Can't Stop (Frusciante fan fic)

Part 13-Communication Breakdown

A/N: John is back in this chapter, yay! Or at least the next if this gets too long..

2 weeks later:

Sophia and her crew are back in school as of one week ago. This needed VERY badly to happen. I love my kid, but am itching for some more work and adult company.

Speaking of which, Greg and I are still having a great time together. After our last date, we went to Imperial Beach twice, once by ourselves and once with the kids. Imperial Beach is the most southwestern city in the country and right next to the Mexican border. It's a gem with the warmest and clearest water on the entire California coast in my opinion. It has a nice pier to walk on and a street full of places to eat paralleling the beach just one block from the sand. 

Greg was very happy to have discovered such a cool place, which is a very well-kept secret down in SoCal. We went in the water both times. It was still freaking cold, but when we went on our own, we drifted out to a secluded area where we made out furiously in the water for awhile, then drifted back in. I have a fairly flat abdomen thanks to working out and the way I'm built, it's just a little goofy looking because of my Mercedes-Benz C-section scar thanks to the butcher doctors and incompetent midwife. But I worked up the nerve to wear a bikini, and Greg seemed to appreciate it. 

I was tempted to remove my bikini top or bottom when we were out in the water all by ourselves, but figured if anyone would get caught for indecent exposure, it would be me. I must say, Greg looked very fine in a bathing suit. He didn't wear a Speedo, which I happen to think is fortunate. He had minimal chest hair, and was toned but slender like John. Part of me made the comparison, but I never went into a dreamy moment where I mistook him for John. We just enjoyed each other's company. 

So bottom line, everyone is pretty happy. This week, while Sophia was at school, I went to the animal shelter and adopted a kitten. He's an adorable tuxedo cat with white paws who is a miniature version of our beloved late cat Lily, and John's cat too. 

I told Sophia to close her eyes before coming in the door, then placed the kitty gently in her hands and told her to open them. She started shrieking "oh my God, it's so cute Mom, I love it already." She jumped up and down and nearly dropped the poor animal on its head. I told her the cat was a boy, and she immediately insisted on naming it John. Go figure. Well, John is loved and fed and spoiled to death, and I don't think he's going anywhere. 

Anyway, it's a Friday and I am swamped with video calls with patients, sometimes with the help of Spanish interpreters, though my Spanish is decent. Chasing the patients down by phone and telemedicine platform and putting in prescription orders and trying to fit in dictations in between patients; the fun just goes on and on. During my lunch break, I get not one, not two, but three telemarketing calls interrupting me. The first one is from Hilton Hotels "regarding your recent (um, over 2 years ago actually) stay with us." Click. Second, "Hello, this is Marriott Hotels calling with a special.." End call. A few minutes later, another call shows up from an area code that is not one I call, and I reject the call, knowing that it's just more of the same shit.

The afternoon goes on and as usual, I'm not getting nearly as much done as I want to. I finish up at 4 pm despite the volume of patients, then run the billing and orders with my assistant. I am due in Palm Springs for other work I'm doing tomorrow and Sunday, so I figure I have time to do a dictation or two then head for the hotel. Sophia and Chelsea the babysitter's younger sister, who is 10, have become fast friends, so they are happy to have her, and vice versa for the weekend. 

Suddenly, I get a text from an unknown number, same area code as the last garbage call I got. "Hi, how are you Ellie? What's your address?" What the actual fuck. That does it for me. I don't have time for this shit. I'm gonna call this person from whatever survey or hotel chain and tell them off. 

The phone rings. "Hello?" a pleasant male voice answers. I take a deep breath, feeling irritated, though the voice sounds familiar. I cut him off right away, "Look, this is the second call from this number today from your hotel, and now you're sending me texts asking for personal information. Seriously? You are a nuisance and I want to talk to your manager.."

I hearing laughing on the other line and am interrupted, "Ellie, it's John for crying out loud! What the fuck happened to you?" For once, I am speechless. 

"Oh, God, John, I didn't know you still had my number.. I feel so bad, I'm so sorry.." John keeps laughing. "Of course, I still have your number El? How could I forget you? What did you do with my number?"

I feel totally embarrassed. "I'm so sorry, I had to delete it from my phone so that Sophie wouldn't harass you. I know you are busy recording and I didn't want us to get in the way.. " "I-I.."

"No worries, Ellie! I have missed you both terribly. How the hell are you?!"

I relax a bit. "We're doing well. Just day from hell for me today. Sophie is back at school, finally. And how are you? And why, may I ask, do you want my address?"

John chuckles, "I'm doing great, Ellie, thank you for asking. And don't tell anyone, but yes, the band is starting to record. We have our first concert on October 2nd. You're still coming to Napa, right?"

"Yes, I wouldn't miss it for the world! This isn't my first time seeing the Peppers live, but it IS my first time seeing you perform other than You Tube videos. But my address.."

"You'll see, just give it to me, please?! I promise I won't send you any porn magazines or refer you to Publishers Clearinghouse. Unless you want me to," he laughs. "And I won't show up at your front door unannounced. I'm serious" 

I can't help but grin and say "Yeah, the latter would make Sophie's day! Not sure about mine," I tease him. "OK, seriously, I'll give you my address, but no one else gets it alright? You have a pen and paper?" He replies in the affirmative and I give him the address. 

"Well, John, I can't wait to see what shows up at my apartment door. I seriously don't mind if it's you." I giggle. I look at the clock. It's nearly 5 PM. I want to keep talking but realize I should change my clothes, do a few dictations, head to the hotel in Palm Springs, and do some more, then wake up in the morning and see more patients, and repeat. "I have to go, but this time I'm keeping your number. I've very protective of my phone, and will definitely be even more so."

"Sounds good, El. Give Sophie a hug for me and don't ignore your mailbox, OK?" I promise him that I won't. "Goodnight," we both say at the same time, then hang up. 

I have to lie down because I'm getting actual vertigo from the fact that John Frusciante remembered me, not to mention Sophie. He wasn't a fuck toy for me, and it seems I wasn't for him either. The realization of having a ton of work to do and nearly a 2 hour drive ahead hits me as well. Yet, I manage to get up and change into some relaxing clothes. A short sleeve, button down plaid shirt from Target, that I think I subconsciously bought because it looks exactly like something John would wear, and long shorts to prepare for the Palm Springs heat. My suitcase is pretty much packed and ready.

I sit down at my desk, ready to conquer boring dictations and make sure I dictate prior authorizations. Just as I dial the dictation number, the doorbell rings harshly, and I hear loud pounding on the door. The person will not stop. I have no idea who it is and am getting a little overwhelmed by everyone wanting a piece of me today. 

"Coming, coming," I say, with some irritation. I look through the peephole in case this is a Jehovah's Witness or Mormon Elder here to give their spiel. Instead, I see a tall male figure carrying a dozen red roses. He moves the roses aside so I can see his face, and grins and waves at me.

Suddenly, I don't feel irritated anymore. "Greg?!"