So You're Leaving?

taking a walk

"I'm goin' for a walk." Johnny called to Wendy as he headed out the back door. "All right, the food will be ready in about an hour," she called back. Dally followed him out the door, the lopsided grin still plastered on his face. He was really happy for Johnny. "So, did you kiss her yet?" Dally asked as Coal bounded and nipped playfully at their pantlegs "Aww, cut it out, Dal!" Johnny shot a glance back at him. "Well, did ya?" "I told you, I just met her!" "And I told you, you could use some pointers!" He knew Johnny wouldn't tell him anything, at least not right now, but that wasn't going to stop Dally from teasing him. He couldn't help it. He'd never had the opportunity to tease Johnny about something like this- or really about much of anything. At home things were too serious. He'd heard about the whole thing that went on with Sylvia hanging around Johnny while he'd been in the cooler. He had been glad that Steve had talked to Johnny about her. And he was glad to some extent that Johnny had been practically afraid of girls after that. The girls in their neighborhood were nothing but trouble. And Johnny didn't need anymore touble than he already had. But here, it just seemed like there was nothing to worry about. Caroline looked like a sweet kid and Johnny was so embarrassed about the whole thing that it made it difficult not to give him a hard time about it. It was all in fun. But Johnny did not seem to be in the mood for fun at the moment. He gave Dally a look that clearly said, 'drop it'. So he did. For the time being. When he stopped focusing so much on the girl, he realized that Johnny was not just out for a walk. He was very deliberately headed somewhere. Coal stayed about three strides ahead of them, nose to the ground as though he already knew where they were going. Not wanting to be left out, Dally asked, "Hey, where ya goin' anyhow?" "To the woods." "What is it with you and these woods?" Dally had seen Johnny staring out the window this morning in the general direction of the forest and he had figured he was looking at the trees. He had looked really scared last night during the storm, like he'd seen something outside. Johnny didn't answer him. Dally was used to this, so he just kept his mouth shut and walked. They approached the edge of the forest and Johnny hesitated for a moment and looked around before he actually stepped into the trees. His black eyes were wide with concern, but his jaw was set and his brow furrowed. Dally studied his actions quietly, without being obvious. He had discovered that one could learn a great deal more about Johnny Cade by watching, rather than listening. Right now, he was scared, but determined. Dally was curious about this, but he also sensed that if he asked too many questions, if any at all, he would learn nothing about what was going on in the kid's head. So he just followed quietly. There seemed to be no immediate reason that he could think of to inquire about Johnny's thoughts. Coal, who had absoloutely no idea where they were going, would turn around every so often to see if Johnny was still behind him before galloping ahead to sniff at some leaves. He liked to pretend he was leading. Sometimes he would come running back and actually take Johnny's hand in his mouth and pull him along. Dally watched this in amusement. "That pup is something else," he said, shaking his head. This place is so different from Tulsa, Dally mused. And it wasn't just the place itself, but the whole way of life, the feeling of it. There was no worry, no anger. Yes, the anger was what was suddenly almost gone from him! Granted, if he stopped and thought about it, he could easily muster up some hatred for a lot of things- socs, his father, Johnny's father... but as he walked, he realized he didn't need to think about those things. Those things were hundreds of miles away. Dally marveled at the idea of just not carrying that around with him anymore. He was actually enjoying a walk through the woods. He was paying attention to the sounds and the smells. This was amazing! They walked for what seemed like a pretty long time to Dally. Johnny started checking his watch. It was probably getting close to the time they should start heading back for lunch, but Dally didn't ask. He thought it was really funny to see Johnny checking a watch. Over a little hill, through more bushes, they walked on with the light coming in sparkling patches throught the yellow leaves on the trees. And then things changed rather suddenly. The wind picked up slightly and a dark cloud rolled across the sky covering up the sun. A very light drizzle started falling as Dally zipped up his coat. Johnny suddenly stopped and drew in his breath and made a funny sound in his throat. He had apparently found what he was looking for. "Johnny?" Dally followed Johnny's eyes straight ahead. Portruding from the golden brown leaves of the forest floor were several gravestones. They were in a cemetery.