INT. LARRY & BETHANY’S HOUSE — BEDROOM — EVENING
The room is unusually quiet. Bethany stands near the closet, staring at her clothes with tears in her eyes. She has just learned that Larry is planning to divorce her.
For a moment, she doesn’t move. Then she slowly opens a suitcase and begins packing — one shirt, then another. Her hands tremble as memories flood her mind.
BETHANYI can’t believe this is really happening.
She wipes her tears and continues packing. The bedroom door opens. Larry walks in and immediately notices the suitcase on the bed. He stops.
LARRYBethany… what are you doing?
Bethany doesn’t look at him. She folds another piece of clothing.
BETHANYWhat does it look like I’m doing?
LARRYWhy are you packing your stuff?
Bethany finally looks at him. Her eyes are filled with disappointment.
BETHANYBecause I found out what you’re planning. You’re planning to divorce me.
Larry looks away. Bethany laughs bitterly through her tears.
BETHANYYou couldn’t even tell me yourself.
LARRYBethany, we need to talk about everything that’s happened.
BETHANYNo. I already heard enough.
LARRYThat’s not what I wanted.
BETHANYThen what did you want, Larry?
A long silence fills the room. Bethany points toward the suitcase.
BETHANYI gave you everything. I stood beside you when things were hard. I stayed when I could have walked away. I did things for you that I never thought I would do. I even went through surgery. I did all of that because I thought we were building a life together.
LARRYBethany, I never asked you to do all of that just to keep me.
BETHANYBut I did it because I loved you. I thought if I changed things about myself, if I made you happy, if I gave you everything you wanted, then maybe our marriage would finally be okay.
LARRYThis isn’t about your surgery.
BETHANYThen why does it feel like none of it mattered?
Larry doesn’t have an answer. Bethany turns back toward the suitcase and starts packing again.
LARRYWhere are you going?
BETHANYAway.
LARRYBethany, don’t make a decision while you’re upset.
She stops. Slowly, she turns around.
BETHANYI’m not making this decision because I’m upset. I’m making it because I’m tired. I’m tired of begging somebody to choose me. If you already decided you don’t want me anymore, I’m not going to stand here and beg you to stay married to me.
LARRYI never said I didn’t care about you.
BETHANYBut you’re preparing divorce papers. That’s all I need to know.
Larry walks toward the suitcase.
LARRYYou don’t have to leave tonight.
BETHANYYes, I do.
LARRYWhy?
BETHANYBecause I’m not going to wait around for you to hand me divorce papers. You want to end this marriage? Fine. But I’m going to leave before you get the chance to make me feel like I wasn’t worth anything.
LARRYBethany…
BETHANYDon’t. Please don’t say anything right now.
A heavy silence settles between them. Bethany looks at the pictures around the room — their memories, their family, their life together. She quietly picks up a framed photograph.
BETHANYI really thought we’d grow old together.
LARRYSo did I.
Neither of them speaks. Bethany places the picture back down.
BETHANYMaybe we were just supposed to learn something from each other.
LARRYWhat are you saying?
BETHANYI’m saying I can’t keep fighting for something you don’t want anymore.
She picks up her suitcase. Larry reaches for the handle.
LARRYLet me help you.
BETHANYNo. You don’t have to help me leave your life.
LARRYBethany, I don’t want you thinking that everything we had meant nothing.
BETHANYThen you should have thought about that before deciding to divorce me.
Larry has no response. Bethany walks into the hallway. Larry follows her.
• • •
INT. LIVING ROOM — CONTINUOUS
Bethany walks toward the front door with her suitcase. The house feels completely different now. Every step feels heavier. Larry stands behind her.
LARRYWhere will you go?
BETHANYI’ll figure it out.
LARRYYou don’t have to do this alone.
BETHANYI already felt alone while I was standing next to you. That’s the part you don’t understand. I wasn’t afraid of losing the house. I was afraid of losing my family. But now I realize I can’t force someone to stay.
She opens the front door. Cold air enters the room. Bethany looks back at the house one final time.
BETHANYI did everything I knew how to do. I loved you. I supported you. I changed things about myself. I fought for this marriage. But I’m not going to fight for someone who has already decided to walk away from me.
Larry takes a step forward.
LARRYWhat if I don’t want you to leave?
Bethany freezes. For the first time, Larry sounds uncertain.
BETHANYThen why were you preparing to divorce me?
Larry can’t answer immediately. The silence says more than words could.
BETHANYExactly.
She turns toward the door. Larry watches helplessly. Bethany steps outside with her suitcase.
• • •
EXT. HOUSE — NIGHT
Bethany walks down the driveway. She stops for a moment and looks back. Larry stands in the doorway. Their eyes meet from a distance. Neither moves.
Bethany wipes her tears and continues walking. Larry remains standing there. The door stays open behind him. For the first time, Larry realizes Bethany isn’t waiting for him to make the decision anymore. She has made it herself.
LARRYBethany…
She doesn’t turn around. Larry watches as she disappears from view. The house becomes silent again.
• • •
INT. LARRY & BETHANY’S HOUSE — BEDROOM — NIGHT
Larry slowly walks back into the bedroom. He sees the empty space in the closet. He notices the photograph Bethany left behind. He picks it up. His expression changes.
LARRYWhat have I done?
Larry sits on the edge of the bed, staring at the photograph. Meanwhile, Bethany keeps walking. She doesn’t know what tomorrow will bring. But tonight, she has made one decision. She will not wait for Larry to choose whether she is worth keeping. She has chosen herself.
FADE OUT.
