Just a little Fruity
These good fellows don't belong to me but I promise when I'd done to pick um up, dust um off and with a kiss on the cheek return them safely home.
"When a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it." Edgar Watson Howe.
Chapter 4
Johnny and Karen sat on the edge of the waterfall taking in its beauty. "This is incredible Johnny, how did you ever find a place like this."
"I knew you'd like it. This is one of my favorite spots cause you'd never know you were in the backyard of LA." It hadn't taken them long to reach it but it was the farthest he had taken her hiking since they started dating. The cascading waterfall sent a fresh mist onto them, cooling them off from the demanding climb. He sat back and enjoyed just watching her. Hiking was fairly new to her and each time she was like seeing it through the eyes of a child. She was in wonderment of everything. Her vibrancy made him feel alive and he was reaching the point that time away from her was getting harder and harder. He had never dated anyone like her. She was interested in everything he was and willing to try things he enjoyed even if they were brand new to her. How can someone get inside your head and heart that fast, he wondered. He chuckled to himself. Chet would have a field day if he found out that they hadn't even slept together yet. She never said no but then he hadn't asked yet. He was never one quick to sack a girl at all but this time it felt different. He wasn't in a hurry with Karen and she seemed perfectly content with that silent decision between them.
"What was it like to grow up with 4 brothers?" He asked her. Each time they were together he found out a little more about her. She was like a puzzle that he was slowly putting together, one piece at a time.
"Scary," she laughed. "No, I was the baby so they were always very protective of me. When I was little I loved it. By the time I got old enough to date they were like 4 horsemen of the apocalypse that any date I made had to go through at the front door.
Johnny laughed with her, "I can't even imagine. It was just Kanda and me then when she ran away it was just me for a while."
"I still don't understand why she left you, it wasn't right. You were just a little kid," she probed.
Johnny sat up a little. It wasn't so long ago that all their history had become fresh again for him. "She was just a little kid too. She thought she was doing the right thing. I don't blame her anymore for her decision. I'm just glad she cared enough to track me down after so long." Yes, it was incredible having her back in his life.
"She was older than you and should have been more responsible. I'm just thinking of you Johnny and know how hard that must have been, for her to abandon you like that. Just horrible."
Johnny remembered that time again, it had been horrible. But he had worked to put that behind him. "It's okay now. We've become really close again."
As she listened to him she pulled her backpack closer to her and got out her bottle of water and a bag of trail mix. "I brought you a bag too." She dropped the Kanda conversation for now but planned on revisiting it again soon.
They leaned back and watched the water cascading down the fall and absently nibbled on the mix. "We'll have to head back soon. This isn't a good trail to be out on in the dark," he said while he took mental note of how tired he was.
"I'm ready whenever you are babe," she said as she watched him. "Your headache is back isn't it?"
"Yea, but not bad. I'll get something when we get back." He stood up and pulled his pack on after putting up his snack and water. "Ready to head out?"
"Sure am," she said with a radiant smile.
They made it down the trail but Johnny was exhausted. It wasn't like him to be so worn out over a simple day hike and once again his head was throbbing. "Do you mind driving?"
"Sure honey. Are you okay?" She could see how tired he was now, his color now pale and his face moist with perspiration.
"Yea. Just tired." It seemed to take all his strength to just put the backpack into the back seat. He crawled into the passenger side of the Rover and was quickly asleep as Karen drove them home. As she watched him she made a mental note to call Michael when she got home. He was already mad at her for not keeping in contact since she had moved to her new apartment. Last thing she needed was for him to show up at it now.
She pulled into the parking lot and after grabbing her backpack moved over to his door. She threw his daypack over her shoulder too and nudged him gently to wake up. He continued to sleep. At this point she was worn out too from being drug up the side of a damn mountain and didn't have the patience to be all loving.
"Johnny, wake up." This time she shoved him harder and he started to sit up.
"Sorry. Did I sleep the whole way?" He said as he rubbed his eyes.
"Sure did sleepy head, let's go," she said with a smile.
He climbed out of the Rover but had to hold the door for a moment until his head stopped swimming. Looking up at her he was thankful that she was there, feeling safe in her arms. "Okay, I'm ready."
She helped him up the stairs and into his apartment. He only made it to the couch before he collapsed, just too tired to make it any further. "Thanks babe," he told her, now out of breath.
"I'm bushed too so I'm going to go ahead and go. See ya tomorrow?"
"Yea," he said through short breaths.
"Sounds great. I'll call you tomorrow," she said as she gave him a gentle kiss on the lips.
He sat on the couch and felt terrible. Maybe he was getting the flu or something. He wondered if he should have asked Karen to stay with him. No, he didn't want to push it. She had already listened to him complain enough. Even good girlfriends needed a break every now and then. He got to his feet and worked his way to the bedroom having to keep one hand on the wall as the whole hallway seemed lopsided to him. Cool, he thought. Like I'm in a fun house at the fair. Taking off his hiking boots he got changed for bed and stared at the phone. It wasn't late, he would call Roy. He never got to see that good ole Roy anymore since he stayed so busy with Karen.
Picking up the phone he dialed his friend and lay down in the bed.
"Is this Chris?"
"Hey Uncle Johnny. Yea, it's Chris."
"That's good cause you sound like Chris," Johnny chuckled. "Cause I would be worried if you sounded like Jenny. Wouldn't that worry you?"
Chris made a funny face at the phone, "I guess so. Are you alright Uncle Johnny?"
"Sure I'm fine. Don't I sound fine? Are you fine? I think we're all fine fine fine."
Roy saw the look on Chris's face, "Who's on the phone."
Chris held his hand over the mouth piece, "its Uncle Johnny."
Roy just smiled, "Oh okay. Does he want to talk to me?"
"Uncle Johnny did you want to talk to dad?"
"Well Chris that would be a little hard cause he's dead you know," Johnny said as he lay back in the bed.
Roy saw the change of expression on his son's face, "What's wrong?"
"Dad, you know how you called Aunt Maggie a fruitcake one day?"
Roy rolled his eyes, geeze leave it to kids to NEVER forget what comes out of your mouth. "Chris I was just kidding."
"Well Uncle Johnny sounds like a fruitcake. He just told me you were dead."
Roy went up right beside him, "Give me the phone. You can go play."
Chris was a little taken aback by the change in his father's demeanor but he knew what 'go play' meant and had no intentions of sticking around to be told again.
Roy was furious, what kind of game was Johnny playing now? "Johnny?" His voice was harsh.
"Roy, ole buddy. What happened to Chris?"
Roy immediately noted the groggy sounding voice and slurred speech of his friend, "Johnny are you okay?"
"Told Chris, fine fine fine." He paused and Roy could hear his short quick breaths through the phone, "Roy?"
Roy wasn't sure what to make of this bizarre conversation, "What Junior?"
Then his voice became a whisper, "My head really hurts. Don't tell Roy okay?"
Roy suddenly felt panicked, "Johnny stay right there okay? I'm coming over."
"Okay buddy." The phone went dead, well after a few bangs against some furniture.
He immediately dialed the neighbor and made arrangements for her to watch Jenny and Chris for a little while. Hanging up the phone he gathered up the kids and quickly took them next door, thanking her immensely for the short notice sitting job.
He had to watch his speed since he felt like he couldn't get over to Johnny's place fast enough. Pulling into the parking lot he was frustrated because he couldn't find a parking place close by. As he drove around the building he could see that Johnny's living room light was still on. Finally finding a place he raced up the stairs and around the corner to his apartment. He reached into his pocket again and pulled out his keychain to open his door with the spare key. He quickly looked around the living room and kitchen but didn't see him anywhere.
"Johnny?" He called but got no response.
Moving through the apartment he finally found him in his bedroom. Roy ran over to him finding him sitting against the wall with his head in his hands.
"Johnny?" He called to get his attention as he knelt down in front of him.
Johnny looked up and seemed surprised, "Roy? What are you doing here?" He looked around the room like he wasn't exactly sure where he was.
"I told you I was coming over, don't you remember?" He placed his fingers over Johnny's wrist without being obvious and felt his pulse. It was racing. His color was almost flushed with pallor behind it.
Johnny seemed very confused, "No, did you call me?"
"Johnny, you called me. Do you remember talking to Chris?" Roy reached in his pocket and pulled out his penlight on his keychain and slowly checked his pupils without really touching him. They seemed normal.
Johnny just shook his head. "No. God, my head hurts." He pushed his hands tighter against his temples.
Roy took him by the arm and helped him stand up. "Come on partner. I'm taking you to Rampart. Can you walk?"
Johnny forcibly pulled back on his arm from Roy. "I'm not going anywhere with you." His voice was suddenly full of anger. His dark eyes glared daggers into the man in front of him.
Roy was surprised at the sudden change in his behavior. "Something's wrong Johnny. Let's have Early check you out okay?"
Roy didn't see it coming since he wouldn't expect anything like that from Johnny but the slug to his face got him in the lip and almost knocked him backwards. He reflexively let go of Johnny's arm to catch himself but was thankful for the bed being right behind him. Looking up he saw Johnny's swing end with him landing on the ground, so weak he couldn't even catch himself.
Johnny looked as surprised by what happened as Roy did. Roy knew more than ever that something was very wrong and had no interest in fighting with his friend. Johnny no longer seemed aware of what he was doing anymore and fell silent and still. Roy wiped his bloody lip with the back of his hand then slowly reaching down, he gently took Johnny's arm to help him to his feet. Walking him out to the living room he guided him to sit on the couch without talking to him. Not sure what set him off the last time Roy chose the path of least contact right now. Johnny just let Roy take care of him.
"I'm sorry," he said softly, sounding like a little child.
Roy grabbed his jacket out of the closet for the chilly night air and helped Johnny put it on. With no more fighting back Johnny allowed Roy to guide him to the car and drive off.