The Long And Winding Road
Notes: I don't own the show, the characters, etc. Thanks to Angelstargirl and amricangrl for reviewing Chapt. 17, a chapter that was a bit more serious in tone. Thanks also to shooting-starrz-4 for reviewing this story within the Author Notes of your own story, Can't Walk Away.
Chapter 18 -- Walk This Way
Saturday night, JT and Emma were walking hand-in-hand down a sidewalk only a few blocks from The Movie Difference.
"So, JT, how are you doing?"
"That's a strange question to ask."
"Expressing concern is strange? Gee, thanks. I hope the greeting card companies aren't counting too heavily on YOUR business when the holidays roll around."
"I mean I don't know why you'd ask how I'm doing when you've spent the last few hours beside me in one of my favorite places."
"That's why I'm asking," she explained. "You are way too quiet right now. Usually after the movies, you can't stop talking. Describing in detail your favorite scenes from the films we just got through watching. Sometimes you'll even start in on a lengthy analysis about the differences in directors and techniques – which is really amazing considering you can't properly spell the words 'lengthy analysis.'"
"That's real nice, Emma."
"I just get concerned when you stop talking so much."
"I am healthy, happy and independent," JT declared. "I've just spent the afternoon watching some of the funniest moments ever put on film, and now I'm going to dinner with my favorite girl. So how am I doing? I SUPPOSE things could be better."
JT winked at Emma.
"Fine," Emma said, smiling. "You win. You're perfect."
"Where's a tape recorder when you really need one?"
"Anyway," she continued, "I don't know why we're walking to the restaurant. I still say it would have been much easier to use your car."
"My car?"
"You remember, JT, that thing you own with four wheels. The contraption that goes 'VROOM VROOM' when you turn the key."
"I'm surprised at you."
"Why?"
"Emma Nelson – the undisputed champion of environmental crusaderosity – would rather ride in a car than walk, even though the Chinese restaurant is only a few blocks away?"
"I'm only thinking about you. You're going to eat too much, then you won't like the idea of walking back to the theater just to get your car. Yeah, we're saving fuel now, but later you're probably going to be responsible for noise pollution once you start complaining about the walk back."
"I'm sure your lips can find a way to keep me quiet when the time comes," he teased.
"You're awfully sure of yourself, JT."
"What can I say? I'm just an extraordinary person."
"That's highly debatable," Emma kidded him.
"Lucky for you I'm always ready to debate you."
"Lucky?"
At that moment, they heard a car honking. They then noticed one particular car coming up the street.
"Emma, it's Manny's car."
"Looks like Courtney's with her."
The car pulled off to the side of the road while JT and Emma crossed the street and approached the vehicle on the passenger side. Courtney rolled down her window.
"Hey, you two," Manny greeted.
"Hi Manny. Courtney," Emma responded.
"Hi girls," JT added.
"Hi. Are you two having car trouble?" Courtney asked.
"No," Emma replied. "Just walking over to Lem Sung's. And, no, this time walking was NOT my idea."
"Sounds romantic," Manny said.
"And what are the two of you up to tonight?" JT asked.
"Manny just finished giving me a tour of The House of Santos."
"Oh?" Emma asked, curious.
"It's just wrong that one girl owns so many pairs of shoes," Courtney added.
"You can never own too many pairs of shoes," Emma and Manny both said in unison.
Manny and Emma laughed after realizing they both had the same response at the same time.
"Courtney," JT interjected, "you mean you haven't been brainwashed into joining the Degrassi Girls Shoe Fanatics Society?"
Courtney laughed.
"I've managed to steer clear of the cult so far."
"That won't last, the longer you hang out with either of these girls," JT warned in jokingly. "Even Emma, who doesn't believe in being overly appearance-conscious, bends her rules enough to go ape over footwear."
"Just ignore him," Emma responded. "He's a guy. He'd wear sneakers to church if he thought I wouldn't find out and gripe at him."
"Now we're headed over to your theater, JT," Courtney announced.
"Yeah?"
"Just in time for the encore showing of what I'm sure you two just finished watching," Manny said.
"Courtney, I didn't know you liked old comedies, too," JT said.
"Not as a general rule, but I'm a sucker for Laurel & Hardy. So when Manny mentioned that you guys were showing a mini-marathon of L&H film shorts today, I wasn't about to pass it up."
"So why are you going with Manny?" JT joked.
"Hey!" Manny said.
"No offense, but let's face it – you're not exactly a movie buff. Particularly old movies. You WERE the first to bail out on our Saturday get-togethers, despite my best efforts at the time."
"That was then, JT. Now I'm trying different things."
"Sounds good. Well, don't let us keep you. You don't want to be late."
"Especially since the first one is where they try to haul the piano up that huge flight of steps outside a house," Emma explained.
"One of my favorites," JT said.
"Mine too," Courtney agreed. "We'd better go."
"Have fun," JT said.
"We will," Manny assured. "Enjoy the Chinese food."
"Definitely, but first we have to finish wok–ing on over there," JT joked.
"JT, that was terrible," Manny smiled.
"He needs food before he loses all his comic ability," Emma said. "I'd better get him out of here. Bye!"
Manny and Courtney then drove on to the theater.
"So, Manny, unless you were really putting on a show, I'd say it looks like you're finally getting over him."
"I don't know if I'll ever be over him completely. There are still moments when I see them walking down the hall at school and I get the urge to drag Emma to the broom closet in the unused portion of the building and lock her in there long enough for me to try to get JT back."
"But then common sense kicks in."
"Right. Besides, I'm getting used to the idea that they're together. JT's happier than he's ever been, and he's still my friend. Also, she's actually being nice to me again. Not the fake niceness she can show when she wants to be polite but otherwise can't stand you. I've gotten that kind of niceness from her sometimes in the past, and what she's showing now is real. Do you know that back there was the first time Emma and I have laughed together about anything in ages? Besides, all you need to do is look at their hands to see it."
"What do you mean?"
"They were holding hands, Courtney. Same as they've been doing at school. They sometimes did that even before they got together."
"That's great for them, but what's the significance?"
"JT was never a hand holder. Never with me, and from what I could tell, never with anyone else he dated or was friends with. A great kisser. Good with the hugs, too. But not a hand holder. He and Emma hold hands a lot. It's like there's some kind of force at work and they can't NOT make contact when they're together."
"I hadn't really noticed, but I can definitely tell that it's serious with them. It's almost too nice – borderline nauseating – but they're also fun to watch. It's good, what they have."
"Yeah. Maybe I notice the little things because I've known them forever, so I'm used to their habits. What they do and what they don't do. Those two – it's the real deal."
"Congratulations, Manny. It sounds like you're going to be okay."
"Maybe now no more crazy dreams," Manny remarked hopefully.
"At least not until you meet someone cute who's free and who won't pull you into any more dramas."
"True. Then the dreams might get crazy, but only in a good way. So, Courtney, which one do you want for tonight? Mr. Laurel or Mr. Hardy?"
Courtney laughed.
Meanwhile, JT and Emma continued walking after having said goodbye to Manny and Courtney.
"That was unexpected," JT commented.
"No, Courtney had told me once that she watches Laurel & Hardy whenever it shows up on TV."
"No, I mean the two of them together. I didn't think they liked each other."
"They just didn't really know each other all that well. When I was using Courtney as a practice audience to rehearse my presentation this morning, she told me that they had a run-in at Ryan's last night. She figured Manny could use a friendly ear from someone who wasn't mixed up in all the history that the rest of us have with Manny."
"That sounds like a good idea. Are you okay with it, Emma?"
"I don't have exclusive rights to anyone's friendship. Their friendship doesn't change things between Courtney and me."
"I'm glad. That's a very mature decision on your part."
"JT, I'm nothing if not mature."
"Except when I locate one of your tickle spots and get you laughing uncontrollably."
"Yeah, right."
"Would you like me to remind you, Emma?"
"You'd have to catch me first."
"You think I couldn't?"
"We're almost to the restaurant. And you'll notice my foot is okay today. No limp. You wouldn't stand a chance if you tried to chase me."
"You're right, Emma. I know when I'm defeated."
"I'm glad you can accept losing so gracefully, JT."
"Of course I can."
JT suddenly turned and pointed to a spot across the street.
"Hey, Emma! Look!"
"What?"
"Across the street! Some guy's got an ax and is trying to chop down that tree."
Emma turned in the direction JT was pointing.
"What? JT, I don't see anyone. Where is this crazy person?"
"Crazy person?" JT asked, now standing behind Emma. "Right behind you."
JT put his hands at Emma's sides and started tickling her.
"You jerk!" Emma complained, laughing. "That's not fair."
"Who said I was trying to play fair?"
Emma continued to laugh.
"Okay! Okay! You got me, JT."
JT stopped tickling and, still behind Emma, wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close.
"Yeah. I got you. And I'm never letting go."
"Good," Emma smiled. "I'm going to hold you to it. By the way, you know I WILL get you back when you least expect it."
JT turned Emma around to face him.
"I know, and I can't wait."
Still locked in JT's embrace, Emma kissed him.
"So," she said afterward, "are we going to keep standing here putting on a show for whomever happens to drive by, or are we going to resume our walk to Lem Sung's?"
"By all means, let's continue our walk."
Emma sighed in relief.
"Good, you said 'walk'. I was afraid you might return to the 'wok' pun."
"Emma, I'm shocked. I would never milk a joke over and over on the same night. What kind of comic genius do you think I am? Don't answer that."
Emma laughed and took his hand, then they resumed walking.
"By the way, JT, I saw you checking your wallet before we left the theater."
"Yeah, it's this very peculiar habit I have of making sure I have enough money on hand before we go out to eat. I'm sorry you had to witness such an act."
"Eventually I'm going to get to finish my point, right?"
"If you must," JT smirked.
"My point is that I don't want you taking that wallet out again tonight."
"Okay, Emma, but when the waitress has to reach down and go searching through my pants for the money to pay the bill, don't get jealous."
"You are so bad sometimes," Emma responded, trying not to laugh. "I MEAN that tonight the Chinese food is on me."
"That's sweet, Emma. You know you don't have to."
"Yes, I do have to. You've taken me out so many times these last few weeks."
"We're not in competition, you know."
"I know, JT."
"And anyway, we've eaten at your house several times lately."
"Yeah, and my mom has done the cooking, or they've ordered food. It's not the same thing."
"So let me see if I understand. You don't want your boyfriend to buy you meals."
"Of course I do. But a woman can take a guy out to dinner just as easily as a guy can take a woman out. I want to be able to treat you, just as you treat me. Look, we ate together all the time before we became…"
"Officially official?"
"Yeah," Emma confirmed. "And sometimes you would buy, sometimes I would, and other times we'd just go Dutch. But now that we're together, you're doing all the buying and, don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying every bit of it, but I want to take you places, too."
"You're still the most peculiar woman I know," he remarked. "I've never had a girlfriend who wanted to take ME out."
"Those girlfriends weren't me."
"True," JT agreed. "They never even came close."
"And because I know how your mind works – scary as that is – I want you to ignore your impulses. Order anything you want. I don't want you picking the cheapest thing you see on the menu just to try and save me money."
"Emma, would I do that?"
"YES!"
"You really should start your own psychic phone service. You'd make a fortune."
"These powers only seem to work where you're concerned."
"In that case, thanks for dinner, Emma."
"You're more than welcome."
"But don't think you're going to keep me from spoiling you rotten every chance I get."
"Only as long as I get to do the same for you."
"Such a tough person to bargain with, but you've got yourself a deal."
"Oh, and one more thing, JT…"
"I think we'd better stop using 'one more thing' in our conversations," JT interrupted. "We NEVER have just one more thing to say. It always ends up being one more thing, followed by another thing and then another."
Emma glared at him.
"But there I go again not letting you finish," JT said. "Carry on."
"Thank you. Now, as I was saying…"
"Carry on," JT again interrupted, "like the wind."
"Right. Anyway, I…"
"Like a ship sailing across the ocean."
"JT…"
"Like flies, circling a garbage truck."
"JT!"
"Oh. Were you trying to say something?" JT smirked.
"You're a nut."
"I'm not sure why you were trying so hard to tell me that, Emma. I thought we'd already established that fact long ago."
"JT, we're almost to Lem Sung's and I want to be serious for a minute."
"Okay," JT said, looking at his watch. "But I'm timing you."
JT looked up and saw Emma frowning.
"Okay, I'm sorry. Just wanted to keep you laughing."
"You do, JT, but this is really important."
They stopped walking.
"What is it, Emma?"
"I know you told me right before the show about how your father's not coming back to stay."
"Yeah, I'm gonna have the whole place to myself. I can keep the TV volume up as loud as I want because nobody will be trying to work in the next room. I can go on that all-pizza diet I've always wanted. Hey, if I want to just wander around the house naked, I can do that, too."
Emma didn't say anything in response.
"Emma, I'm kidding. And even if I wasn't, there's no way you'd let me get away with an all-pizza diet. Emma?"
"Hmm?" Emma said, somewhat dazed. "Oh, sorry. I, um, was just thinking about, um, that last thing you said."
"Last thing?"
"You know. The wandering part. Wandering while…um…with no…you know."
"Why, Emma Nelson, you're blushing."
"Shut up!"
"Don't worry. Your perverted mind is our little secret."
"That's enough of that, JT!"
"If you say so."
"Anyway, I think you're more bothered about this situation with your dad than you're letting on."
"I'm fine, Emma. Really. He caught me off guard with everything he had to say about me."
Emma looked at him in surprise.
"Um, I mean, about me and him. But…it's really no big thing."
"Everything he had to say? JT, what else did he say to you AND about you?"
"I…just meant…everything he had to say about his plans to stay on in Winnipeg. You know. His living arrangements."
'Yeah,' Emma thought, 'there's definitely more to what JT's father told him.'
They started walking again.
"Hey, did you get to tell him about us?"
"Of course, Emma. He definitely knows we're together."
"Was he happy for you?"
"Oh, you know how parents are. Filled with all sorts of relationship advice. He's promised to get to know you better when he comes to town in a few days."
"That should be interesting. I got to know your mom so well, but I don't think I've made any lasting impression on your dad."
"You'd be surprised," JT said uneasily.
"You still looked troubled," she continued. "What else did you two talk about? And is the conversation the two of you had the reason you were so quiet after the movies?"
"Look, can we just drop it already? You'd think the subject of my father was the only thing worth talking about."
Emma looked surprised that JT had become defensive.
"I'm sorry, Emma. I suppose we can talk about him if you want, but another time, okay?"
"I'm just concerned about you, that's all."
"I know. Thanks. But I'm fine."
'Maybe,' Emma thought. 'Maybe not. But when I see Nathaniel Yorke, I will definitely have a few things to say to him. JT may feel obligated to put up with this guy, but I don't.'
They soon reached the front of the restaurant.
"Well, here we are," Emma said.
"Did you know there are dozens of things you can do with chopsticks besides eating with them?" JT asked.
"You mean you haven't already demonstrated them all to me?"
"I've got more ways that I haven't yet begun to show you."
"JT, tell me you're not going to get creative again in there tonight."
"Okay. 'You're not going to get creative again in there tonight.' There. Is there anything else you're like me to say?"
Emma laughed.
"JT, what am I going to do with you?"
"Hey, since you've said cost is no issue, I think I'll order a little of everything on the menu."
"Very funny," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Naturally I'm kidding, Emma."
"I should hope so."
"I'll order a lot of everything."
"Yes, definitely a nut, JT. No doubt about it."