The Long And Winding Road

Note: Thanks to Maibe Josie, angelinthelight, fcms1163, Neviegirl, GlamGlitterRockFabulous and DancinDegrassi for the Chapter 41 reviews.

Chapter 42 - I Can See Clearly Now

Tuesday evening, JT and Emma sat together on the bench across the street from The Movie Difference. They had been sitting out there for several minutes. With his arm around her, they looked over at the building.

"And I think the insides could use a new coat of paint. It looks okay now, but it could always look better. Oh, and maybe I ought to have that worn carpeting replaced with something new so nobody stumbles around. The last thing I want is a trip to Lawsuit City. But the outside still looks good, don't you think?"

"I agree, JT" she replied. "That building's been here for what seems like forever, but it still looks to be in great shape."

"The outside doesn't need a new paint job, but maybe I could get some brighter bulbs for the sign."

"Couldn't hurt."

"But the sign itself is still okay overall. Classy. Not falling apart. I don't see any reason to change the name, either. I mean, it's a good name. It's just a matter of getting the name out there to more people."

"Thinking of doing more advertising?"

"It's possible. More newspaper ads. Hey, maybe even a TV ad. TMD's never had one of those."

"I have an idea. That is, if you want to hear it."

"I'm all ears, Emma…Well, not ALL ears."

"You've advertised in the university newspaper for awhile, right?"

"Yeah."

"Well, once classes start this Fall, I could ask around and see if there are any student film clubs, either official or unofficial. They might already know about TMD, but there could be new students from out of town joining such groups who wouldn't know of it. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to let them all – old and new alike - know that the place is under new management. I've heard about film clubs on other campuses and how they're usually filled with students whose movie tastes generally run more independent than mainstream. Around here, TMD serves as an oasis for those kind of film buffs."

"An oasis…Hey, we ought to write that down. That might be a good line to include in an ad sometime. Great idea about the campus club awareness, angel."

"Thanks."

JT then kissed her.

"I tell you, Emma, sitting out here right now is so much better than it was last night."

"Oh? When did…?"

"After you left my place last night."

"You mean after you threw me out."

JT rolled his eyes.

"Kidding," she said smiling.

"I never threw you out. Maybe I strongly encouraged the possibility of you leaving. But that just shows how smart-challenged I can be."

"Don't say that."

"I was kidding, too."

"I know, but don't even kid like that. You are very smart. And even if I didn't already know that, I would now after you've been telling me all about why you wanted to buy this place and what TMD means to you. You said it gives you a sense of importance. While I think you're already important regardless, I understand what you were saying. We all need that in our own way. Anyway, if you weren't smart, you wouldn't have any clue about what you were getting into or how to make plans for your future and the future of this theater. So I don't want you selling yourself short, even as a joke. Okay?"

"You got it."

"Good. Otherwise I'd have to torture you."

"Well now, depending on what kind of torture you had in mind, that could actually be a lot of fun."

"Keep your perv sensor on 'neutral,' JT. I was thinking more along the lines of a triple feature at the mall."

"Hey, that's cruel torture, not fun torture."

They both laughed.

"So you were saying you came out here after I left?" Emma asked.

"Yeah. I just needed to think. I needed to remember that, in spite of everything, arranging to buy this place wasn't a mistake."

"And then you went to see Ellie to get confirmation of that?"

"Maybe. But also just to let her know that I went through with it."

"Did you go to see her in her dorm room?"

"Emma…"

"I'm not asking it like I'm a jealous woman interrogating you. I'm just curious."

"I didn't go to her dorm. We just hung out at one of the places on campus where she likes to study. But even if I had, nothing would have happened. We're friends. Nothing else."

"I wasn't worried."

"Good. Besides, Ashley probably would have been in the dorm with us, which would have canceled out the romantic mood we'd have had going with all the candles and the Barry White music. And even though I always get turned on whenever Ellie starts lip-synching to Barry, I don't think Ashley would have put up with us."

"You're impossible," Emma said, laughing in spite of herself.

"And you're beautiful. Now that we've both stated the obvious, care to grab some dinner?"

"Feel like getting some pizza?"

"Sure," JT replied.

"To go?"

"We could do that."

"It's just that after the last couple of days, I don't feel like sharing my favorite business owner-to-be with the public-at-large. I want you all to myself."

"Always a good thing."

While the happy couple stood and prepared to leave, Sean was driving home from his after-school job at the nearby auto repair shop. He noticed up ahead that there was a car pulled over to the side of the road. He slowed down and, upon recognizing the vehicle, pulled up behind the car and parked.

Getting out of his car, he noticed a familiar figure sitting behind the wheel of the other vehicle. He walked toward the front driver's side of the car and tapped on the window. This prompted a sudden scream from the driver, who then looked out and saw Sean standing outside looking in. The startled driver rolled down the window.

The person behind the wheel? Manny Santos.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" she asked loudly and angrily.

"What are you talking about?" Sean, confused, asked in response.

"Do you always sneak up on people along the side of the road when it starts getting dark?"

"It's not that dark yet. I saw your car. Figured you might be stuck. Sorry for thinking I might be able to help. Anyway, didn't you hear me pull up and park right behind you?"

She looked in her rear-view mirror and noticed his vehicle.

"Oh. Well, no."

"Okay then."

"Still, next time tap your horn or something before you wander over."

"Yes, sir," Sean responded sarcastically.

"Don't try to be funny," Manny said. "It doesn't suit you."

"I'll try to remember that. So what's the problem?"

"Flat tire. I just tried to call someone to come help, but my cell's battery must be down. So I figured I was going to have to take a long walk to find a pay phone."

"What long walk?" he asked. "There's a gas station a few blocks away. We're still in the neighborhood, not the middle of nowhere."

"That's not the point."

"Which tire is it?"

Manny got out of the car and led Sean to the front of the vehicle, pointing him to the damaged front passenger tire.

"I've got some tools in my car," he informed her. "Have you got a spare?"

"The trunk."

"I can have the spare on in a few minutes. If you approve. Or I guess I could always go back and tap on my car horn for awhile."

Feeling more relaxed now, Manny couldn't help but smile in response to his remark.

"No, of course I'd like you to fix it," she then said. "That would be great."

As Sean prepared to change the flat, back at TMD, Patrick was standing alone behind the concession counter cleaning the area when he noticed Liberty enter the building and begin to approach him.

"Hello Patrick," she greeted cheerfully.

"JT's not here," he said in a formal, business-like tone. "He left with Emma awhile ago."

"I see."

"I'm surprised your internal JT Radar didn't pick up on that."

"What's wrong with you tonight, Patrick?" Liberty asked, not expecting his polite but otherwise disinterested tone.

"Nothing. Sorry. Now if you don't mind, I'm kinda busy."

Liberty observed the lack of customers in the concession area.

"Really?" she questioned.

"Both movies just started again. Give the people time to finish their first snack or drink, then they'll be back out here again."

"Don't worry, I won't stay long. However, just so you know, I didn't come here looking for JT. I was hoping to see you."

"Me?" Patrick asked, pleasantly surprised.

"Yes."

"I'm glad to hear that, Liberty."

"I wanted to let you know that, despite your refusal to assist me, I was able to help put things back together for JT and Emma. True, it appears that I have to share the credit with Manny, who it seems had a surprisingly effective conversation with Emma while I was talking with JT."

"That's what you came here to talk about?" he asked, disappointed.

"Don't misunderstand. I realize that it was up to JT and Emma to work things out for themselves. Still, we were instrumental in getting them to the point where they could successfully talk to one another. So you see? Some friendly assistance was useful, even though you thought otherwise."

"So what you're saying is that you were right and I was wrong."

"I wasn't planning to use those particular words, but I suppose that would be a completely accurate summation."

Patrick looked at Liberty for a moment before saying anything else.

"Good," he said.

"I'm glad you're pleased, Patrick."

"Absolutely. I'm glad they decided not to let anything stand in their way. And I'm glad that the situation is resolved. Now maybe you'll be open to re-thinking your opinion about us."

"Us?"

"Without any JT Yorke crises for you to focus on, you can use all that extra energy to open yourself up to the idea of giving a new relationship a chance."

"Patrick…"

"You've got to admit, I'm more fun to have around than that ex of yours Roger."

"Roger was not without his good qualities. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone out with him for all those months."

"And what about me? Do you think I have good qualities?"

"Plenty."

"Good to know."

"Not counting your attitude earlier today, of course."

"Of course," Patrick repeated in a sarcastic tone.

"Look, Patrick, you're a nice person and a reasonably good friend, but…"

"Okay," he interrupted, "would it help if I brought you a signed note from JT saying he gives us his blessing? Would that convince you to take a chance?"

"That's not amusing, Patrick."

"Good. It wasn't meant to be. Listen, Liberty, it's been weeks since that break-up with Roger, so this won't be some kind of rebound thing. You know we have fun together. And even though we haven't known each other all our lives like they have, JT and Emma are proof that two friends can get together and it can work."

"I said what I came here to say," Liberty responded. "So I think I should leave and let you get back to work. I'll see you tomorrow."

Liberty turned to leave, prompting Patrick to quickly walk out from behind the counter and past Liberty, stopping in front of her, forcing her to stop walking.

"What is it now?" she asked.

"Just this."

Patrick then leaned in and kissed her. Moments later when the kiss ended, Liberty was startled and not sure what to say in response.

"That was…"

"Different?" Patrick offered. "Unpredictable?"

"Those are certainly appropriate terms," she agreed.

"And they're two things you used to complain were lacking when you were with Roger, right?"

"That's true. I…I'd better go now."

"Liberty," he called out before she could leave.

"Yes?"

"You didn't pull back."

"Excuse me?"

"When I kissed you…you didn't pull away. Or club me in the head with your purse."

"You're right."

"Does that mean that maybe you really are open to the idea of the two of us…becoming an us…maybe?"

For a moment, she said nothing. Then she smiled.

"Have a good night, Patrick. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Wait. Is that a Yes?"

"Good night," she said as she kept walking.

Once she was outside, she stopped for a moment.

'I was definitely not expecting him to do that,' she thought. 'I also was not expecting to let it continue the way I did. He gets to me. And I like it.'

Back at Manny's car, Sean finished putting on the spare tire and was putting his tools back in the trunk of his own vehicle while she stood beside him.

"Thanks for your help," she said.

"No problem. Sorry if I scared you the way I just showed up outside your window like that."

"Don't worry about it. I didn't keep you from anything did I?"

"No, I was just going home," Sean replied while shutting his trunk lid.

"I was heading over to Ryan's for dinner," Manny explained. "Want to join me? My treat."

"I'm tired, so I must be hearing things."

"Very funny. We both have to eat. Consider it a 'thank you' for keeping me from being stranded…even if it's not the middle of nowhere. Besides, the two of us were part of another success story today."

"Oh?"

"Your instinct was right this morning, Sean. Things didn't go well at all when JT first tried to talk to Emma, so my talking to her about it at lunch seemed to help, just like you and I hoped. And apparently while I was doing that, Liberty was talking to JT. By the end of lunch, it looked like Emma and JT had gotten everything settled."

"Yeah, I noticed they seemed very much back on track this afternoon. Good for them."

"Absolutely," Manny agreed. "Some people are just meant to be together."

"They're a good team," Sean said. "If you can find someone that you can count on no matter what, a few dumb arguments can't wreck it."

"And," Manny added, "it helps to have a few close friends as back-up to keep those few dumb arguments from becoming serious arguments."

"Yeah. Say, Manny, I think I'm gonna head home."

"But…"

"I want to clean up a little. And change shirts. Between work and the tire change, I'm a mess. I'll meet you at Ryan's in a few minutes."

"Oh. Good. For a moment I thought you were going to bail on me."

"Why would I do that?"

At this point, Manny hoped she wasn't blushing.

"Remember not to drive too fast on that spare," Sean cautioned.

"I won't."

"And bring your car by the shop tomorrow afternoon. I'll put on another tire for you. After all, you shouldn't drive around on the spare for too long."

"Right," she responded. "And it's not like cars come with a spare for your spare. Say, that might not be a bad idea."

"Yes it would."

"Hey! Fine, maybe you're right, but disagree with me too much, and I'm not getting you any dessert."

"I'll risk it," he replied. "It's fun to see you get annoyed."

"Fun?"

"You try to look all angry and tough, but all it does is make you look like you're pouting."

"I didn't know you ever paid that much attention to me to notice my expressions, Sean."

"Who me?"

"Yes you."

"Don't flatter yourself, Manny. I'm just used to you looking annoyed whenever you happen to look my way. At least up until a few weeks ago when you finally stopped looking at me like I'd swipe the gold tooth out of somebody's mouth."

They both laughed.

"Okay, I deserved that," Manny admitted. "I finally decided awhile back that if you, JT and Emma were all able to become good friends despite the past, then there wasn't much reason for me to continue thinking the worst about you. And considering I've had my own past reputation to deal with, maybe I needed to stop acting like I'm the only one who could turn things around."

"I'm glad to hear it, Manny. Really."

"So…Thank-You Dinner. Ryan's Grille. See you in a little while?"

"I'll be there. And again…"

"I know, Sean," Manny stopped him. "I'll be careful driving."

"How did you…?"

"I had a feeling."

"You were right. Anyway, we'd better get going."

They each returned to their respective vehicles and drove away.

Later, at the kitchen table in the Yorke house, JT and Emma had just started eating their pizza.

"Emma, you know I'd do just about anything for you, right?"

"Yeah."

"Well I think it's getting about time I make good on the 'just about' loophole. I can't believe I let you talk me into including pineapple as an extra topping."

"Just try it, JT. All the cool kids are doing it."

"Very funny."

"Anyway, relax. It's not like I'm ever going to ask you to order something insane like anchovies."

"Ah, anchovies. Next time…"

"Not on your life, JT. Unless the idea of me withholding kisses as a form of protest appeals to you."

"Why is it that the sexiest women are always so mean?"

"It's a great system, isn't it?"

JT groaned.

"So how is it?" she asked.

"What?"

"While you've been sitting there complaining about pineapple, you've been eating a slice of pizza that had some on it, and you haven't even made a face."

"Oh. See what a distraction you are for me, Emma?"

"And now you're not going to admit that it's not as bad as you thought. That you might even like it. Right?"

"I admit nothing," he joked, making Emma laugh.

"Jamie?" she spoke up again moments later.

He looked up from his plate and noticed she suddenly looked more serious.

"What is it, Emma?"

"You're taking on a lot with TMD. And I know you can do it, but if you need – or just want – my help, you know you've got it. Always."

"I know. I think your idea about looking into the campus film clubs is great. That will be a lot of help."

"I just…well, I don't want your memories of this new step in your life to be spoiled because of my first reaction. Even with good intentions, I wasn't trying to ruin your moment."

JT reached across the table and grabbed Emma's free hand.

"Don't worry so much, angel. This – right here, right now, complete with pineapple on the pizza – is how I'm going to remember celebrating. And as for how you can help me…Like we talked about at lunchtime, just keep me sane. And fun. Though those two things don't always go together. With you around, everything else always seems to fall into place."

"It's a deal."