Original subtitles

Vanessa.

Welcome back.

Hi, how's it going? Hey.

Hello.

Hi. How are you? Oh.

Welcome home, Vanessa.

Thank you. It's great to be here.

Hi, everyone.

Hi.

I'm excited to be here.

Thank you very much for having me.

What's the book about?

It's about... me and a town.

Like here?

Well, I don't want to spoil it for you, but...

I will let you in on one little secret.

There's magic.

Are you ready?

Mm-hmm. Yeah?

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah? Okay.

November Christmas.

A pumpkin patch in August,

a Christmas tree in fall.

Wow! How fun.

The very idea of it

would seem impossible to most eight-year-olds,

but not to me.

I knew that magic was real.

And it was everywhere...

if you knew where to look.

My magical adventure began one ordinary summer morning,

in a quiet town, when everyone was still asleep.

Well. Almost everyone.

Do you not see what I see?

Crow, will ya?

The sun came up 15 minutes ago.

What are you waiting for?

How long have you been standing there?

Long enough.

Should I be worried about you talking to that old bird?

Probably.

Thanks.

Wade called. He's getting nervous about his eggs.

He's always nervous.

When we get done here, I'll take 'em over to him.

You need anything in town?

No. I'm on my way into the library.

What do you want for dessert tonight?

Just you.

And a fruit pie.

I'll see you later.

Okay.

See ya.

What time is it now?

It's time for you to sit down-- don't give me that face.

Sit down. We're going to be out of here really soon.

I'm giving this one to Nurse Angie.

Oh, she'll love that.

Mom?

Yes, Gordon.

When's Dad coming back?

Um... Right now!

Thank you.

Let's go!

Let's go.

Whoa, Vanessa, we have to wait

till Dr. Patel signs your discharge papers.

How much longer?

Oh... ten seconds.

One, two,

three, four...

Okay. Five minutes.

Hey, Gordo.

Look what I got you.

Whoa! Thanks, Dad!

Yeah, buddy.

And this...

is for you.

Wow. Thanks.

You shake it.

What?

You shake it, so you can see the snow.

Morning, ladies.

Hey, slow down and enjoy the ride!

Idiot.

Coffee break?

I-I need this.

I needed you to be on time this morning.

Let's go, hmm?

And you're on dishes this afternoon.

Again?

Boo-hoo.

Customers. Go.

He's been asking for you, and he's in a foul mood.

That's a shocker.

I heard you missed me.

Yeah.

Put these in the cooler?

Nah, put them there where I can get them.

My dishwasher didn't show. Again.

Thought people wanted to work.

Where the heck did she go? Tammy!

If my niece had her way,

mornings would begin at noon.

You hungry? No, I ate.

Well, grab a muffin before you head out.

Thanks, Wade. See ya.

Nobody likes cold food.

Table six.

Go.

Whoop!

That would've not been pretty.

Sorry. Uncle Wade's impossible.

I would have been on time if he had let me drive the car.

You got to prove that you're trustworthy.

I'm here. I'm working.

And you got to show a better attitude.

He's making me stay

after my shift to be the dishwasher. Again.

Morning, Tammy.

Yeah. Morning.

Excuse me.

How are you this morning, Mr. Zachery?

Busy. Got to unblock the Richters' kitchen sink,

repair the netting on the Hammers' screen door

and build a hutch for a pet rabbit.

Thank goodness for these helpless city folk moving in. Thank you.

Can I get a muffin?

Yeah, sure thing.

Just looking.

It's your turn, Gordon.

I spy...

Vanessa sleeping.

Boo! I'm awake.

Homeward bound.

Mom?

Yeah, sweetie?

The little girl inside the snow globe...

she's holding another snow globe in her hands.

Really? And it looks like

there's another little girl inside that one.

I didn't notice that. That's pretty cool.

But it's too small, and I can't really see it.

Can I see?

Pretty cool.

Feels good to be home, doesn't it?

Yeah.

Do you need me to help you

unpack your backpack, sweetheart?

I'm okay.

It's from the school.

We have to register Vanessa for third grade.

There's nothing in there.

"Nothing eatable"

as Gordon would say.

Rice cakes and anchovies.

"Yuck," as our daughter would say.

What do I say? Look at what your daddy

is thinking about eating.

Yuck. It is yuck.

What are we gonna do today?

We're gonna take it easy

since we spent the morning in the car.

Why can't we do something?

Let's you and I go shopping for Mommy.

I want her to take it easy.

Can I get a toy?

How does he do that?

I already got you a toy, buddy?

Just me and Dad, Gordon!

"Dad and me,"

and let's not yell. Why can't I come?

Do you see what you've started? It's back to normal.

Hey, munchkins, come on. Let's go. In the car!

And with us out of your hair,

you can do a little something for you.

We're gonna be okay.

How's it going?

Good. We have all the books in

except for one on the fourth grade list,

and that'll be here next week.

Fantastic. And a new illustration.

And check with the books in the fall new reading series.

I used all your book suggestions.

I see.

Claire, I want you to run it.

Oh, no, Abby, I said I would do it for the summer, but...

Come on. You love it.

I do. And I want to add

another group, so with scheduling

and overseeing the readers, I'll need you here one more day.

That would be three days a week away from the farm.

I'll talk to Jess.

Sure. Thanks.

Dad? Dad?

Yeah, Gordo?

I'm gonna be Batman for Halloween.

Well, you outgrew that costume.

But I want to be Batman.

Okay, I guess we'll just have to get you

a new one when the time comes.

When will that be?

Oh, not for a while.

Why?

Well, it's only August.

When's Halloween?

End of October.

How long's that?

That's a couple months.

How long is a couple months?

That's 60 days, buddy.

Hi, honey.

Hi.

Miss Sunshine, you okay?

Mm-hmm.

You sure?

You want me to take you home so you can rest?

We can get our vegetables later.

Tomorrow. No, I'm okay.

Let's go!

Hello, Tom, good to see you.

You, too.

Kids, say hi to Mr. Sanford.

Hi. Hi.

Can we go see the animals?

If it's okay with Mr. Sanford.

Sure, you can.

Careful where you step.

How long you been living out here?

Mm, seven, eight months. Why?

Mr. Sanford was my dad.

Call me Jess.

Kids are sure growing.

Yep, happened fast.

Yeah.

Tomatoes on your list?

There are. Four.

That's good. Let's make it six.

Kids like corn?

Sure. So do I.

It's on the list. Six ears.

Haven't seen much of you folks.

You been getting your vegetables someplace else?

No, we, uh... we've just been busy.

Well, busy's good.

It beats the alternative.

Uh, excuse me.

Hey.

Yeah, yeah.

I, uh, I got the disk.

The IP stack's loaded onto the university site.

I'm gonna write the program so that all the...

Come here. Sit, sit, sit, sit.

What's his name?

His name's Stanley.

No, no, no, I was planning on being there,

but now I, uh... I can't make it.

Look, just call me after the meeting's over.

Okay, bye.

I think he's liking it, don't you, huh?

Hmm?

Beth!

Hi, Claire.

Hi. I haven't seen you all summer.

Everybody good?

Everybody's great, yeah.

We've just been in and out of town.

You know, we're gonna

continue the preschool reading series in the fall.

Gordon might really enjoy it.

Found it.

I'll keep it in mind.

It was nice seeing you.

You, too. Tell Tom and the kids hi.

Beth. Hi.

Megan's mom,, Rita.

Right. I'm sorry. Of course.

There's just been a lot going on.

Oh, tell me about it.

Summer camps, family stuff,

kids getting ready to go back to school.

Yeah, right.

How's your daughter?

Forgive me. I'm only asking because...

It's okay. She's, uh, she's doing much better.

It's nice seeing you.

There's nobody here!

Yeah...

How's your tummy feel now?

Okay.

Yeah? Come here.

When am I gonna get better?

Soon.

When is soon?

Do you remember when we planted those flowers in the backyard?

Yeah. Yeah?

Remember they were very healthy

when we first planted them?

But after some time, they... wilted.

So, we cut them back,

and you don't know this, but your daddy gave them

some plant food to prepare them

for the winter so that they could grow healthy again.

It's just like that.

Dr. Patel gives you medicine

that sometimes makes you feel bad,

but it's so you'll get better, okay?

By Halloween?

Maybe, but probably more like Christmas.

That's not for... forever.

Hey, now, don't say that.

Let's just say you'll be better

by the time we have our first big snowfall.

Okay?

Want your covers all the way up?

Yeah.

Snug as a bug in a rug?

Love you.

I love you, too, sweetheart.

What do you say, Tom?

Jess.

Do you have any pumpkins?

Pumpkins?

No, it's too early.

Got a lot of squash.

Got some nice zucchini.

How long will it be before you have pumpkins?

Eh, nobody around here's gonna have any pumpkins

till the first part of October.

Been too cool and dry this summer.

Maybe down in New York and New Jersey,

but not around here.

We'll have lots of them by Halloween.

Right. Okay.

Thanks, Jess.

Sure.

What was that all about?

I got no idea.

Oh. We expecting company?

No. Why?

You made a pot roast.

It's Monday night.

I was in the mood.

Lucky me.

Mmm. Apple?

Yup.

Yum.

That old dog sure sleeps a lot.

Suppose he's got a thyroid problem?

Oh, he's okay. He's just old.

That what you say about me?

You don't sleep that much.

It's all that pie you feed me.

So what's up?

Abby wants to continue the children's reading series

into the school year.

She wants me to run it.

It'd mean an extra day each week

at the library, but...

I'm thinking of saying yes.

Do it.

I mean, you enjoy being there.

You're great with the kids.

You know, they're lucky to have you.

I saw Beth Marks.

She came by the library.

Really?

Tom and the kids stopped by the stand the other day.

He's an odd one.

He's not odd, he's just young.

He came back again today, looking for pumpkins.

In August. That's odd.

Can we keep the light on and my door open a crack?

Of course, sweetheart.

You just call out if you need anything, okay?

Okay. Okay.

I love you. Good night.

Good night.

Night.

I think we should reregister Vanessa for school.

Her immune system is too weak to be around other kids.

Honey, you're just being...

Don't make this about me, Tom.

Well, we can't keep her in a cocoon.

Eventually, she's got to go to school.

She needs to get well first.

She's gonna get well.

I just...

I don't think we should be making any set plans right now.

That's exactly what we need to do.

I don't think you're being realistic.

But we moved here because of the schools.

What would it hurt to meet the teacher

and let Vanessa see the classroom?

No. No, we're not doing that.

It's too much pressure.

I don't want her feeling badly

that she can't be around the other kids again.

I'm homeschooling her this year,

and please, stop pushing me.

Sorry.

Hey. Sorry.

Okay. Me, too.

Why couldn't it have been me?

So, what are we gonna do today?

We can watch a video.

Okay. You want to play a board game?

We could do that.

Why do we have to stay inside?

It's not raining anymore.

Can we go swimming? Can we?

We still have that wading pool, don't we?

Mm-hmm.

Hmm? That's for babies.

Can't we go swimming?

No. We cannot go swimming.

We don't have to go swimming

to have a good time.

When I come back from my meeting, we can get out of here.

There's one.

There's one right there.

Oh.

Look at him crawling.

Is that a baby?

I think it might be a baby, yeah.

Where's the mommy?

I don't know.

Maybe if we're lucky, we'll get to see her.

Is that her?

Yup. I think that's her right there.

Is that the mommy?

Careful, careful. Watch your toes. Ooh.

Watch your... Watch your toes.

Run, yeah! Now look right behind you.

There you go!

Yeah! That's it! Run ahead!

Get that thing going, buddy!

All right. Let's go.

Whoo!

Yeah!

That's it! Faster, buddy! Faster!

Yeah!

Keep going, buddy! Faster!

That's it! Yeah!

We got it going, honey!

Hey, Gordon, let Vanessa try.

Here. Okay, keep it running.

There you go, sweetie. Now come on.

Go, honey, go! Good run. Let's go!

Go! Yeah!

All right!

Keep running!

Keep running! Yeah!

Hey, slow down.

Easy, buddy.

Who wants a topper?

Me!

Of course.

Hey, hey, hey, sweetie, where are you going?

No, it's okay.

I have that book.

Uh... Yeah, it's a really good book.

I know it by heart.

And I have the same color pencils.

Cool.

Do you like drawing?

Mm-hmm.

I draw animals and people.

Sometimes they come out funny.

This is supposed to be a possum.

You think you could help me with this?

I only saw one possum in my whole life.

But I still can remember.

You're really good!

What's your name?

Vanessa.

I'm Tammy.

Did you just move here?

Five months ago.

Do you read a lot?

Mm-hmm.

It's my favorite thing. And drawing.

I'm thinking about writing a book.

That'd be good.

With a possum?

Tom, can you call them again?

Guys! Breakfast! Let's go!

Guys!

Dad?

No fever. No worries.

We're been overdoing it.

I knew we should have

kept her at home. Beth...

I'm an idiot thinking everything is okay.

Everything is okay.

I'm calling the doctor.

It's okay.

You just have to get some rest, then you're gonna be good to go.

Okay?

Sorry!

Hi, hon. How's she doing?

Hi.

So, she went right back to bed after she finished her lunch.

And I talked to Dr. Patel again,

and she said she didn't need to see her.

Well, the doctor would have had us

bring her in if she had a fever.

Well, I think I should have insisted that I bring her in.

Well, she... she's got an appointment next week.

We'll have all her levels check,

and you'll see, they'll be good.

You were right; we overdid it.

Okay, I gotta go.

I'm almost home.

Okay.

Don't see you for a month,

and now it's three times in one week.

Sorry. I probably should have called first.

I probably wouldn't have answered.

Sure is peaceful out here.

Yes, it is.

Say, would it be possible for me

to choose a Christmas tree?

No, we don't tag trees till mid-November.

Sort of like hanging on to these

long summer days.

If I could stop time, I'd stop it right now.

November for tree-tagging.

Right.

Thanks.

Sure.

I know what Tom's up to.

Tom who?

Marks. Beth's husband.

That little girl of theirs is sick.

He's moving up the clock.

What does that mean?

He's pushing everything forward.

Well, he's... he's looking for pumpkins and Christmas trees

in the middle of summer.

He's gonna make sure she has a Halloween and a Christmas.

Did he say something to you?

It's what he's not saying.

I need your help, Teddy.

My neighbor's little girl is really sick.

What do you want from me?

Pumpkins.

Your nephew still grow 'em?

We sold a lot of melons and apples down this way.

You believe what they're saying

about winter coming in the middle of October?

Well, the thing about the weather is,

no matter what's predicted,

we find out soon enough if it's true.

I'm sorry, Teddy.

Should have said it a long time ago.

When Stevie died... we just couldn't get up from it.

And you lost Ellen.

And I wasn't there for you.

Claire and I loved her

dearly, you know that.

I'd like to think Ellen would understand.

If she would, maybe you could, too.

This whole thing between us

has gone on for too long.

I've been really stupid.

Yeah, well, we... we both been through a lot.

We're okay, then?

We're okay.

You got it?

Got it.

There you go.

There's a couple of beauties.

Rick, tell your uncle and Mr. Sanford

that they're staying for dinner.

If Lily isn't happy, no one here is.

I never turned a free meal down yet. Thanks.

What are you working on?

Uh, the great American novel.

For kids under seven.

How's it going?

Uh, would it be too cliché to say I have writer's block?

Doesn't look like it from where I sit.

You know, if you're into kids' books,

we could use some help

with the preschool reading series at the library.

If you have some free time.

Yeah, maybe.

Great.

Lily, the meal was fantastic.

Mmm, glad you enjoyed it.

Susie, I'm so happy you were able to join us.

Well, thanks for inviting me.

Susie lives close by.

Mm. I live ten minutes away in town.

She's got family

in Sullivan.

My first cousin, Laura Booker.

I know her husband.

Used to play ball with him.

You get up to Sullivan often?

Well, Ted comes down here once in a while.

Mm.

Maybe we should be going soon.

Why don't you guys just stay over?

We've got the room.

Well, you don't have to twist my arm.

Just gonna have to call my wife

and let her know I won't be home.

Good for me.

Not too late to drive home.

I like Susie.

Me, too.

And she likes you.

I know. I can't imagine how I managed to be so lucky.

Twice now.

Oh, I can.

I wasn't sure what you'd think.

I think it's great.

Ellen would've wanted you to be happy.

Hey, Gordon.

What's up?

Am I gonna get sick?

What?

Am I gonna get sick?

No.

Why is Nessa sick?

Well...

I don't know, sweetie.

That's one of those questions we don't know the answer to.

Like if there are other little girls in Nessa's bowl?

In Vanessa's snow globe?

Vanessa tries to see

how many little girls are in there.

She says we'll never know.

Well, yeah, Vanessa's right.

That's another one of those questions

we'll never know the answer to.

But you know what?

What?

Your sister is very tough,

and she's teaching us all how to be strong.

I'm strong.

Yeah.

You are the strongest little man that I know.

Tom, Gordon, get down here!

Come on.

Look at all the pumpkins!

Oh...

Wow! There are so many.

Are these for us?

Well, read the note, honey.

"What do you know--

"found a few ripe ones.

Jess Sanford."

Whoa, there's gazillions of them!

What are we gonna do with all of them?

Uh, well, we're gonna decide

after the two of you get dressed.

Go on.

Go up and change your clothes.

Mommy rules. Come on, go upstairs and change.

What did you say to Jess to get him

to bring you an entire pumpkin patch?

Nothing.

I just asked when he'd have some.

What are we going to do with all of these?

Let's have an early Halloween.

But it's August, Tom.

I know, we have pumpkins.

Let's... let's throw a Halloween party.

It'd be great.

Turn the living room into a ghost house.

Vanessa, we're having a Halloween party!

Gordon, what did we say

about listening in on our conversations?

Come on, go upstairs and change, buddy.

Hurry up.

Are you serious about this?

Let's move up the holidays.

We'll move up Halloween, then the next holiday,

then the next.

As many as we can give her for however long.

Wha...

All this time, you've been cheering us on,

and you don't believe any of it.

You don't think she's going to make it.

Look at me.

What's wrong with creating a little happiness

for our daughter right now?

I just want her to be happy.

"Our neighbor, Mr. Sanford, had planted pumpkins seeds

"that magically grew during the night.

"There were big ones and small ones,

"orangey ones and yellowy ones.

"I was the luckiest girl in the world,

"and Gordon was the luckiest boy.

"We were off to our neighbor's farm to thank him for helping us

get pumpkins for a special early Halloween, just for us."

We made these for you.

Well, thank you, Vanessa.

Pink cookies are my favorite.

They're strawberry.

My dad's favorite, too.

We're having a Halloween party.

I'm going to be a cowboy.

Right, Dad?

That's right, bud.

And I'm going to be a princess.

Well, that wouldn't be much different

from what you are every day,

would it?

I'll be a turtle.

A turtle.

Good choice.

Yeah, you're not the one who has to make the costume.

You want to go see the geese, go ahead.

Come on, Stanley.

Look at the geese.

I still don't know how you did it.

What do I owe you?

I been paid, Tom.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Here, boy.

Gordon.

It's okay, Mom!

Stanley is my friend!

Hey.

Hey.

Some women get diamonds,

you shower me with pumpkins.

Got a bit carried away.

They're throwing themselves a Halloween party Thursday night.

You were right.

What were you doing up there, Jess?

They're not his things.

Just Halloween stuff.

You know, I wonder if I would have thought

about doing something like this for Stevie

if I'd have had a chance.

Get away!

All right, you kids!

Pack it up!

Get off of me!

What part of "quit" do you rascals not understand?

I got wrangled into babysitting

my nephew's kids for the morning.

I see.

Brought you a little reward

for your 400-mile drive.

Pumpkin?

Good guess.

You get them all delivered?

I got them delivered.

They're planning on having a Halloween party.

I'm taking some more stuff over there now.

What's that look?

I get it, Jess. I know what you're doing.

You're getting real involved here.

I just hate seeing you go down that road again.

That road is always gonna be there, Ted.

And there'll be times when I'm gonna go down it.

So will Claire.

That's just the way it is.

But if I can put a smile on that family's face,

I'm gonna do it.

And that's the way that is.

How's Susie?

She's good, thanks.

Good.

What do you say, Tom?

Jess.

Wh-What's all this?

Some old Halloween stuff out of our attic.

Got a little more in the truck.

It's yours if you want it.

Sure, thanks.

Uh, you want a cup of coffee?

Yeah, coffee would be good. Okay.

Been a long time since I've been in this old house.

Did you always live here in Sullivan?

No, I grew up in the Southwest.

I came up here after the Army

and met Claire, and that was it.

There used to be an old stone fireplace where this bar is.

Really?

Wish they'd kept that.

Maybe...

Excuse me.

Hello.

Why haven't you left yet?

Her platelets were that low?

Even after the transfusion?

Yeah, I-I know what that means.

Okay, just...

just get home safe.

It's right what you and your wife are doing.

If it were anybody but you, Mr. Sanford,

on my rock.

I didn't know you hung out here.

My son and his friends used to play hockey here in the winter.

That was his dream.

Play hockey for the NHL.

All I ever wanted to do was play baseball when I was his age.

How about you?

You know what you want to be?

Happy.

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it?

Actually, what I really want to be is a writer.

Really?

Yeah.

How'd you decide on that?

I've been keeping a journal since I was nine.

You know, my escape from my mom

and what was going on in my house,

but you probably know all of this.

Wade never said anything to me.

Other than you were his niece and you were

staying with them.

My friends and I got picked up by the police a couple times.

Aha.

I mean, nothing serious,

but, you know, I had to produce a parent;

otherwise, foster care.

And I couldn't find my mom.

Big surprise, right?

So I called Uncle Wade,

and he came right away and brought me here.

Yeah.

Started writing a children's book.

I don't know.

Maybe it's stupid.

I mean, what do I know about kids?

I'll bet you know a lot about kids.

Yeah, why?

Well, you were one once.

And not that long ago.

I don't think anybody really knows

if they're good at anything until they try.

Your dream is to be a writer,

then I say write.

I got to tell ya,

I came here today hoping I'd see you.

I got a favor to ask you.

Might involve acting like a kid again.

Here you go. Turn around.

Wait, let me, let me get your arms through.

Okay, here we go.

Turn around.

Okay.

You look really good.

Do you feel good? Yeah.

You look exactly like a turtle.

Come on.

Let's go see who it is.

Come on.

Come on, buddy.

Stop it. Stop it!

Shh!

Trick or treat!

Wow!

I don't have any candy to give.

Doesn't matter; we're just here for the party.

Well... well, come on in.

Come on. Come on.

Hey, Vanessa.

Hi, Tammy. Hey, you guys.

Hi.

Hi.

Hi. Hi.

Hi.

Hi.

Hey.

Good job. Wow!

Oh!

Awesome.

That was so cool. Yeah.

Ooh!

Thank you.

You're very welcome.

All righty. Thank you.

Oh, I like that.

Yeah?

There you go. Thank you.

You're very welcome.

Thank you.

The door to the passageway was stuck.

Their only light from their one candle

was flickering and flickering.

And it went out!

Tiny flashes of light scurried about.

Mice, or something worse.

"She's coming. She's coming.

The witch is coming."

They tried the door once more

as the cries got louder.

And the witch was coming up closer to them and...

Boo!

Okay.

Well?

Happy Halloween.

Yeah.

Anybody home?

Over here, Tom.

Sorry it took me a couple weeks

to get this stuff back to you.

That stuff was for the kids.

You didn't have to bring it back.

Oh, thanks.

So, how'd the party go?

Yeah, great. Yeah.

Gordon and Vanessa really appreciated the kids coming.

We-we did, too.

Oh, good. Yeah.

Can't have a party without a few kids.

Right.

Glad it went good.

Thank you.

Say, you, uh, got time?

We can go over to the tree farm and put a tag

on one for you.

I'd love to.

I, uh...

I wanted to make it a family thing.

We can do that, too.

Our schedule's getting kind of hectic again.

Um, how's next week work for you?

Next week it is.

Pattycake, pattycake, baker's man.

And "B"...

"B."

Pattycake, pattycake, baker's man...

"Gracie was hungry.

"It was early morning in the public gardens

"and she was ready for breakfast.

"Gracie launched herself into the cool water

"of the fountain, fluffing her feathers

"as the spray sprinkled all around her.

"The gates of the public garden would soon be unlocked,

"and Mr. Black Suit usually arrived shortly after.

"He would sit on the park bench

"to drink his coffee, and he always shared

"his breakfast with her.

"Muffins, thought Gracie

"as Mr. Black Suit appeared around the bend.

"That looks like a muffin bag.

"Oh, yummy.

"Mr. Black Suit tore open

a small white paper bag and began to eat..."

I want to take you up

on your offer to help with the reading series if it's not too late.

It's never too late.

What days are you free? Uh, since school started,

I'm free Saturdays and Thursday afternoons.

Saturdays work.

Great.

This is the reading list

and the dates.

The Five Chinese Brothers. Great book.

Harold and the Purple Crayon.

My mom used to read it to me when I was little.

The good early years.

My son loved that book.

I'm glad you're here.

Me, too.

"...and he left the gardens through the swinging gate,

across the road, and then..."

Is this boring for you?

The best part of this book is the pictures.

You're right.

That's a cool hat. You wear hats a lot?

It's because I don't have any hair.

My best friend likes to shave her head.

So I started writing

that story we talked about.

The possum one?

Yeah. Only now it's a rooster.

That's better.

I'm calling it My Secret Pal.

I draw roosters.

We have one on the wall.

Could I see it sometime?

Come to our house.

Okay. Sounds great.

Maybe you can help with the story--

do drawings for it

if you want to. Okay.

Okay.

This one! This one! Yeah, I want this!

Really?

You guys, that one's a little tall.

This is definitely the one. What do you think? We have it?

This was so great.

And that pie!

Thanks.

That's one of Jess's favorites.

I can see why.

So, how did you two meet?

Oh...

once upon a time in the '60s...

Jess had come up here

for a concert at a nearby farm,

and I was one of the locals working the show.

I saw him standing and waiting

at the first-aid tent.

He had this

terrible cut on his foot.

Oh, he was so handsome.

And my uncle was the town doctor,

so I offered him a ride into town, and...

he said yes, and he never left.

What about you two?

Uh, we met at our first job right out of college.

Ooh, could he make me laugh.

I miss those days.

Beth.

You know we're...

just right down the road.

If you need

anything...

Thank you.

Those your old toys?

Those belonged to our son Steven.

He died when he was 13.

What happened?

Coming home from a hockey game.

Minivan hit a patch of ice on the highway.

Lost control.

Stevie and the driver died on the spot.

Someone tried to comfort me with the notion

that...

when a child is taken...

...their soul only had a tiny mission

to accomplish here.

That's why they were blessed

to depart.

Needless to say, God and I haven't seen eye-to-eye since.

I'm scared out of my mind, Jess.

Vanessa's so strong.

I just can't shake the feeling that we're gonna lose her.

You been dealt a bad hand, Tom.

I wish I could change it.

What'd he do?

He threw a ball through the chapel window.

Yeah, but he's got a good arm.

Sure does.

I need to ask you a favor, Bob.

In your daily prayers,

would you mind putting one in

for my neighbors?

Tom Marks and his family?

His little girl, Vanessa?

Yeah, will do.

Thanks.

But, you know, uh, your prayers

have just as much weight as mine.

Yeah.

Been a long time since I was one of His regulars.

God knows you, Jess,

and He never stopped listening.

Thanks.

The dishes are in the rinse cycle,

I placed the order for tomorrow's pastries,

and I will be back before my shift starts.

Wait up, Tammy.

What'd I forget?

I don't want you riding your bike in the dark.

It'll still be light.

No bike.

Eyes on the road the whole time, no speeding,

no radio, hmm?

Thank you.

This is supposed to be a cloud.

Is that your doctor?

Uh-huh. It's Dr. Patel.

She's really nice.

Is that you?

Mm-hmm. It's me with hair.

This one is a watercolor.

So is this.

And here...

is my second favorite drawing.

It's pastels.

You're really, really good.

Can I see more? Sure.

This is, like, on the farm.

And this is

supposed to be Stanley.

And... this is

at the bottom of the sea, I think.

And this is a princess on her unicorn,

and she's gonna go all the way up the mountains

and she's gonna find her true love up there.

Hey. Here's my helper.

Thanks a lot.

No. Thank you.

I wanted some company today.

Buddy, I'm gonna be back right after dinner.

How long is that?

Not long. We're gonna be so busy,

you won't know where the time went.

Let's go sneak up on Mr. Sanford and Stanley,

okay?

Okay, so I'm gonna show you some of the garden, okay?

This is one of the smaller gardens right here.

It's almost all vegetables.

Vanessa's counts are down.

Well, they've been down before.

Yes.

However, this time lymphoblasts appeared

on her blood smear.

We have to admit her now,

and start a new round of chemo.

What... what-what does that mean?

We begin again

with a new drug.

One day at a time.

There you go, buddy.

When's my daddy gonna be here?

Soon as you get up from your nap.

Are you gonna stay with me?

I am.

And Stanley?

He's already here.

Hey, Jess, I heard

you've had yourself a young boarder these past few weeks.

Only during the day.

His dad picks him up again at night.

Is it working out okay?

It's working out fine.

Claire's really taken to little Gordon.

It's been nice for all of us.

We like having little feet

under us again.

Just sorry it's not under different circumstances.

How's the little girl doing?

She's fighting the fight.

I'm heading over there now.

Tell her hi for me?

I will.

It's wonderful what you're doing, Jess.

Thank you, Bob.

Listen... if they need

any takeout meals, or... anything,

let me know.

Same here.

Well, that's what it's all about, huh?

People reaching out.

Yeah.

See ya.

She's really weak.

And they're talking about sending us home soon.

They have to stop the treatments

till she gets stronger.

They give you any idea?

All her counts have to go up.

This drug's really beat her up.

So in a month, uh... six weeks,

we'll see if she needs to come back for more treatments.

Gordon can stay with us for as long as you need to be here.

You guys ought to get out of here for a while.

Take a walk.

Breathe some real air.

Let me go in and sit with her for a while.

I'll be all right.

Go on.

Hi.

Hi.

Okay if I sit with you for a little bit?

Sure.

How you doing?

I'm okay.

How's Stanley?

He's good.

I know he'd like to see ya.

My dad says we're going home soon.

But I might have

to come back at Christmas.

I don't like it here.

I don't want to be here for Christmas.

That's why I'm here.

I have it on good authority that you will be home

for Christmas.

I want you to rest up.

Be ready to celebrate.

Okay?

Okay.

It was under the Christmas tree

when my son Stevie was about two.

What do you think?

Wow!

And then-- look at this--

this big guy...

is Mr. Billingsley... Wow!

and he...

has to know everything that's going on around the house.

And he asks lots and lots of questions,

just like you know who.

Me.

You. Yeah.

Wow.

And then... there's this.

Whoa. Can we play with him?

Well, when it stops raining, I'm gonna take you outside,

and I am gonna see how fast you can make him run, okay?

Okay.

Okay.

Want to hold him?

Wow.

Wow.

It's so much better than I expected.

It's simple and-and great.

Rooster Tim should wear glasses.

I have to go.

I have my uncle's car, and I can't be late.

But hey, next time we get together

is at my house, okay?

Come on, Vanessa.

We've got a book to work on.

I proposed to Susie today.

She accepted.

She did?

I want you to be my best man.

Are you sure she said yes?

Come on!

Let's go.

Can I go outside?

Thank you guys so much.

Thanks.

Can you go with Mommy over there?

You're gonna stay right there, won't you?

It's beautiful.

Come on, honey.

Come on, sweetie.

Come on, sweetie.

Hi.

Thank you.

Do you see?

Mr. Sanford, you were right.

It's Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Vanessa.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Vanessa.

Merry Christmas.

Come on, sweetie.

Let's go inside.

Come on, Gordon.

I don't know how to thank you.

You don't have to thank me.

Just go inside and be with your family.

Just as my mother had promised,

by the first snowfall, I did begin to get better.

And just as I believed

the girls in my snow globe went on and on,

I saw and began to believe

in the endless possibilities for me.

The real medicine for my recovery

was the boundless goodness shown to me and my family.

And just as we became part of our little town,

I became part of something

nobody was sure I would ever be a part of.

This wonderful world.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Bye-bye. Bye.

Oh, bye.

Bye, sweetie.

Bye.

Bye.

Bye-bye. Bye.

See you soon. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you.

Bye.

Was that story really about you?

Yeah, it was.

Did you have to go back to the hospital?

Between you and me, I did.

But pretty soon after that, I really did get better.

That's good.

Yeah, it is.

Have a great Christmas.

Thank you. Bye.

I didn't think you could top last year.

Pretty cool, huh?

Unbelievable.

Hi, Dad. Hey.

Hi.

Hey, Gordon.

It's good to see you. You, too.

Hi.

Welcome home. Thank you.

Hey.

Well, I'm here to tag my tree.

You're late.

Christmas comes in November around here.

Merry Christmas, Vanessa.

Thank you.

Come on.

Let's go find you the perfect tree.