The Long And Winding Road
Notes: I don't own the show, the characters, etc. Hope you enjoy this latest chapter. Thanks for all the previous comments and reviews.
Chapter 9 -- The Dinner Hour
At Steak & Stuff, the foursome had just been seated, given menus and water, then was left alone to decide what to order.
"Quite a crowd," Patrick said, looking around.
Unnoticed by JT and Emma, he then gave Liberty a slight nod to indicate that he thought things were going well so far.
"Between all the people and that music, it's really loud in here," JT commented.
"What do you expect, JT?" Emma asked. "I'm sure they have a slaughterhouse back there next to the kitchen. They need to keep it loud enough in here so you can't here the cattle screaming before they're mutilated."
"Hope everyone's hungry!" Patrick said with enthusiasm.
"Of course," JT replied. "Nothing gets my stomach growling faster than talk about animal mutilation."
"Do you suppose they shoot the animals right outside, or just stuff them into a huge grinding machine?" Emma continued.
"Now, now, Emma darling…"
"No, Patrick," Emma stopped him. "If I'm being forced to feast on the remains of dead cattle tonight, I'd like to know the exact process used to prepare my meal. Unless it's all really horsemeat."
At this, JT put his hand on his forehead.
"My God," Emma remarked, "you don't think they just throw the saddle into the cooking pot, too, do you? Oh well, I'm sure our waiter can give us plenty of information."
Liberty, deciding it was again time for her to do her part, suddenly looked very angry.
"Emma Nelson, if you've ruined my guy's appetite with your crazy talk, I'll never forgive you!"
"Hey, I didn't ask to eat here," Emma countered, "but since I'm stuck, I need to make informed decisions."
"Liberty, stay calm," JT interjected.
Liberty then began giggling, immediately switching her mood from angry to excited.
"Okay!" she said excitedly. "Anything you say, my adorable popcorn kernel."
"See, Emma?" Patrick commented. "They've already got pet names for each other. You're dragging us down, darling. Get with the program so we can keep up with them. Liberty, what made you choose 'popcorn kernel'?"
"Oh, Patrick, my JT knows all about the movies," Liberty gushed. "He's going to own his own theater someday. And of course JT knows I like my popcorn the way I like my men – hot, tasty, and coated in melted butter."
Liberty then looked at JT and licked her lips. This prompted JT to hold open his menu so that it covered his face.
"So…" JT hoped for a quick change in the conversation. "What's everyone going to order?"
Meanwhile, Craig and Manny sat in the living room of his apartment:
"Sorry I don't have any dessert, Manny."
"I couldn't eat another bite anyway," she responded. "Thanks. For the food AND the pep talk."
"No problem, though I don't think the pep talk was that big a success."
"No, it was. I appreciate it."
"Anytime," Craig replied.
"I just have to remember to stick to being a good friend and not expect anything more."
"Now you're talking."
"And if things don't happen to work out with Emma," Manny added, "I'm sure he'll want a good friend he can talk to. Lean on."
"Manny, try not to drool like this when you're around JT or he might start to catch on," Craig said sarcastically.
"Very funny."
A thought then occurred to Craig.
"Hey, you wouldn't try to…help things not work out for them, would you, Manny?"
"Now Craig, would I do something like that?"
"We're good friends," he told her. "I care about you. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if you're thinking of searching the neighborhood for him – or them – as soon as you walk out my door."
Manny then smiled.
"Rats! You caught me," she joked.
"For real, Manny…your word of honor…let them take care of their own business. Leave it to JT to approach you if he wants to. Otherwise stay out of it. I think it's best for everyone involved, including you."
"My word of honor? I know of at least one girl who'd say that isn't worth much. But okay. I promise. Friendship only. At least for now."
Craig looked at Manny, unsure that she would – or even could – stay true to her promise.
At the restaurant, JT looked at Patrick and Emma as the couple scanned their menus. Patrick appeared very happy while Emma looked uncomfortable and miserable. JT thought about how he'd like to get up and carry her out of the place but he decided he'd better stop focusing his attention on Emma and instead try to make the best of his own date.
"Liberty…tell me, did you have much explaining to do about going out with us tonight?"
"What do you mean, sweetheart?"
"Sweetheart?" JT asked, not expecting her to call him that.
"That's YOU, sweetums!" Liberty clarified.
She then kissed JT on the forehead.
"I'm talking about Roger," JT said.
"Who?" she asked, pretending to have forgotten all about her boyfriend.
Emma looked up from her menu.
"Roger?" Emma interrupted, sarcasm obvious in her voice. "Is that the name of one of the animals they're serving tonight? So many dead creatures, so many menu choices. Why, if we can't narrow down our Want List, we might just have to go whole hog – if you'll pardon the expression – and strap some big dead animal onto the top of Patrick's car. We can take it home and have leftovers for a week."
"Oh you mean Roger my ex?" Liberty asked JT.
"Your ex?" JT asked, confused.
"As soon as you finally came to your senses last night and decided we should get together, I dropped him."
"You what?"
"The only thing is: since he's still sick, I couldn't tell if the sounds Roger was making in reaction to the news were sounds of crying or wheezing. Oh well, not my problem anymore."
"Don't worry, Emma," Patrick assured. "You don't need to make any choices for tonight. I know just what will be best for you to eat."
"Oh you do, do you?" Emma replied, clearly displeased.
"Liberty, I thought you understood that this was just a friendly business date," JT said.
"Well, you know what they say, JT – The most important business isn't done in the boardroom. It's handled in the bedroom. So later on, you and I can go back to your place and you can…handle our business."
After saying this, Liberty winked at JT. Before he could respond, however, a waiter approached.
"Are you all ready to order?"
"Yes," JT answered in a sarcastic tone, "do you have any loaded guns?"
"With all the dead carcasses around this place, I'm sure they do," Emma said with matching sarcasm.
Patrick laughed, then spoke to the waiter.
"They're kidding, of course. Yes, I think we're ready. JT, why don't you and Liberty go first."
"Okay," JT agreed. "Liberty?"
"What?"
"The man's waiting for you to order," JT explained.
"You're supposed to order for me, like a true gentleman."
"Liberty, join us in the Modern Age," Emma told her. "You are perfectly capable of ordering your own food. I don't understand what's gotten into you tonight."
"You're a fine one to talk about strange behavior, Emma," JT spoke up.
"What's that supposed to mean," Emma asked.
"Never mind," JT said, stopping himself from giving his opinion of the situation. "Look, Liberty, I don't know what you'd want. Just go ahead and order something already."
Liberty suddenly started to act hysterical and tugged on JT's arm.
"After all we've meant to each other," she spoke loudly, "you can sit here and say you don't know what I would want?"
"Mmm…yeah, I can," JT replied with ease.
"JT," Emma again spoke up, "how you can accuse me of acting strange when you're letting Liberty just…no, this is not the time or place."
Liberty then became completely calm and smiling, a change that was as sudden as her last mood swing.
"Just pick something for both of us, dreamboat," she requested. "I'll take anything you want me to have. I know I'll love whatever it is."
"Then I hope JT orders you a straightjacket," Emma remarked.
"Just ignore the silly little girl, JT," Liberty instructed.
Patrick interrupted to speak once more to the waiter.
"Maybe while they're sorting things out, we can go ahead and order."
"All right. What would you like?"
"I'll have the…" Emma began.
"Emma, darling," Patrick interrupted, "I've got this. No need to worry your pretty little head.
"Now wait just a minute…
"Emma, you're getting emotional again. Nobody wants a scene. You just sit there, drink your water and look cute, and I'll do all the talking for you."
"Patrick, you are so understanding," Liberty commented. "JT, I hate to say it, but you could learn a lot from Patrick about how to treat a lady…or even someone like Emma."
"Liberty, did you and Emma have a fight or something? What's with all the hostility?"
"James T. Yorke, if you really loved me, you'd stick up for me instead of always taking Emma's side."
Liberty then started making sniffling noises like she was about to cry.
"It's her you love. Not me. Just admit it!"
"JT," Patrick interceded, "you really need to learn how to control your woman better. Take a lesson from Emma and me. Like any successful couple, I tell her to jump, and Emma, the dutiful woman, simply asks 'How high?'"
Emma looked furious but refused to respond. JT, meanwhile, was trying to sort out Liberty's odd behavior.
"Earth to Liberty. Please return to THIS planet. It would be fun to have a normal conversation tonight. Emma and Patrick certainly aren't helping, so it's up to us."
"Waiter," Patrick began again, "I will have the Number One, medium rare, heavy on the steak sauce, baked potato with everything and hold the salad. And Emma will have the same."
"Since JT won't order for me," Liberty started, "I guess I'll have to order for both of us. We'll have the same thing they're having."
"Very good," the waiter responded. "I'll be back with your bread."
"Make sure we get extra butter," Patrick demanded before the waiter could leave. "The real thing; not that healthy light crap."
"And don't take too long!" Liberty added. "The conversation is exceedingly dull tonight. Eating will give us something to do."
The waiter then went to place their order, while Liberty stared at her glass of water, frowning.
"God, I wish one of you had thought to make some fake IDs. I need a drink."
"Yeah, okay Liberty. Whatever." JT said wearily.
He looked over at Emma.
"Emma, are you really just going to sit there?"
"JT, can we not have a scene?" Emma replied. "Let's all just get through this meal in peace and then go."
"I don't understand any of this!" JT exclaimed.
Liberty suddenly became cheerful again and patted JT's stomach.
"Don't mind JT," she suggested. "He gets all cranky when his tummy starts rumbling."
JT now looked ready to burst, deciding he had had enough.
"O-kay, that is IT!" JT said. "This is crazy. I'm surrounded by crazy people! That wouldn't be so bad, but you guys are supposed to be the normal people in my life. Patrick, yesterday you didn't seem like you even wanted to date Emma, and now you're ordering her meals for her. Will you be cutting her meat for her when the food arrives? Emma apparently won't mind. I thought I had an idea why you wanted me to be here tonight, but now I think there WAS no reason. You're just completely out of your mind.
"And Liberty over here isn't any better. She can't keep one mood for two minutes before she gets a whole new personality. She's all over the place and at this rate I'm guessing I'm going to have to get a new phone number. Unlisted. You've tried some bizarre ways to get my attention in the past, Liberty, but now I think you've gone completely around the bend."
JT then turned to Emma.
"And YOU! You're even crazier than Liberty, if that's possible. Since when does Emma Nelson let ANYONE give her orders, especially about not talking or about eating something she doesn't feel right about eating? The Emma Nelson I know wouldn't worry about appearances or making a scene. If she doesn't like something she'll gladly tell you even if she has to climb up on the roof and shout it for everyone on the block to hear. The Emma Nelson I know isn't too proud to accept help, but she also won't put up with anyone being even a little condescending or disrespectful. The Emma Nelson I know has never been at a loss for words around me as you were last night. The Emma Nelson I know…"
JT paused for a moment, then started again, this time much more calm.
"The Emma Nelson I know…is one of the sweetest, kindest, smartest, most loyal friends a person could ever have – even if she'll never want me the way that I want her."
Emma's eyes widened. Patrick and Liberty gave one another a knowing look and tried not to smile.
JT then stood up, getting upset again.
"But the most deranged person of all here is ME, because I've been sitting here tonight watching it all and putting up with the three of you loons without doing anything about it. Now I am. I'm outta here. See ya in the psycho ward."
JT turned to leave but hesitated and then turned back around to face Patrick.
"One other thing…"
He leaned in and got right in Patrick's face.
"The Emma Nelson I know would have selected the chicken breast, no sauce, hold the potato in exchange for extra salad with mayo on the side, with lots of croutons. She would have ordered it herself, or if she was feeling in an old-fashioned romantic mood might have asked you to order for her. You'd want her free to speak her mind because she has more interesting things to say than you can count. She's endlessly fascinating and has a much better sense of humor than she even realizes. And as smart as she is, she never makes you feel unimportant. You might keep all that in mind next time…that is, if you happen to find the Emma Nelson I know."
JT then left the table and walked out of the restaurant.
'Did I just say something about wanting Emma?' he thought to himself. 'Out loud? And in front of Emma? And even more important – I forgot I didn't bring my car. How am I going to get home?'
Back inside the restaurant, Emma was trying to comprehend what had just happened.
"Did he just say something about wanting me?" she asked. "Out loud? And in front of me? In front of all of us? He even knew EXACTLY what food I would have ordered. And even more important – did he just walk out without giving me any chance to respond? He just drops a bombshell like that when I've been the one waiting for the right time to say the same thing to him? Not that there ever seems to be a right time. And then he just walks out?"
Emma then looked at Liberty.
"And here I was starting to think he was crazy about YOU, Liberty, since he was putting up with all your bizarre mood swings. Well, he's not getting away from me this easily. I have a few things to say to him and he's going to listen if I have to sit on top of him and MAKE him hear me out. You two…well, I don't what your deal is tonight any more than JT does. I think you've both lost your minds."
Emma stood up from her chair.
"Why don't you both just sit there and…look cute," Emma said snidely. "Then your pretty little heads can fight over who gets to order dessert. I've got a score to settle with a certain crazy man who I'm more than a little crazy about. I was an idiot to get scared last night. Afraid to say something in front of a few people when I really want to shout it for everyone to hear.
"Oh, and Liberty? Tonight you've finally proved once and for all that you know nothing about what JT wants. Your bizarre attitude. Your efforts to touch him – so much so that it puts Manny to shame. And let's not forget your pitiful attempt to guess what he'd want to eat. For your information, JT would have wanted his steak well done, no steak sauce but lots and lots of ketchup, with fries instead of a baked potato with – of course – even more ketchup. He'd have gotten a salad, Italian dressing, but wouldn't have touched it until he's been nagged for awhile about how it's good for him. Then he probably would have started giving the tomatoes funny voices and strange things to say until you're about to fall over onto the floor laughing at his wild imagination and oddball sense of humor. And it would have been a fun meal you'd remember for a long time."
Back at Craig's apartment, he was hanging up his phone.
"Who was that?" Manny asked.
"JT," Craig replied. "He needs a lift."
"What happened?"
"He said something about a 'date from hell' and not having his getaway car."
"I knew that set-up for tonight was a bad idea," Manny said. "Let me guess: JT listened to me and finally told Emma the truth, then she had one of her tantrums and stole his car."
"I doubt it."
"Craig, you can't leave. You've got people coming over in a few minutes."
"Just the guys. I'll leave a note on the door and catch up with them later."
"No, you should stay. I'll go pick JT up."
"Why do I think that's NOT a good idea?"
"It'll be fine, Craig," she insisted. "Trust me."
"Manny…"
"Trust me! I'll be good." Manny then smiled. "And if I'm not, JT can always spank me."
"Now I KNOW this is a bad idea," Craig commented.
"I'm kidding," she said. "Come on. He's my friend; I'm not going to do anything or say anything to hurt him. And you don't want to let down your bandmates, do you?"
"I know I'll regret this…but okay, I'll stay here. You go get him. He's at that steak place on Route 5."
"The one with that crazy sign?" Manny asked, surprised.
"That's the one," Craig confirmed.
"No wonder he couldn't keep Emma calm. What was he thinking taking her there of all places? He's smarter than that."
"I know."
"And funnier," she continued. "And cuter. And…"
"Manny! Focus. Now it should only take about 10 minutes to get there."
"Oh please, I bet I can be there in five. And don't worry about me."
"I think I'm more worried about JT."
"Whatever," Manny said, rolling her eyes. "Goodnight, Craig."
Soon after Manny left, Craig realized he should call JT back and tell him of the change in plans and to expect Manny to pick him up.
Meanwhile, back at the restaurant, Liberty and Patrick sat at their table laughing.
"Liberty, you should stop working behind the scenes on those school plays. You definitely belong on the stage."
"Me? Patrick, you were so convincing, there were a couple of times where even I almost felt like slapping you. I can't believe Emma stayed calm for so long."
"And you seemed to know just how to annoy JT."
"Years of unintentional practice a long time ago," Liberty explained. "It's been ages since I got to mess with his head like that."
"They were so busy trying to pretend not to care too much about each other," Patrick noted, "I knew if we kept pushing with a healthy mix of rudeness and insanity, they HAD to crack sooner or later and defend each other."
"Or," Liberty interjected, "get mad enough at each other for putting up with the two of us that they'd let the truth about their feelings finally slip out."
"Let's also be thankful I stopped their orders in time," he added. "The last thing we need is to pay for two extra, uneaten, meals."
"You know, Patrick, I had a lot of doubts about this plan."
"Not me. The look on their faces when we met them outside the theater told me they both hated the idea of this double date and would rather be somewhere else – together."
"I noticed that, too. Also, did you see the way they kept looking at their hands as we walked from the theater to your car? I don't know WHAT that was all about."
"Liberty," he cautioned, "you do know it will probably be days before they'll talk to us again, much less give us a chance to explain."
"As long as they're out there talking to each other," she reasoned. "Finally."
"Well, they WILL have to cool off a little since I'm still their ride and they can't very well get home without us."
While the pair continued to discuss the success of their plan to get Emma and JT to open up, Craig was unsuccessful at reaching JT.
'He must have turned his cell off,' Craig thought, hanging up his phone. 'I shouldn't worry. They'll be okay. I hope.'