Free Don't You Remember by Lana Davison

eyes, our bodies moving slowly to the music. Johnny moved my head slightly over to the side and kissed my ear lobe. With both my hands placed on his cheeks I slowly kissed his mouth while he rested his hands on the top of my buttock. We were so into each other we didn’t notice there were other people around us – we only saw each other; we only wanted each other. The song ended and Johnny took my hand and led me outside, where he placed one strong arm around my waist and pulled me close, then using his other hand, he brushed my cheek and kissed me long and slow, tasting my mouth, enjoying my lips.
    “Let’s get out of here,” he suggested.
    “Let’s,” I agreed.
    Johnny drove the car to the paddocks behind Raven Lake finding a dirt track which led to a secluded area behind the lake. The heat of the night made Johnny take off his tuxedo jacket and bow tie. He undid the first few buttons of his shirt at the neck to allow freedom. We parked, opened the car doors and walked to the bonnet, jumping onto the hood to enjoy the night-time stars and the heat of the night. Johnny remembered he had a blanket in the boot and collected it to lay over the warm bonnet. We lay back watching the stars and dreaming about the future. Johnny was due to leave in exactly three days’ time and the next few days would be spent helping him pack for the future. He had managed to get a bar gig in Westville, in a little bar in the centre of town. It was only for one night and then he would be off again to find something else. Johnny didn’t feel any pressure about the future, but was instead excited about what might happen, believing if you want something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.
    We lay in silence, both of us in deep thought. “Jen, you know I’ll write always,” Johnny said eventually.
    “I know,” I said solemnly. “It just won’t be the same that’s all. We knew this day was going to come around, it’s just come sooner than I wanted.”
    “The sooner I get started the sooner I will be set up for you to come and join me. Stick to the plan, remember, we might actually get to where we want to be if we stick to the plan.”
    I nodded, staring into the night sky.
    He played with my long brown hair. “Two years will go so fast.”
    “Mmm, yeah, I guess,” I said reluctantly.
    “This is not the end of you and me,” he promised.
    I looked into his eyes searching. “I guess I’ll look at this separating as setting you free.”
    “You don’t need to set me free. I’m with the person I want to be with.”
    “I know,” I said, turning to face him and holding him close.
    “It will be all right,” he said squeezing me tight and holding me near. “I could never live without you. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I don’t want anyone else. You’re my first love and you’re the last. Know that.”
    “Just hold me,” I said, putting my finger on his lips. I didn’t need any more convincing. I was in this relationship too, and I felt everything he felt.
    We gazed into the night, holding each other and realizing our time together, as we knew it, was almost over.

 
    CHAPTER ELEVEN
     
    I put the last pile of t-shirts into the boot of Johnny’s car where there were mainly clothes stacked up in neat sections, a toiletries bag, a sports bag, his music and his guitar. Johnny shut the boot and stood facing the vehicle taking a deep breath.
    “All packed and ready?” I asked, standing behind Johnny and holding onto his jean waist playfully with one hand. My head bent slightly resting between his shoulder blades. I, too, took a deep breath, taking in his imminent departure.
    “This is it,” he said, turning around and rubbing my shoulders. “My ticket out of here.”
    I smiled, understanding his words. “I’ll miss you.”
    “I won’t forget you,” he promised, walking with me to the driver’s car door.
    “I’ll be waiting for you to write,” I assured him, standing by the