I bought the vinyl from Bye Bye Birdie (Broadway Cast, of course) and heard it up and down. And my favourite song is definitely "Baby, Talk To Me".
And since this song also fits this story perfectly, of course I have to incorporate it!
So if you have 2:50 minutes: please listen to this song xD
14th January 1942
With a painful face, Bert looked at his left hand when Peter examined it: it was bleeding profusely. Because he got stuck on a barbed wire fence and the metal drilled deep into his flesh.
Bert inhaled sharply as the medic cleaned the wound- it hurt like hell!
"Bert!" Came from not far away when a compress was pressed onto the wound.
He raised his eyebrow to the source of the call and saw Johnny.
"What?"
Johnny reached into his breast pocket with his slim fingers and pulled out an envelope, which he handed to Bert: "I think you'll be happy to see this."
While his wound was being bandaged, he took the letter with his right hand and let his eyes wander over the writing. It took him a moment to realise that this was not Mary's handwriting, but that of "Liz!"
He waited impatiently until the bandage was firm and opened the envelope instantly. Maybe she knew what was wrong with Mary; because he hasn't heard from her for a long time. Was she feeling bad? Was she angry?
While reading the letter, he went to a quiet corner:
Hey Bert,
I know you haven't heard from me in a long time... And I'm sorry! But I had a lot to do and a lot happened.
In the past few months I've been wandering through the country and learning things about myself that were new to myself. I now have the ability to speak to animals, for example.
But there was also an incident that brought me back to London.
No, nothing happened to Mary... But the incident also has to do with her. Let me explain:
The day I first understood the animals, I had a strange dream. There I was told that I had to go to London to spent Christmas with a family member and that my feeling will lead me there.
And so it happened: my feeling brought me to London and I was standing in front of your house ... And Mary was in it.
Yes, Mary and I are related. We just don't know in which way… She could be an aunt or a distant cousin.
I have been with her since Christmas and I should tell you that she is fine. She'll write you a letter soon, but she thought it was my turn first.
I have something else for you: During my time in London I took several photos; of Mary among others. I put my favourite picture of her in this envelope. I hope it distracts you a little in this dark times and puts a smile on your face.
My next letter will probably take its time as I will be leaving London and moving on very soon.
Take care of yourself!
Lizzy
Bert paused at the part where Lizzy revealed that she and Mary are related. On the one hand, it surprised him, but on the other hand, this explained a lot. For example, the magical skills and also the fact that they were somewhat similar. But then he saw another paragraph.
With a frown, Bert looked into the envelope and actually: there was a photo! He carefully removed and examined:
It was a perfect portrait. The light was at the perfect angle, the background was pleasantly blurry and the focus was on Mary. Mary ... She smiled sweetly at the camera, a sparkle in her eyes. He stroked the picture gently with a finger before leading it to his face and kissing it; his eyes closed to suppress the tears.
When he opened his eyes again he looked up to the sky and only now realised what a wonderful weather they had on this day: the sky was bathed in a pleasant orange light by the setting sun, which was also reflected on the occasional veil clouds. It was very warm for the area at this time of year! He took a few steps towards a small hill.
The letter, the photo, and this weather brought Bert to something that he has been doing far too rarely lately: singing.
Talk to me
Baby, won't you talk to me?
I don't care what you say
Baby, talk to me
Must you to be oh so far away from me?
It seems so wrong this way
Talk to me
And if you miss me
Tell me so
Are you lonely?
Tell me so
Say you love me
Tell me so
Honey
What Bert hadn't noticed: Johnny and Peter had been watching him all the time and were following him. They joined in the singing "Honey"
Bert continued: "Let me know
Talk to me.
Till I press you close to me."
"Till I press you close to me."
"Then you'll see.
We don't have to talk at all."
"Must you to be oh so far away from me, baby"
"I don't care what you say
Talk to me."
"Go on, what can you loose, it ain't gonna hurt"
"And if you miss me"
"Ooh, tell him so"
"Are you lonely?"
"Lady, lady, tell him so!"
"Say you love me
Tell me so"
"Oooh Honey, honey"
"Let me know!"
Bert went up the hill and let his eyes wander over the sunset; the light wind ruffled his hair. He felt the tears again.
"Talk to me
Till I press you close to me
Then you'll see
We won't have to talk at all
Till I press you close to me
Then you'll see
We won't have to talk at all
Talk to me
Talk to me
Talk to me"
"Talk to me"
While Bert was standing on the hill, the other two were waiting at the bottom of the hill. They were deeply touched by his singing and the words that would have worked without their part. With a worried expression, Johnny and Peter exchanged meaningful looks: they were worried about their friend.
Without noticing all of this, Bert just stood there looking at the photo in his hands. A tear fell on it. "Please talk to me, Mary..."
After that the sun disappeared from the horizon and it was dark.
I have to confess that I like the chapter! xD
It is different from the others, but that does not mean that it is worse ;D
I hope you enjoyed the little musical number :)
The next chapter will be a little sluggish again, but I'm looking forward to the one after that *-*
(Oh and if it didn't become understandable: In the song, Berts Part is bold and the part of Johnny and Peter is italic ;P)