Imagine

Chapter 64

(My new favorite McCartney song! From his new album McCartney III)

"Okay. I'm calm now." John said, lighting another cigarette."

"Smoking won't solve anything." 

"How'd you know I was smoking?"

"Well, when yer stressed, you sometimes turn to smoking. Smoking is not the answer."

"I know. I was telling Paul earlier that I really need to quit."

"So do I. I think we all do since we've been in this bad habit for over twenty years."

"Daddy?" Sean said.

"Hold on Geo. The kid wants something."

John removed the phone from his ear. "Yes?"

"Why did I have to hide?"

"Uh.................well.................because yer too young to know what's going on. Boy, you ask a lot of questions."

"I thought asking questions was good."

"It is. But some things, you shouldn't question. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Now, one thing you need to learn..................when I'm on the phone, its rude to interrupt."

"Oh. How?"

"Well, its disrupting a conversation. Just like when mum and me talk in person. You don't interrupt when we have a conversation, do you?"

Sean shook his head. "No."

"Okay. Then, you shouldn't interrupt a phone conversation. Its the same thing, really."

"Oh. Okay. I'm sorry."

"Its okay. Just try to remember that. Unless its important, don't interrupt conversations."

"Okay." 

"Now, can I get back to the phone?"

"Yes."

John put the phone back to his ear.

"I'm back."

"So, trying to teach yer kid to have respect when using the phone?" 

"Yes. How did you know?"

"I heard it. He seems to understand."

"Yeh. Some stuff. He still asks questions I don't know how to answer. For example, he asked why he had to hide."

"Well, hopefully he won't ask too many questions."

"He already asked about a hundred total. The questions just keep on coming."

"Don't get mad at him, Johnny. He's just a kid. He doesn't know what he should and shouldn't ask."

"I know. Sometimes, its frustrating because I don't know what to tell him. I don't want to lie to him and I also don't want to hurt him if he asks when we're going back to New York."

"Okay John. I know what it feels like when a little kid asks me questions. So, technically, I know what yer going through."

"As I said, no you don't."

"Yer right. I don't know exactly what yer going through. But its pretty close. Just remember, someone always has it worse."

"Like me."

"I mean worse than you."

"What could be worse than what I've been through?"

"Well, you could be dead. Yer son could be in mourning right now. That's worse than what yer going through with him asking questions he shouldn't be asking."

John sighed. "Very true..............I guess. I can't imagine how he would feel if..........well, you know."

"Yeh. Just so you know, it won't happen."

"You don't know that. I'm scared it will. Ye know, this is why I hate guns. They are dangerous."

"I know. I don't like guns either."

"I wish I could do something to stop gun violence."

"Well, you can try but I don't know how good that will turn out."

"I know. Maybe everyone will listen this time."

"Ye know, it won't stop ALL the gun violence. You know that right?"

"Yeh. I wish guns were banned."

"I don't think that will happen because a lot of people use it for protection."

"I know. But also, a lot of people use it to kill. George, maybe I will stay with Paul for a bit. He was trying to convince me anyways."

"So, the visit scared you enough to move in with Paul for a while?"

"Yes. Plus, we're starting to write music together again."

"Really? To be honest, I did not see that coming."

"Well, the visit today made me rethink. Even though I told him yesterday that I wouldn't. Its just something I need to do. Maybe.............just maybe...............I can come to terms with what's been going on."