Day 12 - VOICE

[exceptfebruary]

It is the second Sunday of May.

I wonder how many of you can pay tribute to your mothers in this City? Many of you have probably been separated from your mothers. Even those whose mothers have gone cannot even visit their grave. How many mothers have been torn from their children?

Cards not given, flowers unreceived.

[ Pause. ]

Happy Mother's Day.

Comments

permavoice

[exceptfebruary]

In my own way.

[goryteller]

In your own way.

[Private.]

Flowers are too simple for you. You're far more creative.

private

[exceptfebruary]

They are. But this particular Mother's Day I am choosing to let pass by without my personal touch.

private

[goryteller]

[Pause.]

Why?

private

[exceptfebruary]

I did not wish to. There are other days coming up I would prefer to concentrate my energy on.

private

[goryteller]

Is it because your mother isn't in this world?

private

[exceptfebruary]

[ A hesitation. ] Even if she were.

private

[goryteller]

Is she worth marking the day for, Julian? Is your mother worth that?

private

[exceptfebruary]

[ Beat. ] Every date is worth being marked. [ longer pause ] I am more concerned with other's.

private

[goryteller]

Other's mothers.

[His words carry a glimmer of satisfaction. This is the answer he wanted.]

Not your own.

private

[exceptfebruary]

I care for my own as much as she cared for me.

private

[goryteller]

And she cared for you little. Didn't she.

private

[exceptfebruary]

[ Silence. ]

private

[goryteller]

Don't let that hurt you.

Parents are as rotten and fucked up as anyone else in the world.

private

[exceptfebruary]

I know. Today, however, mothers matter more than everyone else.