So You're Leaving?

strangers in a strange place

The house loomed in front of him- a two story red brick federal style building with a big front porch, white shutters and a wide gravel path lined with flowers. Trees dotted the landscape and a split rail fence surrounded a large pasture where a few horses nibbled on grass. Johnny felt like he'd walked into the other side of town back home. He didn't belong here. His heart was pounding. He wanted to just grab his tattered bag and start running down the road, back to the train station. Heck, he was ready to run all the way back to Tulsa! He climbed out of the car, not really understanding how he managed to stand up with his legs being as shaky as they were. He stared down the dirt road from which they had come. I could make it, he thought. But a voice obliterated the idea and nearly made him jump out of his skin. "Johnny!" A woman had come out onto the porch and stood anxiously waving to him. She was middle aged, thin, and wore a blue gingham dress that fell just below her knees and a white apron. Her dark brown hair was chin length with soft curls. She looked like she had stepped out of a magazine ad from the 50's, Johnny noticed. And she wasn't wearing any shoes, but that didn't stop her from hurrying down the porch steps and over to Johnny, though she did avoid the gravel path. She stopped when she reached him and was obviously restraining herself from hugging him. She could sense his nervousness. But she couldn't hide her excitement at seeing him. Johnny wasn't sure what to do. The woman, who he assumed was his aunt Wendy, Matt's mother, seemed friendly enough, but he was so overwhelmed at the moment that all he could do was stare at his feet. She reminded him of Ponyboy's mom... and a little bit of himself, as once again, she had his eyes. He gave her a weak smile, and when he did, her smile just got bigger and she finally just threw her arms around him and squeezed. "Oh! You're still just as quiet as you were when you were just a little thing! Look at you!" She held him at arms length, her eyes shining. "You've just grown right up!" Johnny was a bit embarrassed by this, but he finally met her gaze. When he did, he thought he saw what he could only describe as confusion in her expression... a look of puzzlement. Only for a second though. Then, whatever it was, it was gone as fast as it had appeared. "I hope you're hungry!" she said energetically as she placed her hand on Johnny's arm and started to lead him towards the house. "I fixed up a nice big supper for you!" Then she stopped and looked at him, her expression becoming almost apologetic. "Oh, but don't feel like you have to eat right away, if you're tired and want to lie down first, you go right ahead. We're just so glad your parents let you come to stay with us!" Johnny could hear her smile returning, but he was staring at the grass as he walked. She didn't notice. She was talking to Matt now. "Hi, sweetie... how was the drive?" "Just fine, Mom." "You're staying for dinner, aren't you?" "Of course! You think I'm going to leave Johnny all alone with you people?" Matt was only half joking. Wendy reached behind Johnny's back and gave Matt a playful smack on the arm. Johnny just kept looking at the grass. They went on talking as they all climbed the porch steps. Wendy opened the door and led Johnny inside. "Would you like to pick out your room?" Wendy asked, smiling softly at Johnny. Johnny was staring at the chandelier hanging high above his head in the foyer. He stopped and looked at Wendy. Pick out my room? He just nodded and followed her up the stairs. "See you in a bit, Johnny!" Matt called after him. "I'm going to go check out the kitchen!" "You stay out of the mashed potatoes until dinner, Matthew!" Wendy yelled down. At the top of the stairs, Johnny followed Wendy down a hallway lined with photographs. She stopped at the first room and stepped inside. It was a very large room with a big bed, walls covered with books and photo albums and a fireplace! "OK, Johnny! You can stay in this room, or..." she led him a little further down the hall to a much smaller room. "this one. What do you think?" Johnny surveyed the smaller room. A single bed stood next to a window that overlooked the gardens in the side yard. There was a small, simple table beside the window with a chair and a lamp. A dresser beneath a mirror stood on the wall opposite the window. It was just right. "I think I'll take this one," Johnny said softly. Wendy looked almost disappointed. "Are.. are you sure?" Johnny nodded, setting his bag down on the floor. Wendy smiled again. "Very well, then. You make yourself at home. Dinner will be ready in about half an hour. In the meantime," and she looked at him very seriously then, "our home is your home, Johnny. You can go anywhere you like... I think you'll find a lot to interest you here." And with that, she headed off to the kitchen, leaving Johnny to unpack and settle in. Johnny closed the door behind her. He sat down on the bed and opened up his bag. He took out the picture that Dally had given him and held it in his lap for a moment. A small drop of water fell on the glass frame, and then another. Johnny wiped his eyes and set the photo on the small table by the window. "I'm sorry," he said to the picture. "I really miss you guys."