24 June 2015

PROMPT:  A sorry sight

Lindsey Lane, writer/speaker/teacher

Misty, 19, comes in from stage right.  Betty, 39, stands at the sink doing dishes.
MISTY
Did you see her?!
BETTY
Passed out on the sofa?  I saw.
MISTY
Why can’t she go to her room?
BETTY
Has Isabella... talked to you?
MISTY
We talk all the time!
BETTY
I know you talk about hair and makeup...
MISTY
And important stuff!
BETTY
Boys.
MISTY
Well... yea.
BETTY
Has she told you anything about her...
MISTY
...past?  A little.
BETTY
Ask her.  Maybe she’ll give you the details, but... it was horrible.
MISTY
I was eight when my mother refused to pick me up from the Residential Treatment Facility.
BETTY
It’s not a contest, Misty.
MISTY
I know!
BETTY
None of you gets into foster care because the world treated you right.
MISTY
I know.
BETTY
All ya’ll have PTSD, but Isabella was... was...
Betty starts to cry.  Misty comes over and tentatively puts a hand on Betty’s shoulder.
MISTY
It was bad?
BETTY
Really bad.  She comes home from school just... just... exhausted... But I know you like to watch TV and do homework.  Tomorrow, I’ll make sure she gets up to her room.
MISTY
It’s okay.  I can listen to music and do homework in my room.
Silence.
BETTY
How was school?
MISTY
Don’t ask.
Misty smiles and the two women laugh just a little.
End of play.