Chapter thirteen

There was an icy atmosphere between Jon and Kris the next couple days. Even David was a little shocked when he came over to work on some songs with Kris. He tried to give Kris some comfort through the music, but somehow it wasn’t working. She wasn’t able to relax. David wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her, but knew she would freak out. If at least Jon would act different…

But Jon was still thinking she was irresponsible while she thought all he wanted to do was control her. Richie told him to relax, when Jon talked to him on the phone about this fucked up situation.

“I’ll remind you when you freak out after you caught Ava with a boy in ten plus years!” Jon answered slightly pissed and Richie shut up.

Dot finally told Jon that he’s the parent and maybe it’s time to act like one and do the first step. He tried, but Kris was blocking. She didn’t want him come close to her.

“I don’t know what to do anymore, Dot?” Jon said one afternoon when they were both sitting in the living room.

“Jon, she needs time.” Dot replied. He sighed and nodded. Patience is a virtue. Just too bad it wasn’t one of his.

“You know what bothers me the most? I don’t know how she lived in Germany. I don’t know how Susi died. Maybe when I would know all this, I would be able to understand her better.” He shook his head. “I mean, it’s not really normal that she’s so uncomfortable with hugging or showing affection. And this nightmare she seems to have…I don’t know…” Jon squeezed the bridge of his nose.

Dot nodded in understanding. “When we asked her all those questions she’ll probably freak out completely, Jon. I don’t think she already trusts us enough to talk about her past. Maybe…” she paused briefly. “…maybe we could contact someone in Germany. I mean the Department of Children and Families Services should be able to answer at least a couple of our questions.” She suggested, even though she felt bad doing it behind Kris’ back.

“Yeah, you probably right. I will call Miss Johnson. She should be able to contact her colleague in Germany.” Jon stood up and headed into his office. He really needed answers as soon as possible.



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With Halloween coming up, Dot suggested that Kris would go with Jon and the kids for trick or treat.

“You never celebrated Halloween before.” Dot said. “Or do you want to go to a party tomorrow night?” She asked while helping Jesse to draw a spooky pumpkin.

Kris shook her head no. That girl…Alex, she invited her, but Kris said no. She had no idea what she should do at such a party.

“Well, then go with the others. It’s also a good chance for your dad and you to get over the fight, huh?” She looked at Kris.

“Ok.” Kris sighed.

“Oh, great! What kind of costume will you wear?” Steph asked excited and stopped coloring her evil witch.

“I don’t need a costume.” Kris said.

“But it’s Halloween. You must have a costume!” Steph answered defiant. “I’m a princess.” She added with gleaming eyes.

“And I’m a pirate.” Jesse said, nearly falling of his chair.

“Why don’t you go as a princess as well?” Steph suggested.

Kris had seen Steph’s dress…all pink and blue. Definitely not her style.

“There can only be one princess, Steph.” She said and hoped it would save her.

“You are right. Come on, we go over to the costume shop and find you something nice.” Dot said and before Kris could even reply she called, “Jon! Could you please watch Steph and Jesse, Kris and I are going out to find a Halloween costume for her.”

“Yeah, sure!” was the muffled reply from the living room. He didn’t take any stock in that idea and that Miss Johnson told him it could be difficult to get information from Germany wasn’t helping his mood either.



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“What do you want?” Dot asked Kris while looking through some costumes.

“I don’t know.” Kris shrugged her shoulders. She still thought this was absolutely unnecessary.

Dot glanced at her and picked out a pink-white fairy tale dress with lots of frills. Kris looked at her in shock.

“NO!” she said.

“You better start looking yourself Kris or I will pick something. You don’t want to go as an animal or something, right?” Dot said and held up a cat costume. Kris just gave her a look.

She already realized Dot could be very demanding, but maybe it was necessary to deal with the Bongiovi stubbornness. She bit her bottom lip. She seemed to be the only one who was treating her normal…well except the kids.

“Maybe something in dark colors…black, blue or brown…” Kris suggested and continued to look through the costumes.

“How about that?” Dot held up a brown renaissance dress with a flared skirt and long orange arms, which got wider at the end. It had a little orange belt around the waist, the cleavage was framed in the same orange and didn’t reveal too much. Dot was sure Jon would appreciate that.

Kris carefully touched the soft material of the dress.

“It’s beautiful.” She whispered.

“Come on, try it on.” Dot said walking over to the changing-room.

“Are you sure?” Kris asked nervous.

“Yeah.” Dot looked at her surprised. She could see that Kris liked the dress. So where was the problem?

“Uhm…it’s just….I’ve never worn a dress before.” Dot could barely hear her whisper.

“Never?” She looked at the young woman in disbelieve. “How about skirts?” She asked.

Kris shook her head no and flushed deeply. God this was so embarrassing.

“I’m sure you’ll look absolutely great in the dress. Come on baby, I’ll help you.” Dot softly pushed Kris behind the curtain of the changing room. She couldn’t believe it.

After a while she stepped out again. “Kris, get out of there…come on, baby…you look beautiful in it.” She encouraged her.

Hesitant Kris walked out of the changing room and over to one of the big mirrors. She couldn’t believe that it was herself she was staring at. I look so different, she thought.

Dot could see the emotions in Kris’ face. I knew it; somewhere in there is a little girl that wants to play dressing up. She’s not as tough as she acts. Sensitive as her father…and also too scared to show it.

An older sales woman approached them and nodded approvingly “This dress was made for you.”

Kris smiled slightly and let her hands ran over the material at her waist. Dot nodded. “Good! We take it.”

Back in the car Dot sighed. “I still have so much stuff to do for the BBQ the day after tomorrow.”

“Why are you doing a BBQ at this time of the year? Isn’t it a bit to cold for that already?” Kris asked curious.

“Well, normally we invited the family and the band during the summer, but this year we didn’t find the time for it. So, we do it now!” Dot explained. “I really hope the tent is already there!” She added.

“Tent?” Kris looked at her in surprise.

“Yeah, we are having a huge tent in the backyard with heating…otherwise it would be too cold.” Dot smiled.

Kris shook her head. And she thought this would be a normal BBQ. Think again!