Chapter 53 - Complicated, I Get Frustrated

 

{I love this picture}

 

Coming down off of a high like playing to a sold out arena in paradise, all the guys could think of was food. 

 

 

Once they finished what they needed at the arena, packing their personal gear and such, they decided that they would hit downtown and get a bite to eat, maybe have a few drinks.  They have been on the road, on and off for weeks and they have yet to explore the cities in which they played.  Rio is paradise for five guys from New Jersey that never really left the state that they were born in. Family vacations didn't count.

 

In the back of a van, the guys are pretty rowdy and feeling like they want to set the town on fire.  Their show was flawless and they know that the crowd loved them, they loved Bon Jovi.  Alec has his usual stories about being flashed and they rest of the guys think that is so minor compared to what Jon and Richie see.  Jon has seen marriage proposals written across the chests of a couple of women and Richie has his fair share of crazy fans.  The war stories are only getting started - once Bon Jovi hits the road alone, full time - they will be sure to make headline news.

 

Downtown they spot a little diner and tell the driver to stop there.  Once all five are out of the van, Jon pops his head back in and says, "Wait here.  We're just going to get something to eat."  The driver nods his head and Jon walks away, leaving the driver alone.

 

In the diner, the guys are seated at a table away from the rest of the patrons.  They looked like gypsy's, they look like trouble.  Long haired American men wearing make up wasn't the normal for downtown Rio.  Once they found a waitress that could understand what they were saying, she took their orders and got them a drink.  All five were drinking Jack and Coke, with a beer chaser. 

 

They sat there and told their stories, talked about what happens once they are done with the Monsters of Rock tour.  Jon fills David, Tico and Alec in on the fact that he and Richie have been writing and once they got back to the states, he wanted their help to finish the songs.  There next album had to be out as soon as possible, it's their hope that it will be as successful as their first one.  "What kind of songs are you writing?"  David asks, a little hurt that he had been left out of the writing process.  It was him and Jon that started this whole ball rolling.

 

"They're a little more rock, a little more roll." Richie interjects, "They're fucking cool as shit man."

 

"Titles?"  Tico asks, really not caring what they're called.  He was the drummer, the senior member of the band.  He knows his place and that's the only place he wants to be.  behind his kit, beating the skins and having a great time.

 

Jon tells them, "One is called "In and Out of Love", it's a harder type of rock.  It has a great hook, but it needs bass and drums."

 

"Who wrote it?"  Alec jumps in, "Is it your song Jon?"

 

"Yeah, I wrote it a while ago, actually.  Richie looked at it and played with it, but I would like all of us to agree with what goes on the next album, afterall - we are Bon Jovi."

 

"How much material do you have already?"  Dave asks them.

 

"Only three songs.  So when we get back, we really need to bust our asses.  Plus, Monica has two video ideas for us to make."

 

"She did great with Runaway.  I still can't believe that you wore those purple pants, Jon."  Richie laughs at the thought of that.  "They are not a good look on you."

 

"NO? Then why is the video #1?' he asks with a smirk o his face. 

 

Richie jumps in and tells them, "It's #1 because I look so damn good in it."

 

"Well, She Don't Know Me will be released before we get back and then she wants us to do video's for Roulette and Shot Through The Heart.  The band made faces at the thought of that.  They weren't hip on making video's but everyone knows that that is the way it's being done now. 

 

There dinner is served and the dive right into their food.  The dinner conversation was casual and they were having a nice break, a little down time.  When they finished eating, Jon paid the check and they all got back into the van, heading back to the hotel.  Jon wastes no time, he high tales it to his room, without explanation.  he gets to his room, kicks off his tennis shoes and grabs the phone.  He's calling home, he needs to talk to his mom. 

 

Two rings and he hears her smiling voice, "Hello?"

 

"Hi ma."

 

"Jonny, how are you?  Where are you?" she asks, as fast as she can.

 

"I'm good ma.  We're down in Rio having a great time.  The fans love us."

 

Mrs. B is happy that he son is happy, but she can now feel her disappointment rise up.

 

 

"That's good honey.  Is Monica with you?"

 

"No, she's in California."

 

"Why is she there and not with you?  She should be with you in her condition, son."

 

"Condition?" Jon asks, having not event he slightest clue as to what she's talking about.  "What condition does Monica have?"

 

"Jonny, I know she's pregnant.  She needs to be with you in this time."

 

"How did you find out?" he grills her, needing to know who ratted them out.

 

Mrs. B clears her throat and says, "That damn Liz was here, she had a lab report from the hospital."

 

"She what?"

 

"Turns out that she has a sister that works there and when she seen Monica's name, she had to get in your business."

 

"I'm sorry that you heard about it this way.  We were going to tell you when we got home, I'm really sorry ma."

 

"Who else knows?"

 

"Just her parents and Richie.  We don't want word to get out.  As it is, my potential manager wants me to dump her.  Add a baby too it and I think he'll have a heart attack."

 

She's quite for a moment, "Jonny, why is she in California and not with you?"

 

He takes a deep breath and knows how this is going to go.  Mrs. B was a devout  Catholic and the baby without marriage is a big deal to her, but when she hears that Monica is at the Playboy Mansion, she will never be able to say enough Hail Mary's. 

 

"Ma, Monica has a job to do - she's out at the Playboy mansion working."

 

"oh my God no, Jon.  She's there?  Without you?"

 

"Yes.  She's a big girl mom.  What's so bad about it - you were a bunny?"

 

Mrs. B takes a moment and straightens out her thoughts.  "What is she doing out there?  Modeling or photography?"

 

"She's out there shooting their calendar, ma.  She's keeping her clothes on."

 

"Whew, thank God.  When will you guys be back?"

 

Jon does some quiet calculations and says, "I'll be back in just over three weeks, our last shows are in the states, I'd like it if you and Pop would come see one."

 

"Will Monica be back by then?"

 

"Yeah, she's only there for a few more days, she's almost done."

 

"Tell her that I want to see her when she gets back here, okay?"

 

"Yes, ma!  I'll tell her.  Go easy on her okay, we are both responsible and don't worry - we are keeping our baby."

 

Jon's mom silently thanks God for what he had just said, she worried that Monica would want to terminate to prevent any interruption in their careers.

 

"I love you Jonny."

 

"I love you to ma.  Tell Pop and the boys that I said hi, please."

 

"I will."

 

"I love you."

 

"Thanks for calling me and telling me son.  That shows me that you really have grown into a fine young man.  I'll see you when you get home."

 

"Okay.  Bye ma."

 

"Bye."

 

That was far less painful and dramatic than Jon thought that it would be.  When he hangs up the phone, he feels really good about the conversation that he just had with his mother.  The one woman that knew him inside and out.  He lays back on the bed and can feel himself getting sleepy.  A full belly and a night of rock and roll magic - he falls asleep before he calls Monica.