Tipping the bottle, Jon poured the rest into his glass. Since he’d come back from Philly, the last few days had been peaceful and relaxing. The kids all had previous plans and were not due back until the next day, which was perfect. There were some last-minute touches that needed to be done for Ari’s surprise birthday party and he couldn’t do them with her being aware.
Yeah, he knew she didn’t want a big hoopla, and she’d probably be mad for about a second or two, but she’d get over it. Having been through so much this year with her losing Lili, he wanted to make this a special birthday. He even had a few surprises up his sleeve. Max, for one. Besides Cara, he was her only other family, and he needed to be here. It took a bit of convincing on Jon’s part, but he could finally convince him to close Petit Soho for a few days. He even promised to cover payroll for the entire staff, times three, to get him here.
Slipping the goblet between his fingers, he went to find her out on the deck. “Hey, you.”
“Hey, yourself.” She moved her legs to make a spot for him on the end of her chair.
“Whatcha been doing?”
“Just watching the boats. You?”
“Just got off the phone with Johnny.”
“What’s he up to?”
“Imbibing...” he raised his own glass, “and getting ready for tonight.”
“Oh, that’s right.” She took the goblet from his hand and set it down. “Why don’t we go?”
“Yeah?” it surprised him she’d suggested going.
“Yeah, silly.”
“There’s no special front row treatment. Lots of standing.”
She rolled her eyes. Like when did she ever ask for the front row. It was always him who wanted her there. “I’m pretty sure Johnny will accommodate the mother of his goddaughter.”
“Hmm…” he rubbed his chin. “Who says he’s the Godfather?”
“Oh stop, you know damn well he is.”
“Well, I haven’t told him yet.”
“Then let’s go tell him.”
“Bossy, aren’t you?” He stood and helped her up.
“Someone’s got to keep your sorry ass in line.”
“Don’t you mean sexy?” Ignoring him, she whistled for Meatball, who was busy chasing the birds, and slipped her feet into her flip-flops. “I’ll call him to let him know we are coming and a car, too. How long do you need to get ready?” he asked.
Ari looked down at the red, white and blue tie dye tunic she wore over her white denim maternity shorts Andi sent over for her. “I’m ready. Just gotta fix the mop head and use the bathroom”
“Then shake a leg, Crash!” He gave her ass a playful slap.
♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱
In Asbury Park, New Jersey, The Stone Pony was one of the world’s iconic music venues and a starting point for many New Jerseyans, her husband included. The white brick and stucco walls, weather-beaten from the sea air, were just the shell that ensconced the history that spilled from the walls.
A stone’s throw away from the sand and waves of the beach, the boardwalk served as ‘lawn seats’ for the massive summer stage set up outside. It had a decent amount of people already waiting. The sidewalks and slow-moving traffic along Ocean Avenue were just as crowded. And why shouldn’t it be? Fourth of July weekend and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes had been synonymous with the Pony forever. Their car pulled into the side street and came to a stop in front of a black metal door.
“Give me a sec,” Jon asked the driver as he pulled his phone from his pocket. “I just wanna let them know we are here.”
Not a second after he hit send, a rather large man dressed in a black Pony tee shirt and black pants appeared in the doorway. The driver stepped out of the car and walked around to Jon’s door.
“Ready?” Jon asked her.
“Yup.”
“Stay close behind me and don’t let go of my hand. Once we get inside, it’s gonna be dark and just as packed. Gargantuan over there will usher us to the backstage area.”
Two fingers pressed firmly together, she saluted him. “Yes, Sir! Think we can we stop to pee first?”
Jon laughed. Of course, she had to pee again. “You’ll have better luck with using the band’s porta-potty setup out back. Is that okay?”
“Works for us.” her free rested atop of her swelling belly.
Lenny, gargantuan’s actual name, maneuvered them through the dense crowd with such precision they were met with only a few whispers and a couple of nods of recognition until they got to the backstage area. That’s when the barrage of man hugs and ‘hey man, how you doin’ came at them from all directions. After the first ten or so introductions, she politely excused herself and slipped away for that much needed restroom break.
The scene was all too familiar to Ariana. An outdoor stage, many acts before for the big named act, bodies among bodies, either running all around working or those just lucky enough to earn that backstage pass standing around listening. A row of portable restrooms was far enough out of the way, yet close enough, for those quick moments in between sets or encores. Smiling at the young man who motioned her to go ahead of him, she pulled open the door and thanked the stars he did.
When she exited the small sweat box, she spotted Jon talking with a familiar face. Hood, Southside’s longtime friend and roadie. If there was one thing she knew about these boys from Jersey, their friendships ran thicker than some of their bloodlines.
“Babe, you know Hood, don’t you?”
“Who doesn’t know Sally-boy Moretti’s little girl?” Hood pulled her into a bear hug.
“Not so little anymore.” Ariana jibbed. “How you doing Hood?”
“Good. Good. This punk treating you right?”
“Oh yeah, he knows better than not to.”
“Hey there, beautiful.”
They all turned at the sound of Johnny’s voice. “I’m not talking about your ugly mug, Jon.” He pushed Jon out of the way to get to Ariana. Kissing her on the check, he rubbed his hand over her belly. “How's my girls tonight? Gonna put up with this fuckin’ heat to watch a bunch of old men try to sing?”
“Beats staying home with this old man.” Ari thumbed at her husband.
“Ain’t that for shit sure.” The older man just laughed at his friend’s flipping of the bird. “Now, will ya stop distracting my crew? We have a show to do. You wanna sing something?”
Wrapping his arms around Ari’s shoulders, Jon pulled her back against him. “Nah. I’m on a date with my girl.”
♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱
Other than the summer humidity, it was a gorgeous night for a concert. Johnny went on just as the sun set. With the stage facing east, they were lit by the concert’s lights in the front and with Venus rising above the stage as the sky faded to orange, then black. As usual, you could count on the antics that came with the crew, as well as flying objects. You name it, it went flying, beach balls, t-shirts, picks, hot dogs… yes, even hot dogs.
Even set lists, not that they were official. Johnny had a habit of never following them. Speaking of setlists, twenty-five songs. Some old, some new and some crowd favorites and Jon’s too. He was having so much fun. She had asked him a few times if he was sure he didn’t want to jump up and join them, but he declined every time. Instead, he’d pull her close against him and sang into her ear.
Hood had a PA bring out a chair for her, which she used a few times. She even managed to sneak a quick peek under the stage while Jon chatted with a good friend who was there with his family. As much as she missed working in her current condition, she was glad she was not. It was hotter than hell under there.
Lowering her head, she came out from under the stage and found Jon standing there with a goofy grin on his face. The band had started the intro into one of her favorite songs. It wasn’t her favorite just for its catchy tune, but because she could remember every time Jon would sing it to her.
“You’re drunk.” She looped her arms around his neck.
“Yup.” his lips popped when he punctuated the p. “Am I gonna get a spanking?”
“You’ll be lucky if I can get you out of the car.”
Unclasping her hands, he spun her around and pulled her back in while singing along loud enough that people were looking at them. “We have an audience.” She said, during one of his inward twirls.
“So.”
“Just sayin’.” She shrugged.
Honestly, she didn’t give a rat’s ass who was watching. Most of the people backstage were friends or family. There were even a few couples who joined in their fun. They even earned a few whistles and some applause. When they had come to the audience participation part of the song, Jon curled one arm around her neck and the other over her belly. Pulling her flush against him, he tucked his nose close to her ear. She could smell the beer and cigarettes, the latter he must have snuck while she was checking things out. The sweaty skin on her neck prickled when his warm breath from his singing blew against it.
Talk to me
Until the night is over
Talk to me
Until the night is over
All night long
Talk to me
Until the night is over
And the sun comes up
Love it, great Chapter!
ReplyDeleteNow Ariana surprise
Birthday party!!