The Look Of Love

Chapter 15: Hang Tough

While Jimmy stood brushing his teeth, yesterday afternoon replayed over and over again in his mind. To start with Dutch had been more edgy than usual. His unpredictable behavior is like Bruce Banner on a really bad day. But this is something altogether different. Something is on the guy's mind. Between Johnny's self-imposed "Ali funk", and Dutch's PMS (That's a good one. He has to remember to tell Bobby and Tommy.) he was ready for Fall Break. 

Take yesterday's practice, for example. The class was in full swing. He had landed a good kick on a brown belter. Feeling encouraged, and proud, he looked around at his guys. That's when he noticed Johnny glancing up, smirking viciously. Things went downhill from there.

Johnny was as wound up as a hornet in a coffee can. Sensei laid into him about concentration. Jimmy remembered it well. "Lawrence your focus is off. 20 push-ups on your knuckles, until your mind is straight." 

A hush fell over the dojo. Stunned, everyone was stunned at Sensei. Johnny hadn't had to do knuckle push-ups in years. When class was over, Dutch questioned him about it. Johnny told them he had seen that jerk face Daniel in the doorway. 

Once they had changed back into their street clothes, they left the building. Tommy wanted to a soda, so he ran across the street. Then he ran back and reported that Daniel happened to be in the Oriental restaurant. So Johnny came up with a plan, as usual. That's how he found himself heading to the record store, until the jerk wad was on his way home. Speaking of records, he needs to remind Bobby to let him borrow the new Def Leppard. 

Anyway back to his thoughts of the afternoon. Johnny wanted them to follow Daniel. Bobby tried to talk him out of it, also as usual. Instead he wanted to go home and question his sister, about riding with Mary. Bobby and Mary... He's so sprung on her! Has been for forever. He needs a good chick, especially after Christie. About dang time he asked her on a date too. He wonders if he'll take her to Golf 'N Stuff. Everyone goes on dates there. 

After Daniel left the restaurant, they followed him on their bikes. They pushed the jerk face down a hill. On the one hand, he felt pretty ashamed about that. Causing an accident is not in his playbook. That's more Johnny and Dutch's style. Getting drunk and messing around, that's his style. 

On the other hand, he did feel the push was justified. Dude shouldn't have been poking his nose  where it didn't belong. All Johnny wanted to do was talk to Ali and apologize... again for the millionth time. To be honest, never have a more terrible pair ever dated. Johnny always apologized, for everything. Ali never did. They always argued too, especially her. She was always trying to change Johnny. Thank God they're hanging out with new girls this year. He can't take another year of Susan and her snark, Barbara and her whine, and Ali with her fake goodness and sunshine.

He threw on his jeans and button down shirt, grabbed a muffin, and a sip of juice. Then rode his bike to school, hoping that both Johnny and Dutch were mellowed out. But that is wishful thinking. While he's wishful thinking, maybe a certain red-head will look his way. 

When he pulled into the school parking lot, no one could imagine his surprise, at seeing Mary there the same time as him. He thought he was seeing things, and would have to call The Ghostbusters, but he wasn't. She waved at him through the window of her Jeep, then drove off to Lot B. He parked at the front. Why she insists on parking halfway to Reseda, he'll never know. Especially when she has a nice spot directly in the front, assigned even. Maybe Bobby can persuade her to change this.

Everyone was already there, except Dutch. He approached Bobby, "Hey man don't forget to let me borrow your Def Leppard." 

"Yeah, I'll give it to you tomorrow. No problem," he replied observing the parking lot.