Parenting Paul

Chapter 24: Motherly Meeting

After what seemed like uncountable hours, Paul opened his eyes slowly, and repositioned them back and forth to dissect his surroundings. He soon noticed he was laying down inside a patch of tall wild grass and flowers underneath tall trees of oak and pine. He then noticed that he was wearing neatly cleaned clothes that resembled his outfit from the early days of the Beatles success, including his short but shaggy hair cut. The wind was blowing gently through his hair as he sat up onto his knees and began searching for Heather, who was nowhere to be found within his immediate vicinity of view. "Heather?" He asked with wonder as he turned to face the direction where the wind was slightly calmer. There was no answer, and so Paul carefully stood up onto his feet and continued to examine his environment.

He listened to birds singing peacefully as the wind blew through the forest and led him toward the end of the woodlands that opened towards what seemed like an evergreen riverbank. "Princess Tiger?!" He asked again loudly in an attempt to find Heather, thinking she would possibly respond to that name instead. However, once again, Heather did not answer, which made him shake his head and shrug. "Where am I anyways?" He asked himself as he looked up at the brightly colored green leaves that draped over his head. "This doesn't look like any part of London I've ever seen, or Liverpool for that matter...." He continued as he stopped and looked down towards three tiny chipmunks that were collecting acorns and pine cones near his shoes. "Perhaps, I'm in Ireland or Scotland or something?" He whispered as he watched the critters run off into the bushes.

Paul continued on through the path, and as he walked he began to hear the noise of old record player static which piqued his interest. "What's that?" He asked as he began to walk faster towards the sound. He eventually made it to the clearing, where he saw the river flowing calmly and standing beside it was what appeared to be another person, a woman, who was wearing a navy blue coat, which was covering her dress decorated with pastel colored flowers. She also had on top of her head, a matching cloche hat that was covering her short curly black hair. "Hello? Miss, umm hello, have you happened to see the little girl I was with?" Paul asked with wonderment as he watched the woman walk over to her record player that was playing what he had heard earlier. Paul watched as the woman switched the record to another track, and as the woman began to dance as the song began to play.

Paul soon realized what song was playing, which made him grin with nostalgia as he began to tap his feet and move his body with dancing motion reluctantly. "Is this Thank Your Father by Helen Kane? Released in 1930?" He asked with curiosity as the woman nodded but did not look up at him. "Beautiful isn't it?" The woman soon answered as she turned to him, which revealed her hazel eyes and inviting smile making Paul gasp. "Mum!? Is...is that...that...that you?" Paul stuttered in shock as the woman laughed sweetly. "It's been a long time Paulie...." She whispered welcomingly as he began running towards her excitedly with open arms. The two of them then hugged each other with all of their might as Paul began to sob into Mary's shoulder. "Shh hush there's no need to cry my sweetheart, it's gonna be alright, mummy's gotcha." Mary soothed him as she patted him on the back and then rubbed him gently.

"Oh, look at yourself, look how big you've gotten, how much you've grown." Mary whispered as Paul continued weeping into Mary's shoulder. "I can't believe this, how did this happen? How did I get here? Where are we?" Paul stammered as he tried to collect himself and Mary rubbed his tears off his face. "Did....did...am...I...am I dead?" He asked as he sniffled and Mary chuckled. "No, you're not dead, don't be dramatic darling, you're just asleep, quite peacefully too considering the amount of alcohol you consumed during your recent outing....." Mary explained as she turned herself and Paul towards the river and they watched it show the image of Paul asleep on what appeared to be George Harrison's couch, with Heather asleep on the floor beside him. "I'm....I'm asleep?" He whispered with disbelief as Mary giggled and nodded. "Yes my child, you and the little one are just fine..I wouldn't allow for anything less." She explained as he turned to her with puzzlement.

"How are you here then?" He asked as she led him back towards the record player that was continuing to play old fashioned jazz tunes. "Anything can happen when you dream my dear...." She explained sweetly as she kissed his cheek. "Then why are you here?" He soon asked as she ruffled his hair. "I've been watching you all this time, and I've been very impressed by all of your accomplishments, I never expected anything less from my sweet baby Paulie....." she began as Paul looked at her with innocent eyes. "However, your recent behavior, it's got me concerned.....you shouldn't be destroying yourself just because something didn't last....." Mary soon scolded him, yet her voice was still calm and reassuring. "All of this self loathing with alcohol is negative for your wellbeing, and that's not how I raised you to be..."

Paul remained silent as Mary placed her hand on his cheeks and smiled at him "When you wake up, you need to do something for me, can you do that?" She asked as he nodded. "I need you to return to the sweet young man I know that you are.....having this pity party isn't going to solve anything, you need to focus on the task at hand and just let it be..." she soon finished as her voice and image began to diminish which made Paul shake with fear. "Let it be?" He asked with fright as he was once again alone beside the river bank. "Let it be?! Let it be!!? Let what be!? What's it!? MUM!!" He soon screamed as he collapsed to his knees and began sobbing again.