Keeping A Piece Of You

SCENE BEGINS with Diana (Sovereign Syre) silently entering her 18-year-old step-son Joshua's room. The atmosphere is somber as she meanders through the space, tenderly touching Joshua's belongings. Her gaze is filled with longing and melancholy, hinting at her sadness. Joshua's voice rings out, 'Mom! I'm back!' Diana instantly brightens, her mood uplifted as she responds to him and exits the room. Diana then welcomes Joshua (Nathan Bronson), though her welcome carries a hint of seduction. Joshua is taken aback by Diana's choice of attire, which is somewhat provocative. He questions if she's dressed this way because she's preparing to venture into the dating world again, contending that she needs to move forward as it's what his father would have wished. Diana firmly states she has no interest in dating and that raising Joshua was her utmost priority. She expresses her impending sense of loss when he departs for college, and shares a plan she's devised to ease the transition. Diana guides Joshua back to his room to continue their conversation. CUT TO TITLE Diana confesses her desire for Joshua to father her child, believing it will maintain their close bond. Joshua is stunned and hesitant, firmly refusing. Diana crumbles, pleading for his assistance while guilt-tripping him. Is he willing to shatter his mother's heart? Joshua is halted by this emotional plea, caught between rational thought and familial duty. Diana seizes this moment of vulnerability, tearfully promising him that she will keep their secret, if he wishes to keep it hidden. She acknowledges that boys his age may be too young to shoulder such a burden... Joshua is conflicted but he's clearly concerned about Diana's distress. Eventually, he reluctantly consents to her request, as long as it remains their secret. He simply wants her to find happiness and dislikes seeing her in such a state. Diana seeks to preserve a part of Joshua, but how much is she truly willing to take from him?