Gary and Valene's home.....evening
"Val, this stew is soooo delicious," Daniel says.
"Yeah, it's really good," Dylan agrees. "What do you call it?"
"Brunswick Stew," Val replies.
"Brunswick Stew?"
"Yes, it was something my Grandma, Lillimae, use to make a lot," says Betsy. "She taught Mom and Mom tried to teach me how to make it, but I could never get it right."
"Well, even mine isn't as good as my mama's," Val says.
"I have to disagree with you there, honey," Gary says. "Yours tastes exactly like Lillimae's use to."
"How come I never heard of it?" Dylan asks.
"Because Brunswick Stew is primarily a southern dish," Val tells the boy.
"Oh, lots of different things. Corn, meat. You can use either chicken or pork."
"Hey, Bobby, you're awfully quiet this evening," Daniel says, looking across the table at his brother-in-law.
"Sorry. Lot on my mind, I guess."
"How come Meg didn't come to dinner?" Betsy asks.
"She wanted to have dinner with her family, since they don't all get to sit down to eat together much these days. I'm gonna pick her up in a little while and we're going bowling."
"Dad, how are things going with the new real estate company?" Betsy asks.
Gary looks at his daughter and smiles. "Couldn't be better. I really think I made a smart decision asking Michael to join me as a partner."
"Excuse me," Bobby says, standing to his feet.
"Where are you going?"
"Just.....out for some air."
"Don't you want any desert?" Betsy asks her brother. "I made your favorite coconut cake."
"What's the matter with Bobby?" Betsy asks.
"No idea," Gary replies. "He's been acting strange for about a week and a half now."
At that moment, the beeping of a horn is heard outside.
"Oh, that's Eric," Dylan says.
"Eric?" Betsy asks. "Are you guys going somewhere?"
"Yeah, we're goin' to the mall, and then to a movie."
"I told him it was okay," Daniel says. "And he and Eric are gonna spend the night over at the Cunninghams'."
"I'll see you guys later," Dylan says, getting up from the table.
"Hey, you guys be careful," Betsy says. "And call us when you get back from the movie."
"Yeah, sure," the boy says, uninterested in what Betsy said. He hurries out.
Betsy sighs.
"Problem?" Val asks.
"No. I just worry about him, is all."
"Honey, Dylan's a good kid," says Daniel. "He's been here a few weeks now and he hasn't given us any real problems. You worry too much."
"It's just that we're responsible for that child's welfare while he's staying with us this summer, and you're always letting him go off and do Lord knows what with Eric and Trevor."
"Eric and Trevor are good kids, too," Daniel says. "What do you wanna do? Lock Dylan in his room and never let him leave the house for the whole summer?"
"Of course not."
Gary and Val exchange looks and smile. "I'm sure Dylan will be fine with Eric and Trevor," Gary says. "As Daniel said, they're good boys. It's not like any of them are reckless troublemakers."
Meanwhile......the MacKenzie home next door
"Karen," he calls to her. She doesn't answer. "Karen?" She continues staring blankly into space. A worried Mac looks back at his daughter and stepson. "Hello? Earth to Karen," he says.
"What?" She says, finally hearing him as she turns around. "Oh, I'm sorry. What did you say?"
"Nothing, I've just been tryin' to get your attention. What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing. What makes you think something's wrong?"
"Because for the last two days you've been acting really strange. Distant."
"Mac's right, Mom," says Michael.
"We've all noticed it," Meg says. "Are you sure everything's okay?"
"I'm fine. Really. Just.......I dunno, I've been distracted lately."
"By what?" Mac asks.
"By nothing in particular. That's what happens when ya get my age."
"Karen, I AM your age and I don't get distracted like that."
"No you're not. You're a year younger than me," Karen says. "Besides, women get distracted more easily than men. I'm fine. I promise. Hey, why don't the four of us sit down to a game of bridge? That is if you still remember how to play, Michael? Or better yet, Hearts or Phase 10?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't tonight," Meg says. "I have a date with Bobby."
"No, sweetheart, it's alright, you didn't," Mac says, his voice low. "But listen, I wanna talk to the two of you while we're here. Somethin's really been buggin' your mother for a few days now."
"Yeah, she's just not herself lately," Michael says.
"I think it's important that we all do spend a little time together as a family. Dinner was nice tonight and I appreciate it, but, it would be great for your mother and for all of us to spend a whole evening together for once."
"I can cancel my date," Meg says. "Bobby will understand."
"No, no, Meg, I don't want ya to do that," Mac says. "Maybe one night this weekend. And Michael, if you could ask your son to maybe stay home one night and not go out with his friends?"
"Sure, Mac. I'm sure Eric will do that," Michael says.
"Good. I appreciate it. And maybe we can get to the bottom of what's botherin' her."
A teen club and disco....later
"Thanks," Trevor says as the girl puts their drinks on the table. She smiles, then walks away.
"Now, aren't you guys glad I talked you into coming here instead of the mall?" Eric asks.
"I dunno," Trevor says. "I guess it's okay."
"Dude, come on. You're not gonna get in trouble even if your folks find out you're here. This is a teen club. A TEEN club, bro. Which means they don't serve alcohol. But of course, that doesn't mean there's no alcohol here." Eric reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small bottle of vodka and shows it to them.
"Where'd you get that?" Dylan asks.
"I've got connections, my man," replies a cocky Eric. "You guys want some?"
"Cool, but don't let anybody see ya," Eric says. He discreetly passes the bottle to his friend. "Just pour it in your drink and hand it back under the table."
Dylan takes the vodka and pours some into his cup of soda. "Trev?"
"Umm, no thanks."
"Dude, come on," says Eric.
"When we leave here, one of us has to drive," Trevor reminds his cousin.
"You're not gonna get that messed up. Besides, I could drive no matter how stoned I am. Now take some."
Eric shakes his head. "Dude, you're my cousin, and I love ya. But why do you always gotta be so lame."
"I'm not being lame, I'm being safe. The last thing we need is to leave this club where we aren't supposed to be, get into an accident or get a ticket, and have our license taken away. Do you want that to happen?"
Eric sighs. "Trev, you seriously need to get laid, dude. You're like one of the most uptight people I know."
"At least I live in reality," Trevor says.
Dylan laughs at the two cousin's little argument.
Eric looks past the other two boys and into the crowd. "Oh....my.....God," he says with a smile. "Guys, look who just came in. Megan Wilson."
Dylan and Trevor turn and look over their shoulders and see the beautiful girl Eric pointed out. "Wow," Dylan says. "Dude she is SOOO hot."
"Hell yeah, she is," Eric agrees.
"Hey, Eric, I bet you wouldn't go over and talk to her," Dylan teases.
"Oh, you think I won't?" Eric smooths back his blonde hair and adjusts his shirt collar, then stands from his seat. "Watch this and learn somethin', boys," he says with an arrogant smile, then walks off, making his way through the crowded club to where Megan is chatting with two friends. Trevor and Dylan watch as he starts a conversation with the girl. She smiles, then heads onto the dance floor with Eric.
"Can you believe that guy?" Dylan asks with a slight laugh. "He's so cocky. Sure wish I had his confidence."
Trevor sighs. "Yeah, me too," he says sadly as he watches his cousin dance with the beautiful Megan.
The MacKenzie Home....later
"Hey, Miss America," Mac calls from the bedroom. "Are you comin' to bed tonight or are you gonna continue to admire your great beauty in the mirror?"
Composing herself, Karen turns and walks out of the bathroom with a smile, switching the light off as she walks into the bedroom. "I'm ready for bed," she says. She walks to her side of the bed and climbs in.
Mac gets into bed beside her. He switches off the lamp on his side, turns to Karen, and kisses her. After a moment, she pulls out of the kiss. Mac tries to cuddle with her, but Karen pulls away.
"Hey, what's wrong?" He asks.
"Nothing. I'm just tired. It's been a long day."
"You sure that's all?"
"I'm sure," Karen says. She gives him a quick peck on the lips. "Good night, Mac."
"Night, Karen," Mac says as his wife turns over, her back to him. Mac looks at her for a few seconds, worried about her. Mac knows something serious is upsetting Karen.
The MacKenzie Home....the next morning
"Karen!" Val calls.
In the kitchen. Karen drops a plate and breaks it. "Damn!" She says angrily to herself.
Val hears the glass break in the kitchen and rushes in and finds Karen picking up the pieces. "Karen?"
"Oh, good morning. I'm clumsy," Karen says, holding the pieces of the plate in her hand. "One of my best plates."
"I'm sorry. Are you alright?"
"I'm.........I'm fine," Karen says hesitantly. "I'm glad you came over. I'm here all alone if ya wanna spend the day together."
"Sure, I'd love to. Everybody gone to work, huh?"
"Yeah, and Eric spent the night over at Kate's with Trevor. I guess he'll be home sometime this afternoon, I don't know."
Val notices that her friend seems troubled. "Karen, what's wrong?"
"I wish that everybody would just STOP asking me what's wrong! Nothing is wrong, damn it!" Karen snaps, then starts to cry.
Val walks over to her. "Sweety, I know something is wrong. Now I've known you for a long, long time, and this isn't you. You haven't acted like this since......"
"Since I went through menopause," Karen says.
"Well, yeah. Please, tell me what it is."
Karen looks at her longtime best friend, then walks over and takes a seat at the table. Val follows, taking a seat beside her. "A few days ago, I noticed something."
"Noticed what, Karen?" Val asks.
"I was dressing and I noticed........a lump in my left breast. I tried to pretend it wasn't there, or to just brush it off as nothing. But it's gotten a little bigger. And sore."
"No. I kept hoping it would go away."
"Have you told Mac?"
Karen shakes her head. "I can't. Not until I know something definite. And even then......"
"Karen......"
"I'm scared, Val," Karen says, fighting back tears. "I'm more scared than I've been in a very long time."
"Well, darlin' just because you have a lump, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's........" Val stops short of saying the word cancer.
"My mother had it," says Karen. "So did one of her sisters, so, obviously it runs in my family."
"Karen, the first thing you need to do is see a doctor," Val says. "Let them run some tests, so you'll know what it is. And it's Friday. You need to make an appointment for today if you can get one."
"Will you go with me?"
Val reaches over and takes her friend's hand. "You know I will."
Karen manages a weak smile as she clutches Val's hand.
Cunningham Enterprises....
"Mr. Cunningham, your wife is here."
"Thank you. Send her in."
A moment later, Kate walks into the office. "Hello, Brian."
"Kate," Brian says, standing. "What brings you by?"
"I thought we should talk."
"About what?"
"About Trevor."
"I don't really know," replies Kate. "He hasn't been himself lately. He's been quiet, sullen. Moody."
"That's understandable with everything he's been through lately. Our separation has been really hard on him."
"I know. That's why I think it's important that you spend some time with him."
"I'd like that. He can stay with me this weekend if he wants," Brian says.
"Good. But not at the hotel. You can stay at the house this weekend."
"You're asking me to move back in for a couple days?" Asks a surprised Brian. "That's surprising because you couldn't wait to get me outta there."
"I'm going away this weekend, and I just thought that since I won't be at home, you'd like to stay at the house and spend the weekend with your son and daughter."
"Going on a little min-vacation?" Brian asks, retaking his seat.
"You might say that."
"Alone?"
"No. I'm going away for the weekend with Doug."
"I should've known," Brian says in a tone of disgust. "So what time are you leaving?"
"This evening after Doug gets off work," Kate says.
"I think we've said all we need to. I'll be over tonight."
"Fine. Bye." Kate turns and quickly leaves the office.
Brian sighs in frustration at the thought of his wife going away for the weekend with another man, despite their separation.
Later in the afternoon....
"Hi, Karen, how are you?" He asks. "Fine, Dr. Carver. Well, actually, I'm not fine." "Well, if you were fine you wouldn't be here," the doctor says with a smile. "I was expecting your father," Karen says. "My father is on vacation this week, so I'm seeing his patients as well as my own. But I have seen you before. Now then, it says on your chart that you found a lump in your left breast?" "Yes. I discovered it a few days ago, and since then it's gotten a little bigger." The doctor walks over and begins feeling for the lump. Karen winces. "Pain?" He asks. "Yes. It's very tender." |
"It was two years ago," replies Karen.
"I'd like you to have a mammogram as well."
"Oh. When?"
"We can do the xrays and the CT scan this afternoon, while you're here. I'd like to schedule the mammogram for tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow? Couldn't we do this next week? Monday, maybe?"
"Karen, I'd like to get this done as soon as possible. If the mammogram shows something, then the next step will be a biopsy. I don't wanna wait."
"Then, you think it might be.......could be........cancer?" Karen asks nervously.
"We'll know more when we have the tests. I see on your chart you have a family history of breast cancer."
"Yes. My mother had breast cancer, and one of my aunts died from it."
Dr. Carver smiles. "I know this is easier said than done, Karen, but try not to worry until there's a real reason. If this is a malignant tumor, judging from the size, chances are we caught it early. But it could also be a benign cyst. I'll order those tests. You just try and relax. Did anyone come with you?"
"Yes. My friend came with me."
"Good. I'll be back in a few minutes." Dr. Carver smiles at Karen again, then walks out of the room.
After he's gone, Karen touches both of her breasts and starts to cry.
The Cunningham Home.....
"Where the heck is he?" Trevor wonders. "ERIC!"
"ERIC!" Dylan calls out.
"I'll see if he's back in my room," Trevor says.
"Okay, I'll keep looking out here," says Dylan. He makes his way down a set of steps to a lower part of the Cunningham's back yard. "ERIC?" He calls again. Dylan then detects the distinct smell of marijuana in the air. Following the smell, he finally locates Eric sitting on some steps of the Cunningham's storage house. Eric is smoking a joint. "Dude, are you nuts?" Dylan asks. "Do you wanna get caught?"
"Eric, you're crazy, man. Trevor's Dad just called. He's coming over in a little while. And what about the neighbors?"
"Umm.....HELLO? We're outside. The smell's gonna be gone by the time Brian gets here and before it drifts to the nearest neighbor's house, especially with all these trees."
At that moment, Trevor walks up. "Well, he's not in the house," he says, but stops short when he sees his cousin sitting on the steps smoking. "What the hell are you doing?"
"What's it look like?" Eric asks. "You guys want a hit of this?"
"No," Trevor says adamantly. "Dude, put that junk out before someone sees you."
"Who's gonna see me?"
"Just put it out!"
Eric looks at his cousin for a moment, then stands to his feet. "You gonna make me, Trev?"
Angrily, Trevor grabs what's left of the joint out of Eric's hand and throws it to the ground, stomping it out with his foot.
"You little jerk!" Eric says, pushing Trevor to the ground.
Trevor quickly gets back to his feet and pushes Eric back.
"Yeah, you wanna go at it right here!?" Eric yells.
"Stop it!" Dylan yells, getting between the two cousins. "Eric, it's Trevor's house, so just chill out, man!"
"Yeah. I don't need this little punk."
"Then take your ass home," Trevor says.
"Fine. And you can go to hell," says Eric. He starts walking away, then turns back to the other two boys. "You comin', Dylan?"
A confused Dylan looks at Eric, then at Trevor, then back at Eric, and doesn't say anything. He finally looks at Trevor again.
"I can give you a ride home later if you want," Trevor says. "Or you can spend the night."
"Yeah, okay," Dylan says.
"Fine, then, I don't need either of your lame asses," says an angry Eric as he turns and walks away.
"Eric, wait bro, don't leave," Dylan calls to him.
Eric waves his hand and continues walking.
"Let him go," Trevor says. "I've had it with him."
"Dude, trust me, Eric will be okay," Trevor says. "It's always the people around him who get hurt or into trouble but my cousin ......well, no matter what happens, Eric always lands on his feet."
Dylan gives Trevor a strange look, getting the feeling that Trevor harbors a strong resentment toward his more arrogant, more confident cousin.
The MacKenzie Home.....night
"Karen, where the devil have you been? We've been worried sick," he says.
"Mom, are you okay?" Meg asks.
"I'm fine. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry everyone."
"Yeah, well ya did," says an irritated Mac. "Where were you all this time?"
"I was out with Val."
"Mom, we know you were out with Val," says Michael. "Mac talked to Gary. "But WHERE were you guys?"
"Just out. Can't two girls have a day out together once in a while? We both needed it. I'm sorry that I worried everyone, but I'm fine. I'll start dinner." Karen starts toward the kitchen.
Mac grabs his wife by the arm. "So that's it? That's all you have to say?"
"Mac, what do you want me to say?" Karen asks. "I already apologized, now will you just leave me alone? I'll have dinner ready soon."
"Mom, that's okay," Meg says. "We already had dinner."
"Yeah, Meg fixed dinner," Michael says.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, we had TV dinners," says Mac.
"Thank you, Meg."
"It's fine, Mom. You sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine. Really. Well, I think I'll go up and shower and get ready for bed. It's been a long day."
"Wait a second," Mac says. "Don't you think we should talk about this?"
"Talk about what?" Asks Karen.
"You were gone all day, you didn't call, you had us all worried to death."
"I am not a child who needs to check in with her parents every time I wanna go out. Besides, Val called Gary and Gary told you I was with her. case closed!" Karen turns and hurries up the stairs.
"Karen!" Mac calls to her.
"Mac, let her go," Michael says. "Something serious is obviously on her mind. You know Mom as well as I do. She has to work through it on her own, and when she's ready, she'll let us in."
Mac looks at his stepson for a moment and sighs.
Gary and Val's house....later
"Val, what's wrong?" Gary asks.
"Wrong? Nothing, why do you ask?"
"Because ever since you came home from wherever you and Karen were at, you've hardly said a word. What's going on?"
"Gary, I'm sorry but I can't talk about it. At least not yet."
"Is something wrong with Karen?"
"Please, Gary, stop questioning me. Look, eventually, I'll be able to tell you. But right now, Karen has something going on that she has to work through. And until she decides to tell Mac and her family, I promised her I won't say a word, not even to you."
"Okay, fine," Gary says. "I respect that, so I'll change the subject. Do you have any idea what's been bugging Bobby?"
"Uh-uh," Val says as she turns over in bed, her back to him.
"He's been acting really strange for several days now. Ever since that barbecue at Mac and Karen's."
"Uh-huh," Val says, seemingly uninterested in what Gary is saying. Finally, he sighs, then puts his papers down, turns off the light, and rolls over in bed. Val is too distracted, too worried about Karen to pay attention to much else.
The MacKenzie home.....the next morning
"Morning," Val says, walking in.
"Morning," Karen says, closing the door behind her.
"Almost ready?"
"Yeah. Almost."
"Did you talk to Mac last night?" Val asks.
"No. I didn't. I couldn't."
"Karen......"
"Val, please don't lecture me about how I need to tell my family. I don't wanna put them through the worry until I have to. Luckily, Mac had a date to play golf this morning. Michael is at the office with Gary, and Meg had some work to do on a case she's handling, some legal research or something, so, we can go, I can have this mammogram done, and get back home hopefully before anyone else gets home. Eric's still in bed, so he'll probably sleep until noon. I'll get my purse and we can go."
"We have some time before you have to be there," Val says.
"Yeah but I'll have paper work to do. Maybe if I'm early, they'll take me early and I can get this over with."
Val walks over to her friend and puts a reassuring hand on Karen's back. "Karen, I know how you're feeling right now. You remember years ago, when I had that colon surgery? I was scared to death I was gonna have to wear a colostomy for the rest of my life."
"I know. I remember," says Karen. "I also remember how Gary reacted to your illness. I remember he fell apart. I'm afraid Mac will do the same thing. Especially with this.......breast cancer. If I have to have a mastectomy."
"Karen, darlin', you don't know that. Mac loves you with all of his heart........"
As Val is speaking, she and Karen are unaware that Eric is heading down the stairs and hears the women talking in the living room. The boy stops on the stairs and listens as Val continues......
"He would never love you any less if you have breast cancer. Or if you have to have a mastectomy."
"I know my husband," says Karen. "I know Mac loves me very much, as I love him. But he and I have always had a very healthy and very active love life, even now into our..........our golden years. How will he react if I lose one of my breasts? If I'm deformed? Or worse? What if this cancer has spread and they can't do anything for me?"
"Oh, Karen, don't even say that. Don't even think it," Val says, embracing her friend.
"Val, I'm so frightened. I've lived a good life, yes, but damn it, I am NOT ready for it to end. I'm not."
Gary and Val's home.....later
"In here," Betsy hears her twin brother say from the kitchen. Bobby comes into the living room, his face and shirt sweaty as if he's been exercising.
"Working out?" Betsy asks.
"Yeah," Bobby replies, walking past her. "I needed it. What better way to spend a Saturday morning, huh?"
"True."
"What brings you over?"
"I was bored," Betsy replies. "Daniel took the kids to go pick Dylan up from the Cunninghams, and he was gonna get Daniel, Jr. a haircut. I baked a cake, which is in the oven now, so I had some time to kill. I saw Mom leave with Karen, so I thought I'd come over and see my favorite brother."
"Bets, I'm your ONLY brother."
Betsy smiles. "I know, that's why you're my favorite."
Bobby fails to smile at the remark. He walks over and takes a seat on the sofa. Worried about her brother, Betsy follows and takes a seat beside him as he opens a can of beer and takes a sip.
"We're twins. We've always had that little connection between us, where one could tell what the other was thinking."
"I haven't been able to tell what you were thinking since we were teenagers."
Betsy smiles. "I know. I wanted it that way. So you feel left out because Dad asked Michael to be his partner and not you."
"Bobby, you've been talking to our cousin Christopher for a while about going into business with him. Dad knows that, and he probably thought you wouldn't be interested in a boring real estate business or wouldn't have the time."
"He still could've asked, Bets," Bobby says, standing to his feet and walking to the window.
"Is that what's bothering you?" Betsy asks, standing to walk over to him. "The fact that he didn't even ask you?"
"He never even mentioned it to me, which makes me feel like he doesn't have any more confidence in me than he ever has. Look, I know I was reckless and a little wild when I was a kid, but I've grown up. When is Dad ever gonna have a little faith in me?"
"He does have faith in you, Bobby."
"No, he doesn't. He has faith in YOU. And why shouldn't he? You're beautiful. Married to a very successful doctor. You gave him and Mom two beautiful grandchildren. Had a successful career as a fashion designer before you took a leave of absence to raise your kids. What have I ever done with my life? I got in trouble when I was eighteen. Got in fights. Couldn't even make my relationship with Meg work the first time around, I dropped out of college. I'm thirty years old and still living with Mom and Dad. They raised a real winner in me, didn't they?"
"Stop right there, brother," Betsy says. "You know, you are JUST like Dad. Dad's always had a problem with his self esteem and so do you. Bobby, you're finally trying to do something worth while by asking Christopher to go into business with you. You made some mistakes when you were younger, but now you're trying to stand on your own two feet, and Mom and Dad are both very proud of you for that. And so am I. So is Meg. Everyone else has faith in you, Bob. You just need to have a little in yourself."
Bobby looks at his sister and smiles. "Why couldn't I have been the smart one instead of you?"
"I'm a girl. Girls are just naturally smarter than boys."
Bobby laughs at his sister's comment.
West Los Angeles Medical Center....
Back on Seaview Circle......a short time later
"Dylan? You coming in?" Daniel asks his nephew.
"Nah, I'm gonna go over and talk to Eric."
"Okay, but let us know if you go anywhere," Daniel says, then takes his kids into the house.
After a brief pause, Dylan walks over to Eric. "Hey, man," he says.
"Sup?" Eric says without looking at Dylan, continuing to shoot baskets.
"Wish you hadn't left last night," says Dylan. "Trevor's Dad took us out for pizza and then we went back to the house and watched a couple movies on Netflix. Then Trevor and I played GTA 5 until about 3 this morning."
"Great. Glad you jerks had fun," Eric says rudely.
"Why do you always have to be such an ass?" Dylan asks.
"Maybe I'm just naturally one," Eric says angrily, tossing the basketball to the ground. He turns, walks over to a tree and takes a seat on the ground by the tree.
Dylan watches him for a moment, almost feeling sorry for Eric, and sure that something is bothering him. Dylan walks over. "Eric, what's wrong, man?"
"Nothing, dude, just leave me alone, okay?" Eric says.
Dylan can tell he's been crying. "Bro, come on. I've never seen you upset like this before. I wanna help if I can."
Dylan walks over and takes a seat on the ground. "Why? Eric, just tell me what's wrong."
"I overheard my Grandma talking to Mrs. Ewing. My Grandma's at the hospital right now."
"The hospital? Why?"
Eric fights back tears. "She might have cancer."
Dylan is completely stunned by the news. "Cancer? Oh my God, dude. I'm so sorry."
"She doesn't want anybody to know yet, so don't say anything."
"I'm scared, dude," Eric says. "Real scared."
Dylan reaches out and puts a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder.
Wes Los Angeles Medical Center....
"You're welcome. I wanna thank you for taking time to do this on a Saturday."
"It's no problem. I'm on call all weekend. Karen, your xrays show a rather sizeable mass in your left breast, as I thought, it's about the size of a small egg. Also your blood tests show an elevated white cell count, which isn't necessarily bad."
"The mass........what happens now?" Karen asks, taking Val's hand.
"I'd like to schedule you a biopsy as soon as possible. Monday morning if we can. I take it that since Mrs. Ewing came with you that you haven't told your husband and family about this?"
"No, I haven't. I wanted to wait and see what these tests showed before I worried them."
"Well, you're going to have to tell them before the biopsy. You'll need them here, for moral support and you won't be able to do much for at least a week. And Karen, I want you to be prepared."
"Prepared for what?" Val asks.
Dr. Carver hesitates a moment, a serious expression on his face. "We'll do the biopsy, and I'll a sample of the mass sent down to the lab for immediate testing. If it comes back positive for cancer, then......."
"A mastectomy?" Karen asks, frightened.
"First, we'll try a lumpectomy, which is only the removal of the mass. But if the mass is too large, a mastectomy is the only other option. I wanted to tell you this now because, we normally perform the mastectomy while the patient is on the table, if necessary. And I want you to be prepared, and of course your permission will be needed. So you need to discuss this with your husband and the rest of your family."
Karen and Val exchange worried and frightened looks. Karen's bottom lip begins to tremble as she fights back tears.
The Cunningham home.....late afternoon
"Dad," Trevor says.
"Hey, bud."
"Mom's hired a guy to come do that since you moved out."
"Yeah, I know. But I needed something to do. I always use to clean the pool every week myself."
"I wish you still lived here," Trevor says.
"But it's not the same."
"I know. Trevor, your mom and I........you know we love you and Molly very much. And we never meant to hurt you. We just couldn't get along. Couldn't make things work between us."
"I know," Trevor says.
"How do you like this guy your mother's seeing, this......Doug?"
"I don't like him. I wish Mom would just dump him."
"Any particular reason you don't like him?" Brian asks.
"Yeah. Because he's come between you and Mom."
"Trev, your mother and I were having problems long before she ever started seeing Doug. If that's the only reason you don't like him, maybe you're not being fair."
"Brandon? Why not? He seems like a pretty nice young man."
"I dunno, Dad," Trevor says. "Just somethin' about him that doesn't feel right. He seems nice enough, but for some reason, he kinda gives me the creeps. Like, he's up to something."
"Up to something?" Brian asks.
"Yeah. I don't know how to describe it. Have you ever met somebody, and you just had a bad feeling about them, and you didn't know why?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I have. Trev, do me a favor."
"Sure."
"Keep an eye on your sister. If anything happens, or if this guy Brandon........well, if he does anything to make you think he might hurt your sister, I want you to let me know."
"Don't worry, Dad. I will."
"Good. I's appreciate that, son," Brian says.
The MacKenzie Home......that evening
"Eric?" Michael says. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing. I'm fine."
"You sure, honey?" Karen asks. "Normally you love my spaghetti."
"I'm just not hungry. I think I'm gonna go up to my room."
"Not just yet," says Karen.
"Yeah, not yet," says Mac. "I like this. All of us bein' together at dinner as a family for a change. I really appreciate the three of you bein' home tonight."
Meg smiles. "No problem, Dad. I've enjoyed it, too, even if everybody's been a little more quiet than usual."
Mac looks at his wife. "Karen, the spaghetti was delicious, as always."
"Thank you."
"Well, if everyone's done, I'll start the dishes," Meg says.
"No, honey," Karen says. "The dishes can wait."
Meg, Michael, and Mac all exchange worried looks.
"Is this about what's been botherin' you for the last few days?" Mac asks.
"Yes. Now that we're all here together, there's something we all need to talk about."
"What is it, Mom?" Michael asks.
"What exactly does that mean........no matter what happens?" Mac asks. "You sound like you're expectin' something to happen."
The smile fades from Karen's care worn face. "I know that, for the past few days I've been acting a little.........strange. And I know that you've all been concerned."
"We're concerned because we love you," Meg says.
"Karen, if somethin's on your mind, just come right out and say it," says Mac.
"This isn't easy for me to say."
"May I be excused?" Eric asks.
"No, honey, please, wait," says Karen. "This concerns all of us and you need to hear this, too."
"Mom, come on, you're starting to worry us even more than we already are," Michael says.
"Okay, here goes. A few days ago, when I was dressing, I noticed a lump in my left breast."
"A lump?" Meg asks.
"Yes. I went to the doctor yesterday and he did some xrays and a CT scan. And then this morning, I went to the hospital for a mammogram."
"What?" Mac asks. "A lump? A mammogram? Karen, why didn't you say anything?"
"I didn't wanna worry anyone."
"Worry anyone? WORRY ANYONE?" Mac yells as he stands from his seat. "Karen, we're your FAMILY. I'm your husband, it's my job to worry about you and worry with you. We've been married for thirty-two years so how could you keep somethin' like this from me?"
"Because I..........because I knew how you would react."
"This is where you and Val were yesterday, wasn't it?" Mac asks.
"Yes."
"You could tell Val but not your family? Not your husband?"
"I was hoping this would turn out to be nothing."
"But......it isn't nothing?" Meg asks.
"There is a mass in my breast. The doctor isn't sure what it is, but yes, there is a chance it could be........cancer. I'm scheduled for a biopsy on Monday morning," Karen says. "They'll send a sample down to the lab and if the results come back positive for cancer, I'll have to undergo a.........."
"A mastectomy?" Mac asks.
"Yes," Karen replies, breaking down in tears.
"Oh my God, Mom," Meg says, getting up and walking over to embrace her mother.
Mac walks over to his wife and takes her by the hand. He looks down at her and shakes his head, tears forming in his eyes. "I am SO angry with you right now," he says. "This is somethin' you shared with us. With me especially. What the hell? Did you think I wouldn't be able to handle this?"
"I was afraid," says a tearful Karen.
"Damn it, Karen. After nearly thirty-three years together, don't you know me better than that? We've been through hell and back in those years and we've always gone through it together. This is somethin' we should've faced together, from the beginning. You should've told me the minute you felt somethin' was wrong. I should've been with you at that doctor's, not Val."
"I'm sorry, Mac. I'm so sorry."
Mac embraces his wife.
Michael stands and walks over to her. "Mom, we're all here for you. Don't you think we should call Diana in New York? She'd wanna know."
"Maybe," Karen says.
Fighting back tears and not wanting his family to see him break down, Eric gets up from the table and beats a hasty retreat onto the patio.
"Eric," Karen calls after him.
"Mom, he'll be okay," Michael says. "This news is just hard on him because of......because of his other grandmother."
"Why, what happened?" Meg asks.
"Lori's mother died of cancer three years ago, right after Lori and I divorced," says Michael.
"Oh my God," Karen says. "I had completely forgotten about that. And now I lay this on him."
"Karen, this isn't your fault, and you're gonna be fine," Mac says.
Karen stands, pauses a moment, then walks to the patio doors. She looks back at Mac, Michael, and Meg, takes in a deep breath, then walks onto the patio, where she finds Eric sitting by the pool. She walks over to him. "You okay?"
"No."
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't wanna lay all of this on you. But you had to know."
"I already knew," Eric says.
"You knew? How?"
"I heard you and Mrs. Ewing talking this morning before you went to the hospital."
"You've known this all day, and you didn't say anything?" Karen asks.
"You said you didn't want the family to know yet."
"Oh sweety. You know, sometimes I forget that you're practically a grown man. Eighteen in a few months. You're not that little boy I still remember anymore."
Eric stands and faces his grandmother, the moonlight shining on his face, causing his tears to be illumined. "I'm so scared, Grandma. I don't wanna lose you like I lost my Grandma Kim."
"Eric, listen to me. I'm scared too. This is one of the scariest things that's ever happened to me. But if I have anything to say about it, I'm not goin' anywhere for a long time. The doctor said that, if this is cancer, hopefully, we caught it early. And we don't even know for sure yet that it is cancer. But I can promise you one thing. If it is the big C, then I plan to fight this with everything I have. I have a handsome grandson who's gonna be a senior this year, and, I wanna be there to watch you graduate and go to college. I wanna be at your wedding. And I wanna hold your child, my great-grandson or great-granddaughter and rock them to sleep the way I use to rock you to sleep. And I plan on doing all of those things. Breast cancer isn't always fatal. My mother had it. And she survived. She died of a heart attack. You remind so much of your father when he was your age, and then, in some ways you remind me of your Uncle Eric. Honey, no matter what, we're gonna get through this together, as a family. All of us. You, me, your father, Mac, and Meg."
"I love you, Grandma," Eric says, embracing her.
Karen puts her arms around the boy and hold him tightly. "I love you too, my precious grandson. So very much," she says as she and Eric cry together.