Sure to fall

Chapter ten: You're a Bit Young...

I awoke the next morning, wondering about what today would bring.

It was Sunday so mom usually went to church early. I got dressed and went down stairs.

I heard a knock at the door.

"Oh hey, John ." I said nervously. "Whatdya doin'?"

"Oh I just came to see you o'course.....um about last night...." He trailed off.

I blushed deep red and said, "Come to say you didn't mean any of it?"

He looked shocked. "What? No! Of course not! More to say that I wanted to make this..." He gestured between us, "....official."

I thought for a second. John Lennon, he definitely had a reputation and he was considerably older than me. Though he treated me very well.

"I think being official would be nice." I smiled.

He smiled back and said, "Great because I have some fun things for us to do today!"

_____________________________

Seeing as John didn't have a car, we just started down the street.

"So how old are ye, Alese?" John Asked.

I almost bust out laughing. I had forgotten that he didn't know how young I was.

"I'm 16." I replied.

He raised his eyebrows. "16, eh? You're a bit young to be lookin' and dressin' like that, aren't ya?"

I giggled, "I don't think so."

I was wearing decently normal clothes. I had my black high tops, a blue tank top and sweater and some regular jean shorts.

I looked up to see him smile and laugh at me.

I swatted his arm. "Oh shut up John! How old are ye then?"

I knew he was already out of school, but now I was kind of worried to know how old he was.

"I'm 19." He said.

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Thank God.

"Well you seem a bit too old to be hangin' 'round people my age, eh?" I said skeptically.

He just chuckled and grabbed my hand, "For you, nothing is a bit too anything, luv."

I flashed him a big smile.

"So where we goin' then?" I asked.

"You'll see." He grinned devilishly.

I giggled and kept following him down the sidewalk until we finally got to a large black gate.

The sign on the gate read Strawberry Fields.

"Strawberry Fields." I said aloud.

I peered through the gate and saw the most beautiful, but familiar, house and lawn.

Memories of George flooded my head as my eyes scanned all the places we used to sit and talk.

I wanted to be happy because I was with John, but every tome I began to feel slight happiness, George's huge, gorgeous, toothy smile filled my vision, and I became sad again.

"What's wrong luv?" Asked John. I could hear the concern in his voice. "You've been awful distant today."

I looked around and then at him.

"Well...." I decided I was going to tell him the truth. Or somewhat the truth.

"I had a really good friend once, and me and him used to come down here and talk and hang out a lot. But he's moved away now so I just get a little sad sometimes when I think about him, y'know. And being here doesn't really help."

"Well we can leave if you'd like." Said John a little saddened by my past.

"No! No, it's not that bad. I'm just being dramatic." I laughed.

He smiled and put his arm around me, "As long as you're happy, I'm happy."

I hugged him back and said, "I haven't been this happy in a long time, John. Thank you."

He smiled and planted a kiss on my forehead.

"Alrigh' it's gettin' late, we should head home." He said after a while.

We got up and looked around. It was nearing dusk as we left the front gates.

I turned to look at the gates as they closed, and thought, This is me letting go of George. The doors of his heart are closing and I am moving on. Thank you Strawberry Fields. And thank you John.

I smiled, very pleased and at peace with everything.

John was studying me with genuine interest.

I smiled at him and said, "Today was wonderful, John. Thank you."

He kissed my forehead and put his arm around me.

Leaning into him, I thought, Now this, is what I've always wanted.