Ehs ) BETHANY LEAVES LARRY’S HOUSE AND ARRIVES AT HER FATHER’S HOME — BUT HE STOPS HER FROM GOING INSIDE!

BETHANY LEAVES LARRY’S HOUSE AND RUNS TO HER FATHER — HE WARNS HER TO GO BACK BEFORE LARRY FINDS HER!

SCENE 1 — LARRY AND BETHANY’S HOUSE — MORNING

The house is quiet.

Bethany stands beside the bed, packing her clothes into a large black travel bag. Her eyes are filled with tears, but her expression shows that she has made a difficult decision.

She zips the bag shut and takes a deep breath.

She looks around the bedroom she once considered her home.

BETHANY

I can’t keep living like this. Every day, I try to make things right, but Larry makes me feel like I don’t belong in my own marriage.

She wipes her tears and lifts the bag.

Bethany walks toward the bedroom door, stopping briefly when she hears a noise downstairs.

She listens carefully.

When everything becomes quiet again, she continues toward the front door.

Her hands tremble as she opens it.

BETHANY

I’m sorry, Larry. But I need some peace. I can’t keep fighting for a place in your life.

She steps outside, closes the door behind her, and walks toward her car.

A moment later, she drives away, leaving her home behind.

SCENE 2 — CITY STREETS — LATE MORNING

Bethany drives through the neighborhood with one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting near her bag.

Her mind keeps returning to the arguments she has had with Larry.

She remembers his cold words, the way he dismisses her feelings, and how every conversation seems to end with another disagreement.

She takes a deep breath and looks at the road.

BETHANY

I don’t even know if Dad will understand. But I have nowhere else to go right now.

She turns onto a familiar street.

At the end of the road stands her father’s house.

For the first time that morning, Bethany feels a little relief.

She parks near the entrance, switches off the engine, and sits silently for a few seconds.

Then she opens the car door, takes her large black bag, and walks toward the front entrance.

SCENE 3 — BETHANY’S FATHER’S HOUSE — FRONT DOOR — DAY

Bethany reaches the front door.

She adjusts the strap of her bag and reaches for the handle.

Just as she begins opening the door, she hears footsteps behind her.

She turns around.

Her father stands a few feet away, staring at her with surprise and concern.

His expression changes when he notices the large bag in her hand.

FATHER

Bethany? What are you doing here?

Bethany looks at him, struggling to find the right words.

BETHANY

Dad, I need to talk to you. Please, just let me come inside.

Her father glances at the bag again.

FATHER

Why do you have all your things with you? Did something happen at home?

Bethany lowers her eyes.

BETHANY

Yes, Dad. Something happened. I couldn’t stay there anymore.

Her father steps closer, his voice becoming more serious.

FATHER

What do you mean you couldn’t stay there? Where is Larry? Why didn’t you come with him?

Bethany takes a shaky breath.

BETHANY

I left Larry’s house. I couldn’t take it anymore. We keep arguing, and I feel like nothing I do is ever enough for him.

Her father’s face tightens.

He looks toward the street, as though expecting someone to appear.

FATHER

You left your husband and came here with a bag full of clothes? Bethany, do you understand what kind of situation you’re putting yourself into?

BETHANY

Dad, I didn’t come here to create trouble. You’re my father. I thought I could come home and talk to you.

Her father shakes his head, clearly frustrated.

FATHER

You should have thought about all this before leaving your house.

Bethany looks at the door behind him.

BETHANY

Can we please go inside? I don’t want the neighbors watching us.

Her father does not move.

Instead, he steps between her and the entrance.

Bethany stares at him in disbelief.

SCENE 4 — OUTSIDE THE HOUSE — CONTINUOUS

A heavy silence settles between them.

Bethany grips the handle of her bag.

Her father folds his arms and looks directly at her.

FATHER

Listen to me carefully. Why did you come here? Did you think you could leave Larry’s house and simply start living here without consequences?

BETHANY

I came because I needed my family. I thought you would at least listen to me before judging me.

Her father’s expression softens for a brief moment, but his concern quickly returns.

FATHER

I’m asking you because I know Larry. You know how he gets when things don’t go his way.

BETHANY

Dad, that’s exactly why I left. I’m tired of being afraid of another argument. I’m tired of explaining myself every single day.

Her voice cracks.

BETHANY

I tried to make that marriage work. I really did. But sometimes I feel like I’m the only person trying.

Her father looks away, uncomfortable with her confession.

FATHER

Marriage isn’t easy, Bethany. Every couple has problems.

BETHANY

I know that! I’m not expecting a perfect marriage. I just want respect. I want Larry to listen to me without making me feel like I’m the enemy.

Her father exhales sharply.

FATHER

And what do you think Larry will do when he discovers you’ve come here?

Bethany doesn’t answer immediately.

She knows the answer, but admitting it makes her more afraid.

BETHANY

He’ll be angry.

FATHER

Angry? Bethany, you don’t understand. Larry is going to come looking for you. And when he finds out you’re here, he’ll blame you, blame me, and turn this entire situation into another fight.

Bethany wipes her cheek.

BETHANY

So what am I supposed to do, Dad? Where am I supposed to go?

Her father looks at the bag in her hand.

FATHER

I’m telling you to go back before this gets worse.

Bethany’s mouth falls open.

BETHANY

You want me to go back to Larry?

FATHER

Yes. Go back and settle things with your husband.

BETHANY

Even after everything I’ve just told you?

Her father avoids her eyes.

FATHER

You are his wife. You need to work things out with him.

Bethany takes a small step backward.

The disappointment on her face is unmistakable.

SCENE 5 — THE WARNING — MOMENTS LATER

Bethany looks at her father as if she can hardly believe what she is hearing.

She came to his home hoping for comfort.

Instead, she is standing outside with nowhere certain to turn.

BETHANY

Dad, I didn’t think you would turn me away. I thought you would be the one person who would understand me.

Her father rubs his forehead.

FATHER

I’m not trying to hurt you. I’m trying to keep this situation from becoming a bigger problem.

BETHANY

But you’re not even giving me a chance to explain everything.

FATHER

I’ve heard enough to know that you need to think carefully about what you’re doing.

He points toward the driveway.

FATHER

Take your things and go back. Don’t wait until Larry comes here looking for you.

Bethany looks down at her bag.

BETHANY

And if I go back, what happens then? What if he starts another argument? What if nothing changes?

Her father remains silent for a moment.

Then he speaks in a firm, warning tone.

FATHER

Bethany, don’t pretend you don’t know Larry. If you stay here, he will come after you and demand answers. He may never let this go. Do you really want to make things worse?

Bethany shakes her head, tears gathering in her eyes.

BETHANY

I didn’t come here to fight with him. I came here because I needed help.

FATHER

Then go home and try to resolve your problems there.

He turns toward the entrance.

Bethany reaches out, hoping he will reconsider.

BETHANY

Dad, please. Just let me sit inside for a little while. I’m exhausted, and I don’t know what to do next.

Her father pauses.

For a moment, it seems as though he might change his mind.

But he opens the door only enough to step inside.

FATHER

I’m sorry, Bethany. You need to go back.

He closes the door.

Bethany stands frozen on the doorstep.

The sound of the door shutting feels like another rejection.

SCENE 6 — OUTSIDE HER FATHER’S HOUSE — AFTERNOON

Bethany slowly lowers her hand.

She stares at the closed door, hoping her father will open it again.

Nothing happens.

She takes a few steps toward the driveway, carrying the heavy bag.

Her eyes move toward her car.

She has left Larry’s house, but she has not found the comfort she expected from her father.

Her phone begins ringing.

She looks at the screen.

LARRY

Bethany freezes.

The ringing continues.

She considers answering, but her hands tremble. She lets the call ring out.

A message arrives seconds later.

“Where are you, Bethany? Call me immediately.”

She reads it twice.

Another call comes through.

This time, she answers but says nothing.

LARRY

Bethany? Where are you?

Bethany closes her eyes.

BETHANY

I’m somewhere I can think without arguing with you.

LARRY

What does that mean? Where are you?

BETHANY

I needed some time away from you, Larry. That’s all.

LARRY

You don’t just disappear without telling me anything. Come home, and we’ll talk about this.

Bethany looks back at her father’s closed door.

BETHANY

I tried to find somewhere to go, Larry. I really did. But it seems like nobody wants to hear what I’m going through.

There is a brief silence on the other end.

LARRY

What are you talking about? Where exactly are you?

Bethany hesitates.

BETHANY

I’m at my father’s house.

Larry’s voice immediately hardens.

LARRY

You’re at your father’s house? Why would you go there without telling me?

BETHANY

Because I needed help, Larry!

She ends the call before he can respond.

Her breathing becomes uneven as she slips the phone into her pocket.

She looks at the house one final time.

BETHANY

I don’t know where I’m going next. But I can’t keep pretending that everything is fine.

Bethany walks toward her car, carrying her bag.

Behind her, the front door remains closed.

Ahead of her, the road stretches into the distance.

She opens the car door and pauses, uncertain whether to return to Larry or find another way forward.