The Dickens Scholar

by Denny Hartford

 

The scene is a kitchen table where a young girl is conversing with a women just a few years older than she.  They are drinking a soda and coffee, respectively.

 

Mandy: "So, is Mrs. Jenkins still teaching English lit?"

 

Sue: " Yeah, although I think they've cut down her class load.  She's now doing some counseling too.  (Pause.)  She asks me about you every once in awhile, you know."

 

Mandy: "Really?"

 

Sue: "Uh huh; she once told me you were one of the brightest students she ever had.  She was sure you were going to be an author someday, or at least be teaching Dickens in some college somewhere."

 

Mandy: (A little nostalgic.): "Well, life sometimes takes turns on you that you don't expect."

 

Sue: "But you did go to college, sis, and if I remember you were doing real good too.  So why did you...."  (She suddenly realizes she knows the answer and is embarrassed for both of them.)  "Oh, I'm sorry, sis.  I forgot.  Jacqueline came along, huh?"

 

Mandy: (Smiling, she reaches over and pats Sue's hand gently.): "Yes, Jacqueline came along."

(There is a few uncomfortable moments of silence before Sue finally speaks.)

 

Sue: "Mandy, I know I may be walking out on the ice here, but I've always wondered...Well, I guess, I've wondered why, with all you had going for you - the scholarship, being popular, the cute guys always hanging around and, you know, your whole future right there in front of you...why did you decide to have a baby and then...to just give everything up like you did?"

 

Mandy: (Smiles at her sister.) "You think I gave everything up?"

 

Sue: "Well, sure, didn't you?  I mean, like Mrs. Jenkins said, you could have really done something important with your life?"

 

Mandy: (Pauses and looks out the window, but still smiling.) "Something important, huh?"  (Another pause.) "Well, Sue; let's put it this way.  I doubt if I have to explain to you about the birds and bees, right?"

 

Sue: "Huh?  Of course not.  What do you mean?"

 

Mandy: "Well, isn't it obvious, honey?  My life changed directions because one night after a candlelight dinner, and a walk through the pines, I went back to my boyfriend's apartment and we had sex."

 

Sue: "Yeah, okay.  So?"

 

Mandy: "So, poof - nine months later I'm holding little Jacqueline in my arms.  My boyfriend had long since split the scene and there I was, a new mommy!  As I said, life takes turns on you."

 

Sue: "But sis, before that, you could have done things differently, couldn't you?"

 

Mandy: "Of course I could, hon.  But the wine, the promises, the physical yearnings - everything seemed so right for seduction.  I made a decision – not a good one – I know that now.  But I made a decision to have sex with a man and there you have it."

 

Sue: "Why didn't you guys...you know...use some protection?"

 

Mandy: (With a little laugh.) "Who says we didn't?"

 

Sue: "Huh?  How's that possible?"

 

Mandy: "Suzie, dear, when you read a little and go beyond those sex-ed classes you get in school, you're going to find out there's a whole lot possible even when you think you're playing by the rules."

 

Sue: "Like?"

 

Mandy: "Like how even so-called 'safe sex' is no guarantee for avoiding diseases or broken hearts or...tiny little packages like Jacqueline!"

 

Sue: (Takes that in for a moment.) "But after you found out you were pregnant, sis.  Couldn't you have...well...taken, you know, another course?"

 

Mandy: (Looking intently at her little sister.)  "Honey, please listen carefully to what I'm saying here because despite whatever slogans and sneering cliches you've heard about abortion, there is one clear, undeniable scientific truth.  When a woman becomes pregnant, like I did, she is automatically, irreversibly a mother.  That's the deal - no way around it.  So the only choice available at that moment is whether that mother is going to give a natural, loving birth to a live child or use a poison or some abortionist to give birth to a dead child.  Sue, honey; maybe I didn't intend to change my life's direction but when I became a mother I assumed full responsibility of being a mother.  I thought you knew me well enough to know that a scholarship or a particular job wouldn't be worth taking somebody's very life!"

 

Sue: (Stunned a bit, she sits in silence looking at her folded hands for a few moments.) "Other people see it differently, you know."

 

Mandy: "That's hardly surprising, Sue.  I'm telling you how I see it.  The science, like I said, is irrefutable.  The morality?  Well, that's a whole other thing.  But I couldn't even contemplate killing my baby - any more than if you were in my situation you could."

 

Sue: "Are you so sure, Mandy?"

 

Mandy: "Oh, yeah, baby; I'm sure.  Hey, I've seen you with Jacqueline and I know that you would give your life to protect her, let alone a little thing like a scholarship!"

 

Sue: (Beginning to cry.)  (Mandy reaches over and holds her hands.) "Mandy, I'm really ashamed of myself.  I guess I've been listening to too many other voices rather than just listening to my heart."

 

Mandy: "Honey, I should have brought this up a long time before this.  I'm sorry; maybe I could have been more of a help."

 

Sue: "Are you kidding?  You're already a help to me!  You're an inspiration to me, Mandy, and you're right, no scholarship or lifestyle change or anything could compare to the value of little Jackie.  I'm so sorry for listening to Mrs. Jenkins and then second-guessing you.  Who cares about Dickens anyhow?"

 

Mandy: (Laughing and hugging her sister.) "Are you kidding?  I do!  And you better believe that, come what may, that little niece of yours is gonna' be the best little Dickens' scholar you'll ever find!"

 

Sue: (Kissing her big sister and hugging her hard.) "Life takes turns but that doesn't mean taking a loss, right?"

 

Mandy: "Exactly, kid!  God always gives you the strength you need to do the right thing even if you've made mistakes in the past."

 

Sue: "Jacqueline is sure proof of that!"

 

Mandy: "You bet, she is.  Hey, let's go see if she's awake yet, huh?"  (Scene fades.)