The Life We Once Knew

Hey Guys, I'm Really Trying

Shows at The Sycamore Club had become better than our recording sessions. During our shows, all we did was play. We couldn't argue, we couldn't glare, all we could do was play and act like we loved each other. From the moment we step on the stage to the moment we step off, it seemed as if we could actually be a real band. We could make anyone believe we actually loved each other when, as soon as we stepped off the stage, Tabitha and I were at each other's throats.

Tensions were high, mostly because of Tabitha and me. Linda was constantly playing peacekeeper and I could see how it was getting on her nerves. Minerva was always being thrown into panic attacks because of our fighting, but we still couldn't stop. Tabitha and I couldn't stand being in the same room as each other let alone the same band. Yet, we persisted. For the sake of the band and the sake of our sanity's, we persisted.

"I'm bloody knackered," I said as soon as we slipped into the back of the cab.

Linda yawned, "It's not even dark yet."

That day, we had the afternoon show. We should be wide awake, but playing took a lot of energy out of a person. Especially when they were playing under the conditions we were. Just being near Tabitha seemed to suck the life out of me. She was an emotional vampire, and I'm sure she saw me in the same light. 

"Doesn't have to be dark for us to be tired," I replied, "Playing live shows is bloody exhausting."

"Especially when you get backstage and start yelling at each other," Linda gazed at me pointedly.

I sighed, "This time, you have to admit, Tabitha started it."

"You didn't have to carry it on."

"I'm not lettin' her get one up on me that easily."

Tabitha and I were alike in many ways, including our stubborness. Neither of us could win when we were equally as stubborn. We could stay neck-to-neck until someone came to tear us apart. Unfortunately, that person usually ended up being Linda. 

Linda shook her head, "If we're ever going to get anything done, you and Tabitha need to stop your incessant fighting."

"We've got stuff done," I replied, "We've got a whole album, don't we?"

"Only one. We could have had two."

I frowned, "Always got to prove me wrong, don't you, Lindy?"

"It's my job."

I chuckled. The cab pulled up to the house on Cavendish Avenue. A few Beatles fans were waiting outside of the gates, but it wasn't the swarm it usually was. Linda glanced at the crowd and sighed, "Perks of dating a Beatle."

"Eh, you get used to it," I replied, "Soon enough, you'll see this as just another day."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

We bid farewell and she slipped out of the car. I watched her bolt to the gate and rush inside before any of the fans could lay a hand on her. When they realized Linda was out of bounds, they turned on the cab. They saw my face in the window and began to scream.

"Go!" I shouted.

The cabbie took off. We sped down the street and away from the crazy fans. Once they were out of sight, I slid down in my seat and sighed.

As soon as we pulled up to my building, I paid the cabbie and went inside. All I wanted was to sit on the couch with a nice cup of tea, Jane, and Vera. Perhaps we could watch a movie or play a game. All I wanted was to relax and forget the rest of the world existed for awhile.

When I made it up to my flat, however, that all changed. I stepped inside and told the babysitter hello. She left instantly, having been called home for a family emergency. That left me with the napping Vera. As soon as the door shut on the babysitter, the phone rang.