To Save a Life

Today we come together to remember

the life of Roger Andrew Dawson.

Although we know

he had so much life left in him,

we thank God for the 17 years we did have.

- So, what do you want to do today?

- I figured it out this time.

Man, I hit the gold mine.

We're gonna be rich!

- Am I gonna get grounded again?

- Jake, that's a risk I'm willing to take.

- Trick or treat.

- Trick or treat.

Boys, it's the middle of July.

I love what you did with your hair.

You're crazy, man.

And God, we don't always understand why,

and we choose to trust You,

even in our pain.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Jake.

Jake, I'm so sorry.

Oh, Jake.

It means a lot that you came. You two...

Had you two spoken lately?

Did he say anything?

Freshman year, Mrs. Dawson.

Starting at guard, averaging 15 points

and 11 assists,

the 6' freshman phenom, Jake Taylor!

Three-pointer by Jake Taylor!

Twenty-two points, 11 assists.

You make us freshmen look good.

Thanks.

So, why is there a birdie on your bag?

It's the mascot for the University of

Louisville. I wanna play there someday.

Okay. You going to the party?

Yeah. Wait, what party?

You're so funny.

We could go together.

Here, give me your phone.

- Hey, Jake!

- Hey, Rog.

Hey, my friend, Roger,

we were gonna hang out tonight.

Is it cool if he comes, too?

Our car only has room for one more,

if you know what I mean.

Just hold on.

Am I seeing things

or were you just talking to Amy Briggs?

Yeah.

Well, let's get out of here, man.

Mom already ordered the pizza, so...

Rog, I can't go.

Wait, what?

I just talked to you before the game.

Amy invited me to a party.

Okay. Well, cold pizza's still good.

So, where's the party?

You can't go.

I get it.

Things are gonna be different now.

Roger!

Freshman year.

Last time I spoke to him was freshman year.

- Here you go.

- Thank you.

Where... Where's mine?

Why don't you get your girlfriend

to get one for you?

- Okay, you know I don't have a girlfriend.

- Hence you have no latte, either.

She got you on that one, dude.

Yeah. You know, your mom got me, okay?

She's an attractive woman.

Your mom and I, we get along.

I'll talk to you about that later.

The Big Ugly has jokes.

Say something funny...

All right. Okay, you call me "The Big Ugly"

one more time, I'm gonna kick your ass.

Sorry. I'm sorry. Sorry, dude.

Okay, no hard feelings.

You want to get out of here?

You know I don't need much

to skip calculus.

- Hey, check out that gimp.

- Hey, go by, go by.

What's up?

Nothing.

Come on.

Hey, that's good.

Cheers. To us.

To us.

- To you.

- To me.

To me.

Eighty school days left before you leave

for Louisville.

- It's gonna feel like 800 with my folks.

- Stop it. Your mom is not that bad.

- Yeah, but my dad won't stop riding me.

- Jake.

I mean, you know him.

He won't stop trying to live out

his failed dreams through me.

Well, I will go beat him up for you.

Look at these guns. You are really strong.

I think you could take him for sure.

I am pretty strong.

You know what?

I think we should be cool parents.

- Who says I want kids?

- I did.

That's a good point.

Really, really good point.

Stop! You're making me spill.

Here, I'll take that for you.

- You know what? I wrote you a love letter.

- A love letter.

Like a love...

Like, you're in love with me letter.

- Like, just read it.

- Okay.

Let's check it out.

- You got into Louisville?

- Yeah.

Early admission.

Well, your big secret's out.

Everyone's gonna know

how brilliant you are.

Yeah, well,

I have tried very hard to hide it, so...

And we get to be together,

just like we always planned.

Amy Briggs, you are incredible.

I love you.

My girl is amazing!

Louisville's down by two

with 10 seconds to play.

Inbound to Taylor.

He brings the ball up court.

He's double-teamed as usual.

He drives.

One, two, three. He shoots! Two, one...

Taylor and the University of Louisville

are national champions!

Get down! Get down!

Roger.

You don't want to do this, man.

It's too late, Jake. Like you ever cared.

We're live here at Pacific High School

as students are arriving for the first time

in two and a half weeks,

after senior Roger Dawson

opened fire in the school,

taking his own life.

Security has been heightened here

at the school with a police presence,

metal detector searches and ID checks.

Grief counselors are also here on campus.

We, of course, will keep you updated

on any late-breaking developments

as the story continues to unfold.

I was so scared. I mean, did you see him?

He looked so evil.

Like, I thought I was gonna die.

- Have you ever seen him before?

- No.

- What up, Jake?

- Hi, Mr. Will.

I saw you at the funeral.

I didn't know you were a friend of Roger's.

- From a while back.

- You doing okay with this?

- Yeah, yeah. It's cool.

- You see a counselor yet?

- No.

- You should.

- I'm good.

- Think about it.

That kid's just lucky I wasn't there, man.

I was. It wasn't like that.

Right. Why are we still talking

about this kid?

Okay, that little freak

made us forfeit three games.

Will you shut up, man? It was intense.

No. What's intense is

the El Capitan full-court press.

That's intense.

This last game of the season with our

city rival couldn't be more exciting!

Sixteen seconds left.

Jake Taylor brings up the ball.

Pacific is down by one, 67-68.

Basket by Jake Taylor!

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