"hi there." "Who are you?" "where'd you come from?" "I didn't do anything." "I can see that." "Who do you belong to?" "I don't know." "what's your daddy's name?" "I don't know." "What about your mama?" "She's over there." "Oh." "Your mama's renting the trailer for my husband." "I didn't know she had a little boy." "You're from mason, aren't you?" "I don't know." "You don't know much, do you?" "oh, Johnny's crying." "Is there a baby in there?" "aww!" "oh, there, there, Johnny." "Come here." "Oh, did you think mama had left you?" "No, mama wouldn't do that." "No." "I keep telling you you're gonna spoil that baby." "You ought not pick him up every time he cries." "Don't you know they're just testing you?" "He's just a baby, momma"b."" "Yeah." "A little crying clears out their lungs." "Oh, no." "oh, look what you did!" "What a sweet boy!" "Would you like some lemonade?" "Okay, come on." "that the renter's kid?" "Do you want some more?" "Don't you be inviting him into the house and giving him stuff." "He'll be hanging around here the whole time." "Now go on." "You had enough." "Go on, get!" "thank you." "try your applesauce, honey." "Mmm." "Yum." "the rain came last night, soaked all the hay." "God is good." "God is great." "Let us thank him for this meal." "Amen." "Amen." "now your applesauce." "Here." "oh." "Shouldn't we, um, put him to bed?" "Uh, in a while." "don't spend it all in one place, Maddie." "how much would these be, hazel?" "hi." "I'm Maddie." "Carl's wife." "Oh, yeah." "Uh, uh, come on in." "I ain't had time to fix things up." "I've been looking for a job." "We lost all our stuff in the fire." "This is all we could save." "In the fire?" "At our apartment i-in mason." "The guy next door, um, fell asleep smoking a cigarette, and the whole place burned." "Oh, that's terrible." "I'm so sorry." "Uh, I bought your boy some boots." "I hope you don't mind." "I got 'em on sale." "I didn't know his size." "Francis?" "Look at these boots ain't they nice?" "Try 'em on." "They're a little big." "But he'll grow into 'em." "I only had him two years, and he shot up twice his size in that time." "He's adopted?" "No." "I can't adopt him." "Then I wouldn't get the reimburse." "State give me $375 a month to look after him." "I'm his foster mother." "Francis, stop that silliness and thank the lady." "Thank you, ma'am." "You're welcome." "Where was he before?" "Year here, year there." "That's how they do, you know?" "He been with me longer than anybody." "Last place beat him." "That's where he picked up them scars." "Some folks are just taking kids for the money, you know?" "Francis is a good boy, too." "He does as he's told." "And why isn't he in school?" "He could've started this year." "For a while, I wasn't even sure he could talk, but he understands all right." "He'll start in the fall." "I made some peach cobbler." "Um, I thought he might have a sweet tooth." "I'll just put it in the refrigerator." "You can have it after supper." "well, let me know if you need anything." "I sure thank you, miss Blanton." "Please call me"Maddie."" "*..." "A warrior bold * shy, little maid of old * brave and gay, he rode one day to a battle far away * * now the moon shines tonight on pretty red wing *" "Francis?" "Come sit, honey." "where's your mama?" "Work." "Well, sit down." "Look at that." "You got Johnny to stop crying." "Are you proud of that?" "look at that." "I think he's jealous of your new boots." "* tonight on pretty red wing" "Francis, it's okay!" "It's just Carl!" "and he sure can ride, can't he?" "He ain't afraid of falling." "He'll never get hurt." "He's a weed, just keeps growing and growing." "And all the time, what you planted, took care of..." "It dies off." "You know, he's darkened up so much in the sun," "I wouldn't be surprised if he was part mexican." "Oh, hell, mama." "He ain't mexican." "Anybody can tell that just by looking in his eyes." "We don't know where he's from." "He doesn't say hardly a word." "never know what he's thinking." "I don't trust him." "he's a good boy, momma"b."" "You ever talk to him, you'd know that." "she comes home ever payday, buys something for that boy." "she's just being nice." "We got enough, momma." "We won't soon enough." "Hmm." "hey, blake!" "Quitting time!" "Got to get these planks moved over here." "You boys get going." "I ain't never knowed you to work a minute longer than you had to." "I was day-dreaming." "Mm-hmm, I bet I know what about -- pretty, young girlfriend of yours." "She ain't too hard on the eyes." "Hey, Carl!" "Well, you know, Maddie was real babe back in her day, so I ain't crying on my beard for you." "What do you mean?" "She's only 25." "She is?" "Yeah." "Damn." "She sick or something?" "No." "Why?" "She just needs some meat on her bones is all." "I guess being married to you, you don't put your ears on a woman, makes her, uh, lose her appetite." "you getting out?" "I don't know." "Something wrong?" "You know, if you lost any more weight..." "You'd blow away." "I'll be back later." "* wadded-up clothes it's good to come home * hey, vera, you still making hay?" "You buy it, I'll make it, larry." "Whoo-hoo!" "Yeah, you tell him, vera!" "I haven't seen you in here in a long time." "Thought you were a married man." "And, what, a married man can't have a drink once in a while?" "Bird dog!" "He can have as many as he wants as far as I'm concerned." "I heard that, uh, you and bob broke up." "Mm." "got a letter from his lawyer today." "Mm." "The bastard." "Suing me for half the business." "well, I ain't worried about old bob." "Mm." "He ain't no match for you." "I'm beginning to wonder if anybody is." "You starting to get lonely out there?" "All alone in that big, old house." "it is a big house." "Mm-hmm." "Mm-hmm." "Big, secluded house." "remember those parties we used to go to in high school?" "Mnh-mnh." "Mm-hmm." "Mnh-mnh." "Down by the river." "On my property." "Mm-hmm." "Well, I think about those nights sometimes." "* Wine glasses crashing around * * since the first day we met" "* feel I'm losing my grip you're ready to give it a go?" "* Supper to the floor * no more regrets" "come on!" "Before I get out!" "don't let him do that, Francis." "If you lay down, people will walk all over you." "Sooner you learn that, the better." "He didn't hurt me." "Besides, I'd rather put up with other people's bad ways than start some of my own." "he ain't home yet." "It's almost 10:00." "You get on home, boy." "Last thing we need is for Carl to see you sitting here on the porch!" "Now get out of here!" "you didn't have to run him off." "You better worry about your husband rather than that little ragamuffin." "If you want a playmate for your Johnny, you have another child." "Stop dragging in strays off the street." "night, mommy." "Night-night, sweetie." "I love you." "I see how that child looks at you." "What do you mean?" "I'm talking about Francis." "You think it's right for you to lead him on like that?" "He has feelings for you." "Anybody can see it." "W-what's wrong with that?" "Those kind of people, they're here today and gone tomorrow." "Isabelle could take a notion and up and leave, and what would happen to him, huh?" "It's plain as day." "He has more feelings for you than he does for her." "Now, you need to think about that." "you all right?" "I was worried about you." "Did something happen?" "like what?" "Let's just get some sleep." "No." "No, no, you finish it up." "What do you want to -- what do you want to accuse me of?" "I wasn't accusing you." "Carl." "all right, boy, go get you some of that mud." "No!" "don't tell me no." "I'm your daddy." "I'll make you eat that mud." "whatcha doing, grandma?" "Whatcha giving my baby?" "What'd you put in there?" "I know." "He's like,"I'm gonna have this in a bottle."" "That's what you did when you were little." "oh, little Johnny, that's not a good toy." "Francis, come play!" "sweetie?" "Oh, no." "Is she okay?" "Yeah, I think she's fine." "Oh, no, sweetheart, nothing to cry about." "No, you look beautiful." "Come on, let's go inside." "Watch out, guys." "So, come on, you guys, let's go inside." "We're leaving?" "Yeah, maybe." "Let's get her cleaned up." "who told you you could come over here?" "you are nothing but trouble." "Now get." "they're all gone." "I didn't push her." "I know." "I can't do that, miss Blanton." "It'd break the boy's heart." "People always think they're more important than they really are." "He might could find a nice family -- a mama and a daddy." "I take good care of him." "He too old for a family to adopt now." "Now, you don't know that." "Look, I got nothing against the boy." "None of this is his fault." "But I seen it too many times." "The apple don't fall far from the tree." "And whoever his parents are..." "We know they must've been good for nothing..." "To not even want their own flesh and blood." "my son said that you haven't paid your rent in three months." "come on, let's get in line." "Where are we going, mama?" "I told you." "I got an appointment." "you're taking me back?" "Shh!" "Calm down, Francis." "It's for your own good!" "I'm getting old, and my health's not so good." "They'll place you with a nice, young family that'll take better care of you!" "But, mom, i-i can" "I can help you with anything, everything!" "Don't, Francis!" "Please let me stay!" "Francis!" "Francis!" "That boy okay?" "Is he okay?" "Maddie!" "Maddie!" "Francis, are you okay?" "He's fine." "W-what have you done to him?" "I didn't touch him!" "He fell!" "Don't let her send me away!" "What?" "!" "She wants to give me back!" "Is that true?" "!" "I have to!" "I said I would!" "Why, mom?" "What did I do?" "I'll help you with Johnny, and I'll help you with the farm." "Okay, okay." "Oh, y-you're not going anywhere, okay, Francis?" "You belong with us." "I'll take him." "Please let me stay!" "I ain't gonna send him away!" "okay, it's okay." "okay." "We got to leave whitewright, though." "Momma"b" don't like the boy." "Did she put you up to this?" "I'll talk to her." "Johnny?" "Johnny?" "What's going on?" "!" "What's going on?" "Are you all right?" "Where's momma"b"?" "What's going on?" "Uh..." "What?" "Mrs Blanton?" "What?" "She's had a severe stroke." "she's unable to talk." "We don't know how much she can understand." "it doesn't look good." ""lord is my shepherd." ""I shall not want." ""When we make the lord our shepherd," ""we want for nothing." ""He makes me lie down in green pastures." ""He leads me beside the still waters." ""He restores my soul." ""He leads me in the paths of righteousness" ""for his name's sake." ""Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death," ""i will fear no evil." "For you are with me." ""Praise god." "The lord can be with you." ""Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me" ""all the days of my life." "And I will dwell in the house of the lord forever."" "And for momma"b," there's no difference in that one." "Lord, we thank you for today." "I suppose you're glad now." "You can have everything the way you want it." "What?" "Yeah, now that momma's gone." "You don't mean that." "Do you want to go for a ride?" "We haven't done that in a long time." "Isabelle can watch Johnny." "My mom was born in this house." "She spent her whole life here." "The farthest she ever went was Dallas." "She didn't want to go anywhere." "How do you know what she wanted?" "!" "Don't go, Carl, not tonight." "come here." "What are you doing up?" "Nothing." "how come Mr. Blanton doesn't come at night anymore?" "how are you feeling, mama?" "Can I get you anything?" "Get me some ice, honey." "Thank you." "I'm gonna go help Maddie now, unless you need me." "No, go on." "I'll be all right." "Hey, Maddie." "Is Carl doing all right?" "You know, wade said that he didn't show up to work yesterday." "Or the day before." "He didn't?" "Oh." "Hi, Francis!" "Hey, there!" "How was school?" "I didn't know you had two boys, Maddie." "Oh, um, this is isabelle's son." "They live behind us." "Oh, that's right." "He's that orphan boy." "My, fine-looking young man." "mm." "Thank you, Francis." "yeah, oh!" "such a gentleman." "Daddy!" "Johnny!" "Maddie, Maddie, mama can't breathe!" "That was the sheriff." "They're gonna put Francis into a foster home." "unless we want him." "Carl?" "forget it." "What if he did more chores in the evening?" "You've seen how good he is with the animals." "Never find anybody better." "Besides, Johnny's crazy about him." "Break his heart for Francis to go." "Well, he ain't no kin to me, and I ain't running no mission here." "I could move my salon out into the trailer, and Francis could have that room." "No, we still got to rent that out." "Old what's-her-name is gone." "We still got to have some rent coming in." "There's a stipend for foster parents." "How much?" "hey." "I brought you some supper." "Why don't you save that for later?" "This is already hot." "Thank you." "I talked to the sheriff today." "Um, did you talk about where I was going next?" "We talked about that." "What if you could stay here with us?" "Until I get a foster family?" "What if we were your foster family?" "You and Mr. Blanton?" "You'd have to keep up with your chores around the farm, and..." "And you'd stay living out here in the trailer." "But you'd have supper with us every night, and you'd keep going to school, and everything would be just like it is now." "Except for isabelle, I mean." "Y-you don't have to decide right now." "You can take your time, and you can think about it." "No, I know already." "I want to stay." "Are you sure?" "Mr. Blanton is not the easiest man to be around, and Johnny can pester you to death." "It's the best place I've ever been." "Nobody has treated me nicer than you." "excuse me, sir." "What?" "Can I give it a try?" "yeah." "Be my guest." "lemonade?" "Francis, get me a beer out of the truck." "No, I'll get it." "I said Francis." "He's not your servant, Carl." "He lives on my land." "He's whatever I say he is." "I said go!" "Don't push him!" "go on inside, Francis." "He's not gonna hurt me." "It's just talk." "Go on." "I went to the bank and talked to Mr. Seymour today." "What?" "He called." "He said he wanted both of us, but you weren't here." "A-anyway, he said we hadn't made any payments since march." "them bastards, it ain't enough I can't just work the farm." "I got to work another job." "Still, it ain't enough." "Wade's wife said you didn't go in last week." "You know, I knew I should never have let you start cutting hair!" "Ain't a business!" "That's just an excuse for women in this town to get together and gossip!" "What are we gonna do now that we have to make payments on the truck, too?" "You don't worry about it." "I'll take care of that." "How?" "Did you not hear what I said?" "!" "I'll take care of it!" "Don't you be taking anymore bank meetings without me!" "This is my farm." "Been in my family for over 100 years, and I can take care of it without you." "I don't need you telling me what to do." "you graduate yet, Francis?" "Uh, uh, yes, ma'am, uh, just this past may." "Guess you'll be going off to college then." "Fort worth maybe?" "No, no, gonna stay on the farm and work with the Blantons." "Stop calling me"ma'am."" "You'll make me feel like an old lady." "Is this second cutting?" "Kind of looks like first." "Oh." "That's the wrong stuff." "That's maynard's hay." "This is yours over here, just waiting for you." "All right." "you got any more little jobs for me?" "You're just as lazy as mazy grace over there." "Oh, mazy grace is no fool." "Slow as molasses, too." "You should've been done two hours ago." "Look what I got you." "What?" "think she likes you." "Oh, it tickles." "tickles!" "Francis, we're gonna need to get in there and tie him to get him weighed and tagged." "Yes, sir." "you're not gonna sell brownie, are you?" "did you hear that?" "You made that kid soft." "hey, billy!" "Let's go, boy!" "We're leaving!" "Francis!" "I'm so glad you're here." "I think I locked my keys in the car." "uh, uh-oh." "Um... maybe we could find a coat hanger or something." "No, no, no." "Don't worry about it." "Raoul will get it tomorrow." "Right now, I just " "I want to get out of these clothes and take a nice hot bath." "Would it be..." "Out of your way if you drove me home?" "Oh, no, no." "N-no problem at all." "It's all good?" "Yeah." "I can't believe you're just 18." "Yep, turned 18 in april." "Mm!" "My ex-husband bob's birthday is in april." "Taurus the bull." "that's him, all right." "Francis?" "You drive like an old lady." "Come on, let's see what this old truck can do!" "I like a good breeze!" "It's kind of old." "It can't really do much." "You might be surprised." "Um, you got any cigarettes?" "Uh..." "Uh, no, I don't -- I don't really smoke." "Ah." "I quit." "so..." "Is this -- is this you?" "That's it." "how about a beer for your trouble?" "Oh, uh look at you." "I didn't think there were boys out there that still blushed." "I'm not blushing." "I'm not." "you got a girlfriend, hon?" "No." "Well, I'll bet you could have your pick." "There was a time when I had my pick, too." "I picked bob." "You have the most beautiful eyes." "What color are they?" "Um..." "Green." "Um, i-i should probably get going." "Okay." "Yeah." "yeah, it's late." "Um..." "Good night." "good night." "I don't care." "You said it would be here." "Now get it here." "do not sugarcoat it for him, darling." "any good at the auction today?" "hell, Francis brought back a couple of herefords, and they are beauties, too." "I'll tell you what, he may shape up to be a decent hand." "Well, he's all hands if you ask me." "What?" "Did -- did Francis make some kind of move on you?" "Does he still live in that trailer behind your house?" "Yeah." "Why?" "Well, now I know why Maddie doesn't mind you being gone all the time." "What did you say?" "Nothin'." "No, say it." "Look, I got to get some work done around here." "where's Francis?" "You sent him for supplies." "All done." "It looks great." "Thank you, Maddie." "You're welcome." "Thank you." "is something going on?" "I don't know." "Why don't you tell me?" "I-i don't know what you mean." "I think it's time Francis moved along." "M-moved along?" "Why?" "!" "he's old enough." "Make his own way." "Francis is keeping this farm going, Carl!" "I keep this farm going." "I know that." "It's just that he's such a hard worker." "What has he done?" "You seem to want him to stay pretty bad." "He's lived with us since he was a boy." "He's family!" "No." "He's not family." "And now..." "He's history." "I won't let you do this!" "We can't just send him away for no reason!" "He'll be devastated!" "Why are you doing this?" "!" "Do you hear yourself?" "Look at you." "I think you're in love with him." "What?" "where are you going with that?" "Don't " " I'll " " I'll tell him he has to go!" "I'll tell him to go." "He'll go." "He best be gone come the morning." "you have to go away." "What?" "Why?" "Wh -- what did I do?" "You didn't do anything." "It's him, isn't it?" "It's Carl?" "what if I just work for room and board?" "That'll just make it worse." "Look, I know this is hard to understand right now, but later, you're gonna see it's for the best." "you need to find your own way." "Is farming even what you want to do?" "Maybe you'd rather live in the city." "You're young, and you shouldn't feel tied down to anything." "I don't feel tied down." "I want to stay." "We've all come to rely on you too much, and maybe I've been the most guilty of that." "do you trust me?" "More than anyone." "Then do this for me and know it's the right thing." "Here, take this." "I don't want it." "Please take it." "I don't want your money." "* lost inside this starry night * * these walls are dark and gray * * paralyzed and caught inside * it never goes away * ooh, ooh, ooh * colors fade to black and white * * ooh, ooh, ooh" "* somehow I know it'll be all right * * ooh, ooh, ooh * if only I could turn back time * * ooh, I've tried" "* I'm not gonna say goodbye" "* I'm not gonna say goodbye * this emptiness is deafening * how long will this take?" "* Is this what you thought it'd be?" "*" "* I'm about to break hot today now." "you're a little quiet this morning." "Couldn't help but notice that Francis was headed for town." "Any ideas where he might be going?" "Oh, I guess it doesn't really matter anyway." "I figure what I'll do..." "I'll just put me in a ad for a new hand." "Of course, I wouldn't go expecting another young, pretty one was I you." "how dare you say that to me, Carl!" "What?" "Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!" "How dare you say that to me!" "Hold up, hold up!" "Wait, I am sorry." "Okay?" "look, hey." "I won't ever say it again." "* ooh, I've tried" "* I'm not gonna say goodbye" "* I'm not gonna say goodbye * this emptiness is deafening * how long will this take?" "* Is this what you thought it'd be?" "*" "* I'm about to break * ooh, ooh, ooh * the colors fade to black and white * * ooh, ooh, ooh * somehow I know it'll be all right * * ooh, ooh, ooh" "* if only I could turn back time * * ooh, ooh, ooh * god only knows that I've tried * * ooh, ooh, ooh * this life we live is paper-thin * * ooh, ooh, ooh" "* wonder what it could've been * ooh, ooh, ooh" "* I'm too afraid to choose a side *" "* I can't lie * not gonna say goodby-y-y-y-e" "* I'm not gonna say goodby-y-y-y-e *" "* I'm not gonna say goodby-y-y-y-e *" "* I'm not gonna say goodbye * ooh, ooh, ooh hi." "Uh, how are you doing?" "I'm " " I'm here to see Mr. Verret about the ranch job." "Oh, uh, daddy's up at north end." "He'll be back at noon if you want to wait." "Uh, maybe I'm just gonna head that direction." "* know there's reasons in this life * * that'll never be explained * when the colors fade from black to white * * it'll never be the same" "well, this guy looks like he needs a job." "Never seen him before." "can I help you?" "I'm looking for a Mr. Jim verret." "Well, you found him." "I'm Francis riley." "I'm here about the ranch job." "This is my foreman, luis alvarez." "Where are you from, Francis?" "Whitewright." "It's outside of sherman." "I worked on a small ranch out there." "How many head?" "Uh, 10, sir." "well, son, we got over 1,000 here." "I'm a hard worker, sir, and a fast learner." "why'd you leave where you were?" "A personal matter." "I assure you, it had nothing to do with the quality of work I was doing." "I'll tell you what." "Let's try each other out for a few days, see how it goes." "Pay's $150 a week, plus room and board." "There's a bunkhouse you'll share with the other hands." "It's not too private, but it's air-conditioned." "That sounds just fine, sir." "Thank you." "Why don't you throw your stuff in the back?" "We'll give you a ride." "Yes, sir." "whitewright." "yah!" "* now the moon shines tonight on pretty red wing * * the breeze is sighing * the night bird's crying * for afar 'neath his star, her brave is sleeping * * while red wing's weeping" "* her heart away" "Francis." "What are you doing out here?" "Figured you'd be in town on your day off." "Yeah, I was just checking out this little patch of land here." "it's a nice piece of land." "bet you got all sort of plans for it, huh?" "Not really." "Sometimes I just come out here." "Place to think." "I had a place like that back home." "Down by this creek." "You know, I was wondering, uh..." "Figuring those, uh, pecos melons " "I mean, they bring in some pretty good prices, and, uh, I mean, I've seen what they do, and, uh, the river's close enough where you can build an irrigation system right through here." "Hell, you're talking about a lot of work." "I'd only fool around with it when I was done with my chores." "I mean, maybe we could split the profits one way or another, oh, however you think fair." "I'll tell you what." "You do the work on your own time, and you can keep it all." "Thank you, sir." "Not gonna leave you much time for recreation." "I don't really like having any free time on my hands." "yeah." "You know, when gina's mother died," "I worked this ranch every day from sunup to sundown." "I hit that pillow, and I'd fall asleep right away." "Didn't want to lie there thinking about anything." "your folks live in whitewright?" "Uh, I don't really have any folks." "I had a, uh, family I was living with before I came here." "Uh..." "This woman, Maddie..." "Her son, Johnny, husband, Carl." "Guess they were about the closest thing" "I've ever had to family." "uh, things change." "That they do." "thank you." "Come on back." "Yes, sir." "* smile, a smile to remember * * a spark before the ember * * no * * it cannot have, it cannot hold * * realize we're all alone * hi." "Uh, uh, i-I'm sorry." "I didn't mean to bother." "I just heard the music." "You like it?" "* Reds and greens * yeah * and blues and yellows * it's pretty." "* Were falling'all around * sad, though." "I like being sad sometimes." "* Felt the air * * was cool with springtime * so, um..." "What were you thinking about..." "* Well, I couldn't hear a sound * ...Standing there with your eyes closed?" "You..." "Shouldn't ask questions like that." "* Wait * unless you..." "Really want to know the answer." "* Hold it in in company * it's none of my business." "No, no, it's all right." "* No * just surprised is all." "Most of the time," "I can barely get two words out of you." "Well, most of the time, it takes me till the next day to think what I ought to say." "* it doesn't matter anyway * * reds and greens and blues and yellows * when I was standing here with my eyes closed..." "* Were falling all around * * felt the air * * was cool with springtime * I was thinking about you." "* I couldn't hear a sound * I should probably go." "Yeah, yeah, uh, yeah." "hey." "Hi." "Looks like you got a green thumb." "yeah, they're doing all right." "Have you thought about what I said the other night?" "Well, you could say that." "Haven't really thought about much else." "* I couldn't hear a sound * it was such a perfect plan * it was such a perfect plan it's okay." "* Only you could understand I don't need to know now." "* It was such a perfect plan * it was such a perfect plan * could've slipped right through my hand * * reds and greens and blues and yellows * * were falling all around" "up to more than $9,000." "What are your plans with that money?" "'Cause we have some investment opportunities you could..." "You all done?" "Never mind." "I think I know." "Uh... all those got the pinkeye." "Francis." "Dude." "What are you doing here?" "Well, Mr. Smith's getting in the angus business." "So, uh, you working out here now?" "Yeah, yeah, a little ways outside of town." "How is everything at home -- you know, wife, kids?" "Oh, yeah, man, it's good." "Really good." "Guess you heard about Carl?" "No." "What?" "Bought it, man." "Driving half drunk, flipped the car twice." "Out on the curve on 297." "You remember." "He's dead?" "Yeah." "Was anybody with him?" "Maddie." "She's all right, man." "A.J., We got to go!" "what are you doing back so soon?" "What is it?" "Um, i-i think I need to go home." "Home?" "Maddie was in an accident." "Is she all right?" "I-i don't know." "I mean, Carl's dead." "Well, you go ahead then." "Take the truck." "Uh, i-i don't know if I'm gonna be back in a week or six months." "I'm real sorry to leave you shorthanded." "I won't say I don't mind losing you, but you do what you got to do." "You always have a place here." "Just bring the truck back." "Call us and let us know everything's all right." "Yes, sir." "uh..." "Guess you heard?" "I'm gonna miss you, gina." "I'd wait for you..." "If I thought you wanted me to." "don't." "I took something that wasn't mine." "uh, yeah, cindy, I'll call you back." "Someone's here." "I-I'm looking for Maddie." "Maddie Blanton and her son, Johnny." "And who might you be?" "Where is she?" "Maddie?" "!" "Maddie?" "!" "Mary ann -- kathy." "Oh." "is Maddie okay?" "Francis?" "I hardly recognized you." "Is she dead?" "No." "She's better." "She's in the hospital." "And Johnny -- is Johnny okay?" "Johnny's fine." "He wasn't even in the car." "I'm sorry if I was rude." "I just didn't know what to think when I saw a stranger here." "Mary ann's no stranger, Francis." "You remember here -- Carl's niece." "The girl that did cartwheels." "Mm-hmm." "mm." "Mm." "Um, i-I'm looking for Maddie Blanton." "She's in this room right here, sir." "Thank you." "Francis?" "You came." "Don't move." "Don't move." "are you hurt bad?" "A few broken ribs." "Oh, you'll mend up just fine." "I'm real sorry to hear about Mr. Blanton." "Tell me about what you've been doing." "Where you've been staying." "I'm working on a ranch in pottsboro outside of denison." "Let me bring these closer." "Are people nice at the ranch?" "Yeah." "Yeah, they've been real good to me." "Can you stay a few days?" "Oh, more than that." "Stay as long as you want me to." "Hey, mama, I " "Francis?" "So you haven't forgotten your old buddy?" "how can I forget your ugly, old face?" "Well, uh, I'm back and ready to carry out all your wishes." "Just like I used to." "hey, mama." "You have mama laughing again." "That's good enough for me." "I'm real sorry about your dad." "oh, he was drunk." "You know..." "When it happened..." "I'm just glad it was him that died and not mama." "There's mary ann." "That's her friend cindy." "The guy she's with, her boyfriend, ricky." "What's wrong with ricky?" "Ah, he's all right, I guess." "And how long has she been living with y'all?" "About a year maybe." "She wouldn't get along with aunt betty, so they asked daddy if she'd stay with us a while." "He got her a job at miss vera's place." "how you doing, Mr. Dyre?" "You back at the Blanton's place?" "Uh, yes, sir." "shame about old Carl." "I'll put this on their account." "Uh, actually, I'm gonna take care of it now if you don't mind." "Don't mind a bit." "you've been busy." "No, just trying to make the place look nice for when Maddie comes home." "They say when?" "Uh..." "Just a few -- few more days." "You're gonna stick around for a while?" "Long as I can be of help." "I'm sorry, Francis." "It's just business is business." "We've been carrying this loan for a long time." "You know, now with Carl gone... well, I'm sorry..." "Francis." "you're home." "Thank you." "For what?" "Making everything so nice." "Being here makes me feel like everything's gonna be all right." "Everything is gonna be okay, Maddie." "Doesn't matter anymore anyway." "Bank's gonna own everything come the first of the month." "Let 'em have it." "But this farm is Johnny's due." "I don't have any choice, Francis." "I can't pay it." "I can." "I did." "What?" "While I was away, I saved up." "And you gave up all your savings for this farm?" "Not all of it." "Just paper was due -- brought it up to date." "And what about next month, Francis?" "I can't run this farm!" "I don't want to run this farm alone!" "You don't have to run this farm alone." "I'll be here." "You shouldn't have done that without talking to me first." "I'm the only one that has a right to make a decision like that for Johnny and me!" "Oh." "Welcome home, aunt Maddie." "Mary ann." "I know that -- I shouldn't " "I know that you had the best intentions and you were just trying to help." "Oh, you know, I shouldn't have gone and took over like that." "It wasn't my place." "It's just that I can't let myself be dependent on you." "That's not fair to anybody." "Besides, you need to be thinking about having your own house someday." "Your own farm and your own family." "Well, I guess I kind of..." "Thought of you and Johnny as my family." "Oh, Francis..." "Can't you see how easy it would be for me to just let you take over?" "And how unfair that would be?" "Why is that unfair if that's what I want?" "Because you need to have your own life." "And I need to learn how to live mine without depending on someone else." "Okay." "Let me just help you get back on your feet." "Just till then." "I'd better go." "hey." "What are you still doing up?" "I want to talk to you." "Oh." "I see." "I want to ask your help around the house while Maddie's getting well." "I'm gonna see to the farm, but I can't do it alone." "Well, you stay out late, and you sleep till noon." "That leaves all the work for her." "Look, I'm not asking for myself." "I'm asking for her." "Can I count on you?" "Are you always this..." "Serious?" "look at that." "He smiles." "You know, I'm not trying to be a hard-ass." "I just -- okay." "you know..." "I remember you..." "When I used to come up here with mama and daddy." "Even as a little boy, you were always so..." "Solemn." "And you were always either giggling or crying your eyes out." "well, I guess nothing much has changed then, huh?" "Guess not." "you know, it's getting late." "We'd better get to bed." "Yeah." "Well, good night." "oh, oh!" "Come on, I'm coming for you." "Francis!" "Damn it!" "You're a cheater!" "wait, what about... mary ann." "Vera." "Well..." "Howdy, stranger." "Long time, no see." "You got that hay?" "It's out back." "Raoul will help you with it." "Funny how he shows up right after Carl, right after the accident." "What do you mean?" "With Carl out of the way, he and Maddie can carry on all they want." "Francis and Maddie?" "Why else would he pay off her debts?" "She's too old for him." "Not all men still like 'em in their diapers, honey." "You can't blame him." "Look, your uncle, he was good to me." "I miss him like the dickens, but he led Maddie a dog's life." "I do not blame her for giving a second look at Francis." "I looked him over myself once." "so that's why he's not interested in anything else." "Here you go." "hey." "Vera keeping you busy down there?" "Busy enough." "Vera told me why you had to leave." "She said uncle Carl found out about you and Maddie." "What about me and Maddie?" "Just that now that uncle Carl's out of the way you're -- all right, that's enough!" "Let go of me." "You listen to me." "Look, I know why vera's got a grudge against Maddie." "I mean, you, I don't understand." "Maddie treats you like her own daughter." "Now, you say whatever you want about me, but you leave Maddie out of it." "Mary ann?" "what's wrong?" "Nothin'." "Were you and mary ann arguing?" "No, we were just discussing something." "I think I know what's going on." "Nothing would make me happier than if you and mary -- that is not what's going on." "I seen the way you are with her, all gruff, and I know it's just a cover." "I know you too well." "Sometimes I catch her..." "Looking out of the window at you, day-dreaming." "Look, mary ann..." "She's not my type." "So if she's interested in me, that's her tough luck." "oh, you're up early." "You'll be happy to hear that you and Francis..." "And Johnny will have the house all to yourselves soon." "I'm moving out." "Moving?" "Where?" "Ricky wants us to get married and move to corpus." "He put a deposit down on an apartment over there." "It's right by the water." "We're gonna move in may." "You're marrying ricky?" "Why do you say it like that?" "Something wrong with ricky?" "No, honey." "It's just so sudden." "I thought that " "mary ann?" "I'm in here." "Oh." "Hello, Maddie." "Vera." "What do you think of mary ann's dress, miss Blanton?" "Isn't it pretty?" "It's lovely." "What's that?" "Oh, um..." "I thought maybe Mrs. Duval could sew your dress." "I didn't realize you already bought one." "Vera got it for me in Dallas." "Oh." "Well, I got to get back to the shop." "I will see you later, honey." "Thank you, vera." "Oh!" "You are gonna be beautiful!" "I got to go, too." "Bye." "Call you later." "could you, um..." "Unzip me?" "This must've been so expensive, mary ann." "Are you sure you should accept such a gift from vera?" "You'd have me wear some old dowdy thing that Mrs. Duval would sew?" "I wouldn't wear these..." "To my funeral." "Much less to my wedding." "Mary ann..." "You don't seem very happy for someone who's about to get married." "Just because you screwed up your life, aunt Maddie..." "Doesn't mean you know anything about mine." "so, I heard a joke at school today." "A baptist preacher walks up to a good old boy from texas and says,"sir, do you believe in infant baptism?"" "He says,"believe in it?" "Hell, I've seen it done."" "what?" "Forget it." "What were you and mary ann arguing about the other day in the yard?" "Nothin'." "there's been some talk." "about you and me." "That's why Carl sent me away, isn't it?" "He heard something." "I don't care what other people say." "You and I know what's true." "I got to go put this out." "* we pushed the lumber through the ripping saw * * we checked the folks out at the shopping mall * * we put the primer on the rich man's deck * * we hanged the dry wall like the contractor said *" "* the days go by, and the children grow * * we've got ahold, but sometimes we let go * * but now and then, you got to let the reel unwind * * and meet your buddies on a saturday night and say *" "* hey, y'all * hey, y'all * it's good to be here * hey, y'all * hey, y'all" "* I'm happy that we're * hanging out * ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh * yeah, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh * * let's get the grill out, pour the fluid on *" "* let's get the girlies dancing to their song * * let the kids go crazy like a bunch of wild injuns * * it's been too long since we had this little bit of fun * * it ain't that often god makes days like these *" "* the breeze goes easy through the swaying trees * * the trucks pull up all full of our old friends * * they all pile out laughing and then say * * hey, y'all * hey, y'all" "* it's good to be here * hey, y'all * hey, y'all * so happy they're there" "ladies, it is time for the bouquet!" "come on, Maddie." "Oh, no, I'm not." "* let the ladies sing to us * everybody's just gonna throw * * like before we were born, after we are gone * * you'll have the chance to sing on this fine day *" "* makes you want to stand up on the trailer and say * * hey, y'all * hey, y'all * it's good to be here * hey, y'all * hey, y'all * hey, lee, throw me a beer" "* I'm running out here * hey, y'all * hey, y'all * it's good to be here * come on, come on, come on, come on * * hey, y'all" "* hey, y'all" "* I'm glad that we're here" "* and fairy tales * * mention venus and wishing wells *" "* I'm not the kind of guy * * who looks into a crystal ball * * well, your kiss has changed it all * this is silly -- a woman my age with all these beautiful, young girls around." "* And the stars * they don't hold a candle to you." "* Are there for the light * * and they all line up when I'm holding you tight * * you take me to a world full of make-believe * * and my heart is telling me * you're my cinderella dreams come true *" "* there's no one on earth to compare you to * * at the stroke of midnight you'll be here by my side * * my cinderella dreams come true *" "* once upon a time excuse me." "Hey." "What?" "How dare you on my wedding day." "What?" "!" "You and Francis." "What, you think nobody noticed how y'all were looking at each other?" "Wh-what do you mean?" "You know exactly what I mean." "And so does everybody else." "You know, aunt Maddie..." "I used to think you were so good." "You had everybody fooled." "That's enough." "You don't ever talk that way to Maddie again." "You hear me?" "Now we're going home." "Johnny, we're going." "think I'm going away for a while." "For my sake?" "Maybe for my own." "I got it, teresa." "Brought your truck back." "I see that." "You back for good?" "No, just back." "You know, when we didn't hear from you, we didn't know what to think." "I thought you were gone for good." "I'm sorry." "Is, uh..." "Gina home?" "She's out back." "Francis." "My daughter's not as tough as she makes out to be." "I understand, sir." "I hope you do, son." "She means the world to me." "look at her -- such a flirt." "I'm sorry about the way I left." "Thought about calling you a hundred times." "I never meant to hurt you." "I know." "Is Maddie all right?" "Yeah." "Yeah, she, uh..." "She held up real good." "What are you doing here?" "I don't " " I don't know." "Think your dad will take me back on?" "He'd love it." "You know that." "What about you?" "Yeah." "Yeah, I'm thinking of heading out to marfa, alpine maybe." "why are you running away from her?" "Away from who?" "Does she know?" "does Maddie know that you're in love with her?" "are you ashamed?" "No." "No, no." "She raised me, gina." "She's like my mother." "But she's not your mother." "I don't think other people see it that way." "Who cares?" "Have you asked her?" "Ask her." "thank you, gina." "I mean that." "Good luck." "I mean that." "you hear we're going to a game on friday in mason?" "They're gonna take us on the bus." "They're a"aaa" school, so technically, we shouldn't even be playing 'em." "You heard from mary ann?" "They got a place in corpus." "She got a job at the dry cleaner's." "She like it?" "I think she's glad to be away from here." "Oh, no, no." "Save that for later." "I want to talk to you about something." "Come take a walk with me." "this is where I saw you for the first time." "remember?" "That's where we were when you told me I had to go away." "I don't ever want to leave you again, Maddie." "Francis, you -- wait, d-don't shut me up." "I might not ever be able to get up the courage again." "I've been in love with you my entire life." "I mean, I didn't even know it myself till I heard it said." "I think you're just feeling indebted to me." "You're mixing up duty and love." "I know the difference." "If it's the gossip " "I don't give a damn about what anybody else thinks." "The way I feel about you..." "Has nothing to do with duty, with h-honor, with anybody else." "I love you, Maddie." "I love you the way a man loves a woman." "And I want to marry you." "I want to take care of you and Johnny." "you think you'd ever love me that way?" "Oh, Francis." "Are you sure?" "Oh, I'm sure." "You might regret it later when I'm old." "How could I ever regret loving you?" "you love me, too, or you wouldn't be crying right now." "mama and Francis got married at the creek." "And I was the best man." "people talked for a while." "It was unusual." "But they forgot about it pretty soon." "They went back to their own lives." "After a while..." "It seemed to everybody like Francis and Maddie had been husband and wife forever." "* there once was an indian maid * * a shy little prairie maid * * who sang a lay, a love song gay * * on the plains she'd while away the day * * she loved a warrior bold" "* this shy little maid of old * * but brave and gay, he rode one day * * to a battle far away" "* now the moon shines tonight on pretty red wing * * the breeze is sighing * the night bird's crying * for afar 'neath his star her brave is sleeping * * while red wing's weeping her heart away *" "* she watched for him day and night * * and kept all the campfires bright * * and under the sky each night she would lie * * and dream about his coming by and by * * but when all the braves did return *" "* the heart of red wing yearned * * for far, far away her warrior gay * * fell bravely in the fray * now the moon shines tonight on pretty red wing * * the breeze is sighing * the night birds crying" "* for afar 'neath his star her brave is sleeping * * while red wing's weeping her heart away * * mm-mm-mm"