EPISODE 100
OF SUBURBAN WAYS
WRITTEN BY DARYL RUSS
A special event takes place in Suburban Ways and a heartfelt farewell to the Palmer family.
Steve stopped the car and sat quietly for a moment. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining without a cloud in the sky. The weather couldn’t be nicer for a wedding. But the wedding was still hours away.
He climbed out of the car and walked across the well-manicured lawn. The cemetery did an excellent job of keeping the place up, he thought as he stopped in front of his brother and sister’s grave. It made the thought of leaving town – leaving them – a little easier to take.
“Hey, guys,” he said as he knelt in front of their tombstones. Talking to them always seemed to make things easier. “I’ll be heading to Cornwall pretty soon so I wanted to stop by and see you before I did. But don’t worry. I’ll be back to see you soon enough.”
He swallowed hard, pushing back tears that threatened to come through. It had been ten long, hard years since he lost the both of them and the prospect of leaving – leaving them – was almost more than he could take. “I wish you guys could be at the wedding today. I really do.”
Scene The Inn
Arthur Palmer poured himself and pint and sipped it as he looked around the Inn
“You couldn’t resist, could you?”
“Old time’s sake,” he smiled as his wife walked into the pub. “It may be a while before I can pour myself a free drink, you know?”
Josie Palmer nodded with a weak smile. “I suppose it could be.”
He crossed to her and put his arms around her. “Don’t be like that. Dr. Starnes said there are still plenty of options left to us.”
“He was just being optimistic,” Josie told him. “It’s my body. I know how I feel.”
He pulled her closer and held on tight. “Then I will just have to be optimistic for the both of us.”
They stood silently in the middle of the bar for a long time until Josie looked up at him and smiled. “We still need to get dressed for the wedding.”
Arthur winked her. “Why don’t I get you a drink first?”
“Are you ready to head to the church?” Kelly Taylor walked into Carly’s empty apartment and looked around. “I can’t believe this is really happening. You’re actually leaving.”
Carly looked up from her open suitcase and exhaled deeply. “It’s been a busy few days but I’m really looking forward to this.”
Kelly frowned. “Getting married and moving at the same time…that’s a lot to ask of anyone. Still, this is a good chance for both of us to have a fresh start.”
“It’s time,” Carly insisted. “There’s just nothing left for me here anymore and if I stay in town I’m going to be running into Malcolm. And then there’s Jonathan. I need to get away if I’m going to get on with my life.”
“I know,” Kelly tried to smile and opened her arms for a hug. “I’m looking forward to the change. Steve and I starting our life together…but it’s a big change for all of us.”
“Cornwall isn’t that far away,” Carly said as she embraced her. “We’re going to have a good time there.”
“As soon as we’re settled,” Kelly promised, “we’ll have a whole new place to raise Hell.”
“They’ll never know what hit them.”
Jack Palmer stood in the doorway of the kitchen and looked at his wife. “What are you doing?”
“I’m packing,” Suzanne answered softly.
“It looks like you’re looking at old photos,” he said walking up behind her. He rubbed her shoulders as he looked at the album she held.
She reached up and squeezed his hand with a smile. “I was packing.”
“This move is a good thing, Suzanne,” he assured her. “We need this.”
“I know,” she nodded. “It’s just so much has happened the past few years…the fire…Ben…Alex.”
Jack kissed her on the neck. “It’s been a roller coaster, that’s for sure.”
“I just wish…” she paused as tears welled her in eyes.
“I know,” he told her softly. “We can’t change anything that’s happened. We can only try to make the best of what’s happened and try to move forward.”
She nodded and hugged him tightly. “At least we still have each other.”
Jack laughed. “Then that’s all I really need.”
Joyce Robinson walked into the Palmer home and stopped dead at the sight of the empty space.
“Are you all right?” Josie asked her as she closed the door behind her.
“I’ll be all right,” Joyce told her, “it’s just that…seeing the house so empty makes it all too real.”
Josie smiled as she led her into the kitchen. “I’ve still got glasses if you’d like something to drink. Wine?”
“That sounds good,” Joyce told her. “How are you doing?”
Josie paused as she poured. “I’ve been better.”
“You’re going to be fine,” Joyce told her. “I’ve heard good things about Dr. Starnes.”
“It’s cancer, Joyce,” Josie said firmly. “It’s never fine.”
“People beat cancer all the time.”
“For short periods of time,” Josie reminded her as she passed her a glass. “Cancer always wins in the end.”
“It won’t this time,” Joyce insisted. “You’ll beat it and you’ll be wanting to move back to town before you know.”
Josie could not help smiling. “I like the sound of that.”
Scene: The Sea Crest Hotel
Max Burns walked into his office to find Ronnie Mitchell waiting for him. “Glad to see you’re on time, Ronnie.”
“I’m always on time,” Ronnie said as they shook hands, “though I have to admit your phone call was a little confusing.”
“Confusing?” Max repeated with a furrowed brow. “Why is that?”
Ronnie smiled. “I haven’t had much to do with the hotel in a while now.”
“That’s something we should talk about changing,” Max answered.
“Changing?”
“Things are going pretty well here at the hotel lately,” he explained, “and I could use someone with your qualifications around here…if you’re interested.”
“Interested?” Ronnie shook his head. “Of course I’d be interested.”
“I was thinking about deputy manager,” Max said. “How does that sound to you?”
“Amazing,” Ronnie replied.
“I believe you’d find the pay satisfactory.”
“What is this all about, Mr. Burns?” Ronnie asked. “Where is this coming from?”
“I told you, business is doing well,” Max repeated, “and I could use someone helping me around here. Do you know anyone better suited to help me run this place?”
“I can’t say that I do,” Ronnie answered with a grin. He stood up and reached across Max’s desk to shake his hand. “When do you want me to start?”
Scene: The Church
Joyce Robinson walked into the foyer of the church and frowned as her daughter and son-in-law came inside. “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to make it.”
“Had trouble finding a parking place,” Richard Devlin said as he helped his girlfriend with her coat.
“That’s why we got here early,” Joyce pointed out.
Adele sighed as she adjusted her dress. “Mother, can’t we just enjoy the wedding?”
“That’s all I’m asking,” Joyce insisted. She paused and brushed Adele’s hair from her eyes. “You look lovely.”
With a smile, Adele took Richards’s arm. “Thank you, Mother. See, it isn’t that difficult, is it?”
Joyce looked annoyed but looked at Mickey. “We should get inside. Ken and Jasmine are saving seats for us.”
The church door behind the three of them open and more wedding guests arrived.
“Well, this is like old times, isn’t it?”
“Jason?” Adele smiled brightly. “I had no idea you and Julie were coming to the wedding.”
“We weren’t sure if we could get away to make it,” Julie Maguire said as her twin-brother helped her out of her coat, “and we thought it would be good to surprise everybody.”
“Steve and Kelly will be thrilled you made it,” Mickey said as he shook Jason’s hand.
“We really should get inside,” Joyce said to Adele. “Who knows who else might come through the door next?”
“I’m surprised you’re here,” Eddie Badhamn said as he moved down the pew to allow Jasmine Harris to join him. “I thought you were morally opposed to weddings.”
“Only as it pertains to me,” Jasmine told with a smile. “You look nice, Eddie. Trolling for bridesmaids?”
“We’ll see,” he told her with a grin. “The night is still young.”
Before Jasmine could answer, the wedding march started and she directed Eddie’s attention to the front of the church.
Steve Palmer and his father stood at the front of the church with Father Llewellyn as Carly Palmer entered the church smiling. Steve winked at his sister as she took her place on the left side of the church.
When the church door opened, Kelly appeared in the doorway on her father Alan Taylor’s arm. She practically glowed in a strapless white gown that rustled gently as she made her way down the aisle. Steve couldn’t stop smiling as she came to stop beside him.
Father Llewellyn motioned for the crowd to take their seats. “Dearly beloved,” he said loudly, “we are gathered today to witness the union of Steve Palmer and Kelly Taylor.”
Scene: The Inn
Graham Badhamn motioned to the bartender to refill his drink. The reception hall was filled to capacity as revelers enjoyed the live band.
“Is the open bar the only reason you came to the wedding?” Arthur Palmer asked walking up behind him.
“It’s a pretty good one, as far as I can tell,” Graham grinned at him as the bartender placed drinks in front of both them. “Gotta be a tough day for you, huh?”
“A little,” Arthur admitted. “I’m so happy for Steve and Kelly but…”
“A bold new beginning,” Graham said with his glass raised.
Arthur nodded and lifted his own glass. “An excellent toast.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” the band leader said over the speakers, “how about a dance from the happy couple? I give you Steve and Kelly Taylor.”
The crowd applauded as the bride and groom took the floor and started their slow dance.
“You’re missing their dance.” Jack Palmer said as he handed a round of drinks to his wife Suzanne and Josie.
“Josie was just telling me about their move to Cornwall,” Suzanne explained.
“Telling you what?” Jack asked, taking his seat.
“We didn’t want to say anything until now,” Arthur explained. “What with the wedding and all, we didn’t want to take anything away from the kids.”
Suzanne took a deep breath. “What does that mean?”
“Josie has cancer Suzanne,” Jack explained. “That’s why they’re moving. For treatment.”
“What did you say?” Carly Palmer asked from behind them. “When were you going to spring that on us?”
“After the move, dear,” Josie said. “We wanted Steve and Kelly to have their wedding without worrying about me.”
Kelly looked at the happy couple dancing across the hall and sighed. At last, she took a seat beside Josie. “At least we’re all going to be there for you. We will, you know?”
Josie hugged her tightly. “I never doubted that.”
Adele Robinson smiled as she adjusted Ken Robinson’s jacket. “So, did you get any ideas for your own wedding?”
“Leave it alone, Ken,” she told him sharply.
“I didn’t see her here,” she told him. “Are you two on the outs?”
“She’s inside dancing,” he told her. “And you most certainly saw her sitting right beside me. What is this all about? Are you anxious to get me married off?”
“Just curious where things stand between the two of you,” he told her . “That’s all.”
Ken shook his head as the photographer gathered everyone together. “Time for the happy couple to head off on their honeymoon,” he told her.
“Maybe you’ll get some ideas from that,” Adele told him with a laugh.
Everyone cheered as Steve and Kelly ran from the church under a hail of bird seed. They laughed as the climbed into the limo
“I hate to see tonight come to an end,” Joyce Robinson said as she stood behind Josie. “I’m so happy for the two of them but now that it’s finally here…I know it means you’ll be on your way to Cornwall.”
Josie smiled her. “Once the dust settles, you’re going to have to come for a visit.”
“I can’t wait,” Joyce said as she hugged Josie.
As the crowd slowly thinned out, Carly walked up behind Josie and Arthur. “So when are you planning on telling Steve and Kelly?”
Joyce sighed. “When they get to Cornwall after the honeymoon. They should enjoy this time of their lives.”
Carly nodded and smiled. “They deserve that much.”
“We all do,” Arthur said as he hugged her.
SCENE: WRITTEN BY MARIOS
Jack handed the keys to Joyce and hugged her as he got into the car, Suzanne smiled at her dear friend, "You make sure you ring once you get there" said Joyce tearfully.
"I will, I will" she looked back at the Pub and hugged Joyce who got into the car with Carly, Arthur, Jack and Josie.
"Ready?" They all looked at each other.
"Safe journey" called Joyce as she waved. Margaret held her close to her and waved as they drove off into the sunset.
OF SUBURBAN WAYS
WRITTEN BY DARYL RUSS
A special event takes place in Suburban Ways and a heartfelt farewell to the Palmer family.
Steve stopped the car and sat quietly for a moment. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining without a cloud in the sky. The weather couldn’t be nicer for a wedding. But the wedding was still hours away.
He climbed out of the car and walked across the well-manicured lawn. The cemetery did an excellent job of keeping the place up, he thought as he stopped in front of his brother and sister’s grave. It made the thought of leaving town – leaving them – a little easier to take.
“Hey, guys,” he said as he knelt in front of their tombstones. Talking to them always seemed to make things easier. “I’ll be heading to Cornwall pretty soon so I wanted to stop by and see you before I did. But don’t worry. I’ll be back to see you soon enough.”
He swallowed hard, pushing back tears that threatened to come through. It had been ten long, hard years since he lost the both of them and the prospect of leaving – leaving them – was almost more than he could take. “I wish you guys could be at the wedding today. I really do.”
Scene The Inn
Arthur Palmer poured himself and pint and sipped it as he looked around the Inn
“You couldn’t resist, could you?”
“Old time’s sake,” he smiled as his wife walked into the pub. “It may be a while before I can pour myself a free drink, you know?”
Josie Palmer nodded with a weak smile. “I suppose it could be.”
He crossed to her and put his arms around her. “Don’t be like that. Dr. Starnes said there are still plenty of options left to us.”
“He was just being optimistic,” Josie told him. “It’s my body. I know how I feel.”
He pulled her closer and held on tight. “Then I will just have to be optimistic for the both of us.”
They stood silently in the middle of the bar for a long time until Josie looked up at him and smiled. “We still need to get dressed for the wedding.”
Arthur winked her. “Why don’t I get you a drink first?”
“Are you ready to head to the church?” Kelly Taylor walked into Carly’s empty apartment and looked around. “I can’t believe this is really happening. You’re actually leaving.”
Carly looked up from her open suitcase and exhaled deeply. “It’s been a busy few days but I’m really looking forward to this.”
Kelly frowned. “Getting married and moving at the same time…that’s a lot to ask of anyone. Still, this is a good chance for both of us to have a fresh start.”
“It’s time,” Carly insisted. “There’s just nothing left for me here anymore and if I stay in town I’m going to be running into Malcolm. And then there’s Jonathan. I need to get away if I’m going to get on with my life.”
“I know,” Kelly tried to smile and opened her arms for a hug. “I’m looking forward to the change. Steve and I starting our life together…but it’s a big change for all of us.”
“Cornwall isn’t that far away,” Carly said as she embraced her. “We’re going to have a good time there.”
“As soon as we’re settled,” Kelly promised, “we’ll have a whole new place to raise Hell.”
“They’ll never know what hit them.”
Jack Palmer stood in the doorway of the kitchen and looked at his wife. “What are you doing?”
“I’m packing,” Suzanne answered softly.
“It looks like you’re looking at old photos,” he said walking up behind her. He rubbed her shoulders as he looked at the album she held.
She reached up and squeezed his hand with a smile. “I was packing.”
“This move is a good thing, Suzanne,” he assured her. “We need this.”
“I know,” she nodded. “It’s just so much has happened the past few years…the fire…Ben…Alex.”
Jack kissed her on the neck. “It’s been a roller coaster, that’s for sure.”
“I just wish…” she paused as tears welled her in eyes.
“I know,” he told her softly. “We can’t change anything that’s happened. We can only try to make the best of what’s happened and try to move forward.”
She nodded and hugged him tightly. “At least we still have each other.”
Jack laughed. “Then that’s all I really need.”
Joyce Robinson walked into the Palmer home and stopped dead at the sight of the empty space.
“Are you all right?” Josie asked her as she closed the door behind her.
“I’ll be all right,” Joyce told her, “it’s just that…seeing the house so empty makes it all too real.”
Josie smiled as she led her into the kitchen. “I’ve still got glasses if you’d like something to drink. Wine?”
“That sounds good,” Joyce told her. “How are you doing?”
Josie paused as she poured. “I’ve been better.”
“You’re going to be fine,” Joyce told her. “I’ve heard good things about Dr. Starnes.”
“It’s cancer, Joyce,” Josie said firmly. “It’s never fine.”
“People beat cancer all the time.”
“For short periods of time,” Josie reminded her as she passed her a glass. “Cancer always wins in the end.”
“It won’t this time,” Joyce insisted. “You’ll beat it and you’ll be wanting to move back to town before you know.”
Josie could not help smiling. “I like the sound of that.”
Scene: The Sea Crest Hotel
Max Burns walked into his office to find Ronnie Mitchell waiting for him. “Glad to see you’re on time, Ronnie.”
“I’m always on time,” Ronnie said as they shook hands, “though I have to admit your phone call was a little confusing.”
“Confusing?” Max repeated with a furrowed brow. “Why is that?”
Ronnie smiled. “I haven’t had much to do with the hotel in a while now.”
“That’s something we should talk about changing,” Max answered.
“Changing?”
“Things are going pretty well here at the hotel lately,” he explained, “and I could use someone with your qualifications around here…if you’re interested.”
“Interested?” Ronnie shook his head. “Of course I’d be interested.”
“I was thinking about deputy manager,” Max said. “How does that sound to you?”
“Amazing,” Ronnie replied.
“I believe you’d find the pay satisfactory.”
“What is this all about, Mr. Burns?” Ronnie asked. “Where is this coming from?”
“I told you, business is doing well,” Max repeated, “and I could use someone helping me around here. Do you know anyone better suited to help me run this place?”
“I can’t say that I do,” Ronnie answered with a grin. He stood up and reached across Max’s desk to shake his hand. “When do you want me to start?”
Scene: The Church
Joyce Robinson walked into the foyer of the church and frowned as her daughter and son-in-law came inside. “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to make it.”
“Had trouble finding a parking place,” Richard Devlin said as he helped his girlfriend with her coat.
“That’s why we got here early,” Joyce pointed out.
Adele sighed as she adjusted her dress. “Mother, can’t we just enjoy the wedding?”
“That’s all I’m asking,” Joyce insisted. She paused and brushed Adele’s hair from her eyes. “You look lovely.”
With a smile, Adele took Richards’s arm. “Thank you, Mother. See, it isn’t that difficult, is it?”
Joyce looked annoyed but looked at Mickey. “We should get inside. Ken and Jasmine are saving seats for us.”
The church door behind the three of them open and more wedding guests arrived.
“Well, this is like old times, isn’t it?”
“Jason?” Adele smiled brightly. “I had no idea you and Julie were coming to the wedding.”
“We weren’t sure if we could get away to make it,” Julie Maguire said as her twin-brother helped her out of her coat, “and we thought it would be good to surprise everybody.”
“Steve and Kelly will be thrilled you made it,” Mickey said as he shook Jason’s hand.
“We really should get inside,” Joyce said to Adele. “Who knows who else might come through the door next?”
“I’m surprised you’re here,” Eddie Badhamn said as he moved down the pew to allow Jasmine Harris to join him. “I thought you were morally opposed to weddings.”
“Only as it pertains to me,” Jasmine told with a smile. “You look nice, Eddie. Trolling for bridesmaids?”
“We’ll see,” he told her with a grin. “The night is still young.”
Before Jasmine could answer, the wedding march started and she directed Eddie’s attention to the front of the church.
Steve Palmer and his father stood at the front of the church with Father Llewellyn as Carly Palmer entered the church smiling. Steve winked at his sister as she took her place on the left side of the church.
When the church door opened, Kelly appeared in the doorway on her father Alan Taylor’s arm. She practically glowed in a strapless white gown that rustled gently as she made her way down the aisle. Steve couldn’t stop smiling as she came to stop beside him.
Father Llewellyn motioned for the crowd to take their seats. “Dearly beloved,” he said loudly, “we are gathered today to witness the union of Steve Palmer and Kelly Taylor.”
Scene: The Inn
Graham Badhamn motioned to the bartender to refill his drink. The reception hall was filled to capacity as revelers enjoyed the live band.
“Is the open bar the only reason you came to the wedding?” Arthur Palmer asked walking up behind him.
“It’s a pretty good one, as far as I can tell,” Graham grinned at him as the bartender placed drinks in front of both them. “Gotta be a tough day for you, huh?”
“A little,” Arthur admitted. “I’m so happy for Steve and Kelly but…”
“A bold new beginning,” Graham said with his glass raised.
Arthur nodded and lifted his own glass. “An excellent toast.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” the band leader said over the speakers, “how about a dance from the happy couple? I give you Steve and Kelly Taylor.”
The crowd applauded as the bride and groom took the floor and started their slow dance.
“You’re missing their dance.” Jack Palmer said as he handed a round of drinks to his wife Suzanne and Josie.
“Josie was just telling me about their move to Cornwall,” Suzanne explained.
“Telling you what?” Jack asked, taking his seat.
“We didn’t want to say anything until now,” Arthur explained. “What with the wedding and all, we didn’t want to take anything away from the kids.”
Suzanne took a deep breath. “What does that mean?”
“Josie has cancer Suzanne,” Jack explained. “That’s why they’re moving. For treatment.”
“What did you say?” Carly Palmer asked from behind them. “When were you going to spring that on us?”
“After the move, dear,” Josie said. “We wanted Steve and Kelly to have their wedding without worrying about me.”
Kelly looked at the happy couple dancing across the hall and sighed. At last, she took a seat beside Josie. “At least we’re all going to be there for you. We will, you know?”
Josie hugged her tightly. “I never doubted that.”
Adele Robinson smiled as she adjusted Ken Robinson’s jacket. “So, did you get any ideas for your own wedding?”
“Leave it alone, Ken,” she told him sharply.
“I didn’t see her here,” she told him. “Are you two on the outs?”
“She’s inside dancing,” he told her. “And you most certainly saw her sitting right beside me. What is this all about? Are you anxious to get me married off?”
“Just curious where things stand between the two of you,” he told her . “That’s all.”
Ken shook his head as the photographer gathered everyone together. “Time for the happy couple to head off on their honeymoon,” he told her.
“Maybe you’ll get some ideas from that,” Adele told him with a laugh.
Everyone cheered as Steve and Kelly ran from the church under a hail of bird seed. They laughed as the climbed into the limo
“I hate to see tonight come to an end,” Joyce Robinson said as she stood behind Josie. “I’m so happy for the two of them but now that it’s finally here…I know it means you’ll be on your way to Cornwall.”
Josie smiled her. “Once the dust settles, you’re going to have to come for a visit.”
“I can’t wait,” Joyce said as she hugged Josie.
As the crowd slowly thinned out, Carly walked up behind Josie and Arthur. “So when are you planning on telling Steve and Kelly?”
Joyce sighed. “When they get to Cornwall after the honeymoon. They should enjoy this time of their lives.”
Carly nodded and smiled. “They deserve that much.”
“We all do,” Arthur said as he hugged her.
SCENE: WRITTEN BY MARIOS
Jack handed the keys to Joyce and hugged her as he got into the car, Suzanne smiled at her dear friend, "You make sure you ring once you get there" said Joyce tearfully.
"I will, I will" she looked back at the Pub and hugged Joyce who got into the car with Carly, Arthur, Jack and Josie.
"Ready?" They all looked at each other.
"Safe journey" called Joyce as she waved. Margaret held her close to her and waved as they drove off into the sunset.