"The One With the Gazebo" - 4
NOLA IS STUNNED BY QUINTON'S NEWS.
QUINTON: Nola?
NOLA: You never filed the papers?
HE SHAKES HIS HEAD.
QUINTON: I couldn't. I shouldn't have even sent them, but...
HE SHAKES HIS HEAD
QUINTON: Well, never mind why I did, it was a really stupid reason. And I never expected you to actually sign them. So when you did I didn't know what to do. The only thing I knew was that I didn't want to lose you -- I couldn't lose you. So I made arrangements to take over this dig here in Springfield.
NOLA (softly): Because of me.
QUINTON (taking her hand): I could have gone anywhere in the world, but the only place I wanted to be was with you again.
NOLA: I knew you had to have a good reason for taking on an assignment like that that just about anyone could have handled. But I was afraid to hope it was because of me.
QUINTON: You don't have to be afraid anymore, Nola.
HE GENTLY BRUSHES HER FACE WITH HIS FINGERS AS HE LOOKS DEEPLY INTO HER EYES. NOLA HOLDS HIS GAZE, TEARS WELLING IN HER EYES.
NOLA: I want so badly to believe that.
QUINTON: I know I've hurt you. It's the biggest regret of my life. But if you just give me another chance, I know I can make it up to you.
NOLA: We can't go back to the way things were. Too much has happened, there's been too much pain these last couple years.
QUINTON: Things might not be like they were, but that doesn't mean they can't be just as good.
NOLA: How can you be so sure?
QUINTON: Do you love me?
SHE HESITATES A MOMENT, THEN NODS.
NOLA: You know I do.
QUINTON: I was afraid you might have stopped.
NOLA: I tried. I tried so hard. But every time I thought I was getting over you, something reminded me that I was just fooling myself.
QUINTON: I never stopped loving you either, Nola. I know it might have seemed otherwise sometimes, but I swear I never did.
NOLA: What if love isn't enough to make this work?
QUINTON: It will be.
NOLA: It wasn't before.
QUINTON: Stop being so negative.
NOLA: I think I have reason to be.
QUINTON: Just think of everything that's happened as mistakes we can learn from and everything will work out.
NOLA: You seem so sure.
QUINTON: I am. You're my life, Nola. Please, say you'll give me another chance. You won't be sorry, I promise.
NOLA: Are you sorry?
QUINTON: Sorry that I lost you? Of course.
NOLA: Not just that, are you sorry for everything that's happened?
QUINTON: Yes. I told A.J. today that if I could take back the past two years I would do it in an instant.
NOLA: But you can't take them back.
QUINTON: I can try and make up for them, though.
NOLA: It's going to take a lot of trying.
QUINTON: Oh really? Are you going to make me woo you all over again?
NOLA: Definitely. And I'm not going to make it easy on you like I did the first time.
QUINTON: Easy on me? It took me nine months to even get a kiss out of you.
NOLA: That wasn't my fault. You should have tried sooner.
QUINTON: I did, but someone seemed to always interrupt me.
NOLA: And then after you finally did kiss me, you turned right around and went back to work.
QUINTON: I was a fool.
NOLA: Yes you were.
QUINTON: It's not going to be like that this time, I promise. When I'm with you, I'm not going to think about anything but you.
NOLA: That's a good start.
QUINTON: Why don't you test me and see if I can do it?
NOLA: Test you how?
QUINTON: Kiss me and we'll see if anything can distract me.
NOLA: I thought you were going to woo me first.
QUINTON: You've got dinner, candles, heather, champagne, romantic music -- what more do you want?
NOLA: Really expensive gifts.
THEY BOTH LAUGH.
QUINTON: God I missed you.
NOLA: I knew you would eventually.
QUINTON: Nola, if you don't let me kiss you right now I think I'm going to go crazy.
NOLA: We can't have that, can we?
SHE KISSES HIM FOR A LONG MOMENT, BUT THEN SUDDENLY STOPS.
NOLA: Quinton, your coat is vibrating.
QUINTON: It's probably my heart racing.
NOLA: I'd like to think I could make your heart beat like that, but I think it's actually your cellular phone.
QUINTON: Ignore it.
NOLA: I can't, it's really distracting.
QUINTON: Wait, I'll take my coat off.
HE DOES SO WHILE CONTINUING TO KISS HER. SHE KISSES HIM BACK, BUT SHE'S STILL DISTRACTED.
QUINTON: Now what?
NOLA: Don't you think you should answer the phone?
QUINTON: I told you I wasn't going to think of anything but you when I was with you. Plus, any time a phone interrupts moments like this, it's usually bad news.
NOLA: What if there's a problem at the dig site?
QUINTON: I'll take care of it tomorrow.
NOLA: I think I like this new attitude of yours.
THEY KISS FOR A FEW MOMENTS MORE, UNTIL THE SOUND OF NOLA'S PHONE RINGING IS HEARD FROM HER BAG UNDER THE TABLE.
QUINTON: Don't answer that.
NOLA: Something must be wrong if they're calling on both our phones. What if something happened to A.J.? Or maybe it's Van...
SHE STOPS AND RUMMAGES FOR THE PHONE, FLIPPING IT OPEN NERVOUSLY WHEN SHE FINDS IT.
NOLA: Hello...Honey, what's wrong?...Yeah, he's right here next to me....Oh, God, when?...What happened?...Is she OK?...
QUINT IS FRANTICALLY TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON, BUT NOLA WAVES HIM OFF.
NOLA: Where are you?...OK, wait there for us, we'll be home as soon as we can. And if you hear anything, before we get there, call....It's OK, A.J. I'm sure she's going to be fine. We'll be right home. Bye.
QUINTON: What happened? Is it Stacy?
NOLA: No, no, Stacy's fine.
QUINTON: But someone's hurt?
NOLA: A.J. was at the boardinghouse watching Peter when Bill called looking for you. He told A.J. that Vanessa was in an accident.
QUINTON: An accident? Is it serious?
NOLA: He didn't know. Vanessa didn't show up for dinner, and Matt and Bill went looking for her when they heard there'd been an accident on the highway. Bill called from the accident site, and he said they weren't even sure it was Vanessa's car, they were still trying to get to the person who was trapped inside to see if it was her.
QUINTON: Where was the accident, I want to go there.
NOLA: If it was Vanessa, they've probably taken her to Cedars by now. Bill said he would call the boardinghouse as soon as they knew anything, so I told A.J. we would meet him there.
QUINTON GETS UP AND STARTS OFF.
QUINTON: OK, let's go.
NOLA CATCHES UP WITH HIM.
NOLA: You're coming in my car. I don't want you driving when you're shook up like this.
QUINTON: I'm fine, Nola.
NOLA: You forget who you're talking to, you can't lie to me.
SHE PUTS AN ARM AROUND HIM.
NOLA: She's going to be fine, Quinton. (softly) She has to be.
HOLD ON NOLA, THEN FADE OUT. ###########################################
"The One With the Gazebo" - 5
A. BOARDINGHOUSE/LEWIS HOUSE -- LATE NEXT MORNING
(NOLA IS SCURRYING AROUND THE KITCHEN COOKING WHEN THE PHONE RINGS. NOLA CALLS UP THE STAIRS TO BRIDGET.)
NOLA: Can you get that?
BRIDGET (O.C.): Can't. I got my hands full with Peter right now.
(NOLA GRABS THE PHONE AND TAKES IT WITH HER AS SHE GOES TO THE STOVE.)
NOLA: Hello.
A.J.: Hi, Mom. Are you coming over?
NOLA: We'll be about a half-hour or so. Bridget and I are making some food to bring over. Is everything OK?
A.J. I think you should come as you can. Everybody here could really use some cheering up.
NOLA: How am I supposed to cheer them up -- get up and Hula Hoop in front of everybody?
A.J. I don't think you have to go that far. Just come over. You always know how to make people feel better.
NOLA: I'll be over as soon as I can. How's your father?
A.J.: Really upset, but trying not to let me see it.
NOLA: Thanks for staying with him last night.
A.J.: I think he would have rather had you there.
NOLA: Tell him I'll be there soon.
A.J.: He'll be glad to hear it. See ya, Mom.
NOLA: Bye, A.J.
(TONY WALKS IN ON THE LAST LINE, BUT NOLA DOESN'T NOTICE.)
TONY: Hey, Nol.
(NOLA JUMPS IN SURPRISE.)
NOLA: Tony, don't ever sneak up on me like that. You nearly gave me a heart attack.
TONY: You're lucky it was me and not some psycho killer. The door was wide open.
NOLA: The screen door was shut. What are you doing here anyway?
TONY: I called here last night looking for you, and Bridget told me about Vanessa.
NOLA: You came for the memorial service?
TONY: I was in Chicago on business and was going to try to swing by to see you. When I heard about Vanessa, I knew I had to come.
NOLA: Yeah, you always did have a soft spot for Vanessa.
TONY: I didn't come for Vanessa, I came for you. I mean, I know you and Vanessa weren't the best of friends, but she has been family for almost 20 years, so I figured you'd be upset.
NOLA: I am. As much as I may have not liked Vanessa at times, I've never wished her dead.
TONY: Never?
NOLA: Tony, stop.
TONY: Sorry. Where was A.J. calling from?
NOLA: Vanessa's. I mean Matt's.
TONY: Is he with Quint?
NOLA: Yeah.
TONY: Why aren't you?
NOLA: Bridget and I are going over there as soon as the food's ready. Why don't you help me out so that we can get out of here?
(THEY START PACKING UP THE FOOD AS THEY TALK.)
TONY: Have you seen him since he found out about Vanessa?
NOLA: I was with him when we heard.
TONY: Oh, really?
NOLA: Don't look at me like that.
TONY: Like what?
NOLA: He is still my husband.
TONY: I didn't think you thought of him that way anymore.
NOLA: I tried to pretend I didn't.
TONY: But he wouldn't let you.
NOLA: I wouldn't let myself. I told you a long time ago, Tony, that I believed Quinton and I could get through anything.
TONY: Yeah, as long as you knew he loved you and only you.
NOLA: I know that now.
TONY: What about...
NOLA: It's over. He said it was a mistake, the biggest regret of his life, that he would do anything to take it back.
TONY: Everything he's supposed to say.
NOLA: You think he's lying?
TONY: No. I know how much he loves you, Nol. And I know you're the only woman he has loved for the past 20 years, probably the only woman he's ever loved.
NOLA: So should I give him another chance?
TONY: That's up to you, kiddo.
(BRIDGET AND PETER ENTER. BRIDGET SPOTS TONY AND HUGS HIM WARMLY.)
BRIDGET: Uncle Tony!
TONY: Hey, Bridge.
BRIDGET: What are you doing here?
TONY: Checking up on Nola. Is this Peter?
BRIDGET: Yeah. You've never seen him before, have you?
TONY: Only in pictures. He's beautiful.
BRIDGET: I think so. Sorry I didn't get down quicker, Nola, but somebody didn't want to get dressed.
TONY: Who can blame him? Don't worry, Bridget, I helped Nola get everything together. Are you guys ready to go? I've got a rental car, so I can drive us over.
BRIDGET: Do we have room for all this food and Peter's carseat?
TONY: If I don't we'll make Nola ride on the roof.
NOLA: I didn't miss you at all.
TONY: Liar. (HE KISSES HER.) Come on, let's go.
(HE GRABS THE BOX OF FOOD AND HEADS OUT. NOLA, BRIDGET AND PETER FOLLOW.) ========================================================
B. LEWIS LIVING ROOM -- FOUR HOURS LATER
(VANESSA'S FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE MILLING AROUND THE LIVING ROOM EATING AND TALKING IN SMALL GROUPS. TONY WALKS AWAY FROM JOSH AND ANNIE AND JOINS QUINT AT THE MANTLE, WHERE HE'S LOOKING AT A PICTURE OF VANESSA AND HENRY.)
TONY: Quint, are you okay?
(QUINT LOOKS UP, DISTRACTED.)
QUINT: Oh, yes, Tony, I'm fine.
(QUINT LOOKS AROUND THE LIVING ROOM AS IF SEARCHING FOR SOMEONE.)
TONY: I think she's still upstairs with Peter.
QUINT: Am I that obvious?
TONY: Only to someone who's seen you look at her like that for the past two decades.
QUINT: Did she tell you that we're trying...that we're talking...I want her back in my life, Tony.
TONY: So I've heard.
QUINT: Are you okay with that? You're not going to hit me again, are you?
TONY: Sorry about that. But you know how I get when someone hurts my sister .
QUINT: I deserved that punch for the way I acted.
(HE LOOKS AROUND THE LIVING ROOM AGAIN.)
QUINT: She's been up there a long time. I hope Peter's okay.
TONY: He probably just didn't want to take a nap. You know how three year olds are.
QUINT: I guess I just didn't remember.
TONY: Oh, God, Quint, I didn't even think. I'm sorry.
QUINT: It's okay, Tony, I'm not the one who won't talk about it. (HE TURNS AWAY.) I'm going outside for some fresh air, if anyone needs me.
TONY: Quint, wait.
(QUINT IGNORES HIM AND WALKS AWAY. A.J. APPROACHES TONY.)
A.J.: Is my dad okay? He looked kind of upset.
TONY: I'm afraid I said something to him I shouldn't have. Have you seen your mom?
A.J.: She took Peter up for his nap, and then he was going to try again to get a hold of Stacy.
TONY: Stacy doesn't know about Vanessa? A.J.: You know how those phone lines are in Tanquir. You'd think with all the money Dad's findings have brought into that country they'd be able to get a decent phone system, but it still sucks.
TONY: I thought Stacy would be back at school by now.
A.J.: She's getting credit for the dig, so she doesn't have to start classes until next week. She's supposed to fly back to England the day after tomorrow, but Mom wanted to reach her before then so Stacy doesn't learn about Aunt Vanessa from the paper or something.
TONY: Why didn't you go with your sister this summer?
A.J.: Because I have a life.
TONY: I thought you liked all that archeology stuff.
A.J.: Only when I'm working with my dad.
TONY: Have you found anything interesting at the site here in Springfield?
A.J.: Yeah, I found out Dad wasted a lot of money to make it look like he had legitimate work here when the real reason he came was to get Mom back.
(TONY LAUGHS.)
TONY: You don't pull any punches, do you?
(A.J. SHAKES HIS HEAD.)
A.J.: Mom says it's the Reardon in me...Uncle Tony, am I a lot like you were at my age?
TONY: Is that what your mom says?
A.J.: Sometimes she'll get real exasperated with me and yell ÒYou're just like your Uncle Tony!Ó
TONY: You must be real good at pushing her buttons.
A.J. Were you as much of a screw-up as me?
TONY: You're not a screw-up, A.J.
A.J.: Tell my parents that. They always thought I'd be starting Oxford this year, and I barely made it into Springfield U.
TONY: I bet they're not as disappointed as you think.
A.J.: How could they not be? Especially since my perfect sister had already graduated high school early and was half way through her undergraduate degree when she was my age.
TONY: I felt the same way when I was 18. Your Uncle Jim was in med school and this great success, and I had no idea how I was ever going to live up to his reputation.
A.J.: So how did you?
TONY: I stopped worrying about competing with him and just tried to find another way of proving myself.
A.J.: And you did okay.
TONY: Eventually. And you will too.
A.J.: I will if Mom has anything to say about it.
TONY: I want to thank you for taking such good care of your mom. She seems much better than the last time I saw her.
A.J.: That's because of Dad, not me.
TONY: No, she told me how much it meant to her that you came to be with her.
A.J.: But nobody can light her up like Dad. It used to embarrass me, how devoted they were to each other, but now I'd do anything to see them like that again.
TONY: So you're not angry with your dad anymore?
A.J.: I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive the way he hurt Mom, but I don't hate him anymore. He's really trying to make up for everything that's happened. Of course, Mom's not giving him an easy time of it.
TONY: Nola's never given anyone an easy time.
(HE SEES NOLA COME DOWN THE STAIRS. ZACHARY APPROACHES HER, AND THE TWO GO TO THE CORNER TO TALK.)
TONY: Who's that guy your mom's talking to?
A.J.: I think he's the one fixing up Uncle Ed's lighthouse.
TONY: Does your dad know that?
A.J.: I doubt it. Why?
(HE LOOKS ACROSS THE ROOM AT QUINT, WHO HAS JUST COME BACK IN AND IS WATCHING NOLA AND ZACH INTENTLY.)
TONY: From the look on his face, I think he has an entirely wrong idea about what's going on.
(CUT TO NOLA AND ZACHARY IN MID-CONVERSATION.)
ZACH: It wouldn't do him any good to know now.
NOLA: But I can't keep lying to Matt.
ZACH: You're not lying, you're just keeping a secret.
NOLA: I hate secrets. I know first hand how much they can hurt people.
(NOLA CATCHES QUINT LOOKING AT HER. SHE DOESN'T REALIZE THE ANGRY LOOK SHE HAS ON HER FACE BECAUSE OF ZACH'S TALK OF SECRETS. AFTER NOLA TURNS AWAY, A HURT QUINT WALKS OUT. ZACHARY TAKES IN THIS WHOLE EXCHANGE.)
ZACH: Is that what came between you and your husband, a secret?
NOLA: His secrets I could handle, it was a heavy dose of reality that spoiled our fairy tale.
ZACH: It must have been something very painful.
NOLA: Devastating.
(SHE CLOSES HER EYES TO BLOCK OUT THE PAINFUL MEMORIES.)
NOLA: I don't want to think about this, Zachary. Not here. Not now.
ZACH: You wouldn't talk about it with your husband, either, would you? You just kept pushing him away, but you didn't even realize it until suddenly he was gone.
(NOLA IS STUNNED BY HIS ACCURATE ASSESSMENT BUT COVERS HER HURT WITH ANGER.)
NOLA: It's none of your business what happened to my marriage!
ZACH: You're going to have to talk about it someday, Nola.
NOLA: Who are you to tell me what to do?
ZACH: Someone who can see how much you're hurting. It's not going to go away, Nola. Not until you talk about it.
(NOLA FIGHTS BACK HER EMOTIONS.)
NOLA: Who am I supposed to talk to -- you?
ZACH: You know I'll listen if you want to tell me, but your husband's the one you really should be talking to.
NOLA: I can't.
ZACH: Don't you think it's time you let him know you don't blame him for everything that happened?
(NOLA IS STRICKEN BY HIS WORDS.)
NOLA: Damn you! Damn you for making me think about this!
(UNABLE TO HOLD BACK HER TEARS ANY LONGER, SHE RUNS FROM THE ROOM.) ========================================================
C. THE GAZEBO - 20 MINUTES LATER
(NATALIE MERCHANT'S ÒBELOVED WIFE*Ó PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND AS QUINTON SITS ON THE BENCH, SOBBING. HE'S STUNNED WHEN AN UPSET NOLA RUNS INTO THE GAZEBO.)
QUINTON: Nola?
NOLA: Oh, Quinton.
(SHE HURRIES INTO HIS ARMS. HE HOLDS HER TIGHTLY.)
QUINTON: I must be dreaming...But you feel so real.
NOLA: I am. If I wasn't, I couldn't do this.
(SHE KISSES HIM PASSIONATELY. QUINTON FINALLY BREAKS FROM THE KISS, AND STARES DEEPLY INTO NOLA'S EYES.)
QUINTON: Nola...
NOLA: I can't take this pain anymore, Quinton. Please make it go away. Please.
(SHE CLIMBS ONTO HIS LAP AND KISSES HIM DESPERATELY. QUINTON IS THROWN FOR A MOMENT, BUT CAN'T RESIST HER KISSES. NOLA PULLS OFF HIS ASCOT WITH EXPERT EFFICENCY AND UNBUTTONS THE TOP BUTTONS OF HIS SHIRT TO STROKE HIS CHEST, ALL THE WHILE CONTINUING TO KISS HIM.)
QUINTON: Maybe we should go inside.
(NOLA SHAKES HER HEAD.)
NOLA: No, here. Now.
(SHE PULLS HIM IN FOR ANOTHER KISS, AND QUINTON KISSES HER BACK WITH EQUAL PASSION.)
To be continued... ------------------------------------------
*FOLLOWING ARE THE WORDS TO THAT SONG, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T
KNOW THEM. I WAS LISTENING TO THAT CD WHILE I WAS WRITING THIS, AND I
THOUGHT IT WENT WITH THE MOOD I WAS TRYING TO SET FOR THE START OF THIS
SCENE.
You were the love for certain of my life
You were simply my beloved wife
I don't know for certain how I'll live my life
now alone without my beloved wife, my beloved wife
I can't believe I've lost the very best of me
(Repeat above)
You were the love for certain of my life
for 50 years simply my beloved wife
With another love I'll never lye again
It's you I can't deny, it's you I can't defy
A depth so deep into my grief
Without my beloved soul
I renounce my life,
as my rightnow alone without my beloved wife, my beloved wife
The One With the Gazebo - 6
THE GAZEBO -- HALF AN HOUR LATER
(QUINTON AND NOLA ARE BOTH DISHEVELED FROM THEIR IMPROMPTU ENCOUNTER. NOLA SITS SIDEWAYS ON QUINTON'S LAP, HER HEAD ON HIS SHOULDER. HE HOLDS HER TIGHTLY, STROKING HER HAIR. RAIN IS NOW FALLING WITH A STEADY RHYTHM OUTSIDE THE GAZEBO.)
Q: Nola...
N: Don't talk yet, please. Just hold me a little longer.
(HE'S SILENT FOR A MOMENT BUT CAN'T KEEP QUIET.)
Q: Are you okay?
(SHE NODS, BUT THERE ARE TEARS IN HER EYES. HE HOLDS HER FOR ANOTHER MOMENT.)
Q: I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let that happen. It's just...I thought I'd lost you for good, and then all of a sudden you were here, and I couldn't...
N: It's okay, Quinton.
Q: No it's not. I didn't want to have sex with you.
(NOLA GETS UP ABRUPTLY, BUT QUINTON PULLS HER BACK DOWN.)
Q: That didn't come out right. Of course I wanted to have sex with you. I mean, I wanted to make love with you.
N: There's a difference.
Q: I know.
N: What did we just do?
Q: I don't know. It wasn't just sex. It could never be that way with you.
N: But you thought you would feel a little less empty than you do.
Q: Is that how you feel?
N: I thought being with you, in this place, would make everything okay again. But it didn't.
Q: Now just wasn't the right time.
N: Is that all it was? I mean, what if we can't ever go back to the way we were, Quinton?
Q: We can, honey, we can. There's just been so much going on lately that we haven't been able to spend as much time as we need to working all this out.
N: Right, right. Losing Vanessa, especially so soon after Henry, Stacy being so far away, A.J. barely getting into school, you coming back here...It's all been so overwhelming. It's no wonder we can't focus on the things we need to focus on.
Q: Do you think you're ready to focus on those things, to talk about everything?
N: I don't want all the gory details, Quinton. All I need to know is that she's gone from our lives forever, and that you'll keep your promise never to do anything like that again.
Q: I can promise you that. But it's not Jessica that we need to talk about, Nola. I think both of us would rather forget that part of our lives. It's what led up to all that happening that we need to finally get out in the open.
(NOLA TENSES.)
N: You already told me about your midlife crisis.
Q: We both know that was just a stupid excuse to cover up the real problem.
(NOLA GETS UP OFF HIS LAP AND STARTS TO PACE AROUND.)
N: Do we have to talk about this right now?
(HE FOLLOWS HER AND PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND HER.)
Q: No, not right now, but we need to talk about it soon, hon.
(NOLA BREAKS AWAY AND CONTINUES PACING AROUND. QUINTON FOLLOWS HER.)
N: Why? I mean, it's over, there's nothing we can do to change what happened. Can't we just leave it in the past?
Q: If we'd been able to leave it in the past, our marriage wouldn't have fallen apart.
N: If you hadn't stepped out with your little grad student, our marriage wouldn't have fallen apart.
(QUINTON TAKES A DEEP BREATH TO STOP HIMSELF FROM FIGHTING BACK, REALIZING SHE'S JUST TRYING TO AVOID THE REAL SUBJECT.)
Q: Placing blame isn't going to get us anywhere.
N: I'm sorry, Quinton. I didn't mean to lash out at you.
Q: Hey, if you can't get angry at your husband, who can you get angry at? Besides, you're right, it was mostly my fault.
(HE SITS DOWN ON THE BENCH DEJECTEDLY. NOLA COMES UP BEHIND HIM AND PUTS HER ARMS AROUND HIS NECK, REACHING INTO THE STILL-UNBUTTONED TOP OF HIS SHIRT TO MASSAGE HIS SHOULDERS.)
N: It was both our faults.
(HE TAKES HER HAND AND LEADS HER BACK TO HIS LAP.)
Q: It wasn't anyone's fault. What happened was an accident, just like losing Vanessa was an accident.
N: You really miss her, don't you?
(QUINTON NODS.)
Q: More than I thought I would. Sometimes I wonder if I was wrong leaving Henry and Vanessa behind so soon after finding them. I never felt like I got the chance to really know Vanessa, seeing her just once or twice a year. And now it's too late to do anything about it. That's why it's so important to me that we work things out, Nola. I don't want you to remain one of the far too many regrets I've had lately.
N: Hopefully we can put all those regrets behind us.
Q: Do you mean that?
(NOLA NODS.)
Q: What did I ever do to deserve you?
N: Loved me when I didn't think anyone ever would again.
Q: I never would have been able to survive today if it wasn't for you.
N: Yes you would have. You've been a part of the Reardon family for so long, I bet you could survive anything.
Q: I'm serious, Nola. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up here.
N: Please don't talk like that.
Q: You know how my life was before I came to Springfield, so dark and painful and lonely. And then I met you and everything changed. I found a happiness that I never thought I'd ever know. I got to know my family, we had our family, and I was able to put all the pain of my past behind me. But losing Vanessa, Father, my children, you...
(HE CHOKES BACK TEARS.)
Q: I was right back where I started, Nola. Everyone I loved I'd lost. And I was so scared. So terrified of going back to that lonely life, of being that man again.
N: I won't let that happen, I promise.
Q: You're my whole life, Nola. You know that, don't you?
N: Yes, but I thought you'd forgotten.
Q: No. Never. I was just blind for awhile. There was so much pain and anger...I just couldn't seem to see past it.
N: I couldn't either.
Q: But I think both of us are seeing a little now.
(NOLA NODS.)
Q: Do you think, when we've had time to deal with Vanessa and make sure Bill and Matt are okay, do you think we could get away from here for awhile?
N: I don't know...
Q: It doesn't have to be far. Just someplace where we can be alone, talk everything out.
(NOLA DOESN'T ANSWER.)
Q: I know you're scared, Nola. I'm afraid, too, of bringing up all that pain again. But we have to if we're ever going to get past it.
N: I know.
Q: It's going to be okay, honey.
N: Promise?
Q: Promise.
(HE KISSES HER HEAD.)
N: We should be getting back.
Q: I know.
N: Tony and A.J. are probably worried.
(QUINT DOESN'T ANSWER.)
N: Do you not want to go back there?
Q: I don't know if I can deal with all those people right now.
N: Why don't you drop me off there and I'll make your excuses. Then A.J. and I will meet you back at the boardinghouse as soon as we can.
Q: You don't mind?
(NOLA SHAKES HER HEAD.)
N: Will you be okay by yourself for a little while?
Q: I will as long as I know you're on your way. Maybe I'll make dinner for you and A.J. while I'm waiting.
(SHE GETS UP OFF HIS LAP.)
N: Why don't you do us all a favor and order in instead?
Q: You don't like my cooking?
N: You've spent way too much time cooking over campfires.
Q: I like my food well-done.
N: There's a difference between well-done and burnt. Come on, let's go.
Q: Can't we just stay here forever?
N: I wish we could, but we need to go take care of our family. Come on.
(SHE REACHES OUT HER HAND AND QUINTON TAKES IT. THEY WALK OFF HAND IN HAND TOWARD HIS CAR.)
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7A. VANESSA'S HOUSE -- 20 MINUTES LATER
(NOLA RUNS ONTO THE PORCH, WHERE TONY IS STANDING ALONE, WATCHING THE RAIN.)
N: Hey you, what are you doing out here all by yourself?
T: Thinking. Where you been?
N: I needed some thinking time, too.
T: Wasn't that Quint?
N: We ended up going to the same place to be alone.
T: He alright?
N: He will be. How's everyone in there holding up?
T: Matt's a wreck, but Bridget's taking good care of him. Bill seems okay, but I can't really tell because I don't know him that well. Michelle and A.J. are with him. A.J. was really worried about you and Quint, but I told him you were probably together.
N: What would make you think that?
T: He left upset, you left upset, and you both went to that gazebo to feel better.
N: Are we that predictable?
T: Not with everything. I didn't expect you'd have sex with him.
N: Excuse me?
T: Did you do it right there in the gazebo, or did you guys go in the house?
N: You're a pig.
T: Next time, take off your skirt first.
N: I'm wrinkled from the rain.
T: Don't even try to lie to me -- you never could. Can I assume you and Quint are working things out?
N: We're getting there.
T: Getting there?
N: Look, we were both really upset and needed something to make that pain go away.
T: And you thought sex would make everything better.
N: I knew it wasn't going to solve all our problems, but I thought it would help more than it did.
T: Is that why he didn't come back here?
N: No, it didn't make things worse or anything. It just didn't fill that emptiness inside the way we thought it might. But I think it got us past a few hurtles.
T: So why didn't he come back with you?
N: He was really upset about Vanessa, and he didn't want to deal with people right now. I told him to wait for us at the boardinghouse.
T: What's next for you two?
(NOLA SHRUGS.)
N: We've got a little too much going on right now to focus on just us.
T: I think that's just an excuse.
N: I owe it to Vanessa to take care of Bill and Matt.
T: Bill's got Josh to look after him, and Bridget can handle Matt.
N: She's got to take care of Peter all by herself now, she can't handle Matt, too.
T: You don't have to be responsible for the whole world, you know.
N: If I'm not, who will be?
T: Somebody will, it doesn't always have to be you. Why don't you think of yourself for once?
N: I can't.
T: Then think of Quint. He needs you, Nol.
N: I know.
T: So why don't you two go somewhere alone for awhile, work out everything you need to get worked out.
N: That's what Quinton wants to do.
T: But you're scared.
N: I am not scared. I just don't want to leave A.J. alone.
T: He's a big boy.
N: Not as big as he thinks.
T: I'll keep an eye on him.
N: You're staying in Springfield?
T: I can if you need me to hang out for a couple days. I think it might do us some good to catch up. So you'll have to find another excuse not to go away with Quint, scaredy cat.
N: Why should I be scared?
T: Because you know the only way you're going to save your marriage is to talk about what ripped you and Quint apart, and you've been trying your damnest not to think about that for two years.
N: The past is the past. Leave it there.
T: Don't you wish you could.
N: I had until you and Quinton and Zachary started forcing me to think about all that again.
T: Zachary? Is that the guy you were talking to inside?
(NOLA NODS.)
T: How the hell does he know?
N: I don't know. Vanessa must have told him. I've really got to get inside, Tony. I want to check on everyone.
T: Why don't you just say your goodbyes and go back to Quint?
N: Would you stop pushing?
T: I just don't want you to make the same mistake twice.
N: I wasn't the one who made the mistake.
T: You shut him out.
N: That's an excuse for what he did?
T: I'm not condoning his actions, I'm just saying I can understand what happened.
N: Why don't you explain it to me?
T: He was so concerned about you after the accident that he never took the time to deal with everything that happened. I guess he figured when you were ready the two of you would get through it together. But then you pushed him away. I don't even think you know how much that hurt him, Nola. You were hurting too much yourself to see.
N: I knew I was hurting him. I wanted to.
T: You what?
N: I wanted him to hurt the way I was hurting.
T: He was.
N: Not enough.
T: What do you mean not enough? That's so ridiculous.
N: I wasn't exactly thinking rationally at the time.
T: At least you admit it.
N: I hated him, Tony. Do you know what that's like, to hate the person you love more than anyone else in the world? And to not be able to control that hate?
T: It sounds pretty scary.
N: It's terrifying. And frustrating. And...
T: And you didn't know how to deal with all that, so you pushed Quint away, figuring if you didn't deal with him you wouldn't have to deal with those feelings.
N: I thought your degree was in business, not psychology.
T: Guess all that therapy Annabelle had rubbed off on me.
N: Yeah, look who I'm listening to for marital advice.
T: Hey, I'm the perfect person to talk to -- I've made all the mistakes, so I can tell you everything not to do. Like don't keep your pain all to yourself when you have a husband who want to -- who needs to -- share it with you.
N: How did you trick me into talking about all this?
T: I didn't trick you, I think you were just ready.
N: I don't know about that.
T: I do.
(A.J. EXITS FROM THE HOUSE.)
J: Uncle Tony, can I...Hey, Mom.
N: Hi, honey. (SHE KISSES HIM.) Are you okay?
J: I'm fine, Mom, it's you I'm worried about. You and Dad.
N: Your father's fine -- he's waiting for us at the boardinghouse.
J: Were you with him? (NOLA NODS.) Good, that's what he needed. Is he going to stay with us tonight?
N (flustered): I don't know, we didn't talk about...We'll see.
J: I was just coming to tell Uncle Tony that I'm going to hang here with Bill for awhile, maybe even all night if he wants me to. Is that cool?
N: That's cool.
J: Do you want me to drive you home so you can get back to Dad?
N: Not you, too.
J: What?
N: Both of you, stop pushing.
J: I'm your son, I can't help being pushy. Besides, I'm scared of what might happen to Dad if you're not there for him, Mom. He was really a mess last night, and nothing I tried to do for him seemed to help. He only wanted you.
T: I'll drive you, Nol, then A.J. can stay here with Bill.
N: I guess it's no use trying to say no to the two of you.
J: Nope. Go, Mom. I'll make your excuses for you inside.
N: Will you tell Matt to call if he or Bill need anything?
J: Yes, Mom.
N: And you call me if you're going to stay here tonight.
J: I will. Go.
N: I'm going.
(SHE KISSES HIM GOODBYE BEFORE SHE AND TONY EXIT.)
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7B. BOARDINGHOUSE KITCHEN
(NOLA AND TONY ENTER THE DARKENED KITCHEN.)
N: Why is it so dark in here? Quint? Where could he have gone?
T: He has to be here, his car's outside. Why don't I check Company while you look around down here?
(HE DISAPPEARS TOWARD THE BAR WHILE NOLA GOES INTO THE TV ROOM. FINDING NO ONE THERE, EITHER, SHE RETURNS TO THE KITCHEN AND CALLS UP THE STAIRS.)
N: Quinton?
(SHE'S ABOUT TO START UP THE STEPS WHEN TONY RE-ENTERS.)
T: What the hell did you and Bridget do to my bar?
N: Bridget redecorated. Don't you like it?
T: It looks like someone ran over the Easter Bunny in there.
N: Bridget went to all these clubs in Chicago and said that look was in now.
T: I don't care if it's in, it's ugly.
N: Was Quinton over there?
T: No. He's not here?
N: Not downstairs. Maybe he went upstairs to get some rest.
T: Why don't I leave you two alone so you can...
N: That's not going to happen again. Not right now anyway.
T: I wasn't going to suggest that.
N: Can you stay for awhile? I don't want Quinton to feel like we have to talk just because we're here alone.
T: Sure, I'll stay. Maybe we can play a little poker, get our minds off all the bad stuff for a little while.
N: That sounds like a great idea. Let me go find Quinton.
CUT TO:
7C. A.J.'s BEDROOM
(QUINT IS ON THE BED, TOSSING AND TURNING IN A RESTLESS SLEEP WHEN NOLA ENTERS. SHE SITS DOWN NEXT TO HIM AND GENTLY SHAKES HIM.)
N: Quinton. Quinton.
(HE WAKES WITH A START. IT TAKES HIM A MOMENT TO FOCUS.)
Q: Nola?
(SHE NODS AND BRUSHES HIS HAIR AWAY FROM HIS FACE.)
N: I wasn't sure I should wake you, but you didn't look like you were sleeping very well. Were you having a nightmare?
Q: No, I just had too much on my mind to sleep well. Stacy called looking for you.
N: She finally got my messages? Did you tell her?
(QUINT NODS.)
Q: She was pretty upset.
N: How soon can she get here?
Q: There's no way she'd be able to make it before the memorial service, so I told her she didn't have to come.
N: Why?
Q: You know what a long trip it is from Tanquir, Nola, and she's supposed to start classes in less than a week. You don't want her to have to fly all the way here just to leave for Oxford the next day, do you?
N: I know it's not practical, but I want to see my little girl.
Q: She'll be fine, Nola.
N: She shouldn't have to deal with this by herself.
Q: She prefers to deal with upsetting things on her own.
N: But she's doesn't deal with them. She keeps her feelings inside, just like you.
Q: If she wants to talk to us, she will. Where's A.J.?
N: He's going to stay with Bill for awhile. Tony brought me home.
Q: Is he staying here?
N: No, he got a hotel, because he didn't think we'd have room.
Q: You do have a pretty full house.
N: Yeah, but there's always room for one more. So if you want to stay tonight, I'm sure A.J. wouldn't mind you crashing in here.
Q: I may take you up on that. I'm not really in the mood to go back to the dig site tonight.
N: Tony had an idea to put us all in a better mood.
Q: What's that?
N: Poker.
(QUINT SMILES.)
Q: I don't know, I'm a little out of practice to be taking on the Reardons.
N: We'll take it easy on you.
Q: No you won't. Luckily, I can afford to lose.
(HE GENTLY TOUCHES HER HAIR AND THEN HER FACE WITH HIS HAND.)
Q: Thank you, Nola.
N: For what?
Q: Being you.
N: You're welcome.
(SHE STANDS UP AND REACHES OUT HER HAND.)
N: Come on, let's go take Tony for all he's worth.
(QUINT SMILES AND TAKES HER HAND.)
To be continued...
Go to next chapter of "The One With The Gazebo"