Chapter 10

Angela and Shawn walked out of the room, both just stuck in their sadness. At least they had a company of like minds. As they all sat there, trying to find some way to cope, the doctor walks into the waiting room. They all felt hope from him, which made him feel that same pain that all doctors feel.

Doctor: We've done all we can. The only thing left… Well we'll have to pull the plug.

Amy was not satisfied, in fact, none of them were. She was the one who spoke first, representing everybody.

Amy: You Want to What?

Doctor: He's been on life support for too long. He may pull through, we just have to stop letting the machines do it for him.

Amy: That's my son! (Crying) You can't just come in here, walk up to his family, and say you have to pull the plug. And that he might make it…

Alan stayed back, stuck in his own thoughts. That was his first born son, the one he always worried about, but for some reason… He decided to make his decision. He walked over to his worried wife and, just, held hers he looked at the doctor.

Alan: Do it.

Amy: Alan, what are you –

Alan: Do it.

Amy: That's your son in there, how could you just—

Alan: Amy… That's my son, I love him dearly. But it's only now that I realize what you've always said about me.

Amy: Now you listen to me? Now, at this time?

Alan: You once told me, I have no faith in him. I do have faith in my boy. I know he's going to pull through… (Softly) We just have to let him do it the way he always has… Whatever that may be.

Amy sat there and pondered this. She didn't like it at all, but, she has always held in her heart, that he'd always be okay. So with a heavy heart she looked at the doctor.

Amy: Can we all be there to see it?

Doctor: It was his wish.

Alan: Huh?

Doctor: The paramedics did tell me that he kept saying, friends and family. (Looking at everyone there) I think it's only right.

They all gathered together and walked into the room. There was no amount of happiness among them. The doctor disconnected the life support machines, and finally pulling out his oxygen tube. Everyone just sat there, all with their heads hanging low. The minute was taking forever; all of them could take it no longer. They all cried hard, each looking for arms to hold them, any sort of comfort they could find, for such a hard time. As they stood there, holding one another and crying, the lifeless body of Eric lay… Out of nowhere, he took in a deep growl-like breath.

Rachel: Oh my God, Eric?

Doctor: He's breathing on his own. But he's still unconscious.

Jack was not ready to hear the doctor yet, so he took a swing at him. Luckily Shawn caught him before he could.

Jack: No Forget that! He's still alive in there. (Crying) You can't tell me to calm down!

Mr. Feeny (To the doctor): Maybe it's best if you skedaddle.

Doctor: Already out the door… But don't get your hopes up.

Mr. Feeny: Oh that's it!

He took a swing at the doctor, but Alan was there to stop him.

Alan: This isn't you George.

Mr. Feeny: That's Eric in there. I can't stand by and let him take away our only hope.

Alan: He isn't. He just wants us to be ready for…

Cory said nothing, outside of the reading of his brother's memo pad. Everyone else finally gathered outside the doors to let him rest. At least he's breathing on his own. Topanga was busy making a phone call while they all sat around. After she got off the phone, she had a weird look on her face.

Topanga: The weirdest thing just happened with the firm.

Rachel: What? They want you to come back immediately?

Topanga: No, in fact, they told me to take as long as I needed.

Cory: The art museum.

Shawn: What?

Cory: This one time dad and I took Eric to an art museum.

Alan looked over at Cory, he clearly remembered that day.

Alan: Yeah, he made a completely accurate interpretation of the sculpture we picked. It mirrored my relationship with my sons.

Cory: He told him he always was the kid; he thought his dad wanted him to be.

Amy: Cory, what made you think about that?

Cory: You think he meant that as the person? We all knew him as crazy, and we knew, overall, that he's a good person. But I don't think any of us saw the lengths he went to make us happy.

Shawn: He went to Europe and found Angela

Jack: He'd ease all the pressures we went through, by being himself. We all had bad things happening, I noticed, later on, that he usually did it when things were at their worst for us.

Topanga: No matter how big our problems were, I would always stop and say "what's wrong with him?"

They all knew what she meant. He always was up to something that would make them laugh. In those times, they were all in so much pain.

Cory: Now I'm sitting here reading this and all I could think was did he ever tell us any of his problems? Or was he too busy, helping us, to worry about his own?

Rachel sat there, in silence, looking at Jack.

Jack: We saw him before he came back here.

Rachel: In Japan.

Flashback:

Jack and Rachel had been in Tokyo Japan, travelling around looking through various pieces for their jobs. Jack would pick the items they needed. This time it was for a movie set. Jack always wanted authenticity; Rachel always checked its value. They had a little time for a break, so they were making the necessary trip to the food court. They had been running around together since the Peace Corps. They really didn't see each other all the time, because of their jobs. Lately, however, she's been needed a lot more often. As they were walking over to the food court, Jack's cell phone rang.

Jack: Hello?

Eric (Over the phone): Hey Jack.

Jack: Eric, buddy how you've been?

Eric (Over the phone): Been good. Running around, taking care of business. How's Rachel? You heard from her lately?

Jack: Yeah, matter of fact, she's right here. Wanna talk to her?

Eric (Over the phone): Yeah, in a sec, where you guys at?

Jack: In Japan. Out in Tokyo, on business.

Eric (Over the phone): That's funny, I'm out here too! I have a deal I need to work out.

Jack: That's great! We should get together. When are you gonna be available?

Eric (Over the phone): How about now?

Jack: Well, we gotta do a little more shopping, and then we'll be free.

Eric (Over the phone): Enough of this. Look behind you man.

Jack turned around and saw Eric, he was right behind him. Standing there in his usual casual wear, looking at Jack, with that big smile on his face. They had missed Eric so much. He called but, they missed just seeing him there, making them laugh. Rachel ran over to him, and gave him a hug. He held her, for only a second.

Jack: Dude!

Eric: Dude!

Jack: Haven't heard from you in, like, a year. We've been wondering if you been okay.

Eric: Yeah man, I missed you guys too. I have been so busy with my projects, I haven't been around. Sorry I haven't been.

Rachel: We even tried calling you. No answer.

Eric: Come on, guys. You know I was busy, scheming and plotting, doing all kinds of crazy stuff. Let's forget about all that. I'm only gonna be available today. What say we all ditch out, and have a great day?

They really couldn't turn him down. It was Eric after all. So off they went, as usual, having fun. Talking about their lives and all the places they'd been. Eric listened, not really telling much about himself. He ran around to the arcade, playing with the children. Watching him, they couldn't help but smile. It's always fun when he's around. After the sun went down, they all headed over to a nightclub. They danced and had a good time; they didn't realize how popular Eric was with the ladies. After all of that was over, they sat on a park bench, staring at the lights of the city, magical.

Jack: I'm gonna go get us some drinks.

While he walked over to a food cart, Rachel sat there close to Eric. He had become quite a man, she really did miss him.

Eric: Hey Rachel, are you happy?

Rachel: Yes, I and Jack are both happy.

Eric (Softly): Good. I'm glad we got to hang out again.

Rachel: I've missed this.

Jack came back with three sodas, they all sat there, drinking them and thinking.

Eric: Are you happy jack?

Jack: Yeah man, I actually am. Hey keep in touch after you leave, don't leave us hanging okay?

Eric: Sure thing.

They sat there talking for most of the night. Just about life, love, and work. They were perfect, the three of them, could sit there forever. But Eric got up, and gave them both a hug. It felt so good to the both of them. Then he walked away, leaving them there to ponder what he was doing.

To The Current

Rachel: We didn't see, nor, hear from him after that, until now.

The days passed by, each day was just so slow. No one could really concentrate on anything; all they could think about was him. Some more time went by and Cory decided to read the last pages to the gathered group, but before he did, Shawn had a question.

Shawn: Does anyone else have ten grand in their bank account?

Alan: I got forty.

Mr. Feeny: I have twenty.

Cory: I got twenty.

Everyone nodded in agreement, each of them were mysteriously given ten thousand dollars!

Angela: It had to be Eric? I mean if he could find us all, I think he could send us money in secret.

Amy: What did he write down Cory?

Cory (Reading aloud): I have done everything I set out to do. I found Shawn his one true love, made sure my best-friend and my true love were happy, and I came back to Philly to see my loved ones, have a good time with each of them. As for my brother… I don't really know what to do. We built a solid relationship the older we got. I did so much for him, my gift to him is financial security, and he won't have to worry. As I sit here, writing this, I think of how tired I am. My last act is to drink this bottle of booze down, and walk to my old apartment. Once there, I'll remember all of the happiness it brought me. Then I'll go to the roof and leap, who knows, maybe I'll fly away. At least I saw to my family's happiness.

He stopped reading, it was the last page. He got up from his chair and ran into the room. He grabbed his brother's body. He couldn't control himself.

Cory: you were gonna kill yourself? You were really gonna leave us all behind. (Sobbing) Why didn't you tell us what you were going through? Huh? Why Eric? You think we wouldn't have listened? Why did you put everything on you?

Amy held Cory while he cried, even though she was as well. They all were. It was more than they could bear. "At least he didn't make it to the roof" was the only comfort they had at that point.

Jack: We should've told him in Japan.

Rachel: I know. (Softly) I know.

While they were all holding each other. Each of them, she walked over to Eric and whispered into his ear.

Rachel: You would've failed, you know? All of us aren't happy. I wanted to tell you in Japan, Jack wanted to. But we were just so happy to see you… We didn't. We haven't been together since the Peace Corps. We didn't have that kind of a connection. He knew it, and I tried to deny it. (Crying) I love you Eric, I always did. When you were talking to us about the competition, it made me upset. I hid my feelings; Jack was only being my friend, as I traveled the world. He knew how I felt, and kept trying to make me tell you. I'm sorry I waited Eric, but I'm so in love with you. I want to have your children; I want you in my life forever. (Sobbing) Please don't leave me, I love you.

Jack: Come on Rachel.

Topanga: Let's go and get something to eat. We will be right back

She gave him a kiss on his lips, his were warm. They all walked out of the room, d8umbfounded at all they had just learned today. Each of them, with a heavy heart. Inside the room his body laid, the machine, still beeping.