To emit: mrs anderson
Bob, his son
Susana, her granddaughter
Amy, her youngest granddaughter
Mr. Anderson — Deceased
Weather: January 15, 1984. 20 days before the 55th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. JD Anderson.
Adjustment: A funeral home in Ft. Stockton, Texas. The coffin is located against the left wall, open. Floral arrangements are placed around the casket, varying in style. A podium containing the Guest Book is at the rear of the room. A door is directly to the right of her. A sofa, chair, and side table are across the room.
(SCENE BEGINS WHEN MRS. Anderson AND HER GRANDDAUGHTERS ENTER THE ROOM.)
mrs anderson
Pepa loved her granddaughter, especially you, Amy. She always bragged about her ‘her girl’ to anyone who came to visit him.
Amy
(Trying to block the tears from her eyes)I know, Mama. She loved him so much… (Tears come to her eyes. Susan carries her to the couch to comfort her.)
Henry walks into the room and ushers his mother out of the room, leaving the two girls alone.
Suzanne
Come on, Amy, I get it, but look…(carrying her back to the head of the coffin)--he is so calm, so happy and at rest. It seems that twenty years have been removed from the eighty-three of him.
Amy
Yeah, he was in a lot of pain the last time I saw him. I’m so glad I didn’t have to suffer through years of that pain. He is with the Lord now. Taking care of us, I’m sure.
Suzanne
Do you remember all the things he went through to make us happy? He took us out every afternoon for ice cream.
Amy
Every night to the park or to swim in the Comanche Springs pool.
Suzanne
He taught us both to drive. Starting with us at the age of ten. We can never tell Dad the exact age he started teaching us…just in the driveway or sometimes even around the block.
Amy
Dad always latched on when he thought we were 15 when driving lessons started.
Suzanne
Um-hum, but that never mattered. Anything to please her granddaughters.
(effective pause before continuing)
Amy
All those hours he would sit patiently while I learned to play solitaire and shuffle cards on a bridge, showing me, step by step, all the way. He was such a patient man. I’m really going to miss him. Susan, I wish it didn’t have to hurt so much. I wish I could have been here to tell him that he loved him, you know, at the end.
Suzanne
Amy, you have better things to remember. Dad has told us how bad he was, it’s better for both of us that we’re not here. Also, I will never forget the way he looked at you the last time he was able to recognize you. He smiled and reached out to touch your chin…but he didn’t have the strength to finish it. Such a familiar gesture, the one he always reserved for those he loved the most.
Amy
I half expect her to open her eyes, reach up, touch my chin and say ‘How’s…my…girl?’ (Amy openly cries, unable to contain her hurt)
Mrs. Anderson and Henry return to the room. Amy and Susan walk slowly to the back of the room, arm in arm, trying to give their father and grandmother some privacy. They stand looking at the Guest Book.
Enrique
Yes, mother, the director promises to remove dad’s wedding ring and masonic pin as soon as the service is over.
mrs anderson
Okay, sound. Susan, come here with your Mema.
Susan walks towards her grandmother and dad. She stands between the two. Amy stays in the book,
mrs anderson carry on
Don’t you think it looks good? It looks much better than the last time you and Amy came to see us. I’m glad you two didn’t have to see it then.
Suzanne
I also. That’s why Dad left us at home when Dr. Boon contacted him yesterday afternoon.
Enrique
Now he is at peace. He doesn’t have to suffer and we don’t have to worry. Heaven is a glorious place to be. I wish we could have that luxury here on earth.
mrs anderson
Susan, Amy, I want to tell you something. (Amy puts down the book and joins the other three, mrs anderson carry on)
Did you two know that your Mema and Pepa would be a married couple of 55 years next month? Your dad promises that I can get his wedding ring back.. (his voice is still hesitant as she trails off softly)
Suzanne
(in a comforting voice) They wouldn’t try to keep it for you, Mema. If Dad says he’ll get it for you, you know he will.
mrs anderson
(to Amy, with his arm around her waist, leading her to some of the flower arrangements) Have you seen this? It’s from the hospital board. The little ice cream parlor that you always went to as children even sent something nice… See? It seems that many people loved your Pepa as much as we did… (fading into whispers, looking at other arrangements in the room)
Enrique
(Susan gradually blocking out Mrs. Anderson and Amy’s conversation)
Your mom and I are going to stay in Ft. Stockton for a few days to work out some of the financial problems. Can you still drive back to Waco with Amy? I don’t want her to go on such a long trip alone.
Suzanne
He seems to be doing pretty well, Dad. At least as good as you’d expect.
Enrique
She’s doing fine, but when there’s nothing but a boring road ahead, your mind starts to wander… If you can’t go with her, your mom will.
Suzanne
Okay, I’ll go to her dad, but she’s a ‘big girl’ now and after talking to her, I think she’ll be fine.
(This conversation fades out with Henry looking at his watch and shaking his head. Spotlight returns to Mrs. Anderson and Amy’s conversation)
mrs anderson
I realize you have to, but I still wish you didn’t have to go back to school. I want you to move in with me. Susan can’t because of her job and you can’t because of school. That house is terribly big to live alone. Especially when you are used to having others with you. Fifty-five years is a long time…
Amy
You’ll be fine, Mama. Besides, it won’t be long before I can come and stay with you for a few days. Mom, Dad, and Susan are only a couple of hours away and can come see you regularly.
(Henry interrupts, looking at his watch again.)
Enrique
Mother, we have to go now. The director has to finish the last minute preparations and we have to go back to the church.
(There is a long pause, Susan and Amy stand arm in arm, slightly back and to the left of Henry and Mrs. Anderson.)
mrs anderson
Okay, sound. I’m going…
(she leans over and kisses the late Mr. Anderson on the forehead and continues…. )
Happy anniversary, darling. Until we meet again.
CURTAIN
