Chapter 21: Six Hours
6:00 PM
SCENE: ANDREW'S APARTMENT
(Amber hastily grabs her clothes from the laundry with Andrew following her)
Andrew: Amber, please just listen to me.
Amber: (Angry) No, I don't want to hear your excuses. I have to leave, now get out of my way!
(Amber rushes to the bathroom and tries to grab her makeup bag but Andrew takes it out of her reach)
Amber: Give it to me.
Andrew: No, not until you hear what I have to say.
Amber: (Angry) What is there to say?! You had sex with my sister and I had to find out about it from her! Give it back to me!
(Amber tries to reach for the bag but Andrew pulls it back)
Andrew: Look I just need you to listen to me for one second please.
Amber: One second just passed, now move.
(Amber grabs her bag and goes back to her suitcase trying to put her clothes in only for Andrew to take them out every time she does)
Amber: (Angry) I am boiling mad at you right now and I am this close to kicking your ass if you keep unpacking.
Andrew: I did not have sex with Jo, we didn't even kiss it was just-
Amber: It was what? You falling madly in love with her during the time you were trying to send my brother to prison?
(Amber quickly shoves her clothes in her case and zips it. She rushes out of the bedroom and tries to grab her keys but Andrew beats her)
Andrew: Amber you're overreacting over something that happened before you and I even met.
Amber: No, I am not overreacting I'm just reacting. It's just not the way you want me to. Now hand me my keys.
Andrew: I am trying to explain what happened, can you just stand still for a little bit so I can explain and make you see that there's nothing for you to freak out about.
Amber: You just told me that you were in love with my sister! What can you possibly say that's gonna make it okay?!
(Amber takes her keys out of Andrew's hand and runs out the door with Andrew following her)
Andrew: Amber, look at me please.
Amber: What part of I don't want to hear it do you not under-
(Amber trips suddenly on the sidewalk and falls on the street)
Andrew: Amber! Are you okay?
(Andrew kneels down to Amber who shrieks in pain holding her ankle)
Andrew: I think you sprained your ankle. I'll carry you back inside.
(Amber slaps Andrew away when he tries to carry her)
Amber: No! I don't need your help and I don't want to be anywhere near you right now.
(Amber gets up and tries to walk to her car but nearly falls from pain but Andrew catches her)
Andrew: You can't walk on that ankle let alone drive.
Amber: I will take my chances.
Andrew: You live half an hour away. Your chances are getting into a car accident so unless you would rather die than let me fix you up be my guest.
(Andrew stands back and looks at Amber growing frustrated. She exhales in anger and opens her arms indicating for Andrew to carry her)
Andrew: Glad to see you're not totally angry with me.
(Andrew lifts Amber up bridal style. She pouts as they go back inside)
LATER AT EVERETT
(Casey pulls up at the driveway outside his father's house with Sam beside him visibly nervous)
Casey: Don't be nervous. It's dinner not a warzone.
Sam: I'm meeting your family, it's a warzone for women. What do I say or do so your dad doesn't hate me?
Casey: Um basic stuff first, he's a corporate lawyer so talk to him about life in the corporate world and pretend like you care. He likes the Knick's but seeing as how you're not a sports fan you can bring in the Die-Hard movies, he loves those. Wine is a good subject, red or white it doesn't matter. He also likes to keep up with stock tips so try to engage him in that get advice butter him up. And whatever you do, do not bring up Trump vs Hilary.
Sam: Why would I bring up Trump or Hilary?
Casey: Although he's not opposed to casually discussing Obama vs Romney, so that's also a good tip.
Sam: Those are basic stuff?
Casey: Don't worry it's gonna be fine, it'll be fine. I'm just giving you ammunition to save yourself.
Sam: (Nervous) Great, you're making it sound fun already.
(Sam and Casey get out of the car. Sam smooths out her black dress as they walk to the door)
Casey: (Exhales) Here we go.
(Casey rings the doorbell and a few seconds later a brown-haired teenager answers the door who smiles at the sight of Casey and hugs him laughing)
Wendy: Hi!
Casey: (Grins) Hey! Happy birthday!
Wendy: Thank you. I'm so glad you could make it.
Casey: Me too uh Wendy this is Sam.
Sam: (Smiles) Hi it's nice to meet you.
Wendy: Hi, wow you're really pretty.
Casey: (Rolls eyes) Wendy.
Wendy: What? You said she was smoking hot but I didn't think you were right. His last smoking hot girl wore cornrows and stank of patchouli. It's nice to see that you're with a normal looking girl.
Sam: (Chuckles) I'm so happy to have your approval.
Casey: Can we just go inside?
(They head inside the house when Casey's father Graham comes down. Casey takes a deep breath)
Casey: Hey.
Graham: Hi…are you going to introduce me?
Casey: Right, dad this is my girlfriend Sam Bello, Sam this is my father.
Sam: (Grins) Hi it's nice to meet you Mr. Parker.
Graham: Please call me Graham. Uh well you can make yourself at home, there's drinks in the fridge. We're gonna order pizza in a bit, I wanted to make dinner but Wendy wouldn't let me.
Wendy: Because it's not a party unless there's pizza it's basic science dad and mom agrees with me.
Casey: Speaking of which, where is Rita?
Graham: She's out of town on business, she won't make it till tomorrow. You girls can order the pizza and Cassandra and I will get the plates out.
(Sam frowns and looks at Casey who's visibly uncomfortable at his old name. He reluctantly follows his father to the kitchen)
Wendy: I uh I told him to call Casey Casey but as you can see, he doesn't listen…do you want to help me pick out the food?
Sam: Yeah, as long as it doesn't have mushrooms.
Wendy: (Grins) Don't worry its meats or nothing. I'll get my laptop.
(Wendy goes upstairs. Sam looks at the pictures on the wall and doesn't see Casey in it. She looks closely and see's that it's Casey when he was Cassandra. She frowns at the obvious display)
7:00 PM
ANDREWS APARTMENT
(Andrew applies an ice pack to Amber's swollen ankle propped on the coffee table while she continues to pout)
Andrew: It's a mild sprain, your gonna have to stay off it for a day or two. The ice will make the swelling go down and we'll apply a bandage by then.
(Amber doesn't respond as she crosses her arms in front of her chest)
Andrew: Look the way I see it you're probably gonna be here for a few more hours which is just enough time for me to explain myself…Can you at least look at me?
(Amber closes her eyes and exhales. She reluctantly looks at Andrew)
Andrew: That's a start. Okay, where do I begin? Um…after Alex beat me up, I was in a dark place. I was a walking reminder that the chief of peds was facing criminal charges with my face bruised and my arm in a sling. Nobody and I mean nobody would talk to me, they would talk about me or at me but nobody asked me how I was or how I felt. They all just brushed me off and blamed me for Karev's mistake and it didn't help that the chief ordered me not to talk about the case with anyone. I…I felt more alone then than I ever did, that was until Jo came to me. She was told not to talk anyone too and instead we talked to each other. She and I understood the pain of what happened that night, she was there when I needed someone there.
(Amber says nothing and stares at the coffee table instead)
Andrew: We spent a lot of time together. We talked about everything and nothing, she made me laugh and I made her laugh. The more I got to know her the more I…saw how amazing she was and how perfect. I was convinced at the time that I was in love with her. I threw away the case even though it was a slam dunk so that she wouldn't have to testify and get discovered by her ex. I wanted her to be safe and to be happy and I think that was when I started to fall for her. One night I was gonna tell her how I feel, I was gonna tell her that I love her but then she rejected me before I could even tell her. After that we just went our separate ways and didn't really talk again. That's the whole story, God's honest truth. I don't have those feelings for Jo anymore, what happened in the past happened in the past. Please trust me when I tell you that, please believe me when I say that I'm sorry for keeping this from you for so long. I just-I didn't think it was important because Jo never reciprocated my feelings and I moved on. (Sighs) But now I see that it was a mistake to keep it from you and have you finding out from somebody else…I am so sorry.
(Amber closes her eyes as she processes his words)
Andrew: Please say something.
Amber: …I'm hungry.
Andrew: What?
Amber: I haven't had dinner so I'm hungry. I feel like pizza.
Andrew: Um okay.
(Andrew dials his phone to deliver pizza while Amber leans her head back on the couch)
EVERETT
(Sam hangs out with Wendy in the living room)
Wendy: Are you a lesbian?
Sam: (Shocked) What?
Wendy: Sorry it's just…Casey's last girlfriend was a lesbian and I'm trying to figure you out but my gaydar isn't picking up anything.
Sam: (Chuckles) Maybe that's because I'm not a lesbian or on the spectrum.
Wendy: Really? Wow, look at my big bro scoring a hot straight woman like you. Seriously though I'm glad he actually has someone to bring. Every time he comes alone, I have to witness the uncomfortable dinners all by myself, so it's nice that I won't be alone.
Sam: Can you at least tell me what Defcon level tonight is gonna be?
Wendy: Uh it varies. 5 is when they just eat in awkward silence and 1 is when my father insults his life choices in front of us.
Sam: Fantastic.
Wendy: Don't worry, just keep your head down and try not to let my dad get under your skin, Casey doesn't let it.
(Sam grins and the doorbell rings alerting them the pizza is there)
Sam: I'll get it.
MEANWHILE IN THE KITCHEN
(Casey helps Graham make the lemonade by cutting up the lemons)
Graham: So…how long have you two been dating?
Casey: Uh a few months I think, we started going out on Valentine's Day, but uh we've been hanging out since Christmas.
Graham: And she knows? She knows about you?
Casey: (Sighs) Yes, I told her before we started dating.
Graham: Mmm and how did she take it?
Casey: She was freaked out at first but then she got over it and here we are. Are you surprised? That a straight woman could actually be romantically and sexually involved with me?
Graham: Honestly yes. In my opinion this is just an experiment for her before she realizes that she wants to be with a real man.
(Casey drops the knife with a thud and grabs the pitcher slamming the pantry door)
Graham: I am just telling you what you already know Cassandra. Unless you want your heart broken again, I suggest you end it before she comes to her senses. That's my advice.
Casey: (Exhales) Look it's Wendy's birthday and I don't want to fight so here's what were gonna do. I'm gonna catch up with my sister and your just gonna sit there and drink in silence until the cake comes. Do you think you can do that?
Graham: (Mockingly salutes) Yes, lieutenant.
(Casey says nothing as he squeezes the lemon juice into the pitcher)
8:00 PM
ANDREWS APARTMENT
(Andrew finishes off his fourth slice and sees the last pepperoni pizza in the box)
Andrew: Here you can have the last slice if you want.
Amber: I should, you were in love with my sister-in-law.
(Amber grabs the last slice with Andrew sighing)
Andrew: Let me ask you something, would you be this upset if it was someone? Are you upset about me being in love with someone else before we even met or are you upset that it was Jo I was in love with?
Amber: (Scowls) Do you honestly want me to answer that?
Andrew: Amber it means nothing.
Amber: If it meant nothing then why didn't you tell me?
Andrew: When am I supposed to bring something like that up? Are you really threatened by Jo?
Amber: Andrew, my own sister told me to my face and without remorse that she ruined what could've been a relationship with you. Do you think about what could've been?
Andrew: …A little but not a lot and not at all since we started dating. Just because Jo has conflicting feelings now doesn't mean that I do, I don't have those feelings for her anymore.
Amber: Are you sure about that? Because I keep thinking about your vast relationships and I worry that this new information is just proof that I'm just the latest in your long romantic history.
Andrew: What? That is not true. What makes you think something that ridiculous?
Amber: (Crosses arms) Sam your first love who you left out of nowhere. Maggie who you dumped out of nowhere. Jo who you fell in love with out of nowhere. Sam again who left out of nowhere and now me. The girl you rejected twice and then asked out a year later out of nowhere.
Andrew: I'm not the only one with a messy personal life okay. You have dated many people in the past and I don't judge you for it. I respect that your pan and that you have led a colorful life and now here you are insulting me for having one too. You know your basically slut shaming me, right?
Amber: (Exasperated) Oh my- (Exhales) I was not slut shaming you, okay? I have had an active sex life yes but I don't get in and out of relationships like it's a fast-food joint. Before you the longest relationship I had was a month, I don't trust people easily and when I do I try to get to know them before contemplating getting serious. You…you fall in and out of love very quickly and easily.
Andrew: That is not true.
Amber: You went after Jo the second you dumped Maggie and then you went after Sam the second Jo rejected you and a month after Sam left, you kissed me. Don't tell me that I'm being ridiculous. You know that if my history was anything like yours, you'd say the same thing and…
Andrew: And what?
Amber: And worry that this-whatever this is…is just another relationship your gonna abandon as soon as something goes wrong.
(Andrew quiets as he looks at Amber who stress eats the pizza)
EVERETT
(Casey and Sam sit at the table with Graham and Wendy eating the pizza)
Graham: Casey tells me that you're an intern with him. How's that going so far?
Sam: It's going well. I don't really do surgery so much as assisting but I'm hoping that by the time I become a resident I can actually hold a scalpel.
Wendy: I'm actually thinking of being a doctor too. I just hope that I get past all the blood and guts eventually.
Sam: You will and hey if you want, I can recommend some good schools for biology courses. I can even tell you all about my time in Harvard if you want.
Wendy: Really? Casey where did you find this girl and can I keep her?
Casey: (Chuckles) Easy. How's it feel to be 18?
Wendy: Almost as much as I felt when I was 17.
Graham: That's because you haven't paid bills or done anything that would resemble adulthood yet. You'll feel differently in about five years.
Casey: Any plans for college?
Wendy: I'm thinking California, maybe UCLA or Berkeley. I want to go somewhere there's actually sun.
Sam: (Chuckles) Trust me you don't. I grew up in Florida and no matter what I wore I always sweated through my shirts. It feels a lot nicer here than it does down there.
Graham: She probably just wants to go for the parties and the sororities. God knows that LA is full of them.
Wendy: That is only slightly true. I promise that I won't get sucked into the jello shots and focus most of my time on studying.
Casey: Speaking of studying, I got you something that might help you.
(Casey hands Wendy a small, wrapped box. She unwraps it and pulls out a Best Buy gift card)
Wendy: Cool, it's just what I wanted. How much? 50? 100?
Casey: (Grins) More like 1'500 dollars.
Wendy: (Eyes widen) What? You're giving me a thousand bucks?
Casey: A thousand and five hundred. It's enough for a laptop with a lot of storage, I recommend the Microsoft, it's a great brand.
Graham: I'm sure it is, you used it to hack into a government website.
(Wendy puts her gift down and glares at her dad)
Graham: What? It's the truth and seeing as how much of her truth she told Sam, I'm sure she knows too.
(Sam taps her fingers on the table uncomfortably and looks at Casey who drinks his wine)
9:00 PM
ANDREWS APARTMENT
(Amber and Andrew sit on the couch in silence until Andrew speaks up)
Andrew: If I wanted to run the second something went wrong, I wouldn't even be here right now.
Amber: What?
Andrew: You say that I run the second something goes wrong, if that were true you wouldn't even be in my apartment right now. You say that I'm perfect well I'm not, you've made that clear tonight when you pointed out my flaws. Maybe your right, maybe I am the guy who falls in and out of relationships quickly but I accepted Sam, Maggie and Jo's flaws. The relationships ended because of my selfishness or one-sided feelings or ICE. This relationship is still going on because I have had a lot and I mean a lot of patience for you and you can't do the same thing for me.
Amber: Patience for what?
Andrew: …You push me away every time it gets complicated, Amber. You push me away when you had a tough day at work or when someone from my past comes knocking at the door.
Amber: I think I reacted to that particular situation pretty normally if you think about it.
Andrew: You told me to take time even though I told you there was nothing between Sam and I, what is that about?
Amber: I did what anyone would've done, I gave you time to make a choice a real choice instead of just settling. (Voice breaking) It was the hardest thing I ever did and now you're seeing it as a reason why I'm so horrible.
Andrew: No, I'm not. I just need you to see my point of view in this relationship. A part of me thinks that ever since we got together you've just been looking for some reason to end it.
Amber: (Mouth gaps) Oh great. You were in love with my sister and I'm the one who's screwed up!
Andrew: Oh my god! I did not say you were screwed up. This is what I'm talking about, anytime you see a problem you get defensive. Anytime a crisis comes along you tell me to leave you alone and I know I did that with my dad but I told you that I needed time so that I didn't drag you down with me. Why do you always push me away when I try to help you? Why do you always expect something good to turn into dust the second you make yourself vulnerable? Why…why can't you just let me in?
Amber: (Ponders) …I…I don't know.
(Andrew sighs and looks at Amber who leans back on the couch)
EVERETT
(Graham sets the cake in front of Wendy)
Casey: Where do you keep the candles?
Graham: There in the-
Wendy: Whoa, is that a tattoo?
(Casey shows his tattoo on his forearm. Sam sees the air force symbol with U.S. AIR FORCE written under)
Casey: (Grins) Yeah, I got it after I finished med school. it helped with my dating life; chicks dig ink.
Wendy: (Chuckles) Nice, very badass.
Sam: Eh I've never been into tattoo's but it looks cool.
Graham: I've got nothing to say about that.
Casey: (Muttering) No you do your just not gonna say it.
Graham: (Angry) Fine, I'll say it. Haven't you mutilated yourself enough?
(Casey looks at the table in shame with Wendy glaring at her dad. Sam looks at Casey and feels anger at Graham)
Sam: What the hell is wrong with you? Do you make it a hobby to humiliate your kids in front of everyone?
Graham: Excuse me?
Sam: No, I won't. I've been excusing you all night in spite of the fact that you've treated Casey like garbage.
Casey: Sam-
Sam: Surgery is not mutilation. Casey isn't Cassandra, he never has been he is a man. All he did was make sure that what he looked like matched his soul.
Graham: His soul? Is that what you think? Let me tell you something, underneath all the scars and testosterone is my daughter, Cassandra.
Sam: He is your son and he is a wonderful, brave and caring human being. I mean the guy fought for a country that deems people like him abominations and it's still not enough for you. He became a doctor for god's sake and you should be proud instead you can't get your own uptight values.
Wendy: Okay! Let's just calm down, blow out the candles and eat it in our own separate rooms, okay?
(Graham shakes his head and stands up heading upstairs. Casey leaves the table as well)
Wendy: (Sighs) I hate family dinners.
Sam: I'm right there with you.
(Sam and Wendy eat grab a big slice of cake to devour)
10:00 PM
ANDREWS APARTMENT
(Andrew brings water bottles for him and Amber who looks at him thoughtfully)
Amber: When you ignored me after your dad left, I didn't try to push past it. I let you brood, I let you walk past me in the hall even though it stung. I felt like there was something wrong with me that you choose to ignore me…but even then, I didn't try to break past your shields.
Andrew: Why didn't you?
Amber: (Sighs) Because I've held those shields up too many times in my life. I knew that you were going through something that couldn't be mended by kisses or kind words. I knew that the anger you were feeling was greater than my concern for you. You pushed me away and I knew the reasons for it but you don't know the reasons for me.
Andrew: Okay, then tell me.
Amber: …I can't remember a time I didn't feel the need to keep people at arm's length. My childhood was a horror show filled with disappointment and physical injuries. The only two people I really let into my life are my brothers and then one of them left and the other stabbed me not long after. I've conditioned myself not to trust people at first glance, I always make them prove that they won't severely hurt me. Even then I still kept a wall up, I've never let myself need anyone because nobody was there when Aaron snapped and attacked me. I had to fend for myself when I was in and out of foster care because child services doesn't keep siblings together. I have gotten so used to relying on me and only me that…that the idea of having someone be there to help me up when I'm kicked down feels so strange to me.
Andrew: That sounds awful.
Amber: Yeah, it was. I think that's why I haven't had a serious relationship; I push people away before they get to me. I…I'm not like you.
Andrew: What do you mean?
Amber: I mean…you've had relationships before because you let yourself trust and love without question, I don't. You said so yourself I look for something to end this before it can begin, it's in my DNA. I'm a product of my upbringing and so are you.
Andrew: Amber if that were true, we wouldn't last as long as we have.
Amber: You said it yourself we lasted this long because you put up with my…attachment issues. If you weren't so patient and so kind, we never would have made it. The awful truth is…when Jo told me that you were in love with her a very small part of me was relieved.
Andrew: Why?
Amber: Because I saw a way out. I saw a way out of potential heartache that would break me, I saw a way out of a good relationship that I was already wary of and…I saw a way out of being happy.
(Andrew sighs and takes a big swallow from his water bottle)
EVERETT
(Sam joins Casey on the patio where he's drinking his beer and brooding)
Sam: Are you okay?
Casey: (Sighs) You just went off on my father at sister's birthday dinner, what do you think?
Sam: (Taken back) I was defending you; did you not hear what your dad was saying to you?
Casey: I did and I don't need you to defend me I can defend myself.
Sam: But you didn't, you just sat there and let your father say horrible things about you. Did you seriously expect me to just do what you were doing?
Casey: I don't like the way my dad treats me either but I made a choice. I choose to be myself and to take crap from people who don't approve for stupid reasons. I choose to tolerate my father for my sister's sake.
Sam: But he doesn't tolerate you, he can't even be in the same room with you without tearing you down. Why don't you say something?
Casey: It wouldn't make a difference.
Sam: He doesn't even have any picture of you after you transitioned.
Casey: Sam!
(Sam looks at Casey shocked at his angry tone)
Casey: This isn't something you can fix, okay? Can we just let it go and drive the hell away from this nightmare?
(Sam looks at Casey in pity and walks back inside to the kitchen where she see's Graham taking a sip of scotch)
Sam: Um I was just coming to get something to drink.
Graham: Wine's in the bottom pantry.
Sam: I actually have to drive since Casey's drinking. I imagine you have something to say about that too.
(Sam grabs a water bottle from the fridge and turns to leave when Graham speaks)
Graham: I thought she was a tomboy growing up.
Sam: What?
Graham: Cassandra or Casey when she was little, she would hang out with boys and beat them at sports. She would wear baggy jeans and graphic tees from the boy's section and I didn't think much of it. I was preparing myself for her to tell me that she liked girls and I was okay with that. I could accept that.
Sam: Then why can't you accept this?
Graham: (Sighs) I know you think I'm horrible to Casey but you don't know how hard it's been. I felt like I had lost a daughter, I felt like I had lost the opportunity to have a daddy's little girl. It's a known fact that dads are closer to their daughters than they are to their sons. I have tried to understand but…I don't know who that person was that I just had dinner with.
Sam: He's the same person he has always been he just…became who he's always been. People with gender dysphoria feel like they're in prison. They feel like they're in the wrong body and its hard for them to come to terms with that especially when the people that are supposed to love them can't see what they see. I know it's been hard for you but it was much worse for your son. You don't have to like it or accept it; you just have to acknowledge that you have a son. A son who is brave and smart and kind and cares about his father no matter what crap he says to him. Any man would feel lucky to have raised someone like that because it means that they did a good job raising them.
(Sam leaves Graham in the kitchen to contemplate his next action)
11:00 PM
ANDREWS APARTMENT
(Amber and Andrew lean back on the couch exhausted from their argument)
Andrew: Did you know before Sam left; we were gonna move in together?
Amber: (Surprised) No, I didn't know that. Was it your idea or hers?
Andrew: It was her idea. She asked me to move in with her when she found out I was living in the on-call room.
Amber: (Chuckles) Seriously? How did that happen?
Andrew: I was living with Dr. Robbins and then she was sleeping with my sister so I moved in with Dr. Hunt until…he was sleeping with my sister.
Amber: (Laughs) And you say I lived a colorful life.
Andrew: (Chuckles) Yes compared to my sister, you're a nun…when Sam was faced with the possibility of being deported, I felt a little relieved. For one second just one, I felt like I had an out in a relationship that tanked before…many times. It sounds terrible and I felt terrible after I felt that but it was there. That feeling you were talking about, after Jo told you the truth, I felt that too. I didn't have to face potential heartache again or be the bad guy and dump her again I was off the hook and so was she.
(Amber leans forward and listens attentively to Andrew)
Andrew: I know you think I'm perfect but I'm not Amber. I have dumped people for no reason at all, I have fallen for people who are all kinds of wrong for me and date their relatives and I feel horrible things during a time a person I love is in crisis.
Amber: …So what your saying were both all kinds of screwed up.
Andrew: (Chuckles) Basically yes…I think this is the longest we ever talked. We usually talk about work or our families but we just talked about ourselves.
Amber: (Sighs) I've learned more about you this past night then the past few months. I told you things that I didn't even know about myself. What do you think that says about us?
Andrew: …I don't know. Do you think we would be here right now if Jo didn't tell you?
Amber: …I don't know, maybe. I mean it would have come out sooner or later, something like that can't be kept a secret forever. Would you have told me?
Andrew: I…I honestly don't know. It happened so long ago and nothing happened so I didn't feel like there was anything to say or reveal.
Amber: (Scoffs) There was definitely something to reveal all right.
Andrew: Is it impossible for you to forgive me?
Amber: How? How do I do that after what I just learned?
(Andrew sighs as he tries to find the right words until Amber speaks)
Amber: I don't know if we should be together. I mean look how easy it was for one secret to pit us against each other.
Andrew: Amber please…I don't care about Jo; I don't want to be with her. Can we please just let this go? Can you do that? For us?
Amber: …I can't just pretend it didn't happen. Maybe…maybe tonight was a sign, maybe it was a sign that we have too much bad history. I mean you rejected me the first time because my brother beat you up and now…now I find out that you were in love with a woman I've come to love as a sister. We barely moved past what my brother did but what you wanted to do with my sister…I don't know if I can move past it.
Andrew: What are you saying?
Amber: (Sniffles) I'm saying that I think we need some time apart. I need to process this and figure out by myself if I can move past this and if you really care about me then you'll let me. (Voice breaking) Please let me.
(Andrew looks at his feet for a moment before leaving the living room to go to bed. Amber holds back tears and limps out of the apartment with her bags)
EVERETT
(Casey goes to the living room and is surprised to find his dad putting his military photo on the wall)
Casey: What are you doing?
Graham: (Sighs) I talked to your girlfriend after dinner, she had many things to say to me.
Casey: Dad, I didn't send her.
Graham: No, I know you didn't. Your brave against many things except for me, your girlfriend could see that and that's why she told me off. (Chuckles) She quite a firecracker isn't she.
Casey: (Grins) She is, that's what I like about her.
Graham: I like her too…because she showed me the pain that I've put you through. I still don't understand…this. I still see the baby girl I held in my arms when you were born even if you don't. I resent the fact that you did something so permanent that its impossible for me to get my daughter back.
Casey: Dad…your daughter never existed, not really. I tried to live up to your expectations growing up but it was hard. It hurt me in ways you can't imagine. It didn't help that you were always trying to get me into dresses or skirts.
Graham: I know I've made your life hard but you need to understand that I thought I was protecting you. I thought I could shake you out of this phase, I had convinced myself that if you continued this way you were gonna get killed one day. There are people out there who are not as accepting as you want them to be and I didn't want you to face them…but now I know that you're facing it from the one person who was supposed to love you and support you unconditionally.
Casey: So, what are you saying? Your cool with it now?
Graham: (Sighs) I still don't like it or accept it but I know nothing I do or say will change it. I'm gonna try to be just a little more tolerable. I'm starting by putting up a picture of my son who fought for his country. It'll show people how proud I am to have raised him right. I…I hope that this enough to show how sorry I am for causing you pain.
(Casey feels tears in his eyes and hugs his dad who hugs him back)
Casey: It's a start.
(Sam comes downstairs and smiles at the display)
12:00 PM
SAMS APARTMENT
(Sam and Casey chat on the couch as they eat leftover cake from the party)
Sam: So, things are good?
Casey: As good as they've ever been. He actually called me his son…he's never done that before.
Sam: You know I could point out that it was me who made him see the rainbow but I'm a humble person.
Casey: (Chuckles) Clearly…I'm sorry for going off on you. I know you were just trying to protect me.
Sam: It's fine I get it.
Casey: I appreciate what you did. You did a real number on my dad if he put my picture on the mantle. You didn't threaten him or anything did you?
Sam: No. I just made him see the amazing kid he has right in front of him.
(Casey grins and kisses Sam)
MEREDITHS HOUSE
(Amber sits on the couch devouring powdered donuts watching Riverdale when she hears knocking. She gets up and answers the door finding Levi on the other side looking obviously heartbroken making Amber guess what happened)
Amber: (Sighs) Pause?
Levi: (Nods)
Amber: Me too.
Levi: (Sniffles) Is it alright if I crash here tonight? I don't want to have to explain to my mom, I haven't even come out.
Amber: Come in, I got a bag of gummy worms with your name on it.
(Amber leads Levi to the couch where they sit watching tv in shared depression)