Hari left them on the morning after the show. Eleanor knew why. His secret was unfolded and he couldn't hang around any longer. She didn't cry. She knew that it was future-less love story. She knew that the "live the minute" stuff wouldn't hang on for longer. Still, she had her farewell wish - just one more night with him. She didn't care who he was and what was he really doing there. She just needed him close before he went away.
Beston didn't die, but was jailed. Ten years in prision, for lots of unknown crimes. Things nobody knew about him. That was enough. Mary never forgave herself for letting him enter on the band... but it was too late. As Danny always used to say, "once done, forever changed."
Eleanor looked on the calendar. February. Two months, already! She was shocked. Time flew by so quickly, after he went away. She missed him, but she had to go on. There wasn't time for fussing and fighiting.
Brittany entered the room. "Hey, Ell."
"Hey."
"Eleanor, child, you're ok?"
"No. I am somewhat sick. Been for a time, lately. Dunno why."
Brittany looked to her friend."Well, you should see a doctor."
"I am going to one today. What's the smile all about?"
"Been dating a nice man. Ethan Maverick. Nice guy. You should meet his band, they're the next big thing!"
"Hey, what about us? "
She laughed. "We're into higher ground. I would say closer to the Gods."
"Go fetch!"
In that afternoon, Eleanor went to the doctor, and when she returned, the smile was gone from her face. She locked herself at home, and straight into the bedroom, crying her heart out on the pillows.
The thing she was suspecting really happened.
She called up Brittany, she could tell her what to do. Or be confused with her. Whatever.
"God, Eleanor! A child! And...well, who's its father?"
"You do know who! And that's why I am so scared!"
"Ell, what's done is done. You know he won't come back. What will you do now?"
"What do you mean?"
"Will you have the baby?"
Eleanor sighed on the line. She knew the answer all along.
"I was blessed three times, Britty. Once, with the gift of life. And twice, with the right of being loved by two awesome men. I guess it's just something that will happen."
"You're not alone, Ell. I am here, so is the gang. This child will be lucky, even though it will never have its father."
Eleanor turned off the phone, and went for a long, long walk. She needed to think. On the way, she stumbled on Sparkle. Her tears were giving all away, and she was forced by him to stop and sit down and tell what was going on. The Brazilian blood, she thought. Always helping the friend. She told him what was going on.
"Vai ser um filho do anjo!", he laughed.
"What have you said?"
"Well, in Brazil, when a woman has a child and the father is away - or you don't know who the father is - we say that the baby is 'the child of the angel'. My dad said that people in his country believed that there were angels among the living people...and that they coulf really get a woman in one interesting state...if you know what I mean, of course."
Sparkle didn't notice the blushing cheeks of his leader. For she knew that was true by the most painful way.
"Tell me, Sparkle, does people on your father's country have a name to people like me?"
"No, I am afraid. But, you know what, Eleanor? I think this child will be in good hands. I mean, you were always alone and all, only having Daniel - God bless his wit - and all, I think that it is a gift. A gift of life. So just enjoy it! There are things that come to change our life, children are one of them. I tell you 'cause I know, I have two of my own!"
Eleanor smiled. Maybe he was right.
"Deixe as estrelas guiarem o vosso destino."
"What?"
"Portuguese, yet again. 'Let the stars guide your destiny'. Leave it to God. He might look after you."
August came and Eleanor's child was born. It was a boy, and was named after his father - John Harrison McGuire. Many people sent presents, the fans filled the hospital doors with flowers and and cards. Two months after, Eleanor and her gang was back to the stages, with the show "Sonnets and other kinds of poems", only with covers. One thing that would call attention was Eleanor's version to Cry Baby Cry. The fairy tale of the lyric, in her voice, was tinted with sadness.Why?, people and reporter were always asked. She would never answer.
And her son was looking more like her everyday. It was good. She wouldn't handle if he looked like his father. Lately, she had been looking to the stars, trying to find an answer to her prayers. She just knew she couldn't give up. She had her son to look after now, she wasn't alone anymore.
Now they were back at the Submarine to another show. Eight of December. Tomorrow was her birthday. She smiled at the memory. It was winning a guitar, many birthdays ago, that she had learned how to dream. And now, with albums, tours...was there life beyond all of this?
Whenever she looked to her son, she knew there was.
She left her son with Brittany for a second, and went to see the opening band. The Jets. Nice guys. Played very well a lot of mod-guided songs. She liked particulary that Ethan Maverick, lead guitarist. He was a blonde, quick-eyed fellow, very nice to talk to, very gentle. Maybe she could think about dating him one day. One of these days.
She went back to the dressing room, but Britty wasn't there anymore. There was a man looking to the craddle. A guy wearing an old, battered leather jacket.
"Somehow, Eleanor Rigby, you hold a part of me with you.", he said, turning to her. His face, lighted by the dim lights of the dressing room, was somber and sad.
"When are you leaving?"
"Today. I brought you a present."
"Where is it?"
"On the stage, playing. That Maverick is someone you know very well. Look into his eyes...and tell me what you see."
She closed the door and walked to him, unsure of what to do.
"Eleanor Rigby, if I can tell you one thing, I tell you to write your own destiny. There's life beyond all this, but you need to find it on your own."
"If he ever asks about his father...shall I say the truth?"
"Point the stars and he will understand."
He walked away, to the door. But before he left, he turned to her. "May your song always be sung, Eleanor. Because you triumphed over pain to find the answer."
"May your song always be sung, John. I won't let your dream die."
"Now you can call it ours.", he laughed, and went away.
Danny came from nowhere, announcing it was show time. Eleanor looked to her child again, leaving it with Daniel ( the best uncle in the world ), and went to the stage. On the way she knocked on Maverick. She looked to his eyes, and saw a petulant brown-eyed fella.
Just like someone in the darkest past.
Outisde the Submarine, Hari smiled. "Heavenly man, I am ready to go."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I left here more than I thought I would."
He began to walk away, till there was no trace of his footprints on the ground.
On the stage, Eleanor sang her song.
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