THE STORY - "Sweeter Without Sugar" by Dara Frazier THE INSPIRATION I was at a Thai food restaurant in Hell's Kitchen with my friend. After she placed her order, she pulled an insulin kit out of her purse and gave herself a shot. This was a beautiful girl, only nineteen years old and in great shape. I couldn't believe that she had diabetes. A few months later, I started to work on the script that I was determined to produce. According to the New York Times, 1 out of 3 people are at risk for diabetes. No matter what you weigh, your size, your age, your race, it could happen to you. THE STORY Take the C-Train Uptown and experience a unique love story that reveals the colorful relationship between African-Americans and Dominicans. YOLANDA'S struggle with diabetes fuels her to desire to realize her dreams at a young age. ROBERTO is a native of Santo Domingo who uses his people skills to advance in New York. When they get together, he exposes her to a new language and a new way of life. SWEETER WITHOUT SUGAR is a heartwarming story full of rich characters, culture and beauty. EXCERPT FROM SCRIPT 14. INT. - HARLEM HOSPITAL - MORNING. DOCTOR LEWIS enters the room with a chart in hand. VIVIAN, EVA, NINA and YOLANDA are watching TV. DOCTOR LEWIS How are you doing, young lady? YOLANDA Okay. DOCTOR LEWIS This must be the whole family. EVA Just about. YOLANDA (To DR. LEWIS.) So, what is it? DOCTOR LEWIS Would you like for me to speak to you in confidence? YOLANDA No, no. I want all of them to be here. DOCTOR LEWIS Now, I just want to go over your symptoms again. Stop me if I say something inaccurate. Fatigue? Excessive thirst? Vaginal infections? Skin irritations? Weight loss? YOLANDA Some. My jeans felt kinda loose the other day. DOCTOR LEWIS Anything else? YOLANDA I've been real tired. I couldn't wake up today to save my life. DOCTOR Our blood tests show that you have Adult Diabetes Type 2. With proper treatment, you'll be able to manage this. This early diagnosis is to your advantage. YOLANDA eyes go angry. VIVIAN holds her. EVA touches her hand. NINA stands, looking out of place. YOLANDA I've seen this coming all my life but I still don't understand. DOCTOR LEWIS Heredity is a major factor with you, Yolanda. When we admitted you, your blood sugar was 600. And a girl of your age and weight should have a blood sugar right under 100, so you have to be careful. We'll start you on Glucotrol XL to stimulate your pancreas. Check your blood sugar everyday. As long as you exercise and adhere to a healthy diet, the pills should work. But if you don't follow the regimen, you may have to inject insulin. DOCTOR LEWIS' beeper goes off. DOCTOR LEWIS I need to respond to this. I'll check on you later. VIVIAN follows DOCTOR LEWIS to the door. VIVIAN stands in the doorway. VIVIAN I don't know if she told you but she watched my son fight it day after day and when he passed away, she just... DOCTOR LEWIS Please help her understand that she won't end up like him as long as she takes care of herself. VIVIAN I'll see to that, Doctor. EVA and YOLANDA hold each other. NINA looks at them, feeling out of place. VIVIAN walks over to EVA. VIVIAN (To EVA.) C'mon, let's get some coffee. After EVA and VIVIAN leave, there is an awkward pause. Finally, NINA pulls a picture out of her purse. NINA I brought this for you. YOLANDA looks at the picture of NINA and KYLE and hesitates before taking it. NINA puts it on the nightstand. YOLANDA What's his name? NINA Kyle. I bet you'd like him. YOLANDA I donšt have to like him, that's your job. NINA Yolanda, I hope you know that I pray for you all the time. (Beat.) I was so young when I had you and... if it wasn't for Vivian and your Daddy... YOLANDA Mom- NINA Yolanda, it was very hard for me to deal with what happened to your father. Not because I didn't love him but because I did. It was too hard to watch him get sick so I decided it would be easier to leave. And you've got a right to feel the way you feel. But... please understand that I love you. And even if you don't love me, I- YOLANDA I never said I didn't love you. NINA I'll be here for you. You understand? I got a lot of making up to do. NINA holds her. YOLANDA hugs back more than last time. FADE OUT.