Brandon Williams's apartment.....morning
"Good morning," she says.
"Hmm, good morning. How long have you been awake?"
"About half an hour. I didn't wanna wake you."
"It's time I get up and get a shower. I start my new job at Bradley and Boyd this morning," Brandon says.
"I know you're excited," says Molly.
"And you deserve it," Molly says.
"And what about you, Miss Cunningham? You plan on working in that department store forever, or moving on to greener pastures?"
Molly smiles. "I like my job. So I'm perfectly happy where I am for now."
"Good," Brandon says, kissing her. "Hey, Molly, have you talked to Meg since her mother's surgery?"
"No, I haven't. Why?"
"I just wondered. Just wondered if she'd said anything else about me."
"No. She called me a couple times and left me a voicemail but I haven't called her back. I hate that she's acting this way. That she's so angry that you and I are together that she's saying these terrible things about you."
"Meg is just jealous," Brandon says. "She wanted me for herself, and when I wasn't interested, she turned on me."
"That's just so unlike Meg. I guess people change."
"Yes, they do," Brandon says, sitting up in bed. "Molly, I've fallen in love with you, and I don't want
"Nothing will," says Molly.
Brandon smiles, then leans down and kisses her. "Good," he says.
"You'd better get that shower, or you'll be late for your first day at work."
"Join me?""
"Sure. I'll be right there," Molly says.
"Okay. Don't be long. I'll get the water warmed up." Brandon gets out of bed, smiles at her again, then walks into the bathroom.
Molly reaches over to the bedside table and picks up her cell phone. Another missed call from Meg, and a text: "Call me." Molly sighs deeply as she puts the phone down on the table and hears the water in the shower start to run. She thinks about what Bobby said to her the day of Karen's surgery,
The MacKenzie Home......late morning
"Hey," he says, walking up behind her and kissing her on the neck. "Should you be out of bed?"
"Mac, it's been two weeks since my surgery. Other than being a little sore, I'm fine."
"I just worry about you," he says, turning her around to face him.
"I know, and I appreciate it. Look, Mac, don't you think it's time you got back to work?" Karen asks.
"You tryin' to get rid of me?" Mac asks.
"No. It's just that, you've taken off ever since my surgery, and I'm recovering very well now. I just think it's time we all got back to something of a normal life around here."
"Ya know, I've been working my ass off for years. I've earned a vacation."
"So, uh.....how long are you expecting this vacation to last?" Karen asks.
"As long as I want. Meg and Steve Hadley are takin' care of my cases for right now, so until and unless they get backed up, there's really no reason I can't take a nice little vacation to spend some time with my wife who just underwent surgery."
"A mastectomy, Mac."
"What?"
"I underwent.......a mastectomy. Since I came home from the hospital, neither one of us has used that word. We've simply said I had 'surgery.' But we both know what kind of surgery I had."
"Fine," says Mac. "If we both know what kind of surgery you had, then there's no reason to mention it by name, now is there? I think I'm gonna go sit by the pool for a while." Mac kisses his wife on the cheek, then walks out of the room, leaving Karen concerned about her husband, wondering if Mac is really dealing with all the emotional issues surrounding her mastectomy.
Ewing & Fairgate, Realtors.....
"I'll be right with you," Michael calls from his office, not seeing that it's his sister who's entered the building.
"That's okay, take your time," Diana says.
Michael stands from his seat at his desk and walks out of his office. "Oh, Diana, hey."
"Hey, yourself. So this is the offices of Ewing & Fairgate."
"Yep, this is it," Michael says. "What do you think?"
Michael smiles. "I'm hardly a mogul. Yet. Right now, I'm just a junior partner."
"Well, everyone has to start somewhere."
"True enough. So what brings you down here?" Michael asks.
"I came to see your office for one thing. And for another, I wanted to talk to you about Mom and Mac."
"What about them?"
"Do you think everything is okay with them?" Diana asks.
"I don't get what you mean."
"They've both been acting strange lately. I can almost sense there's a lot of tension between them."
"Diana, Mom just underwent a mastectomy two weeks ago today. Of course they've been acting strange. Nothing is what we would consider normal right now."
"It almost seems as if they aren't really dealing with what happened," says Diana. "Especially Mac."
Michael sighs. "Do you really think there's a right or wrong way to deal with something like this?"
"I really don't know. But Michael, since Mom's surgery, have you heard either one of them even mention the word 'masctecomy'? They keep saying Mom had surgery. And everytime any of us have even brought it up, Mac changes the subject."
"I don't think that's strange at all," says Michael. "Diana, you know how Mac is. He bottles stuff up inside of him. He'd rather not face what happened to Mom. But eventually, he and Mom will both deal with her cancer diagnosis and the mastectomy in their own way, and their own time."
"I sure hope you're right."
"I am. Anyway, I think having you and Sidney and Abigail here has helped Mom more than anything else. I'm really gonna hate when you have to go back to New York."
"Yeah, so am I," Diana says sadly.
Taix French Restaurant.....early afternoon
"Excuse me for a moment, please," Brandon tells the young woman. "I see someone I'd like to say hello to."
"Yes, sir. Your table will be that one over there," she says, pointing to a table near a window.
With a smile, Brandon walks over to Meg's table, where she is sipping on a glass of water. "Well, hello, Meg," Brandon says, taking a seat across from her. "Fancy meeting you here."
Meg looks up at him. "Oh my God. What the HELL are you doing here?"
"The......office?" Meg asks.
"Oh, yes, I guess you haven't heard. I just joined the law firm of Bradley & Boyd. Today is my first day. I'm sure that I'll see you in court sometime."
"I have a job now. I like this little community. So I've decided to put down some roots here. And contrary to what you think, Meg, I'm not here to cause you any pain."
"If that's true, then why don't you just leave and go back to New Haven?"
"I did consider that at first," says Brandon. "But then, I met your wonderful cousin Molly. And I began to fall in love."
"That's bull and you know it. You're no more in love with Molly than a hole in the wall. You're just using her to get under my skin."
Brandon smiles. "Now why would I do that? You've made it perfectly clear that you're with Bobby Ewing now. And I'm with Molly. I'm sure that we can all find a way to co-exist peacefully."
"Good afternoon, sir," the hostess says, approaching him. "Table for one?"
"No," Bobby replies angrily. "I was supposed to meet someone here, but I've changed my mind. I've suddenly lost my appetite." Bobby angrily glares at Brandon and Meg for a moment, then turns and walks out of the restaurant.
The Cunningham Home.....later
"Hey, Trev," Molly says, taking a seat on the lounge chair.
"Hey."
"Going swimming?"
"Maybe."
"Sure is a hot day. The water felt great," Molly says.
"You have another date with Brandon tonight?" Trevor asks.
"No, as a matter of fact, I don't. Brandon is coming here for dinner."
"He's.......coming here?" Trevor asks, unhappy about the prospect of his sister's new boyfriend at dinner.
"Yep. I mean, in all the weeks we've been seeing each other, Brandon's never been over here for dinner. Mom said it was okay, and she'd like to get to know him better. You should, too."
"Should what?"
"Get to know Brandon better," Molly says. "After all, he's probably gonna be around a lot more now. He just started a new job today, so he'll be staying in Knots Landing permanently."
"Oh, great," Trevor says in a disgusted tone.
Molly looks at her brother. "Trevor, what is it?"
"You know what I'm talking about," Molly says. "What is it about Brandon that you don't like?"
"I don't know, Molly. I just got a bad feeling about the guy. I don't trust him, and I'm scared he's gonna end up hurting you."
"Brandon is NOT gonna hurt me. My God, why is it that everyone seems to see the worst in Brandon? I can understand Meg having a grudge against him, and maybe Bobby because of Meg, but my little brother? You hardly even know him."
"I know that Bobby doesn't trust him, either. And all that stuff Brandon told you about Meg having a crush on him and she's pissed now because he rejected her.....Molly, that's BULL. Bobby says that......."
"Why would Meg lie?" Trevor asks. "She's our cousin, Molly. Why would she lie about Brandon? And why would you believe him over your own cousin?"
Molly stands. "I'm not gonna listen to anymore of this. Look, I was hoping you'd be here tonight to get to know the man I'm seeing, but with that attitude, little brother, it might be better if you went somewhere else."
"What?" Trevor asks, surprised. "You're telling me I can't come to dinner at my own house because you're having this jerk over that you're dating and you don't wanna listen to the truth about him?"
Molly looks at her brother for a moment, then grabs her towel and begins walking toward the house.
"Molly?" Brandon calls to her.
She turns and looks back at him.
"Meg, Bobby, me.......we ALL can't be wrong about Brandon. Just think about that."
The Ewing Home......that evening
"I'll get it, Gary," Val says, coming in from the kitchen. She opens the door to find an angry Meg standing there. "Meg, well, hey, sweety, come in."
Meg walks into the house. "Is Bobby here?"
"Yeah, I think he's up in his room. You can go on up."
"Thanks, Val," Meg says. She brushes past Val and rushes up the stairs.
Val and Gary exchange puzzled looks, realizing that Meg seemed angry with their son. Val shrugs her shoulders and heads back into the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Bobby is in his room listening to music when Meg knocks on his door. He turns the music down, walks over and opens the door.
"Bobby," Meg says.
"Hello, Meg."
"I went to the restaurant," Bobby says. "But it sure didn't look like you were lonely for company during lunch."
"What in the world is THAT supposed to mean?"
"Is that why you never showed? You walked in, saw Brandon at my table, and just turned around and left without so much as a word? Bobby, I was waiting for you. Brandon just showed up and sat down at my table."
"Sure didn't look like you were trying too hard to get rid of him."
"Oh my God, I don't believe what I'm hearing, Meg yells. "You can't seriously be jealous of Brandon Williams, a man I can't stand!"
"You were involved with him, Meg. Heavily involved with him for two years, and now he's here in Knots Landing dating your cousin so he can somehow stay close to you. Do you realize how much that pisses me off?"
"Yes! Yes, I do realize, because it pisses me off, too. But what am I supposed to do, Bobby? If I could I would make Brandon leave town and go back to New Haven and get out of our lives for good, but I can't. I've even tried to talk to Molly about him but she won't listen."
"Meg, let me ask you something," Bobby says. "Is it possible that somewhere, in the back of your mind, you're still attracted to that guy?"
"Are you kidding me right now?" Meg asks.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Gary is helping Val set the dining room table for dinner, and the sound of Bobby and Meg's angry voices arguing can be heard.
"Oh, my," Val says. "I wonder what in the world that's all about."
"No idea," says Gary over the sound of the argument upstairs. "But be something pretty serious, though."
"I sure hope it's not too serious. I'd really hate to see those two break up again."
"So would I, but, it's none of our business."
At that moment, they hear the sound of Bobby's bedroom door slam, then Meg storms down the stairs and out of the house, slamming the front door on her way out. The next sound they hear is the sound of something crashing to the floor in Bobby's room, as if he has thrown something. A moment later, Bobby comes charging down the stairs. Gary and Val get up from the table and hurry into the living room as he's about to leave the house.
"Bobby," Gary says. "is everything okay, son?"
Bobby turns to his father. "Oh yeah, Dad. Couldn't ya tell? Things couldn't be better," Bobby says with angry sarcasm, then storms out of the house. Seconds later, they hear Bobby's car start and speed away.
Meanwhile......The MacKenzie home
"Meg?" Karen calls to her.
"Wow, I wonder what's wrong with her," Diana says.
"Must be something pretty serious," says Michael.
"I think I'd better go see," Karen says.
"Mom, let me," Diana says. "You stay here and finish your dinner. I'll find out what's wrong."
"Thank you, honey."
Diana gets up from the table and heads up the stairs. As Meg lays on her bed pouting, Diana knocks on the door, then walks in. "Hey, sis," Diana says. "What's going on?"
"Bobby and I had a fight," Meg says in tears.
"I'd really rather not talk about it right now, Diana."
"Well okay. But if you change your mind, I'm a good listener."
"Thanks," Meg says. "But right now, I just wanna be alone."
"Alright," Diana says. After a brief pause, Diana walks out of the room, after which Meg breaks down in tears.
The Cunningham Home....
Kate smiles. "Well, thank you, Brandon. We're very happy you could join us for dinner tonight."
"And thank you for the invitation," Brandon says as Trevor gives him a suspicious look.
"I told you my Mom is a great cook," says Molly.
"So, Brandon, tell us a little about yourself," Kate says.
"Where were you born and raised?" Kate asks.
"I was born and grew up in Columbus, Ohio."
"Any brothers or sisters?"
"I have one sister. She still lives in Columbus."
"And what about your parents?" Kate asks.
"Mom, come on," says Molly. "Is this the third degree?"
"No, Molly, it's perfectly fine," Brandon says. "I can understand that your mother's curious about me. After all, I am dating her only daughter."
Kate smiles. "Thank you, Brandon, and I'm sorry. I didn't meant to put you on the spot."
"As I said, it's fine. I was born in Columbus on October 18, 1987. My father was an attorney, which is why I decided to go into law. My grandfather was also an attorney, so I'm a third generation lawyer."
"Well, how nice," says Kate as Trevor and Dylan both look on with suspicion.
"My mother was a stay at home mom. I have a younger sister, Bridgette, who is three years younger than me. I graduated from Columbus High in 2006, and I got a full scholarship to Ohio State. After graduation in 2010, I went on to Yale Law School in New Haven, and I graduated from there a few months ago."
"Yale, is that where you met my Aunt Meg?" Dylan asks.
"Your Aunt Meg? I had no idea Meg was your aunt."
"Yeah. She's my Dad's half-sister."
"Oh, yes, I recall Meg saying she has two half-brother.......Daniel and......."
"Jason," Dylan says. "Jason's my Dad."
Brandon smiles. "Well, how about that. But to answer your question, yes. I met Meg at Yale. We had a few classes together."
"When did you and Meg start dating?" Trevor asks, somewhat rudely, the question taking Brandon by surprise.
"Meg and I didn't exactly date," Brandon replies.
"Oh yeah? That's not what I heard."
"Trevor," Kate says.
"Well, you, uh, you heard wrong, Trevor," says a nervous Brandon.
"So Meg lied?" Trevor asks.
"Trevor, stop it!" Molly says angrily. "Brandon, I'm sorry, I don't know what's gotten into my little brother."
"Yes, Brandon, I apologize," Kate says. "Trevor is seventeen. He should know better than to be rude to a guest."
"It's not problem, Mrs. Cunningham."
"Trevor, if you and Dylan are done with your dinner, you can be excused."
"I'm not done, Mom."
"Yes, I think you ARE," Kate says. "Just go up to your room."
Meanwhile.....a bar in Knots Landing
Daniel walks into a local bar in Knots Landing that night and looks around until he spots Bobby sitting at the bar. He walks over to him.
"Hey, Bobby," he says.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. Why don't we take a seat at that table over there?"
"Sure."
"Hey, can I get you anything?" The bartender asks Daniel.
"Oh, no, nothing for me, thanks," Daniel replies.
"I'll have another beer," says Bobby.
The bartender grabs a beer and hands it to him. Bobby takes the beer and follows Daniel to a nearby table, where they take seats across from each other.
"So what brings you down here looking for me?" Bobby asks. "And how'd you know I'd be here?"
"Oh yeah. He didn't wanna take a chance of being tempted by coming into a bar," Bobby says.
"Well, you know, your father struggles on a daily basis to avoid the temptation to drink again. So what's up, Bobby? What's bothering you?"
"You want the whole list, or just the main thing?"
"Whichever you wanna give me," says Daniel.
"Yeah, that's what your folks said. Mind if I ask what it was about?"
"Your sister is so stubborn."
"And you're not?" Daniel asks.
"Maybe I am. But at least I......." Bobby stops for a moment and thinks. "You know that guy Brandon Williams?"
"The guy Meg use to date in law school?"
"That's the one. She swears to me that it's over between them and that she can't stand him. But today we were supposed to have lunch and when I got there, Meg was sitting there with Brandon and the two of them looked as if they were having a very pleasant conversation."
"What did Meg say about it?" Daniel asks.
"That Brandon just sat down at her table, uninvited."
"You don't believe her?"
"I don't know, man. All I know is, the guy gets under my skin. I wish he'd just leave town, but now he's dating Molly Cunningham, and I know he's doing it just to stay close to Meg."
"So why are you blaming Meg for that? Sounds to me like this Brandon guy is the one to blame. HE showed up in town. HE started dating Molly Cunningham. How is any of that Meg's fault? Or is that really why you're so upset? Bobby, don't tell you think Meg might still have feelings for this guy."
Bobby looks at him for a moment. "I honestly don't know, Daniel. Whenever Meg talks about him, there's this......there's something in her voice."
"Anger?" Daniel asks.
"Yeah, anger. But not an ordinary anger. It's a passionate anger. I mean she was involved with the guy for nearly two years. She had to feel something for him during that time. And if she didn't still care for him, it doesn't seem to me that she'd be as angry as she is about the way he hurt her. To be honest, Daniel, Meg and I have been having problems ever since Brandon came to town, and if he stays here, I'm not sure our relationship can survive."
"Is your relationship with my sister so fragile that it's threatened by this guy presence that much?" Daniel asks.
Bobby looks at his brother-in-law, unsure how to answer the question.
Brandon's apartment.....the next morning
"Good morning," Brandon says with a smile.
"Good morning," Molly says as she walks over and takes a seat on the bed.
"I have an early shift at work. We have inventory, so I have to be there an hour and a half early."
"Oh that's right, I forgot you told me about that last night."
"Speaking of last night, Brandon, I'm sorry," Molly says.
"Sorry for what?"
"Sorry for my stupid brother and his friend grilling you the way they did. I don't know what's gotten into Trevor."
Brandon smiles. "Yeah, it's obvious that kid doesn't like me, for whatever reason. But it's okay. I guess since your father moved out, Trevor feels like he's the man of the house, and he's looking out for his big sister."
"I don't need looking out for," says Molly. "Especially from my brother who's four years younger than me. But I'll make sure that doesn't happen again."
"Hey, it's okay," says Brandon. "Obviously he's been talking to Meg and Bobby Ewing."
"Yeah, I guess so. Brandon, can I ask you something?"
"You can ask me anything, baby."
Molly looks at him for a moment. "You said that you and Meg had never actually dated, right?"
"That's right. Molly, I'm being honest with you," Brandon says, sitting up in bed. "Meg and I had some classes together, and she developed this......crush......on me. I was so busy with my studies that I didn't have time for much of a social life. So, put her off, and I guess she took offense to that because afterward she always treated me with disdain. Look, honey, I'll take a lie detector test if that's what it takes to prove to you that I'm not lying, and that I've fallen madly, hopelessly in love with you."
Molly smiles. "You don't have to go that far. I believe you."
"Great," Brandon says, kissing her.
"I really have to blow dry my hair and get dressed for work."
"Yeah, and I'd better get up and get in the shower. I can't afford to be late on my second day at the office." Brandon kisses Molly again, then gets out of bed. He slips on his boxers, then walks into the bathroom.
Molly sighs deeply. She desperately wants to believe Brandon, but in the back of her mind, she still wonders if he's telling her the complete truth about his past with Meg.
The MacKenzie Home....
Karen comes into the living room from the kitchen. "Oh, hi, Diana."
"I just saw Mac leaving. Finally got him out of the house, huh?"
"Oh yes. FINALLY," says a relieved Karen. "I sent him to the grocery store for me. Don't get me wrong. Mac has been wonderful. He's done all the cooking, all the cleaning that you or Meg haven't done. He's done almost everything for me since the surgery, but......he's driving me absolutely crazy. Every time I turn around, he's THERE, asking me if I need anything, or if he can do anything for me, OFFERING to do something for me. I can't take it anymore."
Diana smiles. "Sounds like a case of too much togetherness."
"Not only that," Karen says. "But he hasn't even mentioned my........my surgery. It's like he's in denial."
"Now what does that mean?"
"Mom, it's been two weeks, and in all that time, I have not heard either you or Mac mention the kind of surgery you had. You both just keep saying 'the surgery.'"
"Well, we all know what kind of surgery I had, Diana. Is it really necessary to put a name on it?"
"Yes, I think it is, Mom. Look, if you and Mac expect to heal from this......"
"I am the one who has to heal from this," Karen says angrily. "I'm the one who went through this surgery, this.......this damned mastectomy. I am the one who lost one of my breasts." Karen begins to cry. "I'm sorry, I.......I said I wasn't going to do this."
"Mom, it's okay," Diana says. "You need to let this out. Cry if you need to. Scream. Heck, break something or punch a wall. Do whatever you need to do."
"I don't want to," says Karen, fighting back tears. "I don't want to deal with this. I don't wanna heal from this. I don't want this to be! I wanna go back a few weeks to a time before I found that damned lump in my breast. I wanna wake up and this whole thing be a nightmare."
"I know," says Diana. "I know."
"When I was leaving the hospital, one of the nurses made the remark that I was lucky. The cancer was caught early and hadn't spread, so I wouldn't have to go through radiation and chemo and get sick and lose my hair. I know I should be grateful for that." Karen again starts to cry. "But why don't I? Why don't I feel lucky? I had cancer. I lost of of my breasts. What the HELL is lucky about that?"
"Nothing, Mom," Diana says, putting her arms around her mother. "Nothing at all." Diana embraces Karen as she cries.
The Avery Home.....
"Thanks for letting me crash here last night, man," Trevor says.
"Yeah, no problem, dude. I kinda figured things were a little tense at your house after that dinner with Molly's new boyfriend. You were right. That guy's a real jerk."
Trevor turns and looks at him. "Yeah, he is. Dylan, I need your help."
"I wanna find out all I can about this Brandon Williams," Trevor says.
"Yeah, like what?" Dylan asks.
"You think all that stuff he told us last night was a lie? I mean, about his background and stuff?"
"Maybe. I've got his Facebook page pulled up now."
"Here, let me see," says Dylan, walking over to Trevor.
"Scroll down to his information," Dylan says.
Trevor scrolls the page down to Brandon's personal info. "He just updated his work info. Bradley & Boyd law firm, Knots Landing, California."
"Says here he was born October 18, 1987, in Columbus, Ohio, just like he told us," says Dylan. He clicks the page's 'about' section. "Damn, his basic and personal info is all private so only his friends can see it."
"Yeah, I don't think we're gonna find out much on Facebook."
"Why don't we just ask Aunt Meg?" Dylan asks.
"We will. But Molly already doesn't believe what Meg and Bobby have told her about Brandon. Somehow, we've gotta find something to prove Brandon isn't the nice guy my sister thinks he is."
Bradley & Boyd Law Firm.....
"Excuse me," Brandon says.
The young woman looks up at him and smiles. "Yes, may I help you?" She asks in a southern accent.
"I have some papers here for Mr. Bradley to look over."
"I'll make sure that he gets them. He's in a meeting with a client right now."
"Thank you very much," Brandon says.
"Hey, you're the new guy, aren't you? I mean.....the new attorney."
"Amber. Amber Carlson."
"Well, Amber, the pleasure is definitely all mine," Brandon says, taking Amber's hand.
"Oh, please. Call me Brandon."
"Sure......Brandon. No offense to Mr. Boyd or Mr. Bradley, or their other two partners, but, it sure is nice to see a fresh young face around here instead of all these guys over fifty."
Brandon smiles.
"And if there's anything I can do to make your experience here more.......enjoyable......all ya have to do is let me know."
"Well, thank you, Amber. As a matter of fact, there are a couple of things I can think of that would make my time here more pleasant."
"Just name it."
"Have dinner with me tonight?" Brandon asks.
"Love to."
"Great. I'll come by after work, around 5, and pick you up?"
"Let's make it six. I need to go home and freshen up."
"Six is fine," Brandon says. He takes a pen and a business card from his pocket and writes something. "Here's my cell phone number. Just text me your address whenever you're ready."
"Will do, Brandon," Amber says, taking the card.
"Is that a southern accent I hear?"
"Sure is. I'm from North Carolina."
"Oh, is that right? There's just something about you southern girls. I'll be waiting for your text." Brandon flashes her a smile and a wink, then leaves the office. In the hallway, Brandon takes his cell phone from his pocket and dials a number. "Molly, hey it's me," he says after she picks up. "Babe, I'm really sorry to have to do this, but I'm afraid I'm gonna have to break our date tonight. Yeah, I gotta work. A case I'm working on. I know, and I'm sorry too. But I'll make this up to you. I promise. Okay. I'll call you later. Bye." Brandon ends the call, puts his phone into his pocket, and smiles deviously.
The food court at the mall.....late afternoon
"Molly," he says.
She turns around and looks at him. "Oh, hi, Bobby."
"You off work?"
"Yeah, I am. Just grabbing a bite to eat because I didn't have any lunch. What brings you here?"
"I was just here to get a new pair of shoes and a couple new shirts," Bobby says. "Hey, listen, umm, would you join me? I was just sitting over here by myself."
"Sure, why not," says Molly.
"Good," says Bobby. "Come on."
Molly and Bobby walk over to his table and take their seats. Molly unwraps her sandwich. "I'm starving," she says.
"Yeah, so was I. I didn't have lunch, either."
"I'm really surprised Meg isn't with you. Or is she still at the office?"
"I guess she is. I really wouldn't know."
"Something wrong?" Molly asks, taking a bite of her roast beef sandwich.
"Oh? I'm sorry to hear that."
"Yeah, well, all our troubles started when that guy Brandon arrived."
"Bobby, don't," Molly says. "Look, I agreed to sit here and eat with you because it was nice seeing a friendly face after the day I've had. But I'm NOT going to sit here and listen to you trash talk Brandon again."
Bobby sighs. "Molly, why can't you see that guy for what he really is?"
"That does it. Goodbye, Bobby." Molly gets up and starts to leave.
"Molly, wait," Bobby says, standing to his feet. "I'm sorry. Please, sit down."
Molly hesitates a moment, then sits back down.
"Look, I'm sorry, okay?" Bobby says, retaking his own seat across from her. "But you're my friend and I care a lot about you. I don't wanna see you hurt."
"Trevor asked me what I thought of Brandon, and I told him the truth."
"The truth according to who? Meg?"
"Yes, Meg. Meg knows that guy better than anybody else here. Molly, how long have you and I known each other?"
"Bobby, you know as well as I do how long we've known each other."
"Yeah I remember when I first met you, Molly, you were about three-years-old. It was when your Mom came back to Knots Landing with you and your Dad. That's a long time, Molly. Eighteen years I've known you, and our families have been pretty tight. In all that time I've never lied to you. Why would I start now? Look, there's something you don't know."
"What?" Molly asks angrily.
"A few weeks ago, right after Brandon came to town, he was harassing Meg. He showed up every place she went, so I paid him a visit. The guy was so smug, so arrogant, that I punched him."
"You did WHAT?"
"I punched him. Meg pleaded with him to leave town, and even told him she would tell you all about him, but you know what he did? The guy threatened Meg. He told her that he would press assault charges against me for hitting him if she said anything to you."
"What was it she was gonna tell me?" Molly asks, nervous about what Bobby's answer would be.
"About what kind of person Brandon Williams really is. Meg fell in love with him in law school, and they dated."
"I'm not gonna listen to this...."
"Yes, you are," Bobby says, reaching across the table and grabbing Molly's hand. "Brandon cheated on her, Molly. While he and Meg were dating, Brandon was sleeping with another girl for months. He broke Meg's heart."
"Brandon told me that he and Meg never dated. That she had a thing for him but he never returned her feelings."
"He lied, Molly. I have no reason to lie to you now, and Meg had no reason to lie. You'd know that if you could ever see the guy's true colors."
Molly's bottom lip begins to tremble. "Could I really be that wrong about him?" She asks. "Bobby, in all the time I've been with him, I've seen this really sweet, kind, gentle guy. Is he that guy for real? Or am I just blind? Or stupid?"
"You're not stupid at all," says Bobby. "And I really think that in the back of your mind, you've had your doubts. I could hear it in your voice."
Molly looks at Bobby as a tear falls down her face. In her mind she knows that what Bobby is saying could very well be true about Brandon, but in her heart, she still doesn't want to believe she could be so wrong about the man she had fallen in love with.
Meanwhile......
"You know, we could go to my place.....or yours," Brandon says.
"Yeah, we could," says Amber. "Maybe later. Right now, I love the danger and excitement of doin' it in the car."
Brandon smiles. "You are so much more exciting than any other woman I've ever been with," he says, then begins kissing her again, even more passionately than before....
Knots Landing Beach......later that night
"Those waves sound so peaceful, don't they?" Bobby asks.
"Yeah."
"I'm glad you agreed to come with me. I didn't wanna go home, and I sure didn't wanna be alone."
"Well, it's not like I really had anything else to do tonight," Molly says.
"Oh, so hanging out with me is a last resort?" Bobby jokingly asks.
"No, that's not what I meant. Brandon broke our date tonight, so, I wasn't much in the mood to go home and spend an evening by myself either. It's nice to hang out with a friend."
"I love coming down here at night, and just walking along the beach in my bare feet," Bobby says. "Listening to the waves as they come in. I do my best thinking right here on this beach."
"That's funny, I do the same thing," says Molly.
"No kidding? We have more in common than we thought."
"Yeah I guess we do. Bobby, can I ask you something?"
"I know you weren't lying to me. But, do you think it's possible Brandon really does care for me? Or is he really just using me to stay here and stay close to Meg?"
"Molly, all I can say is, if the guy doesn't care for you, then he's crazier than I thought he was."
"Thanks, but that's not what I asked you," Molly says.
Bobby stops walking and turns to her. "Molly, didn't it ever occur to you that it was a strange coincidence, you meeting Brandon the way you did? I mean, you met him in the men's department of the store you work. You strike up a conversation, and next thing you know, you're going out with the guy, and then you find out he just HAPPENED to have gone to law school in Connecticut with your own cousin. Didn't you find that odd?"
"Yeah, I did. But I just thought it was a weird coincidence. Or maybe I was just so taken by Brandon's charm and his good looks, and by my own need to have a guy find me attractive, that I just didn't use my better judgement." Molly starts to cry.
Bobby puts his hands on her shoulders. "Hey, now, you listen to me. You don't NEED to have some guy find you attractive. Molly, you ARE attractive. VERY attractive."
"Come on, Bobby."
"I'm serious. Molly, you're beautiful. You've come a LONG way from that scrawny little kid with braces who was so skinny she looked like she'd blow away with a hard wind. I don't know what guy wouldn't find you beautiful."
"You're just saying that because you're my friend."
Bobby gently touches Molly's face. "No, I'm saying it because it's the truth." Bobby looks into her eyes for a moment, then slowly moves closer and kisses her.
After a few seconds, Molly pulls out of the kiss. A few seconds of awkward silence follows.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that," Bobby says.
"It's okay. I think, in a way, I wanted you to."
"Hey, I think we could both use a laugh right about now. You wanna go watch a movie?"
"Sure. I don't know what's playing."
"Well, I have a decent collection of comedies on DVD and Blue Ray."
"Do you still have Liar, Liar?" Molly asks.
"I sure do," Bobby replies.
"Great. I could go for some Jim Carey tonight."
Bobby smiles. "Awesome. Let's go." Bobby and Molly put their arms around each other and begin walking back toward their cars.
The Ewing Home.....the next morning
"Thanks, Val," Gary says.
"Bobby must still be asleep."
"Must be. I didn't hear him when I came by his room earlier."
"Gary, can I talk to you?" Val asks.
"Sure, honey. What's up?"
"About Bobby. I think I know what's been bothering him the last few weeks."
"Well good. What is it? Did he tell you?"
"No, he didn't. I kinda got it from Betsy, but, I also guessed what the problem was."
"Bobby is upset because you didn't ask him to go into the business with you instead of Michael."
"What? But, Val, that's crazy. Bobby's been talking to Christopher about starting a company of their own as a subsidiary of the new Ewing Oil. I had no idea Bobby would have any interest in joining me in the real estate business."
"I know. It might help if you were to tell HIM that," Val says. "I think I'll go up and see if he wants any breakfast."
Gary smiles at his wife, then takes a sip of his coffee as she walks out of the kitchen.
Val heads up the stairs and down the short hallway to Bobby's room, where she knocks on his door. When he doesn't answer, she knocks a second time, then opens the door and walks in. Val stops and looks on in shock when
A moment later, a stunned Val walks back into the kitchen and takes a seat at the table.
"Val, what's wrong?" Gary asks. "You look as if you've seen a ghost. Is Bobby upstairs?"
Val nods her head. "Oh yeah, he's up there. With Molly."
"What?"
"Molly's up there with Bobby, Gary. They're asleep on his bed."
A look of complete shock comes over Gary's face. "Oh my God," he says. He quickly gets up from the table and rushes upstairs. He opens the door to Bobby's room and rushes in, finding Bobby and Molly just as Val had left them. Gary looks at the two for a couple seconds, devastated at the sight, and praying that the worst didn't happen between his son and his daughter. "Bobby," he calls. "Bobby, wake up."
Slowly, Bobby and Molly open their eyes. Bobby looks up at his father. "Dad, what......what time is it?"
"A few minutes after eight. Bobby, what the hell is goin' on here?" Gary asks.
"Gary," Molly says, quickly sitting up in bed.
"We didn't mean to fall asleep," Bobby says.
"You didn't answer my question," Gary says, getting even angrier.
"Look, Dad, Molly and I came back here to watch a movie last night. You and Mom were out. We fell asleep."
"I think I'd better go," says a nervous Molly.
"Yeah, I think that would be best," Gary says.
Molly quickly picks up her things and rushes out.
"Molly, call me later!" Bobby says to her as she leaves. He then gets off the bed and rubs his head.
"Have you taken leave of your senses?" Gary asks his son.
"What? Why the hell are you getting so upset?"
"You and Molly Cunningham? In BED together?"
"So what?" Bobby asks. "NOTHING happened. We just fell asleep watching a movie, but if something did happen, what difference would it make? I'm an ADULT and so is Molly. You never made this big of a deal when Meg spent the night here. Or is it just that everything I do lately rubs you the wrong way?" Bobby grabs a shirt from the back of a chair and storms out of the bedroom, leaving Gary
Brandon's apartment....
"That was without a doubt the best night of my life," Amber says.
"It definitely ranks right up there for me, too."
"Do you usually seduce a girl the same day you meet her?"
Brandon laughs. "Who exactly seduced who last night?"
Amber looks at him. "Well, it's just that I find you incredibly irresistible."
"Most women do," Brandon says.
"Awfully sure of yourself, aren't you?"
"I have to be."
"Hey, look at the time, we'd better get up, get showered, and get to the office."
"We have a little time. We'll save a few minutes if we shower together."
"That's true," Amber says.
"Amber, you know when you asked me if there was anything you could do to make my experience at Bradley & Boyd more enjoyable?" Brandon asks.
"I thought I did that last night. Several times."
Brandon laughs. "You definitely did. This is only a small favor. If you're willing, that is."
"Depends on what it is," says Amber. "I do draw the line at murder, kidnappin', and theft. Anything else is pretty much fair game."
"Good. Trust me, this has nothing to do with murder or kidnapping, or stealing anything. I just need your help in playing a little joke on a couple friends of mine."
"What sort of joke?" Amber asks.
"Why don't I just explain that in the shower?" Brandon asks, kissing her.
Later....
Molly gets off and begins walking down the hall to Brandon's apartment. As she nears it, she sees Brandon's door open. She stops short when she sees a young blonde woman come out. Molly quickly ducks around a corner and watches as Brandon comes out after the young woman. She kisses Brandon and he smiles. Then the two head down the hall together. Molly watches as Brandon and
Gary and Val's home....
"Gary, what are we gonna do?" Val asks. "When I walked into Bobby's room, and....." Val stops talking, and listens to make sure she can still hear the shower running upstairs. "And when I saw our son laying there with Molly......his half-sister......it made me sick to my stomach."
"How do you think I felt?" Gary asks. "My son and my daughter. Damn it, I KNEW Molly should've been told the truth about who she is a long time ago."
"Do you think that Kate and Brian will agree?" Val asks.
"I don't much care if they agree or not. Molly deserves to know the truth and after what we witnessed this morning, she and Bobby have gotta know the truth before the unthinkable happens."
"Do you believe Bobby when he said nothing happened between them last night?"
"Yeah. At least I hope to God he was telling me the truth. Bobby and Molly have been friends for a long time, but with Bobby and Meg fighting, and the two of them spending time together alone like they did all night.........well, I'm sure as hell not gonna wait around until something DOES happen."
The Mall.....later
"Excuse me," Bobby says.
"Is Molly here?"
"No, Molly called in sick today."
"She.....she called in sick?" Asks a surprised Bobby. "Okay, thanks."
"You're welcome," says Chloe.
Bobby walks away from the counter, still surprised at the news Molly had called in sick. He takes his cell phone from his pocket and dials Molly's number. After several rings, her voice mail answers. "Molly," Bobby says after the beep. "It's Bobby. Listen, are you okay? I came by the mall and they told me you called in sick today. Look, I know my Dad probably scared you this morning. He overreacts to everything. Please give me a call and let me know you're okay. Bye." Bobby ends the call and puts his phone away. He sighs, worried about Molly.
MacKenzie & Associates......
"Dylan and Trevor?" Meg asks. "Thank you, Julie, send them in." Meg stands from her seat at her desk and walks over to the door as Dylan and Trevor walk in.
"Hi, Aunt Meg," Dylan says.
"Hey, sweety," Meg says, giving the boy a hug. "Hi, Trevor."
"Hi, Meg."
"What in the world are you two doing here?" Meg asks.
"Okay, what's up?"
"It's about Brandon Williams," says Trevor.
Meg looks at the two boys for a moment. "Guys, look, I'm sorry, but I REALLY don't wanna talk about Brandon Williams."
"But Aunt Meg....."
"Yeah, something's happened. The guy's getting close to my sister and I'm afraid he's gonna hurt her."
"What is it you wanna know?"
"Whatever you know about him," Dylan replies. "We know that you dated him, right?"
"Yeah, I did. BIG mistake."
"Can you tell us why?" Trevor asks.
Meg walks over to her desk and buzzes her secretary. "Julie, could you hold my calls for about half an hour?"
"Sure, Meg."
"Thanks." Meg looks at the boys. "Sit down, guys. I'll tell you about Brandon. At least, what I know."
Trevor and Dylan exchange smiles.
Knots Landing Beach....afternoon
"Hey, beautiful, what's up?" Brandon asks.
"Not much. What's up with you?" Molly asks, her tone slightly angry.
"I'm really sorry about having to break our date last night. I was pretty swamped with this case."
"Yeah, I'll bet you were."
"Do I?" Molly asks.
"Yeah, baby, you do. Are you mad because I cancelled our dinner date last night?"
"No, not at all."
"Well, I get the feeling something's wrong."
"Everything's fine. What did you do after you finished working on that case?" Molly asks.
"Nothing," replies Brandon. "I worked all evening, then got a bite to eat and went to bed early."
"Really?"
"Yeah, it was a long, boring evening. But, since I'm the new guy in the firm, I'll get all the dull cases for a while. Listen, Moll, why don't I come over and pick you up tonight, and we can grab a pizza and go down to the beach?"
"No," Molly says. "I'm gonna be busy."
"Busy? Molly, are you sure nothing's wrong?"
"I'm sure. Look, Brandon, I have to go. I'll call you."
"Yeah, but...."
Before Brandon can finish his sentence, Molly hangs up on him. Tears in her eyes, she puts her phone back into her pocket and begins to cry.
"Molly?" Comes a voice from behind her. She turns around to find Bobby standing there. He walks over to her and takes a seat on the sand beside her. "I went by the mall and a girl told me you called in sick today."
"Yeah. I just didn't feel up to going to work."
"You upset about my Dad finding us this morning?" Bobby asks.
"No," Molly says as her phone rings again. She takes it out and looks at the caller I.D. Brandon again. She ignores the call and puts the phone back into her pocket.
"Are you okay?"
"Why do you say that?"
Molly wipes a tear from her face. "After I left your house this morning, I went by Brandon's apartment. I wanted to confront him on what you told me. When I got there I saw him leaving his apartment with some blonde. That's obviously why he broke our date last night."
"Sorry?" Molly asks. "You don't have anything to be sorry about. You told me the truth. Or at least you tried to. I just didn't wanna listen."
Bobby reaches over and strokes Molly's blonde hair. "Molly that doesn't make you a fool. The guy's a real smooth operator. He's a player. He did the same thing to Meg."
Molly starts to cry. "Bobby, what is it about me? The last guy I was dating, Josh, he did the same thing. He lost interest in me after a while and started talking to this other girl. Brandon just lost interest a lot sooner. Or maybe he was never interested to begin with. Maybe it's like you said and he was just using me because of Meg."
"Molly, there is NOTHING wrong with you," Bobby says. "Nothing at all."
"Sure doesn't feel that way."
"I could kill Brandon Williams for the way he hurt you." Bobby puts his arm around Molly and she lays her head on his shoulder as she cries.
Brandon's apartment......early evening
"Well, well," Brandon says. "Trevor Cunningham. What do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"
"I was waiting to talk to you," says Trevor.
"Fine. Come in," Brandon says as he unlocks and opens his door. He walks in, switches on a light in the living room, and tosses his keys onto the coffee table. Trevor follows. Brandon walks into the adjoining kitchen and puts down his bag. "So what's up?"
"I wanna talk to you about my sister."
"And what about the lovely Molly?"
"I talked to my cousin Meg today. I know all about you, Brandon."
"And just what is it you THINK you know?" Brandon asks, walking back into the living room.
"I know how you use to date Meg when you were in law school and how you cheated on her. I've also done a background search on you, and I can't WAIT to get the results so I can show my sister just what kinda loser you are."
"Yeah, I did. That make you nervous?"
"No. Not at all."
"Funny. You sure seem nervous to me right now," Trevor says. "If you've got nothin' to hide, then a background check shouldn't bother you. It'll just confirm what you told my Mom the other night at dinner."
"How old are you, Trevor?" Brandon asks. "About sixteen?"
"Seventeen."
"Seventeen. You're just a child, playing a very ADULT game here. You see, I have nothing to hide, but that doesn't mean I like children poking around in my life and in my business." Brandon moves closer to him. "Now, for your own sake, I would suggest that you just stop playing your little game of trying to 'protect' your sister from 'Big Bad Brandon' and just stick to doing whatever it is you California kids do here during the summer."
"And what if I don't?" Trevor asks.
"Then you'll be one very sorry young man."
"Not threatening," says Brandon, getting in Trevor's face. "I'm WARNING you. Stay OUT of my life and out of my business, because you have no idea how to play the game you're trying to play. Me.......I'm twenty-seven. I've got ten years and a WHOLE lot more experience on you, little boy. Now get outta here."
"If you don't leave my sister alone, you're the one who's gonna be sorry," Trevor says. "And I can't wait to tell her about your little threat." He glares angrily at Brandon for a second, then turns and leaves the apartment.
An angry Brandon finds it hard to control his rage over Trevor's visit. He walks over to the door and angrily punches it as hard as he can. "Damn it. That kid's gonna be trouble for me. Which means little Mr. Trevor is gonna have to be dealt with." Brandon picks up his car keys and rushes out of the apartment.
The Cunningham Home....
"Mr. Ewing, Mrs. Cunningham will be right down," Jan says.
"Thank you."
"Can I get you anything while you wait?"
"No, thanks, I'm fine."
Finally, Kate walks into the room. "Thank you, Jan. You may go now."
"Yes, Mrs. Cunningham. I'll see you in the morning."
"Okay, have a good night."
Jan smiles, then walks out of the den.
"Gary, I'm sorry I kept you waiting. I was just getting out of the shower when Jan told me you were here."
"Kate, I've been waiting all day to talk to you."
"Why, what's wrong?" Kate asks
"Is Molly home?"
"No, she isn't. Why?"
Gary sighs. "We have a problem, Kate. A very SERIOUS problem."
"What kind of problem, Gary. Look, if you have something to say, just say it."
"I was hoping to be able to talk to both you and Brian. But I couldn't get in touch with him."
"Yeah, he's out of town on business for a couple days. Gary, if there's a problem with Molly, then stop beating around the bush and just tell me."
"Kate, it's time Molly knows the truth that I'm her father," Gary says.
"What? Gary, we've discussed this before, and we all agreed a long time ago....."
"I know. But none of that matters now. Molly HAS to know the truth before......."
"Before.....what, Gary?" Kate asks.
"Molly spent the night at my house last night," replies Gary. "With Bobby."
"What?" Asks a shocked Kate.
"Bobby swears that nothing happened. He and Molly fell asleep watching a movie, but Kate, seeing the two of them asleep together on Bobby's bed........it made me SICK. Now they have to be told the truth before something DOES happen between them!"
Meanwhile, Brandon's car pulls up and comes to a stop in front of the Cunningham home. Brandon gets out of the car and walks up to the front door. As he is about to ring the doorbell, Jan comes out of the house.
"Oh, Mr. Williams," Jan says with a smile. "Good evening."
"Good evening, sweetheart," Brandon says. "Is Miss Molly at home?"
"No, but I think her mother is expecting her sometime soon. Mrs. Cunningham has a guest, though."
"That's alright, I'd love to just wait in the living room for Miss Molly."
"Well, I don't know," says Jan. "I really shouldn't let anyone in the house without Mrs. Cunningham's permission."
"I promise, I won't touch anything," Brandon says. "Miss Molly and I have a date this evening, and I'm a bit early. I'm sure she wouldn't want me waiting out here on the porch."
Jan smiles. "I'm sure it'll be fine. Just go right in and wait in the living room. Good evening."
"Good evening to you, too," Brandon says as Jan walks past him and toward her car. Brandon smiles, then walks into the house. Instead of going into the living room to the right of the foyer, Brandon walks through the house. He stops short when he hears voices coming from the den, one of which is Kate. Brandon quietly walks up to the den door, which is slightly ajar, and listens.
"Gary, no," Kate says. "We have to find some other way to keep Molly and Bobby apart."
"And just how do you suppose we do that, Kate?" Gary asks angrily. "Do we lock them in their rooms? That might've worked when they were kids, but they're adults. Kate, Molly has to be told the truth."
"No. We agree when Molly was three-years-old that she was to be raised as Brian's daughter."
"That was a LONG time ago and things change."
"NOTHING has changed, Gary," Kate says. "Brian has been a wonderful father to Molly and he couldn't love her any more if she were his own flesh and blood."
"I'm not disputing that fact," Gary says. "Brian has been a wonderful father. But that doesn't change the fact that I am Molly's biological father and she is now growing close to her half-brother. Do you wanna put telling them the truth off until Bobby and Molly maybe sleep together? What happens then, Kate!?"
"I don't know, damn it!" Kate snaps. "You find a way to keep your son away from my daughter! Because I'll be damned if I'm gonna pull the rug out from under Molly by telling her that a man she adores and has always thought was her father really isn't! Now I think it's time you left, Gary."
He looks at her angrily for a moment, then walks to the door. He turns back to her. Meanwhile, in the hallways, Brandon, having overheard what the two were arguing about, quietly slips back down the hall and into the foyer and out the front door.
In the den, Gary opens the door, then turns back to Kate. "You're making a big mistake, Kate," he says. "If you don't tell Molly the truth.........then I will."
"Like hell!" Kate says. "Stay away from my daughter, Gary."
"Molly isn't just YOUR daughter, Kate. She's mine, too, and she's an adult, twenty-one-years-old. And she needs to know the truth." Without another word, Gary walks out. After he's gone, Kate breaks down in tears.
"Well, now," Brandon says to himself. "It seems that the Cunninghams and the Ewings have a dark little secret. One that could be very useful to me." Brandon smiles, then drives off behind Gary....