Father Figure

FATHER FIGURE
A Grieving Family Starts Blurring The Lines Between Platonic Love And Lust

SCENE OPENS on Linda (Krissy Lynn) and her 18-year old step-daughter Sam (Kamryn Jade), who sit together in the living room. The air is somewhat somber as they talk about the man of the house, who has passed away, leaving Sam and Linda financially destitute. They are thankful that Uncle Jerry, the man’s step-brother, will be coming to stay with them to help them.

At that moment, there is a knock on the door and Linda steadies herself by taking a deep breath. Sam assures her that everything’s going to be okay, then answers the door, welcoming Jerry (Tommy Gunn) inside. Everyone’s warm and friendly towards each other although still a bit somber as they greet each other.

Sam thanks Jerry for coming to stay with them. Jerry says they’re family, so of course he’s going to try and help them through this tough time. They have a moment of silence, but Sam ushers them along to avoid them grieving for too long. She tells Jerry where his room is, and he goes off with his luggage.

Sam turns to her mom and hugs her. She knows it’s going to be hard, but they’ll get through this together. Her dad couldn’t have chosen a more wonderful woman to be her step-mom.

Linda hugs Sam back, smiling thinly, as though it’s still hard for her to smile even if she appreciates the kind words.

‘We’re going to get over this together…as a family,’ Sam insists.

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Over time, Jerry does his best trying to be a good provider to Linda and Sam. Sam clearly admires him and begins growing attracted to him.

One night a couple of weeks later, Sam lays in bed. She is restless, alternating between tossing and turning, and staring at the ceiling. She looks troubled. Jerry walks by the bedroom door but stops when he glances in and sees Sam, asking if he can come in.

Sam says ‘sure dad’, accidentally calling Jerry ‘dad’ instead of ‘Uncle Jerry’. Jerry stops at the doorway as he hears this. It takes Sam a moment to catch herself having said it, only noticing because his body language stiffened. Sam is mortified, gasping with shock and embarrassment at the mix-up. She tells Jerry she has no idea why that came over her.

Jerry comes into the room, sitting next to her on the edge of the bed. Sam sits up. Jerry puts a hand on hers and asks if she misses her dad a lot still. Sam looks conflicted, and hesitant to talk. After Jerry coaxes her further, Sam finally admits her confusion towards her feelings for Jerry, thinking of him as a father figure but also attracted to him through her grief.

Jerry tells Sam that he’s never had a family as close as this until now, and it’s changed his entire life. He could see this being his permanent home. But when he pauses for a moment, upset, Sam begs him to stay, insisting that she’ll get over her confused feelings for him.

Jerry turns to her, and tells her no – that’s not why he’s upset. Sam asks him what he means, and he confesses that he’s been confused by his feelings too – he’s not only been having fleeting feelings towards Linda but towards Sam too, and it’s blurring the lines in his mind – he wants to be everything for the family… an uncle, a father, a husband to Linda… and a lover to Sam.

Jerry moves to touch her but stops at the last second, insisting that this is wrong and tries to push away again. Sam begs him to facethe truth — they ALL experienced so much loss, so why can’t they just let themselves be HAPPY for once? Jerry seems tempted, but still resists, insisting that she’s his brother’s daughter. Sam reminds him that they were step-brothers, so it’s okay… Jerry insists that’s not what he meant, and that he’s betraying his brother by doing this.

Sam says that her father would want them to be happy. She tries for a kiss once more and Jerry gives in. The kiss is tentative and explorative at first but becomes more passionate as they let go.

Jerry and Sam have obviously found solace in each other, but will Linda be able to accept this new reality?