I do not own the characters or copyright to Dirty dancing.
Johnny was so confused by Baby's letter. He thought everything between them was going great. He wondered what he had done wrong. Johnny finally made it to Neil and Lisa's. Is Baby still asleep, Lisa asked? Johnny stood there now totally floored; not even Lisa knew that she had left. No I was hoping you knew what was going on, Johnny replied. What you mean by that Johnny; what's going on, Lisa said in a confused voice. Baby left me this letter; I think you should read it, Johnny replied. Lisa stood there and read the letter. When she was finished; she just stood there in shock. Johnny I don't understand this; I thought everything was working out for you guys. I am sorry; I did not know Baby was planning this, Lisa said. Me either Lisa; I just don't understand, Johnny answered. Lisa went inside to ask her parents if they knew anything. Johnny waited outside. He just felt like having a minute alone. Baby's parents did not know anything about it; they were just as shocked as Lisa and Johnny. Neil asked what was going on; Lisa explained about the letter. Then Alisa came out of her room. I heard you guys talking about Baby; I don't know where she was going but, I do know who she left with. She said she would be back. Did she not come back, Alisa said. No Alisa she has left and who did she leave with, Lisa answered. Baby left with Jamie and her family. I thought everyone knew. I am sorry I did not say anything but, it was early this morning Alisa explained. Thanks Alisa it is not your fault and none of us are mad; thanks for telling us, Jake replied. Lisa went to get the kids up and Neil went to get started on his busy day of work. Jake and Marge went to talk to Johnny. Jake asked Johnny, if Baby and him had a fight or anything. Johnny told him no; he then handed Jake the letter. Jake and Marge read the letter. They did not understand what was going on either. Jake turned to Johnny and said, go to New York and sort this out. You too love each other and are meant to be. I am sorry that I realized this just recently but, it is true. Johnny this is not like Baby: she does not run away from anything. Please go to New York I am worried, Jake said with deep concern in his voice. Marge turned to Johnny and with most sincere voice she told him, that going after Baby was the thing he needed to do. She knew something had to be desperately wrong for Baby to up and leave like that. Johnny told Marge what about work here; I just can't leave Neil hanging. Jake spoke up and said, I will explain it to him and he will understand. Now you just get packed and go get my daughter. Yes sir I am going to do that right now, Johnny replied. Johnny just come by and see me tonight before you leave, Jake answered. Marge hugged Johnny and told him, he better call as soon as he finds out what is going on with Baby. Johnny hugged her back and said, you know I will and I am going to make this right I promise you. Marge thanked Johnny and went back inside. Jake then said, now that Marge is inside; we can finish this conversation.
Jake: Johnny I do not blame you for Baby leaving. You have been nothing but, good to her. I don't know what is going on with Baby; this is not like her. Johnny I know you must be mad and hurt but, please just go to her and make sure she is ok. Then you can work out your problems. I am going to talk to Neil now and I will meet you here at 5pm.
Johnny: I would never hurt her; I just don't know what is going on. I do not need to tell you how worried I am. I am sure you are feeling the same. So I guess I will see you at 5. I need to get going and pack. There is no time to waste.
Jake: You are right; now go get ready and I will see you at 5.
Johnny walked back to the cabin and Jake went off to talk to Neil. Jake explained about Johnny going after Baby; Neil was fine with it he understood. Neil told Jake, he would do the same thing if it was Lisa. Neil asked if Johnny had left yet. Jake told him he was leaving at 5pm. Neil told Jake, he had to talk to Johnny before he left. Jake said OK. Neil excused himself and made his way to Johnny's cabin.
Neil knocked on the door and Johnny answered. Neil told Johnny, he had no problem with him going. Neil even helped Johnny pack his things. Neil said, he would do the same for Lisa. it will all work out; you too are meant to be, Neil said. I hope it does Neil. I don't think I could live my life without her, Johnny replied. Have faith Johnny it will, Neil said. Soon Johnny was packed; he told Neil thanks for all the help. Neil told him, that he would still be his partner, not to worry about Kellermans; everything would be fine till he returned. Johnny thanked Neil again and laid down for a nap. Johnny needed to rest; he had a long drive and there is no telling what would happen once he got to New York. Neil went back and told Lisa about Johnny's plans. Lisa was happy to hear he was going after Baby: she was very worried about her sister.
Soon it was 5pm and Johnny went to meet Jake. Jake told Johnny, to be careful and to call as soon as he found out something. Johnny told him he would. They talked a few more minutes. Johnny then got into his car and drove off. He was heading to New York to get his one true love back. Johnny was not leaving till he had Baby in his arms again.
The ride there was long and seemed like it was taking a hundred years to get there. All Johnny could think about was Baby. He played every worst possibility out in his mind; what could have could of made Baby leave. He just kept thinking, he would get there and the worst possible thing would happen and that was Baby would tell him it was over for good. He thought maybe it was because; she wanted things he could not give her yet. He told himself, he was going to make it right no matter what.
Baby took her stuff in and went to take a shower. After she ate and got ready; she went to teach her morning class at Julliard. Lily was there and that is when everything hit Baby. Baby knew then what she had to do. Baby had to confront Penny and tell her how she felt about what Penny had done. Baby figured it out, what was holding her back; It was what happened the summer of 1964. When her class was over; she was heading straight to Penny. Baby was feeling so much anger and she was going to tell Penny exactly how she felt. Baby did not do that when she should have; she is going to do it now. Baby realized Penny and the way she ripped her and Johnny apart, is what was preventing her happiness,her life with Johnny. Baby did tell Penny she forgave her but, she never told Penny how she felt. Baby never realized how she truly felt until today. Looking at Lilly reminded her of Penny and it made things so clear to Baby. Baby knew now that she never had dealt with her feelings, she just went right back into things with Johnny so fast. That lead to her leaving Kellermans and the man she loved. Baby wanted to settle all her feelings and figure the rest out as soon as she could.
Baby's class was through and she drove right to Johnny's studio. When she walked in Penny was in shock to see her. Penny asked Baby what on earth she was doing there. Baby answered in a hateful tone, you are about to find out. Penny said, Baby what is wrong? Why are you talking to me so hateful? Penny, you will find the hell out in a minute; if you would just shut your dam mouth, Baby said even Louder. Baby, I don't understand what I have done; please tell me, Penny said almost in tears. You know all I have to say is summer of 64 and you should remember, Baby said even louder she was now yelling. Penny told Baby, she thought she had forgiven her for that. Baby told her to hush her mouth and hear her out.
Baby: Penny, I am only going to say this once so you better listen. I am here because, for one I have eleven contracted classes to finish at Julliard; second to finish some unfinished business with you. Penny I thought I had forgiven you for 1964, but I don't and I don't know if I ever will or can. I hate what you did to Johnny and me; you caused me so much pain. Now look you get a wonderful husband and family; I get heartache and pain; for not believing my one true love because of you; why did that happen, simply because you were jealous, in love, or whatever. Penny and you called me a good friend. I would hate to see what you do to your enemies. I was going to live at Kellermans and finally settle down with Johnny and I can't you tainted that place. You took something I can never get back and after what I did for you: how could you do that. You are a bitch and a lie. Now I have only one more thing left to say, stay away from me. I know you and Johnny are friends and I can't change that; he is more forgiving than me. I hope one day you will know what you have done and pay dearly for it. I have never felt like this before and I hate that I do. This is not like me but, you have done this. I would have never done it to you good bye Penny.
Penny: But you did Baby and you don't realize it. I loved Johnny and if you had not came along that summer; we would have gotten back together. I resented you for that but, I moved on and you won; you have him and now you are here like a raving lunatic to tell how you feel. I bet you left Johnny and came here to fix a problem that really is between Johnny and you. I might have been part of what split you up. That is not all of the problem. Maybe you don't see it but, I do. Baby I don't care if you hate me but, is that really going to fix it. Coming here and leaving Johnny does not fix it either. Running away from what is bothering you wont fix it. You need to really figure out why you are running. You know better than anyone running away does not solve anything. I think you are running away because;you can't deal with the fact that you were the one who didn't trust in your love to Johnny. You and you alone and you can blame me but, that is not going to make it any better. You come here like you had no part in the split. You left him and I had to be there to pick up the pieces. Baby just go, get out of here; I do not wish to explain this to you; when you already have to know. So go I am happy and married to my one true love. I just did not know that he was in 64. I was holding on to something from the past. A childhood dream that I had about Johnny. I do not want Johnny. I realized that after i had screwed things up;but you were the one who did not stick around to see that. We were young and both made bad choices. I think it is time that you go on with your life. You or I can not go back and fix the past but, we can fix the future. I will help you anyway I can.
Baby sat there and then she fell to the floor crying. Penny was right, Baby should have believed Johnny. What would it fix for Baby to sit here and go off on penny; nothing and Baby knew then she was better than that anyway. Penny walked over and held Baby while she cried . All of the pain was coming out in that moment; everything she had held inside for the last four years. Baby spoke up and said, what have I done I threw it all away again. I left him and now I am sure it is over. Baby it is not over, Johnny loves you more than anything. Go back to Kellermans and just talk to him about this. I can call Julliard and I will even pay for the classes that you don't go to. That is the least I can do, Penny said. Penny would you really do that for me, Baby replied. Yes Baby I would; I understand why you came and I would have done the same. Baby, just believe me; I am truly sorry and I am going to make it up to you, Penny answered. Baby you were young and hurt ,it is not just your fault and I had a hand in it too. You just have to realize what you did too and fix it to where you can live with the past. I went through same type of stuff with Billy; after what I did. Yeah it is hard and it takes time to work through but, it will be worth it in the end; I promise. Penny sat there a little longer, telling Baby how what happened that summer hurt all of them and they just needed to move on from it for good this time. Baby then looked up at Penny and told her that she really did not hate her. She just needed someone to blame for what she was feeling .
Penny sat there holding Baby and comforting her. Penny never knew that she caused Baby so pain. Penny was going to make it right one way or another. Penny also knew that Baby was running away from committing herself to Johnny. Penny knew why after sitting there listening to what Baby was saying. Baby had a wall up; one that she thought was protecting her. Penny knew very well how that was. Baby was afraid that Johnny would leave her or that things would never be the same. Penny had the same thing happen with Billy. Penny knew then she had to call and find Johnny. He had to get here: before Baby decided to run off again. Penny could tell that was what was on Baby's mind. Penny also knew that if Baby ran off and never spoke to Johnny; she would live to regret it.
Penny told Baby she would be back in a few minutes. She had to go feed the kids dinner and for Baby to go in her office. Baby went into the office and laid down on the couch; she was still crying and the tears would not stop. Penny picked up the phone and dialed Kellermans. Neil answered and Penny explained what was going on and if she could talk to Johnny. Neil told Penny, Johnny was on his way to New York. Neil told Penny, he would let everyone know Baby was OK and explain the rest to them. Penny hung up the phone and went to talk to Billy. She told Billy, what was going on and that Johnny should be there soon. She told Billy to keep an eye on Baby. Billy agreed to watch over Baby. Penny went out to her car and drove to Johnny's apartment. Penny would wait there of him to arrive; so that she could talk to Johnny about everything.
Meanwhile Billy went in to talk to Baby. He explained that he felt just like she did after what Penny had done. He was sure that if Johnny and her just talked and worked out the problem; it would all be fine. Baby told Billy she hoped so and that it was not to late.
Billy: Johnny loves you more than anything. Did you know while he worked for the painter and plaster's union; he bought a house for you two.
Baby: No he never told me but, why would he have done that?
Billy: Hoping you would come back and be with him. He always felt bad about what happened. He never went to find you because he was afraid too; just like you are now. Of course when you did not come back; he sold it to come here and start his studio.
Baby: Really I never knew that. Why didn't he tell me.
Billy: You know how Johnny is. Stuff like that is hard for him to admit. He only told me once and he was drunk. I don't think he remembers it at all. If you love him you will leave the past in the past and only look to the future. You have to take chances in life or you will always what if yourself. I did it with Penny and we could not be happier. Just think about it ok. Now you get some rest and when you wake up I am sure things will look better. I Promise you that it will get better. You just have to let old wounds heal. I will check on you in a bit.
Baby: Thanks Billy. See you when you come back. I am going to take a nap. I will think about all that you said.
Billy: No problem.
Billy walked out of the office and closed the door. Billy went to check on the kids. Hoping Johnny would make it there soon; before Baby woke up and tired to leave. Billy hoped it would all work out for them. Baby laid there and soon she was asleep. As Baby slept she dreamed of Johnny and how if none of what happened had; they would have been happy. Penny was sitting on Johnny's couch when she heard the door start to open. Johnny walked in; he was shocked to see Penny sitting there. Penny then said, Johnny I am glad you are here. I need to explain some things to you. Johnny said, how did you know I would be here? Neil told me when I called Kelleremans, Penny replied. Penny is something wrong; something has to be otherwise why would you be waiting here on me, Johnny said. Johnny I am going to tell you now; sit down so we can talk about it Penny replied. Johnny was totally confused and had no clue what Penny was about to tell him.
Want to know what happened keep on reading. Hope you are enjoying my story. Thanks for reading as always and be sure to leave a review good or bad. Nickibell