The Past Recedes

Chapter 38

Nika winced as they passed the hotel casino as the heavy cigarette smoke and clanging slot machines irritated her. "It smells like my apartment when I was a two-pack a day smoker", said John.

"I quit smoking years ago, for my voice. It smells bad it could be worse. It could be pot", said Anthony.

"What's pot?", asked Nika.

"Uh, weed, something you smoke", John mumbled.

"Yeah, you and Flea used to smoke it a lot. Dad let me smoke it at 13", said Anthony.

"Baby, I want to go to the casino", pleaded Yolanda.

"Of course, Yo", said Anthony gallantly.

John just shook his head. "She's got him wrapped around her finger, Anthony has never had a decent girlfriend", he said.

"Miss Yolanda is kind and pretty", said Nika.

"Because she has manners and you're a kid. Anthony should find a nice Midwestern girl, or a Mexican girl, not models. I don't see the value of dating a human mannequin", said John.

"Do you want a girlfriend, Dad?", she asked.

"Not really, I didn't treat girls very well as a young guy. I broke up with my last girlfriend years ago, I'm used to living alone except for the cats. Maybe if I find someone", he said with a shrug.

Nika mulled this over as John led her outside to the hotel deck. She figured that it might be difficult for her father to find a girlfriend since he was away a lot and busy with his music. She wondered if any woman would be okay with him being on tour or mind the cats.

The sun had just started to set as the guests chatted and some took pictures. The sun's rays turned the massive lake a vivid orange-red that shimmered, framed by the dark green of pine leaves. "Tomorrow we can go to the lake, it's huge", said John.

Nika nodded. "Is there a boat on the lake?", she asked.

"Yeah, there's some paddleboat thing. Last time I went to Tahoe was back in the 80's, Yosemite too", he said.

Nika watched as John took out his cigarette case and lighter. "They haven't banned it yet up here", he explained.

John lit a Dunhill and took a drag. "I don't smoke as much as I used to, I smoked two packs a day when I was younger. I started in high school", he said.

Nika made a face at the smell of cigarette smoke. "It's gross", she said.

"I know, but it's my one vice. There's worse things you can do", said John, taking another drag.

John took a final drag off his cigarette and deposited the butt into an ashtray on a table. "Sorry about that, if I don't smoke I'll get a bad headache and feel anxious", he explained.

"That stinks. It smells and I think it causes cancer", she said.

"Unfortunately, but I started smoking in high school. I'm down to one pack a day down from two. Maybe I'll get down to half a pack", he said.

The sun's rays reflected on the lake as the guests chatted and sipped drinks. John got her a lemonade and a glass of Pellegrino for himself as they watched the sunset. "This is nicer than in LA", she said.

"It is, there's no smog here. I loved coming up here when I was younger, it's gorgeous. If it wasn't for the band, I'd move somewhere more rustic. We're going on a long trip together to pick up Mom and Dad in New York and then to Italy to see the family, maybe Mom and Dad can fly out for Thanksgiving or Christmas", he mused aloud.