Joan, Helen, and Richard stood in front of Will, all of them struggling to control their emotions at the sight. Joan finally said, "Well, if you have anything to say, I guess you should just say it." Richard took a seat next to the bed. He turned to the women and said, "Would you mind waiting in the hallway?" Both of them nodded and left.
Richard took a few more seconds before he started to speak. "Will, it's Richard," he started. "I know we didn't part on the best terms the last time we saw each other, but I had to come see you anyway." He paused, wondering what to say next. Then, he had it. "I still remember when we were kids, and we could actually talk to each other, and enjoy each other's company. It hurt me so much when that stopped, and I think it hurt you too."
He was starting to tear up, but forced himself to continue. "I've always wanted us to be like that again. I hope you wake up soon, so there could be a chance of that happening. That's all I want, just a chance for real brotherhood. It might never happen, but I can at least hold onto the dream." Standing up, he thought he could see Will smile. "Goodbye, Will. I don't know when we'll see each other again, but hopefully it'll be sooner and not later."
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
As Joan and Helen waited, Helen asked her daughter, "So you really think this was the right thing for him to do?" Joan said, almost without thinking, "Oh, yeah. Even the bad parts of the past are important, and we have to acknowledge them." "Another lesson from God?"
Joan suddenly looked up at her mother. "What do you mean?" "Remember a few months ago when you gave your father and I that little lesson, and said you learned it from God?" Joan shook her head, trying to keep her relief from showing. "No, nothing like that. I just read it somewhere."
Helen went on, "So who was that boy you were talking to in the hall? The one that looked like a freaky goth?" Thinking fast, Joan replied, "Oh, no one. He's in one of my classes, and we've gotten to talking a couple times. Don't worry, he's really not my type."
Helen could tell when Joan was hiding something, and she sensed that now. However, she thought it was best not to push things any further at the moment. "Okay. As long as he knows that, it should be fine." "Oh, don't worry, mom. He knows."
Richard came into the hallway and Joan could tell he had been through a very emotional experience. "Thank you," he said. "When he wakes up, I may be coming back." For the first time in a while, Joan truly understood the purpose of her assignment, and she shared a small feeling of accomplishment, though she didn't allow herself to forget that things were far from over.