12/30/2010

Reach For You

When she woke, the bed was empty save for a piece of hotel stationary propped next to her.
 
 
 
Had to work.
 
Meet me at soundcheck if you're awake by 4.
Call for the car service, they know where to bring you.
 
 
Love,
 
Me
 
 
 
 
 
She stretched, her body aching from the flight, her very talented husband, and too little sleep. The idea of slipping back into sleep held a lot of appeal, but the chance to see Sydney and her extended family pulled at her more. She rolled off the bed and stumbled into the bathroom. The tub called to her aching body, but she knew she'd be a slug if she got into that warm water for even ten minutes. After taking a brisk shower, she slathered herself in lotion and stepped into a pair of shorts. After a quick check of her phone she took the extra step to figure out Fahrenheit and Celsius and gasped. "98 degrees?" A damn far cry from the 20 degrees at home that was for sure.
 
She dug into her bag and went for a tank top. She'd have to go shopping for summer clothes to get through the rest of the week.
 
She called downstairs, and sure enough they had a car waiting for her in less than ten minutes. Sometimes being married to the man in the band had perks that was for sure. 
 
The sedan was very much what she was used to in SoHo and she climbed in with a smile to her driver, his tag said: Ben. "Can you take the scenic route to the stadium?"
 
"Of course. Anything in particular?"
 
She thought for a moment, then smiled at him. "Show me your Sydney, Ben." 
 
Startled, he nodded and grinned back at her in the rear-view mirror. "Good on ya."
 
Figuring she said the right thing, she relaxed back against the butter soft leather. It was warmed from the sun, but a nice cool air kept her comfortable. He headed out of the city and through back roads. The houses were sometimes crammed, sometimes broken out into suburbs. All of it was like a city and a village merged into a living monument to the people of the area. Parks with crazy playgrounds bled into standard city streets. Street vendors hawked their wares as they got closer to the coast. Tempted to jump out and shop, she held  herself back--barely.
 
"Hold on Miss Tessa."
 
She gripped the headrest in front of her and they climbed a back road full of bumps and gouges. Just as she thought maybe she'd made a mistake, the most spectacular view of the ocean and a stark beach came into view. Wild and gorgeous, the waves crashed along the spikey grass. Surfers curled into the wide breakers and flipped gracefully over the foam only to do it all over again.
 
Finally, he made the descent to another village. The colors and sounds made her open her window for awhile. The thick sea air and heavy heat blew through the car, but it felt good. The sun kisssed her skin and the briney scent of ocean and sea-life drew her gaze. Piers and fishermen turned into public beaches, and finally the roads went from sandy to pavement as they headed back into Sydney proper.
 
The generic city streets blended into greens as rich as home and through the trees she saw what looked like a roller coaster. She realized they were close to the stadium and blinked at the size. She knew her husband was playing a big place here, but this was massive. Ben pulled around the back and she saw the familiar train of busses and the hive of roadies she was used to. "Thanks so much, Ben. I loved your Sydney."
 
"I'm glad. Thank you for making it a nice day Miss Tessa. I hope you and the mister get some time to look around together."
 
She wasn't betting on it with Jon's schedule, but she nodded and smiled before she got out. The whap-whap of Tico's drum kit and the whine of guitars made this place like any other when it came to the familiar sounds. Yes the bowl of the football stadium was massive, but soundcheck was soundcheck in the end. She grinned when she heard Jon's voice order for an increase in this level, lowering that--all the tech-speak went over her head.
 
But it was soothing in its own way. And she waved hello to those she knew by name, stopped to talk with her brothers-in-law. Surprised when she got a back crusher of a hug from Tony. "Well, hello to you too."
 
"Am I glad to see you!"
 
She laughed. "Not that I'm not flattered, but why?"
 
"Because if you're here, then Jon will stop acting like a shit and I can fucking relax."
 
She frowned. "Has he been that bad?"
 
"I wish I could say no, sis, but he's been a bear with a thorn. With you here things will even off."
 
She brushed her hand over his shoulder and kissed his cheek. Glad that she'd followed instinct and had taken the flight, she climbed the stairs to the stage. The four of them were in a huddle over the setlist and as usual Tico was quietly smoking a cigarette while Richie and Jon hashed out which songs they would do on the circle.
 
"Hey! There's my favorite redhead!" David came over and plucked her up into a hug and smacking kiss.
 
She laughed and tugged on one of his curls. "Only because you prefer blondes."
 
"This is true, though not as blindly as some people."
 
"Was that an insult?" Richie asked with mock indignation.
 
"If you call truth insult, sure why not?"
 
Tessa rolled her eyes and went on tiptoes to kiss Richie. "Don't listen to him. But would it kill you to go with a brunette once or twice?"
 
"Not you too!" Richie whined and hugged her tight until her feet were off the stage. "How you doin' Wife-that-should-have-been-mine? Now for you I would have broken ranks with the blonde bombshell brigade."
 
The ongoing joke was complete and she hugged him tight. "I'm good, better with a few hours of sleep under my belt." When she let him go, she instantly gravitated to Jon. "I'll never complain about jetlag again. Australia wins every time on time travel."
 
Jon scooped her close and buried his nose in her neck for a quick moment, his hand low on her back in a possessive gesture that never ceased to drive her system into instant awareness.  "I didn't think you were going to make it."
 
"Had to look around the city. You never know when we'll be back." She looked up at him with a slow grin. "Are you working my guys hard?"
 
"Oh here we go," David muttered. "Don't get me all riled up all right. I gotta wait a week to see my girl."
 
The laughter was just enough to make the souncheck that much easier. She wandered around the stadium as they went through the usual songs. She tipped her head up to the sun that peeked through a few grey clouds. Rain thought about making an appearance, but in the end she figured they were safe. 
 
The opening strains of These Days echoed out into the empty stadium drew her forward to the pit. She sat down with a thump as Jon and Richie effortlessly merged into one voice and then Jon's gritty voice whispered over the mic. He wouldn't belt it out now--he'd save it for the show, but just the idea that they might do this song had her leaning forward to prop her chin on her arms. She caught her husband's grin as he kept singing, knowing that anything from this album would turn her into a giggling maniac. 
 
They closed up the song and she climbed the stairs that he often took to wade through the masses at a show. Most of the time she left them to their soundcheck knowing Jon would get growly if his system was upset, but she couldn't help herself from sidling up to kiss his cheek. He twined his fingers into hers, finished the song, his head tilted to the side at the mic his eyes on hers. 
 
"Don't you know that all my heroes die, I guess I'd rather die than fade away..."  
 
And there was the crux of Jon right now. She knew it, it was unsaid, but there was a piece of him that wanted to go out on top--to maybe finish this tour and disappear. Knowing her husband, she pressed most of it into the I'm-too-tired-to-function realm and knew that a song, a thought, an idea would be all that steered him out of that line of thought. But there was a part of him that just might do it. 
 
Just how many critics could you ignore and stay sane?
 
How many times could you be slapped down, even now...high on a second wind in your almost three decade career and not wonder what you were doing it for? She knew the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame thing had hurt him. He waved it off all well in good, but it rankled. She knew it did.
 
"I think we're good guys. I'll see you in a few hours."
 
Richie's dimples flashes. "Yeah, I bet you're real good."
 
Instead of diving into the usual bawdy banter, he clamped a hand on Richie's shoulder with a tired smile and pulled her into his side. "Don't get into too much trouble without me."
 
She drew her hand down his middle, the muscles there hid the fact that he was just a touch too skinny for her peace of mind. She couldn't wait to get him home for the holidays, then out to the beach. He needed the two weeks of not being on. He was quiet as they headed into his private dressing room.
 
He dropped onto the couch, his smile not quiet reaching his eyes. "How you doin' babe?"
 
Instead of sitting next to him, she straddled his lap, his mouth quirking up as she settled on his thighs. His hands smoothed over her bare skin, his thumbs circling her inner thigh as he tipped his head up. She brushed her nose against his. Softly, she kissed him. No heat, no buildup, not looking for anything other than comforting her man. He wasn't the type to talk things out--he mulled them over in his too active brain. She just let him know without the words that would make him close off--that she was there.
 
And when he sighed into her, wrapping his arms around her and pressing his ear to her chest she played with his hair lightly. "Whatever it is, you know you can talk to me about it."
 
"I know." He nuzzled into her neck, just holding her. "So, tell me who did you leave Stella with?"
 
She laid her cheek against his hair, letting him steer the conversation away from the elephant in the room. "Mary. Nichole and the kids were going out for the week of Christmas so they took Stella with them. I think Mary was more excited than the kids to have her there. And of course Stella was dying to have that huge back yard to herself. We'll go pick her up on Christmas."
 
"I'm glad you came, babe."
 
She knew something was weighing on him, she just wished she could help. As close as they were, there were places she just couldn't reach. "Me too." And when his fingers slid uner her shirt she melted into him. At least this was one comfort that never let them down.
 

3 comments:

rutpop said...

Oh Tara his torment is just so heartbreaking. Hang in there Jon and let Tessa help you through.

Mystery Train said...

God I missed these two so much!! Hanging on your every word here Tara - can u turn this one into an epic?? Pretty please!!

Super_Kiwi said...

Aww from the little tour around Sydney (uncannily done as well) so descriptive, to the sound check. *sigh*

That was sweet hehe These Days--way to go to kill wifey Jon and I love the ease and banter she has with the band..David and Richie, LOL..made me laugh.

But loved the ending more---the silent Jon--deep in thought while Tessa is just there for him. I think that's really our Jon. I truly do. You showed that beautifully and their bond.

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