Chapter Sixty One

Sitting on the plane  ready for us to head off to Alaska, I thought on seeing Madison in town the other day and how she had shot me down, and put me in my place, and not softly either. I don't know what it is with me, but strong women are always my type... I smiled to myself as Richie boarded and took his seat next to me.
"What's making you smile then?"
I shared what had gone down in town with Madison. "So your still not forgiven then?"
I shook my head. "Nope, but the flowers were nice..."
"Fuck, you were the sick friend?, gotta hand it to her, she's got you good.."
again I shook my head smiling. Tico and Dave with hugh and bobby boarded last, door shut the captain spoke and we taxied to the runway.
"so you ready for tonight Jon?"
"yeah, more than ready, I've been itching to get back to it.. I'm guessing you guy's are ready too right? ..."
A loud resounding chorus of "Hell yeah" met my ears...  I held up my hands in protest laughing at their enthusiasm.

Take off was smooth and as we ascended the captain, gave us our flight time, seven hours twenty five minutes, and told us to enjoy the flight, they were playing a movie which the rest of the guys seemed happy to watch, after saying my prayers for a safe flight, which was something I always did, I started a conversation with Richie.

"What can I do with Madison?, she has me on the ropes real bad, and as much as I hate it, I love it too. its like having a permanent itch ya know, and you cant rid yourself of it.."
Rich looked at me as if I had two heads, "whoa there, your asking me?, where's the real Jon Bon Jovi?, please come out and stand up?"
"yeah I'm asking you, so knock it off"
"colour me surprised is alls I'm saying", you never ask me or anyone for advice, so, what's with you Jon?"
"jeez, does something need to be wrong with me?, I'm asking for help ok?, I've never been in a situation like this before, I have always been married remember, this dating shabang is all new to me now, and at my age, I've kinda lost direction of how to do it right.."
Rich listened, then laughed... " really the great Jon Bon Jovi does not know how to woo a women..."
he looked up to the ceiling and rolled his eye's as he spoke, "Oh please"

"Ok, Sambora, I'm so pleased I can amuse you, but I'm trying to be serious here?, you gonna help me or not?" I lightened my mood and little and decided I was gonna rib Rich at the same time as getting his take on my next move...
"You know, I would have thought, you'd be only to happy to share the fucking Sambora love knowledge?" he cocked his head to the side with raised eyebrows and a smile on his face, as I continued "or is it that you have forgotten what to do cause yours has a crust on it three inches thick?"
"ewwww man that's grosse,  but for the record.." he spoke louder, Teek and the guys looked round and smiled.. " no I aint forgot, man, I get more action than some teens" he puffed his chest out all proud like, and I get plenty of praise from my women... thank you..."
deflating his chest he sat back, still looking proud of himself...
"Rich?"
"Yeah, you are an arrogant prick sometimes ya know.."
"he laughed and smiled, "dang right there my man, and proud of it.."
For the rest of the flight, I read the papers and then head phones on I laid back and head and slept.

I was awoken by Rich who less than gently nudged me in the side to tell me to prepare for landing,
"You bud, time to raise your chair and stow your table were about to land.."
I looked to the left and saw the snow falling through the window, blessing myself again for the second time on the flight I prayed for a safe landing. A few years earlier we had an incident and all but slid off the runway after the brakes had locked and we had hit ice on landing, it was a real close call. luckily we were ok, and after the service the Jovi Jet was all fine again, now I always felt it was right to pray to the divine lord to help us stay safe in our travels. My Ma had raised all us as Catholic's and although I didn't attend church anymore, I still held onto my faith.

As we taxied to the gate, landed safely I thanked the lord again in silent prayer, before we all collected our bags and disembarked into the airport. It was swift heading through security and passport control and we were soon heading away to the hotel for the night. 
In the car Rich asked, " you deep in thought, not worried about old ghosts are ya?"
"a little, it kinda screws with yer head ya know, and even though you know it should be alright now, there's always that doubt..."
Rich shook his head, "I get ya, but its gonna be fine, just use your own advice for once ok?"
puzzled I asked him, "what advice..."
"Believe in the power of we..."  I laughed, "yeah right..."
Check in at the hotel was a quiet affair too, no waiting fans which was unusual, but it was nice too, and once inside my room I was able to sit and work out the set lists for the two nights shows we were giving. I had decided on two different sets, so if the fans came to more than one show both nights would be different. I was just working through the second nights set list when there was a knock at the door.  I froze for a second before I called out, heart beating at a million times a second.. "yo"
there was no reply, anxiously I edged nearer to the door, again I called out.. " yo"
then a familiar voice that for once did not bring fear to my heart but the opposite, opening the door there dressed in tight jeans, a white sweater and leather jacket was Madison. " so you gonna ask me inside then or what?" she was stood leaning with her arms folder and legs one over the other, looking as gorgeous as can be, in seconds she had my reply as I grabbed her tightly and brought her inside.