The Love You Make

Michelle

October 9th, 1961
John's 21st birthday was coming up and he wanted to do something nice. His parents had mentioned sending something in the mail for him so he checked it regularly. Upon finding a letter from his family, he sat down and opened it surprised to find £100 inside. It gave him an idea. Taking a taxi over to Paul's he knocked on the door.
"John!! This is unexpected!" Paul opened the door with wide eyes dressed in a grey robe and slippers.

With a chuckle John apologized.
"I'm sorry, I know I should've rang you up but I had an idea."

"You couldn't call me with an idea?"

"Alright, I guess I could've done it over the telephone but I wanted to see you."

Paul smiled and looked at the ground.
"Ok fine, you can come in."

Opening the door he led John into his flat which he had been in many times before. It was their main place to write music. John sat on the couch and Paul on the armchair across from it.
"So, what's your idea?"

"Ok so I got an envelope today in the mail with some money for my birthday-"

"How much?"

"£100. It was from family."

"You're joking? They got that kind of money to give out?"

"I mean some are doctors so-"

"Middle class! Contrary to the rest of us. Anyway what does this have to do with you coming to my flat unannounced?"

"I was thinking the two of us could go on holiday."

"Me? Why would you go with me? That's some trip."

"I just want to you to come ok? We could hitchhike to Spain like we've talked about."

"So you mean it huh?"

"Yeah it'll be fun!"

"Alright. It's a plan then."

~

Hitchhiking to Spain was harder than it seemed. Getting someone to pick them up was the main struggle. So, they decided to do something different to get the attention of the drivers: buying two bowler hats. This seemed to amuse drivers passing by and the boys got a ride. The train also assisted them in getting to Paris, where they stopped to rest. Checking into a hotel, they decided to stayed the night. Paul woke up first as the sunrise crept over the balcony window in the hotel room. Sitting by the balcony he alternated from staring out the window at the structured streets down below, and watching as the sun slowly drowned John's face in light while he lay sleeping. John woke up a few minutes later shifting in the bed that greatly overtook their own at home in quality.
"How long have you been up?"

"Bout an hour. It's lovely outside. Fancy a walk?"

"Yeah why not?" John said, dragging himself out of bed.

~

They ended up walking around a mile away from the hotel watching the Parisians go by. People dressed and looked vastly different from those in Liverpool. It was almost laughable.
"Paul look at those slacks! We should get a pair!"

"You're crazy. I will never."

"You always say that." John said laughing and playfully pushing Paul towards the curb.

"Hey, y'know it's so nice here why don't we just stay for the week? Spain's so far off anyway." Paul proposed.

"I was thinking that. We could see the sights. Stay out of bloody Liverpool for a change."

The boys headed into a café on the street that looked inviting. Taking a sip of coffee, Paul took out his polaroid and snapped a few pictures of John.
"Here get me with the hat!" John exclaimed like an excited child grabbing the bowler hat and placing it on his head.

"Lovely."

~

To experience the true Paris nightlife Paul and John went to quite a few bars and John especially, put back quite a few pints.
"John, that's a bit much don't you think?"

"I actually do not." he replied slurring his words a bit.

"Ok well I happen to think it's enough let's get you home."

"Home? Liverpool?"

"No you idiot, the hotel room come on."

Paul helped him enter the room as John stumbled along next to him. Upon entering John collapsed on the bed.
"Come here Paul."

"What?"

"Come here."

"No you're inebriated."

"Come on." he repeated pulling Paul by his sleeve onto to the bed with a thud.

"Now stay."

"I can't- get up." Paul struggled against John's iron grip.
John held him and ran his hands through Paul's hair. Then his touch faltered. He had fallen asleep. Paul smiled at John, who reeked of liquor, and he too dozed off, coaxed by the sound of the nightlife below.