Lodestar Quarterly

Issue 6 • Summer 2003 • Featured Writer • Drama

Home Again

Troy Hill

Act I, Scene 2

Scene 2.

Audrey and Sarah in a suburban kitchen. Audrey sits at the table connected to a dialysis wearing a loose dress and no shoes or makeup. Sarah has just come in and tosses her keys on the counter. She is put together.

SARAH
Oh, honey, that dress looks so nice on you. Ten thousand times better than that one you were wearing at the house after church last Sunday.

AUDREY
You gave me this for Christmas last year.

SARAH
Oh, that's right. I told you, those are your colors. I knew somebody had some taste around here. Have you lost weight?

AUDREY
I'm not sure.

SARAH
Now when you get back on your feet and look like yourself again, you are going to let me take you out on a shopping frenzy. Just like the old days.

AUDREY
I think I'm old enough to dress myself now, Mom.

SARAH
Now don't get smart. I just want to do something nice for you. Give you something to look forward to. And you know, honey, you can use your mama's advice in the fashion department.

AUDREY
Okay Mom.

SARAH
Now don't be grouchy towards your sweet mother. I am just trying to help. You have to keep your man interested in this day and age. Young people are so fickle. I'm just trying to help. You got to charm that sweet Al if you want to keep him around.

AUDREY
I think we're doing fine.

SARAH
I'm sure you are, honey. Now, for instance, what did you make him for lunch today?

AUDREY
Mom, what is going on? I appreciate the advice, really, but didn't you hear about the tests today?

SARAH
Well, yes, honey, that's partly why I've come by, to talk to you about it.

AUDREY
Okay. Well what is it? What happened?

SARAH
Well dear, the thing is. Now listen, honey, don't you worry about a thing. We're going to work everything out.

AUDREY
Mom, what?

SARAH
Now, I've already spoken with your brother in New York City and he's coming down.

AUDREY
Why, what's going on. Is Todd okay?

SARAH
Oh, now he's fine -- in a manner of speaking. The thing is, doll, Dr. Gillen doesn't think it wise for me to be the donor. He thinks I might be a bit fragile for all that.

AUDREY
Why what's wrong?

SARAH
Oh, nothing in particular, it's just... well, I know I don't seem like it, but I'm no spring chicken these days and he just doesn't think it wise for me to have to face my... coming years with any more trauma than it already promises to be. You know, what with the wrinkles and all that. Ha hah. Just a little joke dear.

AUDREY
So we'll have to delay the procedure.

SARAH
Not necessarily. Todd is coming down, ever so graciously, and they're going to see if he's healthy enough to be the lucky winner -- God willing he doesn't have some horrible disease.

AUDREY
Mother!

SARAH
I'm just saying, let's all keep him in our prayers.

Al comes in.

AUDREY
Hi, honey.

AL
Hey, sweetie.

Al gives Audrey a kiss on the cheek.

SARAH
Well, hello stranger, remember me?

AL
Hello, Sarah. To what do I owe this pleasure?

SARAH
Audrey and I were just chatting about her lovely dress.

AUDREY
And my kidney transplant. Mom can't be the donor.

AL
Oh. Why not?

SARAH
Now, Audrey's brother is on his way here and everything is going to be just fine.

AL
Great. Todd's coming down? Oh, to --

AUDREY
He's offered to pitch in for the cause.

AL
Great.

SARAH
He may be the better choice for all this kidney business.

AL
Oh. Okay.

SARAH
Now Al, excuse us silly girls for just chatting away as if we're at the beauty salon -- you must be famished.

AUDREY
What would you like for lunch, honey? I've got some tuna fish salad already made up in the frig.

AL
That sounds great.

SARAH
Now he doesn't want old soggy tuna salad. Why don't I take us all out for a nice lunch at the club?

AL
Oh, no thanks, Sarah. I'd love to, but I've got to get back to the shop.

AUDREY
Thanks, Mom, but I don't feel much like going out.

SARAH
You know what? There's a new gourmet deli right next to Kroger's. I'll be right back with a scrumptious lunch to die for and it won't take a minute!

AL
Okay. Gosh, well, thanks Sarah.

AUDREY
Mom, don't bother. I can make something.

SARAH
I know how to take care of a man. These Yankee women don't know the first thing about entertaining a gentleman. Al and I understand each other since we're both from south of the Mason Dixon. Right Al?

AL
Sure.

SARAH
Be back in a flash.

AUDREY
Thanks, Mom.

SARAH
Now don't even mention it. It is my pleasure.

Audrey forces a smile. Sarah exits with purse and car keys.

AL
Your mom is so sweet.

AUDREY
Um hmm.

AL
How are you feeling, honey?

AUDREY
I'm okay. I just want to get this all over with.

AL
You will. Give it time.

AUDREY
Dr. Gillen said we could go ahead with our fertility tests. He wants to test you too, but I don't see the point.

AL
Well, why not?

AUDREY
I'm the one with Lupus. I mean, come on, we know I'm the one.

AL
Well, that could be, but there's no harm in being sure.

AUDREY
I just pray for the day I don't ever have to see the inside of a doctor's office ever again.

AL
God's got a plan for us, Audrey.

AUDREY
I know He does, Al. That's what I'm afraid of.

AL
What do you mean?

AUDREY
I'm afraid I'm being punished for the past. Or for who I was. And now we're both suffering because of it.

AL
Now that is not the way of the Lord and you know it.

AUDREY
I know, but...

AL
Don't you remember Preston's sermon on Grace last Sunday?

AUDREY
I know.

AL
" There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." That's from Luke. Now we've talked about this. God doesn't work that way -- He doesn't want to punish you, Audrey. He loves you.

AUDREY
I know.

AL
We don't even know yet. We may have our kids yet. You'll see. God's got it all worked out. Okay?

AUDREY
Okay. You going to Bible study tonight?

AL
Yeah, I'd like to. As long as you'll be okay.

AUDREY
Oh, I'll be fine. Don't worry about me.

AL
Mark and I might grab a bite afterwards tonight. Will you be okay? I'll pick something up for you.

AUDREY
Oh, of course. I'll be fine.

AL
You sure now? I can come straight home. It's no problem.

AUDREY
No, I'll be fine. I know how you guys love to chat. Talk about stuff. You go ahead.

AL
As long as you're sure.

AUDREY
I'm sure. If Dan's going maybe I'll see if Karen wants to come over for a snack.

AL
I'll call him at the office.

AUDREY
Oh I'll call Karen. Does Dan ever hang out with you guys after Bible study?

AL
No. He's got to get home to the kids, I guess.

AUDREY
He's so great.

AL
Mark's a true man of God.

AUDREY
I meant Dan.

AL
Yeah, well, Dan's a great guy.

AUDREY
Of course, Mark's a wonderful minister. The kids seem to really take to him. I hope we're as good at being parents as Karen and Dan. I hope I can be a mom like Karen.

AL
You'll be fine.

AUDREY
If we can have kids of course.

AL
God's got a plan for us Audrey.

AUDREY
I know He does Al.

Next Page:   Act I, Scene 3   (page 3 of 22 pages)

All Pages:   See the entire play on one page

Table of Contents:   Home Again

Troy Ernest Hill (misterhill@nyc.rr.com) is a playwright and actor in New York City, originally from Atlanta, Georgia. In the eighth grade he won the "Most Outstanding Student Award," and in the eleventh grade the Creative Writing Award. Since that time, it's been more or less a downward spiral. He is currently in the Off-Broadway smash Birdy's Bachelorette Party, and he is a white belt in karate.

Go To: Issue 6 or Lodestar Quarterly home page