All language subtitles for Mr.Church.2016.1080p.BRRip.x264.AAC-ETRG.en

[Footsteps, objects clatter]

[Refrigerator door opens]

[Glass bottles rattle]

[Refrigerator door closes]

[Dishes clatter]

[Hinges creak]

[Gas hisses, flames roar]

[Sizzling]

(Charlotte, narrating) Henry
Joseph Church could have been

anything he wanted to be.

He chose to cook.

The key, he said, jazz.

[Jazz music plays over radio]

Mama, wake up, wake up.

Baby, baby, what is it?

There's a black man
in our kitchen cooking eggs.

[Laughs]

Baby, that's okay.

It's Mr. Church,
our new cook.

New cook?
Mm-hmm.

We never had
an old cook.

You know what? Mama just
needs a tiny bit more rest.

I'll- Go introduce yourself.
I'll be there soon.

(Charlotte, narrating) Mr. Church
used to work for Richard Cannon,

who was Mama's lover.

But he wasn't my daddy.

When Mama found out
Richard was married

she ended it,
though she still loved him.

Morning, baby.

When Richard was sick,

the last thing
he said to Mama was,

"I'll care for you

until my dying day and beyond. "

Good morning, Mr. Church.
Oh, good morning, ma'am.

(Charlotte, narrating) I guess
Mr. Church was the "beyond" part.

I see you met Charlie.

Well, not officially.

Oh, well, Charlie,
where's your manners?

Good morning, Charlotte.
My name's Mr. Church.

How are you?
Fine.

Wow, this looks delicious.
Thank you, Mr. Church.

You are most welcome, ma'am.

[Mother] Come on, baby. Eat up.

I want Apple Jacks.

Charlie!
What are Apple Jacks?

Well, it's a cereal.

It tastes like apples.

Well, and sugar, mainly.

You've never heard
of Apple Jacks?

Hey, don't be rude.
I can make the child

some Apple Jacks
if that's what she wants-

It's already made.
It comes in a box.

Add milk and you're done.

She doesn't need it.

Well, she got to eat
something, ma'am.

You have made an incredible
meal. Charlie, eat.

What is this?

(Mr. Church)
You never heard of grits?

There are a lot
of secrets in my grits.

Mm.

This is delicious.
You got to try some, sweetie.

Charlotte Marie Brooks, you
sit your butt down right now.

I'm going to count
to three, okay?

One... two...

Mr. Church,
excuse me.

I want cereal!

[Whispering]
You're embarrassing me.

Why is he here?

I don't know. Because
Richard wanted it this way.

And I want Apple Jacks.
Charlie...

What times
does he go home?

I guess
when he's done.

When is he done?
When we're done.

Well, we're done.

Oh, Charlie, please.

It makes no sense.

It's what Richard wanted.

Who cares what he wanted?
He's dead.

Morning, Gibby.
Morning, dear. Charlie.

Morning, Gibby.

How are you two
this morning?

We're fine.

We have a cook.

That's nice, dear.

Here, take this.

You drink coffee all day.
I eat Apple Jacks.

We don't need a cook. Well,
Richard seems to think we did.

If Richard really cared
about you,

he would have married you.

Mr. Church
won't be staying.

I'm sure he's already realized
what a mistake all this is.

[Bus driver] Come on,
Charlie. We gotta move.

Love you.

(Charlotte, narrating) It was
always hard to stay mad at Mama.

She was too nice,
and far too beautiful.

I was always looking,

trying to find someone
more beautiful than my mama.

But I never could.

And out of everyone
in the whole wide world,

she loved me most.

Hey, Mr. Church,
could I have a word with you?

Oh, man. I'm going to
need to go to the market.

Yeah, well,
it's about all that.

Yeah, I brought some groceries
with me today, ma'am,

but no offense, all you got in
here is some condiments and stuff.

There's nothing
to spread them on.

I suppose I haven't been
to the store in a while.

Could we just hold off
on that for a second?

I wanted to wait
till Charlie was at school

before speaking with you-
Ma'am, you're shivering.

Yeah, I forgot my jacket.
It's kind of chilly out.

Maybe you want to put on
a sweater or something.

Yeah, I will. I just
- 'Cause you don't want to get sick, ma'am.

He told you.

Yes, ma'am.

What'd he say?

That you have a cancer
in your breast

and that
you're dying, ma'am.

Did he tell you
how long I have?

Six months, ma'am.

Mr. Church, we're talking
about my breast and dying.

You can drop
the "ma'am" stuff, okay?

Because it's Marie.

You really think
you should be smoking

in your condition, ma'am?

Absolutely.

How'd you do
on your English test?

Hmm, I think I failed.

Good morning, Miss Samuels.
Good morning, Miss Brooks.

How are you this morning?

Oh, well,
we have a cook.

He's black, he makes grits
with secrets,

and he's hanging out
in our kitchen.

[School bell rings]

So, what kind of a deal
did Richard make with you?

I was just asked to cook
for you and your child

till you passed on, ma'am.

And certainly
you're getting something

out of this.

Well, Mr. Cannon guaranteed
me a lifetime salary

if I kept my word.

Not bad.

Total financial security

in exchange
for six months of meals.

So, you got yourself a
pretty good deal, Mr. Church.

Yes, ma'am.

Come on.

Hey, Charlie.

(Charlotte, narrating)
Owen Baxter was by far

the most gorgeous
10-year-old boy

that ever breathed on this
or any other planet.

I, on the other hand,

was about the most awkward
10-year-old girl

on this or any other planet.

[Boy]
Come on, Owen.

What is it?

Who knows?

Look at you,

already bringing
fancy sandwiches to lunch,

Miss I Have a Cook Brooks.

Can I come see him?

I told you,
he's leaving.

Probably gone already.

Oh, if you don't
want him, I do.

(Charlotte, narrating) Our private
school took a few charity cases a year.

The year I turned five,
it was me

and Poppy Samuels,
my one and only friend.

She lived with her sister
because both of her folks

were serving time in prison
for a robbery gone wrong.

And even with that,
she was more popular than me.

Tell you something,
Charlie,

it's not every day
you get a cook.

It might be nice having a man
around to help your mama out.

We've always done fine.

We don't need a man, and we
sure as hell don't need a cook.

My sister says
every woman needs a man.

Sometimes
more than one.

Where'd you get all that?

Stole it
from my sister's dresser.

Stealing's the one thing
us Samuels are good at.

[Knock on door]

Yeah?

Excuse me, ma'am.

I'm about to head out
to the market.

Okay. Um...

We shop at Gordon's.
Is that all right?

Oh, yeah, that's fine.
Yeah, yeah.

You know, Mr. Church,
if we're going to do this,

let me at least give you
some money.

I've only got $12, but-

Oh, ma'am,
don't worry about that.

Mr. Cannon opened up an
account for me to draw off

for marketing
and such.

"And such?"

Well, your medical bills
and rent and medicine.

That's all taken care of,
courtesy of Mr. Cannon

for the next six months.

And what,
in his estimation,

did six months of life
come to?

Beg your pardon, ma'am?

Never mind.

You know what?

At least take
some coupons, you know?

I'm not completely helpless.

It couldn't hurt.
Yeah, it couldn't hurt at all.

All right. Okay.

Oh, Mr. Church, um...

Charlie doesn't know
that I'm sick,

and I'd like to keep it
that way.

Oh. As you wish, ma'am.

I'll be back shortly,
all right?

♫♫

[Cash register dinging]

All right, $43.32, sir.

Hey, wait a minute, you know,
I forgot all about these.

Great. Let's see.

$37.83, sir.

So I saved about $6 there?
Yes, sir.

That's not bad.

No, sir.

Hey, Charlie.

Hi, Larson.

(Charlotte, narrating)
Eddie Larson.

Forced to ride public transportation
for the rest of his life.

Just one week after getting
his driver's license,

he got drunk and crashed
his Chevy Camaro

into the living room
of Mr. and Mrs. Howard,

killing their 4-year-old son.

Spent three years
in juvenile penitentiary,

and no doubt the rest of his life
in the worst hell of all,

the one between the eyes.

How's... how's school,
Charlie?

We have a cook.

What, at the school?

At my house.

Oh, yeah.
That's far out.

Mama's going to tell him
to leave.

Why?
Who wouldn't want a cook?

(Charlotte)
Hi, Mama.

So, how was work today?

Good.

I saw Miss Carol's baby.
[Wolf whistle]

Hey, gorgeous.

Can't you see
I'm with my child?

[Laughs]

I saw Miss Carol's baby,
and I finally got him

to latch on
for feeding.

You know,
holding those babies,

it always makes me think
of the first time I held you.

Even if I was
an accident.

Why on Earth
would you say that?

Your daddy
was the accident.

You, you're
my miracle.

How much
do I love you?

So much.
Mm-hmm.

So much.
[Laughs]

So, how did the cook
take the news he was fired?

Oh, ma'am, I hope
you don't mind.

I bring books with me
every place I go,

and I noticed that your shelf
was kind of empty.

He's still here, Mama.

Why is he still here? Charlie,
we'll discuss this later.

That's great.
Cookbooks, right?

Oh, no, no, ma'am.
Not cookbooks.

I never read books
about cooking.

These are mostly novels
and plays and, you know,

about people like Capote
and Shakespeare.

Wow. And Greeks and Agatha Christie.

And here's one I think
the girl might like.

Autobiography
of Shirley Temple.

Good Ship Lollipop.

I hate reading.

(Marie)
Charlie!

Oh, that is a shame,
because there's nothing like

a really good story.

Keep your stupid books.
Hey, that's enough.

No, that's okay, ma'am.

But, listen, if you do ever
want to read one of these books,

you're going to have
to check it out.

What, like a library?
Exactly like a library.

Made a card up for you
and everything.

And ma'am, you feel free. Whenever
you want, you can read these books.

And if you like,
I'll bring more.

A house could always
use books, right?

I'm sorry, Mr. Church.
[Door slams]

She'll get used to it.

She's just a child.
She doesn't understand.

Oh, sure, ma'am.

Look, I'll have dinner ready
for you and the child

about 6:00 tonight,
then after that

I'll take care of the dishes.

Then I'll take my leave
for the evening.

6:00 it is.
Thank you, Mr. Church.

You're most welcome.

Dinnertime.

I'm not hungry.

Baby...

this is the way
it's going to be.

So, I suggest you find a way
to stop complaining

and start enjoying
the food.

Mr. Church asked me
to give you this.

(Charlotte, narrating)
Complaining wasn't easy to stop.

Oh.

Enjoying the food
was a breeze.

Wow.
Enjoy.

But I wasn't about to let
Mr. Church or Mama know it.

Charlie, come on, eat it.

(Charlotte, narrating) As far as they were
concerned, every bite was torture for me.

Secretly, I couldn't wait to taste
what was coming next.

And what came next was always
something magnificent.

It was like a party
every night.

Every morning.

♫♫

It was like a party
every afternoon.

I finally let Poppy
over to meet Mr. Church.

Once I did,
I couldn't get rid of her.

Mr. Church,
this is the best lemonade

I've ever tasted.

The secret to that,
my dear, is the licorice.

You and your secrets,
Mr. Church.

My sister loved
the banana bread you made.

Oh, thank you, Poppy.

"My sister loved the
banana bread you made. "

She did.

(Charlotte, narrating) And in the
morning, Mr. Church was in the kitchen

long before I was awake.

The smells of cooking
were like my alarm clock.

Mr. Church could make or bake
anything you wanted,

and even things
you didn't know you wanted

until after you tasted them.

I never once saw Mr. Church
use a measuring tool

or any fancy utensil.

Just his hands, fork, and knife.

(Marie) Come on, baby.
We'll be late for the bus.

[Door opens]

[Whisk beating]
[Door closes]

Oh, I've got
a winner.

This is the toothpaste
that Charlie likes.

So, I finished this one.

I still don't see why
they couldn't be together.

Next time, I want a story
that's not going to make me

cry my eyes out.

Some writers ain't happy
till they made the reader cry.

And some readers
ain't happy till they do.

(Marie)
Hmm.

♫♫

(Charlotte, narrating)
I'd watch Mr. Church leave,

knowing that
in just a few short hours,

he'd return with bags and bags
of goodies to explore.

[Both chattering]

Whoa!
Oh! Oh! Oh!

Oh, baby! I got her.
I got you, I got you.

Are you okay? I got you. She's okay.

Oh, my God. Thank you.
Let me get this stuff here.

Thank you, Mr. Church.
It's okay.

Yeah,
there's glass everywhere.

Watch where you're stepping.
Let me-

Watch out.
No, I got it.

I got this, ma'am.

Let me-
I'll take care of this.

Okay, thank you.

What child would like
to get cut?

[Chatter over TV]

Mr. Church.

I'd like to check out
a book, if that's okay.

[Laughs]

How about if I make
some suggestions.

Now, this is kind of long,
but it's worth the journey.

I read it a couple of times myself,

so you don't got
to be gentle with it.

Books was meant
to be broken in.

Good night, my dear.

♪ So, you like your eyes ♪

♪ You think
they're kind of cute ♪

♪ You like your smile ♪

♪ You think
that it's a beaut ♪

♪ So you like you ♪

♪ Huh ♪

♪ You think you're cute ♪

♪ So, you think
you're cute ♪

♪ Well, baby ♪

♪ So do I ♪

(Charlotte, narrating)
And through it all,

I never knew
about the promise

Mr. Church made to Richard.

I never knew
Mama was dying.

I never knew anything
until much, much later.

The only thing I knew
at ten years old

was that one morning
I woke up

and we had a cook.

And one other thing.

He was to be gone
in six months.

But six months...

[School bell rings]

...turned into six years.

Turns out Mama was a miracle.

She boxed that mean, old cancer

every day, giving it lefts,
rights, uppercuts.

And all the while,
I never knew she was is the ring.

Hey, Charlie.

Hi.
Owen, is it true

that Stevie hasn't
asked me to the prom

because his folks
don't approve?

Don't know
anything about it.

I heard he's taking Nora Williams
because she's a notorious virgin.

[Laughs]
[Car horn honks]

Ugh, I told my sister
never to honk.

She just can't help
embarrassing me.

I can't wait
till I'm 18.

I can get away
from this stinking place.

Walk you
to the bus?

Sure.

Are you really
going to read all these?

I already did.
Just returning them.

How's your mom doing?

She's fine.

Coming to the game
tonight?

I can't really
go out at night.

Not ever?

Not even for,
say, prom?

Would you go
with me, Charlie?

[Laughs]

I... I got to go.

I... I... I got to go.

I'll take that
as a maybe.

[Laughs]

♫♫

(Charlotte, narrating)
Every time I walked in that room,

I held my breath
so I could listen for hers.

Hoping it would still be there.

[Breathing softly]

Sometimes it was so soft

I had to climb onto the bed
and put my ear up to her mouth

just to make sure.

Other times,
it was so heavy with struggle

that I had to back as far away
as I could just to stand it.

And other times,

it was all Mama.

There she is.

I have a plate of cheese and
grapes for you in the icebox.

(Charlotte)
How's she doing?

She had a good day.

And you, my dear,
have come at the perfect time.

You need to wake her
so she can eat.

I want you
to take this to her.

I have homework.

Oh, come on, Charlotte.
She had a good day.

She's still going to die,
Mr. Church.

[Coughing]

Hey, you're awake.

I thought
I heard Charlie.

Did she come right up
from school?

Yeah, she's doing
her homework.

She didn't want
to disturb you.

You're a terrible liar,
Mr. Church.

You want
some company?

Mm-hmm.

"She always accompanied him

"to the first step
of the stairs.

"When his horse had not yet
been brought around,

"she'd stayed there.

"They had said good-bye.

"There was no more talking.

"The open air
wrapped around her

"playing
with the soft down

"on the back of her neck,

"or blew to and fro
on her hips,

"the aprons strings
that fluttered like streamers.

Love, she thought,
must come suddenly... "

[Charlotte, narrating] My
mama had been the sun to me.

I basked in her warmth.

I remember wanting to wake up
in the morning just to see her.

But now that sun was on fire,

seemed to burn
everything in sight.

If I got too close,
my skin stung.

But Mr. Church,

he could walk
right through her blaze

without so much as a singe.

He was like the moon,

cool, calm, and always there.

So, I learned to turn away
from the sun

and face the moon.

[Bluesy jazz music playing]

This is
excellent work.

The Bronte sisters
would have been proud.

It was visiting day
at the prison.

I don't know why
they force Poppy to go.

She just ends up smoking

with a bunch
of locked-up creeps

staring at her.

Hey, they're her parents,
Charlotte.

Apple?
Of course.

Oh...

Larson told me
to let you know

that his group of drunks
loved the pie you donated.

Have you seen
that place?

The thing's pretty dreary.

Well, I guess being a drunk
is dreary, huh?

Hey, your mom's going to need
a bath tonight.

(Charlotte, narrating) Mr. Church
stopped smoking in the house

once Mama passed
the six-month mark.

Guess he realized
she wasn't going anywhere,

and he didn't want
to hurry her along.

[Mellow jazzy music plays]

We each had our duties.

Mr. Church fed Mama,

gave her medicine,
took her blood pressure,

temperature, held pots
under her face when she threw up.

Carried her to and from the bathroom
when she needed to go.

And with all that,
he still called her ma'am.

And she still called him
Mr. Church.

My one and only job
was to bathe Mama.

And I hated it.

[Mumbles]

How was-
How was school today?

School is school.

Did you- Did you hear
from any more colleges?

I got accepted
to Boston University.

Charlie, that's what
you wanted.

I'm so proud of you.

I can't afford
a university, Mama.

I'll be going local
and you know it.

You applied
for a scholarship.

Mr. Church said
that Owen Baxter

asked you to the prom.

News like that,

I'd like to have heard it
from you.

Forward.
It's no big deal.

No big deal?

Just a lame prom.

No, baby, it's colorful
and exciting.

You get to see
all your friends

dressed up,

dancing with boys

they never even knew
liked them.

Go back.
It's one of the biggest nights

of a girl's life.

Thanks.

Frankie Liner.
What?

He was my-
my- my prom date.

Poor Frankie, his hands
were sweating all night long.

But, boy, could he dance.

You'll need a dress
and some new shoes.

Not if I don't go.
[Mumbles]

Charlie, don't skip
your prom.

Why do you care? You won't
be around to see it anyway.

Don't say things
like that.

Okay?

Because I...

have hung on
for five years longer

than any of those
damn doctors said I would.

What's a couple more weeks
till your prom?

Neck.

Charlie, listen
to me, okay?

I'm going to make you
a promise,

and you know
I never break my promises.

If you say yes to Owen

and get yourself a dress

and you go
to that lame prom,

I'll be here to see it.

How'd we get such
beautiful hair, huh?

Okay.

We're done.

Charlie-
We're done.

Mr. Church. Mr. Church.
No, Charlie, wait!

Goddamn it!

I am angry too.

[Sighs]

You give birth to this tiny,
innocent, little thing,

and you think, "My God,

oh, my God,
help me protect her. "

And that is what you spend
every waking moment doing.

And then one day you wake up
and you've got cancer.

And you realize,
"My God...

"oh, my God...

[Sniffles]

"... what she will need
the most protection from

is your own life
slipping away from her. "

But you love her so much.

And you just want
to smother her

with love and hugs
and words

with every moment
you've got left.

And a hug there was.

[Sobbing]
Charlie.

Okay.

[Crying]

She'll remember the love,
won't she, Mr. Church,

not the pain?

Yes, ma'am.
She will.

♫♫

(Charlotte, narrating) It's an
awful feeling to love someone so much

that you absolutely hate them
for leaving you.

Even before they've gone.

Hey, Dr. Green stopped by with
some medicine for your mother

to help her sleep better tonight. Hmm.

You going home?

Yup, I am gone
for the day.

Check out another book
before you go?

Tess of the d'Urbervilles.
You read this?

Aren't you the one who said it's
good to read a book more than once?

All right, well then, Tess
of the d'Urbervilles it is.

Mm.

Is there something else?

Why don't you ever
tell me where you live?

Where do you go
when you aren't with us?

Because what I do
with my own personal time

is my business, Charlotte.

You know everything about me,
so just tell me something.

It's late, Charlie.

Please.
Hey, I said it's late.

I like ice cream.

What kind?

Butter pecan.

Favorite color?
Brown.

Movie?

The Maltese Falcon.

Do you have a girlfriend?
Okay, now that's enough.

All right, just tell me
what your house looks like.

Or tell me
who your best friend is.

Come on, just tell me-
Hey, I said enough!

Don't you know
when to back off?

Enough.

You've never raised
your voice to me.

I'm sorry about that.

I just...

I just want to know more
about you.

I know you want.
I know.

My dear, you have me
from morning until night.

And what I do
when I leave here is my time.

For me.
Mm-hmm.

Don't take that away.

Tess
of the d'Urbervilles.

I've actually read it
three times.

Good night.

[Door closes]

That one.

Yeah?

Sure.

Hmm.

[Snoring softly]

Baby.

♫♫

I- I think the neckline
could be a little lower.

Well, she's going to a prom,
not the discotheque.

Don't be such a square,
Mr. Church. Lower.

(Charlotte, narrating)
The prom suddenly became

the most important event
of our lives.

And for the first time,

I believed that Mama
was going to live forever,

that she truly was a miracle.

And those doctors
had been wrong all along.

Hey, you know,
this has an elegance to it

that this just doesn't have.

This kind of says,
"Let's dance. "

(Charlotte) Let's
dance. That's the point.

All right, it's your prom.
The dancy look.

I like the dancy look. All right,
we're going with the dancy look.

[Laughs]
Okay.

♫♫

[Gasps]

Oh, my God.

You are so beautiful.

Tell her.
Tell her, Mr. Church.

Oh, a true vision, my dear.
[Laughs]

The dress is perfect.

Come and stand next to your
mother so I can get a picture.

Well, put it on
a timer.

We need a picture of
the three of us. Yeah!

Oh, no, no, no.
Come on now.

Yeah, we do.

Please? We need one of the whole family.

Mr. Church...

Come on, sit.

Okay.

[Giggles]

[Laughs]
[Camera shutters click]

Okay, I want to make
a toast.

Oh.

To the most beautiful girl
in the world.

Yes.

[Laughs]

Mm.

It pops
in my mouth.

[Knock on door]

[Sighs]

Come on in.
Thanks.

Wow.

[Giggles]
Hi.

♫♫

♪ There's a reason
for the sunshine sky ♪

♪ And there's a reason
why I'm feeling so high ♪

♪ Must be the season ♪

♪ When that love light shines ♪

More punch?

Still have some.
Right.

♪ So, let that feeling ♪

♪ Grab you deep inside ♪

♪ And send you reeling ♪

Here's the thing.

I can't dance.

Not at all.

That's okay.
We don't have to dance.

♪ Just let your love flow ♪

♪ Like a mountain stream ♪

Hell, it can't be harder
than basketball.

Come on.

♪ The smallest of dreams ♪

♪ And let your love show ♪

♪ And you'll know
what I mean ♪

♪ It's the season ♪

♪ Let your love fly ♪

♪ Like a bird on a wing ♪

♪ And let your love bind you
to all living things ♪

♪ And let your love shine ♪

♪ And you'll know
what I mean ♪

♪ That's the reason ♪

♪ There's a reason
for the warm, sweet nights ♪

♪ And there's a reason... ♪

[Mellow jazz music
playing over radio]

You're still here.

Oh, ma'am,
you shouldn't be up.

I couldn't sleep.

I- I heard the music.

I'm sorry. I should
have turned that down.

No, I- I like it. I...

[Sigh]

I was imagining Charlie
dancing in her dress.

Do you dance,
Mr. Church?

There are those
who play music

and there are those
who dance to it.

And the rare person
who does both.

Why, I do believe that is the
first time I have heard you

compliment yourself.

Dance with me.

Ma'am?

Come on. Now.

[Mellow jazz music
playing continuous]

[Chuckles] I dare say
he speaks the truth.

[Laughs]

Oh, oh, oh.

Okay, okay, I got you.
I got you.

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

It's okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I got you.

♪ Feel like I'm falling in love ♪

♪ Since I met you ♪

♪ I got to know
what you're doing ♪

♪ Doing to me
with your love ♪

♪ With your love ♪

♪ What you doing,
doing to me with your love ♪

♪ With your love ♪

♪ What you doing,
doing to me with your love ♪

♪ With your love ♪
♪ What you doing, baby ♪

♪ It feels so good,
whatever it is ♪

♪ Knew from the start ♪

♪ It had to be you ♪

[Ignition shuts off]

Let me get that.
Thanks.

I'll get the gate.

I had a really
great time tonight.

Me too.

Good night, Charlie.

[Car door closes]

[Engine starts]

[Heavy breathing]

So, tell me.

Was it lame?

[Laughs]

No.

No.

It was...

[Sighs]

beautiful.

You should be
in bed.

I wanted to wait up
for you,

just like every other mother

who waited up
for their daughter tonight.

Did you dance?

All night.

Did he kiss you?

Well, kisses come
in all sorts of ways, baby.

♫♫

(Charlotte, narrating) People
act strange around death.

There are those
who talk about everything

but the person who died.

And I told Mr. Rinaldo that
two pounds of meat was plenty,

but he insisted
on giving me three.

And I said,
"That's ridiculous... "

(Charlotte, narrating) There are those
who only talk about the person who died.

Your mother was always
very nice to me.

I thought
she was pretty too.

I always wondered why she didn't
have a boyfriend or something.

(Charlotte, narrating) There are
those who try to cheer you up.

Your mother's at peace,
Charlie.

Out of pain.

You don't want her
in pain.

(Charlotte, narrating) And those
who can't help but make you cry.

You know,
I've always wished

I'd had a mom
like yours, Charlie.

Why can't it be
my mom who's dead,

not yours?

(Charlotte, narrating) And then there
are those who say nothing at all...

because they don't have to.

But when everyone was gone,

the people and the noise
and the chatter

and the hospital bed...

it was just Mr. Church and me.

And I liked it.

[Sighing softly]

It was the first and only time
I ever saw Mr. Church cry.

Even his weeping was graceful.

What's going
to happen now?

What will you do?

Your job is done.

I haven't even
thought about it.

Guess I'll start
thinking about it now.

I have something
for you.

Actually,
it's from your mother.

I kept a record
of all the money I saved

marketing with those coupons
your mother gave me.

I always did say
they add up.

I guess you can call
Boston University

and tell them that Charlotte
Brooks will be attending.

[Both laugh]

All right.

[Sighs]

Okay, I guess
you're going to

need a way
to get there.

I...

always did hate
riding the bus.

Mr. Church didn't have a license.

So, I knew he couldn't teach me
how to drive.

I went to the one person
who I knew could.

Okay.

[Keys rattle]

Just put the key
in the ignition, and-

Uh-huh.

[Engine starts]

Put your foot
on the clutch there.

And when you
give it gas,

you're going
to slowly release.

Foot off the brake.
Okay.

And on the accelerator.
Nice and easy.

We're going. We're going.
There you go. Okay.

Whoa, oh, oh!

You have to take your foot
off the brake as well.

[Tires screeching]
Release the clutch slowly.

Are you okay?
Put your foot on the clutch.

I- Whoa, whoa, I'm sorry.
Nice and slow.

Oh! You okay? You okay?
You okay?

Foot on the clutch.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.
I swear I'll get it.

(Larson)
It's okay.

Good. Nice.
That's a good speed.

(Charlotte)
Whoo-hoo!

Picking up speed.

[Laughing]

Whoo-hoo!

This is great.

I did it.

♪ Take a ride in the sky ♪

♪ On our ship, fantasize ♪

♪ All your dreams
will come true ♪

♪ Miles away ♪

♪ Our voices will ring
together ♪

♪ Until the twelfth of never ♪

[Laughing]
♪ Charlie... ♪

You're going to be
a famous writer.

[Laughing]
Yeah.

I'm going to be a famous
fashion designer.

And all the duds
in this town,

they're going to say,

"Oh, damn,
aren't those the two

charity case girls
from St. Frances?"

Well- Well, I'll be damned.
You're crazy!

I'm not crazy.
What I am is free.

New York, I am
on my way. Clear this.

I'm completely lost.

(Poppy)
New York, New York, New York.

Get us the hell out of here.
Bunch of lowlife drunks.

[Upbeat jazzy music
playing over radio]

(Charlotte, narrating)
More than ever,

I wanted to know everything
about Mr. Church.

(Mr. Church)
Good night, Charlotte.

Good night, Mr. Church.

[Footsteps receding]

[Door closes]

I wanted to ask him
about Jelly's Place.

Wanted him to know
he could tell me.

I knew the rumors about Jelly's.

Most of all, I wanted to know
Mr. Church was happy.

With Mama gone
and me leaving for college,

I worried about him.

I thought if I could see his house,

meet someone who loved him
as much as Mama and me,

somehow I would know
he was okay.

(Owen)
Charlie?

What are you doing
walking around alone at night?

You want to jump in?

[Sighs]

[Turns ignition off]

Listen, have I done
something wrong?

What?

You've hardly spoken
to me lately.

Hell, you won't even
look at me.

[Sighs]

Why'd you take me
to prom?

What are you
talking about?

You could have asked
any girl in school.

Popular girls,
girls with money.

Why me?

That's a dumb question. I
don't know, because I like you.

Because you're smart.

Or was it because
my mama was dying?

What?

If that's the reason,
it's okay.

I- I get it.

Poor Charlie Brooks.

Poor fatherless,
soon to be motherless,

pathetic Charlie Brooks.
Charlie-

I get it.
Charity case.

But let's just be honest
about it.

I mean,
you never even kissed me.

So, if the reason you took me
was out of pity-

I don't pity you.

I'm leaving tomorrow
for school, Charlie.

My folks are driving me
up early.

That's why I came
looking for you.

To say good-bye.

You study hard, Owen.

You do something important
with your life, okay?

Charlie...
[Car door closes]

Never been to a restaurant
with you before, Mr. Church.

Well, I figured since
it's your last night here,

we should eat out.

Sorry for the wait, folks.
What can I get you?

Oh, um...

I-
Hey, do you have Apple Jacks?

Comes in a box.

Tastes mostly like sugar
and apples, mainly.

(Waitress) Yes, sir. I'll have that.

Yeah, I'll have the same.

[Clears throat]

And I suppose this is the
last of Richard's money

you'll ever spend on me.

[Laughs]
Poor fool.

He thought he'd only have to
shell out enough for six months.

Mama sure showed him.

Mr. Church?

(Waitress)
Two Apple Jacks.

Right on time.

(Waitress)
You're welcome. Enjoy.

Oh, that looks
wonderful.

Yes.

[Laughs]

Mm.

Apples and sugar.

No secret there.

[Laughing]

(Charlotte, narrating)
I took clothes and books.

Nothing else.

I told Mr. Church to take
whatever he wanted of Mama's,

and whatever was left
to give to charity.

♫♫

[Engine starts]

[Sighs]

♫♫

I had driven 3,000 miles
to find out something amazing.

Here, no one knew me
as poor Charlie Brooks.

College was just how
I imagined it.

Full of energy and color.

Here, I could be anyone
I wanted to be.

[Professor] And if we suppose that
Shakespeare instructed Thorpe to name

W.H. in the dedication,
then...

(Charlotte, narrating) I studied hard,
and when I felt too tired to keep going,

I thought of all those damn coupons
Mom would cut to get me here,

and it pushed me through.

All right, that's it.
No more studying.

[Laughing] No! No, we're going out.

(Charlotte, narrating)
Mr. Church wrote me every week.

And always sent me books.

Seasons changed.

Roommates came and went.

Class schedules changed,

and I got closer every day
towards graduating.

They say, for some, college
is the time of your life

where you find yourself.

And for others...

Hey, how you doing?
Hey, I'm Charlie.

Nice to meet you.

...it can also be a time

where you slowly get lost.

And sometimes...

you just have to go home.

[Phone line ringing]

Wherever that may be.

Hi.

It's Charlie.

Surprise.

(Charlie, narrating) Seems
the legacy of the Brooks family

was having babies
out of wedlock.

[Jazzy music plays]

Sorry I stopped
writing you, Mr. Church.

You know, I stopped
writing Poppy too.

Things- Things just got
a little crazy for me.

I can see that.

But I read
all your letters,

sometimes even
twice a day.

Anyway, I needed
a break and I thought,

"Go surprise Mr. Church. "

Yeah, well,
you really surprised me.

[Laughs]

Can I stay
for a few days?

I mean,
I brought my books.

I can study here
and everything.

I just need
a place to rest.

Okay. I got one rule.
Mm-hmm.

You respect my privacy.

'Cause you're
in my house now, right?

Yeah, okay.
I will.

Okay.

(Charlotte, narrating) It
was like we were never apart.

All right, then.

He never asked a single question
about my being pregnant.

Still smoking outside,
Mr. Church?

Yeah, as of today.

(Charlotte, narrating) I guess
Mr. Church respected my privacy

as much as he asked me
to respect his.

All I knew being back
with Mr. Church

was that I was home.

♪ I'm going to lock my heart
and throw away the key ♪

♪ I'm wise to all those tricks ♪

♪ You played on me ♪

All those years wondering
where Mr. Church lived,

and I was now standing
in the center of it.

Try this.

[Sighs]

Licorice?
That's right.

♪ I'm gonna lock my heart ♪

♪ I'll never fall in love ♪

♪ I'm gonna lock my heart ♪

♪ And throw away the key ♪

Hey, I brought
an extra blanket.

It gets cold in here
at night sometimes.

And the sun shines
in that window really bright.

You might want
to close that curtain.

Is this you?

I'm sorry.
I wasn't snooping.

I just found it
in the drawer.

Yeah, that's me
and my father.

Oh.

You look like him.

I'm going to leave
the light on

for you out here
in case you want to get

some milk
or something at night.

Mm-hmm.
Good night, my dear.

Good night, Mr. Church.

♫♫

[Band playing jazzy music]
[Applause]

[Door opens]

(Mr. Church)
You can't change me, old man!

You're not changing shit!

[Piano notes resonate]

Oh, I'm a sinner?
Yeah, that's right!

I'm a sinner!

Who's a faggot?
You the goddamn faggot.

Talking the shit.

[Keys rattling]

Kick your ass,
old man.

Shit, I ain't no kid
no more.

[Door opens and closes]

You don't tell me
a goddamn thing!

(Charlotte, narrating) I took
the book of matches from Jelly's,

because I knew
he'd be embarrassed

if he saw that I'd found it.

And come morning, there was
Mr. Church making breakfast,

smelling like soap and seasonings,

listening to his music.

Hey, you're awake.

The baby's got to eat.

How was your night,
Mr. Church?

It was pleasant enough.

(Charlotte, narrating)
And that's all he would ever say.

Pleasant enough.

Those are the only keys
I never quite got the hang of.

About time I let somebody else
try to play them.

Your thesis awaits,
my dear.

Start with the first word
and the rest will follow.

[Footsteps, door closes]

♫♫

Hey, what are you doing?
Oh, I'm- I was just-

Okay, now you got to go.
Mr. Church-

Let's go, right now!
I'm- I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.
I give you one goddamn rule,

and you break it, right?
I'm sorry!

You get out of my shit
right now.

Pack your shit and go!
You're hurting me!

Just get out!
Where am I supposed to go?

It's the middle
of the night.

That's not
my goddamn problem.

I'm not a child anymore,
Mr. Church!

Or are you too drunk
to see that?

What is it
with all of you?

The secrets and lies
and more secrets?

Don't tell Charlie
I'm dying.

Don't tell Charlie
a goddamn thing.

I just wanted to know you,
Mr. Church.

Look, I was your cook.

That's all
you need to know.

♫♫

(Charlotte, narrating)
I had nowhere to go.

And for the first time,

I realized I had no one.

Larson?

Larson!

Hey, Charlie.

Look at you,
you're all...

pregnant and married.

Oh, no.
Just- Just pregnant.

Well, you living
out here again?

No, still in college.

Just, you know,
came to see-

Came to visit.

Heading back tonight.

You still got
that car, or...

Oh, it's good.
It's right over there.

Yeah.

Do you need a ride
somewhere?

Oh, no, no, no.

No, I...

I'd better get a...

Hey, it was good-
Good seeing you, though.

Yeah, you too, Larson.

[Boy] Oh, shit! [Gasps]

I swear to God, dude,
I didn't even see her.

Charlotte, come here.

[Groans]

Here, get the door.

[Whimpering softly]

[Gasping]

[Engine starts]

♫♫

[Engine revs]

[Honking horn]

Breathe, Charlie,
breathe.

[Tires screech]

[Monitors beeping]

(Charlotte, narrating)
I heard the doctors and nurses

whispering it was a miracle
the baby didn't die.

I wanted to tell them,

"Don't you know?

Miracles run in the Brooks family. "

You need to be very careful.
Lots of rest, Charlie.

Do you have
a place to stay?

She lives with me.

You are?

I'm Mr. Church.

Are you responsible
for Charlie?

Yeah.

♫♫

[Playing jazz music]

The baby gave Mr. Church a
sense of purpose and excitement.

Oh! There she goes again.
[Laughs]

"She," Mr. Church?

Well, it's a guess. She feels like
- I'm feeling she.

Aren't you going to ask me
how it happened?

I know how girls
get pregnant, Charlotte.

(Charlotte, narrating)
If he wasn't gardening,

he was painting.

If he wasn't painting,

he was cooking.

If he wasn't cooking,

he was playing the piano.

And if he wasn't playing
the piano,

he was reading to me.

(Mr. Church)
Bonnie?

Too cute.

Brenda?

Mm... too dangerous.

Beth?

Too simple.

How about Carrie?

No.

[Chatter over TV]

[Door closes]

(Charlotte, narrating) Every
Wednesday and Saturday night,

Mr. Church went out.

Good night, Charlotte.

(Charlotte, narrating) He
never said where he was going.

And I never asked.

But I knew.

You have Irene.
Or Iris.

Irma...

Mr. Church?

Irma sound like an old lady.
Mr. Church?

Mr. Church?
Isabel.

Isabel. What do you think
of Isabel?

Mr. Church... oh, my God.
Oh, my God, we got to go.

Are you sure?
Yeah- Oh!

Okay, okay, okay, okay.

[Gasping]
I'll call right now.

[Charlotte screams and grunts]

[Panting]

[Giggles]

[Coos]

(Charlotte, narrating)
Mr. Church was right.

I was having a baby girl.

She's going to need
a name, Charlotte.

[Laughs]

Isabel.

Isabel Marie Brooks.

[Cries]

Oh...
Hey.

Hey, Isabel.
Shh.

I'm Mr. Church.

[Gasping]
Oh...

(Charlotte, narrating)
Everything was about Izzy.

[Crying]

We're going
to go right...

Getting that degree seemed
to slip farther and farther away.

And after a while,

Mr. Church stopped
asking me about it.

I was a mother.

And Mr. Church...

My Izzy...

he was everything else.

[Izzy crying]

It's okay.
It's okay.

Izzy...

yes.

[Big band music playing]

Mr. Church,
dance with me.

Okay, I will in a second.
Just hold still.

I'm almost finished.
Oh, come on.

Come on now...
Hey, come on.

We're going to be late.
Mama, dance with me.

No, not now.
We got to go, baby.

Come on, come on.
Mama, dance with me.

Let's go, let's go.
Oh! Okay.

One dance, I guess.

Mr. Church...

Come on, Mr. Church.
One dance.

[Upbeat pop music plays]

Charlie?

[Gasps]

It's crazy, right?
[Both laugh]

It's wonderful.
Congratulations.

Thank you so much
for coming out.

(Charlotte, narrating) Larson fell in love
with a gal he met at one of his AA meetings.

[Sighs]

You know, she wouldn't be here
if it weren't for you.

No, she's beautiful.

[Laughing]

(Izzy) I like that
dress. Did you make that?

You know, there's something
I never told you about that day.

I'd scraped up enough cash

to buy a bottle of Jack
and some pills, and...

I was just going to go home
and check out for good.

You know?

And then you fell.

You know, you always say
that I saved Izzy's life,

but the truth is
that both of you saved mine.

(Izzy) Don't you think my mom's pretty?

I think she's beautiful.

[Both laugh]

Well, I guess I'd better go
dance with my wife.

Yeah!

♪ The loneliest mile ♪

♪ We smiled without any style ♪

♪ We kiss altogether wrong ♪

Hey, there you go.

Oh, thank you.

Do you ever want to
get married, Mr. Church?

I'm sorry.

That's none
of my business.

I was married before.

Yes, I was married before.

A long time ago.
I was very young.

I got married
because my father

wanted me to get married,
but it didn't last very long.

I wasn't very good at it.

She was a very
lovely lady, though.

I guess I just wasn't
what she was looking for.

Any man and woman
can get married, Charlotte.

Mr. Church,

do you want
to dance?

♪ You mention the time
we were together ♪

♪ So long ago ♪

♪ Well, I don't remember ♪

♪ All I know is it makes me
feel good now ♪

♪ It's like I told you ♪

Last time I danced like this
was prom night.

Me too.

Thanks.
Mm-hmm.

Be with you
in a second, sir.

Hey.
Hi, Mama.

Hi, baby.

What are you two
doing here?

Found something
for you.

What...

You found her.

I found her.
[Laughs]

Mama, look.

Thank you.

Oh, my God!
Charlie!

Poppy!

You look
so glamorous.

(Poppy)
So gorgeous.

Mwah!

This is Izzy.
Hello.

Mr. Church.

Hey, Poppy.

You're the spitting image
of your grandma.

You knew
my grandmother?

She was only the most
beautiful woman

I've seen
in my whole life.

That's what Mom
always says.

Aren't you pretty?
Is that a real diamond?

Oh, honey, you ain't seen
nothing yet.

Come on, get in. Let's get
out of this neighborhood.

Bye, Mr. Church.

Have fun, my dear.

[Car doors close]

Bye, Mr. Church!

(Poppy) Didn't I tell you I'd
get out of this stinking town?

New York City's
so exciting.

This one
was Fifth Avenue.

Super-smart Charlie,

it's a place for someone
like you who reads.

Well, you certainly
married well.

I married well both times.

Oh.

Here, let me show you
the good stuff.

Look at this.
Look at the beading.

I- I heard your parents
were out.

Living up north
somewhere?

I wouldn't know.

Oh, I-
I just figured

you stayed in touch
with your sister.

My family's gone, Charlie.

Let's not talk of them again.
Look at this one.

It's a birthday gift.
Parisian.

Yeah.
Feel it.

Mm.

Isn't that fabric
wonderful?

Amazing.

[Lulling musical box song plays]

Aunt Poppy plans
to spoil you rotten.

These stores are expensive.

Let me. I'll never
have a child of my own.

You don't know that.

No, I do.
I could have at one time.

I've got all the scars
to prove it.

You should see where
I shop in Manhattan.

Are you happy?

I have everything
I want.

So, you know, no boyfriend,
no romance in your life?

Single moms
aren't exactly popular.

I've known that my whole
life. Come to New York with me.

I could fix you up with a
bunch of fine men. What? No.

Yeah. You would love it.
Izzy would love it.

I can get her into
any private school you want.

That's not going
to happen.

I know a few bachelors
who would-

I mean, they're no Owen
Baxter, but they have money.

I don't need money.
Baby, don't go too far.

I have a job.
I make a paycheck.

Waiting tables.
I'm not ashamed.

No, come on, Charlie.
Don't be so stubborn.

You don't have
anything here.

You can't go living
with your cook forever.

My cook?

Oh, you know
what I mean.

What happened
to you, Poppy?

You used to be
a lot of things,

but you were
never a snob.

Richard set aside enough money
for Mama to live six months.

Six months.

And do you know who paid all
of our bills, food, and rent

all those years
after that?

Mr. Church
didn't work for us.

He saved us.

Now, I may not have
some fancy life,

but I work hard
and I'm raising my baby.

She's my diamond,
Poppy.

I'm sorry if it doesn't
sparkle enough for you.

Come on, baby.
We're going to go home.

(Izzy) And let's put the
rocking chair up there.

And...

(Charlotte) Well, she
shouldn't have bought it.

I'll return it tomorrow.

I don't think you
should punish the child

because
you and Poppy fought.

And you still ain't opened
the gift she left for you.

Well,

whatever
you two argued about,

forgive her.

(Izzy)
You should go into the attic.

This little girl
should go inside...

This is your room
and that's your room.

♫♫

(Mr. Church)
I see you don't approve, huh?

Well, I'm living
my own life!

[Banging keys]

[Coughs]

Goddamn...

You go ahead and kick me
out of the house, old man.

Go ahead.

[Coughing]

I don't give a shit.

[Door closes]

Your rules? Fine!

[Loud crashing]

Oh... just said that-
I don't know, shit.

Mr. Church.

Hey, get your goddamn hands
off me.

I'm not drunk.

I'm not drunk.

You can't disown nobody,
old man.

I disown you.
Shh, shh, shh.

Shit.
Shh.

We ain't in church no more.

The wise son seeketh
the father's instruction,

but the scorner
heareth not rebuke.

I don't give a shit.
Shh.

[Coughing]

[Sizzling]

How was your night,
Mr. Church?

It was pleasant enough.

Hey, put some spice
in here.

And watch out.
The pan is hot.

Now watch out for that pan.

Very good.

(Charlotte, narrating) It was the first
time the matches were left on the table.

Now Mr. Church realized
that I knew about Jelly's.

Probably that
I'd always known.

The matchbook stayed
on the table all that day

and into the next.

But it would be the last.

Mr. Church never came home
drunk again.

♫♫

[Mr. Church coughing]

You still got that cough,
Mr. Church.

It's only a cough,
my dear.

Okay, well, that's it.
No more fighting me.

We're getting you
looked at.

[Typewriter clacking]
[Phone ringing]

(Mr. Church) I don't need
a doctor. It's the flu.

[Coughs]

Mr. Church.

Izzy, give me
your book, please.

Thank you.
All right.

[Mr. Church coughing]

Hello, Mr. Church.

Owen.

Charlie.

Maybe I will stay.

Oh, my God.

Owen, this is
my daughter, Izzy.

Hello.

Can you fix
Mr. Church's cough?

I will certainly
give it my all.

You know,
maybe I shouldn't go.

You're still sick.

I'm fine.

And I know where to find
a doctor if I need one.

[Chuckles]

Well?

You're so beautiful, Mama.

Mr. Church, tell her.

True vision, my dear.

(Charlotte) So, Owen
Baxter became a doctor.

(Owen) You're the one who told me
to do something good with my life.

I thought by now

you'd be
a very serious novelist

living in Boston.

I guess life
had other plans for me.

Hmm.

Izzy?

Izzy.

Tell me
about her father.

[Chuckles]

Did you love him?

It was just
a foolish night.

Guess you could say I was
a little lost after Mama died.

He didn't want to have
anything to do with the baby.

But he gave me
the greatest gift.

I tried finding you
for a few years.

You found me now.

Morning, Mr. Church.

Mr. Church?

[Knocking on door]

Mr. Church?

Hey.

Hey, I'm just resting.

Just resting.

Mama, where's Mr. Church?

[Whispering]
Shh, he's sleeping.

Sleeping?

He never sleeps.

Of course he does, baby.
Everybody sleeps.

Um...

I'll make breakfast.

You?
Yes, me.

♫♫

(Charlotte, narrating) I told work
I wouldn't be coming in anytime soon.

Mr. Church
was on complete bed rest,

and it was my turn
to take care of him.

Somehow, my hands
were doing the work.

All those years
watching Mr. Church

seemed to have soaked
into my skin, my bones.

And I knew exactly
what needed to be done.

I chopped,
diced, and minced.

Mixed, mashed, and beat.

Stirred, sprinkled,
dashed, and pinched.

Ready to try?

It's very hot.

Be careful.

And while bread baked,
I sewed.

And while pies cooled,
I sat at the piano.

And I realized every talent
Mr. Church had,

he taught himself
while passing the time

caring for someone else.

(Mr. Church) Hey. (Izzy) Can I climb up?

Yes, of course.
Always.

How's my favorite
little girl doing?

Good.

Tell me a story.

Tell you a story.

Okay.

Once upon a time...

They always start
that way.

Well, that's how you know
it's a story, my dear.

Once upon a time,
there was a little... boy.

What was his name?

What would you like
his name to be?

Henry.

Like you.

Well, then Henry
it shall be.

Once upon a time, there was
a little boy named Henry.

And this boy was afraid
of just about everything,

except for ladybugs.

Ladybugs?
Ladybugs.

And one day
while he was out,

a ladybug caught his eye
and he decided to chase it.

And he chased this ladybug
for so long

that he actually turned
into a grown man

chasing the same ladybug.

And the ladybug led him
to a little tiny house.

And in the house,
he found the kindest woman

and her beautiful little girl
living there.

And the man
told the woman

that he apologized for coming
in the house this way,

but he was following
this ladybug,

and that he looked everywhere
all over the place.

He couldn't find it
no more.

He promised her
that he'd leave.

But the woman said,
"Don't leave. Stay. "

She said,
"Stay here with us. "

She said, "We don't have much,
but everything we got

we'll share with you. "

And did he stay?

He did.
You know why?

Because for the first time,
he felt safe.

For the first time,
he wasn't afraid.

He felt happy.

And he promised
that if he ever saw

that ladybug again,

that he was going
to thank her.

Did he?

Not yet.

He still hasn't
stopped looking.

Maybe she's
in the sky.

Well, you just
might be right.

You just might be right.

[Piano notes being played]

You should be
in bed.

[Playing mellow song]

"The blue level
of the Mediterranean

"hugged to its calm breast
the victims of all the wars.

"Calamity is in the tempest
of its history.

"The breath of the
evening breeze came to cool

"with the mulberry tree,

"which sighed faintly,

"as if regretting
the passing of this man.

"This man of dark deeds
but of large heart,

"who often at noonday
would lie down

to sleep
under its shade. "

Okay.

Can I get you
something to eat?

No.

You want some water?

No.

Okay, well, I'll give you
your privacy.

No.

I don't want
my privacy.

[Birds tweeting distantly]

[Chuckles]

Mr. Church, I fell asleep
in this armchair.

Mr. Church?

♫♫

[Gasps]

Mr. Church?

Mr. Church...

♫♫

(Charlotte, narrating) People
act strange around death.

[No audio]

There are those
who talk about everything

but the person who died.

Those who talk about
only the person who died.

Those who try
to cheer you up.

[No audio]

And those who can't help
but make you cry.

And then there are those
who say nothing at all.

Because they don't have to.

[No audio]

Yeah, of course.
Thank you so-

Thank you so much.
Excuse me one second.

Excuse me.

Hi, can I help you?
Sorry, ma'am.

Is this Mr. Church's wake?

Yes.

I was a friend.
Name's Frankie Twiggs.

Folks call me Jelly.

Jelly?

I'm sorry for, you know,
barging in,

but we hadn't seen Hands
for quite some time,

and we done missed him,
and I just-

"Hands?"

Yeah, that's what
we called him

on account of...

He played piano at my bar
for over 30 years.

So, he worked for you.

Oh, no, no.
Nothing like that.

It was more for him,
you know?

One night, he just
wandered over to the piano,

and then, bam,
he started playing.

Place lit up.

I'm telling you,
this cat was good.

I thought somebody famous
had just walked in

to get a drink,
you know?

He was
a whole lot of magic.

I'm Charlie.

Pleasure to make
your acquaintance, Charlie.

Um... Izzy?

Come here, baby.

I want you to meet
a good friend of Mr. Church's.

Here, this is
Mr. Church's recipe.

What?

I didn't know
he could cook.

Mm.

This is Izzy.

Can you say hi, baby?
Hi.

This is Mr. Jelly.

Twiggs.

♫♫

(Charlotte, narrating)
Mr. Church once said

a book is meant to be read
from beginning to end,

but is best understood
from end to beginning.

I suppose everything
does happen for a reason.

Mama dying.

Larson saving my baby
and himself.

Poppy finding a dollhouse
of her own.

Even Owen,

the most beautiful
10-year-old boy

on this or any other planet
becoming a doctor.

(Mr. Church)
"Dear Charlotte.

"You've said you just want
to know me.

"My dear,
you always have.

"I'm simply a man.

"Not without faults.

"That can happen
when you're not the son

"your father hoped you'd be,

"despite his verbal abuse
and beatings.

"I know you think
I took care of you

"and your mother and Izzy

"and you gave me nothing
in return.

"You gave me
the most important thing

"life can offer.

"You gave me a family.

"And love.

Henry. "

[Jazzy music plays over radio]

Mr. Church?

Henry?

I'm making eggs
and grits, Mama.

[Laughs]
Like Mr. Church showed us.

Oh, this looks so yummy.

Thank you.
Thank you.

Can you set
the table for us?

I can get plates.

Okay, this will be for me.
This will be for you.

What do you need?
You're adding a little salt.

What about cheese?
You need cheese?

Yeah.
Yeah? Here you go.

[Music playing continuously]

More cheese?

(Charlotte, narrating)
I was wrong when I said

the legacy of the Brooks family

is having babies
out of wedlock.

The legacy of this family
is Mr. Church.

♫♫

Henry Joseph Church
could have been anything

he wanted to be.

He chose to cook.

The key, he said, jazz.

♫♫

♫♫