Scene 1 – The 2 a.m. Call
Mixed Media on paper. Copyright 2011 Totsymae
Totsy: Are you sure you’re Wayne?
Wayne: Yes, this is me.
Totsy: You don’t sound like Wayne. Why you sound thataway?
Wayne: What way? Oh, it’s just because I’ve been hollering. They’ve been driving me crazy.
Totsy: Who are they?
Wayne: Oh, I’ve been in this hospital. (He talks away from the mouthpiece to a passing nurse) But I’m running things around here now, aren’t I?
Totsy: What’s your room number?
Wayne: I’ll be out of here soon and they keep moving me. You wouldn’t be able to keep up.
(We talk more nonsense and I know it’s him. My mind rambles and sleep don’t find me when my head hits the pillow again. I think real hard about Wayne. Does hollering real hard make a man sound like a woman?)
~~ooOOO00~~
Scene 2 – At the Apartment
Wayne: You’re one nosy ass, finding me on the internet. I mean, damn!
Totsy: (I think, he’s talking shit but he’s glad I found him since he’d run his mama to the ground taking care of his stuff) Come on and let’s get this taken care of and stop running that mouth.
(Wayne looks lost once we get inside. Don’t know where to start picking up the scatterings of what was left in his apartment. I go in the kitchen.)
Totsy: Wayne, there really is such a thing as Elbow Grease?! (I hold the generic-looking jar up and smile wide, like I’m a commercial on the TV set).
Wayne: Give me that, Totsy. (He snatches the jar in a friendly kinda way, looking me dead in my smiling eyes). You’re too innocent to know anything about that.
(Wayne leaves me downstairs. I find a pink floral greeting card to Wayne and somebody signed it, Love Pedro).
~~ooOOO00~~
Scene 3: The Psychologist’s Office
(It’s a nice, clean place and I smile at the two patients I walk past ’cause they look like they could use one. We get to the office and wait for the doctor.)
Totsy: (Feeling real strange after seeing those folks. Just quiet. Real quiet and trying to erase the thoughts popping up)
(The doctor enters)
Doctor: You can sit here while I speak with Wayne now but I’ll later have to speak to him alone.
Wayne: Yes, she can stay for now. I want her here.
(I don’t know much about what they’re saying and then Doctor turns to me)
Doctor: Have you noticed anything like mouth sores? That’s usually typical with patients with HIV.
Totsy: (Folks start talking in my head. What the…How the hell was I supposed to know that? But you saw those people out there. Remember the one with the walker? Why’s he telling me about mouth sores? Look at Wayne, honey. Don’t he look a little bit like those folk in the hallway? Why you acting like you don’t know this man’s sick? Just ’cause you don’t wanna think it’s so, ain’t gonna make it not so.)
(The doctor says something, then leaves the office. I look at Wayne, crying on the inside and speechless. He’s too beautiful to die.)
Wayne: Don’t cry for me, Totsy. I’ve lived a good and full life. (He’s 36)
Epilogue: As much as I can remember, this is exactly how it went down. Not quite sure whatever happened with Wayne. He kinda entered and vanished out of my life as he saw fit. Been five years since we last spoke. He was downright smart, funny and like a big brother to me when we did hang out and about. I wish him peace wherever he may be.
This is my submission for Create Art Every Day.
I'm an artist who's writing,mothering, blogging and doing a few other things under the sun. I buy toilet paper 99.9% of every trip I make to the grocery store. I'm a people watcher, so I know you're here but drop me a line anyway.
Wow, this is heavy. Wish Wayne peace, too.
Thank you for that. Really a beautiful soul.
Reading this touch my heart! God Bless
Yes, heavy. Pic very electric vibes.
Electric, like we connected and then, no more…
This is incredible. It’s heavy, and sad, and oh so sweet. God bless Wayne where ever he is, and God bless you for caring for him so much. It has to help to know you are loved.
Thank you and for sending your blessings to him. If he is still around,
he may only be a shadow of himself now. I don’t know and I’m ashamed
to say that I’m afraid to see what that may be.
I love the picture! VIbrant!
Amazing how only a few short snippets of dialogue can draw a person so clearly.
Glad you see what Wayne was like. We used to joke and say he was
the male version of me and me, the female version of him.
Add my wow to the others here… I can only hope that he started getting treatment so that his life can be fuller than his [then?] 36 years belied. Thirty-six…
Yes, he was getting treatment and pretty active.
I thought people with HIV nowadays have better chance in life. I hope he is well 36 is way too young to give up.
This was about 9 years ago that I received the call, so he had been
thriving but I don’t know his current status.
Very nice post, powerful. Good luck to Wayne. Peace to you.
Thank you. Much appreciated.
Wow
Yeah. I know.
They do enter our lives and we fall in love with them and then off they go. Love the way you flesh Wayne out for us here.
Yep, that pretty much sums it up. And thanks.
So simply written, yet so emotional. You’re a talented lady.
Thank you.
ohh, I wasn’t expecting that.
So Sad, Tots. So very sad… Xxx Kiss for you.
Thank you, Kim.
The artwork mirrors the narrative, Totsymae – now why do I get an urge to put a saxaphone to his lips … ? blessings … catchul8r molly
And let’s hear a jazz tune bellowing from that horn…:-)
Hmmm. That was a tough one to read, especially since it was true. But I have a feeling that much of your material is based in some kind of truth…
Yeah. Kinda tough to write it too.
Whatever that truth is, yes, I will write about it.
Simplicity in the prose, raw and unfinished, all of which makes for a powerful impact. Well written Totsy.
Yes, lots more to this little sketch. Thank you.
You are so freakin’ awesome, love the structure of your writing!!! I want one of your sketches on my wall too!
Thank you so much. You are quite the writer yourself. As for the
paintings here, send me a message through my contact page.
Okay, I am convinced you should be writing movies after reading that one… well done, thank you for sharing with us
And you should be the star!
Thank you.
Beautiful story. I think Wayne would have enjoyed it. But I came to comment because the art work grabbed me from my Inbox and wouldn’t let me go. Girl, you are a TALENT!
Thank you.
Wayne is/was such a collage of so many things. I hope he would’ve enjoyed it.
wow !!!!!! Super talent Lady- I love all these character sketches —— seriously – you should publish them with your art —– Brave courageous Heart You have xx
Cat
Thank you so much.
I’m trying to figure out how to compile what I have to publish. Thanks for the encouragement.