-deeper- Emily Willis - Barrier -15.07.2021- -

(beat) It was believing I didn't deserve to cross back.

July 15th. I chose this day. Five years ago, I walked out of that house. Three years ago, I said the name "Emily" for the first time in a mirror and didn't flinch.

The only light is the blue-gray glow of a muted television playing an old home movie. A younger Emily, maybe ten, waves at the camera, laughing. -Deeper- Emily Willis - Barrier -15.07.2021-

Present-day EMILY watches her younger self. She doesn't smile.

The deepest barrier wasn’t the door. Or the name. Or the distance. (beat) It was believing I didn't deserve to cross back

She looks at the letter on the chair. It’s from her mother. Unopened.

15.07.2021

"Deeper: Emily Willis – Barrier"

Emily stands. Slowly, she walks to the line of salt. She doesn't step over it. She kneels, blows gently, and breaks the barrier with her breath. Five years ago, I walked out of that house

They tell you the barrier is to keep things out. Monsters. Memories. The hands that touched you in the dark.

(whispering) What if she says sorry? What if she doesn’t?