As the weeks continued, so did life. On Mondays, Ava began going with Rachel to Grandma Rose's. Rachel welcomes her company. One thing Ava's been doing is keeping a journal. Everything Grandma Rose says she writes down. Rachel's grandmother is in a constant battle between remembering and forgetting.
On one Monday Grandma Rose said something interesting, between all of her REALLY interesting stories. Sometimes she has lucid moments. This was one of them. "My mind wanders away from me. But your memory feels like home, Rachel." She wrote that down in the journal. Then the elder lady went on to say "When I turn my hearing aid up ten I can hear a pigeon poop on the patio". In between laughs, Ava wrote that down too.
At school, the friend situation is tenuous at best. If lunch was a strained affair before it really is now. All the girls and the Cobras are mixed up. Johnny, Bobby, and Dutch sit together with Ava and Rachel. Jimmy and Tommy sit with Charley, Kara, and Joy. They sit at different tables completely. Although sometimes Bobby and Dutch will join their other friends.
The good news is Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday all of the girls (minus Ava and Joyless) have B lunch. It's on those days the guys feel cohesive again. Ava, however, feels bad. It's like this rumor drama has broken up the boy band. But as Dutch has taken to saying "Like Duran Duran the stories of a breakup are untrue. The Cobras are here to stay. Strike first."
"Strike hard," Bobby echoed.
Jimmy finished "No mercy".
Before anyone could sit down and breathe, Thanksgiving had come upon them. Ava's mom invited Johnny to Thanksgiving dinner. He wasn't quite sure how to answer. On the one hand, he truly wants to accept the invitation, but on the other hand, he's his mom's only child. In his home, they spend Thanksgiving and Christmas together. It's two of the only days out of the year that is actually peaceful. Sid is normally less of a Scrooge.
Still, not wanting to be disrespectful, he talked with his mom about this. She told him "I think you should go, Sweetheart. You'll meet her whole family and that's important. Sid and I will have dinner together and it will be fine." She kissed his cheek.
However, Johnny had no idea his invitation to Thanksgiving dinner meant traveling to Savannah, Georgia. But here he is traveling across the country on an airplane, which he hates. Not to mention the triplets are flying too and asking a million questions. Plus her asshole brother is sitting in front of him. If he calls him Rat Face one more time he swears the knock his teeth down his throat. He decided to call him skunk. Between the triplets and the skunk he can't take anymore and quietly yelled "Quiet!"
Ava instantly put her hand on his leg. "Honey are you alright?" His face said all she needed to know. "Do you need some motion sickness medicine? Tell me what you need and I'll try to do it if it's humanly possible on an airplane."
Did she really just ask that question? "Are you kidding? There are a million things I'd love for you to do, but none of them appropriate." His innuendo didn't go unnoticed, by either his chick or the skunk (who turned around).
"Calm your pants Rat Face," he stated. Then he turned back around and read his girly magazine hidden by a sports mag.
With a murderous look on his face, Johnny blurted out "That's it." His fists clenched and his temper raised.
Recognizing Johnny's mood, she had to do something to take his mind off the current situation. So she grabbed his face and full-on kissed him. With a sudden slow-burning passion, she gave him a thorough kiss. It made both their hearts skip a beat. There was no way to know she weakened his core, but she did the minute her delicate fingers ran through his hair. He made a throaty sound.
The fabric of her candy apple red, sweatshirt bunched in his hands. He could smell her sweet scent and it drove him crazy (more than he already was on this giant bird). And for the first time in eighteen years, his body trembled at her kiss and touch, trembled. He doesn't tremble like some lovesick girl. He's Johnny freaking Lawrence. But it happened again as her fingers ghosted over his neck.
He was subdued by the staggering rush of adrenaline, from the top of his blonde head to the tips of his toes. To an adrenaline junkie, her lips are mesmerizing. Better than any kick to the leg, ride on the bike or cliff dive into the ocean. His thoughts are restrained and silenced, under the spell of her mouth.
The sound of her gasp awakened the wild side of him. The side that's a little reckless and rebellious. The urgency of their lips made the heat rise from every inch of himself. It consumed his body and soul. If hearts could melt his would be a puddle right now. Her love makes him soft. She lowers his defenses until they're down all the way. She is his weakness and she is important. But to her, he is her strength. And together their love is tremendous.
Their kiss left them both breathless and longing. He is a boy who loves to play with fire. She's his match. "I love you," he whispered. Her eyes sparkled, even in the dim light of the plane, and her face glowed. But her smile set his soul on fire. He did that. Satisfied with his work, he leaned back in the uncomfortable seat and read through his karate magazine again (for the fifth time but who's counting). After the third page, his eyes drifted closed.
He looks so peaceful sleeping. Her fingers brushed his hair off his forehead. She hated to wake him, but the plane's about to land. She let them ghost over his cheeks, nose, chin. Unexpectedly, his hand caught her wrist and brought it to his lips.
"I was having a good dream. You and me on a blanket at the beach," he waggled his eyebrows. She lightly hit his arm. "What? I didn't say what we were doing. You're the one who assumed. What a wicked mind you have."
Snorting a laugh, she added, "And you just happen to like wicked women."
He shook his head. "Wrong. I love you and you're not wicked at all."
Interrupting them, Chase announced "You're wrong Rat Face. Ava's a very wicked witch. Her breath in the morning is foul. But that's nothing compared to her hair. Her morning hair is criminal."
Ava's jaw clenched and she pointed her finger. "I'll get you my pretty and your nasty girly magazine too." That shut him up real quick. She huffed out a frustrated breath as she leaned back into her seat.
Laughing, he took her hand in his as the plane began its descent. Once it landed, he could breathe easier knowing he'd get to stand soon. As the plane unboarded, Johnny carried both his and Ava's carry-ons. They followed her parents to the rental car desk, where they rented a minivan. Johnny was not riding in a minivan, so he rented a BMW convertible.
He and Ava rode in the BMW, although it's much too chilly to actually let the top down. They shadowed the minivan all the way to her grandparent's East coastal home. With tall Southern live oaks and coastal palm trees, their house is situated on the Vernon River. It's the perfect blend of Georgia charm where a time of long ago and today blend to make the best spot.
Ava told him the main house has four bedrooms but the guest cottage houses two more. "There's a large covered and uncovered dock out back too. I love coming here. If you're up for it, later we could check out some of the shops on the squares. Along the river, there's River Street Sweets. They have the BEST pralines. Pralines are to Savannah what beignets are to New Orleans."
Not really caring what they do, he'll go anywhere with her as long as they're together. He parked in the driveway, behind her parents. The two stepped out. "Leave our luggage. We can get it later. Come on. You have to meet my grandparents!" She took his hand and pulled him up the steps with her.
Her mother's family is the best, especially her grandfather Waylon. He's her favorite person, besides Johnny (of course). He always smiles and smells of Old Spice and peppermint. A retired shipping owner, he would always take Ava for a tour of the docks and a ride on the riverboat. It was their special time together, grandfather and granddaughter. After their riverboat ride, they would head to The Olde Pink House for shrimp and grits.
Inside her grandmother, Anna Beth greeted her. She's ever the proper Southern gentlewoman. "Ava, lord, look at you. You've grown taller since I've seen you last and prettier too. But you've always been a pretty thing." She hugged and kissed her granddaughter. Then she spotted Johnny. "And you must be my Ava's beau."
What the heck is a beau? He had no clue. They would be speaking a language, Ava would have to help him with. Thank God she spoke for him.
"Grandmama this is Johnny. He is my beau. We attend the same high school together and live in the same neighborhood." She nudged him forward.
Sticking his hand out, he introduced himself. "Hello, M'am. I'm Johnny." He didn't know what to expect.
Anna Beth didn't shake his hand. Instead, she hugged him too. Releasing him, she spoke to Ava (who blushed at her words). "Darling he's a handsome one." Then she turned back to Johnny. "But you look peckish. Sugar, come with me and eat something."
He glanced at his girlfriend for help. "Go on, Hot Shot. My grandmother wants to feed you. Don't disappoint her." Taking his hand, she squeezed it. Then not able to resist, "See you in a bit Sugar." He smirked at her on his way to the kitchen.
She decided to find her granddaddy. Wandering to his home office, she stood in the doorway and knocked. He turned his chair around and waved her in. While he finished his phone conversation, she looked at his signed golf club. Inside a glass display case is a club signed by none other than Arnold Palmer. She dies every time she sees it.
Waylon hung up the phone and stood. "Sweet Pea!" He hugged her and closed the door. "Now tell me all about the young man you brought with you. Your mother told us you were bringing your boyfriend. It must be serious."
What can she say except "I would like to think so. We love each other." Then she told him all about Johnny. Everything. She started with how they dated in ninth grade, to breaking up, to getting back together now. "And he's in the kitchen with Grandmama letting her feed him, cause she thinks he's peckish."
The two of them shared a laugh about that. After hearing all about his granddaughter's boyfriend, Waylon knew the young man is special to her. It's crystal clear to him there's a lot of great emotion shared between the two. He'll have to have a conversation with the boy before he makes up his mind completely. In the meantime, "It sounds like you and Johnny care for each very much. Now tell me about your golfing."
In the kitchen, Anna Beth had plopped a big plate of hoecakes down in front of Johnny. She also gave him a bottle of Kayro syrup to go along with it. Â He had no idea what the hell a hoecake is and he's never had Kayro syrup a day in his life. It looks like a pancake, but the older lady insisted they aren't. She was right. They taste totally different, but it was delicious all the same.
Once Johnny had been sufficiently fed, Ava's grandmama began questioning him. "Now tell me all about yourself. Start with your parents and take me through your life." She began mixing something in a bowl.
He came prepared for this, as he knew he'd be asked all sorts of questions during this trip. Lucky for him Ms. Linda is in the kitchen helping her mother. Well, she's trying to help her mother, who gave her the easy jobs. She can run interference for him. Which she never had to because everything he shared was met with kind words and thoughtfulness.
When he got to the parts about Ava specifically, Anna Beth stopped what she was doing to look at him. Instead of using words like "babe" or "chick", he tried to tone it down. Although one slipped through when he said "She's a gorgeous babe." Both ladies laughed. He had already said too much and shared too much with them, that he was sure they could decipher his intentions for Ava.
So he decided to give it all away and hold nothing back. "She did something for me I couldn't do for myself. She loves me for who I am. And I am completely and totally in love with her. She makes me believe dreams can come true because mine did the moment I met her. I will always love her."
There wasn't a dry eye in the room, even Johnny. His eyes had grown misty, although he didn't let them fall.
Linda knew this would be the guy who will marry her baby one day. It's why she invited him along in the first place. This is also why she wants to take care of him as an extended family should because he is family, in a sense. And now she knows her mother knows it too.
Both ladies hugged him and kissed his cheek. They returned to their cooking, or as Anna Beth says "piddling around in the kitchen." She told him he could call her Grandmama like Ava does, but it feels strange. He's not family and he had a grandmother once when he was younger (but she died). So he's taken to calling her Ms. AB (which she likes).
"Go find Ava. She's probably with her grandfather in his office. It's a long time until supper. You two should go explore Savannah's squares," Linda told him.
Ms. AB added "But don't fill up on junk and sweets. Save room for tonight. We're having chicken and dumplings, with a Japanese fruit cake." She turned to her daughter. "I know you love that cake and since I won't see you for Christmas this year, I wanted to make it now."
He left the room in search of his girlfriend, wondering what the heck chicken and dumplings are. He found her, where her mother said she'd be, with her grandfather. When he entered the office, he heard them discussing golf. "Swing easy Ava, not hard. I bet that's why your shoulder's been giving you trouble."
Waylon's eyes saw the young man in the doorway. He smiled at him. "Come on in. We're just talking about golf." Once he found his place in the other chair, beside his granddaughter, he said "You must Johnny. I'm Waylon. It's nice to meet you." He stuck out his hand to the boy and they shook.
"Ava tells me you're not a golfer, but you're a black belt in karate. That's impressive. You have to have a lot of focus and control to get one." He saw the young man's face change from cautious to an ease of happiness. Since Ava told him about his stepfather, he wants to give this boy praise when he can. It's a terrible thing to not be loved by the father in your life.
Once they finished talking with Mr. Waylon, Ava went to ask her grandmama where she and Johnny should put their luggage. "In the guest house," was her reply. They carried their things there and decided to use both of the rooms. The two of them did not want to wake up one morning in the same bed, giving false indications of things that aren't happening. Despite their good intentions, they wound up sleeping together anyway.
The two days before Thanksgiving saw the couple explore the city. Ava showed him all around. They threw coins into the fountain at Forsyth Park and made wishes. In the corner of his eye, he looked at his girlfriend before he made his wish. They rode a trolley and took pictures of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. But their favorite spot had to be the Wormsloe Historic Site.
If ever there is a picture in the mind of what a quintessential southern "scene" would be, it's this. The historic colonial, antebellum estate has a paved avenue lined with a canopy of tall oak trees. They're covered in Spanish moss. When the sunlight hits it just right, it's as though you've stepped into your own version of a fairytale.
Between snapping pictures, and strolling along, Johnny knew this would be the perfect time and place to talk about the future. He asked, "Can we talk?"
Holding Johnny's gaze, she acknowledged his question with "So you're finally ready to have that serious conversation?" He nodded yes.
They went to sit down in front of a tree. He started their discussion. "When I said I was scared to lose you I meant it. I'm afraid of someone else realizing how truly amazing you are. For someone else to kiss your lips and have your heart. For someone else to take my place. Because nothing in my life has ever meant as much to me as you do."
His feelings for her have grown stronger by the day. Along with that, so has his fear of losing her. "If I did lose you, then I'd be losing my best friend, my smile, my laugh, my heart, my true love, and my everything."
When two people fall in love and it feels like home, that's when you know it's true. Together they're the remedy for each other's brokenness. Past wounds are healed. Even the silence sings a beautiful song, only known to them. Lives are forever inexplicably changed. Only happiness and renewed promises of new beginnings remain.
Turning her body to lock her eyes with him. She spoke. "When I look at you I see home. To be without you is worse than any horrible sickness because with you my heart feels complete. You're the other half of me and I love you. You're my home no matter where that is."
She laced their fingers together, as he looked at the ground. "You're heart will be safe with me. When everyone else lets you go, I will hold onto you. You're my past, my present, and my future."
Lifting his eyes from the dirt, they sparkled with tears. "What about college and marriage? I'm not as bright as you. I might only be able to get into Stanford thanks to Sid."
Her hand caressed his face, and her thumb stroked his strong jaw. She scooted forward. "You retook your SATs earlier this month. We studied for them. You said you felt better about it this time around. I have no doubt you'll pass. We filled out applications to all of the colleges I applied to. We have to wait to see what they say. Don't sell yourself short. You're plenty smart."
They shared stares. "As for marriage, I think we just settled that. Right?"
Agreeing, he thinks they did but..."Yeah. But people say they want to get married all the time, then it never happens. When are you thinking?" When he asks her, which he wants to have all of his ducks in a row first, he wants to get married as soon as possible.
Breaking their gaze, she looked at the oak tree beside them. Collecting her thoughts, she answered "Maybe after our first year of college. That way we'll know where we're at in terms of our college choice. Plus we can find a place to live by then and we'll have a bit of money to draw from. So, I think then."
He took her arm and tapped her bracelet. "This is no longer just a bracelet. It's my promise to you, a reminder. One day I'll ask you to marry me and give you the ring that matches it. And I will ask you, Ava. So if at any time that's not what you want, then give it back."
Shaking her head no, she emphasized "No. I will not be taking it off ever. It's mine. You're mine. I belong here." She turned around and scooted so her back was flush with his front and chest. She took his arms and wrapped them around her.
They said what they needed to say. Now their love can grow even deeper, cause where there's true love there's peace. The two sat under the canopy of Southern oaks and moss and sunlight, surrounded by love and promises. Everything they want is wrapped up in their arms.