Josie Archived

Lala: He’s holding her so tight. Is there anything more beautiful than young love?

Remy: Not many things, no.

Lala wistful: Look at them. How can they expect to stay so pure?

Remy: I don’t think they expect to. Young love is pure, mature love is patient. It’s a nice trade off and they’ll learn that.

Lala soft: He reminds me so much of you, Remy. He’s the most like you, you know. How you should have been, if it weren’t for your father hurting you. You should have had his easy smile and his hopeful eyes and his genuine charm- none of the pain. And so- I always felt closer to Manny. Because I feel like he was all the wrongs made right.

Remy: I understand that. But he’s not me. He’s his own person. And he deserves for you to make room for his wife in your heart.

Ava: Oh this night sky is perfect! Being up here in the hills you can see the stars again. In the heart of the city we couldn’t see them. I missed them, it’s like being on my island again.

Manny: The sky on the island was something else. 

Ava dreamy: I hope Maxine and Ingrid are happy under this sky. I’m thinking about them and sending them all my love. And I’m also telling all these stars how much I love you, too.  I want every star in the universe to know how much I love you. *shouts* Do you hear me, stars in the universe? I love Manny Holmes, forever and ever! *gasps* Manny, look! A shooting star!

Manny breathless: Look at that. You’re so magic, your love for me has stars shooting across the sky. Like fireworks. Do it again.

Ava smiles: You’re so silly! I wish I could like...touch a star? Jump way up and take one and hold it in my hand like a crystal.

Manny: I’d put them in your hair. You want one? For your hair? *pulls her close*  I’m gonna lift you up high and you grab a star from the sky for your hair.

Ava giggles: Manny! Put me down! You’ve been trying to throw me in this pool all night, don’t use the stars as an excuse!  *happily squirms* Why are you so crazy?! Let go of me!

Manny: I’m not trying to throw you in the pool, I’m trying to help you grab a star... for your hair....after you flat iron your hair, I’ll help you put a star in it- because I love you-my love deserves stars for her hair-

Manny: This day has felt so fucking long. It’s like it was years ago I went skating.

Ava sighs: And I ran off to buy dog food.

Manny: You okay with Baby...um...staying at the uh...vet for the night? Because my mother is um...allergic to dogs and she’s pregnant?

Ava: I’m fine with it. As long as I know Baby is safe. 

Manny soft: I’m sorry about my mother, Ava. I didn’t think she’d be so mean to you.

Ava: I love that she loves you so much. Now I know where your good heart comes from. And where your good looks come from. Your Dad is a fox.

Manny: I’m gonna throw up.

Ava laughs: My feelings were hurt by your Mom, I’ll confess. But I have a plan! To win her over. 

Manny chuckles: You always have a plan, babe. 

Ava: I do. I didn’t come this far in my marriage to fail!

Manny: We only been married a few weeks, babe.

Ava: You’ve been such a pain, it feels like a lifetime.

Remy: I called one of my assistant’s to go to the address you gave me. To get your dog. Well- he had to call Animal Control.

Manny: Aw man. Baby tried to bite him, huh? He’s a hostile breed of dog-

Remy: Apparently that’s not a dog, Manny. It’s a rodent. A really large rodent. You guys have been taking care of a rodent thinking it was a dog. It’d be hysterical if it wasn’t so weird and disgusting. You’re both lucky it wasn’t rabid and didn’t attack you.

Manny incredulous: So Baby was a rat after all?!

Remy raised eyebrow: You knew it was a rat?

Manny: I mean, Ava kept insisting it was a puppy- she almost had me convinced- but deep down, I knew it was a fucking rat!

Remy: And a rare one at that. You guys can’t keep it. It has to go to a wildlife conservation society. 

Manny shocked: WHAT? Ava can’t keep Baby? I can’t tell her that! This day has been so long and hard on her and-

Manny: What the hell is wrong with my mother? She’s not even being herself. Is it the belly? I knew she’d be upset but damn- she’s never been nasty. I thought it was Aunt Allie at the table for a minute.

Remy: I’ll talk to your mother. Tell Ava to be patient. Part of it is the pregnancy, it’s been rough on Lala.  And she’s had a tough time lately with a lot of things. But also- your Mom is drawn to people she thinks need her. She likes hurt people, broken people, people she thinks she can save. I love her for it but it frustrates me too. Because if Ava had been a mess like Dios- *clears his throat*  like others- Lala would already be in love with her.

Manny: Ava’s really strong, independent. She’s had a rough time in her life but she’s not the type to let it bring her down. Not for long. 

Remy: I can tell in her eyes she’s a smart, strong young woman. I like her for you. I like the way she stood up for you.

Manny glum: Oh. Okay.

Lala: I don’t want you to starve though, Manny! I can prepare you a plate of salmon, it should still be warm. I made the blackened fish for RJ in case he stayed for dinner. But I’d be happy to get you the salmon right now.

Manny relieved: Yes please, Mami. I’d like that.

Remy sharp: Manny. Get your mother’s tits out of your mouth and eat the fucking food your wife served you.

Ava murmurs: I didn’t know you didn’t like blackened fish- I don’t think we ever made fish-

Manny falsely cheerful: Actually? I love blackened fish! I do. It’s the best!  Everything you make is the best, Mom and everything you dish out is great Ava and-

Maela: This is so painfully awkward. Really, Mom? 

Lala upset: Well, Ava was the one who insisted on helping, you all know the kitchen is my domain but what was I supposed to say when she insisted-

Remy sighs while Manny coughs.

Ava small voice: May I be excused?

Remy: Of course, ladybug. I’ll have a plate sent up to Manny’s room, if you’d like. You didn’t touch your food.

Manny: Um...may I be excused as well?