Incest/Taboo Unbelievable

"Thank you," Annie muttered memorizing Janus's cell number when she whispered it to her.

"Now how about you go put some lotion on your brother so he doesn't burn," Janus said, with a coy smirk.

"There... you shouldn't burn now," Annie whispered before placing a kiss on John's cheek. "You just tell me if you need some more, okay?"

"Okay," Johnny uttered softly.

An hour had passed, his eyes watching how his legs slowly kicked in the water. He had all but forgone fishing, setting the pole aside, studying his reflection on the water's surface. Wondering if Julia would even recognize him now, or had his anger, his hate, his contempt for people changed him so much that she wouldn't see the boy he once was. Granted that boy had been through Hell, and those scars had forever changed him into the man he was to this day. Watching how the water rippled reflecting how his mind always was. Never placid, never calm, always in chaos. Sighing, wondering if it was just better to put him back in a ward so he could never hurt anyone. Ever since coming out of that place he feared that what was done to him in that place he would turn out just like them. His eyes glanced up seeing his mother slyly peeking through the branches of the small trees that lined the embankment. Giving his mother a small wave, which she returned.

Arching an eyebrow when it appeared to him she was mouthing 'I love you'. He didn't know how to reply to that at the moment. His mind was still too in flux, so shattered at the moment to even respond to his mother.

"Hey Johnny," Bill called out as he came to the edge of the water. "Why don't you come home, we have some things to tell you," he said, seeing his brother looking at him oddly. "I promise you'll like what we have to say."

"Go on," Janus said, with a warm smile. "I need to head in anyway," she said, winking at him. Watching how Annie wrapped her towel around her body as she prepared to walk John home. "Now you keep my relationship with Johnny secret alright?" Janus commanded knowing if John wanted it known then she would leave it up to him to tell them about their relationship.

"My lips are sealed," Annie nodded watching how the tips of Janus's fingers tickled the underside of her brother's chin. "You ready?" she asked, gently squeezing her brother's hand as she looked over at him as he held his pole in the other hand.

"Not really but... I don't have much of a choice," Johnny replied shrugging his shoulders.

"Now Johnny, let's not go down that road," Janus said, placing her hands on her hips causing her 36D breasts to bounce as they stood in front of her home. "If it gets too much just come back over until you calm down, okay?" The corners of her lips lifting as John nodded. "Now you better call me, my man should call his woman daily," Janus purred, her green eyes glinted in the light at how bashful John was becoming.

"Johnny," Brandan's voice filled the room as he and Annie entered through the back door, "please have a seat son," he said, seeing how his son's eyes were warily looking at all of them.

"Why?" Johnny asked, becoming defensive.

"Johnny, baby, please," Katherine pleaded, "just hear what we have to say before you... decide whatever you want to do, okay?" Her blue eyes quivered as she noted how Annie was whispering into his ear. How she wished it was her that John trusted enough to listen to. It tore at her heart to know her own child didn't trust her enough to lean on her like how it appeared to her that Annie was becoming what she solely wanted.

"Fine," Johnny sighed. Feeling Annie's hands on his shoulders as he sat in the chair across from his parents. "What do you want?" he asked, coldly.

"Your mother and I spoke to the parole board," Brandan said, watching his son's eyebrow rising. "They have told us that if you want to attend you may, if you do they would like to hear from you of your account of what happened to you in that place."

"Really?" Johnny muttered not believing a word of it.

"It's true Johnny, I know you don't trust us right now. But believe what we are saying, if you want to go you have a week to decide," Katherine said, scooting towards the edge of her seat.

"Johnny, I found someone who wants to meet you," Ray said, cutting in, unlocking his phone and bringing up the email chain he had going with Julia's father. He had been trying to find out what truly happened to his daughter since the State and the Hospital at the time was constantly lying to him as they had lied to them. Seeing John's confused look as he looked at him. Watching how Annie's hands rubbed John's chest as he rose from his seat. "Here, see?!" Resting his arm on the armrest of the chair as he knelt beside John.

"And who is this supposed to be?" Johnny asked, taking his brother's phone from him. His finger swiping up as he read through the emails.

"Julia's father," Ray stated matter-of-factly. Taking a dry swallow as his brother's eyes shot to him.

"W-what does he want from me?" Johnny asked, with a trembling voice.

"Johnny," his hand lightly rested on his brother's arm, "they lied to him about what happened to her and how she died. He's been trying for these past four years to learn what really happened to her. I know you might not want it known but I told him you were there," Ray said, feeling his brother trembling beneath his touch. "But don't you think he deserves to know what happened to his little girl?"

"And he thinks I can give him what he seeks?" Johnny asked, a tad bit of fear edged into his voice.

"Johnny, I know you're probably scared. But don't you think Julia would want her father to know what happened to her? What those people did to her?" Wanda asked, her light brown hair bounced against her chest as she backed up her boyfriend.

"I know I would want my family to know the truth about what happened if that was me," Ruth said, speaking up.

"We'll all be there if you want us to be Johnny. You don't have to do this on your own," Bill chimed in.

"Johnny," Annie's sweet voice whispered above him, "I know you're overwhelmed right now. Don't rush into anything that you aren't ready for," she said, bending slightly forward, John's head finding its way to rest in-between her dangling breasts. "Just know if you need to talk I'm here," Annie said, reassuringly. Her heart fluttered as John rested his cheek against the back of her hand. Noting how her mother, Ruth, and Wanda were looking at her. She couldn't help it, but a challenging smirk lifted the left corner of her mouth.

"So can I email him...?" Ray began to say only stop as John took his phone back from him.

"No, if anyone is going to do it, it should be me. I'm the one who truly knows what he'll be facing," Johnny said, darkly. All were silent as they watched as John's fingers moved over the screen as he typed out his email to Julia's father. "When are we going back?" he asked, not bothering to look up.

"Tomorrow, we thought it best so you can be around your comics," Brandan said, his fingers weaved with Katherine's as he held her hand.

"Can you?" Johnny asked, peering up into Annie's blue-green eyes as he pointed at the screen.

"Of course, Johnny," Annie nodded. "I'll be happy to take you," she said, glancing at her mother seeing how she was on the verge of tears. "Maybe Mom can come along just in case you have an episode."

"Okay," Johnny sighed after he was silent for a few moments. Knowing if that did happen it would be better if there were two of them. He just hoped, that if he did have one, he wouldn't hurt them. Annie nodded to her mother when she mouthed a 'Thank you'.

"Let me know when he responds," Johnny commanded as he handed back his brother's phone.

"Sure thing," Ray nodded.

"Guess I need to go pack," Johnny said, rising from his seat.

"Johnny, you don't have to yet, there's still time to enjoy the lake," Brandan said, watching the shadows play across his son's face.

"The lake is just as dark as it is in here," Johnny said, tapping his temple before leaving the room.

The next day....

"You call me when you get home. Let me know you're safe," Janus said, as she and John stood alone on that secluded beach holding each other's hands.

"Yes Janus," Johnny said, gazing into her eyes.

"I'm going to miss you Johnny, you better take care of yourself. Don't make me come down there and spank that cute butt of yours," Janus said, with a sly smirk.

"I'll be good," Johnny said, dropping his chin as his cheeks heated.

"Hey," her light squeeze brought his gaze back to her, "don't you hesitate to call me if something gets too hard for you. I'll stay with you for as long as you need me to," Janus said, wondering what she was going to do. Should she visit him? Have a long distant relationship with him? She rightly didn't know. Janus would have to wait and see how the loneliness got to her.

"Johnny!" Annie's voice called out. "We're ready to go!"

"It's going to be okay Johnny," Janus said, bringing him into a warm hug. "You let me know how it goes tomorrow. I want to know how Julia's father takes the truth."

"I will," Johnny said, leaning forward, wondering when the next time he would feel the softness of her lips as they shared a passionate kiss beneath the golden rays of that early Saturday morning.

Janus placed her hand over her heart feeling its longing as she silently watched as John walked down the path that would lead him from her life until the next time they saw one another. She tried not to tear up as the shadows swallowed John's body. Her lower lip trembled as the realization of just how much she had fallen for him burned in her mind as he was gone from her life. Wondering if this was how Julia felt every time they were separated. When he would comfort her whenever they had their way with her.

"Johnny, son, will you ride with us?" Katherine asked, gesturing to Brandan's car once he came into view. "Please?" Watching how his eyes flickered over her shoulder knowing that Annie was standing behind her. "Honey," she whispered, "I know you're hurting, but can't you see I'm hurting too?" Seeing the perplexed look forming in his eyes. "Every time you shut me out, shut us all out, it tears at my heart," Katherine whispered letting her son see the pain he had caused. "I understand you're mad, angry at us for not listening to you. Not seeing what you were trying to show us. I get it. I really do. I'd be so livid if I were in your shoes. But can't you see how willing we are to make amends for our failures? Can't you see how willing we are to show you how sorry we are and that we will do everything we can to make it up to you?"

"Can you bring back...?"

"Johnny?! No one can, that's not fair to ask of anyone," Annie berated her brother.

"No Johnny, I cannot bring back Julia. I'm not Dr. Frankenstein, although..." Katherine fought to keep herself from smiling.

"What?"

"I didn't know you were into necrophilia, such a strange boy you are. I think it's all those comics you read, I'm sure Lady Death tickles your fancy, all that naked pale skin," Katherine said, teasing her son all so she could see him smile just once in days. "Come on now, that was a good one," she pouted as John tried to fight his smile.

"I don't know," Johnny muttered taking his mother by surprise as he lifted her breasts hearing her gasp. "I think Lady Death has you beat."

"Johnny! You wound me," Katherine said, her hands covering her orbs as her blue eyes held a look of hurt in them. "But you know what?"

"Hmm?"

"Unlike hers, you can actually play with mine," Katherine said, pressing his hands against her 32D breasts. "I swear to you baby, I will show you, you can trust in me," she said, her eyes held her determination to show that her son can trust in her once again. Noting how John's eyes were once again peering over her shoulder. She hoped Annie was pleading with him to give them a chance.

"We'll see if you can live up to your words," Johnny said, feeling his mother's nipples hardening beneath his palms. "You only get one chance, don't waste it," he said, slipping his hands out from beneath hers. Shooting his sister a look that told her that what happens next is on her if they fail. Feeling his brother's and their partner's eyes on him as he walked towards the passenger rear door of his father car.

"I won't Johnny," Katherine spoke with conviction.

"Again, we'll shall see." Were the last words he spoke as the car door closed.

"Johnny?" Annie's voice filled the car as they had been on the road for two hours. Scooting over to him as he had been staring out of the window watching the scenery passing them by.

"Hmm?"

"I've found something you might like," Annie said, drawing his gaze to her phone as she found a comic convention coming to the town a few miles away from theirs. Noting how her brother was eyeing her phone, "Would you like to go?" she asked, as John read down the screen.

"I don't know, I don't think you'd fit in," Johnny said, slyly eyeing his sister's body. Knowing how all the comic geeks like him would be drooling if she dressed up like one of the female characters in one of the many comics that were stored in his closet at home.

"Afraid I'd be mauled?" Annie inquired, smiling seductively at John. "Afraid that someone will get to see these," she said, lifting her breasts. "They can look all they want, but only you get to experience them," Annie purred into his ear. "Maybe I'll dress up as this Lady Death, I think I out beat her, don't you think?" she asked, enjoying how his face grew redder by the second. Having looked up the comic when her mother mentioned it she knew she was far larger than the woman in it. She did wonder how her brother would react if he saw her in such a getup.

"Johnny," Katherine peered around the edge of the front passenger seat. "Dr. Copper said it would be good for us to go to one if one ever came around. She thought it would help us bond."

"And what? You dress up in all those skimpy outfits?" Johnny retorted.

"Maybe I'll dress up like that Witchblade woman and have shredded clothes as well. Given how you enjoy how that shows off that woman's breasts," Katherine said, feeling her face heat picturing what she would look like in such a custom.

"Oh?"

"Mmmhmm, just think of it your sister and I in customs of characters you enjoy," Katherine nodded vehemently.

"Can you picture it Johnny? Me in this?" Annie asked, as she brought up a picture of Lady Death wearing nothing more than a black bikini top, matching cape, bottoms with gold skulls dotting the waistband with garter belt straps holding up matching mid-thigh high stockings. Her eyes slyly flickered down noticing slight movement within his shorts. "And just think me strutting around in that, hanging onto your arm, all those boys just drooling at how you got so lucky to have someone as hot as me," she said, giving her breasts a little shake.

"Uh-huh," Johnny muttered quickly looking out the window. Wondering when his own body would stop reacting to the way the members of his family looked.

"Johnny it's not good for you to lie to yourself," Annie said, snuggling up to him. "It's okay to admit you like the image of me in that kind of outfit. It's natural for a boyfriend to get aroused when his girlfriend talks all sensual to him, and it's okay to like it," she said, her breath hot in his ear. "I know it's difficult right now to admit it Johnny. Just know that I'll wait for you, however long it takes, I will wait for you," Annie said lovingly, as the backs of her fingers lightly brushed down John's left cheek.

Katherine's hand flew to her mouth when she heard that. It was the most -- sweetest -- thing she has heard for a long time. "Oh my little girl, she really does love him," Katherine sighed in her mind. Turning back around in her seat, looking over at her husband seeing Brandan's own eyes starting to moisten. Reaching over taking his hand into hers, the back of her fingers pressed against her lips as her own eyes quivered at how her daughter appeared so serene as Annie's head rested on John's shoulder.

"So what do you say Johnny? Would you like to go with me?" Annie asked, in a soft warm voice.

"Y-y-you want to go?" Johnny asked, his voice stuttering as he felt the softness of her breast pressing against his left arm.

"Of course, I do. If it will make you happy then I want to share in it with you," Annie cooed softly, her hand lightly rubbing up and down his arm. "I told you Johnny I'm not going anywhere. If you don't want to, that's fine, but if you do... just think of it. Me dressing up, wearing such an outfit all for you," she said, hoping he was imaging it. "But what I really like is that I get to spend time with you, in however way you want," Annie said, placing a light kiss on his cheek.

Dropping his chin to his chest John Masters was at a loss of what to do. Should he continue this course, or run screaming for the hills? Does he see where his sister wanted to lead him to, or end it now and damn them all? With how his mind was at that moment he truly couldn't say. One side, the primal side, that has tasted what sex was like when it wasn't forced onto him wanted to ravage Annie. To taste her like his mother had taught him to. The other side of him, the side that knows what it was like to be raped, to be violated, made to feel dirty, used, and oh so unclean wanted to curl into a ball and just fade from existence. Wanting that inky darkness just to cover him in its uncaring and nonjudgmental embrace all to hide the shame he felt during and to this day that he wasn't strong enough to stop it.

"Shh, it's okay Johnny, let it out," Annie whispered softly as she brushed a fallen tear from his cheek. "Let it all out," she said supportively, as she embraced him. "Let all that hurt out, let me know the pain so we can begin to help you heal from it." Reaching forward, holding her mother's hand as Katherine reached back offering her strength to them.

And so, for the next two hours John Masters poured his sorrows into his sister's chest. Years of pent up tears fell like a thundering waterfall once the dams in John's mind could no longer hold back the pain he's been living with all alone. Annie didn't care that her shirt was soaked through, that snot lined its surface. No. That didn't matter, what mattered was that John felt safe enough to allow that hurt, that torment, that darkness to flood forth. In the hopes that one day, one day a sliver of light would spring forth to bring its healing light to the deep pain that resided in John's fractured mind, and hopefully to bring back some semblance of the boy she once knew. Even if that was just a dream Annie didn't care, she would take John as is with no questions asked.

Sunday, 1:30, Lakeshore Park...

"We'll be over there," Katherine said, pointing to the picnic table within distance should he have an episode but not enough to over hear their conversation. "At any time you need to stop or if you feel an episode coming on you just call for us, alright?" Placing a kiss on her son's forehead as he nodded.

"Take all the time you need Johnny, he deserves to know the whole truth about what you and Julia had to endure in that place," Annie said, reassuringly. Seeing the man standing at the far picnic table where Johnny had told him to meet him.

"Okay," Johnny said, in a small voice. Blowing out a breath as he turned to face Julia's father. His nerves were on edge as his green eyes ran down the man's body. The man stood over six foot tall, a tad older than his own father, his flannel shirt sat tight along his barrel chest. His arms sporting tattoos that wrapped around his muscular arms foretelling his years in the logging industry. His eyes were captured by the portrait of Julia on his right bicep. Trying to keep from tearing up as white roses lined the border of the portrait. Those were her favorite and the ones he would always place on her grave. Clenching his fist as this took a step forward, knowing that he had to be as strong as Julia was.

"Thank you, for coming," the man said, shaking John's hand.

"You're welcome," Johnny replied as he noted the strength in the man's hand.

"Please won't you have a seat, call me Jared by the way," he said, gesturing to the table. "I take it that's your family?" Jared nodded towards Katherine and Annie.

"Some of them," Johnny nodded as he walked towards the right side of the picnic table.

"Please I need to know what happened to my little girl," Jared pleaded once they both were seated. Taking John by surprise as he grasped John's hands.

"Please refrain from touching Johnny without warning," Katherine spoke in a motherly voice.

"Forgive me, I didn't mean to trigger you if I did," Jared said, pulling his hands away. "I only want to know the truth about what happen to my baby."

"What I have to say isn't going to be easy to hear, and it's not going to be easy to tell," Johnny said, bowing his head.

"I understand," Jared said, bracing himself for the worst.

"I'm sorry..."

"What?" Jared was taken aback at the words John spoke.

"I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough, wasn't strong enough to save her," Johnny said, a single tear hung suspended on a single eyelash. Noting how Jared reached out only to pull his hand back.

"I don't blame you, I just want the truth," Jared said, speaking softly, trying not to upset the boy.

"Every night they would Ra*e her and all the other girls that were in there along with me," Johnny said, weakly. "They would torture us daily..."

"Oh my god!" Jared gasped in horror. For four years he has tried to get the truth about what happened at that place. Four years that his ex-wife kept him at arm's length when he went digging into his daughter's death. He knew she had come into a lot of money, more money than her new husband pulled in. Surging from his seat, running his hand through his hair as he paced along the bench. His rage burned in his blood at the thought she knew all about what they had done to Julia. Then again, she never cared about their daughter. She never wanted Julia. She only fought for custody because she knew how much he loved his little girl and only kept her because she knew it would destroy him. Which it did, especially when the court gave his ex-wife full custody and a restraining order keeping him from his own child. So it wasn't until he read about her death in the paper that he learned that his ex-wife had placed Julia in that horror show.

"She was so strong, stronger than I can ever be," Johnny said, stilling Jared's movements. "I wouldn't have been able to survive in that place without her. I thought all of them were DEAD!" he hissed as he slammed his fist into the table's surface causing his mother and Annie to quickly get to their feet. Holding up his hand telling them it was alright.

"What do you mean?" Jared asked, sitting back down.

"I can't say when it happened, I cannot say since the days pretty much ran on given the... things they did to me. So my sense of time was thrown off. I know it was a year after Julia's death. Given how I would always find myself in the courtyard where I found her," Johnny said, his lip trembling.

"Where you there when it happened?" Jared asked, seeing the sorrow in John's eyes as he nodded.

"She was my only friend and I couldn't save her!" Johnny began to weep into his hands.

"I know my daughter, if she befriended you..." Jared's voice began to break, "it means she must have saw something in you worth protecting," he said, lightly placing a hand on John's shoulder.

"I don't know what, I'm so fucked up that I don't even know myself," Johnny said, between sods.

"Johnny, can I call you Johnny?" Jared asked, seeing him nod. "What did you mean you thought they were all dead?"

"Someone, I can't remember who got out, I tried to tell..." His eyes cut towards his mother, "yet no one believed me. So we suffered and suffered in silence alone, with no one to save us, until that day. The police finally raided the place those men," his nails scraped down the wood, "thought going out by death by cop was better than going to prison for their crimes against us. That was what I thought until a few days ago when the news reported that the man that raped me and many others was up for parole."

"Was he one of the ones that did that to my little girl?" Jared asked, keeping his anger in check as John nodded. His lips were set hard knowing that man wasn't going to last a day if he ever got out. He didn't care if he was sent to prison, the day he learned of his daughter's death his life was over.

"But I'm going to make sure he's never going to get out?!" Johnny stated with the fires of determination burning within the depths of his green eyes. "It's the least I can do for all that Julia did for me." Looking down as Jared took his hands into his.

"You won't be alone, this I swear to you," Jared said, matching John's determination.

For two hours John recounted every horror, every ounce of pain, every single thing they had to endure at their hands. Noting how Jared hung on every word John spoke without a word said. Yet John could see the rage, the same rage he always saw in the mirror.

"Thank you again for coming, I know this must have been hard for you. If you ever need to talk, please don't hesitate to email me, okay?" Jared stated in a friendly manner as he shook John's hand. "Can I hug you?"

"O-okay," Johnny stammered. Huffing as the man wrapped him in a bear hug.

"Thank you, for telling me the truth and for being there for my little Julia. Don't you ever think you weren't strong enough. You survived. You held onto her memory. That is strength, don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise," Jared whispered into John's ear. "Take care of yourself Johnny, I know Julia wouldn't want anything to happen to you," he said, gently patting John's back. "Ma'am," Jared nodded to Katherine and Annie as he made his way back to the parking lot. He knew where he was going to go, and God help him if he didn't find himself in prison if his ex-wife lied to him.

"Johnny are you okay?" Katherine asked, as she and Annie approached her son.

"I... don't know," John said, unsure of what to feel.

"It's okay Johnny," Annie said, rubbing his back as she stood beside him. "That was a good thing you did for him. I'm sure he appreciated it."

"How about we stop for milkshakes?" Katherine asked, her hand lightly running down John's right arm. "I know this new place that opened up just a few months ago. I think you'll like it," she said, with a warm smile.

"Please Johnny, can we?" Annie asked, snuggling up to John's left side. "It's been some time since we've had a milkshake together," she said, in a loving voice.

"I hear it has some excellent burgers and fries," Katherine said, as her hand slipped into his.

Looking down at his stomach as it rumbled. Knowing that a milkshake and a burger kind of sounded nice. "Sure," Johnny agreed. Looking over at Annie as she hummed happily as they walked back to their mother's car.

"What?! This is kind of like a date, and I get have it with you," Annie said, blushing as she felt her brother's eyes on her.

"Mmm, a date with my handsome son, sounds so lovely," Katherine sighed as her arm brushed against John's. "Just think of it Johnny two women who love you wholeheartedly sharing a shake and a meal, doesn't that sound... romantic?" she whispered softly into his ear. "It's okay, there's no shame in being nervous about your very first date. After all you have a lot of catching up to do," Katherine cooed as they neared her car.

The red neon sign for Billy Bob's Dairyland burned brightly in the afternoon air. The red roof glinted as the sun struck it. Diamond plate stainless steel siding wrapped around the bottom half of the front of the diner while, clear, clean bubble glass allowed the light to flood into the public space. John arched an eyebrow as he peered through the gap between the front seats as his mother pulled to a stop in front of the '50s style restaurant.

"Come on, let's go eat," Annie said, as she held out her hand to him once they exited the car. Feeling so content as his fingers interweaved with hers. The heat of his palm soaking into hers just the way it was meant to be.

"Sit anywhere you like hon!" the waitress said, popping her gum as she walked by as they entered. The jukebox played in the back ground as her chignon hair style bounced as she carried her tray towards her section.

"Over there Johnny," Katherine said, pointing to the open booth near the jukebox. Watching how John slid into the seat closest to the side window. Then her eyes flickered over to Annie as she sashayed over to the jukebox. Noting how her daughter's eyes were moving over the selections as she flipped through the song titles as she slid in across from John. "Look at this Johnny," Katherine said, with a little lift in her voice as she rested her hand on the table top small jukebox that sat at the end of the table. "Isn't this neat?!" she asked, as she flipped through the same collection that was stored on the larger version as she flipped through the songs. "Honey?"

"Hmm?" Johnny hummed he looked around.

"Do you think you could dance like Elvis?" Katherine inquired, with a lubricous smile.

"Maybe, why?" Johnny asked, as his mother pulled out her phone from her purse.

"Why don't you have a look," Katherine said, pulling up videos on YouTube the songs 'Hound dog' and 'Blue suede shoes'. A loving light was in her blue eyes as John watched the videos on mute as her chin rested on the heel of her hand. Her eyes flickered over to her daughter as Annie pulled a dollar bill from her pocket. Listening to the coins clicking into the metal tray once Annie exchange the dollar bill. Arching an eyebrow as Peggy Lee's 'Johnny Guitar' came over the speakers.

"Play the guitar, play it again, my Johnny." Annie began to sway in front of the jukebox. "Maybe your cold, but you're so warm inside. I was always fool for my Johnny, for the one they call Johnny Guitar," Annie sang, her raven hair brushed along her back as she peered over at John. Noting how her brother was looking at her oddly. "What if you go, what if you stayed? I love you. What if you're cruel, you can be kind, I know. There was never a man like my Johnny," Annie sang along, her voice was light as the tips of her fingers ran along John's jaw. Her lips were inches away from his. Hoping John could see the love she had for him in her eyes as she stared into his. Slipping in beside her mother, smiling at John as she got comfortable in the seat. Puckering her lips at John's look that was a mix of curiosity and confusion.

"Now how about you show us those Elvis moves," Katherine said, inserting coins into the mini jukebox, the pads of the fingers moved over the buttons before selecting 'Blue suede shoes'.

"Really?!"

"Mmmhmm," Katherine and Annie nodded vehemently. Their clapping filled the restaurant as John sighed before sliding out of the booth. By the time John sat back down the restaurant was in joyous cheer.

"Well, no one's done that before," said the waitress as she stood at the end of the table. "Sorry for the wait, although the entertainment was worth it," she said, shooting John a friendly smile. "Now what can I get you?"

"I'll have the chuckwagon with onion rings, a coke, and a strawberry shake," Katherine stated laying down her menu.

"I'll have the chicken sandwich, no mayo, fries, diet coke, and a chocolate milkshake," Annie said, handing hers and her mother's menus to the waitress.

"And what will you have?" she asked, watching the boy going over the menu.

"Let me get the steak burger no onions -- Tots?! -- I like tater tots," Johnny said, feeling his mouth water. "What's an ice cream soda?" he asked, looking up at the woman.

"Oh?! You've never had one?" the waitress asked, in a chipper tone.

"No... kind of been away for a while," Johnny said, ominously.

"You see that fountain over there?" she said, pointing over her shoulder seeing John nod. "Well, it's an old timey way to have a soda. We use syrup, soda water, half-and-half, and vanilla ice cream, the flavors are on the back," she said, her pen tapped the back of the menu.

"I'll have the Pepsi float," Johnny said, with excited eyes. Wondering if it tasted as good as it sounded.

"I'll make it special just for you," she said, winking at John before heading to put in their order.

"My Johnny, I didn't know you had the way with the ladies," Annie teased as she leaned back in her seat. Smirking at John as he jumped slightly in his seat as her foot lightly ran up the inside of John's right leg.

"Mmm, to think that my baby boy has such a way with women," Katherine sighed as she batted her blue eyes at her son. The corners of her lips began to raise as she noted how red John's face was getting.

"Here ya go hon, I hope you enjoy it," the waitress said, placing John's Pepsi float in front of him. "If you three need anything just holler," she said, flashing them a friendly smile before going to wait on the rest of her tables.

"Johnny you going to eat that cherry?" Annie asked, in a sultry tone. Leaning forward, plucking the cherry from the top of the whip cream that sat on top of the float when John shrugged. Making him watch as she dragged the cherry through the topping before bringing it her lips. Her tongue curled out, letting her brother watch as she slowly and ever so sensuously brought her lips around that plump ripe fruit.

"Behave Annie," Katherine whispered into her daughter's ear. Only wishing that she had thought of it first. "Is it good honey?" she asked, as John began to dig in as the ice cream began to melt. "Good, I'm glad you like it," Katherine said as John nodded, reaching across the table lightly patting John's left forearm. "If you want another one just ask."

"I didn't think that place would be that good," Annie sighed as she rubbed her full stomach once they had their fill.

"Maybe we'll come again," Katherine said, peering at her son wondering if he would want to.

"Sure, they have tots and those floats," Johnny said, bringing his hand up as he burped. Smacking his lips as the lingering taste of vanilla hung in his mouth.

"Let's go home Johnny," Annie said, slipping her hand into his.

"Hey! You're back," Brandan said, as his wife and daughter walked through the front door. Hearing Ruth and her friends talking in the living room as they went over the wedding details. "How did it go...?" His voice stilling as John appeared behind them.

"Come, I'll tell you," Katherine said, taking her husband's hand as she led him into the kitchen. "Johnny, why don't you..." Watching John walk towards the rear door.

"Hey Ruth, isn't that the crazy...?"

"Hush! Don't call Johnny that," Ruth hissed low as she noted John peering into living room.

"But weren't you the one that..." Liana's voice was muffled as Ruth's hand quickly covered her mouth.

"Johnny don't let them..." Bill began say as he saw the insane light playing across his brother's eyes. Watching how his eyes were darting from the scissors that lay on the table then to Liana. Feeling a cold chill creeping up his spine as one of the creepiest smiles he had ever seen spread across his brother's lips. "Johnny," Bill said, his voice carried the hints of worry as he rose from his seat. If he had to equate the look to anything it sort of reminded him of what Norman Bates, played by Robert Bloch, looked like in that old '59 movie.

"What? They want to see crazy, let them come live in my world. Then they'll know what true horror is, until then they're just airheads who don't know a thing about what crazy is," Johnny said, in a dark, insidious tone. Looking over at his sister as she whispered in his ear. "Fine J... Annie, I won't creep out Ruth's friends," he stated rolling his eyes. "Bye, bye," Johnny said maniacally, smirking as he walked towards the back door. He always loved the look on normal people's faces when he let some of his insanity to the surface. Thinking they knew what crazy was when they themselves never once dealt with it.

"Now what do you think of this color scheme," Ruth said, bring their attention back to the matter at hand.

Scratching his head as Annie shot Liana and Brylee a hatful glare before heading off to her room. Turning back to Ruth as she drew his attention.

"You sure you want him coming?" Brylee asked, her eyes glancing to Bill as he narrowed his eyes at her.

"Of course, Johnny is coming. He's going to be my brother-in-law after all," Ruth said, sitting straighter in her seat.

"He's just... creepy," Liana said, shivering at the look he had given them. "Shouldn't he be you know in one of those places?" she asked, to which Brylee nodded along.

"He was," Bill said, darkly.

"You remember when the news was going on about Raven Dale Sanitarium?" Ruth asked her friends, as she held up examples for invitations wondering which one that Bill would like as she showed them to him.

"I think so, why?" Liana asked, as she flipped through the bridal magazine.

"Johnny was there for two years," Bill said, as he pointed at the one he thought would look best.

"You're kidding, right?" Brylee asked, suspiciously. She had heard all about Raven Dale, who hadn't? It was the talk of the town for years, she even had went there on a dare with her friends before she started college.

"Sadly, he isn't, Bill you know Johnny wouldn't like people he doesn't know or trust knowing about that," Katherine said, walking into the room after informing her husband of what transpired at the park they were at. "So how's it going with the wedding prep?" she asked, her arms rested on the back of the love seat Bill and Ruth were sitting on. Her blue eyes running down the samples in Ruth's hand. "I like that one," Katherine said, reaching out, her nail tapping the one that caught her eye.

"That one is a tad expensive for the number of guests we want to invite while saving enough for our honeymoon," Bill said, smiling sweetly at Ruth.

"Pish-posh," waving off the statement, "your father and I will pay for the honeymoon it'll be our wedding gift to the two of you," Katherine said, smiling at the two of them. It was going to be a secret until it would be revealed a few months before the wedding took place at Ruth's bridal shower. Yet she didn't see the need to hide it from them any longer. "You two just focus on the wedding that you want to have, okay?" Katherine was taken by surprise as Ruth abruptly threw her arms around her neck.

"Oh thank you!" Ruth said excitedly, into Katherine's ear. "I'll show you and Brandan my gratitude later," she purred low into her future mother-in-law's ear.

"Just not somewhere that cost $1500 a night, mmmkay?"

"Sure Mom, we'll keep it within budget," Bill nodded.

"Now I'm going to go lay down for a bit, and no more talk about Raven Dale without Johnny's say so," Katherine commanded in a motherly tone as she bopped her son's nose. Something she hasn't done since he was five.

"Okay... what's so wrong about talking about that place?" Liana asked, not knowing what truly went on behind those walls.

"Because you wouldn't understand, they don't," Johnny said, startling the five of them as he pointed at Bill, Ruth, and his mother. "So why would you?" he asked, with a pointed look.

"Johnny come help me out in the yard for a minute," Brandan said, standing at the back door trying to defuse the situation.

"Is that you Lieutenant Dan?" Johnny asked, doing his best Forest Gump impression. "My you got some shiny legs?!" he said, his smile touching ear to ear as he approached his father who was shaking his head at the display knowing that Johnny was only messing with them.

"What's got you in a good mood?" Brandan's voice could be heard through the closing of the door. "Oh? Did you now?" His voice trailed off as the latch clicked into place.

"What's got you all smirky?" Brylee asked, wondering why Bill was smirking like that.

"Oh, just the fact Johnny hasn't done this in a very long time," Bill stated.

"Done what?" Ruth asked, curious.

"Messing with your friends," Katherine supplied. "It must have been a really good day for him, well I'll let you two get back to it," she said, lightly patting her son's shoulder. "Bill make sure you clean up when the four of you are done," Katherine said, her voice trailed after her as she left the room.

"Did Johnny used to do that?" Ruth asked, eager to know more about John before his time in that hospital.

"Before he went in almost every day, after..." His gaze turned dark recounting how his brother was once his parents brought him home, "well you know how he's been," Bill said, looking over at Ruth who nodded.

"Ruth I thought you didn't like him?" Liana asked, confused by her friends demeanor.

"Well... I didn't," feeling her face grew flush in her shame, "but I learned what happened to him and I don't know if I could go through that and not end up like his friend Julia," Ruth said, her hand slipping into Bill's.

"Who's Julia...?" Brylee asked, tilting her head to the side as Bill placed a finger to his lips. Watching how he got up from his seat and peered around the door jam.

Bill arched an eyebrow as John stood at attention as he saluted his father who was shaking his head at the display. He could see his father chuckling as he pointed out along the yard, shaking his own head as John marched like he was in a formation with the bag of fertilizer on his shoulder.

"Julia was someone Johnny knew while he was there," Bill said, retaking his seat knowing his brother wouldn't over hear them.

"What happened to her?" Liana asked, her eyes darting between the two as they silently spoke to one another.

"She died, that's all I'm going to say..."
​