February 20th, 1969 6:15 am

I opened the passenger door and saw the sleeping Lennon. He seemed so peaceful, not having a care in the world. Unfortunately I knew that was not the case. The main reason for this retreat was so that he could get a break from his worries. Well, that and so I could be with him.

John was sprawled out on the back seat. His legs were on the right side of the car, his head was just slightly off the seat. He looked more comfortable since I moved his guitar case out of the car. I guess it was time to wake him up.

“Johnny, Johnny!” I gently shook his shoulders. He was deep in sleep, time for some drastic measures. I slapped him across the face, but not so it would hurt...too much. “Wake up, Johnny!”

He raised his hand to rub the spot where I had hit him. “Wh-what city are we in Macca?” ‘Hmm...’ I thought. I guessed that he must think he is on tour, and I am Paul McCartney. Now was the time to mess with his mind. I did my best Paul McCartney impersonation and asked: “What year is it Lennon?” He rubbed his head, “It’s Nineteen-hundred and fuckin’ sixty-five Paulie, and I swear this is the last fuckin’ tour!!” he thought for a moment, “Wait. That’s not the right year, is it?” he then opened his eyes, “And you’re not Paulie!” “I should hope not.” I smiled down at him. Messing with the mind of John Lennon was a lot more fun that I first thought. John sat up slowly, “We’re in Liverpool....right?” I nodded at his question. He shaded his eyes with his hand.“What’s that bright light in the sky, Jayne?” “I think it’s called the sun, Johnny.” “Oh.” he reached for my hand to help him get out of the car. “Which house has your flat in it?” I pulled him out of the car and onto his feet. I pointed to the house in front of us. “Oh.” “Is that all you say Lennon? I thought you had a legendary vocabulary.” I gibed him. “Mostly it’s filled with four letter words.” he winked. “For instance....” “I don’t think I’d like to know all your four letter words, John.” “....Love.” he smiled. “Can I take that last remark back?” he ignored my comment and looked at the building where he was to stay. “Where’s me luggage? And I thought you said your friend was rich.” he frowned. “Not THAT rich. I decided to be kind and bring your luggage up already, it’s in my room.” “Your room???” he raised an eyebrow at the thought. “Yeah,” I teased him, I licked my lips slowly and gave him a devilish look.I just smiled at the wide eyed Lennon. I guess he thought I was putting the moves on him, so I laughed.“I’m going to sleep in Leslie’s room, my room has the better bed, so I thought you should have it.” “Umm, that was rather kind of you. Thanks.” He stretched his arms, rubbed the back of his neck, and quickly changed the subject of our conversation,“Remind me not to sleep in cars, it’s almost worse than a bloody airplane seat!” “I thought you wanted to sleep in the car last night.” All I got for that remark was a wink and a motherly pat on the head. We walked to the front door of the house and I let him in first. The place was slightly dusty, but still clean looking. I went to the stairs and started to go up while John shut the door. “Which is yours?” he asked. “The toppermost, Johnny.” I stood at the first landing, he started up and reached the place where I was. “Figures.” he breathed. I, personally, did not think two flights of stair was that hard, but this was the fourth time today so I was getting tired when we reached my door. I got the keys out from my pocket and opened the door. The air was immediately filled with pot smoke. “Oi, some party you must have had for your friend.” he remarked at the smell. “Yeah, she’s quite the pot fiend. Naw, actually it was some neighborhood kids, I forgot to air the place out before I left.” we went inside. The flat was rather clean, but the furniture left something to be desired. Les and I had inherited most of the stuff from the previous renters, all except our bedroom stuff, the television, the loveseat and the lamps. I quickly closed the door and opened a window to get the smell out. “I really hadn’t planned on anyone staying here, so my rooms kinda messy. You can walk in it, but don’t even try to set things on the dresser or nightstand. I really haven’t had those clear since I moved in.” I walked over to the ottoman in the living room and sat cross-legged upon it. “Come, sit. Make yourself at home.” He came in from lurking in the short hallway and sat on the loveseat near me. “Are you sure you want me to have your room? ‘Cause I’ll take the other one, it’s fine by me.” “No, no, no. Please, I insist, it’s the least I can do.” well, I had to make sure he would not see Leslie’s obsessive picture walls. This time I quickly changed the subject, “Want to go for the five cent tour?” “The what???” the look upon his face was one of shock and possibly horror. Just kidding, actually he was amused. “I see that one is lost upon the English culture.” I pulled him off the couch and gave him a tour of the place. The bedrooms, carefully avoiding Leslie’s, the kitchenette, the wc, and back to the living room again. “Such a large ornate place, me mum always wanted one of these.” he joked. “At any rate, welcome back to Liverpool, John Lennon.” I grinned at him, hoping that he would have a good time. I know I would. “I think I’ve missed the dreary rainy place.” he stated reflectively. “Now what are you going to do?” “Dunno, thought I’d check in on my friend Pete, and possibly even Mimi. That or I’ll go to a good Liverpool pub. Maybe see a show, or a live musical act. I have all the time in the world, but today I have less than twenty-four hours. So. . .come with me?” he sincerely asked. “I’d love to. . . but, if I don’t get some sleep soon I think I’ll go crazy.” You never will know how much I dreaded saying those words, but I had no sleep in thirty-six hours or so. I knew I needed rest, even at the cost of missing John Lennon back in his old stomping grounds. “Well, I’m sure that there will be other times. I’ll be back before one, or two, or three. Would you leave the door unlocked for me?” he got up and made his way to the door, I followed. “Just take my keys, it will be easier. Oh, by the way, George asked me to tell you to call him whenever you get the chance.” I handed him the keys. “That can wait. Now, you” he kissed me on the cheek, “go get some rest.” he smiled at me and with that he took my keys and went out the door. Who thought a peck on the cheek would be so satisfying? Surely I had not thought so before, but now I felt like I could fly. John was not even my favorite Beatle, George was, but I think I was rapidly turning into a Lennon fanatic. I will have a good sleep in Leslies’ room, with all those John pictures covering the walls. I went to my room to get changed, but before I could do anything I sat down on my bed. I took off my shoes and set them aside. The bed was so soft and warm. I could not help but crawl inside the covers. I was out like a light.