Short Term 12 Page #10

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Jayden doesn't respond. She hides her face with her hand.

Grace sits with her for a moment before putting her arm onher back.

She sees tears plopping down onto the drawings of the octopusand the shark.

The two sit side by side.

INT. GROUP HOME OFFICE -- EVENING

Push in fast on Grace writing a report of the day.

INT. GROUP HOME JACK'S OFFICE -- EVENING

Grace drops off the copy of the report at Jack's office. She

is determined and confident.

INT. MASON'S CAR -- EVENING

Mason drives with Grace riding shotgun. Both are dressed for

a party. Her head is on his shoulder.

Grace lets out a breath.

GRACE:

We can't let her go back there.

Mason takes her hand into his and squeezes.

MASON:

That’s not going to happen. You

were pretty amazing today.

GRACE:

Thank you.

They sit in silence, watching the evening pass outside thewindow.

INT. MASON'S PARENT'S HOUSE -- EVENING

Members of Mason's family are gathered around the dinnertable holding hands and singing a Spanish version of "PraiseGod From Whom All Blessings Flow". There are a variety ofethnicities present: Caucasian, Filipino, Black, Japanese.

But most of the people are hispanic. They all end with:

"Amen."

MASON'S DAD, a Mexican-American in his 60's, speaks up.

MASON'S DAD

(in spanish)

Let's eat!

The table is filled with a plethora of food: heaps of crab,

fish, seafood, shrimp cocktail, rice, salad, and some othertraditional Mexican dishes. People grab their plates andbegin to dig in, eating and laughing together like a goodfamily should.

A father makes a plate for his daughter. A grandson pours adrink for his grandpa. People are laughing, teasing, havinga great time together.

One of the mothers approaches Grace, holding her one-year-oldchild over her shoulder.

MOTHER:

Hey Grace, can you hold Sylviawhile I make a plate for the otherninos?

Grace is a little nervous.

GRACE:

Oh, uh. Sure.

The mother doesn't wait, but plops the infant into Grace'sarms and heads to the table.

Grace finds her footing, and looks down at the baby. She

plays with its tiny fingers.

Mason clinks his glass with his fork and soon everyone in theroom joins in.

MASON:

(spanish)

This is going to be short. I just

have a couple things to say...

(english)

...And I'm going to say it in

English so I don't embarrass myself

any more than I need to.

(to his parents)

(MORE)

MASON (CONT'D)

I just want to take a moment to saythank you. Momma, Pops. I don’t

think anyone here thinks of you asjust our foster parents. I don't

even know what that term means...

'Cause to us, you're just ma andpa. And I think I speak foreveryone here when I say thank you,

for taking us in...

(laughs to himself)

...For taking me in when I was apunk kid who was scared ofeverything...when I had no oneelse, you accepted me, and showedme what it's like...

He begins to tear up a little, but pushes on. Grace watches

him, moved by every word, holding the infant close to her.

MASON (CONT’D)

...What it's like to be loved. None

of us would be here, if it weren’tfor you.

He motions to the rest of the people in the room.

MASON (CONT’D)

Look at this beautiful family youmade...

Mason takes a moment to look around the room.

MASON (CONT’D)

(smiling)

So let’s all lift your glasses toour king and queen.

(turns to them)

Happy 30th you guys. Everythinggood in my life is because of you.

Everyone begins to hoot and yell as they drink from theirglasses and go back to their conversations.

Grace smiles at Mason as he wipes his tears and sees her andthe baby from across the room. He nods and smiles at the

sight of her with a baby. She smiles and shrugs: it's not sobad.

CUT TO:

EXT. MASON'S PARENT'S HOUSE -- EVENING

Grace and Mason jump in the jumping castle with 4 of hislittle 8-year-old cousins. The kids laugh and jump on him.

He lifts a little girl into the air to protect her from theboys.

INT. MASON'S PARENT'S HOUSE -- EVENING

Salsa music fills the air and the dance floor explodes withmotion. One couple is really good, spinning and dipping andhopping together. Mason and Grace dance together, doingtheir own silly/crazy rendition of the salsa. They've madeup some of their own moves, like the tea cup tip, and thedouble hop. They're obviously great at being stupid and funtogether.

Mason grabs Grace and holds her close, slowing their pace.

They dance near his parents. Mason's mom sends a friendlysmile to Grace.

Mason gets close to her ears and whispers.

MASON:

Will you marry me?

Grace pulls back and looks at him, sees how serious he is.

She's as ready as she'll ever be.

GRACE:

Are you serious?

MASON:

Yeah. I’m dead serious.

She smiles and nods, puts her head on Mason's shoulder andlets the moment seep through her pores.

SLOMO wide-shot of the dancing room.

FADE OUT:

INT. GRACE'S APARTMENT BEDROOM -- MORNING

Grace and Mason lie in bed in the early morning light. The

phone RINGS! Both of them wake up.

MASON:

Who the hell is calling on the landline?

Mason gets up to answer it.

INT. GRACE'S APARTMENT KITCHEN -- CONTINUOUS

Mason picks up the phone.

MASON:

Hello?

After hearing who it is, Mason turns his back to the bedroomand lowers his voice.

MASON (CONT’D)

Yeah.

(beat)

(MORE)

MASON (CONT’D)

This is actually her fiancee, ifthis is about her dad, it'dprobably be best if you let merelay the message.

Mason listens intently as he's given the information.

MASON (CONT’D)

Sh*t.

He rubs his head as he listens to the horrendous news.

INT. GRACE'S APARTMENT BEDROOM -- MORNING

Mason walks back into the bedroom and finds Grace sitting atthe edge of the bed, facing the opposite wall. She knows

he's there.

GRACE:

Who was it?

MASON:

Um...someone from the probationdepartment.

Grace scratches frantically at her thumb with her pointerfinger, waiting for Mason to say the thing she dreads most.

MASON (CONT’D)

He said your dad's probably goingto get released next month.

Grace lets it sink in.

She hides her face in her hands. When she takes them away,

she leaves a streak of blood across her cheek.

She looks at her thumb and sees it's bleeding. She touches

her cheek and sees the blood on her fingertips.

Mason climbs over the bed and tries to hug her from behind,

but she brushes him off and leaves the room.

INT. GRACE'S APARTMENT BATHROOM -- MORNING

She stands in the shower, violently scrubbing her skin with arough washcloth. She holds the cloth to her face and screams

as loud as she can.

EXT. GROUP HOME -- MORNING

Mason stands out in the yard, smoking by himself. Grace

shows up on her bike and he quickly puts out his cigaretteand walks up to her.

MASON:

Hey, I really think we need to talkthrough some of this stuff.

GRACE:

Not right now Mason. I'll be fine.

I just need to work.

She heads into the office.

INT. GROUP HOME OFFICE -- MORNING

Jessica hands Grace the clipboard. She's eating cereal froma plastic bowl. Nate stands by eating a banana.

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