Musique de la Nuit IX

DAD: Gwen, we’re going into town!
GWENDOLYN: what for?
DAD: I’m quitting drinking and getting a job. (Annoyed) Oh, hello Valerie.
MOM: (sternly) John.
GWENDOLYN: um, hi…Mom…
MOM: good morning Gwendolyn did you have a nice sleep?
GWENDOLYN: Fine, (glaring, angrily) considering we don’t have many warm blankets, or a pillow
MOM: you mean…you don’t have a pillow? Or blankets?! John, what is all this about!
GWENDOLYN: Mom, we don’t really have anything.
MOM: that’s horrible, how did-what happened?
DAD: What do you think?
MOM: Well, I never thought…. Don’t you have a job John?
DAD: Well, I’m getting one today…
MOM: John!
(GWENDOLYN runs to the park and sits on the bench)
MOM: (X DAD) Now look what you’ve done you’ve upset her, just like you always did.
DAD: I upset her?! (X parallel to MOM) You’re the one who left us with nothing
MOM: Well, what was I supposed to do, you started drinking again, and, and, I just couldn’t take it.
DAD: So you left your own daughter. You know, since you have left she has grown so much. But seems to hate everything about the world, you can’t just blame this on me; it was your fault too.
MOM: (takes deep breath) look, I just had to get away, I made a mistake but I’ll make up for it now okay? (Gets out wallet and starts pulling out money)
DAD: So you think that just taking out your wallet and handing me cash will make up for everything, for these 5 years you have been gone
MOM: So you won’t take this then, (shows a huge wad of cash) well, alright then, suit yourself (starts to put it back into wallet)
DAD: well (stops her from putting it back into wallet.) It might help…a little, but you’re still not off the hook (takes money and stuffs into back pocket. smile at each other) Welp, I gatta go to town.
(DAD exits whistling downstage right. MOM silently X to bench)
MOM: Gwennie? (Sit next GWENDOLYN)
GWENDOLYN: What…
MOM: sweetie, look at me (holds out hand to touch her cheek and move it towards her, GWENDOLYN pulls away. MOM gets up and crouches where GENDOWLN had been look and lifts up her chin gently) I know what I did was wrong. It shouldn’t have happened. But we all make mistakes, and unfortunately, sometimes, others have to suffer the consequences of the mistakes that others have made. I was young, and stupid for leaving like I did, and every night I would think of you and assumed that you were alright without me. (Take both of GWENDOLYN’s hands) I can’t take back what I did, and Lord knows that if I could…I would. But I can’t, the only thing that we can do now, is move forward, and try and fix the damage that I have done to you, and your father. (Wipe a tear from GWENDOLYN’s cheek and it is obvious that GWENDOLYN is trying not to cry) Don’t be afraid to cry sweetheart, I know I taught you never to let people see you cry, I thought it as a sign of weakness. But truly, it just shows your strength. You have been through so much. (GWENDOLYN silently cries and holds MOM tight)