Forever, Part 7

(Back in Bay City, outside Jake and Vicky's house as the mail is being delivered.  In their mailbox we see a large manila envelope addressed to Vicky with a "Document search" label as part of the return address.  Vicky approaches the door and picks up the mail)

Vicky: (looking through the mail) Bill, bill, Publisher's Clearing house . . . "You may have won millions of dollars . . . "  (laughs) Been there, done that.  The only thing Grandfather ever did that was remotely decent.  What's this? (looks at the large manila envelope) Oh . . . this must be the stuff on Becca. But, maybe Jake's right . . . maybe I should just throw it away. (walks over to the trash can) Yeah, it's not right to do this to Becca.  But . . . it could help Marley.  But . . . if Becca wants to keep her past to herself, she has every right to do so.  I should respect that. (throws it away and starts to walk away)  I should, but . . .  Okay.  What do we have here?  Driver's license, rent agreement, hospital records, juvie reports . . . Hang on. this stuff is . . . there's nothing from . . .  In fact, nothing at all before 1984.    No birth certificate, no school records, nothing.  Man, Becca, when you said your life began at age ten, you really meant it, didn't you?  There's no evidence that you even existed before 1984.  There's got to be a . . . (knock at the door) Who is it?

Chris:It's me.
Vicky: (Goes to the door and answers)  Hi Chris.  What's up?

Chris: Hey, Vicky.  Jake here?

Vicky: (a little distracted) No. you just missed him.  He went in a little late today.  

Chris: Oh. Okay. We must have just missed each other. I may have some more info on that story we've been working on.

Vicky: That same story you guys have been working on for like weeks? (looks down at the papers and worrying a little about Becca)

Chris: yeah.  The same one.  We just can't seem to get a handle on this one.

Vicky: (suddenly interested) What do you do when that happens?

Chris: When what happens?

Vicky: When something appears to be one way and then you find out that it may not be but that you just can't get a handle on what it is?

Chris: Well, I'm not sure I get what you're asking but when I find some sort of mystery, I figure it out.  You know, I dig until I find something I can grab on to, something I can get a handle on.  Does that answer your question?

Vicky: Sort of.  How EXACTLY do you know where to dig?  You know, where to start.

Chris: Well, you start with what you have and work backwards.  Go to where your information came from and start there.  Go to the source, where it all began and try and figure things out from there.  Why all the questions anyway?

Vicky: What? Can't a girl be interested in her husband's work?

Chris: Yeah, I guess.  By the way, Congratulations.  Jake told me . . . or rather the ENTIRE STAFF at the top of his lungs.

Vicky: (beaming) Thanks.  We're pretty happy about it, too.  So, I 'll tell Jake you were here if I see him before you do.

Chris: Please.  Bye, sweetie.

Vicky: Bye. (Chris leaves)  Go back to the source, huh?  Okay, well even the earliest of the documents seem to be from Chicago.  So, what do you think sweetheart (looking down at her still flat stomach) You ready for your first trip to the big city? (phone rings and Vicky picks it up) Hello?

Jake: Hiya gorgeous.

Vicky: Hi, Jake.  Chris was just here looking for you.

Jake: He on his way back to the office?

Vicky: Yeah, I think so.  

Jake: How do you feel?

Vicky: (smiles into the phone) I'm fine, Jake.  Really.

Jake: And the little one?

Vicky: She�s fine, too . . . Daddy.  Is that why you called, Jake?

Jake: Can't a guy worry about the mother of his children??

Vicky: You just left, Jake.  Really, I don't think you�ve even been gone an hour.  If you're going to do this every day until August . . .

Jake: What??  You'll go crazy?  Just get used to it, baby.

Vicky: No.  I was going to say that I'm the luckiest, most loved woman in the world.

Jake: Yes, you are.  And don't ever forget it.  But, I did call for a reason other than just to check up on you two.

Vicky: What is it?

Jake: If you're sure you and the kids are okay . . .

Vicky: You have a meeting or something tonight.

Jake: It's this story . . . we have a lot of work to do . . .  but I don't like leaving you alone.

Vicky: It's okay, Jake.  I'm pregnant, I'm not dying.  How late you gonna be?

Jake: I may not make it home at all tonight . . . but if that's not okay . . . I can come home . . . you're more important than any . . .

Vicky: It's fine, Jake.  The boys have a sleep over tonight, and I have some things to do anyway (glancing over at the table where the papers on Becca are)

Jake: What things???

Vicky: Just things, Jake.

Jake: BABY things???

Vicky: Well, not exactly, but it is something I'd like taken care of before she comes . . .

Jake: If you're sure you don't need me.

Vicky: I always need you, everyday, every hour, every minute.  But I think I can manage.

Jake: You're the greatest.

Vicky: I know.  Remember to eat something, okay?

Jake: Okay.  Take care of yourself, and kiss the kids for me.  All three of them.

Vicky: I love you.  Did I mention that?

Jake: I love you too.  (Both hang up)

Vicky: (talking to the baby) Well, since Daddy's busy with his own little mystery and your brothers have their own little adventure as well . . . How's about we figure out this little mystery over here? (Grabs purse and papers and heads out for Chicago.)

(Scene opens with Vicky walking into that sleazy strip club Becca used to work in. Vicky walks straight towards the back of the club where she remembers the "dressing rooms" were.  She recognizes one of the "girls" from before)

Vicky: Hi.  You used to know Becca. right?

Tracy: (a woman with long dark hair and more dark brown freckles than one would think possible)  What is it to you?

Vicky: I'm a friend of hers, and I was wondering . . .

Tracy: Look lady, I don't know who you are and I don't know any "Becca", so . . .
Vicky: Please. Look. I'm not trying to hurt her, or you . . . I just want some information . . .

Tracy: How do I know you're not a vice cop?

Vicky: Do I LOOK LIKE A COP? Come on . . .

Tracy: Look, lady.  I got nothing to say.

Vicky: (opens her wallet and a picture of Jake and the boys falls out and Tracy picks it up) I'll pay you.

Tracy: What're you doing with a picture of Jake McKinnon?

Vicky: (A little confused at first and then gets it) He's my husband.  Oh, right. Look . . . I'm Vicky . . . Vicky McKinnon.  (Pointing at Jake and the boys) That's my husband, Jake.  You know him. And those are our boys..  Steven and Kirkland . . .
Tracy: (smiles) So . . . How is the old drunk anyway?

Vicky: Sober and happy, thanks.  We're going to have another baby.

Tracy: Really?  that's cool.  You the chick who got Crystal outta here?

Vicky: Well, yeah I guess.  She and her son live in the same town that Jake and I do.  Actually, we've become real close.

Tracy: Yeah?  How is her kid?

Vicky: Josh?  He's fine.  Spends a lot of time with my boys actually.  Kind a like a little brother.

Tracy: That's cool.  I'm happy for her and the kid.  Always figured Crystal, er . . . Becca? Is that what you called her?

Vicky: Yes.

Tracy: Well, yeah, anyways.  Always figured she didn't really belong here.

Vicky: Did she work here long?

Tracy: Oh, yeah.  Since she was like 17 or 18, I think.  Never forget the night she came in.

Vicky: So you were here before her?  What had she been doing before she cam here?

Tracy: She was on the streets.  Had been for a while would be my guess.  She had that look.  I could tell right when she came in, she had nowhere else to go.  I remember that night when she came in the first time.  She was just a scared kid.  Not that she'd admit that to a living soul.  Liked to pretend she was a real tough cookie.  But she was tired.  Cold, and tired.  And not the kinda tired that a good night's rest can cure.  You know?  She was tired of everything.  Yeah, tired and hungry.  She came in that night with Harry, ya know, he owned the place back then, and she was practically starving. Looked like a drowned puppy dog, too.  It was in the middle of a rainstorm. Harry gave her a blanket so she'd stop shivering and all the food she could eat.  And let me tell you she ate like she had never seen food before and wasn't sure she ever would again.  After she was done, she looked straight up at Harry and said, "SO, what's that gonna cost me?  And don't gimme some dollar amount cause we both know I ain't got no money and you ain't that type  a' guy."  Harry laughed.  Said later there outta'd be a picture of her in the dictionary under the word "spunk".

Vicky: (laughs) Yeah, that sounds like Becca.  Then what happened?

Tracy: She said "So, let's get this over with.  Where's your room?  Or do you get off on an audience?"  She started to get undressed right then and there.

Vicky: She EXPECTED to have to sleep with him for food?

Tracy: That's how things work on the streets around here, honey.  Sex is a valuable commodity. For some of these kids, their bodies are the only thing of value they have.  Anyway, Harry told her to save it for the paying customers.

Vicky: (to herself) Oh, God.  (to Tracy) Do you know anything at all about her life before that night ?

Tracy:  Not much.  There was a guy I think.  Nick or something.  And there was that old man who would come in lookin' for her when she first got here. Sweet old guy, too.  Thought he might've been a relative or somethin' but Cryst . . .
Becca said he was just some old man she used to know.

Vicky: What old guy?  What did he want?  You remember what he looked like?

Tracy: He wanted to get her outta here.  She said no and that this was her life now and he didn't know anything about what she was really like.  It's a shame though.  Really seemed like he cared about her.  Eventually, he gave up though I guess.

Vicky: Remember his name or anything else about him?

Tracy: Yeah.  She called him "Antonio".  He runs a pizza place across town with his wife. (there is a commotion behind them and suddenly . . . )

Cops: All right, ladies, and I do use the word loosely.  You know the drill. Hands behind your backs.

Tracy: What??  What're we doin'?  We just talkin' here.

Cop: Well, let's see today's charges are . . . indecent exposure, contributing to the delinquency of minors, soliciting, illegal gambling . . . and anything else I come with by the time we get Downtown.

Tracy: (Walks up to the Cop and starts to fondle his chest a bit) You didn't feel that way the other night, now then did you?

Cop: (Takes he hand from his chest and binds in to her other one in handcuffs) Come on, let's go.  You too, blondie!

Vicky: Me?  I'm not . . . I'm just here to . . . there's been a  mistake . . .

Cop: Yeah, Yeah.  Tell it to the judge.

Vicky: LISTEN TO ME!!!!  My husband is the publisher of The Herald.  You know, the paper in Bay City???

Cop: Yeah, so?  You've obviously been engaging in extracurricular activities. Come on already, we got some lovely new friends for you . . . (Handcuffs her and drags Vicky and everyone out of the club)

Vicky: HEY!  WATCH IT!!!!  GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF ME!!!  YOU ARE SOOO GOING TO REGRET THIS!!!

(At the police station)

Vicky: I need to see the captain.

Cop: Uh huh, yeah, lady . . .

Vicky: Look, I'm trying to be civil here.  I need to see the captain of this police station NOW.  What part did you not understand?  Do I need to say it slower?

Captain: (who has heard all of this and takes one look at Vicky and is instantly amused) Can I do something for you, Miss . . .

Vicky: MRS.  Mrs. Jake McKinnon, you know the man who owns and publishes "The Herald" . . .

Captain: Fine.  MRS. McKinnon, I'm busy here, what is it that you want?

Vicky: Actually, as it happens I know how busy you are . . . before I got married, I was engaged to a police captain.  Maybe you've heard of him, Ryan Harrison?

Capt: Ryan Harrison . . . Ryan Harrison . . . Bay City, right?

Vicky: (Suddenly relieved that someone is listening) Yes!  That's it.  From Bay City!  Thank Heavens.  Can you please tell this idiot to let me out of these handcuffs!

Capt: Rogers, Get Mrs. McKinnon out of her handcuffs. (cop comes over and releases Vicky's hands)

Vicky: (rubbing her wrists) Thank you.  Surely you can see there's been a mistake.  You see I can explain . . .

Capt: No need.

Vicky: Oh. Well, okay.  Now, if you'll just give me my things, I'll be out of your way and you can get back to work.

Capt: (Still with that amused look on his face) Oh, really . . . that's all you want, huh?

Vicky: (getting a little nervous by that look on his face) Yes . . . I'm so sorry to have troubled you . . .

Capt: Rogers, have you booked Mrs. McKinnon yet?

Cop: No.

Capt: Put her in a holding cell for a while, okay.  I have something more important for you to do than book a common tramp.

Vicky: WHAT?!?!  Ya know, it's been a long time since anyone called me a tramp, but I was never COMMON!!!  Err . . . anyway, I thought you were a fr . . .

Capt: Bay City's a one horse town.  We do things a little different here.  You see here, when people get arrested, they usually stay arrested. Regardless who they sleep with.  We work by the book here.

Vicky: WAIT!!  Doesn't your book at least say I get a phone call?

Capt: (points to a phone of a nearby desk) There's the phone.

Vicky: Thank you.  (There is a cop standing so close to her he is almost on top of her)  Can I have a little privacy?

Cop: Nope.

Vicky: (glares at him and then sits on his desk and "accidentally" pushes all of his files to the ground before dialing Jake at The Herald.)  Umm . . . Hi, Jake.  Where am I? (in that Samantha Stevens way) Well . . . Chicago.  Why? . . . Well, I sort of got into a little trouble.  No, no, no, no we're both fine.  No, I'm not in a hospital.  We're both fine, really.  I'm in a well . . . I got . . . Well, I'm in jail.  Ummm . . . the 34th precinct (He yells into the phone and Vicky holds the phone out away from her ear) Can you come and get me? (Again screaming coming from the phone and she holds away from her ear) Thanks.  See ya then, I lov . . . (Hangs up) (to the cops) Man, is my husband going to kill you guys.  If I were you I'd just gimme my stuff now and forget about this whole little mix up.

Capt: Now, you can put her in a holding cell, Rogers.

Vicky: I'm telling you . . . You guys are really asking for it here. (cell door closes)

(Next scene opens with Jake walking into the Police Station boiling mad)

Jake: I'm Jake McKinnon.  Where the hell is my wife?

Vicky: (From the cell next to him) Uh, hi honey.  

Jake: (goes over to the cell) Are you all right?

Vicky: Yes, except these people . . .

Jake: (turns away from her in mid sentence) Where do I pay bail?

Cop: Over at the cashier where you came in.

Jake: (turning back to Vicky) I'll be right back. (to the cop in a very controlled almost scary voice) Let her out now.  

Cop: Sir, until you pay bail . . .

Jake: (with his hands gripping the desk almost completely losing it) Unless you want your face and this whole precinct on the front page  . . . (His knuckles go white and looks as if he could crack the desk any second)

Cop: ( a little afraid of Jake exploding) Okay . . . sir.

Jake: (returns) All right, let's go, Vicky.  (takes her hand and basically drags her out of the station)

(They get back to the cottage)

Vicky: (trying to nuzzle up to him and he is sooo not into it)  Hey, I am okay, you know.  

Jake: Let's just go upstairs, Vicky.

Vicky: What's wrong??  You've barely said three words to me since Chicago.

Jake: (all red in the face and totally losing it) WHAT'S WRONG?  WHAT'S WRONG, VICKY???  That's what I'm wondering!!!  What the hell is wrong with you????

Vicky: (shocked) Jake . . .

Jake: Why were you even in Chicago, Vicky??  What did you do, say, "Hey, Jake has a meeting and the boys are at a sleep over so I'm gonna hit the big city??"

Vicky: No, I went to that club Becca used to work at and I guess there was a raid or something.

Jake: The club?!?!?  VICKY, WHY IN GOD�S NAME WERE YOU THERE?!?!?  A strip club for heaven's sake!!!  Were you trying to get arrested?!?!?

Vicky: I was TRYING to get some info about Becca.  You know, for Marley!

Jake: I told you to stay out of that, Vick!  You could've been hurt!!!  The baby could've been hurt!  What the hell is so important about Becca's past anyway??!?  Is it that she doesn't want to talk about it?!?!?  Is that it?  Did it never occur to you that there might be a reason she doesn't talk about it? Ever think it might be a little dangerous???

Vicky: (starting to cry a bit) I just wanted to  . . . I thought . . .

Jake: No.  Vicky, you didn't.  If you had actually thought ANYTHING, ANYTHING AT ALL . . .

Vicky: (crying quite a bit now with her head in her hands sitting on the couch)  Things just didn't make sense, Jake . . . I'm sorry I scared you.  It's  just with Marley acting soo weird and Becca . . . and my Mom's been all weird too.  Oh, Jake, I'm sorry.  You're right . . . I would never do anything to hurt this baby . . . (more crying)

Jake: (sits down next to her) No, look.  I'm sorry, Vick.  I know you would never to do anything to hurt the baby.  Okay.  Now what's all this about Becca?  What don't you understand?

Vicky: I got all this stuff on Becca and well, it looks like she didn't even exist before 1984.  I mean . . . Jake . . . there is nothing about her before then. No birth certificate, no school records, no nothing and I just thought . . .

Jake: (starting to get mad again) You just thought what?  That you would go poking around in the WORST part of Chicago to find out things one of your best friends has told you repeatedly that she doesn't want you to know?????  Come on, Vicky. I told you I thought it was a bad idea that day in my office.  I told you someone was going to get hurt.  What if . . . 

Vicky: Kissing his face a little get him out of his recurring hysteria)  It just didn't make sense to me, you know how I love a mystery.  You would've done the same thing . . .

Jake: BUT I'M NOT PREGNANT, VICKY. I told you I didn't want you nosing around . . .

Vicky: (putting her legs in his lap) Don't you even want to know what I found out?

Jake: (a little calmer, finally) What?  What did you find out, oh most infuriating but beautiful woman in the world? And start at the beginning please.

Vicky: (smiling all cute like a little girl) Okay.  Well, that day in your office . .

Jake: When I told you not to do this . . .

Vicky: You told me not to hire Gary and I didn't.  You wanna hear this or not?

Jake: Go on.

Vicky: Okay.  So that day I saw this ad on your computer for some sort of document search service.  You enter a name and a few other things and they give you all the documents on that person.  You know . . . birth certificate, driver's license, stuff like that.  And I figured that would be just the thing to convince Marley that there is no way Becca could be whoever she thinks she is.

Jake: Okay. So what happened?

Vicky: (gets out the papers to show him)  Well, look.  There is nothing before 1984.  Becca once told me that her life began the day she met Nick and from the looks of this stuff, she wasn't kidding.  It's almost like she came out of nowhere at ten years old. And then Chris  came over and said . . .

Jake: Chris is involved?  I'LL KILL HIM.

Vicky: (puts her hands on his face) Don't.  He had no idea what he was saying

Jake: (sighs deeply) All right . . . So what did he say?

Vicky: He said that when something doesn't seem to fit for him he goes back to the source.  He goes as far back as he can in the story and . . .

Jake: Since all of this stuff comes from Chicago and you knew she used to work in that bar . . .

Vicky: Yes.

Jake: So'd you find out anything?

Vicky: Yeah.  I talked to this girl, Tracy.  Who knew Becca. In fact she remembered the day Becca first walked in.  Oh, Jake, it was sooo sad.

Jake: What was?  What did you find out?

Vicky: She was starving, Jake, literally.  Tracy said Becca looked like she had never seen food before.  And she was freezing, too, Jake.  The owner gave her food and a blanket and . . . (Vicky starts to tear up again)

Jake: What?!?

Vicky: Becca expected to have to . . . She thought she'd have to actually sleep with him to pay for the food. Tracy said that he didn't even ask, Jake. She just thought, no, assumed, that would be the price.

Jake: So, Becca had to . . . for food?  I'll kill him!

Vicky: No, she didn't.  He said he liked her spirit and put her to work stripping instead.  Jake . . . the girl said Becca was like 17 or 18 when all of this happened.

Jake: Oh, God. Poor kid.  Makes Lassiter look like heaven, doesn't it?  She say anything else?

Vicky: Yeah.  She mentioned someone named Antonio who came by looking for Becca when she first started working there.  It sounded like he might've been . . .

Jake: The man who ran the pizza joint Nick and Becca lived over when they were teenagers.

Vicky: That's what I thought.  Tracy said she thought he did run a pizza place across town.  I thought I'd . . .

Jake: Hold on there, Vick.  You're not doing anything.  I agree all of this is definitely weird and more than a little depressing, but you are not doing any more sleuthing alone. You got it?!?  

Vicky: But, Jake, I really think Marley . . . and . . .

Jake: It's too dangerous, Vicky.  If Becca really was like Tracy said, she must have been on the streets for quite some time . . . and even Becca admitted that she was hiding from someone in that warehouse with Nick.  You're not doing this alone anymore.  Well, I'm not going to convince you out of this . . . am I?

Vicky:Nope.

Jake: That's what I thought.  So, no more solo missions.  Okay, Mrs. McKinnon?

Vicky: I still love that you know.  You think I'd get used to it after all this time but I haven't.  Okay, Mr. McKinnon, no more solo missions..  (goes to shake his hand)

Jake: What's that for? (pulls her closer by her legs until she's basically sitting on his lap) That's better.  Let's seal this deal properly. (kisses her)

Vicky: I am sorry if I scared you, Jake.

Jake: I know of a way you could make it up to me . . .

Vicky: Oh, really . . . now what could that be? (kisses him)

(they continue to kiss as he picks her up and they go upstairs)

(That same night.  Becca and Joshua are over at Donna's penthouse (where she still lives btw).  Becca has been studying all day with Donna drilling her.  The GED is coming up in a few days (weeks?) and they are both getting a little tired.)

Donna: All right, darling, Let's do this again . . . Why was Kansas called "Bloody Kansas" in the years before the Civil War?

Becca: because there were all these people fighting over it.

Donna: Yes, but why were they fighting?

Becca: Over whether it would be a slave or a free state?

Donna: Good. Don't forget that part . . . It's the most important.

Becca: Mmm Hmmm . . . (Yawns) I think I heard Josh . . .

Donna: No, you didn't hear him.  He's sound asleep.  Now, the causes of the Civil War were . . .

Becca: Bosses who deprived their employees of sleep "for their own good".

Donna: You do look a little peaked.

Becca: (turning to look at Donna) Who says stuff like "peaked", really . . . besides you???!?!?

Donna: People of class, Rebecca.

Becca: Is that all you care about . . . "people of class"?  If so, why are you wasting all this time on me?

Donna: It's important to put one's best foot forward . . . to put forth the image of grace, class, and style . . . to appear to be the very best you can.

Becca: What the hell was all that????  I was a stripper, you're some high society chick.  I  grew up on the streets, you grew up in a mansion.  Why are you doing all of this?  Why do you care what foot I put forward . . . or backward for that matter!  

Donna: You're a friend of Victoria's, Rebecca, and you work for me at the Harbor Club.  I don�t want people to think my daughter and I associate with trash.

Becca: If you think I'm trash, why bother with me at all?

Donna: You're not trash . . . I didn't . . . You misunderstood . . .

Becca: Whatever.  I'll just get my son and leave.  Okay, your highness?

Donna: Wait.  Stop. (Puts her hands on Becca's face and looks into her eyes) Don�t leave.  Please.  I�m sorry.

Becca: Why? (starting to cry a little bit)  I don't get you, Donna.  You seem like such an overbearing snob, but sometimes . . . when you look at me like that . . .

Donna: Just stay here.  You're too tired to drive anyway.  I have plenty of room.  (a little desperately) Please don't leave.

Becca: All right.  I'd probably get lost going home.  I am sooo tired.

Donna: Good.  The guest rooms are . . .

Becca: I'll just take a little nap in the room Joshua's in.

Donna: Are you sure?

Becca: Yeah.

Donna: Good night. (Becca goes up)

(a few minutes pass and Donna goes upstairs and stops in front of the room Joshua and Becca are in.  Joshua is in some sort of car seat/carrier combo asleep and Becca is asleep on the bed next to him.  She appears to have basically fallen on to the bed.  She is still wearing all her clothes including her shoes.  She is on top of the covers, face down.  Donna comes in . . . )

Donna: Good night, baby girl.  You deserve some rest.  (Donna wipes a tear away from her face and kisses Becca as you would a little girl before removing her shoes and covering her with a blanket she got from the closet.  She leaves)

(a few hours later.  Screaming is heard.  Donna jumps out of bed and runs into the room with Becca and Joshua in it.  Becca is thrashing about in bed and screaming bloody murder.)

Becca: Marah!!!  No!  Marah!!!  (She is crying hysterically in her sleep and her arms are outstretched as if reaching for someone)

Donna: (Takes Becca in her arms and puts Becca's head to her chest to calm her)  It's okay, sweetheart.  It's all right now.  It was a long time ago.  It's all over and you're safe now.

Becca: (begins to talk and opens her eyes a little though clearly not awake) Donna?  Don't let them take me . . . wanna go with you . . . Don't leave me . . .

Donna: Shh . . . I'm here . . . It's okay now.  Shhh . . . No one's going to hurt you again . . . You're safe now . . . Shh . . .

Becca: (still not awake)  Where's Marah?

Donna: In her room, asleep like you should be.  Shhh . . . You're both safe . . . go back to sleep . . .

Becca: (Becca falls back onto the bed and closes her eyes again and resumes sleeping after she mumbles) Night, Donna

Donna: Good night, Megan.  (kisses her forehead again and goes to check on Joshua)  Did you wake up too?

Joshua: Mommy ha a ba deem?

Donna: Yes, well, she's okay, now.  How about you going back to sleep too.

Joshua: Sing me.  Mommy sings me song.

Donna: What song does Mommy sing to you?

Joshua: Scayit ibbins

Donna: (with  tears in her eyes) "Scarlet ribbons"?  She sings Scarlet ribbons to you?

Joshua: MmHmm.  Petty song.  sing me.

Donna: Okay.  let's see if I can remember this one.  (She sings him to sleep)

(Next morning.  Becca wakes up and looks down to see that Joshua's not there.  She runs downstairs and is surprised to find Donna feeding her son his favorite, applesauce with cinnamon.)

Becca: How did you know he liked that?

Donna: I do have children and grandchildren of my own you know . . . How did you sleep?

Becca: I had the weirdest dream . . .

Donna: Oh, really . . . (nervously) What was it about?

Becca: Vicky.  Except it wasn't her . . . not exactly, anyway.  It looked just like her though . . . except she was a little girl . . . and I was there.  We were at a party wearing matching white dresses and ribbons in our hair. She had a blue ribbon (holds up hands to show where the ribbon was) and I had a red one.  and it was a beautiful sunny day.  And then . . . the dresses were all red . . .  and we were running, and she fell and I . . .

Donna: (trembling) How perfectly horrible . . . Try not to think about it.

Becca: And then it was okay.  My Mom came in and (holds her necklace) told me everything was okay . . . and someone was singing a lullaby.

Joshua: Nonna did.

Donna: Yes, honey, your grandmother did, in Mommy's dream.  It sounds like a terrible nightmare, dear.  It's best not to think about it..

Becca: But what's so strange is that my mother died before I was Josh's age. I never even knew her, I don't think . . .

Donna: Well, the whole thing sounds horrific,  I am soo sorry.  Now that you've talked about it, I'm sure it will go away.  Just put it out of your mind.  After all, it is just a dream.

Becca: But, Vicky . . .

Donna: You said yourself, it wasn't really Victoria . . . and it's only natural to dream about someone you spend so much time with.  I really think you should just forget the whole thing.  After all, you don't want to scare you son, now do you?

Becca: (picks up Josh and cleans his face a little) Oh, Joshua . . . Did Mommy scare you?  I'm sorry.  I'm really fine, sweetie. Don't worry.

Donna: So, what would you like to eat?

Becca: Nothing, thanks.  I'm a not a big breakfast person.  If you and Josh are okay here, I'd like to take a shower . . .

Donna: I'm sure that's just the thing.  A fresh start is what you need . . . (Becca goes back up to take a shower)

Josh: You sing petty . . . like Mommy.

Donna: Yes, well . . . Let's just have that be our little secret, okay, Joshua. Do you know what a secret is?

Josh: a seekit?

Donna: Yes, a secret.  I want you not to tell anyone else about Mommy bad dream last night.  We don't want anyone else to be scared right?

Josh: kay.

Donna: That's a good boy.  Now, let's see if you can eat anymore of this applesauce than your Mommy used to.

Josh: Okay.  (takes a big mouthful)

Donna: What a good boy!

(Fade out)