Short Story

March 6, 2007

Settling In

An original play by Lynn Liccardo

PRODUCTION NOTE:

 

Settling In contains three, stand-alone ten-minute plays: The first scene is a stand-alone called, Getting Settled; scenes two, four, five and six, The Choice is Hers; and scene eight, You’re Okay With That?.

Scene 1

The stage is split. Stage right set with outdoor furniture: a table and two chairs. Stage left has a table with a liquor bottle on it, a couple of chairs and several moving boxes; far rear stage left remains dark. A middle-aged man sits at the table on the porch with a drink. After a moment, a woman enters stage right, same age as the man, zaftig, streaks of silver in her hair, artistically dressed with an overflowing briefcase.

ANN

So Peter wasn’t pulling my leg. You really are back.

Joe is taken aback, but recovers quickly and stands up.

JOE

Well, if it isn’t Miss Ann. You’re looking wonderful.

He indicates her hair.

JOE

Pretty.

ANN

Thank you.

She appraises Joe’s hair.

ANN

You’ll catch up. I tried to call, but your phone’s not hooked up yet.

Joe pulls over a chair.

JOE

Sit down. I’m still getting settled – let me find you a glass.

Joe crosses stage left. Ann picks up Joe’s drink and takes a sip.

ANN

Oh, you don’t have to bother. It can be like old times, Joey.

JOE

You don’t even know what’s in there.

ANN

Bourbon, of course. Remember that place on Bleeker Street?

Joe reenters with a drink and sits down.

JOE

It was Spring Street.

ANN

Are you sure it was the place on Spring Street? I could have sworn…

JOE

It was Spring Street… I remember everything about that night.

The silence that follows is palpable.

ANN

How long has it been? Twenty-five years and…

JOE

Twenty-six years. It’s been twenty-six years.

ANN

Twenty-six years…and neither of us have ever said a word about it. Sometimes I used to wonder if I had just imagined the whole thing.

JOE

What was there to say? You dumped me for some medical student.

ANN

It never occurred to me that it mattered to you. You didn’t want anyone to know that we were lovers -- not even Peter. You would never spend the night; you always had to go back to your place, sleep in your own bed,

by yourself. I thought you were embarrassed, or even ashamed that we had been together.

When the silence becomes unbearable, Joe speaks.

JOE

Do we really want to do this now?

ANN

Yes, we do… Why didn’t you let me know you were back in town?

JOE

I’m not ready to have this conversation.

ANN

I know. I always thought it would be when we were old.

JOE

We are old. Of course, you’re older than me.

ANN

Two weeks, Joey. Two weeks.

JOE

Yeah.

ANN

Seriously, Joe. Why did you think we’d discuss this now, after all this time? I mean, it’s not as though we haven’t stayed in touch over the years.

JOE

As long as I was married, I was pretty sure neither of us would bring it up.

ANN

I heard -- Peter… When did you and Aimee split up?

JOE

About a year ago. The divorce was final last month… You wouldn’t have any ibuprofen in that bag of yours, would you?

ANN

Sure.

Ann starts rummaging around in her bag. Finally, she begins pulling out the contents. Joe sees a package of condoms and picks them up.

JOE

Well look at this; what have we here?

ANN

What can I say? I was a very good Girl Scout.

JOE

And you thought three would be enough?

Ann puts the condom box back in her bag and hands Joe the pills.

ANN

Here’s your ibuprofen.

Ann begins fanning herself and has a hard time catching her breath.

JOE

Are you all right?

ANN

Yeah, It’s just so warm. Are you hot?

JOE

Not as hot as you.

Both start chuckling as they realize that Ann is having a hot flash.

JOE

I guess we’re not kids anymore, are we, Annie… There’s always been this gulf of tension between us.

ANN

I know. Even Elliot used to ask me about it. I never knew what to say. I mean it wasn’t as though I could tell him… Do you remember that weekend we drove up to meet Elliot in Killington?

JOE

Remember?! How could I forget? Worst weekend of my life.

ANN

We had such a good talk on that drive.

JOE

The drive was fine. It was after we got there -- you and Elliot in the next room. I was so nauseous I threw up most of the night.

ANN

You said it was food poisoning.

JOE

What was I supposed to say? “Sorry, it’s just the jealousy’s that’s making me a little queasy?”

ANN

Elliot was so worried that you would hear us. He tried so hard to make me stay quiet.

JOE

Not your best thing, as I recall.

ANN

All those years Elliot and I were together you never let on that you were jealous, not even a little.

JOE

Elliot’s been my best friend since high school. He was crazy in love with you.

ANN

For a while.

JOE

And correct me if I’m wrong, but you certainly gave the impression of being crazy in love with him.

ANN

For a while.

JOE

From what I heard, you put up quite a fight when Elliot broke it off.

ANN

You heard right… Joey, it should have been this wonderful, sweet secret the two of us shared. Instead, it always felt like something we had to hide -- something dirty.

JOE

Every time I hear someone say, “Oh, they’ll get over it,” I think to myself, “Well, maybe they will, maybe they won’t.” I never got over you.

ANN

I know.

JOE

No, Ann, you don’t know… Oh, Annie, you broke my heart when you left me.

ANN

I do know, Joe.

JOE

Really? Well, you might have said something before now.

ANN

I didn’t know then… I just figured it out a few months ago.

JOE

An epiphany?

ANN

Of sorts.

Joe nods for her to go on.

ANN

It was something you said in your first e-mail.

JOE

I thought I kept it pretty general.

ANN

It was the closing, “yours deep in the memories.” It wasn’t as though I parsed them for subtext, but those few words stayed with me. And one day, I just knew.

JOE

Those memories always start in the same place…

ANN

The kitchen on West 10th Street. I can still see you when I walked in, standing there, wearing nothing but that towel wrapped around your waist…

JOE

It’s a miracle we weren’t electrocuted.

ANN

You know the funny thing is that I can’t remember anything about the sex. I do remember that you didn’t much like oral sex.

JOE

I didn’t?!

ANN

Well, you liked that. But you didn’t… Never mind.

JOE

I didn’t what?

ANN

Really, never mind.

JOE

What?

Ann searches for the right word.

ANN

Reciprocate.

JOE

Well… things change.

ANN

Whenever I’d entertain the possibility of seeing you again, I’d console myself by thinking, “Well, he’s probably gotten fat or gone bald.” Of course…

Ann looks down at her body. When she looks up, Joe leans over and gently kisses her.

JOE

Have you ever wondered how things would have turned out if we had stayed together?

ANN

It’s crossed my mind now and then. But you know what, Joey? We probably would have fucked it up.

JOE

Then?

ANN

Yes, then.

JOE

What about now?

ANN

Now? Don’t know… It would have to be the real deal. I mean, if I want to have a fling, well… You know, Joe, you were married a long time. Now that you’re divorced, maybe what you need is a little fling.

JOE

You were the one who left, you know.

ANN

I don’t recall your doing anything to stop me.

JOE

You said you were in love with the guy.

ANN

I thought I was… He turned out to be such a jerk.

JOE

Well, that makes me feel better… Annie, if I had tried to stop you, would you have stayed?

ANN

If I had, you wouldn’t have your daughter.

JOE

Yeah, I know.

ANN

Picture?

JOE

Oh, sure.

Joe takes out his wallet and removes a photograph, which he hands to Ann.

ANN

Joe, she’s beautiful. How old is she now?

Ann hands the picture back to Joe.

JOE

She is beautiful, isn’t she? Melissa’s fourteen, just started at Dana Hall -- her mother’s alma mater. I wasn’t going to be a thousand miles away from my kid, so I moved back East.

ANN

What about Aimee?

JOE

She’s staying in Chicago for now.

ANN

I see… To answer your question: I wish I could say that I would have stayed, Joey. But the truth is, I just don’t know… I’ve always wished that you had given me the chance to find out… I still wonder what I would have done… You didn’t have to be such a gentleman about it… You know, as long as I kept it my little secret fantasy, I was the one who got to decide how things would turn out.

Long silence.

JOE

You know, Annie, you’re probably right; we would have fucked it up back then.

Ann, not sure where this is going, is silent.

JOE

Which is why I think it would behoove us…

ANN

Behoove us?

JOE

Yes, I think it would behoove us -- to get it right this time.

After a long moment, Ann speaks.

ANN

I’ve been waiting my whole life for a man to look at me the way you’re looking at me now. Was I so scared and insecure back then that I couldn’t see it?

JOE

I always thought I was the one who was too scared and insecure to let you see how I really felt. And then it was too late -- missed my chance. By the time you and Elliot broke up, Aimee and I were… Anyway.

ANN

You’re not afraid I’ll leave you again?

JOE

Annie, if either of us has any sense at all, we should both be scared shitless.

ANN

Call me crazy, Joey, but I’m not scared.

JOE

Well, Miss Ann, then we both must be crazy because neither am I.

ANN

Wasn’t it you who told me that no one should ever sleep with someone crazier than they are?

JOE

It’s good advice, but it didn’t come from me. Maybe it was your medical student?

ANN

Very funny! You know, we have to consider how your daughter is going to feel about this.

JOE

Look Ann, as long as we’re sure about how we feel about each other, we’ll deal with the rest of it… Now, are you sure?

ANN

(with certainty)

I think so.

JOE

Me too.

As the lights fade, they slowly kiss.

Scene 2

Same setting, early the next morning. Joe’s clothes are draped over one of the chairs. A double bed is now stage far left, rear. The lights come up on Joe, wearing a t-shirt, sleeping alone in the bed. He wakes up with a start. Sitting up, he looks around, then lets out a resigned sigh and lies down. At that moment, a toilet flushes OS and Ann, dressed as before, enters stage left, carrying her bag. She kneels on the bed and kisses Joe.

ANN

Good morning sleepyhead. Did you sleep well?

JOE

I did. And you?

ANN

Fine… What’s wrong?

JOE

Nothing’s wrong.

ANN

Yes there is… You thought I left… That’s it, isn’t it? You thought I just snuck out like some thief in the night.

Joe sits up looking sheepish.

JOE

I woke up and you were gone and your stuff was gone and I thought…

ANN

To the bathroom, Joe. I went to the bathroom.

JOE

I got scared.

ANN

Well, I’m scared too.

JOE

Of what? You’re not the one who got dumped.

ANN

Not by you… Don’t you think I’m terrified that you’re going to wake up one morning and change you mind, which is what usually happens to me. Or that you’ll find someone who’s younger, or prettier…or thinner… Joe, this isn’t going to work if we’re both scared all the time.

JOE

If you come back to bed, I promise I won’t be scared anymore.

ANN

I have to get to work.

JOE

Come on.

ANN

Joe, I’m going to be late. Don’t you have to go to work?

JOE

Yes, ma’am.

Ann kisses Joe and exits right. Joe gets up and begins to get dressed as the lights fade. He continues dressing as the next scene begins.

Scene 3

The lights come up on an empty stage. Several weeks have passed. The packing boxes are gone, and there’s a tablecloth on the interior table. Ann enters stage right carrying her bag and a single sunflower in a blue vase. She sets the vase on the table, along with a card she takes from her bag, then exits stage right.

After a moment, Joe enters stage right. His briefcase is on his shoulder and he has his keys in his hand. He stops when he sees the flower and sits down and opens the card and reads it, then puts it in his briefcase and pulls pen and yellow legal pad out of his briefcase. He writes a few lines, puts it in the envelope and sets the envelope against the vase. He walks stage left, mimes opening the door, puts his briefcase down, takes his jacket off and drapes it over the chair and sits on the bed. The lights fade, leaving the stage in darkness except for a spotlight on the vase.

The lights come up a moment later as Ann enters stage right. She sits down, picks up the envelope and takes a deep breath. When she’s gathered her courage, she opens the envelope and pulls out the note. She takes the key out of the envelope and smiles. She stands up and mimes unlocking the door, then joins Joe on the bed as the lights fade.

Scene 4

The same setting, a few weeks later. The space includes several objects Ann has brought, including something intimate, like a teddy bear. Joe is in the bedroom putting on his jacket; his briefcase and Ann’s bag are on the table. OS there are sounds of retching.

JOE

Ann, are you all right in there?

There is water running OS, then the sound of a faucet closing. Ann enters stage left.

ANN

Yeah. I don’t know where I picked up this stomach bug.

JOE

I’ve got to go. Feel better.

ANN

I will.

Joe kisses her cheek and exits stage right, without his briefcase. When she is sure that he’s gone, she pulls a home pregnancy test out of her bag and sits on the bed. A second later, Joe enters stage right.

JOE

Forgot my briefcase.

He sees the pregnancy test.

JOE

So exactly when were you going to tell me?

ANN

There’s nothing to tell, yet. It could just be a stomach bug.

JOE

Well, Aimee started out with the heaves… I thought we had been pretty careful.

ANN

There was that one morning in the shower.

JOE

Oh yeah, I forgot about that… Ann, if I hadn’t come back, would you have told me? Or just taken care of it without saying any thing?

ANN

Joe, I’ve never been pregnant before. If I am, I’m going to need some time to get used to the idea before I -- we -- decide anything.

JOE

I forgot. Underneath it all, you’re still a nice Catholic girl, aren’t you?

ANN

Would I be here if I were? Do you ever wish you and Aimee had more children?

JOE

I always thought we would. But when I saw how she was with Melissa… Well…

ANN

I know. That one time I saw her and Aimee together, all I could think of was the Mary Tyler Moore character in Ordinary People.

JOE

Ann…

ANN

Well, she is… You can’t see it, Joe, but when Melissa’s with you, she’s like a different child.

JOE

I know Aimee loves her, but…

ANN

Is that why you finally left?

JOE

It’s why I stayed. The divorce was Aimee’s idea. What about you? I expected you to have a houseful of kids.

ANN

I probably would have if I had found a husband. After things didn’t work out with Elliott… Although I suppose if I had really been driven to have children, I would have found a way, husband or not. But when my friends started having kids and I got a good look at what was really involved… Jesus, there’s no time for yourself -- maybe five minutes here or there in the bathroom… And the sleep deprivation…

JOE

You get used to it.

ANN

That’s what everyone told me. But I don’t know… I mean, what are you supposed to do if you don’t get used to it? Anyway, I think everything worked out the way it was supposed to.

Joe lays his hands on Ann’s belly and kisses it.

JOE

I expect you’re right. Listen, I’m late for a deposition.

Joe picks up his briefcase; just before he exits, he turns around.

ANN

What?

JOE

Nothing. I’ll see you later. Feel better.

Joe exits stage right. Ann takes the pregnancy test and exits stage left.

Scene 5

Same setting, a few minutes later. The stage is bare. After a moment, a bell rings OS; after another moment, Ann enters stage left carrying the pregnancy test and the package it came in, which she stuffs in the bottom of her bag, then pulls a cell phone. She sits on the bed and puts her hands on her belly.

ANN

I know you would be beautiful.

She dials a number.

ANN

Hello. Yes, I’d like to make an appointment... To terminate a pregnancy... Yes, I just did a home pregnancy test... Yeah, it was positive... My last period? That’s a good question. It’s been a while, but I couldn’t be more than, hang on a second.

Ann carries the phone to the table and pulls her date book out of her bag, then sits down.

ANN

Hi, I’m back... Okay, let me see -- ten weeks -- more likely eight... Yes... I understand, but... Look, I’m fifty. I’ve been skipping periods for a couple of years now... I am aware that it’s a more complicated procedure after twelve weeks... Believe me, I cannot tell you how sure I am that... If you’ll let me finish a sentence, I’ll explain... I couldn’t be more than ten weeks at the outside... Well, if you absolutely must know, the first time I had intercourse since long before my last period was ten weeks ago... Thank you, next Friday will be fine... My name is...

The lights fade.

Scene 6

The same setting, early in the evening of the same day. The lights come up on Ann sitting on the porch reading a book and drinking a cup a tea.

JOE(OS)

(sitcom husband voice)

Honey, I’m home.

Joe enters stage right and kisses her, then sits down in the other chair.

ANN

How was your deposition?

JOE

Forget about the deposition. Don’t you ever check your voice mail?

ANN

You can relax. It was a false alarm. The test was negative.

JOE

Oh.

ANN

You sound disappointed.

JOE

Maybe, a little. I know it would have been crazy, but… You?

ANN

I don’t know. Relieved… Maybe a little sad.

JOE

Well, I suppose we should be grateful that the decision was made for us. I would have had a really hard time…

ANN

It’s funny. Elliott never wanted children. He used to talk about getting a vasectomy.

JOE

Kind of extreme, don’t you think? You were both still in your twenties.

ANN

I always thought it was extreme. We used to fight about it a lot… I really thought I wanted kids then. Once I asked him what he would do if I found out I was pregnant, just to see his reaction.

JOE

And what did Elliott say?

ANN

Well, he really didn’t say anything. He just got this funny little smile that made me think he probably would have been okay with it once he got used to the idea. Do you think he and what’s-her-name planned to have kids, or did it just happen?

JOE

No, actually they had a hard time getting pregnant the first time.

ANN

Is he a good father?

JOE

Yeah, he is.

ANN

Funny how things work out… Listen, I thought I’d go visit my sister while you took Melissa to see your parents next week.

JOE

I was hoping you would come with us.

ANN

A little early in the relationship for that, don’t you think?

JOE

I suppose that would depend on when you started counting.

ANN

Well, I’ve never heard my nephew play his trumpet in the school band, and next week is the last concert before he graduates.

JOE

It’s going to seem strange, not waking up next to you.

ANN

It’s only for a few days. I’ll be back before you have a chance to miss me.

JOE

I’ve gotten used to having you around. And Melissa loves seeing you on the weekends.

ANN

And I’ve gotten used to being around.

They stand up and begin walking into the house.

JOE

I hope you get rid of that stomach bug before you leave.

ANN

So do I.

Ann walks through the door and Joe follows. The lights fade.

Scene 7

The same setting, a few days later. Joe is sitting on the bed reading a magazine. OS there are sounds of retching. After a moment, Ann enters stage left carrying some clothing, which she places on the table, then exits and re-enters carrying a suitcase.

JOE

Haven’t gotten rid of that stomach bug, yet?

ANN

No, not yet.

JOE

Are you sure you want to go through with this alone?

ANN

Go to my sister’s? Why wouldn’t I?

JOE

Have the abortion.

Ann takes a moment before she replies.

ANN

I didn’t think you wanted to know. Was I picking up the wrong signals?

JOE

No, I guess not. I just kept hoping you would tell me anyway.

ANN

Are you angry that I lied?

JOE

I just wanted you to trust me enough to tell me.

ANN

I was afraid you were going to try to talk me into having the baby.

JOE

I know… And it would have been for all the wrong reasons.

ANN

Like what?

JOE

Like trying to use this situation to make up for what went wrong between Aimee and me.

ANN

You know, if I were in my thirties, maybe even my forties, I probably would have let you talk me into it… Or maybe I wouldn’t have needed you to talk me into it… Joe, I feel so selfish… I didn’t realized that it would hurt this much.

JOE

I don’t think it’s supposed to be an easy decision… I keep thinking about the beautiful babies we would have had.

ANN

I keep wondering if this isn’t an opportunity that maybe I shouldn’t run away from so quickly. Then I think about the reality of the situation… It just makes me so sad.

JOE

It is sad… What’s the time frame here?

ANN

A week, maybe a little longer.

JOE

Ann, this is a decision we should make together.