The Past Recedes

Chapter 47

This is the last chapter and thanks to everyone who read and reviewed

"We had a very pleasant stay here, Nonno and Nonna", said Nika as she dropped into a curtsy.

"Que bono, and we as well", said Margarita as she pinched her cheek.

Nika was still even though the touch was irritating. "We're going to rest for a few days and then I go back on tour. And in September, Nika goes to school", said John.

Nika tried not to frown at the idea of going to school. "Good bye and and good luck", said Antonio as he hugged them all.

"I'm going to get the best grades", she vowed as they all got in the rental car.

"You should also try and make friends and try new things, grades aren't every thing. Flea says the school has an excellent art and music program", said John.

"Okay, but I'm not embarrassing myself", she muttered.

"I'm not the most outgoing guy, but I learned to love playing and touring the Mother's Milk era, but not during the BSSM era because I didn't like playing big arena shows and thought we'd sold out. I'm much more comfortable now", he said.

John Sr. drove away from Benevento and headed towards the coast on the way to Rome. The coastline of Campania north of Naples was stunning under a brilliant azure sky, the blue waters of the Tyrrhenian ringed by lovely white-washed towns clinging to the hills. Surrounding the towns were groves of lemon and orange trees whose boughs bore ripening fruit, everything green and blue with yellow and orange accents from the fruit. "One day I want to see Capri, this whole area is gorgeous", John mused aloud.

After dropping off the car at the airport, the group went to the terminal to catch their flight. Nika followed her father towards the check-in, glad it wasn't as busy as LAX or JFK in New York. She had flashbacks of girls bullying her back in Palm Springs and vowed to get the best grades and keep her head down. After check-in and showing their passports, they found empty seats at the gate and Nika took out her copy of the Aeneid and began reading. John glanced over and saw the Latin verse, impressed as always that she could read Latin. "Our granddaughter is a very smart kid", said Gail.

"I know, Mom. I feel like an idiot", he muttered.

"You are not an idiot, John Anthony Frusciante. You and Nika are both extremely smart people, but your kinds of intelligence are different. Just be encouraging and keep being a great dad, I know that incident in Pompeii was shocking but you handled it well", said John Sr.

"I was in shock and I wanted to hit her at first, that was a low blow. I wanted to protect her, a kid shouldn't look at those things", said John with a sigh.

"You're right, but I want to speak with her other grandparents. Kids shouldn't be exposed to that", said Gail.

The group boarded the plane and Nika went back to reading. John was glad that he'd brought along nicotine gum and popped a piece into his mouth, the tell-tale pinprick easing at the back of his neck. "Welcome aboard United Flight #927 to New York JFK. Our flight will be approximately 10 hours and 18 minutes, so sit back and enjoy the flight", said the pilot before reading it in Italian.

John though how he was going to manage Nika being at school while he was on tour. He knew her antipathy to regular school but he also knew she would go and muddle along and not drop out, but he was still concerned. "You're doing a good job so far", said Gail.

John woke up with a jolt when he felt the plane touch down. He glanced over and was surprised that Nika was still reading, her dark curly head bent in concentration over the book. "I can't sleep sitting up", she said, not looking up from the book.

"Okay, I'm used to it. We're in New York, and we fly back to LA tomorrow", said John.

Nika put the book away and followed them off the plane. From the plate glass windows outside she could tell it was dusk as the sun's rays almost finished setting. "We leave tomorrow night, we're just going to rest tomorrow", he explained.

Nika felt a sudden wave of exhaustion go through her. John saw she was unsteady on her feet and her eyelids drooping as he picked her up. He was relieved that she didn't flinch or get away as he cradled her against his chest, her curly dark hair nearly the same color and texture of his own. "She's warming up to you and you're becoming a great dad", said John Sr.

"Thanks, Dad. I am going to be the best Dad I can be to my daughter", he vowed.