Johnny Castle's Second Chance (COMPLETED)

Chapter 8

Mike finished work and called Char but had received no answer. Then he thought maybe she was over visiting her parents. He let the night go with out hearing from her.
What Char was actually up to was visiting with her best friend Veronica. Veronica came and picked Char up and they went to the mall for gossiping and dinner.
" So you must have been scared out of your mind when that was happening!" Veronica said as she ate a French fry off Char's plate.
" I was! But I bet Mike was scared too!"
" Mike? Dobbs?"
" Yeah, the guy put a gun to his head to motivate me to get the money faster!"
" Holy shit!"
" It was really intense. Mike and I kind of have a new understanding. We've been hanging out a lot. That night he took me to the ER and then he took me home."
" Whoa whoa hold the phone! I was wondering whose truck that was in your driveway the past few times I drove by!"
" Yeah, it was him..." Char blushed.
" Hey, why did your face go red? What's this new understanding you two have?"
"Just, you know we're kind of friends now, and he's been keeping an eye on me."she hinted but her face betrayed her.
" The way your face just turned red, I think he's keeping more than an eye on you!!!"
" Hey! Hey! All right, we may have kind of slept together..."
" Whoa! I knew it!!!" Veronica squeeked.
" It's just casual. I told him my plans of leaving and I told him he's not allowed to get too attached to me. "
" You really mean it huh? You're gunna leave?"
" If they have a job at Kellerman's, yeah, I do."
" Gosh. It's almost Monday. You just have the weekend to get through now."
" I know, I'm kind of nervous. "
" Awe, you really do have a pretty singing voice, I think you'll knock their socks off. " Veronica said.
" Thanks Veronica!"
" Of course! I mean it! Hey, what do you say, we get out of here, and go to the movies?"
" Oooh yeah! Sounds good!"
The girls cleaned up their mess, leaving the mall. They went to their local movie theatre to watch the latest James Bond flick, Live and Let Die. Sharing a tub of popcorn and a large pop they immersed themselves into the action packed movie. By the time it ended it was late so Veronica drove Char home for the night.
As she parked the car she helped carry Chars bags from the mall inside.
" Oh! It got really cold out! I'll bet there'll be frost in the morning." Veronica said.
" Yeah it's really been heading closer to winter. I just hope the weather stays decent for my drive on Monday."
" Yeah, you know I'm kind of worried about you going alone. I could take off work and go with you if you want. See this place you're thinking of leaving us for."
" I'll be all right, luckily my dad did teach me how to read a map. And besides you need the money."
" Well, that's all true I guess. Just promise me you'll call us when you get there so we know you're safe."
" Of course I will! Thanks for worrying about me. You're the best best friend a girl could ask for. "
" You know it ! All right, where do you want these bags?"
" How about the kitchen table for now. I'll wash everything in the morning."
" You got it. All right I best get home. It's late and I have the early shift. "
" Please drive careful going home. Call me just so I know you made it."
" I will." Veronica carefully hugged her friend and left.
Char had bought a new outfit for her audition, she didn't like dresses that much, but figured she'd better get used to them if she got the performer job. So there was a pretty grey dress that suited her figure nicely. She took the dress out and hung it up so it wouldn't be wrinkled. Then she took her coat off and draped it on a chair. There was a chill in the air so she turned the heat up a little. Then she pulled off the sling to rest her arm and found it was starting to feel a bit better. She tried a few exercises that the doctor told her to start when she was feeling up to it. The light stretches seemed to help. After working on it for a good twenty minutes she washed her face and got ready for bed. She thought about how fast Monday was coming. She fell asleep quickly after her busy day.

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That same day Johnny and Ricco were at the main stage discussing some new music that Ricco wanted to see if Johnny would be interested in using for some new shows.
" Ricco, this is good music! I can work with it! The orchestra is sounding great! I love the new additions. That electric guitar and bass! Fantastic man!"
" Hey thanks a lot Johnny! That means a lot! They've been working hard. So I'll get us recorded and get you that tape as soon as possible. So you'll be able to work with it."
" Great! That sounds good! Do you need anything else Torres?"
" Nah, I think that covered it. Well, wait, you know, it's been awhile, there's a little party going on in the dance hall tonight. You should come out! "
" Yeah, maybe I'll come out for a bit, what time are things starting?"
" Around seven. I'm DJ-ing so you know the music's gunna be good. You know that girl Tina ? "
" Yeah, the blonde?"
" Yeah, she's been asking about you..." Ricco teased.
" I'm not really looking for anything right now, but thanks for the thought."
" Johnny, man, it's been awhile since I've seen you with a girl. What's going on?"
" I just am taking a little break from dating. I'm just tired. "
" It's been like what, a decade since that girl Baby ? Right? You've told me about her, I haven't forgotten. I haven't seen you with anyone special in a long time. I mean you've dated a few nice girls... Sometimes I worry about you."
" It's nice of you to care Ricco, but I'm fine really. I'm kinda embracing being single for awhile. Sometimes it's kind of nice. I don't always feel I gotta make plans, I can come home at night and put my feet up, no one needing me, this job, gets demanding sometimes, well, I'm sure I don't have to tell you that. You know how it is. Aren't you just tired at the end of the day sometimes?"
" Sure man! Sometimes! But right now I've got this girl Belinda...yeah...I'm just smitten man. Right now she's my world."
" That's great Ricco, hey, I'm happy for ya. I'm just taking a break from dating for now. I'll be fine." Johnny was ready to be done with that conversation.
"All right I get it man. Anyway, there's the party tonight, stop out of you get bored."
" Yeah. I will. I'll probably stop in. Cut loose , show these kids how to really dance huh?" He  winked at Ricco,
Ricco chuckled," Yeah there you go Johnny! Teach them kids a thing or two!"
" Yeah, I'll probably see you later."
" Right on! Later Castle!" Ricco turned back to the orchestra and spoke loudly." All right folks! Mr.Castle approves! Now, let's practice them all one more time and then you're all free to go! Oh! And on Monday our meeting will be down in the recording studio at
Two so we can get it all on tape for the dancing staff! All right instruments ready! And go!" He directed his crew through all the songs and was pleased with their sound. As Johnny walked off he listened to the up beat tempo, he head a spring I his step, he couldn't help it, good music made him move.