Get It Straight, Or Say Good Night

Help! ~Give us a Giggle

George woke up with a crick in his neck, his right hand trying to touch the floor and his left curled around his sister's own digits.

He hadn't let go of her hand.

He hadn't left her at all.

But he needed a piss badly.

Glancing about he realised it must be quite late in the morning the sun was up, the shadow of the chair by the window casting a dark shape to affirm the fact.

It was deafly quiet.

But Lou was still here.

Dosed up and zonked out she looked beautiful in that bedraggled kind of way. She looked ethereal really, he thought. Never paying heed to her as a woman now he did, she was pretty and delicate and had exquisitely long fingers like that of a pianist, perhaps she should learn.

Maybe I can spend time with her.

Teach her guitar.

Or maybe play Monopoly.

Or help her bake all the cakes I insist she makes weekly.

Quite like your cooking Louise, George whispered as he grinned a little sadly, not sadly because she wasn't making a cake but because she wasn't here, was she. She was floating about, probably larking about, in a dream somewhere, yea that would be nice for her, a dream where she is happy and not hurt or thinking she is all alone.

Where's the bastard?

Gee he looked like crap in the early hours, all black an' blue about the face. I should have launched at him again as he took her hand in his and held it like she meant more to him than he had actually displayed the previous day. And that fat tear that ran down to his lips that he hadn't bothered to wipe away, how does he sleep at night?

Why do you bother with him Louise? Plenty of other tossers out there without his unique set of issues. Why put yourself through his shit? He never appreciated you like you should have been, used you he did, all those times, all those secrets, why not kick him to the kerb, Louise?

Oh that's right now I remember what happened to Lennon. He held her hand so I couldn't all night long then Brian breezes in, whispers in his ear then ZAP, he's gone. Not even a look in my direction, the wanker.

I was an uncle again for a measly couple of weeks, with no knowledge of the fact.

You're a good mumma Louise.

You'll be a mumma again I'm sure and Evie, she'll put a smile back on your face wont she, the little darlin'. You make pretty kids, you do. I promise to be a super terrific and fun uncle, won't let her out of me sight when she strikes up with a lad in her teens. I'll hover like a bad smell and growl if the unfortunate lad even looks close to touching her 'and.

You'll be pleased to know I was a responsible brother and son and called up Ma and promised to keep her informed, you know she won't get on a hairy plane. Did she ever get a passport? probably was an illegal when we headed to Ireland that summer on the boat. Remember the boat and those waves, Lou!? Gosh I thought we were goners, told everyone- remember, from steward to captain to that skinny kid that shat himself. Oh I had you laughing I did, what with my running about like a chook with its head lopped off. Be nice if you gave a little giggle now, luv.

Where is he? It's been ages.

Oh by the way, Paul's touching of you inappropriately in the Another Girl clip with be on celluloid Lou. That'll piss Lennon for yonks. Think they're  using that original girl, Nancy, she'll have to be facing away from the camera to get the other shots. They won't wait. All Dick said was 'It'll be monsoon season soon' What's that supposed to mean, can't get a camera out for an hour when the suns up?

~

"George, Georgie Boi"

"What? What? Oh hello Paul, I must have fallen asleep, what time is it and where's the wanker?"

"Its 3pm, you need to eat.. go get some tucker and I'll look after our girl, alright" Paul squeezed George on his shoulders and basically picked the lad out of the chair, one good thing was this- George was loving his sister, outwardly. Pinning all his love on his face.

Although the currently grumbly face said it all, he wasn't pleased with leaving his sisters side.

"Where is he, Paul?"

"Gone"

"What do you mean gone? Like gone to the bathroom or gone for good?" George spat out nastily.

"Keep it down son.....Gone for three days, I expect" Paul pried George's hand away from Louise and manhandled him to the door "Go eat"

George stood looking at the exit but not moving further. Like a big invisible rope was tied to him and Louise, he'd never ever felt that way before and it seemed quite scary, to worry so much for one person, he had had it good, not loosing anyone close in the family, now this- Louise. "Where is he, Paul" George looked at the floor then ran his eyes over Paul, he didn't look much chop either, haggard and red rimmed about the eyes "Have you been crying?"

"Course I let a tear or two slip, mate. She's family" Paul smiled with such genuine love back at Lou, George had to hold his tongue. He loved her too .... why wasn't it Paul that took her on in the first place? Paul glanced back, rubbing the back of his neck. "Johns flown to get her"

"Who? Ma? She won't come." George held a hand on the door, not pushing nor pulling just gaining some sense of place and time and reality.

"Eve"

"No"

"Yep"

"But he'll be gone days. Couldn't Mimi have flown her out?"

"John was adamant. Lou would have shot him if Evie wasn't delivered properly so he took it on himself to organise flights, charters and return trip in the shortest length of time humanly possible" Paul pushed the door a crack to try and make George step through "The doc said they're keeping her sedated remember. So John thought best to go"

George scoffed and heavy sarcasm laced his voice "John thought best. Whenever has he thought best for Lou before?"

"He's trying man, right now. Dozen time zones he'll cross to bring Lou's angel to her side. Was a good thing what he did, going after the little 'en. Give him time George, he's hurting too"

"I'll not forgive him easily. He pushed her to fly and look, she fell and now she's busted up badly" George watched Louise sleep, was it called sleep when you were made to? Red rimmed eyes looked back at Paul, he nodded forlornly and stepped from the room.