(Lights up on Isaac.)
ISAAC: "In sickness and in health."
That's a funny phrase here. My father said it to my mother and she said it to him. But when she got sick, he didn't really seem to be there for her all that much. In fact it seemed like he denied it most of the time. And nobody really explained illness to me so forgive me for not understanding that time is limited. Fucking take me to court okay? You think I wouldn't take things back? You think I'm not hearing every word she said to me the last day I got to see her? The words soak in so much better after the person who said them isn't around anymore.
(Lights up as Elise and Isaac stand next to their tree.)
ELISE: You don't have to wear the tie if you don't want to Honey. I think I have a compromise for you...what if you get up and do the reading for your father but you don't have to wear the tie or the jacket.
ISAAC: Are you really going to let Dad see me up there naked like that?
ELISE: Oh bless your heart. You take your father too seriously.
ISAAC: Are you sure you take him seriously enough?
ELISE: Please do not make this into a conversation that it's not.
ISAAC: What am I doing? I'm just pointing out that you are coming to me and begging me to get up in front of those hymnal humpers and read a bunch of bible verses they already heard a thousand dagum times.
ELISE: This matters to me, Honey. It's the Easter Picnic. This is my one time to shine every year and show this church I still mean something to it.
ISAAC: I feel like you have so much insecurity that you insist on nit-picking and making everybody else around you miserable. It's Easter. He is Risen. Let it rest.
ELISE: I just want things to be nice today. So will you do the reading?
ISAAC: You make me laugh.
ELISE: Isaac—
ISAAC: Just do one thing for yourself someday. Stop letting people walk all over you. Stop taking the beatings you allow people to give you. Because guess what? You taught me to just sit back and take crap from people as well while Daddy taught me the true meaning of evangelical authoritarianism. What am I supposed to do with that? What am I supposed to do when rage is a natural part of me but pacifism is ground into my bones?
ELISE: Can you help me finish setting up for this picnic now? The tree looks so pretty this year.
ISAAC: Sure Mama. (Pause.) I'll read the passage.
ELISE: (She hugs him.) You're a good boy. Go ahead and carry those decanters over to the other drink table, I am worried the refreshment station has become too cluttered.
ISAAC: How many tables do you think we need under a single tree Mama?
ELISE: Isaac I ask myself every year how a group of people could possibly drink so much lemonade, but I still make more than I would ever care to make in a hundred lifetimes. And I do it every year for thirty years.
ISAAC: Let me guess, you'll do it for thirty more after this?
(She gives him a slight smile.)
ELISE: Something like that.
ISAAC: Well somebody has to do it because I don't reckon I'll be setting up all these tables and making all that lemonade after you're gone.
ELISE: My mama and I had our own tree in my backyard, and I would give anything to have one more picnic with her under that thing. You may feel the exact same way someday.
ISAAC: Okay mom let's set up this picnic.
ELISE: I love you Isaac.
ISAAC: I love you too mom.
