The Poem:
When Kaitlin came downstairs the next morning, Ryan was eating breakfast. "Hey Kaitlin," he said. He showed no sign of annoyance having Kaitlin in the house, or surprise at her being there. Kaitlin had just gotten a bowl of cereal when the phone rang. Ryan and answered it, then handed the phone over to Kaitlin. "It's your friend Mia," he said. "Thanks," said Kaitlin. "Hey Mia," she said into the phone. "What's up?" "I have some news," she replied sadly. "Sara's parents are here and have been to see her. Alex told me. She's brain-dead Kaitlin. Sara is only alive on life support, and when her parents turn the machine off, she'll die. I think they will do so in a few days."
Kaitlin was speechless. She really thought Sara might pull through. "Are we allowed to see her again? Will Sara's parents let us? I know that if they want to, they are able to sue us. Do you think they will?" asked Kaitlin. "They have been really understanding about it actually. Nothing they do will bring Sara back, and they know that, and I don't think they have the energy for a legal battle. They also know Sara took the pill using her own free will; it isn't like we forced her to. I really hope they don't sue us. I'm so scared Kaitlin," said Mia. "I'll see if Marissa can take me to the hospital today. I'll ask her if you can come with us." said Kaitlin. She said goodbye to Mia and hung up. Marissa came downstairs, with her hair still wet from the shower. Ryan picked up his briefcase, gave Marissa a kiss of the cheek and headed off to work. "Marissa, my friend Mia rang," said Kaitlin. "She's back in Newport too but her boyfriend Alex told her Sara's parents are here. Sara is alive only on life support. She's going to die." Kaitlin burst into tears. "Sara is one of my best friends. I don't know what I'll do without her," she said. Marissa gave her a big hug. "Would you like me to take you to the hospital to see her?" she asked. "That would be great Marissa. Do you think we can take Mia as well?" asked Kaitlin. "Of course," said Marissa. Now go and get ready and then you can ring Mia."
Kaitlin's visit to see Sara did not go well. It was very clear Sara was never going to wake up. Sara's mom, Helen told them that this would be the last chance they would get to see her alive; they were going to turn off her life support tomorrow. It turned out most of their family lived in California; so the funeral was to be held in Newport. The McAllister's, although terribly upset, were not very mad at Kaitlin, or any of they other kids there when Sara took the pill. "I know you kids are very sad about Sara's situation, as we are, and that you tried your best to save her," said Sara's dad David. "It is a hard thing to turn off her life support to let Sara die, but it is something we must do," said Helen.
Sara's funeral was set for the following Friday. All of Sara's family, friends, schoolmates and teachers were in attendance.
First Helen and David made speeches about Sara, then her grandmother, Charlie, Mia and last of all, Kaitlin. "Sara was one of my best friends," she began, trying to be brave but having to blink back tears. "Sara was very bubbly and full of life. She was adventurous and fun-loving, always willing to give things a go. Sara really wanted to see the world, and she most wanted to go to Australia. It was her greatest ambition to be a lawyer. It is hard to believe that she is not still here with us, and we will all miss her very, very much." She tried to continue, but couldn't. She began to cry. Kaitlin dried her tears. "I would like to finish with a poem about Sara, so here goes," she said. Kaitlin began to read:
"Sara was my dearest friend,
She said she'd be there 'til the end,
When I was down or under the weather,
She always made me feel so much better,
When I laughed or when I cried,
She was always there and stood by my side,
Sara had a smile that could brighten the day,
And always had something nice to say,
As I make my way, through the century,
You'll always be in my memories,
So, Sara until we meet again,
You'll always be my closest friend."
Kaitlin went and sat down between Ryan and Marissa. "That was a lovely poem Kaitlin," said Marissa, who was also teary. "Thanks, sis," said Kaitlin, and buried her head in Marissa's shoulder.
At the end of the funeral, all Kaitlin's friends told her how lovely her poem was. Even Sara's parents said it was very sweet. She had quite a bit to drink then. It made her feel numb and took away some of her pain.
Kaitlin was very quiet on the ride home. The alcohol made her dizzy and she still couldn't believe Sara was gone, that she'd never see her again. She sat around Marissa's house, moping for a few days, still mourning over her friend, and then she realised: Sara would not want to see her like this. If she was watching over her, she wouldn't want to see Kaitlin unhappy. She knew it would take some time, but somehow she would be happy again.
Marissa thought it was time to talk to Kaitlin. Since the letter had come, informing her of the fact that Kaitlin had been expelled from Evergreen, Marissa had hired Kaitlin a tutor to make sure she wasn't behind in schoolwork. Kaitlin was making progress, but clearly she was still very sad about Sara. She had to do something. Marissa knocked on Kaitlin's door. "Come in," she called. Kaitlin was lying on her bed reading a magazine. "Kaitlin we need to have a talk," said Marissa. Kaitlin sat up. "I know you probably don't feel like it right now, but I think we should sign you up at Harbor. It's an excellent school, and I think it might do you some good to go back to school." Kaitlin nodded. "You're probably right. I don't want to miss more work, and I can't to back to Evergreen, so I should probably try and make some new friends." "Mia was expelled too, I spoke to her mother, and she was planning to send Mia to Harbor too, so you'll already have one friend," said Marissa. "I'm not going to force you, but I think perhaps you should go to therapy. It really helped me, and you're going trough a lot of stuff. Not just Sara but those pills and I noticed you had a lot to drink at the funeral…" Marissa trailed off. "Actually I think it's a good idea. I might find it helpful," said Kaitlin. Marissa was surprised. She didn't expect Kaitlin to be willing to go to therapy. "Okay, well I will ring Dr. Milano in a minute. He was my therapist, and he was really great. You can't see him tomorrow, Mom and Dad get back from Hawaii, and we have to meet them at the airport. You'll have to tell them, I'm afraid, but hopefully Mom has mellowed over her holiday, but I doubt it," she said. "Thanks Marissa, for everything," said Kaitlin. "What are sisters for?" replied Marissa with a smile. "I'll see you later," she said, and went downstairs to ring the therapist.