So Johnny's birthday was coming to a close. Howard once again offered to take both Mama and Johnny to the airport that Saturday morning.

"Mama, do we really have to go back home?"

"Yes, Johnny. I'm sure Howard needs to go back to work on Monday."

"That's right, Bunny. I do have to get back. I will take you both to the airport first thing."

"Thank you, Howard," Mama told him.

"Be glad to do it anytime."

"It'll be our turn to see you," Marion told her.

"It's a deal, then."

"What do you do, Mr. Cunningham?" Johnny asked.

He really didn't remember Mama telling him about a hardware store.

"I own a hardware store in town, Johnny. It's nothing exciting to show you. I've had a success in that store."

"Cool. I really don't care for hardware stores, but I have been to them. I don't find any excitement to look around or work in one."

"You better watch your mouth, Johnny. Some of us like hardware stories," Howard told Johnny.

"I know, Mr. Cunningham. Maybe some other time I can have a visit to look around."

"If there's a next time," Howard said.

"I know some people like tools, but I don't use them."

"Johnny, your father loved hardware stores."

"You never talk about my father much at all," Johnny told his mother.

"I know I don't, Johnny. I don't share with you about your father since you don't show much interest."

"Sorry, but I just never thought of asking what he was like."

This vacation Johnny did for his birthday never even involved his father. Mama only wanted to come here to Milwaukee as a treat for his birthday. He did tell her, "Mama, this is different from my birthday last year. Maybe we can come here again next year for my birthday."

"It's a good idea, Johnny. At least I'll keep it in mind."

"Good. Maybe Joanie will still be here if we come back."

"You don't know that, Johnny. It was nice to see you and Joanie had a conversation between the two of you. Mrs. Cunningham did tell me that Joanie did look forward to meet you when we came out here for a visit."

"I believe it, Mama. That's something Joanie never told me."

"She probably thought it wasn't important to tell you that."

He bought the topic of Howard again as he followed his mother to the bedroom where she was staying. Yes, he and Mama both agreed that this house Howard and Marion had for several years had nice guest rooms and they were comfortable.

"Mama, what time did Mr. Cunningham want to take us back to the airport tomorrow?" he asked.

"About seven – ten. He needs to look forward to another week of work when we get back home."

"I thought he did that while we were here, Mama."

"He did, but since we'll be back home, he can go back to work without us around for distraction."

He saw that his mother made a good point, so he only nodded, letting her know he understood what she had just said.

"When we get to the airport, I'll go call Carl and see if he could pick us up when we get in."

"I might end up taking the bus."

"Johnny, I won't let you take the bus. We came here together, and we're going home together."

"Have it your way, Mama."

He didn't want to tell her he didn't like Carl very much, so he kept that one to himself.

"It'll be nice to have my own bedroom back. That's something I'm looking forward to when we get back."

Mama agreed with him.

"I agree we'll stay up for a while longer and then we'll go to bed."

And Johnny was comfortable with that idea, so that's what they exactly did.