John Francis

Leaving a short while later for the first of his meetings that day, Jon thought about all that had happened over the last few days. He knew that she was right about telling her things, especially things that concerned her, but his first instinct was always to protect, to make things easier for the people he loved, to shield them from the less attractive aspects of his life.

Throughout the long day where Jon met with Soul personnel who had traveled to the city and into the late afternoon where he finally finished a Habitat meeting, his thoughts continually returned the tabloid he had picked up on the drive to his first meeting. The Star printed the closest thing possible to outright lies, just managing to skirt the line on the side of not being sued.

The pictures were of Amanda at a restaurant, obviously wiping away tears, and then on the beach where she looked to be deep in thought. The accompanying story focused on Dorothea’s wedding the day prior, along with some cheap shots about Jon Bon Jovi’s girlfriend and her ‘distress’. The reporter, no byline provided of course, skewed the pictures to make it seem that Amanda was ‘despondent’ and ‘depressed’ as she was probably on her way out as Jon’s girlfriend. The article even managed to make it seem that Jon very seldom took her out in public and that she seemed to be his ‘secret’, the reporter making a play on words from a Bon Jovi song. The article ended with the prediction that Jon would soon be available again.

Furious over this turn of events, the phone call from his mother couldn’t have come at a worse time.

“Hey mom.” He answered, his voice lacking inflection.

“Well, Jon, I hope this article is true. You’ve finally come to your senses.” His mother practically purred into the phone.

“Considering it’s ‘The Star’ and they’re a piece of shit, I’d say it’s not true.” Jon gritted out between clenched teeth.

“Jon! I don’t appreciate your language!” Carol spoke in her best ‘parent’ voice.

“Mom…for god’s sake…what do you want?” Jon sighed into the phone.

“I want you to end this before you get hurt.”

“Ending this is what WILL hurt me.” Jon shot back.

He could almost see her shaking her head on the other end of the phone. “I just don’t understand, Jon. Don’t you know what kind of woman you could have in your life? There are other people just like you that would make you a good match. Amanda is a nobody.”

Now Jon was shaking his head. “Mom, I used to be a nobody too. Dorothea was a nobody. If the only thing you have against her is that she’s not a ‘celebrity’, then you’ve forgotten where we all came from.”

Carol’s voice was harsh. “I haven’t forgotten where we came from. I just think you’ve forgotten who you are.”

A near-snort from Jon met her last remark. “Last time I checked, mom, I was John Francis Bongiovi, Jr. I think I forgot that for a long time. Thank god that’s what Amanda thinks I am.”

His mother tried again. “Jon…”

“Mom, I’m done talking about this. Is there anything else ‘cause I’m getting another call.”

A big sigh then. “No, Jon, I can see you’re still not listening…”

Jon interrupted. “…if this is what you’re going to talk about, then you’re right, I’m not listening. Bye mom.” He heard his mother sigh and hang up. He dropped his cell onto the seat beside him.

~~~

For the next several days Jon and Amanda stayed at the Manhattan apartment, only traveling to the house a few times to get together with the kids. They did lunches and dinners and although Carol remained cool towards Amanda, she didn’t say another word to Jon. His father was as genial as he had been every time he had seen his son and he watched Amanda closely, seeing her interactions with his grandchildren and with Jon. She was supportive and unobtrusive, letting the kids seek her out and then responding with genuine pleasure and interest when they did so.

Something in the way Jon and Amanda looked at each other when they thought no one else could see, the soft lingering touches, their behavior in general caught his interest and he was the one who sought out his son during a quiet afternoon.

Jon was sitting outside having a smoke waiting for the kids to get ready for a dinner out when his father joined him. Seeing his dad, Jon gave a slightly guilty glance and prepared to stub out his cigarette. John Sr. waved at him, indicating he wasn’t there about that.

“Hey dad. What’s up?” Jon greeted his father.

John Sr. stood quietly with his hands in his pockets for a few minutes, then gave his son a sideways look.

“Is there something you want to tell me, son?” John’s voice was soft, but Jon felt himself respond simply out of the respect he had for his father.

Glancing away and then meeting his father’s eyes, Jon answered him.

“I asked Amanda to marry me and she said yes.”

John shook his head up and down as he considered this.

“So you’re engaged?”

“Yeah, dad, we are.”

“Don’t see a ring her on her finger.”

A small laugh escaped Jon then as he answered.

“I gave her one and she said there were people who needed to know before the press did – the kids, Dot, you and mom, her mom – and she thought it would be better for everyone else if she didn’t wear the ring yet.”

John turned to fully face his son.

“You asked that woman to marry you, gave her a ring, and she’s the one who said it wasn’t right for her to wear it yet? Am I getting this right?” His face and eyes expressed his surprise.

With a wry smile on his face, Jon confirmed his father’s assessment. Both men stood for a few minutes until the elder Bongiovi spoke again.

“I worried about you, son, after the divorce. Saw a bit of what was happening…” he held up a hand, “…don’t bother to deny it, I heard enough to concern me.”

His father’s eyes locked and held Jon’s as he continued.

“I’m not worried anymore. That woman loves you. Really loves you. And you love her. She’s how things could have been with Dorothea if she had really shared your life with you instead of letting you go off so long on your own.”

Jon started to defend Dorothea and explain his own blame for the failure of their marriage, but again his father held up a restraining hand.

“Hear me out, Jon. It’s not good to go through your life as a visitor in your own home. You’re not made that way. This woman wants to be with you, right? Travel? Share everything you do?”

Jon nodded, a bit surprised at his father’s astute observations.

“You made mistakes before. You gonna make them again?” John asked, his look now piercing.

“No sir, I…I don’t want to be alone anymore.” Jon admitted as his father shook his head in understanding.

“Then you take your time, tell the people you need to, and then marry her. Haven’t seen you this happy in a very long time, Jonny, don’t let her get away from you.”

Jon stood silently for a few moments, then turned again to his father.

“Mom…” he started, then stopped as his father’s eyes again met his.

“I love your mother, Jon, but I won’t support her in this fixation she has against Amanda. You found someone who loves you for who you are, not what you are, and if you ask me, you’re damn lucky.”

John paused for a moment and then looked again at his son.

“I’m not going to tell your mother yet. You do that when you’re ready.”

Jon smiled his thanks, his eyes crinkling. He hugged his father briefly, feeling lighter inside than he had in the past few days.

“I love ya, dad.” His voice was hoarse with emotion.

“I love you too, son.” John patted his son’s back and with a final glance returned to the house.