ABBY
(Looks to the windowsill) My plants are droopy.
MARILYN
But teacher makes sense. I can picture it. I bet you were very stern with the children.
(Abby grabs the watering can and heads into the bathroom. We hear the water running.)
I was an office manager. In my husband’s business. Did I mention he was a skydiving instructor?
ABBY
Several times.
MARILYN
We were based down at Alexandria Field. I could tell you some stories, boy. My children run the business now. They’re good kids. And they’d do anything for me.
(Abby comes out of the bathroom with the watering can filled. She waters her plants over the following:)
Did you hear that Mrs. Moore died? Poor thing. Went in her sleep. Such a nice woman.
ABBY
Such a nice room.
MARILYN
Room?
ABBY
It’s too bad she’s dead, but silver linings, right?
MARILYN
How do you mean?
ABBY
That room is prime real estate in this place. First floor—between the mailboxes and the dayroom. Less walking, more space.
MARILYN
Are you thinking of changing rooms?
ABBY
What? No, I’m not thinking of changing rooms.
MARILYN
Oh, you sound so enamored of it.
ABBY
I’m not. I only mentioned it because I thought you might want it.
MARILYN
Oh no, I’m perfectly happy where I am. There’s much more sunlight up here.
ABBY
No there isn’t.
MARILYN
(Moves to the windows) Sure there is, we don’t have that building blocking our view like they do downstairs. And I can see the park from up here. There’s your bench where you like to sit and read. It’s a lovely view.
ABBY
I guess I’ve never noticed.
MARILYN
Well that’s a waste, with you so close to the window. Maybe you’d like to swap beds?
ABBY
I would not.
MARILYN
No, I don’t blame you. It’s the nicest spot in the room.
(Abby, annoyed, goes back to her iPad, reading. Marilyn smiles, then takes a child’s painting from her dresser.)
Did I show you this? My grandson made it for me. Caleb. So sweet. Do you know what it is?
ABBY
A pap smear?
MARILYN
It’s a fire truck.
ABBY
I don’t see it.
MARILYN
He loves fire trucks. Ambulances too. Anything with a siren. He can hear one from blocks away. He gets this big grin, and flies to the window to see them pass by. They make him so happy.
ABBY
That’s creepy.
MARILYN
Creepy?
ABBY
Those sirens are blaring because people are dying.
MARILYN
(Chuckles) Now come / on.
ABBY
They are. Or their homes are going up in flames. Or there’s a car accident, or some old man has fallen down some stairs. That’s what those sirens mean. People in pain.
MARILYN
Caleb doesn’t know any of that. It’s just a fire truck to him.
ABBY
Well, when you’ve heard as many sirens as I have . . . They’re nothing to be happy about. Is he all right? In the head I mean, or is he a little . . .
MARILYN
What kind of question is that?
ABBY
Well if he’s chasing after fire trucks, you have to wonder. My son never did that. Normal boys don’t do that.
MARILYN
Of course they do. You’re just trying to get a rise out of me.
(Pause.)
So you have a son, huh? What’s his name?
ABBY
Barbara.
(A moment, then Marilyn turns her attention to Abby’s tray of food.)
MARILYN
You should eat. There’s cobbler. It’s very good.
ABBY
You know I can’t taste / anything.
MARILYN
Oh is that still going on?
ABBY
You know it is. (Looks under the lid) And I love cobbler.
MARILYN
I know, I’m sorry.
ABBY
I don’t think you are. I think you’re gloating. I think you’re angry I made fun of your grandson’s painting. (Takes a bite of the cobbler)
MARILYN
Oh, I don’t get angry.
(Beat.)
ABBY
You don’t get angry.
MARILYN
Not anymore, no. There’s really no point. It always leads to an ugly place. And I don’t care for ugly places.
(Beat.)
How’s the cobbler?
ABBY
Tastes like paste.
MARILYN
It’s peach. I remember you mentioning it was your mother’s specialty, so I put in a special request.
ABBY
(Shoves it aside) Well it’s much too late for peaches. It’s a summer fruit.
(Marilyn takes out her sudoku puzzle book and sits on her bed.)
MARILYN
Have you tried these? Sudoku? I do them every day to keep my brain limber. Sudoku. They’re from Japan.
ABBY
Yes, I know.
MARILYN
Would you like to try one?
ABBY