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

Part Three

Scene eight—Bay City Hospital—late afternoon

Vicky is sitting beside Marley’s bed. She is holding her sister’s hand. Donna is gone home to sleep for she was up all night with Marley. But Marley’s condition is still the same.

Vicky: (still holding onto her sister’s lifeless hand) Oh, Marley. (barely in a whisper) Please don’t leave me. (clears her throat) You’re gonna make it, sis. Try to be strong; I know you can make it. (pulls her chair closer to the hospital bed. She strokes her sister’s hair off her forward) The twins are coming soon. Jake and I are going to need your help with them. And Steven and Kirkland and Donna—we all need you, Marley. We all love you s-so much.

Vicky rests her elbows on the bed and lowers her head. A few moments later Vicky stands up and leaves Marley’s room. She sees Paulina sitting in the waiting room.

Paulina: (stands up and approaches Vicky) Hey, sweetheart. How are you holding up?

Vicky: (tries to say something but nothing comes out of her mouth) I…I—

Paulina: Oh, come here…(Paulina gives her friend a long hug)

Vicky: I just…I just don’t know what to do (between her sobs). I-It kills me seeing her like this…and I’m helpless.

Paulina: You’ve always been there for her, Vicky.

Vicky: Why—why did this have to happen? I mean, Marley’s just gotten better. Now things will never be the same again.

Paulina: You’re strong, Vicky. And you’ve got Jake and your family. And you’ve got two more on the way. You’re going to get through this. However it turns out. And if you need anything, I’m always here for you. (pauses) And those babies!

Vicky: (laughs) Thanks Paulina. (gives her a hug) You’re such a great friend.

Paulina: Now, come on. I bet you haven’t eaten a good meal in ages! (takes Vicky by the hand)

Vicky: W-Where are we going?

Paulina: Carlino’s!

Scene nine—Bay City Police Station

Joe: So Tyrone Montgomery is—

Toni: --nowhere to be found.

Joe: This just—this doesn’t make sense, Toni. First he’s in the accident which leaves Marley in a coma. Then he’s just gone? Disappeared? There’s something we’re not getting here.

Toni: I think we’re looking in the wrong place. Now Tyrone loved Marley—he was committed. So why would he just ditch her?

Joe: That’s what we gotta find out, Toni!

Toni: Joe, do you think it’s possible that Tyrone could’ve been thrown from the vehicle when it crashed?

Joe: My teams been all over the area. No trace of anything.

Scene nine—Carlino’s—that afternoon

Vicky is sitting at the front table eating a big garden salad.

Vicky: Thanks , Paulina. I am really hungry.

Jake: (walks in the door and approaches Vicky and Paulina’s table. He sits down beside his wife) Hey.

Vicky: Hi. (eats some more salad)

Paulina: Hey, Jake.

Jake: We—um—we should get home. The Cory’s are dropping the boys off.

Vicky: You’re right, we should—(finishes her salad) –thanks so much, Paulina.

Paulina: (stands up) Anytime.

Jake: See ya, Paulina.

Paulina: Bye, you guys.

Scene ten—McKinnon house—after supper

Kirkland: Mommy, what’s wrong with aunt Marley?

Vicky: What do you mean, sweetie?

Kirkland: Why have you and Jake been going away all the time? And last night you couldn’t come to Steven and mine’s soccer game.

Vicky: I know, honey, and we’re very sorry we couldn’t make it. Come here.

Kirkland comes and sits on Vicky’s lap.

Vicky: Aunt Marley is pretty sick and she’s in the hospital.

Kirkland: Why? What’s wrong with her?

Vicky: (takes a deep breath) Well, your aunt Marley had an accident and she got hurt.

Kirkland: You mean like when I fell once at soccer practice and cut my knee?

Vicky: (thinks for a moment) Yes, something like that. But that’s why Jake and I have been gone so much; we were visiting with her at the hospital.

Kirkland: Do you think that maybe I could visit her, too?

Vicky: Well, Kirk, she—she can’t really talk right now. (she tries to keep herself from crying again) I think it’d be best if—(wipes her eyes) if you—

Kirkland gets off her lap.

Kirkland: Why are you crying, mom? Are you okay?

Vicky: I’ll be okay.

Kirkland: Do you want me to get Jake and Steven? They’re in the backyard playing baseball.

Vicky: Come here, Kirk.

Vicky gives her son a big hug.

Vicky: Thank you. Mommy needed that.

Kirkland: Anytime. If you’re okay now, do you think I could go outside? Jake said we might be sleeping over at Tommy’s tonight!

Vicky: (nods) Sure. (Kirkland opens the back door) I love you.

Kirkland: Love ya too, mom. (he closes the back door behind him)

Vicky stands up and wraps up some pizza sitting on the counter.

Sean: (comes in the front door) Hey aunt Vicky!

Vicky: Hi. Do you want some pizza?

Sean: Great. Thanks. (takes the plate) I’ll going back out later, okay? (walks up the stairs)

Vicky: Yeah, sure! Don’t worry about it!

Jake comes up from behind her and rests his head on her shoulder. She turns around and puts her arms around his neck. They share a long, passionate kiss.

Jake: Come here—(he takes her and sits her down on the sofa)

Vicky: Jake! (smiles) What are you—

He kisses her stomach twice then gives her another kiss.

Jake: How are you feeling?

Vicky: I’ll always be fine as long as I’m in your arms.

Jake: (picks her up and heads towards the stairs)

Vicky: (laughs) Jake—the boys.

Jake: No need to worry. They’re both at Tommy’s for the night.

Vicky: (grins) I could’ve guessed, McKinnon! So what’s your plan?

Jake: I don’t have one—yet. I just want you all to myself.

Vicky: (laughs) How many times have I heard that before?

Jake: (lays her down on their bed) Just lie down—relax.

Vicky: What are you up to, McKinnon?

Jake: (lays down beside Vicky and strokes her head) You need some rest.

Vicky: Jake, I don’t—

Jake: Come on, Vic, what are you talking about—you were up almost all night last night! (plays with her hair. Softly,) You—(places his hand on her stomach)—and our little girls need to rest…Our daughters are so beautiful, just like their mother.

Vicky: My hair’s a mess, it—

Jake: You’re beautiful inside—and out.

Vicky: You’re cute.

Jake: Vic, really. I want you to just lie back and I’ll take care of you. Forget about everything and trust in me.

Vicky: Jake, come here. (pulls him close and kisses him) You’re so great.

Jake: Are you really okay?

Vicky: I guess as good as I’m going to feel the next couple of days…maybe even months.

Jake: You’re…are you thinking about Marley?

Vicky: I just—I don’t how know how to feel anymore. I’m so happy about our family and our baby girls. But then there’s my sister who’s in the hospital slowly—dying.

Jake: Thank you.

Vicky: (looks up at him) For what?

Jake: For loving me and being our babies’ mother.

Vicky: (a tear drops from her eye) I don’t know what I’d do without you. (She rests her head on his chest and he strokes his hand through her hair. She rubs her hand down his chest)

Jake: I love you.

Vicky closes her eyes and soon they’re both asleep.

Scene eleven—Vicky and Jake’s room—the next morning

Vicky rolls over in bed. Jake is still asleep. She snuggles closer to him and slowly, gently moves her hand down his chest. She rests one hand on the side of his face as she tenderly touches her lips against his and kisses him.

Jake: (begins to wake up) Mmm. (he puts his arm around his wife)

Vicky: (whispers) Good morning.

Jake: (pulls her close and they share a long kiss) Morning.

Vicky: (takes a deep breath) Do you know what I’m craving right now?

Jake: No, what?

Vicky: A hot chocolate fudge sundae.

Jake: Vic, it’s—(looks at the clock)—it’s 9 am.

Vicky: I know. (moves closer to him and tenderly kisses his forehead) I’d be forever grateful.

Jake: (grins) You know I’d do anything for you. Even make you a hot fudge sundae at 9 o’clock in the morning!

Vicky: You—(gives her husband a quick kiss)—are the—(another tender kiss)—best!

Jake: Yeah?

Vicky: Oh, yeah. (they share another passionate kiss)

Jake: Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm. (he pulls back the covers and stands up. Vicky crawls over and kneels on the bed and wraps her arms around him.)

Vicky: I love you.

Jake: I love you. (looks down at her stomach) You girls, too. (talking to the babies. He kisses her stomach again. Jake holds her hand)

Vicky: Now get going, McKinnon!

Jake: I will be back. Soon. (walks out of their bedroom to fix Vicky’s sundae.)

Scene twelve—McKinnon kitchen—later that morning.

Vicky sets down her sundae bowl on the kitchen counter, Jake is at the sink. She quietly walks up behind him and throws her arms around him. He turns around)

Jake: Good sundae, or what? (mutters to himself) Must’ve been.

Vicky: It was great. (they look into each other’s eyes) Come here, McKinnon.

They give one another a long, embraceful hug. Jake rubs his hands down her back and Vicky closes her eyes. They draw apart. They look at each other for a moment. Then, at the same time, they both hurry to the dining room table. Jake sits his wife up on the table.

Vicky: Wait—what about Sean?

Jake: He left an hour ago. He won’t be back until later today. (kisses around her neck)

Vicky: Mmm. Really…

Jake lies her back and lays on top of her—they’re both kissing a lot.

Vicky: Ow!

Jake: (steps back) What is it? Are you okay?

Vicky: (hops off the table) Yeah. Fine. I just caught my nail.

Jake: (kisses it better)

They both walk over to the couch and Vicky lies down and very soon Jake is on top of her unbuttoning her top. Vicky spreads open her legs and removes Jake’s top. They hold each other tightly and begin to make love.

Scene thirteen—an hour later.

Vicky: That was—

Jake: --good?

Vicky: Better than good, it was—

Jake: --incredible.

Vicky: Incredible…doesn’t even cut it!

Jake is still lying on top on his wife. They are both breathing deeply. Vicky has a blanket around her. Jake has put his boxers back on. All of a sudden Jake and Vicky hear someone coming down the stairs.

Vicky: (whispers) Jake? Who is it?

Jake: It’s Donna.

Before either of them had a chance to move, Donna had already seen them.

Donna: Good morning, you two lovebirds.

Vicky: Mom—I—we didn’t realize you were home.

Donna: It’s all right, sweetheart. Steven and Kirkland aren’t around are they?

Jake looks at Vicky.

Vicky: No. They’re at a friend’s.

Donna: Good. I’ll see you two later. (she walks to the door and shuts it behind her)

Vicky and Jake both heave sighs of relief.

Jake: I totally forgot…

Vicky:…Me too.

Jake: Next time maybe we should just keep it to our room.

Vicky: (thinks for a minute) Maybe…

They both look at each other. They say at the same time:

Vicky: No!

Jake: No!

Jake comes back in for more as the camera zooms out.