Chapter 22 Cheeseburgers and ice cream

Home. Thank God we made it baby!” Teri exclaimed as she went to open the front door.

The man Teri was talking to supervised the unloading of their luggage. He tipped the driver after the bags were left in their entryway.

Richie grabbed Teri up in a hug.

 “We more than made it baby. Ten days here alone with you is more than I can ask for.”

“Well, not totally honey. We are going down to see your family,  then we have visiting to do here too.”

“I know, but let me dream a bit okay?”

“So, what do you want to…” The sentence is not finished as the doorbell rang. Teri looked at Richie.

 “And so, it begins.” Richie stated in an expressionless voice. He was not in any mood to be "on" for company.

Teri went to the door and opened it. Outside is their neighbor a young girl who had a big crush on Richie. Teri smiled.

 “Hi Cheryl, come on in Hon.” The child entered the house and her eyes got really big when she saw Richie in the entryway.

“Hi Cheryl.” Richie said with a smile. THIS kind of a fan he could deal with right now.

 “Hi Richie,” She said her eyes shone bright at the thought that Richie had spoken to her. “I told my mom I was heading here. She said not to bug you guys as you probably just got home.”

“No bother Cheryl. And yes, we did just get home,” Teri said as she kicked her sandals off. “You want something to drink? I was going to make some coffee, but I am sure we have something here for you to have.”

 “Sure.” She said and followed Richie and Teri into the kitchen.

 Teri went to start coffee and Richie opened the fridge.

 “Looks like we have Diet coke, or bottled water. What do you want?”

 “Diet coke please.” Richie smiled at her politeness and took out a can of the requested drink.

“Are you home for good now?” Cheryl asked thinking she can ask a few friends to her house and maybe come over to say hello to Richie.

“No, only a few days.”

“Oh.” she said a little dejected as her plan wouldn’t work.

Teri smiled. She had her back to the child as she got some coffee ready.

“Cher, isn’t tomorrow a school holiday of some sort?” 

Teri knew what the child was thinking. She also knew her boyfriend couldn’t say no to kids if he didn’t have to.

“Listen. Later tonight we are just having a simple dinner and going to relax. Why don’t you ask your mom if you can come back and eat with us?”

Richie looked up. Shocked Teri would suggest that. Not that he had a problem with Cheryl. She was a cute kid. But, she was a kid. He knew his girlfriend well enough to know she had something planned but figured it would be better to wait until after Cheryl left before he questioned her motives. Cheryl scooted out of her chair, took her soda can and started to leave. She looked back at the couple. She hesitated a bit, but, she then just took a deep breath and asked her question.

“Can my friend Debbie come over too? She just lives around the corner. She’s my best friend.”

“Of course, sweetie. And have your Mom call me okay? I just want to talk to her for a second and make sure dinner won’t be a problem. “

“Okay, thanks. Bye Richie.”

He waved to the child as she flew out the door. Then, turned her attention to Teri who had her head in the freezer looking for what he can only imagine would be dinner.

“Honey. Looks like we will have to take a run to the grocery store. Nothing much here. We’ve been away too long. I hoped we could just wait for tomorrow but with Cheryl and Debbie coming for dinner we need to get some kid friendly stuff as well as breakfast food for us.”

“Ter, what’s going on? I know she’s a cute kid, but, it’s our first night back. I kinda wanted a quiet night.”

Teri turned to Richie. She had tears running down her face. Richie stood. Teri waved him back to his seat. She wiped her eyes. He sat back down. Teri went to him and hugged him hard. He hugged her back and waited for her to talk.

“Rich, Donna, Cheryl’s Mom called me yesterday afternoon. You were doing the last round of interviews before the show. There just wasn’t the right time to talk to you about it. I figured tonight we could have this discussion.”

He waited for her to continue. Richie ran a bunch of scenarios through his mind that could possibly fit Teri’s tears and her conversation with Donna.

“They found a lump in her abdomen. Cheryl has Wilms Cancer. It’s a form of Kidney cancer and treatable. She will be fine. We hope. Children live normal happy lives with this. It has not spread which is good news," Teri took a breath. She sat next to Richie and drank from his bottle of water that he grabbed when he got Cheryl her drink. “She’s in stage 111 and will have a kidney taken out later this month. They believe this is all that will need to be done. She will have follow up Doctor visits but that’s it. In a while Cheryl will be the pain in the ass kid we all know and love.”

Richie was stunned. Cancer. Shit. Not Cheryl. She’s such a great kid. She reminded him of his own Daughter a lot. Hell, they both even have blonde hair.

“What can I do to help?”

Teri smiled.

“We’re doing it. Have normal days, and visits from Cheryl. Dinner here is not unusual. We’ll pretend all is normal and not let her see our concern. She’s a kid. Her folks don’t want anyone to do anything different than normal around her. So that’s what we’re gonna do. Now, about that run to the grocery store…”

“I’m right behind you Ter. That kid is so brave. My heart hurts for her. Let me call Ava first. I need to hear her voice right now.”

“Of course, honey, go call her. I’m sure Donna will be calling any second anyway then we can go.”

Richie got up, and moved to grab his phone. He needed to talk to Ava and hoped she was home.

Teri ran to the bathroom, and splashed water on her face to get rid of her tears. No make-up was needed since it was summer, and, with her tan she looked perfectly fine. Donna did call, and Teri told her about dinner and maybe a trip for ice cream after for dessert. No problems.

“Okay, what do you think about hot dogs, and hamburgers on the grill for dinner?” Richie asked as he came back from his phone call.

“I think it’s perfect. I would love a good cheeseburger. I told Donna we may take the kids out for ice cream for dessert.”

“Excellent.” Richie liked the plan.

The two went to the butchers for their dinner.  Then, they stopped at a road side stand, for fresh ears of corn to go along with it.  A stop at the grocery store was a bit longer, they ended up with a full cart of stuff, since the house was almost bare of food due to Teri being on tour with Richie. When they got home, the girls were down by the water. They saw them pull up to the house and ran over to help lug all the groceries into the kitchen.

“Wow, how much do you think we can eat?” Cheryl asked as she brought in another couple of bags from the car.

“Ha ha ha,” Teri said. “No one’s been here for a couple of weeks. There’s nothing to eat smart-ass.” Both girls looked at each other and smiled. Smart-ass…

After all the groceries were put in their proper place, Teri, Richie, and the girls, took a couple of the paper bags outside on the deck with the corn, and everyone husked away. Teri bought extra which she planned on sending home with Cheryl. She wanted those ears cleaned too. They all had fun. Richie put on some music. It was a light fun evening with laughter from all of them. The adults kept things light. The girls followed Richie around like puppies. Everywhere he went they were almost right behind him on his heels. He would stop short on purpose and they would bang into him they were THAT close at times. Teri kept close too. But not THAT close. She made it a point to go outside when Richie was grilling to give him a break from the girl’s chatter. At one point, she brought them upstairs with her to help unpack and they had fun trying on and admiring Teri’s clothes and the treasures she bought along the tour.

After a great dinner, they all loaded into the car and took off for the local ice cream shop. Sundaes and a ton of different kinds of ice cream were ordered. They all ate off each other’s dishes to try the different kinds. More laughter, and light conversation. Nothing more important than the merits of Vienna Mocha Chunk ice cream vs. Chocolate chip was discussed and argued about.

“Hey, you passed my house.” Cheryl said as her home went by her.

Richie smiled and pulled into the garage.

“With all that ice cream, I think walking back is in order. And besides, we forgot to take the corn we husked for your family. Ter, do you want to run and grab it and I’ll start down the road with the girls?”

“Sure, I’ll be two seconds behind you. “

She took off for the kitchen where they left the corn. The kids and Richie slowly started to walk down the driveway. They heard a loud yell.

“Hey, wait for me!” Teri ran toward the group.

“Piggy back ride!” She yelled as she ran. Richie braced himself.

Teri hopped on his back. The kids laughed out loud. She handed the bag of corn to the girls and wrapped her arms around Richie’s neck. They walked this way all the way to Cheryl’s house. Richie kept bouncing Teri on his back making her speech all jumpy.

By the time they got to Cheryl’s, the noise they all were making had her mother and father come from around the side of the house, where they were discussing making a change to some bushes against the garage. The smiled at the sight in front of them. Those two were so good for Cheryl. She was infatuated with Richie and he didn’t put her down for it. They loved Teri and Richie and hoped that the two would get married someday.

Their time at home flew. There wasn’t a day they weren’t meeting up with family and friends to catch up. Twice Teri and Richie went to visit Cheryl. The first time was in the hospital where Richie sat on a chair next to Cheryl’s hospital bed and they talked for over 45 minutes nonstop while Cheryl’s Dad and Teri went for coffee to give him a break.

The second time, was after she was hope recuperating. Teri had bought a life size full grown Labrador retriever stuffed animal for her.  She had to open the sunroof in her car to get the beast home it was so big and bulky it didn’t fit in the trunk so she just popped the sun roof and strapped the dog in with his seatbelt for the ride. Gloria was with her and sat in the back seat taking pictures of the woman and her dog. The two laughed all the whole way home.  Teri had a couple of the pics blown up to give Cheryl with her gift.

When she and Richie walked in the door of Cheryl’s room first, off all she could see was Richie. For her no one else mattered. She never saw the dog until Richie spoke and brought her attention around.

“Hey Cher, how you feeling sweetie?”

“I’m better Richie. I can sit up and walk around. Mom says by next week I’ll be able to go and play with Debbie if I’m careful for a few weeks and don’t horse around too much. What’s that?”

Teri smiled, and put an envelope in the girls’ hands.

“He’s for you. There are adoption papers inside the envelope.  I promise Mom,” Teri said with a wink at Donna who was with them. “He won’t eat much.”

“You got me a present Richie?”

All the adults smiled. Even though the gift was given to her by Teri she thanked Richie. She was so infatuated with him. They all knew it and knew she would grow out of it. They hoped… Soon…

“Teri and I thought you would love to have a companion while you are recuperating.  As Teri said there are adoption papers in there so you have to name him. And take good care of him. There are also a couple of pictures we though you would get a kick out of too.”

Cheryl opened the envelope and looked at the adoption papers. Then she looked at the pictures and grinned. They were of Teri and the stuffed animal in the car on the way home from the store where Teri got the present for Cheryl. They were funny. In one the girls actually propped the dog up so he could stick his head out the passenger window like a real dog would.

“Thanks Teri, Richie. I love it. Mom, can I call Debbie to come over so we can name him?”

“Of course, sweetie. Call her now. Richie and Teri can’t stay they are leaving in a few hours to go back on tour. They just wanted to stop by and see how you were before they left.

Cheryl gave hugs to both Teri and Richie. His was a bit longer than hers. The adults left and Cheryl called her friend. The two found the PERFECT name for her new dog.

They call it… Richie.

Chapter 21 The Talk

Grab some coffee and get comfortabled. This is a long chapter.  Hope you enjoy it.

Teri was nervous. She and her best friend Gloria were at the gym. She was pushing herself more than usual.

“Hon, what the hell are you doing today? You are pushing to the limit, and then some. What’s going on with you? I have not seen you this crazy on the treadmill since you and Richie started dating.”

Teri grunted at her friend and sped up the pace She was already going faster than normal and on an incline on her treadmill.

“Ter, I asked you a question. Now what's going on? You would have told me if you and Richie had a fight so I know that’s not it.”

“Later Glor, I promise. Let me just finish and we can meet up for coffee at your place after I shower.”            

“Well, I am heading home to shower now. See you in an hour.”

 She turned to leave, went back to Teri’s machine, started to slow it down to where she can look at her friend in the eye and get the same in return.

 “Ter, one hour tops. Got it?” she slowed the machine to a stop.

Teri looked at her friend.

 “Yeah got it babes. I’ll leave with you now.”

Almost exactly an hour and fifteen minutes later Teri was sitting in Gloria’s kitchen they both have fresh cups of coffee in hand and are sitting at the island. Teri was scratching Gloria’s dog behind her ears. She started the conversation not wanting to prolong it any further.

“When Richie gets home tonight we’re going to have the talk.”

“Gloria looked quizzically at her friend.

 “The Birds and the Bees? Think you’re way too late for that one Hon.”

Teri almost choked on her coffee

“Ha! That may be easier. No, we’re having the ‘lets discuss our past and put it there in the past conversation.’ I’m going to cook and...”

Gloria interrupted her friend.

“WHAT? YOU are going to do WHAT?”

“Shut up. Yeah, I am going to cook. I do know how to make a few things” Teri said with a smile.

“True.” said Gloria. “YOU, know how to burn boiling water, and you know how to make coffee. Great dinner idea Hon.”

Teri laughed. She knew how true this really was.

 “Well I was hoping you would help me with dinner. We can precook it so all I have to do was warm it up when Richie got in later.

“What time was HRH in, and what do you want to make?” Gloria asked.

 “Around 6 and something easy. HRH?” Was her friends reply?

“His Royal Hotness,” Both women laugh at the name and Teri blushes a little. “No problem we can go raid your freezer and figure it out. Let’s finish our coffee then hit the road.”

 “Okay.” said Teri

The girls are at Teri’s house an hour later.

“How do you survive? You’re fridge was full of Diet Coke and yogurt?” Gloria said in disgust. “There’s more than that. I do have some Vienna Mocha Chunk ice cream in the freezer, and some chicken, and of course coffee.”

“Yeah, yeah,” her friend replied in jest.

“Okay, off to the store then we’re going to talk as we cook. I want to hear all about this conversation you’re having tonight with HRH”

“Glor,” Teri warned. “If you keep that one up I am going to have a hard time looking Richie in the eye later.”

Gloria grinned back. “Nope, until I know what was going on? Richie was now HRH. “

The girls did their shopping. They decide on a stuffed pork loin, and some asparagus, red potatoes a nice salad, and crusty French bread for dinner. At the last moment, Teri who was driving, pulled into a local bakery liked by both Richie and Teri. She picked up a dessert which she knew was a favorite of Richie’s and then they head home to cook.

The girls worked side by side to make dinner Teri made the salad, and set the table, and Gloria put together a pork loin stuffed with garlic, and apples they start to talk.

 “Ter, are you ready to hear about Richie’s past?”

“I have to Glor it was a mutual decision to have this talk now and I have already poured my heart out earlier this week when I was on the road with him. We spent time talking one evening in bed we decided it should be now not later. I told him I wanted to hear it from him on what was going on in the early days.”

 “We also decided to get tested.”

 “Tested?” Gloria stopped peeling the apples, and looked at her friend. She raises an eyebrow at Teri in question.

 Teri saw the look. She stopped ishing vegetables for the salad motions for Glor to grab a chair and sit. Teri turned on the coffee machine and waved a mug at her asking silently if she wants coffee. The woman nodded yes. Teri grabbed two mugs took out the coffee creamer her friend liked and put it on the table in front of her. She then turned back to her coffee making. After the chore was done and both women had steaming mugs of fresh coffee Teri resumed her conversation.

“We are going to get tested for Aids and any other sexually transmitted disease Liz can come up with," Gloria knew Liz was Teri’s gyno. “We have an appointment with her tomorrow for the blood tests and should get the results in a few days.” In having this conversation we decided to discuss our past with each other.”

 “Ok, hold on a second,” Gloria needed Teri to back up a bit. “How did the conversation to be tested come around?”

“Actually, it was Richie’s idea. He wanted me to feel comfortable enough around him so that he doesn’t need to wear a condom. We have slipped a couple of times to be Honest with you.”

Gloria said nothing at that news but she gave her friend a look. Teri knew she was not happy with the information.

“Come on Glor tell me you never forgot. I am on the pill so THAT part was taken care of” Teri smiled at her friend.

Gloria smiled back and nodded her head yes.

 “Okay then. So after the conversation about being tested came and went I said that if we were going there it was probably a good thing to discuss our past meaning sexual and well his drinking and drugs too cause both of those subjects seem to go hand in hand in his life.”

 “What did HRH say? How did he take the question?” Gloria asked.

 “Very well. I was saying that if we’re going to do the test then, I thought the time had come to discuss our past. He seemed fine, and then as we laid in bed Tuesday night, I told him all about my sordid past.”

Both women chuckle at the comment. They knew that Teri by far doesn’t have a sordid past.

“Honey, I told him about EVERYONE, and ,about the pot in high school and well everything! We talked in bed a long time and he held me a lot as I told him about the ass holes I ended up with all my life. We ended it by Richie saying that he wanted to discuss with me his past. But it would take more time than mine. I laughed at that. He said we would talk when he got in today. He said it again on the phone this morning on my way to your place for coffee. He was getting ready to board the plane back home. I know you, and you’re asking yourself why? I know a lot about Richie. More than he knew about me when we first started dating. by word of mouth and other fans at concerts. Remember I have been a Jovi fan for a long time. I want to hear it from him for many reasons mainly because he and I trust each other enough to be totally honest. I’m not going to run to find out why, every time I hear that he sneezed on stage. I have to trust him, as he had to trust me. End of subject. Now, will you help me set the table before you go? Richie’s due in a few of hours, and I want to take a nice long bath before he gets here.”

The two finish their coffee, then put the final touches on the table. Dinner was ready.

Richie exited the limo, handed the driver a tip, and grabbed his bags, which the driver took out of the trunk for him. A quick wave, ‘See ya in a couple of days’, and Richie put his key in the front door of Teri’s home. As he opened the door, his senses are assaulted with the heavenly aroma of something cooking in the kitchen. He places his bags in the foyer next to the stairs to the second floor and heads to see what was cooking. On his way to the stove he stopped and grabs a bottle of water out of the fridge. It was there he sees the note.

Hon: The pork goes into oven on 350 degrees, for ____ minutes. Asparagus gets STEAMED. Wine’s chilling in fridge, and potatoes go in to oven BEFORE the pork was cooking. You should be fine. Talk to you tomorrow…. Oh, the smudge over the time in for the pork was intentional babe. Figure it out. You KNOW how to cook….. hahaha call me I’ll fill you in….

 Love you, Glor

 Richie smiled at the note. He figured Teri was upstairs changing or still in the tub. So, he picked up his bags, and headed up the stairs in that direction.

As Richie was coming up the stairs, Teri was in her walk-in closet looking for a top. She’s wearing a pair of straight leg jeans, and nothing else. She had her bra drawer open in the closet, and, now needed to figure out a top, and bra. She was swinging her hips to a bootleg version of Bon Jovi, and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry, singing Walk this Way as she looked on her side of the closet for a top. Richie already had a portion of the closet for his stuff.  Richie stopped just inside the door watching his girl as she’s making her decision. He goes into the small windowless room and puts his arms around her moving waist and hips placing a kiss on her neck. Teri turns around looked up and smiles at Richie she runs her hands up his chest and he lowers his head so they can properly kiss hello. To her surprise he doesn’t kiss her lips but goes lower and takes her left nipple into his mouth and sucks on it. Gently teasing the nub to attention. Teri grabs the back of Richie’s neck and arches her back at the sensation he’s causing to give him total access.

Richie leaned back to look into Teri’s eyes.

“Hi” he said to her

 “Hi.” she said to him.

They smiled at each other. Richie inwardly groaned, thinking that what he just did was so reminiscent of the early days. Teri runs her hands around Richie’s waist and lays her head on his shoulder. He runs his hands over her bare back slowly as Teri sighs in contentment. They stand this way for a few minutes then Teri pulled back with a sigh grabs a bra and top got dressed and shoos her boyfriend out of their closet. Richie gives a playful pout sticking his suckable lower lip out at her. Teri said “I know you well enough Mister if we stayed in there any longer you would have wanted to have kinky closet sex.” Richie laughed out loud.

“What was kinky closet sex?” he asked on their way back downstairs as Teri needs to check on dinner. “

 “Idontknow,” she said “But, knowing you, I can rest assured you would have thought of SOMETHING.” They both laugh.

“Dinner smells great baby. What are we having?”

“Oh, just a little something I threw together. Pork, potatoes, asparagus, and a salad.”

 “Hope you did not go to much trouble.”

 “Not at all Rich, I love to cook.”

“Really?”

“Sure...”

“Then how come you have directions here from Gloria?”

Teri had the good grace to blush beet red.

 “Well, ok, you got me. This wasn’t something to lie about. SHE loves to cook. I love to watch her cook. It’s a perfect friendship.”

“Yup, you do have a perfect friendship. You can burn boiling water.”

“Not fair! Who ratted me out? When did this happen? Where was I?” Teri was getting upset at her friend.

Richie started to laugh, and handed her his bottle of water as she’s getting dry mouth spouting all the questions at him. Once he got his laughter under control he said.

 “Last time we got together with Glor, she had mentioned to you that she was making something or another, and you said, sounds great, but, you could burn that in a minute and her response was “Hell, you burn boiling water. “Then, there was also the note that said the same thing.”

The dinner conversation was easy and light.  The meal was so amazing, Richie insisted on calling Gloria to thank her so Teri grabbed the phone and called her friend.

“Hey girl, just wanted to call and say, dinner was amazing.”

“Thanks Ter…” Before Gloria could finish her sentence, Richie grabs the phone to send his own thanks and hears “...how did HRH like it?” Richie looking at Teri smiles and continues her phone conversation.

“Glor, Teri, was right the dinner was amazing and Thanks.”

 “Oh, hey Richie. Don’t suppose that you missed that last part, huh.”

 “Glor got something to ask you.” He said into the phone. Meanwhile Teri was waving her arms and shaking her head no. She stands up and goes to Richie’s side had her hands on his arm trying to drag him away from the table and pry the phone out of his hands at the same time. He was laughing.

She yells out.

 “Gloria, don’t do it! Don’t say a word!”

Richie still laughing said.

 “Glor, what does HRH mean?”

 “NNNNNOOOOOOO don’t answer Glor.”

Gloria who was laughing said “His Royal Hotness. Bye!” Then quickly hung up the phone.

Now Richie was laughing hard and Teri was mortified. She had blushed about six different shades of red in the last two seconds.

“Come here little one,” Richie opened his arms and Teri takes a step back out of reach. ”Seriously baby come here.”

She moved further away. Richie stands and Teri takes off she runs up the stairs and into their bedroom. Richie was in hot pursuit. He can over take her in a second but lets her get upstairs and into the room. Slowly he advances to Teri she crawled on the bed and was kneeling on it Richie wraps his arms around her before she could move and Ter buries her head into his chest.

“You got me. I’m so embarrassed.”

 “Baby, to you, I don’t have any issues with being called HRH.”

“Really?”

“Really. From you it’s flattering.” Richie replied Teri looked up at his face. He was smiling. There was no anger there at all. They kiss.

“I guess now’s not the time to tell you that Gloria came up with it?”

 Richie laughed again, and pulled her close.

“Remind me to thank her.” He got a female version of one of his sexy growls in response.

“Well, let’s go clean up downstairs. We can put on a movie after.” Richie was in agreement, and they make short work of cleaning the kitchen and dining room.

“Baby, for someone who doesn’t know how to cook you use a ton of pans and dishes.”

 Teri smiled, and said as she loaded the last dish into the dishwasher.

“Gloria baby, Gloria used all this stuff. And SHE knows how to cook. Now, let’s go see what’s left from my video rentals that I haven’t watched yet."

They hit the living room, and got comfortable on the couch together Teri laid between his legs. Her head rested on his chest. After they paused the movie a few times to get drinks, popcorn and a bathroom break, the couple finish up the movie, clean up and head to bed. Teri put on an ankle length blue silk negligee, and Richie stripped off his clothes. They both get into bed. Teri scooted over so they met in the middle. She turned on the news and relaxed. Richie loved the feel of Teri’s silk against his body. He was more nervous as they came up to bed. He knew this was it. Teri had not said a word all night in regards to their imminent conversation. She moved slightly so her head was on his right arm. Richie grabbed the remote, which rested on his side of the bed, to turn off the television. He rolled to his right. The motion moved Teri, so she shifted a bit, and she faced Richie. He propped his head up on his right hand and took his left to place on Teri’s hip. She propped her head up too.  But, with her left arm and hand. This way they faced each other so they could talk easier. Teri felt deep down that this was the beginning of their impended conversation.

“Ter, in thinking the last few days, I’ve come to the realization that my life was by far one to be proud of.”

Teri opened her mouth to say something, but, Richie stopped her.

 “Let me continue. Honey I know, you know, I am very proud of what I have accomplished in my life musically and of course Ava. I have worked long and hard. I put my music above almost anyone and anything else. That’s not the issue or the discussion. What this was all about tonight, was my past in other ways. The part I am not proud of.”

“Once the money started to roll in, things changed, drastically. We actually were recognized by people who became our fans. We had money coming in. More money than any of us knew what to do with. The girls were becoming a dime a dozen. I can’t tell you how many times I got Tony to get the prettiest girl I could see from my side to come back stage. They would blow us, fuck us, and party with us. I was never without a girl… Ever. Every town, every night had a girl more than willing to screw around. The drugs kept us high for the stage, and low to sleep. They kept us euphoric, and thinking that nothing can stop us. And nothing did stop us. I was doing cocaine, I was freebasing, I did Halcion but that fucked Jon and I up so much, we swore off them. I think, that was probably a decision that helped us get where we’re today. That shit messed me up so bad. I didn’t know what was a nightmare, and what was real. The next stop we made after that shit, Jon spent thousands of dollars on Valium and we stayed in our happy little no pain world for a really long time. We used it to sleep. It helped the panic attacks, which woke me in the middle of the night.  Amphetamines also kept us up, with less fatigue during the day, and loss of appetite, which kept us lean and mean. The drugs really were not our high. Not in the beginning. It was the excitement of being on stage, and actually making it to the big time. That was more than any of us dreamed of.  I was drinking more. A lot more. Those gift baskets in the hotels were gone quicker than I could open the next bottle. We kept the champagne to drink on the plane. Each of us had bottles of it every night. We drank as much flying the next morning. I couldn’t wake up without pills, and a warm body beside me.”

“There was this list that was code for what we wanted. If I needed a bimbo, which I think was number 10, and some cocaine which was 8, then a crew member would get on the radio, and relay what was needed. We need 8, and 10.  We didn’t need to have this shit broadcast. So it made sense to us. I wanted a 10. Someone nice to look at. I felt it was deserved. I had two hotel rooms. And two limos. One for the incoming girls, and one for outgoing girls. Baby, I can go on for hours on this stuff. It really doesn’t matter. What matters right now, was that I am with you, and you’re with me.”

“Richie I am very happy that you’re telling me all this. But I have just a few questions for you. First off are you still doing the drugs?”

“Not as much as back then.”

“How much are you doing?”

Richie looked at Teri’s face. She wanted answers and I promised to be Honest with her. “Next to nothing. Jon thinks I quit and I made a decision in the car on the way home to stop.” Teri smiled and nodded, but it’s more to the home comment than to the decision to stop the drugs.

Teri said nothing and waited for him to continue. Shit Richie thought. He’s quiet. Richie laid on his back he stared at the ceiling.

“The tours are getting longer, and longer. I need something to sleep. I need something to get up. Fucking Jon had interviews scheduled and long ass days.”

“Are you done with your excuses yet?” Teri calmly asked. By this time she was on her left side her head was rested once again on Richie’s shoulder.  She leaned her head back a bit and whispered in his ear. “Thank you.”

Now Richie was more confused than before. Did she thank me for the fun and intended to break up? Or did she thank me ‘cause I was honest. If it’s the second then I need to be really honest here and not be like I am now with the half truths.

“For what baby?”

“For telling me as much as you did. I have a feeling there was more. A lot more.  But, I’m happy that you told me what you have so far. We’ll have this conversation again in the near future. Trust me on that. But, for the moment, I'm okay with what you told me so far.”

Richie rolled on to his right. Teri took her right leg and puts it over Richie’s. They are both facing each other.

 “I realize that this was not easy for you. It isn’t easy for me. But, I also realize my past was not even a spot on the wall compared to what you’ve experienced. I know that and realize we have a long way to go. I’m prepared to take whatever you give. Baby, I may be naïve, but I am not dumb. I’ve read about your past and take it all with a grain of salt ‘cause it WAS your past.”

“Thank YOU,” Richie said. “Yeah, there was a ton more of stuff.”

“Just tell me a couple of things baby and we can drop this conversation for now.”

“What do you want to know?”

 “Are the drugs taking over your life? I mean, do you have to have drugs to function? I’ve been with you for a few months now, and I really don’t remember drugs too much.”

“No baby, I’m actually off the drugs, for the most part. I don’t need them to function. I was hiding it from you most of the time. I didn’t know where this was going, and I figured the less you knew the better for me. ‘Cause, well, as you said, there’s too much about me, and about the guys, out in the tabloids. ”

“Okay Richie,that’s great to know. What about the drinking?”

“I have that under control. “

“I agree with that also. Now, one more thing, if you don’t mind and we can put this part of the past in the past where it belongs.”

“Of course. You’ve been really great. I’ll answer anything you want to ask.”

“Are the stories about the Zucchini sisters true?”

Teri laughed and stuck her tongue out at her boyfriend. He grabbed her, and pulled her close. Kissed her long. So long, that all she can think about was having his cock inside of her. As she whipped off her negligee and began to straddle him, he pulled her down so she laid on top of him. He whispered in her ear.

 “Yes.”

 She smiled and whispered back into his ear.

 “Then you won’t mind if I try to erase those memories of yours with some new ones of mine right?” She sat up as she was still astride him, and sunk onto his cock in one fluid movement. Their eyes meet and she began to erase those memories.

Chapter 20 The next step

Chapter 20

Richie sat lost in thought. This is a long ass flight. He stated to himself.

Vikki was making the rounds with coffee and automatically filled Richie’s cup.

“Thanks.” he said. Richie didn’t really see her.

Vikki had been the head flight attendant for Bon Jovi for many years, and she was as used to the up and down temperaments of the guys.

 “No problem Richie. You ok?”

 “What? Yeah. Thanks” He mumbled.

As Vikki walked away, Jon looked at her from his seat down the aisle. He raised his eyebrows in question. Vikki shook her head no then, moved on to pour coffee for everyone else. She left Jon until last.

 “No clue Hon.  What’s going on Jon? Richie had been like this since boarding the plane a few hours ago. He usually sits with you, so that is a big red flag to me and the fact that he’s not even smiling, hell that’s another indication something’s up.” She said in a quiet tone as she poured his coffee.

“Thanks Vikki I’ll go talk to him.” Jon stood to talk to his friend.

He grabbed his mug of coffee and nonchalantly made his way down the plane, plopped down on the arm rest of the seat across the aisle from Richie.

“Hey man, what’s up with you today? You’re talking to no one and even worse you’re in a piss ass mood making everyone crazy. Now give man, I can’t talk to you if you are going to be like this today.”

Richie looked at his longtime friend. He took a deep sip of coffee and turned his head.

 “Let’s take this in the back, I need to talk to you in private man. Have to figure out something to tell Teri I’m not ready to have the whole plane involved.” 

Jon nodded his assent, stood, and walked to the back of the plane. He threw out Obie and Mike who sat in a couple of seats in the back as they played cards. Jon told them to move their ass as he needed the seats. The two move to the middle of the plane in the seats that Jon and Richie just vacated. The new ones are at a table and there are two more seats to complete the table for four.

Jon slid in and sat next to the window Richie did the same on the other side... He looked out as he waited for Richie to start talking. Richie took a deep breath, a sip of cooling coffee.

“How do I tell Teri about my past?”  Richie started right in.

“What part?” Jon questioned.

 “All of it. I agreed with Teri, I promised no secrets about sex and drugs. She can go and research us to find out a ton of stuff about that but a good portion of it is wrong, exaggerated even. You know that. Hell, you had that problem with Dorthea when she thought you were screwing around on her and for once in your life you weren’t.”

 Richie gave a small laugh at his comment. Jon frowned. He looked hard at his friend. Richie hadn’t been one to say no to the ladies. Hello… King of Swing nickname was not because of his love of swing music!

Jon shook his head to clear his thoughts.

 “Jon, all those parties and all those women,” Richie continued. “How do I tell her without making it out to be what it is, was.” He corrected.

“Too true, hell you had them on a revolving door. There was that one night when you were doing cocaine and snorting it right off some girls naked body in the middle of a party in the living room before you hauled her into the bathroom so it could be recorded by Donny who was sitting on the fucking roof skylight looking into the bathroom with a video camera.” 

“Yeah, I fucked her right on the sink. Have to remember that it’s a perfect height Teri is a little short.” Richie said as he recalled the incident.

Jon brought the conversation back around.

“Is it really that important to get all this out in the open with Teri now?”

 “Get what out in the open with Teri?” David came down the aisle and plopped in the seat across from to face his two friends. He put his mug of coffee on the table like his two friends have done, and leaned his forearms on the same surface ready to talk.

“My past sex life.” Richie stated. 

“WHAT? Are you fucking crazy? Does the name Zucchini Sisters mean anything to you? Hell, you were the one who ordered a zucchini from room service in the first place. What the hell were you thinking?  That no one would talk about how Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi ordered a whole zucchini to be delivered to his room at three in the morning? You'll be damn lucky if Teri doesn't already know about that. The way women talk is a Big Brother man. It sees all and hears all. Hell, Rich, chicks have a bigger pact than us but, theirs is to blab all the way from Arizona to Australia!” David as his usual self exclaimed.

“It wasn’t a zucchini, it was a cucumber.” Richie stated deadpan.

“Rich, you were screwing everything in sight. I’m amazed that your dick didn’t fall off. Hey T, got any golf carts you want to sink?” David yelled across the plane.

T got up and walked to where the three were sitting.

“What are you talking about? I didn’t sink no golf cart it was Big Al. I was just along for the ride.”

All four laugh. T turned, and walked up front to get a refill on coffee. David followed saying something about food.

 Once they were gone Richie picked up the conversation where he and Jon left off.

“We are getting to that point man. Getting rid of condoms and making it as real as possible. We both agreed to be tested before we lose the rubbers. I gotta do it this week Jon. We were at the hotel the other night in bed, we talked for a long time, and Teri told me about her past. There was not much there. She had been with maybe ten guys total in her entire life. She did a little pot in high school. Some drinking, weekend stuff, social like. Then there was a stint with black beauties in college and a little after in the 80’s. Those she liked a lot she said that the energy was great for finals and partying. All she would say is that the sex was the best she had outside me.” Richie chuckled at that.

 “Why would you want to? I don’t even know if you can count the girls you were with man. We are talking years here Rich not to mention the parties when you were married. Do I need to remind you of sex in the middle of that party in Laguna? How many that night man, three, four at the same time? You and Heather did some cocaine and started fucking in the middle of the living room with people joining you. You saw more pussy that night then most men do in a month! Hell, if it was not your wife man I would have been right in there. We have done that many times too man, how do you tell her about the shit that went down not to mention the drugs Rich. Freebasing, Cocaine, I can’t even remember all the pills and shit man. How about the booze? Looked like the parties would never end, what are you going to say and more importantly, why?”

Jon paused to let Richie think about what he said.

“Are you really there Rich? Is it THAT serious? Hell, it’s only been 3 months. Okay let me rephrase that. You were married to Heather in what 6 months from meeting her? Do you really want this? You know I have your back Rich. Just tell me what you want to do and I’ll be there for you. I always am.”

“Seven. It was seven months THEN, I married Heather. Yeah Jon I really want this which is why it is so hard to figure out a way to discuss all of it. The drinking part is easy compared to the rest of it. Yeah I drank hard, and partied harder. Teri is so innocent that I am not sure what and how much to tell her.”

“Well if that's your problem man, then tell her as little as possible. The rest can come in time.”

“No, I think it’s all or nothing she’s one for Honesty up front. Not to be afraid to say something in regards to all this. The other night before we fell asleep she turned to me and looked me dead in the eye and said, and I am quoting here. ‘Please tell me the truth. I want to hear it from you. I need to know where we are at and what I am going to be facing.’ Shit man, how can I lie to her after that. She poured it all out to me about her past and I have to do the same. She was so hesitant about those Black Beauties for fear I would not want her any more cause she ‘Did drugs’. Shit I almost laughed out loud.”  

Jon was thoughtful for a moment.

“Rich, I think it may be time to face it yourself. You're not gonna to want to hear this. But, you were still using, hell man you still used up to last year. Don’t cha really think it’s time to face this thing yourself? Sounds like you need to man. Not sure how you are going to be totally honest with her if you're not totally honest with you.”

Richie seethed with controlled anger. Jon stood up and moved into the aisle.

 Richie said through gritted teeth. “Get the fuck off my back man. Can’t take this shit from you. You know I’m clean and have been. I need to figure this out and all I get from you is shit? Fuck off Jon and fuck the horse you road in on, this conversation is over.”

Jon gave him a sad smile as he got up and moved past Richie and started to walk away but then turned to his longtime friend. Looked Richie in the eye and said.

 “Yeah, and that’s something else you are going to tell her over your pillow talk aren’t you. The shared girls and shit. Thought what happens in Jovi stays in Jovi. Guess you need to think on that too.”

Richie slumped back into his chair.

“Fuck.”

Richie began to doze off. Richie woke with a start. He looked around the plane. Everyone onboard was either in a poker game, conversation or sleeping. He got up walked down the aisle to the galley.

 “Hey beautiful, got any coffee left?” He asked Vikki.

She turned to him with a smile. Vikki had been working for Bon Jovi for years it is not a come on smile but a friendly smile in a sister sort of way. Jon was not budging on this one about them screwing around with certain people on staff and Vikki was one of the first he listed as hands off.

“Sure, just finished a fresh pot and was going to take it out. Let me get you a mug.” She poured the coffee and fix it the way Richie liked it.

“Thanks.”

“No problem Hon.” she replied. She thought He looked okay. Maybe he needed sleep.

Richie moved back along the aisle to where T was sitting alone reading a paper. He sat next to his friend.

“Need to talk T, need some advice. Got a minute or six?”

“Sure Richie.” T said as he folded the paper and put it aside. Richie poured everything out to T and ended with, “I just don’t know where to start and stop man. I have not had this kind of relationship in a really long time. She’s NOT a party girl.”

 “That is your first point. Rich She’s not a party girl. You my friend have not stopped the party since 1985.”

 Richie looked sideways at T. He nodded his assent.

 “You have to be honest here. If you want this to work you have to be Honest. Tell her as much as you think she can take then further down the road another pillow talk could be more on it. Revisit the conversation as often as you think you need to until the story is all told. Just remember my friend…”

The men look at each other and say at the same time.

 “What happens in Jovi stays in Jovi” 

“Yeah, yeah, I know T, I know.”

 Richie got up and moved back to his seat in the back closed his eyes and ended up dreaming of the old days. 

Chapter 19 Where are we?

Before you start chapter 19. Let me apologize for the long inexcusable wait between chapters. Life got in the way. So much so I had no interest in writing. This is my catharsis, and I enjoy it a lot. So to say I had no interest tells you I was not in a good place. 

Please enjoy the chapter. I'm sure you (like I had to) will want to go back a chapter or two to catch up. Please do. I am already thinking about chapter 20. Let's get back on track and see what is happening cuz... I'll Always Walk Beside You.

 - Teri

Teri is home from her tour time with Richie. She had a fitful night’s sleep, which she is attributing to sleeping alone for the first time in a few weeks. It was tough at times being with him. He gets all moody. Teri kept her mouth shut. She figured it was how he was on tour and since she was his ‘guest’ she had no right to say anything.  

She had a ton of stuff to do. Laundry, grocery shopping, going through her mail. Yiesh, the list went on and on.

But, none of that could happen until she called her Gloria. They have been sporadically talking, but, it wasn’t enough. She needed her best friend and wanted to catch up on life. Teri sat back in a comfy chair. Picked up the phone and called her friend.

“How soon can you be here?” Teri

“Under 20 minutes, I was waiting for your call. Figured you had laundry, and grocery shopping to do, not to mention an attack on your mail. I baked muffins and scones so we can eat. I know you haven’t yet.” Gloria stated.

“You know me too well Glor. I’ll put on coffee, and see you in a few. “

The girls hung up. Gloria grabbed the basket of muffins, and scones she made that morning and was on her way.

She walked into the house. Front door unlocked and open. The screen door letting in light, and the sound, and smell of the ocean. It was a beautiful day. Sun shining, birds singing. Gloria chuckled to herself. She was beginning to sound like a musical. I guess being around Teri for all these years is rubbing off in me. She mussed with a smile.

The women hugged when Gloria hit the kitchen with her basket of goodies.

“You know, if you wore a red cape, I would swear on bibles you were a real life Little Red Riding Hood.” Teri said as she peaked under a linen napkin that was covering the goodies.

Teri set out mugs and cream for their coffee. She poured as Gloria made herself comfortable on the kitchen bench that went around the banquet table.

“You know you really need to redecorate this.” Gloria said for the umpteenth time.

“I know, every time I start to work on it, something else more important takes its place.”

“We spend too much time talking about life at this table. I wish you would do something about it.”

This was old news to Teri. She and Gloria talk about it at least once every few months and it has been that way for years.

“So how was tour?” Gloria asked. She dug into the basket for a cranberry orange scone for herself. She put a poppy seed muffin on a plate and placed it in front of Teri.

“Glor, I’m not sure I could do that full time like the guys do. Hell, two weeks was long enough.”

Gloria gave her friend that “Seriously?” look.

“Okay, maybe right now, two weeks was long enough and I’ll grow to be okay with more time.”

“Did you know that they put up a sign to tell everyone what town they are in? Hell, Newark is IN New Jersey. You would think they were excited to be near home. I asked Richie about it. He patiently reminded me that not everyone on the tour is from New Jersey.”

Gloria smiled. She could see how excited her friend was about her last couple of weeks.

“So, what about Richie? Before you left you were concerned about bout being with each other twenty-four hours a day.”

“I was hon, I really was. It seems the more time we spent together the more we didn’t want to be away from each other if that makes any sense. He’s climbing the ladder and becoming my guy best friend. And we KNOW you are and will always be my best friend. Guy or girl. But, you know what I mean.”

Gloria was thoughtful so she gave a half smile to Teri.

“Okay, let’s get it out there. Is it because of his fame that you are attracted to him?”

“I wondered that myself during the past couple of weeks and I can honestly say no. It’s not the fame, the money, the glamor of it all. It’s the man. The guy who is sweet, and grumpy in the morning, and thoughtful, and has a short fuse at times, and loving. Boy, is he ever loving.”

“Enough!” Gloria exclaimed. “I don’t need THOSE details, thank you very much.”

The two grinned.

“Can you put up with him on the road all the time? Especially you without a project right now?”

“I don’t know Glor, I just don’t know. Want to say yes. But, not sure I can. I am though getting over the groupie thing. I watched all of them. You know, if they wanted to the boys could have any girl. ANY of them. I’ve seen it. I’m privy to their codes. They actually[TP1]  have codes for shit like that. Which girl they want for the night. They talk into a second microphone which is out of the way but in plain sight if you get what I mean. I see the girls throw themselves at the boys.”

The two talked more and it was decided that Teri’s next project with Gloria’s help would be to redecorate her kitchen. Teri wanted some improvements as well as cosmetic stuff. They dug in with gusto.

***                                                     ***                                                     ***                                                     ***

Later that evening after Gloria left, Teri’s outer thigh started to tingle in a burning sort of way. It had been going on for a month or so. Teri forgets about it because eventually the pain subsides. It doesn’t go away but it does subside.

Teri was calling Richie, but kept missing him. He tried her, and of course she was in the shower and didn’t hear the phone. They finally hooked up really late for Teri, and really early for Richie, but they both wanted, no… needed contact. Life just isn’t the same without Richie. Teri thought as she got into bed. She resigned herself to the fact that while he is in Europe, or Australia, or wherever the hell he was contact would be harder than normal. And it’s not easy either with a three-hour time difference between Connecticut and California.

“Hey you.” Richie said. He was tired. They were in the middle of a grueling part of the tour. It seemed like they were performing nightly.

“Hey you,” Teri replied. “How was the show?”

“Okay I guess. I don’t know what day it is anymore. We decided to do a quick round of making nice to those “Important,” people then headed back. I’m just laying here havin’ a drink to unwind.”

Teri noticed he was drinking more than she was used. His phone calls were always the same on that regard. ‘Havin’ a drink to unwind.’

“Well, the kitchen is done.” Teri said with pride. It was a long six weeks. Luckily, Gloria knew a guy who was a contractor and could understand all Teri wanted AND get it done in an amazingly short time.

‘Oh yeah?” Richie sat up on the couch. Teri deserved his attention for a minute, before he passed out.

 The jet will leave early in the morning. So, he needed at least a little sleep before then.

 “Did they get the tile, right?” He had a big hand in the design. Teri figured it would be nice for him as he was spending a lot of time at their, whoops, HER house.

“Um hmm. I’ll take pictures in the morning and get them to you since you are tied up for another few weeks.” She didn’t mean it to but the sentence came out sarcastic.

“What’s your problem?” Richie snapped. He picked right up and pounced on her cynical reply.

“Nothing. I wish you are here more that’s all. No need to get huffy. You are getting a short fuse lately. This is nothing to get pissy about.” Teri stated. She admittedly was a little huffy. Well, he didn’t have to say it like that! She justified to herself.

“How the fuck am I huffy? And, I do NOT have a short fuse.” Richie got up and started to pace the suite. One end to the other back and forth. He kept prodding Teri and she kept the sarcasm going on her end.

“Well, for one thing, you seem to blow up at the littlest incident. You want an example? How about when I started to pack to come home, and you were pissed because it didn’t fit into your ‘plans’. Or, then there was the time when I mentioned I would love some red meat and you wanted sushi. And my favorite was when we were talking to my contractor by teleconference and you started yelling at him when he mentioned the project wouldn’t be done as originally planned. Richie, it was done the day before I came home. I WASN’T EVEN IN THE STATE and wouldn’t[TP2]  be for a few more days. Not that you remembered that. It’s always about you. I went and had a few meetings remember. I DO work you know. It may not be as glamorous as your work but it pays the bills. Hell, forget that. I am very proud of my work. As a director, I need to keep many personalities soothed. I need to work with creative  people…”

“And I’M NOT CREATIVE?” Richie bellowed into the phone. He flung his cell across the room. Anger overtaking any logical thoughts. The phone broke into 3 pieces as it fell with a crash onto the tile floor in the foyer of his suite.”

“Fucking great. See what you did now?” Richie yelled at Teri. Logic again overtaken by anger.

He looked at the phone pieces, sighed and picked up the phone next to the couch in his suite. He’d have to wait for Deni to make her way back to his room after doing some errands he needed to be done.

“I’m sorry,” He said into the phone. Richie thought he had this rage under control. “I thought I had this under a tight rein. Guess it needs work.” He said ruefully.

“I’m sorry too,” Teri said contrite. “I pushed your buttons. Knowing it was going to piss you off.”

“Touché.” He replied as he sat back on the couch.

“Now tell me all about the kitchen. I’m really interested. You have my undivided attention. At least until Deni gets back. She needs to do a couple of more things for me. “Richie said as he glanced over at his phone on the ground.

---

 [TP1]

 [TP2]en

Chapter 18 Your chariot awaits

The two were just sitting around their hotel room one day. No interviews, no sound check, and not enough down time to do anything. So they decided to stay in and linger over another cup of coffee and relax. Richie was watching the morning news when Teri approached the “Darlin’” conversation.

She walked over and sat on the couch next to Richie. Then she snuggled up to his side, and tucked her feet under one of the couch cushions. Richie put his arm around his girl and kept watching the news.

“Richie?”

“Mmmm.”

“Can we talk?”

“Mmm hmm.”

“Now?”

“Huh? Ter, can it wait for a commercial?”

Teri sat back, took Richie’s arm from around her shoulder, and let it flop onto his lap. He never even noticed she was annoyed.

Okay, I’m pissed, but there is no reason to be. I’m annoyed that he won’t talk to me. He has no clue what I want to talk about, or that it’s important. To me. To talk. About it. Now. When he is watching the news. Okay, my timing sucks. There is no reason to be mad at him. But, damn it. He should KNOW. I want to talk this out. He shouldn’t brush me off until a commercial. He’s such an ass.

But, he has such a cute ass… And he’s so gentle and kind. He loves to cuddle too.

Okay. Hormones. Stop. Please. My period is over and I’m gettin’ a bit annoyed with all this up and down you are doing with my moods.

A commercial came on and Teri waited for Richie to take the lead. He didn’t. Teri was even more annoyed. Even after the conversation she just had with herself.

“Are you ever goin to talk to me?” Teri questioned.

Richie looked up. Whoops. Hormonal woman in the room.

“Sorry honey, he soothed. What’s up?”

Mollified, Teri decided she could talk to him, now that she had his attention.

“Why do you call all the girls ‘Darlin’?”

Talk about an outta the blue question. He thought.

“It’s become your signature. I don’t wanna be called that because, it makes me feel like one of the masses. If that’s all I am to you, then I’m outta here. Time for me to go home and find a new job.”

“First off, you need an assistant, not a job.”

Teri glared at him. That was so beside the point.

Richie saw the error of his ways. He knew he’d better nip this one in the bud. It could get ugly real fast. So he thought fast, the thought again. Nah, on second thought I probably should just tell her the truth. It’s not worth the repercussions. He rationalized.

“When I was in high school, I had girls all over me. I was on the basketball team. I was also in a Garage Band. After the accordion of course, and that was sooooo cool. It made me a “Bad Boy Rocker” in my high school. You know what I mean, There were girls along the way too through my California, and then when Bon Jovi started there were too many girls to count!”

“I didn’t go looking for them. Honest!” He said after a look from Teri. It was the universal, ‘And you expect me to believe THAT’ look all men around the world are very aware of.

 “They came after me. By the bus load. I mean hundreds! I couldn’t think of any logical reason to turn all that sex down. So, I didn’t. When it started happening in Bon Jovi I got the label ‘King of Swing’ and all that other shit."

“I got married and my ‘Tom Follery’ days stopped on a dime.” But, up until then it was like I was open season.  They hunted me down. I didn’t have to go after them at all.

“Did you ever hear the story about how David bribed Tico to sell tickets? I think those assholes made a ton of money that night from the waiting girls. T was a carnival barker. You know what I’m talking about. ‘Step right up. The line forms here to slee…, see Richie…” Red Alert!  Red Alert!  Another of THOSE looks.

 “Anyway, What the hell! I wasn’t hurtin’ anyone,” He declared. “So, after that, I found it was easier to call every girl I met as Darlin’ It made them feel special and I didn’t have to worry about their names. Hell, when they feel special they tend to put out more.” Okay, maybe a little TOO much information. With that last one.

Teri was quiet. She thought about it for a minute. She part of her couldn’t see anything wrong with it at the time. She just felt bad for all those girls…. Over all those years…. Feeling they were special by being called Darlin’. The other half of her was pissed off. Not even trying to remember their name? There were SO MANY?

“So, when you call me darlin’, I’m one of the masses. Not sure I want that my friend.”

Richie decided he wanted to show her she was “Not one of the masses.” He just didn’t know how.

***                              ***                              ***                              ***                              ***

They fell asleep. On their own sides of the bed that night. Okay, Teri should be off her period today. Maybe I counted wrong. He rationalized. But, still… There ARE things we could do … and have done in the not so distant past….

The next morning Teri informed Richie her period was over. It had been a very long few days. Thank God, she normally has a short one. This shit doesn’t happen when on tour. We planned it out. Richie grinned and didn’t give it another thought as he grabbed Teri around the waist and bent his head in for a kiss. A long one.

Teri succumbed to Richie’s advances even though she was pissed. But, maybe it was more indignation for those poor girls who …  Wait a minute. What’s wrong with it? In Richie’s mind, and probably the mind of more men than I care to think about, it’s okay. If the girls don’t know and haven’t figured it out let them live the fantasy. As Richie’ said it DID make them feel special. Though the end result … Aww hell. Teri. You spent enough time on this. It is what it was. You can’t change the past and he knows how you feel. Even if he says it with that bad cockney accent.

Teri smiled and went about her day. As far as Richie was concerned it was hormones so he too went about his day. All was good. They flew from one gig to the next as usual. Everyone was in a good mood which was getting rare as the tour progressed.  Lemma was harassing Jon which was quite funny. He was trying to get Jon to hire Teri as their cookie baker. He thought she should come on board in that capacity.

“… AND, Teri can keep old Romeo here sane, and calm,

Jon took one look at Teri’s gaping mouth.

“Man, you better get yourself out of the dog house before we talk about hiring the cookie girl here. Besides we still have a ton left Teri checked a suitcase just for the cookies!

David looked at Teri and decided it was in HIS best interest to shut up about the cookies. For now… He would come up with plan B. It better be quick though. Really quick.

***                                          ***                              ***                                                                  

Teri laughed to herself, as they got to their room for the night.

“What’s so funny?” Richie asked as he came out of the bathroom after he put his bathroom stuff on the counter. Teri would put it away in its usual places later.

She started to sing to him.

“Another op’nin, another show,
In Philly, Boston, or Baltimo’
A chance for stage folks to say hello
Another op’nin’, of another show.…”  

 from Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate musical. Teri sang it as she danced over to Richie.

 “I keep hearin’ that in my head every time we hit another damn hotel room. I am so sick of the same shit day after day. Don’t know how you do it baby. I’m beginning to go a little batty here.”

Richie agreed.  A plan formed in his mind

***                              ***                              ***                              ***

“Hey, do we have any cookies left?” Richie asked as he headed to the living room where he last saw the container of cookies earlier that day when they got to their room.

Teri went to say something but, saw that Richie was already in the living room. Well, He’ll find out soon enough. She thought.

“LEMMA. DAMN IT MAN!,” Richie stomped to the door, yanked it open and yelled again into the hallway.

 “LEMMA!”

Tico opened his door.

“What the fuck man?” He questioned. Annoyed at the disturbance to his phone call. He held the phone in his hand as he stood in the hall.  

“Lemma finished the cookies.”

“Already?” Tico asked.

Richie upturned the empty container as proof.

“Gotta call you back.” Tico said into his phone.

Life is as usual on the road.

           

                        ***                   ***                               ***                               ***                                          

The days began to blend together. One day was the same as the next. Get up. Get on the plane. Get to the hotel. Unpack, then the boys did interviews. Get to sound check. Do the show. After party then some sleep. Get up. Get on the plane. Get to the hotel...

Out of the blue Richie said one afternoon as they were lounging around their hotel room after some beautiful, slow, passionate sex.

“Ter, how would you like to cut free for a day?”

“What do you mean?”  Teri questioned.

“Take off. Be free. Go sightseeing. See a movie. Do what normal people do?”

“Baby, your life is far from normal. How do you propose this little dream of yours is gonna happen?”

“I rented a car, and we’re gonna to drive to the next gig.”

“What!” Teri screamed. “No way baby, no way. Where are we going?  How long? How did this happen?”

Richie looked at Teri, and smiled a broad dimple filled smile. She called it his honest smile. Not one for the fans, or cameras, but a true smile that only people close enough to him recognize and know it as sincere.

“Well, not long honey. Only about 39-40 hours but, it will be enough time to cut lose and be normal. We’ll leave after the gig tomorrow night and have almost two whole days to get to our next gig. We have a turnaround day so it will work perfectly.

After the show, the couple said good bye to their friends, grab their overnight bags and left the venue quickly. The rental car waited outside the stage door for them.

“Honey, the car’s perfect.” Teri said.

Richie rented a mustang for them.

“I hope you’re gonna be comfortable. I wanted a great car and this was the best I could find.”

“After being cramped up in the plane seat, I think I can deal with this one just fine Rich. It’s more than perfect for us.”

Richie took their overnight bags and stowed them in the trunk. He then went around to Teri’s door and opened it.

“Your chariot awaits M’lady.” He stated and bowed deeply.

Teri gave a low curtsey.

 “Why, thank you kind sir.” Teri gave him her hand the way a princess would, by her fingers only, and he helped her into the car.

“Baby, we are free -  let’s roll.”

Richie hit the gas, did a donut in the parking lot, and they roared out of the lot into the street, then onto the highway.

“So, what’s the game plan Captain Richie?”

“We’re gonna drive for about six hours until we get to our next show city, and then we have a day and a half, well under that bit it sounds good, before the guys show up.”

“Oh, I don’t think I knew we were that close to the next arena. This will be perfect. Good planning on your part Hon. I love your idea. So, what hotel are we staying at? Oh wait, I have the schedule in my bag. I didn't look at it today.”

She leaned over the back of the bucket seat to grab her purse. Richie whacked her upturned ass.

“Sit your ass down girl. I’m drivin’ here,” He said with a bad Jersey accent. I don’t need no distraction of your ass waving in the air. My concentration’s on your ass not the road. So sit it down girl.”

After Teri sat with a pout. Richie ran his free hand down her leg.

“No hotel, little one. I rented a house for twenty-four hours. It’ll be a home. Maybe not our home, but a place we can be where there’s no wake up calls, or the guys, or vocal warm ups, or the guys, or band business meetings, or the guys, or interviews, or the guys, or anything. We can decide to do what we want, when we want. Just like real people.”

Teri tucked the “Real people.” Comment away to mull over at another time.

“I love it. And I love you for thinking of it. This is so perfect.” Teri leaned over and kissed Richie’s cheek. He took her hand as he drove down the highway. They are quiet, lost in the thought of being totally alone for hours and the bliss that will bring them. 

Teri fell asleep on the drive. Her head was against the door window, and she was curled up in a ball. Richie tugged her hair.

“Huh?”

“Rise and shine sleepy head we’re here.” He sang out.

“Baby, I slept the whole last part of their drive.  I’m so sorry.”  Teri said as she looked at her watch and noticed the time.

She looked around the car, and, saw burger wrappers, fries’ containers, a couple of empty soda to-go cups, and it smelled like onion rings. The windows were up and the top was down.

“My man had a little fast food feast I see,” Teri said with a smile. “Did you save me a one?”

“Yup, I dropped a few on the floor, let me get them for you.”

“WHAT!!!” Teri laughed. “No way I want a food.”

“And baby, I want you.”

“Feed me first mister, or there’ll be no nookie for you.”

Richie slammed the car into reverse. Headed out of the driveway, and down the road, before Teri knew what was going on. He swung into a fast food place on the main road. He ordered three burgers, three extra-large fries. (The burgers were so big you couldn’t get your hands around it.) A couple of chocolate shakes, a vanilla one for Teri, and a few orders of onion rings. Pulled around to the window, paid for the food, and almost threw it all at Teri as he slammed the car into gear again and drove back to the house. By this time Teri laughed so hard she has tears in her eyes.

“Honey, I would have been fine with a piece of gum.” She dissolved into a fit of the giggles.

“Gum, GUM, GUM! You wanted GUM!”

“Just sayin babe."