Parenting Paul

Chapter 22: Love For No One

Paul and Heather eventually arrived at Jane's house, which made Heather really anxious, "What if she doesn't like me?" Heather asked as Paul looked down at her. "Jane's an amazing person, I'm sure she'll love you....but in case you're nervous, just remember to put on your magical sunglasses. She won't see you until you're ready...." Paul encouraged as Heather placed her sunglasses on her face as Paul knocked on the door. The both of them waited several moments for Jane to answer, while Paul bit his fingernails and cracked his knuckles. "Oh, um hello there Paul..." Jane finally answered reluctantly as the door opened and Paul waved at her. "Hi Jane, you look wonderful today, may I come inside so we can talk?" Paul asked as Jane's eyes shifted toward Heather. "Uhhh, sure....." Jane agreed with uncertainty as she allowed Paul and Heather inside.

Paul took out his hand for Heather to grab as they slowly entered Jane's house, and Jane anxiously led them to the living room. "Heather, I'd like you to meet one of my dearest friends, the lovely Jane Asher..." Paul introduced them to each other, and Heather and Jane both studied each other with doubt and thought. "Jane, this is Heather.....our new daughter, I'm going to adopt her..." he explained as Heather looked up at him while taking her glasses off and Jane stared at Paul with troubled eyes. "I..I...I...I can't...cannot believe this..." Jane stammered as Paul nodded with pride. "Isn't it great? We can have the stable family life together now that you wanted!" Paul boasted as Jane continued glaring at him. "Paul....I...I...I...I...didn't....." Jane continued nervously as Paul's smile faded as she turned away, and Heather watched the two of them innocently. "I didn't expect this..." Jane finally said as she turned back to Paul and he pulled Heather closer. "But it's what you wanted, I'm gonna be responsible......no, we're going to be responsible together, I did this for you, for us..." Paul defended as Jane shook her head.

"This isn't what I meant by responsibility or stability......not even close, if anything this proves how little regard you have for anyone else......you weren't thinking about me or even this little girl, not one bit...." Jane scolded as Paul studied her with confusion, "Yes, I was, this is something I can manage long term....it's what you asked for...we can do this...I can do this..." Paul argued as Jane shook her head and looked down in disbelief. Awkwardly the three of them stood in the living room looking at each other trying to process what had just happened, as the toilet suddenly flushed which made Paul's attention bolt to the bathroom. "Who's in there?" He asked as Jane looked up at him with guilt. "Hm? Your mum? Your dad? Your brother Peter?" Paul asked, trying to keep his composure as he walked to the door, and Jane followed him. "Paul!! Don't!" Jane desperately cried as Heather followed from behind with interest as Paul began to knock on the door. "Hey hey hey! Who's in there!?" Paul demanded as he repeatedly slammed his hands on the bathroom door while the faucet ran. "OPEN UP!!!" he shouted as Jane bit her bottom lip and watched with dread.

"Sorry, Jane didn't inform me there would be any company stopping by..." a man who was slightly older than Paul answered politely as the door opened and Paul put his hand palm onto his face and laughed. "Sorry, pal, I thought you were sleeping with my girl......I freaked out sort of...." Paul apologized as the man smiled at Jane with pride as she watched with remorse. "I am..." he answered as Paul's smile melted again, and he shoved the man into the wall while Heather quickly put her sunglasses back on. With lightning speed Jane ran up to them, and pulled Paul off the man, and the man walked with Jane as they headed to the living room again. "Paul, that's what I've been trying to tell you, I moved on, and you should too." Jane explained as she looked at Paul with seriousness. "Salutations, I'm Gerald.....Gerald Scarfe, nice to meet you..." the man said with delight as he ignored the fact he was shoved by his guest into the wall, while Heather slightly lifted her glasses off. "Salu-what?" Paul asked with cluelessness as Jane remained frozen as Gerald placed his arm around her shoulder, "Salutations, it's my fancy way of saying hello...it's my pleasure to meet you Sir." Gerald continued with his friendly tone intact, and while he offered to shake Paul's hand.

"You can't be serious, you left me for him?" Paul asked as Jane looked up at Gerald, "He's accomplished so much and he's so full of compassion and respect for not only himself, but for me and my family...." Jane defended as Gerald nodded. "And I wasn't?" Paul questioned as Jane shook her head. "Look, we had great times, and some of those I'll remember and cherish forever, but the truth is, I don't think you were ever truly into me, in that way, I think that you loved the public image that I gave to you..." Jane continued as Paul shook his head, "You think I'm some sort of narcissist?" Paul asked as Jane shook her head. "Not at all....but, you were always surrounded by your friends who all had stable partners....John had Cynthia, and now Yoko, George has Patricia, Ringo has Maureen, while yourself were also desperate for that connection, so you could fit in, and also to get rid of the ridiculous amount of crazed fans who were trying to get pieces of you...you're just childish, unsure of what you really want....." Jane tried to rationalize as Paul shook his head slowly. "I hope you can find someone who connects with your personality in the utmost realistic and sincere manner, not only for your own sake, but this young girl's too...." Jane finished as Gerald nodded in agreement.

"You remind me of my cousin, he's always being impulsive and he never thinks things through......" Gerald added in as Paul rolled his eyes, "Shut the hell up......" Paul barked back underneath his breath as he grabbed Heather by the hand and they marched out of the house.