The lost son ~John Frusciante and Josh Klinghoffer

1. All I ever wanted was your life

I walked into a beautiful mansion carrying my guitar case with me. It was situated in the suburbs, in a very private area of Los Angeles. It was actually the second time I was visiting this place.
I felt pretty weird wearing baggy trousers and a beanie in a house with carpets worth thousands of dollars.

- Hey Josh, you're right on time!

I heard John greeting me from the hallway.

- Hey John, what are you up to today?

- Not much, I just wanted you to sing one song with me.

- Really? I mean, wow, I'm not a good singer.

- Come on Josh, you're great. Let's go to the recording room and I'll show you everything.

I followed him to the basement. There was a huge recording studio with drums, guitars and keyboard.

- Have a sit. The song is called 'Omission'.

John handed me a sheet of paper with lyrics written on it. I carefully read them and spoke up.

- It's really beautiful. I honestly love it, John. Your music is so touching.

- Oh stop it, man. Actually, I feel like you've got a similar sensitivity to mine, we can create beautiful things together. This album is gonna be great!

*

After few hours of recording, the song was finally ready. I said bye and went straight to my old rusty car.
I drove quite fast. I needed to be home quickly. I had to give my mother medicines and check her pressure.
Few months ago she was diagnosed with a breast cancer. It has already spread all over her body. The doctors said that this were the last months of her life. I was devastated when I found out.
I still didn't tell her I was making a record with fucking John Frusciante. I told her I was meeting with some friends from high school. She didn't want me to start a music career, she wanted me to become a lawyer or a doctor. But a regular job is not for me. The only thing that keeps me sane is music.
I'm obsessed with John since I've started to play guitar. I went to every Red Hot Chili Peppers concert I could. And one day I met him outside the venue. We shared a cigarette and I told him I played guitar. He invited me to one of their rehearsals and I finally met the band. And then John asked me to help him with his new album. I was amazed. I couldn't believe my luck. But my mom hated this band. I don't understand her. She didn't want to hear anything about these guys. I felt really bad having to lie to her almost everyday. But I had no choice. We only have one life.

*

- Hey, mom, I'm home!

She didn't respond. I ran to her bedroom and found my mother unconscious on the floor.

I immediately called 911.

*

She was laying in a hospital bed with a tube down her throat. I heard her slow heartbeat.

- Mommy, I'm here.

She grabbed my hand and I could see her trying to speak. I found a notebook and a pen on the table next to her bed and handed them to her.

She started to write something. I watched her, tears forming in my eyes.

"I'm so sorry for leaving you Joshy. I will always love you and I will always be proud of you."

- Mom, I love you too. I don't know how I'll be able to get through all of this. I'm afraid of being alone, mom. You're all I have. I would give anything to help you but I know there's nothing we can do.

I couldn't stop crying. I saw tears forming in her eyes too.
She started to write again.

"I have to tell you something. I was lying to you your whole life. I'm so sorry son."

- What do you mean mom?

"Its about your father."

- So you know who he is? And you didn't tell me? Why mom? Why did you do that?

"I'm so sorry but this man didn't want you. He left me and told me to get an abortion. I could never do that."

- What a fucking bastard! How could anyone do this to his girl? What's his name? And address? I need to meet him, mom. He needs to know that I'm alive and I hate him.

Her heartbeat started to become even slower. She barely could move her hand. Tears were running down her face. She wrote down two words and then a flatline appeared on a heart rate monitor.
I knew it was over. I hugged her and cried into her shoulder until a doctor told me to leave.
I took the notebook with me and left the room. I didn't really want to open it. She was gone and I didn't know if my father would even remember her. I no longer wanted to see him.

I kicked the wall behind me and wiped away my tears. I exited the building and lit a cigarette. I slowly inhaled the smoke, looking down at that red notebook. I opened it eventually. And I couldn't believe my eyes.

"John Frusciante"

How was that even possible? Was it the reason why my mom hated the Red Hot Chili Peppers so much? How this man could do that to her? I immediately started to regret that I read these words.

***

So the idea for this story was stuck in my head for few months until I finally decided to write it down.

What do you guys think?