Get It Straight, Or Say Good Night

Train Whistle Blowing

Do it" Louie cried down the telephone to Brian, he had picked up the receiver with a smile after his secretary had told him the caller's name, but now his ears were burning, she wanted him to organise a lawyer for a divorce.

"Louise, I don't think you've thought this through"

"Oh yes we have, it's a mutual decision, this is. What's the problem Brian I'm invisible anyway" Louise paused thinking about hanging up, she had used John as he wished and she would be forever in his debt, his noble self letting her survive pregnancy with her head held high as a married woman and given her the ability to keep her child out of foster homes or being adopted out completely. "If you don't have someone I'll sort it myself with the firm in Liverpool" Mister Bartlete would be flabbergasted if she had to explain 'everything ' to him.

"No, no give me a few hours" Brian rang off, brushing a hand through his hair then patting it flat again, this was unsuitable indeed, maybe he should have a word to John... John would most likely rip his head off. Paul, yes Paul, always level headed and has some sort of rapport with Louise.

Paul stood on Louise's doorstep twenty three minutes later, slightly panicked but not overly concerned, this was what the deal had done.

"Oh, he sent you did he" Louise walked back into the room and shushed Paul when he tried to say 'hello'  "I just put her down for a nap" she whispered.

Paul and Louise hadn't been intimate since before the baby was born, she just let John think that they had been. She never corrected him, it was easier that way she presumed.

"Well Brian was rather pedantic about my being the one to talk sense into you" Paul walked in the kitchen and Lou stood by the counter to make tea.

"Why? Brian should be pleased. His favourite boy properly single and fancy free. Should think he'd be celebrating the fact"

"You don't get it, do you?" Paul studied Louise as she tossed sugar in the cups not caring where it ended up. Now she was just angry, peeved at the way this was ending "You do have some power you know" She swung round knocking the biscuit tin over, biscuits flying everywhere. They continued the conversation crawling around on the kitchen floor retrieving Monte Carlo's and Scotch Fingers.

"Oh, he likes my making his breakfast- lunch- dinners, cleaning his toilet, picking up all his shit and clothes, but he also very much enjoys that I have no holds or dare I say, sexual tension with him"

The last Monte Carlo biscuit came into view and they met under the table. Paul grinned his award winning 'I'm your man' grin to deflect the anger Lou was emitting. She was certainly a hothead when the mood took her, just like Lennon, Paul idly thought. Scooting crumbs into her hand Lou scowled at Paul's, as usual, happy demeanour.

"I want to make a suggestion, to both of you" Paul awkwardly crawled out from under the table between the high chair and the table leg then stood up dusting his hands and knees off, crumbs falling back to the floor. "I want you both to tear up the deal, together. Start again, reset everything"

"It wouldn't work- how could it. I've given him carte blanche since the word go. Make him monogamous, huh, yea right" Louise swiped at crumbs on Paul's dark grey sweater, it was very soft she rolled the material through her fingers as she studied his tie "Make John and I something together, properly ..... It's gone that boat, sailed long ago"

"He's so jealous don't you see that when I come over, when I kiss you goodbye, when Nate visits for the check-up's with Evie. There's got to be something causing that"

Louise studied her tea, thinking over the times it was just her and John alone.... the way he wanted her to care as he shoved her back against the door frame.