Chapter 44

Despite her assurances to David, being around Dorothea and her family all day, every day, was taking its toll on Brianna. So when her mother called with a "command performance" invitation home for a Fourth of July party her father had decided to throw, she grabbed the opportunity to get away for a few days.

"Why you weaving?" Jake pouted at the sight of her suitcase by the door.

"I have to go see my family." Brianna crouched down to his level. "It's only for a couple days, then I'll be back." Rising, she looked at Jon. "I'll stop by the office and pick up the mail while I'm in the city." 

He nodded. "Okay. Have a good time."

"Have you guys decided what you're doing for the holiday? Are you going to Bruce and Patti's or are you going to stay home?"

"Going to play it by ear. I'd like to go to Bruce and Patti's......if Dot's feeling up to it. I think we could both use the distraction." Which was why a family gathering had been vetoed. They didn’t need pitying looks and over solicitous relatives.

Brianna nodded in agreement. "I think you're right. Some time to have some fun and forget about everything for a few hours is definitely in order." She picked up her suitcase. "Okay, I'm off. See you later."

"Drive safe."

Brianna made a brief stop in New York City to pick up some clothes, and the latest batch of mail from the office, then headed for the family's summer home in the Hamptons.

Her mother met her at the door. "Brianna! You made it!" Sara gave her daughter a hug. "How was the traffic?"

"The usual holiday madness."

"I hope you aren't missing any work to be here." Her father greeted her.

"No Father. The band has a break until the tenth. We're working from his home right now."

By the time they sat down for dinner, her brother Richard and his wife Rachel, along with their two children Evan and Danielle, her sister-in-law Lisa and her two, Kelly and Connor had joined them.

"Isn't Michael coming?" Brianna asked.

Lisa grimaced. "In the morning. He had a meeting late this afternoon."

The women all exchanged knowing glances. Work before all else was the Wilson family credo - at least from the male side of the family.

"Can't be helped." The patriarch confirmed.

"So Brianna," Rachel caught her sister-in-law's eye over the mashed potatoes she was passing. "What's it like working for the most gorgeous rock star on the planet?"

Brianna laughed. "They're in the middle of a tour, so it's pretty crazy right now."

"How's that charity organization he's building in Philly coming along?" Richard asked. At his sister's surprised look he shrugged. "I checked him out. I wanted to know what kind of man you were going to work for. After Alex..." He shrugged again.

Brianna smiled wryly at her brother's protectiveness. "It's really slow at the moment." She hesitated, but knew none of them would tell tales out of school. "His wife's dying of cancer. So he spends most of his free time at home."

"Oh, that's horrible!" Rachel's eyes dampened. "They have young children, don't they?"

Brianna nodded. "Yes. They have four. Thirteen, eleven, four and two." She sighed. "It's a really sad situation."

"And how is it affecting your job?" Her father questioned.

"It means I'm spending a lot of time at their house." She knew her father didn't mean to sound callous, his mind was just geared to business. "His wife has asked me to help her put together photo albums for each of the children, complete with stories of their lives up to now."

"That's beautiful." Lisa dabbed at her eyes with her napkin. "And heartbreaking. That can't be easy for you either. It must make for a pretty dismal working environment. "

"Oh, it's not too bad. Sure there've been some sad times, but everybody's making an effort to keep them to a minimum. And on the road the other guys are really great about helping me distract Jon and lighten the mood."

"Just what kind of 'distraction' are you providing for your boss?" Her father frowned.

"Edward!" Sara admonished her husband.

"What? She's gallivanting all over the world......with a rock and roll band. Now she's spending all kinds of time at his home. I just want to be sure she's behaving appropriately and not doing anything that will tarnish her good name." He pinned his daughter with a stern look. "Dying wife or not, he's a married man. You were raised better than to get involved with someone like him."

"Yes Father, I'm well aware of how I was raised." Mainly by Mom! Brianna fought to keep any bitterness out of her tone. "And I am well aware of his marital status." To avoid lying outright to her father, she left it at that. He didn't need to know any more.

"Actually Father," Richard stepped in to try to ease the tension. "He's a pretty smart businessman. He's turned a band into a brand. While it could be marketed a little better, he's done a credible job. Especially for a musician."

While Brianna appreciated her brother's help, she couldn't help but smile at the thought of what Jon's reaction to his assessment might be.

Her father just grunted.

The next day was sunny and warm with a light breeze in Red Bank - a perfect day for a barbecue. Bored kids were driving their father nuts...although Jon was going a little stir crazy himself. "What do you think Dotty? Do you feel up to it?"

Dorothea looked around at the hopeful faces of her family and gave in. "Okay, let's go. Since it's only down the road, if I get too tired I can come home."

"YAY!!!" Kids ran in all directions to gather their gear.

Stephanie came back with her backpack and Romeo's diaper bag. "I put extra clothes and a bib and stuff in for Romeo. Is there anything else you want for him?"

Dorothea glanced quickly through the bag. "No, that looks great Steph. Thanks."

Jon walked in and handed her a bag. "Check through that and let me know if there's anything else you want or need. I put another portable oxygen tank in the car."

A glance at her watch had her raising a brow. It had been less than ten minutes since she'd agreed to go to the Springsteen's for their holiday get together. Definitely not enough time for them to organize all this. Her eyes burned at the thought of everything her family had missed out on because of her illness. Her jaw firmed. She would stay until after the fireworks if it was the last thing she did!

"Dot! Hi!" Patti Scialfa Springsteen grinned and hugged her. "I'm so glad you came!" She sobered. "If you feel the need to lay down there's a bedroom down the hall all ready for you."

"Thanks Patti." Dot blinked away the sudden moisture that gathered in her eyes at her friend's thoughtfulness. Like Brianna it appeared Patti was ready to help without making a big fuss.

"Come on, everyone's out back." Patti urged.

'Everyone' turned out to be not only Bruce and their children - and a few of their friends - but also David and his kids, as well as John Lyon and a few others.

After greeting everyone, Jon got Dot settled with her oxygen tank while the kids ran off to play with the others - except of course Romeo, who happily played with his blocks at his mother's feet.

As with most gatherings, people moved around changing groups and conversations. David sat down beside Dorothea. "Where's Brianna?"

"She went to spend the holiday with her family." She met his stare. "What?"

"Letting her get away?"

She snorted. "You should know me better than that. But I can't keep her prisoner. She's entitled to see her family. Besides, after everything she's done for me, she deserves a break. She'll be back tomorrow."

"Is that Jon's assistant you're talking about?" Patti asked as she set a plate of cheese and crackers on the table.

"Yes." Dorothea answered. "Although she's become more than just his assistant. She's helping me put albums together for the kids and helping look after them and the house. She's been a godsend."      

Patti studied first her friend's face, then David's, one brow crooked. "Sounds like you're all pretty close to her."

David's lips twitched. "Yeah. She fits right in. One of the clan."

"Where's that lovely assistant of your Sweetbutt?" Southside asked.

"Yeah, I was hoping you'd bring her." Bruce added. "I wanted to get to know her better."

"Aw, Sweetbutt's keeping her all to himself." John shook his head. "I've never figured out how he gets all the pretty ones."

Jon rolled his eyes. "Ha. Ha. She's just my assistant. Nothing more." And if I say that enough maybe I can remember it myself.

"Uh huh." Bruce's voice was skeptical. "An assistant who goes on tour with you - and stays in the room next door, then lives with you off the road." He grinned. "Nice gig."

"If I didn't know better, Sweetbutt, I'd say you got yourself a mistress......and your wife approves! Nice job!"

While his friends laughed, Jon snorted and tried to pretend they were wrong.....or that he wasn’t counting the days until they were back on the road….and away from the house.