Beat 13 (scene 2)

Question 1

Shelby!

Answer 1

Mama? Where is everybody?

Question 2

I thought you weren’t coming to town till after lunch.

Answer 2

We got an early start because of the traffic. We wanted to drop in on Jackson’s parents on the way down here.

Question 3

What a treat!

Answer 3

And you have to catch them early. On Saturdays, they leave the house at the crack of dawn to start hunting furry little creatures.

Question 4

You must not have visited long.

Answer 4

We didn’t. I could tell they were anxious to start killing things. We stopped by the house first. Nobody was there. Wheres truvy?

Question 5

She and Annelle are outback sticking pennies in a fuse box. They decorated that little tree and when I plugged it in all the lights blew.

Answer 5

What’s are those things?

Question 6

Red plastic pontsinetta earrings. They are a gift from Anel. She has discovered the wonderful world of arts and crafts.

Answer 6

Are Tommy and Johnathan home yet?

Question 7

It’s nice having the family home for Christmas.

Answer 7

Somethings never change.

Question 8

And how are you honey?

Answer 8

I’m so good mama. Just great.

Question 9

You’re looking well. Is Jackson at the house?

Answer 9

No. You know how twitchy he gets. I sent him to look for stocking stuffers.

Question 10

Good thinking.

Answer 10

Uh. Jackson and I have something to tell you. We wanted to tell you when you and daddy were together, but you’re never together, so it’s every man for himself. I’m pregnant.

Question 11

Shelby?!

Answer 11

I’m going to have a baby.

Question 12

I realize that.

Answer 12

Well… is that it? Is that all you’re going to say?

Question 13

I…what do you exspect me to say?

Answer 13

Something along the lines of congratulations.

Question 14

…congratulations.

Answer 14

Would it be too much to ask for a little excitement? Not too much, I wouldn’t want you to break a sweat or anything.

Question 15

I’m in a state of shock! I didn’t think…

Answer 15

In June. Oh mama. You have to help me plan. We’re going to get a new house. Jackson and I are going house hunting next week. Jackson loves to hunt for anything.

Question 16

What does Jackson say about this?

Answer 16

Oh. He’s very excited. He says he doesn’t care whether it’s a boy or a girl… But I know he really wants a son so bad he can taste it. He’s so cute about the whole thing. It’s all he can talk about… Jackson Laterie junior.

Question 17

I guess since he doesn’t have to carry the baby, it doesn’t really concern him.

Answer 17

Mama. Don’t be mad. I couldn’t bear it if you were. It’s Christmas.

Question 18

I’m not mad Shelby. This is just hard. I thought. I don’t know.

Answer 18

Mama. I want a child.

Question 19

But what about the adoption proceedings? You have filed so many applications.

Answer 19

Mama. It didn’t take us long to see the handwriting on the wall. No judge is gonna give a baby to someone with my medical track record. Jackson even put out some feelers about buying one.

Question 20

People do it all the time.

Answer 20

Listen to me. I want a child of my own. I think it would help things a lot.

Question 21

I see.

Answer 21

Mama I know. I know. Don’t think I haven’t thought this through. You can’t live a life if all you do is worry. And you worry too much. In some ways it’s a comfort to me. I never worry because I know you’re worrying enough for the both of us. Jack and I have given this a lot of thought.

Question 22

Has he really? There’s a first time for everything.

Answer 22

Don’t start on Jackson.

Question 23

Shelby. Your poor body has been through so much. Why do you deliberately want to…

Answer 23

Mama. Diabetics have healthy babies all the time.

Question 24

You are special. There are limits to what you can do.

Answer 24

Mama… listen. I have it all planned. I’m going to be very careful. And this time next year I’m going to be bringing your big healthy grandbaby to the Christmas festival. No one is going to be hurt or disappointed or even inconvenienced.

Question 25

Least of all Jackson I’m sure.

Answer 25

You are jealous because you no longer have any say so in what I do. And that drives you up the wall. You’re ready to split nails because you can’t call the shots.

Question 26

I did not raise my daughter to talk to me this way.

Answer 26

Yes, you did. Whenever any of us asked you what you wanted us to be when we grew up what did you say?

Question 27

Shelby I am not in the mood for games.

Answer 27

What did you say? Just tell me what you said. Answer me.

Question 28

I said all I wanted was for you to be happy.

Answer 28

Ok. The things that would make me happy is to have a baby. If I could adopt one I would, but I can’t. I’m going to have a baby. I wish you would be happy too.

Question 29

I wish… I don’t know what I wish.

Answer 29

Mama. I don’t know why you have to make everything so difficult. I look at having this baby as the opportunity of a lifetime. Sure there may be some risk involved. That’s true for anybody. But you get through it in life goes on. And when it’s all said and done, they’ll be a little piece of immortality with Jackson’s looks and my sense of style… I hope. Mama, please. I need your support. I would rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special..

Question 30

They’re on truvy.

Answer 30

Please don’t tell anybody yet. I want to tell daddy first.