A House Is Not: A One-Act Play

SCENE: Inside the family car.  A woman, mid-thirties, is driving.  Her mother-in-law, in whose house she lives, is in the passenger seat.  A baby sleeps in a car seat  in the back.  They are coming home to Illinois from Wisconsin.

ANNIE: So as much as I wish I could be more active at school, that I could volunteer in my spare time, I know I have other priorities.  I mean, we only have one car.  I have an infant daughter.  We don't have a home.  I need to focus on those things right now.

MIL: You have a home.

ANNIE: (Blushing). No, I know.  That's not what I mean.  I mean, we don't have a home of our own.

MIL: I just don't want you thinking that you don't have a home with us.

ANNIE: No, I don't think that...

(Awkward silence.)

END OF SCENE