Dray. Stumbles inside, Aron waiting just inside. Dray doesn't look at him.
Aron. "Sit down."
Enter Lou, shuts the door behind her.
Dray stands, wavering slightly on his feet. "She told me to go to my room. Who am I supposed to be listening to here?" A little brazen/arrogant. Reckless.
Lou. Coldly. "Have a seat."
Dray. Drops into the chair, drops his head in his hands.
Aron. "Would you like to tell us what the hell you were thinking?"
Dray shakes his head. "I wasn't thinking"--
Lou. "Well, that was obvious. Why did you get behind the wheel?"
Dray. "Grace was too drunk to drive, and she wanted to leave the party, so I just... I went along with it."
Aron. "You went along with it? You were too drunk to drive. What the hell, Dray? You could have been killed"--
Dray is fighting tears, and Lou bites her lip and sighs.
Lou. "We'll talk in the morning. You're still drunk." Dray opens his mouth. "No. Upstairs."
Dray does as he's told, head down, feet dragging.
Aron turns to her. "What the hell are we going to do with him?"
Lou shakes her head. "I don't know, love."
Aron sighs heavily. "I trusted him tonight. I really did. That was clearly a mistake."
Camera-->>> Outside the door, Dray is listening, rubs the back of his hand across his face to try to wipe away the tears in his reddenned eyes.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Monday, April 14, 2014
Dray. November.
Dray. Just after school, Friday. Grace at Dray's locker, standing a little too close and leaning in.
Grace. "Party tonight at Alec's house. You in?"
Dray stiffens, steps back a little. Grace frowns. "Last time I went to a party my mom busted have the school."
Grace. "We could leave early. After party at my house." She smiles up at him. "If you didn't sneak out-- if you just told them you and some of the guys were crashing at Shepherd's house tonight or something-- they wouldn't question youu. Come on." She links her arm through his. "Don't blow me off again, Dray. I won't wait for you forever."
She turns to walk away, still smiling a little but shaking her head.
Dray. "Wait. No, really, wait up. I'm coming. My parents can just deal."
That evening. Dray. "Dad, can I take the car to Shepherd's? Ian has some new game and he and Shep and Caelan and Alec want to play it tonight and then crash at Shepherd's for the night. Is that okay?"
Aron looks at Lou, nods slightly. "Yea, that's okay, as long as there isn't any drinking. You'll call us or come home right away if there is, right?"
Dray nods quickly. "Oh, there won't be any. And I wouldn't drink if there was."
Aron nods, smiles down at him. "I trust you, Dray. See you tomorrow morning sometime?"
Dray nods, not meeting Aron's eyes. "Yea. See you tomorrow."
Party, three hours later. Dray's had a few drinks, not drunk, and not enjoying himself either.
Grace. Very drunk. "Hey babe." Giggles, tries to speak over the loud music. "Come on, loosen up. Live a little."
Dray stands, lets her pull him to the dance floor, but won't accept the cup offered to him until Grace takes and forcibly pushes it into his hand. "Come on, Dray, you can't let them get under your skin like that. Drink up." Downs her own cup.
Dray drinks his, getting slightly buzzed, but still mostly aware. "Ready to go to your place?"
Grace. "You bet your ass I am." Giggles again. "Shep and Lacey and Caelan and Bridget are there already. I only invited the cool kids, sweetheart."
Dray laughs, beginning to loosen up. "So who's driving?"
Grace. "You are, silly."
Dray shakes his head. "But I've been drinking."
Grace. Impatiently. "Godamnit, Dray, if you can't do this one little fucking thing for me, we're done. Why is everything such a big fucking deal with you?"
Dray. Sighs. Puts down his empty cup. "Fine." Grabs his keys, her hand, pulls her out the door.
They drive in silence until Grace crawls across the space between them, in his lap. "Babe, you still mad?"
Dray has had more to drink than he thought. Swerves a little, wraps an arm around her shoulders, smiles a little vaguely. His hands inch down her arm, gentle on her skin.
The car swerves again.
Behind them, a siren. Dray swears loudly.
Grace giggles, too drunk to care. "Oh, babe, it'll be okay."
Dray shoves her off of his lap. "No it won't. I'm so fucked."
Gerry looks in the window, swears when he sees that Dray is drunk, then holds his hand out to take Dray's license. "I'm taking you home, kid."
Dray opens his mouth, Gerry holds up his hand. "I don't care. I don't want to know why the hell you're drunk or what you think you're doing getting behind the wheel of a goddamn car, so don't bother."
Grace flinches when she sees Gerry's partner, Bryce.
Bryce is out of the car, arms folded. Shortly. "In the back."
Grace. Small voice. "Dad"--
Bryce shakes his head, slams his door as he gets back inside the squad car.
They pull up in front of the house, Gerry gets out and opens the door on Dray's side. Lou appears at the door, concern flashing across her face, replaced quickly when she sees that Dray is okay.
Dray doesn't get out immediately, so Gerry pulls him to his feet.
Gerry. "Come on, kid. You made your choices, now you gotta go face them."
Dray stares at the ground. Lou walks forward, her face hard. Sharply. "Drunk?"
Gerry nods, looking at Dray a little sadly.
Lou. Sharply. "Up to your room. Now."
Dray opens his mouth to speak, Lou holds up her hand to stop him. "Upstairs. Now."
Grace. "Party tonight at Alec's house. You in?"
Dray stiffens, steps back a little. Grace frowns. "Last time I went to a party my mom busted have the school."
Grace. "We could leave early. After party at my house." She smiles up at him. "If you didn't sneak out-- if you just told them you and some of the guys were crashing at Shepherd's house tonight or something-- they wouldn't question youu. Come on." She links her arm through his. "Don't blow me off again, Dray. I won't wait for you forever."
She turns to walk away, still smiling a little but shaking her head.
Dray. "Wait. No, really, wait up. I'm coming. My parents can just deal."
That evening. Dray. "Dad, can I take the car to Shepherd's? Ian has some new game and he and Shep and Caelan and Alec want to play it tonight and then crash at Shepherd's for the night. Is that okay?"
Aron looks at Lou, nods slightly. "Yea, that's okay, as long as there isn't any drinking. You'll call us or come home right away if there is, right?"
Dray nods quickly. "Oh, there won't be any. And I wouldn't drink if there was."
Aron nods, smiles down at him. "I trust you, Dray. See you tomorrow morning sometime?"
Dray nods, not meeting Aron's eyes. "Yea. See you tomorrow."
Party, three hours later. Dray's had a few drinks, not drunk, and not enjoying himself either.
Grace. Very drunk. "Hey babe." Giggles, tries to speak over the loud music. "Come on, loosen up. Live a little."
Dray stands, lets her pull him to the dance floor, but won't accept the cup offered to him until Grace takes and forcibly pushes it into his hand. "Come on, Dray, you can't let them get under your skin like that. Drink up." Downs her own cup.
Dray drinks his, getting slightly buzzed, but still mostly aware. "Ready to go to your place?"
Grace. "You bet your ass I am." Giggles again. "Shep and Lacey and Caelan and Bridget are there already. I only invited the cool kids, sweetheart."
Dray laughs, beginning to loosen up. "So who's driving?"
Grace. "You are, silly."
Dray shakes his head. "But I've been drinking."
Grace. Impatiently. "Godamnit, Dray, if you can't do this one little fucking thing for me, we're done. Why is everything such a big fucking deal with you?"
Dray. Sighs. Puts down his empty cup. "Fine." Grabs his keys, her hand, pulls her out the door.
They drive in silence until Grace crawls across the space between them, in his lap. "Babe, you still mad?"
Dray has had more to drink than he thought. Swerves a little, wraps an arm around her shoulders, smiles a little vaguely. His hands inch down her arm, gentle on her skin.
The car swerves again.
Behind them, a siren. Dray swears loudly.
Grace giggles, too drunk to care. "Oh, babe, it'll be okay."
Dray shoves her off of his lap. "No it won't. I'm so fucked."
Gerry looks in the window, swears when he sees that Dray is drunk, then holds his hand out to take Dray's license. "I'm taking you home, kid."
Dray opens his mouth, Gerry holds up his hand. "I don't care. I don't want to know why the hell you're drunk or what you think you're doing getting behind the wheel of a goddamn car, so don't bother."
Grace flinches when she sees Gerry's partner, Bryce.
Bryce is out of the car, arms folded. Shortly. "In the back."
Grace. Small voice. "Dad"--
Bryce shakes his head, slams his door as he gets back inside the squad car.
They pull up in front of the house, Gerry gets out and opens the door on Dray's side. Lou appears at the door, concern flashing across her face, replaced quickly when she sees that Dray is okay.
Dray doesn't get out immediately, so Gerry pulls him to his feet.
Gerry. "Come on, kid. You made your choices, now you gotta go face them."
Dray stares at the ground. Lou walks forward, her face hard. Sharply. "Drunk?"
Gerry nods, looking at Dray a little sadly.
Lou. Sharply. "Up to your room. Now."
Dray opens his mouth to speak, Lou holds up her hand to stop him. "Upstairs. Now."
Monday, March 31, 2014
Lily VI
Outside the mall. Three squad cars present, lights blaring. Two officers pushing the two men and a third accomplice (in the van) into the backs of squad cars.
Lily getting her split lip cleaned up by a paramedic, Lou standing beside her, Tarin and Jessica clinging to Lou.
Lily finished, looks at Lou, her face emotionless but her hands shaking.
Lou holds out her hand to help her up.
Lily takes it.
Lou. Pauses. "Damn."
Tarin giggles.
Lily, hint of a smile.
Lou. "That was the best goddamn roundhouse I have ever seen." She pulls Lily to her feet, then abruptly into her arms. Whispers. "And if anyone touches you or your sisters again, I will tear them limb from limb."
Lily holds on a moment longer. "I didn't know you were a badass." Giggles apologetically at the word, and Lou winks at her.
Lou. "Sweetheart, I could say the same for you. Hapkido?"
Lily nods. "Eight years. Tae kwan do?"
Lou nods, grins. "Twenty years."
Lily nods in appreciation. "Are we going to have to testify?"
Lou looks down at her seriously. "Not more than a day, and not in the same room as those men. They were wanted on charges in at least 6 states, so they don't need much testimony from you."
Lily sighs in relief. "Will they be in jail for a long time?"
Lou. "Hopefully for life, if they can nail them on all the charges they're facing."
Lily smiles grimly. "Good."
Lou nods, throws an arm across Lily's shoulders. "Damn good."
Lily getting her split lip cleaned up by a paramedic, Lou standing beside her, Tarin and Jessica clinging to Lou.
Lily finished, looks at Lou, her face emotionless but her hands shaking.
Lou holds out her hand to help her up.
Lily takes it.
Lou. Pauses. "Damn."
Tarin giggles.
Lily, hint of a smile.
Lou. "That was the best goddamn roundhouse I have ever seen." She pulls Lily to her feet, then abruptly into her arms. Whispers. "And if anyone touches you or your sisters again, I will tear them limb from limb."
Lily holds on a moment longer. "I didn't know you were a badass." Giggles apologetically at the word, and Lou winks at her.
Lou. "Sweetheart, I could say the same for you. Hapkido?"
Lily nods. "Eight years. Tae kwan do?"
Lou nods, grins. "Twenty years."
Lily nods in appreciation. "Are we going to have to testify?"
Lou looks down at her seriously. "Not more than a day, and not in the same room as those men. They were wanted on charges in at least 6 states, so they don't need much testimony from you."
Lily sighs in relief. "Will they be in jail for a long time?"
Lou. "Hopefully for life, if they can nail them on all the charges they're facing."
Lily smiles grimly. "Good."
Lou nods, throws an arm across Lily's shoulders. "Damn good."
Monday, March 24, 2014
Lily's Mother
Mall bathrooms, out of the way. Lily and Tarin, washing hands. Door slams open, man standing in the doorway. Smiles.
Lily steps in front of Tarin.
Man. "Well hi there, sweetie."
Lily. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Man. "Sorry, fiesty, it was an accident. Who's the little girl? Your sister?"
Lily. "Get out."
Man. Takes a step inside. "Hey now, no need to be so defensive. What do you think I'm gonna do?"
Lily. "I think you're going to walk out of this bathroom and leave me and my sister alone."
Man. Grabs her shoulder, leans in.
Lily flinches, pulls back. "Get out of my face!"
Man. Leers. "And who's going to make me?"
Lily grabs his hand, twists his finger back, shoves him to the ground, knees him in the face. "Tarin, run!"
Tarin takes off running, the man grabs her, Tarin screams, and Lily spins in a roundhouse kick straight to his jaw.
Enter a second man, laughing. "Van's in the back." He grabs Lily, who screams, he covers her mouth and pins her arms to her side. She's flailing and Tarin is fighting feebly.
The door flies open.
Lou. Drops her purse, flying into action, kicks one man in the teeth, tooth and blood goes flying, grabs the man holding Lily and flips him onto his back, kicks him in the balls. Sends the other man flying backwards against the wall, nails him with a few quick punches.
Both men on the ground, moaning. Lou kicks one out of her way, and grabs Tarin's hand. Snarls. "Mess with my daughters, again, fucker, and I will kill you. Slowly."
Lily steps in front of Tarin.
Man. "Well hi there, sweetie."
Lily. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Man. "Sorry, fiesty, it was an accident. Who's the little girl? Your sister?"
Lily. "Get out."
Man. Takes a step inside. "Hey now, no need to be so defensive. What do you think I'm gonna do?"
Lily. "I think you're going to walk out of this bathroom and leave me and my sister alone."
Man. Grabs her shoulder, leans in.
Lily flinches, pulls back. "Get out of my face!"
Man. Leers. "And who's going to make me?"
Lily grabs his hand, twists his finger back, shoves him to the ground, knees him in the face. "Tarin, run!"
Tarin takes off running, the man grabs her, Tarin screams, and Lily spins in a roundhouse kick straight to his jaw.
Enter a second man, laughing. "Van's in the back." He grabs Lily, who screams, he covers her mouth and pins her arms to her side. She's flailing and Tarin is fighting feebly.
The door flies open.
Lou. Drops her purse, flying into action, kicks one man in the teeth, tooth and blood goes flying, grabs the man holding Lily and flips him onto his back, kicks him in the balls. Sends the other man flying backwards against the wall, nails him with a few quick punches.
Both men on the ground, moaning. Lou kicks one out of her way, and grabs Tarin's hand. Snarls. "Mess with my daughters, again, fucker, and I will kill you. Slowly."
Lily IV
Two days after the argument, the conversation on the porch, and the backyard soccer game.
Aron and Lou sitting on the porch.
Lou. "Remind me why we're keeping the dog?"
Aron. "Laina adopted it?"
Lou. "We have how many children and we let the four year old make our important decisions?"
Aron laughs, leans back on the porch swing, and pulls her closer to him. "As I recall, neither of us were capable of saying 'no,' and Laina uses that to her full advantage."
Lou laughs, leans her head against Aron's shoulder. Her smile fades suddenly, remembering. "Did you talk to Lily anymore?"
Aron shakes his head. "I tried."
Enter Katie, holding Marlaina by the hand. Marlaina has blue smeared on her lips. "Dad, Lise ate all of the blue skittles again."
Enter Lily and Dray, Lily catches Katie's words and her look turns black. "And how is that your business?"
Katie looks up, hurt, and Lise hides behind her leg, avoiding looking at Aron and Lou.
Dray glares at Aron, and Lou rolls her eyes.
Aron breaks up the tension by catching Katie's eye and smiling. "Thanks, Katie. Lise, let's go inside and get you cleaned up. And we need to have a talk about this, little lady, because you can't go around eating all the candy in the house."
Lily scowls.
Lou. "Lily, I'm taking the twins shopping for school clothes tomorrow, and since I've never shopped with them before I kind of need some help. Could you come with? I mean, you know their style, what they need, better than I do."
Lily softens. "What time?"
Lou. "Is 10 am okay?"
Lily nods, exits. Aron leaning against the door jam, smiling at her. "Lise is in bed. Should we... maybe... call it a night?"
She grins at him. Exit.
Aron and Lou sitting on the porch.
Lou. "Remind me why we're keeping the dog?"
Aron. "Laina adopted it?"
Lou. "We have how many children and we let the four year old make our important decisions?"
Aron laughs, leans back on the porch swing, and pulls her closer to him. "As I recall, neither of us were capable of saying 'no,' and Laina uses that to her full advantage."
Lou laughs, leans her head against Aron's shoulder. Her smile fades suddenly, remembering. "Did you talk to Lily anymore?"
Aron shakes his head. "I tried."
Enter Katie, holding Marlaina by the hand. Marlaina has blue smeared on her lips. "Dad, Lise ate all of the blue skittles again."
Enter Lily and Dray, Lily catches Katie's words and her look turns black. "And how is that your business?"
Katie looks up, hurt, and Lise hides behind her leg, avoiding looking at Aron and Lou.
Dray glares at Aron, and Lou rolls her eyes.
Aron breaks up the tension by catching Katie's eye and smiling. "Thanks, Katie. Lise, let's go inside and get you cleaned up. And we need to have a talk about this, little lady, because you can't go around eating all the candy in the house."
Lily scowls.
Lou. "Lily, I'm taking the twins shopping for school clothes tomorrow, and since I've never shopped with them before I kind of need some help. Could you come with? I mean, you know their style, what they need, better than I do."
Lily softens. "What time?"
Lou. "Is 10 am okay?"
Lily nods, exits. Aron leaning against the door jam, smiling at her. "Lise is in bed. Should we... maybe... call it a night?"
She grins at him. Exit.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Lily III
Later that same evening. Back yard. Dray and Lily run into each other.
Lily. Jumps in surprise. "Where the hell were you?"
Dray. Sneers. "I could ask you the same question."
Lily loosens up enough to grin. "Then let's agree to no questions?"
Dray relaxes, grins suddenly. "Deal."
Lily. "And don't scare me again. I almost kicked in your teeth."
Dray looks slightly intimidated. "What are you, some karate kid?"
Lily. "Hapkido, actually. Brown belt."
Dray. "Damn. Pity the guy who crosses you."
Lily. Casually. "The last one had stitches."
Dray. "What? You're not serious."
Lily. "Dead serious."
Dray. "Ho-ly shit. You and Mom would get along."
Lily's grin fades. "Yea, maybe not, kid. I don't do the whole mom thing."
Dray looks more serious. "If you ever mention this in public, I'll deny it, but my mom's okay. And also kind of a badass."
Lily. "Yea, I thought my last mom was okay, too, but I haven't seen her in four years. And the one before that died, so you know, that was cool." Sarcastically.
Dray. "I'm sorry."
Lily. "I survived. I always do."
Dray. Smiles. "You should talk to my mom. Really. She won't pressure you. Actually, I think she wants to take you and the other girls shopping or something. What do girls do for five hours?"
Lily grins in spite of herself. "Um, shop? What do guys do when they go shopping? Compare dick sizes or rate the women walking by?"
Dray. Laughs out loud. "Yea, something like that. She must be taking you to Victoria's Secret or some place for school shopping."
Lily. "I hate to break it to you, but Victoria's Secret is for sexy lingerie, not back-to-school clothing."
Dray laughs, even though he flushes slightly. "Do you know my girlfriend, Grace?"
Lily. "Yes, but if you're connecting this story back to sexy lingerie, I hope I don't have to hear it."
Lily, Dray, laughing, talking, Lucan calls and asks them to join a soccer game which soon involves all 12 Morgan children, 3 neighbor girls, and a stray dog who shows up half way through and ends up being adopted because no one can say no to Laina.
Lily. Jumps in surprise. "Where the hell were you?"
Dray. Sneers. "I could ask you the same question."
Lily loosens up enough to grin. "Then let's agree to no questions?"
Dray relaxes, grins suddenly. "Deal."
Lily. "And don't scare me again. I almost kicked in your teeth."
Dray looks slightly intimidated. "What are you, some karate kid?"
Lily. "Hapkido, actually. Brown belt."
Dray. "Damn. Pity the guy who crosses you."
Lily. Casually. "The last one had stitches."
Dray. "What? You're not serious."
Lily. "Dead serious."
Dray. "Ho-ly shit. You and Mom would get along."
Lily's grin fades. "Yea, maybe not, kid. I don't do the whole mom thing."
Dray looks more serious. "If you ever mention this in public, I'll deny it, but my mom's okay. And also kind of a badass."
Lily. "Yea, I thought my last mom was okay, too, but I haven't seen her in four years. And the one before that died, so you know, that was cool." Sarcastically.
Dray. "I'm sorry."
Lily. "I survived. I always do."
Dray. Smiles. "You should talk to my mom. Really. She won't pressure you. Actually, I think she wants to take you and the other girls shopping or something. What do girls do for five hours?"
Lily grins in spite of herself. "Um, shop? What do guys do when they go shopping? Compare dick sizes or rate the women walking by?"
Dray. Laughs out loud. "Yea, something like that. She must be taking you to Victoria's Secret or some place for school shopping."
Lily. "I hate to break it to you, but Victoria's Secret is for sexy lingerie, not back-to-school clothing."
Dray laughs, even though he flushes slightly. "Do you know my girlfriend, Grace?"
Lily. "Yes, but if you're connecting this story back to sexy lingerie, I hope I don't have to hear it."
Lily, Dray, laughing, talking, Lucan calls and asks them to join a soccer game which soon involves all 12 Morgan children, 3 neighbor girls, and a stray dog who shows up half way through and ends up being adopted because no one can say no to Laina.
Lily II
After supper. Lily on the front porch. Aron joins her, holding a sleeping Annalise.
Aron. Quietly. "Lily. We should talk."
Lily looks pointedly away out over the darkening fields. "I don't have anything to say to you."
Aron sits down beside her, wraps an arm around her shoulder, and Lily is crying suddenly. Aron pulls her closer and she buries her head against his shoulder.
Aron. "Hey, hey, what is it? Talk to me, sweetheart."
Lily. "I hate this, Dad. I hate living with all of them. I don't know them and they don't know me and they're taking everything away"-- Her voice breaks.
Aron rocks her gently, silently. Enter Lou, turns to go immediately, but Lily jumps up.
Lou. "I was just going"-- Reaches out to Lily.
Lily. "Don't touch me!" Hiding her face, pushes past Lou and runs inside.
Aron leans back against the bench, closing his eyes.
Lou. "Damn it."
Aron smiles just slightly, opens his eyes and looks up at her. "Not your fault, love. Lily is working through a lot right now."
Lou. "I was going to ask if she wanted to go school shopping with me tomorrow. I guess that's a no go."
Aron. "She needs clothes?"
Lou. Grins. "Exactly."
Aron. "I'll try talking to her again, but she closes up fast, so I can't promise anything."
Lou. "I know. And I'm sorry."
Aron kisses her forehead lightly. "Don't be, love. See you upstairs?"
Lou grins, raises her eyebrows at him. "You better."
Aron. Quietly. "Lily. We should talk."
Lily looks pointedly away out over the darkening fields. "I don't have anything to say to you."
Aron sits down beside her, wraps an arm around her shoulder, and Lily is crying suddenly. Aron pulls her closer and she buries her head against his shoulder.
Aron. "Hey, hey, what is it? Talk to me, sweetheart."
Lily. "I hate this, Dad. I hate living with all of them. I don't know them and they don't know me and they're taking everything away"-- Her voice breaks.
Aron rocks her gently, silently. Enter Lou, turns to go immediately, but Lily jumps up.
Lou. "I was just going"-- Reaches out to Lily.
Lily. "Don't touch me!" Hiding her face, pushes past Lou and runs inside.
Aron leans back against the bench, closing his eyes.
Lou. "Damn it."
Aron smiles just slightly, opens his eyes and looks up at her. "Not your fault, love. Lily is working through a lot right now."
Lou. "I was going to ask if she wanted to go school shopping with me tomorrow. I guess that's a no go."
Aron. "She needs clothes?"
Lou. Grins. "Exactly."
Aron. "I'll try talking to her again, but she closes up fast, so I can't promise anything."
Lou. "I know. And I'm sorry."
Aron kisses her forehead lightly. "Don't be, love. See you upstairs?"
Lou grins, raises her eyebrows at him. "You better."
Lily I
Immediately after the honeymoon. August.
Front kitchen. Lily, Dray, Aron, Lou, Katie, Abby. Lou setting the table for dinner, Aron pouring water into glasses from a pitcher. Katie holding Annalise, Lily scowling at her. Abby and Dray helping fix supper.
Aron. "Lily, can we have a hand in the kitchen?"
Lily. Frowns. "Can't you ask Katie? I can take Lise."
Katie. Sharply. "She wants to stay with me."
Lily. Stiffens. "She's my sister."
Aron. Sternly. "Lily, that's enough. Come help us in the kitchen."
Lily doesn't protest, but turns and stalks into the kitchen. Dray looks up, a little resentfully at first, but when he sees she's angry at Aron he lets Lily pass without comment.
Lou. "Lily, can you set the potato salad on the table and scoop some for Laina and Lise?"
Lily ignores her, Aron looks back and forth between Lou and Lily.
Lou doesn't seem to notice Lily's attitude. "Lily, could you help your little sisters please?"
Lily. Mutters. "Laina's not my little sister. Maybe your daughter can help her."
Lou. Firmly "Let me rephrase. Lily, help the two youngest, please. We can talk about your issue later."
Lily. "I don't have an issue"--
Aron. Impatiently. "Lily, can you just bring the potato salad out, please? We'll talk about this later."
Scowling, Lily snatches the potato salad and stalks back into the dining room, shoving past Katie.
Front kitchen. Lily, Dray, Aron, Lou, Katie, Abby. Lou setting the table for dinner, Aron pouring water into glasses from a pitcher. Katie holding Annalise, Lily scowling at her. Abby and Dray helping fix supper.
Aron. "Lily, can we have a hand in the kitchen?"
Lily. Frowns. "Can't you ask Katie? I can take Lise."
Katie. Sharply. "She wants to stay with me."
Lily. Stiffens. "She's my sister."
Aron. Sternly. "Lily, that's enough. Come help us in the kitchen."
Lily doesn't protest, but turns and stalks into the kitchen. Dray looks up, a little resentfully at first, but when he sees she's angry at Aron he lets Lily pass without comment.
Lou. "Lily, can you set the potato salad on the table and scoop some for Laina and Lise?"
Lily ignores her, Aron looks back and forth between Lou and Lily.
Lou doesn't seem to notice Lily's attitude. "Lily, could you help your little sisters please?"
Lily. Mutters. "Laina's not my little sister. Maybe your daughter can help her."
Lou. Firmly "Let me rephrase. Lily, help the two youngest, please. We can talk about your issue later."
Lily. "I don't have an issue"--
Aron. Impatiently. "Lily, can you just bring the potato salad out, please? We'll talk about this later."
Scowling, Lily snatches the potato salad and stalks back into the dining room, shoving past Katie.
Dray XIII
The next morning. Saturday. 11 am. Dray drags himself out of bed for an early lunch. Lou and Lily and Jessica are off for a shopping trip, and Aron is attempting to braid Marlaina's hair.
Dray walks by without saying a word.
Aron. "Dray, we should talk when you have a minute."
Abby, Katie, and Lily all watch with interest.
Dray. Quietly. "Give me five minutes?"
Aron nods, hands over the hair binder to Katie with a pleading look, and goes to break apart Trace, Jacob, and Lucan, who are involved in some sort of wrestling match that was going from playful to sour fast.
Dray walks by without saying a word.
Aron. "Dray, we should talk when you have a minute."
Abby, Katie, and Lily all watch with interest.
Dray. Quietly. "Give me five minutes?"
Aron nods, hands over the hair binder to Katie with a pleading look, and goes to break apart Trace, Jacob, and Lucan, who are involved in some sort of wrestling match that was going from playful to sour fast.
---
Living room. Ten minutes later.
Enter Dray. Aron seated on the same chair he was last night. "Sit down, son."
Dray sits without protesting.
Aron. "I'm sure you don't want to talk about anything that happened last night."
Dray looks intently away. "I was still drunk and overtired."
Aron. Looks a little too understanding. "I understand. And there's still a few things I'd like to say."
Dray. Tired. "Shoot."
Aron. "I want you to know that what you said last night about being really similar to Jason? I get it. I know you may not believe that, but I do. My dad drank a lot more than Jason ever did, and slapped us around a bit, too." Pauses as if this is painful for him to say. Dray is staring at him as if he's never seen him before. "He wasn't a great guy, I guess. And I drank in high school a few times, and one night I passed out and was in the hospital for BAC like they'd never seen before, and I was sure I was turning into my dad all over again.
Dray. His voice rough with emotion. "You didn't."
Aron. "No. No, I didn't turn into the same man at all, because I realized that the choice was mine, not my dad's or anyone else's. And that meant I had been making some pretty shitty ones up until that point, and owning up to that, but it also meant the freedom to move on from the past."
Dray bites his lip, looks away.
Aron. "If you don't want to talk, that's completely okay, but if you ever need me, I guess I just wanted to say... I get it. And I'm here."
Dray nods. Aron nods, gets up and starts for the door.
Dray. Stands. "Wait."
Aron turns slightly, waiting silently.
Dray. "I never said-- I'm sorry. For everything I said to you yesterday. And everything before that."
Aron nods. Opens his mouth to speak.
Dray. Shakes his head, cuts Aron off.
"Thanks, Dad."
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Dray XII
Two am.
Lou pulls him into a hug, and he leans against her shoulder briefly. "I'm sorry, Mom."
Lou. "I'm sorry, too, baby." Pauses, half smiles at him. "And that doesn't mean you're not grounded for the next week."
Dray looks at the carpet. "I know."
Aron places a hand on his shoulder. "We'll talk more tomorrow, okay?"
Dray nods. "Okay."
Dray XI
Home. One am. Front dining room/kitchen. Enter Aron, Lou, Dray.
Lou. Shortly. "We need to talk."
Aron. "Maybe tomorrow, love. I think we all need some space."
Lou nods. Dray's lip curls into a sneer.
When Lou looks away towards Aron, though, Dray's face reveals itself-- devastation and loss and crippling anger.
Dray. "I'm not going to talk to him."
Lily appears in the doorway, her eyes red, looking pissed off. "I should've known you were out dragging him away from some shit-hole party. Mom, we need you upstairs."
Lou looks immediately concerned, disappears through the open door.
Aron turns to go, as he's walking towards the door, calls back quietly without turning around. "Get some sleep, Dray."
Dray. "Why do you care?"
Aron turns back to face him, weary. "Listen, Dray, I'm sorry that Jason's gone, and I get that you miss him, but can you stop attacking me for no reason? It's shitty that you lost him, and I get that, but I'm not the reason your father's gone and neither is Lou."
Dray. His voice small, barely audible. "No. I am."
Aron stops in his tracks, the frustration disappearing from his face. "Oh, no. God, no. Dray"--
Dray. "You don't know the whole story. It was. It was me, it was all me, you don't know"--
Aron. Quietly. "So tell me."
Dray hesitates, staring at the carpet.
Aron. Jerks his head to the adjacent living room. "Come on. In here okay?"
Dray follows, sits down across from Aron. "Mom'll hate me."
Aron shakes his head. "No, she won't, and neither will I. I can promise you that." He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands.
Dray. Fiercely. "I'm just like him. I'm drinking, and I'm just like him, and someday I'm going to destroy everything just like he did."
Aron. Gently. "I'd say you have some choices to make, then, Dray, and that means it's your choice whether you're going to drink or not."
Dray looks down. "He was drinking before he went on that boat."
Aron sits silently, waiting for Dray to continue. Long pause.
Dray. "I saw him drinking, and he told me it was our secret, that Mom didn't have to know because she worried too much. I should have stopped him, Aron, I should have told Mom or told someone, I should have smashed every damn bottle he owned"--
Dray's voice breaks, and Aron crosses the room to wrap his arms around Dray, who drops his head onto his folded arms and lets Aron hold him.
Lou emerges from the other door, where she had heard Dray's story, brushes back Dray's hair and kisses his forehead. "Oh, baby, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I let you think that all these years. It was never your fault, Dray. Never. I've always known Jason was drinking that day. Sweetheart, I saw the beer he had with him and I didn't stand up to him like I should have, so if it's anyone's fault he drove the boat after he drank, it's mine, not yours. Oh, sweetheart."
Dray leans into her, shoulders shaking silently, and Aron wraps his arms around both of them until Dray has scraped the telltale tears off of his cheeks.
Lou. Shortly. "We need to talk."
Aron. "Maybe tomorrow, love. I think we all need some space."
Lou nods. Dray's lip curls into a sneer.
When Lou looks away towards Aron, though, Dray's face reveals itself-- devastation and loss and crippling anger.
Dray. "I'm not going to talk to him."
Lily appears in the doorway, her eyes red, looking pissed off. "I should've known you were out dragging him away from some shit-hole party. Mom, we need you upstairs."
Lou looks immediately concerned, disappears through the open door.
Aron turns to go, as he's walking towards the door, calls back quietly without turning around. "Get some sleep, Dray."
Dray. "Why do you care?"
Aron turns back to face him, weary. "Listen, Dray, I'm sorry that Jason's gone, and I get that you miss him, but can you stop attacking me for no reason? It's shitty that you lost him, and I get that, but I'm not the reason your father's gone and neither is Lou."
Dray. His voice small, barely audible. "No. I am."
Aron stops in his tracks, the frustration disappearing from his face. "Oh, no. God, no. Dray"--
Dray. "You don't know the whole story. It was. It was me, it was all me, you don't know"--
Aron. Quietly. "So tell me."
Dray hesitates, staring at the carpet.
Aron. Jerks his head to the adjacent living room. "Come on. In here okay?"
Dray follows, sits down across from Aron. "Mom'll hate me."
Aron shakes his head. "No, she won't, and neither will I. I can promise you that." He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands.
Dray. Fiercely. "I'm just like him. I'm drinking, and I'm just like him, and someday I'm going to destroy everything just like he did."
Aron. Gently. "I'd say you have some choices to make, then, Dray, and that means it's your choice whether you're going to drink or not."
Dray looks down. "He was drinking before he went on that boat."
Aron sits silently, waiting for Dray to continue. Long pause.
Dray. "I saw him drinking, and he told me it was our secret, that Mom didn't have to know because she worried too much. I should have stopped him, Aron, I should have told Mom or told someone, I should have smashed every damn bottle he owned"--
Dray's voice breaks, and Aron crosses the room to wrap his arms around Dray, who drops his head onto his folded arms and lets Aron hold him.
Lou emerges from the other door, where she had heard Dray's story, brushes back Dray's hair and kisses his forehead. "Oh, baby, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I let you think that all these years. It was never your fault, Dray. Never. I've always known Jason was drinking that day. Sweetheart, I saw the beer he had with him and I didn't stand up to him like I should have, so if it's anyone's fault he drove the boat after he drank, it's mine, not yours. Oh, sweetheart."
Dray leans into her, shoulders shaking silently, and Aron wraps his arms around both of them until Dray has scraped the telltale tears off of his cheeks.
Dray X
Aron enters holding cell. Dray looks up, moves away from Aron, leering.
Aron. "Your mom wants to leave you here for the night to sort things out."
Dray. "Yea, because of you. Ass hole."
Aron. "I know that's how you feel. And I'm sorry."
Dray. "Bull."
Aron. "I know you're pissed off, and I get that, okay? And I'm not asking you to treat me any differently, because I know life has dumped a load of shit on you and I get it, but you need to stop treating your mom like shit."
Dray. "Go to hell."
Aron. "I'm giving you the choice, Dray. You can come home with us now and keep a civil tongue in your head when you talk to your mom, or you can stay in here for the weekend."
Dray turns away. He's sober, but angry enough that he almost wants to stay where he was.
Another kid (Keely). Incredulously. "Dude, your dad is here and at least he gives a shit about you, so what's your deal?"
Dray. On his feet, shoving Keely. "He's not my fucking dad, okay? Why does everyone keep saying that? My dad is dead, man. Fuck you!"
Aron pulls him away. "I'm taking you home, Dray."
Dray. "I'd rather stay, ass hole."
Aron. "It's not a choice anymore. You need to come home."
Aron. "Your mom wants to leave you here for the night to sort things out."
Dray. "Yea, because of you. Ass hole."
Aron. "I know that's how you feel. And I'm sorry."
Dray. "Bull."
Aron. "I know you're pissed off, and I get that, okay? And I'm not asking you to treat me any differently, because I know life has dumped a load of shit on you and I get it, but you need to stop treating your mom like shit."
Dray. "Go to hell."
Aron. "I'm giving you the choice, Dray. You can come home with us now and keep a civil tongue in your head when you talk to your mom, or you can stay in here for the weekend."
Dray turns away. He's sober, but angry enough that he almost wants to stay where he was.
Another kid (Keely). Incredulously. "Dude, your dad is here and at least he gives a shit about you, so what's your deal?"
Dray. On his feet, shoving Keely. "He's not my fucking dad, okay? Why does everyone keep saying that? My dad is dead, man. Fuck you!"
Aron pulls him away. "I'm taking you home, Dray."
Dray. "I'd rather stay, ass hole."
Aron. "It's not a choice anymore. You need to come home."
Dray IX
Lou. Touches her radio, her voice quiet. "Bring them in, Jerry."
The house is instantly swarming with police, kids running, but there's at least six or seven officers already in the house and more outside waiting to cuff the ones running away.
Gerry cuffs Dray so that Lou doesn't have to, Lou thanks him with a nod. Dray cursing, spit flying, twisting away from the officer until he is pushed rather unceremoniously into the back of one of the police cars.
The house is instantly swarming with police, kids running, but there's at least six or seven officers already in the house and more outside waiting to cuff the ones running away.
Gerry cuffs Dray so that Lou doesn't have to, Lou thanks him with a nod. Dray cursing, spit flying, twisting away from the officer until he is pushed rather unceremoniously into the back of one of the police cars.
---
Station.
Bleary-eyed parents milling around, collecting drunk kids, yelling at drunk kids, filling out paperwork.
Aron greets Jerry. "Aron. You must be Jerry?"
Jerry. "Nice to meet you."
Aron. Reaches out to shake his hand.. "Well, I would've hoped it be under different circumstances, but likewise."
Lou. Joins them. "I'm thinking of letting Dray stay here for the night."
Aron sighs. "Did you tell him you were going to?"
Lou. "I told him I was considering it."
Aron. "Do you think it would make things worse if I talked to him?"
Lou. Sighs heavily, shrugs. "I'm not sure how things really can be worse, love, and if Dray is angry you're there, he'll just have to deal with it."
Dray VIII
Scene of the party. Music blaring. Lou's face tightens. Aron looks a little pale.
Lou opens door. Moves through crowd, grabs Dray by the arm. He's drunk, but looks up, looks scared. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Aron appears behind her. "We've come to take you home, Dray."
Dray pulls back. drunk and angry. "No way in hell."
Aron. "We're giving you five minutes, Dray."
Dray. "Go fuck yourself, Aron."
Lou steps back as if she had been slapped, even though the words aren't directed at her. "You need to get your ass out to the car"--
Dray. "Or what? You'll call the cops, Mom? Let me get a minor because of this asshole?" He jabs a finger at Aron's chest. Aron remains impassive.
Lou stiffens, tilts her chin forward stubbornly. Aron takes her hand, Lou squeezes it briefly but releases him. "That was your last chance."
Lou turns, walks out the door, unnoticed by the crowd of teenagers. Aron follows, with one last look over his shoulder to Dray, standing alone in a crowd of people, looking angry and devastated at the same time.
Lou opens door. Moves through crowd, grabs Dray by the arm. He's drunk, but looks up, looks scared. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Aron appears behind her. "We've come to take you home, Dray."
Dray pulls back. drunk and angry. "No way in hell."
Aron. "We're giving you five minutes, Dray."
Dray. "Go fuck yourself, Aron."
Lou steps back as if she had been slapped, even though the words aren't directed at her. "You need to get your ass out to the car"--
Dray. "Or what? You'll call the cops, Mom? Let me get a minor because of this asshole?" He jabs a finger at Aron's chest. Aron remains impassive.
Lou stiffens, tilts her chin forward stubbornly. Aron takes her hand, Lou squeezes it briefly but releases him. "That was your last chance."
Lou turns, walks out the door, unnoticed by the crowd of teenagers. Aron follows, with one last look over his shoulder to Dray, standing alone in a crowd of people, looking angry and devastated at the same time.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Dray VII
Downtown. Lou tracking Dray's phone.
Lou. "I'll give him one chance to walk out of there, and then I'll tip off Gerry that there's underage drinking going on here."
Aron. "Will he tip off everyone that there's cops waiting if you go in there?"
Lou. "He better not."
Aron. Slowly. "Would you be alright if we went in together? I know he doesn't want to see me there, but I think if it's just you the other kids'll think of you as a cop and if I'm there maybe we'll just be pissed-off parents."
Lou. Nods. "Meet you at the car in five, okay?"
Aron. "Okay."
Lou. "I'll give him one chance to walk out of there, and then I'll tip off Gerry that there's underage drinking going on here."
Aron. "Will he tip off everyone that there's cops waiting if you go in there?"
Lou. "He better not."
Aron. Slowly. "Would you be alright if we went in together? I know he doesn't want to see me there, but I think if it's just you the other kids'll think of you as a cop and if I'm there maybe we'll just be pissed-off parents."
Lou. Nods. "Meet you at the car in five, okay?"
Aron. "Okay."
Dray VI
The next night. Lily and Abby and Katie talking on the porch, Marlaina falls asleep on Abby's lap. Aron comes out and gets her, carries her inside and up to bed before the mosquitoes can start biting.
Dray at the kitchen table doing homework, listening to iPod, looks up when Aron enters carrying his sister, looks away. Remorse. Anger. Helplessness.
Later that night. Dray slips out the back door, meets a waiting car.
Aron and Lou's bedroom.
Aron sits up in bed. Lou is at the door, pulling on her clothes. "He left again. I heard the car."
Aron. "Are you in uniform?"
Lou Tired. "Go back to bed, sweetheart. I've got a party to crash."
Aron climbs out, kisses her. "Not alone, you don't."
Lou. Close to tears. "I don't know what to do with that boy."
Aron pulls her into his arms, kisses her forehead. "I think we hold onto each other and love him the best we know how. And sometimes that means letting him live with his choices, and sometimes that means going after him."
Lou. "And tonight?"
Aron. Sighs. "Tonight we go get our boy. Together."
Dray at the kitchen table doing homework, listening to iPod, looks up when Aron enters carrying his sister, looks away. Remorse. Anger. Helplessness.
Later that night. Dray slips out the back door, meets a waiting car.
Aron and Lou's bedroom.
Aron sits up in bed. Lou is at the door, pulling on her clothes. "He left again. I heard the car."
Aron. "Are you in uniform?"
Lou Tired. "Go back to bed, sweetheart. I've got a party to crash."
Aron climbs out, kisses her. "Not alone, you don't."
Lou. Close to tears. "I don't know what to do with that boy."
Aron pulls her into his arms, kisses her forehead. "I think we hold onto each other and love him the best we know how. And sometimes that means letting him live with his choices, and sometimes that means going after him."
Lou. "And tonight?"
Aron. Sighs. "Tonight we go get our boy. Together."
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Dray V
Dray sitting on his bed, head in his hands. Enter Abby. Dray doesn't look up.
Abby. "Are you okay?"
Dray. Irritably. "I'm fine."
Abby. "No, you're an idiot. But really. Are you gonna be okay?"
Dray. "I'll be okay."
Abby. "Look, don't be mad at Katie because of me. I mean, I was pissed at first, but I was the one who was stupid enough to put a bong in my goddamn locker."
Dray. "It's not Katie. I guess."
Abby. "So you were being a piss-head to her for no reason?"
Enter Lily. "You stole the words right out of my mouth. At least she hasn't punched you yet. Were you saving that for me, Abby? You shouldn't have."
Dray. "Get out."
Lily smiles. "Nice to see you, too, Dray."
Abby. Gently. "Who are you pissed at?"
Dray. "Aron. Mom. This whole fucking place. I wanna go back to the city."
Lily. "Listen, I'm sorry you're pissed, and I know the past few days have been kinda shitty for all of us, but can you please lay off Katie already? None of it's her fault."
Dray nods. Almost smiles. "I wouldn't want to get my ass handed to me by her two vigilante older sisters."
Lily grins. "You got that right."
Camera ---> outside the door, Katie listening, grinning through her tears.
Abby. "Are you okay?"
Dray. Irritably. "I'm fine."
Abby. "No, you're an idiot. But really. Are you gonna be okay?"
Dray. "I'll be okay."
Abby. "Look, don't be mad at Katie because of me. I mean, I was pissed at first, but I was the one who was stupid enough to put a bong in my goddamn locker."
Dray. "It's not Katie. I guess."
Abby. "So you were being a piss-head to her for no reason?"
Enter Lily. "You stole the words right out of my mouth. At least she hasn't punched you yet. Were you saving that for me, Abby? You shouldn't have."
Dray. "Get out."
Lily smiles. "Nice to see you, too, Dray."
Abby. Gently. "Who are you pissed at?"
Dray. "Aron. Mom. This whole fucking place. I wanna go back to the city."
Lily. "Listen, I'm sorry you're pissed, and I know the past few days have been kinda shitty for all of us, but can you please lay off Katie already? None of it's her fault."
Dray nods. Almost smiles. "I wouldn't want to get my ass handed to me by her two vigilante older sisters."
Lily grins. "You got that right."
Camera ---> outside the door, Katie listening, grinning through her tears.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Dray IV
Night. Dray creeping down the stairs, trying not to let them creak. He looks a little pale, angry, reckless, almost self-destructive. At the road, he meets a waiting car, and slips in. Once inside, he's crowded in with other jocks, laughing girls, and loud music, and the car roars away.
Inside the house, Aron is woken by the noisy car, but turns over and goes back to sleep, pulling his Lou closer to him unconsciously as he falls asleep.
Dray. Party. Music. Someone brings out beer, and before he knows it, Dray is completely shit-faced wasted.
Inside the house, Aron is woken by the noisy car, but turns over and goes back to sleep, pulling his Lou closer to him unconsciously as he falls asleep.
Dray. Party. Music. Someone brings out beer, and before he knows it, Dray is completely shit-faced wasted.
---
The Next Morning. Saturday. 10 o'clock in the morning.
Lou is making scrambled eggs and bacon on a pan on the stove top, Aron is cooking pancakes on a nearby griddle.
Enter Lily, in her pajamas. Drops a kiss on Lou's cheek and grabs a stack of plates. "Do we have any syrup left, Mom?"
Lou. "Downstairs, I think. Is Abby up?"
Abby, entering carrying Annalise. "Here."
Aron. "That's everyone but Dray, then. Lucan, can you go upstairs and just see if he's awake. If he is, tell him breakfast's ready."
Lucan. "If he's not, can me and Jacob fill out water guns and"--
Aron. "It's 'Jacob and I,' and no, you most definitely are not going to do that."
Lucan exits, reappears a few minutes later as Aron begins to serve pancakes. "Dad, Dray's coming. His room smells funny. "He comments more to himself, but Aron looks up sharply, as if he's already putting the pieces together.
Enter Dray, slips into a spot at the table, groans under his breath. "Did anyone make coffee?"
Lou. "Yea, hon, the coffee pot's on the counter. Were you up late last night?"
Dray looks up quickly, then shrugs. "No. Why would you say that?"
Aron raises his eyebrows, Lou looks surprised at Dray's defensive tone. "No reason, you just look more tired than usual."
Marlaina. Curiously. "You smell funny, Dray."
"Laina," Aron reproves gently. "That's not very kind."
Marlaina. "Not like bad icky boy smell," she tries to explain. "Just funny." She crinkles her nose, and Dray shifts away from her irritably.
Aron looks suddenly angry, but says nothing.
As soon as breakfast is finished, Dray moves quickly upstairs in the direction of the shower, but Aron corners him. "We need to talk."
Dray. "I don't have anything to say to you."
Aron. Bluntly. "You went out last night and got completely wasted."
Dray turns pale, opens his mouth to argue.
Aron shakes his head. "Don't bother denying it. I heard a car last night, I just didn't know it was coming for you. And you reek of beer, son."
Dray. "I'm not your son."
Aron. "Okay, Dray, but regardless, we have to talk about this. Lou"--
Dray blanches. "No, she'll kill me"--
Lou. "What is it, hon?"
Aron looks at Dray. "Do you want to tell her or should I?"
Dray looks obstinately at the floor, away from both parents.
Aron sighs, looks at Lou. "He was out last night getting wasted."
Dray III
The family is sitting in stunned silence. Lou looks angry, Katie ready to cry. Aron is looking at her in concern.
Lily stands abruptly, walks silently around the table until she's standing in front of Katie. "I'm going to beat the shit out of him, okay?"
Abby stands, moves to join them. "And I'll help her."
Katie looks up at them, still ready to cry. "He's right." Whisper.
Abby. Fiercely. "He's an idiot."
Lily nods. "An idiot we're both going to slap the next time we see him."
Lou, trying not to smile. "No one's going to be hitting anyone, though I appreciate your protectiveness. And Lily, please watch your language at this table."
Camera ---> Dray, outside the door, holding his bread limply in his hand, his entire body shaking with suppressed sobs.
Lily stands abruptly, walks silently around the table until she's standing in front of Katie. "I'm going to beat the shit out of him, okay?"
Abby stands, moves to join them. "And I'll help her."
Katie looks up at them, still ready to cry. "He's right." Whisper.
Abby. Fiercely. "He's an idiot."
Lily nods. "An idiot we're both going to slap the next time we see him."
Lou, trying not to smile. "No one's going to be hitting anyone, though I appreciate your protectiveness. And Lily, please watch your language at this table."
Camera ---> Dray, outside the door, holding his bread limply in his hand, his entire body shaking with suppressed sobs.
Dray II
Dinner table. Chaos. Lou scooping gazpacho into Laina's bowl, Lily helping Annalise, Aron slicing bread, and Katie pouring milk into fourteen glasses set out in a row on the counter. The twins, Jacob, Abby, Lucan, and Ahmed all find a spot at the table. Dray hurries in late, sits at the edge of his seat as if he can't wait to be out of there.
Aron. "My-lissa," he teases her with the variation of her name, and she giggles. "Do you want some bread?"
Melissa. "Yea, can I have the end piece, Dad?"
Dray stiffens when she says Dad, but says nothing. Lou catches his eye.
Lucan. "Can someone please pass the cucumber thing?"
Lou. "Yea, hon, and it's called gazpacho. Do you want help scooping it?"
Lucan. "Yea it's frikkin"-- catches Lou's look-- "Sorry it's very heavy. Dad, can you put some bread on my plate, too?"
Dray scowls at Lucan at the word Dad, but again says nothing.
Katie. "Are we going to try that church this weekend?"
Lily nearly spits out her soup. "We're going to church?"
Lou looks at Aron, then sets down her spoon slowly. "I think we'd like to try a church in Minnetonka. Just once, okay? If you don't want to keep going, we won't force you."
Katie looks at Aron pleadingly. "Do we have to get up early?" she grumbles. "Come on, it's my only day to sleep in. Dad, can't we"--
Dray laughs sarcastically, interrupting her. "Of course you call him Dad. You're a fucking traitor to everyone in this family."
The whole table is dead silent. Katie looks stricken, ready to cry, and for the first time since the fight Abby looks in sympathy at her.
Lou. Cold. Angry. Points towards the door. "William Dray Morgan, take your bread and go to your room."
Dray. "Mom"--
Lou. "No. No. You do not get to sit at this table and talk like that. We'll have a conversation about this later, young man, but for now, you're going to your room."
Dray kicks over his chair and exits, slamming the door so hard the windows rattle.
Aron. "My-lissa," he teases her with the variation of her name, and she giggles. "Do you want some bread?"
Melissa. "Yea, can I have the end piece, Dad?"
Dray stiffens when she says Dad, but says nothing. Lou catches his eye.
Lucan. "Can someone please pass the cucumber thing?"
Lou. "Yea, hon, and it's called gazpacho. Do you want help scooping it?"
Lucan. "Yea it's frikkin"-- catches Lou's look-- "Sorry it's very heavy. Dad, can you put some bread on my plate, too?"
Dray scowls at Lucan at the word Dad, but again says nothing.
Katie. "Are we going to try that church this weekend?"
Lily nearly spits out her soup. "We're going to church?"
Lou looks at Aron, then sets down her spoon slowly. "I think we'd like to try a church in Minnetonka. Just once, okay? If you don't want to keep going, we won't force you."
Katie looks at Aron pleadingly. "Do we have to get up early?" she grumbles. "Come on, it's my only day to sleep in. Dad, can't we"--
Dray laughs sarcastically, interrupting her. "Of course you call him Dad. You're a fucking traitor to everyone in this family."
The whole table is dead silent. Katie looks stricken, ready to cry, and for the first time since the fight Abby looks in sympathy at her.
Lou. Cold. Angry. Points towards the door. "William Dray Morgan, take your bread and go to your room."
Dray. "Mom"--
Lou. "No. No. You do not get to sit at this table and talk like that. We'll have a conversation about this later, young man, but for now, you're going to your room."
Dray kicks over his chair and exits, slamming the door so hard the windows rattle.
Dray I
Evening after the fight, the weed, and the explosion. Early September. Lou is home on her day off, Aron at school teaching (ESL).
Bus pulls up. 9 of the 12 enter. Lou braiding Annalise's hair. Lily and Abby in their respective rooms.
Dray walks past without speaking, but Lou brushes his arm gently and he doesn't react. Katie follows, staying as far from him as possible and immediately leaving the room.
Marlaina (Laina) jumps into Lou's arms. Jessica, Tarin, arm in arm, hug her, slip past to the fridge to get snacks. Melissa (Lissa) hurtles past, chasing Ahmed, who is giggling and ducking when she playfully swings her lunchbox at him. Jacob and Lucan sit down to snack and end up arm wrestling.
Enter Aron, looking exhausted. Melissa, Annalise, and the twins instantly swamp him.
Annalise, shouting above the others. "Make me fly, daddy! Make me fly like a bird."
Aron swings her up into the air, smiling at her giggles, and ruffles Melissa's hair. "Hey, my-Lissa." She grins. "How was school?"
All three girls try to talk over one another, and Aron attempts to listen as he sets down his briefcase and kicks off his shoes. He ruffles Lucan's hair, knocks Jacob's shoulder playfully, then swings Ahmed up off his feet.
Lou pushes through the crowd of children. Playfully. "Do I get a turn?"
Aron leans over, she kisses him.
Interrupted by Marlaina yelling. "That's mine, Annalise. Give it back!" They are fighting over a drum set, pulling one sequined drum stick back and forth.
Lou steps in, takes the drumsticks, trying to mediate.
Annalise, pouting, climbs onto Aron's lap. Marlaina pushes her angrily. "I want to sit on Daddy's lap."
Annalise. "He's my Daddy, not yours."
From the kitchen, Dray scowls at Aron, who doesn't see it. "Annalise Morgan, let's think about a kinder way to use your words." Annalise pouts. Marlaina's lower lips trembles, and Aron pulls her onto his other knee. "And I have room for both of my daughters, okay?"
Laina nods, buries her head against his shirt. "Okay."
Dray's look softens slightly, then darkens when Aron looks over at him.
Aron. "Dray. How was school?"
Dray turns around and walks back towards his room without speaking. Lou opens her mouth, but Aron shakes his head just slightly.
Bus pulls up. 9 of the 12 enter. Lou braiding Annalise's hair. Lily and Abby in their respective rooms.
Dray walks past without speaking, but Lou brushes his arm gently and he doesn't react. Katie follows, staying as far from him as possible and immediately leaving the room.
Marlaina (Laina) jumps into Lou's arms. Jessica, Tarin, arm in arm, hug her, slip past to the fridge to get snacks. Melissa (Lissa) hurtles past, chasing Ahmed, who is giggling and ducking when she playfully swings her lunchbox at him. Jacob and Lucan sit down to snack and end up arm wrestling.
Enter Aron, looking exhausted. Melissa, Annalise, and the twins instantly swamp him.
Annalise, shouting above the others. "Make me fly, daddy! Make me fly like a bird."
Aron swings her up into the air, smiling at her giggles, and ruffles Melissa's hair. "Hey, my-Lissa." She grins. "How was school?"
All three girls try to talk over one another, and Aron attempts to listen as he sets down his briefcase and kicks off his shoes. He ruffles Lucan's hair, knocks Jacob's shoulder playfully, then swings Ahmed up off his feet.
Lou pushes through the crowd of children. Playfully. "Do I get a turn?"
Aron leans over, she kisses him.
Interrupted by Marlaina yelling. "That's mine, Annalise. Give it back!" They are fighting over a drum set, pulling one sequined drum stick back and forth.
Lou steps in, takes the drumsticks, trying to mediate.
Annalise, pouting, climbs onto Aron's lap. Marlaina pushes her angrily. "I want to sit on Daddy's lap."
Annalise. "He's my Daddy, not yours."
From the kitchen, Dray scowls at Aron, who doesn't see it. "Annalise Morgan, let's think about a kinder way to use your words." Annalise pouts. Marlaina's lower lips trembles, and Aron pulls her onto his other knee. "And I have room for both of my daughters, okay?"
Laina nods, buries her head against his shirt. "Okay."
Dray's look softens slightly, then darkens when Aron looks over at him.
Aron. "Dray. How was school?"
Dray turns around and walks back towards his room without speaking. Lou opens her mouth, but Aron shakes his head just slightly.
School Scene VII
Dray's bedroom.
Dray seated on lower bunk, texting. Knock. Enter Aron.
Dray. Looking annoyed, but a little nervous. "What do you want?"
Aron. "We need to talk about today."
Dray. Irritably. "What about today?"
Lou appears in the doorway behind Aron. "I suggest you cut the BS, William Dray Morgan, and have this conversation the easy way. What did you say to your sister?"
Dray. Snarky. "Which one?"
Lou. Impatiently. "Katie."
Dray. "Not my sister."
Aron. "First of all, Dray, I'm going to let you know up front that you're grounded for a week. I don't care what you think of Katie and what she did, what you said to her was inexcusable."
Dray. "It was just words"--
Lou. "Words are the most powerful thing in the world, Dray, and you used them to attack Katie. That's not okay. Ever."
Aron. "I want you to think about apologizing to your sister"--
Dray. "I'll think about it. I have a perfect apology, in fact. It goes like this: Hello, Katie. I meant what I said earlier. You can fuck off and find yourself a new family to piss on, because we sure as hell don't want you anymore."
Lou. "Phone. Hand it over."
Dray. "You said I was grounded. You didn't say I was losing my phone!"
Lou. "You just lost it now. Hand it over. And if you ever say words like that to any of your siblings, you can just consider yourself permanently grounded."
Aron. "Dray, we don't want to do this, but you have to understand that treating your siblings, treating everyone you meet, with respect is important."
Dray. Muttering. "Whatever."
Lou. "Dray, we are having a conversation, and that means you need to show some basic respect."
Aron. Quietly. "I'd like you to apologize to Katie. Not right now, not while you're still angry. But when you've had a chance to think about it, I think you need to talk to her, okay?"
Dray. "Fuck. Off." Instantly looks nervous at having said it aloud. Aron sets his jaw, but doesn't react otherwise, Lou instantly angry.
Lou. Dangerous. "That is not how you talk to anyone, Dray, especially your father"--
Dray. "He is not my father! He doesn't belong here, he can't tell me what to do, why the hell did you think you could replace Dad with this ass hole?"
Lou. Furious. Aron touches her arm gently, pulls her out of the door. "I think we need some space, love. We can talk this through later, okay? When we've all had a chance to breathe."
Lou turns away coldly. Aron pauses. Speaks softly. "Dray, I was never trying to replace Jason. No one can. And I'm sorry."
Dray looks devastated. How can you be angry at someone who won't respond with anger? Drops numbly, spent with anger, onto his bed as Aron closes the door behind him.
Dray seated on lower bunk, texting. Knock. Enter Aron.
Dray. Looking annoyed, but a little nervous. "What do you want?"
Aron. "We need to talk about today."
Dray. Irritably. "What about today?"
Lou appears in the doorway behind Aron. "I suggest you cut the BS, William Dray Morgan, and have this conversation the easy way. What did you say to your sister?"
Dray. Snarky. "Which one?"
Lou. Impatiently. "Katie."
Dray. "Not my sister."
Aron. "First of all, Dray, I'm going to let you know up front that you're grounded for a week. I don't care what you think of Katie and what she did, what you said to her was inexcusable."
Dray. "It was just words"--
Lou. "Words are the most powerful thing in the world, Dray, and you used them to attack Katie. That's not okay. Ever."
Aron. "I want you to think about apologizing to your sister"--
Dray. "I'll think about it. I have a perfect apology, in fact. It goes like this: Hello, Katie. I meant what I said earlier. You can fuck off and find yourself a new family to piss on, because we sure as hell don't want you anymore."
Lou. "Phone. Hand it over."
Dray. "You said I was grounded. You didn't say I was losing my phone!"
Lou. "You just lost it now. Hand it over. And if you ever say words like that to any of your siblings, you can just consider yourself permanently grounded."
Aron. "Dray, we don't want to do this, but you have to understand that treating your siblings, treating everyone you meet, with respect is important."
Dray. Muttering. "Whatever."
Lou. "Dray, we are having a conversation, and that means you need to show some basic respect."
Aron. Quietly. "I'd like you to apologize to Katie. Not right now, not while you're still angry. But when you've had a chance to think about it, I think you need to talk to her, okay?"
Dray. "Fuck. Off." Instantly looks nervous at having said it aloud. Aron sets his jaw, but doesn't react otherwise, Lou instantly angry.
Lou. Dangerous. "That is not how you talk to anyone, Dray, especially your father"--
Dray. "He is not my father! He doesn't belong here, he can't tell me what to do, why the hell did you think you could replace Dad with this ass hole?"
Lou. Furious. Aron touches her arm gently, pulls her out of the door. "I think we need some space, love. We can talk this through later, okay? When we've all had a chance to breathe."
Lou turns away coldly. Aron pauses. Speaks softly. "Dray, I was never trying to replace Jason. No one can. And I'm sorry."
Dray looks devastated. How can you be angry at someone who won't respond with anger? Drops numbly, spent with anger, onto his bed as Aron closes the door behind him.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
School Scene VI
Kitchen. Lou and Abby sitting across from each other silently. Enter Aron and Katie. Abby scowls at Katie, Katie storms past and through the other door.
Lou. "So Katie was the one who reported you?" Sighs heavily, rubs her fists against her temples, then unstraps her gun belt and tosses it onto the chair beside her, unloads her gun, locks it up.
Aron. "So what the school told is that someone reported seeing you smoking on school grounds, and it was sufficient grounds for a search. Were they right?"
Abby looks down, silent.
Lou. Sternly. "We also know that they found a bong in your locker, though they didn't find weed, so there's no formal charges. But that doesn't change the fact that at some point, you were obviously smoking weed. Is that true?"
Abby. Mumbles. "Yea."
Lou leans back in her chair, blows air out her nose impatiently, throws her hands in the hair. "Well, I guess the only question I have is what the hell were you thinking?"
Abby stiffens. "I'm sorry, okay? I never planned on my sister being such a bitch."
Aron sits up straighter, catches her eye. "Abigail Marie Morgan, this is not your sister's fault"--
Abby. Looks down, grumbling. "She was the one who turned me in."
Aron. "And last I checked, she didn't buy the bong and force you to smoke an illegal drug!"
Abby shifts uncomfortable in her seat. "It wasn't just me."
Lou. Sharply. "Anyone else from our family?"
Abby. "No."
Lou. "Then I don't actually give a shit."
Abby. "Look, I said I was sorry. It was stupid."
Lou. Snorts. "I'll say."
Aron looks at her, shakes his head slightly. "It won't happen again, Abby. You heard what the principal said. A year's suspension on any further incident."
Abby. "I'm not going to let that happen."
Aron. "No, you're not, because you're going to start seeing a counselor on Monday."
Abby. "No! I'm not some addict."
Lou. "We don't think you're 'some addict,' Abby, but how do you think all of the 'some addicts' get their start?"
Abby. "It's just weed. It's not like I'm doing heroin or something."
Lou. Sarcastically. "Congratulations, Abby. You're still going to see the counselor."
Aron. "And you're also grounded for the duration of your suspension, okay? That means no Facebook, no parties, and you're only allowed your phone when we decide you need it."
Abby scowls, kicks the leg of the table. "What the fuck. You act like it's the end of the world"--
Lou. "Watch your language, young lady. I don't want to hear that word out of your mouth again or"--
Abby. Laughs bitterly. "What, mom? You'll wash my mouth out with soap?"
Aron stands. "I think that's enough, Abby. You made your choices, and now you have to accept the result."
Abby leaps to her feet, kicking over her chair. "So you're fucking punishing me twice? Because my sister is a lying, conniving little bitch and you take her side in everything?"
Lou. Sharply. "Abigail!"
Aron. Slowly. "First of all, seeing a counselor is not punishment, it is help. Secondly, you are not being grounded because of something Katie did. You are being grounded because you made the choice to smoke marijuana, because you made the choice to keep paraphernalia at school, and because you are failing to see why it matters."
Abby opens her mouth and shuts it again.
Lou. Firmly. "Furthermore, Abby, this is not your sister's fault, and if you treat her poorly because you made poor choices, you'll be grounded for another two weeks. Understood?"
Abby turns on her heel and storms out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Lou sits back down, puts her feet up on the chair opposite as Aron picks up Abby's fallen chair. "Well, that went about as well as expected." Laughing ruefully. "Come on, honey, sit down. I say we need a rest after this."
Aron. Sighs, runs his fingers through his graying hair. "Not yet, love. I have to deal with Dray first."
Lou. "So Katie was the one who reported you?" Sighs heavily, rubs her fists against her temples, then unstraps her gun belt and tosses it onto the chair beside her, unloads her gun, locks it up.
Aron. "So what the school told is that someone reported seeing you smoking on school grounds, and it was sufficient grounds for a search. Were they right?"
Abby looks down, silent.
Lou. Sternly. "We also know that they found a bong in your locker, though they didn't find weed, so there's no formal charges. But that doesn't change the fact that at some point, you were obviously smoking weed. Is that true?"
Abby. Mumbles. "Yea."
Lou leans back in her chair, blows air out her nose impatiently, throws her hands in the hair. "Well, I guess the only question I have is what the hell were you thinking?"
Abby stiffens. "I'm sorry, okay? I never planned on my sister being such a bitch."
Aron sits up straighter, catches her eye. "Abigail Marie Morgan, this is not your sister's fault"--
Abby. Looks down, grumbling. "She was the one who turned me in."
Aron. "And last I checked, she didn't buy the bong and force you to smoke an illegal drug!"
Abby shifts uncomfortable in her seat. "It wasn't just me."
Lou. Sharply. "Anyone else from our family?"
Abby. "No."
Lou. "Then I don't actually give a shit."
Abby. "Look, I said I was sorry. It was stupid."
Lou. Snorts. "I'll say."
Aron looks at her, shakes his head slightly. "It won't happen again, Abby. You heard what the principal said. A year's suspension on any further incident."
Abby. "I'm not going to let that happen."
Aron. "No, you're not, because you're going to start seeing a counselor on Monday."
Abby. "No! I'm not some addict."
Lou. "We don't think you're 'some addict,' Abby, but how do you think all of the 'some addicts' get their start?"
Abby. "It's just weed. It's not like I'm doing heroin or something."
Lou. Sarcastically. "Congratulations, Abby. You're still going to see the counselor."
Aron. "And you're also grounded for the duration of your suspension, okay? That means no Facebook, no parties, and you're only allowed your phone when we decide you need it."
Abby scowls, kicks the leg of the table. "What the fuck. You act like it's the end of the world"--
Lou. "Watch your language, young lady. I don't want to hear that word out of your mouth again or"--
Abby. Laughs bitterly. "What, mom? You'll wash my mouth out with soap?"
Aron stands. "I think that's enough, Abby. You made your choices, and now you have to accept the result."
Abby leaps to her feet, kicking over her chair. "So you're fucking punishing me twice? Because my sister is a lying, conniving little bitch and you take her side in everything?"
Lou. Sharply. "Abigail!"
Aron. Slowly. "First of all, seeing a counselor is not punishment, it is help. Secondly, you are not being grounded because of something Katie did. You are being grounded because you made the choice to smoke marijuana, because you made the choice to keep paraphernalia at school, and because you are failing to see why it matters."
Abby opens her mouth and shuts it again.
Lou. Firmly. "Furthermore, Abby, this is not your sister's fault, and if you treat her poorly because you made poor choices, you'll be grounded for another two weeks. Understood?"
Abby turns on her heel and storms out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
Lou sits back down, puts her feet up on the chair opposite as Aron picks up Abby's fallen chair. "Well, that went about as well as expected." Laughing ruefully. "Come on, honey, sit down. I say we need a rest after this."
Aron. Sighs, runs his fingers through his graying hair. "Not yet, love. I have to deal with Dray first."
School Scene V
Nurse's Office. Katie seated alone. Nurse meets Aron at the door.
Nurse, shakes her head, raising her eyebrows. Low voice. "That girl's the real delinquent, if you ask me. Turning her own sister in? That's low."
Aron looks down at her coldly. "She did what she thought was right." Loudly enough for Katie to hear, then drops his voice. "And neither my daughter or I appreciate the commentary, thank you."
Nurse nods quickly, opens her mouth to offer apologies, but Aron has already moved on.
Katie. Angrily. Still close to tears. "What are you doing here? I don't want to be in the same house as those"--
Aron cuts off her words by pulling her into a hug.
Katie starts crying again. "I don't want to see any of them. They hate me now."
Aron holds her tighter. "No. No, they don't. They were angry today, and Dray said some things he didn't mean, okay? No one hates you, sweetheart. Let's go home. Do you have your books?"
Katie nods, sniffs, grabs her backpack. Aron follows her out the door.
Nurse, shakes her head, raising her eyebrows. Low voice. "That girl's the real delinquent, if you ask me. Turning her own sister in? That's low."
Aron looks down at her coldly. "She did what she thought was right." Loudly enough for Katie to hear, then drops his voice. "And neither my daughter or I appreciate the commentary, thank you."
Nurse nods quickly, opens her mouth to offer apologies, but Aron has already moved on.
Katie. Angrily. Still close to tears. "What are you doing here? I don't want to be in the same house as those"--
Aron cuts off her words by pulling her into a hug.
Katie starts crying again. "I don't want to see any of them. They hate me now."
Aron holds her tighter. "No. No, they don't. They were angry today, and Dray said some things he didn't mean, okay? No one hates you, sweetheart. Let's go home. Do you have your books?"
Katie nods, sniffs, grabs her backpack. Aron follows her out the door.
School Scene IV
Enter Lily, Aron, Lou.
Lou. Measured words. Careful. "Do you have anything else to tell us, Lily?"
Lily. Looks up. "That I'm not sorry?"
Lou. Bites her lip. Trying not to smile.
Aron. Thoughtfully. "Lily, I appreciate that you stood up for your little sisters, and there will never be a time when I would get angry at you for doing that."
Lily. Smirks. "I sense a 'but' coming sometime soon."
Aron. "Yes. But you could have handled the situation much better. Fighting is not something we condone. Okay?"
Lou the pragmatist. "Unless it's absolutely necessary. I mean, I'm a cop, I carry a gun, sometimes I have to use force. But even in my line of work, force is the absolute last resort, when it means saving an innocent life or protecting someone from an actual physical threat. I know that if your little sisters were in that kind of danger, I would want you to fight like hell."
Lily nods curtly, but looks at Lou with more respect than before. "Yea. Okay. So I should've maybe handled it differently. But Dray and Trace just stood there, you know?" Smirks. "I think everyone enjoyed it."
Aron's lips tighten faintly. "I'll deal with Dray later. Regardless of how it felt and how much you think those girls deserved it, fighting like that isn't something that your mom and I can ever condone." Pauses, looks at Lou, who nods. "For that reason, Lily, you're also grounded for the same length of time you're suspended."
Lily grimaces, but nods. "Okay."
Aron stands. "I have to go pick up Katie. Be back in a few." Bends down to kiss Lou on the lips, then ruffles Lily's hair. She leans into his hand for just a millisecond, and Aron half-smiles down at his daughter.
Lou. Measured words. Careful. "Do you have anything else to tell us, Lily?"
Lily. Looks up. "That I'm not sorry?"
Lou. Bites her lip. Trying not to smile.
Aron. Thoughtfully. "Lily, I appreciate that you stood up for your little sisters, and there will never be a time when I would get angry at you for doing that."
Lily. Smirks. "I sense a 'but' coming sometime soon."
Aron. "Yes. But you could have handled the situation much better. Fighting is not something we condone. Okay?"
Lou the pragmatist. "Unless it's absolutely necessary. I mean, I'm a cop, I carry a gun, sometimes I have to use force. But even in my line of work, force is the absolute last resort, when it means saving an innocent life or protecting someone from an actual physical threat. I know that if your little sisters were in that kind of danger, I would want you to fight like hell."
Lily nods curtly, but looks at Lou with more respect than before. "Yea. Okay. So I should've maybe handled it differently. But Dray and Trace just stood there, you know?" Smirks. "I think everyone enjoyed it."
Aron's lips tighten faintly. "I'll deal with Dray later. Regardless of how it felt and how much you think those girls deserved it, fighting like that isn't something that your mom and I can ever condone." Pauses, looks at Lou, who nods. "For that reason, Lily, you're also grounded for the same length of time you're suspended."
Lily grimaces, but nods. "Okay."
Aron stands. "I have to go pick up Katie. Be back in a few." Bends down to kiss Lou on the lips, then ruffles Lily's hair. She leans into his hand for just a millisecond, and Aron half-smiles down at his daughter.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
School Scene III
Aron, Dray, Lily, Abby, Jessica, and Tarin climb out of suburban. Lou exit squad car, still in uniform and strapped, messy as if she rushed to get home.
Lou. Stops in tracks. "What's going on? I thought you were going to get just Abby." Her eyes settle on Abby, flash dangerously, then soften when she looks at the two younger girls. Pulls Jessica and Tarin into her arms. Jessica starts crying shakily, Lou immediately looks concerned. "What happened, baby? Are you okay? Did anyone touch you? Aron, what happened?"
Aron. Quietly. Still obviously angry at Dray. "They'll be alright. Let's get everyone inside and I'll explain."
Lou. Stops in tracks. "What's going on? I thought you were going to get just Abby." Her eyes settle on Abby, flash dangerously, then soften when she looks at the two younger girls. Pulls Jessica and Tarin into her arms. Jessica starts crying shakily, Lou immediately looks concerned. "What happened, baby? Are you okay? Did anyone touch you? Aron, what happened?"
Aron. Quietly. Still obviously angry at Dray. "They'll be alright. Let's get everyone inside and I'll explain."
---
Aron, Lou, Dray, Lily, Abby, Jessica, and Tarin enter house.
Aron. Shortly. "Dray, you can go to your room and wait there. Abby, you wait here in the kitchen. Lily, Jessica, Tarin, let's talk in the living room."
---
Lou on sofa with one of the twins curled up on either side. The chair to her left, Lily, staring at the floor. The chair to Lou's right, Aron, waiting.
Aron. Calm, measured. "Lily, how about you tell your mom and I about this fight. From the beginning."
Lily twists her hands on a throw blanket on the couch, says nothing.
Lou looks down at the twins. "Maybe it'd be easier if you two started. Tarin?"
Tarin. Slowly. "Cassie and Mara were laughing at our Harry Potter backpacks."
Jessica. Nods. "They said Potter was just for kids"--
Tarin. "And that we were bitches"--
Jessica. "And that I was a baby"--
Lily. Abruptly. "And then I punched Cassie."
Lou looks away from Lily, her lips twitching momentarily.
Aron nods slowly. "Okay, Tarin, Jessica, do you have anything to add?"
The twins shake their heads.
Aron. "Okay, then I think we'd like to talk to Lily alone for a little bit."
School Scene II
Office, Waiting Area.
Jessica, Tarin, Dray, seated together.
Enter Aron.
Girls swamp him. Dray stands up, scowling at him.
"Don't be mad at Lily, Daddy." Jessica begs.
Aron (surprised). "What happened with Lily? I'm here for Abby."
Dray (eyes narrow). "Why?"
Enter Abby, eyes on the carpet.
Principal Santos, a man, behind Abby. Sternly. "Mr. Morgan, your daughter can collect her books and then you may take her home. She will be allowed to return to school in a week's time, but bear in mind now that she has been caught on a paraphernalia charge, there will be no second warning. A possession charge, and she will be suspended for a year. Anything further, and she will be expelled."
"What happened?" Drew demanded.
Katie emerges behind her, and Aron catches his breath sharply. "She was smoking weed and I reported her!" Triumphantly.
Aron, quietly. "Is that true, Abby?"
Abby looks down at her clenched hands.
"It's none of your business if it is true," Dray snaps, stepping between them. "You're not her dad. Why didn't Mom come?"
Aron. Calmly. "Your mom is at work, so I offered to come. Abby, let's go get your books."
Enter Lily.
Aron sighs. "What happened?"
Lily scowls at the floor.
Aron. Firmly. "Lily."
Lily. Mutters. "Fight."
Counselor April, standing beside Lily. "It sounds like it was in defense of her little sisters. Unfortunately, according to school policy, any and all fights are punished with a three day suspension."
Aron sighs again, then tips his head towards the door. "Go get your books, Lily. Abby, you too. Dray, do you have a class you should be in right now?"
Dray. Hostile. "Don't tell my sister what to do. And leave me alone."
Aron ignores his tone and his hostility. "We'll talk tonight, Dray. In the meantime, you can go back to class. April, I'll be taking Jess and Tarin home for the day, as well." Detaches Jess' clinging hand gently so he can take the blue slips Counselor April is holding out.
Dray. "Well, I'm not staying then. I'm going home with my sister"--
Aron. "Katie's staying"--
Dray. Snarls. Steps away from Katie. "She's not my sister."
Aron. Sharply. "Dray!"
Katie's face twists with anger. "Oh, I'm not your sister, Dray, but the pothead is?" She snaps, but tears are filling her eyes. "Fine, take her side. You always do."
Dray, so angry he spits as he talks. "You probably lied about the pot, Katie, because we all know you're a conniving bitch."
"Fuck you, Dray!" Katie pushes past the twins. "Fuck you!"
Katie slams the door behind her.
Aron, politely, but his tone cold. "I'm sorry, April, but it looks like I'll be taking Dray home, as well. When you find Katie, will you ask her to wait in the nurse's office? I'll be back for her once I take these five home."
Counselor April nods mechanically, slightly shocked at the outburst and overwhelmed by so many children and so much drama in one family.
Dray. Nervously. Takes a few steps toward the door. "On second thought, maybe I should just go back to class."
Aron. Sharply. "Unless you want to be grounded for the next month, William Dray, I strongly suggest that you get your books right now and meet us in the parking lot in"-- looks at watch--"no later than three minutes."
Aron turns on his heel and exits, leading the four girls. Drew, looking a little pale, follows and hurries off towards his locker, looking nervous and not quite as cocky as before.
Jessica, Tarin, Dray, seated together.
Enter Aron.
Girls swamp him. Dray stands up, scowling at him.
"Don't be mad at Lily, Daddy." Jessica begs.
Aron (surprised). "What happened with Lily? I'm here for Abby."
Dray (eyes narrow). "Why?"
Enter Abby, eyes on the carpet.
Principal Santos, a man, behind Abby. Sternly. "Mr. Morgan, your daughter can collect her books and then you may take her home. She will be allowed to return to school in a week's time, but bear in mind now that she has been caught on a paraphernalia charge, there will be no second warning. A possession charge, and she will be suspended for a year. Anything further, and she will be expelled."
"What happened?" Drew demanded.
Katie emerges behind her, and Aron catches his breath sharply. "She was smoking weed and I reported her!" Triumphantly.
Aron, quietly. "Is that true, Abby?"
Abby looks down at her clenched hands.
"It's none of your business if it is true," Dray snaps, stepping between them. "You're not her dad. Why didn't Mom come?"
Aron. Calmly. "Your mom is at work, so I offered to come. Abby, let's go get your books."
Enter Lily.
Aron sighs. "What happened?"
Lily scowls at the floor.
Aron. Firmly. "Lily."
Lily. Mutters. "Fight."
Counselor April, standing beside Lily. "It sounds like it was in defense of her little sisters. Unfortunately, according to school policy, any and all fights are punished with a three day suspension."
Aron sighs again, then tips his head towards the door. "Go get your books, Lily. Abby, you too. Dray, do you have a class you should be in right now?"
Dray. Hostile. "Don't tell my sister what to do. And leave me alone."
Aron ignores his tone and his hostility. "We'll talk tonight, Dray. In the meantime, you can go back to class. April, I'll be taking Jess and Tarin home for the day, as well." Detaches Jess' clinging hand gently so he can take the blue slips Counselor April is holding out.
Dray. "Well, I'm not staying then. I'm going home with my sister"--
Aron. "Katie's staying"--
Dray. Snarls. Steps away from Katie. "She's not my sister."
Aron. Sharply. "Dray!"
Katie's face twists with anger. "Oh, I'm not your sister, Dray, but the pothead is?" She snaps, but tears are filling her eyes. "Fine, take her side. You always do."
Dray, so angry he spits as he talks. "You probably lied about the pot, Katie, because we all know you're a conniving bitch."
"Fuck you, Dray!" Katie pushes past the twins. "Fuck you!"
Katie slams the door behind her.
Aron, politely, but his tone cold. "I'm sorry, April, but it looks like I'll be taking Dray home, as well. When you find Katie, will you ask her to wait in the nurse's office? I'll be back for her once I take these five home."
Counselor April nods mechanically, slightly shocked at the outburst and overwhelmed by so many children and so much drama in one family.
Dray. Nervously. Takes a few steps toward the door. "On second thought, maybe I should just go back to class."
Aron. Sharply. "Unless you want to be grounded for the next month, William Dray, I strongly suggest that you get your books right now and meet us in the parking lot in"-- looks at watch--"no later than three minutes."
Aron turns on his heel and exits, leading the four girls. Drew, looking a little pale, follows and hurries off towards his locker, looking nervous and not quite as cocky as before.
School Scene I
Two 9th grade girls, to Tarin and Jessica, dressed in Harry Potter robes.
"Fucking nerds."
"What are you going to do? Cast a spell with your silly little stick?" Laughing mockingly.
"Didn't anyone tell you Harry Potter is for little kids. Are you just a baby?"
"Yea, she is a baby, Cassie, look at her cry!"
"You're not a witch, Jessica, you're just a little bitch."
Tarin pushes Jessica behind her, but she's pale, too, angry but close to tears. "Leave us alone."
"Ooh, the witch-bitch is getting angry." Mockingly.
One of the girls is sent flying, and then Lily is straddling her, fists flying. The other girl, Cassie, tries to drag her back, and Lily sends her flying.
Dray sees, about to step in. Trace, who had also come running, tells him what happened, Dray smiles and backs off.
Teacher pulls the three girls apart, orders them to the office.
"Fucking nerds."
"What are you going to do? Cast a spell with your silly little stick?" Laughing mockingly.
"Didn't anyone tell you Harry Potter is for little kids. Are you just a baby?"
"Yea, she is a baby, Cassie, look at her cry!"
"You're not a witch, Jessica, you're just a little bitch."
Tarin pushes Jessica behind her, but she's pale, too, angry but close to tears. "Leave us alone."
"Ooh, the witch-bitch is getting angry." Mockingly.
One of the girls is sent flying, and then Lily is straddling her, fists flying. The other girl, Cassie, tries to drag her back, and Lily sends her flying.
Dray sees, about to step in. Trace, who had also come running, tells him what happened, Dray smiles and backs off.
Teacher pulls the three girls apart, orders them to the office.
3 Days After the Honeymoon
Aron and Lou drinking her homemade iced tea at the kitchen table. Enter Dray from hall. Lou smiles in greeting.
Lou. "What's up, hon?"
Dray. Shrugs (forced nonchalance). "Gonna hang out with some friends, Mom. I'll be home by midnight, okay?"
Lou. Eyes narrow (suspicious). "Which friends?"
Dray. "Football friends. School friends. You know, the usual."
Lou. "Jake and Taylor and Eleanor, too?"
Dray. Rolls his eyes. "Yes, mom, they might be there."
Lou. Impatient. "We've been through this before, Dray. If those three are there, there's going to be drinking, and I don't want you at any party like that."
Dray. Irritable. "Yea, well, Mom, who the hell am I supposed to hang out with? Do you want me to spend the summer stuck at home in a house full of little kids?"
Aron. Reproving. "Dray."
Dray. Cuts him off. "It's going to be at Grace's house, and her parents are there. There won't be any beer, Mom, I promise. Besides, you know I won't drink. You're a cop, for god's sake, and you'd let me rot in jail for a week if I did."
Lou. Sharply. "Damn straight I would."
Dray. "Mom, please. I swear I'll come home if there's drinking."
Lou. Opens her mouth to say something.
Aron. Slowly. "I think it's okay if you go, Dray, but we need your word that if someone brings out alcohol of any kind you come home right away. And whatever you do, don't drive if you've had something to drink."
Dray. Hesitates. Scowls. "Yea, sure."
Aron. Tosses him the keys. "Take the truck."
Exit Dray.
Lou. Shakes Head. "If there is beer there, I don't think any promise Dray makes you will hold up."
Aron. "Let's try trusting him, love, just this once, and maybe our confidence will help him make the right decision."
Lou. Skeptical. "It didn't last time."
Aron. Leans over and kisses her forehead. "Well, my love, I am a firm believer in second chances. And that our son deserves one."
Camera -->Dray, just outside the door, listening. Conflicted emotion: annoyance and something more.
Lou. "What's up, hon?"
Dray. Shrugs (forced nonchalance). "Gonna hang out with some friends, Mom. I'll be home by midnight, okay?"
Lou. Eyes narrow (suspicious). "Which friends?"
Dray. "Football friends. School friends. You know, the usual."
Lou. "Jake and Taylor and Eleanor, too?"
Dray. Rolls his eyes. "Yes, mom, they might be there."
Lou. Impatient. "We've been through this before, Dray. If those three are there, there's going to be drinking, and I don't want you at any party like that."
Dray. Irritable. "Yea, well, Mom, who the hell am I supposed to hang out with? Do you want me to spend the summer stuck at home in a house full of little kids?"
Aron. Reproving. "Dray."
Dray. Cuts him off. "It's going to be at Grace's house, and her parents are there. There won't be any beer, Mom, I promise. Besides, you know I won't drink. You're a cop, for god's sake, and you'd let me rot in jail for a week if I did."
Lou. Sharply. "Damn straight I would."
Dray. "Mom, please. I swear I'll come home if there's drinking."
Lou. Opens her mouth to say something.
Aron. Slowly. "I think it's okay if you go, Dray, but we need your word that if someone brings out alcohol of any kind you come home right away. And whatever you do, don't drive if you've had something to drink."
Dray. Hesitates. Scowls. "Yea, sure."
Aron. Tosses him the keys. "Take the truck."
Exit Dray.
Lou. Shakes Head. "If there is beer there, I don't think any promise Dray makes you will hold up."
Aron. "Let's try trusting him, love, just this once, and maybe our confidence will help him make the right decision."
Lou. Skeptical. "It didn't last time."
Aron. Leans over and kisses her forehead. "Well, my love, I am a firm believer in second chances. And that our son deserves one."
Camera -->Dray, just outside the door, listening. Conflicted emotion: annoyance and something more.
Where I Belong
Here.
Lou and Aron, age 43 and 46.
Hers:
Dray, Abby, Katie, Lucan, Melissa, and Terriann.
His:
Lily, Tarin, Jessica, Jacob, Ahmed, and Annalise.
What happens when twelve very different children have to learn to live with one another?
Maybe it's similar to five biological siblings try to live in the same house.
Or maybe I'll find out as I go, just like with any real family.
Lou and Aron, age 43 and 46.
Hers:
Dray, Abby, Katie, Lucan, Melissa, and Terriann.
His:
Lily, Tarin, Jessica, Jacob, Ahmed, and Annalise.
What happens when twelve very different children have to learn to live with one another?
Maybe it's similar to five biological siblings try to live in the same house.
Or maybe I'll find out as I go, just like with any real family.
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