Chapter 9

Author's Note: All right, I know that not much happens in this chapter, but it would have been too long to cram everything I wanted to write in here so I decided to split it up. I will work hard to make the next chapter worth it, I promise.

Where is she? Johnny thought anxiously. He got up from his chair, pulled the blanket around him, and walked over to the window. The rain was falling harder now, and Penelope was nowhere in sight. His stomach filled with dread the longer he watched and a feeling of overwhelming guilt began to creep over him. Why did he let her find out he was sick? He should have just lied to her or kept quiet about it. At least that way, she wouldn't be out in the pouring rain right now, trying to take care of him. This is not how I had planned this day at all…Johnny thought miserably.

Earlier that day…

Johnny rushed straight home from rehearsal that day and sat down at his piano. He needed to finish this song. He only had 24 hours left until the special day he had been planning and this was his gift to her. Flexing his hands, he placed his fingers over the keys and played through the song a few more times. Yes! It finally sounded right, just the way it was playing in his head. Johnny exhaled and relaxed his shoulders, satisfied that things were coming together. Only a few more things to arrange, he thought…The flowers! he abruptly remembered. Taking care to hide the sheet music and accompanying lyrics, Johny left the apartment again. Unfortunately he was in too much of a hurry to notice the ominous, black storm clouds looming in the distance and coming closer and closer, bearing down on the sky.

After school that day, Penelope stopped by her second job to tend to the flowers and then to check on the status of something she was having delivered to their apartment. Yep, she thought happily. It should be here right on time.

Penelope then arrived home to find the apartment completely decked out. She was dripping and utterly soaked from the downpour that had finally erupted, but the way the apartment looked soon displaced every other thought from her mind. All of the lights were off, but the dark only made it more romantic. Though out of season, Christmas tree lights were hung everywhere, glowing and blinking through the dimness. Fake flowers of every color were wound around every doorpost and window. The apartment had been cleaned and tidied and every surface had been cleared off only to be replaced with vases and bowls of yellow tulips. Penelope gaped in awe.

Turning around and around, she giggled and soaked in all of the color and light. It reminded her of the way she had seen the park for the first time. Well, minus the outdoors, kids, bubbles, and carousel. But still, it looked wondrous to an eye that never could get enough. Soon, she stopped gawking at everything in order to look for whoever was responsible for all of this.

"Johnny?" Penelope whispered, not knowing why it seemed necessary to keep quiet. Her smile only broadened when there was no answer. Maybe he was hiding? Waiting to surprise her? Or maybe he hadn't come home yet? She retraced her way around the apartment and finally a voice alerted her.

"Penelope?"

The young woman turned, ready to be surprised only to have a tragic sight meet her eyes. She hadn't noticed before but there was a figure spread onto the couch, draped over it in a way that signified exhaustion, like he had collapsed there.

"Johnny!" Penelope exclaimed, kneeling down in front of him. She stroked his hair, brushing it away from his forehead and felt it drenched with sweat. "What happened?" she asked gently, pressing the back of her hand against the side of his face. It felt like icy heat was radiating off of it.

"I…nothing," Johnny said, trying to turn away. He attempted to get up but only managed a sitting position. His head lolled onto the back of the couch, heat burning in his face. It was too uncomfortable to sit like this and before long, Johnny found himself sinking.

Two arms caught him and gently lowered him onto the headrest. Taking his head in her hands, Penelope studied him for a moment. "You have a fever."

It wasn't a question, and Johnny tried shaking his head, but the movement only made his vision swim in wavy lines. Vainly, he tried again to get up or at least reach out for something, but Penelope wove her fingers through his hands and gently forced him to lie down again. "I'm not sure how you got this way…" she glanced up at the pouring rain. "I'm assuming you were out in that rain too long?"

Johnny wanted to nod his head, but moving it at all was out of the question at this point. Penelope said nothing further. She stood up and immediately began to bustle around the kitchen, boiling water, fetching blankets, and making tea. Then she checked the thermostat and rummaged through the medicine cabinet. She finally sat back and frowned. "We don't have any more medicine," she said, walking back to Johnny. "Not for a fever anyway. I'm going to run out to the pharmacy, okay? Be back soon. Try to finish your tea."

"No, Penelope, please. You really don't have to…" He said weakly, trying to rise again.

She smiled and kissed his forehead. "I'll be fine, I promise."

***

Now it was hours later and she still hadn't returned. Just as Johnny was about to go crazy with panic (on top of being sick), the door open and shut.

"I'm home," Penelope said cheerily.

"What took so lo—?" Johnny's voice gave out suddenly. He tried clearing his throat and got a violent bout of coughing in return.

"I ran into Annie on the way." Penelope said, immediately pouring him a glass of water. He drank it down gratefully. "I have some news to tell you, but first, let's have a go at the medicine."

She carefully measured out a tablespoon of vile-looking liquid and handed it to him. Grimacing, Johnny swallowed it down.

"Ack!" he spat, almost regurgitating the medicine. Penelope quickly handed him the glass of water and he downed it in a hurry, followed by the rest of the now-cold tea as well. "That's some—" Johnny pounded his chest. "rough stuff, " he finished, his voice was too weary to go further.

Penelope waited for him to settle down. "I guess I'll have to tell you the news later," she said, picking up the empty glass and mug. "You should get some sleep now." She was about to head to the kitchen when his voice stopped her.

"Penelope, I…" he had to speak in whispers now. "I didn't mean for today to turn out like this…"

The phone sounded from the kitchen. "I'll be right back," Penelope said, kissing Johnny's forehead again before going to answer it.

"Ms. Penelope Wilhern?" asked a voice on the other line.

"Yes?"

"I regret to say that we can't deliver to your apartment today. The storm already delayed us and it only seems to be getting worse. Would it be possible to deliver to your place tomorrow?"

Penelope looked disappointed for a second, but it reminded her too much of how her mother would act so she shook it off. She had expected her gift for Johnny to arrive in time, but the weather DID look bad, so...

"Of course," she said sympathetically. "I was just outside in that rain so I understand."

The man breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, ," he said before hanging up.

Penelope looked over at Johnny to see if he had been watching her, and she couldn't help but smile to see he had fallen asleep.