Two Different Roads

Love Child

August 20, 1966
The Beatles had flown into Cincinnati, Ohio for an outdoor concert, but heavy rain had forced a temporary postponement. Brian used the unexpected day off to meet with John about Ellen's pregnancy and possible responses to it. The group manager was naturally upset at the prospects.
"The Jesus debacle and now this. What would you have me do John?"
"I don't necessarily expect you to do ANYTHING Bri. I'd say that's up to Ellen and me."
"But it isn't. This effects all of us. You've really stepped in it this time, John, and like it or not it is my job to try and get you out of it so you don't pull the group down with you. So I ask again, what would you have me do?"
"All right, fix it so I can divorce Cyn, then."
"And how am I to do that? I can read it in the papers now: John Lennon leaves wife and son to take up with his pregnant mistress. You'll be a pariah."
"I just want to be with Ellie. I don't care what the fuck they say!"
"Do you care about Paul, George, Ringo, Mal, Neil...me?"
"Of course I do!"
"Then you'd best come up with another option don't you think?"
"I'll take care of her and the baby Bri, doctors, everything. I've got enough money. Then by the time John Jr gets here I'll have left Cyn. People DO get divorced ya know."
"That could work, but there are potential risks. Once you start 'dating' Ellen she would become a public figure. The press would inevitably discover the existence of the child. They would assume she'd had a baby out of wedlock with an unknown lover which would not exactly benefit her reputation OR yours.
An even worse scenario would be if an especially perceptive journalist who remembered she'd worked for me, who'd seen the two of you together ended up making the connection. The whole affair could potentially be exposed anyway."
"Do you have a better idea?"
"I hesitate to mention it. You wouldn't like it I'm certain, but it's the only way you could go on as you have been with no one being the wiser."
John's quick mind immediately realized what his manager was suggesting.
"No, just fucking NO!"
"You wouldn't even consider it?"
"For Christ's sake it's not like removing a boil or a wart! We're talking about a baby, OUR baby we made together out of love, a tiny human that's part of us both! Not to mention the fact that's its very illegal and very dangerous. I've heard of women who DIED Eppy! Do you expect me to risk losing HER the way I lost me uncle, me mum and Stu?

"Of course not John. I should never have suggested it. We'll do it your way."
"Well now that that's decided, can I go Daddy?"
Brian shook his head. "You'll be the death of me yet John."
"You know you love me Eppy."
Brian gave him a decidedly odd look, almost sad, and for a moment Lennon wondered if they were both remembering Spain.