LYNETTE TAKES BROOKE IN — JADEN KICKS HER OUT

Brooke sits quietly on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone.

Her face shows exhaustion. She looks like someone who has been carrying too much for too long.

Lynette stands near the doorway, watching her carefully.

BROOKE
I don’t know where I’m supposed to go anymore.

Lynette walks closer and sits beside her.

LYNETTE
Brooke, you don’t have to figure everything out by yourself.

Brooke looks at her.

BROOKE
I just need somewhere to stay. Somewhere I can feel like I’m not a problem.

Lynette immediately shakes her head.

LYNETTE
Then come stay with me.

Brooke looks surprised.

BROOKE
With you?

LYNETTE
Yes. You can stay at my house.

Brooke hesitates.

BROOKE
But what about Jaden?

Lynette takes a breath.

LYNETTE
I’ll talk to him.

Brooke looks down at her hands.

BROOKE
I don’t want to cause problems between you and him.

Lynette gently places a hand on Brooke’s shoulder.

LYNETTE
You’re not causing anything. You’re family.

Brooke’s eyes fill with emotion.

BROOKE
Are you sure?

Lynette nods without hesitation.

LYNETTE
I’m sure.

A quiet moment passes.

Then Lynette stands.

LYNETTE
Come on. Pack a few things.

Brooke looks at her.

LYNETTE
You’re coming with me now.

Brooke slowly nods.

BROOKE
Okay.

Brooke begins putting clothes into a large travel bag.

Lynette helps her fold everything.

The room is quiet except for the sound of clothes being placed into the bag.

Brooke stops for a moment.

BROOKE
What if Jaden gets mad?

Lynette looks at her.

LYNETTE
I’ll handle Jaden.

Brooke nods.

BROOKE
Thank you.

Lynette gives her a reassuring smile.

LYNETTE
You don’t have to thank me.

Brooke closes the bag.

Lynette picks it up.

LYNETTE
Let’s go.

Lynette and Brooke walk toward the car.

Brooke carries a smaller bag while Lynette carries the larger one.

Brooke looks back at the house.

There is sadness in her eyes.

LYNETTE
Don’t look back.

Brooke turns toward her.

LYNETTE
Right now, we’re going somewhere safe and peaceful.

Brooke nods.

They get into the car.

Lynette drives while Brooke sits quietly in the passenger seat.

The silence feels heavy.

BROOKE
I really hope this works out.

LYNETTE
It will.

Brooke looks through the window.

BROOKE
I don’t want to fight with anybody.

LYNETTE
And you don’t have to.

Lynette glances at Brooke.

LYNETTE
Just give yourself a chance to breathe.

Brooke gives a small smile.

Lynette’s car pulls into the driveway.

Brooke looks at the house.

LYNETTE
We’re here.

They get out.

Lynette opens the trunk and takes Brooke’s bags.

Brooke follows her toward the front door.

Neither of them notices Jaden standing inside the house.

The front door opens.

Lynette walks inside with Brooke.

Jaden is standing in the living room.

The moment he sees Brooke, his expression changes.

His face becomes tense.

JADEN
What is she doing here?

Brooke immediately stops.

Lynette steps forward.

LYNETTE
Jaden, calm down.

JADEN
You brought Brooke here?

LYNETTE
Yes. She’s staying with me.

Jaden looks at Brooke angrily.

JADEN
No, she’s not.

Brooke looks uncomfortable.

BROOKE
I didn’t come here to cause any problems.

JADEN
Then you shouldn’t have come here.

Lynette steps between them.

LYNETTE
Jaden, listen to me.

JADEN
No. You listen to me.

He points toward the door.

JADEN
She needs to leave.

Brooke looks at Lynette.

BROOKE
Lynette…

Lynette turns toward Brooke.

LYNETTE
Stay right there.

She faces Jaden again.

LYNETTE
I told her she could stay.

JADEN
And you should have talked to me first.

LYNETTE
I knew you wouldn’t agree.

Jaden’s frustration grows.

JADEN
Exactly.

Brooke quietly picks up her bag.

BROOKE
I’ll leave.

Lynette immediately stops her.

LYNETTE
No. You’re not leaving like this.

Jaden walks toward the door and opens it.

JADEN
Brooke, you need to go.

Brooke stands frozen.

BROOKE
Jaden, I’m not trying to disrespect you.

JADEN
Then respect my house.

Lynette moves closer.

LYNETTE
Jaden, please. Let her stay tonight.

Jaden shakes his head.

JADEN
No.

LYNETTE
She’s got nowhere else to go.

JADEN
That’s not my problem.

Brooke’s face falls.

Lynette looks disappointed.

LYNETTE
How can you say that?

Jaden looks toward Brooke.

JADEN
Because I don’t want this situation in my house.

Brooke slowly walks toward the doorway.

Lynette follows her.

LYNETTE
Brooke, wait.

Brooke turns around.

BROOKE
It’s okay.

LYNETTE
No, it isn’t.

Brooke looks emotional.

BROOKE
I don’t want you fighting with Jaden because of me.

Lynette shakes her head.

LYNETTE
You’re not the reason we’re fighting.

Brooke steps outside with her bag.

Jaden stands at the doorway.

Lynette quickly steps between them.

LYNETTE
Jaden, stop.

Jaden looks frustrated.

JADEN
Lynette, move.

LYNETTE
No.

Jaden looks at her.

LYNETTE
You’re angry, but don’t take it out on Brooke.

Brooke stands a few feet away, holding her bag.

BROOKE
Lynette, please.

Lynette turns toward Brooke.

LYNETTE
I’m not letting you walk away thinking nobody wants you.

Brooke’s eyes become watery.

BROOKE
I just wanted somewhere to stay.

Lynette walks toward her.

LYNETTE
And I’m still trying to find a way.

Jaden remains at the door.

JADEN
She can’t stay here.

Lynette turns back to him.

LYNETTE
Then at least let me take her somewhere else.

Jaden says nothing.

Lynette grabs Brooke’s bag.

LYNETTE
Come on.

Brooke follows her slowly.

Lynette walks Brooke toward the car.

Brooke looks back at the house.

BROOKE
I’m sorry.

LYNETTE
Don’t apologize.

BROOKE
I didn’t know Jaden would react like that.

LYNETTE
Neither did I.

Lynette puts Brooke’s bag into the car.

Then she looks directly at Brooke.

LYNETTE
We’ll figure something out.

Brooke nods.

BROOKE
Thank you for trying.

Lynette hugs Brooke briefly.

LYNETTE
I’m not giving up on you.

Brooke gets into the car.

Lynette closes the door and looks back toward the house.

Jaden is still standing at the doorway.

Lynette’s expression turns serious.

She knows this argument is far from over.

FADE OUT.