Summary
Reunion unfolds within the cozy confines of fifty-three-year-old Bernie Cary's apartment, painting a poignant picture of reconnection. His daughter, twenty-four-year-old Carol Mindler, makes her way to this long-awaited meeting. Two decades have slipped by since she last saw her father, a rift caused by her parents' divorce. The narrative is delicately woven through fourteen brief yet impactful scenes, each capturing a fragment of a heartfelt dialogue between father and daughter.
Scene 1
The curtain rises on a quiet Sunday afternoon in early March, as Carol steps into Bernie's apartment. Bernie, with a mix of relief and significance, acknowledges, "This is a very important moment." He's heartened that she addresses him as Bernie, not "Dad," and shares the uplifting news of his sobriety, hinting at a brighter chapter in his life.
Scene 2
Carol surveys Bernie's space, commenting on its pleasantness, and learns he has called it home for the past two years. She paints a picture of her own living space with her husband Gerry, describing it as nice and cozy, though a bit cramped when Gerry's sons from a previous marriage come to stay.
Scene 3
A framed photograph catches Carol's eye, showcasing Bernie amidst a squadron of Army Air Corps bombers. Intrigued, she inquires about his wartime service. Bernie recounts his role as a tail gunner aboard a B-17 in World War II. Eager to learn more, Carol listens as Bernie sketches a portrait of himself: "Fifty-three years old. Ex-alcoholic. Ex-this. Ex-that. Democrat." The conversation shifts to Carol's life, her marriage to Gerry, and her desire to reunite with Bernie, which he only learned of when Gerry appeared at his workplace, almost moving him to tears.
Scene 4
Bernie shares with Carol that she has a half-brother, Marty, born of his second marriage to a woman named Ruth. Though years have passed since they last spoke, Bernie reflects on Marty's uncertain path in life. Carol, too, has a half-sister from her mother's subsequent marriage. Bernie reminisces about a bygone era, when Carol was a mere four-year-old, recalling visits to the zoo and science museum. He fondly remembers, "You were a beautiful kid," and admits to cherishing photos of her from that time, though they seem misplaced at the moment. Bernie also mentions Leslie, a woman from work he is considering marrying.
Scene 5
Bernie's life is on an upswing, as he explains to Carol. He's embraced sobriety, finds joy in his restaurant job, and is even beginning to save money. He shares his newfound philosophy with her: "You got to take your chance for happiness."
Scene 6
In this reflective moment, Bernie reveals the thoughts that consume him – getting to know Carol and the possibility of remarrying. Carol brings up a childhood memory, mistakenly believing him to be Tonto, The Lone Ranger's trusted companion, and how it upset her to learn the truth. Bernie candidly reflects on the two most fulfilling endeavors of his life – his tenure at the phone company and his wartime service.
Scene 7
Bernie confesses his apprehension about this reunion, while Carol details her work life at Gerry's office, revealing her dissatisfaction. With vulnerability, she admits that her marriage is not what it once was, with intimacy having faded, though Bernie observes that Gerry cares for her deeply.
Scene 8
Carol acknowledges the impact of her parents' divorce, noting how divorce, now commonplace, still leaves its mark. Bernie confesses his mixed emotions – guilt over the divorce and residual anger towards both her mother and himself. His grievances extend to the government, stemming from his treatment as a war veteran. Carol shares...
(This entire section contains 1014 words.)
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that Gerry, a Korean War veteran, remains silent about his experiences.
Scene 9
A tale from Bernie's past emerges, one of irony and misadventure. He recounts a New Year's Eve long ago when, after drinking at a friend's place, he hired a young man to drive him home. The man disappeared, forcing Bernie to drive himself, resulting in a crash into a telephone pole. A kind officer escorted him home, sparing him a ticket. Astonishingly, Bernie was later summoned by his employer to repair the very pole he had damaged, receiving pay for his own mishap.
Scene 10
Bernie recounts his dismissal from the phone company, a place he had dedicated a decade of his life to, after an unfortunate incident where he collided with a police car, leading to the revocation of his driver's license. He shares his hope that in roughly a year, he will regain his driving privileges. Carol chimes in, revealing her stint as a sixth-grade teacher, which spanned a year and a half. As they talk, they come to a striking realization: despite both residing in Boston for many years, their paths likely crossed countless times in bustling streets, cozy restaurants, or busy shops, unbeknownst to each other.
Scene 11
Bernie reflects on an old contemplation of reaching out to her on her twenty-first birthday back in 1968. She expresses a desire to truly know him, a sentiment he warmly echoes, urging, "let's get up, go out, do this," and emphasizing that "what's between us isn't going nowhere, and the rest of it doesn't exist."
Scene 12
With curiosity, Bernie inquires why Carol chose this moment, after so many years, to seek him out. She divulges her feelings of solitude, simply stating, "You're my father."
Scene 13
Carol admits to feelings of loneliness and a sense of loss, lamenting the absence of a father in her life. She expresses her wish for a father-daughter relationship rather than a mere friendly companionship. Bernie agrees, affirming that being together is what truly matters. Carol proposes a dinner that evening with her husband, Gerry, to which Bernie agrees. Then, she suggests the possibility of just the two of them dining alone. Bernie assures her that he is open to wherever the evening takes them.
Scene 14
Bernie presents Carol with a gold bracelet, lovingly engraved with "To Carol from her Father. March eighth, 1973." He admits a humorous mistake, explaining that his threes resemble eights. As they prepare to call Gerry and embark on their dinner plans, Carol expresses her admiration for the bracelet, to which Bernie graciously responds with gratitude.
