Chapter Sixty Seven

Back home, I rang Rich, Dave and Teek, I included Mike Rew too and Obie, my tour photographer David Bergmann  and my brother matt, next was the call to catering to have snacks laid on for when the guys got here.

Satisfied and with the basics in place I sketched an outline on the wipe clean board for the next leg on the European tour.
I read through it twice before I was happy, then set up the chairs for our meeting, closing the door to the den I walked out and straight into Madison. "hey there beautiful..."  she looked hot and flustered, not her usual calm self...  "Hey what's wrong?" "Well its meeting the guy's, what if they give you a hard time about us... you know like your mom did, I'd never forgive myself if I was the cause of Bon Jovi breaking up"

"Whoa there where's all this come from?"

"I've been thinking on it since yesterday, and the more I think the worst I'm feeling, I'm real scared..."

I took her in my arms, "Look, everything will be fine ok?, the guy's no better than to pass judgement on me," I laughed,  at the end of the day, I'm their boss... relax it will be fine, there is no way the guys are going break from me, because you and me are together... they will love you...ok.."

she looked at me, still unsure and uneasy..."I hope your right, I really do..."

"I am trust me..."

"Ok, if you say so," then added with a laugh,"  your the boss..."

she tried to look a little more relaxed,
"so you want some juice, coffee?"

"coffee would be good thanks, I'll be down in the studio, you know where that is right?"

"der, of course...." she smiled at me as she went off in the direction of the kitchen.

I was walking out to the back, when there was a knock at the door, opening it, I was shocked, there was my mom, with the kids.... "well don't just stand there are you gonna invite us in?"

"Mom?, what are you doing here?"

"With you going on tour I thought it would be nice for the kids to spend the day with you"

The kids stood back and looked uneasy.. Steph spoke, "sorry pop, we told grandma, she should check with you first, cause you said you had uncle Rich and the guys coming over today for a run through, but..."
I interrupted her,
"Steph c'mere, its fine, you guys don't need to ring ahead to call and see your old man...this is your home..." she came forward and I held her tight while giving my mom the stink eye...
"hey guys, go through and get some juice, the kids walked past my mom and into the house. my mom tried to follow,
" not you mom"

"why?, I brought the kids over, now your telling me I cant come in..."

"you just can't leave it can you?"

I don't know what you mean... now are you gonna let me pass or not?"

I stood my ground... "Jon please, this bad blood between us has gone on long enough, I'm your mother.."

"mom, you maybe able to just wash over things, I cant, and  I'm just so not  ready to deal with you yet,...."
"But I said I'm sorry.... "
"Look it great you have brought the kids over, but I'm booked up today, maybe you need to just open your ears and listen,  Steph told you,"
"but I still thought it would be ok?"
"ma, I know your games, and I aint being hog washed, you are using the kids to get to me."
She shuffled on the ground with her feet, then looked at me indignantly,

"you've force my hand,.... you wont answer my calls, your ignore my e-mails, don't reply to my text... what am I suppose to do? eh? I love you Jonny, but I can't let you go all round he world with out saying good bye to me and knowing we are all good... please cant you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

"ma, enough already, you have to face the facts you've really hurt me and pissed me off..."
Without warning, she flung herself at me, and held on real tight, almost knocking me off my feet...

"mom for the love of god, will you let go please..."

"not till you tell me we are all good... your my baby, and I'm sorry I've hurt you... you have always been my favourite..."
she did not hear the guys coming up to the house from behind, she was shook when matt spoke...

"has he now, that's nice to know mom..."

Matt was stood right behind, as Rich and the guys were arriving for the meeting.
My mom let go of me real fast, and spun round to look at Matty.
"you know I didn't mean it quite like that Matt, your my baby too..."

Matt pushed past her and held up his hand.

the guys from the band were all respectful to her as they walked inside the house, they looked bemused as to way she was stood on the step outside.

"right, I've gotta get gone, I've got a meeting with these guys, I'll bring the kids back to yours later ok."
"please Jonny, let me come in..."
"I'll see you later, go home..."

I shut the door then walked away, outside, I could hear her calling... "Johnny, please.... don't do this to me..."
Madison came through to the lobby and gave me a coffee, "you ok?"

"yeah, just the drama of my mother... its good.." I smiled and slid my arms around her waist as we walked out back to the den.

All eye's turned to Madison as we walked in, Rich was first out his chair,
"hi, I'm Richie, the good looking one.." he extended his hand and gave her a wink... Madison looked at me, then smiled at Rich and offered her hand in return, "nice to meet you Richie, the good looking one..."
Rich smiled, "I like her..."
next was teek, his gravelled voice, " nice to meet you hunni.." then Dave, who was the joker, he'd scribbled his number on a piece of paper, "Here's my number, anytime you want out of this let me know, I'll be over in a flash..."
this time I butted in, "anytime you want outta the band Dave let me know..."
he smiled and held up his hand, "you win" he stretched his arm out to take his number back, but Madison had already slipped in her pocket... "not so fast Mr Dave, you wanna crush my feelings?"
he smiled as he sat back down.

" Ok, guys, down to work"
 I winked at Madison as I went round the room to the wipe clean board,
Madison was stood near the door, ever the hostess she asked
"so can I get you gentlemen anything?" I could see their minds heading to the gutter, so I spoke, "just bring the pitcher of juice babes, and some glasses..." she saluted me as she left and closed the door,

and disappeared to go get the drink.

All eyes were on me, with silence, I took a deep breath, " I guess your all wondering about Madison and me right?"
Rich held up his hand, "I think we can guess..."

"you can?"  

"you and D finally called time right?"

I shook my head, yeah, but it aint how you think..."

Dave spoke, "Hey, Jon, bud it's none of our business, but long as your happy so are we..."

being with these guys so long they knew me inside and out, and supported me one hundred percent, with Matty adding, "treat her right, or else?"
"Or else what bro?"
"or else there's four good looking guys here that would be only to happy to care and take care of her..."
they all laughed, " yeah, I get it... alright... knock it off already.... clearing my throat I asked "now shall we get back to what were really here for?"
"what about David and Obie, aint they coming too?"
"Yeah but  only to do some new promo shots for the next leg, and Obie, to loan his ears on the run through of the new tracks with us in the studio.. Mike will be joining us later too"
"So guys, this is our time, its my come back after two months away, I wanna make it a real good, so are you ready? "
All the guys stood with Rich placing his arm out stretched, I added mine as did, Teek, Dave and matt, brothers in arms together the meeting started.