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FATHER

Yeah, so …?

DOMINIC

But I guess you’ve forgotten how you screamed and yelled that you couldn’t afford music lessons, and music was only for “fairies” anyhow?

FATHER

I ain’t sure …

DOMINIC

Well, I’m sure. And when I told you I’d teach myself how to play it, you laughed, remember?

FATHER

Did I?

DOMINIC

Yes, and I don’t have to strain to recall how that felt. It’s carved right into my heart. The whole goddamned scene.

FATHER

So who ever heard of anybody teachin’ themselves to play music? It’s crazy!

DOMINIC

Yeah, maybe … but I did teach myself, didn’t I? And I played in a band until that night I came home late from a dance and you were waiting for me behind the door—Remember that, Dad? The night you smashed my guitar over the sink?

That’s what my life’s been like, Dad; me doing interesting things despite what I got from you. Or maybe I should say what I didn’t get from you!

His father looked away from him. He seemed truly embarrassed now.

FATHER

That’s horsehshit.

DOMINIC

(shaking his head)

I wish it was. I really do. But it’s all true, Dad. All true.

FATHER

Why don’t you Just shut up!

DOMINIC

Because I’m not finished yet. What’s the matter, am I threatening you? I think that’s what the problem has always been—you never liked the way your wide-eyed kid had some natural curiosity about the world, did you?

FATHER

(sounding tired now)

You’re not making any sense.

DOMINIC

Well, try this one: you weren’t only threatened by your son, but just about everybody. Anybody you thought was more intelligent than you, or more educated, or had more money … you always had something shitty to say about all of them, didn’t you?

FATHER

Now, it ain’t like that!

DOMINIC

Wait! Let me finish. So then you wake up one morning and you realize that your own weirdo kid was not going to grow up to be a beer-drinking macho man, you Just gave up, didn’t you?

FATHER

What do you mean?

DOMINIC

I mean that when you saw that your own kid was turning out to be a hell of a lot different from you—but very much like all those kinds of people you feared and therefore despised—then you stopped being a father to that strange son.

FATHER

I what?

DOMINIC

Didn’t you know that all I wanted was a little approval? A little love?

FATHER

You talk like you got It all figured out … what do you think you are—a doctor or something?

DOMINIC

(grinning)

No. No “doctor” … Just a son. And if I haven’t “figured it all out,” at least I’m trying. You never even tried!

His father stared at him and tried to speak, but no words would come. His lower Up trembled slightly from the effort.

DOMINIC

Don’t you understand why I’m telling you all this? Don’t you understand what I’ve been trying to say?

His father shook his head quickly, uttered a single word.

FATHER

No. …

DOMINIC

I can’t think of anything else to say. No other way to make you understand … except to just tell you, Dad. I don’t know why, but after all the years, and after all the pain, I know that I still love you, that I have to love you.

I love you, Dad.

(pause)

And I need to hear the same thing from you.

He walked closer to his father and stared into his eyes, searching for some glimmer of understanding.

There was a long silence as father and son regarded each other. Dominic could feel the presence of some great force gathering over the stage. Then he saw the tears forming in his father’s eyes.

FATHER

(stepping forward)

Oh, Dominic. …

His father grabbed him up in his arms and pulled him close. For an instant, Dominic resisted, but then relaxed, falling into the embrace with his father.

FATHER

My son … what happened to us?

(pause)

I … love you!

I do love you!

Dominic felt the barrel chest of his father close against his own and he was very conscious of how strange a sensation