Monday 29 September 2008

Chapter 21: Jet Lag

The drive to New York was a short one.
It was all Ruby could do to keep her eyes open due to the jet lag.
'Hey you wanna stop and pick up some takeaway on the way home?' Jon asked.
'Mmm hmm.' She replied sleepily.
Jon laughed. 'My choice then'.

Jon stopped off at his favourite manhattan pizza place before heading back to his apartment.
Ruby had fallen asleep in the passenger seat.

'Hey sleepyhead. Time to get up.'
'Mmmmm. What time is it?'
'Almost seven.....P.M.'
'God i'm wrecked.' Ruby replied stifling a yawn.
'Yeah it can take it out of you jet lag. Probably why my sleep pattern is all kinds of crazy. Anyway come on you can nap in the elevator.'

***

Entering Jon's apartment she soon forgot her tiredness.
Her jaw dropped at the tall ceilings, open plan split level kitchen-diner-lounge that was probably the size of her whole house back home.
'Wow...nice place you got here.'
'Thanks i like it. Wanna grab these plates off me?'
Taking the plates from him she laughed 'hey who's the guest here?'
'We operate a self serve...service here.' Jon joked back.

They ate the pizza quietly over a coke watching comedy repeats on TV.
Jon was the first to break the comfortable silence
'So you got any memories back yet?'
Swallowing the bite of pizza she shook her head.
'Nothing. Not even a flicker.'
'But you're doin alright yeah? At home i mean.' Jon questioned further. He wasn't sure why he felt so protective over her, but he couldn't bear the thought of her being unhappy.
'Yeah i mean they are all great. But university that's a whole different subject.'
Jon put his plate down and focused his attention on her.
'I'm just so far behind. I know nothing about the subject. I don't want to be there really.'
'Then don't. As long as you don't have your memories back it will be a struggle. Just focus on trying to regain who you are.'
Shaking her head Ruby replied 'But what if they never come back? I just wait forever?'
Jon saw the pain in her eyes. He said no more. He reached across to her and pulled her to him on the couch. They stayed that way watching TV, his arm around her.

***

Hours later Jon woke to find the tv still on, an episode of Fraiser was showing.
And Ruby was still snuggled close to him. Her head on his chest.
She was so peaceful he didn't want to disturb her. He just stroked her hair off her face and gently kissed her forehead.
He missed this. Sharing this closeness with someone. It felt so right when he was with her, when he wasn't making a fool of himself anyway.

She stirred then, as if she sensed he was up.

'Mmmm'
'Hey there, feeling any less jet lagged?' Jon stroked her hair again.
'Oh god.'
'What's the matter?' Jon started to get up...
She rubbed at his chest where her head had lain.
'I drooled on your shirt. I'm really sorry.'
As she looked down his whole torso started to shake.
He was laughing away.
'Hey i'm embarrased enough as it is!' she lightly punched him on the arm. 'You're always teasing me.' She said sticking her tounge out a him.
'I can't help it babe! But don't worry it's no problem really.' He assured her as he finally caught his breath.

'Come on i'll show you to your room, get some proper sleep in.'
'Thanks Jon.'
'No need to thank me, it's damage limitation for my shirt!'
Grabbing a cushion from the couch she launched it at his head.

Saturday 27 September 2008

Chapter 20: Secrets and lies.

'Hi it's me'
'Roo how is university going?'
'Well it's hard going. I....Well there is this thing...'
'I just want you to know that me and your father are so proud of you. Launching yourself back into your studies, you've missed so much and it hasn't phased you.'

It hit her like a punch in the stomach. She couldn't say it.
Couldn't say how she felt she was drowning, how she dreaded each new lecture as the avalanche of work continued to pile up over her head.

'Thanks Mum. I'm trying.'

So she didn't. She omitted the fact that she was flying to New York the next day to join Jon and Bon Jovi on the final leg of the Crush tour. Completely smoothed over the fact that she would miss over a months worth of studies.
It wasn't a lie, so much as a lack of provision of information...

This is so going to turn round and bite me on the ass.

-----------------

The final decision had been surprisingly easy. However now she was sat in the departure lounge it was hitting home what she was doing.
The main feeling was one of excitement. She couldn't wait to see Jon again.
He was so easy to talk to, they had no pre-conceptions of each other. They just enjoyed their respective company.
All this helped her to try and dismiss the massive crush she had on him, and the electricity she felt when they were in the same room.
Just keep telling yourself you are going for friendship and not some wild crusade to steal his heart.

Firstly though she had a seven hour flight in which to occupy herself.
Before she had left Ruby had brought her discman and a pile of Bon Jovi albums she had in her room at university.
She figured if she was going to go on tour with them and see some shows she better familiarise herself with their work.

After the take off the seatbelt light was turned off. Now she could start to plough through the CDs.
Where to start? She thought as she removed at least ten discs from her hand luggage. Seven were actual official albums the others looked a bit less official.
'I guess i'll start from the beginning' she said quietly to herself trying to stifle the giggle from seeing the cover picture of Jon on the album simply called Bon Jovi.
He must have been near my age...He's certainly grown into himself since then.

-----------------

'Richie hey it's me'
'Hey man. how's it goin?'
Jon sucked in a breath through his teeth.
'Hey i know that sound. Thats the sound when you're gonna tell me you've done something crazy like added Baghdad or some place to the tour schedule.' Richie said.
'Okay well if that's what you're expecting maybe you're gonna be pleased.'
'We all know whatever it is you're gonna get your way, spit it out man!'
'Right, well i sorta invited someone to tour the rest of the year with us.'
There was a slight pause from Richie's end.
'Who?'
Richie was a bit surprised, Why was Jon looking for approval with this?
'Ruby.'
'Ruby? Who the hell is Ruby? You say it as if i know who it is.'
'Remember that girl, the one with amnesia...'
'Yeah i think i....Really? You only knew her five minutes.' Richie was getting even more confused.
'So....Just as a kind of work experience. To do with study and stuff.' The little white lie came out of Jon's mouth before he even realised it or could stop it.
'Yeah whatever man, i mean i'd prefer if you had said it was a troupe of strippers like the ol' days. But i'm fine with it.'

Richie placed the phone back in it's cradle. He just did not know what was going on with Jon these days. Not since the break up.

-----------------

Sat in the foyer of Newark airport Jon was all antsy.
Fiddling with a quarter, rolling it across his knuckles and back again. He had got it down to an art over the past hour and a half.
Shoving the quarter back into his jeans pocket he stood, stretched out and rubbed his face.
Heading over to the Starbucks counter he pulled his baseball cap down a little lower.
'I'll have a straight coffee, black. Please.'
He must have had a couple of pints of the stuff. He hadn't slept much the night before.

He saw her then. Struggling with a suitcase almost as big as she was.
He felt his stomach leap. Coming through the arrival gate she was a vision in crumpled shirt and jeans. Her blonde hair a little mussed up from the lengthy flight.


'A little help would be nice.'
Jon shook himself out of it at her words.
'Hey there stranger' he said as he strode towards her.

Dropping the suitcase she opened her arms to accept his hug as he arrived.
His hug was tight as he lifted her slightly off the floor.

As her feet hit terra firma again he released her, but they remained close to one another.
'Hey yourself.' She said looking into his eyes. They were crinkled at the edges, from the smile that enveloped his whole face.
She couldn't resist. She placed her hands on his cheeks and pulled his face down for a kiss. Her thumb stroked the slight growth on his cheek as their lips met.
It was quick, platonic almost.
But it had her heart racing ten to the dozen.
God, those lips. They were even softer than she had remembered.
After she released him he looked to his left and right, as if checking the coast was clear.
What the hell? She thought to herself. I think i've made a mistake.

'So how was your flight?' Jon asked as he picked up her suitcase and gestured to the exit.
'Uneventful, thankfully.' She replied feeling a bit awkward after the kiss.
'Any good films?' Jon continued with the small talk.
'Well actually i spent the time doing research.'
Jon raised an eyebrow as he opened the trunk of his car, 'Research, eh?'

Monday 22 September 2008

Chapter 19: Hanging on the Telephone.

Her parents had dropped her off at her student house in Bath.
After saying hi to all her housemates for the first time, she retreated to her room.
She didn't like re-meeting all these people. She was uneasy that they knew so much about herself that she didn't even know, let alone not knowing anything about them.
But she had to make the most out of this. It was her future after all.

Looking in the mirror that hung above the fireplace in her room she sighed, running her hands through her blonde hair.
I just wish i wasn't so alone.

***

Ruby's Mum and Dad had just arrived home. Anne bend to retrieve the post from the door mat.
She considered the air mail envelope addressed to her daughter.
'I think it's from Jon Bon Jovi.'
Her husband Mike wasn't listening, he went to the lounge to put the TV on.
'Mike are you listening to me?'
'Hmm? I'll do it right after the match.'

------------------

Jon was not a patient man, it had been a week now since he sent the letter and she hadn't called him. Surely it was there by now.
He looked out across a rainy manhattan. It had been an unseasonably miserable month off so far, and it was doing nothing to ease Jon's mood.
Still not long now and they would be back on the road. Hotels were more of a home to him than any house could be.

Rubbing his hands over his face he snapped himself out of his thoughts.
He had to burn off some of this pent up energy, take his mind off things.
He had been to the gym everyday for the past week, he felt it was the only thing keeping him sane.
Grabbing his sportsbag and his keys he left the apartment.

***

Meanwhile 5000 miles away in Bath Ruby had just got home from a long day's study. She was struggling to try and re-learn the first year of her Architecture degree. No mean feat by any stretch of the imagination.
She picked up her post and headed straight to her room.
Dropping her bag to the floor she sifted through the post.
'Junk mail, Junk mail, Bank statement....what's this?'
She studied the air mail envelope.
Eagerly she ripped it open and unfolded the paper.
It was a pretty minimalist letter by all accounts. There was a phone number, and a single line saying - Call Me. And it was signed by Jon.
Wow...okay. She was not expecting really to ever hear from him again. She thought that if he had wanted that he would have left his number.
She had resolved herself to the fact that he was just being friendly that day, due to her situation.

As she picked up the telephone her stomach was doing all kinds of somersaults.

'Hey this is Jon, i'm not here right now leave me a message and i'll call you back.'

Shit he's not there, what do i say?

'Erm, Jon, hi. This is.....it's Shorty. I just got your letter...and well i guess you aren't there. If you want to call me my number is...'
She left her number and hung up.

***

Jon got back from the gym that evening.
Pressing the answer machine button as he walked past he made his way to the fridge.

'You have 4 new messages. First new message...'
'Jon it's Mom. I'm worried about you so i've made some spaghetti, see you at eight.'
Jon rolled his eyes as he rummaged behind the lettuce.
'Second new message...'
'Hey it's Rich. Just checking in man. Ain't spoke to you in a while. I'll catch you next time.'
Jon reached deep into the fridge, maiking a mental note to call Richie later. 'Finally'I knew i had some beers in here.
'Third new message...'
'Jon, hi.'
Jon's head shot up at the sound of her voice, he looked over a the machine with it's flashing red light.
'This is.....it's Shorty. I just got your letter...and well i guess you aren't there. If you want to call me my number is...'

Jon put his bottle down on the kitchen table and ran to the machine, he played the last message again scribbling down the number as she said it.
Picking up the cordless phone he grabbed his beer before dropping onto the couch.

Taking a large swig of the beer he punched the number into the phone.
Here goes nothing he thought.
He wasn't even sure what he was going to say. Just to hear her voice would be enough right now.
It rang several times before anyone picked up.

'......Hello?'
The voice at the other end sounded half asleep.
'Hi it's Jon...are you asleep?'

Ruby sat up in bed suddenly wide awake. Hearing his voice after over a month had her re-living all the feelings of the one day they had spent together.
'No...er yes, but that's okay. Hi.' She stuttered.
'I'm sorry. I guess i forgot about the time thing.'
Her voice was husky from sleep, and it had his mind wandering...
'Thats ok really.' She replied before squinting to look at the alarm clock next to her bed, it was just past twelve.
'So i didn't think you were gonna call me. I mean i get it, you are moving on and stuff...'
'Oh no it's not that. i only got the letter today. You see i'm back in university and my Mum had to send it on.'
Jon laughed 'Thank god for that. I was trying to think how i'd fucked up this time!'
'Look i'll get to the point...'
Jon was really unsure about how she would respond to his proposition, buit he sure as hell wasn't going to chicken out of it.
'...the deal is, we're touring here through October, and well i was wondering...how'd you like to come along?'
She was stunned. 'I...umm....'
Jon could hear her hesitation on the line.
'look it's fine it was just an idea, i was...'
'Yes.'
'Sorry?'
'I said yes Jon.' she replied laughing.
'Really? That's, i'm, that's great.'
She could actually hear his smile in his voice.
I've missed you too she thought.

Wednesday 17 September 2008

Chapter 18: Home?

It's no good. They have to go.

It had been a month since Ruby had seen Jon, and if she was going to try and remember herself and her life she had to try and stop thinking about him.

'I am sorry....Even...No scratch that....Especially you are going to have to come down.' she said to herself as she took down the half naked poster of Jon.
She only kept one picture. It was her favourite in the room, and she had studied them more than once.
It was nothing fancy, a small black and white photo, of a pensive Jon holding a guitar.
But she felt like she had to keep one picture. This man had been literally the first person in her life.

Photobucket

'Right that is that.' she said as she put the last of the pictures into a box.
She figured the real her might not appreciate her throwing away her stuff....which was quite a surreal thought.

------------------------

'Finally my own couch. My own TV. My own bed!'

Jon chucked his suitcase on the floor of his apartment and went to the fridge to fetch a cold beer. Kicking off his worn old boots he flopped onto his couch.
Picking up the remote he flicked through the TV stations.
Damn it. Hundreds of stations and nothing to watch.

Getting up he crossed the living area to the massive panoramic window.
He had left New Jersey in the early ninties to live in New York. Jersey just became too claustrophobic for him after he had seen the world.
He just gazed over the Manhattan skyline, beer in hand.

He always felt like this. Without fail.
On tour he always longed for his home comforts, his own space and time.
But as soon as he got home he got itchy feet. Longed for the road again, the camaraderie, the buzz.
It's why a couple of months ago he had signed the band up to do a tour back to back with the current one.
The Crush wour would finish with this North America leg, before a break over the festive period. And then sooner than you can say 'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year' they would be back out there on the One Wild Night tour.

Jon sighed to himself.
Maybe if you had something to come home to you wouldn't keep running away.

He removed his wallet from his back pocket. And from one of the pockets he took a folded piece of paper. He turned it in his hand for a while as if considering what to do. Unfolding it he read it once again...it was her address, he still had it from the day he dropped her at her home. It was going to do little for his patience, but as he didn't have a phone number, snail mail was going to have to do.

Taking out a notepad he scawled a couple of lines and shoved the paper into an envelope before he over thought it.

-------------------

'Roo are you sure about this?'
She had only known her mother for little over a month but she already knew her concerned face.
'Well nothing here seems to jog my memory...maybe going back to uni will do it?' she replied not looking up from her packing. 'I promise i'll be back often.'
Her mother sighed sitting on the edge of the bed, 'You are probably right. As long as you let me and your father drop you off...'
She looked up at her mother. And she felt bad for not remembering, she was a really great person.
'Thank you.'

----------------------

Ruby, her mother and father left early the next morning.
Half an hour after they had gone the post arrived....

Thursday 11 September 2008

Chapter 17: What's in a name?

There had been one or two 'revelations' since she had been home.

'So you must want to freshen up? Get some clean clothes on?' Anne asked, 'I'll show you your room.'
Ruby followed her mother up the stairs past photos of everyone in the family, of her with people she didn't know.
'So it's the one at the end there' Anne said and left ruby to her own devices while she tidied up in one of the other rooms.

Ruby pushed open the door and walked into 'her' room.
Woah.
Every wall seemed to have a poster of his face...Occasionally there was one of Richie, Tico and David too. But mainly him.
Walking to the desk she picked up a well thumbed Jon Bon Jovi biography.
'Jesus. I really love this band then.'
'You are crazy about them!' She span round to see Anne stood behind her, clean towels in her hands.

'If i had told you two days ago that you would have been sat in the lounge with Jon Bon Jovi you would have actually fainted i think.' She laughed putting the towels down on the bed. She turned then and cupped her daughter's cheek, 'this amnesia must be bad.'
Ruby smiled. Seeing the sadness in her mother's eyes she changed the subject.
'I don't get it he's not that great.'
Her mother gestured to the wall behind her where an almost life sized poster was pinned on the wall. It was Jon dressed...well in very little, just some underwear held over the crucial area.
Ruby's mind drifted back to last night in his hotel room, Jon just in his towel water still glistening on his abs, ok so he's a little bit great...
'Oh i don't know he does have a certain something...but don't tell your father!' Anne joked snapping her out of her thoughts.

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

One morning Ruby came down to the kitchen for breakfast, the radio was playing in the corner of the room.
'Good morning!' Mike said as she walked in. 'Can i get you something to eat?'
'I'm fine thanks' she answered, 'i'd go for a glass of orange though thanks.'

The next song came on introduced by the DJ, 'here's a classic for you from the Stones..' Ruby walked over to the radio turning it up.
'Hey don't turn that......off' Mike said. 'Ok who are you and what have you done with my daughter?'
She looked at her father quizzically 'What do you mean?'
'You hate the stones! You said you'd never forgive me for your name!' he said grinning at her.
My name? then it hit her 'Ruby Tuesday' she said.
'Ruby Tuesday Grant' Mike said proudly.
'And that means...Angie.' she responded
'Yes. Thats right.'
'So your a big Rolling Stones fan i'm guessing?' She asked sitting down at the breakfast bar.
'You could say that' he said 'I reckon that bang on the head must have knocked some sense into you, music wise!' he joked. 'I mean it would be just like you naming your kids Tommy and Gina!'
Ruby looked confused, 'Tommy and who?'

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

Ruby's family were all great with her, and she really tried to settle back into her life but she just didn't feel 'home'. She had the next year of university looming, yet she couldn't remember anything about the previous year....She just felt like a fish out of water.

------------------

Meanwhile Jon carried on being Jon Bon Jovi, in one of the most popular bands on the planet. His days went something like - eat, promote, gig, drink, sleep. He felt as if he was running himself into the ground. At least he knew he didn't have long to last, soon they would return to the states, taking a well earned break before touring North America in November.

It hadn't gone un-noticed that Jon was acting out of sorts.
They had just come of stage in Ostend when Richie approached him...

'What's eating ya man?' Richie asked flopping down onto the sofa next to Jon.
'Nothin'. I'm fine.'
'How come you're not your usual chipper self then boy? I mean you haven't ragged on us for missing a note since London!' Richie laughed, about to dodge the blow that was surely in-coming.
Jon just laughed, 'What can i say? i must have finally whipped you losers into shape. Gees i mean it only took me nearly 20 years.'

'You been thinking about her much?' Richie asked, probing further.
'Her? No i haven't even thought...not since i dropped her off.' Jon lied.
Richie looked at Jon slightly puzzled, 'dropped her off?'
Oh shit he means her.
'Erm yeah i mean dropped....the rest of her stuff off.'
Richie looked unconvinced, 'Right. Well i'm here man. If you ever need to talk.'
Richie patted Jon on the shoulder before getting up to leave.
Jon just dropped his head on the back of the sofa.
I need to sort all this shit out.

-----------------

The remainder of august passed by in almost a blur. Jon continued the european leg of the tour, while Ruby tried to put the pieces of her life back together.

Tuesday 9 September 2008

Chapter 16: Welcome to wherever you are.

'Ruby?!.....is this one of your jokes?'
Jon tried to hold in the laughter, 'Fraid not babe'.
'Ruby......I didn't think i'd ever say this but i prefer Shorty!' she said laughing, 'that is going to take some getting used to.'
Jon smiled moving to go inside aswell, You'll always be Shorty to me.

--------------

The car ride was quite a short one despite the stint on the infamous M25, and it didn't take long until they had arrived in the small village that was her home.
'Is it okay if we just wait a bit?' she said looking out of the window as they passed the welcome to Shere sign.
Jon pulled the rented mercedes into a small gravelled entrance to a field.

'Want to talk about it?' he offered.
She looked across at him before looking down at her hands that she was nervously wringing.
'I just don't know what to expect. What if i don't like them? plenty of people have horrible families, all sorts goes on.'
Jon smiled 'it's okay if your scared.'
'I'm so not scared.'
Jon laughed, 'alright so what do you call it then?'
'Can we call it apprehensive? Makes me sound less of a wuss.' She replied.
'Okay well let's do this, It'll be fine, believe me. Say they are a bunch of morons, i'll keep 'em occupied while you make your getaway. Okay wuss?'
'HaHa very funny' She said punching Jon on the shoulder, 'Fine lets do this. They have to be nicer than my present company.'
Jon put both his hands on his heart in mock offense. 'I'd be hurt but i know you love me really.'

Jon turned the key in the ignition and drove deeper into the village.

-----------------

'Nice, and whaddya say? Quaint' Jon said as they passed the village green surrounded by small cottages.
'How do i say? Boring!' She replied.
'Well we're here, time to suck it up. Let's go.'

Jon was first out of the car and stood hands in pockets waiting as she trudged up the gravelled driveway reluctantly.
When she was a metre or so away from him and the door he knocked three times.
The door opened fast, and out burst a woman, blonde hair was all Jon saw as she ran straight past him. 'Ruby! Thank God you are okay.' The woman said as she grabbed her up in a tight embrace.
Holding her out at arms length looking at Ruby she smiled, before fussing over her nasty bruise.
Seconds later they were joined by the rest of the family.

A hand was thrust Jon's way, 'Pleased to meet you, i'm Ruby's father. Mike' said the tall almost burly man, with a softer voice than you would think to credit him with.
'Likewise' Jon said taking his hand and shaking, 'I'm Jon.'
'Shall we go inside? The curtains will be twitching.' Mike laughed as he put his arm around his daughter's shoulder ushering her in.
Ruby still didn't say a word.

-----------------

'This is Anne, my wife and of course Ruby's mother' Mike said as he started to introduce the family to Jon.
'This is Ade, my son, Laura his girlfriend and over there is little Angie.'
Jon shook Ade and Laura's hands, he didn't fail to notice their shell shocked faces, obviously they had recognised him. He looked over to see a little girl the spitting image of Ruby, same blonde hair and cute face. She obviously doted on her sister, she just next to Ruby looking up at her.

'Jon it's so lovely to meet you, i just want to thank you ever so much for taking Ruby under your wing' Anne said as she shook Jon's hand before pulling him in for a hug.
'That's no trouble Mrs....'
'Call me Anne, please.' She offered.
'You're welcome Anne, really' Jon said with a smile.

It hadn't gone un-noticed to her mother and father that Ruby still hadn't said one word.
'Is everything alright Roo?' Anne asked her daughter after finally releasing Jon from her embrace.
'Fine. Thank you' She smiled politely.
Jon interupted, 'I'm sure it's temporary really.'
Mike turned towards him confusion on his face, 'What is?'
'The, amnesia....did the police not tell you? I thought...' Jon replied.
Hell how did they not mention that?

'Amnesia? Roo?' Anne looked at her daughter with concern on her face.
She nodded, 'i'm sorry i don't remember any of this...any of you.'
'Jesus' Mike whispered.
Anne went to hug her daughter again with tears beginning to fill her eyes. 'It'll be fine. It will come back.'

As they sipped on tea and biscuits provided by Anne, Jon filled them in about the what had happened at the concert and what the paramedics had told him of Ruby's condition.

---------------

After about half an hour Jon stood from the sofa, 'I should go, you all have to get to know each other again.'
The family all stood, thanking him profusely, telling him he was welcome back any time.

She followed him out of the house.
There was this wrenching feeling in her gut as she walked out with him to the car.
When they reached the mercedes she took Jon's hand and looked in those eyes, 'Jon i..' Don't want you to go.. 'i...know it's been said. But honestly thank you. I felt so alone, not knowing anyone, anything. You took that away. So, Thank you.'
'There's no need to thank me babe. I wanna thank you. Spending time with someone who just treated me as a normal guy, no airs no graces. You saw me, Jon, and took me on face value. You don't know how i miss just meeting someone who doesn't assume they know me.....'kay i'm rambling now.'
He pulled her in for a hug.

She held on tight, not wanting to let him go, and have to restart her life all over again. She couldn't help the tears that started to flow.
'Come on now' Jon said pulling away from her embrace as he heard her sniff.
'It's not goodbye, just, see ya later.' he smiled, wiping a tear off her face with his thumb.
'Friends right?'
She sniffed again and nodded. 'Friends.'