Black Girl1972

Mama Rose:
[Netta is at the top of the church stairs with a big bouquet of flowers behind her. Rose turns around and sees her and walks towards the stairs to her and gives her a hug] Something told me to look up here.

Netta:
You better hurry up and get your mother's day surprise. [Rose hurries her into the upstairs room] A lot of jealous eyes been looking at them. [She presents her bouquet to Rose]

Mama Rose:
OH, look what my sweet daughter went and gave me! [she smells them] You got them laced just right! [she hugs Netta] Thank you, darling! Thank you.

Netta:
I thought it would be better if I brought my mother up here.

Mama Rose:
That's nice. Tell me, how long have you been in town?

Netta:
Oh, I haven't been here too long.

Mama Rose:
You mean to tell me that if I have decided not to come to church this morning, I wouldn't even known you was here?

Netta:
[to woman passing by leaving the room] Thank you, Sister Jenkins. [She closes the door] Sure. Sure, you would have known. If I hadn't seen you here today, I was going to get your present to you some kind of way.

Mama Rose:
But why didn't you call me, Netta?

Netta:
I was busy trying to get things together. And I was walking all over town trying to find you some flowers that weren't picked all over.

Mama Rose:
I appreciate all the trouble you went through to get them, but you made me think you were gonna stay with me.

Netta:
Mama Rosie, you don't understand what I'm trying to do. You've got plenty of people to lean on. My mother only has me. I appreciate everything you've done for me, but I... can't deal with all of this.

Mama Rose:
Deal with what? What is it? I understand about your mother! You should have called me!

Netta:
Mama Rosie, I am my mother's daughter, not yours! I ran away from my mother years ago because I wasn't strong enough then, but I'm going to her now! It's as simple as that!

Mama Rose:
[heartbroken and near tears] Don't you raise your voice with me. Don't you DARE raise your voice with me! [She leaves the room]