Making It Right
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CHAPTER 1:
AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is effectively ‘A Nicer Ending (Version 2)’, so don’t read it too soon after ploughing through my previous offering. I promise to write something more gritty next time.
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STEVEN flings LINDA’s L-plates into the air, and the car disappears into the distance.
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JOHN is still sitting on the bench beside the sports field, with KEVIN approaching from behind.
KEVIN: Boss!
JOHN: [Quietly] What?
KEVIN: [Clearly hasn’t heard JOHN’s reply] Boss!
KEVIN reaches the bench, and stands just behind JOHN
JOHN: [Louder and angrily] What?
KEVIN: [A little taken aback] Er, sorry boss. Me and Dave were just headin’ out on the piss. Thought you were coming with us.
JOHN: Oh. Er, later. I’ve gotta talk to my parents.
KEVIN: [Jokingly, giving JOHN a light punch on the shoulder] You in trouble boss?
JOHN: You could say that.
KEVIN: What you done?
JOHN: Nothing. [Sighs, and then looks up at KEVIN] Look mate, I might see you in the pub later. OK?
KEVIN: [Looking a little confused] Yeah, er, sure boss.
KEVIN hesitantly turns around and starts walking back to the school. He stops and looks back at JOHN once, noticing he is staring out across the field again. KEVIN shrugs and carries on walking.
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LINDA and STEVEN are still in the car, driving quite fast along the shaded road. The music is playing loud and they are both laughing.
LINDA: It can’t possibly be that big! How on earth did you ever manage to…
STEVEN: I dunno, we just did!
LINDA: Jesus Steve! How can you sit down?
STEVEN: I dunno, I guess [shocked look suddenly appears on his face] Watch out!
A cow has strayed on to the road. LINDA swerves the car, and it runs up on to the bank at the side of the road, stopping sharply when it goes into a ditch. LINDA is stunned but OK, but STEVEN has hit his head and is unconscious.
LINDA: Steve? Steve!
LINDA is shaking STEVEN as the camera fades.
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In a hospital ward, with STEVEN sitting upright on a bed. He is wearing a hospital gown and has a large plaster on his head, but is smiling at SARAH and GRAHAM, who are also perched on the bed.
STEVEN: Mum, for the millionth time I’m fine.
SARAH: Oh Steve…
GRAHAM: You really worried us Steven!
STEVEN: I’m sorry Dad. We were just avoiding a cow.
GRAHAM: Yes, you told me.
STEVEN: It might have been worse if we’d actually hit it.
GRAHAM: I know, I know. [Suddenly looks accusing] Why weren’t you wearing your seat belt?
STEVEN: Dad, I was! It…it didn’t work.
GRAHAM: What do you mean ‘it didn’t work’?
STEVEN: [Almost sarcastically] I mean it didn’t stop me hitting the dashboard.
GRAHAM: [Looks sharply at his son] I meant, why didn’t it work?
STEVEN: I don’t know. Ask Linda’s brother.
GRAHAM: I intend to.
At that point the ward doors burst open and JOHN rushes in, nervously looking around. When he sees STEVEN, his face relaxes, and he walks over.
JOHN: Steve. Jesus.
STEVEN: [Surprised look on his face] Johnny, I…how…who…
JOHN: Your friend Linda called me. Told me you nearly died!
STEVEN: [Smiling] She always was a bit of a drama queen.
SARAH: Steve honey. Would you like us to leave you two alone?
STEVEN: [Suddenly realising his parents are still there] Oh. Er…
JOHN: No, it’s alright Mrs Carter. I’ll come back later. [Looks at STEVEN] I promise.
SARAH: Oh, OK.
JOHN: Glad you’re OK Steve. Jesus, you had me shi…really worried. [Briefly gazes into STEVEN’s eyes, then turns back to SARAH and GRAHAM] Bye.
JOHN turns and starts walking back out of the ward.
SARAH: Bye.
The ward doors swing shut behind JOHN.
GRAHAM: [Looking a little suspicious] Steven, are you and John…
SARAH: Graham, I think this can wait.
GRAHAM: But…
SARAH: [Sternly] Graham.
A short silence descends, with SARAH looking sharply at GRAHAM.
STEVEN: Look, Mum, I feel fine. Can’t I come home with you two?
SARAH: Steven love, the doctors want to keep you in for observation. They always do with head injuries – you know that from all your grandmother’s falls.
STEVEN: But…
SARAH: Sorry honey. We’d love to have you home as well, but there’s no point in taking risks.
STEVEN: [Sullenly] I was supposed to be going out with Mark, Wendy and Jess tonight.
GRAHAM: Well you should have thought of that before…
SARAH: [Snapping] Graham!
STEVEN: [Laughing at his parents] You’re drawing attention to us.
SARAH: Oh who cares. Look Steven, we’re going to go home and get some tea. I’m sure yours will be along soon as well. We’ll both come back later.
STEVEN: OK. Can you bring my walkman in when you come?
SARAH: Sure honey.
SARAH gives STEVEN a long motherly look, before her and GRAHAM gather up their coats and leave.
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Outside the hospital, JOHN is sitting on a bench, and watches as SARAH and GRAHAM come out and walk off towards their car. He then heads back into the building.
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JOHN enters the ward, and sees STEVEN sitting in bed reading a book. STEVEN does not notice as JOHN approaches.
JOHN: What are you reading?
STEVEN: [Surprised] Oh! [Puts the book down out of sight of JOHN] Er, nothing.
JOHN: [Smiling] The New Adventures of the Gay Teddy Bear?
STEVEN: Ha ha. Very funny. [Looks at JOHN for a short while] Listen, John…
JOHN: Steve, about earlier on.
STEVEN: Yeah?
JOHN: I need to try to make you understand.
STEVEN: I think I do understand. You had the choice of letting Kevin and Dave know, or beating the crap out of me.
JOHN: No! I didn’t have a choice. No, that’s not right. I mean, I didn’t make a choice. I didn’t think at all. I just panicked.
STEVEN: But you still threw me and kicked me. Yeah, you panicked. But it was more natural for you to hurt me than tell the truth. Do you know how that makes me feel?
JOHN: Oh Steve, I’m so sorry.
STEVEN: Yeah well, it’s done now.
There is a long pause.
JOHN: Steve, I’ve gotta tell you something.
STEVEN: What?
JOHN: I’ve, um, I’ve told my mum.
STEVEN: You what?
JOHN: My mum. I told her I’m gay. Told her about me and you.
STEVEN: Oh. [Stares at his feet while taking it in] How did she take it?
JOHN: Er, OK. I guess. She cried a bit.
STEVEN: What about your dad?
JOHN: I don’t know. I’m…he’s…I don’t know.
STEVEN: What did your mum say?
JOHN: About him? Er, she didn’t really say anything.
STEVEN: Oh.
JOHN: We were still talking when Linda rang. Mum drove me up here.
STEVEN: Where is she now?
JOHN: She went home.
There is a prolonged silence.
JOHN: Steve, I’ve never felt so scared as when Linda told me you were here.
STEVEN looks at JOHN without expression.
JOHN: I…I thought you might be really hurt. I didn’t know what I was gonna do.
STEVEN: Well, I’m fine. Mostly.
JOHN: All these thoughts were rushing through my head on the way here. About how I wasn’t going to get the chance to make things right with you. About how I was gonna lose you.
STEVEN remains silent.
JOHN: Steve, I’m gonna do it. I’m going to tell everyone about me. About us.
STEVEN: What, even Kevin and Dave?
JOHN: Yeah! [Suddenly looks unsure] Yeah. I have to. I have to prove to you that I love you, and get it right this time. I have to start making up for earlier. You won’t put up with me unless I do.
STEVEN: [Smiling] Who said I’m gonna put up with you anyway?
JOHN: [Looks desperate] Please Steve!
STEVEN: Jesus, I was only joking.
JOHN: [Pleadingly] What am I gonna say to them?
STEVEN: Just tell them the truth. They can either take it or beat you up.
JOHN: [Smiles, and then sighs] Yeah, I guess. Fuck, I’m so scared.
STEVEN: [Touching JOHN’s arm] I know.
JOHN: [Moving as though he’s about to leave] I suppose I should go and get on with it.
STEVEN: No, don’t go! [Both are surprised by STEVEN’s desire for JOHN to stay] Er, my parents are probably coming back in a couple of hours – can’t you stay ‘til then?
JOHN: [Smiling] Sure.
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JOHN is in the corridor outside the ward, and is just pressing the button for the lift. As the lift doors open, his face turns to one of surprise, as JESSICA, WENDY and MARK get out.
JOHN: [Quietly, and without making eye contact with any of them] Oh, er, hi.
JESSICA: [Smirking] Hi John.
WENDY: Er, hi.
JOHN gets into the lift and the doors close. MARK goes into the ward, but WENDY remains standing, staring at the lift doors, and then turns to JESSICA.
WENDY: Jesus, that was weird. I wonder who he was visiting?
JESSICA: [Still smirking] Yes, I wonder.
WENDY: [Looking suspicious] Jess, what aren’t you telling me?
JESSICA: As if I would hold anything back from you!
WENDY: Hmmmm.
They go into the ward, where MARK is already talking to STEVEN. WENDY and JESSICA both hug STEVEN, and then settle into positions on his bed.
JESSICA: Blimey Steven, what kind of a day are you having?
STEVEN: [Smiling] A very weird one.
WENDY: Yeah, so are we! First you go and drop a bombshell on us, then you get yourself landed in here, and now we’ve just seen John Dixon looking very, well, dodgy.
STEVEN: [Attempting not to crack up] Dodgy?
WENDY: [Angry] Right! What is going on? What am I not being told?
STEVEN: Sorry?
MARK: Jeez Wend, give him a break. He’s had a tough day.
WENDY: No, I will not give him a break. He’s clearly fine. Now, I want to know what…[Suddenly stops, looks thoughtful, and then turns to Steven looking utterly shocked] Oh my God! You and John? Oh my God!
MARK: Now I feel left out. What are you talking about?
WENDY: [Excitedly turning to MARK] Steven and John…
JESSICA: Wends! Why don’t you let Steven tell us himself.
STEVEN: [Looks a little uncertain] I wasn’t really supposed to…[Notices WENDY’s face] OK, yes, me and John Dixon are, erm, lovers.
JESSICA: [Ignoring the dumbfounded expression on MARK’s face] So you two are back on then? Linda seemed to think…
STEVEN: Yes, we’re back on.
WENDY: Jesus. John Dixon. Steve, I thought he beat you up earlier?
STEVEN remains silent.
JESSICA: [Attempting to get past the awkward situation] Anyway…
MARK: I need to sit down.
MARK sits on the armchair beside the bed.
MARK: Steven, if you’ve got anything else to tell us then please do it now.
STEVEN: OK. [Breathes in deeply] There is one more thing. I, well, I…I’m a woman at weekends.
WENDY and MARK briefly look shocked, but soon realise how gullible they have been when STEVEN and JESSICA start falling about laughing. Soon they join in.
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