A WALK TO REMEMBER by Nicholas Sparks

(Part 1)
The homecoming dance was coming up, and because of the whole Angela situation, I still don’t have a date. I called a couple of girls I knew but they already had dates, so I called a few more. They had dates, too. By the final week the pickings were getting pretty slim. The pool was down to the kinds of girls who had thick glasses and talked with lisps. My mom knew what I was going through, and she finally came into my room.

Cynthia: So Landon, do you have a date for the dance?
Landon: Umm. Haven’t found anyone yet.
Cynthia: My poor baby has no date for the homecoming.
Landon: Mom!
Cynthia: Don’t worry honey, sooner or later you’ll find someone. (leaves the room) (but before she leaves, turns around and calls…)
Cynthia: Oh Landon!
Landon: Yeah?
Cynthia: If you can’t find anyone. I’ll be willing to be your date.
Landon: MOM!!!!
Cynthia: Just kidding. Good luck honey.

So there I was, flipping through the pages in the junior class section, and I ended up with her, the reverend’s daughter, Jamie Sullivan. I thought, she isn’t bad looking, and she’s really sweet, she’d say yes to me, wouldn’t she? (Scene shifts to Landon walking to Jamie’s house) I went to their house after school. I was thinking of something decent to say. Something like, “Hey, babe, wanna be my date?” or something like. “ Yow, wanna date me?”Nope. not that.“ Hey Jamie, would you like to be my date?” Yeah that would do.

Jamie: Landon, this is a surprise! Well, I’d invite you in, but my father isn’t home, and he doesn’t’ allow boys in the house while he’s not around.”
Landon: Oh, that’s okay. We can talk out here, I guess.
Jamie: Would you like some lemonade while we sit. I just made some.
Landon: No. I’m fine.
Jamie: So what did you want to talk about? Landon: Jamie, listen, I’m only gonna say this once. “Would you like to be my date for the dance on Saturday?”
It took her quite a long time to answer. I was afraid she didn’t understand me. Or maybe thinking of a way to reject me nicely. Just as I was about to leave, she said…
Jamie: I’d love to…on one condition.
Landon: What?
Jamie: You have to promise that you won’t fall in love with me.
(Scene shifts)
This was it. The dance. My mom had let me borrow the car and I drove to Jamie’s house to pick her up. I strolled up their house and knocked on the door. Finally the door creaked open and the reverend’s face appeared in front of me.

Landon: Hello, Reverend. I’m here to take Jamie to the homecoming dance.
Reverend: Of course you are. But first I wanted to talk with you.
Landon: Yes sir.
Reverend: Okay Landon, I’ll cut it short. Why did you ask my daughter?
Landon: I don’t know what you mean sir.
Reverend: You‟re not planning to do anything to . . . embarrass her, are you?
Landon: No. Sir.
Reverend: Landon. If you do something, I won’t see it. But remember God will. This went on for a few more minutes—his grilling me about my true intentions, I mean—but luckily Jamie stepped out of the back room. She’d put on a nice blue skirt and a white blouse I’d never seen before. Fortunately she’d left her sweater in the closet. She bid goodbye and then we left to the dance. (Scene shifts to dance scene) I doubt if the evening could have been much worse, if you want to know the truth. Most of my friends kept their distance, and Jamie didn’t have many friends to begin with, so we spent most of our time alone. While I was getting food for both of us, Erica, my best friend approached me.
Erica: Jamie Sullivan?
Landon: Yep.
Erica: Why her?
Landon: I got no choice okay? And she’s not that bad.
Erica: How about the reverend?
Landon: Long story. I’ll tell you later. Once the music started we hit the floor, and it turned out that she was a pretty good dancer, considering it was her first time and all. And after that we headed to the tables and had what resembled an ordinary conversation. Not long, I heard someone calling my name. I turned and saw Angela. Looking drunk and walking with a bottle on her hand. She approached our table.

Angela: Hi Landon! You miss me? Cause I miss you. So bad!!!!
Landon: Angela. You’re drunk. Let me get you home.
Angela: Drunk. I’m not drunk. Then she pointed at Jaime.
Angela: Oh. So she’s your date? Your Jamie right?
Jamie: Hello. Angela
Angela: Nice to…. And then she puked. Jamie and I carried her to the Ladies’ room where Jamie helped her. Brushed her hair from her face. And Angela even manage to puke on Jamie’s shoes. I was so ashamed. We took Angela home. And then I took Jamie home just before midnight. When we were in her footsteps…
Landon: Please don’t tell your father about this.
Jamie. I won’t. I had a good time tonight. Thank you for taking me to the dance.

Here she was, covered in puke, actually thanking me for the evening. Jamie Sullivan could really drive a guy crazy sometimes.
(Part 2) A few weeks after the homecoming dance, my life returned to normal. But then I received a call from Jamie, asking me to act the part of Tom Thornton in the school play – Christmas Angel. The play was actually written by Reverend Sullivan and everyone in Beaufort believes that the play is inspired by the loss of his wife. Which means Tom Thornton was actually Reverend Sullivan in real life. So when Jamie asked me if I can play the part of Tom Thornton, I don’t know what to say.

Jamie: I’m not asking you to do it for me. I’m really not, and if you say no, I’ll still pray for you. I promise. But if you’d like to do something kind for a wonderful man who means so much to me… Will you just think about it?

Jamie turned away, but I could see the tears in her eyes. It was the first time I’d ever seen her cry. I think part of me wanted to cry, too.

Landon: I don’t have to think about it. I’ll do it.

Jamie looked at me and smiled. I really didn’t have a choice, did I?

At the rehearsals the next day, Ms. Garber called our attention.

Ms. Garber: As we all know, we will be doing the play- The Christmas Angel. And this year will be very special because Jamie Sullivan would be the Christmas Angel. Let’s all clap for her. (clap) And also we have a change in casting, formerly Eddie was casted as Tom Thornton but now, acting for the role of Tom Thornton would be Landon Carter. (clap) Now, the first thing I want all of you to do is memorize your scripts and work well with your co-actors. Now, go on. Everybody now. (Scene shifts) (People moving around with scripts in hand)

My noble feelings about doing the play had worn off by the second day of rehearsals. Even though I knew I was doing the “right thing,” my friends didn’t understand it at all, and they’ve been making fun of me since they found out.
Erica: You’re doing what?
Margaret: You’re doing the play with Jamie Sullivan?
Erica: Are you insane or just plain stupid?
Margaret: Looks like you got a crush on Jamie.
FRIENDS: (laugh)

(PART 3)
So the night of the play came, many people watched. We went through our scenes just as we’d rehearsed them; no one blew their lines though no one was spectacular or anything. The next scene was the appearance of the Christmas Angel. My back was turned from where Jamie entered, but I heard the crowd collectively draw a breath as soon as she appeared on stage. I thought it was silent before, but now it went absolutely hush still. I readied myself to turn around, and when I did, I finally saw what it was all about.
For the first time since I’d known her, her honey-colored hair wasn’t pulled into a tight bun. Instead it was hanging loosely. She wore a touch of makeup, not a lot, just enough to bring up the softness of her features. She was smiling slightly, as if she were holding a secret close to her heart, just like the part called for her to do.
She looked exactly like an angel.
I just stood there looking at her for what seemed like a long time, shocked into silence, until I suddenly remembered that I had a line I had to deliver. I took a deep breath, then slowly let it out.
Landon: You’re beautiful.
I finally said to her and I think everyone in the whole auditorium knew that I actually meant it.

(PART 4)

To my surprise, I saw that tonight her hair hung loosely, just as it had the night of the play. Instead of the old brown cardigan I’d seen so many times, she was wearing a red V-neck sweater that somehow accentuated the color her light blue eyes.
Jamie : I’m sorry we started without you but the kids were just so excited.
Landon: It’s okay.
Jamie: I’m so glad you could come.
Landon : So am I.
Jamie smiled and reached for my hand to lead the way.
Jamie :Come with me. Help me hand out the gifts. We spent the next hour doing just that, and we watched as the children opened them one by one. To me, at least, it seemed that all of the children had received far more than they’d accepted, and they kept thanking Jamie over and over. The tree lights cast an ethereal glow as “Silent Night” played softly in the corner. I was still sitting on the floor next to Jamie, who was holding a young girl who’d fallen asleep in her lap. We were both gazing up at the lights on the tree. To this point it was the best Christmas Eve I’d ever spent.

Landon: I bought you something. A gift, I mean.
Jamie: You don’t have to do that.
Landon: I know, but I wanted to.
Jamie: Could you open it from me? My hands are kind of full right now.
Landon: You don’t have to open it now, if you’d rather not. It’s really not that big of a deal.
Jamie: Don’t be silly. I would only open it in front of you. So , I opened the gift quietly so that it wouldn’t make much noise. After setting the paper off to the side, I lifted the cover and pulled out the sweater, holding it up to show her.
Landon: See, that’s all. I told you it wasn’t much.
Jamie: Its’ beautiful Landon. I brought you something, too.

She looked toward the tree, and my eyes followed her gaze. Her gift was still beneath the tree, partially hidden by the stand, and I reached for it. I brought it to my lap and held it there without even trying to open it.
Jamie: Open it.
Landon: You can’t give this to me. I already knew what was inside, and I couldn’t believe what she had done. My hands began to tremble.
Jamie: Please, open it. I want you to have it.
(Landon touches the Bible. Jamie place her hand above Landon’s . )
Jamie : Thank you for doing what you did. It was the best Christmas I’ve ever had.
(Landon glances away. Drinks punch)
As I drank, all the times I’d spent with Jamie came flooding into my mind. I thought about the times I’d walked her home and how I’d helped collect jars and cans filled with pennies for the orphans.
As these images were going through my head, my breathing suddenly went still. I looked at Jamie, then up to the ceiling and around the room, doing my best to keep my composure, then back to Jamie again. She smiled at me and I smiled at her and all I could do was wonder how I’d ever fallen in love with a girl like Jamie Sullivan.
(PART 5)
On New Year’s Eve I took Jamie out to dinner. It was the very first real date she’d ever been on, and we went to a small waterfront restaurant in Morehead City, a place called Flauvin.
She looked around, lost in wonder.
Jamie: It’s beautiful here
Landon: So are you
Jamie: You don’t mean that.
Landon: Yes, I do. (holds her hand) (After eating, music starts to play. Both of them dance.)
The lights were dim, and when the singer began a slow melody, I held her close to me with my eyes closed, wondering if anything in my life had ever been this perfect and knowing at the same time that it hadn’t. I was in love, and the feeling was even more wonderful than I ever imagined it could be.

(PART 6)
I was walking her home from Cecil’s Diner on the Saturday before school started up again, a day blustery with a fierce, biting wind. We were walking slowly, even slower than usual, and I could tell she wasn’t feeling well again.
She was quiet as we walked, and I knew that she was thinking of a way to tell me something.
Jamie: People think I’m strange, don’t they?
Landon: Yes.
Jamie: Why?
Landon: People have different reasons.
Jamie: Do you think I’m strange too?

I put my finger beneath her chin, lifting her head up and making her look at me again.

Landon: You’re wonderful, Jamie. You’re beautiful, you’re kind, you’re gentle… you’re everything that I’d like to be. If people don’t like you, or they think you’re strange, then that’s their problem.

I looked in her eyes, smiling with all the feeling I could muster, knowing that I couldn’t keep the words inside any longer.
Landon : I love you, Jamie. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me. It was the first time I’d ever said the words to another person .As soon as I said the words, though, Jamie bowed her head and started to cry, leaning her body into mine. I wrapped my arms around her, wondering what was wrong. She was thin, and I realized for the first time that my arms went all the way around her. She’d lost weight, even in the last week and a half, and I remembered that she’d barely touched her food earlier. She kept crying into my chest for what seemed like a long time.
Jamie : Please don’t say that. Please…
Landon: But I do
Jamie: I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.
Landon: Why are you sorry? Is it because of my friends and what they’ll say? I don’t care anymore—I really don’t.
Jamie: You can’t be in love with me, Landon. We can be friends, we can see each other… but you can’t love me.
Landon: Why not?
Jamie: Because…I’m very sick Landon Landon: So what? You’ll take a few days… A sad smile crossed her face, and I knew right then what she was trying to tell me. Her eyes never left mine as she finally said the words that numbed my soul.
Jamie: I’m dying, Landon. (Scene shifts)
Eventually the rest of the town knew about Jamie’s condition. While we were sitting and reading the Bible, Erica and Margaret came to visit Jamie.
Erica: I’m so sorry Jamie. I know I haven’t been a good person to you. I’m so sorry. (cries)
Margaret: Oh Jamie. This shouldn’t happen to you. You’re too young, Jamie. I’m so sorry for everything (cries)
On February 14, Valentine’s Day, Jamie picked out a passage from Corinthians that meant a lot to her. She told me that if she’d ever had the chance; it was the passage she’d wanted read at her wedding. This is what it said:
Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.
Jamie was the truest essence of that very description.

(PART 8)
Landon: I’d like to talk to you. I wouldn’t ask unless it was very important.
The Reverend listened as I told him what was on my mind. I don’t know what he was thinking, but thankfully, he didn’t say no. Instead he wiped his eyes with his fingers and turned toward the window. Even he, I think, was too shocked to speak. I ran back to Jamie’s house. When I arrived, the nurse opened the door.
Landon: Is she awake?
Nurse: Yes. When she woke up, she wondered where you were.
I walked into Jamie’s room, partially closing the door behind me. She was pale, so very pale, but her smile let me know she was still fighting.
Jamie: Hello, Landon. Thank you for coming back.
I pulled up a chair and sat next to her, taking her hand in mine. Seeing her lying there made something tighten deep in my stomach, making me almost want to cry.
Landon : I was here earlier, but you were asleep.
Jamie: I know. I’m sorry. I just can’t seem to help it anymore.
Landon: It’s okay, really..
She lifted her hand slightly off the bed, and I kissed it, then leaned forward and kissed her forehead as well.

Landon: Do you love me?
Jamie: Yes.
Landon: Do you want me to be happy?
Jamie: Of course I do
Landon: Will you do something for me, then?
Jamie. I don’t know if I can anymore. (looks away)
Landon: But if you could, would you?
Jamie: Yes. I would.

Finally getting control of myself, I kissed her again, then brought my hand to her face, gently running my fingers over her cheek. I smiled softly, and she returned my affection with a slight squeeze of my hand, as if trusting me in what I was about to do.
Encouraged, I leaned closer and took a deep breath. When I exhaled, these were the words that flowed with my breath.

Landon : Will you marry me?

(Part 9)
We were married by Hegbert in the Baptist church, my father standing beside me as the best man. That was another thing she did. Jamie had brought my father and me together again.
Mr. Carter: I’m proud of you son.
Landon: I’m proud of you too, Dad.
Just as she’d wanted, the church was bursting with people. I saw everyone I knew—Miss Garber, Erica, Margaret, Eddie, Sally, Carey, Angela, and even Lew and his grandmother—and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when the entrance music began.
(Doors open. Jamie seated in her wheelchair with a nurse by her side. Jamie stands shakily as her father supported her. Jamie and Hegbert slowly made their way down the aisle)
Halfway down the aisle, Jamie suddenly seemed to tire, and they stopped while she caught her breath. Finally she nodded slightly. With that, Jamie and Hegbert started moving again, and I felt my heart surge with pride. It was, I remembered thinking, the most difficult walk anyone ever had to make. In every way, a walk to remember.

(When Jamie, reaches Landon. Everyone clap. Jamie sits on the wheelchair. Landon kneels . Hegbert retrieves his Bible and stand before them. Opens the Bible, then looks at Jamie and Landon. Hegbert kneels too. Reaches for Jamie and Landon’s hand. Linking the three of them together. Vows. Rings.Kiss. )

Curtain Close.