Aaron Copland — Act 1 Scene 3: Remember the boy… Laurie Ma

(Laurie picks up her books and heads towards the house.) [MA] That you? Laurie? (She comes out of the house.) Why are you so late? Grandpa's almost home. You know how mad he gets When you're not here on time [LAURIE] Please, Mother, it was such a Summer afternoon [MA] You've been getting very dreamy lately There's better use for your time Than dreaming it away [LAURIE] But sometimes, don't you wish That you could get away That you could leave us all bеhind For just a summer's day? [MA] You're just as bad as Beth [LAURIE] For just a summеr's day? [MA] Just don't let Grandpa catch you dawdlin' `long the road [LAURIE] I don't care what Grandpa thinks anymore [MA] For shame, Laurie! He's done so much to see you through school [LAURIE] I know all he's done and All you've done too But both of you make such a fuss [MA] If only I'd had the chances you'd had… [LAURIE] Grandpa loves me But he doesn't understand He treats me as if I was still a little girl Like I don't have a life of my own [MA] He loves you so [LAURIE] Remember the boy that used to call That worked at the store in town? That boy that meant so much to me That might have been my own Ma, I might have learned to love him I hoped and prayed that Grandpa could learn To see the things that meant so much to me But when I showed my heart that day He turned and sent the boy away He turned and sent him away Oh I was so ashamed! [MA] But Laurie, that happened months ago Did it mean so much? Grandpa couldn't know [LAURIE] I'll never forgive him! [MA] Forgive him. He's old You're all that he has. Be kind to him After tomorrow you'll have your own life I promise [LAURIE] As long as I live here I'll never have my own life No matter what you promise [MA] I'll see to it myself [LAURIE] You couldn't get him to see [MA] I'll talk to him [LAURIE] He wouldn't understand you [MA] Why do you say that when I've promised? [LAURIE] I know you'll keep your promise But you couldn't make him understand When you yourself don't understand [MA] But I do, I do! [LAURIE] No you don't, you don't! How could you when you've never had your own life? (Ma slaps Laurie, then recoils.) [MA] (crying) I'm sorry, sorry Please, Laurie Don't upset your Grandpa tonight Be ours for just tonight and tomorrow Promise me. Won't you, Laurie? (Laurie goes to embrace her.) [LAURIE] I promise, I promise I want to do right (Ma turns and goes into the house. Laurie goes to follow, but hearing the approach of two strangers, she hides.)