Frankie quotes from 7th Heaven

[in a taunting voice] Hey, Mary, we're saving a piece for ya!

Frankie

[walks over to the table] Do you know who you're talking to? Minister's daughter. Give her a break. Behave yourself.

And if we don't?

Frankie

Then you're all going to hell.

[humored] Ooooooh!

Frankie

I mean it.

Frankie

I'm just gonna have a cigarette. You want one?

Mary

Oh, no, thanks, I don't smoke.

Frankie

Neither did I. Well, I stopped when I found out I was pregnant, but as soon as I popped Mercy out, I lit up again.

Mary

Mercy. What a great name.

Frankie

She's a great baby. She's real good, she never cries. Probably because my mother watches her most of the time. She's good with babies. It's teenagers she can't handle.

Fire's ready. [sits down with a beer]

Frankie

So, if the fire's ready...

Do I have to do everything?

Frankie

Well, I did everything else!

Fine, I'll cook the steaks! [storms out]

Frankie

[to Mary] Don't ever get married.

Mary

Marriage takes a lot of work.

Frankie

You have no idea.

Frankie

[on phone with Mary] Hey, what if you and I both decided to sign up for college together next semester?

[smirks in the background] Be sure to apply for that scholarship!

Mary

Are you serious?

Frankie

Sure, I'm serious. I don't know what I want to do, either, but I know I don't want to wait tables for the rest of my life.

Mary

Is that... Is that pot?

Frankie

Yeah. I just need it to loosen up. This whole mother and wife gig really sucks.

Frankie

Why do you always have to act like this when somebody comes over?

I don't act like this whenever someone comes over, I act like this all the time.

Frankie

Right. You do act like this all the time. So when are you going to grow up?

Get off my case, will you?

Frankie

You could at least help me out a little around here. It's not like I ask you to do that much.

You don't ask me to do that much? You asked me to marry you, didn't you?

Frankie

[about Johnny] He's not such a bad guy, you know. He wanted to go to college, too, major in English Lit, and be a writer.

Mary

Hey. We all still have plenty of time to be whatever it is we want to be, right?

Frankie

Right. [The baby starts crying from her crib] Whatever I'm going to be doesn't change who I already am: a mom.

Frankie

It just seems so unfair. You make one little mistake, you know?

Mary

Yeah, I know. I made a big mistake once, too. I got arrested last year for trashing the school gym.

Frankie

[laughs] Arrested? You?

Mary

Yeah. I'm still on probation.

Frankie

Oh, so that's why you don't drink or smoke or anything.

Mary

Yeah, kind of.....but also because I feel so out of control, anyway--like I couldn't get my life back on track even if I wanted to. Not that I want to--I mean, it's not so bad, but it's just...

Frankie

Existing. Just existing. I know what you mean. Every time I make an effort to do something, it just feels like there's so much resistance...and I give up before I even start trying.

Mary

Maybe we could help each other. Maybe we could make an effort together. Maybe we could go to college and see if anything changes. I brought the brochures--do you want to look at them?

Frankie

No, not right now, I'm too out of it. Maybe some other time.

Mary

[disappointed] Yeah. Maybe some other time. [stands up]

Frankie

No, don't say it like that. Don't give up on me. I need a friend.

Mary

Well, I need a friend too.

Frankie

[on phone with Mary] Hey, your dad got us out. Thanks so much for getting him to help us.

Mary

You know, I was kind of surprised you called him.

Frankie

Yeah, well, I didn't know who else to call. After I got pregnant, my mom told me never to call her again if I got into trouble. Of course, your dad made me promise to talk to her, and to a counselor, and whatever. But at least I didn't have to call her from jail, you know? (pause) You are really lucky to have parents who are always there for you.

Frankie

I came all this way to beg you in person. Please watch Mercy. Please. Be my friend, and do me this one favor. I just need an hour, and your sister said your aunt and uncle would be gone all day. [pauses] I think Johnny's cheating on me. I want to follow him, catch him in the act. And I can't do that unless you watch Mercy.

Mary

[hesitates] One hour, right?

Frankie

Two hours max.

Mary

Please don't blow this.

Frankie

I won't. I won't. I'll just go get Mercy.

Mary

You left her in the car?

Frankie

I rolled the window down. Man, you're the best friend ever. [leaves]

Mary

Yeah, or the stupidest friend ever.

Annie

What are you doing?

Frankie

What do you mean?

Annie

What are you doing with that man?

Frankie

Look, Johnny is a great husband and father.

Annie

He tried to hit you. He would have hit you if my husband hadn't stepped in.

Frankie

But I love him, okay?

Annie

Do you love Mercy?

Frankie

Of course I love her!

Annie

Then why do you keep putting her at risk? If Johnny had hit you, or if someone had called the police, you and Johnny would be in jail right now. If that happened, then what would happen to Mercy?

Frankie

Are you actually suggesting that I leave Johnny? I can't raise a kid on my own.

Annie

You can't stay with a man who hits you. You can't. Mercy will grow up thinking that's what women do: they get hit. Is that what you want to teach her?