Frankie climbs into her bed on that Friday evening feeling light, and nearly rejuvenated. Mike has been roped into a company retreat for an entire weekend, and she has the entire house to herself. After a healthy serving of People magazine she turns off the lights, and is quickly sawing logs. Hours later in the dark she feels a body climb in bed with her. She's too tired to register the fact that no one is supposed to be home. In the light of day her body begins to regain consciousness, and she gets the sinking feeling that she's being watched. No one is supposed to be there.

She silently wonders to herself if she should play dead, or hope her death is quick, and painless. She hardly moves, and practically quits breathing. She just listens. After several more ticks of the clock she realizes that there is not in fact a stranger in her bed. Frankie rolls over, and opens her eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"I was waiting for you to get up."

"I picked up on that. What are you doing here, Sue?"

"I thought you might be lonely."

"I'm not. You have a home to go home to."

"Right, I'll just get my stuff, and head out."

Frankie watches in confusion as Sue's shoulder's slump, and even her peppiest smile looks feigned.

"Sue, wait a second. What really possessed you to break in here in the middle of the night?"

"I have key," she defends.

"Why did you come home? I thought you and Sean were going out of town this weekend."

"We had a huge fight. We're definitely not going out of town this weekend, or maybe ever."

"A fight about what?"

"Boundaries."

"Sue you're supposed to get married in a few months. I can't imagine whatever it was would be enough to break you up."

Sue groans and rolls her eyes, "Mom I'm not sure that we can really make it work. I feel like we have very different beliefs, and I am not always willing to compromise. When Sean wanted to move back to Orson, even though I was being successful at my job in Indianapolis I did. When he suggested we move in with his parents for a few months so we could build up a down payment for a house I didn't really agree, but that is what we did. When Sean wanted to scale back the wedding, and limit the guest list to fifty people to cut costs eventually he wore me down into agreeing. I appreciate how practical he is, but sometimes I just feel as if a part of me should be allowed to have a few moments of the fairytale."

"I am your mom. No matter how much I like Sean Donahue, I love you. You have always dreamed of a big life. You have always persisted in pursuing what you thought was right, no matter how hard it was. At the end of the day if you're tired of fighting because you think you're giving up too much of yourself it is okay to walk away. I always want you to do what's best for you."

"I'll spare you the graphic details, but it was a really heated argument, and I'm not sure I can live with the ugly side of Sean that I saw."

Frankie furrows her brow, "Did he hurt you?"

"Not physically. Just emotionally. I am an adult, and I don't need someone controlling me."

Frankie leans against the headboard, and studies her daughter's face. There is a look in her eyes that she doesn't recognize. Whatever it is covers up the sparkle that tags along everywhere her only daughter goes. She folds her arms across her chest.

"Can you give me a little more detail? I am finding what you're saying a little worrisome."

"It started with an argument over money. He found a receipt for coffee when he was vacuuming out my car. He felt I was being frivolous, and lectured me about my spending habits."

Frankie furrows her brow, "You have a job."

"And I pay all of my bills on time, in full. We keep our finances separate. The only thing we currently pay jointly is car insurance, because it was much cheaper rate for the two of us."

"You two live rent free at his parents' house."

"So the argument escalated to a boiling point. He suggested that we should just elope."

"For financial reasons."

Sue waves her finger, "You would like to think that, wouldn't you?"

"Actually, no," Frankie grimaces.

"He is wound too tightly. He doesn't want to elope for financial reasons."

Frankie's eyes widen, "What other reasons does he have? Are you in trouble?"

"What?! No!"

"Are you sure? I mean in this day and age a shotgun wedding really isn't necessary."

Sue shakes her head, "No, no, no. There is no need for a shotgun wedding. There is no chance of that."

"How can you really be sure? I mean…"

Sue cuts her off, "None of that is happening."

Frankie furrows her brow, "Because the two of you are on the outs?" and attempts to clarify.

"No. Not because we are on the outs. He is pissed because he thinks that I am being unreasonable."

"About what?"

"Me having standards."

"What specific standards are you referring to?"

"No sex."

Frankie shakes her head, "For how long?"

"Until we're married."

"Wait, what? Sue the two of you have been together on and off for… three years. You're telling me that you and Sean have never…uh… done the deed?"

"Nope."

"Oh."

"Do you think that is wrong?"

"Sue you have to do whatever is right for you."

"Mom, I'm sorry for ruining your weekend. I'll head back over to the Donahue's. I can avoid Sean easily enough. He decided to pick up some shifts when we had our disagreement."

"No. You should stay here until you figure out your next move."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I guess I can rearrange my weekend plans."

Sue glances at the alarm clock, "That really isn't necessary. I called Brad right after the blowup with Sean, last night. Since I already have the time off, we decided to go out of town, and get my mind off things."

"That's great, Sue. Where are you going? Dollywood? Cedar Point?"

"Even better. We're going to Branson!"

Frankie chuckles, "The two of you will have the time of your lives. Enjoy."