The MacKenzie Home......late afternoon
Meanwhile....New York City
The MacKenzie Home....
New York City....
The MacKenzie Home....
New York City....
The MacKenzie Home....
New York City....
The MacKenzie Home....
New York City....
West Los Angeles Medical Center.....the next morning
"Now then, Mrs. MacKenzie, you just make yourself comfortable," says the nurse. "Dr. Carver will be in to talk with you shortly."
"How long do you think it'll be before they take me down?" Karen asks.
"I really can't say. Could be as soon as an hour from now, or two or more. Just depends. But we'll let you know in plenty of time."
"Thank you."
The nurse smiles, then walks out of the room.
"Are ya comfortable?" Mac asks.
Karen nods as she looks around the room. "About as comfortable as I can be, in a hospital."
"Is there anything I can get for you?" Val asks.
"No. Yes. You can wave your magic wand and speed time up so I can get this over with."
Mac, Meg and Val slightly laugh at Karen's joke. "Haven't lost your sense of humor. That's good," says Mac.
Karen sighs. "I can't have anything to eat or drink until after this procedure is over. I may be starving by then."
"Good, then I'll bring ya a big lunch from that restaurant down the street," Mac says.
Karen looks at her husband and smiles.
"Where the heck is Michael, I thought he'd be here," Mac says.
"He will be," Meg replies. "He said he had something to take care of."
"What could be so important that he had to take care of?" Mac asks.
"He didn't say."
Los Angeles International Airport....
"Diana!" Michael says excitedly.
"Oh, Michael," Diana says, embracing her brother. "Oh it's so good to see you. It's been too long."
"Yes it has," Michael says. "Way too long." Michael then looks at two young people standing next to Diana, a boy of nineteen and a girl of seventeen. "Oh, wow, Diana, this can't be my niece and nephew."
"Well, these are definitely your niece Abigail and your nephew Sidney."
"Hi, you guys. Last time I saw you two you were little kids."
"Hey," Abigail says quietly.
"Wow, I can't believe how you guys have grown up."
"And what about that son of yours?" Diana asks. "Eric must be all grown up, too."
"Yeah, Eric's seventeen, and taller than I am. And thinks he's twenty-five."
Diana laughs at the comment. Then the smile disappears from her face. "Michael, how is Mom? I mean, how's she taking all of this?"
"She's taking it well. So's Mac. I mean, as well as can be expected, that is. Come on, we should get to the hospital. Hopefully you can get there and see her before they take her down to surgery."
The MacKenzie Home....
"Hey, what's up?" Eric asks.
"I thought you'd be at the hospital with your family."
"You okay, bro? How ya holdin' up?" Dylan asks.
"I'm scared man. My Grandma has always been there for me. She's not only been the coolest grandma in the world, but she's been one of my best friends. If she has cancer and....."
"Eric, lots of people have cancer and survive it."
"My other grandmother didn't," Eric says sadly.
"What?"
"My other Grandma Kim, my mom's mother. She had cancer. She died not long after my parents' divorced. I wasn't as close to her as I am to Grandma Karen."
"You just have to think positive, dude. I know it's hard."
"Bet you never thought you'd see me like this, did you? Scared. Letting something bother me."
"No, I didn't," Dylan says. "But, it just shows me that you're human like the rest of us."
"Thanks. You know, thanks for bein' here for me through all this."
"No problem, Eric. Friends do that for each other, ya know. Dude, you really should talk to Trevor."
"No," Eric says. "He knows my number if he wants to talk."
"He doesn't even know what's going on with your grandmother. Dude, he's your cousin. And your friend."
Eric sighs, then stands to his feet. "I really should get to the hospital. I wanna try and get there before they take her down."
"You want me to come with you?" Dylan asks. "I don't have anything else to do all day."
"Thanks, bro, but, nah. It'll probably be a long, boring day just sitting around waiting. But thanks. I'll see ya." Eric walks past him and starts into the house.
"Eric?" Dylan calls to him.
Eric stops and turns back to him.
"Call or text me and let me know how it goes."
"Yeah, sure, dude," Eric says, then goes into the house.
Instead of going back through the house to leave, Dylan walks over and opens the small gate that leads from the backyard into the front yard of the MacKenzie home. He walks back to the Avery home, then pauses outside for a moment. He takes his cell phone from his pocket and dials a number. On the third ring, Trevor answers.
"Eric needs me?" Trevor asks. "Why, what happened? Did he run out of weed and he needs me to find him a new supplier?"
"Trev, I'm bein' serious," says Dylan. "Eric's goin' through some stuff right now and he needs both of us, but, especially you."
"Dylan, what's going on?"
"Eric's grandmother is in the hospital. Dude, they think she might have cancer. She's having surgery this morning."
"Aunt Karen? Oh my God. I'm so sorry."
At that moment, Dylan sees Eric's car pull out of the MacKenzie garage as he heads to the hospital.
"Trev, can you come by and pick me up?" Dylan asks. "We can go to the hospital together."
"Yeah, sure. I'll be there in about twenty minutes."
"I'll be ready," Dylan says. He ends the call and puts his phone into his pocket.
West Los Angeles Medical Center....
"How long has it been since that nurse came in and said they'd take me down soon?" She asks.
"About ten minutes ago," Mac says.
"Seems like longer."
"That's only because you're so restless," says Val.
"Yes, I am. I wanna get this over with. And where is Michael? I'd hoped he'd be here by the time I went down for surgery."
"Mom, I'll go call him," says Meg. As she starts to leave the room. the door opens and Michael walks in.
"Mom, everybody, I'm sorry I'm late," Michael says.
"Where have you been?" Mac asks. "They're gonna take your mother down soon."
"Then I'm glad I got here on time, because I have a surprise." Michael walks to the door and motions for the others to come in.
Karen's face lights up when she sees Diana and her other two grandchildren walk into the room.
"Diana?" Karen exclaims. "Oh my God, Diana!"
Karen holds out her arms and Diana rushes to embrace her mother. Diana takes a seat on the bed beside Karen. Mac, Meg, Michael, Val, and Diana's two kids look on.
"Oh, Diana, it's so good to see you."
"It's good to see you too, Mom."
"What are you doing here?" Karen asks.
"Michael called me last evening and he told me. And I wanted to be here. I know I don't visit as often as I should, but, I just had to be here now."
Karen smiles. "Well, you made me very happy." Karen looks up and sees Sidney and Abigail. "And my grandchildren. Oh my goodness, you two have grown up."
"Karen, it hasn't been that long. We saw them last December when we went to New York," Mac says.
"Yes, but Sid looks about four inches taller."
"Probably because you're in bed, Grandma," the young man says.
"Give me a hug," Karen says, holding her arms out. Both grandchildren hug Karen at the same time.
A knock comes at the door, and Eric walks in. "Hey,"he says.
"Hey, glad you made it before they take your grandmother into surgery," Michael says.
"Yeah, well, looks like Grandma's got a army in here cheering for her.
"Eric?" Diana asks. "Oh my, Michael, this son of yours is one handsome kid."
Eric smiles. "Aunt Diana, hi."
"Hey, sweety."
"Well, well, just look at you," Sidney says to his cousin.
"What's up, Sid?" Eric says, shaking hands with him. "It's been a couple years, but you're still as ugly as ever."
"Yeah, well, how many mirrors have you broken lately?"
"Oh, wow," Eric says when he sees his cousin Abigail. "You grew into quite a hottie."
"Eric, remember, she IS your first cousin," Mac says jokingly.
Karen laughs. Before she can say anything, a nurse comes into the room, followed by Dr. Carver.
"Well, good morning, Karen," Dr. Carver says.
"Hello, Dr. Carver."
"Looks as if you have your whole family here to support you."
"Almost, yes. My son Michael and his son Eric. My daughter Diana and her two beautiful children Sidney and Abigail. And of course my wonderful husband and Val, the dearest friend I have in the world."
"Well, Karen, it's time for us to take you down. Now the nurse gave you a pill earlier, right?"
"Yes, she did," Karen replies.
"Good. The pill should help you relax. I'll see you in the OR. And, I'll keep the rest of you updated periodically on Karen's progress."
"Thank you," Michael says two orderlies come in.
"Ready, Mrs. MacKenzie?" One of the orderlies asks.
"As ready as I'll ever be," replies a nervous Karen. The orderlies unlock the wheels on Karen's hospital bed, and slowly begin wheeling her out of the room in the bed.
"Honey, we'll all be right here when you come out," Mac says.
"Yes, Mom, you'll be fine," Diana says.
"Love you, Grandma," Abigail says as she gives her grandmother one more hug as Karen is being taken out.
"How long will this take?" Mac asks Dr. Carver.
"It depends, Mr. MacKenzie. If the lab result comes back that the mass is a cancerous tumor, further surgery could take some time."
"A mastectomy? You mean.....if she has to have a mastectomy?"
"Yes. But let's cross that bridge when we come to it, okay?" Says Dr. Carver. "I'll let you all know as soon as we get the results back, and when we know how we're going to proceed. In the meantime, I suggest you all make yourselves comfortable in the waiting room down the hall."
"Thanks," Mac says as the doctor leaves the room.
Val walks over and puts a hand on Mac's shoulder. "She'll be fine. Karen has been through more than just about anybody I know, and she's always come through."
"But she's never been through cancer before," Mac says sadly.
Cunningham Enterprises....
"Yeah," Brian says to the person he's on the phone with. "I'm glad you called and let me know. Yeah, I'll be there. Okay. Give the family my love when you get there and tell them I'll see them soon. Alright, son. Bye." Brian puts down his phone and looks at his mother. "Mom," he says.
"Hello, honey. I was hoping maybe you'd wanna take an early lunch and let me treat you to the China Garden."
"I can't," Brian says, standing from his seat. "That was Trevor on the phone. Umm, did you know about Aunt Karen?"
"She's in the hospital. She's undergoing surgery today. Probably as we speak."
"Oh? What kind of surgery?"
"She may have breast cancer, Mom," Brian replies. "She's having a biopsy."
"Oh, wow. No, I had no idea. Of course you know Karen doesn't talk to me anyway, unless she absolutely has to."
"I'm going over to the hospital. I should be there."
"Alright, I'll come with you."
"Okay. Let's go." Brian grabs his jacket and he and Abby quickly leave the office.
West Los Angeles Medical Center....
"Eric," Dylan calls.
Eric looks up and sees them standing in front of him. "Dylan. What are you doing here?"
"Thought you could use a friend. Or two."
"Trev. What brings you here?"
"Like Dylan said, we both thought you could use some friends right about now."
"Yeah. Thanks," Eric says.
"Eric, I'm sorry about the other day," Trevor says.
"Yeah. Me too. What I did was pretty dumb, lighting up that joint right in your backyard. I sure could use one right now. How'd you guys know where I was."
"We went upstairs and found and saw your dad. He told us you came outside for some fresh air."
Trevor and Dylan exchange looks, neither of the boys knowing what to say to Eric to help him. After a brief pause, Trevor walks over and takes a seat on the bench beside him. "They don't even know yet that Aunt Karen has cancer, do they?"
"No. But that's probably what it is. Hey, I really appreciate you two losers comin' down here like this, but, you can go on home. I really don't want you to see me like this."
"Why not?" Dylan asks. "Afraid we're not gonna think you're this big, cool, tough guy anymore? So what? We're not gonna think any less of your for being human. And if you want the truth, dude, I like you better like this, bein' a regular kid, scared and all, than when you're acting like you're God's gift to the world."
Eric looks up at Dylan, then to his left at Trevor. "God's gift to the world? I really act that bad?"
"Yeah, ya do, and it's really......annoying," Trevor says with a smile.
Eric smiles. "I should really get back upstairs before my Dad decides to come looking for me."
"We'll come with you," says Trevor as he and Eric stand.
"Cool. Oh, yeah, Trev, umm, Sidney and Abigail are upstairs in the waiting room with their Mom," Eric says.
"Oh, awesome, I haven't seen them in a long time," says Trevor.
"Sidney and Abigail?" Dylan asks. "Who are they?"
"They're my cousins, my Aunt Diana's kids. They live in New York," Eric replies as the three boys walk back into the hospital.
Later....
"How're you doing, kid?" Diana asks.
"I know," says Diana. "Me, too."
"Mom has always been so strong. It's hard for me to imagine her being sick."
"Yeah, it is. But ya know what? We don't know for sure yet whether this is cancer or something totally benign. Let's not borrow trouble until we have to."
"I'm glad that you're here," Meg says.
"Me, too. It's been way too long since I came home for a visit," says Diana.
Bobby walks over to them. "Excuse me, hope I'm not interrupting."
"Nope," says Diana. "We were just having a little sisterly chat."
"Meg, would you like to go down to the cafeteria, get somethin' to eat?"
"I don't wanna leave."
"You probably should," Diana says. "Besides it's probably gonna be a while before we hear anything, anyway. And if the doctor comes out, I'll text you, I promise."
"Okay. Thanks, Diana."
"You're welcome, sweetheart. Go on."
Meg smiles, then walks out of the waiting room with Bobby just as Abby walks in. She looks around the room, then walks over to Diana.
"I'm glad you're here," Abby says.
"I figured I needed to be. And thank YOU for being here, Aunt Abby. I know that you and my Mom have never really gotten along, but......"
"Hey, listen, none of that matters now," Abby says. "It's great to see those two lovely children of yours, too. And that daughter........oh, Diana, she's gorgeous."
"Thank you. She is gorgeous. Just like the classy lady I named her after."
Abby smiles. "I'm honored to have such a beautiful namesake. Although I'm sure your mother's never been too pleased that you named Abigail after me."
"Well, we talked about it," Diana says. "And besides, you know, if it weren't for you, Abigail or Sidney wouldn't even be here. You did donate a kidney and save my life once, remember?"
"How could I forget? I'll talk to you later, sweetheart. I have a couple phone calls to make while we wait."
"Sure," Diana says with a smile as Abby walks away. After she's gone, Diana's face grows sad, as she thinks back in time to her youth, and a time when she gave her mother grief....
Meanwhile....outside
"You sure you didn't wanna go to the cafeteria and get somethin' to eat?" Bobby asks. "You haven't eaten all day."
"I don't think I could eat anything right now. Not until we hear something from my Mom's biopsy. I just needed some fresh air."
"Yeah, I could've used some, too," Bobby says.
"Why is everything going so wrong lately?" Meg asks. "First, Brandon Williams shows up in town and starts dating Molly, and now this."
"Speaking of Brandon Williams, is that guy still in town?"
Meg sighs. "Yeah. And Molly is still seeing him."
Bobby stops walking and turns to her. "Damn it, I told that guy what I'd do if he didn't leave town."
"Yes, you did, and that's part of the problem. Brandon threatened to press assault charges against you for hitting him that day. If you hadn't gone over there and punched him, we might have been able to strong arm him into leaving."
"I'm sorry, Meg. I know I made things worse. For you and for Molly. But I swear, if he hurts her, he's gonna be one sorry guy."
The Mall....
"Well, hello there, beautiful," Brandon says with a smile.
"Hi. Why're you all dressed up?" Molly asks.
"Because I just came from a job interview with the Bradley & Boyd Law Firm. I think I may be joining them soon."
"Brandon, that's great," Molly says, without much enthusiasm.
"Hey, Moll, what's going on here? You seem bothered about something. Have I done or said something wrong?"
"Worried about what?" Brandon asks.
"I talked to my Dad, and my Aunt Karen MacKenzie is in the hospital. She's having surgery right now. She may have cancer."
"Yeah. I asked my boss if I could take off at lunch time and go over to the hospital. Melissa's gonna cover for me."
"I'll come with you," Brandon says.
Molly smiles. "I'd like that."
Brandon looks at Molly, and smiles. "I'd love to accompany you to the hospital to show your family, to show Meg, my support."
Wes Los Angeles Medical Center....
"Sure, Mac," says Michael.
Mac walks out of the room. A couple of minutes later he walks out of the front exit of the hospital, where he stops and looks around. Another hot summer day, he thinks to himself. As he looks around, Mac's mind thinks back to a time many years ago....
"Mac?" Comes a voice from behind him. Mac turns around to find Gary standing there.
"Oh, hi, Gary."
"Any word on Karen yet?" Gary asks.
"Nah, not yet. I thought sure we'd have heard something from that damned biopsy by now."
"If it's any consolation, Mac, I know exactly how you feel right now."
"Oh, how could you know how I feel?" Mac snaps.
"Because I went through this same thing, or rather, something similar. Val had a cancer years ago."
"Yeah, that's right. Karen told me somethin' about that a long time ago."
"That was one of the most frightening times of my life. Val had this tumor on her colon. She had a biopsy and it turned out to be malignant. For a while we didn't know whether or not she would have to wear a colostomy."
"So how'd ya handle it?" Mac asks.
"Handle it? I didn't. Not very well, at least. I went home and tore my bedroom apart in anger. I was so damned angry and so scared of what might lie ahead. But things turned out okay. Val was okay. We all just have to believe that Karen will be, too. But no matter what happens, Mac, the best thing, hell the ONLY thing you can really do is be there for Karen, right by her side every step of the way."
"Exactly," says Gary.
"Listen, Gary, thanks. I'm gonna head back up now. You comin'?"
"Yeah, I'll be there in a minute."
Mac nods slightly, then turns and walks back to the hospital and goes in.
Left alone outside the hospital, Gary thinks back to one of his own memories of Karen....
Upstairs.....a few minutes later
"Can I have a word with you?" Greg asks.
Abby nods, then casually walks into the hallway with Greg.
"What on earth are you doing here?" Abby asks.
"Despite our personal feelings toward one another, Karen IS my sister-in-law and the mother of my niece and nephew."
"I trust you took care of our little problem concerning Harris Computers."
Greg smiles. "Good. Good. Because if your son starts asking questions again and decides to dig a little deeper into that company's history, YOU'RE gonna be the one to take the fall, not me, since you're the one that got us into this mess."
"Brian won't be asking anymore questions about Harris Computers," Abby says.
"See that he doesn't. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go see how Mac's doin'."
Abby lets out a deep sigh as Greg walks away from her and into the waiting room. After a moment, Abby follows.
Meanwhile, Dr. Carver comes down the hall and walks into the waiting room just as Gary comes in. Mac and the others stand and gather around him.
"Dr. Carver, how is she?" Mac asks.
"Karen is resting comfortably," the doctor replies, a somber expression on his face.
"Have you gotten the results back?" Diana asks.
"Yes, we have, just now. And, I'm afraid.......it's as we feared. The tumor is malignant, and it's grown deeply into the tissues. We have no choice but to perform a mastectomy."
"Oh my God," Meg cries.
"Doctor, has.........has the cancer spread anywhere else?" Mac asks nervously.
"We believe the tumor is localized, confined only to Karen's left breast. We'll know more with more extensive tests. I discussed this matter with both Karen and you, Mr. MacKenzie. If the biopsy came back positive for cancer, we would perform the mastectomy while Karen was still in the O.R. The surgery will take anywhere from two and a half to three hours, so if any of you want to go home and come back, I would suggest it."
Everyone in the room shakes their heads. "No," Mac says. "No, we're all stayin'. Karen needs to feel our prayers and our positive energy goin' into her in that O.R."
"Fine," Dr. Carver says. "I'll let you know as soon as she's out of surgery."
"Thank you, Dr. Carver," Michael says as Carver turns and walks out.
Meg breaks down in tears. Bobby embraces her. "I can't believe it. She has cancer."
Across the room, a shaken Eric takes a seat on one of the sofas. Dylan and Trevor sit beside him, Trevor placing a reassuring hand on his cousin's shoulder.
Greg walks up to Mac. "Hey, Pal, I'm gonna get goin'. Let me know how Karen's doin' when she gets out."
"Yeah, sure," Mac says.
Greg walks over to Meg. "Take care of yourself, kid," he says, giving her a hug. "Give me a call."
"I will."
Greg kisses her on the forehead, then walks out, passing by Abby in the hallway just outside the waiting room.
"Poor Karen," Abby says quietly.
Greg stops and walks closer to her. "Your concern is touching, if unbelievable," he says.
Abby gives him an angry look. "You really are insufferable, you know that?"
Greg smiles, pats her on the back, then walks away.
Meanwhile, Molly and Brandon walk into the waiting room. Gary looks at Molly and smiles as she walks over to Brian.
"Hey, Daddy," Molly says.
"Hey, sweetheart."
"Any news on Aunt Karen?"
"Yeah," says Brian. "The doctor just came out and told us. She has cancer. They have to do a mastectomy."
"Oh, no," Molly cries.
"Poor Mrs. MacKenzie," Brandon. "Mr. Cunningham, how's Meg taking the news?"
"Why don't you ask her yourself?" Brian says.
Brandon looks across the room and sees Meg sitting with Bobby, Michael, and Diana. "I think I will," he says with a slight smile. "Molly, I'll be right back." Brandon walks over to where the others are sitting. "Meg," he says.
She looks up at him angrily. "Oh my God, what are YOU doing here?"
"I came with Molly. She was very upset to hear the news. I'm so sorry about your mother. Is there anything I can do?"
Bobby stands to face Brandon. "Yeah," Bobby says. "What you can do is get the HELL out of town and leave Meg alone."
"I don't believe I was bothering Meg. I was simply offering my heartfelt sympathies about her mother's health crisis."
"She doesn't need the sympathies of the likes of you," Bobby says.
Meg stands. "Brandon, I want you to leave. Now!"
"I came here with Molly. Do you want HER to leave, too?" Brandon asks.
"Molly is family," Meg says. "She can stay. But you're an intruder and I want YOU to leave."
"Look, I don't know what this is about," says Michael, standing. "But it's obvious my sister doesn't want you here, so, I think it's best that you leave. NOW."
"Alright, I'm going. Meg, again, my sympathies to your family at this time." Brandon smiles at Bobby, then turns and walks back across the room to Molly and Brian.
Sitting nearby, Trevor can see how angry Bobby is and how upset Meg is after Brandon's visit, and he worries about his sister and the guy she's gotten involved with.
Bobby and Meg watch as Brandon says something to Molly, then he turns and walks out of the room. "I think I'm gonna go and make sure that guy actually LEAVES," Bobby says.
"No, Bobby, please don't," Meg says, grabbing his arm. "There's been enough trouble."
"Meg, what's going on?" Diana asks. "Who is that guy and why does he upset you so much?"
Meg looks at her sister. "He's a guy I was involved with at school."
"Bad news?" Michael asks.
"Oh yeah. Real bad news."
Later....
"Bobby?" Molly says, walking up to him.
"Oh, hey Moll. What's up?"
"I was just about to ask you that question. Bobby, what's going on between you and Brandon?"
"Why? Did he say something?" Bobby asks.
"Look, Molly, the guy just rubs me the wrong way."
"Bobby, come on. You can't just say my boyfriend rubs you the wrong way and leave it at that. There has to be some reason. I've known you most of my life, and this isn't like you to just take an instant dislike to someone for no apparent reason. Unless.... unless your dislike for Brandon has something to do with Meg."
"I just know that, when they were at law school together, Meg had a bit of a crush on Brandon, but he never returned her feelings, so she was a little hurt."
Bobby's mouth falls open in shock. "Is that what he told you?"
"Yeah. He said that he just wants to be friends with Meg now, if she'd only let him. If you ask me, Meg's being very childish."
"I don't believe this. I don't BELIEVE that guy."
"Bobby, look, Brandon is a good guy and he makes me happy. Meg is my cousin and you're a very good friend. I wish that you two would make an effort to like Brandon. For me."
"Molly, listen to me," Bobby says. "I don't wanna hurt you. But Brandon Williams is bad news. You need to get away from him."
"What? Bobby, you don't even know Brandon. You've met him like twice. How can you say he's bad news?"
"I just know."
"Because of what Meg says?" Molly asks. "Bobby, she's bitter because Brandon rejected her."
"You've only known that guy a few weeks and you're willing to believe anything he says over someone you've known all your life?"
"Bobby, just DROP IT. Brandon makes me happier than I've been in a long time. Now I'm sorry that you and Meg have a problem with him. But I'm falling in love with him."
"You're falling in love?" Bobby asks. "Molly, my God, come on. This guy is playing you. He's using you to get to Meg."
"Okay, that's enough. I'm leaving. Would you please tell my father that I'm gone, and tell Aunt Karen's family that I'll be in touch."
"Molly, please, just listen to me....."
"No," she says. "Not another word." Molly turns and storms away from him.
After she's gone, Bobby angrily punches the vending machine as Gary comes down the hall, having seen the last part of the confrontation between his son and his daughter, a young woman who still remains unaware of her true paternity.
Later....
"Yeah, tell me about it, dude," Eric agrees.
"Eric, I really envy you, man."
"Envy me? Why?"
"Livin' out here in sunny California. Beaches, the weather's nice all year. And you're near Grandmother. My sister and I, we see her maybe twice a year."
"You guys ever think about moving out here?" Trevor asks.
"Sometimes," replies Sidney. "My Mom talks about moving back to California sometimes, especially since she and my Dad divorced."
"This sucks," Eric says. "All three of us.....kids of divorce. Doesn't anyone stay together anymore?"
"Sure doesn't seem like it," Sidney says. "Hey,, Trevor, I didn't know your folks had divorced."
"They're just separated. They're not divorced yet," Trevor says.
"Yeah, but your Mom already filed for divorce," says Eric.
"That's tough, cuz. I'm sorry," says Sidney.
Trevor simply nods in answer to Sidney. He then looks toward the door and sees Bobby walking down the hall. "Excuse me, guys. Be right back." Trevor gets up and rushes into the hall. "Hey, Bobby," he calls.
Bobby stops and turns to him. "Hey, Trevor, what's up?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Yeah, I know."
"I saw you earlier, when he was talking to you and Meg. You looked like you can't stand the dude."
Bobby sighs. "That's because I can't."
"Why, Bobby?" Trevor asks.
"Let's just say he and I have a problem."
"Something about him gives me the creeps. I just have a bad feeling, and I'm so afraid he's gonna hurt Molly."
"Yeah, so am I," Bobby says. "Brandon, I care about Molly, too, and I promise I'm gonna do everything I can to keep Brandon from hurting her."
Brandon nods, feeling better now that he knows Bobby is on his side and feels the same way about Brandon.
Still later....
"Well, the doctor did say two and a half to three hours," says Diana.
"I'm glad you came. Really did your mother good to see your smilin' face before she went into that operatin' room."
"I'm glad Michael called me. I've been thinking about Mom a lot lately. And the rest of the family here. Maybe now is a good time to take my vacation and stay for a couple weeks."
"That'd be great if ya could," says Mac. "I know your mother would love that."
Val walks over to them. "Mac, can I get you anything? A cup of coffee?"
"Nah I'm fine. Thanks."
"Diana?"
"I could use a cup. Come on, I'll walk with you." Diana stands and as she and Val start to leave the room, Dr. Carver walks in. Anxious to hear what he has to say, everyone gathers around him.
"Karen came through the surgery with flying colors. There was a lot of bleeding, but we got it stopped. The tumor was not as deep as we originally believed and we were able to get all of it."
"Does that mean the cancer hasn't spread?" Michael asks.
"We won't know for sure until all of her tests come back, but if I were a betting man, I'd bet everything that we caught the cancer early, that it was localized to the one breast, and that Karen won't need any further treatment."
Everyone breathes a sigh of relief. "Oh thank God," Meg says as she embraces Bobby.
"Can I see her?" Mac asks.
"She's still in recovery. In a few minutes, we'll be moving her back to her room. You can see her then. But, she's heavily sedated and probably won't fully wake up until sometime late tomorrow."
"That's okay, I just wanna see her," Mac says.
"Thank you, for everything," Mac says.
Dr. Carver nods, then leaves the room. After he's gone, everyone begins hugging each other in celebration of the good news, but at the same time they all know Karen will need a lot of love and support in the days and weeks to come.
Thirty minutes later....
"Karen," he says, gently touching her face. "Even now, you never looked more beautiful to me. You're as beautiful as the day we married." Once again, Mac's mind takes him back many years......