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Ringo’s feet dug into the sand below him, slowly sinking further and further. Each new wave crashed brought the tide higher until the water was to his knees. But the impending ruin of his jeans by the salt water did little to phase him as all he could think about was George.
The second Ringo picked up the mail from Olivia, he knew he was going to be thinking about it all day. What he didn’t anticipate was years later, he’d still spend his summer days standing out by the coast and staring out onto the water. It seemed to be the only place he could hear George sing the song he never got to sing.
Let the songs I sing
Ringo didn’t quite mind the sun in his face as it set below the boats. He knew that somewhere in that light sat George, staring back at him with a lopsided frown on hi face when he saw how upset Ringo was still. It had been too long for him to still be doing this.
bring joy to you
There was a gentle hand on his shoulder, and when he turned to see, it was only Barbara. “Yes?” She glanced down at the water around their thighs.
“Rich, I think it’s time to start heading in. Or at least a bit closer to shore.” He attempted to pull his feet up, but nearly fell over. The sand was up to his ankles. “You alright?”
“Yeah.” He bent down to start digging a bit, hoping that would help. All he accomplished was getting water all over his shirt, as well. “I’ll just—” He pulled at his foot again, this time tripping over himself and crashing down into the water.
Let the words I say
“Richie!” Barbara bent down to grab his underarms and pull him up enough so that his face was above water and then squatted down next to him. “You’ve got to be careful, love.” She kissed him on the cheek, and memories flooded back to him.
profess my love
George was watching with a sad smile now, he was sure, knowing that Ringo had found somebody that could keep him happy like George used to.
“What’s on your mind? You’ve been out here for a while. I told them to cancel our dinner reservations.” Guilt ran through him.
“I’m so sorry. It’s just Georgie.” She rubbed his back. “He’s always on the water.” She remained quiet as his thoughts swirled around him and his brain did its best to put them into words. “You remember the lyrics Olivia sent me?”
Barbara nodded. “Garden,” she said, reciting the name of the song that Ringo had received in the mail. Olivia had found it going through all of George’s old stuff, and it had never been recorded.
Let the notes I choose
“He sings it here.” A tear ran down his cheek, but he had no memory of it ever resting in his eye. “Every time I’m here, I can hear him singing it to me, and I hate leaving. It’s like losing him all over again.”
A wave crashed over their heads, and Barbara pulled him close to her, but as she buried her face in his neck, he still stared up at the sky.
be your favourite tune
“I hate making you sit here for me, Barb. You can go back to the hotel room if you’d like. I really won’t mind if you want to go dry off.”
She leaned over and brushed his wet hair from his face, fingers getting tangled in it slightly. “It’s alright. I’ll wait here until you’re ready.”
And let my heart be
He closed his eyes as a sudden hug enveloped him completely. “Thank you, love.”
for you