Page 121 of Score
You getting mighty bold with it, ain’t ya? You can’t be kissing me out in the open like that, Bama.
DESSI (WITH A WICKED GRIN)
Well, if I can’t kiss out in the open, I need to get you on home.
TILDA (UNEASILY)
You going off to Europe. I’m staying here. We need to be real. This can’t last forever, ya know? What we got going.
DESSI (SMILE FALTERING AND THEN SNAPPING BACK INTO PLACE AS SHE LOOPS HER ARM AROUND TILDA’S WAIST BENEATH HER COAT)
Don’t this feel like forever? You and me?
TILDA (LOOKING SAD, BUT RESIGNED)
Don’t be making promises we know we can’t keep. Not in this lifetime anyway.
DESSI (DISCREETLY CARESSING TILDA’S HAND, CLASPING HER ARM AS THEY WALK HOME)
It’s a promise I’m making with my heart. They might be able to tell Black folks where we can sit and where we can eat. Hell, white folks even tell us where to piss, but nobody can tell you who to love. They can’t make you stop loving somebody, and I ain’t ever gon’ stop loving you, Tilda.
TILDA (SMILING WISTFULLY AND SQUEEZING DESSI’S ARM BACK)
Okay, Miss Forever. Let’s get on home then. I got a present I want to give you.
DESSI
What is it?
TILDA
Let me get you home and you’ll see.
When they arrive at their apartment, Dessi is practically hopping around with anticipation. Tilda laughs, makes her sit on the bed and close her eyes. When Dessi opens them, Tilda presents her with a jewelry box.
DESSI
Tilda! No, you didn’t!
TILDA
I saw it and thought of you right away. Open it.
When Dessi opens the box, a ballerina pops up and dances to the tune “You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want to Do It).”
DESSI (BLINKING BACK TEARS)
Oh, it’s beautiful, Tilda.
TILDA
I figure when you off in Paris and London and all them places, you gonna be dripping in jewels. Pearls and sapphires and such. Put ’em all in this jewelry box. Then every time you pull out one of them big ol’ diamonds, you’ll think of me.
DESSI
I love it, but I won’t need diamonds or a jewelry box to remind me of you.
Dessi presses Tilda’s hand to her chest.
