Andy sat on the floor, back resting on the edge of his bed, eyes burning from holding back tears that kept slipping through anyway. His fingers hovered over the phone, the last message he sent to Amber still open.
"Don't text me again. I'm not your child"
He scoffed. "Stupid... stupid..." he muttered.
His throat tightened. The message felt like a knife. Not because he sent it, but because he meant it. And now... he didn't.
His heart slammed against his ribs. It was heavy. Angry. Sad. Like it wanted to cry and scream and shut up all at once. He couldn't explain the feeling. He just wanted it to stop.
FLASHBACKS
Voices in his head. Loud. Violent. Too real.
> "You look like a girl." Quinn's voice.
"Thank you," he had said, playing it cool.
"No, like seriously—you look like a girl. Are you lying to us?"
His throat clenched even in the memory. He could still see her face. Smirking. Testing. Trying to break something in him.
> "What do you mean?"
"Let me see," she had said.
"See what?" Confused.
"I wanna see what you look like. Then I'll know if you're lying."
He had turned away. Shut her out. But her words stayed. They always stayed.
Then Alex.
> "Why don't you like being around people? Do you hate us?"
"I don't hate you... I just don't socialize." That sniffle. That stupid little sniffle.
He remembered the laughter. The sudden smack to his groin.
> "Catch me if you can, small dick!"
That fear. That horror. That humiliation. It sank deep. That's when it started. The withdrawal. The fear of looking in mirrors. The fear of looking human.
And then—
Amber's voice. Sharp. Familiar. Tired.
> "Get up Andy, we're going to the hospital."
"No mom... let me sleep."
"Do you like the way you are?"
"Why should I hate myself?! I'm just eleven! I take drugs, I feel like I could die all the time. My peers are out there—laughing, living—I can't even stand near them."
> "That's why I'm helping you," she had said coldly. "You will be better. But only if you stand up now. Don't keep me waiting."
He'd hated her for that. For being so cold. For pushing him when he just needed to be held. And still... still he loved her. Deeply. Blindly. Like a fool.
And then—
The good memory. The only one that felt warm.
> "Oh my gosh, Andy... this is beautiful." Her voice, soft, for once.
> "I put my soul into it... and my love. It's a portrait of you... I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, my son. I really do."
He had smiled so hard his cheeks hurt. She hugged him like she meant it.
> "What do you want in return?"
"Your support. Stand by my side. Forever. I'd die for you."
She had laughed then. Hugged him tighter.
> "Look at my little boy... all grown up."
And now... now he was alone.
Back to reality.
Andy sat in silence. He hadn't moved. His tears soaked the front of his shirt, but he didn't care. His chest rose and fell like he was running—like he was drowning.
> "I'm a woman!!"
He shouted suddenly.
"A fucking girl! But how?! How?! Why?!"
He punched the ground.
> "Would I still be a bad child... even as a girl?!"
He was shaking, lips trembling. Rage and grief wrapped around his throat.
> "I've been hiding... hiding everything. Just to feel safe. Just to survive. But this... this isn't survival anymore. It's a prison. I'm tired!"
He threw the phone across the room. It hit the wall and cracked.
> "I wish I could be normal!"
"I wish I could stop wanting to die!"
"I wish I could stop missing her!"
He let out a scream so loud it scratched his throat. It sounded like glass shattering from the inside.
The door opened.
Kimberly.
She didn't flinch at the chaos. She walked in slow, her eyes never leaving him. She walked like she knew this moment would come—like she'd been waiting to pick up the pieces.
> "I'll be with you," she said softly. "I'll help you see the real you, my love."
Andy looked up at her, completely shattered.
> "Do you think... it'll be alright?"
His voice cracked like glass. He hated how weak it sounded.
Kimberly kneeled in front of him. She took his face in her hands like it was the most fragile thing she'd ever held.
> "I know it will," she said. "Just give life one more chance. One more time. With me."
Silence.
Andy blinked through the tears. She was real. Her hands were warm.
> "Let's go visit your mother," Kimberly said. "She misses you."
Andy didn't speak.
He just leaned forward... and let himself fall into her arms. His head on her chest. His arms weak around her back. He let the weight fall off—for just a second.
She held him like he was home.
INT. AIRPORT – EARLY MORNING
The world felt quieter in airports before sunrise. Fewer voices. Fewer eyes. Andy sat near the gate, hoodie pulled over his head, hands clenched on his knees. Kimberly sat beside him, close but not pressing.
His eyes were swollen. He hadn't said much on the ride here. Just gave her a nod when she handed him the ticket. A nod when she asked if he was ready. And silence ever since.
A child nearby laughed. It made him flinch. He glanced at the kid—free, careless, hugging a stuffed dragon. Something in Andy's chest twisted.
KIMBERLY
(softly)
You okay?
He shook his head.
ANDY
No. But maybe that's the point.
She nodded like she understood.
KIMBERLY
It doesn't have to be perfect. Just honest.
ANDY
I don't know how to face her, Kim. What do I say? "Hey Mom, sorry I told you I wasn't your child. Turns out I'm still not sure who I am"?
KIMBERLY
You say what's in your heart. Even if it's messy. Especially if it's messy.
Andy stared out the window. The sunrise bled orange across the sky, like the horizon was trying to heal itself.
EXT. SUBURBAN HOUSE – LATE AFTERNOON
The sky was gray, heavy like it had been holding in tears all day—just like Andy. He stood frozen on the front porch, hands trembling at his sides. The house looked smaller than he remembered. Like time had aged it, or maybe it was him who had changed.
Kimberly stood behind him, silent. Present. Her warmth on his back without ever touching him.
He raised his hand... but it hovered midair. He couldn't knock. Not yet.
KIMBERLY
(quietly)
You don't have to say everything today. Just enough to start.
Andy's eyes were glassy. He gave a tiny nod. Then—knock knock.
INT. LIVING ROOM – LATE AFTERNOON–
Warm lamplight filled the room. The soft hum of a half-muted game show played on the TV, casting flickering colors against the walls.
Amber sat on the couch, folding laundry with practiced hands, her movements methodical but distant—like her mind was somewhere else. Jason sat nearby, coffee in hand, eyes skimming the news on his tablet, occasionally muttering under his breath about politics.
Amber paused mid-fold, a shirt clenched in her hands, her eyes darting toward the front door. She had heard the knock. The sound sliced through the quiet like lightning—sharp, sudden, impossible to ignore.
Jason looked up too, brows furrowed.
Amber's breath caught. Her fingers clutched the fabric in her lap, knuckles white. Her heart thudded like it recognized the rhythm.
She stood slowly, like someone waking from a long dream. She walked toward the door—not with fear or hesitation, but with something quieter. Something deeper. Something like faith.
Each step was deliberate. Like she was afraid the moment might break if she moved too fast.
At the door, she paused. Her hand hovered above the handle.
She closed her eyes for one long second.
Then she opened it.
There stood Andy.
Tall and muscular, her powerful frame unmistakable. But her eyes, her voice, her soul were undeniably female—her identity worn quietly and fiercely in every line of her face.
Beside her, Kimberly stood strong and steady, holding Andy's hand like a lifeline.
Amber's breath caught, her lips parting in disbelief.
AMBER
(whispering)
Anna?
Andy nodded, voice breaking.
ANDY
It's me.
Amber stepped forward without hesitation, tears flooding her eyes.
AMBER
I've waited every day for you—every version, every piece.
Andy's knees weakened. She folded into Amber's arms, trembling.
AMBER (through tears)
You're here... my daughter.
Jason approached, quietly stunned.
JASON
Still stronger than me, huh?
Andy gave a shaky laugh. Jason embraced them both.
Then footsteps sounded from the stairs.
ETHAN (25), CALEB (22), and SOPHIA (19) appeared, frozen.
They looked at the scene before them—the tall woman in Amber's arms, Kimberly watching quietly.
SOPHIA
Is that... Anna?
CALEB
She looks so different.
ETHAN
That's our sister?
Amber smiled through tears.
AMBER
Yes. This is Anna. Your sister.
Andy wiped tears, then turned to them.
ANDY
Hi.
Sophia was first to move forward, opening her arms.
SOPHIA
You're so handsome or Beautiful.
Caleb stepped next, wrapping Andy in a warm hug.
CALEB
It's good you're here.
Ethan stood back, eyes shining.
ETHAN
I always wondered what you were really like.
Andy glanced at Kimberly, who gently squeezed her hand. Her presence was like an anchor in the storm of emotions around them.
Amber and Jason stood just behind the children, taking in the scene—tears in Amber's eyes, a calm pride on Jason's face.
JASON
(stepping forward with a soft smile)
Kimberly.
KIMBERLY
Hi, Mr. Anderson.
JASON
Forget the "Mr." part, come here.
He pulled her into a brief but warm hug. Kimberly, surprised, let out a small chuckle.
AMBER
(smiling through her tears)
Kimberly, sweetheart… thank you for bringing our daughter home.
KIMBERLY
She brought herself home, ma'am. I just kept her heart safe along the way.
Amber hugged her without hesitation, arms firm and full of gratitude.
AMBER
Then thank you for holding it when I couldn't.
The children stood back for a moment, watching, taking it all in. Then—
SOPHIA
Wait—you're Kimberly?
KIMBERLY
Guilty as charged.
CALEB
We've heard about you. Mom said you were kind of a badass.
KIMBERLY
I try.
ETHAN
Well... you've got great timing.
He extended his hand, then pulled her into a quick hug too.
SOPHIA
You're basically family already.
Amber stepped back, waving everyone toward the living room.
AMBER
Come in, both of you. Please.
Jason gestured toward the kitchen.
JASON
We've got leftovers and a pot of coffee that's still warm. Sit, eat, breathe. You're home now.
Andy stepped inside first, Kimberly close behind, her hand still in hers.
CALEB
Mom told us stories. Showed us pictures. But nothing felt real until now.
He looked up, eyes locking with Andy's.
CALEB (CONT'D)
You're not who I imagined... you're better.
Andy laughed—a shaky, emotional laugh that cracked through the weight in her chest.
ETHAN
You've got the same fire as Mom. And that stare? Totally Dad's.
Jason raised an eyebrow with a smirk.
JASON
Guilty.
Andy looked around at their faces. Not pity. Not confusion. Just open hearts.
AMBER
(from behind)
She was always brave. Even when she didn't know it.
Andy turned to her mother slowly, eyes stinging.
(softly, to Amber)
Can we talk?
Amber turned, her face softening. She reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind Andy's ear.
AMBER
Yes, my daughter.
She sat beside her on the couch without hesitation, knees close.
ANDY
Okay... I need both you and Dad for this.
(glancing at her siblings)
And I'm sorry, guys—but I wanna speak to Mom and Dad alone for a second.
Jason entered at that moment, carrying two steaming mugs.
JASON
Coffee's ready—just in time.
He handed one to Amber and kept one for himself, then noticed the look on Andy's face.
ETHAN
(already catching on)
Alright. Let's go upstairs.
SOPHIA
(with a teasing shrug)
Alright, if you say so.
She headed toward the stairs.
CALEB
(hesitating)
Just... don't give Amber a hard time. She's really been through a lot because of you.
Andy's breath caught for a second, but she nodded. Caleb gave her a long look, then followed the others upstairs.
The house fell quiet.
Jason sat across from Andy, Kimberly and Amber, coffee in hand, face patient but curious.
JASON
Alright. What did you want to talk about?
Andy drew in a breath that rattled her ribs. She looked at both of them—her parents—eyes full of pain, need, and a decades-old longing.
ANDY
I want to know everything.
She swallowed hard.
ANDY (CONT'D)
No page skipped. No lies. No half-truths. Just... the truth. About me. About why I was raised like this. About what you were trying to protect. I need to understand.
Amber exchanged a glance with Jason. Something unspoken passed between them—an agreement, a reckoning. Jason leaned back slightly. Amber leaned forward.
AMBER
Then we'll tell you everything, Anna. From the beginning.