By Olivia Abreu

Characters   

ANNA              ANNA’S MOTHER

GRANDFATHER       GRANDMOTHER

NEIGHBOR 1        STEPFATHER

NEIGHBOR 2

FADE IN:

EXT. A green two-story house with a wrap-around porch. The street was parched with potholes and mud. The sidewalk had given its best. The town was almost desolated at that time of the day … well, at any time, to be honest. Dark, angry clouds had taken the sunlight away. Anna’Grandfather was seated in one of the twelve rocking chairs, drying away tears, while he looked her way without saying a word. You can still hear the shouting from upstairs. Objects crashing against the floor and rushed steps going back and forth.  — Late afternoon.

[Action][THERE IS A HEATED ARGUMENT BETWEEN MOTHER AND STEPFATHER. HE IS A VIOLENT MAN, BIG AND TALL, WITH DARK HAIR AND OLIVE COMPLEXION. MOTHER IS ALSO BIG, ALTHOUGH NOT AS TALL. SHE IS THE KIND OF FEMALE WHO WON’T BACK UP IN AN ARGUMENT, NO MATTER WHO THE OPPONENT IS. THE ARGUMENT TURNS INTO A FIGHT, WITH OBJECTS THROWN AROUND AND DOORS SLAMMED. MOTHER, AND STEPFATHER LIVE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE HOUSE, WHERE THE AGGRESSIVE EXCHANGE IS OCCURRING]

[ANNA, A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL, VERY WELL-READ AND A DEEP BOOK LOVER, WITH A SLENDER FIGURE LIKE THAT OF A SILVER MILAN CHIC, JUST THE RESULT OF HAVING NO MORE THAN TWO MEALS A DAY. MOSTLY A HAPPY CAMPER; OBEDIENT AND RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE IN HER FAMILY, BUT HER STEPFATHER. ABHORRENT. THAT WAS NOT PUBLIC INFORMATION, THOUGH OBVIOUS; IT WAS PRIVATE. DREAMED ABOUT STABBING HIM, TO SAVE HER MOM. THE FIGHTS, THE TORCH, THE BRUISES IN HER MOM’S FACE. STRUGGLED TO DEAL WITH ALL OF THAT. SHE APPEARED TO BE FINE, COOL AND COLLECTED, BUT SHE WASN’T. A HOT EMOTIONAL MESS, AND THAT, TOO, IS PRIVATE INFORMATION. HER GRANDFATHER WAS SITTING IN HIS FAVORITE ROCKING CHAIR, WITHOUT MOVING, DEEP IN HIS THOUGHTS. HE WAS A VERY COMPASSIONATE MAN, PATIENT AND LOVING. SHE HAD NEVER HEARD HIM RAISING HIS VOICE OR CONDUCTING HIMSELF IN AN AGGRESSIVE MANNER]

GRANDFATHER- [SOFTLY] Honey.

ANNA- [EQUALLY SOFT] Yes, Grandpa?

GRANDFATHER- Do you think it is going to rain this time around?

[A STRONGER NOISE INTERRUPTED AS IF A BIG VASE HAD LANDED ON THE FLOOR. NEITHER OF THEM MOVED. THEY IGNORED IT; AS IF THE SECOND FLOOR WOULD BE EMPTY.]

ANNA- [JUMPED; EYES WIDE; HANDS SHAKING; VOICE TREMBLING] Oh, I think I should go.

GRANDFATHER- [CALMLY AND REASSURING HER] Take a deep breath, honey. [CHANGES THE TOPIC] Tell me, have I ever told you the story of the gray kingbird and the vulture?

ANNA- [LAUGHS] Only a thousand times Grandpa! I’m not a kid anymore, remember?

GRANDFATHER- Well, I’m sure you will be pleased to hear it one more time.

ANNA- You know, this is becoming a tradition.

GRANDFATHER- What is?

ANNA- The two of us, in our rocking chairs on the porch, with a black sky about to bring down an ocean of rain, and you telling me the story of the gray kingbird.

[AT THAT MOMENT, TWO NEIGHBORS FROM A FEW HOUSES DOWN THE STREET WERE PASSING BY. THEY SIDEWAYS, LIKE EVERYONE PRETENDS TO LIKE THE FAMILY, BUT THEY ARE REALLY JUST JUDGING THEM. UPSTAIRS THE COMMOTION WAS STILL HAPPENING: SCREAMING, SMASHING, THE NOISES. THE WHOLE BLOCK COULD HEAR IT.]

GRANDFATHER—[CORDIALLY] Good afternoon, ladies. Watch out for the storm. It seems this time it’ll pour.

NEIGHBOR 1-[NICELY] Oh yes, you are right, those are angry clouds up there, alright.

NEIGHBOR 2- [WITH A SPITEFUL TONE] Oh, nonsense! It’s the same as every other afternoon on this side of the world. It’s always stormy, but it never rains. Now, how are you, soldier, my darling? [TALKING TO ANNA, APPARENTLY] I’m sure you need some quiet time to read your dear books, and there is not much of that around, I see.

[ANNA LOOKS AWAY AS IF SHE DID NOT HEAR HER NEIGHBOR’S AWFUL COMMENT; NOT KNOWING HOW TO ANSWER OR REACT, SHE FIGHTS THE TEARS COMING TO HER EYES.]

NEIGHBOR 1- [MILDLY UPSET] Oh, come on now! Oh, What an awful thing to say! Shame on you, lady!

NEIGHBOR 2- [FALSELY SURPRISED] Oh, Lord, how dare you?! I would never do something like that.

GRANDFATHER—[SERIOUS TONE] Alright, ladies. Let’s all be fine and have a good afternoon. The storm will pass, and the sun will shine soon enough.

[BOTH NEIGHBORS RESUME THEIR STROLLING. THEY WALKED AWAY, TALKING AMONG THEMSELVES IN DISBELIEF.]

GRANDFATHER- [IN A CARING VOICE] It’s alright, honey. You don’t have to feel bad. You have done no crime. Let me see your smile.

ANNA—[WITH THE SADDEST TONE] I know, but I can’t escape this. The whole block can hear them. And no one cares about my mom; she could be hurt again. [DEEPER VOICE] I need to do something. I need to save her.

GRANDFATHER- [CONCERNED] No, my dear, you are doing nothing. It is not best for relationships, but those are adults’ problems, let them deal with their mess. Promise me you won’t move a finger.

[ANNA LOWERED HER SIGHT. A SHADOW OF RESENTMENT SPENT A MINUTE ON HER FACE, MIXED WITH FRUSTRATION. HELPLESSNESS.]

[GRANDMOTHER COMES TO THE PORCH. SHE HAD JUST FINISHED DINNER. A SUMPTUOUS WOMAN WITH SHINE AND GLORY IN HER PAST. THE WHITE HAIR FRAMED A FACE ONCE CAPABLE OF DRIVING CRAZY EVEN THE MOST STOIC OF MEN]

GRANDMOTHER—You should come in. The storm is coming. Also, dinner is ready. It’s better to eat it hot, right?

[NO RESPONSE. HISSING SILENCE, AND EQUALLY HEAVY. THE AIR IS FILLED WITH PAIN, REMORSE, AND PROFOUND SADNESS. UPSTAIRS THE RUMPUS WAS AT AN IMPASSE. NO SMASHING, PUSHING, OR SLAMMING AT THAT MOMENT. MAYBE THE MOTHER IS LOCKED IN HER ROOM. AGAIN. THE STEPFATHER SMOKING OUTSIDE SEEMS TO BE TAKING A STEP BACK FROM IT ALL.]

GRANDMOTHER—[INSISTENT WITH A HINT OF CONCERN] Come on now, come in. I’ll be serving dinner right now. Sure, this storm will be raging the rest of the afternoon, and I don’t want to be tied up in the kitchen. And don’t give me that look! I’m not letting go of this. You’ve got to stop. This is not healthy.

[SILENCE ONCE AGAIN. THE GRANDFATHER LOOKED ANNA’S WAY. SHE WAS STILL AVOIDING EYE CONTACT. SO DISTANT, AND HE MISSES HER SO MUCH. HE IS THERE FOR HER NOW, HE HAS HER BACK. SHE NEEDS TO KNOW it THIS TIME AROUND.]

[ONCE MORE THE NEIGHBORS COME TO PASS BY THE HOUSE. THIS TIME DIRECTLY TALKING TO THE GRANDMOTHER, WITHOUT RESERVATIONS]

NEIGHBOR 1- [REPROVINGLY] Oh dear, you did not call the number I gave you. If you don’t take care of this, it’s going to get out of hand. He needs help. Open your eyes, woman!

GRANDMOTHER—[DEFENSIVELY] Why don’t you take care of your own life?! Or what is it? I’m taking orders from you now. It’s not easy, you know. I must be patient. No treatment would be effective when it’s involuntary, and my daughter is not of much help. I’m carrying this on my shoulders alone.

NEIGHBOR 2- [SUPPORTIVE] Oh, we know, darling, and we are only trying to help you here. It’s an unthinkable situation, incredibly painful. You don’t have to face it alone; we are here for you.

[TWO TEARS ROLLING DOWN THE GRANDMOTHER’S CHEEKS. ANNA IS SO DISTANT. LONELINESS. SOMEONE IS COMING DOWN THE STAIRS. THE NEIGHBORS, LOOKING SURPRISED AND A BIT SCARED, START WALKING AWAY, SIGNALING THE GRANDMOTHER TO CALL ON THE PHONE LATER]

[ANNA’S MOTHER APPEARS IN THE LIVING ROOM COMING FROM UPSTAIRS. SHE LOOKS DISHEVELED. EYES CRIED OUT. RED FACE. TORN CLOTHES.]

MOTHER- [TO THE GRANDMOTHER, DEFENSIVELY] Don’t look at me like that, leave me alone.

GRANDMOTHER- [JUDGEMENTAL] And how am I going to look at you? After everything that’s happened, you are still with him. This is all your fault.

MOTHER- [NERVOUS BREAKDOWN] Don’t say that, not today. I can’t take it. [FALLS TO THE FLOOR, CRYING HER EYES OUT]

GRANDMOTHER—[DISDAINFULLY] Oh, please! Stop pretending. If you had listened to us, we would all be here now—and happy! How much pain can a mother bear? Call the police; let’s pack and leave. I don’t know, but let’s do something!

MOTHER- [DESPERATE AND FRUSTRATED] You know what would happen. I can’t go through that again. He just bought two more guns.

GRANDMOTHER- [INQUISITIVE] Is that what the fight was about today? Girl, you need to call the police.

[GRANDFATHER APPROACHES THE LIVING ROOM WHERE THE LADIES ARE TALKING. HIS EYES INTENTIONALLY EXAMINE HIS DAUGHTER, LOOKING FOR A CLUE. HIS ATTITUDE IS DIFFERENT: UPSET, FRUSTRATED, FEISTY]

GRANDFATHER- [SOFTLY TO HIS DAUGHTER] Are you alright? Anna is outside, very sad. You should go and talk to her. Let her know everything will be alright. She needs to hear it, especially today.

[BOTH WOMEN LOWER THEIR EYES WITH HEAVY TEARS COMING DOWN THEIR FACES. ANNA’S MOTHER UNABLE TO SPEAK; HER VOICE DROWNED WITH PAIN. THE GRANDMOTHER IS TAKING A DEEP BREATH, REGAINING CONTROL OF HERSELF]

GRANDMOTHER- [GATHERING STRENGTH, WITH SOFT VOICE] Yes, my dear, she’ll be outside in a minute. Don’t worry. Why don’t you sit down and eat? Remember we need to go out soon.

GRANDFATHER- [SOFTLY] Sure, honey, I’ll do that. Is Anna coming too? Today is a special day, we must be together today.

GRANDMOTHER- [VOICE BREAKING, SOFTLY] Yes, my dear.

[THE STORM RUMBLES; HELL’S COMING DOWN. GRANDMOTHER HOLDING HANDS WITH GRANDFATHER, WALKING SIDE BY SIDE. ANNA’S MOTHER WALKING BY HERSELF, BEHIND THEM. GRANDMOTHER REMINISCES OF THE JOYFUL YEARS OF HER FAMILY WHEN THEY WERE ALL TOGETHER AND HAPPY. LOOKING TOWARD HER HUSBAND, SHE WONDERS IF THERE WAS A COMEBACK  FROM THIS POINT. HER HEART HURTS REMEMBERING THE TERRIFIC MAN HE WAS. THE TOWN WAS DESERTED, AS USUAL. THE NEIGHBORS TURN THEIR BACKS WHEN THEY SEE THEM COMING. ANNA’S MOTHER IS STILL CRYING, DRAGGING HER FEET, WITH A FLOWER ARRAIGNMENT IN HER HANDS. GRANDFATHER’S FACE IS CHEERFUL]

GRANDFATHER- [JOYFULLY]I like coming here. She is going to love the flowers. I know God is not happy for what happened. But I talked to him: it was an accident, a minor cut. I’m sure this time she will forgive me and give me a hug.

GRANDMOTHER- [COMPASSIONATELY] I know you look forward to this day, like every year for the past four years. Oh, my love, come now, she did forgive you a long time ago. Remember: she told me that night. It was never your fault. It was hers, [LOOKING BACK TO ANNA’S MOTHER WITH PAIN AND RESENTMENT]

GRANDFATHER- [WITH A MIX OF JOY AND SORROW] We are here! Come on now. I see her. She is waving hello. Come on, rush now!

[TEARS ROLLING DOWN. THE THREE OF THEM OPEN THE SQUEAKY OLD GATE. TURN RIGHT AT THE FIRST ALLEY. THE ATMOSPHERE IS GLOOMY BECAUSE OF THE THREATENING STORM. THERE IS THE CRISPY WHITE MARBLE. AN EPITAPH

IN LOVING MEMORY OF ANNA.

AUGUST 1984- NOVEMBER, 2000