Scene V: The livingroom

It's Saturday afternoon. Walter and Josh are due home any minute from the airport with Jennifer. Drake is sitting on the couch mindlessly watching tv. He's not looking forward to this visit. He flashes back to when Grammy came to stay with them. He swears that if she's anything like Grammy, he'll consider running away to NY to try to get that recording contract.

Walter and Josh enter carrying Jennifer's luggage. Behind them is a 31 year old woman who looks as if she's flown cross country. She's tired and anxious. The guys put down her luggage, and bring her into the living room to meet Drake.

Walter: Drake, you remember Jennifer.

Drake (extending his hand): Hi, Jen. May I call you Jen?

Jen: Sure, everyone else does.

Drake: Well, welcome to San Diego. Enjoy your stay. Bye.

Drake grabs his track jacket and heads for the door.

Josh: Drake! Where are you going? Jen just got here.

Drake: I'm going to meet the guys for a movie. Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll end up with a date. Wait… I am lucky. Scratch that. I'm going to the movies to meet up with a date. Later.

Josh: Come on! Can't you think about anyone but yourself for just one minute? Please sit and make Jen feel at home while Dad and I put her luggage upstairs.

Jen plunks down on the couch in exhaustion. She may have traveled 3000 miles physically today, but she's traveled a lifetime to get to this day. After an emotionally draining marriage, Jen was finally independent for the first time in her life. While she was excited to be in a new city and closer to family, she was very nervous. She's never been on her own before, so each day will be a new learning experience.
Jen (thinking to herself): I hope I put the Xanax in my purse.

Drake sits down next to Jen, trying not to look as if he was forced to sit next to her.

Drake: So, how was your flight?

Jen: Well, I guess it was ok. I didn't go down in a ball of flames.

Drake: Well… hmmm… I guess that would be considered a good flight.

Jen: Sorry. I don't fly well. It could be the world's most perfectly smooth flight, and I'll still have a panic attack. Is it ok if I go get a glass of water?

Drake: Sure, let me show you to the kitchen.

Jen: Thanks.

They enter the kitchen through the swinging door. Drake heads to the fridge to grab a bottled water and a glass. Jen sits at the table, where Drake meets her seconds later and hands her the water and the glass. What Drake didn't see is that she has slipped a Xanax pill into her mouth without him looking. She's not ready for people to see that yet. Jen takes a long sip and exhales.

Drake: So, why did you choose San Diego?

Jen: Well, Uncle Walter and Josh are really the only family that I still keep contact with. Mom and Dad really didn't like that I married Charlie. So, our relationship really got bad for a while. But, despite what Uncle Walter thought about him, he still supported me. And I haven't forgotten that. I need all the moral support in the world right now, so why not move here?

Drake: Well, if you like sunny and 70 year round, this is your place.

Jen: Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

Walter and Josh return from taking her luggage upstairs. They see Jen and Drake sitting in the kitchen. Josh and Walter look at each other and smile. But that smile then turns to concern. Is Drake being "Drake"?

Josh: Ok, Jen, you're all set upstairs. Is there anything we can get you right now?

Jen: No, thanks, Josh. I got my glass of water, and I'm ok. May I go upstairs and rest for a bit? You know how well I fly.

Walter: Of course. We'll make sure you're not disturbed.

Jen: Thanks, Uncle Walter. God, I've missed you guys!

She gives both Walter and Josh big hugs. Drake now knows that she's genetically coded to do that. He rolls his eyes and thinks to himself, "I wonder what else she's coded to do?"