How Could I? //// THE BEATLES STORY

She's Leaving Home

We arrived at Liverpool station, absolutely passed out, barely able to drag our sorry arses from one armoured vehicle to the next.
John waved us off at the end of his old road, Brian offered to take him up, but he said he needed to plan what he was to say to his Aunt Mimi.
The rest of us travelled to Liverpool's finest hotel. Blackburne Terrace.
We shuffled out, grumbling, too tired to mess about. There were no cameras, or anything. The streets were empty practically and I wondered why. After checking the time, I realised why.
We were given the keys by the conflicted Epstein, who was still pondering on the idea of the closure of tours.
He grabbed my shoulder as I went to follow Paul.

"Be serious with me, Finder, did you put this silly idea into their heads?"
Despite being tired, I peeked up in anger.
"Mr Epstein, I assure you, these boys have reached optimum. If you had sense, you could see that you've worked these boys like dogs. Listen to their songs and you'd find that they need help more than ever. Think of them, rather then the money."

He was ataken back, but looked calm.

He shuffled slightly, looking at his shoes.
"I understand Meadow, I think you know those boys better than anyone."
I nodded in silent agreement.
I realised with horror, that Brian would be dead in a year.
From...
Ugh Meadow, think of your Wikipedia surfing.

Drug overdose.
I gasped, taking a step back from the potential druggie.

He looks concerned.
"Is everything alright Meadow."

I could barely speak. I was in shock.
"Go easy on the drugs Mr Epstein. You can overdose ya know. It can kill you."
I whispered the last part in his ear.
His eyes widened.

"You're joking!"

"Kick them out Brian. Kick them out now."

I opened my hand, he stared into it.
I gestured.
"Give the drugs over."
He reluctantly pulled out a box of pills.
I rattled it and read the cover as amphetamines.
"Try to stay off. I care for you Bri, and so do the boys. They wouldn't know how to live without you."
I stared into his eyes, trying not to cry with tiredness and the thought of Brian dead and gone.

I nodded. He stood in shock and I turned on my heel and ran up the stairs.
I opened the already ajar door and walked in, to see the three Beatles asleep on the floor.
I smiled lightly.

——/

We had a lie-in, as the trip had been cut short and nothing was arranged for the next couple of days.
John had joined us late morning, we had changed into our pajamas when we woke up as we wanted a lazy day.
I lay, reading Catcher in the Rye while the boys played Gin Rummy, throwing down dog-eared cards, waving their cigarettes around and laughing properly for the first time in many a year.

I was content. It was the end of something great, a whirlwind of shite hotels, late street nights, crazy girls, stupid boys, expensive alcohol and lots of drugs.
I let up when the boys started smoking weed. I knew it was the stem of some of their greatest hits.
LSD was a big hit in "65 and it's all we could do to dull the pain. I did just as much as them, but my strong Surrey induced body was pretty big against drugs.
As I reminisced, I heard John jump up and hit his head on the light. I laughed loudly and turned around.
"Well, I must say, I'm glad we stopped. I need this. I think making music is still good, but ya know chickies. I can't write a lot about girls and hotels."
He grinned like the boy he once was, but I saw missing gaps, he had lost part of him to the submissive lime light.

" I've got ideas boys. Lots of them. We've met some wacks here, there and everywhere, and I say we write about each one."
Paul chimes in getting up too.