Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize…
A/N: I know we haven't had trivia in awhile, and even though I don't have a question this time, I do have a non-trivia opinion question to ask you guys. I know all of us love the movie Across the Universe. My question is: would you pay to see a sequel? Or do you think it's okay to just have it end the way it did and be done with it? Just curious, because I was thinking about it the other day, wondering if it would be possible to start a petition or something to get a sequel made. Personally, I'd love to see more!
Paul shuffled into the kitchen of the apartment, rubbing the fatigue from his eyes. He knew it was a little past twelve-thirty in the afternoon. To be completely honest, he could've slept for much longer. It felt good to have the day off from work, and to be able to sleep in a little. The late shifts were beginning to mess up his sleeping patterns. However, he didn't think it was a wise choice to spend his entire day off just sleeping--he had made plans, after all.
His mother was cleaning the kitchen when he entered. She stopped what she was doing and put her hands on her hips with a grin. "I didn't think you were ever going to get up today."
"Yeah, well, work's kicking my ass."
"Join the club," she retorted. "Hungry?"
He shook his head. "I'm going out to lunch with Clara."
"What time?"
Paul looked over at the clock on the wall. "Oh, shit," he laughed, "She's going to be here in…ten minutes."
"I don't know what I'm going to do with you, kid. Get moving…" she told him, shaking her head in disbelief. He got up from the table and was almost out of the room before she called after him. He turned around sharply.
"Yeah?"
She tossed him a thick envelope with all sorts of postage on it. "It came in the mail for you today," she said. "from all the way across the Pond."
Paul smiled. "Thanks."
He went into his room, closing the door. Paul got dressed and ready for his lunch with Clara, and had a few short minutes to spare. He didn't want to wait until after their date to read Lizzy's letter (that would be a form of torture, in his opinion), so he figured he would read through it now before Clarabella arrived. He opened the envelope, removing a folded piece of paper and a postcard. Turning the postcard over, Paul saw that the front of it had a picture of a beach. A distance away from the shore, there was a rocky path, and a white lighthouse loomed beyond that.
"Leave it to Lizzy to always find a beach." he mused aloud. He took the postcard and tacked it up onto one of his bulletin boards. Then, unfolding the piece of what he guessed was drawing paper from Lizzy's sketchpad, Paul read her letter.
Dear Paul,
Quite simply, I think I am in love with Liverpool. Period.
I've been here almost a week and I've become attached. My grandma is so sweet…you would like her. She makes really good food. And, she's told me a lot of stories about my dad. My dad really hates it when she tells the embarrassing ones, but me and my mom get a kick out of it.
I visited the Wirral Peninsula a couple days ago, and I'm working on a sketch that I'll probably send to you soon. (I'm taking plenty of pictures, too!) My dad was right--the views on the coast were amazing. The beach there was similar to the one in Florida. We saw the lighthouse that's on the postcard I put in the envelope with this letter. I didn't write on it because there isn't enough room to tell you everything…but, I thought you'd like to see a picture of the lovely beach my dad took us to.
The other day, we went to dinner in the city. It's not as crazy as New York, but it's busy enough. I liked listening to everyone's accents while we were sitting in the restaurant. Between my dad, grandma, and these kids I met in her neighborhood (they're not actually kids--they're around my age--you get what I mean), I might pick up a little of the accent after all.
They're pretty cool. We're going to the Cavern Club tonight. They said it's essential that I go there before I leave--this club's famous, I guess, and it's a really big deal to go there. So, I'm excited. It's one step toward making me an honorary 'Scouser', as Brian put it. If I remember correctly, it's the locals' term that they use to describe themselves…I'm learning a lot of the local slang…gotta practice somewhere…haha.
I'll tell you all about my Cavern Club experience in my next letter!
You have to tell me how things are going in Florida, and what your summer vacation has been like! Tell your mom I said hi, okay? And pass along a hello to the Harrisons, too, if you see them.
Miss you…
Your best "mate", (See, I can sound Liverpudlian!)
Lizzy XOXO
Paul smirked, shaking his head at his best friend's words. According to the date on the letter, Lizzy had been in Liverpool for a little over a week, now. He figured that it wouldn't be much longer until he received another one detailing her latest adventure at this club with these new acquaintances of hers. It sounded to him like she was having a good time--it didn't surprise him any that she had already become attached. She had a real connection to the place, so it was only natural that she would feel at home there.
Hopefully, she would have the willpower to go back to New York. He could barely tolerate her being several states up the coast--having a whole ocean between them was insane. He missed hearing her voice, and having those random conversations at odd hours on the phone. He couldn't wait to be able to pick up a phone and talk to her instantly, instead of relying on letters alone.
A knock on his bedroom door pulled Paul from his thoughts. "Uh…yeah?" he asked to whoever was knocking.
"Paul, it's Clara." came the soft voice on the other side of the door.
"Come on in."
The door opened and Clarabella walked in, smiling brightly. Her blond hair was put up in a bun and she was dressed nicely in a pair of Capri pants and a fitted blouse, ready for their lunch date together. She took a seat next to her boyfriend and kissed him on the lips; she noticed that he didn't return the kiss in the way he usually did. He seemed distracted. She found out why when she saw the piece of paper he held in his hands.
"What's that?" she asked sweetly, curious.
Paul finally looked up. "Oh, it's a letter from a friend of mine. She's on vacation in Liverpool visiting family."
Clarabella raised an eyebrow in interest. "A friend…?" She couldn't really ignore the fact that her boyfriend's supposed 'friend' was female.
Paul laughed. "She's my best friend. We've known each other since preschool."
She was still a bit skeptical about this whole situation, but decided not to ask anymore questions. There wasn't any need to be jealous of Paul's female best friend. She was just a girl he'd grown up with, and not anything more. It was normal, and Clara was perfectly okay with it…
Well, to some degree, at least. Paul still had that distracted look in his eyes, which made her wonder whether he was telling her the God's honest truth about this 'friend'.
You don't have any reason to be jealous, she reassured herself, Besides, you're probably prettier than her anyway.
Clara encircled both of her arms around one of Paul's arms, and gave it a gentle tug. His eyes were once again glued to the sheet of paper, re-reading the letter. She leaned her head against the arm she held.
"Paul," she encouraged, laughing lightly, "Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah…yeah," he replied, sidetracked, "I'm ready." He set Lizzy's letter on his dresser and stood. He and his girlfriend walked out the door, Clarabella's arm hooked possessively in his.
Liverpool, Several Days Earlier…
"What'd ya think, Dad?" Lizzy asked, pushing her sketchbook across the kitchen table. Her hands were covered in charcoal from her latest drawing, which was now complete. Jude put down his cup of coffee and picked up the book, looking it over. He had taken Lizzy and Lucy to Wirral again yesterday, two days after their previous trip. There, Lizzy had insisted on sketching out a new drawing of him and Lucy standing on the rock pathway, holding hands, with the lighthouse in the background. In the drawing, it appeared as though they were walking together along the path, their gazes fixed on each other.
"Looks wonderful, love." he said with a proud smile. Lucy craned her neck to see her daughter's drawing from where she stood at the sink, helping Martha wash the dishes left over from their breakfast.
"I'm glad it was worth standing out there for two hours," Lucy laughed. "It wasn't exactly all that warm yesterday."
Lizzy threw her mother a look, feigning hurt. She knew her mother was only joking.
"Why, thank you," Lizzy answered, her tone sarcastic. "I could've taken a picture to save time, but I don't think it would've been the same."
"I'd have to agree." Jude said, as a knock on the back door made everyone look over.
"Jude, would you be a dear and get that for me?" Martha asked, wiping her hands clean of the soap suds. Lucy was beginning to put the dishes back in their rightful places.
"Sure, mum," Jude got up from the table and approached the back door. He unlocked it and tugged it open. He was immediately surprised by who he saw standing there. It was Molly, and her husband, Phil, his old friend whom he hadn't seen in what felt like ages. Behind them stood a young man with short, dark brown hair and light brown eyes; Jude guessed that he was their son. He had to be at least nineteen, now that he thought of it--he had never had the chance to meet their child. "Molly, Phil! Come in, come in." he said, ushering them inside the kitchen.
Jude shook Phil's hand, grinning. "How are ya, mate? It's been a long time…"
Phil returned the gesture. "Not too bad, thanks."
Jude then shared a slightly awkward hug with his ex-girlfriend, Molly. Once she let go of Jude, she placed a hand on the young man's arm. "This is our son, Stu." she introduced. He shook their son's hand.
"Nice to meet you." Stu said.
Lucy paused and walked over to stand at her husband's side, and Lizzy got up from her seat. Jude put his arm around Lucy's shoulder. "Molly, Phil, Stu…this is my wife, Lucy, and my daughter, Lizzy. Lucy, Lizzy, these are my friends Molly and Phil, and their son, Stu." There was an awkward exchange of handshakes, more so between Lucy and Molly, now that Molly was meeting "the reason" why Jude had stopped writing to her all those years ago. But that was in the past now, and she didn't really think anything of it.
"Martha had told us you and your family were coming, so we decided to come by and say hello," Molly explained. "and Stu here thought it would be a good idea to ask if he and his friends could show your daughter around."
Jude shared a glance with Lucy. Lucy smiled. "I'm sure Lizzy would like that," she said, looking at her daughter. "Right?"
Lizzy nodded, excitement evident in her face. A chance to be shown around Liverpool by kids her age? She wouldn't dream of passing that up. "Of course."
"You don't mind if I steal her away now?" Stu asked.
"Not at all." Jude replied. Lizzy left the room to get her hoodie and her messenger bag with her camera and sketching supplies, just in case. When she returned, Stu was standing by the back door, and Molly and Phil had joined Jude, Lucy, and Martha at the table.
"I'll have her back by dinner," Stu promised. Lizzy followed him out the door, and onto the cobblestone street behind the houses. As they walked toward the main road, he proceeded to tell her that they had to pick up his other friends, Pam and Brian, who were waiting for him at the corner. "How long are ya here for?"
"About another week."
"Ya like it so far?"
"I love it," Lizzy beamed. "My dad took me to the peninsula, and we visited the city…"
"I take it ya haven't been to the Cavern?"
Lizzy was puzzled. "Where?"
"The Cavern Club," Stu clarified. "It's one 'o the things Liverpool's known for."
"Oh…nope, I haven't been there."
"Good," Stu laughed. "We're goin' tomorrow night. Yer welcome to come along…" The corner of the street came into view, and Lizzy spotted the two teenagers, a girl and a boy. The girl had short, black hair and was wearing a bulky sweater over a casual dress. The boy--that she noted was quite good-looking--had spiky, copper-colored hair and was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt with a green army jacket over it. "Pam! Brian!" he called. Brian, who had one arm slung over Pam's shoulders, removed his arm to share some sort of handshake with Stu. "This is Lizzy, Martha Feeny's granddaughter."
"Hi." Lizzy said, giving a small wave. She, Brian and Pam introduced themselves to each other, exchanging informal greetings and shaking hands. They started walking down the street in a group, Stu and Pam leading the way, with Lizzy falling back to talk to Brian.
"Yer from the States, yeah? Where abouts?" Brian asked.
"I was born in New York City, but I was raised in Florida. Now I'm back in New York…it's kind of…complicated."
"Ahh, I see." Brian said, and decided to leave it at that.
"So, do you know exactly where we're going?"
"As a matter of fact, I do," He motioned to the sign above that labeled the street which intersected Allerton Road. Penny Lane. "A very famous street, mind you."
"Really?" Lizzy asked, interested. She and Brian fell into step beside Stu and Pam as they made their way down the narrow sidewalk of Penny Lane.
"In Penny Lane there is a barber showing photographs
Of ev'ry head he's had the pleasure to know.
And all the people that come and go
Stop and say 'Hello'…"
Brian sang, waving to an older woman passing by, walking her dog. The old woman waved back, her dog barking excitedly at the teenagers. Suddenly, Pam's arm was around Lizzy's shoulders, as she continued to explain the atmosphere on this little road.
"On the corner is a banker with a motorcar,
The little children laugh at him behind his back.
And the banker never wears a mac
In the pouring rain--"
"Very strange." Stu declared.
Pam, Brian and Stu all chimed in to this anthem, singing,
"Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes,
There beneath the blue suburban skies
I sit, and meanwhile back…"
"In Penny Lane there is a fireman with an hourglass
And in his pocket is a portrait of the Queen,"
Stu carried on,
"He likes to keep his fire engine clean,
It's a clean machine…"
Lizzy watched the fireman in the garage of the firehouse washing the engine meticulously.
"Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes,
A four of fish and finger pies
In summer meanwhile back…"
As they came to the roundabout, where Penny Lane intersected with the surrounding streets, Brian picked it up again.
"Behind the shelter in the middle of the roundabout
The pretty nurse is selling poppies from a tray.
And though she feels as if she's in a play
She is anyway.
In Penny Lane, the barber shaves another customer,
We see the banker sitting waiting for a trim
And then the fireman rushes in From the pouring rain--"
"Very strange." Lizzy supplied this time, giggling. Penny Lane was bustling with activity all around them as they sang, ending the anthem once they came toward the other side of the roundabout.
"Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes,
There beneath the blue suburban skies
I sit, and meanwhile
Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes,
There beneath the blue suburban skies... Penny Lane!"
Lizzy smiled, taking one more glance at the quaint street before she was whisked away by the three teenagers, into a small coffee shop. They sat down at a table, as Brian asked her, "Are ya gonna come to the Cavern tomorrow night?"
"Most likely," she answered. "I'll have to check with my parents first."
"Ya should, it's always a good time," he said. "It'll help ya become an honorary Scouser."
Lizzy blinked, confused again. "A what?"
Brian chuckled. "I suppose it's time we taught ya a bit 'o the slang 'round here."
A/N: I hope you liked it! I know, it's crazy that I've updated so quickly…consider it as an apology for not updating in awhile. Next chapter, Lizzy goes to the Cavern.
Oh, and an interesting fact: Martha Feeny's street, Allerton Road, does actually intersect with THE Penny Lane. I researched it!