Bethany Tries to Bring Brooke and Isaiah Back Together
SCENE 1 — BETHANY’S LIVING ROOM — LATE AFTERNOON
The house is unusually quiet.
Brooke sits on the edge of the sofa, staring blankly at her phone. Her eyes look tired. She hasn’t eaten much for days.
Bethany watches her from across the room.
Concern fills her face.
She slowly walks toward the kitchen, picks up her phone, and dials Isaiah’s dad.
The phone rings.
Once.
Twice.
Then he answers.
BETHANYHey. It’s Bethany. I wanted to talk to you about Brooke.
A pause.
Bethany looks toward the living room.
Brooke remains silent.
BETHANYI’ve been really worried about her. She hasn’t been herself lately.
ISAIAH’S DADI understand.
His voice sounds tired.
ISAIAH’S DADHonestly, I’ve been worried too.
Bethany takes a deep breath.
BETHANYShe’s taking everything really hard.
He pauses before continuing.
ISAIAH’S DADBut Brooke didn’t handle everything the right way either.
BETHANYI know there were mistakes.
ISAIAH’S DADShe was with Isaiah. They had a relationship. They were building something together.
His voice becomes more serious.
ISAIAH’S DADBut then she got involved with somebody else.
Bethany closes her eyes for a moment.
She knows exactly what he means.
BETHANYI understand why you’re upset.
ISAIAH’S DADI’m not saying Isaiah was perfect.
A short silence follows.
ISAIAH’S DADI’m just saying that what happened hurt everybody.
Bethany looks back toward Brooke.
Brooke slowly places her phone beside her.
She looks down at the floor.
SCENE 2 — THE LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS
Bethany walks closer to Brooke but doesn’t interrupt her.
She continues talking on the phone.
BETHANYThere’s something else I wanted to tell you.
Bethany’s expression becomes more concerned.
BETHANYBrooke hasn’t really been eating.
Silence.
BETHANYIt’s been several days.
ISAIAH’S DADThat’s not good.
She looks at Brooke again.
BETHANYThat’s why I’m taking her out tonight.
Bethany tries to sound calm.
BETHANYI want her to get out of the house, eat something, and clear her head.
Isaiah’s dad remains quiet.
BETHANYAnd I was thinking…
She hesitates.
ISAIAH’S DADThinking what?
Bethany gathers her courage.
BETHANYWhy don’t you bring Isaiah to the same restaurant?
Another silence.
She looks at Brooke.
BETHANYI’m not asking them to forget everything overnight.
BETHANYI just think they need to talk.
Isaiah’s dad doesn’t answer immediately.
BETHANYThey used to be happy together.
Her voice becomes softer.
BETHANYMaybe they just need a chance to say what they never got to say.
SCENE 3 — ISAIAH’S DAD’S HOUSE — EVENING
Isaiah’s dad stands near a window with his phone against his ear.
He looks thoughtful.
ISAIAH’S DADYou really think putting them in the same room is a good idea?
BETHANYI think avoiding each other isn’t helping either of them.
He looks down.
ISAIAH’S DADIsaiah is hurt too.
ISAIAH’S DADHe probably won’t want to go.
BETHANYThen don’t force him.
Bethany pauses.
Her voice is gentle but determined.
BETHANYTell him Brooke will be there.
BETHANYTell him I’m not trying to pressure either one of them.
BETHANYI just want them to have a conversation.
Isaiah’s dad slowly nods, even though Bethany cannot see him.
Bethany’s expression softens.
ISAIAH’S DADI’ll talk to him.
SCENE 4 — BROOKE’S ROOM — MOMENTS LATER
Bethany ends the call.
She walks into Brooke’s room.
Brooke looks up.
BROOKEWho were you talking to?
Bethany sits beside her.
Brooke freezes.
Her expression immediately changes.
BETHANYBecause I’m worried about you.
Brooke looks away.
BROOKEYou didn’t have to call him.
Bethany gently places a hand over Brooke’s.
BETHANYYou haven’t been eating.
Brooke’s eyes become watery.
BROOKEI just don’t feel like eating.
Bethany pulls her into a gentle hug.
BETHANYThen tonight, we’re going to change that.
Brooke looks confused.
BETHANYI’m taking you to dinner.
Brooke shakes her head.
BROOKEI don’t want to go anywhere.
BETHANYYou don’t have to want to go.
Bethany smiles.
BETHANYYou just have to come with me.
Brooke lets out a quiet sigh.
SCENE 5 — RESTAURANT — NIGHT
The restaurant is warm and softly lit.
Families talk quietly at nearby tables.
Bethany and Brooke walk inside.
Brooke looks nervous.
Bethany notices.
BROOKEWhy do I feel like you’re hiding something?
BETHANYBecause you know me too well.
They sit at a table.
A waiter brings menus.
Brooke barely looks at hers.
Bethany gently pushes it closer.
Bethany gives her a serious look.
Brooke finally smiles a little.
She opens the menu.
Then the restaurant door opens.
Bethany looks up.
Her expression changes.
Isaiah walks in with his father.
Brooke sees them.
She immediately stops moving.
Their eyes meet from across the restaurant.
Neither says a word.
Isaiah’s dad places a hand on his son’s shoulder.
ISAIAH’S DADYou don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.
Bethany stands.
Isaiah and his dad slowly approach the table.
Brooke looks down.
Isaiah takes the empty chair across from her.
The silence is heavy.
Bethany looks between them.
BETHANYNobody is here to fight.
She takes a breath.
BETHANYNobody is here to blame anybody.
Isaiah looks at Brooke.
Brooke finally looks back.
BETHANYYou two just need to talk.
The table becomes quiet again.
Brooke wipes a tear from her cheek.
BROOKEI didn’t know you would come.
Isaiah takes a deep breath.
ISAIAHBecause my dad told me you weren’t doing well.
Brooke’s eyes fill with tears.
Isaiah doesn’t respond immediately.
Bethany watches them quietly.
For the first time in days, Brooke picks up her fork.
She takes a small bite of food.
Bethany smiles softly.
Across the table, Isaiah notices.
A tiny smile appears on his face too.
The tension hasn’t disappeared.
The hurt hasn’t disappeared.
But for the first time, they are sitting together again.
And sometimes, healing begins with nothing more than one honest conversation.
