70 - Crazy Train

They hugged goodbye with a little peck on the lips and went their separate ways as they had done for the past week. Jon was heading back into the city to meet the boys for yet another interview for one of the local news shows while Ariana was heading into town for a day at the spa and shopping. They had a special event to attend tonight exclusively for American Express Card members, and she needed something to wear. 

Her wardrobe consisted of jeans, tees and sweaters since she hadn’t been back to Canada after their trip to London. She was hoping to find something a little fancier to wear. Jon assured her she didn’t need anything too fancy, which in Ari’s language meant no denim or cotton. At times like this, she really wished Cara were here.

 

She pulled into the empty parking spot she found across the street from the salon Carol had recommended. As Ariana put the car in park and it reminded her of the dinner conversation, they shared just the other night. With Carol’s little revelation at lunch a few days ago that left both her and Jon speechless on the curb, it had warranted a little family dinner the next night. Nothing like a delightful meal and the Spanish Inquisition, Bongiovi style.  

 

Unlike the one she shared with Carol during lunch, this was the complete opposite. This time Carol had no qualms about speaking her mind about how she felt, making Jon and herself feel like a bunch of teenagers who got themselves in trouble. Papa B on the other hand, was a little more understanding after they were allowed to explain their side of the story. But in the end, Ari felt they were both a little excited for a new addition to the family.

 

Reaching across to the passenger's seat for her bag, Ariana searched for a handful of quarters for the meter and was on her way. She had allowed for some extra time before her hair appointment to check out the shops. Heading west along Front Street, she made a left onto Broad Street and came upon a Starbucks. She had to cut back since finding out she was pregnant, but it was just what she needed to help her get through the next couple of hours.

 

A tall pumpkin spiced latte with whipped cream in hand, she was now ready to conquer the shops. She took in the architecture of the quaint little town as she walked along the streets, stopping to peer in the windows of a few shops. Nothing seemed to catch her eye enough for her to go in. That is not until she came across a little vintage shop. The Basic Blues Boutique is what the weather battered sign read that hung on the door. The small storefront window hosted one mannequin, but that was all it needed to catch Ariana’s eye. Dressed in a pair of worn blue jeans, with holes at the knees and a classic scoop neck T-shirt in dark blue, but that wasn’t what had caught her eye. The sassy saying printed across the front in bold silver letters "I’m dating a rockstar” did.

 

With a small chuckle, she pulled open the door causing the bell to chime. The blonde woman from behind the register didn’t move, other than to raise her head from the book she was reading.

 

“Come in, have a look-see. I’m Andi. If you find something you like, give me a holla.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

Ariana shuffled through the racks, picking out things here and there, things she really did not need, but wanted none the less. With her arms full, she called out to Andi for some help.

 

“Running away from home, are you?” The blonde headed beauty asked.

 

“Nah. I just have an aversion to shopping.”

 

“You couldn’t tell by that pile.”

 

“Believe it or not, this is not what I actually need. So, I’m stalling the inevitable.”

 

“Looking for something specific, sweetie.”

 

Ariana sighed, “I need something dressy, but not too dressy.”

 

“Casual and classy?” She smiled and walked to a rack in the back.

 

“Exactly.”  

 

“I think I have just what you are looking for.”

 

Andi showed Ariana a rack full of dresses. You name it, it was there, mini, pencil, sweater, knit. Her head hurt just looking at all of it. Noticing the look of despair on Ariana’s face, Andi quickly flipped through the rack, pushing hangers faster than Ari could count.

 

“Ah ha. This is it.” She held up a forest-green colored knit dress with a scooped neck front and buttons down the back that would hit just above her knees. “Whaddya think?”

 

“It’s perfect. I’ll take it.” Ariana said.

 

“And those?”  

 

“Those too.”

 

Her hands full of bags, Ariana thanked Andi for her help and promised she would be back. She pushed the door open with her butt and stepped back out onto Broad Street and made her way to her hair appointment.

 

♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱

 

Ari arrived home and tossed her bags onto the bed, she made her way into the bathroom and set the shower to hot. Shimming out of her clothes, she wrapped her long chocolate locks up in a towel. After spending two hours in a chair having her curls blown out, she was not about to get them wet.

 

There was nothing, absolutely nothing, more relaxing than a nice, hot shower after a long day of shopping. Sighing, she closed her eyes and stood under the steamy downpour of hot water. She wanted to get the cleansing portion of her shower over with first, so she could enjoy the scalding jets of water massaging her back. Ariana reached for the bottle of body wash and squeezed a dab on to her loofa. She worked a lather along the column of her neck, over her breasts and down the plane of her torso. Continuing, she lifted one leg, then the next and rested it on the shower's built-in marble step, the pulsating water along her lower back feeling heavenly. She hated to move, but she had to. Deciding to wear her hair straight had lengthened her time at the salon by an extra hour, and she needed to be ready by the time Jon got back.

 

Stepping out of the shower, she grabbed a fluffy towel off of its hooks and wrapped her body in it. Pulling loose the one from her hair, she tousled the silky shiny locks. It had been awhile since she wore her hair straight, pin straight, that is. She had definitely inherited the Moretti gene for her coloring and hair; thick, dark hair and an olive complexion, very Italian, but she had her mother’s eyes and nose.

 

Ariana’s feet padded against the plush carpet as she went into the bedroom, undoing her towel, it pooled into a pile at her feet. She grabbed one bag she had come home with and dumped its contents onto the bed, riffling through the dozens sets of matching lingerie she found the one she wanted. Biting at the little plastic tab, she removed the tags before stepping into the tan colored lace thong. Looking down, she ran her fingers along the crystals that outlined the v-shaped material. They weren’t overly dramatic. They added a hint of sexiness to the simplicity of the set. The matching bra donned the same crystals along the straps, and the demi cups. A combination of sheer and lace pushed her breasts up and held them securely, showcasing her ample cleavage.

 

Sitting on edge of the bed she rolled the leg of the mocha colored nylon tights between her thumbs and slid her left foot in first, stopping when she reached mid-cafe. Repeating the motion for her right leg, this time, once she passed her foot, she alternated between pulling up each side until she pulled the material over her bare ass. She truly hated wearing tights, but it was November in New Jersey and the weather dictated such things.

 

The chime of the doorbell surprised her as she was removing her dress from the garment bag. She wasn’t expecting anyone, so she figured she would ignore it, but whoever was on the other side was persistent and continued to ring the bell.  

 

Maybe it’s Jon.  

 

Reaching for one of her newest t-shirts from her collection and pulled it over her head. She couldn’t wait to see Jon’s face when he saw it. She was still laughing to herself as she went to answer the door.

 

“You forget your keeee...?” Ariana’s jaw dropped as she opened the door and saw Dorothea standing on her doorstep. Leather clad hands folded across tightly cinched arms. Her stony expression was not what Ariana needed or wanted right now.

 

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Ariana looked straight into her sun glassed eyes.

 

“Jon’s not here!” She firmly declared.

 

“I’m not here to see him. I’m here to see you.”

 

“Go ahead. Say what you came to say.”

 

“You’ve got to be kidding me. It’s freezing out here.”

 

“Oh for fucks sake." Ariana gruffed while stepping aside to let her in.

Wrinkling her nose in disgust, Dorothea removed her sunglasses and sat them atop of her head. Rolling her eyes, she shook her head with each word. “Nice shirt.”

 

“Don’t even start. I was not expecting company and I do not have time for this." Her hands firmly planted on her hips, Ariana made it a point to look at Dorothea in the eyes. 

 

“You obviously have time to fuck my husband in my house.”

 

“Last I heard, you didn’t want it, and as for the fucking, it’s none of your damn business. I’m about fed up with your bullshit.”

 

“MY bullshit? You’re the bitch who came in and screwed everything up. Including my marriage.”

 

“Your marriage was screwed up long before last month.”

 

“You’ve been in our marriage for a long time. Twenty years, to be exact.”

 

“Honey, I was here long before that.”

 

Dorothea shifted her hips and was about to respond, but Ariana continued.

 

“Hell, it didn’t even start out romantic. Or were you even aware of that little tidbit? I was the one Jon turned to when he needed someone to listen to him. I was the one he came to when Doc was being a fucking dick. It was me who sat by his side when his was dead on his feet with no voice left. Where were you? Oh, that’s right, you didn’t want the life on the road anymore. So if you are looking to blame someone for fucking up your marriage, better look in the mirror sweetie.”

 

“Oh, so now you’re a fucking marriage counselor. You know nothing about my life or what I have had to put up with.”

 

Their voices had reached a volume such as that they didn’t hear the front door creak open, nor did they hear the boots hitting the hardwood floors coming down the hallway. Stopping at the sound of yelling and recognizing who was doing the yelling, Jon’s temper slowly boiled. As he started to walk again, he heard Ariana cut in and stopped himself from barging in and instead listened.

 

“No, I don’t claim to know about your life, but I do know you haven’t been little miss innocent either. What I do know is what Jon has had to deal with over the years. Not to mention what he’s sacrificed. I can’t believe what a selfish bitch you are.”

 

 “What he’s sacrificed? Now that’s funny. How about what I’ve or the kids have had to sacrifice. Having a father who spends half their life on the road or in other women’s beds. That’s sacrifice.”

 

“Yet he has tried to make it work - you can’t deny that. He’s tried harder than any man I know. Yet, you seemed to accept his affairs when they were convenient for you. Why bring them up now? If you got past that then you would realize that he tried his best to be here. He’s out there doing what he loves and getting paid to do it. You are lucky to have enough money to support your family. At least you never struggled.”  

 

“Wow! Color me stupid. You do know a lot. You must be a fantastic lay. Jon is not one who trusts easily.”

 

“He trusts me because he loves me and I love him. Why are you even here, Dorothea?”

 

 “I don’t like you and probably never will. I don’t know what your magic secret is, but you seemed to have fooled my husband, so I am here to warn you not to try it with my kids."

 

“I’m not ‘fooling’ anyone, and they’re Jon’s kids, too. I will not try to be their mother, even though they need one. I’ll be there for them and eventually would like to form some sort of relationship with them. I assume Jesse and Steph are old enough to understand that what’s important is that their father is happy!”

 

Jon, deciding that he had heard enough, stepped forward and placed himself between the two.

 

“What the fuck is going on here?” He’d given Dorothea the stare of death before turning to Ariana, where his expression softened to a more concerned are-you-okay look.

 

Her green eyes, full of anger, widened slightly. “I was expecting you when I opened the door and instead found the Wicked Witch of the East. Seems she had some concerns that she needed to discuss with me.”  

 

Added to the look in her eyes, the bite of her tone told Jon she was fighting to keep her control. He ran soothing hands over her shoulders and down her arms to her hands, giving them a gentle squeeze.

 

“Why are you here?” He snapped as he turned his attention to his soon to be ex-wife.

 

“I thought it was about time Ms. Moretti and I have a little chat.”

 

“Is that so? Well, I’ve heard enough of what you’ve had to say and think it’s your turn to listen. Since you are arguing with Ari about me, we can start there. You’re little fling with that roadie, I knew all about it.”

 

Dorothea opened her mouth to speak but his icy glare warned her not to.

 

“So while you’re quick to judge everyone, let’s remember you aren’t perfect either. It’s beneath you to try and act like you are. When Doc was doing his best to fuck shit up for us, Ari was the only one keeping me together. Not you, not the band, and not even myself. No matter how many times I tried to talk to you about it you never truly understood. She did, and she does now… and I love her for it.”

 

“Good God.” Dorothea flapped her arms in the air. “Here comes the little miss fucking perfect can do no wrong speech.”

 

“THAT is it Go! Leave! Get out of our home.” Ariana’s eyes went black as she lunged forward.

 

Jon barely managed to grab Ariana around the waist and pull her back towards him. His attention no longer focused on Dorothea, as he was using all his strength to hold Ariana. He splayed his palm over her abdomen. He pulled her in closer, whispering the one thing he knew would calm her.

 

“Baby.”

 

Before shoving her hands back into her gloves, Dorothea shot Jon and Ariana one last nasty scowl. She then turned and walked away without another word, slamming the door so hard that the frame itself shook.