiling and glad that she wasn’t angry at him he said to her, “I get that really I do. Why don’t we go out there and try and get you to at least eat something and then we’ll come back in here and talk how’s that?” he asked her as he kissed her hand.

Smiling back at him, “Ok maybe that will shut them up huh? I just wish they would give me the benefit of the doubt that I can take care of myself you know. I’m just tired of everybody looking after me like I’m a baby.” She told him.

                John took her by the hand and they walked out to the back yard and each grabbed something to eat. Everybody was saying hello to John and what a cute girl he had with him and he would introduce her. Things were going good and the guys even got a small football team together. Even thou John wanted to spend the time with Ellie he loved football and this way his father thought he could watch the two of them easier this way. Ellie went over to sit with Marsha and rolled her eyes as Marsha laughed.

“So I take it you’re not a fan of football.” She asked her cousin.

“Nope. You grow up with your Dad, brothers and Uncles all screaming at the t.v. all year round and think they’re killing something in the kitchen nah you’re not a fan of sports.” She answered her back blaise. Marsha chuckled but knew that there was something else bothering her.

“Honey are you ok? You want to go home and lay down?” she asked her concerned.

“What? Oh no I fine really it’s just this bores the hell out of me and well I really just wanted to spend my time with John. Michael didn’t arrange this did he?” she asked wondering if he thought that out of site out of mind kind of thing.

“Actually no it was John Sr. he put it together why?” she asked her.

“Oh no reason I just thought because we disappeared and all that’s all. John had told me that they’re a big football family which I said to him peachy then I got this lecture but I couldn’t get up and run seeing I was in my bed dying and all. So I made a face at him and he told me when I got better I had better watch it.” She told Marsha smiling.

“You know he really likes you honey.” She told Ellie.

“Yeah I know and the thing is I really like him too.” She told her back taking a deep breath.

The game took a little over an hour with John’s team winning. And Marsha and Ellie were laughing as those guys were strutting around for their females. John went over and picked her up twirling her around as not only Marsha and Michael saw but his parents. Marsha looked at Michael as he just looked more defeated and threw his hands up in defeat as he gave his wife a kiss. John Sr. looked at his wife and couldn’t tell if she was happy or not. “Carol I thought you wanted them together what’s with the look?” John asked her.

Carol just looked back at her husband, “I just wanted them to be friends not get THAT close. You know show her around town and make some friends. I mean I knew he liked her but I really thought that he was still crazy about Dorothea. And her showing up everywhere they…I mean…” but John had already caught on to Carol’s little slip.

 “Carol what the hell did you do! You sent Dorothea after them? Why? What did that accomplish!” he asked her angrily.

“John keep it down I don’t want anyone to hear you! Can we please talk about this later.” She asked him as she walked away over to one of the other couples so she didn’t have to discuss it any longer. John Sr. wasn’t happy at all and Carol knew all too well that her husband was going to have this out with her when everyone went home later.

John meanwhile put Ellie down and told her that he was going to jump in the shower real quick and that then they would leave to meet up with a few of his friends. Ellie hung with her cousins as she waited for John to finish and told them that they were going to go out with a few of his friends to watch the fireworks. It didn’t take John long and as he came downstairs he met his Dad in the kitchen.

“Hey son where are you going? I thought you two were staying here?” he asked his son.

“No we’re going to meet up with some of the guys and watch some fireworks.” he told his Dad.

John Sr. just looked at his son as he grabbed a couple of sweatshirts in case it got cold. “John could we talk before you leave?” he asked him. John looked at his dad and rolled his eyes at him.

“Sure what’s up?” as if he didn’t know.

“Ok don’t give me that look. I’ll just tell you this once all right. Ellie seems like a good girl and your Mom has told me a few things and I’m sure you know too so with you not answering the door quite that fast this afternoon I could only guess what was going on…” John was explaining when John who was very uncomfortable blurted out.

“DAD! Come on huh? We were just making out ok? That’s it God!” he told him almost blushing from ear to ear.

“Look all I’m saying is what if your mother went to go get you? She wouldn’t of knocked get my drift? And like I said Ellie is a nice girl treat her like that I didn’t raise you any other way.” He told his son.

“Dad I will honest I…I love her. But please don’t tell Mom yet you how she gets. Ellie and I are just taking things day by day. I mean she kinda knows but then she kind of made a comment when I came back when Ellie was having a migraine several days ago and couldn’t understand why I was over there two days in a row when I should have been getting a new band together. I told her most of the guys are with their families right now because of the holiday I won’t see any of them until Ellie is back in Massachusetts which works out actually. Hey Dad I gotta go.” He told his Dad.

John Sr. wanted to tell his son what his mother did with his ex but he didn’t want to make a scene at the party. So John rejoined Ellie and they made their goodbyes as Carol didn’t want them to leave. She gave John a hard time about going as he explained to her that he had made these arrangements with his friends about a week ago to go see the fireworks with them as Tony and Matty begged him to take them along. So Carol told John he could go only if he could take his brothers also. John almost flipped out on his mother when Papa B. intervened. He told John to get going and he would explain to Mom. Taking off Carol came flying out calling after him. John came out, “Carol be quiet or the whole party will hear you!” John yelled back to her.

“Why did you let him leave I told him he had to take the boys too.” Carol said angrily.

“Because he’s going to meet up with his friends and they’re not taking their siblings with them. Lay off of him. Plus you want him to introduce her around maybe one of his friends will also like her right? How else is she going to meet anyone if he doesn’t take her around? (plus they want to be alone from you) now let’s get back to our party shall we?” he said to his wife.

In his car John was still visibly upset. Ellie asked him, “John are you still upset at what happened back at the house?”

Looking at her he replied, “Yes I can’t believe my Mom asked me to take my brothers with us. Of all people she knows I don’t take them around to places like this. She knows these guys don’t want kids hanging around.” He said as he seemed to be driving a little too fast now.

Ellie finally said something to him. “John could you please slow down a little?” as she was holding on a little tight.

John looking at her a little annoyed looked at the speedometer and realized he was going over the speed limit fifteen miles over so he did slow down. “Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.” He apologized.

“It’s ok, are you going to be ok?” she asked him.

Smiling “Yeah let’s just get to the beach and I should be fine.” He told her.

It didn’t take long for them to get there and John found a parking space. He took Ellie by the hand who was very nervous only because she didn’t know what she was walking into because John had mention that the guys they were going to hang out with or place’s seemed a little harsh. What was she getting herself into she thought? They came up on some group around a fire and John waving to them. John had his guitar in hand and was making his hellos and introductions for Ellie. Apparently these were his friends from the bars that he hangs out with and some that he had played with. Most of them were older than he was so when they passed him a beer he accepted like it was nothing. Ellie on the other hand didn’t. John had noticed so he asked if there was any diet sodas and one of the girls got up and gave John a diet coke who then gave it to Ellie. They played a few songs and after about the sixth song John walked over to one of the guys and asked him something. Once John got his answer he walked back to Ellie and asked her to go for a walk with him.

“Hey beautiful what do you say we go for a walk?” he asked her smiling.

“Sure” she said as they held hands walking down the beach.

“You’re not having a good time are you?” he asked her.

Smiling at him, “Well I wouldn’t say that exactly I loved hearing you play but I don’t know anyone there so it’s fifty, fifty.” She told him.

Stopping he turned her to face him. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to just leave you there like that. I work with those guys and I’m trying to get another band together so…I can’t just ignore them that’s why I came down here tonight I knew they were going to be here and played a little you know keep my name out there with them. Are you mad?” he asked her concerned.

Smiling, “I thought you said you were going to wait til I was at home before you started another band what changed?” she asked him.

“I’m going to but I still need to keep myself out there Babe. That’s what Dot never understood. She was always suffocating me and telling me it was either her or my music. You’re ok with this aren’t you?” he asked her hoping that she was.

“Of course I am. I know how much this means to you John. I would never take this from you.” She told him putting her hand on his cheek. “Should we start back now?” she asked him.

“Hum no if you don’t mind walking a little ways more there’s something I want to show you ok?” he asked her nervously.  They walked about another half mile down the beach when they came upon this beach house. He still was holding her hand so he directed her towards the beach house.

She looked at the house and then him as they approached and asked him what they were doing there. “John why are we stopping here? It doesn’t look like there’s anyone home.” she asked him confused as she was looking around.

“There isn’t anyone home come on.” he told her as he started up the stairs and took out the keys to the house. Looking down she just stood there staring up at him like he was crazy. “Well are you coming?” he asked her.

“Why and get arrested for breaking and entering?” she asked him as she had her hands on her hips.

Shaking his head and laughing, “No silly they can’t arrest you if you have the keys to the house, now come on.” He shouted as he went inside to make sure that the security code worked liked his friend gave him. She walked up the stairs and looked into the house. It was certainly a single guy’s house alright. Once John turned off the security alarm he turned around and saw her only in the door frame looking in.  He was curious. “Hey Babe are you coming in or are you going to stay there the whole time we’re here?” he asked her totally confused at what she was doing.

“Well I was thinking of it.” She told him still only peeking her head in.                                                                

“Ok I’ll bite what’s the matter?” he asked her actually dying to know.

“Well…it smells, and it’s messy. I mean really, really messy. More than my brothers room but their room doesn’t smell, this bad.” She told him shaking her head and making a face.

John wanted to really laugh out loud. “Babe it’s really not that bad believe me it isn’t. It’s just a guy’s place. Please come in for me.” He asked her making a pouty face.

“Oh don’t do that, just because you make that face doesn’t mean you’re gonna always get your way you know.” She told smiling.

Walking over to her and putting his arms around her waist he lifted her up as she squealed as he said, “You wanna make a bet.” As he kissed her nose.

“You know this isn’t fair I can’t lift you.” She told him with her pouty face. He put her down in the middle of the room and went back to shut the door. “Who’s place if this anyway?” she asked him.

“It’s a buddy of mine he went out of town with his girlfriend for the week and said I could use it especially if my parents got too much or any of my gigs got too late that I could crash here. So I thought that we could spend some time alone here since you were getting uptight back at the house. I hope that’s ok we can either watch some t.v. or listen to some music and go for a walk later.” He told her walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist again and kissing her neck.

Wiggling out of his grip, “John stop come on you didn’t bring me here to watch t.v. or listen to music.” She told him staring down at the floor.

John stood there too knowing that she was right but needed to explain it to her properly. “Can we sit down?” he asked her as he gestured towards the couch. She walked over and sat down; he sat down next to her and held her hand. “Ellie what’s wrong? I thought you wanted to be alone with me. Has that changed?” he asked her concern.

Looking into his deep blue eyes, “No, no it hasn’t. It was just; there were too many people at your house John anyone could have walked in. I was scared.” She told him half of it she was scared and still was and still needed to tell him.

“Ok but I know that much Ellie what’s still bothering you?” he wanted to know.

Looking down at their hands and whispering, “I guess I’m still scared.” She told him but he had a hard time hearing her.

“Babe I can’t hear you. What did you say, you need to speak up Honey.” He said lovingly while reaching out to stroke her face.

“I said I guess I’m still scared. I mean you were you know touching me.” She told him blushing from ear to ear.

John just smiled lovingly at her and went to sit closer to her and put his arm over her shoulder as she cuddled into him. “Is that why you stiffen up on me while we were making out?” he asked her.

“Hum um” she mumbled still wrapped up into his chest.

“That’s what I thought. Ellie you know we won’t do anything that you don’t want to do or ready for right?” he told her.

“I…I guess.” She said not even sure herself.

“Hey I wouldn’t do anything to you unless you said it was ok. I promise. I Love You and I hope you love me too.” He said to her.

Picking her head up and again looking him in his deep blue eyes, “John I thought I was in love before but now I know it was only a crush. Then I met you. My parents met and they married six months later so I now know you can fall in love fast and I get it now and Yes I Love You too so very, very much. But I have all this crap going thru my head you know.” She told him.

“Ok first thing’s first. We love each other that’s all that counts so relax. I don’t want you to make yourself sick. Now I just want you to think about today and maybe tomorrow but no further than that. Any further you freak out on me so only two days ahead ok. We’ll worry about anything bigger coming up when it comes up. But let’s not worry about the future yet I’ll handle what comes up and you just worry about yourself now what do you say we cuddle up and see what’s on the tube ok?” he asked her hugging her tight.

Shaking her head yes John got up and turned on the t.v. and they watched t.v. for about a half hour when he got up to get another beer. Suddenly when he was in the kitchen there was a crack from outside and the loudest noise of thunder that made Ellie jump as it made her squeal. John grabbed his beer and ran back into the living room as he saw Ellie with the pillow over her head. He didn’t want to laugh at her so he had to gather himself together before he walked over to her. When he did he knelt down and started to rub her back but at first she jumped because he startled the hell out of her. “Whoa Babe I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just that I heard you scream when I was in the kitchen.” He told her smiling.

With the pillow still over her head, “I didn’t scream I just squealed that’s all it took me by surprised no big deal!” she told him still not moving the pillow.

Still grinning John said to her, “No big deal huh, is that way you still have this pillow over head?” now he was chuckling and she finally peeked out from behind the pillow to stick out her tongue at him. “Keep doing that and I’ll show you what you can really do with that tongue Babe.” He told her as he rolled his at her. All she did was make a noise and went back underneath her pillow. So John grabbed it and tossed it aside.

“HEY! That was mine!” she yelled at him.

“Look that won’t help you.” He said as another thunder clap came and this time she grabbed onto him for dear life. “I take it you don’t like thunderstorms.” He asked her chuckling.

“First of all it’s not funny and second what gave it away?” she asked him still clinging on for dear life.

“I don’t know my blood circulation being cut off to my head.” He said to her giggling.

Loosing her grip around his neck she looked at him and said, “Yes I hate thunderstorms. Between the lightning and the thunder I can’t stand them and my Mom even thou she tried to play it cool never did and ran around until she found her picture of Jesus and put it in the window for protection then we’d be good. And sometimes in the middle of the night if a storm hit my parents would have four kids in their bed. Joe wouldn’t because he thought he was too big to join us but my parents always would laugh and wait to see how long it would take us to climb in with them. They’re really cool you’d like them.” She told him.

“Sounds like I would. How would they like you seeing a guy who plays in a band and has long hair?” he asked and wanted to really know.

“Well Mom I think would love you right off and Daddy he’d put you thru the ringer only because you’d be seeing his Princess. His sick Princess. He’d want to make sure that you would treat me right so once he got to know you he like you but probably tease the living hell out of you about your hair.” She told him laughing. Then came another clap of thunder and John put his arms around her again as she was shaking.

“Wow you really don’t like this. Ok um well as long as your Dad wouldn’t judge me right off then we wouldn’t have a problem I guess.” John told her.

“No I’d talk to both of them before you’d meet them so there wouldn’t be any worries. Did you know that.   there was going to be a storm?” she asked worried.

“I thought maybe it was going to rain that’s all but no storm not like this. And we might have a problem too.” He said not happy.

“What’s that?” she asked holding her breath.

“We might be stuck here over night because the roads get flooded when it rains.” He told her making an oh shit face to her. All she could think was Grounded for the rest of the time that she’s here.

Love Award Style

“John what would be so bad that would have you so nervous about?” she asked now very curious.

John just looked at her nervously and hugged her tight. He didn’t know where to start. “I just don’t want you to think any less of me.” He told her as he held her tight. Ellie was getting nervous now. What could he have done that would even have him all nervous about and that he would think that she wouldn’t want to be with him.

“John? Just tell me ok? It will be alright I promise.” She told him hugging him back.

That gave him some encouragement. “Well you know that I’m not a virgin right?” as he said that she shooked her head into his chest. “Well I lost mine when I was thirteen. My friends and I well we each gathered our money and oh God you know pooled it together and we went to see this woman across town. She lived in the more shadier part.” He was telling her as she just came out with it.

“You mean you went and saw a hooker? A Prostitute?  That’s your big secret? Oh Jon that’s nothing. Isn’t it every guy’s rite of passage to do that? What’s the big deal except for the age so what.” She told him as she sat up and looked him in his deep blue eyes.

“Yeah I guess.” He said as he looked back into her hazel blues.

“What’s the matter?” she asked him worried that maybe he thought that she may be ashamed of him for that.

“Ellie there’s more.” He told her looking very solemnly.

“Ok go ahead I’m listening.” She told him as she held his hand.

“Well I got that money from mowing lawns. I did that for a couple of years. I guess I was a cute kid because the Oh God…” he cringed as he still thought about it. At the time he didn’t think it was such a big deal until he found out who was reaping the benefits of it. “This was a kids dream at the time Babe and you have to understand where I was coming from ok? When I mowed lawns it would get awfully hot and some of the housewives, not all of them, but some of them would offer me something to drink so they would take me inside and they liked what they saw.” He explained to her. She sat there listening intently and he saw that maybe she quite wasn’t getting the meaning of what he was saying. “Babe are you getting anything I’m trying to tell you?” he asked her.

She looked at him as innocently as only she knew how. She shooked her head no. “Not really just that they seemed nice and offered you something to drink because you were hot.” She told him.

“Ok Baby they offered me more than something to drink.” He told her making a face of getting it.

“What do you mean they offered you more than…” Bingo! She finally got it and she just sat there with a look of surprise on her face. She didn’t know what to say to him so she just stared at him. John sat there and knew that finally she realized what he was talking about. Finally she said, “John you had…had sex with them?” she asked him almost whispering.

John shooked his head and answered yes. There was a few minutes where neither of them spoke. Ellie just sat there staring straight off as John was staring at her. He didn’t know what to do now. “Ellie are you ok?” he wanted to know.

She finally looked at him and said, “John I’m fine but you? Are you alright? I mean were you ok with it?” she asked him.

John took a deep breath, “I was at first, I thought hey this is strange and scary at first and then I thought it was really cool because once I got used to it well it was every guys dream you know. Plus they paid me really good and I didn’t understand that part really I just thought it was because I was mowing their damn lawns really good. That’s how stupid I was. Then I started to shovel snow and still I reaped the benefits. Well one day I saw one of them going into my parents’ house I didn’t get it at first so I snuck in and listened. Apparently my Mom knew all about it. You see there was this certain club she wanted into and these certain ladies thought as long as she kept her mouth shut about me that she could get into this club. I guess it was really high and mighty to be in it. So as long as she didn’t press charges on them she could be in it for as long as she wanted. That was the first time it felt really dirty you know. Anyway that wasn’t too long ago that I finally quit mowing lawns and stopped doing that. I was all most sixteen.” He stopped there and took a breather. He looked at her to get a sense of where she was.

Ellie was looking down playing with the blanket that was on her lap. She really didn’t know how to react to this. It wasn’t like telling him what she had gone thru. This was just a tad more personal she thought. She looked up at him smiling, “John I don’t want you to think this changes anything with us ok? But please just tell me you never did anything with Marsha.” She asked him hoping.

Smiling, “No I never did anything with her honest. She doesn’t run in those circles.” He told her relieved that she didn’t hate him.

“Ok then and you don’t do it any more right?” she asked him even thou he said he didn’t but needed to hear it again.

“No I don’t I promise you I don’t.” he said as he crossed his heart with his hand.

“Did you have girlfriends during this because didn’t you say you dated?” she asked him as she remembered one of their conversations when they first went out.

“Yeah I did and I’m not too proud of that but yeah.” He told her.

“We’re you seeing Dorothea?” she asked him.

“Yeah I was.” He told her not seeing where this was going.

“Did she know about all this?” she wanted to know.

“Yes Ellie unfortunately she did. What has this got to do with anything?”

“She had implied that there was something in your past that I wouldn’t like and that I would never be able to satisfy you. Now I know.” She told him as she pursed her lips.

“That Bitch! Ellie you can’t listen to her you know that. We already know that we’re compatible right? Last night at the drive-in when we were making out. That was the best time in my life. I don’t know about you but Ellie but I’m falling in love with you.” He told her as her took her in his arms and gently kissed her and she let him turn it in a passionate kiss but as he started to let his hands roam a little too far she broke it up breathless.

“Oh whoa there we have to remember where we are.” she told him.

“Oh crap yeah you see what you do to me.” He told her as they head to head.

“Well if I tell you that I feel I love you too you may feel that I’m copying you.” She told him giving him Eskimo   kisses.

“I’ll risk it.” He told her turning the Eskimo kisses back into regular ones.

He held her the rest of the night and watched t.v. until Marsha popped her head in to let John know how late it was getting. He said goodbye to her and told her that he would see her tomorrow.

**********************************************************************

The next few days were quite for Ellie as she was getting over her migraine. She just stayed down as she felt like she was hit by a bus. They did take her into the clinic so they could look her over much to her chagrin and as she thought they ran a bunch of test as they always did. And as always they didn’t show much. 

John came and saw her during the afternoons and told her that he had to finish a few gigs and that they would have the forth all to themselves. They were looking forward to that. He felt bad that she had to go thru all that knowing she hated it. He wanted to do something really special for her but he couldn’t think of anything right off. Maybe he could do something special when she got back from her parents he thought. Yeah that would give him enough time work things out properly.

              *******************************************************************

 The Fourth of July finally came and Carol was running around with her head chopped off. John Sr. was setting up the back yard with the help of, well two of his sons while one of them was still asleep. Luckily for Carol everyone offered to bring something over so they were supplying the hot dogs and hamburgers. The guys were setting up chairs in the back yard and John was just about finished cleaning the grill when Carol came out to check things over when she noticed that there was only two of her sons helping out instead of three.

“John where’s John? I thought I told you to get all of our children to help out.” She asked her husband.

“Well I did stick my head into his room but all I got was a grunt. I think he got in around two-thirty, three last night. From what I got I think Bruce and South Side were at the Pony last night seeing they were in town for the fourth.” John told Carol.

“Oh for heaven’s sake. He’s going to make himself sick. I understand his dream but why can’t he come home at a descent hour. I don’t know how Elvis’s mother did it.” Carol went on.

“Different time dear different time.” John told her smiling. “So do you still want me to go wake him?” he asked her.

“Just stick your head in and tell him that Ellie is here and watch him fall out of bed that will get him up.” Carol said laughing.

“Carol that’s just mean let the poor boy sleep for a little while longer and then I’ll get him up. I still have a few things that need to be done and I’ll give Tony and Matty a break and have Johnny do the rest ok?” John told his wife. That seemed to satisfy Carol.

By the afternoon everything was ready and the guests were arriving. Carol just loved to play hostess. The cousins were running around the back yard driving Tony and Matty crazy as John was hiding in the house pacing. His Dad came in to check on the soft drinks when he saw his son pacing in the hall.

“John what are you doing?” he asked bewildered.

“Oh Hi Dad. Is Ellie here yet?” he asked his dad as he perked up a little bit.

“No son she hasn’t. Is this why you’re in here pacing?” he asked trying not to laugh. 

“Sort of, our cousins are driving us nuts so yeah I’m hiding and also I just thought I’d wait for Ellie in here. Why?” he asked nervous only because he thought it was getting late and didn’t know where they were.

“Marsha said that they were coming so calm down and their car is in their driveway so there home. They’ll be here. So why don’t you go outside and get something to eat or drink and relax.” He told his son.

“No way! Missy Johnson is here. She has an enormous crush on me Dad and hangs on me every time she can get her mitts on me.” John bitched at his dad.

 “So I thought you liked girls hanging on you. Isn’t that part of being a rockstar?” John asked him as he mocked his son.

“Dad! She’s eleven!” He bitched.

“Get used to it John or you’ll never make it in the rock and roll industry.” John said as he grabbed another box of sodas and started out to the back yard when Tony came into the house.

“Hey John your girlfriend’s here.” Tony yelled to him making kissy faces at him.

“DAD! Make him stop!” John yelled.

“Tony don’t embarrass your brother.” John yelled walking out the door.

John just shook his head in defeat and happily went outside to find Ellie. He looked around until he found her and when he did she was surrounded by his brothers. He quickly made his way over to her before they could do any damage to his rep.

“Really ok no I didn’t know that.” She was heard saying as he joined them.

“Ok you two get lost NOW.” He told them and they ran off.

They stood there a minute looking at each other smiling and holding hands before John spoke. “Hey so where were you guys I was getting worried.” He told her.

“Oh we had to go to Michael’s boss house for a little while. He was throwing a Fourth of July party to but luckily we had to come here so that was our excuse not to stay.” She explained to him.

“Well you’re here now come on you want anything to drink or eat?” he asked her.

“Just a diet coke if you got it.” She told him.

“Sure I’ll be right back.” He went off to get her her soda.

 As she waited a little girl walked over to her. “Hi are you a friend of John’s?” she asked Ellie.

Ellie smiled, “Yes I am who are you?”

“I’m John’s girlfriend Missy.” She told her.

Ellie stood there wide eyed and smiling. “Really? And how long have you and John been dating?” she asked her.

“Oh for a long time now. We’re going to get married someday. You know when he becomes rich and famous. He’s going to be a famous rockstar someday.” Missy told her.

“Really? Did he tell you this?” she asked her.

“Oh yes and he’s very good too.” Missy said bragging.

Ellie thought Missy was really cute and could tell that she really liked John a lot. Just then John came back with her soda. “Here Sweetie I got…Oh Lord.” John wanted to turn around in his tracks.

“John! Hi!” Missy said happily as she clung to him as he approached.

“Hey Missy ah could you please let go.” He said as nicely as he could.

Ellie was watching and trying not to laugh. But she did know what he was going thru only because Joe and Chick were very good looking and they sometimes had the same problems at times. So she tried to jump in and help him. “Missy could I talk to you a second please.” She asked her.

Missy finally let John go and they walked off together near the bushes separating the properties. John watched as Ellie and Missy were talking and it was killing him to know what they were talking about. Finally Missy was pointing at John and then then were hugging and Missy ran off and Ellie walked back to John.

John was in shock as Ellie reached him. “What the hell did you say to her?” John wanted to know.

“Oh just a little girl talk that’s all.” Ellie told him smiling.

“Oh no what did you tell her.” He asked again.

“I just told her that if she kept on looking like she was being needy that you would never like her. Guys don’t like needy woman. They like woman who play hard to get so I think you won’t have a problem for a while with her.” She told him.

“I knew I loved you for a reason. Come on let’s go on inside before someone else grabs us.” He took her arm and guided her into the house. They made their way thru the kitchen and down the hall to the stairs where he stops and as he was holding her hand starts to ascend the stairs but Ellie freezes. Turning around, “Ellie what’s wrong?” he asked her.

“John doesn’t these stairs lead up to your room?” she asked him nervously.

“Yeah they do why?” he asked back confused.

“Well I don’t want to be a prude but won’t your parents be angry if we go up there because I know Marsha and Michael won’t like it.” She told him.

Wrapping his arms around her he told her, “Is it you that don’t want to go to my room or are you just worried what they think?” he asked her.

Looking at him, “No I’m worried what they’ll think dummy. Michael will kill you no matter where you are. They think of me like they’re little sister you know. I mean I appreciate it especially since I’m the oldest of five so it’s kind of nice for a change but I just don’t want to see you hurt.” She told him giving him a little kiss on his lips.

“Thanks I like that. Fine, to make you feel better let me get some of my albums and we’ll go into the den. That way we’re out in the open but still closed off ok?” he asked her. Ellie felt better about that and John ran upstairs and got a variety for them to listen to. In the den John set up the record player so that they would play several at a time and that way he could cuddle up with her for a while before he had to change over the records. He also brought in some goodies for them that way they didn’t have to leave if he had it his way. He just wanted to spend some alone time with his girl. As they were sitting on the couch John had his arm around her shoulder as she was leaning into him. So finally he made his move and moved so he could bend down to kiss her as he put his hand behind her head and wrapped the other around her waist. Before either of them knew it they slid down on the couch as he was on top of her making out. Ellie’s heart was racing faster than it ever had and she thought it was going to explode. She really liked kissing John he really was good at it. But then he moved his hips a little and then she felt it again and it freaked her out. But what really freaked her out was when he moved his hand up her stomach and onto her right breast and started to massage it. Her eyes sprang open and that’s when she didn’t know what the hell to do. How do you tell the guy you love you like it but...

             *******************************************************************

Meanwhile Michael and Marsha were getting the kids their meals and wondered where Ellie had gone to. They figured that she had gone off with John but to where. They saw John and Carol so Michael walked over to them to ask.

“Yeah guys if you don’t mind me asking but do you know where Ellie and John went to? I just want to make sure she eats because if she doesn’t it will trigger one of her headaches you know?” he asked them concerned.

“Well we do know she did go off with John I guess I could go look for them?” Carol said but just then Tony had overheard and told them what he knew.

“I know where they are.” He said.

Looking at their son, “Well do you mind Tone?” John asked his son.

“Oh yeah I heard music coming from the den so I guess they’re in there.” He told them and then ran off.

“Well there you go I’ll go asked them if they ate how’s that?” John asked Michael. He agreed and John went off to find the kids. He got to the den and was about to knock on the door only because he was afraid that knowing his son he didn’t want to embarrass him just in case they were let’s say cuddled up or making out. He knew he was probably like his old man.

               ********************************************************************

John felt Ellie stiffen up and let go. He slowly got up on to his knees and looked down at her as she turned her head to the side but before he could ask her anything there was a knock at the door and John fell to the floor as Ellie sat straight up in shock. They looked at each other with shocked looks on their faces and John just yelled, “Just a second!”

John Sr. wanted to laugh but waited until it was clear to open the door. 

I'll Be There For You

Morning came and John had woken up early so he could get into the shower before anyone else. His parents were downstairs and could hear the shower go on and asked Tony if that was John in there and he said he guessed so.

“John it’s nine a.m. what’s he doing up at nine in the morning on a Saturday?” Carol asked her husband.

“Well if I had to guess I would think it had to do with that little girl next door that you and Marsha are setting up this whole Fourth of July party for. “ he said with a slight smile.

“Well at least this way Marsha and I will be able to see where this is leading the two of them. I don’t like the way Dorothea treated him so it will be good for him to know that there are nice girls out there but at least Ellie is only here for a short time.” Carol told her husband.

John Sr. looked at his wife and tried to understand what that meant. “Carol I thought you liked Ellie. What do you mean by that? You do want John to be happy right?” he asked her concerned.

“Of course I do Dear but with Ellie she’s always going to have something wrong with her. She’s not going to be oh how can I say this not the right kind of wife he’ll need when he makes it in the entertainment business. John dear he is going to be someone someday and he’ll need to have someone who can have children and to host parties and go on the road with him and talk with important people…” but John couldn’t hold his tongue anymore.

“Carol what makes you think that Ellie can’t do any of that. And why are you thinking of any of this now? He’s only seventeen for crying out loud. He’s not even thinking marriage. He is thinking stardom and being the next Elvis maybe but that’s as far as he’s gotten right now.” He told her outright.

“Oh John you never given our son the credit he deserves. Plus Ellie isn’t going to be here that long and he’ll get over her like he has all those other girls. He is just like his father you know.” She told giving him the eye.

“Hey! Don't start that and you also had yourself quite the list of admirers if I remember dear. Look leave them both alone they’re only kids and they’re both going to go thru a couple of serious relationships before either one of them finds the one. And if he does start something in show business you’re really not going to like it because I hear those groupies will stop at nothing from throwing themselves at musicians in a band so get used to it. Because you know as much as I do we men think with our…” just then John walked into the kitchen.

“Hi is the coffee on?” he asked.

“When isn’t the coffee on Honey?” Carol told her oldest.

“One, why are you up so early and two, where are you going?” his Dad asked him.

“Oh Ellie and I made plans for today.” He told his parents. They both looked at each other and cocked their heads.

“Oh really Honey so last night went good then?” Carol asked him.

He couldn’t help but smile that Bongiovi smile of his. “Yeah it did. I told her everything Dorothea told me. I had too; she was just so upset by her knowing everything about her. The only thing is she and I don’t know who got the information. Dot said something about a family friend or something like that but never gave me a name so I couldn’t give that to Ellie. But she is going to tell Marsha and have her try and put a limited amount of people on her case so we’ll see what happens. Anyway I have to pick her up about eleven so can I grab something to eat?” He asked them.

Which Carol loved because she could make him breakfast and made sure he got something in his stomach.

************************************************************************************    

John showed up right on time as he knocked on the door and Michael answered. “John Hi what are you doing here so early?” he asked him confused.

John just looked at him just as confused. “I’m here to pick up Ellie we had a date for late this morning. She is here isn’t she?” John asked him.

“I think she’s still in bed John I’ll have Marsha go check on her.” He told him. John went to go sit on the couch as Michael went to go get Marsha.

In the kitchen Michael asked Marsha if she knew that John was coming over this morning. “No I didn’t, ok I’ll go and see what’s up she did get in late maybe she’s just over sleeping.” Marsha told him as she started for her room. She didn’t bother to knock she only opened the door a crack to see if any of the lights were on and they weren’t. That sent her signals that something was wrong so she opened the door wider and walked over to the bed and sat next to her. She put her hand on her shoulder and gently shook her, “Ellie Honey wake up, Ellie wake up.” Ellie started moving and mumbling something. “Honey I can’t understand you.”

Turning around she looked so pale. As best she could she told Marsha that she was having a migraine and had already made a trip to the bathroom earlier this morning so there was nothing in her stomach. Marsha told her that she would get her an ice pack and not to worry and that she would bring her some ginger ale she needed to get some liquids in her and crackers or toast whatever she wanted. She went back out and told the guys what was going on and John wanted to see her. Michael didn’t want him to only because he thought that she should rest but Marsha thought that he needed to see her at her worse and see how he would do with her in a control atmosphere. Michael finally gave in and let John go to Ellie’s room only because it’s not like they could do anything anyway.

Once John walked in he could see her lying there as the room was basically drape in darkness. He didn’t want to bother her especially if she was sleeping so he quietly walked up to her bed so he could at least look at her to make sure, well he didn’t really know he just needed to look at her. He sat in the chair next to her bed when Marsha came in with the ice pack, ginger ale and crackers. She put everything on her side table except for the ice pack that she gave to her to put on her head.

“Hon how does that feel?” Marsha asked her.

“Fine thank you.” She said softly to her.

Marsha looked at John then at her, “Ellie John’s here.” She told here quietly herself.

Ellie looked at her a little disheveled. “John? Oh God we were supposed to go out today. Oh I ruin everything. Marsha you need to call him. Pleaseee.” But John stood up and Marsha moved over so he could calm her down.

“Hey Beautiful calm down ok I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.” He told her as he sat on the side of her bed as she just looked up at him like she was seeing a ghost.

“John? You’re here?” she asked him a little surprised that he actually stayed.

“Of course I’m here where else would I be silly.” He said to her reaching down and taking her hand.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t mean for this to happen honest.” She told him trying to hold back her tears knowing if she cried it would just make her headache worse.

“What are you talking about Baby? You didn’t do this on purpose so calm down or you’re going to make yourself worse.” He told her as he tried desperately to calm her down.

“No you don’t…understand…I ruined every…thing…John.” she tried to tell him between sobs.

“Baby please you need to stop crying ok? Ok that did it Role over a bit I’m coming in.” he told her and he climbed into the bed so he could hold her. Once he got her up on his chest just right he could rub her back and he started to hum. He knew she loved Elvis so he started to hum Can’t Help Falling in Love to her and worked his way to singing it for her.

After the song she quietly said, “John?”

“Yeah.”

“So you’re not mad?” she asked him as her pain meds were finally starting to take effect with the help of the ice pack.

“No why would I be Ellie?” he asked her not understanding the question.

“Because we didn’t get to spend the day like we planned.” She told him as she yawned.

Smiling down at her, “Of course not, you couldn’t help this don’t you ever worry when you don’t feel good ok? And I’ll be here when I can ok? As long as I’m not working or playing I’ll be here alright?” he said as sincerely as he could.

She looked up at him still looking sad and with tears in her eyes. “But you don’t understand. Is Marsha around?” she asked him.

“No why? Do you need me to get her?” he asked as he was about to jump off the bed.

“NO! No I just need to tell you something and you have to swear not to tell either of them ok? Promise me John.” She said to him.

Now he was getting worried. “Ellie what’s that matter? What happened?” he asked her concerned.

“Just promise me.” She told him again this time a little stronger.

“Ok I promise now just tell me you’re scaring me.” He said to her upset now.

“You don’t need to be upset it was just really stupid of me that’s all but they might get really mad and tell me because I wasn’t thinking and getting in late I forgot and was irresponsible and especially Michael they might not let me see you again.” She told him really upset.

“Ellie just tell me please.” John said to her nearly jumping out of his skin.

Looking up at him she said, “I forgot to take my nightly meds. They’re the strongest I guest and it takes me awhile to wake up in the morning that’s why I sleep late sometimes anyway apparently it triggered a migraine early this morning and if I tell them they may go ballistic on me. The first real time I have a great time here and I screw up.” She explained to him and again she starts to cry.

John pulls her into him and rubs her back. “Shhh it’s ok, it’s ok sweetie but you have to try and stop crying or you’re going to make your headache worse. I’m going to be here all day I’m not going anywhere so close your eyes and try and get some sleep I’ll be here when you wake up.” He told her lovingly. He stared singing her another song to try and calm her down and by the end of it she was a sleep on his chest. He just relaxed as she slept on him as her left arm draped over his torso, her head on his chest and her breathing was steady. He thought nothing could get any better than this.

John had dosed off too and it was only for about an hour and a half when Marsha popped her head in to check on both of them. She thought it was adorable the two of them sound asleep as Ellie was curled up on John. With the change of the lighting in the room John was startled and opened his eyes.

“Oh Marsha Hi.” He said to her a little bit drowsy.

“Hi there I see you drifted off there too.” She told him smiling at him.

“Yeah I guess I did. I hope it’s alright that I’m here well you know in bed holding her but it seemed to be the only way  could calm her down.” He explained to her.

“John it’s ok I understand. I know she was awfully upset that she felt she ruin your day today. But she gets like that if she thinks plans are ruined that it’s always her fault. I remember her telling me once that her Dad wanted to get out of something some family thing and he told Aunt Cecelia to tell them they couldn’t go because Ellie wasn’t feeling good. Well Ellie said she was laughing in the back ground really bad saying Thanks a lot Daddy. And he said to her ‘Well it’s not the first time I used you as an excuse.’ She went ‘no kidding and do you think that I haven’t done that’ they’re really close so there’s that sense of humor. I don’t think Paul and Cecelia could get thru this any other way.” She told him as Ellie started stirring.

She finally opened her eyes as John said, “Hey beautiful my girl feeling any better?” he asked her hoping that she did. Shaking her head no, John just looked defeated for her. Holding her tight he asked her, “Do you want anything?” Again she just shooked her head no. John just looked at Marsha and shrugged his shoulders.

“Well do you want anything John?” she asked him.

“No I’m fine but thank you.” He told her.

“Well how about I bring you in some soda and some snacks just in case ok? Then I’ll let you know when dinner is ready sounds good? She still has her ginger ale and crackers try and see if you can get her to eat some of those. I’ll be right back.” She told him.

Wiping her forehead he just kept rubbing her back until Marsha came back in with everything and a new ice pack. Then she and John helped Ellie to the bathroom and back and when Marsha was satisfied everything was fine she left the two in peace.

Finally Ellie said she wanted to sit up so John helped her to. “Is this ok? Do you need any pillows behind you?” John asked her.

“John I’m fine ok I just need to sit up. My body feels like it’s cramping up. But if you don’t mind I could lean a little on you thou.” She said to him.

Smiling, “Baby you can lean on me all you want. Come here.” He told her as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into him again as she wiggled as close as she could get to him.

“This is nice. I just wish I felt better so I could enjoy this a little that’s all.” She told him blushing a little but she really didn’t have to worry all that much seeing her room was dark and he couldn’t tell.

“You know if you weren’t sick I could so take advantage of you in a dark room like this.” he told her as he voice became slow and he drew it out. Her eyes grew wide and parts of her body began to tingle like it had never tingled before. And this was so not the time for this.

“John that’s not nice.” She whined to him only because she so wanted to kiss him like they did last night but she knew she couldn’t not feeling the way she felt right now. Especially since she hadn’t been able to brush her teeth because going into the light just about kills her and standing up well the room just spins and spins.

“Oh Baby I’m sorry I didn’t mean to imply that it’s your fault…” he was getting upset to think he upset her. When she broke in.

“John no that’s not it. It’s just not fair to get me all worked up when I don’t feel good that’s all. I don’t think you know how much I want to kiss you right now but just the way I feel…well I just can’t plus I haven’t brushed my teeth so God only know what my breath is like.” She said to him shyly as she hid her face in his chest.

John knew exactly how she felt only because he wanted to kiss her too and being in bed with her in her shorts and t-shirt with no bra on wasn’t helping him with his problem. He was trying so badly to keep everything under wraps so to speak. “Baby I get it I really do but we’ll have all the time later ok? I just want you to get better so just relax and think of whatever girly things you girls think of ok?” he told her.

Ellie looked up at him like he had two heads. “Girly things? What story books have you’ve been reading lately? You want to throw in some unicorns and rainbows too?” she asked him giggling.  

“Why are you always laughing at me, I don’t know these things I’m a guy for crying out loud.” He said as he made a pouty face.

“Ahhh the big bad guy doesn’t know anything about girls” she said poking him, “How didn’t I know that.” She kept on giggling as she kept on poking him.

Grabbing her hand and rolling her over on her back he was lying on top of her as he said, “Do you still want to keep poking me little girl?”

“Well no it’s kinda hard to do in this position but if Michael or Marsha walk in you’ll get a poking of a lifetime.” she told him as she giggled some more.

“You know I just may risk it.” He said as he still had his stern face on. “And well one of these days I’m not going to get up just remember that.” He told her as he gently got off of her.

She didn’t know what to say to that and luckily she didn’t have to because just then Marsha stuck her head in and asked them if they wanted anything for dinner. Ellie told her that she would try and get some soup down and she also told her that John would go out and join them for dinner. John looked at her confused.

“Don't you want me here with you?” he asked her with a little bit of hurt in his voice.

“Of course I do but you’ve been holed up in here all day go and breath some fresh air for a while then you won’t feel that bad when you come back.” She told him. She felt guilty as it was for him being there all day and wanted him to go stretch his legs. “Go eat I’ll still be here and I’ll save you’re spot I promise.” She told him as she winked at him.

John went off with Marsha and sat with them for dinner and actually had a good time talking and making goofy faces with the kids. Marsha brought Ellie her soup and then went to join the rest of the family. Ellie was kind of glad that John joined them for dinner because she needed that break only because John was driving her crazy but in a different way. He looked super gorgeous and smelled just as good. Usually smells makes her migraines worse but something about John well just didn’t. Everything about this boy drove her crazy.

After dinner John came back in walking over to her, “Hey are you awake?”

Opening her eyes, “Yeah I’m awake I was resting until you got back. Come on climb back in.” she told him as she patted the bed.

“You look like you’re doing better.” He told her as he kissed her on the forehead.

“Yeah am I? I guess ok. Gimme a kissy” she asked him as she started to make kissing noises. John just looked at her and started to fend off her advances.

“Whoa there what’s with you?” he asked her trying to get her to calm down.

“Nothing I just want a little kissy.” She told him and she kept up with the kissy noises.

Then it dawned on him, “Ellie what did you take? Tell me what did you take!” he demanded to know.

“You’re yelling at me. Don't yell at me!” she told him almost in tears now.

“Ok see I’m not yelling now tell me Baby what did you take?” he asked her again as he was scared to death that she did something stupid.

“I just took a couple of my pain pills that’s all. What are you getting all freaky about. God. My head started to hurt again and the doctor told me if it started to hurt again to take two so I did. Why?” she asked him as she was now really confused herself.

“Stay here I’ll be right back.” He told her as he ran to tell Marsha the effects of the medication.

When he found her he explained what was going on and the reaction she was having to it and that he didn’t think she should be having a reaction to two pain pills like that in such a short time since she took them. So Marsha went in with him to see for herself and sure enough it had looked like she was on something more than just two pain pills.

“John when was the last time she took anything?” Marsha asked him.

“Let’s see it’s five-thirty now so I’d have to say a little after you brought us lunch.” He told her.

“Now you’re sure?” she asked him again.

“Positive only because if she said she was getting any pain I was rubbing her head or her back and that relaxed her enough to calm down or dose off for a while.” He explained to her.

Trying to hold in her smile, “Ok John thank you, you seem to be good for her. She wasn’t smiling this much when she first got here. I’ll call her doctor in the morning and tell him that I think the dosage is too strong for her to take two pills at a time. When she comes out of this we won’t let her do this again. I’ll take the bottle so she won’t take any more tonight I think this is her limit. We’ll use ice packs if we have to.” She told him as she grabbed the bottle and left John to be with her.

She finally slept for a couple of hours which John was grateful for and she was coming around as he started to move so he could get more comfortable. “Hi did I wake you?” he asked concerned.

“No you didn’t but what the hell happened I remember you were out eating and I was trying to eat mine but I got a surge of nausea and then a sharp pain thru my eye and a throbbing on my right side which usually means I’m in for a big one so I took some pain meds and closed my eyes and I guess I went out.” She told him not knowing what actually happened.

John needed to tell her, “Sweetie you didn’t just go out.”

“What do you mean I didn’t go out? What are you talking about?” she wanted to know.

“When I came back in from the kitchen you were really loopy. You know out of it like high. So I went and got Marsha and she agreed with me that we think it was the pain pills that got you like that. The dosage is just too high for you to take two pills at a time. But Marsha is going to handle it so don’t worry ok.” He explained to her.

She just looked at him and couldn’t believe what he was telling her. “I hate this John I really do. I’m a stupid guinea pig. It’s ok to take one but not two. I wonder what it does to adults as they write that now on their stupid charts as well.” She said angrily.

“It’s ok to get mad you have the right you know that. But no matter what happens we’ll be here no matter what. I’m just glad you’re ok you are right?” he asked her as his heart was beating like ten times faster.

  “You mean do I still feel loopy? Cause I hate to tell you this but I always feel loopy.” She told him giggling.

Shaking his head, “Yeah you’re back to your normal self whatever that is you nut.” He said taking her in his arms and holding her tight. “You scared the hell out of me when I thought you took more than I thought you did.” He told her.

“Never worry I would never do that growing up Catholic and having my Mother trust me you don’t even think about it. Well you might think about it but you don’t do it. I have a Grandmother up there I’m not getting her pissed at me and getting her to lecture me. Plus I want to meet Elvis and I’m counting on them to have him at the Pearly Gates when it’s my time. And if they don’t well there will be Hell to pay so just buckle down people!” she explained to him as he just stared at her amazed.

“Do you just think of this stuff as you go along?” he asked her with this blank look.

“No why?” she asked dead serious.

“No, no reason.” He said to her as a smile came out and bent down and gently kissed her.

“What was that for?” she asked confused.

“For just being you.” He told her smiling lovingly at her.

She wanted to tear up because nobody ever said that to her before. Mostly her siblings always told her to shut up when she ranted well except for Sean he always stuck up for her. Finally getting her voice back she asked him, “Hey weren’t you supposed to tell me your life buddy. You promised. And since I can’t move and I know you think I’m doing a little better but I can tolerate a lot pain but if I start moving around right now my head will burst and it’s coming in waves. So since I’m stuck here spill what makes John tick. Tell me what you were like you said something that I wouldn’t like what I’d hear? Explain that please?” she asked him giving him her best puppy dog eyes she could.

John looked down at her and swallowed hard. She was probably the only one in Sayreville that didn’t know and he really liked that. But he also didn’t want to keep secrets from her and didn’t want Dorothea saying anything to her about his past that might freak her out. But he didn’t want to lose her either. He knew he had to tell her he just had to find the right words. “Ok Sweetie I’ll tell you but you have to promise that you’ll have an open mind ok?” he told her. She couldn’t image what he was about to tell her that would have him so nervous.

Anyone for the Drive-in

She looked like she was a deer caught in the headlights. She really didn’t know what to say to him but knew she had to answer him. “Ah well…wow ok then.” She said trying so hard not to look at him. “John how does she even know and what right does she have to tell you that.” She asked him on the verge of tears.

John kept hold of her hand as she tried to let go of his. “Please don’t ok I like holding it. She only told me because she thought she would get a different reaction than she did get out of me. I told her off and that whatever we do or your life is off limits. Look we can still go to the movies or we can go someplace else and talk but I was thinking we can do both if you want?” he asked her hoping that she would say yes. 

Sniffing, “What do you mean?” she asked him as he handed her a paper napkin.

“Well the drive-in is open so we’ll have some privacy and we can talk if you don’t like the movie that’s playing. It’s better than going to a theater where we can’t talk what do you say? Huh?” giving her his blue eyed looked.

Thinking about it he was right it would be more private so they could talk and she was really upset at what Dorothea did. Plus she had to know how she got that information. So she told him that would be fine and they finished their dinner and headed out to the drive-in. They pulled up and saw what was playing M*A*S*H and American Graffiti.

John turned to her and asked, “Well these look ok I know I’ve seen them but what about you?” he asked her.

“No this will be fine.” She told him as she really didn’t care what the hell they saw now she only wanted to get those answers she needed now. John found a secluded place to park and told her that he would be right back because he was going to get some goodies for the show. He walked over to the snack shack and brought back an armful of snacks and a couple cans of sodas each.

She opened the car door for him and as he got in and handed her some of snacks he had gotten. “I hope you like what I got here I figured chips, licorice, junior mints, popcorn and some sodas. How’s that to start?” he asked her smiling.

She looked at him like he was crazy. “You don’t except us to eat all this do you?” she asked him making a face and rolling her eyes.

John just looked at her back and didn’t understand why she thought this was too much food. “What’s wrong?” he asked her still holding about half of it.

Now she started to laugh. “John you got enough here to feed an army.” She told him still laughing.

Now chuckling himself he said, “No I got enough for a double feature maybe? Now which one do you want the orange or the diet coke?” he asked her holding up both cans.

“I’ll take the diet coke please.” She told him.

“Figures.” He said laughing.

“And just what do you mean by that?” she asked him with her lips pursed and eyes wide trying not to giggle.

“Well even thou we were talking once about girls and dieting yet you drink diet coke.” He smiled at her.

Smiling back she said to him, “I drink diet coke because I like the taste of diet coke not because of the calories dumbass.” She explained to him.

Sitting there shocked because she called him dumbass he responded, “Dumbass? You just called me dumbass? Oh I’m so going to get you for that.” He told her as he dumped the snacks in the backseat and grabbed her as she squealed and he just started to tickle her mercifully. There was nowhere for Ellie to run to or for that matter to really move to seeing there wasn’t much space in the front seat of his car. He slid her over just enough and grabbed her legs and slid her down as she landed on her back. He thought he could get a better stance when she accidently shifted herself and he slipped and landed right on top of her and they were face to face. Ellie was out of breath anyway but now this didn’t help. They were staring into each other’s eyes not saying anything just listening to their heartbeats. So John figured what the hell and went for it. He leaned in and pressed his lips on hers and before he knew it he slowly moved his tongue to circle her bottom lip just before he tried to see if she let him slip it in.

As Ellie was laying there trying to catch her breath John had fallen on her and was face to face with her. She was saying to herself ‘Oh God he’s going to try and kiss me. Ok don’t panic act cool.’ As John started to kiss her she could feel his tongue roaming her bottom lip and she wanted to go into panic mode but she didn’t want him to see and she knew she had to still seem cool. So she let him in and she just tried to follow his lead. It wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be in fact it was really nice. He kisses really nice. She could get lost in this for hours she thought. Then something else was happening and she wasn’t that naïve to know what it was. It was around her pelvis and it was getting harder by the minute. She did have three brothers so she wasn’t stupid. Now she didn’t know what to do.

John was enjoying kissing her very much. He thought it was funny for someone who never did this before caught on really fast and good. But all of a sudden he realized that he was enjoying it a little too much when a stirring in his groin became awake. ‘Oh Shit! Why now’ he said as he was chastising himself now. Slowly removing himself from her lips and smiling awkwardly he carefully got off of her and sat back in the driver’s seat as she too sat up. There was this very awkward silence among them for a few minutes before he decided to say something. “Ellie I’m so sorry I didn’t mean for this to happen.” He said looking down at the steering wheel.

Smiling at him she knew he was a little embarrassed which she did find a little funny because he always seemed confident in himself when it came to things like this. “John it’s ok really I do know how the human body works you know.” She told him.

He looked at her and smiled weakly at her. “Yeah I know but I just didn’t want to scare you that’s all.” He told her still feeling a bit embarrassed.

“John do you feel this way because you know that I’m a virgin? Because if that’s why then don’t. When you met me it was at least fifty fifty right?” she asked him as he shooked his head yes. “So then what’s the problem then you probably guessed that I was I mean it doesn’t take a rocket science to figure I had to be right?” she was trying to say to him as he was nervously tapping his fore fingers on the steering wheels.

“Yeah I kinda guessed and then Dotty confirmed it for me.” He said still looking at the steering wheel.

Looking at him, “John will you look at me please?” she asked him. Looking up at her, “John I need to know how Dorothea found out about everything. She had no right telling you that in the first place it should have been me. Did she tell you anything thing else that was in that file?” she asked him with a scared look on her face.

“All she told me was that you had problems female problems that’s all. Which could mean a lot of things. I only know what I saw her go thru you know when she had her monthly thing.” He said uncomfortably. She had to laugh. “What’s so funny?” he asked kind of miffed.

“You, her monthly thing. John it’s called a period. You do know you can say it right?” she asked still laughing.

“There you go again laughing at me I don’t know what I’m going to do with you girl? I’m going to have to come up with some kind of punishment for you. That’s for sure.” He said smiling. She didn’t know if he was kidding or not but she knew she wouldn’t be around that long to find out away.

“Can I ask you a question?” she wanted to know.

“Sure go ahead.” He told her.

“Well you look well uh um rather big. Does it hurt?” she asked really concerned.

Now smiling a real smile and turning to her carefully, “Um no it doesn’t hurt it’s just very uncomfortable. And you think I’m big?” he asked shyly. Biting her lower lip and now she was looking down she shooked her head and quietly said yes. “Well thanks I guess but it’s just thru the fabric. I hope that one day I’m the one Ellie. I want to be the one to show you that losing your virginity is more than just fucking. It’s two people that can love each other even if it’s the first time you know. And you can tell me anything and I promise I won’t say anything to anyone. If you want to tell me great if not then that’s ok too.” He told her. 

So she did, she told him everything so there wasn’t anything she was holding back from him and if Dorothea decided to tell him anything else there wouldn’t be any more surprises. She started when she was eight when the migraines had started but not sure when was a starting point as her Dad remembered her saying that her head hurt. How nobody ever believed her until she collapsed when she was Twelve and was paralyzed and nobody could figure out why and stayed in the hospital a week and still nothing. Then three months later it had happened again and they rushed her to the emergency room and this young cute intern ask her Mom how old she was and when she said she had just turned Thirteen and asked if she had her period. When Mom said no he went BINGO! After being humiliated the intern asked her mother to look also and found that she couldn’t have her period she had an imperforate hymen. When they did the surgery then took what looked like five large jars of black crank grease out of her they said. If they waited another month or two it would have hit my heart. No one should get their period that way.  Just before she came to Jersey she had to have a laparoscopy and all they did was knock the scare tissue (adhesions) around and told her that it would come out in her periods. I really don’t believe them.

John just listened and couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Boy she has been thru a lot and she was right Dot had no right telling him anything that she didn’t know what she was talking about. “I want to say I’m sorry that you had to go thru all that but I’m afraid that you’ll hit me or something. I know you don’t want me to feel sorry for you. But since you were eight and to get your period that way oh Baby I’m so sorry that you did have to go thru that.” He told her finally being able to slide over to her and kiss her on the cheek.

“Nah I won’t hit you but now you owe me your life’s story ok?” she told him smiling back.                                           

Half smiling back at her, “Yeah well you may not like what you hear and may run from me.” he told her.

“I really doubt that John.” She said to him as she leaned into him and gave him a kiss but John didn’t let her go. He wrapped her up in his arms as she laid on his chest and started kissing her passionately. This time John wasn’t concerned about anything getting hard or what all he cared about was the beautiful girl that was lying on top of him. He knew it wasn’t the right time to show her just how much he really cared for her and he wasn’t going to be a jerk about her helping him get any relief either. He’ll deal with that later when he got home. Right now he was very content just being with her and kissing her. They took breathers now and then as she laid her head on his chest and they would catch some of the movie that was playing and he would stroke her hair. They both silently wished that this night wouldn’t end. Finally the second movie was ending which meant that the drive-in would be closing.

“Shit Baby we have to get going they’ll be closing now.” He told her as he helped her sit up. “I guess I have to bring you home now.” He said a little sadly.

Smiling at him, “Yeah I guess so.”

“What are you doing tomorrow?” he asked her trying not to show her how much he really wanted to see her again.

“As far as I know I’m not doing anything.” She told him as her insides were now doing jumping jacks.

“Great we’ll come up with something then how does that sound?” he asked her.

“Sounds great.” She said staring lovingly into his eyes and with that John quickly kissed her again before starting his car.  

It didn’t take long for them to get back but it never seems to. John pulled up and turned the car off. “So should I kiss you now or wait til we get up to the door?” he asked her smiling.

“I think you know the answer to that.” She told him smiling from ear to ear.

He kissed her gently as he held the back of her head with his right hand and his left went around her. When he finally let go they were forehead to forehead, “I so don’t want this night to end. What time do you think I should come and get you.” He asked her not moving an inch.

“Whatever time you want I guess.” She told him as her heart was pounding.

“Ok then how about eleven then?” he asked. She told him that would be fine and he finally walked her up to the door, kissed her on her cheek and waited til she opened the door. Once inside he could have leapt to his car that’s how good he was feeling.

Once inside his own house he went right to his room, his Mom tried to give him the third degree but he just told her that they had a nice time and left it to that. John Sr. told his wife to leave him alone and that he’ll talk when he’s ready.  

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   Ellie entered the house and Mike and Marsha were still up. They were watching television in the den when they heard her come in. Michael got up to go check on her when Marsha told him to sit back down. “Why? I just want to see how things went.” He told her.

“I’m sure everything went fine she doesn’t need you harping on her. She’ll tell us when she’s ready.” Marsha explained to him.

She noticed that they weren’t coming out to integrate her so she figured that Marsha must have talked to him to wait til morning. Good because she was still floating and she didn’t want to come down so soon. So she walked to her room and put on her shorts and t-shirt. She ran everything back over in her head and couldn’t get over herself that she actually did what she did. That so wasn’t her. And she so wasn’t going to fall for anyone either but she also didn’t count on meeting one of the cutest boys ever.

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John was getting ready for bed and put his shorts on. He hadn’t felt this happy in ages. In fact he couldn’t remember feeling this way for any girl that he went out with. He had liked the girls but there was just something that Ellie had that they didn’t. But after tonight he knew that there was something much more. He just hoped that she felt the same about him. But she had to or she wouldn’t have kissed him like she had right? He lied in bed going over the night’s events and the best part he thought was holding her in his arms and them kissing off and on especially the times when it got passionate. He was trying to think of something to do for tomorrow as sleep over took with a smile on his face.