Just Like Barbara Jean

Hi, my name is Ben.

ME: How is he?

This is Jeremy.

JEREMY: Well, the good news is there isn't going to be anymore news until we figure out what to do.

And this is Jackson--lying in a hospital bed.

When I heard about the bus accident, I got to the hospital as soon as I could. Nathan, Ritchie, and Davis were already there.

ME: What's the news?
NATHAN: All of them suffered from hypothermia. Billy's in stable condition. Hank and Adam are in intensive care. Joey managed to get out first.
DAVIS: Shocker.
RITCHIE: Davis, please.
NATHAN: Jackson's actually the hero of the story. He got the back door open so they could all get out as the bus was going down.
DAVIS: Not all of them. The bus driver died upon impact.
RITCHIE: They still haven't found Murray's body either.

Then I heard about Jackson.

ME: So what are your options?
JEREMY: Right now, they consider our mother pretty much brain dead. She's living only because of the machines. Jackson needs a transplant. Liver and lung. If we were to decide to take my mother off life-support, then we could--
ME: What? Swap out?
JEREMY: There's really no other way.
ME: So you have to decide whether or not to let Joan die so Jackson can survive?
JEREMY: Pretty cut and dry, huh?

I could see that Jeremy was hurting.

JEREMY: God, I want a fucking drink right now.
ME: Hey, it's okay.
JEREMY: It's really not okay. This is awful. It would be one thing if Mom would just die, but something about pulling the plug so we can harvest her organs is just--
ME: Look, no matter what you decide, you have friends who will love and support you.
JEREMY: I just...I need something stronger right now.

I knelt down and wrapped my arms around him.

ME: I love you.
JEREMY: I know.
ME: No, I love you. I never stopped.

He pulled back and looked at me.

ME: I can help you, if you let me. I can be here for you.

I wasn't sure what he was going to do, but then he pulled me back to him.

And I knew I wasn't planning on leaving for a long time.