Take This Job and Shove It!

It was now a few months into the New Year and Ellie was exhausted from flying out to be with Jon and then coming home and trying to work the hours that she was. They had just got the news that they were now opening on Sunday’s and she only had three other women that worked with her as it was. She had a meeting with them and with her Supervisor on separate occasions and she couldn’t let Shirley work on Sunday’s because with her time and a half it would kill payroll not to mention her social security. June would do anything for her also but she also had a family and didn’t want to schedule her for every Sunday when Doreen could volunteer also but wouldn’t. I mean Jeepers she only worked two nights a week and wouldn’t give them up nor work anymore if she had too. She tried hiring just someone for Sunday’s but that was a bust. So she had to fill in which brought that wrath of the store and that of her supervisor down on her. She was becoming a nervous wreck. And Jon could see it. She so wanted this to work but her health was now taking a toll and her parents were also giving her grief over it.

“Ellie something is going to have to give. You’re making yourself sick over this whole thing. It’s either going to have to be Jon or your job? And I think you know which it’s going to be don’t you?” her mother told her.

Ellie sat in the kitchen with her head in her hands rubbing her temples. It was one hell of a day and she wasn’t able to schedule any time off this payroll. Looking up, “Yeah but how am I going to explain this to Jon he’s going to be pissed Mom?” she asked her.

Cecelia looked at her stunned. “Ellie are you telling me that you’re thinking of staying and telling Jon that you’re going to break up with him? Because if you are young lady your Father and I will ground you til your one hundred!” She ranted to her.        

Ellie just sat there stunned at what her Mother just said to her. “Um Mommy you want me to go with Jon?” she asked her a little taken back.

“Ellie your Father and I like Jon very much and he’s crazy for you and Jimmy what’s not to like. You on the other hand are scared to death to take a chance and we can understand that but you need to trust again. You know in your heart that he didn’t leave you and he was a victim of that also. And as for Jimmy and his growing up you’ll both figure it out. Who knows I may be a Grandma several more times if I’m lucky.” She told her smiling.

“Mar please.” She said blushing.

“Well you never know a Mother can hope can’t she? Now I think you know really what to do. Give your notice and tell Jon what you’re going to do. Even if you need to stay here for the time being that’s fine by us gives me more time with my handsome grandson.” She told her handing her the phone.

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   They had gotten back from radio interviews and at the end of next month they were hitting Europe for a six month tour which he wasn’t too happy about being away from his family for that long.  They had just got the news that morning but he knew she was working and wouldn’t be able to tell her until later tonight. They had ordered lunch in his room and the guys could tell he wasn’t that happy.

“Hey Kidd what’s the matter you’ve seemed bummed since we’ve gotten back from the radio station. What’s up with you?” Dave asked him.

“He’s probably missing his little girlfriend. You know you can just go downstairs and pick out any beauty you want Jon and they’ll come back up here withhhh…” but Tico belted Alec with a pillow smack in his face before he could do anymore damage.

“HEY!!!” Alec yelled.

“Shut up Alec you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about!” Tico snapped at him.

Running his hand thru his hair, “Thanks Tico.” Jon said to him he just wasn’t in the mood for Alec’s crap.

“But what did I do?” Alec wanted to know.

“You opened your fat mouth as always. Now just sit there and be quiet will you.” Tico demanded. Alec wasn’t too happy about being told to shut up but he also knew better than going against Tico.

“Hey Jon it will be ok really she’ll understand.” Richie told him.

“Yeah well it would be a lot better if she could come with us.” Jon said as he picked up his drink.

“Yeah but I don’t think she’d leave your kid now would she?” he asked him.

“Why couldn’t we bring Jimmy with us?” Jon wanted to know.

“Jon come on you know how it is over there. We’re more popular there and right now nobody knows about you and Ellie let alone Jimmy. Do you really want all that info to get out when were over in Europe? We’ll be more stalked than ever. Let’s get the picture of Jon Bon Jovi’s love child with the mother. Yeah that will go over really good with Ellie. I mean bringing Ellie wouldn’t be bad but Jimmy you’re letting out a bag of worms Kidd. Introduce one at a time ok? Otherwise you may lose them both.” Richie explained to him.

The guys left him so he could think and now for the first time he could feel for Ellie because he thought he was getting a migraine. He got up and took some aspirin and went to lie down for a while as he tried to think what he was going to say to her. Jon had fallen asleep for a few hours so when he woke up it was close to when she would be getting home. He grabbed his guitar and messed around for a little while and made a note to himself to ask Richie about a few riffs and then he needed to talk to Doc about when he wanted them to get those songs somewhat together after they get back from the European tour. He only had a half dozen half done with this hectic schedule of theirs and hasn’t had a chance to show them to Richie yet. After about an hour he had to try and see if she was home yet so he picked up the phone and called. He let it ring when Cecelia answered, “Hello? Oh Hi Jon yes she is. She’s lying down she came home early today. No, no she’s only on the couch and if I don’t tell her you’re on the phone there will be hell to pay hang on.” Cecelia put the phone down and Jon could hear her walk away.

It didn’t take long for Ellie to pick up. “Jon Hi how are you?” she asked him.

“Hey Babe good, well as good to be expected.” He told her.

“What the hell does that mean? Is everything ok?” she wanted to know as she was a little nervous now. 

“Oh nothing it was just a hectic day. How are you first your Mom said you weren’t feeling good?” he asked her concerned.

“Yeah this whole scheduling thing is just getting to me. Nobody wants to or can’t work weekends so I’ll have to which still isn’t great because corporate doesn’t want me to either. And the store doesn’t want to give me anyone to cover for Sunday’s so I’ll have to close the table down which Ann will have a fit if I do because Sunday is the start of the week and our big sale week. Oh I just want to scream.” She told him.

His little mind was now in over drive. “Wait are you saying what I think your saying Babe?” he asked her hoping.

“What do you think I’m saying? I’m just frustrated Jon and I don’t know what I’m going to do. I just can’t find anyone to work Sunday’s and I’m becoming a nervous wreck over it. Mom and Dad are worried it’s affecting my health.” She told him sighing.

“Do you feel it’s affecting your health?” he asked her concerned.

“Honestly? Yeah I guess my headaches are thru the roof. And my nerves well like I said are shot. I just don’t know how much more I can take.” She told him.

Now the wheels were turning in his head. This was his chance to get her to quit her job for good. “Babe I know you’re not going to like what I suggest but…” as he was saying as she cut him off.

“Jon we’re not going to go thru this again are we? Look if I quit this job I’m going to look for another one you do realize that right?” she asked him.

Pinching the bridge of his nose and trying to stay calm. “But why? Look Honey I understand you want to work but what about this. You give your notice, you take some time off because I just got the go ahead that we have to go to Europe for a six months tour with the Scorpions. We leave at the end of next month. Maybe even I can get you to come with me for a little bit would you like that?” he asked her holding his breath.

“What do you mean? Me and Jimmy? Or just me?” she asked him.

“Ah well I think it would just have to be you Babe because I don’t  think it would be that great to have Jimmy on tour with us over in Europe right? I mean we are really popular over there and nobody really knows about us yet. It wouldn’t be that great to have them find out about us over there and have Jimmy with us now would it?” he told her.

She thought for a moment and said, “No I guess not. I wouldn’t want him to get scared. Just how popular are you guys over there anyway?” she asked him a little afraid.

“Well it’s like any Pop Star or Teen Star frenzy. Europe is known for it. We can’t go anyway where without body guards.” He told her trying not to scare her too much or brag.

“You mean it’s like Beatle Mania but you’re trying not to brag about it. Japan is really bad when it comes to that. Yeah the Osmond’s couldn’t go anywhere when they were over there it was awful.” She told him.

“Were not the damn Osmond’s!” he shot back.

“Oh calm down I’m just using them as an example chill out. But you’re as cute as my Donny. Oh my God your name rhymes with Donny’s! Donny/Jonny ha ha” she told him as she started laughing.

“That’s not funny Ellie!” he told her as he was getting annoyed now.

“Oh stop. He’s a wonderful singer Jon so don’t go there. Just because he’s what you guys call him milk toast doesn’t mean he isn’t any good so stop!” she told him getting pissed.

“Ok, ok but how would you like it if I went on and on about Marie huh?” he asked her.

“I wouldn’t care I love Marie too so there!” she told him still annoyed with him.

“I can’t win with you. Anyway getting back on subject if you quit you can come we me during the tour off and on so we’ll be together how about that? Would you be ok with that?” he asked her.   

“Boy you sure aren’t going to give up on that are you?” she asked him.

“Nope. So what do you say I can arrange for everything Babe. Just give me your checking and saving account numbers that way I can set you up for a while to make sure you’re taken care of til I get back. Then we can go from there I just want to make sure that when you’re here with me all we do is have fun and worry about everything else when we get back ok?” he told her.

She thought it over and she really couldn’t do this anymore. The stress was killing her. She finally told Jon that she would give her notice. But it did make her feel defeated. But Jon didn’t care he was over the moon right now. It was a small step for him because he felt that when he got home from Europe they were headed home for a while which meant maybe he could talk her into coming with him and bringing Jimmy with her. They could set up house for a little while and be the family he hoped they could be.

“So when are you going to give it?” he asked her eagerly.

“Well first you need to calm down. And second tomorrow is Wednesday and usually Ann pops in on Wednesday so I’ll give it to her then if not I’ll call her and then let the store manager know before I leave. Then if you want to call me later tomorrow night to see how everything went down call before I go to bed because I’m going to give a two week notice Jon it’s only fair.” She explained to him.

“Oh yeah right I know you don’t have to but yeah it’s only fair as you say. I wouldn’t expect any less of you. Hey do you think you can come and see me before I leave?” he asked her.

“Well I don’t see why not. As of two weeks from tomorrow I’ll be free and jobless.” she told him.

“Great then I’ll have Richie B. get to work on getting you here as fast as he can. Then just before I leave I’ll have you and Jimmy come out if that’s ok?” he asked her.

“That would be fine Jon.” She told him giggling. She got a kick out of how excited he was for him to see them.

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Well the next day Ellie did what she told Jon and her parents what she was going to and she gave her notice to Ann when she came in. And boy it didn’t go over well. Ann wasn’t to please with her and was stand offish to her the rest of the day. Her girlfriend Cyndi was sorry that she was leaving but she understood why. June and Shirley didn’t want to see her go either but they knew and understood also Doreen could of cared less. As the day came to a close she went to see the store manager and he was just an ass to her and he couldn’t see how she was going to live without an another job to go to. She told him to mind his business and that anything would be better than this.

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Jon was so excited he couldn’t keep anything to himself. He found Richie in his room that morning as he knocked on his door. “Yeah, yeah I’m coming.” He yelled. Opening his door he saw Jon jumping in place.

“Hey you got company?” Jon asked him.

“No you got ants in your pants?” Richie asked him chuckling.

“Very funny. Can I come in?” Jon asked ready to bust.

“Yeah sure.” Rich said gesturing to enter.

“Jon you’re not infested again are you? Because…” Richie asked trying to be funny but.

“RICHIE! That’s not Funny! And if you ever tell Ellie that I will end you!” Jon yelled pissed.

Hands up, “Ok, ok Jeesh you’re not fun I thought you two have phone sex or whatever it is you two do before you go to bed.   She really needs to get here and fast man and take you for a spin.” Richie told him laughing.

“You’re a dick you know that?” Jon told him dead eyed.

“I already know that Kidd but at least you’re not jumping out of your pants anymore.” Richie laughed.

“That’s wasn’t why I was jumping out of my pants you moron. I have great news about Ellie.” He told him still pacing.

“Really ok before you start do you want to order anything from room service because I think this is going to take a bit?” Richie asked his best friend.

“Yeah, yeah whatever.” Jon told him as he started to jump around again. Richie was just being mean to him he was stalling this out to see Jon’s reaction. Once room service came and went he poured himself a cup of coffee and offered one to Jon even thou he thought Jon was wound up enough.

Declining, Jon asked him, “Now can I tell you?”

“Oh sure go right ahead.” Richie said as he kicked up his feet and was ready to listen.

“Comfy now?” he asked him with his arms crossed.

“Oh yeah go ahead.” Rich said taking a sip of his coffee.

“I talked to her last night and she said she was going to give her notice today Rich. She’s quitting that damn job you do know what that means right?” he asked him as he started jumping around again.

“Well the way you’re jumping like you have ants in your pants I take it that we’ll be seeing her soon? Maybe she can cure that problem you’re having in your pants.” Richie told him laughing again.

“You just think you’re a laugh a riot don’t you?” he told him giving him the Jersey salute.

“Jon calm the hell down will you. Yes I think it’s great but we already talked about this didn’t we? What is she going to do with your son? Where are you guys going to put him while we’re on tour?” he asked him.

Pouring himself a cup of coffee, “We talked about that she’ll come when she finishes her whatever two week notice crap and then before we take off for the European tour she’ll come back for a few days with Jimmy so I can say Goodbye to him. Then she’ll come off and on during the tour so I can be with her what’s so wrong with that? Jimmy will stay with her parents the whole time.” Jon told him refilling his cup.

“Nothing I guess as long as it’s just her it shouldn’t be that bad. And at least she’ll keep you off our backs.” He told Jon chuckling.

“I’m not that bad.” He shot back at Richie.

“Oh yeah right. Jon you’re an anal dick at times but we love ya. But I do have to tell you I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time. The only time I see you happy lately is when you’re on stage.” he told him as he popped a strawberry in his mouth.

“I know right? I don’t know what she does to me Richie but I was crazy about her then as I am now. I don’t get it. We just fit you know?” he told him totally confused.

“No I don’t I wished to God I did. To feel about someone the way you two feel about each other? That must be the most incredible feeling ever. Look Jon just go for it you don’t need our approval but Doc may give you two shits about it. As long as you can handle him then your all set.” He told him.

They had they’re breakfast together and just talk about whatever. They were like two little kids before Jon went and got his guitar and they started to go over some of the songs they both had worked on earlier. They had til early evening and the rest of the guys went looking for them and found them in Richie’s room working. They wanted to go out and do anything than sit around so they all voted on going out to this bar that they had heard about. But Jon wanted to call Ellie as he had promised. He told them he would catch up with them later because he also wanted to take a shower. Once Jon got back to his room he gave Ellie a call to see how everything went. She told him her day and how the next two weeks are about to look. He told her he was sorry that things didn’t exactly go the way she wanted to but that she had something to look forward to. They talked for a while until Jon had to go. He told her that he and the guys were going out tonight and that he was going to meet them later at the bar because he had promised to talk to her first then he had to shower. She told him to have fun but not that much fun.

The guys went out to this bar called The Great North Bar where they grabbed a booth in the back. They were on their second round when Jon walked in and joined them. They stayed for about four hours and they were feeling no pain when they got back to their rooms. And yes they didn’t go back empty handed. They had a bevy of beauties come back with them and they ended in Alec’s room seeing it was his idea. After about another hour Jon was getting real tired and now really sloshed and all he wanted was his bed. He told Richie B. to put a glass of water and the aspirin bottle on his night table and as soon as he could stripped down and flopped into his bed. Morning came and as Jon woke he could feel that this morning wasn’t going to be good. But as he tried to roll over his hand felt a warm body next to his. His eyes widen because he was pretty sure he went to bed by himself. Turning all he could see was black hair as the blankets were covering her up. Jon couldn’t breathe. Was he that drunk last night? Oh God how could he do this to Ellie and again. He tried hard to remember last night but it was all a blur. How the hell was he going to explain this one?