ANDREW stands in the middle of a bedroom. He’s staring at his graduation cap. His gown and tie lies on the chair. He lets out a deep sigh. EVA enters.
EVA
Hello, graduate. You ready to go?
ANDREW
Not quite.
EVA
At least you’re dressed. (grabs tie) Well, mostly. We should get going.
ANDREW
I don’t want to go.
EVA
What? But you’re graduating, Andrew. It’s a big step.
ANDREW
A big step…
EVA
Of course it is. Why would you not want to go?
ANDREW
(tosses his cap toward the chair) Eva…
EVA
What’s wrong, honey?
ANDREW
I feel like a failure.
EVA
A failure? Graduating with a Bachelors in Engineering?
ANDREW
At 41 years old!
EVA
Forty-one? And here I thought you were 22.
ANDREW
Eva, I’m being serious.
EVA
So you’re 41. Why does that matter? You’ve completed a college education.
ANDREW
At what expense? Waiting years when I could’ve provided for a family before I had one? Not having enough time for my family? Forcing my wife to get a menial job so we can barely scrape by, just so I can receive a piece of paper amongst graduates 15 years younger than I am?
EVA
Probably even younger.
ANDREW
Really? I’m having an existential crisis here!
EVA
More like a mid-life crisis.
ANDREW
You’re not helping!
EVA
What do you want me to say, Andrew?
ANDREW
I don’t know, tell me I’m right. Encourage what I say.
EVA
(pause) But you’re not right.
ANDREW looks stunned and hurt. He sits on the bed (or chair) away from EVA.
EVA
Let me explain. First of all, you said you were older.
ANDREW
I am older.
EVA
And I’m not saying you aren’t. You are older than the other graduates. But age shouldn’t matter. You fulfilled your education, and that’s all that matters, right? (Andrew doesn’t answer) Right?
ANDREW
I suppose.
EVA
Second of all, you didn’t force me to get a job, even if it is menial. It was my choice, to help the household. I would do it again.
ANDREW
Well, if it was up to me, I wouldn’t have let you.
EVA
But it wasn’t up to you. If it was up to you, we wouldn’t have been able to take care of the kids while you were racking up student loan debt. (calms down) But, we don’t have to. What’s done is done. We’re okay, and you’re graduating.
ANDREW
I still don’t want to go.
EVA
Andrew–
ANDREW
(stands) You don’t know what it’s like, Eva. You didn’t graduate college.
EVA takes a step back, more hurt than angry.
ANDREW
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean–
EVA
No. I didn’t graduate.
ANDREW
Honey–
EVA
I decided that I didn’t want to continue.
ANDREW
Eva–
EVA
I was married, about to become a mother, and I couldn’t handle the stress.
ANDREW
It’s not that–
EVA
So I decided to become the best mother and wife, which was the most important to me, I didn’t need a degree.
ANDREW
You’re right! Okay? You’re right, I’m wrong, and I’m sorry! I know you didn’t graduate because you wanted to be the best mom. And you were. Our children grew up amazingly, even if I occasionally want to hurt them. I just can’t help but feel a little guilty.
EVA
About being older?
ANDREW
About everything. Waiting so long to finish, graduating even though you never did, taking time away from my family and my job in order to study.
EVA
Andrew, you’re stuck in the past.
ANDREW
Isn’t that usually where guilt lives?
EVA
Indeed it is. Problem is, you can’t live there and here at the same time. And I would much prefer having my husband living in the present with me.
ANDREW
Aw, but the past is so much fun! You can visit anytime you want; just time travel back to me every time the kids annoy you.
EVA
Har har har. You’re very funny if you think you’re escaping the present-day problems. Well how about this: you can visit the past anytime you want after graduation.
ANDREW
I was trying to distract you away from that.
EVA
I know. It’s not going to work. Now let’s get your tie on before I decide to strangle you with it, ’cause we’re running late.
ANDREW
(let’s her tie the tie) As long as you don’t mind cheering on the oldest guy on stage.
EVA
You want me to cheer on the Dean of the College?
ANDREW
Honey.
EVA
Kidding, I’m kidding. Of course I’ll cheer you on when you’re up there with all those youngsters. (finishes tie, grabs gown)
ANDREW
Eva, you really think I did the right thing.
EVA
What matters, Andrew, is that you set out for new heights and you succeeded. You didn’t fail, even if you think you have. You were too hard on yourself. You sought to make a better life for your family and you did. And I am the proudest spouse in the world. And I think that the completion of your goal is the right thing. (gives him a hug) Now grab your darn cap and let’s go!
EVA exits. ANDREW grabs his cap. He stares at it for a moment with mild disdain, then with pride before following Eva offstage.
Alexandra TG 