Spotlight comes back up center on Sloane.

Sloane: I shouldn’t have drunk that night. After seeing my mom, I should have realized that nothing good would come of it. But after Kaitlyn accused me of leaving her the way dad left, I couldn’t think straight. Before I opened the first bottle of many that night, I got into my car and drove to a park a few towns over. I’d been there with a friend before. Back when I had time for friends. I opened Pandora’s Box with that bottle; with the sickness, withdrawal, weight loss. I made a lot of bad choices under the influence. I broke quite a few rules and more than a couple of hearts. I still remember the look on his face. He whispered softly into my ear, “I’ll love you whatever happens, Rebecca.” He told me I was beautiful. And I believed him. But he wasn’t the only one. Not long after guys figured out how to reel me in, I was their number one choice. Matthew, of course, was my number one. I gave the others everything to keep Matthew from knowing. They all kicked me to the curb when they were done having their way. I was worried that Matthew would find out. I decided to give myself to Matthew after all that I had done to him. I thought it was the least I could do. Two months later, I started to get sick. Matthew was worried. He took me to the doctor. Well, you can guess what he said. Matthew was so happy. I let him believe it was his child. I wanted it to be his child. We left the doctor’s office and drove to our favorite bench in the park. I got out of the car and sat down.

     The spotlight goes down.

     The lights come back up on Sloane and Matthew sitting on a bench. Matthew looks happy, while Sloane looks conflicted.

Matthew: (noticing Sloane’s expression) What’s wrong?

     Sloane doesn’t answer.

Matthew: Rebecca?

Sloane: Matthew…

     Sloane looks away. Matthew moves toward Sloane.

Matthew: I know this wasn’t something we planned for, but I love you. And I still want you.

     Sloane looks into his eyes.

Matthew: I love you, Rebecca. I will do whatever I have to do to keep you and our baby safe.

     Matthew puts one hand on Sloane’s stomach. He kisses her gently on the cheek. She is about to cry.

Sloane: Matthew…

     Matthew looks at Sloane.

Sloane: I can’t…

     Sloane chokes up.

Matthew: What is it? You can’t what?

Sloane: I have to tell you.

     Sloane pauses and looks down at her stomach.

Matthew: Tell me what?

     Sloane puts both hands on her stomach, protectively.

Sloane: (takes a deep breath) I already knew I was pregnant.

Matthew: (confused) Why didn’t you tell me before?

Sloane: I couldn’t hurt you like that.

Matthew:  Why would it hurt me?

     Sloane turns away from Matthew.

Sloane: I went to the doctor last week when I felt sick. He told me I was pregnant. He said I should have been to see him earlier. From the size of the baby, I’m 4 months along.

     Matthew looks at Sloane and thinks about the dates.

Matthew: Rebecca… That means…

     Sloane turns back to Matthew. Matthew looks down.

Sloane: I’m so sorry, Matthew.

Matthew: I don’t understand, Rebecca. Why? … Who?

     Sloane turns away, ashamed.

Sloane: (muttering) I’m not sure.

Matthew: You’re not sure?

Sloane: It’s a long story.

     Matthew doesn’t say anything, but looks at her.

Sloane: I never loved any of them.

Matthew: (whispered to himself) Them?

Sloane: It was always you. When I was with them, I would always be thinking of you. They said if I didn’t put out, they were going to tell you that I was cheating. I wasn’t thinking. I’m so sorry, Matthew.

     Matthew looks away from her.

Sloane: What do you want me to do?

     Matthew doesn’t respond.

Sloane: Answer me.

     Matthew doesn’t respond.

Sloane: Please, Matthew.

Matthew doesn’t respond.

Sloane: Matthew.

Matthew: Rebecca… How could you do this to me?

     Sloane stands up and turns to him.

Sloane: (whispered) I love you.

     Sloane turns and walks away. Sloane glances back at Matthew as she is about to leave the stage. The lights go down.

The lights come back up on Sloane and Kaitlyn in Sloane’s room. Sloane is packing a backpack and duffle out of a dresser.

Kaitlyn: Jessica. What are you doing?

Sloane: (without looking up) Kaitlyn, leave.

Kaitlyn: No. Tell me what happened. What did you do to mom?

Sloane: I can’t explain this to you right now.

Kaitlyn: (looks into Sloane’s bag) Are you going somewhere?

     Sloane looks up. Kaitlyn is looking at her with wide eyes. Sloane straightens up and looks at Kaitlyn. Sloane sighs.

Sloane: (resigned) I have to.

Kaitlyn: (with disbelief) You’re leaving me.

     Sloane doesn’t protest.

Kaitlyn: You’re leaving me just like dad did.

     Sloane looks shocked.

Sloane: Kaitlyn… This isn’t like that.

Kaitlyn: Yes, it is. It’s just like that.

     Sloane turns back to her bag.

Sloane: I just have to go. Alright?

Kaitlyn: Jessica… Just look at me, okay?

     Sloane doesn’t look up.

Kaitlyn: You’re leaving and you won’t even tell me why.

     Sloane looks at Kaitlyn.

Sloane: Kaitlyn. You have to trust me.

Kaitlyn: I can’t.

Sloane: (pleading) Kaitlyn.

Kaitlyn: (turning away) Jessica… How could you do this to me?

     Kaitlyn runs out. Sloane puts a few more items of clothing into her bag and then zips her duffle. The lights go down as Sloane pulls a bottle of vodka from her backpack.

The lights come back up on Sloane and Kaitlyn sitting/laying on the floor as if in front of a television. Sloane is reading. Sloane and Kaitlyn continue with what they are doing for approximately 20 seconds. Lisa bangs against the door. We hear a scuffle and the doorknob turns. Lisa and Jack stumble in, drunk.

Lisa: (slurred) Jessica… Jessica… (getting impatient) JESSICA!!!

Sloane: (looks up) Yes, mom?

Lisa: Get me a drink, honey. And bring Jack a beer.

Sloane: (turns back to her book) There isn’t anything for you to drink in the house.

Lisa: (scoffs) Don’t argue with me. I went to the store yesterday.

Sloane: The liquor store? I guess you polished it all off last night with Bill.

     Jack gets up from where he was sitting/lounging in a chair.

Jack: Bill?

Lisa: (talking to Jack) I’ll deal with you in a second, dear.

     Lisa steps over to Sloane. Sloane stands up.

Lisa: (whispered with intensity) Be quiet or I’ll ground you for a month.

Sloane: You did that yesterday.

Lisa: Don’t get smart with me. Of all the things your father could’ve given you, you got his disobedience and smart-ass mouth.

Sloane: (feigning confusion and innocence) Whatever do you mean, mother?

Lisa: Don’t play with me.

     Lisa slaps Sloane. Sloane keeps her head to the side for about 5 seconds, then slowly turns her head back to Lisa. Lisa and Sloane stare at each other.

Sloane: I threw it away. I dumped it. It’s gone.

     Lisa leans close to Sloane. Sloane stands up straighter.

Lisa: What’s wrong with you, you little bitch?

Lisa: What were you thinking? You weren’t, were you?

     Lisa breathes heavily into Sloane’s face. Sloane’s expression hints to the audience that Lisa’s breath reeks of alcohol.

Lisa: Jessica… How could you do this to me?

     Lisa looks at Sloane, pleading. Sloane starts to turn and walk away. Lisa grabs Sloane’s arm to keep her there. Sloane turns back suddenly and slaps Lisa. Lisa lets go and Sloane walks away. Kaitlyn gets up from where she was watching and follows Sloane. The lights go down on Jack, who is passed out in the chair, and Lisa, who has her hand to her face, still looking startled.

Elena: Sloane… How could you do this to me?

     Sloane turns away from Elena, whose spotlight goes out, and steps center, where another spotlight comes up.

Sloane: (sarcastically) Wow, I haven’t heard that one before.

     Characters step up to Sloane in the spotlight and repeat a variation of Elena’s line. They fade back afterward.

Brandon: Sloane… How could you do this to me?

Lisa: Jessica… How could you do this to me?

Jared: Samantha… How could you do this to me?

Robin: Danielle… How could you do this to me?

Matthew: Rebecca… How could you do this to me?

Kaitlyn: Jessica… How could you do this to me?

     Brandon, Lisa, Jared, Robin, Matthew, Kaitlyn fade off. Elena’s spotlight comes back up and she steps forward in it. Elena looks over at Sloane, who is still center.

Elena: Sloane… How could you do this to me?

     Elena’s spotlight slowly fades. Elena is about to cry. Sloane watches Elena’s eyes as Elena’s spotlight fades. Sloane turns toward the audience and takes a deep breath.

Sloane: I lied. That one’s easy to admit. I lie all the time. Sometimes, I lie just for the hell of it. I have a problem. That’s harder to admit. I’ve had this compulsion for most of my life. I need help. I can finally admit it. It’s taken me years to tell the truth, just to myself. My mom always told me, “Now, Jessica, lying is wrong. If you lie, no one will love you. You can’t base love on lies.” Well, mom, I think I finally believe you. I loved you and you lied to me. I’m not going to blame anyone for my problem, but I think you may have started it. Or, maybe, it was dad. He never told you where he really was. Then, one day, he was just gone. You told Kaitlyn he moved for a job and couldn’t take us with him. You lied to her. But, you didn’t lie to me. You emptied our house of alcohol, not for the last time, and shouted at me, “He left because of you. He didn’t love you. You were always a problem. Never did anything right. Why couldn’t you be more like Kaitlyn?” Why couldn’t I be more like Kaitlyn? I’ll tell you why. Before you started drinking, you and dad fought all the time. Sometimes, you would both leave the house for days. I took care of Kaitlyn for years. I failed classes because I didn’t have time to do my homework. I was working at the grocery store to pay for her trips and the electric and water bills. She and I ate expired clearance food until the end. Well, no one died and our family was headed there anyway. I just helped it along. It was like ripping off a Band-Aid. Quick. I just left.

     The spotlight shuts off quickly at ‘left’.