⇾ 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅𝐅 𝐌𝐘 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘 | 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐈

Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Calm in the Storm (Featuring Many Unspoken Words)

November 23, 1961

The next week was pretty hectic, all going down in a blur.

By the next day, it was clear that the Beatles stay in Hamburg was being cut short. I got a letter on Sunday that confirmed the worst. The band's employer had finally caught them playing at the rival club and went straight for the police, telling them about George being underage. By the time the letter made it to me, George was on his way back and was scheduled to arrive back that night.

John actually called me the next time, Wednesday, sounding stressed, angry, and confused.

"Donna?" his voice came through the phone.

"John?"

"Hey, uh, have you heard from George?"

"Uh, yeah, I talked to him yesterday...he's got a cold?"

"Oh," said John flatly. "Well if you happen to come across him...Paul and Pete are in trouble too." I heard him sigh.

My hands started to shake, for some reason. "Oh, uh...what did they do?" My voice suddenly became timid.

"They set something on fire. They've been charged with arson. I don't think they'll be here much longer either." He sighed again and it seemed like he had no breath left to breathe anymore.

"I'm sorry—."

"I don't know wheat I'm going to do now."

I didn't know what to say.

"I guess I need to go back. There's no point of being here. Besides—." His voice suddenly became warm and sincere. "I wanna see you." I smiled to myself, but still didn't know what to say. "Ye there, love?"

"No," I teased.

"It's nice to hear your voice," he said. "The calm in the storm."

"Yours too," I admitted. "It's been rather lonely without you around being obnoxious."

He chuckled. "I'm being nagged to hang up by someone here. God, I wish I could stay," I heard him mumble. "But I gotta hand the phone over. I guess I'll see you in a few days."

"See you soon."

He breathed a moment as if he intended to say more, but instead sighed hung up.

"Who was that?" Brian asked, coming up behind me.

"Oh, it was John."

"Oh? What's happened?"

"Well, George got sent home a few days ago and now Paul and Pete are on their way back."

"Gotten themselves in trouble, have they?" Brian cracked a grin.

I laughed. "It seems they have. John'll be back in a few days too." I paused. "Of his own accord," I added.

Brian nodded. "So that's good then?" He sighed.

"Yes?"