Moonshine(54)

“I don’t want to leave you either, but I have too. Besides, just think of how great it will be when you are on the outside with me. You and me are gonna party like a rock star.”Oh hell! Yes, he was singing, and it was horrible. I’ll miss that too.

“Shut up already.” I smacked his arm. “And hug me.” He pulled me in tight and kissed my lips. “I already miss you.” The tears were building up and I was trying to fight them off.

“I miss you too.”

“Don’t forget what Mom and Dad said. I think you should go straight there when you leave here.”

“You know I can’t. I told you that I am going to see my parents.”

“I know and I am so proud of you, but I just want you to know that you have a home to come back to, when you get ready. Have you talked to your parents; do they know you’re coming home?”

“No. I figured that if I called them they would just tell me not to come, so I am taking a chance. I’m ready to try. I hope I can convince them to try too. Keep your fingers crossed. Either way I am coming back to see you in two weeks; so be ready.” He hugged me again. All of his bags were in the hallway waiting for him when we walked out.

“Listen Johnny Boy, I don’t care how much fun you are having without me… I still expect at least one letter. You have to tell me how it goes with your parents. Here,” I handed him an envelope with a stamp already on it. “Use it, I mean it. If you don’t write me at least once I swear I am gonna punch you in the face when I get out of here.”

“Uh huh, I don’t see that happening, Shorty. Take care in here, and don’t make any new best friends while I am gone.”

“I won’t. Take care, Johnny. I love you, and I’ll see you in two weeks.”

He kissed one last time on the cheek. “I love you too, Sunshine. See ya soon.”

Reliving this moment again took all I had. Two days in a row each boy that I loved walked out the door. At least this time it was on good terms, but it still hurt. Willing myself to hold back the tears was hard. I didn’t want to lose it in front of Johnny. He has seen me break too many times and I wanted to be strong for him. He was leaping into the unknown and I could tell he was worried. His parents were going to be brutal and I hope he tells them to stick it where the sun doesn’t shine. He deserves happiness after all these years. I am glad we found each other because if nothing else we found someone in this crazy world to love us. I love him with my whole heart. He is my sweet Johnny and I hate watching him walk out the door. I blew him a kiss and went back to my room and that’s where I wished for these last two weeks to pass by as quick as possible.





28

AND A HALF



Moon

“What are you doing here?” Bradley looked shocked to see me outside the facility. I knew he would be.

“I’m giving you a ride.” I explained. His eyebrows rose, “not that kind of ride, you perv!” He busted out laughing. “Seriously, when I dropped off my letter for Shine, Gerry said that she was kind of down because you were leaving today. I figured that I would wait out here for you and I could give you a ride home or wherever you are going. We could talk, I wanted to say thanks.”

“You don’t have to thank me, and I’d love a ride.” He smirked. “To the bus stop, I mean.” I helped him load his bags in the trunk.

“Are you sure you want to go to the bus stop? Bill -Shine’s dad, said that you were coming to stay with them for a while. I don’t mind taking you there it’s only about forty five minutes. It’s not that far.”

“That was the original plan, but the plan has changed. I am going back home to see my worthless parents.” Clicking his seat belt into place, he acted like he didn’t want to talk about it. Fine by me, I had other things on my mind. “The bus stop is about five miles that way,” he pointed. “So spill it, what’s on your mind.”

“Shine,” she’s always on my mind.

“Well duh, I figured that.”

“I love her man.”

“Why don’t you start by telling me something I don’t know.” He rolled his eyes. “I know that you love her. She loves you too, and right now she’s pretty broken up. She thinks that you don’t believe her and that you are mad at her.”

“That’s not the case, I swear it. I wasn’t mad when I left yesterday. I was upset and sick about the whole damn situation. I just had to get out of there and breathe. When I left I went straight to my dad’s grave to let off some steam. Looking back now I wish I would have stayed, but I couldn’t. The guilt is too much. I won’t ever be able to make up for what he did to her.”