The Life We Once Knew

Not The Last Show

 It seemed like just yesterday that Paul and I had gone to that church fete to see that skiffle band perform in the back of a truck. Only yesterday I saw the first performance of a band called The Quarrymen. It has just been minutes ago that I watched them play at the Cavern Club, and even shorter since I played with them. Only seconds ago I was watching them play on The Ed Sullivan Show and now I was watching what would be their last concert.

It wasn't their last, but it was the last for a while. I had seen The Beatles perform for the first time, the last, and everything in between. It didn't seem real, I could barely believe I was watching what would be their last concert. Yet, there it was, happening before my eyes.

"Mummy!" Vera cried out, "Mummy!"

I blinked rapidly, shaking myself out of my daze. We were at Candlestick Park waiting for the last show to happen. For the moment, Vera and I were sitting in the dressing room while the lads did a soundcheck.

"I'm right here," I replied.

Vera pouted, "Applebaum."

"Applebaum?" I asked, "Did you lose your bear?"

She nodded. She was standing by the table, her hands gripping the edge to keep her from falling. Soon, she would take her first step, she had only just begun to stand. She was wobbly but she was getting there.

I got off of the couch and moved to kneel next to her. Gently, I sat her down on her blanket to keep her from falling. She looked like she was about to burst into tears. I smiled and patted her head, "Calm down, Junior, I'll find it."

"Mummy."

"I know, you miss Applebaum," I kissed her forehead, "I'll find him, alright?"

"Okay!"

She stayed on her blanket as I looked around the area. The bear had rolled beneath the table and was hiding in plain sight. I clicked my tongue and handed her the bear. Instantly, Vera's entire face lit up. She took the bear and giggled.

"Now, what do you say?" I asked.

Vera smiled, "Tank!"

"Close enough," I ruffled her hair, "You'll be a talker yet, junior."

Vera began to play with her bear as I returned to the couch. After this show, we would go back home and stay there. Never again would we tour.

It was bittersweet. As much as I despised touring, I couldn't live without it. It was like my personal brand of heroin. Just being on tour without being able to play was torture. I couldn't imagine a life without dreading the next tour, or living off the high of a live performance. Even if we couldn't hear ourselves play, we were doing it and that's what matters.

There was a knock on the door, startling me out of my thoughts. My first thought was one of the lads, but this was their dressing room, they didn't need to knock. Confused, I stood up and opened the door.

"Surprise."

"Lindy!" I exclaimed, lunging forward to wrap my arms around the woman.

She laughed and hugged me back, "I take it that you missed me?"

"Like mad," I replied, "I'm surrounded by boys all the time, it's nice to see another girl. What're you doin' here?"

I stepped aside and let her into the dressing room. Heather walked in behind her, stopping to hug my legs. I pulled her into my arms and ruffled her hair, "Missed you too, kiddo."

"We were visiting my brother in L.A.," Linda replied, stopping to say hello to Vera, "I heard The Beatles were performing and I knew you'd be with them. Thought I'd pop by."