Chapter 15

The check-in process had gone without a hitch this time. Richie had just chucked it off to this being California and nothing was considered strange anymore, although they did get a few second looks.

Settling into spacious first class seats, Richie leaned back ready for a good long nap when Jon spoke up.

"Rich?"

"Yeah?"

"Tell me Schwarzenegger isn't the Governor. That's messed up."

Richie laughed. "It's not any weirder than Reagan being the President, you know."

"But Arnold was The Terminator."

Richie debated over this for a few seconds before he succumbed to the little devil on his shoulder. "Yeah, it's true. But people now see that it's a bit of a problem, though."

"Yeah? Why's that?"

"They can't seem to stop him from running around the state blasting away illegally parked cars."

"Fuck you, Sambora."

Richie was assured an undisturbed snooze for the rest of the flight.

*****

Checking in at the Four Seasons proved to be just as uneventful as the flight. The staff knew Richie and was discreet enough not to ask questions about his 'guest'. It was not the kind of guest that they may have had in mind, of course, but Richie didn't feel the need to clarify--besides, what could he tell them? The two of them even declined a porter's service since they only had their carry on bags.

Up in the luxurious suite, Jon wandered around transfixed by the elegant surroundings. Richie, having stayed here many times, was used to all the amenities but it was the first time for Jon.

"Wow."

Richie just stood by and watched Jon's reaction to all this.

"Do we really make that much money that you're able to afford staying in a place like this?"

"Yeah, thanks to you."

"Me?" Jon was a bit surprised.

"Yes, you were the one that held us together. Even after you fire....." Richie stopped, not knowing what kind of effect telling him about Doc's eminent departure would have on young Jon.

Jon stared at him. "I fired Doc? Why? I can't do anything without him. What happens to the band after that?"

Richie walked over and put his hand on Jon's shoulder. "Look, I told you. You kept us together. And you did it for all these years. I'm not going into detail, here, but just know that everything works out in the end, okay?"

Everything works out in the end. Jon hoped Richie was right.

"Listen, I'm going to shower and then head up to Jon's...your...well, I'm going to head up to the Jersey house. Jon's expecting me."

"What about me?"

"I don't want you stepping a foot out of this room. There's a TV to keep you occupied and you can order up some room service. Just sign the tab. It'll be fine."

Richie felt some trepidation about leaving Jon on his own and warned him, again, before heading out. "Remember, stay in the room."

*****

"Uncle Mookie coming, Daddy?"

"Yes, sport. He'll be here soon."

"Yay! But what about daddy?"

Sighing, Jon crouched down to meet his son's gaze. "No, I don't think 'daddy' is coming with him. Why don't you ask Uncle Mookie about him when he gets here?"

"Okay," Romeo agreed though he looked a little dejected, then ran back up to his room.


It was just past seven when Richie arrived at the house. Greeting Jon and Dot, he walked into the family room where Stephanie and two of her brothers were watching a movie.

"So, where's the little one?"

"He's up in his room. He was asking about 'daddy', again. I don't know, Rich. The doctor says it's nothing to worry about, but I just can't help it. It doesn't sound normal to me."

"Well, maybe it's not really 'daddy' he's asking for. Could be his pet name for something. Or maybe the name sounds like daddy," Richie offered lamely. He knew very well that Romeo meant exactly what he was saying.

"Yeah, maybe. Anyway, you must be hungry. Come on, let's have dinner then we can go over the songs, again."

*****

Jon looked through the entrees on the room service menu. He was a bit miffed at Richie's orders to stay in the room but he knew he had no other choice. He had very little money to do anything else.

He made his selection and decided to go the whole shebang and ordered a salad, soup and dessert. He also ordered wine to go with the meal but was a bit flummoxed when they asked him for his choice. "Uh, just bring whatever goes with my order." In his later years, he would become a bit of a connoisseur of wine, but he didn't know that yet.

He showered and dressed in a pair of jeans and no shirt. Settling himself on a big couch, he flipped through the channels looking for good movie or something interesting to watch. He found himself watching an entertainment news clip of an environmental project endorsed by several celebrities. His attention grew when they showed who was heading that project. It was himself.

*****

Dinner was loud and lively as usual at the Bongiovi house. The kids regarded Richie as family and he felt the same about them. He had been there since the day they were born and they could not think of him as anything else. They were his niece and nephews as far as he was concerned. His questions to them were fielded the same as if they had come from their parents for the most part, but the younger ones were very excited to tell him all about their day in school.

Jon kept his attention on his youngest to see if he would ask Richie about 'daddy', but he never did. This was both puzzling and frustrating for Jon. He felt as if he was the butt of some joke that these two were playing on him.

After the dinner, they decided on a movie and moved to the family room with their coffee and cookies.

Richie excused himself to go to the bathroom and when he came out, Romeo was standing right outside waiting for him.

**Uncle Richie, I really need to speak to my father. Will you take me to him?**