Post by Johnny Bacchus on Mar 20, 2022 13:38:59 GMT -5
"Are you okay?” Johnny had been on autopilot until the words of Mae Ashby brought him back to focus. It was like being made aware of one’s breathing – suddenly, what was automatic and subconscious flooded to the forefront of his thoughts. He could feel her hand in his, hear the sounds of traffic, and smell the wafting mixture of weed, incense, and bum urine which seemed to hang over every inch of Telegraph Avenue, particularly the closer one came to People’s Park. Johnny had taken a flight down to Tacoma to Oakland to spend a few days at home recuperating before boarding his next flight cross-country to Jacksonville. It was a brisk day in Berkeley, but it was just sunny enough for them to pull on jackets and venture out for coffee and vin diving at a few record stores. Mae had clung to his arm especially tight this morning – she’d missed him terribly in the preceding couple of weeks. And in spite of his distraction, Johnny had missed her. “Yeah, I’m fine,” he replied. It was a lie, naturally. His thoughts were scattered the past few days, and while he wasn’t entirely willing to exculpate Jill’s chairshot, the grounds for his contemplation and reticence were concrete enough. Under normal circumstances, he’d have happily opened up to Mae – he loved her and trusted her, after all – but he was also content to simply enjoy the fleeting time he had with her. He knew any further discussion would spoil the mood. “I don’t believe you.” Internally he groaned, but he gave her hand a squeeze before turning to plant a kiss on the side of her head. “I’m serious; I’m fine. I got my bell rung a few days ago.” “Yeah,” Mae said with a frown, “are you still feeling it?” Johnny shook his head. “Nah,” he replied, “looked worse than it felt. But it’s probably not the end with these two – they’re petty and mean. Jill wants to keep that same energy she had after rinsing Rat Man, and Regan’ll want her pound of flesh. I got my eyes peeled – I’m not gonna poke the bear again, but I’m not gonna turn my back on it either.” “I could come with, ya know,” Mae said, a plea concealed in the suggestion, “so you wouldn’t be so alone against them. I worry about you – I miss you – you know I can take care of myself and maybe could take care of you, too –” Johnny stopped, turning to look at her and take her other hand in his, not paying a single mind to the mumbled displeasure of the other pedestrians around them. He leaned in and kissed her hard before pulling away and giving her hands a squeeze. “I appreciate you so much. You seriously don’t have to worry about me, nor put yourself in harm’s way. It’s not that I don’t think you can’t take care of yourself – I just don’t wanna put you in the firing line. You know I’ve made enemies lately.” “That’s why I’m worried,” Mae said glumly, her lip pouting out in distress as her eyes cast down before snapping back up, “there’s a lot of people who want to hurt you: Regan, Jill, that crazy feral girl, and we don’t know if those people are still out for you…” Her body shook at the thought, her eyes misting up. “…I just think back to New Year’s and what I could’ve come home to, and it makes me want to cry. I know you have Addy and Trey and Jenn and them – you’re not totally alone – but I wish you had more people around you.” “Mae,” he started, confident and comfortingly, “I have plenty of friends. I have more than you’d believe.” He gave her hands another squeeze before he pulled her in for a hug and stroked her hair. “You do so much for others,” she muttered into his chest, “And I just wish they’d do something for you. It feels like you’re getting dragged down.” “I’m not getting dragged down,” he stated, “I’ve never let anyone drag me down – I can carry a lot of weight before I know when to give up. But I also got some friends and favors. I promise.” They continued down to Peet’s for coffee, talking about everything besides Action Wrestling, Affluenza, or even Chase Jackson. It wasn’t until they came to the Marina when Johnny fell quiet once again, his eyes darting to and resting on the seated figure of a grungy guitar busker sitting against the security fence that permanently closed the Pier. His hand went back to his wallet, fishing out a few bills and dropping them in the busker’s coffee can as they walked past. Mae wouldn’t have given it a second thought if not for the busker’s words of acknowledgment. “Jay-Bird?” Johnny froze, his lips pursing as if contemplating whether or not to acknowledge the address. He forced a polite smile and turned. “Hey, Cookie,” he replied, “How’s it going?” The busker’s eyes lit up as he forced himself to stand, placing the guitar on the fence and walking over to throw a hug around Johnny. “Holy crap, man,” Cookie exclaimed with a loud mumble, “S’fuckin’ good to see you, man!” “Yeah, man,” Johnny said as he exchanged a reluctant hug, “You, too.” “I heard you’re tourin’ now, dude,” Cookie said as he released the hug, “S’that legit?” “Yeah, man,” Johnny offered hesitantly, “Something like that.” “S’dope, dude!” Cookie boomed, “We’ll have to meet at the Park and jam!” “Sure, man,” Johnny said noncommittally, “You still there?” “’Nother day in paradise, bro!” Cookie laughed, “But, yo, this your girl? I won’t keep you, man, talk later!” “Sure, Cookie,” Johnny grimaced as he exchanged a dap, “See ya.” His hand latched onto Mae’s like a vice as they walked away. “Who was that?” she asked. He hesitated, then replied. “My first boyfriend.” |