REUNION
They say life is a whole world of events that just finishes in a single moment: Death.
People couldn’t be more confused.
Death isn’t just a moment; it doesn’t just start and end. It’s a whole process that anybody will ever be able to define. Most people are afraid of dying. This is just because everyone’s afraid of the unknown. This should change. People shouldn’t be scared of dying. We should open to the things we don’t know. They could be bad, but they also could be good.
After all, what we should be scared of, is life itself.
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia. 2:31 AM. September 2013
“Clear” A doctor shouted while holding a de-fibrilator above a young woman’s chest. All the personal around him raised their hands above and he pressed the pallets onto it. The monitor showed no change, there hadn’t been pulse for over ten minutes. “Push another epi shot” he ordered and he kept trying to resuscitate the young lady. “Clear again” he shouted again, but there was anything else to be done. She was dead.
“Time of death, 2:36” He declared and exited the emergency room. After that, he got into a rest room, threw himself into the bed and shouted into a pillow, getting up barely some seconds later. He started walking until the waiting room where he found the woman’s parents.
“Mr. and Mrs. Zubov” He said and they stood up and went to meet him. “I’m sorry. We did everything that was possible for us to do…” As he said that, they hugged each other and started to sob uncontrollably. “Her heart was very weak and we’ll try to learn what happened to her as soon as possible”.
“Nick…” Mr Zubov said. “It has always been the same about her. Drugs and more drugs” Mrs Zubov started crying louder. “We had never approved that and we have tried constantly to help her out ever since she was in high school. We cut her out of money, got her into rehab, we also did everything that was possible for us to do.”
“I understand” Dr. Nicholas Holland said. “I’m really sorry for your loss. She was a great friend for me, and even though I hadn’t seen her for years, seeing her now really reminded me of whom I was and how tight we used to be.”
Mrs Zubov approached Nicholas and hugged him. “We appreciated your effort, Nick, but right now, we’d like to see our daughter. After all, she’s finally in peace.”
“It’s alright.” He said. “Please, follow me”
FOREVER YOUNG
“Well, as you can see, not everything in a doctor’s life is saving lives. Many times, you fail at that and you lose a patient. It’s hard of course, but it’s something we are used to. You never know whose life you’ll be trying to save when you wake up, and most times it would shock you to see someone you used to know lying unconscious on a table. That happened today, and it’s still aching.
Dariya Zubov was the life we lost today. An amazing girl with a great potential. She was best known as Dasha to us. By “us” I mean our group, our brotherhood, our sanctum, what made us get through high school and onwards. This doesn’t mean high school is hard, but when you grow up in a small town and you stood up being different, you can’t expect to be treated as someone special. You mostly get treated as crap.
Dasha had a real tough trouble with drugs. That made her life a freaking hell. We always tried to help her about it, but when you’re so screwed up with something you think makes you complete, there’s not much you can do. It sucks you up, takes your vital spirit away, and takes you into a spiral of bad events.
What I can’t understand is why she started taking them again. Last time I talked to her was a year ago in a wedding officiated in Philadelphia, and all she kept talking was about how happy she was since she got out clean since she was able to exit her drug issues. Also that she had finally applied to college so she could fulfill her dreams.
But what I think is, we’ll never know the whole truth about her death and also her life, and that’s something that most people can’t deal with: the unknown.”
West Valley, Pennsylvania. The following day…
“Nobody took Dasha’s death easily. It was hard to accept that one of the people you used to know best is gone, and news run faster in a small town, so a lot of people she knew was able to come to her funeral. Dasha was still living in our hometown, West Valley, with some other I might know. That place was the epitome of survival. Our teen years weren’t easy there then, and everyone who wanted to make it big had to run away. I did that, got into Harvard and got a degree on Medicine. Now I’m working in Philadelphia which is still close to West Hell-ey, but everything has changed in my life considerably, so I don’t care about it anymore. The only thing that still drags me to come back is my parents, that deserve everything about me because of their support and love they have given to me across the years, but, being a surgeon, damn, a second year surgical resident take most of my time, so I can’t give them all my possible attention.”
People started getting closer to the grave. The West Valley Memorial Cemetery was filled with people. Dasha might have had her issues, but she and her family were mostly beloved by the community. And most know when early death strikes a small community, it’s hard to get over.”
A young lady walked across the people and reached the coffin, she stared at Dasha’s deceased body and started crying. The young man that was with her hugged her tightly while whispering in her ear words of support.
“Michael Stone and Emma Di Mercurio. Two of our best friends. He has recently got down of the bus of stardom and national recognition, while her, ironically, has just got into the bus of literal stardom as she has become an astrophysician”
Michael and Emma found Nicholas in the crowd and went to him, hugging each other in grief.
“Hello brother.” Michael said. “After all this time, one would think we were going to see each other again in better circumstances.”
“It’s been a good while, guys.” Nicholas said. “Thanks for coming. I’m sure this would have meant a lot for Dasha.”
“It’s the least we could do. We were both in town. I’ve relocated here for some months while I’m on a teaching break, and Mikey here has just ended his contract, and is also taking a well-deserved vacation” Emma replied. “Umm, Nick, I heard you were the one in the hospital who ran across Dasha. That must have been very hard, to see her, in that moment...” she started sobbing again.
“Yes, it was, but right now, let’s not talk about that. Let’s pay tribute to Dasha, because, after all, even in her funeral, she’d like us to have fun, but what we’ll just do to honor her, is try not to be so sad about her death, okay?” Michael said.
“I think that’s a good idea” Nicholas said, and Emma nodded while trying to dry a tear with her shirt’s sleeve.
A blonde girl walked to them with a sarcastic look in her face.
“Well, my eyes can’t believe what I see! Doctor Loser, Gay Fallen Star and Mer Curie altogether again like the old times.”
“And just when I think my day can’t get better, Jennifer Johnson knocks on my door.” Emma said rolling her eyes.
“I’m glad to see you guys too.” Jennifer said. “I have a very tight agenda, but when I heard Dashie had bitten the dust, my benign heart ached too much that I took the first plane from NY to here.” Jennifer said.
“Could you be even more offensive? I mean, after all this times, one can expect you have actually matured a little bit.” Michael said.
“Oh, sorry guys, geez, chill a little bit, it was just a joke from an old friend.” She said. “I’m sure all of you have been betting on how long this would happen. After all, we knew she had it comin…” She stopped talking when Emma slapped her across her face.
“How dare you, dirty evil bitch. You didn’t know her! Don’t you even dare to bedraggle her name in vain! You didn’t know her! You didn’t know a little bit of her life, and you still come to her funeral for what? To make fun of her actions? Please, get the hell out of here before I lose my mind and I send you straight to New York with my punch” Emma said as Jennifer rubbed her swollen cheek.
“Guess what? I’m going. After all, this slutty junkie doesn’t even deserve my presence here” Jennifer said as she started walking away, Emma trying to sprint to her only to be taken by both Nicholas and Michael.
“Easy, Emma, she doesn’t deserve any of your punching.” Michael said.
“What in the fucking world is wrong with her? She just can’t do that.” Emma said. “After all, Dasha might have been a junkie and worst but no one will ever know how good person she was behind that entire mask she had settled on herself.” Emma said.
“I think the most important thing is, that we know this Emma, so you shouldn’t even care about what other people says about her. We know how important she was for each of us, and that’s something that will stay with us forever” Nicholas said.
“Wow, someone swallowed a Shakespeare book before coming in the cemetery” Emma said and giggled.
“And how Emma’s mood swaps so fast is something we’ll never know.” Michael said. “Look, the ceremony us about to start” He said and they got to their seats.
The minister walked to the reading desk and started reading a poem chosen by Dasha’s parents.
“When I think of death, and of late the idea has come with alarming frequency, I seem at peace with the idea that a day will dawn when I will no longer be among those living in this valley of strange humors.
I can accept the idea of my own demise, but I am unable to accept the death of anyone else.
I find it impossible to let a friend or relative go into that country of no return.
Disbelief becomes my close companion, and anger follows in its wake.
I answer the heroic question 'Death, where is thy sting?' with ' it is here in my heart and mind and memories.”
“Today, we’re here to say goodbye to a beloved woman, to a fighter, to someone who never was able to overcome her own issues, but still never stopped fighting them” The minister said. “Dariya, or Dasha as most of you know her grew up to become a potential lady, but Death took her in its arms too soon, and so we’re here to send her soul off. Most times I would look at the sky and claim to God why we have to say goodbye to our kids, because there mustn’t be anything more harmful to a father or a mother than the action if dismissing a part of one. But when it happens, parents, you must understand that when your time arrives, your little angel will be waiting for you in Heaven” The minister got down from the reading desk and gave his place to someone else.
“Hi. I’m Duncan Reeves, an old friend of Dasha” A dark haired blue-eyed young man started talking. “I speak from behalf all my friends when I say this took each of us by surprise. That this hurt each one of us very hardly and that this wouldn’t be easy to overcome.” Duncan cleared his throat before continuing. “But today, we’re not here to be sad about her. We’re here to remind everyone of how great person Dasha was, and how many great things she would have done if she’d still be alive, and that’s something I will do until Death fetches me. I’ll keep imagining every situation in my life with Dasha besides me, because she was important to me, and she will be forever with us.” He said as he burst into tears and left his place.
Duncan found himself walking into Nicholas, Emma and Michael.
“Hello, old friends. I’m glad you’re here.” Duncan said.
“We all needed this” Michael said. “I’m sorry, Dun, I know you were the closest one to her” He said as he tried to pat his back.
Duncan moved to avoid his touch.
“Oh, sorry Duncan, I forgot” Michael said.
“It’s okay, I’m gonna be fine” He said. “So, how have you been?” He said as they started walking towards the exit.
_________________________________________________________
Michael, Emma and Nicholas were hanging out in the local pub. Suddenly, after a good couple of drinks, a lady approached them.
“Hi guys?” She said, unsure if they were the people she was looking for.
“Oh my god, Eva!” Nicholas said as he jumped from his seat to hug her old friend. “It’s been years!”
“Tell me about it. Max doesn’t do any other thing that asking about his Uncle Nick” She said, in a cold way.
“I’m really sorry. I’ve been busy as hell. I should pay a visit to my beautiful godson.” Nicholas remarked feeling really ashamed about that.
“Don’t worry. He has grown without a father; he can still grow without you.” Eva said. “Now, someone please get me a drink so we can start catching up. Sorry I couldn’t make it to the funeral. I had to work a double shift in the restaurant. Life is getting harder to keep up with.”
“I’ll take it.” Michael said. “You still dig vodka, right?” He asked.
“With some ice, please.” Eva replied.
“I’ll be right back, then.” He said.
“So, how have you been Eva?” Emma said. “We haven’t seen each other in what... two years?”
“At least, I guess. Nothing much. To be honest, there’s nothing so exciting about waiting tables. But right now, I’m excited about the future.” She said. “I might start taking distance learning classes and in some years, maybe I could get my degree on journalism, just as I planned eight years ago.” Eva finished.
“Well, that’s exciting, don’t you think?” Emma said happily smiling.
“Knowing about my life, it’s gonna get screwed up again as everything I have planned, so, I’ll just wait for it.” Eva said. “If it goes right, welcome it. Otherwise, I don’t really care.”
Michael got back into their table and handed Eva her drink.
“How much is it?” She asked, looking for her purse.
“Oh, don’t worry. It’s on me tonight.” Michael said smiling.
“Well, that’s very sweet of you Mikey.” Eva replied.
“Nah, it’s okay.” Michael said. “How are you feeling? The news has shocked the hell out of us. We just… couldn’t believe this was real.”
“Well, I didn’t take it so bad… I mean, I’m sad, and horrified of what happened, but I could be worst.” Eva said.
“I see.” Emma replied.
“Don’t get me wrong, you, guys. I’m not a feeling-less bitch. It’s just that I can’t afford more pain and grief in myself. I need to stay strong for me and my child, and if that makes me cold, I’ll have to take it in that way because if I let my walls come down, I’m not sure I could ever build them back again.” Eva said with tears in her eyes.
“Hey…” Nicholas said as he wrapped his arm around Eva. “It’s good to be strong. Most times we can’t just be broken down. That doesn’t make you cold. That makes you a person. You’re amazing, Eva, you just keep being the way you are and everything will be okay.” Nicholas kept saying after clearing his throat. “After all, Dasha would understand. And if she were here, and damn, I’m sure we have all already thought about that, she would have said something like: ‘Bitch, don’t cry. Tears are for the weak ones’ and we would smile to the sound of her voice.”
“Damn, Nicholas!” Eva said. “You’re gonna make me cry even harder. I have missed you so much, and I tried playing hard on you, but you just make me forgive you so fast.” She said as Nick giggled.
“It’s just ol’ Nick getting on your nerves. You just can’t be mad at me. It’s destiny. Every time back in high school that we argued about nonsense, we would just spend the next period talking as if never had happened.” Nicholas said.
“I know. I hate you, by the way.” Eva said.
“And I love you too, Eva.” Nick said as he hugged Eva.
“By the way, we love you too. And It’s great to see you again.” Emma said as both her and Michael stood up, getting closer to the pair and joining the hug.
“Oh, guys, by the way, have you seen Chris. I heard he was in town.” Eva said. “And since he wasn’t with you, I figured he didn’t make it to the funeral.”
“No, we haven’t seen him, but, you know, it’s not his style. I’m sure he’d honor Dasha in his own way.” Emma said.
“Yes, sure.” Eva said. “But it would have been nice to see him again. Last time I heard about him he was around Newport with his motorcycle, about to start a road trip across Route 20. Not many people has heard about him, not even his grandmother, which is always worried about him, poor woman. But now he’s here, I guess we would see him.”
“That sucks, you know. How tight we were back in high school, and how tough was for our friendship to part ways.” Michael said. “We haven’t been each of us together since like 2008 and counting… I guess I’m getting melancholic, but it would be nice for all of us being together again.”
“What about the others?” Eva asked.
“Well, I haven’t heard of Ross in some months. Last time I talked to him, we spend like two hours in the phone. He was filming some badass new movie that will thrill the audience as his previous blockbuster. He was very happy, I don’t know when he’ll come back. L.A is something you can’t just escape from and vacations hardly ever exist.” Michael said.
“And Mia has finally settled down in Pittsburg. I heard she’s doing great. She’s teaching at a local high school. From what I’ve seen, she’s happy. But you never know about her. She’s bubbly, but she can hide her emotions whenever she feels like” Emma said.
“Oh, Scott … well, Grey is doing great as well. He’s the one none of us has seen since forever. He’s in New York. He’s getting famous as a journalist.” Eva said. “At least one of us was able to get into there. When we started college and we still talked to each other for so long, I knew he had the dedication to go for it.”
“Awww, Eva, don’t worry. You’ll get that. You’re gonna be as amazing and successful as Scottie is” Michael said patting her back. “Just give it time. You have already built a family and did things none of us could even think about doing them, and you just nailed it. Trust me when I say you’re special.”
“Thanks guys.” Eva said as she took the last sip of her vodka. “Now if you excuse me, I haven’t seen my son the whole day. And I’m sure he hasn’t finished his homework with my mother. His grandma just can’t be hard on him.”
“It’s okay, Eva. Both Emma and I will stay around for some time.” Michael said.
“Yes.” Emma assured. “So, if you ever need anything, please just give us a call. We won’t have any trouble.”
“Thank you guys. I appreciate that.” Eva said. “And about you, Nicholas. Next time you come home, you give me a call and you better pay me a visit, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Nick said putting his hand next to his head in the fashion of a military maneuver. “I promise.”
“You’d better. I know being a badass surgeon takes most of your time.” Eva said. “But five minutes for a coffee and a little visit to your honorary nephew won’t kill you, you know?”
“I will, Eva. I promise. Do you need a ride?” He asked.
“No, it’s okay. I’ll take a cab.” She replied.
“Oh, come on. I’ll drive you. I haven’t drunk a little sip of alcohol. My shift starts at 4 a.m. which is in…” He said as he looked the watch on his wrist. “Damn, six hours”
“Well. I could use it, then.” Eva said. “Bye guys. See you around” She said facing Emma and Michael.
“Bye Eva” They both said in unison.
Nicholas and Eva left the building and got into Nick’s car. Just some feet away, a guy was standing in the dark. He had been watching the scene through the bar’s window. After Nick and Eva left, and Emma and Michael said goodbye to each other, leaving as well, he went inside and sat down on the bar.
“A scotch please. Double.” The guy said as he took out a packet of cigarettes from his leather jacket.
Looking through the window, he stared at his Harley Davidson motorcycle, and lit his cigarette, smoking heavily. As the bartender served his drink, he raised the glass and drank it in a single gulp.
“Another!” He claimed, and as he was getting served, he just couldn’t take it anymore and burst into tears.
After all, Christopher Montgomery was human. And you can’t keep your total badass looks when something is devouring you from inside.