Dear John by Jamie Linden Page A

let you know all that’s happened since I saw you last.
    193        EXT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- DAY
    Savannah is underneath the oak tree. She puts her own pen to paper again.
    SAVANNAH’S VOICE
    A few weeks after you showed up in Lenoir, an anonymous donation was made to Tim’s foundation, a donation big enough to cover what the insurance companies wouldn’t.
    194        INT. TEXAS HOSPITAL CORRIDOR -- DAY
    Tim sits in a wheelchair, much of the color back in his face. He smiles warmly at the nurse checking his blood pressure.
    SAVANNAH’S VOICE
    He’s back in Houston right now for his final treatment, but he’s been in remission for two months. We’re not sure if it will last...
    195        EXT. TEXAS HOSPITAL -- DAY
    Automatic doors WHISK open. Tim steps out in street clothes.
    SAVANNAH’S VOICE
    ...but it might, and that’s good enough for us.
    196        EXT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- NIGHT
    DRIFT TOWARDS THE HOUSE, where cars are parked all over the yard, and above the front door hangs Alan’s banner, very impressively lettered, which reads: WELCOME HOME, DAD.
    197        INT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- NIGHT
    Drift through the doors to find the party already in swing.
    SAVANNAH’S VOICE
    As for the donation, I cannot even begin to imagine who out there would do such a selfless thing as that in such a selfish world as this.
    Savannah shows a healthy looking Tim through the crowd. They greet their guests: here are Mr. and Mrs. Curtis, who happily hug their son-in-law...
    SAVANNAH’S VOICE
    And I realize, of course, that all this person has asked, in return for saving my husband’s life, is to remain anonymous.
    ...here is Alan, dressed up in a suit, shyly trying to engage a GAWKY GIRL in actual conversation...
    SAVANNAH’S VOICE
    So although it’s difficult, I know I have to respect his wishes. Which means all I can do is wake up every morning and say thank you. To the sky. To no one. To everyone.
    Savannah looks at Alan, her parents, her healthy husband.
    She looks around at all of these people, here to support him.
    Her eyes water with gratitude.
    SAVANNAH’S VOICE
    It’s a small gesture, but it’s all that I have. I hope that it is enough.
    Then she excuses herself from the group.
    SAVANNAH’S VOICE
    And that’s the gift this person has given me. That’s what has been missing from my life, and that’s what’s been returned to me now.
    Savannah walks over to a window and stares out it, lost in thought.
    SAVANNAH’S VOICE
    Hope.
    198        INT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- A DIFFERENT ROOM
    Tim looks around the crowd, surrounded by all these people who love him. He knows how lucky he is.
    SAVANNAH’S VOICE
    I hope this letter finds you well, John.
    Then Tim suddenly realizes that something is missing. He looks around the party, trying to find his wife...
    ...but she’s nowhere to be found now.
    199        EXT. FAMILY HOME IN LENOIR -- NIGHT
    Although the party is in full swing indoors, things are much quieter out here. As the wind rustles through the trees --
    SAVANNAH’S VOICE
    Actually, I just hope this letter finds you, period.
    200        INT. LENOIR STABLES -- NIGHT
    Alan shows off his favorite horse to the Gawky Girl. While they stand there, petting her in silence, drift past them...
    SAVANNAH’S VOICE
    I hope that you’re safe, and that you’re happy. I have no idea where you are out there in the world, but I understand that I lost the right to know these things long ago.
    201        DRIFT TOWARDS THE MAIN HOUSE --
    -- where Savannah stands on the porch, alone. Then she looks up, into the night sky --
    SAVANNAH’S VOICE
    I want you to know, though, that no matter how much time passes, no matter how far away you are...
    -- where she finds the full moon above her... and as she raises her thumb to cover it up --
    SAVANNAH’S VOICE
    ...on nights like these, you’ll always be here with me.
    202        DRIFT AWAY FROM HER