Chapter 10: Banana phone!

Paul and I have slept together a few more times sense the beginning of 1962, and the snow is slowly melting away into spring. The Beatles have been getting together with Brian Epstien, their manager, and George Martin, who's interested in producing them. He says he sees talent in them, but he's not sure if he should jump on it yet – leaving us all on the edge of our seats.

Somehow, John also got it around that they really didn't have any girlfriends, because Brian thought that it might mess up their popularity or something. As if. They're already on top of Liverpool, and are starting to spread out into other towns around the area. Brilliant.

So here I am, at my house (or should I say, the Harrison's), when the phone rings downstairs.

I look across the living room at George, who's sprawled out on the couch, not budging.

"Are you going to get it, or not?" I mutter, somewhat irritated by the lack of sleep I got the night before, studying for a major test.

George looks around and shrugs. "Nah, I'm good."

I roll my eyes and pick up the phone in the kitchen.

"Hello, this is Stella."

"Hey Stella, this is Cynthia. I need to talk to you. Now. Meet me in the little café on 8th street." Then she hangs up the phone before I can even say anything, leaving me awkwardly holding onto the phone in a daze.

I walk over past the living room and pull on my pea coat, buttoning it up in the front.

George raises an eyebrow and looks over at me. "What'd Paul want?"

I shake my head.

"It wasn't him, it was Cynthia. She wants to talk to me, apparently badly," I shrug. "So, being the friend I am, I decided to go and not leave her worried, or confused, or whatever's wrong with her."

"That's what I've been wondering about you," George smirks.

I sigh and walk out the door and onto the sidewalk, practically running to 8th street.

The little bell hanging from the doorway jingles as I enter the cute café. I look around the room and see teenagers talking with friends, sipping tea and laughing. Then I seek out Cynthia sitting alone by the window.

Her face lights up when she sees me, even though she looks stressed. She motions me to sit, which I do, and prop my head up on my hands.

"So, what's going on, Cynthia?"

Her face drains of color. "I don't know how to put it, so I'm just going to come right out and say it. Don't freak out, alright?"

I nod hesitantly, hanging on to her every word.

"I'm pregnant."

I feel my face grow hot.

"W-what?" I mutter, trying not to freak out.

She shakes her head and hides her face in her hands.

"You heard me right, then," She rubs her temples. "What am I gonna do? It's John's child for sure. I would bet my life on it. He's the only one I've…" Her voice breaks off as the tears start running down her face.

I move my chair around the circular table and put my arm around her.

"It's alright! It's going to be fine! I promise!"

She sniffs. "How… how do you know?"

I quickly think my way around the question, and try to start up a new sentence.

"Does John know?"

She nods, not looking me in the eye.

"And what did he say?"

A little smile breaks out on her face.

"He proposed." I can't help but smile at the thought of John bending down on one knee in the snow. I want to be happy for Cynthia, although a pang of jealously runs through me.

"That's great, Cyn!" I say, wiping a tear from her face.

"See! Everything will be great!"

She sniffs again and rubs her eyes. "You really think so?"

I nod. "I'm positive."

She throws her arms around me and gives a little laugh.

"You're right. Everything will be great." Then her voice cracks again and I hear sobs.

"But what about Mimi? She hates me! She says I'm not good enough for John!"

I curse Mimi in my head for making everyone so miserable, especially her own nephew's bride-to-be.

I grab Cynthia's shoulders firmly and look her straight in the eye.

"Do you love John?" I ask, and she looks confused.

"Yes, I love John, but what does that,"

I cut her off. "Then to hell with Mimi! You're getting married to your love! Don't let that bitch ruin your life!"

Cynthia smiles weakly.

"Now are all the tears gone?"

She nods. Then we both look down at her stomach, which, I have to admit, has gotten a little bigger from before.

"So are you excited?"

She nods, and rubs her stomach.

"Yeah, I am, but I'm a bit nervous too."

I shake my head. "I don't blame you, I think everyone is. But it's exciting! I can't wait until I have my own, when I'm married and all that."

Her face breaks out in a smile.

"So how long have you two known?"

Cynthia thinks about it a second, biting her nail.

"About… a month. Only you and John know though. I just couldn't keep it in any longer. Actually, we're going to tell Mimi tonight. That's why I thought that I should tell a girl before. And well, you seemed perfect." She says brightly.

"So, you've known for a month you said?" I say, a little bothered that John didn't mention it to me.

She nods, concerned. "Yeah, are you alright?"

This makes me wonder if how I feel is really obvious on my face. I'm brought back to earth, and I force a smile.

"Mmhm, everything's fine."

We don't say anything for a few minutes, and I stare out the window at the people walking by. Then it hits me.

"Hey Cyn, do you have the time?"

She rolls up her sleeve and takes a look at her watch. "It's ten to three."

I stand up and push my chair in. "Oh, I almost forgot! I'm meeting Paul's family today!"

Cynthia raises an eyebrow. "You haven't yet?"

I shake my head, hoping that this conversation is a quick one. She smiles. "I didn't meet John's Auntie until a few months ago, actually. Just be yourself. His parents will love you."

"Yeah, but I'm only going to be meeting his Dad and brother."

She cocks her head to the side. "Where's his Mum?"

"In heaven."

Her face drains of color. "Oh… I'm so sorry… poor Paul."

My eyes fill up with tears as I think about how his childhood must have looked. "Well, stop talking to me and get out there, girl! Where are you meeting him?"

"My house."

"How are you getting there?"

I shrug and look around the room frantically. "I'll walk."

"You should call Paul and explain to him where you are. You have change for the pay phone?"

I reach inside my pockets and grimace to remember that I've left my purse at home. I shake my head. "No."

Cynthia takes out her purse and hands me a few coins. "Here, call Paul and tell him to go on inside. I'm sure he wouldn't mind talking with George for a while."

I throw my arms around Cynthia. "Thank you, you saved my life!"

She smiles. "Don't mention it. You helped me, so I will help you. It's what friends do," she lets go. "And besides, we don't want to lose a boy like that, now do we?"

I tilt my head back.

"Yeah, he's gorgeous, isn't he?"

She nods slowly. "I bet he's a good kisser too."

I beam. "He is. He has beautiful lips."

"He's beautiful all around, isn't he?"

I sigh; just thinking about him makes my head spin.

"You two are really in love, aren't you?" She says, grinning.

"A little."

Cynthia laughs and motions me to go call him up.

I walk over to the phone and slide my coins in, dialing the numbers I've memorized. I listen as the phone tries to reach their house.

"Hello?"

My heart leaps.

"Hello, is this Mr. McCartney?"

"It sure is, may I ask who's calling?" Paul's Dad says cheerily.

"Stella Harrison, Paul's girlfriend. I actually think I'll be meeting you for real today!"

The man laughs.

"Ah, yes. I've heard many stories about you, and it seems as if they're right. You sound to be a very nice girl, perfect for Paulie. Speaking of which, you probably want to talk to him, don't you?"

"Yes, sir," I say, my heart doing a belly-flop. "I would."

"Alright then, I'll get him over here. Looking forward to meeting you, Miss Stella."

"You too, Sir. Thank you."

I take a deep breath as I hear the phone hit the table as he gets Paul.

What seems like ages later, really only a few seconds, I hear Paul's sweet voice.

"Stella?"

"Hi, Paulie."

He laughs.

"Hey babe, what's up?"

My heart practically leaps out of my throat at the nickname.

"Cynthia needed to meet me at the café for some… reasons, and I might be a little late. Do you mind…"

"Which café?"

"On 8th street."

"Alright, I can pick you up in the family car; it'll save you the walking and hurry. Sound good?"

"You don't have to do that, Paulie…"

"But I do. I'll see you in a few. I love you! Hey, that rhymed."

He giggles like a little boy, which makes me giggle as well.

"Ooh! I love you more!"

"I doubt that's possible. I love you with my whole heart."

"I love you to the moon and back."

"I love you across the universe."

"You've got me there. No fair. Hey, that rhymed!"

Paul giggles again, and so do I.

"Alright, I'll see you soon. I love you!"

And then he hangs up the phone quickly so that we can't go back and forth again.

I set the phone down and walk away, a big grin on my face. Cynthia raises an eyebrow and watches as I sit down at the table again.

"So? Shouldn't you be going?"

"Are you trying to get rid of me or something?"

She laughs. "No! I just thought that you were going to try to get home to meet Paul, not hang out with me."

I smile. "Paul's coming to pick me up."

Her face turns red. "Lucky. I'm jealous. John wouldn't do that for me."

"Well John can't drive, can he?"

She shrugs. "I guess not."

"Well that solves that, doesn't it?"

A little while later, the little bells on the door jingle, and a burst of spring air comes in.

I look over and see Paul walking in. He looks around, and when he sees me, a big smile comes across his face.

He walks over and I stand up and give him a kiss.

He picks me up and sits down, putting me down on his lap. I squeeze his hands tight. Paul looks over at Cynthia and grins.

"Congratulations on John! You have a lot of guts to want to live with him. I share a room with him for a few months in Germany and don't want anything to do with him afterward. Good luck."

She blushes red, embarrassed. He notices and gives a little wink. "Hey, I'm kidding. John's a great guy. You'll be a happy couple."

Cynthia giggles. "Like you and Stella?"

He looks at me and bounces his knee up and down.

"Yeah, like me and Stella."

Nobody says anything for a few seconds, and Paul has to break the ice again.

"So when's the wedding? Where is it?"

"We're not doing a wedding really. We're just going to go to the register."

"Oh, well that's alright too, I mean, if you want to hide from girls. When is it?"

"Next week on Monday."

Paul's jaw drops. "Seriously? Can you give yourselves any time? Wow, you guys are really straight forward with this, aren't you? Alright, are we invited?"

"Of course, you're our closest friends! It will be John and I, George, Ringo and Mo, you and Stella, Brian, Aunt Mater, and possibly Mimi."

"Well what about your Mum and Dad?"

"My Dad can't exactly come… and my Mum's in Canada."

Paul's face falls. "Oh. I'm sorry for asking."

Cynthia shrugs. "It's okay. You didn't know."

Paul wraps his arms around me and puts his chin on my shoulder. "Well, we better be going."

Cynthia nods. "Yeah, I should too. See you."

I stand up, and Paul follows my lead. We wave and leave out the door, the little bell jingling behind us.