Chapter 14

"So, what do you want to do on your birthday, Maddie?" They were lingering over coffee after a filling dinner arranged for the band and the girls in a private dining room.

"Joanie!" Madison groaned, "you know I don't like to be reminded of my birthday."

"Why? What's wrong with getting older?" Joanna countered.

It wasn't that Madison had anything against growing old. She just didn't like the fuss that went with birthdays. A nice dinner with a small group of close friends was the most she was willing to bear.

"You didn't tell me it was your birthday, darlin'." Richie was oddly hurt that she had not let him in on that bit of information.

"That's because I quit having birthdays when I was twenty five."

Richie laughed at her logic. "I don't think that's how it works, sweetheart."

"Well," Joanna interrupted the two, "at least let me take you to lunch tomorrow."

"Fine.......and thank you."

*****

After dinner, David announced another poker game and everyone groaned.

"Awww, come on, you guys."

"Just give it up already, Rashbaum," Tico spoke up, "they're never going to tell you, anyway."

Jon turned to Kris, "why don't you just make something up so he would stop driving us crazy?" Then he added in a lower voice so David couldn't hear, "but you can tell me what the real story is."

"Oh no, you're not getting a freebie, mister." Kris smirked at him. "If you want to know, you're going to have to work for it."

"Fine by me," he shrugged, "it doesn't really bother me anyway." In truth, he was just as curious as the rest of them but was not about to get sucked in by their little game. No, that would positively be too immature. He would just beat it out of Rich.

Game or not, they all ended up in Jon's suite again.

Jon, Richie and Madison made themselves comfortable in one corner and were discussing the book. Well, Jon and Madison were discussing the book. Richie was feeling left out since he hadn't read it and tried to make his position known by wrapping his arm around Madison's waist and pulling her close to him. This action was not lost on Jon and he rolled his eyes. Possessive SOB.

Tico and Hugh were arguing with Kris and the girls about what game to play.

David was whining.

The sisters sat aloof, all decked out in their Dior-Or-Is-That-Chanel-Clashing-With-Herrera-And-What-The-Hell-Kind-Of-Belt-Is-That finery that no one noticed.

This scene would be the setting for many nights to come.



"So, what do you think about the theory that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene?" Jon wanted to know her point of view.

Madison thought about it for a moment before she spoke. "I think it's plausible. I mean, it would be odd not to be married in those times." She bit her lower lip in concentration, then continued, "either way, there is really no way to prove or disprove it, is there?"

"I guess not, but a lot of Christians got upset over this book."

"I don't understand that. It's fiction. Dan Brown said so himself." This was a pet peeve of Madison's. "There were many books published as fact or theories on this same subject before his novel came out, and I haven't heard a peep out of those same people. At this rate, soon we're going to have people bent out of shape over the existence of the Jedi."

"But what do you think this book has to do with your pendant?" Jon was studying the silvery object.

"I'm not sure," she sighed. "My art teacher sent it, and I accidentally shook out the bookmark she'd set to mark the page for me."

Madison was feeling dejected. This was not going as well as she had hoped. While Jon was flipping through the book, she got up and walked over to the tall windows and stood gazing out to the streets and the park below. Richie came up and put his arm around her and she found comfort in that small gesture.

"Hey, come on, we'll figure it out. I give him a lot of shit but Jon is really good at this stuff. And if we can't find something by the end of this tour, we can extend it for a couple of days and really go out and investigate."

"Really?" Madison was touched by his offer. Her elation was short lived however, as she realized she would be taking advantage and quickly declined. "Thank you, but that's not necessary.....I mean, it's not that important....."

"Not that important? Madison, this is the reason you came on this tour, isn't it? I don't know what meaning this pendant holds for you, but it's obviously not some frivolous treasure hunt." Richie held both of her shoulders and made her face him. "I know it's important to you and I want to help. No ifs, ands or buts."

"But....."

"Nuh uh, what did I just tell you?" Richie scowled down at her. "You're not good at following directions, are you?"

"Of course not," she laughed, "I'm the teacher! I'm used to giving them." Then she paused and gave him a wary look. "What makes you think that that's the reason for me coming here?"

"Well, the only one of us you recognized was pretty boy over there," he gestured towards Jon with a jerk of his thumb. "And obviously, a dead crab was more interesting than me."

Richie was pouting again, bringing out the giggles in her.

"Well, things have changed," Madison gave him a demure look, "at least I realize now that there is actually something else I find quite enticing. Something that makes me glad I decided to come."

"Yeah?" Richie grinned down at her, "and what might that be?"

"Europe is fascinating!" she teased and squealed as Richie grabbed her and started tickling.

"Okay, okay! I give up!"

Richie stopped the tickling but kept his arms around her waist. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "I'm helping you. End of story."

They sat back down with Jon and scoured over the book with Madison relating the crux of the novel to Richie. "Yeah? Holy crap, now I have to read it."



They had planned to end the evening well before midnight as the band had an early start the next day with interviews beginning at noon, but they didn't count on Kris and the girls winning almost every game and David demanding a rematch.

"Just let him win once, for crying out loud!" Hugh was ready to strangle him.

David was indignant. "I'm being gentlemanly and letting our guests win. Where the hell is your hospitality?"

"And what's your excuse when one of us wins?" Hugh shot back, following that with a roll of his eyes.

David just opted to flip him off.

Finally, at nearly two AM, they decided to call it a night and everyone started milling around for their belongings. Richie was engrossed in the book he had wrested from Jon, and was flipping through the pages with one hand while the other was firmly wrapped around Madison. Jon had rested his head on the back of the couch and had promptly dozed off. Madison had followed suit and was sleeping on Richie's shoulder.

"Maddie, wake up, we're leaving." Joanna gently shook her.

Instinctively, Richie's arm tightened around Madison. "It's okay, Joanie, let her sleep."

Joanna glared at him for a second but then smiled. "No, she shouldn't be imposing on you like this. Sorry about that, Richie."

Before Richie could reply, Madison stirred awake. "Are you guys leaving?"

"Yes, we are. Now come on, get up." Joanna practically pulled her up from Richie's grasp.

Madison looked back at Richie and he understood the unspoken apology in her eyes. Sighing, he nodded, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Maddie! Stop dallying, let's go!"

Jon had watched the entire scene while pretending to be asleep and argued with himself whether to butt in or not..

*****