I was informed that there would be a surprise birthday celebration for Jagger with the album release party. I guess they wanted to kill two birds with one stone. Jagger knew about the party so it wasn’t a surprise but he was an actor also so he was going to act surprised.
Matt was a very good assistant. I could tell that much without meeting him in person. He was patient and pleasant and full of pertinent information, He sent me the projected weather for the days I would be in Los Angeles. He was really on top of it. I was impressed.
I was able to get my daughter to come home for the weekend. I needed her to keep an eye on her brother. He had a car now, my old BMW. I didn’t want him roaming the streets all hours because I wasn’t around to check him. Kennedy was stricter than me. She was young and could smell young people’s bull like a bloodhound. She was going to make one hell of a lawyer.
There was no way I was going to ask my ex to watch our son over the weekend so I could go out of town. I had to block his number after he kept calling me for what I believed to be no good reason. Why this man cared about whom I dated was beyond me. I think my brand new Mercedes truck really was the problem. I don’t know if he was jealous but it sure seemed that way. Jealous of the truck or jealous of young virile Jagger, I didn’t know which one or if it was both?
Kennedy was dropping me off at the airport. It was going to be a chance for us to have a serious conversation. I wanted to know how she really felt about my relationship. I turned to radio down.
“I’m going to L.A.”
“Yes, you are.” She keep her eyes on the road.
“Do you think I’m doing too much?”
“No Ma, I don’t.”
“I’m flying to L.A. for a guy.”
“He flew here to see you twice. He’s paying for this trip. It’s just the weekend.”
“Yeah, but it feels strange going to meet up with him. I’m going to have to be with him in public with other people around. I’m a little nervous.”
“You nervous, I don’t believe it.”
“I don’t know any of these music people. I will be completely out of my element. This isn’t a writers conference.”
“They don’t know you either. He invited you. That’s a good enough reason to go. Plus, Aaron loves this dude.”
“Well Aaron ended up with a car because of Jagger so.”
“And he ended up with two hundred thousand IG followers because of that video.”
“Right, I wish he would’ve asked me before tagging my son in a video.”
“Ma, no harm came from it. Now Aaron has an audience for the little short films he makes.”
“That’s true.”
“I don’t see Aaron working a regular job. He’s very creative so he should start to build his brand now when he’s young.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“I’m just wondering when I get to meet your young lover.”
I rolled my eyes. I hated it when she said things like that. “You never come home.”
“I’m really busy. This is senior year. I have a lot to figure out. I’m happy to watch my little brother. But next time you need to stand up to dad and tell him it’s his turn to watch Aaron. Just because he has this other child doesn’t mean he has to completely neglect the kids that he had in his marriage. I don’t even see him so he should at the very least deal with his son.”
“He’s still mad about Jagger.”
“Well, he's going to have to get over it. Ma, I can count. I know he had that other kid when you were still married. I looked over those divorce papers. He got off easy. Plus he didn’t even have to go half on a car for Aaron. He should’ve bought Aaron a car because he’s the one that broke up the marriage. I’m just saying he has some nerves. Don’t worry about anything back at home. I have everything under control.”
I believed her when she said it. It was odd that she could comfort me now that she was an adult. Being young and having a daughter first was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I was so proud of her. She was a good example for her brother and he did look up to her.
In minutes we arrived at O’hare International Airport. Kennedy helped me with my bags and sent me on my way. My fear soon turned into excitement. I looked forward to seeing Jagger in his element. I’d never seen him as a star. But he really was a whole celebrity. This was going to be interesting.
My flight to LAX went well. Matt met at the airport. He was a handsome and well put together young man. He had a sign and a car waiting. He drove. He was Jagger’s assistant and he sent him to the airport to pick me up. He could’ve easily sent a car service. Something about it made me feel extra special.
Matt made small talk with me while we rode to the house in Beverly Hills. I didn’t have much information but I knew the release party was being held at Nobu.
The house in Beverly Hills was huge and rather opulent. It dawned on me; all these extra amenities were what Jagger was used to. He didn’t complain at all about the accommodations at my house. Now I look back and I can’t believe he would stay with me in that small apartment above Sweet Treats. His world was a different world.
Matt led me to a spacious upstairs bedroom. It resembled a huge studio apartment. I recognized a few things around the room. Vicky, Jagger’s guitar was on the table in the corner. I run my fingers across it because it was something I respected.
“You’re in
