~Tropical Punch 19~
08-12-2003, 05:32 PM
A Suprise for Al
scene 1: Frank, Brendan, and Al are all in the kitchen. The kids are eating and Frank is making a sandwich.
Frank. Boy it sure is quiet without Carol and Karen here.
Al. Yes, but it is so much better. Well, I don't mind Carol being here, but Karne, whew, she is definatly the most shallow person ever.
Brendan. What's shallow?
Al. It's Karen.
Frank. That's it. I am sick of everyone nagging on their step brother's and sister's. Now stop!
The phone rings
Frank. (goes to answer phone) Hello. Yes, this is he. *his voice saddens* No, no, I don't think that will be possible. No you won't! Just leave us alone.
Frank hangs up the phone and the kids look at him questionably.
Brendan. Daddy, who was that?
Frank. It was, well, it was your mother.
Brendan. Oh Carol?
Frank. No, no this is your real mother, Wendy.
Al. *almost choking on her sandwich.* Oh my gosh. She needs to just leave us alone!
Right then J.T. walks into the kitchen.
J.T. Hey what's going on.
Brendan. Mom, called, and I don't mean Carol.
J.T. Noway! What does she want?
Frank. *sits, don on the seat and sighs* Well, she want's you back Al.
Al. What?
Frank. She said she misses you so much and that she needs someone to bond with. Also, she doesn't think it is fair that I have custody of all three of you kids.
Al. That's not fair. Why doesn't she want Brendan or J.T.? I don't want to see her!
Frank. Al, I knwo this is tough, and believe me we are going to do everythign we can to try and stop this from happening.
J.T. But Dad, the court ordered you full custody of us kids.
Frank. True, but the court also did say that if your mother improved, and could prove that she has changed her life around she might be able to regain custody. Maybe not full custody, but some. Also she hired a big hooty tooty lawyer from Boston.
Al. You never told us that. I am going to my room!
scene 2: Al is sitting on her bed crying. Dana walks in.
Dana. Al, you left your filthy, stinky, socks on the stairs again. You need to grow up! *see's Al is crying.* Oh, Al, what's the matter? I didn't know you were upset.
Al. It's okay. *tries to stop crying.* It's just, my mom wants me back.
Dana. What? Your real mom. Oh, no that's not good.
Al. No, it's not. And I think she might actually take me. Don't tell anyone this Dana, but I actually like it here. I love Carol and I am starting to like You, Mark, and Karen. It's kind of fun when we fight, and I only pick on you because I like you. If my mom takes me, it will mean I will be an only child and I don't know what I will do with myself.
Dana. Listen, you will never be an only child. Even if your mom does take you, you will always have a place in my heart and you will never be an only child.
Al. Thanks.
Dana. Yeah. Hey Al, do you mind if I ask why you don't like your mom so much?
Al. Well, after Brendan was born, she didn't stay around to much. She seemed kind of distant. It was really weird for J.T. and me because we were so used to her being around for us. She used to bake us cookies and play games with us, but then it all stopped. One day she came home drunk, and my dad got very angry. She said she got drunk because she wanted her own freedom back. My dad said "Fine, I'll give you your freedom!" And then before we knew it our bags were packed and we were headed for Wisconsin. You know we are orginally from Michigan. I couldn't believe she would do such an awful thing to us, and I still can't face her.
Dana. That really is awful. Maybe she has changed though.
Al. Who cares?
Dana I know how you feel. When my mom and dad gt divorced I thought I could never forgive my dad.
Al. Did you?
Dana. Well, for a long time I held a big grudge against him, but then one day I realized what good is that? So I decided to let it go. It was only hurting me more, and I wanted to let go. Have I spoken to him, no, but I have forgiven him.
Al. Yeah, that's good.
Dana. Why don't you just try talking to your mom and letting these hurt feelings go?
Al. I don't know.
Frank knocks at the door.
Frank. Hey Al. Your mom called back, and her lawyer says she has a right to see you. She is coming by tomorrow afternoon, just to talk though. She hasn't set up the custody hearing yet. Are you okay with that?
Al. You know what Dad, I think I am. It might actually be good for me.
Frank. Good to hear that.
Scene 3. Al waits in the living room for her mother. The doorbell rings.
Frank. Do you want me to stay?
Al. Ah, I think I can handle this.
Al answers the door.
Wendy. Why hello! Is this my Alicia?
Al. yep. It's me all grown up. Come on in and have a seat.
Wendy. I am glad you decided to speak with me.
Al. Well, i didn't have much of an option now did I?
Wendy. Oh, I a smart mouth.
Al. When you have five other siblings it comes in handy.
Wendy. I see. Well Al, I bet your father told you why I am here.
Al. yes he did. You know mom it's been almost 7 years.
Wendy. I know. You were five when I last saw you. I want things to change though. For the better. I want us to be close again.
Al. I know you do, but mom I am not. I just can't right now. I am stressed out about enough as it is. Why did you do it mom?
Wendy. getting drunk was an accident. I had no idea your father would react that way.
Al. Don't lie! You did know. You wanted him to leave you.
Wendy. You are smart, and right. I did want him to leave me. But I still wanted to see all of you guys, just not all at once.
Al. You can['t have your pie and eat it too. Why not all at once?
Wendy. Because it wa so overwhelming to have to little children and an infant. I didn't knwo what to do with myself. I had leave. I ahd to. There was so much going on. I felt depressed and scared I would do something wrong. So I came up with a stupid plan that if your dad divorced me I would see you kids, but when I wanted. Not all the time. It was stupid. I loved, Frank, but they way I felt about everything was stronger. In the end I ended up hurting everyone. Ia m truly sorry now, Alicia. I want to make things better.
Al. I am sorry too. I am glad you told me what was going on because it has bugged me for over eight years. But you know what mom, I am happy with my life the way it is. And if you truly meant what you said, you would leave me alone. You said you wanted to make things better, and so if you really meant that, you will let me live where I am. You won't bother Dad, J.T., Brendan, or me. Maybe you could stop by every now and then, but the damage is done and I don't want us hurt again. I forgive you mom, i really do, and I am glad that we got to have this talk, but my life needs to be left alone right now. Please.
Wendy get's up to leave.
Wendy. You're right. I respect your wishes.I guess I won't bother you anymore. I am sorry I butted in.
Al. Well, maybe if you called every once in awhile just to let me know you are okay.
Wendy. Really? Oh that would be nice. Alicia, would you mind telling your brother's what i told, you? That way it will all be understood?
Al. Yah no probblem. And mom, I go by Al, not Alicia.
Wendy. Sorry, Al. I guess I will go now.
Al. Oh, and mom one more thing. I love you.
Wendy. I love you too.
She leaves and Dana walks in.
Dana. So how did it go.
Al. It went great. I don't have to go with her. And you know what? I feel much better that I admitted my true feelings to her. Thanks for the advice Dana. Who knew your advice would actually work?
They laugh and hug. THE END!
scene 1: Frank, Brendan, and Al are all in the kitchen. The kids are eating and Frank is making a sandwich.
Frank. Boy it sure is quiet without Carol and Karen here.
Al. Yes, but it is so much better. Well, I don't mind Carol being here, but Karne, whew, she is definatly the most shallow person ever.
Brendan. What's shallow?
Al. It's Karen.
Frank. That's it. I am sick of everyone nagging on their step brother's and sister's. Now stop!
The phone rings
Frank. (goes to answer phone) Hello. Yes, this is he. *his voice saddens* No, no, I don't think that will be possible. No you won't! Just leave us alone.
Frank hangs up the phone and the kids look at him questionably.
Brendan. Daddy, who was that?
Frank. It was, well, it was your mother.
Brendan. Oh Carol?
Frank. No, no this is your real mother, Wendy.
Al. *almost choking on her sandwich.* Oh my gosh. She needs to just leave us alone!
Right then J.T. walks into the kitchen.
J.T. Hey what's going on.
Brendan. Mom, called, and I don't mean Carol.
J.T. Noway! What does she want?
Frank. *sits, don on the seat and sighs* Well, she want's you back Al.
Al. What?
Frank. She said she misses you so much and that she needs someone to bond with. Also, she doesn't think it is fair that I have custody of all three of you kids.
Al. That's not fair. Why doesn't she want Brendan or J.T.? I don't want to see her!
Frank. Al, I knwo this is tough, and believe me we are going to do everythign we can to try and stop this from happening.
J.T. But Dad, the court ordered you full custody of us kids.
Frank. True, but the court also did say that if your mother improved, and could prove that she has changed her life around she might be able to regain custody. Maybe not full custody, but some. Also she hired a big hooty tooty lawyer from Boston.
Al. You never told us that. I am going to my room!
scene 2: Al is sitting on her bed crying. Dana walks in.
Dana. Al, you left your filthy, stinky, socks on the stairs again. You need to grow up! *see's Al is crying.* Oh, Al, what's the matter? I didn't know you were upset.
Al. It's okay. *tries to stop crying.* It's just, my mom wants me back.
Dana. What? Your real mom. Oh, no that's not good.
Al. No, it's not. And I think she might actually take me. Don't tell anyone this Dana, but I actually like it here. I love Carol and I am starting to like You, Mark, and Karen. It's kind of fun when we fight, and I only pick on you because I like you. If my mom takes me, it will mean I will be an only child and I don't know what I will do with myself.
Dana. Listen, you will never be an only child. Even if your mom does take you, you will always have a place in my heart and you will never be an only child.
Al. Thanks.
Dana. Yeah. Hey Al, do you mind if I ask why you don't like your mom so much?
Al. Well, after Brendan was born, she didn't stay around to much. She seemed kind of distant. It was really weird for J.T. and me because we were so used to her being around for us. She used to bake us cookies and play games with us, but then it all stopped. One day she came home drunk, and my dad got very angry. She said she got drunk because she wanted her own freedom back. My dad said "Fine, I'll give you your freedom!" And then before we knew it our bags were packed and we were headed for Wisconsin. You know we are orginally from Michigan. I couldn't believe she would do such an awful thing to us, and I still can't face her.
Dana. That really is awful. Maybe she has changed though.
Al. Who cares?
Dana I know how you feel. When my mom and dad gt divorced I thought I could never forgive my dad.
Al. Did you?
Dana. Well, for a long time I held a big grudge against him, but then one day I realized what good is that? So I decided to let it go. It was only hurting me more, and I wanted to let go. Have I spoken to him, no, but I have forgiven him.
Al. Yeah, that's good.
Dana. Why don't you just try talking to your mom and letting these hurt feelings go?
Al. I don't know.
Frank knocks at the door.
Frank. Hey Al. Your mom called back, and her lawyer says she has a right to see you. She is coming by tomorrow afternoon, just to talk though. She hasn't set up the custody hearing yet. Are you okay with that?
Al. You know what Dad, I think I am. It might actually be good for me.
Frank. Good to hear that.
Scene 3. Al waits in the living room for her mother. The doorbell rings.
Frank. Do you want me to stay?
Al. Ah, I think I can handle this.
Al answers the door.
Wendy. Why hello! Is this my Alicia?
Al. yep. It's me all grown up. Come on in and have a seat.
Wendy. I am glad you decided to speak with me.
Al. Well, i didn't have much of an option now did I?
Wendy. Oh, I a smart mouth.
Al. When you have five other siblings it comes in handy.
Wendy. I see. Well Al, I bet your father told you why I am here.
Al. yes he did. You know mom it's been almost 7 years.
Wendy. I know. You were five when I last saw you. I want things to change though. For the better. I want us to be close again.
Al. I know you do, but mom I am not. I just can't right now. I am stressed out about enough as it is. Why did you do it mom?
Wendy. getting drunk was an accident. I had no idea your father would react that way.
Al. Don't lie! You did know. You wanted him to leave you.
Wendy. You are smart, and right. I did want him to leave me. But I still wanted to see all of you guys, just not all at once.
Al. You can['t have your pie and eat it too. Why not all at once?
Wendy. Because it wa so overwhelming to have to little children and an infant. I didn't knwo what to do with myself. I had leave. I ahd to. There was so much going on. I felt depressed and scared I would do something wrong. So I came up with a stupid plan that if your dad divorced me I would see you kids, but when I wanted. Not all the time. It was stupid. I loved, Frank, but they way I felt about everything was stronger. In the end I ended up hurting everyone. Ia m truly sorry now, Alicia. I want to make things better.
Al. I am sorry too. I am glad you told me what was going on because it has bugged me for over eight years. But you know what mom, I am happy with my life the way it is. And if you truly meant what you said, you would leave me alone. You said you wanted to make things better, and so if you really meant that, you will let me live where I am. You won't bother Dad, J.T., Brendan, or me. Maybe you could stop by every now and then, but the damage is done and I don't want us hurt again. I forgive you mom, i really do, and I am glad that we got to have this talk, but my life needs to be left alone right now. Please.
Wendy get's up to leave.
Wendy. You're right. I respect your wishes.I guess I won't bother you anymore. I am sorry I butted in.
Al. Well, maybe if you called every once in awhile just to let me know you are okay.
Wendy. Really? Oh that would be nice. Alicia, would you mind telling your brother's what i told, you? That way it will all be understood?
Al. Yah no probblem. And mom, I go by Al, not Alicia.
Wendy. Sorry, Al. I guess I will go now.
Al. Oh, and mom one more thing. I love you.
Wendy. I love you too.
She leaves and Dana walks in.
Dana. So how did it go.
Al. It went great. I don't have to go with her. And you know what? I feel much better that I admitted my true feelings to her. Thanks for the advice Dana. Who knew your advice would actually work?
They laugh and hug. THE END!