[at a support group] My friend was killed in a car accident. Her sister was with her. She was injured, and now I don't know what to say to my friend's sister.
CCounselor
What did people say to you that was comforting?
Actually, we talk a lot about what people say that doesn't comfort you at all.
G1Girl #1
"You'll see her again when you die".
G1Guy #1
"He's resting now". I was seven. I thought it meant that when my dad rested enough, he'd come back. It totally spooked me.
G2Girl #2
"It was meant to be". That's my favorite.
G2Guy #2
"Meant to be". I mean, what is that? My brother was meant to get shot?
Is there anything anybody can say?
Maybe the truth. Things like "This totally sucks".
G2Guy #2
That's what I wanted to say out loud at the funeral, but I couldn't because nobody would have understood! That and "I'm glad it wasn't me". It sounds selfish, but I'm glad to be alive. I've got a lot of things I want to do with my life.
There's been an accident.
No. But the girl does go to Lucy's high school. Their car smashed into a telephone pole. One girl was killed instantly. The other one survived, but she's not in good shape. Evidently, they were trying to dodge a kid who ran in the middle of the street.
Sarah. Just fourteen years old. This is gonna be a tough call to make, Rev. I was hoping you'd go with me.
[Matt and Simon are in the latter's new room with rock music playing on the radio]
[rushes in and turns off the music] You guys are bothering Lucy.
So? What's wrong with you? Her friend died.
[to Matt] Are you still mad at her?
[to Simon] What are you talking about? [Matt stares at Mary] Get out.
This is my room now. You can't tell me to get out. [Mary gives Simon a sincere stare. Simon then exits the room]
You're mad at Lucy? Mad about what?
I think she was going to run off with those girls. They weren't going to get a pizza.
Yeah, I do. It was written all over her face when I dropped her off, but I didn't press her on it. She was trying to trick me. How do you think I would have felt if she had been in that car? She could have been killed, too!
[walks in crying] You think I don't know that? You think I don't know that if they hadn't been on their way to pick me up, Sarah would still be alive and she wouldn't have died?
Sarah died because she was driving the car and the kid ran out in front of her!
I know that! And that's my fault too; it's all my fault!
[rushing in with Eric] What's going on?
I knew that Jen let Sarah drive the car and I didn't tell anyone. It's my fault I didn't tell anyone.
If I had told someone, she might still be alive. If I hadn't told them to pick me up, she might still be alive.
Luc, no. Don't blame yourself―
[pushes Annie away] No! Leave me alone!
We can't! We can't leave you alone! This is not your fault! It's not your fault!
It is my fault! It's all my fault! Nothing will ever be the same again! Nothing! [Annie attempts to hug Lucy, but Lucy again pushes her away and then kneels to the ground and begins crying]
How's Jen doing? Any word?
I just got off the phone with her parents; she's still in the hospital. Her leg's going to be okay. But she's got a heavy burden to carry, and... and unfortunately, it could take years to develop the strength for it. Having to be there for Jen is what's keeping the parents going. They're just so grateful they didn't lose her too- What, Annie?
I just keep thinking that Lucy could have been in that car, too.
That's so weird. I feel the exact same way, like every single person on this earth is one second away from leaving the planet, me included. And you know, it's like there must be a reason I'm here. God must have had a reason for keeping me here. Otherwise, why wouldn't I have been in that car?
Right after my wife died, I felt the exact same way. Why didn't I die? Why her? Why did she have to suffer through such a difficult labor and then die in the end?
