Hidden Truth

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1

Hey, Zoe, you ready?

Hey, Zoe, you ready to go?

Hey! Gotta get going.

Hi. You ready to go?

Okay. Just one second.

I didn't even start wearing

makeup until I was in my 20s.

Times have changed, Aunt Jamie,

times have changed.

Yes, they have.

Trust me though, you don't want to

grow up quite as fast as you think you do.

Oh, but I do.

You look just like your mom.

That's what I keep hearing.

Zoe, come on, I'm leaving.

Okay, you coming in?

- No, thanks, I'm good.

- Okay.

Wait for me here, okay?

- Hey, Jamie.

- Hey!

- Hi!

- Morning!

That is a good choice.

Hey, Michael.

I mean, I used to be

in the music industry.

It is my niece's birthday and

I want to get her something.

Oh!

You know what?

Let me see that.

Well, you know what?

Oh, yeah. She's going

to like this one much better.

- Yeah?

- Yup.

- Okay.

- Thanks.

- Yup.

- Nice to see you.

- You, too.

- Say hi to Veronique.

- I will.

- Okay.

Bye.

Hi, you've reached Zoe's

voice-mail, leave a message.

Zoe, where did you go?

I told you to wait for me.

Can you call me, please?

Hey!

Hey, sis.

Zoe took off again.

Yeah, she tends to do that.

She's your daughter. Why am I

the one trying so hard?

I know you are, and I'm grateful

for everything you're doing.

You checked by the park

by the east side of the lake?

No.

I found her there a couple of times after

Layla died hanging out with her friends.

All right, I'll check there.

- It's her birthday tomorrow.

- I know it is.

I haven't forgotten.

Well, I'm having a birthday

party for her at the house.

So maybe you want to come.

She thinks I abandoned her.

She hates me.

Her mother hated me.

Pace, please stop playing the victim.

You asked me to look after her.

You needed to get your drinking

under control after Layla died.

Yeah, well, the whole town

thinks I killed my wife.

I still get dirty looks everywhere I go.

I got nothing here, Jamie.

You got everything.

Oh, yeah. A marriage that

fell apart after a year.

Yeah, how's that house

you got out of it?

Yeah, well, that house is

why I'm able to look after Zoe.

Will you please just come tomorrow?

It would mean a lot to her, whether

she shows it or not, and you...

gotta start getting out of here.

You can't hide like this all the time.

Yeah, I'll think about it.

Thank you.

I said I'll think about it.

Good. Thank you.

- Okay, all right. I'll try.

- Okay.

Bring a present, please.

- See you!

- Yeah, see you.

I got you something.

I didn't get you anything

on your birthday.

So?

What is it?

Well, open it and find out.

I only had enough money

to buy you one charm,

but you can always get more.

Let me do it.

It's for luck.

I need all the luck I can get

to get out of this town.

It's nice. Thanks.

Happy birthday.

There's a whole world waiting

out there for us, Natalie.

Mmm. I like it here.

It's easy.

Maybe for you.

Right. Sorry.

I know it's been rough for you.

I'd do anything to get out of here.

I've almost got enough money saved.

Saved? From what?

You don't have a job.

I've got a sponsor.

That sounds potentially gross.

Nothing is as gross as the thought of

me spending the rest of my life here.

Trust me.

It's kind of cool of Jamie

to throw you a party.

Can't wait.

Oh, come on.

It might be fun!

All right, well, you can

go and stand in for me.

She's just trying to do

something nice for you.

Yeah, I guess.

Speak of the devil.

You couldn't have told me?

I texted you!

Yes, you did.

I'm just going to hang out

with Natalie, okay?

Well, okay, but you don't want to have

lunch? I was going to buy it for you.

I'm dieting. Can I please just stay

here and hang out with Natalie? Please?

Okay, I'll see you at

home for dinner at 7:00?

- Yeah, sure.

- 7:
00!

Bye, Natalie.

How annoying!

Oh, she's fine.

How's my little bird?

Ew! I'm not your little bird.

Ah, you know you are.

Right?

You've been avoiding me.

It's my Aunt Jamie.

She suspects something.

No, she doesn't.

You don't know her.

She's all over me with questions.

I do know her.

But I'm not stupid.

She has no clue what's going on here.

None at all.

Well, that's not very nice.

After all I do for you.

I'm only doing this long enough to

have enough money to move to LA,

and then I never have

to see you or this place again.

Ow! You're hurting me!

Let go!

Quit it! You're hurting me!

Jeez.

You know, I want to see you tomorrow.

I can't.

It's my birthday.

You will, and I'll make

it worth your while.

You want the rest of your money, so you

can get out of this place once and for all.

Same place, same time as usual.

Get out.

Zoe, what happened? I thought

you're meeting me for dinner.

I'm really tired. You can

lecture me in the morning.

Get back here!

I'm not lecturing you.

I'm your guardian.

You're going to have to start

following some of my rules.

- This wasn't my idea.

- No, it wasn't mine either,

but your dad is my brother.

- Who didn't want me anymore.

- No!

Who loves you very much, and so do I.

And both of us want what's best for you,

and he couldn't do that

for you after your mom died.

She was murdered.

Zoe... I know that!

Yeah. And the whole town, my school...

the Sheriff thought...

No, wait...

Still thinks he killed her.

Yeah, and that's exactly

why we stand behind him.

Right! The way you stood behind me,

when he handed me off to you.

Hey! Are we going to keep

going in circles like this?

That's all they do here! They just

go in circles, never going anywhere.

I want out of this stupid town!

I want out from the staring eyes and

I want away from my drunk father.

He's been sober for months!

Yeah, and you weren't around when he wasn't,

so don't try to step in now and save the day.

I don't need you!

I can take care of myself!

Aunt Jamie.

Hey.

I'm sorry.

Honey.

No, I'm sorry.

Hey.

How's the marina project coming along?

Okay. It'll be better

once the town approves things.

You're awfully tense.

Just been working too hard, I guess.

Well, you know what they say

about all work and no play.

Um, don't we have a tour

group coming in today?

- Yes.

- Yeah.

I will be more in the mood once

the town approves my plans.

- Okay?

- Okay.

Okay.

Happy birthday.

Zoe!

Zoe!

Hey, birthday girl.

Zoe? Hello!

Zoe, it's your dad. Just wanted

to wish you a happy birthday.

I'm hoping we can talk

at your party. I love you.

See you tonight.

Thanks.

Hi, you've reached Zoe's

voice-mail. Leave a message.

This was the last time.

Is it?

You said you were going to

give me the rest of the money.

Mmm. Did I?

Yeah, you did.

And if you don't...

You'll what?

I'm only 16...

well, 17.

You could go to jail.

All I'd have to do is say the word.

Are you...

Are you threatening me, huh?

No, I'm bargaining.

Just like you always do.

You hear me?

I'm done with you!

Now back off!

I can take these.

Thank you.

This is my fault.

I left her a message saying I

was going to come to her party.

No, that's the right thing to do.

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