FADE IN
EXT. CORNER OF HILLTOP AND GROVE - DAY
Hilltop and Grove, the intersection of two streets that cut through open fields of tall grass and wild sunflowers. On one side perches a small bench, protected from the sun by a shingled hutch. A small metal sign marks it as a bus stop.
Across the street is a smug ranch home with a neat green lawn, tight beds of primroses and pansies, and a lemon tree bearing small yellow-green fruit. An short, open lattice fence defines the little patch of civilization.
Across one of the fields, a boy and a girl come running. MELISSA, in denim cutoffs and a red gingham shirt, is in the lead. TOM, in baggy overalls, closes the gap as they reach the bus stop. The pair are about ten years old.
MELISSA
I dare you to go pick lemons off that tree.
She twirls one of her short braids, adorned with gingham ribbons, in awkward imitation of a flirtatious older girl.
TOM
They aren't hardly even ripe, Mel.
MELISSA
Tommy Morgan, I think you're afraid of old Grumps.
TOM
Yeah, well, you think right.
MELISSA
He's just one old man.
She saunters into the road, heading for the yard.
TOM
Mel, don't. Are you crazy?
MELISSA
I was gonna make you lemonade, but now I will jus hafta keep it all for myself.
He runs toward her, but she's already scrambled over the fence. He stops at the barrier.
Melissa jumps up and grabs a lemon off the tree.
From the shadowed front stoop emerges the barrel of a shotgun followed closely by old MR. SIMMONS.
MR. SIMMONS
I told you damn kids, stay offa my property.
Tom freezes. The blood runs out of his face.
Melissa passes him, waving the purloined lemon in his face. One of her hair ribbons falls to the ground.
MR. SIMMONS
Thieves!
He fires the shotgun into the air.
Tom snaps back to himself. Starts to run, but turns back and reaches through the lattice to pick up the lost ribbon, then runs past the bus stop, back across the fields.
EXT. CORNER OF HILLTOP AND GROVE - DAY
Same corner, but a few of the fields have been replaced with homes. Long ranch-style homes mostly, with expansive lawns.
The bus stop shed is weathered and grey.
Tom, now 17, sits on the bench reading a book. His clothes still look too big on his skinny frame.
Melissa walks up, her hair cut like Farrah Fawcett. A TEENAGE BOY hangs out the door of an orange Pinto that rolls past.
TEENAGE BOY
Who woulda thought Mel would grow up into Mel-iss-a.
MELISSA
Oh, shush.
She flips her hair, flirtatiously. The car revs its engine and zooms away.
TOM
Hello, Melissa.
MELISSA
Oh, hi Tom.
She barely looks his way, watching the Pinto as it does doughnuts in an empty lot.
A bee lands in her hair.
TOM
Um, Melissa.
She waves him off, without turning to look at him.
He pulls a red gingham ribbon from the back of the book, and marks his place.
TOM
Mel, there's a...
He stands, and reaches up to wave the bee away, but before he can, she runs a hand through her hair.
Her eyes get very wide.
MELISSA
Oooh, CRAP. Oh shit.
TOM
I'm sorry, I tried to... there was a bee.
She waves her hand, and the sting swells up.
TOM
I know something that can help.
He looks across to the lemon tree in Mr. Simmon's yard, now just visible over a tall whitewashed fence.
He gets a running start, and manages to get over it, leaving black scuffs on the paint.
A dog barks when he lands on the other side. The tree rustles.
Tom's head pops over the fence. He loses his grip and falls.
The dog growls, and there are sounds of a scuffle.
Tom scrambles back across, his pant leg now torn at the hem.
MELISSA
Tom, are you OK?
She blows on her bee sting, and winces.
He holds up a lemon.
TOM
These can help relieve a bee sting.
He pulls out a Swiss army knife, and cuts the lemon.
Gently lifting her hand, he rubs the juice onto the sting.
MELISSA
When did you get so brave, Tom Morgan?
Melissa beams at him.
EXT. CORNER OF HILLTOP AND GROVE - DAY
The wood hutch at the bus stop has been replaced by a concrete shelter. The fields are now entirely replaced by houses, small and close. The paint on Mr. Simmon's fence is worn.
Tom, 24, carries a briefcase as he waits on the bus. His clothes not only finally fit, but are a little tight across his muscular arms and thighs.
A car pulls up, a LITTLE GIRL in the passenger side.
Melissa gets out of the car, and smacks the roof. Her Farrah hair has been replaced with a poodle perm and bandanna.
MELISSA
Is that you, Tom Morgan?
Tom cocks his head, and takes her in.
TOM
Melissa? Well, it's been...I haven't seen you went to college.
MELISSA
Yeah. Just visiting the folks. Had no idea you were back here.
TOM
Never left.
Melissa takes him in a long moment, then nods to the child.
MELISSA
Came to show my daughter my favorite lemon tree.
The little girl is climbing through the car window.
TOM
Oh? Well, hello. What's your name?
LITTLE GIRL
Jessica. I'm this many.
She holds 6 fingers in front of her face.
TOM
Wow, you're 6.
He looks at Melissa, and back at the little girl.
A car screeches around the corner.
Tom grabs Jessica and pulls her from the car as it crumples from the impact. Melissa is knocked back and out of sight.
The girl's scream pierces the air.
EXT. CORNER OF HILLTOP AND GROVE - DAY
Trees are grown tall, and the bus stop has been spray-painted by gangs. The bench is missing a plank.
Beside the concrete shelter a cross is in the ground, tied with a worn gingham ribbon.
A middle-aged Tom, bends down, takes off the old ribbon, and replaces it with a fresh one. He steps back a few paces, wipes sweat from his brow, and looks up at the sun.
A car pulls up. It idles a moment, then stops. A YOUNG WOMAN steps out, wearing a dark suit.
She goes to the cross, and sets a candle at the base.
Tom watches her light it.
TOM
Jessica?
She turns slowly, and nods.
YOUNG WOMAN/JESSICA
Tom Morgan?
Tom nods yes.
JESSICA
You were there.
TOM
Yes, I was.
JESSICA
I was going through old papers, and. Mom never told me, but I think you may be... might be my...
Tom nods.
TOM
Tell you what. Why don't you come inside for some lemonade, and we can talk.
He gestures across the street, where a new mailbox is labelled "MORGAN". They cross, he opens the gate, and they disappear into the yard.
FADE OUT
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