Scene: The Coleson Beach House.
"Well, my dear, I shouldn’t have to point that out. We all know that Brianna didn’t have the best upbringing…"
"What do you mean by do things differently?" Karen raises her voice, trying her best not to get upset.
"And that was to some fault of my own? Damn it, I did the best I could considering everything that happened…"
"Of course you did, my dear." Barb sighs.
"I really don’t appreciate your tone, Barbara. Considering that Drake was M.I.A. and that we had all the problems with the mob scene in South Beach, I felt I made the best decision to send Brianna to boarding school. I wouldn’t take back a thing."
"And where is she now? Not here….just saying…" Barb continues.
"Mother, please. Will you stop getting Karen worked up?" Drake does his best to intervene.
"Is that why you think I’m here? To get Karen worked up? I’m sorry Drake, but if that’s how you feel, then I will leave. I’m just saying that I would like to see the twins grow up before my eyes…I’ve missed a good chunk of Brianna’s life because of certain decisions that were made."
"You really don’t know how to stop, do you?" Karen rolls her eyes.
"It’s okay….Mother was just leaving…" Drake locks eyes with Barb and motions for her to leave. "I’ll call you later, okay?"
"Fine…fine…I’m just warning you- don’t repeat the mistakes of your past. They might come back to haunt you in the future."
Suddenly Drake’s phone rings and he lets out a deep sigh of relief that he has a reason to leave the room. He quickly answers the phone upon entering the kitchen.
"Hey Mel! How is my favorite D.A. doing today?"
"Oh Drake….flattery will get you everywhere! Do you have a few minutes?"
"I do indeed. You actually saved me from a very awkward conversation with my wife and mother. Talk about getting thrown in the middle."
"That doesn’t sound too fun….so anyway," Mel quickly changes the subject as she paces around the room. "You’re the only person I’m telling this to, okay?"
"What is it?" Drake responds with concern in his voice.
"Well, you know I’ve been casually dating that T.C. guy…and, I suppose what I didn’t tell you is that we went a little far a few times…..anyway-"
"A little far? Oh Mel, you’re not sixteen! I’m sure you’ve had sex before. This really isn’t a surprise to hear."
"Oh, will you just shush? I’m not through. I took a test today and it looks like you’re not the only one who will be expecting a child soon…."
Drake’s jaw drops in response to her revelation. In all the time he has known Mel, he has never known her to like children. In fact, she freaked out the last time they had to do an investigation at a school.
"I don’t know what to say, Mel….I mean, congrats."
"Congrats? What in the hell am I supposed to do? I’m not married and nearly forty. Is this really fucking happening to me?"
"Well, you have supportive friends. I know you’ll make the right decisions with this child and I’ll support whatever those are."
"Thanks, Drake…I’m really freaking out right now and I definitely needed to hear that."
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