The Long And Winding Road
Disclaimer: If you don't have this part figured out after 19 previous disclaimers, I'm not going to help you.
Notes: Thanks to Karen B., YellyBelly, amricangrl and cutiepye06655 for the recent reviews. I'm glad people enjoy the mix of humor with the romance and drama. When focusing on Emma & JT, there can't help but be lighter moments even when the situation is serious.
Regarding Karen's comment concerning Emma's eating chicken, good catch, but it's intentional on my part as opposed to a mistake. Hopefully you continued reading and saw other "chicken" moments, including Ch. 8, where Emma makes a rather lame justification. Someone else will also call her on the issue in an upcoming chapter.
Chapter 20 -- And So Good For You
Having showered and changed, JT returned to the Nelson/Simpson house in his car to pick up Emma. They then drove over to Ryan's. The couple entered and found Patrick behind the counter still talking to customer Liberty, who turned to see who was walking in.
"Are my eyes deceiving me or is that JT Yorke and Emma Nelson?" Liberty asked. "I didn't think either of you knew time existed this early on Sunday."
"I didn't," Emma explained, "but JT's a bad influence."
"I do what I can," JT joked.
"Out getting some exercise?" Patrick asked.
"We tried, but about five feet from her house Emma started griping. Something about a collapsed lung. Whine, whine, whine."
Emma swatted JT's arm with the back of her hand.
"Don't listen to him," Emma said as she sat down beside Liberty.
"Enjoy the fresh air?" Liberty asked.
"Yeah," JT replied, "there's nothing like the aroma of exhaust fumes from passing cars."
"I practically had to drag Mr. Negative here outside. He wanted to sleep all day, but I said exercise would do him some good."
"If Emma's going to lie like this on Sunday, I'm moving back behind the counter next to Pat before lightning strikes her."
"Okay, I admit it. The early morning jog was HIS latest idea."
"But keep it to yourselves, guys," JT cautioned. "Nobody needs to get some crazy idea that Emma's healthy lifestyle is having an effect on me."
"Nothing like that," Patrick said sarcastically.
"What's going on around here?" JT asked. "Where are all the people?"
"You missed the early Sunday morning customers. About now it's usually sparse until around 10:30 or so. What'll the two of you have?"
"Toast for me," Emma answered. "I'm guessing JT wants some doughnuts, so bring a couple of those out. Oh, and orange juice for both of us."
"You got it. I'll go take care of it in just a moment."
"You know, Emma, I might have wanted something different. Maybe some fruit."
"Yeah, right."
"JT, wouldn't you like to go into the kitchen with Patrick and help him?" Liberty urged.
"I've seen Pat put doughnuts on a plate and bread in a toaster before, Liberty. It's not that exciting. I think he can manage."
"Something tells me she and Emma want time alone for some girl talk," Patrick suggested.
"Hey, if I wanted to hang around a kitchen I could have stayed at home," JT complained
"You'll live," Emma assured him.
"Okay, fine. But no gossiping about me – unless you're going to talk about how I'm such a wonderful person, adored by millions."
"Oh, I'll be sure to keep that in mind," Emma said, rolling her eyes.
JT and Emma shared a brief kiss, then JT followed Patrick into the kitchen, leaving Emma and Liberty seated at the counter.
"JT's considering eating fruit instead of doughnuts?" Liberty asked Emma. "That's rather odd, don't you think?"
"Oh, he's just got a lot on his mind. Family stuff. He'll be okay."
"That's good. So, Emma, have you two set a date yet?"
"For what?"
"A wedding, of course."
Emma laughed.
"Rushing things a tad, don't you think, Liberty? In addition to finishing up this school year, there's also that little matter of getting a college education."
"It's never too early to at least start thinking about it. Especially when you've got the perfect guy so totally devoted to you."
"Sorry to break it to you, my overly romantic friend, but there are no weddings planned for anytime soon. Though I WILL grant you the idea that he's devoted. It's mutual."
"No, really?" Liberty asked sarcastically.
"JT is the first boyfriend I've ever had who didn't treat me as just an afterthought. He actually wants to hear about what I'm doing and the things I'm interested in. Oh, he's usually got some sarcastic comment or four to go with it, but I'd be worried if he didn't. Wouldn't want things too good. I guess there's something to be said for falling in love with your best friend after all. I've never felt as connected to anyone as I do him. Disgusting, isn't it?"
"Tragic."
"Liberty, can you keep a secret?"
"Of course."
"I HAVE imagined us getting married some day."
"You and me?" Liberty teased. "Oh, Emma, I didn't know you cared."
"Very funny. I meant I've imagined JT and I getting married some day. But I've only imagined that once. Okay, twice."
Liberty stared at her.
"All right. Three times. And that's my final offer!"
Liberty laughed.
"But not as something that would happen until years from now," Emma cautioned. "I know. I'm pathetic."
"You're secret's safe with me."
"But enough about me. How are things going with Roger? Any big future there?"
"Things are good," Liberty replied after some thought. "We have fun. A lot of fun. A lot of good fun."
"I sense a 'but' coming," Emma predicted.
"No. We're good. We have a very comfortable relationship."
"Comfortable?"
"Yes. Comfortable and stable and…dependable."
"Well…um, dependable is a good thing."
"Exactly. Also, it's not like I've had many boyfriends, Emma. Maybe it's normal."
"What's that?"
"Sometimes it all feels so…routine. Predictable."
"Routine can be good," Emma offered. "Look at me and JT. We've been watching movies at the same time every Saturday afternoon for years. We even sit in the same theater seats every time."
"That's more of a tradition. I'm talking about feeling like everything is always the same. Nothing new ever happens. You can't tell me it's the same way with the two of you."
"That's true. One of us is always suggesting we go somewhere or do something we haven't before. And you know what our conversations are like and how they cover a wide range of topics. Sometimes we don't even make sense but that never seems to matter."
"Right," Liberty agreed. "Even your disagreements are somewhat entertaining. I'd have thought it would be a lot more interesting dating Roger than it's turned out. I mean, we're both in the chess club. How could we NOT be a fun couple?"
"Oookay."
"Watching you and JT. There's a real spark. Now I'm beginning to think that maybe something's really missing between Roger and me."
"I hope you're not trying to tell me that the problem with your boyfriend is that he's not JT."
"Of course not," Liberty quickly assured. "Those particular feelings about JT are part of the past."
"I thought so, but figured I'd better make sure."
"I'm talking about how the two of you have a relationship where you don't even have to try to have a good time, it happens naturally."
"Don't assume you have problems just because you two aren't acting like us. Each couple has its own way of doing things, depending on the personalities involved. Plus, you know JT and I have a lot of history together, so it's bound to make things different. After all, you and Roger didn't know much about each other when you first went out other than that you both like chess."
"That's true."
"But do whatever you need to do. If you think life with Roger is on the dull side, but he's worth hanging on to, then find ways to make the relationship more interesting. But if you think there's someone else out there that's more what you're looking for, you should let Roger go."
"That's good advice, Emma. I'll give it some thought."
"Decide what it is you want and go for it. Oh, as long as that doesn't include you going all retro and trying to hit on my man."
They both laughed.
"Look, whether it's Roger or someone else, I'm sure everything will work out for the best and you'll end up with someone who's perfect for you."
"Now you're even start to SOUND like JT, Emma, complete with his 'everything will work itself out for the best' attitude."
"Scary, isn't it?"
Patrick entered from the kitchen carrying a tray of food and drinks, with JT following.
"Breakfast is served," Patrick said. "It IS safe to come back, right? All through with the gossip, private female matters or whatever goes on when the guys are away?"
"Yes," Emma replied. "We just completed the ritual sacrifices. Looks like everything is here except the doughnuts. JT, don't tell me you couldn't wait and you devoured them all in the kitchen."
"Nah, I figured I'd have a piece of toast along with you," JT said, sitting down next to Emma.
Emma looked questioningly toward Patrick, who shrugged his shoulders.
"Hey, JT was just telling me in there about how he's going to continue to have a whole house to himself, only now it's going to be a more permanent thing."
"Oh?" Liberty questioned.
"Yeah, Dad's starting up a new firm in Manitoba," JT explained between bites. "Aside from sorting out a few loose ends here next week, he's gone for good."
"That's big," Liberty said.
"It's outrageous," Emma added.
"Emma…"
"Don't try to excuse him, JT" Emma said.
"He's moving forward with his life, which couldn't have been easy since my mother's death. I've had my friends, and you in particular, but he's had to tough it out alone."
"Then it might have been easier on him if he'd stayed here, with his son."
"That's…not his way."
"So, Liberty," Patrick interjected, "what can we expect in the next issue of the school paper?
"Huh?" Liberty asked, caught off guard.
"That was his less than subtle attempt to change the subject," Emma told her.
"Oh."
"But there's no need," JT said, "because there's no problem, because everything's great."
"JT…"
"Don't worry about a thing, Emma. Besides everything being okay about my dad, everything's great between you and me. Right?"
"Never better."
"Ah, but it CAN get better and it will. I've been doing some thinking."
"It better not have anything to do with that ridiculous idea about you quitting your job."
"Quitting?!" Patrick exclaimed.
"Someone gave him this ridiculous notion that he's ineffective. But I talked him out of all that."
"Good."
"No, Emma, it's not about work," JT said. "It's just that I'm starting to figure out how selfish I am."
"JT, you're about the last person I'd describe as selfish."
"I've decided that I should follow your example and try to avoid unhealthy food," he revealed. "That's why I'm not eating any doughnuts today. You'll never have to worry about me having health problems and becoming a burden to you."
"I'm all for a sensible diet, but I don't want you to drop something you enjoy just for me."
"It's simple. When I become too annoying or too much of a burden, people leave. Now that I know this, I can make sure it never happens again."
"JT…"
"Hey, speaking of burdens, and for that matter speaking of fathers, since Pat mentioned mine a moment ago…my father, not my burden, of which I have none. Burdens that is, not fathers, since of course I have a father. Anyway, I've got a new joke."
"A joke?" Patrick asked.
"What is it?" Liberty questioned.
"I don't think now is the time," Emma argued. JT, however, disagreed.
"Anytime is a good time for a joke. This one's really more of a funny story than a joke, but you get the idea. You see, there once was this real goofy kid. Not dumb really, but not too bright sometimes. Still, he always thought he was a pretty decent person. But then one day the kid found out things about himself he'd never heard before. His father explained all about how he'd never wanted to have a kid in the first place and was planning to get out of the kid's life at the first chance he could. The kid learned that he went to the wrong school, held an embarrassing job and wasn't worth making an effort. This father was rich, so he basically bought his freedom from the kid by making sure the kid was well provided for. So it turns out that no matter what the kid might have tried to do with his life, it wouldn't have made a difference because the father had only tolerated the kid because of the mother, who was by now already gone. But this kid, well, like I said, he was REALLY goofy."
JT paused.
"Now you're all supposed to say 'How goofy was he?'"
"How goofy was he?" Emma asked hesitantly.
"Weak, Emma, but that's okay. Anyway, this kid was SOOOO goofy, that he still couldn't bring himself to get mad at his father, even after learning how the man regretted his son's existence and wanted as little to do with him as possible. The kid still couldn't hate him. See? I told you it was a funny story. I don't know why you all aren't laughing. I mean, can you imagine anyone in real life being so ridiculous? What normal kid wouldn't hate his father if he learned what this kid learned? A very goofy person, that kid in the story."
"Um, okay," Patrick said, both confused and concerned.
"But I bet that even this kid would then figure out that he'd better work extra hard to make sure nobody else he cared about would start to think that way and want to leave him."
"This is all very fascinating," Emma said sarcastically.
"Emma!" Liberty interjected, not certain that truthful sarcasm was the best approach at the moment.
"Enough of this," Emma decided. "Patrick, our order included some doughnuts. Could you go back and get them? We're having a salad for lunch, so JT's going to need more than just a piece of toast to keep his stomach from getting angry."
"Oh. Of course."
Emma then looked toward Liberty.
"Right," Liberty said, picking up the signal. "Why don't I help you out with that, Patrick?"
"Okay," Patrick responded. "Emma, let me know if someone comes in."
Patrick and Liberty went into the kitchen.
"Guess they didn't find my story amusing," JT said. "Maybe they don't get my sense of humor. Lucky for me, you always do."
"That's right, JT. I always get what you're saying."
"But what's with the re-order on the junk food, Emma?"
"How selfish can you get?" the blonde responded bluntly. "You mean to say that you would deny me the pleasure of rolling my eyes and making sarcastic remarks about your eating habits just because you don't want to become some burden on me? You can't just up and change the rules like that."
"I don't get it."
"Face it, JT. You eat junk. You like junk. Your body is so used to junk that at this point it probably wouldn't function properly without a regular dose of it. In return, I not only reserve the right to roll my eyes and make comments, but I also get to convince you to eat the occasional healthy foods, such as that salad you're fixing us for lunch later on. We're not changing things. I also don't want to hear any more talk about burdens. You're often an annoyance, but never a burden."
"Thanks. I think."
"You were supposed to smile at that last remark, JT," Emma said, her tone losing its harshness. "Anyway, I also wouldn't get too worked up about…that kid's situation. You see, I know the sequel to that first story."
"There's a sequel?"
"You haven't heard it? Well, first of all, we have to clear something up. This wasn't some kid, but rather a good-hearted, funny young man. Anyway as it turns out, even though the guy's father – obviously a man with no sense – didn't want to be there, the guy soon realized there was still someone else there alongside him. He turned around and this other person – a very attractive young woman who happened to be loved by animals and trees everywhere – smacked the cute but sometimes incredibly dense guy in the back of the head to jostle his brain. He should have remembered that the woman was there, and would always be there. After all, she, in her own way, was equally REALLY goofy."
"Okay, how goofy WAS she?" JT laughed.
"She was SOOO goofy, that she found the guy's own goofiness very appealing and she would never let anything happen that would cause her to want to leave. You know, the same way that I'm not going to leave either, despite any possible so-called burdens, personality conflicts, or annoyances."
"That IS a good sequel. But he wasn't worried. I wasn't worried. About you leaving. Or her leaving. Or anybody else leaving."
"Then you shouldn't have a problem eating your fill of doughnuts."
"I would kinda like one. Or three."
"JT, I'm sorry that you…I mean, I'm sorry that the guy in the first story had to hear those things from his father. Whether the man meant it or not, he shouldn't have said it."
"If it's the truth, better to know it than believe a fantasy, right?"
"Only as long as you…or rather as long as the guy in the story also knows that he has a lot going for him. All of it good. And a lot of people know this, and they don't want him to change his ways because of some unnecessary fear that they'll leave, too."
"I'm sure he knows, but he also appreciates the reminder."
"I hate him so much," Emma stated.
"Who?"
"You know who. I guess he was also the one responsible for making you question your work accomplishments."
"Well…"
"I knew it."
"Don't hate him, Emma."
"JT, I know you like to think I'm this really good person who can't be mean…"
"Well," JT smiled, "I know you still try to avoid stepping on cracks because you think there's the slightest chance that landing on one might cause your mom back problems."
"The point is, I'm a very emotional person, JT. You know this. That means I'm capable of hating someone. Intensely."
"Don't. Whatever he's said, he's still my dad. Besides, he's not worth you feeling that way. I know you COULD feel that way, but you shouldn't. Even when things between you and Manny were at their worst, you didn't hate her."
"I can't promise you that I won't hate him, but how about if, for now, I attempt a lesser form of contempt. Maybe, simply loathing him?"
Both shared a slight laugh.
"He's still rotten, though," Emma said softly.
"Emma…"
"And I won't apologize for saying that, either. Whether he wants to be a father or not, he is one and he should not say things that make you start to doubt yourself."
"I still can't get mad at him."
"I wish you would, JT."
"I know. Hey, if it makes you feel any better, I've NEVER thought you were some sickeningly sweet perfect person."
"I know."
"After all, you don't eat hamburgers. You have no appreciation for the Three Stooges. And every Christmas, you go crazy and break down in tears when you're at the Christmas tree lot because you start thinking about how all those trees were chopped down just so people can take them home and hang decorations on them for a few weeks."
Emma laughed.
"Then there's the fact that…"
"Fine," Emma interrupted. "You've made your point. You know that I'm far from perfect."
"Perfect is impossible, Emma. And probably very boring."
"Then between the two of us, we're never going to fall into a rut. By the way, was this morning's little torture session, err, I mean jogging session, just part of your idea to keep me happy?"
"No, I genuinely wanted to jog. And I REALLY wanted to drag you along with me."
"Just my luck," Emma sighed.
"So you'll still get your chance to prove whether you can become better and faster than me."
Emma groaned.
"JT, at this rate, my feet really ARE going to fall off."
"That's okay. Look at it this way: that means I can get one of those handicap stickers for my car, since I'll be carting around a girl with no feet. Just think, I can finally get all the good parking spaces near the front of buildings."
"And on that note, I think I should go into the kitchen and see what's holding up your breakfast."
Liberty stuck her head out from the kitchen.
"Is everything okay? Not that I was listening in or anything."
"Sure, Liberty. Nothing like that. Everything's great. You can tell Patrick to bring out JT's food."
"Will do!" Patrick called out from the kitchen. "Oh, not that I've been listening in or anything."
"Patrick! Um, we'll be out in a moment, guys," Liberty said, embarrassed.
Emma laughed.
"I think I scared them off earlier," JT said.
"Nah, it's just more fun to eavesdrop," Emma assured him. "Besides, that so-called funny story you told wasn't one of your better ones, but I'm very glad you finally told it. I just knew, ever since last night, that you didn't like what you were told in that phone conversation. Now, tell me – is there anything else he said that bothered you that you haven't mentioned?"
"Well…"
"Is it about me?"
"Yeah," JT sighed. "He wasn't too impressed when I shared my news about us. I don't want to quote what he said exactly, so let's leave it at that, okay?"
"Okay. I don't care what he thinks about me, considering what I think of him. So don't let it bother you."
"Emma, I want you to know that I didn't lie to you last night. He did say he would make an effort to get to know you during his visit next week."
"Sounds about as appealing as having a root canal. And just so you know, you don't have to say things like 'I didn't lie to you'. You've never lied to me before and I know you won't."
"That's true," JT agreed.
"Because you love me," Emma said.
"Well, yeah, there's that. But mainly it's the fact that you can be very scary when you're angry with someone. You could probably rip me in half. I'm not taking any chances."
Emma laughed.
"Anyway, thanks again. For telling me things I already knew but might possibly have needed to hear anyway."
Emma smiled, but then put on an obviously fake serious look.
"Don't thank me. To think you were finally going to start eating only healthy foods and I stopped you. I think I'll plead temporary insanity."
"Hey, there's only room for one insane person in this relationship, Emma."
"That hardly seems fair."
"So…again, you're sure there's not something…about me? Maybe something wrong with me that he sees that makes him not want to be a part of things here?"
Emma then realized it would still take awhile to undo the damage Nathaniel Yorke had done to JT's confidence.
"I'm sure, JT."
Looking relieved to hear his girlfriend's answer, JT smiled.
"Good."