Start Small, End Big.

You Get Me

Hope gazes out the window, waiting for the spot she mentioned to appear. After a short drive, she spots it and lets Liam know.

Hope: Right there. By that guardrail. That's the special spot.

Liam smirks.

Liam: Okay, hehe. Looks interesting.

Liam carefully pulls up to the area Hope pointed out and parks his car. Hope unbuckles her seatbelt and steps out.

Hope: Hehe, viens (come).

Liam, caught off guard, grows curious.

Liam: Oh, we're getting out? Okay.

He unbuckles his seatbelt and opens the door, the sounds of nature washing over him. The warm summer night in Montreal amplifies the serenity of the moment. Hope climbs onto the hood of Liam's car, carefully settling herself before patting the spot next to her.

Hope: Sit. Let me show you why this place is so special.

Liam hesitates for a moment before hopping onto the hood. His gaze follows Hope's, taking in the breathtaking view of the Montreal skyline.

Liam: Nice view.

Hope: I know, right? My mom used to bring me here. The special thing about this place is how the skyline forms the shape of a lady lying down, if you focus on the de La Gauchetière building just right. Only a few people can see it. Do you?

Liam narrows his eyes, concentrating on the lights of the city. At first, the brightness overwhelms him, but then he begins to notice it—the silhouette of a woman resting peacefully.

Liam: Yeah... I kinda see it.

Hope giggles softly.

Hope: My mom always said that when she passed, I should come here and look at the skyline. She said that lady was her, reminding me that she'd always be here. She loved Montreal so much; she never wanted to leave, no matter how much the city changed. She grew up here, from enfant (child) to femme adulte (adult woman).

Hope's tone becomes somber, her voice trembling slightly.

Hope: My mom was my reason to keep pushing forward. After I lost her, I fell into a deep depression. I didn't think I'd ever make her proud. I even blamed myself for what happened.

Liam frowns, sensing the weight of her words.

Hope: You see, she didn't like cars or racing, even though I loved them. I always begged her to go with me to the Wall of Champions or the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. She didn't want to at first, but eventually, she started coming. Over time, she grew to love it, just like me.

Hope chuckles faintly, though tears start to well in her eyes.

Hope: Then... she died. In a racing accident. And I wasn't even there. She went to watch a rally race and wanted me to come, but I was too focused on my studies, so I said no.

Her voice cracks as tears roll down her cheeks.

Hope: I didn't even get to say goodbye. A car lost control and slammed into the crowd. She went to a race because of me... and died because of me. And I wasn't there for her.

She pauses, wiping her eyes.

Hope: After that, I fell into such a dark place. I didn't want to keep going. I wanted to sleep forever, just to see her again and tell her how much I loved her. But... I never could pull myself out of that hole. Not until I met you.

Hope looks at Liam, her tears softening into a warm smile.

Hope: I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. You're the only person who really gets me.

Liam looks down, smiling softly, which catches Hope's attention.

Hope: Liam? You look like you want to say something.

Liam lifts his head, his smile fading slightly.

Liam: You have no idea how much we have in common.

Hope tilts her head, curious.

Hope: Quoi (what)?

Liam takes a deep breath.

Liam: What you said... it hit me. I've dealt with the same thing. I've lost someone close to me, too.

Hope: Really? I'm so sorry for your loss.

Liam: Thanks. I lost my grandpa six years ago. He's the one who got me into cars. He had this beat-up '97 3000GT that he couldn't let go of.

A fond smile spreads across Liam's face.

Liam: One day, I went looking for him because I wanted more of his lobster rolls—he made the best. Instead, I found him in the garage, working on his car. When he saw me, he picked me up and showed me the engine. I was in awe—mouth wide open, staring at all the shiny parts.

Liam chuckles softly at the memory.

Liam: Every time I visited, he'd have me in the garage with him. As I got older, I started helping him. He always told me, "A driver and his car are no good apart. They have to be one. Respect the car, and it'll respect you. Otherwise, you'll end up wrapped around a tree."

Hope listens intently, her expression softening.

Hope: That's... a beautiful lesson. Maybe we really are alike, hehe.

They share a quiet laugh before turning back to the skyline. After a moment, Hope leans her head gently on Liam's shoulder. Surprised, Liam glances at her. Hope meets his eyes, smiling softly, before they both turn back to the view, sharing a tender moment together.