DESERT HOME – LATER
Joel types something, hits enter, and sits back. A big grin on his face. Chuckles.
CATHY: For real?
He smiles. He did it.
She smiles. He actually did it!
SHE GIVES HIM A BIG HUG.
Suddenly, Mark walks in.
MARK: So, this is your boyfriend?
Surprised, Cathy lets go of Joel. Joel is beyond startled.
JOEL: No, no! I'm –
CATHY: Yes.
Joel gawks at her — bewildered, big time.
JOEL: Uh...
MARK: Hope the shooting earlier didn't scare you too much, son. Just an exercise. And the car's bulletproof, so no real danger.
JOEL (playing cool): Sure, no problem. I grew up a Coast Guard brat anyway, so...
Mark gives him a surprised expression.
Cathy, a shocked one.
MARK: Really? Where'd that be?
JOEL: Oh, lots of places. Hawaii, Sitka, Kodiak. Mom n' Dad were in Search and Rescue.
MARK: No kidding! Good for them.
Joel smiles, a bittersweet smile.
CATHY: He fixed your desktop, by the way.
Mark stares at Joel. Then at Cathy. A wry smile.
JOEL: It had gotten a very strange virus. Do you have any idea how –
MARK: Alright then, you guys have fun! Hunters invited to an ABC drill. I'll be back in four.
He leans in and hugs Cathy, who stiffens just a tiny bit. Then he walks out, leaving the two.
Awkward silence. They glance at each other. Cathy turns away.
Joel's got so many questions running through his mind... Goes with the least intimidating one.
JOEL: So... what's an ABC drill?
CATHY (casually): Atomic, Biological, and Chemical hazards defense drill.
JOEL: Oh...! Right...
YOU ARE READING
Love/Survival
RomanceOn paper, 20-year-old twins Cathy and Matt have everything going for them. Their mom is a Brazilian supermodel, and their dad is a decorated Navy SEAL. In reality, though, Mark, their dad, is retired with PTSD, and their mom, Sabrina, split long ago...
