Death of a Rose: Scene X

Here is the end folks. It has been fun to write this and it has been fun to have all of you guys read it. Thanks for all the support and comments.

Scene x

fade in

James near the grave of Claire, clutching a rose.

James: Today was hard Claire, I……...I almost did something pretty stupid. I guess, I’ve just lost hope recently, nothing to live for I guess. I almost…….well I almost ended it. (contemplates) But there was this one thing. I was saved, by a homeless woman. Imagine that. She had me look at the sunset. But she said something, the one thing that really got me to step away from the bridge. She told me to think of what my loved ones would think, and I thought of what you might think. Instantly I heard your voice: “James, don’t. There are more important things in life than the important things.” I had to step back. I knew it is what you would have wanted. It’s just hard when the important thing, the more important thing was you. You still are, I know you are gone, but I love you so much still. I’m trying to get by, but like I said, it’s hard. You have helped me so much Claire. Before I met you I just sped through life, not really realizing what I had, until it was gone. I hardly remembered my own father until you came to me. I have learned to see so much out of life now, to get the most out of it. I can’t take things for granted anymore. And I will not. I promise you that Claire. I love you so much, and I can’t let you down while you are gone. Thank you so much Claire…..for everything. (Smiling, and crying, sets the rose on her grave. and walks through the graveyard. Coincidentally he sees Gale, sitting at a gravestone. James goes to her, it is the grave of their father.)

James: (He silently walks up behind Gale). Hey Gale.

Gale: (Startled) James!

James: Oh, sorry…..

Gale: (Smiling now) No, it’s alright, i’m glad you are here, you just scared me a little. Come sit.

(James comes and sits next to his sister)

Gale: How are you holding up?

James: I’m doing better (smiling), I was just um…..talking with Claire, over there. Then I saw you here.

Gale: Oh, that’s coincidental.

James: Yeah. Do you come here often?

Gale: Every week or so.

James: Really? Why haven’t you invited me?

Gale: I did, but you were busy with your museum.

James: Well, i don’t have that anymore.

Gale: You didn’t really need to do that.

James: Maybe not. But I feel I can start something else up.

Gale: You’re like an art historian though

James: Did you not know about my other major? I double Majored.

Gale: I didn’t know about your first major, James. How should I know your second major?

James: How could you not know?

Gale: How did you not remember Dad’s grave was right over here?

James: Touche.

Gale: Well? What is your other major?

James: Economics! (smiling fakely)

Gale: Nuh uh

James: Yeah, it’s not economics.

Gale: Well what?

James: Musical Theatre.

Gale: Really?

James: Yep.

Gale: No….

James: No I’m serious. I wasn’t off in Utah all those years for nothing.

Gale: That’s why you like Utah so much.

James: Yeah, honestly, did you read any of my E-mails?

Gale: I was busy getting married James.

James: That’s right.

Gale: Wow, we don’t know a whole lot about each other.

James: I know, but I’ll fix that. I mean, here we are now, sitting here, with Dad. (points to the grave. It says: Andrew Carter, 1975-2005).

Gale: Yeah, we are.

James: You think he would be proud of us? Probably proud of you.

Gale: (looking at James) No, he would be proud of you. Proud of what you have become now. He loved you James.

James: I know, I guess I kind of forgot for a while there.

Gale: Just never forget it again.

James: I couldn’t. He is proud, of us. Me, and you, and Alfred, and Mom.

Gale: He never knew Alfred.

James: He would like him, I like him. (smiling)

(Gale hugs James.)

James: (flinching) Why?

Gale: I’m glad you’re back.

James: (chuckling and hugging back) Me too.

(hugging….)

James: We  should go visit Mom…..and tell Alfred to come.

Gale: (smiling and un-huggin) Alright.

(They stand, and start to walk out of the graveyard, palling around and Gale hugs James again).

Pan out and crossfade to the rose sitting gently on Claire’s grave. We see the writing on Claire’s grave, it says: Claire Borden, 1989-2014, “One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.”)

The End