Silence Between Us
an original screenplay by
Duane Kellogg, Jr. and Bob Stromberg
Duane Kellogg, Jr.
3 Rogers Rd.
Kittery, Maine 03904
207-494-3023 [email protected]
SILENCE BETWEEN US
FADE IN:
EXT. THACKER FAMILY HOME - MORNING
It's a dreary day in backwoods Maine. Late October. Most of
the trees that surround a large log cabin have lost their
leaves. A semi-circular drive leads to a large wrap-around
porch with Adirondack chairs.
A large log two car garage sits to one side with a Ford pickup
parked in front. A sign on the pickup reads: Wade's Plumbing.
ALTHEA THACKER (60, pleasant, casual business attire) stands
on the porch and waves good-bye to a YOUNG WOMAN in a 10-
year-old Toyota Corolla.
ALTHEA
Thanks again!
The young woman waves back. As she pulls away, a new Volvo
EX90 pulls in. HALEY THACKER(40, short cropped hair, nose
studs, tattoos on the sides of her neck) parks, climbs out
and stretches.
Althea runs down the steps to greet her.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Welcome, Sweetheart! How was the
trip?
HALEY
It was an eclectic Sunday morning
mix of Jay Z, Jacob Collier and
Mahler's sixth. Couldn't be better.
She glances in the direction of the car that just left.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Who was that?
ALTHEA
Hospice. I told her we needed a little
time.
WADE THACKER (65, red MAGA hat) exits the garage and strolls
toward them with a big smile, and greeting. Haley's back is
to him.
WADE
Haley Jean the Boston Bean!
She smiles as she turns to greet him. Her eyes lock on his
hat.
She freezes, winces, and jerks back like she's been hit by a
bad smell. She swats frantically at the air around his head
as if shooing away a swarm of bees.
HALEY
Oh, Dad! Please! The hat! Really?!
Wade blinks, pats the hat on his head in confusion like he's
just discovered it's there. He snatches the hat off, holds
it out at arm's length, and does a cartoonish double-take.
WADE WADE
What the... where did this come from?!
He spikes it on the ground.
WADE
And how the heck did it get ON TOP
OF MY HEAD?!
He stomps on it with fury, then kicks it toward the garage.
He turns to ALTHEA, hands spread in innocence.
WADE (CONT'D)
Althea, you ever seen that before?
Althea raises one eyebrow, deadpan.
Wade turns back to Haley, a sly grin bending his lips.
WADE (CONT'D)
That better?
Haley exhales a LAUGH despite herself, shaking her head and
rolling her eyes.
HALEY
Yes... much better. You're ridiculous,
you know that?
She steps forward, pulling him into a hug. Wade squeezes
back.
ALTHEA
(to Haley)
Come on in and let me show you what
you can do while we're at church.
HALEY
Brandy and Kyle still comin'?
ALTHEA
They were leavin' New Haven at five.
So, should be here shortly.
Wade picks up his hat and brushes it off. He then saunters
over and takes a look at Haley's car. He opens the driver's
side door, sits down in the seat and admires the Swedish
engineering.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Family Ties and Unspoken Grief
INT. THACKER FAMILY HOME - DAY
A large, open-concept layout with kitchen and dining room on
the left and a large living room on the right, complete with
a glassed-in stone fireplace and a large picture window.
Comfortable stuffed furnishings give the room a cozy feel.
A hallway from the kitchen/living room leads to the bedrooms
and bath.
Cardboard boxes and a stack of photo albums clutter an area
of floor near the fireplace. Hundreds of pictures lie piled
or scattered on top of a large coffee table.
KITCHEN
Althea and Haley head into the kitchen. Althea steps over to
a crock pot.
ALTHEA
The pot-roast is cooking.
HALEY
And still smelling delicious even to
me.
Althea points to a coffee maker holding a coffee pot.
ALTHEA
I'll start that when I get home. I
love the new one but it's a little
noisy right by the table.
ENTRYWAY
Wade enters through the front door holding a Sunday Newspaper
in an orange plastic sleeve. He pulls off the wrapper, glances
at the headline and tosses it on the window table near the
door.
KITCHEN
Haley watches the family cat, SPOOKY, as he walks toward
her. She kneels down to greet him.
HALEY
Hey there, Spooky, how ya doin' buddy?
She pets the cat's back as, not even slowing, he walks past.
HALEY (CONT'D)
And I'm excited to see you too.
ENTRYWAY
Spooky heads to the front door where he walks in tight
circles.
HALEY (O.S.) (CONT'D)
I think Spooky wants out, Dad.
WADE
Yeah... he's ready to hunt.
Wade opens the door and watches the cat bound off the front
porch toward the garage.
WADE (CONT'D)
Lookin' a little skinny these days.
He's such a good hunter, I'm probably
gonna have to go online and see if I
can buy a box of mice somewhere to
keep him busy.
KITCHEN
Althea turns to the stove where two pots sit on the range.
She lifts off their covers to display carrots in one and
potatoes in the other.
ALTHEA
If you could start these about 11:45,
that would great. I thought mashed
potatoes. I can do that when we get
home.
HALEY
Just be sure to leave some without
the milk and butter for me, please.
Althea nods and points to the refrigerator.
ALTHEA
There's some tofu in there too, if
you want to add it to your vegetables.
HALEY
Sounds good.
Wade walks in the kitchen.
WADE
(to Haley)
You still goin' with that community
organizer or... environmental activist
or whatever the heck he was?
HALEY
Two different guys, Dad.
WADE
I mean the one named Forest, or...
Branch or--
ALTHEA
(perturbed)
Ridge! His name is Ridge, Wade.
Wade throws back his head.
WADE
Oh! So close! It was right on the
tip of my tongue.
He looks at Haley.
WADE (CONT'D)
You guys still an item?
HALEY
(expressionless)
No. Thanks for askin'.
Althea, surprised, responds sadly.
ALTHEA
Oh. When did this happen?
HALEY
Thursday. No big deal. We just had a
few problems with lack of respect,
chronic criticism, mismatched goals,
attachment disorder, excessive
aftershave, political differences--
WADE
Well, if you take care of that last
one, all the rest'll fall in line.
She CHUCKLES under her breath.
WADE (CONT'D)
I could say I'm sorry or good
riddance. Whichever you'd prefer.
HALEY
No need to say anything.
Althea looks into her eyes.
ALTHEA
Well... I really liked him.
Haley bites her lip, surprised by emotion.
HALEY
Yeah, me too.
She looks at the clutter of pictures in the other room.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Wow. You've got a project goin' here.
ALTHEA
I pulled out all the old photo albums
from the bedroom closet.
She looks at Wade.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
By the way, you could probably put
Spooky to work in there. There's
been activity.
She looks back to Haley and gestures toward the clutter.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
I thought maybe you girls would like
to look through them and take
whichever ones you want.
HALEY
Were you planning to use some for
the... funeral?
Althea looks down and swallows. Wade walks to the entryway.
ALTHEA
Maybe you could pick some out for
that as well.
HALEY
You know, Mom, they only lowered the
age for colonoscopies a few years
ago. Mark wouldn't even have
qualified.
Althea looks at her and shakes her head.
ALTHEA
I know. So why should that still
bother me?
She reaches out and grasps Haley's hand. She leans in.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
But... I got the extra year I prayed
for.
WADE (O.S.)
We gotta go, Babe.
ALTHEA
Yep. Comin'.
The sound of Wade's boots descend the front steps. Althea
turns back to Haley.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
The cake's in the oven. That should
come out in about half an hour. The
timer's on.
She pulls closer to Haley.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
(softly)
I found a really good Vegan cake
recipe.
HALEY
Probably best if he doesn't know.
They share a conspiratorial smile.
ALTHEA
Okay, we're out of here. We'll come
right home after the service.
HALEY
What about Mark?
ALTHEA
He's sleeping. That's pretty much
all he's doin' now. He won't mind if
you wake him. He's been so excited
to see you.
Haley just barely rolls her eyes.
HALEY
He's been excited, Mom?
Althea closes her eyes and takes a tired breath, then answers.
ALTHEA
Yes, Dear. Very excited. This family
gathering was his idea.
INT. ENTRYWAY - CONTINUOUS
Althea gives Haley a hug and a kiss.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
See you soon.
She points to the kitchen counter.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Make yourself a latte. There's oat
milk in the fridge. Thanks again for
the machine. We love it.
She hurries out to Wade who waits in the car.
Haley looks around the suddenly quiet house. A look of sad
nostalgia envelopes her.
She looks toward the hallway and hesitantly makes her way
there.
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
She puts her hand on the doorknob of one of the rooms, then
pulls her hand back and considers what to do.
She reaches for the doorknob again, and this time she slowly
turns it, and opens the door a crack. She peeks in.
INT. MARK'S BEDROOM - DAY
MARK THACKER (40, pale, emaciated, asleep, a wool cap on his
head.) He lies in a hospital bed covered up to his chin with
a white sheet.
Haley opens the door slowly and walks toward the bed. A
startling series of pounding CLUNKS emanate from the front
rooms. She spins around in alarm and tip toes quickly back
into the hallway.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Echoes of the Past
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
She silently closes the door and walks toward the kitchen.
KITCHEN
She stands by the kitchen island for a long moment. Wide-
eyed, she peers about about the room to see if something has
fallen from the walls.
She walks to the front door and checks outside.
She walks in by the fireplace and begins to sit down to
inspect the pictures.
She SCREAMS, and jumps as the CLUNKS begin again, loudly,
from within the wall next to the fireplace.
She walks to the wall and places her hands upon it. The
clunking stops. She puts an ear to the wall and listens.
She attempts to look through the soot-stained glass doors of
the fireplace, but can't see inside. She tries to open the
doors but is unable to detach one from the other.
She steps over the clutter of pictures and flops down on the
couch in front of the coffee table. She sorts through the
scattered photos, bent corners, fading color.
She picks one up.
INSERT — PHOTO — A THREE-YEAR-OLD GIRL with her arm around
her TWIN BROTHER. They sit at a picnic table. A birthday
cake on the table displays three lit candles. The girl beams
at the camera. The boy stares upward, mouth open, absorbed
by something unseen.
Haley smiles.
She sets down the photo and picks up another.
INSERT — PHOTO — The twins at eight, sitting shoulder-to-
shoulder on a beach towel beside a crowded community pool.
The girl smiles straight at camera with the same expression,
older face. The boy looks off-frame, distracted, mid-motion.
A softer smile crosses her face.
She reaches down, and examines inside a worn cardboard box
on the floor. From a pile of clippings, envelopes and brittle
paper she removes a yellowed newspaper article.
INSERT — NEWSPAPER PHOTO — A THIRTY-YEAR-OLD MAN and a SIXTY-
FIVE-YEAR-OLD MAN stand arm-in-arm in a forest parking lot.
The caption Reads: OFF TO FIND THE OLD WOOD BOOGER.
The timer on the oven BEEPS and Haley jumps up, walks to the
kitchen and takes the cake out. She places it on top of the
stove and starts the burners beneath the carrots and potatoes.
She hears a CAR MOTOR and the sound of TIRES ON A GRAVEL
DRIVEWAY. She stands and goes to the door. She looks through
the glass and sees a late model Honda CR-V parked behind her
car. BRANDY LIVINGSTON (37, long flowing dark hair) and her
husband KYLE (40, glasses, short hair) get out of the car.
Kyle talks on his phone with his unmistakable WV accent.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Sisterly Greetings and Professional Interruptions
EXT. THACKER FAMILY HOME - DAY
Haley walks out on the porch.
Brandy and Kyle wave. He remains by the car talking on his
cell phone while Brandy, with open arms, prances up the porch
steps to greet her older sister.
BRANDY
Lean Mean Haley Jean!
HALEY
No, no. This morning it was Haley
Jean the Boston Bean.
BRANDY
Oh we've got to write all these down
for his funeral someday. Haley Jean
the Caffeine Queen.
HALEY
Brandy May the Wild Bouquet.
BRANDY
Or the Sunny Day. Or Hip Hip Hooray.
Brandy LAUGHS and gives Haley a big hug.
HALEY
How 'bout Marky Doug the Sparky Plug.
That was mine. And it stuck!
Kyle paces back and forth behind the car.
KYLE
Yes, yes, I'm sorry to hear that,
but if...
(he listens)
No. I'm up in Maine.
Brandy looks back at him with a pleading expression.
He holds up one finger and nods.
KYLE (CONT'D)
You need to go to the nearest hospital
emergency room.
HALEY
What's up with your shrink?
KYLE
Then you'll need to wait until Monday
when I can see you. Call the office
and schedule an appointment.
BRANDY
We were having such a nice ride,
listening to CC Wynans, and this
lady calls having some kind of crisis.
Kyle walks to the steps with the phone to his ear.
KYLE
(listens)
Okay, yes. I'll see you soon.
He ends the call. He walks up the steps and gives Haley a
warm hug.
KYLE (CONT'D)
I'm so sorry. Honestly, I'm pretty
good at what I do, but that woman
is...
He shakes his head in frustration.
HALEY
Well, your big TV ads must be workin'.
Lost your smile? Call Dr. Kyle.
He GUFFAWS.
KYLE
No, no. In her case it's more like...
In Denial? Call Dr. Kyle.
BRANDY
Well, she needs prayer.
KYLE
Or an exorcist.
Haley opens the front door.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
Family Ties and Hidden Tensions
INT. THACKER FAMILY HOME - DAY
ENTRYWAY
HALEY
Come on in. I was just gonna make a
cup of coffee. Would you guys like
one... or an espresso?
KYLE
That'd be great. Just coffee's fine.
Excuse me. I need to make a pit stop.
Kyle walks toward the hallway.
KITCHEN
Haley holds up an empty cup to Haley.
HALEY
Brandy?
BRANDY
(nodding)
That'd be dandy.
She looks at Haley with a "can you believe I said that?"
expression.
HALEY
I guess we're gonna do this all day,
huh?
BRANDY
No, we are not. I promise. Oh it
smells great in here.
HALEY
I just popped a cake out of the oven.
Brandy looks at the mess in the living room. She walks over
to investigate.
LIVING ROOM
BRANDY
Good grief. What's happening here?
KITCHEN
Haley pushes a button and the automatic coffee machine begins
GRINDING it's first cup of beans.
She walks from the machine to the living area so she can
talk with Brandy over the loud sound.
LIVING ROOM
HALEY
Mom's organizing all the old photos,
and art work and...
She points at the boxes.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Buncha newspaper clippings in the
boxes there. I think the idea is to
use some of it in the funeral or the
memorial service, or whatever it is
they're gonna do.
Brandy walks to the coffee table and fingers through a few
pictures.
BRANDY
I don't think I've seen some of these.
HALEY
There's a lot of mom and dad before
we came around.
Brandy picks up a snap shop.
INSERT - PHOTO - The twins, age 8, stand on the porch. They
wear a backpacks. Haley holds up three fingers and looks
directly into the camera with her characteristic toothy smile.
Her brother scratches his knee and looks off to his right.
BRANDY
Aw. Look at you guys.
Haley walks to her and glances at the picture.
HALEY
First day of third grade. For me
anyway. Mark just went back to his...
(finger quotes)
"Special class". The first day of
school was always the perfect, deadly
mix of excitement and dread.
Brandy looks at her with surprise.
BRANDY
Really? Why?
HALEY
Well, I was so excited to be back in
school.
She points at the picture.
HALEY (CONT'D)
I'm bigger than when I left there
for the summer. I'm in the third
grade now!
She twirls a finger.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Woohoo. But I'm pretty sure someone's
gonna call Mark some awful name and
then I'll punch the kid in the nose.
And Mom'll get a call and have to
come down to the principal's office
and pick me up.
BRANDY
Oh, jeesh.
HALEY
Yeah. Almost every year until Jr.
High, when I could go to the new
school without him. And even then, I
was a nervous wreck because I knew
there was no one to protect him. I
was his only defender.
She looks tenderly at the picture.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Such a sweet kid. Most of the time.
KITCHEN
Kyle walks from the hallway into the kitchen. He grabs the
cup of coffee from the machine and brings it to Brandy.
LIVING ROOM
KYLE
Well, the spark plug is dead to the
world.
Brandy and Haley turn and look at him wide-eyed. His
expression mirrors theirs when he realizes what he just said.
KYLE (CONT'D)
No, no, no. Let me rephrase that.
Your brother Mark is sleeping really
soundly back there.
BRANDY
Thank you. That's better.
He walks back to the coffee machine.
HALEY
I hope you're a bit more precise
with your word choices when counseling
clients.
KITCHEN
He places a cup in the machine and pushes a button.
KYLE
Well, I don't do a lot of the talking.
The grinder begins and he walks to the women.
LIVING ROOM
KYLE (CONT'D)
I don't know a lot about hospice but
I think it's a good idea we've all
decided to come this weekend instead
of next. I can't imagine he's gonna
be with us much longer.
Brandy stands.
BRANDY
I'm gonna go see him.
She walks into the kitchen and disappears down the hallway.
Kyle looks at the clutter.
KYLE
(to Haley)
You've sure made a mess.
Haley smiles.
HALEY
It belongs to Mom. Hey...
She grabs the old newspaper from the table.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Take a look at this.
She hands him the paper. The coffee stops dripping and he
peruses the photo as he walks to get his cup.
KITCHEN
KYLE
Who are these people?
LIVING ROOM
HALEY
That's Dad and Grandpa Dick.
Kyle looks closer at the photo and the caption as he walks
back into the living room with his coffee.
KYLE
Baxter State Park.
HALEY
And what's a wooden booger?
KYLE
A wood booger. That's Big Foot.
Sasquatch. That's what we called it
down in the Appalachians. City folk
say Boogeyman. Mountain folk say
Wood Booger.
HALEY
Well, that makes sense. Grandpa was
originally from Hickory Lick, KY.
KYLE
Grandpa Dick of Hickory Lick.
Haley GUFFAWS.
HALEY
There you go. You might become one
of us yet.
He leans against the kitchen island and reads the article.
KYLE
Unbelievable. These guys actually
went on an expedition to find Bigfoot?
HALEY
And I'd never in my life heard that
story.
KYLE
Because it ended up being a camping
trip.
She leafs through a pile of papers at the bottom of the
cardboard box.
KYLE (CONT'D)
Oh, I wanted so bad to see that wood
booger. My friends and I camped out
up on the hill all summer and every
deer we heard walkin' through the
woods sounded like Bigfoot to us.
Haley lifts a newspaper out of the box and reads the front
page. Her face transforms to disbelief.
INSERT - FRONT PAGE OF THE OXFORD HILLS DEMOCRAT - The page
displays the same picture from the other paper.
The headline reads: School Board Candidate and Father Missing
in Baxter State Park; Search Enters Sixth Day.
Brandy reenters the living room.
HALEY
They got lost.
BRANDY
Who?
HALEY
Dad and Grandpa Dick.
She holds up the paper.
HALEY (CONT'D)
They got lost in Baxter State. Lookin'
for the wooden booger.
KYLE
Wood Booger.
HALEY
Whatever! They had crews hunting up
there for a week.
KYLE
And you guys never knew this?
HALEY
(sarcastic)
Well, why would we, Kyle. It was
just a camping trip. Right?
A loud CLUNK emanates from the fireplace wall and Haley jumps
with a SQUEAL.
HALEY (CONT'D)
What the hell!! Jeesh! Did you hear
that?!
She looks at Kyle and Brandy who stare toward the source of
the sound.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Oh, no.
Kyle walks from the kitchen to the wall.
KYLE
No, no, no, no.
HALEY
What?!
He slowly places an ear on the wall and listens.
KYLE
Oh, nuts. There's something in there.
BRANDY
What? What's in there?
The women draw closer.
KYLE
I think it's...
He turns to look at them and yells.
KYLE (CONT'D)
The wood booger!
Haley slaps his arm hard.
HALEY
Not funny.
KYLE
There's definitely something in there.
Probably a squirrel.
HALEY
Yeah, right.
The sound of a horn BEEPS a hello from the driveway. They
turn to see Wade and Althea pull in.
Brandy opens the front door and Kyle joins her as they wait
for Wade and Althea who walk joyfully up the steps to the
porch. Althea holds her arms out to Brandy.
ALTHEA
Oh, you made it. Welcome home!
She gives Brandy a big hug and turns to Kyle.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Good drive?
KYLE
You bet.
She gives him a hug and Wade embraces Brandy.
WADE
Made my day Brandy May. How are you
sweetheart?
BRANDY
I wish we were here for a happier
time but I'm just fine. In fact,
couldn't be better.
HALEY
Dad, I hate to tell you, but you've
got a wood booger in your wall.
She watches a barely-contained flash of fear bend his
features. Then it disappears.
WADE
I... I've gotta... what'd you say?
KYLE
We heard a pretty loud sound coming
from the wall by the fireplace. Could
be a squirrel.
HALEY
(to Kyle)
It's a lot bigger than a squirrel.
KYLE
(to Wade)
Could be a lot bigger than a squirrel.
WADE
Spooky'll find it.
HALEY
It's bigger than Spooky.
WADE
Well, we'll figure it out.
ALTHEA
(to Brandy)
Have you been in to see Mark?
BRANDY
He's sleeping.
Althea smiles softly and shakes her head.
ALTHEA
I'm gonna check on him and then we'll
get some food goin' here.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
A Moment of Tenderness
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
She walks down the hallway to Mark's room, opens the door
and walks in.
INT. MARK'S BEDROOM - DAY
She walks to his bedside. He sleeps on his back, mouth agape.
His fingers hold the top of the covers pulled to his chin.
She sits on the bed and gently takes one of his hands in
hers. She feels his gentle squeeze.
She tips her head and, for a long moment, lovingly gazes at
his face. A smile bends her lips. She closes her eyes and
nods her head slowly.
After a long moment her eyes open in startled surprise and
her mouth opens in amazement. She LAUGHS softly and tears
well in her eyes.
ALTHEA
(Whispers)
Oh, my. Thank you. Thank you, Jesus.
She gives him a hug and pulls the covers back up beneath his
chin. She stands and wipes her eyes with a tissue and blows
her nose. She looks in a dresser mirror. She fusses with her
hair, considers her appearance, then exits the room.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Family Secrets and Aspirations
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
She overhears an argument that brews in the family room.
HALEY (O.S.)
No, no, Dad. I'm asking what you
think was the most important rule in
this house when your three kids grew
up here.
WADE (O.S.)
I guess I don't remember so well.
I'm an old man, Haley.
HALEY (O.S.)
Well, then, I'll give you a few
minutes to remember.
KITCHEN - DAY
Althea enters from the hallway. Brandy stands at the stove
mashing the boiled potatoes.
BRANDY
(to Althea)
How's he doin?
Althea walks straight to her and wraps her in a hug.
ALTHEA
He is so precious.
She pulls back to look into Brandy's face. She speaks softly
so as not to be heard.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Brandy, I'm so happy for you and
Kyle. My heart is just bursting.
Brandy looks confused.
HALEY (O.S.)
I'll give you a hint, Dad. Two words.
ALTHEA
(to Brandy)
Even in the middle of the sadness
we're feeling here, I want you to
cherish every moment of these precious
months ahead. Promise me.
BRANDY
Uh... yeah. Absolutely, Mom. You
know we pray the same for you.
Althea glances at the potatoes.
ALTHEA
Those are gonna need more butter.
She heads to the fridge.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Did you keep some out for Haley?
BRANDY
Yes, Ma'am. She made sure of it.
Haley calls from couch.
HALEY (O.S.)
Tell him, Mom.
ALTHEA
Tell him what?
HALEY (O.S.)
Tell your husband what the most
important rule was when you're three
children were growing up in this
household.
ALTHEA
No secrets.
HALEY (O.S.)
Bingo!
LIVING ROOM
WADE
Oh, I almost had it! Dang. It was
right on the tip of my... I almost
said no farts. Man! You guys could
stink up my car!
HALEY
I'm serious, Dad.
WADE
So am I! You'd toot back there and
raise the temperature by four degrees.
It was awe inspiring.
She walks to him and holds up the newspaper.
HALEY
I can't believe you never told us
about this.
He grabs the paper, and waves her off. He folds the paper.
WADE
(to Brandy)
How's the publishing business comin'
Brand? Did you bring me those
magazines?
BRANDY (O.S.)
They're not magazines, Dad. They're
journals.
WADE
Magazine. Journals. What's the
difference?
KYLE
Magazines have subscribers. Journals
have committees.
Brandy GUFFAWS.
BRANDY (O.S.)
I was gonna say, fewer readers, longer
sentences.
ENTRYWAY
She walks to table at the front door where she's placed her
handbag. She reaches in and grabs three journals.
BRANDY (CONT'D)
Pretty exciting stuff here, Dad.
She holds them up for him to see, then walks them to him.
LIVING ROOM
BRANDY (CONT'D)
(sarcastic)
For weekend entertainment, you can't
beat, "The Journal of Insurance
Compliance and Regulation".
She hands them to him.
BRANDY (CONT'D)
I have a ground breaking piece in
there, "Understanding Deductibles in
Multi-Policy Coverage Plans". It'll
change you life.
WADE
(sincere)
Hey, darlin'. You're gettin' paid to
do what you've always been very,
very good at. We're proud of you.
She walks back to the kitchen.
KITCHEN
She stands by the stove and stirs a pan.
BRANDY
Yeah, well, I dreamed of writing
heart-felt children's books. Instead
I explain flood exclusions.
Unfortunately, I think I'm about one
software update from unemployment.
ALTHEA
Why?
BRANDY
Because I can't compete with AI. No
one's better at writing stuff no
human wants to read.
ALTHEA
How's "The Boy Who Collected Quiet"
doing? We'll gladly buy a box.
Everyone we've passed it on to loves
it.
BRANDY
You don't need to buy 'em. I've got
fifty in the trunk. Just give 'em
away and tell people to post, post,
post.
ALTHEA
I gave one to Betty McCoy and she
gave it to her son who works for
Autism Speaks.
WADE
He's a security guard, Althy.
She shrugs her shoulders.
ALTHEA
Well, you never know.
Wade's attention is yanked out the picture window, distracted
by some movement in the woods.
WADE
Oh, my gosh! Kyle, look at this.
Kyle stands and peers through the glass. Wade points.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
Thanksgiving Distraction
INT/EXT. THACKER FAMILY HOME - DAY
WADE
Right there to the left of the big
rock.
Kyle's eyes open wide.
KYLE
Oh, man. There must be a dozen.
Wade steps carefully over the clutter and heads to the front
door.
ENTRYWAY
WADE
And check out the big Tom.
He grabs a shotgun from a wrack on the wall. He retrieves a
checkered red hunting jacket from the entry closet, pulls it
on and grabs a shotgun shell from the pocket.
WADE (CONT'D)
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
He opens the front door and disappears down the steps.
LIVING ROOM
Haley jumps up and goes to the window.
HALEY
I cannot believe that man!
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Tension at the Thacker Home
INT/EXT. THACKER FAMILY HOME - DAY
She and Kyle watch as Wade walks slowly to a wooden play
ground set with a slide and swings. He rest the barrel of
the gun on a cross piece of wood and sights in on the nervous
birds.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Oh, my gosh, I did not drive here to
watch him murdering animals.
She winces, turns from the window and covers her ears.
ALTHEA
Haley, why don't you come help set
the tay--
BOOM! The shotgun blasts. Everyone jumps. Wade turns to the
window and raises his arms in victory.
HALEY
(screaming)
I hate that! I'm telling you guys!
I! HATE! THAT!
ALTHEA
He's a hunter, Hal.
HALEY
He's a criminal, Mom! What's the
law? How far do you have to be from
a residence to shoot a shot gun!
KYLE
I'm pretty sure, up here, he could
shoot out the window if he wanted
to.
ALTHEA
Oh, he has. I better check on Mark.
She heads toward the hallway.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Conflict"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
Thanksgiving Tensions
EXT. THACKER FAMILY HOME - DAY
Wade walks from the woods, to the picture window. He smiles
and lifts the turkey by the feet for Kyle to see.
LIVING ROOM
Kyle gives a thumbs up.
KITCHEN
Brandy hand whips the mashed potatoes with a wooden spoon.
Haley opens a kitchen cupboard.
HALEY
(muttering angrily)
So disgusting.
She takes down a pile of plates. Opens another cupboard for
place mats and heads to the dining room table.
BRANDY
Well, Thanksgiving is coming.
DINING ROOM
HALEY
Which is no excuse to murder animals.
KYLE (O.S.)
Murder may not be precisely the proper
term.
HALEY
(sarcastic)
Oh, sorry. I'll rephrase that.
Thanksgiving is no excuse to execute
innocent creatures. I don't believe
your God meant for us to kill and
eat animals. Now... what part of
that statement do you find improper,
doctor.
Kyle hold up his hands defensively.
KYLE
We don't usually devolve into argument
mode quite so quickly, Haley.
Althea enters the kitchen from the hallway.
KITCHEN
ALTHEA
(smiling)
He slept right through that shot gun
blast. That's a first.
She lifts a serving platter from the cupboard. With a long
fork and a slotted spatula she lifts the pot roast from the
crock pot to the platter. She looks at Haley who bristles
around the table as she places napkins and silverware. She
glances at Brandy who rolls her eyes.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Okay, everyone. Dad shot a turkey.
It's done. Let's not let this ruin
our celebration.
HALEY (O.S.)
Too late.
Kyle walks into the dining room.
DINING ROOM
KYLE
I will agree with you, Haley that
animals are indeed innocent.
Haley looks at him and waits for him to finish.
HALEY
And? That's it?
KYLE
I don't agree that God never intended
us to eat animals. Before sin entered
the world everyone was a vegetarian.
But that all changed.
ALTHEA
I'd really rather not have this
conversation occupy our afternoon.
BRANDY
Totally agree.
HALEY
(to Kyle)
You still believe the fairy tales.
BRANDY
Here we go.
HALEY
Adam and Eve? The Garden of Eden?
Noah's Ark?
BRANDY (O.S.)
As a matter of fact, we do.
Haley exhales exasperation and shakes her head.
ENTRYWAY
The front door flies opened and Wade enters. WHISTLING Lee
Greenwood's "God Bless the USA". He carries an armload of
firewood.
Haley gives him a disapproving scowl. Brandy smiles.
KITCHEN
BRANDY (CONT'D)
The mighty hunter returns.
LIVING ROOM
Wade walks in and dumps the firewood down by the side of the
fireplace.
WADE
Had my choice of 5 of 'em. Could
have gotten that 20 pound Tom, but
went for a hen half the size. Better
eatin' and should be big enough...
given that one of us doesn't eat
meat.
He glances with a smile toward Haley. She places the water
glasses at the plates. She doesn't look at him.
HALEY
(muttering)
Given that one of us won't be coming
for Thanksgiving.
WADE
Man, it smells great in here. How's
that food comin'?
ALTHEA
We're almost ready.
She gestures with her chin toward a cupboard.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Brandy, you could grab that aluminum
serving bowl for the potatoes.
DINING ROOM
She carries the pot roast on the platter to the table.
LIVING ROOM
They all startle at very loud BANGING noises emanating from
near Wade. He spins around toward the fireplace.
WADE
What the...?
HALEY
You still wanna throw Spooky in the
ring?
Brandy watches Wade, as she scoops a high pile of potatoes
into the serving bowl.
Wade bends over and looks through the glass. He cups his
hands and tries to see through the sooty pains.
KITCHEN
Brandy takes a step toward the table with her bowl of mashed
potatoes.
LIVING ROOM
Wade puts his hands on the fireplace door handles and slowly
releases the latch.
WADE
You know... it almost sounded like
it was in...
He opens the doors and with a tremendous CLATTER a duck flies
from within the fireplace. Everyone jumps and SCREAMS.
KITCHEN
The soot covered, squawking duck flies, in a direct line of
attack, across the room and straight into Brandy. She SCREAMS
as the bowl of potatoes flies high, nearly to the ceiling,
where it turns over and falls flat on the floor.
DINING ROOM
The duck turns, flies over the dining room table and into
the window where it drops stunned to the floor.
Haley bends down, grabs it by the neck and, with her arm
extended from her body, walks the squawking intruder to the
front door.
ENTRYWAY
She opens the door and unceremoniously throws it off the
porch. It uprights itself, shutters it's body and flies away.
She turns back to the family breathing hard. Everyone stares
at her wide-eyed.
HALEY
What?
LIVING ROOM
WADE
You were a little rough don't you
think? That's God's creature you
know?
ENTRYWAY
She looks at him incredulous and he winks.
KITCHEN
Brandy has both hands on her head looking at the floor behind
the kitchen island.
BRANDY
Oh, you guys! I'm sorry.
They all join her to take a look.
The bowl sits on the floor, upside down. Althea bends over,
grabs the rim of the bowl and lifts it off the floor. The
bowl emits a sucking sound and the potatoes drop a few inches,
in a perfect bowl shape, to the floor.
ALTHEA
Oh, shoot. There goes half our meal.
Haley lifts her tiny cereal bowl of vegan spuds from the
counter.
HALEY
I'm happy to share.
They look at her and all LAUGH, the adrenaline wearing off.
KYLE
(laughing hard)
HAH! I can't believe that happened!
Wade opens a drawer and grabs a large spatula.
WADE
There's nothing wrong with those
potatoes.
ALTHEA
No, no, Hon. We can't--
WADE
Yes we can. We'll use the old three
second rule.
BRANDY
We're probably goin' on forty-five.
He grabs the aluminum bowl from the counter, bends over and
begins excavating the mound, little by little.
WADE
We'll leave half an inch on the floor
and forget it ever happened.
KYLE
I doubt that. I will not ever forget
this happened. How the heck did a
duck get in the fireplace?
WADE
The furnace vents up that chimney
too. He probably landed, breathed a
little too much carbon dioxide, passed
out and fell in. Probably thought he
lucked out when I opened the doors.
Little he know Haley'd grab him by
his neck.
He stands up with a bowl full of potatoes.
WADE (CONT'D)
Bon appetite!
Althea bends down and scrapes the remainders off the floor.
She drops them in the sink and then wets a wash cloth to
clean up what's left.
She stands and exhales an "Okay, then. Let's do this."
DINING ROOM
ALTHEA
Find a seat everyone.
They each do so and she sits down.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Okay. Wade... are we thankful?
WADE
Yes, we are. Let's pray.
They all hold hands and he begins.
WADE (CONT'D)
Lord, thank You that we could gather
together as a family in this difficult
moment. Strengthen us as we support
one another while we say good-bye to
Mark the Spark Plug...
His emotion cuts him off. He fights and regains control.
Althea stifles a sob and blows her nose in a tissue.
WADE (CONT'D)
Bless this time together, and thank
you for this food that sustains us.
Oh, an we pray now particularly for
that poor duck on its long road to
emotional healing and spinal cord
rehabilitation.
They LAUGH.
HALEY
Oh, jee.
WADE
We pray in your name... Amen.
They all look at Wade and smile big, except for Haley who
shakes her head. She allows only the smallest smile.
They dish up the food and pass it around.
BRANDY
Oh, Mom. This pot roast looks so
yummy and, of course, you know it is
my favorite.
ALTHEA
That's why I made it
HALEY
And... yes, Mom. Thank you because
it used to be my favorite too.
ALTHEA
And I know that as well. Enjoy the
aroma.
She glances at Haley's plate.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
And that scrumptious salad.
HALEY
Thanks.
Haley looks at Wade.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Okay, Dad. You didn't answer my
question.
WADE
Not sure I remember it, Hal. It's
been a little frenetic around here.
I shot a turkey and, not sure if you
recall, but a duck flew out of the
fireplace.
He tastes a bit of his mash potatoes.
WADE (CONT'D)
Oh, Althea! These are delicious. So
buttery and...
HALEY
Sootery.
Wade GUFFAWS.
WADE
(to Althea)
No, honest, Hon. They're delicious.
HALEY
Why'd you never tell us about your
trip with Grandpa Dick? I mean, my
gosh, you went looking for Bigfoot!
How did that never come up in all
your stories? It tics me off, Dad.
She imitates Wade, pointing at her own eyes with two fingers.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Look at me! Hey! Look at me! WE.
DON'T. HAVE. SECRETS. IN. THIS.
FAMILY.
WADE
It was no secret. I never hid
anything, Haley. For goodness sake,
you read about it off the front page
of the Chronicle!
He looks at Althea.
WADE (CONT'D)
And how did that newspaper just happen
to pop up after all these years?
Althea raises her eyebrows and shrugs innocently.
WADE (CONT'D)
I shared the... "secret"... with the
world. And it ruined my life.
ALTHEA
That might be little bit much.
He scowls at her.
WADE
No, Althy I don't think so. I lost
my job. I lost my lifelong political
aspirations. We lost our first home.
Not sure you felt the same, but I
wondered if our marriage was next.
Kyle stops mid bite and lowers his fork full of beef.
KYLE
That feels like moral injury layered
with public humiliation.
Haley turns slowly toward him. Deadpan.
HALEY
For God's sake, Kyle. He's not a war
veteran.
KYLE
I know. I just mean, when someone
tells the truth as they understand
it and the community, or what feels
like the world, turns on them it can--
WADE
Your Grandpa Dick was a war veteran.
They all turn to him.
WADE (CONT'D)
He never talked about it. About
Bataan. Never talked about the
starvation, the bodies along the
road. It was his way of holding onto
sanity.
He turns to Kyle.
WADE (CONT'D)
Do you think I've diagnosed that
correctly, doctor?
KYLE
That was the case for a lot of those
guys. Of course the problem is trauma
doesn't disappear because it's
unspoken. It just goes underground.
No one responds. The HUM of the refrigerator fills the
silence.
Finally, Kyle holds up his hands defensively.
KYLE (CONT'D)
Let me just say this and then I'll
take off my tie.
(pause)
Sometimes families inherit the silence
without knowing it.
Brandy pats Kyle's shoulder.
BRANDY
Okay, enough work. Who would like to
redirect this conversation?
She looks around the table. People eat and stare back.
BRANDY (CONT'D)
It could be anything. We could talk
about the Patriots. Or how Mom's
gonna have to clean buckshot out of
the turkey before we eat it. Or...
She LAUGHS.
BRANDY (CONT'D)
Or I could tell you about the kid in
our neighborhood who hit a rock with
a baseball bat, and it flew through
our neighbors upstairs window, through
the side of a hundred gallon fish
tank, ruined the wood floor and the
ceiling in the room beneath.
HALEY
(deadpan)
Yeah, tell us that one.
BRANDY
It was unbelievable. This kid in our
neighborhood hit a rock with a--
HALEY
I wasn't serious.
ALTHEA
Haley, your brother would love to
see you. I see you've finished your
food.
She looks at Haley's empty plate.
Everyone looks at Althea with surprise.
HALEY
I know, Mom. That's why we're all
here.
ALTHEA
He wants to see you, now.
Haley closes her eyes and exhales softly.
HALEY
How can you possibly know that?
She pushes her chair away from the table.
HALEY (CONT'D)
You know I was with him earlier.
ALTHEA
For about five seconds.
Haley freezes and stares her mouth slightly opened.
Althea lifts her gaze from her plate to Haley.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
I know my children, Hal. He wants to
see you.
Haley pushed the chair back in and walks to the bedroom.
HALEY
He'll be sleeping.
ALTHEA
Sit within for two minutes.
Haley leaves the room.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Whispers of Nostalgia
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Haley quietly opens the door and walks in.
INT. MARK'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Mark has not moved. His fingers still grasp the sheet at his
chin. He sleeps.
Haley walks to his side and gently sits on the edge of the
bed. She looks around the room showing all the decorating
touches of her mom.
She walks to a cork board on the wall upon which is tacked a
photo of herself and Mark at age four. They sit on the swing
set that still stands in the backyard. Beneath the photo a
typewritten poem entitled "To Hay Eee, My Twin." She whispers
the lines.
HALEY
(Whispers)
When we were small, you held my hand
And the world grew softer then
When we were young, you knew my thoughts
When my mouth could not form them.
Two bodies we were in one quiet place,
Breathing the same small air.
Still I reach for you whenever I find
the world too loud to bear.
At the bottom she says the name, Mark Thacker.
Tears well in her eyes. She turns to Mark, still unmoved.
Her face distorts and she shakes her head as if chasing away
a thought.
She exits the room.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
Family Ties and Shared Memories
INT. HALLWAY - DAY
She walks back toward the kitchen and the sounds of
conversation around the table in the dining room.
KYLE (O.S.)
How old was he when you started on
the spelling board.
HALEY (O.S.)
Five. Haley taught him the alphabet,
which was great because she had far
more patience with him than I did.
DINING ROOM
BRANDY
(to Kyle)
It's a really a slow process because
it's always been so hard for him to
control his arm movements.
ALTHEA
They call it stimming.
WADE
Self Stimulating Behavior.
KYLE
Yeah, some researchers believe the
arm flapping helps the child map his
personal sensory world. He's thinking,
"Oh look. It's my arm. It goes like
this."
He subtly flaps his wrist.
Haley walks in and sits in her chair.
ALTHEA
(to Haley)
You use to hold his arms and help
him put his little finger in each
letter.
HALEY
So I'm told.
ALTHEA
How's your brother?
HALEY
Sleeping. Did you tell Kyle how else
you think he communicates?
Althea folds her arms, tilts her head slightly, eyes
narrowing.
WADE
(disgusted)
Gol lee girl. What's your problem
today?
HALEY
No problem, Dad. It just occurs to
me that this is another little secret
we've been careful to keep in the
family.
Althea sits up straight.
ALTHEA
Well, then let's just dive in here
shall we?
She looks at the table before her, picks up the roast platter
and passes it to Brandy.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
And please, help yourself to more.
I'd rather not deal with left overs.
She looks at Kyle.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Dr. Kyle this is for you. I'm
surprised you haven't already heard
the story. Feel free to interrupt if
you have any questions. Oh!
She jumps from the table and walks to the coffee table.
LIVING ROOM
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
I just saw the picture.
She scans the table and grabs one.
DINING ROOM
She walks back and hands it to Kyle.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
On July 10, 2004...
(pointing)
the time stamps on the back, I took
the twins to the community pool.
He looks at the picture.
INSERT — PHOTO — Haley and Mark at eight, sit shoulder-to-
shoulder on a beach towel beside a crowded community pool.
Haley smiles straight at the camera. Mark looks off-frame.
Kyle smiles.
KYLE
You haven't changed a bit, Haley.
Except this girl smiles.
HALEY
Oh, touche'.
ALTHEA
Haley was quite the little swimmer
but Mark could do no more than put
his feet in the kiddie pool. Sometimes
even that was too much for him. I
tried to take them on cloudy, even
dreary days.
HALEY
Yeah, that was lovely, Mom.
Althea CHUCKLES softly.
ALTHEA
I know. I felt like a terrible mother,
but he just couldn't tolerate the
direct sunlight. He'd just lose it.
(to Haley)
And then you'd be mad at me because
we had to leave. So... we went on
the very worst days.
She points at the picture.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
When I took this picture, I knew we
had about two minutes 'til meltdown,
so I told Haley to put her stuff in
the bag, but she begged, "Please,
Mom. One more jump off the board."
So I said go! Hurry!
HALEY
(to Kyle)
I don't remember any of this.
KYLE
You don't believe it happened?
HALEY
No. I just don't remember it. You'll
see why.
ALTHEA
So, she heads for the diving board.
The pool was packed.
She points to the picture again.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
You can see that in the picture there.
I'm not even sure where she thought
she was going to land in the water
without landing on somebody.
(MORE)
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
But I'm paying no attention. I'm
just trying to get Mark's shirt on
and keep him under control.
Brandy looks at Althea as if she can't believe what she's
hearing.
BRANDY
Mom, you do realize that I've never
heard this story in my life.
ALTHEA
Oh, Brandy. You certainly have.
BRANDY
I don't think so. Where was I when
this was happening?
ALTHEA
Probably at Grandma Steen's.
BRANDY
Go on.
ALTHEA
I helped Mark to his feet, and now
he's goin' nuts. I looked to the
pool, hoping to see Haley running
toward me and...
She hesitates and looks at Wade as if uncertain whether to
continue.
He moves his head in one small nod.
She furrows her brow and looks down at her plate. She looks
up at Kyle.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
And Mark said, "Haley's on the
bottom."
They all stare at her. Tears well in her eyes.
Kyle looks at Wade who's expression remains unchanged. He
looks to Haley. Their eyes connect. She raises her eyebrows
and lifts one shoulder in a shrug.
Brandy, looks horrified and can wait no longer.
BRANDY
And what happens?!
HALEY
(deadpanned)
I made it.
KYLE
(to Haley)
You don't remember this is at all?
She shakes her head.
ALTHEA
I think I just dropped Mark and ran
down the side of the pool, screamin'
like a banshee, pointing at the bottom
where my little Haley lay... peaceful
as could be.
BRANDY
Who pulled her out?
WADE
Cy Mann, your PE teacher. He was
devastated. He said he was right up
on his stand there thinking he better
get some kids out of the pool. It
was just too crowded. He didn't have
an angle to see her on the bottom.
ALTHEA
He did all the things you do when
you pull someone... someone dead out
of the water.
BRANDY
But she didn't die.
HALEY
Gol, Brand. I'm right here sitting
at the table.
BRANDY
I know! I'm just blown away. I'm
just... praising God. I'm thanking,
Jesus that Mark saved your life!
She looks back and forth between Althea and Wade.
BRANDY (CONT'D)
I swear to you guys, I never heard
this story.
HALEY
What was it you said, Kyle? Sometimes
families inherit the silence without
knowing it?
ALTHEA
I'm sorry, honey. I honestly didn't
know that. I wasn't trying to hide
anything. Probably when you were
little I didn't want to upset you.
WADE
I gotta call from Sheriff Davis.
He stands and points toward the front door.
WADE (CONT'D)
He owned the big Freely farm down
the road. He told me he'd heard the
ambulance call from his squad car.
He holds up a coffee pot, offering a cup to all. Haley and
Kyle lift their cups. He obliges.
WADE (CONT'D)
He said I better get to the hospital.
Where our little Haley spent 8 days
in a coma and two more weeks in
recovery. And if I may say so... she
turned out almost as good as new,
though chronically cranky.
He looks at Haley.
WADE (CONT'D)
Oh, man. You could throw fits.
HALEY
Still can.
WADE
She'd scream so loud. I'd just have
to wrap her in my arms and hold her
tight, until her voice croaked, and
she tired and fell asleep.
Haley smiles.
HALEY
I was delightful in every way.
They all CHUCKLE
BRANDY
(to Althea)
Wow! What a story!
A moment of silence. Kyle leans forward with elbows on the
table. He taps his splayed finger tips together. He
contemplates with furrowed brow.
Haley studies him carefully and a small smile spreads on her
lips.
He looks at Althea.
KYLE
I just have... one... I have one
comment about what you shared.
Haley sits up straight, excited.
HALEY
Yes!
She LAUGHS.
HALEY (CONT'D)
My respect for you just grew by leaps
and bounds, brother-in-law. I knew
you'd get it! I knew it!
She pumps a fist. He looks at her with a wry smile.
KYLE
Would you like to ask then, or shall
I?
She holds out both arms to him.
HALEY
No, no please. I've asked it many
times before.
He looks at Althea.
KYLE
You said that Mark... said.
(long pause)
What do you mean exactly?
HALEY
Yes! Thank you.
Althea stares straight ahead into space. She raises both
eyebrows and slowly shakes her head.
ALTHEA
I always felt as though I knew what
he was thinking. And I always felt
like he could... practically read my
mind.
KYLE
That's not unusual.
ALTHEA
No, I think it was. I mean the degree
to which I experienced it.
(pause)
Haley experienced it too.
HALEY
Mom, please. I didn't--
ALTHEA
Yes, you did, Hal! You couldn't have
been three years old when if he threw
a fit, and I had no idea what to do,
you'd calmly walk in and look him
right in the eyes. Sometimes you'd
gently turn his face to look at you.
Then you'd pull down the shades,
walk in the other room, get his
blanket and put it in his arms...
he'd quiet right down.
HALEY
Which proves nothing.
ALTHEA
I know what I saw, Haley. I was a
very observant mother.
(pause)
And I know what I heard that day. It
was a clear voice. Four words...
Haley's on the bottom. Clear as day.
Had I not heard it...
She shakes her head.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
I don't even want to wonder what
life would have been.
BRANDY
Could it have been the Holy Spirit?
ALTHEA
If it was, it was speaking through
Mark. I grew to know the voice well.
KYLE
It could all just be a particularly
strong maternal attunement.
He looks around the table.
KYLE (CONT'D)
I mean... being a mother is a powerful
thing.
Wade smiles.
KYLE (CONT'D)
There's a lot of documentation that--
WADE
Do I sense your questioning your
mother-in-law's experience?
KYLE
No, no. Just her interpretation of--
HALEY
Oh, go on, Dad. Tell me you've never
questioned it.
WADE
Oh, I have. I did. But I don't any
more.
He turns to Brandy.
WADE (CONT'D)
Darlin', I think the reason you never
heard this story is... yes, we didn't
want to scare you but... your mom
made the mistake of sharing it openly
and experienced a lot of ridicule.
At the school. With her brothers. At
our former church.
(pause)
Holding a precious story close to
one's heart is not the same as keeping
a secret.
ALTHEA
I threw my pearls before swine. Shared
something beautiful and rare with
people who were unable to hold it.
It made my life...
(to Brandy)
...very difficult.
HALEY
Mom, to be clear. You heard him
speak.
She nods.
ALTHEA
He spoke to everyone, Hal! He spoke
to you. He spoke to the whole family
but no one else would listen.
WADE
I tried.
ALTHEA
I know.
BRANDY
I didn't try! I never knew any of
this.
ALTHEA
(to Brandy)
I'm sorry, Hon. I think...
She considers her response.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
I think there are just so many voices.
The world is just so loud... and
Mark... isn't.
She looks at Haley.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
God isn't either. And if we can't
listen... we won't hear.
Haley takes a sip of coffee.
HALEY
And Mark's poetry?
She places her cup on the table and pulls her hand away
without quite releasing the cup.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Was that him talking through--
The coffee cup spills on the table. They all jump.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Damn!
She looks at Wade who reaches for a dish towel.
HALEY (CONT'D)
I mean darn.
WADE
I was pretty sure that's what you
meant.
Althea waves off the mess.
ALTHEA
It doesn't matter. It's nothing this
table and cloth have not experienced
many times before. Do you wanna circle
the stain and sign it, Hal?
Haley LAUGHS.
BRANDY
(to Kyle)
Oh, we use to do that with our
favorite table cloth.
(to Althea)
Do you still have it, Mom?
Althea gestures with her head.
ALTHEA
Right there in the cupboard.
Brandy jumps up and opens the cupboard.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
It'd be on the bottom.
Brandy carefully lifts out a folded bundle of white linen.
She shakes it loose. The cloth spills open in her hands with
bright amoeba shapes of needlepoint stitched across its
surface. Inside each one, a color coded name and date, sewn
in cheerful thread.
She holds it up.
“MARK — 5/12/94” in baby blue.
“HALEY — 8/03/93” in bold red.
“BRANDY MAY — 11/17/94” in sunny yellow.
"WADE - 12/14/07 in dark green.
"ALTHEA - 1/4/24 in purple.
The circles overlap, and bloom over one another. It is a
history of spills made permanent and beautiful. The earlier
years display large printed children's lettering.
Brandy runs her fingers over the raised stitching.
BRANDY
Mom never threw anything away.
Kyle leans closer, amazed. He studies the cloth.
KYLE
Wow. It's like a tapestry.
He pulls out his phone and takes a picture.
Althea LAUGHS.
ALTHEA
You have no idea.
KYLE
A tapestry of forgiven stains.
ALTHEA
And those are just the ones that
wouldn't wash out. If you squint
you'll notice baby blue's the
predominant color. So, Mark definitely
wins.
HALEY
Yeah, but my stains are the brightest.
Especially during my teens.
ALTHEA
Yes, dear. And I know why.
Haley looks at Kyle.
HALEY
I started spilling on purpose.
ALTHEA
You'll notice, Kyle, the table cloth
took a hiatus from 2000 to 2004.
He scans the dates running his fingers over the fine stitches.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
I didn't have the time to deal with
all the intentional spills.
Haley LAUGHS.
HALEY
I wasn't being mean. I was crying
out for attention.
She leans over and touches a fading purple spill. She speaks
softly.
HALEY (CONT'D)
I was also taken by this slowly
evolving piece of family folk art.
It's beautiful, Mom.
BRANDY
(to Kyle)
We have got to do that with our kids
someday.
KYLE
Deal.
She grabs his arms and affectionately hugs his shoulder.
Wade finishes cleaning the mess.
WADE
There we go. Close enough. How 'bout
some cake?
HALEY
I'll get it.
She goes into the kitchen.
Brandy removes plates from the table.
Kyle points out the window to the back forest.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
Family Bonds and Unspoken Truths
INT. INT/EXT. THACKER FAMILY HOME - DAY
KYLE
Hey, Wade. You want to hunt some
more?
Wade looks toward the forest where a huge buck turns it head
to display his rack.
WADE
That's "My Buck in the Back with a
Ten Point Rack".
They stare at the animal.
KYLE
(to Brandy)
There's a title for a book, Brand.
"Buck in the Back with a Ten Point
Rack"
WADE
Won't be shootin' him.
(pause)
He gives me too much joy.
Haley enters and places the cake on the table.
HALEY
Okay, gang. Gather round. Mom's made
something... different.
Althea glances at Haley and winks.
ALTHEA
Oh it's nothing. Just a little
experiment.
Haley dishes up the cake and passes it around. Wade holds up
the coffee pot.
WADE
Still hot. Anyone?
A chorus of "Sure" sounds 'round the table. And cups are
held carefully for Wade.
ALTHEA
Okay, enough about us. What do you
kids have comin' up in your lives?
Haley?
HALEY
Just work. Designing lots of stuff.
WADE
What kind of stuff?
HALEY
Just stuff... stuff. You know?
WADE
No, I don't know. I don't do your
job or work at your company. The
only way I can know what you do, and
understand it, is if you tell me
what it is and explain it to me.
He takes a bite of cake. His eyebrows shoot up straight.
WADE (CONT'D)
(loudly)
Mmmmm!
He purses his lips, tips his head and closes his eyes tightly.
WADE (CONT'D)
Mmmmm! Mmmmm! Mmmmm!
He swallows.
WADE (CONT'D)
Althea Thacker! That is... Dee Lish
Us!
ALTHEA
Thank you so much.
WADE
No, no. I'm serious, Babe. I don't
know when a taste has hit me with
that level of deliciousy goodness.
What is it?
ALTHEA
I call it my Vegan Deserty Delight.
His jaw drops. He looks back and forth between Althea and
Haley.
WADE
You're kidding.
HALEY
Surprise.
WADE
Yes... surprise and delight. Don't
know how you did it without anything
good in there but...
He holds up another full fork.
WADE (CONT'D)
I don't care.
He pops the bite in his mouth and looks at Haley.
WADE (CONT'D)
Okay. What are you designing?
HALEY
Social media branding and anything
related... brochures, packaging,
banners, signs. Placards. Anything
related to an event.
She looks around the table.
HALEY (CONT'D)
What do you say we all talk about
something interesting.
WADE
What kinds of events?
HALEY
Anything. Political rallies,
fundraisers. Conferences.
WADE
Which political party?
HALEY
Either.
WADE
But they don't both hire you. Do
they?
HALEY
If they did and they could pay, we'd
probably work for 'em.
WADE
But you probably don't. Do you?
Haley puts down her fork and looks directly at Wade. She
speaks sternly but calmly.
HALEY
No, Dad. We work primarily for liberal
organizations who pay us well so
that I, a single lady, can afford a
nice apartment in the Back Bay and a
new Volvo EX90.
WADE
Yeah, that's a beauty. Hope you've
gotta enough power in your battery
to get yourself back to Boston. If
not, I think there's a couple power
stations at the Walmart across from
water treatment plant.
(pause)
Not a nice part of town though.
HALEY
I plan ahead.
WADE
I'd love to know who really pays for
the signs and placards you design?
Althea pushes her chair from the table.
ALTHEA
(pleading)
Oh, you guys, please. Wade... you
know where this is heading and I
don't think we want to go there.
He ignores her.
WADE
Did you design the pretty pink
genitalia you all wear on your heads
at the women's march?
Haley, furious, throws down her napkin.
HALEY
If I did I wouldn't tell you!
WADE
No, I s'pose not!
HALEY
You have no idea what some of those
women have been through!
WADE
And you do?!
HALEY
(shouting)
What if I do, Dad! What if I've had
an abortion? Would that--
WADE
Have you?!
HALEY
If I have, I'd have no obliga--
WADE
Have you, Hal?!
HALEY
None of your damn business!
Tears well in her eyes.
He realizes he's overstepped. He throws his napkin on the
table, spilling the remains of his own coffee.
He leans back in his chair, folds his arms, and looks out
the window.
Althea stands and removes a clean dish towel from the drawer.
Kyle reaches toward her and she hands it to him. He stands
Wade's cup upright and pads the coffee from the table. He
hands the towel back to her.
Haley blows her nose.
No one says a word. Wade looks at the stain on the table,
then back to Kyle.
WADE
Circle that. Will you?
The room goes silent.
WADE (CONT'D)
I'm... sorry. I'm not making excuses.
Honest. But I didn't sleep at all
last night. I was scrolling on
Instagram.
ALTHEA
(sternly)
Which you should never do.
WADE
Women have aborted nearly 2 billion
of their babies since 1980.
HALEY
Number's probably high.
WADE
Probably. But to put it in
perspective, in all of human history
only half a billion have died in
wars. All the wars. And that number's
probably high too.
(pause)
I don't know what to do with that.
HALEY
Have your own march, Dad. My
company'll make you some penis hats.
No one reacts.
Haley looks to Kyle.
HALEY (CONT'D)
So, doctor. Maybe you can tell us
now. Are secrets good or bad?
KYLE
I... I think generally they're not
so good.
She looks straight ahead. Fighting to control her emotions.
Closed mouthed, furrowed brow. Sniffing and breathing hard.
She looks at Wade.
HALEY
If I had an abortion. I would keep
that secret from you for the rest of
your life. And do you know why?
Wade looks at her and waits.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Because if I told you... you would
hate me, Dad. And I couldn't live
with that.
She turns back. No one speaks. Haley sniffs and Brandy stands
to grab her a box of tissues from the counter. Althea grabs
one too.
WADE
I'm not trying to sound... holy.
Honest, I'm ashamed that I let myself
fly off like that but...
He leans forward.
WADE (CONT'D)
Haley Jean, I could never hate you.
If you told me that you had made
that decision, I would want to wrap
you tight in my arms until you fell
asleep. Nothing can separate you
from my love. Nothing.
He turns to Brandy and Kyle.
WADE (CONT'D)
And the same for you two.
He hesitates.
WADE (CONT'D)
Well, the same for you Brandy. Kyle,
you mess with her and I'll disown
you tomorrow.
They CHUCKLE. Wade looks back to Haley.
WADE (CONT'D)
We will disagree about many things.
But please... please know... I will
always love my girls.
They sit quietly and finish their coffee. They say nothing
for a full minute.
Mark reaches for the cake platter and cleans some frosting
off it with his finger. He pops it in his mouth.
He gives Althea a tiny smile. She raises her eyebrows.
ALTHEA
I'd like you all to have a moment
with Mark but... maybe we should
chill in the other room for a few
minutes.
She looks at Wade
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
You wanna make us a fire?
He smiles.
WADE
Shall we chill with a fire in the
other room?
He smiles.
WADE (CONT'D)
Yeah, let's do that.
They push their chairs away from the table and stand.
Wade turns to Haley and give her a gentle affectionate hug.
She allows it but otherwise expresses nothing.
ALTHEA
Take a look at all that stuff in
there, girls.
LIVING ROOM
They walk in and sit on the couches around the coffee table.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Help yourself to anything that's
special to you.
Wade opens the fireplace doors again and piles in a few pieces
of dried wood. He then picks up a blue bottle of butane gas,
turns a knob and presses the ignitor button. A flame burst
from the nozzle. He points the flame at the bottom of the
wood pile. The smoke begins to billow up the flu.
BRANDY
You know, Dad. That's the reason I
quit girl scouts.
WADE
What?
BRANDY
That bottle of butane. We went to
camp Androscoggin for the summer
camp or jamboree or whatever they
called it. Some lady's tryin' to
teach us how to start a fire with a
couple sticks and a pile of straw.
I'm thinkin'... how stupid is this?
My dad uses a propane torch.
Wade LAUGHS.
WADE
That's why you quit?
BRANDY
Yep. I thought... I don't have time
for this.
Kyle studies a photo he holds in his hands.
INSERT - PHOTO- Mark (20s) sits on a porch swing with a young
lady. They hold hands. They wear matching blue t-shirts
displaying parts of several words including "Spectrum".
He holds the photo out to Haley.
MARK
Tell me about this one.
Haley looks at the photo, then takes it in her hand and
studies it more closely.
HALEY
I don't know who that is.
She hands it to Althea.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Mom?
Althea looks at the photo and her face softens.
ALTHEA
That's Andrea Strand. Lovely girl.
The summer after graduation, when
you decided to disappear, we sent
Mark to the Spectrum Lifetime
Enrichment summer program. He met
Andrea and those two absolutely fell
in love.
HALEY
(Incredulously)
They fell in love? How could you
possibly know that?
ALTHEA
Look at them! On Saturdays, her mom
brought her over and those two sat
on the porch all afternoon. Unless
it got too bright.
BRANDY
I remember her.
HALEY
They just sat there?
ALTHEA
Yep. Holdin' hands. I'd never seen
Mark so calm for, honestly, hours on
end.
KYLE
You weren't concerned they might...
do something more?
ALTHEA
We kept an eye on them from in here,
but... no. There love was pure.
Haley looks at the picture skeptically.
HALEY
I don't know, Mom.
ALTHEA
Autism affected his communication
and social processing, Hal. But you
know very well it didn't affect his
capacity for strong emotion.
KYLE
And you think it was love?
Althea hesitates, then chooses her words carefully.
ALTHEA
That's what I... heard.
She smiles.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
The Strands were Canadian and ended
up moving back to Ontario.
(MORE)
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
I talked to her mom a few times. She
said Andrea was really having a hard
time with the breakup and--
HALEY
Really, Mom? You think it was like a
real romantic breakup?
Althea scowls. Irritation colors her voice.
ALTHEA
Yes! We both did. Mark was in a state
of really intense agitation for a
couple months. And he was already
upset because he'd lost you without
a goodbye.
HALEY
I'm sure I said good--
ALTHEA
No, you did not! I'm sorry, Hon, but
no you did not.
Haley raises a hand in surrender.
HALEY
Okay. You're probably right. I was
in a state of intense agitation
myself.
ALTHEA
(to Kyle)
It was about that time he became a
poet.
KYLE
(surprised)
He wrote poetry?
ALTHEA
Lots. It became his passion. His
joy. We'd sit for hours, while he
spelled out words on his letter board.
It was so slow. Tiring for me but
exhausting for him.
She looks to Haley.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
He wrote his last one in August.
Worked on it for two days. After
that, he became quiet.
She glances at Brandy and smiles.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Until today.
(to Haley)
It's on his cork board. You need to
read it.
HALEY
I did. It's... really sweet.
They look at pictures. Wade sits on a stool and tends the
fire. Kyle picks up the old newspaper story.
INSERT - FRONT PAGE OF THE OXFORD HILLS DEMOCRAT - The page
displays the headline: School Board Candidate and Father
Missing in Baxter State Park; Search Enters Sixth Day.
He scans through the front page.
KYLE
Wade, not to beat you up anymore
today, but may I just ask? Did you
experience all the ridicule and trauma
forty years ago because you and your
dad were on a crazy wood booger
expedition... or was it the fact
that you got lost?
He continues reading the story.
Wade reaches up toward the paper in Kyle's hand.
WADE
Kyle!
He snaps his fingers several times. Kyle lowers the paper
and looks over the top edge at Wade.
WADE (CONT'D)
Give me that.
He grabs the paper and begins to fold it once again.
WADE (CONT'D)
I'll tell you the story.
They all look at him with surprise. He looks back.
WADE (CONT'D)
Hey, no secrets. Right?
He turns toward the fire.
ALTHEA
(to Wade)
Are you sure?
He nods once - a look of determined resignation.
WADE
We'll give it a try.
(pause)
My dad, the POW was always an outsider
in Maine. Of course I'm not sure
you're ever considered a real Mainer
if you weren't born here.
ALTHEA
(to Haley and Brandy)
And it didn't help that he had a
really strong Kentucky accident.
Wade shouts with his dad's accent.
WADE
Yesssuh. He shore 'nuff did.
Althea smiles.
ALTHEA
Honest, you guys, sometimes he'd
make a comment and I'd just smile
and say, "Oh yeah... uh huh." Because
I had no idea what he said.
They CHUCKLE.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
And he was a chiropractor. So people
already thought he was wacko.
HALEY
What do mean?
ALTHEA
It's wasn't like it is today.
WADE
Chiropractors had a very low approval
rating back in the 60s, but he didn't
care. He actually made a business
card that said, "Dick Thacker Back
Cracker.
Brandy SQUAWKS.
BRANDY
And that's where you inherited your
rhyming sickness.
WADE
Hah! Probably.
He pokes an iron in the fire.
WADE (CONT'D)
To be fair, a lot of chiropractors
promised more than they could deliver.
"You got Asthma. That's your L4."
ALTHEA
But, he had five-hundred people at
his funeral.
WADE
Because he made house calls. And he
cared about folks. And they started
saying,
He speaks in with a Maine accent.
BWADE
"The hawspitl couldn't fix me, but
Dawk Thackah snapped m'neck'n I'm
good's new."
He throws a couple more pieces of wood on the fire and a
spray of sparks shoots up the chimney.
WADE
To answer your question, Kyle, we
suffered no ridicule for planning
our camping trip.
ALTHEA
Grandpa loved to tell the story about
seeing Bigfoot when he was boy.
WADE
Always called it the wood booger.
KYLE
That's what they call it in West
Virginia too. At least we did when n
I was kid.
BRANDY
He actually thought he saw one?
Wade shouts again, this time louder.
WADE
Yesssuh! He shore 'nuff did!
They LAUGH. Wade turns from playing with the fire. He looks
into the group and speaks in a serious tone.
WADE (CONT'D)
Hey, he was little boy, far away
from home, fishing in glorious
Northern, Maine with his dad and his
uncle... and he saw something.
BRANDY
What?
WADE
(matter of factly)
He said it was the wood booger. I
use to try to help him understand
that he was just a kid and kids have
active imaginations, and they'd
probably been telling wood booger
stories around the fire but... he'd
have none it.
ALTHEA
He loved the details too. He said it
smelled like his wet beagle.
Haley and Brandy listen, their eyes wide, mouths agape.
WADE
And it peed on their campfire.
KYLE
Hah! It peed on their... what were
the men doing?
Wade smiles and shrugs.
WADE
Sound asleep.
HALEY
And they didn't believe him?
WADE
Nope. But he said, the next morning,
his dad couldn't figure out what
stunk so bad around the fire.
ALTHEA
I had to have heard the story twenty-
five times and it never changed one
bit.
Wade nods at Althea.
WADE
We'd just started Thacker Plumbing
ALTHEA
And it wasn't going great guns. I
was the one trying to pay the bills
each month.
WADE
My high school classmate Buddy Monroe
had just started writing for The
Oxford Hills Democrat... a paper I'd
never read. He's done well.
He looks at Haley.
WADE (CONT'D)
He's been at The Globe for years.
She looks surprised.
HALEY
Bud Monroe the political editor for
the Boston Globe?
WADE
Yeah.
HALEY
He was your classmate?
WADE
Yeah.
HALEY
Oh, I love his stuff!
WADE
I would imagine so.
He pokes the fire - another spray of sparks. He lifts a
portable screen from beside the firebox and places it in
front of the logs. He turns to the others.
WADE (CONT'D)
Anyway, we were playing racketball--
HALEY
Wait! You played racketball with Bud
Monroe?!
WADE
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 AM. I
told him about my dad and our big
upcoming adventure. And he said,
"Hey, let me write a story. Might
help get your face in front of people
for the school board election. And...
it'd be great exposure for Thacker
Plumbing"
(pause)
And I'm thinking You know people die
from exposure. You can get arrested
for exposure. But he said, "Come on,
Wade. Any publicity is good publicity
as long as they spell your name
right."
Althea LAUGHS.
ALTHEA
Which they didn't. They wrote Thacker
Plumbling instead of Plumbing.
Wade CHUCKLES.
WADE
He was on our Christmas list for
years and I always signed it "Wade
of Thacker Plumbling".
Brandy stands, walks to the kitchen Island. She pours another
cup of coffee.
BRANDY
So, the idea of hunting Bigfoot was
fine?
She looks at Wade with confusion.
BRANDY (CONT'D)
The source of the ridicule, and the
school board stuff was all about
getting lost?
WADE
No. Jeesh, there must be forty or
fifty hikers who get lost in Baxter
every year and need to get pulled
out. Usually from injuries.
ALTHEA
But your dad and grandpa were lost
for six whole days.
(MORE)
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Four of them with large search
parties, helicopters, the whole works.
It was the top story every night.
And not only local news either. We're
talkin Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw
and... the other guy. I was worried
sick.
KYLE
(to Wade)
Where were you?
Wade looks at the floor, then lifts his head and looks to
Althea. She raises her eye brows questioning.
ALTHEA
Shall we cue some creepy music?
He lowers his gaze. He stares.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Wade, they can just read it right
there in that paper. Or... you can
tell them yourself.
With a look of horror, Haley looks back and forth between
her mom and dad.
HALEY
Good grief you guys! What are we
doing here?! I thought we were hearing
about your camping trip, Dad.
WADE
Yeah.
He takes a big breath.
WADE (CONT'D)
We were gonna be in hikin' from Monday
to Friday. Then we'd get a nice hotel,
have a good meal, drive home on
Saturday.
BRANDY
I can't believe this. Are you gonna
tell us you saw it?
Wade holds up a hand.
WADE
No. We'd had such a great time.
Neither of us wanted it to end.
(MORE)
WADE (CONT'D)
We were somewhere deep in back country
but not concerned that we'd find our
way out. We set up our last camp in
a wide expanse. Started a fire. Cooked
up the last of our food. Freeze dried
somethin'.
ALTHEA
Chicken and rice.
WADE
What?
ALTHEA
You had chicken and rice. It's right
there in the paper.
He looks at the others.
WADE
I didn't ask Buddy to write any of
that. But he shows up on our porch
one night a week or so later. All
compassionate. He's like, "Hey, I
know you had a tough time out there.
Just want you to know I'm here for
ya." And I told him everything.
HALEY
You told him what?!
ALTHEA
It all would've come out anyway.
Nothing remains hidden forever.
Althea and Wade stare at one another, she with a loving,
soft smile.
HALEY
(pleading)
What?! What would have come out
anyway?!
Wade seems not to notice.
WADE
A pack of coyotes, we guessed maybe
a dozen, celebrated an exciting kill.
And listen, if you can believe it
there was not mosquito in the area.
They'd tormented us night and day
all week. My face looked like--
The logs POP a spray of sparks on the fireplace screen.
They jump.
Wade points at the screen.
WADE (CONT'D)
My face looked like it'd been hit by
that. We were a mess. It was starting
to grow dark. We'd been sleepin' in
the tent all week because of the
mosquitos.
He pauses, staring, lost in memory. Then his tense changes.
The past becomes present.
WADE (CONT'D)
But not tonight. The stars are
beginning to blaze so brightly.
Honestly, I can't believe the
splendor.
He looks up as if seeing the scene. He closes his eyes.
WADE (CONT'D)
Dad begins to sing our night time
prayer, the same song I'll teach to
my children one day, and hopefully
they will teach to their own.
(singing softly, slowly)
For the beauty of the earth / For
the glory of skies / For the love
which from our birth / Over and around
us lies / Lord of all to thee we
raise / This our hymn of grateful
praise.
(pause)
We're exhausted. On the very edge of
sleep. Our eyes are closed but the
starlight shines right through our
eye lids.
(pause)
And then a darkness blots out the
glow beginning at the bottom of our
closed lids and moving slowing upward.
We open our eyes and we see, above
us a... a slab. Metallic black.
Blacker than black.
He lifts his arms to indicate dimensions.
WADE (CONT'D)
It's... five stories high. As long
and wide as a football field. It
stops directly above and just...
floats there.
(MORE)
WADE (CONT'D)
Maybe a hundred feet off the ground.
No sound. No sound at all.
He takes a couple deep breaths and blows them out. He looks
at his family. All but Althea stare wide-eyed.
WADE (CONT'D)
I don't expect you to believe any of
it. No one who read the paper did.
Nor those who voted for the new school
board, or anyone who had leaky pipes.
No one speaks for a very long moment.
KYLE
Wade, then... what happened?
WADE
We sat up. I don't think we were
afraid because in itself the slab
wasn't a particularly scary thing.
Our minds couldn't process the fear
we should have been feeling. We
couldn't take in that this couldn't
be happening. Because... well, because
it was. Then someone was shaking my
shoulder telling me to wake up and
stuff was flying in my face from a
helicoptor's backwash. And it was
daytime. Noon. I looked and saw they
had dad wrapped in blanket walking
him to chopper. And then we followed
behind.
ALTHEA
We later learned that the rescuers
had searched that very area and walked
right through that there, multiple
time, over six days.
BRANDY
And you weren't there?
Wade shakes his head.
WADE
We lost six days of our lives. You
know neither of ever drank, or used
drugs and we weren't sleeping in
poppy field. There's just no
explanation. Were we taken into that
thing? If so we never remembered it.
But... that didn't keep the PTSD
from pestering both of our lives.
ALTHEA
(to Haley and Brandy)
Do you kids remember, when you were
little, how sometimes Dad would have
to go away to conferences for a couple
weeks?
WADE
(fighting emotion)
Or months.
Haley eyes fill with tears and she nods her head.
ALTHEA
He was dealing with all this.
WADE
The torment wasn't just the missing
days. It was the way they erased the
boundary lines I'd so carefully drawn
around everything I believed. I've
spent years trying to reconstruct my
world. I sit in pews, I recite creeds,
I pray through tears when your mom's
not looking...
He looks around the room. A tear spills down his cheek. He
dries his face with the back of his hands.
WADE (CONT'D)
None of you...
He looks at Althea.
WADE (CONT'D)
Except you Althy. None of you have
to believe any of this.
He lowers his head
HALEY
I believe.
He looks up at her.
BRANDY
Me too.
KYLE
It's too bad this happened to you
in...
He grabs the folded paper and scans the top for a date.
ALTHEA
Eighty four.
KYLE
If it happened to you today, you'd
be testifying before congress.
HALEY
You'd be on Colbert.
He turns to her expressionless.
WADE
I'd rather fly away on that slab.
They LAUGH hard, gain control and then LAUGH hard again.
BRANDY
We're so sorry this happened, Dad,
but we believe you. We all do.
Wade throws his head back, squeezes his eyes shut and huffs
a quiet sob.
WADE
Thank you.
He wipes his eyes again.
WADE (CONT'D)
Well, this has been something.
He CHUCKLES at himself through tears.
WADE (CONT'D)
My goodness! Look at me.
KYLE
It's a somatic release following
prolonged emotional suppression
HALEY
OH. SHUT. UP.
They all LAUGH again. Kyle laughs hardest of all.
KYLE
No, no, how 'bout... we're seeing
integrative--
He bursts out in laughter before he can finish
KYLE (CONT'D)
We're seeing integrative emotional
processing with restored intra-
familial attachment bonds.
They LAUGH hard again.
ALTHEA
That one's much better.
KYLE
Yes, it is.
He regains control.
KYLE (CONT'D)
(to Wade)
You know C.S. Lewis would've loved
your story. The protagonist of his
space trilogy goes through the same
cognitive dissonance at a spiritual
level, when he meets beings on another
planet who who were given the same
choice as Adam and Eve, but never
fell in sin.
Haley smiles.
HALEY
If you believe that kind of thing.
KYLE
Which I do. God created the earth
and all of us in His image. But...
he never said he didn't do something
similar out there in another galaxy.
I don't have trouble with a big
universe, because I believe in a big
God.
ALTHEA
Oh, my goodness. Look everyone.
She points out the window.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
It's snowing.
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Sci-Fi"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
A Snowy Surprise
INT. INT/EXT. THACKER FAMILY HOME - DUSK
Large wet snowflakes fall in a darkening sky. Wade flips a
switch on the wall and a spotlight illumines the huge flakes
covering the grass on the back lawn. They all stand and gather
at the window. Wade puts his arm around Haley and she leans
into him.
KYLE
(pointing)
Look you guys. He's still there.
The buck sits folded on his haunches beneath a Hemlock, alert,
his headed lifted high.
WADE
For the beauty of the earth.
After a long, moment, Althea speaks.
ALTHEA
Brandy and Kyle... Mark would love
to see you for a minute. But... this
might be a perfect, beautiful moment
for you to share your wonderful news
with Dad and Haley.
Brandy looks at her with confusion.
BRANDY
What... I don't. What do you mean,
Mom?
Althea looks back at her and smiles.
ALTHEA
What you told me earlier, dear.
Brandy shakes her head.
BRANDY
I didn't tell you any wonderful news.
ALTHEA
Yes, you did! And I told you guys
how excited I was and gave you a big--
Her face drops.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Oh, my goodness. It wasn't you who
told... I'm so sorry. Oh, my goodness.
They all stare at her. Her face grows bright red.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
I didn't mean to ruin the surprise.
Kyle attempts to calm her distress.
KYLE
Well, we weren't planning on sharing
this news today as it seems a tiny
bit premature but, Althea, you're
right.
He holds his arms to the wintry beauty before them.
KYLE (CONT'D)
I can't think of a more perfect time.
(to Brandy)
Brand?
BRANDY
Sure.
She looks at Haley and Wade.
BRANDY (CONT'D)
We're expecting a baby in May.
Wade's arms shoot to the sky.
WADE
Yessuh! They shore 'nuff aah.
He wraps Brandy in his arms.
WADE (CONT'D)
Thank you, Lord.
He reaches and embraces Kyle. Haley smiles and hugs Brandy.
HALEY
That's so wonderful. Congrats.
ALTHEA
(To Kyle and Brandy)
Okay, you two. Let's go see Mark for
a few minutes.
Genres:
["Family Drama","Slice of Life"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Unexpected Reunion
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
She leads them down the hallway. She taps lightly on the
door and opens it.
INT. MARK'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Mark lies in the exact position he'd lain in before.
Brandy looks at her mom.
BRANDY
So, he already knows?
Althea nods. Brandy walks to his side and sits on the bed.
Kyle stands beside, his hand on her shoulder
BRANDY (CONT'D)
Mark, it's Brandy.
ALTHEA
(whispering)
He knows.
BRANDY
I guess somehow you know that Kyle
and I are gonna have a baby. We want
you to know that if it's a boy his
name will be Mark.
KYLE
If you happen to know our baby's
sex, feel free to let us know.
ALTHEA
You're not a fortune teller; are you
Mark?
They CHUCKLE.
KYLE
No, I'm sure you're not.
BRANDY
(choking up)
Anyway, I just want to say that I
wish we had more time, but I know
how tough this illness has been for
you, and I know you'll soon be in
God's loving arms.
She sniffs, reaches into her pocket, removes a tissue and
wipes her nose.
BRANDY (CONT'D)
And that makes me very happy.
ALTHEA
Kyle, maybe you'd like to say a
prayer.
KYLE
Yeah, of course. I would.
He kneels down and puts on hand on Brandy's knee and on Mark's
shoulder.
Althea walks around the bed. She sits beside Mark and places
both hands on Mark's other shoulder.
Mark prays slowly.
KYLE (CONT'D)
Mark, may the Lord gather you into
His keeping and hold you with a
tenderness deeper than words could
ever express.
(pause)
May His light rest softly on your
face, like a... a morning that never
fades.
Brandy blows her nose.
KYLE (CONT'D)
And, Mark, may His kindness ease
every part of you that hurts. May
His loving gaze meet you as you cross
into peace, and may that peace cradle
you steady and warm, as you slip
into his everlasting rest.
I pray this in Jesus name, because I
believe, Mark, that He lives in your
heart. Amen.
Tears well in Althea's eyes. She looks at Kyle and exhales a
short breath.
ALTHEA
Beautiful. Thank you.
KYLE
Of course.
They stand. Brandy reaches with both hands to the top of the
covers and gives Mark's hand a gentle squeeze.
They quietly leave the room.
KITCHEN
Althea, Brandy and Kyle enter the room.
BRANDY
(to Althea)
You want me to start some sandwiches
for later.
ALTHEA
Sure, thanks, Hon.
KYLE
I'll help you.
LIVING ROOM
Wade sits on his stool by the fire. His face reflects the
flickering flames. He holds the iron fireplace tool in his
hand.
Haley sits on the sofa. She studies a photo in her hand.
Althea walks in and sits beside her.
INSERT - PHOTO - She and Mark, now fifteen, stand together
by a minivan. Neither look at the camera. Neither smile.
ALTHEA
Haley, are you planning on heading
home tonight?
Haley continues to study the photo.
HALEY
I think so. I don't know.
WADE
This snow could make for a slippery
drive.
HALEY
I've got four wheel.
WADE
Which helps none at all on ice.
ALTHEA
Do you have to be to work early?
HALEY
I don't have to be to work at all. I
can work from home.
ALTHEA
Oh, then why don't you just stay?
HALEY
I stopped smiling the summer we turned
fifteen.
They all turn to her.
ALTHEA
What?
Haley grabs a small pile of stacked photos. She stands and
walks to Althea.
HALEY
Look at this.
She splays a handful of photos like a deck of cards, pointing
out her face in each one.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Look at this. I'm four. I'm smiling.
I'm six. Smiling. Seven, eight, nine.
She lookers closer at one.
HALEY (CONT'D)
That might be eleven. I'm not sure.
I'm smiling in everyone. All the way
to fifteen. What the hell hap--
She looks at Wade.
HALEY (CONT'D)
What the heck happened?
She points at the photo.
HALEY (CONT'D)
This poor girl is a mess.
ALTHEA
Yes, she is. It was not a good summer.
Your dad was gone for eight weeks.
WADE
Off to an important...
He mimes finger quotes.
WADE (CONT'D)
..."Conference."
ALTHEA
He was wreck. So, I was a wreck.
So... you were a wreck. It's right
there in the picture.
Haley looks at it closer then holds it up to Althea.
HALEY
Do you remember what was goin' on
here?
ALTHEA
I don't remember what was happening
when I snapped that picture but things
got worse before they got... worse.
WADE
That's the fall you took off. And we
thought we'd lost you forever.
BRANDY
Which made for a cheery sixth grade
for me.
Haley pauses.
HALEY
(sadly)
Hey you guys.
(pause)
I want you to know... I live with
this all the time.
She looks at the photo.
HALEY (CONT'D)
I remember this girl and would so
love to spare her the shame.
KYLE
The goal is not to erase shame. It's
to let it finish it's work and
hopefully lead to the One who can
remover it.
Haley looks at him skeptically.
Wade throws another log on the fire.
WADE
There's plenty of blame to go around
here, Hal, which doesn't serve much
purpose. Things happen, sometimes
through no fault of our own. I never
considered that our quest for the
wood booger would change my life
forever... and your lives too.
He looks around.
WADE (CONT'D)
But it did. Then, I too made some
poor decisions I could have avoided,
but thank God he offers us mercy and
grace. So we can forgive each other,
circle our mistakes... sign and date
'em... and add 'em to our family's
beautiful tapestry.
KYLE
Amen to that.
ALTHEA
(to Haley)
Well, whether you're goin' home or
not, it's probably time for you to
say good-bye.
Haley looks confused, then amused.
HALEY
Mom, we can say good-bye when I leave.
ALTHEA
To your brother.
She rolls her eyes.
HALEY
Thanks, but I don't wanna bother
him.
ALTHEA
You won't.
HALEY
He's sound asleep.
ALTHEA
He wants to see you.
HALEY
(protesting)
I was in earlier.
ALTHEA
For a couple minutes.
Haley turns away from Althea
HALEY
(angry)
You weren't there, Mom!
ALTHEA
It's not for him it's for you!
Haley turns around and SHRIEKS.
The others jump, startled.
KITCHEN
Mark stands in the hallway entrance. He wears flannel pajamas.
His wool cap covers the top of his ears. He holds his arms
out to Haley.
MARK
Hay! Eee!
Her trembling hands cover her mouth. She whimpers.
HALEY
Oh, God. Oh, oh.
Althea and Wade walk to Mark. They each gently grab an arm.
WADE
Hey, Spark Plug. You scared us a
little. Whatcha doin' up, huh?
Mark stares at Haley.
They gently turn him around.
ALTHEA
We'll get you tucked back in there.
Okay?
MARK
Hay! Eee!
She looks at Haley and speaks to Mark.
ALTHEA
Yeah, she's comin'. She's gonna come
for a little visit. Okay? Would you
like that?
She looks back at Haley and lifts her eyebrows in a command.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
Final Goodbyes
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
They walk to the open door in Mark's room and enter.
INT. MARK'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
They walk to his bed where they help him awkwardly lie down.
Althea pulls the covers up beneath his chin.
He turns his head toward the door.
ALTHEA
She's comin'. I'll stay here with
you for a few minutes, okay? Dad's
gonna go throw another log on the
fire.
Tears well in Wade's eyes.
WADE
We gotta keep things toasty. Huh?
It's gettin' pretty chilly out there.
He starts to walk out then stops and turns back.
WADE (CONT'D)
Hey, Mark. Guess who showed up today.
"My Buck in the Back with a Ten Point
Rack".
He holds his arms up like antlers.
WADE (CONT'D)
He's a beauty.
Mark turns as he bursts into tears.
Haley stands in the doorway. She gives Wade a loving hug. He
turns and leaves.
Althea grabs a desk chair and sets it at the head of the
bed. She looks at Haley and pats the chair.
ALTHEA
Haley's here, Mark.
Haley walks timidly to the chair and sits down. She wipes
tears from her eyes.
Althea grabs her another tissue from a box on the desk.
Haley blows her nose. And sits uncertain what to do.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Mark, Haley really liked your poem.
HALEY
It's beautiful. One of your best.
ALTHEA
I told her how hard you worked on
it.
HALEY
Must've taken forever. Thanks so
much. It's... really beautiful. I
love it.
They sit in silence. Haley turns to her mom.
HALEY (CONT'D)
I don't know... what to...
ALTHEA
You don't have to say or do anything.
He loves having you near. You know
you use to talk all the time.
HALEY
No... we never... talked.
ALTHEA
Until the accident at the pool you
communicated nonverbally. When you
were about three, some guy, supposedly
an autism specialist, came here for
a few days to observe you guys. He
kept talking about nonverbal
communication and you picked up on
that word.
She breaths out a soft CHUCKLE.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
You had the cutest name for it. Oh I
wish I could remember.
HALEY
Nahburbacation.
Her eyes widen in surprise.
HALEY (CONT'D)
I just heard that in my head. Oh my
gosh. It was so clear. You wouldn't
believe it--
ALTHEA
Oh, I certainly would.
Haley looks Althea in the eyes and slowly understanding
settles upon her.
HALEY
Is that what it's like?
Althea nods.
HALEY (CONT'D)
It was amazing. You said nonverbal
and I heard that word... spoken...
clear as day.
ALTHEA
Yes.
HALEY
(excited)
No, no, Mom, I mean I actually heard
it.
ALTHEA
But not with your ears.
Tears roll down Haley's cheeks.
HALEY
No. Not with my ears. It was much...
clearer somehow.
She looks at Mark and leans closer. She speaks softly to her
brother.
HALEY (CONT'D)
I think I remember, Mark. I remember
what it was like.
She smiles. Then a look of shock. She turns to Althea.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Did you hear, that?
Althea looks heart broken. She nods.
HALEY (CONT'D)
And you believe him?
Althea doesn't answer.
HALEY (CONT'D)
This is crazy! How could he possibly
know?
Althea shrugs.
ALTHEA
There are no secrets in this room.
He said, he wants you to keep this
baby.
Haley leaps up.
HALEY
But I can't!
She covers her face.
HALEY (CONT'D)
I have worked too hard. I am not
blowing my life over a tiny glob of
cells.
ALTHEA
With a forming heartbeat and a soul
already known by God.
HALEY
No, no, Mom. You don't get to drag
God into this to control me!
ALTHEA
I'm not controlling. I’m pleading.
HALEY
You're judging!
ALTHEA
If I were judging, I’d be yelling.
(voice shaking)
Right now, Haley, I’m terrified for
you. Because whatever you do, you
will remember this moment, and I
don't want you waking up someday
wondering... grieving over who you
silenced.
Haley turns. She stares.
HALEY
You don’t know that would happen.
ALTHEA
It would happen.
HALEY
You. Don't. Know. That.
Althea shakes her head slowly
ALTHEA
I know you.
Haley, with ragged breaths, fighting sobs, collapses on the
chair by Mark.
He struggles to get one arm out of the covers and places his
hand on her shoulder.
She looks up.
Mark turns toward her and with the slightest of facial
movement, he smiles. His eyes well in tears.
Brandy appears at the door.
BRANDY
(softly)
Can we come in?
Althea holds out her hand.
ALTHEA
Of course.
Brandy, Kyle and Wade gather around the bed. They look at
Mark. His unblinking eyes stare at Haley. A single tear rolls
down his cheek.
She reaches up and tenderly dries his cheek with the back of
her hand. She stares into his face, unable to speak.
The others reach out to one another. They speak in hushed
tones. Their voices mingled in words of love and whispered
prayers.
WADE
We love you SO much, Mark.
ALTHEA
Thank you, Jesus for the blessing of
our boy.
BRANDY
I love you big brother. I love you
with all my heart.
Haley stares into Mark's unmoving face. She tips her face to
align closer to his. She looks closer.
HALEY
(softly, calmly)
Mom.
Althea whispers, lost in prayer.
ALTHEA
Thank you, Lord. Thank you, father.
HALEY
(louder)
Mom.
They all turn to her. Fresh tears stream down her cheeks.
HALEY (CONT'D)
He's gone.
Althea calmly lays her head on Mark's chest. The family wraps
around her.
FLASH FORWARD - ONE YEAR LATER
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
Autumn Reflections: A Family's Embrace
EXT. THACKER FRONT PORCH - DAY
Bright sunlight sprays the autumn foliage in a collage of
color. Breeze blows through the trees sending leaves
fluttering.
Wade sits, nearly horizontal, in one of the Adirondacks. He
wears jeans and flannel shirt. Sun shines on his face. His
eyes are closed.
Althea walks from inside with a cup in each hand.
ALTHEA
Here go. Double espresso.
He sits up and reaches for the cup.
WADE
Thank you ma'am. Have a seat.
Althea sits down. She squints in the sun, removes the
sunglasses from the top of her head and slides them on her
nose.
ALTHEA
Wow, what a day.
WADE
A little different than last year,
huh? Remember it snowed?
ALTHEA
And a duck flew out of the fireplace.
WADE
And into the mashed potatoes
ALTHEA
And you got our Thanksgiving Turkey.
WADE
A beauty.
ALTHEA
I think we'll buy one this year.
They sit in silence for a long moment. Both rest their heads
on the back of the chair and lift their faces to the sun.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
Hard to believe that's it's been a
year.
WADE
In some ways it feels longer.
ALTHEA
Oh... I miss him.
WADE
Yeah... me too.
ALTHEA
I remember... years ago... all the
nights I cried myself to sleep. It
was just so hard to understand that
our beautiful little guy was autistic.
WADE
And severely so.
ALTHEA
Yeah. I just couldn't see how we
could face it.
WADE
And I wasn't much help.
She turns her face to him.
ALTHEA
Wade, look at me.
He turns his face to her... and waits.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
I would not change a thing.
He exhales a soft CHUCKLE. He lifts his head from the chair.
WADE
Really?
ALTHEA
Really.
WADE
I think I would.
ALTHEA
I know, but then we wouldn't be who
we are now. And I love us.
A minivan pulls in the drive.
They sit up straight and Wade LAUGHS.
WADE
Here they are.
The car pulls up and parks close to the porch. Brandy jumps
out the passenger side. She holds her arms high in celebration
and prances up on the porch for hugs.
Wade wraps her in his arms.
WADE (CONT'D)
Lookin' dandy, lovely Brandy. How
was the trip?
Brandy embraces Althea.
BRANDY
Oh my goodness. It was fantastic. We
didn't hear a sound until half an
hour ago.
Kyle climbs out of the driver's side door. He talks on his
phone.
KYLE
Yes.
(listens)
Yes. Absolutely, I will call if
anything...
(listens)
Yes. Yep... yep... talk to you
tomorrow. Gotta go. Bye.
He waves.
KYLE (CONT'D)
I promise, Brand. My phone is now
off.
He pushes a button and the van loading door slides open. He
bends over and unbuckles the cargo in the back seat. He lifts
out a baby girl. She squints in the sunlight, looks at Althea
and Wade, and buries her head in Kyle's shoulder.
ALTHEA
Oh, my. She is just beautiful.
Kyle carries her to the porch. Althea reaches out and lifts
her into her arms.
Wade leans in close to Althea with a big smile. The baby
leans back to look in her grandparent's faces.
WADE
Oh, you guys.
(MORE)
WADE (CONT'D)
She's just so... You know, Brandy, I
thought I loved you with all my heart.
But... I guess not. Because until
this little gal came along...
He holds a hand to his heart.
WADE (CONT'D)
I didn't know I had that extra three
quarters left over in there.
They LAUGH. Althea has a conversation with the baby.
ALTHEA
Do you know that your grandma loves
your name? Do you know that?
WADE
Mama Mia Baby Thea.
KYLE
I think she needs a change. Can I
use the bed in Mark's room?
ALTHEA
That'd be great.
He takes the baby and heads inside.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
(to Kyle)
I've got wipes and diapers for you
on the dresser.
KYLE (O.S.)
Thanks.
BRANDY
Oh! I've got something for you guys.
She turns and walks spryly to the opened cargo door.
WADE
You need some coffee, Hon?
BRANDY
No, thanks. I drank a thermos this
morning.
She reaches in the door and lifts out a large paper bag. She
carries it to the porch.
BRANDY (CONT'D)
Okay you guys. Have a seat.
They sit down on the Adirondacks. Brandy reaches in the bag
and removes The New England Journal of Medicine. She flashes
the cover at Wade.
BRANDY (CONT'D)
For you, Dad. It's just another
journal, but it's a good one.
She opens it to an article and displays the title for Wade
and Althea.
SHOT - TERMINAL LUCIDITY IN THE FINAL HOURS OF LIFE
BRANDY (CONT'D)
I wrote this about Mark's jaunt down
the hallway in the last moments of
his life. You guys, what we
experienced was truly an amazing
thing. And what kept coming up in my
research was this whole concept of
Brain/Mind duality. There are lots
of documented cases of people with
deteriorated brains, who right before
death, experience clarity, memory,
recognition...
ALTHEA
Wow!
BRANDY
Yeah, it's crazy because if the mind
is only the brain, then that shouldn't
be able to happen. Right? But that
shouldn't surprise us because...
think about it. God doesn't have a
brain and yet he does quite a lotta
... stuff.
WADE
Is that a scientific term? Stuff?
She hands the journal to Wade.
BRANDY
No, but there a lot of those terms
in here. Lots of big words.
WADE
Wow. Congratulations. I love your
big words.
BRANDY
And...
She reaches in the bag.
BRANDY (CONT'D)
My special gift to you both. It's my
very first one. Published by Random
House.
She removes a beautiful hard bound book. The cover, in full
color, depicts the favorite family table cloth. The off-set
embossed type displays the title: A Tapestry of Forgiven
Stains.
Wade and Althea are unable to speak. They stare wide-eyed
with only whispered soft utterances.
BRANDY (CONT'D)
It's our story, you guys.
They lean to her for hugs.
ALTHEA
Thank you, sweetheart.
She holds it out to see the cover.
ALTHEA (CONT'D)
It's beautiful.
A car pulls in the driveway and up to the porch. Haley jumps
out the driver's side and waves.
HALEY
Hey, guys!
Wade excitedly jumps off the front porch.
WADE
Where's Ridge?
HALEY
He's comin'. We had to take two cars.
He's got a meeting in the mornin'.
Wade opens up the backside passenger door as Kyle walks onto
the porch with Thea. Haley SQUEALS.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Oh! Look at that baby girl!
She jumps up on the porch and reaches out. Thea reaches to
Haley and climbs into her arms.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Oh, my goodness. Are you happy to
see your Aunt Haley?
The baby reaches right back to Kyle.
HALEY (CONT'D)
Nope. Guess not.
They LAUGH.
Wade stands from the car, holding a baby boy.
WADE
Look everyone. It Markie Doug the
Sparky plug!
Althea reaches out her arms. He joins them all on the porch.
They all embrace around the babies.
FADE OUT.