Life Expectancy, Part 2
1 Thessalonians 4:13
“Life Expectancy, Part 2” is episode #735 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written and directed by Paul McCusker, and originally aired on October 5, 2013.
Summary
Connie’s world is turned upside down with an unexpected phone call. Whit, Eugene, Wooton, and Penny are there to support her as she figures out what it means to trust God through times of suffering.
Plot
At Connie and Penny's apartment, Connie is organizing her mother's funeral while Wooton and Penny are there to keep her company. Her dad, Bill Kendall, shows up at the door with a big surprise by introducing Connie to her half-sister Jules Kendall. Bill Kendall has the insensitivity to ask for the keys to June Kendall's house so he and his younger daughter won't have to stay in a hotel.
While Connie and her father are in the other room talking it out, Penny asks Jules what her name means, Jules answers that it's short for July. Connie and their father come back out just as upset as before. Bill leaves in a huff with Jules, retorting that he probably bought most of the furniture that is currently in June Kendall's house.
Connie turns to Mr. Whittaker with this news, he and Eugene are there for her. Whit points out that her father, Bill, might be creating chaos as a diversion from the pain he has in his life... and cautions Connie against doing the same thing. Eugene opens up that the loss of June Kendall has affected him as well and has to leave the room due to his emotion.
The funeral day has arrived and Connie is running around, barely taking a breath which prompts Whit to take her aside - telling her to calm down. Connie fears losing all control over her emotions and doesn't want that to happen. Whit prays with Connie right before they go in for the funeral.
During the ceremony, Connie refers to her mother's conversion to Christianity (from episode Where Is Thy Sting?) and how she fully embraced the Christian walk. It's no surprise to Connie that her dad didn't show up for the funeral.
But, it turns out Bill Kendall was there after all, but stayed out of sight. Wooton promised Bill a week's supply of strawberry licorice if he stayed for the whole ceremony. He and Connie nearly have another argument, but manage to keep it nice. Connie tells Bill that she loves him and he says he's loved her as well as he can love anyone.
Connie finds Jules in the funeral room. Jules says that she was surprised by the service, Connie asks her why. Jules says she believes in the "food chain" and life has no meaning. Connie tries, but in her grief is not prepared with an answer and can't counter what Jules is saying. Jules gives her contact info to Connie, then leaves to fly back to LA with Bill Kendall.
Back at her mother's home, Connie is sitting in her old bed room and has been up there for a while, so Penny shows up and talks her into going back down. Penny makes an offhand remark about Jeff Lewis being downstairs.
Pictures pertaining to Life Expectancy, Part 2
Connie meets Jules, depicted in the Jumpstart Comics.
Connie at her mother's funeral, depicted in the Jumpstart Comics.
Discussion Questions
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Cast
Heard in episode
Mentioned in episode
Notes
- Trivia
- This part features the Get in the Show! winner, Shona Rodman as Jules.
- In-Universe
- This is a main episode in The Ties That Bind (Saga).
- The purchase of the Odyssey Times was first mentioned in #703: “The Labyrinth, Part 1”
- The hymn Connie and Eugene say will be played at the funeral, "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name", was Mildred Kendall's favorite and was mentioned during the events surrounding her death in #320: “Where Is Thy Sting?”.
Quotes
Jules Kendall: Dad, I thought you said this wouldn't be awkward! You know how I hate awkward.
Bill Kendall: (To Connie about Jules) She's my daughter.
Penny Wise: {pause} I'll go see if anything's burning in the kitchen.
Wooton Bassett: I don't smell anything.
Penny Wise: Wooton...come on!!!
Connie Kendall: I knew my dad would be late for his own funeral, but not my mother's.
Connie Kendall: I this morning I was here and it was business as usual, when suddenly, Bang!
Eugene Meltsner: A gun went off?
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