Away from Her Page #7

33A.

A woman a little younger than Grant, MARIAN sits down beside

him, staring at a man in a wheelchair who sits among the

other residents, staring vacantly. She watches him, with

tears in her eyes. Grant looks in her direction

compassionately. She gives him a little smile through her

tears. She picks up her purse and walks out.

Grant watches as the families take leave of their relatives.

Slowly, in a series of dissolves, the common area empties

out. Leaving the residents feeling empty, alone, and gasping

for more.

34.

They stare out windows, or wheel or shuffle themselves back

to their rooms. The light has changed. It is late afternoon

and Grant has been sitting there watching for a long time.

59 INT ANDERSSON’S BEDROOM -DECEMBER 2003- NIGHT 59

Grant lies in bed staring at the ceiling while Fiona sleeps.

60 INT ANDERSSON’S BEDROOM -DECEMBER 2003- MORNING 60

Grant still sleeps. Fiona gets up quietly.

61 INT ANDERSSON’S LIVINGROOM -DECEMBER 2003- MORNING 61

Fiona sits at the dining room table stirring her coffee.

Grant enters in his housecoat, rubbing his eyes.

GRANT:

Smells good.

FIONA:

I was going to go for a ski but I

thought I shouldn’t chance it. What

with the Alzheimer’s and all.

She smiles at him.

GRANT:

Why didn’t you wake me?

She picks up some forms from the dining room table.

FIONA:

What are these Grant?

GRANT:

They’re the... The forms to fill

out. If you decide to go to

Meadowlake.

She looks frustrated.

FIONA:

But that is exactly what I have

decided. You were to go and sign

these forms. And leave them there.

Is it cold? Is it dark?

35.

GRANT:

No. It gets a lot of light.

She looks at him, questioning.

GRANT:

I wouldn’t be allowed to visit for

30 days.

She comes around to him, puts her arms around him.

FIONA:

30 days isn’t such a long time

after 44 years.

GRANT:

I don’t think I like the place.

FIONA:

I don’t think we should be looking

for something we like here Grant. I

don’t think we’ll ever find that. I

think all we can aspire to in this

situation is a little bit of grace.

Grant sees her unmovable determination and nods.

63 INT ANDERSSON’S LIVINGROOM -DECEMBER 2003-NIGHT 63

There is a Christmas tree lit up and a fire in the fire

place. Grant and Fiona dance to “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young.

She puts her feet on top of his and he leads her around the

room. They murmur softly to each other.

64 INT ANOTHER HOUSE ( LATE 50’S) 64

GRANT’S MEMORY:

Grant and Fiona ( in her teens), dance exactly the same way.

He moves a strand of hair away from her forehead lovingly.

She bats his hand away laughing. Pulls his earlobes lovingly.

65 INT ANDERSSON’S LIVINGROOM -DECEMBER 2003-NIGHT 65

Grant tries to move a strand of hair away from her forehead.

She lets him for a moment. Then playfully bats his hand away

in much the same manner as when she was younger. Again, she

tenderly pulls his earlobes.

66 INT ANDERSSON’S FRONT HALLWAY -JANUARY 2004- EARLY MORNING 66

Fiona’s bags are packed. She is dressed up a little. She

looks at herself in the mirror. Grant watches her.

36.

FIONA:

I guess I’ll be dressed up all the

time. Or semi dressed up. It’ll be

sort of like in a hotel.

She puts on her good coat. Applies her usual red lipstick.

FIONA:

How do I look?

GRANT:

Just like always. Just as you’ve

always looked.

FIONA:

And what does that look like?

GRANT:

Direct and vague. Sweet and ironic.

FIONA:

Is that how I look?

She looks directly at him. They watch each other. Smile.

67 EXT COUNTY ROAD -JANUARY 2004- EARLY MORNING 67

Grant and Fiona drive in silence. “Harvest Moon” continues to

play. Fiona spots something just off the road.

FIONA:

Oh. Remember?

Grant looks and sees the little hollow where they walked in

the spring. The bright yellow flowers are gone. Now it is

covered in snow. Grant smiles at her. Looks ahead. It’s all

he can do to not turn the car around.

FIONA:

You look surprised Grant.

GRANT:

Not surprised. Just grateful. I’m

grateful you can remember that.

68 INT MEADOWLAKE CHECK IN AREA -JANUARY 2004- MORNING 68

They stand in the check- in area, waiting for someone to come

to the desk. A tear falls down Fiona’s face.

FIONA:

You’ve been good to me Grant.

37.

Grant clutches the hand on his face. Kisses it desperately.

Madeleine comes out of her office. Senses the weight of the

moment she is walking into.

MADELEINE:

Should I give you two a moment?

GRANT:

Yes please.

FIONA:

No thank you. I’ll go to my room

now.

MADELEINE:

Alright Mrs. Andersson. We’ll get

you settled into your room. And

then I’ll take you on a tour of the

facility.

Grant looks pleadingly at Fiona.

FIONA:

Yes. That sounds lovely.

She gives Grant a squeeze on the arm. He reluctantly follows

them towards the rooms.

69 INT FIONA’S ROOM - JANUARY 2004- MORNING 69

It’s a nice room. A bright window. Tastefully decorated.

FIONA:

Yes. This will do just fine.

Madeleine glances at the few suitcases they brought in with

them.

MADELEINE:

I’m glad you like it Mrs.

Andersson. Is this all you brought

with you today?

FIONA:

For now.

GRANT:

We’ll see how it goes.

Madeleine takes a gage of their different ideas of the

situation. Talks to Grant, pointedly.

38.

MADELEINE:

Well. You let us know if you need

any help arranging things.

He shoots her a glare.

FIONA:

(politely)

Thank you Mrs. Montpellier. Now if

you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to say

goodbye to my husband. We haven’t

been apart for a month for the last

44 years. It will be quite

something.

MADELEINE:

Absolutely. You just come and find

me in my office when you’re ready.

FIONA:

I will.

Madeleine leaves the room.

Grant sinks down on the bed, grabbing Fiona’s hands and

pulling her down with him.

GRANT:

Please Fiona.

FIONA:

Grant. You know what I’d really

like?

GRANT:

Fiona...

She strokes his face. Kisses him.

FIONA:

I’d like to make love. And then I’d

like you to go. Because I need to

stay here. But if you make this

hard for me I think I’ll cry so

hard I’ll never stop.

She has tears rolling down her cheeks. It’s excruciating but

he manages to nod. She kisses him again. They make love on

the well made bed.

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