The Avery Home.....morning
"Well, good morning," Daniel says to his nephew as Dylan takes a seat at the table.
"Morning."
"Honey, I may be a little late getting home tonight," Daniel says. "I'm scheduled in surgery at four, and I don't know how long that's gonna take."
"That's fine," Betsy says, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "We'll manage. We always do."
"Is everything okay, honey? You seem a little irritable this morning."
"Maybe it's that time of the month," Dylan jokes.
Betsy gives the boy a harsh look. "We can do without that kind of talk at the breakfast table, thanks."
"What? All I said was......oh, never mind," the boy says.
"So, Dylan, you've been here a week now. How do you like L.A. so far? Knots Landing in particular?"
Daniel asks.
"It's okay, I guess. Same as anyplace else."
"What are your plans for the day?"
"I'm gonna go down to the beach and go surfing with Eric," Dylan replies. "Trevor Cunningham might meet up with us there."
"Not sure it's such a good idea, you going surfing. Especially without me or your uncle there," Betsy says.
"Your Aunt Betsy has a point," says Daniel.
"Look, I know how to surf," Dylan says. "I'm not gonna do anything crazy out there."
Daniel looks at his nephew for a moment. "Okay. I know you know how to surf. I don't see any harm in it. Just BE CAREFUL."
"Don't worry. I will."
"How're you gonna get there?" Daniel asks.
"Eric's dad's gonna take us."
"Well, if you wanna come back early, you can call me," says Betsy.
"Thanks," Dylan says as the doorbell rings. "That's probably Eric."
"You're going this early?" Daniel asks.
"Yep," Dylan replies. He takes a sip of his orange juice and a bite of his eggs, then gets up from the table. "Later," he says and quickly hurries out.
Daniel laughs. "I don't know where kids that age get their energy," he says. "My God,would you listen to me? Kids their age? I'm not even 33-years-old yet and I'm already talking like an old man."
Across the street at the MacKenzie home....
"Thank you SO much for this wonderful breakfast, Aunt Karen," Brian says.
"Oh, it's no problem, honey. I enjoy having you around," she says with a smile, pouring herself another cup of coffee.
"Well, it's nice getting a home cooked meal for a change. I'm so tired of eating out. Tired of the food at the hotel, and I really wasn't in the mood for my mother's company this morning."
Karen laughs at Brian's comment about Abby. "Have you spoken to Kate much since you moved out?"
"Brian, I know it's none of my business, and you don't have to answer this if you don't want to. But, what happened? I mean, I always thought that you and Kate were the perfect couple. That you were made for each other."
"Kinda like you and Mac?" Asks Brian.
"Yeah. I guess so," Karen says. "You were the younger version of me and Mac."
"What happened?" Brian says. "That's a tough one. I guess it was a combination of issues. Kate blames me for everything. Says that I changed after I became a successful businessman."
"Did you?" Karen asks.
"I don't think I did. No one else seems to think I did. Do YOU think I've changed?"
"I can't say. I'm not around you as much as Kate."
"She thinks I've spent too much time and energy on building the company her Uncle Greg gave me into an empire, and not enough time being a husband and father. Yet she's the one who......." Brian stops abruptly.
"The one who......what, Brian?"
"Kate's the one who cheated," Brian says.
"What?" Asks a surprised Karen.
"Kate had a boyfriend. And, again, she blamed even that on me, saying she was lonely and needy because I neglected her for so long."
"Oh, honey, I'm so sorry."
"Me too. Just like you, Aunt Karen, I once thought Kate and I were the perfect couple. Things change. People change."
"How did the kids take the separation?"
Brian sighs. "Molly......okay. Trevor.......not so okay. I'm worried about him, Aunt Karen."
"Well, at least today he's hanging out with Eric and with Dylan Avery at the beach," Karen says, reaching across the table and touching Brian's hand. "I'm sure that'll take his mind off his troubles."
Mac's law office downtown....
"Hey, that sign looks great," he says.
Meg smiles and kisses Mac on the cheek. "Now, I can't wait to get started. Put this expensive law degree to work."
"I have what may be the perfect case for you."
"Okay, great. I'm listening."
"We'll talk about that later. In the meantime, daughter, how are things between you and young Mr. Ewing?"
"Things are pretty great between us," Meg says. "Bobby and I agreed to take our relationship slow. No commitment right away, no expectations. No strings."
"No commitment? No expectations, and no strings, huh?" Mac asks. "What kinda relationship is that?"
"One where we both wanna make sure we don't get hurt again, or make the same mistakes we made before," Meg says.
"I guess that makes sense. But I'll never understand how you younger generation goes about dating and relationships and such."
Meg smiles at him. "We're no different from YOUR generation, Daddy."
"Oh, ho ho. You guys are a LOT different from my generation. So you and Bobby have anything interesting planned for tonight?"
"Nope. Nothing that I know of."
"Good. Because your mother and I thought it'd be kinda nice for all of us to go out for a family dinner. Ya know, just the family.....you, me, your mother, Michael, and Eric."
"That would be nice. Count me in."
"Good," Mac says. "Listen, I'll see you later, kid. I have a meeting with a client."
"Sure," Meg says. Mac kisses her on the cheek and then walks out. After her father is gone, Meg opens her office door and again admires her new ATTORNEY AT LAW sign.
The MacKenzie Home....
"I didn't hear you come in," she says.
"Oh, hi, Mom. After I dropped the boys off at the beach, I went for a run. Remember when Dad use to take us running on the beach?"
"I sure do. Great memories, huh?"
"Oh yeah," says Michael, smiling. "I try, Mom. I really, really try to be the kind of father Dad was. Patient. Understanding."
"From what I see, you are."
Michael looks at his mother, then places the photo back on the mantle. He walks across the room, arousing Karen's concern.
"Honey, what's wrong?" Karen asks.
"Wrong?" Michael asks.
"Yes. WRONG. You've been here a week now, and......"
"And you're wondering when me and my teenager are gonna leave before he eats you out of house and home?"
"What? Lost your job? But, what happened? Michael, you've worked at that company for twenty years."
"I know. That's part of the problem."
"I don't understand," says Karen.
"They laid off four of us in my department, Mom. And all four of us......were over the age of forty."
"Age discrimination?"
"Yeah. I started working for Coleman Advertising when I was twenty-six. Gave that company twenty years of service, worked my way up from the bottom, and what happens? I hit middle age and they let me go."
"My God," says Karen. "That's illegal. They can't do that."
"They worked around that. Claimed they needed to cut back because of finances. And, just so happened that Frank, Joe, Keith, and myself, the four of us who were laid off, had seniority and made higher salaries than the younger guys they kept. And they kept us pacified by giving us a very generous severance pay."
"Oh, Michael, I'm so sorry. Well, with your experience in the advertising business, I'm sure you won't have any problems finding a new job. In the meantime, you deserve a vacation."
"Finding a new job at my age isn't that easy, Mom. At least not the kind of job I had. Most companies tend to wanna hire younger men and women. Mom, I look at myself in the mirror, and, I swear I see myself twenty years ago. To me, I don't look like I've changed at all. And I don't feel my age. I can still outrun my teenage son. But then, when I've gone in for a couple of job interviews just before Eric and I came here, and I heard 'sorry, Mr. Fairgate, we think you're OVER qualified for this job,' meaning they wanna hire some kid fresh outta college, I'm slapped in the face with the reality that I'm getting older."
Karen walks over to her son and puts a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Well, I need to find something to do," Michael says. "I noticed the grass needs cutting."
"Oh, honey, you don't have to do that."
"I know, but I want to." Michael kisses his mother on the cheek, then walks to the door.
"Michael, I was thinking. Why don't you ask Brian for a job? I'm sure he could find something for you at Cunningham Enterprises."
"Thanks for the suggestion, Mom, but, I wanna make it on my own. I don't want a job just handed to me by my cousin. Besides, I don't really wanna work for family." Michael walks out without another word.
As Michael walks out of the house and heads to the garage to get the lawn mower to cut Karen and Mac's grass, he sees a taxi drive up to the Avery home across the street. Michael's curiosity is aroused when he sees a beautiful dark haired woman get out of the cab and pay the driver. She spots Michael across the street and smiles at him, then proceeds up the walk and to the Averys' front door.
Meanwhile....
"Angela? Angela Avery?" Betsy asks, surprised to see her.
"Yes. Can I come in?"
"Of course. Please come in."
"Thank you," Angela says, walking into the house.
"Please excuse the mess," Betsy says. "We just moved in a few weeks ago, and still haven't packed everything away yet."
"I understand."
"Umm, what are you doing here?"
"I came to see my son," replies Angela. "Dylan is staying here with you and Danny for the summer, isn't he?"
"Yes, Dylan is spending the summer here."
Angela smiles. "How hypocritical of Jason. He accused ME of abandoning the boy. So what does HE do? First chance he gets, he sends the kid off to little brother and his wife."
"Angela, Jason brought Dylan here because he thought he needed a change. Dylan, that is, needed a change. He thought he'd enjoy himself here with us."
"I see. Well, where is my son? I'd like to see him," Angela says.
"I see. When do you expect him back?"
"Well, not for at least a couple of hours."
"Do you mind if I wait? I came straight here from the airport, so I haven't even checked into a hotel yet," says Angela.
"Sure. That'll be fine," Betsy says, not really wanting her former sister-in-law for company, but at the same time, not wanting to tell Angela she couldn't wait for her son.
Meanwhile.....Knots Landing Beach
After surfing for a while, Eric and Dylan come out of the water carrying their boards and walk over to where Trevor sits. Dylan is dressed in a wetsuit for surfing, while Eric is not.
"Maybe next time," Trevor says.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Bro, are you still upset about your folks separating?" Eric asks.
Trevor remains silent, and simply lowers his head.
"Eric, come on, man," Dylan says.
"Dude, I'm only telling him the truth. Dylan, when your parents separated, did they go back together?"
Dylan looks at him and shakes his head. "No."
"Neither did mine, and neither will Trevor's," says Eric.
"You DON'T know that!" Trevor says angrily, standing to his feet to face his cousin.
"Look, just face the facts. Divorce is a part of life. You're seventeen. You're not a little kid who needs his mommy and daddy together for the rest of your life. Now just snap out of it. You've been moping around all day. We came here to have fun."
"You really need to just chill out, dude. Your folks have split. Just DEAL with it."
"You know what, cousin? You're a real JERK!" Trevor says.
"And you're a real cry baby," Eric says.
Unable to control his anger at his cousin, Trevor pushes Eric. Eric then shoves Trevor to the ground. Trevor gets up again and starts for Eric.
"Hey, you BOTH need to chill out," Dylan says, getting between the two cousins and pushing them apart.
"Since I'm spoiling everybody's good time, I'll just walk home," Trevor says.
"Trevor, come on, man, don't," Dylan says as Trevor turns and walks away, down the beach. Dylan turns to Eric. "You know, you really were a jerk to him. The kid's upset because his parents separated. Not everyone is like you, man."
Feeling bad for the way he treated his cousin, Eric looks at Dylan, then looks at Trevor walking down the beach. Then he runs after Trevor, with Dylan following. "Hey bro," Eric says, catching up to him. Eric hesitates a moment, then
"Ya think?" Trevor asks, looking at his cousin with a smile.
Eric laughs. "Hey guys. Why don't we go somewhere and light one up?"
"Yeah, why don't we?" Dylan asks with a smile.
The Avery Home.....later
The boys walk into the house, still chatting away about their day at the beach. Looking at Trevor as they enter the house, Dylan doesn't see Betsy and his mother sitting in the living room. Angela stands and faces her son. Closing the door, Dylan turns and sees his mother. The smile disappears from his face as he stands there in shock.
"Hello, Dylan," Angela Avery says.
"Sure. Sure, I am," Dylan says. He walks over and gives his mother a hug.
"My, I think you've grown two inches since I saw you last at Christmas."
"Maybe."
"Dylan, did you guys have fun at the beach?" Betsy asks.
"Yeah."
"And, who's this handsome young man?" Angela asks, looking at Trevor.
"Mom, this is my friend Trevor. Trevor Cunningham."
"Hello, Trevor, it's nice to meet you," says Angela, shaking Trevor's hand.
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Avery," Trevor says. "Ummm, look, Dylan, I'm gonna just head across the street to Aunt Karen's so you can visit with your Mom."
"Okay, man. I'll text you later," Dylan says.
"Okay. Mrs. Avery, and.........Mrs. Avery (Trevor looks at Betsy), bye."
"Goodbye, Trevor," Angela says as Trevor walks out. She looks at her son and smiles. "Well, that's a very nice boy. I'm glad you've made a good friend."
"Yeah, Trevor and Eric have been great," says Dylan.
"Eric?"
"Yeah, Mom. Eric Fairgate. That's Trevor's cousin."
"Why don't I go and make some lemonade, and you two can talk," Betsy suggests.
"You don't have to, Betsy," says Angela. "I'd like to take a walk with my son. Really catch up with him."
Dylan smiles.
A short time later....
"How long are you staying with your aunt and uncle?" Angela asks.
"The summer," replies Dylan.
"You know, I was surprised when you told me in that text that Jason had brought you here. That's why I came to see you. Were things not going well between you and your father?"
"Things are okay, I guess. Dad just thought I needed......a change. What I really think is, he didn't want me anymore. Just like you."
Angela stops walking and turns to Dylan, putting her hand on his arm. "What do you mean......just like me?"
"You didn't want custody of me," Dylan says. If you had, you'd have tried to get custody instead of just handing me over to Dad."
"Is that what your father told you?" Angela asks.
"He didn't tell me anything. But I heard him talking to this lawyer friend of his one night. He said you didn't want custody, so you agreed to let him have me."
Angela looks at her son for a moment. "Oh, sweetheart. It's not that I didn't want you. I do want you. Very much. It's just that, in my job, I travel a lot. Your father, despite the problems between he and I, he has a very stable life and career, unlike my life. I thought you'd be better off with him."
"I wanted to be with you," says Dylan.
Angela smiles. "Well, I plan on staying for a few days. We can spend some time together. Get to know each other again. We can go anywhere you want, do anything. Whatever you want."
"You really mean it, Mom?"
"Yes. I mean it," Angela says as she looks over Dylan's shoulder and sees Michael come out of the MacKenzie home. "Dylan, who's that man across the street?" She asks.
Dylan turns around and sees Michael. "That's Mr. Fairgate. He's my friend Eric's dad. Why?"
"I was just curious. Very nice neighborhood your uncle and aunt live in," Angela says with a smile, watching Michael as he begins checking the oil level in Mac's lawn mower across the street.
The Avery home.....night
"Hey," Betsy says, coming in from the kitchen.
"Daddy!" says Daniel, Jr., running up to his father.
"Well, hello, there, little man." Daniel picks his son up in his arms.
"How was your day?" Betsy asks.
"Its was LONG. I had a pretty complicated surgery this afternoon, that's why I'm late. Where are Dylan and Laura?"
"Dyan's taking a shower, and Laura's upstairs with......"
"Well, hello, Danny," comes the voice of Angela from behind him, before Betsy can finish her sentence.
She walks over to him. "My, you sure look handsome with that beard. You look just like your brother."
"Thank you," Daniel says. "What are you doing here?"
"Dylan told me that he was staying with you and Betsy for a couple of months, so I decided to come for a visit. I haven't seen my son since Christmas, and I missed him."
"I see. Well, it's, ummm, it's really good to see you," Daniel says, lying.
"Just look at you," Angela says. "A successful doctor. Married. Beautiful home in a nice neighborhood. Two adorable children. You're a far cry from that shy, skinny teenager you were when I married your brother."
"Yes," Daniel says.
Angela smiles. "Well, I'd better go and get washed up for dinner. Excuse me." Angela turns and walks back up the stairs as Daniel and Betsy watch her.
Once Angela has gone upstairs, Daniel turns to Betsy. "Dinner? You invited her for dinner?"
"Not.......exactly," Betsy says, nervously.
"Then what......exactly?"
Betsy says nothing. She simply smiles at her husband.
"Betsy, please tell me that you didn't invite Angela to stay with us while she's in town," Daniel says.
"Okay. I didn't invite her to stay with us."
"Good," Daniel says, breathing a sigh of relief.
"But, she IS staying."
The smile disappears from Daniel's face. "I thought you just said you didn't invite her."
"I didn't," Betsy says. "She invited herself."
"Oh, that's just great," complains Daniel.
"Honey, what was I supposed to do? The woman's son is staying here. When she arrived and spent the afternoon with Dylan, it's like she automatically assumed she was invited to stay here, and what was I supposed to tell her?"
"How about......I'll reserve you a room at the nearest hotel?" Daniel says.
Betsy walks over to him. "Look, I know you don't like her because of what happened with her and Jason. But she's only gonna be here a few days. You'll be at the hospital most of that time, anyway, so you'll hardly see her."
"Betsy, I've known Angela a lot longer and a lot better than you have. The woman is trouble with a capital T. And nothing but trouble can come of having her stay here."
The MacKenzie Home.....the next morning
"Bye, Mom," Meg says, giving Karen a kiss on the cheek.
"Bye, honey, see you this afternoon," Karen says.
As Meg heads on to the car, Mac turns to his wife and puts his arms around her. "Hey, why don't you come down to the office and I'll take ya to lunch?"
"I'd love that, but, I'm gonna spend the day with Michael. He's having a hard time accepting losing his job. And I'm kinda hoping to talk him into speaking to Brian about a job at Cunningham Enterprises."
"If not, I could always use a good office boy down at MacKenzie & Associates."
"Not funny," Karen says, kissing him. "Now go to work."
"Bye. Love ya," Mac says, kissing his wife again.
"Love you, too."
Mac winks at her then turns and walks to the car as Michael comes out of the house. He and Karen watch Mac and Meg drive off.
"You want some breakfast?" Karen asks.
"Yeah, sure," replies Michael.
"Come on. I made waffles this morning."
"Oh, I hope they're blueberry," Michael says. As he starts to follow his mother back into the house, he looks across the street and sees Angela come out of Daniel and Betsy's home. "Mom?" he says.
Karen stops in the doorway and turns back to him. "Yeah?"
"Who's that woman over at Daniel and Betsy's? I saw her arrive in a taxi yesterday."
"That's Dylan's mother, Angela," says Karen. "Val said she's spending a couple days, visiting Dylan."
Michael looks at Angela and smiles. Angela smiles back at him from across the street.
"You coming to breakfast?" Karen asks.
"I'll be in in a minute," says Michael.
"Okay." Karen notices her son smiling at Angela, then walks into the house.
After Karen goes inside, Michael walks across the street to the Avery home and approaches Angela. "Hello," he says.
"Good morning," Angela says.
"I'm Michael Fairgate. I'm visiting my mother and stepmother, just over there."
"Nice to meet you, Michael Fairgate. I'm Angela Avery."
Michael shakes her hand. "You're Dylan's mom."
"Yes I am."
"Dylan's a real nice kid. He and my son, Eric, have become pretty good friends since Dylan's been staying here."
Michael smiles. "Maybe we can arrange that. And if you're gonna be here a few days, maybe we can get to know each other a little. I mean, since our kids have become friends."
"That would be nice," Angela says with a smile.
"How about dinner tonight?"
"Dinner?"
"I mean.....unless you already have other plans."
"No. No, I don't have any other plans," says Angela. "Dinner sounds lovely."
"Great," Michael says. "How's 8 o'clock sound?"
"8 o'clock is perfect."
"Do you like Italian food?"
"I simply love it," says Angela.
"Good. I'll pick you up at 8."
"I'll be ready."
Michael smiles at her, and nods. Then he turns and jogs back across the street. Angela watches him with a smile as he goes into the MacKenzie home.
That night....
"You were definitely right," Angela says. "The food here is FABULOUS."
"I told ya," Michael says. "I do know a thing or two about fine dining."
Angela takes a sip of her wine. "So, Michael, tell me a little about yourself. I do remember Jason talking about knowing you when you were kids together, although I didn't make the connection until after we met this morning."
"Yeah, I knew Jason when he was just a little kid."
"I must say I'm surprised."
"Surprised? Surprised by what?" Michael asks.
"Well, Jason talked about a Michael who lived next door when he was a child, but that Michael was a few years older than him."
"That's right. I'm five years older than Jason."
Angela smiles. "That's hard to believe. Five years YOUNGER maybe, but, let's see, if you're five years older, than would make you......"
"Forty-six," Michael says.
Michael smiles at the compliment. "I guess a little of both."
"Now then, tell me about yourself."
"What would you like to know?"
"You have a son, Eric? And he's Dylan's age?"
"No, actually, Eric is a couple years older than Dylan. He's seventeen."
"And......Eric's mother?" Angela asks.
"Lori and I have been divorced for three years."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It was for the best. How we stayed married as long as we did is a miracle."
"I could say the same for Jason and I. We were just never compatible from day one."
"Then why'd you get married?" Michael asks.
"Compatible or not, we fell in love. We were young, idealistic. Jason was in his next to last year of law school. We met at a party, and a mutual friend introduced us. That night he asked me out, the next night we went on our date, slept together afterward, and shortly after that, I found out I was pregnant with Dylan. Jason and I had been seeing a lot of one another in the meantime, and we'd fallen in love very quickly. So, we got married. Oh, we were happy for a while, but then, after a couple of years our differences began to show."
"What were your differences?"
"Jason was this cool, no nonsense, practical guy who wanted a career, home, family. Me, I still had some growing up to do. Jason had sown his wild oates when he was younger. So, by the time he met me he was twenty-five, and ready to settle down to be a stable, suburban family man. Me, I was sheltered as a child, and I didn't even have my first date until I was nineteen. I met Jason when I was twenty-one, so I didn't have all that time to........experience life, for lack of a better word. I wasn't ready for a husband and a child, although I thought I was. Then, I found this exciting career as a fashion designer. My work, and his work, as well as our differing views on what our lives should be, drove us apart."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm not. I have Dylan from the marriage, and some good memories. But Jason and I did end on a very bad note. I can't believe I told you all this. I usually don't share this much of my life with a stranger. I just feel comfortable talking to you."
"I'm very glad that you do," Michael says, smiling at her.
The Avery Home.....later
"So did I. I really enjoyed your company."
"And I yours. I'd better get inside. It's late."
"I'll walk you to the door," Michael says.
He and Angela get out of the car and proceed up the walk way to the front door of the house. Then she turns to him. "Again, I really had a great time. Thank you for the dinner, and the wonderful conversation."
"My pleasure. We'll do it again sometime. Maybe tomorrow night?"
"I'd love that."
"Shame tonight has to end," Michael says.
"Well who says it has to?" Angela asks, kissing him.
After a moment, Michael pulls out of the kiss. He looks at Angela, her beautiful face slightly illuminated by the moonlight and the small light mounted on the side of the house. "I haven't..... been with anybody in a long time," he says nervously.
"It's alright," Angela says. "It's like riding a bicycle. Once you learn, you never forget how."
Michael laughs, then he kisses her again.
The Avery Home....the next morning
"Good morning," Michael says with a smile.
"Hmmmmm, good morning. What time is it?"
"7 a.m.," Michael replies in a near whisper as he slips on his pants. "I'd better get outta here before everybody else wakes up."
"I suppose you're right," says Angela.
Michael slips on his shirt, then walks over and takes a seat on the bed beside Angela. "Last night was wonderful."
"Yes it was. Wish you didn't have to go."
"Me too, but, Daniel and Betsy may not like waking up and finding out I spent the night with you here. So I'd better go. You wanna have breakfast later? That little cafe down the street?"
Angela smiles. "I'd love to. 9 o'clock?"
"Sure. 9 it is." Michael kisses her, then stands, grabs his shoes, and hurries out of the room.
Meanwhile, Dylan, who has been sleeping on the sofa in the den downstairs since giving up his bedroom for his mother's visit, is sneaking back into the house from the patio out back. As he is about
California Chicken Cafe......afternoon
"This smells delicious," she says, taking a seat across the table from her son. "I've heard of this place, but never had the opportunity to eat at one of these."
Angela's curiosity is aroused by her son's attitude change since the previous day. "Dylan, honey, what's wrong? You've hardly said a word since we left the house earlier, and when you do say something, it's a bit snappy. Have I done something to make you angry?"
"You mean like screwing around with Eric's dad?" Dylan asks.
"Oh, that's it. You, uh, you saw Michael leaving this morning," Angela says.
"Yes, Mom, I did."
"Honey, what's the problem? Michael and I are both adults. We're both DIVORCED adults who needed a little......company......last night, that's all."
"Company?" Dylan asks. "is that what you......'adults'......are calling sex these days?"
"Dylan, sweetheart, why do you have a problem with this? Your father and I have been divorced for almost a year."
"He's my friend's father. Besides, the guy grew up with Dad. Do you not realize how weird that is? You're having sex with a guy who grew up with your ex-husband."
Angela is silent for a moment. She looks down, then looks across the table at her son. "Dylan, it hasn't been easy for me since the divorce. And Michael Fairgate has been going through the same thing, only for a longer period of time. Darling, when you're married to someone for a number of years, and then that marriage ends, well, you get lonely. Everyone needs someone."
"But you JUST met him like, yesterday."
"I know," Angela says. "I know. And you're right. Perhaps Michael and I did move a bit fast. But again, that's what happens when two people are lonely. I don't expect you to understand this now at your age, but, when you get older, you will."
"Do you like him?" Dylan asks.
"Yes, I do. Very much."
"So, are you guys gonna start dating now?"
"Sweety, I honestly don't know. All we can do is take things as they come."
"But, neither one of you even live here."
"I know. But who knows? That could change, under the right circumstances," Angela says.
The Cunningham Home....
"Brian," she says, surprised to see him.
"Hello, Kate," Brian says, walking in. "I just came to pick up a few more of my things, and to see Trevor."
"You know you don't have to ring the doorbell," Kate says. "This IS still your house just as much as it is mine."
"I know. I was only being polite."
"I wish you'd tried that a little more often during the years of our marriage."
"Our problems started LONG before Doug came into the picture."
Brian sighs. "Maybe they did. Maybe we just weren't meant to last."
Trevor walks into the house at that moment. "Dad," he says, excitedly.
"Hey, sport," Brian says.
"What brings you by? Does this mean that you and Mom are talking again?"
"We've been talking," Brian says.
"Dad, when are you gonna come home?"
Brian and Kate exchange awkward looks. "I don't know, son. You know, Trevor, we did talk about this. And remember, your mother and I said that, this separation of ours may be permanent."
"Trevor, sweety," Kate says. "The problems that your father and I have, they don't have anything to do with you. The problem is between us."
"It has everything to do with me, mom. I don't wanna come from a broken like all my friends do. I thought you guys were the one set of parents who'd always stay together." The boy turns and hurries up the stairs.
"Trevor....." Brian calls to him.
The boy stops on the stairs and looks back at his father. "Dad, just save it. As long as you're not living at home, I don't wanna talk to you." Without saying another word, Trevor runs upstairs.
"It tears me apart, what this is doing to him," Kate says as she starts to cry.
"How do you think I feel?" Brian asks. "Kate, no matter what problems you and I have, somehow, we have to find a way to make this easier for our son. I know this separation is hard on Molly, too, but she's an adult. Trevor may be seventeen, but, he's still a kid."
"You're right. He needs us. But Brian, we can never live together again. We will ALWAYS be Trevor's parents, but we have to make him, and ourselves, realize that this marriage is over."
Brian looks at her for a moment. "If it's over, Kate........you killed it the minute you went to bed with that Doug guy." He walks to the stairs, then turns back to her. "You know, in our eighteen years of marriage, I never, ever cheated on you, although I had plenty of chances. But I had more respect for our marriage and our family than that." He hesitates a moment, looking at her, then turns and heads up the stairs. After he's gone, Kate breaks down in tears.
The MacKenzie Home......late evening
"Oh? Why?"
"Michael is getting ready to go out again," Meg replies.
"Is he goin' out with Angela Avery again?" Mac asks, lowering the paper.
"I think so."
"Wow," Karen says. "Two nights in a row."
"He must really like her," says Mac.
"Yeah and that's what worries me," Meg says.
"What do you mean, honey?" Asks Karen.
"Well, I only met Angela a couple of times when she was married to Jason, but, from what I hear, she's real fast and loose. Hardly seems Michael's type."
"You're right," agrees Karen. "Fast and loose, that's definitely not Michael's type. I wonder what he sees in her."
"Come on," Mac says, getting up from his seat. "Maybe the lady's changed. Or maybe she really ISN'T as fast and loose as you've heard, my dear. You know that old saying......don't believe everything ya hear."
"For Michael's sake, I hope that's true," says Meg, illiciting a look of worry on Karen's face.
The front doorbell rings. Eric comes bolting down the stairs and opens the door to find a smiling Angela there.
"Well, hello," she says. "And you must be Eric that I've heard so much about."
"Yes ma'am. You must be Dylan's mom."
"I sure am."
"Come in."
"Thank you," Angela says, walking into the house as Mac, Karen, and Meg come into the living room.
"Hello," Karen says, walking over to her. "You're......Angela Avery, am I right?"
"Yes you are. And you must be Michael's mother, Karen?"
"That's right."
"And I'm Mac, Michael's handsome stepfather," Mac says, shaking hands with the woman.
Angela smiles. "Well, Michael certainly does have a very handsome family."
"Thank you. You remember Meg, of course," Karen says.
"I certainly do. Hello, Meg."
"Angela. It's been a long time."
"Yes, it has," Angela says as Michael comes downstairs.
"Angela, I was just coming over to pick you up," Michael says.
"Well, I wanted the chance to meet your lovely family. Especially this handsome son of yours."
"We'd better go," Michael says. "Our reservation is at 8:30."
"Pierre's," replies Michael.
"Pierre's?" Karen asks, a tone of concern in her voice.
"Yeah. Well, we'll see you all later."
"Yeah, you guys have fun," says Mac.
"Thanks," Michael says with a smile.
"It was wonderful meeting you all," Angela says. "And Meg, good to see you again."
"You too," Meg says as Michael and Angela walk out, closing the door behind them.
"Wow, this is just too weird," Eric says.
"What's that, honey?" Asks Karen.
"My Dad.......dating."
"Hey, your father's just divorced, he's not dead," Mac says.
Meanwhile, outside, as Michael and Angela walk to Michael's car, Brian drives up. They wait until Brian gets out of his car and walks over.
"Hey, Michael," Brian says.
"Evening, Brian."
"Heading out?"
"Yeah, I have a date tonight. Brian, this is Angela. Angela, this is my cousin, Brian Cunningham."
"Hello, Brian," Angela says.
"Hi."
"Brian, you can go right on in," says Michael. "Rest of the family's in the living room."
"Thanks, cuz. Enjoy your date."
"We will. Thanks. Night," Michael says as he and Angela get into his car.
Brian walks into the house and finds the family in the dining room. "Hello?" He calls out.
"Brian, come in," Karen says, walking into the living room to greet him.
"Hi, Aunt Karen."
"We were just sitting down to dinner."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude," Brian says.
"Nonsense, you're not intruding. And you're gonna join us. Unless you've had dinner already?"
"No, I haven't."
Karen smiles broadly. "Good, then, come on. I made my famous chicken casserole."
"Oh, Aunt Karen, you do know the way to a guy's heart," Brian says.
Later....
"Matter?"
"Yeah, what's the matter? For the last hour you've been moping around, lookin' like you got the weight of the world on your shoulders. What gives?"
"Not the weight of the world. Just the weight.......of my son," Karen says.
"What?"
"He took her to Pierre's for dinner, Mac. PIERRE'S! One of the most expensive French restaurants around. He doesn't even have a job right now."
"And how long is that gonna last if he keeps taking this Angela to the most expensive restaurants in town every night?" Karen asks, getting into bed. "I just don't.........something about Angela Avery just doesn't sit right. Val was telling me that Daniel and Betsy aren't too happy about her staying at their house, either."
"Then why are they letting her stay?" Mac asks, climbing into bed next to his wife.
"Because of Dylan."
"Karen, Michael is a grown man. He's been married and divorced, and he doesn't need his mother worryin' about his dating life or habits."
"So, you're saying I shouldn't be worried that my son is gonna get hurt by this woman," Karen says.
"I'm not sayin' you shouldn't worry. You're his mother, and tellin' a mother, especially YOU, not to worry is like tellin' the birds not to sing or dogs not to bark. All I'm sayin' in Michael is an adult. He knows what he's doing."
"I hope so. I can't help but worry. Michael has been so lonely since his divorce from Lori. I just don't want him to be taken advantage of by the first attractive female who comes along. She just seems.....I dunno, like trouble."
"Are you finished?" Mac asks.
"Finished what?"
"Are you finished with your little speech? Because if you are, it's almost midnight, and I'd like to get some sleep if ya don't mind."
"Well, then, turn out the light," Karen says, rolling over in bed.
The Avery Home....the next day
"Hey, dude," Eric says.
"Sup, Eric?" Dylan asks.
"Not much, bro. You wanna go down to the beach?"
"Maybe later."
"So, what do you think of my Dad and your Mom hitting it off so well? If things keep goin' the way they're goin', heck, we might even become brothers soon."
Dylan looks at him and sighs. "To tell you the truth, man, I'm not real crazy about the idea."
"How come?" Eric asks.
Eric puts his surfboard down and stands to his feet. "Ever since my mom started going out with your dad, I hardly see her. They went to lunch just a little while ago. She came here to visit me, and she's been spending all her time with your dad."
"Eric, can I ask you somethin'?"
"Yeah, bro. Anything?"
"How come you live with your dad and not with your mom?"
"Well, my parents have joint custody of me," Eric says. "During the school year, I live with my Mom. I stay with my Dad during the summer and holidays like Christmas, spring break, stuff like that. But, now that I'm seventeen, I can kinda choose who I wanna live with, and, I'm probably gonna stay with my dad when school starts back instead of goin' back to my mom."
"Why, dude?" Dylan asks. "You're not close to your mom?"
"Not like I am with Dad. Mom is kind of.....I dunno how to describe her. She's all serious all the time. Doesn't know how to relax and have fun. I have a blast with my dad. When he's around, that is."
"Bein' a kid of divorce sucks," Dylan says.
"Yeah. I guess it does."
"But you always act like you don't care that your folks are divorced."
"I just act that way, dude. But really, I do care. Not as much as I use to. It's been three years, and I'm use to them being divorced by now. But sometimes, it really does bother me. How long have yours been split?"
"Almost a year," Dylan replies sadly.
"It gets easier, bro. Why do you think I smoke weed? To kinda get away from it all."
Dylan looks at his friend, a look of sadness on his face.
The Avery Home....later
"I thought I heard you come in," she says, kissing him. "I was just starting dinner. Unless you wanna be a dear and take me out tonight. I'm sure my Mom will watch the kids."
Daniel smiles. "Okay, you and I have a date. Where is everyone?" Daniel asks.
Betsy sighs. "The kids are upstairs playing, Dylan is across the street at Karen and Mac's hanging out with Eric, and I have no idea where Angela is. Probably out with Michael again."
As Daniel and Betsy talk, they are unaware that Angela has returned and has walked up to the front door. As she is about to enter the house, she overhears Daniel and Betsy talking.
"I feel so sorry for Dylan," Daniel continues.
"So do I," says Betsy. "No wonder he acts the way he acts sometimes. Angela sure hasn't shown much interest in her son since she's been here."
"You mean since she met Michael. And I'm worried about him, too."
"What do you mean?" Betsy asks.
"Michael's a really great guy. And he's lonely. And Angela is........I'm just afraid she's gonna end up hurting both him and Dylan before she leaves."
A bar in Knots Landing......late afternoon
"What can I getcha?" The middle aged bartender asks.
"Scotch. Light on the water, please."
"Coming right up."
As Angela looks around, she spots Brian sitting three stools away from her at the bar. She smiles, gets up, and walks over to him, taking a seat on the stool next to him. "Well, hi, there," she says.
"Hello," Brian says.
"Don't you remember me? From the other night?"
"Oh, yes, you were Michael's date. Angela, isn't it?"
"That's right. Angela Avery."
"Avery? Wouldn't happen to be any relation to Daniel and Betsy, would you?" Brian asks.
"Yes, I am. I used to be married to Danny's older brother, Jason."
"Really? Wow. Small world. So you have a son named Dylan?"
"I sure do."
"Dylan and my son, Trevor have become pretty good friends since Dylan's been staying with Daniel and Betsy."
"Trevor," Angela says. "Yes, I met him the first day I arrived. Handsome boy. I see he gets his good looks from his father."
Brian smiles. "Thank you."
"And you're Brian.......?"
"Cunningham," he says.
"Cunningham, yes," says Angela.
"So you're Jason's ex. Jason and I knew each other when we were kids."
"Really?" Angela asks with a slight laugh. "My God, this really is a small town, isn't it? Is there ANYONE in Knots Landing who isn't connected to everyone else in some way?"
At that moment, the bartender brings Angela's drink over. "Thank you," she says.
"How about I buy your next one?" Brian asks.
"I'd like that very much, Brian Cunningham."
"So, tell me, Angela, are you and my cousin Michael serious? Or are you just casually hanging out?"
Angela smiles. "Casually hanging out. And how about you? Could you use a friend to......casually hang out with?"
Brian looks at her with a sly smile.
Crown Plaza Hotel.....later
"Wow," Angela says. "That was......amazing."
"Yes, it was," says Brian. "Any chance you can stay the night?"
"I really should get back to Danny and Betsy's. I need to spend some time with my son."
"I understand," Brian says, rolling over on his back. "I need to spend some time with Trevor. It's just that right now, he's so angry with me over me moving out of the house."
"The boy's hurt. Give him time. He'll come around."
"Jason and I went through the same thing with Dylan. It's hard for kids to understand that, sometimes, their parents are happier apart than together."
As Brian is about to say something, a knock comes at the door. He sighs. "Must be room service. I'll be right back."
"I'm famished," Angela says.
"Me too," Brian says, getting out of bed. He puts on his boxers and walks into the living room of his suite. Making his way to the door, he opens it, and instead of room service, he is surprised to find his wife there. "Kate," he says.
"Hello, Brian," Kate says.
"What, uh......what are you doing here?"
"I was hoping we could talk. About Trevor. Brian, it's only 8:30. Are you in bed already?"
"Ummm, not exactly."
Looking past Brian and into the suite, Kate sees a pair of woman's high heel shoes on the floor leading into the bedroom. "Oh, I see."
"Kate, look, I can explain this....." Brian says.
Kate pushes past him and walks into the suite. Brian follows her as she heads straight for the bedroom. Walking in, she sees Angela in Brian's bed. An embarrassed Angela looks at Kate, her mouth open in shock.
"Well," Kate says. "What is this? Payback?"
Kate walks over to him. "You're a lying hypocrite," she says. "You swore to me that in our eighteen years of marriage, you've never cheated."
"Up until that time......I hadn't. But our marriage is over, remember? YOUR words, Kate. And I'll be damned if I'm gonna retire into a life of celibacy, especially when you're screwing that Doug guy."
"You're right," Kate says. "You're right, this is none of my business. And I'll see my lawyer about filing for divorce first thing in the morning." Without saying another word, Kate brushes past Brian and storms out of the suite.
After she's gone, Brian walks back over to the bed and takes a seat.
"I'm really sorry about that," he says.
"What are you doing?" Brian asks.
"The right thing, for once in my life. I'm getting out of here."
"It's not that. When I said I'm getting out of here, I didn't just mean out of HERE. I mean out of Knots Landing."
"But why?"
Angela sighs. "Your wife coming in here and finding us together suddenly made me realize that Danny and Betsy were right. If I stay around here any longer, I'll end up hurting people, especially my son, and I can't let that happen." Angela pulls on her jeans, then slips on her shoes. "Thanks for an incredible evening, Brian Cunningham. I think your wife is a damned fool for letting you go." Angela manages a slight smile, then turns and walks out, leaving Brian confused.
As she walks into the hallway outside of Brian's suite, Angela's cell phone rings. She takes the phone out of her purse and sees that it's Michael calling. She sighs deeply, puts the phone back into her purse, and walks toward the elevator.
Meanwhile....the MacKenzie home
After the 'beep', Michael leaves a message: "Hey, Angela, this is Michael. I thought we had a date tonight. Ummm, just give me a call as soon as you get this. I hope everything's okay. Bye." He ends the call and puts his phone down, wondering why Angela stood him up tonight when they had planned their date during lunch.
The Avery home....later
"Angela?" Daniel says. "What are you doing?"
"What's it look like? I'm packing."
"You're leaving?" Betsy asks.
"Isn't this what you both wanted?"
"Angela, what do you mean?" Daniel asks.
Angela closes her suitcase and turns to them. "Never mind. It's just best that I leave."
"No."
"You were just gonna leave and not say a word to your own son?" Betsy asks.
"I guess the two of you were right," Angela says. "I overheard what you said earlier. That I was gonna end up hurting both Dylan and Michael. So, I think it's best that I leave before that happens."
"Don't you think that just up and leaving like this won't hurt Dylan?" Daniel asks.
Angela smiles. "Maybe. But maybe not as bad as if I stay. I'm not worried about my son. I see that he's in good hands with the two of you. I wanna thank you both for taking him in. And for the hospitality you've shown me these past few days. Please tell Dylan goodbye for me." Angela picks up her suitcase, and without another word, walks past them and out of the room. Daniel and Betsy exchange looks of worry.
The next morning....
"Good morning," Daniel says as the boy takes a seat at the table.
"Morning. Where's my Mom? I went by her room and she wasn't there."
Daniel and Betsy exchange looks. "Your mother isn't here, Dylan," says Daniel.
"She isn't here? Where is she?"
"Gone, Dylan. Your mother left last night."
"She.....she left? Why? Did you make her leave?"
"No, we didn't," Daniel says. "She wanted to leave, and she asked us to tell you bye for her."
"Why would she just up and leave like that?" Dylan asks. "Unless......" the boy pauses and looks down.
"Unless what, Dylan?" Betsy asks.
A tear falls down the boy's cheek. "Unless I was right all along. She really doesn't give a damn about me."
"Dylan, your mother loves you," Daniel says.
"Yeah? Well, she has a fine way of showing it," Dylan says as the doorbell rings.
Betsy sighs. "Who in the world can that be this early?" Betsy gets up from the table, walks into the living room and opens the door to find Michael there.
"Morning, Betsy," Michael says, walking in. "Look, I'm sorry to bother you so early, but I was hoping to see Angela if she's up. See, we were supposed to have a date last night, and she never showed. She doesn't answer her phone."
"Michael, I'm sorry. But Angela's gone."
"She left," Dylan says, walking into the room with Daniel. "My mother left last night. I guess she ran out on both of us, Mr. Fairgate." Angry and fighting back tears, Dylan looks at Michael, then runs up the stairs, slamming the door to the guestroom.
Daniel follows after him as Betsy and Michael watch. Daniel knocks on the bedroom door, then walks in to find Dylan sitting on the bed. "You wanna talk about it?"
The boy remains silent, and simply shakes his head.
"Dylan, I'm sorry. I wish I knew what else to say."
"There's nothing to say. Just leave me alone, Uncle Danny. Please, just leave me alone."
Daniel looks at his nephew for a moment, his heart aching for the boy. He nods, then walks out of the room, closing the door behind him.
After Daniel leaves, Dylan begins to cry. He feels abandoned by both of his parents...