Chapter 2
I stood outside the Dakota, watching this most famous event transpire. It was torture. I was the only bystander that knew what was about to take place, and I could do absolutely nothing about it. Tears stung my eyes I watched his tall, slender figure step out of the limousine. I looked to my right and saw the monster, the evil man that would murder my hero in a matter of seconds. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. I saw the monster raise the gun. "NOOOOO!" I screamed, but it was too late. Six bullets sailed through the air, and three of them were headed directly for him. I screamed again, but no one seemed to hear me. He fell to the ground. It was over, and I had done nothing to stop it. I let out yet another ear piercing scream……
I awoke with a start. I was breathing heavily, and my face was hot and sticky from my tears. I sat up and drew my knees to my chest.
"Why won’t that fucking dream go away? It’s bloody awful!" I screamed between sobs. I expected my mom to come rushing in to comfort me, but she didn’t.
"She must have left already." I said to myself. After I calmed down a little bit I stood up and stumbled into the living room.
"Lucy." I called. My hyperactive rat-terrier bounded into the living room.
"Hey, Sweetie." I said as I bent down to scratch behind her ridiculously large ears. She barked and wagged her stubby little tail furiously.. I walked to the kitchen and pulled a carton of orange juice from the refrigerator.
The phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey, babe, how are you?" It was my best friend Micky.
"I’m alive, how are you?" I asked. Micky is almost as big of fan of John as I am and I knew she was having a hard time too.
"I’m pretty depressed, but what’s new?" she sniffled a little bit.
"Well at least I get to be depressed alone. I can’t imagine what it’s like for you with your family there and all." I said sympathetically.
"Alone? Where’s your family." Micky asked.
"My mom took J. and my dad to my sister’s house for the week. Plus I got suspended from school." I answered.
"Yeah I heard, There’s rumors flying all over school. I heard the whole thing in History class. I thought Mrs. McCracker was going to have a heart attack." Micky laughed.
"Well, Mick, I’d love to talk with you some more, but-"
"Yeah, yeah I know, you need a shower." Micky interrupted.
"That is correct my psychic little friend." I laughed.
"I’ll call you later."
"Ok, bye."
"Bye." I hung up and let out a sigh.
"Uggh, I hope this shower helps me relax a little." I said to myself.
I grabbed a pair or black flares and a black button down shirt and headed for the bathroom. As I entered the bathroom I started to feel exhausted so I sat down on the edge of the bathtub. I sighed and closed my eyes. I began to cry softly as my previous dream replayed in my head. By the time it was over I was furious.
"Goddammit! Why the hell did he have to die?" I screamed and sank down to the floor, sobbing once again.
"Aww, love, don’t cry." I heard a deep voice with a distinctly Liverpudlian accent say. I gasped, stood up, and turned to see a man’s figure standing in the shadows.
"What the hell?!?" I screamed and instinctively backed away from the figure, but my foot got wrapped around the bathroom rug and I fell to the floor with a loud thud. "Ow." I cried. Suddenly I realized whose voice was speaking to me.
"John?"
He stepped out of the shadows and nodded. I rubbed my eyes so I could see him clearly. It was definitely John Lennon, and a young John Lennon at that. Auburn Beatle haircut, Cuban-healed boots, and even the suit he wore on the Ed Sullivan show.
"Yeah it’s me." He said. He extended his hand to help me off the floor. I tried to back away from him but I was backed into a corner. John sensed my fear and backed away. "What the hell are you doing here? Am I still dreaming?" I asked.
"No, at least I don’t think so. I’ve been sent on holiday, love. I get to stay with you for a while." John answered gently.
"How the hell….." I trailed off mumbling something unintelligible, even to myself.
"Can I help you up?" he asked.
I hesitated before answering, I still wasn’t sure he was real. After a few more moments I took his hand. I was almost surprised to find that it was real. It was warm against my hand, and I could even feel his callused fingertips against my wrist. John pulled me off the floor with ease, and I stood there staring up at him for a moment. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I sighed and walked to the kitchen. I sat down at the table and buried my face in my hands. I heard John sit down at the table and I lifted my head. After a few seconds I opened my eyes to see John staring at me intently. "I guess that means you’re real." I said.
John looked at me, confused. "What?" he asked.
"I’m not dead, I’m not dreaming, and I’m not on LSD, so I suppose that means you’re real." I explained.
"LSD?" John questioned. I laughed.
"Don’t worry about it, John, you’ll find out soon enough. How long will you be staying?" I asked.
"I’m yours for a week! That is if you can put up with me for that long." John joked.
"I’ll try but I’m not making any promises."
John gasped in mock horror. "No one can resist my charming good looks and witty personality."
I looked away distracted by some random thought that popped into my brain.
"You ok then, love." John asked.
"Sure if you call almost passing out every time I look at you Ok, then I’m just dandy." I replied sarcastically.
John took my hand and smiled slightly. "It’s ok, it’s only me. Just John." he said gently. "Just John?" I repeated in disbelief. "You can’t be just John. You’re John Lennon. You’ve been my hero since I was a little kid. I’ve been in love with you for years. You’re not just John."
"Love is a pretty strong word." he replied quietly.
Oh shit, did I just say that out loud? I thought.
"I know John." I looked into his eyes. "Besides you don’t even know my name." I laughed lightly, hoping to change the subject.