Don: Do you mind if I talk about Jamie?

Sue: You know I don't mind.

Don: We would come up here every Thursday night. In the warm months, like tonight, and sit here just like we're doing. Into the wee hours. When she was able.

Sue: Lucky woman.

Don. Lucky man. I've been making this little pilgrimage ever since. And now I have someone to share it with. She would be glad, Sue. (he takes her hand) I come up here other times, too.

Sue: Looking for Brian?

Don: I shouldn't. I know. Kevin says it's making the old man crazy.

Sue: Kevin could use a little craziness. He's becoming an old man himself. I know he doesn't approve of me. He looks at me with all the warmth of a popcicle.

Don: You're just one item on a long list. Jamie's been gone six years, for heaven's sake. But it's not about you. It's Brian. I can't say his name without Kevin going into a quiet rage. I swear, he's going to blow a fuse one of these days.

Sue: Have you asked him to come up here with you?

Don: I quote: 'When hell freezes over.'

Sue: I think it has. And I think he's right in the middle of it.

Don: I can be his father. I cannot be his confessor. But I can pray. And I can love my sons – both of them. If these conditions are unacceptable to Kevin, it's between him and God. Not him and me.

Sue: So God's the real enemy – to Kevin?

Don: Well – I've never thought of it that way, but yeah. In a way, I think there might be some truth in that.

Sue: Maybe Kevin doesn't think God's righteousness measures up to his standards?

Don: Pastor and I have talked about this. There's only one standard. You miss that one, you've missed them all: “and the greatest of these . .”

Sue: “. . is love.”

Don: Maybe I'm wasting my time, Sue. But some day. . Maybe some day I'll see Brian walking across that cattle-guard down by the highway. Until they bury this carcass under the cedars, I'm going to keep a lookout.

Sue: I'll take my shift as well. If it's all the same to you.

Don: (smiles) That's not a request is it?

Sue: (smiles back) No. Purely rhetorical. I'm as solid as the sun coming over that mesa.

Don: It's all gas. (they laugh)

Sue: Thanks for the compliment!

Don: No problem.

© 2010 Andy Gay