scene 14

Previous.

INT. HUNTER'S KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER

Tom sits at the patio table, hat on table, gaze aimed at the land and mountains.

We HEAR A DOOR OPENED AND CLOSED.a moment before:  

HUNTER (O.S.): Tom? 

He enters from hall, followed by Chloe. They stand at the center island and stare at Tom.  

CHLOE: Well I reckon cowboy alright. Buckle?

HUNTER: Turquoise horseshoe on silver. 

CHLOE: All that's missing are the spurs I bet he's got a pair of.

HUNTER: If not a horse. Let's do this.

He heads to the door, Chloe follows.

EXT. PATIO

Hunter and Chloe come out and approach, Tom stands. 

HUNTER: Sorry we took so long, there was an accident at the ten twenty-five split.

TOM: Seemed like no time at all, and I'm the one oughta be apologizin'.

HUNTER: No need. Tom, I'd like you to meet my daughter Chloe. Chloe, mister Tom Walker.

TOM: Hello, Chloe.

CHLOE: Hi.

HUNTER: So Tom, Chloe's a vegetarian and is making dinner tonight, so we're hoping you're okay with tofu casserole, which I have had and can attest to its deliciousness.

TOM: Well I sure appreciate y'all's hospitality. Me and my wife have been cuttin' back on the meat for awhile now and noticin' change for the better.

CHLOE: I'll get started on it, if you'll excuse me, mister Walker.

TOM: Yes ma'am, of course.

Chloe leaves toward kitchen door.

HUNTER: She's a little shy.

TOM: And here I am a martian from outer space intrudin' on her time with her dad.

HUNTER: Shy but she'll have a question or two.

TOM: Well like I said, I'll answer any y'all got. Do ya mind me askin' how old Chloe is.

Chloe enters kitchen, leaves view.

HUNTER: She'll be seventeen in March. She's here the last few weeks of summer before she starts her junior year in high school. She lives with her mother in San Luis Obispo. How did you find out about me? 

TOM: Looked for your mother online and found her obituary. Seen your name, looked ya up, found your Wikipedia page. Seen your date a birth.

HUNTER: When was this?

TOM: It'll be eight years November second. I thought about makin' contact. But I didn't know what your mother mighta toldya. And your first book had come out and was doin' well, and I knew you had a daughter, and I thought I might just be gettin' in the way. 

 HUNTER: And occasionally thought otherwise?

TOM: Yessir. On occasion.

HUNTER: Why today? 

TOM: Well, plan was to just take a picture of your house. But when ya seen me...I thought maybe it'd seem like I was some sorta stalker or somethin'. 

HUNTER: That a wedding ring?

TOM: Yessir. My wife's name is Wanda. Normally she'd be along but she stayed home to be with a friend whose husband recently passed. 

HUNTER: Kids?

TOM: Wanda had a daughter from a previous marriage.

HUNTER: You?

TOM: Not that I know of.

HUNTER: Previous marriage?

TOM: No sir.

HUNTER: Are your parents living?

TOM: No sir.

Chloe appears in window at center island, unbeknownst to Tom and Hunter.

HUNTER: What's your middle name, Tom?

TOM: Travis. For my grandad. My mother's father.

HUNTER: Are your parents living?

TOM: No sir. Mom passed twelve years ago last month, dad a year and day later.

HUNTER: From?

TOM: Cancer took mom, dad had a heart attack.

HUNTER: What's your sister's name?

TOM: Ruth.

HUNTER: Other siblings?

TOM: No sir. 

HUNTER: Is Ruth in good health.

TOM: She is. 

HUNTER: Can I get you a water?

TOM: Yessir. A water'd be great.

HUNTER: B R B.

TOM: Pardon

HUNTER: Be right back.

TOM: Ah, B R H.

Hunter leaves to kitchen door. 

INT. KITCHEN

Chloe at center island with casserole ingredients, watches Hunter approach and past him to Tom when Hunter enters, goes to fridge.  He gets two water bottles, stands next to Chloe. 

CHLOE: Well?

HUNTER: Not that he's aware of. Parents deceased. Wife's name is Wanda, sister Ruth. Middle name Travis for his mom's dad. First impression?  

CHLOE: I don't think he'll bite.

HUNTER: No? 

CHLOE: Kind eyes.

HUNTER: Yeah?

CHLOE: Like his son's.

They look at each other.

HUNTER: And his granddaughter's. 

 Hunter leaves with waters, Chloe gets phone from pocket, raises it to frame Tom and Hunter in camera, takes their picture just as Tom meets Hunter's water bottle toast, pockets phone. Tom and Hunter sit.