Loss

The biggie of the week was Monday’s three-scene telling of Becky’s miscarriage. The look on her face when she leaves the bathroom, the surreptitious tippling of vodka, the screaming out “I had a miscarriage.” Dramatic, suspenseful and, ultimately, a heart-breaking loss for her.

But my pick comes on Thursday, when Liz sits down for a heart-to-heart with Becky. She tells her she knows how she feels, and she tells her about Katie.

Katie was the baby girl that Liz lost. She was a day old when she died. Liz puts a spin on it that’s consoling for Becky and that is really nice of her. She says, “at least I did get to hold her.” She doesn’t mention the emotional devastation of carrying a baby for that many more months, see it born and then lose it. But the look on Becky’s face suggests that she sees that, sees the pain for Liz.

Christmas tree angel

Then, a lovely gift of our delay in airtime, Liz mentions the tattered old angel she puts on her Christmas tree every year. It’s her memorial to little Katie. Watching this on the eve of Christmas Eve, I felt my eyes fill up. Becky and Liz hug, and my tears spill over.

Liz mentions Katie from time to time, but not often. And when she does, the pain is evident on her face. It’s not surprising that Liz has never told Becky before. And Steve? Maybe he felt it wasn’t his place to mention Katie. I don’t know. She was his sister, and he and Andy would have been old enough to know what was going on.

So often we see only Liz’s exasperation with Becky. Often it’s completely understandable but sometimes, well, she can be very hard on her I think. But, with this pregnancy, there have been some lovely moments from Liz with Becky and with Steve. It’s nice to see the compassionate and understanding side of Liz.

Becky doesn’t give up on kids, but it’s never easy. Scene of the Week Dec. 18/11, so a year later, is about another child.