Listen To Your Heart ~ Book One.

The Ellen Show Part 3

"Ah...so you're saying it's okay for Mel Gibson, but it's wrong for me."

"I'm sorry. What does Mel Gibson have to do with this?"

"Mel Gibson...actor. Married with a wife and a couple of kids. His wife divorced him years ago...why you ask? Because he cheated on her by knocking up his much younger co-star...but yet...here's the funny part. Not one person, not one news outlet said anything...anything at all...about how Mel Gibson should be ashamed of himself, for cheating on his wife and betraying his kids. All anyone ever said was how wonderful it was, that Mel Gibson was going to be a father again in his old age. So... the rules of morality or whatever the hell you want to call them applies to me, but not too rich and famous people like yourself, is that what you're telling me? You are dating another woman...right? Isn't that 'morally wrong' to some people?" I ask.

(I swear you could've heard a pin drop; it got so quiet.)

(Ellen sits there with her mouth hanging open. So does Billie. A voice from behind stage says...we've broken to a commercial. Ellen points at me.)

"SECURITY! Get him out of here...NOW!!"

(I walk over and grab my guitar, as security escorts me backstage towards the nearest exit. I glance quickly at Billie. The expression in her eyes said it all...Why didn't I just keep quiet?)

(An hour later, I'm getting a lecture from Valerie. As I pace back and forth, in the hotel room. I was still angry at Ellen, and I felt like a tiger that had been backed into a corner.)

"Damn you, David...why did you have to let Ellen bait you like that? My phone has been exploding with calls. Now I got to do damage control!"

"So... you agree with Ellen then?"

"Actually...I agree with both of you. You and Billie being together raises red flags like crazy...but you're right about there being a double standard...but damn it, there are double standards about practically everything in life. You know this. All you had to do was play it cool...and you didn't. I'm surprised Irving hasn't called either of us yet."

"So, what happens now? Guess I'm off the tour?"

"Irving is having a video conference with Billie's manager as we speak. The whole internet is on fire. Some people agree with Ellen, others agree with you. Question is...do you think you should still be on tour with Billie after the stunt you pulled?"

"No... I haven't felt right about this whole thing since it started."

(I grab the guitar Eddie left me, and hand it to Valerie.)

"I think you should have this back."

"David...no... Eddie left you that guitar. He built it for you."

"I know...and I'm not saying I don't appreciate it...but it seems like ever since I've done the Van Halen concert...ever since the fame started...nothing seems right."

"Nothing in your life seems right...or nothing between you and Billie?"

"Four months...we haven't spent any time alone in four months! I know she's busy, so am I... but damn it...it would be nice to at least hold her...just for one night."