Work Text:
Ringo Starr was sitting comfortably, on a comfortable couch in the shared living room space of the large rental home his family was sharing. The Beatles and their families often took holidays together. This getaway in Greece was one of those combined trips. Together the four families found a big enough place to stay in one location. At the moment nothing in particular was going on, so in an attempt to enjoy the in-between time of activities, Ringo just quietly sat back and watched as little Julian was playing on the floor with his little toy phone.
Starr’s wife Maureen, was busy changing their son Zak in their bedroom. In a way she was always working. The same with John Lennon’s wife Cynthia. While he and John we’re free to do about as they want, their wives are always tied to their children. John and Cynthia were currently quietly having an argument in their own bedroom. The pair were always fighting and everyone tiptoed around it. Behind the door of the Lennon’s room, it was deadly silent, but everyone knew what was going on.
Meanwhile Jane was in the kitchen with Paul, talking about a possible new role. The drummer wasn't trying to be nosy but it seemed like she was serious about taking the part, whatever it was. Ringo knew the bassist only tolerated his girlfriend’s career. A career that lured him to her in the first place, but McCartney fully expected that to end when they officially marry. Meanwhile Pattie could be heard on the phone in her and George’s room, accepting a new photo shoot for next springs fashion spread, in Paris. George wasn’t thrilled about his wife pursuing her career, but she seemed to love it and refused to give it up. Jane shared the same sentiment about acting. Then George came out of his room suddenly, looking aggravated.
“Well, she's doing it.” Harrison told the drummer as he sat beside him on the couch. “I gave her the look and everything.” he was talking about the angry face he would express when he was displeased with something. “And she looked me straight in the eye and took the job anyway.” This pissed the successful man off. He was wealthy Goddamnit! There was no reason his woman needed to be working with the amount of money and success he had.
“Well Pattie does enjoy her work.” Ringo acknowledged. Which was strange, he had his wife Maureen drop out of beauty school once they were married. He like George, based his own success on his wife’s activities. She was home with his baby and ready to make more! That’s the way it was supposed to be, but he couldn’t help but notice a sense of both happiness and independence radiated from the women who worked versus the ones who remain dependent.
If Paul McCartney and Jane Asher broke up, Jane would be fine financially and still having her career. Pattie wouldn’t be as rich if she left George, but she would get by just fine, and wealthy men would be on line to snatch her up. Not only was she beautiful, her association with her ex husband would raise her up even higher. The others could do this too, but Pattie knew her powers already. However, both Cynthia Lennon and his Maureen could very easily become desolate if something happened to their husbands.
“She’s pigheaded!” George argued more to himself. “What is she going to do when she gets pregnant and loses her figure? “
“Well both Maureen and Cynthia bounced back nicely.” The drummer stated, for the first time thinking about the lady’s perspective. Usually, he would be agreeing with his mate, but something didn’t seem right. John and Cynthia were destined for divorce. They were holding on, but everyone could see it. Cynthia out of all the women should get a back up plan for her marriage. She was a talented artist and writer, there was no reason she couldn’t finish her schooling and begin a line of children’s books. It would be better than relying on John’s charity. However, John was even more pigheaded than George and would never allow it. Even though the lead singer knew his departure from this woman was inevitable. He was just waiting for the right girl to overlap with, and leave her.
It suddenly struck Starr by how unreasonable and unfair all this was. Pattie and Jane continuously had to fight their lovers over keeping their careers, where the compliant ladies, Cynthia and Maureen were being setup for financial devastation. This wasn’t love, but cruel bullying! Something stirred in the blue-eyed man and he found he couldn’t stand for it any longer!
“You know what,” the smaller man turned to his friend. “Be grateful she is smart enough not to just bank on you! “
“What are you talking about?” George asked in shock. “its not like your wife works!” he noted smugly. Ringo just nodded to his friends point.
“Yeah, you’re right.” He agreed. “However,” he said standing up. “that’s going to change.” Then he started walking towards his room where's wife was tending to their child. Sure, the drummer of the world-famous Beatles was rich! He was rich enough to keep a wife at home, but he was also rich enough to afford a nanny. He could easily put her through school and help her start her own line of beauty stores, like they once planned. Well, why not do it now? He couldn’t change his friends, but he could change himself, and at moment he did.
The determined man entered his private quarters and addressed his wife in the usual chauvinistic fashion. Naturally Maureen agreed to her husband’s demands. It wasn’t because she wanted to be liberated, but simply followed his lead based on old fashion obedience that was imbedded in her way of thinking. It wasn’t until years later, when the couple divorced, Maureen found herself surviving on her own income. It was the little shops she over saw, and were always in her name. Starr never asked for any of the assets from these businesses and signed whatever connection he had over to her without even being asked. It was then she fully understood what he did. Despite the drugs, drinking and adulterous affairs, her ex husband gave her the means to not need him, in which she was grateful for, for the rest of her life.