If Only It Were That Simple

Chapter 30- Black Out

Lorrie-

A heavy silence follows the boys departure. Johnny and I were left, Johnny's gaze constantly coming back to me.

"Why don't I help you study over a game of cards." I suggest, anything to get out of the silence.

Okay, where's your deck?" He asks he stands up and stretches.

"In the side table drawer next to the recliner." I answer him. "I'm going to go see if we have any popcorn to make over the fire." I tell him grabbing my crutches and a lantern I grab the lantern and my crutch in one hand and head to the kitchen. I put the lantern down on the top of the fridge and look around the cabinets. I find a few fire popcorn containers and take them back to the living room with the lantern.

Everyone's just sitting around the fire silently, "Sorry," I apologize. I toss the popcorn to Benny, "You're on popcorn duty."

"On it." Benny answers as I sit down on the couch. Johnny sits on the ottoman he pulled away from one of the arm chairs across from me.

"Gin?" He asks, I agree with a nod and he shuffles the deck. I start thinking of questions to ask him so he'll study.

"The first five presidents of the USA and their party affiliation." I ask him as he deals the cards.

"Washington, no real party, but if they were to classify him he'd be Federalist based on his ideas." Johnny nails the first one. If you would've told me three months ago that he'd be this great at history, I would've said you were crazy.

"Good."

"Adams, strong Federalist." He continues. "Then Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe were consecutive Democratic Republican presidents."

"Johnny," I tell him, "I honestly don't think you need me anymore."

"I'm still terrible at calc." He points out, and he was.

"You just don't like applying yourself." I point out, "If you applied yourself, you wouldn't need me."

"Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"Why would I try to get rid of my number one best paying client?" I ask. Though if we did start dating, I couldn't charge him for tutoring sessions. Things would just get complicating. Nothing seems to work out for me.

"Popcorn's done you guys." Benny announces. His timing, as ususal is terrible.