02x02 - April's Story

[bunniefuu]

[MAN]: April?

Take that outta your...
Take that outta your mouth.

Come on.

April!

Robert was talking to you.

I was just reminding you that the judge

has tremendous discretion
in these sentencing hearings,

so the impression that you make
on him will count for a lot...

- [WOMAN]: Wyatt, let go.
- [CHILD FUSSING]

The most important thing is
to stick to your statement.

Don't try to re-litigate what
happened or whose fault it was...

Wyatt, hey. Stop it.

Hey, he can chew his
shirt if it keeps him calm.

He shouldn't even be here.

Optics are important.

You need to keep the
judge's focus on the fact

that you're a mother with a young child.

Who we're putting on
display like a prop.

- We've been over this.
- [SIGHING]: Jake.

It's crucial that he see you as a mother

whose child needs you.

I just don't wanna traumatize him.

It's a little late for that.

Let's just get through this, okay?

Hey, Wy, come on.

Come on, bud.

[TENSE MUSIC]

[WOMAN ON PHONE]: I'll
need to pull up the file.

- Can you hold, please?
- [APRIL]: Yeah, no, uh-huh.

I can wait.

Wyatt!

Hey, honey. [KNOCKS ON WINDOW]

Wait for me in the car.

I'll be right there. Okay?

[KNOCKS ON WINDOW] Wyatt!

[DOG BARKING IN THE DISTANCE]

- [WOMAN ON PHONE]: Hello?
- Yes, hi. I'm here.

- Tell me your name again?
- April Harris.

So you need a referral for Dr. Reynolds?

[APRIL]: No, no, no. He
already saw Dr. Reynolds.

She referred him to Dr. Stevenson,

but his office said that
we need a referral code

before we can get an appointment, so...

- And this is for you, right?
- No, it's not for me.

It's for my son, Wyatt.

Uh-huh. I see.

That's what I'm trying to explain.

Dr. Stephenson won't
give my son an appointment

without a referral code. So...

How about Tuesday at 4?

Thank you. Yes. Tuesday works. 4pm.

Great. We'll be there. Thank you.

I finally got Wyatt an appointment

with that new doctor.

I just hope she's
better than the last one.

He, the doctor's a he.

Then I hope he's better.

- [APRIL]: Me too.
- Hey.

[PANTING]: Have a good day.

You too.

And uh, [CLEARS THROAT]
don't overdo it, okay?

[TENSE MUSIC]

[NEWSCASTER ON RADIO]:
Calling for mild temperatures

through the evening with a low near 58.

Cooling off tomorrow with a high of 63.

Clouds moving in late in the afternoon

with a chance of thunderstorms again.

Changing to light rain overnight...

Coffee's made!

[DOG BARKING IN THE DISTANCE]

Jake! You're blocking me!

I told you to wait in the car, Wy.

- Come on, we're late.
- Sorry, sorry, sorry.

Wy, don't make me ask you again.

[CAR STARTING]

Wyatt.

In the car. Now.

[CLATTER]

Wyatt!

Did you see that?

He deliberately kicked the ball at me.

I'm sure it was an accident.

You didn't see it.

Just take a breath, okay?

We need to talk about this commute.

You don't want me to work?

It's an extra 40 minutes each way,

for just a few more bucks an hour.

My job pays his tuition.

Yeah, at a school that
doesn't seem to be helping.

Let's not do this now, okay?

I just think he may be picking
up on your stress levels...

- Nope. Not now.
- April.

[CAR STARTING]

Wyatt, honey?

I'm sorry I yelled earlier.

Sometimes I have big feelings too.

Just like you.

And that's okay.

But we gotta use our words, right?

Wy?

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Okay, Boo.

Remember, Daddy is gonna
pick you up after school

and take you to Ben's for a play date.

But you said we would get ice cream.

I'm sorry, Boo.

I need to take a shift over
from one of the other nurses.

We can go tomorrow.

Oh.

Hey, Farrah.

Can, um, can Wyatt walk in with Ben?

Hey Ben, catch up with Wyatt, okay?

[BEN]: Hey, Wyatt.

How cute are they?

Listen, April, I'm really sorry,

I can't take Wyatt after school.

- Oh?
- I was about to call you.

Um, when I told Ben that
Wyatt was coming over,

he got pretty upset.

Apparently, yesterday they were playing

and Wyatt got mad and hit him
in the face with a Beyblade.

- Oh my gosh.
- Yeah.

I am so sorry.

I just um... I think it might be best

that the boys take a bit of
a break for a little while.

No, I understand.

We can talk about it tomorrow.

I know you have to go.

We'll talk about it tomorrow.

Okay.

[SOFT MUSIC]

[LINE RINGING]

- [VOICEMAIL]: Hi, it's Jake. Now you talk!
- [BEEP]

Jake, call me, okay? It's important.

[GASPS]

[SIGHS]

- [CAR BEEPS]
- All rise.

The Honorable Judge Reid presiding.

The Court is now in session.

[TENSE MUSIC]

Good morning. Please be seated.

This is a sentencing hearing
for April Elizabeth Harris.

[CAR BEEPS]

Really?

Excuse me.

You hit my door.

I'm really sorry, sir. I was
just trying to get into my car.

Oh yeah. You hit it.

I mean, barely.

I... heard it from all
the way back there. So...

You didn't leave me any
room. You blocked me in.

See? I can barely open my door.

So maybe just wait?

I was supposed to stand here and just...

wait so I could get into my car?

You know, just use the other door.

I was here first. You blocked me in.

[CAMERA SHUTTER]

Okay, you know what?
I really am sorry, sir.

I didn't mean to bump
your car with my door.

But luckily you're here now,

so can you please move
your car so I can get in?

Oh my God.

I have a really long
commute. I have to go.

That sounds like a "you" problem.

Excuse me?

I'm not going anywhere until
we exchange information.

So you can pay for that damage.

Damage? There...

There's nothing here.
This is probably just dirt.

- Don't touch my car.
- What?

You don't think you
did anything? Really?

All right, then I'm gonna
have to call the cops

and they'll come out here and decide.

You know what?

- I'm not doing this.
- What? You're not doing this?

I am late for work. I have to go.

Wait, wait, wait. You'll
stay as long as it takes.

Are you seriously leaving?
Are you... are you for real?

Miss, stop!

I got... I got pictures.

Hey! Hey! I got pictures of your plates.

What? You really think you're
gonna get away with this?

Where are you going?

[CAR SPEEDS UP]

Subsequent to the
defendant's guilty plea,

it is my understanding that
the prosecution has filed

victim impact statements
from the victim's family.

- Is that correct?
- Yes, Your Honor.

I also have the State's
sentencing memorandum.

Are you still holding
to these recommendations?

Yes, Your Honor.

The State is seeking
the statutory maximum...

- Stop it.
- ... of ten years incarceration

along with any restitution
ordered by the Court.

We believe that the sentence is just

in light of the facts of the case

and the harm caused by Ms.
Harris to the community.

[THEME MUSIC]

[LINE RINGING]

"You'll stay as long as it takes"?

Unbelievable!

- [VOICEMAIL]: Hi, it's Jake. Now you talk!
- [SCOFFS]

[TIRE SCREECHING]

[PANTS]

[HONKING]

[CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS]

[DEEP BREATHING]

- [MUSIC STOPS]
- [PHONE RINGS]

Hello?

Hi, April. It's Principal
Frank from Meadows Academy.

Is everything okay?

Wyatt's fine. But we had
another incident today.

What happened?

This one was a little more serious.

One of the girls spilled
some paint on Wyatt's desk,

so Wyatt turned over her desk

and destroyed the
artwork she just finished.

So, I think it's best
if you come pick him up.

Oh...

I'm late for work but
I can call my husband.

Okay. And then I'd like to
set a time we can all meet.

Talk about his options going forward.

Of course.

All right. Thanks, April.

- See you soon.
- Yeah, okay.

[LINE RINGING]

[JAKE]: Hey, what's up?

I tried you twice, why
didn't you call me back?

Sorry, I was in the shower,
and then I got a work call.

You need to pick up Wyatt from school.

Uh, yeah. Yeah, I was planning on it.

No, not after school, now.

Why? What do you mean? Is he okay?

There was another incident.

I think they're gonna
kick him out of school.

[SIGHS]

- What happened?
- He had another outburst

with an entirely different kid.

They want us to come get him right away.

Uh well, I have a team meeting at nine

- and the CFO is joining.
- Jake, I'm already on the road!

Well, they can't expect
us to just drop everything.

They're on the verge of expelling him.

Can you please figure
something out this one time?

It is always me.

Okay. Okay, fine.

Uh...

- let me call Colin.
- [PHONE BEEPS]

- Seriously? I...
- What?

I just said I'd do it.

No, my phone is dying and
the charger is not here.

Ah sh**t, I'm sorry.

I may have borrowed it and
forgotten to put it back.

- Jake.
- I know, I know. I just said I'm sorry, okay?

But look, you know what?

Maybe this is actually for the best.

Maybe Meadows isn't the right fit,

it could be a blessing in disguise.

- Are you serious?
- Yeah.

We'll put him back in public
school, get him a shadow.

You can cut down on your hours
or maybe even quit altogether.

Spend more time with him at home.

Maybe that'll be
better for hi, you know?

- April? Hello?
- Unbelievable.

Why is that so crazy?

He could do better if we're
both not spread so thin.

No, honey.

There is some guy following
me, some jackass...

What? What are you talking about?

April, can you hear me?

You still there?

What's going on?

April, tell me what happened.

Nothing. It was over nothing.
I barely touched his car

with my door in the parking
lot and he went off on me.

Oh my God.

And now he's all bent out of shape

because I wouldn't kowtow to him!

Okay um... Okay just take a deep breath.

- Jerk!
- April.

Don't provoke him, he might have a g*n.

He's in a BMW.

- Honey...
- I'm trying to let him pass!

Go around me!

- April, please. Let it go.
- I am!

I am trying to let him pass.

[TIRES SCREECHING]

Go around me!

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

He's not going!

- Can you just pull over?
- There's no one else out here.

If I stop now, I don't
know what's he's gonna do.

What?

What is he doing?

April. Call 911 then call me right back.

Yeah. Okay.

[LINE RINGING]

- [TIRES SCREECHING]
- [YELPS]

What are you doing, you lunatic?

You're gonna k*ll someone!

911, what's your emergency?

Hello. Hi. Um, I'm on Route 92

and there's a car in
front of me. He's crazy.

He was tailgating me and
then he tried to cut me off.

Where on 92 are you?
Can you see a road sign?

No, I uh... I don't know.

- Somewhere past Bennett.
- Any landmarks?

- Not really. No just...
- [TIRES SCREECHING]

Jesus. [YELPS]

It's like he wants me to crash into him!

Ma'am, we're going to locate
you through your phone.

What's the make, model
and color of your car?

I'm in a 2010 Toyota Corolla.

And what about the other driver?

Uh, it's a dark blue BMW.
Maybe I can make out the plate.

No, ma'am. Do not engage the
other driver. Keep your distance.

I'm trying but every time
I slow down, he slows down.

Can you just stay on
the line with me while...

[PHONE BEEPS]

No.

No! Damnit, Jake!

[TIRES SCREECHING]

Son of a b*tch.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

Excuse me. Hello... Uh,
can I use your phone?

Oh, uh, sorry, it's not for customers.

- It's a liability sorta thing...
- Please, I'm being followed.

My phone is dead. I need to call 911.

[LINE RINGING]

Thank you. I swear I'm not crazy.

- 911, what's your emergency?
- Hi. Hello!

Um, I'm being followed.

Somebody's trying to
run me off the road.

- I'm on Route 92 in... where?
- Harding.

I'm at a gas station in
Harding. I called earlier.

I'm in a 2010 Toyota Corolla,

I don't know if you have the
information from the other call...

What kind of car is the other driver in?

Uh... oh God. Uh... Okay,
it's a dark blue BMW.

- Is he still following you?
- I don't know.

I'm in a gas station so...

Can you confirm the address
where you're calling from?

What's the address here?

It's 127 West Pike.

All right, we've got that.

- We have a unit on the way now, ma'am.
- [APRIL]: Okay.

If you see the other
vehicle, do not engage.

Just stay where you are.

Try to remain where there are
other people, do you understand?

Okay. Yes. I will. Thank you.

- Stay safe, Ma'am.
- Bye.

- [LINE HANGS UP]
- Thank you.

No problem.

Do you have a phone charger I could use?

Um...

Ah, okay.

Thank you.

[TENSE MUSIC]

I will not get fired for being late.

I will not get fired.

Nope.

Not today. [SNIFFLES]

- Come on, come on, come on.
- [TIRES SCREECHING]

Oh, no.

No, no.

- Roll down your window.
- Are you kidding?

- You just tried to k*ll me!
- Open your window or I'm gonna open...

The police will be here any minute!

- Get away from me!
- Open it! [HONKING]

- [APRIL]: Help!
- He's cool but I don't wanna

share a a crappy motel
with him for three days.

- Help! Help!
- Open it!

Somebody help!

Oh! Here we go!

Ha! You got a kid?

He must be a real piece of work.

With a mother like you.

Great mom! Really great mom.

[PHONE RINGING]

Hello.

Yeah. Yeah, I can talk. Hit me.

No, I'm headed over there right now.

Yeah, no, I got uh...

I got tied up with some
lunatic on the highway.

[CHUCKLES]

No.

Some crazy b*tch.

Yeah, crazy b*tch.

No, an idiot.

Yeah. [CHUCKLES]

Women!

Hey!

Hey!

Is this funny to you?

[ENGINE STARTS]

You dented my car!

You...

damaged my car!

[HONKS]

Who do you think you are?

Kicking my car?

Laughing... at me?

[FOREBODING MUSIC]

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[RUMBLING]

Come on.

Where are you, huh?

[TENSE MUSIC]

Yeah, that's right. It's me.

That crazy b*tch. Your new best friend.

I know you see me.

That's what I thought.

How does it feel, huh?

You like that?

[YELPS]

Ah!

Ha!

- [TIRES SCREECHING]
- [YELPS]

Fine.

I can do this all day!

Okay. That's your move?

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[YELPS]

Oh my God. Oh my God.

What are you doing?

Do you think I'm gonna talk to you?

Are you nuts?

- [YELPS]
- [TIRES SCREECHING]

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

You maniac!

Ms. Harris. Counsel informs me

that you would like to make a statement

before I impose sentence.

Yes, Your Honor.

Very well. You may proceed.

[QUIETLY]: Wyatt, please.

Wyatt, stop it.

- [BANG]
- Stop it.

- Obvi...
- [BANG]

[WHISPERING]: Stop it.

Obviously, words are not enough

to express just how sorry I am.

[BANG CONTINUES]

Enough.

- How sorry I am for...
- [BANG]

- All right. Come on.
- What, what...

- Yep.
- No, I gotta go back...

- Come on Wyatt.
- No. I want to stay!

- Come on.
- No! No!

- Sorry, Your Honor.
- No, I wanna stay!

- Wyatt!
- Let go of me.

Stop it...

Your Honor, may I request a brief recess

so my client can address the situation?

[SIGHS]

Five-minute recess.

Wy, come on. Look, you gotta calm down.

Let's do your breathing, yeah?

Count with me, in for four,

nice and slow. Come
on, Wy. In for four...

- Hey!
- ... like we worked on. Look, come on.

- I wanna go home!
- Dammit, Wyatt!

Hey, honey.

- [WYATT MOANS]
- It's okay.

Jake.

- Mom, can you take him outside?
- Sure. Wyatt. Yep.

Wyatt, honey, come
with Grandma. That's it.

Jake... what's going on?

[SIGHS]

Can you...

[EXHALES DEEPLY]

can you talk to me?

Please?

Jake?

You've been cold to me
ever since the accident.

Whatever you're thinking or feeling,

it's worse if you don't say it.

Hm.

If you can't be honest
with each other now

- we might not get another chance.
- What do you want me to say?

I'm trying.

I'm here. I've been here
at your side supporting you.

Because... I know how hard it is,

how horrible you feel, but...

[SOFT MUSIC]

But this didn't just
happen to you, April.

So...

yeah.

I'm angry. And I'm...

I'm really angry.

[SNIFFLES] Because...

Look, if you go to prison
today, not only do I lose you,

which is unthinkable enough, but...

but somehow, I'm supposed
to raise him on my own.

And what if I can't?

What if I don't know how?

[WHIMPERS]

The outbursts, the
therapists, the schools.

[SHAKY INHALE]

[LOUD EXHALE]

You carried it.

All of it.

And I let you.

I'm sorry,

and I'm terrified.

I'm absolutely terrified.

[INHALES AND EXHALES DEEPLY]

[SNIFFLES]

[TENSE MUSIC]

[PANTING]

[RUMBLING]

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[APRIL]: Who's afraid now, huh?

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

Maniac.

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]

- [HONKING]
- [YELPS]

[IMPACT]

[CRASH]

[FOREBODING MUSIC]

[WHIMPERING]

[LINE RINGING]

911, what's your emergency?

I'm on Route 92 at the
scene of a car accident.

There's a male victim,
we need an ambulance.

Okay I'm gonna ask you
to check for any signs...

- Oh, thank God.
- ... of breathing or movement.

- Is he conscious?
- Sir.

- Does he appear to be breathing?
- Sir?

He's breathing but his heart
rate's low. I think he's in shock.

Do you know where on Route 92 you are?

No... way, way past Harding.

- Try to stay calm...
- Ah! I need to get him out of this car.

Sir, you've been in an accident

and I need to get you
out of your car now.

[EFFORT GRUNTS]

I gotta get you away from it.

[GRUNTS]

[YELPS]

[GRUNTING]

- Stop. Get off of me!
- [MAN]: You crazy b*tch!

[PAINED GRUNT]

[YELPS]

[GRUNTS]

Get away!

[PANTING]

I'm trying to help you.

Enough. Enough.

- [HONKING]
- [TIRES SCREECHING]

Excuse me? Uh, I'm here to see my wife,

April Harris.

I was told she was
here or uh headed here

- after a car accident.
- Yeah, she's here.

Well, they said she was okay but...

I'll let Detective Brimm
know you're here. Have a seat.

- Detective?
- Please, take a seat.

[PHONE DIALS BEEP]

- Brimm?
- Yeah.

[OFFICER, QUIETLY]: Yeah. Uh, I
have April Harris' husband here.

- [BRIMM]: Fine. All right.
- [OFFICER]: Okay.

[SIGHS]

[CLERK]: I dunno, she
was pretty wound up,

she said she was getting
chased by a guy in a BMW.

And I happened to look outside,

and I saw her yelling
at this guy in a Beemer

who looked like he was
trying to get away from her.

Uh, and then she just
took off after him.

Like it looked like she
was the one dogging him.

Mr. Harris?

I'm Detective Brimm. Oh no, have a seat.

Where's my wife?

I need to ask you some questions first.

Questions? Is she okay?

Yeah. She's fine.

When was the last time
you spoke with your wife?

Uh, this morning.

Right before her phone died.

She said some man was
following her in his car.

She say why?

Only that they'd gotten into
some kinda an argument over a...

a parking spot. I told her to call 911.

And what can you tell me

about your wife the
last time you saw her?

What was her state of mind?

Is she being charged with something?

We're just trying to
get the full picture.

I don't... I don't know
if I feel comfortable

answering questions
without a lawyer present.

Of course.

We're just trying to
understand what happened.

Come with me.

[TENSE MUSIC]

This way.

- [SAD MUSIC]
- [SOBBING]

[JAKE, WHISPERING]: It's okay.

It's okay.

[SOBBING]

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

[EXHALES DEEPLY]

[SNIFFLES]

I'm sorry. The uh... the other
family is back in the courtroom,

so the judge really
needs us in there now.

Come on, boy.

- Is he ready?
- Well, what do you think?

Do you think you can show
everybody what a good listener you are?

- Mom.
- Yeah?

I need you to keep him outside.

- What do you mean?
- Take him for ice cream maybe?

Whatever he wants.

April, I really think it's important

that the whole family be present...

- I know, but...
- The judge needs to be...

I'm sorry, Robert.

Wy, hey.

[EXHALES DEEPLY]

It's her call.

[APRIL]: Wy, come here.

Whatever happens,

it's gonna be okay. Yeah?

- Yeah.
- [APRIL]: Yeah.

I love you.

You know that, right?

I love you...

so...

much.

[SOFT MUSIC]

- Okay.
- Come on, let's get some ice cream.

Come on.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

All right.

Are we ready to proceed?

Yes, Your Honor.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Ms. Harris, pursuant to
Criminal Code, Section 2903,

you stand convicted of
Felony Vehicular as*ault

and Reckless Operation
of a Motor Vehicle,

both punishable by
incarceration and fines.

You have pleaded
guilty to these charges.

Before I impose sentence,

you may continue making the
statement you started earlier.

If that's still what you want to do.

Yes, Your Honor.

Obviously, words are not
enough to adequately express

just how sorry I am for what happened.

My lawyer wanted my
son to be here for this.

He wanted you to see me as a sympathetic

and a loving wife and mother.

Rather than a...

person whose reckless
actions took a life.

My son has needs that are challenging.

Things my husband and I
weren't fully prepared for.

And for years...

I've been telling myself I was fine.

I could handle it.

But the truth is...

I have been

so tired

for so long.

Just...

running on empty. And I
couldn't stop, you know?

Every day.

I just kept going.

I didn't realize I was...

drowning until...

This isn't the person
I ever thought I was,

but my actions are mine.

And they are the reason that
you're here without a husband.

And you are here without a father.

Nothing I can say will change that.

So I won't try to make

[VOICE BREAKING] excuses.

But I will ask for leniency.

So that I can be there for my husband

and my son...

my unique, beautiful boy,

who I love so much it hurts. [SNIFFLES]

I am not a perfect mother

but I am a loving mother.

And I will spend the rest of my life

trying to do right by him.

I am so sorry.

Thank you.

Ms. Harris, is that your
full statement to the court?

I will say I am moved by
your candor, Ms. Harris.

But you are correct,

we are here because our legal
system demands accountability.

In consideration of the
gravity of the charges,

and the sentencing recommendation

by the District Attorney,

I hereby impose a fine of $10,000

and remand you to the custody

of the State Department of Corrections

to serve a term of
incarceration beginning today

of a period not to exceed three years.

We are adjourned.

With good behavior, you
could be paroled in a year.

[BAILIFF]: Let's go, Ma'am.

[EMOTIONAL MUSIC]

You can do this.

[HANDCUFFS CLICKS]

I promise.

[BREATHES SHAKILY]

We'll be okay.

We'll be okay.

[SHAKY INHALE, EXHALE]