Play 170: I Should’ve…

CHARACTERS
ANDREW, 18
ALI, 18

ALI
Why didn’t you call me?

ANDREW
I did.

ALI
You did?

ANDREW
You weren’t there. I left a message.

ALI
Really?

ANDREW
Yeah.

ALI
I guess I never heard it.

ANDREW
I called you later too.

ALI
You did?

ANDREW
Yeah.

ALI
I must’ve forgotten to listen to my messages before I—

ANDREW
(Interrupting her.)
Don’t.

ALI
What?

ANDREW
What you were going to say. (beat.) Don’t.

ALI
Why?

ANDREW
I already feel guilty enough.

ALI
You shouldn’t.

ANDREW
I guess.

ALI
You had nothing to do with it.

ANDREW
Maybe I did.

ALI
You didn’t.

(Beat.)

I was just having a lot of trouble then, it had nothing to do with you.

ANDREW
I should’ve talked to you.

ALI
You were busy.

ANDREW
I could’ve found a few minutes at least.

ALI
You called later as you said though.

ANDREW
It was too late then.

ALI
You didn’t know it would be.

ANDREW
That doesn’t mean I’m not responsible.

ALI
Even if you had talked to me, it wouldn’t have stopped me from—

ANDREW
Please don’t.

ALI
Why?

ANDREW
I don’t want to think about it.

ALI
It’s okay.

(Beat.)

I’m okay now.

ANDREW
Are you?

ALI
Yes.

ANDREW
Are you sure?

ALI
Yeah.

ANDREW
So you won’t…

(His voice trails off.)

…again?

ALI
No.

ANDREW
Good.

(Beat.)

(He looks down at the ground.)

I should’ve talked to you when you called.

ALI
It’s okay.

(She hugs him.)

It’s not your fault.

(Beat.)

ANDREW
I know.

(Lights down.)