Chapter 26

laying in my ICU bed thinking about my best friend, I turned when the door opened, and my mom and pop walked in.

As they walked over to my bed, I quickly wiped at the tears on my face trying to be strong, yet thinking about seeing my best friend going into cardiac arrest before we went into surgery made them flow again.

That was the hardest thing I have ever witnessed in my life so far, it gave me a serious reality check; and showed just how brittle and precious life is, god damn it, we almost lost him; hell we did he; was clinically dead for almost a minute. Then when he came back to us, the resus successful he was rushed straight to the OR; so I couldn't talk to him before or after, so I still don't know if he heard me or not. I could only hope and pray he did.

My mom reached to me and hugged me as tight as she dare, my pop next to her and with his hand resting on my arm; as I was still sore from my own surgery, I took comfort from them both and buried my face in my mom's arms, the tears flowed, some through pain, although I do it all again to save Jon, and part from stress relief, the last few months had been a strain and that was a mild description.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm my crying. I looked up at my mom between gasps

“what doc say? how is Jonny .. I saw him when they came out with him.. but I couldn't see much cause he was over to the side.”

“not much sweetheart … “ she stroked my hair “I only stayed long enough to hear how you were and headed here … Doc was talking to Carol and John when we left, I had to see you....” She held my hand tight. My little mom felt so strong to me right now. I leaned into her embrace more.

My dad turned when the door opened not even a half hour as they got there. Mom Bongiovi was over to my side quickly wrapping arms around me as she hugged me as tight as I could stand. I held onto her just as tight.

“thank you so much for what you did for Jonny Richie .. “ She kissed my cheeks then leaned down to stare into my eyes. “you are wonderful boy ...” She hugged me again.

“Did doc say how Jonny was?” I asked again this time to Ma and Pa Jovi..

Carol sat by me on the bed taking my hand, while my mom sat on the other side. “Doc says its a wait and see game right now … we aren't even allowed to go in to see him, Poor D, we made her get a nap she's just as exhausted as the rest of us. “

She smoothed my hair back from my face.

“I tried to make him give me some kind of information but he's as he usually is when dealing with takin care of Jon lately; I guess there's nothin we can do, we'll just have to wait, in the meantime we can be with you, Jon's life saver, how are you feeling? ”

“I'm good mama B, just sore.” as i held onto her hand, in my mind all the time praying that Jon would make it through this.

It was another full day before any of us were allowed to see Jon. With it being ICU, Jon's visitors had been restricted back to two at a time with NO exceptions.

When I was finally allowed to see him, I had to be wheeled down in my chair. I was recovering well just like doc said I would, but after seeing what happened to Jon in pre- op I just needed to see him, the whole arrest scene was playing over and over in my mind like a record, I had to squash this fear and know he was ok.

To my surprise it was Carol who wheeled me down to the room. When we went in you could hear the oxygen and the beeps of the monitor in the ICU ward.

Jon had been moved to a special ICU ward, intended for those undergoing or went through transplants.

Ma moved me to the side of the bed, and my breath caught in my chest.

Jon was propped up on pillows his blonde hair was lank and lay around his face. His eyes were closed and he was breathing softly with the help of the cannula under his nose. He looked so horrible even worse than before. Yet he wasn't as bloated as the last time I saw him.

His legs were elevated and had compressions hose on, I could see them peaking out from under the bottom of the blanket. The last thing I wanted to do was wake him as he needed all the sleep and rest he could get, to help him recover; so I moved my hand gently and rested it on Jon's, feeling the long thin fingers under mine.

I looked up at ma then back at to Jon sleeping. I sighed wishing the blue eyes would open to look at me but I didn't want to wake him. I was just going to have her take me out when two fingers wrapped around mine.

Slowly, Jon woke, his eyes flickered as he gained focus. As he looked at me, his grip tightened and he smiled the famous bongiovi smile.

Ma moved from my side and made to the other to kiss her baby, tears of relief flowing down her cheeks. She lent over Jon kissing him over and over.

“My baby, oh thank god, my baby is alive....” more kisses followed. Jon raised his hand to signal enough. Wiping the tears from her face she stepped back. “I'll be right back I am just going to tell your pa...” as ma left I asked;

“How you feeling?”

pulling the canula from his nose to speak, with a croaky voice he answered, “ like I have been in a fight with a mustang and lost.”

I laughed, “same here,”

He smiled at me, “Thanks Rich, I don't know how I can ever thank you enough man, you have saved my life, in every way another human could.”

“Enough, if the boot was on the other foot you'd have done it for me.”

“I would without hesitation, and Rich for what it's worth thank you.”

neither of us could hug each other right now, but the grasp of the hands and the locking of eye's Jon and I bonded more in those few minutes than we had ever known in our time together.

A respect and kinship rose in those minutes one that would never be broken.

Tears picked the back of my eye's and I fought to keep them back and failed, Jon too, silently the tears fell down both our faces.

We were interrupted by Dr Markus. “Good afternoon boy's, how are we? Nice to see you awake Jon.

I spoke, “Dr Markus,”

“Richie”

“How long have you been awake Jon?”

“Few minutes Doc” Jon's voice was still croaky, but at last working.

“uh ha, and how do you feel?”

the Doc asked Jon questions, while checking his responses and the bag laying to the side of the bed. Then taking the board from the bottom of the bed he wrote for a few seconds before talking to us again.

“Well young man, the signs are good, the bloating has ceased and is reducing which means your new kidney is starting doing its job, your output is near where it should be and after a couple of more days we can look to move you to a private room.”

Jon smiled at the Doc. He carried on,

“I need to keep you on Oxygen for just a few more days, to be on the safe side" he pointed at the cannula Jon was holding away from his nose, immediately Jon put it back in place.

"Thank you Jon." then smiling he waved and turned and left us alone again.  

Chapter 25

I scrubbed up as both boys and yes they are boys to me were brought into the operating room. My second was over to the side with Jon keeping him stabilized as I worked on Richie. It was a straight forward operation with Richie no problems that I could foresee. He was a fit young man and had no issues that could complicate this. The operation was slow and easy no complications but the one I was headed for was one I was sure I would have some issues to deal with. Jon was very thin and his health was in a danger zone. I didn't want a repeat performance of what happened in the pre-op area Jon's body wouldn't be able to handle that and we would lose the singer. I wasn't sure what side effects yet we were going to see to have to do with him already coding on us once. I soon had the kidney in the container I had my second take over finishing up with Richie while I headed over to the operating table containing Jon.

I looked down at the still figure breathing with a ventilator, It was something I had never wished to see ever with Jon. I had watched as this young man grew from a energetic teenager with dreams to a capable young man with a heart of gold. 

That someone had hurt this boy for the all mighty dollar made my guts burn. I would do whatever I could possible to bring the ones that caused this down. Right now though I had to do what I had to to save his life first. I had the nurses and technicians in the room keep close on eye on all his vitals we did not need a repeat from the Preop. 

Out of the corner of my eye I could see my colleague finishing up with Richie and the young man being taken from the room. Then my attention was fully on Jon. Soon I had the diseased kidneys removed and was giving him Richies. All in all the surgery took a long time. 

After I cleaned him up got everything connected the way it should be. I checked his iv lines before I nodded for them to move him into the recovery room. 

When I got there I was surprised to see Richie awake his eyes zeroed in on Jon' Jon was still breathing via the ventilator but Richie was just on the oxygen. With Jon's already dangerous health risks it was easier to leave him on the ventilator for now. Till we got his body to the point where he was alert we would keep him on it. I looked at Richie who's eyes never left Jon's form. “Richie … how are you...”

“He woke up ten minutes ago Doctor Markus...” Julie the recovery nurse informed me. “I couldn't get him to relax back in the bed or would he allow us to move him onto a hospital room till you brought Jon out.”

Richie removed the oxygen from his face now that he was alert. “how is he doc?”

“well right now he's made it through the surgery and that is the most we can hope for right now. After that scare in the pre op room we have to be careful with him. Once he is a bit more alert we will remove the ventilator and he'll be moved back to the ICU room.” I put my hand on the boy's hand. “you saved his life Richie … without this kidney I don't think Jon would have made it much longer...”

He nodded his head and then looked at the nurse allowing them to take him from the room now knowing that Jon had made it through so far. He closed his eyes as his gurney he was in was removed from the recovery room. I turned back to Jon to check his vitals While I was doing that I also checked the catheter bag that was hanging off the side . Hopefully soon when I checked that there would be output and we could get Jon on his way to being the healthy on the go young man I knew. I left him in the nurses capable hands while I went to inform Jon and Richie's family how they were. 

 In my mind I asked myself, do I talk to them as a friend or a Doctor. I decided on the professional choice, it was not going to be easy which ever track I chose but under these circumstances the family would expect a Doctor. Reaching the room I took a deep breath and opened the door to the relatives waiting room, I looked at Jon's parents who were sat hand in hand. Carol had a tear stained face and she was pale and looked exhausted. The whole situation had taken its toll on the whole family.

 Richie's mom and dad sat waiting looking just as anxious. They had never expected for their son to have to undergo an op to give his kidney away. Given what Richie had done, they were incredibly calm really. 

Four sets of eyes pleaded with me for good news. I could not lie or give false hope Richie was already on the recovery process, Jon on the other hand had a long way to go. I had always believed in being honest, so taking a deep breath I began...

“Good Morning," they all went to stand; " please no need to get up, "I just wanted you all to know the operation is over. Jon is in recovery, and Richie is now on his way to ICU, he did really well, and we don't expect any complications but want him to rest in ICU for a couple of days to be sure. Mr and Mrs Sambora you can go see Richie anytime you want. Tears flowed down Richie's moms face as she got up from her seat she grabbed and hugged my hand so tight and mouthed "Thank you", then she turned to the Bongiovi's and gave a weak smile with a thumbs up sign before she and Richie's dad left the room to go see there son.  

No sooner had Richies parents left, an anxious ma spoke, 

"So how is Jon Doc

"Hes in recovery right now , and for the most part the operation is successful"

“Most part?”

“yes, I'm afraid It is too early to know if the operation has been one hundred percent successful."

"I dont understand?"

"There were pre op complications"

"Such as ?"

“Before we took Jon to theatre, he went into cardiac arrest, we managed to stabilise him, but it was touch and go. ”

Ma grabbed Pa's hand and cried out "no"

I saw the shock on their faces  and spoke to reassure them both 

" look it sounds bad and it is, but Jon made it through the operation, I wish I could tell you it will all be fine now, but we have a long way to go. we have to take it one step at a time, ok”

“Can we see him?”

“not right now, soon I promise, lets get him stable and over the operation, then we can re assess ok?"

“How long will that be Doc, I want to see my son, what if he never wakes up from the operation and I never get to hold his hand?”

“Mrs Bongiovi....”

“Carol please, “

“Carol, I cannot make guarantee's but until Jon wakes from the operation the only people going into the recovery unit are nurses who are monitoring him very closely. Trust me He is in good hands."

"But...."

"Carol let the Doc alone, now is not the time  to start one of your fights"

Mr Bongiovi then got up from his seat and leaned forward to shake my hand.

"Thank you Doc, thank you for everything, we understand"

Carol would not let go,

"Be honest Doc, what are the odds for my son?"

"Carol, don't do this too me, I don't like stats, they have a bad habit of biting ya in the bum. Each patient is different."

"Please Doc, I beg you give me something at least, we have been to hell and back, throw me a bone?"

I surrendered, still not giving stats but actual facts, 

"Ok, look someone else that was as sick as Jon i doubt would have even made it as far, yes he arrested but he pulled through. He has got a new kidney, now lets leave him to start getting better"

Knowing that is all I would commit to She gave in and nodded in acknowledgement and gave me a weak smile .

"Ok, if theres nothing else i need to get back to Jon and check on his progress ", ma raised her hand and tried to speak, i spoke first, " i promise you both as soon as He is stable and alert Ill send a nurse to collect you both, in the meantime why not grab a coffee and go see Richie, im sure he would be pleased to see you both, that young man has afterall helped save your sons life" 

Both parents hung their heads as both were guilty of forgetting Richie. 

"Yeah, we will do just that, wont we ma, she smiled and nodded. 

" ill leave ya to it then, any questions see the nurse at the station and she will come find me ok" with that I left the room and headed back to recovery to check on Jons progress. 

Chapter 24

Still in pain and with my body still floating with a drug filled haze, i kept hearing words, "shutting down" and "die" within the fog of my mind I kinda knew they were talking about me, but I was really struggling to string together the words into a full sentence. Dorothea was at my side with a pained look on her beautiful face, my brother Richie who was going to be my saviour was laying on a gurney next to me.

Looking around me, everything seemed to be like in a movie and ran in fast forward when you hit the remote button, no one was looking directly at me, but all running round acting for me.  Dr Markus was in the throws of it all and shouting out instructions.

I kept trying to focus, on what was going on but the pain kept causing me to scream out, each time I did a warm gentle hand was on my arm stroking me to calm me. what was wrong with me now, why did I feel this pain and why was my body bloated? the dream I had when I awoke in a cold sweat about Alec taking over my band when I had died kept floating in and out of my mind.
finally the truth hit me,  my body was shutting down and I was dying..... everyone running around in complete manic state was cause they were trying to save me.....

Fear gripped my heart, and it could not be soothed or be controlled with words or hugs or love, this was reality.... I was dying..... I tried to stay awake, trying to calm myself but it was no good, I was in and out of consciousness, each time I awoke another needle and line was in my body...... I heard a sentence..... "god damn it we need to stabilise him before we can take him into theatre... more CCT..come on.... work god damn you...." then I was out cold..... the pain seemed less intense and I was beginning to feel calm, I felt warm and safe...... what was happening now.... whatever it was; I was pain free... were the drugs finally working...... I strained to hear but there was nothing no sound, nothing at all just total peace......
bang.... then I was awake again and the pain returned with a kick of a mule.... I caught my breath as the pain was more intense than it had ever been....
I heard Dr Markus again..... "Ok people he's back and stable lets get him to theatre.... Richie are you ready...."
"Yeah man I'm ready lets go..."
The next thing I was being pushed down the corridor, bright lights of the hospital over heads flicking past at an uncountable speed..... then total blackness, not like before, no calm, no warm feeling no safety.... just blackness.... no voices.......


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

I watched as they worked on Jon, he had gone into cardiac arrest, his body could not cope with the pain it was having thrust upon it, all of his organs were trying to shut down one by one. I was helpless and just did my part by being there and being ready to go straight to surgery if... no when they could stabilise and get Jon back.

In my mind I prayed, prayed to god or a higher being to save him and let me give him a kidney so that he could live. It seemed so wrong a young man of 28 years of age was laying here at deaths door because of a greedy assole of a manager and a con man called manning... I swore right there and then whether Jon made it or not I would get justice. then I heard my voice call out... "hang in there buddy," I know he could not hear me, for the record he was dead, clinically at any rate.... looking at Dr Markus... he was working so hard to bring Jon back..... I just watched.... they hit the paddles on Jon's chest again..... still nothing.... more drugs were injected straight into his heart and then another shock... finally after what felt like hours the machine responded with beep, beep, beep,... his heart had re started....... it was beating in a regular rhythm, "Ok people lets get them to theatre and get this transplant done. on three one, two, three.... Jon's body was moved to a gurney and he was pushed out of the room at stat speed, I followed on my gurney behind just a fast, in seconds we were inside the operating room, Jon's body was anesthetised and then it was my turn.... this was it... saying a silent prayer for us both, I drifted under the anaesthetic ready to surrender my kidney for my brother.

Chapter 23

After getting that kind of news I was exhausted while my friends no my brothers celebrated that I was going to be getting the kidney that I needed I held onto my best friends hand. My savior my brother Richie Sambora. I knew we were more than friends now because of this. Hell we would be more than brothers he was giving me a piece of him to save my life. He was risking HIS life to continue mine. I am not a emotional guy not really but this this was just so much more to me than anything. I couldn’t even stop the tears as I was told nor when I held onto Richie's hand. I thanked him though there was much more I wanted to say to him about this. Thank you just didn't seem adequate. I had fallen to sleep quite early as usual. With everything going on in my body I couldn’t stay awake pass seven most days which was okay I guess with my friends.

I had slept quite awhile when I woke up with pain like I had never imagined before. It felt like someone was trying to rip my body in half or rather rip my kidneys out through there. I couldn't breath it hurt so bad. I turned to see Dorothea next to me I could hear my heart monitor going crazy what the hell was going on. I gasped out “hurts...” D was on top of it hitting the nurses button. Soon I was floating on a stream of morphine when Doctor Markus came in. I blinked up at him his face was grim and I knew this wasn't good.

“Jon just relax we got it under control okay..” he whispered pushing my hair back from my face as it was stuck to my face from sweat. He turned to Janice the one nurse who had been assigned to take care of me to keep the security tight. “i need you to contact Richie .. and get him here now....” He turned to Dorothea and then me. “we need to do this immediately.... his body is trying to shut down the dialysis won't even help right now... “ He was going to say something else but through my drug filled haze I wasn't sure what it was. He motioned for Dorothea to the side. He said something to her and she started to cry. I wasn't coherent enough to hear him. Not even twenty minutes later Richie was barreling through the door he was still wearing his pajamas. My whole body was bloated I could feel it though I was drugged up they also had removed my oxygen line and I was forced to wear the mask. He just stared at me.

I ran into the room Janice said Jon had taken a turn for the worse, that I needed to get there. My heart was in my throat when I saw Jon. He face as obstructed with the oxygen mask. Sure he was bloated when I left earlier but this didn’t' look like the Jon I knew. I moved to the side of the bed I turned to see Doctor Markus “what's going on?”

He sighed as if he didn’t' want to say anything in front of Jon. Yet Jon tugged on my hand as I laid it in his. Dorothea looked like she had been crying and so did Ma and Pop. “Richie we need to go in now … get you prepped I don't know if Jon would last the night right now he's already having trouble as you can tell his blood pressure has dropped again we need to get this fixed now...”

Jon stared up at me in fear and held as tight as he could to my hand. I gripped it hard back leaning over him I stared down into eyes filled with fear he knew he was bad before but that the doctor just said he wasn't sure if he'd made it through tore my heart. I looked up at the Dr Markus “I’m ready whenever you are....” I ran a hand through my hair as I was taken from the room to get ready to donate my kidney to my best friend. We didn't have to wait long as I got prepped and shaved. All my paperwork was done thoroughly and I was set up to go into the OR. I turned to see another stretcher coming into the preop area. It was Jon. Ma was in tears as was Dorothea Pop was struggling not to cry himself.

Chapter 22

After the whoops and the cheering had died down , and everyone had congratulated Jon, while the guys were  chatting excitedly i sat on the chair silent and looked across at Jon, his eyes looked back at me, tears rolling down his face. There was no getting away from it, this had been a real rough ride so far. The Doc touched my shoulder causing me to break eye contact with Jon; he lent in to ask me to go with him to the office.

Leaving everyone celebrating I followed Dr markus; Inside with the door closed he gestured for me to sit. I really thought I would be nervous but for some reason I felt calm.

"So how do you feel about being Jons donor ?"

"Fine, I’m totally calm. I thought Id be the one, something told me inside so I wasn’t that shocked really Doc, so what happens now?"

"That’s good Richie, you are fit and healthy so the operation will not affect you to much at all, a few days rest and you will be bouncing back to life, however for Jon the road is a long one, he is seriously underweight, and weak, getting a new kidney is vital to his recovery but don’t expect miracles, its going to take a hell of a lot longer than days before he will be fighting fit." I nodded I understood to the doc, "Right well I’m scheduling surgery for 8am tomorrow morning , that means you will need to go home and rest tonight and be here at 7.30am tomorrow to sign consent forms and have preop ok? Are there anymore questions" I shook my head, " right then Ill let you return to the party, oh just one other thing no alcohol or eating after. 8pm ok ?" Again I nodded as I left his office and walked back to Jon’s room. Arriving back with the guys I explained the procedure and took a seat right next to Jon. Immediately after I sat he grabbed my hand and put it on his heart , holding eye contact with watery eyes he mouthed the words thank you. Holding on to him i squeezed his hand and mouthed back, no worries. No one else in the room noticed our moment, Jon being a no fuss kind of guy was hating all the attention being thrown upon him, the only attention Jon enjoyed was performing on stage, but he knew with a new kidney at least that may again become a possibility , without it.... Well did not warrant thinking about.

We decided to have an impromptu party but it was kept low key as even though Jon was getting the kidney he needed and I needed to rest. He also needed it as he rested against his pillows holding onto my hand the whole time. Dorothea had come over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “thank you so much Richie for saving my husband...”

“he's my brother D... I couldn't do anything less... lets just concentrate on getting him back on his feet ..” I had ideas of what to do for Jon once he got the kidney and was on the road to recovery. I planned in my head things to do with him while he was still bed ridden. He would need to regain his strength but he could still work with his guitar slowly. We also had to deal with the court case once they found the dirty bag Manning. Doc also would be going to be tried for what he did to Jon as he had hired Manning without checking everything putting Jon's life at risk. I turned to see Jon watching everyone then his eyes connected with mind he gave me a tired smile and a thumbs up but didn't let go of my hand. We would be more than band mates now more than brothers … there was no words for what we would be now. I would willingly give my life up for Jon if it would get him better.

After while Jon's nurse came in to let us know we needed to leave as Jon was asleep again. I looked at the time it was only a little after six but he needed the rest. The more rest he got the faster he would be back to the man we knew and loved. I sighed as I knew he wasn't going to be happy that I left but I needed to get home and get some rest myself tomorrow would be a big day for both of us . I leaned down to kiss his forehead and hugged D while Dave drove me home. I was surprised to see my mom inside getting things ready for tomorrow but I shouldn't have. I knew Carol would have called to tell her what was going on. I hugged her before I headed to bed. I must have been tired cause as soon as I hit the pillow I was out.

Chapter 21

With the detectives gone, Jon's conversation with Alec, using the board was limited and strained to say the least. Given all the shit and the crap Alec had brought to the band, with Jon bearing a grudge, he could not understand why he wanted to help and be tested. Despite his reservations Alec had the test then left the hospital.

Dorothea was just as shocked as Jon and me. 

"Who would have thought, Alec coming in like that, from what you two have told me unless there is a buck in it he wont do anything for anyone"

"Yeah, and I don't think he's been tested now out of the kindness in his heart, simply cos its black, and he aint got one." 

Jon nodded and pointed to his board. 

He wrote " I'm more gonna believe he's mixed up in this seeing manning than wanting to help save my ass" 

Both Dot and I nodded in agreement. 

"What did he say? He saw manning board a greyhound?"

"Yeah"

" do you believe that Rich?" 

" thinking about it, no." 

"I feel same," Jon tapped out on his board   " me too he's hiding something "

"Yeah I'll buy that alright but what?"
"more like he bought Manning the ticket to get on the greyhound."
the room fell silent as we knew what I had said is what we all had thought, Dot spoke up first...

"Should we tell the cops what we think?" 

" but what would we say? Its all feelings with no real evidence," 

" mmm but it maybe something that they can work with, right?"
"Mmm, I tell ya Alec visit here was not as the saviour he wants us too see, there is more to this, I 'll bet my life on it"
"hey, I believe ya Rich," Jon nodded too.
"So what do we do?"
"Lets give the cops the background on Alec and let them do the rest. It will have to come from you though Rich, you were in the band and saw everything, with the way Jon is right now...."
"yeah, no problem, I want justice for Jon just as much as we all do, but not right now...soon"
Dot gave me the stink eye,
"I know, but look hear me out first before you stink eye me."
"Go on"
"If I go to the cops right now, they are gonna be in here hounding me and mostly Jon, with the way he is right now, he's too weak to handle this stress, lets get Jon better and hell, I will volunteer as the head bounty hunter to get those low life sons of bitches... ok?" 

With Dots stink eye fading she agreed, just as the Dr walked into the room.

"Hey Doc, any news?"
"Hey, how's our patient," Jon gave a weak smile and the thumbs up"
"Good, well I have the results, but before I share the news do you want to call the family and have them here, say half an hour? I can then tell you all together?"
"Yeah"
" I'll go ring ma and pa an the guys." Dot left the room.
"Doc can I ask one thing before the family get here?"
I looked at Jon, he nodded, he knew what I was going to ask.
"Alec, our former bass player..... was he a possible match?"
"No, Richie he wasn't, his test showed large amounts of barbiturates and cocaine in his body, it was a straight rejection. I guess that's what you wanted to hear right?"
"Yeah that obvious huh?"
"A little.." the doc smiled.
"So, I don't wanna know who yet Doc, but is one of us a match? or have we gotta go on the main stream data base for a donor?"
"Its good news guys,there is a match,...."
he paused watching our reaction, which was stunned silence.
"Ok, now I've shut you both up, I'm gonna stand outside at the station until the family arrive ok, he laughed as he opened the door to leave, just as Dot returned.
"Christmas is coming early this year Doc"
Jon wrote on his board, "it's gonna be better than Christmas." we clamped hands as brothers in arms. 
"It will gentlemen, it will.... "
Dot sat down, "all's good they are on their way. what did Doc say?"
"Alec was a straight rejection, he had drugs in his system."
"yeah and?"
"there is someone as a match.."
"We don't know who yet though right?"
"mmm he will tell us when we are all together..."

We all sat waiting, mostly talking about Alec, still something was bugging me deep down and the more I tried to think on it the more frustrated I got. one things for sure, we were all relieved that he was not a match as a donor, I think if it had been him, Jon would have decided to die rather than accept a kidney from Alec.

while we were talking a noise of chattering and raised excited voices, was heard coming down the hallway, then the voices were in the room.
"They have a match huh?" "Who is it?"
"Whoa calm down guy's, I'll go get Doc and let him tell us."
"Dave and Tico came out with me and went in search of chairs while I went to let Doc know we were all here and ready for him."
"Ok Richie, get everyone settled Ill be there in five minutes."
back inside the room, it was crazy, and really just like Christmas, everyone in great spirit's for a change, waiting to hear the good news.

After what seemed like forever, Doc finally came into the room. silence descended as we all sat looking at him and waiting to know which of us was the donor.

"So, the results are all back, thank you everyone for consenting to be tested, out of all of you we have been lucky and we have a 98% match... the person that is going to be the donor is......" Tico drummed on the radiator....... "Richie"

 

chapter 20

I stared at the TV then back at Dorothea who sat by Jon's bed after I said that. How the hell was this happening. Was this what Pop had been doing the last two weeks when he wasn’t' here with Jon. I looked over at my friend the blankets tucked up around his shoulders. It just hurt to look at him his body had shrunk down so much his complexion the same white as the pillow his head rested on he looked like he was fading away in front of me. He had no colour and I knew that if we didn't get him the kidney that he so badly needed he would fade from our lives. I was damned if that was going to happen. We all had been tested we were just waiting for the damn results to come back. Matt Jon's younger brother was upset as he had been forbidden from doing it as he was far too young at fourteen to donate a kidney to Jon.

I stared as the news as they continued to talk about Doctor Manning how he had been arrested but had escaped I swore figures the slimy asshole would get away. I turned to see Dorothea brushing the hair from Jon's face being careful of not hitting his oxygen line. It broke my heart once again to see the hell my best friend was going through and the hell his wife was dealing with. I wanted to wrap my hands around Doc and that assholes throat that did this to him.

Sitting next to him I jumped as the door opened and two men were shown into the room by a nurse.. as she closed the door behind her, I Reacted to their presence and got up.

"Mr Sambora?"

"yeah"

"we are sorry to interrupt but, we need a few minutes of your time,....

"Who are you?" Ok that was possibly a stupid question as Detectives screamed out to me, but I needed to be sure.

"I'm sorry, I'm Detective Martin Bramble, and this is my colleague Detective Paul Rose, flipping their Id at me, as quick as they showed there badges they were flipped closed and put away, he continued talking,

" we tried to reach you at home, your neighbour told us where you were. I'm sorry we have to come here but we have questions we need to ask regarding the investigation, is there somewhere else we could go and talk?"

"Yeah, give me a minute I'll go check."

I left the room and headed over to the nurses station. The nurse that had showed the Detectives in to the room minutes earlier was back sitting behind her desk. I asked for a private room, she suggested the relatives room as it was vacant and she would make sure we were not interrupted. Thanking her I went back to get the Detectives. Opening the door, Dot was already talking to them;

"No, I am his wife, so anything you want to talk to Richie about, you can talk about to me too. I need to know. I am sick of being kept in the dark."

"Madam, we have to speak with Mr Sambora in the first place, now if you will excuse us..."

I placed a hand on Dots arm, "It's ok Dot, I'll let you know what its about when I get back ok?"

reluctantly she nodded in agreement. I lent forward and kissed her head as I led the Detectives out of the room and across the corridor to the relatives room. Inside with the door closed, the elephant walked in behind us. silence enveloped us. I spoke first to break the tension.

"So what do you need to know?"

"it's quite personal"

"Personal, on what level?"

"its relating to an accusation from your Manager"

"Ex Manager, What is it the asshole has said?"

I could feel my patience wearing, my nerves were shot too and I was sick of playing the good guy, on top of that the mention of Doc McGhee name just sent my blood pressure soaring...

“he said that you were the one that brought the drugs to Doctor Manning.... that he had no idea that they were from the black market. That you were getting a cut of the profits...”

I just stared at them like they had lost their ever loving minds. “why the FUCK would I give something like that to my best friend that is an outright lie... I had no freakin CLUE what the hell he was doing to my best friend I didn't even know about the drugs till I saw him injecting them into Jon. We were barely speaking to each other on the damn tour why would I give my best friend something that could potentially KILL HIM!.. that is my best friend.... so anything Doc has to say is a lie. I had no contact what so ever with the damn doctor he hired to take care of Jon. Funny that he took off right after Jon collapsed on stage and no one could find him! Doc knew him HE hired him ...then he came in here when they were fighting to save my best friend …. claiming that it was Jon's fault that this all happened. Jon trusted him and that Doc to take care of him and now my best friend's laying in a hospital bed fighting for his life!! Its his fault that my best friend is in the hospital...” I took a deep breath. When I saw the door to Jon's room open and someone walk in. “now if you excuse me I need to get back to Jon...” I moved to leave the room when one touched my arm,

“What do you know of this man George Manning...”

“I know he caused what's happening to my best friend …. that if he was a real doctor I'll eat my guitar ...” I spat as I walked out of the room with the detectives I was shocked to see Alec standing in the room talking to Dorothea. “Alec what are you doing here...”

“I saw the news cast …. and I saw the doc he was at a gas station... I saw him get onto a bus

. That was before I saw the news cast though otherwise I would have called.” He shrugged and took a breath. “I'm also here to get tested for Jon.... he might be a pain in the ass and not get along with me but I want to help too..”

I just stared at Alec in shock. “you want to help Jon... why what's in it for you..”

Dorothea looked at me “what did those detectives want?”

“Doc is trying to pin this whole shit on me.... “ I spat. “I had no clue whatsoever abut the shit they gave Jon … something's fishy.” I turned to see Jon waking up again though he was half awake. “hey bud... go on back to sleep..” He just gave me a tired look turning to see Alec standing there his eyes widen with shock. He motioned for his board

Dorothea gave it to him and he slowly wrote. “what's Alec doing here?”

Alec sighed “i want to help Jon I might not get along with you but you don't deserve what's happening to you … and I am sorry about earlier.... I saw the Doc leave at a gas station.”

“what station?” One of the detectives asked. “And who are you?”

“Alec Such I was the bass player …. I saw him at the Tesco just outside Red Bank he got onto a Greyhound..”

I swore “shit.... “

Chapter 19

"Penny for them"

"Uh?"

"Your miles away, what's wrong John, you have been pretty quiet all day?"

"Mmm"

"So, are you gonna tell?"

I remained silent, and concentrated on the drive back home; I smiled at ma then continued with the drive. Arriving back home we both headed into the house and straight to the living room. Immediately the questions began...

"Ok John, we are home, so tell what's eating you?"

"Nothing, just leave it"

"No, I've been married to you long enough to know when something is on your mind, so give."

"Can’t a pop be worried for his son?"

"Yeah of course he can, but there's more than that."

I paced the room and picked up the TV remote, aiming it at the screen it buzzed to life. The news channel was on and the last few seconds of the latest story aired......

"Again if anyone knows the where about of Dr George Manning, please contact this number... 0900-515-5299 ...  and now for the weather..."

I looked at ma, she had no idea what she had seen on the news, I did.

She walked over to me, trying to soften me with another tactic, slipping her arms around my waist she tried to gently coerce me to tell her.

How could I tell her the person that was mentioned on the news was responsible for her son lying at deaths door in a hospital? I couldn't, not yet.

I looked down into her blue eyes that looked up at me searching for the answers. She was right I could not keep back anything and she had always been able to read me like a book, but this time I had to keep what I knew inside.

"John, please, tell me.... whatever it is we can handle it together."

"Carol please.... let it be......"

"Let it be?"

"Yeah, there's nothing to tell, I'm tired and just worried about our son. I never expected to spend the day in hospital celebrating my sons 28th birthday, fuck, I never expected to have to be tested for a kidney to save his life, and you want to know what's wrong....."

"I'm sorry, your right, I am over reacting....right?... but I know I'm not ........am I?, .......but I'll let it be for now....."

I kissed her head and gave her a weak smile. She pulled back from me and she turned to walk off to the kitchen,

"So, what would you like to eat?"

"Anything"

"Broth?, a full meal?, idea's tell me?"

"Anything, whatever you make is fine with me."

"Ok, I’ll go see what there is..."

She left the room and I sat down and thought about what I had done to get justice for my son.

It had been about a week ago, a week last Thursday in fact, I went along to Doc McGhee's office with some of my Italian American friends. Richie had given me the address details. 

When we arrived we walked up the stairs and straight into his office. He was sat behind his desk on the phone; he hung up as soon as we entered.

I'll not go into the finer details, but let's just say that the discussion we had was very interesting. Within minutes I had the name of the Dr that had injected our son, and with a little persuasion he gave us all the back ground information on this man too.

It turns out that Dr George Manning was an unlicensed Dr after he had worked with a coach of the USA Olympic Team in Sareavo in 1982.

He had been in charge of the athletics team.  There was a great up and coming Gymnast named Santos Cherney, Manning was in charge of injuries and physio and the like, he was a real smooth talker and managed to convinced the coach that to get better performances from the team; a shot of a steroid would enhance the chance of winning more gold medals and aid the injuries to repair themselves.

The off shot was the young gymnast Santos, died. Then while awaiting trial Manning took off and went into hiding. The coach stood trial and was found guilty of manslaughter and served 10 years in jail. A hunt for Manning entailed but they could not find him. The ironic thing is, McGhee and Manning had both been at the same university so they already knew each other. Doc made contact with Manning and hired him to come on tour with the band.

The steroids he used, I now know were not the American Medical Association approved drugs, which are metered does, he bought the steroids used to inject Jon from the black market.

So, armed with this information I went off to the police and gave all my evidence, I had to tell of what happened to Jon, but sworn signed promises, called avadavits will ensure my sons name stays out of it, he will be known as celebrity A when the trial starts and it will start, So now the TV campaign to find the son of a bitch is underway and for justice to be done, for the kid that died and my son that is fighting for his life right now.

The door to the lounge opened and in walked ma with a tray of food. My hunger was low but I knew I had to eat; I smiled and gratefully accepted the tray with food.

She disappeared and re appeared with her food tray too, taking a seat on the sofa next to me she ate her meal. I sensed there was going to be questions, but I was not ready for the one that came first.

“John, you do love me right?”

“What kind of question is that?”

“One that I need you to answer?”

“Of course I love you, why would you ask such a stupid question?”

“mmm, just hear me out ok?”

I took a mouthful of the beef hash and chewed, the meal was delicious, but my appetite was lost on me, I chewed my food and listened to my wife.

“We have been married a long, long time John, you know everything there is to know about me, warts and all, just as I know everything about you. So if you love me as much as you say you do, why won’t you tell me the truth about what is bothering you? Nothing you can say is going to make things any worse, in fact it may help. I am strong and don’t need protecting, yes I know that is what you are trying to do, so come on give.”

I sat and took in her talk, it was true, out of the two of us, carol was stronger than I was, but I just did not know.... I did not want to tell her in case we could not find a donor match for Jon and he died, worst case scenario I grant you, but I just felt it was right that I kept it to myself for the time being. My other concern now was; there was no way she would quit, she would just keep on at me. I sat thinking and eating my meal, avoiding eye contact.

“Are you going to say nothing to me?”

Taking a deep breath, I answered her;

“Carol, look, there is something ok, but I beg you please, let it be... at least for now, as soon as we find a donor for our son and he has the operation I promise I will tell you everything. Will you grant me that grace Please?”

She looked at me, a concerned look on her beautiful face, her eye’s glazed, but at last she spoke, far softer this time and without force.

“Ok, I’ll do as you ask, I am really not happy about it, but I trust you and will wait for you to confide in me and share with me whatever it is that you think you cannot tell me now, I will let you do it in your own time.”

She reached over and took my hand, reassuring me she supported me. That was a comfort but time was the enemy and we needed to move things fast.