Let's Meet Halfway (2023)

[bunniefuu]

Come on.

Ok, Ok.

I swear I had something written,

but uh...

It didn't feel right so...

Of course my vows are a mess,

and I haven't even started yet.

On that note,

where do I even begin.

Hurry up.

One last thing before I start

I know that Henry couldn't be

here with us today.

Henry, we miss you dearly

And, we're wishing you a

speedy recovery.

I know Charlie is doing

everything she can, and

you did well raising

such a caring daughter.

Charlie...

Words can't describe how

strongly I feel for you,

clearly.

But...

Um...

I'd like to think that vows are

only as good as the love

behind them.

The speech can be uninspired or

rambling but...

true affection always seeps

through the cracks.

I don't know if I ever told

you this but...

I fell in love with your laugh

before I ever saw you.

I heard it from across the room

in our theology seminar.

And... I tried to read the Bible

once but I couldn't.

I mean people seem to really

love it but I thought it was

just a slog.

I do remember one thing

from that class.

It was when we read

the book of um...

Joseph... or David?

Maybe it was John.

I don't know... One of those

guys, about the turning of water

into wine.

And...

I've been thinking about it

and I suppose our love is a bit

like that story.

To be honest I didn't really

understand it,

because on first read I thought,

"Why turn water into wine if

you're trying to save

thousands of dying and

dehydrated people?"

I mean, who would want wine when

they need water?

That is, um...

until I fell in love with you.

This year has made us impossibly

thirsty for something.

For a life that we took

for granted.

One where we could be

together always.

You've been my only tether on

a river pulling me out to sea.

I drank from you and

you from me,

and somehow we were able to

make it through.

However painfully and

even if we were never really as

happy as we once were.

Somewhere along the way

the water of my affection turned

deep red.

Strong and rich and bold.

And I forgot that I ever

wanted water.

Because who could want water

when they've tasted wine

so strong.

[laughs]

There it is, that laugh.

I can't wait to hear

it every day.

Oh... right.

I guess it's my turn.

How can I possibly

follow that up.

Avery, your story is a perfect

example of why I love you.

Your ability to ramble on and on

and somehow turn it into

something

coherent, beautiful,

and profound.

You find meaning in the most

mundane of moments.

You're strong willed.

You encourage me to follow my

gut and listen to my heart.

You're even borderline

stubborn at times.

Unfortunately I never noticed

you in our theology seminar.

I guess I was too busy not

listening to the lecture.

The first time I noticed you was

when you approached me

after class.

The first six months I thought

you just wanted to be my friend.

Because I cannot imagine my

life without you.

I just wanted to tell

you that I...

[car honks]

[car sounds grow louder]

[soft music comes in]

[footsteps approach]

More coffee?

Mmhmm.

So what's the occasion?

It was a wedding.

A wedding here?

Ok. [laughs]

They wanted somewhere quiet.

Well if that's what they were

looking for they definitely

chose the right place.

So where are your dates?

Oh, we just went together.

Oh nice! Well I wish you guys

would have told me,

it would have been nice to have

a reason to dress up

around here.

A wedding?

Really?

Yeah, what?

Go ahead.

[TV plays]

[shower stops running]

[door opens]

[music comes in]

[birds chirping]

I like it... it's different.

Really?

I don't see it.

[sign blows in wind]

Look.

[footsteps in grass]

[muffled laughter]

[wind in trees, lapping water]

You want this?

Uh... I think I'm good.

[low music]

Always goes by so quick.

It really does.

Will I be seeing you both next

month, same time?

Yep.

So... the weekend of...

April 17th?

Yes please.

Great.

By the way,

how's your dad doing?

Still sick and still smoking.

She takes good care of him,

you know, the man is stubborn.

Well, I bet you both can't

wait for the day

you don't have to come back

to this place.

Safe driving you two.

Thanks so much.

So what are we gonna do?

What do you mean do,

there's nothing to do.

So that's it?

What?

That's it then?

Look, how much longer is this

gonna go on?

Why can't you just take my

suggestion?

How many times do we have

to talk about this?

Until you say you'll do it.

I can't picture him all alone in

a place like that.

Have you been inside of one?

It's depressing and it smells.

You really think Henry cares

how the place smells?

His whole house reeks of cigar.

What about you?

You don't even like your job,

just quit.

What do you mean I don't like

my job?

You've never once f*cking

said that.

Really?

Yes, it's a tradition,

I can't let the man down.

This tradition's why he's sick.

Please.

He's only got so much time left.

You don't even have to let

him smoke them,

it's just so he knows I'm

thinking of him.

[trunk unlocks]

Really did go by fast.

I'll call you?

Why should that even be

a question?

Every time I call

you're at work.

Then don't call me while

I'm at work.

By the time you get home

I'm asleep.

Stay up later.

Get off work earlier.

[kissing]

[soft music]

[tires on gravel]

[car radio plays]

[music fades]

[footsteps approach]

So what else can I get ya?

- Just the check thanks.

- Ok.

Alright here you go.

It's always so nice seeing

the two of you,

I swear a month always feels

way too long.

[laughs]

[music plays]

[leaves rustle in wind]

[low rumbling]

[water movement]

[water plunging]

[underwater rumbling continues]

[whisky pouring]

Care for a drink?

May I ask where you're from?

- San Francisco.

- [gasps]

San Francisco, wow...

beautiful city.

And what brings you here?

- Only motel in town.

- No, no...

The bar you mean.

I didn't realize we

were in a bar.

Oh no?

Maybe I should have given

you water then.

You're beautiful.

[radio turns on]

[slow song plays]

[light switch flips]

[radio turns off]

[footsteps]

[low music comes in]

[car door slams, engine starts]

[car approaches]

[coins rattling]

[pressing buttons]

[mysterious music comes in]

Hey... it's me.

Yeah?

Yeah.

[laughing]

I know...

It's good. What are you doing?

[peeing]

[toilet flushes]

Where'd you go last night.

On a walk.

I'm hungry.

[swallowing]

How is he?

He's ok.

What's that mean?

Maybe we should figure this out.

What's that supposed to mean?

If he's gonna stick around why

are we still doing this?

I can't just leave him Avery.

Well I can't keep doing this,

I don't know how you can.

I'm not ok with it but

you're not there.

You don't see how hard it is.

I see you once a month and we

barely talk in-between.

Talk to me now then.

[music theme comes in]

[car engine starts]

[car pulling up]

[gas pump whirs]

[car engine turns off]

[crickets, birds chirp]

What are you reading?

Poetry.

Read me something.

"Barn's burnt down / Now I can

see the moon."

That's it?

I thought that poems were meant

to be longer and like...

interesting.

It is.

[whispering] "Barns burnt down /

Now I can see the moon."

Isn't it weird?

What?

That we're here.

Like we could be anywhere in

the entire world,

but we're here in the middle

of nowhere.

[cows in distance]

I was at work the other day,

and this one new guy acts like

he runs the place.

I mean seriously the gall on

some people.

I'm standing at the copier

and it's obviously my turn to ue

the copier because I've been

there longer...

[voice starts to fade]

[music comes in]

Hello? Have you not been

listening to me?

I was listening.

It's funny.

When I was driving here I saw

one of those ads.

You know the ones advertising

injury lawyers.

And I was thinking about it,

just a funny thought.

Imagine you get in

a car accident,

you're dying on the side

of the road,

and the last thing you see is

one of those signs.

I think it'd make me laugh.

It kinda reminded me of Henry.

Like, you know when he first

got diagnosed?

He acted like it was

the funniest thing in the world.

Like he'd call you and joke

about it like it was no

big deal.

Cause most people, when they

hear they're gonna die,

they try to make the most

of every day, but...

He just took it as an excuse

to watch more TV.

Yeah he was funny like that.

I think he's just an escapist.

Henry knows I come here

every month.

He never once asked me about it.

I know he knows about us, but

I think it just makes his life

easier not to think about it.

If that's what you mean

by escapist.

Why still take care of him?

Sometimes you love people even

when you shouldn't.

[leaves blow wind]

Isn't it nice?

What?

The music.

[slow song comes in]

[laughter]

[song muffles]

Come on don't be a downer!

[song returns]

[song muffles]

[laughter]

[laughter]

[music plays]

[birds chirp]

[door rattles, opens]

Haven't played the piano since

I was like ten.

[piano plays]

Well that's about as good as I

thought I'd be.

Feels like I've been

here before.

Really?

Yeah like I know I

haven't, but...

I swear I've seen you sitting at

that piano before playing.

I feel as though I know every

inch of this room.

Do you ever get that feeling?

Sometimes...

But...

more often I walk into a room

I've been in a billion times

and feel like

I don't know it at all.

It's kind of like when you say

a word too many times...

And it starts to feel funny and

lose its meaning.

Like it's made up.

I feel like places are

like words.

The more you're in them the more

they feel funny, like...

they're all the same,

like they have no purpose.

But even the most familiar

places aren't concrete.

You wake up one day and realize

you never really know them

well at all.

Places are like people they

never stop changing.

Just when you think you have one

nailed down it squirms out from

under you.

It's like, walking into your

childhood bedroom

and realizing the ceilings

are cracked...

You never noticed it before but

now it's all you can see.

I missed the exit this morning.

I've driven down that highway

tens of times

and I still missed it.

It's always the same exit,

by this one house...

I know because it has the blue

brick chimney.

I didn't see it this morning so

I kept driving.

And when I realized I'd

gone too far...

I turned around to go back and

find the house.

But when I got there...

something was different.

So I pulled over to take

a closer look.

It was the same house alright...

But it had no chimney at all.

Places are like old

family friends.

They know everything about you

but, you can hardly remember

their name.

You probably dreamt it.

Dreamt what?

The chimney.

I never remember my dreams.

[footsteps shuffling]

[fan whirs]

[footsteps approach]

Have you seen this property?

Have I?

Oh it's one of the best.

Ten bed, five bath,

three stories...

You get lost on your way to

the bathroom.

Mmm... sounds amazing.

You know... I know it's a little

bit outside of the price ranged

that we discussed.

But, I think it has to be seen.

I'd love to.

Wait... what are you doing, are

you sure this is a good idea?

Odd... Frank must have forgotten

to put the key back.

Such a forgetful man.

Seems like it.

It's around here somewhere.

I told him to put the key

in one place.

It shouldn't be a scavenger hunt

every time I bring a new buyer.

I had to do this for

a family last week.

Is this it?

Well, what a surprise...

Can I get that tour now.

Right, tour.

Funny you say that, you know

the house has only been

on the market for a few weeks,

it's perfect timing.

It's a surprise someone

hasn't taken it yet.

[murmurs interest]

Do you think you could ever live

in a place like this?

I don't know...

Maybe.

Why?

House or apartment?

House definitely.

Why definitely?

The yard...

it's suffocating without one.

I never had a yard growing up.

Well I did...

yards are overrated.

We got so much rain,

it was so overgrown,

like a jungle.

But not a fun jungle,

you couldn't even walk through

it without getting small cuts

all over your legs.

I'd take small cuts over being

stuck inside with

a depressed father.

When I was younger, I used to...

listen to my neighbors,

talking late at night through my

bedroom wall.

I tried not to listen...

but I couldn't stop myself.

I could only really tell what

they were saying when they

would argue.

But sometimes when...

I felt really alone,

I used to...

picture them asleep beside me.

Sometimes I swear I could hear

the soft sounds of their

breathing.

I think I might miss that,

living in a house.

Well, maybe if we lived together

you wouldn't feel so alone.

Do you remember our first night?

Feels like so long ago.

[laughs]

I was so nervous.

I don't know if you noticed but

I was sweating so much,

I tried to hide it.

Oh I noticed.

But I was nervous too.

God, I f*cking hate

that feeling.

But I also kind of miss it.

Do you think we'll ever feel

like that again?

Probably not.

Remember exactly what happened?

Not exactly.

Well I do.

We were watching a movie.

You were bold.

Someone had to be.

Then what?

Then I leaned in and kissed you.

I'm pretty sure you weren't

that smooth.

You took your damn time.

Yep. That was your move.

And that was yours.

Hold up.

I'm pretty sure that was me.

What happened to this?

You know what happened.

What the f*ck is that

supposed to mean?

I didn't ask to be treated this

way. You're supposed to support

me in things like this.

You're so f*cking selfish you

only think about yourself.

You realize there's more than

just you and me right? I have

responsibilities.

You have a responsibility to me.

I can't just pack up and leave

everything,

our friends live here.

What friends? We don't

have friends.

Once you've made a decision it's

impossible to change your mind.

It's like arguing with

a brick wall.

Some things don't need to be

discussed there's no other way.

What do you mean there's no

other way? Just don't go

back home.

Henry will be fine

in a care facility.

Where's the money coming from?

You know how much those cost.

Fine, then just move in

with me here.

I can't.

What do you mean you can't?

Nothing you're saying is making

any sense.

You're being an assh*le.

That's not what I said.

I said to...

- Go f*ck yourself.

- Go f*ck yourself.

Have you ever not gotten

what you wanted?

I don't think you've ever said

you're sorry for what you

did to us.

What I did to us?

Are you serious?

Yes!

Look at us!

Look at what this has done to

us, look what we've become.

It's like we hardly even know

each other anymore.

So this is my fault?

I did nothing to stop what

wasn't already happening.

We would've gotten here

either way.

Oh wow. So you never thought

this was gonna work?

That's not what I said.

That's exactly what you

just said!

That's not what I'm saying,

you always twist my words!

Why are we together then?

You know

I thought that Henry was the one

keeping us apart.

But maybe he's the only thing

holding us together.

I think it's you.

I think it's always been you.

Yeah you know,

maybe you're right.

Maybe this was never good, but I

couldn't see that until I left.

So what's gonna happen then?

When Henry dies,

is that it then?

He's dead.

What?

What are you talking about?

My dad he's dead.

He d*ed three months ago.

What do you mean he's dead,

are you crazy?!

He's been dead for months and

you've just been what...

holding it from me?

So all those times we've been

meeting acting like everything

is normal.

Why the f*ck are we even here!

Why wouldn't you tell me?

You didn't tell me you

we're cheating.

You really thought I

didn't know.

I'm tired.

I'm tired of doing this.

Me too.

[melancholy music comes in]

[tire popping]

Pick up.

Pick up!

f*ck!

I thought you got a spare for my

car last year.

They don't make spares for your

car anymore it's too old.

Why didn't you tell me

about this?

There was no point. We couldn't

have done anything anyways.

[bell rings]

[bell rings]

[soft music comes in]

They said they'll be done

in an hour.

You um... hungry?

Not really.

Well at least it was only

a flat. It shouldn't be

too expensive.

Let's just take it one

day at a time.

We can't plan for the future.

What's that?

You still have that?

It's my father.

He... he's in there?

You... planning to spread

the ashes?

Haven't decided yet.

When did you have the funeral?

There wasn't one.

He didn't have any friends.

And the ones that he did

have are dead.

Well we should have one.

Where?

Here?

Yes.

Why not?

[digging]

He always wanted to be buried.

It felt weird to do it alone.

[music fades in]

I want to show you something.

Can I open them yet?

Yes.

What is it?

Surprise.

Why?

You can't be serious.

Out of all places why here?

Cause I think I love this place.

It's all we have.

So what's the plan?

I mean I don't know.

But I think this is better

than not trying.

We've tried.

Have we?

What about your job?

I quit.

So what's the plan? We move in,

Then what? We get jobs where?

The diner? The motel?

Kids maybe?

We grow old and...

we end up like that old man

at the park.

What happened to taking it one

day at a time?

This just doesn't feel like

that either.

[laughing]

[car engine runs]

I'll see you soon.

I'll see ya.

[footsteps on wood]

[melancholy music comes in]

[busy diner sounds]

Hey, what can I get for ya?

Is Sam working today?

Who?

Never mind.

I'll just give you a minute.

[car approaches]

[car honks]

[distant radio song plays]

[music swells]