It is early evening and Jennifer, Abby and Peter have returned from a day at the beach together.  Laura is jumpy when they return and she soon explains that Jack is missing.  She received a call from the station and they reported that he has not checked in.  Peter thinks nothing of the disappearance and states that it is not unusual from a man who abandoned his wife and daughter.  Laura is offended  and defends Jack.  Jennifer is visibly shaken.  She doesn't know what she is going to tell Abby.  Suddenly Jack enters.  He is wearing a red dress shirt.  Most men would not attempt this fashion statement, but for some reason it works.
 

Jack -- Hail, Hail, the gang's all here.  What's up?

Laura -- Jack!  Thank goodness.

Jennifer -- We were really concerned.

Peter -- Nice, Jack.  You had them worried sick about you.

Jack -- (smiles)  Worried?  Why?

Laura  -- The station has been calling for you all afternoon.

Peter -- You want to tell them where you were?

Jack --  Well I didn't think that anyone would care, but I was with Sharon.

Jennifer is stunned and a little angered but it is obvious jealousy.

Jack -- Listen, I'm really sorry that you were worried but I just lost track of time . . .

Abby comes rushing into the room.

Abby -- Daddy!

Jack -- Well hello sweet pea.  (he picks her up)  How are you?  Did you have fun today?

Jennifer -- We had a great time today.

Jack -- (to Abby)  You did?

Jennifer -- (answers and continues)  We did.  We went to the beach and we went swimming and we built a sand castle and Abby collected shells.

Jack -- Sea shells?  Wow can I see them?

Abby -- Sure you can.  Did you have fun too daddy?

Jack -- Yeah, I had fun today, but I missed you though.  Hey let's go see those shells.

Peter -- Well, they kind of need to be washed first.  Abby you want to do that right now sweetheart.  (Abby leaves Jack's arms and heads for Peter as she says, "okay")  You coming too Jen?

Jennifer -- I'm going to throw the bathing suits in the wash and then I'll be right out.

Jack -- I gotta go make some calls.

Jack heads upstairs.  Laura stares at Jen.

Jennifer -- What?

Laura -- Are you alright?

Jennifer -- Yeah, why shouldn't I be?

Laura -- You seemed pretty uncomfortable when Jack said that he had been with Sharon all this time.

Jennifer -- No I was just surprised.  I mean, I have been begging Jack for months to find someone else.

Laura -- And now he has done that.  (Jen nods)  And you are not upset?

Jennifer -- Not at all.  Mom, Peter and I are really happy right now.  We're building our dream house.  Abby is happy; she loves him and he loves her very much.  I'm just glad that Jack has
finally accepted everything and is able to move on with his life.

Laura -- Well good.  I'm glad you are okay with it.

Jennifer -- I am.

Jennifer leaves the room.  Laura is left alone and begins to work at the table when Jack comes down the stairs.

Jack -- Hey, Laura is Jennifer still out back with Peter and Abby.

Laura -- Yes, Peter is hosing down all of the beach stuff and cleaning Abby's seashells.

Jack -- Look, I'm really sorry for getting everyone so upset.

Laura -- We're just glad that you're safe.

Jack -- Yeah.  Abby seems really happy. Doesn't she?

Laura -- Very happy.

Jack -- (takes a seat and smiles)  I could hear them talking outside.  They are talking about putting in a pool, in their new house and Abby's gonna love that.  She just loves to swim, you know.

Laura -- It's going to be very hard for you when Abby moves into her new house without you.

Jack -- Yeah.  I,  yeah it hurts a little bit, but I hardly expect them to invite me to live with them (he smiles)  you know?

Laura -- (laughing)  No, I don't think that'll happen.

Jack --  Jennifer has already promised me that I can see Abby whenever I want.  She's never going to keep me away from my daughter.

Laura -- Jack, she knows how much Abby loves you and Peter knows it too.

Jack -- Yeah, Peter's been pretty good about all this.  He doesn't interfere with my relationship with Abby.  It's just that it's just not going to be the same around here.

Laura -- No, it won't.  But it'll really help you move on with your life. (He looks apprehensive)  Jack, what is it?

Jack -- It just seems a little strange talking to you about this considering our history, that's all.
 
Laura -- It's been a long time since we made love.  It happened because we didn't know who the other was and because of the depth of out friendship.  We still have that.  You can talk to me.

Jack -- (pauses)  Okay.  Well Sharon, she's a great girl.  She's beautiful.  She's intelligent.  She's funny.  It's no hardship being with her, believe me.

Laura -- Then what's the problem?

Jennifer enters the dining room from the kitchen and hears voices and stops at the china cabinet.

Jack -- It's just that I still love Jennifer more than anything in the world and I don't think that's ever going to change.

Jennifer is intrigued.

Jack -- Laura, the fact is I don't think I'm ever going to get over Jennifer.

Laura -- You won't if you don't try.  Look as long as you keep holding on to your love for Jennifer, you are never going to be able to fall in love with another woman.

Jack -- Yeah, but it's just so hard to let go.

Laura -- I know, but you can do it.  Jack you are such a fine man and you have all the  strength that you need to move on. (Jack rests his head in one hand and looks like a hurt puppy dog)  Jennifer's heart was broken when you left but she still managed to fall in love again.  Jack you can find happiness.

Jack -- (raises his head)  Yeah, well I guess I have to try, right.

Laura -- Yes.

Jack -- I just, no matter how much I love someone else, it's never gonna be the same as the love I have for Jennifer.

Jennifer, still holding the laundry, clutches a beach towel.  She obviously has not forgotten their love.

Laura -- You don't have to forget that love.  You can remember it and still move on.  Actually the experience will help you to love someone else.

Jack -- Yeah, maybe.  Listen Laura, don't tell Jennifer what we talked about here.  I just don't want her to feel uncomfortable anymore.

Laura -- Alright.  If you say so.  But there isn't a woman alive who wouldn't be affected knowing that a man loved her completely and deeply as do Jennifer.

Jack -- Yeah, well look I think it's better if she doesn't have to think about it.

Laura -- Okay.

Jack -- Do you want to go down to the corner and get some ice cream and get a popsicle for Abby or something?

Laura -- Yeah, that sounds wonderful.

Jack -- Alright, let's go.

Laura -- I'd love to.

They get up and exit through the front door.  Peter, with Abby on his back, walks in on an emotional Jennifer in the dining room.

Peter -- What's wrong?

Jennifer -- Nothing, I'm fine.  Let's get those seashells and see what we have.

Abby -- Yeah, then I can show daddy.

Peter -- Okay.
 
He takes her into the living room.  Jennifer lags behind and she is most definitely not  okay.  She has  been greatly affected by what she has overheard much more than she would ever admit.
 
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