Paul ended up leaving for Japan with the boys three days after our talk.  I was sad to see him go and prayed that it wouldn’t turn out as extensive as it was in the “Beatle Days”.  It was alright being alone for the first few days, but it didn’t take long before I began missing him terribly.  Mary and I would take walks during the day and visit Grandpa Jim at nights.  We visited Jin and Harry a couple times as well, making the days go faster.  All was good until I received a horrible phone call….

            “Hello?” I answered looking at the clock.  It was 11pm; who in the world was calling?

            “Olivia?” I heard someone say on the other line. 

            “Hello?  You’re breaking up,” I said hearing static through the phone.

            “Is this better?” I heard George say on the other line.

            “Yeah,” I replied, “What’s up George?  It’s late here,”

            “I know it is, and I’m sorry about that,” he said then paused.

            “What is it?” I asked nervous, “Is Paul okay?  Are you guys okay?”

            “Well, physically yes, we’re all okay,”

            “So what’s the problem?”  I asked frantic, “George you’re scaring me,”

            “It’s not that big of a problem really,”

            “Well what!?”

            “Paul’s in jail,” he said flat out.  I didn’t know what to say.

            “What do you mean, Paul’s in jail?”

            “He’s in jail, he got arrested this afternoon,”

            “What?  Why?!”

            “We just flew into Osaka from Tokyo, and Paul was busted with drugs in his suitcase,” George said and suddenly I was furious.

            “He brought drugs to Japan?!” I almost yelled, “Was he the only one?”

            “Yeah, we are all fine, but they said they are keeping him there for at least 10 days,” I didn’t respond. How could he be so stupid?  The Japanese were way stricter on that stuff than England and America, and besides, he promised me he was trying to quit!  To top it all off, I was almost killed over a week ago by someone driving under the influence.  Granted it was alcohol, but still, I would have thought he would lay off especially after that.  I began pacing back and forth, “Uh, Olivia, are you alright?”

            “I just can’t believe him,” I said, “He promised me he was not going to do that anymore, he said he was trying to stop.  He’s so—so—” I couldn’t finish I so was angry, “Ten days?!  What if it’s longer?  What am I supposed to do here alone for another week and a half while he’s in Japanese prison?!”

            “I don’t know, and I’m really sorry,” George said sympathetically, “I wish there was something we could do, but they won’t even put a bail on him—they are making him pay his full pension,”

            “Well, did you tell then who you are, or were?” I asked.

            “Yes, we tried everything, but they won’t budge.” I fell back onto the couch just annoyed wondering if I was completely right about everything.  The Beatles were not even back together but for four days and already he’s acting like he’s 22 again, getting busted for drugs!  He was so careful all those previous years, when he was pretty much eating it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  What made him be so careless?

            “Well, thanks for letting me know George,” I said, “Do you know if he’s going to be allowed to call anyone?”

            “Not sure if their policy is the same,” George said, “I’m sure though if there is anyway of contacting you he will.”

            “Alright, well, again, thanks for calling,”

            “No problem and I’m sorry again,”

            “It’s not your fault,” I said smiling though he couldn’t see me.

            “Yes well,” he said, “Goodnight Olivia,”

            “Goodnight George,” I said and hung up the phone.  I sat on the couch just staring off to space, still in a state of disbelief—then a thought occurred to me.  I got up quickly and went up stairs to our room.  I dug through all the drawers and looked up in the closet, searching everywhere.  Finally I found the jackpot and I pulled the little paper bag that was hidden away in the tightest little corner.  I knew he always had some hidden, but I just pretended I didn’t.  I opened it and peeked inside and sure enough it held what I had thought.  I stormed into the bathroom and lifted the toilet seat.  I opened the bag again and stood staring into the bowl. He’d kill me if he ever found out about this—not only because I did it without talking to him about it, but it was also risky for him to get and it was probably expensive.  But again, how dare he be so careless and get arrested leaving me home alone with Mary!?  By the Japanese no less!  I took a deep breath and dumped the remnants of the bag into the toilet and watched as the green swirled in circles finally disappearing into the hole.  I crumpled the bag and through it into the garbage just as the door bell downstairs rang.  I made my way downstairs fast and pulled open the door, freezing in my tracks.

            “Hey Olivia, long time no see,”

            “Da-, Davy?” I responded as he smiled back at me. 

            “I know it’s late, but I was in the neighborhood, and I couldn’t resist saying hello, it’s been so long,” he smiled.  I blinked a few times, he had changed a lot.  He wasn’t any taller, but he looked older.  His hair was a bit longer, the way I used to like it when we were dating, and he was tan.  He wasn’t dirty, but he had that rugged, aged, yet handsome look about him.  I shook my head slightly and held my arm out.

            “Yeah, come in,” I said smiling.  He walked through the door and I shut it slowly, not believing the night I was having.  He walked out into the living room as I followed him.

            “Wow, I don’t think I’ve been here since you and Paul got married,” Davy said looking around, “You guys look like you are doing very well,” he smiled.

            “Yes, we are,” I said looking around myself, “We’ve tried to bring as much as each of us in as possible—you know, not too girly or too mannish,” I smiled, “Would you like some tea?”

            “Sure, if it’s no trouble,”

            “No, not at all.  It only takes a second to heat up a pot,” I said, the word suddenly reminding me of where my irresponsible husband was, “So why are you toodling the neighborhood at 11 at night?” I asked from the kitchen.

            “Um, I wasn’t quite tired and, well, Linda and I just got divorced,” he said and I stopped.  I quickly walked to the edge of the kitchen to face him in the living room.

            “Oh Davy, I’m so sorry,” I said and he laughed shaking his head.

            “Don’t worry about it, it was for the best,” he said, “It just wasn’t working, the love sort of—well, disappeared,” I walked over to him and gave him a hug.  He slowly returned and we just stood there.

            “It’s still hard I bet,” I said pulling back to face him, “No one wants to get divorced,”

            “I suppose,” he said, “But it’s me Olivia, Davy, the guy who can never settle down remember?” He said with a sad smile.  I swallowed.

            “Oh, Davy don’t say that,” I said.

            “I was only kidding luv, just trying to lighten the mood,” he said with a little laugh, “She just wasn’t who I thought she was.”

            “So what about Annabel?” I asked.

            “We’ve got joint custody on her, but she’s living with Linda,” he said, “That’s the thing I regret and hate the most, not seeing my daughter everyday,”

            “I know I said this already, but I’m so sorry,” I said hugging him and he laughed slightly hugging me back.

            “It’s alright, it happens,” then he smiled, “Not everyone is blessed like you and Paul,”

            “Ha,” I said to myself walking back into the kitchen as the teapot was whistling.  Davy followed me.

            “Ha?  What does that mean?”

            “Nothing really, it’s just,” I said.  I wondered if I should say anything, but then again I didn’t have anyone here to talk to and Davy was one of the people I was closest to, “You heard about the Beatle break up right?’ I asked handing him his tea and we made our way back to the living room.

            “Yeah, that was tragic I’m sorry,” he said and I smiled.

            “It was, but at the same time, I was actually happier,” he looked at me confused, “You know, I loved him being in the Beatles—they were a great band, but he became unhappy, they all did, and then I got unhappy.  Things between Paul and I weren’t the best during those times and it seemed way to hard.  Then after it was over, we finally got time to ourselves, you know?”

            “I can see that, yes,” Davy said sipping his tea, “So what happened?”

            “Well, about two weeks ago I was,” I stopped and looked up at him and realized he didn’t know about the accident.

            “You were what?”

            “Um,” I started slowly, “About two weeks ago, I was hit pretty hard by a drunk driver and sent to the hospital for about a week,” Davy almost dropped his tea.

            “You what?!  Oh my gosh Olivia are you alright?!” Davy asked worried and I nodded.

            “Yes, I’m fine, but it was a very hard time for us,” I said and Davy nodded in understanding, scooting a bit closer to me on the couch, “During that time Paul called the others and they came over to visit me, resulting with them befriending each other again,”

            “And that was a bad thing?” Davy asked staring at me weird.

            “Well,” I paused, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

            “I just,” he paused, “I can’t believe you were in an accident, I mean, could you have…?”

            “Died?” I finished for him, “Possibly.  Paul told me later that I had lost my memory for a day or two and then there was a time where I couldn’t even look at Mary,” I said remembering, “It was horrible Davy, feeling like that.”

            “Oh luv,” Davy said embracing me, “I don’t know what I would have done if you had, well, you know,”

            “What do you mean?  I haven’t seen you in forever,”

            “I know, that’s just it.  We’ve never really gotten to that point where we can be actual friends again, you know?  I would have hated for you to go with us ending the way we did, and it just makes me think that it’s not worth it—being angry and resentful towards you or Paul.  Paul and you are great for each other and you always have been.  I’ll always love you Olivia and that’s no secret, but I’d rather be your friend as hard as it is sometimes, then to not have you in my life at all,” he said with a smile and a tear slid down my face.

            “Davy that was so sweet,” I said, “Thank you,”

            “Now what were you saying, about Paul getting friendly again with the guys?”

            “Oh yeah um,” I cleared my throat, “Long story short, they’re friends again and well they had the bright idea to do some gigs again, so they flew out to Japan a couple days ago,”

            “Wow, The Beatles back together?” Davy asked surprised.

            “Well, something like that.  They were going to try to be on a low profile for a while, but,”

            “But?”

            “I just got a call from George right before you got here,” I said taking a deep breath, “Paul’s in Japanese prison after being busted with pot in his suitcase!”

            “Are you serious?” Davy asked and I nodded furious again.  I got up and walked to the kitchen and grabbing one of Paul’s beers.  I took the top off and slugged it down.

            “Yes, how could he do that?  He’s being so inconsiderate!  Has he forgotten that he has a family back here in England? Does he remember that I just got out of the hospital, where I almost died no less?!” I said my voice raising as I pulled out another beer and began drinking.

            “Well, that was kind of a inconsiderate thing to do, but luv, you should know as well as me, he’s been smoking that stuff for years.  He probably assumed that he knew what he was doing,”

            “Yes well apparently he didn’t,” I said putting down the second empty beer bottle.  I grabbed onto the counter firmly because I was feeling a little dizzy.  Still upset, I began on a third.  Finally I walked over to where I could see Davy, “Do you think I would do something like this to him?  I would never put myself before him.  Every decision that I make, I think about him and Mary first,” I said taking a drink, “Does this mean his doesn’t care that much about us?  Is he still so stuck on himself that not even a wife and daughter can stop him?!” I said getting even more angry.

            “Olivia, I think that you are over reacting just a bit, don’t you?” Davy asked and I frowned.

            “Over reacting? And why is that?”

            “I’m just saying, I don’t think he doesn’t care about you, I think he does more than anything, he just made a mistake,”

            “Ha, a mistake?  You are giving him way too much credit,” I said laughing to myself and taking another drink, “He’s made multiple mistakes, and here I am always forgiving him.  Oh Olivia, it’s alright, let it go this time,” I said almost falling onto the couch.  Davy jumped quickly to catch me though I didn’t need it, “What’s wrong with me Davy?”  I asked him.

            “What do you mean?  Nothing is wrong with you,” he replied.

            “You’re lying,” I said finishing my beer.

            “Luv you’re drunk,” he said to me and I shook my head getting up to get another one.

            “No, I’m not, and even if I am, that doesn’t change the fact that you are a liar,” I said.

            “What am I lying about?” Davy asked following me, “Are you sure you want—”

            “Don’t Davy, I can do whatever I want, I mean shouldn’t I?” I replied, “I mean who cares if I have a daughter to take care of right?  I mean Paul obviously doesn’t care.  Hey, my wife just got out of the hospital I think I’ll leave her and go to Japan.  And hey, why not bring some pot too and maybe, just maybe I’ll get caught.  Wouldn’t that be fun?  Sitting in a Japanese jail for days and days while my wife is at home all alone with our child worried sick about me?  Jeez I just wanted to have some fun, there’s no harm in that!” I yelled.

            “Olivia shh, please,” Davy begged, “I don’t like seeing you this way,”

            “Oh no you don’t,” I said shaking a wobbly finger at him, “You can’t get away from my question,”

            “What’s that?” Davy asked looking nervously at me as I almost finished my fourth beer in the last 20 minutes.  I felt like I was going to throw up.

            “I asked you to tell me what’s wrong with me,”

            “And I answered, there is nothing wrong with you,”

            “Stop lying!” I said angry and on the verge of tears now, “You know there is!  You treated me like crap too!”  Davy stood silent as I fell to the floor now in tears, “Why don’t I deserve someone good?  I mean, you were good, Paul is good, but neither of you seem to care about me the way I care or cared about you.  Why will no one settle down with me?” by this time I was balling, “Am I ugly?  Am I boring?  Am, am I a bad wife?  A bad mother?!”

            “No, no!  Olivia, you are talking foolish right now.  Paul loves you and you know that.  Like I said he just made a mistake and I bet anything that he is sitting there right now thinking of what an ass he just was and how much he probably is hurting you,” he said sitting next to me and pulling my hair off my wet face.

“Really?  You think so?”

“I know so,” he said, “I hate admitting it, and I’ve only done a few times, but he really, really loves you Olivia.  I have never seen someone care for another like he does for you, and like you do for him.  After I saw the way you two were around each other, I hated myself for letting go of you, but I knew you deserved better.  You deserved Paul—he loves you more and in everyway that I couldn’t.” he finished and now I was just crying because I was drunk and because Davy was so sweet and right.  I knew I was thinking foolishly, but I was just so angry, no—I was so hurt by what Paul did.

“And as far as me not settling down with you, it had nothing at all to do with you, it was me.   I had so many insecurities about myself.  I had loved you more than I had loved anyone, or could imagine for that matter.  But I could never make that final commitment because I was scared—scared that when I finally made the biggest move of my life by marrying you, you would realize how much you didn’t love me or find someone new.  I couldn’t imagine with dealing with that pain that I did stupid things and didn’t treat you right,” he said and I felt so bad for him, “And it’s a good thing to, because your real prince charming was just running a little late.  But you’ve found him and you two are perfect for each other.  I’m just so sorry I could never give you all that you wanted.” He said and the next thing I knew I leaned over and kissed him.  At first he didn’t respond and I didn’t know what to do either.  I knew it was wrong, but I hadn’t seen him in years, I was drunk, and I was angry with Paul.  It was a bad combo and I knew I would regret it in the morning, but I just kept going.  I moved closer to him and kissed him deeper.  He kissed back for a minute and then pushed me away.

“What?” I asked quietly. 

            “Olivia you are drunk, you don’t want to be doing this.  It’s wrong,” Davy said.

            “If I didn’t want to do it I wouldn’t,” I said leaning to him again, but he moved back.  I frowned.

            “No, you are angry with Paul and have been drinking.  It’s not you,” He said again.

            “Davy I love Paul I do, but he hurt me,” I said, “And, well, I’ve missed you, we had some good times right?” I asked running my hands down his chest.  He moved them away.

            “Olivia please stop, you miss me like you miss Brittany and the others.  I know this isn’t what you want to be doing, and we can’t.”

            “No I don’t!” I said getting angry with Davy now, “I want you like I used to,” This time I began unbuttoning my blouse and Davy stood up quickly to try and stop me.  I jumped up quickly and removed my shirt before he could catch me.  I was now standing in front of him in my bra.  I could tell he was trying not to look but he was anyway.

            “Stop it, this is wrong!” Davy said, shaking his head, “This isn’t like you, to drink like this, is it?”  He asked and for some reason that hit me.  Quickly I grabbed my shirt and covered myself completely embarrassed.

            “No, it’s not,” I said looking around frantically, “Davy I’m so sorry, oh my gosh, Davy,”

            “It’s alright, it’s alright,” Davy said trying to help.  By this time I didn’t care that I was in my bra.  I dropped my shirt and sat on the couch crying.

            “No Davy it’s not!” I yelled looking up at him, “I dumped out all of Paul’s stash and flushed it!  I’m drunk! I kissed you! And I took off my shirt!”

            “But it wasn’t you, like you said, you are drunk,” Davy said, but it wasn’t helping.

            “No, no, no!  What am I going to tell Paul!?  I can’t tell him I got drunk and kissed you!  He’ll never forgive me!  He’s always so paranoid about us anyway, this will make it worse!  Oh my gosh, he’s going to divorce me!” I said balling now.  Davy picked up my shirt and placed it around me.

            “No he’s not, but you have to be honest with him.  You have to tell him that you were angry with him and that you were hurt.  You obviously must have been so confused on what to do, that you went to alcohol,” he said, “He knows that you aren’t like that, he’ll understand.”  I looked at him skeptically, “If I remember Paul he’ll be mad, I’m sure of it.  But he loves you, he’ll understand, and there’s no way he’s going to divorce you.”

            “You really think so?” I asked still crying, “I can’t lose him Davy, I can’t.  I love him too much, I just can’t….” I said fading off.

            “I know you do, and you wont.  Just tell him the truth,” Davy said.

            “Thank you Davy,” I said quietly.

            “For what?”    

            “Everything.  Tonight must have been hard for you.  You came over for a nice night with me and instead I got drunk and pushed myself on you, not to mention vented about Paul all night.  This isn’t what you came for, but you were so strong, you are the greatest friend ever,” I said hugging him tight, “Davy?”

            “Yes?”

            “I think I’m going to be sick,” I blurted although it completely killed the moment.  He laughed slightly.

            “Alright, well, let me help you to bed and then I’ll let myself out,”

            “Thank you Davy,” I repeated.  He helped me upstairs and before I knew it I was in bed and passed out.  It wouldn’t be until the morning when everything of tonight would really hit me.