In My Life

Chapter 12

John only saw Julia on weekends now. I kept him in line and made sure he was going to school frequently after the close encounter with Shanks, and the two of us got back into normal routine, John making sure he always had time for me; picking me up outside of the girls institute after school again, and the two of us causing havoc together afterwards. He even took me to band practice most of the time, apart from the odd occasion when I couldn't make it or had to stay home to keep an eye on Mimi for him, who he had still not opened up to about neither the band nor Julia.

It was one Saturday morning after band practice at Pete's house, John requested I met his mother, which I felt nauseous about doing from just the very thought of.

"Please Sam?" He begged.

"Is this that important to you John? Do you really need me to do this?" I choked as we reached her front door step.

"It would mean the world to me." He smiled.

I shook my head.

"But Sam! I need you." He grinned.

Words he'd never let me forget and would hold against me for the rest of my life. How I'd regretted saying that every single day since.

"Oh fine! Do it then." I winced, gritting my teeth as he nodded and knocked the door.

He chuckled. "You remind me of myself when I first came here."

I screwed my face up at him, chewing up the inside of my mouth.

"You really shouldn't be so nervous. It's my mum after all, so I'm really the only one with the excuse to be nervous first time."

"But John, I'm afraid." I pleaded, grabbing at his arm.

"Of what? She's not going to bite your head off Sam."

"But what if she doesn't like me?"

He looked at me and began to chuckle again until the door finally opened, causing me to tense up, tightening the grip I had on his arm.

"Mum." He smiled, embracing the auburn haired woman into a short hug.

She took a step forward towards me afterwards.

"And you must be Sam." She smiled, skipping towards me for a little hug. "Come in! Come in!" She giggled, frolicking inside the house on her light feet. She reminded me of a sort of pixie that you read about in children's stories; enthusiastic and free spirited.

She told us to sit down at the kitchen where she introduced us to her girls Jackie and Julia. Both were sweet as chocolate, with the most gorgeous set of golden locks I'd ever set my eyes upon.

After awkward introductions, and the brewing of the tea, we finally managed to get somewhere with a conversation.

"So John's been telling you all about his music then, ay?" She smiled, as the two of us watched him through the kitchen window playing with the girls in the back garden.

"Oh yes, you've taught him well Mrs-"

"Call me Julia." She winked, taking a sip of her tea.

"Julia." I blushed.

"And John tells me an awful lot about you Sam. Seems you've really stuck by him through the years." She said, her glowing smile dimming a little as she said the last part. "I really wish I could say the same."

I nodded, not wanting to turn such a happy occasion into something sad.

"John says his group are going to do their first performance this weekend." I beamed.

"Have they decided on a name yet?" Julia chirped, her radiant smile returning at the mere mention of his name.

"Not that I know of, but John seems pretty confident about it." I laughed.

"What does John seem pretty confident about?" He panted, having only just entered the room covered in mud stains.

Julia and I looked at eachother and smiled before breaking out into fits of laughter.

The rest afternoon seemed to pass by in more or less the same way, and I was actually rather disappointed when John told me it was time to leave.

"Now I understand why you're here so often." I whispered in his ear as we said our goodbyes to Julia and the girls.

"Come again!" Julia exclaimed, hugging the both of us tightly. "The both of you!"

"Bye mum." John chuckled, kissing her cheek.

"Bye son! Be good to Sam for me." She called from the distance, waving vigorously as we began to leave.

John laughed as we began our journey back to Menlove. "See, nothing to worry about! Mum absolutely adored you Sam."

"What can I say? I'm a loveable person." I teased, causing John to throw another handful of leaves at me again like we used to do.

It felt reassuring that things between us were getting back on track again.