Katie Says Goodbye 2019

In the rustic hamlet of rural Arizona, Katie, a compassionate 17-year-old waitress, shoulders the weight of responsibility for her mother, Tracey, who relies on her to keep up with the bills. Despite the meager means at their disposal, Katie dreams of escaping her mundane existence and relocating to San Francisco.

In a bid to overcome poverty and fund her aspirations, Katie supplements her income by engaging in illicit encounters with truckers, including a kind-hearted older man named Bear. Her life takes a turn when she befriends Bruno, a former convict turned local mechanic, and begins a romantic relationship with him.

However, their idyllic love is short-lived as the truth about Katie’s extracurricular activities surfaces, prompting her to agree to cease these encounters. Alas, Katie’s reputation precedes her, and she soon finds herself subjected to another unwanted advance. Her coworker, the daughter of the offending individual, mistakenly accuses Katie of being the aggressor.

As a result, Katie is brutally assaulted by Bruno’s coworkers under the guise of a ride home, only to be left for dead in a desolate rural area. Upon her return to town, battered and distraught, she faces further indignity when Bear accuses Bruno of causing her injuries. A brief altercation ensues between the two men before Bruno drives Katie to another remote location, where he unloads his frustrations on her, citing her alleged promiscuity as the reason for their breakup.

Meanwhile, Tracey abandons Katie and their trailer home with a married neighbor, leaving them destitute and without means. Katie is forced to abandon the only home she has ever known.

As the restaurant where Katie works becomes a source of further distress, another waitress accuses her of theft. Consumed by grief, shock, and despair, Katie confesses to the alleged crime, then refuses the owner’s offer to make amends in exchange for keeping her job. With tears streaming down her face, she quietly warns the accuser never to repeat the mistake again.

As the reality of her situation sets in, Katie’s composure falters, and she collapses onto the parking lot pavement, overcome with sobs. As the tears subside, a glimmer of determination appears on her countenance, prompting her to rise, dust herself off, and set out on a new journey by thumbing a ride down the highway.