We Can Work It Out - (LENNISON)

Life is Very Short

       GEORGE POV 

      I can't believe what just happened. Out of the blue, I get a call from Pattie. How could I have known this would happen?

~flashback~

"George, look, it's just that I can't keep up with all this anymore," My girl told me, the halo of light from the street lamp making her blonde hair glow in the dim light of the park.

Drunks sing out from deep within the maze of lazy couples leaning on each others' shoulders on distant benches along the long and winding path. I reach out for Pattie's hand, craving her warmth in this precise moment. She turned away, a steady flow of tears streaming down her face sparkling.

"What do you mean, what can't you do?" I pushed and stepped closer to her, wishing only to envelop her in my arms and hold her close. She can't be saying what I think she's saying.

Her face contorted in pain and anger, "You think I don't know about the women and drugs after shows? Do you think I don't see you in the tabloids, a new girl under your arm every time? You want me to just ignore that because I'm dating the all famous Beatle?"

Each word she spoke stabbed my heart with unimaginable force and I couldn't bear it.

"Pattie, they don't mean anything, I love you," I drew close to her, and in her frail state, she didn't pull away this time.  I held her trembling body against mine. Tears spilled from her eyes like buckets and wet the sleeves of my coat. Each wind blow felt crueler and colder than the last.  

She finally shoved me off and retreated far from me.

"We're done George, I'm sorry."

~flashback end~

I'm now wandering the streets of London, alone, no one to comfort me in the miserable state I'm in. I just keep seeing Pattie's crestfallen face disappear into the shadows. It won't be the last time I see her face, but maybe the last time I see it so close to me. 

I kicked at an empty bottle of beer at my feet and watched it skitter across the cement until it too was eaten up by the night. I stopped and crumpled like a leaf, hugging my knees to my chest. The stars and houses around me felt like they were eating me, crushing me, silencing me. 

I heard a bird sing above me and heard a car rumble not too far from where I was crouching. I have no idea where I was, and I have no idea who's driving out this late. I wonder if they can even see me. 

Not looking up from my knees,  I listened to the car creep closer to me. It stopped soon enough and  I heard someone exit. A hand touching my shoulder brought me back to my senses. I looked up to see my new companion. 

John.

His warm eyes staring down at me with compassion and concern. He was framed by his car's blazing headlights that cut through the murky depths of the street. 

"You okay Geo?" He asked. He held out his hand and I took it. He pulled me up with ease with his strong arms. I swayed a bit from moving so swiftly from the ground, but John grasped me and steadied me. 

"Can I drive you home?" He questioned. 

"Uh, ye sure," I replied dejectedly. The silence that followed made me train my eyes back to my shoes. John dropped his arms and walked over to the passenger's side as I trailed behind. He opened the door for me and I sat. I followed him as he climbed into the driver's seat to my right.

He turned the car to reverse and started to drive off. 

I opened the overhead mirror and only then did I see my bleary eyes and red face. I rubbed at it quickly. I shouldn't be crying. I closed the mirror quickly and folded my arms. I leaned my head against the cool windowpane glass.

"George, are you alright?"  John broke the tense silence. He kept his eyes trained on the road.

"Oh yeah, I mean, I don't wanna spring anything on you," I glanced over at him and shuffled to face the center, "you've got enough going on in your life, what with your kid and the divorce."

John swallowed before responding, "You can tell me anything Geo, I'm always here for you."

He looked at me the same time I looked at him and we met each other's eyes. I caught my breath. This was the first time I'd ever noticed how pretty his face really was. We both blushed and turned away swiftly.

But I didn't stop thinking about those beautiful eyes.