It suddenly seemed unnaturally cold, Woody found everything painted in a stiff stillness that washed everything in a contrived white that clouded his thoughts. She looked down at the ocean and swallowed. She looked over the city of Boston, she took in the lights and the noises. The dogs barking, the sirens of the police cars, the boats in the harbor. Woody could see the look on her face, the scars in her eyes.
"How do people do it?" she asked softly, her hair fluttering behind her as a sail.
"Do what?" Woody just wanted to keep her talking, keep her calm.
"Go about their lives without going crazy… I look at other people and I know they have problems… it just seems easier for them, to go about their lives without the hollow sound in their voices… I wish I could do that…"
Woody took in a sharp breath, " I don't know, you know, somedays I feel like I just wanna die, but then I think about all the people who care about me…" Woody felt himself pause… " My Brother, My friends… what about you…"
"My Mom died when I was two and I guess my Dad couldn't handle it so he took off when I was seven… I was raised with my aunt."
"Don't do this, think of your aunt… I don't know her but I'm sure she loves you very much."
At this Emma shook her head, a solitary tear fell down her smudged face. "I can't… I'm so ashamed…" with this she slowly stood, her eyes fixed on the stars above her… small, sparkling dots in the sky, peacefully blinking above her. And suddenly Woody felt like he would cry. She was just a little girl, scared and alone with a hole inside of her the size of a buick. It didn't make sense, this girl should be out at the mall, not standing alone on a bridge, about to end her life. She looked at him with such desperation that all he had inside twisted into a knot.
"Tell me." He persisted softly… she looked out at the waves, sloshing underneath her and after a moment she spoke in a soft, shaky voice.
"Tommy told me he was in love… he promised to always take care of me… Now its been seven months… and I'm pregnant… I told Tommy and… and… Tommy ain't here anymore." She paused, looking at Woody with eyes that looked to be the eyes of age…
"This can be fixed, I promise you… It isn't the end of the world… come down… I promise you, it'll be alright, it isn't the end…" he promised feverently, looking from to Santana who looked down as if she already knew the answer.
"No… It is the end…. " she pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket and handed it slowly to Woody. Who looked at it with trepidition for a moment before taking it with a quivering hand. His heart broke…. A positive HIV test.
Tears were streaming down her face as she held something else in her hand. She lifted a crucifix up bitterly and laughed. "Tommy told me he was in love… give me one good reason why I shouldn't jump tonight." Woody looked down at the paper then up at her and it seemed that all was already said… he couldn't find one reason. With that she simply stepped a little closer to the ledge.
"You see." She whispered throwing the pewter crucifix at him. He didn't reach for it but allowed it to fall at his feet. " I'll always bear my cross." Their eyes locked once last time before she fell, he watched as she disappeared from view, but it was like she was still standing there, looking at him with those crystal blue eyes. Her dark hair swirling around her white face. A hint of a smile on her sad, blue lips. And all he wanted was for her to be safe… maybe she found her peace.
He looked down at his feet and picked up the crucifix. He looked out at the bright lights of the city… and he couldn't turn away, All he wanted was Jordan… he had to find her. He saw the lights… for a moment they blinded him… but only for a moment."I'm sorry... Emma Grace Collins."