Chapter twenty two

"Dot?, hey, what a surprise, come in."  Rich squeezed past, " right that's me then, nodding his head at Dot he continued, I'll see you at sound check then ok?"
"Yeah fine, and thanks again Rich?" he saluted and smiled as he walked away.  
Dot  still stood in the hall way,  finally she stepped into the room and spoke, much softer than all of our other calls and talks "not interrupting anything was I?, band talk for instance?"
"No, it's fine, Rich, was leaving as you arrived, he just brought my stuff over from the Ritz."
"Guess you are wandering why I'm here right"
"umm thought has crossed my mind."
"well, after your call, I spoke with Richie did he tell you?"
"Yeah he mentioned he had spoke with you, look do you at least want to sit?" she nodded and walked over to the sofa as I closed the door.
"Can I get you a drink?"
"just coffee for me, I have a class in the morning, a group of ten year olds, and if I'm not on the ball they will rip me to pieces." she laughed nervously, there was an atmosphere and it was getting more tense by the second.
"Erm, well I guess I had better tell you what I know then huh?"
I was confused, and repeated her sentence, "What do you mean tell me what you know?" I poured her coffee into a cup and took it across and handed it to Dot as I sat next to her.
"I'm confused"
Dot put her cup on the table and turned to face me.
"Thing is Jon, I have been getting letters and messages on the phone for months, all telling me of your infidelity, yeah I know I've heard crap before, but this time its been different.... I-I- don't know why, I can't put my finger on it, but this time it hurt so bad, then the press... and well it brings it full circle to being here now... do you get it?"
I was at a total loss, no understanding whatsoever, I had to get Dot to explain it all to me and from the beginning.
"Dot, hold up.... I'm lost and confused in all this.... can you tell me everything and from the beginning please... I'm trying hard to get what your telling me, but I have no idea what you are speaking about"

She looked at me, tears filled her eye's and began to creep to the edge of her lids making her eye's glisten in the light, slowly the tears trickled over and down her cheeks. She tried hard to control her emotions and keep herself in check, but as her bottom lip quavered she broke out in sobs, made worst by her trying to explain everything in between, which just made even less sense than before.

I wanted to console her, after all she was my wife and I loved her with every bit of my being and body, tentatively I put my arms around her and drew her toward me and gently kissed her eye's and head, while stroking her arms and shoulders and back.

She let me and slowly we relaxed with each other staying in each other embrace for over and hour, until at last her sobs slowed and her breathing had all but returned to normal. I looked down at her tear stained face, and her weepy eyes looked up at me,
"I'm sorry"
"Sorry for what?"
"For breaking down, for not believing you, for accusing you and believing lies.. I'm sorry for everything... "
"Stop, ok?"
"But I am... really I am"
"Look, lets leave it ok?, can we just move on from this?"
"we can Jon, there's nothing I want more, but I have done you wrong."
"what?, what are you saying?"
"I'm saying I want you to forgive me for wrongly judging you?"
 "hey, hang on here, are you saying you now believe me?"
"sort of"
the tension started to return to the room, and I was starting to feel uncomfortable, and my temper was starting to rise.
"No c'mon you either do or don't, what other doubts can you have?"

I let go of my hold on Dot and got up off the sofa, and walked back over to the mini bar and got a shot of vodka as Rich and I had drank all the whiskey,  opening the shot bottle I drank.

Dot got up off the sofa too and had joined me, walking into my space.

"Well the evidence has been pretty compelling right? if the shoe were on the other foot you would do the same right?"
"No Dot, I wouldn't, no why?, cause I trust you, simple as that. what you fail to realise is that I am a victim here and someone is using every devious skill they have to kill my marriage with you and cause me pain, and why I have no idea, but instead of trusting me, you condemn me without even listening to me, you have given me no support, so yeah maybe you do need to apologise to me eh, for being a down right bitch..." I knocked back the rest of vodka, and gave Dot the stink eye waiting on her reply.
She moved back away from me, "that's right you just twist it Jon... same ol same old eh?"
"What?, what's that suppose to mean?"
"like you don't know"
"Dot, I'm not in the mood for games, ok?, I'm tired, I'm drained and worn out from it all, I've still got a tour to do too, so will you please just tell me what all this is about and tell me what is going round your freaking head, for the love of god. just help me out here will ya?"
I looked up to the ceiling as if the almighty would give me the answers I needed to make sense of all this shit. He didn't.
"this was a bad idea, I should not have come, I'm sorry Jon I'll go..."
"So your walking out on me again?, why do you do that eh?, do you hate me so much now? do you think I am enjoying all of this Dot, well do ya?"
"I don't know what to think Jon, your confused how do you think I feel?"
"well that's just it, I don't no cause you won't fucking tell me."
Dot spun round on her heels and came back over to me, standing inches from my face she spat."
"I'm tired of the shit and living alone Jon, while you go off and be Mr fucking Rockstar, it's time you jacked it in, and finally realised you have children and a family and most importantly you have a wife.."
the crying started again and she turned away.
I just stood totally shocked and dumbfounded by her outburst.
"Hey, are you telling me that you set this up?, just so you could stop me playing in the band? Dot look at me please?"
She stood with her back to me and said nothing....

Chapter Twenty One

It was a little after eight when Richie arrived with my bag, letting him in we hugged as brothers do.

"so, how it go today?, any closer to sorting this crap out?"
"kinda,"
"What the fuck that mean?, kinda?, you gotta have some legal rights?"
"Yeah I have but not much cause she ain't really done anything to hurt me, a restraining order is all's they can do right now"
"serious, man, that won't stop her,"
I nodded, "I know, but most Michael can do, and have her arrested when she does, I've gotta make notes too"
"for real?, that's all? What about the photos, breaking through backstage, video? "
"it's all circumstantial bro"
"that sucks"
Again I nodded, "tell me something I don't know"
"I will, " Rich walked over to the mini bar and got two drinks, walking back over he sat on the sofa and patted the seat next to him for me to join him. He held a smug smile on his lips.

"Why you looking so smug?"

"sit, all will be revealed."

I sat next to him and eyed him suspicious, the last time Rich had behaved like this I had been doused in water after a gig.

"ok, I'm sitting what gives, and I warn you Sambora no pranks."

He laughed, "You are so suspicious, no pranks."

"So what then?"

"Matt,"

"What bout him?"

"he knows bout the girl that has said your the pop to her kid."

"yeah he knew before,"

"yeah, but bet ya didn't know that I have spoke to him and told him to go get a paternity test."

"Hang on, you have told Matt the kids his not mine?."

"I have, he was pretty pissed, tried denying he had slept with her, even said the kid looked like you not him."

"whoa, Rich, what have you done?"

"What, I've helped you clear your name for fucks sake."

"no all you have done is shift the blame from me to Matty, he has a wife too, for fuck sake Rich, do you ever engage your brain."  I got up and started to pace.

"Right, so telling Dot for you was ok, but telling your fucking ass of a brother who was happy for you to take the blame for his own indiscretions is not? I'm fucking confused. no one can do right for fucking wrong with you Jon"

Rich joined me and was on his feet pacing the room the room too. his face set in a frown and his temper rising by the second.

I knew what Rich had done was thinking in my interests, but I wanted to be the one to sit down with Matt and talk to him about his indiscretion, not Richie. Matt was my brother after all.

I took a deep breath and walked over to Rich, facing him direct I spoke calmer.

"look Rich, as much as you want to help, there are times you need to run things past me first. I wanted to talk to Matt myself, I understand him, you think telling him to go get a paternity test was the best way to tell him he's a pop?"

Rich tilted his head on one side as he answered, I guess not.  but I wanted to help, I just did it the wrong way.. I just didn't think I guess, I'm sorry"

"It's ok," patting rich on the arm " I'll sort it," my mind then clicked with what Rich said, "Hey, you said you told dot?"

"Yeah, she rang me before I came over with your stuff."

"Sorry man, I wanted to tell you that I had mentioned bout Matt to Dot, but time ran away, ya know.."

"Hey, it's fine, both of us fucked up eh"

we laughed, that's how it was between us, we were both passionate people and as quick as we could flare up, things were calm again. I had to know what Dot had said, so asked him while fixing us too  more whisky's.

"Can you tell me what she asked?"

Rich sat back down on the sofa, I followed and handed him his drink, he explained.

"sure, she rang late afternoon, she went straight for it, no pleasantries."

dot was always direct.

"What she say?"

"She just jumped straight in, "Richie, Jon said you know something about the girl that say's Jon is the pop of her baby, tell me?"

I chuckled, "that's my Dot..."

"Yeah, I said, nice to hear from you too Dot, she didn't bite on that, just pushed me to answer, so I told her about the times Matt and this girl had been back stage with all the flirting and that they had gone off together and obviously had slept together, and that I could swear on a stack of bibles and my daughters life you had not been unfaithful with this women, that was accusing you."

"thanks man."

"that's not all, and shoot me again if ya want, but I told her that Antonia was not your lover either, I told her everything about that too."

my eye's were wide with shock.

"I'm guessing she did not believe that right?"

"She was hesitant until I told her that Clive on security could confirm too about the package and stuff."

"and..."

"nothing she just said thanks Rich and hung up. so you gonna shoot me then"

"no, not this time bro.."

instead I grabbed him making him jump and hugged him tight and thumped him on the back thanking him.

letting go he relaxed back into the sofa, and with a wry smile he spoke "your welcome bro, I think," lifting his drink to his lips he downed it in one go and stood.

"well, I'm outta here, I meeting Teek and Dave in town for something to eat and hitting a bar with them after  too, you wanna join us?" "nah, I'm beat, I'm gonna catch up on my sleep, have a good time though yeah, and have a few for me."  laughing he continued, " ya can count on it ol man...We have a life ya know.."

I got up to show him to the door, "thanks again man, seriously, you are the best.."

another hug as he opened the door to leave, then a female voice was heard, "Jon"

rich pulled back the door so it was wide open, there stood before Rich and me was Dot.

 

 

 

Chapter Twenty

Back in the car with Alex, he told me Di had managed to move me to the Marriott a little further across town, the guys had decided they would stay at the Ritz Carlton to keep the press away for as long as they could; Rich was going to drop off my things later so not to arouse suspicion with the press too.

I sat back and thought on the conversation and meeting I had just had with Michael, I had to talk to Dot too and let her know the outcome, even though she was spitting mad with me, and more than likely would hang up, she had to be told.

Alex pulled up to the Marriott and with no press, getting settled into my suite at the Marriott was a breeze. How long it could be kept from the press though, was another matter.
It was a waiting game. Although the staff had been sworn to secrecy when money was offered its amazing how things slip out.

My suite was light and airy, furnished in pastel green and cream, with aqua accents, the usual things were accessible, mini bar, fridge full of snacks, together with coffee making facilities, TV, and everything else that's normal in hotel living.
I needed a drink, despite Michael being professional no drinks were offered and my throat was dry.  walking over to the fridge I opened the door and looked inside, a selection of alcoholic beverages were there, but I needed something to freshen my mouth so grabbed a bottle of water.

The drapes to the veranda were drawn and left the room looking dark, I needed light.
Daylight burst into the room as I opened the drapes and threw open the door, the breeze blowing through to the room clearing everything including the cobwebs that was haunting my mind. I stood overlooking the city and drinking the water that was chilled and soothed my throat as I drank.

Putting my bottle on the table, I pulled my cigarettes from my pocket, took one from the pack, lit it and inhaled deeply, the nicotine relaxing my body and mind allowing me to think about the call I was going to have with dot, I played it through over and over until I was comfortable in what I was going to say. As I threw the butt over the edge I thought about how Dot would have reacted to me smoking again. She had banned me smoking in the house and round the kids as she detested it; she asked over and over what was so enjoyable about smelling like an ashtray, which made me smile.

I really missed Dot. We had been through so much together; she was my rock always strong, independent and with her own voice. She refused to live in my shadow and had proved on more than one occasion her own strength.

Grabbing my water from the table I walked back into the room and across to the phone table; with
Phone receiver in my hand I dialled home. It rang and rang but eventually the phone was answered, "hello" Jesse had picked up the call.
"Jesse?"
"Dad?"
"Yeah, are you and the guys ok?"
"Were fine pop, but what's with mom, all she seems to do is walk around cussing you and crying, what's going on?"
It was clear that the kids had not seen the TV, which figured as they had so many outside activities they were never home long enough for TV, and they had heard crap from friends before, but unless they heard it from me or dot they always refused to believe it.
I knew my son needed to know, shit all my kids did, but now was not the time.
So I made out it was nothing.
Jesse seemed ok with my explanation as he continued the conversation.
"So, you want mom?"
"Yeah, please...."
"Ok, I'll go get her,"
"Jesse..."
"Yeah"
"You know I love you guy's right?"
"Course pop, you sure everything's ok?"
"Yeah, I'm sure, go get your mom."
"Ok"
I heard the receiver being laid on the table as Jesse set off to get Dot calling out for her. I waited and could hear the hallway clock ticking in the background. It was like it was ticking away the minutes of my life and I was on borrowed time, tick tock, tick tock, my thoughts were broken as dot picked up the handset and spoke.
"Jon?"
"Yeah"
"What do you want, I am right in the middle of teaching a Karate class, can this wait?"
"Sorry, but know it can't wait, I need to talk with you."
I was greeted by silence at the end of the phone. I spoke to check she was still there.
"Dot?"
"Yeah, I'm here, I'm waiting, can you hurry this up already."
frustration and lack of tolerance was noted in her tone.
"I have been to see my lawyer today, about everything that is happening."
"with your affairs right?"
"no Dot, with the stalker, I am not having a god damn affair, I wish you would believe me."
"Whatever Jon, I am tired of this crap, so what he say?"
"He is worried about you and the kids safety"
"Why?, that's bull, were fine."
"really are you? you receive a letter from someone that claims to have had sex with me and has a child and because she seems to have my features you automatically condemn me? that's not my Dot, or my wife."
"pretty strong evidence Jon, the child is the spitting image of you"
"Really so I am the only Bongiovi then that could be the pop right?"
"What?"
"What I am saying is, Rich remembered the girl and that Matt went out with her a couple of times on the last tour. instead of assuming I am guilty look for my innocence and trust me?"
I knew what I had said had given Dot reason for more thought.
"right, ok, well yeah that does shed another light on it, but I will talk with Richie too, your not off the hook yet."
"Hey that's fine, just give me a chance babe."
"So what this lawyer guy suggest then."
"He's applying for a restraining order, and wants me to increase security at the house for you and the kids. He said the restraining order may not stop her, but at least she can be arrested when she breaks it. I've spoken to Colin and he is sending over a team to sit and survey the house and make sure your all safe."
"Ok, but what if the kids ask questions about security Jon, they aint stupid ya know."
"just tell them the truth Dot. we have no reason to lie."
"Ok, but they will have questions."
"if they do they can ring me, and I will be home on Friday."
absent mindedly I lit another cigarette while on the phone. "You smoking again?"
"Yeah, I'm smoking to many right now."
"Well smoking aint gonna help is it?, apart from kill you quicker... Jon, quit the weed please, if not for me, for your kids. we all hate it, you know that."
"I will, I promise."
"Ok, right well I have to go, my class is waiting."
"Ok, fine, and Dot, Thank you..."
"for what?"
"for finally listening to me.."
"fine, look I'll talk later. bye"
the phone was hung up and left me with silence, but I felt far calmer than I had for ages, Dot had listened to me and we had a rational conversation, one without blame for a change. In my heart there was a new hope. stubbing out the but of the cigarette I left my room and decided I wanted some company and headed down to the hotel bar.

Chapter Nineteen

following my call with dot, added with the tv and the crap that took place outside my room with Antonia, I felt sick to my stomach, and my head was pounding.
Maybe the three glasses of wine on an empty stomach was not the best of ideas I'd had so far.

 

I needed pain killers, but I needed food too, acting on auto pilot and not really thinking I found some Tylenol in my bag, and took them then picking up the phone I ordered a sandwich and some juice from room service, then Sitting on the couch I rubbed my temples with my fingers and my head back, until room service arrived with my food cart.
As they knocked and called out, "room Service" I let the waiter in, then giving him a tip and dismissing him I closed and locked the door.

 

Lifting the cloche I took the sandwich and juice and relaxing on the couch ate in silence. I could not face watching the TV anymore, everything was twisted lies and left a real bitter taste and bile in my mouth and stomach, it was better just not watching anymore.

 

Finishing up my lunch, I checked the time, I had one hour before needing to be down town with my lawyer. grabbing my bag I headed to the bedroom and bathroom.

With a shower, a change of clothes and a shave I was all good to go.

 

I picked up the service phone to call my driver and have him meet me at the hotel entrance in five minutes, then grabbing my cap and glasses I made my way to the elevator.

 

The ride to the lobby was smooth, and I just prayed that there would be no press waiting as I got off.

the doors slid back, and as I stepped out I was relieved that all was clear, apart from some business men waiting on their rides it was empty.

 

Looking towards the entrance I could see my car waiting, all looked calm from where I was, but as I neared the door I could hear and see at least forty press and paps waiting for me. There was nothing for it I just had to push forward. The doorman saw me coming and opened the back door of the car for me to get in.

Moving out of the hotel onto the sidewalk, camera's flashed, and the reporters pushed their microphones into my face and all were screaming for me to answer there questions. I stayed silent and just pushed my way through.

 

within the safety of the car, Alex pulled away smoothly, and headed into the down town traffic, with no real holdups we were there in minutes, giving me plenty of time to prepare for my meeting,    

but as I was about to get out, I could not remember the name of the guy I was meeting with, having been so used to meeting Marc this was unchartered territory, and anyone that knows me will tell you I never sit well with change.

Taking my cell from my pocket I rang Diane. "Hey Di, what's the name of the lawyer I am seeing?"

her reply came, it was Michael Emerson. thanking her, I asked if she could make arrangements for me to use another hotel given that the press had now took up a camp out at the current hotel. She said she would take care of it and have all my things moved by the time my meeting was through. Thanking her I ended the call. Alex too knew the drill,  and as I got out of the car he went to park.  

Stood outside on the sidewalk I made my way through the revolving doors and into the lobby, and across to the reception desk. A pretty young girl was sat behind the big oak desk, with a headset on her head, "good Afternoon, Branson, Emerson and Fowler Law, How may I help you," busy answering the switchboard she raised her hand to acknowledge my presence.

she took two more calls before she gave me directions to the floor I needed.  Taking the elevator to the eighteenth floor I got off to meet another receptionist.
"Hi, Jon Bon Jovi to meet Michael Emerson."
"Thank you sir, please take a seat, I will be just one moment."
I decided I did not want to sit, and paced slowly round the waiting area, looking at the pictures and photographs that lined the walls. On the tables were magazines, and in the left hand corner a children's play den. My thoughts were interrupted as the receptionist called my name. "Mr Bon Jovi, this way sir, Mr Emerson is ready for you sir"
I followed her to the door and as she opened it, and stood to the side I walked past and entered the room.
"Mr Bon Jovi, " I walked forward towards a man that was no more than forty in years, with dark hair, glasses, a slight paunch to his belly and stood about 160 in height. his hand was outstretched to meet me, continuing walking over I shook his hand and sat. He did the same behind his desk.
"So, Jon, may I call you Jon?, Marc tells me you are having a nightmare with a stalker, and given the news reports I have viewed a pretty nasty and persistent young women?"
Having only just met this guy, I was not comfortable being called by my first name, given this was a professional meeting, but as pissed as that made me feel, I was here to sort this issues with Antonia, so agreed he could call me Jon. He was oblivious to my stink eye and rambled on. with my leg raised across my other leg, I listened and tried to relax.
"That's great, thank you, and please call me Michael, so shall we begin, can you tell me how this all started. "
For best part of an hour I sat telling of everything that had happened. What Michael asked next shook me,
"Do you feel that your life or your members of your family are in any danger from this women?"
I had thought about it, on more than one occasion and I had pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind, it threw me for a minute and I was lost for an answer straight away. Michael had a frown burrowed in his forehead as he pressed on and asked another question instead.
"Do you think this women has already involved your family?" This time I was stunned and had not even thought about that prospect. Answering I shocked myself with my response which sounded nervous.
"I don't know how to answer that, I had not given it any thought until you asked, but now you have I feel somewhat nervous. what would you suggest?"
"Jon, I find all this extremely disturbing, the photographs you have here show me she is past obsessed with you, and the video here, blackmail?, then the person abroad that is saying she has had your child, looking at the whole picture, if this was me, I would seriously worry about my safety and that of my family. Have you reported this to the police?"
for the second time in minutes I was stunned again, regaining my thought pattern I answered Michael.
Erm, what?, no, no I haven't contacted the police, I did not think there was anything they could do?"
"They can't right now, but we need this logged so we have a trail noted. All I can do for you legally right now is have a restraining order issued, but let me be clear, given what she has already done, I doubt this will stop her, but it will then allow the police to arrest her when she breaks the order, and sorry to say until she does something more threatening that's all we have at this time. What I need for you to do Jon, is any contact, any more letters, and more mail anything at all from this women you need to make notes for me, I need to build a picture of the harassment she is inflicting on you on top of what she has already done."
I listened taking in what I was being told, it didn't sit well with me, but with nothing else to do, I agreed.
"Great, I will apply to the court tomorrow for the restraining order, here's my number, ring me anytime Jon, we will stop this don't worry." he reached his hand out again and shook my hand, I returned the gesture and thanked him, and then left his office.