Chapter 2

Alex sat in the back seat of the town car, nervously clutching her purse and staring blindly out the window at the beautiful countryside that flashed by unnoticed. Her emotions were conflicted, she both longed to see this man and dreaded it. She had desired and loved him for almost twenty years, and at thirty-seven years of age that was more than half of her life. If she was honest with herself she would admit that neither the love nor desire had ever waned, and that those same emotions had her dreading their impending rendezvous increasingly with each passing mile. Alex had been devastated when they had said their goodbyes almost five years before. For them, but especially for her, it had never been easy. Career, family commitments and of course distance had all conspired, to keep them apart. Knowing that he would never, could never be truly hers, Alex had made the most difficult decision of her life and ended their relationship. Jon had fought her decision to end it. He had pursued her for months with phone calls and emails and letters and even hundreds of roses. His pursuit of her was in vain, her mind was set.

Yet here she was five years later, the pain and anguish turning her stomach, as fresh as it was that first awful day. She had literally bumped into him a week earlier on the streets of New York, while out on her early morning run. What were the odds? In a city of more than eight million people she had turned a corner and, smack there he was. She collided with him at a sprint and his arms instinctively curled around her to steady them both. Realisation struck for both of them seconds later. She excused herself and sprinted away, leaving him dumbfounded with feet plastered to the sidewalk staring after her. He had made several attempts since to contact her, but it was only when he threatened to turn up on her doorstep that she had agreed to this meet. Her life had changed since they were together, and his appearance in it threatened to undo all that she had worked for. The only purpose of the impending liaison was to explain this to him. Alex needed him to understand that what was done was done; there was no turning back, not now, not ever!

The car speed her ever closer to her destination and as it did her mind drifted back to 1987. She was just sixteen, seated in the back of her friend Lanie’s sister’s classic 1967 Holden and on her way to see the greatest rock band in the world. Mel, much older at twenty-one had agreed to be chaperone and was taking the girls to the concert, and would take them back to her place near the city afterward, rather than the long commute back to the suburbs. She would then return them to their own homes the following day.

Bon Jovi had hit it big time down under. They had several songs in the charts and their album was number one. Her parents had let her go to the concert, her very first one, with a small group of girlfriends from school and of course Mel. They were all dressed to the nines hoping to attract the attention of the hot front man, or maybe even that cute guitarist. The group had tickets in the front row to the side of the stage so they had made signs to display hoping they would make an impression and get backstage to meet the band. Alex’s friend Lanie had made a couple she thought were a bit too out there. Both were a play on Bon Jovi song lyrics, one said "I'M SLIPPERY WHEN WET" and the other "JON WANNA GET WILD IN THE STREETS WITH ME". Alex had made her own sign, it said simply “IYBon Jovi”, in large bold black lettering on vibrant red cardboard.

The support band, The Choirboys had just finished their set and the stage was being set for the main attraction. The atmosphere in the arena was electric, everyone was anxious for the real show to begin. Alex was taking advantage of the house lights being on. Looking around the arena, she was amazed at the sheer magnitude of a production such as this. She was taking in every detail of the arena and stage setup, the catwalks, cables and wires criss-crossing the roof space, the massive amounts of lights and the clusters of powerful thumping speakers. She scanned the stage top, observing the mic stands that were being introduced indication where various band members would stand, and the guitar racks that came soon after. Movement below the deck of the stage had her focus shift to a dark curtain concealing the space beneath the stage. Were those a pair of eyes she could see, was someone looking out? She squinted and leaned forward a little to get a closer look.

At that moment a girl behind her, she knew from school as Michelle, screamed “It’s Jon, look, it’s him, there on the stage!”

Alex glanced up at the stage then calmly turned to Michelle and explained “No, it’s not Jon.” You idiot! “That’s his brother Matt. He’s been working this tour with the road crew” The girl was a fool. As if Jon would be on stage! Hauling speakers no less!

The girl stopped screaming but was none to happy to believe what she had been told. Alex turned back to the stage, and watched with interest the comings and goings of stage technicians and equipment. By the time she remembered the curtain the eyes were gone, the house lights faded to black and a scream thundered through the arena.

From the darkness David’s masterful fingers began to caress the keys, the platform on which he stood rose slowly from the stage as lights flashed from beneath and all around it. The display provided a diversion for the remaining band members to take their place on stage, all except Jon. There was a deafening bang as a shower of fireworks flashed across the stage. Tico struck the first beat on the drums as Richie and Alec, the bassist, descended staircases that flanked the drum kit and began to play the first chords of “Raise Your Hands”. Moments later Jon ran out from the left of Tico, jumped off the raised platform that held the kit and onto the main stage below. Lanie handed Alex a sign and she held it up in front of her hoping to get Jon’s attention, anyone’s attention really.

Jon stepped to the microphone and shouted “Hello Sydney, are you ready to rock ‘n roll”

The crowd let out a scream of affirmation as Jon began to sing.

You - you got a nasty reputation
We're in a sticky situation - it's down to me and you

Richie, the cute guitarist was closest to her side of the arena and was providing great eye candy for the excited fans. He looked amazing up close, in a tight black tank and even tighter pants, his long dark hair already falling damp around his angular face. Alex knew that his eyes were a chocolate brown from photos but there colour couldn’t be seen in the dim light. A scream went up around her as he moved to the edged of the stage and played up to them, doing a double take at something he had seen. Richie turned and motioned for Jon to join him and when he pointed in their direction she thought she would die. Jon seemed to stumble over a line in the song when he looked up into the crowd.

S..S..So... t...tell me - is it true ... they say there ain't nobody better
Well now that we're together
Show me what you can do

He pointed to himself and then to her section, nodded as a roguish leer crossed his face. At that point Alex turned around to see what was behind her. What or who had already captured his attention? There were thousands of beautiful scantily clad women surrounding her; the thought that it was her never even crossed her mind. When she turned back to the stage she saw that Jon had moved to the very edge right in front of her and only metres away, again he pointed, this time it was clearly directed at her, she glanced around again then pointed to herself, again Jon nodded and smiled, though this time he also mouthed “Yeah you!”

Jon turned and continued the show, quickly running to the other side of the arena, seducing the crowd just as he had before her. It was all part of the show, but why choose her to single out. All became clear when she bought the sign down placing it at her feet on the floor. She realised that Lanie had handed her the sign that said "JON WANNA GET WILD IN THE STREETS WITH ME". That explained his trouble with the lyrics, he was reading her sign. Alex didn’t know whether she wanted to kiss or kill her friend.

Alex turned towards Lanie who was so totally absorbed in the show that she hadn’t really even noticed the interaction that had taken place between her friend and the rock star. She was a Richie girl, and was far too engrossed in him to pay attention to anything else. It was then Alex realised that sign was always intended for her, the “Jon Girl”, but decided that no real harm had been done so she settled in to enjoy the show. She was having the best night of her life so far, little did she know it was going to get much, much better.

The show was amazing, the band was amazing, and Jon was amazing. His energy was boundless. He moved across the stage seemingly effortlessly, sparking hysteria in the fans by simply glancing in their direction. They had enjoyed several songs of the show and Alex thought that it might be safe to reveal her little secret. She had snuck a camera into the arena in hopes of getting a few shots of the band. Even at the tender age of sixteen she knew it was her life’s desire, her destiny even, to be a photographer; not just any photographer but the finest in her chosen genre, whatever that may develop into.

Alex had taken just a few shots when she saw a rather burly security guard heading in her direction. This man was not one of the uniformed arena staffers that were controlling the crowds. He was plainly dressed and had a pass hanging from his thick neck.

As she hastily stashed her camera back into her bag Alex thought “Yep, I’ve really done it now. There goes the rest of the show for me”.

The guard excused himself and made is way along the row to Alex’s side. A lump formed in her throat as she anticipated the worst.

“Excuse me Miss, but I’ll need you to come with me” the man spoke firmly but not unkindly with a cockney accent.

“B...But my friends, how will I find them later? They’re my ride home? Where are you taking me?” Alex managed to ask, question after question tumbling from her lips.

“Don’t worry Miss I will inform them of your location when the concert comes to a close. Now please follow me. We don’t want to disrupt the show for the rest of these nice people” answering only her first question the guard leaned in and spoke close to her ear so she would be able to hear him over the din of the music.

Alex said nothing else but hung her head in despair and followed the guard as instructed. He led her down a set of stairs onto the main floor of the arena in what appeared to be the direction of the closest door. Alex shot a look over her shoulder at Jon and the band, now playing the Beatles classic Twist & Shout. Jon was twisting all over the stage and seemed to be having a ball. The guard moved behind Alex, obstructing her view of the stage, and with a gentle hand on the small of her back lead her down the pathway alongside the floor seating. Then instead of moving straight ahead to where the doors were situated he steered her to the left towards the control box.

Something didn’t feel right. Where was he taking her? Alex’s step faltered and the hefty guard bent, once again, to speak into her ear “I need you to wait here a moment while I attend to another matter. I’ll be back to collect you in a few minutes. Please don’t wander off or the boss will have my ass on a platter.” With that he was gone and she was left dumfounded standing near the mixing desk in the middle of the arena floor. She assumed she had been deposited there so the staff in the box could keep an eye on her until the guard returned. Alex, not wanting any further trouble, stayed planted firmly where she was and turned her attention back to the stage. I may as well watch as much of the show as I can before I’m evicted from the arena.

Alex listened and watched intently as the pace slowed and the band began to play “Never Say Goodbye”. She watched in awe as a cable descended from the ceiling above the stage and once Jon’s foot was embedded firmly in a loop at the bottom he was raised up above the audience and carried out onto roof of the mixing desk beside her, that she now realised was a makeshift stage. He took his guitar from the technician waiting below, and began to sing.

Click to hear music file
As I sit in this smoky room
The night about to end
I pass my time with strangers
But this bottle's my only friend

Jon sang with raw emotion and as his eyes searched the crowd he connected on such an intimate level that every member of the audience believed he was singing only to them.

Remember when we used to park
On Butler Street out in the dark
Remember when we lost the keys

Alex could not believe that he was so close. She lifted her arms high above her head as she swayed, immersed in the music. She gazed up into the deep crystal pools that were Jon’s eyes and the rest of the arena faded away as she lost herself in them. My God, she thought, they’re more amazing in reality than any picture could portray, and hoped that one day she may be able to do them justice in one of her portraits. At that very instant Jon looked down and winked at her as he sang...

And you lost more than that in my backseat baby
Remember how we used to talk
About busting out - we'd break their hearts
Together - forever
Never say goodbye, never say goodbye
You and me and my old friends
Hoping it would never end
Never say goodbye, never say goodbye
Holdin' on - we got to try
Holdin' on to never say goodbye

Alex was imagining things, surely. It didn’t matter to her. She was so rapt in the song, in him, if only he would just reach down she could actually touch him and her night would be complete. Then it wouldn’t matter if she was thrown out. Alex stood on her toes and reached up a little higher, hoping to touch his hand, his leg, anything, as she did Jon handed his guitar down to the tech, and reached down to grasp her hand firmly pulling her upwards as the security guard from earlier pushed her from behind her up onto the platform to join him. He pulled her into a tight full body embrace and began to slow dance with her as he continued to sing...

Remember days of skipping school
Racing cars and being cool
With a six pack and the radio
We didn't need no place to go
Remember at the prom that night
You and me we had a fight
But the band they played our favourite song
And I held you in my arms so strong
We danced so close
We danced so slow
And I swore I'd never let you go
Together - forever

When Richie broke into his solo Jon took the opportunity to talk “Are you ok baby?”

Alex nodded. “It’s ok, just breathe baby. I don’t want you passing out on me.” He continued.

“S...Sorry” she stammered. It was all she could manage. OH MY GOD, he called me baby EEEEEEE

“Nothing to be sorry about. What’s your name sugar?

“Alex” she said and finally mustered the courage to look into his eyes.

“I loved your sign. That offer still stand?” He was so close to her she couldn’t think straight. , He was so close when he spoke that his lips brushed her ear sent tingles throughout her body.

“If...If you want it to” was what came out of her mouth, what she meant was, Take me now, I’m all yours, do whatever you like.

Richie’s solo was wrapping up; Jon didn’t have much time left “Can I see you after the show? Will you come to the after party?”

“I’m with friends” she answered.

“That’s ok baby. Bring ‘em along. If they’re half as gorgeous as you I’m sure we’ll be able to find someone to keep them company. Reg will give you the details...I gotta get back to work” he indicated towards the main stage with a nod of his head. But before releasing her Jon moved his hands from her back to her hips. He then moved them achingly slowly up along her ribcage, tickling her a little and causing her to flinch. He skirted them along the outside edge of her breasts, creating a trail of goose bumps in their wake and causing her nipples to pucker and her eyes to flutter closed. His artful hands continued their feather light trail up her neck, not pausing until each palm came to rest gently cupping her jaw. He drew her in, his warm breath tickling the skin on her face as he moved closer; his warm moist tongue tenderly traced the seam of her lips tasting her and her eyes flew open seeking his. They found them, deep pools of desire that ignited as his lips, parted slightly and met hers in a sensual first kiss.

Alex stood motionless, as Jon released her to continue the song, looping his foot back into the cable that, once again hoisted him up in to the air propelling him towards his place on the stage, and regrettably away from her. Reg soon replaced Jon on the stage and assisted her in her climb down from the high platform.

Never say goodbye, never say goodbye
You and me and my old friends
Hoping it would never end
Never say goodbye, never say goodbye
Holdin' on - we got to try
Holdin' on to never say goodbye
I guess you'd say we used to talk
About busting out
We'd break their hearts
Together - forever

As the last chords were being struck, Alex, in a daze, was being guided back to her seat by Reg. He handed her a backstage pass and instructed her to stay put at the end of the show when he would come to collect her and her friends. There was no way her life could get better than this!