David was waiting in their room. What he had read was still going through his mind. He probably wouldn’t have even believed the story if he hadn’t asked Jen about her past the other week. Somehow knowing that made it seem like this is something she would do, when the Jen he knew, wouldn’t. Also, maybe if it wasn’t with Josh. In the beginning of Friends Jen was going out with Josh. They had been going out for about 2 years. It was all over the papers, just like his relationship with Jen is now. Josh would often come and visit the set, and he saw how in love they were. It wasn’t entirely unbelievable that they would eventually end up together again. Everyone knew how much he still loved her. David still wasn’t sure, though, what he was going to do about it. He could hear Jen coming up the stairs and towards the room. Maybe once he saw her, he would know what to say. She came into the room slowly and saw him sitting on the bed. They looked at each other for a moment without talking. The look on his face told her how worried, hurt, and sad he was. She would have to choose her words carefully.

Jen: David…

David: you don’t have to try and explain it Jennifer.

Jen: Jennifer? Since when do you call me that?

David: it’s your name isn’t it?

Jen: yeah, but only my mom actually says my FULL name.

David: you don’t even speak to your mom.

Jen was hurt by that comment. It’s bad enough that the press keeps mentioning it, but when the person you love with all your heart uses it in a hurtful manner…it hurt. She wanted nothing more than to share this special time with her mom, but she couldn’t. What woman doesn’t want to share her first pregnancy with her mother? She wouldn’t get that opportunity.

Jen: that’s not the point, David.

David: then what is?

Jen: why are you mad?

David: why do you think?

Jen: well I don’t know, you tell me?

David: you saw it. I’m sure you read it too. Don’t play dumb.

Jen: and why on earth would you believe it?

David: oh gee, I don’t know…. You yourself said you were a whore.

Jen: excuse me!

David: don’t deny it.

Jen: you asked me to tell you. And did I not make a point of assuring you that that was in the past? I can’t believe you’re bringing that back up. Is it just because of that?

David: it’s hard not to believe it when they’ve got pictures of the two of you together.

Jen: we had a cup of coffee, that’s it. It’s @#%$ Star for god’s sake.

David: well it’s @#%$ Star, and you’re @#%$ Josh.

At that last comment Jen lost her temper. The fact that he could even say that, let alone believe that hurt her more than ever.

Jen: I am not @#%$ Josh. I don’t even like Josh.

David: that’s not what the article says.

Jen: well that’s what I’m saying! Don’t you know me? Don’t you know that I would never, ever do something like that?

David: I thought I did.

Jen: I cannot believe you! Do you know how much it hurts me that you would even consider that this is true?

David: I’m sure you’re real hurt by it.

Jen: you can drop the sarcasm. Don’t you trust me?

David: I did.

Jen: then maybe that’s our problem. If you can’t trust me then there’s something wrong. If you can’t trust me then maybe this is wrong.

David: what’s this?

Jen: you and me.

David: what are you saying?

Jen: if you can’t trust me, believe me even, then maybe we’re not meant to be.

David: I see. Well that’s fine.

David gets up from the bed. He walks over to Jen, who’s still standing at the door. Her eyes are slightly tearing and her face is all red.

David: you and Josh have a nice life.

He walks down the hall in a huff. Jen follows him. He grabs his coat and car keys, leaving the house. Jen ran out to the driveway.

Jen: where are you going?

David: away.

Jen: David, please don’t leave.

David: I have no choice.

Jen: yes you do. Please, we can work through this. I love you.

David: I can’t trust you.

Jen: it was a tabloid.

David: that’s not all.

With that he starts the car and pulls out of the driveway and races down the street. Jen dropped to her knees and cried, rocking back and forth. After about 10 minutes, she slowly stood up, using the side of her car for support. She walked inside slowly, still crying, and closed the door. She leaned up against it, sliding to the floor. Her head rested on her knees as she kept crying. That night wasn’t particularly easy for her. All she did was lie in bed, emotionless. Occasionally she would let out a sob, but for the most part she just lied there, staring at the ceiling. It still hadn’t fully sunken in yet. The previous events of earlier today were still a bit of a blur. All she really knew right now was that David was gone. For how long? she didn’t know. Morning came rather quickly. The sun creped in the window, shinning on her face. She woke up, rolled over, expecting to find David next to her, his warm smile to great her, but all she felt was an empty space. She quickly turned around as thought something was wrong, when it hit her. She remembered what had happened. They had fought, and he had left. But why did they fight? Oh yeah, he thought she was cheating on him. But she wasn’t, she knew she wasn’t. Why would he believe such a thing? She loved him so much, more than anything, and he knew that. At least she thought he did. She felt a wave of nausea pass over her. She ran to the bathroom and threw up. Usually David would come running it right after her to tell her that it’s ok. To rub her back, to hold her hair up. But he didn’t. No one came. There was no one to help her. The feeling of being all alone scared her. She had never been alone before, not really. There was always someone else, but not this time. It had only been one day, not even, and she already felt like her life was falling apart. She wasn’t hungry, in fact, even the thought of food made her sick to her stomach, but she knew she had to eat. She wasn’t going to let her feelings affect her baby. The baby hadn’t done anything wrong, so why should it suffer. She wouldn’t do that; she cared so much about her unborn child already. So she forced herself to eat something for breakfast. She had a bagel with butter and some ice cream. She hadn’t spoken to anyone yet, nor did she want to. She wondered how David was doing. She so badly wanted to call up Courtney and talk to her, but she couldn’t. She didn’t want to drag anyone into this. She glanced at the calendar they kept on the wall. She had a doctor’s appointment today. David always went with her to them. Now she’d have to go alone.

David sat alone in his hotel room. He missed Jen terribly already. On some level he knew that that article was not true, and that Jen would never do that, but for some reason he wouldn’t let himself see that. He wanted to call her so badly, let her know that he’s not angry with her. He wanted to see how she was, how the baby was. He knew the whole pregnancy thing was hard for her already, and this definitely wouldn’t help. He felt terrible. He had promised her he wouldn’t leave. He promised her that he would always be there for her. And now he wasn’t. She must hate him so much right now. He knew he shouldn’t have overreacted like that. She was in a vulnerable state anyway, this just made it worse. Plus, Christmas was just around the corner, and New Years. This was going to be their first Christmas alone together. They were supposed to be together, now they’re apart. It was his fault to. Why’d he have to make such a big deal of it? Why didn’t he just let her explain? It hurt him too much to even think that she would ever do anything like that. He got carried away. His feelings took over. It was too soon to go back though, right now. Maybe they did need some time apart anyway, though this wasn’t exactly what he had in mind.

Jen was waiting in the room for the doctor. She was laying in the bed with the paper dress over her. It had been about 15 minutes when the doctor finally came in.

Doc: hello there, Ms. Aniston. How are you feeling?

Jen: good, thanks.

Doc: any nausea?

Jen: yeah, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Doc: that’s good to hear. I see David isn’t here with you today.

Jen: he um, he had a meeting to go to.

Doc: I see. Are you ready?

Jen: yeah.

Doc: ok.

The doctor comes over to the bed and gets everything set up. She starts the sonogram thing and the baby appears on the screen. Jen’s heart melts and she smiles. She couldn’t believe she was having a baby. A baby was growing inside her right now.

Doc: everything seems fine.

Jen: good.

Doc: you’re far enough along now that we can see the sex of the baby. Would you like to know, or wait?

Jen: um….

Doc: would you like to wait until David is here with you the next time?

Jen: no. I’d like to know now please.

Doc: sure.

The doctor moves the thing around, then stops. She looks at the screen and then back at Jen.

Doc: congratulations Ms. Aniston, you’re having a girl.

Jennifer smiles and starts to cry a little. She covers her mouth with her hand and stares at the screen.

Jen: a girl? I’m having a girl?

Doc: yes, congratulations.

Jen: wow, I can’t believe it. Do you um, do you know when I’m due?

The doctor checks a piece of paper.

Doc: it looks like May 27th. This is your first baby, correct?

Jen: yeah.

Doc: well, congratulations again.

Jen: thank you.

Doc: I’ll let you change. I’d like to see you again next month.

Jen: sure. Good-bye.

Doc: good-bye.

The doctor left the room so she could change back into her clothes. A girl, she still couldn’t believe it. She’d hoped that it would be a girl. She had always imagined having a girl. And May. It seemed so far from now. She wanted nothing more than to call everyone and tell them. Not just everyone, but David. She wanted to tell David the most. She didn’t even know where he was though. She wasn’t going to call Matt; she knew if David wanted to talk to anyone, it would be him. She didn’t want to let anyone know or else they wouldn’t leave her alone. She could call Courtney and Lisa though, and at least tell them about the baby being a girl. So that’s what she did. Court and Lisa were thrilled to hear about it being a girl. Lisa started suggesting names, though Jen found none of them perfect. Her little girl was going to be special. Her name had to be just as special. Something original. She wasn’t sure what it was going to be yet, but she knew it wasn’t anything Lisa suggested. Courtney was all ready to throw a baby shower. And they both asked questions about David. “What did he think?” “How’s it going?” “Is he happy?” “What did you guys do when you found out?” She tried to avoid the questions as much as possible by keeping her answers short. Matt called later that night, around 8pm. Jen picked up the phone on the 4th ring.

Jen: hello?

Matt: hey Jenny, it’s Matt.

Jen: hi. How are you?

Matt: I’m doing fine. How are you?

Jen: fine….

Matt: truthfully? I know what happened. I just got off the phone with David.

Jen: oh, then honestly, not to good.

Matt: if it’s any consolation, neither is he.

Jen: it helps a little.

Matt: he told be about the article. I saw it this morning. It’s everywhere.

Jen: yeah, I know.

Matt: I know it’s not true. I talked to David about that.

Jen: he believes it.

Matt: well he does and he doesn’t.

Jen: that makes sense.

Matt: well he told be about your conversation about, you past, shall we say. He told me he would never in a million years ever believe that, but since your whole discussion, he said it sort of fits in.

Jen: I told him that was all behind me, and he said he believed me.

Matt: I know.

Jen: that can’t be the whole reason. It’s cause it’s with Josh right?

Matt: yeah. He remembers when you two were together. I remember too. It was a long time.

Jen: two and a half years.

Matt: you guys even got engaged.

Jen: yeah.

Matt: well David said he felt like because you spent more time with Josh, that you went back to him for some reason.

Jen: but I would never, he knows that.

Matt: I know he knows that, he knows he knows that, but for some reason he won’t see that.

Jen: he doesn’t trust me.

Matt: I don’t think that’s it. He was just hurt.

Jen: I thought he loved me.

Matt: he does, don’t think that he doesn’t.

Jen: well I did kinda say something I shouldn’t have….

Matt: what was that?

Jen: I said that maybe if he couldn’t trust me, then maybe we weren’t meant to be.

Matt: well I’m sure that wasn’t the reason he left, but I’m sure it didn’t help.

Jen: God I wish I could take that back. I wish I could take that whole stupid day back. Not just that day, but also that day with Josh. I should have never agreed to go get a cup of coffee. I knew something bad would come out of it, but I went ahead anyway.

Matt: don’t blame yourself; it’s not anything you did.

Jen: is he there with you now?

Matt: no, he’s staying at a hotel.

Jen: oh.

Matt: do you need to talk to him?

Jen: no, not really. I found out the sex of the baby today.

Matt: oh really? What is it?

Jen: a girl.

Matt: aw, congratulations.

Jen: thanks. I haven’t told David yet, so please don’t tell him. I’ll tell him when I think he should know.

Matt: no problem. Oh you should name her Rachel. Hehe.

Jen: uh, that’s ok. Lisa suggested that too. Funny.

Matt: just a thought. Well listen, I have to go.

Jen: alright.

Matt: just hang in there, everything will turn out fine.

Jen: I hope so, if not for my sake, but for my baby’s.

Matt: don’t worry. I’ll talk to you later.

Jen: good night.

Matt: good night.

She hung up the phone. Even though it was only 8:15, she was really tired. This whole pregnancy thing was really wearing her down. She decided to call it a night and go to sleep. She turned out all the lights and went upstairs.

David sat on the edge of his bed in the hotel with the phone in his hand. He dialed a number slowly, taking a deep breath before hitting the last number. He closed his eyes and waited for the ringing. The phone was ringing in her room, but she was already in bed, under the covers, and was too tired to talk. It was probably on of her friends calling cause they heard what happened. She wasn’t in the mood to talk about it. She let it ring and ring, until the answering machine picked up. If it was important, they would leave a message. On the other line David heard the answering machine picking up. He listened through it just to hear her voice. He hung up right before the beep. He was kind of relieved she didn’t answer. What would he have said if she did pick up the phone? He wasn’t ready to talk to her yet. He still had to work something’s out on his own. Maybe this separation would do them good. He would sure miss her on Christmas though. A song starts playing softly in the background. It’s “Just A Dream” by Madonna and Patrick Leonard.

Was it just a dream? Did I feel your devotion? Dreams are never what they seem Did we just go through the motions?

Jennifer is sleeping. She’s tossing and turning. As if she had a bad dream, she wakes with a start. When she looks over and sees that the bed is empty, she starts to cry.

I keep your photograph by my bed to remind me That I was part of your life I say my prayers to the sandman That he’ll find me fast asleep

David wakes up in the middle of the night. He gets his jacket and puts it on because he was cold. He reaches his hand into his pocket and pulls out a picture of Jen. She’s sitting on a lounge chair in the backyard, the sun glistening off her golden blonde hair, and she’s blowing the camera a kiss. He sits back in the chair and looks at the picture.

Sleep has always been kind And in my dreams you’ll always be mine But in the morning when I wake I remember that my heart does ache

Jen was walking around the house, still in her pajamas. She turns the TV on and sits down to watch with a bowl of cereal in her lap. There’s something about her break-up with David on the news and she drops the bowl, staring at the TV screen, and starts to cry again.

I admit that I did my bit to deceive you But sometimes I was afraid That this day would come How could you just leave me all alone now?

David is walking down the street, looking at the sidewalk. Some people stop him for an autograph. He smiles weakly at them and continues walking. He gets to a house and knocks on the door. Mathew (Perry) opens the door and lets him in.

I have always been strong So I know that I can go on But right now I feel so dead inside Oh sleep come to me, cause that’s where I hide

Jen’s leaning over the toilet, throwing up. She starts coughing and can’t catch her breath. She reaches up for a towel and wipes her face. She leans against the wall, her face pale and her hair wet and stringy. The cool tile felt good against her hot skin. She stayed there until the next wave of nausea swept over her, causing her to throw up again.

All that I have, all I ask All my dreams, they fade so fast Don’t wake me up, not today All my dreams will fade away

David walked by a newsstand. All the magazines had pictures of him and Jen, and all said something about their break-up. One read, “Hollywood’s Favorite Couple Calls It Quits”, while others read, “Jen and Dave break up after 2 years.” He stands there and looks at them for a minute, then continues to walk away.

And I want him, and I need him I can’t live and I’d die without him Just to feel his hands on my face Smell his skin, and his warm embrace Cause that’s all that I have And it’s fading so fast (Starts to fade out)

Jen opens the front door. Courtney and Lisa are standing on her front porch. Without any words, Jen lets them in. Courtney hugs Jen, showing her she cares, while Lisa shut the front door.

Court: how are you?

Lisa leads them to the couch, where they all sit down.

Jen: it hurts.

Lisa: I’m sorry. You know we’re always here if you need to talk.

Court: anytime.

Jen: I know, thanks.

Lisa: want to tell us what happened?

Jen: later, I really don’t want to talk about it now.

Court: that’s fine, we can talk about something else.

Jen: ok.

Lisa: I have chocolate!

Jen: you’re my god.

Lisa: here.

She hands Jenny the box. Jen opens it and starts to eat some of it. Courtney and Lisa each take a piece too.

Court: how you holding up?

Jen: been better.

Court: I’m sure of that.

Lisa: are you ok being alone? You’re welcome to stay with me if you want.

Jen: thanks, but I’d rather be alone. I need time to think.

Lisa: ok.

Court: how’s the whole pregnancy thing going?

Jen: it sucks.

Court: aw honey, I’m sorry.

Jen: it’s just the throwing up part. I hate throwing up.

Lisa: who doesn’t? Oh, speaking of throwing up, I’m having that New Years Eve party at my house…on New Years Eve. You guys coming?

Court: what does that have to do with throwing up?

Lisa: nothing, I just wanted to fine out if you guys were coming.

Court: I see. Well I’m coming.

Lisa: Jenny?

Jen: yeah, I don’t think I can.

Lisa: oh, why not?

Jen: well, I’m so not in the party mood, and I’m really not feeling that good.

Lisa: well, it’s still about a week away so, if you change your mind.

Court: think about it.

Jen: maybe.

There’s a moment of silence. Jen keeps on eating the chocolate.

Court: Jen, you look really sick.

Jen: gee thanks.

Court: I’m serious. Are you ok?

Jen: I just have a headache, and the traditional nausea.

Courtney feels Jen’s head.

Court: you’re sweaty, and you’re burning up.

Lisa: she’s right. You look really pale too.

Jen: I’m fine. I’m not even that hot. I’m actually kinda cold.

Lisa takes Jen’s hand.

Lisa: your hand is freezing.

Jen: well I told you I was cold.

Court: you should get some sleep.

Jen: all I’ve been doing lately is sleeping.

Court: well you’re sick. Lisa, you take her into her room, I’ll make some tea.

Jen: it’s ok, really.

Court: nu uh, you’re going to sleep missy.

Jen: meanie.

Lisa: alright girls. Jen, come on.

Lisa helps Jen stand up and they slowly walk down the hall and up the stairs. Courtney gets up and goes to the kitchen. By the time Courtney got up to Jen’s room with the tea, Jen was already asleep. She sat the cup down on the nightstand and her and Lisa turned the lights out and left the room. They sat down in the living room and talked. Neither of them wanted to leave Jen alone in her current condition. They’d be there if she needed anything. They talked quietly on the couch together. By the time Jen woke up, Courtney and Lisa were long gone. It was around 5 in the morning. She still wasn’t feeling too great, but she was much better than before. She was still really tired, but was so bored of sleeping all the time. A week of their break had already passed. New Years was next week, Christmas was tomorrow. She wondered how David was doing. She was sure that he was handling it better than her. He probably didn’t even care.

Mat (Perry): David, you’ve gotta do something. All you’ve been doing is sitting around this room all day.

David: I wonder how she’s doing.

Mat: I’m sure not too good.

David: she’s pregnant.

Mat: I know.

David: why’d I leave again?

Mat: none of us seem to be able to figure that out.

David: do you think she’s ok?

Mat: well Courtney and Lisa were just there yesterday and they both said she’s going through Hell.

David: I bet she hates me.

Mat: she loves you. That’s why it hurts so much.

David: I’d hate me for what I did to her.

Mat: if you really don’t think that leaving was the best thing to do, then go back!

David: no, not yet.

Mat: what do you mean ‘not yet’?

David: this whole separation thing is making me realize how important she is to me.

Mat: yeah and now that you know that, can’t you go back?

David: I’m not ready. I guess in some way I still believe that article. It still hurts.

Mat: that article isn’t true.

David: who knows….

Mat: I know! You know! We all know!

David: give me time.

Mat: the longer you wait, the harder it’s going to be to go back.

David: why are you here again?

Mat: to see how you were.

David: ah.

Mat: listen, I don’t know what the hell is going through your mind right now, and why you can’t just let it go. I know there has to be another reason. All I’m saying is that what you guys had was special. I’ve seen the way you two are around each other. The way you guys look at each other. It’s not just something to throw away this fast. Think about it some more. I’m going over to see her tonight. Do you want me to say anything to her?

David: uh…no. When I know what to say, I’ll say it.

Mat: ok. I’ll call you when I get back from talking to her.

David: thanks.

Mat: you’re welcome. If you ever need anything, you know I’m here, along with everyone else.

David: I know.

Mat: alright. I’ll talk to you later.

David: sure.

Mat: Merry Christmas.

David: Christmas is tomorrow.

Mat: I know, but I won’t be around tomorrow.

David: oh ok. Happy Hanukah.

Mat: thanks. Hang in there.

David: I will.

Mat reached for the door and opened it.

David: oh, Mat?

Mat: yeah?

David paused for a moment looking at Mathew. Then he smiled slightly.

David: make her smile. She has the prettiest smile.

Mat: I know. I’ll try, I promise.

David: thanks.

Mat: (smiles) good bye.

David: bye.

Mat walked out and shut the door behind him slowly.

Jen woke to the sound of bells ringing. It was coming from outside. She looked over at the clock. It was 5:26pm. She had slept the whole day. The doorbell went off and she heard knocking on the front door. She unwillingly got out of bed and went downstairs to the front door. Mathew stood on her front step with a big box in his hand and a Santa Clause hat on his head.

Mat: Merry Christmas Eve!

Jen: what are you doing?

Mat: well it’s the day before Christmas, and you don’t even have your lights up, let alone a Christmas tree.

He walks into the house and Jen closes the door. She follows him into the living room where he sets the box down.

Jen: what’s that?

Mat: lights.

Jen: why are you doing this?

Mat: because I know how special this is to you. You’re always so excited when it comes to Christmas, like a little girl. And you love to put up the lights, I know you do. And decorate the tree.

Jen: you’re Jewish.

Mat: well this is how much I love you. You’re one of my best friends Jenny. I’ve known you since you first came out here. Before Friends, before anything. I can’t stand to see you like this. You’ve changed. You’ve lost your sparkle, that little twinkle that was always in your eyes.

Jen: well, sorry.

Mat: you don’t have to be sorry.

Jen: well then what else do you want me to say huh?

Mat: you don’t have to say anything.

Jen: it’s not like I asked him to go, you know. He was stupid enough to believe that I would…do that! He’s the one that didn’t want me anymore.

Mat: Jenny, he does want you. He loves you. He loves you so much. All he ever talks about is you. Even now. Reading that hurt him. To think that the woman you love would do something like that….

Jen: but I didn’t!

Mat: I know that. It came as a shock to him. He wasn’t expecting it. He loves you so much, that’s why it hurt him so much.

Jen: then if he loved me, why didn’t he stay? I tried to tell him it wasn’t true, I tried.

Mat: he was thinking irrationally. Letting his emotions talk, not his head. We’ve all been talking to him, showing him what a mistake this is. He’s coming around.

Jen: he shouldn’t have to be convinced to want to be with me.

Mat: he wants to be with you. He wants to be with you more than anything, he’s just hurt. He’s worried about you. And the baby.

Jen: well that’s comforting. At least he knows I’m still alive. Well you can tell him that it turns out she gets morning sickness basically all day long. She feels horrible. Her back is killing her, and you’re lucky she’s pregnant or else she would have probably already killed herself. Anything else you need to know?

Mat: Jen, I didn’t come here to check up on you. I came here to spend time with you cause you’re my friend. Now c’mon, let’s hang some lights. Just lights. We don’t have to go out and buy a tree.

Jen: I’m not in the mood.

Mat: well I am, so we’re gonna do it. Look, I bought all different kinds.

He picks up the box and pushes Jen towards the door.

Mat: let’s go, before it gets dark.

Mathew led her outside. He set the box down and began to pull out a string of lights. Jennifer just stood there watching him. He could feel her staring at him. Once he got one string of lights out, he had her help him put them around the bush. It took them about an hour and a half to get all the lights up. He could see that Jen was a little happier, though she didn’t show it. He walked up to her and put his arm around her shoulders.

Mat: I’m proud of you.

Jen: David and I usually do this together.

Mat: I know.

Jen starts to cry a little. Mathew pulls her into a hug and lets her cry on his shoulder.

Mat: it’ll get easier.

Jen: how do you know?

Mat: because it’s you and David, you’ll work things out. It might take time, but that time will come.

Jen: he doesn’t even want to look at me. He hates me.

Mat: that’s not true. You know that’s not true. You’re strong. I’ve known you long before you met David. I know who you are. You’re not like this. You’re a smiling, happy, funny, fun to be around girl. This is not you. And you’ll get through this because you’re strong. You moved out to LA all by yourself. Look at everything you’ve been through to get where you are today? And now look; you’re having a baby. I admire you Jen. The way you handle things. They way you take on life and it’s challenges with a smile. I want the old Jen back.

Jen: well she’s gone.

Mat: no she’s not. I saw a hint of her tonight. You were happy putting up the lights. I have something for you.

Mathew pulls out a rectangular shaped box from his pocket. He hands her the box.

Mat: Merry Christmas Jen.

Jennifer looks at him for a minuet, before looking down at the box in her hands. She opens it slowly. Inside there was a silver bracelet. She picked it up slowly, looking at it. There was a pendant on it; a J. On the underside of the J it was inscribed. ‘To the strongest woman I know-Mat.’

Mat: I know you can get past this. Every time you feel that it’s too much, just look down at your wrist and see that there. If you don’t have faith in yourself, know that I have faith in you. Here, let me put it on for you.

He takes the bracelet and puts it around her wrist. She looks down at it, then back up to Mathew. Her eyes were starting to tear. Mathew knew she wouldn’t say anything, but he knew she was thankful, and that was more than enough for him. He smiled at her and kissed her on the forehead. Before saying good bye he handed her a candy cane.

Mat: Merry Christmas kiddo.

Jen just stood there, motionless, watching him walk to his car. She didn’t go back into the house till he was out of sight. Inside, she curled up on the couch and watched the lights outside, sucking on the candy cane, and crying herself to sleep. Tomorrow would be another hard day. Harder than the rest, no doubt. She didn’t even want to think about it yet. Right now she was just trying to survive without him, taking life a minute at a time. That’s all she could handle right now.