Through Chrissie's eyes

Different discoveries

It was the second time I had been through the same experience, but still nothing was the same. Just as I felt every stage of development, no matter how big or small it was when I was generating Jimmy, I also felt my new baby growing up. But it was different, because it was another child, a new life, that would have a different personality, would be different of how Jimmy was.

Beginning with his stillness, while Jimmy moved a lot, his little brother moved less often, which made me very worried sometimes.

"Hey, my love, are you there?" Brian was turning to our baby still in the belly "you know you are, but ... Talk to us too, I mean, in your way because there is no way you can talk. We know you're there, but say hello."

And like a miracle, the baby always reacted to Brian's voice, sometimes I thought our second child would be more attached to his father than to me. Of course it wouldn't be like that, well, I wasn't sure of anything, but regardless, I would love my little boy anyway.

"He just likes your voice, I guess, or just you" O said to Brian, sounding a little annoyed.

"No, Chrissie, not at all." He touched my face so that I looked at him. "He likes my voice, it's true, but we still don't know him, just wait when he sees his mother, he'll love her so much how much I love you, and how Jimmy loves you."

"I know I'm being a fool, I was just ..." I didn't even know how to complete the sentence, since I realized I was being silly "maybe it's the hormones ..."

Brian grimaced, thinking about what to answer, finally giving up. I think he thought I'd be mad at whatever he said, I just laughed.

And that's when the baby moved.

"Bri, look ..." I put a hand on my belly "he likes my laugh, that's definitely what made him move!"

I laughed with joy at my discovery, and then the more I laughed the baby moved.

"I can help with that" my husband said, and nudged me right in the ribs, knowing I was ticklish there.

"Stop it, stop it ..." I was saying and laughing, so much so that I burst into tears "stop it, so I'll lose my breath."

"I'm sorry" Brian smiled.

"Mom!" Jimmy came down the stairs running "is everything okay? I heard you laughing, but now you're crying."

He looked suspiciously at Brian.

"Did Daddy make you cry?" Jimmy asked, startled.

"No, no, Jimmy, it's nothing like that" Brian was as worried as our little one "we just found out together that your little brother moves when your mother laughs."

"Really?" Jimmy brightened, delighted "I want to see! I want to see!"

Jimmy's own request made me laugh again and he touched my belly. His expression of shock and astonishment at the realization of his brother's movement was priceless. Then I had an idea.

"Remember when you played for Jimmy before he was born, Bri?" I reminded him "perhaps the baby would react with the two of us singing."

"How did Dad sing to me before I was born?" Jimmy was intrigued.

"You were still in the belly, just like your little brother," I explained.

"Ah ..." signed my little boy, understanding.

We saw Brian leave and then back with the Red Special.

"Then what will it be?" he asked me.

"Um ..." I was always undecided when he asked me this "what about Jimmy choosing it?"

"Me? What? A song that Uncle Freddie sings?" Jimmy wanted to know.

"It's not just Uncle Freddie who sings" Brian explained, a little jealous.

"There's one that Mom sings" my little one recalled "she's always singing it "Yesterday, my life was in ruin ..."

It wasn't long before Brian started to play right in the time, singing along with Jimmy.

"Now today I know what I'm doing

I have a feeling I should be doing all right ... "

I joined them.

"Doing all right ..."

And I felt the baby stirring again.

"That's right, my love!" I talked to him "we're your family ..."

We would spend hours and hours there if duty didn't call us. Later that day, we had a meeting to set the details for a series of shows in the United States that would take place exclusively in New York at Madison Square Garden.

It was the second time I was going to the United States, and I thought this time it would be less tiring because we would be in a single city. I was happy with the trip, despite the difficulties of organization and distance, it was always good to be close to the boys, following their work.

Jimmy was very excited about the trip. I explained to him how the trip would be, which would be as long as the other times we went, and that our final destination was New York.

"New York?" Jimmy cheered up "where the Statue of Liberty is? I don't know why, but everyone says it's a cool place, so it'll be nice to go there!"

"Yes, yes, it will be" I laughed at his excitement.

The phone interrupted our conversation and I went to answer.

"Sir Harold!" I recognized the voice of my father-in-law "How long, I can hardly believe that it's you!"

"It's good to talk to you, dear Chrissie," he said, "how's Jimmy and the baby?"

"They're good, very good," I told him. "Jimmy is excited because we're going to New York."

"New York?" Mr. May sounded suspicious "What are they going to do in New York?"

"It's a trip with Queen" I explained fearfully "the boys are going to do shows there ..."

"It's a pity, we were going to London to see you, but the band is more important," Sir Harold said in a bitter tone.

"You can come later, no problem, I ..." I tried to think of what to say but I couldn't.

Harold May never accepted very well the fact that his only son was a guitarist when he should have a job in keeping up with his role as a father of a family that he was now. No matter Brian's profession, he would always take care of us and we would be his priority, but his father didn't understand that.

Brian came over to me and realized I was talking to Harold. My husband asked me to give him the phone. I did it, worried.

"Hi, Dad, it's me, yes, I know, I know, but next week we're here! I heard Brian talking "no, no, don't do it, look, I ... Calm down, just give me a chance, okay? Good? Would you like to go to New York and see me play? I'm not going crazy, I'm serious, really! Will you come? I trust your word. It's ok. Goodbye. I love you too."

"Is everything all right?" I hesitated to ask, I touched his shoulder in a way to comfort him.

"My mom and dad are going to New York to see a Queen show" Brian said "it was difficult, but I convinced him."

"And... What do you expect will happen?" I was distressed by a possible conflict.

"I hope he doesn't hate me for it," Brian said, a little discouraged.

I hugged him, and I felt him hold me tight. I also hoped the best would happen when the older Mays saw their son and his friends play.