Richie Sambora woke and looked at his unfamiliar surroundings. He looked in the bed next to him and saw yet another unfamiliar woman, this was the fifth woman in as many days. At least I made it to the fucking bed this time, he thought as he got out of the bed as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake the woman. He gathered his clothes from the floor and went into the hallway to dress, not wanting to take any chances with this woman. An awkward encounter he had become too familiar over the past few months and it was one he tried to avoid whenever possible. He was thankful that he gathered all of his clothes in one shot and found his car keys and wallet still in his pants.
He quietly led himself to the front door where he found his shoes and exited the house in near silence. He made his way to his car and sped out of the driveway. This had become his shallow and familiar routine that he was beginning to resent more and more each night. He drove a few blocks before he fully gained his bearings and made his way back to his own home. He made his way into the house just in time to see the sun rising out the patio doors. Not yet being able to face the day he headed upstairs for some much needed sleep.
A few hours later he woke much more refreshed than he had felt earlier. He turned to look at the clock that read 1:25. How do I manage to do the same thing every damn day? It’s no wonder I’ve turned into a night owl since I don’t get up until the afternoon, Richie thought as he made his way into the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror and was surprised to see his reflection. Where there was once a happy rock star to look back at him, he now saw a tired man who was beginning to show each one of his 49 years. He quickly showered, but chose to leave the day old scruff to try to hide some of the evidence of the wear and tear he was taking.
Dressing in a pair of sweats and a tee shirt he moved downstairs to the kitchen. He set out making a much needed pot of coffee and retrieved a mug as the liquid gold brewed before him. He took a cup from the partially brewed pot and made his way outside on the porch hoping the sunlight would brighten his mood. He settled into a lounge chair and began to sip the strong coffee as he watched the happy beachgoers. After a minute his cell phone ring and read Jon’s number off of the caller id.
“Hey man, how’s Jersey,” Richie asked not really wanting a confrontation this afternoon.
“Jersey’s just fine, how are you doin’,” Jon asked.
“Just fine. I’m sitting here in this beautiful California weather enjoying a cup of coffee and watchin’ all the happy people go by,” Richie answered.
“Coffee at 2 o’clock in the afternoon? Shit man, I’ve been worried about you. What’s been going on?”
“Hey I’m fine no need to worry about me. I’m single in California what more could I want right,” Richie answered with an edge of sarcasm.
“It’s me you’re talking to here. You’re not gonna be able to bullshit me,” Jon challenged. “I know things have been rough. Since the breakup and the tour ending and everything else that goes with it. Dot and I have been worried about you since I talked to you on your birthday last week. I haven’t heard you that miserable in a long time man.”
Richie gave in rather than putting up a fight and answered as honestly as he could. If he couldn’t be honest with Jon, who could he be honest with? “I didn’t think it would bother me. I really didn’t but I’m all alone out here. Heather took Ava with her on some movie shoot somewhere. And my mom’s back in Jersey with all of you. Good friends are hard to come by these days. This I think is the first birthday since before I met Heather that I spent by myself.”
“Well at least it doesn’t sound like you’re missing Jen too much, just missing being with someone. Do I want to know how you’ve been spending your time,” Jon asked.
“The poster boy for marriage and stability? Probably not,” Richie said laughing. “I haven’t exactly been by myself if you know what I mean.”
”I think I know exactly what you mean, but that’s not you man. That may have been good enough for you back in the day but now you need someone to share your life with, right, not just a warm body,” Jon said.
“I know you’re right, but how the hell do you find someone like that, especially now?”
“I don’t think you’ve been trying very hard. Tell me, honestly, how many women have you been with since your birthday last week?”
Richie cringed as he counted his answer, “Since last Friday? Five.”
“Shit Rich that was what six days ago! You can’t keep going on like this, you’re gonna burn out,” Jon said with a firm scold.
“I know, but what am I supposed to do? Everyone wants to sleep with Richie Sambora, but no one wants to date Richie Sambora,” Richie said as Jon laughed.
“You’re shittin’ me right? Do you know how many thousands of women want to date you? And it wouldn’t hurt to find someone who is dating Richie, not Richie Sambora,” Jon said softening his tone.
“I know, you’re right. I just don’t know what the fuck I’m doing,” Richie said sighing.
“Look man, we’re all coming out in a couple of weeks to do some demos, remember. Think you can hang in till then? If not just get your ass back here to Jersey and we’ll fix you up,” Jon said.
“Yeah I’ll be fine. Any tips man, I’ve gotta do somethin’ or my head may explode if I keep this up,” Richie asked at a genuine loss.
“Well this whole ‘different girl every night’ thing is gonna get old quick, but I think you know that already. Do me a favor. The next girl you meet, I don’t care if you sleep with her, but give it two weeks. Don’t sleep with anyone else, and give her a chance and get to know her. You can start with her last name, or her first name if you need. You hear me, 14 days. Get to know a person not just a body. It gets lonely real quick if you keep that up. I should know,” Jon advised.
“Two weeks,” Richie asked skeptically.
“Two weeks isn’t gonna kill you in the big scheme of things. And if she’s crazy or something it’ll give you some time for yourself, right,” Jon answered.
“I guess, thanks man,” Richie said. “You know if this whole singing thing doesn’t work out for you, you may have a second career as a therapist or somthin’.”
“Just give it a chance, and let me know how it goes ok? And call if you need me,” Jon said.
“I will thanks again,” Richie said.
“You got it,” Jon said as Richie heard screaming in the background. “But hey I gotta go, Ro just stole Jesse’s water gun. Take care of yourself,” he said before Richie heard the definitive click in his ear.
Two weeks huh? What’s the worst that can happen, Richie thought as he headed back to the kitchen for another cup of coffee.
***
Cynthia looked into his inexpressive eyes unable to believe the words she was hearing. “How long,” she asked in a near whisper.
“Four, six weeks tops,” he answered.
Cynthia stood to go. “Thank you for your time, I think that’s all I need.”
His voice followed her, “Don’t you want to hear-“
She cut him off before he could finish his question. “No I have all the information I need. I’ll be in touch if I need anything else, but I don’t think that will be necessary. I appreciate what you’ve done.”
And with that Cynthia walked out of the room and to her car parked outside. She sat in her car examining her options. She could head to the airport and fly home, or she could continue to travel for a few weeks. Not wanting to make a decision then and there she pulled out onto the highway and headed back to her hotel in Malibu.
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