I'll Be There For You

Morning came and John had woken up early so he could get into the shower before anyone else. His parents were downstairs and could hear the shower go on and asked Tony if that was John in there and he said he guessed so.

“John it’s nine a.m. what’s he doing up at nine in the morning on a Saturday?” Carol asked her husband.

“Well if I had to guess I would think it had to do with that little girl next door that you and Marsha are setting up this whole Fourth of July party for. “ he said with a slight smile.

“Well at least this way Marsha and I will be able to see where this is leading the two of them. I don’t like the way Dorothea treated him so it will be good for him to know that there are nice girls out there but at least Ellie is only here for a short time.” Carol told her husband.

John Sr. looked at his wife and tried to understand what that meant. “Carol I thought you liked Ellie. What do you mean by that? You do want John to be happy right?” he asked her concerned.

“Of course I do Dear but with Ellie she’s always going to have something wrong with her. She’s not going to be oh how can I say this not the right kind of wife he’ll need when he makes it in the entertainment business. John dear he is going to be someone someday and he’ll need to have someone who can have children and to host parties and go on the road with him and talk with important people…” but John couldn’t hold his tongue anymore.

“Carol what makes you think that Ellie can’t do any of that. And why are you thinking of any of this now? He’s only seventeen for crying out loud. He’s not even thinking marriage. He is thinking stardom and being the next Elvis maybe but that’s as far as he’s gotten right now.” He told her outright.

“Oh John you never given our son the credit he deserves. Plus Ellie isn’t going to be here that long and he’ll get over her like he has all those other girls. He is just like his father you know.” She told giving him the eye.

“Hey! Don't start that and you also had yourself quite the list of admirers if I remember dear. Look leave them both alone they’re only kids and they’re both going to go thru a couple of serious relationships before either one of them finds the one. And if he does start something in show business you’re really not going to like it because I hear those groupies will stop at nothing from throwing themselves at musicians in a band so get used to it. Because you know as much as I do we men think with our…” just then John walked into the kitchen.

“Hi is the coffee on?” he asked.

“When isn’t the coffee on Honey?” Carol told her oldest.

“One, why are you up so early and two, where are you going?” his Dad asked him.

“Oh Ellie and I made plans for today.” He told his parents. They both looked at each other and cocked their heads.

“Oh really Honey so last night went good then?” Carol asked him.

He couldn’t help but smile that Bongiovi smile of his. “Yeah it did. I told her everything Dorothea told me. I had too; she was just so upset by her knowing everything about her. The only thing is she and I don’t know who got the information. Dot said something about a family friend or something like that but never gave me a name so I couldn’t give that to Ellie. But she is going to tell Marsha and have her try and put a limited amount of people on her case so we’ll see what happens. Anyway I have to pick her up about eleven so can I grab something to eat?” He asked them.

Which Carol loved because she could make him breakfast and made sure he got something in his stomach.

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John showed up right on time as he knocked on the door and Michael answered. “John Hi what are you doing here so early?” he asked him confused.

John just looked at him just as confused. “I’m here to pick up Ellie we had a date for late this morning. She is here isn’t she?” John asked him.

“I think she’s still in bed John I’ll have Marsha go check on her.” He told him. John went to go sit on the couch as Michael went to go get Marsha.

In the kitchen Michael asked Marsha if she knew that John was coming over this morning. “No I didn’t, ok I’ll go and see what’s up she did get in late maybe she’s just over sleeping.” Marsha told him as she started for her room. She didn’t bother to knock she only opened the door a crack to see if any of the lights were on and they weren’t. That sent her signals that something was wrong so she opened the door wider and walked over to the bed and sat next to her. She put her hand on her shoulder and gently shook her, “Ellie Honey wake up, Ellie wake up.” Ellie started moving and mumbling something. “Honey I can’t understand you.”

Turning around she looked so pale. As best she could she told Marsha that she was having a migraine and had already made a trip to the bathroom earlier this morning so there was nothing in her stomach. Marsha told her that she would get her an ice pack and not to worry and that she would bring her some ginger ale she needed to get some liquids in her and crackers or toast whatever she wanted. She went back out and told the guys what was going on and John wanted to see her. Michael didn’t want him to only because he thought that she should rest but Marsha thought that he needed to see her at her worse and see how he would do with her in a control atmosphere. Michael finally gave in and let John go to Ellie’s room only because it’s not like they could do anything anyway.

Once John walked in he could see her lying there as the room was basically drape in darkness. He didn’t want to bother her especially if she was sleeping so he quietly walked up to her bed so he could at least look at her to make sure, well he didn’t really know he just needed to look at her. He sat in the chair next to her bed when Marsha came in with the ice pack, ginger ale and crackers. She put everything on her side table except for the ice pack that she gave to her to put on her head.

“Hon how does that feel?” Marsha asked her.

“Fine thank you.” She said softly to her.

Marsha looked at John then at her, “Ellie John’s here.” She told here quietly herself.

Ellie looked at her a little disheveled. “John? Oh God we were supposed to go out today. Oh I ruin everything. Marsha you need to call him. Pleaseee.” But John stood up and Marsha moved over so he could calm her down.

“Hey Beautiful calm down ok I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.” He told her as he sat on the side of her bed as she just looked up at him like she was seeing a ghost.

“John? You’re here?” she asked him a little surprised that he actually stayed.

“Of course I’m here where else would I be silly.” He said to her reaching down and taking her hand.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t mean for this to happen honest.” She told him trying to hold back her tears knowing if she cried it would just make her headache worse.

“What are you talking about Baby? You didn’t do this on purpose so calm down or you’re going to make yourself worse.” He told her as he tried desperately to calm her down.

“No you don’t…understand…I ruined every…thing…John.” she tried to tell him between sobs.

“Baby please you need to stop crying ok? Ok that did it Role over a bit I’m coming in.” he told her and he climbed into the bed so he could hold her. Once he got her up on his chest just right he could rub her back and he started to hum. He knew she loved Elvis so he started to hum Can’t Help Falling in Love to her and worked his way to singing it for her.

After the song she quietly said, “John?”

“Yeah.”

“So you’re not mad?” she asked him as her pain meds were finally starting to take effect with the help of the ice pack.

“No why would I be Ellie?” he asked her not understanding the question.

“Because we didn’t get to spend the day like we planned.” She told him as she yawned.

Smiling down at her, “Of course not, you couldn’t help this don’t you ever worry when you don’t feel good ok? And I’ll be here when I can ok? As long as I’m not working or playing I’ll be here alright?” he said as sincerely as he could.

She looked up at him still looking sad and with tears in her eyes. “But you don’t understand. Is Marsha around?” she asked him.

“No why? Do you need me to get her?” he asked as he was about to jump off the bed.

“NO! No I just need to tell you something and you have to swear not to tell either of them ok? Promise me John.” She said to him.

Now he was getting worried. “Ellie what’s that matter? What happened?” he asked her concerned.

“Just promise me.” She told him again this time a little stronger.

“Ok I promise now just tell me you’re scaring me.” He said to her upset now.

“You don’t need to be upset it was just really stupid of me that’s all but they might get really mad and tell me because I wasn’t thinking and getting in late I forgot and was irresponsible and especially Michael they might not let me see you again.” She told him really upset.

“Ellie just tell me please.” John said to her nearly jumping out of his skin.

Looking up at him she said, “I forgot to take my nightly meds. They’re the strongest I guest and it takes me awhile to wake up in the morning that’s why I sleep late sometimes anyway apparently it triggered a migraine early this morning and if I tell them they may go ballistic on me. The first real time I have a great time here and I screw up.” She explained to him and again she starts to cry.

John pulls her into him and rubs her back. “Shhh it’s ok, it’s ok sweetie but you have to try and stop crying or you’re going to make your headache worse. I’m going to be here all day I’m not going anywhere so close your eyes and try and get some sleep I’ll be here when you wake up.” He told her lovingly. He stared singing her another song to try and calm her down and by the end of it she was a sleep on his chest. He just relaxed as she slept on him as her left arm draped over his torso, her head on his chest and her breathing was steady. He thought nothing could get any better than this.

John had dosed off too and it was only for about an hour and a half when Marsha popped her head in to check on both of them. She thought it was adorable the two of them sound asleep as Ellie was curled up on John. With the change of the lighting in the room John was startled and opened his eyes.

“Oh Marsha Hi.” He said to her a little bit drowsy.

“Hi there I see you drifted off there too.” She told him smiling at him.

“Yeah I guess I did. I hope it’s alright that I’m here well you know in bed holding her but it seemed to be the only way  could calm her down.” He explained to her.

“John it’s ok I understand. I know she was awfully upset that she felt she ruin your day today. But she gets like that if she thinks plans are ruined that it’s always her fault. I remember her telling me once that her Dad wanted to get out of something some family thing and he told Aunt Cecelia to tell them they couldn’t go because Ellie wasn’t feeling good. Well Ellie said she was laughing in the back ground really bad saying Thanks a lot Daddy. And he said to her ‘Well it’s not the first time I used you as an excuse.’ She went ‘no kidding and do you think that I haven’t done that’ they’re really close so there’s that sense of humor. I don’t think Paul and Cecelia could get thru this any other way.” She told him as Ellie started stirring.

She finally opened her eyes as John said, “Hey beautiful my girl feeling any better?” he asked her hoping that she did. Shaking her head no, John just looked defeated for her. Holding her tight he asked her, “Do you want anything?” Again she just shooked her head no. John just looked at Marsha and shrugged his shoulders.

“Well do you want anything John?” she asked him.

“No I’m fine but thank you.” He told her.

“Well how about I bring you in some soda and some snacks just in case ok? Then I’ll let you know when dinner is ready sounds good? She still has her ginger ale and crackers try and see if you can get her to eat some of those. I’ll be right back.” She told him.

Wiping her forehead he just kept rubbing her back until Marsha came back in with everything and a new ice pack. Then she and John helped Ellie to the bathroom and back and when Marsha was satisfied everything was fine she left the two in peace.

Finally Ellie said she wanted to sit up so John helped her to. “Is this ok? Do you need any pillows behind you?” John asked her.

“John I’m fine ok I just need to sit up. My body feels like it’s cramping up. But if you don’t mind I could lean a little on you thou.” She said to him.

Smiling, “Baby you can lean on me all you want. Come here.” He told her as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her into him again as she wiggled as close as she could get to him.

“This is nice. I just wish I felt better so I could enjoy this a little that’s all.” She told him blushing a little but she really didn’t have to worry all that much seeing her room was dark and he couldn’t tell.

“You know if you weren’t sick I could so take advantage of you in a dark room like this.” he told her as he voice became slow and he drew it out. Her eyes grew wide and parts of her body began to tingle like it had never tingled before. And this was so not the time for this.

“John that’s not nice.” She whined to him only because she so wanted to kiss him like they did last night but she knew she couldn’t not feeling the way she felt right now. Especially since she hadn’t been able to brush her teeth because going into the light just about kills her and standing up well the room just spins and spins.

“Oh Baby I’m sorry I didn’t mean to imply that it’s your fault…” he was getting upset to think he upset her. When she broke in.

“John no that’s not it. It’s just not fair to get me all worked up when I don’t feel good that’s all. I don’t think you know how much I want to kiss you right now but just the way I feel…well I just can’t plus I haven’t brushed my teeth so God only know what my breath is like.” She said to him shyly as she hid her face in his chest.

John knew exactly how she felt only because he wanted to kiss her too and being in bed with her in her shorts and t-shirt with no bra on wasn’t helping him with his problem. He was trying so badly to keep everything under wraps so to speak. “Baby I get it I really do but we’ll have all the time later ok? I just want you to get better so just relax and think of whatever girly things you girls think of ok?” he told her.

Ellie looked up at him like he had two heads. “Girly things? What story books have you’ve been reading lately? You want to throw in some unicorns and rainbows too?” she asked him giggling.  

“Why are you always laughing at me, I don’t know these things I’m a guy for crying out loud.” He said as he made a pouty face.

“Ahhh the big bad guy doesn’t know anything about girls” she said poking him, “How didn’t I know that.” She kept on giggling as she kept on poking him.

Grabbing her hand and rolling her over on her back he was lying on top of her as he said, “Do you still want to keep poking me little girl?”

“Well no it’s kinda hard to do in this position but if Michael or Marsha walk in you’ll get a poking of a lifetime.” she told him as she giggled some more.

“You know I just may risk it.” He said as he still had his stern face on. “And well one of these days I’m not going to get up just remember that.” He told her as he gently got off of her.

She didn’t know what to say to that and luckily she didn’t have to because just then Marsha stuck her head in and asked them if they wanted anything for dinner. Ellie told her that she would try and get some soup down and she also told her that John would go out and join them for dinner. John looked at her confused.

“Don't you want me here with you?” he asked her with a little bit of hurt in his voice.

“Of course I do but you’ve been holed up in here all day go and breath some fresh air for a while then you won’t feel that bad when you come back.” She told him. She felt guilty as it was for him being there all day and wanted him to go stretch his legs. “Go eat I’ll still be here and I’ll save you’re spot I promise.” She told him as she winked at him.

John went off with Marsha and sat with them for dinner and actually had a good time talking and making goofy faces with the kids. Marsha brought Ellie her soup and then went to join the rest of the family. Ellie was kind of glad that John joined them for dinner because she needed that break only because John was driving her crazy but in a different way. He looked super gorgeous and smelled just as good. Usually smells makes her migraines worse but something about John well just didn’t. Everything about this boy drove her crazy.

After dinner John came back in walking over to her, “Hey are you awake?”

Opening her eyes, “Yeah I’m awake I was resting until you got back. Come on climb back in.” she told him as she patted the bed.

“You look like you’re doing better.” He told her as he kissed her on the forehead.

“Yeah am I? I guess ok. Gimme a kissy” she asked him as she started to make kissing noises. John just looked at her and started to fend off her advances.

“Whoa there what’s with you?” he asked her trying to get her to calm down.

“Nothing I just want a little kissy.” She told him and she kept up with the kissy noises.

Then it dawned on him, “Ellie what did you take? Tell me what did you take!” he demanded to know.

“You’re yelling at me. Don't yell at me!” she told him almost in tears now.

“Ok see I’m not yelling now tell me Baby what did you take?” he asked her again as he was scared to death that she did something stupid.

“I just took a couple of my pain pills that’s all. What are you getting all freaky about. God. My head started to hurt again and the doctor told me if it started to hurt again to take two so I did. Why?” she asked him as she was now really confused herself.

“Stay here I’ll be right back.” He told her as he ran to tell Marsha the effects of the medication.

When he found her he explained what was going on and the reaction she was having to it and that he didn’t think she should be having a reaction to two pain pills like that in such a short time since she took them. So Marsha went in with him to see for herself and sure enough it had looked like she was on something more than just two pain pills.

“John when was the last time she took anything?” Marsha asked him.

“Let’s see it’s five-thirty now so I’d have to say a little after you brought us lunch.” He told her.

“Now you’re sure?” she asked him again.

“Positive only because if she said she was getting any pain I was rubbing her head or her back and that relaxed her enough to calm down or dose off for a while.” He explained to her.

Trying to hold in her smile, “Ok John thank you, you seem to be good for her. She wasn’t smiling this much when she first got here. I’ll call her doctor in the morning and tell him that I think the dosage is too strong for her to take two pills at a time. When she comes out of this we won’t let her do this again. I’ll take the bottle so she won’t take any more tonight I think this is her limit. We’ll use ice packs if we have to.” She told him as she grabbed the bottle and left John to be with her.

She finally slept for a couple of hours which John was grateful for and she was coming around as he started to move so he could get more comfortable. “Hi did I wake you?” he asked concerned.

“No you didn’t but what the hell happened I remember you were out eating and I was trying to eat mine but I got a surge of nausea and then a sharp pain thru my eye and a throbbing on my right side which usually means I’m in for a big one so I took some pain meds and closed my eyes and I guess I went out.” She told him not knowing what actually happened.

John needed to tell her, “Sweetie you didn’t just go out.”

“What do you mean I didn’t go out? What are you talking about?” she wanted to know.

“When I came back in from the kitchen you were really loopy. You know out of it like high. So I went and got Marsha and she agreed with me that we think it was the pain pills that got you like that. The dosage is just too high for you to take two pills at a time. But Marsha is going to handle it so don’t worry ok.” He explained to her.

She just looked at him and couldn’t believe what he was telling her. “I hate this John I really do. I’m a stupid guinea pig. It’s ok to take one but not two. I wonder what it does to adults as they write that now on their stupid charts as well.” She said angrily.

“It’s ok to get mad you have the right you know that. But no matter what happens we’ll be here no matter what. I’m just glad you’re ok you are right?” he asked her as his heart was beating like ten times faster.

  “You mean do I still feel loopy? Cause I hate to tell you this but I always feel loopy.” She told him giggling.

Shaking his head, “Yeah you’re back to your normal self whatever that is you nut.” He said taking her in his arms and holding her tight. “You scared the hell out of me when I thought you took more than I thought you did.” He told her.

“Never worry I would never do that growing up Catholic and having my Mother trust me you don’t even think about it. Well you might think about it but you don’t do it. I have a Grandmother up there I’m not getting her pissed at me and getting her to lecture me. Plus I want to meet Elvis and I’m counting on them to have him at the Pearly Gates when it’s my time. And if they don’t well there will be Hell to pay so just buckle down people!” she explained to him as he just stared at her amazed.

“Do you just think of this stuff as you go along?” he asked her with this blank look.

“No why?” she asked dead serious.

“No, no reason.” He said to her as a smile came out and bent down and gently kissed her.

“What was that for?” she asked confused.

“For just being you.” He told her smiling lovingly at her.

She wanted to tear up because nobody ever said that to her before. Mostly her siblings always told her to shut up when she ranted well except for Sean he always stuck up for her. Finally getting her voice back she asked him, “Hey weren’t you supposed to tell me your life buddy. You promised. And since I can’t move and I know you think I’m doing a little better but I can tolerate a lot pain but if I start moving around right now my head will burst and it’s coming in waves. So since I’m stuck here spill what makes John tick. Tell me what you were like you said something that I wouldn’t like what I’d hear? Explain that please?” she asked him giving him her best puppy dog eyes she could.

John looked down at her and swallowed hard. She was probably the only one in Sayreville that didn’t know and he really liked that. But he also didn’t want to keep secrets from her and didn’t want Dorothea saying anything to her about his past that might freak her out. But he didn’t want to lose her either. He knew he had to tell her he just had to find the right words. “Ok Sweetie I’ll tell you but you have to promise that you’ll have an open mind ok?” he told her. She couldn’t image what he was about to tell her that would have him so nervous.