Why Do People Hurt Each Other?
Pain & Forgiveness
Episode 7: Why Do People Hurt Each Other?
Pain & Forgiveness • Age 12
1
Daughter
I hate Megan.
Dad
Whoa. That's a strong word. What happened?
Daughter
She told everyone my secret. I trusted her and she just... told everyone.
Dad
That's a betrayal. I'm sorry, sweetheart.
Daughter
Why would she do that? I thought we were friends.
Scene: Kitchen table, daughter is crying, phone face-down on table.
2
Dad
When I was twelve, my best friend Tommy broke my favorite action figure.
Daughter
On purpose?
Dad
Yeah. We got in a fight about something stupid, and he just... snapped it in half.
Daughter
What did you do?
Dad
I didn't talk to him for three months.
Scene: Flashback: Young Dad staring at broken toy, Tommy walking away.
3
Dad
I was so angry. Every time I saw him, I'd just... turn away.
Daughter
Did he apologize?
Dad
About a hundred times. I wouldn't listen.
Daughter
Good. He deserved it.
Dad
That's what I thought too. Until Grandma sat me down.
Scene: Young Dad eating alone, Tommy at another table looking sad.
4
Grandma
You know why people hurt each other?
Young Dad
Because they're mean?
Grandma
Sometimes. But usually? They're hurting inside.
Young Dad
So what? That doesn't make it okay!
Grandma
You're right. It doesn't. But understanding why doesn't mean excusing it.
Scene: Grandma's kitchen, she's making cookies.
5
Grandma
Tommy's parents are getting divorced. Did you know that?
Young Dad
No... he didn't tell me.
Grandma
Hurt people hurt people. It's not an excuse, but it's an explanation.
Young Dad
So I should just forgive him?
Grandma
That's up to you. But holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick.
Scene: Young Dad looking thoughtful, cookie in hand.
6
Daughter
So you forgave Tommy?
Dad
Eventually. It took time. But yeah.
Daughter
Are you still friends?
Dad
He's your Uncle Tommy. He's your godfather.
Daughter
Wait, THAT Tommy?
Scene: Daughter's eyes widen in surprise.
7
Dad
Yep. He was my best man at the wedding. He's the one who drove me to the hospital when you were born.
Daughter
But he broke your toy!
Dad
And I said some really mean things to him during that fight. We both hurt each other.
Daughter
What did you say?
Dad
I told him nobody liked him and that's why his parents were splitting up.
Scene: Dad looks ashamed at the memory.
8
Dad
When I finally talked to him, we both apologized. We both cried.
Daughter
You cried?
Dad
Like a baby. We were both hurting and we took it out on each other.
Daughter
But what Megan did was different. She wasn't hurting.
Dad
Are you sure about that?
Scene: Flashback: Young Dad and Tommy hugging, both crying.
9
Daughter
I mean... her parents are always fighting. And she's been really quiet lately.
Dad
I'm not saying you have to forgive her right away. Or even at all. That's your choice.
Daughter
But?
Dad
But maybe try to understand. People mess up. Sometimes they're dealing with stuff we don't see.
Scene: Daughter picking up her phone, thinking.
10
Daughter
What if I forgive her and she hurts me again?
Dad
That's the risk. Forgiveness doesn't mean forgetting. It doesn't mean letting someone keep hurting you.
Daughter
Then what does it mean?
Dad
It means you're not carrying their mistake around anymore. You're free.
Scene: Dad's hand on daughter's shoulder, supportive.
He wishes he could protect her from every hurt, every betrayal. But he can't. All he can do is be here, right now.
11
Daughter
I think I'm going to text her.
Dad
Yeah?
Daughter
Yeah. I'm not saying everything's okay. But... I want to hear her side.
Dad
That's really mature of you.
Daughter
I learned from the best.
Scene: Daughter typing on phone, Dad watching proudly.
12
Dad
You know what Grandma told me after I made up with Tommy?
Daughter
What?
Dad
She said, 'The people worth keeping are the ones worth forgiving.'
Daughter
Was she always that wise?
Dad
Always. I wish you could have known her better.
Daughter
Me too.
Scene: They sit in comfortable silence.
He thinks about all the people he's lost, all the time that slips away. He holds this moment close.