Disclaimer: I do not own Degrassi or the song "Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi.
"Take my hand. We'll make it, I swear." Living on a Prayer, Bon Jovi 1986
Chapter 1
Johnny DiMarco stood in the entry of the church sanctuary. He dipped his fingers in the bowl of holy water and crossed himself before taking a seat in the back. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and tried to make sense of what had transpired just two hours before. He was ready to leave for school when he went into his mother's room to tell her goodbye.
"Hey ma, I'm leavin'," he said. She was fast asleep, so he reached over to shake her awake. "Ma, I'm going to school," he said. Still no response. Johnny started to panic. Oh please God, no! he thought to himself. He touched her forehead. It felt cold. He then checked for a pulse, he didn't find one. Johnny then backed slowly out of the room, picked up the phone in the kitchen and called 911.
"Yeah," he said into the phone, trying to maintain composure, "my mom won't wake up." The 911 operator said an ambulance was on the way. When the ambulance arrived, Johnny's mother's best friend, Magda Lempky, came outside with her three boys. Johnny led the paramedics into his mother's room. They examined her and she was pronounced dead. Johnny tried to remain calm. After all, his mother had been ill for the past three years. He shouldn't be surprised that she was gone.
Johnny followed the paramedics outside as they carried her body out on a stretcher. A small crowd had gathered in front of the house. One of the paramedics gave Johnny a card with number to the hospital morgue on it and told him to call and make burial arrangements. Johnny stuffed the card in his pocket and started walking. He had no idea where he was going until he reached the church. He wasn't religious but he was raised in the Catholic church and taught to turn to the church in times of need. Like now.
Johnny's mother was diagnosed with Lupus when Johnny was in grade 7. Things went well for a while but halfway through grade 9, she started getting worse. The disease had spread from her joints to her lungs, kidneys and heart. The doctors had said that 90% of all Lupus patients went on to live normal, healthy lives. Johnny's mother followed the doctor's advice and took her meds as prescribed. So why did she end up in the unfortunate 10% that didn't make it?
After sitting there for about 30 minutes, Johnny got up. Before leaving the church, he put a dollar in the donation box and lit a candle for his mother. He walked outside and stopped at the nearest pay phone. He wanted to call his best friend, Bruce and tell him why he wasn't in school today. Johnny checked his watch. It was now 11:30, Bruce should be on his way to lunch right about now. He dialed Bruce's cell number and waited for him to answer.
"Yo!" said Bruce when he picked up.
"Hey Bruce," said Johnny, his voice cracking slightly.
"Johnny? Dude! Whatcha doin', playin' hooky?"
"Bruce...my mom died this morning."