I've Just Seen A Face

My name is Olivia Autumn Newton. I'm just a normal girl from Seattle, Washington. My family, sad to say, is not normal. To start with I've got a nut case for a mother. I love her dearly, but she's quite insane. To give you an example, her favorite thing in the world is to eat spaghetti on top of the Space Needle. Every visit I make, she makes a point to do that as if I haven't been doing it for the past years of my life. My dad however, is completely opposite of my mother. To be completely honest, I have no idea how they hooked up. He's not exactly the dad a kid dreams of. He's mean, unforgiving, and he ended up leaving us when I was 19. I also have three brothers, all older than I am. Phil, the eldest, is a complete replica of my dad. He's incredibly smart, but won't give anyone of lesser intelligence a chance (which is almost everyone he and I know). The second eldest, Tom, is just like me. I'm closest to him, because he and I are the only normal members of my family. He's a doctor, and although he's busy the majority of the time, he spends as much time with my mother and other brother as possible. He's sort of the man of the house now with my dad and Phil gone. My third and last brother is Fig (yes it's Fig Newton). He is a replica of my mother. Enough said.
As if having a completely weird family wasn't enough, strange, unexplainable things occur. These things began happening when I met The Monkees. Have you ever seen a Monkees show? Where everything is unreal and clearly imagined by producers? Those are the sort of things that happen to us, except more unreal than you'll ever know, and not the least bit imagined. For example, out of the blue we'd pop in and out of places we've never heard of. We've gone to islands and became Kings and Queens, the stomach of some unknown creature big enough to house a bed and have plenty of room to spare. Not to mention it's pitch black constantly, and not only you but also other people pop in and out beside you unexpectedly and half of them you wont even know. We've also been to the past once, and the future many times and every now and then we'll switch bodies. Like I said I couldn't even begin to explain these things, how they happen and why. In fact, I used to lay awake at times wondering how it could be possible and what it was about the Monkees that brought it about. Although I've gotten used to it, I still ask myself the same omniscient question of "why me?" In the end though, I find myself thankful. Weird, I know, but if some of these things didn't happen I don't know if my life would be the way it is today.
When I was 17 I moved to Malibu, California for no such reason. I found a job as a waitress and by the time I was 19 I was dating the "heart throb Monkee", Davy Jones. At this time, I had been with him for about 2 ½ years and we were engaged, for the 9th time. Those of you, who know Davy or have heard of Davy, probably know his reputation as a very flirtatious girl lover. You're right, he is, and this causes many problems in our relationship. You're probably asking yourself "Then why are you still with him and engaged to him for the ninth time" And to be honest, I ask myself that very same question, but all I knew was despite the many problems I was crazy about him, wanted to be with him forever, and hoped our love would get us through it and make him change. All those feelings would change on July 18th 1964, two months after my 19th birthday, when I met The Beatles....

I woke up at around 10:15am. I turned and sure enough Davy was sound asleep. Not wanting to get out of the warm covers and the comfort of Davy’s arms, I flipped the radio on softly and listened. I laid there with my eyes closed as P.S. I Love You finished playing. I loved The Beatles. Ever since I saw their performances on the Ed Sullivan Show, I've been a die-hard fan. Everyone has their favorites and Paul McCartney was the one who caught my eye. He’s so handsome, and his voice gave me the chills every time I heard it. It didn’t matter whether he was singing or talking. I wasn't the type to look at other men and find them stunningly attractive, but there was something about Paul, that I just couldn't help myself. I felt Davy move next to me interrupting my thoughts. I turned,

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, love.” He said as he leaned over to kiss me. Just as our lips touched the phone rang. I rolled my eyes knowing exactly who it was.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Can I talk to Davy?” Peter Tork asked on the other line. It was right. Leave it to Peter to ruin any moment Davy and I had. He hated it when Davy and I were together, which was pretty much all the time. I used to think it was me he didn’t like, but Davy assured me it wasn’t. What Peter didn’t like was the fact that Davy was always with me. I guess he thought I was taking Davy away or something. It’s worse now due to the fact that recently everyone found out that Davy and I are now sleeping together. He thought it was bad enough that we were doing the ‘Big O’ as he and Emily called it (the ‘Big O’ being oral sex), so when he found out we were going all the way he wanted to separate us more than before.
(I should clarify who ‘everyone’ is. When I met Davy, he told me I had a beautiful voice and convinced me to start a band with a few of my friends. So we did. We’re called The Bleeding Hearts. I’m the lead singer and play tambourine as well as bass and other various instruments. Brittany Star is also a lead vocal, plays bass, and is a couple with Micky Dolenz. Emily Miller is vocal and lead guitarist, and as I already mentioned is currently with Peter Tork. Lastly there is Sara Simpson, backing vocal mostly and drummer. She is with Mike Nesmith). I handed Davy the phone.

“Guess who?” I said as he took the phone from me annoyed with Peter.

“Petah, what do you want?” I heard him say, letting his annoyance show through, “Petah, I’ll be there in a bit alright?” pause “Yes, Petah. Good bye.” Davy said and hung up the phone. He turned back to me and we started to kiss. I stopped.

“You have to go don’t you?” I asked sadly. Why did Peter have to do this all the time?

‘Not right now. I have to soon though or else Petah will just keep calling.” He said and pulled me against him for another kiss. We expressed our love for a few moments and decided to shower and head over to the Monkees apartment. The Monkees lived just a few doors down from me, so after Davy and I were ready we walked over. We walked in and Brittany, Emily, and Sara were already there. We swapped good mornings with everyone and sat on the couch.

“So what is it that you wanted to do Petah?” Davy asked knowing Peter had nothing in particular he wanted to do. It was just an excuse to get Davy to return home.

“I don’t know.” Peter predictably replied. Davy rolled his eyes.

“Wanna play the ball game?” Peter suggested. Peter was obsessed with the ball game. Micky and Davy would sit in their spots on the couch while Peter stood out in front facing them. He would then bump the ball to either one of them, no particular pattern, and they would return going back and forth for as long as hours at a time. Davy shrugged and agreed knowing there was nothing better to do. They had the radio on and once again The Beatles were playing.

“That was ‘She Loves You’ by the famous Fab Four. Those fans out there ought to know that next week, Friday July 18th, The Beatles will be here in Malibu performing for you! Yeah, yeah, YEAH!!” I found myself listening intently. I knew they were coming and I would do anything to go. The disc jockey continued, “And QX 96 is going to give you, yes you, a chance to win four front row tickets! Be the 10th caller and all you have to do is come to the station and answer one question about the Fab Four. You get it right and the tickets are yours! So be the 10th caller now at 664-8928!” All of a sudden I felt my heart drop. I had to win those tickets, but Brittany was already on the phone.

“We won! We won!” she shouted jumping up and down. We were all so excited. “C’mon girls, let’s go get our tickets!” Sara and Emily followed Brittany out. I got up slowly and looked at Davy. He was just looking at me. Besides being flirtatious, he was very jealous and he knew how much I like The Beatles. He knew how much I liked Paul McCartney.

“Davy, don’t look at me like that. It’s just a concert. I’ll watch them perform and that’ll be the end.” I said, “Plus, you’d go if you won. I know how much you admire them.” He tipped his head to the side as if he were about to agree with me when Peter opened his mouth.

“Yeah, but he doesn’t have the hots for Paul McCartney like you do.” I turned around and shot a glance at Peter.

“I do not have the hots for Paul, I just admire his work and he happens to be my favorite.” I was lying of course. It was a half lie anyway. I really did admire him and his work, he really was my favorite, but I really did have the hots for him. I can’t help the fact that I was attracted to him. Who’s not? Besides Davy, Paul is the most attractive, sexiest man I had ever seen. Actually, dare I say it, he’s even more so than Davy. Davy once again interrupted, only this time he was staring in to me as if he could read my every thought. And the fact that my eyes always revealed when I lied didn’t help. I tried not to look him straight into the eyes.

“What?” I asked.

“You know what,” he said, “you’re lying. You know and I know that you fancy Paul McCartney. And I’ve heard that girls get orgasms just watching them. I don’t want you to get an orgasm from him.” He kept looking at me.

“Davy get real. First off, I’m not going to get an orgasm. Secondly, it’s Paul McCartney. Every girl “fancies” him as you say. And like I said, it’s just a concert. I wont even get to talk to him and if I did, I would get his autograph and tell him what a big fan I am. That’s it. Besides he has plenty, more gorgeous girls then me to chose from if he wanted one. And the biggest reason of all is that I love you, not him.” I leaned over and gave him a long, loving kiss.

“Olivia!” I heard Brittany scream, “we’re waiting, c’mon!” We stopped kissing. Davy continued to hold me.

“And I love you. But you were wrong about one thing.”

“What?”

“There is no prettier girl than you. I know Paul’s reputation, and you being so beautiful makes me worry.” I smiled and gave him one last kiss before I had to go.

“Thanks, but he won’t do anything, I’m almost positive. He’ll just look at me as just another fan.”

“Olivia!” Brittany continued to shout.

“I have to go, c-ya later.” I said.

“Buh-bye love.”

As I got to the car, my three friends were staring at me.

“Oh knock it off you guys.”

“Well geez Olivia, it’s not like you’re leaving for a year!” Brittany said. I’m going to stop the story for a brief moment to help you get to know my friends better. Emily, my best friend, is 18 but acts like a 10-year-old in many ways. Which matches Peter’s personality beautifully. She’s appalled at any swearing, loves toys and stuffed animals, has the fattest cat I ever seen who seems to be everywhere we are, and is just as disgusted with Davy and my actions as Peter, if not more so. Brittany and Sara are the other two best friends of the group. They are quite different than Emily and me; especially Emily. Brittany is very bossy at times and thinks of herself as the leader of the group. She’s sarcastic, a smart-alec, and a schemer. Many people would identify her as a girl with an attitude problem. However, despite her major qualities she is nice in her own way, very funny, and wild. I suppose that’s why her and Micky get along (besides the fact that she controls him). And then there is Sara. To be honest, I’d have to say Sara is my least favorite. The majority of the time she’s crabby, constantly yelling and making fun of Emily and annoyed with people. But like Brittany, although a lot less of the time, she has her moments. Her and Mike I must say are perfect for each other. Back to the story…

“I wasn’t kissing him the whole time you know.” I told her defending myself.

“Then what the hell took so long?” she asked.

“*sigh*, he’s worried.”

“About what?” Sara chipped in.

“About me and the concert.”

“Umm, why should he be worried?”

“Because he knows I find Paul attractive and he’s got it in his head that something is going to happen.”

“Geez, it’s just a concert. We won’t even get to talk to them.” Brittany said.

“That’s what I told him. After a bit he seemed to agree and believe me but I know he’s still worried. He’s getting on my nerves a little right now.”

“Well yeah, he’d be getting on my nerves too, he’s the one who needs the worrying, not you. You’ve never cheated on him, he has a lot on you.” I nodded my head. At least I have three others who are going by my point of view as well.

As we pulled up to the radio station, we could hardly contain our enthusiasm. We ran inside.

“Well, well, well. You fine girls must be the winners of the Beatles contest.” The DJ said.

“Yep, that’s us!” Emily squeaked.

“Well, here’s the deal. Normally I would’ve asked you one question and if you got it right the four tickets would’ve been yours. But…since you are all so cute I’ll make you a deal.” We were all very interested, “I’ll ask each of you a question about the Liverpool Lads and if you get it right you’ll not only get four front row tickets, but four backstage passes! How does that sound?”

“How does…yes we…oh my gosh!” we couldn’t speak. Imagine our luck.

“It sounds excellent!! Let’s have at those questions!” Brittany almost shrieked.

“Okay, first question. It’s for you (Emily). What are the Beatles’ full names?” Emily sat for a moment. We all were watching her intently ready to leap at her if she got it wrong.

“Okay…John Winston Lennon, James Paul McCartney, um, Ringo, oh no, I mean Richard Lee Starkey, and George Harold Harrison!” We shrieked with joy. One down three to go. Sara’s turn.

“Who was the first Beatle in the group, and what was the original name?”

“That would be John Lennon and they were called The Quarrymen.” More shrieks. Now to Brittany.

“What are the Beatles’ birthdays?”

“John: Oct. 9, 1940, Paul: June 18, 1942, George: Feb. 25, 1943, and Ringo: July 7, 1940.” Wow, good job Brittany. Now only one left. Pressure was all on me.

“Last question. Where do the Beatles’ keep their song compositions?” I saw the excited faces of my friend’s fall because they knew it was hard. Geez, why did I have to get the hard one?

“They keep them…” oh c’mon Olivia, you know this one,” …in a notebook. Yes, a notebook! And every page is titled ‘Another Lennon and McCartney Original’!”

“Wow, you’re correct! Congrats ladies!” The DJ said while we hugged each other. He gave us our tickets and we left the radio station.

“How did you know that?” Brittany asked in amazement.

“I read it in a little Beatle fact book.” I told her.

“Wow, good job.”

“Thanks, you guys too.”

We got back into the car and returned to The Monkees’. “Surprisingly” they (all but Mike) were playing the ball game. The others couldn’t wait to tell their boyfriends the good news. I on the other hand, wasn’t too excited about telling Davy. I was going to go though no matter what. This was a one in a lifetime chance and I wasn’t going to miss it because of Davy’s not needed jealousy of Paul. I was the last one in and I could tell by his face he already knew of the news. I went over and sat next to him.

“So, I guess you heard the good news then huh?” I asked.

“Ya, but I don’t think it’s good news.” Oh great, here it comes, “Olivia I don’t want you to go backstage.” Uh, why was he being like this? I knew nothing was going to happen. Like I said, it’s Paul McCartney, famous Beatle. He’s seen millions of girls, what makes me so special?

“Davy, I’m going to go. I’ve wanted this forever. I just wish you would stop worrying. I told you I’ll probably just get their autographs and that’s it. Nothing will happen. I promise.” His faces changed to a more understanding-I’m sorry look.

“Yeah, I guess. But while you were out we happened to buy front row tickets as well. So while you’re inside with the Beatles and all that, I will be standing there waiting. I just don’t like it. Whether something will happen or not, you’ll still be in there with a guy you ‘fancy’ while I’m standing outside.”

“Davy everything will be fine.” I squeezed his hand.

“Hey let’s go get some ice cream.” Peter said.

“Yeah,” said Emily. So we all piled in the Monkee mobile and drove to the ice cream shop. Before we knew it, it was Beatle concert night and the night that would change my life forever.