I took a taxi here. From Bangor. To
see him. This place is a little further away from things than I remember.
I could only fly as close as Bangor and I needed to get to him as fast as
I could. Because I want to answer a question he asked me. The last time
I saw him, he asked me a very important question and I didn’t answer it,
and that’s just not a very nice thing to do to a person. He asked me to
marry him. And that’s why I’m here. To answer him. (Beat. Then, realizing she
probably ought to defend herself.) I mean, I didn’t answer him in the
first place because I didn’t have an answer at the time. I mean, I was
going to college, and then… the night before I’m about to go off into the world
to do what I hope and dream, he asks me, “Will you marry me?” I mean, come
on! I was leaving in the morning… What was I supposed to do? (Defending
herself.) I mean, I told him I’d have to think about it, that I’d think it
over overnight and that I’d be back before the sun came up with an answer.
And then I left. Left him standing right… there…and then… I didn’t make it
back with an answer before the sun came up or… at all. No! That wasn’t my
answer! I just… went off into the world, and that’s not an answer, and I
think-… (little beat) I think he thought I’d say, “Yes.” I know, and… I’m
afraid he probably waited up all night, hoping for me to come by, and I
just want to tell him that I know now that you just can’t do a thing like
not answer a question like the one he asked me, you can’t do that to a
person. Especially to someone you love. (pause) I know this isn’t going
to be very easy, but I was just out there all alone in the world, and I got so
scared, because all I could think about was how I had no place in this world,
but then outta nowhere realized that there was one place in this world that I
did have, and that was with you, so I flew and I took a taxi to get to you, I
just had to come see you (finally really
looking at him) thank God you’re…. Oh ___... Wait ___ … I’m sorry. You’re not---…. I’m ---… This is the house---..I’m so sorry--- …. Does
Daniel Harding live here?, I’m looking for Daniel Harding. Um, he lives here. I thought.
But… ohhhh… he doesn’t, does he?
Ooooh. I am so sorry. I’m so embarrassed. “Who is this woman and what is she doing here?”
(beat) I just honestly thought he’d be here. I always thought he’d be
here. Always. (beat)
Do you know him? Big guy, big
tall guy. Played basketball, all-Eastern
Maine, center? Strong. Do you know him?
Hope
Almost, Maine by John Cariani
