Sunday, June 2, 2019

Chapter 8: The Wedding

Richie showed up on time to pick up Ashley. His nervousness had been building all day.

He knocked on her door as his stomach flip flopped. When the door opened a goddess stood before him.

"Hello Ashley. Wow, you look absolutely beautiful."



"Hey Richie. Thank you. Look at you looking all handsome. You sure clean up good."


"Thanks, are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, here are my keys. Please be gentle with my baby."

Richie started grinning. "So no doughnuts in the driveway." He chuckled.


"No, I don't think so." She smiled.

They walked outside and he opened the car door for her. She climbed in and he shut the door. He got in and cranked it up. John was in his room when he heard the sound of her motor start up. He went to the window just in time to watch Richie pull out of the driveway. 

"Damn, I wish that was me in that car with her." He stood at the window thinking, as he watched them drive away.


Carol, John's Mom, yelled upstairs. "Are you ready Johnny? We're waiting on you!"

He looked in the mirror one more time. "Yeah, I'm coming!" He hurried down the stairs in his new blue suit.

"Oh Johnny, you look so handsome." Carol grinned straightening his collar.


"Thanks Ma."

"So are you sure Dorothea is meeting you at the church?"

"Yeah, she told me last night she was."

"Good, I think it would be tacky to show up without a date. I wish Richie could have found someone to go with."

"He found somebody."

"Oh Richie's dating someone new?"

"No she's way out of his league. She just felt sorry for him, because he didn't have anybody to go with."


"Well he's better off without that Erica girl clinging on to him. Just like you would be without Dorothea Hurley."

"Oh Ma, don't start. Me and Dot are trying to work out our problems."

"Oh please, you are too young to have any problems. You could do so much better than that bossy, overbearing girl! And I never liked the way the two of you got together. You know how I feel about that. If a girl will cheat with you, she will cheat on you."

"Ma, would you please get off my back about her?"

"Okay, not another word from me, today. But just because I won't be saying it, doesn't mean I won't be thinking it."

"Yeah I know." John shook his head.

John Sr. walked in from the kitchen looking at his watch. "We need to be going. I just talked to Tony and Matt and told them to behave while we're gone."


"Good, I hope they listen. We're ready, let's go." Carol replied. 

As they were pulling out of the driveway, Carol noticed Richie's Camaro. "What's Richie's car doing next door?"

"That's the girl he's taking to the wedding."

"Oh the pretty blonde, I saw her at the mail box yesterday." Carol replied.

"Yeah, that's her. She's definitely the hottest girl around here."



"And Richie already asked her out?"

"It's not a real date. She doesn't want to get involved with anybody right now, she just broke up with her boyfriend."

Richie was driving and feeling a little nervous and not sure what to say. "So how do you like living here so far?"


"It's okay. I like the beaches, they remind me of home."


"I guess you miss your hometown?"

"A little, but I can't go back for a while. I've got to let some things settle down. I might go back for a visit around my birthday in July."

"My birthday is in July too, the 11th."He grinned. "When is yours?"


"Mine is the 17th."


"Cool, I'll have to take you to the beach, sometime. I love hanging out there and the boardwalk is pretty cool too."


"Yeah, that sounds fun." She gave him a little smile and turned to look out the window.


"Thanks again for coming with me. My Mom's been on my back about finding a date to this thing."

"No problem, thanks for inviting me. Do you think Dorothea will show up at the wedding? John isn't sure."

"Maybe. Who knows with her. I know it's none of my business, but what's up with you and Johnny? I mean I can tell there's something going on there."


"It's nothing really. He's with her and that should be the end of it for me."

He looked over at her. "Should be?"

"It has to be. I'm really not the kind of girl to come in between a couple. We just got carried away and I have to put an end to it,  starting today."


"As beautiful as you are, guys will be knocking your door down." He grinned.


Smiling back at him. "Thanks Richie. You are so sweet. How did that girlfriend of yours, ever let you get away?"

"I think we were both ready to move on. I heard she's dating a guy in a cover band at the Stone Pony. She didn't waste any time."

"Well, I'm sure it was her loss."

Pulling up at the church. "This is it."

"Oh it's beautiful, such a wonderful place to start a new life together."

As they pulled in a space some of Richie's family was gathered in the parking lot. Some guys walked over to the car and Richie got out.

"Hey Richie, is that your new car?" His cousin Daniel asked.

"No it's my date's car." He leaned over and opened Ashley's door and she stepped out.

"Ashley I want you to meet some of my family. These are my cousins; Daniel, Donnie, and Ryan."

"Nice to meet y'all." She smiled.

Richie talked just a little with his cousins before walking into the church with Ashley.

He saw his Mom and Dad and walked over to them. "Mom and Dad, this is Ashley."

"Hello Ashley, I am Joan and this is my husband Adam."

"Hey, it's so nice to meet y'all."

Ashley you sure are a beauty, thank you for agreeing to come with Richie, with such short notice." Joan smiled.

"Oh thank you and you're very welcome. Richie is so sweet, the pleasure is all mine."

"Let me tear her away Mom, I want to introduce her to some more people." 

As they stepped away the photographer got a photo of them together.

"Okay have a nice time."

Richie and Ashley were walking away when Richie saw a friend of Robby's named Chris and he was shocked to see Erica was standing there holding his hand.

Richie stopped in his tracks and sort of turned pale.

"Are you okay?" Ashley asked.


"Yeah. He nodded over to the pair. "That's Erica with Robby's friend Chris. He must be the dude in the cover band at the Pony, she's been seeing. Damn!"


"I'm sorry Richie, this has to be really awkward for you."
,


"I'll be okay. I'm just a little stunned to see her here. Oh damn she's coming this way."



Erica walked up to Richie. "Hi Richie, I think you already know Chris."

"Yes, how's it going, man?"

"Good."

"This is Ashley." And Richie reached down and grabbed Ashley's hand, hoping Erica would notice. Ashley was a little surprised but she just went with it.

"Hey nice to meet you."

"You too." Erica smiled. Well we are going to look for our seats."

Richie watched as they walked away.

"You had no idea, she would be here?"

"Nope, I sure didn't. I just heard she was dating some new guy."

"It's okay Richie. You are way more handsome than he is." She smiled looking at him.


"Thanks. I needed that." He grinned.


John and his family arrived and parked the car. He got out and looked around for Dot's car and didn't see it anywhere. "Good maybe she ain't coming after all." He thought.

The photographer captured a photo of them together. 
John started looking around for Ashley.
You could have knocked him over with a feather when he saw Richie standing there holding her hand. "What the hell is going on here." He wondered.
As he was standing there. Someone tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around.
"Hi Johnny."

"Missy, it's been a while."

"Yep, you quit returning my calls, I knew you went back to Dot."

"Yeah, I did. It's nothing personal, but you are Richie's cousin and it's best to leave it where we did. I hope there's no bad blood between us."

"No, we had some good times. Is Dot here with you?"

"She should be on her way."

"Who is that gorgeous blonde with Richie?"

"She just moved next door to me. Her name is Ashley."

John's sullen expression, led Missy to believe there was more to it.

"I'm surprised you didn't try to keep her for yourself." She smiled. "I know how you love blondes."

John laughed. "I tried, she just broke up with her boyfriend, though and she ain't interested. She's only giving Richie a pity date."

"She must not pity him too much, she's holding his hand."

John glanced back over at their hands intertwined together. He had a bad feeling in his gut, that maybe these two were getting a little closer than he would like.

"See you later Johnny." Missy walked over to Richie. "Hey there stranger."

"Missy, how are you doing, cuz?"

"I'm just fine, we need to get together sometime and catch up."

"Yep I would love that. This is Ashley."

I can tell y'all are family. You look like brother and sister. Hey Missy, it's so nice to meet you."

"Oh you too, you are so pretty, you and Richie look so good together."

Ashley smiled and looked at Richie. "Well thank you, he is a wonderful guy."

John was watching and wondering just how close these two had gotten on the ride over. He walked over to them.

John looked at Richie. "So how's your date going?"


Richie grinned looking at Ashley. "I don't have any complaints so far."

The photographer took a photo of them together.


"Hey there." John stepped forward looking her right in her eyes. "Ashley you look so beautiful."

 Ashley tried to look away.

"Thank you. So no date yet huh?" She smiled.

"Not yet. I love that dress on you." He smiled. "Can I talk to you alone for a minute?"

"Can it wait?  Richie's introducing me to his  family. Maybe later."

John didn't take rejection well. He always wore his heart on his sleeve, and didn't like being second best to anyone. Especially Richie.

"Come on Ash, just for a minute."

"Okay." She answered hoping she would have the courage to push him away.

As they walked over to the back of the church, the wedding photographer stopped directly in front of them. "Do you mind?" He grinned.

"No go ahead," John replied and stood closer to Ashley and smiled as he took their photo. 

"Thanks this is my favorite one of the night so far. It captures how much in love you two are." The old gray haired photographer stated.

Ashley's eyes got big. "But we aren't even together."

"Really, I'm usually so right about these things. Sorry, my mistake."

When the photographer walked away, John had a question he wanted answered.

"What's going on with you and Richie? When did you get so damn chummy with him?"

"I like Richie, he's a sweet friend. But it's really no concern of yours, John. I think you need to focus on your relationship with your girlfriend."

"You know it's not working out with Dot."

"Maybe it would if you thought about your girlfriend more."

"I can't do that, I can't get you off my mind."
"You have to. I can't do whatever this is we've been doing anymore. I'm sorry."

"Ashley I told you how I felt about you. How the kiss made me feel. It wasn't just a line. I've never kissed anybody and felt the way I did with you."

"That was a kiss that we never should of even had, in the first place. I don't know how I let it get that far. I'm sorry, it was all my fault."

"Johnny." A voice called from the doorway.   They turned to see a dolled up Dorothea, waving at John."

Ashley gave him a little I told you so look. "Bye John." She muttered as she walked back over to Richie.

John stood there and watched her walk away. He greeted Dot as she approached.

"Hey baby, you look gorgeous."

The photographer approached and captured John with another girl. He didn't pick up on much chemistry between these two.
"Thanks Johnny. Sorry I'm late. You look so handsome in your new suit. I love that color on you. Who was that girl, you were talking to?"

"That's Ashley. She's Richie's date."

"What do you have to talk to her about?"

"Nothing, I was just being nice."

"Well, stop it. Have you seen Erica? She told me she was going to be here with one of Robby's friends."

"No, I haven't seen her."

Ashley was kind of out of it when she found her way back beside Richie.

"Are you okay, Ashley? You seem sad.
"I'm sorry Richie. I don't think I'll be very good company tonight."

"What did Johnny do?"

"Nothing, I knew he had a girlfriend. Stacey warned me, how he is. It's my fault I let myself get caught up with him. I told him to focus on Dot and his relationship."

"I'm sorry Ashley. You are a great girl and lots of single guys would kill to be with you. Myself included." He grinned.

"Thanks, can we go get our seats?"

"Sure." He reached out for her hand. Not to make Erica jealous this time, just because it felt nice holding it. She took his hand and they walked to their seats.


John watched them with a knot forming in the pit of his stomach. He grabbed Dot's hand as they walked to their seats. He looked over at Ashley and she was talking with Richie and smiling and they seem to be having a great time.

"Damn! I can't lose her to Richie!" John thought as he sat down with Dot.

"This church is so beautiful Johnny. I hope we can get married somewhere like this one day." Dot smiled as she looked around.

"I don't know, I don't really see me doing the big church wedding thing. But maybe ten or fifteen years from now." 

Dot's eyes got huge, she couldn't believe he wanted to wait that long to get married.

The ceremony was beautiful and went off without a hitch. Robby and Emily had their first kiss and started their new life together.


Everyone headed over to the swanky place they had rented out for the dinner and reception.

John watched as Ashley climbed into the Trams Am and John shot daggers out of his eyes at Richie when his hand touched Ashley's ass by accident when he helped her in the car.


Dot could tell he was upset by something. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm just ready to get out of this damn monkey suit. I hate weddings."

They got in Dot's blue Grand Prix and headed to the reception hall.

At the dinner they realized they were all at the same table. John and Dot sat down across from Richie and Ashley.

Ashley looked at Dorothea. "Hey I'm Ashley and you must be Dorothea. She smiled.

"Yes I am. Nice to meet you."

"You too."

John tried to look away. Really he did, but Ashley looked so beautiful and the more she ignored him the more he knew he couldn't just let her walk out of his life.

Erica walked up to speak to Dorothea. "Hey Dot, you look so pretty."

"Thanks you do too, girl."

"Thanks, where are you headed?"

"Out for a smoke. You can join me if you want."

She turned to John. "I'll be back, okay."

"Yeah, sure go ahead."

He sat there staring a hole through Ashley.

She could feel him staring at her and looked up. What? Why are you staring at me?"

"I can't take my eyes off of you, Ashley. You can't get rid of me. I won't let you."

She turned to look at the dance floor. John stood up. "Ashley please dance with me."

"No. She said coldly. "I'm sorry, I can't."

"Please before Dot comes back." 

Ashley looked at Richie. "Go ahead, it's okay." Richie gave her a slight smile.

They walked to the dance floor. John pulled her close and she felt so good in his arms.

"Why are you doing this John? I'm trying to do the right thing here."

"I can't help what I feel for you, baby."

He held her and she melted in his arms.

They danced to two slow songs and all the sparks she was trying to deny were reignited. They were catching everyone's attention especially Carol's.

As they left the dance floor she approached them. Johnny, who's your friend?"

"Ma, this is Ashley." He looked at her with love in his eyes and Carol picked up on it, right away.


"Hi I am Johnny's Mom, Carol. Nice to meet you dear."

"It's so nice to meet you too."

"Johnny, I loved watching you two out on the dance floor. You look so good together." Carol smiled at them.

John started to grin. "Thanks Ma." Then they all returned to their seats.

The photographer got a shot of Mother and son.


Dot and Erica had just finished smoking a cigarette.

"So what did you think of Richie's date?" Dot asked.

"Not much, Richie is trying hard to make me jealous."

"Were you?"

"A little I guess. What did you think of her?"

"Too much peroxide and her dress is way too tight. But I'm more concerned at what Johnny's thinking of her."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not sure but I keep catching them looking at each other. I don't know what to make of it."

"It's probably nothing. He loves you."

"I know, but we've been fighting so much lately. It feels like he's changing or maybe I am."

"Don't worry about him Dot. He's not going to lose you over some bleached blonde tramp."

"Thanks Erica." She giggled. "Let's go back in."

"Okay."

They returned to their table.

The bar was fully stocked and open. A champagne waterfall was flowing. Richie grabbed two glasses of it and a beer.




"For you my lady." Richie smiled handing the glass to Ashley.

"Thanks." Ashley drank the champagne down as the bubbles tickled her nose. She really did love champagne and couldn't get enough of it. 

"Another please." She handed Richie her empty glass and he gave her the other one he had.

"Okay miss, but you better slow down. You hardly touched your dinner."

"Oh I'll be fine, Mr. Sambora." She grinned as she downed another glass.

"You are so cute Richie. I don't think, I've noticed just how cute you really are." She giggled. Richie looked at her and couldn't believe how beautiful she was and how tipsy she already seemed.

"Oh Lord, Ashley." He laughed. 

"Let's dance Richie. I really want to dance with you." She finished another glass of champagne and sat her glass down.

He finished his beer. "Okay let's go."

They got out on the floor and started dancing to a slow song.

John watched as she danced with Richie. His hands were traveling on her body and John was getting ticked off watching Richie touch her.

Ashley whispered in Richie's ear and he started laughing.

"Do you want to dance Dot?"

"Okay."

They walked over by them on the dance floor. And started dancing.

Ashley glanced up and saw John dancing with Dot and when he knew she was looking he kissed Dot's cheek.


Ashley didn't want to be, but she was feeling really jealous. She didn't know John could get under her skin this much.

She pulled Richie closer and started rubbing her body on his. Richie was starting fo feel something for her. The more time he spent with her the more he liked her.

John could tell Richie was liking her touching him a little too much. She looked beautiful and he knew she had been drinking. Richie was so close to her it looked they would kiss any second. John was thinking, "he better not kiss her!"

Dot was loving being in John's arms. She leaned over and began to kiss him. John tried to pull back.

Ashley saw them kiss and her heart sank. She grabbed Richie and wanted to kiss him, but she couldn't. She stopped herself. "Can we go sit down."

"Yeah, come on." He took her hand and led the way.

She grabbed another glass of champagne and sat down deep in thought.

"Are you okay, Ash? You seem a million miles away. Did I do something wrong?"

"Oh no Richie. It's not you."

"Is it Johnny?"

"A little, but I've just had my mind on something else all day. I've tried to not think about it, but today is my ex boyfriend's birthday. We are supposed to be staying in New Orleans together this weekend. We made these plans before I caught him cheating on me with my best friend."

"I'm so sorry Ashley. If you don't want to be here I totally understand."

"Oh no Richie. I want to be with you. I'm just a little distracted."

"If you need to talk, I'm here. I've been cheated on myself and I know what kind of hurt goes with that."

"Thanks but I probably need a psychiatrist for all my problems." She ran her hands through her hair.

"You can talk to me Ashley, I'm a good listener. I really don't mind."

"You do make me feel like I could tell you anything."

"Why are you so sad and what's got you drinking so much?"

"There's something about me nobody knows. I've just been keeping it to myself. My family doesn't even know about it, not even Stacey."

"You can tell me Ashley. I won't tell anybody."

"Okay, I really need to tell somebody. When I was dating Jake he would sometimes get really jealous and out of control and he would hurt me."

"Damn Ashley, he hit you? I can't stand a punk that hits women."

"Well it happened slowly. He was great at first. Then he got really jealous. If a guy would talk to me or if I was ever around any of my exes. He would get so out of control and hit me."

"And you never told anyone?"

"No, I was too embarrassed. I was sure it was my fault. He said I was flirting with them or dressed like a slut. He was captain of the football team and I was a cheerleader. I didn't want it to get all over school.

"No it wasn't your fault. He was an asshole that needed his ass kicked. So that's why you broke up with him?"

"Not soon enough, I was so dumb. I went back to him every time. He was getting frustrated with me because I wouldn't give him, what he wanted."

"What was that?"

"I wouldn't sleep with him."

"How long were you with him?"

"Almost a year."

"Damn that's a long time. Were you still hung up on Bret?"

"No it just didn't ever seem right or special enough. I wanted my first time to be perfect."

"Wait a minute your first time with him or your first time ever!"

"My first time ever. I haven't had sex with anybody."

"God Ashley no offense, but you just blew my damn mind. You're still a virgin? It's hard to believe a hot chick like you hasn't ever done it with anybody."

"I just wanted everything to be perfect. I wanted to be totally in love, with the perfect guy and in a special place. Not at a party with a bunch of people hanging around, or in the backseat of a car."

"Hey don't knock it. I lost my virginity in the backseat of my car when I was fifteen." He grinned.

"And you're a guy, you weren't worried about it being perfect or special."

"Nope a naked girl is perfect enough for me." He chuckled. "Does Johnny know?"

"No, I didn't tell him. I didn't think he would understand."

"But Bret knows?"

"Yeah, he knows all about it. And it's another reason I am trying to distance myself from him. He put so much pressure on me."

"So when Bret left you got with Jake."

"Yes he had chased me for a while and something told me to stay away from him. But I was so out of it, I let my guard down and got with him."

"God Ash, how many times did he hit you?"

"More than I ever want to admit. He was always sorry afterwards. Each time was a little worse. But the last time I could have died."

Richie's face was growing red with anger. "What happened?"

I was giving in, and going to finally go all the way with him. His parents were out of town. We went to a party and he was jealous of some guy, so we fought. I got a ride home and felt bad. I drove over to his house. I knew where they hid a spare key and used it. When I got upstairs, I heard moaning and made my way to his room. There he was screwing my best friend Megan. I froze, I was in shock. I just stood there like a damn fool. He told her how much he loved her and that he was breaking up with me. He finally saw me and I started to run. He chased after me and grabbed me at the top of the stairs. He told me he still loved me and she didn't mean shit to him. He grabbed my arm and wouldn't let go. He was hurting me, so I hit him. I was just trying to get away."

She had tears in her eyes and looked away from Richie.

"What happened Ash?"

"Richie he hit me so hard, that I was knocked down the wooden staircase. I landed at the bottom and was unconscious. The paramedics and the police came. They thought my back was broken by the way I landed. I had a concussion and several broken ribs. A big gash in the back of my head, that required seventeen staples to close. A big cut on my back, I had a broken arm, and cuts and bruises all over my body. There was blood everywhere. I was in the hospital for a week."

"Oh my God Ashley, why didn't you tell somebody?"

"He told the paramedics and police that I slipped and fell. I was all bruised up anyway, so they didn't noticed where he hit my face. I didn't want anybody to know."

"I wish I was there, I would of given him a good old Jersey ass kicking! So everything healed okay?"

"Yeah, but I get these bad headaches sometimes and I have fainted a couple of times. The doctors don't know why. My parents don't know, they think it was just an accident. I was too ashamed to tell them the truth. Everybody just thinks I ran out when I caught them together and slipped and fell down the stairs. He came to the hospital and would come to the house. My Mom told me that he was sorry for cheating on me and I should give him another chance. That's why I left. I couldn't take seeing him or Megan anymore." 

She was crying now.

"God Ash, come here." Richie grabbed her and pulled her into his arms.

 As they hugged John couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Damn Richie is making a move on her!"

He held her until she stopped crying.
"It's not your fault Ashley. No matter what you did, he should have never laid a hand on you."

John could tell they were in deep conversation and it looked like she was  crying. He wanted to go over to her, but now wasn't the right time."

"I'm sorry Ashley. Moving all the way up here was the best thing you could do. He can't hurt you now."

"Thanks Richie, I'm okay now. I feel better, that I've told somebody." 

"Good and I'm here if you need to ever talk about it again. I need to go talk to Robby before they leave, will you be okay here?

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

 I'll be right back."

John watched Richie walk away. "I'll be right back Dot."

He sat down beside Ashley. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah."

"You aren't upset about me? Are you?"

"No I was hurt about the kiss, but she's your girlfriend."

"She kissed me that time. I kissed her cheek, to see if you would get jealous. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done it. I was being a dick."

"It's okay. I was jealous."

"I saw you crying over here with Richie. What was that about?"

"It's nothing. Just some bad memories and I had a little too much too drink."

"So you're okay now?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"I need to go, but I'll call you tonight."

"John I meant what I said to you earlier. You should try to work things out with Dorothea. Please don't call me."

"I am going to call you." He walked back over to Dorothea's table.

Richie walked up. "Robby and Emily are getting ready to leave. After we throw some rice we can leave if you want to."

"Yeah, I'm ready when you are."

They stood out front and watched the happy come out of the church. They threw rice and yelled congratulations. 

"You ready to go?" Richie asked. 

"Yeah, I am."

She walked over to him and he grabbed her hand and they slowly walked to the car together. They didn't notice John on the side of the building by himself, drinking a beer and watching them.

"Damn." He mumbled as he watched them drive away.

6 comments:

  1. I LOVE to read this Carol !!

    This is the 2nd Chapter I have read and you write this fiction work BRILLIANTLY !
    Where do I get the rest of the chapters ?

    Question : The picture of Robby and Emily looks like it could be Jason Donovan and Kyle Minogue when they were younger .... ?

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  2. Thank you so much. This is my 1st story. If you scroll all the way to the bottom hit Home and when it takes you to the next screen theres a little arrow next to home hit it and you'll see the other chapters. And for Robby and Emily I'm not sure I just googled 80's weddings and that photo popped up. Thanks again.❤ ~Greta

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Greta.

      Again, you narrate brilliantly I

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    2. You are very welcome. So glad you like it.❤ ~Greta

      Delete
  3. I'm really enjoying your story. Your writing is great. I'm loving it. Can't wait for the next chapter. Keep up with the awesome writing. 👍💜

    ReplyDelete

Chapter 93: A Perfect Night

John was trying to finish the last swallow of a beer he had grabbed out of the fridge. He wasn't worried in the least about mixing his m...