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Previously in "Distracting," worry enveloped the cast of Once and Again, as Jessie and Katie contemplated the possibility of being separated by ocean and continents, and Lily prepared herself to confide a secret to the girls.
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Part 2a: "Thoughts of Babies and Oceans"
"You two are making me nervous," Lily stated.
"Sorry, Lily," Katie said. "When Jessie's tired she tends to get a little goofy."
"I get goofy?" Jessie asked indignantly. She reached over and playfully shoved Katie. Katie was beginning to relax a bit, to give into Jessie's charms. Lily watched the exchange with a smile on her face. "So, what's the big secret?" Jessie asked, returning her attention to Lily.
"I think I'm pregnant," Lily said. Jessie's mouth dropped open and Katie leaned in closer to Lily as if she didn't believe what she heard. "But, we haven't told the rest of the kids, so I'd appreciate it if you two didn't tell anyone."
Shock lingered on Jessie's face as she attempted to sort out the situation. "Aren't you and dad a bit… well…"
"Old?" Katie finished.
"Thanks," Lily answered sarcastically.
"We don't mean—" Jessie began, before Lily stopped her.
"It's Ok. It was a… surprise."
"Who knows?" Jessie asked.
"Just your dad."
"Wow, congratulations." Katie said, smiling brightly. Jessie nodded her agreement, and reached over to hug Lily.
"That's so neat. I'll have a little brother or sister to play with."
Lily was relieved that Jessie seemed to be so thrilled with the news. "I know. The next few months are going to be busy, getting ready. We'll really need you kids' help."
"Anything," Jessie responded instantly.
"Well, as a start, would you mind going to find your dad for me? I think I'm all partied out." Lily crossed her legs and began to massage her propped up foot.
"Oh, I can go," Katie offered, but Jessie had already stood up.
"That's Ok, I see him over there talking to Sam. I'll get him." Jessie walked off in the direction of her father leaving Lily and Katie by themselves.
Jessie could not believe the news. It was incredible—a new brother or sister. Why hadn't her dad mentioned this yet? What would this mean as far as Australia was concerned? Any thoughts Jessie entertained of staying home were now called into question. If she stayed with her mother for those nine months she would miss everything with the baby—Lily's pregnancy, the birth, picking out names. Maybe Lily won't go, Jessie thought. Maybe she'll stay home. After all, her doctors are here, and her mother and sister…
As Jessie approached, it became apparent that her father and Sam were just finishing a somewhat heated discussion. Sam seemed to be a bit agitated, and her father looked extremely frustrated. She tentatively brought herself into her father's sightline, hoping that he would see her, rather than having to interrupt the conversation.
Rick noticed Jessie approaching out of the corner of his eye. He and Sam had been arguing over the possibility of going to Australia in light of Lily's pregnancy. Rick was no longer sure that leaving would be the right choice. After all, in terms of medical care and family it seemed more practical to stay. But, Sam was understandably upset. After all, Australia would be a big career move for the two of them. And, it meant a hefty paycheck and publicity as well.
"Jessie," Rick said, trying to put his frustrating conversation with Sam out of his mind.
"I didn't mean to interrupt…" Jessie began, moving closer. "Lily's not feeling the greatest. I think she's ready to go."
"Of course," Rick said, and then turned to Sam. "We'll talk about this later, Ok?" Sam nodded and walked off to find Judy.
"Is everything Ok?" Jessie asked.
"Oh, yeah. We were just discussing some ideas. About Australia." Jessie nodded. Rick smiled and ran a hand through his hair. "Where's Katie?"
"She's over with Lily."
"Does she need a ride home, too?" Rick put his arm around Jessie as she led him over to the chairs where Katie and Lily were sitting. She put her arm around his back, returning the gesture.
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Katie watched Jessie make her way through the dancing couples to her dad. Katie really was excited to hear about the new arrival, but her thoughts had begun to drift back toward the possibility of Australia. Lily was lost herself in thoughts of babies and oceans and aches and pains. The two sat looking onto the dance floor, alone with their thoughts.
Eventually Katie broke the silence, unable to hold back her curiosity. "So are you really moving to Australia?" Katie asked. She had to know whether Jessie was really leaving her.
Lily sighed. "Honestly, I'm not sure. It's a great opportunity for Rick, but with the baby and everything—"
"She'd have to go. It's too great an opportunity not to go," Katie interrupted. She hadn't really listened completely to Lily's response. She was too distracted by her own worries and fears. And, her attention span, not known for being the longest in Sinclair, grew even shorter when she worried.
"For Jessie? Yeah, it would be a good opportunity. Living in another country could be—" Lily began before Katie interrupted again.
"It's just—I'd miss her. You know?" Katie's eyes began to tear. Lily could see something was really bothering Katie, something Katie wasn't quite ready to divulge. It was an awkward moment really. Lily liked Katie; she considered her a polite, young girl and a good friend to Jessie. But Lily wasn't used to seeing the serious side of Katie. Seeing the tears in Katie's eyes made Lily's heart empathize with the girl.
"Of course," Lily replied. She studied Katie for a moment longer before adding, "she'd miss you, too." The two were quiet for awhile, both holding their own internal dialogs. Lily couldn't help but think that Katie had a point. Australia would be an amazing opportunity for the kids. Another country, another culture—the experience would be invaluable. At any rate, with the baby on the way, Lily figured she might not be able to start her syndication immediately anyway. And, Lily thought, they'd only be gone for nine months. Looking over at Katie, who was still very much visibly upset at the prospect of losing her best friend to Australia, Lily decided some perspective might be useful to Katie as well. "Try not to worry, Katie. Even if we were to go, it would only be for nine months or so."
"Nine months," Katie repeated. It was obvious to Lily from the tone in Katie's voice that Katie did not agree with her conception of the time span.
Soliloquy Lily: When you're fifteen, nine months seems like eternity. When I was a freshman in high school, there was this boy, Jimmy Panden. He was the captain of the speech and debate team, played junior varsity tennis. Very smart… very cute. We went to the spring formal together. He bought me a corsage and everything. I remember I wore this pink floor-length dress with tiny white beads on the top around my neck. We danced to every slow dance they played. After the dance, during the last two weeks of school, Jimmy and I were nearly inseparable. He took me out for ice cream, I went to his tennis meets, we talked on the phone for hours. But, after those two weeks, school let out for summer vacation and Jimmy left to spend the summer in Oregon with his dad. And after a month of sporadic letters, I met Ben Fisher…
"It's all happening kind of fast, isn't it?" Lily asked Katie.
"Huh?" Katie asked. She had obviously been lost in her own thoughts again. Lily attempted to smile reassuringly.
"Australia?"
Katie appeared to be on another planet. "Yeah," she managed to answer.
"Are you Ok, Katie?" Lily asked.
Katie took a deep breath before she answered, "Yeah. I'll be Ok." She sniffled. Lily riffled through her purse for some Kleenex. She handed a wadded tissue to Katie, who smiled thankfully. The two sat there in silence for another moment. Lily watched Katie wipe the tears from her eyes and the snot from her nose.
"Because if you ever need anything, someone to talk to…" Lily trailed off. She felt like she had made her point. Lily had been through the teen years with Grace. And, while she still made the occasional mistake of pressing Grace just a bit too far, Lily found this moment a little easier to gauge.
"Thanks." Katie managed a weak smile in response. Lily returned the smile and spotted Jessie and Rick approaching out of the corner of her eye.
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Next time in "Distracting," Rick and Lily discuss Australia. Meanwhile, Sam and Judy hold a similar discussion, as Sam tries to allay Judy's fears.
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