Introduction -- Part One

The foursome had planned to arrive at the house at about the same time. A photographer friend of Tico’s wife recommended it. It was a great out-of-the-way place in southern Connecticut, only a couple of hours by train from NYC, but felt like it was worlds away. Here, the trees and flowers were planted according to Mother Nature’s plan, not some landscape architect’s. The air smelled cleaner, too, and the only ambient noise was birdsong.

Sitting on the expansive wrap-around porch, Jon smiled, relaxing for the first time in months. He purposefully arrived early, hoping for a couple of hours of solitude. The press had been real pains in the ass, dogging him for a comment or sound bite about the breakup of his marriage. Richie was getting it too, after the very public divorce from his wife. They couldn’t get any work done at home, or at any of their usual places – they were being followed everywhere they went. It was a miracle that they were able to slip away unnoticed to this little slice of heaven.

Jon and Richie were supposed to be working on a new song for the finale of a Broadway show, of all things. Someone had written a show called “Tommy & Gina”, based on characters in one of their biggest hits from the 80’s. At the time, it sounded like a fun project. Now, with opening mere months away, a promise to perform the finale live that night, and a writing team with too much baggage to be useful, they were in trouble. Hopefully this retreat would help them. Jon and Richie had input to the composition of the show, and were pleased at the way it was shaping up. In another month or so, the final number needed to be done, so the full rehearsals could begin. Jon and Richie watched the audition tapes for the two performers chosen for the title roles. Sam and Lila were 20-somethings from Brooklyn – perfect to play Tommy and Gina. Jon was looking forward to seeing the whole show end-to-end.

Hearing the crunch of gravel in the driveway, Jon snapped out of his reverie, grinning from ear to ear at the sight of his best friend in the whole world pulling into the driveway in a massive black Humvee. “What the hell is this?” he asked, laughing.

“Like it?” Richie asked. “It’s my way of saying a very public ‘fuck you’ to the world. I just picked it up this morning,” he said, as he pulled his bags from the back of the truck.

“It’s something else all right, man,” Jon replied laughing. He clapped Richie’s back in a quick hug. “Damn, it’s good to see you, brother. You doin’ alright?”

“Getting by. Been inside yet? The grounds are beautiful, I’ve got high hopes for the house.” Richie dropped his bags on the porch, and gestured to the front door.

“Nah, I was waiting for the rest of you losers.”

“Screw them; let’s check it out.” He shouldered his way past Jon and into the house.

Leaving his bags just inside the entryway, Jon nodded. “Not bad,” he said, taking in the polished hardwood floors of the great room. Spying the grand piano in the front window, Jon crossed to it and started playing the opening bars of Runaway. The piano was perfectly tuned.

“Back away from the GP, you hack,” David called from the porch.

Jon laughed. God, it was good to get away from all the shit of the last few months. He missed his friends. “Bite me, Rashbaum. Where’s Tico? I thought you guys were heading out at the same time?”

“He’s on the way. He had a – ahem – situation at home to deal with first.” David grinned. “Very different from the situations you two assholes have. His lady said she was gonna miss him, and was giving him a proper sendoff.”

“Good for him,” Richie said, chuckling. “Lucky bastard.” He gathered his bags from the porch. “I’m gonna pick a room and crash for a couple of hours. I don’t think I’ve relaxed in a month.”

“Right behind you man,” Jon chimed in. “I resemble that remark.”

“You two are a couple of Sallies,” David laughed. “Go ahead take your naps -- the grownups will be out here when you wake up.”

Richie and Jon entered the hallway that led to the bedroom suites. Looking through the open doors, they could see each suite done in a different color scheme. Jon chose one of the front-facing suites, done in shades of red from deepest burgundy to touches of palest pink. Richie took the suite across the hall, done in purples ranging from the deep hue of midnight to a whisper of lilac.

Richie dropped his bags on the floor in the sitting room, and crossed into the bedroom. The four-poster king-sized bed beckoned. Toeing off his worn leather boots, Richie dropped onto the bed and sighed deeply. He detected the faintest scent of lavender, which soothed his restless soul. Closing his eyes, letting the comfort of the bed and the scent of lavender wash over him, Richie drifted off to sleep.

Jon strained his ears, but couldn’t hear any of the others. Perfect, he thought. He could seek out quiet and solitude when he wanted to, and the company of his friends when he needed to. Checking out the bedroom and bathroom, he stowed his gear. He couldn’t stand living out of suitcases. No matter where he went, even if it was for only one night, he needed to unpack and have everything in its place. When he was done, he went across the hall to check on Richie. While Jon was used to having practically every breath he breathed filmed or watched, Richie was used to a bit more privacy. Now, with this very public, very messy breakup, Richie was starting to show the strain he was feeling.

“Hey man, you alri–” Jon stopped abruptly when he saw his friend sprawled on the bed, his face truly relaxed for the first time in a long while. Jon drew the blinds, tossed a light blanket over his friend, and quietly left the room; shutting the door behind him.

After checking out the rest of the first floor, which included a huge library, with floor-to-ceiling shelves packed full with an eclectic mix of reading tastes, a gourmet kitchen, and a dining room that would probably seat thirty people, Jon headed back to the great room. David was still at the piano, smooth jazz wafting throughout the room. “Hey D,” he said. “You been up to the studio yet?”

“Nah, I figured you wanted to check it out first, and make sure it was what you wanted. Tomorrow is soon enough for me.”

“Fair enough,” Jon replied.

David looked behind Jon to the hallway leading to the living quarters. “Where’s Richie?”

“Poor bastard’s sleeping. I don’t think he’s done much of that lately. He really loved that woman, and she just crushed him.”

“I hear you, man.” David handed Jon an envelope. “This was on the front hall table. It looks official, and you know I don’t deal with that shit.”

Jon opened the envelope and pulled out a sheet of rich, thick paper. “It’s from the rental people,” Jon said, and began to read out loud.

Welcome to Cavanaugh Acres!

Thank you for choosing us.

You’ll find the pantry, refrigerator, and freezer are all fully stocked. There will be a delivery of groceries on the last Friday of every month. The cleaning service you requested is scheduled for the same day.

The second floor has been reconfigured to your specifications. Should you find you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to call any of the numbers on the bottom of this letter.

You are welcome to use the main house, stables, and grounds, up to the rock wall in our southern field. The land beyond that, while part of Cavanaugh Acres, is not part of your rental property.

The other land has its own house, stable, and entrance, so you should not be bothered by the comings and goings of the other tenant. The other tenant has been given similar instructions about his/her boundaries.

The western acreage is shared between the two properties, and includes a dressage field and training rings. Further past those fields is a beautiful lake, which is also shared.

There will be someone on the property for a few hours each day to care for the animals. Let him know if there is anything you require in that respect.

I hope you enjoy your stay, and thank you for choosing Cavanaugh Acres!

Sincerely,
J. Frances Cavanaugh, Owner

Jon’s mouth curved at the signature. “J. Frances”. Funny coincidence. “Well,” he said, “I’m going to check out the stables. It’s been forever since I’ve ridden a horse.”

“It’s been forever since you’ve ridden anything,” Tico announced from the doorway. “Unlike myself, who has only recently been riding the most magnificent piece of ass in the history of the world.”

Jon groaned. “Here we go. Rhapsodizing about Maria’s ass again.”

Tico laughed. “OK, you win, I’ll keep her ass to myself. Who’s monster truck thing is out there?”

“Sambora is going through some sort of crisis. Says that’s his ‘fuck you’ car,” Jon replied.

“Where is the old fart?”

“He’s napping. Actually, I think he’s unconscious. This whole thing has really taken a toll on him.”

Tico agreed. “Poor bastard.” He clapped his hands together. “Where’s the kitchen? I’m starving.”