Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990) s01e18 Episode Script
It's Only a Test
Brandon, it's not too late.
You've still got a week to go.
Steve, I told you a month ago I don't want to do it.
Brandon, Alfred B.
Cook guarantees to raise your scores 200 points.
That's 200 points or your money back.
That could mean the difference between Princeton and Pacoima.
- You can't study for the SATs.
- I've been studying for weeks.
- Well, you've been had.
- Brandon, look at this, just look at this.
They offer this special Excelerator crash course, okay? I'm only thinking of you, buddy.
You know what they say, "Alfred B.
Cook or you be fried.
" - Five hundred bucks! - So? Forget it.
You can't make up for 16 years of ignorance in one week.
No, that's true, but it's incredible what you can do in one month.
You know, I've wondered who's been masticating all the pencils around here.
Masticating? Why did you use that word? Because every time I turn around to grab a new pencil, it's like Teeth marks! Yeah, but you could have said chewed.
I mean, masticating is the kind of word they use on those SATs, the kind of word that you learn in one of those expensive SAT prep courses.
Like Alfred B.
Cook? I knew you were taking one of those prep courses.
Let me just tell you something, Brandon, okay? That puts you in an unfair advantage over those people who cannot afford - those expensive courses.
- Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Hold your fire, Andrea.
First of all, I'm not taking one of those courses.
Steve is.
And second of all, I don't think they work.
The SATs are designed to test you on stuff you already know.
- You can't cram for them.
- And then again, maybe you can.
Maybe, just maybe, there is some kind of system.
Brandon, I am so bad at standardized testing.
I mean, the colleges, they look at them as if they're gospel! - I don't know what to do.
I mean, it's - Andrea, Andrea, Andrea, get a grip! We're talking about a test you can retake twice if you want to.
- A test that's - Going to determine whether I go to Princeton or Pacoima.
Have you been talking to Steve? Ran into him at my locker.
I figured that.
- "Apotheosis.
" - It's like the best.
Very good.
"An exalted or glorified ideal.
" Sort of like Patrick Swayze is the apotheosis of adorable.
See, if they would put these words in sentences that we could relate to, - this test would be a breeze.
- Don't count on it.
I'm not counting on anything.
The SATs test your entire brain.
"Autodidactic.
" Isn't that something Madonna did in her last video? I don't think so.
Doesn't it have something to do with cars? It means a person who is self-taught, like us.
You guys, what's the difference between malignant and benign? - Benign is like harmless, isn't it? - I think so.
So malignant's bad? Like a malignant tumor is the bad kind, right? Yeah.
- Kelly, what are you reading? - It's this test for breast cancer.
You know, checking yourself for lumps.
Kelly, that's something my mom does.
I mean, we don't have to worry about that stuff at our age.
Thank God.
I know, but it says here that it's never too early to start the habit.
"One out of nine American women will get breast cancer.
"And out of those, one out of four will die.
" How awful.
My aunt died of cancer.
God, Brenda, I'm sorry.
- When? - Two years ago.
It was my mom's younger sister and my favorite aunt.
I mean, it first started in her breast, and she had to get, you know, mastectomy.
They thought that it was over, but six months later it came back, entered through her lymph system or something.
She died on her birthday.
- How old was she? - Thirty-five.
- Kelly, what are you doing? - I'm taking this test.
- Now? - Yes.
Which do you think is more important? The SATs aren't gonna save your life.
Okay.
- All clear? - All clear.
Good.
Okay, move your pillows and let's check the left breast.
Yes, Dr Taylor.
Okay, now with your hand held flat, press gently with circular motions to feel the inner, upper quarter of your left breast, starting at the breastbone and moving to the nipple.
Brenda, maybe you should tell Dylan to do this.
Kelly, this is supposed to be serious.
Okay, bring your left arm down and press under your armpit.
- Aren't you glad you used Dial? - Donna! - I'm sorry.
- Okay, wait, finally, feel the lower, outer portion of your breast, going from the outer part to the nipple.
- All clear? - All clear.
All clear.
- Brenda, dinner.
- All right, I'm coming.
You've been in there for an hour.
Don't you know there's a water shortage? Brenda, dinner! Forget it.
That's the last time I'm calling her.
I hope it's not one of those diets.
She's probably just recovering from all that studying she did - at Kelly's this afternoon.
- Kelly studies? I can't picture it.
Well, it's for the SATs on Saturday.
They're making everybody crazy.
You know what the absolute worst part about the test is? What? The months of waiting afterwards for your results to show up in the mail, this little sealed envelope that basically holds the keys to your entire future.
- Brandon, it's not life or death.
- What's not life or death? - Nice of you to make an appearance.
- Hey, there.
The SATs.
I'm so sick of hearing about those things.
Expect the worst.
Hope for the best.
Well, that's an awful cheery outlook.
I would rather be surprised than disappointed.
Don't worry about it, you'll do fine.
How do you know that, Brandon? Maybe I won't.
Maybe you won't.
Hey, easy.
It's not that big of a deal.
I'm sorry.
It's just all this stuff with the SATs has got me going nuts.
Exactly! That's just what I was telling you guys about.
It's starting to be like mass hysteria.
It's not worth it.
Definitely not.
Mom, can I talk to you for a second in my room? Sure, honey.
- Is everything all right? - Yeah, I just need to talk to Mom alone.
So we were all at Kelly's studying for the SATs, and she was reading this magazine, and it had this thing in it about, oh, you know, where you check your breasts for lumps.
So we all decide to do it.
I don't know why.
I guess we were just bored.
Honey, that's not something you have to worry about as a teenager.
Well, the article said that even young girls should get into the habit.
So, I did the test, and I thought that I felt something.
Where? - Here.
- Let me feel it.
- I'm sure it's nothing.
- I'm sure it's nothing, too.
- Do you feel it? - I feel something.
- Does it hurt? - No.
I mean, I didn't really feel it until, and realize it was there, till we did this.
Don't tell Dad.
Why? I don't know.
I'm just embarrassed.
Honey, there's nothing to be embarrassed about.
Tomorrow morning, we'll go see a doctor, and we'll have this thing checked out.
I'm sure it's nothing.
Is that what Aunt Sheila thought when she found a lump on her breast? Did she think that it was nothing, too? Honey, it's not the same thing.
When you're older, it's different.
- I know.
It just freaked me out.
- I'm sure it did, sweetheart.
But it'll be fine, you'll see.
There's a good explanation for this, and tomorrow morning, we'll get it.
Okay.
- You get a good night's sleep.
- I will.
Good night, Mom.
Good night, honey.
You know, I can't believe we've been here for six months and we still don't have a family physician like Dr Kellman.
You know, I'm almost tempted to fly Brenda back to Minneapolis to see him.
I'll ask around at work.
I'll find somebody good.
- Somebody great.
- Somebody great.
- I want to take her in today.
- It's my first priority.
- I'm sure it's nothing.
- Of course it's nothing.
It just brings back so much about Sheila.
I mean, she never had a good doctor.
That was her problem right from the start.
A good specialist would have caught it earlier and would've done the proper surgery when the time came.
I still think the chemo was a mistake, wore her down.
- I think it made her worse.
- Cindy, whatever is wrong with Brenda has nothing to do with what was wrong with Sheila.
- I hope you're right.
- Of course I'm right.
- Hi, honey.
- Hi, Brenda.
You told him, didn't you? Brenda, it's nothing to be embarrassed about.
Dad, I know that.
I just didn't want you getting upset over nothing.
- I'm not upset.
- Well, why not? Because it could be a million things.
- Like what? - I don't know.
Maybe it's - Well, an ingrown hair.
- An ingrown hair? On my left breast? I sincerely hope not.
You know, Mom, this is why I didn't want you to tell him.
This is the kind of explanation Brandon would come up with.
- What is? - Nothing.
The outer ear collects sound waves and directs them to the eardrum.
Its vibrations are transferred by three small bones to the snail-like cochlea, which is divided into two cavities by the basilar membrane, which runs into a complex structure, the organ of Corti.
Excuse me.
Shoot me before I die of boredom.
Shoot me before I die of embarrassment.
- What is your mom doing here? - I'll tell you later.
Mom, I thought we were gonna meet after school.
Well, I was, but I got an appointment with a doctor who came very highly recommended from one of your father's clients.
She was booked for the day, but she said she could squeeze you in - if we get there before 2:00.
- She? Yes, she.
Mrs Morgan, you're next, please.
- Hello, I'm Dr Donner.
- Cindy Walsh.
And this is my daughter Brenda.
- Hi.
- Hi.
So, what seems to be the problem, Brenda? Well, as I told you over the phone, Brenda discovered some sort of lump or a bump on her breast the other day.
- Left or right? - Left.
And so naturally I was concerned that she have it checked out immediately.
I see.
Well, in the vast majority of cases involving women your age, this is nothing to be too concerned about, but we'll see.
I see there's a maternal history of cancer in the family.
Yes, that's right.
My grandmother and my sister.
And when did your sister die? - Two years ago.
- I'm sorry.
- Younger or older? - Younger.
By five years.
She died very young.
So, tell me, Brenda, how did you detect this lump? With some friends.
We were just following this article on how to test ourselves.
That's very commendable.
I wish more women would do that.
Had you ever noticed a breast mass before? No.
Well, actually, two months ago, I got bruised playing volleyball.
You knew about this two months ago? But, Mom, I didn't think it was that big of a deal.
I mean, I didn't even connect it until now.
Well, quite often that's the way that women are initially alerted to a breast mass.
They're fooled into thinking that it's from some external trauma, when, in fact, it's really been there all along.
I see.
Mrs Walsh, would you mind if I talked to Brenda alone? Well, I No, of course not.
I'll call you back in just a couple of minutes.
Sure.
I'll be right outside if you need me.
She's just a little overprotective.
Brenda, I wanted to talk to you alone because it's important that you realize that your relationship with me is entirely confidential.
Nothing you say goes beyond these doors.
Not to your parents.
Not to your clergyman.
No one.
What you tell me is private.
And I want you to feel free to come and see me for any reason.
- Okay? - Okay.
Okay.
Why don't you lay back here? - So tell me, where's the lump? - Right here.
Okay.
Now, we can assume that it's been there for over two months.
In that time, has it changed size or shape at all? I don't think so.
No.
Does it hurt? Is it tender to the touch? No.
Do you feel it? - Do you think it's something really bad? - I doubt it.
Then why haven't you sent me home yet? Has the lump changed size at all with your period? No.
- When was your last period? - Just a couple of days ago.
And no change? Not that I noticed.
Why don't you come up? Has there been any discharge from the nipple or change in the skin - in the area around it? - Never.
Am I going to need a mammogram? No, we don't usually do mammograms for women your age.
What I am going to need to do is a needle biopsy to test the lump.
And that'll tell us right away whether what you have is just a cyst, or something that needs to be tested further.
Does a needle biopsy have anything to do with a needle? I'm afraid so.
Do you mind if my mom comes back into the room? Not at all.
Hey, you guys.
Steve, Brandon, wait up.
Hey.
- Hey, Andrea.
- Hey, how you doing? So, where are you guys going? I got to get out of here.
I'm late for work.
- I'm going to Alfred B.
Cook.
- Oh, really? Right now? Yeah, you know what they say, "Alfred B.
Cook or you be fried.
" Tell me, do they give any pointers on how to, let's say, improve your test-taking skills? Oh, yeah.
It's an integral part of the course.
"Integral," guys.
Know it, it's gonna be on the test.
- You can trust me on that one.
- Never.
I gotta get out of here.
- I'll see you guys later.
- Later, buddy.
- Bye, Brandon.
- Say hello to Nat.
- Steve, Steve.
Steve, Steve.
- What, Andrea? Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to claw you, it's just that I'm in a desperate situation.
- What's the matter? - Well, the SATs, they're on Saturday.
- Yeah, so what? - So I was wondering - if I could - What? Could I come over to your house tonight and study with you after class? Are you asking me for a date? No.
No, what I'm asking you for is the Alfred B.
Cook advantage.
You know, notes, drills, practice tests.
Secret documents, whatever you have.
- Know where I live? - No.
Can you put down your address and your phone number? - Say 8:00? - 8:00 is fine.
You know, we have a reputation to uphold.
Did you know that West Beverly and Beverly Hills High have some of the highest SAT averages in California? How illuminating.
Don't forget, take good notes! I've just got to tell you that I really, really, really, really hate needles.
I promise you, with the Xylocaine you'll hardly feel it.
That's what they all say.
Just squeeze my hand if it hurts, honey.
You're lucky I don't have nails.
What I'm gonna do is insert the needle and try to withdraw fluid from the lump.
Now, if there is any fluid, we'll know that what you have is just a cyst, and they'll be nothing more to worry about.
Okay.
I know this is for a good cause.
- I haven't done anything yet.
- Well, tell me when.
Not yet.
- Are you going to do it yet? - I did it.
You're kidding.
That was nothing.
So what does that tell you? What it tells me is that what you have in your breast is solid.
It's not a cyst.
And in order to know more, we're going to have to conduct a biopsy.
- Oh, my God.
- Why? What does that mean? - What's wrong? - Probably nothing.
I don't understand.
I mean, Brenda's only 16 years old.
I mean, what are the chances that this could be cancerous? Very slim.
Brenda, would you excuse us for a minute? I want to talk to Dr Donner alone in the hallway for a moment.
- Mom.
- Honey I'm sorry, Mrs Walsh, but I can't discuss Brenda's case with you without Brenda being present.
But I always like to be up front with my patients - and give the worst-case scenario.
- Hope for the best.
Expect the worst.
Now on the upside, 81% of these cases are usually fibroadenomas - or benign tumors.
- And the other 19%? Non-cancerous lesions and sometimes cancer.
Given Brenda's young age, I rate that highly unlikely.
But given your maternal family history of cancer, nothing can be ruled out until we conduct a biopsy.
The soonest I can schedule something would be Saturday.
That's my SATs.
- Can't you make them up? - I guess so.
Mom, don't worry, I'm gonna be fine.
I know you will, honey.
I know you're gonna be just fine.
It's exactly the way it started with my sister.
Cindy, Sheila was a lot older than Brenda.
And you heard the doctor.
Age is an important factor in this disease.
- So is family history.
- Oh, God, I hate slicing onions.
- I'll do it.
- No, no, I'm doing it.
I just can't believe it.
She's so young.
It doesn't seem possible.
I just can't conceive of anything happening to Brenda.
Baby, it's gonna be all right.
I know it is.
I hope to God you're right.
I really wish you'd stop talking about me behind my back like that.
- Brenda, we weren't.
- It's these onions.
Mom, you heard the doctor.
It's probably nothing.
I'm sure it's nothing.
I mean, it's a good thing you found it.
It's just something that should be looked into.
So don't make more out of it than it is.
I'm not.
- Hey, everybody.
- Hey, big guy.
Brenda, I heard you left school a little early today.
Yeah, it's no big deal, but just don't say anything.
Why? What is it? I went to a doctor.
Why? Is something wrong? Sort of.
I have a tumor in my breast.
- What does that mean? - Probably nothing.
They're gonna do a biopsy Saturday to find out more.
Is it It's not I mean, do they think it - That's very unlikely, right, Mom? - Highly.
Highly unlikely.
Absolutely.
They're just doing it to find out more, to make sure.
Well, look on the bright side.
At least you get to miss the SATs.
Brandon, right now, that's the last thing on my mind.
- Okay, you've got four choices, right? - Right.
Out of those four, one will be a total throwaway.
- It is? - Yeah.
They do that so they can weed out the morons.
You're kidding.
I could spend 10 minutes trying to figure out why they put it there.
Well, don't.
It's just a trick, okay? Now you've got three choices left.
Now, of those three choices, one word will often mean the total opposite, - so you can rule that one out.
- And, of course, I never do.
Okay, now you're down to two choices, and even if you don't know the right answer, you still have a 50-50 chance of guessing right.
God, that makes it so much easier.
Well, yeah, you just can't spend too much time on one question.
You have to go through the test with total confidence and no hesitation.
I hope I can do it.
Yeah, you can do it.
You're smart already.
- In fact, that's your problem.
- Why? - Because you outsmart yourself.
- Yeah, I know.
Sometimes I wish I wasn't so smart.
You know what? You're pretty cute without your glasses on.
God! Is that supposed to be some kind of compliment? No.
This is.
- I got to go.
I - Now? - Yeah, it's getting late.
- It is? Look, I'm sure that you helped my score two, three hundred points.
Anytime.
Did I forget anything? I I guess I'm off.
Bye.
Mom won't even look at these pictures.
It's like she wants to forget her or something.
It's just hard for her, Brenda.
- They were so close.
- Tell me about it.
I used to wish that Sheila was my mom and Mom was my aunt.
She was so much fun.
Did you ever wish that? Not after she got sick.
Yeah, it was awful.
With her losing her breast and then all her hair.
I couldn't imagine that ever happening to me.
It won't.
I'll protect you.
You can't.
That's the thing.
Nobody can protect you.
You want to know the thing I remember most about Sheila after she got sick? What? How lonely she was.
And no matter how much love we gave her, she just kept on getting lonelier and lonelier.
After she died, it was Mom who got lonely.
I know.
It must've been such a relief for her to move out here.
Kind of like running away from bad memories.
She didn't get very far.
Hey, you're going to be just fine.
How do you know that, Brandon? Because I'm older.
And wiser.
And just how much wisdom did you accumulate in those momentous four minutes? - A small lifetime.
- Very small.
My eye! My eye! My eye! Hey, Brandon, I've been looking all over for you.
Hey, chief.
Where's your lunch? Are you kidding? Who could think about food? - The SATs are tomorrow.
- That they are.
Is Steve joining you today? - No.
- Good.
Because there's something really important I want to talk to you about.
Actually, there's something pretty important I wanted to tell you.
What? You've got to swear you won't repeat it.
Swear.
Well, Brenda found out yesterday she has some sort of tumor in her breast.
What? They're doing some sort of biopsy deal on it tomorrow.
- Is she going to be okay? - Probably.
I wanted to tell you because I feel like I can't really flip out at home in front of Brenda.
When the truth is, inside I'm flipping out.
I can imagine.
- I mean, I know she's gonna be fine.
- Of course she's gonna be fine.
Hey, I'm sure she's gonna be all right.
But then again, there's always that chance, and I can't even comprehend it.
So you've just gotta wait till after tomorrow.
- Don't tell her I said anything, okay? - Swear.
You know, Brandon, you can tell me anything.
- I mean, I'll always be here for you.
- Thanks.
So, what did you want to tell me? Forget it.
Brenda, why didn't you say anything when you were at my house? Because we were all just sort of doing it as a joke.
I mean, I wasn't even sure what I felt until I got home.
So, what does it feel like? Like a hard little lump.
It's kind of deep.
- I can't believe this.
- I can't either.
But it's probably nothing.
I mean, that's what they said, right? Right.
We'll know for sure tomorrow after the biopsy.
Wow, that sounds so clinical.
- I really hate hospitals.
- So do I.
So do I.
I sort of feel like this is all my fault.
I mean, I started this whole thing.
- No, I'm glad that I found it.
- You are? Wow! I really hope nothing ever happens to my breasts.
Mine either.
Brenda, I just I don't know how you can deal with this.
I mean, all the waiting and not knowing.
I guess I don't have any choice.
- Guess who? - Dylan, that's not funny.
Dylan! Well, aren't we touchy today.
Is that SAT pressure? - No.
- Yes, it is.
The whole school's on edge.
That's why I only take these things once.
Senior year.
While you guys tomorrow are suffering, I'll be surfing.
- Dylan, I'm scared.
- Hey, Bren.
It's only a test.
I'm going to the hospital tomorrow.
I found something.
What are you talking about? What do you mean you found something? I didn't want to tell you.
I was embarrassed.
Brenda, what is it? What? What did you find? A lump in my breast.
I'm gonna be there.
Dylan, I don't want you there.
I'm gonna be there.
- It's changed things, hasn't it? - No, it hasn't.
You didn't even want to touch me after I told you.
I was surprised.
I was scared.
So am I.
Brenda, I love you.
You're only saying that.
Come in.
What you doing? Just thinking.
About what? Life, death, love.
Pretty weighty subjects.
You know what I'm scared about more than anything? What? The thought of losing a breast.
How can I ever go on a date if that ever happened? Believe me, Brenda, that is not going to happen.
Is that what you told Sheila? Honey, if Sheila had started checking herself at your age everything probably would have been fine.
Why is this happening to me? Mom, I am so scared.
And people keep on telling me that everything's gonna be okay, but what if it's not? What if I go in to have that biopsy tomorrow and they discover that things aren't okay? We'll just cross that bridge when we come to it.
- I need to make a phone call in private.
- Oh, sure.
Come down to dinner when you're through.
Okay.
Hi, it's Dylan.
You almost got me.
But leave a message and I'll get back to you soon.
I love you, too.
We are gathered here today to mourn the loss of Brenda Walsh, the loving daughter of Cindy and Jim Walsh, and to take our SATs.
So you have 30 minutes.
You may open your tests and begin now.
Hey! "When I told Brenda I loved her, I said it out of, "A.
Pity.
B.
Lust.
"C.
Deceit.
Or D.
Heartfelt emotion.
" I can't believe you have to think about this.
"If Brenda's entire life can be expressed as a 24-hour day, "what time will she be forgotten? "A.
1:00 a.
m.
B.
12:00 noon.
"C.
4:00 p.
m.
"Or D.
Brenda will never be forgotten.
" You're going to forget me by lunchtime? "The thing I most want Brenda to leave me in her will is A.
Her red pumps.
"B.
Her porcelain doll collection.
"C.
Her turquoise earrings.
"Or D.
Her boyfriend.
" Kelly! "The thing I'll miss most about Brenda is A.
Her sunny personality.
"B.
Her sparkling intelligence.
"C.
Her quick wit.
Or D.
Her help in the kitchen.
" Mom, is that all you love me for? Brenda, wake up.
I just had the weirdest dream.
You were all Never mind.
Well, you better get up.
I let you sleep late.
We have to be at the hospital in an hour.
Okay.
- Hey, Sleeping Beauty.
- Don't keep her.
We're late.
So am I.
- Hey.
- Hi.
Hey, I just wanted to tell you everything's gonna be okay.
- I'll be thinking about you.
- Thanks.
I know it will.
So, what time are they gonna do it? - 10:00.
It's not really that big of a deal.
- I know.
- Good luck.
- Hey, good luck to you, too.
What the hell.
It's only a test.
- How long will it take? - About 30 minutes.
- Will there be any pain? - No.
As I've already told Brenda, she'll be awake during the procedure.
She'll be given a sedative and local anesthesia.
Once the lump is removed, we'll immediately send it down to the lab.
And I'll call you as soon as we hear anything.
- And how long will that take? - Two or three hours.
- That's not too bad.
- It's all very routine.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I should get started.
- Thanks, Doctor.
- Dr Rosen, please call extension 350.
Dr Rosen, please call extension 350.
- Hi, Brenda.
- Hi.
- Feeling drowsy? - I don't know.
I'm too nervous.
- Should we get started? - Let's do it.
We'll be through before you know it.
Okay, great.
Then we're ready to start the procedure.
- I'm so nervous.
- Sit down.
All right, take your seats.
We're going to begin in two minutes.
- Wait! - Look, - about what happened the other night - It's okay.
You don't have to say anything.
It was just one of those things.
Yeah.
It was just one of those things.
We don't have to tell anybody, right? No.
We wouldn't make a good couple, anyway, Andrea.
Terrible.
The worst couple.
Horrible.
If you two lovebirds are through, we'd like to begin.
- Lovebirds? - Lovebirds? Do you feel anything? Is this going to leave any scars? No, because the incision is very small.
The stitch won't even have to come out.
When I'm through, I'm gonna apply a pressure bandage, and that's gonna prevent the blood and fluids from collecting at the biopsy site.
You're gonna have to keep the tape across your chest.
And it has to stay dry.
So, no showers for two days.
- For two days? - Afraid not.
- How's it going? - Very well.
I've found the lump.
I'm just gonna remove the whole thing.
What does it look like? Kind of like a little piece of chewed gum.
That's disgusting.
After Sheila died, I didn't think I'd see the inside of a hospital for a long time.
These waiting rooms, they are so awful.
Only when you're waiting for bad news.
I've never had it any other way.
Well, you will this time.
I hope.
Yeah.
You know, Cindy, what happened to your sister was a tragedy.
She was young, intelligent, beautiful.
She didn't deserve to die.
But you've gotta stop trying to make Brenda's biopsy into some bad rerun of Sheila's entire illness.
- It's not the same thing.
- Jim, aren't you scared? No.
Not until I hear there's something to be scared about.
Then I'll be scared.
Mom? Dad? Hey, guys.
Brandon, what on earth are you doing here? - What happened to the test? - Are you kidding me? I couldn't even think with Brenda going through all this.
I'm telling you, this is a deliberate plan on her part to mess with my concentration.
- Can you make it up? - Yeah.
They said under the circumstances, absolutely.
- I'm glad you're here.
- So am I.
- Hey, Brenda! - Hey, baby.
Brandon, what are you doing? What about your SAT? I bagged them.
I couldn't stop worrying about you.
- How you doing? - Hey, baby.
How did it go? - How do you feel? - Fine.
Except for a little dizzy because I was lying down for so long.
Dr Donner says that we can leave.
She'll call us when we're at home.
- Oh, my God.
- What is it? My hair's a mess.
I don't know.
I think you look terrific.
Dylan! I went to five hospitals.
You never told me where you were going.
Home.
Come on, baby.
Thanks.
Oh, it's good to see you.
Well, it's almost been three hours.
And I'm sure she'll call any minute.
- And when she does, I'll answer it.
- Fine.
Can I get anybody something to eat? Doesn't anyone know any more jokes? Dylan? None that I could tell here.
Hello? Honey, it's the doorbell.
- See, I told you she'd answer it.
- I'm sorry, it won't happen again.
You guys, I'm not dead.
- Are you okay? - Are you all right? I don't know yet.
We're waiting to hear.
Brenda, I'm sorry about the other day.
I didn't know what to say.
I didn't know how to react.
Will you guys just give me a hug? Excuse me.
I want to get that.
I'll get it! I'll get it.
Hello? Yes, this is Brenda.
Hi, Dr Donner.
- It is? - Oh, thank God.
It's fibroadenoma just like she thought.
Fairly common in teenage girls due to an abnormally high level of estrogen.
- I guess my hormones are raging.
- Tell me about it.
Yes, I'm still here.
I feel fine.
Hardly any pain at all.
I promise I won't for two whole days.
Okay.
Thank you, Dr Donner.
Bye-bye.
Brenda? Were you sleeping? No.
You know, you gave us all a pretty good scare.
I know.
- And imagine how I felt.
- I did.
It must have been pretty awful.
But it was pretty terrible for me, too.
Why? Thinking about losing you.
I don't think you know how much I'd miss you.
I think I have a pretty good idea.
Good night, Bren.
- Don't you ever do that to me again.
- I won't.
I promise.
You've still got a week to go.
Steve, I told you a month ago I don't want to do it.
Brandon, Alfred B.
Cook guarantees to raise your scores 200 points.
That's 200 points or your money back.
That could mean the difference between Princeton and Pacoima.
- You can't study for the SATs.
- I've been studying for weeks.
- Well, you've been had.
- Brandon, look at this, just look at this.
They offer this special Excelerator crash course, okay? I'm only thinking of you, buddy.
You know what they say, "Alfred B.
Cook or you be fried.
" - Five hundred bucks! - So? Forget it.
You can't make up for 16 years of ignorance in one week.
No, that's true, but it's incredible what you can do in one month.
You know, I've wondered who's been masticating all the pencils around here.
Masticating? Why did you use that word? Because every time I turn around to grab a new pencil, it's like Teeth marks! Yeah, but you could have said chewed.
I mean, masticating is the kind of word they use on those SATs, the kind of word that you learn in one of those expensive SAT prep courses.
Like Alfred B.
Cook? I knew you were taking one of those prep courses.
Let me just tell you something, Brandon, okay? That puts you in an unfair advantage over those people who cannot afford - those expensive courses.
- Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Hold your fire, Andrea.
First of all, I'm not taking one of those courses.
Steve is.
And second of all, I don't think they work.
The SATs are designed to test you on stuff you already know.
- You can't cram for them.
- And then again, maybe you can.
Maybe, just maybe, there is some kind of system.
Brandon, I am so bad at standardized testing.
I mean, the colleges, they look at them as if they're gospel! - I don't know what to do.
I mean, it's - Andrea, Andrea, Andrea, get a grip! We're talking about a test you can retake twice if you want to.
- A test that's - Going to determine whether I go to Princeton or Pacoima.
Have you been talking to Steve? Ran into him at my locker.
I figured that.
- "Apotheosis.
" - It's like the best.
Very good.
"An exalted or glorified ideal.
" Sort of like Patrick Swayze is the apotheosis of adorable.
See, if they would put these words in sentences that we could relate to, - this test would be a breeze.
- Don't count on it.
I'm not counting on anything.
The SATs test your entire brain.
"Autodidactic.
" Isn't that something Madonna did in her last video? I don't think so.
Doesn't it have something to do with cars? It means a person who is self-taught, like us.
You guys, what's the difference between malignant and benign? - Benign is like harmless, isn't it? - I think so.
So malignant's bad? Like a malignant tumor is the bad kind, right? Yeah.
- Kelly, what are you reading? - It's this test for breast cancer.
You know, checking yourself for lumps.
Kelly, that's something my mom does.
I mean, we don't have to worry about that stuff at our age.
Thank God.
I know, but it says here that it's never too early to start the habit.
"One out of nine American women will get breast cancer.
"And out of those, one out of four will die.
" How awful.
My aunt died of cancer.
God, Brenda, I'm sorry.
- When? - Two years ago.
It was my mom's younger sister and my favorite aunt.
I mean, it first started in her breast, and she had to get, you know, mastectomy.
They thought that it was over, but six months later it came back, entered through her lymph system or something.
She died on her birthday.
- How old was she? - Thirty-five.
- Kelly, what are you doing? - I'm taking this test.
- Now? - Yes.
Which do you think is more important? The SATs aren't gonna save your life.
Okay.
- All clear? - All clear.
Good.
Okay, move your pillows and let's check the left breast.
Yes, Dr Taylor.
Okay, now with your hand held flat, press gently with circular motions to feel the inner, upper quarter of your left breast, starting at the breastbone and moving to the nipple.
Brenda, maybe you should tell Dylan to do this.
Kelly, this is supposed to be serious.
Okay, bring your left arm down and press under your armpit.
- Aren't you glad you used Dial? - Donna! - I'm sorry.
- Okay, wait, finally, feel the lower, outer portion of your breast, going from the outer part to the nipple.
- All clear? - All clear.
All clear.
- Brenda, dinner.
- All right, I'm coming.
You've been in there for an hour.
Don't you know there's a water shortage? Brenda, dinner! Forget it.
That's the last time I'm calling her.
I hope it's not one of those diets.
She's probably just recovering from all that studying she did - at Kelly's this afternoon.
- Kelly studies? I can't picture it.
Well, it's for the SATs on Saturday.
They're making everybody crazy.
You know what the absolute worst part about the test is? What? The months of waiting afterwards for your results to show up in the mail, this little sealed envelope that basically holds the keys to your entire future.
- Brandon, it's not life or death.
- What's not life or death? - Nice of you to make an appearance.
- Hey, there.
The SATs.
I'm so sick of hearing about those things.
Expect the worst.
Hope for the best.
Well, that's an awful cheery outlook.
I would rather be surprised than disappointed.
Don't worry about it, you'll do fine.
How do you know that, Brandon? Maybe I won't.
Maybe you won't.
Hey, easy.
It's not that big of a deal.
I'm sorry.
It's just all this stuff with the SATs has got me going nuts.
Exactly! That's just what I was telling you guys about.
It's starting to be like mass hysteria.
It's not worth it.
Definitely not.
Mom, can I talk to you for a second in my room? Sure, honey.
- Is everything all right? - Yeah, I just need to talk to Mom alone.
So we were all at Kelly's studying for the SATs, and she was reading this magazine, and it had this thing in it about, oh, you know, where you check your breasts for lumps.
So we all decide to do it.
I don't know why.
I guess we were just bored.
Honey, that's not something you have to worry about as a teenager.
Well, the article said that even young girls should get into the habit.
So, I did the test, and I thought that I felt something.
Where? - Here.
- Let me feel it.
- I'm sure it's nothing.
- I'm sure it's nothing, too.
- Do you feel it? - I feel something.
- Does it hurt? - No.
I mean, I didn't really feel it until, and realize it was there, till we did this.
Don't tell Dad.
Why? I don't know.
I'm just embarrassed.
Honey, there's nothing to be embarrassed about.
Tomorrow morning, we'll go see a doctor, and we'll have this thing checked out.
I'm sure it's nothing.
Is that what Aunt Sheila thought when she found a lump on her breast? Did she think that it was nothing, too? Honey, it's not the same thing.
When you're older, it's different.
- I know.
It just freaked me out.
- I'm sure it did, sweetheart.
But it'll be fine, you'll see.
There's a good explanation for this, and tomorrow morning, we'll get it.
Okay.
- You get a good night's sleep.
- I will.
Good night, Mom.
Good night, honey.
You know, I can't believe we've been here for six months and we still don't have a family physician like Dr Kellman.
You know, I'm almost tempted to fly Brenda back to Minneapolis to see him.
I'll ask around at work.
I'll find somebody good.
- Somebody great.
- Somebody great.
- I want to take her in today.
- It's my first priority.
- I'm sure it's nothing.
- Of course it's nothing.
It just brings back so much about Sheila.
I mean, she never had a good doctor.
That was her problem right from the start.
A good specialist would have caught it earlier and would've done the proper surgery when the time came.
I still think the chemo was a mistake, wore her down.
- I think it made her worse.
- Cindy, whatever is wrong with Brenda has nothing to do with what was wrong with Sheila.
- I hope you're right.
- Of course I'm right.
- Hi, honey.
- Hi, Brenda.
You told him, didn't you? Brenda, it's nothing to be embarrassed about.
Dad, I know that.
I just didn't want you getting upset over nothing.
- I'm not upset.
- Well, why not? Because it could be a million things.
- Like what? - I don't know.
Maybe it's - Well, an ingrown hair.
- An ingrown hair? On my left breast? I sincerely hope not.
You know, Mom, this is why I didn't want you to tell him.
This is the kind of explanation Brandon would come up with.
- What is? - Nothing.
The outer ear collects sound waves and directs them to the eardrum.
Its vibrations are transferred by three small bones to the snail-like cochlea, which is divided into two cavities by the basilar membrane, which runs into a complex structure, the organ of Corti.
Excuse me.
Shoot me before I die of boredom.
Shoot me before I die of embarrassment.
- What is your mom doing here? - I'll tell you later.
Mom, I thought we were gonna meet after school.
Well, I was, but I got an appointment with a doctor who came very highly recommended from one of your father's clients.
She was booked for the day, but she said she could squeeze you in - if we get there before 2:00.
- She? Yes, she.
Mrs Morgan, you're next, please.
- Hello, I'm Dr Donner.
- Cindy Walsh.
And this is my daughter Brenda.
- Hi.
- Hi.
So, what seems to be the problem, Brenda? Well, as I told you over the phone, Brenda discovered some sort of lump or a bump on her breast the other day.
- Left or right? - Left.
And so naturally I was concerned that she have it checked out immediately.
I see.
Well, in the vast majority of cases involving women your age, this is nothing to be too concerned about, but we'll see.
I see there's a maternal history of cancer in the family.
Yes, that's right.
My grandmother and my sister.
And when did your sister die? - Two years ago.
- I'm sorry.
- Younger or older? - Younger.
By five years.
She died very young.
So, tell me, Brenda, how did you detect this lump? With some friends.
We were just following this article on how to test ourselves.
That's very commendable.
I wish more women would do that.
Had you ever noticed a breast mass before? No.
Well, actually, two months ago, I got bruised playing volleyball.
You knew about this two months ago? But, Mom, I didn't think it was that big of a deal.
I mean, I didn't even connect it until now.
Well, quite often that's the way that women are initially alerted to a breast mass.
They're fooled into thinking that it's from some external trauma, when, in fact, it's really been there all along.
I see.
Mrs Walsh, would you mind if I talked to Brenda alone? Well, I No, of course not.
I'll call you back in just a couple of minutes.
Sure.
I'll be right outside if you need me.
She's just a little overprotective.
Brenda, I wanted to talk to you alone because it's important that you realize that your relationship with me is entirely confidential.
Nothing you say goes beyond these doors.
Not to your parents.
Not to your clergyman.
No one.
What you tell me is private.
And I want you to feel free to come and see me for any reason.
- Okay? - Okay.
Okay.
Why don't you lay back here? - So tell me, where's the lump? - Right here.
Okay.
Now, we can assume that it's been there for over two months.
In that time, has it changed size or shape at all? I don't think so.
No.
Does it hurt? Is it tender to the touch? No.
Do you feel it? - Do you think it's something really bad? - I doubt it.
Then why haven't you sent me home yet? Has the lump changed size at all with your period? No.
- When was your last period? - Just a couple of days ago.
And no change? Not that I noticed.
Why don't you come up? Has there been any discharge from the nipple or change in the skin - in the area around it? - Never.
Am I going to need a mammogram? No, we don't usually do mammograms for women your age.
What I am going to need to do is a needle biopsy to test the lump.
And that'll tell us right away whether what you have is just a cyst, or something that needs to be tested further.
Does a needle biopsy have anything to do with a needle? I'm afraid so.
Do you mind if my mom comes back into the room? Not at all.
Hey, you guys.
Steve, Brandon, wait up.
Hey.
- Hey, Andrea.
- Hey, how you doing? So, where are you guys going? I got to get out of here.
I'm late for work.
- I'm going to Alfred B.
Cook.
- Oh, really? Right now? Yeah, you know what they say, "Alfred B.
Cook or you be fried.
" Tell me, do they give any pointers on how to, let's say, improve your test-taking skills? Oh, yeah.
It's an integral part of the course.
"Integral," guys.
Know it, it's gonna be on the test.
- You can trust me on that one.
- Never.
I gotta get out of here.
- I'll see you guys later.
- Later, buddy.
- Bye, Brandon.
- Say hello to Nat.
- Steve, Steve.
Steve, Steve.
- What, Andrea? Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to claw you, it's just that I'm in a desperate situation.
- What's the matter? - Well, the SATs, they're on Saturday.
- Yeah, so what? - So I was wondering - if I could - What? Could I come over to your house tonight and study with you after class? Are you asking me for a date? No.
No, what I'm asking you for is the Alfred B.
Cook advantage.
You know, notes, drills, practice tests.
Secret documents, whatever you have.
- Know where I live? - No.
Can you put down your address and your phone number? - Say 8:00? - 8:00 is fine.
You know, we have a reputation to uphold.
Did you know that West Beverly and Beverly Hills High have some of the highest SAT averages in California? How illuminating.
Don't forget, take good notes! I've just got to tell you that I really, really, really, really hate needles.
I promise you, with the Xylocaine you'll hardly feel it.
That's what they all say.
Just squeeze my hand if it hurts, honey.
You're lucky I don't have nails.
What I'm gonna do is insert the needle and try to withdraw fluid from the lump.
Now, if there is any fluid, we'll know that what you have is just a cyst, and they'll be nothing more to worry about.
Okay.
I know this is for a good cause.
- I haven't done anything yet.
- Well, tell me when.
Not yet.
- Are you going to do it yet? - I did it.
You're kidding.
That was nothing.
So what does that tell you? What it tells me is that what you have in your breast is solid.
It's not a cyst.
And in order to know more, we're going to have to conduct a biopsy.
- Oh, my God.
- Why? What does that mean? - What's wrong? - Probably nothing.
I don't understand.
I mean, Brenda's only 16 years old.
I mean, what are the chances that this could be cancerous? Very slim.
Brenda, would you excuse us for a minute? I want to talk to Dr Donner alone in the hallway for a moment.
- Mom.
- Honey I'm sorry, Mrs Walsh, but I can't discuss Brenda's case with you without Brenda being present.
But I always like to be up front with my patients - and give the worst-case scenario.
- Hope for the best.
Expect the worst.
Now on the upside, 81% of these cases are usually fibroadenomas - or benign tumors.
- And the other 19%? Non-cancerous lesions and sometimes cancer.
Given Brenda's young age, I rate that highly unlikely.
But given your maternal family history of cancer, nothing can be ruled out until we conduct a biopsy.
The soonest I can schedule something would be Saturday.
That's my SATs.
- Can't you make them up? - I guess so.
Mom, don't worry, I'm gonna be fine.
I know you will, honey.
I know you're gonna be just fine.
It's exactly the way it started with my sister.
Cindy, Sheila was a lot older than Brenda.
And you heard the doctor.
Age is an important factor in this disease.
- So is family history.
- Oh, God, I hate slicing onions.
- I'll do it.
- No, no, I'm doing it.
I just can't believe it.
She's so young.
It doesn't seem possible.
I just can't conceive of anything happening to Brenda.
Baby, it's gonna be all right.
I know it is.
I hope to God you're right.
I really wish you'd stop talking about me behind my back like that.
- Brenda, we weren't.
- It's these onions.
Mom, you heard the doctor.
It's probably nothing.
I'm sure it's nothing.
I mean, it's a good thing you found it.
It's just something that should be looked into.
So don't make more out of it than it is.
I'm not.
- Hey, everybody.
- Hey, big guy.
Brenda, I heard you left school a little early today.
Yeah, it's no big deal, but just don't say anything.
Why? What is it? I went to a doctor.
Why? Is something wrong? Sort of.
I have a tumor in my breast.
- What does that mean? - Probably nothing.
They're gonna do a biopsy Saturday to find out more.
Is it It's not I mean, do they think it - That's very unlikely, right, Mom? - Highly.
Highly unlikely.
Absolutely.
They're just doing it to find out more, to make sure.
Well, look on the bright side.
At least you get to miss the SATs.
Brandon, right now, that's the last thing on my mind.
- Okay, you've got four choices, right? - Right.
Out of those four, one will be a total throwaway.
- It is? - Yeah.
They do that so they can weed out the morons.
You're kidding.
I could spend 10 minutes trying to figure out why they put it there.
Well, don't.
It's just a trick, okay? Now you've got three choices left.
Now, of those three choices, one word will often mean the total opposite, - so you can rule that one out.
- And, of course, I never do.
Okay, now you're down to two choices, and even if you don't know the right answer, you still have a 50-50 chance of guessing right.
God, that makes it so much easier.
Well, yeah, you just can't spend too much time on one question.
You have to go through the test with total confidence and no hesitation.
I hope I can do it.
Yeah, you can do it.
You're smart already.
- In fact, that's your problem.
- Why? - Because you outsmart yourself.
- Yeah, I know.
Sometimes I wish I wasn't so smart.
You know what? You're pretty cute without your glasses on.
God! Is that supposed to be some kind of compliment? No.
This is.
- I got to go.
I - Now? - Yeah, it's getting late.
- It is? Look, I'm sure that you helped my score two, three hundred points.
Anytime.
Did I forget anything? I I guess I'm off.
Bye.
Mom won't even look at these pictures.
It's like she wants to forget her or something.
It's just hard for her, Brenda.
- They were so close.
- Tell me about it.
I used to wish that Sheila was my mom and Mom was my aunt.
She was so much fun.
Did you ever wish that? Not after she got sick.
Yeah, it was awful.
With her losing her breast and then all her hair.
I couldn't imagine that ever happening to me.
It won't.
I'll protect you.
You can't.
That's the thing.
Nobody can protect you.
You want to know the thing I remember most about Sheila after she got sick? What? How lonely she was.
And no matter how much love we gave her, she just kept on getting lonelier and lonelier.
After she died, it was Mom who got lonely.
I know.
It must've been such a relief for her to move out here.
Kind of like running away from bad memories.
She didn't get very far.
Hey, you're going to be just fine.
How do you know that, Brandon? Because I'm older.
And wiser.
And just how much wisdom did you accumulate in those momentous four minutes? - A small lifetime.
- Very small.
My eye! My eye! My eye! Hey, Brandon, I've been looking all over for you.
Hey, chief.
Where's your lunch? Are you kidding? Who could think about food? - The SATs are tomorrow.
- That they are.
Is Steve joining you today? - No.
- Good.
Because there's something really important I want to talk to you about.
Actually, there's something pretty important I wanted to tell you.
What? You've got to swear you won't repeat it.
Swear.
Well, Brenda found out yesterday she has some sort of tumor in her breast.
What? They're doing some sort of biopsy deal on it tomorrow.
- Is she going to be okay? - Probably.
I wanted to tell you because I feel like I can't really flip out at home in front of Brenda.
When the truth is, inside I'm flipping out.
I can imagine.
- I mean, I know she's gonna be fine.
- Of course she's gonna be fine.
Hey, I'm sure she's gonna be all right.
But then again, there's always that chance, and I can't even comprehend it.
So you've just gotta wait till after tomorrow.
- Don't tell her I said anything, okay? - Swear.
You know, Brandon, you can tell me anything.
- I mean, I'll always be here for you.
- Thanks.
So, what did you want to tell me? Forget it.
Brenda, why didn't you say anything when you were at my house? Because we were all just sort of doing it as a joke.
I mean, I wasn't even sure what I felt until I got home.
So, what does it feel like? Like a hard little lump.
It's kind of deep.
- I can't believe this.
- I can't either.
But it's probably nothing.
I mean, that's what they said, right? Right.
We'll know for sure tomorrow after the biopsy.
Wow, that sounds so clinical.
- I really hate hospitals.
- So do I.
So do I.
I sort of feel like this is all my fault.
I mean, I started this whole thing.
- No, I'm glad that I found it.
- You are? Wow! I really hope nothing ever happens to my breasts.
Mine either.
Brenda, I just I don't know how you can deal with this.
I mean, all the waiting and not knowing.
I guess I don't have any choice.
- Guess who? - Dylan, that's not funny.
Dylan! Well, aren't we touchy today.
Is that SAT pressure? - No.
- Yes, it is.
The whole school's on edge.
That's why I only take these things once.
Senior year.
While you guys tomorrow are suffering, I'll be surfing.
- Dylan, I'm scared.
- Hey, Bren.
It's only a test.
I'm going to the hospital tomorrow.
I found something.
What are you talking about? What do you mean you found something? I didn't want to tell you.
I was embarrassed.
Brenda, what is it? What? What did you find? A lump in my breast.
I'm gonna be there.
Dylan, I don't want you there.
I'm gonna be there.
- It's changed things, hasn't it? - No, it hasn't.
You didn't even want to touch me after I told you.
I was surprised.
I was scared.
So am I.
Brenda, I love you.
You're only saying that.
Come in.
What you doing? Just thinking.
About what? Life, death, love.
Pretty weighty subjects.
You know what I'm scared about more than anything? What? The thought of losing a breast.
How can I ever go on a date if that ever happened? Believe me, Brenda, that is not going to happen.
Is that what you told Sheila? Honey, if Sheila had started checking herself at your age everything probably would have been fine.
Why is this happening to me? Mom, I am so scared.
And people keep on telling me that everything's gonna be okay, but what if it's not? What if I go in to have that biopsy tomorrow and they discover that things aren't okay? We'll just cross that bridge when we come to it.
- I need to make a phone call in private.
- Oh, sure.
Come down to dinner when you're through.
Okay.
Hi, it's Dylan.
You almost got me.
But leave a message and I'll get back to you soon.
I love you, too.
We are gathered here today to mourn the loss of Brenda Walsh, the loving daughter of Cindy and Jim Walsh, and to take our SATs.
So you have 30 minutes.
You may open your tests and begin now.
Hey! "When I told Brenda I loved her, I said it out of, "A.
Pity.
B.
Lust.
"C.
Deceit.
Or D.
Heartfelt emotion.
" I can't believe you have to think about this.
"If Brenda's entire life can be expressed as a 24-hour day, "what time will she be forgotten? "A.
1:00 a.
m.
B.
12:00 noon.
"C.
4:00 p.
m.
"Or D.
Brenda will never be forgotten.
" You're going to forget me by lunchtime? "The thing I most want Brenda to leave me in her will is A.
Her red pumps.
"B.
Her porcelain doll collection.
"C.
Her turquoise earrings.
"Or D.
Her boyfriend.
" Kelly! "The thing I'll miss most about Brenda is A.
Her sunny personality.
"B.
Her sparkling intelligence.
"C.
Her quick wit.
Or D.
Her help in the kitchen.
" Mom, is that all you love me for? Brenda, wake up.
I just had the weirdest dream.
You were all Never mind.
Well, you better get up.
I let you sleep late.
We have to be at the hospital in an hour.
Okay.
- Hey, Sleeping Beauty.
- Don't keep her.
We're late.
So am I.
- Hey.
- Hi.
Hey, I just wanted to tell you everything's gonna be okay.
- I'll be thinking about you.
- Thanks.
I know it will.
So, what time are they gonna do it? - 10:00.
It's not really that big of a deal.
- I know.
- Good luck.
- Hey, good luck to you, too.
What the hell.
It's only a test.
- How long will it take? - About 30 minutes.
- Will there be any pain? - No.
As I've already told Brenda, she'll be awake during the procedure.
She'll be given a sedative and local anesthesia.
Once the lump is removed, we'll immediately send it down to the lab.
And I'll call you as soon as we hear anything.
- And how long will that take? - Two or three hours.
- That's not too bad.
- It's all very routine.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I should get started.
- Thanks, Doctor.
- Dr Rosen, please call extension 350.
Dr Rosen, please call extension 350.
- Hi, Brenda.
- Hi.
- Feeling drowsy? - I don't know.
I'm too nervous.
- Should we get started? - Let's do it.
We'll be through before you know it.
Okay, great.
Then we're ready to start the procedure.
- I'm so nervous.
- Sit down.
All right, take your seats.
We're going to begin in two minutes.
- Wait! - Look, - about what happened the other night - It's okay.
You don't have to say anything.
It was just one of those things.
Yeah.
It was just one of those things.
We don't have to tell anybody, right? No.
We wouldn't make a good couple, anyway, Andrea.
Terrible.
The worst couple.
Horrible.
If you two lovebirds are through, we'd like to begin.
- Lovebirds? - Lovebirds? Do you feel anything? Is this going to leave any scars? No, because the incision is very small.
The stitch won't even have to come out.
When I'm through, I'm gonna apply a pressure bandage, and that's gonna prevent the blood and fluids from collecting at the biopsy site.
You're gonna have to keep the tape across your chest.
And it has to stay dry.
So, no showers for two days.
- For two days? - Afraid not.
- How's it going? - Very well.
I've found the lump.
I'm just gonna remove the whole thing.
What does it look like? Kind of like a little piece of chewed gum.
That's disgusting.
After Sheila died, I didn't think I'd see the inside of a hospital for a long time.
These waiting rooms, they are so awful.
Only when you're waiting for bad news.
I've never had it any other way.
Well, you will this time.
I hope.
Yeah.
You know, Cindy, what happened to your sister was a tragedy.
She was young, intelligent, beautiful.
She didn't deserve to die.
But you've gotta stop trying to make Brenda's biopsy into some bad rerun of Sheila's entire illness.
- It's not the same thing.
- Jim, aren't you scared? No.
Not until I hear there's something to be scared about.
Then I'll be scared.
Mom? Dad? Hey, guys.
Brandon, what on earth are you doing here? - What happened to the test? - Are you kidding me? I couldn't even think with Brenda going through all this.
I'm telling you, this is a deliberate plan on her part to mess with my concentration.
- Can you make it up? - Yeah.
They said under the circumstances, absolutely.
- I'm glad you're here.
- So am I.
- Hey, Brenda! - Hey, baby.
Brandon, what are you doing? What about your SAT? I bagged them.
I couldn't stop worrying about you.
- How you doing? - Hey, baby.
How did it go? - How do you feel? - Fine.
Except for a little dizzy because I was lying down for so long.
Dr Donner says that we can leave.
She'll call us when we're at home.
- Oh, my God.
- What is it? My hair's a mess.
I don't know.
I think you look terrific.
Dylan! I went to five hospitals.
You never told me where you were going.
Home.
Come on, baby.
Thanks.
Oh, it's good to see you.
Well, it's almost been three hours.
And I'm sure she'll call any minute.
- And when she does, I'll answer it.
- Fine.
Can I get anybody something to eat? Doesn't anyone know any more jokes? Dylan? None that I could tell here.
Hello? Honey, it's the doorbell.
- See, I told you she'd answer it.
- I'm sorry, it won't happen again.
You guys, I'm not dead.
- Are you okay? - Are you all right? I don't know yet.
We're waiting to hear.
Brenda, I'm sorry about the other day.
I didn't know what to say.
I didn't know how to react.
Will you guys just give me a hug? Excuse me.
I want to get that.
I'll get it! I'll get it.
Hello? Yes, this is Brenda.
Hi, Dr Donner.
- It is? - Oh, thank God.
It's fibroadenoma just like she thought.
Fairly common in teenage girls due to an abnormally high level of estrogen.
- I guess my hormones are raging.
- Tell me about it.
Yes, I'm still here.
I feel fine.
Hardly any pain at all.
I promise I won't for two whole days.
Okay.
Thank you, Dr Donner.
Bye-bye.
Brenda? Were you sleeping? No.
You know, you gave us all a pretty good scare.
I know.
- And imagine how I felt.
- I did.
It must have been pretty awful.
But it was pretty terrible for me, too.
Why? Thinking about losing you.
I don't think you know how much I'd miss you.
I think I have a pretty good idea.
Good night, Bren.
- Don't you ever do that to me again.
- I won't.
I promise.