Be my Starr (Ringo Starr)

Chapter 19: A million kisses

Susan did her work in her room whilst Barbara and Linda were in the living room. She was trying her best to focus but the TV was so loud and she asked Barbara to turn it down, which she did, but then she would turn the volume back up after a minute.

Susan was working on her biggest assignment yet which was to write her first story, well, a draft anyway. Her boss reminded her that it was only a test to see if she was ready for the proper thing. She also had to plan a presentation on how she would go about writing this story. It had to include what her story was about, research about the story and how she would make it as entertaining and interesting as possible.

At first, Susan had no doubts that she would ace this project but now she wasn't so sure. She hadn't a clue what her story would be about. She had planned to prepare ages ago but 'people' got in the way aka Ringo Starr. She was told to write about whatever was popular at the time whether she liked it or not but she couldn't force herself to do that. She had to be dedicated, emotionally invested, it had to mean something to her. Thinking constantly about Ringo wasn't helping either. She couldn't focus at all.

"Susan!" She heard Linda shout. "The phones ringing."

"Can you answer it, I'm busy?" There was no answer.

Susan sighed and joined the girls in the living room. She gave Barbara a you lazy bitch look as she walked over to the phone.

"Hello." She answered the call.

"Hello, Luv." Ringo's accent dominated the line.

"Richard, hi. How're you doing?" Finally talking to Ringo gave Susan the happiness she needed.

"Better now that I've heard ye voice." Ringo sounded happy too, whatever happy sounded like.

"How was the signing?" A sigh came through the phone, giving her a short answer. "Sorry." She whispered guiltily. She probably just ruined his mood.

"It's not your fault." He groaned.

"That bad?"

"Nah, just tiring y'know. Sitting in the same seat for hours can really do up your back." Susan knew exactly what he meant, she had to go through the exact same thing at work excluding the toilet breaks and coffee handouts.

"Tell me about it. I go through the same at work."

"Where do you work, you never said?" Ringo asked. Susan paused for a moment. Where did photographers even work? She put her hand over the receiver and turned to Linda.

"Where do photographers work?" She whispered. Linda turned to her, her face screamed confused.

"What?"

"Quickly." Susan hurried.

"I don't know. Why are you asking?"

"I kinda just work from home." Susan put the phone back to her ear.

"You're a freelancer right?"

"That's me." Susan exhaled with relief. She was safe for now.

"Maybe I should book you in for a day." She could tell he was grinning just from his voice.

"Maybe..."

"You're coming to America right?" Susan's eyes blew up.

"What?" She exclaimed. Barbara looked over curiously. "I'm not coming to America."

"Susie..."

"I can't even pay my rent let alone a flight to America." Susan couldn't believe it. Once again, Ringo was assuming that she would follow him everywhere and just leave her life behind.

"I can pay, take it as an early birthday present. Oh, I'll also need to know when your birthday is so I can plan for that too." It seemed Ringo was none the wiser.

"I've got work," Susan said sharply.

"Yes, America. The lads and I are booking you to be our photographer on the trip." Thank god Ringo wasn't there to see Susan's face. Her mouth was hanging and her eyes were balloons.

"What's he saying?" Barbara piped up.

"What?" Susan asked in a whisper.

"I've spoken to the lads and they're fine with it. I just need to check with Eppy and then we're off." He effused.

Susan was lost for words. What excuse did she have? She was completely fucked.

"Ok..."

"What's wrong with ye Luv?" Ringo was starting to catch on.

"Nothing."

"Mind me sayin but you don't sound too excited. This is America we're talking about!"

"I know, and I am excited, really I am it's just..." There was a short pause.

"You don't wanna come, do you?" It broke Susan's heart to hear him sound so crushed. She would feel her heartache every time she lied to him and this time it was the worst it had ever been.

"No, it's not that. I do wanna come, I do."

"Then why don't you? What's stopping you? Is it Barbara? Tell her she can come too, I'll pay for the both of you."

"It's not that."

"I can't go without you, Susie."

"You know that's not true." Susan sighed.

"I'm serious. Please, Susie, tell me you'll come." He begged. "You make everything so fun and exciting. I've never felt like this before. These past few days have been the best days of my life. Haven't you enjoyed it too?"

"Of course." She knew he was right. Susan hadn't felt this alive, this appreciated, this loved, in forever. Ringo was the only man to ever give her this kind of affection and respect and she adored him for it.

"Then come!" He urged. "We'll have so much more time to spend together. I promise it'll be worth it. Please..." He pled.

A moment.

"Ok. I'll come. For you." She could hear a breath of relief on the other end. "You owe me a thousand kisses, mister." They laughed.

"A thousand? I want a million."

A few minutes later, they said their goodbyes and ended the call. Susan couldn't go back to work now. She knew she'd never be able to focus. She decided to sit on the sofa next to Barbara and watch tv instead. And there they stayed for hours until they fell asleep, and Susan dreamed of her lover boy.