Small Town Southern Charm

Chapter Nine

 Johnny and I sat down in the basement and watched television while we waited for dinner to be ready. Johnny sat beside me with his arm resting on the sofa behind me, he slowly moved it around my shoulders. I smiled to myself at how shy he was all of a sudden being. As soon as he did that though my mom yelled down the stairs that dinner was ready.

"Oh yeah, Tara, Johnny is coming hunting with me tomorrow while you go out with Jody for her birthday." Thomas told me.

Johnny looked up from his plate, obviously he hadn't heard of that plan either. Even though Johnny didn't know about it either he agreed to it. I guess he thought it would make a good impression on Thomas.

Mom and Dad sat in their seats smiling the entire time. They had grown to like Johnny as well. Johnny was surprised, he said most parents didn't like him because of the tattoos. Thomas liked him too but then again Thomas liked anybody. I don't think anyone would ever take the place of Josh though.

After I helped with the dishes after dinner Johnny and I walked out on the porch to watch the snow. As the snow fell lightly on the ground, I couldn't help but to smile. The sight of snow just made me extremely happy. Most of the time I would just sit in the living room and watch out the window as it would snow.

"You like the snow don't you?" Johnny asked.

"I love it." I smiled.

"Well, I lo..."

"Hey Tara, Jody is calling the house phone for some reason." Mom called through the door.

I walked in and took the phone.

"Yeah?" I ask into the phone.

"Hey, is it cool if I come over?"

"Yeah, come on over. Johnny's here too."

"Okay, I'll be there in a little bit."

"Be careful."

I walked back over to where Johnny was standing watching the snow fall. He looked like he was deep in thought. So, I just stood there and let him think about whatever it was.

"Jody coming over?" Johnny asked after a while.

"Yeah, home must be rough tonight."

"Ahh, I see."

A little while later Jody pulled up, she looked really stressed. She looked like she had been crying too and I wasn't about to let that slide.

"What's wrong?"

"They..kicked me out." She mumbled.

"Why?"

"Said that all I did was complain, so I needed to go."

"But can they do that? You're not 18 yet."

"I don't care, I'm not going to stay there anymore."

"I'll be right back." I told Johnny and Jody.

I went into the house and went to find my parents. I wasn't about to let my best friend be homeless. I was going to ask if Jody could crash here for a while.

"Hey mom. I have a question for you and dad."

"Okay?" She looked nervous.

"Jody's parents kicked her out tonight. Do you think it'd be okay if she stayed here for a while?"

They looked at each other then Dad nodded his head as if he was giving Mom an answer.

"Of course." She told me.