I Need You: A John Lennon Story
Chapter Two: Till There Was You, 14 July 1957
Father had left for a week of business at his firm in London, so I had been alone in our house these past days. I was actually quite happy to be on my own, I finally had time to think over everything that had happened with our family over the last year or so.
Surprisingly, I didn't shed a tear when I relived these painful memories. I didn't cry when I thought of how out of the blue my mum's demand for divorce was. I didn't cry when I remembered the day I found out why she had decided to divorce my father, her loyal husband of more than fifteen years.
I didn't cry when I thought of the man, not ten years older than I, who had been the reason of my mum's infidelities. I didn't shed a single tear, and I was proud of myself.
But it was still early in my memories, so I couldn't get too excited. I shut my eyes, and leaned back in my seat on the porch, thinking of how malicious the divorce was.
After my mum had made it clear that she wanted to divorce my father, he immediately left for his hometown, Liverpool. Father said that he would fly in when necessary, he only wished to not see her. He was completely heart-broken, and didn't want to ever see her again. So he didn't. Not even to this day, more than a year since this happened, he hadn't seen her. He simply refused.
I felt so incredibly bad for my father. He hadn't done a single thing to her, he had been loyal and loving during all of their marriage, and she repaid him by sleeping with her worker, a man fifteen years her junior. After I found out about this man, I wasn't able to look at my mum the same. My image of her was tainted; I didn't look up to her anymore.
Now, she was my example of what not to become. Because of the pain she had caused my father, and myself, I never, ever wanted to cause this sort pain to anyone. Because of her, I would never cheat on anyone. I just couldn't stand to see myself forming into her, so I promised myself to never get to that point. God knows I was going to keep my promise.
'That's enough for the day,' I thought, and picked myself up off the chair I was lounging on. I quickly picked up my book, and trekked back inside.
I set my book down on the mail table in our foyer, and walked to the kitchen. After I thoroughly searched all the cabinets, and our refrigerator, and saw that we didn't have any food, I trekked up to my bedroom.
I walked to my mirror, quickly brushing out my long, chestnut waves, took my shoulder-bag and a thin cardigan, and went back to the foyer. Hastily, I put my cardigan on, and threw my bag over my shoulder as I walked out the front door.
Seeing as it was rather late, I knew the bus wasn't going to be running here anytime soon, so I just walked. I walked slowly, looking at everything surrounding me.
Liverpool was a really pretty city, and I was rather proud to call it my home. There were children and their tired mums still at the park, chasing after each other, and occasionally falling on their bottoms. I smiled happily at them; I had always loved children. I couldn't wait to have my own someday.
As this thought expanded, I finally got to the grocery store I had visited a few nights ago, and entered. The cashier, who I had met on my first day here, waved a cheery hello to me. He had taken quite a liking to me, finding the fact that I was from New York the most amazing thing in the world.
I walked to the vegetables side, and tossed a few potatoes, broccoli, and tomatoes before walking to the deli in the back of the room. I asked for a single chicken breast, received it, and was about to turn around to the register, when I saw a slightly familiar face in the window.
It was the same boy I had met on the bus. I stared at him for the shortest of seconds, doubting that he'd even recall my face, and walked to the register. I handed my things to the cashier, who sparked a conversation up with me.
"How are you, Julia?"
"Well, Robbie thanks," I smiled. "And you?"
"I'm alright, so you going to the carnival?"
"What carnival?" I asked.
"We have one every summer, down in the main square, you should go," Robbie said. "Meet new people, make some friends,"
I laughed, and shook my head. "I don't think so," I laughed again, picking up my bag of groceries.
"Awh, come on," He laughed. "You've at least got to go for the music."
"What music?" I asked.
"We always have local little bands play, around seven in the evening, some of them are real good, you should watch them play, since you told me you like music a lot,"
"I might," I smiled. "I'll see you later, Robbie,"
"Bye, Julia!"
I smiled and exited the store, completely conscious of the fact that the boy and his friends were still by the door. I began to walk back the way I came from, when I heard someone whistle loudly. I paused and turned back to the whistle, and saw that the boy and his friends were walking towards me.
I began to get nervous, and shifted in my spot. I didn't know why I didn't just keep walking, parts of me made me want to meet these people, and possibly get some friends.
"I saw you, you're the girl from the bus, what was it, Julia?"
"I didn't think you'd remember my name," I laughed.
"Course I'd remember your name, a pretty bird like you," He said. "So, listen you going to the carnival tomorrow?"
"I was thinking of it," I said. "I'll probably just go see the bands perform,"
"What kind of music do you like?"
"I like Elvis," I smiled. "Buddy Holly's good too, and Little Richard,"
"A pretty young bird with superb musical taste, I must've been sent to heaven,"
I laughed a joyous laugh, feeling my cheeks flush lightly. "Calm yourself, stranger,"
"Alright, alright," He laughed. "If you do go, which I sincerely hope you do, you should check my band out."
"Oh, you've got a band?"
"Yep, The Quarry Men, it's me and a few of me friends from our six form school." He explained. "You ought to watch us."
"I think I will," I nodded. "I'll be going now, before it gets too dark. So I'll see you tomorrow, mister...?"
"Just John," He smiled. "I'll see you 'round, Julia,"
I smiled and nodded, and he walked off, back to his group of friends, who like last time, were watching our small altercation from a distance.
Before John got to his friends, I turned on my heels and began to walk back home, where I cooked a nice meal. After, I showered once more and quickly fell to my bed, thinking of John and the festival tomorrow.