The morning went by uneventful. Somehow the guys managed to get up early, probably because of the excitement of going “home”. I was hungry, so John finally ordered room service. I quickly showered, dressed, got ready, and did some last minute packing. I heard John give a shout that breakfast was ready and charged into his room. Everyone was there, even Ringo whom everyone claimed to be the late riser. Ringo was grumbling over lack of sleep, and George looked like he was about to fall face first into his cup of tea. Paul seemed to brighten when I entered the room, and Ringo just looked up and blushed. “Fully clothed today are we, did you miss Paul last night?” Ringo said.
I shoved a Danish into his face, and he wasn’t very happy having his face covered in a breakfast pastry. Everyone laughed as I took the seat in between George and Paul on the couch. Ringo was trying to wipe his face off with a napkin, while John said, “Well mate she saved you the embarrassment of falling asleep in your plate!”
That made everyone break out into a laugh, but Ringo still didn’t look amused. I tried apologizing, and he began to blush again, and told me it wasn’t necessary. The rest of breakfast went by in a blur. There was a lot of unimportant small talk, but it turned out to be an uneventful morning. When we began to leave chaos erupted. Fans surrounded the hotel and we were all carted to the limo by security. Some fans managed to break through the barricades so we ended up making a mad dash to the limo. I nearly slipped but George managed to catch me and drag me to the limo. As we entered the limo I thanked George for saving me. As we left I noticed Ringo and John making faces in the windows directed towards the fans. The fans thinking they were being noticed shrieked and fainted, I just sent disgusted looks John and Ringo’s way and they laughed when they noticed. I kept thinking These are just regular guys, and those girls are making complete fools of themselves. How can anyone act so stupid over people they have never actually met?
John must have been thinking on a long the same tracks because he said, “Those birds must be out of their bloody minds to be in love with us, and to never actually have met let alone get to know us. This is crazy! Who would have ever thought that four poor, workin’ class, tone deaf ninnies from Liverpool, like us could stir up the world as we have just done?”
After John’s comment the remainder of the ride was in silence with the occasional attempt at small talk. Paul somehow found my hand and grasped it possessively. I looked up to see John watching Paul, and I noticed a far off look in his beautiful, deep, light brown, chestnut eyes. I felt a longing to fill that far off empty look, but then I looked into Paul’s eyes and I felt trapped not knowing what to do. I felt drawn to both John and Paul, was it just physical attraction of was there something else that I could be missing? It was to soon for me to claim that I was in love, but what else could describe the confusion and the ache in my chest that I kept feeling. I must have looked sick because I saw a concerned look cross George’s face as he asked, “Are you okay, luv?”
“I am fine, why do you ask?”
“You look like you may be getting sick. You have this strange look on your face and you keep grasping your head like you have a headache,” George said. “Sure you don’t want some aspirin or something?”
“I have some if you need it,” Ringo offered.
“Ahh, shut your gob Rich. You always have aspirin, for those long nights out on the town!” John said and Ringo blushed.
The limousine finally arrived at the airport and we all made a mad dash for the small plane awaiting us. Their were a few hundred ecstatic fans there to see us off. Once in the plane a feeling of security took over everyone. There was a wetbar toward the back of the plane and seats for us, the passengers in the front. I sat down by the window and Paul took the seat next to mine. I felt a little overwhelmed at the fact that I was in a plane full of Beatles, but I couldn’t think of them as that. Not anymore, they had become more like friends or even older brothers. I told Paul that this was my first flight.
“Don’t worry, luv. Airplanes are really safe. Besides nothin’ in the sky to hit except clouds,” He reassured me and grasped my hand during take off. Ringo had his reassurance for take off, a scotch and coke.
“Hey, luv, if you really want some sturdy stuff that helps with flight jitters have a few sips o’ this,” Ringo said. “I doubt I need the stuff anymore, I mean I have been flying now for awhile although that first flight was rather...”
“Ahh, shut your gob Richie. If you’re going to drink on the plane at least save us your bloody storytelling. Read or somethin’!” John snapped at Ringo. Ringo appeared to be offended but he didn’t say anything. He must have been used to John’s personalities. Paul just said, “This is always happening, luv. Don’t worry Richie never takes John to heart anymore. If any of us did then we would never have made it this far.”
Soon John, and Paul had scotch and cokes. John called Paul over to work or talk about something, so George switched seats with Paul, meaning that he ended up sitting beside me. Our conversation was rather deep actually.
“It appears as if those two have something really deep to talk about. Mind if I sit here while Paul and John converse?” George asked.
“Make yourself comfy, besides I wouldn’t mind having a conversation, I mean if it is okay with you, that is,” I said, I sound like an idiot. He probably wanted to move back to his seat by then.
“Actually I wouldn’t mind talking to you. I have had enough chats with those guys to last me a lifetime,” George said sarcastically.
“We heard that, Harrison!” John, Paul, and Ringo chorused in mock anger, and then we all burst out laughing when John raised his fist and said, “Wait until we land, I’ll kick your bloody wise ass!”
George began to strike up the conversation, “So, back to that chat we were about to have before we were so rudely interrupted. Where are you really from? I mean you don’t sound like a New Yorker.”
“I am from a really small place called Devil’s Pit in West Virginia. I moved to New York so I could get a change of pace and get away from my overbearing Christian father. I never took much of a liking to authority, and I ended up in some trouble. I wanted to get away, so when I quick school at the age of seventeen, I just got some money and got the hell outta there. Besides there wasn’t much for me there anyway,” I said trying to fight the tears that kept trying to break through the barrier.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He said.
“George made ye girlfriend cry Paulie!” John commented.
“Ahh, bloody hell I am sorry Char. John shut the hell up. P Pa Paul I did didn’t mean it, just sta stay put I’ll take care of this,” George stuttered. Paul was glaring daggers at poor George. I stood up. “Stop it. George it wasn’t anything you said, it is just well bad things hap...” Just then we hit an air pocket and my head hit the top of the plane. I must have been unconscious. I woke up in George’s arms with John rolling ice over my head and arms. “Wakey, wakey, luv. That was one hell of a trip you took. We hit that pocket and you hit your head. Lucky for you George caught you before you really hit something dangerous,” John said with a look of concern, and then his face broke out into a grin when he saw the look on my face. “If she looks that disgusted from what I said she must be okay! Ringo we are going to need that aspirin again.” Ringo sighed and handed me the pills and a glass of water. I quickly swallowed the pills and drank the water. George helped me back into my seat and fastened my seat belt. I felt a little sheepish, considering he was treating me like a child and John was eating it up. I would be hearing about this for awhile. I could just imagine what he would be saying, “Paulie’s little baby need any help with that? Why not ask big strong Paul or George or Ringo or me for help, eh?” I couldn’t endure that for the rest of my life, but judging from the light glowing in John’s eyes I should prepare for such treatment. I eventually fell asleep on the long flight. I don’t know whether from exhaustion or the pills. I slept soundly on George’s shoulder and he didn’t object. Once we landed John began to tickle my nose and I buried my face further into George’s shoulder. Finally John grabbed my shoulders, shook them, and yelled, “Luv, we are here, and the plane is on fire!”
I jumped up. John was grinning and George just smirked. Paul looked over at me, to see what had happened this time, Ringo just managed to ignore us. We finally got off of the plane and because it had begun to rain we made a mad dash for the limo that awaited us. Brian was already in. The first stop was George’s flat, and then Ringo’s, and on to Paul’s. The final stop was John’s flat, and that was where I was going to stay until they found me a “suitable” place. I was worrisome of what they found “suitable” but I didn’t want to impose on John for to long so I was hoping that they would find that ideal “flat” sooner rather than later.
John helped me bring in my luggage. His was on the way, but for the time being he had some things in his closet that he could deal with. He told me where to find the guest room, and that there was a bathroom on that hall as well. The guest room was upstairs and the master bedroom, his room, was a few doors down. I went to my room and began to unpack some of my things and put them in some of the drawers. I hung up a few of my dresses and blouses in the closet, and then I found a light cotton nightgown and put it on. I went into the bathroom, and got ready for bed, brushing my teeth, etc. As soon as my head touched the pillow I was comatose into a deep sleep. I awoke a few hours later to an uneasy feeling. I felt like someone was watching me. I looked up and sitting in a chair beside the bed was John. He had dosed off. I kept wondering what was he doing in here? He suddenly woke up and noticed me looking up at him with a confused expression on my face.
“Sorry if I startled ya, luv. I didn’t mean it. I just couldn’t sleep,” He said.
“It’s okay. I was a little shocked to find you in here. Do you enjoy watching strange women sleeping in your guest room bed? Is that how you Englishmen get your kicks?” I asked. He began to laugh his amazing laugh, and caught me off guard.
“You aren’t a strange woman to me. I find you interesting. If you want, you can stay here as long as you like, and it will save you time and money looking for a flat. I wouldn’t mind at all. Besides I enjoy your company, luv,” John said, and I saw a strange look pass through his eyes. Just then the phone rang. John picked it up.
“Hullo Lennon speaking, what do ya want?” He said into the receiver. Then his face changed and a look of concerned passed over it. “Yeah I’ll be right there.”
“What’s wrong John?” I asked as worry laced its way into my voice.
“That was George. He went over to Paul’s after he got a phone call from Paul. George is really worried over him. It looks as though Paul went out and ordered a drink, and someone slipped some acid into it. Bloody hell I better go,” John said getting up out of the chair. I got up out of bed and said, “Wait, I am coming with you.”
“Luv, I don’t think you really want to see this. Have you ever seen anyone trippin’ off of acid?” John said looking at me.
“No, but it can’t be much worse than a hang-over. Just wait a few minutes and let me get dressed. I will be down in a minute,” I said with determination. He left the room, and I threw on a pair of jeans, a bra and a tee shirt. I ran down the stairs putting on my sneakers, and then we left to go to Paul’s flat.
It was a bit far from John’s place. As soon as we entered I felt like something was horribly wrong. George rushed in from the den, and yelled something to someone else in the den about holding Paul down. George glanced at me for a moment, and then directed all of his attention to John. “John, I don’t know what happened. He called me and I rushed over here. As soon as I get here I noticed that the place was trashed and Paul was just staring around the room with this wild look in his eyes, and then he started talking about strange things. I managed to get him over to the couch and then Richie walked in. Paul must have called him as well. Richie is holding him down right now. I didn’t know what to do, so I decided to call you since this has happened to you before,” George said rather shakily.
“It sounds like a really bad trip. Do you know where he was before he called you? Someone could have slipped it into his drink without him knowing it. That was how it happened to me. Rich how are things going?” John said sending me a reassuring glance noticing the frightened look on my face. “George get a lot of water and be ready for anything.”
“Hey could someone come in here, I don’t know what is going on, but it doesn’t look good. He is talking about my face being blue and then spinning. Hello am I the only bloody person he is scaring here?” Ringo shouted from the other room.
“I am coming Rich. If he goes for a window just hold him steady alright?” John replied.
“Maybe we should call Mal. He was with me when I was trippin’ that night someone slipped acid in my drink. He knows more about handling this than me,” John said and George went to do as John suggested. John told me to go into the kitchen and get some cold washcloths and a glass of water, as I headed to the kitchen he said, “Don’t worry, luv, he will pull through I will see to that, although he might have a hell of a hang-over in the morning.” He then laughed a little and went to see about Paul.
“I can handle hang-overs!” I shouted back. I went into the living room with the water and washcloths and noticed Paul staring at the ceiling and talking about rainbows and other nonsense. I was beginning to think that being a Beatle had driven him crazy, when Mal came rushing through the door. Suddenly Paul began to cringe and roll himself up into a tiny ball. He began to shake. I didn’t know what was going on. Mal said something about what he may be experiencing. Finally it looked as though Paul fell asleep. I just collapsed in a chair glad to see that he wasn’t in anymore pain. John came over and grasped my hand. “Don’t worry, luv. I promise he will be better in the morning. Hopefully you will never see him like this again. I mean when he is drunk it isn’t that bad, but anyone on a bad trip can look bloody awful!”
“Oh, John,” I sighed and I got up and he held me in a strong embrace. “I didn’t know what to think. I was scared and he looked like he was hurting, and...” I couldn’t finish because he gently lifted my chin and I felt his lips brush mine. I couldn’t help it, I felt myself responding to that kiss, and I kissed him back. Our kissing became more heated and I felt my knees go weak, and his strong arms began to support me. Then there was a crash and when I looked up and turned my head I saw Ringo in the doorway and a broken glass on the floor. Ringo appeared to be a little embarrassed about walking in on us, I just stood there staring at him blankly not knowing what to say. Finally John broke the silence, “Ring ol’ boy I made the first move. Don’t tell anyone okay. Wouldn’t want Paulie waking up and tryin’ to kill me in the morning now would ye?”
“If a fight does happen I don’t want any part of it. John don’t even think of bringing me into anything between you and Paul over birds. I won’t say a bloody word,” Ringo replied shaking his head. I looked up at John and I saw some defeated expression in his eyes. I decided to see where they took Paul, Ringo told me, so I went to Paul’s room. Paul was lying on the bed, but he wasn’t in a peaceful sleep. He kept tossing and turning. George left to go see what John and Ringo were up to. When he came back a few minutes later he asked to speak to me alone, so I followed him into the now empty den.
“What is going on, Char? We are friends okay? You can tell me anything you want and I won’t tell anyone, I swear. Now I want to know what is going on with John and Paul? Tell me the truth,” George said gazing at me with full attention.
“George, I really like Paul, but John just keeps showing up when I need him and I feel something between him and me. I don’t know what to think. I am just so confused. I think I want to see what happens with Paul, yet I find myself wanting John whenever I am with Paul, but I just think maybe I feel like I owe John something for saving me,” I said as tears began to spill down my cheeks. He lifted my chin gently and gave me a tissue.
“I don’t want to tell you who to choose, but I will tell you this, Paul has a way with the ladies, and well we all have had little indiscretions, none of us are saints, and well I hope this doesn’t worry or scare you, but sometimes John can be a lot to handle. He can cut down anyone’s ego. Keep in mind the good points and the bad points when thinking of choosing who you are going to start a relationship with,” George said.
I told him that I was staying with John and didn’t know if I could handle staying with him, and about John showing up in my room while I was asleep. George said that I could stay with him if I wanted. I agreed, but for tonight everyone was going to stay at Paul’s to make sure he would be okay in the morning.
Paul woke up in the morning, with a horrible headache; he was dizzy, disoriented, and nauseated, but other than that he was okay. I had slept in his guest room, and found John asleep in a chair next to my bed once again. I got out of bed quietly, still wearing the clothes from last night. I went downstairs to see what was going on, and found George drinking tea in the kitchen. He looked up and smiled at me. “I see that John found his way into your room again. He wasn’t on the couch when I woke up, so I assumed he was in the guest room with you,” George said.
“Your assumption is correct. He is peacefully sleeping in a chair. I woke up this morning and I just got up as quietly as possible and put a blanket over him. I bet he got a little chilly sitting in that chair all night,” I said while getting a cup of tea.
“I should have watched him more closely. Don’t worry. You can get your things from John’s and stay with me if you like. I can explain to John. I am sure he would understand,” George continued.
“Explain what?” John asked looking from me to George.
“I just hired Char as my housekeeper and invited her to stay at my flat in the guest room. You don’t have a problem with that do you?” George said looking John straight in the eye.
“I don’t care. If she wants to move in with you it is up to her,” John said looking at me suggestively.
“You are a dirty-minded bastard! George is my friend! It won’t be like that at all. It isn’t like he comes into my room at all hours of the night to watch me sleep!” I yelled.
“What is all the shouting about?” Ringo asked from the doorway.
“Char was just letting Johnny, here know that she was going to be my housekeeper and stay in my guestroom, until she has found a flat for herself,” George replied. Ringo looked at me then to John questioningly.
“Don’t tell me you have a dirty mind like John! You both are impossible!” I said exasperated.
“Why don’t you just stay with me, and you can always go over to George’s home clean and clean it. Just stop that bloody yelling. I have a hell of a headache and all this bloody yelling will kill me,” Paul said groggily.