| Well this is new! Donna showing interest in me? Who_ya! I can definately get used to this, even if I can't do anything about it. I'm not going to be unfaithful to Rena, it just wouldn't be right. Even if she is just going to break up with me. I'm not that kinda guy. So... until then, I'll get to know Donna. If nothing more, a friendship at least we can enjoy. But I still wonder Why she all of a sudden took interest. Maybe it's just a joke to her, or a bet she's got going with someone... after all, who wants to hang out with a looser like me? Ah damn, I knew this was too good to be true. Oh well, at least I get to be with her alone for a while. I should enjoy it while I can, even if she will probably just change back to her cold self later on and deni the whole thing, for now, she's being nice. |
| An Ode To Joy |
| I wanted to see them off, but I just didn't have the heart to face them. I knew that if I saw him again, I'd just break down and cry. And that's the last thing I wanted to do infront of him. He was so sensitive he'd want to know what was wrong, and hold them up... and well, me being so overwhelmed, I know I'd tell him. I just can't lie to him. I never have been able to. Even when we were kids and next door neighbors, he'd corner me in the treehouse and I'd spill my guts. Nope. I knew if I went I'd cry and end up telling him. And the last thing he needs to worry about right now is a baby. |
| I know something is wrong with Rena. She wouldn't just let us leave without saying goodbye... unless something was really wrong. This is bothering me way too much. I just wished I could see her one more time before we have to go. I wonder where she is. I wonder what she's doing right now... Where is Rena? This isn't like her. I'm worried. |
| Something is going on between them... I just haven't figured it out yet. I don't trust them either. Something is out of whack, and I'm just the man to find out what. Now... if only she had come to see us off, then I could have listened in on their conversation. She always pours her heart out to him. Chicks! I'll never figure them out! Now where'd I put that peanutbutter and miracle whip sandwich? |
| I don't understand why Rena couldn't come. She knew when we were leaving, why would she make an appointment at the time we were leaving? It's not like her to be so cold. Maybe she's tired of me. Maybe she's going to break up with me, but didn't have the guts to do it face to face and is waiting to call me on the road so she won't have to deal with it. She used to be so emotional, why is she all of a sudden so cold? I know she's going to break up with me. I just know it! |
| This has got to be the weirdest family I've ever seen! None of them have a clue! One is in denial that he's gay. One is a psycho who needs a leash. And the other is a shell of a man that lacks so much personal confidence, it's a wonder he can even preform. Why on earth I ever agreed to take this job is beyond me! It's like a three ring circus around here. And now, to top it all off... they are just starting out on a world tour, oh joy of joys for me. A whole damned year of this nuthouse! And already they are all mopeing about some stupid girl. I've met this Rena. She's... well... she's a leech on them. And what's more, she's going out with one of them, is best friends with another, and I have a sneaking suspicion, is having a fling with the third! Geesh! Can we say slut? I don't know. Maybe she's in love with the second guy and is just stringing along the first because she doesn't want to hurt his feelings... or maybe she's just a slut. Yup. She's a slut. You watch and see... it's all going to blow up in their faces. And I'm just going to sit back and laugh my ass off silently. They don't pay me enough to do my job, but the free soap opera show... well, that may pay off when I write my book and sell out. Oh yeah, gonna sell out big time! Cha-ching! Baby! Cha-ching! |
| Seven Months Later A Diner In New Hampshire |
| She worked hard for the little money she earned. At least she had a descent place to live. Her aunt and her girlfriend opened their home to her and the little one she had on the way. And it was the best place to go for she knew, none of the Hanson's knew of her lesbian aunt. It was something she wasn't allowed to talk about. Her parents had always forbade her to even speak her aunts name. For the first time, she was glad of the harsh Catholic upbringing she'd had. Waiting tables wasn't so hard in the little diner. Sure her feet got sore, and her back ached. But it was honest work and when the time came, she knew she'd be able to take care of her baby money wise. And since her aunt was a writer and worked at home, she offered to watch the baby while Rena was at work. It was just one more blessing in disguise. |
| "So... What'll it be?" "Rena? Is that you?" "Oh my gawd! Don't look at me!" "Rena! Wait! Come back!" "No! You aren't supposed to know about this!" He catches up to her easily, grabbing her arm and turning her around to face him. The hurt in his eyes makes her threatening tears spill down her cheeks. She's ashamed and hangs her head. Her sobs shakeing her shoulders. He pulls her into a hug, rubbing her back. "Shh... it'll be ok. I'm not mad. But at least now I understand." She snuggles and nods, her chokeing sobs still keeping her from speaking. He pulls her face up and wipes away her tears as fast as they fall. He gives her a tender smile and kisses her forhead. "Does he know?" She shakes her head no. Her cries comeing again. He pulled her close again, tucking her head under his scratchy chin and holds her. It was going to be a long night. |
| Who would have thought of all the places... and on this of all nights too! I finally get a night away from my two nutzy brothers, and I run into Rena... in New Hampshire! and expecting of all things! I'm gonna be an uncle. I stand here dumbstruck! I can't believe she made me keep this a secret. But, she did promise to tell him when she was ready, so I've got to respect her wishes. But that aunt of hers... how come I'd never heard of her before? Well, at least I've got her number now so I can get a hold of her. And to think her mother actually lied to us and told us she was gone on some retreat! What a slap in the face to have one's world suddenly be so gritty and real! When did we grow up? Was't it just yesterday we were kids playing tag in the back yard? |
| Where the hell did that pansy brother of mine go tonight? He came back all moody and pissy. Did the priss finally get so horny that he realized he wanted a weiner and realized he was a fruit? Nah, something else is up... and I'm going to find out, even if I have to beat it out of him. Maybe I'll just beat on him anyway. That's always good for a few laughs. Now... I wonder if we have any pudding left to dip my salt and vinegar chips in... |
| If I had like one chance, I'd go out with Donna. So what if she's our tour manager. But then again, there's Rena. Seven months, and still no word. Her mother did say she was on a retreat... but still. If she was going to break up with me, why not just get it over with already! I don't want to cheat on her, but... But nothing. It's not like I'd ever have a chance with Donna anyway. Who would want to go out with me? I'm a looser! |
| Oh man am I ready for a break away from this looney bin! My concience is beginning to get the better of me. That can't be good. So I get a night away from the crazyness right? I go to this little diner out of the way for a bite, not like there's much to do in this town anyway, but while the bus transmission is being fixed, it's paradise. Yeah, so I want some pie and coffee, feeling sorry for myself for being stuck in this chaotic job by signing that stupid contract, so I duck into this little place, and guess who my waitress is? Yup! The slut! Ha! And get this... she preggers! I wanted to roll on the floor laughing! But, I bit my tongue and sat down. She didn't even recognize me! So... my book just became a best seller in my mind! So, I'm sitting there gloating over the fact that I'm so going to write a tell all book after this is all done and over, and who should walk in? The queer! Oh man, it was so great! She didn't recognize me, and he didn't see me back there in the dark corner booth. Of course the paper I held up in front of me helped some I think, but anyway, I saw the whole sceen! She was bawling like a baby, fitting I think since she's about to have one. And he was all sympathetic and all. I knew she was going to ask him to keep his mouth shut when they walked out of the place. I so wanted to follow them, but knew I'd get caught. But I still had an inside scoop! Now to watch the sanity around here unravel! Oh the joys of being a bitch! I can't wait until she has the baby and show's up on their door step sighing and all damsel in distress. I can just hear her now, crying and boo hooing and saying how hard it is to raise a baby by herself and she didn't know it was going to be so hard. Thinking the she sounds all nobal and stuff, but really, she just sounds like the quitter she is as she leaves the baby there and runs away crying! Oh man! Wouldn't it be funny if that really happened?! I'd make millions on my book if it did! The world loves misery and mayhem! |
| Well, now it begins. Here I am big as a house, ready to pop in just a couple of weeks or so, and who should show up in my life? I thought I was away from them forever. I thought I'd left them all behind me when I started my new life here. I know my baby deserves a father... but... which one would be the right one? I can't worry about that now. I have too much to worry about, too much to do to get ready for the baby. Every week I get something for the baby with the money I save from my paycheck after buying groceries and helping out on the bills with Aunt Gerry. Tomarrow I have to go to town and get more things for the baby's layette. Just because this baby can't have a father doesn't mean they aren't going to have the best of everything else I can afford. My baby won't go without, I'd die before I'd let that happen! I love my baby. |
| The Next Day At A Department Store Not Far Away From The Little Diner |
| She perused the shelves and traipsed tiredly down each isle. She had to make her money stretch, so finding the best prices was tantamount. There were so many cute baby things, she wished she could afford them all. She knew she would have been able to if she'd told the baby's father that he was indeed a father. She knew that she'd need not worry about money then. But she just didn't know who she needed to tell. She sighed and went on to the next rack of baby clothes, picking through the clearance section. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts, she never even realized she was being watched. He kept himself hidden from plain view, his eyes round and large as he watched her. How could this have happened? Why didn't she say something? He watched her from afar, how she smoothed her hands over expensive baby furniture like coveted treasures. The way her delicate hands traced the tiny buttons and fingered the minute knit booties. There was an ache in his gut when she stooped a bit to reach something off a low shelf, then stood up, arching her back, a hand in the small of her back to support the extra weight she was carrying. Then something stirred inside him when he watched her place a small item loveingly in the cart and lay a soft hand upon her girth, a tender smile graceing her bow shaped mouth as she looked down to her swollen belly. He then watched her walk away, and he felt compelled to follow her, reach out to her. Touch her once more. He tore his gaze from her and went in the opposite direction, determination settling over him like a mantle. |
| I can't believe I'm doing this... I probably look stupid, but what do I care? I'm doing this, and that's all that matters. Now if Donna gets things straight, I'll make it worth her while... then maybe she won't write that book she mumbled about when we got drunk in Wisconson. Steady man... steady. Gotta stand up. |
| I'm sitting here. I'm actually calm. Why? I haven't figured any of this out yet. I thought I knew what was going on. Seems I'm just as much in the dark as everybody else! Donna did't exactly explain it, but I think I got the gist of it, though, I don't think her vulgar and derrogatory comments were merited. She could have been more tactful, after all, this is a delicate situation! Who would have ever thought that one of my brothers would be a father?! That's just... well... odd! And the fact that Rena had an affair is beyond me. I thought she told me everything, and here she was cheating on my brother with my other brother. |
| I can't believe this! There goes my book. That guy is too good, how the hell did he know about me planning to write that book anyway? Well, at least he's paying me well. I can't believe the chain of events though. Who would have thought things would have turned out this way? Not me for sure. Life is stranger then fiction! And who knew his brother could be, well, kind of sweet? Maybe he isn't the looser he portrays himself as, I think I actually see potential underneath all that gloom and doom. A diamond in the rough! He's cute too, hell, I'd date him! I wonder how I can get him interested. He might be gun shy,especially after that 'slut' strung him along like she has been. I mean, seven months with no word, and he still won't say a bad word about her! He still moons over her, but keeps saying that she's most likely going to break up with him. He doesn't realize that she already has and just never mentioned it to him! He's either the most gullable person on the face of the planet, or he's genuinely sweet. Personally, I think it's a little of both. Ah hell, I'll give him a tumble when this is all over. Besides, I have a feeling he's going to need a shoulder to cry on when he finds out his brother is the other man! |
| Department Store Parking Lot Later That Day |
| Her meager but well thought out purchases in tow, she headed out the door of the local department store, searching her handbag for her keys, head down to the wind. "Rena..." She looks up quickly at the sound of her name, but especially the sound of her name spoken from his lips. Her keys drop with a too loud jangle and her breath sharply sucks in. Her eyes get big, and dart about. There is no escape, he's there before her and now he knows the truth. She expected him to be angry and stiffened her spine, setting her jaw for the argument that would ensue. But he surprized her. There, in the middle of the parking lot in plain view of any and all, he dropped to his knees, a tiny velvet box open in hand with the unmistakeable glint of a stone nestled within. He took her breath away! Her hot tears sprang forth, tears of joy. Here she was in her ninth month of pregnancy and just now is she facing reality. This man before her cared enough to offer to take her hand in marriage, knowing the child she carried may not be his, yet he still wanted her. All along she'd been wanting to shed her shame and confess that it was he that she truely loved. She just didn't want to hurt his brother or their relationship so she she'd chosen to leave when she realized she was expecting from that glorious night she found out that she was in love with someone other then her boyfriend... except it was his brother. That night they had made love beneath the stars, the warm summer wind singing through the tall grass around them. The way she felt... finally complete, she knew it was over with her boyfriend. But how could she face anyone and how could she cause so much trouble between two brothers? So, she took the cowards way out. She avoided them until they left, then made excuses and ran off. Only... somehow they found her. He opened his arms invitingly, his eyes pleading with her to accept him and love him. Her joy was great, but sorrow still lurked. "Your brother..." She whispered, keeping him at bay though it was a pain to her heart to do so. Another voice from behind her startled her. "Now understands it all since he knows everything finally." Her head swiveled and she thought she'd faint. Now was her epiphany. She never should have lied. She never should have run away. She underestimated both of these men. She could see it all in her exboyfriends eyes. He forgave her! How she couldn't understand, but she was grateful beyond words. It was all so overwhelming to her. "How did you find me?" She stammered over the lump in her throat, she was about to cry any moment. She had a suspicion her childhood best friend had opened his mouth after he'd promised not to. Then, from a short distance away she heard his familiar voice chime into the conversation. "I know what you're thinking, it wasn't me!" She looked over and saw him walking towards her, his wistful little smile the final catalyst to send her tears streaming down her cheeks. Inside she was tied in knots. She hadn't been feeling well all day, and now, with all of this stress and hopefulness... it was more then she could bare. She just wanted to sit down. There was a dull pain throbbing in a ring around her middle. She looked around at the three faces she'd been missing for the past seven months and just then realized how much she had been really missing them. "Are you alright?" The woman standing in their midst asked. Rena had assumed she was someone that worked with the brothers so didn't mind when the strange woman took her elbow. "I think maybe you should sit down. This must all be a lot to take right now. Zac? Could you help me get her to...?" |
| But her request was interrupted when Rena stumbled forward into her best friend clutching her middle. Startled, she looked down. Then she looked up into his frightened eyes, a small smile lighting her face. "You are about to become an uncle. My water just broke!" She announced. There was confusion and chaos all of a sudden. Someone pulled out a cell phone, only to grunt in frustration that they didn't know who to call! Donna took charge and calmed them all down. "Zac, get her to her car and Tay take her things and go with them. Ike, come with me and we'll get the rental car and follow them." They followed her instructions without argument. In no time they were pulling into the emergency room. They all tumbled into the doors, chaos ushering them in. Donna found someone to take care of them and in moments, Rena was being wheeled away in a chair towards the elevators. She called back over her shoulder. "Call Aunt Gerry!" Then she was gone. The three brothers stood there and looked at each other. Reality setting in. Whatever animosities would have brewed, were forgotten. A new life was about to debut. Now was the time to forgive and forget, start fresh. |
| Fifteen Hours Later The Three Brothers Stand Outside A Nursery Window All Of Them In Love With A Little Lady On The Other Side Of The Glass |
| I'm an idiot! I can't believe I didn't see this before. She didn't love me, and really, I never loved her. I know because I don't feel betrayed. Only relieved to know what was going on. I'm an uncle... how strange is that? I feel so guilty though... maybe if I had told her my secret, all of this wouldn't have happened the way it did. But at least it's all okay now. And what a beautiful niece I have too... |
| I'm an idiot! I can't believe I didn't see all of this after I saw her in the diner! I need to get my head out of the clouds. I need to face reality. Maybe if I'd just admit to my brothers how I feel, maybe they'd feel better about disclosing such secrets as the bomb that just dropped today. Who knew he couldn't have kids? I'm his brother not his doctor! That does it. I've made up my mind... I'm comeing out of the closet. I'm going to tell them I'm gay. Who know's, maybe they already know and are just waiting for me to say something... either way, it's time to set myself free. Time to start a new life with the precious one wrapped up in pink in there. I'll do it for her. No more secrets and lies. |
| This family is more of a circus then I thought... huh... I'm running away and joining the circus! Who knew? Now if I can just get that man to see how great he really is and stop beating himself up... then we'd be in bussiness! I'd better get this coffee up to the nursery viewing window. They must all be half asleep by now... |
| I'm an idiot! Why didn't I just drop everything and go find her? Why couldn't I see there was something wrong when she just didn't show up? I knew I loved her, I thought she'd loved me too... turns out, she loved me more then I thought. She was willing to sacrifice her happiness, so I could stay in my brother's good graces. If I'd only told her his secret before. If only she'd known that he couldn't have children because of that infection when he was a teenager... Too many if onlys. Now it's time to wash them away and make a clean bright new furture for my little girl... I can't believe I'm a dad! Whoa! |
| An Hour Later Room 303 Maternity Ward |
| I'm the luckiest woman on the planet! Here's my beautiful little girl, all healthy and pink and perfect. And She not only has her Daddy, but her two uncles too to look out for her! It's the beginning of a beautiful new start for us. And now, everything is going to be okay, I know it will because there are no more secrets. |
| Rena cradled her darling child her her, cooing softly in her ear as they listened to the lulling harmonies weaving in and out of the newest written Hanson song being sung by those who penned it. It was a rushing thrill of softness and tender careing carried on the sweetest of musical voices combining in strength and love. It was an ode to Joy. For that was what her mother named her. No other name would befit such a miracle child, and a miracle was what she was for what else but a miracle could pull a family together after so much strife? Yes, her name was perfect for her. Joy Miracle Hanson. |
| "Now that everything is good again... I have something I want tell tell you..." |