I'm Looking Through You // Mclennon

honesty

     I tapped the dials on John's telephone as my fingers shook a little. Ofcoure I'm nervous as all Hell, I've only left my wife and kids across the globe without consulting her at all! She's sure to have my head.

    "Hello...?" Linda picked up quite wearily.

    "Lin?" I called out, "It's me, Paul!"

     Linda took a breath of relief, "Thank God you made it there safe... I'm glad. I saw your note, by the way."

     I twirled the telephone wire with my index finger as John looked back at me, watching me talk.

     "Yeah... Is everythin' alright?" I asked, dreading the answer.

     "Well. You know. Things could be better." She answered coldly.

     Her sharp words made me cringe, "Right... Listen, I'm really-"

     "Where are you, exactly?" She spoke over me.

     "Oh! I'm at John's apartment in New York City. He's letting me stay here 'till the tour starts next week."

     "...Ye didn't even tell her? Boy, yer in for it, now." John spoke under his breath.

     "John's?" She asked. "You're visitin' John Lennon? That's the old friend?"

     "Yeah! Remember when ye told me to visit him?" I smiled.

     "I do... Guess the idea stuck with you a bit, then?" She laughed. "I was... kinda joking... more or less being sarcastic... You're really visiting John?"

     I chuckled in return, "Look, I know leavin' on the fly like that was beyond inconsiderate of me. I shoulda waited to talk to ye in the mornin' abou' it, I know. I'm really, really sorry, dear."

     Linda remained silent for a little while, "Paul... It's alright. Just promise me this one thing?"

     "Anythin'! What is it?" I answered, gripping tightly at the phone.

     "You promise me... that... you won't do anything stupid?"

     Her words stung to hear. What is she even talking about? Why would I do something stupid? What exactly classifies as something stupid?

     "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, placing a hand on my hip. "I ain't daft!"

     John was still sat across the table and had his head propped up on his hand. He smiled into his palm, trying to hold back any laughter from my response to Linda's question.

"Yer a little daft." He whispered once more, causing me to giggle in return.

     "Paul. ...You know what I'm talking about..." She replied in a mono-tone voice.

     The energy in the room went from playful banter to awkward silence in mere seconds. It was clear to both John and I what Linda was worried about happening.

      I covered up the microphone and turned to John, "Ey... Ye mind leavin' the room for a sec?"

     John raised both his hands up and walked out of the kitchen. Leaving me by myself on the phone with Linda.

     "Linda, I swear to ye... John and I haven't got any type of intention in havin' an affair or whateva. I can assure ye that wi' 100% certainty! Christ, we've got kids! A life. I ain't gonna toss that away for... an ex." I swore.

     Linda sighed, perhaps with relief, "Thank God. I'm trusting you on this, McCartney..."

     "I love ye wi' all me heart, Lin. Now get some sleep, alright? I'll talk to ye soon enough." I smiled into the phone.