Setting: Haley's Car
* Haley is driving Jamie to the hospital for his testing. Jamie is asleep in the back seat. Her phone rings… *
Haley: Hey, Nate…
Nathan: Hey, baby. Are you okay?
Haley: Yeah. I'm just worried about Jamie… He is really out of it… he has slept almost the whole day… the doctor was able to get him an appointment at the hospital for testing today, so I am on my way there…
Nathan: Ok… I wish I could be there for him today… How's he doing?
Haley: He misses you… I do too…
Nathan: I miss you too, Hales… I talked to the head coach and since we don't have a game until next week, he said I could miss practice for a few days to be at home for Jamie. We have a late practice tonight, so I probably won't be able to leave until 10 o'clock. I should be home by 12:30…
Haley: Thank you, Nate… I really need you here right now…
Nathan: Haley, I love you.
Haley: I love you too…
*Haley hangs up the phone and looks in the rear view mirror at a sleeping Jamie… *
***************************************************
Setting: Brooke's house
*Brooke drags her suitcases through the front door of her house. She has been in Tree Hill for nearly twelve hours and still hasn't been home. She situates Sawyer on her kitchen counter and spreads out her sketches like she used to do with Angie. Delaying unpacking and not really wanting to work, she opens the fridge to look for something to eat… she is in the middle of rummaging through the freezer, when she hears the doorbell ring… *
Brooke: I'm coming!
*She yells and runs to the door expecting it to be Peyton and Lucas to pick up Sawyer*
Brooke: Ohh… hey… um…
Sam: Hi, Brooke.
*Sam looks unusually skinny. Her eyes are red and her face is extremely pale…*
Brooke: *concerned * Sam… what are you doing here?
Sam: I needed to get out.
Brooke: Ok… here, come in…
*Sam barges in the house and throws her bag on the couch… she notices Sawyer, picks her bag back up and turns around to leave. *
Sam: You know, never mind…. I'm ok… I'll see you around, Brooke…
Brooke: Sam, wait! What is this about? Where are you going?
Sam: Brooke, it's cool. I get it. You've moved on.
Brooke: Samantha, what are you talking about!?
Sam: The baby, Brooke… the adoption agency finally gave you one… it's what you've always wanted…
Brooke: Wait… you think the baby is mine?!
*Brooke giggles to herself a little *
Brooke: Sam, this is Peyton and Lucas' baby… her name is Sawyer.
Sam: Oh… well… I feel stupid now….
Brooke: Yeah…
*Brooke hops on the couch and motions for Sam to join her. Sam sits down next to her and they continue talking. *
*****************************************
Setting: The hospital waiting room
* Jamie has already had his CT scan. They are waiting for the doctor to read it and tell them the results. Jamie is sitting on Haley's lap. He is still a little groggy from the meds they gave him before the test. Haley kisses the top of his head and ruffles his hair. She thinks about how strong he has been today. She smiles when she realizes that it is a trait that he probably got from Nathan… She knows that if she were in this situation she probably wouldn't be this strong. She thinks about all the pain he has gone through in the last few hours; How he screamed when the nurse tried to put the IV in him and how he looked at her with pain in his eyes. She doesn't want him to go through this… all she can think about is getting the test results. She finds comfort in the fact that the CT could give her some answers. She closes her eyes and rests her head on top of his. Just as she gets comfortable, the nurse enters the waiting area.*
Nurse: I'm looking for a James Scott…
*startled, Haley looks up.*
Haley: Oh! That's us…
Nurse: Follow me.
* Haley picks up Jamie and follows the nurse into a private room *
Nurse: How is he doing?
Haley: Ok… I think… he is pretty out of it… he said his stomach was hurting a few minutes ago…
Nurse: Ok. I'll send the doctor in and see if I can get him anything for the pain.
Haley: Thank you…
*The nurse leaves the room and closes the door. Seconds later, the doctor knocks on the door and enters. *
Doctor: Well, it looks like the CT scan may have given us some answers.
*Haley nods her head, unsure of what to think*
Doctor: From the tests, we were able to determine that Jamie has a condition called Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease is a specific kind of inflammation that is typically found in the digestive system. This could have been going on for a long time, and it is just finally catching up with him. Now, I will tell you that there is no cure for Crohn's and if it is left untreated it can become a serious problem. However, there are a variety of treatment options that we can try that usually help stabilize and control the disease. It may take a while to find the best balance of medications, but once we find the right combination I am sure Jamie will be completely healthy.
*Haley's mind is racing a million miles a minute. She has so many questions, but she is somehow unable to ask them. She is so confused. How did her beautiful, healthy, strong child go from being completely healthy to having a potentially life threatening disease? She doesn't even know where to start. Instead of letting her emotions get the best of her, she decides to listen to the doctor and take in as much information as possible.*
Doctor: I would like to do several things for Jamie. To start, I would like to admit him to the hospital. Tomorrow we can get a colonoscopy and see what is going on. With the colonoscopy we should be able to get a better understanding of how severe his disease is. After we take a look at his digestive system, we should be able to come up with a treatment plan. I estimate that Jamie will be in the hospital for about 3 weeks… maybe more, but maybe less depending on how things proceed.
*The doctor reaches into his desk and pulls out several pamphlets *
Doctor: Here are some brochures about Crohn's disease and treatment options. I would highly suggest you read them. Right now, the best thing you can do for Jamie is educate yourself about this disease so you know what to expect.
* The doctor stands up and reaches out to shake Haley's hand. *
Doctor: Thank you, Mrs. Scott. I will have my nurse show you to your room.
* As the doctor is leaving, Haley squeezes Jamie tightly and kisses him. *
*****************************************************
Setting: Brooke's house
*Brooke and Sam are sitting on the couch chatting. Brooke feels comfort in having her friend back, but at the same time she is worried about her. She decides to let Sam explain herself on her own time. *
Sam: So, I don't mean to intrude, but how is Julian…?
Brooke: Actually, he is really great…. We are back together…
Sam: That's great, Brooke! I'm really happy for you!
Brooke: In fact, I am putting together a little surprise party for his birthday. It should be fun… Do you want to come? I'm sure he would love to see you! He asks about you all the time…
*Sam looks down at her hands. Her eyes starts to well up, but she can feel Brooke's eyes watching her so she quickly wipes her tears off of her cheeks. *
Sam: I'd love to, Brooke… I really would…. But… I just… I don't know if I can…
*Brooke puts her hand on Sam's shoulder and looks her directly in the eyes.*
Brooke: Sam… *she continues softly * … what is going on? Are you ok? I was going to let you explain everything when you were ready, but if something has happened you need to tell me… I might be able to help you…
Sam: I really just…
Brooke: C'mon, Sam… I can't help you if you don't tell me…
Sam: *cuts Brooke off * She is dead, Brooke. My mom is dead. Ok? Are you happy now?
Brooke: Oh, God … Sam, I'm so sorry…
* Now tears are streaming rapidly down Sam's face *
Sam: And do you want to know the worst part? She did it to herself… I was so bad that she decided to kill herself. She hated me that much… and now they are going to put me right back in foster home where I can ruin another family's life.
*Brooke wraps her arms around Sam*
Brooke: Sam, listen to me… I don't want you to ever think that you aren't good enough or that you are ruining anybody's life. And, do you know why? You saved mine… If it wasn't for you, Samantha Walker, I'd probably be sitting alone crying over Julian… You saved me, Sam, and I don't ever want you to think otherwise.
*Brooke sweeps Sam's bangs out of here eyes and rests her head on top of Sam's *
Brooke: Now, we are going to figure this out… I promise….
***************************************************
Setting: Jamie's hospital room
*Jamie is asleep in the bed. He has a Bobcats jersey on. He is still sleepy from the anesthesia they used during the testing. Haley looks around the room that is unusually cheery for a hospital. There are drawings on the wall that read "Thank You, Tree Hill Pediatrics." Next to the drawings there are pictures of the patients who drew them. Some of the patients are missing their hair, some have NG tubes and PICC lines, others are chubby from steroid treatments and some are so skinny they look like they could break. Haley can't help but think about the fact that not long ago these kids were all just normal kids like Jamie. Normal, healthy and happy kids like her beautiful Jamie. Haley is immersed in the pictures, when someone knocks on the door. A small lady wearing a hospital staff ID badge enters the room. *
Monica: Hi, Mrs. Scott.
Haley: oh… you can call me Haley… *smiles*
Monica: Well… Hi, Haley. I'm Monica Rosenberg. I am a member of the Child and Family Life staff here at Tree Hill Peds. My job is to talk Jamie and your family though what you can expect in the coming weeks. I understand that he has gone through quite a bit of testing today, and from what I have heard he has done marvelously. I don't anticipate we will be doing anything further today, but if you have any questions, the nurse can page me right away.
Haley: Thanks.
Monica: I also wanted to talk to you about billing. I understand that you are employed by Red Bedroom Records. The insurance policy that they have does not cover the entire cost of the testing that Jamie has received today. Is there another member of your family who is insured. It is possible that their policy will cover the entire cost. Otherwise, you will have to pay the difference.
Haley: Actually, my husband just got a new job… I'm not sure what the employer's policy is, but he will be coming home tonight. Can I have him speak to you tomorrow?
Monica: That is perfectly fine. Here is my card. Call me or have the nurse page me if you have any questions.
*Monica hands Haley her card, shakes her hand and leaves the room. Haley usually handles the bills and she doesn't know how they will afford the treatment if the insurance won't pay. She doesn't even know if Nathan's contract has gone through yet. She needed him to be here so badly. She looks back at the pictures on the wall. Unsure of how she feels about all of this, she climbs into the bed with Jamie and rests her head on the pillow next to his. *
*************************************
Setting: Brooke's house
*Sam fell asleep on the couch. She agreed to spend the night and Brooke promised her that they would talk about what they were going to do in the morning. Sawyer is awake and Brooke is playing with her on the couch. The doorbell rings and she gets up to answer it. She opens the door to find Peyton. *
Brooke: You've got to be kidding me… already? It's only 11:00…
Peyton: I know, we left the concert early… I wanted to get home to see her…
*Peyton takes Sawyer from Brooke's arms *
Peyton: I miss her…
*Brooke gathers the rest of Sawyer's things and Peyton puts her in the baby carrier. Brooke watches how carefully Peyton handles Sawyer and thinks about how great of a mother she has become…*
Brooke: You know, Peyton, I'm so proud of you… and Lucas too… but really, you have become such a great mom. Sawyer is lucky to have you…
Peyton: Aw…thanks, Brooke… that means a lot… especially coming from you…
*Peyton gives Brooke a hug*
Brooke: So… I was wondering…
Peyton: I knew there was a catch!
Brooke: It's about Sam…
Peyton: oh…
Brooke: I guess her mom died a couple days ago…
*Peyton looks over at Sam on the couch*
Brooke: Sam is really having a hard time with it… she is going to be staying here for at least a couple days and I was wondering if you would be willing to talk to her… maybe?... for me?
Peyton: Oh, I don't know, Brooke. When it comes to that I am definitely an expert in the loosing part, not so much the accepting and dealing with area….
Brooke: I really think it would help to talk to someone she knows instead of all of the social work people… She just needs someone to relate to….
Peyton: Hmmm…..
*Brooke bites her lip and raises her eyebrow… *
Peyton: Fine… ok… I'll see what I can do….
Brooke: Thank you, Thank you!
*Brooke gives her a hug and kisses her on the cheek *
***********************************************
Setting: Jamie's hospital room
*Its about 12:15 AM. Jamie is asleep. Haley is sitting in the reclining chair with her computer open. She is researching Crohn's disease. She is reading about all of the different treatments and medications. She is relieved to know that there is so much available to help, but she is scared for him. She finds herself resorting o her usual methods of burying herself in work in order to avoid confrontation with her emotions. She is finding it hard to keep her eyes open. They are slowly fluttering closed when Nathan walks in the room. The tiredness she was feeling vanishes at the sight of him and she jumps out of her chair. She bounds over to him as he wraps his arms around her.
Haley: *talking very fast * So, he is doing better. The doctor said that we can talk about treatment in the morning. I've been reading all about it. I guess there are several different treatments. There are a bunch of medications and some surgeries they can do, so if they can get it under control he…
Nathan:*cuts her off* Hales… *He raises a finger to her lips to silence her. *
*She looks up at him and notices that tears are forming in his eyes. She has only seen him cry a few times and the sight of it startled her. He pulls her in for a kiss and then wraps her tightly in his arms. As he strokes her hair, tears start to run down her cheeks and soak into his shirt. *
Nathan: *soothingly * Shhh… its going to be ok… everything is going to be ok…