Act Two

 
            The hardest part about dying is saying goodbye… both for the person bidding this world adieu, as well as for those that they leave behind.  I would never claim to have exactly been close to my mother in the last few years.  In fact, since I’ve admitted I was gay, we’ve been anything but.  Still, the pain that she’s going through right now is palpable.  I wouldn’t wish that upon my worst enemy… not even her.
 
Vanessa:  How are you holding up sister?
 
            She turns to her sister, awaking from the tiny slumber she’d found herself in.
 
Gayle:  Justin?
 
Vanessa:  No… it’s me Gayle… Vanessa. 
 
Gayle:  I must have been dreaming… it all seemed so real (she says, looking over to the bed that her son continues to lie in.)
 
Vanessa:  What was it… the dream, that is?
 
Gayle:  Justin… he was awake.  He was happy.  You know the funny thing… even before this, I can’t think of the last time that I saw my son smile.  Actually, wait… that’s a lie (she states, admitting her error.)  I can.  It was last spring… he was with Rob.
 
Vanessa:  Rob?
 
 Gayle:  Justin’s boyfriend… he was Justin’s boyfriend.
 
Vanessa:  So what happened?  Did they break up or something?
 
Gayle:  Rob is dead… (she says, quite matter of factly.)  He was in a hit and run last summer.
 
Vanessa:  That’s terrible.
 
Gayle:  Justin didn’t take it well.  But the thing that just tears me up inside, is the fact that Rob truly made my son happy.  I refused to see that when they were together.  In fact, I did everything in my power to try and keep them apart.
 
Vanessa:  You did what you thought was best.
 
Gayle:  Did I?  I can’t help but question… if I hadn’t just left well enough alone, would my son be with us today?  For that matter, would Rob be here?  It’s like the last year has just been some horrific nightmare that keeps spiraling further and further out of control, getting worse and worse with each passing day.
 
            As Vanessa wraps her arms around her sister, she looks across to her nephew.  Could Gayle be right?  Might this have all been avoided had she not interfered with things the way they were?  And if that’s the case, and things do indeed get worse for Justin, would Gayle ever be able to forgive herself?
            Pulling away from one another, the two hear a knock at the door, as Angel opens it, peeking her head through.
 
Angel:  Gayle… Ben and I are back with the things you wanted from the house.
 
Gayle:  Oh, Angel… I’d forgotten (she says, turning back to face her son.)
 
            Entering the room, Angel notices the new machines hooked up to Justin.  She watches as the heart monitor beeps beside him.
 
Angel:  What happened?
 
Gayle:  While you were gone, Justin went into cardiac arrest.
 
Angel:  Cardiac arrest?  You mean, he had a heart attack?
 
Gayle:  For all purposes, yes...
 
Angel:  What are the doctors saying?
 
Gayle:  The same thing they’ve been saying since we got here… Justin’s been unresponsive to everything thus far.  They aren’t sure if there’s anything else they can do for him.  They say that the only thing keeping Justin alive right now are all of these machines he’s hooked up to… pretty soon, we’re going to have to make a decision…  I just, I don’t think I can do that without feeling like I’m somehow killing him myself.
 
            As she says the words, tears begin to stream down her face.  She turns away from Angel, wiping the tears from her face.
 
Gayle:  I’m sorry Angel… I don’t mean to fall apart here in front of you.
 
Angel:  You don’t have to apologize for anything.  We’re all in this together.
 
            Looking back to Justin, she hardly recognizes him.  Gone is the vibrant spirit she’s known for so long.  She can barely stand to look any longer.
 
Angel:  I should go.  Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do (she says, sitting the bag of Gayle’s belongings down in the chair next to her.)
 
Gayle:  Thank you again Angel (she says, offering her a hug.)  Your mother would be so proud of you.
 
Angel:  Thank you for saying that (she says, taking one final look at Justin before exiting the room.)
 
            Outside, Angel tries her best to keep from falling apart, doing her very best to push the thoughts of her friend lying so helplessly in that hospital bed.
 
Angel:  God Justin… I wish there were something that I could do.  (Opening her purse, she pulls the journal from it, looking at it for a moment.)  Did you really know what you wanted Justin?  Did you really want to die?
 
            That’s the thing about friends.  More times than not, they know you better than even you know yourself.  Sometimes though, a friend can do more damage than good… especially when they have such a limited view of what’s really going on. 
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            Rusty Monroe has grown a lot in the years that I’ve known him.  For years he was the rebel without a cause, seemingly always on the prowl for some sort of trouble.  He’d never admit it, but a girl changed all of that for him.  Her name was Nicole Reeves.  Like many of us, love made Rusty do some crazy things, many of which I’m certain even he isn’t exactly proud of.  Still, there’s something undeniably true about first love… it changes you, and sometimes, sets you up for that next great love your meant to come across in life.
 
Gabriella:  How have you been holding up?
 
            Now Gabriella Blake… she’s got a story all her own.  In high school, she was a member of that oh so elusive in-crowd.  She was head cheerleader, and dated the star football player… that is, until he tried to rape her.  She hasn’t had the easiest life.  In essence, she’s probably had to grow up a lot faster and at an earlier age than any of us.  Still, somehow, she’s managed to overcome all of the adversity she’s had to face, and actually managed to make a decent life for herself.  I’ll admit that I’m just the tiniest bit envious of that.
 
Rusty:  Gaby?  I didn’t even notice that you were here.
 
Gabriella:  I just got here (she says, setting her purse down on the coffeebar, as she pulls up a stool across from Rusty.  I thought I’d stop by here for a minute before I headed to the hospital.
 
Rusty:  Has there been any change in Justin’s condition?
 
Gabriella:  Not that I know of.  I take it you haven’t heard anything?
 
Rusty:  No.
 
Gabriella:  I still just can’t believe that this is happening.  You know, I really just don’t understand life sometimes.
 
Rusty:  I know what you mean.
 
            He’s not sure what exactly it is about her, but Rusty notices something about Gabriella… something she’s left unsaid.
 
Rusty:  Are you alright?  You don’t really seem like yourself.
 
Gabriella:  Is it really that obvious?  (She questions, almost surprised that Rusty noticed.)
 
Rusty:  A little bit.  What’s going on?
 
            It’s the thing that has been on everyone’s mind, yet no one has seemed capable of verbalizing.
 
Gabriella:  It’s just… this whole thing with Justin.  It’s like, when is enough, enough?  There has been so much loss in this town over the last few months.  I mean, we came so close to losing Michael last spring.  And then Angel’s mom died… then poor Rob.  Even Rick.  And now this?  I’m so tired of having to say goodbye to my friends.
 
Rusty:  I know what you mean.  Still, I can’t help but feel like there’s more to this.
 
Gabriella:  What do you mean?
 
Rusty:  I don’t know Gaby… I never bring it up because I can tell it bothers you, but I’m sure you can’t help but be reminded of what happened to your own mother with situations like this.
 
Gabriella:  It’s true… my mom does cross my mind… especially now, more than I’d like to even talk about.  I know what it’s like to lose someone that you’re close to.  To wake up each day, and know that you’re not going to get to see them or talk to them ever again.
 
Rusty:  I can’t even imagine. 
 
Gabriella:  I just wish there were something that could be done.  I wish that all of the hurt and pain would stop, and life would just be carefree again.
 
Rusty:  That certainly would be nice, wouldn’t it?
 
Gabriella:  It would be more than nice.  It would be a needed reprieve.  As strong as the people of this town might be, I’m just not sure how much more loss they can really handle?
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            Elsewhere in The Falls, two men that have been the closest things to father figures in my life, sit, trying to figure out the next step in their own lives.  Since the death of his wife, Joan, Bill Hart has been a shell of a man.  That’s been no hidden fact to longtime friend, Kyle Monroe, who also shared a very special place in his heart for Joan, as anyone who knew her would.  Though the purpose of their meeting today is business, it is the preservation of a legacy that is foremost on their minds.
 
Kyle:  And after you sign this last page, the transaction will be complete.
 
Bill:  You’ll officially own The Falls.
 
Kyle:  You make it sound like such a bad thing (he states, only half kidding.)
 
            As Bill picks up the pen, reading over one last time all of the fine print, he prays that his wife would approve of his decision.
 
Kyle:  You’re doing the right thing (he says, as Bill’s pen completes the deed.)
 
Bill:  That’s what I keep telling myself.  Lord knows I know absolutely nothing about running a restaurant.  You however have been doing this for years.  If I were going to trust Joan’s restaurant to anyone, it would be you.
 
Kyle:  You know, it will always be her restaurant.  I don’t plan on changing a thing.
 
Bill:  That’s kind of you to say Kyle, but I know the nature of the business.  Sometimes new blood is a good thing.
 
Kyle:  But at the heart of the Shangra-la will always be the woman that built it from the ground up… Joan Hart. 
 
            Bill offers a smile, as the two seal their deal with a handshake. 
 
Kyle:  I should probably get down to the courthouse to file these papers before it gets too late.
 
Bill:  I understand.  I was probably going to stop by the hospital… see how Justin was doing. 
 
Kyle:  Have you heard… has there been any change?
 
Bill:  I spoke with Gayle last night, and there hadn’t been any.  We can only pray for the best though.
 
Kyle:  I can’t imagine what Gayle must be going through right now.  There’s nothing more destructive as a parent than the thought of losing a child.
 
Bill:  I couldn’t agree with you more.  For all of our troubles of late, I simply don’t know what I would ever do if I lost Angel.
 
Kyle:  I feel the same way about Rusty and Lauren.  They can certainly be a handful…
 
Bill:  I think that may be the understatement of the year (he says sarcastically.)
 
Kyle:  Hey… those are my kids you’re talking about  (he kids in return.)  Oh, who am I kidding…
 
Bill:  Speaking of… (he comments, nudging Kyle’s attention in the direction of Rusty and Gabriella), you sure that’s such a good pairing over there?  A world of trouble could be heading our way if those two continue being as friendly with one another as they seem.
 
            As Kyle takes in the sight before him, he can feel his stomach sink a bit, as he turns back to Bill.
 
Kyle:  I didn’t realize she was back in town. 
 
Bill:  I’d heard whispers.
 
Kyle:  You’re absolutely right though… those two cannot be spending time together.  I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen. 
 
            What is it about parents that make them so overprotective of their children?  Is it that fear of loss that they so often attribute it to?  Or could it be, that there are darker elements at work… elements that even as adults, they aren’t quite ready to come to terms with?
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Jennifer:  I must admit that I’m a little surprised to hear from you so soon.  I thought you’d still be at the hospital.
 
Angel:  I just left from there actually.
 
Jennifer:  Has there been any change?
 
            Jennifer Russell… always the consummate reporter.  From the moment I first met her, I knew that she would be a force to be reckoned with.  She’s proven me right every step of the way.  Though we haven’t always seen eye to eye, she was there for one of my closest friends, Michael, at a time that he truly needed all of the love and support he could possibly get in his life.  For that, I will always be grateful to her.  Still, that doesn’t mean I don’t occasionally wish she would simply leave well enough alone.
 
Angel:  Yeah… actually there has, and not for the better.  Justin went into cardiac arrest.  He’s hooked up on life support right now, and the doctors don’t think that there’s anything else that they can do for him.
 
Jennifer:  Oh Angel… I’m so sorry.
 
Angel:  His mom’s a mess right now.  The doctors… they want to turn off the life support machines.
 
Jennifer:  I keep praying for some kind of miracle here, and yet things seem to keep getting worse.
 
Angel:  Wait… there’s more.
 
Jennifer:  Like what?
 
Angel:  What you said to me earlier at the hospital… about Justin having visions of Rob and wanting to die. 
 
Jennifer:  You thought I was way off base.
 
Angel:  I did… but that was before I found this (she says, pulling the journal from her purse.) 
 
Jennifer:  Is this what I think it is?
 
Angel:  It’s Justin’s journal.  I came across it while I was picking some things up for his mom at the house.  That’s not important though… take a look at the last entry he wrote.
 
Jennifer:  This is weirding me out (she says, opening the journal.)  My god… it was written the day of the accident (she notices.)
 
Angel:  Keep reading.
 
            Angel watches as Jennifer reads through the entry, her facial expressions matching the ones that she herself had upon reading it for the first time.
 
Jennifer:  Oh my god, I was right.  Justin really did have visions of Rob.  Could it really be that he got into that accident on purpose?
 
Angel:  It certainly would seem that way.
 
Warren:  Sorry ladies… I don’t mean to interrupt you.
 
            Warren Miller… there’s not a lot I can say about Warren.  He’s always seemed like a nice enough guy, but has somehow managed to remain on the peripheral of everything going down at Falls High.  He and Jenn seem close, as they’ve shared editing duties on the school paper for the last two semesters.  If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he had a thing for her.  I wonder how Michael would react to knowing he had a little bit of competition?
 
Jennifer:  Warren… it’s alright.  What’s up?
 
Warren:  I just wanted to tell you both how sorry I am about Justin.  I know he’s a close friend of both of yours.
 
Angel:  Thank you Warren… we appreciate that.
 
Warren:  I wanted to let you know too Jenn that everything’s going alright at the paper.  I know you’ve been at the hospital a lot the last few days.  I just wanted you to know that we weren’t sitting around slacking while you were away.
 
Jennifer:  Thanks Warren… I knew it would be in capable hands. 
 
Warren:  Anyway, I’ll let you guys get back to what you were doing.  Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you… either of you.
 
Angel:  Thanks (she says with a smile, as Warren leaves them be.)  That Warren… he’s a weird one, isn’t he?
 
Jennifer:  He’s a sweet guy (Jenn insist.)  But really, I think we have bigger things to be concerned with right now. 
 
Angel:  Like what to do with  the information we read in this journal…
 
Jennifer:  Did you say anything to his mother?
 
Angel:  No!  I didn’t know what to say.  Oh, your son seems to have wanted to die since he was having visions of his dead boyfriend, and probably wanted to join him.  Somehow I just don’t see how that’s beneficial conversation.
 
Jennifer:  But it could be.
 
Angel:  What do you mean?
 
Jennifer:  This journal’s pretty clear about what Justin wanted Angel.  I’m sure the very last thing he’s want is to be kept alive by a bunch of machines.  Maybe it’s time for us to face the fact that Justin isn’t coming back… you, me, and especially his mother.  And I think this journal may be the very thing to convince her. 

Continue.To Act Three