BrookLyn's Journey by Coffey Brown Page A

different? What kind of world would it be if we were all the same?”
    BrookLyn wondered what her mother and father were doing . She was glad they went away , despite the reason . Her mind drifted off to some of her friend’s parents. She imagined them being as mean and cruel as hers. Sh e shuddered at the thought , and cringed , thinking of a world where misery was the norm . If they knew I was over here, would he beat me to death? A chill soared down her back. She quickly pushed the frightening thought out of her head. She knew the answer. A slow painful death would be her reward.
    “Let’s clean up and go,” Gabby announced, pulling BrookLyn’s mind back to the room. Then she grabbed the napkins she was using, balled them up , and placed them in her empty cup.
    BrookLyn smiled , watching Gabby act like she was on the basketball court defending the ball for her team. After bobbing and weaving around her imaginary defender, Gabby reared back and tossed the cup into the wastebasket. Then she hissed as if she were a roaring crowd and rais ed her arms in the air. BrookLyn laughed, as did Gabby , who then continued cleaning up without the extra imaginary game play.
    “All done.” Gabby sat down and started scrolling through her phone . “ Go get ready, Sweets . ”
     
    ***
     
    After she got dressed , BrookLyn combed her hair in to a ponytail , topping it off with the hat that Gabby had given her, hoping a little flash would take the focus off her cheap jeans. When BrookLyn came back in the room Gabby announced they were going to the mall.
    “What for?”
    “ We need to get you some new clothes and sneakers.”
    “I don’t have any money for that.” She n ever ha d money for clothes , or anything else that she ever wanted.
    “I’ve got money and need to grab some stuff for me too. So, I figured we could get you some things.”
    Gabby didn’t need any clothes. BrookLyn had seen that she had two large closets full of clothes. In fact, the light - colored jeans , light blue polo and navy blue jacket she had on now seemed to have a hint of newness to them.
    Still, BrookLyn was excited . She never shopped at the mall. She was lucky to get hand - me - downs from her sisters , or people at church. Her parents wouldn’t let her have a job, so she had no choice but to wear them. Her brother and sisters had to buy all of their own clothes and they didn’t have that much money left over to help BrookLyn. They had received partial scholarships and still had to pay some tuition. They were all trying to escape and if it meant she had to suffer in hand - me - downs , so be it.
    “I’m ready ! ” BrookLyn couldn’t hide her excite ment. Since she didn’t seem to be able to hide anything from Gabby anyway, why try. She did a little happy dance and it made Gabby grin.
    “Me too . N o more hand me downs for you!” Gabby locked up the house and they were ready to go.
    BrookLyn wondered how they were going to get to the mall .
    “I have a car . It was in the shop. ” Gabby said innocently , invading BrookLyn’s thoughts again.
    “Oh, what happened?”
    “Nothing. Just regular service.”
    She gave Gabby a playful nudge. “I didn’t know you could drive.”
    “I know. That wasn’t really a secret-secret. So, I guess it’s okay that you know that . ” She nudged BrookLyn back and they both giggled.
    “Ha. Ha. You’re such a funny girl , ” BrookLyn said as smugly as she could.
    She watched Gabby open the garage door. There was a sky-blue Honda SUV in it , already running .
    “ Do you start cars with your mind too?”
    Gabby jingled her key ring in front of BrookLyn’s face. “I have a car starter.” She chuckled. “I’m good, but I’m not that good.”
     
    ***
     
    “Here we are , ” Gabby announced.
    BrookLyn looked up and they were at the South Park Galleria Mall. She’d never been to the mall before. She could barely contain her excitement.
    “Let’s go get you some clothes . ” Gabby kiss ed