The night was electric as Johnny Thunders, Vitani, Rebel, Claire, Michael Monroe, Stiv Bators, Vexy, and Luna gathered at a packed venue for a Ramones concert. The air buzzed with excitement and nostalgia, as the legendary punk band prepared to take the stage. Rebel, barely able to contain his enthusiasm, tugged at his mom Vitani’s sleeve, pointing at the iconic Ramones banner hanging above the stage.
“I can’t believe we’re finally seeing them live!” Rebel exclaimed.
“Better than watching those grainy VHS tapes, huh?” Johnny chuckled, ruffling his son’s hair.
The band took the stage, and the crowd erupted in a roar. The entire family lost themselves in the raw, fast-paced energy of the show, with Michael and Stiv shouting the lyrics along to “Blitzkrieg Bop” and “Sheena is a Punk Rocker.” Claire and Vitani laughed and cheered while Luna swayed to the beat, mentally filing away the moment to channel into future artistic projects.
Once the show ended, they made their way backstage. As they navigated the dimly lit halls of the venue, there was an air of excitement – not only were they going to meet the Ramones, but also their 20-year-old adopted daughter, Evangeline, who had been traveling and experiencing life on her own for a while. This would be the first time everyone was reunited since she returned from her adventures.
As they stepped into the green room, there she was—Evangeline, casually leaning against the wall with a Ramones shirt, black combat boots, and a leather jacket. Her wild curls framed her face, and her eyes lit up when she saw her family. Stiv was the first to rush over, pulling her into a bear hug, with Vexy right behind him.
“Evie! There you are! We’ve missed you, kiddo!” Stiv exclaimed.
Evangeline grinned, wrapping her arms around both her parents. “Missed you guys too. Been waiting for you all to show up!” she said, her voice filled with warmth and excitement.
Johnny gave her a playful nudge. “You’ve been keeping out of trouble, I hope?” he teased.
“Oh, you know me. Just the right amount of trouble,” Evangeline winked.
Rebel, who had always looked up to Evangeline, gave her a high five. “You’ve got to tell me all about your trip later! I wanna hear everything.”
“I’ll fill you in, don’t worry,” she said, her eyes shifting towards Luna. “Hey, congrats on the new album. Immortal Souls is killer. Can’t wait to see what you do with those videos.”
Luna smiled appreciatively. “Thanks, Evie. Maybe you can help me figure out some new ideas.”
As they all caught up, a voice called out from the side of the room. “Hey, you guys must be the famous Thunders-Bators-Monroe crew I’ve been hearing about!”
It was Joey Ramone himself, grinning as he walked over with Dee Dee and Johnny Ramone behind him. The family erupted into greetings and introductions, with everyone exchanging stories of the old days and talking about the next generation of rockers—Rebel, Luna, and Evangeline all sharing their musical aspirations with the Ramones.
The night stretched on with laughter, stories, and the occasional guitar jam in the backstage area. For Evangeline, being back with her family and surrounded by legends made her feel like she was right where she belonged. They were all part of a rock-and-roll legacy that transcended generations, united by music, rebellion, and a shared love for the scene.
