All That J.A.Z.

By Cheryl Zaupa

All That J. A. Z. chronicles the last three-and-a-half years of John Allen Zaupa's life as he struggled with addiction and the impact of cirrhosis of the liver. Through his wife's eyes, we witness the deterioration of a good marriage and eventual loss of health and well-being. The focus of the drama is Cheri's handling of the crisis and John's eventual demise. It heralds the beautiful, trusting relationship that Cheri and John had until the damaging effects of addiction totally consumed them. All That J. A. Z. is a story of courage, sorrow, confusion, and spiritual dependence seen through Cheri's lens. Her story celebrates the health-care providers who truly cared about John, as well as family members, who supported and validated Cheri and John's crisis through some very tragic moments. Scenes of Cheri and John's journey are juxtaposed with scenes between Cheri and her therapist, who attempted to help Cheri process her decision-making. Cheri just wanted to do the right thing for her husband, his family, and lastly, herself and their marriage. It was impossible, of course, but Cheri never wanted to disappoint others. She managed to be John's support until Christmas morning 2003. All That J. A. Z. is John and Cheri's bittersweet love story, one of loss but also a faithful dependence on God's love and provision.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781098007874

Book preview

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All That

J. A. Z.

Cheryl Zaupa

ISBN 978-1-0980-0786-7 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-0980-0787-4 (digital)

Copyright © 2019 by Cheryl Zaupa

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Scene 1

Scene 2

To John Allen Zaupa and

all those who suffer from addiction.

Setting

Center stage (bit upstage)

A therapist’s office—nicely arranged, inexpensive furniture. A cluttered desk against the back wall. Pictures of serenity on the walls. One over-stuffed chair that faces a small couch, both on an angle. The therapist, a middle-aged woman, is sitting on the chair; she doesn’t really understand addiction or her new patient’s issues. She’s warm, patient, caring, quietly-dressed, and encouraging. The other woman, Cheri, is worn and tired in her mid to late forties, unable to express what’s closest to her heart. She’s trusting, in hopes of finding help. The patient is wearing teacher-type apparel, young-looking, frustrated, and lost.

Downstage right/left represent times past, scenes that focus on Cheri and John as they struggle with John’s addiction. Scenes are sparse. Lights come up as Cheri and John meet, fall in love, fall into crisis, etc.

Cast

Four/five characters (Cheri’s character fluctuates between two scenes, but there’s little time lapse, so one actress can surely play both roles.)

Judy—Adult woman in her fifties/sixties, well-meaning, kind therapist

Cheri—Adult woman in her forties, tired/worn; Actor can play both scenes

Cheri (flashback scenes)—Adult woman early forties, sweet, frustrated, exhausted

J. A. Z./John—Adult male, late thirties (good-looking, tired, heavy-hearted)

Seth—Cheri’s son; young man in his late twenties

Scene 1

(Lights up, stage left)

Cheri and John. Cheri standing, John lying on floor, obviously inebriated.

cheri. John, get up. We’re not gonna block this hallway. Get up!

john, mumbling. I ne-e-ed to sleep.

cheri, loud whisper. Honey, I’ve been so patient, but you’re driving me crazy. First you embarrass me in the store, then the street… (Pause.) Are you kidding? We can’t go anywhere. We should never have taken this vacation. (Pause.)

john, garbled speech. Cheri, jus’ le’ me sleep.

cheri. John, you’re in the middle of the hallway, blocking people. (Whispering but voice raising.) This is unbelievable. (Pause, looking around.) Unreal! (Pause.) You are so embarrassing and so sick! Get up, John, now! I can’t believe this is happening…

Cheri tries lifting him, checking to see if anyone’s in the hall.

john, lifts head. I’m trying, Cheri. You don’ understand how tired I am. (Slurring words.)

cheri. I understand that you drank a shitload before we left for town. You were fine before we left and then you were falling down drunk in the car even before we parked. How does that happen? (Pause.) I knew we shouldn’t take this weekend in the Dells. I can’t trust you anymore. Do you realize how humiliating it was to drag you out of the store down the street then try to get you into the car? So many failed attempts. John, (whimpering) you’re getting impossible. We can’t do anything together anymore. (Pause.) Help me, or I’ll call for help or leave you here by yourself. You’re making me crazy! Can you crawl?

john, still unintelligible. Don’t call. I’m moving, okay? Don’ get so upset. I need sleep. Let me sleep.

(Lights down/up main stage)

Cheri enters from upstage.

judy. Hello, I’m Judy. (Pause.) Have a seat. (Cheri sits on the couch. Judy on chair. Pause.) I’m wondering what’s brought you here…tell me about yourself. (Pause.) Are you going through a hard time? You look very tired.

cheri. At my age when someone says I look tired, they’re saying I look old. (Slight laugh, pause.) I am tired. I’m so tired. (Pause.) I’ve had counseling before, but now my life took a new turn, and I’m really struggling.

judy. We all have difficult seasons in our lives. What’s going on?

cheri. My husband’s an alcoholic, and I don’t know how to go on. I’m exhausted! I don’t get very much sleep and I work full-time. I thought maybe if I talked about this, I might get some perception about the next step.

judy. Are you anticipating a next step? Can you explain that?

cheri. I’m getting a great deal of pressure to leave my husband, to execute tough love, but it doesn’t feel right. We’ve been through so much together. He’s trying so hard to quit drinking, and I love him so much!

judy. Who’s putting pressure on you? Your family? Are they worried about you?

cheri. My family, my work.