"Catching Feelings (Part 2 to One Night Stand)"

"Babysitting"

Summer: Hey girl! I feel like I haven't seen you all week.
Krystal: That's because it has been all week since I've seen you. Sorry, hon I've been picking up shifts left & right.
Nat: Girl, you've been working way too hard.
Krystal: And you've been hardly working. I do me & you do you, boo.
Nat: Agreed. Ooh! They have nojitos today.

Nat headed to the snack bar & got drinks for himself & Summer & Krystal. Summer noticed Beth coming in late when she was usually the one taking roll & organizing the chairs.

Krystal: That's odd. She's usually the first one here.

Summer nodded while keeping her eyes on Beth. Beth's usual neat updo wasn't as picture perfect. Her outfit wasn't pressed, but it was wrinkly. Something wasn't right. Beth didn't seem like her self. The group leader called everyone to find a seat. Beth didn't sit by the group leader, but chose a seat closer to the door. Nat sat down next to Summer & Krystal. The meeting began with the acknowledgment of the new comers & they each introduced themselves. The circle was filled with a total of 15 people. There were 2 new ones that day. They reached the portion of the meeting when the group leader opened the floor to anyone who had something to share. Beth raised her hand. All eyes turned towards her. Nat gave a nudge to Summer. As tears flooded Beth's eyes, she spoke about how her husband's orders were moving them to California. She opened up how she truly felt about the move & how she hated it. She said it was hard for her to uproot & start all over again. Most of the group members wished Beth good luck & bid her farewell after the meeting concluded. The group leader met with her for some time & they too hugged. You could tell that they were close friends. Summer waited her turn to talk to Beth. She told Nat & Krystal to wait for her. Summer walked up to Beth with a pitiful look on her face.

Summer: Hi.
Beth: Hey.
Summer: I just wanted to wish you good luck on the move.
Beth: Thanks.
Summer: Moving here to Virginia was a big deal to me & was kinda hard during a part of the process. I can't even begin to imagine how you feel right now.
Beth: Thanks.

Summer was about to walk away, but Beth stopped her.

Beth: Summer, I just want to say that I'm sorry. I haven't been the nicest person to you. It was completely unfair of me to judge you even before i got to know you.
Summer: It's ok...
Beth: Look, I used to have the biggest crush on Jay. We went to high school together & I thought he was the one for me. It figures it only works that way when the feeling is mutual from both sides. I was jealous when I heard you were the one he was waiting for all these years. For what it's worth, I think he's really lucky to have you in his life.
Summer: Thanks, Beth. Take care.

Summer & Beth hugged briefly. Summer walked down the stairs towards Krystal & Nat who were watching from a distance. They had watched the whole conversation & confessed to Summer that they were waiting for a cat fight to break out. They all piled into Summer's car.

Nat: Well that was anti-climactic.
Krystal: I was waiting for a slap or a punch.
Nat: Same...
Summer: What? You guys are crazy. She was nice. I think we could've been friends.
Nat: Ok. Subject change.

Krystal's phone rang & it was her boss asking her to come in within the hour. She agreed since she needed more hours, but then she realized she was without a babysitter to watch her girls.

Summer: We can watch your girls!
Nat: Wait a minute! We?
Krystal: Oh would you? You guys would be saving my ass.
Nat: Count me out.
Krystal: But the girls love their Uncle Nat.
Nat: No, the girls terrorize their Uncle Nat. The last time I was there I had like 3 anxiety attacks. One for each child. No thank you.
Summer: I'm down for sure. I taught pre-school for a couple years so I'm no stranger to children.
Krystal: Summer, you sure you can handle all three? My girls are no angels. I know how hard it can be.
Nat: Ain't that the truth.

There was a pause & Nat felt pressured to help out.

Nat: Ok, fine! But only because I have nothing better to do.

Krystal hugged Nat.

Krystal: Thank you! Thank you!
Nat: You owe me!
Krystal: Ok, ok. I'm buying dinner after my shift.
Nat: Order sushi & it's a done deal.
Krystal: Ok, sushi it is.

Summer nudged a cross-armed Nat who was rolling his eyes.

Summer: Oh come on, it'll be fun.