Ch. 13 - New Beginnings

Jon had so much excitement and energy after recording with David Bowie.  As soon as they cut China Girl and David gave it the thumbs up, he left.  He told Tony that he would be back next weekend and finish the album.  Jon stood there, with a little bit of star struck in his eye, but he was really in a state of shock.  He had just played lead guitar on a David Bowie song that was going to be on his next album.  He's amazed.  With his own song on the radio and now he can add China Girl to his resume, Jon felt like he was headed in the right direction.

"I'm glad you were here to do that, and I'm happy for you that you were given the opportunity Jon, but it doesn't change the fact that you were late for work.  Not only does that make you look bad, it makes me look bad.  If it happens again, I'm going to have to let you go.  Family or not, business is business."  Tony tells his young naive cousin. 

Even though he just got reprimanded by his boss, Jon couldn't stop smiling.  Tony couldn't take that from Jon.  Jon was on cloud 9 and stayed there for the rest of his shift.  Bruce Springsteen came in during the day and a few other artists Jon didn't care for.  He just wanted his work day done, so he could meet with his band mates and tell then all about his fabulous day.

Two o'clock finally arrived and Jon ran out the back door as Tony yelled, ""You better not be late tomorrow, Jon."  Jon gave him a wave and left.  When he got to his car, he accepted the fact that it was going to take forever to get from New York City back home to Sayreville, but that's a small price to pay for the experience he just had.  He knew he could play guitar, and he knew he was good - he never thought he was Bowie good.

Sitting in traffic and listening to WAPP, he heard another announcement about the homegrown talent album that they were making and right after the advertisement, they played Runaway.  Jon is really pumped now and wants nothing more than to jam with his band and make a kick ass record.

Jon remembered that he had to pick up Matt, so he did.  As soon as Matt got in the car, he started messing with Jon's stuff.  That pissed Jon off.  Slapping his brothers hand while he dared to reach up and turn the radio station, Matt started to pout.  "Jesus Christ Matt, how old are you?"  Matt turns and look out the window the rest of the ride home.  Jon just pulled in the driveway to let Matt out, Jon could see that Dad was home.  "Tell mom I'm going to Richie's, I'll be home late."  Matt flips Jon off and walks in the house.  Jon leaves.

As soon as he put the car in drive, to head down his street, he remembered he needed to call this Monica that left a message.  So, he put it in reverse and backed into the driveway.  Went into the house and grabbed the number from his pocket, and called her. 

"Hello?" in the sexiest voice he has heard.

Nervously, he asks, "Can I talk to Monica please?"

"This is she.  Who's this?' she has no idea who's calling her.

"This is Jon.  I got a message to call you?"  he tells her.

He hears a giggle and then she says, "Oh my god, I can't believe you called?"  She giggles some more.

He's not sure what to make of her, and the giggle is getting a little irritating.  "What can I do for you, Monica?"  He's always polite, even when he doesn't have to be.

"Um, um nothing.  I seen you at the Stone Pony and got your number from Richie.  I guess I just wanted to say Hi and see if you wanted to get drinks sometime?" she stammers with her words and feels like a total idiot.  She's an adult, she should be able to handle herself better than that.

Jon, not sure what to do here says, "Yeah, we could meet for drinks sometime.  When did you have in mind?"  He suddenly feels a little bad because of Liz.  He doesn't let Monica know though

"I'm pretty open, I work at the hospital during the day, so my nights are open and from what I hear, you and Richie just started a band?"  she replies.

"We did.  We are starting with the writing tonight, but tomorrow night I'm free.  Will that work for you?" he asks, hoping he's not rushing into anything.  He's curious to know who she is.  No one stood out in the bar, so who is this chick, he's thinking.

Monica quickly says, "Yeah, tomorrow is fine.  Want to meet at the Fast Lane?" she was just offering a suggestion.  She'll go where ever he wants to go.

"How about the Stone Pony?  I hear South Side Johnny and the Jukes are playing there for the next three nights.  Do you like South Side Johnny?"  Jon knows what he wants to do, and he's gong to do it.  If she wants to go with him, that'd fine.  But he never misses a SSJ show, when they play close.

Monica makes a sound like she wasn't too impressed with the idea, but she agrees to do that.  "I've never seen them live, I'll give it a try."

"So, we'll meet there at let's say 8:00?  Johnny usually goes on around 9:00.  We can have a drink or two before he starts."  Jon tells her and Monica agrees.  They're going to meet at the Stone Pony tomorrow.

Jon, biting his lip, says, "I hate to cut this short, but I have to go - they guys are waiting on me."

Monica says, "Ok, I'll see you tomorrow.  And will you tell Richie thank you for me?" 

Jon knows why she wants him to say thank you to Richie and he laughs.  "Yeah, I'll tell him.  I'll see you tomorrow.  Bye."

"Bye, Jon."  And they hang up. 

As he turns to leave, he hears his dad holler, "Jonny!"  He stops and walks into the living room. 

"Yeah, pops?" Jon asks his father.  Jon could see that his dad was upset with him, and he didn't know why.  "What's up?

"Are you hitting your brother?"  Dad firmly asks his son.

 Jon let's out a sigh and said, "Dad, I swatted his arm when he was messing with my stereo.  He knows to leave it alone."  Jon glares at the little brother that's sitting there with a smirk on his face.

"You know you're not supposed to hit your brother,", dad turns to look at Matt, "And you Matt, know to leave your brothers stuff alone, why do we go through this all of the time?"  Dad id frustrated, but doesn't make this a big deal. 

Mr. B gets up from his chair and walks towards his oldest son, "Tony called earlier.  Said you recorded with David Bowie today?"  His dad had a look on his face that shown pride. 

Jon said, "Yeah, it was pretty cool.  I don't like the song but I was recorded, and it's going to be released with me playing on it."  Jon boasts a big smile and that makes his dad smile.

Matt is still sitting on the couch and mimics his big brother, "Guitar playing is stupid." 

Jon and dad ignore the youngest Bongiovi as they both know that he's just jealous and he wants all the attention on him.  Jon goes on to say, "It was a lucky break for me today, to record with Bowie is amazing.  And then I heard myself on the radio - I think this could be it dad.  I formed a band and we start writing tonight, that's where I'm off to now."

"Who were you just talking to on the phone?  I'm guessing it wasn't a guy?" Dad laughs.  Both men sit at the kitchen table, Jon liked talking to his dad.  They didn't do it enough.  Jon told his dad all about forming Bon Jovi, about Liz being crazy and that Richie gave a girl his number and that's who was on the phone.

"So, you have a date tomorrow and it's not with Liz?" dad asks, a little shocked.  Dad thought Jon and Liz were close and might get married. 

"Dad, Liz and I aren't doing good.  She's done some stuff that pisses me off and I haven't figured out if I want to deal with it or not.  So, yeah - Monica and I are going to see South Side Johnny tomorrow."  That was it in a nutshell.  Jon didn't want to get into the big discussion about Liz cheating on him, he needed to meet the boys.  Jon stands and leans in and hugs his dad, "I gotta go pops, the guys are waiting on me.  Will you tell mom I'll be late so she doesn't wait up for me in her chair?"  Dad waves him on and says, "I'll tell her.  Be careful son."

"I will dad, love ya."

"Love you too."  And Jon is out the door, heading to meet with the guys.  Tonight was the night that Bon Jovi would officially start.