Chapter 16

“Its not fair mom! I just want to go with Sandy to the cinema. It’s a new movie. Everyone is talking about it. Why am I never allowed to go out? Don’t you trust me? IT’S NOT FAIR!!”

“Megan lower your voice. I’m still working. We can discuss it tonight after…”

“Discuss it?! Dad never discusses it! He says no and I just have to abide by it. I’m sick of it mom. SICK! I’m turning 16  in a few months time. All my friends can go out, why not me!”

‘Megan…”

She turned and run only to run into a fleshy wall.

“Sorry…”

“Hey! Sweetheart. Whats wrong?” Richie steadied the crying girl in his arms.

“Nothin’”

Her body started shaking and tears flowed from her face. He folded her into his arms. He hated to see her upset.

“There, there honey. Let it all out.”

Mary rushed in and opened her mouth to apologize, but Richie winked at her. She retreated, thankful that these boys were so understanding and supportive of Megan.

Jon found them like that and almost punched Richie until he heard the heartbroken sobs of the young girl.

Jon shrugged at Richie, trying to find the cause but Richie just smiled and shook his head, while sliding his big hands over her shining curls.

Her sobs stopped after a while and she flashed Richie a teary smile. A hiccup slipped from her mouth, drawing a gentle smile from his face.

“Wanna tell me what made your heart break like that? A boy?”

“Noooo Richie. Its my dad. There is this movie I want to see with Sandy, but he wont let me. He never let me do anything. I can’t go to the movies, I can’t sleep at my friend’s house.  I’m the laughing stock of my friends!”

Jon listened intently to the girl’s ranting. He retreated without being seen, searching for Mary.

~~~

“Ten o clock then. Don’t worry Mr. Lyons. We will take good care of Meg and Sandy. With a bunch of mean looking brothers like us, no one will dare to even look at these two.”

The old man shook his hand. He really liked Jon very much.

Megan was positively glowing. Jon managed to convince her dad to let her go to the movies. He and the guys wanted to see the movie anyway, it wouldn’t be any trouble to bring the girls with them, or so he said.

Megan got into the front seat and Sandy with Richie at the back. Tico and David took their own car.

Her hand rested for a moment on his thigh.

“Thank you for doing this Jon.”

His head jerked towards his thigh, staring at the dainty hand resting on him. His hand took hers and he flashed the best smile he could muster at that moment. His body had already buzzed to life just from that innocent touch.

“My pleasure pumkin.” He winked.