Issue 6 • Summer 2003 • Featured Writer • Drama
Troy HillAct II, Scene 8
Scene 8.
Days later. Jon, Al and Audrey have been playing Scrabble and drinking beer. Dirty dishes sit in the sink and on the counter.
AL
That damn Q. She wins with that one every time. I should have known!
AUDREY
You're just mad because I always win.
AL
She does.
AUDREY
Jon, what time is your first appointment?
JON
7 AM.
AL
Ouch. People like to complain early! Just kidding.
AUDREY
Well, I'll get up early and clean up. I'm just too pooped tonight.
JON
Don't worry about it.
AL
I'll do it. I could do something around here to help for a change. Audrey can be your personal chef, and I'll be your maid.
JON
That's really not necessary.
AL
It's the least we can do -- shacking up in your house every night.
JON
It's my pleasure.
AUDREY
Well Al, do what you want. If you don't get to it, I'll do it first thing in the morning.
AL
Okay.
AUDREY
Goodnight guys. I'm going to bed -- couch.
JON
Goodnight doll.
Kiss on the cheek.
AL
Goodnight sweet.
They hug. Audrey exits. Jon and Al sit there for a moment wondering what to do next.
AL
I should let you get to bed. You've got an early day.
JON
I'm wide awake though. You want another beer?
AL
If you do. I don't want to keep you up.
JON
Not at all.
AL
I should make some calls tomorrow. Make sure everything at the store is in order. Thanks so much for putting us up. For helping out Audrey. It's all been so bonkers.
JON
You know Al, you've been really great about this whole thing. I can't believe it. I mean it's almost kind of strange.
AL
Thanks.
JON
No, I mean it though. You've been amazing.
AL
I just want Audrey to be happy, really. I mean it all came as a terrible shock. But when she disappeared, all the things that went through my head were so ugly and painful. I mean if something had happened to her, if she had been in real pain -- physical danger, I just don't know how I could have dealt with that. And don't get me wrong, this is tough, but she's going to be okay. I just know it. I mean maybe not for us -- for our marriage, but she'll be okay one way or another. And for that I'm just so grateful.
JON
Wow. Al, you are really a great guy.
AL
Hey, well listen. You're the one who coached her when she showed up at your door. You took her in.
JON
Well, I'm glad I could help.
AL
It's weird. It was all such a shock at first. I mean at first when Karen told me she kissed her I didn't even flinch. I mean, big deal, she got drunk and kissed the neighbor. But when I heard her say she thought it could be more than that -- that she thought she might be, you know, gay or lesbian -- no offense but I was pretty blown away.
JON
I'm sure you were.
AL
I mean since I've known Audrey, she's always been straight laced. I found out after we'd been dating a while that she'd had a pretty wild heyday back in high school and college, but since I've known her she's been a good, Christian girl.
JON
She had a -- conversion.
AL
Right. She was born again.
JON
That's all a little foreign to me.
AL
Yeah, everybody up here is Catholic, right? I mean the Christians.
JON
Mostly, I think. I didn't realize there was such a big difference.
AL
Oh yeah. When we moved to Cincinnati, my Dad told me Catholics thought they could do whatever they wanted all week -- sin -- and then go to confession on Sundays. I thought that sounded pretty good!
JON
Were you born again?
AL
Yeah, well, I was always going to church. I always believed in it, so I guess I didn't have a big change -- a big conversion. Mom quilted this pillow that said, "Bloom where you are planted." I guess that's me!
JON
A family man.
AL
Oh yeah, I love my family -- always have.
JON
Me too!
AL
When we moved to Ohio from Georgia we banded even closer. 'Cause of the foreign soil I guess. Me and my brother and sister, kids at school teased us 'cause they thought we had an accent. So we just stuck together. I love my folks, too.
JON
But that's what's so remarkable about your reaction to Audrey. You don't seem that phased.
AL
No, come on, I'm phased. You didn't see me crying on the sidewalk when I first realized my marriage could be over. I guess I just really wanted to take care of Audrey more than anything. And in some way, as weird as it sounds -- after the initial shock and in a certain light, it doesn't seem all that big of a surprise. I mean somehow it makes sense.
JON
Very interesting.
AL
I have this theory, and I might be wrong -- it sure wouldn't be the first time, but I think, in a certain way, we all know everything really, before we even say it. If we really listen -- you know -- really listen to each other -- and to God. Do you know what I mean?
JON
I think so.
AL
And Audrey. I think we're together for a reason. And I think if God made her the way she is then it must be for a reason.
JON
Yeah?
AL
Absolutely. So who am I to question it? Why did God not let us have a baby?
JON
You mean because Audrey can't?
AL
No, she can -- she maybe can. We thought she couldn't because she has Lupus. But she may be able to. We had some tests done and it turns out I'm the damaged goods.
JON
Oh Al, I'm so sorry.
AL
Yeah, me too. But I believe God has His reasons. Maybe because God knew this would happen. Maybe we didn't do it or Audrey couldn't do it or I couldn't do it because we knew this was going to happen. Maybe there's some lost child in the world he wants Audrey to adopt or both of us or just me when the time is right since we can't have one. Maybe God's got it all worked out.
JON
You think?
AL
I don't know, but I sure hope so. I just want my own family some day.
JON
You will. God, you are so great. How's that beer? You ready for another.
AL
Okay, in a minute -- I'll be done in a sec. Guess I needed to blow off some steam. I mean I can understand how Audrey feels, you know?
JON
No, I don't know. What do you mean?
AL
Well, growing up. You know, you have all kinds of feelings. Sex. God, who knows? I was always pretty freaked by it myself. Never wanted to brag about it like other guys. I just knew I loved my family and wanted my own.
JON
Uh huh.
AL
I mean, I played sports, hunted, all that.
JON
I heard.
AL
And I loved hanging out with my buddies. And I knew I got turned on.
JON
You did?
AL
Sure, I mean, guys I grew up with -- messed around out in the woods -- kind of. I guess it's normal, right? When you're a kid. I mean you're the expert.
JON
Oh, absolutely.
AL
And when we got to high school guys all started dating and carrying on about it and I knew I wasn't feeling the same things, but ... I mean I was and I wasn't. I mean I like women. I mean, I can be interested. I love Audrey. I love being with her. She's a good person. And I was brought up as a Christian.
JON
I was brought up Jewish.
AL
That's different.
JON
Actually it's not. I mean not in the sense of being gay and being told that it's wrong. There's a verse in the Torah -- Leviticus I think...
AL
The Old Testament.
JON
Right. About homosexuals being put to death -- that they should be stoned to death. And granted most Jews today wouldn't subscribe to that point of view, but still, not all Jews are liberal. Believe me. Especially about their own families. My family has been great. But I have several patients whose families sat Shiva -- pronounced them dead -- after they came out.
AL
Oh gosh Jon, that's awful.
JON
It is.
AL
The thing is, too, I always wanted a family. I still do. I wouldn't ever want to give that up. Now things are different I guess, since I can't.
JON
So do I! I want a family too. I'm so done with going out. Cruising guys. Dating. God.
AL
Uh huh.
JON
I was never that interested anyway. I feel like a regular ol' guy who happens to be gay. But I feel like one of the few -- the normal ones. Al, I don't want to push you into talking about something you're not comfortable with, but are saying you're homosexual?
AL
No. I don't know what I'm saying. I'm saying I may have certain feelings. The way I grew up, gay guys were those hairdressers at my mom's salon. That's not me man.
JON
But that's a stereotype.
AL
I know that. I know that now. But still. I mean, we have gays in Cincinnati. I just see those guys sometimes -- all hanging out together. I just don't see myself there, you know?
JON
Of course Al. I don't see myself there either.
AL
And you're different. I mean I guess I never knew anyone who was gay real close who seemed like a real person until recently. Except Todd, but it's weird. I never gave it much thought with him. He's just always been Audrey's brother.
JON
You're great.
AL
Well thanks. You're real... real nice.
They look at each other. Look away.
JON
Well, thanks.
They look at each other.
AL
This guy, we talked about it. Different feelings.
JON
Oh, you were in therapy?
AL
No, not that. The youth minister at our new church. Well, he's a great guy, Mark. He started this program called the Lord's Gym for men. It's an opportunity for men to grow spiritually while pumping iron. Bible studies take place there. A lot of men have been helped -- city kids too. I started going to the adult men's Bible study. And it was great. We talked about some great stuff. And sometimes I would stay after and talk. We'd have these long conversations.
JON
Uh huh.
AL
I see what Audrey means. You are easy to talk to.
JON
I'm glad. Go on.
AL
Well, I've never uttered a word of this before.
JON
It's okay.
AL
So anyway, after a while we got be good friends. He would come over to the house. One night at Bible study the subject was sin. And he was talking about how all sins are equal and how there's no shame in having temptations as long as you don't give into them. And then of course if you do, we can be forgiven for them by God's grace.
JON
Like the Catholics.
AL
Yeah, (ha) right.
JON
Go on.
AL
Well, we got some dinner that night after Bible study, and he got around to talking about homosexuality -- about temptations and he said he thought that sin was equal to the rest. And he went on to tell me about his struggles. So we got even closer than before since we talked about all this stuff.
JON
Sure.
AL
And it was weird because I was so relieved to talk to someone -- a Christian about all this stuff I could never tell anyone. And I was relieved I wasn't the only one who felt this way. I mean confused about stuff. And I was glad we could pray about it together. But then I felt worse too because I would... we would pray together... I started to feel something for Mark... even when we were praying, especially then.
(Al drinks his beer.)
JON
So what happened?
AL
Well, I talked to him about that. He understood. He said he felt the same. Nothing happened. Mark is a good guy. Somehow word got around to the deacons that he had had some problems back in Pennsylvania, where he was from -- a small town. That's why he had come here -- there -- to Cincinnati. He had resigned from his church there and moved out West. So he ended up leaving Cincinnati too. I figured God was saving us both from harm. Keeping my family together. But now this.
Al swigs his beer, sets it down. Looks at Jon.
JON
You're a good guy, Al.
AL
Thanks Jon.
Jon kisses him full on the mouth. They break away.
AL
Jon. That's not. I like you man, but. I can't.
Al exits.
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Act II, Scene 9 (page 19 of 22 pages)
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