John Francis

Most of the adults were lounging around Tico’s living room after the kids had been taken back to the hotel by their nannies. They were all going their separate ways the next day, with Hugh and Kelli returning to their home, Richie and Patricia back to New York, David and Jen off on a short trip, and Jon and Amanda returning to Jersey. Tico and Alejandra were already home and planned to stay there for a little bit before they too went on a vacation.

Amanda was talking with her mother and Susan, trying to arrange a time when she could see them again. Giving Jon a quick glance to see he was deep in conversation with Richie, Susan asked a quiet question.

“Mands, did you two set a date yet?”

Surprised by the question, Amanda started to speak, stopped, then started again.

“No, not yet. This is really new, Susan. I’m not rushing anything.”

Jennifer nodded approvingly at her daughter.

“I think that’s a good idea, honey. Give it some time, get to know each other better.”

Jon calling out to Amanda for her to come over stopped whatever response she was going to make. With a quick smile, she walked over to the two men.

Susan and Jennifer exchanged looks, wondering if Amanda would heed her mother’s advice.

~~~

Sitting down at Jon’s side, Amanda turned an expectant smile towards the two.

“What’s up?”

Jon nodded his head at Richie and spoke.

“We’re planning on doing some writing over the next week or so and Richie’s gonna be staying at the house.”

Amanda smiled at them.

“Of course! But you don’t need my approval for that, so what else is up?”

Richie gave a low chuckle at that as Jon turned slightly widened eyes to her.

“How did you know there was something else?”

Amanda shook her head at him.

“Because you would never need to check with me about Richie staying at your house, so there must be something else.”

Richie now turned his head away as laughter shook his long frame.

Jon turned a scowl toward his friend.

“Shut up, Sambora.”

Holding up a hand, Richie got up, indicating he was getting another glass of wine.

They watched him retreat for a moment and then turned towards each other as Jon took a breath to speak.

“I’ve been offered a small part in a movie that’s being filmed in London.”

A quizzical look entered Amanda’s eyes.

“Okay, that’s great, but what’s the problem?”

Jon’s own eyes reflected a puzzled look then as he answered.

“It’s in London and we’ll need to be there for four or five days.”

Amanda gave a small laugh that showed her confusion.

“I loved London when I was there with you. I don’t understand the problem.”

With a mild grimace crossing his face, he told her.

“It’s just, I knew about this a month ago and didn’t tell you.”

Amanda laughed then, her eyes twinkling.

“So, you think I’m gonna be mad about a trip to London that you forgot to tell me about?”

“Well…yeah.” Jon’s voice now held a note of laughter.

A mile-wide grin on her face, Amanda laughed harder.

“Sure, Jon, make me go to London, a great city. I’d really hate that.”

The lightly mocking tone of her voice brought an answering smile to Jon’s face. His reply was stopped by Richie’s return, with the bottle of wine, a huge grin evident.

“I brought a peace offering.” He held out the bottle.

Standing up and giving the two men a pretend scowl, Amanda gathered herself up in a regal pose.

“I don’t do diva.”

She turned and walked toward the bathroom then as both men gave widened eyes at the other and broke into laughter. Richie managed to speak first, his voice a strangled whisper.

“She doesn’t do diva?”

They both broke into laughter.

~~~

Mother and daughter embraced and then drew back to look at the other, one with simple love, the other with love mixed with concern.

“Honey, you know I love you…”

Amanda nodded at her mother, her eyes crinkling a little as she sensed the “but” she was sure was following.

“…it’s just, you’re moving into a world so different from everything you’ve ever known…” Her voice trailed off as she tried to put into words that which was still feelings.

“Mom? What is it?”

Shaking her head gently, Jennifer just smiled.

“I just miss you, honey. It’s not that we don’t talk…” she held up her hand, “…you call often enough, it’s just different having you gone all the time now.”

Amanda’s voice softened as she realized what her mother was saying.

“Oh mom…I’m sorry…it’s just…”

“No, no…don’t do that. You have a chance here to be happy and I won’t have you miss out on it.” Jennifer’s soft hand cupped her daughter’s face.

“You’ll come to me or I’ll come to you. We’ll work it out, Mandy.”

They hugged tightly and Jennifer moved to the waiting car. She turned as Amanda called out to her.

“Mom!”

Jennifer shook her head gently, a smile of great caring on her face.

“No, honey. Go. Take your chance.”

Amanda watched for long moments until the car finally vanished from sight.