FRIENDS Til The End

Chapter 6 - The One With The Truth Revealed

                I was going through some of my stuff when I see a videotape mixed with some of the books I decide to bring with me. I was going to ignore it when I see its label: “For Emma’s 18th Birthday”.

                I then get the tape and start playing it. I’ve watched this a million times but I still can’t help but laugh at Grandma and Grandpa’s message, Joey’s “How you doin’??” Chandler and Aunt Monica’s ‘wrath’ about not being able to leave because of me, and Phoebe’s original song that she decided to give me as a birthday present. Until now, one of my biggest dreams is still to have friends like them. Someone who will be there for you more than a family member ever would.

                Laughing so hard, I forget that Mom and Dad’s messages are gonna be up next. Before being able to turn it off, Dad has started talking. “Hi Emma! So, your first ever party is over. I don’t know if your party now is still going on but given that you’re already watching this, maybe it already is. I just want you to know how much your mom and I love you so much. And that we have no doubt that you’re gonna be one of the smartest and most beautiful ladies there ever will be in this world. And that someday, you’re gonna grow up just like me—”

                “Hey!”It’s Mom. “Lemme.” The camera then pans to her. “Hi, baby girl. But you’re already a lady now, ‘coz you’re already watching this. You know what? When I had you, it was the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my entire life. You’re the reason for the person I’ve become today and I love you so, so much. You can watch this 18, 30, or 50 years later but you will still be my number one baby girl.”

                I almost can’t see because my tears are flowing non-stop from my eyes. If only Mom knew how much I love her, too... if only she knew that having her as a mother is the best thing that happened to me, as well... if only I’ve said those things to her before it was too late...

Joey and Rachel’s

                “What??” Chandler couldn’t believe what he just heard. Something must be wrong. Maybe his ears weren’t working right anymore.

                “Rachel has cancer and it’s already on its last stage.” Joey felt his knees start to weaken as he started telling Chandler the truth. “She didn’t want anyone to know... not even me... I just happened to see her come out of the hospital one day so she told me.” Joey kept shaking his head, like it was gonna change something, like it was gonna make everything better.

                “And th-there’s no chance that she’s gonna get... better?” Chandler didn’t want to hear the answer to this but he knew he had to ask.

                “We’ve gone to every possible doctor we can go to. They all said the same thing. The only thing we can do is to wait.”

                Chandler had never seen Joey this sad before. Now he understood. This must be really killing him. “But... that can’t be... I mean, how come she’s never known?”

                “You know how busy Rachel is. She kept ignoring and ignoring and ignoring it before she realized it was too late.” It was then that Joey started to well up. “I can’t believe it, man. I just... I don’t know what else to do. I see her go through this damn thing every day. All I want is to tell her that everything’s going to be okay. But that’s just so hard to do when I, myself, don’t believe that anything is ever going to be okay.”

Ross’

                Ross just got home from work when he saw his three kids on the dining table, talking seriously with each other. They didn’t seem like they noticed he’d arrived. “What’s the deal?” All three of them were startled. Ross chuckled. “Hey, relax.” They all gave him a hug. “How are you?”