Chapter 107

Monday morning went the same as every Monday for Melody. She got up, woke the kids, except J, who she had heard coming in at 3am, graduating seniors had the day off.

She packed lunches and before she knew it she was in the passenger seat of her own car, letting Tyler drive. One of these days she should take him for his exam.

At the high school they switched seats and Melody was off to the city. She started wondering how Jon planned to stay at her house for the week while she drove.

Melody started work at 9, together with Lori. “Morning, how was the weekend?” Was the first thing Lori said.
“It was good; I love when Jon is around. I don’t want to say goodbye on Wednesday.” Melody sighed.
“Right, he’s going back on tour.” Lori said.
“Yeah, a whole month. I don’t think I get to see him in between.”
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Lori shrugged.
“I think its fond enough.” She just didn’t want to say goodbye.

In the last month she had been with him every day. She stayed at his house when her kids weren’t home and he stayed at hers when they were. But now he had to leave and she didn’t want him to.



Earlier that morning the same thoughts were at Jon’s house. The kids were used to him leaving but that didn’t make it easier, sometimes they still got emotional.

That morning he sat in Jake’s room. After breakfast Jake was taking an awfully long time to get dressed.

When Jon went to check what was taking him so he found him staring at his packed bag to take to his mom with tears in his eyes, half undressed, only wearing his pajama bottoms.

“What’s wrong?” Jon asked squatting down at his side, even though he knew. “Jakey?” He turned him around so he could see him but Jake stared at the floor between them.
“I don’t want you to leave.” Jon’s heart sunk when he heard him say the words. It still hurt every time he heard it.

He pulled his son closed and hugged him. “I know.” He didn’t like leaving his family but he loved his job too.
Jake wiped his tears from his eyes. “Are you home for my birthday?” He hiccupped between sobs.
Jon hated disappointing him but, “The day afterwards and that’s a Sunday, so just you and me, all day, whatever you want, okay?” Jon hoped to cheer him up a little.
Jake nodded.
Jon wiped the remaining tears from Jake’s eyes and hugged him again. “Are you gonna finish dressing or are you going to school in PJ’s?” He joked.
Jake looked down at his shirtless upper body and PJ’s, at least he was half way.



Jon left him be and hoped he was the only one having a hard time today. Last September when he left to South America he couldn’t have had a worse day; none of them wanted him to go and made it very clear to him.

He found his oldest and youngest son in the living room watching the morning cartoons. “Are you two ready?” They would have to leave in 10 minutes. He continued his way to clean up the breakfast mess in the kitchen. Only a minute later Jesse walked in to the kitchen, hugged Jon and was gone as fast as he had come.
When it finally was time to leave he was surprised Romeo hadn’t said anything yet. Of course Jesse wasn’t going to say anything, which 17 year old would admit he’d miss his father, so Jon thought that was as much as he’d get from him.

In the car he could hear sniffing in the back seat. His heart sunk even more, days like these made his job horrible. He looked in the rear view mirror just in time to see Romeo wipe his nose with the back of his hand. Normally he would have said something, but he didn’t want to upset him even more. Why did he make this tour so long? The last one was only half as long. Soon it would be over, but not soon enough.

Jesse was dropped off first. “Love you Jess.” Jon said as Jesse got out, he knew better than getting out of the car too, although he was sure he heard a low love you too and miss you before the door slammed shut.

At the lower school Jake was the first to take a deep breath and walk away after more than a few hugs and love yous.

Romeo was still sniffing when Jon turned to him. “You okay buddy?” He knew it happened that they got emotional but not this bad and not all of them in the middle of a tour, 3 more months he said to himself.

Romeo didn’t answer his question. “Four weeks Romeo and I’ll come and see you when I can. Four weeks, then school’s out and you stay with me for two whole weeks.” He explained to him. Romeo sniffed and nodded.

Jon opened his back pack and found the package of Kleenex that Dorothea always made sure they had and gave him one.

Romeo took it, blew his nose and wiped away his tears, just when the school bell rang.

Jon ignored it, his son was more important. Jon sighed again and hugged his son until he was finally done sniffing. “Okay now?” He asked.
Romeo nodded. “I love you daddy.”
“I love you more Romeo.” He looked up to see an empty playground. “Come on, I’ll walk you to your class.”

After explaining to Romeo’s teacher why he was late, he gave Romeo a last hug, at least that wasn’t considered lame yet in the second grade. On his way back to the car, he made sure to pass by the fourth grade windows, he spotted Jake immediately and waved, waiting for him to wave back until he walked away.

Now the only one he had to say goodbye to was Stephanie, for today. He hated saying goodbye; it hadn’t been that bad since last September. He’d make up for Jake’s birthday and when he was home again, they’d all get their own day to chose whatever they want to do.


He put off dropping the kids their stuff at Dorothea’s, Stephanie was still at his house, so he decided to make some more time with her but after checking if she was up, which she was not he decided to go see Melody.

It was a busy Monday for Melody once again. Both her and Lori had a line of people checking in and out.

When Melody looked up from her computer after checking out the previous tourist to see who was next, a big smile turned on her face. His dark blond hair and ocean blue eyes were beautiful as ever.
“Jon, I’m working.” She felt bad for turning him down.
“When do you get a break?” He asked.
“As soon as everyone is checked out.” She tried to look behind him, only 3 people were standing behind him.
Jon looked over his shoulder, “I should move then. I’ll wait.” He turned around and sat in one of the couches that stood in the lobby.

Melody tried to hurry up but the second person started asking about places to visit and sights to see. Melody did her job and helped him out as best as she could.

Finally everyone that had to check out was checked out and the lobby was calmer and she saw Jon reading a magazine where he was sitting.

She nudged Lori and pointed at Jon, “Do you mind if I go join him for a while?” She asked.
“Go ahead, it’s not as busy. Remind him of my concert tickets.” Lori reminded her of last week when she took over Melody’s shift.

Jon looked up when Melody sat down next to him. Then he looked around the lobby, it was empty compared to earlier. “What time do you finish?” He asked.
“At 3. I’ll be going straight home.” She said in case Jon was going to suggest something to do.
He checked his watch, 10.05. He’d still have time to spend with Stephanie. “Steph’s still home so I’m spending some time with her before dropping her off at Dot’s. I’ll meet you here at 3, that good?”
Melody nodded, so that’s how he planned staying with her, “Don’t you need your car or anything?”
“Right, then I’ll just go to your place after I leave Dot’s, before the kids come home.” He didn’t want to make it harder and say goodbye again. “What about lunch, any plans?” If he could spend more time with her, he would.
“I was just staying in the staff lounge with Lori.” Melody answered, it was what she did every day.
“Do you think Lori would come along if we ask her?” That way, he thought, Lori wouldn’t be alone during lunch.
“Are you kidding me? She’d love to.”
“Okay, 12?” Jon asked, not entirely sure when Melody had her lunch break.
Melody nodded and Jon kissed her before he left.