CH 38
In school, while Cameron was asking about when Peggy's birthday was, JJ was squatting by Peggy's desk. She was watching him intently, knowing he had a question so important, he was nervous about asking it.
A hand on her desk to support himself, JJ tapped his fingers on the desk. "Ahhh Peggy? I have to ask ... and I know this seems off the wall, but Mom said to ..."
She put a hand over his. "The lunch break is almost over, so you better ask. Otherwise I'll be wondering what it is for the rest of the day."
"Ah yeah." He paused briefly and said, "Mom asked me if I was sure, very, very sure that I wanted to, you know, be with you ... for the rest of my life. She told me to go think about it, and I did. Long and hard..."
Peggy clasped his hand a little tighter in anticipation. "And?" she asked.
JJ nodded. "I can't think of anything I'd want more," he said with a grin. "I'm suppose to ask you too. Mom never said why.."
"Yes," Peggy said, interrupting him. "I would love to be with you, for the rest of my life. To have children with you and to always be together."
JJ sagged in relief. "I'm so glad. I was really worried about what you'd say."
Peggy grinned at him. he looked so cute when he was nervous like this. "Did she say why she asked that?"
JJ shook his head. "No, but I'm sure she has something planned. Mom does that."
The bell rang.
Louise called, "JJ, stop bothering your girlfriend, it's time for class."
"At least they aren't kissing," Jackie said.
"Yeah, yeah," JJ said and got up and went back to his desk. He didn't see Peggy pump a fist or the big smile on her face.
Peggy had a good day. she got a last good hug from Johnny before she got on the bus. On the bus, Eddie asked, "Are you really going to forsake our family for him?"
Peggy eyed him. It was like he was implying she was turning her back on the family. "I am not forsaking anyone. It's our family who is turning their back on me. That's OK though, I have someone to love and protect me, and he always will."
When they got home, it was like yesterday. Everyone around her was feeling sad. She did her chores and helped get the new arbors that were made today out in the managed to get the broken arbor out and salvage some of the vines to put back up into the new arbor before dark.
Trudging back to the house, Peggy went in and washed up before she went into help finish dinner. When shorter mother left to set the table, her other mother said, "Dear, you really need to stop seeing Johnny."
"Why?"
"If you don't then Mrs. Connor is going to come and take you away the day you turn fifteen!"
Peggy stared at her. "She is?"
Turning to her, her mother firmly said, "Yes, she told us so today! She got your older father all upset and demanded to know when your birthday is going to be. You need to stop seeing him!"
Peggy thought about Johnny's question at lunch. Now it made sense why his mother wanted him to ask her.
"Peggy, if you don't you are going to lose your family."
"Your choice, not mine," Peggy replied as she thought about going to live with Johnny.
"This is serious!" her mother stated.
"Yes, it is, and it will be permanent?" Peggy asked.
"We cannot allow anyone violent to be near us, you know that."
"So you abandon me, permanently,and I'll be going to live with Johnny," Peggy said thoughtfully, making sure she had it straight.
"That's right!" her mother said firmly.
Peggy's happy yell echoed through the house "YEEES!"
That was not the response her mother had been hoping for.
.
Driftwood settled down into routine. Several people stopped by the garage to ask Mark about making them furniture that was nearly indestructible. Since Mark's house wasn't really big enough to hold a furniture factory, Sonya asked John and Cameron if they could put it up by the lake. They agreed, and the search for a good place to build it was started. Joan and Allison kept racking up wins for the soccer team, Joan kept her alligator fed and spent as much time with Bob as possible. On a Sunday out on the lake while the girls were swimming, Mark proposed to Sonya on a bent knee. Sonya accepted and when they got back to the shore, Sonya made sure everyone knew. They also agreed the date would be right after the furniture factory was completed. In the mean time they only did single requests. The bank Mark got a loan from to build was Cameron's own. They got a great finance rate.
Business and employment in Driftwood also picked up. The lumberyard was doing well with larger orders, and the construction company was busy with the new furniture factory going up on the small lake road, just out of town. That was the closest Connor land there was to town. The roads in Driftwood as well as in and out of the town belonged to the county. Since the county had to hire road crews, the Mayor of Driftwood (the Sheriff), convinced the county to let Driftwood do the hiring. The equipment operators had to be professionals, but the road guards and the manual labor could be Driftwood residents. It wasn't the most glorious jobs, but the newly graduated college students from Driftwood who didn't have jobs yet appreciated the temporary employment.
.
Feeling secure now in what her life was going to be, Peggy returned to her happy self. She could also tell a few girls in the class were not happy she had 'bagged' Johnny. To her surprise, one of them was Louise. Louise wasn't angry about Peggy 'swooping' in to grab Johnny's attention, but she was sad about it. One day in a class break, they headed to the bathroom together.
They were the only ones in here so Peggy asked, "Louise, you really like Johnny too, don't you?"
Louise played it off saying, "He's just my brother."
"If he wasn't?" Peggy prodded.
Louise shrugged and said, "Then I'd be either homeless or dead."
"You do love him too, don't you?"
Louise rolled her eyes. "Ugh! OK, but things have changed. It's obvious JJ is in your corner and isn't moving out. I can't blame him, really." She took a look at herself in the mirror. "I mean you obviously have the better looks, and well, I just had wishful thinking. I feel lucky to have been adopted and get to be around him."
"You have two mothers right? So did I. Have you ever told Johnny how you feel?"
Louise cast her a sad grin. "Why bother? Like I said, he belongs to you now."
Peggy nodded. "Most human marriages are one man one woman. Our people don't put such limits on relationships."
Louise opened her mouth to reply, then paused. "For now, just have fun with JJ and don't worry about me."
"If that's how you want it," Peggy agreed.
"I do. I like seeing JJ happy. He really is head over heels for you," Louie said firmly.
"I don't quit understand that phrase," Peggy said. "People normally have their head over their heels."
Louise laughed. "It means that's about all he thinks about is you, dummy. He loves you, it shows every time he even looks at you, or is trying not to."
Peggy nodded. Louise was a nice girl. "Then just think about what I said, OK?"
"OK. We should get back."
.
John was doing a vital job today, mowing the grass. It was boring to push the mower around every week. He was amazed at the things he found in the lawn. He'd stop and pick up a shoe. Farther on he saw a glint and stopped to pick up a bracelet. Half an apple, just run it over and make applesauce.
One part of mowing the lawn was fun. Making sure he was going up the yard when he mowed near the fence where the alligator liked to hang out. The chute shot bits of grass through the fence at the alligator. Every week it was the same. He'd mow his way up to it, shoot grass over the alligator, the alligator would wake up, snap and hiss at the grass hitting him, then whack it's tail against the fence, shaking the whole fence line. OK it was childish, but it was fun. He thought the alligator would move to get away from the noise and not be sprayed with grass. Nope the alligator had it's 'sunny spot' and he was not be moved.
John was working at the upper lawn by the house when a car pulled in. The front plate only read "GOV". He turned the mower off and went over to see the driver, a man in a black suit, General Watson in his uniform and a third man in a dark blue suit get out of the car. "Good day, General," John called as he walked over to them. As they came together, Cameron slipped out of the front door and moved behind the men.
General Watson stopped and said, "Senator Beaker, this is John Connor. John, Senator Beaker from California."
"Senator," John said with a nod. "What bring you here?"
Eyeing John with a not quite angry look, he said, "I just wanted to see the Great John Connor. I heard there have been many protesters murdered around here lately."
"Really?" John asked. "Where did you heard this from?" He noticed Cameron was staying quietly behind the driver who didn't know she was behind him.
"I have my sources. The right to protest is covered in the Constitution. Whoever kills these protesters is committing murder," the Senator stated.
"I agreed," John said firmly. "Everyone has the right to demonstrate and protest things or ideas they don't agree with. What they do NOT have the right to do is burn, pillage, hurt others or their property. Wouldn't you agree, Senator?"
"It is their right to protest."
"It is not their right to perform criminal acts," John countered.
"You admit to making people disappear then?"
"Didn't say anything like that," John replied. "I thought we were having a theoretical discussion."
The Senator pointed a finger at John. "I could have YOU killed!" he growled.
John looked at General Watson. General Watson looked off at nothing. Returning his gaze to the Senator, John said, "So why did you come here?"
"To remove a threat to people's rights!" he waved to the driver.
The driver pulled a pistol, Cameron cracked him across the back of his neck hard. The driver dropped in place, Cameron scooped up the gun and racked the action.
"Any last words, Mr. Connor?" the Senator asked with a sneer.
"I do have a question," John said. "Who's going to replace you after they find your body in the car accident you're going to have?"
"What makes you think I'm going to have an accident?"
John motion to the driver on the ground and said, "You're driver's already dead, so I think he's going to run you car into something hard at a fast rate of speed."
The Senator spun to see his driver on the ground and Cameron holding a gun on him.
"You reach for a gun, I kill you now," Cameron intoned.
The Senator spun to General Watson. "Do something, General!"
Watson cast him a lazy gaze. "Me? I'm not here, remember. I cannot interfere or see anything, remember?" he asked. "You wanted to meet John Connor, there he is. Oh, by the way? His wife, who is a Terminator with a hyper-alloy combat chassis, is holding your driver's gun on you. Hate to tell you, Senator, but your life expectancy has become very short."
"You have to stop them!" The Senator barked.
"I see nothing, I hear nothing," General Watson stated and turned around.
"Traffic accident?" Cameron asked.
John nodded. "Nothing too public. Senator, please, get back in your car," he asked.
The Senator wailed out in rage and lunged at Cameron. She grabbed him by the throat, lifted then pulled down hard and twisted his neck. John could hear the snap. That's going to be some accident," John noted.
"A real neck breaker," Cameron agreed. She opened the doors, put the driver in place and even holstered his gun.
John helped Cameron get The limp Senator in the back seat and buckled in place, with the buckle not quite all the way locked in place.
"Follow me, John, " Cameron said and climbed in to the front seat beside the dead driver. John shut the door for her.
General, would you like a ride back to the airport, or something?" he asked.
"Yes, that would be kind if you .We need to go on the highway back towards Austin," General Watson told him.
"Right this way, General." John headed for the purple jeep.
John waited until Cameron got the car turned around, then followed her up the driveway.
"It looks like she's put his arm around her," General Watson said.
"So she can be closer and steer the car," John told him. "Less chances of someone recognizing her. I take it he forced you to come?" John asked.
"Yes, he said he wanted a meeting after it was discovered he was using re election funds to 'assist' radicals. Someone, can't say who yet, apparently has enough on him to expose him. He said he had something for me, and insisted I take him to you, or I'd disappear. I figured you would handle it."
John grinned. "We help each other."
"Indeed. I can't wait to see how Cameron pulls this off."
They followed Cameron north out of town. On a straight stretch, The car wiggled a bit then smoothed out. Cameron waved for John to get closer. John put the back window down. He sped up beside the car to match his back window the driver's front window. She motioned to the back window and lowered it. John faded back to match open back windows.
"There's a corner coming up," the General noted.
Cameron flipped into the back seat then shot out and into the window of her car. She landed in the back seat.
Watching the driver's corpse, Watson saw his wrists limp on the wheel. "John, go faster!" Cameron prodded.
John did, flooring it. He sped past the car and made the corner. The Senator's car went straight and plowed into the jagged road cut of rock on the side of the road. The vehicle crumpled up,bounced and flipped around the corner, shedding parts all over the place. Their tires squealed making the corner, but they made it.
"That looks like a plausible accident," Watson said with a grin. "Well done!"
"Thank you, General," Cameron said with a smile. "We can say you needed a ride with us if you want."
"No need. I'll show you where our Austin office is. Remember, I was never here."
.
In their first quarter report cards, Joan and Allison got their demerits, which took five points off their average grade on the100% scale. Instead of a 92, Joan was reduced to an 87. She frowned at Mr. Nader.
"Are there any questions about your grades?" Mr. Nader asked.
Joan raised her hand. "My average lost five points?"
"Yes, Miss Connor. You disobeyed and got a demerit. Now, you pay the price." he said flatly.
"Awww man!" she whined.
Allison wasn't happy either. Still, Mr. Nader did tell them he was going to give them demerits. It just sucked.
On the way home, Joan complained to Bob about getting a demerit and losing five points on her average. He was sympathetic and put an arm around her. He kissed her head and said, "Poor baby. Behave next time."
Jackie had a good cackle at that.
Getting home, they showed their report cards to John and Cameron who was sitting by him. A 90 or better and they got a cash reward. Looking at Joan's card. John frowned. "This demerit you got dropped you from a 92 down to a 87? What did you do?" he asked.
Joan lifted her arms and flopped them down. "When the school was attacked, Allie and I wanted to help. We didn't get into the gym to be locked in like Mr. Nader told us to. Dad, we had to help!"
Firmly, John said, "Joan, the teachers are responsible for keeping you safe. It's their job. You don't have an option whether to obey them or not."
"But ..."
"Grounded, two days for disobeying a teacher."
"Awww man!" Joan whined.
"Your father's being easy on you, I would have given you a full week," Cameron told her.
"I was going to swim out and see Bob later."
"Better call him and tell him you're not coming," John replied.
"Yes, Dad," Joan grumbled. "I better go feed the alligator."
She got the pork chunks out and went down to the alligator's spot. There was one thing she couldn't figure out. How he kept getting so much grass on him.
She tossed the alligator his food, then headed back for the house. Joan knew Dad was a bit of a softie, so she decided to finish the last of the lawn for him. Maybe she'd gain some 'good girl' points. Getting the push mower out she made sure it had gassed up and worked at the area up by the pool he hadn't done yet. Mowing along, she was surprised to hear a loud hiss behind her. She turned around to see the alligator waddling towards her faster than she'd ever seen him go.
Afraid he was going to try to chomp on her, Joan ran to the side. The alligator didn't deviate his course but went straight to the mover. Coming close, he turned sideways and whacked it with his tail. The mower went flying and landed on it's side. The alligator chased and again gave it a hard whack with his tail. This time it lost a wheel when it flew. It landed upright. Chasing it again, he turned his head sideways and chomped down on it. He shook it back and forth, the top of the mower came off. He spit that piece out and whacked it with his tail again. This time it tumbled into the pool.
Joan watched the mower sink into the pool, the multicolored stain of gasoline spreading over the top of the pool.
The alligator ambled back the way it came, not paying Joan any attention.
"Aww man," Joan whined. She knew she was going to be in trouble for this. She hated to go tell Dad what happened, but she knew she better than not to tell him. This was NOT a good day.
.
Although his parents agreed that if on Peggy's fifteenth birthday, they were still seeing each other, she would be coming to live with them AND in separate bedrooms. JJ was just pleased Peggy would be living here. Sonya hadn't slept in her room for weeks. She'd already moved much of her stuff out of it. She had no problem with Peggy moving into her room if it came to that. JJ was ready to set it up now, but John told him to wait. In a year, if he and Peggy will still going strong, then next October, he could begin getting her room ready.
While JJ was planing to find out what colors Peggy wanted on the walls and ceiling, as well as carpet (if Dad or his moms would buy it) He also wondered about the bedding. Sonya's bed was eight feet long. The next day at school, JJ and Peggy began planning her new room at every break and opportunity they got.
"I can't start your room until next October," JJ told her with a wince. "But I'll have it ready for you," he assured her.
"You didn't get any pictures of it, did you?" she asked.
"Ahhh, no, but I'll bring some in tomorrow," he promised. He then wondered about something. "Are you being treated all right at home?"
Peggy offered him a sad smile. "Not bad, but let's just say it's being reinforced to me that if I keep seeing you ... then I'm out at fifteen."
JJ thought for a moment. "Peggy? Maybe we should ..."
"No!" Peggy said firmly. "Johnny, I really do want to live with you. I know it will be different. I know there are some things I will have to get used to. That's fine, really. If you want to be mates right away, that's fine too!" She paused then told him about her brothers and sister. As she did, she fell his anger grow that a rescue attempt wasn't even tried to save their lives.
"Johnny, please don't be mad at them. That was all they knew," she begged.
He tried to calm himself with deep breaths. He wanted to scream about people who would let their children just die without doing anything about it. He wanted to, but Peggy didn't deserve it. She wasn't the one who was at fault. He settled on saying in a firm tone as he held her hands and looked into her eyes, "I swear, nothing like that will ever happen to you."
Peggy cast him a smile and said, "I know. I trust you, Johnny."
They weren't suppose to hug in school, but he pulled her close anyway. She returned his hug and melted into him. It was nice to know she was so loved.
Jackie ran up and poked them both. She hissed, "Teacher's coming, stop it!"
The next day, JJ brought his cell phone an showed Peggy the picture of the room. They had fun talking about where she wanted things positioned and the colors she liked.
.
The Halloween party at the primary school encouraged the kids to dress up in costumes. Each costume would be judged by originality and best costume of each type, and if there was a good reason why they chose that costume.
Jackie immediately began working on her 'Indigo' costume. She did have to flatten her breasts some with a bandage to pretend she was a man, those things were beginning to stick out there.
Louise pondered a while, she wanted to be a mermaid, but their tails wouldn't let them walk. She thought about it and decided to use crutches so she could hobble along. To protect her tail, and wrapped the lower portion of her legs and the fin with bandages. She was the mermaid that got run over by a motorboat. She even made a top that would be suitable in school and matched her tail.
JJ loved Venom. It was a complex costume to make, but he had a week to work on it.
The high school kids could also wear costumes Friday of they wanted to. Joan wanted an Iron Maiden football uniform. She called Allison about it, Allison agreed, she'd be the 'Bulldozer'.
Despite her parents thinking it was a silly tradition to pretend to be someone else, Peggy also worked on her costume. Having to work in the fields after school, she spend her after dinner nights absorbed in putting it together, using old clothes and things she found, including pieces of metal. She had to bleach the clothes to make them white, but day by day, she was putting her outfit together.
.
Friday came, and it was harder for Louise to make it to the bus stop on crutches, so Cameron drove her to the top of the driveway. Cameron also made her take a skirt in case she had to take her tail off. The big fluke on her tail made normal steps impossible. Jackie carried her onto the bus. JJ's problem was getting on the bus also. He had to pull his Venom hood off so he could see the steps. Trying to grab things with his long finger claws didn't help either.
Getting off the bus was the same hassle. JJ had his hood pulled down so he was able to carry Louise off the bus, Jackie got her crutches. All atound them, other kids were in costumes of various monsters and super heroes. JJ said, "Louise, put my hood up!"
Louise did and got it on so he could see through the eye slits. "Good?"
"Great," JJ assured her. He got Louise into the school and to their room to settle into her seat. Seeing several kids watching them, JJ flopped his arms and said, "She's a mermaid, but she got ran over by a motorboat! I mean, any worse and we'd be calling her sushi!" There was some laughter.
"You've Venom!" one boy cried.
In his best heavy tone, JJ growled, "We. Are. Venom!"
Boys cheered.
"Johnny?" a meek voice asked.
JJ turned to see Peggy staring at him. His jaw dropped. She had a princess costume on, and she really did look like a princess. The white dress was his first clue. Her hair was braided back with silver strings in it and wrapped once around her head also to give a crown effect. The front of the dress had a V cut neckline just low enough to show the silver and turquoise pendant at the end of her necklace that laid atop of her upper chest. He had no idea what makeup she used, but besides the sparkle to her cheeks, she looked devastatingly beautiful. Turquoise silver lined earrings also adorned her lobes.
JJ Dropped to a knee and bowed to her. "Welcome, your Majesty."
Peggy blushed deeply. "You guessed what my costume was?" she asked sheepishly.
JJ got up and tipped his head slightly. "That's a costume? I thought you were a princess?"
A round of 'Ooooohs!" passed through the class. Peggy was about to forget herself and jump in for a hug.
"HALLO!" Jackie cried and got in between them, wearing her curly black wig and a moutache. The loose shirt and short leather jacket fit her well, so did her wooden sword that she held up in between them. "I am Indigo Montoya! Do you have six fingers on your right hand?"
"What?" Peggy asked in shock as she backed up.
"Jackie, don't scare Peggy.!" JJ said.
"That's Jackie?" Peggy asked, looking her over.
Holding her sword up, Jackie said, "Today, I am Indigo Montoya. I am looking for the six fingered man and when I find him I will say, 'Hallo, my name is Indigo Montoya. You kill my father, prepare to die!"
Another boy ran over in a man-in-black costume. "I am the Dread Pirate Roberts!" he announced. "I am searching for my Princess Buttercup!"
Cindy came up to them wearing a black Witches uniform, complete with a pointed hat and a broom. She announced, "I be the Witch of Glen Finnen! An ya nay be causin trouble up in our highlands!"
"Venom! I'm Spiderman!" a boy from the side announced. "We're enemies!"
JJ looked over at the boy. "Nice costume," he said. He then patted his stomach and added, "Come back later, I'm not really hungry right now."
"Such nice costumes!" Miss Winters announced as she came in. Going to the front, she said, We have a half day today, so after we get to see everyone's costume, then we'll go down to the cafeteria and join the party! So, Cindy! Come up and tell everyone about your costume!"
Cindy ran to the front. I'm wearing a witch costume, but the witch I'm trying to be is the Legendary Witch of Glen Finnen! That's a place way up on the hills of Scotland, far away. It's said the Witch there saved a girl one who was captured by bad men. Police went to take care of them, but when the police arrived, they were all dead! Torn apart like wild animal had killed them! The girl was found alive and brought back. No one has ever seen this witch, but it's said her gaze alone it terrible enough to cause people to die, and if you cause trouble in her highlands, you will raise her wrath!"
"That's very interesting, Cindy." Looking at Louise, Miss. Winters asked, "Louise you have crutches, are you hurt?"
Louise got up and hobbled to the front of the room. She sat up on a corner of the teacher's desk then pulled her tails up across it and said in a whine, "I'm a mermaid, but I got ran over by a motorboat!"
Miss Winters laughed with the class.
"JJ said if it was any worse, you'd be calling me 'sushi'," Louise said with a roll of her eyes. "I picked this costume because I really like swimming as a mermaid. It looks and feels ... graceful. I had to work hard at it and learn things like breath control, but it's a lot of fun." Louise swung her legs down and got back on her crutches to hobble back to her desk.
Jackie was next up. She ran to the front and drew her sword to hold it high, the other hand on her hip. "I am Indigo Montoya! I am searching for the Six fingered man who killed my father. When I find him, I will not lose! I have studied sword fighting all my life. I will say to him, 'Hallo! My name is Indigo Montoya, you kill my father, prepare to die!" Jackie put her sword away and said, 'My sisters and I love that movie, and we keep rehearsing the words and the sword fighting in it. It's so much fun!"
In JJ's turn he went up and said in a strong tone, "We. Are. Venom! Not really a villan, not really a hero, either. But if someone comes to cause trouble, we'll cause trouble for them."
"Yes!" Peggy cheered.
JJ went to sit down. Miss Winters asked, "John Junior, why did you pick that costume?"
The turned and said, "Because, we are venom."
Jackie laughed and said, "We are!"
With what happened when those men that kidnapped them, Miss Winters could not disagree.
.
Although Peggy loved her costume (because JJ couldn't see to take his eyes off her) he didn't win. Louise won the most original costume, because she was a mermaid that got ran over by a boat. The best story with the costume went to Cindy. A fifth grader had a little more detail to his Venom costume so he won 'best costume'.
That was OK, JJ sat by Peggy as they talked and fed each other small piece of cake. JJ got up to get them another piece. Jackie took that time to pass Peggy a note. "Here's some songs that might make your parents realize how you feel," Jackie offered.
"Thank you," Peggy told her tentatively.
"Look then up and listen to them," Jackie said and slipped off before JJ came back.
.
Peggy got home feeling good. She decided let the selections download then play them after work was over for the day. Wanting to get an extra arbor up, they with right up until the sun was going down. Tired, Peggy swallowed some dinner and went up to her room just to lay down. As an afterthought, she turned the music on. Strong drum and piano music started,
You could never know what it's like
your blood like winter freezes just like ice!
and there's a cold and lonely light
that shines from you
you'll wind up like the wreck you hide
behind that mask you use!
And did you think this fool could ever win?
Well look at me I coming back again!
I got taste of love in a simple way
and if you need to know while still standin
you'll just fade away.
Don't ya know I'll still standing, better than I ever did!
Looking like a true survivor
feeling like a little kid
I'm still standin after all this time
picking up the piece of my life without you on my mind.
Mika came into the room and asked, "What are you listening to?"
Peggy looked at the Screen. "Elton John, I'm Still Standing. I think I get the message. I think I know know why Jackie wanted me to play these."
"It's a message for you?' Mika asked.
Peggy shook her head. "Not me, for you and all my mothers and fathers. "I'm still standing, and I will be."
The threats you made
were just to cut me down
and if love was just a circus
you'd be a clown by now...
"You feel like that?" Mika asked.
Peggy nodded. "I do. Mom, I was on the ground, weapons firing just over my head, the... worst emotional attacks I ever had ... I don't think I'll never separate them, No that I want to. If it was you and my Dad's there, instead of Johnny, Jackie and Delilah, I wouldn't have lived, would I? I would have died just like Leanne. Isn't that right? You would have abandoned me to them. Dads didn't even thank them for saving me."
Bony Tyler came on with 'I Need A Hero'.
"Yes, that could be a possibility, if we couldn't plead with them." Mika admitted.
Where is my streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a firey steed?
Peggy remembered something. She smiled. "Even when Johnny and his mother were fighting, one of the stronger fears was from men seeing Cameron, on top of that tracked vehicle they got with a machine gun, killing the whole group of the so she could get through to us as she charged down on them. They knew they were dead, and there was no escape."
"That's horrible!"
"I felt Johnny, somewhere behind me. He hurt, he hurt bad, but he kept on shooting back, knowing he'd be hit and hurt more. He was doing it so I wouldn't be hurt." Peggy said with a sniffle. "Delilah turned the terror of death against them. She made them terrified of dying, of her."
"Peggy, how did you not close off the world then?"
Shifting her gaze to the ceiling, Peggy said, "Because I knew Johnny would need me to help him. I endured, I stayed lucid for him, so I was there to bandage that bullet that went in his chest, the one on his shoulder, to stop the bleeding on the deep graze he got on his head. He was fighting desperately to save me, Mom. I was not going to let him down. If you say I have to go live with him, fine. I'm ready to go live with my hero."
As Mika was sitting there, feeling bad she had not pushed back their decision on making Peggy leave. Billy Joel was on.
I don't need you to worry for me
cause I'm all right
I don't want you to tell me
it's time to come home
I don't care what you say anymore
this is MY life!
Go ahead with your own life
leave me alone.
I never said you had to offer me
a second chance
I never said I was a victim of circumstance.
I still belong
Don't get me wrong
and you can speak your mind
but not on my time.
Mika wanted ask if Peggy really felt this way. Somehow, Mika knew she did. "I am very sorry, dear," Mika told her, got up and left.