Beth was up late again. Sobbing into a glass of wine for a reason she didn't recall. Had it been something stupid Jerry said? Rick's absence through most of the day? The utter despair of knowing what a failure she was? Or had this been a day where it was all too much? She had forgotten. They tended to blend together. Especially after your sixth glass of wine.

Rick stumbled into the house, kicking off his boots and hacking up a lung. Beth felt relieved and pissed all at once. God why couldn't she just hate him. Or just love him. Either would do at this point. This in between was killing her.

"*hic* What the fuck? Is that you Beth? What the hell are you doing up so late? Usually, you've passed out by now." Rick said, looking like an utter wreck.

"I'm drinking." Beth said, her voice slurring a bit.

"I can see that. One of those nights huh Beth? Jerry say something stupid again? Or are you just in a mood?" Rick said.

"I-that's none of your business." Beth said. She couldn't confess that she honestly might have done this out of habit.

"Woah there. Hold *hic* on. No need to bite my head off. Just asking." Rick said. Beth felt guilty for snapping, and also for feeling guilty.

"Sorry." She muttered.

"How are the *hic* kids?" Rick asked.

"Ok. They went to see a movie together after dinner. Seem to be getting along a lot better now. Thanks for that." Beth said. She was a bit pissed she couldn't take credit for her children's newfound closeness.

"A movie after dinner?" Rick asked suspiciously. Beth had no idea why he was being so strange. What did it matter if it was after dinner?

"Y-yeah." Beth said.

"Ah huh. And where are they now?" Rick asked.

"What's the deal? You need them for some s-science adventure or something?" Beth found herself giggling in spite of herself. Her life was so fucking weird.

"Damn it Beth where are they now?" Rick said, raising his voice a little.

"I-in their rooms." Beth said.

"Separately or together?" Rick asked.

"Separately. I-I think Morty is probably s-spanking the monkey in his room. D-don't think he'd want his sister there for that." Beth said, again collapsing into giggles. Rick rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath.

"Ok well this has been a great conversation, very educational. I'm going to go talk to *hic* Morty. Have a couple questions for him." Rick said.

"D-do you want me to come?" Beth asked.

"No! No...that's fine. Just stay here and finish your wine. A Sanchez isn't a quitter Beth." Rick said and he walked away.

Beth did as she was told. She heard loud conversation from upstairs but she didn't move. Eventually, she passed out at the table. Thankfully she was able to wake up early and roll back into bed for a couple hours.

She wasn't aware of what had happened in her house til much later.