The lost son ~John Frusciante and Josh Klinghoffer

72. Being here and not here, here and far off

"This one is for M." I said.

"Angel came down from heaven yesterday
She stayed with me just long enough to rescue me
And she told me a story yesterday
About the sweet love between the moon and the deep blue sea
And then she spread her wings high over me
She said she's gonna come back tomorrow
And I said
Fly on my sweet angel
Fly on through the sky
Fly on my sweet angel
Tomorrow I'm gonna be by your side"

I finished the solo cover and walked off the stage. A cab had already been waiting for me. I got in and checked the time. Fuck, it was already 9 o'clock. I was late.
I ran into the building and followed the directions that Clara sent me.
There she was, sitting in a chair and watching something on her phone.
"Hey, babe. I'm so sorry. I really wanted to be here with you. I hope everything went well?" I told Maggie as I ran towards her.
"Shh!" She said and then I realized that she was watching a stream from the concert I just played.
"This one is for M." I heard my voice say.
I smirked as I saw her glued to the screen.

"Oh Josh, how could I be mad at you? This was absolutely beautiful!" She told me as the show ended.
"How was work?" I asked her and gave her a peck on the lips.
She wore bright red lipstick and she was dressed in a nude tulle dress with puffy sleeves.
"It was alright." Maggie replied and smiled at me.
The delicate nude eyeshadow she was wearing really made her eyes pop. I loved the makeup look.
"Alright? You were posing for Vogue Italia!"
"Yeah, but it was Clara who took the pictures so I felt really comfortable. Josh, do you like my makeup?"
"Yes, baby. You're beautiful. You look gorgeous." I said and kissed her again.
I wiped the red lipstick off my lips and smiled at Maggie. I was very proud of her.
"And where's Clara?" I asked.
"She's talking to the directors. I think they're interviewing her. This issue is going to feature young photographers."
"How awesome is that?"
"I know, right? It's a huge chance for her to make it big."
"And it's a chance for you, baby. Millions of people are going to see you. And I'm sure you're gonna get a lot of deals after the magazine is published."
"I'm not so optimistic. I just hope no one's gonna roast me. I'm still learning how to pose."
"You're extremely talented, baby. You're the most beautiful girl in the world. And I'm the luckiest guy because you're also my girlfriend! I can't believe I'm dating a model." I said.
My words made Maggie giggle. God, I loved her sweet smile so much. She gave me a passionate kiss and wrapped her arms around me. Then, all of a sudden, I saw a flash of light.
"What the hell?" I yelled.
"Calm down, it's me. You looked so cute that I couldn't not take a picture." Clara said as she entered the room and gave me a hug.
"Welcome, mister Frusciante. It's so nice to meet you!" A guy said with a strong Italian accent.
I turned around and saw a middle aged man, standing there with his arms wide open.
I gave him a hug and said:
"Hello, sir. I'm sorry, but my name is Josh Klinghoffer."
He looked very confused.
"Are you John Frusciante's son?"
"Yes, I am. I'm really sorry, I thought you mistook me for my father."
"I am a friend of your father's. Me and John worked on multiple photoshoots together. I am very thrilled to meet his son."
"I'm glad meet you too, sir. This is my girlfriend, Maggie. She's gonna be the cover girl."
"I already know miss Maggie. She's gorgeous and I'm very pleased with her work during the shoot."
"Thank you." Maggie said and smiled.
"Mister Fru... Kinghoer? Excuse me, sir, what is your name, again?"
"It's Josh, just Josh."
"Mister Josh, what do you do for a living?"
"I'm a musician. Currently I'm substituting for my dad so I'm playing guitar for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. But other than that, I play the drums and the piano."
"That's very impressive. How old are you?"
"I'll turn 25 in October."
"25... Have you modeled before?"
"Um, yeah, a couple of times."
"I'm gonna be honest with you, mister Josh. You're tall and slender and you've got very interesting looks. I'd like to photograph you."
"I'm sorry, I don't think that's a profession for me." I said.
I felt Maggie kick me in the leg.
"I'm very sad to hear that. Please, think about it. You still have a few years to make it big in the fashion industry. I'm one of the best in the business..."
"Well, sir, I'm honored that you've considered working with me but I'm very busy with my music career and I'm afraid I won't find the time to model. But I'd be very grateful if you could book more work for my girlfriend."
"Your father told me the same thing. He was always busy with music. And of course I will be more than happy to work with miss Maggie again."