"Have you ever stopped to think about refrigerators?" "Refrigerators are so revealing." "I can look in this refrigerator and know like everything about your family." "Look at this!" "There's actual labeled leftovers in here." "I have stuff in my own fridge I like never knew what it was." "Could you close the fridge?" "My mother chemically senses it if the fridge rises over 4 7 degrees." " So, who's into the mustard?" " My dad." " You know what that's about..." " To Rayanne, everything is about, , ," "Sex. I mean, all you really need to survive is mild yellow." "All this other stuff is purely recreational." "What?" "It's domestic." "I think Patty has enough of a life, she's not going to be counting beers." " Maybe we should eat up in my room." " Yes." "Fine." " Can you grab that for me?" " Sure." "I ncoming orange." "I n my refrigerator we've got this mayonnaise jar..." "that nobody wants to admit is empty." "God, I know." "My mother does not throw things away." "She's in denial about spoiling." "You're drinking a beer?" "At 4: 30?" "Danielle, go play outside." "Mom, it's not fair." "My life is totally edited." "Mom." "Look, Mom..." "I'm really sorry." "It won't happen again." "Look, I will not tolerate..." "U nder no circumstances..." "There are certain rules..." "May I see you in the kitchen for a moment please?" "Now she hates me." "So, she never liked you that much to start off." "No, but now she really hates me." "Look, do you think it's possible to please that woman?" "Do you think she'd actually give anyone a break?" "I mean, have you seen her vegetable bin?" "I rest my case." "Grandpa Chuck is back in the hospital for tests." "It's nothing to worry about." "The doctors say..." "he'll be out by Saturday so we won't even have to call off the party." "What party?" "Angela, I have mentioned this at least a dozen times." "Grandma and grandpa's 45th anniversary party?" "This Saturday at that fondue restaurant?" "Right. I hate fondue." "I'm always losing my bread." "Don't let me catch you drinking in this house again." " l wasn't drinking." " You know what I mean." "Okay." "I know." "Tomorrow I'll bring her a beer to replace it." "Tomorrow we're going to my house." "I'd been friends with Rayanne Graff for half a year, , , but I'd never been to her house," "Mom, Rickie's here. I hope you're at least wearing underwear." "Walking into someone house for the first time, , ," "is like entering another country," "Not that I've ever been to another country," "Raynee, remember last week when you got all those prosperity cards?" "Well, three guesses what I've got here." "Oh, my God !" "Money?" "From Dad?" "I opened it. $2 7 0." "Happy birthday and maybe more, Dad." "I know. I saw that." "He meant many more." "He wrote, "And maybe more. "" "H i, sweetcakes." " Oh, my God, is that her?" " Yes." "Angela." "Come to Mama." "I finally faced the truth." "The only really great foods..." "are appetizers and desserts so why bother eating anything else." "Amber, you're so up, even though you're surrounded by negativity." "She's an X-ray technician." "It's not as glamorous as it sounds." "What can I tell you, sweetcakes?" "Life was created to be lived." "Give me." "So what did you wear out your welcome at Angela's house?" "No, see, my mom's not that strict, it's just sometimes she" "You don't have to explain." "See this card?" "That's the world." "This is the daughter who hides her feelings behind the mask." "That's her, big time." " But I'm the daughter." " Yes, but so is she." "See, my mom was adopted, so she has these abandonment issues..." "I've got those." "Well, look right here." "See this card covering you?" "That's the moon." "That's like, the deadly mother." "Like, the wicked witch." " What, should I be scared?" " That's nothing." "Last time I got death." "Mom, show her death." "That's one bitching card." "Yes, but it doesn't have to mean death." "It means one door opens, another closes." "Yes, in your face." "You're having dinner with us, right?" "Mother, just relax." "I'll get it!" "I'll get it!" "I'll get it!" " Hello." "Where are you?" "It's Angela." " H i, honey!" "Grandma's here." "We were just visiting grandpa at the hospital." "No, sweetie, you can't have dinner at Rayanne's." " Grandma is having dinner here." " Don't be silly, Patty." " Let her stay at her friends'." " Mom !" "Okay, you can have dinner at Rayanne's." "Of course I wouldn't mind if she chose to come home." " l never do see her." " J ust give me the address." "No, I'll be there in twenty minutes." " What?" " Nothing. I'm going to go pick her up." "What if I've made a terrible mistake." "What if your father isn't well enough by Saturday?" "I don't know." "That crowded, noisy restaurant." "All that fondue." "What was I thinking?" "The man is a diabetic." "What if they prepare one of the dishes incorrectly?" "I should call off the whole thing, I should cancel the party." "Maybe you're right." "Maybe you should postpone it until he's feeling better." "But everybody's looking forward." "And the doctors all predict he'll be out by Friday." "And you know Daddy." "If he hears I'm calling off the party it'll discourage him." "And he is depressed enough as it is." "Yes, but, Mom, on the one hand you're saying how can we do this..." "and on the other hand you're saying how can we not do this?" "Exactly. lf only we could hold it someplace else." "Someplace where he would feel more at home." "Someplace like... here." "But I couldn't do a thing like that." "No, couldn't do that to you." "That is out of the question." "Yes, Mom, I'll be right down!" "She's down there." "She's rearranging my candlesticks." "Help me." "Look." "This is what you do." "You go down there and you say..." "Mom, I love you but you're driving me to an early grave." "Do not touch my candlesticks, ever." " That's what you do." "You are so naive." "What?" "Hey." "What's all this?" "That's none of your business." "Quit trying to read upside down." "I'm just making some lists." "Possible jobs, possible people I should possibly call and, you know." " Some goals." " That's great." "It's not great, it's just something I'm doing." "Okay." "Don't get all enthusiastic and ruin it for me." "Do I do that?" " Graham, would you..." " No." "No way." "How did you know what I was going to say?" "Because she's down there fiddling with your candlesticks." "Please, I'm asking you very nicely, please just spend..." "No." "No way am I going down there." " l would do it for you." " My mother is dead." "If she weren't." "You wouldn't have to do it for me." "I enjoyed my mother's company." "Please." "Do I really have to hear about your mother?" "I wouldn't go down there now, even if you paid me." "She's going to hear you !" "Graham, please." "I have to go pick Angela up clear across town." "Please." "Patty, Patty, I am not going down there." "Patricia, are you up there?" "Patricia!" "Well, I'll just be in the kitchen poking around!" "Poking around?" "Vivian?" "I didn't know you were here." "There we have it." "That was amazing." "How did you learn how to do that?" "I learned it from a stupid book." "I'll loan it to you and you can learn it for yourself." "Really?" " Oh, God." "My mother." " l'll get it." " Come in." " Thank you." "Mom, you could have just honked." " H i." "Patty, right?" " H i." "Yes." "Amber." "Well..." "I do tarot. lt's just a hobby." "Would you like a drink?" "No." "We should be getting right back." "Before you go, Angela, let me find you that book, okay?" " She's really good at them." "The cards." " l'm sure." "Angela, is so cute you could smack her." "The mom is like from a commercial." "For something really clean." "I might just send that money back to dad. I kind of don't want it." "Where is that book." "Amber, we should go." "I've got a million errands to run." "I'm giving this party for my parents anniversary Saturday at our house." "At our house?" "I thought it was at some restaurant." "I love parties." "Throwing them." "Going to them." "Recovering from them." "Listen, I think it's so great that you're throwing them a party." "I definitely think it's going to help you work through it." " Work through what?" " Mom, I think we should go." "Are you kidding?" "You're feelings about adoption." "What a thing to deal with." "I saw a special the other night." "Did you catch that?" "No." "It really got me." "I mean, I was balling." "You know, I think I might have given up a baby in a past life." "Well, if there's anything you need for the party, just" "Thanks. I think we have everything." "Angela, here's the book." "Go ahead and take it." "Here are the cards." "You can practice with these." "J ust be sure that you treat them with respect." "Promise me." " l promise." " Okay." "Angel." "Okay." "What's your question?" "Does J ustin Collin like Karen Kligman?" " Come on." " What?" " That's not an important question." " lt is to Karen Kligman." "You have to treat these cards with respect." "Angela, you know what I was thinking we might do?" "Do you remember those beautiful decorations..." "that you did for Sharon's birthday a few years ago?" "The streamers?" " Mom, streamers?" " What's wrong with streamers?" "I need somebody to do streamers..." "and somebody to move all the furniture and clean behind it." "You expect me to move furniture?" "is grandma going to drive everyone crazy like she did on Thanksgiving?" "What on earth does that mean?" "It's a fairly straight-forward question." "I meant to tell you." "I found this really interesting-sounding recipe for no-fat chicken. lt's skinless" "You cannot cook chicken without the skin." "That's where all the flavor is." "You can really tell she's been spending time with grandma." "Listen." "Can we just pitch in and all pull together and..." "Because I actually think that this could be really fun." " l really kind of do." " l hope so." "Because life was created to be lived." "You know?" "Was that on a tarot card?" "Fine. I'll do the streamers." "I thought you said you were never again going to hang in the girls room." " Never say never." " H i." " What's wrong with your hair?" " J ust" " J ust never mind, okay?" "You need some mousse." "Hey, careful." "Rayanne!" "You're dropping all of your money." "I don't care. lt's crispy." "It's like dead leaves." "Rayanne, how much have you had to drink today?" "She's been drinking?" "There's no drinking in school." "Don't you know that?" " Here." "Buy yourself a wig." " Stop it." "What?" "She needs a wig." "Don't go, don't go." "I ngrate." " Here, I want you to have it." " Don't be crazy." "Okay?" "I don't deserve it." "Rayanne, you should buy yourself something." "I mean, think, what do you really need?" "You need new makeup." "Makeup goes bad, you know, it does." "It spoils." "You need new C D's because the ones you have suck..." "and you could definitely use a leather jacket." "Rickie!" "You're brilliant!" "A party!" "Like an event!" "Like a memory I'll have for the rest of my life." " Like Tino's party?" " Only endless!" "Like infininity." "Where so much is going on at every second..." "that there's no possibility for your mind to wander..." "and you become this prisoner of happiness." " l'm home." " Mom." "Don't want to bother you, just brought over a few extras." " l told you I have a meeting." " Whatever." "J ust go about your normal routine." "A few extras?" "Turkey is the easiest thing in the world." " And a guaranteed crowd pleaser." " Mom." "Go." "Go to your meeting." "I'll put those things away." "Mom, here's the thing." "Graham is very emotional about food..." " when he's cooking it." " Emotional about food?" "Yes." "He's got very strong, you know, feelings about meals..." " in terms of preparing them." " Patty, it's only a turkey." "Mom, it's huge." "It's going to need its own room." "I wanted to contribute something." " Emotional about food?" " Never mind." "So, yes, tell everybody it's going to be a total blowout!" "No dorks and not too many sophomores." "Wait!" "So, if you want to acquire certain pharmaceuticals for the party." "I definitely do, yes." "So should I get a party bowl or a keg?" "Every person !" "Take the address!" "Address." "I'm sorry, I tried to reason with her." "Graham, please." "Please close the refrigerator." "I'm not sure, but I have a feeling, if you want to tag with us..." "I could probably get you in." "Angela, word of mouth is like, so huge on this thing." "Some girl just invited me." "She invited me to my own house." " Saturday is going to be historical." " Wait, this Saturday?" "Yes, tomorrow night. I've mentioned this at least a dozen times." "Tomorrow night I have that stupid thing for my grandparents." "Fine." "Go hang with your grandparents." "You can memorize all the state birds, or something." "Hey Angela. I'm a bitch !" "Wait, if I can't come, can I at least help you get ready?" " Help, how?" " l could move furniture." "Table there." "Okay, now remember the rules." "Rayanne, are you listening to me?" "Yes." "There is absolutely no eating on my bed. ls that clear?" " Yes." " Yes." "And don't let things get out of control." "I mean, I realize there's going to be some drinking going on..." "and believe me, I'd rather have it go on under my roof..." "but don't get too loud because I don't want any lectures from that..." " tight ass neighborhood watch." "Okay?" " Okay." " Yes?" " Yes." "Your mother is amazing." " This party is driving me crazy." " Look, death." "I should never have told her she could have dinner at Rayanne's." " She was to help me shine this silver." " Have Danielle do it." "I can't I'm predicting the future." "To put something that large in somebody's refrigerator..." " Mom, so what's your question?" " Why am I doing this?" "Hello?" "Vivian, yes, she's right here." "Mom, listen before you say anything, I've been thinking." "What?" "Okay." "No, fine." "Never mind." "Bye." "Well, Dad has been released from the hospital." "The tests came back negative..." "and the doctors have given him a clean bill of health so..." "I guess there's no reason not to go ahead with the party, right?" "So I guess that's really good news, isn't it?" "Isn't it?" "Graham?" "Isn't it?" "Mom, what's your question?" "I love these." "I'm never going to take them down." "I'm just going to spend the whole rest of my life with your streamers." "Angela." "You have to go to this other party." "Oh, well." "Yes." "Maybe there's a way that you can go to both parties." "You have to go where your karma takes you." "I don't think my mother really knows much about karma." "Maybe you can teach her." " l said I would do it." " Well, I'm doing it." "J ust leave it. I'll do it in the morning." "We have a lot of other things to do in the morning." "About a million other things." "All right. I didn't know it was such a big deal." "Mom, it turns out there's this thing tomorrow at Rayanne's..." " like this birthday party." " Like, this birthday party?" "Yeah." "So it's sort of happening tomorrow..." "so, you know, that's why I was there so long, because I was helping." "Could I maybe stay here for a little while and then go to Rayanne's?" "You were helping with Rayanne's party?" " Mom..." " Forget it." "How could you tell that woman that I'm adopted?" "She's not just some woman. I trust her." "I'm sorry, I didn't know it was like a secret." "It's not. lt's just not something that I want everybody to know." " Why can't I just go to the party?" " Because I need you here." "The only reason you're even having it here is" "That is not true." "You know, the karma in this house is ridiculous." "Really?" "Yes. lt's really low, or dark, whatever it is that happens to karma." "And I'll bet the karma at Amber's house is just through the damn roof." "Listen." "You are not going to Rayanne's." "You are going to attend your grandparents 45th anniversary party." "is that clear?" "Let the games begin." "Make sure there's music on." "What?" "What do you mean what?" "Where is daddy?" "Oh, daddy." " He didn't want to come." " What?" "You know how he hates parties." "Graham !" "Vivian." "Happy 45th wedding anniversary." " Where's Chuck?" " He isn't coming." " What?" "Are you kidding?" " Well, he didn't feel like it." " Really." " You know how he hates parties." "You know something?" "I think we're better off." "I can never really enjoy myself when he's around." "Let's look at it this way." "We can all relax." "We don't have to worry about all his crazy dietary restrictions." "But it's already made." "I already worried." "The entire meal is nonfat." "No sugar." "I took the skin off the chicken." "Hey, I thought Angela was supposed to do this." "Hay is for horses." "Let me see you." "I love your outfit." " l hate this outfit. I wish I was dead." " No, you don't." "How do you know whether I wish I was dead or not?" "Are you me?" "Am I allowed to have a feeling in this house or is that just Angela?" " Happy 45th !" " Aunt Libby!" "Oh, goodness." "You weren't supposed to bring them." "That's so sweet." "Sometimes I think if my mother wasn't so good, , , at pretending to be happy, , ," "she'd be better at actually being happy," "There's this thing with a pretzel..." " lsn't this satanic or what?" " Who are these people?" "I have no idea." "There's people here I've never seen." "There's people in the bathroom, I don't think they're from Pittsburgh." " Have you seen Tino?" " Rayanne, I'm lucky l found you." " H i." " H i." "You did your hair in braids." "You know who you look like now?" "Who is that little Swedish girl with the monkey that..." " Pippi Longstocking?" " That's it!" "Pippi Longstocking !" "Look Libby." "Doesn't she look like that little Swedish girl?" "I need you to pass hors d'oeuvres." " Where are you going?" " To change." "I thought you said she destroyed her hair?" "No, that was the other one." "Where is Angela?" "Good question." "Angela?" "I need you downstairs." "Angela?" "That is what you choose to wear to your grandparents anniversary party?" "Mom, I think I'm going to Rayanne's." "Mom, just for a little while." " Patty, how are you?" " Great." "Hors d'oeuvres are that way." "Fine." "Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me." " Rayanne!" " What?" "It's a party." "Boy Scout." "Do what you want to the turkey." "The turkey means nothing to me." "But this is my chicken, all right?" " l was simply adjusting the seasoning." " lt is a curry sauce." "You do not put oregano in a curry sauce." "What?" "You can't go wrong with oregano." "Oregano is the universal herb." " Mom?" "H i, grandma." " H i, sweetheart!" " Happy anniversary." " Thank you, darling, thank you." "That's quite the getup." " l asked her to change." " No, you didn't." "Well, it's quite fine." "Let her just wear what she wants." "What do you mean it's fine?" "It's not fine." " Where is grandpa?" " Tell her." "I have to check the turkey." "You want to know where grandpa is?" "He's not coming." " That's where grandpa is." " ls he back in the hospital?" "No, he's fine." "So grandpa is not coming but yet, I have to be here?" "That really makes sense." "You don't have to be here." "Go do your thing, as they say?" "Mom !" "Why does she have to stick around here when she's got better plans?" "What about family?" "What about doing what's right?" "Phooey." "Doing what's right?" "We're having a party for someone who isn't here." " l'm missing Rayanne's party..." " Who's Rayanne?" "My best friend." "You're missing your best friend's party." "Lovely hors d'oeuvres," "Rayanne is not your best friend." "Mom, she is so my best friend." "I'm sorry you hate her." " You hate her?" " Mother, butt out." "Another fun filled party at the Chases'." "I apologize deeply that our house can not measure up to the joy..." "of being at Rayanne's where your friend Rickie can guzzle beer..." "and that Amber woman reads your tea leaves." "J ust stop it!" "Rickie doesn't even drink." "Who is Rickie?" "J ust stop being so hypocritical !" "You hated her on sight just admit it." "All right, I admit it. I don't like her." "I don't think that she's the right friend for you." "Party on." "Angela!" "To see you at this moment..." "something was missing, you know?" "And then I turned around..." "I just love you so much, Angelica, my friend." "Excuse me, man." "Rayanne!" "Rayanne!" "I have to get my tattoo!" "I want it to look just like this." "I want it to look like this here." "She's always like this." "And she's always okay by the time it's over." "What the hell?" "Where is she?" "Rayanne!" " All right, the party's over." "Let's go." " What's the deal?" "Get out of here!" "And you, find a Chevy to do that in." "Get out of my house." "Go on." "Get out of here!" "H i, sweetheart." "You have two minutes to get out of my house before I call the police." " You got it?" " Yes." "Rayanne!" "Get off my daughter." "Get out of my house." "Hey, I'm just an artist trying to make a living." "You were going to have a few friends over?" "Look at this place, it's a pigsty." "I come home, I've got ten minutes before I'm supposed to meet Rusty..." " and you're destroying the house." " Sorry." "No I'm sorry." "And tomorrow, we're going to have a long talk about your behavior." "You are too drunk young lady." "Way too drunk." "What did I say about moderation?" "What did I say?" "I trusted you." "Now look at you." "You look like an old drunk." "You pull yourself together, Rayanne Marie." "I want this whole place cleaned up by the time I get back." "Rickie, I love you." "You know that, don't you?" " lt's so cold." " What's wrong?" "is she okay?" " J ust take care, okay?" " Why is it so cold?" "Let me sleep a little bit." " Get water." " Let me just sleep." "Throw it on her face." "Rayanne, wake up." "You can't sleep." " Stop." "God." " Rickie, what's-- l've never seen her like this." " l don't know what to do, Angela." " l know what to do." "That's a big one." "Another big one." "I turn to the waiter, and by this time the entire restaurant is listening..." "and I turn to the waiter and I put down my chopsticks..." "and I said, 'Well, I'm sorry..." "but if it smells like M S G, and tastes like M S G..." "it probably is M S G." " Angela?" " Mommy, I really need you." " Mom..." " lt's all right." "Go." " Tell Graham?" " Go." "It's okay. I've called an ambulance." "How long has she been like this, this breathing, this slow breathing?" " Not too long." " A while." "Fifteen minutes?" " Rayanne!" "What did she take?" " l don't know." "She just kept drinking." "Okay, a lot of alcohol." "What about drugs?" "I need names." "I know she took Ecstasy." "How much?" "I don't know. I think two hits." "It looked like she was saving one." "Can you find me the one she was saving?" "Rickie!" "Can you find me the one she was saving?" "Get me a blanket." " Mom..." " She's waking up." " Rayanne!" "Rayanne!" " l don't like you." "Here." "She's had a lot of alcohol, and some Ecstasy." "Two hits or whatever you call them." "I've got the third one right here." "Go on, I'll drive you there." "Come on." "All they had was barbecue." "I hope that's okay." " Where's Angela?" " Ladies' room." "M rs." "Chase, I really appreciate what you did tonight." "That's okay." "Has there ever been someone..." "What?" "Did you ever try to protect someone..." "so much..." "that it hurt?" "That wasn't your beer the other day, was it?" "You can see her now, if you'd like." "You go on." "I'm going to wait here for Angela." "Okay." "Raynee?" "Oh, God !" "Listen, listen, listen, she's going to be okay." " She's going to be okay." " Oh, God." "What a night!" "A cop called me and told me they pumped her stomach?" "Yes, well, Rayanne had a really close call." "These kids can scare the hell out of you." "Amber?" "The doctor was very concerned." "She needs sleep, Amber." "I'm okay, mom." " M iss Vallone?" "M iss Vallone?" " What?" "There's a policeman out there who needs to speak with you." " Are you kidding me?" "Again?" " Yes, Ma'am." "Mom, why is he..." "Don't be scared they're just filling out reports." "How would you like to attend a very dull party?" "Would you go inside and tell them we'll be there in a minute?" "Sure." "I guess I kind of screwed everything up for you today with the party." "Nope, you did the right thing." "You called me." "I mean it." "You promise me you'll always do that, that you'll always" "Okay." "Okay, I promise." "So how did you know all that stuff, like, what to do?" "I had this roommate in college who..." "who actually was a lot like Rayanne now that I'm remembering." "You're kidding." "So what happened?" "Pretty much what happened tonight." "Except she died." " So did you like her?" " A lot." " How did she... ?" " Angela, I've..." "What I'm seeing in your future is so frightening..." "it scares the hell out of me." "I mean, what do I do?" "Do I just not let you see her anymore?" "I mean, would that even work?" "No." "Mom, I can't..." "She's my friend." "Please just trust me." "Actually I do." "Oh, God, poor Rickie." "He's surrounded by our relatives." "Go on, I'll be there in a sec." "Angela!" "H i, sweetheart." "We missed you." " l love your hair, it's wonderful." " Thank you." "Go ahead." "Don't be shy." "Have some more." "You know, it tastes really amazing." "It's kind of..." "Italian." "That's the oregano." " What the heck is going on?" " We're having a party." " Angela." " Lilly, how are you?" "Patty, there you are." "Each card has a name," "The Magician, , , the Empress, , , the Fool, , ," "The Wheel of Fortune, , ," "Strength, , ," "They represent challenges and tests, Twists of fate," "No card is all good or all bad," "Cards can be positive or negative, depending on where they fall," "When you read someone's future, they must think of a question," "They must hold it in their mind, The cards are read in sequence," "Each card leads to the next," "We move from terror and loss to unexpected good fortune," "And out of darkness, hope is born,"