Christmas Comes Home to Canaan (2011)

[bunniefuu]

Lately, I've been thinking

of a lot of things...

To truly understand

the soul of canaan, Texas,

you'd first have to start

with the story

of two young boys...

Rodney?

Best be going.

Mwah!

That boy and his books.

Dj!

I'm comin'!

Boys, who were once

sworn enemies,

one white, the other black,

and bandit,

the puppy they found,

whose life they'd saved,

and, by that act,

became friends.

And there was Daniel Burton,

who, despite struggling

to raise his family

on his own...

It's beautiful, papa.

Rodney.

...took the black boy in

when there was

no one else to do it,

an act of courage

in a town divided...

...and, then,

the accident,

that left his youngest boy,

bobber, crippled...

And, finally,

it's the story of a promise

one boy...

Cheers.

...now a writer,

made to the other,

a promise to return to canaan,

and, with him,

he brought a gift,

offered by a stranger,

a gift with the power

to change so much,

in ways

few could have ever imagined.

You sure you packed

enough clothes?

I've packed most

everything I've got.

What about socks?

Here you go.

This enough for you?

Besides, it's a big city.

If I need anything,

I can just buy it new,

right, Rodney?

Anything you want.

And just what are you

proposing to use for money,

your good looks?

I'll pack some

of these for you.

Don't know for sure

how long we're going to be gone.

You might have to handle

the harvest yourself this year.

Well, Rodney'll pitch in.

Between the two of us,

we'll manage.

Anything else needs doing,

you're in charge,

and, don't forget,

there's a little bit of cash

hid in the corner of the shed,

just for emergencies.

We'll get along fine.

You just take care

of bobber.

Daddy!

Dj!

You need to hurry.

You'll miss your flight!

We wouldn't be the burtons

unless we was fixin'

to miss something.

All right, buddy,

kiss your sister goodbye.

Bye.

And be sure

and thank Rodney.

If it weren't for him,

we wouldn't be goin'.

Thanks, Rodney.

Just make sure you do

what those doctors say, okay?

I will.

Hey!

Just so's you all know,

I'm not driving you

all the way to San Jose.

All right, let's go.

You ready,

bobber?

California,

ready or not,

here they come,

y'all got any gum?

What do we need

gum for?

Keep your ears from poppin'

on the plane.

We can stop

at shoup's.

Let's do it.

We got time.

I'll be right back, boys.

All right, well,

hurry it up.

Hello?

Ah, Mr. Burton!

Can I help you find something?

I need some chewing gum.

Juicy fruit, if you've got it.

Juicy fruit.

Spearmint. Chiclets.

Complete assortment.

How's that brave,

young Mr. bobber?

Hope he's well.

Oh, fair to middling.

We're actually

on our way to California

to see about gettin' him

fixed up right now.

California!

Oh, if I had any sense,

I'd close up

and move to California myself,

the way things are goin'.

Really?

Business been slow?

Slower than slow.

It's dead.

You're my first customer

all day.

Well, I wouldn't worry

too much about it.

You know, money's

always tight around here

come the end of the month.

No, it's more than that.

The whole town's changing.

Old folks are moving away.

New folks

are shopping elsewheres.

Yeah.

You know what,

if the town's changing,

maybe you oughta change

right along with it.

And just what would you

suggest changing exactly?

Oh, I don't know,

maybe try something new.

I heard about some boys

putting in a big company farm

South of town.

That'll be needing

some farm supplies,

save 'em the trip to clarksboro.

Hmm.

Farm supplies...

And just exactly

what am I supposed to know

about farm supplies?

Hi.

Can I help you?

Yes, ma'am.

I'm Daniel Burton,

this is my son.

We have an appointment

to see Dr. hanson.

Just one moment.

Yes?

Dr. hanson,

the burtons are here.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

You're welcome.

Please, come in.

Have a seat.

I'm Daniel Burton.

This is my son, bobber.

Bob.

Bob.

I'm Marcus hanson.

Well, I'm glad

to finally meet you.

As you know,

I learned of your case

after reading

Rodney Freeman's book,

and approached him

with my offer to help.

As I told Mr. Freeman,

the medical school here

has a very advanced

neuro-orthopedics group,

and some good advances

have been made

in the whole field

of spinal injury

rehabilitation,

so when I heard about

your story,

well, I thought you'd make

a good candidate.

As for the procedure itself,

we'll use special pins

and screws

to realign and stabilize

the damaged vertebrae.

Then, there'll be

an intensive period

of physical therapy,

now, you'll be doing

most of your work

right in here...

Oh, good, there's Dr. adair.

She's head of

our of post-op rehab.

Dr. briony adair,

I want you to meet

Daniel Burton.

Pleasure to meet you,

Mr. Burton.

Thanks.

It's nice

to meet you, too.

This is my son,

bobber.

It's Bob.

I've been looking forward

to meeting you.

You've got a lot

of admirers around here.

I've been giving them

a tour of the facilities.

Do you have time

to show Bob

the therapy rooms?

Sure.

Come on.

The doctor,

what's her name?

Dr. adair. Briony adair.

Briny?

That's right.

Right. Hmm...

Level with me, doc.

I mean, you really think

this is gonna work?

Well, we've had

some success in the past

with similar cases,

so there's a good chance

he'll see some improvement.

So, what's

the best-case scenario?

Well, the best-case

scenario

is that once we relieve

the pressure on the nerves,

he'll regain

full use of his legs.

Well, what's the worst?

Hello?

Sissy?

Daddy?

Everything okay?

Yeah.

Um, I just got done

talking to the doctor, and, uh,

things may not be as rosy

as we had hoped for.

The doctor says the surgery

may not help all that much.

As a matter of fact,

it could even make things worse.

How's bobber takin' it?

Well, I haven't

told him yet.

To be honest,

I was kind of wondering

whether I should or not.

He oughta know.

Well, if he knows,

then he might not

go through with it.

Then that's his choice.

Yeah, but

this might be

the only chance he has,

and if bobber gets wind of this,

then he loses that chance,

and it's likely to be

the only one he has left.

Oh, here he is now.

You wanna say hi to sissy?

No.

Hey, listen, he says

he'll speak at you later.

Okay.

Well, take care.

All right.

Love you.

Just catching them up

on the latest.

So I heard.

Be real nice

if you told me, though, first.

I don't want the operation,

not if it could

make things worse.

But, Bob,

I also told your father

that there's a good chance

that we would

see improvement.

But you don't know for sure.

No, no, we don't,

not for sure.

Well, I wish you'd have

told me that

before everyone got

their minds made up,

and then I'd have told you

I wasn't interested.

I'm sorry, son.

It's just, I was just afraid...

Afraid you couldn't find a way

to fix what happened?

How many times

I gotta tell you,

the accident wasn't your fault,

so it's not your job

to keep on trying to fix it.

I have an idea.

What if Bob and I

were to take a little walk.

No point.

I'm not

changing my mind.

Just think of it

as a sadie Hawkins dance.

Ladies' choice.

Can't say no.

Against the rules.

Here.

So...

Cards on the table.

Why the change of heart?

Like I said,

nobody told me

it could make it worse.

That's a good reason.

No wonder you're upset.

Look, I get around

good enough.

I worked hard

to get around this good.

Why would I want to risk

what I've got?

I can understand that.

No, you can't.

No one can.

Not you, not my dad, nobody.

It's here, too.

What happened?

I was about your age.

There was an accident,

a fire.

The doctors

weren't even sure

they could save my arm.

So many skin grafts

and surgeries.

Sometimes, I wished

they'd just stop trying.

I about had,

but they never doubted

they could save my arm.

Turns out,

they were right.

So, here's the deal...

If you decide

to have the surgery,

I will work

with you myself-,

just you and me.

But there's one thing

I won't do.

I won't let you quit.

Not until we have tried

everything we can.

Bob, you've been

given a gift,

just like I was.

If I were you,

I'd think real hard

before I decided

I wasn't interested.

How you feeling, bud?

A little drowsy?

Yeah...

Pop?

Yeah, bud?

If something goes wrong...

That's not

going to happen.

We've come too far for that.

But, if

something does,

I want you to know something.

What's that?

You're the best dad a fella

could ever hope to have.

You never gave up on me,

on any of us,

but especially me.

You best get

some sleep now, bud.

We got a mighty

big day tomorrow.

Yup, big day.

Mighty big day...

Any word?

This is not gonna happen

overnight...

We've got to be realistic,

but we can try,

we can strive,

and next January,

we're gonna strive.

It's time for new leadership.

It's time

for our country to move,

it's time for

a fair tax policy,

it's time for

lower interest rates...

Hello? Dad?

Well, all I can say is,

the boy's got

more screws in him

than a John deere tractor...

Not to mention

all these rods and brackets,

and titanium stuff

I never even heard of.

He's okay?

Oh, he's fine.

Came through it

like a trooper.

When will we know

if it worked?

Well, nobody's

really saying for sure,

not till he starts rehab anyway.

They should have

a pretty good idea by then.

Dr. adair.

Briony, please.

Briny...

I'd wanted to

check on him earlier,

but I got behind.

How's he doing?

He's out like a light,

but I guess that's good, right?

And you?

How are you holding up?

About how you'd expect.

Listen,

I haven't eaten all day,

and I was going to grab

a quick bite.

You're welcome to join me.

Sure.

A fella's gotta eat, I reckon.

You always been

a city girl?

What make you think

I'm a city girl?

Just figured.

You ever heard of

crystal Springs, Mississippi?

Population 4,837.

Well, at least that's

what it was when I left.

Well, how in the heck

did you end up

all the way out here?

Let's just say

a straight line isn't always

the shortest distance

between two points.

There's

some truth to that,

especially if you've

seen me plow.

There's one.

Mind if I ask you

a question?

Be my guest.

How'd you get

that nickname?

What nickname?

"Briny."

I mean, I know it's got to be

short for something,

but darned

if I can figure out what.

The only briny I know

has to do with

making pickles,

and for the life of me,

I can't figure out

how somebody as pretty as you

could get herself nicknamed

after something like that.

It's briony.

Briony is a flower

that grows in Scotland.

It's where my father's from.

Hmm, it's nice.

I like it.

Bri-on-y.

I'm sorry.

I have to go.

I'll take care of that

for you.

Thank you.

It's my pleasure.

It's the least I can do.

'Night.

'Night.

I found 'em,

and the new popular science

just came in, too.

Well, there's still

plenty of room in here.

Anything else?

Oh, yeah, there's a bunch

of get-well cards

on the sideboard.

Can you

grab those for me?

Yeah.

Hey, sissy,

where's that address?

It's over there

on the hutch.

Hey, sissy...

What's this?

It's nothing.

No, it's an application

for the university

of Texas.

Does pop know

about this?

No.

Just came.

Well, when did you

plan on telling him?

It's just an application.

I'm not sure I'll even

send it in.

I just want to wait till things

settle down a little bit

before I mention it.

Well, I wouldn't

wait too long,

'cause if you are

thinkin' about leaving,

he deserves to know.

Good morning.

Morning.

How you feeling?

Like I've been in a fight

with a freight train.

Probably one of those big

Norfolk southerns

used to roll by my house,

engines all painted up

with stripes,

like a big ol' catfish.

Okay,

I'm going to

start you out easy,

and you let me know

if I'm working you too hard,

and then, I'll work you harder.

- You ready?

- Yup.

Let's get cracking.

Show 'em

what you're made of, son.

Good.

Good.

Let me show you

how to do this.

Hold, just hold

under here.

And two more

of those.

I can't.

Yes, you can.

Just focus, concentrate.

Come on, bud,

you can do it.

One more.

Come on...

Good.

I think that's enough

for today.

Why don't you go have

a long soak in the whirlpool?

You deserve it.

You ready?

Good job, buddy.

I'm proud of you.

You know, I can't

thank you enough

for all

you've been doin'.

It's my pleasure.

I've been trying

to think of some way

to thank you for all your help.

No, that's not necessary,

really.

I was kind of thinking that

maybe I could at least

just take you out

to a nice dinner?

There's this little place

that the guy

at the hotel recommends,

called the fireglow?

That is nice.

You been there?

No.

Well, maybe

we could go together?

Are you asking me on a date?

I-I guess

you could call it that,

I mean, if it ain't

against the rules.

I mean, y'all got that

doctor-patient

privilege rigmarole thing

going on, so...

I don't wanna get you

in no trouble or nothing.

I'm sure we could find a way

to bend the rules.

After all,

you are the boy's father.

I am his daddy, yeah.

Hello?

Hey, sissy.

Dj there?

He's right here.

Dj!

Dad wants to talk to you.

No, actually,

I need the both of you.

Both of us?

Hey, daddy, what's up?

Well, it seems

I got myself a date.

Daddy,

that's wonderful!

Who is she?

She's bobber's rehab doctor.

See, her and bobber

hit it off so good,

I just wanted to show

my appreciation.

Okay, so

where you taking her?

I'm taking her out to dinner.

The folks at the hotel

recommended this place.

Sounds romantic.

Now, see, that's why

i need your help.

I ain't been out on a date

in 25 years, kids.

I don't know what to say.

What do I do?

I... you gotta help me.

Well, let's start

with conversation.

Always talk about her,

never yourself,

and even when

she asks about you,

make it seem like

you're still

talking about her.

Got it.

Always talk about her.

And, for heaven's sake,

whatever you do,

don't use "reckon"

every other word.

It makes you

sound like a hick.

Well, dang-flabbit, son!

Maybe I am just a hick.

Well, let her

catch on to that gradual.

You don't have to

spring it on her

the first thing.

Anything else?

Isn't that enough?

Daddy, just relax.

Relax and have

a good time.

You'll do fine.

Okay.

Goodnight.

Relax, have a good time...

So, you think

he's serious?

I don't know.

I'll tell you

one thing for sure...

Giving my dad advice

about women?

Something kind of

unsettlin' about that.

Hmm...

Hey, you want a soda?

Oh, sure,

if you're buying.

Why should today be

any different?

Morning, Mr. shoup.

How you doing, dj?

Good.

What's with

the seed catalogs?

You ain't thinking

about farming, are you?

No, but I am

thinking about farmers.

Fact is, it was your dad

that got me started on it.

I might be carrying

a whole new line here.

That might work.

You think so?

Well, farmers got

to buy their stuff somewhere,

no reason it shouldn't be

from you.

I like the way

you think, son.

Mm-hmm.

Welcome to the fireglow.

May I help you?

Yes, sir, uh, Burton,

party of two?

I called in earlier.

Ah.

Excuse me, sir,

but, uh, may I have

a word with you?

Sure.

I'm sorry, sir,

but we require our patrons

to wear a tie.

Oh, I got on a tie.

I mean a tie-tie,

the normal kind.

I'm afraid I don't own

the normal kind.

I see.

Well, I'm sure we can find

something that will work.

That should suffice.

You think

it's bright enough?

Well, let's just

call it colorful.

That'll be $5, please.

Five bucks?

You're gonna need to

tie it for me.

I see...

There.

Voila.

Voila...

What's that for?

Well, I guess

I needed a tie.

You had a tie.

Ah, we're finally

dressed for dinner.

I thought I was dressed

when I got here, but...

Are we coming?

No, we're not coming.

We're going.

I know a place where people

still have manners.

There's a great little

restaurant on the wharf.

Uh, excuse me...

It's not fancy,

but it's got...

I'll need the tie.

Sure.

That should get

your fire glowin'.

Whee, howdy!

Thank you.

Wow!

Now, that

is what I call service.

I waited my share

of tables back home.

Cheers.

Oh, cheers.

So when'd you decide

to be a doctor?

It's what I've always

wanted to be,

for as far back

as I can remember.

But even knowing early on,

I mean, it still

must have been long.

You have to make

a lot of sacrifices,

but I'm sure you know

all about that,

considering you raised a family

all by yourself.

Not fair.

You know way more about me

than I know about you.

What do you want to know?

You a single lady?

Now.

Oh. Are you seeing anyone?

My job keeps me pretty busy.

That would be a no?

That would be a no.

Ah. Hmm.

Ever married?

Mm-hmm.

Children?

My folks sure enough

thought we were.

You know that's not

what I'm talking about.

You got kids?

No.

Did you want

some malt vinegar with that?

I don't know,

you tell me.

I'm pretty sure

that you do.

It's not my prettiest feature.

It doesn't matter.

You're still beautiful.

You want to tell me about it?

You mind me asking?

My mama and I

were canning preserves.

The boiler that she used

to sterilize the jars exploded.

It knocked

a whole box of paraffin

into the fire

and all over me.

By the time we put it out,

I had third-degree burns,

all the way up to my shoulder.

Eight surgeries later,

half a dozen skin grafts,

a lot of tears

and hard work,

and here I am.

So, that's what did it.

Did what?

Changed bobber's mind.

You told him about you,

didn't you?

I may have mentioned it.

I want people to know

that it's okay to be afraid.

Everybody's afraid of something.

Probably even you.

I'm not going to be able to

thank you enough

for all that you've done.

You'll never know

how grateful I am.

I just remember

reading your story,

thinking,

"who is this guy?

"This Daniel Burton?

"So strong.

"Never backs down

"from what he thinks

is right,

yet so kind."

Now you're

embarrassin' me.

I thought,

this guy can't be real.

He's gotta be just

some character in a book.

But here you are.

I hope I'm not

a disappointment.

No.

You're not a disappointment.

Would it be all right

if I kissed you?

I'd never forgive you

if you didn't.

Hope that wasn't

against the rules.

It wasn't.

Well, I wouldn't much care

if it was.

We've stabilized

the injury.

That's

the important part,

and, judging from

the test results,

there seems to be

some modest improvement

in motor function.

So what you're sayin' is

it didn't work.

I'm saying there's improvement,

and that's what we want.

But the boy still can't walk.

Pa, it's okay.

It is some better,

it really is.

It just seems to me

like he's been through

an awful lot

for only "some better,"

that's all I'm sayin'.

You can't let yourself

get discouraged.

With ongoing

physical therapy,

there's a chance

we could still see

continued improvement.

Just how am I

supposed to manage that?

We'll find someone

near canaan.

I can even work with them

to set up a program

specifically for Bob.

I'm happy to make

some phone calls.

Or you could just

follow us back

and find someone in person.

Whoa, now,

hold up here, son.

We can't just

ask Dr. adair

to drop everything

she's got going on here

and fly off to canaan.

I mean, especially

with the holidays

just around the corner.

Maybe she oughta

spend Christmas with us.

I'm sure she's got plans.

Do you?

Bobber...

Actually,

I don't.

Well, then it's settled.

She's spending Christmas

with us

and she can

meet Sarah

and dj.

Oh, and Rodney'll

be there, too.

I don't want to impose.

Impose? My dad

doesn't even know

the meaning

of the word "impose."

Do you, pop?

Of course, we'd love

for you to come join us,

but you just

need to know

what you're

getting yourself into.

It ain't nothing ritzy.

Just a good ol'

family Christmas.

It sounds wonderful.

Okay, well,

come on, pop,

we got to get to a phone

and tell the others.

You go ahead, son,

I'll catch up with you.

Looks to me like

you just got railroaded.

Are you sure about this?

Are you kiddin' me?

I've been wondering

how on earth

I was ever gonna manage

saying goodbye to you.

It's gonna be

a whole lot easier now,

knowin' there's a hello

just a few weeks away.

I can't imagine

anything better

than spending

Christmas in canaan,

with you.

Bandit, either push, pull,

or get outta the way,

preferably the latter.

Here, I'll put him out.

Come on, bandit.

Come on, boy.

Is that the nicest tree

you could find?

What's wrong with it?

It's green.

It's got branches

in all directions.

And there ain't

no squirrel nests.

Seems a little

thin on that side.

Rodney, what if we

turn it the other way?

Maybe it's got

a better side.

Did you clean all the junk

out of the guest room?

What, all those

seed catalogs?

I thought she was

a country girl.

Make her feel

right at home.

This country girl

might just be

your father's new beau,

and I'll be switched

if I'm going to

let her think

a bunch of hayseeds

live here.

Now, go on.

Huh?

I'd say this looks

pretty good.

It looks really good.

Good enough

for country folk.

Now we just need

the angel.

I'll get it.

You think she'd mind?

Me inviting a friend here

for Christmas?

I imagine she'd be happy.

She'd never have wanted you

to stay alone forever.

And what better time

than Christmas?

She always did love

Christmas.

And she always

loved this angel.

Then let's put her

up on her angel's perch,

so she can

watch over us,

just like always.

Come on.

The boys are waiting.

Okay, who wants the honors?

Dj?

No, my hands

got pitch on 'em.

You'll have to.

Bobber?

Can't reach that far.

Why don't you

do it this year?

I suppose I could,

I guess.

All right.

There.

Perfect.

Her plane lands

in a couple hours.

Best get movin'.

Hey, you sure

you don't want to borrow

some of my cologne?

It's musk.

I'll do just fine

without it,

thank you very much.

Ooh, somebody's

a little prickly.

I wonder what

that's about.

I wouldn't have

the faintest idea.

You kids are going to end up

embarrassin' me yet.

Well, we'll certainly

give it our best shot.

Drive safe.

Will do.

Poor girl.

I hope she knows

what she's in for.

They're here!

They just drove up.

And would you

quit fussing?

You look sufficiently

glamorous.

Why is it that

I feel like a mother

meeting my son's prom date

for the first time?

Well, I'm not quite sure,

but if you're thinking

about having

the "birds and the bees"

talk with him,

I think that duck's

pretty well flown.

What's taking them

so long?

Well, he's getting

her things.

Women come with

a lot of accessories.

They do.

Would you look at

the three of you?

You're all lined up

like it's a firing squad.

Here we are, guys and gal.

Please welcome Dr. adair.

Hello.

I'm glad you made it.

Me too.

This is my older son, dj.

Ma'am...

Uh, doctor?

It's briony.

Briony... ma'am.

And this is

Rodney Freeman,

canaan's

most famous author.

Canaan's only author,

best I can tell.

I loved your book.

It makes coming here

almost like coming home.

Thank you.

And this is Sarah...

Sissy, I call her,

which I'm sure

she hates.

Sarah.

I'm so glad to finally meet you.

I hope you brought

an appetite.

Dinner's about ready.

I bet you'd love

some help.

Just point me

towards the kitchen

and turn me loose...

No!

I mean...

You're a guest.

I can manage.

Well, let me help you

get settled in.

Come on,

grab your things here.

Just follow me.

Through here.

Okay.

I'll help you get

settled in here...

No, ma'am...

And what's

your new book about?

Short stories mostly,

about growin' up.

Things my grandmother

taught me.

Oh, you would have

loved her.

That woman was fearless.

Oh, she had to be.

You know, it wasn't

easy back then.

Back then?

So when did it get easy

all of a sudden?

I must have

missed that part.

Okay, now

it's Sarah's turn.

I want to hear

all about you.

What about me?

Anything.

Hopes, dreams.

Any special fellas

lurking out there

that we should know about?

Not much time

for that

when you're busy

riding herd

on this bunch.

Then, how about your plans?

Not much to tell.

Ever thought about college?

As bright as your dad

says you are.

Yeah, sissy,

what about college?

Sarah go to college?

What for?

For your information,

I recently applied

at the university of Texas

at Austin.

Daniel, why didn't

you tell me?

That's wonderful.

That's the first

I've heard of it myself.

I was wondering

when one of us

was finally going to

make a run for it,

especially now that

there's somebody here

to keep track of you.

Hey.

You got 'em all tucked in?

Mm-hmm.

Three in beds,

and Rodney on the couch.

Listen, daddy.

What I said,

about going to college?

I just filled out

the application, that's all.

I probably won't even

get accepted,

and, even if I do,

I don't have to go.

I've been meaning

to tell you.

It's just,

when she asked,

I blurted it out.

Well, she has

a gift for that,

making folks say

what they're feelin'.

It's obvious

the boys like her.

Yeah. And you?

I just met her.

I don't know her hardly at all.

She certainly feels at home.

But you like her, right?

I like that you like her.

Oh, I haven't had

one of these since last year!

Hey, look,

I got one, too.

Just the color I wanted.

Dj, care to hand me

that package

there under the tree?

Thank you.

Now, see, we've got a little

family tradition around here.

The kids know

all about this.

It started

one particular Christmas...

My daddy started it...

It had been

a pretty rough year.

We weren't expecting much,

but come Christmas morning,

here were all these gifts,

wrapped and under the tree,

just like always.

Well, my mama, when she seen it,

boy, she lit into my dad,

said, "where'd you get

the money for all that?"

And daddy just smiled

and looked at her, and said,

"don't you know nothin', woman?

"Even if you're flat broke,

you can still have

some Christmas."

See, to him,

"some Christmas" meant

giving all the gifts

you really wanted to give,

when only your heart

could afford it.

We did it that first year

Rodney came to live with us,

you remember that?

I sure do.

You gave me

my first typewriter.

That's right.

So, this year,

with you being

practically family and all,

I thought you deserved

some Christmas, too.

It's a little house.

It's a country house.

You're always

talking about

how you're

a country girl,

so I just thought,

maybe someday,

you might like a little

country place of your own.

Thank you.

I love it, I really do.

It's so sweet.

Of course, until then,

you're plenty welcome

to stay right here with us.

I brought along

a little Christmas of my own.

First, the guys.

A sweater.

Not just

any sweater.

That's cashmere.

Nothing wrong with

sheep's wool.

Thanks, briony.

And, Sarah,

this is for you.

They're Laurel burch.

I think she makes

the most beautiful things,

don't you?

Well, go ahead,

sissy.

Put 'em on.

I'll do it later.

Nah, do it now.

I wanna see

what you look like in 'em.

Look how pretty

you look.

You could be on the runway.

Yeah, along with

all the other

crop dusters.

Now, come on,

be nice, dj.

Sorry.

Thank you,

Dr. adair.

You shouldn't've.

All us girls

need some pretty things.

Now, Daniel,

your turn.

Aw...

Briony, you didn't

need to do all this.

You better see if you like it

before you start thanking me.

It's a "real" tie.

Whoo...

Italian silk no less.

I bet you didn't think

I'd notice.

I love it.

Thank you.

I guess

no more gettin' thrown out

of ritzy places.

Come in handy

around here, that's for sure.

And...

I brought something

for the house.

A kind of a thank-you

to all of you

for inviting me

to Christmas.

Here.

You didn't

have to do that.

One of you guys

want to open it?

Go on.

What is it?

A friend

brought it back

from Italy.

I wanted you all to have it.

Isn't it beautiful?

Uh... yes, ma'am.

Sure is.

I thought it would look

so pretty on your tree.

We already have an angel.

Oh, but not like this.

This is a botticelli.

Well, a copy, anyway.

All the way from Florence.

You know, it would

look real nice

on the mantle.

- I-I vote we put it there.

- Mm-hmm, mm-hmm...

It's a tree-topper.

You can't put a tree-topper

on the mantle.

Here, let me do it.

There.

A little touch

of renaissance.

Didn't you hear him?

He said

we already have an angel.

And where do you

get the nerve

to just waltz in here

and move things around

without askin'?

You had no right...

Sarah...

I'm so sorry.

Why don't you just leave?

It's been hard

on all of 'em.

I'm not blind

to that, but...

It's think it's been

toughest on her.

I never meant to do anything

that would upset her.

I know.

This just all happened

pretty quick, you know.

Christmas was

when we lost her mama.

I think this just

brought it all back.

For you, too.

Thing is,

maybe she knows

you're just not ready.

It's just her way

of showing it,

of getting your attention.

It's odd.

14 years I've lived with this,

the sorrow of losing Betsy,

and I thought that...

I know

what you thought.

Sometimes, we think

we've worked through a thing,

just by having lived with it

so long,

but oftentimes,

it's something

we set aside,

and never really faced

at all,

just got on with life.

Daniel, you've done

a remarkable thing

for your kids.

You've given them

a stable home,

and I know that wasn't easy.

You took on Rodney

when he needed a family,

and maybe you let that focus

distract you

from your own grief.

I don't know.

Maybe.

And now they're grown.

I think it's your turn.

Your turn to face that grief,

to work on you,

in your own time,

in your own way,

just you.

I'm sorry.

You sure you don't

want me to drive you?

My daddy always taught me

a fella should

leave the dance

with the same girl

he brought.

Dj offered.

It's fine.

You know,

all I'm asking for

is just a little more time.

We all have things

we can't change.

I only wish

you could have looked

a little deeper into your heart

before you thought

to invite me in,

that's all.

Goodbye, Daniel.

...we got the fertilizers,

and the pesticides

around the corner,

up against the wall...

What's 01' man shoup

up to now?

Come on,

let's go find out.

It's too much trouble.

You go.

You sure?

Yeah.

...fertilizer out back

and pesticides

around the corner,

right next to the ones

against the wall...

Hey, Mr. shoup!

Rodney!

Rodney Freeman.

You're just in time.

Just in time for what?

For a tour.

You're looking at the newest

authorized distributor

of the agro harvest line

of professional farm products.

It seems like an awful

lot of inventory.

Well, it is,

but you know what they say,

if you can't give it to 'em

when they need it,

they'll find it someplace else.

Now, for the first time,

the farmers can buy

all their supplies

right here in canaan.

Come on, let me show you.

All right.

We got stacks and stacks

of stuff out back,

you'll be surprised

when you see

how much stuff we got...

Hey, hey, bobber,

they're wreckin'

the house down, come on.

This don't concern you.

Bobber, no!

You get back here

right now!

I should've listened to pop

and stayed home that night.

You know,

back in California,

I told him "some better"

was good enough.

But I only told him that

because he felt so bad,

and everyone worked so hard.

But it's not, Rodney.

"Some better" is not

good enough by half.

Let's get out of here.

Not too far over...

All right, when you...

When you sit here,

put your foot in the straps.

See?

And when you push down,

it raises the sandbag.

And you want more weight,

you can just put

some sand in.

Well, you want to try it out?

Those doctors already tried

everything in the book.

I don't know

if a bunch of pulleys

and a bag of sand's

going to make a difference.

Now, last year,

this was all alfalfa,

but I've been speaking to

Ralph Clark down at the co-op,

and he says

we might oughta consider

putting in soybeans,

maybe up to half.

Now, I told him

I'd ask you.

We could do that.

But mind you,

down at Davis & Dunn,

they're puttin' in

100 acres or more of sorghum.

Davis & Dunn?

You know,

that new company farm

South of town?

Maybe they know

something we don't.

Well, we ain't never

planted no sorghum before.

Just cause we haven't,

doesn't mean we shouldn't.

Whatever you think.

Oh, no, daddy,

I ain't puttin'

my head in that noose

without some company.

Well, whatever we plant,

it's either gonna freeze, bake,

get eaten by bugs,

or be worth nothing

by the time we bring it in,

so I say plant whatever

you wanna plant.

It ain't gonna

matter much anyway.

Well, now, ain't you just

Mr. sunshine these days?

Hey, where you goin'?

Town's that-a-way.

Well why drive

all the way to clarksboro

when we can order from

old man shoup?

Well, Rodney was right.

Looks like openin' day

at the county fair.

All he's missin'

is the cotton candy.

And the people.

Yeah, that's what

I was afraid of.

What?

Well, farmers

not buying their stuff here.

We may have come a ways

in this town,

but we ain't come that far.

Wait here.

I'm not useless, you know!

Whatever you say, bobbles.

Here, bandit,

come on, boy!

There you go.

Hey, look at that.

Keep it up, bobber.

How long's

he been out there?

Almost an hour.

I think it's about time

we all had a little talk.

I never seen him

like this before.

Ever since Christmas.

When briony left,

it's like the joy just

flew right out of his life.

Why doesn't he just call her

and tell her he's sorry?

Because he's too proud

to let her

see him like this.

So, why'd he let her leave

if he loved her so much?

Maybe he decided

he just wasn't ready

for someone else in his life.

It's been 14 years.

How ready

does he got to be?

If only she hadn't

busted that angel.

It wasn't the angel.

It wasn't?

It wasn't the angel, or mama, or

any of that other stuff.

He did it because of me.

Hey, bobber!

Change the channel

to happy days, will ya?

You know that's only

for emergencies,

right?

What do you think

this is?

You need to go where?

California,

to talk to Dr. adair.

She's the only one who can help.

Does Mr. Burton

know about this?

He'd never let me.

Then how can you just

up and disappear?

I'll tell him I'm staying

over at a girlfriend's.

Jeri-Lynn Drake's baby's sick,

and I'm helpin' out.

I've got enough

for my ticket.

I've just never

flown anywhere before.

Don't even know where to start.

Can you help me?

Are you sure about this?

Well...

I guess I do know

a little something

about getting out of dodge...

Or whatever this place is.

...that's a really

good improvement.

I'd like to see another

20 degrees of rotation.

I think that's enough

for today.

You worked

really hard.

I'm really proud of you.

Sarah?

This is a surprise.

Sorry to barge in

on you like this,

but I need to ask you a favor.

You want me to do what?

We want you

to come back to canaan.

He only let you go

because he thought

having you in his life

would hurt me.

He didn't know what else to do.

Does he know you're here?

Then this was

your idea, not his?

The family's

worried about him.

It's like all the joy

has just gone out of him.

He never smiles,

never laughs.

If anyone can help him,

it's you.

He still cares

about you.

I know he does.

That doesn't

give me the right

to show up at his door

uninvited.

I'm inviting you.

We all are.

But Daniel isn't,

and he's the only one who can.

He's the only one

who can open his heart

the way he wants to.

The way he needs to.

If I show up in canaan

before he's ready,

it won't solve anything.

Chances are,

it'll likely

make things worse.

I'm sorry.

So you'll let me know

how he's doing?

I will.

Sarah, I know this

hasn't been easy,

especially for you.

You've held this family

together so long,

and then, suddenly,

your dad shows up

with another woman

in his life,

but I want you to know

one thing.

I know how much you mean

to this family,

and no matter

what happened,

I would never have done

anything to change that.

Thank you, Dr. adair.

Briony.

Briony.

Thank you.

Thanks, Rodney.

All right, take care.

Where the heck

you been, sissy?

You know where.

I told you.

I talked to jeri-Lynn.

I went to California,

to talk to briony.

And what exactly

did you expect to get

out of doing that?

Give you two a second chance.

It was the happiest

you've been

since mama died.

I'd never seen you like that,

and then it was like

this cloud came over all of us.

I know why you did it.

You did it to protect me.

Well, we'll get by somehow,

we always do.

Sometimes, we get by

because we have to,

but sometimes, "gettin' by"

is just "settling."

For once in your life,

you deserve more

than just settling.

She probably don't even

care anymore?

She's probably

moved on.

You don't know that.

She say anything

about seeing anybody?

Didn't say, didn't ask.

Figured it was best

to leave that up to you.

Good night.

Dr. adair.

Briony?

It's Daniel.

Hi.

I've been thinking about you.

I understand

you had a visitor.

I did.

It was quite

a surprise.

She's worried about you.

Says you've been a little down?

That doesn't sound like you.

Ah, it's just a rough patch

I'm goin' through.

I'll be fine.

Daniel, there's one thing

i learned early on.

Sometimes, the best way

to lighten your own burden

is to take on someone else's.

Find someone

who's worse off than you,

someone who needs you.

Plant some other fields.

Water someone else's crops

for a while.

Sounds like good advice.

I'm gonna keep that in mind.

You're a good man, Daniel.

A lot of people care about you,

probably more than you realize.

Thank you.

That means a lot

coming from you.

It's true.

I know it first-hand.

Well...

Um...

I just wanted

to check in on you.

I'm glad you did.

It's nice to hear your voice.

Hey, if you're ever

in the neighborhood,

you be sure and stop in

and say hello, all right?

You too.

Okay.

Well, goodnight.

'Night.

Water time...

What you got for us

there, bobber?

Well, now,

looks like you boys

had yourself quite a year.

Well, you can thank

dj for that.

He was the one wanted

to plant the sorghum.

Well then, you're lucky

someone at your place

knows something about farming.

Whoa-h*-h*...

Whoo-hoo!

Okay, come on, pop,

let's celebrate.

Chili cheese fries,

and I'm buying.

Who's that?

That's delmer p. Davis,

owner of

Davis & Dunn farms.

The way he's goin',

before long,

he'll own

half the county.

Hey, dad,

you coming?

I don't know how much longer

shoup can hold on.

Agro harvest

wants their money.

He told me

he can barely afford

to keep his lights on.

And if he does

start selling,

his mark-up

is next to nothing.

I can't believe

people would rather drive

a half hour away

and pay a third again more.

It just doesn't make sense.

Well, it doesn't have to.

That's the economics

of prejudice.

You tellin' me

after all this town's

been through,

there are still

folks here

that'd rather see

a hardworking fellow like shoup

fail and fall flat

than see him succeed?

What rock you been

hiding under, pa?

You think just 'cause

it don't matter to us,

it shouldn't

matter to them?

Well, I got news for you,

not everyone's like you.

It'd be nice if they were,

but the simple fact

is that they're not,

not by a long shot.

To see a man fail

just 'cause he's black,

it's just not right.

Can I help you,

Mr. Burton?

Yes, sir.

I was wondering

if you was hiring.

Hiring for what?

Store clerk?

What's so funny?

Tell me,

you see anyone here

needin' a clerk?

Well, you will.

Sometimes, all you need to do

to bring folks in

is to show 'em a familiar face.

You mean

a familiar white face?

I just mean a familiar

farmer's face.

Christmas time's

coming up real soon.

You're bound to be

needing some more help.

Well, I can't pay you nothin',

not at first.

That's okay.

I'll just take it out in trade.

But why?

Why you want to work here?

I got my reasons.

Let's just leave it at that.

Okay, you can start tomorrow.

I could start tomorrow,

but I'm ready to start today.

Today?

Yeah. Today.

All right.

What do we do first?

What we do first

is we sweep the porch.

Yes, sir, boss.

Lord have mercy.

Let me help.

We got some more

back there, right?

Yeah...

I tried to find the reason

to what it might have meant

I was counting

every footstep

and how time was spent

as I sit here lost

and all alone

I realize that all roads

lead you home

home...

Home is where your heart is

the place inside

you never really leave

boy, you keep on searching

in hopes of what you'll find

every road

that you ever roam

leads you home

leads you home...

I'm goin' home...

I'm goin' home...

Can I help you, son?

One customer all day,

and that was the ding-dong.

Can't make a livin'

just sellin' ding-dongs.

Just got to be patient.

You know, I saw that fella

from Davis & Dunn

drive by yesterday.

He slowed down

and took a good look.

He's been doing that

for weeks.

He ain't stopped once.

Yeah?

Just got to give him time,

that's all.

Time's the one thing

in short supply.

Everything else I got.

Tomorrow will be a better day.

Listen, Daniel,

you've wasted enough

of your time here already.

Let's quit foolin' ourselves.

Just take our losses

and move on.

Whatever I owe you,

I'll find a way to pay it.

It might take me a while,

but I'm good for it.

I'm not worried about it.

You know something,

it just felt good

to do something

for somebody else.

Tomorrow's gonna be

a better day.

Mr. Davis?

That's right.

My name's

Daniel Burton.

I reckon we need to talk

about our town.

Now, don't get me wrong.

I've got nothing against

buying from

this particular gentleman.

It's just that we require

a certain quality

in what we buy.

Well, you consider

agro-harvest product

good quality, don't you?

I suppose.

Good as any.

Well then, you'd be getting

what you're used to.

Look, you see, we buy in bulk.

That's good,

'cause we sell in bulk.

As a matter of fact,

any price you can get

we can match,

probably beat,

and by the time

you figure in the cost

of haulin' it

all the way out to here,

it's bound to be cheaper

for you.

That's another thing.

See, the fella we buy from

down in clarksboro's

been at it 20 years or more.

He's got a track record.

This shoup fella?

Shoup's family's

owned the store

since the early '30s.

He's second generation.

All right, I'll level with you.

It just doesn't seem right

buying from him.

It's nothing personal.

It's just not my kind of place.

Well, I guess I misjudged you.

Sorry for wastin' your time.

Now, hold on a second here.

I got a right to buy

where I feel comfortable.

That's my choice.

There's no law

against that, is there?

There's no law against it,

not an official one anyway.

I'm gonna level

with you, Mr. Davis.

I'm just a strugglin' farmer.

I got an old truck,

an old tractor.

Some years,

we do okay,

others, not so good,

but I can tell you one thing,

I'd be a whole lot worse off

if it wasn't for my neighbors,

if it wasn't

for this town.

You see,

if we get a chance

to help a neighbor,

and we just choose to stand by

and watch him fail

when we could have done

something about it,

then this town dies a little.

I'm just asking you

to help a neighbor,

that's all,

just one neighbor.

Can I help you?

Who do I need to talk to

about placing a seed order?

I could help you with that.

Right on over here.

We'll get you all fixed up.

Emmanuel shoup.

Delmer Davis.

So there you are.

Whatcha doin'?

Just out here thinkin'.

About?

Shoup.

He asked me if I wanted

to go in with him,

be his partner.

Do you wanna?

I might.

Let dj run things

around here.

He's been doing it

mostly by himself anyway.

I think that's

a fine idea,

for you and for dj.

I've been

thinking, too.

About?

I've been accepted

by u.T.

Starting next year,

even offered me

a scholarship.

What with working,

and Rodney's offer

to loan me a little money

for tuition,

I think I can

pay my way,

if it's okay with you.

That's great.

I think you should go.

You know, your mama

always said

you were gonna go

to college.

She'd be so happy.

Though it's gonna be a little

different around here

without you.

Maybe you could invite

briony out for a visit.

Nah, I'm sure

she's gotten

on with her life by now.

I'd expect that.

You don't know that,

not for sure.

Hi, this briony...

Hey, briony, it's...

I'm sorry I can't come

to the phone right now,

but if you leave me

a message,

I'll be happy

to return your call.

Briony.

Hi, it's just...

Hey, briony.

It's Daniel.

Daniel Burton.

I just wanted to

give you a call and...

Let you know that you were right

about you told me.

The sooner you start

trying to help somebody else,

the more you realize

that your own problems

don't really add up

to all that much.

I don't know how I ever

lost sight of that.

Anyway, I also wanted to say

if you're ever

anywhere around canaan,

I'd love it if you'd stop by,

or if you just

want to call sometime

and say hello,

I'd like that, too.

I think about you,

I think about you a lot lately.

I hope you're doing good.

Well, anyhow,

hope to hear from you,

and by the way...

Merry Christmas.

You know, whoever invented

them dad-gum answering machines

oughta be shot.

Merry Christmas to you.

Merry Christmas, son.

Thank you, folks.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, now.

Merry Christmas, son.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas

to you.

Hurry up and lock the door

before somebody else

comes in and buys something.

Listen, Daniel,

I owe you a lot.

No more than I owe you.

Well,

whoever deserves it more,

thank you.

You headed home?

Yeah, I got a whole

house full of in-laws.

You?

I'm headed out

to the Freeman place.

Rodney says it's his turn

to have Christmas

out there this year,

and I got a feelin'

him and Sarah have probably got

something special cooking.

Sounds real nice.

Yeah, I gotta enjoy

having everybody together,

you know, with Sarah

leaving for college next year.

Once they leave the roost,

it's hard to get 'em back.

Then you'd best

make the most of it.

You got that right.

Merry Christmas, partner.

Merry Christmas, my friend.

Merry Christmas.

He's here.

Hey, everybody,

sorry I'm late.

Have a seat.

I thought

you'd never get here.

Me too.

Old shoup was so full

of good tidings,

I didn't think

he was gonna lock up

and let me come home.

How can I help you?

Finish setting the table?

I'm on it.

Sissy,

I think you miscounted.

There's an extra plate here.

No, it's right.

There's

someone else

joining us.

Oh, really?

Somebody I know?

I'd say there's a good chance.

Briony?

What are you doing here?

You invited me,

don't you remember?

You said if I was ever

in the neighborhood,

I should stop and say hello.

So, here I am.

Hello.

Merry Christmas.

So, how long

you plan on stayin'?

I'm not sure.

There's a job opening

in clarksboro.

They're looking for

a good orthopedist.

I've been thinking

I might apply for it.

Are you sure

about this?

About what?

Moving to canaan.

It's a long way

from the big city.

I've always been

a country girl,

you know that.

Besides,

it'll give me a chance

to work a little bit more

with bobber.

Well, he'll sure

appreciate that.

It's not

a permanent position.

Only a year.

Then what?

I don't know.

We'll just have to

wait and see.

I reckon

a person can learn a lot

in a year, Daniel Burton,

don't you?

Yeah.

I reckon he can.

Hey, you two,

dinner's ready!

Well, let's go.

Oh, my, it's lovely.

Dj, bobber, we're ready.

Here, buddy, let me

get these for you.

No, it's okay.

I'm fine.

You sure?

What's the matter,

you never seen anyone

walk before?

Atta boy, bobber.

I'm proud

of you, buddy.

Let us bow our heads

and thank the lord,

like my grandmother,

miss eunice, would've.

We thank you, lord Jesus,

for us to share this meal

one to another,

and we ask you to bless

those folk who struggle,

even now,

as we enjoy this plenty,

and as we partake

of this food,

help us grow,

not only in strength,

but in love,

one to the other,

in a desire to be

more like thee.

Amen.

Amen.

Well said, Rodney.

Yeah.

As we gathered

around the table,

who could have imagined

how a gift for bobber

would become, for Daniel,

another gift entirely.

But, then,

in the words of briony,

"what could be better

than spending a Christmas...

"Any Christmas...

In a place called canaan?"