Two Different Roads

You Won't See Me

After a night attending a play with Brian he was presenting at the Saville Theatre, Ellen had her first official day back at work. All went well until the very last assignment that evening when she was asked to deliver a package to Abbey Road Studios. She couldn't help but wonder if Eppy had specifically chosen the task so she would be forced to face John, something she'd not been able to bring herself to do thus far. She'd have rather done anything else short of sticking hot pokers in her eyes.
When she arrived the band was working on one of Paul's songs, "Drive My Car," and for a moment she was able to ignore her anxiety in the pleasure of the music. She always loved watching them play. She got carried away in it. They just kept getting better.
Finally she managed to tear herself away, approached Beatle Roadie and all around gofer, Mal Evans to hand off the package. She turned to leave and was just about to congratulate herself on completing the job without incident when a hand encircled her wrist.
The trouble she'd anticipated had come. She found herself staring into almond-shaped carmel eyes that were now flashing with what looked distressingly like the infamous Lennon fury.
He virtually dragged her up the stairs to the roof of the studio to have it out with her in private, using considerably more force than necessary.
"Where the bloody hell have you been?" He accused immediately.
"California," she responded innocently.
"I know THAT you stubborn woman! What the fuck were you DOING there?"
"I was with Vicky," she continued cryptically.
"Do you think that helps? She's always getting up to things you have no business being involved with!"
"John I'm a grown woman. I'm quite capable of making my own decisions without need of your approval."
"Have you forgotten who I am Little Girl?"
"The loud-mouthed arsehole who likes to order me about?"
"The loud-mouthed arsehole you BELONG to!"
His eyes automatically shifted downward, widened in even greater anger when he didn't see what he was looking for.
"Where the fuck is my ring? Why aren't you wearing it?"
The shame she'd managed to stave off thus far hit her with full force. "I'm sorry Johnny. I'm so sorry."
"WHAT DID YOU DO?"
He raised a hand and she flinched, certain he was about to strike her, until...
"They want to get back to work. They sent me to fetch you."
"Fuck off Ritchie!"
"John I don't know what's going on here, but don't you think it would be best to let things be for now, get back to it when you've had time to calm down a bit? Come with me."
He finally relented but made sure to advise as he left, "We're not done yet. I'll be finished here about midnight, so be ready to 'talk.'
II
He arrived close on one a.m. "Ellen and I need to have a 'discussion.' What are you doing here?" He asked when Vicky answered the door.
"Referee?
"Well, you're not exactly impartial are you? If we're doing that maybe I should have brought along Paulie. The more the fucking merrier right?"
"John..."
"That's my name. I'm surprised you remember it ELLIE."
He paced, cigarette in hand. "So who were you shagging in California? And don't fucking tell me you weren't. I know you."
"His name is Michael. I met him at The Troubadour." she confessed at last.
"You got off with some stranger you met in a club?"
"It wasn't like that. He was playing there."
"He's a fucking MUSICIAN!? You may as well have screwed Paul, Rings or Geo then!"
"I'd never do that. It was just a coincidence. Why are you so focused on his profession?"
"It's much too close to home for me. Next you"ll tell me he's a guitarist as well."
"Well..."
"Christ Ellen! When you decide to cheat you sure know how to pick 'em to cause the most damage, don't you? It's like you chose to fuck a different version of ME! Is he younger and better-looking?"
"I wasn't thinking like that!"
"Sounds like you weren't thinking at all. How could you do this? I was good to you!"
"Really? How many other women have you had Johnny?" Vicky interjected.
"First off, that doesn't concern you. Second, that's just fucking. Me and you, that was different, El. You KNEW that. I loved you, and I thought you loved me."
"I did John."
"But you don't anymore, is that it? You shag some other guy, and now you want him and not me?"
"It isn't that simple John. I have feelings for him yes, but..."
"What?"
"I don't know!"
"You mean you don't KNOW if you love me or not?"
"This is so hard. I have no idea what to do about ANY of this."
"I'll make it easy for you then Ellie. I'm done with ya. See if what's his name will have you, cause we're through!"
He slammed out the door without a backward glance.

Also give The Beatles' "Run For Your Life" a listen here. John was a very jealous man.