(The following lines are designed to be spoken overlapping, so that one speaker starts before the previous one finishes. Character 1, a teen of either gender, is resigned, frustrated, frightened. Character 2, young male adult, is angry, nearly at the point of total despair. Character 3, female adult or teen, is visibly upset, totally heartbroken.)

1: I don't know what to do. Who can I talk to about this? My father hits me, hits me all the time...

2: All the time I thought we had our whole life ahead of us. She was too young to die. We were supposed to travel together; we were supposed to have long talks and long walks and share our deepest selves with each other. We were supposed to raise a family together. We were supposed to...

3: We were supposed to be together forever. I thought he really loved me and that our life together was set. What did I do wrong...

1: ...Wrong to deserve such treatment? Is it something I did that causes this abuse by my own Dad? I can't understand it, God. I can't understand why...

2: Why you would let this happen. Is this your idea of good for those who love you, who try to follow your ways and walk in your paths? She was so excited! She had called me at work to tell me...

3: ...tell me he was leaving! One day he was there, and I counted on him being there for a long time; and then the next day he is gone. I didn't even get a chance to really say good-by! I thought...

1: ...I thought youth was supposed to be a time to be enjoyed, "the best time of your life" someone said. My father really frightens me. On the one hand I love him and want to honor him. On the other hand, he scares me so much that last night I phoned...

2: ...phoned me at work to tell me she was finally pregnant. I was so happy! I was so looking forward to the rest of our lives...

3: ...lives that were once so entwined, now ripped apart because... I don't even know why...

2: ...why she ever trusted you, God! She put all her confidence in you; I put all my confidence in you and you destroyed her, you destroyed us both! My first reaction...

1: ...first reaction was to laugh because the whole thing sounded so ridiculous to him. He said, "Look, I am your pastor, and I have known your father for a good many years. I cannot believe that your father would do such things." He could not understand...

2: ...understand this. And now she's gone! Why?

3: And now he's gone! Why?

1: I wish he would go away! Why?

3: Why?

2: Why?

1, 2, 3: Why did this have to happen?

Written by Anne and Lynn Podoll. May be used free of charge for all non-profit functions to the glory of God. If it is used, please just let the authors know at hope16@iname.com.