Maria Zacchara had finally escaped the clutches of her husband, Anthony had made her believed to be dead for twenty plus years. The only reason that had kept fighting was to get back to her son, Maria knew that her little Johnny was all grown up now but a boy would always need his mama. Both Trevor and Claudia had helped Anthony keep her in that abandoned warehouse in the woods of Port Charles, Maria had tried to escape numerous times but had failed. It wasn't until Anthony was imprisoned that she finally got her chance, Maria had never looked back. Maria was able to find some fresh clothes and did her makeup before walking into Jake's.
Johnny Zacchara knew that his life was going downhill and he wanted to stop it but, he just didn't know how. Johnny needed help but, he just didn't know how to ask for it.
"I usually just let you live your life but, I have to say something. Mate, I'm proper worried about you. You are my best friend and I'm done letting you fuck you're life up. I know the kind of person you are, I know when you're struggling. Olivia really brought you down, Claudia's death really fucked you up. I get that. I think that you need to talk about it, it isn't going to get any better if you don't. You know I'm always around, hell you can talk to me. I'll listen." Ethan wanted his friend to know that he wasn't alone.
"I know I do...I just wasn't sure how to bring it up. I... really need to talk to Lulu. I know she's with Dante but, when I'm like this she's the only person that helps. Both of you are, I'll just go off on everyone else." Johnny admitted, Ethan saw the longing in his eyes.
"You miss her, don't you?" Ethan already knew the answer.
"Of course I do." Johnny simply answered.
"Do you ever take time off from being an ass?" They suddenly heard Lulu Spencer shout across the bar, suddenly Lulu and Dante were standing right in front of them.
"Do you ever take time off from being a whore for Zacchara?"Dante threw back.
"Well, we know what they argue about now." Ethan mutters, forcing himself to stay seated.
"I ought to beat his ass." Johnny scoffed, he didn't even know the last time he'd spoken to Lulu.
"You and me both." Ethan agreed, sipping his beer.
"Are you gonna delete his number?" Dante asked.
"Nope." Lulu crossed her arms.
"Are you gonna cut him out of your life?* Dante asked.
"Nope." Lulu crossed her arms.
"Dante, I should not have to cut people out for you. IT IS MY LIFE! You don't control me and who I chose to associate with! Johnny was in my life long before you showed up, I'm going to bet he's going to be in my life long after you, too! The way you're acting, I don't know if I want to be your damn girlfriend!" Lulu was still stuck on the fact that Dante called her a whore.
"Yeah, you don't call your girlfriend a whore." Ethan agreed.
"It's disrespectful as fuck, Lulu deserves better." Johnny wanted to beat Dante to a pulp.
"That's mature, you're always looking for an excuse to talk to him. An excuse for a scumbag that kissed your best friend, he never gave a shit about you. He never did anything to help you or for you. Just give up." Dante glared at her, right before she bitch slapped him.
"I knew that was coming, she's not gonna let anyone disrespect you. As she should." Ethan smirked, seeing the fire in Lulu's eyes.
"You're the only scumbag I see, Dante. You don't even know how wrong you are, I could laugh. After what Michael told me this morning, I'm done. If that kid is going to sit down and tell me that it's better for me to move on, that I deserve better, it's pretty serious. Congratulations, you're Sonny's son in every aspect." Lulu slowly clapped for him, being sarcastic.
"You're going to regret this. You can't just chose Zacchara over me." Dante was obviously butthurt, Johnny was just surprised that she actually chose him.
"I just did." Was all Lulu said with a smile. Lulu knew that she'd always chose Johnny over everyone, maybe that was a sign. Would it really be so bad if they gave things another shot?
Maria walked into Jake's all eyes were on her, if Johnny was there he'd no doubt see her. Johnny's landed on the woman entering the bar she had curly brownish blackish hair, dark brown eyes and ivory skin that he very well recognized. Had Anthony not killed his mother? Johnny had been in the room when she was shot, he recalled that event very well. Had he missed something?
"This is probably a crazy question but...are you Johnny's mom?" Lulu was the first to break the silence, Johnny couldn't find the words to say or even get out of his seat.
"Yes, I am." Maria's voice was exactly as he remembered it, soft with a hint of a accent he'd never been able to place.
"I can take you to him, I pretty much always know where Johnny is. I have a radar. I'm talking too much. Anyway, I'm Lulu." Lulu stuck out her hand with a light smile, wanting everyone including Maria feel comfortable.
"My sister can truly talk to anyone." Ethan was always impressed by how Lulu could walk up to anyone and just talk to them.
"Yeah she can, I think that Lu can make anyone feel comfortable." Johnny admitted, feeling himself more at ease.
"You know my son, then?" Maria asked, a little relieved.
"Oh yeah, I know Johnny." Lulu nodded as they shook hands.
"You know there's always been something I wanted to ask you. Did Johnny really want to be a cowboy from Oklahoma or was he just messing with me? I feel like he was messing with me." A lightbulb went off in Lulu's head, as she excitedly clapped her hands together.
"I forgot I told her." Johnny chuckled but, Ethan's snickering drowned him out.
"Oh yes, Johnny went through a whole phase. The last birthday party I was around for, it was actually cowboy themed." Maria softly chuckles.
" Oh noooooooooo, I would die to see pictures." Lulu Snickers, covering her mouth as she left.
"How do you know Johnny?" Maria asked, sensing this girl deeply cared for him.
"Oh, Johnny used to be my boyfriend. He might be again, only time will tell. I'm finally single again, I'll leave that up to Johnny. I do want you to know that he isn't on that hill anymore he's on his own, my brother is his roommate. You know, I tried to just gently nudge him in the right direction. Sometimes it worked, other times he learned the hard way because he's stubborn. There aren't many people that check on him but, he does have people that care about him. That's why I fought so hard to get him out from under his father, I had a feeling you'd want better for him. I wanted better for him." Lulu was genuine with her words, her eyes told a story her mouth never could.
"Better get back together with my sister." Ethan elbows Johnny.
"I'm thinking about it, we're both single. It would be bad karma if I didn't." Johnny shrugged, knowing his feelings would never go away.
"Atta boy." Ethan patted his back with a smirk.
"Thank you, that's all a mother could ask for. I sincerely hope Anthony rots in hell. Granted, Anthony probably won't be there for long but, by the time he finds out I finally escaped...I'll be better. I don't know you very well but, I sincerely hope you and my son do get back together. I don't think he's going to find anyone else that cares about him like you do. Thank you for telling me all of this. Johnny's always been testy, even as a baby. I can only imagine his temper now." Maria smiled as she looked at the woman in front of her, seeing how much love Lulu held for Johnny.
"I like you! I would also like to see Anthony rot in there but, he probably won't stay. I'd like to see Anthony suffer! Ever since Johnny and I broke up, Anthony will start fights and throw things at me! I got a piece of glass stuck in my arm last week! It almost hit my vein. I'm so over that senile old man. I thought you'd want to know, Johnny's really come a long way. I am insanely proud of him I know it was hard for him but, he still keeps going no matter what happens. I know where he gets that from now. Oh, Johnny's temper is awful run for cover. I sincerely care about Johnny but, I'm not gonna lie about his temper. Thank you, that means a lot." Lulu hadn't known Maria for that long but, she knew that she absolutely loved Maria.
"Anthony has been throwing shit at her? If my father wasn't in prison I'd beat his ass! I wish she would have told me." Johnny was angry, nobody deserved to touch her.
"I like you, too. You are a very sweet girl. That's how Anthony does, especially to the people that my son cares about. It must have been tough for him but, it comforts me that he had you by his side. Thank you, I like to think Johnny gets most of his qualities from me. Except the temper. I hope that I will be seeing more of you." Maria was really growing fond of Lulu.
"I have a feeling you will...Johnny's over there at that table." Lulu softly smiled pointing out the table we were at, I finally stood up walking over to where they stood.
"Mom...I've missed you so much..."