The Beatles Short Stories

The Art of Babysitting

Dear Mates,

I would like to thank you for looking after Julian while me and Cyn go out for the night. I guess the only things you need to know is that we expect Julian to be fed at 6:00 and that he needs to be in bed by 9:00. If he starts to cry, just give him his stuffed bear named Oslo. Oh and Paul, try not to be too enthusiastic. It gets on my nerves. George and Ringo, you two are normal, so I haven't a special note for you two.

Sincerely,
Your Most Valuable Band Member

   "Okay, well, that doesn't sound too bad!" Paul exclaimed.
   "Remember, Paul!" Ringo cut in, "not too enthusiastic! John's orders!"
   "Oh, poo on that! John's not even here for me to get on his nerves!"
   "I wouldn't be so sure. He could be here right now..." George said nervously as he glanced around the room, as if expecting for John to appear form thin air.
   "Oh please! Jules, is your daddy gone?" Paul asked the five year old.
   "I think so," Julian muttered.
   "Exactly! So, what would you like to do, then?" Paul asked as he lifted the toddler above his head like an airplane, which caused Julian to giggle and laugh hysterically. Paul, George, and Ringo joining in as well.
   Paul then sat the child down before ruffling his hair.
   "I think I want to play the game where you guess what I'm drawing!" Julian decided.
   "Sounds wonderful! I'll go get the pens and paper!" Paul said as he disappeared down the hall, now leaving Julian with George and Ringo.
   "So, Jules, how's life treating you?" George asked in mock seriousness.
   "Who's life? I don't know her," Julian replied, obviously confused.
   "Oh, she's just an old lady," George sputtered through a laugh as he patted Julian's head.
   "Oh, I know her! She gives me peppermints!" the toddler finally realized.
   "Yep! That's her!" Ringo cried, which caused Julian to jump up and down in excitement.
   As Julian was still celebrating his knowledge and George and Ringo were still giggling, Paul reentered the living room carrying four pens and a notebook full of paper.
   "Who's ready to play?" Paul asked enthusiastically, forgetting John's wishes.
   "I am! I am, Uncle Paul!" Julian proclaimed.
   "Alright, well let's sit down at the table here and we'll start," the bassist said as he gestured for them to sit with him at the nice, wooden table in the dining room.
   "Okay!" Ringo exclaimed with a bit of sarcasm directed toward Paul.
   Paul just rolled his eyes, for he was having so much fun taking care of the little one.
   "I want to start, Uncle Paul!" Julian pushed.
   "That's fine, Jules! Who's team are you on first, though?" Paul asked.
   "Yours!" Julian yelled almost immediately, which caused George and Ringo to roll their eyes and hold a hand of hurt to their hearts jokingly.
   Paul just stifled a grin.
   "Right, well, Uncle George and Uncle Ringo will have to guess what you draw then."
   "Okay!"
   And so, Julian was off. Drawing whatever came to his mind. So far, it just looked like a circle with a rectangle connected to it and two lines coming out of the rectangle. George and Ringo were completely baffled, which Paul giggled at. To be honest, he hadn't a clue what Julian was drawing either. Thirty seconds later, which was the time limit, neither George nor Ringo had guessed what little Julian had drawn.
   "Alright, we need an answer, boys," Paul said in the tone of a game show host.
   "Uh, um," Ringo stuttered as he looked down at the circle, rectangle, lines, and shimmering thingys surrounding them. "Is it a treasure chest?"
   "Nope!" Julian yelled while giggling.
   "No points for you two then!" Paul smirked. "Would you be so kind, Jules, to tell the gentlemen what your drawing actually was?"
   "It was Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds!" Julian beamed.
Paul, George, and Ringo then shared a perplexed look to each other at Julian's answer.
   "What does that mean, Jules?" Ringo asked.
   "It's a girl of course!"
   "Oh, I see," Ringo smiled. "That's very catchy!"
   "Thanks," the child blushed.
   "Well, that's one point for us since they didn't get it, Jules! Isn't that great?" Paul smiled.
   "Yeah! Your turn, Uncle George!" Julian then said as George aligned the paper with his pen.
   "Okay, here goes nothing!"
   And so, George began to draw, all while Paul and Julian eyed his movements closely. At first, it appeared to be some sort of box, but then it began to take shape a little bit more. In seconds flat, Paul jumped out of his seat before whispering something into Julian's ear. Julian then nodded before guessing.
   "It's a cheeseburger!" he proclaimed proudly.
   "That's it, Jules!" George smiled.
   "Yay! Another point for us then, aye Julian?" Paul cheered.
   "Yay!" the Beatle kid yelled, before he suddenly clutched his stomach and whined a little.
   "What's the matter, son?" Ringo inquired.
   "I'm hungry!" he frowned.
   "Well, that's no problem! It's nearing dinner time anyways," George said as he patted Julian's back.
   "I know but Uncle Paul and Uncle Ringo didn't get to draw!"
   "Don't worry about us, Jules! We're hungry too!" Ringo comforted.
   "Okay, if you're sure."
   "We are, so what would you like to eat?" Paul asked as he made his way to the kitchen, the others following in close pursuit.
   "How about Animal Crackers?" Julian suggested, which caused the other three to laugh.
   "Well, I don't think that would feel you up there, Jules. How about..." Paul said as he opened various cabinets before opening the refrigerator door. "Fish 'n' Chips!"
   "Hooray!" Julian cheered.
   "I wonder if you'll be saying that once you actually eat Paul's cooking, Jules," George smirked.
   "I will because Uncle Paul cooks so good!" Julian defended as he latched onto Paul's leg.
   "Aww, thanks, Jules. I'll do my best."
   "Thanks, Paulie," the child answered.
   "My pleasure."
   And with that, Paul busied himself with preparing the food, while Julian attempted to help him and George and Ringo studied the two and their relationship.
   Now George and Ringo never knew what Paul had that was so special when it came to children. Don't get them wrong, they were great with children too, but something about Paul attracted children like a magnet. And it was also obvious to them that Paul loved being with children. Almost as much as performing or writing music. Well, almost as much.
   Twenty minutes later, the Fish 'n' Chips were served. Julian looked like he was going to burst with excitement as the time came for them to eat their food. They then descended on the cod like ravenous dogs, savoring each bite.
   "Wow, Paul! I clearly underestimated your cooking abilities!" George said through a mouthful of chips.
   "Aww, thanks! Me mum taught me!" he blushed.
   "These are so good, Uncle Paul! Thanks for cooking for us!" the toddler said as he hugged the bassist.
   "You're so welcome! It was my pleasure!"