Second Chances: A Punk Rock Love Story

Chapter Five: In The Park

Second Chances: A Punk Rock Love Story

Chapter Five: In The Park

Johnny had just dropped Diane off at home, at 10 o 'clock. If ever anyone was on cloud nine, then that was Diane, right then and there. Well, she was in for a very rude awakening, to say the least.

As Diane opens the door to her house, she is greeted with a hard slap across the face from her mother. At first, Diane is stunned, she doesn't know why her mother is so upset. After all, she came home at a reasonable hour.

"Diane McNeil! What is the matter with you? Jim Sanders called and said you were rude to him! That boy gets good grades and is probably going to get into a good college!"

"That boy is a goddamn psycho, Mom!" Diane yells as tears run down her cheeks.

"Well, he's a lot better than who you've been running around with! Who knows where John Cummings will be in ten, or even twenty years."

"Well, he loves me and I love him!"

"I do not want you to see him again and that's final, Diane! Now, go to your room."

As Diane lies in her bed, sobbing uncontrollably, she wonders why she and Johnny's love must be so forbidden.

At the Cummings household, things aren't quite as hectic. Joihnny lies in his bed, staring at his ceiling, as he remembers a line from the song 'Will you still love me tomorrow'.' The line is 'lasting treasure. Which speaks to him on a personal level. Because although he had originally lost his chance at love with Diane, he by some miracle still found it again. So even though, Johnny was going to sleep with a smile on his face, unfortunately, Diane would be crying herself to sleep tonight.

Diane is not going to follow her mother's rules. Not this time. Not if it meant losing Johnny. After she had finished crying, she called Johnny and the two made plans to meet in the park, where hopefully, none of their schoolmates would see them.

It is now the following day, Saturday to be precise. Diane has just showered and gotten ready to meet up with Johnny in the park. She looks at the alarm clock on her dresser and notices that it's almost 11. She better hurry, or she'll be late. So she grabs the backpack, in which she's packed a few items and does exactly that.

"Hi, Johnny."

"Hey." Johnny says, kissing Diane on the cheek, which puts a smile as bright as the sun on her face.

"So, why did you not wanna be seen by the kids at school? And what's in the backpack?"

"I'm running away. I want you to come with me, John! It's the only way we can be together! And I have clothes in the backpack."

"Are you sure this is a good idea? Our parents will kill us!"

"My parents are the reason I'm doing this! They won't let us be together! Don't you want us to be together?" She asks, staring deep into his eyes. And as he stares back into hers, how could he give any answer other than yes? That was all he ever wanted.

"More than anything. Of course, I'll come with you."

Johnny takes Diane's hand and the two walk hand in hand. As they do this, they come to a halt when they spot two students from Forest Hill High School. It was Betty and Doug and they were kissing!

"Oh my God! That's Betty! And she said she didn't have a boyfriend, but who is he?"

"That's Dee Dee, umm I mean, Doug Colvin. He's a freshman." Johnny chuckles.

"You can go talk to Betty if you want."

"I want to, but I don't think it's such a great idea since we're running away. I'll call her, as soon as I can though."

"Ok."

"So where do you want to go? Because we obviously can't stay at either of our houses."

"I really don't know. I just need to get away from my house. My dad is always drunk and my brothers are turning out the same way. My Mom is trying to force me to date, Jim. I guess I don't care where I go, as long as I'm with you, Johnny."

Meanwhile, at the McNeil household, Betty has just called, in hopes of speaking with Diane.

"Mrs. McNeil?"

"Betty?"

"Where the hell is Diane?"

"I have no idea."

"She left a note that says 'goodbye'. Whatever. I'm sure she'll be back when her money runs out." She says, before hanging up.

After hanging up with Mrs. McNeil, Betty has been very concerned about Diane. Luckily, Diane has called Betty every day since elementary school and today was no exception. Betty hears the phone ring and rushes to answer it.

"Diane!"

"Betty? Hi!"

"I'm so glad you called! Where are you?"

"Johnny and I ran away together. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. It was a really sudden decision."

"Diane, please tell me where you are."

"I'm in a phone booth right now. I just called to tell you we're safe. So, you don't have to worry about us."

"I talked to your mom, she's pissed. She doesn't seem too concerned though. All I can say is, you're gonna need to save your money."

Hearing this, upset Betty, but she was used to it.

"Oh, Betty! before I hang up..."

"What is it?"

"John and I saw you and Doug kissing in the park, earlier today!"

"What!"

"Bye Betty." Diane says as she hangs up the telephone. Both she and John laugh a little.

Johnny calls Tommy and explains the situation to him.

"So, how long do you think you're gonna be gone?"

"I really don't know. I love her and I need to make sure she's safe."

Unsure of where to go, or what to do next, the runaways had simply been standing and talking in the phone booth for the past fifteen minutes.

"Are you sure you don't wanna call this whole thing off? It's getting really cold and we have no place to sleep, Diane."

"I know what to do. I'll call Betty. She'll help."

Diane dials Betty's phone number and Betty answers almost instantly.

"Diane? Is this you?"

"Yeah. I was just wondering if John and I could stay there tonight. Would that be ok?"

"Are you crazy? You know my dad is a cop! I might still be able to help, though. Give me the number to the payphone you're at."

Not more than ten minutes after Diane hung up with Betty the phone rang.

"Hello? This is Doug. Betty said you guys needed a place to stay?"

"That's right." Betty replies.

"You and your boyfriend can stay with me."