GraceRyan
Rock n' Roll Doggie FOB
Ok, this a bit longer. It's more of history lesson. It's all fiction and was not meant to offend. Hope you enjoy it.
The sheets tangled around them. Abby rolled over on her stomach with the pillow balled up under her head. Larry lied on his side and traced shapes on her back. She studied what she could see of his face illuminated by the building next door. The sweet smell of sweat hung in the air over her bed. She wondered how long it would last this time. A few days? Maybe a week?
“I’ve thought about this since August of 2001,” Larry said.
“That long?” she asked.
He nodded. “Ever since the third leg of the tour really…”
She smiled. “That was a fun time. Do you remember the road trip we took to Las Vegas on the bike?”
“Of course. I still have a photo from then,” he hopped out of bed to retrieve his wallet from his pants. He dug under credit cards and money to pull out a picture. He crawled back into bed to show Abby.
“Jesus, I look so young,” she mused. Abby held on to the handlebars of Larry’s bike. He sat behind her with one arm wrapped innocently around her waist and his chin resting on her shoulder. Wide smiles spread across their sun kissed faces. They had stopped for a drink somewhere in the desert. “You look the same.”
“Bless you,” he said.
“I can’t believe you let me drive your bike,” she chuckled.
“No one believed it. If that wasn’t a looking glass into my head,” he said.
She ruffled his hair. “I thought something was happening.”
It was after the MTV Video Awards. The band was in Ireland to prepare for the last leg of the tour when they heard. Something terrible had happened in New York. No one could reach Abby or Andrew for almost a day. Everyone was sick with worry. Larry felt a pit in his stomach at the slightest thought of Abby being hurt or worse.
Wednesday morning, Larry’s phone rang. Edge had heard from Andrew. Both he and Abby were safe. They were in the downtown office when it happened, but were not hurt injured. They were both very shaken and now in Boston. Their flight to London was cancelled as all air travel in the States was grounded. It would be several days before they could fly out to meet the band. Larry hung up the phone and went to the bathroom. He sat on the edge of his tub and cried into his hands. His body shook with relief and confusion. Just a few months ago, Abby was just another person on the tour .Suddenly; he needed to see her – to hug her.
When Abby and Andrew did touch down in London, Larry was there to greet them. He paced in VIP lounge and jingled the change in his pocket. As Abby walked through the door, he rushed to her and threw his arms around her.
“It’s so good to see you,” he sighed.
Alarm flashed on her face. He had been cool to her since the Zoo TV tour. The warm welcome bewildered her. She decided not to question it and chalked it a renewed respect for life – even hers.
But something happened. As the air cooled, warmth developed between them. Suddenly, they could lose themselves for hours in conversation of nothing, something and everything.
“That was a great day,” she handed the photo back to him. “I can’t believe you still have it. And that you carry it with you.”
His cheeks warmed. “Sometimes I pull it out to look at it. It always makes me feel better.”
“I have to tell you something,” she said.
“What’s that?” his voice was sleepy.
“I’m seeing someone,” she held her breath.
“What? Like a doctor?” his eyes were open.
“No, like a date,” she answered.
He frowned. “Since Hawaii?”
She shook her head. “Since before Hawaii. It’s nothing serious – you know just a few dates.”
Larry was quiet for a moment. There was a flash of jealousy inside him. He knew he had absolutely no right. “Who is it?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said.
He nodded. “I’m sorry. You’re right. You said you are seeing….”
“As I said, it’s not serious. It hasn’t really gotten,” she paused, “physical. I just wanted to be honest with you.”
“I think I appreciate that,” was all he could think to say.
Abby wasn’t sure why she blurted it out. Yes, she did want to be honest with him. That was true. A part of her hoped he would be jealous. She wasn’t sure why. She knew deep down that this would go nowhere. Ann could call or turn up at any moment and reclaim him.
“Hey, are you okay?” Larry asked as he rubbed her shoulder.
“Yeah,” she glanced at the clock on the other side of the room. “You should get going, I guess.”
“Do you want me to go?” he asked.
“NO, it’s just getting late,” she said.
She felt him smile in the darkness. “I don’t have to go anywhere. We’re not staying at a hotel. Do you want me to stay the night?”
She swallowed hard. The thought of waking up beside him warmed her entire body. “Do you?”
He brushed her hair from her face. “Very much so.”
“Then you should stay,” she inched closer.
He rolled over on top of her and kissed her deeply.
**********************************
Luckily, Bono was very hung-over the following day. Larry’s mobile buzzed at nine in the morning on a wooden dresser. Abby jumped about five feet in the air. Larry flew out of bed revealing his full naked splendor. She didn’t think she would ever get used to the sight.
He sighed. “It’s Bono.” He flipped open his phone. “What?”
“Hey,” Bono rasped. “Look, I’ve already rang Edge and Adam. I’m wrecked. I think I ate something at Andrew’s.”
Larry snorted and shot a glance at Abby. “It’s not something you ate, mate. It’s all that you drank. You were polluted.”
“Shut it. I wasn’t that bad,” Bono croaked. “Listen, I’ll call later. Maybe I’ll rally.”
Larry sat on the edge of the bed. “Take the day. We’ll meet tomorrow. I’m knackered from the flight and could use some sleep.”
Quietly, Abby checked her PDA for appointments. As the rain lashed the windows, it was the perfect day to stay in bed – with Larry. Her heart panged as she saw a text message from Jake. She pushed him to the back of her mind. Her time with Larry was fleeting. She sent Andrew an email to tell him that she was working from home.
“We have the whole day together – alone,” he rumbled in her ear.
“Whatever will we do?” she smiled mischievously.
They finally emerged from the bedroom by mid-morning for a late breakfast of cereal. Abby didn’t have much in her loft style apartment. It was a handy-me-down from Andrew. He bought a condo over in Central Park area and let her have the SoHo loft. The rain slammed against the large windows. Abby and Larry curled up on her overstuffed couch and watched old Elvis movies. They kissed and cuddled. The real world was cold and damp outside.
Abby couldn’t focus on the movie. She took in the warmth of Larry’s body next her. She tried to remember his scent. This was fleeting, she knew.
Larry lit the candles scatted around the loft as Abby ordered some vegetarian Indian take-out. She poured two glasses of red wine. After dinner, Larry slipped a CD into her stereo.
He held out his hand to her. “C’mon.”
She smiled. “Where are we going?”
“Let’s dance,” he said.
“You? Dance?” she laughed.
“Yeah, yeah. I know. It’s ridiculous. Humor me,” he motioned to her.
She slipped her hand in his. He pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. The rain had turned to snow. As they swayed slowly, he kissed her forehead, then temple. She lightly ran her hands across his back. His lips brushed her cheek. She stretched her neck to look in his face. He was so handsome in the warm glow of the candlelight. Gently, he kissed her as they danced. They giggled as a failed attempt at a dip landed them on her floor. He lifted her to the couch and undressed her. Eventually, they moved to the bedroom.
The sun hit Larry’s eyes the next morning. Abby was still asleep beside him. Her blonde hair fell in her eyes. She frowned and twitched before settling back into stillness. What was he going to do? The last 24 hours were a heaven he hadn’t known in years. He couldn’t stop this now. He deserved some peace and happiness – even if could only be for a moment. He pulled her close to him and buried his face in her hair.
*********************************
They sat in a Harlem recording studio. Bono twirled around in a desk chair. “What do you think?”
The four of them sat in the office of the studio. It had the same feel of history as Sun Records. Housed in plain red brick building, the four story studio proved successful for many blues, rock, punk and rap artists over the years. Bono, looking for a different feel for the record, thought it would be good for the creative process. It took less convincing than the Berlin trip. It helped that New York wasn’t in the middle of political collapse and this studio had heat.
“It works for me,” Edge said. “It’s closer to LA than Dublin.”
Bono looked at Adam leaning against a desk. He shrugged nonchalantly. “We can give it a try. Nothing has to be set in stone, right?”
“Right. I understand if you don’t love the idea. Suzie’s in London….” Bono said.
Adam didn’t look concerned. “I’m sure it will be fine.”
All eyes rested on Larry. He would be the hardest to convince. His family was in Dublin and weren’t much for traveling like Bono’s. Larry preferred to be close to home.
“I think it could be great. As Adam said, it’s worth a try.” He shrugged.
While Bono and Edge were surprised by Larry’s easy acceptance, Adam knew exactly the reason – Abby. While it might not have been clear to Bono and Edge, Adam watched Larry and Abby when they were out at the bar or a restaurant. They weren’t obvious, but there was a connection that Adam sensed. It was in their eyes when they looked at one another. Larry’s mood was lighter than ever before. Adam knew – even if Larry didn’t – that he was in love.
And that was it. In May, they would take temporary residence in New York to work on the new album. It also meant that they would be heading home at the end of the week. Larry was a whirlwind of emotions. Being in New York for several months with Abby seemed like heaven to him. But now he had a very tough decision before him. In a matter of days, he would be leaving Abby to go home to Ann and the kids. Was he ready to change his and everyone else’s life forever? And for what? Could he be sure it was the right choice? He was certain that the last few days with Abby were a slice of heaven he hadn’t known in a very long time. How long could that last?
Then there was his family. He wasn’t sure he was ready to destroy their world for whatever he felt for Abby. He knew what it was like to grow up in a fractured family. Their happiness and security was the most important thing to him. Maybe he would have to sacrifice his own happiness for their sake. He didn’t want to hurt Ann either. She had been by his side through everything for over 30 years now. Was he going to throw that in her face as if it didn’t matter? He was all she knew. Until Abby, Ann was all Larry knew.
And there was the band. The four of them had been together so long - they had forgotten what life was like without each other. Edge’s divorce wasn’t just difficult on him – it was hard for all of them. How would they react to his relationship with Abby? Especially after all these years, Larry suspected that Bono still loved her.
It began before Thanksgiving – before the funeral. They met Abby when Andrew came to work for them on the Joshua Tree tour. Abby was just 16 years old. She joined the tour over summer vacation for a few weeks. She belonged to Bono the moment he smiled at her. He ran his fingers through his silky brown hair and winked. Her knees buckled the way most women’s did. He enjoyed her wide-eyed adoration. She blushed when he spoke to her. Her eyes followed every move he made. And being Bono, he flirted mercilessly with her – just to see her giggle and blush.
Abby retuned to the U2 fold in 1992 a different woman. She was now 21. Her blonde curls were no longer trimmed in a 1980’s bob. They hung loose over her shoulders. She had discovered how to dress for her curves. She was never rail thin, but her body developed a more curvaceous form. This time, she didn’t giggle at Bono’s teasing. She raised her eyebrow and gave right back to him. Their flirtatious banter was steamy and slightly dangerous. As the tour whirled around them at a fever pitch, it practically begged them into a physical crescendo. One night, Abby dared him to kiss her. Against his better judgment, he did. The excess of the tour spilled over into Bono’s bed with Abby in it. He had toyed with opportunity and temptation before. Abby proved tough to resist. What was meant to be shrugged off to a long night of drinking developed through the summer.
As ZooTV became Zooropa, Bono was falling for Abby. It didn’t mean that he didn’t love Ali any less. He felt his heart was big enough to love two amazing women at once. But they grew careless. Larry was suspicious. He could see it in their eyes when they looked at one another. It was the way the touched one another, the way their arms lingered. If Adam and Edge suspected, they turned a blind eye. But they had their own distractions. Adam’s whirlwind romance was Naomi was tempestuous at best. Edge had fallen in love with Morleigh. They could only see each other.
However, all things eventually come to light and affairs are discovered. One night, they confronted Bono in his hotel suite. Edge and Adam were disappointed. Larry and Andrew were irate. Andrew couldn’t believe that Bono, one of his best friends, would prey on his young and impressionable sister. Larry blamed not only Bono, but Abby too. After all, she knew he had a family. She wasn’t as innocent as the others believed. He couldn’t forgive the way they put their own lust over Ali and the girls. It didn’t matter that Abby claimed to love Bono. It wasn’t right and that was it.
Time heals most wounds. After the Zooropa implosion, Bono worked steadily to put his relationship back together. Ali grew to understand and forgive the relationship. All parties agreed that it was too soon for Abby to return working for the band during PopMart. It wouldn’t be until 2001 and the Elevation Tour that she would work with the band.
Larry watched Bono and Abby during the first few months of the tour. He waited for a rekindling or a flicker. Bono had claimed that he still had deep feelings for Abby still. There was nothing more than a deep appreciation and admiration. Even Ali and Abby became friends. They had joked that Abby would Ali’s place if something should happen. Only Larry held onto his anger and feeling of betrayal. He was just barely civil to her. In retrospect, he was quite nasty. And Abby took it. She knew that he might never forgive and would never forget.
It was twelve years since Bono and Abby’s affair ended. Larry remembered the outrage he felt as if it were just yesterday. It had changed the face of the band and the relationship within. It took several years for trust to be earned. Now he was in Bono’s shoes. After he yelled and condemned them both, he was slipping into Abby’s bed under the cover of night. He lied to them and to his family. What would they say if they knew? What would Bono think? After Larry had been harder on him than Ali – here he was with a woman that was essentially his ex. He was Larry the Hypocrite.
Larry sat at the bar as he waited for Abby to call as he did every night that week. He hadn't spent more than a few minutes to pick up a new change of clothes in his apartment. He rubbed his head absent-mindedly as wild thoughts escaped. Could he undo the damage he had done? After all, no one had declared love. For as much as he loved every moment he spent with her, he knew it could go no further. There were too many people to destroy. To end things with Abby would only hurt him and her. His chest ached at the thought of saying good-bye. In the back of his mind, he knew the day would come. As he stared into that very night, he felt sick and weak.
The sheets tangled around them. Abby rolled over on her stomach with the pillow balled up under her head. Larry lied on his side and traced shapes on her back. She studied what she could see of his face illuminated by the building next door. The sweet smell of sweat hung in the air over her bed. She wondered how long it would last this time. A few days? Maybe a week?
“I’ve thought about this since August of 2001,” Larry said.
“That long?” she asked.
He nodded. “Ever since the third leg of the tour really…”
She smiled. “That was a fun time. Do you remember the road trip we took to Las Vegas on the bike?”
“Of course. I still have a photo from then,” he hopped out of bed to retrieve his wallet from his pants. He dug under credit cards and money to pull out a picture. He crawled back into bed to show Abby.
“Jesus, I look so young,” she mused. Abby held on to the handlebars of Larry’s bike. He sat behind her with one arm wrapped innocently around her waist and his chin resting on her shoulder. Wide smiles spread across their sun kissed faces. They had stopped for a drink somewhere in the desert. “You look the same.”
“Bless you,” he said.
“I can’t believe you let me drive your bike,” she chuckled.
“No one believed it. If that wasn’t a looking glass into my head,” he said.
She ruffled his hair. “I thought something was happening.”
It was after the MTV Video Awards. The band was in Ireland to prepare for the last leg of the tour when they heard. Something terrible had happened in New York. No one could reach Abby or Andrew for almost a day. Everyone was sick with worry. Larry felt a pit in his stomach at the slightest thought of Abby being hurt or worse.
Wednesday morning, Larry’s phone rang. Edge had heard from Andrew. Both he and Abby were safe. They were in the downtown office when it happened, but were not hurt injured. They were both very shaken and now in Boston. Their flight to London was cancelled as all air travel in the States was grounded. It would be several days before they could fly out to meet the band. Larry hung up the phone and went to the bathroom. He sat on the edge of his tub and cried into his hands. His body shook with relief and confusion. Just a few months ago, Abby was just another person on the tour .Suddenly; he needed to see her – to hug her.
When Abby and Andrew did touch down in London, Larry was there to greet them. He paced in VIP lounge and jingled the change in his pocket. As Abby walked through the door, he rushed to her and threw his arms around her.
“It’s so good to see you,” he sighed.
Alarm flashed on her face. He had been cool to her since the Zoo TV tour. The warm welcome bewildered her. She decided not to question it and chalked it a renewed respect for life – even hers.
But something happened. As the air cooled, warmth developed between them. Suddenly, they could lose themselves for hours in conversation of nothing, something and everything.
“That was a great day,” she handed the photo back to him. “I can’t believe you still have it. And that you carry it with you.”
His cheeks warmed. “Sometimes I pull it out to look at it. It always makes me feel better.”
“I have to tell you something,” she said.
“What’s that?” his voice was sleepy.
“I’m seeing someone,” she held her breath.
“What? Like a doctor?” his eyes were open.
“No, like a date,” she answered.
He frowned. “Since Hawaii?”
She shook her head. “Since before Hawaii. It’s nothing serious – you know just a few dates.”
Larry was quiet for a moment. There was a flash of jealousy inside him. He knew he had absolutely no right. “Who is it?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said.
He nodded. “I’m sorry. You’re right. You said you are seeing….”
“As I said, it’s not serious. It hasn’t really gotten,” she paused, “physical. I just wanted to be honest with you.”
“I think I appreciate that,” was all he could think to say.
Abby wasn’t sure why she blurted it out. Yes, she did want to be honest with him. That was true. A part of her hoped he would be jealous. She wasn’t sure why. She knew deep down that this would go nowhere. Ann could call or turn up at any moment and reclaim him.
“Hey, are you okay?” Larry asked as he rubbed her shoulder.
“Yeah,” she glanced at the clock on the other side of the room. “You should get going, I guess.”
“Do you want me to go?” he asked.
“NO, it’s just getting late,” she said.
She felt him smile in the darkness. “I don’t have to go anywhere. We’re not staying at a hotel. Do you want me to stay the night?”
She swallowed hard. The thought of waking up beside him warmed her entire body. “Do you?”
He brushed her hair from her face. “Very much so.”
“Then you should stay,” she inched closer.
He rolled over on top of her and kissed her deeply.
**********************************
Luckily, Bono was very hung-over the following day. Larry’s mobile buzzed at nine in the morning on a wooden dresser. Abby jumped about five feet in the air. Larry flew out of bed revealing his full naked splendor. She didn’t think she would ever get used to the sight.
He sighed. “It’s Bono.” He flipped open his phone. “What?”
“Hey,” Bono rasped. “Look, I’ve already rang Edge and Adam. I’m wrecked. I think I ate something at Andrew’s.”
Larry snorted and shot a glance at Abby. “It’s not something you ate, mate. It’s all that you drank. You were polluted.”
“Shut it. I wasn’t that bad,” Bono croaked. “Listen, I’ll call later. Maybe I’ll rally.”
Larry sat on the edge of the bed. “Take the day. We’ll meet tomorrow. I’m knackered from the flight and could use some sleep.”
Quietly, Abby checked her PDA for appointments. As the rain lashed the windows, it was the perfect day to stay in bed – with Larry. Her heart panged as she saw a text message from Jake. She pushed him to the back of her mind. Her time with Larry was fleeting. She sent Andrew an email to tell him that she was working from home.
“We have the whole day together – alone,” he rumbled in her ear.
“Whatever will we do?” she smiled mischievously.
They finally emerged from the bedroom by mid-morning for a late breakfast of cereal. Abby didn’t have much in her loft style apartment. It was a handy-me-down from Andrew. He bought a condo over in Central Park area and let her have the SoHo loft. The rain slammed against the large windows. Abby and Larry curled up on her overstuffed couch and watched old Elvis movies. They kissed and cuddled. The real world was cold and damp outside.
Abby couldn’t focus on the movie. She took in the warmth of Larry’s body next her. She tried to remember his scent. This was fleeting, she knew.
Larry lit the candles scatted around the loft as Abby ordered some vegetarian Indian take-out. She poured two glasses of red wine. After dinner, Larry slipped a CD into her stereo.
He held out his hand to her. “C’mon.”
She smiled. “Where are we going?”
“Let’s dance,” he said.
“You? Dance?” she laughed.
“Yeah, yeah. I know. It’s ridiculous. Humor me,” he motioned to her.
She slipped her hand in his. He pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. The rain had turned to snow. As they swayed slowly, he kissed her forehead, then temple. She lightly ran her hands across his back. His lips brushed her cheek. She stretched her neck to look in his face. He was so handsome in the warm glow of the candlelight. Gently, he kissed her as they danced. They giggled as a failed attempt at a dip landed them on her floor. He lifted her to the couch and undressed her. Eventually, they moved to the bedroom.
The sun hit Larry’s eyes the next morning. Abby was still asleep beside him. Her blonde hair fell in her eyes. She frowned and twitched before settling back into stillness. What was he going to do? The last 24 hours were a heaven he hadn’t known in years. He couldn’t stop this now. He deserved some peace and happiness – even if could only be for a moment. He pulled her close to him and buried his face in her hair.
*********************************
They sat in a Harlem recording studio. Bono twirled around in a desk chair. “What do you think?”
The four of them sat in the office of the studio. It had the same feel of history as Sun Records. Housed in plain red brick building, the four story studio proved successful for many blues, rock, punk and rap artists over the years. Bono, looking for a different feel for the record, thought it would be good for the creative process. It took less convincing than the Berlin trip. It helped that New York wasn’t in the middle of political collapse and this studio had heat.
“It works for me,” Edge said. “It’s closer to LA than Dublin.”
Bono looked at Adam leaning against a desk. He shrugged nonchalantly. “We can give it a try. Nothing has to be set in stone, right?”
“Right. I understand if you don’t love the idea. Suzie’s in London….” Bono said.
Adam didn’t look concerned. “I’m sure it will be fine.”
All eyes rested on Larry. He would be the hardest to convince. His family was in Dublin and weren’t much for traveling like Bono’s. Larry preferred to be close to home.
“I think it could be great. As Adam said, it’s worth a try.” He shrugged.
While Bono and Edge were surprised by Larry’s easy acceptance, Adam knew exactly the reason – Abby. While it might not have been clear to Bono and Edge, Adam watched Larry and Abby when they were out at the bar or a restaurant. They weren’t obvious, but there was a connection that Adam sensed. It was in their eyes when they looked at one another. Larry’s mood was lighter than ever before. Adam knew – even if Larry didn’t – that he was in love.
And that was it. In May, they would take temporary residence in New York to work on the new album. It also meant that they would be heading home at the end of the week. Larry was a whirlwind of emotions. Being in New York for several months with Abby seemed like heaven to him. But now he had a very tough decision before him. In a matter of days, he would be leaving Abby to go home to Ann and the kids. Was he ready to change his and everyone else’s life forever? And for what? Could he be sure it was the right choice? He was certain that the last few days with Abby were a slice of heaven he hadn’t known in a very long time. How long could that last?
Then there was his family. He wasn’t sure he was ready to destroy their world for whatever he felt for Abby. He knew what it was like to grow up in a fractured family. Their happiness and security was the most important thing to him. Maybe he would have to sacrifice his own happiness for their sake. He didn’t want to hurt Ann either. She had been by his side through everything for over 30 years now. Was he going to throw that in her face as if it didn’t matter? He was all she knew. Until Abby, Ann was all Larry knew.
And there was the band. The four of them had been together so long - they had forgotten what life was like without each other. Edge’s divorce wasn’t just difficult on him – it was hard for all of them. How would they react to his relationship with Abby? Especially after all these years, Larry suspected that Bono still loved her.
It began before Thanksgiving – before the funeral. They met Abby when Andrew came to work for them on the Joshua Tree tour. Abby was just 16 years old. She joined the tour over summer vacation for a few weeks. She belonged to Bono the moment he smiled at her. He ran his fingers through his silky brown hair and winked. Her knees buckled the way most women’s did. He enjoyed her wide-eyed adoration. She blushed when he spoke to her. Her eyes followed every move he made. And being Bono, he flirted mercilessly with her – just to see her giggle and blush.
Abby retuned to the U2 fold in 1992 a different woman. She was now 21. Her blonde curls were no longer trimmed in a 1980’s bob. They hung loose over her shoulders. She had discovered how to dress for her curves. She was never rail thin, but her body developed a more curvaceous form. This time, she didn’t giggle at Bono’s teasing. She raised her eyebrow and gave right back to him. Their flirtatious banter was steamy and slightly dangerous. As the tour whirled around them at a fever pitch, it practically begged them into a physical crescendo. One night, Abby dared him to kiss her. Against his better judgment, he did. The excess of the tour spilled over into Bono’s bed with Abby in it. He had toyed with opportunity and temptation before. Abby proved tough to resist. What was meant to be shrugged off to a long night of drinking developed through the summer.
As ZooTV became Zooropa, Bono was falling for Abby. It didn’t mean that he didn’t love Ali any less. He felt his heart was big enough to love two amazing women at once. But they grew careless. Larry was suspicious. He could see it in their eyes when they looked at one another. It was the way the touched one another, the way their arms lingered. If Adam and Edge suspected, they turned a blind eye. But they had their own distractions. Adam’s whirlwind romance was Naomi was tempestuous at best. Edge had fallen in love with Morleigh. They could only see each other.
However, all things eventually come to light and affairs are discovered. One night, they confronted Bono in his hotel suite. Edge and Adam were disappointed. Larry and Andrew were irate. Andrew couldn’t believe that Bono, one of his best friends, would prey on his young and impressionable sister. Larry blamed not only Bono, but Abby too. After all, she knew he had a family. She wasn’t as innocent as the others believed. He couldn’t forgive the way they put their own lust over Ali and the girls. It didn’t matter that Abby claimed to love Bono. It wasn’t right and that was it.
Time heals most wounds. After the Zooropa implosion, Bono worked steadily to put his relationship back together. Ali grew to understand and forgive the relationship. All parties agreed that it was too soon for Abby to return working for the band during PopMart. It wouldn’t be until 2001 and the Elevation Tour that she would work with the band.
Larry watched Bono and Abby during the first few months of the tour. He waited for a rekindling or a flicker. Bono had claimed that he still had deep feelings for Abby still. There was nothing more than a deep appreciation and admiration. Even Ali and Abby became friends. They had joked that Abby would Ali’s place if something should happen. Only Larry held onto his anger and feeling of betrayal. He was just barely civil to her. In retrospect, he was quite nasty. And Abby took it. She knew that he might never forgive and would never forget.
It was twelve years since Bono and Abby’s affair ended. Larry remembered the outrage he felt as if it were just yesterday. It had changed the face of the band and the relationship within. It took several years for trust to be earned. Now he was in Bono’s shoes. After he yelled and condemned them both, he was slipping into Abby’s bed under the cover of night. He lied to them and to his family. What would they say if they knew? What would Bono think? After Larry had been harder on him than Ali – here he was with a woman that was essentially his ex. He was Larry the Hypocrite.
Larry sat at the bar as he waited for Abby to call as he did every night that week. He hadn't spent more than a few minutes to pick up a new change of clothes in his apartment. He rubbed his head absent-mindedly as wild thoughts escaped. Could he undo the damage he had done? After all, no one had declared love. For as much as he loved every moment he spent with her, he knew it could go no further. There were too many people to destroy. To end things with Abby would only hurt him and her. His chest ached at the thought of saying good-bye. In the back of his mind, he knew the day would come. As he stared into that very night, he felt sick and weak.
