Billy pulled into the driveway, his shoulders relaxing slightly, when he saw an empty space where Jack's car should be. He needed to see her first-before answering his brother's questions about his seemingly constant presence lately.

He walked inside, the smell of coffee drifting in from the kitchen. Mrs. Martinez, he thought. He should send her home. They wouldn't need an audience-not for this.


"Phyllis?"

Billy stepped into the bedroom slowly, his eyes moving to the slightly opened bathroom door. He walked closer, knocking hesitantly, "Phyllis?"

He pushed the door open as he heard the noise. He was on his knees beside before she had a chance to respond. "Hey...What's wrong? You ok?"

She shook her head, standing with his arm around her. "Yeah...I'm just...a little..." She stopped, breathing deeply again, attempting to quell the wave of nausea that threatened to bring her to her knees again. Gripping his arm a little tighter, she glanced up at him, "I've had better mornings."

He nodded, walking slowly with her over to the bed. "Tell me."

"It's Jack. It's the way he's handling this...the way he's treating me.."

Billy looked at her, confused, "What did he do? He seemed ok last night? Did he get upset? What did he say to you?"

"No..no...nothing like that-just the opposite actually. Jack's been wonderful. He's attentive and loving and he's so excited. Every time he says how happy he is about this baby..." She stopped, looking up at him, her eyes shining with tears, "it's like being punched in the gut. I can't do this to him...not one more minute."

Billy nodded. "I understand...I really do." He squeezed her hand gently. "I sent Mrs. Martinez home. I figured it would be best to not have anyone else here when we tell him."

"When we tell him?" Phyllis blinked. Her mind spinning.

"Yeah..I mean that's why I'm here, Phyllis. I'm not letting you go through this by yourself-especially now. Jack's gonna be furious and we don't know how he'll react or what he might do. I can't just leave you here to deal with this by yourself."

"I'm his wife, Billy. This is a conversation I need to have with my husband. You can't be involved in this."

"You're having my baby. I'm involved." He stood up quickly turning his back to her and taking a breath before facing her again. The look in her eyes crushed him. He hated knowing he had played any part in hurting her this way.

"I just want to protect you," he said softly. "I want yo make sure you're ok. I want to make sure you're both ok. Please don't ask me to walk away. I can't do that. Don't ask me to do that."

"I'm not...I don't want you too. I just need some time alone with Jack. Maybe you wait downstairs. Give Jack and I some time alone? If I need you, I'll call...I promise."

He smiled at her, his lips brushing against her cheek briefly. "Ok. If you're sure this is what's best."

"It is. I've got to do this. I've got to tell Jack the truth."

"The truth about what?"


Billy turned to see Jack standing in the doorway, a cardboard box in his hand.

"Sorry to interrupt," Jack said quietly, his eyes trained on Billy. He glanced over at Phyllis, lifting the box slightly. "Got the tea, but I can't seem to find Mrs. Martinez so it looks like I'll be making it myself."

Phyllis nodded. Her heart pounded. This wasn't over. He was too calm-far too calm.

Jack walked over to the side of the bed where he stood in front of the two of them, his fierce blue eyes staring down on them. "And I'll be glad to do it just as soon as you tell me this truth."

Billy took a breath. He could feel her tension as she trembled beside him. His brother's icy, cool demeanor was somehow far more damning than any screaming rage he could have imagined. It was almost as if he already knew-as if somewhere inside Jack had known all along and was just willing to pretend until right now, until right this moment, until something slapped him in the face and he couldn't pretend anymore.

Billy glanced over at her. His eyes asking the question-did she want him to go?

She nodded.

"I'll be downstairs," he said quietly, standing and beginning to move before he felt Jack's hand on his shoulder.

"Sit down."

It wasn't a request. Billy sat down slowly, his eyes drifting over to hers once more.

"Tell me the truth," Jack said slowly, his voice calm, steady and cold. He shifted his gaze from his wife to his brother, wondering which of them would break first. He'd suspected there was something but now-to know it, to see the connection, it made him sick inside. He wanted them to tell him. He needed to hear the words. No excuses. No lies. Just truth.

"Tell me the truth," he said again, his voice a little louder this time, his eyes shining a bit. His resolve was weakening. The calm, cold exterior was beginning to crack. Everyone deserves the truth, he thought to himself, but did he deserve this? What the hell had he done to deserve a betrayal of this magnitude?

"Jack," Billy began, sensing the palpable shift in tone. "I want you to know..."

"No," Phyllis interrupted. "I'll tell him." She stood, taking a step towards him, her eyes staring into his. She felt a tear escape as she watched the first trail down his cheek. He knew. He knew before she even said it. "I'm so sorry, Jack."

"My God.." He drew in a breath so deep it was painful. It was one thing to suspect, to feel certain, but to have the confirmation now-to finally not be able to deny it. He covered his face with his hands, his fingertips clawing at his skin-the physical pain a welcome reprieve from the emotional purgatory inside.

He looked at her. "How long?"

She looked away, taking a shaky breath. "Months," she admitted quietly.

His eyes closed as the final realization hit. "The baby? Is there any chance?" He knew. He already knew, but he had to ask. He needed to hear her say it.

"No."

"You need to leave." The calm returned.

"I'm so sorry, Jack. Please know that. I never meant for it to go this way. I..."

His eyes met hers once more, the expression one she hadn't seen before. "I said leave."

Billy stood, walking behind her quickly. "Let's go." He ushered her from the room as she glanced back over her shoulder.

They closed the door and stood still for a moment neither knowing what to say. They turned to leave as the sound of Jack's sobs began to echo through the hallway.

Billy wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him. She closed her eyes as she rested her head on his shoulder.