Here's a script I wrote about Ted and his fanon mother (that I created), Kate.
*Later that night. TEDās bedroom. A small lamp glows dimly on the bedside table. The muffled sounds of the television downstairs fade into the background. KATE (30s) gently knocks and steps inside. TED (5) is sitting cross-legged on the bed, fiddling with the corner of his blanket.*
TED (shuffles, smiling faintly):
Didnāt think youād come up. Thought youād be arguinā with Dad.
KATE (sits on the edge of the bed, brushing his hair back):
Aināt no point arguinā with him once heās set. Best to let it cool. But I couldnāt leave you sat here on your own, not with that look on your face.
TED (quietly, after a pause):
Felix doesnāt get it, does he? Always makinā me out to be silly.
Heās still a boy himself, tryinā to sound grown. Doesnāt mean he sees clearer than you.
TED (picking at the blanket):
It werenāt just him though⦠itās everyone hearing him. Felix teasing me, Cindy makinā that story, and Penny sittinā right in the room⦠it was embarrassing.
KATE (careful, listening):
You and Penny. You care about her a lot, donāt you?
Well⦠yeah, cause sheās smart. Smarter than me definitely. And sheās nicer than a lot of other people at our school. But when Felix made the joke, I thought about what everyone else would think. Pennyās my friend, but if she heard it⦠what if sheĀ thinks itās true? What if she thinks Iām daft, or wrong?
KATE (soft smile, squeezing his hand):
Youāre not wrong, Theo. Wanting people to be kind, wanting to be near folk who make you feel safe, thatās not wrong. Thatās you knowing what matters.
Soft aināt weak. It means youāve got room in your heart, and thatās a strength of its own. Your dad just grew up where softness werenāt allowed. He donāt see it the way I do.
Sometimes I wish everyone knew. That Iām just who I am. And I wish Penny knew how much I cared for her. That when Iām talking and laughing with her, she makes me feel⦠not stupid.
Maybe one day she will, love. For now, you just keep beinā yourself. Thatās enough. I see it, I reckon Penny also sees it. Youāll find others who do too.
TED (after a long pause, voice small but brighter):
Do you think Penny would ever⦠understand that I care a lot for her? Even though she moved classes and I donāt see her much?
KATE (kisses his forehead, gentle but not pressing):
Thatās for the future to tell. Right now, just enjoy the dragons ānā silly stories. The restāll come when itās ready.
*TED smiles faintly, leaning into her hand. The weight lifts a little. KATE stays with him, stroking his hair until his eyes grow heavy. The door clicks softly as she leaves, leaving TED safe in the quiet glow of his lamp.*