Keep the Faith

June 13, 2008

Anna watched her daughter, Emily, from a distance. Memories of her young, healthy child started coming back and Anna couldn't help but cry. Her son, Scott, rubbed his mother's back and told her to let it all out. Emily laid on the hospital bed, watching a video on the television screen. She held on tight to her stuff bunny, tightly and smiled as she watched. Scott and his mother watched her movements, intently.

Scott whispered, "This is her day, right mom?" Anna slowly nodded her head and cried more tears. Scott hugged his mom, "I'll miss her too," he said and a few tear drops escaped his eyes. "We all will."

"Mommy, I wish I can meet..." Emily let out a cough. "Ge-Gerard Way," Emily continued without moving her eyes away from the television set. Anna and Scott stood up and went to Emily's bed. Emily strayed away from the television and faced her older brother and mom. "I wish I can meet him before I go and stay with God." Anna stroked Emily's flawless face, slowly. Scott couldn't help but cry some more by his little sister's side.

Emily James is an eight year old girl who is diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She was born healthy, up until she was four when she complained of her body hurting everywhere. Anna took her daughter to her pediatrician and there, they did tests to see what was wrong. The results showed nothing and Emily's doctor gave her pain reliever.

All was well, until a few months after that. Emily started getting unexplained bruises around her body. Anna's son, Scott, would never hurt Emily. Emily's babysitter was the kindest sixteen year old sitter you can ask for, even in surveillance, Katie was still kind to Emily. Anna brushed it off and treated her daughter's unusual bruises.

Emily, at age five, was a skinny child. Anna asked Katie if she eats while she is gone and Katie responds with a no. No matter what both the ladies did, Emily refused to eat, saying that she was full or she lost her appetite. Anna called her pediatrician and her pediatrician recommended giving Emily vitamins to boost her eating, but noting happened. Young Emily ate rarely and Anna worried for her young daughter.

When Anna thought there were no more problems with her daughter, the unpredictable happened. Scott suddenly notices that his little sister never moves at all. She wasn't active, she doesn't jump up and down when she sees 'Dora the Explorer' on, Emily just lays there on their couch, frail and skinny. Scott worried for his sister's health and told his mother to take her to the doctor right away and Anna did.

The pediatrician could see nothing wrong, but the lack of nutrients and eating, but Scott was skeptical and asked Dr. Tina to do tests on Emily. Doctor Tina agrees, Emily undergoes many, many tests. Most are injected ones, hurting frail Emily the most. Emily screaming pained Scott and Anna and could barely watch. As a week goes by, the results are in, it shocked and made tears shed as they heard; Emily has been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Emily was rushed to the hospital to be treated as soon as possible. She underwent chemotherapy at the age of five and a half. Emily's hair falls and her frail body continues to fight to live. Scott had quit his after school activities to visit and stay with his little sister. Anna's family extended their sympathy by giving them money to pay for Emily's hospital bills and anything Anna's family needs. Both parties were pained to see young Emily undergo so much at a young age.

On Emily's sixth birthday, November 12, 2006, Scott had decided to buy Emily the copy of The Black Parade. Emily is only six, but she was a fan of My Chemical Romance through her brother's influence. Once Emily saw what her brother had given her, she tried with all her might to smile a big, warm smile that Anna and Scott loved to see. She requested her mom to play it, and especially track number eight, Cancer.

Emily, Scott, and Anna heard a piano play and then a very soothing voice started to sing;


Turn away,
If you could get me a drink
Of water 'cause my lips are chapped and faded
Call my aunt Marie
Help her gather all my things
And bury me in all my favorite colors,
My sisters and my brothers, still,
I will not kiss you,
'Cause the hardest part of this is leaving you.

Drums and guitars started playing along with the piano.

"Mommy," Emily said. Anna looked at her daughter. "Gerard writes beautiful songs, mommy. I wish I can meet him." As soon as Scott heard this, he knew exactly what to give his sister next.

Scott went into action and wrote letters to My Chemical Romance, preferably addressed to Gerard Way. Seven months passed, Scott kept writing. After the eight month, he lost hope and sent his last letter on; July 26, 2007. Scott couldn't grant his little sister's wish.

Even though Scott was sad about the letters, something good was happening, Anna and Scott noticed the improvement in Emily's health. She wasn't frail as much as before. Doctor Smith did not give them updates on the results of her tests for three and a half months already, but they could see the results for themselves.

Anna and Scott now knew that Emily has a chance, she has chance to live normal. They both wished and hoped Emily's improvements will go on. On Emily's seventh birthday, the whole family celebrated with joy and made sure Emily had fun. Emily's aunts and uncles flew many miles away just to see Emily and celebrate her birthday with her. It was happy day for everyone, even Emily.

Anna and Scott were positive, but bad news never knew the meaning of, 'stay away' or 'back off', because their hopes were to be shattered by Emily's doctor, Doctor Brian Smith.

Anna cried and Scott looked at Emily, thinking to himself, why his sister? Why this sweet, loving girl? Why?'

Doctor Smith told Anna and Scott about Emily's short lifespan, just after how they were just celebrating Emily's birthday yesterday... "Mrs. James, I'm sorry to say that your daughter Emily..." Doctor Smith pauses and looks at Emily, sympathetically. "Sh-She only has seven months left to live. I'm so sorry."

Anna threw a tantrum, enrage and at the same time, devastated for her daughter's fate. Scott tried his best to calm his mother down and tried his best to stop his tears as he did so. Doctor Smith left the two and went ahead to check up on Emily...

Scott lost all aspects of being positive, he lost hope for his sister to live longer, he lost hope to see Emily smile ever again. But a miracle happened, one that made Scott shocked and happy at the same time. The months he spent writing to Gerard Way had paid off... Gerard had replied back, two months before Emily's due date.

Dear Scott,

I'm sorry that I only replied now. The guys and I are on tour and we just checked our fan mail just two days ago.
I read your letter and I'm granting Emily's wish. Your letter really touched my heart and the guys.
You're a dedicated brother, a loving one too, Emily is lucky to have you :)

Anyway, I'll be there. My phone number is down there, call me when you want me to visit her.

xoxo
G.WAY.

present time

It was today, June 13, 2008. Emily knew it was coming, but with all her might she's trying to fight Death. Scott could not help but cry as he saw his little sister's state. Anna, now holding Emily's hand, hummed Emily a lullaby. Emily didn't want to sleep, she wanted to stay awake and fight. Scott looked at the clock, it was exactly past noon. Emily's guest is almost here.

Suddenly, the three heard a knock. Anna wiped the tears away and stood up, she knew who was coming. Scott opened the door and greeted the guest.

"Thank you so much," Scott said. "How would we ever pay you Mr. Way?" Gerard looked at Scott and smiled. Gerard wanted to do this because he cared because he was touched with Emily's story and her struggle with cancer at a young age. Gerard was also deeply moved on how this young eight year old girl, looked up to him and how Emily was inspired to fight because of the songs on The Black Parade.

Anna showed Gerard Emily, who was wide-eyed as she saw her hero walking towards her.

"Hey, Emily." Gerard said, as he sat down on the chair next Emily's bed. Anna and Scott stood there, Anna's hand on Scott's shoulder, kissing her son's head, saying, 'thank you' over and over again.

"Ge-Gerard," Emily's voice cracked. Gerard told Emily not to speak, so she can retain her energy. "C-can you sing me 'Cancer'?" Emily whispered. Gerard nodded and cleared his throat.

"Turn away, if you could get me a drink of water 'cause my lips are chapped and faded..." Gerard held Emily's frail hands and sang to the little girl with all his heart. Emily smiled and held her stuff toy tightly to her chest, Anna wiped the tears escaping her eyes. Scott never felt more happy. He felt happy that he granted Emily's last request. "But counting down the days to go it just ain't living and I just hope you know," Gerard continued.

"Mommy," Emily's voice cracked. Anna went to her daughter's bed. "I love you." Anna couldn't help anymore, she cried as she brushed her daughter's cheek.

"I love you too, Emily, with all my heart." Anna replied, choking on with pain.

"That if you say goodbye today I'd ask you to be true," Gerard continued, his voice slowly cracking as he cried.

"Scott," Emily called her older brother. Scott stood by the end of Emily's bed and smiled. "Thank you, I couldn't ask for more, thank you." Scott nodded. Emily looked at Gerard and Gerard stopped singing. "Thank you, hero," Emily coughed. She let go of her stuff toy and with her free hand took it and handed it to Gerard. "I want you to have this, please."

Gerard cried some more and took the bunny from Emily. "Thank you, Emily." Emily nodded and looked straight up.

"Please, continue the song."

Gerard cleared his throat and sang again, "Now turn away, 'cause I'm awful just to see 'cause all my hairs abandoned all my body, all my agony..." Gerard held on Emily's small, frail hand with care. Anna cried harder and Scott kept a calm face on, but inside he was dying.

Emily slowly closed her eyes and her heart monitor slowly beeped and softer and softer the sound it went... Until the line went straight and a long beep occurred.

Gerard choked the last line of the song as he held the corpse hand of Emily James, "'Cause the hardest part of this is leaving you." Anna cried harder than ever and held her daughter's head and rocked it slowly, Scott broke down in tears, and Gerard sat there; still holding onto Emily's hand, cried silently.

Doctor Smith and nurses rushed in, but Gerard stopped them. Gerard, two nurses, and Doctor Smith stood there and looked at the James family.

Anna held her daughter's head and stroked it as she cried. Scott, on his knees, cried his heart out. Emily was dead, but as she died, she smiled. Emily had met her Hero as her final wish.