♪ Lately
I've been thinking about ♪
♪ 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.
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'd 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.
- Oh, almost got me.
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 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 will 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 to 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 as y'all know,
I'm not driving you
all the way to San Jose.
All right, let's go.
- You ready, Bobber? Yeah.
California, ready or not,
here they come.
Boys,
I just remembered something.
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 got it.
Juicy Fruit, Spearmint,
Chiclets.
Complete assortment.
How's that brave, young,
Mr. Bobber?
I 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?
Oh, slower than slow.
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 elsewhere.
Yeah. You know what,
if the town's changing,
maybe you ought to 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.
Bound to 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,
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.
And then, there'll be
an intensive period
of physical therapy,
where we'll strengthen
some muscles and, uh, well,
retrain some others.
Now, you'll be doing most
of your work right in here.
Oh, good, there is Dr. Adair.
She's head of our 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... 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've relieved
the pressure on the nerves,
he'll regain full use
of his legs.
Well, what's the worst?
At Churchill Downs,
it was Seattle Slew
winning the Run for the Roses
as the two-year-old
-odds-on favorite...
- 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'd 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 ought to 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 afraid that...
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.
It'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 wanna risk
what I 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 gonna 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 start.
And next January,
we're gonna start.
It's time for new leadership.
It's time for our country
to move.
It's time for a...
- 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 trouper.
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 gonna grab
a quick bite.
You're welcome to join me.
Sure.
A fella's got to eat, I reckon.
You always been a city girl?
What makes you think
I'm a city girl?
I 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.
Huh, 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-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.
Briony.
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.
I found them.
And the new Popular Science
just came in, too.
Uh, well, there's still
plenty of room in here.
Anything else?
Oh, yeah, there's a whole bunch
of get-well cards
on the sideboard.
- Can you grab those for me?
- Yeah.
Hey, Sissy,
where's that hospital 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. It 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 wanna wait till things
settle down a little bit
before I mention it.
Well, I wouldn't wait too long,
because if you are thinking
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 old catfish.
Okay. I'm gonna 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 them what
you're made of, son.
Push back.
Good.
Good work.
All the way to the end.
All right.
Good.
Let me show you how to do this.
- Okay.
- 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.
Ready?
Up.
Good job, buddy.
I'm proud of you.
You know,
I can't thank you enough
for all you've been doing.
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 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 are you taking her?
Oh,
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 got to 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 gradually.
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.
But I'll tell you
one thing for sure,
giving my dad advice
about women?
Something kind of unsettling
about that.
Hmm.
Hey, you want a soda?
Oh, sure, if you're buying.
Well, 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?
Nope.
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.
Yeah, 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.
Mmm-hmm.
Welcome to the Fireglow.
May I help you?
Yes, sir, uh, Burton,
party of two?
I called in earlier.
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.
5 bucks? You're gonna need
to tie it for me.
Let's 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, uh...
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 glowing.
Whee-doggies!
Thank you.
Wow! Now, that
is what I call service.
I waited my share
of tables back home.
Hmm. Cheers.
Oh, cheers.
So when'd you decide
to become 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 wanna 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?
- Mmm-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 wanna 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 gonna 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 embarrassing 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 it wasn't against
the rules.
It wasn't.
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 saying
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 saying.
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 ought to 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 will 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 old
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 kidding 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
knowing 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 out of 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 guestroom?
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 gonna 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.
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 righty.
There. Perfect.
Her plane lands
in a couple hours.
Best get movin'.
Hey, you sure you don't
wanna borrow
some of my cologne? It's musk.
I'll do just fine without it,
thank you very much.
Somebody's a little prickly.
I wonder what that's about.
I wouldn't have
the faintest idea.
You kids are gonna 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.
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 oldest son, DJ.
Ma'am, uh, doctor?
It's Briony.
Briony, ma'am.
And this is Rodney Freeman,
Canaan's most famous author.
Well, Canaan's only author,
best I can tell.
I loved your book.
It makes coming here
almost like coming home.
Oh, 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, I'll grab
your things here.
Just follow me through here.
You have a lovely home.
And what's your new book about?
Short stories mostly,
about growin' up,
things my grandmother taught me.
Oh, you would've loved her.
- That woman was fearless.
- Oh, she had to be.
You know,
it wasn't easy back then.
Back then? When did it get
so easy all of a sudden?
I must have missed that part.
Okay. Now it's Sarah's turn.
I wanna 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 gonna make a run for it,
especially now
that there's somebody here
to keep track of you.
Hey. You got 'em all tucked in?
Mmm-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, hand me that package,
the only one left under
the tree, there.
Thank you.
Now, see, we've got a little
family tradition around here.
Kids know all about this.
It started one
particular Christmas,
my daddy started it,
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 nothing, 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.
It's cashmere.
Nothing wrong with sheep's wool.
Oh, yeah.
- Thanks, Briony. Thanks.
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 them on.
I'll do it later.
No, 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 have.
All of us girls
need some pretty things.
Now, Daniel, your turn.
Oh, 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.
Woo.
Italian silk no less.
I bet you didn't think
I'd notice.
I love it.
Thank you.
I guess no more getting
thrown out of ritzy places.
That'll 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 wanna open it?
- Go on.
- Uh-uh.
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 mantel.
- Uh, I vote we put it there.
- Mmm-hmm.
It's a tree-topper.
You can't put a tree-topper
on the mantel.
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 asking?
You had no right.
Sarah, I'm so sorry.
Why don't you just leave?
It's been hard on all of them.
I'm not blind to that, but...
I 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.
- Box over there.
Yeah, that's right.
What's old 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 them
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 will be surprised.
Hey, hey, Bobber, back
in the house now,
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 wanna 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
is gonna 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 ought to
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 and Dunn,
putting in a hundred acres
or more of sorghum.
Davis and 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 putting 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.
Now, ain't you just
Mr. Sunshine these days?
Hey, where are you goin'?
Town's that way.
Well, why drive all the way
to Clarksboro
when we can order
from old man Shoup?
Well, Rodney was right.
Looks like opening day
at the county fair.
All he's missing
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.
- Okay. Yeah.
- Hey, look at that.
Keep it up, Bobber.
How long has he been out there?
Almost an hour.
I think it's about time
we all had a little talk.
I've 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 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?
And this was your idea, not his?
The family is 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.
- 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.
We'll get by somehow,
we always do.
Sometimes, we get by
because we have to,
but sometimes, "getting by"
is just settling.
For once in your life,
you deserve more
than just settling.
She probably
don't even care anymore.
She 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 firsthand.
Well, uh...
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?
- Water?
- Well, that's what I like to see.
Well, now, looks like you boys
had yourself quite a year.
You can thank DJ for that.
He's the one who 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 and 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 that
he can barely afford
to keep his lights on.
And if he does start selling,
his markup 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 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 wanna 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.
♪ Lately I've been thinking... ♪
Looks good.
Yeah. Grab those, will you?
♪ Like father time
The future and the past ♪
Come on now, get out.
♪ Nothing's changed
Except everything ♪
♪ It all happened Way too fast ♪
♪ I tried to find The reason ♪
♪ To what It might have meant ♪
♪ I recounted 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'll 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 a Ding Dong.
Can't make a livin'
just sellin' Ding Dongs.
You just got to be patient.
You know, I saw that fella
from Davis and 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 feels 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.
But, 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.
You see, the fella we buy from
down in Clarksboro
has been at it 20 years or more.
He's got a track record.
This Shoup fella?
Well, Shoup's family
has 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.
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,
but 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.
What ya doing?
Just out here thinking.
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 UT
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 what 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 wanna 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 daggum answering machines
ought to be shot.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you.
Merry Christmas, son.
Thank you, folks.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas now.
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
has 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 them 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.
- Hey. Hi.
- Evening.
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?
How about 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 staying?
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?
Attaboy, 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.
- Amen.
- Amen. Amen.
- Well said, Rodney.
Your grandma
would be awful proud.
- Hey, who wants cornbread?
- Hey, uh, anyone
want some of these taters here?
Sure. As we gathered
around the table,
who could have imagined
how a gift for Bobber
would become for Daniel
another gift entirely.
But in the words of Briony,
what could be better
than spending a Christmas,
any Christmas
in a place called Canaan?
♪ We'll get by somehow ♪
♪ We always do ♪
♪ And that's what Makes a home ♪
♪ Telling the truth ♪
♪ And when the chips Are down ♪
♪ We'll see it through ♪
♪ And we'll get by somehow ♪
♪ We always do ♪
♪ Back when we were young ♪
♪ Nothing but time to lose ♪
♪ We kept our faith
In the Lord ♪
♪ We're forgetting now
What we knew then ♪
♪ What good was it before? ♪
♪ We'll get by somehow
We always do ♪
♪ And that's what makes a home
Telling the truth ♪
♪ And when the chips Are down ♪
♪ We'll see it through ♪
♪ And we'll get by somehow ♪
♪ We always do ♪
♪ No, no, no, no ♪
♪ No, no, no, no ♪
♪ Now I come in prayer ♪
♪ With my head bowed ♪
♪ I give thanks
For all your love, yeah ♪
♪ As we move ahead ♪
♪ Just looking back ♪
♪ You know the saints
From up above ♪
♪ Oh, we'll get by somehow ♪
♪ We always do ♪
♪ And that's what makes A
home Telling the truth ♪
♪ And when the chips Are down ♪
♪ We'll see it through ♪
♪ And we'll get by somehow ♪
♪ We always do ♪
♪ No, no, no ♪
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