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Jack says Goodbye
(Transcribed by Mystic)
This episode took place on February 21, 1997. Jack had been sentenced to prison and this is his last morning with Jennifer and Abby before he is taken away. It's a tearjerker...
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[Show opens with Jack and Abby sleeping on the couch. They look so sweet together. Jenn is standing over them and looking at them sadly. Laura walks over to Jenn and puts her arm around her.]
Jenn - (whispers) Abby looks so happy and secure in Jack's arms. That security's gonna be ripped away from her when he goes to prison this morning.
Laura - I know it's painful for you too.
Jenn - My concern has to be for Abby. She's gonna grow up without her father. (she starts getting upset and turns around so she doesn't have to look at Jack and Abby)
Laura - It's just so unfair. Jack never meant to kill Peter.
Jenn - Well, I still hope that Uncle Mickey can get his sentence overturned, or at least reduced.
Jack - (who has woken up) So do I.
[he gets up off the couch and walks over to Jenn and Laura]
Jack - But Jenn, unless or until that happens... I'm counting on you both to be strong for Abby.
Jenn - (looking sad) We will be, Jack. But who's gonna be strong for you?
[Jack looks at her with sadness]
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[Jack watches Abby sleep]
Jack - I wish I could wake her up. I wanna spend every minute I have left with her.
[as if on cue, Abby opens her eyes]
Abby - Did I do something wrong?
Jenn - (quickly goes to Abby) No sweetie. Why do you think that?
Abby - 'cause everybody looks sad.
Jack - No, no sweetheart. We're just hungry. Remember that breakfast I promised you? Huh? French toast and sprinkles? Yeah? All right, let's go make it now.
[Jack carries Abby into the kitchen]
Laura - (rushes over to the desk to grab her purse) I'm going to the hospital.
Jenn - (surprised) Mom, aren't you gonna say goodbye to Jack?!
Laura - (hesitates) I just can't..... I was never very good at goodbyes. Tell Jack that.... um...... I'll miss him. (it's obvious that she wants to say "Tell Jack that I love him.)
[Laura walks past Jenn and goes out to front door. From the kitchen, we hear Abby yell, "I love you Daddy!" Jenn continues to look very, very sad]
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[Jack, Jenn and Abby are at the breakfast table. They just finished eating their french toast]
Jack - (looks at Abby) I got a surprise for you. (Abby looks excited) Close your eyes. (he smiles) Close your eyes, come with me. Let's go. (he picks her up and he, Abby and Jenn go into the living room)
[Jack puts Abby on the floor and tells her to open her eyes. She does and sees the dollhouse he and Jenn put together last night]
Abby - A dollhouse! Oh daddy! (she hugs Jack and he starts laughing)
Jack - You like that? Now look, I got something else for you. (he takes out the cross necklace and shows it to Abby. Then he puts it around her neck) Okay. Now Abby, if you wear this you will always be protected. Okay?
Abby - Thank you, daddy. But why are you giving presents? It's not my birthday.
Jack - (smiles) I know.... but I just want you to know that I'll always love you. No matter what happens.
Abby - I love you too, daddy. (she hugs Jack)
Jenn - Okay, why don't we take some pictures? (she grabs a camera)
[Jack picks up Abby and they pose for the first picture. The next pose has Abby standing alone in front of her dollhouse. Then Jenn wants another one of Jack and Abby together. Jack kneels down and puts his arm around his daughter]
Jack - You'll send me copies, right?
Jenn - (nods with tears) Of course I will.
[Jack gives a tiny, sad smile]
Abby - Are you going away daddy?
Jack - (hesitates) Sweetheart.....
[phone rings, interrupting them. Jack says, "I'll get it." and he answers the phone. It's the sheriff saying that he has to come take him away now. Jack says he understands]
Jack - (to Jenn after hanging up the phone) That was the sheriff. He's on his way.
[Jenn looks at him like she can't believe this is actually happening]
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[Jack and Jenn are walking out of the kitchen and into the living room. Jenn is holding a tray of tea.]
Jenn - Jack, we have to tell Abby as soon as she comes downstairs.
Jack - You're right. I guess we can't put it off any longer.
Jenn - No.
Jack - I'll tell her.
Jenn - Jack, she loves you so much. This is gonna be really hard for her.
Jack - I know, Jenn. I know. I'm sorry. Now you know I'd rather cut off my right arm than have her go through any pain. But she has to be told.
Jenn - (nods) I know.
Jack - (hesitates) Will you bring her to visit me?
Jenn - (pauses) Jack, I thought about it a lot and I don't know if it'd be good for her to go and see you there. I don't think she's gonna understand.
Jack - (looks disappointed) You're right, you're right. I shouldn't have asked. (pauses) But will you come and see me?
Jenn - (nods with tears) Of course I will. And I'll bring you pictures.
Jack - I appreciate that. You know, I --
[doorbell rings. Jack looks extremely upset and walks further away from the front door. Jenn finally goes to answer it. It's the sheriff and he says that it's time. He takes out the handcuffs]
Jenn - Oh, officer. Do you have to do that?
[Abby comes downstairs]
Abby - Mommy, why is that policeman here again?!
[Jack looks at Jenn with tears. Lots of tears in this episode!]
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[Jack asks the sheriff to hold off on the cuffs since his daughter is there. Sheriff hesitates but eventually gives in. Jenn takes Abby's hand and brings her over to Jack]
Abby - Daddy, why is he here again?!
Jack - (kneels down in front of Abby) Listen sweetheart. I have to go away with him.
Abby - Why? Where are you going?
Jack - I just have to go to a place where people go to think.
Abby - Can I come with you?
Jack - (smiles, heartbroken) No.... but I'll think about you every minute.
Abby - I don't want you to go, daddy.
Jack - I know. I don't want to go either, sweetheart. But I have to. (tears are really welling up now) Listen, I want you to make me a promise. I want you to promise me that you're gonna be a brave little girl. (his voice starts shaking) Watch out for your mommy and your grandma, okay?
[Jack hugs Abby and now he really begins to cry. I think you probably remember this particular scene well. Jenn also has tears streaming down her face]
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[Jack and Abby are still hugging]
Sheriff - *ahem* Mr. Deveraux.
Jack - (to Abby) Why don't you go upstairs and start getting ready for school, okay?
Abby - Okay. I love you, daddy.
Jack - I love you.
[He hugs her again. Gosh, the pain in his eyes is really unbearable]
[Abby goes upstairs. Jenn moves closer to Jack and he looks at her]
Jack - I don't know how to say goodbye to you.
[Jenn hugs Jack and they both continue crying. When they finally let go of each other, they look into each other's eyes. Then Jack brushes her cheek with his hand.]
Sheriff - Sir? (oh, shut up!!)
[Jack puts his hands behind his back and the sheriff handcuffs him. Jack and Jenn continue to look at each other tearfully.]
Jack - (finally) I love you, Jenn.
[Jenn doesn't say anything, but I think she wants to say that she loves him too. Jack and the sheriff walk past her towards the front door. Jenn now starts crying profusely. Jack turns around one last time, looks at Jenn sadly, then he leaves. Jenn's face is wet with tears and she just continues to cry]
end
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