SCENE ONE – Autumn Lake Memorial Hospital – Nurse’s Station

The sounds of the post-lunch giggles filled the small octagonal nurse’s station as the white-clad men and women discussed the nutritional value of the cafeteria’s Catch Of The Day.  Dr. Ross Bowman, a handsome sandy-haired man in his late twenties, gave a half-smile as he perused a patient’s chart.  He mumbled something off-color to one of the nurses resulting in another round of guffaws. 

An elevator off to the right of the group signaled its arrival with an annoyingly loud ‘ding.’  The hospital staff had long ago grown accustomed to the sound, so no one noticed as a beautiful middle-aged woman emerged from the car.  Clad in a handsome crimson coat with matching gloves, the woman scanned the busy floor.  A warm smile crossed her face as she spotted Ross and she removed her gloves as she approached him. 

Because the young doctor stood nearly a foot taller than the woman, she stood on tiptoe to gently cover his eyes with her small hands.  Startled, Ross began to pull away as the woman leaned in close to his ear and whispered a greeting.

“Who loves you more than anyone else in the world?”

Ross smiled and slowly turned, scooping the woman up in a big hug. “Mom!!! What on earth are you doing back in town?”

Diana Harris pretended to be hurt and pouted slightly. “And here I thought you'd be happy to see me, number one son!”

“Well of course I am! I’m just a little surprised, that’s all.”

Diana laughed gently as she laid her gloves on the counter and rubbed her cold hands together.  “Well, if the truth be known, I missed you and your sister something awful. Chicago just isn't the same without my babies.”

Ross blanched.  “Babies? My god, I'm a doctor and Emily's a senior in….”

Diana covered her ears and smiled. “Aaaaagh! Don't remind me. I feel old enough as it is.”

“You look fantastic.”  He took his mother by the hand and lead her to a small bench by the elevators.  “Sit with me. I want to catch up.”

“Only for a minute, honey. I shouldn't have come here during your workday; I just wanted to let you know I was back.”

“Back? So I take it this is more than a visit?”

She considered her response for a moment.  “I haven't decided, to be honest.”

“Well, this is a surprise.  I thought you were happy in Chicago! You have a great apartment, you got back into law, you met that guy...”

Diana’s brow furrowed in confusion.  “Who? Oh, you mean Roy! We were just friends, honey, I told you that.”

“You seemed awfully chummy when I was out there at Easter.”  He raised his eyebrows and playfully jabbed her on the arm. 

She seemed only mildly amused by his teasing and sighed.  “Roy was… well, he was just a friend.  He wanted more, and maybe you picked up on that.  But… no, I’ve been much too busy to think about anything like that.”

Clearly determined to let the matter drop, Diana cleared her throat and not so subtly began gazing around the hospital floor, obviously searching for something… or someone.

Ross followed his mother’s gaze for a moment as realization began to sink in.  “Um… Dad's on duty today, if that's who you’re looking for.”

“What?”  She quickly turned her attention to her purse, pretending to look for something inside.  “Oh, no, no, of course not. Believe me, I'd rather not see your father.”

“Come on, Mom, it's been three years. Can't you stomach at least talking to him by now?”

She smiled wearily and patted her son on his leg.  “You don't understand, honey, but that's okay. Listen, I need to be going.”

“So soon? I can take a break.  We can go to the cafeteria.  Aside from the fish, there’s some pretty good choices on the menu.”

She considered this for a moment, realizing how long it’s been since she’d shared a meal with her son.  “Well…”

“Come on, it's no bother, really! I've missed you so much!”

She paused, genuinely touched.  “Do you mean that, Ross?”

He clucked his tongue and pulled her into a warm embrace.  “Of course I do, Mom! It's so good to have you back home where you belong!”

Soft moisture glazed Diana's eyes as she held him close.  “If you only knew how much I was hoping you'd say that.”

SCENE TWO- Dr. Will Bowman’s Office

The office of the hospital's Chief Of Staff was of a stuffy design. But that's exactly the way Dr. Will Bowman liked it. It reminded him of class, of style. To a select few he’d confide that it reminded him of his mother, the person he loved more than anyone else in the world. Well, except perhaps for his children, Ross and Emily.

He rarely found himself in a reflective mood; his position at the hospital usually kept him hopping, so there was very little chance to “stop and smell the roses.”  Today was different somehow.  Perhaps it was the chill in the air.  (Or, more likely, it was the gastronomical acrobatics he’d developed thanks to the aforementioned Catch Of The Day.)

Will tapped a pencil softly against his blotter as his gaze fell across the silver-framed photos lining his credenza.  There was Ross in his cap and gown when he graduated from Medical School. A candid shot of Emily and the family's late dog, Roscoe, was next. And beside that was the newest addition, a photo of Will and his new wife, Karen, on their wedding day. Karen was positively glowing in the photograph; he’d tell anyone who noticed that it was because the photographer was particularly flattering but the truth was that Karen had been a little over three months pregnant at the time.

Since the day he’d first put the photo up, Will had been grateful that very few people take notice of the groom in a wedding photo.  If they had, they’d see that Will’s expression was deceptively plastic.  So many emotions had run through him that day; joy was unfortunately not one of them. 

A gentle rapping on the sturdy oak door interrupted his thoughts.  Sighing deeply and sliding his reading glasses back onto his face, he called out.

“It's open.”

In a particularly ironic twist of fate, his visitor turned out to be Karen herself.  Almost thirty years his junior, she still had a sexy yet raw innocence that, Will believed, was wasted on youth.  Even now, visibly pregnant, Karen was a breathtaking beauty. 

She gently closed the door and leaned against it, giving him a lust-filled gaze.  She struck a melodramatic “Camille” pose and sighed. “Doctor, I have such a pain! I fear that it’s something that only you can take care of…”

Will smiled slightly. “Hi, hon. What can I do for you?”

Her pose rapidly wilted.  “Well that's a heck of a greeting.”

“I'm sorry.  It’s just been a day.”  He gazed absent-mindedly at the wedding photo. “Lots on my mind, I suppose.”

His wife crossed the room and maneuvered herself onto his lap.  She gently stroked his scruffy cheek. “Like what?”

“Just things. Work things,” he fibbed.

“Anything you can tell me about?”

“Nah, just the budget stuff and whatnot.”

She seemed to accept this and nodded in understanding.  “You know what I was thinking?”

“Hmm?”  He gently shifted, indicating that it was time for her to get up.  As she stood, he began idly stacking papers, trying to look busy.

“I was thinking you and me and the baby could have lunch together today.”

He laughed slightly.  “Honey, the ‘baby’ is still a few months away and I’ve already eaten.”  A soft belch made him wince.  “Boy, have I.”

“Okay… Well, I’m about to get a bite to eat.  Why don’t you come join me?”

“I’m gonna have to pass, I think.  I have too much to do.”  Although he had come to care about his new wife over the last few months, perhaps even feel genuine affection for her, he was still uncomfortable with her need for constant attention. 

Karen, on the other hand, was well aware that her husband felt trapped by her pregnancy and he often found comfort in retreating into a private world that no one, including herself, was welcome.  But she was nothing if not determined. 

“I was thinking of baby names today.”  Talking about the baby usually brought a light into his eyes.

“Were you? What did you come up with?”

“Well, William Jr. of course, if it's a boy. And how about Ellen for a girl? After your mom?”

Will rubbed his temples as he squinted at a spreadsheet.  “I don't want a child named after me,” he said finally.  “If I had wanted that, Ross would have been a junior. And I love my mother, but I hate her name.”  He tapped numbers into his keyboard, his mouth slowly moving as he mentally tried to calculate a spending curve.

“Well, what do you think, then?”

“About what?”

Karen began to grow irritable.  “About baby names, Will!”

Sighing in frustration, Will removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose (a sure sign that he was growing agitated.) “Karen, I really don't have time for this, I’m very busy. We’ll have plenty of time to pick out names later, I promise.”

Another silence filled the room, but Karen refused to give up.  She crossed the room and gently began rubbing his shoulders.  He seemed grateful for the massage and for the momentary silence.  A few moments passed as he continued to enter data onto the spreadsheet.  Finally, Karen spoke.

“I know you think I'm being silly. I’m just excited, that's all.  I’ve never been through anything like this before.”  She stopped rubbing his shoulders and crossed her arms across her chest, a look of sadness crossing her face.  He had his back to her, so he couldn’t see the emotion in her eyes as she continued.  “And I know you’re still not comfortable with this whole thing. I know you married me because you’re noble, not because you love me.”

He turned and saw that she’d been hurt.  Taking a deep breath, he reached for her small hand.  “Karen, that's not entirely…”

She silenced him with a gentle touch to his lips.  “I just want you to know that I’m not stupid or naive, Will. I do love you, though. And I’m willing to work as hard as I can to make our marriage work.”

Smiling weakly as she made her way to the door, Karen kept her gaze fixed on the crème-colored carpeting.

“Karen, wait,” Will called out.  She turned and met his gaze.  “I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings.  I really do want to finish talking about baby names.  Maybe later tonight?”

“That would be wonderful.”  She brushed aside a lock of chestnut hair.  “It's okay, really. I do understand.”  She gently rubbed her swollen belly. “I think that things will be different when the baby comes, Will. You'll see. You’ll see the kind of love I can give to you and our child. And then we’ll be together, really together.”

“I hope so.”

She grinned, her determination back in full force.  “I know so.”  She winked playfully at her husband, gently pulling the door shut behind her. 

Will sat in silence again, pondering his wife’s words.  The leather chair squeaked as he leaned back and stared at the tiled ceiling.  I have to find a way to make this marriage work, he thought.  With Diana, things came so damn easily.  We had a history, a life. 

Will’s face flushed in shame as he remembered that terrible morning, three years ago, when Diana had learned about his affair with Susan Masters, a psychologist that he’d met at a conference.  Diana couldn’t forgive the betrayal and left him, making a new life for herself in Chicago.  He didn’t feel alive again until much later, when his professional friendship with Dr. Karen Sinclair became something else.  He’d known Karen for years (hell, she was his son’s best friend for God’s sake, tawdry as it sounded.)  She was kind, gentle, loving.  She made him feel attractive again, made him feel like a man.  She needed him and God did he need to be needed.  But marriage?  That never crossed his mind.  Not until he learned the truth, that Karen had gotten pregnant.  As doctors, they both knew the dangers of unprotected sex, but their sexual relationship had been spontaneous and energetic.  They’d made a few mistakes. 

Karen had been right when she said that Will’s noble instincts were the motivating factor behind their marriage.  He’d been brought up in a traditional home, with strong morals, one of which was that a real man lived up to his obligations.  He proposed on a rainy night in the summer after a long weekend of soul-searching.  The following day, they told the family.  What a treat that was, he remembered with a bittersweet grin.  Still, in the end it all worked out for the best.  He and Karen could make the marriage work, he was certain of that much.  And Diana… well, Diana was in Chicago, and out of his life forever. 

That was for the best, he concluded, nodding his head.  The further away Diana was, the sooner he could get her out of his head and concentrate on Karen. 

SCENE THREE: Cloverleaf Mall

Twenty-five year old Wendy Harris stared at the mannequin in the junior's section at Macy's. She hadn't gone clothes shopping in ages, and it was starting to show. She looked down at the jeans that had been washed one too many times, and the funky multicolored pullover she was wearing. Even her hair screamed "Madonna: 1988!" It was time for a makeover.

"MOMMY!" came the tiny yell from her three-year-old son, Nicky.

Wendy imagined herself in the skintight leopard print in the display window as she absent-mindedly answered the child.  “Mommy's shopping, honey, what is it?”

He reached up and began pulling on Wendy’s silver mock-foil handbag.  “Lolly!”

Leave it to Nicky to bring her back to reality.  As she reached into her purse to withdraw an orange-flavored lollipop for the little boy, she shot a wistful look at the expensive outfit in the window.  Once upon a time, she thought.  But now that Little Man was around to just make her messy, there was no sense spending money so frivolously.

Still, she realized, she wouldn’t trade her current life for a million dollars.  Tousling Nicky’s hair, she reached for his free hand and guided him back toward the food court.

Mother and son made their way through the busy afternoon crowds and Wendy absently picked out odds and ends to put in The Gypsy Grille, the restaurant she had managed for the better part of four years.  It had become something of a hangout for the college crowd, and Wendy favored a funky shabby chic atmosphere that was certain to drive her Aunt Diana crazy next time she visited from Chicago.

Diana had helped Wendy so much. She was like a second mother to her. Wendy’s father had died when she was a child and she had fallen out of touch with her mother many years ago, and gotten herself into some trouble.  Ha, that's putting it mildly, Wendy thought. But Diana had never let her down. When Wendy discovered she was pregnant and realized it was time to clean up her act, she came to Autumn Lake and sought out Aunt Di.  The Gypsy had been in Diana’s family for years, so she quickly helped Wendy get back on her feet by giving her a job and a place to live.  A few months later, Diana and Will’s marriage fell apart and Diana decided she needed a fresh start of her own and moved to Chicago.  Wendy rose to the challenge and took over management of the restaurant and had made it into a roaring success. 

Things had been awkward with Uncle Will after Diana left town, but Wendy was able to work it out and she still maintained a close bond with him and her cousins.  She wasn’t thrilled when Will married Karen Sinclair, but she was hardly one to cast judgment on him considering her own questionable past. 

The only thing that had been missing in Wendy's life was romance, but that all changed a few months ago.  Sort of.

Wendy had begun browsing the internet on her PC, looking for some hard to find memorabilia on Ebay for the Gypsy when she stumbled into a local chat room. It was there that she befriended "Jason90." They struck up a conversation and before she knew it, Wendy had been chatting with him all night long.

One conversation turned into another, which turned into another. Now, she and Jason chatted everyday, even if only for a few seconds. They were kindred spirits; both had experienced a lot of pain and heartbreak in their lives, both had insecurities about relationships. 

Wendy pretended that it was an accident that she found herself outside Tarantula, an "internet café." It was one of the mall's newer stores. She looked down and saw that Nicky seemed drowsy, so she carried him into the store and laid him down on a padded bench next to one of the terminals.  Within minutes, Wendy had found her way to the chat room, and sure enough, there was Jason90.  A smile crossed her face as she began to type.

WENDY: Hello, Jason.

JASON: Hey! I’m glad you showed up!

WENDY: I had a feeling you'd be on.

JASON: I was just chatting with that psychic, Ms. Cleo, and I told her to send you a mental message. :-)

WENDY: LOL!

JASON: So, how have you been?

WENDY: Busy! My goodness, business has been booming.

JASON: Yes, that "business" that you refuse to tell me about! :-)

WENDY: I don't know, you know I am still kind of wary about this whole thing.

JASON: I know. There’s a lot of freaks out there. And you’re a mom, so you have to be careful.

WENDY: I forgot I told you about that.

JASON: I think it's very admirable. Single moms are the most underrated of all careers.

WENDY: LOL!

JASON: What's so funny?

WENDY: Never heard it referred to as a “career” before.

JASON: Well, it is, isn't it?

WENDY: Yeah, I guess so.

Wendy noticed Nicky begin to stir and smiled in amusement.  Gotta love those powernaps this kid takes. She reached into her bag and handed him a juice box.

WENDY: Listen, I am sorry, but I have to go. My career is calling. :-)

JASON: I understand. Listen, before you go… What do you say we finally do it?

WENDY: I hope you don't mean cybersex!

JASON: Of course not, silly. Meet. Why don't we finally meet.

WENDY: I'm not sure…

JASON: What's to be afraid of?

WENDY: I don't know, and that's what scares me! :-)

JASON: Well, I won't push, but can we discuss it some more?

Nicky began to cry and run around, much to the chagrin of some of the other customers.

WENDY: Sure, next time we chat. I really have to go. Take care.

JASON: You too! Bye.

Wendy gathered up her bags and prepared to leave when she noticed that Nicky had run off.  A cold child climbed up her spine.

“Oh my god. Nicky? Nicky!”

Grabbing up her packages, she began frantically searching the café.  She heard the gentle laugh of one of the customers and turned to see Nicky standing beside a handsome brown-haired man.  His trouser leg was covered with orange Hi-C.  Wendy was mortified, yet relieved, and rushed over toward her son. 

“Nicky!”  She reached down and embraced him, shooting an apologetic look at the man.   “I am so sorry about this.  That’s gonna leave a stain, let me pay…”

The man shook his head, maintaining a sparkling smile.  “Not at all, it’s fine. I was just leaving anyway and the pants…” he glanced down at them and raised his eyebrows.  “Well, orange is my favorite color.”

“Mine too,” she said, still slightly embarrassed.  She gazed at the man for a few moments, speaking only when the silence became awkward.  “Well, if you’re sure?”

“Really, it's fine.”  There was a kindness to his eyes, a gentleness.  Another awkward silence threatened to overtake them, but this time he broke the quiet by patting Nicky on the head.  “You take care, little fella.”

“Sorry again,” Wendy said as she gently guided Nicky out of Tarantula.

As Wendy left the café, gently scolding Nicky, Jason Marshak gazed after her. Wow, what a beautiful woman, he thought.

SCENE FOUR- Autumn Lake Memorial Hospital- Staff Lounge

Karen Bowman pressed her forehead against the cold window overlooking the west parking lot as Dr. Ross Bowman entered the lounge.  He was sipping coffee from a Styrofoam cup with today’s paper tucked under his arm when he noticed Karen’s forlorn appearance. 

He made his way over to the woman who had been his friend since high school and who only recently had become his stepmother.  “Oh my, what happened now?”  Tossing her a friendly smile, he rubbed her back gently. 

“Oh, nothing,” she sighed, not really fooling him.  “It's just me and these damned emotions. I hate being pregnant.”

Ross let out a boisterous laugh.  “Karen, please, you’re the poster child for pregnancy.”

She groaned in frustration and pulled away from him.  “See! See what I mean? I LOVE being pregnant.  God, I can't even think straight.”

They plopped down on the old leather sofa near the snack machine and Karen rubbed her temples.  “I am not going to cry, I am not going to cry.” 

Ross produced a handkerchief and handed it to her.  “Just in case,” he teased.

“Such a gentleman.”

“I take it my dad has something to do with this.”

Karen gasped in mock surprise.  “And here I thought you were a pediatrician, not a rocket scientist.”

He smiled, but maintained a serious tone. “Funny.  Now, what happened?”

Wiping away a stray tear, Karen laughed bitterly.  “He didn't follow the script, I guess.”

“Excuse me?”

“You know what I mean. When you’re really feeling sensitive and need some attention, you write a script in your head. And when the other person doesn't follow it, you’re just… crushed.”

“Oh, that script,” Ross said.  “He does that a lot, apparently.”

She shook her head wearily.  “It's not his fault. I shouldn't do that. It's not fair.”

“Well at least you realize that, sweetie, that’s something.”

Karen exhaled deeply and leaned against Ross’s shoulder.  “Tell me the truth, Rossie.  Do you think I’m pathetic?”

“You are anything but pathetic. Please don't say things like that.”

“What I mean is… I know your father cares about me; he always has.  But he doesn’t love me.  I keep hoping one day he will, but it’s just not there.  I’d feel it in my heart if he did.  I mean, what kind of woman am I to be with a man who doesn’t love me?”

Ross sat up and took Karen’s chin in his hand, making her look him in the eye.  “Karen, he does love you. He wouldn't have married you if he didn't! He's not that type of creep!”

“Ross, you’re not a fool, you know it was because of the baby.  He loves the baby.”

“He loves you both.”

Karen pulled herself to her feet and dabbed her eyes.  Finally, she gave a little yell and spun on her heel.   “You’re right.  You’re right.  I’m just feeling a little down and sometimes find myself indulging the old self-pity monster.”  She smiled at him and rolled her eyes.  “And here I thought I was so beyond that.”  Glancing at the wall clock she returned his handkerchief and gently gave his hand a squeeze.  “I’ve got patients with real problems to attend to.  Walk me out?”

“That’s the spirit and yes, I will.”  He placed a friendly arm around her shoulder as they made their way to the door.

“So where have you been?”  Karen asked.  “I wanted to ask you about Mr. Rappaport but Grace at the Nurse's Station said you were having lunch with a very beautiful woman. What's that all about?”

Ross came to an abrupt stop as realization sunk in.  “Karen, I almost forgot.  Since you mentioned it, there’s probably something you should prepare yourself for…”

Before Ross could elaborate, the lounge door flew open heralding the arrival of Diana Harris.

“Ross, are you in here? I left my gloves somewhere, darling, and I was hoping you might….” Diana glanced at Ross’s companion and paused, taking a moment to place the face.  Suddenly it came back to her.  Karen Sinclair, the gangly girl who was always following Ross around in high school.  Will’s new wife.

Without missing a beat, Diana flashed her best smile.  “Karen!  It’s… so good to see you.”

TO BE CONTINUED

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Next on Autumn Lake:

·        Just as Karen’s insecurities are out in full force, she comes face to face with the love of Will’s life.  Will even Karen’s determination and the baby she is carrying stand up to the history and passion that Will and Diana shared?

·        Across town, Diana’s best friend, Olivia Marshak, sneaks home for a romantic lunch with her husband, Randy.  But Olivia discovers Randy in a rather interesting (and unexpected) situation.

·        Wendy has a welcome reunion with someone from her past.