Water Ch. 38 - Destination: Anywhere 2005

2005

 

It was show time.  Jon had the boys with him, and Lupetta, of course.  The boys were happy to see Ava and Richie was glad that the kids all got to hang out together.  There isn't any blood between them and that didn't matter - they were family.  The kids were lucky enough in the fact that the tour was planned and packed with kids in mind.  They made sure that they left space on a truck so they could bring the kids bikes and stuff to keep them busy back stage.  It was a little harder with Romeo, but that's what they have Lupetta for.

 

She was the nanny, but she was quickly becoming family.  She was a down on her luck runaway, that ran into Jon a few years back behind Giant's Stadium.  He had popped out back for a break during sound check one day and she was back there looking for aluminum can, to turn in for scrap money.  She was 21 when he hired her and she has been a very important part of their life.  Lupetta had family, that lived in California - how she ended up in New Jersey was the result of a man.  She followed a man to New Jersey and he left her high and homeless. 

 

Just like all Bon Jovi employees, Lupetta had to sign a gag order.  She is bound by law to keep everything she sees, hears and knows about Jon and his family to herself.   She has done a great job and Jon is very pleased with his decision about hiring her.  He and Dorothea had a fight over it, because she was Spanish, but Jon didn't care.  He thought that the diversity would be good for the kids.  And he was right - the kids are fluent in Spanish, to their age level.  He loved that.  Lupetta was very good to the kids and Jon loved when she would hang out with them 'after work'.  She would usually get done working around 5pm, but on some nights she would work later.  Nights like tonight.  It was a special day for the kids because Ava was in town and they all were going to do the show with their dads.

 

 

Lupetta kept all of the Bongiovi children and the one Sambora child in check all night long.  Romeo was her biggest challenge, but she had found a wagon and was able to make use of that and pull him up and down the backstage halls.  Romeo loved it.  By the time the show was over, he fell asleep and was just waiting for his daddy to take him home.  Jake was on his last leg, waiting for daddy to get done.  Jesse was a whole other story.  He and Ava were running skateboards up and down the hallways, as if they were long lost friends and have never missed a beat.  They stayed in touch and even if Ava came to New York with her mom, they always made it a point to see the Bongiovi children. 

 

The kids are secured in the car just before Bon Jovi go onstage to do their final song.  The lights go out and with in seconds, the Prudential Center is all lit up.  Bon Jovi is out the back door and in their provided cars.  The car for Jon has Jake, Romeo and Lupetta in it and the car for Richie has Jesse and Ava.  Off they go before too many press people and fans get out back.   It was decided backstage that since they were in Newark, they would all just go to SoHo.  Both cars made there way into New York City, with the final destination on Mercer St.

 

Pulling up in front of the trendy SoHo loft, Jon was surprised to see there weren't any fans out front.  He hated taking his children through that, and with Richie and Ava being with him - it would have been ten times worse.  Luck was on his side, he was able to get home without incident. 

 

There were two sleeping little guys and they needed to get upstairs to bed.  Jon carried Jake and Lupetta had Romeo.  They carried the boys to their room and readied them for bed.  Trying very hard not to wake either, because the little guys were tough to get back to sleep once they're woke up.  Mission accomplished.  They went back downstairs where Richie was on his cell phone, and the kids, Jesse and Ava, had just turned on MTV.  They acted like they were brother and sister.  Fighting, picking on one another. 

 

Jon asked Richie, "Can I get you anything?'  Trying not to be rude while he's on the phone.

 

"No man, I'm good.  Thanks." says Richie and he gets back to his telephone conversation. 

 

"Lupetta, thank you so much for working late tonight.  By the looks of the boys they had a great time.  I really appreciate you being there."  Jon walks up to his hired hand and gives her a hug. 

 

"Will you need me anymore tonight then?" She asked her employer.  She didn't think he would, but she wanted to be sure. 

 

"No, I think I'm all set.  Again", putting his hands together like he was going to pray, "thank you!"

 

"No problem, Jon.  Anytime.  I'll see you tomorrow, or are they going back with Dorothea?  Lupetta is not sure what her schedule looks like for tomorrow. 

 

"I'm taking them back to Dorothea tomorrow.  So, I guess touch base with her in the morning and see what she needs."  He walks her to the door, she leaves and walks the 5 blocks home. 

 

Turning his attention to his son and guests, Richie tells him that a car is on the way for him and Ava, Richie was going to his moms. Jon was a little surprised, yet a little relieved.  He was keeping an eye on the time.  He could call Beth after 10:00pm EST if he wanted to.  And he wanted too.  It was creeping up on midnight.

 

He and Richie sat at the bar and had a bottle of water and discussed the concert, while they waited for the car.  Jon says, "You know, you could have taken my car.  You didn't need to get a service."

 

Richie tells him not to worry about it.  It was all good. 

 

The car had arrived and they all said goodnight.  Richie reminded Jon that they have an interview on NBC tomorrow at 9am.  Jon forgot all about that one.

 

Hugged his brother and his brothers daughter goodbye and locked the door behind them.  Walking back into the living room, he tells his oldest boy to be good, there wasn't much to graze on and that he'd be in his office. 

 

Jesse yells to his dad, "Tell Beth I said Hi."  Jon keeps walking and just smiles.