If You Believe (George Harrison/Beatles FanFic)

Chapter 9

A/N--Happy Friday update and welcome to the weekend! Big news coming up for George and Annie---glad you stopped by to catch up on the story. I know there are tons of other things you could be doing---especially over the weekend. Let me know what you think -- I always love to read your comments! Enjoy :-) Love, Lara

March, 1975

"I mailed the agenda to you," Annie told Donna as they had their every day telephone conversation about the office. "We aren't going to be dealing with EMI any longer. Warner Bros. will be releasing George's next album."

"No more Baxter?" Donna asked cheerfully.

"Nope. The Warner office is more downtown, so I don't know what kind of presence they're going to have. Hopefully none."

"You know, Annie, those letters with no return address are still coming fast and furious. Are you sure you still want me to throw them out? I mean what if your ex really has something to tell you?"

"Yeah. He can tell me goodbye," Annie sighed.

"Frankly, between you and me, he scares me. He's a fucking stalker. And Annie, you and George aren't invisible anymore. Your relationship is out there in the media. People know you're together so that means the ex knows if he ever picks up a paper."

"Only the sports section," Annie laughed. "So unless one of us is drafted by the NHL, we're safe."

"Don't laugh, Annie. I think this is serious. Have you told your lawyer what he's doing? I mean sometimes it's 2 letters a day."

"I guess I'd better tell him. I'm sorry you have to deal with this, Donna. I really appreciate your help and discretion."

"And have you finally told George? He should know about this."

"No, not really. I mean he's knows my ex is crazy but I don't want to bother him with this. He's been working like a madman and I want him happy and focused on his music. Besides, my ex is too much of a wimp at heart to do anything but send letters and make phone calls. He has 'short man syndrome'. He gets all blustery, but is pretty ineffectual now that he can't grab me by my arms and pull me around anymore."

"Do you think he knows you're in England?"

"I doubt it. We've kept a pretty low profile."

"But how about the big shebang coming up? Isn't it the Billboard Awards?" Donna reminded her.

"Yeah, but unless someone is throwing a football during the presentations, my ex won't pay any attention."

Donna sighed. "I don't know, Annie. You're taking this pretty calmly. He was an abuser. And a sociopath. And a narcissist. And you left him. He could be pretty wound up about that...and now you're on the arm of a celebrity. The whole thing could be keeping him up at night, you know."

"Well, I'll tell my lawyer. That's a good idea. And I have a restraining order, but now that we're in England, I don't know if that means anything here."

"Please just be careful. I've grown quite fond of you."

"Thanks, Donna. I've grown quite fond of you too," Annie remarked with a smile in her voice. "And here comes my other question---any Terry sightings?"

"Nope. But she sent a big packet of papers for George. I put them in the box I sent you. You'll have it in a week or maybe sooner."

"Thanks. He'll be thrilled," Annie deadpanned. "And how is my replacement doing?"

"Sheree? She walks around a lot. She's already gone to lunch with Baxter. I think she's searching for her MRS. if you ask me."

"Baxter? Married? Has the earth tilted off its axis? She has a better chance of marrying a Roosevelt or a Kennedy," Annie laughed. "And if she has all this time on her hands, I'll pass along some more work for her to do."