- 5 days ago
The Price Of Your Cruel Love. Completed
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TVTranscript
00:01Roderick ripped my shirt open and froze.
00:04My back was covered in scars, old and new, all from whippings.
00:09What the hell happened here?
00:12I misbehaved. They punished me for it.
00:16My voice was flat, like I was talking about someone else's body.
00:20He stared at the scars he'd never seen.
00:23Then he said,
00:26You deserved it.
00:28He sent me to that place three years ago to cure me of loving him.
00:33I spent three years locked inside that place.
00:36Now, I stopped loving him, just as he wanted.
00:40Then he came running back and said,
00:42I regret it.
00:43For eight years, I was a fixture by Roderick Dunlap's side.
00:47Everyone said I was addicted to him.
00:50I was so obsessed with him that I'd run off any woman who got close to him, whatever it took.
00:54Once, I offered one of them money to leave Roderick.
00:59The woman laughed in my face.
01:02Being with Roderick meant an endless supply of cash.
01:05Why would anyone walk away for such a pathetic amount?
01:08Then that woman took a staged fall down a flight of stairs.
01:13Roderick thought I pushed her.
01:16And I ended up being sent to a rehab center by him.
01:23Others went there to quit smoking, drinking, or gaming.
01:27I was there to let go of Roderick.
01:30In the end, I succeeded only for him to tell me he regretted it.
01:34The moment I stepped out of the rehab center, I saw an Audi parked there.
01:38It looked totally out of place.
01:41I glanced at it and lowered my head, preparing to walk away.
01:45The person who got out of the car called out to me.
01:49It was Roderick.
01:50He had grown more mature in the last three years.
01:53I glanced at him once, then looked away.
01:56The staff at the center taught us that staring was rude.
01:59Especially at someone we liked.
02:01Yes, after three years, I had been completely reformed.
02:11Roderick told me to get in, and I did so, sitting quietly in the back seat.
02:15I kept my head down, staring at my lap and not moving a muscle.
02:20Roderick sat beside me.
02:21I could feel the weight of his intense gaze.
02:24The car was dead quiet.
02:26I held my breath, scared to make a peep.
02:28But a cough escaped me anyway.
02:30It was just my old cough.
02:32The car pulled up at the Dunlap's mansion.
02:35Roderick's grandmother, Maggie Dunlap, lived there.
02:38Today, as I remembered, marked her 80th birthday.
02:42Then it hit me why Roderick had come to get me.
02:45He started to walk in.
02:47I hesitated for a second, then blurted out,
02:50Um, Roderick.
02:53I didn't bring a gift.
02:56When he turned around, my heart was pounding out of my chest.
03:00I quickly looked down.
03:02I knew my quickened heartbeat was from fear, not from affection.
03:07Somehow, I'd turned into a total coward.
03:09If someone even glanced my way, I'd get a jolt of fear.
03:15I'd toss and turn all night in nightmares, haunted by those staring eyes.
03:24Follow me.
03:25Roderick brushed off my worry.
03:27He was as cold as always.
03:30Or maybe he only saved that coldness for me.
03:32I had to jog a little just to keep up with him.
03:37Mari!
03:38You're back!
03:39Come in, dear!
03:40Maggie was right there at the front door.
03:42Waiting for me, Dot Maggie had always had my back.
03:45Always encouraged my crush on Roderick and even snuck me info on his plans.
03:49I walked over to her.
03:52Hello, Maggie.
03:53Mari, honey.
03:54Why are you being so distant?
03:56You're not mad at me for what happened, are you?
03:59Maggie stroked my hair, her eyes full of affection.
04:02I shook my head.
04:03I could never be mad at her three years ago.
04:05If Maggie hadn't threatened to harm herself,
04:07I probably would have been sent to jail instead.
04:12On the outside, it looked like a regular school.
04:15But only the people who'd been locked up there knew what real torture was like.
04:23During the meal, I kept my head down,
04:25shoveling down spaghetti as fast as I could.
04:28I didn't make a sound, didn't reach for anything else.
04:31Just ate fast like I hadn't had a meal in a month.
04:36Marianne!
04:37Yes, sir!
04:38Hearing my name, I set down my fork and stood up straight.
04:41We all froze me, Roderick, and Maggie.
04:44I met their shocked stares for a split second.
04:47Then I looked down at the silverware I'd set neatly on the table.
04:51Even with how panicked I was, I just stood there, confused.
04:55It hit me then I'd forgotten I wasn't at the center anymore.
04:59I had no idea why Roderick had called me.
05:01You scared her, you big idiot!
05:04Maggie swatted Roderick's arm before turning to me.
05:06Sit down, Mari.
05:08You're home now, sweetie.
05:10Just relax.
05:12I did what Maggie said and sat back down, but I couldn't eat another bite.
05:17Something about the way they looked at me told me they'd noticed.
05:20The girl who walked in three years ago was gone,
05:22and the one sitting here now was someone they didn't recognize.
05:29Grandma was talking to you.
05:31Why weren't you listening?
05:35Roderick's tone was sharp.
05:37I couldn't tell if he was mad I'd ignored Maggie,
05:39or just ticked off about getting swatted.
05:42I'm sorry, Maggie.
05:43I was just very hungry.
05:45I didn't hear you.
05:46I gave her an apologetic look.
05:48The counselors at the center always drilled it into us.
05:52Apologies have to be sincere.
05:54Only I knew the truth.
05:56It wasn't hunger.
05:57It was fear.
05:58Fear of getting punished for not eating fast enough,
06:00or for leaving food on my plate.
06:02I vaguely recalled her telling me to try the other food.
06:06I'd heard her, but I just couldn't react fast enough.
06:09So Roderick called out to me.
06:11By the time dinner was over,
06:13my forehead was covered in a light sweat.
06:15I wasn't sure if it was from the heat in the room,
06:18or my own anxiety.
06:20Three years in that place had taught me one thing.
06:22Never let your guard down, not even at a dinner table.
06:29After dinner, I returned to Grandpa's old house.
06:34Thank you for the ride.
06:35I gave Roderick a small bow.
06:37Maggie had wanted me to stay the night,
06:39but I'd turned her down.
06:41I didn't want any more contact with them than I had to.
06:44So I'd asked Roderick to drive me home.
06:47You really want to stay here?
06:50Roderick frowned.
06:51I glanced back at the house.
06:52It hadn't been touched in three years.
06:54Now it was completely overgrown with weeds.
06:57But I nodded.
06:59But I nodded.
07:00I had nowhere else to go anyway.
07:03I was flat broke,
07:04and the clothes I was wearing were from three years ago.
07:06The rehab center had given us uniforms,
07:08so these clothes had never even been worn out.
07:12I bent down to pull some weeds,
07:14the little critters living there scurried away.
07:16I saw cockroaches, mice,
07:18and a snake coiled in the corner,
07:20too lazy to move.
07:21Once upon a time,
07:22I would have jerked straight into Roderick's arms.
07:25Now, I just stared at them calmly
07:27and looked for a stick to shoo the snake away.
07:33Roderick pulled me back toward the car.
07:37What's wrong?
07:38I didn't even realize he was still there.
07:40Didn't you see that snake?
07:42A ride-hide-forgotten Roderick hated reptiles.
07:49I saw it.
07:50It's fine.
07:52I'll just shoo it away with a stick.
07:53If it bothers you,
07:56you can just leave!
07:58I caught myself reassuring him.
08:00I reached for the door handle,
08:02ready to hop out.
08:03But Roderick locked the doors and drove off.
08:06I quickly buckled my seatbelt.
08:09W-where are you taking me?
08:12He didn't say a word.
08:14I didn't dare ask again.
08:15He took me to his private apartment.
08:18He closed the door behind us without a word.
08:21I couldn't leave it was a keypad lock.
08:23He went straight to the shower.
08:26Probably trying to wash off the creeps from seeing all those critters.
08:29I sat straight on the living room couch.
08:32About an hour later,
08:33Roderick came downstairs in pajamas,
08:35his hair still wet.
08:37I knew better than to stare.
08:39Stay here until your place is cleaned up.
08:41You can sleep here tonight.
08:43I thought about it for a second,
08:45then nodded.
08:47That house was a mess.
08:49Tackling it all alone would have kept me going way past midnight.
08:52He walked over.
08:53I stood up and stepped aside without thinking.
08:56Roderick grabbed my chin,
08:58forcing me to look at him.
09:00So you're over me?
09:02His expression was questioning.
09:05Yes.
09:06I didn't hesitate for a second.
09:08Any delay would have felt like an insult to everything I'd been through.
09:12That night,
09:13the nightmare returned.
09:15In my dream,
09:16countless eyes stared back at me.
09:18Filled with hatred,
09:19disgust,
09:20and contempt.
09:21Every single one of them belonged to Roderick.
09:27The next day,
09:29when Roderick left for work,
09:30I asked him to drop me off downtown.
09:33He didn't seem to mind,
09:34as long as I wasn't in his way.
09:37I hesitated in front of a florist's hiring sign.
09:40I didn't have a college degree.
09:42I never finished college
09:43because Roderick had me sent to that rehab center.
09:46Hunting for a job?
09:48The shop owner noticed me staring at the sign
09:50but not coming in,
09:51so he finally asked.
09:53I nodded.
09:54The owner looked to be in his mid-twenties,
09:56and he seemed pretty nice.
09:58The pay was $3,000 monthly,
10:00and no diploma was required.
10:02I just had to be on time
10:04to help out at the shop every day.
10:06I asked the owner for a $1,000 advance.
10:09Money makes the world go round
10:11I needed it for everything.
10:12My official start date was the next day
10:14and to my surprise,
10:15he trusted me.
10:17I spent $400 on a used electric scooter
10:20from a local shop.
10:21Once upon a time,
10:23$400 wouldn't have meant squat to me.
10:25Now, I had to haggle just to get it for that price.
10:28It's not like I was an orphan or anything.
10:31Three years ago,
10:32my parents disowned me
10:33to protect the company
10:34and the family's reputation.
10:36The only person who'd ever really loved me,
10:39Grandpa, was gone a long time ago.
10:40If he were still here,
10:42I probably never would have ended up like this.
10:48I rode the scooter back to Grandpa's old house.
10:51The weeds outside were already gone.
10:53Roderick must have sent someone to clear them.
10:56Inside, everything was covered
10:57in a thick layer of dust and cobwebs.
11:01It took me for hours
11:02just to make the place halfway livable.
11:05Most of the stuff inside
11:07was broken beyond fixing.
11:09I was trying to carry out the junk
11:11when I tripped.
11:14Everything went flying all over the floor.
11:17I was a mess my knee hurt
11:19and I was covered in dirt.
11:20I saw a pair of shiny leather shoes
11:22stop in front of me.
11:24I didn't even have to look up
11:25to know who they belonged to.
11:27I got up slowly,
11:28my knee throbbing with pain.
11:31Mr. Dunlop,
11:33can I help you with something?
11:35I'd gone from calling him Rod
11:37to Roderick
11:37and now to Mr. Dunlop.
11:40It was better this way
11:41keeping my distance.
11:43I never wanted to go back
11:44to that hellhole ever again.
11:46Grandma sent me to check
11:47on how you're doing.
11:48Roderick's brow was furrowed.
11:50Please tell her I'm fine
11:51and she doesn't have to worry about me.
11:54I crouched back down
11:55to clean up the mess
11:56that fall had just made everything worse.
12:03Roderick grabbed me
12:04by the back of my collar
12:05with a tear,
12:06my shirt split right open.
12:07It was the same shirt
12:09I'd worn yesterday
12:09and the same one
12:10I'd had three years ago.
12:12The fabric was so thin
12:13it tore almost instantly.
12:15Mr. Dunlop,
12:16have some respect!
12:18My voice was sharp with anger
12:19as I clutched the torn fabric.
12:21Thank God it was only
12:22the back that tore,
12:23but it was my only shirt.
12:25I hadn't had time
12:26to buy new clothes,
12:27and now how was I
12:28supposed to go shopping?
12:30But Roderick's eyes
12:31were fixed on the scars
12:32on my back.
12:34What the hell
12:35happened here?
12:36I misbehaved.
12:38They punished me for it.
12:40My voice was flat,
12:41like I was talking
12:42about someone else's pain.
12:44You deserved it.
12:45He walked out.
12:46I glanced over my shoulder.
12:48My back was covered
12:49in scars old and new,
12:51all from whippings.
12:52The newest ones
12:53were probably
12:54from a few days ago.
12:55I couldn't even remember
12:56exactly which day.
12:58They hadn't even
12:59fully healed yet.
13:04I found a dusty shirt
13:05in the closet,
13:06shook it off,
13:07and slipped it on
13:07right away.
13:08Pretty soon,
13:09I felt an itch
13:10on my back,
13:11right over the wounds.
13:12They probably got infected.
13:14Of course,
13:15just as I was heading out
13:16to buy new clothes,
13:17Roderick came back.
13:19Was he back
13:19to laugh at me?
13:20He tossed a bag at me?
13:24Change into these.
13:25I refused.
13:27He had a girlfriend,
13:28and it felt wrong
13:29for him to be
13:30buying me clothes.
13:31But it had been
13:31three years.
13:33Maybe Chelsea was
13:34his wife now,
13:34not that I cared.
13:36Roderick pulled me
13:37roughly back inside
13:37the house.
13:38I sat down
13:39and did what he told me.
13:41He cleaned the wounds
13:42on my back
13:42with antiseptic
13:43and rubbing alcohol.
13:44It stung.
13:45But I didn't make a sound,
13:47it was nothing next
13:47to what I'd been through.
13:49His hands were rough
13:50but strangely careful.
13:51Like he was trying
13:52to undo something
13:53he couldn't name.
13:59Why is this one
14:00right here
14:00across your waist?
14:01Roderick pointed
14:02to a particularly
14:02ugly scar.
14:04It wasn't just
14:05a surface scrape
14:06whoever hit me
14:06had aimed right
14:07for my kidneys.
14:08I shook my head.
14:09Um,
14:10I don't know.
14:11He finished up
14:12cleaning the wounds
14:13and helped pull
14:14my shirt down.
14:16Why did they
14:17do this to you?
14:18I was already
14:18wearing a new shirt.
14:22Because I misbehaved.
14:24Then,
14:25as if worried
14:25he might not believe me,
14:27I added,
14:30But I'm good now.
14:32What did you do?
14:34Roderick pushed,
14:35clearly unsatisfied
14:36with my answer.
14:39One of the counselors
14:40caught me
14:40after I dropped
14:41some food on the table.
14:43Roderick frowned
14:44but said nothing.
14:45I glanced at him
14:46nervously
14:47after a long pause.
14:50Elsewhere.
14:51Where else
14:52did they hurt you?
14:53I shook my head.
14:54It's not like
14:55they chose to go
14:55for my back.
14:56I'd curl up
14:57into a ball
14:58so my back
14:59was just the only
14:59part left exposed.
15:01It's getting late.
15:02You should go now.
15:04I didn't want
15:04to be in the same
15:05room as him.
15:06It felt suffocating.
15:08Besides,
15:08it was already
15:09dark outside.
15:10Oh, it's fine.
15:12I'll crash here
15:13for the night.
15:15Silence hung
15:15between us.
15:16I didn't argue.
15:18But I stayed awake
15:19long after the lights
15:20went out.
15:25I hadn't eaten
15:26since breakfast
15:26at his apartment.
15:28Using the groceries
15:29I'd picked up earlier,
15:30I whipped up
15:31a simple meal
15:32on the old hot plate.
15:33Thank God Grandpa
15:34never used gas otherwise.
15:36I'd have had
15:37nothing to eat.
15:38You're not at the center
15:40anymore.
15:40You don't have to
15:41eat so fast.
15:42Roderick's voice
15:43reached me
15:43as I hurried
15:44through the meal.
15:44But I was
15:46already finished
15:46and Roderick
15:47had barely
15:48touched his food.
15:49Old habits
15:50die hard.
15:51Roderick
15:51took my bedroom
15:52so I slept
15:53in Grandpa's
15:54old room.
15:54Late that night
15:55my knee and back
15:56started throbbing
15:57my head felt
15:57heavy and dizzy.
15:59When I opened
16:00my eyes again
16:01I was staring
16:02at a white ceiling.
16:03The sharp smell
16:04of disinfectant
16:05was everywhere.
16:06I didn't have time
16:07to wonder
16:07how I'd gotten here.
16:09All I cared about
16:10was that I was
16:10gonna be late
16:11for my first shift.
16:12I tiptoed over
16:13to put on my shoes.
16:15Careful not
16:15to wake Roderick.
16:17Roderick's sleepy voice
16:18stopped me right
16:19as I was almost
16:19out the door.
16:21Where are you off to?
16:23I got a job.
16:24I'm gonna be late
16:25for work.
16:26Do you even know
16:27you're running a fever?
16:28He sounded annoyed.
16:30Was it because
16:31he'd had to pay
16:31for the medical bills?
16:33Don't worry
16:34Mr. Dunlach.
16:36I'll pay you back
16:37as soon as I get
16:38my first paycheck.
16:39I gave him a quick
16:40polite bow
16:41and slipped out the door.
16:43Thankfully,
16:44I made it to work
16:45just in time.
16:51It was Valentine's Day
16:53and the flower shop
16:54was absolutely packed.
16:55My job was simple
16:57just working the register.
16:58I didn't know
16:59how to do anything else yet.
17:01The shop was small
17:02but the owner
17:03was amazing
17:03and customers
17:04just kept coming in.
17:06But out of all the people
17:07who could have walked in,
17:08I never thought
17:09I'd see Chelsea Harvey.
17:12arm in arm
17:13with Roderick
17:13laughing and talking
17:14up a storm.
17:16Chelsea,
17:16the same girlfriend Roderick
17:18had brought home
17:18all those years ago.
17:20Chels, Rod.
17:23The shop owner
17:24walked over
17:25to greet them politely.
17:27My mind went
17:28completely blank
17:28and I froze in place.
17:30It turned out
17:31the owner
17:31was Chelsea's brother.
17:33My life was starting
17:34to feel like
17:34a bad soap opera
17:35all over again.
17:36I'd suffered
17:37for three years
17:38because of Chelsea.
17:39And now here I was,
17:41working for her brother.
17:42How pathetic was that?
17:52Chelsea spotted me.
17:55Flinched in fake fear
17:56and buried her face
17:57in Roderick's chest.
17:59Cliffy,
18:00what is she doing here?
18:01She's,
18:01she's the one who...
18:03Chelsea pointed
18:04a shaking finger
18:05right at me.
18:06Clifford Harvey
18:06stared at me in shock.
18:07Then his face twisted
18:08with disgust.
18:10He grabbed me by the arm
18:11and shoved me
18:12right out the door.
18:16It all happened so fast.
18:18I stumbled
18:19and crashed to the ground.
18:21Roderick just stood there
18:22and watched.
18:23Cold as ice.
18:25Humiliated,
18:26I got up and ran
18:27all the way back
18:28to the old house.
18:30I locked myself
18:31in grandpa's room.
18:32It was the only place
18:33I ever felt safe.
18:34I was.
18:38Thanks to that,
18:39I had to find a new job
18:40and I had to pay back
18:42that $1,000 advance.
18:46I hated owing anyone anything.
18:51Job hunting sucked for days
18:53until I finally got hired
18:54as a dishwasher.
18:56It was tiring,
18:57but it kept me busy
18:58kept my mind off things.
19:01I thought maybe
19:02I could finally live
19:03a quiet life,
19:04but some people
19:05just couldn't stand
19:06to see me happy.
19:08Chelsea's shadow
19:08followed me
19:09wherever I went.
19:17The floor manager
19:18had told me
19:19to bring the clean dishes
19:20out to be sanitized.
19:28Well, look who it is.
19:30The Crawford Group Harris.
19:40As I walked through
19:41the dining area,
19:42a few girls
19:43blocked my way.
19:44Their voices thick
19:46with sarcasm.
19:47They were my old
19:48college classmates,
19:49also Chelsea's
19:50little minions.
19:51Chelsea was standing
19:52right behind them,
19:54watching it all go down
19:56no sign of her
19:56usual innocent act.
20:01I tried to ignore them
20:02and walk past.
20:03I didn't want any trouble.
20:04Did I say you could leave?
20:06Someone yanked my hair
20:07so hard it sent
20:08a sharp pain
20:08shooting through my scalp.
20:10The noise set off
20:12a commotion.
20:14All I could think about
20:15was the plates.
20:17I'd have to pay for them.
20:19Roderick's voice
20:20cut through the noise
20:20from behind me.
20:21What's going on here?
20:23My hands,
20:24busy picking up
20:25the broken pieces,
20:26froles for a second.
20:28I cut my finger
20:30on a shard.
20:31It didn't even hurt.
20:32I knew something
20:33way worse
20:34was about to happen.
20:39Sure enough,
20:40I heard Chelsea's
20:41fake sweet voice
20:42complaining to Roderick.
20:43We were just trying
20:44to make up with Mari.
20:49Just catch up a little.
20:51But then she...
20:56Before Chelsea could finish,
20:57another girl cut in.
20:59But then she lost
21:01her temper
21:02and tried to hit
21:03shells with a plate!
21:14I kept picking up
21:15the broken pieces calmly.
21:19I knew I was going to
21:20lose this job too.
21:22The floor manager
21:22rushed over
21:23and chewed me out.
21:24I do know
21:24how to avoid
21:25I'm truthfully
21:26busting dunking!
21:27Munt!
21:27Nup!
21:28Dest!
21:33I handed over
21:34almost all the cash
21:35I had on me.
21:36All but ten bucks.
21:40I'm sorry.
21:42I'm sorry.
21:46I'm sorry.
21:49With my last ten bucks,
21:51I stopped at a pharmacy
21:52then headed home.
21:56Back at the house,
21:56I went into Grandpa's room.
22:04I picked up his photo
22:05and held it tight.
22:10I'm sorry, Grandpa.
22:11I didn't turn out
22:12the way you hoped I would.
22:17You taught me
22:18that loving someone
22:19means having the courage
22:20to go for them.
22:21So you never regret it.
22:26But Grandpa,
22:27I'm so tired.
22:28I can't do thing up.
22:33What if I come
22:34to be with you instead?
22:38You're not saying no,
22:39so I'll take that
22:40as a yes.
22:44I downed all the sleeping pills
22:45I bought at the pharmacy.
22:48I downed all the sleeping pills
22:49I bought at the pharmacy.
22:55I was scared Roderick
22:56would use this
22:57as an excuse
22:57to send me back
22:58to that center.
23:01I couldn't live
23:01like that anymore.
23:03I couldn't find
23:04a single reason
23:04to keep going anymore.
23:06But sleeping pills
23:07were supposed
23:08to put you to sleep.
23:17Why did hurt
23:18so much instead?
23:23a sharp cramp
23:24hit my stomach
23:24and I could feel
23:25my eyes starting
23:26to close.
23:29Right as my eyes
23:30closed for good,
23:31I thought I saw
23:31Roderick standing
23:32in the doorway.
23:43When is she going
23:44to wake up?
23:45She's been asleep
23:45for days.
23:47When I came to,
23:48it seemed I heard
23:48Roderick's voice.
23:58Why was he still
23:59clinging to me
24:00even after death?
24:07It wasn't until
24:08a team of doctors
24:09began examining me
24:10that I understood.
24:18Roderick had rushed
24:19me here
24:19to have my stomach
24:20pumped.
24:26I'd been given
24:27a second chance.
24:34That figure I saw
24:35hadn't been an illusion.
24:37It was him.
24:38It was him.
24:44Are you sending
24:45me back?
24:47I looked at
24:48his darkened
24:49expression.
24:58The doctor says
24:59you may be suffering
25:00from depression.
25:03Roderick avoided
25:04my question.
25:08I nodded Dot,
25:09but that wasn't
25:09the point.
25:18All I cared about
25:19was whether I had
25:19to be sent back.
25:26Why didn't you
25:27tell me?
25:31Would you have
25:32believed me
25:32if I had?
25:37Telling him
25:37would only have
25:38made him think
25:38I was making
25:39excuses to leave
25:40that place.
25:53I had reached
25:53out to him.
25:55Each resident
25:56was granted
25:56a scheduled call
25:57to family
25:57twice a year.
26:04I was
26:06during my first
26:07six months
26:08I called
26:08him once.
26:11I'm sick.
26:13I cough up
26:14blood sometimes
26:15and they hit us.
26:22Can I please
26:22come home?
26:29I promise
26:30I won't bother
26:31you anymore.
26:32What did he say
26:33back then?
26:35You come to?
26:37Find a better
26:38excuse next time.
26:42Then he hung up.
26:48After that call
26:49I was beaten again.
26:52I never called
26:53him after that.
26:59why did I
27:00cough up
27:00blood?
27:07Their blows
27:08had landed
27:08on my back
27:09over and over.
27:11The internal
27:11damage eventually
27:12affected my stomach
27:13and lungs.
27:22seeing Roderick
27:23fall silent
27:24I knew
27:25he still
27:25didn't believe me.
27:27I lowered
27:27my head
27:28and didn't
27:28ask again
27:28whether he'd
27:29send me back.
27:31I moored
27:32me long
27:32the pair
27:33and the
27:33sorry
27:33that was out
27:34in sparing
27:34and disceveling
27:34functy.
27:35Should I
27:35be sent
27:36back
27:36I won't
27:37leave alive.
27:41In a place
27:42like that
27:43no one
27:43would notice
27:44whether a
27:44person was
27:45breathing.
27:46I thought
27:47once I got
27:48out
27:48I could
27:48start over
27:50but I was
27:51wrong.
27:52My peace
27:53was always
27:53shattered
27:54whenever
27:54Roderick
27:55came into
27:55the picture.
28:02The doctor
28:03called Roderick
28:04out
28:04saying some
28:05test results
28:06were ready.
28:10The door
28:11swung open
28:12as Roderick
28:12strode back
28:13in.
28:22He yanked
28:23the blanket
28:23aside
28:23then my
28:24hospital gown.
28:32An ugly
28:33jaggy scar
28:34was exposed.
28:45His eyes
28:46were bloodshot
28:46a vein
28:47throbbing
28:48on his
28:48forehead
28:48as he
28:48stared at
28:49me.
28:55He looked
28:56terrifying
28:56just like
28:57at the
28:58staff
28:58at the
28:58center.
29:00They had
29:00that same
29:01look in
29:01their eyes.
29:12that look
29:13always came
29:14right before
29:14a beating.
29:16I pulled
29:17the blanket
29:17up and
29:18hid
29:18underneath
29:19it.
29:26The bed
29:27shifted as
29:28Roderick sat
29:28down beside
29:29me.
29:31He gently
29:32tug.
29:34He gently
29:35at the
29:35covers.
29:38Mary, come
29:39out.
29:40You'll
29:41suffocate.
29:45His voice
29:45softened as
29:47if he'd realized
29:47he'd scared
29:48me.
29:52promise you
29:53won't hit
29:53me.
30:01My voice
30:02was muffled
30:02under the
30:02blanket.
30:03Only after
30:04he promised
30:05did I
30:05poke my
30:05head.
30:15He asked
30:15again,
30:16patient this
30:17time.
30:18What
30:19happened to
30:19your
30:19kidney?
30:22I shook
30:23my head.
30:28I don't
30:28know.
30:32Roderick
30:33took out
30:33his phone
30:33and said
30:34he would
30:34investigate
30:35this
30:35thoroughly.
30:39Ever
30:40since
30:40learning
30:40about
30:41my
30:41depression,
30:42Roderick
30:42had barely
30:43left my
30:43side.
30:45It was
30:45as if
30:45he was
30:46afraid I
30:46might try
30:47something
30:47again.
30:48But I
30:48saw that
30:48the rehab
30:49center had
30:49been shut
30:50down on
30:50television.
30:51No doubt
30:52it was
30:52Roderick's
30:53doing.
30:54It had
30:54posed as
30:55an educational
30:56institution.
30:57Behind
30:58closed doors,
30:59it ran
30:59vile
30:59operations.
31:00did he
31:01did he do
31:01did he do
31:02this to
31:02you
31:02too?
31:03Roderick
31:04pointed at
31:04the screen.
31:06Mari
31:06Kambai,
31:07VO.
31:07The man
31:08being interviewed
31:08was the
31:09infamous
31:09director.
31:10He spoke
31:11excitedly to
31:11the reporter.
31:12I was
31:13helping.
31:14They should
31:14be thankful
31:17without my
31:18guidance.
31:19Do you
31:20think they'd
31:21be so
31:21compliant
31:21now?
31:22Go ask
31:23their parents.
31:24Their
31:24children are
31:25model citizens
31:26now, aren't
31:27they?
31:27I took a
31:28kidney as my
31:29fair compensation.
31:30My method
31:31was simple.
31:31Add something
31:32to their
31:32bedtime milk,
31:33then proceed
31:34with the
31:34removal.
31:35I'd watch
31:36them wake
31:36up in
31:37agony.
31:38The man
31:38grew more
31:39animated as
31:40he spoke.
31:40I felt a
31:40wave of
31:41dread seep
31:41into my
31:42bones.
31:45The bloody
31:45scene felt
31:46like it had
31:46happened
31:47yesterday.
31:48That night,
31:48I went to
31:49bed as
31:50usual.
31:50Before
31:51lights out,
31:51we all had
31:52to drink the
31:52milk the
31:52attenders brought.
31:54Refusal
31:54meant a
31:54beating.
31:57In my
31:57sleep, I
31:58felt like I
31:59was being
31:59restrained.
32:01Then,
32:02slowly, a
32:03sharp pain
32:03pierced my
32:04side.
32:08My eyes
32:08flew open
32:09to see the
32:09director's
32:10horrifying face
32:11leaning over
32:11me.
32:12It wasn't a
32:13dream.
32:13He was
32:14staring intently
32:15at my
32:15waist.
32:16The pain
32:16made me
32:16black out.
32:18I didn't
32:19wake until
32:19the next
32:20day.
32:23He
32:23threatened
32:23me.
32:25If I
32:25ever spoke
32:26a word,
32:26my other
32:27kidney would
32:27meet the
32:28same fate.
32:29No wonder
32:29so many
32:30people there
32:30moved stiffly,
32:31and no one
32:32ever said
32:32a thing.
32:33Mari!
32:35I stared
32:36at him,
32:36my gaze
32:37empty.
32:37Then, a
32:38mouthful of
32:38blood surged
32:39up and
32:39spilled over.
32:41I
32:42collapsed.
32:48I had no
32:49idea how
32:49long I was
32:50out.
32:53When I
32:53woke up, I
32:54was still
32:54connected to
32:55a ventilator.
32:57I shifted
32:58my fingers,
32:59trying to
32:59wake Roderick.
33:01His weight
33:02was resting
33:02on my hand,
33:03and it had
33:04gone numb.
33:09You're awake.
33:11How do you
33:11feel?
33:12You were in
33:12shock, did
33:12you realize?
33:13But I was
33:14in shock.
33:15How would
33:16I know?
33:18But was
33:19this really
33:19Roderick?
33:22His jaw
33:22was shadowed
33:23with stubble,
33:24his eyes
33:25streaked
33:25with red.
33:27This wasn't
33:28the same
33:28cool collected
33:29man I
33:30remembered.
33:30I tried
33:31to speak,
33:32but had
33:32no strength
33:33left.
33:33I just
33:34lay still,
33:36let the
33:37doctors and
33:37Roderick do
33:38what they
33:38needed to
33:39do.
33:40I learned
33:41I'd been
33:41unconscious
33:41for four
33:42days.
33:45Roderick had
33:46stayed by my
33:46side the
33:47whole time.
33:52That
33:53afternoon,
33:53a doctor
33:54removed the
33:54ventilator.
33:57I could
33:58talk again.
34:02What's the
34:02prognosis?
34:03Weeks?
34:03Months?
34:04I knew my
34:05time was
34:05running out.
34:07Roderick's
34:07hand, which
34:08had been
34:08holding a
34:09spoon to
34:09feed me
34:09broth,
34:10paused.
34:11After a
34:12long moment.
34:14Six months,
34:16maybe less.
34:20A faint
34:21smile of
34:21relief touched
34:22my lips.
34:23Good, I
34:25could get to
34:25see Grandpa
34:26soon.
34:27Lung cancer?
34:31I phrased
34:32it as a
34:32question, but
34:33I was
34:33sure.
34:34Even after,
34:35I'd learned to
34:36behave, and
34:37the beatings
34:38mostly stopped.
34:44I kept
34:45coughing up,
34:46blood.
34:46The depression
34:47only made
34:48things worse.
34:54Roderick nodded.
34:57Can I get
34:58back to
34:58work?
35:00Is there
35:01any way you
35:01could keep
35:02your wife from
35:02interfering?
35:03If they'd just
35:04leave me alone,
35:05I could work
35:06in peace.
35:07I still owed
35:08Clifford
35:08$1,000
35:09after all.
35:11She's not my
35:12wife.
35:13Roderick frowned,
35:14putting a clear
35:15distance between
35:16himself and
35:16Chelsea, I
35:18didn't care what
35:18Chelsea was.
35:20I just needed
35:21her to stay
35:22away.
35:27I started a
35:28small street
35:28stall on a
35:29decent block,
35:30selling burritos.
35:34I had planned
35:35to find a
35:35regular job,
35:36but Roderick
35:37forbade it.
35:42When he set
35:42his mind to
35:43something,
35:43no one could
35:44change it.
35:51He offered
35:52me two
35:52options.
35:54Start my own
35:55small business,
35:56or stay
35:57home.
36:00Doing
36:01something I
36:01chose with
36:02the time I
36:02had left
36:03was a good
36:03idea.
36:04I stood
36:05nervously
36:05behind my
36:06cart,
36:06worried no
36:07customers would
36:07come.
36:08The location
36:08was close to
36:09campus.
36:11Steady foot
36:11traffic from
36:12students and
36:13professionals.
36:14It was a
36:15fully licensed
36:16area for
36:16street vendors
36:17to operate.
36:23Best of all,
36:24it was close
36:24to Grandpa's
36:25house.
36:31Hey, how
36:32much for a
36:32burrito?
36:34I was lost
36:35in thought
36:35when a guy
36:35with a
36:36brighty smile
36:36walked up
36:36to my
36:37stall.
36:41I looked
36:42up and
36:42met his
36:42clear eyes.
36:43He had
36:44faint dimples,
36:45wearing a
36:45basketball jersey,
36:46a ball in
36:47his hand,
36:47as if he'd
36:48just come
36:48from a
36:49game.
36:49I was
36:49caught off
36:50guard for
36:50a second.
36:53He spoke
36:53again before
36:54I came out
36:54of my
36:55trance.
36:56For some
36:56reason,
36:57looking into
36:57his eyes
36:58didn't make
36:58me uneasy
36:59at all.
37:01Usually,
37:02any eye
37:02contact filled
37:03me with
37:03dread.
37:04So many
37:05pairs of
37:05eyes haunted
37:06my nights.
37:15would you
37:15like to try
37:16one?
37:16It's free.
37:17Why free?
37:19Is it because
37:19I'm so good
37:20looking?
37:20He grinned
37:21and rubbed
37:21his chin
37:22playfully.
37:23His playful
37:24tone made
37:24my face
37:25grow warm.
37:26No,
37:26it's my
37:27first day.
37:28If it
37:28turns out
37:29unpasteable,
37:29I couldn't
37:30possibly take
37:30your money.
37:34I'd
37:35practiced
37:35at home
37:36over and
37:36over,
37:36but doing
37:37it for
37:37real felt
37:38completely
37:38different.
37:41Oh,
37:41so I'm
37:42your
37:43gimme
37:43pee pig.
37:45No!
37:47I thought
37:47I'd scared
37:48him off.
37:49Just kidding,
37:49go ahead,
37:50I'll eat it
37:50however it
37:50turns out.
37:51He laughed
37:52warmly.
37:53Most vendors
37:53could make
37:54one in
37:54three to
37:54five minutes.
37:56My clumsy
37:56attempt took
37:57nearly seven.
37:58The outside
37:59was crispy,
38:00though not
38:00burnt.
38:01Maybe I
38:01should make
38:01you another
38:02one?
38:04He took
38:05the wrapped
38:05burrito and
38:06bit into it.
38:07This is
38:07perfect.
38:11It's great.
38:12Seriously,
38:13this is how it
38:13should be.
38:14Nice and
38:14crispy.
38:16His compliment
38:16made me
38:17smile.
38:18So,
38:19how much?
38:20You're not
38:20going to charge
38:21me an arm
38:21and a leg,
38:21are you?
38:22No.
38:22He widened
38:23his eyes in
38:24alarm.
38:24This one's
38:25complimentary
38:25a lucky
38:26start for
38:26my first
38:27day.
38:28I'm
38:29Leonard
38:29Williams,
38:29by the
38:29way.
38:30As he
38:30turned to
38:30leave,
38:31he glanced
38:31back and
38:32waved.
38:33I watched
38:33him walk
38:34away.
38:34It struck
38:35me then how
38:36distant my
38:36own college
38:37days felt.
38:38If I hadn't
38:39been so
38:39reckless back
38:40then, I
38:41would have
38:41graduated a
38:42year ago.
38:49As the
38:49day went
38:49on, more
38:50customers
38:51came.
38:51time.
38:56I was
38:56almost too
38:57busy to
38:57keep up.
39:00But I
39:00got quicker
39:01and more
39:01confident with
39:02each one.
39:04I didn't
39:05pack up until
39:06I'd run out
39:06of ingredients.
39:13I'll drive
39:13you home.
39:14Roderick pulled
39:14up beside me
39:15in his car.
39:16It's fine.
39:16I have my
39:17scooter.
39:18I nodded
39:18toward my
39:19scooter parked
39:19out nearby.
39:23It's
39:23getting chilly
39:23tonight.
39:24You'll catch
39:24a cold.
39:25I won't
39:26die from
39:26it.
39:33Marianne,
39:34how long
39:34are you
39:34going to
39:34keep fighting
39:35me on
39:35everything?
39:37Roderick
39:38caught my
39:38wrist as I
39:38started to
39:39walk away.
39:41Mr. Dunlop,
39:42do not
39:43forget.
39:48I was the
39:49one who
39:49pushed your
39:50girlfriend down
39:50the stairs.
39:55I'm the
39:55one to
39:56blame.
40:03In that
40:04moment,
40:04to cut any
40:05last tie
40:06between us,
40:07I claimed
40:07the guilt.
40:10Mary stopped
40:11lying.
40:11I know the
40:12truth now.
40:13She fell on
40:13her own.
40:16suddenly,
40:17his arms
40:17came around
40:18me from
40:18behind.
40:23Hadn't he
40:24told me to
40:24protect Chelsea?
40:29So you
40:30were protecting
40:30her?
40:31While I
40:32bore all
40:32the blame?
40:36No.
40:38I was
40:39afraid once
40:39you knew
40:40the truth,
40:40you'd hate
40:41me for not
40:41believing you
40:42sooner.
40:44I was
40:44wrong.
40:45I'm
40:46sorry.
40:47I'm
40:47sorry.
40:52His arms
40:53tightened
40:53around me.
40:55I only
40:56found out
40:56two days
40:56ago.
40:58I went
40:59to Chelsea
40:59to stay
41:00away from
41:00you,
41:00and we
41:01argued.
41:04She let
41:05it slip.
41:07I could
41:07no longer
41:08hold back
41:08my tears.
41:11They fell
41:12onto the
41:12back of
41:13his hand.
41:14At least I
41:15would clear
41:15my name
41:15before I
41:16died.
41:16Don't cry,
41:17Mari.
41:19He released
41:20me, bending
41:20down to wipe
41:21my tears.
41:24I sobbed
41:25uncontrollably
41:26in his arms.
41:31For a moment,
41:32neither of us
41:32spoke.
41:34Three years
41:35of silence.
41:37Three years
41:37of pain I'd
41:38swallowed without
41:39a word.
41:39word.
41:40And now,
41:40finally,
41:41someone believed
41:42me.
41:49Rod,
41:50here.
41:51I pointed
41:52to my chest.
41:54It doesn't
41:55beat for you
41:55anymore.
41:58Rod, if I
41:59could, I'd
42:00wish we had
42:00never met.
42:03I wiped my
42:04tears and
42:05gave a faint
42:05smile.
42:07This is the
42:07last time I'll
42:08call you that.
42:10From now on,
42:11let's each live
42:12our own lives.
42:14I'd treat this
42:15as a goodbye,
42:16a proper end
42:17to those eight
42:18years I spent
42:18loving him.
42:23I could never
42:24forget the three
42:24years in that
42:25place.
42:27And the
42:28person who'd
42:28sent me there
42:29was Roderick
42:29himself.
42:32Mary.
42:35He reached
42:36for me,
42:37but I stepped
42:37back.
42:38Mr. Dunlap,
42:39please don't
42:39disturb me
42:39again.
42:43I want my
42:44remaining time
42:46to be peaceful.
42:49With that,
42:50I left.
42:51I drove my
42:52scooter home.
42:54Roderick's
42:55car followed
42:55at a distance
42:56in the rear-view
42:57mirror.
42:59I ignored him.
43:05I went to
43:05my stall as
43:06usual every
43:06day.
43:12Roderick watched
43:13from a distance.
43:15I just ignored
43:16him.
43:21Hey, I'm
43:22back.
43:22Brought my
43:23classmates to
43:23try your
43:24burritos.
43:25It was
43:26Leonard,
43:26my first
43:27customer.
43:30I glanced
43:31at the two
43:31boys behind
43:31him and
43:32gave a slight
43:33nod in
43:33greeting.
43:34What kind
43:35would you
43:35like?
43:35A real
43:36sense of
43:36ease washed
43:37over me,
43:38something I
43:39hadn't felt
43:39in a long
43:40time.
43:40Whatever you
43:41recommend.
43:50Maybe one
43:51of his buddies
43:55said,
43:55eyeing the
43:56ingredients.
43:58So, how
43:59much?
44:00You didn't
44:00let me pay
44:01last time.
44:01You've
44:01got to
44:02charge me
44:02today or
44:03I won't
44:03come back.
44:05I hadn't
44:06said I
44:06wouldn't
44:06charge him.
44:08I still
44:09needed to
44:09pay back
44:09my debt.
44:11Six dollars
44:11each.
44:13Cash only,
44:14though.
44:14If you don't
44:14have any,
44:15you can get
44:15change at the
44:16store down
44:16the block.
44:18I pointed
44:19to the sign
44:19on my cart
44:20and then
44:20toward the
44:21store down
44:21the block.
44:24Wait right
44:25here.
44:25I'll be
44:25back.
44:26I watched
44:27Leonard walk
44:27away inside.
44:29The young
44:29seemed so
44:30full of
44:30life.
44:31It was
44:32easy to
44:32forget I
44:33was only
44:33a year
44:33older than
44:34him.
44:35Yet my
44:35life felt
44:36worlds apart.
44:42Hey,
44:43isn't he
44:43good looking?
44:44And he's
44:45single.
44:45Maybe give
44:46him a
44:46shot?
44:47His
44:47classmates
44:48clearly
44:48thought my
44:49glance at
44:49Leonard meant
44:49more than
44:50it did.
44:51I shook
44:51my head and
44:52stayed silent.
44:53I was
44:54making around
44:54three to
44:55four hundred
44:55dollars a
44:56day.
45:01Soon,
45:01I had
45:02enough to
45:02repay my
45:02debt.
45:03Clifford
45:04seemed to
45:04have been
45:04waiting for
45:05me.
45:06He looked
45:07different.
45:08Guilty,
45:09almost.
45:10I heard
45:11what really
45:11happened.
45:14Chelsea
45:14admitted the
45:15truth to
45:15Roderick.
45:16I'm
45:17sorry for
45:17what I
45:17did to
45:18you.
45:18I
45:19didn't
45:19reply.
45:21I
45:21placed the
45:22money on
45:22the
45:22counter
45:22and
45:23left.
45:28Finally,
45:29I was
45:30free of
45:30that
45:30burden.
45:31Why did
45:32Leonard keep
45:33coming to
45:33my stall?
45:35Did he
45:35really love
45:36burritos
45:36that much?
45:39do you
45:40really like
45:40burritos
45:40that much?
45:42I finally
45:42asked.
45:43No.
45:44Why?
45:46Taking
45:46another
45:47bite.
45:48Why do
45:49you come
45:50every day?
45:51Were you
45:52short on
45:52money for
45:53meals?
45:55But he
45:56didn't look
45:56like he was
45:57struggling.
45:59Because you're
45:59here.
46:00Between
46:00bites,
46:01I didn't
46:02fully process
46:02his words,
46:03not until he
46:04swallowed,
46:05leaned closer,
46:06and looked
46:07at me
46:07seriously.
46:09Be my
46:09girlfriend?
46:14I
46:15froze for a
46:15second,
46:16then shook
46:16my head.
46:17I took
46:18his hand
46:19and placed
46:19it on my
46:19waist.
46:21I'm
46:22missing a
46:22kidney here.
46:24I have
46:25lung cancer
46:26here.
46:27He shrugged,
46:28unfazed.
46:29I know.
46:31I've
46:31always known.
46:32How could
46:33he know,
46:34reading my
46:34surprise?
46:36I'll
46:37tell you
46:37later.
46:38His hand
46:38lingered
46:39gently on
46:39my waist.
46:40Did it
46:41hurt?
46:43My eyes
46:43stung.
46:44No one
46:45had ever
46:45asked me
46:45that before.
46:47Not
46:48Roderick.
46:49Not my
46:49parents.
46:50Not a
46:50single person
46:51in three
46:51years.
46:56But this
46:57young man
46:57did.
46:59Six months
47:00later, I
47:01held the
47:01medical record
47:02the doctor
47:02had just
47:03given me.
47:05He said
47:06the cancer
47:06cells were
47:07gradually
47:07receding.
47:10Leonard had
47:11made sure I
47:11ate three
47:12meals a
47:12day.
47:13He walked
47:14me to
47:14every
47:14checkup.
47:18For the
47:18first time
47:19in years,
47:20I wanted
47:21to live,
47:21and it
47:22showed.
47:24With a
47:25positive
47:25mindset,
47:26consistent
47:27medication,
47:27and no
47:28late-night
47:28depressive
47:29episodes,
47:31full
47:32recovery was
47:32possible.
47:35There were
47:36cases of
47:37people beating
47:37cancer.
47:39It just
47:40wasn't easy.
47:46But I had
47:47managed it.
48:03at the
48:04hospital.
48:05At the
48:06I had an
48:06extra, and if
48:07I didn't take
48:08it, he'd
48:08throw it
48:08away.
48:09Who
48:10believed
48:10that?
48:11I certainly
48:11didn't.
48:14At the
48:15hospital.
48:21half an
48:22hour later,
48:22Leonard came
48:23jobbing toward
48:24me in his
48:24basketball jersey.
48:29What did
48:30the doctor
48:30say?
48:32I put on a
48:33somber face,
48:34pretending to
48:35be downcast.
48:36I saw his
48:36expression dim,
48:37but he kept
48:38his voice
48:38steady.
48:41It's
48:42okay.
48:43I'll be
48:44with you
48:44every step
48:46of the
48:46way.
48:47I cut
48:47him off.
48:48Just kidding.
48:49The doctor
48:49says I'm
48:49doing really
48:50well.
48:53I couldn't
48:53bear to
48:54tease him
48:54for long.
48:58You've
48:58gotten
48:58mean.
49:00He
49:00pretended to
49:01be upset,
49:01but then he
49:02picked me up
49:03and spun me
49:03around twice.
49:04face.
49:12So,
49:13does this
49:13mean you'll
49:14say yes?
49:15He looked
49:15at me
49:16eagerly.
49:17Say yes
49:17to what?
49:20Interest
49:20at him
49:20playfully.
49:21Be my
49:22girlfriend.
49:23But I'm
49:24not completely
49:24healed yet.
49:25What if
49:26it comes
49:26back?
49:27I don't
49:28care.
49:31My job
49:32is to
49:32love you
49:33and make
49:33you happy.
49:36If you're
49:36happy,
49:37you'll get
49:37better.
49:38He hugged
49:39me tightly,
49:40nuzzling
49:40against me.
49:43Alright,
49:43I suppose
49:44I'll say
49:45yes.
49:48I wrapped
49:48my arms
49:49around him
49:49in return.
49:51I sounded
49:52as if I
49:53was doing
49:53him a
49:53favor.
49:55The truth
49:56was,
49:56he had
49:57been the
49:57one settling
49:58for me
49:58all along.
50:04As Leonard
50:04and I
50:05walked away
50:05hand in
50:06hand,
50:06I saw
50:07Roderick.
50:12I hadn't
50:13seen him
50:13in two
50:14or three
50:15months.
50:16He stood
50:17watching us,
50:18his eyes
50:18red.
50:24He'd
50:24pick me
50:25up to
50:25attend
50:25the
50:25service
50:26and
50:26that
50:26was
50:26it.
50:26I'd
50:27also
50:27repaid
50:27him
50:28for
50:28all
50:28the
50:28medical
50:28bills.
50:30Even
50:30the
50:30money
50:30for
50:31the
50:31food
50:31cart.
50:34I knew
50:34he'd
50:35been
50:35watching
50:35me
50:35from a
50:36distance.
50:39He'd
50:39tried to
50:39approach
50:40me a
50:40few
50:40times.
50:46But I'd
50:46threatened to
50:47harm
50:47myself each
50:47time,
50:48and he'd
50:49finally
50:49stayed
50:49away.
50:54Mari,
50:55who is
50:55this?
50:56His eyes
50:56were still
50:56red.
50:58He already
50:59knew the
50:59answer.
51:03My
51:04girlfriend.
51:04Leonard
51:05answered
51:05first,
51:06raising our
51:06joined
51:07hands.
51:09Is he
51:10good to
51:10you?
51:12Yes.
51:17I know
51:18what it
51:18looks like
51:18when you
51:18love
51:19someone,
51:19Mari.
51:21And I can
51:22see it's
51:22not me
51:23anymore.
51:24Took me a
51:25while to
51:25face it.
51:29Be happy.
51:31I wish
51:31you the
51:32same.
51:33He turned
51:33and walked
51:34away.
51:37I didn't
51:38look back.
51:39Some people
51:39are meant to
51:40be part of
51:40your story,
51:41but not
51:41your ending.
51:46I heard
51:46later that
51:47Roderick left
51:47to teach in
51:48a remote
51:48mountain.
51:50As for
51:51me, I
51:52was curled
51:52on the
51:52sofa,
51:53looking at
51:53the man
51:54in front
51:54of me.
51:55You said
51:56before that
51:57you knew
51:57about my
51:58health?
51:59How?
52:02I sprained
52:03my ankle
52:03during a
52:04game and
52:04ended up
52:04in the
52:05hospital.
52:08I was
52:08in the
52:08room next
52:09to yours.
52:10I overheard
52:10something while
52:11walking by,
52:11got curious,
52:12and looked
52:12through the
52:12glass.
52:18One look
52:19and I
52:19just knew.
52:20He made
52:21it sound
52:21so casual.
52:22That's
52:22it?
52:23I didn't
52:24buy it.
52:25Your
52:25classmates
52:26mentioned
52:26something.
52:28My
52:28photo is
52:29your
52:29computer
52:29wallpaper,
52:30the one
52:31from when
52:31I was
52:31a
52:31sophomore.
52:32I meant
52:33the guys
52:33who had
52:33stopped
52:33by my
52:34stall
52:34for
52:34burritos.
52:36Sure
52:36enough,
52:37Leonard
52:37looked
52:37briefly
52:38embarrassed.
52:41He was
52:42probably
52:42cursing
52:43them in
52:43his
52:43head.
52:45Okay,
52:46fine.
52:49I was an
52:49exchange
52:50student at
52:50your
52:50university
52:51in my
52:51freshman
52:51year,
52:52doing a
52:53photography
52:53project.
52:55You were
52:56there that
52:56day,
52:56so full
52:57of life.
53:00You were
53:01there that
53:01day,
53:01so full
53:02of life.
53:03I couldn't
53:04help but
53:04take a
53:04picture.
53:05Later,
53:05I heard
53:06you were
53:06with
53:06Roderick,
53:08so I
53:08kept my
53:09distance.
53:10I don't
53:10do home
53:11wrecking.
53:12He lifted
53:12his chin
53:13slightly.
53:14It wasn't
53:14until I
53:15saw you
53:15in the
53:15hospital that
53:16I realized
53:17how stupid
53:17I'd been
53:18all along.
53:19If I
53:19had stepped
53:19in back
53:20then,
53:21maybe none
53:21of this
53:21would have
53:22happened
53:22to you.
53:24After
53:24that,
53:25I kept an
53:25eye on
53:25you,
53:25waiting until
53:26the day I
53:26ran into
53:27you at
53:27your stall.
53:27He looked
53:28genuinely
53:28regretful.
53:29I reached
53:30out and
53:31hugged
53:31him.
53:33Don't
53:34blame
53:34yourself.
53:35Some
53:35things were
53:36meant to
53:36happen.
53:37It wasn't
53:37your fault.
53:38I'd almost
53:39missed the
53:39chance to
53:39be with
53:40someone so
53:40wonderful.
53:41But in
53:41the end,
53:42nothing was
53:42too late.
53:43Other
53:43people go
53:44to rehab
53:44for drugs,
53:45alcohol,
53:46or gambling.
53:47I went
53:48to quit
53:48loving a
53:49man.
53:49In
53:50the end,
53:50I didn't
53:51just quit
53:52him.
53:53I learned
53:54to love
53:54myself again.
53:56I learned
53:56I learned
53:56to love
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