Stubborn

 “Daniel I’m not sure that I can stay so I’m going to take the bus back to my cousins.” Ellie told him as she started to get up from the booth.

“Ellie please I took you here I’ll take you home. Here are my keys if you could just wait in my car this shouldn’t take long.” He told her.

As she took his keys John stopped her also, “Ellie please don’t go I need to talk to you. If you let me I’ll take you home.” He asked her hoping.

“I don’t think so John at least not right now okay. After Daniel tells you what he needs too it still comes down to you slept with her. So I need to sort that out myself. Especially the other part she told us.” She said what she had to and went off to Daniel’s car. As she was getting in she saw Dorothea getting out of hers and they stared each other down as Dorothea was all smiles. Ellie just knew she didn’t know what she was in for with John.

John sat back down to listen to what Daniel had to say. Daniel told him how his friend had dated Colleen Hurley and the mess he had with her. John had remembered something about that but Dorothea never wanted to talk about that because it was a taboo subject in her family. Well Daniel told John also that he had a feeling that Dorothea might have done the same thing to him. He told him what went down with Colleen and what her parents went thru with her and how they had to seek out help and put her on the proper meds. He also told John that he thought that maybe after talking with Ellie that Dorothea might have spiked his drinks that night but not having the containers to check them that they’ll never know. As they were talking Dorothea had walked in and saw John talking with Daniel and couldn’t understand why. She didn’t get a good feeling about it but continued on to her friends.

John was getting more upset now by the minute as he heard Daniel go on. “So you think she might have pulled this on me?”

“I’m not sure John it’s all speculation on my part. I just know what happened with Colleen and that it could be hereditary that’s all. Or she just got her ideas from her sister. Anyway Ellie and I just thought that you should know.” He told him.

John was now straight forward with him because no one was going to up him on his girl. “Ok Thanks but just one more question, what’s with you and Ellie? You moved in kind of fast didn’t you?” John asked wanting answers.

“Look she’s a sweet kid and I found her crying when she was run off the road. I just wanted to know if she was ok and I found out she was seeing you and then I wanted to make sure that she was really ok because I know you and your rep. Look do her a favor and leave her alone especially that she’s only here for only a few more months. She doesn’t need a guy like you.” Daniel told him straight forward.

“A guy like me? You don’t know anything about me. And who do you think you are judging me just because you’re a cop Danny. Mind your own business and your own love life.” He told him and got up and walked away. Daniel just smiled and walked out to Ellie and drove her home.

When John got up he saw Dorothea sitting with her group of friends. So he went over to her to speak to her. “Dotty I need to talk to you.” He told her a little demanding.

“Not now John I’m busy.” She told him still looking at her friends chatting.                                               

“Don't care!” he told her and grabbed her arm, lifted and dragged her over to an empty table.

“What the fuck John!” she spouted to him.

“I told you we need to talk. Now you’re going to tell me everything that happen that night we fucked in your car and why I can’t remember what went down. I know before you even got there because I asked the guys I only had two beers so which means I had one with you. That so wouldn’t have made me that drunk that I wouldn’t have blacked out liked that.  So what the hell did you do to me Dot!” John demanded.

Now Dorothea was starting to get a little nervous so she knew she had to put on a good front. “Johnny I don’t know what you’re talking about. You were feeling good when I got there. Don't you even remember that?” she asked him.

“No I don’t isn’t that the point Dotty. I was feeling good before you got there?” he asked her.

“Yes you were. You were feeling no pain John and you were very nice to me like when we were together before so I thought everything was fine between us. And you were very receptive of everything that happen in the car.” She told him and even tried to manage some tears.

Great John thought tears he didn’t know that she could even cry anymore. “Dot I really don’t even know if you’re fooling or if you’re crying anymore.” He told her confused.

“I’m not fooling John! I really do love you.” She told him.

“Ok then so why did you cheat on me with Bobby? Huh?” John wanted to know.

“I was trying to make you jealous that’s why. You weren’t paying attention to me. You were always with that damn band of yours. Always with the music. And those stupid little girls following you everywhere and you seemed to like that. Just once I wanted you to pay attention to me.” She told him pissed.

“Dotty you were always my main concern. Plus I never cheated on you ever. And yes the band is my main concern if I want to get out of here and you knew that so what changed?” he wanted to know.

“I don’t know? I just wanted you to spend more time with me that’s all. I mean you always loved the beach what happened? You cut that in half. I mean just because you became more popular on the circuit big fucking deal. Doesn’t mean you stop being social with everyone. Then that out of towner comes along and you two are joined at the hip what gives!” she wanted to know.

“Well maybe because she believes in me Dotty! She doesn’t tell me how to live my life.  She understands me shall I go on?” he asked her.

“That’s not fair John. I believe in you.” She told him

He started to laugh. “Yeah right Dot. I got so tired of you telling me how to live my life then you hooking up with Bobby. Then when I start seeing Ellie you not only do you try hurting her but me as well. And you finally succeed. Well I hope you’re finally proud of yourself because you just destroyed any chance you had with me or any kind of friendship we ever had.” He told her.

“John but she got back on the horse just days after your break up. I just saw her with Danny Green.” Dorothea blurted out.

“For your information Ellie had gotten into an accident the night of your big speech and Danny was there to help her out. This was a thank you for that. He just told me that and few other things. Like I’ll never believe anything that comes out of your mouth again and neither will Ellie. We’re thru Dot. Get your act together and maybe just maybe we can be friends again later in life but for now no.” and with that in got up and walked out of the pizzeria. Dorothea just sat there as her heart really did hurt. She got up and made a phone call for her very last time.

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Daniel had dropped Ellie off and she went right to her room. Seeing John nearly killed her. He looked really good and all she wanted to do was be wrapped up in his strong arms. She was going over what Daniel had said to her and if Dorothea had done those things to him then he really couldn’t be held responsible right. Because he really didn’t know what he was doing? Oh God this was giving her a A little later Marsha had knocked on her door to see how she was doing and Ellie finally crawled out from under her blankets to talk to her. They had a nice girl to girl chat and Ellie told her what happened at the pizzeria. Marsha found that very interesting but couldn’t believe that someone would be that devious to do that to another human being. It was all to soap operay. But she did ask her one question, did she still love him. Ellie thought about that. It’s not like he did it on propose to her or to hurt her in any way. She asked Marsha what she would do in her situation and she said that she couldn’t tell her because it’s not her. Only she could make that decision. Marsha left her with some things to think about.

headache. Which she thought was good because she had to go to the clinic tomorrow anyway. And what she really wanted was chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. Yeah death by chocolate would be good.

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A few days went by and everybody went on with their lives. One day Marsha was bringing Ellie back from the clinic and John was also coming home from his job from the shoe store early because he had a gig later that night. He waved to her as they were getting out and she waved back as neighbors do. It broke his heart that it came down to that. When he went up to his room he dug out a picture Dave had taken of them at the Fourth of July party. How did he screw this up so badly he thought? He had found out that he was tricked, no drugged somehow and was used by his ex to screw up the best thing he had in a long time. Ellie got me she actually understood me and what I wanted to do with my life. She didn’t judge me. Even my parents support me. So why now does Dorothea say all of a sudden she does now when she didn’t then. Daniel was so right she’s nuts. He knew he was going to drive himself crazy just thinking about it. He went downstairs to grab himself some dinner.

Carol was fixing dinner when John walked in. “Hello Dear will you be home tonight?” she asked her son.

“No Mom I have a gig tonight so if I could grab a plate I would appreciate it?” He asked her giving her that Bongiovi smile.

“You know I can’t say no to you. Sit down and I’ll get you a plate.” She walked over to the stove and fixed it then asked him this questioned, “So have you seen Dorothea lately?”

John looked at his mother with a surprised look and asked, “Not since we had that talk at the pizzeria why? Why would I ever see her again after what she did to me and Ellie?” he asked her shocked.

“Well John she called me and she was pretty upset. She told me the whole story and well quite frankly I can see her point on why she did it. Now, Now it’s not that I condone her for what she did believe me Dear but I can understand how desperate she was to get you back.” Carol explained to her son.

John just sat there with his mouth open before he answered her. “Mom are you kidding me? She drugged me and basically raped me and split me and Ellie up. Oh and almost had Ellie beat up and you can relate to her! Oh wait this coming from my pimp of a Mom.” John blurted out in anger.

“John Francis! You know that I can never make up for that. (tears start to form) your Father was going to divorce me if I didn’t make that right.” She sniffled out.

“Oh Mom knock off the water works will you. You got what you wanted out of that and so did I (sneering) more than you’ll ever know. So I never want to see Dorothea again. Whatever bargain you had with her Mom is done and whatever feeling I had for her are done for good. The only girl I want is Ellie.” He told his Mother straight forward.

“But John how many times do I have to tell you she’ll be going home soon. I shouldn’t have encouraged this little crush of yours.” Carol told him.

“Crush! Mom this isn’t a crush I love her. Why do you call it a crush because were only seventeen? That’s bullshit! There’s a lot of couples that stay together from highschool and, and death.” He stammered out.

“Oh Lord your Father is going to love that one. Look John another reason is what about that career you want so much. You can’t be strapped down with a girlfriend or a family if you want to make it in Rock and Roll you know that. You just can’t. They’ll want you single so they can fantasize about you that’s just how it is. You can’t have it both ways.” She told him.

John looked at her square in the eyes, “Watch me!”

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After John ate he had a few hours before he had to go to work and he knew what he had to do. So he got cleaned up and left the house and went next door. Just as he was about to bang on the front door he could hear squealing coming from the back yard so he went to the side to enter thru the gate. He saw the kids playing and Ellie chasing them. That’s all he needed. He opened the gate and entered. Ellie didn’t see him right away as he walked towards her. He went straight for her as Tommy yelled “John!” Ellie turned around and saw him coming for her.

“John what are you doing here?” she asked him but no answer as now he was just about a couple of feet away. “John? What the…” But before she had a chance to run away John put one arm around her waist and the other behind her head and kissed her passionately as Katie and Tommy were making kissy noises. Ellie at first was struggling to push him away but he wouldn’t let her. He was determined to show her that he loved her and only her. Her head was swimming now as she was breathing in his scent and tasting him. She was starting to get weak and he was noticing that he was staring to hold her up even thou now she had her arms wrapped around his neck. He didn’t want to part but he thought he better to see if she was ok. So he slowly started to remove his lips from hers.

“Baby are you ok?” he asked her still trying to hold her up.

She could barely hear him as she was in la la land. “Um hum.” Was all she could get out.

“Ok then let’s get you to sit down.” John told her as he brought her over to one of the lounge chairs. He moved a piece of her hair off her face and stared into her hazel blue eyes which he missed doing. “Ellie do you want me to get you something to drink?” he asked her.

Looking back at him and smiling, “No I’m fine. Where are the kids?” she asked.

“I…I think they went into the house. Is that ok? I mean is there anyone in there to watch them?” John asked concerned.

“Yeah Marsha is in there.   John what was that all about?  I mean you come back here and grab me like you freaking love me…” she started to say but John cut her off.

“Yeah I did so what of it? Don't you think it’s about time I did? Ellie I Love You and only you. You know what happened between Dorothea and me right?” he asked her.

Shaking her head yes and looking down at the ground, John took his hand under her chin and made her look at him. “Nope you look at me. You look into my eyes and talk to me. You tell me you don’t love me can you do that?” he asked her staring lovingly at her.

“No I can’t do that John. I Love You more than anything. But…”she tried to say.

“No! No but’s, you listen to me ok. No one and I mean no one is going to come between us you got that. Now I have a gig tonight but Jim has this new group coming in for next week end. We have to think really hard to have Mike and Marsha let you come with me out to Tommy’s cabin again so we can spend the weekend. He said I can have it. So what do you say? Be with me and I’ll show you just how much I Love You Ellie.” John asked her as he gently kissed her lips.

Ellie thought she was going to die right there on the lounge chain. He really did all the right things to get her back or she’s the dumbest person on the face of the earth. But Marsha did tell her it was up to her and to take a chance. She really did love him with all of her heart. “Just tell me what I should bring ok.” She told him smiling from ear to ear. John couldn’t contain his happiness any longer and hugged her tight.

“Oh Ellie I promise you, you won’t regret this you’ll see Baby.” He said as he just held her tighter and tighter.

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 The next week Ellie had told Marsha what John had said to her and she was on her side. But Michael was another story. The two of them did a lot of talking to him to get him to agree to let her go away with John and his friends for the Labor Day weekend. The only reason was because of the number of people going and besides they were leaving also for the weekend and visiting his parents in Pennsylvania.

John in the meantime was working at Kinney’s Shoes which he hated. They had him start stocking and checking in shoes. Boring as hell for him and he had to at least dress nicely for the job. No jeans, t-shirts or sneakers. Carol had to go shopping with him to at least pick up a few pieces for his wardrobe and yes pay for it seeing that he didn’t quite have enough and she wanted to do it for him. In-between this time he did see Ellie and basically took her out to the pizzeria or saw her at the house. Ellie was still being very cautious and was having a change of heart about the weekend. Well not the weekend itself but what she was going to lose. She hasn’t see John in a few days and finally he was able to come over Saturday, two days before they were to leave.

John got to the house as Marsha told him that Ellie was waiting for him in her room and to go right in. John asked if she was ok and Marsha told him that she was just feeling a little under the weather. She was having a headache and went to lie down. John went to her door and knocked. “Come in.”

Sticking his head in, “Hey beautiful are you sure it’s ok for me to come in?” he asked her concerned.

“Yeah of course it’s dull roar.” She told him giving him a small smile.

He walked over to her bed and sat down and gave her a kiss. “So are you excited about Saturday? Because I have everything all set. I just hope you love it. I want everything perfect for you.” He told her as he was caressing her arm.

Saying to herself ‘Shit’ she knew she had to at least get these feelings off her chest. “John can we talk?” she asked with a look of concern and love on her face all at the same time.

“Yeah sure what’s the matter?” he asked a bit concerned.

“Well I…I just wanted to talk to you about…oh boy um Saturday.” She said nervously.

“Saturday okay, you do think you’ll be okay for me to pick you up tomorrow night right?” John asked her.

“Um yeah I think so I mean I don’t see why not.” She told him again nervously.

He looked at her and then something dawned on him. “Oh God you don’t have your um you know um period do you? Because if you do that’s ok Sweetie we can still make it a great weekend you know we don’t have to do anything…” John was blurting out because he thought that was what was bothering her.

“John, John  it’s okay John!” Ellie was trying to get him to shut up.

“Yeah?” he finally said quieting down.

“I don’t have my period ok? Actually I wish it was that easy.” She said.

“What do you by that? What’s wrong? Ellie you know you can talk to me right?” John told her while stroking her arm.

“Of course I know that but sometimes I don’t know that you know that.” She told him as she tried not to cry.

“Okay can I ask what the hell that means?” he asked her a little confused by her statement.

“I think you know John. Look I don’t want to get into a fight over this but we never have talked about the whole Dorothea thing and well I do have questions.” She told him softly.

Saying to himself first ‘Shit!’ he looked at her with so much sorry in his eyes. “Ellie I can’t express to you how sorry I am at what happen and I didn’t mean for it to happen I really didn’t and I really don’t know what more I can say.” he told her.

“Yeah well it did happen and it happened with your ex John. And even thou you could have been drugged it still happened. I mean you did get in her car nobody forced you right?” she asked him.

“No Baby nobody forced me.” He said quietly.

And you did started a conversation with her knowing who she was right when you first met up?” she asked him when they first met up.

“Yes I did I knew who was when she came over to me to talk to “me.” He told her.

“What I don’t get is why was she there? Why was she there after the gig? Does she always show up to your little parties and you never told me?” she wanted to know.

“That’s a good question. No she never showed up to the after parties we threw because she always said they were boring and they were for the guys mainly. All we do is hang out down by the beach and drink a few, maybe have a few joints but I never touch that stuff because I had a bad experience with it when I was a kid, um we talk and laugh, some of the guys go off with their girls or their hook-ups and I’d stay for a few hours have a few and leave. That’s it. But a few months ago two of her old friends she used to hang out with in school started dating a couple of the guys we hang out with so she showed up maybe twice and that was it I swear Babe.” He told her.

Ellie just looked at him for a few seconds then said, “Look John I don’t want to be one of those girlfriends that you have to report to every few seconds to and tell me where you are and who your with. And I certainly don’t want to do the same. I do want an honest relationship thou. And what killed me was that she said that she thought she skipped her period. She thought she skipped her period John! You do know what that meant right?” Ellie asked him now a little more agitated about the situation.

John didn’t know what to say to her. He really kind of blocked that part out. He was rolling his lips and chewing on them because he didn’t know what to say to her. “Ellie I’m pretty sure we used protection. I don’t think we would have done it without it. I mean Dotty and I always used it before so I don’t see why that night would have been different.” He told her pretty confident.

“Really John because you said you were pretty out of it and don’t remember anything so how could you remember if you did or not?” Ellie threw at him.

“Because Dotty isn’t that stupid that’s why!” he said angrily.

“Are you getting mad at me? Because I wasn’t the one who cheated dipshit! And believe me I could have. Herbie wasn’t too thrilled with me about you! But I stood firm and I guess really, really stupid! Both he and Joe were giving me shit. So if I’m having second thoughts about this you put them there. So I think I have the right to ask some questions don’t you!” she told him pissy. “Look before this gets out of hand and I can see where this is going I think you should leave because now my head is really splitting.” She told him.

“What do you mean you know where this is going? Look I’m not going anywhere til we get this cleared up.” John told her angrily.

“Really? Ok this is going where you want me to believe that Dorothea knew that she was using a condom but still told us she was late getting her period and insinuating that she was pregnant with your baby! Are you really that stupid John!” she told him throwing it in his face.

“Ok so what was this crap about Herbie huh?” John demanded to know.

“Oh for crying out loud! That’s where I guess I made a fool out of myself. Here I was at home telling him what a great guy I found going on about you and telling him and Joe how much we love each other and you’re here fucking Dorothea. You should be lucky you are here because Joey would be on you like a fly is to honey. He’d beat the living daylights out you for what you did to me.” She told him as now the tears were starting to fall.

John saw this and he hated to see her cry. To be honest he hated any girl crying but when it came to Ellie his heart broke and even more so because he was causing it. “Ellie, Ellie please don’t cry. You know I can’t take it when you cry.” He told her.

She looked at him and said, “Well too fucking bad then because when I get upset I cry! Now I think it would be good if you just leave now. I really just need to take my meds and get some sleep.” She told him.

“Look I don’t want to leave you like this.” he told her.

“No you look all I have to do is yell for Marsha and she’ll be in here in two seconds and believe me you really don’t want to piss her off right now because Michael and her are still mad at her for what you did in the first place. Now you have five seconds before I scream bloody murder.” She told him.

“Fine I’m going but just remember this I still love you no matter what. I’ll pick you up at three p.m. tomorrow afternoon so be ready and we can talk more about this.” he told as he got up to leave.

Ellie sat there in shock at what he just told her. “Weren’t you just here? We just fought and you still want to go away for the weekend?” she asked him.

“Look I know you and you’ll do anything to get out of something that you don’t want to do right? Now you may not want to use your headaches for an excuse this time so you picked a fight with me which by the way was a whooper. You’re good. And as much as I want to put you over my knee right now or continue with this wonderful discussion we can Saturday because Friday we’ll be too tired. So be ready or you’ll just go with the closes on your back. Because I always get what I want you may want to remember that.” He told her as he left.

She sat there and she couldn’t believe what she just heard. Daniel was right, he is an arrogant ass. But he was her arrogant ass.