Sasse - A Love Story for a Nation

A Love Story for a Nation

or

Jonny Who Stood on the World

A Novel

By

Mark W. Sasse

Copyright 2015 by Mark W Sasse

All Rights Reserved

Cover Art by Stephen Roberts. Used with permission.

Art Work by Woon-Bin Chang. Used with permission.

This novel took a long, winding, and unexpected road. In late summer of 2011, I wrote a ten-minute dramatic sketch called Almighty Might for a newly formed drama group called The RLT Players. They performed the skit on December 1, 2011 at the newly opened Penang Performing Arts Centre. Of the seven dramatic skits that The RLT Players performed that night, Almighty Might was my favorite.

Two years later, I decided to enter Almighty Might into the Kuala Lumpur Short & Sweet Theatre Festival 2013. It was shortlisted and chosen to be directed by Colin Kirton, a well-known Malaysian actor. When I saw the final production that Colin and actors Khaz Shamia, Kevin Chong, and Jessica Ong produced with such emotion and talent, I was immediately blown away by the power and impact that such a simple script was able to attain. As the writer, I received many gracious and encouraging words of how people were moved and touched by the story. But no feedback affected me as much as that of artist Woon-Bin Chang, who was so moved by the performance that he drew an amazing piece of fan-art to express his feelings. I was at a complete loss of words to have someone be drawn by my story to the point of wanting to create a piece of art. As Colin commented at the time, it was art (my play) inspiring art (their production) inspiring art (Woon-Bins work). It was humbling to say the least. All of this made me ponder deeply on the story until it further inspired me to re-write the two-thousand word Almighty Might into a 60,000 word novel. Thus, A Love Story for a Nation was born.

And so it is with great pleasure that I present to you a work of art, inspired by a work of art, inspired by a work of art, inspired by a work of art.

I dedicate this work to Colin Kirton, Jessica Ong, Khaz Shamia, Kevin Chong, and Woon-Bin Chang.

I hope you enjoy.

mws

Chapter 1: Anniversary Gifts

He looked at her with a contentedness that quieted his soul. She smiled at him.

Gerald. Come to bed.

He was not one to quibble over commands so dear. He stood from his chair, set the newspaper on its arm, and reached out for her hand. Why did you marry such an old fool like me?

You arent so old, but that fool part She playfully smiled.

He touched her face with both of his hands and leaned in to kiss her gently on the lips. Youre too good for me.

We make each other good. Im so happy I married you. She kissed him back.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold necklace with a pendant. Dont think that I didnt remember. One year ago today, we stood in the little church of Cappala, and Father Jerome blessed us as man and wifethe proudest day of my life.

Rosia looked intently at her teary-eyed husband. She reached out for his face and rubbed her hands gently along his graying side-burns.

But he continued, I am prouder today to call you my wife than I was a year ago. You have made me a better person. I love you with everything that I have. And, with all I do have, I want to give you this. A ruby to remember

My mother, she cut him off and wrapped her arms around his neck as he placed the pendant around hers. Gerald, you shouldnt have. We cant afford this. How did you pay for it? she inquired, nearly giddy with excitement.

Dont worry about such trifling matters as money. A ruby to remember Ruby. You deserve it. Its only right.

She kissed him again and smiled widely, looking down at the simple necklace. She loved you. She wasnt sure about this marriage at first, but she left this world in peace knowing that I had you to look after me.

That you do.

Im the luckiest woman on earth.

You, my lady, dont even know what luck is until youve walked in these shoes. He picked her off the ground; she felt like air; she felt like the world; a universe in his arms; the all-encompassing realm of time; past, present, and future, wrapped in a full body hug, topped with the kind of silly sentiment that star-crossed teens express before their first kiss. He placed her on the bed, and she welcomed him into her arms, but abruptly stopped his kiss with a flash of her finger.

Wait, she said. I want to give you something too.

I thought I was about to get my present, he snickered with a sheepish grin. I dont need anything else.

She laughed out loud as he poked her side.

Then you shall have two gifts tonight, but they must go in order. So hands off for a moment. She slapped his wrist, and he rolled over on his side, propping his head up with his arm.

All right. But this better be worth it because

Shhhh. Let me talk. We are all going to have to take turns talking in this house once there are three of us.

He sat up straight, quickly contemplating the meaning.

You mean She nodded in the dimly-lit room, her face remaining hidden in the shadows, but he couldnt help but feel her radiance all around. Im going to be a father? She nodded again. Im going to He jumped out of bed. Im having a baby! he screamed through the three rooms, hollow as they were, reverberating into the neighbors surrounding homes.

She sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the man with the slightly balding head, smiling like she already was a mother. He pranced around uncontrollably, repeating the words baby and father until they became more personal.

Wine. We need wine. This is the most momentous night of our lives.

And we shall name him Jonny after your father.

Gerald stopped cold, fell to his knees, and took the hands of his wife.

How do you know that hes a boy?

I dont, she replied.

Then we shall name her Ruby if shes a girl.

Rosias face lit up. I love you, Gerald.

He climbed into bed to celebrate the most unforgettable night of their lives.

Outside in the sky, the stars stood tall, bright, brisk, and clear. The coolness in the air crept in, but they were safe and warm under the blanket in their private oasismiles away from the bellowing cries of the villagers around them who grudgingly contemplated another days work in the morning. The outside world seemed foreign and distant. They had their perfect respite in a land as dark and lonely as the midnight sky. After a few moments, they lay quiet, each contemplating the other, and the one yet to come. Gerald couldnt contain himself.

Hell be so smart. With a mother like you, he shall be so smart. She couldnt help but laugh at his goofiness. And I shall teach him everything each and every day. Ill never leave his side.

Well, are you going to quit your job? she snickered.

Except for working. Because I will support him. And you. You dont have to worry.

Im not worried.

And hell be so strong. Like a pillar of strength against this He pointed repeatedly to the walls and windows. She placed her hand across his chest, trying to calm him. What kind of place is he being born into? What kind of

Gerald, dont get ahead of yourself, she kept patting him. You always get so worked up.

Never mind. None of this will ever matter to him. Hell be so strong and brave. Ill teach him.

I have no doubt.

And well have a happy life, he said.

We shall love him and each other. Well have the family of our dreams, she said, trying to reassure him.

He turned back to her and uncovered her stomach, gently rubbing his hand back and forth over her abdomen.

Jonny, my dear Jonny. Or Ruby. How proud I will be.