EXT. TEXAS FARM-TO-MARKET RD. 337 - DAY
Roadside signage identifies the two-lane highway and that we are looking eastbound at a straight stretch that climbs gradually away from us in countryside populated by oak trees and surrounded by hills.
The ENGINE SOUND before Tom's truck arrives at the top of the grade and proceeds toward us.
INT. TRUCK
Hunter driving, Wanda front passenger, Ruth in back.
HUNTER: How did Tom and Gil meet?
RUTH: When our families did, tubing the river.
HUNTER: What river.
RUTH: Medina.
HUNTER: You, Tom and your parents.
RUTH: Yes, and the Mendozas. Gil, his sister Soly, for Soledad, and their parents Javier and Rosa. They were living in San Antonio then.
HUNTER: How old were you?
RUTH: Ten. Tom was about a couple months away from twelve. Gil had just turned twelve, Soly was two days older than me.
HUNTER: Are or were you and Soly friends?
RUTH: We were. She was struck and killed by lightning when she was seventeen. Around that bend on your left is the gate.
EXT. RANCH GATE
Steel and wood featuring letter M, security light and entry keypad, split-rail fence in both directions.
ENGINE SOUND before truck into view round bend. Hunter drives to the gate, Ruth gets out, entrs code on keypad, gate opens, Ruth gets in, Hunter drives through, gate closes as truck disappears into oak stand.
EXT. RANCH HOUSE - DAY
Stone, steel and wood in clearing in oaks from which dirt driveway emerges to arrive at concrete parking area and big garage, one door of which is open to a mid-70s Corvette with Texas plates, as on the KIA SUV parked at garage's closed door. Gil's truck parked nearby, ski and fish boat on the trailer hitched to it.
Gil in rocker on deck stands when he HEARS TRUCK ENGINE moments before the truck appears. Ruth and Wanda wave out their windows, Gil waves back, walks to deck steps, Hunter parks at the garage's open door.
INT. GREETING AREA
Maria and the boys watch discreetly through window curtain crack at Gil walking to Hunter, Ruth and Wanda walking toward him. Gil embraces Ruth and Wanda, he and Hunter shake hands. Maria and the boys watch them walk toward the deck, let the curtain fall back to cover the window, leave frame. FAINT WJHIR OF CICADAS.