"How do you find the words to say Good bye?"

Part Two

Scene three—hospital—11 p.m.

Doctor: Your sister is in a coma and we’re not sure at this point if or when she will wake up. There was severe head trauma inflicted from the impact of the accident. It is possible that she will have memory loss.

Vicky: She wouldn’t…remember me or—or anybody?

Doctor: It is possible. But it’s also safe to say she could wake up with nothing but a few bruises, aside from the head trauma affects. Do you have any contact with your sister’s parents?

Vicky: Umm…(looks at Jake) We’re trying to get a hold of my mother.

Doctor: Well, when you do please tell her it would be best if she got down here as soon as possible. I’d like to go through the details with her as well.

Jake: We will, thanks doctor. (rubs Vicky’s neck)

Vicky: Ahh…do you know how good that feels?

Jake: It’s been a stressful night.

Vicky: I just hope…(Vicky starts to cry again) …I hope…

Jake: Shh. I hope Marley will be okay, too.

Vicky lays back on Jake. They are seated in the hospital waiting lounge.

Vicky: Thank you.

Jake: For what?

Vicky: For just being here.

Jake: Vicky, you know I wouldn’t be anywhere else.

Vicky: I know, but just being here with me—

Jake: I will always be here for you. You know that, don’t you?

Vicky: (smiles) I do.

Jake wipes away her tears

Vicky: I love you so much. I am so lucky to have you, McKinnon.

Jake: Not as lucky I am to have you. (They begin to kiss)

Voice (female): Victoria.

Vicky: (stands up) Mom! (they give each other a hug)

Donna: How’s Marley?

Vicky: She’s—ah—she’s in a coma. (takes a long breath) The doctors don’t know when she’ll wake up. We’ve been here since about 4 p.m. And we tried to reach you sooner.

Donna: I just want to see my daughter. (begins to walk away)

Vicky: Mom! (stops her) I love you. (Donna gives her daughter a long hug)

Donna: (through her tears) I love you too, darling. Now—I want you to go home and get some rest.

Vicky: No. Absolutely not! I am not leaving Marley.

Donna: Victoria, you’ve had a long day. You and those babies need to sleep. I bet Jake does, too. (Jake is waiting for Vicky by the magazine rack)

Vicky: Well, I could use a little rest. But you’ll—

Donna: I’ll call if there’s any change.

Vicky: (nods) Okay. (Donna starts to leave) Mom? (Donna turns around) She’s in room 101.

Scene four—McKinnon house—12 a.m.

Vicky: I just can’t stop thinking about what it would be like if Marley doesn’t pull through.

Jake: Vic—try to think positive. (lies down beside his wife in bed)

Vicky: (rolls on her back) I don’t know what to do anymore…I mean, I try to forget and forgive and I love my sister so much, Jake. We’re twins—we’re as one. She has to wake up—she can’t leave us now. Not with the twins on the way and her and Tyrone—they’re just getting started.

Jake: But we have each other. We always have, always will. We’ve gotten through so many tough times together, Vic. And we will get through this one. No matter what happens.

Jake rests his hand on Vicky’s stomach. Vicky smiles.

Jake: You see, you see—you just smiled.

Vicky: (laughs and play punches Jake) Come on, McKinnon.

Jake: These baby girls—they’re going to be perfect because they have the best mother in all of the world.

Vicky: Yeah? And what about their Daddy? He’s gonna be the best Daddy I know.

Jake: Ha, yah?

Vicky: Mmm hmm. (turns over on her side and strokes Jake’s head) Come here. (she holds her husband tight) Just hold me, Jake. Just hold me.

Scene five—McKinnon house—the next morning

Jake: Steven? Kirk? (looks into their rooms)

Jake walks down the stairs in his robe. He goes into the kitchen. He picks up the phone and checks the messages. There’s a message from Donna saying Steven and Kirkland are at the Cory’s and you can give them a call. He saves the message and calls the Cory residence.

Maid: Cory residence.

Jake: Hi, it’s Jake McKinnon. Is—uh—is Amanda there? Please?

Maid: Just one moment, sir.

In a few seconds Amanda picks up the phone.

Amanda: Hello?

Jake: Hey, it’s Jake.

Amanda: Jake, hi! I’m glad you called.

Jake: Donna left a message here and she said Kirk and Steven were at your place.

Amanda: Yes, and they’re fine. Alli’s helping look after them. But don’t worry about them. How’s Marley doing?

Jake: As far as I know she’s still in a coma.

Amanda: That’s terrible. How’s Vicky…?

Jake: I guess we’re all hanging in there. But, listen, it’d be great if you could keep the boys.

Amanda: No problem. Call me as soon as you hear anything.

Jake: I will. Tell Alli thanks. Okay… okay. Bye.

Jake sets down the phone and thinks for a minute.

Fifteen minutes later, Jake opens up the door to his and Vicky’s room. He sets down the tray of scrambled eggs and bacon on the table at the end of their bed. He sees that Vicky is still sleeping in bed. She starts to stir and open her eyes.

Vicky: (sits up in bed) Did Donna call?

Jake: No, no, not yet. Hey, (props up her pillows) lay back. I’ve made you some breakfast.

Vicky: Jake, you didn’t! (she rests back her back as Jake sets down the tray in front of her) How did you know I—

Jake: What?

Vicky: I think I’m going to—(she moves the tray aside and runs into the bathroom. A few seconds later the toilet flushes. She returns into bed)

Jake has moved the tray out of the room

Jake: Here, just lie down (he puts a cool cloth on her forehead) You need some more rest.

Vicky: I’m sorry, McKinnon. It wasn’t your cooking.

Jake: Yeah, uh-huh. I’ve heard that one before.

Vicky: It wasn’t! These babies are just telling me they want to sleep some more.

Jake: (climbs into bed beside her. He pulls her closer to him) What else are these little girls saying?

Vicky: That they can’t wait for you to hold them in your arms. And call you daddy.

Jake: These little girls mean the world to me. We’ll finally all be one big happy family again. You, me, Steven and Kirkland, and our babies. By the way, I think we should talk more about these names.

Vicky: (smiles and closes her eyes) I know they’d be pleased with whatever name their father gave them.

Jake: Are you kidding? I need your help with this. I’ve never brought a human being into this world. Let alone thought of names.

Vicky: (reaches over to her night table and hands him the baby names book) Here.

Jake: (flips through the small book) I really don’t know. Wouldn’t Steven and Kirkland want to help name their little sisters?

Vicky: I’m sure they would. They’re so excited about being big brothers to our girls. Whoever thought we’d have all this?

Jake: Well believe it!

Vicky: (laughs) You are the best!

They both snuggle down under the covers.

Scene six—Cory residence—early afternoon

Alli: Steven! Kirkland! Look who’s here! Vicky and Jake!

Steven: Mom! Jake! (Kirkland comes running behind him)

both boys give Vicky and Jake big hugs.

Kirkland: We missed you last night.

Vicky: Jake and I were out late. We were with aunt Marley.

Alli opens the front door wider.

Alli: Come on in, guys.

Steven: Why? Is aunt Marley okay?

(Vicky looks at Jake)

Jake: Come here Steven. (Steven jumps up onto his lap) Your aunt Marley’s a little sick right now. But she’ll be getting better soon.

Kirkland: I hope so because my birthday is next week!

Amanda and Cameron enter the living room.

Amanda: Jake, Vicky! How are you both?

Cameron: Hi guys.

(Amanda sits down on the couch Cameron sits down beside her)

Vicky: We’re doing better…Thanks so much for caring for Steve and Kirk. We both really appreciate it.

Alli comes over and sits down on the piano bench.

Alli: Anytime you need any babysitting or anything, just call. I know you might want some time for yourselves. Since the twins are coming soon.

Vicky: You’re so sweet, Alli. Thank you.

Amanda: That’s my daughter. (Alli smiles)

Alli: Well, if you’ll all excuse me, Sean and I are going blading.

Vicky: Sean? Was he home—

Jake: Yeah, he was.

Vicky: Yeah?

Jake: Oh, yeah.

Amanda: Have fun! Be home for supper.

Alli: Bye Steven, Kirkland.

Alli grabs her roller blades and leaves through the front door.

Vicky: (stands up) I think I need to get back to the hospital.

Jake: (stands up and puts his arm around Vicky) I’ll come with you.

Vicky: (kneels down and gives Steven and Kirkland a kiss and a hug) You be good for Amanda and Cameron, okay?

Kirkland: Okay, mom.

Steven: We have a soccer game tonight.

Kirkland: Yeah, you’re both gonna come, right?

Kirkland jumps into Jake’s arms.

Kirkland: And Jake and me are practicing some baseball tomorrow, right Jake?

Jake: Right, buddy. But right now mommy and I have to go. You be good here.

Amanda stands up and gives Vicky a hug.

Amanda: If there’s anything we can do…

Vicky: I know. Thanks.

Jake gives Cameron a pat on the back.

Jake: You’re a good man, Cameron. Thanks for your help.

Cameron: Anytime.

Jake and Vicky walk back outside. They walk along the path to where the old garden stands. A lot of memories past.

Vicky: All right, I need to get to the hospital, and I know you should probably get to the Herald.

Jake: No—no, I'm staying here with you.

Vicky: Jake, no—you should go. I’m going to get to the hospital and check on mom and see how Marley’s doing. I’ll be fine.

Jake: You know I should get to the Herald. Check on Chris.

Vicky: Yeah, yeah, you see I’m always right.

Jake: (slowly) Of course you are.

Vicky: So get down to the Herald. I’ll meet you at Carlino’s at, let’s say…two hours?

Jake: O…kay.

Scene seven—Bay City Herald—same afternoon

Jake: Chris…how are we doing, buddy? (slaps him hard on the back)

Chris: (trying to recover from the "punch") Uh—great—listen, Jake I’ve got the whole Editorial laid out—it’s in your office.

Jake: You’re my man, Chris!

Chris: ..and I’m taking the afternoon off.

Jake: Yeah.

Chris: Well, I hoped so…Uh—I heard about Marley. I’m sorry, pal.

Jake: Don’t you worry about it…So where are you and Toni off too?

Chris: Shopping, you know. And getting ready for the big move.

Jake: So when are you going to Tampa anyway?

Chris: Uh, next week. It said on that resignation letter I gave ya, remember?

Jake: (thinks) What letter?

Chris: The one I handed to you two weeks ago. And then you set it on your desk. Said it wasn’t that important.

Jake: Oh (pauses) that letter?

Chris: (laughs) Yeah. Well, I’m outta here. You have yourself a good day.

K.C.: (walks by) Hi Jake.

Jake watches after Chris, still confused about the letter.