Fallen From Graceland

Prologue

*~*Point Pleasant, NJ - 1998*~*

Tap...Tap...Tap...the strums of a guitar...a note or two on a piano...

Richie and David were holed up in the studio going on five hours. It has been a long process of creating his second album and he'd asked David to join him, not only as King of all things piano-related but as co-songwriter. David was itching for a new project and hopped on the opportunity.

The two had the kind of musical chemistry only twins who emerged from the womb already playing musical instruments could hope to have. Jon was the only one David's writing clashed with, causing him to be left out of most Jovi songs and forced into harmonies only.

Their first album was co-written together, Stranger in This Town, which was a mix of ballads and blues that barely cracked the Billboard Top 100 charts. The sophomore effort would be edgier and more ambitious. They worked on the album for over a month. It was supposed to be completed by the week's end.

"I think we should add some sex noises," Richie said over the blues riffs David was ripping off.

"Excuse me?" David asked, dropping his hands still playing.

"Sex noises! We could record some and add them to the songs. I'm serious! It would be great publicity!"

"I thought we were trying to keep a low profile?"

Richie snorted. "Fuck 'em. If they want great albums they're going to have to deal with a little controversy," His voice dipped down, "The lovely ladies at the Playboy mansion might help us out with that."

He stood and walked over to the mini fridge under the antique upright and pulled out two beers. He offered one to David and flopped down into the squashy leather sofa.

"Thanks," David said awkwardly. "You know...I'm pretty sure Jonny wants you to keep the controversy to a minimum."

"That's Jon's over-protectiveness speaking. I'm fucking surprised the self-centered prick hasn't had a hissy fit and fired me for stealing HIS keyboardist," Richie jabbed before sipping his drink. "Speaking of which, when are you going to stand up to him about that?"

David twitched and shifted uncomfortably. "About what?"

"Accommodating his enormous...ego and treating you like an afterthought," Richie laughed, "I've asked him to include you in the songwriting process but--"

"I already did that as much as I can stand...No thanks. Jonny is too damn temperamental to work with." David felt a flame burn on the tips of his ears. His mouth shut like a vault.

"Don't have to tell me twice, brother," Richie said, picking up his guitar and strumming mindlessly. "But you've got it good. As much as I'd like to shove my foot up his ass at times, he treats me right."

David took a long swig from his bottle but didn't answer. He went back to playing in silence, fingers dancing along the piano keys.

"Are you alright, Lema?" Richie asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," his voice came up in a shudder.

"What's wrong?"

David set his beer on the piano. "I just...I dunno."

"Is this about April again?" Leave it up to Richie to nose around in other people's business.

"No," David said, shifting nervously. "Why?"

"You just looked like someone just punched you in the gut."

Dave fiddled with his wedding ring. "It's just ...do you ever wonder about your life?"