Johnny and Ava set off for the talks with their respective parents. They've both been nervous about speaking to them. Especially Johnny, who's just better at hiding his nerves than Ava. He's had years of practice at hiding. After pulling out of their driveway, at their own house, it would take them almost thirty minutes to get there.
That's thirty minutes of thinking time. That's also thirty minutes of unrest in the mind and the heart. It's hard to go against the grain when the grain isn't a smooth cut. If it was smooth then it would be easy, and well life has never been easy for Johnny. But then sometimes easy isn't always best. Really what this all boils down to is the fear of the unknown. The fear of the unknown is probably one of the biggest fears there is.
The truth is two things will happen tonight. Â Two things they can both rely on and count on. These two things will happen regardless of how they feel about it and it can never be taken back. First, there will be a solid place for them to stand on, and second, they'll be taught how to fly. For that solid place, they have it in each other. They are each other's solid place to stand. They are the rock on which the other can lean and stand. They give each other hope. Without hope, nothing can survive.
Once the truth comes out, they will for sure have to spread their wings and leave the nest. They'll have to fly on their own. Luckily they've been given a head start on that by securing a place of residence. A really nice place of residence. What a blessing that is, and blessings are few and far between in Johnny's life. However, he's learning to be less sarcastic about it and a little more hopeful. Ava is helping him see the good in the world. She's brought that into his life, and he's thankful for it.
Since they're married and have a house, they have to learn to fly on their own. Therein lies the struggle, the knowledge that you're about to lose something. Giving up the comfort and security of a sure thing, to go off and create new tidings. New tidings that are less secure because it's new. It's the whole giving voice to these things out loud that causes unease and discomfort.
Probably the greatest thing about the unknown is you need courage. A whole lot of courage. It takes incredible courage to leave what's certain for what's uncertain. Leaving the known says "I want to be a part of something great and amazing." It's scary and very uncomfortable. Trading comfort for discomfort is no small feat. It's not for the faint of heart. But there's also a sea of possibilities swimming and circling around the new Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence too. Possibilities that they might not have had otherwise. Perhaps maturity is found in the acceptance of the not knowing.
Johnny and Ava have each other. Already they're both in the plus category. There are no minuses so far. However, by the end of the night, they might be living on a prayer as Bon Jovi sings. It would be really nice to have their family's blessing. That's all. But even if their parents don't, which is the source of the anxiety, they'll be OK. Their loves whispers "I will shelter you. I will comfort you." That makes it bearable.
Deciding to face The Green's first, they pulled into Ava's parent's driveway. When they parked, Johnny took hold of his wife's hand. Looking at her, he declared "This is it. No turning back. It's now or never. And I'd really like to publically claim my wife, not hide away like we're some dirty little secret."
He saw her nod her beautiful head. She kept looking at him, so he told her "This is not going to be easy. I know you know that, but it needs to be said. It won't be easy, but what we have is worth it. If this was easy then everyone would do it. This is just part of us growing together. And why am I the one saying all this profound shit? That's your job." She laughed at his words.
Stroking his cheek, she confessed "Because you can be profound too when you need to be in your own unique way. At least you didn't call me a pussy." He gave her hand a squeeze. She squeezed back. They gave each other a peck, then exited his car.
Holding hands, they walked up to the door and she used the hidden key to let them inside. Clara came running and gave them both hugs, so did Bobo who wagged his tail excitedly. Ava wonders if she can take Bobo with her. She loves her little dog, even though he still growls at Johnny.
Ava led her husband to the kitchen where her parents are. She saw them doing normal couple things. For a moment she could see herself and Johnny in their shoes. Linda is putting dishes away, while Nick eats a bite of pie. They looked up and saw their daughter, and her boyfriend, and smiled. Ava let go of Johnny's hand. She went and hugged her parents. Her mother inquired "Are you both hungry? There's some leftover chicken, mac and cheese, and green beans in the fridge."
Smiling at the thought, Ava responded for them. "Thanks, Mom, but we've both eaten already." Coming to stand behind her, Johnny squeezed her shoulder for encouragement. "Actually there's something we'd both like to speak with you about. Could we go to Daddy's study?"
With curious looks on their faces, her parents consented and led them into the hall and into his study. Nick sat at his desk, while Linda sat in one of the brown leather club chairs. Johnny and Ava sat on the tan sofa, well, he sat and she stood (for now). They decided she would talk and he would interject as needed. Then the roles would be reversed at his parent's house.
Pacing and fidgeting, Ava began. She stopped in front of her Dad's desk and looked at both her parents. "As I said there's something we need to tell you." Her head turned and looked at Johnny, who smiled for encouragement. Although his eyes said hurry up would you.
Glancing between her parents, she went for it and spilled the beans. "Johnny and I are married." There she said it, confidently without even so much as a waver to her voice. However, she now wishes she hadn't said it in such a way as she did. The look of horror on her mother's face is bad enough, but her father looks downright angry.
Her father, slowly, clearly, and with low tones asked "Could you repeat what you just said? I don't think my old ears heard you correctly. At least they better not have heard you correctly." He does not look amused, at all.
There's no taking the words back. They're out there. She's survived nasty rumors and gossip, anorexia, and hurtful middle school boys, she can do this too. She's a married woman and with the words being finally spoken out loud, a weight has lifted from her shoulders. So with a gulp, she retold her father their news. "I'm married to Johnny and have been since Christmas." She went to take her place beside her husband and held his hand.
Nick's face froze into a permanent scowl. He steepled his fingers on top of his desk and stared the two young married's down. Great disappointment and anger is coursing through him, as evidenced by his mad eyes and red face. "I thought that's what you said. Please tell me it can be annulled." His eyes locked on his daughter, forcing her to fidget with her shirt hem, as she shook her head no.
Letting out a breath, his eyes raised to the ceiling. Then Nick Green had words for the two of them, especially Ava. "Of all the stupid, idiotic things! We raised you better than this. You're eighteen for Christ's sake! Not to mention neither of you has graduated high school yet. And now you're married. Do you know how dumb that is? What were you thinking?! What am I saying? You weren't thinking that much is clear. Nowhere is there a rational thought in either of your heads. Where the hell are you going to live and what are you going to live on?" He got up and turned his back on them.
His hands rested on his bookshelf, behind his desk. "I can't even look at you right now! Half of the marriages end in divorce. It's hard work being married. You're eighteen and have your whole life ahead of you. You both have college in the fall. How do you even know you love each other so much to commit to this and then go to college and meet the perfect person? You're both too young for this and not mature enough. This is a foolish, moronic thing to do!"
As if her father's words aren't enough, her mother then questioned with concern. "Ava are you pregnant? Is that why the rush? It's the only logical explanation. If you're pregnant, all you have to do is tell us and we'll help you."
With her head turned unable to look at her parents, and with tears falling from her eyes, she explained "No. I'm not pregnant. Is that what you really think of me? That the only reason I could have for wanting to marry Johnny is that I'm pregnant?" She didn't even let them respond but stood up again. "Well, I'm not. I actually love him----"
Her father interrupted her. Looking at his daughter, he admonished her some more. "You love him. You don't even know what love is. You're too young. And as for you." He pointed his finger at Johnny. "You are one of the most degenerate young men I've ever known. I know you've gotten suspended from school off and on over the years. I know you don't care enough about your grades. And I know you fight a lot. You have no respect for yourself."
Hearing those words cut Johnny to the quick. He can't disagree with anything his father-in-law said, but he's trying to be better. He's been trying since he started dating Ava again. He wanted to do everything right with her and now that he's married, he really wants to step up and be the kind of man she deserves. She deserves better than him, he already knows this. Hearing it said out loud is hits hard.
Turning to look at Ava, her father told her "And now you're married to him. To a man who's all of those things. His reputation is on you, daughter." Looking back at Johnny, he declared "If you had actually loved my daughter you wouldn't have married her now. You would have respected her enough to wait, but you didn't."
Getting married, any time in life is challenging. Her parents are right it will probably be more challenging for them, as teenagers. However, if it's a challenge that's worthwhile then it's livable, doable. But there's one thing Ava doesn't agree with. She stood up and stated "I understand you both are disappointed and upset. That's fine. That's your right as my parents. I also realize the difficulty our marriage presents. Life is difficult on its own, but it's bearable when you have someone to go through it with you."
Sitting back down by her husband, she took his hand in her own. "I have Johnny to walk through life with now. For better or worse, richer or poorer. And the truth is we're going to be just fine." She raised his hand and kissed it. Turning to her parents, she made known other things. "We bought a house. In fact, we signed on it today and we're moving in tomorrow fully."
Her parents were floored with that news. With caution, Johnny began to speak. "We're not as cash-poor as you may think. We will live on my money, as well as a bit of hers." Seeing his in-law's eyes, he explained his money situation to them. Their eyes continued to get bigger and rounder the more he spoke. Until finally, he declared "As of today I have almost two million in the bank." His wife turned to look at him with confusion. "I told you I have over a million, I just didn't tell you how over it actually is. By the end of next week, it'll be two million for sure. So, we have enough to do all the things we discussed and more."
Despite him being able to provide for their daughter, Nick and Linda are still unhappy. They let it be known. Every sigh, every eye roll, and every harsh word made it so. And Ava had enough. She defended her husband and their marriage. "We're married legally and truthfully. I had hoped we'd get your blessing. I realize that was a long shot, but I hoped for it regardless. This is supposed to be a happy, joyful time in our lives, but instead, right now it's discouraging. We know marriage won't be a breeze. We know we're going to have to make difficult decisions, experience hardships, and we're even going to disagree with each other (like we did picking out furniture and stuff), but it's worth it. Being with him is worth it. And whether you agree or not, he's your son-in-law and my husband. I love him and I know he loves me."
She stood up and he did too. "Johnny's past is in the past, which no one's past is perfect. We all have dirt. He's not that person anymore. Tomorrow I'm coming by and getting my clothes, and then that's it. I may not be welcomed in your house, but you're welcome in ours (if you can be pleasant)."
Then they left. She walked out of her childhood home with her husband. She's leaving the nest for good, no longer a child. They had stepped out of his car anxious for the unknown. Now they're getting into it no longer anxious but knowing. Now they know the unknown isn't as scary as they made it out to be. It's freeing and frustrating. They realize how things went at her parent's is probably how it will be at his house too. They braced themselves for that.
But before anything else could happen, he turned to his wife and said "Love is a choice, not some pussy feeling." He saw her eyes interested in his words. "I chose you, Ava. You chose me. We chose to get married because we love each other. Whether I get mad at you, frustrated, needy, attention-seeking, feel sick, whatever, I choose you. Those other things are just feelings. They're just words. Feelings change, but love never ends. And if you truly love someone you'll stick around through the good and bad. I truly love you and choose you, for life."
Knowing she wants to say something, he didn't give her the chance. "Don't doubt my love for you. It's the only thing I'm a hundred percent sure of." Then he put the car into drive and drove to Sid's mansion.
They got out and went inside together, as a united front. If they thought Ava's parents were harsh, they were nothing compared to his. First, his mother started crying and crying. "Why Johnny? Why would you do that?" Then Sid shouted despicable things to him, which aren't worth repeating in polite conversation. It made Ava's skin crawl and her insides burn with the heat of a thousand suns. But it wasn't until Sid's cry of "Did you get the girl pregnant", that Johnny finally had enough. For once in his life, he isn't backing down to this man. He's defending his wife and their marriage.
"Quiet!" He ran his hands through his blonde hair. "For the second time today, I did not get Ava pregnant. We haven't even had sex until we married, which that's none of your business. She's my wife. I love her and only want her, for the rest of my life. We have a house, that we bought with my money---"
Sid interrupted him. "You mean my money." He drank his glass of brandy.
Giving his stepfather a heated, angry look Johnny admitted to him "No. My money. I have enough money for Ava and me to live on. I've been saving and investing since I was in seventh grade. She and I will be fine. In fact, I have something for you." He reached into his pocket and gave Sid a check. He had cashed out his savings at the bank, all the money Sid had given him as an allowance. "This is all the money you've ever given me as an allowance."
Sid took the check and put it in his pocket. He wore a curious expression and if you looked closely enough you might even detect a hint of pride. But he wiped it off before anyone could notice. His wife, who had been seated next to him, stood up and hugged her baby and her new daughter-in-law. "I'm still severely disappointed in you both," she informed them. Laura needed that much to be clear, but she also loved them dearly.
Holding his mother's arms, Johnny acknowledged her "I understand Mom. But I love Ava." He pulled out a paper from his pocket and gave it to her. "This is our address. If you ever want to visit you're welcome." Looking at both his mom and stepfather, he exclaimed "Tomorrow we'll be by to clean out my room." He gave his mother a final hug and the newlyweds left the mansion.
Tired and drained and disappointed with their parents (yet understanding too), they just want to go home and rest. People always talk about family being the most important thing in life, and they can be. But family can also hurt you the most deeply and painfully. Lots of hurts went around that evening, on both sides. Nothing can stress you out more than family.
Making a big life change isn't easy. These conversations were not easy but needed. Now everything is out in the open. There's no going back, only going forward. Seeing where they go from here will be a great adventure. The future is wide open and clear. It's scary and exciting at the same time, which only confirms this is where they need to be.
It's all a part of taking risks. What's even better is they've taken a huge risk on love. True love isn't found it's built. Tonight they started the building process on the foundation they've been laying many months ago. Things can only go up for them from here. Rock bottom has built more heroes than the top floor ever could. They may not be totally on rock bottom, but right now it feels that way without their parents. There's never a right time, or the best time, for new beginnings. The best time for them is now. And what good are wings without the courage to fly?