MY SEARCH HAD ENDED!
I couldn't believe it. As I was reading Marsha's email, tears of joy filled my eyes and excitement overcame me. I read it over and over again. She explained that she was actually born in 1977, not 1976 and that she did indeed use to live in Norfolk. She, too, was born in Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia. She told me how she often wondered why Marcial would come over to her house and only bring presents for her, and not her brother,Tony, that she grew up with. She was raised to believe that a man named Antonio Rolls was her father. See a pattern in the non-originality of names? Antonio. Tony. Antonio ended up leaving for the Philippines when she was 12. She had a few examples of almost finding out about the truth of her existence. Only to have those theories and stories shot down by family.
One time, she had taken a job as a hotel clerk in a small town in Norfolk. She was about 18. On her first night of work, she relieved the other clerk, who was about her mother's age. Now, I wasn't there, but from Marsha's story, this is how I think the scenario went down. Marsha walks in and greets the other woman.
"Hi! My name is Marsha. It's my first night, so forgive me if I don't know what I'm doing."
The woman softly replies.
"Welcome. My name is Skii. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with."
They continue exchanging pleasantries and perhaps go over work stuff. During this time, I imagine, is when something was revealed to Skii that made her blurt out.
"Wait a minute. I remember you! I knew you when you were in diapers. Marsha! How are you?"
Naturally, Marsha remembered it all. She's a smart girl and could remember back to her diaper days. No, of course not! She was just a baby, for Pete's sake! Marsha responds.
"Oh, did you know my mom and dad?"
Skii nods her head and asks.
"How is your father doing?"
Marsha gives the quick history.
"Well, he went back to the Philippines when I was 12 and haven't heard from him since. So, I guess he's fine."
Skii seemed confused by this.
"I heard that Marcial was back in town. Maybe I was wrong. Are you sure?"
Marsha kind of laughs and clears up the confusion with Skii.
"Marcial? Do you mean Marcial Aquino? No, he's not my dad. More like an uncle. My dad is Antonio Rolls."
Skii grimaces at this news.
"I'm not sure if I'm the one to tell you. But, Marcial is your father. I know for a fact. I was there! I held you in my arms when you were a little baby. Antonio Rolls is not your father. Marcial Aquino is your father."
Confused and upset, Marsha is unsure what to think. They talk a little more about it and she decides to confront her mother when she gets home. Her mother quickly dismisses the story saying that Skii didn't know what she was talking about. Not sure what to think, Marsha eventually dismisses the story as well.
I get it. A mother fiercely wants to protect her kids. She must have feared breaking the news to Marsha would have caused issues and didn't see the sense. How could it help her?
She goes on to tell me that she lives in New Jersey. My eyes got wider and wider with excitement! I mean, think about it. She could have lived in Guam. Madagascar. Iowa. Anywhere! Instead, she's a state away! Probably only a couple of hours by train or bus! Now, you may remember my possible move out to Las Vegas at that time. Let me tell you, finding out that my little sister lived so close by helped with the decision. I had been waffling on whether or not to go for sure. To have a chance to get to know my sister that lived so close by? No contest. I was not going anywhere.
She thanked me for my efforts and said how she would have never known. She ended the email with a cute little "p.s."
"How old are you?"
Well, I knew she was 23 and all and I didn't reveal too much about myself in the initial email. I immediately respond and go into a little more detail about myself. (Leaving out all of the stripper stuff.) I tell her that I live in New York City and am glad that she is so close by. I give her my phone number where I'm staying and tell her a good time to call, if she wants. I was trying to just give her highlights of my life in general. Not too much so as not to scare her off. Hey, I've got some scary stuff in there! I sent her a couple of pics in the email with a warning that I'm a hippie freak. Didn't want the long hair to throw her off. I'm her big brother, not big sister!
She responds with saying she is only 1 1/2 hours away! Gives me a few more tidbits on life,but didn't send any pics because she didn't have a scanner or digital camera. But, promised to send some when she was at her friend's house. She tells me she is going to call me in a couple of days. I couldn't wait!
The day of the phone call comes. I get home and anxiously await. What is she going to sound like? Normal? Or like a monkey on crack? Trust me, I know that sound all too well. What if she had one of those really annoying voices that just grate on your nerves like fingers on a chalkboard? That would suck hard. Then again, what if she thought that I sounded freaky? That would suck even harder.
There was a bigger contemplation than the sound of our voices. What the hell were we going to talk about? And would it be a-w-k-w-a-r-d? Where would we start? I'm an actor and pretty good at improvisation, but should I have something scripted to give her a little background? No, that's so rehearsed. I act on stage, not in my real life. I told myself, "Just let it flow. Be natural. Be real. Be yourself." But, being myself sometimes freaks people out. She seemed to have a similar sense of humor in her email, but maybe I should reign it in at first. Let her get to know me and decide on her own if I am a freak or not. Just be cool. I can't remember for sure, but I may have taken a swig of bourbon out of the old flask to settle the nerves.
Then the phone rings.
...to be continued.
Have you ever considered writing this up as a screen play? I am picturing it now with all the little flashback scenes....
Posted by: ZiggyNJ | May 19, 2006 at 06:52 PM