"Can I turn the radio on?" Josie asked Baby as she walked into the bathroom where Baby was getting ready.
"Of course, but not too loud, okay?" Baby said wiping the steam off the mirror.
"Yes mam." Josie said bouncing back into the living room.
As Baby brushed her hair she glanced at herself in the mirror. She couldn't help but think; how could things get so messed up? All she wanted to do was snap her fingers and make everything better. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer to God for Josie. She prayed he was listening. Tomorrow was a big day and Baby as scared to death.
She owed so much to Johnny now. She just about owed him the world for what he was about to do for Josie. She had betrayed him so badly but Johnny was a true man through the whole situation. It takes a man to stand up to be a father and forgive someone who lied or betrayed you.
"Well you cool cats out there here is some feet stompin' music. Grab your girl or your guy." Baby's attention was diverted by the sound of the radio DJ seeping through the walls. "It's a little Otis Redding. Let's get down."
I'm a love man
Call me the love man
Oh baby, I'm a love man
That's what they call me
I'm a love man
Baby couldn't help but let a grin escape her face. No matter what he lingered.
I'm six feet one, weigh two hundred and ten
Long hair, a rare paste skin
Long legs and I'm out of sight, huh
Hey little girl I wanna take you out
Baby's brush feel onto the floor as warm and protecting strong arms slid around her waist as his hips moved toward hers.
OH MY he really wanted to dance with her. She had to be calm. She had to play cool.
She had wondered what it was like to be in his arms since the first time he saw him dancing at dinner. There was something about him. Now he was pulling her onto the dance floor and turned all his attention her way.
He helped her place her body in position and he helped her roll her hips his way. She was stiff as a board but she was trying her best. She was so nervous. He was amazing at what he done. Baby couldn't help but watch him move his hips back and forth.
He was sweaty but she didn't care. All that mattered to her was this moment. He seemed like the only one in the room at that point. No one else mattered to her. She had to impress him.
The more he rocked him hips the more she would try and rock hers. She was feeling the rhythm and could tell she was doing better. The end of the song came up and Johnny sent her for a twirl. When she turned around he was gone.
Deep breath, deep breath. Her mind was racing. She was floored at what had just happened. She had actually danced with him. She could still feel his touch.
"Mommy!" Baby was brought back to earth by the sound of Josie's little voice.
Baby shook head to clear it as she looked down at her little girl. "What is it sweetie?"
"Your brush is on the floor." Josie said as she bent down to pick it up. "I was talking to you but you didn't answer me."
"I am sorry sweetie. Mommy was daydreaming I guess." Baby said as she tried to calm down from her thoughts.
Baby kissed Josie on the top of her head before Josie returned to her cartoon watching. So much of Johnny was in her. Emotionally Baby was feeling herself become more and more drawn to Johnny.
She leaned back against the wall and looked into the mirror again. This time tears formed as she quickly tried to wipe them away.
"You are a fool." Baby said to herself. "A fool!"
Little did Baby know that Johnny was tuned into the same radio station and was recalling the same memories as she was. But in his memory he saw an innocent girl that just needed to unwind. He was bound and determined to make her do just that.
Let me tell you something
Which one of you girls want me to hold you
Which one of you girls want me to kiss
Which one of you girls want me to take you out
Gonna just want to knock you all out, now baby
He tried to read into her that night. Who was she? Where was she from? Why was she with Billy? How could she be so damned beautiful? He was drawn to her. Why? She was so far out of his league and he knew it. She was so prim and proper and Johnny knew he was nothing but poor and jagged around the edges.
Johnny had no idea that girl would end up being the mother of his child. He wouldn't have dreamed that in a million years. He was used to flings and that is all he thought it would be. In the end that is all it seemed to be. But, on his part his feelings lingered on.
"I see him. He's here, he's here!" Josie called to her mother in the bathroom.
"What Josie?" Baby said as she emerged into the living room.
"Mr. Johnny. I saw him park his car. He must be on the way up." Josie said looking again out the patio door. "I can't wait to see him."
Baby smiled. "Calm down."
Josie ran over to the front door and listened quietly for the knock that would just make her day. She grinned from ear to ear and when that knock finally came Josie was beside herself as she opened the door.
"Mr. Johnny!" Josie said as she leaped into his arms.
"Hey munchkin!" Johnny returned squeezing her tight. "What you been doing?"
"I have been waiting on you." Josie said as Johnny placed her back on the ground. "I am just watching cartoons.
It took Johnny a minute before he could divert his attention to anything else and Baby understood that. "Hey Johnny."
He looked up from Josie and glanced Baby's way. "Hey."
The stood grinning at each other before Josie was about to literally pull Johnny's arm off. "Please come watch cartoons with me."
"Sure thing kido." Johnny said following Josie to the couch. "Merrie Melodies. My favorite."
"Really?" Josie asked astonished.
"Really."
Baby made herself scarce and she headed back to the bathroom to continue getting ready. She wanted to let Johnny and Josie have their time. Tomorrow would change everything. Things would never be the same. Johnny would now be in her life. Would it be just Josie's or would he want to be in her life too?
She still couldn't understand why he pulled away from their kiss last night. Maybe she just had to admit it to herself that he had moved on and leave the past in the past. It killed her to think she might have to do that. She just wanted to scream and release everything she was feeling at that very moment.
"What are you doing?" Baby turned to see Johnny standing in the doorway of the bathroom.
"Oh just finishing up getting ready." She told him.
"You have been in here a while." Johnny said looking at her reflection the mirror.
"I was giving you and Josie some time. She is so excited your back." Josie said closing her make-up drawer.
"Everything okay?" Johnny asked eyeing her. "You seem off in a way?"
"Off?" Baby played dumb but she knew exactly what he was referring to.
Johnny smiled at her. "Yeah, you alright?"
"Oh I am fine. I guess I am just a little nervous about tomorrow." Baby said smiling back at him.
"Yeah, me too." Johnny said leaning against the door frame. "But, it can only go uphill from here."
"I know. You are right." Baby returned. "I can't help but worry."
"I think me and you need to sit down and talk later." Johnny threw his thought in. "We need to lay some things out on the table."
"I agree." Baby said possibly scared to know what he wanted to say.
"I better get back in there. Commercial break is probably almost over. Come sit down and watch them with us." Johnny said as he motioned for her to follow him. "Then afterwards I would like to tell Josie."
Baby nodded as guilt and fright built up in her stomach as Johnny made that comment. She knew it was time to let Josie know the truth. She prayed Josie would be as excited over the news as she is by Johnny now. Only time would tell.
