NICE WALKS OLD FRIEND BY JEFFREY LO
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JOMAR, 71 years old, sits on a bench by a lake.
JOMAR:
There used to be a time you were never late for this.
Our walks around the neighborhood.
Pointing out the houses we wished we could own.
Joking about how we would lick it to claim it as ours.
Walking by this lake.
Throwing rocks in it for fun.
Coins in it for luck.
Each other for… love.
It’s probably for the best we don’t throw each other in the lake now.
We’re much too old to get out of it once we are in.
Pause.
JOMAR takes a deep breath.
JOMAR:
I hope you are on your way my love.
A moment of silence.
JOMAR closes his eyes and feels the wind on his face.
BELINDA enters.
JOMAR opens his eyes.
JOMAR:
Belinda.
BELINDA nods.
JOMAR:
My love.
BELINDA nods.
JOMAR:
Sit with me?
BELINDA nods.
BELINDA sits next to JOMAR.
JOMAR tries to hold BELINDA’s hand but cannot.
JOMAR:
You are late, my love.
BELINDA shakes her head.
JOMAR:
You are not late?
BELINDA shakes her head.
JOMAR:
I see.
Well then.
You must be gone, then.
BELINDA nods her head.
JOMAR:
And I have forgotten.
BELINDA nods her head.
JOMAR:
I do this often, I think.
BELINDA nods her head.
JOMAR:
Ok.
BELINDA stands up.
JOMAR:
Don’t go.
Please.
BELINDA sits next to JOMAR.
JOMAR:
Don’t leave me.
Even if just in my mind.
It’s only a matter of time anyway…
Only a matter of time till I join you…
Please stay.
Lights fade.
END OF PLAY.