Tina's entire body trembled as she sat on the stage. Principal Fletcher was giving his standard speech about good choices. A speech so oft repeated that even freshman knew it by heart. Next up Deputy Jones would talk about what happens when you get a DUI. Then Paramedic Patrick would talk about different drunk driving accidents they had encountered. Then the president of the local chapter of MADD would give her speech about how one of her sons was killed, another paralyzed, and another left with a severe TBI. Because the one who died chose to drive home drunk from a party seven years ago. She had a daughter who was currently in seventh grade who barely remembered her brothers. Then Tina would recount the horrors she had suffered just last year. She would be forced to see pictures of Louise after the accident. The images were upsetting but Tina had to agree. Her classmates needed to know just what a drunk driver could do. Deputy Jones was now talking, and Tina suddenly was going to be sick. She cupped her hand over her mouth and ran to the bathroom. She hated public speaking as it was but having to talk about losing Louise and her parents. She just could not bare it. The bathroom behind the stage was closed, so she ended up getting sick all over herself in the hallway. She ran for the bathroom where she continued to retch and cry. Now her clothes were ruined, and Big Bob was rushing back from the diner. Gene was still at Wagstaff, and Teddy was with Kathleen at the obstetrician's office.
"Tina?" Susmita called.
"I can't go on. I threw up on my clothes and it's too late to get more." Tina sobbed.
"I know. Zeke knew you would get sick. He brought you some extra clothes to change into. He wanted to help you himself but doesn't feel comfortable going into the girl's room during school hours." Susmita explained.
Susmita helped Tina get cleaned up and then the pair met Zeke in the small lobby outside the auditorium. Zeke was waiting with a small pack of mints and a ginger ale. Deputy Jones was still talking, and the other talks would be at least twenty minutes. So, Tina had time to contain herself before she had to go on. Zeke helped her take a seat on the small bench.
"T-Bird you can do this." Zeke assured.
"No, I can't. I can't. I can't relive all of that." Tina sobbed.
"I know I still have nightmares and what I saw was nothing compared to you." Zeke assured.
"But if I don't go on. What if somebody decides to drive drunk and another person has to go through this?" Tina questioned.
"Exactly" Zeke agreed.
"I wish Louise were here. She was so brave." Tina sniffed.
"Tina if Louise were here, she would say that she loved you and that you were the brave one. She would also say that she didn't want anybody else to hurt they way you are and the only way to prevent that is to share your story." Zeke explained.
Zeke was right. Tina owed it to Louise to do this. As horrid as public speaking was for her. It was nothing compared to the way Louise had suffered in the final hours of her life. Nobody deserved to die like that. Maybe Jimmy Pesto. Then for Linda who had died alone on the hard dirt floor of a shed. Nobody deserved to die like that either. Maybe Jimmy Pesto. Bob who had died because his heart could not take the double losses. Nobody deserved to die like that either. Maybe Jimmy Pesto.
"And now the Huxley High, SADD President, Tina Belcher." Principal Fletcher called.
"My name is Tina Belcher. On September Sixteenth of Twenty, twenty-two my younger sister Louise was run over by a hit and run driver who was under the influence of alcohol. Louise sacrificed herself to save my brother and myself. Suffering catastrophic injuries in the process. Nearly ever bone in her body was broken. She suffered a severe brain injury with a massive brain bleed. The hit was so strong her left leg was severed in two places and her eyes popped out of her head. Several organs were ruptured and needed to be removed. Her right leg and left arm were amputated in the hospital. Her right arm was saved but only because she was so weak. The surgeons opted to save the limb and get her awake sooner. She had over a hundred seizures in thirty-six hours. Including one that lasted the last hour of her life. She died because a piece of her skull splintered and embedded in her brain. Causing a major stroke. Even if she had survived. She would have been left with unimaginable brain damage. Louise died in the intensive care unit of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia early in the morning of September Eighteenth. She died in agony and convulsing. At only ten years old. Because somebody made the choice to drive drunk. You would think the story ends here and we can all go the end of seventh period or go home a little early. It does not end here. Because of the accident. My mother Linda Belcher turned to drugs and alcohol to numb her pain. Louise's death resulted in my parents' divorce. It resulted in my mom suffering a fatal overdose the week after Thanksgiving. The loss of my sister and my mother was too much for my father to bear and he died from a condition called Broken Heart Syndrome a mere twelve hours after my mother. My brother Gene and I are now orphans in the care of our dad's best friend and our grandfather. My brother has been in and out of the hospital over the past seven months. Suffering from severe depression and suicidal ideologies. I myself suffer from nightmares and wake up every day at the time my sister died. The tragedy did not stop at my family. A classmate of Louise's suffered a complete psychotic break after Louise died and will now most likely spend the rest of her life in a facility. Two more classmates who happened to be the sons of Louise's killer. Her murderer was attacked due to the accident. One twin suffered mild brain damage and his left side is partially paralyzed. His brother now has PTSD and a five-inch scar on his head. Both boys suffer from migraines. All of this heartache and suffering. Because one person chose to drink and drive. When you drive drunk your victim isn't always found on the road. I encourage you to please not drink this prom and graduation season, if you do, however. Please call somebody. The student council has set up an angel program. Where you will be collected by either a classmate or member of the faculty. No questions asked. Information will be sent out via text and email this afternoon. Thank you and have a safe prom." Tina spoke.
It was over. The ordeal was over. Tina could not believe the speech she had delivered. According to Principal Fletcher it was five hundred and forty-nine words. When Tina looked out at the auditorium. Even the big jockish kids who never showed emotion were crying. She knew when it came down to it. There would still be students who made the choice to drink and drive. If not at prom or graduation at some point in time. If she reached just one student. It would all be worth it.
It was now evening on the day of Tina's speech. The Belchers along with Gayle and Teddy had now gathered at Wagstaff for the big talent show. Where Gene would be preforming their song for Louise, for the first time.
Gene paced back and forth backstage. At least they were not feeling sick and vomiting the way Tina had. No, they were just sweating and crying. They did not care if they won. Even though the grand prize was a two-hundred-dollar gift card to their favorite clothing store. No, they just wanted to honor Louise. Their fear was that the song would not be good enough. Who were they kidding nothing would ever be good enough for Louise.
"You are going to do great!" Damon assured.
"But will it be good enough for a hero?" Gene asked.
"Louise doesn't want perfection. She wants you on that stage doing what you love most." Damon assured.
"I don't know." Gene sighed.
"And now debuting a song they wrote in memory of our beloved Louise. I am proud to present her older sibling Gene Belcher!" Mr. Frond called.
"No turning back now." Gene sighed.
Standing on the stage, Gene had to take what felt like a thousand deep breaths. They held their head in their hands and counted to ten. Trying not to throw up or cry. Trying to get in the zone. They looked back to see Damon giving them a thumbs up. They did not have time for this. There was no turning back. With one last breath. They began to sing.
"they say never meet your heroes but what do you do when yours dies for you?
So many bad people it should have been. The man who did it continues to live.
Yet you are gone. I guess the good really do die young. I just wish it weren't you.
I'll never forget the day you were born. Never forget the day you died either.
You were my best friend. You were my everything. Maybe it should have been me?
I'll never forget seeing you in the street. Never forget being told we would have to say goodbye.
Why did it have to be you to die? They said you may have lived it weren't for one splintered bone.
Though you would have never been the same. Different may have been better than gone.
Even broken and scarred would be better than dead. Even different would have been better than kept the same.
Yeah, because I miss you. You were the center of our family. Now you are gone. Mom left us and dad barely cares anymore.
I will miss you. I will never be the same. They say the good die young. Boy, I wish that were a lie.
Oh, I will never forget you. I will never forgive your killer. I will try to keep smiling though.
Oh, how I miss everything about you. I will try to carry on for you. I won't ever let you go.
Your sacrifice will not be in vain. Your pain will not be for naught. I will be the man you knew I could be!
They say never meet your heroes but what if yours dies for you?!
Goodbye Louise."
Gene opened their eyes to thunderous applause. Had they really done it? Damon raced out on stage and threw them into a tight hug. It was time for the next act, but Gene took Damon's hand as they walked backstage. They closed their eyes and once again pulled Damon close. There had been so much heartbreak recently and they were still fighting to overcome their depression, but in this moment. They were truly happy.
"And the winner is Gene Belcher!" Mr. Frond called.
Stunned Gene once again stepped out on the stage. There was a part of them who wondered if they had only won because they were Louise's sibling. Still winning did not mean anything nor did it bring Louise back. They accepted the gift card and small trophy from Mr. Frond. Before being ushed to the side of the stage for a picture and interview from the local newspaper.
"This is for my sister Louise. Even before the accident she was my inspiration and my hero. This award is amazing, but I would give it all away for just one more day with her. Please do not drink and drive and never leave the scene of an accident. Do not use drugs and know that even on your darkest days. There is somebody who loves you and wants you to stay here. Please research broken heart syndrome. Whether or not you are grieving. I love you Louise, I love you dad, I love you mommy." Gene declared.