Chapter 14

After a short drive down the shoreline, they reached their restaurant, Nina’s. It was a small seafood restaurant on the beach that Melissa had always wanted to try. They were seated in a corner booth for two overlooking the beach and the sunset.

Over the past hour and a half they had enjoyed a delicious meal, and polite conversation. They had covered every “small talk” topic, including a thorough evaluation of the weather, recent movies, and the Giant’s recent championship. They had also touched superficially on her job at the hospital and his football team and charity work. Neither Jon nor Melissa wanted to seem like they were prying too much. Jon didn’t want to appear too pushy after he agreed to take things slow, while Melissa didn’t want to look like a nosey crazed fan.

When the waiter came to take their empty entrée dishes he asked the pair if they were interested in the dessert menu.

“I don’t think I could eat another bite. Everything was delicious. Unless did you want something?” Melissa answered, and Jon shook his head.

“Just the check then sir?” The waiter asked looking at Jon.

“Yes, thank you,” Jon said picking up the check holder as the waiter walked away.

Melissa instinctively reached for her purse, “Can I leave the tip?”

“Absolutely not, this is my treat. I should probably be paying you for not leaving an hour ago. I know it’s been a while since I’ve officially been on a date, but I’m really drowning over here,” Jon said counting out money for the bill.

“Don’t be silly, I’m a little out of practice myself, if I’m gonna be honest,” Melissa said feeling her cheeks start to turn a light shade of pink.

Jon closed the check holder, and left a sizeable tip on the table. He stood and walked over to her side of the table. “Well, why don’t we see if we can salvage the rest of the evening? Care to join me for a walk on the beach?”

“I’d love to,” she replied and took his arm as he offered it.

“I’m really glad you said that because I didn’t have a plan B, and I wasn’t about to drive, even though I only had a couple glasses of wine. Not after what happened with Richie in March.”

“Well its good to know that you’re conscientious like that.”

Jon smiled at the compliment. “Come on I know the back way outta here onto the beach.” Jon led her out the side entrance onto the patio.

The walked a short distance in silence, listening to the crashing waves, until they reached the edge of the sand. “Give me one second, let me just slip these off quick.” Melissa said stepping out of her shoes.

“I guess I didn’t plan this out all the way,” Jon said gesturing at his shoes and sock. “It’s against the beach law to have shoes on.”

“Well then I guess that means you’ll just have to take them off and feel the sand in your toes.”

“Then that breaks another important rule of putting socks on after you were in the sand.”

“Oh come on, what kind of rock star are you if you can’t break the rules just a little?” she said smiling.

“Questioning my rebellious side, are you? I think I’d rather break the second than the first,” he said laughing while slipping off his shoes and stuffing his socks inside.

“Which way?” She asked stepping into the sand.

“Where are your shoes?” Jon asked looking at her empty hands.

She turned slightly and showed her shoes secured by their heels in her purse. “I’ve done this shore thing since before I can remember, so eventually you pick up on a few things.”

“I see,” Jon said and started walking down the nearly deserted beach. “Now since we didn’t learn much about each other at dinner, why don’t we play a little game?”

“A game, what kind of game?”

“Well, I really don’t know if game is the right word. On of my kids did it in school last year, I don’t remember who though. You can ask the other person any five questions. You can only pass on one question. And anything that you are asked you can ask the other person for ‘free’”.

“I love it! I’m gonna use that one at work. I think we’ll call it the ‘Jon Game’”

“I’m so honored,” he said laughing, “Do you want to start?”

“No way, its called the ‘Jon Game’ not the “Melissa Game’”

“Ok, question one. Have you always lived in Jersey?”

“Basically. I was born and raised in Ridgewood. I went to college in the city for 8 years, and I lived there for about a year, after graduation when I worked there. Then when I quit my job in umm, 2005 I moved in with Angela, who just lost her roommate. Back to Ridgewood, it’s like a five-minute drive from the house I grew up in. Anyway when Tommy and Angela got married in 2006, she moved out, and I kept the apartment. But now they live a couple blocks away from me which is prefect to have family so close.”

“Tommy’s your only sibling?”

“Is that your second question?”

“A little competitive?”

“You have no idea. I gave you that question for free,” she said with a wink.

“You do know that there’s not a winner in this game, right.”

“Yeah, but I like to play by the rules.”

“Your incredible, you know that,” he said laughing, “and my second question is, is Tommy your only sibling?”

“Well now that it’s an official question. Tommy’s not my brother.”

“He’s not?”

“No, well not technically. Angela and me have been best friends since freshman year of college when we were dorm mates. And then she met Tommy sophomore, and then they fell in love. And Angela has been like my sister, so by default Tommy is like my brother. The three of us are close. But I do have one sister Michelle who is five years older than me. She lives in Seattle, and is married and has a four-year-old little girl. But we’re not close. Tommy and Ang are more like my family. They’re all I need. Sorry, that was so much more than you asked.”

“No problem, and I think I just learned more about you in those two questions than I did all of dinner.” Jon said with a laugh.

“That’s just because I ramble. My turn. Question one, do you have any pets?”

“I used to have a dog-“ Jon started.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, what happened to it? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Oh, no Copper is fine. He was Jesse, my son’s, dog. Jesse nagged for years for a dog, and Copper sleeps with Jesse every night. So after the divorce it only seemed right to keep them together. And what about you? Any pets?”

“I do I have three cats. And I hate to admit it, but you actually helped me name them.”

“Oh really? How did I mange that? Are their names Jon Bon and Jovi?”

“No, but when I got the first two in 2004 I almost named them Jon and Richie. One of them has these big blue eyes, and the other these brown eyes, and it was honestly the first thing I thought of. But then if anything happened to them it would be a little weird saying that Jon’s sick or something. So I brought them home and Angela came over and it was right after the TLFR DVD came out so we watched it. And it was the deleted scene where you were talking about being the rat pack, it kinda clicked. So I named them Frankie and Dean. Then when I moved in with Angela we got another cat and he was all black so he became Sammy. Please don’t think I’m nuts.” Jon was laughing so hard he stopped walking. “You do, you think I’m crazy!”

“No, I swear I don’t. I’ve just never heard of an animal being named after me. I think it’s sweet, even though you changed your mind.”

“Seriously? There’s a Yorkie that I see at the vet whose name is Jovi.”

“A Yorkie? Now that’s a man’s dog. That’s too much, you’re question.”

“Come on lets keep walking, and it really wasn’t that funny. Ok question two. Favorite city?”

“New York, hands down.”

“Come on that’s no fun. Favorite city not in the US, how about that?”

“That would probably have to be Vancouver, just off the top of my head. Good memories up there from back in the day.”

“That’s fair. Your question.”

“Ok this is a two parter. Think you can handle it?”

“Absolutely. I live for the challenge,” Melissa said laughing.

“What’s your biggest fear, and has it even happened, or have you ever faced it?”

“That is the question I veto, and yes.” Melissa took a deep breath trying to remain focused on the beach in front of her. You’re ok. Just breathe.

Jon saw the uneasy look on her face, and immediately felt guilty. He stopped walking to look at her. “I’m sorry, I said something I shouldn’t have.”

“No it’s ok. You didn’t know any better. And good news for you buddy, I don’t have any passes left, so be nice.” She said giving him a smile, and continued down the beach.

“Technically I think it’s your turn.”

“Ok, then I shoot your question back to you.”

“Ok but since you didn’t answer it, it counts as your third question. I think my worst fear would be something happening to my kids. Whether it was they were really sick, or hurt, or just miserable. And yes that’s happened.”

“And how many do you have?”

“Is that your fourth question?”

“If it has to be.”

“I have four, three boys and a girl. My oldest Steph is 15.” Is this it? Do I tell her that she’s living with me? She did ask right? What would Richie do? God that’s a scary thought… “She the one that’s the most like me. She’s musical, she loves to sing and play the piano.” No not yet, that would scare her off. “Jesse James, my oldest son is 13 and he’s a handful. Then Jakey is six and he couldn’t be happier about first grade. And then my youngest, Romeo, is on a superhero kick. He loves going out dressed like Batman, or Spiderman, last week it was the Power Rangers.”

“And how old is he?”

“Who Ro? He’s four and starting preschool. They grow up so quick. But enough about them, you could have me talking about them for hours and I think that would only bore you. My question?”

“Yes, sir. Ask away.”

“Now you don’t really have to answer. And if my daughter were here she would probably hit me for even asking but now I’m curious. I guess I’m just asking for a ballpark number. If you don’t mind how old are you? Something you said before, I don’t remember exactly what. But it kinda led me to believe you’re much younger than you act.”

“Are you trying to tell me I look old?” Melissa teased.

“God no. I didn’t mean it like-“

“I’m just kidding. In April I turned 28.”

“Really? You seem so driven, and focused and in charge of your life. God when I was 28 I was partying all over the world and boy I don’t want to think of the stupid stuff I did.”

“Oh please, don’t say it like that. You make me feel so young!”

“Hey nothin’ wrong with being young. You’re last question.”

“Ok, its not that exciting but it’s the first thing I could think of. A two parter. One, what’s something that will surprise me about your taste in movies? And two, what’s your favorite TV show that’s not sports related?”

“Ok, because I’m comfortable in my masculinity I can say this. I don’t mind chick-flicks. And I don’t know about a favorite TV show. But maybe the one that means the most to me right now is a soap opera.”

Melissa started to giggle. “You mean to tell me that Jon Bon Jovi the world renown rock star is a closet soap addict?”

“Hey, hey it’s not like that. Not an addict. It just means the most, because my daughter is a big fan, and that’s something that we watch together. Or usually she watches and I ask too many questions and I get kicked out.”

“Yeah sure, you know you love them. Are you taking her to Super Soap Weekend?”

“To what?” Jon asked confused.

“Super Soap. Well that depends on what she watches. If it’s on ABC its like a dream come true. Its down in Disney World every November. You look like you’ve never heard of this. A couple hundred, well maybe not that many, soap stars go down and they have signings, and concerts, and game shows. I’ve heard it’s a blast. You should look into it.”

“Ok, I’ll get right on that.”

“Seriously, you’ll be the coolest dad ever. I think you’ve got one more question mister.”

“Actually I have two questions left.”

“Are you sure?”

”Yup my vetoed question doesn’t count.”

“I see. Ask away.”

“Can you promise me an honest answer?”

“I can try.”

“How many of my concerts have you been to? Just so I have an idea?”

“This last tour, or all together?”

“All together.”

“Oh boy. Promise you wont run for safety?” He nodded laughing. “Ok umm my first concert was in 1989. My first concert ever. So that was what tour New Jersey right?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“That I remember clearly. It was June 11^th. I don’t remember the weather, but you guys were on fire. I was nine years old. That was the concert that started it all. Now lets see how good my memory is. You want honest right? Give me the next tour.”

“Faith. 1992-1993.”

“Ok, I was 12. Two nights at Giants Stadium. Next Tour.”

“That’s three. These Days, 90 umm 95-ish.”

“That was a sad tour because you didn’t come to New Jersey and we had to go all the way out to Jones Beach, I think it was. Definitely somewhere in Long Island and it was over an hour, and I think we got lost along the way. Only one show that tour.”

“That’s four. What was next? Crush?”

“I hit the locals on that one. It was a short tour. Continental, Boston and Philly.”

“That’s what seven? One Wild Night was next.”

“Its good to know you remember your history. That was a very bittersweet tour for me. I remember that I went to a show in DC right after graduation, by myself. I haven’t thought about that night in years. Anyway that was me and Ang’s first tour together. It was the year we graduated like I said and you came back to the States during the summer and we went nuts. I think we did something like 5 shows in 5 days close to the end of the tour. It was Hershey, Camden, Boston, and then back to Jersey for the last two nights.”

“I lost count but now I’m intrigued. After that was Bounce.”

“First let me just say that you are the reason for my grades that spring semester. In the spring it was Penn State, a couple nights at Giants Stadium, Atlantic City, Boston, Philly, somewhere in Connecticut and down to DC.”

“I think there’s a wing in my house I should name after you.”

“Wait I’m not done. You came back to the states over the summer, and we hit Philly again, Foxboro where we were so close we were a couple rows from Belichick, somewhere different in Connecticut from the Spring, and then the closing at the Stadium.”

“I have no words. I can’t even think what’s next.”

“Well the next show we went to was at the Borgata, for the TLFR DVD. Both of them. God I sound like a stalker stop me at any time.”

“I’m not stopping, and I love that you have your own shorthand language.”

“Ok, before I start the HAND tour, I think its only fair to say that the tour started in November and I quit my job in October and I was going through a lot. So I kinda followed you for a bit, it was very therapeutic. I know there were 15 shows in total on the first leg in the US. In my defense I think there were 7 or 8 in New York and Jersey, so how could I resist. Then I went up to Connecticut for a couple of shows, I think they were in different places, down to Philly, back up to Boston. I also went out to Seattle because my niece was just born. And then Tommy and Angela took me to Vegas when you were at the MGM I think for my 26^th birthday. And then the last leg was right before I started at the hospital it was then end of summer. I think I went to all but 3 shows of that leg. You hit Philly, Foxboro, Pittsburgh, which is one hell of a drive, and Giants Stadium 3 or 4 times. I don’t remember.”

“Ok, I think you’re up to about 55. This last tour.”

“Now it sounds like a lot, but its not. I went to 10 nights at Prudential, the 2 at the Garden and the Central Park show. Right there that’s 13. Not my fault you stayed so close to home. Then there were 2 shows in Philly, which were amazing, especially your birthday. One show at Mohegan Sun, Tommy can’t pass up the casino, so that one was justified. Umm, you hit Boston at the end and you were in Vegas for my birthday again. That’s it.”

“Oh is that all? Like 75 shows? I think I also have a couple of cars from you.” Jon said laughing.

“Hey you wanted the truth. And I know were under 70, we only hit 60 this year. It was sometime after Philly I think.”

“Nope I’m glad you were honest. I feel like I should reimburse you or something.”

“Are you kidding you have no idea how much you music has changed my life, and saved me more than once. I feel I haven’t paid enough.”

“Seriously how many shows have you been to, I wanna figure this out now.”

“You really wanna know?”

“Absolutely, I need to start paying you back.”

“Sixty-seven,” Melissa said in almost a whisper.

“Wow, that’s gotta be a record.”

“Oh no, not even close.”

“And if we say you spent an average of what $150 on tickets, that’s umm.” Jon stopped to try to count, “Well its too much, I can’t count that high.”

“If you round it I think its almost $10,000.” Jon’s jaw dropped. “But you have to remember that that’s over almost 20 years so that’s only $500 a year.”

“When they say fans are loyal, I never knew how much it costs. I bet you’ve got a crazy story about some show or something.”

“Well it didn’t happen on tour, and it wasn’t me. But Tommy and Angela got married on your birthday even though it was a Thursday. And they took their vows as Tommy and Gina.”

”That I’ve never heard before. Wow. I think I’m finally speechless. You are absolutely amazing you know that?”

“Thanks. Ok mister you’ve got one more question.”

“This is something I’ve been meaning to ask you all night.”

“Shoot.”

Jon stopped walking and turned to look at her, she was nearly glowing in the moonlight. “Would it be ok if I held your hand?”