04x03 - Yak Sada

[bunniefuu]

The old shingle's out again.

I got a counseling session scheduled.

I'm back in business!

Oh, that's great, honey.

I think it's too soon.

It's been three weeks since your heart att*ck.

Oh, yes, it's way too soon.

You know how talking to two almost newlyweds puts a strain on the heart.

I'm going to drop the kids off at school, run by the market, but I'll be back by the time the twins are awake again to take them off your hands before your session starts.

Market or not, I'm more than happy to get the twins fed and dressed.

I just... I just can't wait for this counseling session.

It makes me feel alive to be working again.

Well, good for you, but just don't work too hard.

Oh, no, no. I wouldn't want to be too alive.

Mom. Mom. When are we going to replace the station wagon?

When we have the time, when we get the doctor bills paid...

But, until then, move it.

We've got places to go, people to meet, groceries to buy.

Hey, I'm glad I caught you.

Could you drop by Shana's apartment? Something's up.

I don't know what, but it's something serious because Shana's not talking.

Gee. Could I?

I'm not going to just show up at Shana's door and try to weasel something out of her she's chosen not to talk about.

I'm not stupid.

I won't have you just show up.

I told her you'd hem this for her and drop it off.

When does Shana need the skirt?

Lunchtime. Lunchtime.

Today?

Yeah. She's got some big interview.

The secret is the "with whom" part.

Don't you want to know the "with whom" part?

I want to hem this skirt by lunchtime today less.

You are a bad, bad son.

Run up to my bedroom and grab the sewing basket, and throw it in the car as we're backing out.

Don't you ever use that look on me again.

Oh.

Thank you.

♪ 7th Heaven ♪

♪ When I see their happy faces ♪

♪ Smiling back at me ♪

♪ 7th Heaven ♪

♪ I know there's no greater feeling ♪

♪ Than the love of family ♪

♪ Where can you go ♪

♪ When the world don't treat you right? ♪

♪ The answer is home ♪

♪ That's the one place that you'll find ♪

♪ 7th Heaven ♪

♪ Mmm, 7th Heaven ♪

♪ 7th Heaven. ♪

Annie, this is so nice of you.

I have an interview this morning, and I wanted to wear a skirt, and that's the only skirt I have that's not something I'd wear to a wedding.

Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no, no.

Can I use your phone?

Yeah. Sure.

Yeah, you know, I'm sure Annie will be back any minute.

Or not.

Hello.

Are your counselees there?

Yeah. Are you okay?

Matt asked me to drop by and help Shana with something, and your counseling session just went right out of my head.

I'm so sorry.

I'll be right there.

They're fine.

I'm fine. Everybody's fine.

Are you sure? I can be there in ten minutes.

No, I'm sure that, that Ryan and Jessica won't mind and, you know, I don't have anything else scheduled for today, so just take your time.

Yeah, I know, I promise.

Yes, I promise.

Okay, I'll see you later.

Love you, too.

Ah... sorry for the inconvenience.

These things happen when you've got seven kids.

Where's Annie?

Uh, she's with a friend.

My mom would never have left babies alone with my dad.

Oh... why's that?

She just wouldn't.

Okay, what about your mom?

Uh, well... Probably.

But her mom and dad divorced when she was just a little kid.

So we know firsthand that marriage is an endangered institution.

And we plan to stick to the traditional values that we talked about in your class to make sure that our marriage works.

You know, like you said, the husband has to be responsible for providing for the family.

Uh, I believe I said "parents."

The, the parents-- or parent, as the case may be, has to be responsible for providing for the family.

Of course, uh, those responsibilities can be divided up in any number of ways, depending on what the couple doing the dividing wants.

Jessica will be responsible for cooking and cleaning and laundry and child care.

And I will be responsible for bringing home the paycheck, deciding how that money is spent, and when it's time for us to have children.

These are pretty traditional division of responsibilities, not much different from the way that you and Annie do things.

You think that's what Annie and I do?

Yes. Yes.

Okay.

I have to admit that the division of labor around here has been a little off lately, but, you see, that's because of my heart att*ck.

When I was in, and when I get back to fighting form, do whatever's necessary, whenever necessary, and, when applicable, to whomever necessary.

Hmm. Right?

Thank you so much for doing this.

I know how busy you are.

It's okay.

You said something about an interview?

I'd really rather wait and see how it turns out and then let you know all the details if that's okay.

Oh, it's absolutely okay.

I'll just grab the milk that I put in your fridge and hit the road. I'll get it.

Are you okay, Annie?

I-I'm fine.

Thanks.

So what if you're better than the other girls?

Other girls?

You know what I mean.

I know exactly what you mean.

You talked me into signing up for Home Ec so we could have a class together, but it never occurred to me that I'd be the only guy in the class.

Okay, so it did occur to me, and I didn't exactly mind the idea because I'm in touch with my female side and, well, you know.

But I never thought I'd be so good at cooking that the girls would treat me like one of them.

One of you.

You know what I mean.

Listen, if it bugs you that much, transfer out to... woodshop.

You can't transfer without a note.

My mom already said no and my dad'll say the same thing if I ask him.

Besides, I-I told them I was doing this so I could flex my culinary muscles.

They probably knew you were lying then because that sounds like a lie, so you should just be straight with them now.

You'd rather be in woodshop because there are more guys in there.

And wood.

Men love wood.

The smell of wood, the look of wood.

The way it looks when it's varnished, the way it crackles in a fire.

The way it can be as flexible and airy as a piece of kite paper or as solid and unyielding as the oak hull of a mighty Viking ship.

Yep, wood is the substance of our lives, you know.

You're a freak.

All right, I've got to get back to work this afternoon, and we've got a lot of other things to do this morning besides this.

This is the most important thing you have to do before your wedding.

There's still a lot of issues left to resolve before you two stand up in front of your families and friends and promise to be together for the rest of your lives.

After we're married, we'll have the rest of our lives to talk about those things.

Now, I don't mean to be insensitive here, but it's not our fault that you had a heart att*ck, which forced us to push these counseling sessions back to just before the wedding.

We haven't even discussed the vows.

Love, honor and obey. What's to discuss?

Well, for one thing, there's that pesky word "obey."

Jump on in here any time you want, Jessica.

Hi.

Everything okay?

Everything's fine.

That guy really bugs me.

You can't be bugged, honey. You can't.

Deep breath.

He still bugs me, but in a philosophical kind of way.

I've got to get the twins to Dr. Martin's.

They're due for a check-up.

Routine inspection.

Nothing to worry or be bugged about, okay?

Now, don't you worry or get bugged while I'm gone, okay?

Shana?

What are you doing here?

I-I came by to see if you needed a ride to your interview.

No, you didn't.

You came by to try and nose in on my interview.

Shana, everything all right?

The interview is at your apartment?

What kind of interview is in an apartment? Okay, just remember, I haven't seen him in 20 years.

Haven't seen whom?

Matt, I'd like you to meet m-my dad.

I'll pick Ruthie up from soccer practice.

I'm happy to pick Ruthie up so you can do your homework.

Come on. I, I never get to drive and besides, I, I want to see how Ruthie's doing.

Ruthie said we were not allowed near the field till the first game.

She was very clear about that.

Fine, I won't spy.

Well, spy a little; just don't get caught.

Got it.

And of course, report back to me.

Right.

Did Mary leave? What's wrong?

Oh, nothing's wrong.

I just wanted to go with Mary, uh, to pick up Ruthie.

That's all. Why?

W...if I don't leave now, I'm gonna miss her.

You already have.

You didn't answer my question.

Why do you want to go with your sister so badly?

Oh, I... well, I don't know.

No reason. Hmm.

Yeah, right.

Why didn't you leave your gear in the locker room?

I wanted to show it to you.

Don't I look cool?

Downright frosty.

But how'd you play?

I don't want to brag, but I have moves on the field that I've never seen.

I'll be right back.

Here, nummy-nums, okay?

Hey, how'd the checkups go?

Well, there was a lot less crying than the last time.

Oh, good for you, you're getting braver.

Ha, they're both in the top third of their height and weight percentiles.

That's right.

No "just average" for my boys.

Our boys.

Have you heard about this?

Uh, well, I, I've seen a few things in the paper and on the news.

Uh, a group called the... the Taliban is in power in Afghanistan.

The atrocities they're committing against women in the name of religion are shocking.

The Taliban claims that their practices and policies are fundamentalist Islamic, but, uh, most of their policies are nowhere to be found in Islamic texts.

Look at this.

"Women are dying because very few women are even allowed

"to practice medicine, "and women can't receive care from a male physician.

"They can be beaten in public

"if they're not dressed in a traditional burka, and many women can't even afford one."

"If their feet aren't covered

"or their shoes make a noise, they can be beaten.

"They can't leave the house without a close male relative.

"In fact, they can be beaten for laughing in public...

"and girls are banned from school.

"Abdullahi an-Na'im, a Muslim and US scholar, in an excerpt

"from a Physicians for Human Rights report, said that

"'Human Rights Organizations

"'like Physicians for Human Rights, are condemning

"'these policies and practices

"'from a human rights point of view.

"'Unless Muslims do the same

"'from an Islamic point of view as well, "'the Taliban will get away with their false claim

"'that these heinous crimes against humanity are dictated by Islam as a religion.'"

I don't know whether to be angry about what the Afghan women don't have or grateful for what I do.

There's no reason why you can't be both.

Let me say good night to these guys.

You have to sleep, because when you sleep, you grow.

And the next time we're at the doctor's, we'll rule his little percentile charts, won't we, boys?

Hey, you wanna join me on the front porch?

I'd follow you to the ends of the world.

Well, I fixed that railing this afternoon, but it needs a new coat of paint.

Aren't you tired?

Nah, I love my work.

And even though my dad abandoned my family and has been out of the picture for 20 years, he's still my dad, right?

He seems to be doing well, and he is my dad, so why wouldn't he want to help me, you know?

It's not like I've ever asked him for anything before.

I've been working two jobs since I was 16, and I want to get into med school, and I really think I could if I could just spend a little more time studying and a little less time working.

I hope your dad can help you out.

But?

But who knows?

Could you at least sound hopeful?

I don't want to give you false hope.

What is false hope?

It's when you hope something works out, but there's not much of a chance that it will.

That makes no sense.

Hope is hope, and the hope wasn't false.

It was the real thing.

A person has the right to hope for whatever they wanna hope for.

It doesn't make sense to say a person has the right to hope in some cases and not a right to hope in other cases, especially because those are probably the cases where they need to hope the most.

Okay, false hope is a misnomer.

Thank you.

Uh, it's just that it seems like he's a decent guy despite the past 20 years.

I've refused to marry couples before, but their wedding's next Sunday, and Jessica's a parishioner of mine, so I owe it to her to at least talk to her.

You wouldn't believe how relaxing it is just to paint.

And look, I have an extra brush.

Ryan seemed like a good enough guy in the marriage classes, but then the big day approaches and his head cracks open and a monster crawls out.

I love Indian summer, don't you?

And the smell of night air over the... paint.

Yeah, that's the honeysuckle.

I'm nuts to let this guy get to me.

You're right.

You shouldn't let him get to you.

I'll tell you this much, I'm not gonna spend a week worrying about it; I'm not.

I'll just pick up a phone. I'll call Jessica.

I'll ask her to come over.

I'll explain myself to her. That'll be that.

You don't have to explain yourself to anyone.

Just say no.

Do what the doctor says and use your recent heart att*ck as an excuse not to do all the stressful things that you didn't have to do in the first place.

And if you don't want to marry two people, don't marry them, end of story!

You know, that's a very good point.

Help me paint. It's fun.

I just don't want this woman to ruin her life.

Jessica's going to have to save her own life, and she will.

Okay, you're right.

I appreciate your listening.

I'll just have a word with her, just one small quick word; I will tell Jessica I can't perform the service, let her figure out the rest.

Fine.

Jessica's a very smart women. She can and will figure it out.

Now, I know there's not a chance you're gonna leave this alone, but are you sure you don't wanna paint?

It's like really relaxing!

No, thanks, Tom Sawyer. Nice try, though.

Thanks. I thought so.

I took the class to be with Deena and now I'm one of the girls!

Well, that's just stupid.

I spend almost every weekend wearing overalls, carrying a hammer and building houses.

That doesn't make me a guy.

That's because you're no good at it.

And...

You're beautiful.

What?

Well, I mean, you've always been beautiful.

I just never told you because you're my sister.

Really? I was just playing around with a couple of new looks.

I don't even know if I'm gonna go with one of them, you know, full-time.

Well, you should know if you do, you're not making my job as a brother any easier.

Thank you.

Hello.

This is Simon.

Yeah, cinnamon.

No problem.

One of my classmates wasn't sure what she was missing from her snickerdoodles.

How did you know it was cinnamon?

I just know these things.

I don't know how.

Aren't you listening?

I'll listen.

I'm a good listener.

It's nothing.

I tried a new makeover thing, okay?

Okay, sure, sure, yeah, I get it.

It's-it's...

You're beautiful.

Thank you.

Anyway, um, I heard Habitat for Humanity bought that, uh, old place on Riverview Drive.

Yeah, the place looks worse than it is.

The cornerstone and retaining walls are in good shape.

There are a lot of dead walls we'll have to modify, and we'll have to put new coping on all the exterior walls, you know, the ones that are masonry.

But it's not so bad. No.

It's not so bad at all.

I mean, what's a little coping?

How you doing, Dad?

It's been great having some time off.

You haven't been on vacation. You had a heart att*ck.

Ah, why split hairs?

I couldn't be better.

Could I?

I mean, if I knew what was going on with Simon, could I be better?

No, it's totally stupid.

If it gets less stupid, let me know.

What's the deal with Ruthie?

What's the deal with you?

I tried something new, okay?

Why? I just felt like it.

I started seeing how a house is a reflection of the people in it, and I feel really good about myself right now, and I want my outside to reflect my inside.

Okay?

Yeah, fine by me.

So?

So, um, Ruthie's playing football, not soccer.

Okay.

Football is a contact sport, and Mom knows that.

And if she found out that her baby's nickname in that contact sport is "The Hammer," she'd pull her out.

And that'd be wrong because, because Ruthie loves it, and she's great at it.

How long do you and The Hammer think you can keep this little secret?

We just have to make it to the first game.

Once Mom and Dad see Ruthie in all her gridiron glory, they'll have to let her do it.

She has got the swiveling-est hips you have ever seen.

She can't be tackled.

And if someone tries, whoop, it's Hammer time.

Well, that's great.

I know, but you-you can't say anything to Ruthie because I wasn't supposed to say anything to anyone.

Mmm.

Hey, Jessica, it's your friendly neighborhood minister calling.

Uh, I would like to have a private conversation with you in person, if you could find a moment to, uh, drop by at your earliest convenience. Thanks.

Got anything to eat?

Oh, seek and ye shall find.

Uh, but first smell whatever ye find, because some other ye had a science project in there.

Um, hey, are you back in the snooping business?

I was never in the snooping business.

Okay, are you back to checking out things for God yet?

Because I need someone to check out Shana's dad.

Shana tracked him down and met with him for the first time in years and asked him to help her out with school.

Not a bad idea. Maybe, but maybe the guy's broke, and maybe he just came around because he's hoping to get some money off his daughter.

Well, maybe, but college students aren't known for having a lot of disposable income.

Okay, but Shana's dad's back in the picture, and I want to know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

You know, could you please ask around?

I'm not sure if my network's up for that degree of asking around.

I have faith in you and your network.

Aren't you sweet.

Please, I mean, the guy abandoned her and left her with a crazy brother and an even crazier mother.

Yeah, they have their problems, but Shana's brother's doing great in treatment.

How do you know that?

Made a couple of calls.

I'll make a couple of calls.

Thanks.

Mom, hey, could you proofread my report for English Lit? I couldn't run the dishwasher because the latch is loose again.

Right.

Uh, proofread and, and fix the latch.

Mom, you okay?

Yeah, do you know anything about the situation in Afghanistan?

Why do you ask?

Because the female population is being practically wiped out over there.

You know, I think, I read something about it in a newspaper like a year ago.

Is, is that still going on?

Yes, that's still going on.

Well, somebody should do something about it.

I agree.

Good night.

Uh, if I might have a moment of your time.

Um, the thing is, this Home Ec class isn't turning out like I thought it would.

So you want to just drop it because it's harder than you thought it was going to be?

Let me let you in on a little secret: life is often harder than you think it's going to be.

Well, yeah, but not my life.

Oh.

We're sorry for coming over without calling, but you did say you wanted to talk to me, and, and I wanted to talk to you too.

Ryan and I have done a lot of talking about the counseling session we had earlier.

I was always afraid that I was never going to find anyone who really loved me, and I'd end up spending the rest of my life alone.

Then I met Ryan, and I love him, and I believe he loves me, too.

But under the circumstances, I don't think you're the right minister to marry us.

We're going to get someone else. What?

You have a problem with the way I show my love for Jessica.

Jessica doesn't.

Well, that looks like an interesting breakfast.

How can I help?

Why are you already worried about dinner?

I'm not worried about dinner, I just have it all planned out.

Because?

Hello.

Oh, yes, he is.

It's Sergeant Michaels. Oh.

Hey.

Hello. Hi.

I'm sorry to just drop by like this.

Um, I'm Mrs. Ryan Thomlin, Senior.

Oh, come in.

I believe your husband was supposed to marry my son Ryan and Jessica Tanner.

Uh, he was, Mrs. Tomlin, but they fired him.

Please call me Betty. That's my name.

Okay.

May I speak to your husband?

Um, of course.

Uh, can I get you anything, a cup of tea or...?

All right. Oh, no, no, thank you.

I'm just fine. Thanks.

Okay, thanks.

Shana's dad's a mogul.

Computer software. He's also completely legit.

I mean no parking tickets, no criminal offenses, no record of any kind.

Except the one for abandoning his daughter, son and wife, but anyway, Ryan's mother is in your office; she asked to speak to you.

Oh, this should be interesting.

Yes, it should be.

Mrs. Tomlin, hi. Hi.

What can I do for you?

Betty, please.

And it's not what you can do for me, but rather what I can do for you.

You don't really want to see Jessica marry my son, do you?

Well...

No.

May I use the telephone, please?

Here.

Oh, thanks.

Jessica, it's Betty.

Yes, I'm over at, uh, Reverend Camden's house, and Ryan asked that you join us, but please don't call him, dear.

He has that meeting this morning, and he doesn't want to be disturbed.

Yes, thank you.

Phew, Jessica's on her way.

Why don't you just meet with Jessica?

Because Ryan and my husband treat me like a mentally challenged housekeeper and Jessica tends to think like they think, but you're a man and a minister, and because of that, there's a chance she'll listen to you.

Is this going to cause you some problems at home?

Let me count the ways.

But I can take care of myself; in fact, I was just waiting for this wedding to get over with so I could tell Ryan and his father that I filed for divorce.

I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have to take the kids to school.

Oh, dear, I suspect that you're the only sane man involved with this stupid wedding.

Well, the, the sanity part is debatable, and I'm no longer in this stupid wedding, but I'd love to hear what you have to say anyway.

Um, Jessica's parents are divorced.

Jessica's mom thinks Ryan's a real catch.

Because he's going to work, and let her daughter have the "luxury" of staying home.

Jessica's mother has worked very hard for a very long time at a job she hates very much, and she envies Jessica's opportunity to have someone pay the bills.

Uh, that explains a lot.

I too have had the "luxury" of staying home, and having Ryan, Senior tell me how to do every blessed thing in life from how to cook his meals, how to make his bed, and how to save money at the market, even though he never actually did any of those things himself.

So, Ryan's had a strong role model for this kind of behavior, but uh, surely he knows that not all families work that way.

Reverend, I tried in my own way, to make him understand that.

I knew too late that Ryan's father was never going to change.

I didn't want to divorce him while Ryan was growing up, so I stayed, and by staying, yes, I played a big part in setting a bad example for my own son.

It must have felt like a lose-lose situation.

For me, until now.

But it doesn't have to be for Jessica.

Remember, mouth guard in, chin strap tight, tuck the ball close to your body; carrying it around like a loaf of bread is asking to fumble.

Huh?

You are playing football, not soccer, right?

Who blabbed?

You left this in your sweats.

Are you going to make me quit?

Mmm.

But I don't want you to tell Mary that I know. Okay?

Good one, Mom.

Hey, you, be careful. I love you.

Is Ryan's mother okay?

Why, yes, dear, I'm fine.

Come on in.

Before either of you says anything, I have something to say.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about what's going on, and...

I can't marry Ryan...

At least not until we come to a better understanding of what marriage is about.

And I'm sorry if that upsets you, but that's just the way it is.

Simon?

What are you doing here?

Well, I felt like I brushed you off last night when you tried to talk to me about changing classes, so I stopped in and talked with your guidance counselor.

Evidently you're a little more of a kitchen magician than you've led me to believe.

I should have been straight with you.

I took this class so I could be with Deena, and as it turns out, I'm some sort of a super chef, and now everyone's treating me like I'm one of the girls.

I mean, I know there are a lot of great chefs who are men, but for now, I'd just rather be in wood shop.

Well, there is your love of wood to consider.

Well, I can't help it. I just love it.

From paper to particleboard and everything in between.

Well, your counselor said you can transfer in.

That's great.

Of course your first project in woodshop is a spice rack.

Oh, thanks.

Why are you doing this to me?

Oh, I'm sorry.

See you later.

If I wanted someone to check into my father, I would've just gone to your father.

Then you should only be half mad, because that's who I went to.

I'm, I'm sorry if I did something I shouldn't have, or if I offended you by trying to look out for you, but I just wanted to make sure that your dad is the kind of guy who deserves a second chance to be your father.

And you can find that out with a few phone calls?

You can find out if someone's done okay for himself in the software business, and your father has.

Now I just hope he does right by you.

Is that true hope or false hope?

It's sincere hope.

Fight freedom. Here you go.

It's my free period, so I asked the principal if I can use it to do this, and she said she was sure you'd approve. I know.

She called me.

And not only do I approve, but I am very proud of you.

I figure it's the least we can do to try and raise awareness about this problem.

You're right. It's the least we can do.

Come on.

Thanks.

Hello.

I'm thinking of staying out a while longer.

Lucy just got out of school, and we're hanging out.

Uh, Matt's going to pick Simon up.

Well, don't worry about a thing.

Uh, I'm almost done with the laundry, and, uh, we Camden men can take care of ourselves.

I'm sure you can.

Okay.

That was your mama.

Can you say, "Mama"?

No.

Well, well, well.

Would you look at this?

A meeting of the Camden men and only the Camden men.

Yes. All right.

You're on bathroom duty.

I'm gonna start on a load of towels, and Simon the Great can get started in the kitchen.

Uh, do you want snickerdoodles, brownies or chocolate chip cookies?

I mean, personally, I'd go with the snickerdoodles.

They're lighter and you can eat more.

Oh, you thought I could cook, like, a dinner?

Well...

It's junior high Home Ec. not Marcella Hazan's Cooking School.

Who?

I don't know.

Simon's gonna cook.

Can you say, "Uh-oh"?

Ice pack! We have to get an ice pack.

Are you okay?

Ha. You should see the other guy.

Don't worry. I'll live.

Yeah, but if Mom and Dad see you, I won't.

Can't help you there.

That's your department.

Hi.

Come in.

I can't stay long, right?

I just have a minute.

I'm glad you found me.

It's great to see my little girl is growing into such an incredible woman.

You-you have the, the same kind of drive to succeed that I had when I was your age.

But if I hadn't worked my way through school, if someone had just come along and paid my way, then I might have lost that drive.

I could help you, but I think it would just hurt you in the long run.

You understand, don't you?

So, we could, uh, still be friends?

Friends?

We were never friends, uh, and you were never a father to me.

You never... paid child support.

You never called.

You never visited.

You, you never even sent me a birthday card.

And in spite of that, I gave you a chance to act like a dad and help me when I needed it.

If you were any kind of dad, you'd have known how hard that was for me.

If you were any kind of dad, you'd have known that I would have never gone to anyone and ask for help if there was any way to avoid it.

But you didn't know any of that because you aren't any kind of a dad.

You never were and you never will be.

But that's okay.

I wanted you to help me mostly because I wanted to believe my dad was the kind of man who would always be there for me if I really needed him.

But I found out the truth about the man in the moon and I got over it, and I'll get over you, too.

And I'll do just fine without you. I always have.

Someday... you'll thank me for this.

Sure I will.

Just one more thing.

Mom worked your way through college; you didn't.

Look what I got playing soccer.

Are you okay?

Things happen when you get tackled and there's a pile-up.

You don't want to know.

But I couldn't be better.

You can't hide anything from me.

I'm the mom.

Are you going to make her stop playing?

I already asked her, and she said no.

You knew that she knew?

Yeah, good one, huh?

I'll take Ruthie home and then I'll come back.

No, you don't have to.

I know, but I want to.

Whatever it is, I'm in.

What is it? What are we doing?

We'll take a break and explain it to you.

"After rinsing, pound the chicken,

"roll in bread crumbs.

Place in baking dish."

You know, um...

A good snickerdoodle is harder than this.

So, what are we supposed to do with that tomato sauce stuff Mom made this morning?

We might've missed a step.

I'll get it.

I'm coming!

So, thanks to you, Jessica's not going to marry me.

Actually, you have your own "ideas" to thank.

I know what a wife is.

A wife is a man's servant, just like man is God's servant.

I see.

So men get to do what God tells them, or what they think God tells them, and women get to do what men tell them?

Something like that, yes.

Did you tell Jessica she can't call off the wedding?

Of course I told her she can't call off the wedding.

We'd look like idiots in front of our friends and family.

And I love her.

So tell everyone your minister had a heart att*ck, and he can't perform the service, and you don't want anyone else to marry you.

Let's come in the kitchen and talk.

My parents are getting a divorce.

My dad tried talking to my mom, but she won't listen.

Now, their marriage is just over, and nobody can stop her.

Life is full of uncertainties.

You know, you can't control life.

That's why it's nice to have someone in there with you, watching and coping with all the uncertainties together.

It may be too late for your mom and dad, but it's certainly not too late for you.

Come on.

By the way, do you know anything about sauces?

I was wondering if you would do me a favor?

Hmm?

I feel a little weird asking because you've been doing so much lately, and I haven't been a whole lot of help.

When you've had a little more recovery time, then I'll let you be more of a help.

And just so you know, nobody makes me do the things I do.

I choose to do them, and I love my life.

Now, what's the favor?

Uh, these first few days back have been a little tougher than I thought.

How would you feel about delivering the sermon on Sunday?

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

I-I would like to avoid the pressure, and I have a feeling there are a few things you wouldn't mind getting off your chest.

You're not afraid of any pressure, but thank you.

This means the world to me.

Oh, I love my life. I love my life!

As I stand up here in front of all of you, all of this, it's hard for me to believe that everybody in here can actually hear me.

But the person who usually stands up here told me that's why we leave all the important stuff up to the choir.

Because it's easy for one small voice to get lost in this big old church, but if you put a few voices together, then you've got yourself a choir, and the one voice of the choir can be heard in the furthest corners of the biggest church, and on a good day, even outside on the sidewalk, and that's good to know because when we leave this building and you're out there on that sidewalk, you realize that that's where the one voice is hardest to hear, and needed the most.

I know this because, uh, I've been out on one small piece of that sidewalk this week, literally, with my daughters, and a protest sign, because a group in Afghanistan called the Taliban has come to power.

The fundamental rights that we take for granted, leaving the house alone, in clothes of our choice, going to school, laughing in public, they're not only gone for Afghani women, but they are punishable, in some cases, by death.

The women of Afghanistan have been made shadows, and they cannot be heard because their voices have been silenced.

Well, mine hasn't.

The women of Afghanistan are not shadows.

They are grandmothers and sisters and daughters and mothers.

We all are, and if I, if we choose not to use our voices for them and for ourselves, then we are just giving away something of extraordinary value that those women have had brutally taken away.

I know it's scary to hear your own voice, and what a risk you take when you put it out there.

I also know how important it is to use it anyway, in here, out there, on the sidewalk.

It is their and our only hope.