A Tragic End
Oct. 17th, 2003 10:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
amfiguree[Het] [David Beckham] [David, Brooklyn, Victoria Beckham] [G]
A Tragic End
Author's Note: The stuff in '//' are memories.
“Are you sure about this, Beckham? I’m not sure if our team can make it through without you, you know.”
David cracked a smile and shook his head. “Nah, Alex. You’re just saying that to make me feel bad, aren’t ya?”
Alex Ferguson, also David’s manager, finally deigned to smile. David heaved a sigh of relief, knowing that his crisis was over. Knowing that Alex was going to give in. But it was with a heavy heart that David said softly, “I’m sorry, Alex. But this is the path I’ve chosen. And I’m sure. I have to leave.”
Alex patted David on the shoulder in a fatherly manner. “All right, David. You’re free to go. Look after yourself, though, you hear me?”
David chuckled and nodded, “I hear you.” Then he sobered up and said, “Alex, the team’s gonna win. Right?”
Alex smiled but there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes. “If you were still on the team, David, I’d guarantee it. But now… now I’m not so sure.”
David forced a laugh and got up off the comfortable black couch he had been perching on. “The team can do it, I feel it in my bones.” Although this was said in a joking manner, Alex could hear the steely determination underlying in David’s tone. His admiration for the young man grew and he smiled.
“Well, just make sure you don’t go supporting Liverpool once you’re out of here, got it?” Alex chuckled.
David gave him a truly puzzled look. “Liverpool?” he questioned. “Why would I support Liverpool? There’s nothing to support!”
Alex laughed long and loud at the real bewilderment in David’s eyes. “All right, Beckham. Get out of here.”
David grinned, “Bye Alex,” David said softly, as he jogged out of the well-decorated office.
“Goodbye, my friend,” Alex whispered, watching David disappear out of the building. And it was a long time before he finally sat down again.
David wandered aimlessly on the streets, not knowing where to go. He didn’t want to go home, didn’t want to see his son yet. He sighed softly and ran an agitated hand through his hair. He forced a bright smile when he caught a group of giggling girls ogling at him. They giggled all the more and smiled coyly at him. David had to laugh. He was used to all the attention and didn’t mind it much.
But his smile quickly faded when he remembered the reason he had quit the soccer team in the first place.
David hated that he had practically been forced into this decision – which was quickly becoming the biggest regret in his life. He loved soccer – it was his passion, it was his life. It was what he was about. When he practiced with his team members, he felt a special part of him come to life. And it killed him to know that he had just thrown that part of himself away.
He stared ruefully into a soccer shop, gazing longingly at the footballs they sold. He was dying to go inside and buy about one hundred of them, but he knew he would lose it if he so much as TOUCHED another of those again. He growled menacingly and almost cried out in frustration. When David finally decided that he had had tortured himself enough, he walked tartly away from the shop, ignoring the funny looks people were giving him.
David continued walking down the street. He had been exploring the same street for over an hour but he had no intention of stopping any time soon. His head spun when he recalled the heart-wrenching way he had been talked into quitting soccer. The way he had been talked into quitting what had become the most important thing in his life. Well, ALMOST the most important thing.
//“Daddy, will you please quit?”
“No, Brooklyn,” David said softly, but there was a hint of impatience in his voice which did not go unnoticed. “I can’t quit. And even if I could, I wouldn’t. I don’t want to, Brooklyn.”
“But…”
“No.”
Brooklyn looked across the dining table, making sure that his mother was not there. “But I miss you, daddy. Won’t you please quit, just for a little while?”
“What do you mean you miss me, Brooklyn? I’m at home right now, aren’t I?” David was becoming impatient, and it was showing in his tone.
“Yes, but I miss you when you’re gone, daddy.” David’s heart melted when Brooklyn whispered the words. “And the nurse says I’m gonna go to heaven soon…”
David felt his heart stop.
“And that when I go I won’t be able to see you anymore. And… I’m scared, daddy. I want to see you and mommy everyday. Forever.”
David’s eyes widened. “Honey, what do you mean? You’re not making any sense? Of course you’ll get to see us everyday.”
“No, I don’t,” Brooklyn said pointedly. “You’re never home, daddy. How can I see you when you’re never home?”
David flinched when he realized the truth in Brooklyn’s words. Lately, he was becoming so wrapped up in soccer that he hardly noticed anything else. His practices had become more and more draining of late, thanks to the world cup. And he hadn’t been working on much sleep.
“Brooklyn, honey…” David licked his lips slowly. “You know I love you. I just… sometimes I’m in a bad mood or I’m busy or tired… you know, you get headaches sometimes, right?”
Brooklyn nodded and continued to listen to David’s ‘speech’. “So… just try to ignore me when I’m being stupid, all right? Get mommy to knock me over the head or something so I’ll snap out of it.”
Brooklyn giggled at the image and David smiled.
“I wouldn’t recommend that,” Victoria laughed as she settled down on the couch opposite father and son. “I’d hate to have to hurt your daddy.”
Brooklyn grinned at his mom and nodded.
David laughed, and Victoria couldn’t help marveling at the alikeness in father and child. “You guys are too cute,” she chuckled as she hauled Brooklyn up off David’s lap and towed him upstairs.
David could still hear Brooklyn protesting as Victoria pulled him into bed. Then he frowned and the laughter caught in his throat. ‘What did Brooklyn mean – he’s going to heaven soon? Is there something I should know that Vic’s not telling me?’ David wondered to himself. His heartbeat accelerated and it was all he could do not to shoot upstairs and shake the truth out of his wife. “Honey? What’s wrong?” David jumped when he heard Victoria’s voice. His head shot up and he saw her looking concernedly at him. “Hey, space cadet.”
David didn’t even smile.
“Vic,” he cleared his throat. “Are you keeping something from me?”
“What do you mean, David?” Victoria asked, sounding puzzled. But she had gone white, and that had not gone unnoticed.
“What’s wrong with Brooklyn?” David asked harshly, knowing he had her caught right where he wanted. Victoria had never been able to lie to him in his face and she wasn’t going to start anytime soon.
“I… he… nothing’s wrong,” Victoria was lying, David knew. And his heart sank. ‘What is it that’s so serious?’
“What’s so bad that you have to hide it from me, Vic?” David asked softly, putting his hand over hers. She choked back a sob and turned away from him, pulling her hand roughly out of his grasp. “Vic?”
“I… David… I just…” Victoria was at the brink of hysteria. She had no idea how to break the news to him, and she didn’t want to. He wasn’t ready, not yet. Soccer was his everything, she knew that. And by telling him, she would be asking him to give up the greatest passion in his life. And she wasn’t willing to make him sacrifice that. “It’s nothing.”
“Dammit Vic!” David swore. “Just tell me!”
“But…”
“NOW!”
“Brooklyn … oh god! Brooklyn’s sick. He’s got leukemia, David. And the doctors can’t do anything about it. He contracted it at birth and they didn’t realize it. They found out a few weeks ago… when I brought Brooklyn to the hospital because he said he wasn’t feeling well. And… and there’s nothing they can do.”
Victoria’s voice was barely above a whisper and David could see the colour draining out of her as she spoke. He stared at her, not quite believing what he had just heard. “But… but that means…”
“He’s going to die, David!” Victoria was becoming hysterical. She couldn’t bear to think that she was going to lose her only son. And relieving the moment the doctor had broken the news to her was too much to bear.
David’s eyes widened. There was something unreal about the situation. ‘You don’t just wake up and find out that your son is dying!’ he thought to himself, his mind still struggling to digest the information he had just received. ‘It’s insane!’
“David…” Victoria’s voice was barely above a whisper. He looked up at her and cringed at the intense fear in her eyes. The overwhelming sense of grief that overcame him at that moment was almost too much to handle. He was going to lose his little boy. That fact suddenly became glaringly clear.
David bit on his bottom lip – a nervous habit – and almost cried when Victoria finally gave in and wrapped her arms around his neck, sobbing uncontrollably. His arms found their way around her waist and he hugged her tightly.
This was a whole new experience for him. The feeling of utter helplessness… was unlike anything he had ever felt before. He hated feeling so weak…hated feeling so vulnerable. It was as though he was watching the life of his son slip out of his own hands and yet there was nothing he could do to stop it. He hated it.
David’s arms pulled Victoria tighter to him, and he blinked back his tears, hoping to ease the pressure. When he finally did, his eyes opened and refocused on the ceiling. Victoria was still clinging to him like he was her only lifeline and that brought him comfort. He was glad to know that he could still help someone in some way… any way.
His thoughts drifted back to Brooklyn and tears began to sting his eyes again. Victoria sensed his anguish and kissed him lightly on the lips. “Please David,” she begged, looking into his eyes. “Please quit soccer. He’s only got a few months left.”//
David slammed his right fist onto his left palm in impatience. He had finally decided to go home and spend what time he could with Brooklyn. ‘He’s only got a few months left…’ the haunting words of his wife wouldn’t leave him alone. They replayed again and again in his head, taunting him and driving him up the wall.
David ran to his car and gunned the engine, racing up the street and roaring into his driveway. He hopped out of the car and plastered a smile on his face as Brooklyn came bounding into his arms. “Daddy! Daddy! You’re home!”
Brooklyn’s childish excitement brought a genuine smile to David’s worn expression. ‘God, he’s so young. Why does it have to be him?’ David wondered, kissing Brooklyn on the cheek.
Victoria smiled at the picture they made. Her eyes roamed over the scene, taking in everything from David’s weary look, to the new scratch he had acquired on the car. She sighed, but the ghost of a smile tugged at the edges of her lips.
“C’mon kids!” Victoria yelled. “It’s time for dinner.”
David’s eyes slammed into hers as he looked up, while setting Brooklyn gently onto the ground. Victoria’s voice trailed off for a minute, the lost look in David’s eyes piercing through her. She shuddered slightly, feeling an icy sensation rush up and down her spine, before forcing a perky tone and saying, “We’ve got burgers!”
Brooklyn gave a squeal of happiness before rushing indoors. David stared at Victoria for a few moments before letting out a soft sigh and entering the house as well.
Victoria almost regretted telling David about Brooklyn. Everything had been fine, right up to the moment the light in his eyes had died. That was the only way she could describe it. The light in his eyes had faded out and a dead, glazed look came over them. She sighed and rubbed her aching temples, wishing that Brooklyn would be okay. And yet knowing better.
“Vic?”
Victoria spun around at the sound of David’s voice. He stood at the door to their room, looking unsure. Victoria smiled at the unease that was apparent on his face. “Aren’t you gonna come in, then?” she teased.
David relaxed visibly, stepping slowly into the room. Victoria glanced over at the room on the far end of the corridor. “Yeah, he’s asleep,” David told her, reading her thoughts. Victoria smiled sadly and nodded. She slid under the covers and patted the spot next to her, wondering why David was acting so strange.
He sat down next to her and her hands moved to massage his neck gently. “You okay, hon?” she asked softly as her fingers kneaded into his tense neck. Slowly, she felt his muscles relax against her touch and David sighed, “Yeah… yeah, I’m fine, sugar.”
Victoria snuggled against David, resting her cheek on his muscular back and winding her arms around his stomach. He sighed contentedly at her touch and they were silent for a moment. Then, “Vic?”
“Hmm?”
“How long does he have?”
Victoria’s heart broke at the obvious pain in David’s voice. She knew he loved the child more than life itself, and she couldn’t stand seeing him in such depression. “Four months at the most, David.” She whispered.
David tensed up and for a moment, she thought he was going to pull away, but then he relaxed again. “We’re gonna make this time special for him, right, Vic?” David asked. But it was more of a statement than a question. Anyone who didn’t know David would have thought that he was acting all tough-guy, but Victoria knew it was his own way of showing just how much he did care.
“Right.”
Brooklyn sighed in frustration as he tossed and turned in his bed. Somehow, he couldn’t get to sleep, no matter how hard he tried. It was as though there was something gnawing at him, leaving him with an empty, unsettled feeling.
‘Why am I going to heaven? Where is that?’ Brooklyn wondered to himself, his young mind struggling to put two and two together. Brooklyn wanted to yell. He wanted to scream and shout till all his worries were put at ease. He opened his mouth to holler the first thing that came to his head – daddy. But he didn't.
He tilted his head back, opened his mouth… and shut it. Something didn’t feel right. Brooklyn didn’t know what his father would say and he didn’t want to risk another scolding. “Why is daddy so mad now?” he wondered aloud. “Why did he quit when he said he didn’t want to?”
Brooklyn scratched his head, then wiped his arm across his sweaty forehead. “I can’t sleep!” he finally announced to his stuffed teddy bear that he had kept since what felt like forever. Then Brooklyn giggled.
After a while, everything was quiet again and Brooklyn was slowly but surely drifting off into dreamland. He sucked his thumb thoughtfully, remembering how the pretty nurse had told him what a wonderful place heaven was. He even recalled her reassuring smile as she told him that everything would be all right.
“Suddenly heaven doesn’t seem so bad after all,” Brooklyn muttered as his eyes closed gently.
“No… leave me ALONE!” Victoria was almost screaming. David flinched at the recurring thuds against the walls. It sounded like she was throwing things at the wall. And with every crash, David jumped. “I said GO AWAY!”
Brooklyn had only died two days ago and ever since then, Victoria had gone crazy. She used whatever she could to vent her frustration and her anger at losing her only child. She had known it was coming, but something inside her always let a tiny ray of hope in. The hope that Brooklyn would survive. But he hadn’t.
David pounded on the door, almost laughing at the irony of the situation. He used to be able to tackle a few guys with no problem and right now, this stupid WOODEN door was causing trouble? “Vic! Come out! It’s no use locking yourself in there! He’s gone! We knew it was coming!”
The sobs died down for a few minutes before starting up again. By the sound of it, Victoria was tiring herself out. David began to panic, hoping she wouldn’t fall asleep. If she did, he was going to be locked out of the room for god knew how long. And he was anxious to check on her, to make sure she was all right. David feel himself starting to drown in panic. His own misery and grief was hard enough to deal with, but he knew he couldn’t let Victoria down.
Not when she needed him most.
If only she would realize that.
“Vic, let me in!” David began pounding on the door again, begging Victoria to let him in. “Please sweetheart!”
“No no no!” Victoria screamed. “NO! Go away!”
David rolled his eyes. “Don’t be stupid, Vic. You know I can’t do that.”
“The door’s THAT way.”
“Vic…”
“Please David,” the pleading tone in Victoria’s voice was David’s undoing. “Please. I just need some time alone. To think things through.”
“All right,” David finally agreed reluctantly. “I’m going for a drink.”
“The regular, sir?” The bartender asked politely but David could see a smirk on his handsome face.
“Yeah,” David replied brusquely, deciding to ignore it. Over the past few weeks, he had sunk into depression and it was now Victoria’s turn to go hysteric over him. She was finally out of her slump, but for him, it was just beginning. He could still see Brooklyn’s peaceful face as he slipped away from the world. Every time he thought about it, it made him feel sick. His stomach churned and he swallowed uneasily.
He turned to look out the window just in time to see Victoria heading for his table. “Shit,” he swore angrily, resisting the urge to bang his fists on the table.
He stood up abruptly and headed for the door, trying to mingle with the rest of the crowd. But that was impossible, considering his height. “Damn,” he cursed, as Victoria waved to him, trying to attract his attention. But David’s eyes narrowed when he realized he wasn’t the only one she was attracting attention from.
He elbowed his way through the crowd, slipped his arm casually around her shoulder and gave the guys who were ogling at her a menacing look. They stepped back and shrugged. Victoria sighed with relief when they left the pub.
“David…” she began.
“No,” David warned. “I’m feeling bad enough as it is. Don’t, Vic.”
“I was just…” Vic shook her head. “Alex called today. He wants you back on the team.”
David let out a bark of laughter. “Why the hell does he think I’d go back?”
Victoria looked up at him, tears shining in her eyes. “Because… a certain nurse went to look for him. And she told Alex that that was Brooklyn’s last wish.”
David ran out onto the field, enjoying the feeling of being able to play with his teammates once again. They had embraced like brothers and David couldn’t deny that he had been missing something ever since the day he had quit.
But now that void was filled. He was whole again.
The game went smoothly and it ended in David’s favour, particularly. He scored five out of seven of the winning goals and he could feel Victoria’s proud gaze even from her seat. As the referee blew the whistle, signaling the end of the game, the crowds went wild. Fifteen thousand spectators stood up, clapping furiously. His teammates hauled him onto their shoulders and threw him in the air, celebrating his return. Alex was smiling and looking like a proud father. Victoria was gazing down at him, rubbing her round stomach, and chuckling as she felt the child inside her move.
But David didn’t see or notice any of those things happening. His eyes were fixed on the sky and around him; the world seemed deathly quiet. The fluffy white clouds billowed around and everything seemed peaceful. Just like it should have been. Tears came to his eyes and he smiled.
“I hope heaven is as nice as they say… I love you, Brooklyn,” he whispered. “Thank you for making my dreams come true.”
-fin-
A Tragic End
Author's Note: The stuff in '//' are memories.
“Are you sure about this, Beckham? I’m not sure if our team can make it through without you, you know.”
David cracked a smile and shook his head. “Nah, Alex. You’re just saying that to make me feel bad, aren’t ya?”
Alex Ferguson, also David’s manager, finally deigned to smile. David heaved a sigh of relief, knowing that his crisis was over. Knowing that Alex was going to give in. But it was with a heavy heart that David said softly, “I’m sorry, Alex. But this is the path I’ve chosen. And I’m sure. I have to leave.”
Alex patted David on the shoulder in a fatherly manner. “All right, David. You’re free to go. Look after yourself, though, you hear me?”
David chuckled and nodded, “I hear you.” Then he sobered up and said, “Alex, the team’s gonna win. Right?”
Alex smiled but there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes. “If you were still on the team, David, I’d guarantee it. But now… now I’m not so sure.”
David forced a laugh and got up off the comfortable black couch he had been perching on. “The team can do it, I feel it in my bones.” Although this was said in a joking manner, Alex could hear the steely determination underlying in David’s tone. His admiration for the young man grew and he smiled.
“Well, just make sure you don’t go supporting Liverpool once you’re out of here, got it?” Alex chuckled.
David gave him a truly puzzled look. “Liverpool?” he questioned. “Why would I support Liverpool? There’s nothing to support!”
Alex laughed long and loud at the real bewilderment in David’s eyes. “All right, Beckham. Get out of here.”
David grinned, “Bye Alex,” David said softly, as he jogged out of the well-decorated office.
“Goodbye, my friend,” Alex whispered, watching David disappear out of the building. And it was a long time before he finally sat down again.
David wandered aimlessly on the streets, not knowing where to go. He didn’t want to go home, didn’t want to see his son yet. He sighed softly and ran an agitated hand through his hair. He forced a bright smile when he caught a group of giggling girls ogling at him. They giggled all the more and smiled coyly at him. David had to laugh. He was used to all the attention and didn’t mind it much.
But his smile quickly faded when he remembered the reason he had quit the soccer team in the first place.
David hated that he had practically been forced into this decision – which was quickly becoming the biggest regret in his life. He loved soccer – it was his passion, it was his life. It was what he was about. When he practiced with his team members, he felt a special part of him come to life. And it killed him to know that he had just thrown that part of himself away.
He stared ruefully into a soccer shop, gazing longingly at the footballs they sold. He was dying to go inside and buy about one hundred of them, but he knew he would lose it if he so much as TOUCHED another of those again. He growled menacingly and almost cried out in frustration. When David finally decided that he had had tortured himself enough, he walked tartly away from the shop, ignoring the funny looks people were giving him.
David continued walking down the street. He had been exploring the same street for over an hour but he had no intention of stopping any time soon. His head spun when he recalled the heart-wrenching way he had been talked into quitting soccer. The way he had been talked into quitting what had become the most important thing in his life. Well, ALMOST the most important thing.
//“Daddy, will you please quit?”
“No, Brooklyn,” David said softly, but there was a hint of impatience in his voice which did not go unnoticed. “I can’t quit. And even if I could, I wouldn’t. I don’t want to, Brooklyn.”
“But…”
“No.”
Brooklyn looked across the dining table, making sure that his mother was not there. “But I miss you, daddy. Won’t you please quit, just for a little while?”
“What do you mean you miss me, Brooklyn? I’m at home right now, aren’t I?” David was becoming impatient, and it was showing in his tone.
“Yes, but I miss you when you’re gone, daddy.” David’s heart melted when Brooklyn whispered the words. “And the nurse says I’m gonna go to heaven soon…”
David felt his heart stop.
“And that when I go I won’t be able to see you anymore. And… I’m scared, daddy. I want to see you and mommy everyday. Forever.”
David’s eyes widened. “Honey, what do you mean? You’re not making any sense? Of course you’ll get to see us everyday.”
“No, I don’t,” Brooklyn said pointedly. “You’re never home, daddy. How can I see you when you’re never home?”
David flinched when he realized the truth in Brooklyn’s words. Lately, he was becoming so wrapped up in soccer that he hardly noticed anything else. His practices had become more and more draining of late, thanks to the world cup. And he hadn’t been working on much sleep.
“Brooklyn, honey…” David licked his lips slowly. “You know I love you. I just… sometimes I’m in a bad mood or I’m busy or tired… you know, you get headaches sometimes, right?”
Brooklyn nodded and continued to listen to David’s ‘speech’. “So… just try to ignore me when I’m being stupid, all right? Get mommy to knock me over the head or something so I’ll snap out of it.”
Brooklyn giggled at the image and David smiled.
“I wouldn’t recommend that,” Victoria laughed as she settled down on the couch opposite father and son. “I’d hate to have to hurt your daddy.”
Brooklyn grinned at his mom and nodded.
David laughed, and Victoria couldn’t help marveling at the alikeness in father and child. “You guys are too cute,” she chuckled as she hauled Brooklyn up off David’s lap and towed him upstairs.
David could still hear Brooklyn protesting as Victoria pulled him into bed. Then he frowned and the laughter caught in his throat. ‘What did Brooklyn mean – he’s going to heaven soon? Is there something I should know that Vic’s not telling me?’ David wondered to himself. His heartbeat accelerated and it was all he could do not to shoot upstairs and shake the truth out of his wife. “Honey? What’s wrong?” David jumped when he heard Victoria’s voice. His head shot up and he saw her looking concernedly at him. “Hey, space cadet.”
David didn’t even smile.
“Vic,” he cleared his throat. “Are you keeping something from me?”
“What do you mean, David?” Victoria asked, sounding puzzled. But she had gone white, and that had not gone unnoticed.
“What’s wrong with Brooklyn?” David asked harshly, knowing he had her caught right where he wanted. Victoria had never been able to lie to him in his face and she wasn’t going to start anytime soon.
“I… he… nothing’s wrong,” Victoria was lying, David knew. And his heart sank. ‘What is it that’s so serious?’
“What’s so bad that you have to hide it from me, Vic?” David asked softly, putting his hand over hers. She choked back a sob and turned away from him, pulling her hand roughly out of his grasp. “Vic?”
“I… David… I just…” Victoria was at the brink of hysteria. She had no idea how to break the news to him, and she didn’t want to. He wasn’t ready, not yet. Soccer was his everything, she knew that. And by telling him, she would be asking him to give up the greatest passion in his life. And she wasn’t willing to make him sacrifice that. “It’s nothing.”
“Dammit Vic!” David swore. “Just tell me!”
“But…”
“NOW!”
“Brooklyn … oh god! Brooklyn’s sick. He’s got leukemia, David. And the doctors can’t do anything about it. He contracted it at birth and they didn’t realize it. They found out a few weeks ago… when I brought Brooklyn to the hospital because he said he wasn’t feeling well. And… and there’s nothing they can do.”
Victoria’s voice was barely above a whisper and David could see the colour draining out of her as she spoke. He stared at her, not quite believing what he had just heard. “But… but that means…”
“He’s going to die, David!” Victoria was becoming hysterical. She couldn’t bear to think that she was going to lose her only son. And relieving the moment the doctor had broken the news to her was too much to bear.
David’s eyes widened. There was something unreal about the situation. ‘You don’t just wake up and find out that your son is dying!’ he thought to himself, his mind still struggling to digest the information he had just received. ‘It’s insane!’
“David…” Victoria’s voice was barely above a whisper. He looked up at her and cringed at the intense fear in her eyes. The overwhelming sense of grief that overcame him at that moment was almost too much to handle. He was going to lose his little boy. That fact suddenly became glaringly clear.
David bit on his bottom lip – a nervous habit – and almost cried when Victoria finally gave in and wrapped her arms around his neck, sobbing uncontrollably. His arms found their way around her waist and he hugged her tightly.
This was a whole new experience for him. The feeling of utter helplessness… was unlike anything he had ever felt before. He hated feeling so weak…hated feeling so vulnerable. It was as though he was watching the life of his son slip out of his own hands and yet there was nothing he could do to stop it. He hated it.
David’s arms pulled Victoria tighter to him, and he blinked back his tears, hoping to ease the pressure. When he finally did, his eyes opened and refocused on the ceiling. Victoria was still clinging to him like he was her only lifeline and that brought him comfort. He was glad to know that he could still help someone in some way… any way.
His thoughts drifted back to Brooklyn and tears began to sting his eyes again. Victoria sensed his anguish and kissed him lightly on the lips. “Please David,” she begged, looking into his eyes. “Please quit soccer. He’s only got a few months left.”//
David slammed his right fist onto his left palm in impatience. He had finally decided to go home and spend what time he could with Brooklyn. ‘He’s only got a few months left…’ the haunting words of his wife wouldn’t leave him alone. They replayed again and again in his head, taunting him and driving him up the wall.
David ran to his car and gunned the engine, racing up the street and roaring into his driveway. He hopped out of the car and plastered a smile on his face as Brooklyn came bounding into his arms. “Daddy! Daddy! You’re home!”
Brooklyn’s childish excitement brought a genuine smile to David’s worn expression. ‘God, he’s so young. Why does it have to be him?’ David wondered, kissing Brooklyn on the cheek.
Victoria smiled at the picture they made. Her eyes roamed over the scene, taking in everything from David’s weary look, to the new scratch he had acquired on the car. She sighed, but the ghost of a smile tugged at the edges of her lips.
“C’mon kids!” Victoria yelled. “It’s time for dinner.”
David’s eyes slammed into hers as he looked up, while setting Brooklyn gently onto the ground. Victoria’s voice trailed off for a minute, the lost look in David’s eyes piercing through her. She shuddered slightly, feeling an icy sensation rush up and down her spine, before forcing a perky tone and saying, “We’ve got burgers!”
Brooklyn gave a squeal of happiness before rushing indoors. David stared at Victoria for a few moments before letting out a soft sigh and entering the house as well.
Victoria almost regretted telling David about Brooklyn. Everything had been fine, right up to the moment the light in his eyes had died. That was the only way she could describe it. The light in his eyes had faded out and a dead, glazed look came over them. She sighed and rubbed her aching temples, wishing that Brooklyn would be okay. And yet knowing better.
“Vic?”
Victoria spun around at the sound of David’s voice. He stood at the door to their room, looking unsure. Victoria smiled at the unease that was apparent on his face. “Aren’t you gonna come in, then?” she teased.
David relaxed visibly, stepping slowly into the room. Victoria glanced over at the room on the far end of the corridor. “Yeah, he’s asleep,” David told her, reading her thoughts. Victoria smiled sadly and nodded. She slid under the covers and patted the spot next to her, wondering why David was acting so strange.
He sat down next to her and her hands moved to massage his neck gently. “You okay, hon?” she asked softly as her fingers kneaded into his tense neck. Slowly, she felt his muscles relax against her touch and David sighed, “Yeah… yeah, I’m fine, sugar.”
Victoria snuggled against David, resting her cheek on his muscular back and winding her arms around his stomach. He sighed contentedly at her touch and they were silent for a moment. Then, “Vic?”
“Hmm?”
“How long does he have?”
Victoria’s heart broke at the obvious pain in David’s voice. She knew he loved the child more than life itself, and she couldn’t stand seeing him in such depression. “Four months at the most, David.” She whispered.
David tensed up and for a moment, she thought he was going to pull away, but then he relaxed again. “We’re gonna make this time special for him, right, Vic?” David asked. But it was more of a statement than a question. Anyone who didn’t know David would have thought that he was acting all tough-guy, but Victoria knew it was his own way of showing just how much he did care.
“Right.”
Brooklyn sighed in frustration as he tossed and turned in his bed. Somehow, he couldn’t get to sleep, no matter how hard he tried. It was as though there was something gnawing at him, leaving him with an empty, unsettled feeling.
‘Why am I going to heaven? Where is that?’ Brooklyn wondered to himself, his young mind struggling to put two and two together. Brooklyn wanted to yell. He wanted to scream and shout till all his worries were put at ease. He opened his mouth to holler the first thing that came to his head – daddy. But he didn't.
He tilted his head back, opened his mouth… and shut it. Something didn’t feel right. Brooklyn didn’t know what his father would say and he didn’t want to risk another scolding. “Why is daddy so mad now?” he wondered aloud. “Why did he quit when he said he didn’t want to?”
Brooklyn scratched his head, then wiped his arm across his sweaty forehead. “I can’t sleep!” he finally announced to his stuffed teddy bear that he had kept since what felt like forever. Then Brooklyn giggled.
After a while, everything was quiet again and Brooklyn was slowly but surely drifting off into dreamland. He sucked his thumb thoughtfully, remembering how the pretty nurse had told him what a wonderful place heaven was. He even recalled her reassuring smile as she told him that everything would be all right.
“Suddenly heaven doesn’t seem so bad after all,” Brooklyn muttered as his eyes closed gently.
“No… leave me ALONE!” Victoria was almost screaming. David flinched at the recurring thuds against the walls. It sounded like she was throwing things at the wall. And with every crash, David jumped. “I said GO AWAY!”
Brooklyn had only died two days ago and ever since then, Victoria had gone crazy. She used whatever she could to vent her frustration and her anger at losing her only child. She had known it was coming, but something inside her always let a tiny ray of hope in. The hope that Brooklyn would survive. But he hadn’t.
David pounded on the door, almost laughing at the irony of the situation. He used to be able to tackle a few guys with no problem and right now, this stupid WOODEN door was causing trouble? “Vic! Come out! It’s no use locking yourself in there! He’s gone! We knew it was coming!”
The sobs died down for a few minutes before starting up again. By the sound of it, Victoria was tiring herself out. David began to panic, hoping she wouldn’t fall asleep. If she did, he was going to be locked out of the room for god knew how long. And he was anxious to check on her, to make sure she was all right. David feel himself starting to drown in panic. His own misery and grief was hard enough to deal with, but he knew he couldn’t let Victoria down.
Not when she needed him most.
If only she would realize that.
“Vic, let me in!” David began pounding on the door again, begging Victoria to let him in. “Please sweetheart!”
“No no no!” Victoria screamed. “NO! Go away!”
David rolled his eyes. “Don’t be stupid, Vic. You know I can’t do that.”
“The door’s THAT way.”
“Vic…”
“Please David,” the pleading tone in Victoria’s voice was David’s undoing. “Please. I just need some time alone. To think things through.”
“All right,” David finally agreed reluctantly. “I’m going for a drink.”
“The regular, sir?” The bartender asked politely but David could see a smirk on his handsome face.
“Yeah,” David replied brusquely, deciding to ignore it. Over the past few weeks, he had sunk into depression and it was now Victoria’s turn to go hysteric over him. She was finally out of her slump, but for him, it was just beginning. He could still see Brooklyn’s peaceful face as he slipped away from the world. Every time he thought about it, it made him feel sick. His stomach churned and he swallowed uneasily.
He turned to look out the window just in time to see Victoria heading for his table. “Shit,” he swore angrily, resisting the urge to bang his fists on the table.
He stood up abruptly and headed for the door, trying to mingle with the rest of the crowd. But that was impossible, considering his height. “Damn,” he cursed, as Victoria waved to him, trying to attract his attention. But David’s eyes narrowed when he realized he wasn’t the only one she was attracting attention from.
He elbowed his way through the crowd, slipped his arm casually around her shoulder and gave the guys who were ogling at her a menacing look. They stepped back and shrugged. Victoria sighed with relief when they left the pub.
“David…” she began.
“No,” David warned. “I’m feeling bad enough as it is. Don’t, Vic.”
“I was just…” Vic shook her head. “Alex called today. He wants you back on the team.”
David let out a bark of laughter. “Why the hell does he think I’d go back?”
Victoria looked up at him, tears shining in her eyes. “Because… a certain nurse went to look for him. And she told Alex that that was Brooklyn’s last wish.”
David ran out onto the field, enjoying the feeling of being able to play with his teammates once again. They had embraced like brothers and David couldn’t deny that he had been missing something ever since the day he had quit.
But now that void was filled. He was whole again.
The game went smoothly and it ended in David’s favour, particularly. He scored five out of seven of the winning goals and he could feel Victoria’s proud gaze even from her seat. As the referee blew the whistle, signaling the end of the game, the crowds went wild. Fifteen thousand spectators stood up, clapping furiously. His teammates hauled him onto their shoulders and threw him in the air, celebrating his return. Alex was smiling and looking like a proud father. Victoria was gazing down at him, rubbing her round stomach, and chuckling as she felt the child inside her move.
But David didn’t see or notice any of those things happening. His eyes were fixed on the sky and around him; the world seemed deathly quiet. The fluffy white clouds billowed around and everything seemed peaceful. Just like it should have been. Tears came to his eyes and he smiled.
“I hope heaven is as nice as they say… I love you, Brooklyn,” he whispered. “Thank you for making my dreams come true.”
-fin-
