"He said his name is Paul dear, he sounds kind of strange, do you want to take it?" she asked me wearily.
"Yeah, I'll take it in my room, thanks." I said hopping up, and hurrying to my room.
"Hello?" I said while putting the phone to my ear.
"Yes, uh, is this Harmony?" the strange voice asked.
"This is she, how can I help you?" I was really starting to wonder now.
"Yes, this is uh, Paul, Paul McCartney." he stuttered slightly.
"Ah, yes, you must be John's friend. What do you want from me?" I asked annoyance creeping into my voice.
"Well, John had me call you, he apparently left his wallet in your car, is it OK if I come and pick it up?" he asked nervously.
"What, is Johnny too chicken to do it himself? I tell you what, I'm not gonna be home tonight, so tell whoever is coming to get it that they'll have to come to the Tavern." I concluded getting bored.
"Well, thanks, that's fine. What time?" he countered.
"9:00 tonight, corner table, you can't miss me." I replied.
"Thanks again, see you tonight, bye." he finished.
"Yeah, see ya," I ended and hung up the phone.
"Well, who was it?" my mother asked as she peeked her head in my room.
"How long have you been standing there?" I asked, wondering if she had been snooping again.
"Just a second, well, are you gonna share?" she asked, sounding way too impatient, my mom really needs a life.
"It was John's friend Paul, John apparently left his wallet in my car, and Paul is going to come get it." I said matter of factly.
"Oh, well, John's not coming?" my mother asked, wanting too much information.
"I hope not. He's more annoying than a sander to the teeth." I told her.
"Oh, I think he happens to be very nice." she replied smiling.
"Think what you want, but you'll see, I need to get back to cleaning." I said while trying to push past her not wanting to talk about it anymore.
The rest of the day, I was in the worst mood, I needed a drink to calm my nerves. When 7:30 rolled around, I figured I might as well get ready.
While showering the thought of why john wouldn't come popped into my head.
Letting it pass, trying not to think of him, again, I proceeded to figure out what on earth to wear.
"Hhmm, I feel like dressing up tonight." I said while staring into my closet.
First I pulled out a short red dress I had hidden away, then decided it was too typical, so, I decided on a one piece hunter green suede bellbottoms jumpsuit, a little tighter than the clothes I normally wear, but who will notice?
Walking in the bathroom to do make-up and hair, I caught my appearance in the mirror. I had horrible purple bags under my eyes, they stuck out against my golden honey red hair and ice blue eyes.
Applying plenty of concealer to cover them, eyeshadow, liner, and lipstick, I removed the curlers from my hair, flipped it a couple of times, and was ready to head out the door.
I only wish you could have seen the look on my mother's face when she saw me that night, classic.
"Harmony Michelle, just what are you wearing?" she asked with a discouraging look on her face.
"Clothes." I replies nonchalantly.
"Well, I don't know why you insist going out like that, you look like, well, you look like trash." she said whispering the last word as if in shame.
"Well, I need to get going, it's 8:45 already." I called over my shoulder while grabbing my coat and heading out the door.
When I reached my car, I immediately started searching for the wallet, reaching under the seat, I felt it.
"Ahha, jackpot." I said smirking.
"Time to snoop."
I opened it, to reveal his driver's license, hmm, pictures not too bad, wow, lots of money, and a condom.
"Figures." I spoke aloud.
Sticking it in my purse, and starting the car, I was soon on my way to my usual night spot.
Pulling into the parking lot I noticed it wasn't as busy as usual.
I jumped out of the car and headed inside.
"Hey Harry." I said to the slightly tubby bartender mixing drinks behind the bar. He was the owner of the Tavern.
"Hey Harmony, why don't you give me a break and take it slow tonight huh." he replied to me.
"No problem Harry, I'm not gonna be here long." I said smiling back at him.
Finally finding my usual table in the back, I sat down and ordered a shot of tequila and a margarita.
Just sitting and steadily drinking, waiting for Paul, the dreamboat wannabe to come and get John's damn wallet. Looking around the room, I noticed someone standing in the front door, looking very out of place. Instead of calling him over, I just sat and stared to see if he would come to me.
He looked around for a while, and then noticed me staring. I guess he thought I was trying to flirt because he winked, and started to come over to the table.
When he walked up, before he could even say anything, I held out the wallet.
"Oh, you must be Harmony, John didn't tell me you were this beautiful." he said trying to be charming.
"Please, save the lines." I replied.
"Well, OK, can I at least buy you a drink?" he asked hopefully.
"No thanks, I have plenty of money." I answered.
"Oh, come on, one friendly drink, what's the harm, 'sides, you'll be getting a freebie." he pleaded while grinning.
"All right, just one. Alice, could you bring me another margarita, and whatever he's having." I shouted to the waitress across the bar.
"Uh, thanks Alice, I'll just have a beer." he said looking slightly embarrassed.
"So, do you come here often?" he asked while turning back to me.
"Whenever I wanna get outta my house." I responded.
"So, do you listen to our band then?" he asked desperately searching for a topic to talk about.
"Not really, but my little sister loves you guys." I returned.
"Well, that's nice. So, what's going on with you and John?" he asked while drumming his fingers on the table.
"Me and John? Ha, that's a laugh!" I replied.
"Oh, you're not dating?" he asked.
"Hardly, ha, we can barely stand being in the same room." I said.
"So, tell me, why couldn't he come get his wallet?" I asked curiously.
"Oh, well, he said he wasn't feeling too well." Paul answered.
"Ah, too bad." I replied sarcastically.
When our drinks arrived, I quickly slurped down the contents of the mug, and ordered a shot of tequila.
I could feel the affects of the alcohol taking over. The smokiness of the bar was starting to burn my eyes, and the air was starting to feel thick and humid.
"Would you excuse me, I'm going to the ladies room, hu." I said while hiccuping.
Getting up to walk, I felt slightly woozy, and for some reason, turned back and saw Paul staring at me walking away looking very inebriated.
I walked into the small dingy bathroom, reapplied my lipstick, powdered my nose, and made my way back out to the table.
"Wow, that's a real gear suit. Do all girls here dress like that?" he asked while pointing to my pants.
"Nope, not that I know of, most other girls here are nonalcoholic, nonsmoker types. As for me, I just don't care, I do what I like." I answered sounding slightly cocky.
"Well, too bad for them they don't get the clue and follow lead." he complimented in amazement.
"Well, I don't know, then I wouldn't be unique." I said smirking.
After a couple more drinks, I soon had the want to take a hot bath, and fall into my soft warm bed.
"Well, Paul, it's been great, but, I really think it's time for me to get home." I said trying to stand, but having some trouble.
"You're gonna, uh, drive like that?" he asked slurring and hiccuping.
"Do it all the time. Do you need a ride anywhere?" I asked him while swaying.
"Uh, yeah, sure, to the hotel, you know where it is?" he asked while paying the bill.
"Yeah, let's get outta here."
As we jumped in the car from the freezing snow, I immediately turned the heater on full blast. I started the car, and carefully pulled onto the street. We didn't even make it 2 blocks when I looked over and noticed Paul turning very green.
"Uugghh, can you pull over?" he asked nauseously.
"Are you gonna puke? DON'T PUKE IN MY CAR!!" I shouted.
"Hurry, pull over!" he pleaded.
I literally slammed on the breaks, before the car could even stop, Paul was already hanging halfway out the door ralphing out his guts.
When he was finally finished, I hurriedly took off again, figuring the sooner I got him home the better.
"You feel better Paul?" I asked while glancing over at him. "Yes, much, thanks, I could really use some coffee." he commented just as we pulled up to their hotel.
"Thanks for the drinks, Paul." I said trying to be polite.
"Anytime. Hey, you wanna come up and have a quick cuppa coffee with me?" he asked.
"Well, does sound good. I don't know though." I said cautiously.
"Come on, it's a suite, we'll be in a living room." he promised.
"All right, but I can't stay long." I said while parking the car.
As soon as we walked in the lobby, I realized I had never even set foot in this hotel, I had lived here all of my life, and never been here. No one I knew could afford this place.
The inside lobby had a few bordoux red velvet couches scattered here and there, with gold fringe on them, the ashtrays were even made of gold.
Very ritzy, I thought.
We hopped in the elevator and rode to the top, penthouse suite. As we entered the room, there was a large window on the far wall, a few couches and chairs like the ones in the lobby, a fully stocked bar, 2 connecting doors and a kitchen.
"Just make yourself at home, and I'll get the coffee." he said while throwing his keys on the table.
I sat down and removed my shoes, my feet were killing me, and Paul soon returned with some cups and a fresh pot of coffee that smelled like heaven.
We sat and talked for a while, when I suddenly got very tired.
"You wanna watch some TV?" Paul asked me.
"Sure, why not." I replied.
He walked over and turned on some old movie I recognized, and that was the last I remember that night. Next thing I remember after that, was waking up with he sun in my eyes, on their couch, with a blanket thrown over me.
When I looked up, the first thing I noticed, was John sitting in chair across
from me looking like he wanted to kill someone, hopefully, it wasn't me.
Written by Jeanna. May not be reproduced without the permission of the author. Permission may be obtained by e-mail.