Do You Want To Know a Secret?

10. Dear Prudence

"The boys are on their way!" My uncle exclaimed racing around from hallway to hallway in search of any last detail in the house he could fix.

I was sat on the couch with my nose in a book unable to actually bring myself to read. My stomach was twisted into knots as a mix of emotions took over me from overthinking the way George acted towards me on Tuesday.

At this point I felt as if Friday was only a very distant memory that meant nothing to George at all. As much as I tried to think of something else, my mind always wandered back to George.

It was now Thursday night and the boys and their parents were coming over as a sort of "get to know the manager" dinner.

I really hoped tonight could be when I tell Paul about Iris. It was already bad enough I've been keeping it from him from this long. It had to be done and I couldn't put it off any longer, no matter how nerve wracking the whole thing was.

There was a sudden knock at the door making my uncle jump. "Oh, someone's here, I've got it, don't be nervous Poppy!" My uncle called over even though it wasn't me he was trying to convince to not be nervous.

When my uncle is nervous he cleans the entire house, and since he's practically sweating through his suit and he's as jittery as someone after seven cups of coffee, you could imagine just how spotless the house was.

He even made me wear a modest ballerina pink dress to be "presentable" even though I would much prefer to be wearing jeans and a plain shirt on a Thursday evening.

"Brian, this is my aunt Mimi Smith, Mimi, you've met Brian." For the first time ever John sounded calm and solemn. I was almost curious as to if it was actually John. I put the book down and peered over to the door to see John in a suit and wearing, glasses? Where did John Lennon go? I stared at the sight watching his aunt greet my uncle with a very judgemental look on her face.

"Yes, please come in, make yourselves at home." My uncle Brian lead them to where I was sitting, making me tense slightly as John's aunt's gaze fell on me. She smiled brightly and extended a hand.

"Mimi Smith." She spoke softly with a smile. I tried to push my rattling nerves out of mind as I stood up and reached for hers to shake it gently.

"I'm P-Poppy Epstein. It's lovely to meet you Miss Smith." I choked on the words hoping that I wouldn't be instantly hated by John's aunt.

She was very poised and proper and it seemed as if she maybe were forcing herself to stay calm. I'm sure it wasn't her first choice for John to be in a rock and roll band.

"Oh please, call me Mimi." She looked slightly impressed by my mannerisms I had practiced millions of times before she'd gotten here. I hadn't any clue why I was so nervous, but I had a feeling John's aunt wasn't who I feared to meet the most.

"Brian, you never told me you have a daughter." Mimi scanned over my appearance with a small smile.

For a moment I wondered if Mimi had caught on to my uncles sexuality like the boys had.

"Oh no, she's my niece." My uncle Brian's face was red probably thinking the same thing as I was. Mimi's smile faltered.

"So does she usually come over for dinner, or is that only when there's boys over?" Mimi's expression twisted into a stone cold poker face instantly. The words stung and my stomach twisted tightly into knots.

"Mimi." John spoke warningly.

"No it's alright," I assured John. "Actually, I live here with my uncle. M-my parents passed a long time ago." I spoke quietly feeling tiny under the burning stare of Mimi.