Chapter 6

(After picking Joey up from school, Kim takes him to her house and gives him a snack. Then she makes him do his homework. When he's done he goes into his room to play with his toys as Kim starts dinner. At about 5:30 the doorbell rings. Joey runs to get it.)

Kim: Make sure you know who it is at the door before you open it.

Joey: I know. (Yells through the door.) Who is it?

Jimmy (On the other side of the door): It's daddy.

(Joey opens the door and gives Jimmy a big hug. Joey runs back to his mom to let her know Jimmy's here. Jimmy shuts and locks the door behind him.)

Jimmy: (Yelling to Kim who is still in the kitchen.) Hey Kim.

(Kim walks out of the kitchen)

Kim: Hey Jimmy. Do you want to stay for dinner? I'm making plenty.

(Joey starts to get very excited and jumps up and down)

Joey: Yeah daddy. Please stay.

(Jimmy sees Joey's face and Jimmy knows that he does not want to let down his son.)

Jimmy: Okay then. I'll stay.

Joey: Yes!

(Kim walks into the kitchen to finish cooking)

Jimmy: (To Joey) Hey Champ. How was school?

Joey: It was okay. I got a lot of homework though.

Jimmy: Did you finish it?

Joey: Yep, Mommy made me do it as soon as I got home.

Jimmy: Your Mommy is very smart.

Joey: I know.

Jimmy: Can you do me a favor Joey? (Joey nods excitedly.) Can you go play, so I can help Mommy?  Maybe if I help her we can eat faster. Okay?

Joey: Okay Daddy.

(Jimmy starts to walk off, but he turns around)

Jimmy: By the way Joey, what are we having for dinner?

Joey: Spaghetti.

Jimmy: Thanks.

(Joey goes off to play as Jimmy goes into the Kitchen to see if Kim needs any help. He finds her just putting the spaghetti on to plates.)

Jimmy: I came in to help you.

Kim: Thanks but I'm okay. It's done.

Jimmy: Anything else I can do?

Kim: If you want you can tell Joey to wash his hands and come in for dinner.

Jimmy: Sure. No problem.

(Jimmy goes and gets Joey to wash his hands and come eat. Then they all sit around the table eating and talking.)

Kim: Joey, your Daddy and I have to talk to you about something.

Joey: Are you and Daddy going to live together again?

Jimmy: No. I'm sorry, but you're a lucky kid. You have two families that love you so much. And you also have two houses.

(Joey looks very disappointed)

Kim: That's right Baby. No matter what happens your Daddy and I will always love you.

Joey: I know.

Jimmy: Joey, what Mommy and I want to talk to you about is the custody case. Now you know that Mommy and I were fighting over where you were going to live. Mommy wants you to live with her, and I want you to live with me. The judge is probably only going to let one of us take care of you, unless we can come up with a solution. So we wanted to ask you. Who do you want to live with? Don't worry about hurting our feelings, just please tell the truth.

(Joey looks like he is in a very tough position.)

Joey: Daddy, I can't chose. I love you both and want to live with both of you.

Kim: We thought you would answer that way. So your Daddy came up with an idea so you can live with both of us. Jimmy, you want to tell him since it was your idea?

Jimmy: Joey, your Mommy and I are each going to spend time with you. Sometimes you'll be at Mommy's and sometimes you'll be with me. Just like it was before, except this time Mommy and I won't fight. Is that okay with you Champ?

Joey: Yeah it's okay. But Daddy, you said Mommy was sick. Are you still sick Mommy?

(Kim and Jimmy look at each other, neither one knowing what to say since Joey is referring to Kim's suicide attempt.)

Jimmy: No Champ, your Mommy is not sick anymore. She's all better.

(Kim mouths a "Thank you" to Jimmy)

Joey: So when do I get to live with Mommy and when do I get to live with you?

(Joey's getting very excited)

Jimmy: Well since we both work until 11 every weeknight, each week you're going to switch. Since you're already with me this week, you'll stay with me until Sunday, and then you'll come over to Mommy's.

Joey: What about when you two work?

Kim: Since my hours are more flexible than Daddy's, I'll pick you up after school each day, unless Daddy has off. Then I'll take you to Grandma's and when one of us gets out of work we will pick you up, even if you are all ready sleeping and take you home. Is that okay with you Joey?

Joey: It's okay. Mommy, I'm done eating. Can I go play?

Kim: Yes you may.

(Joey gets up, but Kim grabs him a gives him a big kiss, and then Joey starts to walk away.)

Jimmy: I want one too.

(Joey runs back to where Jimmy is sitting at the table and also gives Jimmy a big hug and kiss. Then Joey goes into the living room to play with his toys. Kim gets up and starts putting dishes into the sink.)

Jimmy: Here let me help you with that.

Kim: Thanks. You know he took that better than I thought.

Jimmy: Yeah, he did.

Kim: Want to stay and hang out for a while, or do you want to get him home and ready for school tomorrow?

Jimmy: We'll stay for a bit. Let him play with his toys here. Maybe you and I can chat and work out some differences.

Kim: Okay then. You know, you don't have to stay in here and help. I got it under control. Go hang out with Joey. It's okay.

Jimmy: Okay then, I'll be in the living room

Kim: Great. As soon as I'm done here I'll be in.

(Jimmy goes in the living room as Kim finishes loading the dishwasher and cleaning up after dinner. The she goes in the living room.)

Kim: Hey Joey, you want to play a game with Daddy and I?

Joey: Yeah. Can we play "Sorry"?

Jimmy: You always win at that game!

Joey: I know that's why I want to play.

Kim: Okay "Sorry" it is then. I'll go get it.

(Kim goes to get the game and then they sit down as a "family" and play.)