Freeze
Why did I even come here? I'm giving you another chance to hurt me all over again. I knew this would happen, but I keep making excuses for you. Wait…We haven't even talked yet. Just seeing the same smile you gave me when you left again is making me anxious.
Libby looks at Molly, taking her hand to let her know she's nervous about all of this. So Molly speaks up.
"Mr. Torres. I'm Molly, Libby's best friend. Libby just came here to talk with you. She wants to be honest about how she's feeling and I'm here to support her." Molly said.
Molly then looks at Libby to make sure what she said was okay. Libby nods with a sad smile. Not quite ready to face her Dad, but having her best friend here helps.
"Hi Dad. I'm sorry we came all this way unexpectedly. I just really need to talk to you." Libby said.
Matais, looking a bit confused but quickly brushes it off with that smile, lets both Molly and Libby in.
Libby's nervous, but Molly's staying by her side every step of the way.
Once they all get to the living room, Libby and Molly sit next to one another on the big fancy red couch while Matais sits on the red leather chair across from them. A brick fireplace to their side that's beaming those bright fall colors.
Libby looks into the fire, thinking about those simple moments she spent with Molly to get here. Happy memories of their friendship flood her mind as she realizes that's all she needs. Still, she needs to know the answer to her one question.
"Why?" Libby asked.
Libby's voice, very quiet and timid, barely carries across the room.
"I'm sorry, kiddo. What did you say?" Matais asked.
Libby starts to feel her anger rising up. Like the fire beside them crackling in the distance. Just hearing that voice makes her feel so sad, angry, and hurt. So she stands and finally speaks up.
"Why did you leave, Dad? You left me and Mom alone for years! Just to live in this fancy mansion and focus on your career. What about me? I'm your daughter and it seems like you don't even care about me. Did…Did you leave because of me?" Libby asked.
At this moment, Libby's feelings overwhelm her and she starts to cry. Sitting back down on the couch and covering her face while Molly puts her arm around her.
It's not fair…Just tell me why. Please…I need to know why I was never enough for you. I just need to know why.
Molly looks at Matais, desperately hoping for an answer. That happy ending where he reassures Libby that everything will be okay, realizes the error of his ways, and finally comes home with his family.
"Answer the question. And tell her the truth. Please..." Molly said.
Matais just sits there, unsure how to process all of this. Part of him wants to lie, to tell Libby that he'll try to do better in the future and communicate with her more to make her feel better. But seeing her so broken down, he starts to realize he needs to be honest and give her the answer to the question that's been haunting her for so long.
Matais walks over to sit next to Libby. She looks up at him, tears falling. A little spark of hope behind the sadness that breaks even his heart.
"Libby, I didn't realize how much my absence hurt you. I thought I'd be able to live my dream while still being in your life, even if it was only sending letters…Speaking of which, I got your letter." Matias said.
Hearing this, Libby's shocked it got to him so fast and a bit worried. Then she thinks about how that one letter is the best way to convey her feelings about all of this and feels relieved. A spark of hope in her eyes as her tears start to fade.
"And what did you think?" Libby asked.
Matais pulls out the letter and reads it over one last time before responding. Then he looks at Libby with the same smile that left her feeling hopeless in the first place.
"I think…This is the best thing you've ever written. The emotion and the way you put the reader in your place so they can feel what you're feeling. That's true talent. You've got a gift, kiddo. Just like me. Like father, like daughter." Matais replied.
Libby just stares at her Dad with disbelief. Shocked and confused, but most of all sad and angry. He still doesn't see why she's so hurt and can't even bring himself to apologize. But the worst thing is him saying how they're the same.
At this point, it's all too much and Libby finally stands up for herself.
"I'm nothing like you! You're selfish and only care about how famous your book makes you. That's why you left, isn't it? You don't care about Mom or me, you only care about yourself and your image. Well, I'm done trying to fight for your attention. I'm leaving. Goodbye." Libby said.
With that, Libby starts walking out the door. Molly follows close behind her, trying to hold back her tears after seeing this broken family. Still, she doesn't say a word and stays by her friend's side.
Once they're outside, Libby slams the door behind her and starts running. Tears streaming down her face as the world around her starts to blur. The fear and sadness consume her and she doesn't know where she's going. All she knows is she needs to run as fast as she can and get away from everything.
Molly tries to catch up with Libby, hoping she's okay.
"Libby, wait! Please don't run away again." Molly said.
Suddenly, Molly hears thunder and looks up at the sky. It's getting dark and cloudy and lightning starts to strike on and off. Then it starts raining hard. Molly's afraid, but she still chases Libby. She's not going to let her run away again.
"Libby, we need to go home! Please, don't leave me out here alone…" Molly yelled.
Libby stops in the middle of the road, looking back at Molly who's on the sidewalk crying. She looks so scared and lonely.
Suddenly, Libby flashes back to the first time her Dad left. She was only seven and it was a rainy night, just like this one. Her young self watches as he fights with her Mom, then runs out into the rain and drives away. She remembers the feeling, that deep hurt and pain she can't seem to escape. Being abandoned. She can see that in Molly now.
Libby snaps out of it and starts walking back towards Molly. Hope comes back in her eyes as Molly reaches out for her, leaving Libby heartbroken, but she's not going to leave Molly. Not like her Dad keeps doing to her. She's not him.
"It's okay, Molly. I'm coming." Libby said.
All of the sudden, Libby sees a look of fear in Molly's eyes and bright lights off to the side. Like the fireplace, but these lights keep coming closer. Then she hears the loud honking sounds of a car.
Fear comes flooding back to Libby as she turns to look at the last second, realizing what's going on but too afraid to move. She's frozen.
"Libby! Watch out! Run! Get out of the road!" Molly screamed.
Suddenly, the car slows down, nearly to a stop, but still hits Libby. She falls a few feet away from the car and lies there on the cold street, feeling nothing and everything all at once. It's painful and peaceful as the world around her starts to fade.
Molly runs over to Libby as fast as she can in tears. Her emotions take over as she tries to help her friend while the people who hit Libby call for an ambulance.
Libby sees Molly, a bright light in the haze of near unconsciousness.
"Please don't cry, Molly. I'm here and I'm going to be okay. I promise. I'm not going anywhere, no matter what." Libby said.
Molly takes Libby's hand in hers and she can feel how cold she is. That it scares her.
Molly hugs Libby, trying to keep her warm and do whatever she can to help. Then she sees red and blue lights coming down the street.
"Libby, look! People are coming to help. Everything's going to be okay. You just need to stay with me until then. Okay?" Molly asked.
Molly pulls Libby out of their hug and sees her eyes closed, her now pale skin. It's looking like she's fading away.
Molly panics. Not knowing what to do and hoping the doctors will be able to save her friend before it's too late.
"Hey! Over here! Please! My friend needs help! Please…" Molly said.
In the darkness, as rain pours down all around them, Molly sees the doctors coming to help and feels a sense of relief in the fear.
Everything happens so fast as they get Libby into the ambulance truck while Molly follows with one of the doctors who's holding her hand. A young woman with dark brown curly hair and kind eyes. She keeps asking her questions, like what happened and if she's okay, but Molly can't seem to speak.
Getting in the ambulance truck, Molly watches as the doctors help Libby. The doctor with the kind eyes sitting by her side as she waits patiently for Molly to talk. Then the doctor gets eye level with her and tries to help.
"Hello, my name's Rebecca. Are you okay, sweety? I know a lot of scary stuff happened and it's okay if you're not ready to talk about it. I just need to know if you're hurt." Rebecca said.
Molly looks down at the floor, then back up at Rebecca. She's scared, but somehow feels a little bit safer now that they're with doctors and Libby's getting the help she needs.
Molly tries to speak, but there's a block in her mind. Like a physical barrier is keeping her from talking and it makes her nervous. The trauma all around her puts her in this state of dissociation that she can't seem to break.
Then Molly looks to Libby, seeing her resting on the little bed and already looking better. It gives her hope.
Rebecca notices this and looks at Libby, then back at Molly with a sweet smile.
"You want to make sure your friend's okay. She's doing better, but we need to get her to the hospital to make sure she's okay. You were very brave. Staying by her side and calling for help. That's how we found you both. And now, we need to make sure you're okay too." Rebecca said.
Molly looks back at Rebecca and smiles a little. The fear and sadness slowly fade as she starts to come back to reality. It's not easy, facing her fears and being present in this scary moment. After everything that's happened, it's like her mind and body are forcing her to disconnect from it all, but she stays strong.
The block in Molly's mind starts to disappear as she feels safe and comforted by the people around her. And, knowing Libby will be okay, the words finally start to come out.
"Yeah, I'm okay. Everything will be okay." Molly said.