Original subtitles

Well, thank you for taking my call and for volunteering to drive down here. I

really appreciate that.

Okay, we'll see you then.

Hi.

Well, this is a nice surprise.

How are you, sis?

Oh, I'm fine.

How are you?

Yeah, okay.

Why?

The colonel called.

And? And I think he thinks that you know something that you're not telling him.

I do, and I can't tell you either, not yet.

But I already know.

How'd you find out?

Oh, they told me when I got married.

I think they just didn't want me to worry about what they were going to

since I was already pregnant.

What are we talking about?

Mom and Dad, Ruth and the Colonel.

Who are you talking to Dad about?

You were referring to him, weren't you?

Him as in who?

You were talking about handling a problem regarding a Marine and an

pregnancy?

He told you that?

He told me that because he wanted me to come and see you. I wish he hadn't told

you that.

Yeah, I only told him because I thought he might be helpful, and then he just

hung up the phone abruptly, like he always does.

I shouldn't have said anything at all. I don't know why I did that.

It's my mistake for sharing my life with my father, I suppose.

And look, you can't say anything.

Why not?

Well, because I...

I really don't need this getting out all over Glen Oak. Oh, Eric, I don't think

anyone's really going to care.

Wish that were true.

But wait a minute. You don't think anyone's going to care about what? You

even know what the problem is.

Well, I guess it would be easy enough for you to piece it together, given what

the colonel told you.

Martin's dad's having a baby with someone?

Can't really talk about it.

Oh, no, it's not Martin. He didn't.

Tell me it doesn't involve Ruthie. Ruthie, no, no, stop.

I can't talk about it.

I've obviously said too much already, and now I'm confused.

Dad thought I was talking about what Marine?

What unwanted pregnancy?

I think we both have already said too much. I better go. You're not going to

away that easily. Do I know some other Marine involved with an unwanted

pregnancy?

Eric. Julie.

Eric. Julie.

Dad thought you were talking about him.

What?

He's having a baby at his age?

He's cheating on Mom?

He's not having a baby now.

He already had that baby.

What?

I'm trying to tell you that when he and Mom got married, she was pregnant. We

have another sibling?

We don't have another sibling.

They were pregnant with... You.

Seven heavens, when I see their happy faces, smiling back at

me.

Seven heavens, I know there's no greater feeling than the love of

family. Where can you go

when the world don't treat you right? The

answer is home.

7 -7 7

-7 7 -7

What are you guys doing?

We're now getting the flu.

Please keep the germs out.

Well, you're not going to catch the flu, you know, as long as you stay away from

Ruthie. Did you guys make her a get well card?

We made her a sign instead.

We don't want anyone to get the flu.

No one's going to get sick. We're all going to be fine.

Don't go up there, Mom.

Yeah, don't go up there.

I have to go up there. I'm the mommy. It's my job.

Please, if you have to go up there, wear this.

And this, too. And hold your breath. And don't touch anything.

Oh, I don't get sick. I never get sick. I guess I've been around kid germs for

so long with so many children that the germs just don't bother me anymore.

What about Daddy?

Yeah, do germs bother him?

Hi. Hi, boys. I'm not feeling well. I'm going to go straight to bed.

Please, don't go up there.

Anybody home?

Oh, don't you two look cute.

Are you going somewhere?

We're going to the park. Oh, good.

I'll go, too.

My dad has a private meeting at the church with Sandy's parents. I don't

be anywhere around.

Oh, you want to come with us?

Sure, just give me a minute to change.

You don't have to work?

Well, I could, but I want to spend time with my family.

And we want to spend time with you, but... But what?

But we have a play date.

Well, I can go, too, can't I? Of course, if you want. I want.

Okay.

Who's your date with?

Play date.

Sally. Oh, I remember her. Isn't she one of the single ones? Yeah, her and Ron

are both single working mothers.

Oh, well, who's playing, you or Savannah?

All right, don't go there.

Well, you have a play date with a single woman, and you obviously didn't tell me

ahead of time, so you're hiding the fact that you have a date. And I hate to

spoil your good time, but I'm going to tag along, since that's my daughter, and

you're my husband, and we're going to have a good time.

Don't count on it.

I brought you some soup. How many cans? You didn't get sick just so I'd make

more soup so that you could get more labels, did you?

No.

Just joking.

Here.

Not funny.

I feel horrible.

I know.

The doctor says you're probably going to feel horrible for a couple more days.

I can feel horrible at school.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. You're out for the week. The doctor said so.

Yeah, but who listens to doctors?

The school principal.

She wants any student who's sick with the flu to have a note from the doctor

saying it's okay to return or one full week at home.

It's my constitutional right to go to school.

I'm going to school tomorrow. I have to.

Jack will wait.

Oh, no.

I'm sorry.

I had to figure out what these assignments were. She has the flu.

Oh, no.

Don't get near her. You don't want to get anything. I don't want you to get

anything, because I don't want to get anything.

Are you coming over tonight?

If I can. You asked me if you could come over. What do you mean, if I can? Well,

I have to go to practice, and then I have to drop the stuff off, and then...

keep doing this.

You keep saying that you need to see me, and then you find an excuse not to see

me. I don't mean to. Are you sure?

I'll come over.

What time?

Seven. Good.

I'll see you at seven.

Hey, Martin.

Can I talk to you a minute?

I've got practice.

Look, I just don't want there to be anything weird between us if Ruthie and

out.

She's sick. She has a flu. I don't think she's going anywhere.

Oh.

I didn't know.

But when she's better, we're going out.

And I know you're her best friend, and I used to go out with Meredith, so I'm

just saying.

You're just saying what?

I'm just saying. I don't want there to be anything weird between us.

Well, you may not get what you want. Look, I think you're too old for Ruthie.

And I don't care if her parents said she can go out with you.

I think it's a bad idea.

What's that about?

Look, your business is your business, but Ruthie Camden is a nice girl. She's

practically my sister.

I know what your game is, Jack.

So why don't you just back off?

Are you okay?

No.

Can I get you anything?

No.

Do you have a fever?

No.

Nauseous? No.

You know, with your heart, maybe we should call the doctor. Sometimes nausea

precedes a heart attack.

Maybe this is more serious than the flu. I said I wasn't nauseous. You certainly

are crabby. Sorry.

You do look a little pale.

I'm just going to lie down for a while. I'll be fine.

Okay, well, call me if you need anything.

Yes. I'm going to go back up and check on Ruthie.

I don't know why I said I didn't care if Lucy or Dad talked to them.

They're going to go talk to them, and then your dad and Lucy are going to love

them and hate me.

That's how it always goes in these counseling sessions.

They just always buy into everything that my mom and stepfather tell them,

then I get blamed for everything that happened.

You know, not that I don't take full responsibility for everything that I

I do. It's just... I don't want anyone else to hate me.

Especially Lucy and your dad.

I need them.

My dad is really good at seeing through people.

At seeing through people and...

getting through to people.

So what I think most likely is happening is that he's going to get them to love

you and then everyone will love you and pretty soon maybe you'll get to love

yourself.

You know you're totally lovable.

No, I'm not.

Come on.

Give me a ride to work.

I'll finish this paper later when I get home today.

Where's your car?

It needs some work, but I have to pay my credit card bills first.

Let's go.

I haven't heard from Martin.

I know he told his dad, but I haven't heard from him.

Well, hey, who needs him?

Hi.

Hi. I was just giving Simon a ride to work.

So was I.

Well, then, I guess I'm not needed here.

Yeah. Bye.

What?

I didn't call her. She just showed up.

Yeah, she keeps doing that. And you keep rescuing her.

I wasn't rescuing her.

She's just nervous because her parents are coming down to see my dad today, so

she just needed a friend.

I'm her friend. She could have come to me.

Yeah, but her parents came down to see my dad, so she came to me.

Sometimes I wish that your family would have just stayed out of this. It's not

their problem.

That's what my family does.

They get involved with things that aren't their problem. They're like that.

Well, you don't have to be like that.

You know I love you, right?

I know.

But sometimes I'm afraid that you think Sandy needs you more than I do.

And just because I'm not having a baby right now doesn't mean I don't need you.

I know, and I need you too.

Someday I'm going to be having your babies.

Yeah, but not before we're married for a few years, right?

Simon, I'm not stupid like Sandy.

I don't have to trap you into marrying me, do I?

No, of course not.

He cries all the time. He never used to cry when I was home all the time, but

now that I'm back at work part -time, it's like he's never happy unless he's

being pushed around the park or driven around in a car.

And even then... I don't know, Mom. You're the one who seems

unhappy, and then I'm unhappy when you're unhappy.

You think that could be it?

You think he's just picking up on my anxiety?

Babies understand a lot more than we think they do.

Did you ask the daycare if he was crying there? According to them, he is

perfectly happy until I get there. Then I'm sure he just feels you're upset and

he gets upset.

What am I supposed to do?

I can't stand being away from my little pumpkin. And then I feel guilty about

leaving him there all day.

Just try being happy to see him when you pick him up and being happy to be with

him after a day at work and see if that makes any difference.

I will.

That's good advice, Kevin. Thanks.

You know, I just miss seeing everybody at Mommy and Me.

It was my lifeline.

Yeah, mine too.

Okay, well, I better be going.

I've got to go and get something for dinner.

You know what I like to make when I'm in a hurry?

Soup. Soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.

Oh, that sounds good.

And easy.

Yeah, it'll give you more time with Sean.

Save the labels for me, will you?

Ruthie's doing some project at school and I'm trying to help her.

Oh, Campbell's Labels for Education. I did that when I was in school.

I will get right on it.

Bye, Kevin. Bye, Lucy.

See you next week.

Next week?

You make me sick. What?

Have you been doing this every week?

Meeting her in the park without my knowing about it?

No, she called and she asked if we could start meeting once a week since she

wasn't able to get back to Mommy and me since she went back to work. Boo -hoo!

There's no one else in Mommy and me that can meet her in the park? She's not the

most popular Mommy. I felt sorry for her. And she called me this afternoon

before I had a chance to ask you about it. What's the big deal? The big deal?

The big deal is you're... you're... you're obnoxious. That's not very nice.

Save the labels for me, will ya?

Babies understand a lot more than you think they do.

When did you become the expert?

I'm not an expert. I'm just speaking from experience, and I'm learning a lot

Mommy and me and from you. I learn a lot from you. Oh, no, no. Do not try to be

nice, especially after you tried to have a secret play date with Miss Beauty

Queen there.

Hello?

Oh, hi, Lou.

Oh, I'm sorry. I don't know what happened.

Ruthie must be on the phone. Just keep calling him, and I'm on my way.

My dad didn't show up to meet Sandy's parents. I have to go. We have to go.

I told you it wouldn't be fun.

You're a lot sicker than I thought.

Maybe you should see the doctor. You know, I made Ruthie go to the doctor.

I think you should go to the doctor. Yes, come on, let's go. I know what's

with me, okay? Just leave me alone.

I didn't mean that quite like it sounded.

I just meant...

I want to be alone if you don't mind. Did you get bad news? Bad news about one

of the children?

No, no bad news about the children.

You haven't been to the doctor. Did you get bad news from the doctor? Oh, you're

not, Eric. Stop, stop.

I'm not dying. I'm not sick. The children are fine. Nothing wrong with

Julie, and the girl?

Because I know she stopped by your office. She called this morning. They're

fine. Look, Annie, I just want a little time to myself to think. I can

understand that.

Yeah, I...

I just want to know what you're thinking about.

Well, let me think a while longer and then we'll talk, okay?

Okay. Take all the time you need. You have till, what, the children are in bed

tonight, nine o 'clock? Okay, and then we'll talk.

Oh, Ruthie's on the phone with Jack.

Maybe the flu is a blessing.

Maybe.

Maybe whatever you're thinking about, whatever you're sick over and not

me about is a blessing too, huh?

Or not.

So you should write something.

Let me read it.

I'll even help you with it.

Then we'll show it to the rest of the newspaper staff, and you're in.

Yeah, okay.

Maybe something about barfing.

Very topical.

Yeah. Thanks for calling.

But I really have to go. I don't feel so hot.

Get back to school soon.

I miss you.

No matter what Martin tells you.

What?

I'll call you tomorrow.

No.

Why did you say that about Martin? I don't know.

I tried talking to the guy, so that if you and I went out with Meredith and

there wouldn't be any weirdness.

But he just told me, flat out, he doesn't think we should go out together,

because I'm too old for you.

Ruthie?

We came here to talk to a real minister.

I'm here. I apologize.

I'm Eric Camden.

This is Robin Allen.

Oh,

no, I'm fine. I don't have a flu.

I had a bad day. It's like a really bad day.

Would you kindly consider listening to what Lucy has to say?

Well, what we both have to say. And believe me, we're both anxious to hear

whatever you want to say to us.

I just want you to know that after having met Sandy's father, we have so

respect for you and we sympathize knowing what you must have been through

already. And Rob, I'm sure you must be a very strong man. You must really love

Ellen and Sandy to have been willing to make a commitment to them and to spend

the time and effort that you did in helping Sandy.

And we're not asking you to help Sandy now. We just want to tell you who we

say to you that if the two of you need anything, we're happy to do whatever we

can. Well, we're not here seeking help. We just don't want anyone to think that

we're at fault or to blame for Sandy and her little shenanigans.

Oh, no. Is that what you think? That someone blames you?

Or that Sandy blames you? Because he doesn't.

No one does. I certainly don't, and my father doesn't. No, not at all. Good.

Because we're not responsible for her getting into trouble again.

Trouble that involves bringing an innocent child into her world, along

poor high school boy.

I don't want to have anything to do with her.

And neither does Rob.

We have had enough.

We don't hate her.

We just don't want to have anything to do with her and this baby. We

And again, we're not asking you to take...

Sandy, back into your lives unless and until you're ready. At that point, if

need us, we're here.

Tell me, what exactly was she hoping to get out of this meeting?

Well, she didn't ask us to talk to you. We just wanted to talk to you.

Generally, when we help a family member, we at least

extend ourselves to the other family members.

Is there anything we can do to help you?

Well, you could have asked us out on the phone.

And no, there's nothing you can do other than leave us alone.

And leave us out of this current sandy drama.

Now that we've expressed our feelings, I hope you too will leave us alone.

Or we will get an attorney and make you leave us alone.

I'm sure that won't be necessary.

Should I call you when the baby's born?

Just to let you know?

Absolutely not.

I think I like the drunk father better.

Certainly, he was a little warmer and more entertaining.

And yet, I sympathize with these two parents. I know exactly where they're

coming from.

Did Simon do something else?

Was that your bad day?

No.

Is there something else?

With Hyman, other than the big engagement ring that I don't know about?

No, no surprises as far as I know. Good, because I can't take any more surprises

today.

That was practice.

Practice, practice.

Did you come up with a plan like I asked you to?

No. Did you at least talk to Meredith?

You have to talk to her. That's step one.

Letting the people you care about know what's going on.

You want someone else to tell her? Look, I don't want her to know. That's not

the point. The point is she will know and she should hear it from you.

Would you just leave me alone about this?

No, I won't.

Look, you made a mistake.

That's no excuse for continuing to make mistakes.

You know the right thing to do. Do it.

I don't want to do it, okay?

No, not okay.

She has nothing to do with this.

It's a whole separate issue.

I don't want to involve her in that part of my life.

There's not the Meredith part of your life and the Sandy part of your life and

some other part of your life. There's just your life.

And you're not only responsible for your life, now you're responsible for

another life, so be responsible.

But you don't understand.

I do understand.

You think your life is over. You feel sorry for yourself. You're not thinking

anyone else.

But your life isn't over.

It just took an unexpected turn.

And there are other people's feelings to be considered here other than yours.

Son, I hate to say this, but things are going to get worse before they get any

better.

People are going to know, and you can't control that.

What do you want me to do? I want you to think about what's ahead of you and

decide what the best way to react is and react that way.

Think, act, feel, not the other way around. Take control of what you can

control. And the only thing you can control is you.

You make up your mind right here and now.

That you're a man.

And you act like a man. And you'll be a man.

Why? Because I got some girl pregnant?

No.

Because you're going to do the right thing for yourself and everybody else

involved.

Because responsibility is what makes a man a man.

And being responsible in this situation is the only thing, the only thing that's

going to make you feel better about yourself.

The right thing for me is to just ignore what's ever happened and just move on

with my life. Do you think that's going to make you feel better about yourself?

I don't think so. As a matter of fact, I know so.

I didn't raise you to be a guy who fathered a child and ignores the child.

First of all, you didn't raise me. Mom did. And then when she died, nobody

raised me but me.

Second of all, you fathered me and then ignored me.

You've been gone most of my life.

What you just experienced might not kick in your butt from here to Timbuktu.

That's control.

I have control of my feelings.

You might want to learn how to do that.

What I just demonstrated in order for you to survive the next few months.

Not another word. Not another word to me.

Did you tell the woman you love what you need to tell her?

Wait.

You can't go over to the Camden's. That's where I go.

Dad.

I'm sorry.

Would you stop that? We're not going to know which soup is which.

Talk to me.

You don't get to have play dates with single women. You don't get to say who I

can play with or who I can't play with.

You know what I mean.

Yeah, I know what you mean. You mean that I can't tell you what to do.

Exactly.

How can you be so sane and so rational when it comes to other couples, but when

it comes to you and me, you're completely unreasonable?

I am not unreasonable.

You are unreasonable.

How am I being unreasonable?

You can't spend your day hanging out with a beautiful single woman who

doesn't mind flirting with you in front of your own wife.

She probably thinks that you were so comfortable in our relationship and so

confident in yourself that you don't care if she flirts with me. Not that

was what she was doing. That is exactly what she was doing. And then you act as

if I was doing something wrong when it was the two of you doing something

Annie said you were in here.

Yep, I'm in here.

You don't have the flu, do you? No.

I just had a big fight with Martin.

Sometimes I hate being a father.

Know what I mean?

Yeah, I know what you mean.

It's like a war that lasts a lifetime.

You always got to be on your toes.

It's exhausting.

Hey. Hey, Kevin. What's going on?

I need some advice.

Me too.

I had a big fight with Lucy.

You want to move over? Yeah, sorry.

Hey, are you gonna sit out here all night?

I was waiting for 7 o 'clock. How long have you been out here?

A while.

Are you feeling okay?

No, I'm not.

I have to talk to you.

Okay.

Something bad?

Well, kind of.

Yeah.

Okay.

Well, whatever it is, it's okay.

I'm having a baby.

Okay, stop it. You're nuts.

Not me, Sandy.

What are you talking about?

I thought you were just with her the one time. It was.

Only the one time. I know it's a stupid thing to do, but she's pregnant and I'm

responsible.

No, you're not.

She's responsible.

How could she do something like that to you?

What? Oh, come on. She's, like, what, 20?

21? It wasn't her first time. She did it on purpose.

You're not going to marry her, are you? No. Your dad isn't going to make you

marry her, is he? I don't think so. I can't believe her.

This is so unfair.

Yeah, it is. It's totally unfair.

If you thought that I was going to break up with you when you told me that you

were wrong, I love you. I'm going to stand by you.

You are?

No.

I don't know.

Don't cry, please.

Please don't cry. I can't have a boyfriend who's having a baby with

girl. A woman, a girl, whatever.

I can't.

Why not?

Because I want normal.

I've been in social services all of my life, practically, and I just got a home

with a mom and a dad and my sisters and my brother and I eat dinner every night

together and brush our teeth and go to bed knowing we can still live here the

next day.

And that means everything to me.

It's normal.

I'm finally a normal person.

So, I can't.

I love you, but I can't.

But I don't care anything about Sandy.

I was just with her the one time. I've hardly talked to her since.

What? She means nothing to me.

But she's having your baby.

Yeah, I know, but it's not like I asked her to.

Is the baby a boy or a girl?

I don't know.

How could you not know?

Don't you care at all about the baby? How can I? I didn't want this to happen.

don't want a baby.

You don't know what it's like to be a child who isn't loved, do you?

You don't know what it's like to feel unwanted.

But I do.

So my advice to you is to love your son or your daughter and never, ever let

them know that you felt the way that you're feeling right now.

I have to go.

And please don't call me.

And if you see me at school, don't speak to me.

Okay, here's my advice.

Kevin, go home and apologize to Lucy. You were wrong. She was right.

Bo, go home and wait for Martin.

I don't think he's going to want to talk to me.

He's gonna still be angry.

What's wrong with you anyway?

Nothing's wrong with me.

I meant dad.

My sister told me today that my parents had to get married because my mom was

pregnant with me.

Do you care?

It just seems absurd that they never told me.

But why would they? Why would they tell your sister?

Oh, because she... she was pregnant when she got married.

I didn't know.

I guess they were just trying to make her feel better.

You're not going to say anything, are you? I don't think my dad really wanted

talk about it.

Maybe at some point.

Then again, what's to be said?

Yeah.

I don't think anything needs to be said.

No. Who wants to talk about something that's ancient history anyway?

Yeah. Not that ancient, but still.

You know, growing up, you...

I think you're keeping secrets from your parents, and then one day you realize

your parents have their own secrets.

You and Mom got any secrets?

I mean, any more secrets?

Yes, but we'll let you know what they are when we're in our 90s.

Kevin, go home. Bo, go home. You know, it's getting late.

You got families waiting for you.

All right, guys.

Let's do this again sometime.

Yeah, sure.

My house next time.

I'd invite you, but evidently I have to check with Lucy before any playdates.

Good night. Good night.

Julie called.

I didn't hear the phone ring.

Oh, all right. I called her.

She told me about the Colonel and Ruth.

You okay?

Yeah.

Took me until now, but I'm fine.

I guess I'm used to getting surprised by our children, but not by my parents.

I thought I knew everything about them, and yet... And yet they're human, just

like the rest of us.

I don't have any judgments about what happened between the two of them.

It was just a surprise.

A big surprise.

I could be jealous that my sister knew first. I could be angry with her for not

telling me sooner. I could be upset with my parents for hiding it from me all

this time.

But I think I'll go another way when I can.

Don't you live across the street now?

This isn't your kitchen anymore.

What? You're not welcome here.

You told Jack that you didn't want him to go out with me?

That's it?

That's it?

That's not enough?

Look, we have to talk.

Well, I don't want to talk to you, okay?

Don't go ruining everything for me.

I just got my parents to let me decide who I want to go out with.

And I want to go out with Jack, so just stay out of it.

All right, I'll stay out of it.

But you don't know what you're getting into. He wants to go out with you for a

reason. You know, you think you're all grown up and you should be allowed to

make your own decisions.

But the first one out of the gate is a bad decision. A really bad decision. A

decision you might really regret.

I don't need any more lectures from you. I've got a mom and dad.

Who are you yelling at?

Martin.

He's in our kitchen.

Like he still lives here or something.

What are you yelling about?

Nothing.

Did you tell Ruthie about... No, I didn't. I tried.

That's what I came over here to do, but she's so angry that I told Jack not to

go out with her that she didn't let me say anything.

So, just remember, I tried to tell her about me. I tried.

But everything's about her right now. Did you tell... Yes, I told Meredith.

Now she hates me and she's never going to speak to me again.

So, thanks for the great advice.

I think I'll go home now and thank my dad, too.

Although I should stop at Lucy and Kevin's and thank them.

You've all been a lot of help.

Wait, wait, wait.

I know you're angry and you're dealing with a lot, but just give me a few

minutes.

For one thing, what's going on with this Jack character?

Why don't you want him to go out with Ruthie?

You don't want to know.

What don't I want to know?

Want me to make you something?

Thanks.

How's this?

How about some Mushu pork instead?

That new Chinese restaurant is open late.

Now you're talking.

I'm sorry about today. I really am.

Me too.

Kevin.

You're not wearing any pants.

Oh.

I love you.

It's me.

Oh.

I just got your message.

Am I calling too late? No, I just got home from work. I'm studying.

Did you need something?

Well, Sandy was kind of worried about Dad meeting her parents.

Oh, I ended up meeting them, too. What was she worried about?

Well, I guess she was afraid that they'd say something bad about her. I think

he's told me everything bad about her, and I still like her.

And after meeting her parents, I think I like her even better, in fact.

I think she's going to be fine.

She's a lot stronger than she knows.

Can I tell her you hated them? I didn't say that. I don't hate anyone.

I didn't find them particularly pleasant, but... Pleasant as in they're

people? They're just parents, Simon.

They've been through a lot and they've reached their limit.

Maybe it'll change.

Maybe it won't. Just tell Sandy that I'm thinking about her and that I will call

her tomorrow after classes.

It's late.

You should go to bed.

I have to study.

You're working too many hours.

I have to.

I have responsibilities.

Good night, Simon.

I love you. Night, Lucy. Thanks for calling.

I love you.

It's like boyfriend roulette.

You never know what you're going to get.

How are you going to stop her from dating him when you told her she can go

with anyone she wants?

I don't know, but I am.

Especially now.

That is just unbelievable.

And yet, I knew something wasn't right.

Me too. It just took me a few weeks to piece it together.

And you're sure?

I'm sure.

You know what might work best?

Aside from putting a rocket down Jack's pants and firing him down the beach.

What might work is that you could talk to Ruthie.

I'm supposed to tell Ruthie about Jack and then tell her about Sandy?

I don't think so. Once I talk to her about either one of those, I'll never

to the next one.

Besides, she's not even speaking to me, so... She's not feeling well today, but

she'll be better in a couple of days.

I hope I have a couple days. A week would be great.

If I could make it to Thanksgiving without the whole school talking about

that would be even better.

And if I could make it to the Christmas holidays, that would be a miracle.

Well, you never know.

I think you did the right thing telling Meredith.

And I know your secret would be safe with Ruthie.

But yeah, I guess at some point people are going to know.

You want to hear a funny story?

About me and my dad?

Not really. I'm not really in the mood for funny.

That's not that funny.

I found out today.

Just today.

that my mom was pregnant with me when my mom and dad got married.

I never knew that.

The colonel?

The colonel.

I still can't marry Sandy.

I can't. I don't like her.

I'm not suggesting you marry her.

I think she's kind of moved away from the idea of getting married for right

Fine. Good for her.

Your point?

My point is that...

Some of the best people in the whole wide world conceive without the benefit

marriage. And some of the babies grow up to be marvelous human beings.

Your parents, you.

And you, you're not a bad guy.

You're still the same good person you were before this happened.

Why are you telling me this?

I don't know.

I sense that maybe you're not just angry with Sandy, you're angry.

at yourself and you're feeling more than a little guilty.

You don't happen to know if the baby's a boy or a girl, do you?

No.

Guess you'll have to ask Sandy.