(lights up on center stage, with the only thing on stage being JANE)

JANE

People always ask me why I'm always dedicating my time to other people. I honestly don't know the answer.

(lights off)

JANE

But that would soon change.

(the stage is set as a kindergarten room)

(JANE walks out from stage left)

FAITH

Jane! (she gets up and runs toward JANE, evidently excited that JANE is there)

JANE

Faith! (smiles at her)

FAITH

Guess what! I got this bracelet from Mother! She said it belonged to my grandma Autumn, then to Mother's mother, and to Mother, and now, me! Mother said it's a family air-woom. Air-foom? Or something.

JANE

(laughs) An heirloom, you mean?

FAITH

Uh-huh! Oh yeah, Jane, why weren't you here yesterday? You missed fingerpainting!

JANE

Ah, sorry about that... I had... family stuff.

FAITH

Like what?

JANE

You know... my mom... she's... sick.

FAITH

Oh. I hope she gets better! I can ask Mother and Father to send some chicken soup.

JANE

No, Faith, it's fine... I don't think that chicken soup can help this kind of sickness.

FAITH

Oh... is there anything I can do to help?

JANE

Ah, I don't think there's anything that could be done... thank you for your concerns, though.

FAITH

Okie dokie. I can always ask Mother and Father to help you out-- they love you, like me!

JANE

Aww, thanks, Faith. Now, what's going on today?

FAITH

Mrs. Von told us that we're making cards for Mother's Day!

JANE

Well then, let's get to it!

(they walk over to a small table while FAITH makes a card)

(the scene switches to a veteran's home)

JANE

Do you need help with anything else, Mr. Hill?

MR. HILL

No, Jane, thank you. It's hard to do something as simple as writing without another hand to hold the paper. (he holds up his missing left arm, somewhat sadly)

JANE

Don't worry Mr. Hill! I'm sure your prosthetic will be ready in no time! You'll be good as new! My uncle says it's almost done; he's been working on it almost all day, every day.

MR. HILL

Thank you for the reassurance, Jane. There is something else I need help with, though.

JANE

Anything you need, Mr. Hill!

MR. HILL

Excuse me for being so blunt, but may I ask why you decide to help out here? You've been doing this for two years and show no signs of stopping. Most people could care less about the people who served the United States, and if they do, it's just to get some service hours or something.

JANE

...My father.

MR. HILL

Oh?

JANE

My father is in the army. He's been stationed in Iraq, and I want to help people like him who have served our country. So I guess it's like my own way of serving our country, even if it isn't directly.

MR. HILL

How kind of you, Jane. The world appreciates your service.

JANE

I should be saying that to you, Mr. Hill!

MR. HILL

Thank you, Jane, but no thanks is needed.

JANE

(smiles) You're too humble, Mr. Hill.

MR. HILL

Well, I think that will be all for today. I appreciate your help.

JANE

No problem, Mr. Hill!

(JANE exits stage right. MR. HILL smiles and looks to be in thought and exits stage left.)

(the stage is set to an animal shelter)

JANE

(refilling animal's food and water bowls) Nancy, do you have anything else for me to do?

(NANCY enters from stage left)

NANCY

Not that I can remember. Oh, how's your mother doing?

JANE

The same... it does get a bit lonely while she's in the hospital, though... At least I have Delta, though.

NANCY

Ah, yes, the handsome little budgie of yours. How's he doing?

JANE

He's good. He's great at adapting and learning new words. I still miss Porphyra, though, but Delta's here now. Porphyra will always be in my heart, but I'll live in the now.

NANCY

Wise words to live by, Jane. You know, Porphyra lived a lot longer than expected. Usually, budgies live for five to ten years, yet Porphyra lived for twice the expected maximum lifespan. I should be surprised, but for some reason, I'm not. Anyone would want to stick around for a while with a kindred spirit like yourself.

JANE

Ah, you give me too much credit. I just tried to take good care of him.

NANCY

You must be very good with animals, then.

JANE

I try my best!

(the stage goes black)

(JANE is sorting books at a library. NANCY, the head librarian, enters from stage left, face stern, but her eyes are kind.)

JANE

Oh, hi, Nancy. I just finished putting back the recently returned books.

LYNNE

Thank you, Jane. I appreciate your help, truly. Most of you millenials couldn't care less about books. (she scoffs) Teens with their stupid Wi-Fi and their cell phones. (her voice rises, as if to imitate a stereotypical teenager) Oh my gawd did you see the new iPhone!? It's got no headphone jack so you have to pay separately for those snazzy Greentooth earbuds but it's totes worth it because it's the latest--

RANDOM BROWSER

(obnoxiously chewing bubblegum, blowing a giant bubble) Um, don't you mean Bluetooth? Oh my gawsh those things are the best. (she blows another bubble, this one too big. It pops and gets all over her face and in her hair. She lets out a small scream and mutters an expletive before running in a very goofy, but "girly" way to the bathroom. She accidently goes into the men's bathroom, then runs back out, running into the women's this time.)

LYNNE

And most of them have no manners and can't watch where they're walking! Always correcting the adults, constantly disrespecting us, can't keep their eyes off of a screen for five seconds--

JANE

Um, Nancy, I understand, but not all millennials are like that.

LYNNE

I suppose you are right. But there are some like that!

JANE

(jokingly) You should become an impressionist, Lynne!

LYNNE

(smiling slightly) I do suppose it would be an... interesting change of pace.

(JANE'S phone rings. She looks over at NANCY, who waves her off. NANCY starts exiting stage left)

LYNNE

(before she exits) See what I mean?? (she lags behind and spies on JANE behind a conveniently placed bookshelf.)

(JANE pulls out her phone)

JANE

Hello, this is Jane Sakurai speaking. (beat) Yes, I'm her daughter. (beat; JANE'S face and voice grows distressed) Are you sure it isn't another Tomoyo Sakurai you're talking about?... I understand... I'll be there as soon as I can. (she hangs up the phone.)

LYNNE

Was that about your mother?

(JANE jumps in surprise before a, "I should've known" look comes across her face. She nods grimly.)

JANE

She's gotten worse. Just as soon as she was starting to get a bit better... (her voice lowers, as if she were talking to herself) One step forward, two steps back, huh? But things have to be okay... I have to stay strong.

LYNNE

Please tell her I send my sympathy.

JANE

(she tries to force a smile, but all that comes out is a grimace) I will.

(The scene switches to a hospital. A desk is placed stage right, where a receptionist, RACHEL, sits. She has wide eyes, and looks innocent. JANE runs in from stage left, out of breath.She approaches the receptionist, and takes a moment to catch her breath.)

RACHEL

Name, honey?

JANE

Jane. Jane Li-an Sakurai.

RACHEL

Age, honey?

JANE

Twenty-four... why?

RACHEL

Honey, that's classified. Date of birth, honey?

JANE

November 14th... how is this relevant?

RACHEL

Gender, honey?

JANE

What do I look like to you!?

RACHEL

You never know in this day and age, honey. I'll put female, honey.

JANE

(takes a deep breath) I'm sorry. My mother is here and I'm just really worried about her. Could you tell me her room number?

RACHEL

Ohhh, sorry, honey, I thought you were checking yourself into our hospital. Like, my goodness, have you seen yourself? It looks like you need some medical attention.

JANE

My mother's name is Tomoyo Sakurai.

RACHEL

Yeah, yeah... hmm, lemme see... her room number is 226.

JANE

(trying to be genuine, but stress gets the better of her and it sounds somewhat sarcastic is this situation) Thank you for your assistance.

(JANE exits stage right. RACHEL looks offended and stalks off, exiting stage left.)

(the scene switches to a hospital room. TOMOYO is lying on a hospital bed, stage left, weak but still smiling. JANE runs up to her, entering from stage right.)

JANE

Mom... Are you okay?

TOMOYO

Of course, Jane. It's nothing I can't fight through. (she manages to sit up) How's Vale?

JANE

He's good. He's still away at college in Massachusetts. It's not the closest to Alexandria, but Virginia is closer to Massachusetts than some other states.

TOMOYO

And you're taking good care of yourself, right?

JANE

Yes...?

TOMOYO

Jane...

JANE

I know, mom... it's just that I have a lot to do.

TOMOYO

I know, Jane, but maybe you have too many commitments.

JANE

I know...

TOMOYO

Anyways, how are you? I haven't heard much from your flute lately. You love playing, so why have you stopped?

JANE

Ah, I haven't stopped... (she grins sheepishly) I just--

TOMOYO

(sighs) Don't have time?

JANE

Yeah... heheh.

TOMOYO

(she affectionately bops JANE on the head with her palm) There's my girl. But make sure you take a break every once in a while, you hear me? I mean it.

JANE

I understand, mom. Are you sure you're fine?

TOMOYO

Yes, Jane. Always worrying for others, but never for yourself.

JANE

Sorry...

TOMOYO

Just make sure you take good care of yourself, alright? Now, shoo! I need my beauty sleep!

JANE

(laughs) Don't worry mom, you're always beautiful. I'll stop by again tomorrow, okay?

TOMOYO

Mhmm. (she lies down) Bye, Jane. I love you.

JANE

Love you too, mom.

(JANE kisses her mother on the cheek, and TOMOYO smiles and kisses her on the head. JANE exits stage right. The stage goes black.)

(JANE exits her house, and checks to see if there is any mail. She takes a letter out of the mailbox, with an official government logo on the envelope. She is noticeably troubled. She opens it hesitantly with shaking hands)

JANE

...What?...

I... why?

What did I do... for this to happen?

Dad...

This isn't how it's supposed to go. Things aren't just supposed to keep happening to you. You don't have your mom get sick while you try to do all that you can for her. You don't get to have your dad die overseas and not even get to say goodbye or tell him you love him! That doesn't just happen! It just doesn't...

...

Dad... Mom...

...

I really need to talk to Vale... but I don't want to burden him. Yet, at the same time, I don't know who else to turn to. Heh. We've known each other since we were babies, and I still can't confide in him.

...

I'm so sorry, dad...

(JANE slides to the ground in defeat, her head it her hands)