Lost In Yonkers- Involving Aunt Bella

Jay: Grandma wants you, Aunt Bella.

oh, yeah... As soon as I finish my mama's rub, I'll start dinner. Are you boys hungry?

Eddie: Her Back s bothering her. When aunt Bella comes in, tell her mama wants a back rub...comb your hair, arty, and don't make a mess.

(offstage) Jay? Arty? It's me. Aunt Bella! Can I come in?

Eddie: I'll get Grandma

* Runs onto stage to the closest chair*

Grandma: You bring it home in front of the boys, you'll hand me the magazine in front of the boys. Give it to me now, Bella.

*Hands her the magazine*

Jay: Arty, Knock it off... if you don't want to tell us, Aunt Bella, You don't have to. We're your friends.

... I wish Eddie were here. Eddie would know what to do.

All: This is a Sacred Secret.

All right then... I'm getting married! I'm going to be a wife and I'm going to have lots and lots of children and live in a place of my own! isn't that wonderful?/ You're the only ones that know this... Jay! Arty! I'm getting Married!

Jay: I can tell why you're not too anxious to tell grandma... I mean, because it's so sudden like.

And he doesn't wanna be an usher forever... He wants to open up a restaurant... I would be the cook and he would be the manager. I would love that more than anything in the whole world.

Arty: He's an usher?

And his name is Johnny. I always thought I'd marry someone named Johnny.

Jay: No Arty: Not to me

And how old are you boys now? about twenty?

Jay: You don't have to be old to be trusting.

And you'd never tell Grandma what I tell you? because if she found out, she'd put me in the home. She would, for the rest of my life.

Eddie: Thank you, Bella... but Mama and I just decided it's not a good idea.

And, Jay, You boys make a list of all of the things you boys like for breakfast and I'll make sure that we have it... and don't forget your toothbrushes because we don't carry any in the store... and each of you bring something that you really love, even if it's big, and we'll find someplace to put it.

Arty: What a great guess.

Anyway... we went out later for some coffee... and we went or walks in the part... and down near river. And then today, just like in the movies, at exactly 2 o'clock... or 2:15... or 2:30.... He asked me to marry him! and I said I would have to think about it, but the answer was yes.

Jay: I swear.

Arty?

Eddie: ... I said let's go.

Arty? We'll have dinner another night... Why don't you and Jay go home and pack your things and I'll get you bed ready and make room in the closet for when you move in.

Jay: I guess so.

Because I knew he would have taken care of me... the way your father takes care of you.... you know what I mean?

Jay: That's good

Because I loved him so much/ Did you know you could love somebody who dies before you were born?

Arty: You said she wouldn't do that because she's afraid to be alone.

But she's not alone anymore. She's got you two here.

Jay: Grandma? A couple of minutes ago.

Did you tell her I was here?

Jay: No. You just came in.

Did you tell her where I went?

Jay: Is there anything we can do?... You can talk to us, Aunt Bella.

Do you think so? Do you think I can trust you? You're still so young.

Eddie: All right. Then give me a smile and a hug.

Don't go, Eddie... Stay and live with us... I miss you so much... she's so mean sometimes.

Jay: That's too bad

Don't tell grandma I said that

Jay: What handicap?

He has a reading handicap..

Jay: Oh... sure... sure... How old is he?

He's thirty... maybe not. Maybe Fourty... but he's so handsome,and polite, and quiet. I had to do all of the talking, all he said was "will you marry me?"

Grandma: Dot's enough, Bella. Diss is not your business.

How about a picture of your mother? We can put it right they're on the table. It'll be the last think you see at night and the first thing you see in the morning. Its gonna be such fun having you both here... mama's right I do get excited, but it just makes me so happy!

Jay: Oh. Right. I bet they would.

I bet I know what would make you two cold in a second. How about a big ice cream soda deluxe with everything on it!/ Look at your faces lighting up, come on, I'll make it for you downstairs

Jay: Thank you Arty: Thank you, aunt bella

I bet I look much older to you two? Do I? The truth! Tell me...

Arty: All of them!

I can make that! with three different kinds of ice cream! I use to make one with four different kinds! they were selling like crazy! but we lost a fortune/ How long ago did she ask for me?

Jay: You both went to the same movie four times?

I didn't mind. And he has to because he works there. He's a usher... and he looks so wonderful in his uniform.

Grandma: Movies, Movies, Movies. You waste your money and your life in the movies. and then you walk home by yourself. do you know what kind of men are on the street at eleven o'clock?

I didn't see a soul, Ma.

Jay: What did you see?

I don't know. I couldn't find the theatre I was looking for, so I went to the one that I found, but it was better than the picture that I wanted to see! It was with Betty Davis and George Brent... Maybe we all can go next week, if I can find the wrong theatre again.

Jay: No. She's still at Aunt Gert's.

I don't wanna cry. I don't wanna cry. I don't wanna cry.

Jay: Guess who forgot how to open a door.

I forgot my key.

Arty: She and I have very short conversations.

I have to go inside now and think this out. I'm no good at thinking things out; I'm much better with my hands... but you're smart, both of you. Maybe you'll think it out for me? Please do . I'd be grateful to you for the rest of my life.// oh and I thought of a name for the restaurant too... "La Bella Johnny".

Jay: With you? No.

I hope not. Do I look better?

Arty: That's pretty quick thinking it over.

I know, I didn't want him to change his mind... are you as happy about this as I am?

Jay: How did you get in downstairs?

I used my spare key. I'm so glad you called me up. I walked right past the house, didn't I? Sometimes I daydream so much I think I should carry an alarm clock. / Oh God! I'm so happ to see you! Arty! Jay! my Two favorite cousins!

Eddie: I think it would be easier, if Mama talked to the boys alone.

I want to stay here with you

Jay: I don't think so. Arty: No

I was hoping you'd say that. I'm thirty-five and I don't even look it. do I?

Jay: I can't believe were fighting a war to make this a better world for someone like you.

Is Grandma sleeping? Don't tell me, you'll wake her up. Arty! Jay! The most wonderful and exciting thing happened to me tonight... but don't ask me. I can't tell you... You're my good luck charms, the both of you.

Arty: No. I lived up here for a month. I can take anything.

Is Mama home?

Jay: Yes {abt eddie}

Is he angry with me?

Jay: No. we told Pop we saw you from the window, but maybe he didn't say anything to her.

It doesn't make a difference. She heard my footsteps coming up the stairs.

Arty: I started! I started! I want a big ice cream soda with a sundae with whipped cream and hot fudge sauce. Is that okay?

It sounds perfect to me! And don't get any to Jay... He missed the deadline.

Arty: Really?

It took me almost a year.

Grandma: No. Never. Give it to me. I don't want this trash in my house.

It's my magazine, Ma. I bought it with my own money.

Jay:~~~Pop wouldn't want us to get paid for saying "nothin" to hollywood Harry in the betty grable tie. forget it.

Jay! Arty! Have you thought to anything yet? about how I should tell grandma about you-know-who?

Grandma: You think I don't hear you coming up the stairs? You think that I don't know that it's eleven o'clock? You think I don't where you've been?

Just the movies, Ma

Arty: I'd... I'd like to... maybe later.

NO! NOT LATER! IT'S TOO LATE NOW!... I'm not asking you again. You hurt my feelings. The both of you! You tell your father to teach you better manners before I am ever nice to you again. I know you miss your mother, but that does not mean you can be disrespectful to me!... I always liked your Mother, whether she took coffee from me or not. And you can tell that to your father. The both of you. You hear me? I'm sick of it.

Grandma: Ya, ya ,ya. You look for trouble you find trouble.

No one bothers me, Ma.

Grandma: When I'm dead, you can buy your own magazine.

No, I won't, Mama. because you'll find a way to get them anyway.

Grandma: Bella. Nicht Sprecken! Enough!! They're going. Dot's the end of it.

No, Mama. They're not going. They're staying. because if you make them go, I'll go too... I know I've said that a thousand times, but this time I mean it... The Home would take me... You're always telling me that... and if I go, you'll be all alone... and you're afraid to be alone, mama... nobody else knows that but me... but you don't have to be, mama. Because we'll all be together now... you and me and Jay and Arty... won't that be fun, mama?

Jay: You mean he had bad eyes?

No. He just has trouble reading, the way I did. He went to a special school when he was a boy. The one near the home... he was there once... in the home for about six months... he said it was terrible... so his parents took him out... and he's much happier now.

Jay: I don't think we were born yet.

No. I don't think so... My father died before I was born, but I wasn't sad about that.

Eddie: ~~~ Mama has to talk to the boys now.

No. I want to stay here with you.

Jay: Where does she keep it? In the bank?

No. It's here in the house somewhere. She changes the hiding spot every year. No one else knows she had it... not Eddie or Gert or Louie. No one... // so my problem is, I have to get her to say yes to marrying Johnny, and yes to opening the restaurant and moving out, and yes to giving me the five thousand dollars... but I don't think shes going to say yes, do you?

Jay: I don't think she would do that. She just says that to scare you sometimes.

No. She would so it. sometimes she'd take me on the trolly and we'd go by the home and she'd say... "Dat ver you vill go if you're not a goot gorl".

Jay: No

No... because it would be easier for you now that she's gone. big families are important when you have trouble in your life. We were a big family! Me and your father and Louie and Gert. That was before Rose and Aaron died... Rose was just a baby but Aaron was almost twelve, so I didn't know Rose as well as Aaron./ You never know them, did you?

Arty: The bus?

No.No. I'm thinking of someone else. Sometimes my mind wanders. / The kids at school used to say " Hey, Bella. Lost and found called and said come get your brains"... but I didn't think that it was funny. / I bet you miss your mom a lot, don't ya. don't ya, Arty?

Jay: Aren't we your nephews?

Of course you are! My cousins. my nephews. my boys! come here and give your aunt bella a kiss!/ Oh you're both getting so much bigger! you're growing up so fast, it almost makes me cry! Where's your father? I haven't see your father in so long! Eddie! Its me Bella! Is he here?

Jay: I'm not so sure that we're staying for dinner.

Of course you are. You think I'd let you go all the way home without dinner?... are you gonna say not to me again, Arty?

Jay: No body said anything!

Oh I know. It was grandma. She didn't like the way I looked today. She hates this dress. I made it myself.

Jay: Your mother has five thousand dollars?

Oh more. Ten or Fifteen thousand. I'm not supposed to tell anyone.

Arty: How? Isn't she partly deaf?

Oh sure, but the other part hears perfectly/ How about a small sundae? Vanilla ice cream with hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, and chopped walnuts? Are you gonna say no tot that, Arthur? I bet you can't, come on let me hear ya! say no!

Arty: He's in there talking to grandma.

Oh! I'd better not disturb them... did she ask for me?

Jay: If he has no children, how come he's not in the army?

Oh, He wanted to go but they wouldn't take him because of his handicap.

Jay: Was he ever married before?

Oh, no. I would never marry someone who was married before. I would want it to be the first time for both of us.

Jay: He can't. We're having dinner soon. It's just that Pop told us to wait.

Oh, your father. He never takes anything from anybody. I couldn't even give your mother a cup of coffee. Did you know that? Where is she anyway?

Jay: Pop said her back was hurting. she wanted you to give her a back rub when you came in?

Oh... did you tell her I was here?

Grandma: No. My money. I pay for everything here. You don't have anything unless I give you. Give-me- the-magazine!

Please don't do this to me in front of the boys, mama.

Arty: Yeah. A lot.

She was a lot like your father. Very independent. Stuck to her own family mostly... she didn't get along too well with grandma... no one does... My sister , Gertrude, was once engaged to a man, she brought him home to meet grandma... The next day. He moved to Boston.

Jay: I don't think shes going to let you go to the movies much anymore.

She won't know unless you tell her. You wont tell her, will you, Jay?

Jay: Err... Arty and I are really hoping it works out, Aunt Bella

Shhh... mustn't interrupt.

Grandma: Then you waste your money on movie magazines? Fill your head with Hollywood and dream that don't happen to people like us?

Sometimes they do.

Jay: Gee. No. We've been very busy ourselves.

Sure. I understand. But if you do think of something. I'm gonna give you each a dollar. I know you could use it. I'll let you get back to sleep. I was having such a good dream... I'm gonna go back and finish it.

Arty: Better than when?

Than before, when you said I wasn't looking well.

Arty: I didn't say that.

Then who said it...? Jay?

Arty: We're fine. We're cold in here with the fan.

They had air conditioning in the movie house. I was actually cold! I felt so happy for the actors to be in an air conditioned theatre.

Eddie: God, My head is splitting.

Was that your father banging on the door just now?

Jay: I don't think the actors feel it, Aunt Bella. they're just pictures on the screen,

Well I know that silly. I mean't that they'd be happy to know that the people who were watching the movie were nice and cold, so they enjoyed the movie better!

Jay: Could he do that? manage a restaurant? If he couldn't read the menus?

Well I would do all that. I would help him... the only thing is, his parents are poor and he doesn't make much money and we'd need about five thousand dollars to open the restaurant... and I don't know if mama would give it to me.

Jay: we didn't know where you went.

Well let's not tell her I'm here yet. Then we won't be able to visit!/ Oh... You're both getting so handsome.

Arty: I'm Thirteen and a half Jay: I'm fifteen and a half

Well that adds up to about thirty-five, so we could be brother and sister! Isn't that wonderful!

Arty: I'm not. I'm eating. I'm hungry. No matter what Jay does, I'm eating.

Well we're all eating. It's Sunday. and you think what you want for dessert, Arty. because whatever you want is what you're getting... start thinking now.

Jay: I think we have to wait here.Pop'll be out in a second and he wants us to see grandma.

Well... I'll bring them up here then, That's no trouble. What kind? chocolate? vanilla? butter pecan? What's your favorite, Arty?

Arty: Have you met anybody?

What do you mean have I met anybody? Of course I have. I met him ten days ago at the orpheum theatre... I saw him there three times this week.

Jay: What do you mean the first time?

When I came in the car, not the bus.

Arty: Sure. I'd love to.

Why don't you take your jackets off, you two. Look at you both perspiring!

Jay: We're Eddie's Sons.. That's almost the same thing.

Yeah. That's true... All right... come here, sit down, both of you. / This is our secret now, allright?... a sacred secret.. say it, the both of you.

Jay: That's nice.

Yeah... I just hope he can read it.

Jay: I think so.

Yeah... so how about that sundae. It's gonna sit there melting on the counter if I make it and you don't eat it... Last time I'm asking Arty, yes or no?

Jay: Yeah

Yeah/ I just got back from the movies. I had the most wonderful time! I wish I would have knew you were here, we all could have gone!

Eddie: Would you like that, Honey?

Yes!

Jay: She's dead. Mom's dead.

Yes. I know. I mean... where is she buried?

Jay: At Mount Israel Cemetery in the Bronx. You were at the funeral, remember?

You mean the first time?

Arty: I won't.

You're both so shy. I use to be shy... grandma didn't like me talking too much... I had a lot of friends, but I didn't talk to them... It's a shame your mother couldn't have had more children/ She didn't, did she?