Act Four
Jennifer: You’re having second thoughts, aren’t you?
I could answer that question easily. Angel and I have known each other too long for her not to be having second thoughts. I understand why she did what she did… I just don’t know yet if she was right in doing it.
Angel: I just violated my best friends trust… not once, but twice. I shouldn’t have read his journal in the first place (she says, setting her coffee cup back down on the table. She looks around the quiet coffeehouse to make sure no one is listening in on their conversation,) much less given it to his mother.
Jennifer: I know you feel bad about it (she says, trying her best to comfort her friend.) But really… if things are as bad for Justin right now as they look, you may be doing him a favor.
Angel: By doing what… pushing his mom to take him off of life support?
Jennifer: It’s what he would want Angel. We both know it.
Angel: I just don’t know…
Before Jenn can respond to Angel’s declaration, the two are interrupted by the arrival of their respective significant others. Michael’s been my friend almost as long as Angel. He’s the one person in the world I know I can tell anything to, and he’ll still be there for me. Why couldn’t I tell him about everything that was going on with me before the accident? He would’ve understood.
Ben Thomas and I became friends completely by accident. Never in my life did I think I would’ve become friends with one of the most popular graduates of Falls High. His legend still lives on, one the underclassmen can only hope to imitate. I have to admit that I was a bit surprised to learn that he and Angel had begun dating. Personally, I’ve always thought their hearts belonged to others… but what do I know about any of that?
Angel: Ben? Michael? What are you doing here?
Michael: Looking for our girlfriends… is that such a crime?
Jennifer: No… not at all (Jennifer quickly chimes in, as the two take a seat with them.) What Angel meant, is that’s we’re just surprised to see you, that’s all.
Ben: We thought we’d come by and see if you wanted to go up to the hospital with us. We’re wanting to see how Justin’s doing.
Angel: Actually… I was just up there.
Michael: And? Has there been any change?
Angel: Yeah, there has… and it’s not for the better.
Angel can sense the sorrow that overcomes the two.
Angel: The doctors want to take Justin off of life support.
Michael: What!?! (Michael asks, outraged.) They can’t do that.
Jennifer: Michael… Justin’s not getting any better. There’s only so much that they can do.
Michael: No… no. I can’t accept that. Last year when I was sick, the doctors didn’t think I was going to pull through… but I did. I refused to give up hope. Just like I refuse to do now.
Ben: What’s Justin’s mom saying?
Angel: She’s devastated, as you can imagine. I don’t know what she’s going to do.
Michael: God, I just can’t believe this is happening.
Ben: Neither can I.
Angel passes Jenn a look, knowing the unspoken truth that is being left unsaid.
Angel: They deserve to know (she finally says.)
Michael: Know what?
Angel: Why don’t Ben and I get out of here… we’ll leave you to talk.
Michael: Alright… don’t go too far though. We should really get up to the hospital soon.
Angel: We’ll be right outside.
Taking Ben’s hand, Angel makes her way out to the patio leaving Michael and Jenn alone at the table to talk.
Michael: What’s going on?
Jennifer: It’s about Justin… and what he wanted.
Michael: What do you mean what he wanted?
Jennifer: Earlier, Angel went by Justin’s to get some things for his mom. While she was there, she came across his journal.
Michael: His journal? What’s that have to do with anything?
Jennifer: She read it Michael…
Michael: She did what? (He asks, as outraged as he is shocked.)
Jennifer: We had to know…
Michael: We? You mean you and Angel… what did you have to know?
Jennifer: Michael… when Lieutenant Marshall spoke to Justin’s mom at the hospital after the accident, he said that there wasn’t another vehicle involved in the accident.
Michael: Jennifer… you’re not making any sense right now. What does any of this have to do with you and Angel reading Justin’s journal.
Jennifer: It’s just when I heard what Lieutenant Marshall said, I couldn’t get it out of my head that there was more to the story.
Michael: Like what?
Jennifer: Like maybe Justin intended for the accident to happen.
Michael: I can’t believe you would say that (Michael spits.) What’s wrong with you?
Jennifer: What’s wrong with me? Have you not noticed how heartbroken Justin’s been since Rob’s death… how distant and withdrawn he’s been. You can’t tell me that you don’t believe that is even a slight possibility.
Michael: What I don’t believe is that fact that you would fabricate this complete and total bull, and somehow manage to convince Angel to go along with you on it.
Jennifer: It’s not bull Michael… Angel was just as opposed to the idea that that could be the truth as you were. That’s why when she found Justin’s journal, she couldn’t help herself but to look at it. Michael… he all but admitted that he wanted to kill himself. Justin was so torn up over losing Rob that he couldn’t deal with his grief anymore. He was even having visions of seeing Rob.
Michael: I can’t believe what you’re telling me right now.
Jennifer: Believe it Michael.
Michael: No… I refuse to listen to this. Justin wouldn’t do this. I mean, isn’t it bad enough that it was you that went around and spread the rumor that Justin was gay all over school. Now you’re going to spread this one as well?
Jennifer: You didn’t just say that to me?
Michael: Jenn… really, I thought I knew you. I thought we were at a good place that I knew I could count on and trust you. I don’t know how I could’ve been so wrong.
Jennifer: Michael… what are you saying?
Michael: I’m saying I can’t do this Jenn… I can’t do us. Not when you could do something like this to one of my best friends.
Jennifer: Are you breaking up with me?
For being a hardcore reporter, Jenn certainly is having a hard time computing what it is exactly Michael is trying to say to her.
Michael: I’ve got to go (he says, startling her.) I just can’t do this anymore.
Watching as Michael stands from the table and walks away, a part of her honestly believes he will come back. Seeing the door close behind him, she questions how wrong she could have been.
Jennifer: My god, what have I done?
No matter what, Jennifer refuses to cry. It’s not in her makeup. In life, we’re always taught that there’s no greater surprise than what is right around the corner for us. As Jennifer is soon to discover, with one door that closes, another swings right open.
Drew: Anyone sitting here?
Jennifer: What? (She asks, surprised by the strangers sudden arrival.)
Drew: I asked if anyone was sitting here. Your friend… he doesn’t look like he’ll be coming back. But you certainly look like you could use a friend.
Jennifer: Who are you?
Drew: The name’s Drew…
Jennifer: Jennifer (she admits hesitantly.)
Drew: Well Jennifer… you look like you could use a friend.
Jennifer: Yeah… the thing about that is, I’m not sure that I have any left.
Drew: You know, I kinda feel the same way. You see, I don’t know too many people around these parts anymore.
Jennifer: Anymore?
Drew: It’s a lifetime ago, really… let’s just say I’m a little familiar with these parts, and leave it at that. So, that guy that just left… was he your boyfriend?
Jennifer: Was being the operative word there.
Drew: Well…maybe we can be of help to each other.
Jennifer: What do you mean?
Drew: It’ll all become clearer in time… that I can promise you.
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Ben: So what’s this important thing you need to tell me? (he asks, taking a seat at one of the empty patio tables.)
Angel: It’s about Justin… (she begins, questioning if she should really breach the subject with him. Would he truly understand? She can only hope.)
Ben: How ironic.
Angel: What do you mean? (she questions.)
Ben: Well, it’s just that Justin’s accident has made me realize some things myself. Some things that I wanted to share with you.
Angel: Well… I mean, I’m all ears.
Ben: But you had something you wanted to say.
Angel: It can wait (she says, still trying to build the courage,)
Ben: Well, I admit, you’ve caught me off guard a bit. I was hoping to have a few more minutes here to build up my confidence.
Angel: Confidence? For what?
Ben: To tell you that for the last few months Angel, you have been the most important thing in my life. When I left school and came back to Wandering Falls, my life… it was a mess. I can’t believe that the last few months would have been anything of worth, had you not been in my life the way you have.
Angel: Ben…
Ben: I know it may seem a bit abrupt, and I know that there are a lot of other things going on right now… but I just couldn’t let another day pass without letting you know… (he begins, taking her hand in his.) I love you Angel
Angel: Ben… I mean, I love you too.
Ben: You do? (He questions, almost surprised.)
Angel: Of course… I mean, I’ve known it for a while. It’s just, like you said, there’s been a lot going on.
Ben: Which is precisely why I had to tell you. Life doesn’t offer any guarantees. I think what’s happening with Justin right now has proven that.
Angel: I think you’re right.
As the two lean in to kiss, they fail to notice the waiter cleaning the table near them. Until just a few months ago, it was Chris Bradley who was declaring his undying love to Angel. It’s a love that he still feels. Yet looking at Angel with Ben, he questions if he will ever get the chance to let her know.
Lauren: What’s the hurry? (She questions, as Chris hastily makes his way past her through the patio entrance.)
Turning her attentions to the outside couple, Lauren’s stomach sinks as she sees the first boy who ever stole her heart kissing another. She turns to Chris, and in him, sees a kindred.
Lauren: It feels like you’ve had the air knocked out of you, doesn’t it?
Chris: You don’t know the half of it (he admits.)
Lauren: Trust me… I do.
Chris: How do you deal with it? (he questions, looking back to them for a moment.)
Lauren: Deal with it? You’re asking me?
Chris: Well, I mean, you and Ben have been apart for a while now.
Lauren: That doesn’t mean it’s become any easier.
Chris: I know… I just, I don’t know. I just don’t understand how it’s so easy for them to just move on, and yet we’re here, with nothing.
Lauren: You can’t look at it like that Chris… sometimes you just have to accept that that’s the hand life has dealt you.
Chris: Really Lauren? You’ll forgive me, but coming from you, that seems a bit much.
Lauren: Hey… we’re all nearly adults here. There comes a time that sometimes you just have to admit defeat.
Chris: Maybe for you… (he says, gathering his bussing tub.) I haven’t even begun to admit defeat.
As Chris heads back toward the coffeebar, Lauren realizes that she was unsure if she’d be able to maintain the façade much longer. Seeing Angel with Ben… it was killing her. Yet if her plan was to ever work, no one could ever be any the wiser to that fact.
Lauren: Don’t worry Chris (she begins to herself.) Angel will be free soon enough… because one way or another, Ben will be mine again. That I can promise you.
Outside, Angel and Ben are none the wiser to their exes commiseration, as their presence with each other seems the only factor in their vantage point.
Ben: What was it you were wanting to tell me… I mean, before all of this?
Angel: It’s not important (she says, not wanting to ruin the moment.)
Ben: Are you sure?
Angel: Yeah… it can wait. Right now, I just want to enjoy what we have for a minute… to forget the outside world.
Ben: That sounds great (he says, holding her in his arms.)
I’ve always found it funny the way that even in the midst of tragedy, sometimes love manages to find a way to persevere. It’s one of the things that I treasured the most about my relationship with Rob. Somehow, through all of the pain and turmoil, we managed to overcome. It’s for that simple reason that I can’t begin to begrudge Angel her happiness.
But just like Chris and Lauren, I know what it’s like to have that love slip through your hands. True love… it’s one of those things that sometimes only come around once in your life. I know, better than some, just how fleeting it can truly be.
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Speaking of fleeting love, a part of me has always questioned the closeness between my mother and Steve Thomas. She claims to be in love with Dr. Brooks… I think a part of her is. But I also think there’s another part of my mother that will never be able to let go of her first true love… even if he does happen to be married to her worst enemy.
Steve: I should probably go check on Claire (he says, standing from the altar as he looks over to Gayle.) Are you going to be alright here? I could send Jeremiah if you’d like.
Gayle: No (she says.) I just need a few minutes to myself.
Steve: Gayle… I know how hard this has got to be.
A part of her wants to tell him about the journal… to tell him about the looming possibility that their son wanted to end his life. To tell him that sooner or later, she may have to make that decision for him. A part of her wants to tell him all of this, but she says nothing.
Steve: Let me know if there’s any change with Justin.
Gayle: I will (she says, watching as Steve leaves the chapel.)
Finding herself alone, Gayle looks up to the cross before her. The silence in the chapel leaves her alone with her thoughts for perhaps the first time since this nightmare began. She’s not sure if that’s such a good thing, as she feels the anger within her begin to boil to the surface.
Gayle: I don’t understand you, you know that (she spits, staring directly at the cross.) You claim to be a loving and merciful God. Yet you seem quite content in taking away.
As tears begin to well up in her eyes, Gayle turns away, looking to her purse for a moment as she pulls Justin’s journal from it.
Gayle: I’m sorry (she says, opening the journal.) I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do. My son… did he really want to kill himself? Could he have really been in so much pain that he didn’t see any other way out of this? Could I have been so blind that I didn’t recognize how much trouble he was really in? Damnit… answer me! (She screams.) What am I supposed to do?
Collapsing down in her own tears, Gayle feels the gust of wind that seems to come out of nowhere. She pays it no mind, instead wracking her mind with the decision that has been weighing upon her all morning. It’s not until she hears her voice that she realizes that she’s not truly alone.
Joan: Now Gayle… this is no way to handle things is it.
The sheer shock that overcomes her isn’t quite enough to outweigh the soothing calm that seems to immediately overcome her.
Gayle: Joan? (She mutters, certain that her ears are playing tricks on her.)
Looking up, she realizes that her hearing is just fine… that is, unless her eyes are playing games with her as well.
Gayle: Joan… is that really you?
Joan: Who else would it be?
Gayle: Oh my god… but how… I mean, you died.
Joan: I think someone could sense you needed a friend right about now (she says, looking up to the cross behind her.)
Gayle: Oh Joan… I miss you so much.
Joan: I miss you too Gayle. But you have to know that I’m always with you.
Gayle: I assume that you know then…
Joan: About Justin?
Gayle: I just, I don’t know what to do. I’ve made so many mistakes with him.
Joan: You’re a parent Gayle… it’s what we do. We make mistakes, just as our children do. What’s happened to Justin… it’s not your fault.
Gayle: Isn’t it? I mean, if I could have just been more accepting of Justin, and Rob for that matter. I feel like I have so much blood on my hands right now.
Joan: That’s not true Gayle. You can’t live your life wishing you had handled things differently… it’ll drive you crazy. The only thing you can do is accept things for the way that they are, and make the best decisions possible from there.
Gayle: The best decisions… my life seems full of decisions I’ve made, thinking they were for the best. I just… I don’t think I can make this decision. The doctors… they don’t think there’s anything else they can do for Justin right now. They want to take him off of life support.
Joan: It sounds as if they’ve given up. Tell me Gayle… have you given up?
Gayle: I don’t understand what you mean?
Joan: Well, the Gayle that I know wouldn’t just accept a doctor’s word. Have you ever considered the fact that Justin might be ready to wake up if he had something to wake up to?
Gayle: You’ll forgive me, but I’m still at a loss.
Joan: Gayle… you have it right there in your hands. Justin felt like he had no reason to be here anymore. I think it’s up to you to prove to him that he does… after all, he is going to be a big brother, isn’t he?
Reaching to her stomach, Gayle can hardly believe her friend’s intuitiveness.
Gayle: You really think that would be enough?
Joan: I think Justin needs his mother, more than he’s willing to admit. But I think he needs his mother to be willing to love him and understand him… unconditionally.
Gayle: Which I haven’t been the best at…
Joan: From your mouth to God’s ears.
Gayle: It’s not that I don’t love Justin.
Joan: I’m sure he knows that.
Gayle: It’s just… I couldn’t understand the lifestyle choices he was choosing to make.
Joan: Do you really think it was his choice Gayle? We have a lot of choices presented to us in life… yes, maybe Justin choosing to be gay is a choice. Maybe it isn’t. But what is a choice is whether or not you choose to accept Justin for who he. Which one do you think is more important?
Gayle: I just want my son back.
Joan: I think you’re telling the wrong person then… don’t you?
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Rusty: Hey sis… Gabriella and I are heading up to the hospital to see how Justin’s doing. You want to tag along?
Lauren: I’m good here (she says, barely looking up from her magazine.) You might check the lovebirds out on the patio though.
Rusty thinks to remind his sister of the fact Justin has been their friend for countless years… the fact that if the shoe were on the other foot, Justin would most certainly be there for her. Instead, he chooses instead to ignore her, proceeding out to the patio with Gabriella in tow.
Gabriella: Your sister really isn’t letting go of the past, is she?
Rusty: I don’t know what her deal is (he says, spotting Angel and Ben together.) Hey, lovebirds… Gaby and I are heading up to the hospital if you wanna catch a ride.
Ben: Yeah, we were actually about to head up ourselves.
Angel: Let me grab my purse (she says, picking it up from the chair. Looking into it, she sees her phone blinking.) That’s strange, I have a missed call.
Ben: Who’s it from? (He asks, as Angel checks her voicemail.)
Angel: It’s from my brother…
Sandy: Hey sis… (Angel hears, listening to the voicemail.) I guess you’re probably still up at the hospital. I just wanted to let you know that I was heading out of town for a few days. Feel free to crash at the apartment if you’re still looking to avoid Bill. I certainly wouldn’t blame you. Tell Ben I left the rent check on the fridge. I’ll give you a call here soon. I hope everything turns out okay with Justin. Love you.
Angel: That’s strange.
Ben: What’s Sandy have to say?
Angel: He’s going out of town.
Ben: Huh… he didn’t mention anything to me.
Angel: Me either (she says, trying to call him back.) It goes straight to voicemail.
Ben: That brother of yours… always up to something.
Angel: Yeah… but what could it possibly be? Where’d he take off to?
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Provo, Utah. It’s a town that has seen it’s fair share of tranquility. For Sandy Collins, it is a town that provides hope… hope for a miracle. He doesn’t like hospitals. Even before people he actually knew started being admitted to them, the places just seemed to weird him out. It’s a feeling that he’s reminded of as he stands outside the familiar room door, awaiting the nurses arrival.
Sandy: How’s she doing? (He asks the young nurse, as she fidgets with the keys at her disposal, trying to unlock the locked door.)
Nurse: There’s been no change. (She says, finally unlocking the door.) I can leave you alone if you’d like.
Sandy: Thank you (he says, opening the door.) I’d appreciate that.
As the nurse steps aside, Sandy steps into the room, hesitant but for a moment. He looks to the hospital bed. It was facing the window… a change from his last visit. Walking in, he’s immediately drawn to the framed photographs sitting on the nightstand.
Sandy: These are new (he says to himself, walking toward them.)
Picking up the one closest to him, he smiles upon seeing happier times. Kneeling down to the bed before him, he places the photograph down, taking the hand of the woman in the bed.
Sandy: How are you feeling today? (He questions, looking down to her. There is no movement, just as he expected.) I guess that’s a silly question really. Still, I can’t help but feel like somehow you know I’m here don’t you. Don’t worry mom… I’ve done everything you’ve asked me to. Now it’s your turn to do something for me.
