I do not own Dirty Dancing.

Chapter Twenty Four

POV Jake

Weekend Traffic

"Singers, Dancers, Actors, this is your lucky day!" The Comedian announced over the speakers. I groaned inwardly, tired of that man's ridiculous jokes over the course of this trip. They weren't even funny. "Auditions for the annual Kellerman's End Of The Season Talent Show are beginning in the play house!"

Quietly, I sip my coffee, trying not to think too much about Baby, and how I'd been asleep before she'd come in last night. I had no idea how long that had been. I should never have left her alone, the voice in my head scolded. I should have taken her with me, no matter how mad I'd been at her last night.

"So, everyone gonna be in the show?" Neil asked from behind me, announcing his presence with the question. I had been unaware of his approach previously. In Neil's hands were a clipboard, and he was no doubt conducting some variety of business surrounding the show. Unfortunately for him, we weren't staying.

"Uh, we're leaving tomorrow," I announced awkwardly. I hadn't given any warning to this, but I simply couldn't allow us to stay at Kellerman's any longer, not with what Baby had been up to last night. Everyone immediately looked at me, shocked and confused, but it was Baby who looked angry. She knew why I wanted to go. "Miss the weekend traffic," I lied in explanation.

"But Jake, we're paid up till Sunday," Marje argued, confused as to why I would want to leave. She didn't know about last night, and she never could. Marje would be horrified if she knew Baby had funded an abortion.

"Daddy, and miss the show?!" Lisa exclaimed, as thought the very idea were preposterous. But right then, all I could see were Baby's brown eyes, that had always looked at me in adoration, now giving me an angry glare.

"I said we're leaving tomorrow," I repeated, so everyone would get the hint that this was not a topic open for discussion.

"But Daddy, I was going to sing in the show!" Lisa objected.

"It's the big event. People bring their own arrangements." Neil said, hoping to sway us into a longer stead. "You don't want to miss it. Oh, Baby, I need you for props," Neil walked off without another word, apparently having decided for us that we were staying.

"Jake, why would you want to leave early?" Marje wondered as soon as Neil was out of earshot. I sighed. It was either tell her, or agree to stay. All eyes fell on me. Baby looked relieved and upset at the same time. The look in her eyes told me she knew I was too afraid of ruining her reputation to use the information I had.

"It was just an idea," I answered dismissively. "We can stay if you want to," At this, my oldest Daughter grinned like the Cheshire Cat, so excited that she would get to sing. It occurred to me then, that I never really played all that much attention to Lisa. Maybe I should. Maybe I should get to know her better. It could prove a good punishment for Baby, me giving her the could shoulder for this. "So, Lisa, what were you planning to sing?" I smiled at her.

A grin bubbled up on Lisa's face, and she neatly folded her hands in her lap. "I Feel Pretty, or What Do The Simple Folk Do?" Lisa started. That was when I realized that Lisa might keep on going for a while, and that I had to check up on Penny this morning. I couldn't have Lisa around for that.

Silently, I stood up, and turned my back on our family table, walking away. However, Lisa, not to be deterred, simply followed me, while continuing to chatter away, "Or I Feel Pretty," My Daughter repeated. "What do you think, Daddy?"

I sighed. I needed to get rid of Lisa somehow, so I could see Penny. Right now, it was looking like the best way to do that would be to suggest she go audition. But what should she sing? Fortunately, at that moment, a fond memory popped up, from when Baby and Lisa were small little girls. Both of them singing a silly little song they'd made up, but it was surprisingly good, giving the age they'd been at when they'd thought it up.

"You should sing that old Hawaiian song that you and Baby made up when you were little. You used to sing it all the time," I recalled. Once, she'd even asked us for a grass skirt and wanted to make a coconut bra.

Lisa's eyebrows pulled together as she struggled to recall. "Hula Hana?" She questioned.

"Yeah," I agreed. Lisa beamed, glad to have gotten my opinion. "How about," I started with a small smile, "You go audition, and then later, you can tell me about it?"

Lisa grinned, and kissed me on the cheek. "Okay, Daddy," She smiled, and ran off to audition.

"Have you been feeling any pain, discomfort, nausea, anything like that?" I asked Penny on my follow up to her treatment last night.

She shook her head. "It hurts a little, but it's nothing like last night. I'm just tired mostly. But I really feel a lot better,"

"Well, that's good," I answered, reaching into my bag for some antibiotics. "So far, infection hasn't set in, but I want you to take these," I held up the pills, "Just to be on the safe side. Take one a day and no more."

"Dr. Houseman?" Penny asked softly.

"Mhmm?"

The Rockette looked to her feet, hands folded neatly in her lap. "Look... I know that you can't exactly be proud of Baby right now... but what she did was something that a lot of other people wouldn't have done. I'm really grateful for her. Even if you aren't, right now."

I shift my gaze to the floor. I didn't want to admit it, but Penny was right. But I didn't want to talk to her about Baby right now. So instead, I stand up, and hand the pills to Penny. "Now, don't stop taking those pills just because you feel better. Take them until they're all gone," I ordered Penny.

"Thanks," The blonde woman nodded without complaint, and set the bottle down on her nightstand. On my way out the door, I thought I saw her wave a little, and I couldn't help but smile.