Chapter 22: Birthday in Boston.

Fort Lauderdale was the location for the second gig on the US tour.
Ruby had been assigned to wardrobe duty. She was to help Sandy with costume changes and the like. Sandy was Jon's wardrobe lady and general assitant. Or dogsbody as she put it.
She was probably about thirty, brunette hair, taller than Ruby about the same height as Jon. Ruby liked her, they hit it off straight away.
Sandy had taken Ruby under her wing. She was pleased of the female company for a change, it was a largely male crew that worked for the band, and of course the band were all guys too.

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Next stop was Boston Massachusetts. Ruby was beginning to forget where she was with each passing day, as she arrived in her third hotel in as many days. Always the best hotels, she had no mind to complain.
Her and Jon always stayed in a suite, two bedrooms and a living area between them was the set up.

'Would you mind if i rang my parents? I should check in really.'
Jon shook his head 'You don't have to ask.'
She picked up the cordless phone and walked to the balcony, it was brisk outside, but then it was November.
Typing in her parent's telephone number she got an automated message saying they couldn't connect the call.

'Jon....' she shouted through the doors 'it's not working!'
'Did you put 44 first?'
Jon heard her say 'Shit' and he just chuckled to himself.

'Mum is that you?'
'Ruby? Where the hell have you been? We have been at our wits end!'
'I'm...i'm sorry i forgot to ring i guess.'
'But where are you?'
'Listen don't get cross okay? You promise?'
Her mother didn't respond and Ruby figured she wasn't going to get an answer to that.
'I'm in America.'
She moved the handset away from her ear as her mother practically shouted 'AMERICA?' Back at her.
'I'm with Jon. He invited me over to tour with them a bit.'
'What about university? Why didn't you tell us? We were so worried when we couldn't get hold of you.'
She could hear her mum was barely taking a breath between each sentence. She sounded really angry, Ruby was glad she wasn't in the same country.
'Listen to me i am so sorry i worried you. I just didn't want to disappoint you. You kept saying how proud of me you were, with uni and everything...But i just felt so snowed under. I tried i really did...' She felt the tears run down her cheek as she began to cry.
Her mum could hear the change in her voice, the slight quiver. She knew she was crying.
'Oh Ruby. We didn't mean to put pressure on you. We just want what is best. And when we couldn't get hold of you on monday to ask if you wanted to come home for your birthday....'
'My birthday?' She asked, realising she didn't actually know when it was.
'Yes.....today. Twenty years old today.'
'I...I didn't know.'
'Happy birthday Ruby. Look i'm not cross...'
'Yes you are.'
'Well okay i am but you are an adult, and i know things haven't been easy. But if you called every so often just to let us know? The important things, like leaving the country. We are still your parents, your family.'
'You are. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to....'

She sat down on the metal chair that was on the balcony and just clutched the phone to her chest. She brought her knees up putting her feet on the seat of the chair.
She gazed out at the Boston skyline, across the public garden and lagoon.
Twenty years old today.

***

Jon noticed she had been out there a while, he looked up from the television to see her sat on the chair all huddled up.
He grabbed the blanket off the couch as he walked to the balcony doors.
'Hey. It's freezing out here.' he said as he stepped out onto the balcony.
'The fresh air is nice.'
She seemed distant.
'Here.' Jon wrapped the blanket over her shoulders, she gratefully took the corners and pulled it tightly around.
She didn't look up from the view.
He crouched down in front of her.
'Want to talk about it?'
'Jon how old do you think i am?'
Confused he asked 'why?'
'I just wondered.'
'Early twenties i'd say.'
'Twenty.'
'Twenty?' Jon stood as his legs had begun to stiffen up in the chill.
'Yep twenty...exactly. Give or take a few hours.'
'You mean it's your birthday?'
She nodded 'Today.'
'Well we should do something! tonight after the gig.'
'That sounds nice.'

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

That night at the gig Sandy could tell something was up. Ruby was usually chatting away, asking questions, but today she was quiet.
They were in Jon's dressing room making sure his outfits were arranged in order for his changes. He only had a short amount of time to make the change so they had to be right to hand when he needed them.
'Roo. Let's take a break eh?' She said.
Sandy walked out to the fire escape to have a cigarette, Ruby followed having poured two cups of coffee from the pot.

'What's up girl? And don't say nothing, let's cut to the chase.'
Ruby laughed. 'You don't miss much do you?'
'Not lately.' She smiled sipping her coffee.
'I don't know. I found out it's my birthday today and it sort of get's you thinking doesn't it? About ages...and stuff.'
'You lost me now girl. Usually i just think shit another year gone and check for wrinkles in the mirror.'
They both laughed.
Just being around Sandy could cheer anyone up Ruby decided.
'Don't get too seious you hear?' Sandy said stubbing her cigarette out on the wall.
'You're too young to be brooding like this. Screw the consequences, you are on tour with a band live it up a little.'

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The show had run smoothly, Ruby watched from the side of the stage when she wasn't needed by Sandy. She loved watching the band on stage. It was like watching a well oiled machine. Each of them knew the songs like the back of their hand but still seemed to love performing them for their fans.
And when it went well like tonight everyone was in good spirits.

That night all the band members, Ruby, Sandy and other road crew went out in Boston.
Even though she was underage as she walked into a bar, because she was with Jon Bon Jovi no one asked for ID.

Jon, Richie, David, Ruby and Sandy all squeezed into one booth in a dark corner of the bar. Tico joined them shortly after bringing a bottle of champagne.
'Happy birthday Shorts.' He said in his gruff voice as he set about popping the cork.
'Thanks Tico.' she smiled. She was a little overwhelmed at being the centre of attention.
Tico poured everyone a glass and everyone round the table called for a speech.
'Hey it's my birthday i shouldn't have to.. i don't want to!' She tried to protest.
'Come on darlin that's exactly why you have to.' Richie said.
'Come on i'm gagging for a drink!' David piped in.
'Okay okay. Well i guess i wanna say thanks to you guys for inviting me over it's been fun. And well i can honestly say this is the best birthday party i can remember!'
Everyone fell around laughing.

After they had finished that first bottle Tico excused himself to go have a cigar outside, Sandy joined him.
The others decided amongst themselves to join them outside and move on to a club.

***

'Wanna dance?' She asked.
It was later on in the night, this was the third club they had been in, and there had been plenty of drinking at each. Some of the group had made their way back to the hotel, the rest were sat around another table talking amongst themselves.
'Oh i don't dance.' Jon replied.
'You lie. You do. You danced with me.' She pouted.
'That was a one off.'
Jon seemed to be cool towards her.

She held out her hand to Richie.
'Surely i won't get turned down twice in one night?'
'No way darlin.' Richie said as he stood taking her hand, 'Turn down the prettiest girl in the place?'
He was such a smooth talker, and so laid back. The opposite to Jon who was like a rollercoaster. One minute he was giving you his undivided attention the next he was all distant and sulky.

'What the hell is up with him?' She said in Richie's ear as they took to the dance floor. She had to say it loud to be heard over the music.
'God knows. He gets like that when he's got something on his mind. It's like his brain can't do two things, be civil and think at the same time.'
'I don't care i bet you are a much better dancer anyway.' She said as she reached her arms up and placed them on his shoulders.

Jon watched them from the booth. He was sat at the far side facing the dancefloor, so he could watch them without making it obvious.
He knew he was being an ass.
He watched as Richie bent so she could speak in his ear.
And then as she placed her arms on Richie's shoulders.
He felt jealous, though he had no right to be.
Cursing himself, he got up to go to the bathroom.

The next song started, it was a slow one.
It was one of those clubs where you could tell the night was drawing to a close because the slower songs would be played towards the end of the night. Leaving dancing partners in a lovey dovey mood.
'I like this one' Ruby said as she leaned her head on Richie's chest pulling his arms around her back.
They swayed to the music.
'You had a good birthday?' Richie bent to ask in her ear.
'Yeah. I may regret it tomorrow i think i have had a bit too much bubbles.' she wrinkled up her nose considering the potential hangover.
Richie just laughed she didn't hear it but she felt his chest move under her cheek.

Jon returned from the Men's room to see them slow dancing.
He didn't return to his seat at the booth.
Walking up behind Richie he tapped him on the shoulder.
Richie knew where he wasn't wanted and let Jon cut in.
'Hey' he said as Ruby opened her eyes when she felt Richie leave her.
'I thought you didn't dance.'
'I changed my mind.'
Putting his hand on the small of her back he pulled her towards his chest.
She resumed the position she had taken with Richie. Except Jon was shorter slightly so her head was just below his chin.
He breathed in the scent of her hair as they danced. Some how this contact with her made him feel better.
They danced a while.
'Jon can i ask you a question?' She didn't wait for him to answer. 'Why are you so hot...or lukewarm and cold with me?'
He didn't answer he took her hand and pulled her towards the exit of the club.

***

'It's too loud in there.' he explained.
He manoeuvered them around the corner away from where the people were leaving the club. Away from where they made have been seen.
'Look it's because....'
He didn't finish. Words may have been his career, but writing them and singing them generally were alot easier than actually saying them to someone face to face.
He took her face in his hands and moved towards her.
Looking into those blue eyes that were like a mirror image of his own, he was centimetres from her now. He licked his lips involuntarily just before he met hers.

She didn't say a word. Just let him take her lips.
It was a soft kiss at first. His lips were even softer than she remembered.
She tried to back away at first, but the wall was right behind her.
Before she knew it all thoughts of stopping the kiss had left her mind. His tongue was at her mouth gently teasing it's way in, driving her crazy.
His hands moved up into her hair as he deepened the kiss.
Senses in overdrive her hands just remained by her sides as he was in full control.
Damn he's good at this.
She was at a loss. The connection was almost electric, as if over a month's worth of pent up feelings finally had an outlet.
Her breaths were coming faster and shorter, and then as suddenly as he had started it he pulled away.