By John McNeil
A mother caught up in the loss of both her husband and child copes
with her grief by denying that both have happened.
There is an alternate version of this script, in which the mother
addresses her dying child.
Mother
Scene: A small garden. There is a stream, and a bench. Mother enters, pushing a child's wheelchair. It is empty.
Mother:
Here we are, Maddy. Your favourite spot. A little breeze today, but I thought the fresh air would do you good. You'll probably doze off before long, anyway. Not much in the way of flowers at the moment, I'm afraid, but hey, they need their sleep too. And it won't be long before we see some snowdrops and jonquils starting to poke up. I've brought some bread for the ducks - Jimmy and Jen will be up from the stream quicktime when they realise you're here.The sun's in your eyes? Yes, I can see you squinting a bit. Hold on, I'll just turn your chair a bit. There. Do you want to listen to the radio or a tape? No, I agree - give ourselves a chance to hear the garden speak to us. (Pause) Sometimes I find it hard to take in what it has to say, though. (Resumes) But old mother blackbird's got plenty to say for herself, hasn't she! And the stream's a real chatterbox today. The cockabullies must be deafened. (Dips her hand in the water, brings it up empty.) No, they've all run to hide.
We've had a lot of calls today, Maddy. Dr Shale came round, while you were asleep. He looked in on you, but you didn't wake up. I think you're a favourite of his, the way he always teases you. He didn't this time. You looked so peaceful lying there, I think he didn't want to disturb you. I told him not to worry, you'd be up and about in no time, and he'd better have some good jokes for you next time he comes.
The hospital chaplain came in, too. I didn't know who he was at first, but he's obviously spent quite a bit of time talking to you. You never told me about him. What's he like? He probably doesn't think much of me ... I started getting a bit annoyed with him when he began to talk God stuff. Trying to tell me that God cares in the hard times and that ... (pauses, swallows hard) Is that what he's been talking to you about, Maddy? Do you believe it? Can anyone?
Miss Dunne from the CCS stopped by. She brought a lovely bunch of flowers for me...for both of us. She's been very concerned about you this last bout. You give her a hard time some times, Maddy, but I don't know what we'd do without her. I know you get so frustrated trying to make people understand, but you have to give her credit for learning Maddy-speak very quickly. (Pause) She said a funny thing as she was leaving today ... she said, there's no hurry to give back the wheelchair.
It's good we can keep that for now. Because I'm afraid we're going to be a bit short of furniture for a while, Maddy. Some people came round needing a table and chairs, and a lounge suite....and so I gave them a lend of ours. Fortunately, the beds were paid for, so we still have those, and I'm sure we can manage with a couple of boxes for a few days.
Oh, and Daddy phoned. He's been delayed again (begins to falter) and it could be several weeks before he ... before he .... (pause, deep breath) before he comes back. (Pause) Before he comes back. (Collapses, weeping).
Maddy ... can you be brave? Daddy's not coming back. Not in several weeks. Not ever. He was on his way back to see you in hospital when he was hit by another car. He so wanted to see you. The ambulance officer says he was calling your name when he died. We couldn't tell you at the time because you were not well. You slept such a long time that I wasn't sure when you were going to wake up. And I had to keep going backwards and forwards between your ward and the .... It was so much easier when they said there was no point...no need for you to stay in hospital any more.
He's gone! Maddy, what am I going to do? Maddy! Please say something. Maddy! Are you there? Maddy?! Is anyone there?
Characters
Mother
Madelaine (Maddy), her daughter (non-speaking part)
Scene: A hospital ward. The daughter is lying still on her bed, perhaps with oxygen mask, or other evidence of serious illness. A beeping monitor/ventilator can be heard. A chair is located to one side of the bed and a small bedside unit contains radio, vase of flowers and a few cards.
Mother:
(Seated on a chair beside the bed - hand reaching out and touching child) At last, Maddy, it's just you and me. I was wondering when all those people were going to leave. It's been a long day, hasn't it sweetheart. Shall I turn on the radio, or play one of your tapes? No, I think not, there's been so much talk in here this afternoon, let's just have some quiet.(Looks up) It's getting cold, I'll shut the curtains. (Walks to the window, pauses, staring out). You can see the river and the gardens from here, Maddy. I went down there this afternoon while you were sleeping. There's not much in the way of flowers down there at the moment, I'm afraid, but hey, they need their sleep, too. And it won't be long before we see some snowdrops and jonquils starting to poke up. (Reflecting) I thought I'd give the garden a chance to speak to me. (Pause) Sometimes I find it hard to take in what it has to say, though. (Resumes) But the ducks certainly had plenty to say for themselves. I think they were looking for you and your sandwich crusts! Next time I think you'd better come with me.
We've had a lot of visitors today, Maddy. Dr Shale came round, while you were asleep. He looked in on you, but you didn't wake up. I think you're a favourite of his, the way he always teases you. He didn't this time. You looked so peaceful lying there, I think he didn't want to disturb you. I told him not to worry, you'd be up and about in no time, and he'd better have some good jokes for you next time he comes.
Miss Dunne from the CCS stopped by. She brought a lovely bunch of flowers for me...for both of us. She's been very concerned about you this last bout. You give her a hard time some times, Maddy, but I don't know what we'd do without her. I know you get so frustrated trying to make people understand, but you have to give her credit for learning Maddy-speak very quickly.
The hospital chaplain came in, too. I didn't know who he was at first, but he's obviously spent quite a bit of time talking to you. You never told me about him. What's he like? He probably doesn't think much of me ... I started getting a bit annoyed with him when he began to talk God stuff. Trying to tell me that God cares in the hard times and that ... (pauses, swallows hard) Is that what he's been talking to you about, Maddy? Do you believe it? Can anyone?
Oh, and Daddy phoned. He's been delayed again (begins to falter) and it could be several weeks before he ... before he .... (pause, deep breath) before he comes back. (Pause) Before he comes back. (Collapses, weeping).
Maddy ... can you be brave? Daddy's not coming back. Not in several weeks. Not ever. He was on his way back to see you in hospital when he was hit by another car. He so wanted to see you. The ambulance officer says he was calling your name when he died. We couldn't tell you at the time because you were not well. You slept such a long time that I wasn't sure when you were going to wake up. And I had to keep going backwards and forwards between your ward and the .... It was so much easier when they said there was no point...no need for you to stay in hospital any more.
He's gone! Maddy, what am I going to do? He's gone, and I'm so scared you're going to go, too. Maddy! Wake up, please! Oh God, what am I going to do?
© John McNeil 1999
All rights reserved
This play may be performed free of charge, on the condition that
copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee
charged.
In exchange for free performance, the author would appreciate being
notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed.
He may be contacted at: soul.communication@outlook.com
Or at: 36B Stourbridge St, Christchurch 2, New Zealand.