Johnny left and Leah and Jacob cried. It was hard knowing that because of Covid-19 they wouldn't be able to see each other until January. She found it hard to handle Jacob alone so she ended up having to invite the Nanny over permanently for help. The Nanny took a Covid-19 test and she stayed in one of the spare bedrooms.
Johnny's perspective
Johnny and the rest of the band self isolated together in a very large apartment. It was all fun and games at first, but then it kind of got annoying because everyone started to miss their partners and kids, although a lot of these men didn't have young kids. It was as if the extra testosterone had run out and now they were all empty shells of men.
"I can't wait to get back to sunny Cali." Alice said one day as he chilled on the sofa.
"Where are we going first?" Johnny asked.
"Florida first."
"Nice one. Not far from here then."
"Yeah we'll arrive on the 3rd so we have basically the full day to rehearse for the 4th."
*
The stage was already clear for the band. Sean and Malcolm took everyone's stuff to their designated dressing room and then waited for further instructions. Johnny poured everyone a couple of shots of vodka to get them in the mood to play and then he watched the roadies set the equipment up on stage.
"You stressed, mate?" Joe asked John. He took a shot and cheersed it with John's little glass.
"Nah, just bored, init."
"How many shots have you had?"
"Only a couple. Bottoms up." They drank their shots. "Leah isn't the same as she used to be."
"How come?"
"She keeps getting drunk and keeps being moody. I'm kind of glad that we have time apart because she's pissing me off."
"I can call her later if you want."
"Hmm, could ya?"
"Totally, man." Joe said. "Want me to do it now?"
"No, she'll think I'm being controlling if I do. She mouthed off at Sean the other day when I asked him to check up on her while we were at the studio."
"She's just being emotional, she'll be sweet soon."
"I hope so, Joe."
Once Johnny felt relaxed enough he grabbed his electric guitar and sat with it on his lap. He played a little chord off the top of his head and then fiddled with the strings like he did when he heard that he'd won the court case.
"Are those strings alright, John?" Alice asked. "I have spares if you'd like them."
"I'm ok, thanks. I'm just fiddling with shit to pass the time."
"Are you missing your missus and your kid?"
"Maybe..."
"Aww, man. Leah's a good one and that little lad was cute. I'd miss 'em too."
"She's been acting differently though, man. Really emotional and stuff... You don't think she's bored of me or...?"
"Nah, man."
"Or she wants to leave me?"
"Not at all."
"Maybe she's pregnant... maybe I should pop back home and check on her."
"No, if she was she'd tell ya. Why, are you trying to get her pregnant?"
"God no. I just don't know why she's changing so much."
"Girls like to kiss and cuddle 24/7, she probably knew you'd be leaving soon and tried to act like she didn't care about it. Have you spoken to her since leaving?"
"On the phone, yeah, daily."
"And how is she?"
"Fine, but she seems unhappy. Do you think that she thinks I've done something bad to her? Like do you think she thinks I've cheated or whatever?"
"No, man. She probably is just going through a faze, she'll be fine soon." Alice patted Johnny on the back. "Wanna play 'Whole Lotta Love' ?"
"Sure."
"Great, I'll tell Joe."
*
"You all ready?" Alice yelled. He received a few thumbs up so counted down. "A 1...2..a...1...2...3..."
You need cooling
Baby I'm not fooling
I'm gonna send ya
Back to schoolingA-way down inside
A-honey you need it
I'm gonna give you my love
I'm gonna give you my loveWant to whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta loveYou've been learning
Um baby I been learning
All them good times baby, baby
I've been year-yearningA-way, way down inside
A-honey you need-ah
I'm gonna give you my love, ah
I'm gonna give you my love, ah ohWhole lotta love
Want to whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta loveYou've been cooling
And baby I've been drooling
All the good times, baby
I've been misusingA-way, way down inside
I'm gonna give ya my love
I'm gonna give ya every inch of my love
I'm gonna give ya my loveHey!
Alright! Let's go!Whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta love
Want to whole lotta loveWay down inside
Woman, you need, yeah
LoveMy, my, my, my
My, my, my, my
Lord
Shake for me girlI wanna be your backdoor man
Hey, oh, hey, oh
Hey, oh, hey, oh
Ooh
Oh, oh, oh, ohCool, my, my baby
A-keep it cooling baby
A-keep it cooling baby
Ah-keep it cooling baby
Ah-keep it cooling baby
Ah-keep it cooling baby
"Wahooooo!" Alice shouted. "We are back in business boys."
*
At 8pm the following day the front doors opened and the VIP ticket holders entered first for the Meet n Greet. As you can imagine, everyone wanted a piece of Johnny way more than Alice Cooper and Joe Perry. Even a few girls winked at Sean which made him feel kind of scared, everyone laughed it off though before the show started.
"Johnny, do you have a girlfriend?" One woman asked.
"Erm, yeah I do."
"Ohhhh..." A few girls in the back said sadly.
"She's called Leah."
"Johnny, what's it like being Johnny Depp?"
"It's alright I guess. Sometimes when I walk into stores I get stuff for free which is always nice..."
*
After everyone had done the Meet n Greet everyone took their seats and the building let the other people into the venue (socially distanced, of course). Everyone sat 2 seats apart from the other person which meant everyone was kept safe.
During the 3 hour show they sand songs like 'Free Fallin' By Tom Petty, 'Don't you (Forget About Me)' by Simple Minds, 'I Hate Myself For Loving You' by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police, 'Poison' by Alice Cooper, 'Jessie's Girl' By Rick Springfield, 'Piano Man' by Billy Joel and 'Rock And Roll All Nite' By KISS.
They all chatted a little bit after the show and then they said goodbye to everyone and went their separate ways. Johnny went back to his dressing room and chilled out for a little while.
"I'm so fucking tired." Johnny said out loud. His phone buzzed, it was Leah texting him.
L: Have you finished yet?
J: Yeah I just got off stage.
L: I miss you.
J: I miss you too. Wanna facetime?
L: Yes.
"Hello, John." Leah said.
"Hey, baby girl. How are you and Jacob?"
"We're ok. I've started potty training him."
"Nice one. How is he doing?"
"He has missed the potty a couple of times, but he's still trying very hard."
"Good. Is he in bed now?"
"Yes. We ate McDonald's for dinner tonight."
"Aww, I'm jealous." Johnny joked, "How are you feeling?"
"I told you we are fine."
"I mean you."
"I'm ok..."
"Are you sure?"
"I swear I'm fine, Johnny."
"Good. I wish I could pop back home to cuddle you. I fucking hope this outbreak isn't like the last one."
"Same here. It's bad enough you'll miss spending Christmas with us, let alone any longer."
"I'll be home with you and Jacob at the start of January."
"Good-"
"You can honestly do whatever you want while I'm gone, you know? Anything at all."
"I know that."
"I can even organise you and Jacob being taken back to the Bahamas or where you want, if you'd like to go anywhere in particular."
"We'll be fine in New York, babe. I just want you to be safe. Don't hug anyone who you don't know and don't catch Covid off anyone."
"I won't. I remember what happened last time I hugged a girl at a show."
"I know, don't let that happen again, John."
"I won't. I learnt my lesson from last time."
"Good. How many more days will you spend in Florida now?"
"Maybe a week or 2. I'll let you know after our next band meeting, love."
"Ok. Love you."
"Love you too. How is Dan and the Nanny?"
"They are alright. It's nice having the Nanny here 24/7 to be honest. It allows me to record more covers."
"Like what?"
"I didn't want to tell you in case you were mad... I did a cover of 'Heroes' by David Bowie. I know it is your song, but I just wanted to see if I could do it and I don't think it turned out half bad."
"That's great. Are you going to post it tonight or?"
"Maybe. The Nanny and Dan like it so maybe."
"Nice one. I'll check it out when you post it, love."
"Good-"
"John, it's home time now." Malcolm called from outside of Johnny's dressing room door.
"Malcolm just said I need to go now, I'll call you later."
"Ok, love you."
"Love you too. Bye Leah."
"Bye."
Johnny hung up, gathered his things and went back to the hotel.