Chapter 4

(It's Thursday morning. Jimmy's "cooking" Joey a nice breakfast of cereal. Joey walks out of his room dressed, and sits down at the table waiting to eat. He puts one elbow up on the table and rests his head on it.)

Jimmy: Good morning Champ.

Joey: (sounding very tired.) Good morning Daddy.

Jimmy: Just to let you know that Mommy will be picking you up after school today.

(Jimmy puts down two bowls of cereal on the table, one for Joey and one for himself. They both begin to eat.)

Joey: (With a mouthful of food.) Doesn't she have work?

Jimmy: Mommy and I are both off tonight. I'll be over later to pick you up. And, you know better than to talk with food in you mouth.

Joey: Can't I stay at Mommy's house tonight?

Jimmy: We'll see. Your Mommy and I have something we need to talk to you about later, so we'll see what happens after that. Okay?

Joey: Okay Daddy.

Jimmy: Did you finish all of your homework?

Joey: (Dragging out his words.) I only had math.

Jimmy: And did you do your math?

Joey: Yes Daddy.

Jimmy: Okay then.

(There is a few minutes of silence as Jimmy and Joey finish eating their cereal.)

Joey: Daddy, when you go over to Mommy's house tonight, will you two fight?

Jimmy: No. We're done with the fighting. We didn't fight on you birthday when we all went to the zoo did we? (Joey shakes his head no.) I promise we're not going to fight today. Okay?

(Jimmy looks at his watch and it's almost time to walk Joey to school.)

Jimmy: (Authoritatively.) We have to get going. When you're done, put your bowl in the sink, I'll take care of them later. Then get your sneaks and jacket on. Don't forget to brush your teeth.

(Joey takes one last spoonful, puts his stuff in the sink and goes to finish getting ready. When he's done, Joey meets Jimmy by the front door.)

Jimmy: Ready for school?

(Jimmy opens the door and they walk out. Jimmy turns around to lock the door.)

Joey: No, I don't like school Daddy. It's boring.

Jimmy: You got to learn Joey. Just one more day after today, and then the weekend, okay?

(They walk toward Joey's school.)

Joey: Okay.