THE WAFFLE HOUSE MISTAKE
INT. LARRY’S HOUSE – EVENING
Larry jingles his keys with a cheerful grin.
Dutchess bounces excitedly.
DUTCHESS
“I’m craving Waffle House… like RIGHT now!” 😩✨
Larry laughs.
LARRY
“Alright then. Everybody get in the car — we’re going to Waffle House.” 🚗💨
Sharra gathers the kids. Brooke slides into the back seat smiling.
Everyone piles in.
Except Bethany.
Larry shrugs it off — assuming she didn’t want to come.
He doesn’t ask.
He doesn’t text.
He just leaves.
INT. WAFFLE HOUSE – LATER
Sizzling plates. Warm lights.
Dutchess cheers as she sits down.
DUTCHESS
“YES! Smothered and covered hash browns, here I come!”
Laughter fills the booth.
Sharra glances at the empty seat next to Larry.
SHARRA
“Bethany ko text kiya hai?”
Larry shrugs.
LARRY
“She wasn’t around. I figured she didn’t wanna come.”
Sharra raises a brow.
SHARRA
“You figured? Larry… you should’ve asked.”
A small knot forms in Larry’s chest — but he ignores it.
They enjoy dinner unaware of what’s happening at home.
INT. LARRY’S HOUSE – SAME TIME
Bethany steps inside expecting voices. Laughter. Something.
But the house is silent.
Too silent.
She checks the kitchen.
The living room.
The bedrooms.
Empty.
Her eyes land on the security screen showing the car’s location.
Waffle House.
BETHANY
(whispering, devastated)
“Waffle House… without me?”
Her voice breaks.
Tears fall fast.
BETHANY
“They didn’t even ask me… they didn’t even bother.”
She wipes her face, grabs her jacket, and walks out — leaving the door half-open.
EXT. STREET – CONTINUOUS
Cold air hits her face, but she barely feels it.
BETHANY
(whispering to herself)
“He didn’t check… he didn’t ask… he didn’t even think about me.”
She walks faster.
Then faster.
Almost running.
Away from the silence.
Away from the hurt.
INT. LARRY’S HOUSE – ONE HOUR LATER
The family returns, laughing loudly, holding leftovers.
LARRY
“Bethany?”
Silence.
He checks every room — nothing.
Brooke touches the front door.
BROOKE
“Yeh to properly band hi nahi tha…”
Larry’s expression shifts instantly.
LARRY
“What do you mean it wasn’t closed?”
Sharra steps forward.
SHARRA
(calm but serious)
“She’s gone. And she was upset.”
Larry’s voice cracks.
LARRY
“Upset? But why would she—”
SHARRA
“Larry… you took the whole family out. You didn’t ask her. You didn’t call her.”
Larry rubs his forehead, guilt flooding in.
LARRY
“I thought she didn’t want to come…”
Brooke steps closer.
BROOKE
“She’s sensitive about being left out. You should know that.”
Larry steps onto the porch, panic rising.
LARRY
(shouting into the dark)
“Bethany!”
Only silence answers him.
EXT. STREETS – SAME TIME
Bethany walks alone, tears drying in the cold wind.
Maybe towards the park…
Maybe her sister’s house…
Maybe nowhere at all.
Her phone keeps buzzing.
Larry.
Brooke.
Sharra.
She doesn’t check.
She doesn’t care.
Tonight… going home isn’t an option.
EXT. PORCH – SAME TIME
Larry paces nervously.
LARRY
“I messed up.”
SHARRA
“Yes. You did. Assumptions hurt people.”
Larry exhales shakily.
LARRY
“I just hope she’s safe.”
Brooke folds her arms, worried.
BROOKE
“Wherever she is… she’s hurting.”
The cold night settles around them.
And the question hangs in the air…
Where did Bethany go?