Shelby is a young woman who has come to terms with the fact that she is a proud and out lesbian. It is in the midst of a random encounter that she ends up finding the love of her life Jessi. Unfortunately, Jessi does not have the same relationship with her family as Shelby does. Jessi's family is deeply religious, and they decide that they will tell everyone that they are just best friends so that they won't have to deal with the push back. But through many events or homophobic comments Shelby can’t pretend like it doesn’t bother her and she gives Jessi an ultimatum either she tells her family about their relationship or they will have to break up. It is on this night that these two women go on the journey of their lives. After a tumultuous response from Jessi’s family, they jump in their car and drive hundreds of miles to Florida to watch the sunrise on the beach and realize how special they are to one another. They follow that with a night of dancing and celebrating Shelby’s birthday at a random club called Pulse. As they enjoy their first slow dance wrapped up in the freedom that they have just found the bullets begin to fly. Shelby does everything she can to keep Jessi safe but in the end a bullet finds its way in between them. This is a story of love, recovery and tolerance that reminds us that when you find that person that truly makes you feel like you have everything you need in the world wrapped up in them, that nothing and no one will be able to stop your love. A dedication to those who lost their lives, lost loved ones, or lived through the pulse nightclub tragedy in Florida. It is through love that we hope to move forward to a better day.
Pulse
(Shelby stands rocking back and forth to a song that is playing in her head that she loves. She begins to sing. It is a slow ballot that then turns fast as she performs for the audience, her own special concert,)
(Singing) “If I only have one love in life I’m glad that love is you. If I only kiss one kiss tonight, I hope our love stays true.” (Tempo shift, she’s jamming out) “I want your love for a lifetime. I want you. I want us to be forever and always stay true.” (She finishes, laughs, accomplished. To audience) That was our song. (Laughs) “Our” being Jessi and I. (She shakes her head) What a love shit show. (Laughs again) I mean in the best possible way like the emoji shit, with a smile on its face but at the end of the sentence it’s still a pile of shit, right? (Smiles) I wasn’t expecting love. I definitely wasn’t ready for it but… but I’m thankful for every minute I got to spend with her. Every second.
People asked me how we ended up in Florida. I don’t live in Florida, neither of us to. I was actually on vacation, the kind of vacation that happens when you jump in the car and just go. Celebrating my 21st birthday with the love of my life and we both thought what better place to celebrate love than on a beach. We barely had enough money to get what we thought was a nice motel if that’s even a thing. We ate tacos and slept outside and if ever there was a perfect example of peace and warmth, it was that weekend of my birthday. (Beat) I don’t celebrate my birthday anymore. We were living that perfect day in the summer… then the clouds come out of nowhere and in an instant, we’re running for cover. (takes a deep breath) But no one wants to get drenched. Or in my case no one wants to get shot. I didn’t want to get shot that night. (side laugh) I swear the only thing on my mind was love.