The Long Road Home
by Terry

Chapter 15

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and a gentle breeze was finding its freedom among the leaves of the trees. There was a fragrance of flowers and new mown lawn filling the air. It was a day of rest and serenity. It was the kind of day that memories hung on to for those times when one wanted to remember the simple pleasures of life.

Johnny moved Alexis from her wheelchair to sit on a bench under his favorite oak tree and sat down on the ground beside her leaning back against the edge of the bench. He brought the funny papers with him and began to read them aloud to Alexis. Feeling a particularly fragrant breeze pass by, Johnny lifted his head up, closing his eyes and allowed the wind to play havoc with his hair. He reached back and gently caught Alexis' within his own and absently caressed the child within her. Wishing with all of his heart that Alexis could feel what he was feeling in that moment, he suddenly felt an uncertain hand come to rest on top of his head as hesitant fingers moved through his hair. Growing very still so as not to startle her, Johnny turned very slowly to face Alexis and looked up at her face. Her head was lifted slightly to catch the breeze more fully just as he had done a moment before. A small smile touched her lips.

Grasping the hand very tenderly that still lay on his head he stood cautiously and with his other hand touched her cheek lightly.

"Alexis?"

There was no immediate response, so Johnny softly called to her again.

"Alexis, can you hear me?"

With almost no visible movement at all Alexis' eyes slowly shifted and finally met his. Johnny could barely contain the joy he felt when all of a sudden he saw the most intense look of terror come over her. Johnny remembered Kevin telling him that they may have a memory problem due to the drugs she was on and he knew in that moment that Alexis did not recognize him.

"It's ok, Alexis. I will not hurt you and I will not let anyone else hurt you. I am here to protect you and I will do so even if it costs me my life. I am your friend and my name is Johnny. Please don't be afraid of me. Tell me whatever you want me to do and I'll do my best to see that it's done. I am here to see to your every need. I promise you, you do not have to be afraid of me."

Johnny saw the terror in her eyes dissipate some and stood very still as he watched Alexis slowly lift her hand to touch his cheek as if to assure herself that he was real.

"Johnny?"

"Yes, my name is Johnny. How do you feel, Alexis? Can you tell me?"

Her eyes moved back and forth and he could tell she was searching for a word to describe how she was feeling. Smiling reassuringly for her, he waited patiently.

"Groggy."

It was a quiet answer spoken hesitantly.

"That's because you've had a lot of medication being shoved at you. Can you tell me if you are in any pain or discomfort?"

"No pain... Do I know you?"

Stroking the back of her hand comfortingly Johnny moved very carefully to sit beside her.

"Yes, we have been spending quite a bit of time together. Did you know that you have become my new best friend lately?"

"Why?"

"Because you needed one. You needed to be taken care of and I wanted to, so here I am."

She shifted uncomfortably.

"Where am I?"

Unsure of how to proceed and how much to tell her, he decided not to tell her anything and leave that job to Kevin. Caressing the hand he still held in his own, he met her gaze as openly and honestly as he knew how.

"Alexis, I know you have a lot of questions. But, I am not a doctor and I am afraid to meddle in doctor things. What I do know is that it has been a long time since I have seen any kind of expression in those beautiful eyes of yours and I don't want to see any more fear in them. I wouldn't know how to handle it. So, can we just sit here a while and enjoy the afternoon. I don't want to take you in yet because it is such a beautiful day and I want you to be more comfortable and steadier before you have doctors and nurses poking and prodding you. Is that ok with you?"

Turning her head a little more to look directly into Johnny's eyes, Alexis saw nothing but concern for her. It was true, she was afraid. The last thing she remembered for sure was visiting Chloe in the hospital and she now found herself in very unfamiliar surroundings with a total stranger.

"I'm afraid."

"I know, partner. If I were in your shoes I would be too. But, I promise I won't let anything happen to you. You are safe with me."

Alexis needed to believe him. She needed time to put things together and figure out just what had happened to her. His eyes told her he cared… the he was in fact on her side and wanted to help. She took a chance… she smiled hesitantly.

"How long... are you staying?"

"For as long as you need me. I promised you that I would stay with you until you no longer needed me. My word is my bond. I will not fail you, Alexis."

"Thank you."

Johnny sat back with relief. She was willing to trust him for now. It was enough for their first conversation together.

"Would you like me to continue to read the funnies to you?"

"The funnies? I can't... remember... "

Johnny watched the confusion and fear cross her face and guessed what she had been about to say.

"Can't remember the last time you read the funnies, huh? Man, that's too bad. I'm a big fan of Superman myself; I guess you're probably more into the 'Family Circus' or probably the 'Peanuts' gang. I know... I'll bet you just love ol' Charlie Brown, don't you. Always did take up for the little guy, didn't you?"

Johnny's heart soared as he listened to Alexis laugh for the first time in more than a month.

"What's he up to these days?"

Johnny and Alexis sat there for the next hour enjoying the beautiful day. Johnny knew Alexis was in an agitated state of mind and kept calling her attention back to him with the funnies, jokes and humorous stories. Watching her carefully, Johnny finally decided it was time to call Kevin.

"Alexis, I would like to call the doc now and have him come by to check on you. Since he is probably at home right now, it will take a little bit for him to get here, so we have a little time to prepare you to meet him. Are you ok with that? It's totally up to you how we handle this, but I do think you need to see him just in case we need to change your medication any."

Growing tense at the idea, Alexis gazed into Johnny's totally open and honest face and relaxed into what felt normal. She teased him.

"You're going to let the crazy person decide?"

Johnny immediately froze at her response, then upon closer investigation saw the very distinctive twinkle in her eye.

"Well... I guess. I mean, don't you think it's about time you took over your own bath time?"

Watching her eyes widen in shock, Johnny laughed outright.

"Gotcha."

Alexis placed her hand on Johnny's arm and joined his laughter for a moment before growing serious.

"What, Alexis. What is it?"

"I'm not ready yet, Johnny. I need some time."

Alexis needed to be steadier and more in control of her surroundings before anyone else saw her. Taking hold of Johnny's hand she looked at him pleadingly.

"Please Johnny, give me until in the morning before I have to let them know I'm... here. Can I ask that much?"

Looking at her compassionately Johnny knew how much it was costing her to ask for time. To willingly give someone else control over a decision that directly affected her went against the very fiber of her soul.

"How good an actress are you, counselor?

She breathed her relief.

"Thank you, Johnny."

"I'm here for you, Alexis. For as long as you need me. No amount of wild horses or even Charlie Brown himself could take me away from you. That's a promise from me to you."

"Not even Charlie Brown, huh?"

Johnny grinned widely and laughed outright looking around quickly to see if anyone had heard him.

"Ok, we have a bit of an alliance here against the system. I think though, for your protection as well as mine, I need to know just how you're feeling. Physically."

"Actually I feel... "

Grabbing her stomach, Alexis looked down and then back to Johnny.

"Am I sick, Johnny? Is there something wrong with me?"

Feeling his heart sink, Johnny knew exactly what Alexis was feeling. The little peanut was probably making herself known. He considered for a moment telling her it was just some kind of stomach virus, but immediately threw the idea out. She would never forgive him for lying to her. So taking a deep breath he put his arm around her and took her hand in his.

"No, my friend. You are not sick. It is because of these types of questions that I think we should call your doctor. I don't know if you are strong enough to be able to handle some of the truths that you are going to have to face in the next few days. If you would be willing to trust me when I tell you that your health is great and leave the inevitable questions alone for now, then I can assure you that you will have some of your answers tomorrow."

"Trust? Why does that word strike such an intense fear in me, Johnny?"

Watching Johnny's head fall, Alexis knew she would not be able to wait for answers to just come to her. She needed them now.