(the stage is set as a funeral. A coffin with JANE'S father's picture on top of it is noticeable. TOMOYO, JANE'S mother, is sobbing while JANE comforts her, trying to be strong for her mother's sake.. VALE pulls JANE, who is holding back her tears, aside)

(the scene changes to a bathroom)

VALE

You know, Jane, you don't have to hold your tears back. Everyone here is hurting, including me. Your father was like an uncle to me. I know you're hurting, too. It's okay to show it.

JANE

I... you... You don't get it, Vale! I've had to grow up faster than most kids. I've had to take care of myself and my mother ever since I was a kid. I've always been the one that people rely on! I can't let them down. I have to stay strong all of the time. I have to be strong for my friends and family. I can't confide in anybody because then I'll be a burden, and that's the one thing I absolutely cannot be!

VALE

You are strong. Honestly, Jane, you're one of the strongest people I know. But even the strongest need to ask for help. You don't have to be strong all of the time. Nobody can be strong forever. It doesn't make you weak; it only makes you stronger. It makes you human. And we're all only human, after all.

JANE

But I don't want to burden them-- and who am I supposed to confide in? You? You already have enough to worry about and I don't want to worry you--

VALE

Well, you've already worried me, Jane. As for who you're supposed to confide in, you have plenty of people to ask for help and advice. You have Faith--

JANE

She's only five! How is she supposed to--

VALE

Little kids are full of surprises. They understand more than you think; I know that from my little cousin, and one of your best friends, Whitney. Not to mention there's Nancy, Mr. Hill, and so many others. Not to mention the guidance counselor at your university who's spent years helping people with that sort of thing.

JANE

But they wouldn't understand! They aren't going through what I'm going through! I just don't know what to do! I just... I honestly don't even know anymore. I can't handle all of this. I don't know how to deal with all of this-- I just feel so helpless right now. I couldn't do anything for my father. I couldn't do anything for my mother. I couldn't--

VALE

Stop right there. You can't control everything. But what about all of the stuff that you did do? You've helped so many people.

JANE

...But I couldn't help my dad.

VALE

You weren't even there, Jane. You couldn't have flown all the way to Iraq in a split second to help him.

JANE

But I still feel like I could have prevented this somehow. If I had just--

VALE

You know, when my dad died in eighth grade, I felt the exact same way. I blamed myself and constantly thought about how my dad dying was my fault. I had to accept that there was nothing I could have done. I had to accept helplessness, and trudge through it to progress.

But... well, my brother took it differently. I've never told you this, and I know this is a horrible time, but I feel like this might help you.

My brother, Bryan, was more like my dad, which helped them get along a lot better. My mom and I were closer, and my brother was closer to my mom. We were still a tight-knit family either way; our bonds ran deeper than just blood.

Well, when my dad died, I tried to start the recovery process. My brother tried to, as well, but... things didn't go so well for him. Bryan starting turning to... unconventional things that would be frowned on by most people. He got suspended for two weeks, since it happened on school grounds. Nothing I said did anything. The same applied for everyone else who tried to help him.

Eventually that kind of thing takes its toll on you. He'd had enough.

JANE

Did he...?

VALE

Yeah. So then I had two deaths to blame myself for, when I was still trying to get over the first one. Quite a handful, don't you think? (laughs dryly) But I realized that I could either spend my life wasting away, convincing myself I was responsible for something I had no control over, or recover in a healthy way. The biggest thing I had to learn was letting go of control. You're used to being a rock, Jane. You are the pillar of support for your peers. A beacon of hope. But you have to take a break every once in a while.

JANE

Vale I'm so sorry that happened to you.

VALE

You can show your remorse by bouncing back, stronger than ever. Is it a deal?

(VALE grins at JANE, and JANE gives a genuine, small smile)

JANE

It's a deal, Vale.

(they embrace. It's clear that they're more than friends, but not quite more than friends. The stage goes black.)

(the scene changes to JANE'S bedroom. It's mostly pastel yellow and pastel pink. JANE enters from stage right)

JANE

Goodnight, moon. Goodnight, world... saying goodnight to the moon reminds me of you, dad. (sighs) I'm sorry, dad. I know it's not my fault now, but I'm still allowed to grieve, right?

(JANE goes to sleep. The stage fades to black. After about 15 seconds, a man walks in from stage left. It's TAKAHASHI, JANE'S father. The spotlight shines on him and follows him to JANE. All of the stage lights go on.)

TAKAHASHI

Jane. Jane? Jane!

JANE

Huh?... Dad!

(JANE sits up in bed. Once she sees who it is, she erupts out of bed and lunges at her father, hugging him tightly. Their strong bond is clear.)

JANE

I'm sorry, dad. I know it's not my fault, but I wish I would've been there for you.

TAKAHASHI

As you mentioned before, Jane, there was nothing you could have done. I see Vale's already done most of my job for me- what a wonderful boy he is. I never thought he'd let his guard down around anyone at all, even you, his best friend since you guys were babies. But I suppose I'm wrong about that. Hmph! Guess that shows just how deep your bond runs, huh, Jane?

JANE

It sure does, dad. (smiles, before looking around) This is a dream, huh. Have you visited mom?

TAKAHASHI

Tomoyo is doing fine, now that I've visited her. Nothin' like the ol' Takahashi to cheer someone up! Must run in the family.

JANE

(grins) Yup, dad. Just making sure... are you sure you don't blame me for anything?

TAKAHASHI

I'm sure. If anything, you should be blaming me for leaving you, Jane. But, you can't be in control of everything.

JANE

I could never blame you. I know you'd never, either, right dad?

TAKAHASHI

Of course.

(JANE and TAKAHASHI share one last hug and genuine smile before the stage goes dark)

(the stage switches to a fundraiser for breast cancer. It's a 5k, and people gather around tables with refreshments. JANE and VALE stand center stage)

JANE

Yeah... I know. I have too many responsibilities. I plan on dropping some of them-- not permanently, but just so that I can take a break and focus on the two things I want to do most.

VALE

Okay, so, I know this is one-- raising funds for breast cancer research. What's the other one?

JANE

Helping veterans. Basically what I've been doing with Mr. Hill and others. Mrs. Daalman needs some help.

VALE

Alright. Sounds good to me. But make sure you don't overwhelm yourself, yeah?

JANE

Yeah.

(JANE grins at VALE, and VALE grins back.)

(lights shine on center stage, on JANE)

JANE

People always ask me why I'm always dedicating my time to other people. And I know the answer.

It's because the price of love... is nothing.

There's so many horrors in this world that can't be avoided. Humanity creates these atrocities-- but humanity itself must also resist evil and do good. I realize that now.

Even if we just do a small thing, we move society one step closer to becoming a better place, for everybody.

Everything happens for a reason. Just keep that in mind.

And that... is why I dedicate myself to bettering the lives of others.