Davy was up early the next morning as usual. After his ride with Pearl Locker he showered, fixed eggs, toast, and his special protein shake, and enjoyed his meal in the peaceful kitchen.
Once finished, he cleared the dishes and sat down by the telephone in the living room. He eagerly dialed a long-distance number and waited.
"Hello?" His father answered in his thick Northern England accent.
"Hi Dad! It's Davy! How are you?"
"Fine, son. Just fine. It's good to hear your voice. What have you been getting on about?"
Davy chatted with his dad for a while. He told him about the touring, how well the records sales had been, and how the other fellows were. He heard about his sisters and their families, Auntie Gert and the row she'd had with the local grocer, and some of the hijinks his old friends in the neighborhood had been up to. Davy treasured the time spent talking with his dad on the phone, and had wanted very much to take Mike, Micky, and Peter to Britain on holiday for a long visit. Now he wanted Cherrie to come along, too.
"This must be costing you a fortune, lad. Now why don't you tell me what you really have to say." Davy chuckled. He could never put anything over on his father.
"I've got a girlfriend."
"Aye, and tell me something new."
"Dad, this girl is different. I'm different. Her name is Cherrie Bennett. We're in love."
Harry Jones's tone changed. "I do believe that you're telling me something new this time. So this lass is different, is she?"
"She's wonderful, Dad. She's not like any other girl I've ever dated, and what I feel for her is much deeper. Time flies when I'm with her and stops when we have to part. The rest of the world disappears when we're together. I can't remember what my life was like before her, and I can see us together when we're old and gray. Is this what you felt like when you knew you wanted to marry Mum?"
Harry chose his words carefully. His only son was the apple of his eye, and he wanted Davy to have a better life than he had been able to give him. Davy had taken his mother's death so hard and had been restlessly searching ever since. Harry needed to be certain that Davy was ready for marriage, and that this young woman was the right person for him.
"Son, I loved your mother from the moment I set eyes on her. She had such a quiet way about her. We both knew we'd be together. But you must remember something else. We never had the opportunities that you have. You have a talent that sets you apart from others. You've seen more of the world outside Manchester than I ever will. I'm sure your success is only going to grow. Watch that the people who want to be around you want you for who you are and not what you can give to them. You will find more of those people the more famous you become. That means that you must be more careful of who you choose to spend your life with. You've got good mates in Peter, Micky, and Mike. You've done a good job in America. Remember, though, you'll always be a Manchester boy, and remember what your mother and I taught you. If you do, you'll know if Cherrie is the woman you should marry."
"Thanks for the advice, Dad. I can't wait for you and the family to meet her. I'm going to sit down with the guys and figure out when all of us can take some time to come see you."
"Davy? Make sure that before you come home, you visit the barber and tell `im to cut it to the wood." Davy laughed heartily at the joke he and his father shared. Harry still wouldn't accept his son's longer hair. "Aw, Dad. Take care of yourself now. I'll call again soon. I love you."
Peter entered the room just as Davy hung up the phone. "Good morning. Talking to your dad?"
"Good morning, Peter. Yeah. He's the greatest. He said cheers."
"Did you tell him about Cherrie?"
"Uh-huh. We all need to set aside some time to go over there. I want him to meet the most important people in my life."
Micky careened down the hurricane stairs at that moment. "You have people in your life? Am I ever gonna meet them?"
Davy rolled his eyes. "So much for peace and quiet. Good morning, Micky. I talked to Dad this morning. He sends his best. I'll wait until Mike is here and then we can discuss our going to England for vacation. I've already had breakfast, but I'll be happy to fix something for the rest of you. What's your pleasure?"
Another busy day started for The Monkees.
Chapter 9
Chapter 11
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