August 29, 1966
San Francisco, CA
*John
The cold water felt good. Patting his face with the hand towel, he stared at himself in the mirror. This was it. The Beatles had just finished their last tour and he was ready to go home. Between the "bigger than Jesus" controversy that had exploded earlier in the year and more recently, their terrifying experience in Manila, he was finished. It's time to stop touring when you start fearing for your bloody life.
He couldn't wait to get home to her.
"Cynthia Powell, will you marry me?" He cleared his throat and shook his head dissatisfied. He tried again. "How about it then Cyn? It's about time you and I get married." He threw the hand towel at the mirror in frustration.
"John? Baby? What are you doing in there?"
He didn't even remember her name. Mal sorted it out and she had been waiting for him in his hotel room. She was a cheaper looking version of Cyn and he fucked her before he so much as took his jacket off. Now he wanted her to disappear. Smoke some weed, have a bit of dinner and forget it happened. There was no way this bird was staying the night. That, at least, had always been reserved for Cyn.
Instead of answering he kicked the bathroom door shut with his foot and looked back to the mirror. He reached into his pocket and felt the small velvet box between his fingers. He had bought the ring in Japan a few months back and carried it on him ever since. It wasn't a diamond - that would be too traditional - but rather a beautifully crafted oval shaped jade gem in a gold setting. It would be perfect for her.
---------------------
August 30, 1966
11:45 p.m.
"Kenwood"
Weybridge, Surrey
"Cyn?" He shook her softly. "Wake up."
She began to stir. "Hmm...what is it?" She pulled the covers up over her head, turning over and away from him.
He pulled the covers back down and laughed, leaning over to kiss her cheek softly. "I'm home."
He could feel her smiling.
"Hi." She whispered, sitting up slowly and wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. She was finally starting to wake up.
"Hello luv." Reuniting with her after being away for so long somehow made the separations worth it. Each time was different, slightly more special than the last. His favorite part of touring was coming home to her and a warm bed.
"What time is it? Are you hungry?" She didn't let go and kissed his cheek. "I can make something for you."
"I'm fine Cyn - just knackered."
"I missed you...thank God you're home and in one piece..." Unwrapping her arms from around him, she cupped his cheeks in both hands and kissed him. "The papers are still saying such awful things and a few more letters arrived with all sorts of threats...I just felt so helple-"
"It's finished now. That was it. No more touring."
"What do you mean no more touring?"
"I'm exhausted Cyn...I'm tired of all the traveling, seeing nothing but the inside of hotel rooms, the constant manhandling, the screaming....no one can bloody hear us anymore...we're not getting anything out of it...except death threats and bad press. Who fuckin' needs it?"
