Through Chrissie's eyes

Making Friends

It had been a few hours after John and Brian had left for the test of the bassist. I really had sympathized with him, like Rog and Bri, and to be honest, I hoped that John would join the band. Ever since I met Brian and Roger, I knew how much Smile was important to them, and seeing them in distress because of Tim's departure and Freddie's arrival shook my heart as well. Another thing that worried me at that moment was to imagine the chances of them going out of rehearsal all together as friends, or going away and hurt over another fight.

It was then that to my grateful surprise I saw the four coming together. Brian opened the door and the other three followed. Out of instinct or curiosity, I looked directly at Freddie. He was relatively well, with no clear signs of anger, hurt or impatience. Roger and John were calm too. Brian came to greet me with a kiss as the boys sat in the living room.

"Hi" I smile at Bri. "How was it with John?"

"He's in the band," he smiled enthusiastically, "we spent a couple of songs together and look, I was surprised at what we were able to do today."

"Yeah, we got to do something almost epic," Freddie commented from the living room, clearly paying attention to our conversation.

I thought Brian was going to reply him, we exchanged a meaningful look, I glanced at Freddie and then back at my boyfriend. With the time of coexistence, Brian and I had developed this ability to be able to understand each other just looking in the eyes. What I understood from our "telepathic conversation" was that something different had happened at the rehearsal and he would tell me more details later.

"It's what happens when you have the full band, finally!" Roger added, sounding relieved.

"You blame me, but believe me when I tell you that Mike and Barry would never have done so well playing with us like Deaky here!" Freddie countered, proud to have chosen John.

"Deaky?" the bass player didn't like it very much "you know, I'm not much a nickname person..."

"Too late," Freddie said, "it's cooler to call you Deaky than John."

"I think sticking nicknames is part of the job." John accepted the nickname, shrugging his shoulders, trying not to care too much.

"That's a sign that you actually joined the band," Roger encouraged John with a pat on the shoulder.

"I don't want to interrupt boys," I interposed between them, "but are you going to stay for dinner and watch some movie?"

"Do you always do this?" Freddie asked curiously, "because I'd rather go out than stay at home, nothing against your house, it's a lovely apartment."

"If you always do that, I promise never to leave the band," John murmured, I heard and smiled.

Another member of the band who is like me and Brian.

"It's practically our tradition, at least on rehearsal days, but we're out after the shows," Roger added.

"Yeah ... Freddie," I ventured, approaching them. "I understand that you like the bustle of the streets and the bars, but I personally invite you to stay with us today, only today you know, not every day, but make this sacrifice today, for the good of the band, please ..."

"Chrissie, if you use that charm on Brian you can get anything from him," was Freddie's response.

"Does that mean a yes?" I was confused by what he meant.

"Yes, yes, you were able to convince me." He raised his hands in surrender. "I just hope it's worth it."

"You might think so." I pointed to him, excited, assuring him I would keep my word.

Brian gave me another look, the meaning of this ranged from "what are you doing?" to "I think it's not a bad idea".

"What is going to be?" Asked Roger, "the usual pizza? Guys, I'll warn you not to fight over the taste of the pizza."

"How about some real food for a change?" I suggested "I can cook something now, if you have the patience."

"That's something I didn't expect ..." Roger hissed, surprised. "I can wait."

"I don't have anything important to do now." John shrugged.

"I told you I was staying," Freddie reminded me.

"All right," I said, smiling, and I turned to the kitchen.

"I'll help you, Chrissie." Brian followed behind me.

"I know my idea was rushed, but I've thought so much about doing something for you guys," I confessed, when we were alone.

"I saw, I noticed, but is that ..." he hesitated, "our pantry is not exactly full."

"I can improvise something," I promised. "Just help me and do as I say."

I separated what I could find in the refrigerator. Eggs, mayonnaise (I hope it was not overdue), potatoes, sauce, ketchup ... Yeah, that would have to do. I laid the eggs for boiling and Brian and I peeled the potatoes. From the living room, I could hear the boys laughing. I smiled, that was a good sign.

"You and Freddie are good now?" I asked.

"Well, more or less," Brian grimaced. "We kind of decided not to fight today. Deep down he wanted John to play with us as much as we did. And John, my God, impressed us, he's really good, so I taught him the songs, and Roger and Freddie talked in the meantime. When we went to play, I don't know, I felt something .... It's strange the word I wanted to use to describe it, because we are so different, but, we were in harmony."

"Not so different ..." I smiled to see that Brian had the look and the smile shining, I loved when he was like that "you four have a little something in common, which is what connects you, and I think you will never lose it , which is the love for music."

"Yeah ..." Brian realized. "I think that's fine, but Chrissie, I have to tell you something."

"What?" I laughed.

"I loved the way you disconcerted Freddie," he laughed, "you faced him in your own way, and it was so incredible! You are wonderful!"

Brian completed the compliment with an exaggerated kiss on my temple.

"Stop it, Brian Harold May!" I reprimanded in a joking tone "we still have to finish dinner."

"True," he chuckled softly, going back to the potatoes.

It took another 15 minutes, but I was able to finish what I had planned. When I called John, Roger, and Freddie to eat, they came running. And they ate everything practically at the same speed. Jesus! These boys lived with hunger! I think that playing and singing makes you very hungry. But I was happy with their reaction, if they ate everything, it was a sign that I had done a miracle and managed to cook something tasty with the little I had.

"So ..." I started a conversation when I saw the silent band "how long do you think you still need to rehearse?"

"Somw more weeks," John said, "I just got here and I still have to learn the songs."

"I agree," Freddie nodded, "but with a little more effort, which we all have" he said, looking up at everyone else "we'll get there".

"That's right." Roger nodded.

"Yeah, sure." Brian smiled at his companions and finally looked at me.

His gaze said, "Thank you for what you did." I looked at the four of them, and was glad to be sure they were friends now.