Orange truck slows in front of a large, white building. Bluetinted windows line each of the three stories. On the front, in marked in clear, block lettering: PLANNED PARENTHOOD. Underneath: CARE. NO MATTER WHAT. Truck pulls into the adjacent parking lot. Several cars fill several spots. Dawna grabs the nearest space. Engine idles, then ceases. Outside on the sidewalk, a weary ROSE (16) stands pale, exhausted and tearstained. Clothes rumpled, hair frayed - so weak a little gust of wind could knock her right over. But her puffy eyes widen when they catch sight of the truck. Inside, Dawna turns to her brother. DAWNA You ready? Jason stares blankly at the dashboard in front of him. Dawna waits. Stillness. Then - slowly - a nod. Slight, but decisive. He takes a deep breath. Doors swing open. Dawna steps out first. A beat, then Jason emerges. Rose stares at them, stunned, from her spot on the curb. Her cried-out eyes fill with fresh, new tears. When she finally speaks, it's barely a whimper.
"Black and white are always a good winter theme, and color is the color of love and happiness." 1. Move in Silence 2. The Moment 3. Laughter
- Anita Sewell @4everamarie
ROSE You came? Jason looks at Dawna, then back at his baby sister, shinyeyed and waiflike, as if she were made of paper. He smiles. JASON Always. THE END
"DESERT ROSE" by Rita Swartz @aina.rita.swartz
"Simply because it is icy." - Lynn Denise www.kissedbyredart.com @ruby_art_collective
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