Never Say Goodbye

   

  The two weeks had passed by fast and now it was time to say goodbye again. But this time Ellie had something to look forward going back to so that help immensely thou it still hurt to leave her family again. They all made their good byes and Dad took her to the airport where she left for Sayreville and to her John.  It didn’t take long and when she got there she grabbed her bag and looked for Michael. But instead she got the surprise of her life when standing by the rest of the awaiting group of people to pick up their loved ones was a really cute guy with his hair in a ponytail with a limo cap on and holding a sign saying ‘Ellie Anderson’ on it with smiley faces on it. She stood there smiling herself before dropping everything and running into his arms.

Kissing her hard for about a minute while others were watching on and off he finally part them and said to her out of breath, “So I take it your happy then that I came to get you.”

Ruffling her nose and mouth, “No not really why would you think that?” she told him trying to keep a straight face.

“Oh no reason, so you kiss all your male friends like this then?” he asked her staring at her.

“No only because I don’t have any male friends but when I get some I’ll let you know.” She said smiling.

“You are such a pain in the ass you know that?” he told her smiling.

“Yeah but you knew that and love me anyway.” She told him back. He just laughed and kissed her again. He put her bags in his car and drove her back to Marsha’s and Michael’s where they were waiting for her. The kids were so happy to see her again as Marsha put her bags back in her room. They all talked for a while and then John took her out for dinner so they could be alone. John had saved up some money so they could go to this cute little restaurant in town that wasn’t too expensive but was a nice place. They enjoyed a nice dinner where they talked about what he was doing with The Rest and how he was enjoying the new gig. He told her how Jack was teaching him how to structure his songs and how to make set lists fit the night if the mood strikes him. John was also telling her how he disagrees with him that he really doesn’t care for Jack’s set lists but hasn’t told him yet. She wanted to know why he hasn’t told him yet but John doesn’t feel it’s his place yet. She didn’t want to push him into telling him that he should tell him seeing that she didn’t know her place in his life yet so she felt that she would wait and see. She would push him where she felt he needed to be pushed. After dinner John wanted to surprise her so when they left the got in his car and just drove.

“So where are we going now?” she asked hi curious.

“You’ll see.” He said mysteriously.

Finally John drove down to the beach where he parked. He looked over to Ellie, “So do you feel like going for a walk?” he asked her.

“I guess but isn’t getting kind of late? I mean it’s going to be dark soon.” She told him hoping that he’d rather go someplace else than on that sandy beach which she really wasn’t keen on.

“It’s ok I’ll hold your hand, plus I have a blanket in the car we can take with us.” He told her smiling. She looked at him just grinning and saying to herself ‘Oh goody.’ She really didn’t like the beach whether it was day or night. She just wasn’t a fan of it. She hated the sand, the fish and crap swimming in the water and the salt water she’d rather be swimming in a pool that is clear and can be skimmed out by a skimmer. He came back with the blanket and took her hand and they started walking towards the beach. They walked about a quarter of a mile down the beach to this little alcove where they would be out of eye site and he spread the blanket down on the sand. “Come sit with me.” He asked her as he helped her down on to the blanket. Looking into her eyes, “You know I missed you so much?” he told her lovingly.

“I missed you too John.” She told him smiling.

“Ellie I need to ask you something and well I don’t want you to think I’m rushing you or anything because I love you I really love you and with you being away these last two weeks just made me realize that even more. But I so want to show you just how much I love you and if you let me I promise I won’t let you down and you’ll be my one and only girl I promise you that.” He told her as he held her hand as he rubbed her hand in his.

Ellie just looked at him nervously knowing what he was talking about. But was she ready to take their relationship to the next level. “I really love you to John. But I’m not going to lie I know what you’re talking about and I am scared. But that’s because I think too much. It’s not because of you. I trust you I really do it’s just oh God you’re going to think I stupid.” She told him as she looked down at their hands.

Smiling he took his one hand and cupped her cheek and said, “I don’t think you’re stupid. Now what were you going to say?” he asked her as he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.

“It’s stupid I told you.” She said uncomfortably.

“Will you just tell me please.” He said now as he really needed to know.

“Fine! I just feel that my parents know everything that I’m doing! OK! For some stupid reason they know they just know and if we do it they’ll know especially if I talk to them they’ll know by the tone in my voice or something.” She told him. Well that just set John off and he couldn’t stop laughing. He didn’t mean too but he just couldn’t stop. Ellie just sat there and watched him for a second or two and then she didn’t know why but the tears just started flowing. 

John saw that she was crying as she had turned her head. She didn’t want him to see that she was crying and she tried to wipe the tears from her face. “Ellie? Oh Baby I’m sorry I didn’t mean to make you cry. Ellie? Ah shit. Baby please look at me.” He told her as he now felt like crap. “Baby look at me please.” He said again as he reached out to her trying to get her to turn around.

She finally turned around as her face was wet with tears so she tried to wipe them away from crying. “I’m sorry John I really didn’t mean to cry I don’t know why I am it just seemed to hit me like a ton of bricks.” She told him.

“No Ellie I’m sorry I shouldn’t of laughed like that but I just got this picture in my head and…well I can be an asshole sometimes and I’m sorry and I should have told you about that.” He tried to explain to her.

Sniffing, “Explain to me about what? I don’t understand John.” She asked him confused.

Chuckling, “You know I love you. That I can be an asshole that’s what.” He said smiling.

“Oh well ok well I can be a real bitch when I want to so we’re even.” She told him back.

Now John just sat there a little shocked. “Wait what do you mean you can be a bitch? I mean I saw you handle Dotty and her squad of terror which was great but I really can’t see you as a bitch.” He told her surprised.

“Well you haven’t talked to my siblings have you? Or anyone who has ever tried to hurt them. Trust me don’t ever piss me off about people I love or about Elvis and we’ll be fine just fine.” She said smiling.

“Well I’ll remember that beautiful.” He told her as he leaned in and took her by the back of her head with one hand and started to kiss her passionately.  After about a minute or two he laid her on the blanket but she got nervous whether it was because they were out in the open or because she wasn’t ready but she pushed him away. John looked down at her in a confused look. “Is everything ok Ellie?” he asked her concerned.

“Um I think we need to talk John.” She told him.

Sitting up, “Ok what’s wrong?” he wanted to know.

“Well don’t you think this is um kind of well you know out in the open?” she asked him as she was looking around concerned that someone might stumble upon them.

Smiling and thanking God that was the only thing that she was worried about he told her, “Is that all you’re worried about Honey? Oh thank God because I thought that you might of changed your mind about us.” He told her.

“Oh no God no John I told you I love you I just think that making out or well you know out in the open like this just isn’t right.” She told him.

Then it dawn on him, “Oh God Ellie no making out yes but I wouldn’t ask you to make love out in the open like this and especially your first time as it was. Oh no I have special plans for you and I when you’re ready. So don’t worry ok.” He told her scooping her up in his arms and laying her on his chest as her back was resting on it and looking up at the sky.   

“So you’re ok with it then?” she asked him.

“Of course I am. I just want you to be comfortable and ready ok. I don’t want you to regret anything.” He told her.

Smiling, “Believe me I won’t regret anything I promise you. Being away from you I realized just how much I missed you. But even more how much I love you. I also noticed that you got upset that Herbie was over while I was home. Now what I’m about to tell you can you act like an adult or are you going to blow up like a baby?” she asked him.

He furrowed his brow and looked down at her wondering what the hell happened when she went home. So for that brief second a surge of jealous went thru him. But then he actually heard what she said and decided to hear her out. “Ok Baby I’ll act like an adult so tell me what happened?” he asked her as he was about to hold his breath.

“Well I was finally able to get closure for me and Herbie. I don’t think he liked it but I really needed it you know? I even told Joey kind of off for getting in the way.” She told him.

“Getting in the way?” John asked.

“I told you on how Joe thinks he’s my big brother when he’s actually a year younger than me. I think he did it because I’m sick when I’m the one who always took care of them but since he’s gotten taller he thinks now he is the older one.” She explained.

“Yeah I get that because he’s the older boy Hon. Give him some slack ok.” John told her.

“I did but Hon you have to understand I had this really bad crush on Herbie and I thought he had one on me too. But I don’t know I mean he did like me it’s just that well when Joe told him hands off and meant hands off I guess that well if he wasn’t going to get it from me well he was going to get it from someone else and he did. But I told you I wasn’t going to put out right away and you didn’t say well too bad and tell me goodbye and go looking for someone who would. You’re still with me waiting.” She told him looking lovingly into his blue eyes as he smiled and caressed her cheeks again.

“That’s because you are so worth the wait Baby. Herbie is definitely a fool. But I’d so liked to thank him for that because if he wasn’t then I wouldn’t have you then. His stupid mistake is definitely my gain. The greatest day will be when you’re ready for me to show you just how much I love you Ellie. I know it sounds corny but I really do mean it. Not because I just want to get physical with you. I don’t know what it is about you Ellie but from the moment I met you I just knew that I wanted to be with you.” he told her from the bottom of his heart as she listened as her heart melted.

“John nobody has ever said those things to me before.” She told him trying to hold back her tears. “I tried so hard not to like you I really did only because I didn’t want to be hurt. I always get hurt by people who I end up trusting. At least the new people in my life you don’t get it. You see you needed to grow up with me to understand what I’ve been thru to understand or at least that’s how I always felt. Um anyway then I met you and you just didn’t go away. I never understood why and I still don’t but I don’t care all I know is that I love you more than anything and for right now I just want to be with you so if you’ll have me never let me go ok?” she asked him as he smiled ear to ear.

“Ellie I have no plans to let you go right now as long as you have no plans to let me go?” he asked her. She just shooked her head no because right now she couldn’t talk as the tears started to roll down her face and she was a little choked up. “Hey I hope those are happy tears. Come here.” He said and took her in his arms and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. He laid her back down and they stayed there for a while making out with each other and cuddling. 

When it started getting dark John grabbed the blanket and then took Ellie’s hand and they headed back to his car. They both were walking on cloud nine. They decided they wanted to grab a quick bite so they were going to stop off at the local pizza joint before going home. On the way Ellie asked him, “John so were in agreement then right?” she asked him nervously.

“Baby of course we are and it will be ok I told you that I’ll make all the arrangements. The only thing we’ll have to worry about is getting you out of the house for the weekend that’s all. If this goes ok because I usually go on this annual camping trip with some friends of mine and their girlfriends and we’ve been doing it for the last four years since high school. Seeing that we’ve just graduated I know my folks will be ok about it now all we have to do is get Marsha and Michael to ok it once we do we’ll split from them ok?” he told her putting his and on her knee and squeezing. “Now let’s just go eat something before my stomach growls too loud ok?” he said laughing.

They drove up at the pizza restaurant and walked inside and grabbed a booth. John ordered half pepperoni and half cheese. They were sitting next to each other enjoying each other’s company when of course Dorothea and her group walked in. When John noticed he nearly choked on his pizza.

“John are you ok. Quick sip some of your soda.” Ellie told him.

John shooked his head and did what he was told as Dot and the girls walked over and Ellie looked up and rolled her eyes. “Well hello there I see your little girlfriend is back from wherever she went.” Dorothea smugly said.

“Hello Dorothea what do you want?” Ellie asked her.

“Just to say hello is there anything wrong with that?” she asked Ellie.

“Depends in what you mean by it?” Ellie asked. John finally found his voice back.

“Dot do you mind but we’re trying to eat in peace.” He said thru gritted teeth.

“Oh I don’t mind I wanted to know if you of anything new that’s happened. Have you John?” she asked him sneering.

“NO. And if I did why would I tell you?” he again said thru gritted teeth. As they were talking back and forth Ellie was watching the banter and couldn’t understand what was going on. But then again it was with Dorothea and she didn’t understand half of anything she did.

“Well I do like to stay abreast on this you know how it is right Ellie?” she asked her smiling.

“No not really Dorothea I’m not a gossip.” She told her outright.

“Dot like I was saying we’re trying to eat so just leave so we can enjoy our meal.” John told her.

“Fine I’ll leave but you do know how gossip gets around John that’s all I just wanted to let you know that. You two have a good night.” She told them and gave John a wink then walked off to a table with her girls.

Ellie just looked at John with a weird look on her face. “John what the hell was all that about?” she asked him.

“Baby if I knew what goes on in her head I think I could make a million dollars. I don’t know I’d probably still be with her you know? She’s just plain nuts don’t worry about ok. Let’s just finish eating and get the hell out of here.” He told her plus he didn’t want to be anywhere near her just in case she decided to spill the beans and God only knew what he would do to her. They finished up and lefted as Dot stared at them the whole time. John gave her the eye back as if she said anything he would finish her right then and there.

Ellie was getting tired so John decided to take her home. They pulled up in the driveway and he turned off the car. “So do you want to come in with me?” Ellie asked him.

“What do you think?” John told her. “But do you think Michael will be ok with it?” he asked her.

“Well he better or I’ll call my parents and see if they’ll talk to him. I mean it’s not that late.” Ellie told him.

“Well we can find out let’s see.” John told her.

They walked up to the front door and Ellie opened it and Michael and Marsha were in the living room watching a movie.

“Hi did you guys have fun?” Marsha asked them.

“Yeah we did. Are the kids in bed?” Ellie asked.

“Yeah we put them down a while ago. Do you guys want anything?” Marsha asked them.

“Um no if you don’t mind I could get them on the way to the den thou?” she asked them nervously.

“Sure Honey you know where everything is.” Marsha told her while Michael listened as he was also trying to watch the movie.

“Oh thanks ok then we’ll be just watching a movie then.” She told them and they walked in the kitchen to grab some drinks.

Marsha looked over to her husband and said to him, “I thought that was cute of her didn’t you?”

Michael turned to her and asked, “What was cute?”

“You’re dense you know that. She was nervous about John and being alone with him in the den. She was asking us if it was ok for him to stay you moron.” Marsha told him.

“Oh that yeah so they know not to do anything because he knows that I’d kill him. Maybe that’s why they seemed nervous Hon. So tell me why is that a bad thing?” he asked his wife grinning.

“You are impossible Michael!” she told him smiling. “Are you going to be this bad with Katie?” she asked him.

“Worse!” he said smiling. Marsha just sat back shaking her head.

In the den Ellie turned on the t.v. but before she knew it John came from behind her and wrapped his arms around her as she did her best not to squeal. “John!” she tried to yelp very quietly.

“Ha ha ha Gotcha.” He told her and started to nibble on her neck. Ellie was giggling like crazy and then he turned her in his arms and started to kiss her like he’s known her his entire life. When they parted he just stared into her hazel blue eyes like they were his life line and she was sure she could feel his heart beating.

“Hey that’s not fair.” she told him wrapping her arms around his neck.

“What’s not fair?” He asked her as he gave her butterfly kisses on her lips and nose.

“This! Now stop will ya you’re driving me nuts.” She told him giggling.

“Hmm it’s gonna cost ya.” He told her as he moved to her ear lobe which almost made her lose her footing.

“Ok I give what’s it going to cost me?” she asked him glaring at him.

He just stood there smiling from ear to ear. She furrowed her brow because she was trying to understand what the hell he was trying to tell her. Moving some hair off her face to the side he was still smiling at her when she realized what he meant. “JOHN!” she said quietly but meaningful.

“I know it will come in time but that time is sooo coming up Baby.” He told her kissing her.

They watched a movie and he noticed that she was dozing off and on during the movie. Finally he told her that was enough and he was just getting tired watching her. He told her to go to bed and that he would see her in the morning. So she walked him out as they said goodnight.

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

Went he entered his house John Sr. and Carol were watching t.v. themselves as he walked in.

“Hello John I see your home early so I take it that you were out with Ellie?” his dad asked.

“Yeah she got home today and I picked her up at the airport.” He told his parents.

“Really so you’ve been with her all day?” he asked.

“Huh, Yeah I have.” He told them as he started to head to the kitchen.

“How is she John?” Carol asked her son.

Stopping, “She’s doing great why?” he asked them.

“No reason Honey we’re just asking. It’s just that well I was out with the girls and well I just heard this yesterday so I hadn’t had the chance to talk to you about this.” Carol started to tell him.

“Tell me what Mom?” he asked annoyed.

“Well that you were with Dotty now. Her Mother Dorothea was telling me at the Garden club that you two were back together. I told her I didn’t think so and that Ellie was just visiting her family and that she would be back soon but she seemed to know what she was talking about.” She told her son who looked shell shocked.

“Mom are you sure she said that to you?” he asked her panicked.

“I’m sure dear she was very adamant about it in fact.” She told him.

“Well it’s nothing to worry about Mom it’s just Dotty playing games that’s all. I’ve got it handled.” He told them and went into the kitchen angry as hell that Dotty broke her promise and at least told her mother that she was back with him and God only knows what else she told her or anyone else. He had to find out and fast before Ellie did.