Barbara's Scripts
Synopsis of The Anniversary

In June, 1935, Bud and Erleen eloped with no celebrations and so now, fifty years later, Bud wants to have a big Texas blow-out with barbeque, beer, and a live band. Erleen’s plan is to go on a romantic cruise charting a really blue ocean; however, Bud dismisses this fantasy explaining that they’re simple people, not Dream Boat type people.  

Bud and Erleen have two children who challenge their comfort zones.  Sidney, their daughter, lives “in sin” with Pete in the Texas Hill Country on a herb farm, and Dana, their son, lives “in double-sin” with Eric in New York. However, Sidney’s seventeen-year-old daughter, Carlita, is their pride and joy. She very much reflects her grandparents’ values, planning to marry Jeff, her boyfriend, and have babies as soon as she graduates from high school. She’s lived with Bud and Erleen ever since she was four because Sidney, being a single mom, felt that was best for her.

When Sidney was sixteen, she had a very secret love affair with Carlos, a young Mexican man. He went to Viet Nam and was killed, leaving Sidney with a living reminder of their love. To avoid scandal, Sidney quickly married and had Carlita seven months later.  The only people who knew about Carlos were Janey, Sidney’s best friend, Dana, and Erleen.  Fearing repercussions, everyone decided it was best to keep Bud and Carlita in the dark. Carlos’ mother, Rosa, was told, but asked to keep quiet. Erleen always kept her updated on Carlita’s progress with pictures.

Preparations kick into high gear once Sidney, Pete, and Dana arrive. The family is back together; things are good, until, through an unusual turn of events, Bud and Carlita discover the truth about Carlita’s heritage and then everything goes awry.  

In coming to terms with having a half-Mexican granddaughter and a family who has lied to him for seventeen years, Bud has to face his prejudices and wake up to the reality of his influence on the family. Struggling to accept her heritage, Carlita takes a bold step to define her independence.  Sidney, Erleen, and Dana suffer the anguishes of deceiving those they love the most.

Yet, in spite of all the turmoil, the family comes together for the big anniversary party. Love comes through.  And Bud and Erleen end up going on their first honeymoon, a cruise to the Carribean where the water is bluer than blue.