Cast of Characters 

GREG: 35/47. Father of Bella and ex-husband of Jennifer. Down on his luck, well-

intentioned, but prone to mistakes. 

JENNIFER: 39/51. Mother of Bella and ex-wife of Greg. Later contracts a terminal illness.

         Cares about Bella more than herself. 

BELLA: 23. A young girl when her parents got divorced. Later finds herself on the path to

     becoming a successful marine biologist. She has a very close  
     relationship with her mother. 

SAM: 21. Boyfriend (or girlfriend*) of Bella. 
*Sam though originally written as male, can be played by a woman if the director prefers. 

Place 

VIGNETTE 1: A park bench in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania 
VIGNETTE 2: A park bench in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 
VIGNETTE 3: A park bench in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania 
VIGNETTE 4: A park bench in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

Time 

VIGNETTE 1: Mid-afternoon on a Thursday in November 2011 
VIGNETTE 2: Mid-morning on a Saturday in July 2023 
VIGNETTE 3: Mid-afternoon on a Wednesday in October 2023 
VIGNETTE 4: Midnight on a Friday in November 2023 

VIGNETTE 1 

Setting: A bench center stage. 

At Rise: GREG sits on the bench, solemn and deep in thought. He wears a brown leather  

coat and a pair of worn-out jeans. JENNIFER enters. She wears a winter coat and a plaid scarf and carries a purse.  

GREG 

Jen. 

(Goes for a hug.) 

How are you? 

JENNIFER 

(Steps back. Awkwardly.) 

Oh, um. Hi. 

GREG 

Sorry. I thought 

JENNIFER 

It’s fine. 
 

GREG 

Let’s sit? 

JENNIFER 

(Both sit on the bench. There is an awkward distance between them.) 

Bella’s good. Her class took a trip to the aquarium last Friday. 

GREG 
Oh, yeah. She was looking forward to that. 

JENNIFER 
She loved it. Couldn’t stop talking about all the different kinds of fish. 

GREG 
(Looks down and rubs his knee.) 
Wish I could’ve been there. 

JENNIFER 
Just ask her about it later. 

GREG 
I’d like to. 
(beat.) 
You know, I could pick her up from school today. 

JENNIFER 
I don’t think so. 

GREG 
How about Saturday? It’s supposed to snow. I’ll take her sledding in the park. 

JENNIFER 
No, no sledding. 

GREG 
Okay, we’ll build a snowman instead. 
(JENNIFER looks down and sighs.) 
Or just go out for hot chocolate? 
(JENNIFER shakes her head.) 
Please, Jen. I miss my daughter. 

JENNIFER 
Bella doesn’t want to see you right now. 

GREG 
What? But I— 

JENNIFER 
She’ll come around, in time.  

GREG 
It’ll all be better once I’m back home. I can fix this, I promise. I know she’s upset with me. It’s  because she heard what I said to you. I’ll explain it to her and tell her I didn’t mean it—

 
JENNIFER 
Greg— 

GREG 
I mean, she’s old enough to understand what’s going on. I think if I could just sit down and have  a conversation with her, I could— 

JENNIFER 
You’re not coming home. 

GREG 
What? 

JENNIFER 
We’re getting a divorce. 

GREG 
What? No. Jen, I didn’t mean it. You know that, right? And I said I was sorry a hundred times.  I’ll say it another hundred if that’s what you need. I just- Divorce? We don’t need to— (Takes a deep breath.) 
It doesn’t- it doesn’t make sense. 

JENNIFER 
Think about it, Greg. 

GREG 
No, I don’t need to think about anything. I love you. I love you, Jennifer. And I love Bella. (Beat.) 
Is this because of Bella? She hates me now, right? And it’s making you see me differently. 

JENNIFER 
No, this is about you. Look at you. 

GREG 
What do you mean? 

JENNIFER 
Your leg is shaking. 

GREG 
It’s cold. 

JENNIFER 
You didn’t have eye bags that bad when we worked late nights at CDI Corp. 

GREG 
I can’t sleep!  

JENNIFER 
In fifteen years, I’ve never seen you like this. 

GREG 
(Rubs his knee again.) 
Yeah. You kicked me out of the house. 

JENNIFER 
You got yourself kicked out. 

GREG 
No. No! You kicked me out. You were upset, whatever! Sure, kick me out for a couple hours, a  day tops. But two weeks?  

JENNIFER 
Oh, please. You really think that if I had let you stay you would have been able to fix  everything? 

GREG 
Yeah, maybe. But you had to get rid of me. Why? 

JENNIFER 
You scared Bella.  

GREG 
I thought you said this wasn’t about Bella— 

JENNIFER 
You scared me. 

GREG 
You know I would never hurt you.  
(Beat.) 
It was just a birdhouse. 

JENNIFER 
It was a birdhouse that your daughter made for you. For Father’s Day. And you smashed it to pieces. 

GREG 
I wasn’t aiming for the birdhouse. 

JENNIFER 
No? What were you aiming for, then?
(Beat.) 

GREG 
(Picks up the implication.) 
I would never. I don’t ever want to hurt you. I told you this already. I said I was sorry. I was just angry, and I needed to hit something. I was out of control and that never should have happened. 

JENNIFER 
No, it shouldn’t have happened.  

GREG 
I was aiming for the dead plant. 

JENNIFER 
Stop with the excuses. 

GREG 
I’ll buy Bella a new birdhouse.  

JENNIFER 
That doesn’t cut it. 

GREG 
Or I’ll take a woodshop class and make one.  
(Beat.) 
Please tell me you’re not going to divorce me over a stupid birdhouse. 

JENNIFER 
This is not about the birdhouse! Can’t you see? This is about me not being able to trust you not  to have another outburst. You’re unstable. While you’re in this state, you are a danger to have in  the house. I was hoping that while you were gone, you’d work on getting better—

 
GREG 
I have— 

JENNIFER 
But, clearly, you haven’t. 

GREG 
I’m working on it. I promise. I promise you it will never happen again. 

JENNIFER 
Your promise just isn’t enough anymore. 

GREG 
Why not? I can learn to manage my anger. I can fix the birdhouse— 

JENNIFER 
Also, we don’t work anymore. You and me. 

GREG 
Why not? You don’t love me? 

JENNIFER 
I’ve been angry with you. For a long time. Some things happened that I never really forgave you for. Just little things. 
(Beat.) 

GREG 
I know. I knew you were still upset. I just didn’t know what to say— 

JENNIFER 
I know. 

GREG 
What were the little things? Whatever I did wrong, I’m sorry.  

JENNIFER 
The things themselves were so small and they shouldn’t have mattered. But the grudges I built up— the resentment grew and grew.  

GREG 
And you didn’t tell me? 

JENNIFER 
I did. For a while at least. But, you never knew what to say and then you got frustrated because you felt like there was never anything that you could do or say to make things better. And you were right. So, eventually, I stopped talking to you. Instead, I’d rant to the book club ladies while you were at work.  

GREG 
Well of course I got frustrated. You were constantly telling me I was doing something wrong.  Then I’d apologize— or maybe I didn’t apologize? I don’t remember. But we’d talk about it and nothing changed. You were still upset, and I felt… worthless. 

JENNIFER 
Yeah.  
(Beat.) 
Then you caught me in one of my rants, then the birdhouse happened, and now, here we are. And even though you might be able to fix some of what happened between us, there are just too many broken pieces. 

GREG 
What’s wrong with me? I broke us. 

JENNIFER 
You didn’t. I did everything wrong too. I’m sorry, Greg. I never should have talked about the issues in our marriage with anyone but you. And I do love you, I think. But— 

GREG 
I love you too. I love you! If we still love each other, we can fix this. We can!— (Reads her face.) 
But, but what? 

JENNIFER 
But, it doesn’t feel the way it used to. Come on, you can’t honestly tell me that you still feel the same way about me that you did five years ago. Or even six months ago.  
(GREG stares at his shoes.) 
Don’t get me wrong. Leaving you is going to kill me. We’ve been through a lot together— 

GREG 
(Dark change of tone.) 
Just go. 

JENNIFER 
What? 

GREG 
Don’t tell me about how in love we used to be. You’ve made it clear that what we had is gone,  that I’m dangerous and inconsiderate, and that I’ve smashed our marriage into millions of shards that are less salvageable than Bella’s birdhouse. And there’s nothing I can do about it. So, just give me the divorce papers and leave. 

JENNIFER 
We need to talk about Bella. 

GREG 
What about her? 

JENNIFER 
I don’t want you around her until she’s ready to talk to you again. 

GREG 
Fine. 

JENNIFER 
After that, we can have joint custody. 

GREG 
Good. 

JENNIFER 
On one condition. 

GREG 
What? 

JENNIFER 
You attend therapy and anger management classes. 

GREG 
Whatever. 

JENNIFER 
So, you’ll do it? 

GREG 
Yes. I’ll do it. 

JENNIFER 
Good. I don’t want Bella to lose her relationship with her father. This is already hard enough for her. 
(Beat. JENNIFER pulls folded-up divorce papers out of her purse and  
hands them to GREG. She notices GREG rubbing his knee.) 
What’s wrong with your knee? 

GREG 
I’m fine. 

JENNIFER 
You’ve been rubbing it this whole time. Did you get hurt? 

GREG 
Uh- I slipped on the ice in the parking lot. 

JENNIFER 
When? 

GREG 
I don’t know, a while ago. Why do you care? 

JENNIFER 
Sorry. 

GREG 
(Waves the divorce papers.) 
You’re officially free from having to care about me. 

JENNIFER 
Did you do this to yourself? 

GREG 
NO. 

JENNIFER 
If you had another outburst of rage and injured yourself, I need to know about it. 

GREG 
I told you. I slipped. 

JENNIFER 
Okay.
(Beat.) 
Goodbye, Greg. 

(She gives him one final hug. At first, he resists. Then, he holds her tight. They let go, share a final glance, then JENNIFER exits. Once she’s gone,  GREG lets out a cry of anguish, squeezes the divorce papers in his trembling hand, and falls to his knees by the bench. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a bottle of pain pills. He fumbles with the lid and drops the bottle. Pills spill everywhere. He scrambles to pick them up. He pops a few in his mouth, then stands and exits. The lights fade to black.) 

END OF SCENE

VIGNETTE 2 

Setting: A bench center stage. 

 

At Rise: BELLA and JENNIFER enter. JENNIFER has aged dramatically. She is fifty-one  

       years old but looks like she’s in her sixties. They wear casual summer clothes

       and walk at a slower-than-normal pace. They walk through the space as though

       they are following a trail through the park. 

BELLA 
I’m telling you, Mom, I was so nervous. He asked me so many questions and I was overthinking everything. My responses were way too wordy, and my foot was shaking the whole time. 

JENNIFER 
When do you hear back? 

BELLA 
Well, I got a call from Mr. Crawford yesterday.  

JENNIFER 
What did he say? 

BELLA 
He said I’d be a great addition to the marine life and underwater research team. I couldn’t believe it! 

JENNIFER 
Bella, that’s amazing!  

BELLA 
I’m so excited. I’ve been dreaming of an opportunity like this. I feel like I’ve just been sitting around since I finished college and now, I’m finally going to do something that matters. 

JENNIFER 
I’m so proud of you. 
(Beat.) 
This is the overseas job, right? 

BELLA 
Yes. Palau. 

JENNIFER 
Palau.

BELLA 
I know. It’s far. But I’ll still come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. And you could come visit me. I mean, you came to South Carolina to see me. Palau is just a slightly longer plane ride away. 
(JENNIFER stifles a painful grunt.) 
Or I can plan more frequent visits if you want. It won’t be that bad— 
(JENNIFER sharply inhales and places a hand on her chest. She breathes heavily.) 
Mom! Are you ok? Here, let’s sit down for a minute. 
(BELLA guides JENNIFER to the bench.) 

JENNIFER 
(Breathing slows.) 
I’m okay. 

BELLA 
What happened? 

JENNIFER 
Oh, it’s no big deal. 

BELLA 
How bad is the pain? Should I call an ambulance? 

JENNIFER 
No, no, no. Really, I’m fine. 
(Beat.) 
Let’s just rest for a bit. 

BELLA 
Are you sure you’re okay? 

JENNIFER 
I’m okay.  

BELLA 
Okay. 

JENNIFER 
(Beat.) 
So, you and Sam are pretty serious. Will he be coming with you to Palau? 

BELLA 
I know he’ll want to, but I don’t think it’s a good idea. I’ll need to focus all my attention on the job.

JENNIFER 
That could get lonely. 

BELLA 
You think he should come with me? 

JENNIFER 
Do you love him? 

BELLA 
Well, yeah. I love him, but you’ve always told me that I need to keep my priorities straight and that my schooling and work should come before romantic relationships. 

JENNIFER 
You’re right. I think I— I don’t know, I’ve just felt so— 

BELLA 
Alone? 
(Beat.) 
You should get back out there. Come on, we’ll go shopping and get you a new outfit to wear to  the bar— 
(JENNIFER chuckles and shakes her head.) 
To the country club— 
(Still no.) 
To the singles group at church?  

JENNIFER 
I really don’t need to— 

BELLA 
Ooh, we should get you a makeover and do a photoshoot. It’ll be fun! I’ll set up an online dating profile for you. 

JENNIFER 
Definitely not. 

BELLA 
Okay, well at the very least you could post the pictures on Facebook to make Dad jealous. 

JENNIFER 
Oh, stop it. 

BELLA 
(Beat.) 
How come you never dated after Dad left?

JENNIFER 
(Puts a hand on BELLA’s knee.) 
Because I had you. Just me and my girl. I liked it that way. 

BELLA 
I’m all grown up now. You can tell me. 

JENNIFER 
It just didn’t seem worth it.  

BELLA 
What do you mean? Of course, it is. I mean, if you’d just hear me out about online dating, I think  you could really— 

JENNIFER 
At this point, if I haven’t found someone already, there’s no point in trying. 

BELLA 
But you’ve got plenty of time— 
(They share a prolonged look.) 
What? 

JENNIFER 
It’s my heart. 

BELLA 
I don’t understand. 
(Prolonged beat. Hugs JENNIFER.) 
Oh, Mom. 
(Beat.) 
How long have you known? 

JENNIFER 
I was diagnosed in February. 

BELLA 
Have you been receiving treatments or taking medication for it? 

JENNIFER 
Yes. The doctors tell me to remain hopeful, but there’s not a good— 

BELLA 
What? 

JENNIFER 
They say it won’t get better.

BELLA 
(Near tears.) 
No. 
(Beat.) 
Why didn’t you tell me? 

JENNIFER 
I don’t know. 

BELLA 
You have no one to take care of you. 

JENNIFER 
I’ve been just fine. 

BELLA 
What if it gets worse? 

JENNIFER 
Then I’ll go see my doctor. 

BELLA 
I should be there. I should have been there this whole time.  
(Spiteful.) 
But you didn’t tell me. 

JENNIFER 
I couldn’t— 

BELLA 
Why not? I thought we were supposed to share important life things with each other. Isn’t that what this whole special mother-daughter bond thing is supposed to be about? 

JENNIFER 
Well, yeah, but this is different. I loved hearing about who you had a crush on, or when you said something smart in class that shocked your professors, or what obscure type of fish you were raising money to save. But this? It’s not exactly something I was looking forward to talking about. 

BELLA 
I still needed to know. 

JENNIFER 
I’m sorry. 
(Beat.)

BELLA 
I’m moving back to Beaver Falls. 

JENNIFER 
No, you’re not. 

BELLA 
But Mom— 

JENNIFER 
You’re going to Palau. 

BELLA 
I can’t. Not now. 

JENNIFER 
Yes, yes you are. You’re not missing this opportunity for me. 

BELLA 
I don’t care. I don’t want to be that far from you. What if you need me? 

JENNIFER 
I will be fine. 

BELLA 
Stop pretending to be so tough. Someone needs to take care of you. 

JENNIFER 
No. It doesn’t matter. You need to take this job. You were just saying that you’ve been waiting your whole life for a chance at a job like this. This is everything you’ve been working toward. 

BELLA 
I know but— 

JENNIFER 
I’m not letting you give it up. 

BELLA 
(Stands and pulls out her phone.) 
I don’t care. I’m calling Mr. Crawford and letting him know I can’t— 

JENNIFER 
(Stands to follow BELLA. Inhales sharply) 
No. 
(Through the pain.) 
Bella, don’t. Please. 

BELLA 
Mom, you’re not getting better! 
(BELLA cries.) 
We may not have much time left together and I’m sure not spending it thousands of miles away from you. 
(Beat.) 
Look, I get it. You don’t want me to give up on my dreams. And I don’t plan to. It’s just one job and turning it down isn’t going to ruin my future. But if I were to go, and something happened to you, I just— I don’t want you to be alone.  

JENNIFER 
I, um— 

BELLA 
Just say it’s okay for me to come home. 

JENNIFER 
(Near tears.) 
Okay. 

BELLA 
Okay. 
(Sits back down.) 
Thank you. 

JENNIFER 
You’ve got to promise me you’ll get back out there and make your way to Palau as soon as—

 
BELLA 
What? 

JENNIFER 
As soon as I’m gone.  

BELLA 
Mom, I— 

JENNIFER 
Promise me. 

BELLA 
I promise. 

JENNIFER 
(Beat.) 
I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I think I just really wanted to be okay. But I’m not—

BELLA 
It’s okay. 

JENNIFER 
I’m not ready for the end. 

BELLA 
You still have time. And we’ll make the most of it. 

JENNIFER 
Before long, I won’t be able to do much. I can barely go on a walk now. 

BELLA 
Then we’ll stick to the smaller, simpler things. 

JENNIFER 
I’m not ready for the pain. It’s been getting worse. 

BELLA 
We’ll get you whatever painkillers you need. 
(Trying to lighten the mood.) 
Just keep them away from Dad— Wait, Dad doesn’t know you’re sick, does he? 

JENNIFER 
(Withdrawn.) 
Uh, no.  

BELLA 
Should I tell him? 

JENNIFER 
It doesn’t matter to me. 

BELLA 
It’s the right thing to do. He would want to know, I think. 

JENNIFER 
Okay. 

BELLA 
(Beat. Notices JENNIFER’S worried expression.) 
Mom? What are you thinking about?

JENNIFER 
(Breaking down.) 
I’m scared. I don’t know how it’s going to come. It could be sudden like a heart attack, or I could deteriorate over months, and I don’t know which is worse. I’m scared that I won’t be able to endure the pain and that I’ll become insufferable to be around. I’m afraid I won’t be myself anymore and that’s how you’ll remember me.  
(Shifting tone.) 
And you know what? I’m not just scared. I’m angry. I’m upset that I ended up with an incurable disease that’s so rare that nobody knows what to do with me. At least if it was cancer, I could do chemo and have a small chance that it would go away. I would do anything for that hope. Any amount of hope. And I’m mad that I won’t have enough time left to do anything I want to do. I  won’t be able to travel anymore. I won’t ever fall in love or get married again. I won’t get to see you someday get married and have a family if that’s what you want. Or if it’s not, then I’ll never get to see you become the greatest marine biologist ever. 

BELLA 
Stop. It’s going to be okay. We can’t think like that. It’s going to be okay. 

JENNIFER 
(Crying.) 
I don’t know what to do. 

BELLA 
I’ll take care of everything. I’ll move in as soon as I can, probably next week at the earliest. I’ll handle all the treatments and doctor's appointments and everything else you need. And I’ll do all the shopping and the cooking. I’ll take good care of you. I promise. I love you. 

JENNIFER 
I love you too. Thank you, Bella. 
(They both cry as they hug.) 

BELLA 
Let’s get back. You can rest and I’ll start packing. 
(JENNIFER nods in agreement. BELLA helps her stand, and they exit  
slowly.) 

END OF SCENE

VIGNETTE 3 

Setting: A bench center stage.

 
At Rise: BELLA and SAM trudge toward the park bench holding hands. BELLA’s hair is a

         mess and she has heavy bags under her eyes. SAM is relieved to be outdoors, but      

         BELLA is tense. 

SAM 
You doing okay? 

BELLA 
I’m fine. 

SAM 
How’d you sleep last night? 

BELLA 
I can’t think about sleep. 

SAM 
Sorry. 

BELLA 
You doing okay? 

SAM 
Being outside is nice. You know, fresh air and stuff… 

BELLA 
Mmhmm. 

SAM 
I’m worried about you. 

BELLA 
I’m fine. 

SAM 
So you said. 
(Beat.) 
Just tell me something. Anything. Tell me what you’re thinking or feeling other than “I’m fine.” 

BELLA 
I hate Chelsea.

SAM 
Why? 

BELLA 
She leaves her shoes on in the house. Mom hates that. And she’s too cheery. I don’t want to hear her sob story about when her grandma died. 

SAM 
It’s a hard job— 

BELLA 
I could do it. 

SAM 
Chelsea’s a medical professional. Bells, you’re a great caretaker but there are some things you just don’t know.  

BELLA 
I know Mom’s uncomfortable. 

SAM 
She’s in pain. 

BELLA 
I should buy more pillows.  

SAM 
Okay. More pillows… 

BELLA 
(SAM gives her a look of concern.) 
What? 

SAM 
I don’t think pillows are really the issue here. 

BELLA 
Fine. What do you want me to say? That I’m not okay? I mean look at me. Clearly, I’m not okay. 

SAM 
Admitting it is the first step. 

BELLA 
Shut up.

SAM 
Sorry, I just— 

BELLA 
What are you trying to do here? You want me to open up to you and cry my eyes out so you can hug me and stroke my hair and say “There, there. Everything’s going to be okay,” just so you can feel like you fixed me? 

SAM 
No, that’s not— 
(Beat.) 
Let’s just talk about something else. Have you heard from your dad? 

BELLA 
He left a voicemail saying he can’t make it out. Too busy doing something or other. 

SAM 
He doesn’t live that far. 

BELLA 
Exactly. 

SAM 
So, what’s the problem? 

BELLA 
He doesn’t want to come. He’s got a new life now. Doesn’t want to mess it up by going to see his sick ex-wife. 

SAM 
He should be here. 

BELLA 
He should. But he’s never been very good at being where he should be. 

SAM 
What are you going to do? 

BELLA 
I’m not talking to him.  

SAM 
Do you want me to try? 

BELLA 
There’s no point. He’s not coming.

SAM 
I’m so sorry, Bella. 
(Hugs her.) 
I’m here for you. It’s going to be okay. 

BELLA 
(Brushes off his hug.) 
Stop! Nothing is okay. 

SAM 
Sorry. I don’t know what to do. 
(Beat.) 
You don’t want to be comforted. So, what do you want? 

BELLA 
I want her to get better. 

SAM 
I know.  

BELLA 
She’s fighting. 

SAM 
I know. 
(Beat.) 
Maybe she will get better. 

BELLA 
Don’t say that. 

SAM 
Why not? What’s so wrong with hoping? 

BELLA 
It’s not going to happen. 

SAM 
It could. 

BELLA 
Just stop. You don’t get it. 

SAM 
What do you mean?

BELLA 
All I’m saying is that you don’t know how crippling false hope can be when you’re forced to watch someone you love fade away. 

SAM 
But I— 

BELLA 
When your dad died, what if someone had tried to give you hope that he would come back? 

SAM 
That’s different.  

BELLA 
That’s what I’m saying. You don’t understand. 

SAM 
My dad died in a car crash. 

BELLA 
I know.  

SAM 
He left the house to pick up a pizza! I thought I’d see him again in twenty minutes. Did I ever tell you that I don’t remember the last words I spoke to him? When he left the house, I didn’t even notice because I was hiding away in my room. I didn’t get to say goodbye or share any special  last moments with my dad— 

BELLA 
Oh, so since I get to spend time with my mother knowing she’s going to die, I’m supposed to— what, be grateful? Last night I made Mom lasagna for dinner, which was one of her favorites, at least I think it was. And she wouldn’t eat. She snapped at me, told me to leave her alone. How’s that for a special moment? 

SAM 
Yeah, it’s hard, but— 

BELLA 
(Scoffs.) 
Hard. 

SAM 
You have no idea how bad it hurt, losing Dad. You can’t just say that I don’t know what you’re going through.

BELLA 
You don’t! 

SAM 
Come on, Bella. I’ve put up with a lot from you these last few weeks but— 

BELLA 
Oh, you’ve just been putting up with me? 

SAM 
Well, you don’t let me comfort you or encourage you. You don’t even let me spend time with you. You’ve made loving you nearly impossible. So, yeah, I’d say I’ve been putting up with you! 

BELLA 
So don’t.  

SAM 
What? 

BELLA 
You don’t have to be here. 

SAM 
But I want to. 

BELLA 
You don’t. 

SAM 
I do. 

BELLA 
You just said— 

SAM 
I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry. 

BELLA 
You meant it. 

SAM 
No, I swear I didn’t. 

BELLA 
Then what did you mean?

SAM 
I think I’m just upset because… I miss you. 

BELLA 
I’m right here. 

SAM 
Yeah, but not really. You’re not yourself. 

BELLA 
No, I’m not. But you’re supposed to love me at my worst. 

SAM 
I do. I’m trying. 
(Beat.) 
I just— I don’t know. I miss going out for tacos and laughing at the stupid birds that always try to steal your food or when you would surprise me at work. I even miss watching movies at home and cuddling with you. 

BELLA 
I can’t do those things right now. You know that. 

SAM 
I know and I’m trying to be understanding. Sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.  

BELLA 
It’s fine. 
(Beat.) 
I want to spend time with you too, but it doesn’t matter. I can’t be there for you right now. And you’re right. I’ve been pushing you away whenever you try to care for me.

 
SAM 
So, what do we do? 

BELLA 
I can’t ignore Mom right now. I just can’t. 

SAM 
I know. And I wouldn’t want to take you away from her. 
(Beat.) 
I guess we could keep going on like we have been. I’ll work on being more understanding and I’ll help you more around the house. When we get back, I’ll go to the store and get pillows. We’ll make it through this. 

BELLA 
No.

SAM 
No? 

BELLA 
You should go to Philadelphia and stay with your mom for a while. 

SAM 
What?  

BELLA 
I can’t give you what you need right now.  

SAM 
It’s okay. You don’t need to. 

BELLA 
It’s more than that. I don’t think it’s the best idea for me to be in a relationship right now.  

SAM 
Why? 

BELLA 
Relationships are give and take. I have to give all I have to Mom right now. And I’ve already taken the last few weeks of your life. I never should have brought you with me when I came back here. I’m really sorry, Sam. 

SAM 
I don’t want to leave you like this. 

BELLA 
I’ll be fine. 

SAM 
(Beat.) 
You’re sure about this? Do you really want me to go? 

BELLA 
Yes.  

SAM 
But I’ll miss you. 

BELLA 
No more than you already do now.

SAM 
I’ll go. But I want us to stay together, you know, long distance. 

BELLA 
I don’t think I can. 

SAM 
We’ll talk on the phone. I’ll drive out sometimes on the weekends. 

BELLA 
Sam— 

SAM 
Stop pushing me away. I don’t want it to be the end. I know things are hard right now, but we can be okay again. I love you. 

BELLA 
I’m impossible to love right now. 

SAM 
I’m sorry I said that. I didn’t mean it. 

BELLA 
It’s true. 
(Beat.)  
But I guess things could go back to normal after… 

SAM 
Yes. So, let’s just take a break? And reevaluate after— 

BELLA 
Yeah. 

SAM 
Okay. 

BELLA 
Well, I don’t like being away from Mom for this long so— 

SAM 
Yeah, you should check on her. 
(BELLA exits and SAM awkwardly follows a few steps behind her.) 

END OF SCENE

VIGNETTE 4 

Setting: A bench center stage. 

At Rise: GREG and SAM enter. SAM stumbles, clearly drunk. GREG supports him

       and guides him to the bench. They sit. 

SAM 
My head hurts. 

GREG 
Take it easy. 

SAM 
Who are you? 

GREG 
It’s Greg. You know me. 

SAM 
Greg… 

GREG 
Bella’s dad. 

SAM 
Ohhhh. I’m sorry Mr. Bella’s dad Greg sir.  

GREG 
Sam, who were those guys? 

SAM 
Them back there? Uh… one of em’s named Shawn. 

GREG 
What do they want? 

SAM 
I owe them. 

GREG 
For what? 

SAM 
I don’t think I should say. 

GREG 
It’s okay. You don’t need to. 

SAM 
You’re reading my mind? Ahh, my head hurts.  

GREG 
No, I’ve just been in your place before. 
(Beat.) 
I want to help you, Sam. Where are you living now? 

SAM 
With my mom. 

GREG 
Let’s get you home. 

SAM 
No, please. She’ll be so disappointed. 

GREG 
Okay… okay let’s sit here for a bit. 
(Beat.) 
Sam, why are you here in Philly?  

SAM 
Staying with my mom— 

GREG 
Your mom. Yeah, you said that. 

SAM 
Sorry. 

GREG 
I mean, um— How’s Bella? 

SAM 
I was going to ask you. 

GREG 
You’re not together? 

SAM 
She’s still not talking to you, is she?

GREG 
No. 

SAM 
She uh, ended things. 

GREG 
When? 

SAM 
Two weeks ago. We were just on a break before that. But now it’s over. 

GREG 
I’m sorry. I thought you were good for Bella… if that makes you feel any better. 

SAM 
Yeah. Thanks.  

GREG 
Hang in there. 

SAM 
I guess she hates us both now.  
(Beat.) 
Why didn’t you go when Bella asked you to? 

GREG 
Jennifer wouldn’t have wanted to see me. 

SAM 
I guess you’ll never know. 

GREG 
What? 

SAM 
She’s gone now. 

GREG 
How do you know? 

SAM 
Bella texted me today. It’s the only thing I’ve heard from in two weeks. 

GREG 
She passed away today?

SAM 
I don’t know for sure. 

GREG 
I should call Bella. 

SAM 
I tried when I heard. No answer. 

GREG 
Did you text her back? 

SAM 
Yeah. No answer. 

GREG 
What did you say? 

SAM 
That I was sorry to hear and that I’d be there if she needed to talk to someone. (Beat.) 
She’s probably not doing well. 

GREG 
I should have been there, if not for Jennifer, for Bella. 

SAM 
Me too. I would’ve been there if she didn’t want to get rid of me so badly.

 
GREG 
Did you hurt her? 

SAM 
Oh come on, it’s a little late to go all “protective dad.”  

GREG 
Hey— 

SAM 
No, I didn’t do anything. She was just upset about her mom, and she wasn’t sleeping, and I guess my presence was annoying her or something. So, she pushed me away. 

GREG 
Well, that’s Bella. She’s not one for being coddled.

SAM 
I miss her a lot.  
(Beat.) 
I wanted to marry her you know. 

GREG 
Wow. 

SAM 
Do you think she’ll ever love me again? Or go back to being her old self? 

GREG 
I don’t know. I don’t even know how long it’ll take for her to forgive me… again. Gosh, I’ve just messed up over and over again, haven’t I? 

SAM 
She’ll come around. You’re her dad. 

GREG 
I hope so.
(Beat.) 
Does your head still hurt? 

SAM 
Yes. 

GREG 
You should take some aspirin when you get home. 

SAM 
Home… I can’t go home. 

GREG 
You have to eventually. 

SAM 
Bella’s my home. I can’t go… home. 

GREG 
Sam, can I give you some advice? 
(SAM nods.) 
No matter how much this is tearing you up inside, don’t let it destroy your life. Don’t go any further down this path you were on tonight. Don’t turn to drinking or substances. They won’t take away your pain.

SAM 
Then how am I supposed to deal with it? I don’t know what to do with myself. I don’t know who  I am without her.