Sometimes Gay Means Happy by Angela Theresa Egic (books like beach read txt) 📕

not easy to say goodbye.

VICTOR
I know.

DAVID
If you can, on the Other Side--think of me sometime, alright?

VICTOR
Every day.

DAVID
Alright, I'll pull myself together, for you. Do you need anything, Vic?

VICTOR
You. Just stay here until I'm sleeping.

DAVID
Yes.

VICTOR
I've done everything I ever wanted to do, you know.

DAVID
No, you forgot one thing.

VICTOR
What's that?

DAVID
You were supposed to see me through to the end of my life.

VICTOR
Oh, alas, I will.


DAVID
Oxygen?

VICTOR
No, no...it's fine. Really. I just couldn't catch my breath for a minute.

DAVID
You don't sound fine, Vic.

VICTOR
Just sit here, with me, for a while. It's almost time.

DAVID
No, don't say that, Vic. I don't want to hear this...

VICTOR
It's not so frightening anymore, luv.

DAVID
I'll miss you.

VICTOR
Yes, I already miss you.

Victor's breathing is not good. He panics as he gasps, again.

VICTOR
...the prayer, please.

David recites from heart, through choked back tears.

DAVID
The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want...

TWO HOURS LATER

David is still sitting in a chair beside Victor's bed. Both men are asleep. Tori enters, quietly, and gently wakes David.

TORI
I'll sit with him for a while. You can lie down on the couch downstairs if you want?

DAVID
Yes, I need to be close. Well, you know...

TORI
Of course, I understand.

David gets up slowly, Tori helps him. He leaves. Tori sits beside her sleeping father. Victor breathes uneasily. He wakes up.

VICTOR
Princess...it's time now.

Victor is fully awake, Tori is holding his hand.

TORI
Oh, Daddy...

VICTOR
It's...hard...to...breathe, now.

TORI
I know, Daddy, I'm here. Don't talk if you can't.

VICTOR
Hold...on...Princess. I can't breathe...so well.

TORI
Daddy, you are breathing! Listen to me, you are!

VICTOR
Not ready to die! Don't...let...me...die...luv...

TORI
I won't, I promise...Daddy, try to close your eyes, sleep some more, okay?

VICTOR
Yes...yes...right...I'm so tired. I'll sleep...I just need more sleep...that's all…

Victor drifts off, his breathing erratic. Tori lays her head on his shoulder, softly crying, listening to his heart.

TORI
Daddy, I just want to listen to your breath...but I hear you drifting away from me. I know I'm losing you much too soon.
(looking up)
God, could you let me keep him a little longer?
(taking Victor's hand)
Daddy, I don't know if you can hear me anymore. I feel you all around me now. If we do get another life together, someday, I promise I'll never leave you and I'll love you no matter what. I'll stay with you every day of my life. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for teaching me to dance . . .

INT. TORI’S TEEN BEDROOM – 1977

Teen Tori dances alone in her teenage room, posters on the wall of David Cassidy and other teen heartthrobs. Her desk has a record player and stacks of records. Teen Tori places the needle toward the middle of an LP.

SONG BEGINS: Swayin’ To The Music (Slow Dancin’) by Johnny Rivers

TEEN TORI
One day, Daddy, we can dance at my wedding! I'm sorry I stepped on your feet so much.

Teen Tori dances, looking up as if her father is there.


INT. VICTOR’S ROOM –

Tori still holding the hand of Victor, who is unconscious.

TORI
Thank you, Daddy, for never giving up on me. I know I don't deserve the love you gave me...but I'm glad you did!

Victor gasps and without opens his eyes, he speaks to his daughter. He lifts a weak hand and places it on her head.

VICTOR
If I must die today...I thank God it's with you by my side.

TORI
Hold on, Daddy!

Tori takes Victor hand from her head and sits up…she looks toward the door.

TORI
Violet! David! Stephen! Anyone!
(to Victor)
We'll get an ambulance.

Victor opens his eyes.

VICTOR
No...no, Tori! I want to die here...it's time.

TORI
I'm not ready, Daddy. I need more time.

David runs into the room.

EXT. CENTRAL PARK – ONE WEEK LATER

Tori and Stephen sit on the same bench that Teen Tori and Young Vic sad on in 1977. David and Violet are playing with Crystal a few feet away. David spins Crystal around as she giggles.

Crystal grabs onto Violet as she is dizzy from the spinning, laughing. Crystal one she regains her equilibrium hugs David, tightly

CRYSTAL
(to David)
Are you my Grandpa, too?

DAVID
I'd like to be, little lady.

CRYSTAL
Aunt Violet, is my other Grandpa in heaven?

VIOLET
Yes, sweety. I miss him very much.

DAVID
We all do!

CRYSTAL
Is he ever coming back?

VIOLET
Not here, but he will watch us from heaven.

CRYSTAL
(looking up)
I love you, Grandpa!
(to David)
And I love you, new Grandpa!

Crystal pulls David over to her parents, on the bench.

CRYSTAL
Is it okay if he is my new Grandpa?

TORI
(hesitant)
I don't...
STEPHEN
(pulling Tori closer)
Of course, honey.

DAVID
As long as we always remember your first grandpa.

CRYSTAL
Forever and ever! I promise! Okay, Mommy?

TORI
All right.
(to David)
Thanks for helping her through this.

DAVID
She has that spark of Victor, it's helping me through it, as well. Don't you think so?

VIOLET
Now, Crystal, Aunt Violet and Grandpa David are going to teach you to waltz! Just like our Daddy taught your Mommy and I!

CRYSTAL
You hear that, Mommy and Daddy...I'm going to learn how to watts.

STEPHEN
I better learn to watts, too, then? Don't you want your Daddy to dance at your wedding?
(to Tori)
Sweety, you want to come with us?

TORI
No, I want to sit here a few minutes by myself.

David, Violet, Stephen and Crystal go toward the Great Lawn, giggling. Tori looks toward the other bench.

Victor walks over and sits on the bench, across from Tori. Tori and Victor look at one another. As Tori takes in her father, she sees…

EXT. CENTRAL PARK – AFTERNOON – 1977

We look up from the Great Lawn. Far up, through the balcony of Belveldere Castle we see father and daughter . . .

The music to Shall We Dance by Rogers and Hammerstein begins quietly.

TEEN TORI
Daddy, teach me to waltz! Please?

VICTOR
As only fitting for my Princess Victoria.
(standing and facing Teen Tori)
First, I bow and you curtsy.

Victor (Actor: Tim Curry, this time) bows toward Teen Tori. Teen Tori curtsies.

EXT. CENTRAL PARK – 1988

Both Victor and Teen Tori look over at Tori. They smile at her lovingly.

Victor and Teen Tori begin to waltz, right there, in front of Tori. Tori stands up and she waltzes by herself at her bench, smiling, looking up at her invisible father.

FADE OUT
Imprint

Text: All Rights Reserved Angela Theresa Egic, 2011
Publication Date: 10-11-2011

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To all my friends and family who have been affected by AIDS.