06x09 - We Gather Together

[bunniefuu]

The babies didn't survive.

-We tried every method possible. -Oh, my God!

[sobs] Oh, my God!

Where is she? Where is she? Valene!

The moment those babies were born, I heard them cry.

Everything was all a blur.

You don't believe me?

[man] They have been placed in a good home,

as you requested.

My request?

I was sorry they were mine.

Well, in a way they were.

[theme music playing]

I remember being brought into the hospital...

and I was wheeled into the delivery room.

I felt so alone... and so scared.

Then they gave me the anesthetic and the nurse...

Over there, she told me not to worry,

to just close my eyes and it would all be over soon.

And I remember in the middle of it all...

hearing those babies cry

and thinking to myself, it's okay now.

Everything is alright. My babies are alright.

-Val! -Gary, I know I heard them cry.

I saw them right there in front of me.

I even heard the nurses talking about them.

When did that happen?

The moment those babies were born,

I heard them cry.

-In the delivery room? -[Valene] Yeah.

When everything was all a blur.

You don't believe me?

I talked with Dr. Ackerman a while ago.

He said this might happen.

He said it's a common phenomenon.

Dr. Kellin told me these babies were small,

but she told me there was no danger.

Well, I think the best thing right now is to get some rest.

When I was having cramps a few days ago,

Dr. Ackerman gave me some pills.

He told me then that the babies were alright.

Well, maybe in the morning he'll be able to tell you more.

Gary...

I wanted these babies so much.

Oh, I know.

[Valene] I did, Gary.

-I know how much you did. -I did.

[sobs]

[somber music playing]

Well, Ma'am, can you tell us where room 105 is, please?

I'm sorry, but it's past visiting hours.

Well, my daughter, Valene Ewing, has just given birth to twins.

-Isn't that exciting? -Valene Ewing?

Mm. The best-selling author.

You're not going to tell me I can't see my own daughter,

-are you? -Well, Mom, maybe

-we should come back tomorrow. -[Lilimae] No.

Maybe we could just see the babies.

-Is that alright? -Dr. Ackerman.

Oh, Dr. Ackerman. I-I'm Valene Ewing's mama.

Maybe you can help us. I want to see Valene. [chuckles]

And the babies, of course.

I'm afraid it was a difficult delivery.

Well, we won't stay long.

-Val is resting now. -Just a few minutes.

I promise.

I don't think that's possible right now.

[Lilimae] Oh, this is such a special occasion.

I mean, surely you can make an exception.

[chuckles] I'd love to see my grandchildren.

[suspenseful music playing]

I'm afraid it's not as simple as that.

Is something wrong?

[Mitch] The delivery didn't go as planned.

-There were complications. -Complications?

-What are you telling me? -Valene is fine,

but, uh, the babies...

What?

[Mitch] The babies didn't survive.

They were born dead.

-We tried every method possible. -Oh, my God!

[sobs] Oh, my God!

Where is she? Where is she?

Valene! I have to see her!

-Mama, you can't go in there. -[cries] No, I have to see her.

[cries] Oh, my God!

Let me go! Valene!

[sobbing]

-Mrs. Ewing. -Oh, Maria.

Mr. Ewing is going to be coming home kinda late tonight,

so I'd like you to have a light supper ready for him.

-Nothing elaborate. -[Maria] Yes, Madam.

And he's probably going to want to sleep late tomorrow,

so alert the staff to be kind of quiet, alright?

I'll do that.

-Will that be all? -Yeah.

[sighs]

[phone ringing]

Gary?

[man] Have you got any information yet?

The information?

[man] The father's blood type.

It's essential for the paperwork.

Look, I don't know what you're talking about.

[man] The agency has a policy that once the babies

are placed in their new homes,

communication with the natural parents

is discontinued.

Who told you to call me?

[man] The babies are being placed

within the next two days.

Which babies?

[man] The babies in question, Mrs. Ewing.

[sighs] Look, there's gotta be some kind of mistake here.

[man] They're being placed in a good home,

as you requested.

My request?

[man] It's a fine family. You need to have no concern.

[tense music playing]

Whose babies are you talking about?

[man] We will need the information no later than tomorrow.

We'll get back to you, hopefully, at a better time.

[tense music playing]

[Eric] Ben, this is Eric Fairgate. I'm at Val's house.

She's going into labor and I'm taking her

to Ocean Park Hospital.

If you get back in the next few minutes, please call me.

When you leave the hospital and get home...

Mm-hmm.

...the two of us can go away somewhere together.

Just for a few days or longer,

-if you like. -Mm.

Someplace quiet where you can rest.

Away from everything.

Maybe we could go to one of those resorts for women.

[chuckles] Would you like that?

We can get massages and take the mineral baths.

-Try the exercise class. -Mm.

I just-I just read about a place like that

in the desert.

We could take Joshua with us. Just go away like a family.

Oh, I know.

Everything seems awful now,

as if there's no reason to go on.

Don't you think I know how you feel?

[sighs] But you're strong, Valene.

Stronger than you realize.

I want to see those babies, mama.

I need to hold them.

I want to see them no matter what.

But they're gone.

Find out which nurses were in the delivery room

and you talk to them, would you do that for me?

-Well, what good will I do? -Would you talk to Dr. Ackerman,

and you find out if it's possible

that there's been some mistake?

-A mistake? -[Valene] Yes.

Well, a hospital wouldn't make a mistake like that.

No.

Oh.

Mm.

Uh-uh.

Uh-uh.

[Gary] Ben, she lost the babies.

-[Ben] What? -I'm sorry.

I wish there'd been a gentler way to tell you.

No, no, that's... How is she?

[sighs]

-She's okay. -Yeah, yeah.

Lilimae's in with her now.

-I was in San Diego. -I'm sure she'd like to see you.

[sighs] No. Uh, not yet, no.

These were your first children, weren't they?

Look, Ben, don't stay away from her. Not now.

She needs you.

And I think you need her.

[Mack] You had to see Gary and Val in a Lamaze class...

[both chuckles]

...convincing me that we'd be alone together.

They were right.

But they look good together.

It's a shame.

That's a shame.

It's not a shame.

It's different with us than it is with Val and Gary.

-Why? -Abby.

-[scoffs] -That's why.

I mean I couldn't look at- couldn't look at Gary.

You know, I just wanted to pop him in the nose.

I don't think he wanted to go as far as I did, though.

[sighs]

-With Abby, I mean I-- -Forget them. Forget them.

-He wanted to stay with Val. -Forget them.

-Let's talk about us. -I know he wanted to stay

-with Val. -Alright?

[breathes deeply]

Okay...

I'm gonna hate to leave you tomorrow.

Me too.

We needed this time together.

Mm-hmm.

-To be alone together. -Mm.

Before the big dinner.

It's gonna be a great Thanksgiving.

-Two of us back together. -Yeah.

-Surrounded by all our friends. -Mm-hm.

I'm glad you planned the big dinner and invited them.

-Me too. -All of them?

-[chuckles] All of them. -All of them.

-What's wrong? -I twisted my back.

Is there something I could do?

You already did it.

[both chuckle]

[crickets chirping]

[sighs]

[sighs]

[breathes deeply]

How is she?

Not good.

[sighs]

What a horrible thing to have happened.

She's convinced it didn't.

What do you mean?

She thinks the babies are still alive.

Why would she think that?

I don't know.

[suspenseful music playing]

She will come out of it.

[sighs] She's positive she heard the babies cry,

and she heard the nurses talking about them.

She thinks she even saw them.

And she's upset because

she can't get anybody to believe her.

[suspenseful music continues]

[waves crashing]

Ben?

What are you doing here?

I heard about Val's babies.

I didn't think you'd want to be alone.

I do.

Don't you think it's time you got some sleep?

-[Joshua] You must be tired. -[Cathy] No, I'm fine.

Thank you for staying with us.

I know that it meant a lot to my mother.

It meant a lot to me, too.

-You're gonna be alright? -Yeah.

Take care of Lilimae. She needs you.

Yeah, I have to get back with her now .

-Do you want me to go with you? -No.

I- I said a lot of things to you that I'm sorry for.

[door opens]

[Laura yawns]

You two, uh, must have had quite a night.

What time is it anyway?

[baby crying]

Excuse me. My friend needs a bottle.

[Cathy] We've been at the hospital with Valene.

Isn't it, isn't it kind of early?

She lost the babies.

[gasps] Oh, my God.

[Abby] Hello, this is Abby Ewing.

-Is Mr. Easton in, please? - [woman] No, he's not.

[sighs] When do you expect him?

[woman] Mr. Easton isn't in town at the moment.

Oh. Uh, do you know when he'll be back?

[woman] Well, he's flying back to Los Angeles.

He'll be calling in for messages.

Would you like to leave word where you can be reached?

[sighs] Do you know what flight he's on?

[woman] He's on a private plane.

He got a ride with some friends from Galveston Industries

on their corporate jet.

Well, what time will he be in?

[woman] They should arrive Van Nuys Airport in two hours.

Are you sure you wouldn't like to leave a message?

Uh, no. That's alright. Thank you.

[car engine rumbles]

-I'll race you to the bags. -You what? [chuckles]

I'll race you to the bags. I won.

-I lost. I lost. -[both laugh]

Oh, you know what?

You know what I love about going away?

When you come home, everything seems so fresh and different.

[Mack] Oh, everything is fresh and different.

[Karen] The boys are here.

-The boys are here. -The boys.

Let's get rid of the boys are here.

The boys are here for the bags. Guys .

-Here to help us with the bags. -Mom.

-So, help yourself, guys. -Mack.

-The bags are right there. -Wait, Mack, wait.

-Karen, come with me, please. -Mack, what?

-What? -[Eric] Val went into labor.

Are you kidding?

She lost the babies.

They were born dead.

[tense music playing]

Born dead?

You're- you're not suggesting I'm gonna live with you,

are you? Are you?

Listen, she can spend an afternoon with you

showing you townhouses

-or condos or whatever you want. -Okay.

-You know, to take a good pick. -Well, when I get there,

I'll-I'll look on my own, alright?

But I want your seal of approval on my house.

[Laura sighs] Come on.

I guess we have a lot to be thankful for, huh?

-Yeah. Yeah, I suppose we do. -Alright.

Tomorrow night,

I made reservations for us at Garcia,

you're gonna have your first Mexican Thanksgiving dinner.

Mama Garcia's cooking.

[sighs] I can't.

So now you don't want Mexican food?

No, no, it's just that...

it's just that there's been this stuff

going on in the Cul-de-Sac

and-and Karen invited me for Thanksgiving.

I don't know whether it's on or it's off,

but I- I just feel like I should keep myself open.

Something the matter with the MacKenzie?

No, no, I just... I'm sorry.

I feel so bad.

[breathe heavily]

There'll be plenty of Thanksgivings.

Yeah?

-[Gregory] Yeah. No problem. -[chuckles]

The boys really took care of everything.

I think you would've been very proud of them.

They're...

They're really very grown-up.

-Yeah, they are. -They are.

Yeah. Val...

-Mack, would you do me a favor? -What, honey?

-Would you talk to Dr. Ackerman? -Oh, we did. We have already.

-You did? -Yeah.

He explained everything to us.

-And? -About your confusion and...

It's just all-all perfectly understandable.

Nothing to be alarmed about.

Hey, you know what you're gonna do?

You're gonna get yourself out of the hospital.

You're gonna take all the time you need, rest,

get your-get yourself back again, you know?

You know, these things happen all the time, you know?

-No one expects-- -They really do.

Val, look, honey.

[Valene] I'm just gonna be back home...

-No one expects-- -...in no time.

I'm just in here another day, you know, for observation.

Karen, come on. We'll go.

Val, we'll come by and pick you up tomorrow.

Aren't you gonna be busy fixing Thanksgiving dinner?

No.

No, we've decided not to.

Why not?

Because it just seemed... inappropriate.

Oh, that's crazy.

I want you to go right ahead with everything as you planned.

I think it's very important for us all to be together.

[tense music playing]

[chuckles]

[upbeat music playing]

[propellers whirring]

[ominous music playing]

Sir, excuse me, um...

I was supposed to meet Scott Easton.

-He was on your plane? -This is a private jet.

Oh, I know. It-it's owned by Galveston Industries.

Yes, it's only used by executives.

Oh, I know that, uh, but I was told

you were giving him a ride.

I'm sorry. There must be some mistake.

There was no one else on the plane.

[sighs] Do you, do you know Scott Easton?

I've never heard of him. I'm sorry I can't help you.

[tense music playing]

[somber music playing]

[sighs]

-Lilimae. -Well, why did you come up?

Joshua let me in. He said you might be up here.

Valene will be coming home tomorrow.

I couldn't leave this up. [sighs]

Good idea.

Those- those babies.

[sobs] I don't know how she got over that.

For a while, things seemed to be looking up.

Well, they'll get better again.

I hope.

[sighs] We kept trying to have children when we were married.

She wanted them so badly.

I know.

When I found out she was pregnant...

I got to admit I was jealous. I was sorry they weren't mine.

Well, in a way they were.

You are the continuous thread that runs through her life.

[sobs] I'm sorry.

-[Lilimae cries] -And you.

[crying]

[exhales]

Here, let me, let me help you with that.

-I can't seem to loosen it. -Well, let me try.

[sighs]

[sniffles]

-[man] Hello. -Is this Scott Easton's office?

[man] Yes, it is, but everyone's gone home already.

-[sighs] Are you sure? -[man] Yes, ma'am.

Everyone left early for the Thanksgiving weekend.

[sighs]

Well, I spoke to his secretary just a few hours ago, uh...

Do you have any idea where I might be able to reach her?

[man] I'm just the cleaning, ma'am.

[sighs] Could you give me her name?

[man] There are lots of secretaries here.

Can you give me any of their names?

[man] No, I don't think I ought to do that.

I'm sorry, ma'am.

[sighs]

[sighs]

[Joshua] Was it retribution?

[Kathrun] Retribution?

[Joshua] Well, because she conceived out of wedlock.

[Kathrun] No, I don't think so.

I try not to judge her actions too harshly,

but she was wrong, it's causing her some problems.

On the other hand, she's my sister, I do love her.

Do you think a person who commits a sin

-is unworthy of our love? -[scoffs]

That makes me think of my mother and my father,

and I know that what they did was wrong,

but I'm glad that they did it, or I wouldn't be here.

It was so much easier with my father

before I knew all this.

Do you remember "The Book of Job?"

Yes, I do.

If we lived lives without tragedy

or disappointment, we wouldn't be stronger

or better people.

We certainly wouldn't have compassion

for other people's misfortunes.

-What would that make us? -[scoffs]

My father's visit taught me that.

Why don't you write a sermon about it?

A sermon?

If it's good, I'll deliver it on my program.

I don't think I'd be able to do that.

If you take the time to think about what you know

and what you've seen and done, it isn't hard.

You might be surprised.

[Abby] Has Scott called you?

[man] I haven't talked to him since Monday.

Have you tried him in Washington?

I spoke to his secretary there yesterday,

but she said he was on a flight back.

[man] Well, he told me he was staying for the weekend.

-Is it important? - Well, it could be.

-Anything I can help you with? -No, uh...

Well, you don't happen to know his secretary

-in Washington's name, do you? -[man] Charlene Smith.

Do you happen to know her phone number?

[man] I have no idea. I'm sorry.

Alright, thanks. [sighs]

[airplane droning]

[coin clinking]

[buttons clicking]

[phone line ringing]

-[man] Information. -Uh...

Do you have a number for Charlene Smith?

-[man] Do you have an address? -[sighs] No, I don't.

[man] Well, I'm sorry.

There's no number under that listing,

and there are about two dozen C. Smiths.

Thanks.

[suspenseful music playing]

Smith.

[scoffs]

Is this yours or mine? I--

-What's that? -Huh? This sweater.

-It's mine. -You sure?

[scoffs] Keep it. It looks better on you anyhow.

I don't want it.

Yeah, you're right. Thanks.

I'm gonna miss having you around here. I--

[chuckles]

You're coming to dinner tomorrow, right?

-Yeah. -Thanksgiving?

Big Bird?

Is Valene coming?

Yep.

Come on. It was her idea.

You know she didn't want us to cancel it.

It's good. It's good.

It's good. It's good. What's bothering you?

You know what's bothering me.

Me.

I must have a monumental ego.

You know that?

I loved the woman. I wanted to marry her.

You still love her, right?

Well, go get her, man. It's not too late.

I'm gonna miss having you around here, you know that?

-Come on. -Not your coffee.

Just you.

-[scoffs] -[chuckles]

[Gary] And I thought we could add

another two dozen units.

[Karen] Won't they be pretty close together?

[Gary] No, with the landscaping

-I had in mind. -[Karen] Oh, good.

[Gary] And a lake for fishing.

[Karen] Sounds wonderful.

-And a second pool hot tub area. -Gary. [sighs]

Are you at all concerned with Scott Easton?

-Why, what do you mean? -After what Alex Leslie said.

-Yeah, if he can deliver. -Abby.

-Hi. -Hi.

Gary told me about our success with Scott Easton.

-That's wonderful. -Yeah, it's great, isn't it?

We worked out a tentative plan

for the second phase of development.

You wanna see it?

Oh, not right now.

Thanks.

Abby, I guess I owe you an apology.

You were right about Scott Easton.

[dramatic music playing]

[breathes heavily]

[panting]

Val, I want you to be prepared to go under anesthesia.

No. I want to be awake. I want to see it.

Val, you're experiencing complications.

No, I want to... I don't want to.

Keep breathing.

I'll try to comfort you a little,

but you're beginning to bleed quite a bit.

-Do you understand? -Yeah.

[breathes heavily] I do.

[breathes heavily]

-[Mitch] Help me push. -[Valene groans]

[groans]

[Mitch] Push.

[grunts]

[Mitch] Push.

-[grunts] -[Mitch] Push.

[Valene grunts]

-[Valene screams] -[Mitch] Push.

[groans]

[baby cries]

[panting]

-[Valene groans] -[Mitch] Here we go again now.

-[Valene groans] -[Mitch] Push, push,

-[baby cries] -[panting]

[nurse] Alright. You got it. Come on, sweetheart.

They look good. They're healthy.

They're breathing well. Responding.

[sighs]

[breathes heavily]

Good evening. Is Charlene there?

[woman] There's no Charlene here.

-What number did you want? -[sighs]

I'm sorry. I must have dialed wrong.

[sighs] Sorry to disturb you.

[Abby sighs]

[sighs]

[buttons clicking]

[crickets chirping]

-We'll get this next. -It makes me feel kind of funny.

-I know. -[grunts]

I think it'll be difficult for all of us.

[Mack] But life goes on, even in the face of death.

We have to remember that. Let's get the kitchen table.

-Kitchen table. -Gotta keep on living.

You know, when Kennedy was assassinated,

I'll never forget that Thanksgiving.

The whole family was in a state of shock.

Just like the country was. Watch the walls.

So my mother put together this huge Thanksgiving dinner,

invited everyone, half the world,

all the relatives, aunts, uncles, cousins,

people I'd never seen before, and haven't seen since.

We all needed to band together.

-Family, you know? -Yeah.

It's gonna be a very different Thanksgiving

for all of us.

But I think an important one for Val.

What should we say to her?

Oh, just treat her the way you always would.

Feel worse if she thought you weren't being yourself.

-How can we be ourselves? -She knows it's hard for you.

She knows it's hard for all of us.

But if I know Val, she'll go out of her way

to make us feel comfortable, right?

[sighs] So when the time comes, you'll know what to do.

[Michael] Will everyone know?

Yeah, but that's what Thanksgiving is.

You know, even in the worst times,

it's realizing what we're thankful for.

Karen, Karen.

This does not work. There's no room.

I mean, look at all the people that are coming.

It's not- it's- it's--

Take the couch, put it in the garage.

We gotta turn the tables around this way.

We need more chairs. Maybe we can rent some.

Hello. Uh...

I'm calling long-distance from Los Angeles.

I know the office is closed right now,

but this is an emergency.

[man] Well, I'm the night security guy.

-Could you please help me? -[man] What is it?

I need the home phone number of Charlene Smith.

She's Scott Easton's personal secretary.

[man] I don't have that.

Well, I'm sure it's on the Rolodex

-in Mr. Easton's office. -[man] I- I'm sorry, ma'am.

I can't go into his personal belongings.

But this is an emergency.

[man] If I did that, I-I'd lose my job.

I promise you, no one will ever know

where I got the number.

-[man] Sorry, lady. -[sighs]

Do you even know Charlene Smith?

-[man] Yes. -Can't you tell me anything?

[man] The only thing I can tell you

is she lives with her parents in Arlington, Virginia.

[sighs]

Thank you.

[woman over PA system] Dr. Graham,

admitting desk, please, Dr. Graham.

[babies crying]

[babies cooing]

[babies crying]

[sighs]

Charlene, I've been trying all night to reach you.

[Charlene] Do you know what time it is here?

I have to talk to Scott.

[Charlene] I told you Mr. Easton got on that plane.

There's been some kind of mistake.

[Charlene] Look, Mrs. Ewing, I'm on vacation.

-Scott wasn't on that plane. -[Charlene] He was

on the Galveston Industries private jet.

No, he wasn't.

[Charlene] Mrs. Ewing, not only did I drive him to the airport,

but after I dropped him off,

I discovered he'd left a folder on the seat.

I ran after him.

He was already boarding the plane.

I caught him upstairs talking

with some of the Galveston executives.

He thanked me for catching 'em and introduced me to some guys.

Then I saw him get into the plane.

So don't tell me he didn't get on that plane.

Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get some sleep

so I can stay awake through Thanksgiving with my family.

Where is he?

[Charlene] I don't know, Mrs. Ewing.

Goodnight.

[dramatic music playing]

Go slowly. I'm sorry.

There we go. That's good. Thanks, darling.

Mama.

[Laura] Val.

Valene.

-Hi. -Hi, Laura.

It's gonna be alright, you know?

-I know. -Oh, it's gonna be alright.

I know, Laura.

You both gonna be there tonight?

Yeah, we're gonna be there.

Okay.

[sighs]

[Valene] Thank you both.

-Here, give me another hug. -[Michael] You're welcome.

-[sighs] -[Karen] Hey.

-You. -Hi.

Come on.

[Karen] Want me to stay with you for a while?

[Valene] No, you got too much to do.

And I don't want another Karen Fairgate MacKenzie

Thanksgiving dinner that starts at midnight.

[Karen chuckles]

-[Karen] Oh. -[Valene] Come on, Mama.

[door opens]

Gary, the, um, the ham's on the kitchen table.

It looks delicious.

Don't you think it's time to start getting dressed?

We're late now as it is.

Honey, I'm not, I'm not-I'm not gonna go.

-Why not? -Because I can't face Val.

-Not today. Look. -Abby--

Gary, I'm not gonna sit across the table

from her on Thanksgiving.

I stole her husband.

You didn't steal me.

She still loves you.

Don't you think she's in enough pain as it is?

What is it gonna do to her to see me with you?

[sighs] She'll appreciate the gesture.

-She'll know how difficult-- -No, Gary, I'm not going!

Abby!

[inhales]

You do whatever you think is right,

but whatever you decide, I'm going to the MacKenzies

with or without you.

[sighs]

[Michael] Mom, that smells great.

[Mack] The wine.

You gotta chill the wine. The white wine.

We need room in the refrigerator.

There's room in the refrigerator.

-You'll find it. -How did my mother's recipe

-for this stuffing turn out? -Oh, like a dream.

Michael, come on. Don't stay in there.

-Come. come here. -Hey, kids, somebody

-set the table. -Which dish?

I want you to put-- take the cranberry sauce...

-The blue set for the grownups. -...put it in the, uh...

-What are these? -[Michael] They are avocado.

Squash. Ooh, I thought I'd get the gravy bowls.

Now, don't give me avocado. Just do it. You need a spoon.

After that, we'll get to the salad.

We gotta make a salad sauce, alright?

-Look. -[glass shatters]

-I'll get it. -[Mack] Don't worry about it.

-Use this one. -Here, I'll get it.

-Get this. Here. -[Michael] I'll pick it up.

Oh, are you good, Mom?

-I'll put it out. -It's alright.

-It's-it's gravy bowl. -[Michael] I'll get it.

Somebody get another gravy bowl from the cabinet.

[dramatic music playing]

Valene?

Oh, I remember that dress.

Oh. [chuckles]

You look beautiful.

-Thank you, Mama. -Oh. Oh.

Well, you might try the gold earrings with it.

-What do you think, huh? -[chuckles]

Are you and Joshua all ready to go?

All ready?

Oh, wait till you see the cookies I baked.

-[chuckles] -Why don't you go on ahead,

and I'll join you in a few minutes?

-Oh, we don't mind waiting. -No, go on, Mama.

I- I'll be there in just a few minutes.

Okay?

Okay.

[soft music playing]

[mellow music playing]

-Well. Well, good evening. -[Gary] How you doing?

-Oh, nice. -[Lilimae] How's everybody?

-Happy Thanksgiving. -Well, happy Thanksgiving.

You know you're looking very handsome today.

-Well, thank you, ma'am. -How's Val?

She's fine. It's nice of you to ask.

[chuckles]

[doorbell rings]

Alright. Do we have enough napkins?

-Well, we sure have one. -Oh, no.

-I'll get it, honey. -Hold, hold, hold it.

Get your jacket on. Be happy or I'll break your neck.

-Hey! How you doing? -Oh, hey!

-Look at that ham. Beautiful. -Yeah.

-Hey. How you doing? -Hello.

-That ham looks beautiful. -Happy Thanksgiving.

[indistinct chatter]

-Happy Thanksgiving. -Happy Thanksgiving.

Oh, short pie. I hope you like it.

-It's my favorite. Yeah. -Is it?

-It's my favorite. -Oh, so good.

Gary, excuse me. Excuse me, Gary.

Oh, the pie looks delicious.

-Oh, will you taste it? -Where's Val?

-She'll be along. -Alright.

[tense music playing]

There's not gonna be any left here.

Mack, you should have been a surgeon.

-Well... -[chuckles]

-You want a leg? -Uh, thigh, yeah.

-Val's not here yet. -Yes, I know.

Well, maybe you should go over there and check up on her.

[sighs] Maybe we should ask Lilimae.

Gary, you're the only one who could make her come over here.

[sighs]

Okay. I'll be right back.

[melancholy music playing]

Jason, you meet us over there, okay?

Maybe we can listen to Pooh Bear.

-[sneezing] -Bless you.

Karen. Did you have a bit of a sneeze there?

I wasn't sure you were going to come.

-I'm glad you could. -Well, it's too important.

I've got to know where I'm needed, right, sport?

And that's with Valene.

Aw!

You must be running like crazy today.

Actually, Thanksgiving is one of my quietest days of the year.

I guess so.

Will that be all, Senator?

Happy Thanksgiving.

[door closes]

Val.

Hi.

How're you doing?

How's it look?

Very pretty.

Thank you.

I suppose everybody's already there.

Yeah, it's okay.

Whenever you're ready.

Is Ben there yet?

Yes, he is.

I feel so bad about what I've done to him.

I hurt him.

I shouldn't have done that.

Val, you know,

it takes two people to make a relationship.

Exactly two.

Ben didn't behave so well himself.

No, you're wrong, Gary. You're wrong about that.

Gary.

[cries] We never should have gotten married again.

[sighs]

I've never regretted it. Not for one minute.

I feel so awful about Capricorn Crude. [cries]

I know how much that hurts you.

-Val, listen to me. -And Nashville Junction...

-A lotta things have piled up... -...was just...

-...on you. -...a terrible mistake.

Everything seems bigger and more terrible than it is.

I'm just fooling myself.

-This is not the time... -No, I've been fooling myself.

...to go over all the disappointments.

You've gotta take it easy on yourself.

I'm going to spend as much time with you as you want.

Don't think about anything

you might have done to hurt anybody,

-because you haven't. -[sobbing]

You've had a terrible shock.

[sobbing]

[melancholy music playing]

[cries]

-[Gary] Here. -Thank you.

[sighs]

[breathe heavily]

-I'm sorry. -It's okay.

Come on, why don't we go next door?

There's a great meal over there.

-Okay? -Yeah. Okay.

[sniffling]

And for what we are about to receive, we give thanks.

-[Karen] Amen. -Amen.

I think that this Thanksgiving more than any,

when we are so aware of much sorrow,

I think that it will take maybe just a little effort,

but I think we need to remind ourselves

of what we're thankful for.

As I look around this table,

I see the faces of people I've hurt in the past year.

I apologize for the pain I've caused.

I apologize. Forgive me.

I am just thankful that we, uh, you know,

that we're all here together today.

-[Laura] It was fine. -Hear, hear.

-And I'll drink to that. -[Sid] Yeah.

And I have my son and my daughter...

and we're all living under the same roof.

Yeah.

I think it's very important for us to realize

how little time we have left with the people we love...

and I think it's very important for us to use that time well.

[mellow music playing]

[Ben] We can't always have everything the way we want it...

but it's important to keep what we care about

rather than to discard it because it isn't perfect.

I'm really thankful to have learned that.

-So let's eat. -Yeah.

What do you say?

[indistinct chatter]

[mellow music playing]

I'm sorry.

Gary and I, a little late again, as usual.

[suspenseful music playing]

[sighs]

[theme music playing]