A/N: So, here's yet another chapter in the Ava/Johnny saga. I'm a bit proud of this chapter. I wrote it through once, and I haven't even re-written any of it, or editted it for "cheese" as I usually do. I hope it's not too melodramatic, but though I didn't edit it, I did try to tone it down a bit.
As usual, thanks to those of you who review! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. It's really kept me going. I can honestly say that the last few chapters wouldn't be here at all if it weren't for those of you who review.
It has been suggested, rightly so, that I should give this story a title. I completely agree with this suggestion, but feel the need to tell you that I've actually be struggling to come up with a title since the first chapter was posted. I don't know how you guys all do it. I read through other people's fan fic almost daily, and everyone else seems to have great titles. But I just can't seem to come up with something half decent. I'm kinda stuck on "Salvation" - but I think that's a bit much... Any thoughts? Suggestions would be VERY much appreciated as always.
So, without further ado, I present chapter 7 of the tentatively titled piece "Salvation". Preceeded, of course, by the usual disclaimer.
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN THE OUTSIDERS
Ava pulled up outside the Curtis family home and started to unload the flowers and other gardening tools from the trunk of her white MGB. Despite the fact that she was going to be seeing Johnny any minute now, she did not have her usual grin, nor did she experience the tight stomach and nervous energy as she had over the past few weeks.
She and Johnny had been meeting several times a week for the last month at the Curtis home to work in the garden. Often the only conversation they had was sparse, or would involve only talk of flowers or vegetables and the best way to start and maintain a garden. In fact, upon reflection, Ava realized that she really hadn't learned anything new about Johnny throughout their meetings. At least, she hadn't learned any facts. She still didn't know where Johnny's mother or father were, or if he had any brothers or sisters, or what his favourite movie was, or what he planned to do with his life. Though all the facts were missing, the essentials were there. She knew now, not just suspected anymore, that Johnny Cade was gentle, soft-spoken, and polite. He was also keenly interested in gardening, as evidenced by the fact that he continually made their afternoon meetings, despite his original reservations. In fact, Johnny seemed to be more relaxed around her than he had originally been. Ava couldn't fool herself into thinking that he trusted her, or would open up to her, but he didn't jump at the sound of her voice, and didn't move away suddenly when she would kneel down in the dirt next to him.
Ava had been feeling very good about the development of their friendship. She felt that soon she would be able to ask Johnny more personal questions, and not expect to see the wild, panicked look in his eyes. So confident had she been, that she decided she would stop by the drugstore where he worked to pick him up and drive him back to the Curtis home where they were scheduled to meet for more gardening.
She had walked in feeling confident and attractive in her new yellow blouse and white slacks. She knew she looked good, especially with her blond hair pulled back into a high pony-tail, and her makeup done. She had felt rather silly getting `dolled` up as her Uncle Will called it, considering she would be working in the garden throughout the afternoon. But somehow she had hoped that her appearance would please Johnny. Maybe even entice him into asking her to the Nightly Double on Saturday.
When she had seated herself at the soda counter, she promptly asked the attendant if Johnny Cade were available, which was when she was informed that he no longer worked there.
Throughout the short drive from the drugstore to the Curtis family residence, Ava had felt - there was no better word for it - betrayed. Why hadn`t Johnny told her he had gotten fired from the drugstore? She knew she had no right to feel this way. She knew it was none of her business where Johnny worked, or how he got on with his employers. But even still, she could not shake the feeling, and it weighed heavily on her now.
She had finished unloading the car and was starting to carry the large compost bags to the garden when the door swung open and Ponyboy appeared. He started down the steps to help her.
"Hey," He smiled, taking the large bag from her arms. "You and Johnny going to work on the garden some more?"
"Yeah." Ava nodded.
Ponyboy looked at her quizzically. "Somethin' wrong? You're usually more... Excited."
Ava turned from where she was picking up her spades and gardening gloves. "Did you know Johnny got fired from the drugstore?" She asked suddenly.
Ponyboy shrugged. "Yeah, he told me about a month ago. The day it happened. Why? Didn't you know?"
"No." Ava shook her head. "He didn't tell me."
Ponyboy shrugged again. He felt a bit uncomfortable. Ava was clearly distressed by Johnny's closed mouth, and he wasn't sure what to say to make her feel better.
"I wouldn't worry too much about it." He assured her. "Johnny doesn't say much to anyone. It's nothing personal."
"But it is personal." Ava argued. "I just don't know what to say or do anymore, Ponyboy."
"Say or do what?"
"Say or do to make him notice me." Ava sighed, sitting against her car, crossing her arms in frustration. Ponyboy remained quiet.
"He does like you." He said finally, once the silence became too much. "He's just… he's nervous. And he doesn't know much about girls… " And he can't understand why you want to be with him so badly. He doesn't see in himself what we see in him, Ponyboy thought, but couldn't say it aloud. He didn't have to. Ava had looked up, and when their eyes met, Ponyboy knew she understood.
After a few moments of silence, Ava spoke again: "Has he found a new job yet?"
"No. He's been looking but no one will hire him."
"Why not?" Ava cocked her head again, and immediately straightened it.
"Because of his record and all that stuff with… with the soc."
"Huh?" Ava looked confused. "Is this to do with why he was on probation? I keep forgetting to ask him about that. What happened, anyway?"
Ponyboy felt the heat rise to his face, and his breath became short.
"I think you might want to ask him that yourself. I think maybe he should tell you." He said at last.
Ava shrugged. "Yeah, I'm sure he'll just volunteer it one of these days." she added sarcastically.
You don't know how right you are, Ponyboy thought again.
They finished moving the rest of the compost bags to the garden just as Johnny came up the street, accompanied by Two-Bit. Lately, since Johnny had become unemployed, Two-Bit had stopped showing up at school and instead spent his time hanging out with Johnny throughout the day.
"Hey you two! How's life as upstanding, productive citizens?" Two-Bit grinned and waved as they approached. Johnny, hunched over with fists in his pockets, face slightly hidden behind the raised collar of his jean jacket, let his eyes dart nervously from side to side. He did not call out a greeting.
"Just fine, Two-Bit. What were you two up to?" Ponyboy and Two-Bit's conversation trailed off as Ponyboy led his friend up the stairs and into the house. Johnny stood nervously in front of Ava, but she saw a half smile creep up the side of his handsome face and immediately all thoughts of betrayal flew from her mind. Instead, her face lit up and she smiled enthusiastically.
"Hey Johnny. You want to get started?" She asked, handing him his work gloves and pair of shears. He nodded and took them from her gingerly.
They worked side by side, the silence broken only when Ava gave some short direction as to how Johnny should prune the bushes. Finally Ava couldn't take it anymore. The curiosity over Johnny's sudden unemployment became too much for her, and she broke.
"I went by the drugstore today to see if you wanted a ride home." She stated matter-of-factly, without looking at him directly. She saw, from the corner of her eye however, his consistent snipping falter at her words. Johnny seemed to hunch down a bit more, but at first said nothing. Ava added nothing more, and finally Johnny spoke.
"I don't work there anymore." He said quietly.
"Yeah, that's what the man said. He said you had to leave because some guys kept showing up and harassing you and the other patrons and employees. Do you have another job yet?" She asked, still not looking at him directly. She knew the answer, but she wanted to hear Johnny speak.
"No." He said simply, still snipping.
"Well, this might be good then." Ava continued evenly. "Did I tell you that my Aunt Eileen, the one who I live here with, owns a nursery? My Uncle Will bought it for her when they first got married and she moved down here, five years ago. She didn't know anyone, and Uncle Will didn't want her to be lonely. Everyone in my family are all gardeners, so he bought her this little business to keep her happy and occupied."
Johnny said nothing, but she knew he was listening. Ava actually found Johnny to be a very good listener, even when she knew she was being boring. He always paid attention to her when she spoke, and sometimes even asked her questions. Still he never voluntarily started a conversation.
"Anyway, " Ava continued. "Eileen has been looking for help lately. She says she can't find anyone who she wants to hire. She needs someone who can do some physical labour - just carrying the compost bags and maybe some of the larger pots for the peonies or small fruit trees - but who knows enough about gardening to also maintain the beds and potted plants in the greenhouse. I would have mentioned it to you a few weeks ago, but I thought you already had a job."
Ava stopped what she was doing and turned to look at Johnny squarely now. He could be very difficult to read at times. Now was one of those times.
Johnny listened to Ava's words with growing enthusiasm. He instantly pictured himself in a nursery, watering the plants, weeding the beds, carry bags of compost on his shoulders out to customer's cars, ringing in the purchases at the counter. It all sounded perfect.
He had truly grown to love gardening over the last month. What with everything going on in his life, it gave him solace and a sense of purpose. But there was more than that. Until he had met Ava, the most beautiful thing he could imagine were the clouds and the sunsets, but now he saw more. Everyday he revelled in the splendour of an early rose's bud, got drunk on the heavy scent of cherry and apple blossoms. He had always know there was still beauty in the world and this old garden of Mrs Curtis's brought to his fingertips the grace of the clouds, the many hues of a sunset. And he had helped create it all. If it weren't for his efforts, trimming and clipping, hoeing and weeding, the buds would not be so heavy or iridescent, the bees not humming so contentedly, the birds not singing so sweetly. He had a hand in creating it all.
And it could be that way. He could feel that way, everyday.
But as high as he flew in those few moments, Johnny came crashing downward as reality struck him once more. It wouldn't be. It couldn't be. Things like that didn't happen to him. He swallowed the lump in his throat, and fought the tears in his eyes.
"Johnny?" Johnny suddenly felt ahand laid gently on his shoulder. He turned around quickly, shocked out of his reverie. His hands shook and he had a hard time catching his breath from the surprise. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to scare you. You just seemed a million miles away…" Ava was clearly distressed over the anxiety she had brought on him.
Johnny shook his head quickly, the only method he had to assuage her discomfort.
"It's OK." He said, stepping back a bit. Ava didn't move, clearly expecting something. It took a moment for Johnny to realize she was waiting for him to speak about the nursery position.
"I-I can't." He said simply. Ava didn't look angry, or hurt, merely confused.
"Why not? Does the type of work not appeal to you?"
"No, it isn't that." Johnny felt uncomfortable again. He knew there was no way he could escape this conversation, though he wished fervently that Ponyboy or Two-Bit would come out. He knew it wouldn't happen, as Two-Bit consistently joked that everyone should leave Ava and him alone while they were together.
Johnny looked back at Ava. She stared, waiting expectantly. He looked, for the first time, at her face, studying it in detail. Her eyes were more blue than he had ever seen on a girl. He had seen lots of people with blue eyes, but her's were a darker, deeper blue than most. Her wheat coloured hair was pulled back in a ponytail, though a few wisps and locks escaped, curling about the pale skin of her ears, neck, and bouncing at the sides of her face. Her nose was longer than many, perhaps, but delicately tapered, turning up slightly toward the tip. Just below it was her mouth, with full, rose-bud lips. Johnny sighed inwardly. For the first time he noticed how beautiful she was.
"I don't want anyone's charity." He explained, still staring at her. He did not do it out of confidence, or defiance, but simply because now that he had noticed how striking she was, he simply didn't want to look away.
"It isn't charity." she smiled, shaking her head. She smiled. Johnny felt a strange lump rise in his throat. "Charity is when someone gives you something for nothing. Or for pity. This is business, it's a job. It's the opposite of charity. You would be working and she would pay you."
"It would…" He started, but had to stop to clear his throat. "It would still feel like charity, because I'd only be getting the job because of you."
"If that's the way you feel about it, we just won't tell her we know each other." Ava shrugged, turning back to the patch she'd been weeding. "You can just go there and ask about a job, show off how much you've learned about gardening, and then she'll just hire you because you're the right person. We'll tell her you're my friend afterwards."
Friend. Were they friends? Johnny wasn't entirely sure. He didn't have many friends, and the friends he did have had been his friends so long he couldn't remember a time when they weren't in his life. No one wanted to be his friend now. Usually people hated Johnny either on principle because he was a greaser or as soon as they heard the name "Johnny Cade", in either case they hated him before they even got to know him. But here was Ava Lamont; beautiful, rich, smart Ava Lamont. And she was his friend.
Johnny nodded and forced himself to return to pruning.
"OK." He spoke at last. I promised myself I would take any job. I'll just remind myself that this is just another job. It's not the end of the world if I don't get it. But I've got to try.
REVIEW PLEASE! THANK YOU VERY MUCH! ALSO, I WOULD BE ESPECIALLY THANKFUL FOR ANY CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM.
