[M4M] Dad Comes Home With Milk (Cursed){#6}

Your Dad Comes Home With Milk

(ringing phone)

(pause)

(answering machine)

 Hi, I’ve been trying to reach you. We need a family member to pick up the... (fade out)

(Knock at the door, and the door opens)

(Distant) Hey honey? You'd never believe the line at the gas station, some old man checking all his lotto numbers. Could you believe him?

Hey, where is everyone? Oh, I get it; this place is only quiet when I'm not around. Makes sense.

(footsteps, closer)

There you are; I just got back; where the hell is your mom? She asked me to pick up some chocolate; you know how she is, late-night cravings and all. I don't want to keep her waiting.

Hey, are you okay? You look a bit... I don’t know, lost? Like you've seen a ghost or something? Look, whatever it is, I'm sure you'll be fine. You know how crazy your mom gets when I'm late, so where is she?

What are you talking about, the gas stations down the road? I get it might have taken longer, but it's not like I was gone for that long.

Okay, buddy, I think I’d recognize my own son if he were your age. When I left, he was just a kid. I went to the gas station to pick up some milk. Some old man kept the lineup, and it took longer; stop acting like I left.

Look, I never left; I've been with you since you were a kid. I didn't run off on you or your mother. I loved our family. Besides, if I left, who would pay for the bills, you? (pause). Hey, look, I know you, and I argue a lot, but I'm trying my best here, oh…

(Closer audio) Hey, look at me. I'm right here. I'm right beside you. I'm sorry for scaring you, but I'm here. I didn't go anywhere, believe me. Sorry, I should've been a bit nicer, but I've never seen you this upset. You and I are gonna have a chat. I can clearly see something’s bothering you.

(walks away, chair pulling out)

A glass for me

(pour) ( ringing telephone)

And one for you

Look, before we start, I want to apologize. I should've been a bit nicer; I never want my child to feel as if I'm gonna leave them.

 We don’t talk much, and seeing you miss me so much was a surprise. I'm not leaving anytime soon, okay? I don't get to spend as much time as I’d like with you, but I hope you know I love you.

I'm your father; I work so you and your mother can have a life. Things aren't cheap, and even overtime isn't enough. I see you up late when I get home. I see a lot of myself in you. I see how hard you work.

I want you to know how proud of you I am. You’re everything I hoped for in a son, everything I wanted when we had you. I remember how excited I was when I heard she was pregnant. I told everyone at work I was gonna be a dad, even relatives I've never met.

My point is, even if you’re scruffy or awkward, or feel you’re alone, remember that your old man was the same way. It's why l’ll always be there when you need me.

Hey, don't get all weepy on me. You turned out to be the most wonderful kid a parent could ask for. Even if you didn't get your mother’s looks, you sure as hell got your father’s charm.

(pour) ( soft Rigging telephone)

Ah, fuck. I forgot to give your mom the chocolate. I'm surprised she hasn't come down to tell us off. God, I miss her. I hope she gets better. She hasn't been feeling well recently. I wonder if she's upstairs by now. Anyway, I'll be right back; sit tight.

(climbs a flight of stairs) (returns)

(pour) ( soft ringing telephone)(silence sound effect/void effect) soft but grows until end)

Hey, your mom isn’t in her room… Ah, I'm sure she's fine. I should've given her a call. But it's too late now, we’ll find her later. I'm sure she's okay.

Oh well, if she's gone, we can help ourselves to her chocolate. After our milk, we’ll go find her. For now, I'm happy spending time with my son.

I know you did your best. I want you to remember what I’ve said. I wish I could be here with you now. To see the boy I left to grow into the man you are.

I hope when the phone rings, you pick up. I’m not the only one who’s not in your life anymore. Friends, lovers, family. You’re alone.

(pour) ( soft ringing telephone)

Yet I know you’ll be fine, like always. Another rainy day, another long night alone. One more day couldn’t hurt, right? You’ve gone too far to stop now.

What do I mean? Son, the only person you have left is yourself. Even if you wish I were there, I wasn't. I wasn't there for you or your mother. You’re the one that looked after her, the one who picked up a job to support her. You’re the one who gave up friends and lovers for family.

I’m proud of you;

 I loved you,

 I left to get milk.

 I lied.

You can't ignore me forever. That ringing phone was always there. You knew the man you needed to be wasn't the man you wanted to see in the mirror. You ran from your feelings, and I’m here to stop you.

Time’s up. You need to be stronger than I ever was. You were there for her; now do something I never did. Be there for yourself.

(tries to pour) ( ringing telephone)

Oh, we're all out of milk again. I’m sorry, son

(pause)

 seems like another trip to the gas station. This time, I won’t lie to you. I’m not coming back. I never was.

This time its goodbye for good; I'll see ya around, kid.

(door closes)

(phone rings)

-Hi, I've been trying to reach you for some time. I'm sorry to inform you; your mother passed away, and we need a family member to sign off on funeral rights.

-Your father? I'm sorry, I'm not seeing a husband; you're the only relative we have left on file.

(hangs up)

(Phone dies)

(Pause)

(Rings)

End