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.

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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.

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 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...

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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.

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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.