Jasper County: The Ties That Bind

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to people or situations, living or dead, is unintentional and coincidental.



JASPER COUNTY
"THE TIES THAT BIND"


FADE IN:
INT. OUTSIDE SMALL TOWN CHURCH MORNING
The outside of the Jasper County Church is seen while inside the CONGREGATION is heard singing the chorus to “Bringing in the Sheaves” to a single piano. A county patrol car slowly and quietly passes by. On its door it says Jasper County Sheriff’s Department.

INT. JASPER COUNTY TOWN SQUARE MORNING
The Jasper County town square is seen. The small business doors have signs hanging in saying “We’re Closed.” The courthouse is seen, as is the bank, and the sheriff’s department. A county patrol car slowly and quietly passes by. The town is quiet and still. The CONGREGATION continues singing “Bringing in the Sheaves.”

INT. COUNTRYSIDE FIELDS MORNING
Fields with rows of corn and fields with beans are seen, but the fields are empty of people. Tractors and farm equipment sit quietly near barns. The CONGREGATION concludes singing “Bringing in the Sheaves.”

INT. INSIDE THE SMALL TOWN CHURCH MORNING
The preacher, JIM DEWRIGHT, stands just inside the front door, shaking hands with people as they leave church.

MS. EDNA MICHAELS greets Jim. Ms. Edna is assisted in walking by her granddaughter, CHRISTINA BANKS.

JIM DEWRIGHT
Happy to see you were able to make it this morning, Ms. Edna. We always miss you when you’re not here.

MS. EDNA
(scoffs) At my age, Jim, I always wake up expecting not to be here.

JIM DEWRIGHT
(smiles) Well, you know the Lord has a plan for each of us, Ms. Edna.

MS. EDNA
Well, I wish He’d hurry up about his business.

Ms. Edna motions to Christina to leave.

CHRISTINA BANKS
Sorry.

MS. EDNA
Don’t apologize for me, Christina!

JIM DEWRIGHT
(motions with his hand that it’s okay) I’ve known Edna for a long time.

Christina and Ms. Edna walk out of the building.

MS. EDNA
(voice over from beyond the door)
No need to apologize for me. I’ll apologize for myself…when it’s necessary…and it’s not.

EARL REEVES, his wife, DONNA REEVES, their teenage daughter, ALLISON, and their infant son, TOBY (held by Donna), greet Jim.

EARL REEVES
(whispers as he shakes Jim’s hand) Whew! Some things never change.

DONNA REEVES
Earl, we’re at church!

Allison is seen mouthing a conversation with TOMMY HERNANDEZ while Toby drinks from a sippy cup.

DONNA REEVES
(continuing)
Have a good day, Jim.

JIM DEWRIGHT
Thank you, Donna. You, too.

The Reeves family exits the building.


ANGELA HERNANDEZ and her teenage son, TOMMY HERNANDEZ come to the door.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
Good sermon today, Jim. (shakes Jim’s hand)

JIM DEWRIGHT
Well, thank you, Angela. I find it worthy this time of year, just before the crops come in, to remind everyone of their good fortune. (to Tommy) And, Tommy, good to see you, son. How’s practice coming along?

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Better. Those tips you gave me on how to hold the ball really helped, sir.

JIM DEWRIGHT
Good, good. (he shakes Tommy’s hand)

Angela and Tommy exit the church.

INT. OUTSIDE OF CHURCH MORNING
The congregation members are waving to each other, mouthing conversations with each other, getting in their cars, or walking away from the church. A patrol car has pulled into a parking space beside Ms. Edna and Christina. SHERIFF COOPER MICHAELS is helping Ms. Edna into her car.

SHERIFF
Well, mama, it does you good to get out the house and, you know, Christina, picks you up and everything so you don’t have to worry about nothing.

MS. EDNA
I know I don’t have to worry about nothing. That’s not the point.

(Sheriff reaches for the seatbelt)

MS. EDNA
I can get my own seatbelt, thank you.

SHERIFF
Yes, ma’am. (sarcastically) Nice to see you’re in one of your good moods this morning, mama.

Christina turns away to hide a smile.

MS. EDNA
What did you say to me? You better know you’re not too big for me to turn you over my knee Cooper Michaels, sheriff or not!

SHERIFF
Yes, ma’am.

CHRISTINA BANKS
I should get her home. I’m sure she needs some rest.

SHERIFF
Well, I’ll be over later to check on you on my lunch break, mama.

MS. EDNA
Fine. I’m ready to go, Christina.

Sheriff closes the car door gently. Christina goes around and gets in the driver’s seat.

Sheriff walks over to Angel and Tommy Hernandez who are talking with an elderly couple, JESSE AND EMILY PYLE.

SHERIFF
Morning.

JESSE PYLE
Howdy, Sheriff. Me and Emily were just talking and realized that it’s been ten years now since Angela and Tommy moved here to Jasper and we got to know them. And, we were thinking that ten years is something special. So, we’re gonna have a barbecue to celebrate. Why don’t you come.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
Oh, sure. You have to be there Sheriff Michaels. You were the one who helped me get Tommy enrolled in school and you helped us to get a real home. Why I can’t thank you enough.

SHERIFF
Oh, I was just being neighborly. It was the Christian thing to do. Besides, you’ve been such a benefit to the community.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Yeah, and you even encouraged me to go out for the football team.

SHERIFF
Uh, well, Tommy, you’ve got the speed Jasper County has needed for a couple seasons now.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Besides, Ms. Emily has promised to make her famous sweet potato pie.

SHERIFF
The one that won the blue ribbon at the fair?

EMILY PYLE
And, Jesse here is going to barbecue up some of that prize winning pig.

SHERIFF
I’m there.

JESSE PYLE
We’ll let you know when, Coop. It’ll probably be this weekend.

SHERIFF
Alright. (sees the Reeves walking to their car) Excuse me. (calls out) Earl!

Sheriff walks to the Reeves car, driver’s side.

Angela and Tommy walk to their old blue car. Tommy and Allison steal a glance and a smile.

Jesse and Emily walk away towards their old truck.

SHERIFF
Morning, everybody. Earl, I just wanted to make sure we were still on for that training this Tuesday. We’ve gotta make sure we’ve got enough folks on the Volunteer Fire Department this time of year, and they need to know what they’re doing.

EARL REEVES
We’re starting at 10 am out at Jesse and Emily Pyle’s place. They’re gonna let us set fire to that old barn that fell in a few decades ago so that we can bring everybody up to speed on the new equipment the county got. If everybody shows up, we’ll have a good turnout.

SHERIFF
Great. See you then.

Sheriff walks to his patrol car. The Reeves and other families continue getting in vehicles and driving away. Jim Dewright stands on the front steps of the church, observes a sunny day, smiles, and goes back inside the church.

INT. OUTSIDE OF THE REEVES HOME NOON
The small, old farmhouse sits amongst fields of corn. Teenage ELWOOD “WOODY” REEVES is walking from the barn toward and into the house.

DONNA REEVES
(voice over)
Allison, go out to the barn and get your brother. Lunch is about ready.

INT. INSIDE OF THE REEVES HOME KITCHEN NOON
Woody comes in, goes to the sink in a small mud-room just off the front door, and washes his hands, and then takes his seat. The front door opens to the kitchen. Earl walks in and takes his seat as Allison and Donna are taking bowls of food from the counter and stove to the table. Toby already sits in his highchair.

WOODY REEVES
I’m here, mom.

DONNA REEVES
Oh, good.

EARL REEVES
(laughs) Boy’s got the nose of a Reeves! We always know when it’s time to eat. How’s she doing, Wood?

WOODY REEVES
I put the new calf in with old Bessie for the time being. Bessie seems to be taking to him, taking care of him. He’s so small, but I think he’ll be okay. But, it’s Maggie, dad. The delivery was so hard for her. I’ve been doing all I can, everything Doc Watson said to, but I’m just not sure she’s going to pull through.

EARL REEVES
(sadly) Well, we’ll go out there after lunch and take another look at her. And, if she’s any worse, we’ll have to do the sane thing and put her out of her misery.

WOODY REEVES
(sadly) Yes, sir.

EARL REEVES
You did real good with helping her with the delivery, son. That’s all you could of done. It’s just part of farm life. You know that.

WOODY REEVES
Yes, sir. (looks downward, swallows hard)

DONNA REEVES
Earl, would you like to say grace today?

The family takes hold of each other’s hands and bows their heads.

EARL REEVES
Lord, we thank you for this beautiful day and for thy bounty. Thank you for this wonderful meal and for all the blessings we have received. Lord, please give us strength when we need it. And, help us to always make the right choices. In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, Amen.

ALLISON, WOODY, AND DONNA
(together)
Amen

Donna puts some mashed potatoes on a plate for Toby and passes them to Allison. Earl takes a piece of chicken and passes it to Woody. Allison sits to the left of Donna; Woody to her right; and Earl across from her.

DONNA REEVES
Woody, were you able to get any work done on that history paper that’s due this week?

WOODY REEVES
No, but I’ll work on it some more this evening. This is the first time I’ve left the barn since about midnight.

EARL REEVES
Well, as much as I need your help around here, your schooling comes first. And, you, too, Ally. I don’t want to hear about anybody’s grades slipping.

WOODY REEVES
Oh, mom, I forgot to tell you that Coach Henry called yesterday. The team starts practicing every day after school this week.

DONNA REEVES
Okay.

EARL REEVES
And, first thing in the morning, I’m gonna be getting to work on fixing that fence and getting some water on that back forty.

DONNA REEVES
Okay.

ALLISON REEVES
I can help you with that fence after school tomorrow, dad.

DONNA REEVES
I thought you were tutoring Tommy Hernandez in algebra on Monday afternoons.

ALLISON REEVES
Football practice. Remember?

DONNA REEVES
Oh, yeah.

WOODY REEVES
And, make sure he passes, Allison. He can run like lightning. Coach Henry thinks the team actually may make it to the playoffs this year between Tommy’s speed and those big ol’ Moyers twins as blocks.

EARL REEVES
You’ve been spending a lot of time with Tommy lately, haven’t you Ally?

ALLISON REEVES
Not really.

EARL REEVES
Not really, huh? I think you need to stop hanging out with him so much. Tutoring is fine, but you need to be focused on your own schoolwork so you can get a scholarship and college education. That’s the only way you’ll get out of Jasper County, away from this farm life of bills and worry and everything always falling apart.

ALLISON REEVES
(at same time as Donna’s line)
But, I love the farm.

DONNA REEVES
(at same time as Allison’s line)
Earl.

EARL REEVES
No, I mean it, Donna. I want more for you, Ally, more than you’ll ever find in Jasper County, more than you’ll ever find on this farm. And, there is only one way out: A college education. That’s the ticket.

ALLISON REEVES
(Gets up, goes to Earl, kisses him on the forehead and gives him a little hug.) Don’t worry, dad. No matter where I am, there’ll always be a part of me on this farm. (goes to the counter) Dessert, anyone? Mom and I made pound cake and Grandma Reeves vanilla ice cream.

INT. OUTSIDE OF MS. EDNA’S HOUSE NOON
The outside of an upper-middle class home on a large lot is seen. A Jasper County patrol car is parked in the drive.

MS. EDNA
(voice over)
You did a very good job with lunch, Christina. Thank you.

SHERIFF
(voice over)
Sure did.

INT. MS. EDNA’S HOUSE DINING ROOM NOON
Sheriff Cooper Michaels is seated at the table with Ms. Edna and Christina. The table was set with fine china, and has not been cleared. They’ve finished eating, and are relaxing and drinking from wine glasses.

CHRISTINA BANKS
I’m glad you liked it. I enjoyed cooking it.

SHERIFF
Your mother must have been a good cook.

CHRISTINA BANKS
She was.

MS. EDNA
Adoptive mother, you mean.

CHRISTINA BANKS
Dessert, Coop?

SHERIFF
Not now. No room left. (pats his stomach)

CHRISTINA BANKS
Ms. Edna?

MS. EDNA
Perhaps with afternoon tea, dear.

SHERIFF
Besides, I’ve got to get back on patrol soon.

MS. EDNA
Oh, please, nothing ever happens in this county unless you plan on arresting the neighbor’s dog for stealing my paper nearly ever morning. And, you should check in to it. It’s not right. Newspapers are too expensive to be wasted. They’re robbing us blind, I tell you, charging us that much for a newspaper. It’s highway robbery. And, then that dog. That dog belongs out in the wild somewhere. I woke up from my nap the other day and that dog was barking at something. No idea what. There’s nothing around here that dog could possibly have to bark at. But, I caught him stealing my newspaper. Caught him red-handed. Saw him with my own two eyes. I saw him one morning though the window.

SHERIFF
Now, mama, you’ve had the paper in here every time I’ve been here. And, the neighbors have a fence around their yard. How many times has that dog really stolen the paper?

MS. EDNA
Once, but once is too many times if you ask me. Wild dog, I tell you. People got no respect for other people’s property anymore. And, those newspapers are expensive. It’s highway robbery.

Sheriff and Christina smile at each other and shake their heads, trying not to laugh.

SHERIFF
Christina, how’s the old Jackson place coming?

MS. EDNA
Oh, I can’t believe you bought that old house. It needs to just be torn down. Just leveled.

SHERIFF
Well, you know, mama, if Christina hadn’t bought that place, we might not have had as much time to get to know her.

CHRISTINA BANKS
And, I think it was a beautiful house in its day and will be again.

SHERIFF
That’s some good river land, too.

MS. EDNA
This house is plenty big. You could have just moved in here with me instead of living way out there in the middle of nowhere in a house that older than dirt. It just needs to be torn down, I tell you. Just leveled.

CHRISTINA BANKS
(smiling) Yes, you’ve mentioned your opinion of the house to me before, Ms. Edna. I really haven’t even gotten good and started on it yet, Coop. I’m still very outnumbered by spiders and spider webs. I haven’t even gotten much of the dusting done.

MS. EDNA
What are you going to do dear with all of that furniture that was sitting around out there?

CHRISTINA BANKS
Some of that furniture is as old as the house. I want to keep it. Clean it up. Restore it along with the house. No one’s lived in the old Jackson place for over forty years, so the youngest pieces have gotta be at least forty years old. I want to decorate it the way it was originally, when the house was built back in 1850.

SHERIFF
That’s gonna be a lot of work.

CHRISTINA BANKS
Yeah. But, little by little, I think I can tackle it. And, the way I work at the museum, little by little is the only way it will get done.

MS. EDNA
Oh, I don’t know why you work for that place. Search and rescue. Research and going out on these wild goose chases to foreign countries and archeological digs just to look for old relics. Ridiculous, I think. Just ridiculous. If you want to look for something old, just look in the basement. There’s plenty of old things there and you won’t be putting yourself in danger to get to them.

SHERIFF
Are you scheduled to leave any time soon?

CHRISTINA BANKS
No. Actually buying the house a few weeks ago was pretty good timing as far as the museum goes. Because I spent most of the first half of the year on assignment and away from home, I’m less likely to be sent very far away for the next few months. They try to work it like that so that they don’t end up with the agents quitting because they’re never home. But, it doesn’t really bother me to be gone. I love my work at the museum.

MS. EDNA
(happily remembering) I remember my mother taking us to museums when we were young. Oh, I was so impressed with the Egyptian artifacts, especially those from the valley of the king’s tombs. And, the artwork, oh my, paintings from artists all over the world. It was magnificent. (not so happily) Oh, but the people of Jasper County don’t care about museums or paintings or art. No. But, I’m sure there’s plenty of old things buried around here to search for, Christina, without you having to go off somewhere else to do it, putting yourself in danger. Ridiculous. Just ridiculous.

INT. OUTSIDE OF HERNANDEZ HOME AFTERNOON
An economical middle-class home at the edge of town is seen. Neighbors are few and far between. There is a large vegetable garden off to the side of the house. A doghouse sits on the carport and Tommy is scraping table scraps off of a plate into the dog’s bowl. An old blue car and an even older pick-up truck sit outside.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
There you go, Ralphie.

Tommy pets the dog and goes back inside.

INT. INSIDE OF HERNANDEZ HOME AFTERNOON
The house is economically but tastefully furnished. The carport opens up to the kitchen. Angela is at the sink washing dishes. Tommy sets the dirty dishes on the counter, washes his hands in the empty basin, and then begins drying dishes with a towel.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
Whew. Thanks, Tommy. Just a few more dishes and we’ll be done.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Do you have to work this afternoon?

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
No, and it’s going to be nice to have the afternoon off for a change. Student nurses begin their next session tomorrow. So, I’ll be there training them. And, they sure will be a big help once they’re trained, too. The hospital is so understaffed. We need some good nurses right now. Once we get through with this, we’ll go over your algebra.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Allison’s been a big help. I think I’m actually getting the hang of it now. But, I still don’t see how I’ll ever use it. Ever!

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
(laughs quietly) So, you seem to like Allison.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Sure, she’s nice.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
(smiles) Nice? Algebra tutoring once or twice a week, walks down by the Twin Forks River, movies on Saturday night.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
(smiles bashfully) Okay, so she’s really nice.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you since I didn’t get home from the hospital until after you’d gone to bed.

Angela dries her hands and grabs an opened envelope that is standing between angel knick-knacks with other pieces of mail.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
We got a letter from your dad yesterday.

Angela hands the letter to Tommy who dries his hands and eagerly takes the letter. He removes the letter from the envelope and sits at the kitchen table.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Is he okay?

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
Seems to be. Thank goodness. I worry about him over there in Iran. Anything could happen.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
(reading) Well, the army trained him well, mom.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
(finishes the dishes) I know they did, Tommy. But, the army isn’t some magical shield that can protect a man from a bullet or a bomb. That’s why I pray ever night that you don’t follow in your father’s footsteps and you never get drafted to go to war. It’s hard enough with your father overseas, always knowing he’s putting his life at risk for us. But, I don’t think I could take it if you were both over there. (releases the water from the sink and washes her hands)

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Hey, he thinks he may be able to make it home for Christmas. I know that’s a long way off, but still.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
(smiles) Yeah, it’d be nice to have the family together for the holidays.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Well, you know how determined dad can be. When he sets his mind to something, it’s nearly guaranteed.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
Yes, I do. (leans her back against the counter and smiles) Like someone else I know. I remember the first time I met your dad. Rex’s unit was posted near Pakistan and I was there with Peace to the World, trying to make sure children got the immunizations and nursing care that they needed. Your dad got hit in the arm by a stray bullet. I noticed it when he brought in a soldier he was fighting beside. He didn’t even realize he was hurt. And, I kept trying to tell him and he kept saying he was fine. Finally, I finished ripping the hole the bullet had started and showed him the blood. Finally, finally, (laughing) he admitted I was right and he was wrong. After that, he said he just couldn’t live without me.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
I hope he makes it home. Did I tell you that the French teacher at school asked me to tutor some students on the weekends? I told her I would. I’ll fit it in somewhere between practice and algebra.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
And Allison? (smiles) Well, I suppose it certainly would help the other students to be tutored by someone their own age, especially someone who was actually born in and lived in France.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
And, went to French schools. For a while anyway.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
Back then I thought it’d be nice to be so much closer to your father’s station, but I had no idea when we came back to the States that it would be so difficult to get you enrolled in school. Thank God for Sheriff Michaels. Without him, I’m not sure what we would have done. Ten years. Wow. And, Jesse and Emily. They’ve been such a Godsend. We need to be sure to remember to let them read the letter.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Why does dad still call Jesse and Emily by their names instead of mom and dad.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
Well, he was already eight or so before he was adopted. He was old enough to remember his own parents before they died in the car crash. I guess… well… I don’t really know why. I think it’s just a matter of respecting the dead.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Do you think that’s why so many people still treat us like outsiders or something?

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
Oh, Tommy, not that again. I know people weren’t very kind to us when we first moved to Jasper, but that’s over now.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
No it’s not, mom.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
Tommy!

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
It’s not, mom! Some people are friendly enough, like Allison and her family, but some of them just…I don’t know… I always get the feeling like they’re talking about us and I don’t know why.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
Oh, that. Well, they probably are talking about us. That’s how it is in small towns, Tommy. They talk about everybody else. Everybody thinks they know everybody else’s business. But, there’s a strange irony to it all. Small town people always think they know everybody else’s secrets, and yet everybody seems to be protecting one that nobody knows. Don’t let it get to you, Tommy. It’s just the ways of a small town…

INT. OUTSIDE OF CHURCH SUNRISE
Jim DeWright and his wife, LILLY DEWRIGHT, are sweeping the front steps of the church.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
(voice over)
…same as hard work and helping out your neighbors.

JIM DEWRIGHT
(from a distance)
Gonna be a beautiful day, Lilly.

INT. END OF GRAVEL ROAD EARLY MORNING
The Jasper County School bus stops. Woody Reeves and Allison Reeves get on. The bus pulls off.

INT. JASPER TOWN SQUARE EARLY MORNING
ELLY DEWRIGHT (daughter of Jim and Lilly), owner of The Lunch Box Café, turns around the closed sign to read open. DALE MOYER, local grocer, Moyer’s, is outside hanging a sign in his window that tomatoes are on sale. There is a broom leaned up against the window. BRUCE PHELPS, the local postal carrier, puts a box of sorted mail in his mail truck in front of the post office, climbs in, and drives off. Bruce waves to Moyer as he passes by. Moyer waves back. At the edge of the square is Smithy’s garage. “SMITHY” JONES opens up the garage doors, adjusts his Jasper County baseball cap, looks with a smile up to the sky, and then walks into the garage.

INT. INSIDE OF LUNCHBOX CAFÉ MORNING
The café is small, but somewhat busy with CUSTOMERS. Emily Pyle places two fruit pies on the counter. Elly DeWright gets money from the register and gives it to Emily.

ELLY DEWRIGHT
Oh, they look marvelous, Emily. I don’t know what I’d do without you and your pies. The customers love them.

EMILY PYLE
Oh, well I love to bake them. It’s my grandma’s recipes. Besides (holding up the money) I guess it benefits us both.

Elly nods in agreement.

EMILY PYLE
(continuing)
I better get back to the farm now. Jesse will be wondering what’s become of me. You have a good day now, Elly. (begins to exit)

ELLY DEWRIGHT
You, too, Emily. And, thanks again.

As Emily exits through the café door, she passes Sheriff Cooper Michaels. Sheriff tips his hat to Emily.

EMILY PYLE
Morning, Sheriff.

SHERIFF
Morning, Emily. (goes to the counter) Coffee, Elly?

ELLY DEWRIGHT
(already pouring a cup) Got it right here, Coop.

Sheriff sits at the counter by the register. MAGGIE JONES walks up, hands Elly some cash, speaks, then exits after Elly hands her several bags of food. Then Elly begins refilling canisters behind the counter.

MAGGIE JONES
(with meaning, but fatigue) Beautiful day out there today.

SHERIFF
It sure is.

Donna Reeves comes from the kitchen of the café holding a fresh pot of coffee, takes it from table to table, refilling coffee cups.

DONNA REEVES
(in the distance)
(to a customer) Careful. This is fresh and hot, Joe. How’s Carla doing?

SHERIFF
Morning, Donna.

DONNA REEVES
Oh, hey, Sheriff. (looks at her watch) Is it that time already? (walks toward the counter)

SHERIFF
Can you really set your watch by what time I’m in for my morning coffee?

ELLY AND DONNA (together)
Yes. (they giggle)

DONNA REEVES
Are you planning on assisting Coach Henry with the team this year?

ELLY DEWRIGHT
Word is that this is the best team they’ve put together since, well, since you played, Coop.

SHERIFF
I wouldn’t miss it. Ol’ Henry’s been taking care of the pre-season training but now that I’ve got a new deputy trained I’ll be able to spend more time at practices.

ELLY DEWRIGHT
How much training does it take to train a deputy in a county that only needs one sheriff and two deputies and no police department?

SHERIFF
Same training as any place else, Elly. Same as any place else.

Donna refills his coffee cup. Elly turns and walks into the kitchen with a grin.

SHERIFF
(continuing)
Thanks, Donna.

DONNA REEVES
How is young Bailey Phelps taking to the job? I’d think it’d be hard to go into the same job his dad just retired from.

SHERIFF
His old man must have taught him something. Bailey’s young, but he’s caught on fast. And, Charles Mason’s been a deputy forever, so it helps that Bailey’s got someone with a lot of experience to partner with early on.

DONNA REEVES
I’m glad to hear it. The Phelps live out near us, and Mr. Phelps wanted so much for Bailey to do well.

SHERIFF
He talked to me about several times, too. Well (stands) I’ve got to get to the office. (lays some money on the table) We’ve got that volunteer fire department training today.

Donna goes to the register and puts the money in the till.

DONNA REEVES
Y’all be careful out there today.

SHERIFF
Sure will. (exits)

Elly returns to the counter and takes money from a customer. Donna takes a knife from under the counter and begins slicing the pies.

DONNA REEVES
Looks like Emily really outdid herself this time.


INT. OUTSIDE OF CHRISTINA’S HOUSE MORNING
A large, antiquated house in need of repairs sits amongst fields that have been recently mowed.

CHRISTINA BANKS
(voice over)
Well, the electrician said that all of the wiring needed to be replaced to be on the safe side. (pause) Yeah. Now, I’m trying to see if the plumbing will hold out or if it needs to be replaced.

INT. INSIDE OF CHRISTINA’S HOUSE MORNING
The house is quite old. The inside is still covered with dust and spider webs. Cleaning supplies sit throughout the long corridor that divides the house equally. Dust covered antique furniture sits haphazardly and randomly throughout the house, but is not in any type of order.

CHRISTINA BANKS
(voice over)
Especially the toilet. (pause)

Christina stands talking on a cell phone in a bathroom just off the corridor. The toilet is very old, dry, dirty, and home to many spiders

CHRISTINA BANKS
Trust me, Ms. Edna. You don’t want to know. (pause) Okay. I’ll call you after the plumber makes it out here to look at the pipes and everything. Bye. (closes the phone)(to herself) Okay, let’s try and tackle some more spider webs. (lays the phone on a dusty table) Hopefully, they won’t walk away with the phone. (grabs a broom and begins sweeping away cob webs from the upper parts of the wall)

DOC (the vet) LUKE WATSON knocks at the door, then opens it when he sees Christina through the double-glass doors. He leans in.

DOC LUKE WATSON
Who’s winning? You or the bugs?

CHRSITINA BANKS
Oh, Luke. I’m not sure. They may have the upper hand at the moment. Come on in.

Luke enters, goes to Christina. Christina leans on the broom.

DOC LUKE WATSON
Well they do have more of them. (smiles) Hands, that is.

CHRISTINA BANKS
Very funny.

DOC LUKE WATSON
Oh, no, I’m serious. I learned that in vet school. I was on my way into town to get some feed for the animals. Thought I’d stop and see if you needed any help. (he looks around)

CHRISTINA BANKS
I could probably use a lot of help, but I’m still at the point where I’m quite determined to do this on my own. Of course, see me in another week or two and I’ll probably have changed my mind.

DOC LUKE WATSON
You do have an independent streak, Christina. Not completely unlike your grandma.

CHRISTINA BANKS
Comes with the territory, I suppose. I’m used to taking care of myself. Besides, it’s something of a personal project, getting this house in order. I just want to make sure it’s done properly. That way, if I mess something up, I won’t have anybody but myself to blame.

DOC LUKE WATSON
Yeah, I saw where you mowed all the fields. Looks (pause) very neat. I’ve never seen any of the fields in this county mowed before. And, you even mowed the weeds along side the road. Everybody can tell where your property begins and ends.

CHRISTINA BANKS
I just like it better that way. Besides, once the house is in order, I plan on letting the historical society show tours through here. So, I’d better get use to all that mowing now.

DOC LUKE WATSON
Christina, I haven’t been able to figure you out. You buy this old place, out here all alone, and so determined to do everything yourself. (shakes his head) Why don’t you let me take you out Saturday night? I could really show you the town. In Jasper County, that pretty much means a movie at the movie house and dinner over at the Lunchbox Café. Unless of course, it’s harvest time, and then there’s the county fair to attend.

CHRISTINA BANKS
Is that an offer, Luke, or simply an observation?

DOC LUKE WATSON
It’s an offer. How about it?

CHRISTINA BANKS
The movie house and the Lunchbox sounds like a nice evening out in Jasper County.

DOC LUKE WATSON
Alright, so it’s a date then. (pause) Well, if you’re sure you’re alright out here. I need to be getting into town. The animals like to eat.

They begin to walk to the door.

CHRISTINA BANKS
I’m fine. But, thanks for stopping by, Luke.

DOC LUKE WATSON
Anytime. Besides, it’s on my way into town. I need to stop by the Reeves farm too and check on a cow with an incredible will to live.

CHRISTINA BANKS
That sounds like a good thing.

DOC LUKE WATSON
It is for the cow. (laughs) See ya.

INT. OUTSIDE OF CHRISTINA’S HOUSE MORNING
Luke exits the house. Christina waves to him from the porch.

INT. OUTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL LUNCH
Allison and Tommy sit at a picnic table eating their lunches.

ALLISON REEVES
So, Tuesday night then. After practice.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Yeah. But, I’ll only have about an hour before I’ll need to be home. Mom always calls from work to check on me.

ALLISON REEVES
I like your mom, Tommy. She’s nice.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
And, she really likes the new algebra grades. And, we can still go the movies this weekend if you want. We can just work it around practice times, if that’s okay.

ALLISON REEVES
Yeah. I don’t think I’ll get any flack from my dad. Especially if I do well on my chem test.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Flack? What do you mean, Allison?

ALLISON REEVES
Oh, he’s back on the speeches about gotta-get-good-grades-focus-on-your-schoolwork-so you can get out farming and get out of Jasper County and get a better life. So, he told me I need to stop seeing so much of you…

Tommy rolls his eyes, his expression is one of frustration, upset.

ALLISON REEVES
(continuing)
and focus on my own grades. Which are perfect, like they’ve always been, so there’s nothing to worry about. It’s just a phase he goes through sometimes when times get tough.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
What do you mean tough?

ALLISON REEVES
Nothing other than the same-ol’, same ol’. It’s farm life. It’s life in general. It’s just the way things are. Things happen. Bills pile up. Animals get sick. Things break and have to be fixed. It’s life. It’s no different anywhere else, I don’t think. It’s the same, just maybe with different types of problems to stress people out. I don’t understand him. I know he wants the best for me, but I don’t understand him. I love it here. I’d rather be here in Jasper then anywhere. Wouldn’t you?

Tommy looks far off into the distance.

ALLISON REEVES
Tommy?

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
(very quietly) I guess. (takes a bite of his sandwich, eyes cast downward)

Woody walks up and sits at the table.

WOODY REEVES
Room for one more?

ALLISON REEVES
Sure.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Hey, Woody.

WOODY REEVES
I just got off the phone with dad. Both Maggie and the new calf are going to pull through. Doc Watson was just out there to look at them both.

ALLISON REEVES
Good news.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Proof that you’ve got farming in your blood. Or, maybe a future vet license.

WOODY REEVES
No, she’s (refers to Allison, with frustration) the one with the vet license in her future. Me, I’m the one dad expects to live on the farm forever and continue farming it after he’s long dead and gone.

ALLISON REEVES
Don’t start, Woody.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
I thought you liked farming? You talk about it a lot.

WOODY REEVES
I do enjoy it. And, I want to run the farm someday, keep it in the family like it’s been for a hundred years or so. But, I don’t want to spend my entire life there. I want to get off the farm, see the world, see whatever’s beyond that Jasper County line. I’m so bored with small-town life and I’m tired of being second-rate kid. Which reminds me. A bunch of us are getting together down at Twin Forks for a little party Saturday night. The usual place, out on the old Jackson place. (leans in, quietly) Some of the guys on the team are bringing the beer. I’m sure it’ll be a lot of fun. Just like always. Beats the usual fare at the movie house. What do you say?

Allison looks to Tommy.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Sorry, Wood. I’m in training.

WOODY REEVES
Oh, come on. So am I. It’s one night. Besides, everybody else is going. You don’t want to be the only one not there.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
No, Coach Henry and being on this team mean a lot to me. Besides, Allison and I have plans. (looks to Allison expectantly)

WOODY REEVES
Allison, come on. It’s one party.

ALLISON REEVES
(looks uneasy, trying to please both) Well, maybe we could stop by for a little while.

INT. SMITHY’S GARAGE AFTERNOON
Smithy Jones is working on a car when Jim DeWright pulls up, gets out of his car, and walks to Smithy. Smithy talks to Jim near the garage door, holding a wrench.

SMITHY JONES
(noticing Jim) Howdy, preacher Jim.

JIM DEWRIGHT
Good afternoon, Smithy. Busy today?

SMITHY JONES
Better than the alternative, preacher.

JIM DEWRIGHT
My old car is got a bit of a cough. Thought I’d better have you take a look at it before it got too bad.

SMITHY JONES
A cough, huh?

JIM DEWRIGHT
A rattle, you might say, Smithy. Whenever the engine’s on.

SMITHY JONES
I can take a look at it, preacher Jim, right after I finish up this job I’m working on now. Shouldn’t be too much longer.

JIM DEWRIGHT
Isn’t that your sister Maggie’s car?

SMITHY JONES
Yeah. Nothing serious. Just needed a little tune-up. Regular maintenance type stuff.

JIM DEWRIGHT
And, how is Maggie? And the kids?

SMITHY JONES
Oh, they’re doing fine, preacher Jim. Maggie’s still working nights over yonder in Calhoun County, cleaning up at the meat processing factory. And, mama helps out with the kids when Maggie’s gotta work. Best she can, anyway. Yeah, those little kids got a lot of energy. Me and Maggie were talking about it the other day, though. We’re not sure how much longer Maggie’s gonna be able to keep working with the cancer and all. I hope you keep Maggie in your prayers, preacher Jim. She could sure use it.

JIM DEWRIGHT
Always, Smithy. Always. Was Maggie ever able to get any insurance?

SMITHY JONES
No, but mama makes calls for her during the day, you know. Still trying. But, old Doc Hamilton’s been real good about treating her anyway and not worrying about the money part. We’ve been real thankful for him, you know.

JIM DEWRIGHT
Roger’s always been a good man. Good doctor. If I remember right, he delivered Maggie, didn’t he?

SMITHY JONES
(laughs) He sure did. And, me, too. Well, old Doc Hamilton’s probably delivered most of Jasper County over there at his office.

JIM DEWRIGHT
Or at home. He still makes a lot of house calls.

SMITHY JONES
He sure does. Hey, preacher Jim, you ever think Jasper County will get a hospital? You know, it don’t have to be a big one or nothing, just a little one like the one over in Calhoun County?

JIM DEWRIGHT
Only the good Lord knows, Smithy.

INT. OUTSIDE HOSPITAL AFTERNOON
The sign for Calhoun County Hospital is seen. Angela Hernandez is seen walking into the hospital in her nursing scrubs.

INT. INSIDE HOSPITAL AFTERNOON
Angela Hernandez walks toward Maggie Jones who sits asleep in a chair in the waiting room. Angela goes over, kneels beside her, and whispers while placing her hand gently on Maggie’s hand.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
Maggie. Maggie.

MAGGIE JONES
(waking) Huh.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
(still whispering) Come on. One of the exam rooms is ready for you.

INT. EXAMINATION ROOM AT HOSPITAL AFTERNOON
Angela Hernandez leads Maggie into the exam room. Maggie sits on the table. Maggie is greatly fatigued. Angela hands Maggie a clean hospital gown from a drawer and begins to make periodic notes in a chart while taking Maggie’s blood pressure, temperature, and pulse.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
Just tests today, huh, Maggie?

MAGGIE JONES
Yeah. Doctor Hamilton doesn’t have all the testing equipment. So, he sent me here again.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
I really like Roger Hamilton. He’s one of the last few doctors I’ve met who really has an authentic bedside manner. (smiles) He’s a nice man.

MAGGIE JONES
He really is. I don’t know what Jasper will ever do after he’s gone. He’s not as young as he used to be. But, then I guess none of us are.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
You still taking your meds.

Maggie shakes her head yes, her eyes downcast.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
(continuing)
Still working over at the factory?

Maggie shakes her head yes, her eyes downcast.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
(continuing)
I work seconds here at the hospital, but I can help out your mom in the mornings if that’d be any help. I’m sure this is hard on both of you.

MAGGIE JONES
Thanks, Angela, but we’re okay. Mom lives way out there on Hawkins Road, so the kids have plenty of room to play. They seem to like it out there. I was thinking about enrolling little Max in preschool or something. It’d be good for him.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
And, what about you, Maggie. How are you?

MAGGIE JONES
I, (pause) I, (pause) I never thought some little lump in my breast would turn my life upside down. I saw Jim DeWright and his wife, Lilly, outside the church this morning after I picked up some breakfast at the Café. You know, a little treat for the mom and the kids. I started wondering again if I got cancer because God’s punishing me or something for being a single mom. I don’t know.

ANGELA HERNANDEZ
Cancer is not a punishment, Maggie. It’s just a disease. And, it’s one that can be overcome.

MAGGIE JONES
Angela, I’ve been fighting my whole life. I fought with my daddy till he died. I fought with Max till he finally ended up in jail. I fought the hypocritical people in Jasper who always looked down on me for not having much, for being young and unmarried and pregnant. I’m (pause) I’m tired of fighting, Angela. I don’t know how much more fight I’ve got left in me.

INT. OUTSIDE PYLE FIELDS AFTERNOON
A Jasper County fire truck travels down an old dirt road, away from a burned down barn. Earl Reeves and Sheriff Cooper Michaels are putting some firefighter gear in the back of Earl’s truck near the old burned down barn.

EARL REEVES
Thanks for your help, Coop.

SHERIFF
No problem. It kind of reminds me of high school when we’d have to load up gear before the away games.

EARL REEVES
(laughs, closes the tailgate) Those days are long gone, Cooper. Seems like another lifetime.

SHERIFF
Donna home from work yet?

EARL REEVES
Oh, yeah. She’s only working part-time at the café. Then, after work she goes over to the Jones place and helps out her mama with her sister’s kids.

SHERIFF
You mean Maggie’s kids? How they doing? I heard Maggie about near died a few weeks ago.

EARL REEVES
Oh, no, well, I mean, it was bad, but it was just a reaction to some medicine the Doc gave her. It wasn’t actually the cancer.

SHERIFF
Glad to hear it wasn’t serious. (pause) You got time to go off to Twin Forks and get some fishing done?

EARL REEVES
Down there where the team always went for our (clears throat and smiles) extra practices?

SHERIFF
(sarcastically) The coach was so proud.

EARL REEVES
I could squeeze in a couple hours. I’ll meat you down there. If we catch anything, you’re invited to dinner.

INT. TWIN FORKS RIVER AFTERNOON
Earl Reeves and Sheriff Cooper Michaels are parked down by the river carrying fishing poles as they walk toward the water. Periodically, there are white ribbons tied around tree branches. Sheriff goes over and pulls one off, looks at it, and takes it to Earl who is, by then, setting up his pole by the water.

SHERIFF
Remember these?

Earl takes the ribbon, looks at it, and laughs.

SHERIFF
(continuing)
I guess I know where I’ll be Saturday night.

EARL REEVES
Some things never change. Well, except that you’ve gone from attending those little shindigs to breaking them up. (pause)

Sheriff begins getting his pole ready to cast.

SHERIFF
All the times I’d steal away out here with a fishing pole or a girl. That old river must sure know a lot of secrets.

EARL REEVES
We certainly spent our share of time out here back then. We were just being young. Being stupid. Thought we were really doing something wild, but it was all pretty harmless, I guess. Of course, I wouldn’t want my kids out here. That’s for sure.

SHERIFF
(quietly) No, I guess not.

INT. WOMEN’S RESTROOM AT FACTORY NIGHT
Maggie Jones is alone in the restroom. The sound of regurgitation is heard. A toilet is heard flushing. Maggie then emerges from the stall looking very weak.

INT. TWIN FORKS RIVER NIGHT
A BUNCH OF TEENS are at the river. Cars and trucks are parked nearby. The trucks have their tailgates down. Some hold metal tubs of iced beer. Others have teens sitting on the tailgate talking. Others have chips and other various junk finger-foods. Up-tempo country music is playing. Some teens are dancing. Four boys are fishing. Some teens are kissing. Some are flirting. Everyone seems to be laughing and having a good time. Almost everyone seems to be drinking a beer. TEEN #1 catches a large fish. There are bonfires lit, and one of them has a camping-style grill over it.

TEEN #1
(from afar)
Got one! (he holds it up) Now, we can start up the grill and eat!

The three other teens who are fishing cheer him on.
Woody Reeves is walking alongside the river with GIRL #1, both are drinking alcohol.

TEEN#1
(calls out) Hey, Reeves, look! (holds up the fish)

WOODY REEVES
(laughs)(calls out) Hey, I bet I can get one bigger than that.

Woody pulls off his boots and wades deep out into the river, searching with his hands.

WOODY REEVES
(laughing) Hey, fishy, fishy. Come here, fishy.

The three fishing teens and Girl #1 laugh.

INT. DIRT ROAD NIGHT
A car is parked along an old dirt road. Allison Reeves and Tommy Hernandez are outside the car. Tommy is pacing about the road. Allison is leaning against the front of the car.

ALLISON REEVES
We don’t have to stay long, Tom. Just make an appearance and then we can leave. Everybody’ll be so wasted they won’t realize we’ve even left. (pause) I don’t see what the big deal is. We’ve gone plenty of times before. What’s so different now?

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
I don’t know, Allison. I just have this feeling. (pause) I don’t want to ruin everything I’ve got going for me now. You know a lot of people have been helping me out lately. I don’t want to disappoint them.

ALLISON REEVES
They’re only about a mile from here, you know.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Are you even listening to me?

ALLISON REEVES
Yes, Tommy, I am. Are you listening to me? We don’t have to actually stay. Everybody’s around here’s been going down to the river as far back I know. We’ve gone to the river. Our parents went to the river when they were young. Probably their parents too. It’s just what we do around here. So, I don’t know what kind of trouble you think you’re gonna get in to. Nothing ever happens.

INT. INSIDE REEVES LIVING ROOM NIGHT
Earl Reeves sits in his recliner watching the news. Donna is rocking Toby Reeves to sleep in a rocking chair. Earl then shuts off the remote.

EARL REEVES
Does anything good ever happen in the world?

Earl then looks over at Toby and Donna, and smiles.

INT. OUTSIDE HOSPITAL NIGHT
Angela Hernandez gets into her car. She pulls out her cell phone and checks a message.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
(filtered)
Hi, mom. It’s me. Just wanted to remind you that Allison and me are going out tonight. I know my curfew. Don’t worry. Love you.

Angela smiles, puts the phone aside, starts the engine, and begins to back out of the space.

INT. JASPER CITY STREET NIGHT
CITIZENS walk out of the Jasper Movie Theatre. Doc Luke Watson and Christina Banks are walking away from the theatre and towards the Lunchbox Cafe.

INT. LUNCHBOX CAFÉ NIGHT
Doc Luke Watson and Christina Banks sit in a booth beside the window drinking coffee.

DOC LUKE WATSON
Christina, that must be exciting. All that travel.

CHRISTINA BANKS
It is. The expeditions, though, Luke , well, they’re not all fun and games. There are dangers involved. Not everyone on the teams has always come back alive.

DOC LUKE WATSON
Sounds like when I was in the war.

CHRISTINA BANKS
When did you serve?

DOC LUKE WATSON
I put in six years right after high school. That was how I got to go to vet school.

CHRISTINA BANKS
The people around here really depend on you, Luke. You know that don’t you?

DOC LUKE WATSON
I knew when I left Jasper that I’d be back with a medical degree. Thought I’d be either working with Doc Hamilton or over at Calhoun Hospital wearing a nice clean white coat. Ended up working in barns with patients that don’t care if I wear a white coat or not.

INT. OUTSIDE FACTORY NIGHT
Maggie Jones supports herself against other cars as she struggles to make it to her own. When she does, she gets into the car, and rests her head on the steering wheel. Her breaths are short and shallow.

INT. INSIDE PYLE HOME KITCHEN NIGHT
Jesse and Emily Pyle are in the kitchen. Emily is stirring a pot of barbecue sauce that is boiling on the stove.

JESSE PYLE
(smells the pot) Um, Emily, that may be your best sauce yet. (pours them both a cup of coffee)

EMILY PYLE
I can’t wait until the party tomorrow.

JESSE PYLE
It’s still hard to believe it’s been ten years.

EMILY PYLE
I was glad to hear from Rex, but I wish he could be here. I sure miss him.

INT. JASPER TOWN SQUARE NIGHT
A patrol car, sirens blaring, backs out of its space and speeds off past the Lunchbox Café. Followed by a second, and then a third patrol car.

INT. INSIDE LUNCHBOX CAFÉ NIGHT
Elly DeWright is pouring coffee for Doc Luke Watson and Christina Banks as they all look toward the passing patrol car with curiosity.

INT. SMITHY’S GARAGE NIGHT
Smithy Jones is still working on an old tractor. The garage doors are still open. When he hears the sirens, he walks toward the door, and looks out across the square.

INT. INSIDE TOMMY’S CAR NIGHT
Tommy Hernandez is driving. Allison Reeves is in the passenger seat. They inch along a deserted back road toward the party at Twin Forks.

INT. TWIN FORKS NIGHT
The teens continue their party. Several fish are being grilled and they continue to drink and revel.

INT. INSIDE TOMMY’S CAR NIGHT
Tommy Hernandez stops the car just short of some trees. He and Allison Reeves get out of the car, walk to the trees, and look through them.

ALLISON REEVES
Why are we parking here? We gonna walk the rest of the way?

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
I thought I saw something.

INT. TWIN FORKS PARTY NIGHT
Sheriff Cooper Michaels’ patrol car slowly pulls up to the party, followed by two other patrol cars. Their sirens blare for five seconds, but then turn off. The teens react with disappointment and frustration. Sheriff, DEPUTY BAILEY PHELPS, and DEPUTY CHARLES MASON get out of their patrol cars and walk amongst the teens until they get to Woody Reeves standing beside a truck.

SHERIFF
Alright, everybody. Drop your beers back in these tubs here and head on home.

TEENS
(together)
Oh, come on. No! I don’t believe this. Hypocrite!

SHERIFF
(to the deputies) Fellas, be sure they’re good to drive before they start those cars.

Some of the teens begin to disperse and walk away. Some go to their cars. Deputy Mason and Phelps are doing sobriety tests before letting the drivers get behind the wheels.

SHERIFF
(to Teen #1) These tubs are being confiscated. You know that, don’t you?

TEEN # 1
(sarcastically) Whatever! (he walks away)

SHERIFF
(to Woody) Woody, son what are you doing here? You know I’m gonna have to tell your daddy. He’s gonna be real disappointed in you, Woody.

Woody appears embarrassed.

Allison and Tommy watch the scene from behind the trees.

ALLISON REEVES
(whispers) Come on. We better get out of here.

Tommy and Allison go back towards the car.

INT. OLD COUNTY ROAD NIGHT
Tommy Hernandez and Allison Reeves are traveling along an old dirt road. Tommy is driving the car.

INT. INSIDE TOMMY’S CAR NIGHT

ALLISON REEVES
I can’t believe we just missed it. My dad would have killed me.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Both of us.

ALLISON REEVES
Oh, Tommy, Woody was out there. Oh, no. We have to go back and check on him.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Go back? Are you crazy. The cops could still be out there.

ALLISON REEVES
We can’t just leave him there.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Allison, there’s nothing we can do. If the Sheriff busts Woody, there’s nothing we’re gonna be able to do about it. You’re dad will still find out even if we could. The best we can do is to wait on the road by your drive and wait to see if Woody comes home or your dad leaves. Either way, we’ll have the answer.

Truck lights begin to near the back of Tommy’s car. The lights are swaying from one side of the road to the other. The truck is driven by Teen #1 and there are several teens in the cab of the truck and in the truck bed. Though no longer drinking, they’re still yelling and reveling and playing music loudly. Tommy looks repeatedly with concern in the rearview mirror.

ALLISON REEVES
(looks over the seat) Is that Woody?

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
I can’t tell.

The truck driven by teen #1 begins to honk the horn repeatedly and trying dangerously to pass Tommy. Allison nervously watches the truck behind them.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
(continuing)
I don’t think…

The truck begins to pass Tommy.

ALLISON REEVES
(screams) Tommy, look out!

INT. COUNTY ROAD NIGHT
Woody Reeves and Girl #1 are in a truck. Woody is driving. The truck comes to a stop in front of a small trailer sitting just off the road.

INT. INSIDE WOODY’S TRUCK NIGHT
Woody Reeves and Girl # 1 are in the truck.


GIRL #1
You gonna be okay, Woody?

WOODY REEVES
(doubtful) Sure.

Girl # 1 leans over and kisses Woody on the check.

GIRL # 1
See you tomorrow at church.

Girl # 1 gets out of the truck, and goes into the trailer.
Woody then pulls back onto the road.

INT. JASPER TOWN SQUARE NIGHT
One county patrol car pulls along the road. The Lunchbox Café and Smithy’s garage are now closed. Doc Luke Watson and Christina Banks sit in the gazebo of the town square mouthing a conversation. The town is quiet.

INT. HOUSE OUTSIDE EDGE OF JASPER NIGHT
Teen # 1 is still driving, but there are only two other persons in the cab. The truck bed is now empty. One teen gets out of the cab, and waves to Teen # 1 as she goes inside her house. Teen # 1 and the one passenger then pull back onto the road. The teens have quieted down.

INT. WHERE REEVES DRIVE MEETS THE ROAD NIGHT
Tommy Hernandez and Allison Reeves sit in the car.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
That was just so stupid. Just stupid.

ALLISON REEVES
They almost got us killed.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
That’s how my grandparents died, you know? That’s why my dad was adopted by the Pyles.

ALLISON REEVES
Yeah?

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Yeah. They say it was a drunk driver. Everybody thinks it was some kid who had been out at the river that night. But, they never found who did it. (pause) Anyway, Woody should be by here soon if they didn’t arrest him.

ALLISON REEVES
Even if they didn’t, dad’s still gonna give it to him good. He doesn’t go for drinking at all. The Sheriff’ll make sure dad knows Woody was there. (pause) Still, I’d like to talk to Woody before dad gets to him.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
We can wait here a while. See if he comes by.

INT. JASPER COUNTY SUNRISE
The sun rises over Jasper County. It has been raining. All is quiet, peaceful. The town square is quiet and empty. The county roads are deserted. Smithy Jones drives a tow truck down a paved county road. Some torn branches and tire tracks on the road catch his eye and he slowly comes to a stop, gets out of the truck, and walks to the side of the road. There is a rather large ravine. When Smithy looks down at it, he sees a burnt, upside down car.

SMITHY JONES
Oh, Lord, have mercy.

Smithy walks and slides down the ravine to the car. He looks inside a smashed, shattered, reshaped upside down window, then looks upward, adjusts his hat.

SMITHY JONES
(continuing)
Good Lord. Oh, good Lord, help me.

Smithy begins to become upset.

INT. JASPER COUNTY WRECK MORNING
An ambulance and three patrol cars are parked by Smithy Jones’ tow truck. Sheriff Cooper Michael, Deputy Charles Mason, and Deputy Bailey Phelps are working the wreck. Charles is taking photographs of tire tracks on the road, by the road, and of the wreck. Phelps is talking to Smithy by Smithy’s truck. EMT # 1 AND # 2 take a stretcher down into the ravine. Sheriff walks up from the ravine to Phelps and Smithy.

BAILEY PHELPS
So, you didn’t recognize the car?

SMITHY JONES
No. And, the body was burnt up so bad, I couldn’t even tell who it was.

Sheriff walks up to them.

BAILEY PHELPS
Sheriff?

SMITHY JONES
Any idea what happened?

SHERIFF
That’s gonna take a while to figure out, Smithy. But, her purse must have gotten thrown from the car when it flipped. It was burned, but I could still make out the identification of who it was.

SMITHY JONES
Who?

INT. HERNANDEZ HOUSE TOMMY’S BEDROOM MORNING
Tommy Hernandez wakes up, stretches and yawns, and gets out of bed.

INT. HERNANDEZ HOUSE HALLWAY MORNING
Tommy Hernandez walks down the hallway toward the kitchen.

INT. HERNANDEZ HOUSE KITCHEN MORNING
Tommy Hernandez walks into the kitchen, goes to the refrigerator, and pours himself a glass of juice. Tommy hears a knock at the door. He opens up the door. Sheriff Cooper Michaels is standing there.

INT. HERNNADEZ HOUSE LIVING ROOM LATE MORNING
Emily Pyle sits crying with Tommy in the living room.

INT. HERNANDEZ HOUSE KITCHEN LATE MORNING
Sheriff Cooper Michaels sits at the table with a tearful Jesse Pyle.

SHERIFF
We’re gonna do all we can Jesse to figure out what happened.

JESSE PYLE
I know you will, Cooper.

INT. INSIDE CHURCH LATE MORNING
Jim DeWright is speaking before the congregation.

JIM DEWRIGHT
I’m sure you’ve all noticed that we’re missing a few members of the congregation this morning. Jesse and Emily are with their grandson, Tommy, this morning, pulling together as a family.

Allison Reeves begins to cry. Donna Reeves puts her arm around Allison.

JIM DEWRIGHT
(continuing)
And, I’m sure they could use the prayers and the strength of their church family to help them through this difficult loss.

Teen # 1 sits in a pew with a guilty expression.

JIM DEWRIGHT
(continuing)
Angela Hernandez, we know, is at home up in Heaven with the Lord, but we sure are gonna miss her down here. Angela was a good friend to many of us. Doctor Hamilton has made good use of Angela’s nursing skills to help out several of us here in Jasper when we were ill, having our own emergencies.

DOCTOR HAMILTON sits in a pew, shaking his head in agreement.

Angela could always be counted on to pitch in whenever there was a need here in the congregation. And I’ve had the pleasure of ministering to her since she and Tommy came here to Jasper ten years ago.

Woody Reeves sits beside Earl Reeves. Woody has a guilty expression upon his face, and looks downward. Earl Reeves also looks downward, guilty.

JIM DEWRIGHT
(continuing)
So, I’m sure that the good people of this community will do what we can to help Tommy and Emily and Jesse through this time.

INT. TWIN FORKS DAY
Allison Reeves and Tommy Hernandez walk by the river.

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
The judge said that he won’t emancipate me so I can just live by myself at my house. So, I’ll be living with Jesse and Emily for a while. It won’t be that bad really. We get along. Always have. And, we’ll still be able to see each other.

ALLISON REEVES
Any word on what happened?

TOMMY HERNANDEZ
Sheriff Michaels said that they figured out that another vehicle ran into mom’s car. They think the rain may have had something to do with it, but they’re not sure yet. Other than that, they don’t really know. Sheriff said they’re classifying it as a hit and run. Can you believe it? Somebody hits a car so hard that it goes off the road and flips at least twice and they don’t even stop. They don’t go see if they’re alright. They don’t go get help. They don’t do anything? I mean, what type of person would do that, Allison?

ALLISON REEVES
I don’t know, Tommy. Maybe they were too scared to know what to do.

INT. PYLE HOME DAY
Donna Reeves gets out of her car carrying a casserole dish and goes to the front door of the Pyle home. Emily Pyle answers the door before Donna reaches the door.

EMILY PYLE
I thought I heard someone pull up. Come on in, Donna.

Donna enters the house.

INT. INSIDE PYLE HOME KITCHEN DAY
Donna enters the Pyle home. Emily holds the door open for her.

DONNA REEVES
Hey, Emily. Thought you could use a little help in the kitchen. Chicken pot pie.

EMILY PYLE
Oh, thank you dear. Just put it over there on the counter for right now. Coffee?

Emily begins pouring two cups of coffee.

DONNA REEVES
Sure. How’s everybody doing?

They sit down at the kitchen table.

EMILY PYLE
I think we’re okay. It’s been such a shock. Tommy, though, he’s been taking it the worst. I guess that’s to be expected, though. He and Angela were so close. I’ve been so grateful that he’s friends with Allison. His outlook always seems to be a little brighter after they spend some time together.

DONNA REEVES
We’ve always thought a lot of Tommy, and Angela too. I was glad to see so many from the congregation come to the funeral. I know everyone’s so busy these days. It really was a beautiful funeral, Emily. I think Angela would have liked it. Allison and I went out to the cemetery yesterday and saw that the stone is up now.

EMILY PYLE
Yeah. It is nice. Tommy picked it out. And, everyone’s been helping out as best they can. Jim has been out here several times to talk to us, remind us that Angela is with God now. It helps. Of course, when it was first said, Tommy got angry, just ran out of the house. It’s hard to hear that your mother is with God when you want her here with you. But, Tommy’s come around. He’s doing better. Several people have dropped by just to see how we’re doing or see what they can do.

DONNA REEVES
Or bring food? (she smiles)

EMILY PYLE
Or bring food. (she laughs gently) Yes. It is the Jasper way.

INT. REEVES FARM DAY
Earl Reeves and Woody Reeves are working on the truck.

EARL REEVES
Grab me that wrench, will you Woody.

Woody gets the wrench and hands it to Earl.

EARL REEVES
(continuing)
Wood, I was hoping to get to talk to you before your mom got back.

WOODY REEVES
Bout what, dad?

EARL REEVES
Well, son, I know what you told me about how that dent got into the front corner of the truck, ‘bout some kids in a truck trying to pass you and hitting the truck.

WOODY REEVES
Yeah.

EARL REEVES
Well, with what Coop said about Angela’s accident. Well, (stands, gives his full attention to Woody) well, I was just wondering if, well, if there might be something you hadn’t told me, something more to the story.

WOODY REEVES
You think I killed Angela? Dad, I told you what happened. It was a bunch of kids in a truck driving crazy after we all left the river.

EARL REEVES
Now, son, don’t get angry.

WOODY REEVES
Don’t get angry?

EARL REEVES
I’m not accusing you of anything, Woody. I’m just asking. I know if somebody your age was involved with something like that you might just get scared and not say anything.

WOODY REEVES
I don’t believe this.

EARL REEVES
Now, Wood.

WOODY REEVES
Tommy is my best friend, dad. You think I’d drive his mother off the road and not help her? You think I’d drive anybody off the road and not stop to help? Is that what you think of me?

EARL REEVES
That’s not what I said, son.

WOODY REEVES
I didn’t do it, dad. I don’t know what else to say. It doesn’t seem to matter, you’re not gonna believe me anyway. (walks off in anger and hurt)

EARL REEVES
Wood… (puts his hands on the truck engine and hangs his head in frustration)

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM DAY
Maggie Jones lies in a hospital bed. Jim DeWright and Lilly DeWright walk into the room.

LILLY DEWRIGHT
Maggie, honey, how you feeling?

MAGGIE JONES
Oh, Lilly, I’m feeling much better. Thank you.

JIM DEWRIGHT
We’ve been praying for you, Maggie.

MAGGIE JONES
I appreciate that, Jim.

LILLY DEWRIGHT
Honey, what happened?

MAGGIE JONES
I got really sick and weak at work. Clocked out early. I was going to go home, but I barely made it to be car. That’s the last thing I remember. Betty Jo, she a lady that works with me, says that she found me passed out on my steering wheel there in the parking lot. She called 911.

LILLY DEWRIGHT
Well, thank Heavens you didn’t actually get on the road. It could have been a lot worse.

MAGGIE JONES
I know. Makes me believe there was an angel looking out for me that night.

JIM DEWRIGHT
Is your mama still looking out after the kids?

MAGGIE JONES
Yes sir. Smithy’s been helping her too these last few days. When he can get away from the garage. But, the doctors say I’ll be out of here in a few more days. They say it was another reaction to some of the meds. Allergy, they say. I didn’t know you could be allergic to a medicine. That’s supposed to help you get well, not make you sick.

LILLY DEWRIGHT
Well, at least you’re better now, Maggie.

JIM DEWRIGHT
Maybe when you get to feeling up to it, you’ll come and visit us at church sometime. I think you’ll find it a nice place, Maggie, with lots of angels.

MAGGIE JONES
Maybe someday, Jim. Someday.

INT. INSIDE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT DAY
Sheriff Cooper Michaels stands anxiously beside a desk while Deputy Bailey Phelps is on the phone. Bailey then puts the receiver down. Deputy Charles Mason then walks to the desk.

BAILEY PHELPS
Car was too burnt to pick up any particular color of paint from the other vehicle. And, the tread on the road matches the typical truck tire tread used on every full-size pick-up.

CHARLES MASON
We got nothing.

BAILEY PHELPS
And, no witnesses. That road is hardly ever traveled unless you live out that way.

SHERIFF
If we’re left looking for a dented full-size truck we’ll have to look at nearly every vehicle in this county. Of course, wasn’t Angela’s vehicle blue?

CHARLES MASON
At least a blue dent would narrow it down some.

INT. FIELD AND TREES DAY
Doc Luke Watson and Christina Banks are walking along a trail through the woods, but are nearing the edge of a clearing. They see a truck being driven on the far side of the field.

DOC LUKE WATSON
Who is that?

CHRISTINA BANKS
Any why are they driving across my property?

DOC LUKE WATSON
Oh, it’s probably just somebody with a date down at the river. I heard about that little party that got broken up on your property not too long ago.

CHRISTINA BANKS
It wasn’t my party. I didn’t even know about it.

DOC LUKE WATSON
(laughs) And, you never will. That’s the way it is in Jasper County. People round here know how to keep a secret.

INT. TWIN FORKS DAY
Teen # 1 slowly pulls up to the riverside. He adjusts the gear shift, gets out, and goes behind the truck. The truck is an old, white, full-size truck with a blue painted dent on the side. Teen # 1 pushes the truck slowly into the river. As the truck sinks beneath the water, Teen # 1 watches it, and then turns and slowly walks away.


THE END



written by Debra Phillips


This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons or situations is unintentional and coincidental.