Page 72 of Holly Jolly July

Int. Brewed Awakening Café (Cont’d)

James and Annie sit at the table, holding hands between them.

JAMES

I’m so happy I didn’t scare you away, like

I’ve done with everyone else.

ANNIE

Even the ghost of your wife couldn’t scare

me away. I sensed something special in you.

JAMES

You were the first person in three years

who even made me look up. I never thought I’d be able to love the wife I’ve lost while opening my heart to someone new. But

you make me believe I can.

ANNIE

You don’t have to rush. Grief takes time.

JAMES

I’m just a broken man in a small town with

nothing to my name but subpar dancing skills, a sugar cookie recipe passed down from my late wife, and the best coffee you’ll

ever taste. Is that enough?

ANNIE

You are enough. Just as you are. And I wouldn’t call your dancing skills subpar.

JAMES

Do you really see a future with me?

ANNIE

I can’t give up my life in Seattle. I have a

great job there. I love visiting my sister,

but I’m a city girl at heart. I just have

to take more time to do the things I love

while I’m there. Like baking cookies.

JAMES

I was thinking, maybe it is time for me

to move on. I could let that franchise take over, start something new somewhere else, with someone else...

ANNIE

You mean, come to the city, with me?

JAMES

Like I said, Brewed Awakening was never

really my dream, it was Kate’s. But now

she’s gone, and I have to let her go. I

have to find a dream of my own. And maybe

I can find it in a new place.

ANNIE

Only if you’re sure you’re ready. We don’t

have to be in a rush. I know Kate still

means so much to you, and all your memories

with her are here.

James stands and pulls Annie to her feet.

James steps closer.

JAMES

I was never able to give my wife her

Christmas gift that year. But I think I

can give her one now. And that’s showing

her that I’m going to be okay. I need to

let her go, so she can be at peace.

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” begins playing in the background. Annie and James glance around, confused, then look at each

other.

ANNIE

I think that means Kate approves.

JAMES

I think so, too.

Annie and James lean in for a kiss.

Kate peeks around the corner and smiles contentedly, then disappears in a sparkling beam of light.

FADE OUT