In I Can’t Win, Nella talks to her husband about the ongoing trouble with their daughter, based on the man she’s currently dating.

NELLA:  I’m tired of him!  Who the hell does he think he is to insult me that way?  I cannot believe it Avid.  I am the adult.  How dare he?  Where does he get the nerve to speak that way?  I just don’t know what to say.  I’m at a loss for words here.  I cannot believe our daughter is dating an animal like that.  What a piece of sh’t he is.  God!  You know, I told her to stay away from Germans.  Did she listen?  Of course not.  She does what she wants to do anyway.  What’s the point?

I never liked him from day one.  Hey, I’m sorry, but it’s how my mother raised me.  She told me,”Nella, you stay away from those German boys.  They are controlling and jealous”.  So, that’s exactly what I did.  I respected my mothers wishes.  If my mother said jump in front of a train I would have, because I trusted her word.  My daughter, completely different story altogether.  She rebels, she rebels against what I want her to do.  She forgets all that I do for her as a mother and as a friend.  Sometimes I can’t believe she was raised under this roof.

Whatever, I’m through with it, let them both do what they want.  I don’t care anymore.  At least my other daughter listens to me.  She’s my pride and joy.  Thank God for her.  She keeps me sane.  I never have to complain about that one.  A perfect little angel.

• To read the full one-act ePlay, find purchase link below:

A one-act play between two parents coming to terms with the man their daughter is dating.

Purchase ePlay