The Life We Once Knew

The Fool In London

"Lia, I need you to come to the studio with me."

I stared at him. Paul had shown up at my door at eight o'clock in the morning, still dressed in his pajamas with a dress coat flung over his t-shirt, and one green slipper and one pink one that barely fit over his foot. He seemed to have just jumped out of bed. Even his hair was messed up.

"Bloody hell, Paul, you look like you had a wrestling match with your pillow," I said.

Paul waved me off, "Doesn't matter. I had an idea and I need your help."

"With what?"

"Building a rocketship," Paul sarcastically replied, "We're goin' to the studio, Lia, what do you think?"

I glared at him, "If you want my help, you're not going to get it by being a cheeky git."

"I need your lips."

"Did you drink too much?" I wrinkled my nose, "You're making no sense."

Paul took a deep breath. I already knew what was wrong. Occasionally, he would have an idea during a dream and wake up in a frazzled state. It would take him several cups of coffee to level out.

"I've been workin' on a new song for ages," Paul explained, "I couldn't figure the bloody thing out, but, I had a dream about it."

"Knew it."

Paul grinned, "It needs a flute!"

"Again with the bloody flute," I chuckled, "You lads need to learn."

"Ah, but why learn when we have you?" he grinned broadly.

I shook my head, "Alright, you've won me over. I'll help you."

"Brilliant! We'll leave right now!"

"Don't you want to change?"

He looked down at himself, "Right. Wait a moment."

He vanished into his room. I chuckled, shaking my head as I did so. Whenever he was gone, I returned to the living room to pick up Vera.

She had finished her cereal and was playing with the new toy guitar George had gotten her for her second birthday. Of all the toys she had gotten, that was her favorite. She was singing to Applebaum, who sat, upside down, on the couch.

"Ey, Junior," I squatted next to her, "Care to go on an adventure?"

Vera's face lit up, "Where?!"

"To Uncle Paulie's work. We'll see him record a song."

"I wanna go!"

"Go put on your shoes and we'll go."

Vera flopped onto the ground in the front hall and began to stuff her feet in her boots. I grabbed her coat as well as mine from the hall closet. For October, it was cold, like winter had arrived early.

Once we were both dressed, I stepped out into the hall and locked the door. Paul met us at the lift with a bright smile. He took Vera from me and said, "It's a wonderful idea, Little Bee."

"What idea, Uncle Paulie?" Vera asked.

"A flute solo," Paul replied, "Two, maybe even three."

"You didn't say it was a solo," I said.

Paul shrugged, "Bit of both?"

"Didja call the other lads?"

"They'll meet us there," Paul grinned, "It's bloody brilliant, Lia, I tell you!"

We climbed into Paul's car as he raved about this song. Vera sat in my lap the entire trip, since I had forgotten to grab her car seat. As is, I almost forgot the flute, only remembering just as we were stepping out. It sat in the back as we sped down the road.