[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
You can't come.
Yeah, I will.
[BAG CRINKLES]
[SIGHS]
[BAG CRINKLES]
[SIGHS]
[BAG CRINKLES]
[INDISTINGUISHABLE CHILDREN'S VOICES]
Hey, Karen?
Yeah, it happened again.
I don't know.
I guess she's home.
Right when I came home, I found my stuff
all in a bag on the front step.
I don't care.
Just get me out of here.
Yeah, OK.
[SIGHS] Jesus Christ.
[BAG CRINKLES]
[GENTLE MUSIC]
Oh my god, Ben.
I'm so sorry.
Oh.
Is this your stuff?
Are you cold?
Why don't you go sit in my car and I'll go talk to Sheila.
Look, Karen, it's not worth it.
I need to know why she thinks it's OK to throw you out
in the dead of winter.
You really think that'll help?
I--
She's just like all the rest.
I need to let her know that I'm pissed.
[KNOCKING]
Don't start.
What is going on?
He knows.
I don't have to explain myself, Karen.
Yes.
Yes, you do.
Sheila.
Sheila!
Told you.
Yeah, well, at least she knows I'm pissed.
Really.
Like it matters.
Let's just get your stuff and go.
Come on.
So where would you like to go before I head over
to the office?
Anywhere.
The usual?
Sure.
So what are you having?
I bet I know.
Hey, you two.
I haven't seen you in a while.
What can I get you to drink?
I'll have a water.
OK.
Do you need more time, or are you ready to order?
You ready?
Ben.
You can just bring us two vanilla milkshakes.
OK.
Thank you.
You remembered.
Well, that's what you get every time we come here.
So--?
Yesterday when I got home from school, Derek came after me.
Derek-- Sheila's husband or her son?
Her son.
What did he want?
He just started calling me a faggot the second I got home
from school.
Did you ignore him like I told you to?
Yes.
So what happened?
He just started accusing me of stealing his watch.
Then there was all this yelling and shit.
I don't understand.
This makes no sense.
I don't know.
After that I just went upstairs.
That's when Sheila stopped me.
What did she want?
Well, obviously she believed her son
because she wanted to check my bag.
Did you let her check it?
No.
Why should I let her?
Did you have the watch?
No.
Then why not let her check your backpack?
I don't care what she thinks.
I don't understand how this got out of hand so quickly.
It's been this way for a while.
Why didn't you call me?
I don't know.
Well, listen.
I don't want to see you on the streets.
You have so much potential.
Whatever.
Listen.
I know there's a family out there somewhere.
We just got to find the right one.
I've been with six different families and three
different group homes in what-- five years?
What else is left?
Can I get you anything else?
Thank you.
Well, I'm sorry, Ben.
I wish I could find you the perfect family.
Have you heard from Patti?
No.
It's been like a year.
I love that picture of you two.
Are you dating?
Huh?
You heard me.
Are you dating?
Have you met any cute guys at school?
I'm not going there.
Listen.
I'm not going to stop until you tell me.
Does it matter?
I'm not going back there.
Like I'm going to see him again.
So I was right.
So that's who's been calling and texting you?
His name's Joey.
Well, obviously you keep in touch with him.
Listen.
Call him.
Text him.
Tell him what's going on with you.
If he likes you, he'll understand.
I think he'll be a great comfort for you right now.
Whatever.
Listen.
I know it's hard to start building and have
stuff stripped away from you.
How would you know?
Because I can see the pain in your eyes.
You have a picture of him?
Oh, he's cute.
And look at your smile.
Your whole face lights up when you smile.
Oh my god.
You know, he's kind of the reason
I didn't call you for so long.
I hoped somehow I could find a way
to be with him a little longer.
Oh, so it's serious?
I like him.
As in--?
I've known him for three months.
So have you guys gone out?
We've gone on a few dates.
That's it.
Nothing serious.
He did give me this.
Have you--?
Oh god, I'm not even--
All right.
Sorry, sorry, sorry.
I'm sorry.
Listen, I will do--
I'm so sorry, Ben.
I will do whatever it takes to keep you two together.
Just-- oh my gosh.
Listen.
We really need to get out of here.
I can't solve this problem for you sitting in here.
So let's finish the milkshakes, get the check, and we can go.
Ben, you know it's going to be all right, don't you?
Look, can't I just wait in the car?
I'd really like you to come up.
Plus you can say hello to Jenny.
Whatever.
Can't wait to tell her about you and Joey.
I should not have told you anything.
Hi, Joan?
Hi.
Yes.
Yes, I have a 17-year-old male that needs emergency placement
tonight.
I know.
I know you don't want any older kids.
I just-- OK.
Thanks.
Hi.
Is your mom or dad home?
Hi, Jeff.
It's Karen.
Yes.
Well, I have a 17-year--
wait.
I thought Ben would be perfect for Laura and you.
I know, I know.
OK, but if you reconsider could you please give me a call?
All right, thanks.
Ben, it looks like I have to call an emergency
shelter for you tonight.
It'll only be temporary-- just till I can find you someplace
permanent-- someplace--
somewhere.
It's late.
I need a bed for you to sleep in tonight.
I can't go to another group home.
Do you remember what happened at the last one?
This is different.
I know the director.
He's a great guy.
I'm sure he'll take care of you.
Whatever.
Listen, mister.
I'm on your side.
Hi, Mark?
Yeah, it's Karen Johnson.
Yeah.
How are you?
I'm good.
Thanks for asking.
Yeah.
Well, I have a 17-year-old male.
His name is Ben.
Yeah, he was abruptly put out today by his foster parents.
Great, you have a bed?
Awesome.
Yes, we'll be there shortly, Mark.
Thank you so much.
All right, bye bye.
Well.
Guess what?
Looks like I'm staying the night in another frickin' group home
tonight.
It'll only be temporary.
Listen Ben.
You know you can call me anytime.
Yeah, if this phone actually works.
What happened to the phone I bought you?
Got stolen at Sheila's.
So where'd you get that one?
An old friend of Joey's.
Oh, Joey.
Interesting.
He must really like you.
He's buying you phones and stuff.
Can't wait to meet him.
Come on, let's go.
[KNOCKING]
Just put your things down here.
Karen.
Mark!
How are you?
How are you?
Good, good.
Aw.
I'd like you to meet Ben.
Nice to meet you, Ben.
Yeah.
Come in, come in.
Thank you so much, Mark, for taking this on short notice.
I'm so grateful.
You must've seen the vacancy sign out front--
and actually just in time.
I had another call right after yours.
Oh my god.
Great.
Yeah.
So can you show me where to put my stuff?
Do you want to see the place first?
Not really.
Look, no offense.
I don't plan on being here long.
I'm sorry, Mark.
You have a call from Mrs. Wicks on line two.
Ooh.
Excuse me for a minute.
I have to take this.
No problem.
What's up?
How's it going?
Hi.
Who's the newbie?
This is Ben.
And you are?
Available.
Free tonight.
Christ.
Ah, smart-ass.
Your mouth's going to get you in trouble around here.
I see you guys have met Tom and Eric?
Yes, we have.
Welcome to our place, Ben.
Yeah.
welcome.
So who's he bunking with?
Tom.
[PHONE RINGING]
Boyfriend calling?
I think you're right, Tom.
Uh, gentlemen.
Well, can you just show me where I can put my stuff?
What's your problem?
Listen guys.
Ben has had a rough few hours.
He's just a little tired, OK?
Aw, rough day?
Didn't you get your nap in earlier?
Gentlemen, weren't you on your way to group?
Chill.
We're getting there.
It's all good, Mr. M.
I'll be seeing you later.
Smart-ass.
What the fuck is his problem?
I don't know.
Someone should teach him some manners.
Faggot better not get in my way.
They're really not so bad once you get to know them.
Yeah, right.
I'm trying to find Ben something a little bit more permanent.
As in tomorrow.
Soon, Ben.
Soon.
OK.
Well, the kitchen is right in there,
and down this hallway is where we'll find the bedrooms.
Well, here we are.
That's Tom over there, and this will be your bed here.
Let me get you some sheets.
Here you go.
There's a comforter in there if you need it.
I guess I'll leave you to get settled.
Karen, just stop by my office on the way out, OK?
Sure Mark.
Thanks.
When?
I don't know, Ben.
I'm so sorry.
Stan.
Yeah.
Stanley.
It's Ben.
What is it?
His foster mother kicked him out again today.
I guess money can't buy talent.
Honey, why do you bring your work home with you?
Because I'm worried about him.
Where is he?
He's at Bright Futures group home.
Then he's fine.
No, he's not fine.
That's no place to call home.
He's been in these places like this before.
They never work out.
There's nothing you can do.
It's late.
Get some rest.
Stan.
Do you think we could--
We've been over this before.
You can't bring every kid home.
He's almost at the end of the line.
He's going to age out of the system soon.
Who knows what's going to happen next?
I don't want him to end up like his sister Patti.
I don't even know if she's alive.
Honey, rest.
We'll talk about this again tomorrow.
Okay?
Good night.
Good night, Stan.
You mind turning that off?
I'm trying to sleep.
Too bad.
I have to get up early.
Look at what we have here.
Put those down.
So you are a fucking fag.
Yeah, you're a genius.
Now leave my shit alone.
What the fuck is your problem?
You.
Get used to it, faggot.
Fuck you.
Yeah, you'd like that, wouldn't you?
Faggot.
Fuck off.
Move the ice pack so I can check out this lip.
Ouch.
Stop fidgeting.
Do you have to do that?
Do you want it to get infected?
You okay there, buddy?
I'm not your buddy.
I'm sorry, Ben.
How can I help?
Get me out of here.
I can move you to another room.
Somewhere else?
No.
Just down the hall.
Sweetie, why don't you go get cleaned up?
Go get your stuff and meet me in the hall
in a couple of minutes.
Whatever.
I'm worried about the swelling around his eye.
I got to call Karen.
[BAG CRINKLES]
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[STREET NOISE]
[PHONE RINGING]
Hello?
Hello?
Mark?
Honey?
What?
When?
Where to?
OK, I'll be there in 15 minutes.
What are you doing?
Was that Ben?
Yeah.
I got to go.
He got in a fight in the home, and he took off.
Do you need me to come with you?
No.
Well, call me when you have more information,
and let me know you're safe.
OK?
Be careful.
Mark.
Hello?
I'm coming.
Mark!
I'm coming.
Karen, shh.
What happened?
Where did he go?
Did you call the police?
Yes.
Apparently there was an argument with one of the other boys.
It got a little out of hand and things got physical.
You must be the social worker.
Yes, and you are?
The nurse on duty.
And where were you when all this was going on?
You're asking me?
Yes, I'm asking both of you.
Karen, don't make this personal.
Listen, did he say anything before he left?
Did he take anything with him?
No, his bag is right here.
It doesn't appear he took anything at all.
He did.
His picture isn't in here!
Karen, calm down.
I got to go.
I've already called the police.
They're on their way.
Karen, come back.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
No comments:
Post a Comment