Sandy – the well sister
Judy – the dying sister
Sandy: Are you O.K., Judy?
Judy: Remember what used to be in that tree, Sandy?
Sandy: The tree fort, sure I remember.
Judy: Remember the day we painted it inside?
Sandy: How could I forget? John and Jeannie really pulled a fast one on us that day, didn’t they?
Judy: Even though Jeannie was older, I still think it was our “darling” brother John’s idea.
Sandy: Knowing him, you’re probably right.
Judy: I can still remember him saying, “Judy, if you and Sandy paint the inside of the tree fort, Jeannie and I will let you play in it.”
Sandy: How did you know where to get the paint?
Judy: Oh, John told me there was a can in the cellar. He had it
all planned out!
Sandy: And we fell for it, hook, line and sinker. We were too
young to suspect a thing. Boy, was Mom ever mad when she found out
what we’d done.
Judy: Yeah, the paint was supposed to be for our bedroom. Remember how long it took until our room finally did get painted? I think it was years!
Sandy: Our folks didn’t have much money back then. It probably took them quite a while to save the money for that can of paint.
Judy: Then the worst part was that John & Jeannie still didn’t let us come up in the tree fort.
Sandy: (Laughs) And what could we do?
Judy: Nothing.
Sandy: Yeah, we certainly couldn’t complain to Mom & Dad.
Judy: No way! I never mentioned that tree fort to them again.
Sandy: We were pretty naïve back then, weren’t we?
Judy: Yes, we were. It was a wonderful time wasn’t it?
Sandy: It sure was. It’s funny as a kid you can’t wait to grow up, then as an adult you think back to how great it was being a kid.
Judy: That’s true.
Sandy: Aren’t you getting cold? How about going back inside?
Judy: It’s hard to hear yourself think in there.
Sandy: (Gently) They all came because they love you, Judy.
Judy: I know. I love them, too. Family really is a wonderful thing, but I’m just confused right now, Sandy.
Sandy: What can I do, Judy?
Judy: Nothing. There’s nothing anyone can do. That’s what the doctors have said anyway.
Sandy: Judy, you’ve always been the greatest sister a girl could ever ask for. I want you to know how much you mean to me.
Judy: Thanks, Sandy, I love you, too and I’m glad for all the happy times we’ve had together. It just doesn’t seem possible that they’re almost over.
Sandy: We’ve still got some time left.
Judy: They only give me about two weeks now, Sandy. An obstruction to the kidney that just can’t be corrected. It’s hard to believe in this day and age that something like this could happen.
Sandy: Judy, I …
Judy: I guess I should be glad it’s me and not one of my kids. I mean if it had to happen, better me than them.
Sandy: Judy, what about Dennis and the girls; what can I do for them?
Judy: Well, I’m sure Dennis will need some help with the girls. It’s going to be very hard for him… and for them. You know how men can be.
Sandy: Do I ever.
Judy: I guess, just let him know you’re willing to help, and the girls will certainly need a woman to take them shopping and to do all the female things.
Sandy: Don’t worry, Judy, I’ll be there for them.
Judy: I know you will, Sandy, but I won’t be. I won’t be there for their graduations, or their weddings, or their first child.
Sandy: (Gently) Judy, don’t do this to yourself. There’s nothing you can do about this.
Judy: I know. I think maybe I’m trying to focus on them because I’m so scared. Sandy, I’ve never done this before.
Sandy: Never done what?
Judy: Died. I’ve never died before, Sandy. I’m not sure I can do this. (Throws arms around Sandy and sobs.)
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Copyright John & Joanne Miller, all rights reserved.
This script may be performed free of charge, provided no charge is
made for entrance or for programmes. In return, the authors would like
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