Page 64 of Holly Jolly July

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.