Chapter 54
Gen sat on the plane wondering why she had an overnight bag at her feet when they were supposed to be returning to London after tonight’s show. John had rushed her out of the hotel without much explanation and then he spent virtually the entire trip to the airport discussing business on his mobile phone. He was so busy lately that she barely even had time to speak with him anymore. The guys were definitely hard workers; in fact, they worked seemingly around the clock to insure their newfound success in the European market. She felt bad that she got to spend so little time with him, but she felt even worse for him because he never got any rest.
For most of this tour, the band was using London as its home base. They would fly off to do a show here and there, but unless it was too far away, they would always return to their same hotel in London after the show. There were going to be a few outings, Germany, Italy, even Norway, but for the most part they were to stay in London. That was also the plan for this show in Paris. They were supposed to fly in, do the show, fly out, and be back in their room that night. Ordinarily, on trips such as this, the guys each took a small carry on containing clothes for the show and whatever other junk they felt like bringing along to help their performance… or appearance (John carried a favorite throat spray, some candles and lots of hair products that he never went without); in other words, the portable comforts of home. But today, for some reason, John had insisted that Gen pack an overnight bag as well. He wasn’t forthcoming with the details, so the curiosity had been itching at her all morning.
“You’ve been very mysterious today,” Gennie looked up from her magazine and mused. “What’s going on?”
John sat reclined in his seat, relaxed, trying to nap on the short flight to Paris. He hadn’t let Gennie in on his surprise, so he could see why she’d be curious. He opened his eyes and gave her a devious look. “You’ll find out,” he replied, before closing his eyes once more.
Gen was completely puzzled. Why did he change their plans? She was dying for more information, but she also didn’t want to disturb him. He’d gotten in late last night due to bad weather so he hadn’t had much sleep. She wanted to ask Robby what was going on- he seemed more alert than John today, but he was seated a few rows ahead of them.
She sat silently mulling over the possibilities. It was obvious she and John were spending the night. Was everyone else? With his late arrival last night, their romantic plans had been put on hold. Maybe he was going to make it up to her with an evening in Paris, the city of love. She thought about how appropriate that would be. She still hadn’t had the opportunity to inform him of her decision, so this would be perfect. With a smile on her face, she closed her eyes and played out that little fantasy in her head for a few minutes before returning to reality. Who was she kidding? This was going to be work just like the rest of it was. The single wasn’t getting enough airplay in France, so they would undoubtedly be plugging it shamelessly as much as they could. This overnight in Paris was about the band, not about her. She should consider herself lucky he even asked her along.
She sighed and watched John as he slept. He seemed so relaxed and contented. It was a real switch from the way he’d been the last few days… since he’d asked her to live with him, actually. Lately, he’d been increasingly busy, much to his surprise- what with the single suddenly doing so well, but still she feared his nervous irritability had more to do with her than with the pressures of being an up-and-coming rock star in Europe. She wondered which troubled him more- the fact that she hadn’t given him an answer, or that he’d even asked. She hoped that he wasn’t regretting that decision now. The first couple of days after he’d placed the question to her she nimbly evaded the question when they were together. Fortunately for her, in that respect, they were rarely alone, except very late at night, and then one of them was almost always asleep. Needless to say, this hadn’t been the most romantic vacation she’d ever taken; in fact, her trip to Buffalo could run circles around this one in that department! But even more frustratingly, ever since she decided yesterday morning to give him her answer, she’d barely gotten to speak ten words to him, and though today they were together, and alone for the most part, he was no longer giving her that look that said ‘Well??’ Her mind filled with sad uncertainty while she wondered if he was sorry he’d asked. What if all the doubts she’d voiced to him suddenly made him take notice of something he hadn’t thought of?
When the plane landed and arrived at their gate, Robby and Mike both jumped up and made a beeline for the exit. “See you later, man,” Mike called to them quickly as he and Robby made their hasty getaway.
The disappearance of John’s band mates peaked her curiosity. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on? Where’d Mike and Robby go?”
“We’ll see them later.” John was still being a little evasive. He took Gen by the hand and hurried her through the large airport to the exit. Once outside, she saw a luxurious black Mercedes, and much to Gen’s surprise, he pulled her right into it.
John noticed the startled expression on her face and shot her an amused grin. “I bet you’re really wondering now, aren’t you?” he asked.
She nodded her head, not quite sure what to say.
He put his arm around her and pulled her close. “Rob and Mike can handle business for a while. What I couldn’t handle was another day without seeing you.” He planted a tender kiss on her smiling lips. “I got us a suite at the Ritz, darlin’!” he grinned. “It’s just you and me. We’ll do whatever you want.”
“You mean that? You’re all mine before the show and after?”
“You betcha,” he winked. “I’m definitely all yours.”
Once in their opulent suite, they both marveled at the outrageousness of the room. It was large and airy and was beautifully decorated; it had everything! And while John was quick to point out that he could afford it, he admitted that it was terribly expensive and he’d never really stayed anywhere quite as posh as this hotel before. They giggled at the fact that they both felt completely out of their league amidst such opulence, but they had to admit, it was kind of fun.
While Gen admired the fresh flowers arranged in a fine crystal vase sitting at the fully appointed bar, John walked into the bathroom to check out the freebies. “Dude!” he exclaimed with a laugh, “These are the softest towels ever! And Gen, you’ve gotta see the cool stuff they have in here. We’re takin’ this shit home with us!” His voice echoed off the marbled walls. He came back out to find Gen laughing at his comments.
“Do you think everyone who stays here thinks the same thing? Or are we just cheap Americans?”
He wore a guilty smile as he shrugged. “I don’t know. I’d say we’re definitely not the first ones to be impressed by all this.” Again, he got the wide-eyed look on his face of a dazzled little boy. “But, Gen, you gotta see the stuff in there! I’m not talkin’ like little hotel soaps. They have full size everything- the good stuff too! There’s even, like, perfume, and toothbrushes and shit. I’m tellin’ ya, it’s cool!”
“I’ll check it out later,” she giggled. He was so cute when he was impressed by these kinds of things; it was as if he never stopped being that kid from Buffalo.
“You’d better. And, there’s a huge bathtub,” he mentioned slyly. “We’ll check that out later too!”
Gen smiled and plopped down in a beautiful antique looking chair. The soft blue colors of the silk upholstery lent a relaxed quality to an overly pretentious and overly gilded sitting area. She sat in her extravagant surroundings with a satisfied smile as she tried to envision the right way to inform John of her decision. Should she just go for it now, or wait for the right moment?
“Gen, darlin’,” He crouched in front of her, resting his hands on her knees. “What do you want to do today? You name it, we’ll do it.”
She was torn between what she should do and what she wanted to do. She mulled it over for a second or two before opting for the former. “Well…” she drawled, “I am in Paris. I suppose it would be sacrilege not to see the Eiffel Tower.”
“Is that what you wanna do?” So it wasn’t exactly the answer he was hoping for, but it would be fun.
“Sure. I mean, I gotta at least do that, right?”
“You do,” he nodded. “C’mon,” he said, taking her hand. “Let’s go see this thing.”
John and Gennie gazed out over the picturesque city of Paris. The perfect weather did wonders for their view. They were also happy to have found few people here today, so their experience was uncomplicated by whining children and anxious tourists seeking the perfect photo opportunity.
John peered peacefully over the edge at the city below. “Paris is really something, isn’t it?” he asked, a dreamy quality filling his voice.
“It really is! What a view,” Gen commented, never taking her eyes off the busy city beneath her. There was a definite beauty to Paris that even London couldn’t rival. This city had been spared the massive bombing during the war, so it’s original splendor remained intact. London, by contrast, had suffered greatly and bore the brunt of German destruction. The city was peppered with new buildings scattered among the old; new buildings, which had been constructed in haste, with no thought for architectural appeal. They were more functional but, on the whole, detracted from the overall loveliness of London. It was obvious why Parisians were proud of their home. From here, there were few places on earth that were as attractive.
“Y’know,” he said wistfully, “This is really something to remember when you go home.” Then a smile hit him as his mood lightened. “It almost makes me wanna buy one of those cheesy little Eiffel Tower souvenirs.” He turned to Gen. “Ya want one?” he chuckled.
“Will we have a place for it?”
“Huh?” he asked confused.
“When we go home. Will we have a good place to put a cheesy little Eiffel Tower souvenir?”
“You mean…”
Gen nodded with a gleeful grin. “As long as the offer still stands.”
A delighted look of shock fell over his face as he came to terms with what she was telling him. “Hell yeah, the offer still stands! You’re coming to LA? Really?”
“Yeah,” she smiled as she wrapped her arms around him. “Did you really think I’d say no?”
“Um, yeah, I was kinda afraid you would. It was sorta freakin’ me out for a while there.” He took a deep breath and sighed. “So you’re really gonna do it? You’re really gonna live in my house? With me?” When she nodded the affirmative once again, he kissed her firmly, barely able to contain the excitement he felt. This had not only made his day, but his week, hell, his year! He was thrilled beyond words. He fully had expected her, after several days of elusive silence on the matter, to turn down his offer. All week he had worried quietly to himself, and on occasion to Robby, that he feared this was his and Gen’s last hurrah. It made him sick to think that it would end, but he was committed to the idea of not grasping at the last straws of a dying relationship, especially one that existed over thousands of miles. There was no way he could accurately express his relief that this wasn’t the case.
Right now, Gen couldn’t have felt more loved. She felt foolish for even thinking this morning that he may have regretted asking her. His apparent elation at her announcement, made her even more confident of her decision. Eyeing him intently, she nudged him tenderly, “I’m ready to go when you are.” The smile on his face and the gleam in his eye told her precisely where they were headed. He wasted no time in getting back to their room for a proper celebration.
The only stop they made was at a trinket stand to buy the best tacky Eiffel Tower figurine that money could buy. Both being silly sentimentalists, they knew this little knick-knack would always have a place of honor in their home. But for now, it lay on its side, all but discarded, on the sofa in their hotel room. It had been unceremoniously tossed aside amid the button popping frenzy that occurred only moments ago. Abandoned articles of clothing lie strewn about on a trail to the bed.
As the quiet hum of the city on a sunny afternoon wafted through the open windows with the gentle breeze, John propped his head up on his fist and gazed into Gennie’s eyes. His finger lazily traced an outline of her features. “So you’re really gonna move to California? You’re sure, now? You’re not gonna, like, change your mind when you get back home?”
Gen smiled; her heavily lidded eyes accentuated her seductive, flirty frame of mind. “I don’t plan to. Why? Are you having second thoughts?” she teased.
“No,” he shrugged casually, “No second thoughts.” He acted calm and unaffected, but the sparkle in his eyes and the slightly upturned corners of his mouth gave away his inner excitement at the prospect of living with his girlfriend. “In fact, I’m kinda hoping you weren’t having any. I know this is a sudden thing for you… for us. But I feel really good about it, y’know. It just seems, I dunno… right.”
“I know.” She looked into his eyes. Eyes that only a couple of months ago belonged to a virtual stranger. Now she felt she knew him inside and out. And he seemed to know her just as well. It was strange, creepy even, if you thought about it. He always seemed to be able to put his finger on exactly what she was thinking. He claimed to be overjoyed at finding a woman who finally understood him and the peculiar lifestyle that he had. But she never ceased to be astonished by his uncanny ability to understand her. She wasn’t sure why, but she didn’t feel rushed by this whole living arrangement idea. She should feel that way. He was her new boyfriend as far as most people were aware, hell, he was new, but they felt like old souls in so many ways. It made complete sense that he felt things were ‘right’. It was because, well, they were. “But what was it that made you feel so possessed to do something so utterly… impetuous? You,” she began slowly, trying to assemble the right words, “You have so much more at stake in this. There’s just so much, like, stuff that you have to think about.”
“No, there isn’t. Not really.”
“But what made you do it then?”
“Why did I do it so soon?” He lightly brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. “Is it bothering you? Are you worried? Do you think it’s too impetuous?” He drew closer to her with every question till finally his lips met hers for a slow, deliberate kiss. “Maybe I need someone to do my laundry,” he joked. It didn’t draw much of a laugh; more like a roll of the eyes. “Maybe I’m tired of the fact that every moment I spend with you is brought to me courtesy of American Airlines.” This time he rolled his eyes. “Shit, man, I feel like I should do commercials for them or something or get their logo tattooed across my chest.” She giggled this time; she knew exactly what he meant. But still, that was no reason to relocate to the other side of the country. “Or… maybe I’m totally and irretrievably in love with you.” This got him the response he’d hoped for.
A joyous smile overcame her as she reached her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. “I love you, Johnny Rzeznik.” She planted an impassioned kiss on his expectant mouth. “Now, show me one advantage to sleeping in your bed every night!”
“I love you, Genevieve Redlin. And I’ll show you at least two!” He anxiously dove in for a long awaited afternoon of indulgent lovemaking.
“You’re such a good boy!” she giggled. “There’s no way I’d back out on you now!”