BETHANY IS FORCED TO RETURN HOME

INT. LARRY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING

The house is unusually quiet.

Bethany stands near the doorway with a suitcase in her hand. Her eyes are filled with frustration and disappointment.

She looks around the house one last time.

For a moment, she hesitates.

Then she grabs her bag and walks out.

The front door closes behind her.

Bethany takes a deep breath and walks toward her car.

She knows exactly where she is going.

Her father’s house.

EXT. BETHANY’S FATHER’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Bethany arrives at her father’s house carrying her suitcase.

She walks toward the front door and knocks.

A few seconds later, her father opens the door.

He immediately notices the suitcase.

His expression changes.

FATHER

Bethany?

What are you doing here with a suitcase?

Bethany looks down.

She struggles to explain everything.

BETHANY

Dad… I left Larry’s house.

Her father steps aside and lets her enter.

But his face remains serious.

INT. FATHER’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Bethany places her suitcase beside the couch.

Her father sits across from her.

He watches her carefully.

FATHER

You left your husband’s house?

Why?

What happened?

Bethany takes a deep breath.

She sits down and begins explaining everything that has been bothering her.

BETHANY

Dad, things have been getting worse between me and Larry.

I feel like everything is changing.

Her father leans forward.

FATHER

Tell me exactly what happened.

Bethany looks nervous.

Then she finally tells him what she believes is happening with the upcoming fish fry party.

BETHANY

Larry is talking about inviting Lynette and Sharra to the fish fry party.

Her father looks surprised.

FATHER

Lynette and Sharra?

Bethany nods.

BETHANY

Yes.

That is what I’m upset about.

I don’t understand why Larry is bringing them into everything.

Her father sits back, thinking.

Bethany continues.

BETHANY

I feel like they’re getting closer to him, and I’m the one being pushed away.

Her father becomes increasingly frustrated.

He stands up and begins pacing across the room.

FATHER

Bethany, you cannot just walk away from your marriage every time something goes wrong.

Bethany looks hurt.

BETHANY

I didn’t leave because of one little problem, Dad.

I’ve been dealing with too much.

Her father turns toward her.

FATHER

And what do you think will happen now?

Bethany remains silent.

INT. FATHER’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS

Her father points toward Bethany’s suitcase.

FATHER

You left your home.

You came here thinking I was going to tell you that everything was fine.

But I’m not going to do that.

Bethany looks shocked.

BETHANY

Dad, I just needed somewhere to go.

FATHER

And you have somewhere to go.

Your home is with your husband.

Bethany shakes her head.

BETHANY

But Larry is giving Sharra and Lynette so much attention.

Her father becomes even more serious.

FATHER

Then talk to Larry.

Don’t run away.

Bethany wipes away a tear.

BETHANY

What if Larry doesn’t want me anymore?

Her father pauses.

His voice becomes firm.

FATHER

Then you need to find that out from Larry himself.

Not from Sharra.

Not from Lynette.

And not by leaving your house.

Bethany looks toward the floor.

INT. FATHER’S HOUSE – LATER

Bethany remains seated while her father continues speaking.

FATHER

Listen to me carefully.

You cannot leave your marriage and expect everything at home to stay exactly the same.

Bethany looks up.

FATHER

If you stay away, other people will continue becoming part of Larry’s life.

Bethany’s eyes widen.

FATHER

And if Larry decides that he wants a divorce, you may regret walking away when you still had a chance to fix things.

Bethany becomes emotional.

BETHANY

So you’re saying this is my fault?

Her father shakes his head.

FATHER

I’m saying you have to take responsibility for your decisions.

You chose to leave.

Now you have to decide whether you’re ready to go back and face Larry.

Bethany looks at her suitcase.

Her father walks toward it.

He picks it up.

Bethany immediately stands.

BETHANY

Dad, what are you doing?

Her father carries the suitcase toward the door.

FATHER

I’m sending you back.

Bethany stares at him in disbelief.

BETHANY

You’re kicking me out?

FATHER

I’m telling you to go home.

Bethany follows him toward the doorway.

INT. FATHER’S HOUSE – FRONT DOOR – NIGHT

Her father opens the door.

Cool night air enters the house.

Bethany stands there, stunned.

FATHER

You left your home because you’re afraid of what Larry might do.

But running away won’t solve anything.

Bethany’s voice trembles.

BETHANY

Dad, where am I supposed to go?

Her father looks directly at her.

FATHER

Back to Larry.

Bethany says nothing.

FATHER

You need to understand something.

If you stay away, Sharra and Lynette may become even more involved in Larry’s life.

Bethany’s expression changes.

FATHER

And if Larry decides to divorce you, you cannot blame everyone else for a decision you helped create by walking away.

Bethany looks down.

Her father hands her the suitcase.

FATHER

Go home, Bethany.

Talk to your husband.

Fight for your marriage if that’s what you truly want.

But don’t hide here.

Bethany slowly takes the suitcase.

BETHANY

I never thought you’d turn me away.

Her father’s expression softens slightly.

FATHER

I’m not turning my back on you.

I’m trying to make you face the situation instead of running from it.

Bethany takes a deep breath.

EXT. FATHER’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Bethany walks down the driveway with her suitcase.

She stops beside her car.

She looks back at her father’s house.

Her father remains standing in the doorway.

Bethany’s eyes fill with emotion.

She opens the car door but doesn’t get inside immediately.

Her father’s words echo in her mind.

Go home.

Bethany finally places her suitcase inside the car.

She gets behind the wheel.

INT. BETHANY’S CAR – NIGHT

Bethany sits silently.

She looks at herself in the rearview mirror.

Her expression is conflicted.

She takes out her phone.

Larry’s name appears on the screen.

Her finger hovers over his contact.

She hesitates.

Then she locks the phone.

Bethany looks through the windshield.

BETHANY

I have to face him.

She starts the car.

EXT. LARRY’S HOUSE – NIGHT

The car approaches Larry’s house.

Bethany slows down.

The house is brightly lit.

She sees movement through one of the windows.

Bethany grips the steering wheel.

Her father’s warning weighs heavily on her.

She finally parks.

For several seconds, she simply sits there.

Then she opens the car door.

Bethany takes her suitcase out of the trunk.

She walks toward Larry’s front door.

Her hand reaches for the doorbell.

She stops.

She takes one final breath.

Then she presses the button.