Diana's Choice

Scene 10

Outside the Cafeteria

She shares her location and settles into a chair, waiting for him to come get her. He arrives in twenty minutes and parks in the lot. 

Jake: It's cold, let's find some place warmer.

She follows him to the car and walks towards the rear door. He motions her to join her on the front passenger side. He then walks over and opens the door.

Diana: (Settling in and fastening her belt) I need to tell you something too. (He turns to face her) I went to see him. He lives around here. I'm sorry.

She watches his face grow dark in pain. He rests his head on the driver seat's headrest.

Jake: (Staring at the roof, then speaks in a low defeated tone) I'm not the one, am I? He is the one for you, right? Tears well up in her eyes and she lets them fall. She tries to find the words to express her inner turmoil but she can't.

Should I take you home?

Diana: (Swallowing a lump, trying to hide the tremor in her voice) You don't have to. I can just catch the bus at the next stop.

He hears it anyway, and turns. She's crying. He watches the tears streaming down her face. At length, she bursts out emotionally.

You claim it's not you but does it even matter? In what universe would I be the girl you want Jake?

Jake: You will never get it, will you? I don't flirt with interns, I don't sleep with them. It isn't my style. Dee, from that first day I laid my eyes on you when you were helping the boy with seizures, I just knew I'd break all my rules.

Diana: You don't know my past, you're probably better off with Stacey.

Jake: You were off with him again. I had a moment of weakness. I regretted the stupid message the minute it left my outbox. I...want you. It sucks when you leave and I know you're going to him, and he's hurting you.

Diana: (Breaking down again) I don't want to go home. I don't want to go see him. I'm just caught between a rock and a hard place. I just...I just need some peace. (She leans back on the headrest and exhales)

Jake: Stay with me today. I have a spare bedroom.

He turns the key in the ignition and slowly eases out of the parking lot. Once he joins the highway traffic, he turns on the radio and starts playing soft rock.

Diana: You like soft rock?

Jake: Yes. By the way, I will have to pick up a few things from the mall. I hope that's alright.

She nods, and glances outside. The sky is growing dark. Soft rain droplets start pelting the roof of the car, lulling her to sleep. He turns on the heat and lowers the volume of the music. She drifts off. He turns into the mall's driveway after half an hour of driving quietly. Somehow this feels like everything he has been hoping for. He considers waking her and then decides against it. He sticks a small note by her side of the glove compartment in case she wakes up before he is done shopping. Then, he reclines her chair a little further back.

Inside the grocery store he rolls the cart to the fresh produce section and picks supplies for the dinner recipe he has in mind. He then heads over to the bathroom supplies section and gets a fresh set of toothbrushes, paste, pads, dental floss, a loofer, and other bathroom comforts for the guest bathroom. He heads to the counter, pays and checks out. He loads the trunk of his jeep and heads back to the driver's side. She wakes up when he shuts the door.