5

Scene XXXI: That evening at the dinner table

The family sits down to another typical dinner. The normal conversation of the days activities surround the family, along with other idle chit chat. Dinner is winding down, and Jen offers to clean up the table.

Jen: Anyone else want seconds before I clear the table?

Walter: Jen, it's not your night to do it. Drake and Josh, you guys take care of it.

Drake: But we're not done eating yet.

Walter: Did I say you were done eating? I said, when you are done eating, you may clear the table.

Drake: Oh…

Jen takes her plate to the kitchen to scrape the remains into the garbage. She wants to ask Walter and Audrey about what Dr. Greenberg offered, but doesn't know how to go about it. Although there has been open discussion regarding her "condition" and her recent history, she still feels that it's taboo to discuss it anymore beyond those borders.

Audrey walks into the kitchen with her plate as well. She goes to the coffee maker to start a fresh pot of decaf for the evening. She looks at Jen and starts conversation.

Audrey: You were awfully quiet this evening. Everything alright?

Jen: Sure. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Audrey: You had another appointment with Dr. Greenberg, did you not?

Jen: Yup. And I see him again next Wednesday. But, uh…. He had an idea. I don't know if you'll go for it. I mean, you don't have to.

Audrey: What is it? Is everything ok?

Jen: Everything's fine. Promise. But he did have this idea of having the entire family in for a session. I know it sounds crazy. You don't have to do it.

Audrey: I don't think it's crazy. But why did he suggest it. Are you having difficulties living here?

Jen: No, not at all. It's just that… well… When he asked me how things were going here, I told him that you guys were fine. But he noticed that I didn't include myself in that recap.

Audrey: Oh, I see. Are you ok living here? Is there anything you want to talk about.

At this moment, Walter comes into the kitchen to see if the coffee's ready. He sees Audrey and Jen discussing an issue.

Walter: What's going on in here? A little "girl talk"?

Audrey: Jen, may I tell him?

Jen nods her head. She can feel her face getting redder and redder by the second. Why did she have to open her mouth?

Walter: What's up? Everything ok in here?

Audrey: Honey, its all ok. Jen saw Dr. Greenberg today, and he suggested that we might have a family session.

Walter: A family session? Why? Jen, what's this all about?

Jen sighs heavily. This was making itself out to be worse than it actually is. How was she going to explain this without it being a debacle in and of itself.

Jen: Dr. Greenberg merely suggested that I have you guys in with me to discuss what's going on with me. That's all. But, really, it's no big deal. You don't have to do it. I don't want to impose any more than I already have.

Walter: Impose? You're not imposing. You're a part of this family. Family members do not impose. Whatever we need to do to help you, we will be there 100.

Audrey: See, Jen? There's nothing to worry about. Why don't you call Dr. Greenberg and tell him that we'll be happy to do it. You just secure a day and time, and I'll make sure we all can make it. Ok?

Jen nods again, still embarrassed over the situation. She goes up to the guest room and dials the number for Dr. Greenberg's office. She leaves a message with his answering service. Yes, the Parker-Nichols family would be more than happy to schedule a session with him later on this week.

She hangs up the phone, and lets her head fall into her hands. She feels tears coming on, but fights them off. All I want to do is just get back to normal, she thinks to herself. Why can't I just do it?