Keeping 13

Johnny asks Shannon what she wants. She tells him that all she wants is him, “especially the broken parts” (329). He kisses her, realizing that he can’t stop himself, and takes her onto his bed. She takes off her shirt, but after a few moments, Johnny stops. Shannon asks him why, and he tells her that he does not want to feel like they’re on a “timer.” He does not want to mess up their relationship, look back on these moments, and regret moving too fast and ruining things with her. She is happy that he is thinking about a future with her. Johnny tells her to put her shirt back on because he has an idea.

Johnny takes Shannon outside to his car and insists that she learn how to drive. She is initially hesitant, but by the end, she is ecstatic, repeatedly driving around his estate.

After driving, Shannon and Johnny do homework together. Darren shows up, and Johnny surprises him by inviting him inside. However, he tells Shannon that their father has been released from therapy. Johnny suggests that Shannon stay with him, but Darren angrily disagrees. Shannon says she needs to go home and help, then, when Darren goes outside and waits for her, she cries in Johnny’s arms. She is embarrassed, but Johnny insists that he loves all “parts” of her.

That night, Johnny can’t sleep, so in the middle of the night, he wakes up his dad. He talks to him for hours about Shannon’s family, asking his dad to help by taking their case or talking with the judge. However, his father insists that he already offered his services, and Marie declined.

A week later, Shannon and Johnny sit in the grass outside of the school. Johnny has a doctor’s appointment the next day to be cleared to play rugby, and he is nervous. She comforts him, insisting that he knows he will be cleared, then kisses him. She invites him back to her house, where no one is home.

Shannon and Johnny kiss on her bed. She takes off her clothes and reaches for his belt. However, Johnny stops her, insisting that their first time together needs to be more special. He promises to spend the night with her the first time they have sex. As they continue to kiss, Johnny moves down her body, using his mouth. However, they are interrupted by Darren knocking on the door, yelling that he knows Johnny is in there.

Shannon tries to get Johnny to sneak out the window, but Johnny insists that Shannon open the door. Darren repeatedly asks if Johnny is being “safe,” but Johnny refuses to answer, insisting that he won’t talk about his relationship with Darren. He says goodbye to Shannon and leaves.

Johnny gets cleared to attend practice. The morning of his first day back, his mother angrily comes into his room. She confronts him about finding Shannon’s bra under his bed. He insists they haven’t had sex and distracts her by talking about rugby.

A week later, after watching Johnny practice, Shannon goes with him back to his house. His parents are supposed to be gone for the night. However, when they go into the kitchen, they walk in on Johnny’s parents having sex on the counter. Traumatized, Johnny yells at them, insisting that he is going to move out and have sex with Shannon as payback. Through it all, Shannon can’t stop laughing.

That night, Johnny, Shannon, Claire, and Gibsie go to the movies. When they get in line for food, Shannon refuses to tell Johnny that she is hungry, instead insisting that she is fine. Johnny realizes that her reluctance to accept food is about money, and he is adamant that he will always pay for her.

After the movie, the four are walking to their car when Shannon sees her father sitting in a car. Overcome with fear and anxiety, she vomits onto the walkway.

Johnny goes to Teddy’s car and slams his hand on the windshield, demanding that he get out. Johnny grabs him by the shirt, calling him a “piece of shit” and punching him in the face (378). Johnny tells him to stay away from Shannon and goes to leave but stops when her father tells Shannon that she’s “no daughter” of his. Johnny goes back to the car and tells the woman inside that she needs to run because the guy she is with is an abuser, then hits Teddy in the face again.

Back in the car, Shannon is shaken. Johnny apologizes to her repeatedly, admitting that he couldn’t control his anger. She tells him that she loves him, unsure of how she feels about what he did. Johnny asks her to come stay with him, and she agrees.

That night, Shannon can’t sleep due to her anxiety over seeing her father. Johnny wakes up and moves next to her, holding her and assuring her that she is safe.