3: The Windhover's Empty Garden

The Windover Garden. Camden Windhover III gardens wearing an apron. It is early the next morning. Janet, his daughter, approaches the picket fence. He does not look up.

Janet: Dad?

Camden: (startled, but doesn’t look up) What on earth are you doing here at this early hour?

Janet: I wanted to come by and tell you what happened last night.

Camden: What?

Janet: I told him.

Camden: (stops, looks up) You did? Hmmm. And?

Janet: He ran out.

Camden: Oh dear. Oh dear. (He puts down the trowel and goes to his daughter. The fence stands between them.) How are you doing?

Janet: I’m fine.

Camden: You don’t look fine.

Janet: Why did you tell me to tell him?

Camden: He had a right to know. Anybody has a right to know that sort of thing. How long were you going to keep it from him?

Janet: He had no idea, dad. He just ran out. Now he hates me.

Camden: I’m sure he does not hate you. What did he say?

Janet: He said he wants to marry me.

Camden: He said, what?!

Janet: He wants to marry me. He wants me to be his wife. Look an estranged ring.

Camden: That’s a band-aid, put your finger down. What on earth are you talking about? Marriage? You’ve only known him for two months.

Janet: Three.

Camden: Three?

Janet: Yes. I think I love him.

Camden: Think? Or Know? You must know those sorts of things.

Janet: How long were you and mom together before you got married?

Camden: Nevermind. There are circumstances when a man must marry a young woman and you I hope are not in those circumstances. Are you?

Janet: What are you talking about?

Camden: Nevermind. I have never even met this boy. When will I meet him?

Janet: Soon. He has a broken leg.

Camden: How did that happen?

Janet: Playing tennis, he said.

Camden: The boy plays tennis, huh? Sounds like a bright boy. What does he do?

Janet: He got accepted to Yale.

Camden: He did? Why didn’t you tell me that right away?

Janet: I just found out. He said he’s going to give up Yale for me.

Camden: He’s giving up his future for you?

Janet: So? What do you care?

Camden: A father, Janet, wants certain things for their children. I would not mind you dating a Yale boy, but as far as I’m concerned a trip to that school is a once and a lifetime opportunity. I know this. I watched as none of my fellow friends were accepted and I was. I know. I can’t believe this boy is banking the rest of his life on the last three months. He seems trigger happy and seems to be making rash, fool-hardy decisions. I don’t know if I want you around him.

Janet: What does fool-hardy decisions mean?

Camden: Stupid. The boy must be stupid.

Janet: Like me?

Camden: No. No. I didn’t mean that.
Janet: What did you mean?

Camden: I just don’t think the boy is Yale material.

Janet: I do. He’s so smart.

Camden: Well, if he was so willing to marry you, why’d he run out? Why was he foolish enough to go and break his leg?

Janet: He said he had some thinking to do. And I told you that he was playing Tennis.

Camden: He does have some thinking to do. A lot. So do you.

Janet: What do I need to think about?

Camden: A lot. You can’t work at that fruit stand your whole life.

Janet: Why not?

Camden: It’s a job not worthy of my daughter’s talents.

Janet: What are my talents, dad?

Camden: You tell me.

Janet: Puzzles. I’m good at jig-saw puzzles. I can put a 1,000 piece puzzle together in under ten minutes.

Camden: That’s nice, dear. But what kind of a job will that get you? Anyhow, I need to go back to my garden. If Michael calls you today, you should have him over here for dinner this evening.

Janet: I will ask him.

Camden: Now leave your father. I have much work to do.

Janet: I brought some coffee. Would you like some?

Camden: You can leave the coffee with me.

Janet: Okay.

Camden: Janet. Don’t worry about the boy.

Janet: But I love him, so I do worry.

Camden: Sometimes you have to give up worrying about the ones you love. Sometimes you have to forget them or all the worrying you do about them will just consume you and fill you with rage and anger.

Janet: I could never do that.

Camden: You will learn. It’s called growing up. Now please leave me.

Janet: Okay, dad. Good bye.

Camden: Wait. . .Janet?

Janet: What is it?

Camden: My carrot patch is empty. All the carrots I grew are gone. Do you have any idea where they went?

Janet: No. No I don’t.

Camden: Alright. G’bye.

Janet: Bye.