Sunday, September 20, 2009

Chapter 63

At 2:30 Jon sat in the parking lot of Steph’s school trying to sort out the schedule that Dorothea had thrown at him earlier in the day. He scribbled what he could make sense of and was starting to wonder if he had bitten off more then he could chew. From what he rewrote it looked like he would have to be in two places at once at least twice, not that he knew exactly where or what he would be doing. He ran his fingers through his hair as he lit a cigarette looking at the list he made for himself.

2:45 Pick Steph up from School

3:05 Pick Jesse up from school

3:10 Pick Meo and Jake up from school (Meo classroom)

4:00 Steph track (School)

4:15 Jesse Football (school)

4:20 Jake to Pete’s

4:30 Meo Barnes, Recheck left

5:00 Meo Eastside Park

5:20 Jake from Pete’s

5:30 Steph from track

5:30 Meo finished

6:00 Jesse from football

6:30 Jesse to Owen’s


Hell I don’t know what half of this is, let alone where it is. Maybe Steph can help, she’s gotta know more then I do, he thought as he saw kids starting to pour out of the building. He gave a small wave to Steph when he caught her eye and she made her way over to his car.



“Hey, Dad, I thought mom was picking me up because its Wednesday. Are you ok? You look a little tense, or stressed or something,” she said sliding into the passenger seat.



“It’s been a hell of a day,” he said turning right out of the parking lot towards the boys’ school.



“It must’ve been, since this isn’t the way home,” she said.



“I know. I’m picking up the boys,” he answered.



“Umm, why?”



“I went to see your mom today,” he said biting his tongue.



“Oh, they’re not moving in to are they,” she asked as her face fell.



“Just a couple of days, if that. I just need some tome with them, without your mom making it hard for me,” he said.



“Oh, ok,” she said simply.



“Can you do me a favor and help me translate what all this means,” he asked handing her the piece of paper as he pulled into a parking spot in front of the building.



“Sure, lemme see,” she said reading over the piece of paper. “What don’t you know?”



“Who’s Pete?”



“That’s Jake’s drum teacher. He’s right off of Broad Street on one of the side streets. Waverly, I think it is. It’s the one with the jewelry store on the corner. Jake should know which one, he definitely knows the building,” she answered as she made notes in the margin for him.



“And do you have any idea what ‘Barnes recheck left’ means?”



“Romeo had an ear infection last week in his left ear that he needs to get rechecked with Dr. Barnes,” she answered.



“Oh, what happened to Dr. Sweeney,” he asked.



“She’s on vacation this week and last. Dr. Barnes is in the same office, you remember where it is right?”



“Yeah, that I remember. Any idea what Meo has at Eastside park?”



“Flag football. He needs his uniform from mom’s,” she answered making more notes.



“Oh, perfect. Eastside is the one by the grammar school right?”



“Yup that’s the one. I can find a ride home with someone if you want since me and him are done at the same time,” she offered.



“Are you sure Steph?”



“Absolutely, you’re gonna have your hands full as it is. Anything else you need decoded?”



“Nope I think I know the rest. Wait, who’s Owen again? That’s just one of Jesse’s friends right,” he asked.



“Yeah, I think they have a project or something to do. He lives right down the street from you, Jesse knows how to get there,” she said handing the paper back to him.



“One more question. What time do the little ones go to bed,” he asked reading all of her notes.



“Jesse goes to bed at 9:30, Jake is 8:30 and Romeo is 8:00 during the week. Oh look there’s Jesse,” she said pointing to her brother in front of the building.



“Can you see if you can get his attention he’ll die if I beep the horn or wave at him,” Jon asked. Jesse said goodbye to his friends and kept his head down as he got in the back seat of the car. “Hey Jesse, how was school,” Jon asked turning to look at him.



“Fine,” Jesse responded taking his phone out of his pocket.



“You have football at 4:15 today,” Jon said.



“I know. Where’s mom,” Jesse asked not looking up at Jon.



“Mom’s home, but I’m taking you guys for a little while,” Jon said checking the clock.



“Oh.”



“Is there a problem Jesse,” Jon asked.



“Whatever. You have to go get Jake and Romeo, they’ll be out any minute,” Jesse said.



“We’ll finish this later Jess. Steph, I’m leaving the keys with you,” Jon said getting out of the car making his way towards the building.



Jon waited with the other parents and felt reassured when he recognized some of the parents from Jake’s fieldtrip talking in a group near him. When the bell rang and a sea of kids flooded through the doors Jon spotted Jake easily in his Area Bowl Champions shirt. Jon waved to him and Jake nearly took him out at the knees when he ran over giving him a hug.



“Hey, buddy, nice shirt,” Jon said smiling.



“Thanks! Mommy didn’t want to let me wear it but it was ‘wear your favorite tee shirt to school’ day in class so I HAD too,” he said excitedly.



“That’s your favorite tee shirt, huh,” Jon asked.



“Well the one that all the players signed for me is my favorite but I don’t wear that one,” Jake said smiling.



“Well, I know I like it. Come on lets go find Meo,” Jon said taking his hand.



“Ok, Daddy. Romeo gets out over there,” he said pulling him over to another set of doors surrounded by parents.



Jake excitedly told Jon every detail of his day as they waited in line behind other parents. When they got close enough Jon saw a woman in her late fifties eyeing him carefully as she talked to the mother in front of them.



“Jake, do you remember Romeo’s teacher’s name,” Jon asked kneeling next to him.



“Mrs. Martin. She’s standing right there,” he answered pointing.



“Thanks bud,” Jon said as the woman in front of him left with her daughter.



“Can I help you,” Mrs. Martin asked suspiciously.



“Hi, Mrs. Martin. I’m here to pick up my son,” Jon said with a smile.



“And that would be?”



“Romeo, Mrs. Martin. Just like everyday,” Jake answered standing next to Jon.



“Shh, Jake, let Daddy talk to Mrs. Martin. My son is Romeo Bongiovi,” Jon said taking off his sunglasses as he saw Romeo pick his head up inside the building when he heard his name and ran outside.



“Daddy, Daddy,” Romeo yelled dragging his bag behind him.



“One minute, Romeo,” Mrs. Martin said stopping him behind her. “Where are Dorothea and Connor,” she asked Jon.



Damn Dorothea really turned her magic. “My ex-wife is not picking them up today. I am their father, so they are coming home with me,” Jon said politely.



“Fine, but I need to see some ID. It’s school policy to see some sort of ID the first time a parent or caregiver picks a child up to ensure that they are taking the appropriate child and the parent has approved of them. It just usually doesn’t happen this late in the year,” she said with a smile.



“ID?”



“Yes, some sort of identification,” she said.



“You can ask those two girls giggling against the school,” he mumbled reaching for his wallet.



“I’m sorry Mr. Bongiovi, I didn’t catch that,” Mrs. Martin said.



“He said you can ask those seventh graders over there,” Jake said.



“That’s enough, Jake,” Jon said getting his driver’s license out.



“But that’s what you said,” he said pouting.



“No one here is above school rules. I’m sure that’s not the example you want to be setting for your children,” she answered.



“Don’t you need to cross this with a list that has been approved with the parents,” Jon asked holding his license.



“Normally I do but I’ve heard quite a lot about you from Dorothea. She really is a lovely woman,” she said taking his license and reading it over looking for a reason to keep him longer.



“There it is, John Bongiovi. Now can I take my sons,” Jon asked.



“Of course,” she said handing him back his license. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning Romeo. And Mr. Bongiovi it was nice to finally meet you.”



“Uh-hu. Ready to go Meo,” Jon asked.



“Yes! Daddy, Daddy guess what we did in school today,” Romeo said running from behind Mrs. Martin.



“What did you do,” Jon asked as he walked back to the car.



Romeo started to tell Jon all about his day and when they approached the car he was almost done. Jon saw Jesse trying to hide his face in the back seat, as he was texting on his phone and Steph was sitting in the front playing with the radio.



“Ok boys, let put your stuff in the trunk and then we can get in,” Jon said opening the trunk and then piling the bags inside. He made sure Jake was buckled in before he helped Romeo into his booster seat and buckled him in before he got back in the driver’s seat.



“That took you long enough,” Jesse said closing his phone.



“That’s enough out of you Jesse,” Jon said firmly. He saw Jesse roll his eyes in his rear view mirror as he pulled out of the parking lot.



“What are we doing today, Daddy,” Romeo asked.



“First we’re going to Mommy’s to get some stuff. We need school clothes for tomorrow, and you and Jesse need to get your football stuff,” Jon said.



“Does that mean we’re sleeping over tonight,” Jake asked with a smile.



“Yup it does. Sound good Jake,” Jon asked.



“Sounds better then good. I can’t wait to see my old room,” Jake said.



“Good. Then after we go to mom’s, Steph has track practice at her school and Jesse has football practice at school. Jake you’ve got drums, me and Romeo are gonna go somewhere special, the you’ve got football too Romeo, and Jesse you’ve got a project to work on later right,” Jon asked.



“Yup,” was his quick response.



“Then we’ll eat dinner, Amalia’s making your favorite. And then bed,” Jon said.



“Spiztetti and meatballs,” Jake and Romeo cried from the back seat.



“That is your favorite isn’t it,” Jon asked.



“Yeah but we never eat it any more,” Jake said.



“Yeah, Mommy won’t make it,” Romeo said pouting.



“Well tonight we eat spaghetti and meatballs,” Jon said turning down his ex-wife’s street. “Ok boys, Jesse get whatever you’re gonna need for tonight a maybe a few days. Enough clothes and whatever you want. And boys I’ll help you pack some stuff up,” Jon said.



“Fine, how many days,” Jesse asked.



“A little less attitude Jess. I don’t know how long just grab enough,” Jon said.



“Do you want help with Jake and Romeo,” Steph offered.



“That’s up to you if you want to come in or not,” Jon said.



“I can help, it’ll go by faster because I need to go home and get my track stuff before you drop me off,” she said.



“Sorry Steph, I thought you had it with you or I would’ve grabbed it before I left,” Jon said.



“It’s ok, I’ll only be a minute. I meant to grab it this morning but I forgot because we were running late. I’m gonna help you pack, ok Romeo,” she asked turning to the back seat.



“Cool Stephie, you gonna help me,” Romeo said clapping his hands.



“Ok guys, here we go. And be quick about it Jesse so we can get Steph’s stuff too,” Jon said parking the car in the driveway.



“Uh-hu,” Jesse said shuffling up to the front steps.



The rest of the kids followed behind and Jake took Jon’s hand and pulled him upstairs to his bedroom. Jon had most of Jake’s school clothes packed when he heard Dorothea huff at the door.



“Jon you can’t just come into my home without even knocking,” she said glaring at him.



“I came with the kids back to their house. Jesse let himself in; I just followed the kids in the house and up the stairs to pack. If you need to speak with me, let’s move out into the hall,” Jon said standing next to Jake’s dresser. Dorothea turned mumbling and walked down the hall to Romeo’s room.



Jake looked up at Jon. “Daddy, is Mommy mad at us because we’re going with you?”



“No, Buddy. I don’t think Mommy is very happy with me right now, but she’s not mad at you,” Jon said smiling.



“Is she mad at you because of us,” Jake asked.



“No Buddy, it’s because of Daddy. Don’t worry about that, why don’t you pack up anything else you want for the rest of the week,” Jon offered.



“Ok, Daddy,” he said giving Jon a quick hug before grabbing a couple other things and putting them in his bag.



A few minutes later Steph stood in the door with Romeo holding his bag. “We’re all ready to go Dad, do you need any help,” she asked.



“I think we’re all done, right Jake,” Jon asked.



“All done,” Jake said zipping his bag.



“Ok guys, why don’t you go wait in the car? I’m gonna go find Jesse,” Jon said handing Steph his car keys.



“Ok Dad,” Steph said taking them.



“Wait, don’t go out to the car, wait by the door to say goodbye to your mom. I’ll be down in a minute”



“Ok, Daddy,” Romeo said pulling Steph to the stairs.



“Go on Jake, I’ll be down in a minute,” Jon said as Jake turned and followed his brother and sister. Jon walked down the hall to Jesse’s room where he could hear him arguing with Dorothea.



“But Mom, I don’t really wanna go. It’s closer to school over here,” Jesse whined.



“You’ll have to take that up with your father. But for tonight, yes you have to go,” Dorothea answered.



Jon closed his eyes a took a deep breath. “Hey, Jesse, are you ready to go? The kids are downstairs waiting,” he said walking to the door.



“Fine,” Jesse said grabbing his bag from his bed and walking past Jon down the hall.



“I hope you’re happy Jon, because your kids certainly aren’t,” Dorothea said.



“I don’t have time to fight with you,” Jon said looking at his watch. “And I don’t want to either. The kids are waiting by the front door to say goodbye to you.”



“How generous of you,” she said rolling her eyes.



“Steph has to be at school in 15 minuets and we still have to stop at home, if you could make it quick,” he asked.



“I’m not rushing through saying goodbye to my kids as you run off with them indefinitely,” she said walking down the hall.



Jon bit his tongue not wanting to fight with her again and followed her down the stairs. Ten minutes later he was rushing the kids into the car. “I’m sorry Steph,” he said pulling out onto the road.



“It’s ok, I know it wasn’t your fault,” she said pulling out her phone. “I’m just telling Michelle to tell coach that I’m gonna be late.”



“Ok, Sweetie. Jesse you should get to practice on time,” Jon said looking in the rearview mirror.



“I better be, I can’t be late,” Jesse said not looking up from his phone.



“Jesse watch your attitude. We’re gonna be having a long talk later,” Jon said firmly.



“Whatever.”



Jon turned his attention back to the road as Romeo chattered on about his day. When Jon finally pulled up to his house, Steph ran in the house grabbing the bag that she left by the front door earlier. She came back to the car and Jon drove off back towards her school. When they pulled up to the track field Steph leaned over to give Jon a kiss on the cheek.



When she did she leaned over and whispered in his ear. “Call Melissa, she’s worried about you.”



“Thanks baby girl,” he said smiling at her. “I’ll see you at the house later.”



“Bye Dad,” she said getting out of the car.



As Jon pulled out on the main road towards the boys’ school he let out a sigh as the little boys chatted on. Shit, Melissa. How could I forget to call her back? How the hell am I gonna balance all of this at once? No one said this was gonna be easy, he thought pulling in front of the football fields.



“I’ll see you later Jesse,” Jon said as Jesse opened the door.



“Don’t be late. Mom never is,” he said shutting the door.



Jon clenched his fists around the steering wheel to keep from yelling at Jesse. Jon watched him walk to the fields before he pulled out onto the road to Jake’s music lesson. Over the next two hours Jon picked up and dropped kids off all over town.



When they finally all sat down to dinner Jon couldn’t help but smile as he watched his kids look at home again. In his home. Once they had finished Jon let the two little boys run off to the living room to watch tv and Steph went upstairs to work on her homework. Jon took Jesse into his office having a long overdue conversation about Jesse’s recent behavior. After two baths and two bedtime stories for the little boys, Jon said goodnight to his older two. He went up about an hour to make sure that they were asleep, and when he saw that they were he made his way back down to the living room and pulled out his cell phone. He looked at his recent calls and toyed with them before he finally settled on a number and hit send, hoping he chose the right one.

Yup, this is actually a new post...

First a big HI! I just posted a whole big post on my main page so I'm sending the link here. New chapter should be tomorrow.

Rachel

Friday, June 5, 2009

Chapter 62

The next morning Jon and Melissa lingered in bed a little longer then they should’ve and ended up getting out of the house just on time. After dropping Steph off at school Jon made the long, familiar drive to the hospital. Neither spoke much, rather they enjoyed just being together as neither wanted to let their time together end.

Jon parked the car in front of the main building before he turned to look at her. “I know we usually do dinner or something on Wednesdays but I can’t tonight. I’m going over to Dorothea’s to talk to her about the boys. I’ve just gotta be with them today. I’ve gotta hold them and tell them how much I love them one more time,” he said.

“I understand,” she said offering him a smile.

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to think that you’re not important to me, but with everything that’s happened I just need to be with them,” he said.

“I understand perfectly. Be with your boys, I’ll be here when you’re ready,” she reassured him.

“Thanks. Lemme help you get your stuff outta the trunk,” he said getting out of the car.

She followed him around to the trunk and watched him unload her bag leaving it on the sidewalk. “Thanks for everything, I’ll talk to you this weekend,” she said giving him a hug.

“Don’t wait that long. Call me whenever you want,” he said.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive,” he said giving her a kiss goodbye.

“I love you,” she said when they finally broke away.

“I love you too. Do you want me to help you take this up,” he asked picking up her bag.

”Nope, I’ve got it,” she said throwing the bag over her shoulder. “Go talk to Dorothea and let me know how it goes.”

“I will, bye,” he said giving her one last kiss before he got back in the car.

Melissa watched him drive away with tears in her eyes as she made her way up to her office.

Jon made a hard merge back onto the highway letting his aggression and frustration fuel him. Though he had never been one to instigate a confrontation with his ex he knew it was something he had to do. I need to be with my babies. If she makes me, I’ll drag her ass back into court to do it. They’re mine too damn it.

Next thing Jon knew he was sitting in his ex wife’s driveway staring at the house. Mustering every last ounce of strength and determination he locked his car behind him as he walked to the front door. He rang the bell and waited for the inevitable.

The door opened and Dorothea stood glaring at him. “What do you want, Jon,” she asked coolly.

“We need to talk.”

“You can’t just show up without warning and expect me to drop what I’m doing because you want me to,” she said.

“Are you doing something that’s more important then the kids,” he asked standing his ground.

“Yeah, Jon, you caught me. Cleaning the kitchen is much more important,” she spat sarcastically.

“Dorothea, I don’t need an attitude, I just need to talk to you,” he said controlling his emotions.

“So talk.”

“Can I come is? This is a private conversation that I prefer not to have where anyone can hear,” he asked.

“You’re a piece of work, you know that,” she asked turning to walk back through the house. Jon followed her shutting the door behind him.

When they reached the doorway of the kitchen, Jon heard a man’s voice call out. “Doro, who was at the door?”

When Jon walked in the kitchen he saw a man in his late 40’s sitting at the table with a cup of coffee. He was blonde, what bit of hair was left anyway, and blue eyes. At least I aged better then him, Jon thought bitterly.

“It was just Jon,” she said walking to stand behind him.

“We need to talk. In private,” Jon said staring at the man.

“Whatever you say to Doro, you can say in front of me. She’s gonna tell me anyway,” he said staring back at Jon.

“I don’t care what she tells you, but this is about our children so our opinions are the only ones that matter,” Jon said firmly.

“It’s ok honey. I can handle Jon,” Dorothea said.

“Are you sure,” the man asked.

“The two of you are talking like I’m gonna hurt you, Dot,” Jon said.

“Go on, I’ll be fine,” she said ignoring Jon.

The man got up and kissed Dorothea before he walked out of the kitchen. Once they were alone Jon sat down at the table across from her.

“Why do you let him call you that,” he asked, still in shock from seeing the man that was trying to replace him.

“It’s none of your business what he calls me,” she snapped.

“Fine. But I’ve known you since you were 16 and you’ve always hated when anyone calls you that,” he said.

“Are you here to analyze my relationship or talk about my kids,” she asked with a huff.

“Of course I’m here about the kids, I just didn’t expect to see him,” he answered.

“What about the kids, Jon?”

“I want to see the boys,” he said.

“They’re in school, Jon. It’s almost noon on a Wednesday did you really expect them to be home,” she mocked.

“Stop it, Doro, I know they’re at school. You need to stop keeping them from me,” he said.

"I'm not keeping them from you. If anyone is keeping children it is you. You’re keep Stephanie away from us," she said.

"You wanted her out of here and you know it. That was her choice. She's over here a couple days a week for dinner, it's not my fault you made her feel like a prisoner in her own home," Jon said defensively at her accusation.

"I did no such thing. She chose it to be that way. So now what you want to take my boys away too and brainwash them against me," she asked glaring at Jon.

"I don't want to take the kids from you Dorothea, and I never did. You made Steph leave whether you want to believe that or not. I just want to be able to see the boys. If anyone's doing brainwashing, its you. Telling them that I love Steph more then them, bringing a new man into their life and trying to make him into their father," he said feeling his temper rise.

"You were never there anyway Jon. You always had something better to do than be with us. Connor isn't trying to replace you. He can't replace something they never had," she said with bite in her voice.

"How dare you say that I wasn't there for them? I always put the kids first, you know that. I was there as much as I could, you knew what it was gonna be like before we had Steph but you went off the pill because you wanted a family with me. Don't you put all this blame on me," he said yelling.

Dorothea let out a laugh "You were there for them? That's too funny. You weren't there when they got hurt, said their first words, woke up in the middle of the night. I was. I have been there for everything while you went out and played rock star forgetting you had a family back home. I was lucky if you came home for at least 2 days before you left again. You just expected me to be the good wife and take it all."

"Do you really think that I didn't want to be here? Don't you think I wanted to be here to see their first steps and be the one to hold them when they were hurt or take care of them when they were sick," he asked.

"You had a funny way of showing you wanted to be here Jon."

"Didn't I call you everyday, and check in on the kids? Didn't I do my best to be home for every birthday? I don't think the kids ever thought that I didn't love them until you started putting thoughts into their heads,” he spat.

"You were NEVER here for their birthdays. I always had to explain to them why daddy was away again. I was the one that saw the looks on their faces when you would make a promise to be there and break it as usual. I didn't need to put anything in their head you did it all on your own"

"I tried to be here. Do you know how many fights I got in over the years with Paul about dates? This was always the only place I've wanted to be. My boys never questioned my love for them until you started telling them that I didn't love them."

"I didn't tell them anything. They came to that on their own and when they asked me I didn't lie to them. Why the hell are you here Jon? To cause me more problems,” she asked.

"I don't want you lying to the boys telling them that I don't love them. Do you really believe that,” he asked unsure of her answer.

"I told you I don't lie to them. They can see who you love more than them. Do I believe what? That you don't care about them? I don't know Jon you have a funny way of showing that you do."

“What are you saying that I love Steph more then the boys because she lives with me? They all lived with you until she no longer felt welcome here. If anyone is loving one kid more then another it's you," he yelled.

"Get off your high horse Jon. You make zero effort to see the boys. They know that as well as I do. I don't love one kid more than you, I didn't pick only one child to live with me. I have all the ones you didn't want." Dorothea said still calm.

"You want me to take all of them? Will that show you that I love them? Is that what I have to do?"

"You won't and you know it,” she challenged. "You know it is only a matter of time before you drop them all back off cause you will be running away again."

"I do not run away Dot, it's called work. You should try it sometime."

“I work more than you. I run this household and my school. Don't tell me to try work, maybe you should one day. If you came here to fight get out now. I am through with you." Dorothea said standing up and walking towards the door

"Don't you walk away from me, I'm not done yet," he said following her to the door.

"This is my house Jon and I want you out. All you did was come here to fight."

“It may be your house, but you used my money. Please sit down, and let me say what I came to say," he said lowering his voice.

"You can say it right here. What do you want," Dorothea asked turning to face him with her hands on his hips.

"I don't want you to keep the boys from me. You have them doing ten things at once everyday when I'm home and the second I'm out of town for something they're free as birds. That's not fair to me and it's not fair that you're keeping them from their father," he said calmly.

"I'm not keeping them from you, they are involved in a lot at school. Its not my fault their schedules clear when you decide to play rock star."

"You make play dates for them, and you schedule things for them when you know I can be with them, you can't deny that you've been doing that," he said trying to control his emotions.

"So now your telling me they can't see their friends or be involved with projects at school cause you may decide to play dad for the day."

"I really resent the fact that you insinuate that I don't want to be here all the time. I want to be with them, Dot," he said.

"You have a funny way of showing it."

"It's clear in our custody agreement that I can see them whenever I want, if you get in the way of that I'll call Ken in a heartbeat and take you back to court. Don't think I won't," Jon threatened.

"It may be there Jon but if the boys have something going on do you want to take them away from it? They are going to hate you more than they already do, not that I blame them."

"My boys do NOT hate me," Jon yelled.

"They don't know you. You are just some guy who comes in and out of their lives."

"That's a lie and you know it."

“Richie is more of a dad to them than you."

"How dare you say that? How is he more a father then me," he seethed.

"He was always more interested in them. At least he calls to talk to them, I'm lucky if you do that once a week."

"I'm not gonna argue about this, I want to see them and if you keep them from me when I want them I'll call my lawyer," he said.

"Oh were back to that threat. Fine you want to see them here" She said walking over to a table and flinging a piece of paper at him. "That is their whole schedule for the next two weeks. You say you want to see them so badly go see them at all their games, and play dates. Now get out,” she said pointing at the door.

"Was that so hard? Why couldn't you have done that months ago," he asked not yet moving for the door.

"Cause I know you won't go to any of it. You'll take it and get their hopes up and never deliver."

"You don't know that, you don't know anything about me. I wonder if you ever did. I'll pick them up after school and take them home for dinner," Jon said.

"You closed off you life to me years ago. You never wanted anyone to know you. You want them fine good luck picking Romeo up from school," she said with an evil smile.

"What's that supposed to mean, 'Good luck picking Romeo up?'"

"You need to go in to get him and the teacher needs to know you are his parent. She's never seen you and won't let Romeo go." Dorothea said still smiling.

"You just love this don't you? It's not my fault you didn't involve me in any of this and you kept it all a secret from me," Jon said glaring at her.

"I kept nothing from you. You were never around to show any of this to."

"You liked it that way. Only thing you ever told me about their school was what time to show up for parent teacher conferences, and you sent me on a field trip because you didn't feel like going," he challenged.

"No I sent you cause it was about time you stepped up and became a parent. Didn't I tell you to get out," she asked staring him down.

"Fine but this isn't over," he said walking to the front door.

She gave him a good shove out the door and slammed the door behind him. He walked to his car and sat a minute looking at the schedule he was handed trying to decipher her system. It doesn’t even matter, I’ve got my babies back and that’s all that matters, he said smiling as he pulled out of the driveway.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Chapter 61

Jon led Melissa back through the house back down to the river in silence. She held his hand and gave it a squeeze as they returned to the spot they had vacated just a short time later.

“Jon, are you ok? You’ve got this look in your eye,” Melissa asked as they sat down on the edge.

“There’s something I’ve got to talk to you about, and I just want you to hear me out,” he said turning to look at her square in the eyes.

“Jon, you’re scaring me,” she said as he took her hands in his.

“Promise me you’ll hear me out,” he asked.

“I promise, what is it,” she asked nervously.

“I think that maybe it would be a good idea if you talked to someone,” he stuttered.

“Someone? What are you talking about,” she asked confused.

“I mean a professional Melissa. Like a therapist or something,” he said waiting for her answer.

“Why would you say that Jon,” she asked in disbelief, tears rushing to her eyes.

“Look hear me out. I don’t think you need me to tell you what you’ve lived through, and I think it may be beneficial to you if you talked to someone about it,” he said.

“Is this because of this afternoon? With my mom? It was just a hard day that’s all, Jon, there’s nothing to worry about there,” she said as Jon could see her start to close off.

“I’m not doing this because I’m mad at you or anything, don’t look at me like that. This isn’t just because of this afternoon. I’ve thought about it for some time now. Well since this weekend,” he said.

“You do think there’s something wrong with me don’t you? You think I need help,” she said tears starting to fall.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you. I just want to make sure that you’re ok,” he said as she stood up.

“I was ok long before I met you, I don’t need you trying to fix me. Why are you pushing this,” she asked.

He stood facing her, “Because I’m worried about you. I’m not trying to fix you.”

“Worried about me? Because I’m some weak little thing that needs a big strong man to protect her,” she shouted unable to believe the conversation they were having.

“I’m worried about you because I don’t think you know how bad things are,” he said.

“It’s my life, how could I not know what’s happening in it,” she snapped.

“Did you know that you have nightmares every night you just don’t remember them,” he asked gently.

“You’re lying. You just want me to go,” she said refusing to believe him.

“Why would I make that up? I do want you to go, but baby you need to see why you need it too,” he said reaching out for her.

“No! Don’t touch me. How could you do this to me? After everything I told you, you go and throw this at me,” she said giving him a hard shove to the chest hoping to send him in the river.

Jon caught himself taking a step back before he locked eyes with her. “I’m not trying to hurt you here.”

“You have a funny way of showing it. Is this a deal breaker, Jon? Because I don’t do well with ultimatums,” she said glaring back at him.

He took a deep breath before he continued. “Please just listen,” he pleaded.

“Fine,” she said not moving closer to him.

“This is not a deal breaker, but it would be hard for me to be with someone who was shown a problem with themselves but refused to try and fix it. I just want you to be happy and complete and not constantly haunted by your past,” he said.

“I’m not constantly-“

“Let me finish. I know I can’t go back and change what’s happened because if I could I would. But I hate seeing that you pay for what happened everyday whether you can see it yourself or not. Nightmares like the ones you have shouldn’t happen to you. Especially not everyday. I was so scared when I woke up and you were thrashing in your sleep, moaning out in pain. I didn’t know what to do to help you. I think if this could help then it’s worth a try. I understand what you went through and how that affects us, but the way that you close off so quick in bed, there should be a point between zero and sixty because I’m afraid that I’m just hurting you more. And the way you shut yourself off from other relationships, not just with men but with friends too, that’s not good. I couldn’t take it if something happened to you and I did nothing to prevent it. Even if you can’t see it, Angel, can’t you trust that maybe this is what you need,” he said as tears surfaced in his eyes.

Melissa looked at the man in front of her unable to believe the selfless declaration before her. “Blue, I don’t think I could take it if you started to cry right now.”

“You didn’t answer me, do you trust me enough to believe that you need this,” he asked again.

She looked at him unable to find the words to admit help. She walked towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck and he rested his forehead on hers. “I trust you,” she whispered as she felt his tears mix with hers.

He held her close not wanting to let her go. “You know I love you,” he said in her ear.

“I know.”

“I’m not doing this to hurt you or punish you, please believe that,” he said as she nodded. “I’m just making sure you know.”

“Will, will you help me?”

“Of course I will, whatever you need me to do. If you want me to go with you, or drive you, or sit there and hold you’re hand, that’s what I’m here for,” he said leaning down to kiss her.

“Thank you,” she said quietly as they held each other in the moonlight.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Chapter 60

A few hours later Melissa, Jon, Steph, Angela and Richie sat around the kitchen table eating Chinese takeout. The meal was awkward at best with an overwhelming amount of emotions overflowing from the four adults. A certain sense of gloom was present throughout the meal, which was inevitable with what they had endured.

Richie had some extra sadness in his eyes thinking of his father. The overpowering sense of loss hitting him squarely being the first time he came face to face with death since losing his own father. As soon as they came home he went to his room and called his mother and daughter just to tell him that he loved them, one more time.

Melissa controlled her emotions about her past and was looking wholeheartedly to her future. Their future, together. The release that she had on the beach with him put her at ease. Learning to trust him, letting him into her past a little more, seeing how much she meant to him. It was something she needed to do, something they needed to do together. Not being able to completely dismiss the sadness that was so vast just a few hours ago, she tried to focus her mindset on the new hope and happiness she found with Jon.

Jon perhaps was having the hardest time of all. While he felt the same emotions as Richie and Melissa his mind was racing one step further. The sorrow of loss, especially Richie’s dad, and the joy and hope that was brought from talking with Melissa was countered with the thoughts of his own kids. He missed them terribly when he was on the road and always had. But being home and not being able to be with them had been killing him for months. He couldn’t take being away from his boys any longer when the only thing that was stopping him was his ex wife. Life was too short to let petty arguments keep him from his kids. He was tired of missing out on the little things because of old feelings and hostilities. As it was he barely took his eyes off of Steph all night not wanting to miss a single moment.

As they sat in a bit of awkward silence surrounded by a dozen of empty food cartons Angela who seemed to be doing the best with her emotions was the first to speak.

“I don’t want to overstay my welcome. And I’m sure there’s some family stuff that you probably wanna do, so I’ll just help clean this up and then I’m gonna head home,” she said piling her silverware on her plate.

“Don’t worry about that, you’re still a guest. And you don’t have to rush out of here on my account, you’re welcome to stay as long as you want,” Jon said.

“I’ve imposed on you long enough. Besides I think my husband is starting to miss me, and he may even be getting a bit jealous. I have to get up early tomorrow anyway, I should start on my trip home,” she said standing with her plate.

“As long as you don’t think I’m pushing you out,” Jon said.

“Not at all,” Angela said grabbing some empty containers.

“Hey, leave those, Darlin’. Why don’t you go pack up you’re stuff I’ll take care of this for you,” Richie said grabbing her hand.

“You sure,” Angela asked.

“Positive. Go on, you’ve got quite a drive ahead of you,” Richie offered.

“Thanks,” Angela said making her way upstairs as Richie started clearing the table.

“Dad, I know you love me, but you’ve been kinda hovering since you picked me up. Do you mind if I go finish my homework in my bedroom,” Steph asked.

Jon cringed at his daughter’s words. Smothering his daughter was the last of his intentions. “Of course, honey. Just help clear the table first.”

“Fine,” she said with a huff.

“Go on get outta here,” Richie said.

“Thanks Uncle Mookie! You’re the best,” Steph said giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“You look like you could use some air, go on I’ll clean up the rest of this,” Richie said turning to Jon.

“Thanks, I owe ya’. Come with me,” Jon asked Melissa.

“Course,” she said taking his hand in hers heading for the door.

Once they were outside Jon led them towards the river and down onto his old dock. Jon sat on the edge letting his feet hang over the side and Melissa joined him. Jon slid his hand around her as he watched the surprisingly calm water.

“Blue, I don’t want to leave tonight,” Melissa said leaning her head on his shoulder.

“Then don’t. Stay here,” he said.

“I can’t, I have to get back to work tomorrow. I just don’t want to leave you, and this place, everything that’s happened these last couple of days. I’m not ready to go just yet,” she said.

“Then stay the night with me,” he said.

“I can’t I’ve gotta go back with Angela,” she said a hint of sadness in her voice.

“Why?”

“Because we only have one car, for one,” she said.

“I’ll drive you to work in the morning. As soon as I drop off Steph I’ll drive you,” he offered.

“Jon, I want to but I’m sure you want to spend some time with Steph,” she said.

“Don’t fight me on this, we both want you here. Please give me one more night,” he asked.

“You sure you don’t mind driving me,” she said.

“Not if it gives me one more night with you,” he said smiling.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Anything for my, Angel,” he said giving her a kiss.

Melissa pulled away when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. “Its Angela,” she said looking at him.

“Go on,” Jon said backing up a little as his hand brushed through her hair.

“Hey, what’s up,” Melissa asked.

“Hey, sweetie. I’m ready to go, Richie said you guys went outside but I didn’t see you on the porch. You ready,” Angela asked.

“We’re all the way down on the river. I’m staying here tonight so you’re going back on your own if you don’t mind,” Melissa said.

“We kinda figured you’d stay another night,” Angela said brightly. “You deserve a happy ending to today.”

“Thanks, you really don’t mind,” Melissa asked.

“At the end of the day he’s still Jon Bon Jovi and I’m not gonna keep you outta his bed,” Angela teased. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Wait, we’ll come up and say goodbye,” Melissa said.

“You don’t have to, Richie can see me out,” Angela offered.

“Don’t be silly we’re on our way,” Melissa said.

“Kay, bye,” Angela said hanging up.

“Come on, Angela’s on her way out so she can get home at a decent hour. Lets go say goodbye,” Melissa said getting to her feet.

“Lead the way,” he said following her back to the house.

They found Angela and Richie talking in the foyer when they arrived back in the house. “There’s the happy couple now,” Angela said as they walked into the foyer. “Thanks again for everything.”

“You are more then welcome. Anytime you can justify a trip down here you’re welcome,” Jon teased.

“Gee thanks big guy, but I should really get going,” Angela said.

“Have a safe drive home darlin’,” Richie said giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“You too,” she said giving him a big hug.

“Get home safe, and try not to sell anything of mine. I’d prefer not to see my clothes on ebay,” Jon teased.

“You won’t find your black ski cap or your tv guide on ebay,” she said with a smile.

“Angela! Tell me you’re kidding,” Melissa said.

“Ok, I’m kidding,” Angela said giving Jon a wink.

“You’re fantastic,” Jon said giving her a hug.

“Thank you for everything you did this weekend,” Angela whispered in his ear.

Jon gave her a kiss on the cheek, “No need to thank me.”

“I’m not even hugging you, because I’m seeing you in the morning,” Angela said looking at Melissa. “Just promise me you’ll have a good night and take it easy.”

“Deal,” Melissa said. “Call me when you get home.”

“I know the drill,” Angela said grabbing her bag. “Night all,” she said leaving through the front door.

“Can you give me a couple minutes, I wanna go talk to Steph before she goes to bed. She’s probably going soon, its almost nine,” Jon said.

“Go on, I’ll be down here when you’re ready. I think I can entertain myself for a while,” Melissa said giving him a kiss.

“Thanks, babe,” Jon said heading up the stairs.

“Can I offer you a drink, or were you on your way up too,” Melissa asked Richie.

“I can have a glass of wine before I go up,” Richie said putting his arm over her shoulder leading her back to the kitchen.

Richie poured them each a glass of wine and they settled onto the barstools at the counter. They sat and Richie talked about Ava for a few minutes until their glasses were empty.

“Ok, I should get to bed. I wont see you in the morning before I leave, so I’ll say goodbye now,” Richie said standing.

“Goodbye? Are you going back to Philly,” Melissa asked.

“In everything that went on, I must’ve forgotten to tell you. I’m leaving in the morning, I’m goin’ back to California. I’ve got Ava for a couple weeks at least until Thanksgiving. We haven’t talked about the details yet. But this is it for me, for a while at least,” Richie said.

Melissa felt like she had the wind knocked out of her. “You’re really going?”

“Hey don’t look so sad, you know I’m always only a phone call away,” Richie said.

“I know, I guess I just got so used to you being here the last month or so. You’ve been such a good friend to me, I’m gonna miss you,” Melissa said.

“I’m gonna miss you too,” Richie said pulling her into a hug. “I mean it, anytime you need me, I’m just a phone call away.”

“Thanks,” she said smiling.

“You got it,” Richie said as they headed for the stairs.

“What time is you’re flight in the morning, Jon’s giving me a ride early,” she asked.

“My flight’s at 6:20 or something like that. So I’ll be outta here by like 4:30, I don’t know what I was thinking when I booked that one,” he said laughing.

“Probably that you wanted to make sure you’d be home early enough to see Ava,” she offered.

“Pretty and smart too,” he teased.

“Damn right, Sambora,” she said with a smile.

“I’m gonna miss you a lot,” he said.

“Me too, have a safe trip. Lemme know when you get home safe and sound,” she asked.

“Of course,” he said giving her one last hug before going upstairs.

Melissa stood in the foyer when she heard footsteps coming down the hall. She smiled when she saw Jon at the top of the stairs. “You look happy to see me,” he said as he came down the stairs.

“That’s because I am,” she said. “Everything ok with Steph.”

“Yeah, its fine. Can I talk to you,” he asked.

“Something on your mind,” she asked.

“Yeah.”

“Ok, I’ve got time,” she said.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Chapter 59

“Thank you,” she said as he stroked her hair.

“Talk to me, tell me what you’re feeling,” he encouraged.

“Its hard to explain. It’s a combination of a lot of things,” she said.

“I’ve got time. Do you wanna walk,” he asked.

“Yeah that’d be nice,” she said picking up Richie’s jacket as they headed down the beach, his arm tightly fixed on her waist. “Its hard to put into words what’s going on in my head. Of course I’m hurting for Lindsay, and when I see her family I remember exactly how I felt when I was going through the same thing. Every time I go to funerals I think of mom. Usually I just remember her, but today being down here, it was like overload for me. Stuff we did together thrown in my face on a day that memories of burying her are fresh in my mind. I’m sad all over again, and I’m hurt and mad. It’s a whirlwind of emotions.”

“I am so sorry you were going through that on your own today. Tell me about her, about those summers down here,” he said.

“Really, you want to hear all that,” she asked.

“Absolutely, unless you don’t want to talk about it,” he said not wanting to push too hard.

“I didn’t think you’d want to know,” she said.

“I want to know everything about you,” he said kissing her hair.

“Ok, well we came down here a couple years when I was a teenager. Michelle, me and mom. We would rent a house for like two weeks or something like that. Never on the beach, we didn’t have that kind of money. Mom was my best friend, she was always the first person I called when something good happened and we hung out more like friends or sisters then mother and daughter. Shell always did her own thing, so it was the two of us most of the time. We would lie out on the beach, and go down in the water. I remember one summer she taught me how to body surf. We would walk the boardwalk every night. Played all the games, ate all the typical food, rode the rides till we wanted to throw up. We would stay up late talking and playing board games and then get up the next morning and do it all again. Those were some of the best summers of my life,” she said.

“This is really killing you, being here, isn’t it,” he asked.

“It is, but you get used to it. Little things remind me of her, I just didn’t prepare myself for being here. If I did, I’d be better. I’ve been thinking about her a lot since yesterday, but not like this,” she said wiping a tear.

“I’m sorry you’re hurting,” he said.

“Thanks, but it’s nice to talk about it, helps all the memories come back, keeps ‘em fresh,” she said smiling a little.

“Anything else you want to talk about,” Jon asked taking advantage of her openness.

“I’m sorry about yesterday afternoon. I overreacted when Angela asked you if she could stay. I just don’t want her to do anything to push you away from me. I don’t want to do anything to push you away either. Now that I have you I’m just afraid of losing you,” she said softly.

“Like you did your mom,” he asked.

“Yeah, it was just bad timing with everything I think,” she said watching the waves crash against the sand.

“Hey, don’t worry about that. I’m not going anywhere for a long while. You have to stop thinking that you’re gonna drive me away. I love you Melissa,” he said sincerely.

“I love you too. You’ve had a hard day; I could see it in your eyes. Tell me what you’re thinking,” she asked.

“I was thinking about my kids. I know they all have their moments. Steph can be sassy as hell and give this attitude that makes my blood boil. And Jesse’s a handful, but you can blame it on his age I guess. Jake’s just as stubborn as me, he gets something in his head and there’s not changing his mind. And Meo, he can throw a nasty tantrum with the best of them. But at the end of the day, they’re my world and my life. I would die for any of them in a heartbeat. When Dorothea took them I thought my life as over, but looking at the Connors’ faces today. I can’t even imagine what they’re going through. Losing a child, is something that no parent should ever go through,” Jon said.

“Oh, Jon, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think of it like that for you,” she said stopping to look in his eyes.

“Hey, there’s a silver lining in it all. I’m gonna appreciate everything my kids give me now. Every last gray hair is something to cherish, and I’m definitely gonna start picking my battles. In the big picture all the little things don’t matter,” Jon said as she hugged him giving him the loving contact that he needed. “We should probably start walking back before they send a search party out for us. We’ve probably walked the better part of a mile anyway.”

“I didn’t realize we walked that far,” she said looking back in the direction they came from.

“Come on let’s go, Angel,” Jon said sliding his hand around hers leading them back to the house.

“What did you call me, Jon?”

“Huh?”

“You called me Angel,” she said confused.

Jon bit his bottom lip and his cheeks flushed as he started to walk. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, why did you call me that,” she asked smiling.

“Well, because you are my angel,” he said.

“Me? How,” she asked.

“Since the first time we went out, I knew you were going to have an impact on my life. That night when we were walking on the beach looking out into this same ocean, I knew you were gonna change my life, I didn’t know how. But then I started to see how you were doing it. I really believe that you are my angel, sent from God himself, to give me a second chance at love. Without you I don’t know if I would ever have let myself open up again,” he said the emotion in his voice evident.

“Jon, I had no idea. Why didn’t you tell me,” Melissa asked.

“I dunno, I didn’t want you to think I was nuts and maybe I was a little embarrassed too,” he admitted.

“I love it, I think its sweet,” she said giving his hand a squeeze.

“Really? I guess that’s just how I’ve thought of you for so long that it slipped,” Jon said.

“I love it, I really do. Will you call me Angel,” she asked.

“You want me to?”

“Yes, I love what it means for both of us,” she answered.

“Then of course I will,” he said giving her a quick kiss. “But tell me something, now that you’ve found me out, do you have a name for me?”

Melissa’s cheeks turned red, “Kinda,” she answered.

“Come on now, you’ve gotta tell me. It’s only fair,” he teased.

“Blue eyes.”

“You’re not datin’ Sinatra here,” Jon said smiling.

“I know that. You wanna hear the story of should I just call you Frank,” she asked with a fake scowl.

“Nope tell away,” he said.

“The first thing I noticed about you when you stepped off the elevator were your eyes. They were this piercing blue. Even before I realized who you were, I saw those eyes. And I always believed that the eyes were the way to a person’s soul. That night in Philly that we stayed up late talking, the night before the show. I think that’s the night that I fell in love with you or I realized that I loved you. The way you poured year heart out was beautiful and your eyes were right there in the middle of it all. Your mouth may be able to lie but not your eyes; they’re a lie detector. So I think its safe to say that I love your eyes because they speak to me in a way,” she said.

“So Blue Eyes it is,” he said.

“Blue for short of course,” she said.

“Oh of course,” he said smiling.

“You know what? I think we make a good pair, Blue,” she said.

“I think so too, Angel,” he said as they arrived back at the house.