Scene Two
Curtain rises. The setting is outside a small
country house in the Dominican Republic. Rosa Dominguez is a young woman of
sixteen years old. She is seated reading a book while her mother; Flores
Dominguez is washing clothes in a basin.
Rosa is wearing a bright floral dress with
ribbons in her hair. Flores Dominquez is crying softly.
ROSA
Mami,
You must stop crying for Elisa. Its been five months
since she passed and still you cry everyday.
I'm worried for
you Mami.
[gets up and comforts her}
What can I say to make you happy again.
Manuelito is coming
here and he's bring you a present.
SRA. DOMINGUEZ
Rosa, My youngest daughter, you have always
know what is
best for me. I would like very much to see
your friend
Manuelito.
ROSA
yes Mami.
SRA. DOMINGUEZ
So young and full of dreams. Elisa was my
oldest daughter
and yes she was very sick. In so much pain
and I'm
happy that she's no longer in pain. The
reason I'm crying is
for her sons and for her poor, poor husband.
I'm worried for
those two little boys and it's making me so
sick.
ROSA
Mami stop crying! Hector and Carlos come here
everyday. They
play with the chickens and the birds, And
when
Pierre finds work next Spring at the cannery,
I'm sure
things will get better for them. So please
stop crying
Mami. When I go to the University next Spring
,well you and
Papa and the boys can come visit me. So be
happy.
SRA.DOMINGUEZ
How can I be happy? Pierre is talking crazy
again. He wants
to go to the United States and take the boys.
He says
that he can get a good job there working with
his uncle. I
told him to leave those boys here. I'm just
so worried
about those boys.
ROSA
Mami, I'll talk to Pierre. Maybe I can change
his mind.
SRA. DOMINGUEZ
I've talked with him and he won't listen. He
says those boys
will be just fine. New York! So far away and
so big.
ROSA
New York does seem exciting. I wouldn't mind
visiting New
York during my summer break.
SRA.DOMINGUEZ
Rosa, my dearest sweet child. If Pierre goes
to New York you
must go and take care of those boys. It
breaks my heart to
ask you but you must go. Just for a time
until he regains
his senses and comes back. You are so young
and have so much
time to follow your dreams. Please Rosa. It
breaks my
heart to ask you but for those boys you must
go.
ROSA
Mami, don't ask me to go with them. I'm ....
[Voice trailing off]
I afraid of Pierre. He's a good man but he
gets so angry.
But Mami, I have my dreams and I really want
to stay close
to you and Manuelito. I can talk with Pierre.
I will make
him leave those boys with you. Please, Mami, don't cry
anymore for them. Please be happy.
SRA. DOMNGUEZ
I know this is so much to ask of you.
ROSA
Mami don't worry. Everything will be fine.
[enter Manuelito]
MANUELITO
Good afternoon Sra Dominguez.
[hands her flowers and gives
Rosa a kiss on her cheek. Rosa and Manuelito stand next to each other and hold
hands.
SRA. DOMNGUEZ
Thank you Manuelito for these lovely flowers.
how is your
Papa?
MANUELITO
He is fine Senora and he sends his love and
respect.
ROSA
Mami, Manuelito will be finishing his studies
at the
University next year. And then
(Sra Domnguez holds up her hand)
SRA. DOMINGUEZ
Manuelito Thank you for the flowers. Let me
leave you young
people alone while I look for a vase for
these lovely
flowers.
{Sra Dominguez enters the house}
ROSA
You should have said something.
MANUELITO
I will next time. I promise.
ROSA
{embracing Manuelito}
Manuelito, Manuelito, Manuelito my forever
love. Please
hold
me so very tight. I always want to remember this
Moment
between us because the future is so uncertain and I
love
you so much.
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