Chapter 28

The nurse had come into my room to let me know the Doc would be with me around 11am, I was now all packed ready to leave for home, and today was my discharge day; touching my side I was still sore, but I had healed quicker than I thought I would, what I wanted to do before leaving for home was go and see Jon. I wanted us to have a talk, since this whole nightmare began for him we had only managed snatched minutes and now there was no one with him, Dot had finally gone home to rest, the band had gone back to their families it was now just Jon and me.

Heading out my room I went to the nurses station to check I could go visit Jon, I was given the ok so I left walking in the direction of Jon's room.

We were all amazed with Jon's progress too, cause despite Jon's frail body he was healing well and better than expected, Just goes to show what a real fighter he is.

Pulling up at his door,  I knocked, he was watching TV, when he heard the knock he looked towards the door and smiled and gestured for me to come in.....

I moved to the side of the bed and took the frail hand of my best friend. He looked better than he did finally all the bloating and edema was down though he still had to wear the hose on his legs as he wasn't strong enough to be out of bed just yet. 

His voice after all the problems we had with it sounded a lot better also not the sore croaking that he had been talking since he woke up. 

It was clear and soft though as he was working to gain any energy. 

“how you feeling?” I asked as I sat on the edge of the bed being careful not to jostle anything.

Jon smiled at me and waved his hand “okay .. still tired and sleep most of the day away but Doc says I am doing fine they are moving me to a regular room tomorrow ...” he looked down his face losing the smile he had just graced me with.

“what's wrong Jon?” I moved forward we didn't need anymore bad news. Doc said he was doing good.

 “come on bud tell me...”

Jon sighed “I talked to Doctor Markus .. I am doing better but I am still so damn weak and being bed ridden for so long I have no muscle or strength right now … Pop came and talked with me too... Rich they said I have to go to a rehabilitation hospital for awhile...”

He shook his head 

“I don't want to.” 

He looked over at me.

 “what are the fans going to say when they find out …. hell the press...”

“right now I don't want you to think about the fans or the press or any of that .. Jonny you just went through hell yeah six month is a long time for being in the hospital but we almost lost you … if pop says you need to go to one he's only thinking of your best interest …. its going to take time for you to get back on your feet and those places will help you do that … its what they are trained for...”

“But I'll be alone...”

"Yeah, but you need that one to one bro, no distractions, sides we will all be back waiting in your room when your done with your session, we're not stopping now."

"I'm scared Rich, what if my body refuses to carry me?"

"Can you hear yourself? Are you fucking serious?, man you have been at deaths door for months , you have undergone a life saving operation, and now you are getting better.... you doubt yourself?"

"But...."

"But what?"

"Oh, I don't know, I guess being told I need to build muscle and re learn how to walk, it's another shock.... You know, jeez,  I'm like a ninety year old man" 

I laughed , "yeah but a good looking one"  Jon smiled at me. 

"So what's it to be?, you gonna be another pain in the ass and behave like a kid or ya gonna go to re hab and get back on your feet?" 

Blue eyes locked with mine as he spoke "I'll go, and yeah I'll do it quietly, no complaining, no diva .... I'll do everything I'm told, I promise , I want this over as fast as possible, I need to get back to what I do...... What we do " 

" pleased to hear it, on both counts, and I promise you, we will be there every step of the way." 

We just looked at each other but our hands locked in a brotherhood grip. "I'll make ya another deal, while your in re-hab I'll set about writing some songs for us, I'll run them by you, will give ya more focus right?" 

"Yeah, I'm so stale here, last few days lyrics are going round in my head, can't really write um on a chalk board" 

"You want me to bring some pens and a pad?" 

 "Yeah bro, that would be good." 

You thought about the band much ?" 

 "Yeah loads, what would you say to giving Alec full leave from the band ? After all the shit he gave on the last tour, I'm tired of him?"

"I agree, Alec was so high most nights I'm shocked he played as well as he did, we need a bass player though right?" 

"Yeah, I know who I'll ask too, that'll be cool." 

"Great, well I guess I better let you rest some, Doc will be roasting me if he knows I'm tiring you out "

"Nah, he'll be fine, honest I've missed ya Rich" 

" I've missed ya too bud," 

"I can't thank you enough for what you have done for me...... Without you .... Well.....  I.... " 

 "Stop, I did it cause I love ya man" 

"I love ya too Rich and thank you man, thank you." 

Your welcome, just put it to good use and get well ok?"

"Ok,"

Getting off the bed I walked to the door, I needed to head back to meet the Doc for my release . 

"That's me then I guess, I best get back"

"Rich"

"Yeah"

 " you'll still come see me right?"

" sure bud, I wanna make sure you don't go taking anymore bad medicine" he laughed, 

"Hey great title for a song" 

I laughed and smiled right back, "it sure is" raising my hand to say goodbye, On that thought of a song I headed out and back to my room to wait for the a Doc. 

Chapter 29

I awoke early, still thinking on the news about Manning and his accomplices being caught, finally it looked as if justice would be done, and not just for Jon but for the innocent gymnast that had lost his life through manning too. 

and now thinking about my two sons, yes; I regarded Richie as my son too; both in hospital, Jon  recovering from the operation, and Richie recovered to be discharged. I kept thanking god for Richie, for without the kindness of this young man; and undoubted love for my first born son, well it did not bare thinking about.

Laying in bed I looked across at Carol sleeping, for the first time in months we had both slept well, I felt refreshed and not stressed for a change. Man we had been on one hell of a roller coaster ride, but the light at the end of the tunnel was getting brighter.

There's something about the stress, that makes you behave in a far from logical way, I suppose that does come with being a parent though, when one of your kids is hurt so are you, and no it matters not if there adults or kids, toddlers or teens, no matter there age there still kids to you and your flesh and blood, I know me and Carol would give our lives for all our boys,

so, as I lay there thinking, today was gonna be a big day, Richie was being discharged from hospital he was finally fit enough to resume his normal activities, both ma and me wanted to be there when he left to take him out and buy him a meal, nothing grand just a small gesture to say thank you, plus ma and me had decided to include Richie into our will and give him a share of the Bongiovi estate too, equal to all our boys,

Carol had chatted to Joan, Richie's mom; and she was very happy for us to include her son. She became overwhelmed and emotional when we told her. Now; time was ticking and it was time to move our butts, time waits for no man, as they say, even less for Drs in hospitals, I'd spoke to Doc and gained a few minutes if we were late, but I did not want to keep the Doc from his patients for to long knowing how busy he was, so I started hauling my bones outta bed checking with the clock on the night stand , it was 8.45 am, it was gonna be tight on time, best wake Carol too, the nurse had given a time slot for the dr giving Richie his release, it was scheduled for 11am, and with breakfast to be cooked still, I had to push us both to start moving and fast to the max!  Joan knew our plans but Richie had no idea, so when Doc discharged him he'd be gone and we would have missed our chance. Turning my head I Looked at my sleeping wife, I shook her,

 " mmmm" 

"Carol, hunni, come on time to wake up?" I waited, nothing, I swear this women could sleep through an explosion at a nitro glycerin plant, I tried again;
"Carol, hunni its time to get up, were going to meet Richie out of hospital remember?.... Carol......" I waited and apart from a grunt, nothing. I decided on the best way to wake her was with a cup of coffee and breakfast in bed.
Once downstairs  I set about fixing breakfast, all cooked and coffee made with the tray loaded I headed back upstairs to our bedroom, as I entered my elbow caught on the handle which caused the cups to chink together, Carol stirred, "John?"
"Yes, Good morning sleepy head"
"Good morning, what have you got there?"
"I thought i'd make us breakfast, and that we could have it in bed"
"Oh hunni that's so nice a real treat, Thank you..."
as I placed the tray down ma could see the crispy bacon and pancakes and egg I had made for her.
"Ooooh my favourite," put patting her stomach, "not for the waistline, still once in a while eh?"
"You look perfect to me, "
"Awww thank you" I leaned over and we both kissed." Carol was my soul mate, and I can honestly say hand on heart, if I had all the women in the world to choose from again I would still choose my Carol. 

 While we ate we discussed Richie and Jon, "Ma, should we tell jon what we have done regarding adding Richie to the estate after we pass?"
"Yes,  I think Jon would be pleased with our decision, he has been trying to think of some way he could thank Richie himself, now, in a way we have done it for him, as a family, right?"
"Right, pa this bacon is delicious, by the way, I'm thinking, what time are we going, have you spoke to Dr Markus?"
"Yes, yes, relax it's all sorted. Doc will be doing his rounds about eleven, doc said if we aint there he would chat to Richie before giving him his release. I do think we should start moving real soon though, you done?" 

Finishing her last bit of bacon she pushed her plate at me, "all done" 

" right, you go shower and dress first I'll take these downstairs" 

"Ok, leave them on the side I'll rinse them through later"

I left the bedroom and headed downstairs and left the dishes on the sink to be rinsed when we got back, then I made my way back upstairs to shower and dress too.

In our bedroom ma was already in the shower and singing, badly... where Jon got his talent I will never know, I sat on the bed listening, " that's life, that's what all the people say.... riding high in April, shot down in may....." she was singing one of her favourite songs, Frank Sinatra's "That's Life" as I say badly, I am sure the notes were in there somewhere, but they were definitely in the wrong order. I felt the smile on my face and before long I was laughing.
"What's so funny?"
Ma caught me off guard, "Eh, Oh nothing, I was just thinking to myself that's all.."
"Don't lie, you were laughing at my singing"
"well hunni, lets just say our first born got all the talent"
"I know, but I do like to sing, its so not fair," I know it was cheesy but I could not resist, "I know hunni, but That's life" Ma responded by throwing her slipper at me, fortunately she was just a bad shot as she was a singer and it missed me. 

Now with Ma out of the shower it was my turn to head in and get ready.

Half hour later we were both downstairs and ready to leave, a bit behind time but nothing major, final checks done, including the paperwork in the envelope that showed the inclusion of Richie with entitlement to our estate  in equal share with our boys and all signed by us in the presence of the lawyer; now back inside the envelope and sealed complete with red bow on top,  we could finally leave and head off to the hospital.

Pulling up we parked, and checking the time, we were ten minutes late,  with speed we headed to the entrance and the elevator. It arrived and we got on, hit the button to Richie's floor and prayed we were not to late, we rode up one floor when it stopped to allow more people to get on, both ma and me kept checking our watches, then the elevator door opened and on got Dr Markus , "Mr & Mrs Bongiovi, Good Morning..." good Morning Doc."
"perfect timing, I'm just on my to see Richie,  I have been told he's with your son, so is today the day?"
"Yeah todays the day, show him ma.." ma got the papers out to show to the Dr. and watched as he read the document.
"Wow, an equal share to your other sons... incredible... he is a lucky guy." " no doc  we are the lucky ones" 
 

Chapter 27

"John..... John honey... you there?" I was out back in the yard tweaking with the lawn cutter, but I could hear carol calling for me. I walked back into the house and into the hallway, her voice had sounded like it came from upstairs, reaching the bottom step I hollered back...
"I was out back in the yard, what is it?"
like magic she appeared at the top of the stairs;

"Go switch on the TV there's news on about Alec and that Doc McGhee and another guy, they have been arrested."
I felt my heart leap in my chest, but followed orders and headed into the lounge and hit the remote, I watched as the TV came to life, changing the channel to the news station Carol mentioned. I watched as the female reporter gave the facts of the latest news topic ; id missed most of it but caught the tail end and managed to piece together the full picture.
"Doc McGhee and Alec Such were connected with Bon Jovi, both of which recently departed from the band, no-one was available from Bon Jovi to make comment about the drug allegations posed against the two men, Dr Manning, is also now in custody having been arrested on a separate count following information received from a member of the public who saw him in Mexico. There is no news yet on the McGhee/Such and Manning arrests being connected, More on this story as we get it,  for now back to the studio..." as the TV presenter took the handover I switched off the TV just as ma walked into the lounge.
"I am shocked John, drugs? I know Alec was a bad boy and gave our Johnny problems in the band, taking them and getting high, but, I still can't get my head around him smuggling drugs.... what say's you?"
my mind was a million miles away and I really was not focused on Carol, my mind was with Manning being caught. I wondered who the person was that had reported him, fact; I wanted to shake that person's hand.  I was so lost in thought i did not see carol walking up behind me and jumped as she touched my arm....
"You ok?"
"Yeah, I guess I'm just shocked too" 

"Over which part?" 

"All of it I guess...I have waited for months for that assole of a manager to be brought to justice, and at last it seems its now gonna happen..." 

"mm mm, I'm a little confused though?"
"Why?" 

"Well, Alec and Doc are being held over drug smuggling charges, what has the other guy got to do with anything?"

I swallowed hard at the lump forming in my throat, I knew now was the time to tell ma what I knew, with Jon on the road to recovery, now it was time for the truth.

I moved to the sofa and sat down,
"Carol hon come and sit with me, there's something I need to explain to you." She gave me a puzzled look, but sat right next to me.
"Ok, I'm listening."
"remember when you were badgering me weeks ago about knowing something and not sharing?"
"yeah"
"Well, until Jon was on the road to recovery, I did not want to share what I knew, I kept it to myself in case anything happened to our son, and you would be none the wiser.. and...."
"Alright already, I get it John, just explain..." Carol had always had a short fuse and liked to get to the facts without the flowery speeches first, especially if it was about her son. taking a deep breath I began,
"Doc McGhee was the guy's manager right?"
"I know that"
"and Alec was bass player in the band,"
"I know that too, John, honey, please just cut to the chase"
"McGhee, hired Manning to look after Jon, every time our son's voice gave out he was the one injecting Jon with the steroids"
"him?, he's the Dr that took off when Jon was admitted to hospital?"
"Yeah... but there's more to it..."
"bastard.... go on..."
"Richie and I paid Doc a visit and he squealed like an oinker, he told me that manning and him were at university together, he also told me that manning was in charge on the gymnastics team at the Olympics in Sareavo, he had been hired as the teams Dr the coach of the team trusting Manning let him inject the steroids into the athletes, he had convinced everyone that the drugs would help the injuries they sustained heal faster. All was going great, no concerns, until one of the gymnasts died, Manning jumped bail and disappeared before the trial, the coach of the team was convicted and served ten years. Sweetheart what I am trying to tell you is, not only is he a wanted man but he is the same man that used black market drugs, only this time; on our son... they were un metered doses."

I watched as the information sunk in with ma, realisation dawned, he face pale, then contorted with anger.
"So Doc hired this sleaze ball to look after my son?, and this manning gave my son black market drugs too?"
"That's about the size of it"
"So Alec how does he come into this, he came to the hospital to offer to be tested?"
"Alec was hooked on drugs, he had financial problems and owed money to his dealer, McGhee paid off the dealer, and arranged that if Alec collected the drugs for Manning to give to Jon he would give him his drugs for free"
"low down lying hypocritical son of a bitch."
"Who?"
"Alec, how can he do that?, he is as responsible for Jon being in hospital as much as the others, Oh John"
"I know honey, but look at least Jon is now on the mend right?, these scumbags have been caught and we should see some form of justice."
"Why didn't you tell me before?" tears flowed down her cheeks as she sobbed, I wrapped my arms around her and just held her and let the tears fall.