April 1992.
Jessica returned from home after a long hard day.
She just started shows for streetcar on broadway, and it's quickly getting to be a bit much.
"Hey.. Rough day?" Sam asks watching the tv when Jessica plopped down on the couch.
"Oh yeah.. I'm exhausted " Jessica says with a long yawn.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm too old for this."
"You're not old!"
"Yes I am. I'll be forty three in two days. My back hurts, I've got a gut, my body is achy, my hair is no longer thick and shiny like it once was.. Babe.. I'm going through menopause!"
Sam chuckles. "So what?"
"What do you mean so what? All that stuff I said is horrible!"
"Oh come on, you're just over reacting."
Jessica scoffs and gets up from the couch.
Sam stayed down stairs watching tv and didn't bother going up. She was in a Leave me alone type of mood, so he was doing exactly that.
The next morning Jessica came down to make breakfast for her family.
Walker who was five and Hannah who was six were up with her and wanting to help. Shura was with her father for the weekend.
"Mommy can you make the good pancakes?" Walker asks his mother.
"The good pancakes?" Jessica laughs.
"Yeah. You know.. The-the good ones."
"He means waffles, mommy." Hannah corrects her brother.
"Oh! Waffles!" Jessica giggles.
"Sure, I can make some waffles."
"Yay!"
"Momma, are you taking me to my music class today?" Hannah asked.
"No baby, mommy has to work. I'm sorry!"
"Ugh! You ALWAYS have to work."
"That's what I say." Sam says walking into the kitchen.
Jessica gives him a look and he says, "Well I do! And what's with you, little miss? Do you not want me to take you to music class?"
"No that's fine.. I just miss when mommy used to take me." Hannah looks down.
"I'll tell you what, baby. When mommy's finished with her play, I promise you I'll take off for a while."
"You promise?"
"I promise." Jessica smiles and pecked her daughter on the nose.
Hannah smiles and wrapped her arms tightly around her mother.
**
Jessica was cleaning up the kitchen after breakfast while talking with Sam.
"Ah." Jessica hunched over and held her stomach in pain.
"You okay?"
Jessica let's out a deep breath and nods.
"Yeah.. It just hurt for a minute. I'm okay."
"Alright. Well anyway-"
"Ow!" Jessica grabbed onto the kitchen counter in front of her.
"Jess, what's going on? Are you sure you're okay?"
