"Rosemary, You're Part Of Me"
October 2010
Los Angeles, CA
In life, there eventually comes a day where every adult realizes how old they truly are. Whether it be from noticing wrinkles on their once flawless skin, their hair turning various shades of gray, or aching joints that seem to worsen with time. You look in the mirror, expecting to see the reflection of your former self, but are taken aback by the middle aged figure.
Forty-one year old David Eric Grohl was no exception.
The frontman sat atop a broken barstool in his vacant home studio, a tattered spiral notebook only feet away as he stared out a nearby window. For ten years, the brunette managed to successfully bury his past, but the discovery of one small ring changed everything.
One month prior to the recording of their seventh studio album, Dave and his longtime partner in crime, Taylor Hawkins, stumbled upon the princess cut diamond while at Studio 606.
The band's private recording studio in Northridge, California is home to countless memorabilia, varying from the pillows Virginia Grohl made from Dave's retired band tees to the Foo Fighters most recent Grammy award. If something were lost, it most likely would be found there.
However, this item hadn't been lost. Rather, forgotten over time.
While rummaging through a crate of tangled cables, Taylor caught sight of an out of place duffle bag tucked away in the band's old tour equipment; dragging it out when his curiosity got the best of him. Not a single member of the band would ever store their gear in something so flimsy, so the drummer thought it could only be one thing.
Weed.
A secret stash kept in the studio for them long, stress filled days of recording. His hand eagerly gripped the zipper, nearly ripping it from the bag's metal teeth, but was disappointed to find that not a single nugget was present. Instead, his brown eyes found a name he hadn't seen or heard since his overdose in 2001.
Rosemary Ann Pierce.
Letters upon letters marked 'return to sender' were stacked in the black duffle bag, and before the thirty-eight year old could hide the evidence, Dave caught him red handed.
Gradually, memories of the musician's first love returned, burning the bridge between he and his current wife, Jordyn.
While strumming a set of familiar power chords, Dave's eyes slid shut, embracing the song that would eventually throw an impossible curveball into his life. 'Wasting Light' as a whole is an album that - if critically analyzed - would cause the male problems, but he selected the songs anyway.
"I couldn't grow just a-livin in the shadow. Where do you go when no one's following you?" The lyrics were whispered, unlike their strong presence in the recording. "You ran away, ran away, it was right on cue..."
The garage door clicked shut as Dave let out a frustrated groan, running his fingers through his dark hair. He didn't have to face the intruder to know it was Taylor, having grown accustomed to his presence over the course of thirteen years.
"Are you sure this is a good idea man?" The blonde squatted in front of his best friend in an effort to look him in the eye, knees popping from the quick movement.
Dave acknowledged that even Taylor had managed to age under his watchful eye, muscles becoming less defined and crows feet extending from the corners of his curious eyes. A lot can change in thirteen years..
"What are you talking about, T?" The frontman knew exactly why his closest friend was concerned. Anyone who collaborated on 'Wasting Light' knew.
As the younger male shook his head, he couldn't help but pity his former friend, knowing this album would destroy her. "Cut the shit Disco. You know what and who I'm talking about. You weren't the only member of this band who cared about her."
"Don't Taylor." There was venom behind Dave's words as the grip around the neck of his red Trini Lopez tightened. "Don't start this again."
The blonde's fist clenched as he returned to his full height, glaring daggers at the brunette man he once adored like a fan. Taylor knew every dirty detail about Dave, from the drugs he's consumed to the girls he's fucked. He knew every mistake the man's ever made, including his biggest regret.
"No." There was a finality in Taylor's tone that made his best friend straighten up. "Dave, we need to talk about this. The media will get ugly with this album and I need to make sure you're prepared for that."
Dave's teeth clenched, having grown tired of hearing the same lecture day in and day out. "If I wasn't sure, I wouldn't have brought the songs out." As the brunette exhaled, his dark eyes averted Taylor's.
He may not have been around for the couple's initial fall out in 1994, but Taylor Hawkins did witness their crash and burn in 1998. Ultimately, he had been tasked with gluing his best friend back together so the Foo Fighters could finish not only their tour, but their third album 'There Is Nothing Left To Lose.'
Rosemary's decision to part ways a second time almost ruined Dave, but he wasn't innocent either.
"Dave.." Taylor clasped his friend's shoulder, "I trust your judgment man, but I don't want to see you in that dark place again." The blonde paused, silently praying his words were getting through. "Jordyn's been talking to Ali about this. If you don't tighten up, she's gonna leave you..."
"Jordyn and I already talked about this," Dave interrupted, "We're staying together, it's what's best for the girls."
The blonde seemed skeptical but didn't press. "And what about Rosemary? Dave, you're putting her name in a song. If people dig, and you know they will, she's going to be swarmed with press. This could ruin her career!"
Rosemary.
Rosemary Ann Pierce.
A name that both haunted and astonished the male. Just hearing it caused his heart rate to spike, a reminder that even after twelve years apart, he still loved her. He probably always would.
"Maybe then she'll stop returning my letters!" The brunette snapped, his frustration finally slipping through the cracks in his walls. Seeing those letters again broke him. They're what pushed him down this destructive path. "...It's not like these are the first songs I've written about her, Taylor."
"This time is differ-" Their argument was interrupted as the garage door creaked open yet again, both men remembering that they weren't alone in the two story house. Small feet slapped against the wooden floor as a young girl made her way over to the frontman, tiny hands wrapping around his tattooed wrist.
"Daddy!" Her shrill voice echoed throughout the room and Dave couldn't suppress his smile. Taylor watched as his best friend sat his guitar down, adoring eyes giving Violet a once over to ensure she wasn't injured. It was the look that only a father could give his daughter.
"Hey Vi," The brunette easily lifted his four year old, placing her on his thigh. "Where's mom and Harper?"
Violet's blonde curls impaired her vision, but she still managed to point in the direction where Jordyn stood with Harper propped against her hip. Taylor and Dave knew she heard part of their argument. No amount of sound proofing could prevent their raised voices from traveling through the walls.
The brunette shot his wife an apologetic look, knowing this would be yet another strike against him.
"I'm hungry daddy." Violet grumbled, tugging on the sleeve of his t-shirt. "Is it dinner time yet?"
"That's my cue." Dave sighed, directing his attention back to Taylor. He knew this 'discussion' with his best friend wasn't over, but was thankful for the distraction. "Meet me out back?"
The drummer only nods, still fired up. He and Rose had been close and when she threw Dave to the curb, she also cut ties with him. "Yeah man." With a deep breath, Taylor turned to exit their studio. "I'll call Ali and let her know we're cooking."
When the Grohl family was alone, Jordyn and Dave awkwardly closed their distance, the latter placing a kiss on his wife's cheek. When they first met in 2001, Jordyn knew that Dave was recovering from a terrible heartbreak. He didn't let anyone get too close.
It's why he suddenly ghosted her after going steady for a couple of months.
"Hey." She thought she'd never hear from the rockstar ever again. That their short time together would just be cherished memories for her eventual grandkids, but by some miracle he reached out and apologized months later. "I love you."
Dave's ears perked at those three words, realizing how long it had been since the last time Jordyn said them. He did love the blonde; if he didn't, he never would have married her. However, he wasn't in love with her. Not in the way she deserved.
His tired brown eyes locked with her blueish-green ones, but no matter how hard he tried, Dave Grohl couldn't help but wish they were a familiar darker shade.
"I love you too."
(Edited ~ 27SEP23)