Straughn, Indiana
[Amanda and Serena (carrying a sleeping Mara) walk up to a house and knock, an older man opens the door]
Amanda:
Hi, Daddy,
Leroy[shocked]:
Mandy Bear?
[He pulls Amanda into a hug]
Leroy:
I've missed you so much. Where have you been? Forget that for now. I'm just so glad you're back.
[pulls away from her]
Let me get a good look at you. Wow. I'm so happy you're back. Come in.
Amanda:
This is Serena and her daughter Mara.
[Leroy looks like he knows who they are but leaves it for Amanda to tell]
Leroy:
Pleased to meet you. Come in. Come in. You can lay the little one down in my room for now.
Serena:
Thank you.
Amanda:
Where's Mama?
Leroy:
She died. Last year.
Amanda:
How?
Leroy:
Cancer.
Amanda:
I'm so sorry Daddy. I have so much to try and explain.
Leroy:
You're back now. Let's focus on that.
[just stares at her for a moment]
I'm so glad you came back.
Amanda:
Me too.
Leroy:
Someone else will be glad to see you too.
[Amanda looks at him for an answer]
Leroy:
Aaron is teaching at the high school now. He's also the football coach. He never did get married. I think he keeps waiting for you to come home. You'll visit him too won't you?
[pause while Amanda remains silent]
Why did you leave? Where have you been? How have you been? Who are you these days? I mean we've looked everywhere. We got as far as finding out that you went to Penn State. But they told us you left after your freshman year.
Serena:
I'm gonna take a walk. Let you guys catch up.
Leroy:
Feel free to let yourself back in when you're done.
[Serena leaves]
Amanda:
I left because I was scared.
[pause]
Daddy, Serena is your granddaughter. Which makes the little girl sleeping in your bed, your great-granddaughter.
Leroy:
I figured as much.
[Amanda looks at him for how]
Leroy:
She looks like Aaron, with a little of your mom thrown in. And that little girl looks just like you did at that age. She's five right? Serena is what 25?
[Amanda nods]
Leroy:
Mandy, you could've told us. Aaron too. He missed out on raising a daughter.
Amanda:
So did I.
Leroy:
What?
Amanda:
I put Serena up for adoption when she was born. I didn't meet her until 8 years ago. And then it took another few years before we knew she was mine.
Leroy:
And her adoptive family? How are they?
Amanda:
They died when she was six. Car crash. She was brought up in foster care. I didn't know until it was too late.
Leroy:
Where have you been all these years? How did you manage to disappear like you did?
Amanda:
I was offered a job that involved a lot of international work.
Leroy:
That doesn't explain your leaving with no trace. Where were you working? With the CIA or something?
Amanda:
Not exactly. But similar. I can't really go into it too much. I know I can trust you though not to let anyone else know what I just told you.
Leroy:
Of course. How did you meet Serena?
Amanda:
Work.
Leroy:
Why'd you come back now?
Amanda:
The company we were at is done. I wanted a normal life again. As well as to spend more time with my daughter and granddaughter.
[pause]
We're moving back.
Leroy[relaxing with that statement]:
You know it's Thursday night. Football practice goes until 5:30. The graveyard is on the way as you know.
Amanda:
Dad.
Leroy:
If you really are moving back, then we have plenty more time to catch up.
Amanda:
Alright. I'm going.