#that's weird for me after writing kenz

[at-sabohteurs]

( sc. ) she appears at @charmsurvive's side without warming, stealth drilled into her during her training until she's a ghost. it's early morning, a careful fog settles over charming and sydney's heterochromatic eyes are hidden by the sunglasses she's wearing, despite the lack of sun. in her gloved hand, a take out cup from starbucks. the other shoved into the pocket of her leather jacket. " salut comment ça va ? " she drawled, a touch of the morning in her voice, and her nose crinkled as she watched the sunrise.

" fuck, it's early . . . or late ? i haven't slept yet - why are we here at - " hand slips from pocket and rises, turning over to show her the watch face fastened to the underside of her wrist, sleeve pulled back slightly by the motion. " . . . i don't know why i checked this, it hasn't worked in a year. "

[thesweetestpea1093]

Dancing in the Dark

Sweet PeaXCooper!Reader

Chapter 1

A/N: Hey guys! First chapter! If you’d like to be added to the tag list pls let me know! Full disclosure, I didn’t exactly proof read. If you have any ideas for future chapters then message me and please let me know what you think in the comments :)

Word Count: 2370

What Mackenzie was wearing this chapter:

If you asked anyone in Riverdale a year and a half ago if even a fraction of the tragedies that had happened in this town would occur, they would have laughed in your face. Riverdale once been the ‘town with pep,’ but now it just seemed lifeless.

With Jason Blossom being murdered by his own father last year and the Blossom’s family business being exposed for what it truly was, the citizens of Riverdale thought that would be enough craziness for years to come. But then Fred Andrews was shot in Pop’s. And then Moose Mason and Midge Klump were shot at in their car.

And with Archie Andrews running around spray painting the Southside, waving a gun around like he owns the place, the tensions between the North and South sides of Riverdale had never been so high. Especially with the fight that had happened the other night that everyone was calling the ‘Riverdale Rumble.’ Dilton Doiley had been stabbed, but according to Veronica he had actually stabbed himself, which sounded exactly like something that Dilton would do.

The town’s dislike for the Southside Serpents never really made sense to me. My own mother was once a Serpent and even she can’t stop harassing them in her newspaper.

My mother and father had been busier than usual at the Register. With all these shootings, someone had to report about them. My sister, Polly, was at some farm upstate, pregnant with her’s and Jason Blossom’s children, who also happens to be our cousin. And Betty had been acting really weird ever since the Black Hood sent her a letter.

I had been so busy with dance lately that I hadn’t been able to really stop and think about the Black Hood. Being a competitive dancer means there’s a lot of time I have to commit to training and being at the dance studio. Sometimes I was training up to 25-30 hours a week.

Polly, Betty, and I all started with ballet around the same time when we were younger. I think it had something to do with our parents wanting for all three of us to be out of the house at the same time. But while Polly and Betty had stopped pretty soon after that, I had begged my mom to let me keep dancing.

Dancing was my favorite thing to do. I was at my dance studio more than I was at home, even when I didn’t have class myself, I was teaching or volunteering or rehearsing on my own. My parents were okay with me dancing while I was in high school, but you could see the disappointment on their faces whenever I mentioned wanting to continue afterwards.

Betty and Polly were the ‘golden children’ of the family. More so Betty now that Polly was pregnant and Betty had actually showed an interest in journalism. Their dream is probably for the three of us to work at the Register for the rest of our lives.

Polly, Betty, and I were all a year apart in age and we were all really close when we were younger, but now that Polly had cut off communication with us and Betty was always off investigating things she probably shouldn’t be. And Betty was acting really weird lately. Just a few days ago she had published an old news report in the Blue & Gold about our mom being arrested when she was a Southside Serpent. I mean, I didn’t always get along with our mom, but I would never do something like that.

At the moment, it was 1:00 pm on a Saturday in November. I had just gotten home from teaching some of the kindergartners at the studio all morning and I was exhausted. Those kids really tired me out, but I loved teaching them. If I couldn’t be on Broadway when I got older or if I didn’t grow another 3 inches to be a Rockette then I wouldn’t mind being a dance teacher.

I walked into the house and I saw Betty sitting at the kitchen counter with her laptop out.

“Hey Betts!” I said cheerfully as I walked into the kitchen to refill my water bottle, but she didn’t even look up from her phone. “Okay then…”

“Who’re you texting?” I asked, peaking over her shoulder.

“None of your business, Kenz,” Betty snapped, pulling her phone away from me and slamming her laptop closed.

“Sorry, jeez Betty,” I mumbled back to her. “Calm down.”

She didn’t respond so I decided to change the subject. She seemed really stressed out these past few days and I was really worried about her.

“So remember that little girl in my class I was telling you about last week? The one that was too scared to do her back handspring without me spotting her?” I spoke quickly, really excited for one of my students. “Well she finally did it on her own! The little smile on her face when she realized she did it by herself was so cute! And-”

“God, Kenzie, I really don’t care about your stupid job!” Betty exclaimed.

“What?” I whispered, sort of confused. Betty always loved to hear about the kids at the studio.

“Your life just revolves around the dance studio, Kenz,” she sighed. “If you’re not actually at the studio, you’re talking about it to anyone that will listen.”

“So what? I love dance and I love my job…”

“Sure it’s your job now, but do you really expect to continue after high school? It’s a really competitive industry and-”

“What’re you saying?” I exclaimed. “That I’m not good enough? What the fuck, Betty? You’ve always been supportive even when mom and dad haven’t been. Don’t you believe in me?”

“Maybe mom and dad are right, Kenzie,” she sighed, not meeting my eyes. “I just think you should focus on your grades right now. I know you failed your last chemistry quiz.”

“Yeah well I don’t care about chemistry, Betty,” I spat at her, a few tears leaking out of my eyes. “And you know how important dance is for me. I love it just as much as you love writing and investigating and just because it’s not considered a ‘normal’ career path doesn’t mean it’s any less valid. I can’t believe you would say something like that.”

As I left the room I thought I saw a bit of regret in her eyes, but I didn’t care. She had always been the one person to stand up for me when I got into arguments with mom and dad. We’d gotten into arguments before, but she had never stooped so low.

I grabbed my backpack and stormed out the front door to my bike. I knew Kevin was out today and all my friends from the dance studio lived over in Greendale so even though he was dating my sister, I biked over to Jughead’s.

Jughead, Betty, and I had been friends since we were kids and I was really happy when they started dating, but now it was hard to complain about Betty to him whenever we had problems. But at this point I didn’t care, I just needed to get away from the house and her, even if it’s just for an hour or two.

I got to Sunnyside Trailer Park within minutes and I was banging on Jug’s trailer door, a few tears dripping down my face.

“Kenzie?” Jughead questioned when he opened the door. “Are you okay?”

“I’m just great,” I remarked sarcastically. “That’s why I came here crying and almost knocking your door down.”

“Okay, enough with the sarcasm, Cooper,” he chuckled, gesturing for me to come into the trailer. “Are you gonna tell me why you’re really here?”

“Because your girlfriend went crazy on me and crushed my hopes and dreams,” I muttered as I walked past him.

“Sounds fun,” he replied, dryly.

“Yup… I don’t mean to intrude, but I really just can’t deal with her or my parents right now. Do you mind if I just chill here for a bit?”

“Sure, I’ve got some things to do, but my dad won’t care if you hang out for a bit,” he told me.

“Aww, Juggie!” I exclaimed in a mocking tone. “Did you make some friends? So proud of you.”

“Shut up,” he groaned before abruptly changing the subject. “Betty’s been stressed lately, Kenzie. I’m sure she didn’t mean it.”

“Doesn’t make it hurt any less, Jug,” I muttered.

“I know, I know… but this Black Hood thing has got everyone on edge, that’s all I’m saying. I’ll be back later… it may be awhile, but feel free to stay as long as you want.”

“Thanks, Jughead.”

“No problem. See you later this afternoon… maybe tonight,” he called out to me as he walked out to the front steps of the trailer. Tonight? What was he doing all day?

I had just set my bag down when I heard Jughead outside.

“Archie?” he asked, alarmed.

Archie? What the hell was he doing here?

“We gotta talk, Jug,” Archie responded.

“Uhh, now is really not a good time, okay?” Jug told him as he jogged down the stairs. “You need to leave, kay? You gotta go.”

“What? Why? What’s going on?”

“I’m serious! You’re just gonna have to-” Jug was interrupted then by a deep voice.

“What the hell do we have here?” the voice said as it rounded the corner of the trailer. I peeked my head out the door, curious who it was. I couldn’t help but gasp a little bit when I saw some Southside Serpents coming around the corner of Jughead’s trailer. I wasn’t necessarily scared for myself, but for the confrontation that was sure to happen between them and Archie Andrews.

“He’s just leaving, alright?” Jughead walked forward to meet the tallest one with the Serpent tattoo on his neck and a dark black eye.

“Wait?” Archie interrupted. “You’re friends with these thugs?”

“It’s not what you think,” Jug turned to look at Archie.

“Are you joining the Serpents?” Archie asked him.

“If he survives,” the Serpent said ominously before Jughead could respond. “And go ahead and call us thugs one more time…”

“Jughead!” Archie exclaimed. “These are the guys who attacked me! Who attacked Reggie, and Veronica, and Dilton! Your friends!”

At this point I couldn’t help the snort that came out of my body when I tried to hold in my laughter in regards to Archie’s comment. Everyone turned to look at me at that moment and I turned pink at their attention.

“Kenzie?” Archie asked incredulously. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Getting away from my psycho sister, that’s why… not offense to your girlfriend, of course, Jughead,” I told him matter-of-factly.

“Go home,” Archie said. “You don’t belong here.”

“Neither do you, Andrews!” I exploded at him and his eyes widened in surprise at my outburst. I hadn’t ever stood up to him before, but I was so done with him thinking he was better than everyone else. “You’re acting all high and mighty about the Rumble, but don’t forget that you’re the one who came on the Serpent’s turf and threatened them with a fucking gun, you dumbass!”

“Yeah, but they stabbed Dilton, Kenzie!” he yelled out. “You don’t know anything that happened that night!”

“I know that Dilton Doiley stabbed himself, Archie… everyone knows that. I wouldn’t be surprised if even the police knew that and they were just using it as an excuse to bring in Southsiders as scapegoats. And obviously you did some damage too… I’ll pay you a million dollars right here, right now if you’re not the one that gave Skyscraper over there that nice black eye,” I bit back, pointing over at the Serpent with the neck tattoo.

Archie just huffed and turned back around to face Jughead, figuring he wasn’t going to get anywhere with me. I smirked and flipped him off with both hands when he wasn’t looking and I actually think I got a small smile from some of the Serpents, Skyscraper included.

“Wait,” Jughead started. “Is that why you’re here? To warn me?” “No. I came here to tell you to stay away from Betty. She doesn’t wanna see you anymore,” Archie told him and I rolled my eyes. What was wrong with this girl? Is she trying to piss off all her friends and family?

“Screw you,” Jug responded after a few seconds of silence. “I just saw Betty yesterday… she was fine…”

“No, dude. She’s been wanting to break up with you for weeks… she’s been agonizing over it since you crossed the dark side… she couldn’t bring herself to do it,” Archie kept explaining my sister’s stupid decisions.

“So she sent you?” Jughead was clearly distressed. “Betty would never do that!”

“If you don’t believe me then call her!” Archie started to raise his voice. “And feel free to tell her you’re a Serpent now, I bet she’ll love that. She saw where you were headed, Jughead… we all did. And she knows you can’t be with them and her. And come on, man! You know it too.”

I had never seen Jughead look so defeated in all the years that I’d known him. I was gonna have a long chat with Betty tonight when I got home. All I wanted was to hug him, but it didn’t seem appropriate in front of everyone here. And maybe he wouldn’t want to see me now that him and Betty were broken up.

“... tell Betty I got the message,” Jug responded lowly, glaring at Archie.

“Yeah…” Archie muttered before walking back to his truck.

Jughead turned to look at the Serpents at this point, clearly upset.

“What?” he asked them harshly as Skyscraper crossed his arms over his chest. “Did you enjoy the show?”

“The show hasn’t even started yet,” Skyscraper responded to him.

“Well that sounds ominous,” I joked, grabbing my bag from inside the trailer before walking down the stairs. “I’m gonna head out Jughead. Something is seriously wrong with my sister and I’m gonna go slap some sense into her.”

“See you around, Kenz,” he sighed.

“See you around, Juggie.”

Tag List:

@tallglassofsweetpea

@skeletalwolfcat

@toolateformcrtooearlytoleaveemo

@sexxxychiq

@lostnliterature

@dcnerd98

@moonstarsandsongs

[tessxomarie]

Saving You - Part Fourteen

*At last, an update! Thank you for being so patient! This is a short scene, but it’s leading up to a part I think you all will be more than happy for!*

I end up napping the entire afternoon and into the early dinner hour. I vaguely remember Angel getting out of bed, but he assured me he would be in the next room.

I was too tired to argue his absence next to me.

Now that I’m coming to, I really don’t want to get out of bed. I don’t want to deal with the reality of what is outside.

Just as these thoughts are swirling my brain, I hear a quiet knock at the door.

“Lee?” Kendra asks.

“You can come in, Kenz.” I lightly shout.

Kendra opens the door and quietly closes it behind her, and she joins me on the bed.

“How was your nap, Sleeping Beauty?” She asks with a laugh.

I let out a light laugh as I stretch before I sit up, “It was good, real good. I needed it.”

We both laugh as I still look and feel like a zombie.

“I’m glad you slept, you honestly needed it. I also thought, perhaps you may need or at least wanted this.” Kendra tells me as she hands me my journal from behind her back.

I haven’t written in forever it feels like. But Kendra is right, per usual – I need this.

“Kenz, I’m speechless.” I say as I grab the journal from her hand.

“I found it while packing up your stuff, which by the way, is about 90% complete. We made a lot of progress. But um, yeah. I just wanted to stop by and see how you were doing. I won’t bore you with stupid chatter, I’m going to head to EZ’s. Umm, just maybe write a little bit tonight? I know you have some thoughts in there, write them out Lee.” Kendra says to me as she gently rubs my arm before she gets off the bed and heads for the door.

“Kenz?” I holler before she exits.

“What?” She answers.

“Thank you. For everything.” I say with a pouty smile, because thinking of everything Kendra has done has me feeling so many things.

“Anything for my Lee.” Kendra says before exiting the room.

I’m left alone again, and I take a moment to gather my thoughts. I look at my journal as I haven’t seen it in a while, I also run my hand through my messy hair and let out another sigh.

Just as I gather my thoughts, another knock is at the door.

“Come in.” I announce.

“There’s my Leah, sleepy head is finally up.” Angel says with a smile as he slowly enters the room.

I give him a soft smile.

“Yeah, I guess I needed the sleep.” I shrug as he sits next to me on the bed.

He is now sitting next to my feet, but he leans in and cups my face with his right hand.

“I just wanted to come in and check in on you. I’m about to start some dinner, chicken and steamed veggies alright? It’s about all I have left in the fridge.” Angel says with a nervous laugh.

“That sounds perfect.” I say grabbing his hand that is resting on my face.

He smiles and gives me a forehead kiss.

“You owe me at least five dollars today, Reyes.” I tell him when he pulls away.

Angel simply scoffs at my remark and then changes the topic. “Is that the ‘something’ Kendra brought over for you?” He asks, motioning to my journal.

I nervously look at my journal and attempt to hide it, but I then opt not to because I know I’m safe here and Angel will respect my privacy.

“Uhh, yeah. This is a journal she gave me a few weeks back. I used to write a lot, but I stopped and given recent events, she thought I should give it another chance.” I reply with a smile.

Angel returns a smile my way and places one more kiss on my temple.

“Well, I’ll leave you and your thoughts alone while I get dinner ready. I’ll come get you when it’s done, alright?” He instructs as he leaves the bed and heads for the door.

“Sounds perfect.” I say with a small smile watching him leave the door halfway shut.

I need to write.

I need to just get these thoughts and feelings out.

It’s weird writing again...but it shouldn’t be...yet it is.

I close my journal and I feel a sigh of relief.

I needed that.

I then opt to finally exit the bed, and I put on Angel’s flannel that he left on the bed after he wore it for a nap.

“It smells just like him.” I say to myself as I put it on and take a whiff.

I never knew I needed to feel that intoxication of Angel’s scent, but it’s one of the few things that have helped me keep all sanity.

I then go out into the living and kitchen area, and Angel is a bit startled when he hears the bedroom door open.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare ya.” I say with a light laugh as I see his eyes grow wide.

“You’re fine, babe. Good timing, dinner is ready.” He announces as I slowly walk to the table.

I see that Angel did in fact cook up a chicken and veggie meal, and it smells pretty good too.

“Don’t look so shocked, Leah. I know how to make more than tacos and nachos.” He says with a wink.

I give him a sassy look, “I never said that, Angel.”

Angel just laughs, and pulls out a seat for me.

“Oh my Leah, it’s a joke babe. I wanna see that smile of yours, c’mon.” He says to me as I evil eye him as I sit down.

“Seriously? No smile, not even a sassy glare with an evil smile? Like the one you give me when I need you to stitch me up?” Angel says with a wink and that is what does me in and I give him a smile with a soft laugh.

“A-ha! There’s that smile, that’s my Leah.” He says as he sits across from me.

We eat in silence for a few moments, but it’s mostly because we are both hungry.

“Thank you for making dinner and letting me stay here, Angel. I really appreciate it.” I say after I take a bite of chicken.

I sit there looking across to him, and I have this moment where I forget why I’m even here in the first place but I’m then reminded when I look at my wrist.

Angel didn’t have to volunteer to watch over me or to have me stay with him, he didn’t have to do any of this.

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Leah. I promise.” He says to me with a very determined and serious look.

After he tells me that, there is a knock at the door that startles us both. Angel gets up and grabs his weapon from his belt, he motions for me to stay put.

He slowly makes his way to the door before another knock is made.

“Angel! Open up, I have something I need to tell you.” Coco yells.

Angel looks to me after we hear Coco and we both breathe a sigh of relief.

Angel unlocks his door and there is Coco standing right outside.

“Shit man, you can’t just sneak up like that. A phone call would have been nice. Jesus.” Angel says as he tucks his gun back in his belt.

“Sorry bro, no time for that. Hi Lee.” Coco motions to me as he steps inside.

“So um, the reason I’m here concerns you, Leah.” Coco states as Angel and him stare at me. I give them both a confused look.

“Okay?” I question.

“Erik has been found. Marcus and Chibs want to deal with him tonight but they both said it’s your call. What do you want to do Leah?” Coco asks.

My stomach drops hearing Coco’s words.

Erik has been found.

It’s my call.

What even?

I become paralyzed with fear, a fear of seeing my nightmare again.

“Babe, you alright?” Angel asks as he takes a step towards me.

I snap out of my daze, “It’s scary, that he was found and that it’s almost over. Like, he’s really in Mayans custody? You need to confirm that with me Coco or else I’m going to start spiraling.” I explain with a shaky voice.

“Bishop called me and asked if I’d come tell Angel and you in person. I was going to call EZ after I told you. But yes, Erik is with the MC. They just want to know what you want to do, they want you to have a say.”

I look at Angel, and he’s staring at me intensely.

I take a deep breath and get up from my seat. I walk towards Angel and I grab his hand, and he gives my hand a squeeze and looks at me  in the eyes, only his eyes are warm.

“Whatever you want to do Leah, I’m here. You’re safe. I promise.” He tells me.

I nod my head as yet another forehead kiss is given, but I think that was for Angel more than for me. He needed to reassure me in every way that he plans on keeping his promise.

I look back at Angel and over to Coco, I take a deep breath as I already know what needs to happen.

“Take me to Erik, and let’s handle this shit once and for all.”

My nightmare ends tonight, I will not let him haunt me any longer.

[spiderfan22]

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY - 5/15/17

“CORTEGE: A NEW PLAY” by DJS

Also known as UNTITLED FUNERAL PLAY.

That’s right, boys and girls, I finished the thing and I couldn’t be prouder. It’s really a great feeling making it to the end of such an extensive writing project. And while it’s nowhere near complete (there will be revisions), it is at least a good step of the way towards that process.

So read and enjoy this full length play of mine.

The scene is the interior of six cars, part of a funeral procession.

The action should be staged as simply and unadorned as possible— perhaps stealing a page from the theatre of Thornton Wilder, eg chairs or benches for car seats, mimed driving, etc. Minimal props and lighting; once the lights come up, they stay up. The company is onstage for the duration of the show.

This includes the sound operator and stage manager (preferably the same person), along with their equipment. They should have a small station in full view of the audience.

There is an inherent challenge in this approach in that actors— even when they’re not the primary focus of a scene— must remain “on” at all times, filling every moment with real life, even if that just means breathing.

The actors are all dressed in black funeral attire.

 Characters (by car – *indicates the driver)

#1- Margaret (50s, funeral director) / Glenn* (her step-son, funeral attendant)

#2- Jim (70s, the widower) / Eric* (his elder son) / Mindy (Eric’s wife)

#3- Beth* (Jim’s daughter) / Doug (Beth’s husband) / Kenzie (their 16 year old daughter) / Ry (Eric and Mindy’s 19 year old son)

#4- Andy* (Jim’s younger son) / Kelly (Andy’s wife) / Carter (their 15 year old son) / Clay (their 12 year old son)

#5- Wade* (Jim’s younger brother) / Ellen (Wade’s wife) / John (Jim’s older brother) / Bailey (John’s young wife)

#6- Nita (the deceased’s sister) / Pammy* (Nita’s daughter)

 Organ music. Church bells toll. The funeral service has just let out. The company enter to their respective cars.

Margaret waits in the passenger seat of #1. She wears reading glasses, consulting a clipboard.

After a few moments, Glenn hustles over and gets behind the wheel.

MARGARET We all set back there?

GLENN          Almost, yeah.

MARGARET People got their flags?

GLENN                      Yep, all the cars got at least one, with the last vehicle making sure to have two.

MARGARET             What about our escort?

GLENN                      Ready to go. They sent us Officer Daniels again which is nice since he knows the route. The other guy I’m less familiar with, I think he might be new.

MARGARET             Just as long as Daniels takes the lead.

                                   He is taking the lead, correct?

GLENN                      Oh yeah. I mean yes.

MARGARET             And you reminded everyone about their hazards – to make sure they’re on?

GLENN                      I did.

MARGARET             What about headlights?

Slight beat

GLENN                      Oh. Shoot.

MARGARET             You didn’t remind them to turn on their headlights?

GLENN                      Well I thought because it’s the middle of the day on a perfectly sunny day –

MARGARET             Doesn’t matter. It’s a law, Glenn.

GLENN                      Yes.

MARGARET             You better run and tell everyone now before Officer Daniels realizes and we end up wasting even more time.

GLENN                      Yes, I –

                                   OK.

MARGARET             The last thing we need is a lecture that we don’t know how to conduct our business. Or a bad Yelp review.

GLENN          Right.

MARGARET So make it fast.

Glenn nods. Over the next bit, he will go from car to car telling the rest of the drivers to turn on their headlights.

Pammy struggles to load Nita’s collapsible walker into the backseat of #6.

NITA  Pammy…

PAMMY         What is it, Mom?

NITA  I think… I think I left it. I think I forgot it.

PAMMY         Forgot what?

NITA  My purse. Is it in the backseat with you? Did you grab it?

PAMMY                     No I didn’t grab your purse. It’s your purse. You think you left it inside, in the church?

NITA                          Well that’s the only place that makes sense. I mean I had it earlier.

PAMMY                     Well they’re about to – I mean we’re about to get going here –

NITA                          Pammy I can’t leave my purse, it’s got all my prescriptions, I’m gonna need to take ‘em at lunch –

PAMMY                     Mom –

NITA                          And we’re one of the last cars. If you hurry –

                                   I need my pills Pammy, now you know that. Maybe you can explain it to the guy, the one who’s organizing everything, I just saw him get out of his – the hearse up there. Maybe there’s a holdup for some reason and you actually have time.

PAMMY                     Fine.

NITA                          Ohh thank you, Pammy, thank you.

PAMMY                     Don’t thank me. I mean you gotta have your pills, right?

Pammy starts to exit

NITA                          You know, he’s cute.

PAMMY                     What?

NITA                          The guy. The one they got driving – the attendant, whatever he’s called.

PAMMY                     You mean the guy that works for the funeral home?

NITA                          Yeah, did you see him?

Slight beat

PAMMY                     He’s an undertaker.

NITA                          You don’t know that, you don’t know if he actually works on the bodies. Maybe he just helps with the flower arrangements, and the guest book and stuff.

PAMMY                     Mom I’m gay.

NITA                          You had a girlfriend for a couple years after college, that’s not the same thing.

A pause. Then Pammy shuts the door on her mother and exits.

In #2

JIM                              You didn’t have to sit back there, Mindy.

MINDY                      Oh it’s fine, Jim, don’t worry about it.

JIM                              You got enough leg room? I can move my seat forward –

ERIC                           She’s fine, Dad.

JIM                              Wait a minute – where’s what’s his name? Ryan.

ERIC                           He’s riding with Beth and Doug.

JIM                              How come?

ERIC                           Well, so you’d have some more privacy.

JIM                              Oh, because I’m gonna start crying? Don’t want the kid to see me balling my eyes out?

ERIC                           It’s not like that Dad –

JIM                              You’re trying to manage me.

ERIC                           Dad that’s not –

JIM                              Everyone today has got their kid gloves on with me and I wish they would just stop. Like your brother –

MINDY                      No one is trying to manage you, Jim –          

JIM                              Your brother: did you see what he did? Did you see the shit he tried to pull – as we were going up the stairs he takes my arm. Just grabs me by the elbow. Like I can’t walk up four steps, like I’m gonna fall.

ERIC                           Yeah.

JIM                              My wife died, I didn’t lose all sense of gravity.

MINDY                      Everyone’s just trying to help, Jim. People want to be there for you.

JIM                              I just don’t need my fucking hand held, that’s all.

Beat

                                   So are we getting this show on the road or what?

In #5, the women are in the backseat.

ELLEN                       Wasn’t it just a lovely service? Somber without being too morose, you know? Didn’t you think, Wade?

WADE                        Best one we been to this month.

ELLEN                       Oh please don’t joke like that.

BAILEY                     Do you guys really go to a lot of a funerals?

ELLEN                       Well we do have our share, I’m sad to say. As times goes by, more and more –

BAILEY                     Hey John.

JOHN                          Yeah what is it, cutie?

BAILEY                     How come you don’t go to more funerals?

JOHN                          I dunno. They probably forget I’m still alive so don’t invite me.

WADE                        You are getting up there, kid.

ELLEN                       Speaking of which, how’s your heart been John? Are you still taking the Plavix was it?

John nods.

ELLEN                       Yeah? What do you they have you on for your blood pressure then – anything? Wade’s still doing the Enduron twice a day. It’s only a diuretic because they say it’s only so elevated his blood pressure, not in the real danger area yet.

WADE                        Except it’s got me pissing like a damn racehorse. I’m talking I’m up three-four times a night –

JOHN                          Bailey knows. She keeps track of all that stuff for me now.

WADE                        Girl’s a godsend. I’m telling you John, you’re lucky to have her.

JOHN                          Think I don’t know that?

Bailey digs in her large bag, taking out several prescription pill bottles and reading the labels

BAILEY         Let’s see, what do we got. Metformin, Celebrex, Levitra…

JOHN                          Walking around with a pharmacy in her purse all because of my old ass.

ELLEN                       Oh now don’t say that John, I’m sure she doesn’t mind too much.

JOHN                          God I hope not. I’d be lost without her. No worse – dead. Dead and buried if it wasn’t for my little sugar cookie here.

                                   (To Bailey) Isn’t that right?

He reaches back and pats Bailey’s thigh. She takes his hand and squeezes it while still scanning pill bottles.

WADE            Keeps you young.

JOHN  That’s the idea.

BAILEY         (proudly) Here we go: Inderal. “To relieve hypertension.”

Pammy enters with Nita’s purse, crossing paths with Glenn on the way back to her car.

PAMMY         Oh. Is something wrong?

GLENN                      No I just forgot to tell everyone to turn on their regular lights too— uhh, headlights.

PAMMY                     Oh. OK thanks.

GLENN                      Safety precaution. It’s actually the law.

PAMMY                     I will then, thank you.

He goes. She gets back in her car, shoving the purse at Nita, who smiles.

NITA                          What was that?

PAMMY                     Nothing. Shut up.

In #3, Kenzie is crying. Doug coughs into a tissue.

BETH                          I really don’t know what the holdup is. We should be getting going any minute now, least that’s what the guy said.

Slight pause

                                   Hey, you did good today, Ry.

RY                              What do you mean? Oh the speech?

BETH                          The eulogy, yes, thank you, you didn’t have to. It was very sweet. I think your grandma would have liked it.

RY                              It was weird. I was surprised when Dad asked me.

BETH                          My idea. I know you fancy yourself a writer, so… Plus you did that speech and debate stuff in high school. It was very eloquent – you were, that is.

                                   (To Doug) Don’t you think, honey?

DOUG                        Yeah and you kept it short which was nice.

He blows his nose as Beth shoots him an irritated glance.

KENZIE                     Was it your idea to include the Berenstain Bears stuff?

RY                              What? Oh, yeah.

KENZIE                     Because Grandma would always read them to us, right?

RY                              Yeah.

KENZIE                     She had the whole collection.

RY                              A bunch, yeah.

KENZIE                     I liked that, that you quoted that.

RY                              Oh good. Thanks –

KENZIE                     I’m missing a big softball tournament for this but I don’t care.

RY                              Sorry.

KENZIE                     Who do you think is going to get those books?

RY                              What?

KENZIE                     If anything they should get split up between us grandkids.

RY                              Sure –

KENZIE                     But maybe not Carter and Clay because they didn’t really – they weren’t really a part of that, you know? I mean whenever they went over to Grandma and Grandpa’s they just wanted to play their DS’s or watch stupid shows on Cartoon Network, and even when Grandma would offer – so the books mean way more to us than them.

There is the blurt of a police siren; a signal that the procession is about to begin.

RY                              Yeah –

KENZIE                     So we’re on the same page?

RY                              I – I guess.

KENZIE                     Mom?

BETH                          Yes what sweetie? I think we’re about to get started here.

KENZIE                     Mom, have you even been listening to our conversation?

BETH                          I think so. You were talking about some books –

KENZIE                     Grandma’s collection of Berenstain Bear books. Ry and I think they should go to us.

BETH                          OK –

KENZIE                     So if it comes up, or if there’s a problem with Carter and Clay for some reason where they say they want them, you won’t let it happen?

BETH                          I don’t know sweetie. That’s not really where my head’s at today.

KENZIE                     You don’t think it’s important?

BETH                          Well there’s a lot happening...

KENZIE                     Dad.

DOUG                        (who’s dozed off) Hm? What?

KENZIE                     Grandma’s collection of Berenstain bear books – you remember?

DOUG                        Uh. Kind of. Why?

KENZIE                     Ryan and I want them.

DOUG                        OK. I’m sure you can, I’m sure that won’t be a – I mean your grandfather’s not gonna care –

BETH                          Can we just please everyone discuss this at another time please? That’s my mom in the back of the hearse up there and I’m getting ready to put her in the ground, so if it’s all the same…

Silence.

The procession begins. Beth puts the car in drive.

In #4

CLAY                         Hey Mom can you plug my phone in?

KELLY                       How much power does it have left? Because I have to charge mine.

CLAY                         13 percent.

KELLY                       Let me charge mine a little then I’ll do yours.

CLAY                         But what if it dies while we’re out at the cemetery?

ANDY                        You don’t need to have your phone out at the cemetery – you won’t. And we’re already over our data for the month anyway.

CARTER                    No wonder nothing was loading on Youtube.

CLAY                         How long till we get to the cemetery?

KELLY                       (whilst texting, to Andy) Half an hour, right?

ANDY                        Closer to 45 minutes.

KELLY                       I remember when you were little and we’d be on long car trips, we’d always give the time to you based on Power Rangers episodes. So if it was two hours away wherever our destination was, it’d be (Sing-song) “Just four Power Rangers left till we get there! Hold on!”

Beat. Carter hits the button to lower his window a few inches.

ANDY                        Hey, put that back up.

CARTER                    Why? It’s hot.

ANDY                        Because it doesn’t look good. This is a funeral procession, it’s serious. Nobody wants to see one of the car’s windows rolled down.

CARTER                    Who’s nobody?

ANDY                        Nobody on the street watching.

CARTER                    But I’m hot.

ANDY                        Wait for the AC.

He hits the button, raising Carter’s window. Slight pause. Then Carter lowers the window again.

CARTER                    The air conditioning’s busted, it hasn’t worked since last summer –

Andy raises the window.

ANDY            What is your problem listening right now??

CARTER                    Because I don’t understand why you’re making such a big deal out of this!

KELLY                       (overlapping them) I think we’re all just a little oversensitive right now not to mention tired because we had to get up so early to drive over this morning, hmmm? so let’s try to keep that in mind and have just a bit more patience with other OK? – Andy? Carter? – I think we’re also probably hungry but that will have to wait obviously, though I might have a granola bar in my bag now that I’m thinking of it.

Carter grunts then goes silent. After a beat.

CLAY Mom can I charge my phone now?

Margaret looks up from her clipboard to the road.

MARGARET You’re not keeping up.

GLENN          Huh?

MARGARET             The police officer, don’t you see, he’s signaling you to go faster.

GLENN                      Oh shit. OK.

He speeds up.

MARGARET             But keep it under 35. Least till we’re on the highway.

GLENN                      Gotcha.

MARGARET             And don’t swear, Glenn.

She motions vaguely towards the rear of the hearse, meaning the casket.

GLENN                      Right. Yeah. Sorry.

Can I tell you? It’s still weird for me to drive through a red light.

ERIC   (to Jim) Weird to drive straight through a red light, isn’t it?

GLENN          Feel like I’m breaking the law.

MARGARET What the escort’s for.

MINDY                      All I know is I wish I had this on my morning commute every day.

JIM      How long’s it take you to get to work?

MINDY          An hour. 45 minutes on a good day.

JIM                              Jesus Christ – how do you people live over there on the west side of the state takes you forever to get anywhere?

ERIC                           Well, they’re putting in lightrail now so that should help alleviate some –

JIM                              Is that like a monorail thing?

ERIC                           A train. It goes both above and below ground.

JIM                              Yeah? And how much is that costing the taxpayer?

ERIC                           Well it was voted on, Dad. The county voted for it so – And traffic’s a real problem as Mindy was saying –

JIM                              You see, that’s why I could never live in a big city. Just too much, too crazy.

ERIC                           Well we like it.

JIM                              That’s good for you. I wouldn’t.

Another police siren blurt, like a warning. Kenzie watches out the window.

KENZIE                     Everybody’s staring at us. People on the sidewalk.

BETH                          Well, yeah.

KENZIE                     It’s weird. I don’t like it.

BETH                          Why don’t you close your eyes for a little while then sweetie, rest, you must be tired.

Pause

KENZIE                     I can’t. I’m worried about how the game’s going.

                                   (To Ry) I had a big softball tournament this weekend that I had to miss.

RY                              You told me.

KENZIE                     Oh.

                                   What do you think, Dad, do you think we’re up?

DOUG                        Depends. I forget, who did they have you girls pitted against the first round?

KENZIE                     Kelso.

DOUG                        Oh you girls should walk away with it then; their offense just hasn’t been able to get it going so far this year.

KENZIE                     Who do you think started?

DOUG                        Sarah I’d imagine. I mean since you weren’t there, Coach probably had to go with Sarah –

KENZIE                     But that’s not really fair then. She shouldn’t get the win just because Kelso can’t hit and make her look good. Coach will get the wrong impression.

DOUG                        (to Ry) You might have missed it, Ry, but our Kenzie is in something of a competition with this Sarah girl.

KENZIE                     No I’m not. She sucks. I am so much better of a pitcher than her –

BETH                          Stop that, Kenzie. I will not have you talking negative about one of your own teammates.

KENZIE                     But she talks shit about me all the time! She told everyone I was in love with Derek Page when all I said is I didn’t care if he asked me to Homecoming or not!

BETH                          Well if she did that then she’s rude –

KENZIE                     She did do that. You don’t believe me??

BETH                          Of course we believe you. But you still don’t get to attack a person just because you both play the same position in a sport.

DOUG                        Plus if you think about it… (Starts to go into a coughing fit but wants to make his point.) If you think about it Mac, Coach needs all the solid starters he can get going into playoffs. I mean it’s not like…  not like she’s taking your glove away from you. Sorry.

He is coughing so hard he barely gets this last line out. Kenzie is on the verge of tears again.

Bailey is texting on her phone. Ellen watches her.

ELLEN                       (to Bailey) So, do you two have to rush off back home or can we get you stay a few more days with us? It’s always nice to have John for a visit.

JOHN                          No we gotta get back. Bailey has a meeting on Monday.

ELLEN                       (to Bailey) Oh I didn’t know you were working, dear.

BAILEY                     I’m not. John’s just trying to be nice and sugarcoat. It’s an N.A. thing. You know, Narcotics Anonymous?

Slight beat

ELLEN                       Ohhh…

                                   All right.

BAILEY                     Sorry, did I just freak you out?

ELLEN                       No. No, not at all –

BAILEY                     Because you look freaked out.

ELLEN                       No it’s just… surprising, dear, that’s all. I mean I never would have guessed it. You seem so together.

BAILEY                     Well I am, now.

ELLEN                       Right. Right.

                                   And how does John feel about all this?

JOHN                          If you want to know, ask him.

ELLEN                       Sorry, John.

John sniffs in a matter-of-fact way.

JOHN                          She had problem – now she doesn’t anymore. End of story.

                                   (To Bailey) Right, cupcake?

Bailey smiles at him sweetly, then goes back to her phone.

WADE            Ellie come on, it’s not your business.

ELLEN                       No I’m, I’m just asking questions. I mean it’s good news, right?

(To Bailey) In fact we’re just so glad you made it out the other side, dear. I’ve heard how those things can be, they can be truly awful, a real nightmare scenario, and you know some people never make it out. There was a story just the other night we saw on the news – do you remember, Wade? – where they busted, this special task force they took down this whole drug distribution ring – well you know how the gangs are around here, how bad it’s gotten – but they had video of just these kids they looked so young, younger than you even, like our grandkids age – who you look at them and it just breaks your heart because you know they were probably a good kid once upon a time – and now they’ve got into this drug stuff and they’re going to jail and their lives are just ruined. Well it’s inexplicable to me. You just thank your stars you were one of the lucky ones, dear, because I’ve seen some of the statistics. It’s a real epidemic around here now.

Slight pause

So how long have you been sober? Do they call it that, “sober”, when it’s drugs or do they call it something else? “Clean” right?

BAILEY         (overlapping) Sober’s fine – clean, yeah. Five months.

ELLEN           Just five months. Huh.

She does the math in her head

           So – sorry – at the family reunion last year you were, you…

WADE                        Oh would you give it a rest, Ellie. Stop brow-beating the poor girl.

ELLEN                       I’m not. Besides she said she was fine discussing it.

                                   (To Bailey) Didn’t you?

BAILEY                     No, umm actually. But yeah, I don’t mind. It’s like in the program they really stress the importance of honesty, you know, so I try to, like, live that philosophy in my every day.

ELLEN                       I could see where that’d be a rule, yes.

                                   Can I ask you what it was then? I mean was there one particular thing you gravitated towards or…?

WADE                        (Oh for Pete’s sake…)

BAILEY                     What was my poison?

Ellen points to her nose like in Charades, then points to Bailey for her to continue.

                                   Pills. Different painkillers mostly. Not that I haven’t done my fair share of other substances but I was never addicted to any of them. But with Oxycodone, Vicodin stuff like that I could just go and go, and it’s always more and more because you can’t stay at for instance six a day, because after awhile six stops doing anything, you don’t feel it anymore, so you increase to ten, then twelve, fourteen, on and just – God, I don’t even want to tell you how many I was up to when I was at my peak, you know my worst?

ELLEN                       Oh my.

BAILEY                     And it’s funny you mention the family reunion thing because I would guess you had no idea something was going on. Nothing up with Bailey, right?

ELLEN                       Mm.

BAILEY                     But that’s how it is. You get to a point where it’s all just maintaining. You don’t even get high anymore – or not as high, you still get a little. But really it’s just so you can get out of bed in the morning, eat food, go to the store, without feeling like shit – because otherwise you stop taking the pills you instantly start going into withdrawals. That’s why it pisses addicts off so much when people say, Well just stop doing it. “No I’m sorry, I don’t want to die.”

Ellen stares at her for a moment. Then she pats Bailey’s hand.

ELLEN                       Well you’ve certainly been through the ringer, haven’t you dear? Hasn’t she, Wade?

WADE                        Sounds like it.

ELLEN                       And we’re just so happy you’re all better now, even though we’re finding out about it after the fact.

Nita is struggling to open a bottle of water.    

NITA                          Pammy, do me a favor. I can’t get this.

PAMMY                     What?

NITA                          This water. There’s a little ring like a tab you have to pull and with my arthritis I can’t…

PAMMY                     Um yeah. OK uhhh. Take the wheel for a second then?

NITA                          You can’t just do it, I have to drive for you?

PAMMY                     Well I’m gonna need both hands, Mom.

NITA                          Oh jeez. Alright. But you know what my confidence is like behind the wheel. Your dad always did the driving for us, I mean if we were going anywhere far, not to the post office like, but –

PAMMY                     Just keep us going straight and you’ll be fine. It’s not that big of deal.

Nita takes the steering wheel apprehensively with one hand while Pammy opens the bottle of water. The job is trickier and takes longer than she thought but she eventually cracks it.

At which point the car swerves to the right.

Nita shrieks. Pammy quickly grabs hold of the wheel again, spilling water down the front of her dress.

Other characters see this happen in their mirrors and react:

WADE            Whoa! Did you see that??

ANDY            Nearly drove into the ditch.

BETH  Who is that? Is that Pammy back there?

KELLY                       Wait, what happened??

The whole thing is over very fast. After regaining control of the vehicle, Pammy turns on her mother.

PAMMY                     Are you fucking kidding me?? Mom you just almost ran us off the road! My dress…

NITA                          (overlapping) Oh God! Oh God I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Pammy; don’t swear, I just… my hand slipped for a second and –

PAMMY                     Soaked, completely.

NITA                          Not to worry, we’ll get you fixed up in no time. Here, I think there are some napkins leftover in the glovebox from when we stopped at Crispy Cream that time. I remember I was smart I saved them.

She uses napkins to pat down Pammy’s dress. After a few seconds of this, Pammy snaps at her.

PAMMY                     OK would you stop?? Seriously, leave it, please. I’m good, I’ll air-dry, whatever. Just – take your damn water back.

There’s a pause.

NITA                          Do you want me to turn on the heater? That might get you dry faster –

She is reaching for the dial.

PAMMY                     No, then it’ll just be hot.

                                   And it’s hot enough already.

Nita takes a long drink of water, casual again.

NITA                          Oh I know. Can you believe it’s almost June? Another couple weeks.

PAMMY                     (sighs) Yeah.

Andy is still glancing at his driver’s side mirror in concern.

KELLY                       So wait, what happened again?

ANDY                        Nothing. Looks like Pammy just lost control of the car for a second.

KELLY                       Well, why’d she do that? Are they alright?

ANDY                        How should I know? You can ask her when we get there.

Checks mirror again

                                   Looks like they’re fine now.

KELLY                       God I hope so.

CARTER                    Yeah it’d be nice to make it to the cemetery with only one dead body.

Silence. The only one who didn’t catch that was Clay, preoccupied with a game on his phone.

           That was a joke.

KELLY           A not funny one.

CARTER        I know, I’m sorry.

KELLY           What made you say that?

CARTER        I just thought of it.

KELLY           Well you should apologize to your father.

CARTER        I did, I said I was sorry.

KELLY           This is hard on all of us but him especially.

CARTER        I know.

CLAY Hold on, what did Carter do?

KELLY                       He needs our support right now. And Grandpa. And your Aunt Beth and your Uncle Eric.

ANDY            Oh like he even cares.

KELLY           What? Your brother?

ANDY                        No.

Motions to Carter in the backseat

                                   Him. His attitude has sucked all day. First he refused to get out of bed this morning –

CARTER                    Because I was tired –

ANDY                        Making us late, putting us behind –

CARTER                    Mom I told you I couldn’t get to sleep, I’ve been having problems –

ANDY                        Then when we stopped for breakfast nothing on the menu looks good to him, he’s Mister Choosy all of a sudden –

KELLY                       Andy, I don’t think that’s entirely –

ANDY                        Then just to double down on everything I guess, because why not while you’re at it, he starts an argument with me over a window!

CARTER                    You know you can talk to me Dad, I’m right here.

ANDY                        So I say let him. Let him if he wants to be a little shit. This can be a lesson. He can learn all about regret, and having regrets, and looking back on how he acted today of all days and realizing he can’t do anything about it, to change that. He only cared about himself.  

                                   And I wish Carter, I wish you could feel that sting now, that you didn’t have to wait ohhh ten twenty thirty years for it to hit you, to come around, to bite you in the ass. I just hope I live to see it.

CARTER                    That’s not what I’m doing.

ANDY                        Keep telling yourself that. See how far it gets you.

Beat. Then Carter punches the back of Andy’s seat. Andy flinches but makes no other reaction.

KELLY           Carter!!

CLAY Aagh!!

Glenn slows down to make the big turn onto the highway.

The police sirens go on for a good minute now as the rest of the procession merges onto the highway. The cars accelerate.

JIM      So I’m selling the house.

ERIC   What??

JIM                              Yeah, got a buyer all lined up. Young couple just had their first kid. They want to do some remodeling, think the kitchen, the bathrooms all could use an overhaul, bring everything up to date.

Off their looks

                                   Well you know your mother and I had been talking about it for years, it was no secret. That was always the plan. We were supposed to do it after I retired. It’s too big, too much property, upkeep, and now for one person, it doesn’t make sense. So we’re signing the contracts next week.

MINDY                      Just like that?

JIM                              You make it sound like it’s this involved process. The truth is I put the listing up on a Monday and by that Friday I had three offers on the table. Not that I didn’t have a few questions. Like I wasn’t sure what to value it at. I’d had a guy out to appraise it but the figure he came up with didn’t seem quite right to me. So I talked to your sister about it. She has a friend who’s a realtor, smart gal –

ERIC                           Beth knew?

JIM                              Now don’t go blaming her. I was the one told her to keep her mouth shut at least till we were further down the line, because I knew you’d object.

                                   Was I wrong?

ERIC                           Of course you weren’t wrong. But this is not just your decision to make.

JIM                              Yes it is.

Slight pause

                                   You both look at me like I’m crazy when this has always been the plan. Even when your mother was still alive, when she went into the hospital. You don’t think I wasn’t consulting her? That she wasn’t with me every step of the way on this?

                                   Now I won’t lie and say we agreed on the timeline. She wanted to wait till the grandkids were out of school, had graduated and moved on to college, and that was the plan until she got sick. Then we changed the plan. Because you know our savings are fine, I got more than enough to live on the next however many years, whatever route I end up taking I don’t know yet. So with the profits from the sale of the house, we just figured we’d split ‘em four ways, between the four kids. The four grandkids. Help em pay for college. Or help em just get going.

                                   That was your mother’s wish, Eric.  

ERIC                           And that’s great, Dad. But it could have waited a few more years, right, til everything’s more… settled. Why did it have to be now?

JIM                              Because. On top of everything, the money, I’m not really interested in the house anymore.

MINDY                      Sorry Jim, just to clarify: Are we just talking about maintenance and stuff, taking care of the lawn? Because we can totally hire someone, a landscaping team you know to come out if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

JIM                              Not feeling overwhelmed. Just done.

MINDY                      But the house. Back me up here, Eric. All the memories. Not that we were under any delusion you would hold onto it forever, but we all moved around so much to where that house was the one constant, like a second home. I know for Ry [it was]… I mean I can’t even count the number of sleepovers. And Christmases, Christmas Eve we always spend over – Easter…  

JIM                              I know. They’ll miss their grandma.

MINDY                      And you Jim.

Jim makes a small dismissive gesture or sound.

ERIC                           What?

JIM                              No, I just know. I know how it’s gonna be going forward, and I get it.

ERIC                           How what’s gonna be? Dad…

JIM                              Please Eric c’mon. We all know who the draw was. They weren’t coming for me.

ERIC                           You mean Mom.

Jim shrugs.

JIM                              Not that it was ever a popularity contest, and I was never bitter – but.

                                   I’m the grump. I’m the one that told them no. To stay out of my shed. Who smokes so it’s hard to spend much time around. Or who if they asked for money would tell them to go out and start pulling weeds. Whereas Sally would just… open her purse.

Nita begins to cry softly.

Let them eat ice cream sandwiches for lunch. Take them to the water park in the summer or the movies, anywhere they wanted to go. If it was in her power, if she had a nickel left in her pocket…

PAMMY                     Mom…

JIM                              And why shouldn’t she? Those kids don’t deserve it? Of course they do. And grandparents are supposed to spoil their grandkids anyway. That’s the rule at least. But it never came natural to me. Even something simple like a hug. If you notice me I always shake the boys’ hands – a good firm grip. And Kenzie being the only girl it’s one of those quick hip-hug side things. And I let her make the first move.

                                   You really think they’re gonna wanna keep coming around for that?

                                   They’ll miss their grandma. That’s the end of it.

There is a silence.

Glenn absentmindedly hits his turn signal.

MARGARET             What –

GLENN                      Sorry. Sorry. Accident.

He slaps the turn signal off again.

A pause.

Margaret looks over at Glenn, driving very carefully now.

Ry is staring out the window at the passing countryside. Beth glances at him in the rearview.

MARGARET             (removing her glasses) So how’s school going?

BETH                          So how’s school going, Ry?

RY                              What?

GLENN                      Oh. Not bad…

RY                              School? Yeah. Pretty good, I guess.

BETH                          Keeping you busy are they?

RY                              For the most part.

MARGARET             Because I never really see you doing homework that’s all.

Slight pause.

BETH                          Is there a lot of reading?

GLENN                      Uhp. Well –

RY                              Yeah, that’s primarily what the courcework uhh, consists of mainly.

MARGARET             I mean they must still give out homework, even at the community college level don’t they?

GLENN                      They do, they – yeah. It’s just a lot of it is online.    

BETH                          Well you should warn your cousin so she gets better in the habit.

                                   Did you hear that, Kenzie?

KENZIE                     Mom I read all the time. I just do it after you go to bed so you don’t know.

GLENN                      And the hours at the parlor with everything going on there’s never time between things so I have to catch up… catch up at night. You – you’re usually asleep by then.

MARGARET             Oh so that’s the reason. Convenient.

Before Glenn can say yes

MARGARET             But it doesn’t explain why you never tell me your grades either.

Slight pause

GLENN                      No.

MARGARET             So why’s that?

GLENN                      Well… because they’re not really where I want ‘em to be.

MARGARET             Are we talking C’s? D’s?

GLENN                      Some C’s –

MARGARET             But you’re not failing. (?)

Slight pause

GLENN                      No.

                                   No.

MARGARET             Good.

GLENN                      Yeah.

MARGARET             Because you know what I think. I thought you shoulda quit after getting your GED.

Slight beat

GLENN                      Yeah.

MARGARET             Not that I don’t get why that was important – it meant something, a status thing. But you have a job. A good job. You have a whole business one day if you can prove yourself capable of running it – take over for me.

GLENN                      Yeah. Thank you.

                                   But Dad, he wanted –

MARGARET             I know what your father wanted. We argued about it. He wanted you to continue with school, eventually even transfer to a four-year. And it was his money, so…

                                   But is that really realistic?

                                   I mean wouldn’t it be so much less of a hassle not having to worry?

No response. Putting her reading glasses back on

                                   Anyway, food for thought.

Margaret is business-like again. Glenn nodding vaguely

GLENN          (barely audible) Mm-hmm.

Doug has fallen asleep and snores because of his stuffy nose.

KENZIE                     I read. I read all the time.

BETH                          I know sweetie, I never meant to imply you didn’t.

KENZIE                     I just finished the whole Divergent series. And I read the Hunger Games and all the Harry Potters.

                                   I just don’t like doing the reading for school sometimes because of the books they make us read. They’re boring. Like Huckleberry Finn.

RY                              You didn’t like Huckleberry Finn?

KENZIE                     Everything’s about the stupid “river, the river”.

                                   And did you know that’s not even his real name? It’s a pen name.

It takes Ry a second to put that together.

RY                              Mark Twain.

KENZIE                     Yeah. It’s like a boat measurement they use, the depth of the water.

                                   Doesn’t make sense. Why would somebody go to all that work of writing a book then not put their real name on it? Wouldn’t they want people to know it’s them?

Nita sniffs. Stops crying.

NITA                          She was my sister.

PAMMY                     I know Mom, it’s ok.

Beat. Then Nita has a realization.

NITA                          Oh God Pammy, I just thought of it. Is it going to be so awful one day when I’m gone? Are you gonna hate me?

Pammy gives her a confused look.

                                   Because you don’t have any brothers or sisters. Not that we didn’t try, we wanted another but luck wasn’t…

                                   But once I’m gone you’ll be all alone and that kills me. It does.

PAMMY                     I don’t know. I never thought of it.

NITA                          At least Eric and Beth, and Andy, you know, they’ll have each other for support. When Jim passes. Knock on wood.

PAMMY                     Yeah that’s… it’s gotta be a comfort.

NITA                          More reason for you to find someone.

                                   And I don’t care. If it’s another woman, fine. Be a lesbian. Just don’t end up alone.

Long pause.

                                   So, do you… Are there any prospects? Anything on the horizon?

No response. Pammy doesn’t make eye contact.

John whistles quietly to himself, staring out the window. Bailey texting.

ELLEN                       She was a real class act wasn’t she?

                                   Wade?

Slight pause:

WADE                        Oh – you mean Sally. Yeah. Yeah she was.

ELLEN                       So dear. Loved those grandkids of hers to pieces. Spoiled em rotten.

                                   (To Bailey) Well it’s what we grandmas do best – what we’re known best for, isn’t it?

Bailey smiles.

                                   And – ohhhh. Remember the summers we’d spend up at Twin Lakes, the six of us? John, you and Celia’s cabin?

WADE                        (to John) Some of the best fishing of my life, buddy. Take the boat out on the lake and just troll. Rake in those rainbow trout.

JOHN                          Yep.

BAILEY                     Cabin? What cabin?

JOHN                          Oh I sold it years ago, cookie. Years.

BAILEY                     That’s too bad. Sounds fun.

ELLEN                       It was, it was. The boys would spend all day out on the lake, drinking, you know telling dirty jokes –

WADE                        Now Ellen you know that’s not true. We kept it mostly clean, Bailey –

ELLEN                       - telling their little jokes at any rate; while us girls, we’d spend it sunbathing, try and get a tan –

WADE                        Try to not burn is more like it.

ELLEN                       (ignoring him) While it away, gossiping. Not that we had anything much to gossip about. And if the mood struck us, whip up a batch of margaritas to cool off.

WADE                        Like you needed an excuse.

ELLEN                       (continuing) Mind you this is back before any of us had kids –

WADE                        Those girls were much worse than us if you want to know the truth. At least what we wasted our time on we were providing dinner.

ELLEN                       And who made that dinner?

Wade rolls his eyes.

                                   Anyway, I miss it, I really do those days. The craziest thing Wade and I do now is take the bus up to the casino every couple months with the rest of the old fogies. And I never found losing money too exciting, though he seems perfectly happy. (meaning Wade) And the buffet’s nice.

BAILEY                     Have you guys ever done Vegas?

ELLEN                       No. But we’ve been all around Reno, Lake Tahoe, that area. And Lincoln City on the Oregon coast?

Bailey indicates a familiarity whether she’s heard of Lincoln City or not.

In #4 the mood is still tense. Clay pauses the game on his phone. Looks up. He looks from family member to family member.

CLAY                         So what are we doing after?

KELLY                       After, sweetie?

CLAY                         After they bury her or whatever, yeah – Grandma.

KELLY                       Well she’s not being buried. She’s being interred.

CLAY                         What’s that?

KELLY                       Uhm. It’s when they put your body in a mausoleum.

She sees that Clay does not know what a mausoleum is.

                                   In a building on the cemetery grounds – but not in the ground.  

CLAY                         Oh. Weird.

KELLY                       It was her choice. Your grandpa will be interred there too when he passes. Right next to her. So you see it’s not that weird compared to a normal grave. Or burial I mean.

Clay thinks for a moment, remembering.

CLAY                         But Grandpa told me one time he wanted to be cremated.

KELLY                       What?

CLAY                         That’s where they burn you, right? And just your ashes left? Because that’s what he said he wanted.

KELLY                       When did he tell you this?

CLAY                         I don’t know. Sometime.

KELLY                       Well then he must have changed his mind, or he was joking, because he’s going to be interred with Grandma Sally – or next to at any rate.

                                   (To Andy) He hasn’t told you different has he?

ANDY                        No.

KELLY                       I didn’t think so.

Pause.

CLAY                         Hey Mom.

KELLY                       Yes what Clay?

CLAY                         I was just wondering, do you know what you and dad want to do?

Slight pause

KELLY                       You mean about…?

CLAY                         Yeah. Do you guys have like a will ready to go and stuff?

KELLY                       Well… no, not exactly…

CLAY                         Why? Why not?

KELLY                       Because… (glances at Andy) I guess we haven’t crossed that bridge yet.

CLAY                         But are you leaning more towards getting cremated like Grandpa –

KELLY                       For the last time your grandfather is not being cremated –

CLAY                         (overlap) – or… sorry – or doing the above ground, moss-oleum thing?

CARTER                    You could also be shot into space or buried at sea.

Beat. Clay looks at Carter.

CLAY                         Space?? Really??

CARTER                    (nonchalant) Your ashes anyway.

Clay is floored. Back to his parents:

CLAY                         OK that’s what I want.

Wade is tapping out a beat on the steering wheel.

JOHN                          Headed back to Jim’s after this aren’t we?

WADE                        That is the plan.

JOHN                          Gonna be something to eat, right?

WADE                        From what I understand, they got the whole thing catered.

ELLEN                       Mindy said a pasta bar.

JOHN                          Good, I’m starving.

ELLEN                       Yeah, you hungry John?

John gives a small nod.

                                   That’s good. Keep up your appetite.

BAILEY                     Oh he eats all the time.

With a snort, Doug wakes up.

DOUG                        Mmmmmmm’re we there?

BETH                          Twenty minutes.

DOUG                        I fell asleep.

BETH                          You’ve been sick.

DOUG                        (to Ry) Head cold. Can’t shake it. It’s been over a week.

BETH                          I told you you should have gone in to see Doctor Keith –

DOUG                        Why? If it’s just a cold…

BETH                          (over) I mean how many bottles of Dayquil have you gone through already?

DOUG                        I don’t know…

KENZIE                     Dad can’t swallow pills.

DOUG                        I’m just not good at it. It’s psychological – a psychological thing. I think I’m gonna choke.

KENZIE                     You need to relax Dad.

RY                              Yeah sometimes I have a hard time too. Taking pills.

DOUG                        It’s a mental thing.

BETH                          The doctor prescribed him an antibiotic once and he had to ask for it in a suspension.

RY                              That sucks. I’m sorry.

DOUG                        I just don’t know why they can’t make them taste good is all. Like Dayquil, Nyquil. I mean does it have to taste like black licorice of all things? Add some more chemicals, whatever you have to do I don’t care, whatever so it doesn’t taste so bad.

                                   (To Ry) Black licorice, am I right?

RY                              Nyquil? Yeah.

Doug looks at Beth as if making a point.

DOUG                        See what I told you? Gross.

Jim has been lost in thought. He turns to Eric and Mindy now.

JIM                              Hey I don’t think I ever thanked you guys for taking care of so much of the planning for this. The food and everything.

ERIC                           It was no problem Dad.

Slight pause

JIM                              And that’s all set up?

MINDY                      Back at the house yeah. The caterers, they should be setting up as we speak.

JIM                              How they get in?

MINDY                      Oh. Meryl volunteered to let them in.

JIM                              Meryl did?

MINDY                      To stay behind – or to go back right after the service. She said she didn’t mind, she said it was ok she could help.

                                   She’s a good one to have as a neighbor. You’re lucky.

Jimmy is amused by that.

JIM                              Is she?

He chuckles quietly. Mindy looks at Eric.

ERIC                           Dad… what…?

JIM                              Oh if you only knew.

                                   They hated each other.

ERIC                           What?

MINDY                      Are you kidding?

JIM                              Nope.

ERIC                           Since when?

JIM                              Years. Twenty, thirty years...

MINDY                      But I thought they always seemed like such good friends.

JIM                              Well they’d play nice in front of other people because what else are you going to do? You don’t make a scene, you don’t make a big thing out of it. Especially when you gotta live next to someone your whole life.

ERIC                     ��     What about you and Ed?

JIM                              Got along fine. Not chummy but could share a beer. No, it was the women who had the problem.

MINDY                      Did something happen?

JIM                              Did it. Yes.

                                   Well you know how your mother would dote on those fucking rose bushes all the time. Her pride and joy – (Sorry, Mindy) and rightfully so. Pruning and getting just the right fertilizer for it. How she’d pack them before winter, dress ‘em, the care she’d take. But bugs were always a concern. Now she’d tried a buncha different pesticides, even mixing a few of her own – homemade, you know, poison free, organic – to varying success. Then Meryl comes along with a spray she swears does the trick – “saved her azaleas last year”, all that. So Sally she goes along, takes the advice, believing her, grateful. Well no reason not to at this point, they were friends, if only neighborly. But I swear to God those roses of hers dried up in a week – like the life was choked out of ‘em. Sally thought it was a mistake at first; they weren’t getting enough water and so on. Then she remembered the previous year, how Meryl’s tulips had shriveled up just the same. Just the same.

Jim lets that sink in with them.

MINDY                      So you’re saying it – that Meryl sabotaged her?

JIM                              Was the conclusion Sally came to yes. And true or not, nothing was ever the same between ‘em.

ERIC                           (slowly) Uh huh.

JIM                              And you know your mom, normally she was “forgive and forget”. Didn’t hold grudges easy. But with this and Meryl you better believe she made an exception.

Beat.

MINDY                      Wow. No idea. That just seems so out of character for her.

JIM                              It was and it wasn’t. Sally had buttons the same as the rest of us, and when they got pushed – watch out.

                                   (To Eric) You kids were probably her biggest one – number one trigger for Mama Bear to come out of hibernation. Heck, she’d defend you even when she knew for a fact you were in the wrong. Like when Andy put his fist through that school window, remember? In the meeting with the principal: (Imitating Sally’s voice) “Well where was the teacher while all this was happening? Who was sposed to be supervising them at the time?” Fast as you can Sally turned it around on the teacher and by extension the school for leaving the kids unattended. They were lucky we weren’t suing; Andy could have cut his arm off, punctured an artery, anything.

                                   (Sally’s voice again)

                                   “We should just be grateful no one got hurt and leave it at that.”

                                   She was something, I’m telling you.

Jim marvels at the memory. Then he frowns.  

Pause.

                                   Nice of her to help out though.

ERIC                           What?

JIM                              Meryl. She didn’t have to do that.

Margaret is making a note or checking a box on her clipboard. She glances up briefly.

MARGARET The exit.

GLENN                      Hmm?

MARGARET             Exit’s coming up. You don’t want to miss it.

Slight beat.

GLENN                      I’m following the cop.

MARGARET             So?

GLENN                      So how could I miss the exit when I’m following the cop? Unless I just wasn’t paying attention?

MARGARET             You drift.

GLENN                      What –

MARGARET             Attention Deficit Disorder. Your dad told me you were diagnosed as a kid –

GLENN                      Ok but –

MARGARET             That you were on medication for it, Ritalin or one of those.

GLENN                      Yeah –

MARGARET             And all I’m saying is have you thought about getting retested?

Beat. Glenn trying not to glare at Margaret. Then he returns his focus to the road. Hits the right turn signal with probably more force than necessary.

Sirens. One by one, the drivers hit their turn signals and take the off ramp.

BETH                          Hey Ry.

                                   You ever miss living over in the valley?

RY                              Uhh. Sometimes.

BETH                          Not that it really matters now that you’re in college.

RY                              Yeah –

BETH                          Though maybe you would have ended up at WSU and not U-dub. Been a Cougar not a Huskie.

RY                              Mmmmaybe. Yeah.    

KENZIE                     Do you ever go to any games?

RY                              Uh, I haven’t so far.

BETH                          What about joining a fraternity? You’re living in the dorms now, right? Have you given it any thought?

RY                              Well I might get an apartment with my roommate next year –

BETH                          Living off campus? Your parents are ok with that even though you’ll only be a sophomore?

RY                              Yeah. I mean we’re talking about it…

BETH                          I’d just worry about drugs. Pot is so easy to get now that it’s legal – for underage.

                                   Is it a big problem?

RY                              Ummm. Well I have some friends, I know some people that do it.

BETH  In the dorms?

RY      Uhhh…

KENZIE         Mom you’re totally interrogating him. Stop.

BETH                          It’s an honest question. I need to know whether to lock you up or not when you turn eighteen.

This line has the effect of breaking the tension. There’s laughter and Ry breathes easier.

KENZIE                     (to Ry) Can I ask you a question if you don’t mind. Do you want to be a writer when you grow up?

RY                              I don’t know.

KENZIE                     What do you like to write?

RY                              Short stories. Plays.

KENZIE                     Plays?

RY                              Yeah.

KENZIE                     How do you even do that, write a play?

RY                              Well, they’re mostly dialogue.

KENZIE                     You mean talking.

                                   How do you know what to have them say though?

RY                              It… just comes naturally I guess.

BETH                          That’s amazing, Ry, to have that kind of imagination. I think if I wrote a story or a play I’d have the main character walk into a room, say Hello, and then there would just be silence.

There is a silence.

KENZIE                     You should write a movie.

Nita looks out the window and points to something.

NITA                          See where they closed that K-Mart finally? But they didn’t replace it with anything. You can still make out the letters from where they took down the sign. Like a ghost.

Pause.

                                   Pammy, I know I joke but I do want to see you settled down with somebody. It would make me happy.

PAMMY         Not like I’m not trying.

NITA                          I know. But it’s this women thing I think’s at the root of the problem.

PAMMY                     Mom –

NITA                          Let me finish Pammy, please. If I can make my point –

Pammy huffs but says no more. Pause.

                                   Now I’m not ready to dismiss it altogether, out of hand. I know you have certain leanings, and to deny that would be to say your feelings weren’t real, or true. Of course they’re real. At the end of the day I want to see you with someone, doesn’t matter who. As long as you’re taken care of.

Pause.

PAMMY                     Ok.

NITA                          Ok.

                                   But it hasn’t happened. I mean it hasn’t for you and another woman in a relationship, you haven’t been able to make it last. And I think you should look at that. And perhaps you’re barking up the wrong tree.

Pammy wants to close her eyes and shut out the world, but she’s driving.

Nita studies her.

                                   You know I, I try to picture myself doing it. Being with a woman ‘stead of a man. Physically, you know? And what I can’t get over is how it would be like kissing your best friend. And wouldn’t that be weird.

PAMMY                     It’s not. It’s neither of those things.

NITA                          Oh…? See now that’s fascinating to me. So you’re saying – for you you’re saying – it’s just like kissing anybody else. A man I mean.

PAMMY                     No that’s not what I’m “saying”. It’s not like kissing a man, because when I kiss a man, Mom – when I touch a man there’s just nothing. The few times I have, it’s like the opposite of having a reaction. Everything, the sparks, the whatever, that you’re supposed to feel, chemistry, clicking – there is none.

                                   And I’m not gonna be hypocritical here and say whenever I kiss a woman all those bells and whistles that are meant to go off, go off, because no. Because in fact it’s quite rare. I don’t know, maybe I’m too particular and that’s my fault, a million reasons. But this idea that there’s someone for everyone, or even that you should settle just so not to be alone – I can’t. I won’t.

                                   So if she does come along one day, fine. I’m not holding my breath; I don’t really put myself out there in any kind of way and…

                                   But you pressuring me either isn’t helping.

Sirens as the procession moves through an intersection. A random car honks.

KELLY                       Did you hear that? Someone just honked.

ANDY                        Yeah…

KELLY           Well, pardon my French, but what an asshole.

Andy smiles. Clay laughs.

CLAY Mom, you can’t say that!

KELLY                       Well guess what, I just did! I mean he should have more respect! People should.

ANDY                        Got places to be.

KELLY                       Oh yeah, I’m sure it’s so important.

Beat.

CARTER                    Hey do you want to hear a joke?

Kelly looks at Andy, who shrugs but says nothing.

KELLY                       If it’s appropriate.

CARTER                    OK. Umm.

                                   A guy walks into a doctor’s office. And he’s got this duck stuck to his head – on top of his head. So the doctor walks in and says what’s going on, what’s the problem? And the duck says, “Yeah, can you get this guy off my ass?!!”

Kelly bursts out laughing. Andy cracks a smile, chuckles. Clay laughs in a way where you know he didn’t fully understand the joke but found it funny because of the bad language.

Carter is buoyed by their response.  

           I have another one.

A guy dressed like a pirate walks into a bar. He’s got a pirate hat and wood leg and a parrot, the whole thing. But he’s also got this steering wheel attached to his crotch. He sits down and orders a beer. Now everyone is just staring at him. And some time goes by and finally the bartender walks over and says, “Hey buddy, I don’t mean to bother you or anything but what’s with the steering wheel attached to your crotch?” And the pirate says (In a pirate voice) “Arrr, it drives me nuts!!”

More laughter. Kelly wipes tears from her eyes she’s laughing so hard.

KELLY           Oh my God! Did you make that up, Carter?

CARTER        No, I heard them somewhere. But they’re my favorite jokes.

KELLY           Well, you’re very good at telling them.

           (To Andy) Isn’t he?

ANDY            He’s always been funny.

KELLY                       I just think it’s nice to have something to lift your spirits on a day like this. Even if it is stupid.

CARTER                    Thanks Mom.

KELLY                       Oh no I didn’t mean that as a slight or anything… Sweetie, you know that, right?

She looks at her son, Carter smiling but impenetrable:

CARTER                    What?

Bailey’s phone chirps a new text message. She types a response back.

ELLEN                       Spend a lot of time on your phone, do you?

Bailey smile-nods. Another text comes through and she doesn’t miss a beat responding to it.

How it is now. How people your age “stay connected” as they say. So many more friends. No other way to keep up.

           You don’t go in for all that, do you John?

BAILEY                     Are you kidding? He doesn’t even have a cell phone. But sometimes I’ll tweet out the stuff he says because it’s just too funny. Like my followers are in love with him. And on Instagram.

ELLEN           That’s the picture one, right?

BAILEY         Um, you may be thinking of Snapchat.

ELLEN                       You know, my grandson Jake tried to sign me up for that Facebook once, and he said I would need a photo to put on there and I was like, “You want to put my picture on the internet?? So just anyone can look me up??”

WADE                        She’s making a bigger thing of it than it is, like we’re completely out of touch, from the stone age. We use our phones all the time.

ELLEN                       But for normal calling purposes. Not for all that texting stuff. And we still have our landline.

BAILEY                     Yeah, John made us keep ours too. I told him it wasn’t necessary anymore but he said –

                                   No, John, you tell them what you said.

JOHN                          What I what?

BAILEY                     What you said when I suggested getting rid the landline.

JOHN                          The…?

BAILEY                     The phone at the house.

                                   The home phone, John.

JOHN                          Oh. Yeah.

                                   (To Wade) She wanted to call the phone company and cancel our service altogether, do you believe that?

BAILEY                     No, but tell them the reason you gave.

JOHN                          The reason? For?

BAILEY                     For not wanting to cancel it, John. Oh my God, are you serious or are you just fucking with me right now?

John frowns. Ellen shows concern.

JOHN                          Oh. Oh yeah. Now I…

                                   Yeah, I told her… I remember… told her if people called and got a message, you know, “this number has been disconnected”, something like that… well… (With a rueful chuckle) They might think I’d been disconnected too.

BAILEY                     Which is ridiculous!! Right??!

                                   (To Ellen) I mean that anyone would believe he actually died –??

Even Wade looks uncomfortable now.

ELLEN           Uh. Well. Sort of…

BAILEY                     (to John) See I told you, sillyhead –

ELLEN                       Only I wouldn’t go that far.

Bailey stops. Looks at Ellen.

                                   Well, let’s face it, John’s getting up there.

                                   (To John) No offense, big guy.

JOHN                          (“none taken”) Hey.

ELLEN                       We all are. Each of us. And it’s bad enough a day like today to have that kind of reminder. It’s like you get to be a certain age it’s all you ever hear. No escaping it.

                                   So it’s a sensitive subject.

                                   And maybe your difference in years between you makes that harder to relate. I don’t know. If it does then OK. But just know, we try to have a sense of humor about it, about…. and do most of the time. But there’s also a line.

Beat.

                                   I’m sorry, sweetie. That didn’t mean to come off as such an attack.

BAILEY                     No. No. Honesty’s good.

                                   Thanks.

Doug goes into a brief sneezing fit. He does not cover his nose.        

BETH                          God, Doug. Please. If you’re gonna do that into your sleeve.

DOUG                        But I don’t want to get – (Sneezes) get it on my suit.

BETH                          So it’s better to get snot all over the dashboard?

He shrugs. Then sneezes again.

Sirens. Glenn reacts by slowing down. He hits his left blinker. Then makes a slow left turn.

Other drivers slow down and make the left turn.

ERIC                           Here we go. Home stretch.

JIM                              Yeah.

Pause.

MINDY                      I always forget how beautiful the country is out here. In the spring, the orchards? One of the things I miss most.

ERIC                           You didn’t have to work in them.

JIM                              Good summer job. Don’t complain.

ERIC                           I’m not. Just you never made Beth or Eric work in the summer, so…

JIM                              Is that what I did, make you?

ERIC                           Well, if I wanted any spending money –

JIM                              You know Tom Hall was doing me a favor, he didn’t have to take you on, there is cheaper labor out there –

ERIC                           I know –

JIM                              (to Mindy) Would think he’d be grateful a few extra bucks in his pocket, but all I ever heard was complaints.

ERIC                           Fine –

JIM                              “Oh it’s so hard, the days are sooo long” whining –

ERIC                           Alright Dad –

JIM                              And you only worked that one summer anyway. Not like you were a migrant nothing else to fall back on. Just quit.

Jim glances over at Eric.

                                   What, the defense rests all of a sudden?

Mindy watches her husband, silent.

                                   Because you know I’m right.

Doug has nodded off again.  

BETH                          Kenzie? Try and remind me if you can your dad’s due for another round of Keflex when we get back to Grandpa’s, ok?

KENZIE                     That’s the pink stuff in the fridge?

Beth nods. Pause.

RY                              I think we had to give that to our cat once.

KENZIE                     You have a cat?

RY                              We did. She got out. Ran away.

KENZIE                     That sucks. What was her name?

RY                              Marshmallow.

BETH                          Was she indoor only, Ry?

RY                              Yeah.

BETH                          That makes sense. Was she always trying to get out?

RY                              Uhh, no. My dad – he was bringing in groceries apparently and left the door open. I don’t know, I was at school.

BETH                          Oh, so this was just recently.

RY                              March I think yeah.

                                   Grandma was already in the hospital.

KENZIE                     What does that have to do with anything?

BETH                          Kenzie.

Kenzie looks at Ry. Then to her mom.

KENZIE                     Ok what, I’m confused.

Margaret is staring at her clipboard. Glenn clears his throat.

GLENN          Here. We’re here. The officer’s pulling off.

He gives a small wave of thanks to the motorcycle cop as they drive past.

MARGARET Made pretty good time.

No response/icy.

           Slow down for the gates.

GLENN          I know.

The cars decelerate as they start down the gravel road which winds circuitously through the cemetery.

NITA  So many. You think they’d run out of room.

But it kind makes me sad, that they don’t do ‘em upright anymore. The headstones. You lose the whole look.

PAMMY         Easier to mow.

NITA                          See I don’t get that concern. So what if it takes longer to do some landscaping? Is that really important? Is convenience?

PAMMY                     I don’t know Mom.

NITA                          We should honor their final wishes, whatever they are.

                                   You know what I want.

PAMMY                     Mm.

NITA                          My will is very specific. I took you through it.

PAMMY                     Yeah.

NITA                          Wish I could leave you more, saved better. I didn’t plan too well in that event.

PAMMY                     I don’t care.

Beat.

NITA                          I’m sorry Pammy. But if you can, try to wait to blame me for everything until after I’m gone.

Clay points to something ahead of them.

CLAY                         Is that the building where they’re gonna put Grandma? The mosque or whatever?

KELLY                       Mausoleum, sweetie.

CLAY                         Oh, oh.

Pause. Kelly turns in her seat to back at Carter.

KELLY                       Still pouting?

CARTER                    It doesn’t matter.

KELLY                       But you’re mad at me.

CARTER                    No. I just, I can’t tell a joke in this family. I can’t do anything right.

ANDY                        You don’t think you’re being too emotional?

CARTER                    If you say so.

ANDY                        Great. So you’re just going to shut down, is that it?

Carter stares forward.

                                   Maybe you should stay in the car then.

KELLY                       Nooo. Andy, that’s – That’s not a solution.

Andy pulls into a parking spot. He puts the car in park. Looks at his wife.

ANDY                        Fine. We’ll leave it up to him.

He opens his door and starts to get out.

Others are doing the same. There are sounds of car doors opening and shutting throughout the following.

BETH                          (to Kenzie) Wake up your dad, will you? I gotta check in with Uncle Eric.

She goes to find Eric.

Kenzie nudges Doug.

KENZIE                     Hey Dad. Dad we’re here. Get up.

DOUG                        (sleepily) Yeah ok…

Ry has already gotten out of the car and moves towards his parents.

Eric is holding the door open for Jim, who has a semi-difficult time getting out of the car. Eric has to resist the urge to help his father.

Glenn moves around opening car doors for people and directing them towards the mausoleum.

Margaret goes over to him. Confidentially:

MARGARET             Go inside and see what you can do to help.

Glenn glares at her. He goes off. Margaret takes over directing mourners to the mausoleum.

Carter is still sitting in the backseat of #4. He hasn’t budged.

Beth moves to Jim and hugs him.

BETH                          We made it, Dad.

JIM                              You thought there was a chance we wouldn’t?

Beth looks at Eric. Eric shakes his head or rolls his eyes.

Nita waits in the car while Pammy sets up her walker.

NITA                          Hurry Pammy, they’re starting to go in.

Kelly approaches Pammy.

KELLY                       Hey… You guys alright?

PAMMY                     What? Yeah.

KELLY                       (overlapping) Just ‘cause we saw you almost go off the road back there and wondered if anything was wrong.

PAMMY                     Oh…

NITA                          That was me! That was me. My fault.

Ry finds Mindy. When she sees him she sees he’s on the verge of tears.

MINDY                      Oh honey, what’s wrong? Why are you…? Did something happen, what…?

He shakes his head. He cries. She holds him.

Wade, with Ellen on his arm, passes by them. And when they’re out of earshot:

ELLEN                       God, doesn’t that just break your heart. That poor boy losing his grandma. I don’t think he was prepared.

WADE                        Well you can’t be.

They go off.

John is smoking a cigarette off to the side.

BAILEY                     This is your one for the day. The doctor said you had to cut back.

JOHN                          Said I should have quit 40 years ago, but there’s no prescribing a time machine.

He throws the cigarette down and she stubs it out with her heel.

                                   Thank you, cookie.

Bailey puts her arm through his and leads him off.

Clay is standing near Kenzie, who is looking at her phone.

KENZIE                     Bitch.

CLAY                         What?

KENZIE                     Nothing. Just my team won their game.

She finds Doug and goes off. Clay finds Kelly.

CLAY                         Mom, are we going to go?

KELLY                       Just a minute, you see I’m talking to people (Nita and Pammy) here.

PAMMY                     Actually we were heading that direction too.

Nita moves slowly with the aid of her walker, Pammy at her side. They go off.

KELLY                       Then I guess we should find your father.

CLAY                         He’s over there talking to Grandpa.

                                   Hey, what’s going to happen to Carter?

KELLY                       I don’t know, that’s up to your dad.

CLAY                         Does he not have to go to the funeral?

KELLY                       Sweetie, we’re at the funeral.

They go off.

ANDY                        (to Eric) What do you mean?

                                   (To Jim) What is he talking about sell the house?

JIM                              I’m not doing this here. With you.

BETH                          Dad, I just don’t think it’s the time to be making that kind of decision.

JIM                              Not up to you. And I said we’re not discussing it right now anyway.

Jim starts towards the mausoleum, but he doesn’t end up going far.

BETH                          Eric…

ERIC                           I don’t know. I don’t know what to do for him.

Eric goes and finds his family. And the three of them go off.

BETH                          (to Andy) So what? How can we stop this? I mean what are our options here?

ANDY                        Well, we could tie him to a chair. That might work. Or get him declared legally insane?

BETH                          Stop joking.

Beth looks around for her family but when she doesn’t find them, goes off.

Margaret has also exited by now.

Jim notices Carter sitting in the car. Knocks on the window. Carter ignores him.

JIM                              What’s your problem?

                                   (Calls to Andy) What’s his problem?

ANDY                        Attitude.

JIM                              Bad attitude, huh? Want me to talk to him?

ANDY                        Go ‘head. You have such great ideas after all.

Andy goes off.

Jim is alone with Carter onstage. He knocks on the window again.

JIM                              Get out of the car. Come on.

After another beat, Carter opens the door and gets out. They stand there for a moment, Carter not meeting Jim’s eyes.

           This is your grandma’s funeral. It’s her day. So stop it.

CARTER        Ok.

JIM      Always there for you, wasn’t she?

Carter makes a small nod.

           So you be there for her.

CARTER        K.

JIM      Tell me if that doesn’t make sense.

CARTER        No.

Slight pause.

JIM      I’m gonna sell the house.

CARTER        Your house?

JIM                              I’m thinking about it.

                                   Would that bother you – the other grandkids you think?

CARTER        I don’t know.

JIM      But give me your opinion.

CARTER        I guess you should do what you want, what’s best.

JIM      What’s best? Or what I want?

Carter looks away, not knowing how to respond.

           How 'bout you? Would you still come visit?

CARTER        Huh?

JIM                              If I was living someplace else. Somewhere smaller. Like a retirement home. Just if I was living someplace else. Would you come visit me?

CARTER        Well we don’t really have much choice.

Beat.

Jim looks at Carter. Then nods.

JIM      Yeah.

           Should get in there.

Carter starts off.

           I don’t want to be missed.

Carter stops. Looks back at his grandfather. Jim motions for Carter to go on without him, so he does.

Jim stands amongst the empty cars. The chairs just look like chairs now.

Music. Roy Orbison’s cover of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.

 End of Play

[tessxomarie]

Saving You - Part V

Trigger Warning - brief mentions of Self-Harm

*This part is almost 4,000 words. A lot happened...as always, let me know what you all think! I appreciate all the feedback & I love you all so much!*

It’s been almost a week since Tessa’s birthday party. I took a half day Monday because the emotions from Sunday were still weighing heavy on my mind.

Kendra invited me over to spend the night that night, and she came home with a new journal for me.

“Here. Write. Whatever is in that head of yours. Write.”

I used to keep a diary after my dad went to prison, a way to express myself in a positive way, before things with my mom got bad and the alternative options arose. Kendra found an old box of some old diaries Sunday night when I asked her to reach for some more blankets up in the closet and the box may or may not have fallen on her...oops.

Anyways, it’s now Saturday night. I picked up a shift at the clinic because Kendra was working there today.

Working with your best friend always makes work feel less like actual work. We both closed up the clinic at 8pm and ordered some carry out Chinese and headed back to my place for the night.

“What a day.” Kendra says as she plops down on my couch, and then just sprawls amongst the sectional.

I can’t help but laugh at her action.

“That’s why the Lord gave us wine, and lots of it.” I say as I bring out two wine glasses and a new bottle of our fav.

“Fill it to the top, I’m not even joking. Give it all to me.” Kendra demands as she motions for me to keep filling up her glass.

I fill up our glasses and hand hers to her, I then plop down next to her and we both let out a sigh.

“Cheers to us surviving psycho Maria and her demonic twins.” Kendra toasts, and we clink our glasses.

“Jesus and Jose are so cute but yet underneath those dimples and perfect smiles, they’re just the spawn of Satan.” I say staring blankly at the tv.

“Well the baby daddy is locked up for murder, so they basically are the spawn of Satan.” Kendra adds.

I give her a look, and she looks at me as if she said something totally normal, “What? It’s a fact! Speaking of Satan and their spawns, how are our favorite bikers? I haven’t heard from them this week.” She asks as she takes a big sip of wine.

I rub my temples, and I think to how I haven’t had to deal with any of them this week – it’s odd but not enough for a concern. When I have quiet weeks, it usually means there was a run and they were someone else’s problem.

“Bishop and EZ texted me this week, just checking in. They wanted to make sure I was alright and safe.” I tell her, shrugging my shoulders as it truly is nothing major.

Kendra then looks at me and nods her head, “Aww those bikers love their Lee Lee.” She says as she tries to grab my chin, but I swat her away.

“They love to drive me crazy.” I correct.

“I know they don’t know why they’re supposed to be protecting you, but they’ve never questioned it and they do love you, Lee. Every time I go there with you, they all rush to you and treat you like family. It’s beautiful in a very weird way.” She says with a laugh.

I laugh along because she’s right, it is weirdly beautiful.

“I want to agree with you, but not everyone there loves me.” I say, and before I can even explain what I meant Kendra finishes my thought for me.

“Okay, everyone besides Angel. That grump ass needs some good sex or something because that man never fucking smiles. Like dude, you’re a tall sexual biker, you got biker sluts all over you on any given night of the week AND a girlfriend or whatever the fuck they are; yet he never smiles.” Kendra rants, and I just sit there, with a flat grin on my face waiting for her to finish. She sees me starting at her and she stops and giggles, “What? You know I’m right, Lee.”

I take a sip of wine, “I didn’t say you weren’t. It’s just when you lay it all out like that, I now start to wonder if Angel is actually happy. Sex isn’t the only thing that makes men happy, right?.” I trail off.

“Umm that’s why I said he needs some good sex, I’m guessing Adelita ain’t cutting it for him. Even though he supposedly loves her...if the sex isn’t good, why would you stay? Like, that’s what I’d like to know.”

As Kendra rambles, she starts to get herself a plate of Chinese and I’m just looking at her confused.

“What?” She asks with a mouth full of an egg roll.

“Are you sure you’re not already wasted? You’re talking about Angel’s relationship as if we give a shit.”

Kendra scoffs, “Listen Aleeah, I know Angel is a prick. I know he loves Adelita but the boy has been in more scuffles this month than the last eight that you’ve been around. He’s stayed at his place here in Santo Padre than going across the Mexican border to his amor. Shit doesn’t add up. He’s not happy, and it’s not just the shit with him and EZ.”

“Have you talked to EZ lately?” I ask. Kendra and EZ, they’ve hooked up a few times over the last few months. I fully support that cause, I love Kendra and I love EZ, he’s a good guy that does bad stuff for a living but he treats women like queens.

“Eh, not really. It’s one of those things where I honestly have zero hard feelings towards him. I get that this brother turmoil is taking a toll so I’m not going to force anything. I don’t even like knowing half the shit I do but that’s all because of you. Now, if the man were to send me a Booty 911 tonight, you bet your ass I’d go fuck him. With. out. A. doubt.” She says clapping in between words at the end of her sentence, which causes me to laugh uncontrollably.

We finish our dinner and put on Mean Girls, the basic and easy go-to for girls night.

We both drift off after the movie on my couch, nurses in bed by 11 on a Saturday, what a life we live.

I wake up an hour later when my foot twitches in my sleep, and just as I start to come to it, my phone goes off.

I see EZ’s name flash across my phone and I pick up.

“Hello?” I say tiredly

“Leah we need you, now.” EZ says nervously.

“EZ, what is it?” I ask, and I nudge Kendra awake, and I whisper “Kenz, wake up, it’s EZ.”

“Is Kendra with you?” He asks and I’m confused. “Uhh yeah, she’s right here. EZ, what’s going on? You’re making me nervous.”

“Bring her with you and bring all medical stuff you two have. Meet at the clubhouse in ten minutes.” and the phone clicks.

“Kendra, wake the fuck up!” I shout.

“What, what what?” she shoots up from the couch.

“EZ just called, said for the both of us to meet at the clubhouse in ten minutes with all of our medical stuff.” I say giving her the look, the look that something bad has happened.

“Jesus Christ.” is all Kendra says.

I redo my messy bun and collect my thoughts. I go to my room to put on a pair of jeans and a tank top with a simple cardigan for this unusual cool night we’re having. Then I go into my bathroom and grab my extra medical bag and whatever materials from my own stock.

“Leah, I need a hair-tie.” Kendra shouts from the living room.

I throw her the one from my wrist and she sees as I do so, “I’ll give it back as soon as we’re done, alright?” She asks giving me her serious look – she’s been on edge all week watching my wrists like a hawk. I appreciate it, I truly do.

I nod towards her and look over our stuff.

“Your bag is in your car?” I ask.

“Yeah, grab your keys and I’ll drive.”

We both pile up the backseat of Kendra’s Wrangler.

“Let’s go see what trouble these boys have caused.” She says as she starts the engine.

Exactly ten minutes later, Kendra speeds into the clubhouse lot. Chucky was there awaiting our arrival.

Kendra is barely in park before we both duck out of the Wrangler.

“Chucky, what the fuck is going on?” I tensely say.

He looks pretty worried and that causes Kendra and I both to look at each other and give our best “oh shit” expressions.

“It’s Coco and Angel.” Chucky says and I slowly turn around and dart to the stairs, “Aleeah, it’s bad. I think they both may have been shot. Adelita brought them.” Chucky tells me and my eyes grow three sizes.

I look to Kendra and she catches up to me, “Let’s go.” She deems.

We barge into the clubhouse and Angel is on the table in the middle of the room. He’s screaming from his pain.

Coco is sitting in a chair across from the table Angel is on.

I see so many rags with blood, and everyone is in panic.

This can’t be happening.

“What’s going on?” Kendra asks before I can even fathom a sentence.

“Coco, he got beat up pretty bad and has a bullet wound in his thigh. Angel, he was shot in the back of his left shoulder, stabbed in the abdomen.” EZ explains to us, and I see Kendra rub his arm.

“It looks bad, girls.” Riz tells us, and I rush to Angel’s aide.

“Everyone take two steps back, now.” I demand, and the rest of the guys hold their hands up and move back.

Kendra goes over to Coco, he’s grimacing in pain, but it doesn’t look as awful as I first thought. I go look at Angel’s shoulder, the bullet is lodged in there pretty good. His stomach, that wound looks nasty.

“Okay, I need to know what was used. Someone spit out some details.” I say as I put on my gloves and Kendra is right behind me doing the same.

I look around at the guys, hoping for some answers. A woman’s voice then appears from the background and grows louder as she approaches within earshot. I turn to see her, Adelita.

“Angel was at my place, Coco had called him and said he needed to talk. Angel told him he could just come stay with us, we heard some noises and Angel went to check it out. Coco trailed behind. There was a guy with a mask on, he stabbed Angel. One of my guy’s thought Angel was the intruder and shot at him and shot back at Coco when he fired.  I tried to see if I could clean and stitch it up, but I couldn’t.”

With every word that Adelita speaks, my blood boils.

“One of your guys shot him? And an intruder stabbed him with a mask on? You tried to clean these wounds out? With what? Mexican tap water?” I fire question after question. Adelita looks away from me.

“Kenz, how’s Coco?” I ask, but my eyes never tear away from Adelita.

“Stable.” She responds, “Vitals appear normal.” She adds on.

“Kendra, go to Angel, take over.” I order, and Kendra already gets the stuff together as I’m talking. I re-shift my body and take a step towards Adelita.

“You mean to tell me, you tried to fix him up with your make-shift products? You used tap water on his injuries? You’re not a fucking doctor, nurse or EMT Adelita! Jesus Christ. How the hell did you even get these two up here if you were at your place? Did you use your magical powers and transport them up here via spirit?” I say with sass laced anger, and the anger is pouring out of my pores.

“Aleeah!” Kendra shouts in a tone that tells me to calm down. I give her my death stare, I truly don’t give a shit about the words out of my mouth right now – what I care about is getting answers for Angel and Coco.

Adelita refuses to look at me, “Do you even know what stabbed him? Was it a knife? A blade? An old rusty tool? Do you know anything helpful?” I demand, and she still refuses to look at me.

I don’t know what comes over me, but with her lack of emotions and lack of answering questions, it pushes me over the edge.

“LOOK AT ME!” I scream.

I’m well aware of the capabilities Adelita has, I know who she runs with.

Gilly, Coco and Marcus have all clued me in. I know everything and this is one area where I wish I didn’t know everything. Adelita could blow my head off right here and now, and if Angel wasn’t laying on this table I’m pretty sure she would.

She finally looks at me and all emotion is gone, “This man on that table, the man that has risked everything for you…” I begin spitting off, “the man who loves you, he could die thanks to your poor choices.” I continue on, taking a step closer to Adelita, now her eyes are met with mine.

“You’re a rebel with no cause now, and you’re about to be a woman with no man to love. Get out of here, you are a waste of space at the moment.” I seethe. I’m pretty sure if I could spit fire, fire would have spread all over Adelita.

“Lee, this stab wound is bad. We need to call Shelby.” Kendra informs me – Shelby Pearson is the local ER surgeon. She’s taken Kendra and myself under her wing once we joined the hospital.

Before I can even think, Bishop announces he’ll call Shelby for us. I look back over to Adelita and I point towards the door, and she turns and leaves.

I rush over to help Kendra, and I see Angel is in pain. He’s an asshole, but I’d never wish this shit for him.

Kendra looks at me with concern about what I just said and did…in front of the entire MC. I give her a quirked brow and she matches mine, I then reply to her look.

“Save his ass first, ask for forgiveness later.” I say putting rubber gloves on.

Angel is in and out of it and I need to find a way to keep him awake.

“Angel, how are we doing pain wise?” I ask.

“Like I was shot and stabbed.” He replies with a bit of attitude, but I’ve never been so happy to hear his sass.

I grin and pause my movements, “You’re still an asshole so I guess that’s a good sign. Just stay with us okay? We’re gonna fix this.” I assure him.

“Kenz, let’s get him on fluids.” I instruct, and she already has the bag of saline in hand by the time I ask her.

“Shelby is on her way, she said ten minutes at max. She was with Franky, he’s escorting her.” Bishop announces.

“Don’t you just love how the surgical doc in town is fucking the local sheriff?” Kendra says to break the ice. “It’s like some dramatic yet predictable telenovela.” She adds with a smile while holding up Angel’s bag of fluids.

I end up letting out a laugh, and so does a few of the guys - we all needed it.

“Okay Kenz, I think this is all we can do until Shelbs gets here. Check on Coco, please?” I ask while I re-check Angel’s wounds.

Kendra then walks over to Coco sitting up in one of the chairs across from Angel.

“Coco Loco, how we doing Papi?” Kendra asks while examining his abrasions on his face.

“You are a sight for sore eyes, Kendra.” I hear Coco tell her.

I look up and Kendra turns to me, big ole smirk plastered on her face. “He’s flirting, he’s fine.” She says as she walks back to me and Angel.

She lifts up the bandage on his abdomen, “Jesus Christ, Angel. Who the fuck stabbed you with a jigsaw blade?”

“No clue.” Angel whispers.

I do everything I can do make Angel comfortable. It seems like an entire week goes by before Shelby arrives.

“What happened?!” She shouts as she enters the clubhouse. Franky is right behind her.

“Stabbing and shooting. Looks like a damn jigsaw blade fucked him up.” I tell Shelby.

Kendra helps bandage up Coco, although he keeps flirting with her.

“One date Kendra, just one date. Por favor, Mami?” He begs.

“Oh Coco, those are the drugs talking, baby. I got you high as a kite to numb the pain. And even high as a kite, I’m going to have to politely decline. I love you, Coco, but more as in my weird cousin Pedro kind of way.” Kendra breaks it down gently to Coco, it makes me smile - hearing Coco beg Kendra for one lone date and how Kendra always uses her manners to let men down.

I’m snapped out of my daze when I hear a hiss from Angel.

Shelby was checking out his wounds, “You’re a lucky-lucky man, Angel Reyes. This is just going to make you feel extremely sore the next week. Tissue damage, nothing crazy. But whatever stabbed you, it should have killed you. By the way this person attacked you with it, they wanted you gone.” Shelby says as she dresses his wound.

I look at Angel, he looks like he’s been through a twelve- round match.

Over these last eight months, I’ve seen him beaten up and in rough shape, but this takes the cake.

EZ then comes over by me and puts his arm around my shoulder, “Is he going to be okay?” He asks with great concern for his brother.

“I think so.” Is all I can manage to say as I’m catching my breath for the first time since EZ called me.

EZ kisses my forehead and then makes his way over to Kendra and Coco.

It’s been an intense scene in here, so I tell Shelby I’m going to go outside for a quick breather.

“Just give me a few minutes, that alright?” I ask.

“Of course, Leah. I’m going to fix the stab wound first, then I’ll have you assist on that bullet unless you want Kendra to.” Shelby states.

I look at Angel, and he’s staring up at the ceiling, grimacing from the pain.

“It doesn’t matter.” I say. I go to turn to head out the door, but I feel someone grab my wrist – but not in a terrifying way, more as in a reaching out kind of way.

I turn back to see it’s Angel who had reached for my arm.

He gives me this look of defeat, and he takes a deep breath as if he’s trying to search for words.

For the first time in eight months, his eyes look as if a tiny spark– a tiny ounce of life is in there.

This side of Angel, I’ve never seen it. It almost feels as if I’m dreaming – you know those dreams where you see people the way you wish they were in reality, that’s how this feels.

No words come from Angel’s mouth yet his hand is still on my wrist, but I grab his hand and kneel to his level on the table.

“We got this.” I say giving his hand a good squeeze.

He gives me a simple nod as his eyes are locked with mine.

I drop his hand and I begin to move towards the front door, I hear Kendra faintly call my name but I ignore her and rush outside to catch my breath.

As soon as I’m outside, I see Adelita sitting on the steps.

“Shit.” I mumble under my breath.

I then go down the steps and turn to face her.

“How is he?” She asks quietly.

“He’s in pain, but he’s going to be okay. He got lucky, that’s for damn sure.” I reply, crossing my arms.

I study Adelita, to see if any emotions come back.

She rubs her eyes and stands up from the steps.

“Could you humor me and please explain how the hell you got him here when all of you were across the border?” I ask, because the more I thought back to the story that was told an hour ago now, I’m more confused as to why Angel isn’t on an OR table right now.

“Tunnels.” Adelita says looking me in the eyes. “Coco told me about the tunnels that lead to Vicky’s, I had one of my kids drive us to the location and we all helped get them through the tunnel and most of the guys met us there.” She explains.

Her story, although I believe it, I’m having a hard time processing it all. Why not take the guys to one of the local clinics across the border? Why not have me and Kendra come to Vicky’s?

My confusion must be all over my face because Adelita gives me a small laugh, “You want to know why we came here and not have stayed put somewhere to keep them stable?” She says, and I nod my head.

“What an excellent mind reader you are.” I spit, “But in all seriousness, yes I do want to know why because I’m about ready to go in there and yell at each of those guys and reteach them what to do if there is an emergency.” I say with sass.

Adelita takes a few steps away from me, almost as if she needed to gather her thoughts.

She takes a deep breath, “After he was stabbed and shot, the only thing Angel demanded was that we bring him to you.”

My face drops.

What does she mean? Angel demanded they bring him to me? What?

I’m so fucking confused.

“What?” I ask through my confusion.

Adelita nods her head, “Si, Aleeah. I tried to stabilize him myself and as you saw in there, it wasn’t good nor enough to help him. He knew that the second this all happened and kept telling us to get him and Coco to you.”

I take a few steps back towards the clubhouse.

“I guess he trusts you, given the fact you’ve had to clean him up a few times.” Adelita adds.

“Five.” I say quietly as I stop my tracks.

“Excuse me?” She says.

“Five. As in five times - tonight is the fifth time this month I’ve had to help him; saving him yet again.” I state with more sass.

Adelita goes to say something but I cut her off – “One more thing before I go back in there and continue to save his ass, do you have any idea who would want to hurt him like this? I’m not a cop Adelita, so you don’t have to hide anything but I’m sure everyone in the MC would like to have a heads up in case this leads to something bigger and more dangerous.”

She shakes her head, and I see some emotion finally come across her face.

“No, I don’t.”

I don’t believe that for a second, but for right now I’m going to let it go.

I nod my head and I turn to head back inside.

“Aleeah.” Adelita lightly yells.

I turn back towards her, “Thank you – for saving him again.” She says.

Rather than being sassy, I opt to be polite.

“You’re welcome.” I say and head back inside.

As soon as I close the door behind me, I take another deep breath and think to myself; Angel Reyes, you’re going to cause more chaos in my life than I could have ever expected.