The Long Journey of Emily B. Harthwan

The Great Blue Whale

I was let home the next day. I didn't do much, sat outside, wrote some lyrics...then I remembered the task Charlie gave me. I ran up to his room, and saw his sign that read STAY OUT MY ROOM from when he was around five. It was falling off the door. When I went inside, it took me a minute to figure out where I was. His room was painted dark blue, his bed was made, he had license plates hanging on the wall He had his shelf of old stuffed animals, and his books in one corner, but I knew where to look to find his great blue whale.

It was sitting on his bed, like it always has. Once a bright blue, now faded after 14 years of much love. I sat down on the bed, with only thoughts of my brother and all the fun we used to have. The pond, the café, just being around him. The dream, and why her told me to look in the...pocket? I didn't even know there was a pocket. I searched the whale, until I found it, hidden in the shadows. I opened it, and what I saw made me gasp.

There was at least $500 in there. I didn't even know he had $500! I found his favorite key chain, the Peter Pan one that read "You can fly!" on the back. That was his favorite Disney movie of all time. And at the very bottom of the pocket was a letter, written out to me. I looked old, like it had been sitting in there for a while. The date read December 14, 2012. That was when he was first diagnosed. I opened it an began to read.

Dear Emily, we just got back from the doctors, but I already know... I'm dying. It might take a few years, but it's bound to happen. So when it does, I want you to take some advice.
First, don't pity me. Go outside and enjoy the world while you still can. It's a beautiful world outside, sometimes you just have to look.
Second, pursue a music career. You want it so bad, I can see it, and I have faith you can make it big. I believe you can do it if you really want it.
Third, go inspire someone. Make their day by doing something nice. It can go a long way.
Fourth, find love. It exists, and sometimes in the most beautiful and spectacular ways. And in some cases, it can be found in hopeless causes. But it's real and waiting for you.
Finally, become someone. The world doesn't have to know you, but you can become someone to one person, and that's all you need.
Remember, I'm always watching you, and I love you. Make me proud of my decision.
Love, Charlie
What decision?