Everyone Counts
…three months after Josh's graduation
Drake was annoyed but not entirely surprised that he didn't have all the credits
needed for graduation. It was Mrs. Hafer and some other teachers who wouldn't just
pass him because "he had cancer." Audrey and Walter were disappointed but
understanding that it was due to the aftermath of Emme's death that was the main
reason why Drake did not really give a shit about his studies. He could've gone to
summer school, but Drake Parker had other more important things to do with summer.
So without a long, droned out lecture it was decided that Drake could go back to
Belleview in the fall and it wasn't even for a full day. His classes would be from nine
until noon. How strange it would be to go back to Belleview period never mind without
his dorky studious brother by his side. Josh and Mindy compromised and both
decided to go to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
The one thing Drake was eager to get back to was his music. If Emme pushed
everyone at St. Patrick's away, Drake did that very same thing with his band. A few of
the guys were going off to college themselves and only thought of the band as "hobby"
and some had new bands and were quite angry at Drake. Understanding that he had
cancer, but didn't appreciate being ignored. And Drake would have rectified that on
some small-accepted non-revealing emotion guy level, but he had other things that
needed to focus his energy on. Drake was sitting on the dusty rose-colored sofa
playing random guitar chords.
"Drake," Audrey knocked on the door, she missed Josh, it was nice having Drake
around for awhile longer, "You had a phone call while you were in the shower."
He put his red Fender Stratocaster on Josh's bed. Mrs. Watson gave him two of
Emme's Hermes scarves, the amethyst and sapphire blue ones that he attached to
his leather guitar strap.
"Who was it?"
She handed him the yellow post-it note.
"Brian Richards."
Oh, yeah, he auditioned for his band when they were both sophomores at Belleview.
"Thanks, Mom."
Drake could tell it was difficult for Audrey to let go, and he was okay with the fact of
being "mothered" just a little bit. He knew Mrs. Watson didn't have that chance
anymore, even though she still had a son who was still alive.
He was quite proud of her for staying sober. It couldn't have been easy.
With Audrey gone there was something that Drake had to do. He was quite dreading
it, but all he had to as look at the photo that Josh took of him and Emme by the
Nichols-Parker Christmas tree and swallowed a big chunk of his pride.
He was going to have to swallow more than a chunk when he was surprised on who
answered his brother's cell phone.
"Josh went to the store."
Boy it didn't take long for you guys to shack up.
But Drake was quite impressed that Josh and Mindy were able to hide this from both
sets of parents.
"Oh, damn—I guess I'll ask you after all. But you have to promise me, Mindy that you
won't say a word to anyone. Because if you do, well, just remember who knows your
little secret."
"What is it, Drake?"
She was glad he was alive to torment her, but he did have to be such a pain in the
ass? She didn't even get the chance to make jokes about his having to take some of
his senior classes over. But Mindy knew that was due to his girlfriend passing away
and then felt guilty for wanting to make fun of him.
It would never be like the 'old days' again.
Wow. Mindy was dumbfounded. She walked into her and Josh's small kitchen and sat
down at her laptop.
"So, you'll email me those links?"
"Yes, Drake, I'm on the computer right now."
"Good. In a weird way, I'm glad you know instead of Josh. He'd worry too much."
"I have to say. I don't know what you plan to be doing, but you and Emme were lucky to
have each other. I'm sorry your time with each other was so short."
Drake coughed, he wasn't about to be reflective over the woman he loved with 'The
Creature' (ah, it wasn't the same) Mindy Crenshaw.
"Thanks," Was all he couldsay in response, "I got your emails."
"Good. I'll send you more."
"And remember don't say a word to anyone, Mindy, I'll tell everyone when I'm ready."
"Relax, Drake. I have to go. Josh just came home. Bye."
"Bye."
There that was done. He couldn't believe he was going to do something so
uncharacteristic of himself. But it was all for Emme. If his talks with Mrs. Watson
around her kitchen table were supposed to go anywhere, then he had to do his fair
share of the work.
It was going to take some time.
"I won't let you fade away," Drake said to her photograph wanting to kiss it, but
conscious of Mom or Megan walking in, "I just won't."
Everyone's life mattered.
Everyone's life counted for something.
Everyone counts.
Drake Parker was going to make sure the whole world knew about Emme Jessica
Watson and that her life was not in vain.
Hers was a life that counted.