David Friedli

By the Dashboard Lights

03/19/09

Wonder “Why?”

The bride and groom stand hand and hand at the altar. She has been given away by her father. The groom is standing with the support of three friends.

Prayers have been said and the soloist has sung.

She has said, “I do.” He has said, “I do.”

All that is left is for the Reverend to declare, “By the power invested in me…”

The bride looks out toward the gathered family and friends. What once was a church filled to capacity is now half empty.

She watches as a dozen more guests file out the door before the ceremony is over.

She wonders, “Why?”

The chef prepares a sumptuous dessert to complete the five-course meal the dining party had already consumed.

The appetizers, soup, salad, and main entrée have been served, accepted with gusto by the guests.

The chef puts his finishing touches on his creation, his final opportunity to provide his services and impress those who have come to partake of the skills he has spent his life practicing and perfecting.

Exiting from the kitchen, he finds the table where the group had sat, now empty and deserted before dessert.

He wonders, “Why?”

The actors on stage have brought life to the script, providing drama and pathos.

The last lines will complete the work, provide a final resolution to the rising action and conflicts developed throughout the play.

A surprise plot twist or a cameo appearance may be yet to come.

The curtain goes up for the final scene, and the actors peer past the spotlights and see the theatre, once a sold-out venue, nearly empty.

The actors wonder, “Why?”

The high school athletes play down the final minutes of their last high school basketball game.

They have played to the best of their ability, but on this night the shots have not fallen, the rebounds have not bounced their way, and the opposition has benefited from a questionable call or two.

The scoreboard isn’t in the team’s favor, but players who understand their final season is at hand and players who don’t always get a chance to be on the floor still take their shots, make their passes and play defense.

Spent of effort, a veteran player looks at the clock and knows the contest is decided, but the game is not over.

He looks into the stands and sees half of the bleachers once filled by fans now empty, as a steady stream of bodies make their way toward the exits.

He wonders, “Why?”