DRAMATIC HOOK:
Bethany follows her father’s advice and calls the police about Sharra’s mother. But when Larry discovers what she has done, their argument quickly turns into a shocking confrontation.

The afternoon is quiet inside Mr. Newburger’s office. Bethany sits across from her father, looking worried and frustrated. She knows the situation involving Sharra’s mother has become serious, and she is no longer sure what the right thing to do is.

Mr. Newburger looks at his daughter carefully before speaking.

MR. NEWBURGER
Bethany, you need to call the police.

BETHANY
Dad, are you sure?

MR. NEWBURGER
Yes. If Sharra’s mother escaped from jail and is hiding somewhere, the police need to know.

Bethany takes a deep breath. She looks down at her phone, thinking carefully about what she is about to do.

BETHANY
I just don’t want this situation to get worse.

MR. NEWBURGER
It’s already serious. You have to do what you believe is right.

Bethany slowly nods and makes the call.

She listens carefully to the officer before ending the call.

MR. NEWBURGER
You did the right thing.

Bethany remains silent. She knows Larry is not going to be happy when he finds out.

Later that day, Bethany arrives home. She slowly walks through the front door with a nervous expression.

Larry is already inside.

The moment he sees Bethany, something about her behavior catches his attention.

LARRY
Where have you been?

BETHANY
I was with my dad.

Larry narrows his eyes.

LARRY
Your dad again?

BETHANY
Yes.

Larry continues staring at her.

LARRY
Did you call the police?

Bethany freezes for a moment. She knows there is no reason to lie.

BETHANY
Yes, I did.

Larry’s expression immediately changes.

LARRY
You actually called them?

BETHANY
Yes, Larry.

Larry becomes visibly angry.

BETHANY
It’s completely wrong that Sharra’s mother escaped from jail and is hiding somewhere.

The room becomes tense. Larry begins pacing back and forth while Bethany refuses to back down.

LARRY
You keep getting involved in things that don’t concern you.

BETHANY
This does concern me!

LARRY
You called the police behind my back!

BETHANY
I called them because I thought it was the right thing to do!

Larry’s voice becomes louder.

LARRY
You never listen to me!

Bethany takes a breath. Instead of becoming quiet, she finally says what has been on her mind.

Larry stares at her.

LARRY
Watch what you say to me.

BETHANY
No, Larry. You need to hear me. You can’t treat me however you want and then expect me to pretend everything is fine.

Larry’s anger reaches its peak. He walks toward Bethany’s suitcase and grabs it.

BETHANY
What are you doing?

LARRY
If you don’t want to respect me or this house, then you don’t have to stay here.

Bethany looks shocked.

BETHANY
Larry, are you serious? You’re really throwing me out?

Larry opens the door and points outside.

LARRY
I’m done arguing with you. Just go.

Bethany picks up her belongings. She looks hurt, but she refuses to let Larry see her completely break down.

BETHANY
You may think you’ve won this argument, Larry. But this isn’t over.

Bethany walks outside with her suitcase.

The door closes behind her.

Bethany stands outside the house with her suitcase. She takes out her phone and calls Mr. Newburger.

MR. NEWBURGER
Bethany? What’s wrong?

BETHANY
Dad… Larry threw me out.

There is silence on the other end.

MR. NEWBURGER
What happened?

BETHANY
He found out that I called the police. We argued, and he told me to leave.

Mr. Newburger’s voice becomes serious.

MR. NEWBURGER
Where are you right now?

BETHANY
I’m outside his house with my suitcase.

MR. NEWBURGER
Stay there. I’m coming.

A short time later, Mr. Newburger arrives at Larry’s house.

He walks toward the front door and confronts Larry.

MR. NEWBURGER
Larry, what did you do?

LARRY
This is between me and Bethany.

MR. NEWBURGER
No. Not anymore. You had a disagreement with my daughter, and you threw her out of the house.

LARRY
She called the police without telling me.

MR. NEWBURGER
And that gives you the right to treat her badly?

Larry becomes silent.

MR. NEWBURGER
If you disagree with Bethany, talk to her. Don’t intimidate her.

Larry looks away.

Outside, Bethany watches from a distance. For the first time since leaving the house, she feels like someone is standing beside her.

Mr. Newburger walks back toward Bethany.

MR. NEWBURGER
Come with me.

Bethany looks back at Larry’s house but says nothing.

As they leave, Bethany looks through the car window.

BETHANY
Dad… what happens now?

MR. NEWBURGER
Now, we make sure you don’t have to face this alone.

Bethany slowly nods.

Meanwhile, Larry stands alone inside the house. He looks around the empty room and realizes that the argument may have changed everything.

THE BIG QUESTION

Will Bethany take action against Larry?
Will Mr. Newburger confront Larry again?
And could this latest fight push Bethany and Larry closer to the end of their relationship?

TO BE CONTINUED…