Imagine

Chapter 35

(A conversation between me and someone else.)

"Have you thought about what you wanted to do with yer brother?"

"No. Not yet. I thought I had all day."

"You do. You also had last night."

"Oh yeah."

"So, any ideas?"

"No. Daddy, why did we move away from New York."

"It became unsafe for me. Ye'll understand when yer older."

"But I want to understand now."

"It just became unsafe for me. That's all you need to know right now."

"Mom doesn't seem too happy to be here."

"She could've stayed. But she also knew I wasn't going to let you grow up there and that I was going to bring you with me."

"Oh. But I had friends there."

"I know. But its what I think is best. I didn't want you growing up in a place that almost got me killed. You know what I mean?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. No more questions about New York, yeh?"

"Okay."

John checked the time. 

"Still got plenty of time."

"Why does Julian go to school and I don't?"

"You will next year. And next year will be his last year of school."

"Why?"

"Because he'll be 18 and he'll be too old to go to school and he'll graduate."

"Oh. But can I graduate?"

John laughed. "When yer 18. Next year, ye'll be starting school. For 13 years, ye'll go."

"That's too long away."

"For me, its not."

"Daddy............"

"Okay, okay. I might miss you."

"What's school like?"

"Boring. Ye'll know soon enough. Just don't let other kids pick on you."

"Why would I get picked on?"

"I don't know. But they will find ways of picking on you. Just don't let it happen to you."

"Okay."

********

Throughout the day, John spent the day with Sean. He did get a phone call from Paul earlier just to check on him to see how things were and if he needed anything. The answer was no. 

John had brought Sean to the park earlier that day, after lunch. It was a few hours before Julian got off school. 

When they got home, Yoko was there. 

"Uh-oh." John muttered under his breath.

"Where did you go?"

"Why do you always want to know?"

"Because Sean is my kid."

"So? He's with his father. He's fine. You don't need to know where we went today."

"No, but I deserve to know."

"What have you done to deserve to know where we go?"

"I married you."

John rolled his eyes. "I didn't forget, in case you were wondering. For your information, we went to the park. He played with a few kids. I watched. I spoke to a couple dads while there. They can relate to what we are going through."

"You told them we were fighting?"

"Of course not. I wouldn't do that. I don't tell people my problems."

"You don't? You don't even tell Paul?"

"Paul is my best mate."

"That proves my point."

"What point? Paul gives the best advice!"

"Like what?"

"You do know he tried to work things out between us two right? He's the one that told ME to talk to you and work things out!"

"Uh-huh."

"If you don't believe me, ask him yerself!"

"No need to yell at me John."

"Yer not getting it. I have my own life to deal with. I don't need to tell you where I go."

"No, but it would be nice to know."

"Do I ask you where you go? Did I ask you when I got home, where you went this morning? No! I didn't!"

"So, you would rather me not care?"

"Exactly! I don't care where you go!"

"Yes you do!"

"When was the last time I asked you where you went?"

"A while ago."

"A while ago, we went everywhere together! Remember that? Remember that time we didn't constantly fight?!"

"Calm down. We can just sit and talk without any yelling."

"Think you can handle that?"

"I'm not as bad as you are but yes. I can. Can you?"

"If you don't make me mad. I have a bit of a temper, ye know."

"I've noticed."

"Sean, go to yer room." 

Sean ran away and John sat on the couch. "So, what is it you want to talk about?"

"Let's start off from the very beginning, when all this started."

"December 9th?"

"Our first argument then. What was it about?"

"What happened the day before."

"Right. You clearly still haven't gotten over it."

"Of course not! How could I get over this? Someone almost killed me! Ever wonder why I've been on edge lately??"

"Sorry John."

"No yer not!" John checked his time. "I need to pick up Julian soon."

"First, we talk about this."

"No. First, I pick up my son."

"John, yer acting childish."

"My son is trying to help me, in case you haven't figured that out."

"Why is he trying to help?"

"Because yer not. He knows how much this scared me. You know and yer not doing anything to help. You were there!!"

"Calm down."

"I'm sorry but I need to go. I'll be back in about 30 minutes."

John walked out the door again.