The Old Times- Roger Taylor

November 11th, 2018

The door opened and Ellie runs up to me with open arms, to give me a hug as Carrie and James walk in behind.
"Hey Grandma!"
"Hello sweetheart! Happy birthday!"

Ellie and Richard were Carrie's children, Ellie had turned 13 that day and Richard was 20, but couldn't make it. James was Carrie's husband, I didn't really like him very much but I was just happy to see that she had a happier life than I had.

"Mum. We came here to ask you something. You see, Ellie is a queen fan now and there's a queen and Adam Lambert concert coming up... Ellie would love for you to come."
"Did you tell her about-"
"She had to find out eventually. Wouldn't you want to find out if you were related to one of the greatest musicians of all time?"
I turned to Ellie and she was laying down on the sofa, headphones in, smiling at her phone.
"I know this would be hard for you, but you can't just act like you suddenly hate queen just because of a heart break. You loved them."

She was right.

"Okay. Fine."

"Anyway, have you heard about the new bohemian rhapsody film? Ellie's probably watching it for the fifth time today."
"Bohemian rhapsody film?"
"Oh. It's a film about queen. It's actually kind of good. We could go to the cinema to see it sometime if you'd like?" She asked me, while nudging Ellie's shoulder.

"So Grandma!" Ellie said, taking her earphones out with a smile on her face.
"Yes?"
"What was Brian like?"
"What?"
"She's got a crush on him." Carrie whispered to me.
"He was nice. But you shouldn't be thinking of boys just yet."
"You mean never." James laughed.
"Whatever." Ellie said, putting her earphones back in.

November 18th, 2018

Carrie did actually take me to the cinema to see bohemian rhapsody with Ellie and of course, it only showed Roger's other wives and girlfriends, not me. I didn't even think the public knew my name.

I enjoyed the movie, it was acted out very well and the casting was amazing, though it made me remember memories I had completely forgotten about, like when they were making the song bohemian rhapsody, and all my favourite memories with Freddie. I barely knew him but I he was a joy to be around and I had missed him so much for years, even the thought of him made me tear up.

December 8th, 2018

Tonight was the night of the Queen and Adam Lambert concert, and obviously I had doubts about going but it was for Ellie. I knew I really would have a good time anyway, just like the many years before.

Brian still had the same haircut that I loved, and he was still flawless as always no matter if it was his guitar playing or anything.

Adam was great too, though he didn't really sound like Freddie and could never, ever top him, plus Roger and Brian were happy with him anyway, like he was a reincarnation of Freddie.

But Roger. His voice hadn't changed one bit, it was still soft and comforting, and he still looked kind of similar. But I wasn't young anymore, I couldn't look at him and feel the same way I did before, even if I still was attracted to him.

In general though the show was amazing. I did have a great time and Carrie and Ellie did too. Though the concert made me realise how selfish I was all those years ago.

I was always too lonely, heartbroken and was always drinking. I never gave Carrie anything fun like this growing up, I gave her probably the most boring and shit childhood ever, and I knew she wanted better for her daughter, and I couldn't blame her.
I was happy for Carrie.

November 24th, 2021

Carrie's POV:

It was too late. She was gone. My mother who had the worst possible life raising me alone with depression and barely even surviving. She was living off of alcohol and drunks, I nearly was taken away from her countless times.

But none of that mattered now. She was gone. I knew it would happen eventually, after all she was 71.
"Coincidence?" Ellie said, sitting down at the hospital chairs as I was sitting next to her, in tears.
"What?"
"She died on the 24th of November. So did Freddie Mercury."

At least she was with him now. I thought, to cheer me up at least a little, but that just made it worse and made me tear up even more.

She tried so hard to be a good mother while struggling so hard, and me being an average teenager, couldn't see that. I always saw her as the worst mother in the world and I hate myself so much for that.

But what made me wonder was what would Roger think if he knew?

He seemed sweeter that he was older, but then again he seemed sweet when he did all of that to Mum.

Would he care? Would he be upset? Would he regret it?

We'll never know.