If I Fell│John Lennon/Beatles FanFiction

Chapter 11 - 1.Oct.1960

Chapter 11

Caution: Please be aware that there is a violent scene in the second half of this chapter. 

October 1, 1960

"You're a nutter, Liv," Catherine said, tucking her dark hair behind her ears. We sat counting our tips and rolling silverware after a long shift. I'd worked another double, and my feet were bloody barking at me.

"And why would you say tha?" I asked, too distracted with the money sitting in front of me. There'd be a certain amount my dad would expect, but he didn't know how often I worked double shifts, so I could stash some away for myself.

"You've worked five doubles in a row...you oughta be proper knackered, but you look like you could stay up for another full day and still not be tired."

It was true that I was wired, but I didn't have time to relax or sleep. I'd taken to smoking a bit more to help me stay awake through the grueling double shifts. It was twenty-four days until my birthday, and every minute, every dollar counted. If I was going to be able to crawl out of my window on the night of my birthday and never look back, I needed money. Money was security and money bought train tickets.

"It's all I do, sleep and work," I muttered as I shoved each pile of money into a different part of my bag.

"And school?"

I gave her a noncommittal nod. "And school." But not really anymore, if I was being honest.

"I don't know how you do it." She shrugged her jacket over her shoulders. "Ready?" she asked as she nodded toward the door.

It was already late, and the sun had set long before. We left the restaurant together, hollering our goodbyes at Harry, and walked wordlessly to the bus stop. The chilly air nipped at my face as I ducked my cheeks behind the collar of my jacket.

Catherine had grown to be a closer friend, especially in the absence of John and the others. Whenever possible, we tried to ensure that our shifts would overlap. Work was much less grueling and much more enjoyable when there was someone to chat and commiserate with. She was an angel who would always serve the dodgy bloke I'd slapped back in February even if he was sitting in my section. And for that, I was infinitely thankful.

She saw me to the bus stop whenever we worked together. I'd told her about what happened to my mother, and there was never a moment again when she wouldn't wait for me, no matter how long she had to wait.

I still had to make it from the bus stop to my house, but it was a short walk, and I was getting used to it. It felt like progress. It made me feel like maybe, just maybe, life could keep moving forward without John, no matter how miserable I was without him.

"How're those friends of yours doing in Hamburg?" She glanced at me as she shoved her hands in her coat pockets.

Catherine often talked about the night she'd gotten bladdered and fallen asleep on my lap. Her cheeks always burned red as I recounted the night since she barely remembered a moment after George sat next to her. She often asked if I thought she still had a chance with George...and hell if I knew, but maybe she did. She was a bird, and a looker at that, so George would probably still have a go at her if the mood was right.

"They're good," I answered.

Her brow rose at my less than detailed answer.

"Just got another letter from John," I said, offering a bit more this time. "Things seem hectic there. They're playing nonstop and are totally exhausted, but I think they're doing well."