"NARRATOR:" "Growing up." "For years, not much unusual happens except of course, you get bigger each year." "And then one year when you're ten or 12 or maybe earlier or later a small gland at the base of your brain begins to send out a hormone." "You've started on your way to maturity." "It's a time of change both in your body and in your feelings." "Often it's a time of plain awkwardness." "Tilden?" "Your mama's here." "What about the movie?" "You'll get to finish it later." "GIRL 1:" "You're not going with anybody." "GIRL 2:" "How do you know?" "'Cause nobody in their right mind would." "Yeah, sure." "Elizabeth." "Your mama's here." "( whistling tune )" "Why'd you pick us up so early?" "Oh, you'll see." "Patience is a virtue, loveys-- virtue a grace." "This car is so embarrassing." "Well, embarrassment is a feeling, not a fact." "( horn beeping )" "TILDEN:" "You can go after you stop." "Thank you, Tilden but I have the most precious cargo and I can't help but be extremely" "( horns honking )" "Turning." "( giggling )" "Well, which cargo do you love more?" "Well, I love you the same, just in" "How different?" "Well, you're different people now, aren't you?" "So the way in which I love you has to be" "But the amount is the same." "What if I murdered someone?" "I would still love you." "What if I murdered Elizabeth?" "Oh, well..." "Ow!" "Stop." "( horn honking )" "You should let me drive." "Yes, well, the gentleman behind us is in much more of a hurry to get" "BOTH:" "She had her babies!" "The first one started to hatch about an hour ago." "Didn't I promise I'd come and get you right away?" "Go, go see." "Oh." "Eva Dixon says that bluebirds are a sign that love's in the air." "I think I'll meet a boy." "Only you could turn baby birds hatching into something about yourself." "Shut up." "Stop it." "Girls, stop it, stop it." "Take this in." "You are witnessing a miracle here." "It will bring you luck." "A wonderful new house to start your own nest in." "Mama, you lied." "I beg your pardon?" "You told those people you thought this house was beautiful but you told us it was..." "BOTH:" "...a testament to" "Well, if it was a lie it was an eggshell white one." "Not a Swiss coffee white?" "Uh-uh." "Or a picket fence white?" "If the world had more well-intended almost white lies" "I suspect it would not only appear better but actually be better." "Besides, this eggshell white lie will keep you girls in porcelain white smiles." "A gift any woman can give the world." "( girls giggling )" "I don't see why we can't go to the wedding, too." "Never even been to New York." "I know but you saw the invitation." "It said, "No children."" "Beautiful calligraphy." "I'm not a child." "I'm 13, almost 14." "I know." "You're positively grown up." "It's their loss." "Sometimes rules are rules." "It's only for three and a half days." "Promise me that you'll try and get along with your sister." "'Cause Mrs. Banner really can't handle any of your arguments." "( door opening )" "I was in here first and you didn't even knock." "All right, there's room enough for everyone." "Will my boobs be as pretty as yours when they're full grown?" "Prettier." "Tilden's won't." "They haven't even sprouted." "Boobs don't sprout." "They puff." "( laughing )" "Puff." "Puff." "WOMAN ( on television ):" "I know you're there, Steve." "Let me in, please." "Please, please let me in." "( sniffling )" "Oh, Steve, don't do this to me." "I came all the way here to find you." "Let her in, you bastard!" "I want healthy appetites." "Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day." "What do you mean, you met someone?" "He's a real gentleman, too." "What's his name?" "Nick." "I love that name, don't you?" "If you'd been a boy you could have been a Nick." "Well, Nicholas Hershfield's in my art class and he doesn't wipe." "He has a home in Long Island and he knows all about you girls and he can't wait to meet you." "Oh, my God." "It's 1981." "Don't tell me you fell for that line?" "Maybe I did and..." "maybe I didn't." "( sighs )" "Margaret Williams says it's weird to eat this way." "Her mom's a nutritionist at the hospital." "Well, hopefully Margaret William's mother gives her some protein in the morning instead of starchy cereals and fats." "Please eat." "Just once could we have Cheerios like normal kids?" "Well, you're not like normal kids and normal is rather dull." "So now what happens with this Nick guy?" "Just have to wait and see, won't we?" "GIRL( imitates Russian accent ):" "But, darling, I'm too tired." "You guys aren't supposed to be playing in Mama's room." "Yes, boss woman." "Where'd you get that?" "It was sent to me from my hubby in Par-ee." "Are these your mom's?" "No." "They're your mom's." "No, they aren't." "They were in that drawer." "See, this one's still got a tag on it." "( giggling )" "TILDEN:" "How can you love someone" "I've never even met?" "Can't you be happy about this?" "No." "How can you be so sure?" "You haven't even dated around." "I don't need to date around." "Sometimes you just know." "Someday it will be that way for you, too." "Just you wait and see." "So, why isn't he already married?" "He was engaged once, but... didn't work out." "Oh, great." "So now he's the walking wounded." "Does he even have a job?" "Yes, Tilden, he has a job." "He owns his own limousine and transport company." "Ooh." "Well, I'm not going to move again." "I mean, I just got Alisha Flannery to be my best friend." "Shut up!" "Stop." "Stop." "He has a house big enough for all of us." "He says if we move in it will finally feel like a home." "I think that that's a beautiful thing to say." "I'm sick of moving." "And we don't need a man, and we have a home." "Things cannot grow if they don't change, Tilden." "Why do things have to change at all?" "( sighs )" "At what age can you commit a parent" "Ooh, I think I see something." "ELIZABETH ( giggling ):" "Looks like a wedding limo." "TILDEN:" "More like a hearse." "He made it." "He made it..." "Tilden, I want that dirty bandanna off." "Elizabeth, I want the shirt buttoned up, thank you." "( phone rings )" "Oh." "Do you think that you girls could get it for me, please?" "Look, he's lost anyway." "By the time he gets back," "Well, do you think you could wave him down?" "Wave him down." "( ringing continues )" "( harried footsteps )" "Why can't you just give him a chance?" "He hasn't earned it." "Now, he's kind of cute." "Yeah, and he has arms and legs, too." "Yippee!" "Hello." "ELIZABETH:" "Hello." "Elizabeth?" "And, uh, you must be Tilden." "Must I?" "Thanks." "I'm Nick." "You can, uh, you can call me Nick." "At your service." "Is that supposed to be funny?" "I guess not." "Hey." "Ooh, hey, you." "Oh!" "Oh!" "I forgot how beautiful you are." "Well, let me refresh your memory." "( chuckling )" "( sighing )" "All these places we'll never see again." "Don't mind us." "We do this a lot." "All right, we need music." "♪ Ooh-wah ♪" "♪ Ooh-wah, ooh-ooh-wah ♪" "♪ Ooh-wah ♪" "I like this song." "♪ Ooh-ooh-wah, ooh-wah ♪" "♪ Why do fools fall in love?" "♪" "♪ Why do birds sing so gay ♪" "♪ And lovers await the break of day?" "♪" "♪ Why do they fall in love?" "♪" "Sing with me." "♪ Why does the rain ♪" "♪ Fall from up above?" "♪" "Come on, Nick." "Sing with me." "♪ Why do fools fall in love?" "♪" "Everybody sing." "( Nick joining in ):" "♪ Why do they fall in love?" "♪" "♪ Love is a losing game ♪" "♪ Love can be a shame ♪" "♪ I know of a fool you see ♪" "♪ For that fool is me ♪" "♪ Tell me why... ♪" "I'm hungry." "Can we go to McDonald's?" "Burger King." "No, McDonald's is so much better." "Burger King has better shakes." "Oh, I'd lay off the shakes if I were you." "Yes, French fry face." "Hey, girls..." "G-girls!" "Hey!" "God." "( engine turns off )" "Heads or tails?" "Heads, Whoppers and shakes." "Tails, Big Mac and fries." "Frances, you do the honors." "Heads." "No, no, no, no, no." "That's fair." "We always do two out of three." "Oh, come on." "We never do two" "You're such a liar." "Ow!" "Hey!" "Stop!" "Why don't we have both, huh?" "Thank you." "♪ ...before I know ♪" "♪ It will reach defeat ♪" "♪ Tell me why... ♪" "Oh!" "Oh, it's beautiful." "It's like out of one of those magazines." "It's a house." "Oh, go inside." "Go inside." "Oh." "Oh, here we are." "It's gorgeous." "I'll get the door." "Oh." "Bedrooms are upstairs." "Oh, let's go see." "Let's go see." "Oh, Nick." "First door on the left is yours, Tilden." "( giggling ):" "Ooh-la-la!" "Elizabeth, you're at the end of the hall." "( gasping ):" "Oh!" "Oh, it's great." "Oh." "Cool." "Ooh, very French." "Very French." "Want to say something to Nick?" "Oh, yes, thank you, Nick." "Thank you, Nick." "Yeah, sure." "Tilden, go in, go in, go in." "Well, is there anything you want to say to Nick?" "Are these windows double-insulated?" "( clearing throat )" "No, no." "Okay, do you by chance have a Beta machine?" "Hey." "Mama?" "Yes, lovey?" "I need to go to the bathroom." "Um, you'll have to use the other bathroom, lovey." "Why?" "Um... ( whispers ):" "Why?" "Look, I can sneak out." "There's a ledge..." "No, no..." "Good night, Tilden." "Just you wait and see." "I should have known better than to believe you." "( sighs )" "( thumping )" "Oh..." "You guys, you really use all this stuff?" "Yes, we do." "( mumbles )" "Trust me, it will make you a happier man." "Why did you take us on?" "Well, I think, um" "I think it was because of this part, right here." "No, really." "No, really." "Okay, maybe it was this right here." "( sighs )" "But we're-- they're-- no, we're... a handful." "I don't know why people love people." "You just do." "Besides, they're a part of you." "And how could I not love something that was a part of you if I love you?" "Hmm?" "( giggles )" "I can't believe anyone would do this to their front yard." "It looks like a used car lot." "Uh-uh-uh-uh!" "It's his business." "It's his business." "Well, it's about time." "I'm Lainey." "I-I'm the dispatcher for TransAlt." "FRANCES:" "Hi." "LAINEY:" "Oh, you gals are all we've heard about around here for months." "And this from a guy who's not exactly a talker if you know what I mean." "Used to be, until his scum-sucking partner ran off with his girl." "Oh!" "Pardon, armoire." "That's inside info." "Me and my big mouth!" "( man speaking over radio ) Excuse me a minute." "Wait a minute." "Wait a minute." "Hang on." "I don't care what construction's on 75." "I told you to take 84 and get off in Whiteshead." "Had you listened, you wouldn't be looking at construction." "Sorry." "Okay." "So, who's who?" "No, let me guess." "Uh..." "Tilden?" "And Elizabeth." "Right." "Oh, how I wish I had hair like yours." "And what I'd give for a smile like that." "You can have it." "LAINEY:" "School's tomorrow, huh?" "ELIZABETH:" "Yeah." "New girls get all the attention." "See?" "I can tell you all the best shops." "Ah!" "I'm opening my own" "Really?" "Yeah." "I'm just doing this for the money until I get my license." "Right." "Di's haircut would be just adorable on you." "Di?" "Oh, pardonnez." "Lady Diana." "Oh." "I think he's" "But we'd do the same in that situation," "I got 20 bucks he asks her before the year's over." "Well, we're going to let you get back to your work." "Ah." "It was really a pleasure to meet you." "Well, well, we're finally gaining ground on them." "Bye." "Yeah." "What...?" "Uh-uh-uh-uh!" "Biting your tongue is a virtue as well." "( laughs )" "FRANCES:" "Oh, girls, you're going to have" "I can feel it." "And you both look just beautiful." "What?" "What if we don't fit in?" "That's stupid." "We're not going" "Then..." "what's the point?" "( whistle blows )" "You can't come in here." "No cars allowed." "TILDEN:" "We're in the" "Oh, I just thought everyone was happy" "It's practically our own parade." "What's he doing?" "FRANCES:" "Oh, yeah, you guys are going to be great." "I know it." "I love you." "Bye." "I love you." "They're going to love you." "You just wait and see ...and see." "Nice floor, isn't it?" "It's just been waxed." "I'll be sure to let Mr. Yarrow, the janitor," "You must be Tilden." ""Tilden?"" "Yes." "Interesting name, isn't it?" "Uh..." "Your mother told me she named you" "Is that right?" "It was a street." "Her favorite street." "Uh-huh." "Yeah?" "Well, my dad loves the expressway... but he didn't name me L-I-E." "( laughter )" "That'll be enough." "You can put your coat in there." "TEACHER:" "You must be Lizzie." "Elizabeth." "Do you like to be called anything for short?" "I prefer all four syllables be used, thank you." "( laughter )" "Take that empty seat." "So, let's pick up where we left off yesterday." "Chapter Five." "Who started the war?" "I got some chapstick." "Want some?" "No thanks." "It's too late." "I was new once, too." "You'll get used to it." "That's Marybeth." "She's who to copy off." "All she does is study." "Wants to be the Attorney General someday." "Allan's the kiss-up-- tells on everyone." "A real ass-wipe." "That's Jill-- a soon-to-be total slut." "And that's Christy Regosi." "Stay away." "She's a witch." "( bell rings )" "So I'm supposed to make a family tree by next week." "FRANCES:" "Ooh." "Honestly, I don't even know who my family is." "You know, I am sure that we can trace our lineage back to aristocracy." "Of course." "I'm serious." "( laughter )" "So Tilden, did get any homework?" "Home is work." "She has to write a "conceited poem."" "What could Tilden possibly have to brag about?" "That I hurt my sister." "Girls, uh-uh-uh-uh." "NICK:" "Did you say a" "We're supposed to write everything good about ourselves in a poem." "Hmm." "She'll give higher grades, the more conceited it is." "Self-esteem is so... 12." "FRANCES:" "Well, I think it's a very" "Nick?" "Hmm?" "What would you write about yourself?" "Um..." ""I'm the best driver you can find."" "( Frances laughs )" ""I can take you anywhere your heart desires."" "( girls laugh )" ""Places no one else can." ""There's nowhere I can't take you." ""No place I can't find my way out of as long as you're reading my map of love."" "( laughter )" "Oh, God." "( Nick clears throat )" "Sorry." "That's quite all right." "( Nick clears throat )" "I really feel like I should go in there, you know and talk to her about it, but she's not like a normal..." "Hmm?" "( whispering ):" "She's not like her sister." "Tilden's a loner, like I was." "( chuckles )" "When she was just four" "I remember she would sit on the front steps for hours." "I'd say, "What are you doing?"" "She'd say, "Thinking."" "I should go in there, don't you think?" "Are you asking me or telling me?" "Hmm." "( laughs )" "Well, I never..." "Well, I guess I never had anyone to ask or tell." "Hmm." "Nick, what do you think I should do?" "( laughing )" "( Nick and Frances laughing behind wall )" "( indistinct conversation )" "( door closes )" "I think they're doing it again." "I don't care." "Do you think that Di's still a virgin?" "I do, but I don't think so, because..." "Because then she'd have to lose her virginity and that would be tragic, even if he is royalty 'cause-'cause he's old, and his ears are huge." "Can I borrow your blue sweater tomorrow?" "No." "It stinks anyways." "( moaning through wall )" "( giggling through wall )" "( sighs )" "( giggling continues )" "What you doing?" "Doing homework." "I got kind of a craving for some jelly beans from Lawson's Convenience." "Wanna go?" "No." "I'll let you drive." "Okay." "NICK:" "When I was your age, I couldn't" "Freedom." "Brake's on." "I know." "( accelerates )" "You got a career in public transport to rely on if this whole arts thing doesn't work out for you." "Who said anything about me being in the arts?" "Well, it's obvious." "It's in your blood." "You don't know anything about my blood." "Try and stay on this side of the yellow line." "( tires squealing )" "( engine running smoothly )" "I taught Jamie how to drive." "He waited until the second or third lesson before he tried to throw me through the windshield." "( laughs )" "Jamie-- is that the kid with his head under the hood all the time?" "Yeah." "Elizabeth has a crush on him." "Really?" "Well, don't tell her but I think you're more his type." "( car engine running )" "Pass me the wrench." "You're welcome." "Why don't you make yourself useful?" "Get behind the wheel." "Hit the accelerator when I tell you to." "Go ahead." "( engine revving )" "Harder, like you mean it." "( revving loudly )" "That's too hard." "( engine runs normally )" "How about that?" "Yeah." "I guess you got the touch." "So, how old are you?" "Thirteen and a half." "I thought you were at least 15." "Anyway, I better go in." "I so hate you." "Oh, and aren't the candles that Nick bought just beautiful, loveys?" "( with French accent ):" "We are in Paris, France where we eat and stroll and dance and we are so glamorous that even the Parisians stop... ( gasps ) ...and gasp." "( girls giggle )" "Let's make wishes." "Me first." "FRANCES:" "Um..." "Nick?" "I..." "FRANCES:" "Nick, are you okay?" "Frances..." "I-I..." "I, uh..." "TILDEN:" "He's leaving us." "Just like Dad." "It's so predictable." "No, Tilden." "No, I want you here." "I want both of you here." "NICK:" "Frances?" "Yeah." "( Nick clears throat )" "Frances... will you marry me?" "And I don't mean some wimpy little wedding." "You know, one with a... an aisle for you to walk down, and a cake." "And-and a big party." "And a beautiful dress." "And then... all of it." "It would be the best thing I could ever do." "Maybe the only great thing that I'll ever do." "To be a husband to you." "And a father to these wonderful, complicated... ( laughs ) ...wonderful..." "Did I say comp... ( giggling ):" "Yeah." "Uh... girls." "That is, if you'll all have me." "( laughs )" "( laughs )" "( whispering ):" "Yes." "Yeah." "Okay." "LAINEY:" "It looks like it was made" "And Nick'll love it." "It's the most expensive." "And he told me to make sure you spend a lot." "FRANCES:" "Oh." "It is lovely." "I'm just not sure it's appropriate for a second wedding." "First weddings don't count." "Well, I like to think all weddings count." "Well, I think you look like an angel in that dress." "Don't you?" "Angels don't exist." "Man, this is a tough room." "Uh, I think I'll just confer with my, um... ( whispering ):" "advisors." "Okeydokey." "I'll be right outside." "What do you girls think?" "It's pretty." "Did you have a big wedding the first time?" "Um, no." "Well, did you love our father more or less than you love Nick?" "Well, it's not more or less." "I was a very different person then." "What did he do?" "He was a lousy carpenter for the millionth time, you idiot." "Tilden!" "He was a good man." "Then why did he leave?" "Your father and I became incompatible over time." "But you were the two most wanted children in the world when we had you." "You were completely conceived in love." "Don't ever forget that, okay?" "And he left anyway." "What a great guy." "You shouldn't criticize him." "If anything, you should pity him." "Look at all that he's missed." "( laughs )" "Oh, I love Nick." "And I'm asking you girls to open your hearts to him just a little bit." "He's not replacing you, Tilden." "There's room in my heart for all of you." "Okay, enough of this." "Let's go shopping for something for you girls." "Okay?" "That looks fake." "No, they don't." "They'll fall out." "Well, not if I staple them in." "You know Jill Swift does it all the time." "Yeah, well, she's a slut." "Shut up." "( dog barking )" "( car door closes )" "Mama!" "Mama!" "Mama?" "Mama!" "Where is Mama?" "Yeah." "Your mama..." "Your mama went to the hospital today." "What?" "I guess she found a lump a couple days ago." "No, she didn't." "She would have told us." "When?" "When she went shopping." "But we didn't go shopping." "You mean when she tried on wedding dresses?" "But... she didn't say anything." "I took her to the doctor and he felt, after some testing that she should go to the hospital." "She didn't want you to worry." "How long is she in there?" "Until Friday." "Friday?" "!" "That's forever." "She has to be a field-trip mom on Wednesday for the museum." "I called your school." "They already got a sub." "She-she'll be fine." "So, uh, tell, uh... w-what sounds good for dinner?" "I want to talk to her." "Well, I just left the hospital." "She needs to rest." "She rests better after we talk to her." "( phone rings )" "OPERATOR:" "Mercy Hospital." "Yeah, room 112." "I'll connect you." "FRANCES:" "Hello?" "Honey?" "Hi!" "Did I wake you?" "No." "The girls want to talk to you." "They..." "Uh-huh." "Hi, Mama." "Hi, Mama." "Hey." "How are my loves?" "Fine." "Fine." "Good." "Where was the lump?" "It was on my chest, but they took it right away." "Are you really okay?" "Oh, yeah, honey, of course." "They're just keeping me here to be really careful." "You know how doctors are." "Now, I want you girls to promise me that you're going to behave and listen to Nick and help him." "Men need more help than they let on and no arguing, okay?" "Promise me." "Hello?" "We promise." "Fine." "Good." "I love you, Mama." "I love you more." "I love you." "Bye." "Bye." "Well, I don't know about you guys but I, uh..." "I could use a shake." "This stuff..." "looks way too healthy, huh?" "Come on." ""Lump." "A bulge, as when accused by a blow or formed by a tumor or cyst."" ""Tumor." "A swelling on some part of the body." ""Massive new tissue growth." "Tumors are classified as benign or malignant."" "Well, what does that mean?" "I don't know." "I haven't finished medical school yet." "Well, look up "surgery" or something." "Look it up yourself!" "I started." "What?" "!" "When?" "When we were on the phone with Mama in the kitchen." "I felt something... drip and I..." "looked and that's it." "But I'm supposed to get it before you." "Well, you know, sometimes they say that something will happen to make it come, right?" "Like, like when Sara Spancher had hers because her dad was in an accident." "What does it feel like?" "It makes you feel more... womanly." "I'm not going to tell Mama yet, though." "Not till she gets out." "You can't park here." "It says it's for ambulances only." "Oh, yeah?" "Well, uh... rules are for sissies." "Don't mention the word "sick" or anything." "Your boob just fell out." "It smells gross in here." "Shut up." "You shut up." "Girls." "Girls." "Your mother needs to think that you're getting along." "It'll make her get better faster." "How do you know what'll make her feel better?" "You barely know her." "Well, you're right, Tilden, okay?" "So just play along, all right?" "Why don't you just give me a break here." "Nick, this is maternity." "( babies crying )" "Do I look like a hospital administrator?" "Excuse me." "Room 112." "It's down at the end of the hall." "Thank you." "Hello." "Hi, Mom." "Hi." "What do you have?" "Oh, thank you." "Oh, it's great." "Well, I guess rules like going to school, and visiting hours just don't apply to this group." "Rules are for sissies." "Oh, is that right?" "I asked for a room with a view and I got it." "Pretty fancy, huh?" "Where's the tumor?" "Well, there is no more tumor." "So let's not talk about things like tumors when we have gifts and presents to open." "Well, well." "Hi." "Mm." "I think I'll go in the hospital more often." "I looked it up." "Where was it?" "It was right here." "I'm fine now." "Does it hurt?" "No." "The doctors are taking very good care of me so don't you worry your pretty little head." "Okay?" "Okay?" "Well, when you coming home?" "Oh, end of the week." "Well." "This group needs chocolate." "Badly." "Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is..." "The Lord..." "What are you doing?" "Mrs. Teuffel gave me this rosary to pray for Mama." "Did you know that the Virgin Mary's cousin the first person to say this prayer was also named Elizabeth?" "Fascinating." "It's true." "So?" "Lots of people are named Elizabeth." "In fact it's quite common." "Yeah, well, nobody's named Tilden except stupid streets." "Oh, brother." "I need her in my room." "Trade you." "How much red meat does your mom eat?" "Does she drink coffee?" "Coffee and anything with caffeine's" "Do you have asbestos in your cellar?" "Oh, and you're supposed to eat broccoli." "It's an anti-uh..." "Were you breast-fed?" "Oh, give me a break, Libby." "That has nothing to do with cancer." "We probably did have asbestos in the cellar in Atlanta." "We don't eat enough broccoli and no, I mean..." "I mean, yes, yeah, I was breast-fed." "But she's fine now." "It was just a bump." "Everything's fine." "Just you wait and..." "SAMANTHA:" "Did you get to see And Then One Year this weekend?" "Oh, no, I forgot to ask Mama." "I've already seen it anyway..." "well, part of it." "Yeah, but you promised we'd sit together." "Well, look what I got." "It's my mom's." "Don't let anyone see it." "I put bookmarks on the pages you" "My mom said you could come over for dinner Friday night if you want." "We're having artichokes." "And then we could go to the movie together if your mom's not going to be there." "I'm pretty sure she'll be able to take me." "But thanks for the book." "( whispering )" "Okay..." "Time to go and get my cat at the vet." "I think I'll stay." "Um..." "I'd like to pray a little more." "Oh, what a little angel..." "NARRATOR:" "Growing up." "For years, not much unusual happens except of course, you get bigger each year." "And then one year..." "Isn't that the guy who wants to be your dad?" "...or maybe earlier or later a small gland at the base of your brain begins to send out a hormone." "Hi..." "Listen, your mother wasn't feeling up to coming, so..." "But she promised." "I know, but she asked me to come instead..." "I'm sorry..." "Look, why don't you just go away?" "!" "NARRATOR:" "...it's a time of change both in your body and in your feelings..." "Mama!" "Mama!" "Mama..." "Hey." "How'd it go?" "I'm sorry I didn't feel up to coming." "Wasn't it nice of Nick to go in my place, though?" "So?" "You have any questions about the movie?" "Does it hurt?" "Oh..." "No." "It's more of a surprise is all." "But I'm sure your sister can tell you that." "I'm still angry that you girls didn't tell me when it happened." "No more secrets from Mama..." "I meant the other thing." "Did..." "Does it hurt?" "Oh..." "No." "Sex with the right person is something to look forward to." "It's a good thing." "Both things." "Just you wait and see." "I meant what they did to you at the hospital." "No." "Oh..." "Your hair." "Oh, it's just the medicine." "I was going to cut it anyway." "You said you were done with it." "I believe I said "practically"" "which is a polite and gentle way of saying "almost."" "Of course, without the lilt." "I have one more phase." "Just to make sure that it doesn't come back." "Just makes me a little tired," "Sorry about that." "Can I see it?" "Mm." "Help me up." "It's not as bad as it looks." "Why would I need two of them anyway?" "Here you go." "Elizabeth, what are you doing?" "I can't believe nobody in this family ever says grace." "FRANCES:" "Grace?" "Mrs. Teuffel's been teaching" "Elizabeth how to pray." "Well, it's for you." "She says it's a sin not to." "Nick, what am I hearing?" "She's harmless." "Not when her beliefs end up on my table." "And why isn't anyone eating breakfast?" "Tilden thinks we eat too much red meat." "Really?" "I just thought that could be why you're sick." "And tap water." "Who told you this?" "I want to know who told you this." "Everyone." "Is that why you've been praying?" "Because I'm sick?" "No." "It's a sin to lie, Elizabeth." "It's a sin to look like you but here you still are!" "FRANCES:" "Okay, that's enough..." "Girls, come on." "Did you hear they set a wedding date?" "!" "Charles and Di?" "And they're going" "Nick, I'm requesting a TV be brought in." "We could all watch it together!" "That sounds great." "LAINEY:" "Will that be" "Do you believe in God, Mama?" "Um, in a way." "Why?" "Well, Mrs. Teuffel says that God knows if you don't believe and that that's, uh..." "That's why I what?" "You think that that's why" "I have to go back in the hospital?" "What?" "What?" "!" "You said you had another "phase."" "You didn't say you had to go back in there." "You lied." "And it's not an eggshell lie or a Swiss coffee lie or a white picket fence lie." "It's just a lie." "Well, if nobody is going to eat, I want cake." "TILDEN:" "I thought you said you couldn't" "Nick made it." "( Frances chuckles )" "Yep." "FRANCES:" "All right, Tilden," "It looks scary." "Try again." "I'm sorry, Nick." "I'm not really scared." "What kind is it?" "Neapolitan." "That's not frosting!" "FRANCES:" "It's a meat with gravy icing." "I think this is ingenious!" "NICK:" "The middle's mashed potatoes a little ketchup and some cream cheese." "Oh, come on, Tilden." "Make a wish." "Some other time." "Tilden. you have to make a wish." "I don't feel like it." "All right." "I'll make a wish." "I wish that Tilden could see life a little bit more like I do and that she would know that white lies and eggshell white lies and Swiss coffee lies and waiting and seeing will all give her room for the wonders and possibilities in life." "That is what I wish for my beautiful child... who worries about things which we can do so very little about." "That's my wish." "Happy birthday." "It's a book." "I know you like to read." "Thanks." "Want to go for a walk?" "Where?" "Do we have to know?" "Hey, you forgot your book." "( chuckles )" "Hi." "Hi." "Want me to pray for you?" "Sure." "I mean, if you want to." "♪ Private eyes, they're watching you ♪" "♪ Yeah, they see your every move ♪" "♪ They see it ♪ ♪ Private eyes ♪" "♪ Whoa, they're watching you ♪" "♪ Private eyes, they're watching you ♪" "♪ Private eyes... ♪" "( music stops abruptly )" "Is this a sin?" "No." "We're not hiding it from God." "Okay." "♪ Private eyes, they're watching you ♪" "♪ Yeah, they see your every move ♪" "♪ They see it ♪ ♪ Private eyes... ♪" "Hey." "Hey." "One more minute, one more minute." "One more minute." "Oh, the girls..." "Gone for the afternoon..." "hmm?" "You don't have to do this." "I know that this is more than you bargained for." "What?" "A man like you..." "I see how women look at you." "And you could have your choice of a complete set of breasts, at least." "What if..." "Hmm?" "I loved you, hmm?" "And what if... your breasts were-- no offense" "Yeah?" "were the, um..." "were the least of it?" "And what if I found that very hard to believe?" "Well, um... what if I had your permission to show you?" ""Chapter Two, The Pool of Tears." "'Curiouser and curiouser,' cried Alice."" ""She was so much surprised..."" "Hmm, I love this part." ""She was so much surprised" ""that for the moment she quite forgot" ""how to speak good English." ""'Now I'm opening out" ""'like the largest telescope that ever was." ""Good-bye, feet.'" ""For when she looked down at her feet" ""they seemed to be almost out of sight" ""they were getting so far off." ""'Oh, my poor little feet." ""'I wonder who will put on your shoes and stockings" ""'for you now, dears?" ""'I'm sure I shan't be able." ""'I should be a great deal too far off" ""'to trouble myself about you." ""You must manage the best way you can.'" ""But I must be kind to them, thought Alice" ""or perhaps they won't walk the way I want to go." ""Let me see, I'll give them" ""a new pair of boots every Christmas." "As she went on playing..."" "Okay a wish..." "Hands." "For something... extraordinary." "How come you always make wishes but you never pray?" "Well, maybe a wish is like a prayer." "( Elizabeth giggles )" "Mama, you shouldn't be up." "You look tired." "Oh, gosh, all mamas are tired, lovey." "Oh, look at how beautiful it is outside today!" "( sighs )" "The street after which you were named must have leaves turning autumn colors by now..." "Are you on drugs?" "Yes, lovey, I certainly am." "( knocking )" "LAINEY:" "Ding-dong!" "Who's Avon?" "Oops..." "There I go dating myself again." "( chuckling )" "How's your chemo going?" "FRANCES:" "It's... good." "LAINEY:" "Oh, I made you" "They had the recipe on The Today Show." "Jane Pauley said they were delicious." "Boy, what I could do with that woman's hair!" "( chuckling )" "FRANCES:" "That was really" "Thank you, Lainey." "LAINEY:" "Hey, girls." "Oh... and that's just a little certificate for a free manicure, pedicure, hairdo..." "Well... thank you." "I really appreciate it." "You take it easy now, honey." "And you take good care of her." "Mm-hmm." "Make her rest!" "Yes, Lainey." "What's "chemo"?" "FRANCES:" "What's "chemo"?" "Chemo is a therapy that the doctors do." "You know, just to make sure nothing comes back." "They put a chemical in your body to stop the illness." "This is nice." "Like when you take penicillin for a cough or something." "But you said you weren't sick anymore." "NICK:" "This is kind of like" ""insurance" so that she won't be ever again." "Oh." "Why didn't you tell us?" "Well, I was planning on it." "I just..." "We just got... kind of caught up in the wedding plans." "We're moving the wedding up." "Why?" "Why not?" "Because you barely know each other!" "Do you know the statistics for failed marriages when people just jump in like this?" "No, Tilden, what are they?" "Well, maybe we should just wait then." "For what?" "Well, for you guys to get to know each other better." "Mama's too tired anyways." "FRANCES:" "No, I'm not" "Tilden." "And this is what we want to do." "So..." "Have a lemon square, Tilden." "Eat, everybody, eat!" "Here you go." "No, thank you." "( giggling )" "Hey." "What are you doing?" "Going outside for a smoke." "Mind if I come?" "Sure." "( coughing loudly )" "Come on, lighter." "You shouldn't smoke." "It's a filthy habit." "I know." "I'm trying to quit." "You should try harder." "Can I ask you something?" "Sure." "Why us?" "I mean, if you wanted a family there are lots of women out there you can make them with." "I mean, babies." "We're already here." "We were doing fine without you." "No offense." "Oh, none taken." "If you wanted to date her or something, fine but why'd it have to be all or nothing?" "Well, that's what we wanted, Tilden." "Well, it's not what we wanted." "Well, what if some things don't have to do entirely with what you want?" "She'll always love us more." "Well, yeah..." "Yeah, she will." "ANNOUNCER:" "Red, white and blue for the crowd at least." "It must've been like looking down on a sea of flags for the Prince and Princess." "LAINEY:" "Should I sing and then go into "Landslide"?" "Or something more fun, like a montage of them?" "Plus Elton John's "Good-bye, Yellow Brick Road."" ""Good-bye, Yellow Brick Road"" "for a wedding?" "Well, it just happens to be in an alto tenor key..." "my fastball." "( chuckles )" "Well, what if it was a more, uh, traditional wedding ballad like-- ...like what..." "what's a traditional" "Like "Ave Maria" or something?" "Mmm..." "What did you do to your hair?" "Does this woman have a face that can wear any style, or what?" "Why did you do it?" "Oh, I needed a change." "How many more changes can you have?" "( radio transmission )" "I think it's going to be really nice for the wedding, don't you?" "Hello, Harry." "Are you sure you really still want to go through with it?" "Yes, I'm really sure" "I still want to go through with it." "Are you planning on attending?" "Do I have to tell you right this minute?" "Yes, you have to tell me right this minute!" "Because I was kind of hoping that you and Elisabeth would be my bridesmaids." "Don't call back!" "I'm watching the wedding!" "Which means you'll need a dress... and which means you'll need to go shopping." "If I do go" "I'm not going to be wearing the same dress as her." "Well, you can choose whatever you want as long as you feel good in it." "I don't like the way that boy is looking at your sister." "Who is he anyway?" "Can you believe he's an altar boy?" "Hey!" "You're missing the wedding!" "Oh, God, I can't believe I forgot!" "So what?" "!" "She's marrying a dork!" "Shh!" "I don't see the big deal." "FRANCES:" "She has always loved pomp." "Really, it's in her nature." "Your grandmother used to say that she was the kind of child who wouldn't even think of having a temper tantrum unless the entire world could witness it." "( coughing )" "Remember?" "That she used to sleep in her Halloween princess costume until Christmas." "( chuckles )" "See, the world needs more dreamers like her." "It makes it a better place to live in." "That's wishful thinking." "And that's how you should always wishfully." "...it was time to leave for the honeymoon... ( Lainey sobbing )" "We are gathered here today in the eyes of God to join these two young people in the holy sacrament of matrimony." "Repeat after me." "I, Nicholas Olsen..." "I, Nicholas Olsen... take thee, Frances Balford... take thee, Frances Balford... to be my lawful wedded wife... to be my lawful wedded wife... to honor and obey in sickness and in health... to honor and obey" "in sickness and in health... for better or for worse... for better or for worse... till death do us part." "till death do us part." "Now, would you repeat after me?" "I, Frances Balford..." "I, Frances Balford... take thee, Nicholas Olsen... take thee, Nicholas Olsen... to be my lawful wedded husband... to be my lawful wedded husband... to honor and obey in sickness and in health... to honor and obey" "in sickness and in health for better or for worse... for better or for worse... till death do us part." "till death do us part." "May we have the rings now, please?" "I now pronounce you man and wife." "You may now kiss the bride." "♪ Love, lift us up where we belong ♪" "♪ Where eagles cry on mountains high ♪" "♪ Love, lift us up where we belong ♪" "♪ Far from the world we know ♪" "♪ Up where clear winds blow ♪" "♪ All we have..." "is here and now ♪" "( voice breaking ):" "♪ All our lives," "( sobbing )" "( dance music playing ) ♪ Boogaloo ♪" "♪ Boogaloo ♪" "♪ Boogaloo♪" "♪ Hey ♪" "♪ Do the boogaloo ♪" "♪ Boogaloo... ♪" "Jill Swift's sister got hers this weekend." "That leaves just you and me." "I got mine last Saturday." "What?" "It's not that big a deal." "♪ Georgia ♪" "♪ Georgia ♪" "♪ No peace, no peace, I find... ♪" "Wow... how did I get so lucky?" "♪ ...old sweet song ♪" "♪ Keep Georgia... ♪" "What's wrong?" "♪ ...ever on my mind ♪" "I was just thinking how pretty you are." "Hmm, I was just thinking how proud I am of you and your sister." "♪ Other eyes smile so sweetly... ♪" "Promise me you won't take away her wishfulness." "Promises?" "Isn't that your department?" "I need you to do this, Tilden." "♪ ...in peaceful, easy dreams I see ♪" "I promise." "♪ The road, the road leads back to you ♪" "♪ Georgia ♪" "♪ Georgia ♪" "♪ No peace, no peace, I find ♪" "♪ Just that old sweet song ♪" "♪ Keep Georgia ever on my mind... ♪" "Are we ready?" "WOMEN:" "Yeah!" "It's my turn... ( screams with glee )" "( applause )" "Mmm, these tater tots are really good, aren't they, Nick?" "Mm-hmm." "Mm-hmm." "Yum-my..." "Don't." "Don't what?" "Be fake." "Mama'll know if you fake it." "( turns on tape recorder )" "This well-balanced meal sure is delicious and nutritious." "I'm beginning to hate you." "Like, real hate..." "So?" "( brightly ):" "Hi, Mama...!" "That's it." "Stop!" "Just stop it!" "Let's start again, ladies." "( turns on tape recorder )" "Frances, we're having a delicious dinner here." "We've got some meat loaf and, uh, tater tots... and some corn." "It's really great." "Yeah, it's really good." "So's school." "School's good." "NICK:" "The girls are helping with you know, the house and they made..." "helped me make this dinner." "ELIZABETH:" "We miss you a lot." "What?" "Feel this." "I'm not going to touch your boob, you pervert." "No, really, I found something." "Where?" "Right there." "Feel it." "No." "It's a lump, like Mama." "It's not contagious." "Besides, you can't have breast cancer." "You don't even have actual breasts yet." "Just 'cause you're flat..." "I'm sorry." "You're not flat." "Please, just feel it." "You have to feel both sides." "There's a difference." "There's nothing wrong." "Really?" "Yeah." "( relieved sigh )" "Mama's getting worse, isn't she?" "I think so." "She's been in the hospital for so long and they aren't even saying when she's going to get out." "Cowards." "What are we going to do?" "What's going to happen to us, Tilden?" "Come here." "We'll take care of each other, okay?" "I wish I was ten again." "I wish I was 11." "( car approaching )" "( door opens and closes )" "( footsteps approaching )" "JAMIE:" "Hey." "Hey." "I heard your mom's in the hospital again." "Yeah, it's just pleurisy." "She'll be fine." "And what if she isn't?" "What's that supposed to mean?" "I mean..." "I mean what if she doesn't have pleurisy, Tilden?" "Tilden, wait!" "Tilden!" "Let's go!" "I just saw her here a minute ago." "Well, I'm going to be late for class." "Can't you come back and look for her?" "Elizabeth, she's your sister." "So?" "NICK:" "Lainey!" "Is Tilden here?" "No, isn't she at school?" "No, I saw her here a while ago." "Now she's gone." "Maybe I should call the police." "No, no, not yet." "Boys, jump in your cars and go look for Tilden, all right?" "She might be with Jamie." "No, wait, wait." "She could've gone to the hospital." "Thank you." "I'm sorry, Tilden." "I didn't mean anything by it." "I hate it here." "I'm guessing you'd hate it anywhere right about now." "Nurse." "Frances Olsen, my wife-- where is she?" "Mr. Olsen, we tried to call you..." "What?" "We're releasing her." "What?" "Hey, let's go home." "Mmm." "But, but you're not strong enough." "She's not strong enough to go..." "Oh, don't be silly." "I'll always be strong enough to be with my family." "Oh, would you get my bag?" "Thank you." "Dr. Snyder, I don't understand..." "She'll be more comfortable at home." "See?" "Let's go see our girls." "Thank you." "Take care." "WOMAN:" "Bye, Frances." "What's this?" "I made it." "You made it?" "Yeah, it's driftwood." "FRANCES:" "Tilden?" "Mama, you're home!" "I can explain..." "Oh, no, Nick already told me that you had to stay late for some event at school." "( kissing noises )" "I'm going to go change." "Okay." "Tilden, wait a minute." "I'll come with you." "I need to borrow a dictionary of yours." "All right, so tell me about this big dance at school." "Well, it's on the beach and I know you'll say no, but it is chaperoned..." "Hmm..." "It's exciting." "I'm very excited." "Here are the words that come to mind and they are in no particular order:" "Inconsiderate, selfish, irresponsible..." "I'm sorry." "Not really good enough to make me lie to your mother but I'll take it if you promise you won't put us through it again." "If I didn't like him so much, I'd kick his skinny little ass." "Nice cross." "Shh, girls, girls..." "Your mama needs to rest." "I think you should leave her alone." "She doesn't want us to leave her alone." "Well, that may be true, but she needs to be still." "Why do you keep thinking you know what she needs?" "Because I love her, too, Tilden, just like you." "Yeah, well, nothing bad ever happened to us until we came here." "Until she met you!" "What's that?" "It's an IV to give her fluids." "You can go." "I'll be downstairs if you need anything." "Mmm... my girls." "I know that we didn't... plan any of this, did we?" "It just happened." "We kept thinking it was going to get better, didn't we?" "And the medicine would work." "Mmm... enough about that." "Let's talk about... good things." "Let's talk about... mmm, fun places that we've been and things that we've done." "Remember that trip to Yellowstone?" "( weak laugh )" "Remember you couldn't get the... ( chuckles ) that tent thing up..." "Who cares about that?" "We want to go home, away from here so you can get better." "She can get better here." "She's not getting better!" "She's not going to get better." "I don't like it, either, Tilden and I don't... understand it any more than you do." "But Mrs. Teuffel says a miracle" "Yeah?" "And that's what prayers are for." "You never know, you just wait and you need a polish change-- Let me do it." "It can wait." "It can wait." "I just have to rest my eyes for a moment." "Come and kiss mama." "Mmm... hmm." "Tilden, come here." "This isn't right." "It shouldn't be happening." "I know." "Lovey, I know." "( chuckling ):" "Come here." "Mmm... that's good." "Mmm." "Two girls." "Mmm." "How'd I get so lucky?" "I have two such wonderful girls." "I have to rest my eyes for a moment, sweetie." "Go." "Go on..." "Mmm." ""'Curioser and curiouser,' cried Alice." ""She was so much surprised that, for the moment" ""she quite forgot how to speak good English." ""'Now I'm opening out, like the largest telescope that ever was." ""'Good-bye, feet!" "'" ""For, when she looked down at her feet" ""they seemed to be almost out of sight" ""they were getting so far off." ""'Oh, my poor little feet.'" ""'I wonder who will put on" ""your shoes and stockings for you now, dears.'" ""'I'm sure I shan't be able." ""'I shall be a great deal too far off" ""to trouble myself about it.'" ""'You must manage the best you can.'" ""'But I must be kind to them,' thought Alice" ""'or perhaps they won't walk the way I want to go." ""'Let me see, I'll get them" ""'a new pair of boots every Christmas...'" ""And she went on planning to herself... ( crying softly )" "Tilden..." "Get sleep." "I'll stay with your mother." "Hi." "Hi." "Do you think she'll always hate me?" "You think that'll ever change?" "She's a teenager." "( weak laugh )" "Of course she'll change." "You have to be strong, for the girls." "I just don't know... how to love them the way that you do." "Of course you do." "They're me." "Love them the way that you love me." "But I just found you." "I don't want to lose you." "What am I going to do?" "No... it's going to be fine... just you wait and see." "Thank you." "Thank you." "( knocking )" "Can I ask you a question?" "Mm-hmm." "How will you know when I get my period?" "( whispering ):" "Send me a note." "The mail has its own magic." "( quiet laugh )" "FRANCES:" "My girls..." "I have to have a little talk." "I'm so sorry about all of this..." "This isn't how I wanted things to be you know that, don't you?" "( door closes )" "And that... what matters is that you two take care of each other." "You'll do that for me, won't you?" "What are we going to do?" "I promise that it's going to be okay." "Nick really loves you girls..." "he really does." "Please give him a chance." "ELIZABETH:" "Tell me again exactly when I was born." "Oh... 9:25 in the morning." "And Tilden was 9:25 p.m." "Hmm." "ELIZABETH:" "How do you feel about living" "Fine by me." "( chuckles )" "But be sure you really, really love them." "And our father..." "was he a good carpenter?" "Did he ever... make anything special for you?" "Twice." "First Tilden and then you." "What do you want me to be?" "Anything you want." "Good-bye, my loveys." "Bye..." "You don't mean good-bye." "You just mean "bye," like "see you later," right?" "Mothers never really say good-bye to their children." "That would be impossible." "They say, "Try to remember everything I taught you."" "They say..." ""Don't cry because we'll see each other again."" "And they say, "I will always be with you."" "They say..." ""I was so proud... to have been... your... mother."" "( labored breathing )" "I have to rest my eyes." "Frances?" "Frances?" "( soft knocking )" "You all right?" "Can I get you something?" "No." "( door closing )" "I know you want to be alone." "But I just wanted to say I'm sorry." "No..." "I don't." "I'm so sorry." "( crying softly )" "( piano plays softly )" "♪ It was so right ♪" "♪ It was so wrong ♪" "♪ Almost at the same time ♪" "♪ The pain and ache ♪" "♪ A heart can take ♪" "♪ No one really knows ♪" "♪ When the memories cling ♪" "♪ And keep you there ♪" "♪ Till you no longer care ♪" "♪ And you can let go now ♪" "( strings play softly )" "♪ It's wrong for me ♪" "♪ To cling to you ♪" "♪ Somehow I just needed time ♪" "♪ From what was to be ♪" "♪ It's not like me ♪" "♪ To hold somebody down ♪" "♪ But I was tossed high by love ♪" "♪ I almost never came down ♪" "♪ Only to land ♪" "♪ Where love's no longer found ♪" "♪ Where I'm no longer bound ♪" "♪ And I can let go now. ♪" "( strings play softly )" "( music ends )" "What do we do now?" "I don't know." "We could run away." "We wouldn't get very far." "( footsteps )" "That was Mama." "What?" "In the box." "Mrs. Teuffel says Mama's spirit won't get to Heaven without proper closure." "Well, Mrs. Teuffel might not have the market cornered on final resting spots." "I want her here with us." "Hello, ladies..." "You can have her in your room any time you want." "( sighs )" "How come we got to have a stupid garage sale?" "'Cause Mama always said clutter holds you down." "How'd that get here?" "Hey!" "That's mine!" "Excuse me." "That belongs to us." "How much do you want for it?" "Look, there's no price." "It's not for sale." "Hey, everything's got a price..." "Hey." "Hey, hey." "Tilden, you okay?" "I got it." "Just wanted to let you know." "Nick!" "Stop him." "I need to mail a letter." "Okay." "Frank!" "( whistles )" "Frank!" "Whoa, whoa!" "We got a letter!" "Hey!" "We got a letter, Frank!" "Ho!" "What's so important you got to mail it today?" "Thank you." "♪ Every breath you take ♪" "♪ Every move you make ♪" "♪ Every single day, every word you say ♪" "♪ I'll be watching you ♪" "♪ Every single day, every word you say ♪" "♪ I'll be watching you. ♪" "Captioning sponsored by PARAMOUNT PICTURES" "Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH"