Long overdue Conversation

Topic / Scripture : Using the time God gives us; the importance of family; Mat. 20:6 About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?

Setting: Anywhere. The audience will assume that this is just a father having a conversation with his daughter, Could be in the kitchen, the living room, outside on the porchanywhere.

Characters: Don the father. Tender hearted, hes nervous, uncomfortable with this conversation, but intent on finally doing this right.

Scene: Don is sitting on a chair facing the audience, wringing his hands, looking nervous but determined as he begins this conversation.

Don: This is a little awkwardJust bear with me honey, we need to talk about some things

I probably should have done this sooner, but you caught me off guardyou know?

Yesterday you were playing with Barbies and riding your little pink bike with the training wheels still on. Then I turned around and you were going on dates, looking at colleges, wearing that goo on your face(sheepishly and a little defensively) I got used to it. J

I sure could have used more time in there somewhere. Another decade or two.

Okay, so here we go

Ummmdrugs are baddont use themthey could rot your teethno, um, kill your brain cellsand stuff. You probably shouldnt smoke eitheryeah, I know I do, but youre still too young, cigarettes really will rot your teeth. Plus, your mom really hates how they smellso its better if you just dont start.

(At this point he pulls out a crinkled up piece of paper and spends some time smoothing it out and fidgeting with it, checking it, etc.)

I, uh, wrote a listJI didnt want to forget anythingyou know, while I have momentum going and stuff

Okay, so heres the big oneits uhwell, this ones really importantboys areuhboys are greatbut, theyre still boys you know? So youve got to be really careful. Youve got to be smart honey. Youre so smart, and funny. And youre really talented and youre beautiful. Im not just saying that because Im your dad. You really are. Boys call the house all the time for you. They do! Hey, I didnt say we answer it every time, thats why we have caller ID. No, Im just kidding honeykind-of. Anyway(looking down at his list again)so, you just need to be on your toes. Dont believe everything they tell you. And you should probably bring a friend with you on your dates. Bring several friends. The more the merrier(chuckles, but its clear he means it).

(He glances at his list one more time)

So that about covers all the big stuff. But theres one more thing I really need to say to you. I guess I want to apologize. Im so sorry sweetie. Im not proud of the way I left things the last time we sat down to talk. I know you had some really important things to say and I just wasnt listening. Your mom and I love you so much and its hard(choking up a little)We just dont agree with some of the choices youve made. I know, I know, its your lofe and you need to make mistakes to learnbut no matter what, Its our job to keep you safe and do our best to teach you and (realizes hes getting a little lost in the past conversation and proving his point) but thats not the point right now. Theres no excuse for my behavior. I promised myself that I would never give up on my kids, and when I walked out of that roomI know I said I give upand I shouldnt have left things like that

I thought I would have more time to fix thistime to make you understand, to get things back to(hes crying now)I never gave up on you honey, no matter what I saidI never gave upI hope you hear me saying that, I wish it wouldnt have taken so long

(A long pause as he tries to pull himself together)

(He stands up and gets a bouquet of flowers out from behind the chair he was sitting on)I need to get goingbut I just wanted to let you know that I love you(he places the flowers on the ground in front of him)Im so sorry we didnt talk soonerI really thought we had more time

(arranges the flowers just the way he wants them)I brought you sunflowers, I couldnt find any tulips this time, but Ill keep lookingI miss you so much, we all do. (he stands up to go and pantomimes brushing off the head stone)I gotta go,

I love youIll see you next week sweetie

(He turns to go, looks back at the flowers, on the ground, and walks away slowly. Lights out.)How to Cite this Page

MLA Citation:"Long overdue Conversation." 123HelpMe.com. 04 Mar 2015 .