I Dream Of Johnny (novella) by Juliet Madison Read Free Book Online Page A

thrill of checking my email and PayPal account for new sales. I looked towards Jonathan who had a fearful expression on his face and my heart sank.
    I noted the remaining time on the timer, placed the lamp back down, and walked over to Jonathan. “We need to talk.”
    He held up his hand and a faint glimmer of moisture welled in his eyes. “Don’t. I know what’s happening. I just...didn’t think it would happen so fast.” He turned away and wiped his eyes underneath his glasses.
    ”Having you here has been...interesting, and you’re the best pancake maker in the history of the universe.” I offered a smile. “But our time has come to say goodbye.”
    “No, no. Please, isn’t there any chance of making this permanent?”
    “Jonathan, I’m sorry, but you don’t belong here. We don’t belong together, it’s not right.” And you’re not really real. You’re a manifestation of the World of Wishes. But I couldn’t say that out loud. Right now, he was real, and he was experiencing the same emotions I’d felt when Dan left me. My heart broke for him, but hopefully somehow there’d be a new journey ahead of him elsewhere, in some other place, or some other realm. It was time for me to get back to reality, to normality, and make the most of this life I’d been given.
    I looked into his eyes, and never really noticed until now that they were quite beautiful —a deep shade of green that glistened with his threatening tears. I’d only seen his daggy clothes, bad comb-over and Mr Bean dance moves, but beneath all that was a pure heart. A heart who brought people together in the strangest of ways, who cleared the air with his honesty, and embraced his true self without fear or concern of what others thought.
    “You know what has to happen, don’t you?” I asked, not looking away.
    He nodded reluctantly. “I know. And it’s okay. Like I sang in that song last night...my heart will go on.” He placed his hand above his heart and squared his shoulders.
    “Goodbye, Jonathan Fortran Schnecklymer,” I said, and without waiting for his reply I leaned towards him and gently pressed my lips to his in one brief but definite kiss.
    His face glowed and he smiled, mouthing the words ‘thank you’ before turning his back towards me and facing the sink. “I’ll just make a start on the washing up.”
    I almost told him not to bother as it would magically clean itself up, but realised he wanted to keep busy while I did what I had to do. I walked back to the hall table, out of sight of Jonathan, and picked up the lamp. A few minutes remained. My finger hovered over the on-screen keyboard and then I typed:
    I wish for things to go back to the way they were before I made my three wishes.
    I peered around the corner of the kitchen at Jonathan as he scrubbed the plates and cutlery, and was about to turn back when he turned his head and blew me a kiss. I pretended to catch it in my hand then placed my fist over my heart. He smiled and turned back to the dishes, and with a deep breath, I pressed the ENTER button.

Chapter 7
    Please wait while your wish is being processed.
    A bright light flashed and I squinted, blinking repeatedly until my surroundings came into focus again. A gentle trill sounded and I glanced back at the screen, telling me my wish exchange had been granted. It also said the lamp could be passed onto another person, but could not be reused by myself.
    I put the lamp on the table and walked around, surveying the results. Boxes littered the floor, mobiles hung from various places, and there was no extra studio out back. I checked my bank account which was back to a miniscule amount, with seven hundred and fifty three dollars owing on the credit card. Oh well, I’d manage. I’d figure it out. I walked towards the bedroom. “Jonathan?” I called, just to make sure. No response. I felt a little sad, but also relieved that my life could get back to relative normality. There was comfort in the familiar, even if