Saturday, November 15, 2025

November Playwrighting 15: Grief Bird Play end of scene 2

                                 JAMIE

It doesn’t snow here that often, does it?

                                SHEILA

No, it doesn’t. Rarely.

(SAMMY ENTERS)

I can’t hardly remember the last time we had a really deep snow. Morning, Sweetheart.

                                SAMMY

The deepest snow event began on Monday, February 11, 2019. 20.2 recorded during the month at Sea-Tac airport.

                                JAMIE

That’s a lot of snow!

                                KATIE

I don’t think of you getting snow like that.

                                SAMMY

It was the seventh most snow in one month since 1895.

                                KATIE

Who keeps track of that?

                                SAMMY

Climate scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

                                JAMIE

And they did this since the 1800s?

                                   SAMMY

Yes. Tracking began in 1870.

                                JAMIE

How in the hell…

                                SAMMY

Aunt Jamie, please.

                                JAMIE

Sorry, Sammy. This information is somewhat surprising to me and I forgot myself. I’ll do better.

                                KATIE

Well, after that bit of information, I guess I won’t hope for a snowball fight with you anytime soon! What does everyone want for breakfast? Pancakes?

                                SAMMY

No.

                                KATIE

Ok. How about…

                                SHEILA

I got it. Sammy, waffles or toast?

                                SAMMY

You chose.

                                SHEILA

Ok, sure.

                                KATIE

Then pancakes it is!

                                SAMMY

No!

                                KATIE

Waffles are almost pancakes.

                                   JAMIE

With that logic, pancakes are nearly waffles too. Let him have what he wants. Waffles are fine.

                                SHEILA

It will be fine. They share a lot of the same ingredients and I think I have enough for both. You too went overboard on the groceries yesterday.

                                KATIE

We just wanted to help.

                                SHEILA

And you did! Thank you! I wasn’t complaining.

                                JAMIE

Of course not. Just a lot of stuff. Got it.

                                SHEILA

Small kitchen, and it is just the two of us.

                                    KATIE

Four of us.

                                    SHEILA

For now.

                                    JAMIE

We aren’t cutting and running anytime soon.

                                    SHEILA

Sure.

                                    JAMIE

We care. We are staying.

                                    SAMMY

Staying? Forever?

                                    KATIE

Not forever.

                                    JAMIE

But, for a little while.

                                    SAMMY

What is your timeline?

                                    SHEILA

We haven’t discussed it, Sammy. I called and they came.

                                    KATIE

Yes and here we are ready for breakfast! Getting those pancakes…I mean waffles ready for all of us. Here. Now.

                                    SHEILA

I could split the batter and, with a few tweaks, do some of each. No biggie.

                                    KATIE

Waffles aren’t fluffy.

                                    SAMMY

Yes. They are not.

                                SHEILA

That’s the appeal, right, Sammy?

                                SAMMY

Yes!

                                KATIE

Oh.

                                JAMIE

It’s food we are hungry and we’ve got a plan, so let’s do it! Katie and I can get this done. Sheila, you and Sammy relax. Breakfast will be served shortly.

                                SAMMY

Too much.

                                JAMIE

Do you mean too soon, Sammy?

                                SAMMY

No. Too much.

(JAMIE and KATIE EXIT to the kitchen to cook. SAMMY comes over to his Mom and scoots in beside her. SHE covers him with the blanket)

                                SHEILA

Bright eyes, are you awake?

                                SAMMY

My eyes are open.

                                SHEILA

Yes, but did you sleep?

                                SAMMY

You asked if I was awake, Mama.

                                SHEILA

I heard you up till very late, well, early this morning.

                                SAMMY

Cannot sleep.

                                SHEILA

Me either.

                                    SAMMY

Aunt Katie snores loud.

                                    SHEILA

Yes, I can hear her upstairs too when everything is quiet at night.

                                SAMMY

Too loud.

                                SHEILA

But she stops and starts, but then she was quiet and you were still up and around. Anything I can do for you?

(SAMMY cuddles closer)

Hey, hey remember you’re bigger than me. Put your head here. Ok, better?

(No reply but takes her hand, like he’s examining it)

I used to take my Mama’s hand and turn it over looking at it just like you do. I had her hands memorized. The way they felt and all the rough or smooth spots. I thought about what they held or did during the day. Your hands have outgrown mine with your long fingers compared to my short stubby ones. But, you’ll not really outgrow this, will you?

(SAMMY takes his blanket and moves to another chair by himself. KATIE ENTERS)

                                KATIE

We’ve got bacon or sausage. Which do you want?

                                SHEILA AND SAMMY

Bacon!

(Lights down for END of SCENE 2)

 

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