The Boy Stays Home From School
Originally posted on June 6, 2009
The Boy: Mom? Can I have some orange juice?
*Silence*
The Boy: Mom?
The Boy: Dad?!? Dad, are you here? Mom didn’t tell me you were coming over today! Dad? *More silence* Rats. Guess he just left this here.
*Out in the hallway, the boy hears footsteps and voices approaching*
Jannie: Thank you so much, Gerrilee. You’re a real lifesaver. I will only be gone for an hour, two at the most. Can you stay that long?
Gerrilee: Sure, Jannie. Why isn’t he in school today?
Jannie: He’s sick and stayed home. A fever and sore throat, I think he said. Messed up my day completely, you know? I had so much to do today, and it’s my only day off this week.
Gerrilee: No problem, I can watch your TV as easily as mine. Where is he?
Jannie: I imagine he’s still asleep, like he was when I came downstairs to knock on your door.
Gerrilee: Oh yeah, sorry about that. My roomie ties up the phone a lot talking with her boyfriend. ‘Bout drives me crazy sometimes! I mean, I pay half the phone bill, you know?
Jannie: *laughs* Yes, you always have to compromise a little with a roommate. Sometimes that’s a good thing, though. You can split the responsibilities as well as the sharing the space. And often there are other….. benefits. *smiles dreamily*
Gerrilee: Uh-oh, what have you done? *looks at the script* Alex? You’re letting Alex move back in with you? Oh, Jannie, nothing is worth that kind of grief! What about before?
Jannie: What about before?
Gerrilee: You told me….
Jannie: I know what I told you, but things have….. changed. This time…. this time Alex needs me more than I need him.
Gerrilee: So he says, I bet. That man would say anything for a free ride. Don’t let him get away with it. Promise me you’ll make him pay his way and do at least half of the kid duty. It’s the least he can do.
Jannie: You’re sweet to be concerned Gerrilee, but Alex will be held accountable. He wants to be held accountable. We’ve worked out everything to our mutual satisfaction.
Gerrilee: *snorts* Oh yeah, right. If he’s doing his share, why isn’t he here babysitting? Why do you have to stay home on your only day off, hmmm? Answer me that.
Jannie: He would be, but he’s out of town this week. Something to do with a custody agreement for his other children. But once that’s out of the way, he’ll be here and when he’s not working a show, he’ll be available to help out.
Gerrilee: What about the kid? Does he know his father’s moving in?
Jannie: Not yet. But he’ll be thrilled – he worships the ground Alex walks on.
Gerrilee: But Jannie…
Jannie: Don’t judge me until you’ve been in my shoes, Gerrilee. I’m just not cut out to be a mother; I never was. And I am sick and tired of being tied down by the endless demands of a six-year-old who prefers his father anyway.
Jannie: Oh damn, I’m going to be late. Gotta run. If you’re lucky, he won’t even wake up. *Jannie leaves for her appointment, Gerrilee leaves the room to watch TV*
