HE: I’m sorry. (turns to leave. Stops short. Pause) You know.--I know this was bad timing. I know you guys... I know you just broke up. I do. But ever since I've known you, you've always been in a relationship. You always have. Always. And in the few, brief times when you weren't in a relationship, I was, so we... We just never...
And I know I've had too much to drink, but I just need to finish this now, and say what I need to say, because--the way things... The way it looks now, we're not going to be spending so much time together anymore.
And I just need to say this. I need to say this. I need to get this out. (pause)
I'm sorry--that I put you through this. But for as long as I can remember, since--as long as I can remember, I've been settling, you know? I remember-it must have been seventh or eighth grade-my first girlfriend. I mean, we'd talk to each other in the halls, and sit by each other in study hall, and, next thing I knew, she was calling me at home, asking what I though she should wear to the dance that I hadn't actually asked her to. So I guess she was my girlfriend. But I remember walking home from school one day, and thinking I don't, really, even like her. I mean, she was nice, you know? I liked her. But I didn't--like her. She bored me when we'd talk. But I remember, even then, that long ago, in junior high school, thinking, what if I never meet anyone else? What if--no one else ever wants to go out with me? Because, believe me, the offers weren't pouring in any better then than they are now. And I really didn't think I would meet anyone else. (pause) And then I met you. (pause) I mean, you know, several years later, but... (pause) You remember the first time I saw you?
SHE: Um...The party. For the...
HE: (shaking his head) That's the first time we met. The first time I saw you was in the park about--a month before that, on the swings.
SHE: Oh, god!
HE: (slight smile) You remember?
SHE: I didn't think anyone ever saw me.
HE: I thought I told you. It was really late at night, and I couldn't sleep, so I was walking. And you were--sailing back and forth in the moonlight with your eyes closed--your hair blowing... Even now, when I think about it, I can remember every detail. And then, when I actually met you at the party, we were so good together. We were just so--good.
But you were with someone. And you've been with someone ever since. And we've gotten to the point, now, where I really can't imagine not being your friend. I can't... I just can't imagine my life without you. (pause)
You asked me why I never stayed very long with the women I've dated; it's you. Because of you. Because I didn't want to settle any more. I've been doing it all my life, and I didn't want to settle. And every woman I met, every one, I would compare them to you, and they weren't you. They just weren't. And I refused to settle until...until I knew one way or another.
So don't tell me that I'm just drunk, or that I don't really feel the way I feel, because I've had four years to think about this, and I know how I feel.
Cheers,
Chris
