by Lauren Wood
“No I didn’t I was far too upset about Johnny.” Mary admitted. “I had thought about it but was sure that he had found someone else.” She added.
“I think you should call him, once you’ve fixed this other mess that is. I’m really sorry Mary, I didn’t mean for you to get hurt. I tried to tell you from Paris, but you wouldn’t listen to me. Then you told me he didn’t like me anymore and he said the same thing. I don’t know it made me very upset.” Sally explained.
“I think we both wanted something different than what we really needed.” Mary stated.
“I think so too.” Sally agreed.
“So tell me about Paris, what was it like?” Mary asked.
Sally sighed. “It wasn’t what I expected, but well it was my own fault. I was upset and confused from the start; all I could think about was Johnny. But then he turned me down and told me you two were dating. I thought another man there was interested in me, but he wasn’t. He slept with me once and left told me I was just a child.” Sally told Mary about Pierre.
“Oh so you experienced kind of the same thing. Was he in love with someone else too?” Mary asked.
“No he just wanted to sleep with me. I think he does it with all the tourists who show up.” Sally stated.
“Was he at least good looking?” Mary asked.
Sally told her about Pierre.
“Oh he sounds cute; at least that’s one good thing!” Mary said.
“I would have rather skipped the whole experience. But honestly, it was the push I needed to come back home. It must be one of the shortest trips in the history for a student who wanted to study fashion design.” Sally shook her head.
“Did you go to school at all while you were gone?” Mary questioned.
“No I couldn’t bring myself to sign up for any classes.” Sally admitted.
“I’m sorry; I know you’ve wanted to do that for years now. Maybe you can talk Johnny into going later on.” Mary commented.
“I don’t know, I’ll think about it, or I might just intern with someone in the states. There are several that I wouldn’t mind learning from. But for now I’ll wait and see what happens.” Sally stated. “So you’ll call them and have your charges dropped today?” Sally asked, making sure that Mary would remember.
“Yes, I’ll do it right now. But I’ll call the other girls after, or they can hear from the DA.” Mary hugged her. “I’m sorry Sally.”
“Thank you for telling the truth.” Sally got up to leave.
The first thing she wanted to do was talk to Johnny. She picked up her phone when she stopped at a light.
She’s going to call and tell them what really happened? Why didn’t you tell me you said you loved me while you two were having sex?
Sally typed in and hit the send button. “It would have explained so much and she would have known right away what had happened. Not that she would ever accuse someone of rape who didn’t do it, but she would know any female would be hurt. Some would react in ways that perhaps were evil, like Mary did.
I don’t believe it, wait until my attorney calls me then I’ll know for sure. I think she is lying to you. She’s really good at doing that, if you hadn’t noticed before.
Johnny responded back.
Sally shook her head.
I’ve known her since she was four years old, I know when she lies. I reminded her of that and she knew that I would be able to see through anything she said. Just be happy, she was calling as soon as I left her house.
She replied.
We’ll wait and see what happens. What about the other girls?
His message came back.
She thinks many of them wouldn’t have even made it through the trial, but she will talk to them. Or maybe she will let the DA do it, she wasn’t really sure. She was embarrassed about it. You know that is something that a female will hate. I hope you never say another person’s name to me.
She sent back to him.
Come over, I’m home.
He sent her. Sally headed to his house. She figured a celebration would happen soon. She didn’t know how long it would be before the DA would tell Johnny’s attorney, but she hoped she was there when he got the news.
Before she went over to Johnny’s she ran inside to see if her mom was there. Sally wanted to let her know that Mary had admitted Johnny hadn’t done a thing that night, well except upset her. But her mother wasn’t there when she walked in.
Instead she went over to Johnny’s and knocked on the door. He came and answered the door, and gave her a hug and a kiss.
“Welcome home.” He smiled.
“Well close enough to home right.” She smiled back at him.
Johnny got down on one knee and looked at her. He pulled a small box out of his pocket. “Sally Leach would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He asked her.
She felt her knees get weak. “Oh my goodness, I wasn’t expecting this. Yes I will marry you Johnny Young.” She said.
“Are you sure? Just in case Mary doesn’t call the DA, or one of the other girls goes through with the charges.” Johnny asked.
“Mary can testify that you didn’t rape any of them, right? So why would we have to worry about it?” Sally asked.
“I’m not sure how that works, I’d have to ask the attorney, but it seems like that would work. But again I know you swear she will do it, but I don’t believe her. You didn’t see her that night, or when she was putting on the show for everyone. I got jumped a few times by some of the guys from school. Thankfully, I’ve been studying martial arts and could protect myself. Unfortunately it didn’t help me much because I would get in trouble for fighting. Thus I must be violent.” Johnny explained.
“Why didn’t you tell me all of this at first?” She asked.
“Why? What good would it do for you to hear it? It wouldn’t make anything go away.” Johnny commented.
“I know but at least I would have known what you went through while I was gone.” She stated.
“I don’t want to drag you through it all. I can just tell you it was a living hell; I really thought I hated you for a while. But my love for you is far too strong for it to just disappear. I guess that night with Mary proved it to her, but to me as well. Honestly, before that night I would swear that I was over you. I know Mary thinks I lied to her the whole time, but I really didn’t. You messed me up bad when you left to go to Paris.” Johnny explained.
“I’m so sorry Johnny. I wish I would have realized how I felt before I stepped on that plane too. It would have solved a lot of problems, or at least changed this situation, and a few others. I wish we could go back to that day when we were in the woods. I would have said something else to you, would have talked about how it made me feel. I was nervous; I was shocked that we had just had sex. I mean how many years did I put you off? Suddenly I’m feeling all these emotions for you that simply make no sense to me.” Sally admitted.
“That wasn’t my problem. It was when you told me you were leaving in 3 days. I knew how I felt for you, and I had hoped it changed your mind. I know they say that a relationship shouldn’t be built on sex. But I don’t think I would change that happening that day. I would change what you told me right after though.” Johnny said.
“I would too Johnny. I wouldn’t have left. I missed you so much when I was gone. When you told me you wouldn’t talk to me anymore, I just died a bit inside.” Sally said.
“Imagine how I felt when you said you were going to Paris right after we had sex the first time?” He commented.
“No I can get it. Really Johnny, I’m so sorry.” She stated.
“Well now it’s in the past. If Mary does what you think she will, I don’t even know what I will do. I don’t know if people will believe the girls even after they change their stories. What I’m saying is that we may have to move someday. Otherwise I won’t be able to get a job, and you’ll have to support us.” Johnny said.
“How would you feel about going to New York or maybe LA? I could i
ntern with one of the fashion designers there, and maybe still be able to do what I’ve always wanted to do.” She asked.
“We’ll compare the options and see what looks like the best choice. But I haven’t given up hope on staying here either. Both of those cities are so dangerous, I don’t know if I want to take a chance of you getting hurt.” He commented.
“I’ll be careful no matter where we go.” Sally stated.
“We have to get past this whole thing first. You would think that if Mary did what she said I would have gotten a call by now.” Johnny said looking at his watch.
“It hasn’t been that long since I left her, maybe 10 to 15 minutes now.” Sally tried to cheer him up.
“I just have this horrible feeling that it won’t go that way. That she won’t call, and the attorney won’t be able to plea bargain and I’ll be in jail for years. You’ll be out here by yourself and will get tired of waiting for me. Eventually, you’ll leave me for another man.” Johnny commented.
“Is that why you asked me to marry you, because you thought I would stick around longer?” She asked.
“It might have a little bit to do with it. But it is mostly because you told me I needed to decide what I wanted from you. So today I went to Grand Island and went ring shopping. I couldn’t buy anything in town, they wouldn’t sell to me. Can you believe that? Don’t answer it.” Johnny told her.
“I can believe it honestly.” She began.
He put up his hand. “I told you not to answer it. I know you’ve seen it.” He stated.
“I’ve unfortunately found out just how judgmental people are in our little town since I’ve been back. The lady in the mall wasn’t the only one. I meet a couple of other guys we went to school with before that, and they were the same way. Mr. Samuels wouldn’t even hire me because he had heard a rumor about us.” Sally said.
“Well that isn’t shocking to me.” Johnny said.
His phone rang and he answered it. “Yes sure Mr. Wallace.”
Sally watched as Johnny listened and talked to his attorney. She kept her fingers crossed and watched his face to try and figure out what he was hearing.
“Okay, yes sir. I understand sir. Alright, I’ll come down there in an hour. Sure, I appreciate it.” She heard Johnny say.
As soon as he hung up she asked. “Well, what happened?” She asked.
“She did call and rescind her story. The charges from her are going to be dropped. The DA is dealing with the other girls right now as well. In an hour I’m supposed to go to my attorney’s office and I’ll find out what happened with them.” Johnny stated.
“I told you she would call.” Sally said.
“Okay so you were right about that. But I am telling you we need to decide what to do now. I don’t think anyone will hire me here. So what place would you like to move too?” Johnny asked.
“I don’t care; either of the bigger cities would work. I’ll look up to see if there are any more in different cities as well. Maybe Chicago that might be a good place too.” Sally suggested.
“Look them up when I go to see Mr. Wallace. Do you want to get married before we go, or after we get to where we are going?” He asked.
“Well I would like my parents to come, but so many people in town have really made me upset. They judged you for a rumor, based on lies. We have to move because of those lies too. As far as I’m concerned there aren’t many people I would even want to come now.” She stated.
“Where ever we go we can fly them out. I don’t mind that, are they going to be okay with you marrying me though? You’re mom stopped talking to me after she found out about the charges, I don’t think she likes me very much.” He said.
“She will change her mind once she finds out that Mary was lying.” Sally said.
“No don’t believe it. I’m telling you Sally; people will still talk and think I’m guilty. But your parents can come if they want. I agree with you there are too many people who I wouldn’t want to see at the wedding. Look up the places and let me know where you want to move when I get back though. It may be a quick move though; I want to start our new life together on an up note.” He stated.
“Alright sweetie, I’m going to go home and talk to my mom and do some research. Let me know when you get back okay.” She kissed him and walked out the door.
Sally went inside and called for her mom. “Mom, are you home?” She yelled out.
“Yeah sweetie, I’ll be right down.” She heard her mom call from upstairs.
A few minutes later her mom was downstairs. “Hey honey, how was your day today?” Her mom asked.
“It was very nice actually. See what I got?” She showed her mom the ring.
“Oh it’s beautiful. Oh wait, is that from him?” Her mom’s eyes closed a bit.
“Yes it is mom. It’s from Johnny and I said yes. By the way so you know I also talked to Mary today, and she lied. Sit down and let me tell you the story.” Sally said.
Her mom sat and listened intently as Sally explained what Mary had a little earlier in the day to her. She left out details about sex and all that, but gave her mom enough of the story so she could understand Johnny was not guilty.
“Well I guess you were right to begin with.” Her mom said once Sally had stopped talking.
“I also need to tell you that we will be moving as well. Johnny will always have people looking at him like he’s guilty.” Sally said.
“What? Where will you move? When are you going? I just got you back from half way around the world.” Her mom cried out.
“Mom, its okay, maybe we’ll go to Chicago. It’s not that far away really, and you and dad can come out for the ceremony. We aren’t going to get married in town.” She explained.
“Oh my little girl, she’s all grown up now. I’m so happy for you. You’re sure though that he’s not going to hurt you. Even though he didn’t rape those girls he was always in trouble for beating people up. They even said that old man Denton was in the hospital for a few months after he was done beating him up.” Her mom commented.
“Mom I talked to a guy today who told me a month. Then when I began asking him questions he admitted that old man Denton wasn’t even in overnight. People are over exaggerating things when they talk about Johnny. It was all a case of just making him look worse than what he is. Yes he did beat him up, and he knows he was wrong. But mom really I caused a lot of that anger in him when I left.” Sally explained.
“Well he did always love you so much. I guess you leaving would make him upset. But really he seemed to change right after you left so much.” Her mom said.
“Mom he was mad at me for leaving. We had gotten a bit closer a few days before I left and well something happened. We, well, had sex. I know mom, I know, I shouldn’t have sex before I’m married.” Sally said.
Her mom held up her hand. “I never said that, but I would think waiting would have been a good idea. But I know kids of your generation don’t look at marriage the same as us old folks do. But go ahead, so before you left you two had sex.” Her mom said.
“Yes and right after I told him I was leaving to go to Paris. He was hurt and upset. I was confused because I didn’t know why I found him so attractive. I got over to Paris and found out about him and Mary. It hurt me a lot, and made me realize just how much I cared about him. Now that I’m back I’ve already seen his attitude change.” Sally stated.
“My little girl, you did hurt him. Well I guess I owe him an apology too. I can understand why he was angry. It puts a whole new perspective on it.
***
Sally looked out the window of their little house in a Chicago suburb. Her belly was rounded and she was 9 months pregnant with their first child. She waited for her husband to come home from work.
“Hey honey I’m home.” Johnny said walking in the door. “How’s the most beautiful girl in the world?” He asked.
“I’m great. The baby has been really active today. I think he’s ready to come out soon!” Sally commented.
>
“Good, come on slugger, we can’t wait to see you.” Johnny kissed her belly and felt the baby kick.
THE END
ACTION STAR
Chapter One
Sara Albright, was only 22 years old and was running a farm and watching over her siblings. It wasn’t the life she had ever imagined for herself. But after her Ma and Pa had been in the accident, she had no choice.
She sighs heavily as she cleans up after her two siblings. Henry, age 16, and Sally, age 17. They didn’t ask for their parents to be killed either, none of them had ever thought of a life without them around. Well, eventually, but not until a much later time.
The shock of it all still was fresh in her mind and heart. She would forever miss her parents; it had left a huge hole in her heart. But it hadn’t been one that she had any time to focus on.
Immediately the tasks of everyday life had been pushed on her. She didn’t have a choice, she would be the one who had to feed her siblings and do it all. But Sara knew how bad the situation was for them, she was on the verge of losing it all. What would happen to her family then? Sara honestly didn’t know her family had been the only one who accepted her anymore. Ever since she had stood beside Elizabeth, the rest of the community here looked at her as an outcast.
Sara didn’t blame them, after all what had she expected? She was Amish and knew how her community would react. As soon as everyone had heard about the unwed Elizabeth’s impending child, they had turned on her quickly. Not Sara though, she had known Elizabeth since they had both been young children.
She knew that Elizabeth hadn’t done this as a betrayal to their religion. She had just enjoyed rumspringa too much. But that was the time they were supposed to have fun. Not that Sara would have gone and had sex, but her friend had. How could she turn her back on her?
Elizabeth had not admitted to that though, she had told everyone that Seth had raped her. It wasn’t true of course, but Sara still stood by her friend. It had cost her everything, well almost everything. At least she hadn’t been kicked out of the community. That was just because when the truth had come out, Sara had played dumb. But she knew people looked at her differently. She knew they were sure she had known the truth. After all her and Elizabeth were almost inseparable since they had been little. In fact she was sure they all thought Sara had gone and had sex during rumspringa too. Though she hadn’t, she couldn’t plead her case, no one ever listened.
