Page 44 of Holly Jolly July

Int. James’s Apartment (Cont’d)

ANNIE

What, you wouldn’t consider us friends?

JAMES

It’s been a long time since I’ve had one

of those. I think I’ve forgotten what

it’s like.

ANNIE

Well, friends are there for you to help.

To keep you company. To... talk about

things, if you need.

JAMES

I don’t have much to talk about.

ANNIE

It’s hard to be friends with someone if

they don’t let you in.

JAMES

To be clear, I was never offering friendship.

ANNIE

Right. Of course.

JAMES

And you’re not even from here. Why would I

invest time in a friendship with someone who

lives so far away? That’s a lot of emotional

labour with very little return.

ANNIE

I’m here often to visit my sister.

And... never mind.

JAMES

What?

ANNIE

No, no, you refuse to hold up your end

of the friendship bargain by not opening

up so I’m not going to, either. Friendship

is a two-way street.

JAMES

Fine. I’ll tell you one thing about me.

But you go first.

ANNIE

Fine. I was going to say I love my

life in Seattle, but being here with my

sister and her family, seeing the way of life Hemlock Grove has to offer, it makes

me feel like someday I could live in a

place like this, too. Slowing down might

be good for me. I’d have time to enjoy my life. To take walks, to read, drink coffee, bake cookies.

Annie smiles, then licks icing off a spoon, getting a bit of icing on her face.

JAMES

I think you deserve a life like that.

ANNIE

Your turn. Something about yourself. Anything.

JAMES

(taking a breath)

This is the closest I’ve felt with another

person in three years.

James reaches up, wipes icing off Annie’s face with his thumb. They share a moment, leaning toward each other.

James pulls away at the last second.

JAMES

I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me,

but I think you should go.

ANNIE

What? Um, okay...

JAMES

I have a lot of cleanup to do, is all,

and we open at 5:00 a.m. every day.

ANNIE

(standing)

Can I help with dishes? I really don’t

mind.

JAMES

It’s fine. I like doing dishes. They

help clear my head.