Redemption

~54~

"Hello my names John and I've been clean for 999 days. I couldn't make it in tomorrow to get the grand like I'd planned" Light applause and polite laughter met Johns ears and he grinned.

This was a comfortable place, one of many, many comfortable places he had stopped by on their way across the world but never-the-less it was an integral part of his journey. "I'd like to say did I pass the audition ha. No really, I have been travelling a lot lately and I've made myself a bit of a promise- come and support as you have supported me"

As Paul warbled, the long and winding road has indeed been long, and winding. Had a few more twists than a hurricane but with time and love, John had finally relaxed into the journey.

This part had been carrying on for months now. All over the States, Australia, Hong Kong, and now England, land of Hope and Glory. The motherland, home. And along the way a funny thing happened, John Lennon had actually become the roadie. Well he was the orator at AA meetings in every city but he was also luggage handler, back massager, foot rubber, stress reliever- closed sessions only.

Mal, bless the poor sod, would be hooting and hollering at the role reversal although he was never the actual stress reliever- get that part straight!

Mal supplied, chose, checked and gawked but he wasn't the actual relief, thank Christ.

The big man had a talent for getting the cream of the crop and we never did thank him enough, although the spoils did flow slipping and sliding in his direction.

"Now I know some of you are like me. Clean for a while, and some of you are sitting staring at the floor wishing for it to swallow you whole. But know you're not alone"

His neck was stiff and as he rubbed the knot, he nodded surreptitiously at the lad with the ruddy complexion that was indeed hoping for the floor to yield and crack open.

"Anyone can be weak, everyone can make mistakes but it takes yourself, you alone, to walk forward and climb up out of the slump" He was losing him- 'Ruddy'- the eyes had rolled as John straightened in his chair warbling poetic AA supporting dialogue.

He then realised he was being the old John again, lording over, instead of mucking in with the troops "Stuff this. Let's have a cuppa and chat, what do you say?" Relief shone in two sets of eyes- his and his new mate Ruddys; And, quite possibly, a few more scattered about the room.

And John knew then... that holding the stage was a tenuous tightrope of keeping them hungry for more and losing them to the door or, in this instance, the floor.

"How did it go?"

"You know"

"I don't you know. I've missed the last few of your interviews, what with my going to AA meetings" His socks hit the deck and Issy crinkled her nose. With a roll and a huff he was up, kissing her lips softly then walking off to throw the offending nuclear waste into the bathtub. He paused, looking from his socks swinging from his fingers to the few articles of clothing littering the bathroom "We should do laundry"

"Is we... short for you?"

"Alright I should do laundry. Although we'll be at Cavendish in the morning anyroad, might leave it til then"

Issy rolled on her side and watched John smell his socks, why do guys do that? "Do you have more fresh socks? Jocks?" She rolled onto her back, stretching.

"I can wear them twice or go commando. Up to you"

"What a lovely decision to make" Issy grinned up at the ceiling from the rooms bed. The suite was quite large and spacious but they ate, read, debated and cuddled, on the bed.