Somewhere In Time (A Beatles Fan Fiction)

Chapter 21: Absence

Those two weeks did pass fairly slowly, as I had suspected. Not for the last time, I wished for modern technology so I could communicate with Paul. The price of long distance calls was crazy and he would be back by the time I could receive a letter. So two long weeks were before me.

I threw myself into school. A couple days after Paul left, I was in the dark room developing pictures. A few days before he was to leave, he sat for me so I could take a portrait of him for my assignment.

The pictures had taken place in my flat. I made a makeshift studio in the living room. A white sheet attached to the wall for a background. Paul was wearing all black with his black leather jacket on, and holding his Hofner bass. I knew he felt very comfortable with a guitar in his hand, and hoped that would translate for the photo.

As the first picture came to life in the developing solution, I realized I had seen it before, in one of the books I had read on Paul. I'm not sure why I didn't realize it as I was taking it. Maybe, because I had separated the two things in my head. The Paul in front of me as I was taking the picture was real, my Paul. The picture I had seen in the book was a man I hadn't met before, a rock star. Two very different people.

He was standing with the neck of his bass pointed north, and he had a slight smile on his face. The face I loved. It was unnerving, that I had seen this picture in my time and unknowingly I had actually taken it.

***

I went to see Paul's father a couple times while Paul was gone. I had a great fondness for him ever since our first meeting. I would always bring something for him and Mike to eat. I think they enjoyed trying my strange American recipes, and to have a meal they didn't have to cook.

He would always ask questions about how school was going, and make sure I was taking care of myself properly. It was nice to have a father figure again.

I also spent a lot of time with Cyn as well. Being that John was gone she had a lot of free time, too. Often times, George would hang out with us, as well. He was anxious for the boys to be back as he was quite bored on his own. No job or shows to perform at. He was so unassuming, so easy to be around. If It weren't for Paul, I may have been after him. I was curious as to why he didn't have a girlfriend.

So I asked him one day. Him, Cyn and I were at my flat. We had just eaten dinner and were drinking a beer.

"Keeping my options open, luv. Why you interested?" he said flashing me his sweet crooked grin.

I blushed. "Umm...you know I like you George...you're a great guy...but" I said before George interrupted.

"I was only joking, girl. Paul would have me head." He said although, he looked slightly embarrassed.

I looked over at Cyn and she just widened her eyes a bit like she had no idea what was going on. Cyn then changed the subject and our conversation and we went on as if nothing had happened.

A week after Paul left, I got a letter in the post. I didn't often get mail because I had no one to write to me. Everyone I knew in this time lived in Liverpool. The letter was from Paul.

I hurriedly ripped it open, anxious to see what it said and also wondering how he had gotten a letter to me. It said:

My Lovely Anne,

I am writing you this letter from London. We've stopped here to arrange passage to Paris.

I know you said you were sad that you wouldn't hear from me while I was gone, so this letter will have to do.