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SCENE: Paul, a grief-stricken child walks into parent's bedroom at 1:06 am, climbs into bed with Dad.


Father: Hey, Paul, what are you doing up so late? 
Can't sleep?
Child: *nods*
Father: What is it? What's on your mind, Chief?
Child: I'm scared.
Father: Yeah? Of what?
Child: That one day you'll die like Mommy 
and I'll be by myself. 
Father: Nah, I wouldn't worry too much about that, son. 
You'll never be alone, no matter what happens. 
If I could take all your fears and concerns away, I would, 
in a heartbeat, but unfortunately, I can't. Hey, Paul, 
I just want you to know that I'll always love you 
and be here for you. I can't promise you anything 
but I'll try my very best to stick around for a long, long time.
Child: Dad, why did mom die?
Father: Because she couldn't beat her cancer, son.  
She put up a...
Child:  But, Dad, why couldn't she stay?
Father: She wanted to. She fought hard until the very end. 
It wasn't her choice to leave us. She answered God's call 
to join him when the end was near. It's not your fault, or mine,
that Mommy passed away. Please don't blame yourself, okay?
Child: Why did God allow it?
Father: Because heaven needed another angel and God 
decided it was time to call Mommy home. Heaven is 
a wonderful place where all the good people go when they die.
 It's a home in the afterlife, that's where your Mommy is. 
And we'll join her there someday.
Child: So I'll die just like Mommy?
Father: Not anytime soon, son. Not if I can help it! 
I'm not burying you. You will bury me first. 
That's the way it should and will be. 
Child: Are you sad, too?
Father: Yes, I am, son. I'm just as sad as you are. 
But everything will be alright, okay?
Child: Will you be here when I grow up?
Father: *long pause*
Child: Will you, Dad?
Father: I hope so.
Child: Cross your heart?
Father: I'm going to be very honest with you about life, son. 
We're all passing through it. We won't stay forever. The truth is, 
you'll lose me one day, but I hope it won't be anytime soon. 
There are no guarantees in life and tomorrow is not promised. 
I don't want to lie to you, or make you promises I can't keep. 
I can only pray to live long enough to grow old, to see you 
grow into a man; long enough to see you accomplish 
your dreams and make Mommy proud in heaven.
Child: I miss her so much.
Father: I do, too, Paul. She's at peace now; out of pain 
and suffering. She's smiling down at us right now.
Child: She's already in heaven?
Father: You bet, son. And she wants us to move on with life, 
to let faith guide us through this difficult time. Most importantly, 
she wants us to be happy. Even though she's no longer with us 
physically, her spirit will stay with us forever.
Child: Can she see us?
Father: I don't know, son. I prefer to believe that she can 
see and hear us. I sometimes talk to people that have passed on. 
I talk to your Nana all the time, and I'll continue talking to Mommy. 
Even though we can't see or hear them,  they're all with us in spirit. 
Their spirit will never die. Try talking to Mommy, I promise you'll feel 
her presence every time you do. You will when you go back to sleep.
Child: I'm feeling sleepy again.
Father: You can sleep beside me, son.
Child: Goodnight, Dad
Father: Goodnight, son. I love you
Child: I love you, too, Dad

-----lights out----

Submitted for...
Dialogue Proficiency Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Matt Caliri
Date: 12/09/2022

Date originally written: 10/04/2021
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