Grandma’s Ring
by Jacob Juntunen
(DAD is entirely under a sheet on a block. CHRISTY and ANN are mid-conversation)
ANN
Do we have to do this here in front of everybody?
CHRISTY
Where should we do it, back in the hospital? Oh, wait, you were never there.
ANN
I visited Dad, I just didn’t want to see you.
CHRISTY
He said you never talked to him after Molly’s christening, and you didn’t call me the whole time he was sick—
ANN
I’m here now.
CHRISTY
You never gave him a chance to explain.
ANN
He made it clear who his real daughter was.
(CHRISTY takes off a ring)
CHRISTY
With this little bit of gold and diamond?
ANN
That should be mine.
CHRISTY
Dad gave it to me.
ANN
When Grandma was dying she handed it to me.
CHRISTY
You were eight. She just didn’t want to get buried in it, wanted Dad to watch over it—
ANN
Give me the ring, and let’s just start over.
CHRISTY
Do you want me to give you the ring or to have me in Molly’s life?
ANN
Give me the ring.
(Light shift; CHRISTY exits and DAD sits up, using the sheet as a blanket)
DAD
Does Christy know you’re here?
ANN
I don’t want to talk to her. What do the doctors say?
DAD
I’m glad you came. I was afraid I might not get to say goodbye.
ANN
Why did you let Christy get married in the yard?
DAD
I have cancer, I’m not going to get out of here, and you can’t stop competing with your sister—
ANN
I wanted to get married in your yard, but you told me no—
DAD
I overextended that summer; I should have never volunteered for the Fourth of July parade—
ANN
But when it was Christy’s marriage, you set up tables with flowers, found a Catholic priest—
DAD
It was an issue of timing, not favoritism—
ANN
How often do you talk to her?
DAD
You moved three states away—
ANN
You think it’s easy to find teaching jobs these days? And you can’t pick up a phone?
DAD
Okay, I could’ve called more, it’s true, but she lives ten minutes away, so of course I talk to her more—
ANN
And Grandma’s ring?
DAD
Bill’s got plenty to get you a beautiful ring, and back then I didn’t think Christy would ever get married. I thought it was a nice gesture to give it to her. It’s just an art deco ring, not like that elegant setting Bill got you—
ANN
Goodbye, Dad.
(Light shift and ANN takes the blanket and holds it like a baby; CHRISTY enters)
CHRISTY
Omigod!
ANN
Molly, this is your aunt Christy.
CHRISTY
It’s so nice to meet you, Molly! She looks just like you.
ANN
I think she looks like Dad, like a little old man.
DAD
Hopefully she’ll grow out of that.
CHRISTY
Where’s Bill?
ANN
He’s talking with the priest.
CHRISTY
Can I hold her?
(ANN gives CHRISTY the blanket)
ANN
Is that Grandma’s wedding ring?
CHRISTY
I found it at Thanksgiving. Too bad you couldn’t come home—
ANN
I was pregnant. Bill’s family came to our house. You were all invited— Dad?
DAD
Turns out it was in your Grandma’s jewelry box.
ANN
I told you to look there.
DAD
Well, maybe if you’d gotten married at home—
ANN
I wanted to get married in the yard!
DAD
Then why’d I pay for that huge Church?
CHRISTY
Mother Rome always takes her thirty pieces of silver, doesn’t she?
ANN
Why’d you give her the ring?
DAD
Well, you were holding down the fort with Bill’s family for the holidays and I thought Christy could use something special—
CHRISTY
It looks good, doesn’t it? All art deco and crap?
ANN
Give me Molly. Now.
DAD
Annie, what’s wrong?
ANN
Both of you, just get inside— Go! I said go!
(DAD and CHRISTY exit, confused; light shift; ANN flaps the sheet out and puts it on like a wedding dress. DAD enters.)
DAD
That’s some train.
ANN
Is it too much?
DAD
Nothing’s too much for a bride. Is the church all right?
ANN
It’s perfect. I just wish Grandma could be here.
DAD
I’m sure she’s looking down on this.
ANN
I remember sitting on that green couch with the doilies on the arms, listening to her talk in her brogue about her outdoor wedding, about being a protestant marrying a catholic in the old country. How neither church would let them get married inside.
DAD
When did she tell you that?
ANN
It was that last summer she was sick. She talked about it all the time when you took Christy to the playground. You said I was too old to go, that I had to “hold down the fort” with grandma. I think she felt sorry for me.
DAD
Well, you were eight and Christy was four. I had to entertain Christy somehow, and you were old enough to take care of grandma—
ANN
She told me how her Dad stood up to everybody for her, that he made sure his daughter got everything she wanted. He did it all for her. He put tables covered in flowers in the yard, found a free-thinking priest. He even bought the ring when the groom couldn’t afford it. She used to say she wanted me to have that ring.
DAD
I’m sorry, I looked for it, I’ve just been so busy—
ANN
I know you are. But this is perfect. Everything is perfect, Dad. Thank you.
(ANN kisses DAD on the cheek, and they hug. The wedding march is heard.)
DAD
Ready?
(Tableau of ANN and DAD, arm in arm, about to walk into the church. Lights and music fade out.)
Read full lengths by Jacob Juntunen here!
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