Like Mother, Like Daughter
A lady named Marlene (Reagan Foxx) is anxiously tidying her living room, adjusting the couch pillows, rearranging the ornaments on her fireplace mantle and coffee table, when her partner, Tom (Brad Newman), surprising her from behind, places his hands on her shoulders comfortingly. He instructs her to relax and take a seat, to calm her nerves and reduce her anxiety. Guiding her towards the bay window, he sits down, clasping her hands in his, and gently encourages her to sit.
Marlene confesses her concerns to him - she's anxious about her opportunity to reconnect with Alyssa (Alina Lopez), and she doesn't want to mess it up. Tom soothes her, assuring her that her step-daughter is likely ready to reconcile. Otherwise, why would she have accepted Marlene's invitation after so long if she still held resentment? Marlene admits that Tom might be correct, and tenderly places her hand on his cheek.
She appreciates his support throughout the entire weekend, knowing that without him, she'd be a bundle of nerves. He didn't need to do that. Tom gives her hands a gentle kiss, insisting that he'll always be there for her, which she knows.
Their moment of intimacy is interrupted by a car pulling into the driveway, visible from the bay window. Marlene conjectures nervously that it must be Alyssa. Tom reassures her once again, placing his hand comfortingly on her shoulder.
She nods and watches as a young lady steps out of the car, carrying a travel bag. Alyssa takes a moment to survey the expansive mansion-like residence with an unreadable expression before returning her sunglasses to her face and shutting the car door behind her. As the car drives away, Marlene composes herself and moves towards the front door to welcome Alyssa, her hands wringing anxiously.
Tom accompanies her. Marlene greets Alyssa somberly as she opens the door, extending her arms in a welcoming gesture. She expresses her gratitude for Alyssa's decision to visit after such a lengthy absence.
Alyssa, however, shows no intention of returning the gesture, stopping just out of Marlene's reach. She addresses Marlene coldly, showing no emotion behind her sunglasses. She turns to Tom, standing a few steps behind Marlene, and acknowledges him as Marlene's boyfriend.
He introduces himself with a smile, extending a hand to shake hers. Alyssa, slightly amused, hands her bag to Marlene without looking at her, removes her sunglasses, and shakes Tom's hand. He tells her that he's heard a lot about her from Marlene and has been eager to meet her.
Withdrawing his hand after a firm shake, Tom comments on the striking resemblance between Alyssa and Marlene, stating that if he didn't know better, he'd assume they were biological mother and daughter. Alyssa retorts that their physical resemblance is the only thing they have in common. Tom, however, is confident that Alyssa is a delightful young woman.
Alyssa, unfazed, walks past Marlene and Tom, placing her sunglasses in his shirt pocket, and enters the house. She calls out to Marlene from inside, and Marlene exchanges a worried glance with Tom. Once again, Tom attempts to reassure her, reminding her that all teenagers exhibit moodiness and sarcasm.
He points out that Alyssa still decided to come, and Marlene concedes, with Tom giving her a knowing wink. He then enters the house, and Marlene takes a deep breath to compose herself before following him inside. Later that day, Marlene brings a plate of freshly baked cookies to the table where Alyssa is using her laptop.
She notes that she's made Alyssa's favorite cookies, but Alyssa merely glances at the plate with disinterest and disdain before returning her attention to Marlene. She comments on the luxury of Marlene's home, insinuating that Marlene's decision to abandon the family after Alyssa's father's death has paid off. In a gentle tone, Marlene confides in Alyssa, explaining that she never intended to cause her or her siblings any pain.
She was grieving and in shock following her husband's death, and she didn't know how to cope with her loss. She assumed that the family would stay with their biological mother - his ex-wife - and her new husband, so she didn't feel as though she was abandoning them. She believed they would be better off.
She had planned to return to them once she had healed, but she now acknowledges that her decision was wrong. She understands how it must have intensified the family's sense of loss. She expresses her sincere regret and mentions her efforts to make amends ever since.
She notes that all of Alyssa's other siblings have forgiven her and questions why Alyssa can't do the same. Alyssa appears sympathetic as she slowly stands.
Marlene confesses her concerns to him - she's anxious about her opportunity to reconnect with Alyssa (Alina Lopez), and she doesn't want to mess it up. Tom soothes her, assuring her that her step-daughter is likely ready to reconcile. Otherwise, why would she have accepted Marlene's invitation after so long if she still held resentment? Marlene admits that Tom might be correct, and tenderly places her hand on his cheek.
She appreciates his support throughout the entire weekend, knowing that without him, she'd be a bundle of nerves. He didn't need to do that. Tom gives her hands a gentle kiss, insisting that he'll always be there for her, which she knows.
Their moment of intimacy is interrupted by a car pulling into the driveway, visible from the bay window. Marlene conjectures nervously that it must be Alyssa. Tom reassures her once again, placing his hand comfortingly on her shoulder.
She nods and watches as a young lady steps out of the car, carrying a travel bag. Alyssa takes a moment to survey the expansive mansion-like residence with an unreadable expression before returning her sunglasses to her face and shutting the car door behind her. As the car drives away, Marlene composes herself and moves towards the front door to welcome Alyssa, her hands wringing anxiously.
Tom accompanies her. Marlene greets Alyssa somberly as she opens the door, extending her arms in a welcoming gesture. She expresses her gratitude for Alyssa's decision to visit after such a lengthy absence.
Alyssa, however, shows no intention of returning the gesture, stopping just out of Marlene's reach. She addresses Marlene coldly, showing no emotion behind her sunglasses. She turns to Tom, standing a few steps behind Marlene, and acknowledges him as Marlene's boyfriend.
He introduces himself with a smile, extending a hand to shake hers. Alyssa, slightly amused, hands her bag to Marlene without looking at her, removes her sunglasses, and shakes Tom's hand. He tells her that he's heard a lot about her from Marlene and has been eager to meet her.
Withdrawing his hand after a firm shake, Tom comments on the striking resemblance between Alyssa and Marlene, stating that if he didn't know better, he'd assume they were biological mother and daughter. Alyssa retorts that their physical resemblance is the only thing they have in common. Tom, however, is confident that Alyssa is a delightful young woman.
Alyssa, unfazed, walks past Marlene and Tom, placing her sunglasses in his shirt pocket, and enters the house. She calls out to Marlene from inside, and Marlene exchanges a worried glance with Tom. Once again, Tom attempts to reassure her, reminding her that all teenagers exhibit moodiness and sarcasm.
He points out that Alyssa still decided to come, and Marlene concedes, with Tom giving her a knowing wink. He then enters the house, and Marlene takes a deep breath to compose herself before following him inside. Later that day, Marlene brings a plate of freshly baked cookies to the table where Alyssa is using her laptop.
She notes that she's made Alyssa's favorite cookies, but Alyssa merely glances at the plate with disinterest and disdain before returning her attention to Marlene. She comments on the luxury of Marlene's home, insinuating that Marlene's decision to abandon the family after Alyssa's father's death has paid off. In a gentle tone, Marlene confides in Alyssa, explaining that she never intended to cause her or her siblings any pain.
She was grieving and in shock following her husband's death, and she didn't know how to cope with her loss. She assumed that the family would stay with their biological mother - his ex-wife - and her new husband, so she didn't feel as though she was abandoning them. She believed they would be better off.
She had planned to return to them once she had healed, but she now acknowledges that her decision was wrong. She understands how it must have intensified the family's sense of loss. She expresses her sincere regret and mentions her efforts to make amends ever since.
She notes that all of Alyssa's other siblings have forgiven her and questions why Alyssa can't do the same. Alyssa appears sympathetic as she slowly stands.
Actors:
