The house is unusually quiet.

Brooke sits on the couch, staring at the floor. Her confidence from earlier is gone. Her hands are folded tightly in her lap.

Across from her, Larry stands with Brooke’s car keys in his hand. Bethany watches from a nearby chair, already knowing this conversation is not going to be easy.

Larry

Before you get these keys back, we’re going to talk about what happened.

Brooke

I know.

Larry

No. I don’t think you do.

Larry takes a step closer.

Larry

You made decisions without thinking about anybody else. You ignored what you were told. You put yourself in situations you had no business being in.

Brooke

I messed up.

Larry

That’s not enough.

Brooke

Okay. I was wrong.

Larry

Wrong about what?

Brooke

I was wrong for going against what you and Mom told me. I was wrong for making decisions on my own when I knew there were rules. And I was wrong for making everybody worry about me.

Bethany

Keep going.

Brooke

I know I caused problems for everybody.

Larry

And?

Brooke

And I embarrassed the family.

Larry

Now you’re getting somewhere.

Larry looks down at the keys in his hand.

Larry

These keys aren’t just about a car. They’re about responsibility.

Brooke

I understand.

Larry

Then tell me why you should get them back.

Brooke

Because I understand what I did wrong, and I’m willing to do better.

Larry

That’s the answer I wanted to hear.

Larry slowly extends the keys toward Brooke.

Brooke looks surprised. She reaches for them, and Larry lets go.

Brooke

Thank you.

Larry

Don’t thank me yet.

Larry

I’m giving you these keys back because I’m giving you another chance. Don’t make me regret it.

Brooke

I won’t.

Larry

And Brooke?

Brooke

Yeah?

Larry

No more doing anything backwards just because you think nobody is going to find out.

Brooke

I won’t.

Larry

No more putting this family in situations where we’re embarrassed because of something you decided to do.

Brooke

I understand.

Larry

Good. Because I’m not going through this again.

Bethany has been quiet throughout the conversation. Now she slowly stands.

Bethany

Wait a minute.

Larry

What?

Bethany

So you’re giving her the keys back yourself?

Larry

Yes.

Bethany folds her arms.

Bethany

Okay.

Bethany

You better understand how serious this is.

Brooke

I do.

Bethany

Because if she does something backwards again, don’t come to me.

Larry

Bethany—

Bethany

No. I’m serious.

Bethany

You are the one giving her those keys back. So if she turns around tomorrow and does something she knows she shouldn’t be doing, don’t come telling me I need to deal with it.

Bethany

I’m not going to keep rescuing her from consequences.

Larry

I understand.

Bethany

Because you need to understand something too. Having freedom doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want.

Brooke

I know, Mom.

Bethany

No, you need to really know.

Bethany’s voice softens.

Bethany

We give you chances because we love you. Not because we’re okay with everything you do.

Brooke

I’m sorry.

Bethany

I know you are.

Brooke stands and holds the keys tightly in her hand.

Brooke

Dad, Mom… I know I messed up.

Brooke

I know I made things harder than they needed to be. I know I made everybody worry. And I know I acted like I could make my own rules.

Brooke

I’m going to do better.

Larry

That’s all we’re asking.

Brooke

Can I ask one thing?

Larry

What?

Brooke

Can I still use the car?

Larry almost laughs. Bethany shakes her head.

Bethany

See? This is exactly why I said what I said.

Brooke

I’m just asking!

Larry

You can use it, but you follow the rules.

Brooke

I will.

Larry

You communicate where you’re going.

Brooke

Okay.

Larry

You don’t disappear.

Brooke

Okay.

Larry

And you don’t make another decision that’s going to have everybody sitting around wondering where you are.

Brooke

I promise.

Bethany

We’ll see.

Brooke

That’s fair.

A little later, Brooke walks toward the front door. She looks down at the keys in her hand and smiles.

Larry

Brooke.

Brooke

Yeah?

Larry

Remember what I said.

Brooke

No backwards moves.

Larry

Exactly.

Bethany

And don’t make me regret letting your father handle this.

Brooke

I hear you.

Brooke opens the door, then turns around one more time.

Brooke

Thank you.

Larry

Make it worth it.

Brooke walks outside.

Larry watches her leave. Bethany stands beside him.

Bethany

You really gave her those keys back.

Larry

She earned another chance.

Bethany

I hope you’re right.

Larry

So do I.

Outside, Brooke gets into her car.

She places the keys in the ignition but doesn’t start the engine immediately.

She takes a deep breath.

For once, she understands that getting her freedom back is not the end of the lesson.

It’s the beginning of proving she deserves it.

Brooke finally starts the car.

Bethany

She better not do anything crazy.

Larry

You know Brooke.

Bethany

Exactly. That’s why I’m worried.

They both watch as Brooke slowly pulls away.

The house becomes quiet again.

Larry

We gave her a chance.

Bethany

Now she has to decide what she’s going to do with it.

Larry

That’s the point.