SCENE 1 At rise, JASON stands under the large oak tree, staring into the empty field. ANGELINA approaches from behind, stopping a few feet away.
ANGELINA
Hey.
JASON (turns around, surprised)
Hey. It’s been a while.
ANGELINA
Two months. I just…wanted to come by.
JASON
How are you?
(A brief pause. They both speak at once.)
ANGELINA / JASON
Go ahead.
ANGELINA
Sorry, you first.
JASON
What have you been up to?
ANGELINA
I went back to school. I’m finally signing up for those cooking classes you always talked about.
JASON
You’re good, you know. I just wish you’d cooked for me more.
ANGELINA
You only had my cooking once.
JASON
And it was amazing. You always wanted to open a bakery.
ANGELINA
That was three years ago. A lot can change in three years.
JASON
Yeah, I know. So…are you still seeing…uh…what’s his name?
ANGELINA
Steve. No, not anymore.
JASON
What happened?
ANGELINA
Six weeks ago, he started acting distant. When I asked him what was wrong, he said, "Nothing." Then he started yelling at me for asking. Called me…overbearing. Turns out he was cheating on me…with someone from work.
JASON
Wow. I’m sorry, Angie. Are you okay?
ANGELINA
I’m fine. I guess it just wasn’t the right time. Seems like that’s always the story for me. Timing never works out…not with Steve. (pauses a beat) Us.
JASON
Yeah…we were always busy with our own lives. Nothing to be ashamed of, though. You’re smart, beautiful. You’ll find someone who’s great for you. Some rich guy will sweep you off your feet, whisk you away to Italy, and give you the princess life you’ve always dreamed about.
ANGELINA
I’ll settle for someone I actually care about.
(A pause as they exchange a look. ANGELINA’s tone softens.)
You know, my sister always said you and I would end up together.
JASON
Really? When?
ANGELINA
Since high school. Remember the time you came over to watch The Emperor’s New Groove? We were joking and wrestling around, and my sister saw us and said we looked cute together.
JASON
She was, what, ten years old? What did she know?
ANGELINA
She’s not the only one who said it. My mom did, too. After you took me to that school dance—even though you had a girlfriend—she thought I was trying to steal you.
JASON
I told you a million times, my breakup with Katie wasn’t because of you. That relationship was already over before the dance. And for the record, you looked amazing that night in that blue dress.
ANGELINA
Thanks. You didn’t look too bad yourself.
(A long pause. ANGELINA looks at the tree trunk, lost in thought.)
ANGELINA
What happened to us, Jason?
JASON
Life. I left for the military, and you stayed here. You were the first person I called when I got to boot camp.
ANGELINA
I remember. Those first few months were so hard…barely hearing from you.
JASON
I tried to call whenever I could, but everything was so overwhelming back then.
ANGELINA
I was starting college and thought I’d finally found the perfect boyfriend. I…I had this fairytale vision of my life. A job I loved, a husband and kids, a little suburban house with a white picket fence.
JASON
It doesn’t always work out like in the movies.
ANGELINA
No, it doesn’t. The miscarriage was bad…but the abuse was worse. He’d fly into these rages, and I’d tell myself it wasn’t him, that something else had taken over. I kept hoping he’d get better…but he never did.
JASON
I…I wish I could’ve been there for you. It killed me hearing about it and not being able to do anything.
ANGELINA
You were there. Those late-night phone calls meant everything to me. Even if we just talked about nothing…
JASON
Or everything.
ANGELINA
Yeah. I always loved how hopeful you were…even when things were hard for you.
JASON
I had to believe things would get better. Otherwise…what was the point?
(They both fall silent, glancing up at the tree. ANGELINA gently touches the carved initials on the trunk.)
ANGELINA
You said you’d never leave this tree.
JASON
I left, but…not really. I’ve always carried it with me. Carried you with me.
ANGELINA
I came here all the time after you left. Sat under this tree, hoping you’d come back. Imagining you walking up, surprising me.
JASON
I wish I had.
ANGELINA
But I can’t keep living in the past, Jason. Every time I come here, I feel…broken.
JASON
I understand.
ANGELINA
Thank you…for everything. For being my friend. For listening. I’ll miss you.
(She takes a step back, looking at the tree one last time and the tombstone beneath it before turning to leave. JASON watches her, his expression bittersweet.)
JASON
I’ll always be here, Angelina. Beneath this tree, waiting.
(ANGELINA pauses briefly, glances back, and smiles sadly. Then she walks away as the light fades.)
End of Play
Photo by Simon Wilkes on Unsplash