The lost son ~John Frusciante and Josh Klinghoffer

45. This last chance to get things right

Me and Matt became really good friends. We hung out with each other almost everyday after closing the store.
It helped me in a way. At least I didn't have to go back to John's house at 5 PM when Lilly and Johnny were still playing in the garden. I hated having to confront her. She was always trying to talk to me. I gave her 2 000 dollars that month. I wanted my son to have a good life. I promised her I would take care of him anytime she needed to go somewhere. I also went to court and filled for divorce.

I was staying in a room at the attic. But I knew that I couldn't stay with my dad for ever. I didn't want to live next to my ex.

I opened the store and as always started by tuning the guitars. I hated those idiots who were messing with the pegs.
After an annoying kid, who could only play the intro of 'Nothing else matters', left the store without buying anything, Matt finally arrived.

- Josh, can I talk to you?

He said.

- Sure, what is it?

I asked with a smile. I didn't expect what was coming next.

- The shop is doing really bad. I can't even pay the rent. I can't raise the price of the instruments, they are expensive anyway.

- Shit, what are you going to do now? You can fire me, that's fine. I won't be mad.

- I'll not fire you, I couldn't do that. But you will loose the job anyway because I need to close the store.

- You can't do that! Your father wanted you to make it the best guitar store in LA!

- I know, believe me, I wouldn't be doing that if I didn't have to.

I stayed silent for a moment. He was so down. I needed to do something, I knew so many people, I could help.

- Matt, I've got an idea.

- I don't want to borrow any money, man. There's just no other choice...

- Nah, that wasn't the plan. Listen, I could ask my dad and the rest of the band to come here, play some music, maybe even work here for a day or two. That could attract some clients. I could also invite some friends to have a meet and greet. Bob Forrest or Eddie Vedder would surely agree if I told them how bad your situation is.

His eyes became watery.

- No, you don't have to do that! Who would like to come to such a small store anyway.

- Let me do that. At least I wanna try. You're a good friend and I wanna do that for you.

Matt hugged me and patted my back.

- You're great, thank you.

He said, his eyes still wet.

- No problem, man.

I responded and gave him a reassuring smile.

*

When I came back home, I immediately told John about my idea.

- Hell yeah, we're doing that!

He answered immediately. Dad called Flea and I called Anthony and Chad.
Everyone except for our drummer agreed. We would be performing on Saturday.

*

I went to work earlier that day. I got up at 6 AM and was in the store at 8. I had to prepare all the microphones, amps, pedals and instruments. We would be performing outside the shop. The street should be busy at 11.
Matt couldn't believe his eyes when he arrived.