Time After Time

Chapter 7: You'll Think of Me

The silence filled the gap between Lauren and John as they strolled on one of the pathways in Central Park. John couldn't help his distracted self become completely enamored by all of the carnation pink cherry blossom trees to both his left and right.

This was a complete turnaround from the last time he remembered coming to Central Park, for him, which was fresh in his mind. Though he didn't have the proper time to enjoy it with over a dozen people yelling at him to pose a certain way in thin bulky trench coats in the cold, it was something he wished he didn't remember. But this - this Central Park was amazingly different. The skies held a soft blue glow, glistening upon the delicious pinks and creams of the blossoms on the trees. As he marveled at the warmth of the sun hitting against his skin, the vivid and bright colors his eyes took in, and the glorious sounds of laughter and sights of people happily enjoying the park at its finest, John finally understood why people loved New York. He was beginning to love New York.

Lauren nervously chomped the gum in her mouth against her molars, almost to a heavy grind. Every so often, she would glance at John as they walked together, wondering why he had been silent and what was going on in his mind. They hadn't said anything to each other since leaving her apartment and still didn't know what to say to him. She felt so embarrassed about what happened back there, almost letting herself become vulnerable to him, something she couldn't let happen, for she had no idea how long he was going to be in her presence or when she would wake up from this dream.

A little smile crept to the corner of her mouth as she snuck another glance at him, trying not to laugh at the navy blue New York Yankees baseball cap that had neatly been placed on his head. Although this was Lauren's attempt to keep him hidden from any prying eyes, that particular look was starting to grow on her. She glanced around at all the people as they passed them, wondering if they were taking any interest in him or had maybe wondered if he looked familiar. 'For Christ's sake, Lauren. It's fifty years later. Of course, nobody is going to think this man right here is the actual John Lennon, her thoughts fought with herself, 'I mean, with that baseball cap on, he doesn't really look like himself, but I can't let my guard down. But, his accent is a dead giveaway so what the hell am I going to do? I mean, look at him! This is John fucking Lennon. There's not a soul in the world that has that same bone structure, the way his hair falls into his eyes, the profound Roman nose... those thin and small pink lips that are ever so fucking perfect..'

John's eyes shifted to the side, seeing the large and prominent wrinkle in the middle of her forehead, deep in thought, "Mind dialin' down the mind chatter?"

Her eyes widened and were a little startled from the break of the silence between them.' Shit. Was I being that obvious?' she nervously thought to herself, finally turning her head his way, giving him a little smile, "Um, what?"

Lauren's cheeks flushed a vivid red and even though John was a tad annoyed there had been so much silence between them, he couldn't help the little chuckle that came out of his mouth, "Figured you knew 'bout me but didn't realize to that extent."

She paused, her mouth gaping open, not sure what to say. He had caught her thinking about him, whether he knew exactly what was going on in her mind, but he could sense it pertained to him. Her eyes glanced up ahead, realizing exactly where they were headed.

"I grew up a fan, what can I say," she shrugged, trying to move off of the path but John kept a steady pace forward, seeing that he had already started to read what was printed on the big green sign at the beginning of a particular section of the park.

'Shit', she cursed in her mind. Lauren had no intention of actually taking him to Strawberry Fields. If John hadn't distracted her with his good looks or just being himself, she would have paid more attention and avoided this place, but it was too late.