Chapter 6 (U2 - With Or Without You)
A walk. Walking in the rain. Just for a walk. Walk me to school. It can be used in few different ways. Our walk wasn't just a walk. It was more than that, a lot more.
The summer vacation was slowly ending and that special day was quickly approaching. Lucy prepared another gift for her little girl and one of the last days of summer vacation, she took her daughter for 'a walk' in the afternoon.
"Mum, where are we going? Are we going for a dinner or just for a walk in the park?"
"Wait 'till you see."
"But mum, how shall I know what to wear, if I don't know where we're going?"
"I'm not telling you. Dress yourself into something ordinary."
"Okay, then. How about this mini skirt and that T-shirt, you bought me a month ago?"
"Yeah that'll do. A bit flashy, but you'll survive in it and since your going for a stylish look, put on this nice sparkling heels. Oh, and darling you may borrow my robe from the wardrobe, you'll love it, it's black from outside and silver from the inside, it'd be perfect with your outfit."
A half an hour later, little miss finally decided to emerge down the stairs.
"God, it took you ages to get dressed! What were you doing for so long?" Lucy asked, right before looking at her. She wouldn't ask her that, if she looked up sooner. Lucy stared at her daughter with wide open mouth and eyes and Brooke laughed.
"I guess, I don't need to say a word. Now tell me mother, where exactly are we going?"
"Well, you little devilish girl, didn't get me so charmed, with your catwalk. My lips are sealed. You'll see, when we get there."
"Are you sure mum, because I really think you should tell me, where you're taking me, because I might as well think you are kidnapping me."
"Believe me, if I was about to kidnap you, I wouldn't tell you, what to wear and I most certainly wouldn't kidnap you anyways, because as you well know, I am your mother."
"Okay. So I'll just wait and see, what you've prepared for me this time." Brooke finally gave up. "Is it as big as the birthday cake was?"
"No, honey, believe me, it's bigger. Much bigger."
"Wow, so did you find me a boyfriend?" Brooke's eyes went dreamy and she smacked her lips, imagining a hot guy coming straight towards her, opening his arms wide… "That would be like a fairytale! Now I know, what was all this dressing up about!"
"Oh no, you don't know a thing, now, do you? It's not a boyfriend, I would never find you a guy, because I know you wouldn't like, who I'd chose."
"Aww, that's so not fair! It's not a thing! It's not a person! I give up, mum. Please, be so kind and just tell me for gods sake!"
"Just wait and you'll see. Now get in the car already, we're already running late, do you think, you'd simply walk to London!"
"Mum! You're taking me to London? Oh, that's so sweet! Are we going by plane? Wow, I've never been flying before! That'll be one such an amazing trip, I just can't wait!"
"Oh, it slipped. I have to watch what I say, if I continue to give you information like this, you won't be even surprised, when we get there."
"Just don't worry so much mum. I'd fake a surprised face, if you revealed the secret, before we got there. But don't I need a bag with clothes for the trip? We aren't going just for a day, are we? And you, what will you wear?"
"And you say I'm the one, who worries too much. Listen to yourself, what you're asking me, sometimes I doubt our mother-daugther relationship, it almost seemed like we just changed the roles, honey. Just make yourself comfortable on the back sit and don't worry about the luggage, I prepared it yesterday and it's still kept safely in the boot of the car."
"I'm sure it is, mum. You really took care of everything and thank you for taking me to London. We're going to have a blast. Let's start with singing, what do you say?"
"Of course, honey. Which CD would you like to listen to? Your favourite?"
"Yeah, and skip to the twelfth song, we're gonna sing it."
"Are you sure about that, because I happen to don't know the lyrics of all your favourite songs?"
"Just believe me, mum. You know this one."
See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side
I wait for you
"Oh my god, honey, I love this song. I've listened to U2, when I was your age, they're such a great band..." Song was still playing in the background and Lucy was overflown by the memories.
Through the storm we reach the shore
You give it all but I want more
And I'm waiting without you
"...when your father was still alive, he used to sing this song to himself a lot and then I joined him and we sang tone deaf like the retards and in most cases you burst into tears and screaming and with that we ended our singing lesson. At first we thought you were just trying to join us, with your singing, you know, but your cries became more violent, so we figured you mustn't like our antitalent. Anyways it is still a great hit, I love it."
"Me too. Now, mum, would you just shut the hell up and sing with me? Even if you don't have an ear for music, I will not cry this time, this I promise you. I'll even sing with you." Her daughter smiled at Lucy with her big smile and they sang.
With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you
The song went on and happy mother and her even happier daughter sang along. The day was perfect for the journey they were planning. Somewhere deep inside both women's hearts, they felt, that they weren't alone. There deep inside were the memories of a man, called Danny, who was there with them all the time and they both still deeply cared about. Song reminded them both of him, they weren't telling each other this, because they knew what the other felt and didn't have to say it out loud.
Brooke's head was full of memories of her father holding her in his arms, kissing her on the forehead, holding her hand, running with her, brushing her hair and buying her icecream. Yes, her father was a very great man and she wouldn't give him away in exchange for the whole world, but unfortunatelly it happened anyways, destiny took him from her and it was unpredictable. But instead of dreading that day and remembering the bad memories, Brooke kept the beautiful ones and lived with those. She decided, she can cope with everything, that destiny throws at her.
Even death.
