A Play by Derrett T.
| CHARACTERS: |
FATBOY, the daisy, 14 years old. TRINA, the redrose. Fatboy’s mom, 42 years old. |
| SETTING: |
In a woman’s living room that smells good with lots of sad women in there. |
| TIME: |
After school. |
| AT RISE: |
Both FATBOY and TRINA are in vases staring at each other waiting for one to speak. |
FATBOY
Mom, I really need to meet my dad today.
TRINA
Son I told you this a thousand times, I don’t want you to end up like your dad.
FATBOY
I’m not gonna end up like him. I have a better future ahead of me.
TRINA
I still don’t want you to meet him cuz he’s not a good rose.
FATBOY
Mom, you always had your dad. I just want a chance to meet mine. A little talk won’t hurt nobody.
TRINA
Yeah I know a little talk won’t hurt, but I have problems with your dad. Me and your dad is not seeing eye to eye right now.
FATBOY
Man, if I don’t see him, I swear I might go looking for him.
TRINA
How many times am I going to tell you? You are not seeing your dad and that’s final. Why don’t you just take a second and think. If I didn’t let you see your dad when you was younger, what makes you think I’m gonna let you see him now?
FATBOY
Know what Mama? You being a hater right now.
TRINA
I ain’t hating on nothing. I’ve been your mom and your dad all your life. If I say no, it’s final.
FATBOY
I know you have done that and I appreciate it. But I want to take a lot of stress off you, right? And if you let me meet my dad, all your stress would be gone cuz all you have to worry about is you, cuz you can get out more and enjoy life. Cuz you know you’re not getting younger.
TRINA
Well you right. I should get out and enjoy life more. I just don’t want to lose you to the bad habits your dad have.
FATBOY
How would I know if he have bad habits. I never even met the dude. What was it like with your father?
TRINA
We have a good relationship. I was always daddy’s little girl. But enough of my life, this is your life we’re talking about. It only takes one bad choice and it messes up your life.
FATBOY
I know I am not going to make bad choices because I have a good future ahead of me.
TRINA
I just want you to stop thinking about your father so much. It’s really hurting me to see you like this, but it’s for your own good.
FATBOY
Mama, please, tomorrow is my school festival. It’s the real big father and son thing we do at school every year. I already missed two years. Mom, I’m almost out of high school. I will be embarrassed if my dad don’t come. I’ll probably never go to school again. Mom, I just wish me and you could switch places for a day so you could see how I really feel not to have a father.
TRINA
Well I only have contact with your uncle on your dad’s side. And he doesn’t know where your dad is, and I don’t know where your dad is. Truth is, nobody has seen him for 15 years. I just never wanted to tell you like this. Do you think I like seeing you without your father? I know it’s really important for you to have your father.
FATBOY
Is that true? If you really feel like that, why didn’t you tell me that before? Mom, least you can do is give me my uncle’s number.
TRINA
Well, you know, I think I misplaced it when I went out the other day. But I’ll double check for you. Let me go look for it and I’ll get back to you later.
FATBOY
Dang, Mom, you looking good today.
TRINA
Boy, don’t try to sweet talk me now.
FATBOY
But back to my dad. Was you lying to me the whole time? That’s something I would expect from my friend but not you.
TRINA
I’m your mother. You’re my son. If I don’t want you to see someone or go somewhere, you’re not going at all. You’re my son, not the other way around.
FATBOY
You’re the reason why I didn’t see my dad my whole life. I think he just didn’t want you no more and I think you still mad because of that.
TRINA
Boy, don’t you ever disrespect me like that. You know if you wanna be grown you can get out my house.
FATBOY
Can you please help me, I’m begging you. Pretty please? I really need this, Mom. … Mom, I know you wanted to have grandflowers.
TRINA
What are you trying to say son? Don’t be playing with my emotions. I know you was messing with the little rose down the street. I don’t like her. She’s too fast for me.
FATBOY
Mom, what does it mean when you don’t have no pollen?
TRINA
Who do you know that don’t have no pollen? Please don’t tell me you got that ugly rose pregnant.
FATBOY
And what if I did? I just want my dad to meet his grandson.
TRINA
Boy is you crazy? Why didn’t you tell me that before? I respect that you’re telling me this now. Since you’re opening up, I should open up. I’ve been feeling so stupid, cuz I’m your mother, I shouldn’t have to hide this from you. You might have a little sister rose or a little brother rose on the way. And I really want Damon to be a good father figure. I just want someone to respect me, love me, and that’s gonna love you too. And treat us right. And even though he’s not your real father, he can be that father figure to you. And he’s gonna be a positive role model. Somebody you can look up to. And you can open up all your feelings and tell him everything you do, just like a dad.
FATBOY
Mom, you know I do not like Damon. Mom, he’s a nectar dealer. He just got out the flower shop. He been in there for five years.
TRINA
Don’t say that about my rose. Why do you have a problem with him? He’s never done nothing to you.
FATBOY
I don’t like him because he’s the biggest nectar dealer there is. And what would I look like having a stepdad that I don’t like?
TRINA
I’m grown, I can do what I want to. And if I choose to bring a man in my house, you’re just going to have to deal with it.
FATBOY
Well you’re right Mom. You are grown and can do whatever you want to. And I respect that you’re telling me this, but this is how I’m feeling right now. If you bring Damon around me, and if we get into it one time, you will never see your grandson, ever in your lifetime.
TRINA
Why you gotta use my grandbaby as an excuse? You know how much I want grandflowers and why you gon do me like this? I should kick yo stick to the curb, but I can’t because I love you and I want you to be here for your little sister or brother. I know you don’t want them to grow up and not see they big brother, do you?
FATBOY
I don’t care about no little brother or sister right now. All I care about is finding my dad. Now are you going to help me or not?
TRINA
Hell naw. And don’t ask me again.
FATBOY
So you gon let some broke ass flower come between our family. Mom, I swear to god if you do this to me, I will play that flower out. Mom, this the last time, I am going to ask you one more time.
TRINA
Let me ask you something. Do you ever wonder why you are a daisy and not a rose?
FATBOY
I — I — I — I never really thought about it. Tell me why I am a daisy, since you bringin it up.
TRINA
Son, do you really want to know this?
FATBOY
Yes, I really wanna know, so I just hope you don’t lie to me like you been doing half of my life, or probly my whole life.
TRINA
Listen here, it’s a mother’s job to lie to you. Everybody’s mom lies to them. Do you know why we lie to y’all? It’s because we love you and don’t want to see you hurt.
FATBOY
So can you tell me why I am a daisy and not a rose, please?
TRINA
Well I really didn’t want to tell you this, but you’re adopted.
FATBOY
Why you lying to me.
TRINA
Boy, ain’t nobody gots to lie to you and I really don’t have to prove nothing to you.
FATBOY
Why are you lying to me? My dad is half rose and half daisy but his dad is all daisy, and I get my daisy from his side.
TRINA
No I am not lying to you.
FATBOY
Why you lying to me? I searched your room and I found your old diary and the letters my dad sent trying to get in contact with me. Dang Mama, you are a compulsive liar.
TRINA
Well I’ve been trying to stop lying for the past 3 months. I just want us to be a family when I have the baby, just me, you and Damon, one big happy family. I just don’t want to lose you.
(She is crying.)
I am afraid that if I let you see your dad, you won’t come back to me. Do you understand the words that’s coming out of my mouth?
FATBOY
Well mom. If you really want to open up now, well then I think I could probly work out my differences with him, only for the family sake. But if he get out of line, you know that old saying we got, I got something for him.
TRINA
Oh you mean that really? You will try to work out your problems with Damon? Oh come here baby, give mama a hug. I love you.
