Chapter 146

At that time of the evening, the drive out to Jersey wasn’t too bad, though Sara did have to admit Jon had been right - as he fell deeper into sleep, Romeo did get heavier! Before they left the studio, Jon had called Dorothea, letting her know they were on their way, so as they pulled up to the house Sara saw the front door swing inward, light spilling onto the steps as a chunky black and tan dog trotted out to greet them.

Jon stopped the car and the kids piled out, except Romeo obviously, who was wrapped in Sara’s arms in such a way that she couldn’t even move to open her own door. As the older kids exited the car, Jon leaned across to press a quick kiss to Sara’s lips.

“I love you.” He whispered, then gave her that sparkling, infectious grin as he got out of the car, coming around the front to open her door.

Copper stopped him, demanding his attention for a moment, then Jon got the door open and reached in to take Romeo. Thankfully, he was now deep enough in slumber that he didn’t fuss, but just snuggled against his daddy’s warmth. Sara slipped from her seat to stand by the car, and Copper came across, curious to find out who this new person was. He sniffed at Sara’s hand, then when she reached to scratch behind his ear, he reflexively kicked with a hind leg, mimicking the scratch.

“You’ve got another fan.” Sara heard, and looked up to see Dot walking across.

“Oh. Hi. He’s sweet.” She gave the dog another pat, then straightened. “Nice to see you again. How are you?”

“I’m good, thanks, Sara. You?”

“Great. Tired, but great. It’s been a long day.”

“I’ll bet, trying to photograph these monsters.” Dot smiled, then watched Sara pat Copper again. “Yeah, Copper’s a great old boy. He misses Jon, but the kids spoil him, so he’s okay.”

Dorothea reached out and picked Romeo from Jon’s arms, then she told the other kids to say goodnight to their dad, since it was getting late for them being out there. The three of them hugged and kissed their dad, then hugged Sara and headed on indoors. Dot said goodbye, too, carrying Romeo into the house, Copper at her heel, the dog looking back at Jon in confusion until Jon waved him to go on inside.

“I like your dog.” Sara smiled at Jon.

“He likes you, too, babe. C’mon - let’s get outta here.”

Sara turned automatically toward the big car, but Jon stopped her.

“The Chevelle is in the garage - I drove her over, but there’s no way we’d have all fit in there, so I borrowed this one. This way.”

He led her around to a spacious garage, the blue and white car sitting waiting there. Jon asked Sara if she wanted to drive, but she shook her head.

“You drive. I’ll watch.”

Chuckling, Jon held the door for her, then jogged around and jumped in, starting the car and driving out of the garage and up the driveway. When he reached the road, he turned left, the opposite from the way they’d come in, confusing Sara.

“Where are we going? Isn’t this the wrong way?”

“Nope. I promised you dinner, remember? We’re going for the best cheeseburgers around.”

“Cheeseburgers? Y’know, a cheeseburger is just what I feel like eating!”

“Good. Not far from here - the kids love the place.”

Jon wasn’t wrong when he said it wasn’t far - only a few minutes passed before he pulled into the parking lot, Sara reading the sign which said ‘Barnacle Bills’. As Jon swung the Chevelle into a parking bay, Sara looked at the unimpressive building, wondering how on earth a rock star found a place like this!

They both got out of the car, and Jon took Sara’s hand to lead her to the building.

“Grog shop?” Sara asked, reading the words under the main name.

“Yeah. This place is one of the best kept secrets in Jersey.”

Jon opened the pale blue door and ushered Sara into the tiny vestibule, then led her onward again, into the main part of the building. The place wasn’t big, just a few dozen tables off to the right and a few more on the left, with views out over the marina. There was a u-shaped bar, and the bartender looked up as they entered, giving a friendly smile and nod to Jon, who grinned back.

“Want to sit by the window, or up at the bar?”

“Window. Damn, I should’ve brought my camera.”

“Okay, pick a table, darlin’. I’ll get some drinks.”

As they went down the few steps, and Sara headed left, Jon called after her.

“Babe - grab some peanuts, will ya? Just there.” He pointed to the hopper, and Sara obediently filled a wooden bowl with peanuts, carrying it across to a table.

Sara had just settled herself by the window when Jon brought across two glasses, a menu tucked under his arm.

“The cheeseburgers here are some of the best around.” He advised, handing over the menu. “Or they do great seafood, too.”

“Cheeseburger is fine for me.”

A waitress approached, greeting Jon familiarly and asking after the kids. She took their order and left them sitting alone, nibbling on peanuts and chatting while they waited for their food. When the burgers arrived, the peanuts were pushed to one side as they moved onto more substantial fare. Sara had to agree that the burger was one of the best she’d tasted, and the heap of fries that accompanied it were delicious, too. She finished her cheeseburger before starting on the fries, though, and Jon watched as she dipped fries into a bowl of barbecue sauce, licking the sauce before eating each one.

“Hussy.” He growled softly, and Sara looked across, her dancing eyes belying the innocent expression.

“What?” She sucked sauce from another fry as she looked at him, smirking just a little.

“Oh, you know what, darlin’. You know. We shoulda got this order to go.” His voice lowered further. “Because, right now, I just want to bend you over this table and……”

“Everything okay over here?” The waitress had returned without them noticing, and Sara blushed, hoping she hadn’t heard Jon.

“Everything’s great, thanks. As usual.” Jon answered, glancing up at the waitress politely.

“Well, anything you need, just yell.” She went off to check on other customers, and Jon turned back to Sara.

“Sorry - you were saying?” Sara smiled at him.

Jon just laughed, pushing her plate toward her. “Just eat, darlin’, or I’ll be showing you what I meant, not just telling you, public place or not.”

“And you call me a hussy! Wonder what the male version of ‘hussy’ would be?”

“Probably ‘Sambora’.” Jon grinned.

“Not any more. I must remember to call Linda tomorrow.”

“You could call her tonight.”

Sara looked at him through lowered lashes, smirking again. “I was kind of hoping I’d be too busy tonight.”

Grinning again, Jon just shook his head at her, and they finished off their meals, foregoing dessert in favour of getting back to somewhere private. Jon paid the bill and they headed on out to the Chevelle. Sara couldn’t help noticing that none of the other patrons really paid any attention to Jon - to them he was just another regular customer.

“I can see why you like this place.” She commented as they walked across the parking lot. “The food’s great, yeah, but you like being treated just like a normal guy, don’t you?”

“I am just a normal guy, darlin’. But, yeah, when I’m home, or out with the kids, I just don’t need the fuss. I won’t deny I enjoy some aspects of it, but it’s good to get back to being just Jon, just ‘dad’ - somewhere lower on the food chain than Copper. School runs and Little League - that’s why I’m there - just the chauffeur!”

“Well, chauffeur - take me home.”

Jon opened the door for her, half-bowing as she slid onto the leather seat, then closing the door gently before going around and climbing into his own seat.

“Where to, babe? Yours or mine?”

“Ummmm…….yours?”

As Jon drove off, he noticed Sara shiver slightly. “You cold, babe? Want me to put the roof up?”

“No - it’s fine. I like the roof down.”

They drove back to the city, Jon parking the Chevelle in the underground lot beneath the apartment building, a parking lot that Sara hadn’t even known existed until now. An elevator took them up to lobby level, then they walked around to the main elevator, riding that up to the apartment. When they arrived on Jon’s floor, Sara noticed a new addition to the marble foyer - a stylish old oak framed clock standing against one wall, a deep, hypnotic tick coming from each swing of the brass pendulum.

“That’s nice.”

“Yeah. I saw it when I furnished the apartment, but I couldn’t figure out where to put it. Then I remembered that this foyer is really part of the apartment, so I called and got them to bring it up.”
Jon unlocked the apartment and they went in, heading down to the kitchen and sitting room in search of drinks. After asking Jon what he wanted, Sara made a pot of coffee, and they took it across to the couch, slumping comfortably together as Jon turned on the TV.