ANEW AWAKENING

chapter sixteen

"What's taking so long?" Julia called out from the living room,
"She send me to check on drinks" Celeste said
"Let's go" Lauren said leading the way Barry following behind with Tony, Keisha and Celeste
Every one were seated when they came and Tony serve drinks for everyone they sat to relax
"I think that dinner will be ready in another half hour you can get comfortable" Julia said
Johanna serve some sweets with the wine
"I like that suit jan"  Zowey said
"Thanks" he said looking down on himself to admire it, it is a gift from Johanna" he said
"It's nice and goes great with your hat" Zowey said
"Almost like Satan at his little northpole" Wanda said
They grin
"I like the little elf hats got a buzz" kendra said
"It was Johanna who decided to do the hats a matter of fact it's her idea to decorate we probably would have the party with just food and company" Julia said
"Yes she went all out for the Christmas thing" Lauren said
"She's the master for that" Celeste said
"I remember when we used to fix up for college" levi said
"It was the same in high school" Otis said
"Yes definitely" Celeste said
Jan look at Johanna,
He remember when ever there was an event Johanna was always presented to do the decorating,
"So miss Johanna did you ran for school presented?" Kendra asked
Johanna was starting to feel she's the center of attention,
"Not presented it was student council" Delan said
"Oh really that's nice did you do well?" Lauren asked
"Two straight years before I decided to step down" Johanna said
"You did well no one ever made it to finish the year and you got two" kity said
"I ran for student council once and it was so embarrassing" Zowey said
"Like me" Gloria laugh resting his hand on Jan's thigh, Barry  didn't miss when he ease her away, he was starting to wonder if he's ready the one who had invited her he look at Johanna sitting next to her friend a little away from Jan and Gloria he wonder what she's feeling seeing them together knowing that she and jan were making out earlier,
"I don't know what I did wrong but no one wanted me, sister said you're not a people person that is the reason and that make it even worst" Zowey said
Lauren laugh
"It was when the truth hits me"
Johanna laugh "hush Zowey maybe next life time"
"Pinch me if I'm caught in the next life trying shit like that" Zowey said
They all laugh,
They were called to dinner ten minutes past three jan got up to take the lead pushing on his stroller to get to the dinning room the others following behind Gloria was still close beside him as they took their seat she sat right down next to him, Kendra and Henry face them
Julia stood up at the head table, "Good evening every one and welcome to my son's humble aboard I know he should  be the one standing at the head table today but let's not put too much pressure knowing he's just getting back on his feat after two long years of sitting on the wheelchair we first want to thank God for sending miss Johanna who has been a bit too patient" Julia said
They laugh and cheer
Jan flash a smile at Johanna who quickly look his way, "it is true she has been patient" Julia continued
"Couldn't agree more about that knowing how much jan wish she didn't come" Gary said
Jan shrugged
"To hard work an determination to jan and his therapist" Julia said Kendra look at Gloria
They started clapping and kendra frown,
Julia prayed and the dinner was now officially served they got right down into eating,
Jan pour himself some wine have it then have another glass,
"You're drinking this hard?" Kendra asked
"Yeah I'm saying what about medication?" Gloria asked
"I'm not on medication" Jan said
"Really but how you are going through therapy" kendra said
"Doctor kane you mean jan not on medication an he's under going therapy how don't it hurt going through it? Gloria asked
Lauren turn sideways and msde a face Keisha caught her and smile Lauren saw that she smile and smile too.
"Hey you are to take that up with his therapist she's the one who told me no medication for a while"
Gloria look at Johanna but Johanna avoid looking her way it was hard for jan was right next to her rubbing shoulder,
"The pain is gone" Jan said
Everyone look at him,
"It is gone" he repeat
"That is good" kendra said
Jan nod
"Have to be for  Jan the last time I visited this place  you were sitting  on a wheelchair now it's no where to be seen  it have to feel real damm good " Henry said
"Like I've been given a second chance" Jan said
"Is therapist is the best" levi said
"So I heard" Henry said
"Oh so you see I am not lying" levi said "now I feel as if my job is complete"
"What about cycling will you get back?" Cathy asked
"My therapist my doctor and my coach both see it the same way that I'll get back better and stronger than ever" Jan said smiling at Johanna Gloria didn't miss the Way he smile at her,
Gary nod "take it from the therapist she's the expert here"
Johanna shrugged "I didn't do it to myself"
"I'm happy for you Jan" Daisey said
"Thanks" jan said
"We didn't though anyone would do it. Gloria said she hug Jan at the shower "he was so stuck  to his own way as if he didn't want anyone's help"
Jan look at her
Julia frown she wondered what Gloria knows she didn't stick around go see him try so why is she talking now she wondered how she came to be at the party for she can't remember ever sending her an invitation it comes to her thoughts that jan may have invited her looking at them they seems to be in a good place with each other so she didn't bother to question,
"That's because the others didn't come with the determination to get him back on his feet" Johanna said
"You did good dear" Julia said
"Yeah I was surprised to learn that jan was back on his feet" Delan said "I had to be sure to see it myself what surprised me more is to learn Johanna kartwell was his therapist" he grinned
"What make it surprising?" Johanna asked
"It just that it's been some long years after high school sometimes the people you think you might never see again and only to know they came into your life and be such a big part of it"
Johanna think him to be right she never thought she would see jan again since they left high school she thought that was it,
"Did you think that you would see Johanna again jan?" Otis asked
Jan look from Otis to Johanna,
"Again?" She hissed "Jan didn't know me where would he know me from?" Johanna asked
"Back in high school Jan liked you" Delan said
Tony look around
Johanna laugh "nonsense jan didn't know me back in high school I felt invincible to jan I put myself in the way so he could see me not once not twice but every time and I swear he walk right through me that was how much that guy ignored me" Johanna said frowning with a hissed
"What I didn't ignore" Jan was saying
"Oh for get it" Johanna said furiously
Tony look from Jan to Johanna and laugh
"What so funny?" Johanna asked
"Nothing" Tony shook his head
Jan shook his head and sigh
Gloria and kendra exchange looks,
"So you like Jan back in high school?" Tony asked
"I said forget it high school is years gone ten years long for me" Johanna said
"How Celeste didn't tell me and we were friends?" Tony said
Celeste shrugged but said nothing.
"You said you were in to girls" Jan said
Making the others laugh
"Yes you told Melvin Scott that, Melvin Scott told jan and he was just left to watch from a distance" Tony said
Johanna hissed "I told Melvin I didn't tell Jan I didn't want Melvin bothering me about what his friends were saying I wasn't interested in his friends"
"Remember Amy that's how Jan came to start dating amy because of what you saidto Melvin" Tony said
"Amy Armstrong?" Celeste and Johanna asked together
"Yes" Jan, Otis, Tony and Delan answered
"Was Amy the only girl for I remember Nicole, Nicollet, Wendy Alicia Charmaine Colleen and that's a few" Johanna said
"How did you know?" Tony asked
"For they talk about it at cheer leading meetings and when you never get the opportunity you stick to some one who has the scoops" Johanna said
Gloria and kendra made a face the others laugh,
"Did you say you date Amy Armstrong?" Kendra asked
"You know Amy?" Tony, Otis and Delan asked
"She work front desk at the resort that I work" kendra said
"That Amy?" Gloria frown
"So you date Amy wow I'm surprise" kendra said
"Nothing in life need to be so surprising" Johanna said thinking how she was surprised when she  was brought into office to  be told the famous Jan Reeves the one she had went  through high school with the one who pretend she  didn't exist needed a therapist and she was the one they were seeking to  cone and work with him   she was also extremely excited to know that she would get a chance to see him again after so long she will get to talk to him even touch him there was nothing to stand between that not even her job,
"I'm sure that when you come and see it was Jan you were surprised" Tony said
"Surprised was nothing on my mind, I just had to look twice to see if it was really him the same jan Revees the one who I was used to in high school, and yes he was  the same one" Johanna said
"I introduced you to him" Gary said
"You had to you couldn't tell I know the guy and since he was pretending, still pretending I was someone he didn't know I just went long with it" Johanna said
Jan laugh
They all look at him,
"He didn't pretend he was too shock and afraid for all the years of high school and he didn't talk to you he was too afraid for you to be seeing him in a wheelchair" Gary said
"That's right" Tony said "he was angry humiliated and embarrassed"
"No one can tell what's going to happen and I'm sure Jan  Reeves isn't immune he might be famous but he's still flesh" Johanna said
"The flesh that walk through you back in high school" Zowey laugh
"I swear Zowey I was standing there looking right at him, if he had look at least turned  his head to the side i was standing then i would believe he saw me, lucky for me my friend wasn't there to see how embarrassed I was I beg her to stay but she had to ran off behind her boyfriend who was a little nicer to me back in high school"
Tony laugh
"It's true" Johanna
"But you were pretty right for judging from your looks now you got to be pretty" Zowey said
"Oh yes" Tony said
"Mmhmm" Otis said
"Very pretty" Delan said
"Yes and was in to girls" Jan said
Celeste grin,
"What ever" Johanna said
"Then there was Octavia" Jan said turning to look at Delan and Tony he turn and kendra didn't miss the love spot on his neck she widen his eyes and touched her neck and point at Jan's
"You said you're into girls and you hang with Octavia who had  more muscles than hulk Hogan and you expected ordinary guy to compete with her" Jan said turning again Gloria didn't miss the trail of love spot on his neck, she knew that it can't be Johanna one else but Johanna who puts them there thinking kendra to be right they're carrying on,
The others laugh
"she was  just cool to hang out with" Johanna said
"How do you define cool when you talk about Octavia?" Jan asked
Tony laugh
"But you know she was no les" Delan said
"You get with her?" Jan asked
"No no not me" Delan said
"But it's the only way you could tell" Jan said
"Octavia was getting it  on with Samuel" Johanna said
"Yes" Celeste laugh
"Little Samuel" Jan said he hissed "that can't be true"
"Of Crouse it was true Johanna said
"It was" Celeste confirm,
"Just like oh Ash date Arianna" Johanna said
"I remember seeing them at a movie one night I was out with" Jan try to remember
"Pamela?" Johanna asked
Jan smile he nod "Pamela right"
"You went out with Pamela?" Tony asked "where was I, and how did she knows that?"
"I told you I was on the look out and plus I know people" Johanna said
Tony giggle
"You should have seen us hanging out at the front to see when jan arrived just do she could see him" Celeste said
"Oh!" Barry said
They laugh
"That was how foolish I was well I don't hurt so much as it did back then, thank good for second chances" Johanna said lifting her glass
Tony giggle,
"We're out of gravy I'll get more" Johanna said getting up,
"I could get it Julia said
"I got it" Johanna said she left the table and went to the kitchen
"I didn't ignore her in high school" Jan said
"Well it would seems so" Celeste said
Jan frown he sigh
"That is why there's second chance, it  is granted for a specific reason" Delan said
"I'm sure it was no accident why you ended up with her as your therapist"
"I agreed
"Well if Johanna wasn't determined to stay she wouldn't be here today" Gary said
"I'm sure brother don't regret her staying look at him now" Barry said
Gloria look to see jan smile she didn't miss how Kendra look at her,
The ringing of Johanna's phone caught every one's attention, it went to voice note and a woman came on, Hi miss kartwell it's Ann, Ann from the agency, Merry Christmas I know you  left on a bad turn you were angry we know but we should have talked about it better, we are hoping that after you got through with your sessions at Mr Reeves if you'll consider coming back to Toronto and get your old job back, call me I'll be waiting for your call enjoy" Ann said she end the call and eyes went around the table,
"She didn't come from the agency?" Kendra asked
Gloria sat up straight
"Of Crouse the agency sent her Gary said
"Yes I can confirm that we call the agency and she came" levi said
"She was at the agency Celeste said
Every one look at her,
"Only that they didn't want to send her for more than two months and from what they say about the extent of the damage  to Jan's spinal cords Johanna knew she would need a little more time, but because everyone else comes and leave and nothing change they weren't willing to go beyond and she wanted to come so she call it a quit" Celeste said
"That's what she told me" levi said
They look at her
"The night I took her out and we were talking"
"Did you know it was Johanna who would come?" Gary asked
"I didn't know where she worked, i was surprised to see her" levi said
Jan rub his face,
"It's a pity she won't have a job after this, for jan soon won't need her anymore" Kendra said
Jan look at her Gloria look at Jan
"I shouldn't be saying anything" Celeste said
"They are inviting her back that's the good thing" Keisha said "But who knows if she's going to want to go back"
"She's good anyplace will hire her" levi said
"That's true Lauren said
They all went silent and their expression changes as they think everyone to their own thoughts,
"Did I stay too long?" Johanna asked when she walk in to see the looks on everyone's faces
"Dear I was starting to think you have to shop to get that gravy fix" Patty said
The others chuckle softly, Johanna smile touch her mom ad she sat down they had all stop eating and no one was intrested in food anymore except for Gloria and Henry who try to finish up,
"Let's  get dessert on the table" Lauren said
"Miss Maclean" Keisha called
Miss Maclean came to the door
"Bring dessert please" Julia said "Please remember Jan's special pie"
"Yes mam" miss Maclean said
Johanna took up her phone for the notification light dances she checked to see that she got voice mail and it was Ann her past manager she noticed the way Jan watch her and wonder what Ann had said once she was away, she wonder why she's calling now it can't be to just wish her merry Christmas
"I'll excuse myself for a while I need to make a call besides I could use some fresh air"
"I'll save your dessert" Julia said
Johanna nod and smile,
Jan turned in his chair to watch her walking out, he rub his face and sigh,
Johanna went out to the garden where jan sits in the days, she sat around the table and open her phone to listen to the voice note, she sighed when it was done she wish Ann haven't call her she didn't think shevwas intrested in going back she know it's long she had worked eight years almost and she knows that soon jan wont want her for he'll be back on track not much longer but she really wanted to help him she was sure she'll get back into another job soon if not she'll just go back to Toronto but she's not interested in calling Ann now,
Jan sat eating his pumpkin pie that patty had brought over he was quiet all a long, he was far gone into it when he lift his head and smile, "this is good thanks Mrs kartwell" he said
"You're welcome jan" Patty said
"I bet Johanna tells you how much he loves it he'll have it right through the year" Julia said
"Since thanks giving she wantedto bring back some when she told us we wouldbe coming to dinnerand i asked what to carry, she said i don't care bring what you have to but please please please don't cone with out the pumpkinpie" Patty said
Julia laughed
Jan smile
Gloria touched his shoulder and he face her
Dinner and dessert was over and they were just talking Gloria was having a conversation with jan while the otheres clear and clean away
Johanna got back to the house she came to the door of the dinning room to see Gloria with jan what ever their conversation was Johanna didn't bother to walk in she left and went back to the garden,
Jan wasn't in the mode to talk with Gloria some of what she was saying wasn't making any sense she was hone for nearly two years most of the time he's been in a wheelchair what does she care now,
"Brother" Jan call hoarsly 
Barry look around jan clear his throat "bring me my wheelchair please" he said
They all look with questioning eyes
Barry went and get it he got up from around the table got in the wheelchair then left the dinning room,
They all look around on each other Gloria shrugged kendra frown
Jan check in the room Johanna stayed bur she wasn't there, he went and find her in the garden, "Johanna" he said she turn to see him in his wheelchair,
She wondered what he was doing in the wheelchair but didn't question it, "Hey" she said
"You ok?" Jan asked
"You ok?" Johanna asked
They both smile,
Jan nod and smile
Johanna smile "I'll be better in a matter of time"
"Johanna I'm sorry" Jan said
"You're sorry?" Johanna asked. "I didn't ignore you in high school" Jan said
"I believe you, though it felt like it" Johanna said Jan laugh
Johanna shrugged
Jan took her hand and pull her on his lap he kiss her hand softly then kiss her lips he cuddle her to him she hug his head to her, "i was always crazy about you" she said
Jan look up at her he smile,
"This must be a chance to fix what we haven't broken" Jan said
"Will it work?" Johanna asked
"Will you try?" Jan asked
"What you think I've been doing for the past couple of months?" Johanna asked
"I'm not talking about my spinal cords" Jan said
Johanna knocked him and they giggle,
Everyone were now  getting ready to leave,
"Where is Jan and Johanna they should know they need to come say goodbye to their guests" Julia said
"I'll go get them I think I know where to find them" Gary said
"Ok" Julia said
Gary clear his throat when he cane to find them cuddling, Johanna got up,
"You guys are needed" Gary said
"Oh my family must be ready to leave" Johanna said
Gary nod "you're so right"
Jan smile
They went inside they were all in the livingroom soon as jan came in Gloria went to his side,
"So you're all leaving?" Jan asked
"Yes thanks for inviting us to share dinner with you it was wonderful Wilma said
Jan smile "it was nice to meet you "thanks for coming"
Wilma bend to hug him for he was still in his wheelchair, Alley hug him as well he shook hand with Desi and Jamie same with Terence hug Celeste and the children, "Hey don't be a stranger ok call me or anything" he said kissing Celeste hand he squeeze them before letting go,
"I will definitely not be a stranger" Celeste said
Desmond hug his shoulder and patted it jan smile at him, he got up to hug Patty "I'm glad to have met you miss Patty I've always wonder what Johanna's mother was like you're pretty" he said blushing
Patty laugh, They hug again and he sat back on his wheelchair,
Lauren family said their goodbyes
"Johanna let's hang sometime ok girl I like you I want us to be cool" Zowey said
"What you're into girls too?"Jan tease
They laugh,
They were gone when
Tony and Keisha said goodnight and leave a head of everyone else,
Levi and Wanda  leave too, when they left Otis, kity, Reese and Delan leave too, Gary Mel and the children went after,
Johanna walked out with her family and with Celeste and Terence they were gone when she came back in but the masons family and Gloria were still talking with them so she just went down to her room.