The weekends were time away from my best friend. It made Friday’s drive home from the University longer than the other days’ drive. It was a drive of reflection over the past week. Monday, however, was always one of anticipation and I delighted in walking through the door and seeing my best friend.
“Come here.” he smiles, moving his index finger to guide me to him.
“Put these on,” he hands me a set of headphones, “I want you to hear something.”
I put on the headphones, “Okay.” The music is far away. “I can’t hear it.” I complain. “Can you turn it up a little more?” I wonder out loud.
In and outta love…in and outta love. I look down to see his finger moving the volume dial back and forth.
“Do you like it?” he asks, laughing.
“I don’t know. I couldn’t hear it very well and then it was DEAFENING!” I glare at him over his prank, annoyed at his smirk.
“Here.” He extends the headphones to me, as a peace offering, ‘I promise. I won’t do it again.”
I place the headphones back on and prepare myself for another round of ringing ear drums. In and out of love…In and out of love… The volume rises and then falls. I glance down at his hands and the player. He holds his hands up as to show me he’s a man of his word.
Set to explode in the heat
You won’t tire
Cause baby was born with the beat
Then drive you down to your knees
I pick you up when you’ve had enough
You been burned baby lessons learned
I listen to the song, then take off the headphones and hand them back, “It’s cool.”
“It’s a band called Bon Jovi.”
I had never heard of Bon Jovi. I make a mental note to pick up their album tomorrow and listen to it so I won’t fall victim to anymore pranks.
He leads me down the aisle and then picks up an album and hands it to me. I stare at the cover. 7800 Fahrenheit. The burnt orange on the cover fading to eyes. “Oh, Dear.” I mutter to myself. I turn it over and see the title of the song I listened to yesterday. I walk back, following the kid, to the counter and buy the album.
Bon Jovi – Bad Medicine-
Twenty Five years later, I’m still addicted. Friends and family phone or send me emails when Bon Jovi will be on TV…I sit in front of it like a school girl still.
I fight with my children, who dislike Bon Jovi, over the merits of this band and how Bon Jovi truly is the GREATEST BAND EVER!
It works out well because better than a grounding is a day in the car with mom blasting Bon Jovi and them begging to get out!
Now, Jon looks like this:
