BETHANY LEAVES HER HOME AND GOES TO HIM — SHE WANTS TO LIVE WITH HIM!

SCENE 1 — LARRY AND BETHANY’S HOUSE — LATE AFTERNOON

The house is unusually quiet.

Bethany stands in the bedroom, staring at the open suitcase on her bed. Her eyes are filled with sadness as she folds her clothes and places them inside.

She pauses when she notices a framed photograph of herself and Larry on the dresser. For a moment, she picks it up and remembers the happier days of their marriage.

Her expression changes. She gently puts the photograph down, wipes away a tear, and closes her suitcase.

BETHANY

I can’t keep living like this anymore. Every day, I wake up hoping things will change, but nothing ever gets better.

She takes a deep breath and looks around the bedroom one last time.

Suddenly, she hears footsteps approaching. Bethany quickly grabs her handbag and moves toward the bedroom door.

LARRY (O.S.)

Bethany? Where are you?

Bethany freezes. She looks toward the door, then toward the suitcase. She knows that if Larry sees her, he will demand an explanation.

BETHANY

(Whispering to herself)
I’m sorry, Larry. I just need to find somewhere I can feel wanted again.

She quietly leaves the bedroom and walks down the hallway. At the front door, she stops and looks back toward the living room. Her eyes fill with tears.

BETHANY

I never thought my marriage would end up like this.

She opens the door and steps outside. The door closes behind her. Bethany stands on the porch for a moment, holding her suitcase tightly. Then she walks down the steps and heads toward the street.

SCENE 2 — OUTSIDE THE HOUSE — EVENING

Bethany walks along the sidewalk with her suitcase rolling beside her. Cars pass, and the evening breeze moves through her hair.

She takes out her phone and looks at Jason’s contact. Her finger hovers over the call button. She hesitates.

BETHANY

What if he doesn’t want me there? What if he thinks I’m making a mistake?

She lowers the phone and takes another step. Then she remembers Jason’s kindness and the way he listened whenever she needed someone to talk to.

She presses the call button. The phone rings. After a few seconds, Jason answers.

JASON (ON PHONE)

Hey, Bethany. Is everything okay?

Bethany struggles to speak.

BETHANY

Jason, are you home right now?

JASON (ON PHONE)

Yeah, I’m home. Why? You sound different. Did something happen?

Bethany closes her eyes briefly.

BETHANY

I need to talk to you. Can I come over?

Jason becomes concerned.

JASON (ON PHONE)

Of course, you can come over. But, Bethany, what’s going on?

BETHANY

I’ll explain everything when I get there.

She ends the call and puts her phone away. For the first time that evening, her expression softens slightly. She begins walking toward Jason’s house.

SCENE 3 — JASON’S HOUSE — EVENING

Jason is sitting on his couch when he hears a knock at the front door. He gets up and opens it.

His expression immediately changes when he sees Bethany standing outside with a suitcase and handbag. She looks exhausted.

Jason glances at the suitcase, then back at her face.

JASON

Bethany? What are you doing here?

Bethany looks down, unable to answer immediately. Jason steps outside and looks toward the street.

JASON

Wait a minute. Why do you have your suitcase with you? Did you leave your house?

Bethany nods slowly.

BETHANY

Yes. I left.

Jason stares at her in disbelief.

JASON

You left your house and came all the way here with your bags? Bethany, what happened?

He opens the door wider but remains confused. Bethany wipes her eyes and tries to compose herself.

BETHANY

Can I please come inside? I really need to talk to you.

JASON

Of course. Come inside.

Bethany pulls her suitcase over the doorstep and enters the house. Jason closes the door behind her. He takes her suitcase and places it beside the couch.

JASON

Sit down. You look like you’ve been crying all evening.

Bethany sits on the couch, clasping her hands together. Jason sits in the chair opposite her. He studies her face, waiting for an explanation.

JASON

Bethany, I’m going to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me.

She looks up.

JASON

Why did you come to my house? Why did you leave your home to come here?

Bethany’s lips tremble. She takes a deep breath before answering.

SCENE 4 — JASON’S LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS

Bethany looks at Jason with tears in her eyes. She has rehearsed this conversation in her mind all the way from her house, but now that she is sitting in front of him, the words are difficult to say.

BETHANY

Because I don’t want to be alone anymore.

Jason leans forward slightly.

JASON

What do you mean? Are you and Larry having problems again?

Bethany lets out a quiet, painful laugh.

BETHANY

Jason, Larry and I have been having problems for a long time. I’ve tried to fix things. I’ve tried to be patient. I’ve tried to convince myself that our marriage could become what it used to be.

She pauses, looking down at her hands.

BETHANY

But I’m tired of pretending that I’m happy when I’m not.

Jason listens without interrupting.

JASON

I’m sorry you’re going through this, Bethany. But leaving your home is a big decision. Did you think about what might happen afterward?

Bethany nods.

BETHANY

I thought about it all day. I know Larry will be angry when he realizes I’ve left. I know he’ll probably call me and demand that I come back.

She looks directly at Jason.

BETHANY

But right now, I can’t go back there. I need some time to understand what I really want.

Jason takes a moment to process her words.

JASON

And you thought coming here would help you figure that out?

Bethany nods again.

BETHANY

Yes. Because when I’m around you, I feel like someone actually listens to me. You don’t make me feel like my feelings are a burden.

Jason looks surprised by her honesty.

JASON

Bethany, I’ve always cared about you. But I never wanted to interfere in your marriage.

BETHANY

I know. That’s why I’m here. I’m not asking you to fight Larry for me. I’m asking you to let me stay somewhere I feel safe while I figure out my life.

Jason remains silent for a moment. Then he asks the question that has been on his mind since she arrived.

JASON

Bethany, do you want to stay here for a few days, or is there something else you’re trying to tell me?

Bethany raises her eyes. Her hands stop trembling.

BETHANY

Jason, I want to stay with you.

Jason sits back, visibly stunned.

JASON

You want to stay with me?

BETHANY

Yes. I want to live with you, Jason.

A long silence fills the room. Jason looks at her suitcase, then back at her face.

JASON

Bethany, do you understand what you’re saying? You’re asking to leave your husband and start living here with me.

BETHANY

I understand. I’ve thought about this more than you can imagine.

She moves closer to the edge of the couch.

BETHANY

I’m not saying my life will suddenly become perfect. I’m not expecting you to solve all my problems. I just want a chance to be happy again.

Jason looks conflicted. He cares about Bethany, but he knows that her decision could create serious consequences for everyone involved.

JASON

And what happens when Larry finds out you’re here?

Bethany looks away.

BETHANY

He’ll find out eventually. I’m not planning to hide from him forever.

She turns back toward Jason.

BETHANY

But I’m not ready to face him tonight.

Jason slowly nods.

JASON

All right. You can stay here tonight. We’ll talk about everything else when you’ve had a chance to rest.

Bethany’s face softens with relief.

BETHANY

Thank you, Jason. You don’t know how much that means to me.

Jason picks up her suitcase.

JASON

Come on. I’ll show you the guest bedroom.

Bethany stands and follows him down the hallway. Before they reach the bedroom, she stops.

BETHANY

Jason?

JASON

Yeah?

BETHANY

I meant what I said. I really do want to stay with you.

Jason looks into her eyes, realizing that this is more than a temporary visit.

JASON

Then we’ll talk about it tomorrow, when we’ve both had time to think.

Bethany nods, accepting his answer.

SCENE 5 — LARRY AND BETHANY’S HOUSE — NIGHT

Larry walks into the bedroom carrying his phone. He looks around and immediately notices that Bethany’s side of the room is empty.

He opens the closet. Several of her clothes are missing. His expression hardens.

LARRY

Bethany?

He walks into the hallway and checks the living room. No answer. Then he notices that her handbag is missing from its usual place.

Larry takes out his phone and calls her. The phone rings, but nobody answers. He tries again. Still nothing.

Larry begins pacing around the living room.

LARRY

What is going on? Where did she go?

He sends her a message.

Where are you, Bethany? Call me immediately.

He stares at the screen, waiting for a response. When none arrives, his frustration grows.

LARRY

You can’t just leave this house without telling me what’s happening.

He looks toward the front door. For the first time, he begins to wonder whether Bethany has left because she no longer wants to be with him.

His anger gives way to uncertainty.

LARRY

Where could she have gone?

SCENE 6 — JASON’S GUEST BEDROOM — LATE NIGHT

Bethany sits on the edge of the guest bed, her phone resting in her hands. She sees Larry’s missed calls and reads his message.

Her eyes fill with tears. She begins typing a response, but stops before sending it. She puts the phone down and looks toward the window.

Jason appears at the open doorway.

JASON

Are you okay?

Bethany quickly wipes her eyes.

BETHANY

Larry keeps calling me.

JASON

Do you want to answer?

Bethany shakes her head.

BETHANY

Not tonight. If I hear his voice, I might start doubting myself again.

Jason steps into the room.

JASON

You don’t have to make every decision tonight. Take some time to think about what you want.

Bethany looks at him gratefully.

BETHANY

What I want is to stop feeling like I’m fighting for a place in my own marriage.

Jason remains quiet.

BETHANY

I came here because I trust you. I hope you understand that.

JASON

I do, Bethany. Just make sure you’re doing this because it’s what you truly want, not because you’re hurt tonight.

Bethany nods slowly.

BETHANY

I understand.

Jason gives her a reassuring smile and leaves her to rest.

Bethany lies down, but sleep does not come easily. Her marriage is uncertain, her future is unclear, and her decision to stay with Jason may change everything.

She closes her eyes, hoping that morning will bring her the answers she needs.