Chapter 67

As he packed, he only took out what he needed, his phone charger, wallet, passport to put into his shoulder bag. He wasn't going to take anything he didn't need.

Once ready, he pulled his suitcase off the bed and extended the handle bar, then wheeled it out of room and across the hall to Jon's room. He knocked on the door twice before getting an answer.

"What's up?" Jon frowned as he saw Richie ready to go.
"I'm going for lunch with Caleb, then heading to the airport and going home-"
"You're going home?" Jon exclaimed.
Richie rolled his eyes as he sighed, then continued where he was cut off. "I'm going home for Ava's birthday tomorrow and I'll meet you guys in Tacoma the day after."
"What?" Jon was still confused but he opened the door further and motioned for Richie to get into the room.

Richie took the invitation and wheeled his suitcase into the room, leaving it by the door as he followed Jon to the chairs in the sitting area.

"How do you do this? Missing birthdays all the time?" He sighed as he sat down in the chair opposite of Jon.
Jon shrugged in response. "They're just birthdays. I like being there for them but they're also just a day."
"But she's turning 16. That's a big deal. I've got her the best surprise for a gift."
"A car?" Jon asked.
"Well yeah, but she doesn't know that. We told her she had to earn her own car when we went looking for one but I got her exactly what she wanted."
"You'll see her in a week." Jon reminded him.

Sure the Los Angeles concert was only 8 days away but Ava's birthday wasn't in 8 days.

"No. I have to see her for her birthday. I can miss her party but I want to see her tomorrow." He said resolutely. He got up from his chair, picking up his bag again.
"You can't just leave. We're travelling in two days."
"I'm pretty sure I can. It's only a few hours flight. Hang on to my bag and I'll see you on Saturday." He started heading to the door. "I'll take a flight to Tacoma on Saturday and be there for soundcheck, 4 o'clock."
"Will you actually be there this time?" Jon put the emphasis on actually, sounding bitter.
"Oh fuck you." Richie said as he opened the door and walked out of the room. "Saturday 4 o'clock." He repeated as he walked down the hall to the elevator.

He had made plans to have lunch with Caleb today as he was working that evening. He didn't want to cancel their lunch plans last minute but was also sure Caleb would understand he would be leaving tonight instead of Saturday.

Once again, he took Caleb to a place he had suggested and wanted to go to. He knew Caleb was trying his best doing his whole university experience on his own and was only spending the money he earned, which, was minimum wage employee in a world city, wasn't very easy. All too gladly Richie paid for another meal but felt proud that his son was so aware of his expenses and trying to be the best adult he could be. His own young adulthood had been very different from this, he did his best in college as well but housing wasn't as expensive and neither was the cost of living.

Before their meal was over, he made sure Caleb knew he was proud of him.

After their lunch, a taxi took them back to the university housing where Caleb got out of the car, promising to only need a few minutes so Richie waited for him. He watched him go into the large building, as he waited he sent off a few texts to his favorite women in the world.

Next, he phoned some airlines for last minute flights to LAX for the same evening, leaving in the next few hours. The first airline that had two seats available for him was the lucky one.