WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.640 Is this what it is now? The sound of Henry's 00:00:03.640 --> 00:00:06.719 voice startles us. Juliana and I jumped to our 00:00:06.719 --> 00:00:09.740 feet. I didn't forget how we were though. My 00:00:09.740 --> 00:00:11.720 arms were wrapped around her body as she cuddled 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:15.859 into me on the couch. We fell asleep. What should 00:00:15.859 --> 00:00:18.100 have been 10 minutes turned into an hour, according 00:00:18.100 --> 00:00:23.039 to the wall clock. And now, I'm fucked. This 00:00:23.039 --> 00:00:30.769 is exactly what I wanted to avoid. She and I 00:00:30.769 --> 00:00:33.670 both know how much of an asshole he can be. Given 00:00:33.670 --> 00:00:36.549 his current state, he's drunk. He reeks of cigars 00:00:36.549 --> 00:00:39.350 and cheap women's perfume. And if I can smell 00:00:39.350 --> 00:00:42.750 it, I know Jules can too. But Henry isn't watching 00:00:42.750 --> 00:00:47.210 Juliana. His eyes are locked on me. Is this what 00:00:47.210 --> 00:00:51.350 you do? Take advantage of my woman? There's no 00:00:51.350 --> 00:00:53.469 point arguing with him. He'll believe whatever 00:00:53.469 --> 00:00:57.170 he wants. I step away from Juliana and the couch. 00:00:57.830 --> 00:01:00.030 Juliana moves toward Henry and he swats her arm 00:01:00.030 --> 00:01:03.070 away. I know this is what you wanted all along. 00:01:03.649 --> 00:01:05.510 You've always been jealous of me and the things 00:01:05.510 --> 00:01:08.230 I can have, even after my parents gave you every 00:01:08.230 --> 00:01:12.670 fucking thing. I still don't say a thing. I reach 00:01:12.670 --> 00:01:16.629 for the remote and switch off the TV. Henry, 00:01:17.209 --> 00:01:20.310 that's enough. You're drunk. Let's go to bed. 00:01:21.430 --> 00:01:24.769 Have a good night, everyone, I finally say. It's 00:01:24.769 --> 00:01:26.909 like those few words were the ammunition he needed 00:01:26.909 --> 00:01:31.109 to set things off. You motherfucker. I told you 00:01:31.109 --> 00:01:34.170 to stay away from her and you - Henry darts across 00:01:34.170 --> 00:01:36.310 the room toward me, but Juliana uses her body 00:01:36.310 --> 00:01:39.890 as a shield. It's not enough. He tosses her aside 00:01:39.890 --> 00:01:43.709 onto the couch. She yelps, and my attention immediately 00:01:43.709 --> 00:01:46.909 turns to her. She's holding her hand in agony, 00:01:47.250 --> 00:01:50.049 but before I can reach her, Henry shoves me in 00:01:50.049 --> 00:01:53.469 the chest. I'm not going to fight you brother. 00:01:53.790 --> 00:01:57.870 Look, you've hurt Jules. Don't make this about 00:01:57.870 --> 00:02:00.829 her. This is about you and what you've been planning. 00:02:01.870 --> 00:02:04.349 Juliana moans, and I can clearly see her finger 00:02:04.349 --> 00:02:07.489 might be broken. I attempt to reach her again, 00:02:07.510 --> 00:02:10.129 but Henry blocks my path, making me even more 00:02:10.129 --> 00:02:13.569 enraged. He just broke his fiance's finger, and 00:02:13.569 --> 00:02:16.729 all he cares about is getting to me. I shove 00:02:16.729 --> 00:02:19.789 him aside and get to Juliana, checking her hand. 00:02:20.550 --> 00:02:24.949 Are you okay? Where does it - A blow to my back, 00:02:25.569 --> 00:02:28.530 and suddenly I'm dragged down to the floor. Stop, 00:02:28.909 --> 00:02:32.610 Henry, stop it! I let him get a few hits in before 00:02:32.610 --> 00:02:36.849 I land a blow to his jaw. Stop! Juliana screams. 00:02:37.650 --> 00:02:41.310 What is this madness? Dad's voice slices through 00:02:41.310 --> 00:02:44.430 the air, rendering us motionless. Henry is on 00:02:44.430 --> 00:02:46.849 top of me, out of breath, still clutching the 00:02:46.849 --> 00:02:50.729 neck of my t -shirt. Let him go! Dad yells at 00:02:50.729 --> 00:02:53.990 Henry. For a few good seconds, he still holds 00:02:53.990 --> 00:02:56.289 on like the rage in his heart won't let him stop. 00:02:56.870 --> 00:03:00.830 Good God, mom says. I push Henry off and Stan 00:03:00.830 --> 00:03:03.650 fixing my shirt. I want to check on Juliana, 00:03:03.650 --> 00:03:06.430 but I know it'll only escalate things. So I bite 00:03:06.430 --> 00:03:09.129 back my hero complex and stand still as dad lectures 00:03:09.129 --> 00:03:12.310 us about being adults and family. Henry keeps 00:03:12.310 --> 00:03:14.629 ranting about how I've been trying to steal Juliana 00:03:14.629 --> 00:03:18.270 from him for years, but I tune him out. My focus 00:03:18.270 --> 00:03:21.740 is on Juliana, who is fisting her wrist. Everyone 00:03:21.740 --> 00:03:25.599 is oblivious to her pain. And as usual, Henry 00:03:25.599 --> 00:03:27.639 takes the spotlight like a fucking 10 -year -old 00:03:27.639 --> 00:03:33.080 kid. And you? What do you have to say? Is this 00:03:33.080 --> 00:03:38.139 true? I bypass the question. Juliana's hand is 00:03:38.139 --> 00:03:41.620 broken. Mom and Dad's heads whip around to Juliana. 00:03:42.599 --> 00:03:47.199 Henry glares at me. You did this, I say. You're 00:03:47.199 --> 00:03:49.789 doing it again. Turning the focus away so you 00:03:49.789 --> 00:03:53.150 don't have to deal with what you did Call a doctor 00:03:53.150 --> 00:03:56.449 I say even after all this Henry still hasn't 00:03:56.449 --> 00:03:58.770 gone to his fiance to see what he's done to her 00:03:58.770 --> 00:04:02.289 It's like he's fixated on me or something. I 00:04:02.289 --> 00:04:04.110 fetched my phone from the floor and stuff it 00:04:04.110 --> 00:04:07.050 into my back pocket Where do you think you're 00:04:07.050 --> 00:04:10.889 going? We are not done here You need to go check 00:04:10.889 --> 00:04:13.770 on Juliana. You do not tell me what to do with 00:04:13.770 --> 00:04:17.899 my fiance. I am NOT your fiance Juliana seethes 00:04:17.899 --> 00:04:21.079 from across the room. What? Henry rushes over 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:23.319 to her, and that's my cue to get the hell out 00:04:23.319 --> 00:04:25.939 of there. Anything said beyond this point will 00:04:25.939 --> 00:04:29.019 totally be my fault. I head upstairs and pack 00:04:29.019 --> 00:04:31.779 a bag. By the time I get downstairs, Juliana 00:04:31.779 --> 00:04:33.779 is clutching her arm and Dad is putting on clothes 00:04:33.779 --> 00:04:37.199 to take her to the hospital. Where are you going? 00:04:37.660 --> 00:04:41.620 Mom asks, seeing my duffel bag. Home. I think 00:04:41.620 --> 00:04:44.959 I've overstayed my welcome. What nonsense. This 00:04:44.959 --> 00:04:49.170 is your home, Elliot. No, not anymore. My home 00:04:49.170 --> 00:04:52.410 is in the city and that's where I'm going tonight 00:04:52.410 --> 00:04:56.149 Juliana stands You shouldn't let Henry make you 00:04:56.149 --> 00:05:00.430 leave I'm not leaving because of Henry. I have 00:05:00.430 --> 00:05:04.430 work deadlines to meet Mom and dad's anniversary 00:05:04.430 --> 00:05:08.490 is over and it's best I stay out of this thing 00:05:08.490 --> 00:05:12.009 Some of my words are true, but really I'm leaving 00:05:12.009 --> 00:05:15.209 because of Henry Him finding out about us cuddling 00:05:15.209 --> 00:05:17.410 and sleeping is only the beginning of his wrath 00:05:17.410 --> 00:05:20.490 The last thing I need is to be the reason Juliana 00:05:20.490 --> 00:05:24.250 breaks off the engagement You need to talk with 00:05:24.250 --> 00:05:27.209 Henry and don't be so quick to put things off. 00:05:28.290 --> 00:05:31.009 I Don't Juliana starts to say something just 00:05:31.009 --> 00:05:33.889 as dad appears with the keys in his hand. Goodbye 00:05:33.889 --> 00:05:37.350 Juliana I Walk outside to find Henry smoking 00:05:37.350 --> 00:05:40.329 a cigar and leaning against the wall He shouldn't 00:05:40.329 --> 00:05:44.089 be smoking. He's already pissed drunk Sadly, 00:05:44.110 --> 00:05:46.370 my car is parked where he's standing, so I have 00:05:46.370 --> 00:05:50.730 to face him. This isn't over, he says. Maybe 00:05:50.730 --> 00:05:52.449 it's a good fucking thing that you're leaving. 00:05:53.170 --> 00:05:55.889 At least I'll have Juliana for myself, and I 00:05:55.889 --> 00:05:57.410 won't have to worry about you trying to take 00:05:57.410 --> 00:06:01.329 her from me. I click my tongue and open my car, 00:06:01.810 --> 00:06:05.189 slipping in without saying a word. A few days 00:06:05.189 --> 00:06:07.889 pass, and while I check in with Mom and Juliana, 00:06:08.430 --> 00:06:10.230 it seems like she never had a broken finger, 00:06:10.370 --> 00:06:14.069 more likely a sprain. Henry keeps messaging me, 00:06:14.170 --> 00:06:16.689 saying we need to talk. But there's nothing to 00:06:16.689 --> 00:06:21.089 talk about. I may be fond of Juliana, but she's 00:06:21.089 --> 00:06:24.649 already spoken for. Juliana is Henry's girl, 00:06:24.930 --> 00:06:26.930 and I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that. 00:06:27.829 --> 00:06:29.870 It's Saturday and I'm grabbing my car keys to 00:06:29.870 --> 00:06:31.769 head out for a quick lunch when a knock sounds 00:06:31.769 --> 00:06:34.829 at my door. I check the door camera on my phone 00:06:34.829 --> 00:06:37.829 to see Juliana standing there. My heart races 00:06:37.829 --> 00:06:40.029 because she's the last person I expect to see. 00:06:40.660 --> 00:06:44.019 And how did she even find my place? I doubt Henry 00:06:44.019 --> 00:06:46.819 would give it to her. Did I possibly tell her? 00:06:47.540 --> 00:06:50.699 I shake my head and open the door. Juliana is 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:52.819 wearing a pink summer dress that looks absolutely 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:57.019 amazing on her. She clears her throat. Uh, Julie? 00:06:57.920 --> 00:07:01.220 What are you doing here? I peek outside to make 00:07:01.220 --> 00:07:04.000 sure Henry's not with her. Aren't you going to 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:07.660 invite me in? Actually, I'm on my way out. For 00:07:07.660 --> 00:07:10.220 lunch. You can join me if you have the time. 00:07:11.540 --> 00:07:16.019 She nods I do Juliana leaves her car behind and 00:07:16.019 --> 00:07:19.060 rides with me and Instead of going to my usual 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:22.879 cafe. I opt for something a little fancier more 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:26.019 aesthetic to suit her style We make our orders 00:07:26.019 --> 00:07:28.480 and don't even get to ease into casual conversation 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:32.399 She gets straight to the point I'm not marrying 00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:36.120 Henry. We're no longer engaged. We're not together 00:07:36.120 --> 00:07:42.250 anymore I'm sorry what she sighs It's been a 00:07:42.250 --> 00:07:45.569 long time coming Then why did you say yes to 00:07:45.569 --> 00:07:50.769 the engagement? She shrugs To save face, you 00:07:50.769 --> 00:07:53.470 know how much Henry likes a show and hates embarrassment 00:07:53.470 --> 00:07:57.389 Well, she does have a point Leave it to Julie 00:07:57.389 --> 00:08:00.269 to think about others before herself and knowing 00:08:00.269 --> 00:08:03.610 Henry. He would not have taken it. Well Probably 00:08:03.610 --> 00:08:06.589 would have blamed me just like everything else 00:08:06.589 --> 00:08:09.569 Our drinks come and Julie takes a sip of her 00:08:09.569 --> 00:08:16.639 wine At this point, I would think she'd head 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:19.259 back to her city and start over. But here she 00:08:19.259 --> 00:08:22.100 is. I don't want to feel too good just yet because 00:08:22.100 --> 00:08:25.319 all of this might be a false alarm. Juliana and 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:28.000 Henry have been together for years. There were 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:30.519 times they claimed they'd broken up, and months 00:08:30.519 --> 00:08:34.080 later I'd find out they were back together. She 00:08:34.080 --> 00:08:41.370 sets her glass down and shakes her head. She 00:08:41.370 --> 00:09:11.000 laughs. She rolls her eyes. The only reason he 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:13.259 calmed down was because Eric said he would strip 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:16.639 the business from him. Jesus, it was that serious, 00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:21.179 huh? She nods, taking another sip. Mom had never 00:09:21.179 --> 00:09:23.960 mentioned any of this when I called, probably 00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:28.120 not wanting to worry me. Still, had I known I 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:30.440 would have returned, but I'm guessing I would 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:33.799 have made things worse. He's doing drugs. He's 00:09:33.799 --> 00:09:37.679 been cheating on me. She blurts out. I blink 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:41.350 at her. Then her voice breaks. He's been doing 00:09:41.350 --> 00:09:44.110 all of this for years, and I thought I could 00:09:44.110 --> 00:09:46.370 just let it be because I was in school and needed 00:09:46.370 --> 00:09:50.289 to focus. But really, I didn't want to sever 00:09:50.289 --> 00:09:54.990 ties because I loved your family. You know? I 00:09:54.990 --> 00:09:57.590 reach for her hand. You're part of the family 00:09:57.590 --> 00:10:00.389 whether you were with Henry or not. That shouldn't 00:10:00.389 --> 00:10:03.509 have been the deal breaker for you. She shakes 00:10:03.509 --> 00:10:21.039 her head. Henry gave me an STD. What? The fuck? 00:10:38.669 --> 00:10:42.110 But he pulled the marriage thing. That fucker 00:10:42.110 --> 00:10:44.309 knew. He probably knew she was going to call 00:10:44.309 --> 00:10:47.110 it quits. No wonder he was in such a rush to 00:10:47.110 --> 00:10:49.409 schedule the engagement on our parents' anniversary. 00:10:50.149 --> 00:10:52.230 What should have been our parents' day, he made 00:10:52.230 --> 00:10:55.309 about himself. He made sure to do it in a crowd 00:10:55.309 --> 00:10:59.789 so she wouldn't refuse. But jokes on him. I love 00:10:59.789 --> 00:11:03.549 my brother, but his attitude fucking sucks. And 00:11:03.549 --> 00:11:06.210 to give Juliana an STD and put her life at risk, 00:11:06.669 --> 00:11:09.929 that was a low blow. I'm sorry you had to go 00:11:09.929 --> 00:11:12.750 through that. I'm glad it wasn't more serious. 00:11:13.669 --> 00:11:16.629 As for Henry, there's nothing I can say that 00:11:16.629 --> 00:11:19.970 excuses his behavior. But I'm relieved you saw 00:11:19.970 --> 00:11:23.690 it fit to do the right thing. She sighs again. 00:11:24.429 --> 00:11:26.669 Our food arrives, but I don't have the stomach 00:11:26.669 --> 00:11:29.789 to eat. I change the topic because dwelling on 00:11:29.789 --> 00:11:33.450 Henry will only piss me off more. How's your 00:11:33.450 --> 00:11:38.629 hand? Heard it was a sprain? She smiles. Yeah, 00:11:38.970 --> 00:11:43.490 it's much better now. I'm sorry about that. It's 00:11:43.490 --> 00:11:47.429 fine. It's not like it was your fault. We continue 00:11:47.429 --> 00:11:50.049 talking off -topic, and she explains how she 00:11:50.049 --> 00:11:52.269 has two interviews next week in my city for a 00:11:52.269 --> 00:11:55.590 job. I'm surprised she chose my town since her 00:11:55.590 --> 00:11:58.669 family's two plane rides away. But I guess it 00:11:58.669 --> 00:12:03.129 was probably because of Henry. So, where are 00:12:03.129 --> 00:12:06.549 you staying? At a hotel until the interviews. 00:12:07.559 --> 00:12:10.580 Oh. I want to offer for her to stay with me, 00:12:10.580 --> 00:12:13.399 but that may not be appropriate. Hope the breakfast 00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:17.220 is at least good. I joke. It's okay, but I'm 00:12:17.220 --> 00:12:21.139 grateful for lunch. You're welcome. We finish 00:12:21.139 --> 00:12:23.139 eating, and I tell her I'm always available if 00:12:23.139 --> 00:12:26.379 she needs anything. I take her back to my apartment, 00:12:26.419 --> 00:12:28.519 and she gives me a friendly hug before leaving. 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:31.980 This might be fucked up, but it felt good being 00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:34.139 around Juliana without Henry breathing down our 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:37.389 necks. She was herself. and I didn't have to 00:12:37.389 --> 00:12:40.629 filter much over lunch. Days pass and Giuliana 00:12:40.629 --> 00:12:42.789 and I stay in touch through texts and calls. 00:12:43.610 --> 00:12:45.570 When I offered dinner after her final interview, 00:12:45.929 --> 00:12:49.090 she gladly accepted. I felt like a high schooler 00:12:49.090 --> 00:12:52.169 again. Nervous and excited to be going on a date 00:12:52.169 --> 00:12:55.570 with a girl I really liked. As fucked up as our 00:12:55.570 --> 00:12:58.350 situation was, I didn't want to waste what might 00:12:58.350 --> 00:13:00.529 be the last chance to spend time with her before 00:13:00.529 --> 00:13:03.649 she headed back home. She said her interviews 00:13:03.649 --> 00:13:06.779 went well, and more than anything, I hope she 00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:09.860 gets the job. Not just because she deserves to 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:12.659 work somewhere she loves, but because it means 00:13:12.659 --> 00:13:16.200 I'll get to see more of her. But as we move through 00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:20.220 dinner, something feels off. She seems distant. 00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:23.940 Are you sure you're okay? You don't seem like 00:13:23.940 --> 00:13:28.580 yourself today. I'm fine. I don't think you're 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:33.340 fine. Tell me. Is it the job interview? I thought 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:37.710 you said it went well. It did. It's not that. 00:13:38.730 --> 00:13:44.269 Then what? Henry. My stomach drops. What about 00:13:44.269 --> 00:13:47.610 him? I stifle my frustration, bracing for the 00:13:47.610 --> 00:13:49.769 worst, thinking she might want to get back with 00:13:49.769 --> 00:13:54.210 him. But then she says... I... I think I'm being 00:13:54.210 --> 00:13:58.149 followed. I'm not sure. Maybe it's just my mind 00:13:58.149 --> 00:14:02.750 or something. Forget about it. No, don't dismiss 00:14:02.750 --> 00:14:05.740 your feelings. Even though Henry rarely comes 00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:08.820 out to the city, the possibility is still there, 00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:12.440 especially now that she's here. Does he know 00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:16.600 you're here? No. Well, I told him, and your parents, 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:19.779 that I was going back home. I only got the calls 00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:21.720 for the interview the day before the anniversary 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:24.279 party, and the other came after we separated. 00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:30.539 I don't think he knows. Well, good. But I don't 00:14:30.539 --> 00:14:35.299 know. I just feel... If you feel like this, you 00:14:35.299 --> 00:14:38.539 can always come stay with me. She shakes her 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:42.240 head. No, I'm leaving tomorrow anyway. It doesn't 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:44.779 make sense to go through all that. I'm probably 00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:49.080 just overthinking. Well, if it makes you feel 00:14:49.080 --> 00:14:52.019 better, I can take you to the airport tomorrow. 00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:57.820 How about that? She smiles. Yes, that would be 00:14:57.820 --> 00:15:01.860 great. Thanks. The next day comes and I send 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:04.059 Juliana a message saying I'm about to leave home. 00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:06.960 I don't get a response, but I head to the hotel 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:09.759 anyway. It's been 30 minutes and now I'm sitting 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:13.820 in the hotel lobby. She's still not down. She's 00:15:13.820 --> 00:15:16.580 not answering my calls either. It's a good thing 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:19.659 my colleague's sister's at the front desk. I 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:21.519 tell her I'm waiting for Juliana and ask her 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:24.220 to phone her. But when she doesn't get an answer, 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:28.259 I'm worried. Annie hesitates then slips me a 00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:31.429 key card. Her voice barely above a whisper. I 00:15:31.429 --> 00:15:34.730 could get fired for this. I just need to check 00:15:34.730 --> 00:15:37.509 on her. I say, trying to keep the panic out of 00:15:37.509 --> 00:15:40.710 my voice, but it's already there. I take the 00:15:40.710 --> 00:15:44.070 elevator up, heart pounding. At her door, I hear 00:15:44.070 --> 00:15:48.850 voices. One of them hers. I don't wait. I push 00:15:48.850 --> 00:15:51.490 the door open. Henry's got her cornered by the 00:15:51.490 --> 00:15:55.529 bathroom. Bloodshot eyes. Bruised knuckles. Fuck. 00:15:56.269 --> 00:16:00.039 Juliana looks terrified. Trapped. Henry!