Ch. 42

The next couple of weeks at Jon’s house picked up speed.

With the help of new vocal coach, Katie Agresta, Jon learned to pace himself with his voice and not overwork his instrument.

“Small goals first, bigger goals later.” Katie told him during their first lesson.

She knew how eager he was to get back on the road.

In between a brief hiatus between the Slippery and New Jersey CD’s, Jon had built a studio in his basement that he and the band usually used for demos.

It was there where he and Katie worked daily on his voice. During this time also, Jon was learning more and more about his own personal limitations.

Despite the tattoo he wore proudly on his shoulder. Jon was fully aware he was not Superman. If he wanted to come back and do all of this correctly, he needed to become more patient with himself and let his body heal in its own way.

Working on the small goals as Katie wanted, Jon began with scales. Painful as it was for his voice, by the time he mastered it a couple of weeks later, people were noticeably pleased with the difference.

Since Giants wasn’t going to happen right away, Obie delayed the "safety" issue into letting the press know that since everyone had come to terms the Giants show date would be moved to the end of the summer. That would give Jon two more months to ready himself and make his voice even stronger.

Trina kept herself busy with the Jersey Club scene, interviewing legends Southside Johnny and the Ashbury Jukes to even landing an impromptu interview with a “certain” E Street Band member after he visited Jon one night for dinner.

Doc came down to see Jon’s progress and to also finally meet the newest employee of Bon Jovi team, Kendall. He was pleased with the way both of them were improving. Especially Kendall.

When Doc visited, Jon began to feel an enormous strain between the two of them. No longer feeling like a valued partner who was running the course of his destiny, he felt as if he was simply a product of a machine where Doc no longer saw him as the person he was, but a thing where he could get as much money as possible for as long as it took.

Jon primarily trained with Katie in the morning, followed by a workout for ninety minutes. He then would usually jog with Trina introducing her to the sights and sounds of his neighborhood.

By the time they came back, the two usually shared some breakfast with Toby followed by spending as much time with the little boy as possible.

Jon loved indulging Toby with his love for dirt bikes and football. He never felt so relaxed during his time off. Ever.

He enjoyed his time with Trina and Toby so much that he felt himself at times racing through his vocal therapy just to be with the two of them for the rest of the day.

Jon and Trina did try to find Toby’s parents, but to their dismay, found out that his parents had abandoned him. Jon contacted Child Protective Services about becoming a foster parent to Toby, but because of his profession and until his lifestyle calmed a bit, CPS denied him.

Slamming down the phone receiver. Jon yelled. “What the fuck?”

Trina walked by the office. She peered through the door looking curious after hearing the crash of the phone against the desk. She asked

“Whoa, what’s wrong?”

Jon was angry. He raked his hands through his long brown mane and placed one of his hands underneath his chin. He motioned for her to come in.

“Shut the door.” He commanded.

She came in and shut the door as he asked. She sat in the chair across from him. His blue eyes were dark with rage.

“Jon, what’s wrong?” Trina asked. She had never seen him that way before.

“They won’t let me be Toby’s foster parent.” He told her.

“Why?”

Jon eyes were filled with disappointment. “They said it was my rock star lifestyle. They didn’t think it would be the best environment for a child.”

Trina was in shock. “What? They’ve never been here. How the hell would they know?”

Jon nodded. “I know. That’s what I asked the witch. And then she said.' We know. We read Page Six.' I’m like, half of that isn’t even true. Why don’t you just come and see what I do day in and day out? She’s like. 'Oh Mr. Bon Jovi, it’s not necessary. We do sympathize with you, however the roving nature of your profession is not a stable environment for an eleven year old. Perhaps when you’re not so much in the spotlight, we will be reconsider'….I hung up on her after that.”

“I don’t blame you. I’m dying to know now what is a stable environment? Him being used a punching bag? Or looking for his next meal in a trash dumpster?” Trina asked sarcastically. She hit his desk in anger. “Damn it!”

“I’m beyond pissed!” Jon said.

“Beyond pissed about what?” Juanita asked opening up the door. She walked in with a cup of steaming tea. She placed it on his desk.

“I made you that ginger tea for your voice that Katie recommended you have.”

“Thanks Juanita.” Jon said as he took a sip.

“Why are you beyond pissed? For once I didn’t do anything.” Juanita teased.

“They won’t let me become a foster parent to Toby.” Jon told her.

Looking surprised. Juanita asked. “Why?”

“My rock star lifestyle is too unstable according to CPS.”

Juanita laughed. “Do they know you?”

Trina laughed at loud at Juanita’s delivery of the words. Jon looked at both women blankly. They quickly erased the smiles from their faces.

Juanita sighed. “Thank god that CPS is coming here to interview me tomorrow then. Because I’ll them about themselves.”

Jon and Trina looked at each other wondering what Juanita was talking about.

“Wait a minute, they’re coming here tomorrow?” Jon asked.

Juanita told him. “Yes, I’m being interviewed to be that child’s foster parent.”

Trina smiled. Juanita winked at Jon. He was relieved. He walked over to her and hugged his longtime assistant/surrogate mother. He planted a cheek on her cheek.

“Thank you.” he told her.

“Thank you Jonny. It’s been years since I’ve raised a little boy. To get a second chance and still let him be here with you where he’s comfortable and settled, makes me happy... To no end.” Juanita squealed.

“He’s such a great kid.” Jon told her.

“And one day. You’re going to be a great father. I’ve never seen you feel this way about someone since-” Juanita looked at Trina.

Trina looked at Jon with an amused smirk.

“Since the Giants won the playoffs!” Jon teased. Trina rolled her eyes. “Oh God!” she told him.

“God nothing. God is Giants! They will win the Bowl this year. You’ll see.”

“Do I have to?” Trina joked.

“Yep. If its only once. It’ll be fun. Get seats on the field…”

“Get tackled by some guy named Tiny.” Trina teased.

“Meet Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor.” Jon chimed in.

“Get tackled by some guy named Tiny.” Trina retorted.

Jon walked over to Trina’s chair. He bent down to meet her. He played with her hair.

“I’ll protect you from Tiny.” Jon reassured her.

Jesting, she replied with a wink to Juanita. “Who’s going to protect me from you?”

“Me? No worries.” Jon replied.

Trina began to smooth back his hair. She also began to tip his head playfully back and forth. Jon looked at her strangely as did Juanita.

“What are you doing?” He asked.

“Checking to see why the halo no longer fits.” She told him.

Jon turned red. Juanita let out a huge belly laugh.

“Oh Trina! Girl, I knew you had it in you!” Juanita continued as she walked out the door.

“Trying to see why the halo doesn’t fit.” Jon mumbled as he got up.

Trina continued to laugh as they sat in Jon’s office.

~


Richie and Kendall were in New York City that same afternoon at the Polygram Records headquarters.

They were nervously awaiting news on Richie’s demo.

Richie was silent as he waited outside of Alain Levy’s office. He had spent a couple of hours explaining to the president of Polygram the origins of every song he presented.

Alain, just as passionate as Richie’s counterpart Jon, loved each song and had to for business reasons, question him on every choice. He knew that Richie poured his heart and soul into this solo effort, but as fulfilling for Richie personally this was, this also had to be marketable for Polygram. Just like any Bon Jovi CD would and could be.

Richie agreed. Although it’s a departure from Bon Jovi, he felt that his talents and writing could more than hold its own.

Alain respected that. He wanted to listen to the tape once more and then decide if Richie should record this particular CD or try again with other material.

Doc was in the room as well. He was very proud of Richie. The demo was good. Very good. He knew that if anyone could break out from Bon Jovi with a solo effort, it’d be Richie.

As much as Doc loved Jon’s business sense, Richie to him was the better singer while Jon was the better showman.

For Doc, each one had their own strengths and weaknesses. Doc just hoped that Polygram wouldn’t use their talents to pit one against the other.

Richie tried to peek through the door to see what was happening while Kendall calmly leafed through a magazine.

“See anything?” She asked while never taking her eyes off her magazine.

Richie tried to peer through but was unsuccessful. He walked back and sat next to her.

“Nothing. The two of them are both sitting there and not saying a word.”

“Maybe no news is good news Rich.” Kendall told him.

“Maybe no news is that I need to go back to the drawing board.” He said.

“Richie, that demo is good. What’s the worst that will happen? You’ll take a song or two out and add in probably one that you and them will probably end up liking better.” Kendall reassured him. She put the magazine down next to her.

“They don’t hate it.” Richie said questioning himself.

“No they don’t. It’s really good.” Kendall said holding his hand in attempt to calm his nerves.

“Doc better be sticking up for me.”

Kendall looked concerned. “You think he wouldn’t?”

Richie shrugged. “I don’t know. Jon’s feeling as if he’s some product instead of a human being when he’s around lately. I don’t want to end up feeling the same way about him. Doc’s been good to all of us.”

“It’s a business Rich. Doc for now has to look at it this way. I’m sure he loves Jon. In fact, I know he does because he told me, but there’s advance money that was promised and contracts that were signed and everyone’s on edge about that. Bon Jovi is a brand. Think of it like Coke or Pepsi. Why? Because Jon and Doc touted it that way to promoters to fill the seats. They’re excellent businessmen. It was a good thing they did in a way. Jon’s probably regretting it now because he planned too many dates and with his voice… He knows Doc is pressuring him to get better to fulfill the dates because of the contracts. Not saying that Doc’s attitude is right…But as a employee. I kind of get it.” She said.

Richie couldn’t get mad at her because he understood from a business standpoint as an employee where she was coming from and that’s where her opinion was coming from. He was impressed with how much she had learned about the music business in such a short time.

Just as Richie whispered “Thank you.” to Kendall. Alain and Doc opened the door.

Alain came out beaming at Richie.

“Hey man. C’mon in. Got some things to talk to you about.” the President of the label said to him grinning from ear to ear.

“Yeah?” Richie said.

“Definitely.” Alain said as Doc clapped his hands in excitement.

Alain acknowledged Kendall and Doc waved at her.

Kendall smiled. Richie did it. He was going to have his first solo effort. Nothing could be better.

Ch. 41

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

As the day played out, there was still no sign of Jon.

Obie and Richie came over after Trina called them sounding very concerned that Jon hadn’t returned home.

Concerned about their friend, Richie instead of taking Kendall to lunch, waited alongside Trina with nervous anticipation.

12:00 pm… 1 pm...2 pm…went by in slow succession. In attempt to keep themselves busy, Obie began to show Kendall the business side of the tour, while Trina did some research for an upcoming piece on the group The Hooters.

Richie couldn’t relax. He was unable to do anything until he saw his friend walk through the door. This was unlike Jon. His appointment was hours ago.
’If the news were good, he would have been here yakking up a storm and driving us crazy.’

He briefly checked the clock in the kitchen and then placed his head down on the kitchen countertop.

“It’s 2:15!” Richie mumbled through his folded arms.

Continuing to go over paperwork with Kendall. Obie calmly replied. “And?”

Agitated, Richie looked up at Obie and Trina.
“Where the hell is he? His appointment was at nine this morning.”

“Maybe after the doctor’s he had some stuff to do.” Obie told him.

“He was supposed to take Toby out to get some clothes. Juanita took him instead.” Trina told them.

Obie shrugged looking perplexed. “Could he be in Sayreville?”

Trina nodded. “That’s where Carol and John live right?”

“He was there after his appointment. His little brother Matt told me.” Richie told them.

“What did Matt say? Did everything go okay?” Obie asked.

Richie shrugged. “He didn’t know. They kicked him out the when Jon came in.”

“Shit! Was Tony there?” Obie asked.

Richie nodded. “No. He was at a friend’s house.”

“He wouldn’t just forget about Toby.” Trina said.

A mass of nerves, Richie got up and began to pace the floor.
“If he fucked up his voice he would.”

“Rich, what the hell are you trying to do? Pace a freakin’ hole in my imported floor? Mom, will kill you.” Jon jested as he came in with a couple of paper bags.

Everyone looked up. Their eyes widened with curiosity, trying to figure out any and everything about Jon’s body language. They needed a sign. Frustrated with several seconds of silence, Obie blurted out.

“How did it go?”

Jon acknowledged him. He was amazingly calm. He went past them and placed the bags on the back counter.
“Fine. Juanita and Trina will be happy to know that I no longer need a notebook.”

Trina clapped. She walked over to him. She touched him gently on the arm. She looked in the bag.
“You went shopping?”

“Yeah. I decided to freak out Juanita even further by actually picking up some stuff for her. The rest is in the car.” He told everyone.

When no one moved at first. Jon lifted an eyebrow in a way to suggest that needed to speak to Trina alone for a bit.

When everyone went out to get the rest of the food, Trina stayed behind helping Jon unload the food he had placed on the counter.

“You forgot about taking Toby shopping.” Trina reminded.

Jon raked his hands through his hair. He rolled his eyes in disbelief over what he had done.

“Shit! Oh my God! I’m so sorry. Is he pissed? By the time, I got out of the doctors, and visited my parents and then to the store. I totally lost track of time.” he explained.

She put down a can of vegetables and turned to him.

“Okay, it’s you and me. No Obie, Richie or even Juanita to drive you nuts. By the way she took Toby shopping for you by the way.”

Jon took a deep breath. He leaned sideways against the countertop and smiled. Trina’s eyes lit up. She ran into his arms.

“You can sing again? Really?” She asked.

He turned her towards him. “Not great. In fact, I can barely carry a tune. At least what people are used to hearing from me. So the doctor’s said I have to learn how to sing all over again, the right way.”

“How long will that take?” Trina asked.

“To get me through Giants? The rest of the tour? Another month, maybe a little longer, but the doctor’s were impressed how quickly my vocal cords healed. So who knows. I have to go back in a couple weeks for a follow up.

Trina nodded her head in agreement. She could hardly contain her excitement. She was so pleased that Jon’s gift wasn’t taken from him. Second chances are hard to come by. She hoped he cherished what he has and what he can do for others with his gift.

Pulling away from him for a moment, she tucked his hair back between his ear exposing his chiseled face.

“We all were scared shitless. We hadn’t heard from you and then you were gone for so long.”

“I didn’t get any sleep. I really thought I fucked up. I was literally parked in the front of the doctor’s office for two hours just thinking about what I’d do if I “couldn’t” sing.

“And?” she asked.

“And, for some reason there was this calm when I thought about Toby…And you.”

“Calm?”

He nodded. “Yeah. It came over me pretty fast. I felt at peace. Whatever happened I knew that you and I would be okay. And no matter what, I’d make sure that Toby had a home and that he’d be fine.”

She went into his arms again, resting her chin against his chest looking up at him. She asked.

“You didn’t think of singing?”

“Some. But it always came back to you, Mom, Dad, Matt, Tony and Toby.

“You know whatever happens to you. I’d still be here right?” Trina reassured him.

Jon nodded. “Yes I do. Trin, I can’t explain it. I know that if there wasn’t a band, Richie and the rest of the guys would be okay. But I had to wonder a little about Obie and Juanita. ”

“Obie would be a sound engineer for another band. He’s a very talented man. And Juanita would be with her boys. I’d be writing for the Philly Post and Kendall would probably work for Richie.”

Jon laughed. “That’s a sight…Wonder how much work would get done there. So-”

Trina interrupted. “So, I think at times that as much as you can not only be my nervous breakdown and constantly the center of everyone’s universe in Jovi land, you realized that life would go on if there was no Bon Jovi. ”

“You think?” he quipped. He continued. “I knew when my voice was gone, I had fucked up. The powers up above gave me a gift and I took it for granted. Life lesson for sure.” He told her softly.

“What the hell happened to my kitchen?” Juanita yelled with Toby in tow.

The boy not only wore a new pair of shorts and a t-shirt, but appeared to have a haircut. Trina walked over to him, kneeling in front of him.

“Someone looks handsome. ”

“Miss Juanita said my hair was too long. I was trying to tell her that I wanted it to grow it out like Jon and Richie and she said. ’No!’ Toby said.

“Well I like it!” Kendall told Toby as she, Obie and Richie brought the rest of the bags in.

“Me too!” Jon told him. Jon bent over to the boy. He whispered in his ear. ’”Now, everyone knows that you’re better looking than me.”

Toby laughed. “I know. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that I leave you and Richie a girlfriend or two.”

Trina let out a huge laugh. She put her hand over her mouth in an attempt to muffle how loud she was. Jon snickered. He said to Toby.

“In other words, Richie and I get your leftovers?”

“Well…Yeah.” Toby joked.

Jon and Richie looked blankly at one another. Juanita laughed hysterically. “I love this boy. Been around here less than 24 hours and already he has Jon and Richie speechless.”