Allison doesn't respond. She breaks eye contact. She stares past Maura, with a guilty look on her face. Maura instantly picks up on it.
"What's wrong?"
"I should have called, before I came. You have a lot going on, and..." she begins to ramble.
"You don't have to call, ever. I'm your mother, you are welcome here, any time."
"When I got home, I was not in a very good place."
"I know that."
"I should have stayed longer."
"It's ok. You're here now."
"I have to try to figure out how I can finish school."
"It might take you a little extra time, but it will be ok."
"A lot of extra time."
"Allison, what's wrong?"
"I did something stupid."
"Please tell me that you didn't get a butterfly tramp stamp."
"No, why would you think that?"
"When you were about seven, you had an obsession with them. They came out with a barbie doll, who had one, and you wanted one."
"I didn't get a tramp stamp."
"You got a tattoo?"
"No. You know that I hate them."
"You could have poor judgment, and get one anyway."
"Thanks, for having faith in me."
"What did you do?"
"Maybe now is not the time to tell you. Maybe, it's best if you don't know."
"Know what?"
Allison furrows her brow. She contemplates telling the truth, or lying. She looks up. She sees the picture of herself, and Maura on Maura's bedside stand. It's a picture of them, when she's about three. Finally she looks Maura in the eyes, and responds.
"I did something, that I shouldn't have done."
"Ok."
"And I can't take it back."
"Whatever it is, we'll figure it out."
"It's a little more permanent than a tattoo."
"What do you mean?"
She comes home, and drops her bags, in the living room. She heads to the couch, with a pint of rocky road. She flips on the TV, in preparation for a night of movies, and ice cream. There is a knock on the door. She wipes away tears, as she heads to the door, to answer it. She checks the peephole, and then unlatches the door. She pulls it open.
A tall, handsome, guy stands in front of her. He has big blue eyes, and a bright white smile. She almost smiles, upon seeing his face. He frowns, when he sees hers.
"You've been crying," he realizes.
"Nate! I thought that you were going away for the weekend."
"I heard that you were coming back, so I stayed."
"How does a girl get so lucky?"
"I don't know," he shrugs.
"I'm glad that you're my best friend."
"Since freshman year, until we're living in the senior citizen home," he promises.
"I'm lucky to have you."
"Can I come in?"
"I had a pretty big night planned."
"Rocky road, and 80's movies?" he guesses.
"You know me too well."
"What has you down in the dumps?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"You can't wallow, alone."
"Ok," she agrees.
"You need a hug?"
She nods. He wraps her in his muscular arms. He is the size of a bear, but in his arms she feels completely safe. After a few moments he lets go of her.
"Nate, I'm glad you came," she admits just a couple of inches from his face. He pushes stray strands of hair out of her eyes. She takes a step closer, and they kiss.
Maura looks at her, in confusion. She shakes her head, trying to understand what her daughter is trying to tell her.
"You kissed Nate?"
"Yes," Allison confirms.
"He's been your best friend, for years."
"I never should have kissed him."
"It was just a kiss. I am sure that your friendship can survive that."
"It wasn't just a kiss," Allison reveals.
"You made out with him?"
Allison stares at Maura with a look of devastation, and guilt, on her face. Maura's heart sinks. She swallows hard, as Allison shakes her head, "No, that's not all."
"So..."
"I slept with him."
"Was it bad?"
"No! How can you even ask me something like that?"
"I know that it's a big deal to you, because he's your best friend but..." she stops in order to keep from sticking her foot in her mouth.
"But, what?"
"I always figured that the two of you would end up together."
"He has a girlfriend."
"Oh. So, you're broken-hearted."
"No. I'm confused, really confused."
"That's understandable."
"You don't know the half of it."
"Explain it to me."
"I don't want to do the radiation."
"You said that last night, why are you bringing it up, now? What does one have to do with the other?"
"Even if I wanted to, I can't."
"Can't? Allison, what are you talking about?"
"I'm not broken-hearted, I'm pregnant," she delivers the news.