Annie: (_Runs back in with her head down...

Annie: (Runs back in with her head down, visibly upset, fists clenched, hitting herself) Stop it. Stop it. Stop it.

Mother Nature: (touching her shoulder as she says) Annie…

Annie: (flinching away)

Mother Nature: Annie.

Annie: Oh No. I can’t do this right now.

Mother Nature: I already know, I saw.

Annie: Oh God. Then you know everything.

Mother Nature: I know a lot about a mother’s nature.

Annie: But what I did isn’t supposed to be part of a mother’s nature.

Mother Nature: Try me.

Annie: You saw! I lost it, I’m losing it. I hit him. Do you know what that means to me? Me, Ms. Nurturer? I mean, I’m a nurse for Christ’s sake. I feel like a monster

Mother Nature: We all feel that monster sometimes…so, Yes, you are a monster.

Annie: What? (Up on knees) I thought you were here to make me feel better! You’re Mother Nature, you’re supposed to comfort me! I’d like a soft special bankie. I’d like someone to bring ME a sippy cup full of wine! Who’s gonna comfort me? Who’s going to help me?

Mother Nature: I’m sorry, Annie, but pain is one of my best teaching tools. It gets your attention. Stop trying to please your son.

Annie: What are you talking about? I hit him! How is that trying to please him?

Mother Nature: Before the hitting. You constantly give in to him.

Annie: But the books say...

Mother Nature: Forget your damn books. They’re all about the kid. This is about YOU, not him.

Annie: I’ve spent my whole life taking care of people—I took care of my sister from the day she was born.

Mother Nature: Where was your mother?

Annie: Oh, we were always too inconvenient for her. She wasn’t the “mothering” type. We didn’t even call her “Mom” or “Mother.” We called her “Barbara.” She left us, my sister and I…Not literally, but in a subtle, silent way. She would go into her room and close the door. We weren’t allowed to go in there. God forbid we would bother her. One day, I was 16 or so, and my sister cut her hand pretty bad. There was blood everywhere. I didn’t know what to do. I stood outside that door…so afraid to knock…so afraid to ask for help from my own mother. So, I took care of it myself. I drove my sister to the hospital.

Mother Nature: And what did your mother say about that?

Annie: She was furious. She said, “Jesus, Annie, don’t you know when to ask for help? “

Mother Nature: And do you?

Annie: I’m not good at that.

Mother Nature: No, you’re not.

Annie: And you know what else? I didn’t even want to be a nurse. Nope, that was Barbara’s idea. I wanted to be a dancer. But, she never had time to take me to classes and then my sister came along. So, I became a nurse. But sometimes...late at night, when everyone’s asleep...I go out into the barn and dance. With the chickens. And, I have this fantasy that I could just disappear.

Mother Nature: Yes, the old disappearing mother fantasy. Trust me, you’re not the first to come up with that one and you won’t be the last.

Annie: The funny thing is that is exactly what my mother did, when she went into that room. She found space for herself. She disappeared in a way.

Mother Nature: Yes, Annie. There is a door there for every mother. We just can’t get lost behind it like your mother did. I’m not sure she even realized it. You know, I want to hide behind that door too, sometimes, but someone’s always knockin’. As a mother, I feel I should always be there to open it…. And as a mother you should know that if you really need help you should pound on that door with your fists ‘til someone answers. You can’t do it all by yourself, Annie…no one can. Now…get yourself together, and do whatever it is that you need to do to mother yourself. Go to that yoga class, if you really need it…get a babysitter...have a night out for godsakes. Whatever it takes, Annie, because let me tell you something...If Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy! And you’ve got to realize that you are the Mommy. Not him. You.

Annie: I’m the Mommy. I’m the Mommy…Oh shit, I’m the Mommy!

Mother Nature: Yes, and it’s happening right now. (Exits)

Annie: (Composes herself & rushes off stage) Jasper…Jasper Sweetie, are you o.k.?