The Long And Winding Road

Note: Thanks to all of my readers and reviewers. I'm glad you're continuing to enjoy this story.

Chapter 45 -- Express Yourself

Having entered the office at TMD, Patrick shut the door behind him.

"You must not have gotten the memo," JT told him.

"What memo?"

"The one describing this great new invention. It's called a telephone. And if you have one without all the pesky wires, you can even carry it around with you wherever you go. You know, in case you feel like letting someone know that you don't feel like coming in to work at the time you're scheduled."

"JT…"

"I know. It's hard to believe what they'll think of next. No more relying on smoke signals to get messages back and forth. It also means there are a lot of carrier pigeons out of work. I guess they have to go back to leaving their own personal messages on statues and park benches."

"Liberty said yes," Patrick interjected.

"Okay. And…?"

"And…that's where I was. At school. We're going to try going out. On an official date."

"When?"

"We still have to talk about it. Set something up. Soon, I hope."

"I see."

"It's great, JT. Exactly what I was hoping for."

"Yes, so you've been telling me."

"Well, what do you think?"

"Just make sure you don't go out at a time when you're supposed to be here. Any other questions you want me to answer?"

"Come on, JT. I'm sorry, okay. It just didn't even occur to me that I was supposed to be working…which of course is not exactly the best thing I should have said right now by way of an explanation."

"Patrick, I have to know that I can depend on you. The others have to know they're not going to be stuck covering for you."

"It's not like this happens all the time, and it probably won't again."

"If you say so."

"What's wrong, JT? You never get on anybody's case."

"I know there are people who think I've got nothing in my head but a couple of cracked walnuts…that I don't know what I'm doing on my best day…but that's not true."

"I know that. Who's saying otherwise?"

"I've been a good assistant manager. And I know I'm going to make a good owner. I've earned the right to be where I am and I'm not going to mess things up by letting people take advantage of me or try to say that I play favorites. You're a friend, Patrick, but that doesn't mean you're going to get special treatment once this place is mine. I want this to remain a nice, relaxed working atmosphere, but that doesn't mean you can get away with treating your job like it's some kind of afterthought. Not if you want to continue working here under the new ownership."

Meanwhile, just beyond the entryway into the music store at the mall, the four young women stood in awkward silence until Ashley finally spoke up.

"Okay, this isn't the most comfortable situation in the world, but here we are. So there's no reason why we can't all remain civil to one another."

"Ashley's right," Manny said. "Emma, let's just go. After all, now that I have that date tonight, I need your help getting ready."

"No, I still don't see it," Ellie said casually.

"What was that, Ell?" Ashley asked.

"I was just standing here trying to figure out what exactly it is that my friend JT sees in you," Ellie said to Emma. "I mean, you've got the looks, I'll grant you. And you're smart in spite of yourself. But still, I'm drawing a blank."

"How about that, Manny?" Emma responded. "I'm considered questionable by someone who in all likelihood spends her nights howling at the moon and sleeping upside down. Considering the source, I'm not sure whether to consider her comments an insult or compliment."

"JT is such a positive person," Ellie continued. "He doesn't seem to let the bad stuff that happens to him dampen his spirit. So it's odd that he would fall for someone so negative."

"Me? Negative? Listen little girl, I have more hope…more optimism…than you could ever dream of having yourself."

"That's a laugh. I admit I'm no expert at having a positive outlook on life, but I try to at least appreciate what IS rather than get all up in arms over what ISN'T. You prefer to see a glass as half empty rather than half full."

"No, I'm someone who tries to find a way to make sure everyone's glass gets to be full so that it never becomes an issue."

"And once again, Emma Nelson has an instant answer for everything."

"Do you understand any of this?" Manny asked Ashley.

"No," Ashley replied. "I was about to ask you the same thing. So…a date? You and Craig going for your third – or is it fourth – reconciliation?"

"It's not Craig."

"Ellie," Emma began again, "I'm starting to question whether it's still a good idea for me to attend a university that would let you in. Words come out of your mouth, but they make no sense in the way you string them together."

"Maybe that's because you're not used to listening to other people," Ellie replied. "Your standard operating procedure is to have an opinion and shut down anyone else who might have the slightest differing idea without giving them a chance to have their say. You're big on freedom of expression, Emma, but only as long as it's your expression and your opinion. Everyone else can either jump on your bandwagon or get out of the way."

"Ellie, what's wrong?" Ashley asked, surprised by her friend's current confrontational manner.

"Nothing's wrong, Ash. But it's been this way with her for as long as I can remember."

"But you two hardly know each other," Manny offered.

"Poor Manny," Ellie said sarcastically. "Still working hard for Emma's approval. How's that going for you? You know, trying to be her own personal cheerleader, even in matters that aren't your concern."

"Come on, Ellie. Don't…"

"No, Ash. I know Emma's your friend, but while I may not have dealt with her on a daily basis, the times I have were enough to see the pattern."

Ellie then turned back toward Emma and was ready to go on a tirade. Then it occurred to her to consider what JT would think of this situation. She took a deep breath and began speaking with a calmer, quieter tone.

"Look, Emma, we have different ways of looking at things and that's not going to change even if we stand here arguing for a year. I shouldn't have said anything to begin with. It's just…don't ever take him for granted. Appreciate him for who he is, not what you think he ought to be. Because you are so very important to him. This is a guy who was going to give up on buying that theater and probably would have sat in on a bunch of college courses for the next four years just to please you.

"For his sake, I'm glad you two worked everything out. And I'm not someone who sticks her nose in someone else's business, but he is not a 'glass half empty' person, and I don't ever want him to become one of those. I want good things for him."

There was another uncomfortable silence.

"So Ashley," Manny began in an effort to break the quiet, "freshman year has been good?"

"Very," Ashley replied, thankful for Manny's attempt to steer the conversation in another direction. "A lot of work, but still plenty of time for a social life."

"Ellie," Emma began, "because JT considers you a friend, I won't say any of the things I so easily could. And though there's no need for me to justify anything, I'll tell you that although I didn't take the news of his theater purchase very well at first, I quickly saw the error in how I handled it, just as he saw that I had the best of intentions. We quickly sorted it all out and are stronger than ever. He's the last person in the world I'd ever want to hurt. So you can put your mind at ease and go back to focusing on whatever it is that pseudo-alternative goth whatevers focus on."

"Em," Manny spoke up, "the four of us are starting to get strange looks from the other customers."

"We should probably go," Emma responded. "Like you said, you have a date to prepare for. Ash, I'll call you later this week and we can figure out a day sometime soon to meet up so you can show me around campus."

"Sounds great, Emma," Ashley said before turning her attention toward Manny. "Oh, and Manny…that thing about Craig…Sorry. Childish thing to say. We should be past all of that at this point."

"Hey, if the roles were reversed, I probably would have said the same thing. And anyway, outside of a friendship with him, Craig and I are long over."

"And God knows I wouldn't want to get back with him again," Ashley said without reservation.

"Yeah," Manny added. "Things always did have a way of getting out of hand whenever he and I were going out."

"I like to think of my time with Craig as the roller coaster ride from Hell," Ashley explained. "It started out as the time of my life, but we always ended up in the worst possible place."

"I know what you mean," Manny agreed. "Anyway, it's been…interesting."

"To say the least. See you around."

Emma, Manny and Ashley said their goodbyes while Ellie stood silent. As Emma and Manny walked out of the store and through the mall Manny developed a big grin.

"What?" Emma asked.

"Hurricane Emma struck again! Film at 11."

"Hey, you know my feelings about Ellie. And I still feel guilty that she was able to encourage JT after I didn't."

"I'm not complaining, Em. I was just thinking how I'm glad it's not me that's the hurricane victim anymore."

They both laughed.

"At least I hope that's still the case," Manny added.

"And what does THAT mean?" Emma asked.

"You never did get to give me your reaction."

"Oh, that's right. You and Sean. A date."

"Yeah. A date."

"I think…it sounds like a good idea."

"You mean it?"

"Sure. I hope the two of you have a great time."

"Thanks, Em."

"But what was that you were saying before about how you two have already been out once but that it wasn't a real date?"

"Oh, well see last week I had this flat tire, and…"

While Manny recalled the events of the previous week, back at the music store Ashley stood beside Ellie, who was looking over some CDs.

"Care to explain, Ell?"

"Explain what?"

"Ask anyone who knows all four of us which ones are most likely going to get into a big argument if we all happen to be in the same place at the same time, and not a one of them would predict that Manny and I would be the civil ones."

"Like I said before, I shouldn't have said anything."

"Knowing that you two have never exactly been buddies, and knowing how Emma likes to speak her mind at any and all times, I wasn't surprised that she had words for you. I'm not even that surprised that you had words to say in return. I AM surprised that you seemed so emotionally charged about the whole experience. Also, taking things to the point where you're starting to criticize her relationship with…"

Ellie, noticing that Ashley stopped talking in mid-sentence, looked up from the CD she had been staring at and turned to face Ashley, who was staring at her.

"It's him," Ashley finally spoke again.

"What's him?"

"He's the him."

"He who?" Ellie asked evasively.

"Ellie, you know very well who he is that's him. JT's the he. I mean him. The him that's yours. The him you've been talking about. Dreaming about. Only he's not yours, he's hers."

"Okay. Yes, JT is the one I was referring to."

"God, Ell!"

"Don't get excited, Ashley."

"I thought you told me I didn't know the mystery man."

"No, you asked me if it was anyone you knew and I said he didn't go to our school. And JT doesn't. He's not planning to, either."

"Ellie, have you completely lost your mind?"

"You think there's something wrong with being interested in him?"

"In general? Of course not. I mean, okay, when JT's name is mentioned, often the first image that comes to mind is of that goofy little kid I had to bribe to drop out of a school election a long time ago."

"Ash…"

"But then the following year when we were both concerned about the problems Toby was going through, I got to see a glimpse of another side to him. And months later, Paige couldn't say enough nice things about him, telling me all about how he tried to defend her honor without looking for anything in return. And he's continued to mature over time, though he hasn't lost touch with that certain goofiness I remember. Plus, he's not difficult on the eyes.

"So I can see why you might like him, Ell. And I understand what you were saying the other day about feeling a connection and about having so many things in common, but he's GOT somebody in his life. I don't think I have to remind you of where I stand when it comes to the idea of going after another woman's boyfriend."

"You don't, and I'm not."

"God! I just realized…I encouraged you to pursue him."

"You didn't know it was him, Ash. Anyway, I didn't follow your advice. Well, at least not completely."

"What does that mean?"

"I did go to see him at work that night, but only to talk. Nothing out of the ordinary about that for us. But I admit I did try to sound him out on what he thought he would do if he and Emma couldn't work out the disagreement they were having. He couldn't imagine not working things out with her one way or another."

"That's where the selling the theater bit came in?"

"Yeah. There's one woman in his life, and Emma is it. Even if he and I weren't friends, you know I'm not someone who's going to try to disrupt a relationship. I'm his friend, so I want him to be happy…even if it's with someone who irritates the hell out of me.

"There was a moment, though, after I left his office and then the theater. I felt so down. Out of sorts. I really felt like…For the first time in a long time, I had this urge to…you know. But I didn't do it, Ash. I thought about all I have going for me, including the friendship I have with him. I'm doing okay for myself. The things that are outside of my reach…I can deal."

"You've come a long way, Ellie Nash. I assume JT has no clue of those recent feelings of yours?"

"That's right, and I want to keep it that way. Ashley, promise me you won't say anything."

"I promise, though I'm sure he wouldn't have had a problem if you had told him what you were thinking. He'd probably be flattered, and rightfully so."

"I don't want to risk hurting our friendship. These more-than-friendly feelings toward him are a passing thing. I just have to do a better job next time of not letting Emma get to me."

That evening, JT and Emma sat outside on his front steps after dinner.

"I thought I was doing a good job of not letting him get to me," JT said.

"You have been," Emma assured.

"But one phone call – and not even from him, but from his latest so-called assistant – and I start to doubt myself all over again."

"Causing you to take it out on Patrick."

"He had it coming, with his whole casual attitude. Just showing up when he felt like it like it was no big deal. If I didn't gripe at him, the others would say it's because we're friends and so he's allowed to get away with it."

"You know they wouldn't think that way."

"Maybe not. Anyway, before I left for the night I apologized. Not for what I said, but for how I said it. So we're cool. The funny thing is...I think Dear Old Dad would have actually been proud of me for dealing with Pat the way I did at first. And then ashamed of me for easing off later on."

"Jamie, the fact that you've proved to yourself that you don't want to lead by intimidation and barking orders is all the more reason you have the staff's respect and their vote of confidence, which we both know is much more valuable than whatever pride or shame Nathaniel Yorke would have to offer. By the way, just because you get all bossy in the office once in a blue moon doesn't mean you're becoming like him. It just means you're human."

"I guess so."

"Hey," Emma then said with an added grin, "even I have been known to – on occasion – lose my usual sunny disposition."

"You?" he asked sarcastically. "Never."

"We all do what we have to do. Anyway…You want to talk about uncomfortable situations? At the mall this afternoon, Manny and I ran into Ashley and…"

"Uh-oh," JT interrupted. "Manny and Ashley face to face? Any casualties?"

"None. A bit of initial sarcasm, but the rest of the time they were calm and even polite."

"I'm telling you, angel, the mall does strange things to people. Still, it's good you were there. Helps to have someone levelheaded around in case the encounter HAD gotten ugly. I'm sure you would have kept everything under control if the situation had started to get out of hand."

"That's me," Emma said, feeling rather uncomfortable in light of what transpired that afternoon. "Calm and…peace-loving."