Kansas Story
by Grace
Chapter 51 - 60
*******************
Chapter 51 - The End Of The Dream
December 31, Sunset Beach, California, Ben Evans' house
Meg rushes out of Ben's house, trying to hold back her tears. He runs after her and grabs her hand.
Ben: Meg, wait.
Meg: Let go of me!!!
Ben: Meg, I can explain.
Meg: There is nothing to explain. Wife in California and a lover in Kansas, huh?
Ben: That's not like that.
Meg: No? (pauses) Or maybe you're right. Maybe it's not like that. Maybe it's wife in California and lovers in each state.
Ben: You don't understand.
Meg: How many more hidden lovers do you have?
Ben: You are not just my lover.
Meg: You know, the sad fact is that I actually believed that. I believed that we really were meant to be together. Every time you told me that you loved me, I thought you really meant it.
Ben: I DID mean it.
Meg: I thought your feelings were true and that what we had was something beautiful.
Ben: It was. it IS beautiful.
Meg: God, I thought that I finally found this wonderful guy who would love me forever and would never hurt me. who would never lie to me. But how wrong I was.
Ben: Meg, I love you.
Meg: No, you don't. But you know what - you were damned good in pretending all those feelings. Every time we were alone, I really thought that you felt what I felt.
Ben: That's because I DID feel it. I didn't pretend anything.
Meg (crying): Like hell you didn't. You were playing with me. You were playing with my feelings, making me believe that a man like you can truly love a woman like me. How stupid and naive I was. Did you really enjoy that game?
Ben: This was not a game.
Meg (burst into tears again): Damn you, Ben. All those beautiful words you said. all the times we kissed, we held each other. Every time we made love. I really believed that this meant for you as much as it meant for me.
Ben: It did.
Meg: And all those romantic moments we shared. I really. I really believed that they were so special.
Ben: They were.
Meg: But I guess I was wrong. About everything. I was wrong about you. About your feelings for me. But there is one thing I wasn't wrong about - my feelings for you. They were true and that's why it hurts so much.
Ben: Meg, please, just calm down and let's talk.
Meg: No, I have said everything I had to say. Now, go back to your wife.
Ben: Meg.
Meg: Oh, and don't forget to give her this.
Meg takes off the pearl necklace and gives it back to Ben.
Ben: Meg, this necklace is yours. It was supposed to be the symbol of our relationship.
Meg: No, it can't be the symbol of something that doesn't exist.
One more time she looks at him with her tearful eyes and runs away as fast as she can. He tries to stop her, but she pulls away. Ben lets go of her and comes back to the house.
Maria: What was that about?
Ben: Nothing.
Maria: She didn't have a right to hit you.
Ben: She had. And she is damn right, I am a bastard.
Ben goes to the bedroom and closes the door. He sits on the bed and hides his face in his hands.
Ben (to himself): Damn it. Why? Why is everything so complicated?
***
January 1, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings' house
Meg stands in front of the house, afraid to come in. She should be extremely tired cause she had taken the first flight back to Kansas after a fight with Ben, but she doesn't feel tired. All she feels is her broken, bleeding heart. She can't believe that her beautiful dream has ended, that the only thing she thought was true in her life turned out to be just another lie.
Meg knows that if she comes in, she will have to face her parents and that she will probably ruin the rest of their New Year's Eve, but she can't stay outside.
She finally presses the handle and goes inside. Her parents are in the living room with a couple of friends. Joan notices her.
Joan (surprised): Meg, what are you doing here? I thought you were to go to California to spend the New Year's Eve with Ben.
Meg: I was.
Joan comes closer to Meg and looks at her inquiringly.
Joan: Meg, honey, what's wrong?
Meg (trying to hold back her tears): Everything is wrong.
Joan: What do you mean? What happened?
Meg remembers what happened in Sunset Beach and bursts into tears.
Meg: I can't do this right now. I can't. I just need to be alone.
Meg heads towards the stairs, leaving her luggage.
Joan: Meg, sweetheart.
Meg: Not now, mom. Not now.
Meg runs to her room and locks the door. She collapses on the bed and one more time bursts into tears. She hides her head under the pillow trying to forget how much this all hurts.
Meg (to herself through tears): Well, this is surely going to be the New Year's Eve I'll never forget.
Chapter 52 - The Proposal
January 1, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings' house
Meg sits on the bed and looks at her watch. It's 4 p.m. She hasn't been sleeping all the time since she came back from Sunset Beach. She has tried to do everything to forget about Ben, but it didn't help. She has been thinking about him all the time. She has been remembering all those wonderful moments they shared together and she can't believe that all this was just one big lie.
Joan (knocking on the door to Meg's room): Meg, honey, are you OK? Can I come in?
Meg (opening the door): Sure.
Joan comes inside and Meg goes back to bed. Joan sits next to her.
Joan: Meg, what happened? Why did you come back home?
Meg: Oh mom. if you only knew.
Meg bursts into tears and Joan gives her a hug.
Joan: If I only knew what?
Meg: About Ben.
Joan: What about Ben?
Meg: He's married, mom.
Joan: He's what? Did you just say.
Meg: Yes. He is married. He has a wife.
Joan: Oh my God. This means that.
Meg: That he has been lying to me all the time.
Joan: I can't believe it.
Meg: I couldn't either. But it's true. Ben is married. He has been playing with my heart all the time (Meg bursts into tears) And I loved him, mom. I really did. I still do. I love him so much and that's why it hurts.
Joan: I still can't believe that Ben would do something like this. He seemed so honest.
Meg: I know, I thought that what we shared was true. Everyone was telling me that this was crazy, but I didn't believe it. I should have listened to dad, he knew from the beginning. He was right all along by not trusting Ben.But I wasn't thinking straight. I wasn't thinking at all. I was listening to my heart and look where it led me to. God, mom, why?
Meg bursts into tears again and Joan looks at her thinking of a way to take Meg's pain away. But she can't think of anything. She just takes Meg in her arms letting her cry as much as she has to.
Joan: It's going to be OK, sweetheart. It's going to be fine.
Meg: No mom, it's never going to be fine. Never.
Joan: Oh honey.
Meg (crying): I gave everything to him. Everything. I gave in to him so completely. He took my heart and my soul, mom. He took them and now I'm never gonna be able to have them back. Ever.
Joan: Meg, don't say that.
Meg: It's true, mom. I gave my heart to Ben and he. he just threw it away. just like that.
Meg starts wiping the tears from her face.
Joan: I'm so sorry.
Meg: I am too, mom. I am too.
***
January 4, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings' house
Meg takes the note which was attached to the flowers Ben gave her the other day. She reads it over and over again, remembering how she believed every single word written there.
Meg (to herself): God, Ben, why did you do this to me?
Suddenly she hears a knock on the door.
Tim: Meg, are you there?
Meg: Yes, yes, come in, Tim.
Tim gets inside and realizes that Meg has a few tears in her eyes.
Tim; Are you OK?
Meg: I'm fine.
Tim: Look, I heard about Ben.
Meg (through tears): You must be pretty happy, huh?
Tim: No. I'm sorry for you. I really am.
Meg: I know. It just hurts.
Tim: Look Meg, since you and Ben are officially over now. because you are, aren't you?
Meg: Of course we are.
Tim: Then if you two are over, I thought that maybe you and I can start over. (In your dreams!!! - G.)
Meg: Tim.
Tim: Marry me, Meg and I'll help you to forget about Ben.
Meg: Tim, I.
Tim: You don't have to answer right now. Take all the time you need to think about it.
Meg: No, Tim, this is not going to work out. I can't give you what you want.
Tim: I can wait, Meg. I will be very patient.
Meg: No, you can't wait forever. And that's how long I'm gonna be getting over Ben.
Tim: I can help you get over Ben if only you let me.
Meg: No, Tim, I can't let you. I love Ben.
Tim: But he is married.
Meg: I know, but that doesn't change the fact that I love him and I will always love him, no matter what. What I felt for Ben is something you cannot easily forget.
Tim: But he betrayed you. He lied to you!
Meg: And don't you think I know that? And it drives me crazy to think what he did to me. It kills me. But I can't help the way I feel. I love Ben. I love him with my whole heart and nothing is going to change it.
Chapter 53 - Dizziness
January 8, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings' house
Meg lies on the bed. Jessica, Ashley and Connie enter her room.
Jessica: Meg.
Meg doesn't even move. Jessica sighs.
Jessica: Meg, sweetie, are you OK?
Meg suddenly turns around and looks at her friends as if she has seen them for the first time in her life. Slowly she seems to be coming back to reality.
Meg: Hey guys, what's up?
Ashley (sighs): Aren't we the ones who should be asking this question?
Jessica: That's right. We're not the ones with broken heart.
Ashley: Meg, we were worried about you.
Connie: How are you doing? You haven't been to Buckaroo since New Year's Eve.
Meg: I just don't feel like having fun right now.
Connie: Is this because of what Ben did to you?
Meg: I just feel like my life didn't have any sense anymore.
Ashley: Meg, don't say that.
Meg: That's how I feel.
Jessica: I still can't believe that Ben turned out to be married.
Meg: And who knows, maybe he even has a few children (laughs through tears) And I wanted to be the mother of his children. God, how could I be so stupid?
Ashley: You were not stupid. You were just in love.
Meg: Yeah - in love. I guess now I know that what they say is true - love really is blind.
Jessica: I'm so sorry it ended that way.
Meg: Not as sorry as I am. I thought that I finally found him. I thought that Ben was the one I have dreamt about my whole life. I thought that he was the one I'm gonna be spending the rest of my life with. God, how could everything go so wrong? How could something so beautiful turn out to be a mistake? How?
Connie: I don't know.
Meg: What did I do to deserve all this?
Ashley: You didn't do anything.
Meg: Then why?
Jessica: I guess we'll never find an answer to that. Sometimes just everything doesn't go the way we expect it to.
Meg: But why me? Why when I finally found my happiness it had to be taken away from me?
Connie: Maybe it was not meant to be?
Meg: I don't know. All I know is that I love Ben. I love him with my whole heart. And it hurts to know that he doesn't love me.
Ashley: Maybe he does.
Meg: How can he? He has a wife. God, he has a wife. a wife.
Meg bursts into tears and Ashley hurries to give her a hug.
Meg: It hurts. It hurts so much.
Ashley: I know, I know. But it's going to be fine. You will make it, Meg. You will.
Meg: No, I won't. This is too much for me. I can't take it. I can't.
Jessica: Meg, this is going to work out somehow.
Meg: I wouldn't be so sure (Meg sighs and pauses for a while) Oh gosh, guys, I should have brought you some coffee. I will in a minute.
Meg stands up.
Connie: Meg, you don't have to.
Meg: I do. You're my guests.
Meg heads towards the door and suddenly feels a little bit dizzy. She leans against the wall. Jessica runs to her.
Jessica (helping Meg to sit down): Are you OK?
Meg: I'm fine, I'm fine, I just feel a little dizzy.
Ashley: Meg, this is the third time something like this happens. Are you sure you're OK?
Meg: I'm OK, it's nothing.
Connie: I wouldn't be so sure.
Jessica: She's right, Meg. Something is wrong with you.
Meg: Nothing is wrong.
Ashley: Meg, this is not funny. I think you should see a doctor.
Jessica: Ash is right. This may be something serious.
Meg: No, it's nothing. I just haven't eaten anything today, that's why I feel so dizzy.
Ashley: Still I think you should see a doctor.
Meg: All right, all right, I will.
Chapter 54 – A Shock
January 9, Ludlow, Kansas, Local clinic
The secretary: Doctor Roberts is going to see you in a minute.
She leads Meg to doctor Roberts’ office.
The secretary: Please, wait here.
Meg: Thank you.
Meg smiles and the secretary leaves. After about ten minutes doctor Roberts comes into the office.
Doctor Roberts: Good morning, Miss Cummings.
Meg: Good morning.
Doctor Roberts: So, what brings you here? (smiles) I mean – what exactly?
Meg: Well, I’ve been feeling a little bit dizzy recently. I’m sure it’s nothing serious, but my friends are worried about me and actually I got pretty scared myself, so I decided to come.
Doctor Roberts: Did you also feel a headache?
Meg: No, just the dizziness.
Doctor Roberts: Well, I guess I won’t be able to say anything until I examine you.
Meg: Sure.
Doctor Roberts: But first I’ll ask sister Samantha to take the blood sample.
Meg: OK… When are the results going to be ready?
Doctor Roberts: They should be ready tomorrow. I’ll call you, is that OK?
Meg: Yeah, that will be fine.
Doctor Roberts smiles and stands up.
Doctor Roberts: I’ll call sister Samantha.
Meg: Sure.
Doctor Roberts leaves.
***
January 10, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings’ house
Meg looks nervously at the watch. She has been trying to persuade herself that this is nothing serious, but she started worrying after all. She looks at the phone and as if feeling it, it rings. Meg runs and grabs the earphone.
Meg: Hello.
Doctor Roberts: It’s Simon Roberts here. Can I speak to Miss Meg Cummings?
Meg: Hi doctor Roberts, it’s me. Do you have the results?
Doctor Roberts: Yes I do.
Meg: So, what’s wrong with me?
Doctor Roberts (smiles): Nothing is wrong. I would say that you are absolutely fine. Actually better than ever.
Meg: What do you mean? Then what’s with those dizziness?
Doctor Roberts: Well, that occurs during pregnancy.
Meg (shocked): Pregnancy?
Doctor Roberts: Yes. Congratulations Miss Cummings, you’re gonna have a baby.
Meg (still not being able to say anything): What?!
Doctor Roberts: A baby. You’re pregnant.
Meg (sighs): Oh God.
She slowly lets go of the earphone letting it fall on the table. She takes a deep breath.
Doctor Roberts: Miss Cummings, are you there? Miss Cummings…
Meg hurriedly takes the earphone.
Meg: Yes, I’m here, I’m here.
Doctor Roberts: Are you OK? I know that such news may be pretty shocking.
Meg: They are… But I’m fine… I’ll call you…
Meg puts down the earphone and leans against the wall.
Meg (to herself): Oh God… This can’t be… This can’t… God, I’m having a baby… Ben’s baby… Oh God, what am I supposed to do?
***
January 12, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings’ house
Joan (surprised as Meg eats fourth bun): Meg, haven’t you eaten enough already?
Meg: No. Why?
Joan: No, nothing. You just didn’t use to eat so much.
Meg: Well, that’s probably because I’m… (she remembers that her parents don’t have any idea that she’s pregnant) That’s because I’m hungry… You know, all that stress and…
Joan: Maybe, but that’s not what you meant, isn’t it? (Joan looks at her inquiringly) Honey, what is it?
Meg: Nothing, everything is fine.
Joan: Come on, Meg. It’s obvious that something is bothering you.
Meg: Maybe I should tell you… You’re gonna find out anyway one way or another.
Joan: Find out about what?
Meg: I’m…
Hank: You’re…
Meg: I’m… pregnant…
Hank (shocked): You’re what?
Meg (knowing how Hank must feel right now): Pregnant. I’m gonna have a baby.
Hank: I guess I don’t have to ask about the father (looks meaningfully at Meg and she nods) Son of a bitch!!!
Meg: Dad!
Joan: Hank, please, calm down.
Hank (indignant): Calm down?! Some married bastard makes my daughter pregnant and I’m supposed to calm down?! No way!
Meg (trying to defend Ben): Dad, it takes two to create a baby…
Hank: No, Meg. This guy used you and I won’t let him get away with that! He’s gonna pay for what he has done to you.
Hank angry leaves the room.
Joan (a little bit more realistic): Have you thought about what you are going to do?
Meg: I don’t know. I really don’t know. All I know is that I’m scared.
Joan (frightened): Meg, you haven’t thought about…
Joan doesn’t even have to finish, because Meg knows exactly what she means.
Meg: No, mom, I couldn’t… I wouldn’t… I wouldn’t do this to this innocent child because whether Ben loved me or not, that child is a symbol of love I felt for him… The love I still feel… Oh mom, why does it have to hurt so much?
Joan: I know that it’s not easy to heal a broken heart, but you will be fine.
Meg: But what about the baby? My baby… Mine and Ben’s baby…
Joan looks helpless at Meg as she doesn’t know the answer to that.
Chapter 55 - Marry Me
January 15, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings’ house
Meg takes a look in the mirror and touches her stomach.
Meg: Oh sweetheart, if you only knew how much I loved your daddy… But he didn’t love me… But don’t worry, sweetheart, I’ll give you all the love I have…
Meg wipes the tear from her eyes and sits on the bed. The telephone rings and Meg answers.
Meg: Hello.
Ben: Meg, it’s me, please, don’t hang up.
Meg (feeling piercing pain in her heart): What do you want?
Ben: I have been trying to get in touch with you for two weeks…
Meg: I didn’t want to talk to you… I still don’t…
Ben: Meg, please, we need to talk…
Meg: No, we don’t. There’s nothing left we need to say to each other. Everything is clear, so why don’t you just leave me alone…
Ben: I can’t leave you alone, I love you.
Meg: Liar!
Ben: Why don’t you just listen to me?
Meg: No, I’m over with you. Everything you told me was a lie and I don’t wanna hear any more lies.
Ben: Meg, I love you. Why can’t you believe that?
Meg: Don’t be ridiculous, Ben. You have a wife…
Ben: I don’t love her.
Meg: She’s your wife. And I don’t think there is anything else that matters.
Ben: We matter… Our love…
Meg doesn’t listen and hangs up.
Meg (to herself): No, Ben, I won’t let you lie to me again. I won’t.
One more time she touches her stomach and thinks about the baby.
Meg (thinks): Oh God, how am I supposed to forget about your daddy? How to forget how much I love him and how much this hurts that he can’t be with me to raise you. How am I supposed to deal with that (she pauses for a longer while) There is one way. I know what I need to do.
She grabs her purse and leaves the house. She runs as fast as she can and after a few minutes she reaches Tim’s house. She rings the doorbell and Tim opens the door.
Tim (surprised): Meg, what are you doing here?
Meg: I need to talk to you.
Tim: Come in.
Meg gets inside. Ryan and Matt are there.
Meg: Tim, can we please talk privately.
Ryan and Matt immediately raise from their sits.
Ryan: We’d better be going.
Matt: Yeah, you talk to Meg.
Tim: Thanks, guys. Bye.
Tim opens the door and Ryan and Matt leave.
Tim: So, what did you want to talk to me about?
Meg: Look, I know that I may sound crazy but is your offer still standing?
Tim: What offer?
Meg: To marry me.
Tim (shocked): Are you saying that you’ve changed your mind about marrying me?
Meg: Yes.
Tim: That’s wonderful!
Meg: But there is one very important reason why I did this… And you may not like it.
Tim: What do you mean?
Meg: I’m pregnant.
Tim (staring at Meg): You’re what?
Meg: I’m pregnant. With Ben.
Tim: You’re carrying Ben’s child.
Meg: Yes. And I need a father for my baby.
Tim: What about the biological father?
Meg: He will never know about the baby. He didn’t deserve it… Look, Tim, I know that what I’m asking for may be difficult, but I just thought that since we used to be so close once… that maybe we can start over… unless you don’t want to…
Tim: No, no, of course I want to.
Meg: Even with Ben’s baby?
Tim: Even with Ben’s baby.
Meg: Thank you, Tim.
Meg smiles and gives him a hug.
Meg: Tim, I can’t promise you anything right now… I’m still in love with Ben and hurting after what he has done to me… And it may take some time to get over it, but I will learn how to love you. I will.
Tim: Hey, I can wait.
Meg: I know and thank you.
Tim smiles, kisses Meg’s cheek and embraces her.
Meg (thinks): I have to do this. I have to. This is the only way to get Ben out of my life.
***
January 15, Ludlow, Kansas, Connie’s house
Tim knocks the door as hard as he can.
Connie (from inside): God, I’m coming, I’m coming.
She opens the door, Tim lets himself in and closes the door.
Connie: What the hell…
Tim: Do you have the champagne?
Connie: Champagne? Why?
Tim: We’re celebrating.
Connie: What?
Tim: My engagement.
Connie: Engagement? With who?
Tim: With Meg.
Connie: Meg Cummings?
Tim: That’s right. Meg and I are getting married.
Connie (shocked): What? How? When?
Tim: Well, let’s just say that Meg discovered that Ben had left her a little ‘memento’ and she is looking for someone to take care of it.
Connie: What ‘memento’ are you talking about? (Connie looks inquiringly at Tim and she smiles) Oh my God, don’t tell me that she is pregnant.
Tim: Bingo.
Connie: Oh God, I can’t believe it. Meg is pregnant with Ben’s child. Wow!
Tim: I wouldn’t say exactly ‘wow’, but this is my way back to her.
Chapter 56 – The Announcement
January 17, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings’ house
Meg answers the phone.
Meg: Hello.
Tim: Hi, it’s me, Tim.
Meg: Hi Tim.
Tim: Look, I’m calling cause I’ve already talked to father Thomson and I asked him about free dates for weddings.
Meg: And?
Tim: Well, the first free date is January 21st…
Meg: No, that’s too soon. What about the next ones?
Tim: 27th and then 3rd of February...
Meg: That should be fine, we will have two weeks to get ready.
Tim: Great, then shall I call father Thomson and tell him about our choice?
Meg: Sure, do that before someone else does.
Tim: OK, see you later then.
Meg: See you, bye.
Meg hangs up.
Meg (to herself): God, am I doing the right thing by marrying Tim? (Gee, let me think, LOL... - G.) I will not come back to Ben no matter what, but is that a way out of this?
***
January 18, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings’ house
Joan, Hank, Ashley, Jessica, Ryan and Matt are gathered in Cummings’ living room as Meg and Tim told them that they had something very important to announce.
Jessica: So, what did you want to tell us?
Ashley: Yeah, what’s so special?
Meg: Well (she pauses) Tim and I decided to get married.
Everybody: What???!!!
Meg: I know that I was so in love with Ben and all but I decided that I had to move on with my life. Without Ben Evans. Besides I need a father for my baby. Since Ben can’t be the father for him… (pauses)
Tim: I’ll be more than happy to take care of the baby (smiles) And Meg of course.
Ashley (a little bit shocked): Congratulations then… I guess…
Meg: Thanks.
Joan: Well, that’s definitely unexpected, but dad and I wish you both our best.
Meg: I know, thanks.
Matt: So, what about the toast?
Hank: Great idea.
Hank goes to the kitchen and brings the champagne. Joan brings the glasses and Hank pours the champagne.
Hank: So, here it is to Meg and Tim.
Everybody: Cheers.
Meg lifts the glass, but doesn’t drink. She looks at Tim and wonders if she is ever going to be happy with him.
Meg (thinks): God, what am I doing?
She puts the glass down and goes to the kitchen. Joan notices that and goes after her.
Joan: Honey, what’s wrong?
Meg: Nothing, it’s just all that excitement and everything. I’m just a little bit overwhelmed.
Joan: Are you sure that’s all?
Meg: Yeah…
Joan: Honey, are you sure you wanna go through this?
Meg: What?
Joan: The wedding… You don’t love Tim, Meg and we both know that.
Meg: You’re right, I don’t love Tim. But marrying him is the only way to forget about Ben.
Joan: It’s not going to be easy, is it?
Meg: No. I still…
Joan: I know, sweetheart, I know.
Joan gives Meg a hug.
Meg: Mom, why does it have to be this way? Why? I loved him so much… I still love him… Then why can’t we be happy?
Joan: I don’t know, but I know that you should seriously think about your wedding. Maybe it’s not a good way.
Meg: Maybe not… But that’s the only way…
Chapter 57 - Letting Go
January 20, Ludlow, Kansas, Cummings' house
Meg looks at her computer. She has just erased all the e-mails Ben has sent to her, without even reading them. She promised herself that she would cut off all her contact with Ben to make everything easier. She remembers all her chats with Ben and sighs.
Meg (to herself): Oh SB.
She wipes another tear from her eye and hears the telephone ringing.
Meg: Hello.
Ben: Meg, it's me.
Meg (feeling pain in her heart as she hears his voice): Ben, I told you not to call.
Ben: Meg, what's going on with you? You're not answering your mail.
Meg: My mail? Ben, what did you think? That we're gonna start chatting like we used to? Get real!
Ben: You could have just let me know that you're OK.
Meg: Like if you cared about that.
Ben: I do, you have no idea how much.
Meg: Ben, don't. I don't wanna hear any more of your lies.
Ben: These are not lies. Everything I say to you is true and comes from the bottom of my heart.
Meg: How can you be so cruel to me, Ben?
Ben: Cruel?
Meg: And how would you call it? You keep telling me that you love me, knowing that we can't be together. Is hurting me really so much fun for you?
Ben: Fun? How can you say that?
Meg: How? You know exactly how. Why can't you just leave me alone and let me move on with my life?
Ben: Meg, I love you. And damn it, I know that you love me too.
Meg: I did. I did love you very much, but this dream has ended. We can't be together and you and I both know that.
Ben: Meg, I can't let you go. I can't.
Meg: You have to. For your own sake. And mine. If you have just a little bit of compassion, you'll let me go. Can't you see that you're hurting us both by playing this game?
Ben: This is not a game.
Meg: You are a bastard, Ben! You lied to me and you lied to your wife. I don't know her, but I'm sure she didn't deserve it. (Oh I wouldn't be so sure... You just wait my dear... - G.) And I didn't deserve it either. I'm not a saint, but I didn't deserve it.
Ben: Meg, if only you let me, we can make things right.
Meg: How? By announcing me your official lover?
Ben: I can get divorced.
Meg: Don't even go there. We can't make it right, Ben. We can't. That's why we have to move on with our lives. And that's what I'm intending to do. I'm going to forget about you by marrying Tim.
Ben: What???
Meg: I'm gonna marry Tim. We're engaged again. I shouldn't have broken up with him in the first place. He loved me. (Yeah, right... - G.) And he still does. (No comments - G.) That's why I'm gonna find my happiness with him.
Ben: Do you really think that it's going to work out?
Meg: It has to.
Ben: Meg, please, think it over.
Meg: I have and I have made my decision. I'm marrying Tim and that's my final word.
Ben: Meg.
Meg (through tears): Ben, please, just let me move on with my life. Don't call, don't send any mail. Just leave me alone.
She hangs up.
Ben (to himself): I have no intention of leaving you alone, Meg and I'll find a way for us to be together.
Chapter 58 – The Divorce
January 23, Sunset Beach, California, Liberty Corporation – Ben Evans’ office
Gregory: So, Ben, what did you want to talk to me about?
Ben: I wanted to ask you a few questions about the divorces.
Gregory (surprised): Divorces? Why? Is there something going on that I don’t know about?
Ben: There is a lot going on that you don’t know about, but that’s not the point here… I need to know how fast is it possible to get a divorce?
Gregory: Well, if both sides agree, then it takes only a few days to prepare the divorce papers… But after that it takes a few months for the divorce to be finalized.
Ben: A few months???
Gregory: Well, it can be a month or two… It depends…
Ben: It doesn’t matter, I can’t wait that long.
Gregory: You? Wait a minute… Ben, are you and Maria having some problems?
Ben (sighing): It’s a lot more than just a problem… But I don’t wanna talk about it… Just don’t tell anyone, OK?
Gregory: Sure. You know you can count on me.
Ben: I know, thanks.
***
January 24, Sunset Beach, California, Ben Evans’ house
Ben enters his house. Maria is waiting for him with the dinner.
Maria: Hi, Ben. The dinner is ready.
Ben: Maria, we need to talk.
He has finally decided to tell Maria the truth and he is having a really hard time gathering his thoughts.
Maria: About what?
Ben: I think you know… You told me yourself that sooner or later we would have to talk about it… And I think that the time has come.
Maria: So, are you going to tell me what’s going on with you?
Ben: Yes… (Ben pauses) Look, Maria, you must have noticed the distance between us recently…
Maria: I have.
Ben: I feel it too and I feel that I can’t take it any longer… I need to tell you the truth…
Maria: The truth about what?
Ben: About me… about us… (Ben pauses again) You know that things haven’t been going well between us in a long time… Our marriage was a farce a long time before it happened…
Maria: Before what happened?
Ben: Before I met her…
Maria: What HER?
Ben: This woman… Maria, there is another woman in my life.
Maria (looking at Ben and not wanting to believe what he is saying): What? (Are you deaf or what? - G.)
Ben: I’m in love with someone else.
Meg: Ben, tell me…
Ben: I’m sorry, Maria.
Maria: God, I should have figured it out earlier… But I didn’t believe that that you would do something like this to me… (Now look who's talking.... Sorry, that's in a few chapters... - G)
Ben: Maria, I’m so sorry… I wanted to tell you so many times… I really did, but I just couldn’t…
Maria: How long has this been going on?
Ben: For a while.
Maria (thinks for a moment): Oh my God, that’s why you went to Kansas, isn’t it? You were with her…
Ben doesn’t answer, but Maria knows that she is right. She slaps Ben.
Maria: You bastard!!
Ben doesn’t say anything this time either. He knows that he deserved it. (I wouldn't be so sure... But again, THAT in a few chapters... - G.)
Maria: How could you do this to me? How?
Ben: Maria, I didn’t mean for this to happen.
Maria: Maybe. But it did happen and you knew what you were doing.
Maria looks at him hatefully.
Ben: Maria, you know that our marriage was a farce…
Maria: Maybe, but still you WERE married and you had no right to treat me like this.( Doubt that. - G.) And her…(That's where your'e right. - G.) Did she know that you were married? I bet she didn’t.
Ben: No.
Maria: Does she know now?
Ben: Yes.
Maria: How did she find out?
Ben doesn’t respond and Maria suddenly is enlightened.
Maria: It was her, wasn’t it? The one who came here on New Year’s Eve… She introduced herself and I did the same… I told her that I was your wife… That’s how she found out, isn’t it?
Ben (nodding): Yes… Maria, I know what you must thinking of me, but there is just one thing I’d like to ask you…
Maria: What?
Ben: I think that there is no point in keeping our marriage since we… I…
Maria: Are you talking about the divorce?
Ben (sighs): Yes.
Maria: No way! You’re not gonna do this to me, Ben, you’re not. I am your wife and I deserve some respect.
Ben: And that’s why I want to go through the divorce… It will be better…
Maria: For who? Maybe for you, but not for me. And there is no way I’m gonna give you a divorce!
Ben: Maria, please, think about it…
Maria: I don’t have to. I love you Ben and I’m not gonna loose you to another woman.
Ben: Maria, please…
Maria: Forget about the divorce! If you wanna have a lover, fine, but I’m not gonna make things easier for you!
Maria storms out of the house and runs to the beach.
Maria: Damn you, Ben! You’re not gonna do this to me, I worked too hard to get what I deserve and there is no way I’m gonna give it up.
Chapter 59 – Who Is The Real Deceiver?
January 27, Ludlow, Kansas, Buckaroo
Ben buys another drink and drinks it. He has been in Kansas for a while and he is still trying to find the guts to face Meg. Finally he stands up.
Ben (thinks): OK, the time is now.
He leaves Buckaroo and heads towards Meg’s house. Suddenly he gets a strange feeling that he should go somewhere else first. He stops for a while and changes the direction he’s going – he heads towards Tim’s house. When he reaches it, he doesn’t even knocks and opens the door on his own. He is disgusted of what he sees – Tim and Connie are in bed about to make love. Ben is shocked. Tim and Connie immediately pull away from each other, but the situation is unequivocal.
Tim (angry): What the hell are you doing here?
Ben: What am I doing here? What the hell are YOU doing? Sleeping with your fiance’s best friend?
Tim: That is none of your business!
Ben: Like hell it’s not! You damned bastard! I wonder what Meg’s gonna say when she finds out about that.
Tim: You’re not gonna tell her, are you?
Ben: Of course I am. I can’t let her marry you.
Ben leaves without giving Tim a chance to stop him.
Tim: Damn it!!!!
Ben one more time looks at the door and runs to Meg’s house. He strongly starts to knock the door. Meg opens, but he doesn’t even give her a chance to get shocked.
Ben (coming inside): We need to talk.
Meg (still very shocked, trying to keep steady as her legs are melting on the sight of Ben): What the hell are you doing here?
Ben: I have something very important to tell you.
Meg: What? Your wife is pregnant and you want me to be the godmother?
Ben: Don’t be sarcastic.
Meg: Then what are you doing here?
Ben: I came to Kansas to see you…
Meg: Don’t even start…
Ben: But that’s not the point here anymore.
Meg: Then what is?
Ben: I just saw Tim with Connie.
Meg: And that’s such a big deal?
Ben: You don’t understand…
Meg; What? They are friends. Is it so strange that you saw them together?
Ben: From what I saw they are a lot more than just friends.
Meg: What the hell do you mean by that?
Ben: When I saw them together they were about to make love.
Meg: Excuse me? (laughs as she finds it really funny at that point) Don’t be ridiculous.
Ben: It’s true. I saw it with my own two eyes. They were in bed about to make love.
Meg: God, Ben, you are such a…
Ben: Such a what?
Meg: You would do and say anything to ruin my relationship with Tim, wouldn’t you?
Ben: You think I’m lying?
Meg: Of course you are. You can’t stand the thought that I’m trying to find my happiness with someone else… Because that’s what it’s about, isn’t it?
Ben: You’re wrong. I’m just telling you what I saw.
Meg: Just stop it!
Ben: And even if we don’t have a good relationship right now…
Meg: We don’t have ANY relationship!
Ben: Whatever… I won’t let you marry him. He doesn’t deserve you.
Meg: And who does? You?
Ben: I don’t either, I know that. (he looks at her lovingly and with concern) But I just don’t want you to get hurt again.
Meg (with pain in her voice and nearly through tears): Don’t worry, no one can hurt me more than you did.
Ben: Meg…
Meg: Just go… It hurts too much to see you…
Ben: Meg, I know that you still love me. If you would just let me…
Ben comes closer to her and kisses her passionately. She hates herself for letting him do that, for not pushing him away and first of all for wanting to feel his lips on hers again. But finally she finds her strength and starts pulling away from Ben. Just as she does that, Hank enters the room. He immediately runs to Ben and pulls him away from Meg.
Hank (hitting Ben): You son of a bitch!!! You still have guts to show up here after what you did to her!!! You bastard!!!
Meg: Dad, please, I can handle this.
Hank: I can throw him out if you want.
Meg: No. He will leave without that (turns to Ben) Isn’t that right, Ben?
Ben: Meg, please let’s talk….
Meg: We have nothing to talk about. Please just go.
Ben looks into her eyes, but this doesn’t help this time, although Meg is having a really hard time resisting those eyes.
Meg: Go!
Ben one more time looks into her eyes and leaves. Meg bursts into tears and Hank immediately gives her a hug.
Hank: It’s OK, sweetheart. He’s gone, he’s gone.
Meg: Why is he doing this, daddy? Why?
Hank: I don’t know, but if he shows up here again, I swear to God that I’m going to kill him…
Chapter 60 – The Confrontation
January 27, Ludlow, Kansas, Tim’s house
Tim: Damn it, I can’t believe that he saw us. He is gonna tell Meg…
Connie: Don’t worry, she will not believe him.
Tim: You think so?
Connie: I’m sure of it. I know Meg, she will think that he is trying to get some kind of revenge on you.
Tim: You’re right, you’re right, she won’t believe him. Not after what he did to her.
Connie: Exactly… Look Tim, I’ve gotta be going, but I’ll see you soon.
Tim: Sure.
Tim kisses her passionately, Connie gets dressed and leaves. A few seconds after Tim hears a knock on the door.
Tim (opening the door): Did you forget something, Connie?
Ben: Sorry that I’m not your FRIEND, but we need to talk.
Tim: We have nothing to talk about.
Ben: Oh yes we do.
Ben lets himself in.
Tim: What the hell do you think you’re doing?
Ben: Listen to me very carefully, you bastard! I’m not gonna let you marry Meg! Even if it’s the last thing I do! I won’t let you hurt her.
Tim: Hurt? I guess YOU should know something about hurting!
Ben: We’re not talking about me!
Tim: I’ll make you pay for what you did to her!
Ben: I loved her!!! I still do!!! And I know that she loves me!
Tim: Yeah and that’s why she decided not to tell you that she’s pregnant!
Ben looks at Tim shocked and Tim knows that he said too much…
Ben: What did you just say???? Meg is pregnant???? (pauses) God, it’s my baby, isn’t it?
Tim doesn’t answer, but Ben knows that he is right.
Ben: Oh my God… She’s pregnant… Oh God….
Tim: She didn’t want you to know about the baby, she hates you!
Ben: Just shut up!
Ben angry leaves Tim’s house and heads towards Cummings’ farm. He can’t believe what he has just heard. Meg is pregnant… Meg is pregnant with his baby… His baby… The baby they created together…
Ben reaches the farm and knocks on the door. Joan opens.
Joan: Ben, I don’t think…
Ben: I need to talk to Meg.
He gets inside without waiting for an invitation and rushes to Meg’s room. He opens the door and gets inside not giving Meg any chance to object.
Ben (angry and hurt): Why didn’t you tell me???
Meg: What?
Ben: That you’re pregnant!
Meg: And is that permitted?
Ben: Damn it, I know that this is my baby!!!
Meg: Who told you?!
Ben: That doesn’t really matter, does it?
Meg: Ben…
Ben: How could you not tell me?
Meg: How could I not tell you? Don’t even start with me.
Ben: God, Meg, you’re carrying my child…
Meg: This is MY child. You lost your rights to this baby when you lied to me.
Ben: How can you say that? This is my… our… this is OUR baby.
Meg: No, Ben, this is MY baby. And please just accept it.
Ben: Accept what? That a woman I love is carrying my child and she doesn’t want me to be the father for this baby?
Meg: You should be the father to the children your wife is gonna have (she sighs) God, Ben, why can’t you just leave me alone?
Ben: Leave you alone? I had no intention of leaving you alone earlier and now, when you’re carrying my child, there is no way I’m gonna let you go.
Meg: I’m afraid you will have to. Because I will marry Tim and there is nothing that you can do to change my mind.
Ben: Tim is a cheater!
Meg: Yeah, and you are the most honest guy in the world.
Ben: Meg, Tim was about to make love to Connie…
Meg: Just stop it, Ben. Connie is my friend and Tim loves me. (Oh yes, and I'm the Queen of England... - G.) They would never do anything like this. (Think again, my dear - G.) They are not like you!
Ben: How many times do I have to tell you that I love you?!
Meg: And how many times do I have to tell you that I don’t want to be the second woman in your life?!
Ben: You’re not second, you’re the only one.
Meg: Yeah, just after your WIFE… Don’t…
Ben: Meg, I know that you still love me just as much as I love you…
He leans to kiss her and Meg looks frightened as his lips are coming closer and closer to hers.
Meg (thinks): God, don’t let me do this (she says aloud) No!!!
She pulls away from him.
Meg: Just go!
Ben doesn’t move.
Meg (nearly cries): Go!
Ben one more time looks deep into her eyes, but she doesn’t say any other word.
Meg: I will be back.
He slowly leaves. Meg leans against the wall and feels that she can’t hold back her tears any longer. She bursts into tears.
Meg (cries): God, please, help me to be strong… please… Ben is not for me and I have to accept that…