Don't ask, Don't tell [Attempt at first scene.]

Don't ask, Don't tell.

[JONATHAN, in his Army Service Uniform, around the age of 30 is in the front yard of his stereotypical, American house playing with his 3 children, two boys ages ERIC,9 and DAVID,7, and a daughter JANE,3]

[Enter EMILY]

[JONATHAN immediately gets up from off the lawn and walks toward his wife.]

EMILY:
I, I, I, [stuttering] ironed your best shirt. Seems like you are ready to go. (small half smile, trying not to hide her tears.]

JONATHAN:
[Taking her hands in his own] You don't need to worry. Everything will be fine.

[She leans up on her tip toes trying to kiss him, he turns away.]

EMILY:
[Frustrated she lets go of his hands and crosses her arms]
God damn it! There you go! Being all distant again! You are shipping out soon and you won't even let me kiss you! [She lowers her voice after a slight glance at the kids and pauses] You don't love me anymore.

JONATHAN:
Emily, you are overreacting. I didn't do it on purpose. [Once again he takes her hands in his own] We can try it again. [Leans in to kiss her]

EMILY:
See. You always do this. You make up an excuse. It always looks as if you are forcing yourself to do it for me. You make it hard for me to be mad at you. You are like a lost puppy. There must be a reason for why you don't want to kiss me anymore. You aren't in love with me anymore.

JONATHAN:
I do love you.

EMILY:
That isn't the same thing. That isn't the same thing as being in love.

JONATHAN:
Come here. [He opens his arms for her and tries to embrace]

EMILY:
You know what. No. Not this time. There has always been something hesitant in our relationship and I've always thought it was because you were shy so you know, I went with it. Now, I am not so sure. [She looks down] Maybe...Maybe we need a break. We'll see how it goes being apart from each other.

JONATHAN:
Wait, hold on a second! You are choosing to take a break with me the day before I ship out? So while I'm out fighting for my life, our fucking country, you are going to be sleeping around with other men? Is that what you are saying?

EMILY:
There is no need to start yelling...the childre-

JONATHAN:
No reason to start yelling? Give me one reason not to start yelling? God damn it Emily! It's not like I'm cheating on you with other women! You know I have never even KISSED another woman before I met you! I'm going out to do my job. You are punishing me for it?! I can't believe you. I can-

EMILY:
YOU ARE A HORRIBLE HUSBAND! [He closes his mouth and looks into her eyes as she finally starts to sob. She walks up to him.] Do you know what's its like...to be in love with someone who shows no emotion toward you? Do you? You are like a robot sometimes! [She closes her eyes for a moment and sighs] I just want...I just want to be loved. I want attention. You don't give me that. You don't even give me anything anymore.

[JONATHAN stares at her for a moment, saying nothing, before he walks away to his truck]

EMILY:
Wait, Jonathan, WAIT! Don't go, COME BACK!

[Scene ends with Emily standing on the lawn sobbing and the three children watching the car drive away in confusion?]

*NOTE TO SELF: Include kids more in beginning scene.