Seattle, WA: Key Arena
Show #4
“God! How I miss Hawaii. This Seattle weather sucks.” Ari spoke into her headphones as she increased the incline on the treadmill.
“You sound out of breath. What are you doing?” Cara asked.
“Walking on the treadmill. How are you? I miss you like crazy.”
“What’s the matter old lady, can’t run anymore?” Cara teased. “I’ve been really busy. I have two shows coming up and a conference call with a foundation for some insignia design they need.”
“Funny smartass. No, I can’t. My tits are getting larger by the minute and hurt twice as much. There is no way I’m running with them bouncing all over the place.”
“You know your daughter’s first words are going to be curse words?”
Ari had always had a bit of a truck driver's mouth. Most likely, stemming from the predominantly male constituent that surrounded her her entire life.
“Nah. Daddy, will. Trust me.”
“And why do you think that?”
“Because, you haven’t seen Jon. Ever since we found out we were having a girl, he’s constantly talking to my belly, telling her she can have whatever she wants.” Ari’s breath quickened. “I swear, he’s like a little kid himself sometimes.”
Cara let out a hearty laugh. “I could just imagine. So, tell me, are you showing yet? Are you wearing maternity clothes? When do you plan on telling everyone?”
“God! Yes! I look like I swallowed a mini basketball. My hips have grown. My panties don’t fit. It’s quite annoying. Oh, and I will NOT buy one stitch of maternity clothing! We will have to tell them soon or they will figure it out themselves.”
Cara was getting a kick out of teasing her friend. Ari never had to worry about her weight. The girl could eat just about anything and never gained an ounce, and she would often remind Cara of that.
“What’s wrong with maternity clothes? They actually have some nice things for pregnant women nowadays.”
“Not happening. Oversized or next size up will have to do until we tell the kids.”
“Suit yourself, you stubborn mule.”
“Blah... Blah. Listen, I gotta get going. I need to finish up and shower if I want to make it to the arena in time for dinner. I miss your crazy ass. Come visit me.”
“Miss you more, bitch. Email your calendar and I’ll see what I can work out.”
“I have an idea. You can meet us in Sacramento for Jon’s birthday. Spend a few days with us. We’re going to Vegas too. Please?” Ari begged. “It’s lonely sitting backstage by myself.”
“Sit out front then.”
“Yeah, right. Cause you know how much I enjoy that. Actually, I’ve been sitting with Tony.”
“With Tony?”
“That’s the closest Jon will let me get to working. Wait, that’s not true, I can sit with Obie or Sooner as well.”
“Good for him. You shouldn’t be doing anything else.”
“I’m pregnant for Christ’ sake, not an invalid!!" Ari snapped.
“Exactly! You shouldn’t be climbing or lifting ANYTHING!”
Cara and Max were just having this conversation. Both taking bets on how long it would be before Ariana would find a way to get some work in. Ari was a ‘doer’. Sitting there night after night would be torturous for her.
“You don’t have to remind me. Jon does plenty of that.”
Cara knew arguing with her friend would get them nowhere. “I’m going to let you go. Send me those dates and I will see what I can do.”
“As soon as we hang up.”
“Alright momma. Gotta run. Love you.”
“Ciao for now.” Ariana said.
“Bubye.”
♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱
Jon glanced at the miniature clock that hung on the wall of his makeshift dressing room. Three-forty-seven meant it was six-forty-seven in New Jersey. His father would be settled in to watch sports center and his mom would be finishing up in the kitchen with her cup of coffee and the evening paper.
Phone in hand, Jon stretched his legs out and rested them on the square table in front of him.
“Hello Dear!" The gentleness of her voice brought a smile to his face.
“Hiya Ma! How are you?”
“Apart from the freezing temperatures and snow, I’m good. And you?” Carol folded the newspaper and pushed it aside.
“Good. Things are good. I have some good news.” Not sure which he wanted to share first, we’re having a girl or we’re getting married. He hesitated for a second.
“Well, let’s have it then.”
“It’s kinda two folds. We found out we are having a little girl.”
“Oh, Jon, that’s wonderful!” Carol interrupted. “How is Ariana? Is she feeling any better? Please tell me she isn’t overdoing it? You are keeping her stress levels dow....”
“Ma!” Jon blurted out.
“Whaaat!”
“Come up for air, will ya! Ari is doing great; her pressure is down, and she is eating. As for her stress, I am not the cause of it.”
“Well, I beg to differ. This whole little to do didn’t happen all by itself. It can’t be easy on her.”
“Don’t...”
Jon started to say something, but Carol quickly stopped him.
“Just hush and let me finish. What I’m trying to say, is with it all happening so fast. Losing her grandmother, you are divorcing Dorothea, the baby, it’s a big pill for anyone to swallow. Anything added on top of that is not what she needs. Do you understand what I’m getting at?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Now, you said your news was two folds. What is it?” Carol’s tone returned to her motherly natured one.
“The divorce is final. I asked Ari to marry me.”
Carol fussed with the partially read newspaper on her kitchen table as she pondered her son’s words and her answer. She knew his intentions were in the right place and what she had to say wouldn’t change his mind, but she wanted him to be mindful of actions and how they would affect others.
“Jon.”
The minute she said his name, Jon knew this wasn’t what he needed to get into now. He tried and cut it off before it even started.
“Ma. I have a show to do. I don’t have time for a lecture.”
“I’m well aware of the time and since you had enough time to bring it up, you’ll have time to listen to what I have to say.”
A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he walked around his dressing room to retrieve a bottle of water from the mini refrigerator.
“I fully understand why you proposed, and I am happy for you both, but don’t you think you are rushing things just a little? This is exactly the stress I was talking about earlier. The ink on your divorce papers isn’t even dry, and you are already thinking about getting married. Have you thought about how the kids will react?”
“It’s all that I’ve thought about and no matter how you slice it, the stress will be there. I need Ariana to know I am not going anywhere, not this time. By asking her to marry me, I think she is starting to believe it. This doesn’t mean we are running off and doing it tomorrow. As for the kids, that is one reason I called. I wanted to ask if you and Dad would bring them out to Sacramento for my birthday? Maybe even spend a week with us?”
“That’s a wonderful idea! We would love to. Have you cleared this with Dottie?”
“Not yet, I haven’t. I wanted to clear it with you first.”
“Once you have everything settled, let us know when and where.”
“I will. I’ll have Jeanie make all the arrangements and send them to you.”
“I will let your father know. And Jonny?"
“Yeah?"
“You know we will support anything you do?” Carol tried to reassure any doubts he may be having.
“Thanks, Ma. Now I gotta get back to work. I’ll talk to you in a few days. Say hi to Dad for me.”
“I will, dear. You do the same to Ariana. Make sure you take care of her and my grandbaby.”
Jon couldn’t help but smile. Always the mother hen. “Yes, ma’am. Bye.”
“Bye, son.” Carol ended the call and place the phone on the table.
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