Haystack Kids

1: Johnny's Dilemma

Okay – remember the last thing that happened? Me and Johnny went to the dance? But first we totally kissed in front of his room? I kept his sweater? Blah-di-Blah-blah?

It seemed like there couldn't be anything to break us up. But something did: time. Johnny's Aunt was getting old. She was only in her late thirties, but had lung, kidney, and heart problems. Living on a farm is healthy, but it's strenuous, too. Since Johnny's aunt was alone after Johnny left for the ARC and Metajets, and she was still young and spritely so she didn't hire many hands, she had to work on nearly 300 acres everyday, with only two or three helpers. She wasn't getting on too well; the check-up bills were decreasing the farm income, and she didn't think she could stand it anymore.

So she called Johnny to visit her for a day. He did. Left about five in the morning. Got home nearly midnight.

I knew something was up.

So when he flew in 11:40 pm, I was waiting in the engine room, slurping a soda. I had a pack of Nachos, too.

When he walked in, tired and worn, and saw me sitting on top of one of the repair tables, his eyes held a questioning glance.

I slid off, shyly offered the pack of nachos, gave him a sip from my soda, kissed him noisily square on his mouth, and made him sit down.

After recovering from the random show of affections, Johnny sighed. His shoulders slumped forward. He coughed. There was hay stuck to his hair. I pulled it out and sat next to him.

"So, Johnny how was your Aunt?" I said in a low voice.

He smiled at me then. "Maggster, you read me better than anyone else." I smiled back at him.

He paused, sliding off his gloves.

"Maggie," he said.

"What is it?" I asked quietly.

"My aunt's real bad."

I had a feeling I knew where this was going.

"I might have to –" Johnny turned and lifted my face up to study it like he was considering something.

"Might have to…?" I prompted. Though I didn't need the words. His face said it all.

"You tell me," he said decidedly. "You know. I can tell."

"You might have to leave?" I asked in a voice so slow and tiny it seemed like a baby snail.

"Yes." Johnny's answer cut my heart like a knife. I felt a stab of pain.

"Oh." I said. And that was when he told me everything about her, how his Aunt was seriously sick, and how she didn't think she could keep up anymore. "She told me she hated to bother me, to ruin my career, to disrupt my fun, but she said I might be interested to know about our farm, since it's been part of my childhood," Johnny said. For once it was him pouring his heart out.

I leaned my head on his shoulder. "It's your life."

He nodded. "But so are the ARC and Metajets."

"I know they are, Johnny."

"And Zak and Trey," he said.

I looked at him, eyes narrowed.

He allowed a small laugh. "But most importantly, you." Then he pulled me against him and kissed me. Just like that. Like we were officially together. And I didn't mind, I tell you.