Mike, Sam, Adam and Xavier were going to spend some more time in LA finishing the last of their album. It would have been officially finished before Christmas except the boys wanted to put Duane's Song on it. They returned to Tulsa not long after they had made their video clips to practice for their upcoming concert tour. Before anyone knew it, it was late February.
"Ike?" Taylor asked.
"Yeah?"
"I've got some news..."
"Oh?"
"Rita's pregnant. Two months."
"That's great news! Why you looking so forlorn then?"
Taylor looked around in Isaac's office nervously.
"Is the intercom on?"
"No. Tay, what is it?"
Taylor rested on his on his hands, his arms leaning on the desk.
"I can't believe that the idea has even popped into my head. But see it has, and now I can't get it out. And I tell myself that there's no way but then I have these moments where I am totally and completely sure..."
"What?"
"I... I think Rita purposely got pregnant. Like, she purposely didn't take any birth control pills or whatever. I mean, not that I mind so much, but if she wanted to have more kids, she could have told me. I mean, I love kids! We all do and -"
"Taylor?"
"Yeah?"
"You're babbling."
"Sorry."
"What exactly are you trying to tell me?"
Taylor took a deep breath.
"I think she's trying to replace Duane."
"Replace Duane? You can't replace people like that."
"Yes, I know! I know! That's the problem."
"Rita's a sensible person. Why would she do that?"
"I don't know!" Taylor moaned. "I just don't know! And, y'know the scary thing? I think she's done it before. I mean, I didn't think much of it at the time, but in the light of this..."
"Done it before? When?"
"You remember when I had that stalker problem, and she tried to kill Rita?"
"Yeah..."
"Ok, remember how we got to the hospital and we found out that Rita was pregnant, but at the same time, we found out that she lost the baby because she was shot?"
"And Rita got pregnant again soon thereafter!" Isaac realised. "Ouch."
"Yeah, see, hence my dilemma! I have never, ever known her to be conniving or devious or manipulative or anything like that. And you... you just can't replace people like that. You can't!"
"You're singing to the choir."
Taylor managed a short laugh.
"I just... I don't know what to do."
Isaac considered it.
"Do nothing."
"Excuse me?"
"Do nothing! You're going to have to play this one by ear, Tay. If she says anything that confirms your worry, by all means, ask her about it. But I have a feeling that if Rita, of all people, would do this, then she must be having some problems still dealing with Duane's death, and is probably still sensitive about it."
"Then maybe she should see someone -"
"And what if it's just you being paranoid?" Isaac countered. "You said so yourself, this kind of behaviour is completely unlike her. Look, Tay, play it by ear. It's a delicate situation if you're right, and must be treated as such. However, if she does say or do something that confirms what you think, then feel free to be as firm with her as you must."
"But how will I know? You're so much better with this stuff than me."
"Yes, but you know Rita better than me. I'm sure you'll know how to react as the need arises."
Taylor took a deep breath and nodded.
"Thanks man."