Bed of Roses

The two walked into the bar like two friends chatting. Richie made his way to the bar to get himself a beer and Jon a coke. He knew Jon wouldn’t be looking for anything harder after his previous night’s escapades.

When Jon saw that Richie handed him a coke he laughed and said, “Thanks man.”

“Didn’t think a brew would be appealing to you.”

“Anything but vodka, never vodka ever again.” Richie laughed at his lover.

Jon looked at the TV. behind the bar to see what was on. The news, not football, so who cares, Jon thought. They stood by the bar chatting amongst themselves about Jon’s publicity stuff, about the show, the weather, anything and everything but what they really wanted to discuss. Jon was on his second coke and Richie his second beer when Richie’s manager walked over to say hello.

“Richie, I didn’t know that Jon was joining you tonight.” Then turning to Jon he continued, “Mr. Bon Jovi, it’s an honor to meet you, I can’t believe that it has taken us this long.”

“Jon this it Patrick my road manager,” Richie added formally but Jon already knew that.

“Nice to meet you Patrick,” Jon politely replied. “You taking good care of my right arm I hope,” Jon asked with a tone meant for slight intimidation. He had wanted Richie to do this tour on his own all of it so he knew he could do it, but he couldn’t help looking out for him.

“Of course Mr. Bon Jovi.”

“Please call me Jon. How are sales going,” Jon asked Patrick going into his business mode. He knew Richie hated the business aspect of this business and often came to Jon for consultations. Richie just wanted to play his guitar and entertain the audience.

“It’s going good. Could be better. The profits from the ticket sales are meeting the necessities of the band, but the extra merchandise sales should be doing better.”

“Well what are your prices like and what are you doing to promote merchandise sales,” Jon asked in an accusatory tone.

Richie shot him a look and Jon knew he needed to back off. This wasn’t Bon Jovi and the profits weren’t going to be in the same light age and although Jon wanted to make sure things were right he shouldn’t blame anyone even though he would like to blame this Patrick.

Patrick felt he had gotten himself into some murky waters and an awkward situation. He excused himself.

“Christ, I’m sorry Rich, I shouldn’t have done that,” Jon apologized.

“Don’t worry about it I know you were just looking out for me. Thanks, just try not to interrogate my people.”

Richie was on his third beer and Jon his third coke, when Richie’s bassist came over.

“He man I just wanted to say you were great out there tonight,” the bassist said to Jon.

“Thanks man,” Jon replied.

“Jon this is Brian, my bassist. Brian this is Jon, my best-friend.”

“I know who he is man," Brian said in awe. Brian was one of the musicians who grew up with Bon Jovi and idolized them.

Jon almost blushed at Brian’s admiration. “Nice to meet you man and you can play too. I mean Richie’s a harder critique than I am and he seems to like you.”

“It was an honor to be on stage and play with you tonight.”

“It’s an honor for me to play with Richie,” Jon complemented and Richie blushed. “You wanna drink man,” Jon asked Brian.

“Yeah, thanks, I’ll have whatever you’re having,” Brian said thinking he was all cool drinking the same thing as Jon. Jon and Richie shot each other a look as Jon ordered a beer and two sodas. When Jon handed Brian the coke he looked at it like he didn’t know what it was.

Richie broke out laughing at his rookie bassist. “What? You think Jon drinks beer with his cheerios?” Jon laughed as Richie continued, “After trying it once he found out it was pretty nasty. He sticks to coffee or OJ in the morning, Tropicana, the kind with no pulp.”

Jon laughed along with Richie. Poor Brian was too star struck to say anything and walked away. Richie and Jon shook hands. “Nice one man,” Richie said.

“Hell, why did you have to go and remind me of my beer and cheerios escapade,” Jon laughed.

“That was hilarious man; you were toasted at like 9am.” As Richie looked over Jon’s shoulder he saw his publicist waving him over. He was trying to discreetly shake her off. Tonight was not supposed to be a publicity stunt. He took Jon down here to show him off not to be dragged away from him.

Even though his back was turned Jon knew someone was calling for Richie. “Go Rich. This is your time to shine. I don’t need a babysitter.”

“You sure man,” Richie asked hesitantly, “tonight’s supposed to be about you.” Richie wanted to grab Jon’s hand but knew that wasn’t appropriate for this setting.

“Richie, listen to me, please baby,” Jon whispered, “There are plenty of nights about me. This whole thing is about you. Now you go do your thing, I’m going to take a walk around the lobby; I’ll be back in a few.”

Richie gave Jon the ‘I love you’ look because he knew he couldn’t say it here and Jon just nodded in understanding. No words were needed. Richie grabbed another beer then headed for his publicist.