The Sauna Part 140

We went up to the front desk and Jon got the keycards for the rooms and we went to inspect them. They should be arriving within a half hour and Jon’s parents would be here shortly after that. We went into the suite he’s reserved for Linda and I saw there was a basket waiting with champagne, snacks and dog biscuits and I laughed in spite of my gray mood.

“You really did take care of everything, didn’t you?” I said, hugging him.

“I probably should have had water or soda here instead of the champagne, but I can fix that” he said as he dialed the hotel lobby and asked for soda and water and some fresh fruit.

We went on to my parents’ room and went inside. The room was larger and there were handicapped rails in the bathroom and a basket with fruit, diet soft drinks and bottled water. There was even a box of diabetic chocolate and a special room service menu that had been made up to reflect what they had available in low calorie items. The hotel had done a good job and we were both pleased.

Jon’s parents’ room was similar and they had a basket too, but theirs contained champagne and wine and several cans of nuts and chocolate that his mother loved. There was also a full bottle of good whiskey available and I wondered about that, but didn’t comment. There was nothing left to do until Rick called when they reached the hotel. No news was good news so far.

****************************

My folks were ready when the limo arrived and Linda introduced Rick as Jon’s personal security assistant. My dad shook his hand and Rick loaded their bags into the car. The limo was stocked with food and drinks and my dad actually allowed himself to enjoy it and have a beer with Pat. My mother tried to empty the chocolates into her pocket, but my dad and Linda stopped her.

No one had ever been on a private plane before and they were all quite impressed. My dad knew Jon was wealthy, but it was all beginning to sink in more now. Vicky made sure everyone was comfortable and the dog settled down at my mother’s feet for the short plane ride. Linda asked Rick a few questions about the hotel and my dad was more interested in hearing about what it was like to work for Jon.

It had been a stroke of genius on Jon’s part, albeit unintentional, to assign this duty to Rick. Few people outside the band and his immediate family knew Jon as well as Rick or were as happy for him and I as was Rick. He took the opportunity to share the change he’d seen in Jon since we became a couple.

He explained that Jon was a demanding employer and a perfectionist, but that he’d mellowed substantially and gave the example from the night before about the PA system. He also went on to say that while Jon was tough, he was fair and always honest in his dealings with anyone and Rick respected that. So too did my father.

*************************

My family arrived at the Hard Rock just before one o’clock and Jon’s cell rang. It was Rick and we made our way to the lobby to greet them. There was a throng of fans and groupies in the lobby and Rick ushered my folks through the thick of it to where Jon and I were waiting, out of sight from the fans. My mother seemed a bit discomfited by the commotion and the dog was panting with excitement, so we escorted them to their rooms quickly.

We congregated in Linda’s suite and everyone began to relax away from the crowd and the flashbulbs. This had become a matter of routine for me now, but it was definitely new for my family. My dad was a bit overwhelmed with the accommodations and had never been treated so lavishly and Linda was tickled when she saw the dog biscuits and thanked Jon heartily.

“We’ll let you folks get settled. We’re in Suite 200, just two floors up, so come up and join us when you’re ready. If there is anything at all that you need, just call the front desk and they’ll make sure to take care of it and you let me know if there are any problems” Jon said with authority.

“Thank you, I can’t imagine what else we could need” my father said, shaking Jon’s hand.

We left them to get settled and went to our room to relax and unwind before Jon’s parents arrived. Rick had been assigned to keep an eye on both our families and make sure that no over-zealous fans managed to harass them, so he stayed behind, guarding the hallway. Jon was in total control of the situation and I was again proud of his ability to take care of things.

He called the guys and invited them to come up and Richie declined as he and Elaine were trying to work things out and maybe get some sleep. There was a knock on the door and Jon opened it to welcome his mom and dad. This was the first time I’d laid eyes on either of them and they weren’t quite what I’d been expecting.

Jon’s father was quite tall, a good head above Jon who was somewhat diminutive in stature by comparison. He was a handsome man and that didn’t surprise me, but it was his mother who I found a bit disconcerting. She was an attractive woman, though somewhat heavy, and she was dressed to the nines. In fact, she struck me as rather flamboyant and it was clear that she was accustomed to being the center of attention.

“Where is Rick? He wasn’t there to greet us when we got to the hotel and we had to deal with those fans by ourselves” she said petulantly as she swept into the room.

“C’mon now, Carol, don’t start. It was fine” Jon’s dad said as he turned to hug his son.

“I’m sorry, mom. Rick is here and he’ll take care of you and Trish’s family while you’re here” Jon said apologetically, trying to smooth her ruffled feathers. “Come in and sit down. Come and meet Trish” he added excitedly.

“It’s so nice to finally meet the woman who’s stolen Jon’s heart” his dad said warmly as he stepped towards me. “Welcome to the family” he said as he hugged me.

“I’m so glad to finally meet you too. I can see where Jon got his good looks and charm” I replied as I hugged him back.

“And I am so thrilled to meet you and to thank you for making Jon into the wonderful man that he is and to be part of your family. I love your son with all my heart” I said to his mom, taking a page from Jon’s book.

She embraced me rather coolly, and gave me a superficial kiss on the cheek and I knew instantly that Jon hadn’t gotten his warmth from her. She smelled heavily of perfume and alcohol and I was beginning to think I wasn’t going to like his mother much, but I would do my best to win her over for his sake.

“Well, I’m glad my son has found someone to take care of him again finally. He needs looking after, you know” she said pointedly.

“I will do my best to make sure that he’s happy” I replied, trying to sound more pleasant than I felt at the moment.

Jon looked very happy to have his parents here with us and I wondered if he saw his mother as I did or recognized the contrast between her and his dad. I had little time to ponder it any further as Tico and Eva arrived, followed by the others, all of whom received a much more affectionate welcome than I had. But then again, I was basically a stranger and she’d known the guys for most of their lives.

We uncorked a couple of bottles of champagne and began filling everyone’s glasses when the door opened and my family came in, escorted by Rick. I was grateful that Linda had left the dog in the room for once as I could have just imagined Carol’s reaction to that. We made the rounds of introductions and everyone began to settle into a seat. My dad helped my mother into a chair and got her a diet soda and we began to talk about the show.

It was nearing four-thirty when Richie and Lainie appeared and I was glad to see that they had appeared to have resolved their differences. They both looked subdued, but neither looked angry and I caught the relief in Jon’s face as he smiled at Richie. We introduced him to my family and Jon’s mother fawned over Elaine, much to my irritation. I began to wonder if she did it on purpose.

Jon’s dad, on the other hand, seemed to be all that his mother was not. It was as though he tried to make up for her almost dismissive attitude towards me by focusing his attention on me and my family. He was an engaging man and showed none of the haughty arrogance his wife displayed in abundance. I began to feel sorry for him and for Jon as I watched his mother more closely.

“You must be incredibly proud of your son” my father said to Jon’s dad.

“He’s done alright for himself” he replied humbly.

“Oh, for Heaven’s sake, John. Johnny’s done a bit better than just alright” Carol chimed in as she proceeded to list her son’s considerable credits.

“Mom, please, that’s enough now” Jon implored her, beginning to feel embarrassed.

“I’m not ashamed to brag about my son. How many parents could consider themselves as lucky as we are?” she continued.

I could see my father beginning to bristle as he hated arrogance as much as I did and it was clear that she was all too willing to view Jon’s success as her own. I began to think she was obnoxious and wondered whether this had been such a good idea after all. I tried to remind myself that she was Jon’s mother, and had contributed half of his genetic material and therefore couldn’t be all bad. But it didn’t go very far in convincing me.

“Is anyone hungry yet? Maybe we could skip going to the restaurant and just order it to be brought here instead?” Jon suggested, trying to change the subject.

“I’m getting a little hungry, Floyd” my mother piped in and Jon immediately showed her a menu and encouraged her to order whatever she liked.

“Johnny, what about your fans and the press? Won’t they be expecting you to make an appearance? You don’t want to disappoint your audience” Carol said loudly.

I was beginning to think it was Carol who craved the audience as Jon and the rest of us surely didn’t. She was insufferable and I remembered then that she had been a former Playboy bunny and was used to publicity and being in the spotlight.

“I think we can safely forgo any more publicity, mom. Besides, I’m not in the mood to divide my attention between that and my family” Jon said smoothly, having the final say.

We all began to consider what we wanted and Jon asked Rick to try and take everyone’s orders. My sister wanted to go and check on the dog and Rick escorted her to her room after assigning the task of ordering the food to one of his men. His first responsibility was to take care of the family.

“Wow, Jon’s mother sure is something, isn’t she?” Linda said to Rick as they walked to her room.

“She can be a bit overwhelming" Rick said in a neutral voice.

He couldn’t stand Carol either, but he was loyal to Jon and would never stoop to voice his opinion casually. Jon would have seen it as a betrayal and loyalty was everything to Jon among his friends and his staff.