Scene VIII: The Breakfast Table

Jen is in the kitchen early Sunday morning preparing breakfast for the family. She's quietly poaching eggs and cooking Canadian bacon while keeping an eye on the English muffins toasting in the oven. Eggs Benedict is her favorite breakfast, a favorite she shares with her favorite Uncle Walter.

Walter and Josh come downstairs to find out what is smelling so good.

Walter: Good morning, Jen. What have you done?

Jen: I'm making breakfast for everyone.

Walter: You didn't have to do that. But, I see you're making my favorite breakfast…

Josh: Eggs Benedict? How cool are you?

Jen: Very cool.

Walter: Well, we have to leave for the airport in an hour. I'll go get Aunt Audrey so she can eat before we go.

Walter leaves to go upstairs to get Audrey, calling for her, Drake and Megan at the same time.

Josh: How are you feeling this morning?

Jen: Pretty good. Hey, thanks for letting me crash on the couch last night. I kind of feel bad about Audrey going through so much trouble getting the guest room ready, though.

Josh: Don't worry about it. I just hope I didn't keep you up with your snoring.

Jen: No, that's why God invented iPods. I didn't hear a thing.

Josh: Good. Then I guess you didn't hear Drake come in either. He can be very inconsiderate when it comes to living with other people sometimes.

Jen: Nope, didn't hear a thing.

Josh: Well, I'm glad you weren't disturbed. I think he actually takes joy in the fact that he can come in at all hours of the night and disturb me. I think he and Megan are in cahoots.

Jen: Josh, stop. Are you telling me that you don't enjoy sharing a room with Drake?

Josh: I do, but sometimes….

Drake enters the room in an obviously good mood despite the early hour.

Drake: Good morning, brotha! Good morning, Jennifa!

Jen: Morning. I've made breakfast. Hopefully you like Eggs Benedict.

Drake: Josh, she may not share your affinity towards geekiness, but she does share you penchant for cooking.

Josh: Penchant?

Drake: That's a word, right?

Josh: Yes, she's a fabulous cook. Where do you think I learned how to cook? She's taught me everything I know.

Drake: Well, as long as she keeps us fed, I guess I can live with her.

Jen: Drake? You know, I haven't served your plate yet… You never know what I can do to your dish…

Drake: Oh, sorry.

Jen: Is Megan coming downstairs?

Drake: I banged on her door…

Jen: And you survived that? I'm surprised a guillotine didn't come down.

Drake: Well, she's allowed an off day.

Walter and Audrey return to the kitchen. They are dressed nice but comfortably, ready for their Hawaiian getaway.

Audrey: Jen! I can't believe this! Thank you so much.

Jen: Well, it's the least I could do, since you're providing me with a nice place to stay while you're away.

Audrey: Don't think anything of it. It's our pleasure. Don't forget, you can have the master bedroom while we're away, ok? It's got its own bathroom, so you don't have to share.

Jen: Thanks, Aunt Audrey, but I'm just fine in the guest room.

Audrey: Well, if you change your mind, don't hesitate, ok?

Jen: Deal.

Walter: We only have about 20 minutes to eat before the limo picks us up. Do you have everything packed, honey?

Audrey: Yup. I took care of it yesterday afternoon. I even repacked your suitcase, dear.

Walter: Why did you have to do that?

Audrey: Because I learned the last time we went away. Remember? You forgot to pack the Immodium?

Walter: Ugh, don't remind me. Thank you, honey.

Audrey and Walter sit down at the kitchen table to enjoy their breakfast. Drake and Josh grab plates and head to the livingroom to watch television. Jen begins to clean up her mess.

Walter: Jen, come sit and eat! Don't worry about the dishes. I'll get the boys to do it. Please, enjoy your breakfast.

Jen: Ok.

Audrey: Pull up a char. Let's talk a bit.

Jen brings in a chair from the dining room, makes herself a plate and brings it to the table. She knows what's coming up.

Audrey: Jen, we're so glad you could spend this time with us. I'm sorry about what has happened to you. I… we… just want you to know that we love you, and we want to help in any way we can.

Jen: I know. And I appreciate it. Believe me I do. But, I do need to learn how to be independent. I've never been independent before. If I need help, I promise I'll come to you, but I think I need to make my own mistakes for a while.

Walter: Well, if you need us, we'll be here.

The three of them finish up their breakfast just as they hear a car horn honk from outside.

Audrey: That must be the limo. Kids? We're leaving now!

Drake and Josh meet their parents in the foyer. The luggage is stacked by the front door. The doorbell rings and Drake opens the front door. The limo driver takes the luggage to the car.

Audrey: Megan! We're leaving now!

Megan makes her way downstairs. Something's going on with her, but she doesn't want to show it. No one catches on but Jen. She puts on her best smile for her parents.

Megan: Sorry, I was watching tv. I didn't hear you guys.

Walter: Well, gang. I guess this is it. Drake, Josh? I know that you are becoming men, but if I hear of anything going on that even remotely would be construed as "not good", we're on our way home. Got it?

Josh: Dad, we learned our lesson. We'll be fine.

Drake: Yeah, Walter. Don't worry.

Walter looks at Drake with a puzzled look.

Walter: You're calling me Walter too? What is up with this?

Audrey: I don't know, honey. Can we just go?

Jen: Don't worry. I'll make sure that things run smoothly around here.

Walter: I'm glad you're here, Jen. I have faith in you. Those two? Not so much.

Drake and Josh: Hey!

Walter: You guys heard me. One thing goes wrong, and we're home.

The boys nod their heads very guiltily. This might not be the best week for Drake. Audrey and Walter say their goodbyes and head out the door. Jen closes the front door, and goes into the kitchen to finish cleaning up her mess. Drake and Josh go upstairs. Megan is left standing in the foyer. She looks troubled. She goes into the kitchen.

Megan: Jen? Is there any breakfast left?

Jen: Of course there is. Pull up a chair. Would you like orange juice too?

Megan: Yes, please.

Jen puts the plate in front of Megan and goes to pour her a glass of OJ. Jen senses something's up, but doesn't want to pry. After all, she really doesn't know Megan all that well. If Megan wants to talk, she'll talk. Jen goes back to cleaning.

Megan: Jen? It's nice that you're here. I didn't want to be left alone with those boobs for an entire week. They can be so annoying.

Jen: I know. I have a brother too. But, you'll learn that once you've all grown up that you'll get along like best friends. Trust me.

Megan: Gross! What do I want to do being friends with those two?

Jen: Megan, there comes a time in your life when you realize that family is the most important thing in your life. One day, you and those "boobs" will look back on this time fondly. Believe me, it happened to Jeff and me.

Megan: Um, Jen? Can I ask you a question? It's kind of personal, so I don't want anyone else to know…

Jen knows that Megan's going to open up about what's bothering her. She doesn't know if she should be happy about this or not.

Jen: What's on your mind? Is everything ok?

Megan: Yes… no…. Oh, I don't know. Something happened this morning. It's why I didn't come downstairs for breakfast right away. It's not bad, but…

Jen: You can tell me. Whatever it is, I think I can help. What happened?

Megan: I think I got my period. I'm not sure. Mom never told me about this before.

Jen: Are you sure? Are you bleeding?

Megan: Yeah, a little. I didn't know what it was at first. I woke up with these terrible stomach aches. I went to the bathroom, and that's when I found the blood.

Jen: Did you get a pad? Are there some upstairs?

Megan: Yeah, I got one out of Mom's bathroom. I mean, I know about it. I saw the movie in school, but Mom didn't tell me yet. I felt weird telling her, so I didn't.

Jen: Megan… I know this is all weird. But this is a day you'll remember for your entire life. You're becoming a woman.

Megan: I don't want the boobs knowing. The last thing I need is for them to look at me differently. I maybe becoming a woman, but I don't want to just yet. UGH! Why is this happening?

Jen scoots her chair over so she's next to Megan. She puts an arm around her and leans in closely so they can talk very quietly.

Jen: Megs, I'm here. I'm glad that you trusted me with this information. If you have any questions, or need any help, I'll be here for you. I've never had a little sister before, so this is kinda new to me too. But, I'm glad that I can share this with you.

Megan: Thanks. Breakfast was good. I think I want to lay down and watch tv, is that ok?

Jen: Sure. I won't tell the boys a thing. They don't need to know.

Megan: Thanks.

Megan smiles at Jen as she's leaving to go to her room. Jen goes back to finishing up the dishes and smiles to herself. She didn't get to share this moment with her mother, either. Lorraine was a little too free with the information. Jen didn't tell her mom about her first period because she'd make a huge deal out of it. Jen didn't want the fanfare, she just wanted to acknowledge it and leave it at that. It wasn't like it was the only time it would happen. It was gonna happen again in a month anyway.