What Contract

On June 12

th

,

BumblingFool

submitted the story, 'It's in the Contract'. It was a long story, over 40,000 words, and twelve Lit pages. It was a story about dreams and failures. Though I don't mind an RAAC story (most I seem to write end up that way), a reconciliation story needs to come at a price, paid both ways. With his permission (and the use of most of characters and a change of location) I bring you my view of 'It's in the Contract'.

*********

Jonathon Osborne had been a lucky child growing up. His father had long ago started a successful real-estate firm in Omaha Nebraska. The family lived a comfortable middle class existence. Jon watched his father at work when ever he could while growing up.

He turned 18 during his senior year in high school, and went down to take the exam to get his own licenses. The summer between graduation and starting college at UNO, he worked for his dad. With the way real-estate works, he didn't start seeing any money until after the fall semester started.

Living in the Aksarben neighborhood, his commute to school made living at home a better way to continue to save money. Jon still worked weekends, leaving little time to run around. Now that he was established as a realtor, he was averaging one closing a week, granted they were other people's listings, but beggars can't be choosy. Instead of 4% commission, he only got two. Still, 2% of $200,000.00 is still $4,000.00. With no school debt, because his parents had created a college fund for him when he was young, Jon was living the life.

He was studying business and accounting at UNO. His best friend, Brett Mitchell was studying contract law, and Jon hoped to one day, they could combine the two and form their own business.

It was March 17

th

, St. Patrick's Day, Jon had met up with Brett at the cafeteria when he saw what he thought was the most beautiful girl in the world.

"Hey Brett, do you know any of those girls over there?"

"Yeah, I know one of them, which one caught your eye?"

"The blonde in the middle."

"I don't know her, but the red head is in one of my classes. Would you like me to introduce you to them?"

"If you don't mind, I really need to know the blonde's name."

The two walked over to where the young women were talking.

"Hey Corrine, how you doing?"

"Hi Brett, I'm doing great, whatcha need?"

"My friend Jon here would love to learn the name of your friend here," pointing to the blonde.

"Well I'll tell you what, introduce your self first and then I might."

"I'm sorry, my name is Jon Osborne. I'm finishing up my first year here studying business."

"Ok, like Brett said, my name is Corrine; my friends are Ainsley Gruber and Heather Crockett. Now what else would you like to know?"

"I would like to know if I could buy Ainsley a cup of coffee."

Ainsley got a big smile on her face and said, "Sure, I'd like that."

They walked off together and the rest of the group just looked on. They sat down at a table for two and started telling each other about them selves. Jon went on about the real-estate business and Ainsley told him about her wish to become a rock star.

"My favorite group is the all girl band, Dragon's Breath. They started making it big two years ago and they are setting the industry on fire. The band I'm in, Green Velvet use a lot of their songs when we perform."

"So do you perform often?"

"Right now, about once every two weeks. It doesn't pay much, but the experience is well worth it."

"I noticed you aren't wearing any green today, is that so you can get pinched?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"Today is St, Paddy's Day, you need to have some green on or you'll get pinched." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a green handkerchief. "Put this in your pocket and you won't have to worry any more. Would you mind if I ask you out for Saturday night?"

"I can't this week, we have a gig at a school festival, but I am free next weekend."

They made their plans for the next week, and thus began their life together. Summer rolled around and Jon put in more time at the agency and Ainsley found more gigs to perform at. By September, when school started again, they were inseparable.

Call it a slip, call it a brain fart, or call it what you will, but the gods of fate decided that they were going to play their games with Jon and Ainsley. In December, celebrating the holidays, Jon's rubber broke and Ainsley's birth control pill failed. In February they found out that they were going to become parents, February Sucks, they were having triplets.

While finishing up the school year and planning for the future, the time seemed to fly by faster than it should. They settled on July first as the date of their marriage, so Jon had time to close on a nice three bedroom house between where his parents lived and Ainsley's.

It was a small wedding, just relatives and a few close friends. When it was over, they went to their house to live in it for the first time. Jon had done everything in setting it up. They would have all three kids in the same room to start.

On July 15

th

, first Emily Rene, then Jonathon Brice and Darla Christine made their debut. Jonathon was bringing in enough to live on, so it was decided that Ainsley would be a stay at home mom for the time being.

Before the birth, they had flipped a coin to see who would get fixed and Jon lost, before they could begin having sex again, he went under the knife, if ever they decided to have another child, he could always have it reversed.

*********

Time stops for no one, especially parents with triplets. The two moms helped when ever they needed a little alone time, but the kids were such a joy, they didn't care. To stay in shape, Ainsley did Pilates and jazzercise. Jon did weight training and martial arts. Both were in better shape than when they got married.

When the kids turned five and were about to enter school, Ainsley decided, with Jon's support, to look for a job to keep her busy while they were in school. She called one of her old friends that use to be in the Green Velvet to see if she knew of any jobs. Heather asked to meet with her for coffee.

"Ainsley, you look fabulous, are you sure you had three kids?"

"Thank you for that. With the help of both of our mothers, Jon and I get away to go to the gym a couple of times a week."

"Look, you know my parents own a recording studio. If you are willing to do piece work, they need a back-up piano and singer for bands that need that extra sound. Depending on how much you work, you could earn around $2,000.00 a month to start.

"Here is their number, my mom remembers you from when we use to play six years ago. I'm working there also, so we'll get to see each other more often. Does that sound like something you would like to do?"

"Yes it does, I'll call her this afternoon."

They prattled on for another hour before Heather needed to get back to the studio. Ainsley called Jon to tell him, and then called Heather's mom. Before she knew it she was filling in at least three times a week. She was making her own money, while following her pipe dream from her youth.

Once again, time marched on. Jon had moved to doing site sales on new construction. As the lead realtor at the site, he got 1% from all the other sales people there. Still closing at least one home a week, and the percent from the others, he was now making about $300,000.00 a year. They had long since paid off their home, so it was time to pad that account for when the kids got ready for college.

**********

It was March 18

th

2022, when he walked in the door and Ainsley told him he needed to change quick as there was some place they needed to be.

"So where are we going?"

"We are going to The Dover for dinner."

"Where are the kids?"

"There at my mom's house, now hurry up or we'll be late."

The distance from their house to the restaurant wasn't that far so they got there with in minutes. When they walked in, he saw a large party at the back of the place, and upon further study, he saw his and Ainsley's parents. It wasn't this birthday or their anniversary, so he was completely in the dark. Everyone looked to be in a good mood though. They took the only two empty seats at the end of the table.

"Hello Jonathon, everyone has heard so much about you. My name is Cora Broadwell and I am the manager of the band Dragon's Breath."

Jon remembered Ainsley always going on about them, but why were they here?

"Jon, these three ladies are Lena Stratton, lead singer and plays guitar. Shelia Shanti, she plays bass and also adds harmony sometimes. Fanny Compton is our drummer and sings harmony. The only one missing is Sandy Stilton who plays keyboard and sings. She isn't here because she was in an accident three weeks ago with her husband.

"The band is set to go on tour the first of April; our tour schedule was set last year and that is why we are all here. The band needs a keyboard player and we all flew out here from L.A. to audition Ainsley. She will be the perfect fit to fill in for Sandy.

"All of the contracts have been signed and we just wanted to let you know what's going on. Ainsley will be paid $600,000.00 for the tour. $100,000.00 a month will be deposited into your account the first of every month. Now do you have any questions?"

"Oh Ms. Broadwell, I have plenty of questions, I'm just not going to ask them right now. I just remembered something I need to do, so I expect to see all of you at my house tomorrow at 5pm. I will have everything I need by then."

He stood up turned and walked out the door leaving everyone with their mouths open and wondering what just happened.

Ainsley started to get pissed when her mom asked her, "Ainsley, didn't you inform him earlier?"

"No mom, I wanted it to be a surprise. He knew that this was my dream."

"We had better get you home."

*********

When Ainsley got home the house was still empty, Jon and the kids showed up 15 minutes later.

"Why are the kids here, they were staying with my parents for the night?"

"Well, I guess that was just another surprise you had planned for the night. When did we start hiding things from each other?"

"I wasn't hiding anything form you, you have always known about my dreams. When the opportunity arose, I just ran with it."

"Didn't you wonder how it would affect our home life?"

"Of course I did, I talked to both of our mom's and they will be helping you while I'm gone."

"Another thing you decided with out me. Ainsley, we all have dreams some get fulfilled and some don't. If it was just you and me, it could go one way, but with kids, they need to be part of the process. Before they all get here tomorrow, I need to know just what to expect."

"Like Cora said, the tour runs from April 1

st

, and ends on September the 24

th

. I will get paid for the six months in advance each month. If I don't finish the tour, I will have to pay them back for any time I miss."

"And when were you planning to leave?"

"They are all flying back to L.A. on Monday to finish prepping. I will be flying out with them."

"So you all have already lied to me about what you will get paid for."

"How do you figure that?'

"Six months on tour and two weeks before it starts, that's six and a half, not six months."

"Come on Jon, that's just splitting hairs. They want the two weeks for me to get up to date on their new material. Honey, this is a dream come true, I'll never ask for anything ever again."

'You know as well as I do, that that isn't a promise you can ever keep. By what happened tonight, I see that it didn't really matter what I had to say one way or the other."

"Listen Hon, I have already got everything covered. Like I said, both of our moms have agreed to help watch the kids. One of them will be here when they get out of school and prepare dinner each night. All you have to do is just be you."

"You know that they both have their own jobs and homes to take care of, don't you think that that will be a strain on them?"

"To help us, they are willing to do it."

"Why don't you go to bed, I still have some things to do down here."

"But I wanted to make love before I have to leave, come to bed with me."

"Well, people in Hell want ice water, but they have to do with out. And as they always say, there is no time like the present to start. I'm going to have to do without sex for the next six and a half months and so will you, so let's get started."

Dejected, Ainsley walked to the bedroom, this was supposed to be a joyous evening and now it was shit. Jon really didn't have anything to do; he had already taken care of that while he was picking up the kids, he just didn't want to give her the last word tonight.

He was up early on Saturday morning; he had a lot to do before five. First stop was to Brett's house to see Brett and Corrine. After his call the night before, Brett had already started on Jon's request. Brett had done a fine job on the contracts that Jon had ordered.

Once he was done there, he went to Lowes; he had a few things he needed for the next week. Last stop was HyVee to order a Kings Hawaiian Slider Tray and a Pretzel Bites Tray with extra cheese, to be picked up at 4pm. Jon had sold the Deli Manager a house and they had stayed in contact ever since.

He went over to the cold Pop section, grabbed a 24pk Pepsi and went back to the deli to pay for it all. It was 10am and he had all of his running around done. It was still a little chilly, so he didn't need to worry about yard work. At four he went back and picked up his purchase.

Ainsley, wanting to put on a good show for the band, spent the morning tiding up the house. Both sets of parents showed up at 4:30 wondering just what Jon had planned.

"So son, what's this all about," his dad asked.

"Everyone will find out once everyone is here. Now just sit back and enjoy."

At five a limo pulled up in front and the four women and a man that hadn't been introduced yesterday got out. Ainsley meet them at the door at let them in. Just behind them walked up Brett and Corrine.

Jon said, "Before we start, I have appetizers to hold everyone over during our talk."

Everyone grabbed a plate and filled them. When they were done, he said, "Let me apologize for last night. I have never been one for surprises and that was certainly a surprise. Cora, you said something about a contract?"

"Yes Jon, every member has to sign a contract to perform, that includes the band members, dancers, roadies and even the bus driver. We brought you a copy of the contract that Ainsley signed and a copy of the tour schedule. I also included a family pass which will give you and the kid's seats at ever concert and back stage access."

The man that hadn't yet been introduced handed them to Jon.

"I don't think we have met yet."

"I'm Andrew Kennedy, the band lawyer."

Jon took the papers, gave them a quick look and the handed them to Brett.

"I thank you for being so straight forward Cora. Now I have a few questions, just how many concerts are we talking about?"

"The tour is for 26 weeks and 51 concerts. Most stops are for two nights, Friday and Saturday, with a few Wednesday one day stops. As I said yesterday, Ainsley's compensation is $100,000.00 a month for the six months. You guys will get it at the first of each month instead of the end.

"While on tour, the tour pays for all food, lodging and costumes. The tour group includes the four ladies, two bus drivers and three dancers. All other people are provided by the venue. Each stadium they play at has no less than 1500 seats, most are around 12,000. As of a week ago, almost all venues were sold out."

"Thank you Cora, that helped me out a lot. Now I would like to introduce my friend Brett Mitchell and his wife Corrine, the four of us all went to college together eleven years ago."

Brett stepped forward and handed Ainsley, Lena, Shelia, Fanny and Cora each a folder.

"Inside of the folders you will find two copies of a contract to sign..."

"Jon, what's this all about?" Ainsley said.

"This my dear, is like an insurance policy. They are Breach of Contract contracts. They're simple straight forward contracts that states that while you are tour, that they are responsible for your safety.

"They are to make sure that you don't drink excessively, you don't take drugs and you don't have sex outside of our marriage."

For the first time, Lena said, "You don't control her body, why should we?"

"Simple, you want to take her away from her family for over half a year..."

"Just six months," Lena spat out.

"As far I as I know, I don't have short term memory loss, Cora said the tour was 26 weeks..."

"That's a half a year Jon," Ainsley shouted.

"Cora, when did you want her in L.A.?"

"She is flying back with us Monday."

"Mr. Kennedy, are you good with math?"

"Yes Mr. Osborne."

"How many weeks are there in a year?"

"52."

"Now I'm just a country boy from the Midwest, but which is more, 26 or 28?"

"28, Mr. Osborne."

"So if a half a year is 26 and she is going to be gone 28, is that not more than a half a year?"

"Yes, Mr. Osborne."

"Yes Lena, I don't own her body, but then neither does she own mine. If you all screw up, then that frees me to do what ever I need to do. Now Mrs. Stratton, to further answer your out burst, you all came here to seek her assistance. All I am asking in return is a guaranty that when you return her to us she is in the same shape as when she left.

"Consider this like your rental agreements you sign, if you don't bring it back in the same shape as when you picked it up, you have to pay for it yourselves. You all may have put stars in her eyes, but we will have to deal with the after effect. If this tour is so important to you all, is my request not just as important?"

Lena said, "Just what kind of penalty would we have to pay?"

"It's in the contract, but I'll tell you, for Dragon's Breath, the penalty is $ 15,000,000.00. For Ainsley, it will be the loss of her marriage, her kids and me."

Mr. Kennedy motioned to Cora to do it, if nothing else to just get out of there. They all signed both copies and Brett, after Corrine notarized them, gave them each their own copy. The five stood up and walked to the door.

Cora turned around and said to Ainsley, "If you weren't as good as you are, we wouldn't have needed any of this. Be sure you're ready when the limo gets to here on Monday." They left with out another word.

Both sets of parents were next wondering what they had just witnessed, followed by Brett and Corrine. Jon handed Brett the documents from the band. Ainsley had hers so she could read all the way through it. When the door closed...

"Just what the hell was that all about?"

"I would suggest you read the document before you question me any farther. Through my years of real-estate, I have had to sign numerous contracts and NDA's, this contract is between you and me. Read it before you get on that plane."

It was only seven in the evening, but she took it and walked to the bedroom. She thought to herself that this was supposed to be a dream gig and it was turning into a nightmare instead. Sitting down she began to read what Jon's fears were.

At nine, she came back out and said, "So are you expecting me to become a druggie and fuck around on you. Jon, you are the only love in my life, I would never do anything like that."

"Then in six and a half months, we can have a document burning party to celebrate."

"But you wrote that if I did, you would take the kids away from me."

"Then you have an incentive to not do anything wrong. Ainsley, I have listened to you for twelve years talk about 'your' dream, ok you now get to experience it. Do I have fears, yes. Do I want you to fail, no. Would I be happy if none of this had ever come up, you bet.