Chapter Sixty Eight

The run through was good and the guys were set for the next leg, an hour or so later Obie, Mike and David arrived, so too had the food and it had been set up in the dining room. I let the guys go eat, while I went in search of my kids. My mom was right in bringing them over, it was lovely having my babies around me. I headed out back to the yard and found them with Madison, playing Volley Ball,
"hey, can anyone join in?"
"squeals of dad," greeting my ears... well from the youngest and hand waves from the two eldest. Madison, came over.
"everything go well?"
shaking my head I answered, "yeah really well.. were all set now, its all clear in everyone's head what were doing. "the only real groan was from Rich which surprised me," "groan?"
"yeah, he said it was nice having a long break during the tour, it allowed him time to be with his daughter, and work on his own material, he seems real psyched about his project..."
Madison made a comment, "well he's a musician right?, writing songs is what you do isn't it?" I shook my head, "yeah it is, but something aint sitting right between us babe and I cant figure what it is..."
"I'm sure its nothing, your all going back out on tour, I'm sure it'll shake itself out."
I laughed, "get you eh, been with me five minutes and understand the industry already.... wish I learnt as fast..."
She coloured up, "I'm sorry, I'm just trying to reassure you, not profess to know anything about your job... forgive me.."
I couldn't help but laugh, "its good, I'm teasing, I appreciate it babes.." I kissed her forehead, as Jessie came over to talk.
"Pop, can I ask you something?"
"sure, whats on your mind?"
"you and mom" he looked at Madison as he said his last line, I put an arm around his shoulders and led him out further to the pagoda. Madison went back to playing with the other kids.
walking across I asked, "so what's on your mind?"
"You and mom.... she told us its all over, that you don't want her anymore.... whys that dad?"
"look Jess, sometimes things, no people grow apart, its not that I don't want your mom anymore, and its not that she don't want me, we have just grown apart and want different things from life. for your mom, that's not sitting around waiting for me to come back from tour, and for myself, its not about feeling guilty for the job I do."
he looked forlorn, "Oh I see?" then asked,
"But what about my school and my team I play for? you and mom said you'd support me in that, all the kids at my school have been so jealous cause my folks were still together, now I'm like them, I'm gonna be a statistic..."
"jess slow down, here, I'm still, no we are still going to be there for you, we are your parents and love and support you know matter what, just because we won't be together nothing else will change..."
he looked at me, "your swear?"
"I swear, hand on heart..."
a small smile played at the corners of his mouth, "so who will we live with, and where will you live when your not on tour, I guess it wont be here?"
"So many questions, Jess, this is new for me, and your mom ok, we have to sort that out, but you kids will be told every step of the way Ok?"
I know I should have tried to reassure him more, but truth was, I couldn't not knowing the plans yet myself, how could I just spin a lie to my son to ease his pain. I couldn't, I'd always prided myself on being open and honest with my kids.
with tears in his eye's he looked at me and shook his head he understood. I playfully arm punched him, "c'mon Jess, its not gonna be that bad, I promise..."
he wiped his eyes and put on a smile again, "so when you leave on tour again?"
"two days time."
"where to?"
" Seattle, then Europe... for two months..."
"can I come with you?"
"what? where's this come from?,"
he shrugged his shoulders, "I dunno, but I aint got school for another five weeks, and I really wanna see what you do pop, up close?"
I smiled, Jess had never been interested in what I did before, for my kids it was just my job and I was known for it, albeit globally, he had never even sat in the studio...
"really? you wanna know about my business?"
he shook his head, "yeah, and to go to Europe, " he kinda looked sheepish at that point and the penny dropped with me too.
"so what your really saying is, you wanna free vacation?"
he tried to look honest as he replied, "that would be good, but its too learn and see what you do up front pop more..."
I laughed, "ok, Jessie James Bongiovi... well see, no guarantee's ok?"
he smiled back at me, and hugged me. "Pop?"
"Yes Son?"
"I love you.."
my heart swelled with pride looking at the young man D and I had created, with my hand on heart, I replied, "I love you to son"
leaving the pagoda we walked back to join the others and Madison playing games...