Chapter Nine

Meet the Parents

They said their goodbyes and Sean took Emma to the trailer where his family lived in his car. It wasn't exactly how he pictured their first date experience. She'd never seen him like this. All she did was stand by the door and observe. The last time they were in Wasaga, Sean did all the talking and they hadn't even been inside the mobile home. This was different. They walked inside and Sean instantly hugged his mom as soon as he saw her.

His mother stated when he pulled away, "They are making him comfortable, Seanny."

Strewn about the Cameron's living room were tubs of photos and things to make arrangements for his impending and likely death. He questioned, "How did it happen? He was fine a week or two ago."

"I don't know. It all started Thursday into Friday. He was complaining all morning about pain. I thought he was overreacting you know with all his ailments. He ain't getting any younger. I didn't think it'd be what it all is." She dug in her pocket and held her cigarettes in her hand. "Then he started screaming bloody murder so we called for an ambulance and they took him. I went along and all to keep him company and help him along. That's when they ran a bunch of tests. He's in poor health too. He was unable to do menial tasks in the weeks before when he threw out his back. The liver is only the tip of the iceberg."

"Oh, Ma. I'm sorry." Sean sighed finding words but came up short.

"I'm trying not to be a pessimist son, but god dammit he's dying honey." She helplessly burst into tears. She clearly has been trying yet failing to hold it all together. She struggled to even light her cigarette, shaking like a leaf. Sean took the lighter and lit it for her. She sobbed uncontrollably and was hardly consolable. He pulled her into a hug and she inhaled her cigarette once they ended the embrace.

In the bedroom, Scott was in a morphine-induced haze drip. All Elaine can do is wait. Earlier, Tracker and Elaine were off and on going through old pictures of Sean and their entire family, as they grew up and in the parent's case, older. At the moment, Tracker was in the other room talking to their father. He was unable to respond, speak, or breathe on his own. He had an oxygen machine to do the work after years of smoking and wear and tear on his body. Elaine sighed. "I believe it would lift his spirits to see you."

They were all each other had. Elaine and Scott married young and had Carson as teens not much older than Sean now. Mrs. Cameron had a rough upbringing. So Scott sort of rescued her from a horrible and traumatic home situation with her own father. Together, they coped through shared trauma and alcohol. The dependency caused rifts and issues with their own children, and unfortunately raveled their own lives. They were bonded together. They tried their best with the best of intentions. Their addiction and alcoholism provided little comfort to their own, unfortunately.

Sean felt guilt and a tinge of regret for leaving his parents behind for greener pastures in TO. The worst part of him was not being able to hear his voice. He wanted to cry but he tried to keep his composure. Emma worried about how Sean would react to his father's prognosis. She knows how Sean gets when he's stressed and worried about things irrational or not. Sean turned his attention to Emma, "Ma, I want you to meet someone." He hoped it brighten up her spirits to finally meet someone who holds a lot of significance in his life. She looked over at the blond at the door, "This is Emma, my girlfriend."

She couldn't believe she was once again his girlfriend and she wouldn't want it any other way. She tried not to get giddy while reading the room. She put out her cigarette in the ashtray and dashed as she gave her a big hug, excited and smiling. Most likely the first genuine smile all day. "Look at her." She said to Sean before turning her attention to Emma, "Oh Emma you are a doll! I'm Elaine. I've heard so much about you."

Uncomfortable with compliments, she calmly stated, "Good things I hope. I've heard alot about you too."

"In fact, Sean said a lot of great things about you. I owe you for keeping my Seanny out of trouble. No wonder he raced back to Toronto."

Emma was amused to see Elaine walk to the kitchen and made an effort to be a good hostess. "Can I get you something to drink? We have Coca-Cola, diet Coke, and beer. Maybe we will order out while I sort through the pictures? Oh gosh, I can't believe I'm meeting you!"

"Nothing for now. Thanks." Emma observed Charlie in his big bed by the doorway awakening. He started to whimper tail wagging excitedly for Sean and his attention. He was much older now and slowly staggered to Sean. He instinctively pet him atop his head despite being overwhelmed and his thoughts were elsewhere. The springer spaniel with tail wagging and all walked gingerly to Emma he took to her instantly. Emma before long was petting him and he was loving the extra attention.

The aesthetic of Sean's parent's house was very outdated but it was modest and had character. The furniture was old and looked worse for the wear. "Take a seat anywhere you like." She offered. Emma took a seat beside Elaine on the couch and Charlie followed them there.

Sean politely announced mostly to Emma, "I'm going to see my dad. Why don't you and my mom talk, okay?" Emma quietly acknowledged and watched him disappear down the hall from her seat.

"Mrs. Cameron it's really nice to meet you. I'm sorry to hear about what's going on."

"I prefer it if you call me Elaine." She smiled in a friendly manner as she dragged over a large tub of photographs marked 1990s memories. Emma got up and helped her due to its weight and her frail frame.

She took the lid off and saw the tub filled to the brim, "So, what was Sean like when he was little?"

She answered, "Well he was shy, a little bit sensitive at times and all the little girls wanted to be his friend. He's still got a few neighborhood girls who he's stayed in touch with."

Emma asked, "Like Bree, Misty, and Camille?"

"Oh yes, you got a chance to meet them?" Emma nodded, "They're nice girls. Misty lives two doors down and Camille lives across the way. Bree moved to her own place more recently by the beach but she grew up on our street as well."

Emma asked looking at the top of the tub where she saw a photo sitting at the top of the tub them giggling at the cute factor. "Is this him?"

"Oh yes, this is when little Seanny rode his bike without training wheels for the first time." Emma placed it in his mother's hands for her to see the photograph, "He'd help me bake in the kitchen when he was that age. I believe Tracker was taking the photo." Elaine sighed, "He was such a happy little boy. They both were."

Emma could only imagine, she looked at the photo and turned it over which had the year scribbled on the backside. It was adorable, Sean's big old cheesy smile standing so proud of himself next to his bike. He was in the driveway donning blue wayfarer sunglasses. When Sean was young he had golden blonde hair but it was an oddity to see his smile she could tell without a doubt it was him. He was recognizable.

Emma always assumed people never leave people such as a family behind. Sean had a life here that he wasn't necessarily proud of for one reason or another. She was merely a silent observer but just because he wasn't proud didn't mean he didn't care about the people in town. She knew from his stories and could infer Wasaga was sort of sketchy due to crime, and was a generally rough area. All those reasons and more made it likely that he was sent away for a better chance. Emma and Elaine briefly talked about scattered childhood memories of a different time. It was nice to put a face to a name, for both of them. Elaine wished she got to meet Emma under different and happier circumstances. Nonetheless, she was happy to meet Emma. It distracted her from the morbid, and sad prognosis, calmed her down, and kept her occupied.

Sean stood at the door of his father's bedroom for a few moments before opening the door. He didn't know what he was going to say or how he'd react so he quietly and carefully prepared his words and his demeanor. Finally, he turned the knob and walked in. Tracker was holding his hand and didn't notice Sean's presence.

"Where have you been, kid?" Tracker hushed-toned questioned Sean. He gave Sean a rare hug and allowed Sean some time with their father. Sean sat at the chair where Tracker once sat and saw his dad's eyes were closed but happy to see him once they reopened.

Sean stammered out in a quiet and calm tone, "Dad, how are you feeling?"

"He can't talk," Tracker whispered reminding him. He had his hand on his shoulder to support him, he had some tears in his eyes he was taking this hard. "You gotta talk to him. I'll be in the other room."

Sean felt emotional He opened up his mouth to talk and his words fell freely as his tears. "I'm sorry Dad for worrying you. I need you to know, you've got nothing more to worry about." It was quiet in the room. All you could hear were the sounds of the machinery doing the work to keep him comfortable and his voice. Truth told, Sean and his father had a complicated relationship. It was filled with remorse, regret, and sadness. It washed over him as he spoke to him. It didn't matter the stupid things they'd argue over. It didn't matter at that moment because soon his life would be over. Even Sean knew it was a fate he didn't want for himself or to bestow onto his family or worse hold back upon.

"Mommy's sad, and sure she's scared, and I and Track are going to keep her good so you don't have to worry, alright? We'll take care of her. I'm going to miss you, but I'm here as long as you want me to be." Mr. Cameron nodded his head with acknowledgment. The heartbreak and surprise showcased in his tear-stained eyes. From the looks of it, Sean's father had hours or a day left to live. Sean felt selfish that he was partying and spending time with Emma for the past few days. Sean only had mere seconds before he would become a blubbering mess. "I met someone, well I knew her. Do you remember the girl I told you about, Emma? My friend. I finally listened to you, saying I'd attract more bees with honey in kindness." He let out a little chuckle preventing himself and prolonging his tears. "I think and I believe that is what love is like. You always said that I'll never know it with a defeatist attitude. I remember I'd get mad, but now I'm thankful for that. I never said thank you." Mr. Cameron put his hand on Sean's as he spoke which made him cry even harder. All the while knowing it was the end of the road and likely the last time they'd speak. "Thank you. I love you, dad."

Tracker came into the living room and joined Emma and his mom. "Hi Emma, I've been trying to reach Sean for the past two days but I guess somehow he got in touch."

"I'm sorry Tracker, we had no idea what happened and lost track of time."

"No worries, at least you guys are here now. I take it you guys found out through the Bishop kids."

"Yes, we did," Emma answered and they sat back on the couch.

They ordered pizza. While Emma felt a little out of place, she didn't mind being a bystander in the Cameron living room. She asked to use the phone since her battery died on hers so she can call her family while waiting for the pizza. She was sure they were likely worried. Spike answered, "Emma where are you? I know you went to a party but that was last night."

Emma took the cordless phone outside and sat on the little bench porch swing. "Mom, I'm in Wasaga, and before you panic or get mad there was kind of a family emergency at his parents. It was supposed to be a day trip but plans sort of changed."

"Oh honey, what happened?" Spike asked with concern.

"Sean's dad is really, really sick." Emma started to say sadly, "Something wrong with his liver and it's like a hospice situation. It's like bleak looking."

Spike softly expressed worry and questioned, "Oh no, are you guys alright? How is Sean?"

"He's pretty torn up honestly and we're pretty okay considering."

"When are you coming home?"

"I don't think Sean is in the state to drive me home tonight. I want to be there for him."

"So you're staying there for the night?"

"I guess, it wasn't exactly planned on it but…"

"Send them well wishes from us at home. I know Snake isn't gonna be happy about it but please be careful out there. Give me a call to update us when you can and before you guys come home."

"I will," Emma answered knowing her mom wasn't thrilled with her spending the night in a strange place. They hung up and she felt like she wanted to give her mom a big old hug when she gets home. After seeing Sean with his family, and what was going on a hug would feel nice.

"I'm sorry I put you in this situation," Sean apologized when Emma returned from the phone call. She put the cordless phone on the charger base as he added, "How was your mom?" Sean wanted to be present with his dad as he takes his final breaths.

"You don't have to apologize. My mom is okay, not exactly thrilled about me being out again tonight, granted. Given the circumstances, she's fine and sends her love."

Sean held her close to him and kissed her cheek, "Thanks for being here. Let me give you a little tour for tonight." He guided her by the hand down the narrow wood-paneled hallway to his room. A gaggle of family photos was hanging in the halls leading to it as he announced, "So this is my room." On the door, a paper bore his first name on a piece of paper and little scribbles and doodles on it.

They walked inside the small bedroom when he propped open the door. Inside were pictures of cars and motorcycles adorning the walls. Some pictures held by thumbtacks and some were framed on the walls. He had a full-sized bed, emblazoned with classic cars and trucks on his comforter and boasting matching throw pillows. Various-sized hot wheels and model cars were resting on the tiny shelves. She could see more details as he turned on the lamp. The walls painted light blue which tied in the other decor. Could use a new coat looking as if it hadn't updated since he was little.

In the closet of the bedroom, Sean pulled out a plain white t-shirt and some gray sweatpants for Emma to wear to bed. He placed them folded on the bedside table, "These should fit, for later on."

"It's cute in here." Emma marveled at his bedroom and beamed looking back at Sean. "Thanks for the change of clothes."

"Anytime," He smiled as he pointed in the direction of left as he changed the subject to the rest of the tour. "To the left out this door is the washroom, we only have one and you know where the kitchen and all are."

"Thanks," Emma said in reply and Sean again put his arms around her and hugged her unable to keep himself away.

"You're sure Christine's not mad?"

"Sean, I assure you she's not mad or upset."

"I just you know, don't want her to think anything bad."

"She won't and she doesn't I promise. We gotta keep my mom in the loop and remind her to call before we go on back to Degrassi."

"I can do that. Right now though, I'd like a kiss."

"Just a kiss?" Emma flirtatiously questioned cheesing seated on the edge of the bed.

"Just a kiss, maybe two, possibly three . . . " He trailed off. They were almost quick. They started cuddling up and showing affection inching toward her. Finally their lips met. They lingered there for a moment and then they heard the sound made by the doorbell in seconds.

Sean sighed as he pulled away slow. Their moment interrupted, defeated he announced to her. "That must be the pizza."

"Raincheck?" Piqued, Sean nodded his head yes, "Besides, pizza's good, I'm starved. We'll have plenty of time for cuddling later." Emma followed Sean out of the bedroom and shut the door behind her. They went to give his mom and brother a hand with getting the plates and grubbing on some much-needed food. The pair hadn't eaten anything since breakfast.

"Pizza's here!" Elaine announced as her raspy voice echoed throughout the house. They retreated from the other side of the house with plates and things. "So we got three pies, a double cheese, a pepperoni, and the works Tracker's favorite. Guests first, what would you like, Emma?"

She answered as his mom put a few slices on the plates, "I'll take a double cheese. Thanks."