Tuesday - 4/27
NATURE CENTER - BURNT HILL
RICKY: Where do you want to go from here?
ALLIE: I don’t know, really. This is all new to me.
RICKY: It is for me, too. But, I’m glad I finally told you. I’ve been keeping this inside for so long. I think the only other person who knew was Manny.
ALLIE: Yeah, she knew for me, as well. Heck, she knew even before I did. At least, it feels like that.
Ricky nodded.
ALLIE: I don’t usually love the idea of things not being planned, but I was thinking, maybe we could just take it slow? See where things go?
RICKY: Yeah, that sounds good to me. We’ll start in a couple of days with the Last Blast?
ALLIE: Maybe we could hold hands even before that?
RICKY: Sounds good.
Slowly, they reached for each other’s hand and took it. Both smiled, feeling the warmth of the other’s hand in theirs. They walked along the trail, which led back to the entrance of the nature center. When they eventually got to the front office, they were forced to let go of each other’s hand so that one of them could open the door. Sofia was in her office and walked out when she saw Ricky and Allie walk in.
SOFIA: Hey, you two! How’d the project go?
ALLIE: It went really well. I got a bunch of great pictures for the project. Thank you so much for letting me look around!
SOFIA: You’re very welcome, Allie. You’re always welcome here. I trust ‘rique did a good job of showing you around?
RICKY (under his breath): Mami…
ALLIE: He was very helpful! I don’t think my pictures would have turned out half as good if he hadn’t come with.
Ricky and Allie smiled at each other.
SOFIA: Wonderful!
Manny walked in.
MANNY: Okay, Mami. All the animals have their food, so I’m done. Hi, guys.
ALLIE: Hey.
RICKY: Hi.
SOFIA: Well done, Mandella. Go wash up, all three of you, and then we’ll have dinner. You like stuffed peppers, Allie?
ALLIE: I’ve never had them, but they sound delicious.
MANNY: Papi makes the best stuffed peppers! You’re gonna love them!
SOFIA: I’ll be with you three in a moment, I just need to wrap something up here.
RICKY: Sounds good.
The three walked off together. They separated when they got to the bathrooms.
MANNY: How’d it go?
ALLIE: It was great. Ricky and I got so many great pictures today! This place is beautiful!
MANNY: Awesome. But, that’s not what I mean, and you know it. How did it go?
Allie smiled.
ALLIE: It went really well.
MANNY: I should hope so. You practically floated in here.
ALLIE: I’ll give you the details later. For now...I’m really happy!
MANNY: Good.
BLACK PATCH
STEVE: I like your thinkin’, Count.
TONY: Yes, let’s just hope it works.
JOHN: It should. Now, if between now and then you or someone else receives another tape, let us know as soon as you can.
TONY: Of course. Anna and I will help in any way that we can, and I’m sure Chad and Abigail would feel the same. If there’s any other way I can help, please, let me know.
John nodded.
JOHN: We will, for sure. Good to see you again. I’ll be seeing you in a few days.
TONY: You as well. Steve, Joy.
Joy nodded.
STEVE: See you, Count.
Tony shook hands with all three, then walked out.
OUTSIDE THE DIMERA MANSION
Johnny and E.J. had finished their discussion from earlier. Now Johnny was getting ready to head back home. He put his helmet on, and was just about to get on his bike when his phone buzzed. It was a text from Meadow West, which read: “Is it done?”. Johnny replied.
JOHNNY: Yes. I told her no.
He waited for the reply, which came a moment later. “Good.”
JOHNNY: Now I have a question for you. As we’re on good terms now, and to show you that I do care for you, I would like to go to the Last Blast Dance with you next weekend.
The three dots which symbolized typing came up, and stayed there for a few minutes. Finally, the response came. “Sure, why not. Should be a fun night. We’ll discuss the details at school on Monday”. Johnny replied with a thumbs up emoji. He smiled to himself, put his phone away, got on his bike, and rode away.
