Just Say Goodbye (Screenplay)

This is a “spec script”. This is what you sell to producers for a film to be made. Some formatting has been lost, but the screenplay format is correct in my Word document. In case you’ve never read a script before, just want you to know what a couple of the notations mean. These are basic notations for setting up scenes.


INT. - Interior
EXT. – Exterior
V.O - Voice Over
O.S. – Off Screen

You must say Day or Night to set up the scene as well.

Montage = scenes where there is no real dialog all in a row to show passage of time.

Sequence = cutting to several scenes in a short period of time – used for dramatic effect.

Please read entire script BEFORE offering a review. Looking for good constructive criticism (believable characters, plot strength etc, overall feelings) so perhaps you'll see this in a theater near you someday . Thanks for looking!

FADE IN:




EXT. JESSE’S HOUSE – DAY

In a neighborhood filled with small houses on quarter acre lots, three police cars and an ambulance sit outside one of the residences. Its yard is pristine, and Irises in full bloom line the perimeter of the entire house. The ambulance lights are flashing in silence as a mid-eighties sedan sits in the small driveway.

A school bus pulls up behind one of the cruisers. Through the closed door the bus driver can be seen speaking to a young boy, who shakes his head after the driver stops speaking. The door opens to six-year old JESSE PETERSON. He is somewhat thin and he wears a plaid shirt with a pocket on the left side of his chest - he only wears shirts with pockets.

Jesse walks slowly away from the bus, but his expression is not one of confusion or fear as one would think: instead there is no expression.

From afar, just before Jesse reaches his porch, an officer opens the screen door and steps outside holding his hand up gently to stop Jesse from coming closer. Jesse stops at the bottom of the three steps, and the officer comes down a couple of the stairs and sits down in front of Jesse saying something that can’t be heard.

After a beat, Jesse sits down on the stairs next to the officer. The officer puts his arm around Jesse and squeezes his shoulder. Through the screen door is RICK PETERSON, mid to late-twenties. Though his features can’t be made out too well through the screen, he is clean cut and also wearing an expressionless face as he watches the officer console his son.


EXT. PARK – DAY

SUPER: “15 YEARS LATER”

In a parking lot surrounded by trees, SARAH, a slight woman in her early 20s, throws open the driver’s side door of her compact car.

In a short dress, she grabs her high heels off the passenger seat and swings her legs out of the car to slide the shoes on quickly. She looks at her watch, 2:13, and groans. In a flash, she retrieves her purse off the passenger seat as well, gets out of the car, slams the door shut and walks at a brisk pace. It’s a bit obvious that high heels are not her thing.

SARAH (V.O.)
Five years ago, if you told me I
would be attending this wedding,
I would have said you were out of
your goddamn mind.

She comes to an area in the park where about ninety chairs are set out for a simple wedding already in progress. Ribbons decorate the seats, and about 80% of those seats are filled. Many guests are in their teens and twenties.

The groom and bride, ages and faces imperceptible, are set off in the distance. Sarah quickly scans for the closest empty seat in the back row and takes it.

SARAH (V.O.)
The first time I ever spoke to Jesse Peterson was Parents’ Career Week in the first grade. That was when he told me his parents wouldn’t be coming because his mother was dead, and his father was disabled.

That loaded conversation was the first of 5,000 that would follow between us. Many of our conversations were easy, some were harder, and one would change my life forever.


INT. SARAH’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

SUPER: “5 YEARS EARLIER”

SERIES OF SHOTS - SOMETIMES IT’S A BITCH GETTING OUT OF BED

-- Sarah is sleeping on her stomach. Her digital alarm clock goes off at 5:50 a.m. Her arm creeps from beneath the covers, and drowsily hits the snooze button.

-- Alarm goes off again at 5:59. Sarah hits the snooze alarm harder this time.

-- Alarm goes off once more at 6:08. Whacking the clock -

SARAH
(groaning)
Okay, okay.

Sarah, now 16, turns on the light, rummages through her dresser for clothes and begins to get dressed. A fairly neat, typical teenage girl’s room with some scenic posters and a small TV. She quickly puts on minimum makeup, grabs her backpack, and goes over to a “beaches” calendar.

The third full week is marked F-L-O-R-I-D-A on each day of that week beginning on Sunday. On Thursday, above the “I”, “Jesse’s B-day” is noted with a little cake drawing.
The first full week is marked with X’s up to Thursday. Sarah picks up a pen on her desk and marks another X on the Friday before walking out the bedroom door.


INT. SARAH’S HALLWAY – DAWN

Running down the stairs with backpack.


INT. SARAH’S KITCHEN – DAWN

Sarah flies into the kitchen while her mom, MS. MORIN, is emptying the dishwasher.

SARAH
Morning, Mom.

MS. MORIN
Good morning, sweetie. Grab some breakfast before you go screeching out of here.

SARAH
Can’t. I’m running late.

MS. MORIN
At least grab a breakfast bar.

SARAH
(rolling eyes)
Okay.

Sarah rummages in a cabinet to open a box of Nutrigrain bars.

MS. MORIN
Did you start packing yet?

SARAH
It’ll take me an hour to pack - we have more than a week before we leave.

MS. MORIN
But it takes more than an hour to pack the right things though. That takes thought.

SARAH
What for? To impress an oversized rodent?

MS. MORIN
Not just any oversized rodent, Sarah - the big MM.

SARAH
Okay, Mom, you’re officially a dork.

MS. MORIN
If I’m a dork, then you’re half-dork.

SARAH
Thanks.

Sarah strips her breakfast bar open and devours it as she heads out the door.

MS. MORIN
Love you.

SARAH
Uh, huh. You too.


EXT. SARAH’S HOUSE – DAWN

Sarah opens two-car garage to get her bike. There’s only one car. The other side is loaded with boxes and misc. junk. She closes the garage and bikes down the driveway.

Sarah’s house is a nice colonial of about 2000 sq. ft. Similar houses pepper the street on about 1 acre plots.


EXT. ROAD – DAWN

Sarah rides her bike. After a few turns she rides into Jesse’s neighborhood.

EXT. JESSE’S HOUSE – DAWN

Sarah glides into Jesse’s driveway. Though it’s the same house - it’s apparent it hasn’t been maintained in quite some time. Jesse is outside watering some Irises that are growing buds - about a week and a half from blooming.

His run-down 12 speed leans against the porch. Jesse is the same age as Sarah, skinny, with somewhat long hair, average looking, wearing a shirt with pocket, again, on the left side of his chest. Sarah rides her bike right up on the lawn and stops behind Jesse.

SARAH
Hey.

JESSE
Hey.

SARAH
Sorry I’m a little late.

JESSE
What else is new?

SARAH
What? I’m not always late.

Jesse turns and gives her a look like she’s crazy as he turns off the hose.

SARAH
Ok, maybe 95% of the time, but that’s not ‘always’.
(watches Jesse roll up the hose)
It rained last night, you know.

JESSE
Yeah, I know.

SARAH
So why water the plants?

JESSE
Don’t want them getting thirsty while I’m gone.

SARAH
You’re a whack.


JESSE
(smiles and wipes hands on pants)
Opinion.

SARAH
Not opinion – fact.

JESSE
(grabs bike and light backpack)
Come on or we’ll be late.

Both get on their bikes and start riding down the street.


EXT. LEWISTON HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT – DAY

Jesse and Sarah ride up to a bike rack. A few students are locking their bikes while a line of cars pull into the lot.

SARAH
Now my mom wants to add a stop to the Everglades for a day. I don’t think I want to go though.

JESSE
(locking his bike)
Why not?
SARAH
I don’t know – guess I have this weird obsession with keeping both arms and legs intact.

JESSE
You talking about the alligators? They won’t bother you.

Both start walking up the stairs and into the school along with other students.

SARAH
Why chance it? It’s the same reason you’ll never catch me skydiving.
You don’t want to die falling from an airplane? Don’t jump out of one.

Like all your body parts right where they are? Don’t venture into areas
inhabited by carnivores that have bigger teeth than you do.


INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY – DAY

Jesse grabs a notebook and two pencils out of his backpack. Sarah is a few lockers down from him. She closes her locker.

SARAH
See you at lunch.

JESSE
Yup.

Sarah walks away. A couple of girlfriends walk over to her and start talking as they walk to class.

A moment after the bell rings, CHASE GIBBONS, 16, well dressed and quite full of himself, walks by and slams the side of Jesse’s head up against the locker just as Jesse is hanging up his backpack. Jesse grabs the side of his head in anguish.

CHASE
Oh, sorry, Peterson. Didn’t see you there.

Jesse rubs his head with one hand and steadies himself against the locker with the other. He brings the hand from his head in front of his face and finds blood on it.

JESSE
You’re such an asshole, Chase.

Chase laughs and walks away.

INT. NURSE’S OFFICE – DAY

Bright room, desk, large first aid kit on the wall, a couple of cots, 2 or 3 chairs, counter peppered with various first aid materials. There is a phone and a sink.

The NURSE, MS. SUE ROBERTS, in her late 30’s early 40’s, is organizing medicine bottles in a cabinet as Jesse walks in with his hand pressed to his head.

MS. ROBERTS
(examines Jesse’s head)
Oh, Jesse, what happened now?

JESSE
Walked into a locker door.

MS. ROBERTS
Ok, let’s get over to the sink and get this washed, so I can see what we’re dealing with.

She turns on the water, wets a paper towel and begins cleaning the blood from the wound. She examines the cut again.

MS. ROBERTS
Doesn’t look too bad. Here.

She pulls off a couple of clean paper towels, folds them in half twice and puts it against the cut.


MS. ROBERTS
Hold this. Might benefit from a couple of stitches.

JESSE
I don’t want to go to the emergency room, Ms. Roberts. I’ll be fine.


MS.ROBERTS
Well, you’re at least staying here for a bit so we can make sure you don’t have a concussion.


She grabs an ice pack from the first aid kit.

MS. ROBERTS
Once that stops bleeding, we’ll put this on.

Jesse, you are, by far, my most frequent customer. Either you’re the most accident-prone kid to ever walk the halls of Lewiston High School or you must really like me.

JESSE
You’re onto me.

Ms. Roberts takes out a list from her desk drawer.

MS. ROBERTS
I’ll just give your father a quick call.

She picks up the phone receiver.

JESSE
(grabs the phone rather forcefully)
No!
(quieter)
Please.

MS. ROBERTS
I’m supposed to contact parents whenever someone makes a trip in here.



JESSE
Please don’t, Ms. Roberts. He’ll be upset.

MS. ROBERTS
Don’t worry. I’ll tell him it’s not too serious.

JESSE
What I mean is … he’ll be angry.

MS. ROBERTS
What for? It was just an accident, Jesse. It’s not like you got into a fight or anything.

JESSE
Like you said – I’m the most accident-prone kid in Lewiston High School. It doesn’t exactly make him proud.

She stares at Jesse for a moment and then slowly replaces the phone.

JESSE
Thank you, Ms. Roberts.

MS. ROBERTS
You have to promise me, Jesse, that you’ll be more careful.

JESSE
I’m trying.


INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA – DAY

Sarah and Jesse are sitting across from each other at a table in the corner of the room. Jesse takes a bite of his food. Sarah pauses mid-bite as she notices the bump on the side of his head.

SARAH
Jesus. What happened to your head?

JESSE
(without looking at her)
Walked into a locker door.

SARAH
Walked into it?

JESSE
Mm hmm.

SARAH
(grabs his head for better look)
You’re full of shit.

JESSE
Well, what’s your theory? You obviously have one.

SARAH
My guess is Chase or one of his minions had something to do with it.

JESSE
Nice guess, Columbo - Chase it was.

Jesse takes a folded plastic freezer bag out of his back pocket.

SARAH
Jesus, you really need to teach that kid a lesson.

Jesse starts dishing the remaining half of his school lunch into the freezer bag.

SARAH
You need to stop saving half your lunch for your dad, too. How are you supposed to gain any weight? Think I want to weigh more than you do all my life?

JESSE
Anything else I need to do? You seem to have a list for me today.

SARAH
Hey, you don’t have to get pissy. I just think your father should stop spending his money on booze and let his son eat a proper meal once in awhile.

JESSE
(holds up bag of food)
You call this a proper meal?
SARAH
You know what I mean. I haven’t seen you eat a full meal in close to five years now.

JESSE
(zips the bag of food into his backpack)
I’m just trying to maintain my figure.

SARAH
The figure of what? A bamboo stick?

JESSE
(smirks)
Actually, I’m hoping that one of these days the kibbles stay out too long and he dies of food poisoning.

SARAH
Nice.

JESSE
You shouldn’t make fun of a man’s dreams, Sarah.
(gets up to leave)
See you after school.

SARAH
Library today?

JESSE
As always.


INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY – DAY

Bell rings. Throngs of students flood out of classrooms, stop at lockers, incessant chatter fills the halls.


EXT. FRONT OF SCHOOL – DAY

Jesse and Sarah are walking down the stairs along with other students. Some go to busses in the front of the school. Others walk toward the school parking lot and bike racks.

JESSE
So have you packed for your trip yet?

SARAH
Jesus, do people really pack a week before leaving for a trip?

JESSE
Just trying to make conversation.

SARAH
(sighs)
Sorry. My mom’s already bugging me about it. I just don’t see why packing is such a big goddamn deal to some people.

Do they plan on being discovered by Ralph Lauren while visiting Disney World, and then forced to walk down a freakin’ runway on national television at a moment’s notice?

JESSE
I’ve never been on a real vacation, so I couldn’t tell you.

Both unlock their bikes.

SARAH
Shirts, shoes, pants, underwear - hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, done.

Chase walks by with three friends. A girl, KATE, who appears to be Chase’s girlfriend, and two boys, JUSTIN and DAN. Chase walks up close to Jesse and inspects his head.

CHASE
(feigning concern)
Youch. That’s some boulder you have on the side of your head, Peterson. What happened?

Justin and Dan start laughing.

SARAH
Fuck off, Chase.

CHASE
(mimicking)
Fuck off, Chase.

Kate now joins the two boys in laughing.

CHASE
Man, Peterson, can’t you speak up for yourself?

JESSE
I ca-

SARAH
Why don’t you just leave us alone? Don’t you and your little spoiled cheering section …
(waves a hand at his friends)
… have some new clothes you need to buy?

CHASE
Lighten up, Sarah.

SARAH
(looks at Jesse)
Come on.

They both bike through the four teenagers.

CHASE (O.S.)
Awww, aren’t they sweet.

Jesse and Sarah bike down the road.


EXT. ROAD – DAY

Jesse and Sarah biking to library. Small town road. Occasional houses.

SARAH
I can’t stand that jerk.

JESSE
(sarcastic)
Yeah, thanks for coming to my rescue.

SARAH
What’s wrong?

JESSE
Think you could let me speak up for myself? I do have a mouth, you know. It might not eat much, but I’m pretty sure it can talk.
SARAH
(slows down, then speeds back up)
You never speak up for yourself.

JESSE
Maybe because you never give me a chance to.

SARAH
(annoyed)
Sorry you feel that way. I thought I was helping. Why the hell don’t you just turn that creep in when he beats the shit out of you then?

JESSE
(irritated)
You know I did – a few times.
(changes voice)
‘Chase? Chase Gibbons? Oh no, Mr. Peterson, you must be mistaken. Chase wouldn’t do such a thing.’

That’s what happens when your parents are the town Rockefellers. And what cracks me up is they know the kid is a piece of shit. Makes me hate this fucking town.

Jesse stands on his pedals and speeds up away from Sarah. She pedals on in silence for a few moments. Jesse slows down to let her catch up.

JESSE
I’m sorry. It’s not your fault I’m a pussy.

SARAH
I should be the one apologizing. You know I’m not great at keeping my mouth shut. Hey, let’s hurry.
(she pulls ahead)
We can’t stay too long today - they’re forecasting thunderstorms.


EXT. SMALL TOWN LIBRARY – DAY

Jesse’s and Sarah’s bikes are in the bike rack.


INT. LIBRARY – DAY

Sarah is sitting at a wooden library table with textbook open while writing notes. Jesse sits on the floor against the wall with a drawing tablet propped up on his bent knees.
He is drawing a sketch looking up at Sarah with the windows in the background – he is a talented artist.

JESSE
(still drawing)
So what time does your flight leave next week?

SARAH
(continues writing her notes)
Not soon enough.

JESSE
You’re really excited about this trip, huh?

SARAH
(stops writing)
It’s my first vacation where I actually get to ride on a plane. Of course, I’m excited.

JESSE
(stops drawing)
It’s hugging Mickey you’re excited about. Admit it – you can’t wait to get your grubby little hands all over him.

SARAH
Ha ha.

Sarah leans back in her chairs and watches Jesse get back to his drawing.

SARAH
Why do you sit on the floor so much when you’re drawing?

JESSE
(stops again and shrugs shoulders)
I don’t know. Guess I just like this vantage point.

SARAH
Why?
JESSE
I guess it’s like being a little kid again, you know? Everything seemed so cool and mysterious when I was three feet tall.

I remember standing on my tiptoes at places like the bank, and wishing I was tall enough to see what was going on behind the counter.
(turns back to his drawing)
Now that I’m taller, there are no more mysteries. Everything’s just a big bore now.

SARAH
You’re 16 - you make it sound like life is over already.

JESSE
Isn’t it?

SARAH
I don’t think so.

Jesse doesn’t say anything. Sarah looks a bit confused and gets back to her homework. Thunder claps in the distance. Sarah’s eyes widen as she looks down at Jesse. He continues to draw. Sarah stands up and shoves her materials into her pack.

SARAH
Come on. Let’s go.

JESSE
It’s not even close yet.

SARAH
I want to get home before it gets here.

Another distant roll of thunder. Sarah urgently pulls Jesse by the arm.

SARAH Come on.

JESSE
Man, you’re a serious wimp with these thunderstorms. How many times do I have to tell you it’s just –
SARAH
(with hand on chin)
God bowling? Oh, yeah, and the lightning is just God taking pictures of the Earth?
(points at Jesse)
But the truth is lightning is a huge discharge of electricity of about 54,000 F, which kills about 100 people and injures another 500 every year - so don’t call me a wimp …
(punches him in the arm)
… and tell me it’s nothing to be afraid of.

JESSE
(impressed, he rubs his arm)
Fair enough.
(pushes himself up)
You’re still the only person I know who checks the Doppler radar before taking a shower.

Jesse packs his things a bit too slowly for Sarah.

SARAH
I’m gonna take off, ok?

JESSE
Sure. Hey, you feel like going to the lake early tomorrow? I’d like to do a drawing there while the sun is still coming up.

Another roll of thunder - louder this time.

SARAH
(visibly nervous)
What time?

JESSE
How about six-thirty?


SARAH
Six-thirty? It’s Saturday.





JESSE
Oh, right.
(rests head in hand and taps the side of his head)
Hmmm, maybe I can tell the sun to get up later tomorrow ‘cuz my buddy, Sarah, needs to sleep in.

SARAH
(sighs and rolls her eyes)
Ok, six-thirty.

Sarah turns away and starts to leave.

JESSE
I’ll come to your house. Make sure you’re ready.

SARAH
(over her shoulder)
Don’t worry. I’ll be ready.

Sarah flies out the door. Jesse follows behind unhurried.


INT. JESSE’S FATHER’S ROOM – NIGHT

Jesse is leaning on the doorjamb with his arms folded. He looks in the direction of his father’s unmade bed, which is outfitted with a flowery, yet very dingy bedspread.

The room is strewn with clothing. All surfaces are unkempt and peppered with an occasional liquor bottle, except for one perfectly kept dresser with mirrors. A few bottles of perfume lined up perfectly on top of it.

Jesse walks over to the bed and runs his hand behind the headboard where he finds a taped key. He works the key free from the headboard and removes the tape. He gets off the bed, kneels next to it and then runs his arm under it. He pulls out a large metal lockbox.

He continues kneeling and puts the lockbox on the bed. He slowly opens the lockbox. A gun takes up a good portion of the box. Jesse picks up the gun. After a moment, he aims it at a pillow on the bed and pretends to shoot it.

Jesse places the gun on the bed and reaches back in the box. He pulls out a photo – a photo of his mother and father in front of his house. They are standing beside a “SOLD” sign atop a “House for Sale” sign.

The house is recognizable as his, with the same porch, but it is in much better condition in the photo. He focuses in on the beaming face of his mother.

He puts the photo back in the box and picks up the gun. He aims it at the pillow again before returning it to the box.

He snaps the box shut and slides it back under the bed. He stands up and walks over to his father’s bureau where he finds a roll of tape. He rips off a piece and tapes the key back on the rear of the headboard.

He walks over to the door and turns around for one last look around the room, before turning off the light.


INT. JESSE’S ROOM - NIGHT

It’s dark in the room and Jesse is sleeping in his bed. He stirs a bit when he hears the front door of the house being opened rather noisily. He hears the door close and Jesse turns over to get back to sleep.

A few moments go by when he hears an enormous crash. He rips off his blanket and leaps from the bed in his boxer shorts.


INT. JESSE’S KITCHEN – NIGHT

Jesse runs into the kitchen to find his father, RICK, fallen on the floor next to an overturned chair and a broken beer bottle. His father is unkempt in jeans and a t-shirt, and obviously drunk. He has longish hair and a short beard. A cane lies beside him.

RICK
(drunken slurring)
Shit.

Jesse walks over with some concern, but not surprised. He reaches down to help his father.

JESSE
Come on, Dad.

Rick swats Jesse’s hand away.

RICK
I’m fine! Leave me alone.

Rick turns to retrieve get his cane from the floor. With great effort, he places it on end and grabs the kitchen chair to help himself back to his feet. Jesse watches him with his arms folded.

JESSE
Yeah, you’re fine. You look just perfect.

RICK
(defensively)
It’s this damn leg again, that’s all.

Jesse laughs to himself as he sits down in one of the kitchen chairs. He folds his arms again.
JESSE
Yeah, that’s all … oh, and probably about a case of beer, too.

Rick glares at Jesse. He points his cane in his son’s face. Jesse leans back.

RICK
Don’t you dare talk to me that that way, you little punk.

After a moment, Rick begins to lose his balance and puts the cane back on the floor to steady himself.

RICK
So where’s my food?

Jesse sighs.

JESSE
Are you really asking me that question? It’s where it always is.

RICK
I’m not kidding you, Jesse. Don’t you get fresh with me. When I ask you a goddamn question, you just answer it, you got me?

Without looking at his father, Jesse just sits there staring straight ahead with his arms still folded. Rick lifts his cane once again and shoves it violently against the side of Jesse’s head.


RICK
I said, ‘you got me’?

Jesse nearly falls out of the chair. He straightens back up and rubs his neck. After a moment he locks eyes with his father.

JESSE
Yeah, I got it.

RICK
Good.

Rick slowly works his way to the refrigerator. He opens the nearly barren fridge and pulls out the storage bag of school food that Jesse packed that day.

Rick opens the cabinet, pulls out a plate and unceremoniously dumps the food out. Rick sits down and starts eating the food cold.

Jesse gets up and pours himself a glass of milk before sitting back down across from his father. He takes a sip, sets the glass down, and places both hands around it while he watches his father eat. Rick ignores him.

JESSE
You’re gonna kill yourself one of these days.

RICK
Uh, huh. I’m hoping sooner than later.
(he looks up)
Since when do you care?

Jesse shrugs. Rick takes another bite of food.

RICK
Well, don’t worry yourself about me. I’m not worth worrying about. No ones worth worrying about. Shit’ll just happen either way, so no sense wasting your time on worry. Don’t ya think?

JESSE
(shrugs again)
I suppose.



RICK
(waves his fork)
Well, why don’t you go on and suppose back in your room, so I can finish my meal in peace.

Rick glares at Jesse to drive the point. Jesse finishes his milk and quickly rinses the glass out in the sink. He starts to leave the kitchen, but turns around in the doorway.

JESSE
Did you ever worry about Mom?

Rick pauses mid-chew, then slowly finishes before swallowing.

RICK
I spent half my adult life worrying about your mother … and look where it got me.

Jesse turns to leave. Rick goes to take another bite, but then places his full fork down on the plate. He pushes the plate away, places his elbows on the table, closes his eyes and cradles his forehead in his hands.


INT. SARAH’S BEDROOM – DAWN

Sarah’s rolls over on her bed. She slowly opens her eyes to look at her clock: 6:27. She bolts upright.

SARAH
Shit!

Sarah leaps out of bed and scrambles for a bathing suit in her dresser. While she quickly throws on the bathing suit, she looks out her window to see the sun is just beginning to make its appearance.

Sarah throws a pair of shorts and a t-shirt over her bathing suit when the doorbell rings. Sarah looks at her clock again: 6:30.

SARAH
Does he always have to be right on time?

MRS. MORIN (O.S.)
(sing song voice)
Sarah! Jesse’s here!

SARAH
I know, Mom. I’ll be right down.

Sarah walks over to her calendar and marks an “X” on Saturday. Runs O.S. into her bathroom to grab a beach towel and then runs out of her room.


INT. SARAH’S KITCHEN – DAWN

Sarah walks into the kitchen to find her mother laughing at something Jesse said. Jesse is smiling and making sandwiches.

MRS. MORIN
Boy, look at those sandwiches. You’re a good man to have around, Jesse.

JESSE
Thanks, Mrs. Morin.

MRS. MORIN
(looks at Sarah)
Don’t those sandwiches look great, honey?

Sarah grabs some sandwich bags from the cabinet and shovels the sandwiches in.

SARAH
Oh, my God, Mom - they’re sandwiches. Will you stop trying to match me up with Jesse? I keep telling you we’re just friends.

We already agreed, I’m just the sister he never had, and he’s just the brother I never had.

Mrs. Morin has a look of surprised innocence on her face.

JESSE
Really? I don’t remember that conversation. Explains why you’re hitting me all the time, though.

Sarah shoves him in the shoulder.

JESSE
See?

Mrs. Morin laughs as she pours herself a cup of coffee and sits down with a newspaper. Sarah loads the sandwiches in a small cooler.

SARAH
Let’s get going before you miss this precious sunrise of yours.

You know, you could have picked painting a sunrise sometime this summer, so I didn’t have to miss one of the few days I can sleep in during the school year?

JESSE
Another sunrise is never a guarantee, sis.

SARAH
Oh, please. Come on before you start getting into one of your philosophical moods on me.
(kisses mom on cheek)
Bye, Mom.

JESSE
(grabs cooler)
Bye, Mrs. Morin.

MRS. MORIN
Have fun, kids.

Jesse and Sarah walk out of the kitchen.


EXT. LOCAL BEACH ON LAKE – DAY

Jesse is perched atop a blanket next to Sarah’s beach towel. He’s sketching the lake with the sun while Sarah is swimming. Their bikes sit nearby. It’s quiet. Sarah stands up in the water.

SARAH
Why don’t you come in? The water’s perfect.

JESSE
(looks around,then points to himself)
Did you just forget who you’re talking to? You know I don’t swim.

SARAH
You don’t have to swim. Just put your feet in. It’s really nice for this time of year.

JESSE
No thanks.

SARAH
Wimp.

JESSE
It’s a title I’m used to.

Sarah dives back under the water. Jesse continues drawing when he hears a car pull up in the parking area behind him. He turns briefly to find Chase stepping out of the driver’s side of a Mercedes.

JESSE
(to himself)
Great.

Chase, Justin and Dan step out of the car. They walk to the back of the car to grab towels and a cooler from the trunk before walking on the beach.

CHASE
Well, if it isn’t our good friend, Mr. Peterson.

Jesse ignores Chase and continues to draw. Chase and his buddies set up their towels about 10 feet behind Jesse.
CHASE
So, what do you think of my new wheels, Peterson?

Jesse turns slightly to look at the car.

JESSE
Nice. Got your mom’s car today?

Chase’s friends laugh.

CHASE
No, jackass, it’s mine. I got it the day I passed my driver’s test.

Jesse turns his attention back to his drawing.


JESSE
Congratulations. It must be nice to have everything handed to you on a silver platter.

CHASE
I have no complaints. Hey, is that your girlfriend in the water?

JESSE
It’s Sarah. And she’s not my girlfriend.

CHASE
That’s ‘cuz you’re an idiot. Come on, guys.

The boys start toward the water. Chase passes by Jesse and slaps the back of his head. Justin and Dan, laughing, follow suit before running and diving into the water.

Chase swims over to Sarah. He says something to her. She smiles politely, then heads for the shore.

CHASE
Hey, come on. Don’t leave. I was just kidding.

Sarah walks over to Jesse.

SARAH
Are you done?

JESSE
Almost.

SARAH
Wanna go?


JESSE
Only if you do.

Sarah starts drying herself off.

SARAH
It’s bad enough I have to see those creeps during the week.

JESSE
Agreed. I can finish this later.

They start packing.

SARAH
I want to buy you a shirt for your birthday today.

JESSE
My birthday’s over a week away.

SARAH
Not sure if you know this, but normal people generally buy gifts a few days ahead of time.

JESSE
I really don’t want you spending your money on me.

SARAH
Will you cut the crap? Don’t worry, I won’t be spending much. We’re going to your favorite store … La Boutique d’Salvation Army.


EXT. SALVATION ARMY STORE – DAY

Jesse’s and Sarah’s bikes are leaning against the outside of the Army store.


INT. SALVATION ARMY – DAY

Jesse is browsing through a rack of men’s shirts. Sarah is close by browsing another rack of men’s shirts.

SARAH
Hey, here’s a nice one.

Sarah holds up a very nice shirt with Abercrombie stretched across the front.

SARAH
Not only does it look brand new and in style, it costs all of …
(does a fake drumroll - flashes price tag)
… $4.99.




JESSE
Ok, number one, you know I wouldn’t be caught dead in clothing where the company rapes people on pricing and advertises clothing, of all things, with nearly nude models. And two …
(starts looking in the rack again)
… it doesn’t have a pocket.

Sarah takes a look at the shirt again and shakes her head.

SARAH
Buddy, you’re killing me with your pockets.

She shoves the shirt back on the overfilled rack and continues rifling through it.

SARAH
Why the hell do you always have to wear shirts with pockets?

JESSE
Long story.

SARAH
A story about why you only wear pocketed shirts? How long could it possibly be, really?

Jesse stops moving through the clothes. He takes a moment before looking intently into Sarah’s eyes.

JESSE
No one knows, Sarah. And if they did, it would probably cement my reputation as a pussy.

SARAH
You’re not a pussy.

JESSE
Yeah, whatever.

Jesse pauses, then pulls a wallet-sized picture out of his shirt pocket. He slowly hands it over to Sarah without looking at it. She takes a moment to study the picture.

SARAH
Is this her? Is this your mom?

Jesse nods his head.

SARAH
I thought your dad got rid of all her pictures?

JESSE
He didn’t know about this one.

Sarah looks again at the picture.

SARAH
She was beautiful, Jesse.

JESSE
The week before she killed herself, she came into my room and sat next to me on the bed. I was just drawing as usual - said I would be a great artist some day.

She told me it was time to get ready for bed. When I started to get up, she held me back.

I’ll never forget the look of resignation in her eyes. I think I knew even then she was going to be gone soon.
(absent-mindedly leafs through the shirts)
Never dreamed she’d take half her head off though.

Jesse takes the picture back from Sarah and looks at it.

She showed me this picture and slipped it in my shirt pocket. She pushed it gently against my chest with the palm of her hand and said that if anything ever happened to her that I should always remember how much she loves me and that I should always keep her close to my heart.

SARAH
Jesus, Jesse. I’m sorry.


JESSE
When I got ready for bed that night, I tossed the picture on my bureau. By the time the next morning came, I basically forgot about it. Hell, I was only five.

But when I saw the ambulance at my house after school the following week, the conversation came back at me like a bullet - I knew she was gone before I even walked through the door.

After the funeral, when my father started that fire in the backyard, I ran for the picture and put it in my shirt before he could get his hands on it. He was a madman, grabbing every picture he could find with my mother. He tossed them in the fire without a word.

When he went through my room, he screamed at me to hand over every one of her pictures. So, I gave him all the pictures I had – except for the one that was burning a hole in my chest.

Jesse smiles at Sarah and flicks the picture up in his hand before slipping it back into his pocket.

SARAH
Why didn’t you ever tell me before? I feel like a total ass now for making fun of your shirts all this time.

JESSE
Don’t you ever feel like you shouldn’t have to defend and explain everything you do in life to people, Sarah?

SARAH
But we’re friends.

JESSE
Even to friends.


SARAH
I guess - sometimes.

They resume looking through the shirts. Sarah pulls out a nice plaid shirt – with a pocket. She presents it to Jesse. He smiles, takes the shirt and they start walking to the checkout.


INT. SARAH’S ROOM – NIGHT

Sarah’s alarm goes off at 5:50. Sarah hits it to turn it off.

She’s dressed and zips up her school bag.

She marks an ‘X’ on the Monday of the last school week before her vacation.


INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA – DAY

Jesse is putting the remainder of his school lunch in a storage bag. Sarah is still eating her lunch.

JESSE
Library today?

SARAH
As always.

JESSE
Just making sure.

Jesse puts the storage bag in his backpack.

JESSE
I’ll see you after school.

SARAH
I’m almost done.

JESSE
I’m gonna head to class now - I’m always late when I wait for you. Mrs. O’Neil is starting to get pissed about it.

SARAH
You never told me that.


JESSE
I didn’t want to mess with your routine.

SARAH
Jesus, Jesse, just tell me things, will you? Do you really think I’m that fragile?

JESSE
I’ll see you after school.

Sarah, confused, watches Jesse as he leaves the cafeteria.


EXT. LIBRARY – DAY

Sarah and Jesse’s bikes sit outside the library.


INT. LIBRARY – DAY

Jesse is sitting with his feet propped up on another chair. He’s working on a drawing of Sarah with the stacks of bookshelves behind her and the sun shining on her through the window.

Sarah has her head stuck in her studies. She looks up at Jesse and rapidly wiggles a pen between her fingers.

SARAH
Sorry I snapped today at lunch.

Jesse continues drawing.

JESSE
No biggie.

SARAH
I just want you to be able to tell me things. Don’t be afraid to speak up with me. You’re my friend, Jesse - my best friend. Okay?

Jesse looks up somewhat serious, but then smiles.

JESSE
OK.

Sarah watches Jesse as he continues drawing.


SARAH
I haven’t seen you do homework for over two weeks. What’s up?

JESSE
Teachers haven’t been giving any.

SARAH
Bullshit.

JESSE
What I mean is … they haven’t given much. I’ve been finishing it in class.

Sarah gives him a doubtful look.

JESSE
What?

SARAH
You’re full of shit. You always did your homework before. What’s going on?

JESSE
What are you, my mother now?

SARAH
I guess someone has to be.

Jesse stands and starts to pack.

JESSE
I’ll see you tomorrow.

Sarah grabs him by the arm.

SARAH
Jesse, something’s up. I can smell it.

Jesse ignores her and keeps packing.

SARAH
You just said you would talk to me for Christ’s sake!

FEMALE VOICE (O.S.)
Shhhh!

Jesse stops packing and looks at Sarah resigned. He sits back down.

JESSE
I haven’t been doing my homework… because I’m not going to be here to see my next report card anyway.

SARAH
What do you mean? Are you moving?

JESSE
No.

SARAH
Oh my God, you’re running away.

JESSE
In a way, I guess.

SARAH
‘In a way’? – ‘You guess’?

JESSE
Listen, I should go.

Sarah grabs him by the arm again and glares.

JESSE
(sighs deeply and sits down)
I’m checking out, Sarah.

Sarah thinks for a moment before understanding. She leans into Jesse, just inches from his face.

SARAH
What-the-fuck are you talking about?

JESSE
I’m sick of it. I can’t take this fucking life anymore, Sarah. I’m committing suicide – over the spring break.

Sarah slumps into her chair.

JESSE
After the last break with my dad, I swore I’d never spend another vacation with him.

Sarah leans back into Jesse.

SARAH
Then don’t. Come away with me and my mom.

JESSE
(shakes his head)
I can’t do that. I don’t have the money.

SARAH
We’ll pay for it. I’ll talk to my mom. She loves you. It would be much more fun with you around anyway.

JESSE
It’s not really about the money, and it’s not just spending the break with my dad - I’m just tired of getting pissed on every day of my life.

SARAH
Jesse, it’s just high school crap. It’s all bullshit. Just wait until you get out of here. Things will be better, I promise.

Jesse gets up and grabs his bag. He pushes in his chair and starts to leave.

JESSE
I’m sorry, Sarah - I shouldn’t have told you. I told you there were some things even friends shouldn’t know. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Jesse quickly leaves before Sarah has a chance to respond. She sinks back into her chair.

SARAH
Fuck.

She stares at her textbook on the library table.






INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA – DAY

Sarah’s same textbook is on the cafeteria table. She sits across from Jesse and watches as he eats the last bite of lasagna, swiping up the remaining sauce with a piece of French bread.

SARAH
I didn’t think I’d ever see this day come again.

JESSE
(swallowing)
What?

SARAH
You – eating an entire meal.

Jesse takes a slug from his carton of milk.

JESSE
Gonna be dead in less than 2 weeks – don’t want to leave a scrawny corpse.

Sarah leans across the table and whispers loudly.

SARAH
Will you cut that out, please?

JESSE
What?

SARAH
This suicide bullshit.

JESSE
I assure you, it’s not bullshit. I’ve never been more serious in all my life. And you were right, by the way.

Sarah leans back in her chair.

SARAH
About what?

JESSE
About talking to your friends. Since telling you last night, I feel like the world has been lifted off my shoulders.

SARAH
(laughs indignantly)
And thrown onto mine … thanks.

JESSE
Listen, you were the one pushing for all my inner thoughts – well, now you have ‘em. You can’t backtrack now and pick and choose which ones I throw out there.

SARAH
(leaning into into him)
I never dreamed I’d hear anything as idiotic as suicide from you.

Chase watches Sarah with curiosity from a nearby table as he sits with Kate, Justin and Dan.

JESSE
Did you know almost 5,000 teens commit suicide each year? Lindsay Stevens did a report on it a couple of weeks ago in health class.

SARAH
(rolls her eyes)
Jesus.

JESSE
(smiling and carefree)
Sarah, I’m actually almost happy, you know? Now I can just enjoy these last few days with my best friend without feeling like I have to hide something.

Whether you knew about my plan or not, it was going to happen. I’m asking you to just respect my wishes and not to take it on as a burden. And don’t – don’t tell anyone else or, I swear, I’ll just do it quicker.

SARAH
You’re kidding me, right?

Jesse shakes his head. He takes Sarah by the hand and rubs it tenderly.

JESSE
Please, Sarah.

Chase scornfully watches the two holding hands from a nearby table. Kate sees him looking and waves her hand in front of his face to get his attention back.

Sarah pulls her hand back from Jesse.

SARAH
(nods toward the empty food tray)
So, what about your dad?

JESSE
(looks down at the tray)
He’ll probably kill me tonight. I figured a potential earlier exit is worth having a full stomach for once. Can you come over my house today?

SARAH
I guess so.

JESSE
I wanna show you something.


EXT. JESSE’S HOUSE - DAY

Sarah sits on the porch steps and watches Jesse as he waters his irises.

SARAH
You sure have a thing for these plants, huh?

JESSE
I helped my mom plant them the year she died.

SARAH
Oh.

JESSE
Said if I took good care of them they’d stay with me year after year. I wanted to see them bloom one more time. It’s the only reason why I’m still here today.

Sarah opens her backpack, pretending not to have heard the comment. Jesse rolls the hose up.

JESSE
They’re gonna bloom in the next few days - middle of next week at the latest.

SARAH
(whispers sarcastically)
Wonderful.

JESSE
What was that?

SARAH
Nothing. So what is it that you wanted to show me?

Jesse wipes his hands on his pants and picks up his bag from the stairs. He goes inside and Sarah gets up to follow.


INT. RICK’S ROOM - DAY

Sarah follows Jesse into the room. He runs his hand along the back of the headboard to collect the taped key. He grabs the lockbox from under the bed.

SARAH
(looking nervous)
What if your dad shows?

JESSE
I told you a million times – he never comes home until after last call. God forbid he might have to interact with his son.

Jesse opens the box. Sarah sees the gun, and nervously crosses her arms across her chest.

SARAH
(upset)
Great, just great - what, do you want me to be here for the big occasion?

JESSE
Relax. I didn’t bring you here to see the gun.

SARAH
(sarcastically)
Oh, well that’s a relief.

Jesse picks up the gun and places it on the bed.

SARAH
Can you put that thing out of sight, please?

JESSE
Wow, I always thought you were the tough one.

Jesse places the gun under the bed.

SARAH
So … is that what you’re going to use.

JESSE
That’s the plan.

SARAH
How can you be so nonchalant about this? And, God, why do you have to use a gun? Why not pills or something? Jesus! What the hell am I talking about?!

JESSE
Pills are never a guarantee. If you fuck it up and survive, then you’re just another pathetic loser stuck in the loco ward sucking down happy pills for the rest of your life. I’m not taking any chances.

Anyway, this is what I wanted to show you.

Jesse hands her the picture of his parents. Sarah looks at it for a few moments.

SARAH
Oh my God - that’s actually your house. I almost didn’t recognize it. It looks so … so good.

Sarah looks up at Jesse.


SARAH
Uh, sorry. That didn’t come out right.

JESSE
Are you kidding? I was thinking the same thing when I first saw it.

SARAH
(quietly)
Wow … your parents actually look happy.

JESSE
I know.

SARAH
How did you find the key?

JESSE
Saw my dad getting it one night as I was passing by to hit the bathroom. I always wondered where he kept the key.

He didn’t see me standing in the dark watching him. When he took out the photo, he actually had this pained look in his eyes. I knew he couldn’t be a total, heartless bastard if my mother fell in love with him.

SARAH
Whatever happened to them? Why do you think your mom did it?

JESSE
I tried asking my dad a couple years after she was gone …
(in a deep, mean voice)
… ‘Cuz she was fucking crazy, that’s why’.

Sarah hands the photo back to Jesse and picks up the box.

SARAH
What else does he have in here?

JESSE
That’s it.

Sarah holds up the box with a confused look on her face.

SARAH
You sure? Did you already check inside the rest of it?

JESSE
Whaddya mean?

SARAH
Well look, the bottom doesn’t go down deep enough.
(holds the box up at an angle)
I think there’s another compartment.

Jesse puts the photo down and takes the box. He pushes on the newly discovered divider and it moves. He pushes down on one side, propping the other side up.

He pries the metal divider out, revealing a yellowed envelope with “Rick” handwritten on the front. Jesse picks it up slowly and looks at Sarah.

SARAH
Do you think it’s …

JESSE
(shakes his head)
I don’t know.
(slowly he passes it to Sarah)
Open it.

SARAH
(puts hands up in protest)
I don’t think I should, Jesse.

JESSE
Please.

Sarah slowly takes the envelope and opens it. She unfolds the paper and reads for a few moments.

JESSE
So is it? Is it the suicide note?

SARAH
(nods slowly)
I think so.

JESSE
Read it.

Sarah looks up with a pained expression.

SARAH
Maybe we should just put it back.

JESSE
Why? What’s wrong?

Jesse snatches the paper and starts to read aloud.
JESSE


Rick,

I’m so sorry. Sorry that I’m leaving you with the burden of raising a child on your own, sorry that I’m not strong enough to go on while that kid exists. I’ll always love you, but I just can’t get past it. God knows I tried, but it’s been four years and every time I see him I feel like I’m being punched in the gut.

I ask that you forgive me, though I know just how hard it’ll be. But please do it, for your sake and for Jesse’s. He’ll need you more than ever now. You may not believe it, but I really do love you. That’s why this has been so hard for me. I hope that, with me gone, your life will be easier to bear. Be well.

Olivia

Jesse looks confused at Sarah. He stands up and paces looking at the paper frantically.

JESSE
You know what this means, Sarah? It was me. She killed herself because of me.

SARAH
Jesse it wasn’t you.




JESSE
(raising his voice)
What do you mean it wasn’t me?
(looks at the paper)
‘I’m not strong enough to go on while that kid exists.’, ‘every time I see him I feel like I’m being punched in the gut.’

Jesus Christ, even my own mother couldn’t stand me.

SARAH
Jesse, stop it. It sounds like your mom had post-partum depression or something. It was nothing you did.

JESSE
(runs a hand through his hair)
How can you say it was nothing I did? My mother’s dead because I was born.

SARAH
Did you ask to be born?

JESSE
Of course, not.

Sarah walks over to Jesse and takes the paper away. She lifts his head to look in his eyes.

SARAH
(quietly)
Then it was nothing you did.

She wraps her arms around him. He stands stiffly before reaching around Sarah to return her embrace. He buries his face in her neck and quietly sobs.


INT. JESSE’S ROOM – NIGHT

Jesse is sleeping. O.S. the front door closes. Rick’s cane thumps across the wood floor. The fridge opens, glass rattles.

RICK (O.S)
What the fuck?

Rick’s cane comes harder and closer to Jesse’s room. Rick slams the door open and snaps the light on.
RICK
Hey! Where’s my food?

Jesse doesn’t move.

JESSE
(groggily)
I ate it.

RICK
What the hell do you mean, you ate it?

Eyes squinting, Jesse props himself up on an elbow.

JESSE
Well, first I stuck my fork in this juicy piece of lasagna, then I brought it (sing-song voice) up to the lips, over the gums and said “look out tummy, here it comes.”

Rick stands in the doorway astonished. With sudden purpose, he marches over to Jesse’s bed. He holds onto the footboard, and beats Jesse in the legs with his cane.

RICK
That was my food – my food! You understand me, you little shit?

Jesse grabs the end of the cane and pulls his father off balance - he falls to the floor. Jesse jabs the end of the cane under Rick’s chin.

JESSE
No, it wasn’t your food, it was my food! And I’m sick of you stealing my goddamn food. Do you understand?
Rick is shocked, but defiant. He snatches the cane back and pushes himself from the floor.

RICK
You’re done here, understand? I want you out in two weeks.

JESSE
I’ll be gone before then, don’t worry.



RICK
(chuckles)
Think it’s easy, don’t you, kid? Well, you’ll be in for a rude awakening. And don’t think you can come running back here, ‘cuz the locks will be changed.

JESSE
Don’t worry about me, Dad. Remember? No one is worth worrying about.

RICK
Humph.

Rick leaves the room and slams the door. Jesse rubs his legs for a few seconds before getting up to turn off the light.


INT. SARAH’S ROOM – NIGHT

Sarah sleeps restlessly. She watches the clock – 2:45, 3:22, 4:53. She shuts off the alarm at 5:49 before it goes off. She slowly gets up and switches on the Weather Channel, which forecasts another nice day.

She comes back out and picks up her pen to mark the usual ‘X’ on her calendar for Wednesday, but hesitates and then puts the pen back down without marking the date. She walks into her bathroom. O.S. she turns on the shower.


EXT. ROAD – DAWN

Jesse and Sarah bike along the road to school. Chase drives up alongside them.

CHASE
Aww, you two are so cute on your little bikes.

SARAH
Do we really fascinate you this much, Chase? I’m waiting for the one day you can see us without making a juvenile comment.

CHASE
Fuck you, Sarah.

Chase screeches away kicking up a cloud of dust.
SARAH
Jackass.

JESSE
He likes you.

SARAH
What? You’re insane.

JESSE
You can’t be serious. Don’t pretend like you don’t know.

SARAH
Well if he does, he sure has a way of showing it. Someone should pick him up a copy of Flirting for Dummies.

JESSE
That would be fine if he knew how to read.

Sarah laughs. The school can be seen up the road.


INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY – DAY

The hall is empty as a bell rings. Throngs of students flood the hall.


INT. BOYS BATHROOM – DAY

Jesse walks up to a urinal. Another boy walks out as Chase comes in and walks up to a another urinal.

CHASE
How’s it going?

JESSE
(zipping up)
Fantastic, you?

CHASE
You’re a lucky son of a bitch, Peterson.

JESSE
Why’s that?

Jesse walks over to the sink.
CHASE
Because you really don’t deserve all the attention Sarah gives you.

JESSE
I think I probably deserve it more than you do.

Jesse starts washing his hands as Chase zips and flushes.

CHASE
You’re not even worthy of handling my garbage, you low-life piece of shit.

Jesse ignores him and turns off the water. Jesse looks in the mirror to find Chase standing behind him.

CHASE
You hear me?

Jesse turns around to face Chase, but says nothing. Chase shakes his head.

CHASE
Man, it pisses me off when you stare at me like that. What are you, some kind of faggot?

Chase shoves Jesse. The back of his head slams into the mirror, breaking the glass. Jesse howls in pain. Chase looks nervous when he sees all the blood. He yells out.

CHASE
I said, don’t touch me, you faggot!

A couple of students, including Justin, and a teacher, MR. LEWIS, rush in a few moments later.

MR. LEWIS
What the hell’s going on in here? Jesus, Jesse.

CHASE
He tried touching my dick, Mr. Lewis.

Mr. Lewis walks over to Jesse. Jesse holds the back of his head and shakes it.

JESSE
No, I didn’t.
CHASE
I swear he did.
(looks at Justin).
See, I told you he was queer.

MR. LEWIS
(grabs paper towels)
That’s enough of that, Mr. Gibbons. Head down to the principal’s office. I’ll meet you there right after I take Jesse to the nurse’s office.

They all head out of the bathroom.


INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY – DAY

The nurse, Ms. Roberts, walks up to them. Chase walks away toward the principal’s office.

MS. ROBERTS
Not again. Let me see.

Ms. Roberts examines the wound.



MS. ROBERTS
No skirting around stitches for this one, mister.
(to Mr. Lewis)
What happened?

MR. LEWIS
Hurricane Chase.

MS. ROBERTS
Huge surprise. I’ll bring him over to Memorial.

MR. LEWIS
I’ll tell the principal and find out what happened.
(to Jesse)
We’ll have a talk with you later.

JESSE
I swear – I didn’t try touching him, Mr. Lewis. He’s lying.


MR. LEWIS
Just get your head taken care of. We’ll talk about that later.

Jesse walks off with Ms. Roberts, and Mr. Lewis heads to the principal’s office.


EXT. MEMORIAL HOSPITAL – DAY

Jesse walks out of the hospital behind his dad and Ms. Roberts. They all get into Ms. Roberts’ 4-door sedan. Rick sits up front and Jesse sits in the back. Rick has some difficulty fitting his cane in the passenger side before shutting the door.

RICK
Appreciate the ride home, Ms. Roberts.

MS. ROBERTS
Oh, please … it’s only a few minutes away. And Rick, I wish you would call me Sue. We went to the same high school together for crying out loud.

RICK
(smiles)
Will do, Sue.

Jesse rolls his eyes.


EXT. JESSE’S HOUSE – DAY

Car pulls up in front of the house. Rick and Jesse open the doors. Rick looks back in the car at Sue.

JESSE
Thanks, Ms. Roberts.

MS. ROBERTS
No problem, Jesse.

RICK
Yeah, thanks again, Sue. You saved us a forty minute walk.

MS. ROBERTS
My pleasure, Rick.

Jesse closes the door and starts to walk toward the house. Rick hesitates before shutting the door.

MS. ROBERTS
Rick?

RICK
Yeah?

MS. ROBERTS
(hesitates)
I heard what happened to your wife all those years ago. I just want to say … I give you credit for raising a fine young man like Jesse all on your own.

Rick hesitates, looks up over the top of the car before looking back at Ms. Roberts.

RICK
Thanks. I appreciate that.

MS. ROBERTS
Well, have a good night then.

RICK
Yeah, you too.

Rick closes the door and Ms. Roberts drives away. He walks up the stairs and into the house.


INT. JESSE’S KITCHEN – DAY

Jesse leans against the counter drinking a glass of milk as his father comes in.

JESSE
Dad?

RICK
What is it?

JESSE
I didn’t touch that kid.

For a moment Rick stares at Jesse with a blank expression. He turns and then walks off toward his room.



RICK
I know you didn’t.

Jesse stands there a bit surprised. He finishes his glass of milk. As he washes the glass his father comes back through the kitchen and walks out the door without a word.


INT. JESSE’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Jesse lies on his couch and watches the History Channel. A knock comes at the door.

JESSE
(yells out)
Who is it?

SARAH (O.S.)
It’s me.

JESSE
It’s open.

Jesse sits up and continues to watch the TV. Sarah comes and stands in the doorway.

SARAH
How’s your head?

JESSE
Lovely? And yours?

Sarah sits on the couch beside Jesse.

SARAH
Ha-ha. I’m being serious.

JESSE
As good as 13 stitches in your head can feel, I guess.

SARAH
13?

JESSE
My lucky number.

SARAH
Speaking of numbers …

Sarah pulls a small sheet of paper from her pocket and grabs the phone on the side table. She hands them both to Jesse.
SARAH
… I want you to call this one.

Jesse takes the phone and looks at the paper. He quickly puts them both in Sarah’s lap.

JESSE
I’m not calling the Suicide Hotline.

Jesse starts watching the TV again and Sarah watches him, motionless. She then drops the phone and paper on his lap.

SARAH
(angrily)
Call.

JESSE
I told you …
(places the items back in her lap)
… I’m not calling.

SARAH
(pushes the phone in his chest)
I said call, goddamn it!

JESSE
(sighs)
If I call, will you stop bugging me about it?

SARAH
Yes.

JESSE
Swear?

SARAH
(irritated)
Yes, I swear.

Jesse sighs again, takes a look at the paper and turns on the phone. He dials and the phone rings softly. He looks at Sarah.

JESSE
(whispers)
You swear, right?

Sarah rolls her eyes and nods her head. The phone is answered.

WOMAN’S VOICE
Hello?

JESSE
(feigning desperation)
Uh, hello? Is this the Suicide Hotline?

Sarah begins to smile.

WOMAN’S VOICE
(beat)
Excuse me?

JESSE
I said is this the Suicide Hotline?

WOMAN’S VOICE
I’m, I’m sorry… but I think you have the wrong number.

JESSE
(exaggerating)
Aw, Jesus. I can’t do anything right!

Jesse hangs up the phone and erupts in a fit of laughter. Sarah looks confused.

SARAH
What happened?

JESSE
(still laughing)
Wrong number.

Sarah punches Jesse in the arm multiple times.

JESSE
Ow, ow. Easy on the injured guy, huh?

SARAH
That poor lady.
(punches him again)
Call her back.

JESSE
Ow, I can’t! I don’t know what number I called.


SARAH
Hit the redial button.

JESSE
Don’t have one on this phone. It’s a relic.

Sarah grabs the phone and takes a look at it.

SARAH
How could you be such a jerk?

JESSE
(smiles wryly)
See? This is why I don’t deserve to live.

Sarah stands up and paces the floor.

SARAH
This is bullshit – you don’t tell your best friend you’re going to kill yourself and then just sit back and makes jokes about it – you’re killing me here, don’t you get that?

JESSE
I’m sorry, Sarah, but seriously, I’m not worth getting this upset over – trust me.

Can’t we just enjoy our last few days together without the drama? I’ve made up my mind and nothing you do will change that.

SARAH
Oh – my – God you’re being a selfish son of a bitch. Do you really think your death only affects you?

Jesse stands up and stops Sarah from pacing. He holds her by the shoulders.

JESSE
Sarah, calm down.

He pulls her into a hug and holds her there.


JESSE
Listen, of course, I know it’ll hurt –

Sarah snaps away from him.

SARAH
(hard whisper)
Then how can you do it? How can you, Jesse?

Sarah leaves and slams the worn front door.


EXT. CHASE’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Fancy front door. Doorbell rings. Sarah is standing outside a lavish house on a large piece of property with lampposts illuminating a pristine front yard. The door opens after a few moments.

A well-dressed woman, Chase’s mother, CHRISTINE GIBBONS, answers the door with half a glass of wine in tow.

SARAH
Mrs. Gibbons?

MRS. GIBBONS
Yes?

SARAH
Can I speak to Chase for a minute?

MRS. GIBBONS
(snottily)
May I say who’s calling?

SARAH
I’m Sarah Morin, Ma’am. I go to school with Chase.

MRS. GIBBONS
(looks at her watch)
Isn’t it kind of late, sweetheart?

SARAH
I won’t be long.

MRS. GIBBONS
Um hmm. OK.
(leans in a bit, then whispers)
Chase has a girlfriend already, dear. Not sure if you know that.

SARAH
Oh, yeah, I know. It’s just about a project we’re working on.

MRS. GIBBONS
(with a wry smile)
Of course.

Mrs. Gibbons shuts the door. Sarah rolls her eyes, sticks her middle finger down her throat and then shoves it in front of the door.

MRS. GIBBONS (O.S.)
Chase! There’s a girl here to see you.

CHASE (O.S.)
(annoyed)
Who is it? I’m watching TV.


MRS. GIBBONS (O.S.)
Sarah something-or-other.

Sarah waves the bird at the door again. Footsteps can be heard flying down stairs. The door whips open revealing an eager Chase.

CHASE
Ho-ly shit. For a second I thought my hearing was going. I only know one Sarah.

SARAH
Hi, Chase.

CHASE
Uh, wanna come in?

SARAH
Actually, can I just talk to you out here for a minute?

CHASE
You’re not going to hit me are you?

SARAH
For what?

CHASE
(confused)
For hurting your gay girlfriend today. Thought for sure we’d get suspended.
(chuckles)
Convinced themselves it was a misunderstanding. What a joke.

SARAH
Oh, right. I kinda forgot about that. And he’s not gay, Chase.

Chase steps outside and closes the door.

CHASE
Has he ever tried to kiss you?

SARAH
What does that have to do with anything?

CHASE
I knew it - he’s gay.

SARAH
Stop saying that. Even if he was, what difference does it make? We don’t live in the dark ages, you moron.

CHASE
Ah, right.
(Spreads his arms open in a welcoming gesture)
We live …
(draw out)
… in the “Age of Tolerance”.

SARAH
I need your help.

CHASE
(shoves hands into his pockets)
You just called me a moron, and now you want my help?




SARAH
Will you be serious for a minute?
(takes a deep breath)
I’m afraid Jesse’s going to do something stupid. He hasn’t been himself lately.

CHASE
I’m not sure about that - seems like the same pathetic loser I’ve always known.

SARAH
Can you please just lay off him for a while? Or, it would be great if you and some of your buddies could kind of make friends with him.

Chase stares at her in complete disbelief.

CHASE
Are you kidding me?
(scans his property)
Am I on Punk’d or something?
(looks at the back of Sarah’s head)
Did you hit your head today, too?

SARAH
Chase, I’m totally serious.

CHASE
I don’t know what you see in that kid, Sarah. He doesn’t like to talk to anybody. Well, except for you, of course. He’s a complete weirdo.

SARAH
He’s not a weirdo. He’s just shy. He has has a tough life at home, that’s all. Why do you hate him so much?

CHASE
(leans in, serious)
Because he stole you from me.

SARAH
(laughing)
What are you talking about?


CHASE
Don’t laugh, Sarah. Maybe you don’t remember, but I do. We used to be good friends in grade school. I remember making you laugh everyday – until the day you started talking to Peterson. After that, you completely ignored me.

SARAH
Because you were a complete jerk.

CHASE
Hold on … I wasn’t a complete jerk … until you started ignoring me.

SARAH
Oh, my God, Chase. We were what - six, seven-years old?

CHASE
Go out with me, Sarah.

SARAH
(incredulous)
What?

CHASE
Go out with me and I’ll make sure Peterson is treated like one of the boys.

SARAH
(laughing)
I can’t go out with you.

CHASE
Why not?

SARAH
Well, for one thing, as your mom so nicely reminded me, you have a girlfriend.

CHASE
Who? Kate? She’s just a temporary distraction.





SARAH
That’s exactly why I would never – ever go out with you. I never – ever want to be described as someone’s “temporary distraction”. I knew this was a big mistake.

Sarah turns to walk down the walkway.

CHASE
You could be making a bigger mistake. Don’t you want to save your buddy?

SARAH
I’ll find another way. Good night!

Suddenly the sprinkler system goes on, soaking Sarah.

SARAH
Ugh!

CHASE
(bursts into laughter)
I knew I’d make you wet one way or another someday!

Sarah gets on her bike and rides away. Sprinkler system continues to wet the grass.


EXT. JESSE’S HOUSE – DAWN

Jesse is watering the Irises with the hose. He turns it off and picks up a couple of pieces of junk from the front yard and puts them in an overstocked garage.

He picks up a thin piece of sheet metal and starts to bring it over to the garage. As he walks the sheet metal vibrates loudly. He stops, then shakes the metal again and grins.


INT. SARAH’S ROOM - DAWN

Sarah turns on the TV for the weather – another nice day. She walks into her bathroom and turns on the shower.


EXT. ROAD - DAWN

Jesse is riding his bike down the road with the sheet metal in one hand.
INT. SARAH’S BATHROOM – DAWN

Steam fogs up the mirror. Sarah is humming to herself, hair completely lathered, when suddenly she hears a noise like thunder.

She immediately stops to listen with a confused expression. She hears the noise again and quickly shuts off the water without rinsing her hair. She hears rain on the window and then another rumble of “thunder”.

SARAH
Shit! They said no rain!


EXT. SARAH’S HOUSE BY BATHROOM WINDOW – DAWN

Jesse looks delighted as he stands outside spraying water on Sarah’s window with a hose in one hand and shaking the sheet metal with the other.


INT. SARAH’S BATHROOM – DAY

Sarah grabs a towel, hair still somewhat lathered, throws it around herself and jumps out of the tub. She slips, crashing in front of the sink.

SARAH
Ow! Fuck! They said no rain, goddamn it!

Sarah stands up. Somewhat hurt she limps to the window. She wipes the steam off and discovers Jesse. He waves with a smile and aims the water at her face.

SARAH
Ugh!

With a big smile, Jesse puts the hose down, looks up at Sarah and does a little dance shaking the sheet metal. Sarah flips him the bird. Jesse puts his hand in front of his mouth mocking shock. Sarah opens the window.

SARAH
You really do have a death wish. I fell down thanks to your little joke.

JESSE
(still smiling)
Sorry.
SARAH
Oh, yeah … you look really sorry. You may not be sorry now, but you will be when I finish my shower and get downstairs.

JESSE
You want me to wait for you?

SARAH
If you dare.

JESSE
Maybe I better go on ahead.

SARAH
Good idea.

Sarah slams the window down and turns the shower back on.


INT. SCHOOL CAFETERIA – DAY

Jesse walks by with his tray of food. Students stare at him - a couple of them heckle as he walks by.


STUDENT #1
Cover your private parts - queerboy comin’ through.

STUDENT #2
Faggot.

Jesse sits down with Sarah.

JESSE
And I thought life couldn’t get worse.

Sarah eats her food without looking up. Jesse picks up his fork and takes notice of Sarah’s silent treatment.

JESSE
Come on, Sarah. I’m sorry. It was just a joke.

SARAH
I have a bruise the size of a baseball on my thigh now, thanks.


JESSE
Look, I said I was sorry. I didn’t think you would completely spaz out. I didn’t even think you would fall for it - you did check the weather this morning, didn’t you?

SARAH
Come over my house today?

JESSE
Plan on cutting my life even shorter?

SARAH
This morning I was – but I’m over it now, don’t worry.

Jesse digs into his food, then looks up at Sarah.

JESSE
I know you don’t want to talk about it, but I need you to do something for me.

SARAH
What is it?

Jesse reaches into his pocket and pulls out the picture of his mother.

JESSE
Will you make sure I’m buried with this?

SARAH
You’re right.

JESSE
About what?

SARAH
That I don’t want to talk about it.

JESSE
Please, Sarah.

He hands the photo across the table to her, but she doesn’t take it. Chase appears behind Jesse.



CHASE
(reaching for the picture)
Hey, what do you have there?

Jesse thrusts the picture back in his pocket. Jesse starts eating again. Chase walks to the end of the table and places his palms on it. He stares Sarah in the face.

CHASE
And that, Sarah, is why I hate Peterson.

Chase swipes at Jesse’s pocket to retrieve the picture. The pocket rips in the process. Jesse bolts from his seat.

JESSE
Give it back.

Chase holds it up out of reach.

CHASE
What if I don’t feel like it?

Chase tries to take a quick look at the picture. Jesse lunges after it.

JESSE
I said, give it back!

Jesse trips and falls on the floor.

CHASE
(laughing)
Wow, this must be pretty important.

Jesse starts getting up as Chase holds the photo in front of him and rips it in two. Sarah jumps up.

SARAH
Chase!

CHASE
Whoops. Sorry, about that.

He throws the pieces on the table in front of Sarah, and starts walking back to his table laughing. Jesse is livid. He springs after Chase, grabs the back of his shirt and rips him off his feet.


Jesse pounds the living crap out of him. The cafeteria goes wild for about 30 seconds before teachers pry Jesse off. Chase’s face is bloody and he appears to be knocked out. Two teachers hold Jesse as he looks over at Sarah, who is completely stunned.


INT. SARAH’S BEDROOM – DAY

Jesse is leaning against the headboard on Sarah’s bed as he sketches her window and the landscape beyond.
His right hand is bandaged. Sarah is sitting at her desk working on homework, but is definitely distracted.

JESSE
You’re quiet.

SARAH
Just want to get this finished.

Jesse continues to draw. He sighs and lets his hand fall to the bed.

JESSE
No comments whatsoever about my show today?

SARAH
What? Oh, yeah … pretty impressive.

Jesse looks at her in confusion.

JESSE
That’s it? Pretty impressive? I wonder if David’s best friend just said “Oh, yeah, pretty impressive” the day he slew Goliath.

Sarah rolls her eyes as she turns to face him.

SARAH
I guess I always thought of myself as the tough one, so maybe I’m a little jealous.

JESSE
(incredulous)
You’re jealous because I beat up a boy and you didn’t?



SARAH
Not just any boy … Chase Gibbons.
(folds her arms across her chest)
It was a little weird seeing you go crazy on someone. I’ve never seen you like that before.

JESSE
(chuckles)
If I knew I was only going to get a week’s suspension, I would have done it years ago.

Sarah gives him a doubtful look.

JESSE
Ok, so maybe I still wouldn’t have done it then – but I’ll tell you something … it felt fucking great while I was doing it. I poured years of abuse into every punch.

Kinda disappointed I’m going to miss my last day at Lewiston High tomorrow though. I was really looking forward to it.

Jesse returns to his drawing, and Sarah watches him. She slouches over a bit, but then sits up straight and runs a hand through her hair.

SARAH
I need to talk to you about something.

JESSE
(without looking up)
Uh, huh.

SARAH
You have to promise not to laugh, because I’m being completely serious.

JESSE
(looks up)
Ok, shoot.

Sarah slowly gets up from her chair, walks over to her door, closes it and locks it. She sits next to Jesse on the bed and looks at her hands on her lap.
SARAH
What if I sleep with you?

JESSE
What?

SARAH
If I sleep with you, will you change your mind? I’ll sleep with you right now if you promise me you won’t kill yourself.

JESSE
(laughs and shakes his head)
Sarah, that’s crazy.

SARAH
You promised you wouldn’t laugh.

JESSE
Well, yeah, but – (shakes his head)

Sarah takes his drawing, leans over Jesse and puts it on her side table. She slips her hand behind his head. Jesse sits in stunned silence as she leans into him.

Their lips touch at first with trepidation, but after a few seconds they are kissing passionately. They kiss and touch each other for about 30 seconds.

SARAH
(whispers into Jesse’s ear)
Promise me.

Jesse’s eyes close in anguish. Sarah goes in to kiss him again, but Jesse holds her back.

JESSE
I can’t. I can’t promise you.

He pushes Sarah away and hops off the bed. He paces, running his hands through his hair.

SARAH
(exasperated)
Why can’t you?





JESSE
I’d do it if I knew you loved me that way, but I know you don’t.
(sits next to Sarah and lifts up her chin)
I’m like your brother, remember?

SARAH
Maybe I was just kidding. Maybe I never gave the thought a real chance.

JESSE
Sarah, you do love me like a brother. You’re just trying to convince yourself so you can save me.

SARAH
(angry, near tears)
Don’t tell me how I feel. I know how I feel. Maybe you just need to get laid to realize life is worth living.

JESSE
(laughs)
Listen to yourself – like you know.

Sarah throws a pillow at him and sits against the headboard with her arms crossed. Jesse picks up the pillow and places it on the bed. He kneels beside Sarah and pulls one of her arms free. He holds her hand.

JESSE
Sarah, I love you more than anything else in this world -

SARAH
Right – if you did, you wouldn’t be doing this to me.

Jesse sighs.

JESSE
I just don’t like talking with other people. I can’t stand talking with other people – everyone I’ve ever met always has a hidden agenda.

SARAH
Not everyone.

JESSE
Ok, maybe not everyone. But I’ve been around long enough to know that 98% of the population is only looking out for themselves and couldn’t give a rat’s ass about anyone else.

SARAH
What about the other 2%?

JESSE
I don’t have the energy to seek those people out even now, while I’m young. I don’t even think I belong to that category of people.

Sarah, you’re the only one I like talking to – the only one. And whether you believe it or not, you do only love me like a brother.

In another year you’ll be off to college, get some great career, marry some outgoing guy, and then I’ll have no one.

SARAH
I would still keep in touch – always. We can talk every week, I promise.

JESSE
How long do you think your future husband would put up with that?

Sarah shrugs her shoulders.

JESSE
I don’t know why someone as remarkable as you chose to hang out with me, but I’m grateful that you did.

I just want to say goodbye on my own terms – before life is a complete misery. You might not understand it, but I’m asking you to accept it.
Sarah pulls her hand away and locks her arms again. She looks away from Jesse. Jesse stands up.

JESSE
I think I should leave.

Jesse picks up his sketchbook and heads for the door. He unlocks and opens it.

JESSE
Just so you know - that kiss was a real dream come true. Thank you.

Jesse leaves, shutting the door behind him. Sarah looks at the door. She picks up the pillow, curls up, puts it over her head and cries.


EXT. JESSE’S HOUSE – DAY

Jesse leans his bike against the house and hears his father through an open window yelling at a sports game on the TV.

RICK (O.S.)
Christ! What are you blind?

He sneaks around the back to his bedroom window. There is a wooden crate beneath it. He steps onto the crate and opens the window to slip inside.


INT. JESSE’S ROOM – DAY

He moves over to the door and looks out down the hall and can see the back of his father sitting on the couch swigging a beer. He shuts the door quietly. He opens his school bag and pulls out his sketchbook. He flips through it. All the pages are full.

He opens the top drawer of his bureau and places the tablet atop a few others in the drawer. He closes the dresser and sits on the bed staring out the window before closing his eyes.


INT. JESSE’S ROOM – NIGHT

Jesse is still on the bed in same clothes. He wakes up when he hears the doorbell ring. He stretches and flips on the light on the side table. Rick’s cane moves across the floor to the front door.

RICK (O.S.)
What do you want?

Rick’s cane can be heard moving back to the living room.

MRS. GIBBONS (O.S.)
What do I want?

The door slams. Jesse leaps to the door and opens it slightly to peek down the hall. His father sits back down apparently not bothered by his guest. Christine Gibbons follows.


INT. JESSE’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

MRS. GIBBONS
Don’t you know what happened today?

RICK
Sure I do - school called me this afternoon.

MRS. GIBBONS
And?

RICK
And what?

MRS. GIBBONS
I want to know what you’re going to do about it.

RICK
What do you want me to do? They’ve already been suspended.

MRS. GIBBONS
Where is the little hoodlum anyway?

RICK
Don’t know and don’t really care.

MRS. GIBBONS
All I know is my son’s face looks like hamburger and a school suspension alone doesn’t quite cut it, sweetie.




RICK
(pissed)
Listen here, sweetie. For years that kid’s been bullying Jesse and I didn’t say a goddamn thing. As far as I’m concerned, the kid got what he deserved.

Christine is struck dumb.

MRS. GIBBONS
So you don’t care that your own son got his face smashed in today.

Jesse looks on in confusion from his room. Rick takes a drink from his beer and looks back toward the TV.

RICK
That was never proven.

MRS. GIBBONS
Come on now, Rick. Don’t try and fool yourself. Hell, Chase looks more like you than the delinquent you’re living with and you know it. And pregnancy math doesn’t lie.

RICK
Get the hell out of my house.

MRS. GIBBONS
(smiling)
I did you a favor. I could have taken you to court and made you pay child support.

Rick laughs and looks around the room.

RICK
You want some of this shit?
(serious)
Don’t fuck with me, Christine. If you ever told your rolly-polly husband that Chase wasn’t his, you would have been committing economic suicide, and you know it.

Christine hangs onto her purse.

MRS. GIBBONS
Just keep your son away from my son.
RICK
No problem. And tell your son to stay away from Jesse …
(sips his beer)
… or I’ll be coming over to personally give him his next ass whipping - sounds like he’s short a few.

Christine crosses her arms.

MRS. GIBBONS
Jesus, Rick, look at you. You had the makings of a fine man. I don’t know why you let her death get to you like this. First, the booze, then the accident - you should have just finished getting your degree and moved on with your life. It wasn’t your fault she was unbalanced.

RICK
Get out.

MRS. GIBBONS
(chuckling)
I mean it was just a little fling for crying out loud.

RICK
It wasn’t the fling, you heartless bitch. It was your pregnancy she couldn’t handle.

MRS. GIBBONS
I guess honesty isn’t always the best policy then, huh, dear? I suppose it was noble of you to try and make things right, though.

Rick lunges. He grabs her throat with one hand and is poised for a punch.

RICK
(gritting teeth)
If you weren’t a woman, I’d punch you in your $30,000 face.

Pushes her back by the throat. She coughs.


RICK
Now get out.

MRS. GIBBONS
(composes herself)
I see your son inherited insanity from both parents.

Rick raises his fist again. She swiftly turns to leave. Rick stands there until he hears the door close. He picks up his beer, finishes off the last of it and heads for the kitchen.


INT. JESSE’S KITCHEN – NIGHT

Rick pulls another beer from the fridge as Jesse appears behind him.

JESSE
That’s why you drink, isn’t it? Because what you did drove her to suicide.

Rick rises slowly, closes the fridge and turns around.

RICK
I drink because every day I look in your face I see her. Your presence never let’s me forget.

Rick walks by without another word. Jesse stares in silence.


INT. JESSE’S ROOM – NIGHT

Jesse is sleeping. He stirs when he hears an intermittent thumping noise in the yard outside his window. He gets up and looks out the window. Sarah is tearing out the Irises. He throws on a pair of pants and bolts from his room.


EXT. JESSE’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Gaping holes remain where the bulbs have been ripped out - only a couple of Irises remain. Sarah has one in her hand. She throws it as far as she can and reaches for another one with both hands, but Jesse leaps off the porch and grabs her.

JESSE
(furious whisper)
What the hell are you doing?
SARAH
(out of breath)
You’ll just have to plant more and wait until next year to see them bloom.

Jesse runs his hands through his hair and pulls.

JESSE
It was the one good thing …
(goes into Sarah’s face)
… the one good thing I was going to leave behind! Do you think this changes anything? It changes nothing!

SARAH
You said you were just waiting to see them bloom one more time. I just want you to wait until next year. Just give me one more year.

JESSE
I don’t want another year. I was really only waiting for my birthday – they always bloom before my birthday.

SARAH
Your birthday? You plan on doing it on your birthday?

JESSE
Is that a problem?

SARAH
Why would you do that?

JESSE
Figured it would save my father on the engraving cost by having only one date. Plus he won’t feel guilty for not having a gift for the tenth year in a row.

SARAH
That’s crazy.

JESSE
(waves at torn plants)
What about this? This is crazy.
SARAH
This is an attempt to save your pathetic life!

JESSE
Stop attempting and just let me be for Christ’s sake!

The porch light goes on and Rick comes out the door.

RICK
What the hell are you two doing out here? It’s 3:00 in the morning.

SARAH
(whispers to Jesse)
I’m telling.

JESSE
If you’re my friend, don’t.

RICK
I said what are you doing?

SARAH
Mr. Peterson –

Jesse glares at her and gives her a slight shake of his head.

SARAH
(sighing)
Sorry we woke you, Mr. Peterson. Just teenage boyfriend, girlfriend stuff. I’ll go home now.
(looks at Jesse)
I’ll see you after school tomorrow.

Sarah gets on her bike and shoots Jesse an angry glare as she rolls away. He looks down at the broken plants and mourns.

RICK
You coming in or what?

Jesse drags himself up onto the porch and brushes past his father.

RICK
I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.


JESSE
Neither did I.

Rick chuckles and follows Jesse inside. The porch light goes off.


EXT. LEWISTON HIGH – DAY

Jesse is sitting on the sidewall of the stairs. His bike sits nearby. The bell rings.

Students begin swarming out the door. Conversations are peppered with talk about the vacation. Sarah walks out with another GIRL.

GIRL
Well, have a great vacation, Sarah.

SARAH
(unenthusiastically)
Yeah, you too.

They separate halfway down the stairs. The crowd separates and Sarah notices Jesse. A couple of students point him out.

Sarah stops for a split second and then slowly proceeds in the other direction pretending not to notice him. Jesse grabs his bike and follows her. He quickly catches up.

JESSE
Hey, don’t you have to get your bike?

Sarah keeps walking. Jesse continues to follow pulling his bike beside him.

SARAH
What are you doing here? I’m pretty sure your suspension includes not being on the school grounds.

She starts walking a bit faster. Jesse has difficulty keeping up with his bike in tow.

JESSE
Thought you said to see you after school today.

SARAH
That was just a show for your dad.

JESSE
Sarah, can you stop for a minute?

She doesn’t stop. Jesse tosses the bike on the grass and jogs up to her. He grabs her by the arm. She doesn’t look at him and tries to pull away.

JESSE
I’m not going to do it, ok?

Sarah stops and slowly turns to him.

JESSE
I’m sorry. I was being a selfish jerk, and I almost ruined your first real vacation.

SARAH
(rather loudly)
How do I know you’re not lying?

Students gawk as they pass by. Jesse pulls her a few more feet away from the crowd.

JESSE
I want you to have a good time in Florida. So don’t spend it worrying about me now.

SARAH
Again, how do I know you’re not lying?

JESSE
I guess you don’t.

SARAH
I need you to promise me.

JESSE
What difference does that make?

SARAH
It makes a difference to me.

Jesse looks around and then gives Sarah a hug.

JESSE
(whispers in her ear)
I promise.

Sarah returns the hug with a huge smile. Tears of joy begin to form.

SARAH
Thank you, Jesse.

Jesse closes his eyes, but when he opens them, a guilty look is on his face. They break their embrace.

SARAH
(happily)
I’ll be right back - gonna grab my bike.

Sarah jogs over to get her bike. Jesse walks slowly to retrieve his from the ground. He mounts it as Sarah pulls up on hers.

JESSE
Looks like you might get hit with that hurricane while you’re down there.

They start biking down the road.

SARAH
I know. I heard. My mom is kind of freaking out about it.

JESSE
She’s freaking out about it? I thought that was your department.

SARAH
There’s only a slight chance we’re gonna get hit – trust me, I already checked it out.

Chase’s car revs up behind them both and screeches to a halt just before hitting them. He then pulls around to their left. His usual buddies are in the car. Justin sits in the passenger seat.

SARAH
Are you fucking crazy!

CHASE
You’re dead meat, Peterson.
(points at his battered face)
This isn’t the last of it, trust me.


JESSE
Fuck off, Scarecrow. I’m not afraid of you anymore.

Chase’s buddies start to laugh. Chase looks confused and then chuckles.

CHASE
I get it - “If I only had a brain”. You must have one serious death wish.
(leans over Justin
in passenger seat)
I’ll be sure to make that wish come true.

Chase peels away kicking up dust once again on Sarah and Jesse. Sarah flips the bird at the car.

SARAH
He sounds pretty serious – you better watch out for him.

JESSE
Like I said, I’m not afraid of him anymore.


EXT. FURTHER DOWN ROAD – DAY

Sarah and Jesse are coming up on a fast food joint. Jesse notices Chase’s car in the parking lot.

JESSE
Hey, I’m gonna run in here real quick – I have to hit the bathroom.

SARAH
We’re only a couple minutes from my house.

JESSE
I really have to go. Just go on ahead. I’ll be there in a few minutes.

SARAH
Ok.

Sarah moves on and Jesse glides into the lot. He sees Chase and his buddies standing in line. He hops off his bike and moves to the passenger side of Chase’s car, out of sight.

Jesse looks around, pulls his keys from his pocket and drags the key from taillight to headlight. He smiles, quickly mounts his bike, and makes his getaway.


INT. SARAH’S ROOM – NIGHT

Sarah picks up the pen and marks an X on the last few days she’s been avoiding, up through Friday. She smiles, turns off the light and goes to bed.


INT. SARAH’S ROOM – DAY

Sarah is feverishly packing. There’s a knock on her door.

JESSE (O.S.)
You decent?

SARAH
Not sure if I’m decent. I’m fully clothed if that’s what you mean.

Jesse pushes the door open.

JESSE
Just wanted to see you off. I thought you guys were supposed to be gone already? Your mom’s not too happy. Said you just starting packing twenty minutes ago.

SARAH
Oh, shush up already and grab my bathing suit. It’s hanging up in the bathroom.

Jesse retrieves the bathing suit and hands it to Sarah like it’s a ticking time bomb. She rolls her eyes, shoves it in the suitcase on the bed and closes the top. She has trouble closing it all the way. Jesse pushes on the top and Sarah snaps the closures.

SARAH
See, twenty minutes to pack - piece of cake.

JESSE
Well, have a great trip. I hope Hurricane Ernest steers clear.

He gives her a big hug. A bit too long, Sarah pulls away.

SARAH
(suspicious)
What are you doing?

JESSE
I’m just saying good-bye to a friend before she leaves for vacation.

Sarah shoots him a doubtful look.

JESSE
(a bit annoyed)
What?

SARAH
You’re acting mushy.


JESSE
What do you mean?

SARAH
You promised, right?

JESSE
(still a bit annoyed)
Yes, I promised.

SARAH
Ok.

She gives him another hug.

MRS. MORIN (O.S.)
Let’s go, Sarah! If we miss this plane –

SARAH
I’m coming!

She grabs her bag. Jesse tries to take it from her.

JESSE
I’ll take it down.

SARAH
You don’t think I can carry my own suitcase?

JESSE
Just trying to be a gentleman.

SARAH
Ok, fine.

He takes the suitcase, which is very heavy.

JESSE
Nevermind. Here, you take it.

Sarah gives him an incredulous look.

JESSE
I’m kidding!


INT. SARAH’S STAIRWAY & HALLWAY - DAY

Sarah runs down the stairs. Jesse follows with the suitcase. Mrs. Morin appears very annoyed.

MRS. MORIN
It’s about time. I told you to pack earl –

SARAH
(brushes past)
Save the lecture, Mom. Don’t want to miss our flight.

They all head out the door. The door closes and locks.


EXT. SARAH’S DRIVEWAY – DAY

Jesse throws the suitcase in the trunk of their car and closes it.

MRS. MORIN
You’re a doll, Jesse. Thanks.

She gives him a hug and gets in the driver’s side and closes the door. Sarah heads for the passenger side.

JESSE
Have a great trip. Try your best not to molest Mickey.

SARAH
It’s my mom you should be telling that to.

MRS. MORIN
I heard that.

Sarah gets in the car. Jesse closes the door. Sarah waves good-bye. Jesse raises his hand in a weak gesture as the car pulls away.


MONTAGE – SARAH & HER MOM ON VACATION TRIP

-- Sarah and her mom board plane.

-- Both get check into the hotel by smiling attendant.

-- Sarah and her mom walk into the hotel suite with two good size rooms. They walk out onto their veranda, which overlooks a gorgeous white sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico.

-- Sarah comes off one of the rides with her mom at Disney. She’s laughing, but then goes quiet and seems a bit distracted while they walk.

MRS. MORIN
You ok?

SARAH
Me? Oh, yeah, I’m fine. My stomach’s a little queasy from the ride, that’s all.

MRS. MORIN
Let’s take a break from the rides for a bit and just walk then.

They walk by some restrooms.

MRS. MORIN
I have to use the bathroom. Do you have to go?

SARAH
No, I’m all set. Go ahead.

Mrs. Morin heads to the restroom. Sarah breaks out her cell phone and dials. It rings several times. Sarah starts to look nervous. Finally, there’s an answer.

JESSE
(groggily)
Hello?

SARAH
What took you so long?

JESSE
I was taking a nap, thank you very much.

SARAH
Oh, sorry.

JESSE
No biggie. Checking on me, huh?

SARAH
No. Just thought I’d say hello.

JESSE
I’m fine, Sarah. Having fun?

SARAH
As much fun as any daughter can have being around her mother 24 – 7.

JESSE
See Mickey yet?

SARAH
Within 20 minutes of stepping on the park grounds. My mother was on a mission from God. Glad we got it out of the way.

Mrs. Morin comes out of the restroom.

SARAH
Hey, I gotta go. I’ll call you on your birthday, ok?

JESSE
(beat)
Sure.

SARAH
Later.

Sarah turns off the phone. Mrs. Morin walks over.

MRS. MORIN
It’s a zoo in there. I’m looking forward to our beach day tomorrow.

SARAH
Yeah, me, too.

Sarah forces a smile and they walk off.


EXT. BEACH – DAY

Sarah catches some rays while her mom sits perched under an umbrella with a book, Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms in hand.

MRS. MORIN
You’re awfully quiet today.

SARAH
Just relaxing.

MRS. MORIN
You’ve been kind of quiet since we left 4 days ago. I think maybe you miss someone?

Sarah shields her eyes from the sun and looks over at her mom.

MRS. MORIN
I know that was Jesse you called yesterday at Disney.

SARAH
So what? We’re friends, Mom. I keep telling you, he’s –

MRS, MORIN
Like a brother to you, I know.

Sarah looks out at the ocean and then turns on her side toward her mom.

SARAH
Mom?

MRS. MORIN
Um, hmm.

SARAH
Did you ever ruin a friendship because you tried helping a friend, even though they didn’t want you to?

MRS. MORIN
(takes off her sunglasses)
What’s this about?

SARAH
I’m just wondering. Some kids at school are starting to experiment with drugs and I was talking about it with some friends –


MRS. MORIN
(horrified)
About experimenting with drugs?

SARAH
No, Mom. Relax. We were talking about how to convince our friends not to – without breaking up our friendships.

MRS. MORIN
(sighs with relief)
Sometimes you just can’t, honey. I mean, you can try and let them know how bad it is and everything, but they’ll probably resent you for a while and break ties.

It’ll hurt because you know you were just trying to do the right thing. But the smart ones will stop and listen. When they realize you were their real friend, they’ll come back to you. And if they don’t, then they didn’t deserve your friendship to begin with.

Sarah nods her head and stands up.

SARAH
Thanks, Mom. I’m gonna take a walk. Wanna come?

MRS. MORIN
Is there anything else you want to tell me, Sarah?

SARAH
No, why?

MRS. MORIN
You just haven’t been yourself lately.

SARAH
(chuckles and walks away)
Mom, I’m fine. I’m gonna go for a walk.

MRS. MORIN
Don’t go too far.

SARAH
(over her shoulder)
I won’t.

MRS. MORIN
Hey!

SARAH
(turns)
Yeah?

MRS. MORIN
(shouting over surf)
Let’s get to bed early tonight. I want to get an early start tomorrow. It’s going to be a long ride.

SARAH
Ok.

Sarah walks away down the beach. Her mom watches her for a few moments with a concerned look before turning back to her book.


EXT. JESSE’S HOUSE – DAY

Jesse rides up on his bike. He notices his father in the back tending to a fire. He’s curious about what his father’s doing, but goes inside the house.


INT. JESSE’S ROOM – DAY

Jesse walks into his room and lies his head back on his bed and closes his eyes for a nap. After 20 seconds his eyes shoot open.

He looks over at his dresser - the top drawer is open. He soars off the bed to find a space where his drawing tablets were stored. He rockets out of his room.


EXT. JESSE’S HOUSE – DAY

Jesse runs out the back down of the house house. Rick has ripped most of Jesse’s sketches out of the tablets and burned them in the fire. Rick holds one more tablet in his hand. Jesse bolts for it.


JESSE
What are you doing?!

Rick throws his hand out in front of him, catching Jesse in the chest. Jesse falls to the ground.

RICK
Teaching you a lesson.

Jesse sits up and grabs at his own hair. He shoots a glare at his father.

JESSE
(spits his words)
This is a new low … even for you.

RICK
It’s not nice when people mess with your personal shit, is it?

Jesse shakes his head in confusion.

RICK
When did you find the key to the lockbox?

Jesse stops cold, then shakes his head again.

JESSE
What are you talking about?

RICK
(points in Jesse’s face)
Don’t you play stupid with me. I never leave the picture on top of the gun.

Rick rips a page out of the last tablet.

JESSE
Please don’t, Dad. I wanted to give those to someone.

Rick ignores him and throws the page in the fire.

RICK
How else are you going to learn?

Jesse watches resigned as his father throws in another couple of drawings. Jesse stands up and starts walking away.


RICK
I gave you two weeks to get out. Don’t think I’ve forgotten.

JESSE
I wouldn’t spend one more day with you.

Jesse walks out of sight. Rick stares at the fire as the sketches blacken and smolder.


INT. SARAH’S HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT

Sarah’s mom is sleeping on the sofa. An empty bottle of wine sits on the coffee table next to one wine glass.

Sarah watches TV with her feet propped up on an ottoman. She looks over at her mom. She gets up and turns off the TV. She gently shakes her mom.

SARAH
Mom? Mom?

MRS. MORIN
(w/o opening eyes)
Mm hmm.

SARAH
You gonna go to bed?

MRS. MORIN
I’m fine here.

SARAH
Ok.

MRS. MORIN
What time is it?

Sarah looks at her watch.

SARAH
9:07.

MRS. MORIN
Set the clock for five, ok?

SARAH
Five? Mom, we’re on vacation.

MRS. MORIN
(yawns)
Set it for five. Early bird gets the alligators.

SARAH
(rolls her eyes)
Yeah … great.

MRS. MORIN
You going to bed?

SARAH
I’m just going to call Jesse real quick.

MRS. MORIN
(rolls over)
Don’t talk too long.

SARAH
I won’t. They said the edge of the hurricane’s gonna hit us tonight. I don’t want to be awake when that happens.

Sarah goes into the closet, pulls out a blanket and puts it on her mom, who’s already fallen back asleep. She turns out the light and flips on the one in the bedroom area. She gets her cell phone off the nightstand and slides the door open to the veranda. She steps out shutting the door behind her.

She dials the phone and lets it ring about 10 times. No answer. She looks confused, hangs up and dials again. This time it’s picked up on the second ring.

JESSE
Hi, Sarah.


SARAH
How’d you know it was me?

JESSE
There’s a reason my dad never paid for a phone with caller i.d. – you’re pretty much the only one who ever calls.

SARAH
Well, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday tonight, ‘cuz I’m not sure what kind of cell coverage I’m gonna have tomorrow.

Jesse doesn’t respond.

SARAH
Jesse?

JESSE
Yeah, I’m here. Thanks.

SARAH
So are you doing anything special tomorrow?

Again, no response.

SARAH
(serious)
Jesse, what’s wrong?

JESSE
He burned all my drawings, Sarah.

SARAH
What?

JESSE
I’m sorry, Sarah.

Knowing immediately what he means, she begins shaking her head.

SARAH
Don’t you dare – don’t you dare do this to me, Jesse Peterson - you promised.



JESSE
I can’t talk about it anymore. Midnight comes and I’m done.

SARAH
Jesse!

JESSE
(chuckles)
Did you know Chase is my half brother?

SARAH
What?

JESSE
Don’t tell anyone though. Big secret. Actually it explains everything … it was just sibling rivalry.

SARAH
I don’t understand.

JESSE
I have to go, Sarah. I love you. Always have. Goodbye.

SARAH
Wait!

The phone clicks.

SARAH
Jesse!

She quickly dials again. Busy signal. She waits a few seconds and tries again. Busy. Sarah sets into a panic. She opens the veranda door and bolts inside.

She grabs her bag, checks to find her credit card, some cash and her plane ticket. She scribbles a note on some hotel stationary.


Mom,

Don’t be worried. I’m ok. There’s an emergency back home. Not enough time to explain. Sorry. Call me on cell when you get this note. Love you. Sarah.

Sarah dials the number once again. Still busy. She looks at her watch: 9:13. She leaves the room and quietly clicks the door closed.


SEQUENCE – SARAH TRIES TO SAVE JESSE

-- Sarah gets into cab outside hotel.

-- Jesse grabs scissors from the kitchen drawer. He heads outside to cut the last remaining Iris, which is now in full bloom.

-- Rain starts coming down while Sarah’s on the phone with the airline changing her ticket as she rides in a cab to the airport.

-- Jesse pulls the vase from his mother’s bureau, fills it with water in the kitchen and places the Iris inside.

-- Sarah pays the cab driver and rushes inside – rain has picked up considerably, some thunder is heard in the distance. She dials Jesse’s number again. Busy.

-- The phone is disconnected from the wall at Jesse’s.

-- Sarah looks at her watch: 10:15. Sarah runs up to the TICKET AGENT, a plump, 40ish woman.

TICKET AGENT
(smiling)
May I help you?

SARAH
Hi. I need to get on the next flight to St. Louis. I believe there’s one leaving at 10:30. I called the airline and they said I should be able to get on stand-by.

TICKET AGENT
I’m sorry, young lady, but you’re too late for that flight. There’s another flight leaving at (looks at computer screen) 6 am.

SARAH
(irritated)
I can’t wait until 6 am. I need to get on the 10:30.

TICKET AGENT
I’m sorry, but that flight is full.

SARAH
A full flight at 10:30? You’re full of shit.

Ticket agent raises her eyebrows. Sarah closes her eyes for a second

SARAH
Look, I’m sorry. It’s an emergency. I need to be on that flight.

TICKET AGENT
Honey, the flight is all the way on the other side of the airport - you’d never make it.

SARAH
I don’t care. I have to try.

TICKET AGENT
(sighs)
Alright.

She starts to process the ticket.


SEQUENCE

-- Jesse is sitting on his bed drawing. The Iris is perched alone on his bureau.

-- Sarah runs across the airport.

-- From memory, Jesse is drawing the picture of his mother that was ripped by Chase. He incorporates the Iris into the drawing. He looks over at his clock: 10:29.

-- Sarah leaps up the steps of a moving escalator and runs over to the gate. She reaches her gate but the door is already closed. She starts banging on the door.

SARAH
No! Please, open up!

A couple of people, who were snoozing in their seats, look over at her. She runs over to the window to see the plane already pulling away.

She runs her hand through her hair and slowly walks over to the end of a row of seats and sits. She dials Jesse again. Busy. Her hand falls limp with the phone. A look of shocked reality sets in.


SEQUENCE

-- Jesse finishes his drawing and places it next to the Iris, leaning the pad against the wall. He opens his drawer and pulls out the shirt that Sarah bought him for his birthday.

-- Sarah is snapped out of her fog with a loud thunderclap. She looks at her watch: 11:36. In panic she dials the phone for information.

OPERATOR
City and state, please.



INT. JOEY’S BAR – NIGHT

Small bar. Save the BARTENDER, Rick sits alone at the bar. Phone rings. BARTENDER picks up.

BARTENDER
Joey’s.
(looks over at Rick)
Sure, he’s right here.

Rick is sitting at the bar watching a ball game.

BARTENDER
Rick, it’s for you.

Rick looks at him suspiciously.

RICK
Who is it?

BARTENDER
No idea. Some girl.

Rick takes the phone.

RICK
Hello?

SARAH
Mr. Peterson, it’s Sarah.

RICK
Who?

SARAH
(annoyed and panicked)
Sarah! Your son’s best friend!

RICK
Listen, whatever Jesse’s done, I don’t want to hear about it.

SARAH
For Christ’s sake will you act like a father for once? Jesse needs you. He plans on killing himself.

RICK
I don’t know what kind of a game you’re–

SARAH
This isn’t a game! He’s going to do it at midnight – tonight!

Rick looks at the digital clock behind the bar: 11:39.

RICK
He wouldn’t have the balls to do something like that.

SARAH
Jesus - that’s one of the reasons he’s doing it – because that’s what you think of him.

Rick sits in stunned silence, but starts breathing heavy.

SARAH
What are you waiting for? Run!

Rick drops the phone on the bar, and stands up slowly.

RICK
(to bartender)
Your car fixed yet?

BARTENDER
No. Pam’s still giving me rides. Why?

Rick picks up his cane and gets off the bar stool.

BARTENDER
You alright?

Rick moves slowly at first and then picks up speed limping toward the door, his cane raps against the wooden floor.

BARTENDER (O.S.)
Hey, Rick, you need to settle up over h-.

Rick throws his shoulder into the door, hurling it open.


SEQUENCE

-- A huge thunderclap jars Sarah. Lightning blazes outside the large windows of the airport. Sarah rushes inside one of the restrooms.

-- Jesse, now wearing the new shirt, finds the key now just sitting on top of his father’s bureau. He opens the lockbox.

-- Rick limps as fast as he can down the road.

-- Sarah slides down against the restroom door, pulls up her knees and covers her head.

-- Jesse pulls the photo out of the lockbox and rubs his thumb across his mother’s face tenderly. He rips the photo in half. He throws the half with his father to the side and places the half with his mother in his pocket.

-- Rick trips, but quickly recovers.

-- Sarah is sobbing on the floor. The thunder is now muffled.

-- Jesse pulls the gun from the box, opens it and slides the bullets in. He looks at his father’s clock on his nightstand: 11:59. He holds the gun to his head and closes his eyes.

-- Rick cuts across the yard, goes up the stairs to the porch and slams the door open.

-- A single gunshot explodes the air.

-- Rick stops in his tracks - eyes wide. He moves through the house with trepidation. He peers around the doorway to his room.

Smoke lingers in the air. Jesse’s body lies slumped on the floor, blood pooling around him. Rick gets down on his knees and bends forward with his arms covering his head. His body rocks back and forth as he begins to cry.


EXT. GRAVESITE – DAY

Jesse’s coffin is being lowered. His burial is well attended by students and faculty. Rick stands on the opposite side of Sarah and her mother. Rick can’t make eye contact with her.

As the coffin reaches the bottom, people begin to disperse. The bartender pats Rick on the shoulder and walks away. Ms. Roberts walks up to Rick and takes up his hand in hers.

MRS. MORIN
I’ll leave you here for a few minutes to say goodbye.

SARAH
That’s ok. We can go.

Rick shakes the priest’s hand. He notices Sarah walking away. He excuses himself from Ms. Roberts and tries to catch up to Sarah while calling out to her.

RICK
Sarah.

Sarah pretends not to hear him.

RICK
Sarah!

She stops and closes her eyes.

SARAH
I’ll catch up with you in a minute, Mom.

MRS. MORIN
Will you be ok?

Sarah nods. Her mom walks away and Sarah slowly turns to face Rick as he rushes to catch up.

RICK
Hi.

SARAH
Hi.

RICK
Listen, I just wanted to say … well, I know you were a good friend to Jesse, so don’t blame yourself for what happened.

Sarah’s eyes widen in incredulity.

SARAH
(points to herself)
Blame myself?

RICK
Well, you knew he was planning to …

SARAH
(looks away and chuckles)
Blame myself.

RICK
You only gave me twenty minutes to save him …

SARAH
(angrily)
Twenty minutes? You had years. And if you ever paid any attention to him, you would have known.

Rick stands there in silence as Sarah turns away from him and moves toward her mother’s car. She notices Chase’s Mercedes pull up and stop.

Sarah changes course and makes a beeline toward the Mercedes. Chase is looking in her direction through the passenger window. Jesse’s handiwork is quite visible on the passenger side of the car. Chase’s face is still bruised. The windows are open and Chase begins to speak as Sarah passes by.

CHASE
(sincerely)
Sarah, I’m really sorry.

She walks in front of the car and over to the driver’s side.

SARAH
You have some nerve.

She punches him in the face without hesitation. Chase grabs his jaw, but says nothing. Without a pause, Sarah walks over to her mother’s car and gets in.

MRS. MORIN
(with sympathy)
All set, honey?

SARAH
As set as I’ll ever be.

Sarah rubs the hand she punched Chase with and stares out the window as her mom pulls away. She sees Ms. Roberts hugging Rick as they stand alone at the gravesite. Sarah scowls.

SARAH (V.O.)
Jesse was right; I did move on with my life.


SEQUENCE

-- Sarah sitting at lunch table with other friends. Trying to fit in like normal.

-- Sarah graduating from high school.

-- Sarah moving into her dorm room.

SARAH (V.O)
It took about two years until I was finally able make it through an entire day without thinking of him. Though the hole he left in my heart grew smaller, it was always there.

After five years, I was finally able to make it a few days without thinking of him – but then the invitation came.


INT. SARAH’S DORMROOM – DAY

Sarah’s roommate, BRIANNA, walks into the room. Sarah is sitting cross-legged on her bed doing schoolwork.

BRIANNA
Mail’s here.

Brianna tosses some mail in front of Sarah on the bed.

BRIANNA
Looks like a wedding invite in there.

SARAH
Really? I don’t think I know of anyone getting married.

She picks up her mail and flips through it. She pulls out the invitation and opens it.

BRIANNA
Anyone good? An old boyfriend?

Sarah reads the invitation with furrowed brow.

SARAH
No, on both fronts.

BRIANNA
I’m heading to the caf. You coming?

SARAH
Mike’s taking me out tonight.
(points at textbook)
I’m trying to finish this up before he gets here.

BRIANNA
Lucky … I think they’re having that Pasta Primavera tonight.

SARAH
(sticking out her tongue)
Good luck with that.

BRIANNA
Tell Mike I said “hi”.

SARAH
I will.

Brianna leaves and shuts the door. Sarah looks in the envelope and opens a letter that came along with the invitation.






RICK (V.O.)
Dear Sarah,

I know I’m the last person you ever wanted to hear from, but I hope you don’t throw this letter away before reading it. I know it may be too late, but you’re my only real connection to my son - a connection I feel I must attempt to make for me to really move on.

I realize you must hate me, and I know this might not mean much to you, but I haven’t had a drop to drink since the day I - I’m sorry – we, lost Jesse nearly five years ago. I’m inviting you to my wedding because I feel you deserve an apology in person. Plus, I have something I want to give to you. I thought of just mailing it, but I need to know you’ll accept it first.




EXT. PARK – DAY

Back at the wedding, the groom comes into view. Rick stands with his cane in hand. He and Sue Roberts exchange vows with the same priest at the funeral.

RICK (V.O.)
I lost my wife because of my selfish actions, and I was devastated. I should have learned then - but I didn’t, and it cost me my son. This time I learned.

I decided to finish getting my degree, and became a social worker two years ago. I suppose you might think it hypocritical, but I chose to specialize in helping troubled teens.

Sarah, you lost your best friend, and I lost a son. I ask for your forgiveness and hope to see you next month, but I understand if I never hear from you again.

If you can’t bring yourself to come, may the rest of your life be blessed.

Sincerely,

Richard Peterson

Rick notices Sarah skirt around the receiving.

RICK
Excuse me.

He pushes through the line with his cane to catch her.

RICK
Sarah!

She closes her eyes, but then turns to face him.
RICK
You’re not leaving yet, are you?

SARAH
I’m not sure I belong here, Mr. Peterson.

RICK
Please - come to the reception. As I wrote, I want to give you something. I’m just a bit …
(looks back at line)
… tied up at the moment.

Sarah hesitates.

RICK
Please.

SARAH
(sighs)
I’ll be there.

RICK
(smiles)
Thank you.

He walks back to the line and Sarah walks toward the parking lot.

INT. RECEPTION HALL – DAY

Sarah is sitting at a full table along with MRS. JOHNSON, a rather voluptuous woman in her late forties. She’s happily finishing up the last of her desert. Chatter and dance music fill the reception hall. She speaks to Sarah while as Mr. Johnson sits beside her with a bored expression as he watches the guests.

MRS. JOHNSON
And that nice boy, Chase Gibbons, just married his high school sweetheart a couple of months ago.


SARAH
Who? Kate.

MRS. JOHNSON
Yes, I think that was her name.

SARAH
(chuckles)
A temporary distraction.

MRS. JOHNSON
What was that, honey?

SARAH
Nothing.

Sarah watches Rick at the head table. He’s got his arm around his bride. He’s beaming. Sarah gets antsy. Rick notices as she stands up and picks up her purse.

SARAH
I have to get going. It’s been nice seeing you again, Mrs. Johnson.

MRS. JOHNSON
You too, honey. Don’t forget to say hello to your mother for me.

SARAH
I won’t.

Sarah heads for the front door. Rick heads in her direction.

RICK
Hold on. I didn’t forget you.

Sarah crosses her arms.

RICK
Sorry. I was just coming to get you.

He opens the door for Sarah.

RICK
We have to go out here anyway.

Sarah looks confused, but goes out anyway. Rick moves ahead of her and walks over to a limousine waiting outside. He moves to the driver’s side.

RICK
Can you open the trunk?

The LIMO DRIVER gets out while Ms. Roberts, now MRS. PETERSON comes out of the reception hall in her wedding gown.

MS. ROBERTS
Hi, Sarah.

SARAH
(turns around)
Hi Ms. Rob-, Mrs. Peterson.

MS. ROBERTS
Sue.

The limo driver slips the key into the lock of the trunk.

MS. ROBERTS
We hope you like them.

SARAH
What is it?

MS. ROBERTS (to Rick)
You didn’t tell her yet?

RICK
I thought it would be better to just show her.

The driver opens the trunk. Rick looks at Sarah and waves his hand toward the inside. Sarah walks over to find about thirty of Jesse’s sketches, all neatly stacked and beautifully framed. Sarah looks at them in shock.

RICK
They’re all yours … if you want them.


SARAH
I don’t understand. I thought you burned all of his sketches.

Surprised and hurt, Rick looks at his wife.

RICK
He told you?

SARAH
He told me everything, Mr. Peterson.

RICK
I’m not that man anymore, Sarah.

Sarah looks back at the framed sketches.

SARAH
You’re giving me all of Jesse’s sketches?

MS. ROBERTS
Well, we kept a couple for our new house, but we both felt the majority should go to you.

RICK
It was her idea to get them all framed.

Sarah picks up the sketch of Jesse’s mother with the Iris. She runs her hand along the front of it and starts to cry.

RICK
We knew you would appreciate it. Why don’t you pull your car over and we’ll put them in there. That is, if you want them.

Sarah can’t speak. She just nods her head.

They stack the last of the sketches on Sarah’s back seat. Sarah closes the door to the car.

SARAH
I really don’t know what to say. These really mean so much to me.

A FEMALE GUEST comes out of the reception.



GUEST
Hey! Everyone’s been looking for you two.

RICK
We’re coming.

Sue gives Sarah a hug.

MS. ROBERTS
Take care, Sarah.

Rick smiles at Sarah and takes his wife by the hand. They start over to the door while Sarah goes to the driver’s side of her car and opens the door.

SARAH
Mr. Peterson?

Rick turns.

SARAH
I don’t hate you.

Rick smiles and nods his head in thanks. He and his wife go inside. Sarah gets into her car and pulls away.


INT. SARAH’S DORM ROOM – DAY

Jesse’s sketches take up much of the wall space in Sarah’s dorm room. She hangs Jesse’s final sketch over the head of her bed.

SARAH (V.O.)
It was hard for me to accept Rick’s transformation. It just seemed almost too good to be true.

But then I imagined … no, not imagined … prayed - I prayed that maybe, just maybe, a part of Jesse’s soul entered his father’s body the day he died.


FADE OUT.



THE END