Welcome!


Thank you for stopping by.

I invite you into my story, into the lives of Michael and Natalie, and their experience with The Boys. This story has been kicking around in my head and my heart for some time. I'd like to think that this particular story, while obviously a figment of my imagination, describes something that could actually happen without hurting any of the players involved.

This story is now complete.

The story starts here. Just keep clicking on "Newer Post" at the bottom of each chapter to progress through the story.

To read any chapter, see the archive at the right. You can click on the ARROWS to get drop-down menus under each month.

Thanks to everyone who shared feedback and thoughts, both on the site, and via e-mail -- you encouraged me to continue the story. You all made this fun.

Faithful Forever,
Hathor
TheGoddessHathor@gmail.com

Epilogue

The doorbell rang. Michael told Natalie with a grin, “Write your note later. Right now, go rinse your face; your guests are arriving.”

Natalie went upstairs to her room to pull herself together. She couldn’t believe it. She knew they were good guys – at least everything she read about them told her that. She also experienced their generosity first-hand. She just couldn’t wrap her head around everything they’d done for her. Her. A virtual stranger. A fan, sure, but a nobody to them. She shook her head, and went into the bathroom to dry her eyes and touch up her makeup. Can’t let my guests think I’m still sick. When she was satisfied with her appearance, she went back to her room to change out of her walking clothes, and into faded jeans, and her softest turtleneck sweater.

From downstairs, she heard the chorus from the a capella version of “her song”. With a puzzled look on her face, she looked down on her dresser. The CD was there, where it always is when it wasn’t in her player. With a puzzled look on her face, she went down the stairs, and headed for the living room.

“Michael, when did you make a copy of my – ” She broke off, staring at the sight before her.

Standing in front of the fireplace, flanked by the two floral arrangements, were Jon, Richie, David, and Tico. They were looking gorgeous in black tie, and each was holding a single red rose. With tears in her eyes, Natalie went to Michael. He led her to the couch, and helped her sit. She couldn’t tear her eyes away.

By the time they finished singing to her, Natalie was crying. Richie, Dave, and Tico each came to Natalie in turn, presented his flower to her, kissed her cheek and said “Welcome home.”

Jon hung back, wanting to go last. He knelt in front of Natalie, took her hand, and put it over his heart. He gently put his own hand over her heart. He said to her, “Natalie, you have touched my heart. It’s only fair that I touch yours. Welcome home.” He kissed her gently, and pulled her into a hug.

Over Jon’s shoulder, Natalie caught Michael’s eye, and mouthed, “Thank you.”

THE END

Chapter Seventeen: Home

The procedure was a success. The doctors were cautiously optimistic about Natalie’s chances for recovery. She had to stay in ICU for a while, with absolutely no non-medical visitors. The flowers didn’t stop coming, however. They just accumulated on a table set up in the hallway outside her door.

Finally, after 6 weeks in the hospital, Natalie was strong enough to go home. Her doctors were now very optimistic about her prognosis, and were encouraged by the test results. She was told to take it easy, but she could slowly resume normal, low-key activities.

Two weeks after returning home, Natalie was walking her neighborhood, seeing signs of summer all around her. Trees and flowers were in full bloom, bees were buzzing around the honeysuckle, and the birds were singing their happy songs. Natalie looked around at the beauty in her world with fresh eyes. She kept her walk short, as she still tired easily. Michael had a small “Welcome Back” celebration planned he said – just a few friends – and she wanted to be sure she had energy for that.

When she got back to her house, she saw Michael was waiting in the driveway. He’d come to take care of everything for the celebration while Natalie rested. He wouldn’t tell her the details, just that he had some friends of hers coming over to welcome her home.

“How’s it going, beautiful? I’m so glad to see you up and out,” he said to her, kissing her cheek.

She returned his greeting with a hug. “I’m fantastic. Still a little tired, but so very grateful to be tired. I still don’t trust that everything will be OK, but I’m trying to believe. Thank you for everything. I’m really looking forward to this afternoon. Who’s coming?”

“It’s a surprise,” Michael said with a wink.

A horn behind them made them jump. A florist’s delivery van had stopped in front of her house, with two guys in the front seat. A twenty-something kid leaned out the window.

“Hey, are you Natalie?” he asked.

“Yes,” she answered.

“Well, we’ve got some flowers for you. Hang on.”

Natalie looked at Michael, who shrugged. The two of them approached the van as two guys got out. The delivery guys went around to the back of the van, opened the door, and pulled out two huge floral arrangements: red roses mixed with pink snapdragons.

Natalie gasped. “Oh, these are beautiful! Who are these from? Is there a card?”

She let the two deliverymen into the house, and directed them to put the arrangements in the living room, on either side of the fireplace hearth. One of them handed her a card, a thick ivory envelope, and Michael walked the pair out.

Natalie’s name was written across the envelope in a bold handwriting she recognized from the note that was with her CD. Her new heart was pounding in her chest. She sunk into one of her overstuffed chairs as she opened the envelope. She pulled out a beautiful “Thank You” card, not unlike the one she sent all those long months ago, and opened it.

Our Very Dear Natalie:

Welcome home, sweetheart! We wish we could be with you, but know our thoughts and love were sent along with these pretty posies.

Thank you for inspiring four rather ordinary men to do an extraordinary thing.

Thank you for being so brave, so genuine, and so, well, you. Let us give you some of our words – they’re yours forever, babe. Whenever we sing them, know we will be thinking of you.

I'll be here for you ‘til Kingdom come … I'll be there for you, these five words I swear to you … A penny for your thoughts now baby.

Faithful Forever,
Jon, Richie, Tico, David


Michael came back into the living room, and stopped cold. “Natalie, what is it? Are you OK?” He rushed to her side. “Do you need me to call the doctor?”

“No, I’m OK. Michael, this card is from the Jovi boys. Look at this. What do they mean, that I inspired them to do something extraordinary? What did I do? What did they do?” She looked into Michael’s eyes, and saw something there. “What did you do?”

Michael told Natalie everything.
... About Michael putting his personal note in the cards she sent.
... About the band arranging for the concert
... About Patti coming to the hospital every day.
... About the source of the flowers that were always in her room.
... About keeping Jon in the loop on what was happening.
... About Jovi Air coming to the rescue when MedFlight wasn’t available.

With tears in her eyes, Natalie looked at Michael, and said, “I think I need to send another card.”

Chapter Sixteen: Miracle

“Yeah,” a gruff, but faintly familiar voice answered.

“This is Michael Tomassini. I was given this number several months ago, with instructions to call if my sister, Natalie, needed anything. Well, she needs help. Who is this?”

“Michael, it’s Jon, man. What can we do?”

Michael was stunned. No way he expected to be dialing Jon’s cell. He expected at best a personal assistant. “Natalie has six hours, no, make that five, to get to Colorado for transplant surgery. We can’t get a flight, private or commercial, in that time. Can you do anything?”

“Give me ten minutes,” and Jon was gone.

Michael turned to Patti. “Did you know that when you gave me that note from Jon, that he included his personal cell number? I just called and talked to him; he’s gonna call me back in ten.”

Patti wasn’t surprised, though she hadn’t known about it until just now. She knew that Jon and the guys were keeping discreet tabs on Natalie’s situation through Patti, but she didn’t realize the extent of their concern or caring. Jon never gave out that number. Never.

Michael’s phone rang.

“Yeah?” he paused, listening intently. “OK. Got it. Thanks man – this is above and beyond.” He paused again. “OK, see you then. Bye.” Michael hung up, looking shell shocked.

He dialed the doctor. “I have transportation to Denver from JFK for Natalie. Let’s get her outta here; I’ll give you details on the way.”

Michael looked at Patti with shock still apparent on his face. “Jon has his plane getting ready for flight to Denver. He has someone else meeting us at Denver International with his own private helicopter to fly us to the hospital. It’s all taken care of – we just have to get there.”

Dr. Stilson and an orderly came into the room to get Natalie ready for transport to the airport. Patti waved Michael off. “You go with your sister. I’ll pack up Natalie’s things, and be right behind you.” She pressed quick kiss onto Michael’s lips. “Go.”

The traffic gods were on their side, and they made it to JFK in record time. The ambulance, with Patti following closely behind, was brought onto the tarmac with a police escort. There, in all its glory was Jovi Air’s flagship plane. The ambulance driver looked over at Michael and whistled. “You sure do know some interesting people.”

“Tell me about it,” Michael answered with a wry grin.

The EMTs got Natalie settled as best they could on the plane. Michael, Patti, and Dr. Stilson got themselves strapped in. As the plane’s door closed, the cockpit door opened, and Jon came out. “Tico is flying us today, our regular pilot is out of town. Don’t worry, T’s an ace pilot.” He strapped himself in next to Michael.

Michael reached out to shake Jon’s hand. “I can’t tell you how much this means to our family; to me. We are forever in your debt. I can’t imagine what it would be, but if there’s anything I can do for any of you, ever, all you have to do is ask.”

The plane barreled down the runway, and glided off into the night.

Chapter Fifteen

Natalie had been in the coma for two weeks now. Her condition had stabilized somewhat, but the doctors wanted to keep her out. “Reduces stress on her system,” they claimed.

Every day, Michael only left Natalie’s side to go home and shower, and he only did that when Patti came by to relieve him. He promised Natalie wouldn’t be alone, and damned if he wasn’t going to keep that promise. Patti came every day, always with a clutch of four roses, which she arranged around the room. As soon as one of the blooms began to fade, it disappeared. There was no place for death in this room.

One afternoon, while Michael was gone, Patti was reading the next chapter of a romance novel to Natalie. The doctors said she could probably still hear what was going on around her, and they encouraged Natalie’s visitors to talk to her, not just about or around her. Michael did the serious talking, about his work, or news, and Patti provided the fun. She sighed. This was so hard on Michael. She hated to see him so sad.

Closing the book she was reading, Patti leaned in close to Natalie. “You know, I am in love with your brother. I don’t think he realizes it yet. I’m not sure I want to tell him now, with everything else that’s going on. I want you to know because I want you to think about how I should tell him. You need to get stronger so the doctors can wake you up. Be strong,” kissed Natalie’s cheek, “my sister.”

When Michael returned, Patti went to the cafeteria to get them something to eat. They had gotten into the habit of eating in Natalie’s room while they talked about their respective days. While they were eating, they heard a buzzing sound coming from Michael’s jacket.

“What the hell,” Michael started to say, then realized what the sound was. “Oh my God!” In his haste to get to his jacket, he upended the tray of food he was working through. He pawed through his jacket until he pulled out a pager. Natalie’s transplant pager. With shaking legs, he ran to the elevator bank, where he could safely use his cell phone.

“Yes, hello?” he all but shouted into the phone when the person on the other side answered. “This is Michael Tomassini; you paged my sister, Natalie.”

“Michael, this is Dr. Stilson. We think we have a match for your sister. The blood types are the same, and the tissue match looks good. We’re working out the details now, but your sister has to get to Colorado right away.”

Michael was stunned. He was afraid to hope for this kind of news. He ran back toward Natalie’s room, heedless of the strict no cell phone policy. He burst into the room. “Natalie, Patti, they found a donor! We have to get to Colorado, now. I have the doctor on the – the doctor! Shit!” He turned his attention back to the phone. “Sorry, doc, what were you saying? You still there?”

Michael listened to the doctor for a few minutes, and his expression fell. “OK, I’ll make some calls on my end, you work it from your end.” He hung up, and turned to Patti.

“The donor organs are ready and waiting for Natalie in Colorado. The MedFlight helicopters are all engaged right now. The only choice we have is private transport or a commercial flight. You work the airlines, and I’ll call around to the private airstrips. We have just about 6 hours to get Natalie to Colorado, including the 3 hours it takes to fly there.”

Making several phone calls, the pair were getting frustrated. They couldn’t get any flights, even with compassion considerations, in anything less than 3 hours. “Dammit!” Michael shouted after the last call he made. “What are we going to do?”

Then, he remembered the note he got the night of the concert. There was a phone number to call in case of an emergency. Well, if this isn’t an emergency, I don’t know what is, he thought. Flipping through his phone contact list, he paused on the entry called “Miracle” he had entered months ago.

Looking at Patti, he said, “I sure hope your boss can work a miracle.” Then he pressed ‘send’.

Chapter Fourteen

The hospital was a zoo. Natalie was in a lot of pain, and scared out of her mind. I don’t want to die alone! Michael, hurry! After the doctors got through poking and prodding her, and administered a morphine drip, she felt marginally better, but was still terrified. She heard a familiar voice in the hallway – it was Julie.

“How’re you feeling, sweetie,” she asked, as she came into the room.

“I’ve felt better,” Natalie replied.

Julie chuckled. “Still a wise-ass, I see. I called Michael a few minutes ago. He had stopped off at your place to pick up a few things, and should be here any minute.”

“I’m here!” he shouted from the doorway.

Natalie’s eyes teared up. “Thank God. I was afraid I was dying, and I was all alone and -- ” she choked off a sob as the monitors went crazy.

“You’re not alone, and you’re not dying. Not today. Not if I have anything to say about it. Just take a deep breath, and try to calm down. I’m here, and I’m not leaving until you do.” He pulled up a stool to Natalie’s bed as Dr. Stilson entered the room.

‘You must be good and scared,” he said to Natalie. “You’ve had another mild heart attack. I’m afraid the damage done this time, well, we’ll need to admit you. You’re stable now, and we’ve upped you meds, but you need a monitored bed.” He put his hand on Natalie’s. “I’m sorry. I know being at home meant a lot to you, but we have to do what’s best for you right now. I’ll have Julie see about your room.”

“I know, I’m sorry too,” Natalie replied.

Michael saw Patti standing in the hall. Natalie followed Michael’s gaze, and waved the other woman in. She had a clutch of four roses in her hands.

“Natalie, I came as soon as I could – how are you doing?” Patti leaned in to kiss Natalie’s cheek. The two women had become friends in the months she and Michael had been dating.

“Oh, you know, same old, same old – I’m dying. How about you?”

Patti gasped, and swatted at Natalie. “I’m fine, you twit. Don’t even joke about that, or you won’t get your flowers. They’re from the guys.”

An orderly came to take Natalie to her room upstairs. For the time being, she had a private room. When she was settled, Michael opened the bag he’d brought from Natalie’s house and took out her portable CD player with the “Thank You” CD among others and the picture of the four guys surrounding her on the stage.

“I thought you’d want some things from your house. I guessed on what to bring. I grabbed your music, your comfiest robe, and this,” he indicated the photo, “for inspiration. Don’t give up without a fight.”

Natalie just sighed. “I’m just so tired. Michael, give my music; I need to relax.” She put on “Thank You”, and closed her eyes. In a matter of minutes, she was asleep.

Michael pulled Patti into a hug. “Thank you for coming. I don’t know how I’d get through this, this waiting without you.”

“I’ll be here as long as you need me, Michael,” Patti replied.

Several hours later, Natalie awoke to find Michael and Patti snoozing on chairs next to her bed. She moaned a little, making Michael jump. “Natalie, thank God you’re awake. You’ve been out for hours. How’s the pain?”

Natalie took silent inventory. “Not too bad anymore. Oh, Michael, I’m not going home again, am I?” She started to cry softly.

Michael started to cry, too. “No, Natalie, sweetie, probably not. God, I’m so sorry.” Patti had slipped out of the room to give them a little privacy, and to find some coffee.

When she got back to the room, she saw Michael pacing the hallway. “Michael, what’s going on? What’s wrong?” she asked, handing Michael a cup of coffee.

“The docs are checking her out, and asked me to step out of the room. I don’t like leaving her in there by herself.”

“She’s strong,” Patti said, “she’ll be all right.”

Michael’s face darkened. “How the hell can you stand there and tell me that she’s going to be all right? My baby sister is in there and will probably never come out. You have -- ” by now he was crying in earnest “ – no right to tell me she’s going to be all right. She’ll never be all right again!”

Patti knew this was grief talking, but still was hurt at his words. After she processed the hurt, she vented her mad. “Don’t you dare yell at me, Michael. And, don’t you dare let her hear you giving up on her! She needs all the strength you can give her. Of course I know she won’t be all right – not without some miracle. But, don’t you let her think for one minute that you believe she won’t walk out of that room.” She smacked his chest with her fist. “Don’t you dare!”

Michael drooped. “Dammit, Patti, I’m sorry. It’s not your fault, and you’re right. I need to be positive, to be strong for Nat.” He pulled Patti into an embrace. “Thank you for setting me straight. You balance me. Thanks for being here.”

The doctor emerged from Natalie’s room. “Before you go back in there,” he said, “we need to talk. Natalie’s condition isn’t improving, although the rest seemed to do her good. I’m seeing higher levels of stress than I’d like. I want to put her under – into a coma if you will – to try to get her body to heal itself, to try to give her a little more time.”

“What? No. No way,” Michael replied.

“You don’t really have a say – Natalie has already signed the consent forms. If you think about it, you’ll see it’s best for her. Go talk to her. We aren’t doing anything just yet.

She looks so small, so fragile, Michael thought, when he entered the room. “Hey, babe,” he said, forcing a smile. “The doc tells me that you’re looking to take a nap for a while. What’s up?”

Natalie smiled a sad smile. “Come here,” she said, holding out her hand. With her other hand, she gently stroked the side of Michael’s face. “You know that you’ve been my rock, my protector. I couldn’t have asked for a better champion, a better brother, or a better friend. I love you so much, but, God, I’m just so tired. The doctor,” she swallowed the sob that was threatening. “The doctor seems to think that this coma thing may help. Michael, they want to make me sleep. What if I never wake up? I’m so afraid.” Unable to hold back tears any longer, harsh sobs racked her body. Michael sat up on the bed next to her, and just held her, until the crying subsided.

“I’ve never met anyone as brave as you. I couldn’t have asked for a better source of inspiration, a better sister, or a better friend. I love you, too. If you need to sleep, then sleep. I’ll be right here by your side, waiting for you to wake up. You don’t need to be afraid; I’ll be here for you.”

“Michael, I’m just so damned tired. Promise me you won’t leave me until I fall asleep? Promise you’ll make them let me listen to my music? Promise…” she was fading, and the doctors were hovering.

“I promise. Everything you want, I’ll do. I’ll be here when you wake up.” He kissed her tenderly, then nodded at the doctors in the doorway. “Rest now angel, and leave the rest to me.”

“I love you, Michael,” Natalie said with a sigh.

“Back atcha babe. I love you too.”

Chapter Thirteen

Natalie was half-watching one of those entertainment tabloid shows one afternoon, when she heard ‘her’ song playing. She turned her full attention to the screen, tuning into the host’s words.

...sources close to the band say the inspiration for this surprise hit was a thank you note they received, quote, from a rather extraordinary young woman, end quote. The young woman in question is this woman, who the band refuses to identify.

Natalie did a double-take as, on screen, she saw the shot of her taken at the concert, with all four guys sitting around her – the same shot that is now over her fireplace. Her phone rang. It was Michael, calling from the office.

“Are you watching Fox?” he asked.

“Yes, and I’m trying to listen. Shush.”

On the TV, the talking head continued.

...she joined Bon Jovi on stage two months ago when they revealed the song for the first time. Her identity, and relationship to the band, is the source of much speculation and debate. One thing nearly every woman can agree on, however, is that they wish they’d been in her spot that night. Reporting from New York...

Natalie flipped off the TV. “Holy Hell, Michael, what is going on?” she asked. “I haven’t listened to the radio for some time – is this song really all over the air?”

Michael laughed. “Come out from under your rock, babe. It’s all over the place. Patti told me that someone leaked the song on the ‘Net, and they’ve been getting calls from radio stations all across the country asking for permission to air it. Apparently, they got the OK, because you can’t go an hour without hearing it on one of the stations.”

Patti had told Michael all about it last week over dinner. She told Michael that the guys asked after Natalie, and wanted Patti to remind him that the offer still stood – to call the number he was given if he or Natalie needed anything.

Michael continued, “Patti told me the guys are putting the music-accompanied version on their next album. I’ll bet that one gets even more airtime. How was your day?”

“Good. Restful. I’m just so damned tired all the time. Julie has just been a godsend.” In the month that Julie had been her private nurse, the two women had become friends. They were the same age, and had many of the same interests, including Bon Jovi. Just wait until she hears this latest bit of gossip, Natalie thought.

“Do you still think you can stay at home? Or should we make arrangements at the hospital?” Michael asked.

“So far, I’m OK. Although, to be honest, when Julie’s not here, I don’t do much of anything. I just sit in bed, and …” she trailed off. Her heart felt like it was in a vice.

“And what?” Michael asked. There was no answer. “Nat? You there? Say something, this isn’t funny.” He was sounding panicked.

“Call for help,” Natalie rasped. “Can’t catch my breath.”

Michael was already on the run. “I’ve got Margaret calling 9-1-1 right now.” He motioned for his assistant to hurry. “I’m on the way, and will call the doctor and will meet you. Jesus, hang on, Natalie.” By this time, Michael had bolted down the five flights of stairs, and burst out of the front doors. He tore down the block, racing to get to the garage where his car was parked. He made his phone calls on the fly, wanting to be able to concentrate on driving once he got to his car. His last call was to Patti.

“It’s me. Nat’s in trouble. I’m on the way to the hospital.”

“Say no more,” Patti replied, “I’ll meet you there. Be careful.” She hung up the phone, and called up to Joanne. “It’s Michael’s sister; she’s being taken to the hospital. I need to be with him right now. I’m sorry; I’ve gotta go.”

“Go, for God’s sake. Don’t worry about it. Give Michael a hug from me, and let him know we’re all praying for his sister.”

‘Will do.” Patti was crying as she left the building.

Chapter Twelve

Over the course of the next month, Michael and Patti saw quite a lot of each other. They were almost always together, when they weren’t working. During the same time, it became harder for Natalie to breathe, and her heart was pounding or fluttering all time. She felt fatigued and had some fleeting pains. She was hoping it was just because she was tired, but she knew better. Damn, I thought I had more time.

Picking up the phone to call her doctor, her gaze traveled to the photos from the concert last month that she had framed and mounted over the fireplace. It’s hard to believe that was just a month ago. When she told the doctor about her symptoms, he told her to chew on an aspirin, and to get to the hospital as soon as she could – he’d meet her there for more tests. With tears in her eyes, she called Michael’s cell.

Sitting in the doctor’s office, Natalie and Michael listened in shock at the test results. Her heart simply couldn’t keep up and her lungs were starting to really suffer. Michael was furious with the doctor.

“You told us she had eight months at least! Now you’re telling us it’s less than that? How much less? No way this is happening now.”

Natalie put her hand on his arm. “Michael –”

Michael shrugged her off, “No, Natalie, this is bullshit.” He turned back to the doctor. “Why didn’t any of this show on the countless other tests that Nat’s been through? Why the sudden decline?”

The doctor looked sympathetically at the pair. “I wish I had more answers, or better words for you. I’m truly sorry. We just can’t really predict these things, no matter how hard we try. We have moved you up on the transplant list. Do you still have your pager?” Natalie nodded, patting her handbag. “Good,” the doctor continued, “keep it with you at all times. If it goes off, there’s only a few hours to get you where you need to go. MedFlight does the best they can, but you have to be ready to go at a moment’s notice.”

He paused, looking into Natalie’s eyes, his expression softening. “You need to decide what you want to do now. You can stay in the hospital for a while, or you can go home while you can. Frankly, there isn’t anything we could do for you here that a nurse couldn’t do for you at home. You’ll be here soon enough, when things get worse.”

Natalie and Michael replied at the same time.

“Home,” Natalie replied emphatically.

“Stay here,” Michael cried.

“Michael, I want to be home. You heard the doctor, all we are doing is waiting. I want to do that in my own house. I want to sleep in my own bed, sit on my own deck, be around my own things. Please, it’s my decision – don’t fight me on this.”

Michael turned to his sister with tears in his eyes. “I’m not ready to let you go,” he said.

“I know sweetie, me neither. But, I’m not gone yet.” The doctor was discretely looking away.

After a couple of minutes, the doctor cleared his throat. “As long as you’re comfortable, still able to take care of yourself, and promise to take it easy, I can arrange for a nurse to come and check on you. I’ll give you the name of a couple of nurses here who moonlight doing private duty. I’m sorry there isn’t more we can do. We just need to pray that your pager goes off.”

“Doctor, I’m not going to pray for someone else to die so that I can live,” Natalie said, frowning.

“I can, and I will. You mean more to me than some stranger,” Michael replied.

Natalie shook her head. “Thank you for everything doctor.”

Natalie and Michael gathered their things, and left.

Chapter Eleven

Some time later, Natalie admitted to Michael that she was feeling fatigued. “I hate to say this, but I think I need to go home. I’m feeling pretty tired. She looked around for the guys, and caught Jon’s eye. They came over, and Natalie said her goodbyes. “You’ll never know how much tonight meant to me. I’ll never forget this, not as long as I – well, never. When I close my eyes at night, it will be your beautiful song that plays in my head. Thank you.”

She exchanged hugs with the foursome, then Patti walked them out. Michael handed his sister into the car, then turned to Patti. “I echo Nat’s words. I’ll never forget this, what you’ve done for Natalie. Thank you.” He leaned in to kiss her lips gently, but when Patti made a strangled noise in the back of her throat, Michael deepened the kiss. Natalie, seeing the exchange, smiled to herself.

She noticed a large envelope on the seat across from her. Her name was scrawled across it in bold letters. Opening the envelope, she pulled out a series of large photographs from tonight. There was a shot of Jon leading Natalie to the stage, one of each of the four kissing her – these were autographed – and one of the four sitting around her as they sang. Fresh tears sprung to her eyes. Their thoughtfulness was just astounding.

Michael reluctantly broke the kiss. Patti looked into his eyes. “If you say you’re sorry, I’ll have Stan here,” she nodded at the driver, who was built like a linebacker, “kick your ass.” She softened her words with a wink and a peck on the cheek. She slipped her card into his hand. Call me sometime, and we can see if this – whatever it is – is something. Oh, and don’t forget about the envelope in your pocket. Good night, Michael.”

“Good night, and I’m not sorry,” Michael replied, getting into the car.

Natalie looked at the stunned look on her brother’s face, and laughed. “Everything go all right out there?” she teased.

“Yeah, brat, everything’s fine. How are you doing?”

“I’m OK, just tired. You should call her. She seems very nice, and, um, interested in you.” Michael shot her a look. Undaunted, Natalie continued. “Michael, look at what was waiting for me on the seat in here. Can you believe it? Those guys, they are genuinely nice guys.”

“Yeah, they are,” Michael readily agreed, looking through the photographs.. “I have something else for you; something Patti gave to me earlier tonight.” He took the envelope out of his pocket and opened it. “Before you give me a hard time, Patti told me that Jon specifically said you weren’t to get this until we were on the way home.” He handed her a CD that was gaily wrapped, and kept a smaller envelope that had his name written across it.

Opening the CD, Natalie gasped. On the cover was a picture of the four men posing around the card she sent. The titles on the CD read “Thank You (Natalie’s Song)”. She removed the insert from the case, and unfolded it to see a note written in the same bold script that was written on the picture envelope.

Dear Natalie:

It was our great pleasure to meet you. We hope this CD brings you joy in the days and weeks ahead.

Sincerely,
Jon, Richie, Tico, and David


Natalie asked the driver to put the CD into the player. From the car’s speakers, she heard the a capella version of the her song. She sighed happily. Now, she didn’t have to just remember it in her head; she could hear it whenever she wanted to. Following that version of the song was Jon with a message.

“That version is just for you. This is the version we are going to put on the next album. We hope you like it.”

Richie’s guitar played a haunting melody. David’s piano joined in, sounding mournful. Tico’s soft beat was like a heartbeat; slow and steady. By the time they started singing, she was lost. If it were possible, this version was more beautiful than the first. At the end of the song, each band member had a spoken message for Natalie.

“Sweetheart, we hope you had fun tonight. I’m sure we will. It’s trite, I know, but I truly pray for a miracle for you. Your story is very touching, and your kind words and thoughts have spoken to something inside each of us. Good luck, baby. Love Richie.”

“Querida, it was a pleasure to meet you tonight. Know that your story, your life, has touched ours. We meant every word we said in that song. Thank you for loving us, and know that we love you right back. Love, Tico.”

“Natalie, our thoughts and prayers are with you. We know we’ll have had a wonderful time with you tonight, so thank you in advance for the kiss . Good luck, darlin’. Love, Dave.”

“Baby, we hope you enjoyed the song – I know we enjoyed writing it for you. We will think of you whenever we play it. We sincerely hope that we have brought some measure of pleasure and comfort to your life. Good luck, sweetheart. We’ll be praying for you. Love always, Jon.”


While Natalie sat there, silent tears spilling from her eyes as the CD cycled through again, Michael opened and read his own note.

Michael:

We are happy to have been able to brighten your sister’s day. Her story, and her presence, has touched us all. Please, if there’s anything we can do to help, just call the number below. We will do what we can.

Sincerely,
Jon, Richie, Tico, and David


Michael pulled out his phone and programmed in Patti’s numbers, and the number listed on the note. This last one, he filed under “Miracle”.

Chapter Ten

When the boys finally left the stage, Natalie collapsed into her chair, her smile a mile wide, and tears streaming down her face. Michael sat beside her and took her hand. As people filed past, she got a lot of looks – mostly envious. Some people stopped to wish her luck, and a few women even gave her hugs. Soon though, the crowd began to thin. Natalie saw Patti and Joanne approaching.

Natalie gave both women hugs. “Thank you so much for everything. This was a night I’ll never forget. You here to take us back to the car? I don’t think we could find the way back ourselves.”

Joanne smiled. “It was our pleasure. No, it’s not time to go for you yet, unless you’re too tired. If you feel up to it, the boys would like you to come backstage and hang out with them for a while.”

Natalie jumped up. “I’m not dead yet, so of course I’m up for it! Lead the way. C’mon, Michael, get the lead out.” She pulled on his hand, dragging him up out of his seat.

Joanne led Natalie, while Patti kept pace with Michael, a little behind the two women. “Patti, I can’t thank you enough for what you and Joanne and the guys did for Natalie,” Michael said. He bent down to kiss her cheek. “I haven’t seen Natalie this happy in a long, long time.”

Patti, stunned by the kiss, and the strange thrill it gave her, answered, “It truly was our pleasure, as Joanne said. I’m sure Jon and the others will tell you the same thing when we get backstage.”

“Backstage” turned out to be a big room with four doors off the back of it. Each door had one of the guys’ names on it. Natalie took everything in. She was in the backstage dressing area for Bon Jovi! She had to pinch herself. There were some people milling around, setting up food stations, and a bar area. A few others were sitting around on the couches that were spread throughout the room. Patti and Joanne led them to an empty sofa. “Have a seat; someone will be by to take your drink order soon, and the guys will be out once they get cleaned up.”

As if her words conjured them, the doors at the back of the room opened, and the freshly showered band entered the room to a smattering of applause. They made big, foppy bows, and blew kisses to everyone. “Thank you, thank you, you’re terribly kind,” Jon said, with a horrible fake British accent. He then switched to his real voice. “This was a great night. Thanks for all your help. Eat and drink up.” He scanned the room, finding Natalie and Michael sitting on a sofa in the far corner of the room. “Excuse me,” he said, and strode across the room, with the others trailing in his wake.

Natalie and Michael stood as the group approached. Natalie looked at her brother, mouthing “Oh my God!”. Her brother just smiled.

The four men shook Michael’s hand, and kissed Natalie on the cheek affectionately. Tico asked Natalie how she enjoyed the show. She gushed about it being the single best night of her life. “Really, ‘thank you’ just doesn’t say enough. You guys,” Natalie said, tearing up again, “made me so happy; words can’t even express.” Reaching for Tico, who was closest, she gave him a long, bracing hug. “Thank you so much,” she whispered in his ear, then kissed his cheek. She did the same with the others. By the time she was done, she wasn’t the only one with unshed tears in her eyes.

Jon cleared his throat. “OK. Enough of that. This is a celebration,” he said. Then, he raised his voice. “Where the hell is the beer?”

There was laughter around the room, and the melancholy spell that Natalie was under had broken. Someone brought over a tray loaded with beer. Everyone took one, and David made a toast. “To life, love, and the pursuit of happiness.” He winked at Natalie. “And, to hot women, too.” Natalie laughed, and clinked bottles with him, and settled in to have some fun.

Jon brought her around to meet some of the others in the room. She met the wives who were able to make it, many of the assistants and other musicians, and friends of the band. Everyone had kind words to say to her. Natalie felt a little overwhelmed, but was taking everything in stride. She looked over her shoulder for her brother, and saw him deep in conversation with Patti.

“What’s her story?” she asked Jon.

“Let’s see. She’s 32, single, and currently unattached. A hell of a nice girl. What about your brother?”

“He’s 37, single, but married to his job, and also currently unattached. Looks like they’re working on changing that. I’m glad,” she sighed. “Michael has been spending far too much time and energy taking care of me. He needs to enjoy himself more.”

“Is it only the two of you?” Jon asked.

“Yes. Our parents died two years ago,” Natalie replied.

“I’m sorry.”

“Thanks. Dad went in August, and Mom didn’t want to be without him, and died of a broken heart two weeks later. The doctors said it was a heart attack, but I know she had a broken heart. Dad was the love of her life. On the one hand, I’m glad they’re gone, so they don’t have to worry about me. But, damn, I could use my Mom right about now.” She shook her head. “Please, just shut me up. I don’t know why I’m telling you all this. I guess it’s just been an emotional night. Sorry.”

“It’s fine, babe,” he said, putting his arm around her shoulders and squeezing gently. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s go join the others, and toast your folks.”

Jon brought her back to the others, and they drank to family and friends.

Chapter Nine: The Song

After the last encore, the band once more gathered around Jon at center stage. Jon addressed the crowd. “We have one more song for you tonight before we go.” The crowd moaned. “I know, I know,” Jon said, “we don’t want to go, either, but we only have this place booked for a little while longer. We’ll come back, don’t worry.”

The four men descended the stairs, and stood in front of Natalie. Jon took her hand and said, “Natalie, baby, this last song is for you. It’s something we just finished last week. Nobody but us has heard it yet. Come sit with us.” He led her to the stairs leading back onto the stage, and sat her down on the top step. Jon and Richie sat on either side next to her; Tico and David at her feet. “We’re doing this one a capella. Here we go.”

With that, the four started harmonizing, 50’s style, while Natalie’s face lit up. She couldn’t believe it! They wrote a song for her. She was being serenaded by her favorite band.

Richie took her left hand while he sang the first verse with his sensual voice.

Baby I read the words you wrote, I read your heartfelt thoughts
Your gift was better than anything you could have sent store-bought
You said you felt you knew me
That you would be faithful to me
Well, thank you, baby, thank you; Hell that’s saying quite a lot.


Tico put his hand on her left knee, and sang the next verse in his sexy baritone.

You say you feel a longing, to inspire passion in a song
Well, babe, I’d say you’ve done it, or do I have it wrong?
If you listen closely to me,
You’ll know you spoke right to me.
You moved me, babe, and thank you; it hasn’t happened for so long.


The four sang the chorus together, making Natalie’s eyes tear up.

Thank you for sharing with me, your joys and all your pain.
Thank you for letting me try to shield you from the rain.
Thank you for sharing your laughter, for letting me dry your tears.
Thank you for being there, loving me, all these long, long years.
Baby, thank you.


David placed his hand on her right knee, commanding her attention, while he sang to her, gently.

Darlin’, when I read between the lines, it’s plain for me to see
You’re the kind of woman a man should love, worship, want, and need
Well, every single day now,
For you, I’m gonna pray now.
Thank you darlin’, thank you; you’ve shown me I should still believe.


Finally, Jon took her right hand, and sang with such sincerity, with such passion and sorrow, that the tears that had been held at bay finally fell from Natalie’s eyes.

The world will suffer, baby, when it finally loses you.
Listen to the words I’ve sung, and you’ll know what you should do.
I need for you to fight,
Pray to God to make it right.
Thank you for sharing your life with me. Baby, I love you, too.


After the final chorus, the crowd went crazy. They loved this new song. Jon leaned in to whisper in her ear, “You inspired us, sweetheart, you really did. Thank you,” and he kissed her. Jon turned to the crowd. “What did you think? Should that go on the next album?” The crowd roared. “Well, we may just have to do that. That song was inspired by this beautiful, brave, young woman. Darlin’ we wish you all the best. We’ll be praying for you.”

They all stood, and drew Natalie into another hug before handing her down the stairs to her brother. The foursome went back on stage, made their final bows, and the show was over.

Chapter Eight

Natalie looked at Michael, stood up to take Jon’s hand, and followed him up onto the stage. Tico and David each gave Natalie a big hug. Richie was next, picking her up and swinging her around, making her laugh, before letting her go.

Jon took Natalie’s hands and stared into her eyes, as if he were searching for something. A hush fell over the crowd as they watched him mesmerize this pretty young woman. Finally, he leaned in and gently touched his lips to hers. When he straightened, Natalie unconsciously licked her lips. Smiling that smile that turns otherwise sane women into blathering idiots, he drawled, “Darlin’, you sure are kissable.”

The rest of the band came running back over, making the audience laugh, and Natalie giggle nervously. A quick round of pecks from the others, and Jon shooed them away. “Get outta here, you vultures,” he said with a smile. “Now, darlin’, we’d like to do a song for you – whatever you’d like. Got any favorites?”

Natalie blushed, as Jon turned his mic to her. “Only everything that’s ever come out of your mouth,” she replied, breathlessly.

Jon smiled at her. From behind him, Richie complained, “I sing too, you know.”

Natalie laughed harder. She looked over at him, and his fake pout. “Richie,” she said, and thought for a minute. “I mean ‘Mr. Bluesman’, You’re Not Alone,” she said, naming two of his solo tracks. “I know that you sing, too, and quite beautifully.”

Richie tipped his hat to her, and blew her a kiss. “Thanks for stoking my ego there, babe.”

“Hey, what about me?” David piped up from behind the keys.

Natalie looked at Jon, chagrined.

Jon just laughed. “Don’t look at me, babe. You got yourself into this mess, you get yourself out of it.” He winked at the audience, swung an arm companionably around Natalie's shoulders – Yikes! – and turned her toward where David was standing.

“OK, David,” she said, thoughtfully. “I Can Love everyone’s music, can’t I? I will say, though, your version of Tumblin’ Dice was fantastic.”

“Thanks, darlin’,” he beamed.

Jon rolled his eyes. “Darlin’, you might as well do Tico too, before he starts crying back there.”

Tico grouched, “I don’t have my own albums.”

“No, you don’t,” Natalie agreed, “but when you sang Patsy Cline? Man, I went weak. You voice is amazing – so deep and sexy. Besides, your other work, your art, is truly inspiring. I just loved “First Love”. It was beautiful.”

“Thank you, sweetheart,” Tico answered with a smile.

“Now, if you don’t mind,” Jon commandeered Natalie’s attention again, “we were talking about me.” He turned around to shoot dirty looks at his friends, who just laughed at him. He looked back at Natalie, and winked. “If you’re done flirting with my band, then maybe you can answer my question? Hmmm?” He smiled at Natalie. Good Lord, what a smile. A girl could get lost in that smile. “Tell me, what do you want to hear?”

“Well, you’ve already played my all-time favorite song. But there is another that speaks to me – It’s My Life. Could you do that one for me?”

“Absolutely. Say no more, darlin’. Mickey, bring a stool out here for the lady. Boys, let’s rock.”

And boy, did they.

Chapter Seven

“OH MY GOD!” Natalie nearly screeched. “You got us front row! How did you do that?”

“I told you,” Michael replied, “the tickets were a gift.”

“Oh, yeah, sure. Whatever. This is the best night ever. Thank you.” She gave Michael a hug. Natalie wasn’t fooled. Michael must have pulled quite a few strings to get these seats. The depth of his love and generosity was endless. She wiped a stray tear. She loved her brother so much.

The house lights started to dim, and a cheer went up from the audience. The lights on the stage started flashing faster and faster, as Richie played a soulful guitar riff. The crowd cheered louder. Then, Tico’s drums started. The cheering raised to a roar. David’s keys joined the mix, and the crowd was barely controlling themselves. The opening bars of “Something for the Pain” emerged from the instrumental genius that was happening on the stage. Natalie grabbed Michael’s hand. This was her favorite song. Ever. When Jon took the stage, the crowd went ballistic. He looks glorious, Natalie thought, taking in his tight black pants and a slate gray shirt, fitting like a second skin, unbuttoned nearly halfway down his chest. Natalie fanned her face. Oh my God, he’s close enough to touch, and looks good enough to eat.

During the first few songs, the band was on fire, playing to the audience, whipping everyone into a frenzy. Natalie wished the night would never end. She was singing and dancing her heart out. Michael was enjoying himself, too. These guys are good, he thought to himself, and they’re very good for Natalie.

A few songs later, Jon took center stage, flanked by Richie, Tico, and David. Something was up. Jon addressed the audience.

“Folks, we want to thank you all for coming out tonight – we sure do appreciate it.” The crowd cheered. Jon chuckled. “Thanks, really. We’re going to ask you to bear with us for a few minutes. You see, we got something in the mail we want to share with you.” He locked eyes with Natalie’s for a mement, before continuing.

“You know we must get, what, guys, like a zillion pieces of mail every year,” Jon said, looking at his friends, who were nodding. “But last month, we got something that just spoke to us. It was a thank you note. Now, I know you all just want us to sing some more, and we will, but you’re gonna have to listen to my plain old speaking voice for a few more minutes.” Some women in the audience screamed. On stage, the guys just laughed. Jon continued. “We just want to share this with you well, because, it touched us, and we want to touch you.” More screams from the women in the crowd. “Patti, darlin’, bring that card on out here.”

Natalie, stunned, turned to Michael. “What the hell?” Michael just squeezed her hand, and nodded back to the stage.

A spotlight tracked Patti’s progress from the wings to Jon. She handed him a card, and winked to Natalie and Michael. Michael looked at his sister. She was riveted to what was happening on stage. The shocked look on her face made him laugh. He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Relax, sis. Enjoy the attention.” Natalie paled, and reached behind her for her chair. Michael helped her to it, and sat beside her, holding her hand. Natalie’s grip tightened painfully. With a grimace, Michael pleaded, “You’re breaking my hand!” Natalie relented, but didn’t look away from the stage.

As Jon read her words, the others on stage were all looking at her, smiling. Tears fell from her eyes as she heard her thoughts, her words, come from Jon’s mouth. He read them with all the passion and feeling that she had put into writing them.

When he finished, the arena was silent. Then, from the stage, The Boys started clapping. Soon, the whole place was applauding. Looking around her, Natalie saw a few people surreptitiously wiping tears from their eyes.

Jon came down the stairs at the front of the stage to stand in front of Natalie. “Darlin’,” he said, “come with me, there are some folks up there who want to say hello.” He extended a hand for her to take.

Chapter Six

Natalie was very excited, and a little bit nervous, when Michael had told her about the concert. The hired car, the mystery seats, the personal escort, all of it – she was beside herself. Oh what a good time she was going to have! She dressed for the occasion in a very short red dress, and very high gold heels. She felt like a million bucks, except for a strange little flutter in her chest, which she shrugged off as excitement nerves.

Natalie was pacing, waiting for Michael and the car. When the doorbell rang, she all but flew to the door to answer. When she flung the door open, Michael jumped back in surprise, and laughed. “Anxious, are we?” he teased. Michael looked his sister up and down as he came into the house, and let out a low whistle. “Man, you clean up good, sis,” he said. “Are you sure you’ll be OK in those shoes all night?”

“I’ll be fine,” she answered, a bit testily. “If I get tired, I’ll sit. Dammit, Michael, do not ruin this for me. I’m not going to let this, this condition keep me from having a good time tonight. Don’t mother me, Michael.”

“Sorry, sorry; you know I nag you because I love you,” Michael said, chagrined.

Natalie’s expression softened. “I know you do, sweetie. I love you too.” She gave Michael a big hug. “C’mon, let’s go – I don’t want to miss a thing.”

The two went outside, and Natalie squealed with delight when she saw the car. It must have been half a block long, and jet black.

“Michael, what a car! I can’t believe we’re going in such style!” Natalie gushed.

Michael’s heart squeezed. He hadn’t seen his sister so happy, so alive, since the diagnosis. Just one more thing to thank The Boys for, he thought.

“Milady, your carriage awaits,” Michael announced with a sweeping bow.

When they were settled into the luxurious car, Natalie asked where their seats were. Michael grinned. “I actually have no idea. The tickets are from, uh, a client. He knows you’re a fan, and wanted to do something nice for you. We’ll find out when we get there, I guess.”

“It doesn’t even matter. What’s important is that I get to be there. Oh, I’m so excited! Can’t we go any faster,” she asked. The driver, hearing that, punched the gas, making Natalie squeak in surprise, before laughing out loud.

When they got to the arena, the driver slowed at the gate, showed a pass of some sort, and was directed to a barricaded road. The barricade was lifted, and the car allowed to pass. “Where are we going,” asked Natalie. Michael shrugged. This was as much of an adventure for him as it was for her. The driver answered that he had specific instructions on where to deliver them. Natalie shrugged and thought to herself, I don’t care; I’m here!

The driver pulled up to what looked like a service entrance. He got out of the car as two women, one tall and blond, one short and brunette, both dressed in black, approached the car. The driver opened the back door so Michael and Natalie could get out.

“Michael, Natalie, I’m Patti,” the shorter one said, “and this is Joanne.” The four exchanged handshakes. Michael and Patti exchanged sly smiles. Natalie still had no idea why she was there or what the band had planned for her later in the show. Patti continued, “We’ve been tasked to take care of you this evening. Was the ride in okay? Any issues?”

Both Natalie and Michael shook their heads.

“No? Good. Let’s get you folks to your seats.”

As Joanne led a chatty Natalie toward their seats, Michael fell into step with Patti, a few paces behind. She slipped an envelope into Michael’s hands. “Jon asked that I give this to you before you got to your seats. Don’t let Natalie know about it yet. Give it to her later, on the way home. Boss’ orders.”

“What is it?” Michael asked.

“I really can’t tell you. It’s something for Natalie, and there’s a note in there for you, too. That’s all I can say. Don’t open it yet; put it in your pocket.”

As the four wound their way through a seemingly endless maze of corridors, Natalie was getting more and more excited. Her color was high, which worried Michael a little, but she seemed to be doing fine otherwise. Finally, they emerged onto the arena floor. Joanne led them down the void between the stage and the first row of seats. Natalie looked over shoulder at Michael, and gaped at him. Michael grinned back, and lengthened his stride to take her hand. They followed Joanne around a wide staircase that was set up on the edge of the stage – Jon must make his way down at some point during the show – to two seats directly in front of the middle of the staircase.

“Here you go,” Joanne said. “Enjoy the show!”

Chapter Five

Two weeks had gone by, and nobody else had bothered to call his special line. Michael was working on a project for his latest client when Margaret buzzed him.

“Call for you on one, someone named ‘Patti’. She wouldn’t tell me where she was calling from; she said you didn’t want to know. What’s that about? Do you want to take the call?”

Michael remembered speaking with someone named Patti a couple of weeks ago. Hoping it was the same woman, he told Margaret to put her through. He pressed the blinking line indicator. “Hello?”

“Michael, this is Patti. We spoke a couple of weeks ago, you and I and my co-worker Joanne? Well, I just wanted to let you know that the, um, my employers received Natalie’s card, and they have a message of their own they’d like to deliver to her.”

“That’s great!” Michael replied, with happiness in his voice. “Do you want her contact information? How do you want to handle this?”

“No, not quite,” Patti said. “Let me run something by you. First, this won’t work if you don’t know who I work for.”

“OK,” Michael said, “who is it?”

“Well, my employers are Bon Jovi, and they want to deliver their message in person. At their concert next month at the arena. I wanted to talk to you first, before sending the information on to her. I speak from experience here – they can be pretty overwhelming, and from what you and the doctor said, well, I just wanted to err on the side of caution.”

Michael was momentarily speechless. His voice thick with emotion, he said, “I appreciate that. Honestly, Patti, I don’t know what to say. She, and I, never expected anything like this. You’ve got to know that.”

Hearing the emotion, the gratitude in his voice, touched Patti. “I – we – do know that. Frankly, I think that’s part of the reason The Boys are doing this. That, and they seemed truly touched by your sister’s story.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Michael said. “I do know that Natalie would kill me if I turned this down. I’d like to make this a surprise for her; what do we need to do?”

Patti gave Michael the rundown on what was planned. The band would send a car for them. The driver would have their tickets, and someone would meet them at the gate and escort them to their seats. Partway through the show, the band would give their message to Natalie.

“That’s about it,” Patti said, with a smile in her voice. She was keeping the part about the song to herself, at Jon’s specific request. The band wanted it to be a surprise.

Chapter Four

An hour later, Patti hung up the phone. She had just finished speaking with Natalie’s doctor (Patti thought of her as ‘Natalie’ now, not just ‘the person who sent the card’), who confirmed everything Michael had told her. The doctor had let her know that Natalie’s heart was worsening, and without a transplant, it was unlikely she’d see another Christmas.

Patti wrote everything she knew in a memo, attached it to the card, then hesitated. She was supposed to put the whole thing in the band’s personal correspondence basket. The personal assistants would be by later to collect it. But, Patti didn’t want to wait. She called Joanne, Jon’s assistant, and told her what she had. Joanne was quiet for a moment, then told her, “I’ll be right down.”

The pair called Michael again from Patti’s desk, Joanne wanting to review the notes Patti had taken. She wanted to hear this story for herself. At the end of the phone conversation, both women had tears in their eyes. Michael had only asked that they pass his sister’s message along to their employers – he still had no idea who they worked for. They promised him that they would.

At the daily meeting she had with Jon each afternoon when he was in town, Joanne handed him the card, and told him about Natalie and Michael. As succinctly as she could, she related the story from the doctor, while Jon read the card quietly. When he was done, he looked up at Joanne, his expression thoughtful. “Get the other guys in here would you?”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“What’s up, boss?” Richie asked, as he entered the room. “Got writer’s block or something?”

“No, man,” he answered. “I just need to talk to all of you. Where are the others?”

“Right here,” David answered, as he and Tico entered the room. “What’s going on?”

“Shut the door, man,” Jon answered, “and take a seat.”

Jon then told his friends about the card his assistant brought him; a card addressed to all of them. He read it to them, then looked into each one of their faces. The guys all looked at each other, then back at their leader.

“So what? We get cards and letters all the time,” Tico said, to break the silence. “Ones that spin sadder yarns than that. What makes this card so special?”

Jon told them about Joanne’s discussion with the woman’s brother and doctor, how it was important to the woman that her words reach them because she was dying, and how her brother intervened on her behalf.

Richie looked thoughtfully at his friend, a man he knew almost as well as he knew himself. This story, this woman, has touched something in him, I know it, he thought. “Hey, what do you want us to do?” he asked.

“I want us to write her a song,” was the reply.

Chapter Three

Michael all but ripped the phone out of Margaret’s hand. “Hello? Whoever this is, don’t tell me where you’re calling from, please, just give me your name.”

A flustered woman on the other end of the call said simply, “I’m Patti.”

Michael exhaled sharply. “Patti, you don’t know how glad I am you called. I want to tell you about my sister.” He then launched into an explanation of Natalie’s condition to Patti, with all the medical jargon he had heard over the last two years.

"Basically, Natalie doesn’t have enough blood vessels in her lungs, and she needs a transplant to save her," he told her. “Her rare blood type makes that a near impossibility. Natalie’s doctor figures with the damage caused by the heart attack she suffered last month, she’s got another eight, maybe twelve months, and that’s it. She’s made her peace with it, Lord only knows how, and has spent the better part of last month writing her goodbyes. She’s not a kook, isn’t a stalker or rabid fan, or whatever applies to whomever you represent. She isn’t looking for anything other than to have her thanks go to the right people. She wants to make sure that the people who helped shape her life know their contribution did not go unnoticed or unappreciated.”

He stopped to take a breath, and thought he heard a quiet sob on the other end of the call. “Are you still there?” he asked.

“I’m here,” Patti answered, her voice shaky. “On the one hand, I hope to God you are a creep, making up a sad story to get something from, uh, my employers. On the other hand, I want to believe you, and pass along your message to them. You sound sincere enough, but I’ve been fooled before.”

Michael understood. As a public figure, he had heard his share of sob stories; people making up tales that would make a stone angel weep, just to get some attention. “Patti, I wish I was telling you lies. You have no idea how much. If you want to hear the story from someone else, call Dr. Neil Stilson at New York Presbyterian, tell him that Michael is waiting for his page to authorize him to tell you all about Natalie’s condition.”

“All right, I’ll call your bluff. So help me, if you’re putting me on, and this turns out to be fake, I promise, I will find you, and beat the ever-loving shit out of you.”

“Patti, if that’s the case, I’ll come to you, and bring the bat. I’ll be waiting for Dr. Stilson’s call.” With that, he rung off.

Chapter Two

Michael was pacing his fifth-floor office, too distracted to work. The separate phone line he had installed for the recipients of Natalie’s notes hadn’t rung yet. He was hoping that at least a couple would respond. Last week, when Nat asked him to post her letters, he noticed that while most were addressed to friends and family, there were several cards addressed to prominent business people and other professional people. Feeling slightly guilty, Michael read the latter group of cards. They broke his heart. Natalie had written thank you notes to doctors, musicians, movie stars, administrators, and others who had somehow touched her life. She was saying her personal goodbyes.

Michael had posted the personal letters – the ones he didn’t read – on his way home from the office last week. For the other group, he added a note with the phone number of the new line before he mailed them. He wanted to make sure that the people in that group knew that these cards and notes were important – maybe not to them, but to his sister. He wanted to do whatever he could to help make Natalie’s remaining time happy. A man of action, Michael was frustrated that he couldn’t really do anything to help. Helping make sure her words reached their intended audience; that was something he could do.

Two and a half years ago, Natalie had been diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension – a condition in which the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the lungs become progressively blocked, weakening the heart until the person eventually suffers severe cardiac arrest. Natalie was immediately put on the registry for a heart-lung transplant, and started drug therapy. Even with the drug treatments, most patients die within five years of diagnosis. To complicate things, Natalie’s blood type, AB-, is among the rarer types, making a donor tissue match difficult.

Last month, Natalie suffered a minor heart attack. The doctors advised her that her heart was significantly weakening, and she should “prepare herself” for what was coming. That’s when she started her letter writing campaign. She spent the past month writing and writing and writing. She was being incredibly brave, which broke Michael’s heart more. She should be railing against God, the limitations of modern medicine – anything. Instead, she had come to accept her fate, and was working to make her remaining time as full as possible. She had quit her job last year to travel to the places she always wanted to see. Now, she was glad she did– traveling was out of the question. Her trips took nearly all her savings, but, as she said with an ironic smile, “I can’t take it with me, now can I?”

Michael willed the phone to ring. It sat there, mocking him. With a disgusted sigh, he strode from his office, in search of coffee. He let his assistant Margaret know where he was going, and instructed her, again, to answer the new phone if it should ring, then page him immediately. Margaret recited the edict along with her boss. She had heard the speech countless times over the last week.

His pager went off as he hit the lobby of the building. He checked the display. Boss, 9-1-1, special phone. His heart seized in his chest, and his eyes welled. Foregoing the elevator, he raced up the five flights to his office. He sprinted to his desk as Margaret was saying, “Here he is now.”

Chapter One: The Note

Patti loved going to work. For three years now, she’d been a junior assistant to the greatest band ever, at least in her opinion. In her current assignment, working with the fan mail, she had seen nearly everything come across her desk – from birthday party invitations, to dirty pictures; countless letters, cards, flowers, and gifts. She’d seen everything from simple autograph requests to actual marriage proposals.

This crisp, January morning, the volume of mail was almost daunting. There were lots of late holiday cards from fans, some small gifts – the usual, just more of it. The latest piece Patti was opening looked like an invitation to something. The oversized, ivory envelope was made from a heavy paper, and the address written in a flowy, feminine handwriting. She sighed. Patti actually felt bad for the people sending these types of things. But, it was her job to open and catalog each item.

Patti slit the envelope and removed a card with ‘Thank You’ written in some elaborate script on the front. So, she guessed wrong. No matter – these were the most interesting pieces to read.


Dear Jon, Richie, Tico, and David:

Thank you.

Thank you for providing the soundtrack to my life.

You were there when I first fell in love, and when I nursed my first heartbreak. You were there when I lost my virginity, and when I learned that sex and love are two entirely different things. Through the years, nearly every defining moment of my life has your music and your words – your passion or your heartbreak – running behind it.

Your music has such power. You have made me laugh and dance with pure joy and wild abandon at your rock anthems. Your ballads make me long to experience the kind of love and devotion that inspired them. Your songs of heartbreak and loss make my own heart ache, and my eyes sting with tears when imagining what must have provoked such sad words, such haunting music.

Thank you for sharing your lives through your music. You will make my last months bearable, for I know I am not alone – I feel a kind of kinship with you through your stories. Thank you for enriching my life, for helping to ease my pain, for sharing my happiness. You have made my world a better place in which to live. For that, above all else, I thank you. In the (paraphrased) words of Dobie Gray, you

...give me the beat, boys, and free my soul;
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away.
Thanks for the joy that you've given me.
I want you to know I believe in your song...
You help me along; makin' me strong.

My own words are not strong enough to express my thanks or feelings. I hope you don’t mind that I borrow some of yours:

I’ve had enough of crying, bleeding, sweating, dying – hear me when I say I’m gonna live my life everyday ... I ain't gonna live forever, I just want to live while I'm alive ... Here the days they don't have names they've got numbers, and the nights just seem to fade into each other ... I know that you’ll live in my heart ‘till the day that I die ... When I die, you’ll be on my mind, and I’ll love you, always.

Faithful Forever,
Natalie


Turning the card over, Patti noticed a hand-written sticky note attached to back:

Natalie is writing her final goodbyes. My sister doesn’t have much time left, and it is important to her that her words and thoughts reach the band. Please, to whichever assistant opens this, she’s not nuts or just some crazed fan -- call me. I’ll tell you everything.

-- Michael Tomassini 212-555-5684


Patti sighed again, this time with tears in her eyes. She was a sucker for a good story, and an even bigger sucker for a sad story. This one was both. Patti had tried to harden her heart to pleas like this. Too many times, she had passed the information along, or called to talk to the person who sent the letter, and been bitterly disappointed. These people all wanted something from the band, like free merchandise, personal notes, or tickets to some concert or appearance.

Still, this particular card touched her, and the soft side of her felt the need to pick up the phone and hope that this time, she wouldn’t be suckered again. In the back of her mind, though, Patti was sure she was going to be talking with some fan looking for a brush with The Boys.