Wandering Falls

Digging Deeper

Written By

C. Brandon Redding

McCabe Industries. The office of Gayle Reed-Scott is full of
tension. As Gayle stares across her desk at a woman she has despised
more years than she even cares to recall, she finds herself for the
first time at the woman's mercy.

Claire: I really don't think you're in any position to be telling me
what I am and am not going to do.

Minutes ago, Claire Thomas stumbled upon the secret Gayle has
fought so long to keep guarded. The secret is one that affects them
both. The fact that Gayle's affair with Claire's ex-husband produced
a son that Gayle led everyone to believe was fathered by someone else
has left Claire in shock. The fact that she holds all the cards in
this situation however is not lost to her.

Gayle: I think we need to talk about this like two rational adults.

Claire: I think all rational went out the door as soon as I
discovered you've been lying about your son's paternity his entire
life. How did you ever think you were going to keep this a secret?

Gayle: I don't think I need to explain myself to you.

Claire: You damn well better… unless you'd rather do it with
Steve . (Claire notices that the comment garners Gayle's full
attention.) You know… he does deserve to know that he has a son.
Ben deserves to know that he has a brother.

Gayle: This isn't any of your business Claire.

Claire: How can you even say that? Ben is my son… Steve's my ex-
husband. This affects me in every possible way. This is my business
Gayle, and I'm not leaving here until you understand that.

Before Gayle can reply, her office telephone rings. As Gayle
answers the phone, she appreciates the distraction.

Gayle: Hello?

Officer: Mrs. Scott?

Gayle: Yes it is. Who is this?

Officer: Mrs. Scott… my name is Lieutenant Marshall with the
Wandering Falls Police. I'm calling in regards to your son, Justin .

Gayle: Is everything alright?

Officer: Everything's fine ma'am. Apparently your son got involved
with a friend of his in some kind of encounter with a guy at the
home. It's really a lot more complicated than that. I was hoping
you could come join us here at the station.

Gayle: Certainly. I'll be right there.

As Gayle hangs up the phone, she glares to Claire.

Claire: Who was that?

Gayle: The police. I've got to go.

Claire: I hope everything is alright.

Gayle is surprised by the remark.

Gayle: Everything is fine. I've got to go though… Justin seems to
have gotten himself into some trouble.

Claire: We aren't finished here Gayle.

Gayle: I don't see how I have much choice here. (Gayle's grits her
teeth as she prepares to she say what she knows she must.) Please
Claire… tell me you won't take what you've found out today outside of
this room.

Claire: I can't believe you're asking me this Gayle. Steve deserves
to know the truth.

Gayle: I don't deny that. But this has to be handled delicately.

Claire: Kind of like it has for the last fifteen years?

Gayle: Can we discuss this later? I'm asking you this, not for me…
but for Justin… and for Ben. Please.

Claire: I can't make you any promises (she says, picking up her
purse.)

As Gayle watches Claire leave her office, she breathes a sigh of
relief. Grabbing her own purse from beneath her desk, she picks up
the package that her secretary brought to her earlier. As she stuffs
the car information in her purse, she curses it for causing her
current dilemma.

Gayle: I can't deal with all of this (she says aloud, making her way
towards the door.) What kind of mess have you gotten yourself into
now Justin?

Standing in the empty hallway, Claire reaches for her cell
phone. Searching through her purse, she fumbles for the number she
needs, as she attempts to dial it into her phone. As she listens to
the ringing, she questions if she's doing the right thing.

Steve: Hello?

Claire: Steve… it's Claire.

Steve: Well this is a surprise. You seemed like you were in a
pretty big hurry after the graduation. Is everything alright?

Claire: (Hesitantly) I'm not exactly sure how to answer that.

Steve is silent for a moment, hesitant as to if he's willing to
get himself involved in whatever Claire's got going on this time.

Steve: I'll be at my hotel room the rest of the afternoon… if you
need someone to talk to (he interjects.)

Claire: Thanks Steve… I'll be there shortly.

Steve: See you when you get here.

As Claire hangs up her phone, she tells herself that she has no
choice but to tell the Steve the truth. He's been kept in the dark
for too long already, she reasons. The truth has to come out
somehow… and who better to break the news? Who better indeed?

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