Weeks went by and nothing seemed to change. Johnny was still throwing himself into his work harder and harder. There were still no prospects in buying the business.
Baby was driving back and forth a pretty good bit to see Johnny. Johnny could never break free to come see her so it was always up to her to load up and head to West Virginia.
Baby didn't mind so much. All she wanted to do was be with Johnny and that was all that mattered. Johnny hated it. He wanted to wake up next to Baby every morning.
He had asked Baby to wait until he got everything settled but it was killing him to do that. He had to think so something and he had to do it fast.
"School starts next week." Baby said one night over supper.
"Time has flown by then hasn't it?" Johnny said knowing what that meant.
"Yes it has." Baby sighed taking a sip of her tea.
Johnny looked over at Baby and seen the look in her eyes. "We will manage. It will just be harder to see one another but we will manage. I promise."
"Don't let this get the two of you down. Where there is a will there is a way." Joyce said passing the potatoes around the table.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Baby said to her.
"Johnny, you heard back from the man out of Kentucky?" Joyce asked her son.
"Nah, ma he isn't that interested. We are to rinky dink for him." Johnny said shaking his head. "Besides our town is too small for him."
"I want you get back to you life in Philadelphia." She told him.
"Not till it is sold." He told her. "Ma how would you make it if I just walked away now."
"I would manage." She told him confidently.
"You would have no income. I will not let that happen to you." He told her sternly. "When the business sells you will have money to live on for a very, very long time."
"So you are just going to continue putting your life on hold." Joyce told him as she looked him in the eye.
"I will do what I have to do." Johnny assured her.
"Excuse me." Baby said as she slid her chair back from the table. "I think I need some air."
Baby walked out on the back porch. She had tried to be so patient with Johnny but it was now weighting hard on Baby. She wanted to be with Johnny so bad but now it seemed it was only going to get harder. She was about to start school and seeing Johnny would be cut short. It would be so hard for her to drive down on a Friday afternoon and then drive back Sunday. She also knew Johnny would not be able to break free.
She tried not to be selfish. She knew Johnny was doing this for a good reason. It was a selfless reason but Baby knew is actions would always affect her.
"You better go after her." Joyce told Johnny. "I'll clean this up in here."
"Thanks ma." Johnny said rising to his feet only to stop and kiss his mother on the cheek before he walked out. "Supper was good as always."
Johnny opened the back door to find Baby quietly rocking in the rocking chair. He walked over and knelt down in front of her. "I know this is hard on you."
"You have no idea." Baby told him cupping his face. "It's very hard."
"Baby I know. It is hard on me too." Johnny put his hard over hers. "Just understand why I am doing this."
Baby shook her head. "Johnny I understand completely. I am not mad or upset you are doing this. I think you need to do it for your mother. Not many people would do something like this."
"Yeah, but you feel I am just pushing you to the side, don't ya?" He asked her.
"Do you have any idea how much we are not going to see each other during the school year?" Baby asked him looking into his eyes. "It is going to be very hard. I can't just pick up then and drive down here whenever I want."
Johnny looked down. "I realize that. We will think of something."
"What Johnny?" Baby asked him. "It's not like you can come up and see me."
"I know." Johnny sighed.
"Can't you hire someone else so you can take time off?" Baby asked hoping he would tell her yes.
"Baby, the business can't afford it." He hated to tell her that when he seen the let down in her eyes.
"What about my doctor visits Johnny? You won't even be there for them." Baby wanted so much for Johnny to experience every part of her pregnancy.
"I can't ask for you to be patient?" Johnny returned.
"Johnny, I am trying baby I really am." Baby rested her head on his shoulder.
"You have my word. What I told you about marrying you and how much I love you is the truth. We will get through this. I promise. We will find a way." He assured her lifting her head to kiss her gently. "Look at me. I promise."
"I hope so Johnny I really do."
