Scene XXVI: One week later at the dinner table
For all the drama at the Parker-Nichols house, the family seems to be doing its best to maintain normalcy. But the events of the past month still cloud over the family, despite their best efforts.
Jen has resigned to the fact that she's going to be a member of this family for the near future. Drake and Josh seem to be carrying on like regular teenagers, and Megan has settled into her role as a pubescent girl. She's more comfortable with her new status, so much so that she got her period again this morning, but didn't freak out. She didn't even bother to tell anyone.
Audrey and Walter, although wanting to huddle their family close and do some real bonding, are letting their kids, including Jen, figure out their own paths. They are observing from afar, and will only intervene when it is necessary.
This particular evening, the family is at the dinner table for a meal of Fiesta Chicken, salad and corn bread. It appears that this is the typical night at the house.
Audrey: So, how was school today?
Josh: It was good. I got an A on my Physics lab practical.
Walter: Very good! Not that I had any doubt.
Drake: Yeah, Josh's on the fast track to the guy voted "Most Likely to be a Dork"…
Walter: Drake, Josh is applying himself. He can't get away with charm, so he has to be smart.
Josh: What? I can't have charm?
Drake: It's not physically possible. Come on, you're good at physics, you can't figure it out?
Megan: So, Drake, how was your math test today?
Drake: Math test?
Megan: Yeah, your math test… you took it today, didn't you?
Drake: Oh oh oh, yeah… Yeah, I took it.
Audrey looks at him with exasperated eyes. She's very lucky that her son will someday become a very accomplished musician, because he's certainly not going to college. But she wishes he would take life seriously at some point in his life.
Jen: I finished another painting today.
Walter: Great! We'll have to find a place to put it. I'm thinking in the upstairs hall.
Jen: Actually, I'm thinking about keeping this one, if it's ok with you.
Audrey: Why wouldn't it be ok? You're the artist. If you want to keep it, you're certainly entitled.
Drake: You're getting really good at that. It's amazing how you've only been painting for a week.
Jen: Actually, I've been painting longer than that. It was my hobby when I lived in New York.
Drake: Oh, well, they're still really good.
Jen: And I have some other news. I met with my new psychiatrist today. He came recommended by Dr. Glaser. His name is Dr. Greenberg.
Audrey: Are you comfortable with him? You do know that you don't have to settle. We can help you find one that you will like if you would like.
Jen: Well, we'll see how it goes. He put me on a couple of new medications today. I'm just concerned about my liver, you know. Six medications… I hope I won't make myself sick.
Walter: Well, if you have any questions, you can always call Jeff across the street.
Jen: I know. I'll just keep an eye out for myself.
Drake: Is there any more cornbread?
The evening progressed without any out of the ordinary events. Josh went upstairs to finish his homework and to talk to Mindy on the phone. Audrey and Megan retired to the couch to knit and watch TV. Walter went to do the dishes, while Jen and Drake faced some idle time. It was an awkward moment for them. But they knew that they had some growing to do together.
Drake: I'm gonna catch a movie. Is that ok, Mom?
Audrey: Sure. Maybe you should take Jen with you. She hasn't been to a movie in a long time. Jen, would you like to go with Drake?
Jen: Are you sure he'd want to be seen in public with me?
Drake looks at Jen with annoyed eyes. It wasn't necessary for her to comeback with a line like that. If she wanted to have him be friends with her, retorts like those weren't going to make the mission any easier.
Drake: It's no problem. I'll even let you pick the movie.
Jen: Sure, you can treat me too!
They both grab a light jacket and head out the door. While it felt like a forced outing together, deep down they both knew that it would be good for them to get along. After all, if it weren't for Jen, Drake would still be treating girls like throw-away toys. But, if it weren't for her, he'd never have known the drama that Megan when through either. It was a double edged sword.
