The lost son ~John Frusciante and Josh Klinghoffer

94. Took a force of nature to bring us together

I decided to hang out with John and Emily after having brought Johnny back to Lilly's house. I was sad to have leave him with Lilly but I understood that he had to go to the kindergarten the following morning. I was very grateful that I got to spend the whole weekend with him.

I walked into John's home and the first thing that I noticed where dozens of boxes laying all around the living room.
"What's going on here?" I asked them.
"Oh, we are prepping for the tour. John bought 20 of his every favorite shirt and pants." Emily explained.
That's how John Frusciante's been wearing the same shirts to all of his shows for the past 20 years, that's the secret.

I listened to the entire Stadium Arcadium album and I fell in love with it. I had already heard some new songs from the album during the show the previous day, but it hit me differently when John played me the whole album.
"Wow, I'm speechless. It's an absolute masterpiece. I love it so much. I'm so proud of you." I told John.
"Thank you, that means the world to me. I gave the album my all. Listen, Josh. I would like to ask you a question..." He said.
"Sure, go on."
"Would you like to go on tour with us and be the second guitarist? I'd really need your help to play some of the songs live." He asked.
"I'd love to. But I have to talk to Maggie and Lilly first." I told him.
"Sure, I didn't expect an answer right away. Just tell me your final decision by the end of next week. Here's the schedule." John said and handed me a sheet of paper.
I was really excited to start touring again. I haven't done that in a while and I couldn't believe that I would ever miss touring, but I really did.
I hoped that Maggie would go with me.

The following night I went to Maggie's to meet up with her. I couldn't wait to tell her the news.
"Hey, honey." Maggie greeted me and gave me a passionate kiss.
We had dinner and then I decided it was a good moment to tell Maggie about my plans.
"Mag, I wanted to tell you something." I said.
"No, wait, I want to tell you something first. It's important." She told me.
"Umm, okay. Go first." I said, even though I really thought my thing was much more important than whatever she was going to tell me.
"I've signed a contract with a modeling agency and I'm going to New York for a year!" Maggie told me with the biggest grin on her face.
"Oh..." I said, trying to fake a smile.
I was shocked. It was the last thing I expected to hear.
"Wait. You're not happy?" Maggie asked.
"No, I..." I tried to explain but she cut me off.
"I thought you'd love the idea of living in New York." She said.
"Maggie, I can't..." I told her.
Her smile faded away, replaced by tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Josh, I've already signed the contract. I can't afford the fine for breaking it..." Mag told me.
"Honey, I promised John..." I said.
"You're going on tour with your dad?" She asked.
"Yes. For a year." I replied.
Maggie just nodded her head.
We preceded to just sit in silence for the next half an hour.
Maggie was not mad or disappointed, just taken aback. I'm sure she's already imagined this perfect life for us in New York.
"I guess I'll go now." I said, slowly standing up.
I noticed that Maggie's baby blue eyes were filled with tears as her gaze met mine.

I got back to my house and sat down on the floor. I didn't know what to do. My mind was all over the place. If I asked John for advice, he would tell me to go with Maggie. If I asked Mag what I should do, she would tell me to go on tour with the Chili Peppers.
I was at a loss. My decision was gonna hurt my loved ones either way.
I was still sitting there at midnight when my phone suddenly rang.
I quickly took it out of my pocket, anticipating to see Maggie's name on the screen. I was really taken by surprise when I noticed that, in fact, it was Lilly who was calling me.
I contemplated if I should even pick up, but I decided to take the call in case something happened to Johnny.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Hey, Josh..." Said Lilly.
She sounded drunk. Her speech was really slurred.
"Lilly, what's wrong?" I asked.
"I'm sorry, I'm a little drunk..." She said.
"Has something happened?" I inquired.
"No..." She replied.
"So, what's going on?" I asked.
"I just needed to talk to someone..." She said.
"You can talk to me." I told her.
"Thanks... I'm feeling a bit down..." She stated.
"Me too." I said.
"I'm sorry. Do you wanna go first?" She asked.
"No, it's okay. I'll just listen." I replied.
"Okay... Well, I've been fired from my job today..." Lilly revealed.
"Damn, I'm sorry, Lilly. I know how much you loved that job." I tried to comfort her.
"It's that bitch Stacy's fault..." She said.
"I'm sure you'll find another job in no time." I reassured her.
"Thanks... So, wanna tell me what's up with you?" She asked.
"It's complicated..." I said.
"And when it's not? I've never met someone who has gone through so much in life as you have. I can't believe life still throws shit in your way." Lilly told me.
"Well said. I really thought everything way going great until today. I've been so happy with Maggie. I thought we'd spend the rest of our lives together..." I rambled.
"She broke up with you?" She asked.
"No, she's moving to New York." I revealed.
"Why aren't you going with her?" She inquired.
"I'm going on tour..." I explained.
"Oh, shit. Josh, maybe it's all gonna work out... So many people are in long distance relationships." Lilly tried to cheer me on.
"We're not made to be in a long distance relationship." I said bluntly.
"Try talking to John, maybe he'll be fine without you." Lilly advised me.
"But I want to go. John's taking Emily and Hope with him for the first time. It's gonna be her first tour and I want to be there to witness it. I just don't want to be alone..." I explained.
"Shit, I'd love to go on tour with you one more time." Lilly revealed.
"Then go." I said.
"What?" She asked.
"I'm serious. You and Johnny should go with me. Maybe you losing your job was a sign. Think about it." I told her.
"No, Josh, I can't..." She refused.
"I know, Steve wouldn't let you. But he's welcome to come with us." I said.
"Really?" She asked.
"Yeah, sure. I'd do anything for my son to join me on tour. I'll pay for your hotel rooms and everything. I just want to have him close to me." I told her.
"I'll think about it. I would love to go, but..." She said and stopped halfway through the sentence.
"What is it, Lilly? What's holding you back?" I asked.
"John and Emily, they hate me... I would have to face them every day, knowing that all their think about is how I ruined this family..." Lilly told me.
"You didn't ruin our family, Lilly. You're still a part of it. And so is Steve." I assured her.
"Thank you." She said.
"I want all of us to be good friends again. For the sake of Johnny. I want him to have a big and happy family." I told her.
"Me too. That would be wonderful." She said.

*

"Hey, Josh. Thanks for inviting us!" John said and gave me a hug.
"Thank you for coming. Come in, the dinner's ready." I said and smiled.
"It's good to see you in a great mood." Emily told me.
I lead them to the dining room where surprise guests were waiting for them.
"Papa! Emily! Hope!" Johnny exclaimed and ran up to Hope, giving her a big hug.
"Hey." Lilly and Steve said in synch.
"Hi, you guys! It's been a while. It's good to see you." John greeted them with a smile.
"I hope to be seeing you much more often from now on." Lilly said.
"Sure, I'd love that." John told her.
"Lilly, I missed you. It's great to see you patched things up with Josh." Emily told her.
Lilly teared up and hugged Emily.
"I missed you too... You were my best friend. And I fucked up... It just hurt too much to see you and John... It reminded me of Josh and what I've lost..." Lilly said, crying.
Emily wiped her tears and smiled.
"It's okay, I know it's been very difficult for you too." She said.
"I'm sorry, Steve." Lilly said to her boyfriend.
"No, I get it, divorces are hard." He replied and held her hand.
We sat in an uncomfortable silence for a short while until John came up to me and asked:
"Is Maggie coming?"
"No, she's in New York on a modeling contract." I explained.
"That's great! But she's joining us on tour, right?" John asked.
"No, she's not..." I replied.
"Oh." John was taken by surprise.
"I'm taking Johnny, Lilly and Steve with me." I said.
Emily's eyes widened.
"That's wonderful! The whole family's gonna be together! We're gonna have such a fun time,  aren't we, Johnny?" My dad said with a huge grin.
"Yes papa! Can I play with you and daddy on stage?" Johnny asked John.
"Sure!" John responded.