The lost son ~John Frusciante and Josh Klinghoffer

73. Just look at what the current brings

Last night I called my dad to say that I was back from the tour and I promised to see him the following morning once I had dropped Maggie off at school.
I was still jet lagged when the alarm went off at 7:30. I lazily got out of bed, brushed my teeth, grabbed the car keys and went to my car. Maggie was already waiting for me outside her home.
"Hey, babe. How are you today?" I asked and kissed her deeply.
"I've been better. I'm scared to face the bitches who are bullying me."
She looked pale as a ghost. I pushed a stand of hair behind her ear and cupped her chin.
"Mag, don't be scared. You're strong, you're beautiful, you're smart. What they say doesn't matter. I've got your back. If anything happens, call me." I told her.
She squeezed my hand and told me to drive.
Once we arrived at the school, I gave her one more kiss and looked deep into her blue eyes.
"Don't let them talk shit to you. You're more successful that they'll ever be and you're just starting your career." I said.
"Thank you, Josh. I'm feeling better now." Maggie told me and smiled at me.
"I should've stood up for myself when I was going through this in high school. But I didn't know my worth. I want you to know how precious you are. When should I pick you up?"
"I finish my classes at 3 PM. But I can walk home, it's no big deal." Maggie told me.
"I'll see you at 3." I said and watched her get out of the car.

*

"Josh!" John exclaimed as he saw me.
He wrapped his arms around me and patted my back.
"You're looking great!" He said.
"Oh, come on, I've looked the same since I turned 19 or 20." I told John and it made him laugh.
"Josh!" Emily squeaked as she ran downstairs and threw herself into my arms.
"Em! I missed you so much!" I said, spinning her around.
"I missed you too. How was it?" She asked.
"The tour? Great." I replied.
"And your relationship with Maggie?" Emily asked again.
"Also great. We're a good match. I don't think we've ever fought." I said proudly.
"That's so fucking good to hear. I was honestly scared you'd take your own life after your breakup with Lilly." John told me.
"Meeting Maggie was the best thing that's ever happened to me." I said, smiling widely.
Then I hugged my little sister and read her a book. In the meantime, John and Emily prepared breakfast since I hadn't eaten yet.
We all sat down at a table talked for hours.
"You know, Maggie's still talking about moving to London. And I'd go anywhere in the world just to be with her. But I don't wanna leave you and Johnny."
John shook his head and grabbed my hand.
"We'll be fine, don't worry about us. If you want to move there, do it. Start living your life without thinking about what others will say. I stopped giving a fuck a long time ago." He told me.
"I still wanna be seeing my son..." I said.
"I don't know what to tell you, all I know is that he loves you very much. Not a day goes by where Johnny doesn't talk about his dad and tell me how you played with him." Emily told me.
I shed a tear.
"I need to see him." I said.
"He's in the nursery right now. They should be back at 1." Emily explained.
I decided to wait until 2 before I called Lilly.
"Hey, Josh! Are you back?" She said as she picked up the phone.
"Yeah, I'm at John's. Can I see Johnny?" I asked.
"Sure, he's waiting for you!"
I said goodbye to John and Emily and ran to Lilly's house with a huge grin on my face.

"Daddy! I love you, daddy!" Johnny said and gave me a big kiss.
"I love you too, baby. I missed you so much. God, you're such a big boy now. You're going to the kindergarten!" I told him, hugging him.
"I like kindergarten!" He replied.
"Johnny has many friends there. He's doing great. He's also potty trained now." Lilly told me.
She was looking great. She was dressed in smart clothes and high heels. I reckoned it was what she wore for work. I wondered where she worked...
"I'm so proud of you, Johnny. You're a good boy." I said and kissed his little cheek.
"I wanna play, daddy!" Johnny exclaimed and tugged on my sweatpants.
"Okay, honey. But I will have to go and pick Maggie up soon." I said.
John nodded his little head and smiled at me.
"What? Can't you spend the whole day with your son? He hasn't seen you in months." Lilly said, visibly upset.
"I'm sorry, I promised Maggie I'll drive her home. I can be back after that and spend the rest of the day with him..."
"You spent the whole summer with her. Johnny needs you more than her."
"Don't yell at me! Okay, I'll text her that I won't make it. Are you happy?" I asked Lilly.
She nodded her head and just walked away. I was so pissed but I didn't wanna fight in front of Johnny anymore.
I sat on the floor of John's nursery and texted Maggie.
"Honey, I'm so sorry but I won't pick you up today. Lilly made me take care of Johnny."
"That's fine, I'll see you later. Love ya 😘" Maggie replied.
I loved how chill and understanding she was. She was a total opposite of Lilly who loved to get on my nerves.