Interstitial
Ext. Hemlock Grove Sidewalk (Cont’d)
ANNIE
What? Your wife... died?
JAMES
She passed away three days before
Christmas, three years ago.
ANNIE
Oh my goodness, James, I’m so sorry...
JAMES
We were walking back after the party.
A drunk driver jumped the curb. It
all happened so fast, and there was
nothing I could do.
ANNIE
I’d be devastated. No wonder you didn’t
want to come. I can’t believe I made you.
JAMES
The worst part is, I hadn’t given her her
Christmas present yet. I was going to give
it to her early, that night... We’d
just been approved for an adoption.
Annie gasps.
JAMES (CONT’D)
Ever since then I’ve been avoiding
anything that reminds me of that night.
Christmas lights, music, cookies,
parties... babies.
ANNIE
All this time I thought you were
divorced. She told me your wife
left you, but I didn’t realize...
JAMES
Wait, who told you?
ANNIE
Your barista.
JAMES
Annie... I don’t have any employees.
I run the café alone.