The End (Beatles Fanfiction)

Chapter 35

GEORGE

The silence was cut by the ringing phone. I looked up from my plate and Pattie, across the wide table, did the same. She raised her eyebrow, but kept her lips pursed.

The phone rang again. I stared down at my food, bent over it like a hunchback, elbows on the table.
Pattie picked up her fork and ate a bite of chicken.

Another ring. I heard Pattie drop her fork onto the table with a sharp clang. Her chair slid away from the table with a whoosh, and her shoes clicked against the floor as she marched to the phone.

"Hello?" Her voice was polite, amicable; she hadn't been that way with me in some time. I clenched my fork tighter, and stuffed my mouth with meat. 

"Hold on, I'll get him," I heard the stiff smile in her words. Click, click, click went her shoes , stopping behind her place at the table.

"It's John. He wants to speak to you." She sat down in her seat and resumed eating.

I released my fork and wedged myself out from the table. As I walked to the phone, I tried to shake off the tension. I cleared my throat; my voice felt underused.

"John?"

"George, how're ya doin', mate? Listen," he began without waiting for me to answer, "I need a favor, and don't you say anything or start laughin' or somat because I'm gointa thump ya if you do. So I had meself a think-"

"John," I stopped him. He was talking faster than usual, and his accent had thickened significantly.
"Is this about Pru-"

"Don't- don't say the name." I heard him hold a breath, wait for something. "I'm... not alone."

"Oh." I heard the clink of Pattie's fork, and remembered I wasn't alone, either. I dropped my voice. "You said you didn't want to see her."

"I never said that, and I'm not sayin' that I do, either, but, I, um..."

Silence. I heard an opening door, then a woman's voice in the background. Yoko. My breath caught.

"You know, this is probably not the right time, George. I'll see you around."

"Wait, John, don't hang up."

He didn't. "Yeah?" he said, daring me to say something wrong.

"If you want, I'll set up the, uh... the meeting." I rubbed the back of my neck, kicking myself for being so awkward. "If that's what you want."

"Yeah, I'm not sure when I'll be available..." His voice was more controlled, until the door closed, and he let out a breath. "Jesus, that was a drag."

Quiet. I waited patiently.

"Would she... want to see me?"

"Yes," I said with absolute certainty. "She would want some answers."

John didn't answer. I heard Pattie stand up and pick up her plate. She walked to the sink, dropped her plate in with a crash, and left the room.

"John?"

"Hmm?" He sounded distracted.

"I don't know if you want any advice, but I'm going to give it anyway." I paused, collecting my thoughts. "She's ready. She has been ready since 1965. And I know that you have been waiting for closure. You missed that opportunity twice already. Don't lose this one."

He didn't answer. I turned to look at the dining table. My place setting, with half-eaten food on my plate, sat alone.

"But what if we start yelling or fighting, or somat? I don't want... I don't know."