The Dorsey Cabin

III

INT. THE DORSEY CABIN - DUSK

Kristy turns on a light switch, illuminating the room.

KRISTY
(relieved)
Finally! I need a drink. Or three.

She walks into the kitchen and pours herself a glass of red wine. Kicking off her shoes, Kristy sinks into her loveseat and reaches for the T.V. remote that she's always kept beside her on the coffee table. But to her surprise, it's not there.

KRISTY
(confused)
What? It's always right here...

That's when she notices a bag of chips, half-eaten. Alert, her eyes scan the room. Beside the worn fireplace, she spots a soft, maroon cashmere sweater. To her right, she finds an acoustic guitar and beside it, dozens of picks strewn across the floor.

KRISTY
(presses her lips together)
How...

Just then, she hears the door CREAK open. She braces herself for who she's about to encounter. But the assortment of items scattered around her has made this reunion no secret. Her eyes lock upon the sight of her ex-husband, whom she hadn't seen in over two years.

CHASE
(smirks)
Why, hello Kristy. Long time no see.

Kristy stands up and rolls her eyes at Chase, who runs a hand through his tousled light brown hair. His bright blue eyes sparkle as he winks at her. He's holding plastic bags, the aroma of sweet chicken quickly permeating the room.

KRISTY
(crosses her arms)
What are you doing here? The cabin's mine.

CHASE 
(lays the bags down on the kitchen counter)
Well, I figured that if no one's here, I might as well use the space.

KRISTY
(frowns and looks away)
When will you actually find a job, Chase? You have to stop depending on others. And taking over their personal spaces.

Kristy glances at Chase, who's quickly digging into the takeout he'd purchased. She sighs and walks over. Chase, with a mouthful of rice, silently hands over a carton of noodles. 

They dig in, quietly munching on dinner.

KRISTY
(swallows)
How long have you been staying here?

CHASE
(puts his plate down)
A couple of weeks. Look, Kris, I'm sorry. I just needed a place to stay and the cabin was the first place I thought of. Marv kicked me out when I couldn't pay the rent.

CHASE (CONT'D)
If you want me to go, I will. It is your place, after all.

KRISTY
(shakes her head)
No... stay. It's fine.

CHASE
(blinks, weary)
Why are you being so nice to me? You despised me during the divorce.

KRISTY
(sighs)
I never hated you, Chase. But I needed to move on with my life. I always felt two steps behind when I was with you.

She falls silent. They sit quietly for a while. Chase changes the subject, fed up with the awkward silence between them.

CHASE
(stands, tucking his hands into his pockets)
How's Ryan? Are you both still together?

Kristy holds back a frown at the mention of her boyfriend. Part of the reason why she came to the cabin was because of her now rocky relationship with Ryan. He'd left their apartment in downtown Denver in a hurry, wanting space after their latest dispute two days ago. It had seemed like it was more than just her job, but Kristy, often oblivious, had no idea why he'd exploded in anger. Kristy hadn't heard anything from him since.

KRISTY
(avoids Chase's steady gaze)
We're fine. I just needed a break, that's all.

Chase's dubious look makes it clear that he doesn't believe her. But Kristy doesn't want to talk about Ryan anymore.

KRISTY
(yawns)
I'm going to go to bed. What room are you in?

CHASE
(yawns, mimicking Kristy)
I'm in the guest bedroom.

KRISTY
(nods)
Then I'll be in the master bedroom. Good night, Chase.

CHASE
(smiles softly)
Sweet dreams, Kristy.