The Meeting

In the days leading up to Joshua’s arrival, Richie pestered Leana to no end for information about him. He asked every question imaginable, “how tall is he? When is his birthday? Is he colorblind like me? Does he have a girlfriend? Am I going to like him? Is he going to like me?” That last one caught her by surprise. She turned from the cookies she was baking to look at him. “You’re nervous aren’t you?” He shook his head, “no, I’m scared shitless.” She went and wrapped her arms around him, “trust me, you’re going to love him and he is going to like you. How could he not, he’s just like you.”

Richie let out the breath he didn’t realize he was holding, leaned down and gave Leana a kiss, “thank you.” She kissed him back, “for what, talking you down? Just relax Richie, you and he are going to get along fine.” She moved back to the cookies and the doorbell rang. She looked over at him, “could you get that please?” They weren’t expecting anyone until the following day so she was surprised when she heard Richie call out to her, “Leana, could you come in here please?”

Richie had opened the door and found himself looking into a very familiar pair of green eyes. Joshua had come a day early, as a surprise for his mother. He hadn’t expected to find Richie at her house, he should have though. She had told him that they were seeing each other and it had become serious over the summer and into the fall.

“Who is it Rich, what do they want?” she asked as she came around the corner. He didn’t say anything, couldn’t find his voice. “Rich, did you hear m..?” She stopped when she saw who was at the door. “Josh, you’re early! Why didn’t you let me know you were coming, we would have picked you up?” She hurried over and hugged him. “It’s good to see you honey.” He smiled and returned the hug, “it’s good to see you too mom, but if I had told you I was coming it wouldn’t have been a surprise.” Leana laughed and hugged him again.

Richie shut the door and moved farther into the hall, leaving mother and son to greet each other. A flash of jealousy rushed through him as he watched them hug and get reacquainted.

Leana looped her arm through Josh’s and walked to where Richie was standing. She looked at Josh; it was like looking at Richie 20 years earlier. She moved so that her two men were standing facing each other. She looked at Richie, “Rich, this is your son Josh; and to Josh, this is your father, Richie Sambora.”

She headed back to the kitchen, leaving them to get to know one another, to find their way as father and son.