The Benefit of Mr. Kite

13

YEAR: 1980

•Michelle's POV•

"What about your father?" I asked.
"He's..." Julian started to cry.
"Oh, honey, don't cry," I whispered. I ran my hand through his hair a few times before drying his eyes. "What's wrong? You can tell me."
"Auntie Anna was here last week..."
"She was? Why?"
"I-I think dad's having an affair..."
"He's what?" Tears started prickling at my eyes as I pulled Julian in for a hug.
"I'm sorry... I could be wrong..."
"When are you ever wrong?" I sobbed.
"Please don't yell at him..."
"I-I don't even know what to say right now..."
"Mum," Sean yawned. "Why're you crying?"
"I'm not crying," I lied. I walked over to his bed and sat down on the edge. I pushed his hair back as I smiled at the drowsy boy. "Jules, why don't you head back downstairs."
"But-"
"Tell your father to start working on dinner."
"Mum-"
"Julian," I snapped, "please... just go..."
"Fine..." Julian let out a sigh as he walked downstairs.
"Do you wanna go back to sleep?"
"Mm-mm." He shook his head as he rubbed his eyes.
"Alright... I'll come get you before dinner."
"M'kay..."

I kissed his forehead before I walked out. I dried my eyes and steadied my breath before heading downstairs.

"Sorry that took so long," I put on a fake smile.
"It's alright, chérie," mama said.
"Is John in the kitchen?"
"Oui," she said.
"Merci." I headed into the kitchen to find my husband gathering all the ingredients for dinner. "Hello..."
"Hey," John smiled. "Give us a kiss," he teased. I rolled my eyes and placed a quick kiss on his lips. "How was lunch?"
"It was fine," I shrugged as I wrapped my arms around his waist. "How was the hour with my parents?"
"As good as an hour with the in-laws can get."
"So, bad?"
"I didn't say that," he chuckled. "So, I bought this amazing chardonnay yesterday."
"Okay?" I giggled.
"Would you be a doll and grab it from the fridge?"
"Then it's going to get warm."
"I was hoping we could have a glass together."
"Oh, I shouldn't," I said.
"Why not?"
"I just think it's a little too early to drink."
"Fine, be that way," he teased.
"Hey, you know what you need to do?"
"What?"
"Cut your hair."
"Why? I like it this way." He set down the knife and spun on his heels to face me.
"Well, I think it's getting too long. It's starting to look stupid." I wrapped my arms around his neck and started playing with his hair.
"It's not stupid!" he defended with a smile.
"You should at least trim it."
"What if I slick the sides back?"
"What does that mean?"
"You don't know what slick is?" I shook my head. "It's when I take my hair gel, run my hands through a certain part of hair, and it stays like that."
"Oh... yeah, try that!"
"I'll keep that in mind." He leaned down and kissed me before returning to chopping up the carrots.
"You know what else you need to do?"
"What, dear?"
"Stop sleeping with Anna..."

John lifted his head a bit, set down the knife, and turned around. He placed his hands on the counter and leaned back a bit.

"I what?"
"Need to stop sleeping with Anna," I repeated.
"Who told you?" he whispered.
"So it's true..."
"Michelle-"
"You're cheating on me..."
"I'm sorry..."
"No you're not," I cried.
"Who told you..."
"You are-"
"Who told you?" he yelled.
"Julian..."
"How did he-"
"That doesn't matter!"
"I'm gonna kill him!"
"You will not lay a finger on the boy!"
"Oh yeah? How are you going to stop me?"
"You're going to have to kill me before you fucking touch him..."
"Michelle, I'm-"
"You're a fucking asshole!"
"Michelle, please," he begged. "I love you! She means nothing to me!"
"Then why are you sleeping with her! Am I not enough for you?"
"No, no! You're plenty! It's just-"
"It's just what? There's no good reason for cheating!"
"What the hell is going on in here?" Julian asked as he walked in.
"You!" John yelled.
"Do not touch him!" I ran over to the boy and did my best to shield him from John.
"Get out of my way!"
"No!"
"Michelle, I swear to god... move now before I hit you."
"Do your worst, Lennon."

John narrowed his eyes before he smacked me with the back of his hand. I fell on the kitchen island with a huff as I tasted the blood rushing to my lips.

"That's the best you got?" I chuckled. "I come from a long line of performers, many of which do stunts." I spit my blood in his face. He jumped back and gave me another slap. I licked my lips with a chuckled before standing up again. "I've fallen from tightropes, I've broken bones, I have come so close to death so many times, it would make your fucking head spin. You're going to have to do a lot better than a little bitch slap."
"Mum, please stop..." Julian said.
"Get out of here, Jules," I said.
"Mum, please stop!"
"Get out!" John and I both yelled.
"No!" he shouted.
"What?" John asked.
"I said no."
"Julian, please leave," I said.
"No... dad, I watched you cheat, beat, and leave Cynthia... I watched you cheat and beat Yoko... I will not not stand to watch you beat, cheat, and leave another wife... especially one I actually like."
"Julian-"
"Mum, please," he said. "Dad, I beg of you... stop acting like a dick and-" Then, in the blink of an eye, Julian was knocked into the wall. Blood was rushing out of his nose as he gasped for air.
"Julian!" I yelled. I ran over to keep him from falling. "Why the fuck would you hit him?"
"None of this would have happened if you listened to me," John said.
"Do not try and pin this on me!"
"I wouldn't if it weren't your goddamn fault!"
"Julian..."
"Yeah?"
"Go grab your brother."
"Why?"
"Just go." I helped him regain balance and pushed him out the door.
"Michelle, what are you doing?" I didn't respond. "Michelle-"
"I got Sean," Julian said.
"Thank you," I said as I took the sleepy toddler.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Come on." I led Julian into the corridor with John not far behind.
"Michelle, where are you going?"
"Papa, mama, on part. Allons-y." (Papa, mama, we're leaving. Let's go.)
"Qu'est-il arrivé?" (What happened?) mama asked.
"Je te dirai plus tard." (I'll tell you later.)
"Michelle, you are not taking my children from me!" I ignored him.
"Allons-y!"
"Michelle!" He grabbed my arm. "You are not taking my children from me!"
"Take Sean and go," I said to Julian.
"Okay," he said as he rushed to the car.
"You fucking bitch..."
"What are you gonna do?" I spat. "Hit me?" He didn't respond. "Au revoir Monsieur Lennon."
"Michelle," he sobbed, "please..."

I slowly pulled him in for a passionate kiss before pursing my lips and back away.

"Je t'aimerai toujours..." (I will always love you...)
"Please don't go..."
"Je t'aime..."

And just like that, I was gone.