INT. VET CLINIC - LATER THAT MORNING

HEATHER is sitting behind the counter. She is reading a letter and has a huge smile on her face.

JIM enters from the back.

JIM
Heather?

Heather jumps!

HEATHER
Dr. Hansen. You scared me.

JIM
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you.

HEATHER
That's OK

She hops down off the stool and approaches Jim - holding the letter out to him.

HEATHER
(continuing)
Look Dr. Hansen. I got in!

JIM
Got in?
(taking the letter)
Got in where?

HEATHER
To the universities veterinary program. I re-applied in the Spring and I've been accepted! I start at the end of August!

JIM
(scanning the letter)
Heather that's wonderful! I didn't know you wanted to go back to school.

HEATHER
Well, I should never have dropped out to begin with. But...money was tight and my life was just really complicated at the time. You know, with that whole Charlie-Robbie situation.

Jim nods.

HEATHER
(continuing)
And I have access to my trust fund now...So money isn't a problem any more.

JIM
(smiling)
Good for you!

HEATHER
Well, I figured it was definitely time I started planning for my future. I mean, you aren't going to be around forever.

Jim looks at her curiously.

HEATHER
I mean...I figured you're...you know...getting up there...

Jim raises an eyebrow as Heather stammers on.

HEATHER
I mean...I figured eventually you are going to want to retire and...

JIM
(laughing)
Heather. It's OK. I think I understand what you are getting at.

HEATHER
(relieved)
Oh good.

JIM
Well, you must be very excited.

HEATHER
I am. But don't worry Dr. Hansen. I'll still be able to help out here at the clinic. In fact, I spoke to one of the counselors at school and she said that my work here will probably count as internship credits. You just may have to fill out some periodic evaluations of my work and stuff.

JIM
That won't be problem. You're work here has always been outstanding. You are going to make a fine Vet one day.

HEATHER
(blushing)
Thank you Dr. Hansen. That means a lot coming from you.

She throws her arms around Jim and gives him a hug.

JIM
Well, I'm headed over to the B&B to see Robbie. Can you hold down the fort for a few hours?

HEATHER
Sure.

Jim starts to walk away.

HEATHER
Dr. Hansen?

Jim turns back to Heather.

JIM
Yeah.

HEATHER
Is he OK?

JIM
He's going to be fine. Syd says he just needs rest and he will be as good as new.

HEATHER
I've been so worried about him. He hasn't been himself lately.

JIM
Well, being attacked will do that to a person.

HEATHER
(looking down)
No...I'm not talking about now. I'm talking about before.
(looking up at Jim)
He just seemed really tense and sad all the time. Either that or really, really hyper. Just...strange. You...you hadn't noticed?

JIM
(pausing)
Well, he's been under a lot of pressure lately with the B&B and two kids...

HEATHER
(trying to be cheerful)
You're right. That's probably all it is.

JIM
Well, I gotta get going. I should only be a few hours.

JIM exits.

Once he is gone, the smile disappears from Heather's face as she turns and looks sadly at a picture on Jim's desk of Robbie and his sisters.

INT. BARKERY

JOANIE is sweeping as LEO enters through the front door.

LEO
Hey!

Joanie smiles. Placing the broom down, she crosses the room and hugs Leo.

JOANIE
God I've missed you! I'm so sorry I haven't called. Things have been kinda hectic.
(motioning to a nearby table)
Sit down. Can I get you anything.

LEO
No, I'm good.

The two sit.

LEO
So, how's Robbie?

JOANIE
(pausing)
Better.

LEO
Just better? That doesn't sound too encouraging

JOANIE
It's complicated. But... he's home now. So that's good.

LEO
You know, if you need to talk about it. I'm here.

JOANIE
(taking his hand)
I know. Thanks.

LEO
You know, what you need is a night out. What do you say you and I go out tomorrow night and see a movie or something.

JOANIE
Actually, I was going to ask you if you would like to go out with me, Syd and Owen. I don't know how long they are going to be in town and I'd really like us all to spend some time together. I want them to get to know you.

LEO
Sure! Why not?

JOANIE
Great! I'll set it up.

ROBBIE AND TINA's B&B - LATE AFTERNOON

ROBBIE is sprawled out on the couch-asleep. PETE sits on the other end of the couch watching TV and NICK is busy playing with his blocks in front of the couch.

THE DOORBEL RINGS.

Robbie jolts awake.

PETE
I'll get it.

Pete walks across the room to the foyer and opens the front door to find Heather standing there.

PETE
Hey Heather! Come on in.

HEATHER
Thanks. I just stop by to say hello and see how Robbie is doing.

PETE
(pointing)
He's in the living room watching TV.

ROBBIE
(from across the room)
Hi Heather!

Heather walks into the room.

HEATHER
Hi! How are you feeling?

She bends down and kisses him on the cheek.

ROBBIE
Ah...I've been better. Sit down. Take a load off.

Heather sits in an arm chair across from Robbie.

HEATHER
Hi Nick! How are you doing buddy?

Nick looks at her briefly but then turns his attention back to his blocks. Heather laughs.

Pete walks back into the room.

PETE
(to Heather)
Don't take it personally.

He scoops his brother off the floor on his way by and plops back down on the couch.

PETE
(continuing)
Nick's going through this snobby phase right now.

ROBBIE
(rolling his eyes)
He's not snobby. He's just shy. Huh buddy!

He reaches over and tickles Nick.

HEATHER
(smiling)
Yeah.

Nick, who doesn't want to be held at the moment, squirms in his brother's lap.

NICK
Down! Petey! Down!

Pete holds on tight as he teases his baby brother.

PETE
Nope! I gotcha!

NICK
(fussing)
DOWN!!

Robbie shakes his head.

ROBBIE
Pete, if he bites you again don't come crying to me! We've been telling him to use his words. Now he is using his words and you aren't listening to him!

PETE
(letting go of Nick)
Fine! Geez, you take all the fun out of being a big brother.
(getting up)
I gotta go do my homework anyway.

HEATHER
Homework? In July?

PETE
Summer school.

HEATHER
Oh...bummer.

PETE
Tell me about it. I'll see ya later.

He exits

Heather turns her attention back to Robbie.

HEATHER
So, I bet you're happy to be home?

ROBBIE
Oh yeah.

He doesn't sound as enthusiastic about it as Heather had hoped.

She get's up and goes to sit next to her friend.

HEATHER
Robbie...Is everything OK? I mean...aside from the obvious.

ROBBIE
Yeah. Sure. I'm just tired that's all. I'm fine.

HEATHER
Are you sure? Because you haven't been yourself for weeks now. I'm worried about you.
(beat)
You know...you can talk to me. If there's something going on and you are afraid to talk about it with Tina or your dad...I'm here.

ROBBIE
Heather. I'm fine. Really!

TINA enters through the front door. She is carrying two bags of groceries and a handful of mail that she picked up on her way in.

TINA
Hi Heather!

HEATHER
Hi Tina. Here...
(she jumps up from the couch)
Let me help you.

She rushes over and takes one of the bags from Tina.

TINA
Thanks. It's so good to see you. Listen, since you are here why don't you stay and join us for dinner. I feel like we haven't seen you in so long! We can catch up.

HEATHER
Oh, I don't want to intrude on Robbie's first night home.

TINA
Don't be ridiculous. You're not intruding.

ROBBIE
Yeah. Why don't you stay?

HEATHER
OK. I will.

TINA
Great!
(to Robbie)
Honey, I'm just going to put these groceries away and I'll be right back to put Nick down for his nap.

ROBBIE
I can do it.

TINA
No, you cannot. You are staying right there. I'll be right back.

Tina exits to the kitchen, with Heather close behind.

IN THE KITCHEN

Tina puts her bag down on the counter and starts to flip through the mail she has in her hand as Heather starts unloading the bags.

HEATHER
Thanks so much for inviting me to dinner.

TINA
(opening the mail)
You are so welcome. You should stop by more often.
(glancing back at Heather who is putting groceries away)
Oh sweety, you don't have to do that. Why don't you go sit with Robbie.

HEATHER
I don't mind.

Tina opens a letter and starts reading it. The smile immediately disappears from her face. Heather doesn't notice.

HEATHER
(continuing)
Guess what. I found out today that I have been accepted into the Veterinary Program at the University. I start school in August. Isn't that cool?

Tina doesn't respond but is focused on the letter in her hand. Her eyes are filled with tears as her hand starts to shake.

Heather turns and notices Tina is upset.

HEATHER
Tina?

Tina quickly crumples the letter in her hand and turns to face Heather.

TINA
I'm sorry. What did you say?

HEATHER
What's wrong?

TINA
Nothing.
(beat)
I have to go put Nick down for his nap. He'll be really cranky come dinner time if he doesn't have his nap. You can just leave those groceries. I'll get them when I come down.

Heather opens her mouth to respond but Tina rushes out of the room before she can. On the way out, she tosses the crumpled letter into the trash.

Confused and concerned, Heather stares at the trash bin - contemplating whether or not she should retrieve the letter an find out what has upset Tina so much. Slowly she approaches the trash bin. Looking around to make sure no one is coming, she reaches in and pulls out the letter. She holds it in her hand a moment and then quickly throws it back in the bin and walks out.

TO BE CONTINUED...