CONTINUED: Andrew holds the door open for Beatrice, who has to use a cane to walk. As she walks out the door, she turns to Andrew and raises her eyebrows. ANDREW Don’t worry. I’ll call animal control. CUT TO:
EXT. FRONT YARD - DAY
Beatrice sits in the shade of the awning over the porch and looks over at Bran, who runs circles around Steve. Through the glass door, we see Andrew on the phone. He hangs up and walks outside. He places his hand on Beatrice’s shoulder and she looks up at him. ANDREW They’re on their way. Beatrice nods. Bran giggles as Steve hops around the yard. Bran then starts searching for the mother kangaroo. He looks under the porch, under the rusty Jeep parked in front of the porch, and finally behind some trees. No luck. Andrew pretends to look for the mother too, by shielding his eyes from the sun with his hands and gazing around. Bran, still peering beneath the Jeep, sighs with disappointment when he doesn’t find anything. He stands up straight and looks over around the car to his mom. She coughs. The kind of cough that makes you wince because you know it’s painful. Aching. Terminal. Bran can practically feel her pain as he looks at her. He frowns. He knows something is terribly wrong. Suddenly Bran’s eyes light up. He runs up to his mother and starts pulling on her arm. BRAN C’mon mommy! Help look for Steve’s mom.
18
Beatrice sighs.
(CONTINUED)