Scene XIV: Dinner at Jennie's

(Jennie is cooking spaghetti. It's nothing glamorous, but she's not trying to win any fancy awards. Just cook dinner for some friends. She's on the phone with Megan, who is still hung up on what she saw when they were spying on Mindy and Josh.)

Megan: Why do you think it's nothing?

Jennie: I never said that. It could be huge. But she could have been trying to see if her next cycle would interfere with vacation or something. We don't know what she was counting.

Megan: Yeah, but if that were the case she wouldn't have been all frustrated. She was all worked up. Don't you think that means something?

Jennie: Maybe, but its just wild speculation, right? If she is pregnant, we're going to find out eventually. Sitting here wondering about it is just a waste of time.

Megan: Okay fine.

(Doorbell rings.)

Jennie: Look, Megan, someone's at the door. I've got to get my French bread out of the oven too. I'll talk to you later alright?

Megan: Okay. Bye.

Jennie: Bye.

(She answers the door.)

Jennie: Hey Drake, come on in. I'm making dinner.

Drake: Well that must be what smells so good. What is it?

Jennie: Spaghetti, French bread, and salad.

Drake: Yum! (He goes over and tries to taste the spaghetti.)

Jennie: (slapping his hands away) Hey cut that out. It's not time for dinner yet. Can you do me a favor?

Drake: Yeah, what do you need?

Jennie: I had a picture on my bedroom wall. It was too heavy or something. It fell and the glass broke. Here's some money. Can you run to the framing store in a minute and get me a new piece of glass? And can you ask them if there is a better way to hang it?

Drake: Sure, just let me use the restroom first.

Jennie: Okay. (Doorbell rings again) Oh that must be them. (She answers the door.) Hey guys. Y'all are early. Dinner won't be ready for another 20 minutes.

Josh: Where's Drake?

Jennie: Oh he's using the restroom. He's about to run an errand for me.

Drake: Hey guys. Hey Josh, do you want to go to the framing store with me?

Josh: Sure. Why are you going there?

Drake: Something broke.

Jennie: Okay, the glass needs to be 19" by 24". See you guys in a little while.

(The boys leave.)

Mindy: So. You got the boys out of here in a hurry. Is something up?

Jennie: I don't know. Maybe. You're my closest friend out here, right?

Mindy: Yeah. Why?

Jennie: Well I need to talk about something. Sometimes you just have to talk about it to get past it, you know? And I guess you are the only person I can really talk about it with.

Mindy: Okay. I'm your friend. You know me. I'm not going to go blab about it or anything. You can trust me.

Jennie: Well, something happened the other night. Between Drake and me.

Mindy: What happened? You guys get into a fight?

Jennie: No, no. We made love. Which I thought was a good thing. But ever since then Drake has been acting all weird. Things got all awkward between us.

Mindy: That's why you called me? You were freaking out about that? Look. I'm no expert on relationships. But the first time Josh and I made love it was really awkward for a while too. It'll get better. You just have to get comfortable with something like that. I don't really want to talk about sex right now. It's kind of a sore subject for me.

Jennie: What do you mean?

Mindy: Well, um, it seems that I'm going to be a mother soon.

Jennie: Oh my gosh, you're pregnant? Wow I feel horrible for bitching about my problem now.

Mindy: No, don't. I don't want you acting any different because of this; that would be ridiculous.

Jennie: Yeah I guess. So have you decided about what you are going to do?

Mindy: We're going to keep it. Now we just have to tell our parents. That's going to be hard.

Jennie: I bet. It'll be fine. I mean, its not like there is anything they can do about it.

Mindy: Yeah I guess you're right.

(Meanwhile, on the way back from the framing store.)

Josh: Dude, what's going on? You were acting strange all day, but you were an absolute mess just now.

Drake: I don't know. Jen and I, well, we had sex the other night. And now things are all weird. She acts like she's not comfortable around me anymore.

Josh: Whoa, man. That's big. But it's probably nothing. Sometimes it takes a while to get used to something like that. But maybe you shouldn't be having sex. It's not all fun and games you know.

Drake: Funny you mention that now. Instead of last year when I had all those one night stands. Now I'm in a committed relationship and you want to lecture me? That doesn't seem fair considering I caught you and Mindy going at it once. That was sick!

Josh: You make a good point. But if you were going through what I was going through right now maybe you wouldn't say that.

Drake: Why what do you mean?

Josh: Mindy's pregnant. I'm going to be a dad.

Drake: You can't be serious.

Josh: Why would I make that up?

Drake: But weren't you guys careful? I've always made sure to protect myself. I know I'm not ready for something like that.

Josh: We used protection. She still got pregnant. It happens. And now I wish we'd found better ways to occupy our time. I mean, I'm excited and all, but we have years ahead of us for that. We didn't have to get so ahead of ourselves.

Drake: So you're still happy about it?

Josh: Yes. I'm still happy about it.

(They arrive back at Jennie's apartment and let themselves in.)

Jennie: Dinner's ready you guys.

Josh: Ooh, let's eat!

(They eat quietly, everyone preoccupied, even though they should be conversing. Dinner ends and they clear the table. Then everyone sits back down.)

Josh: Wow you could hear a pin drop. Last time I checked dinner with your friends included talking.

Drake: Well maybe next time you want to talk at dinner you shouldn't drop news like that on me.

Mindy: So you told him?

Josh: Yeah I told him.

Jennie: So can I do anything to help you guys out?

Mindy: I think we're covered. I'm just worried about my parents. They'll probably kick me out.

Josh: Yeah but my parents would take you in. They wont be happy about it but they will support us.

Jennie: Well if they don't offer, I am. You need a room? You can share mine as long as you need it.

Mindy: Thanks. That's sweet.

Jennie: Hey I have an idea. Why don't we get our minds off this for a while? Let's go bowling.

Drake: Well we can't go bowling without Megan. She loves to bowl.

Josh: Since when do you invite Megan to do stuff?

Drake: Since if she finds out we went bowling she'll pull a prank on us in revenge.

Josh: Good point. We do not do well with Megan's pranks. Do you remember the time she made it snow in our room?

Jennie: Your kidding.

Josh: No! Why doesn't anyone ever believe us about Megan's pranks?

Jennie: Oh I believe you. She taught me a few tricks, remember? I just think it's hilarious she made it snow inside. That is one smart talented little girl. I imagine you guys had quite the mess to clean up when it melted.

Drake: Don't remind me. She almost ruined my amp!

Jennie: Well, lets go!

(Josh and Mindy go get their coats from the hall closet. Jennie grabs Drake's arm to keep him from following.)

Jennie: Look things have been really weird the last couple of days. Are we cool?

Drake: Yeah we're cool. But I don't think we should have gone so far the other night. Do you realize what we could've gotten ourselves into? I am never having sex again. Ever.

Jennie: Don't you think that's a little harsh?

Drake: No I don't. I'm not ready for something like parenthood. And I'm not having sex again until I am.

Jennie: Okay. But this is the kind of thing where if I had someone to make a wager with, I'd bet to see how long you last.

Drake: Ha ha. Cute. Let's just go okay?

Jennie: Okay okay!