Act Two-Scene One - Rosa's Prayer

Act two

 scene one.

              {One figure in the foreground. Five figures are seated]

ROSA

              [praying]

Dear Maker ,please hear my prayer.

My Life was so hard and I tried to care for Elisa's children

as best I could. If you could just give one gift, I would

so happy. If I could just see him once again.

              [two figures rise and walk towards Rosa]

ERNESTINE

Rosa, what are you doing here by yourself?

ROSA

              {head down}

Asking the Maker for a favor.

SONYA

I will pray That you receive this favor after all you have

been through.

ERNESTINE

What have you been through my dear?

SONYA

She was beaten lie a beast of course. Either by her husband

or her lover. She is ashamed of this even in her afterlife.

She bears the scars for all eternity while the oppressor

hardly gave a thought moments later. She might have poisoned

him one night and been done with it.

 

             [walks away to the side]

ERNESTINE

 I feel so sorry for you. The Maker must answer your prayer.

ROSA

             [grabbing Ernestine by the arm]

Do you believe that all life has a soul? Even a life that

was very short. Does a short life have a meaning? I must

Know what has happened to my son.

ERNESTINE

             [taken aback. puts Rosa's head on her shoulder]

 Yes , I suppose it does. Every life has a meaning

ROSA

              [head down]

She is right. I was beaten almost every day that I was

married. His name is Pierre and he was my sister's

husband. When Elisa died, Pierre and myself were married. I

wanted to take care of her children and Pierre seemed so

lost and alone. Then he started the drinking and getting

angry.

It was just no good after that. There is one last thing.

I've lost the love of my life. He was my son Juan and He

was never born. I lost him when I was thrown down the

stairs. Our neighbors took me to the hospital and lost him.

I only carried him five months.

ERNESTINE

              [holding Rosa]

 I believe that when we lose someone they always come back

 To us. Even if its just in our memories.

ROSA

If I just could see his face for just a moment, I could tell

 him I tried my best to protect him when I fell.

           [Rosa exits the stage. light dim Curtain falls}