Butler: I just made some coffee, sir. Would you like some?
Mike: Please. (The butler gave him a cup of coffee) Thank you. (Mike began to drink it. After a few minutes of sitting at the table, Mike decided to do something to try and get his dreams off his mind) I'm gonna go for a swim in case my wife wants to know where I am.
Butler: Okay. (Mike went to his pool area. He got into his swim trunks and got into the water. No matter what Mike did, the thoughts of his father would not go away. He got out of the pool, dried off, got dressed again and without saying a word, Mike left the house. He got in is car and began driving)
(Mike found himself on the interstate driving toward his home state of Texas. It took him several hours to get to his old home but he was relieved when he finally got to his mothers. He got out and went right in the house.)
Mike (Small yelling): Mama..?! You home..?!
Mike's Mom (Coming from her kitchen): Michael..? What are you doin' here honey?
Mike: I needed to be here with you.
Mike's Mom: What's wrong dear?
Mike: Somethin' from my past has come back.
Mike's Mom: Come sit down! I'll get ya some hot cocoa and we'll talk. (Mike smiled because he remembered how his mother used to give him hot cocoa every time they had little talks when he was younger. She got the cocoa and they sat down at the table to talk) What's troublin' ya?
Mike: I had a surprise visitor yesterday that brought back some harsh memories from the past. It's botherin' me.
Mike's Mom: Tell me about this `visitor.'
Mike: Her name is Danielle. She called me up askin' me to meet her at this local bar. When I met up with her, she began askin' me questions about dad. She turned out to be his daughter.
Mike's Mom: Oh dear. Ya have a sister, huh?
Mike: Yeah, I guess that's what you'd call her. She wanted me to meet up with him and I told her off. She brought back the bad memories that I had repressed all these years. Now everyone's on my back tryin' to get me to tell them about it. Thing of it is, I don't wanna talk about it.
Mike's Mom: No one can force you to talk about it, baby. The memories were just as hard for you as they were for me. I was thrilled to see your dad leave.
Mike: Why did you put up with it for 10 years?
Mike's Mom: I don't know. I began askin' myself that same question. It had gotten to the point where if your dad hadn't left, I was gonna leave with you. I think he knew that so he took off.
Mike: Was dad always that mean?
Mike's Mom: I never did tell you the whole story did I?
Mike: No. You told me bits and pieces but you never elaborated.
Mike's Mom: My parents moved me and my sister to Dallas when I was 15. I met your dad my first day of school and we began datin' shortly there-after. Things seemed to be smooth between us until your dad turned 18. The war had just begun overseas and we watched our friends get drafted one-by-one; includin' your dad's best friend. It was a friend he'd had since he was a little kid and they used to go everywhere together. For a while, your dad's best friend kept in touch with us but all of a sudden, the letters and phone calls stopped. Your dad questioned his best friend's mother and that's when he found out that he had been killed. After your dad got that news, he seemed to get real bitter. In fact, I quit datin' him for a while because of it.
Mike: Then if you quit datin' him, how'd you end up with him again?
Mike's Mom: When your dad turned 19, he ended up gettin' a draft notice in the mail. He didn't wanna go because he wanted to become a police officer so he was tryin' to find every way possible to keep away from it. He finally found his way when he begged me to take him back. He got me pregnant with you and that was his ticket out right there.
Mike: So what happened from there? I mean, when did he turn mean?
Mike's Mom: Bob became the cop that he wanted to be but somethin' happened one night that snapped his mind. Keep in mind, son, that your dad was only 19 when he became a cop.
Mike: Well what happened?
Mike's Mom: While he and his partner were on their evenin' run for their department, they were called to a gang raid downtown Dallas. Your dad wouldn't elaborate on what happened but his partner was shot and killed in front of his face. He wouldn't talk about it. After they buried your dad's partner, your dad just seemed to get angrier and angrier as the night went on. I didn't even see the abuse comin'. When he did it that night, I was in such shock that I didn't even know what to think. He apologized over and over the next day to the point I just forgave him. He promised it wouldn't happen again. I believed him.
Mike: Yet you stuck around for ten years?
Mike's Mom: I was a fool, Michael.
Mike: Did you love him?
Mike's Mom: Yeah I did. But I don't think he really loved me. I think he just wanted a way out of the war so he got me pregnant with you. That's the only way it worked back then. (Mike's mom noticed Mike was still bugged about it) Baby, the only way you'll ever get over this is if you face him. I know that sounds bad comin' from me, but maybe if you talk to him, you can get over the past.
Mike: You sayin' I should forgive him?
Mike's Mom: No. I'm just sayin' that you need to talk to him.
Mike: Why would I wanna talk to a man that beat you and me for ten years and then took off never to be seen or heard from again; `til now?
Mike's Mom: Maybe for closure?
Mike: I wouldn't even know what to say to him.
Mike's Mom: Tell him how you feel.
Mike: Heh, I don't think he'd wanna know how I feel about him. (The telephone rang)
Mike's Mom: I'll get it. (Mike's mom got up and answered the telephone) Hello? Hi Davy. (Mike looked up at his mother when he heard who was on the other end of the phone) Yes, he ended up here. How'd you know? Yeah, I'd expect that from Pam. Yeah, you can tell Katie not to fret. You wanna talk to him? I'll handle that. Okay dear. You too. Bye. (To Mike as she hangs up the phone) That was Davy. Seems as though you've caused a panic back in California. You didn't tell anyone you were comin' here, did you?
Mike: No. I just got in the car and drove all the way here without stoppin'. I needed to be with you. What'd he say?
Mike's Mom: He said that Katie called Pam in a panic wonderin' where you were. Pam, in turn, called Davy to see if you were with them and since you weren't, she had Davy call here. She knew this would be the only other place you'd come to.
Mike: Why would Davy be the one to call?
Mike's Mom: He was just as concerned about you as the others. He said somethin' about you havin' a fight with him.
Mike: Yeah; a fight he started because I goofed up in practice several times.
Mike's Mom: Michael, the only time you mess up playin' that guitar is if you are lettin' somethin' bother you. I have a feelin' I know what that somethin' is. You don't have a choice. You're gonna have to face your dad to get over this.
Mike: I don't wanna talk to him! That's what I can't get anyone to understand! (Mike's mom disappeared for a minute. She came back with an address book. She opened it up and dialed a number) What are you doin'? (Mike's mom wouldn't answer him)
Man's Voice: Hello?
Mike's Mom: Hi!
Man's Voice: What do you want?
Mike's Mom: Someone needs to talk to you.
Man's Voice: Who?
Mike's Mom: Your son! (Mike's Mom handed her son the telephone)
Mike: What are you doin'? I don't wanna.(She forced the phone into Mike's hand)
Mike's Mom: Just do it! (Mike got mad and hung the telephone up)
Mike (Standing up and knocking something off the table): I am not talking to that man! And how dare you try and make me? (Mike went for the door)
Mike's Mom: Robert Michael Nesmith! (She headed him off before he could go out the door) Look, you may be an adult but I am still your mother and this is my house! You will never treat my things like that again! (He just looked at her) And another thing, you have got to stop letting that stubbornness get in the way of your life! Sometimes you have to let your guard down! If you don't, you'll end up alone!
Mike: I'm sorry.
Mike's Mom: Why don't you go to your old room and try to get some sleep. You look like you could use some. I'll call Katie up and let her know you're stayin'.
Mike: Don't tell Katie about my sister, okay?
Mike's Mom: I won't say anything to her. I'll leave that up to you. Just go get some sleep.
Mike: Thanks Mama. Thanks for listenin'.
Mike's Mom: That's what mothers are for, baby. (Mike gave a small smile and went to his old bedroom)