Chapter 120

“What do you mean: She has pneumonia?” Jon asked confused and stared at Dot and Kim’s doctor who just entered the bedroom.

“It means just that Mr. Bon Jovi. Kimberly has an acute pneumonia probably from streptococcus bacteria, but we are still running tests on that. The problem is that this form of pneumonia is contagious.”

“Contagious?”

“Yes, Jon. Kim already informed the whole crew. Everyone who was with her the last couple weeks needs to be checked on or at least everyone has to see a doctor as soon as symptoms occur. Especially with the children and Fran, as she is pregnant.” Dot told him.

“Where is she?” Jon asked and tried to get out of bed.

“She is in the hospital, Mr. Bon Jovi. She had too much trouble breathing. I couldn’t let her go.” The doctor explained.

“I need to see her.” He tried to reach his crutches.

“Jon, right now, you need to get checked too and you have to rest. Your leg is still healing.” Dot grabbed the crutched and took them away.

“Dorothea! Kim is in the hospital. I need to go there.” He said astonished.

“No, Jon. She doesn’t want to see you. And she needs to rest.”

“What do you mean she doesn’t want to see me? How do you know?” He asked angry.

“Well, after she sent me the message last night, she called this morning from the hospital and asked if I could come over. She told me that she had to stay and asked me to pack some of her stuff and bring it to her and to remind you of the rules.” Dot glared at him.

“She knew yesterday?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t believe she didn’t tell me.” He sounded at lost and shook his head. Dot snorted.

“Not really surprising, isn’t it?” He frowned and looked at her.

“What do you mean?”

“Jon, you blew it again….big time….think about.” She shook her head in disbelieve. “I need to get back to the hospital.”

“What about the kids?”

“So far…nothing….I will keep an eye on them. Especially on Romeo, because of the infection last year.” Dot told him. He only nodded and stared at his leg.

Dot watched him for a few seconds, before she left. He looked like a trapped animal. She knew it would be very hard for him. He couldn’t do anything, just sit there and wait.

After Dorothea and the doctor left, Jon let his mind travel back. He tried to remember the last three weeks. What he mostly remembered was anger, frustration and pain. He sighed. He couldn’t positively say that Kim was with him, even though he knew she was, but there was nothing in those weeks. No kiss, no hug, no nothing.

“God, dammit!” he growled and hid his face in his hands.

“Why am I so stupid?” he whispered to himself. He could really lose her this time. Why on earth should she keep up with him?

He needed to see her. Now.

Jon managed to get out of bed and hobble downstairs with his crutches. The dogs weren’t even bothering to get up when he leaned against the kitchen counter looking for his phone, they just watched him.

“I know, I know. I blew it. Ok?” he told them when he couldn’t stand their glance anymore.

He talked Lloyd into driving him to Kim and started his way for the elevator. By the time he was in the lobby every muscle in his body screamed from pain and he remembered that he didn’t take his painkillers yet.

Annoyed about himself he sank down on the backseat of the car and threw some in. Kim always made sure he took his meds on time.

“Good, I’m worse than one of my kids.” He mumbled to himself while Lloyd navigated the car through the New York traffic to the hospital.

“Do you want me to go inside with you, Mr. Bon Jovi?” Lloyd asked when he stopped in front of the hospital.

“No, thanks. Lloyd. I’ll manage.” Jon said and tried not to moan in pain while leaving the car.

He charmed the nurses into letting him visiting Kim, even though it wasn’t as easy as he had hoped. He was pretty sure, they had gotten a little warning from Kim.

When he entered her room, he swallowed hard. She looked so tiny, pale and fragile in this bed. She was getting oxygen from a nasal cannula and seemed to sleep.

Jon tried to move around without making any noise, but wasn’t really successful due to the crutches. She blinked sleepy when he sat down on a chair, which he’d pulled over to her bed and lifted his injured leg on another one.

“Jon.”

“Awww, shit. I didn’t wanna wake up.” He said softly and took her hand.

“Go back to sleep, honey.” He whispered and kissed her cheek. She looked at him.

“I’m fine.” She said and sat up in the bed and made sure her nasal cannulae wouldn’t strangle her.

“How are you feeling?” she asked. He looked at her surprised.

“I’m fine.”

“Really? You are in pain. You were late with your pain meds, right?” she said softly. He shook his head and chuckled.

“How do you know?” he wondered.

“I know you, Jon.” She laughed lightly.

“Yeah, apparently you know me better than I do myself.” He paused nervously and looked at his hands.

“Kimi, I have no idea what got into me. I’m sorry I ordered you around. I…if you want I move my stuff over to my old places.” She could barely hear his last words.

“Jon, I don’t want you to move out. But if you ever treat me like that again, you can pack your stuff and go. Don’t take me for granted.”

“I won’t, I promise. It won’t happen again. I love you, Kimi.” He whispered and slid from his chair to the bed to wrap his arms around her. She smiled.

“I love you too, Jon. I just don’t like you, when you are sick.” She added with an evil grin. He chuckled and kissed her cheek.

“So, what about your shot? Did Dot hit you?” Kim asked after they have been sitting in silence for a few minutes.

“No! No way! She would have killed me. I did it myself.” He told her and leaned back against the pillow.

“Yourself? You did it yourself?” Kim was shocked and surprised at the same time. He told her he couldn’t do it, because he was scared of needles.

“Yeah, it took me more than 30 minutes, some I couldn’t get myself to do it at first, but then I did it.”

“Wow.”

“I was very surprised though how resistant skin is. I always assumed the needle would go right in, but it didn’t.” he told her.

“Where did you do it?” Kim asked and stopped snuggling to his side.

“Here…” he said and pulled his shirt up to reveal his stomach. Kim took a closer look. There was only a tiny bruise visible.

“Well, you did quite a nice job, I would say.”

“Thanks. This one doesn’t hurt.” He said pointing at the bruise. “The one from last night does though.” He shifted lightly to give his rear end a little break.

“You deserved that.” Kim pointed out without apologizing.

“I know, honey. I know.” He said and wrapped his arms around her to pull her close again.

Chapter 119

“I need my lap top upstairs and those contracts.” Jon said as soon as they were in their apartment in New York. The band would have a seven-week break now that would give Jon time to heal.

“Yeah.” Kim whispered and watched him climbing the stairs with his crutches.

The last three weeks had been very hard for her. He was impossible. She tried to not let it get to her, because she knew how hard it was for him to stick to the rules she had set up, but she was close to giving up.

He ordered her around all day and it was getting to her not only emotionally, but physically. If he had really watched her just for a second in the last couple days, he would have realized how pale, tired and exhausted she looked, but he was too focused on his own misery.

Richie, David and Tico tried to help her during the last weeks. They knew how hard it was to keep Jon in line and happy. They managed to give her some time to relax two or three times, but it wasn’t enough to charge her batteries again.

On top of that they had to make sure Fran and Jon wouldn’t be alone with each other. Fran’s protectiveness kicked back in when she realized how Jon was treating Kim. Richie was afraid she would freak out like back in London, attack Jon and feel bad again afterwards. He was scared something might happen to her or the baby this time. Kim sighed while thinking about the last couple weeks.

“Hey, boys.” She whispered and sat down on the couch where her dogs greeted her excited. She smiled a little sad. Their nudging on her hands and licking her face was all the love she got in the last couple weeks. She wrapped her arms around Sambo’s neck and buried her face in his soft fur. Her dog answered with pressing his head to her heated face as if he was returning the hug.

Her eyes travelled out of the huge patio doors to the Park. It looked so peaceful. She had to admit she couldn’t wait to go there with her dogs and get away from him. She shook her head about her thoughts. She loved him. She shouldn’t want to get away from him.

She stretched and tried to relax a little. When she closed her eyes and took a deep breath she had to cough again which caused a pain in her chest and wouldn’t stop until she spit out on a tissue and stared at the yellow sputum. Her eyes grew wide when she was running a list of her symptoms through her mind.

“Fuck!” she muttered and grabbed her phone. Fastly she typed out the same message to Fran, Ali, Lexi, Dorothea and Obie. Everyone who was in contact with her during the last weeks needed to get checked, especially Fran and the children.

“KIM! MY LAP TOP!”

She closed her eyes when his voice ripped through the silence and tried to keep her cool when she grabbed his bag and walked upstairs. Sambo and Kidd watched her a little confused.

“Finally. And I want a sandwich and something to drink.” He said while getting settled on their bed. That was the last straw.

“THAT’S IT, JON! I’M DONE!” she yelled and threw his lap top bag at him.

“What the?!?!” He looked at her shocked. “Are you nuts?”

“Yes, apparently I am. How could I be so stupid to deal with you. You are the biggest jerk that ever lived on this god damn planet. You are self-centered, arrogant, demanding jerk without any kind of appreciation and have absolutely no manners.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. You ordered me around the last time, Jon. I never heard the words ‘please’ or ‘thank you’ during the last weeks. All you do is demand. Well, that stops here and now. You better get someone you will take care of you, because I will no longer do it!” She turned on her heel.

“What about my shot?” She turned back and her eyes narrowed dangerously. Was he really that stupid?

“Of course, baby.” Sarcasm was dripping thick from her voice. She opened her bag and got out the syringe with his heparin shot. She smiled evilly.

“Turn around, baby.” He gulped and paled lightly. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to have her near with a sharp object right now.

“You know, that can wait.” He tried to move away from her.

“Dammit, move, Jon. I won’t let you sue me, because you got a thrombosis after I didn’t give you your damn shot.” She pushed hard at his shoulder and he rolled to his side. She pulled his jogging shorts down and stuck him rather ruggedly with the needle.” He grunted, but didn’t dare to say a word.

“Kim…look….I’m…” he started while he was rolling back, then he looked at her.

“Honey, are you alright?” he asked worried. She was trembling and looked awfully pale and red at the same time.

“I’m fine.” She whispered, but had problems getting enough air into her lungs. He touched her left cheek concerned.

“You have a fever!” he said surprised. She snorted and turned away. Carefully she removed the needle from the syringe to put it in a secure container. She had to use all her strength not to collapse.

“Big surprise for you, huh? Already have it for two days. Here’s your phone. Better find someone to wait on you.” She threw his mobile on the bed.

“Kim, wait. Where are you going?” He asked.

“Not your damn business.” She said and closed the door. She could hear him calling her name from the other side of the door.

On shaky legs, she moved into the guest room that was as far away as possible from Jon. She couldn’t deal with him right now, even though he needed to be checked out later too.

She collapsed on the bed and checked her pulse. It was elevated. She had a fever, but was freezing at the same time. The pain in her chest from coughing was still present and her breathing rate was elevated as her body tried to get enough oxygen into her lunges.

She managed to call her general practitioner and was focused enough to discuss medication with him. She was never doing self-medication. It was never good. After checking her bag, she popped in some antibiotics, and agreed to pay him a visit the next day.

She piled up some pillows and winced when she realized she would probably sleep sitting to make sure she could breathe easier during the night.

Chapter 118

“How is he doing?” Paul asked when he entered the waiting room, in which Kim sought shelter after some other patients realized that Jon Bon Jovi and his girlfriend were at the hospital. Now two security guys were waiting by the door.

“They are examining him. He is in a lot of pain.” She said and kneaded her hands nervously.

“Hey, he’ll be fine.” Richie assured her and pulled her into a hug after he helped Fran sit down in one of the chairs. Tico, David and Hugh nodded.

“He won’t like what the doctor is telling him.” Kim told them and sighed.

“How bad is, Kim. Grade 2?” Fran wondered. Kim shook her head no.

“Grade 3?!?!” Fran asked a little shocked.

“Yeah, I think so.” Kim got up and started pacing the room.

“Can someone tell me what that means?” Paul asked concerned.

“Uhm….” Fran looked at Kim for a second, but realized her friend wasn’t going to answer that question.

“It means that about 90% of the muscle are damaged and the chance for surgery are pretty high, right Kim?” Fran looked at Kim for confirmation. She nodded.

“Oh, fuck. He will never agree to cancel shows.” Paul cursed and sank down in a chair as well.

“Well, maybe he won’t have a choice. When surgery is really necessary, he won’t be putting any weight on that leg, I can promise you that. And if I have to tie him down.” Kim said sternly.

“Careful Kim, you might fulfil one of his wildest fantasies for him.” David said grinning and made everyone laugh.

“Uhm….Dr. Anderson?” They all turned when a doctor showed up at the door.

“Yes, Dr. Mitchell….how bad is it?” Kim took several steps towards him.

“Well, your suspicion was right. But he is…..uhmm…..” The doctor tried to find the right words without hurting anyone’s feelings.

“A pain in the ass?” David offered.

“Not thrilled?” Paul jumped in.

“A simple nightmare?” Richie said and got a smack from Fran. Kim sighed.

“A very difficult patient.” Kim ended it and gave them all a long look. “Let me talk to him.” She straightened her back and switch into her doctor mode before entering the examination room.

“I’m not cancelling.” Jon growled at her. She just shook her head.

“Dr. Mitchell…what’s the diagnosis?” Kim asked ignoring Jon’s icy glare.

“It’s a Grade 3 calf strain. Luckily though not all muscles fibers ruptured…which wouldn’t make a surgery in general necessary….”

“See!” Jon said triumphant. She glared at him.

“…but Mr. Bon Jovi is an avid runner and when he is on stage he is walking, jumping and dancing around. So, I recommend the surgery.” Dr. Mitchell finished. Jon wanted to protest, but Kim stopped him.

“Thank you, Doctor. Would you give us some time alone, please?” she asked.

“Of course. Take your time.” He said and left the room.

“Kim…”

“No, Jon…I want you to listen…I don’t think you get the whole picture here. This is not a minor injury. This will take months…I repeat MONTHS to heal. In that time you won’t be doing any sports, you won’t be dancing, hell….in the first four weeks you won’t even put any weight at all on your leg….do you understand?”

He gulped at her clear words. And she could see fear in his eyes. He knew this could turn into a real nightmare. His daily training kept him from getting cranky and blowing up because of the smallest problem and there was no insurance for him getting sick on a tour. He would lose money.

“What would I have to do if I don’t have surgery? And how long would it take?” he asked after a few minutes of silence.

“Jon…please…”

“No, Kim…tell me, help me to understand it. I need to know so that I can make a decision.” He begged her.

She sighed and pulled a chair next to the bench he was laying on. She closed her eyes for a few seconds before starting to recite monotonously like she had done it so many times in the different test she had as a student.

“A Grade 3 calf strain takes 3-4 months till full recovery. The typical rehab for a calf strain depends upon the severity of the injury, and includes the following: Rest the Muscle, that means avoid activities that cause pain. Avoid impact activity or excessive stretching, which for you means no running, jumping, or weightlifting. You can’t return to your sport until you are pain-free, Jon.” He nodded understanding.

“Second: The Calf can be taped. Some patients find that taping the calf can reduce pain and help protect from further injury. Third: Only, and I stretch that word O-N-L-Y, when acute pain is gone, begin stretching the muscle moderately with passive range of motion stretching, which means gently pull your foot and toes up with legs straight if possible to stretch the calf muscle. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat 5 to 10 times.” He looked down at his leg.

“Don’t even think about it.” Kim told him. He swallowed.

“Fourth: As you heal, you can begin using a regular stretching and flexibility program to gain range of motion and prevent future calf injury. You will need a therapist who can advise you when to begin these exercises. You can also perform gentle self-massage as your calf injury heals that can help reduce scar tissue formation and improve blood flow to the area.” Jon nodded again.

“Only after that you can return to exercise with light resistance. Once you have healed and experience no pain with basic strengthening exercises, you should probably start strengthening your Achilles tendon to prevent related lower leg injuries.” She sighed when she realized what he would do.

“The goal is to return to normal activity as quickly as possible without any long-term effects, Jon. But if you return too soon, you risk developing a chronic injury.” Kim looked him straight in the eyes when she said those last word.

“What’s your advice, Kimi?” he softly grabbed her hand. She tried to blink away the tears that were forming in her eyes.

“As my patient …surgery…..as my stupid, always in control, hard-headed and totally irresponsible boyfriend…” He chuckled at her words.

“….don’t do the surgery. I know you can do it without.” He smiled.

“But Jon, you really need to follow doctor’s orders or your leg will never be as it was before.” She told him sternly.

“I know. How do I deal with the shows till the break?” She sighed deeply, but knew she wouldn’t get him to cancel.

“Well, you have three days until the next show…you will keep that leg iced and up, and I guess I will be the one giving you Heparin shots, so you don’t get a thrombosis, because you won’t move.” Jon gulped. He hated shots.

“Then there’s 12 more shows before the big break, right?” Jon nodded yes.

“It’s simple Jon, when you are not on stage that leg is up. No pressure on it. If there are interviews, they come to you, when you need to get from the hotel to the venue, you use crutches or a wheel chair. You keep the moving around on stage to a minimum, we will tape the leg and you will probably need rather strong pain medication on show days…you should think about getting a tool or a chair up there…” She added, even though she knew he wouldn’t do it.

He wanted to argue with her about all of it. Maybe he could negotiate, but before he could even say one word Kim gave him a long stern look.

“When I see you not following these rules, you can move your stuff back at your old place.”

His eyes grew wide. He knew she meant it.