A New Family Member in the Cohen House

Chapter 3

(The car pulls up to the front of the house, Ryan goes inside to make sure that Kirsten and Sandy are in bed, and he goes back out to the car.)

Ryan: "Ok, it looks like the coast is clear, It looks like your mom and dad are in bed".

Seth: "Ok, good, lets take her in through the side door, and then up the stairs".

Amanda: "What are you guys talking about, I can let myself in..(giggles a little). I don't need any help from you guys".

Marissa (Looks at them both) I'm going to go ahead and go home now, I'll talk to you guys tomorrow. (Leaves)

Ryan: "Just be really quiet when we go in".

(They both get her up to her room quietly without waking up Sandy and Kirsten. Then they both go to the pool house)

Seth: "I can't believe that she went and got high. My parents would be so mad if they new. They wouldn't let us go to another party until we were out of college!"

Ryan: "Why, it's not your fault she went and got high! You didn't give it to her".

Seth: "Ya…right…but that's not the way my parents work. Just the fact that there were drugs there"…. (Looks a little worried)

Ryan: "Every party we've been to has had that stuff at it…what are you talking about?"

Seth: "Ya, but it's never been this close to home before…Well, anyways, I'm going to bed. I'll see ya in the morning."

Ryan: "See ya".

(The next morning Sandy and Kirsten are having some one- on one time in the kitchen, eating bagels and drinking coffee. The phone rings, Sandy answers it. It is one of the guys from the party last night. He asks if Amanda is there)

Sandy (In a Stern voice) Who is this?

Guy #1: "Look, I just wanted to make sure she was ok after last night!"

Sandy: "What do you mean ok? Why wouldn't she be? Who is this!"

Guy #1: "Who are you? She told me she lived with her boyfriend?"

Sandy: "Well she told you wrong…now what is going on?"

(Guy #1 hangs up the phone on him)

Kirsten: "What was that all about?"

Sandy: "Some guy calling wanting to know if Amanda was ok. Something happened last night, and I'm going to find out right now"

(Calls Seth to come down to the kitchen)

Seth (Walks in the kitchen…notices the looks on their faces – Not too good) "Mom, dad,,,, (Pauses) What's up?"

Sandy: "I just got a very unusual phone call. Some guy asking for Amanda, to see if she was ok after last night. I want to know what happened- Now!"

Seth: (Says under his breath…"ok, great...all that hard work for nothing")..."ok,…um….Why don't you ask Amanda?" He points to her as she walks in

Amanda: "Ask me what?"

Sandy: "Some guy called asking for you, to see if you were ok after last night. Why would he ask such a question?"

(Amanda and Seth look at each other. Amanda gets a worried look, she doesn't know if she wants to cry or run. At that moment Ryan walks in, and notices the tension)

Ryan: "Hey, I'll just get some coffee and leave".

Sandy: "You know what , lets all just sit at the table, and tell me what happened last night. I'm a Lawyer, and you know I will find out anyways. So, make it easy on yourselves while you have the chance!"

Amanda: (Starts crying) "Ok, look, I got high last night with a bunch of guys, that's it! Ryan and Seth had nothing to do with it!"

(She's leaves the room and goes out the front door. Ryan and Seth look at each other in shock and worry)

Kirsten: "Sandy- go talk to her!"

Sandy: (Starts to walk out- looks back at Seth and Ryan) "We'll talk about this when I get back- all of us!"

(Sandy finds Amanda walking on the beach. He starts walking with her. )

Sandy: "Amanda, I know that you are going through a hard time right now. I understand that- believe me, I do. But what you did last night, getting High…"

Amanda: (Interrupts…Crying) "I know Uncle Sandy. I do, and I feel bad about it. I promise you, I have never done that before. I just wanted to have some friends. I felt like such an outsider. I wanted to fit in"

Sandy: "I know you do. We all want to fit in. Even Kirsten and I feel like outcasts sometimes. This place is going to make you feel like that more than once too. Look, when you need to talk, please, just come to Kirsten or me. We are here for you."

Amanda: (still crying a little) "I know. (Pauses, then looks at Sandy) Do you believe me? What I said about my step dad? I feel like nobody does!"

Sandy: "Of course I do. You know I do. I'm so sorry those thing happened to you. If I could take the pain away, I would! I love you very much! When my sister had you, I was there at the hospital. I was a proud uncle! I'm still proud! You're my niece, and I wont let anybody hurt you again."

(Sandy grabs her and gives her a big hug, and just lets her cry.)

(Seth and Ryan are watching on from the balcony)

Seth: "Man- I wish I could hear what they are talking about. Well, I guess that's a good sign, right?"

Ryan: "I guess, I don't know. But we'll see when they get back up here!"