The present…
Emma Simpson-Nelson felt sort of like Zach Braff in Garden State. After a long time away from home, she felt obligated to come back, Snake's cancer had come back and taken him away from her family. She couldn't feel anything but numb. She saw Jack and her mom crying, but she couldn't get herself to do the same. She saw so many familiar faces, but couldn't get herself to face their condolences. But she knew they would start coming as she saw an old friend coming towards her.
"Em, how's it going?" Manny Santos asked softly.
"Hey Manny, long time no see."
"I know; you look great Manny. Thanks for coming."
"Hey, I'm always here for you."
"I know. How did everyone know about this?"
"Liberty works at Degrassi. So does Spin"
"Spinner works at Degrassi?"
"Yeah, he's a pretty good guidance councilor. He's been through at lot, like the rest of us."
"I'm impressed."
"But yeah, Liberty called a bunch of us up. Some people saw it in the newspaper. You know that Craig and Joey are having everyone over afterwards, right?"
"Yeah, my mom mentioned something about it."
"Are you coming?"
"I don't … I don't know."
"Em, it'll be good for you to go. You know, to see everyone again."
"Okay."
A glasses-less, taller, well-dressed Toby Isaacs walks up to Emma and Manny. "I'm so sorry. Mr. Simpson was a really good guy."
"Thank you, Toby."
"You're looking good these days."
"Thanks. So how are things?"
"Things are good. Computer business is going well. I also wanted to tell you, Ash is sorry she couldn't be here, but she should be in soon for the Michalchuk-Mason wedding. European tour or something like that."
"Toby, it's okay, you don't need to explain."
"Oh, and JT should be landing soon. I have to go pick him up."
"What, no limo for the famous comedian?" Manny asked smugly.
"JT, he just wants things to be normal at home."
"He's famous. He can't have a normal life."
"And because of your belief in that, you two broke up."
"Shut up, Toby."
"Whatever Manny, you've got that pretty boy tv star now."
"Em?" Manny asked as Emma walked towards a guy who was walking away from Snake's grave. Emma didn't hear her. She was transfixed on the back that was swiftly walking away from her.
"Jay?" she asked.
"Yeah, what?" he asked while turning around. "Oh… Emma."
"What are you doing here?"
"Just paying my respect to good old Mr. Simpson."
"Since when do you care about Simpson?"
"Ever since I cared about a little lost Simpson-Nelson."
"Please, you never cared about me."
"Emma, I'm not going to fight with you about that right now."
"Oh, let's just get this over with."
"Emma, you're hurting real bad right now."
"So?" she asked moving closer to Jay. "Doesn't mean I can't debate with you."
"Emma, how about I take you to Craig's? You need to be around people who aren't me."
"Jay, I just want to talk."
"We should have talked about nine years ago."
"Whatever," Emma mumbled as she walked away.
"You can't keep distancing yourself until you're ready to deal, you know that?" Jay called out to her.
"Em, who was that?" Manny asked.
"Just someone from the past."
"Okay… you want to go to Craig's?"
"Okay."