Take Me To Church (A John Lennon Story)

Chapter Seventeen: A Surprise Announcement

Ariel had fallen asleep with her back to John's chest. He had woken up before her when he heard someone coming up the stairs. Immediately he began to panic, thinking it was his aunt. He didn't want to be scolded in front of his girlfriend...he was trying to behave better for her.

But the door opened, and in walked George, oblivious to what he was looking at. His eyes widened. "Oh. Sorry."

John covered Ariel's chest with a blanket. "Don't stare at her." he growled, causing her to shift in her sleep. She rolled over as he slipped out from underneath her. She whispered without bothering to open her eyes, "John, where are you going?"

"I'll be back soon, love. Just stay there." The way his tone changed surprised George. He would almost always speak gently with his aunt, but even then he'd get cheeky with her when they were arguing. He never seemed to raise his voice with Ariel, and if he did he immediately regretted it.

He grabbed George's arm and hurried him downstairs. "What the hell, mate? Don't you knock?"

"Look, I'm sorry, your backdoor was unlocked and I didn't know she was with you-"

"And I didn't appreciate the way you were staring at her," John added.

George looked up at him. "John, I am sorry. But I came to tell you that Paul was driving down the record shop the other night, and though it was dark he swore he saw her father." John grabbed the quilt from the couch as it was cold in the house and he was only in his boxers. He sat down on the couch, tugging at his hair at the thought of her father being that close. George held a cigarette in front of his face. "Thanks."

They smoked for several minutes in silence before John said quietly, "I've been trying to be more like her. Sure, if someone was to call me an arse, I'd say it right back at them. But about a week ago, she stopped me from getting into a fight. And ever since then...I feel like I've been doing everything wrong. I've been thinking that fighting solves problems. But by choosing not to fight, I avoided a problem. She's so peaceful...and I know part of it was because she grew up thinking hurting people was wrong. But it's not just a religious thing, though all religions seem to have similar rules. If we all just got along...if fathers didn't hurt their daughters...we would be so much better than we are now."

George was mildly awestruck with his friend. He had never seen John more sincere and contemplative.

The girl they were talking about walked down the stairs, and even though she was properly dressed, she blushed when she made eye contact with George. "Hello...am I interrupting something?"

John shook his head. "Is something wrong?" she added. The older boy stood up. "No, everything's fine-"

"Please don't lie to me." She looked over at his friend. "George, what's happened?"

"Paul saw your father...the police haven't found him yet. But he called them and told them where he saw him." Ariel swallowed hard. John gently ran his hands down her arms several times in order to try to calm her. "You're going to be alright...I promise."

George left only a few minutes later. Ariel began to tremble. "He'll kill me...I know it. He will be never be satisfied until I'm completely out of the picture..." John took her hands. "You're going to be alright...your family will be there for you." He looked as though he wanted to say 'I will be there for you', but he didn't. He dropped her hands and her gaze. "John...is something wrong?"

"I met this man...who wants us to do a small tour of Germany. We would leave in three days." She clasped her hands in front of her, listening intently. John ran a hand through his hair. "But because of all that has happened...and with your father so close...I was thinking I would have to refuse."

Ariel shook her head. "No, you have to go. Your mates would be furious if you turned down this opportunity."

"I want to make sure you're safe."

"You shouldn't have to give up your music career. What if you don't get another chance to do something like this? In a business as risky as the one you want to break into...you need every opportunity you can get, John." She did her best to reassure him. She didn't want him to give up the only thing he wanted to do in life because of her. "How long will you be gone?"

John mumbled, "A week and a half." He looked up at her. "Ariel...I don't want to go without knowing you're safe." Then he got an idea, "Perhaps you could come with us?"

"Alta would never let me...she'd be too worried about leaving me alone with four men. John...I'll be fine. I'll lay low for awhile. I'm not expecting you to have to watch over me the rest of my life. That would be completely unreasonable."

Suddenly he began to faintly smile. "What if I wanted to marry you in a few years, love?"

Ariel blushed. "Well...if nothing else changes until then...I suppose I would say yes."

John kissed her forehead. His voice was low and whispering. "Forget about a few years...I'd marry you now if I could, love."

"We've only known each other for several months though, John. It would be unwise...I wouldn't want anything bad to happen between us."

"You're right...but most people marry young these days now, don't they?" He smiled.

But John was only playing. He felt like he wouldn't be the best husband. He was trying his hardest to be a good boyfriend and he had still made mistakes. And...in a few years...would someone as good as Ariel want to associate with a good-for-nothing teddy boy? A hopeless case?

At least...John didn't think she would.

"Are you alright, love?" she asked. "If this is about the tour, I didn't mean to upset you-"

He shook his head. "No, it's fine. Let's go get cleaned up. We've got some explaining to do to Alta."