Chapter 4

Brooke finally made it to JFK. The flight was the worst she had ever been on. She had a lady on the window seat that really needed two seats and a drunken leech who spent the first half of the flight swilling booze and the last half trying to look down her shirt. All it took was him putting his hand on her thigh to set her off.




"Get your fucking hand off my person."




"Ah come on girlie...you know you want me."




"I'll give you to the count of ten to move your hand."




"Oh girlie’s got some fight in her.” The big man swiveled to look straight at Brooke, his leer growing. “What ya gonna do girlie?"
Brooke removed the chopsticks from her hair and turned the pointed end the way Eddie had shown her and stuck it in his hand. It took the co captain and the flight attendant to calm him down and to move Brooke to first class. Hell if that was all I needed to do to get up here I should have stuck him sooner. She sipped her drink and closed her eyes.




As the limo pulled up to the house Eddie's Bug was not around. She must have pulled it in the back or she ended up back at the Burger Barn. Pulling her key out she let herself into the flat. Kicking off her heels she padded over to the coffee table to get the mail out of the basket that flanked the chase sofa that was her pride and joy. She had seen one in Holly Hunters home when she worked for her those six months when she was doing one of her movies. She’d begged Eddie for months to let her have that one couch. It had been far beyond their means at the time, but she wanted it none the less. Eddie had finally agreed with a stipulation that she’d finally agreed too. All in all it was a fair trade seeing as how she let Eddie have that old recliner they had saved from the Goodwill store. Instead of her basket in its usual place there was a broken up old guitar. Oh my God...someone broke Eddie's baby. Hearing a noise she froze. Oh shit...they’re still here? Creeping back to the door she pulled out Eddie's Louisville Slugger from the umbrella rack her hands tightening around the wider end.




She studied the contents of the refrigerator and growled. Left over MooGoo, hardened hamburger helper, milk, OJ She spied something lumpy and nearly green. What the fuck is that? Looks like.. Eddie shook her head and leaned further into the cold compartment. Where the hell is that pudding? I know I had some left.




Man she was hungry, and there was nothing, not even the pudding she knew she'd made a day ago. Hell she loved pudding. After the interview and test all she'd thought about was that chocolate pudding, not the instant kind, fuck no, homemade pudding so smooth it just slid down the throat. Had she eaten it all? She kept looking at the meager contents of the Frigidaire, all the while thinking over Luce. Got the fingerboard straight, she’s sanded and varnished to a shine. Looks damn good if I say so myself.




Creeping into the kitchen she saw someone in the fridge and drew the bat back.




"I don't know how you got in here. But I got you covered!" She yelled.




She yanked back out of the fridge, her head thwacking hard against the freezer compartment. For the briefest moments she saw stars. Shaking her head she growled, "FUCK it OUCH! Dammit!"




Turning around her brow cocked upwards quizzically as she took in the heaving chest and shaking hands of her friend. Closing the door slowly she leaned back against the fridge, one work boot propping against the door. "Ya know Darlin', if you'd turn that thing around, hold the narrow end and choke up a bit on the bat you'd have a hell of a sight more control."




Her hand lifted to rub the top of her head as she watched her roommate. "That fuckin' hurt man."




Brooke stood there with her mouth open in shock. Take away thirteen years and a few more curves and it was like seeing Eddie for the first time. The same Giants hat was perched on her head but the body was totally...different.




"Oh my Fucking God, you just scared the shit out of me Eddie. I could have knocked you through the fridge. Is this get up part of our anniversary night? You look just like that snotty nosed kid that walked up the sidewalk at the Hanagans."




Her head tilted as a crooked grin crept onto her lips. "Aww hell, I totally forgot how I was dressed. I was working on Luce over there and the time just..."She shook her head, "time got away from me Brookie. Ya know how I am about a guitar."




"I assume Luce is that old Strat laying on my vintage coffee table and smelling to high heaven with varnish?" She lowered the bat. "I thought someone had broken in and smashed one of your babies. Why are you dressed like that? I thought we burned that hat? Where are your boobies? Good heavens why are you dressed like a...a man?" Her hands were shaking as she went to the counter and pulled out a small bottle of Vodka from the cupboard and a glass and poured a shot.




She pushed off of the fridge door and started to chuckle. "Boobs are still here, just a bit flatter than is usual." Her eyes widened at the burning hat comment. "IS THAT why my cap was in the trash? BROOKIE!" She slid into a chair, her legs sprawling out man style as she started to grin. "I guess my uniform works. Got you convinced any hows."




"Uniform? This job interview you had today...you had to dress like a man?" She joined her at the table and sat a second glass down and poured them both a shot. "I threw out everything that reminded us of the...home." She tossed back the shot. "Just what kind of job makes you dress like a man...you're not doing porno are you?"




She started to really laugh. Her doing porno? She didn't know one end of a man from the other. "Uhhh me? PORNO? Brookie!!" She shook her head slightly and continued, "Naah it’s for a job. See I applied and they turned down the application, told me a little girl couldn’t do the work.” She snorted at the sentiment. “Can you imagine?" She glanced at her friend with all the innocence she could muster. "Soooo I reapplied with just my initials and they called me in for an interview. Got the job too."




Brooke just looked at Eddie. "Let me get this straight. You lost the job because you were a girl and then you re-applied with just your initials and they hired you...but you're still the girl that they turned down...OH my God...You went dressed as a man?" Her mouth dropped open. "That’s called lying on an application. They'll fire you if they find out.” She stopped and studied Eden a moment her brow wrinkling in concentration. “Take off that hat Eddie." When she didn't remove the hat she leaned over and said it again. "Eden Dominique Mitchells...take off that damn hat!"




She looked down at the table, then up as she felt her stubbornness rise, "I didn't lie. I applied with the truth. E.D. Mitchells. That's ME Brookie. I didn't dammit LIE!! I can't help they can't see what’s right in front of them. Application never asked if I was male or female, so I dressed comfortable for the interview."




"Eden, I said take off that hat." She reached over the table and took the hat off her head. "Oh my God you cut your hair! Fucking hell Eddie it was past your ass! Now...it looks like...a dark version of Jon Bon Jovi's hair!"




Her eyes widened slightly as she started to laugh. "Of all the people you would equate me too..." She leaned in and felt the jitters starting in her toes and coursing up through her entire body. "Don't you get it? I got the JOB Brooke, best fuckin' band around bar none, BEST guitarist in the world and I got the job. ME Little Eddie Mitchells. I got it."




"You got a job with...Van Halen?" She tried to wrap her brain around the fact that Eddie was working for a band.




She leaned back her head shaking wildly. "Hell no! Her hands lifted to rake through her shorter hair as she grinned. "You're looking at Richie Fuckin' Sambora's guitar tech. Man he has like ninety guitars. Takes 25 or so on tour. Each one has to be treated just right you know..." She deepened her voice and took on the affected Jersey accent she'd heard around the band. "Each one has a number Ed, they have to be done just so. Poor Luce," Eden nodded to the repaired guitar, "She was treated bad by someone. They must be handled gently man."




"Bon Jovi? You're working as a guitar tech for your idol? Let me get this straight, We ARE talking Sambora of the ozone depleting hair and oh so tight pants? The man that runs here and there punishing guitars for two or three hours a night?" Brooke leaned back in the chair listening to her mimic Richie's voice...she had him down cold. "What do you think is going to happen when they find out they didn't hire Eddie the man but Eddie the girl? You have to go to the bathroom sometime you know. Eddie the man can't walk into the ladies room or are you now going to try and pee standing up?" Leaning back she gave Eddie the once over. Well she DID sort of look like a diminutive male. "Eddie...what are you doing with...you have on colored contacts?...You have on MY contacts!"




Eddie grinned, "Yep." She cocked her head sideways and muttered, "You don't care do ya? I mean you hardly ever use them and I needed this job Brookie! On my resume with my schooling?" She shrugged off the bathroom idea. "I'll just wait to go until I'm in my room or something. Hell they didn't notice, none of them, Obie Jon or Richie, I can DO this. I know I can."




"Hell yes with your schooling and your resume. " She looked deep into Eddie’s eyes. "You really want this don't you?" She sighed as Eddie nodded her head. "Then all I can say... is... let's go celebrate your new job! But...Eddie, you have to wear the present I brought for you. You have to go out and celebrate as Eden." She jumped up from the table and went out to her suitcase and pulled out a bag from her favorite designer.




She winced as Brooke nearly ran from the kitchen area. Hell that didn't bode well for her at all. Knowing Brooke it was clothing and if it were, it would be a damned dress. She hated dresses with a passion. Why couldn't the world figure out pants were more comfortable?






Sighing slightly she stood and ambled into the living room, her body stopping suddenly as horror filtered into her eyes at what Brooke was holding up. "Versace'???"




"I had Mick's black card and well you needed a new dress. The one and only one you had you spilled lacquer on it and ruined it. I know you did it on purpose too." She pulled out the slinky little black dress. "See it's black and has no bows or sparklies on it." She smiled and pulled out a second bag with matching stilettos. "You’re going on your job as a man, but your celebrating as a woman! Who knows you might get lucky at the bar and finally get laid!" She laughed at the idea. Eden figured boys were only good for one thing, and it wasn’t mattress dancing. "I'll do your hair and make up, you’ll look to die for!" She always wanted to play dress up with Eddie. She'd make a beautiful woman if she would only let Brooke dress her.




She took a step back from the heels, her eyes going wide. "No way am I wearing those! I'll kill myself Brooke. Jesus, you know me and heels!" She closed her eyes and swallowed, not even responding to the get lucky comment. She'd never... Boys were for playing hoops or baseball not..." Come on Brookie, you wouldn't make me would ya?"




Brooke stuck out her bottom lip and pouted. Eddie could never hold out against the pout and the sad eyes. "Please Eddie? Do this for me. You'll be leaving me all alone while you’re out doing your dream job. Please...?"




She grunted as the puppy dog eyes came out to play. Damned sad pouty look had forever gotten her into one mess or another, from super long paper routes that made them money into guard duty upon occasion. Damned pout was lethal no doubt about it.




Shrugging out of the overly large flannel button up she pulled the tee shirt off and tossed them over a chair, her hands slowly unwinding the bandage she'd used to make her chest look flatter yet bulkier. "Christ, for you I'll do it. I gotta be crazy to but I'll do it, but Brookie?" She glanced up intently, "I break my damn foot and can't take this job? I'll scalp ya."




Brooke smile and laughed. It only took an hour to get them both dressed and fluffed. As they were leaving the flat Brooke's fax machine started printing. Waiting on the machine to stop she pulled the fax out.




"Well I'll be damned. I got another assignment." She handed the fax to Eddie. "Harold said I had to meet him at his office and he'll give me the info. Some big hush hush deal. Oh God...please don't let it be with a Kiddie star. Oh God I hate working for a kid...they are so temperamental." She grabbed her Louie Vuiton and headed out the door. They would be taking Brooke's roadster, a present from one of her Hollywood contacts. "I read in the in flight mag about a new club reopening up. It has a live band and it's in Jersey. They call it The Starland, it's in Sayreville."




Eden took a deep breath and started to follow her friend to the door muttering under her breath, "if I fall I swear...." stopping as she heard Brooke ramble she froze. "Sayreville?"




"Yeah...just over the bridge from Woodbridge. Got some great reviews. Some rock star used to own it."

Chapter 3

Richie looked the guy over his brow arching. He was a scrawny guy, not much taller than his mid chest, but the resume and the degree were impeccable "Okay Ed, Obie here thinks I should give you a chance."


Going over, he laid out two of his guitars, his mind on the last tech he’d suffered through. That guy didn't even know how to hold a guitar. "I got two guitars behind you on the truck...go bring me the Ovation."


Eddie nodded and turned, one hand lifting to shift the ball cap a little lower. Please don’t look too close, please don’t look too close. Stepping towards the guitars, one hand slipped into the back jeans pocket for the linen gloves put there earlier in the morning. Sliding the gloves over fingers, inquisitive eyes hungrily traced over both guitars.


"Serial in the 30k range, sunburst red, 11 attachment screws. Just look at that pick up and fretboard, bet it's fuckin' maple. Oh you’re an early 59 beauty, there’s your neck date below the truss rod adjustment. You’re a Fender for sure." Head shaking Eddie turned to the second guitar, a double neck as one finger slowly caressed the jet black guitar. "Aren't you just a beauty?"


With the slightest of care two fingers gently rubbed over the top. "Who dared leave a fingerprint on you Beauty?" Studying the guitar closely, Eddie kept muttering, "multi-piece epaulets, white bound rosewood fingerboard and abalone elite style fingerboards with Op +24 electronics? " Nodding the double neck was carefully lifted. Turning, arms stretched out to offer the guitar to its owner, Eddie spoke again. "I believe this is what you asked for."


Obie looked at Richie whose mouth hanging open. The little shit certainly knew his guitars at least. Question was would he know anything else? Making a note on his clipboard he showed it to Jon who along with Richie sat in on the interview.


Jon glanced at the scribbles of his long time friend. The little shit even wore gloves?


Richie took the guitar and looked it over then handed it back to Eddie after turning one of the pegs taking it out of tune. "I just came off stage and need to take this back out because Frank over there decided to change the set list on the fly and I need it for Wanted. It's in the key of C major. You got your stop watch Ob?"


Obie held it up and nodded."Go!"


Eddie took the guitar and leaned against the crate. Reaching up one handed, teeth pulled gloves from first one hand then the next, letting them drop to the ground. Settling fingers on strings Eddie strummed, stopped, adjusted tightness, strummed again and nodded. Handing the guitar back, Eddie leaned over to pick up the gloves. "How's that?"


Jon looked over Obie’s shoulder and shook his head when the guitar was handed back. He’d tuned it in less than a minute? Shit my tech can't even do that.


Richie couldn’t help the grin. "Not bad, not bad at all. We have to go from an outdoor gig to an indoor one...what's the first thing you need to do?" The last guy had missed this question. Hell, not many people knew that taking guitars from hot humid conditions to an air conditioned required something special. A humidifier had to be run in the area where they were stored.


Eddie snorted, "Ya kiddin' me right?" "Nodding to the crates, "First ya set up the area man, run the humi's, at least 3 or 4 hours before uncrating the beauties. Anyone worth his damn salt knows that."


Richie nodded his head and smiled at Jon over Eddie's head. If he passes the time test I got me a new tech. "Excellent, just excellent. I'm impressed. I guess you're worth you salt." He reached over and bopped Eddie on the shoulder about knocking him over. "Sorry dude. Forgot you're like Frank over there...little dude."


Eddie grunted and straightened. "Some of us can't be Gigantor you know. We can’t help if some guys can’t figure out how to stop growin’."


Jon laughed and rolled his eyes "Dean’s got a new name Ob, need to put it on his laminate. Gigantor...I like that Ed."


Richie snorted then turned back to the little guy. "Last test Ed. Pass this and Frank, Ob and I will need to discuss the outcome. I take about 25 guitars on tour...each one is numbered or named on the set list. They get packed into trunks of that hold either six or eight guitars. Those trunks then into crates and you have only an hour before the rigs move out to the next gig."


He continued, "we have a set up in the studio with cases and crates, so when he say's go then you haul ass." Richie and Obie had set up the right numbers for the right cases but had one guitar that was not to be cased with the others. Please God...I need this one not to drop my babies in this time race...I still have one in the shop from the last tech.


Obie walked Eddie into the recording studio where the guitars sat in the stage racks and the cases were across the room next to the crates. Holding up the stopwatch he watched the second hand sweep around. As it hit twelve he hollered, "GO!"


Eddie took a deep breath, moved to study the crates for the briefest moment, noting the shape of each set of specially made holders for each neck, along with the numbers. With a swift nod, after sliding on the ever present linen gloves Eddie stepped quickly to the left side of the room, looked at each guitar intently then lifted one. Moving back to the crates the guitar was gently settled into a slot.


Taking a deep breath Eddie made the trek twenty five more times, each time taking a few brief seconds to ensure the guitar was hanging clear of the guitar settled in before.


Finishing up, the lone guitar was lifted as eyes scanned the room, grinning when a single guitar case was noted standing against the wall. Walking over to the case the instrument was settled in lightly and locked in. Handing that one guitar case to Richie, Eddie moved back to the trunks, closing them carefully before setting the locks, hands reaching for the bolts of bubble wrap found against the wall. After each trunk was wrapped, Eddie stood and turned to Obie. "Damned if I try to lift those alone. Not gonna get me that way man. You either have me two extra guys so they get lifted easy or it’s a no go."


Obie stopped the watch and smiled.


"We got Ollie and Butch that will help load, they go with the rig. Not bad Ed, not bad at all. Rich, you got any more questions?"


Jon cleared his throat. "I got one." He walked over and picked up an old battered ’63 Fender Strat, snapped a string and handed it to Eddie. "He has to have it back out for the next song...Lemma is starting the opening chords for Lay your hands...say 15 bars. Get it stringed and tuned and in Richie’s hand in that time. "


Richie cringed when he heard the string pop, yeah he was bad on the strings when he got in the zone. Pisses Jonny off when I break a string.


Eddie glanced at the Fender, noting which string was broken. Reaching into one jeans pocket a small ornate wooden box was pulled out. Opening the box Eddie selected the correct string, took the Fender from Jon and quickly settled it against a thigh. Within moments the string was tuned and handed back.


At Jon's arched brow Eddie muttered, "What? No one around here carries spares too?"


"Got ya there Kidd." Obie tossed the watch to Richie and headed out of the studio to chat. Jon handed the guitar back to Eddie and followed the two out.


"I want him. Did you hear him mutter over the ladies? He knew the serial numbers and the types of wood man." Richie smiled like a kid on Christmas morning.


"Man if you want him that bad buy him a new gear box. Did you see the one he pulled out of those baggie jeans? It had bows and rhinestones on it." Jon cringed at the visual of the box.


"With what we pay him he'll be able to buy one after the first two gigs, but Jonny, I want  my  Ed! He has gloves!"


All three turned at the sweet sound that suddenly came from the studio. Walking back in looking for Clapton or Chuck Berry, their eyes go wide at the sight before them. Eddie was sitting on a crate playing the old beat up Fender and it never had sounded so good. One of the other applicants had dropped it and nearly broke the fret board, to Richie’s sorrow.


At the sound of three distinct throat clears Eddie glanced up and winced. "Uh sorry, just checking to see if she could still make music."


Glancing at Richie, who had a wide eyed look of something that resembled amusement or amazement Eddie continued. "Not much wrong with the beauty. Little love and TLC? She'd be good as new. If you want, I could try to repair her, no '63 Fender Strat should be left lying around in this sorta shape man. Who was the beast that left her in this sad condition?"


"The last man who tried to get this job dude.” Richie didn’t need to see any more. This guy was THE GUY, he felt it to his bones. “Obie give him the welcome to the circus spiel. So you repair them too?” Richie glanced at the guitar. “You think you can get Lucy back in playing shape? I don't think it could sound any better than what you had her doing, but Luce there ...she holds a special spot in my heart dude..."


Obie handed Eddie the Crew shirt and the laminate that read Richie's tech. It was easier than ordering a new laminate each tour or gig some days...


"As Richie says...welcome to the circus known as Bon Jovi. Lose the shirt? Costs thirty dollars replace it, lose the laminate and its bye-bye techie. Checks are handed out on the fifteenth and the thirtieth. You got a passport? You need to apply for one if you don't. Richie likes his tech to fly with the band. If Frank, or rather Jon over there wants to change the set list and he needs to change guitars then his tech needs to be close. He says it easier that way. Here is the name of the airport be there by nine."


Eddie snorted. Passport? Eddie had a passport thanks to a globe trotting girl friend. Looking over at Obie with a nod Eddie gruffed out, "got the passport, not a problem man."


Turning back to Richie, Eddie cradled the guitar now known as Luce. "Won't take much to fix her, hell I can have her ready to travel by embarking time man."


"Then Luce is in good hands." Richie nodded; Luce was special. His dad had bought it for him when he came home and told them he was going on the road with Jon, a kid from Sayreville.


Eddie nodded, "Course she is." Hands gently brushed over the beautifully lacquered surface, "She'll be ready for you by the time you board the plane Monday morning."


Glancing around, Eddie saw the spare case lying beside a couch. Walking over Luce was carefully placed inside, the case latches firmly connected. Straightening, Eddie rolled shoulders and nodded. "See ya at 9 a.m."


Walking out, eyes intent upon the old beat up bug, Eddie couldn't stop the grin. Reaching the car, one hand lifted in a victory punch of the air. Opening the passenger door Luce was settled gently and seat belted in. Moving to the driver’s side Eddie slid into the car, punched the dashboard once and cranked up before hitting the gas and heading for the beltway.


Jon cringed as 18 and Life by Skid Row belted out of the radio. "Hey Dean...give the kid some better music before we have to watch him drive off again...damn skinny ass Bach...fucker still owes me money."

Chapter 2

Brooke paced the loading area at Heathrow cell phone to her ear. "Damned Jimmy Choo, I will never wear his heels again," she muttered. "Come on Eddie wake your ass up." She adjusted her Louie Vuitton brief case strap and moved away from a man smoking... please God do not let me be sitting next to this smoke stack. 

Eden floated through the meadow, straight into the arms of her mystery man, his flowing dark hair fluttering in the breeze. As she grew closer, his arms wrapped around her, tugging her ever closer. His head tilted, his lips oh so close to her ear. She shivered in delight, knowing that soon his lips would be brushing against her skin. She winced when his lips opened only to shrill out incessantly with an annoying ringing sound.

Jerking her eyes open, the elusive sexy dream man fading, she sat up and glared at the phone. "Who the hell would be calling me at..." She glanced at her tiny alarm clock, "Three fucking a.m. in the morning?"

Reaching for the phone she brought it to her ear and growled, "If this is an obscene call I swear to God...."




"Bout time Eddie...you know how I am with waiting. Happy Anniversary!" She laughed at the growl on the other end of the line. Eddie was not the happiest person when she woke up. Brooke on the other hand was like Mary Fuckin’ Poppins or so Eddie kept telling her. "We can celebrate when I get home. Got the very last seat on the Concorde. Would you believe Mick the Stick, the Fuckin' Brit bugger, refused to buy my ticket home? I had to call Harold to get me a seat...Coach no less!"

She groaned as the babble hit her ears. Thirteen years and her best friend had still not learned how to restrain the babble. "So the big rock star was a turd, did you really expect any less?" She chuckled at the snort that echoed through the trans-Atlantic call and grinned. "I wasn't worried Brookie, you've never missed an anniversary yet."

"At least he could have paid for my ticket in first class! I guess since he didn't get his piece of ass I am not worth it. Fuckin’ Brits, if they aren't bad enough with the bad teeth they're cheap ass's too!" Walking over to the Coffee counter to order she continued.
"Hang on Eddie,” Glancing at the counter person she nodded, “yes jumbo coffee...very light and very sweet...oh yeah and one of those sticky buns.” She muttered at Eddie's laugh, “you know what the food is like in coach...bag of nuts and a flat coke." Taking her order she moved over to a table to continue her phone call.

She listened to Brook grumble and couldn't restrain a laugh. Her girl was going to be in one massive bad mood before she ever touched back down on American soil. If there was ONE thing that her best friend hated it was flying. How she'd ended up in the occupation she had considering that fact still puzzled her. "So Brookie, other than nasty Brits and flying how are you doing really?"

"Do we still have that lawyer on retainer? You know the one that helped us after we left the home? I sort of got back at the stick, I ran up his credit card. Then again he should be happy. The last thing I charged was a 22 Karat necklace for his wife,the poor dear. I can not wait to get home...You and me kiddo are doing the town up tonight. You are going to be able to go aren't you....Mr. Green at the burger hut did give you the time off didn't he?" She was so looking forward the anniversary...she had picked up a Versace dress on Mick's charge for Eddie...the girl needed a dress. Who am I kidding? She always in need of a few dress up lessons, even now.

Eden winced slightly at the ramble and muttered, "Not working at the Burger Barn anymore."

Brooke stopped the cup inches from her lips. "Oh Eddie...you lost another one? What did Mr. Green do this time? Seriously we need to find you a better job...Maybe Harold..." She always offered to get Harold to find her a job...the girl had a masters in music and could make any instrument sound like an angel played it.

She shook her head then chuckled as she realized Brook couldn't see her. "Naah, don't need any help. Matter of fact maybe I won't have to play Burger roulette anymore Brookie."

Eden lifted a hand to brush her hair from her eyes, "Just maybe we'll have more to celebrate than escape at our anniversary party. I have an interview for a job in the morning."

"Don't tell me...another restaurant? Eddie, Eddie, Eddie, you have more talent in your little finger than...well than me. Let me get Harold to see if he has any contacts that need someone with your talent." If it wasn't for Eddie she would have ended up either pregnant, or worse dead after that night thirteen years ago. She cringed just thinking of Mr. Hanagan...God rest his soul...there were nights she woke up in a sweat remembering that night.

She heard the waver in that usually smooth dulcet voice of her friend and knew beyond a doubt that night thirteen years ago had finally reared its head. It always did around this time of year. The only way to erase it was to get her to thinking on something different. "I ain't gonna work in no restaurant again Brookie. Got myself an interview tomorrow, a BIG interview. I'll be set this time."

"You have an interview today...or tomorrow...You would think as much as I have to fly I can remember what day it is when we talk. I should be in before dark and you can tell me all about it. Harold has a car coming for me.” She growled, “It better be a stretch limo with a driver after he stuck my ass in coach. Remember when we used to sit at the window looking through the bars at the moon and wishing we were like the people in my magazines...the ones with boat loads of cash and the fancy clothes? You made me spit in my hand Eddie, said we would be a team, Brookie and Eddie.

She leaned back against the headboard and smiled at the memories of that first day she'd seen Brooke. She nodded as the memories rose. "Yeah I remember Brookie. I remember you washed that spit off so fast I thought there shoulda been fire tracks where your feet were on the way to that wash room." She giggled and continued, "And we are a team, we always will be. With a little help you finally got the chance to have those clothes you always wanted, with your help I got the schooling I needed. Now? Hell Brookie, if this final interview and test go okay we'll be sitting on easy street for sure."

Brooke sat her empty cup on the table and looked off through the window in the airport. Yeah she had washed her hand, Prissy Missy as Eddie would call her. "Easy Street wasn't that always one block over from the home? If it wasn't for you Eddie..." She nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Oh my God!" She knocked the cup over trying to get away from whoever had touched her. Even after thirteen years and several sessions with a shrink, she still didn’t like when someone came at her from behind. It reminded her too much of Mr. Hanagan and the way he always slipped up behind her, always touching her in places she didn't want to be touched. Turning around ready to punch the person like Eddie had taught her, she noticed it was only the flight attendant to tell her the flight was loading.

"I got to go Eddie...It's time for me to board..." She tried to keep her voice from letting Eddie know she was shaking.

She heard the gasp and started to ask what the hell was going on, but before she could say a word the connection was gone. She muttered as she cradled the phone. Brookie better be okay. No one was going to hurt her again, not in this life, not if she had anything to say about it.


As she leaned back from hanging up her eyes glanced over her *uniform* she'd set out for the interview tomorrow. She chuckled quietly as she settled herself back into the covers. "Good thing she hung up, if I woulda tried explaining this one I woulda been able to hear the scream over the ocean and without the phone." 

Chapter 1

Eden glared at the white-washed wood facade as the dark two door sedan pulled into the drive. Another foster home. God when would they quit parading them through her life? Slouching as she exited the car she lifted a hand to swipe at her nose, her eyes scanning for the hopeful presence of a gang of boys she'd be more at home with. Feeling the tight grip of the social worker as they nearly dragged her to the door her eyes stopped at the pretty little girl on the porch. Oh great, it's a prissy pants.


She grumbled under her breath as the staid way too proper social worker continued her quest towards the front door. "Now see Miss Eden. This will be the perfect place for you. We've let your hooligan ways go on way too long. We've decided to place you here. I'm sure you'll love it."

Eden muttered, "Names Eddie. Can't you at least get that right?" She shook her head as her eyes wandered the fenced in yard. There seemed to be very little grass, but lots of weeds. As she took another look at the house she couldn't restrain the shiver. This place looked worse than the last one she was in. This one was so close to looking like some crazy form of school house it was unreal. Hell what did I get myself into? All I did was brain Mr. Jackson for trying to take my bat.


The social worker tisked softly, "It's Eden Dominique and it's high time you remembered you were a girl. Maybe in a place filled with girls you'll finally figure it out."

As they stopped at the front door Eddie continued her perusal of the way to proper and pretty girl sitting in the chair. She was playing dress up with her doll but the danged doll looked like it needed a hospital. Half its hair was gone and one eye was missing. "Ought to hold a burial for that dollie."


"Misty Dawn isn't dead little boy, she's special like me."


Eden snorted, "Looks pretty dead to me prissy missy."
She winced and waited for the whap from the social worker, her eyes scanning for just ONE boy on the neighborhood street only to see nothing but a dead end road. "There any pick up games here?"


"I have some pick up sticks in my special box....half of them are missing...if you want to play with them later?" Brooke stuck out her hand to the social worker. "My name Is Brooklyn Smith. Mrs. Hanagan is out back washing Lucy's mouth out with soap. I can't go back in untils she finishes."


Brooke looked Eden up one side and down the other. "I may be a prissy missy but at least I don't have a snotty nose." Pulling out her not so white hankie out of the pocket of her party dress, she held it out to Eden. "Cost ya five cents to use it."


Watching Eden use her shirt sleeve to wipe her nose, Brooke made a face. "Mrs. Hanagan sees you do that, you gonna wish you gave me five cents. She'll make you wear that shirt till you ain't got no snot left." Brooke went back to rocking her doll in her arms. "If you were my baby, I wouldn't leave you at no hospital with no name," she whispered, “then you wouldn't get just any old name like me." She cocked her head at Eden. "Where did you get your name?" Looking up to the social worker she nodded towards Eden. "You gonna leave the little boy here?"


Eden wiped her nose again for effect as she studied the little girl before her. She looked like she was dressed in her Sunday finest, a clean blue dress with lace around the hem. Her raven hair was hanging down around her shoulders in perfect ringlets, a big blue bow tied on top of her head to hold the hair back.


Jamming her hands into her dirty dungarees she muttered, "got my name from my ma. She's dead you know."


"Did you see her dead? They told me my mom died but I didn't see her dead...,' She changed the subject and kept on rambling, “they got rules here...we don't talk about momma's and daddy's." She leaned over to whisper to Eden, "the little ones cry...a lot."


The picture of her mom laying in the flowers, the life in her eyes slowly fading as the poison she'd pumped into her veins did its work rose along with the need to cry which was quickly shoved down. Glancing up at the little girl, who had more questions than she wanted to answer she shrugged. "Ain't gonna cry, cryin's for sissies."


"They gonna put you in my room...Sandy left one night...runned away I guess...said her momma was gonna come and take her to Hollywood...she's gonna be on the T.V. one day..."


Brooke put the doll on the step and covered her with the hankie. "You got 5 cents? I can show you where to hide stuff from Mrs. Hanagan. You got a special box?"


Eden winced at the knowledge. Stuck in a room with prissy pants? God hates me I just know he hates me. She didn't want to play dress up, she didn't want to be around no one that did, she wanted to run, climb trees and play ball. As Brooke kept talking her brow furrowed. "Ain't got no money, but tell ya what, you show me that and I'll keep people from hurting ya."


Brooke looked around to see if anyone was watching. "You gonna keep Mr. Hanagan from hurting me? He's a big man..."


She wiped her hands on her dress and looked up at Eden. "I think he hurt Sandy one night..."


Eden's head cocked sideways at the urgent and somehow scared whisper. Little prissy was too cute to be hurt, why would some big grown man want to hurt her? She shook her head as a totally foreign emotion seemed to seep in around the edges. "Like I said, you show me around, I'll keep you from being hurt Brookie."


"Okay...I can tell you all the rules...been here longer than the other ones..." taking Eden's hand they followed the social worker who finally went inside to talk to the house mother. "We get one Sunday dress for church. I guess if you ain't got one you can wear Sandy's...Chores are done before school and after... we get one birthday present...I don't gots no birthday so I don't get one...And best of all the church sends us a present at Christmas...the poor dears...that's where I got Misty Dawn."



Eden watched as they were herded towards the upstairs. If she had thought the last foster home was bad, well this one had it beat. The wallpaper looked like it used to be colorful, but now it seemed to be tattered and gray. The furniture was covered in plastic, not that it helped the appeal of the dingy flowers any.


She shook her head as the girl she now thought of as babbling Brooke kept up the constant patter. She talked the whole way to her room.


When the door opened Eden stuffed back a wince. The walls were the same dingy gray as the downstairs. Looking around the room she saw twin beds that had seen better days. Each bed boasted a dilapidated pillow that should have been thrown out ages before and a ratty looking cover. Two chest of drawers and two chairs stood side by side on the far wall. She grinned and turned to find the window. If there was a window, there was usually a tree and if there was a tree she could escape whenever the urge to play ball hit. Glancing around her eyes widened. Bars? There were bars on the window? Closing her eyes she felt the first stirrings of worry. They hadn't put her into a home, they'd slammed her into jail after all.


Seeing the shock filtering into the new kids eyes at the barred windows had Brooke leaning in to Eden to whisper. “They put those up after Sandy runned off, but its okay, we can still push the window open at night to feels the breeze.” When Eden' gaze shifted to her she grinned and continued, “I knowed you was a girl...we don't got no boys here."


She looked at the room that was identical to every room she'd slept in since they day they'd taken her out of her mother's cold arms and shook her head. "Aint worried 'bout no dress, I just don't wear 'em." Reaching up she took her cap off for a moment and wondered how anyone could think they didn't have a birthday. "Damn sure you have a birthday. You popped in this world didn't ya? If ya don't know the day, well just pick one."


She watched surprised as waist length straight as a board dark brown hair fell around Eden's shoulders making her oddly colored purple colored eyes stand out. How did she get all that hair up under that cap? Listening to Eden mutter about the bars she hastened to add, "don't let Mrs Hanagan hear you swear...that's why Lucy got the Ivory Soap bar for lunch. I like the spring...can I have one in March? That's when Sandy had her birthday..."


Going over to the closet she pulled the door open and pushed the clothes to the right and reached in and pulled out an old battered suitcase. "Everybody gets a special box when the comed here but me. When Leslie left, I think she runned away too, I got her special box."


She flopped on the bed closest to the door and bounced a couple of times totally unsurprised to feel the springs in the mattress.


"She probably got 'dopted." Her voice dropped slightly. "They usually always 'dopt the pretty ones."


"I been here since I was borned. Nope she runned away, when they get 'dopted the special box goes wif them. The babies get 'dopted...the big girls always run away." She put her special box on her bed and opened the lid. Inside were one box crayons that had been worn down to the nubs, a tube of pick-up sticks with only a few left in the tub and a couple of little books with some of the pages missing. Eden glanced in to see that there was also one red ribbon and one pink ribbon, but not much else. "If I was borned then I had a momma and a daddy...but they told me I been here the longest since I ain't got no family."


She listened to the sadness in the voice that had been so perky until now and frowned. Nothing so pretty should ever sound that sad. Standing she moved over to the other bed, one slender grimy arm wrapping around her shoulders. "Well kiddo, ya gots family now, we'll just have to stick together. And when we get outta this place we can be what we want and say what we want. Sound like a deal?"


"K...Sisters...I always wanted a sister...not no baby one either..." Leaning over to Eden she continued, "they cry...a lot." She sniffed. "Oh yeah the bestest thing of all? The ladies come from the church and take us to the movies, we gets popcorn and soda then. Sometimes they give us fifty cents, sort of for being such poor dears. Then we gets to buy things." She reached into the small slit in the lining and pulled out a change purse that looked like it was on its last leg. "I don't spend much...maybe for a ribbon or pins when I get's stuff that the older girls leave. One day I'm gonna wear pretty dresses and fancy shoes. I'm gonna make lots of money...boat loads...but not in no nasty movies like Leslie said. Mr. Hanagan takes pictures of Leslie...I think Sandy too, that's why they runned away.


She held her new friend close and decided then and there that no big hairy man would take pictures of Brooke if she didn't want it.


"Don't you worry none about that. He tries that mess with you....." She lifted a hand to swipe at her nose, "And I'll do to him what I did to Mr. Jackson. I'll brain him with my bat."


"Promise?" Brooke asked looking up with big green eyes.
She lifted her hand and spat then held it out to Brooke with brows waggling. "Promise."


Brooke made a face and then spit in her hand and held it out to Eden...once they shook hands Brooke ran to the bathroom and washed her hand. Living with Eddie was gonna be different...but Brooke liked having a sister for once.



She plopped back on the bed and watched Brooke run to wash the spit off and started to laugh. It was going to be fun to teach her how to throw a ball or climb a tree. Prissy ones needed mussing up on occasion. But somewhere deep inside she knew the challenge was going to be a riot of fun. "Just you wait Brookie. You ain't seen nothing yet.

Salutations

This is a story that Alice Faye and I have been working on for a time. So far it's only been posted at the Jovi Fan Forum, but we've decided to show it too the world.


Welcome to the Live and adventures of Brooke and Eden, two girls making their way through life. One who takes a standard route and another who decides to do things a bit differently and both end up finding the Jovi guys.


This is era specific, (These Days Era to be exact)  history's a bit different considering.


Enjoy.