The Beatles: A Mini-series

Starrison (1966)

   "Oh hey Ringo, what's up?" John said to me as I stood in his doorway, anxious as a young boy on his first date.
    "Hey John, I know it's early but I really need your help. It's mine and George's anniversary today and I forgot to pick something out for him! He's getting off the plane at noon." George was away to America for a photo shoot for a magazine, and it was 8 a.m. here on the day of our anniversary and the bad boyfriend I am forgot to get him a present.
    "Awh man, come on it's my day off. I have a family, you know."
    "Yes I know, and I apologize. But I really need your help. I phoned Paul but he told me he was too busy."
    "What too busy combing his hair? Alright Starkey, I'll help ya. Just let me grab my shoes and coat. Come in."
    "Thank you! You're a pal." I exclaimed as I walked in.
    "Yeah, yeah." Muttered John.
    "Uncle Richie!" I heard Julian exclaim from the kitchen. I went in and said hi to my "nephew" and hello to Cynthia who was enjoying breakfast with her son.
     As John pulled on his coat I heard him say, "I don't know why you asked me to help pick out a present. You should've asked Brian. He's gay too ya know." John snickered and I rolled my eyes.
      As we got into the car, John asked, "So, any ideas?"
    "Well I'm trying to find something he'll really dig-"
   "How about a sandwich. He'll dig right into that for sure."
    "Would you stop with that? Come on now, be serious. I'm thinking maybe we check the record store first."
    "Sure. You're the one driving."
    After checking the record store, a suit shop, and one of his favorite stores, I found nothing that really wowed me. It was 11 a.m. and I feel I've failed. But then John said, "Ya know, we didn't try the guitar shop."
     And so we drove to George's favorite guitar shop. Beautiful guitars hung and stood about, and I saw George's name written all over 'em. I then found a really groovy brown-gold tinted guitar and I just couldn't walk away from it. I grabbed it and took it up to the counter.
    I paid for the guitar and was handed a case along with it. John agreed it was one fine instrument. But something was missing. Something personal.
     "We need to make one more stop before I take you home," I muttered to John.
    "Man.."
   "Don't worry, this will be a fun one."

    An hour later, I arrived at the airport to pick up my George. We hugged each other, and I helped carry his bags to the car. He told me about the photo shoot and what he did in New York as I drove him home, the anxiety from earlier creeping back in me.
    We got home and he said, "Richie close your eyes." I did what I was told and he opened my hands and placed an item in them. "Open." I opened my eyes and a new camera case that read "Richard" sat in my hands.
    "Oh George, it's gear. Thank you so much."
   I hugged and kissed him. And then I told him to sit down a close his eyes. He did, and I grabbed the guitar. I sat it down in front of him and he opened his eyes. What he saw was his case, covered in writing, pictures of us I taped to it, and stickers of places or things he liked. He chuckled at some things.
    "Ringo I love it."
   "Well aren't you going to open it?"
   He opened it, and gasped. "You actually got me a guitar?! I thought you just stuffed it with paper or something. Richie.."
    "Happy anniversary, Georgie. I love you."
    George wrapped me tight in his arms and I was so thankful for my George and my best friend John for helping me make this anniversary so special.