Chapter 89 - Running On Into A Cold Night

I don't know where you are or what you're doing, but I couldn't wait for you anymore.  We had plans today and rather than just cancel, I thought it was best if I went, even if it's alone.

That was the note he found when he walked in the kitchen door, having just been dropped off by Tico.  As he walked in the door, he could smell that she showered and put on a little bit of perfume.  With the note in his hand, he crinkles it up and throws it in the trash.  "God damn it."  He kicks the cupboard, putting his foot through the panel.  "She is going to fucking kill me."

He hurries and heads to the shower, not forgetting that they had plans to go to David's.  He knows that Monica was looking forward to it.  As he walks down the hallway, he notices that the nursery door was closed and that stopped him dead in his tracks.  He had no idea what he would find on the other side of that door, if he opened it.  He hesitated, he paused before turning the knob.  With a little push, the door swings open and he is blinded by the sunlight.  Once his eyes adjust to the brightness, he gasps for a breath, never expecting to see what he sees.  He is in shock, he is gutted and what's worse is that he's alone.  He can't believe that she packed up the babies things, alone. 

He walks in and looks at what she didn't pack away.  The crib is still assembled, but the bedding that he bought in Hong Kong was gone, along with the mobile that they bought in Hawaii.  He can't think a clear thought, he never imagined that he would come home and see this.  The remnants of the baby that they were supposed to have packed away in boxes, and his heart broken wife did it alone.

He sits in the middle of the floor. His fingers are burning nervous energy with the strings from his torn blue jeans, his eyes can't focus on one thing, they are darting all over the place.  Why didn't you wait for me babe, I would have helped you do this.  His eyes start to tear up and he's getting angry at himself because he left her alone so long.  He's wondering if she packed up the baby's room last night, or if she did it this morning when she was up and worried about him. 

He's tired from getting no sleep and sitting on the nursery floor, in the sun, makes him even sleepier.  He tells himself, "Jon you have to get in the shower, you have to go get Monica."  and that's the last thing he remembers before he is woken by Monica.  An angry Monica.

Standing over him, in the nursery, Monica says loud and with anger, "JON!"  He twitches. She yells again, but this time she taps him with her foot, "JON!"  He rolls over and looks up at her.  "Get up!"  She tells him as she turns and leaves the babies room.  Jon is so disoriented, he has no idea what time it is, but he knows that it's dark out.  He climbs to his feet and slowly tries to find Monica. 

She's in the kitchen putting a few groceries away, loudly.  Jon creeps up behind her and wraps his arms around her and kisses the back of her neck.  "I'm sorry."  Monica freezes.  He kisses her neck again.  "Babe, are you mad at me?"

She spins around as fast as she can, "Where have you been?" was all she wanted to know.  "Thank God you're alright." 

He chuckles and says, "If I told you, you wouldn't believe me."  As he found the events of his night to be funny.  His night and some of the day.  "All I remember is waking up at the airport."

Monica crosses his arms and her foot starts to tap on the floor, "What were you doing to where you couldn't call me and let me know that you weren't coming home?"

"I didn't know I wasn't coming home."

"That's bullshit and you know that. Jon."

He knows that he messed up and at the very least, he owes her an apology.  "We went to AC, met up with the guys from Skid Row and the last thing I remember of last night was being in the back of a limo, running out onto the tarmac in AC.  Then I woke up this morning in the terminal.  I have no idea where I went, if I went anywhere at all."

"Who were you with?"

"Tico, Sebastian, Dave, David and Richie until he got sick.  When I woke up this morning, I was with Tico."

Monica walks away, she is so mad at him right now, she's mad because he's hurt her and thinks that it's okay or maybe that it's acceptable.  She takes a seat in the window seat and looks out over the lawn.  Cars are driving by and she gets lost in the lights.

Jon follows her into the living room, "Where were you when I got home?  I seen your note, did you go to Brandi and Dave's and have lunch?"

"Yes."

"Was Lemma pissed?" he asks, having no idea where that question came from.  He really wasn't worried about that, he was trying to start a conversation. 

"He slept the whole day too.  It was just the wives and girlfriends."

"I'm so sorry babe, I really am.  I don't know what happened."  He sits next to her in the window seat and continues, "I promise, it will never happen again."

She gets a little loud, "I'm glad that you got to see Sebastian and the guys but for you to not call when you don't come home is unacceptable, Jon.  I was worried about you.  Richie had no idea where you were either."

"You called Richie?" he snaps.

She snaps back, "I had to, because you can't pick up a phone and call."

"You weren't too worried, I see you packed up the baby's room." he says that with a little condescending tone.  "Without me?"

She slaps him across the face and bolts from the living room and out the back door.  He's right behind her, slamming the screen door, "Monica..........Monica, get back here."

Monica went out into their backyard and sat on the edge of the pool.  Without looking at Jon she says, "I packed the baby's things up because I needed too.  I did that for me.  I didn't do it to hurt you or exclude you."

"It couldn't wait for me to be here?"

"I did it last night and like I said, I didn't do it to hurt you or leave you out Jon.  Last night was the first time that I have been alone since the accident and I needed closure.  If that hurts you, I am sorry"

Jon stands behind her and starts to rub her shoulders, "I fucked up, for that I am sorry."

Jon and Monica were able to talk this through and put it behind them.  Monica's parent had thrown them a beautiful wedding reception that included all of their families and friends.  It was a beautiful night and everyone around them could see that the two of them are deeply in love and that marriage was the right step for them.  The gifts were great, as was the whole thing.  Jon and Monica left the reception hand in hand, headed home to pack for the road. 

They leave in three days.