Original subtitles

I tell you, Mr. Riley, I'm real proud

you decided to make this far. I think

you're going to like these streets.

Pretty good. And this one, let me show

you right over here.

That's what it is.

Oh, yeah. That's it.

This is not my tree.

It's disease.

That tree will not be alive long enough

to see the Thank God. tree won't be

alive long enough to see the 4th of July

much as Christmas.

Oh, Mr. Riley, I'm telling you, this

this tree will be fine now. It's only

March. This little light will pass. It's

one of my best trees.

One of your best, Mr. Johnson.

Sven.

Sven,

this is not for my living room. This is

the tree for Rockefeller Center, the

most famous tree in the world, the

international symbol of Christmas.

I want your best tree, Sven.

Not one of your best.

All right. All right, Mr. Riley. Let me

show you my very best tree. Huh?

Place over here.

Right this way.

There she is.

Right down here.

75 ft white pine.

Yeah.

Oh, it's beautiful.

Richard.

Hi.

Peter called. He wants to know if you

can change that budget meeting back to

Thursday at 3:00.

Oh, no. Can do. I got that big

media/marketing thing Steve wants me to

sit in on.

Uh, that's not until 4:15, so you could

just make it.

Really?

All right. There it is. Mr. Riley right

there. Now, isn't she a beauty?

Beth, call the farmer in Vermont. Tell

them I want their tree after all. Thanks

for your time. I mean, it may look like

a used pipe cleaner, but it'll have to

do. They called this morning. That tree

went to the White House.

What?

You're kidding. I love that tree. How am

I going to find a tree like that?

I'm hanging up now. I hate it when you

start this.

I'm sorry. I feel like crap. I'm up to

my knees in mud. It's raining. I got to

have dinner tonight with that that

Beverly Greening person.

Um, well, your day may be brightening.

She called and canceled

when

Well, that's just that's great. You

know, I had a feeling she'd do that when

I asked her out. Just find the tree.

Okay. You remember what you once said?

What? It's always darkest before the

dawn.

No. The Christmas tree at Rockefeller

Center has to be like Jackie Kennedy.

I said that was drunk.

You said some may have more beauty, but

none has its presence. It can hold the

room.

Yeah. Well, right now I'd settle for

Barbara Bush.

Now stop that.

Come back to the office and I'll make

you hot soup.

I'm at the car. I'm going to the

chopper. I'll see you later.

Okay. Bye.

Thank you.

Go down a little.

Go down a little.

Where?

There.

Where is this? Is it on the map?

It's Brush Creek.

What?

Brush Creek.

Yeah. Who lives there? nuns. I think

it's a convent.

What? Beth, try and get the number for

this place. It's called Brush Creek.

Yeah, it's a convent. The guy's giving

me a ride. Calls it a retreat or

something. Whatever. I don't know.

Listen, just you just let him know I'm

coming. All right. Yeah, I'll call you

as soon as I can. Okay.

Well, thank you.

I really appreciate it.

Hello.

May I?

No. I'm old. I'm not dead. I just

finished my daily three mile walk. I

think I can climb two steps.

Well,

coming.

May I help you with something?

Well, I hope so.

There you are. We've been waiting for

you.

I told Sister Rose when I'd be back. I

had to work up an appetite.

We just need you to taste them. We don't

need you to eat a pound and a half of

cheese, sister.

Oh, hello. I'm Sister Sarah.

Hello. I'm Richard Riley.

I thought I told you not to invite

anyone to this tasting. Last time the

word was out about our herb cheese

before we decided if we liked it.

Oh, no. I I don't know the

cheese.

No, no, no. Ma'am, I'm from Rockefeller

Center.

Excuse me, sisters. I don't want to be a

nudge, but Oh, I'm sorry.

Hi. Um, did you get word I was coming?

Me?

Anyone?

Is this about my driver's license?

No, no, no.

Oh, sister. He's not here about your

driver's license.

God bless you.

Mr. Riley is here to see me. I believe.

I thought all of you were participating

in the taste test.

Well, I'm ready. What's holding up

everyone else, Mr. Riley. I'm Mother

Superior Francis. I spoke to your

assistant a few minutes ago.

Thank goodness.

Everyone else is there except for you

and Sister Anthony. Nice meeting you,

Mr. Riley.

I won't wait any longer for her. She

never learned the importance of being

prompt.

Yes, sister. Hurry along, sister.

Cheese.

We're a working dairy farm. We got our

first jersey in uh what uh 1949 I

believe from a local farmer. One thing

led to another and here we are.

It's a hard place to keep up.

Oh, it's great.

I beg you pardon?

I say it's great.

Oh. Oh, yes.

So, uh you're interested in uh one of

our trees.

Yes. It seemed like a large Norwegian

spruce. Big about 75 80 ft in a

clearing.

I beg a pardon.

A large one in a clearing.

Oh, yes. I thought so.

You go down there, you'll see a path.

It'll take you to our tree. If you want

it, you'll have to ask Sister Anthony.

It's her decision to make.

And where is she?

Oh, yes, it is chilly. Maybe a new store

moving in.

Find the tree. Sister Anthony will be

there.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hey.

Hey. What on earth are you doing?

You scared the

You frightened me.

You must be Sister Anthony.

I'm Richard Riley from Rockefeller

Center. Did Sister Francis tell you?

Mother Superior.

Right. Mother Superior. Of course. I'm

sorry she didn't tell you.

I'm afraid not.

Look, sister, let me give you my card.

I work for Rockefeller Center.

Oh, and I'm sure when you think of

Rockefeller Center at Christmas time,

there's one thought that leaps into your

mind.

Let me jog your memory.

The tree,

the Christmas tree, the international

symbol of Christmas, the very jewel in

the crown.

Look, sister, don't ask me why, but

every tourist from here to kingdom come,

no offense,

comes to New York in winter to trudge

around in brown snow, buy lousy

souvenirs, and see our tree.

I need a tree, sister.

You see, if I don't get one, there's no

telling what kind of mayhem's going to

ensue.

I want your tree, sister. I need your

tree. New York City needs your tree,

sister.

Christmas

needs your tree.

Do you have any experience with trees,

Mr. uh

Riley?

Riley,

I I just told you.

No, I I mean with living trees.

Well, I am in fact a landscape architect

and have been for many years.

Which means you draw up a blueprint. I'm

asking you if you've ever raised a tree,

Mr. Riley.

Right, sister. I'm talking about a

national symbol.

Well, Mr. Riley, obviously I'm quite

familiar with symbolism, but I'm not

sure you know anything about what you're

symbolizing. What is that?

Riley, talk to me. It's a phone, sister.

Oh, yes, I see that now.

Diane, how are you?

Mr. Riley.

Yeah. Saturday night. I'm kind of

I am certainly not willing to cut down

my tree for the sake of tourism.

Well, some other time. That's fine.

Or commerce. Oh,

Mr. Riley.

Wow.

I I would sooner you cut off my own arm

than cut down tree.

Um, well, I'm sorry. I can't talk now,

but um

listen,

I don't know. Have a have a great life.

Bad news?

No, no.

Friend of mine's getting married.

Oh, that's nice. Yeah,

great.

Wow, I can breathe. It's amazing.

Yes, I I say that almost every time I

exhale.

I had a terrible cold a few moments ago.

It's tree.

He gives off a lot of oxygen.

Tree.

Mhm. Do you mean the tree or that tree?

No, it's just tree. That's his name. I

know him well enough. I can call him by

his first name.

How long have you known

Tree?

Oh, we grew up together.

You grew up together?

When I first was brought here, I was

very small. Tree was just a little

taller.

How old were you?

I was five. Well, maybe six.

I was six.

How are your parents?

I don't know.

I don't remember them.

The only record I have is that I was at

the orphanage for 1 year and 8 months.

Oh, I remember

the orphanage was a very frightening

place.

It was gray and

damp.

I don't remember how I arrived there,

only that my name was Anna.

No last name, just Anna.

I was known as the quiet one. At first,

I didn't talk much,

and after a while,

I just didn't talk at all.

There were many children. We hardly ever

played or even went to school. We got up

very early each day, made our beds, and

went to the workrooms. We stayed there

all day painting clock faces.

It was a hard life for a child.

But

there was Tom.

There we go.

He took care of me. He made sure that I

ate properly.

Dorene

and he made sure I didn't get picked on.

He made me a satchel and he put magical

things in it like leaves and acorns.

Every night I would carefully take them

out to look at them and touch them. They

always made me feel better.

They were magic.

These are leaves. They're stupid leaves.

Talk. I'll wreck it. Go on. Talk. Talk.

Stay. Give them all back to her now.

Please, Dorine.

Fine.

It's okay. Get into bed now.

He was my best friend and he kept me

alive.

Then one day some people took me from

the home.

Anna

I never saw Tom again,

but I still have the satchel he made for

me, and it's always filled with magic.

It's sad.

Are you feeling sorry for me?

I apologize for rattling on like that. I

mean, you you came here for my tree, not

my life story.

See, when I lost Tom,

I found my friend

tree.

Well,

always good to have friends.

Come over here, Mr. Riley.

Richard.

Richard, come over here

and touch him. Come on.

Okay.

Tree. This is Richard. Mr. Riley.

This is tree.

How do you do?

Good old tree.

What do you feel?

Like a fool.

No, with your hand.

Bark.

Quit being so careful. And grab a hold

of something wonderful for yourself.

Touch him.

Really touch him.

Now what do you feel?

I don't know.

Some people say it's God. Anybody's God

in a tree.

In a love tree. What? Even an unloved

tree. Just waiting for you. Walk right

up and grab hold.

Yeah.

Feel loved. Even if it's only for a

second. Listen, sister.

Do you feel loved?

What? At this minute,

ever?

Um,

not often. No.

Oh,

what?

Richard,

you feeling sorry for me now?

No. No.

No.

Look, sister, getting a hug from your

tree, it's really nice and all, but

look, I need other things.

Like what?

Humans.

Oh,

look. I have a great life. I make good

money. I have good friends. I have a

great apartment.

But do you have a tree like I do?

Not this year.

Not what I mean.

Do you have someplace where you're more

yourself than anywhere else?

Do you have someplace where you really

belong?

Listen,

sister.

I have a few more bulbs to plant. Oh,

bye, Tree. See you tomorrow. You can

tell me what you think of Richard.

He loves me. He wants to come home with

me. Don't you, Tree?

Over my dead body.

Listen to me now, sister.

I must remember to put some of this food

on that rodendron. What's the um

roodendron's name? Roadie or Blossom or

just plain old bush?

Are you making fun of me?

Kind of.

The rod dendrin has no name as far as I

know.

Well, that's a comfort, isn't it?

Hand me another scoop, will you, please?

You have any gloves?

No, just pick it up. Here.

You're the landscape architect. Put it

where it belongs.

Been a long time.

You know, I think you might want to

transplant because it's not getting any

sun back here. You want to put it out

where people can see it.

Too late in the year.

Only March.

It'll be blooming soon.

Look at me. I'm a mess, sister.

You look great.

What are these? Gladias.

You don't have any bulbs in the ground?

Yes, I do mostly. But these were a gift

from the parents of one of my students.

You teach?

Yes.

What?

Sex education.

You're kidding.

Yes, I'm kidding. I'm kidding.

Oh, God bless.

I I teach a small but I believe popular

class in art and botany and we study

poetry at the same time. You know, Emily

Dickinson, Walt Whittmann, and the

likes. Even even some Sheamus Heeney.

Oh,

you're right. You do have a terrible

cold.

Would

would you help me rework the grounds?

What?

I mean, we have so many wonderful

plants, but you're right. They're old.

And

I came

I came here because in nine short

months, it's going to be Christmas

again, and I need a tree.

Pardon me, but

it's a very unusual relationship you

have with a tree. Do you mind my asking

how this happened?

Let me think.

When when I got here,

how did I

I remember

I rode in a big car.

For what seemed a very long time,

I could see some lights on in the house,

but otherwise it was very dark and quite

frightening.

It was hard for me to see faces, only

what looked like black wings. I I tried

to run, but I was trapped.

We won't hurt you. We want to help you.

And Tom was not there to save me.

Her name is Anna. Sisters.

Hello, Anna. I'm Sister Francis. I

I'm Sister Mary.

I'm Mother Superior.

I'm Sister Margaret.

I'm Sister Luchia. She's exhausted. Put

the child to bed and let's go to bed

ourselves. We can feed her and read to

her. And goodness knows what else

tomorrow.

Oh, yes. Sister Luchia is right. We must

help Anna to bed. Tomorrow is another

day. I must tell you sisters, it seems

that Anna does not speak or hasn't for a

while. These records are not very clear,

but

she doesn't talk.

Are we equipped to deal with this? I

told you I felt we shouldn't be

overzealous in our charitable efforts.

Maybe she doesn't talk right now. That's

all right. Sister Luchia talks enough

for all of us.

Please, sister talk again. We just need

to fatten her up a bit.

Reading will help her to learn to speak

again. to me like we won't be getting

any other work done around here.

And here we are.

This will be your room, Hannah. I hope

you'll be happy here.

Have a good night's sleep, dear. Sister

Francis will help you to bed.

Sisters,

good night, Anna. We're glad you're

here. Good night.

Good night. Good night, Anna.

I made a few things for you.

I wasn't sure of the size. I had to

guess.

What a pretty bag. Did you make it?

I'll go then and let you get some sleep.

Good night, Anna.

I used to have a recurring nightmare.

There would be this beautiful shining

star. It shimmerred and seemed to give

off a warm glow.

I I tried to touch it and just as I

touched it, it became an ugly beast. I

couldn't get free. The next morning, I

came downstairs to voices I heard in the

dining room.

We are not the ones to be dealing with

this problem.

Then who is sister?

She has had a hard life. Give her a

little time.

Yes, sister. I agree. A little love can

do a lot of healing.

Germany has annexed Austria. Oh my. I'm

afraid the world needs a lot of love.

There's only so much the five of us can

do.

It's hunger. Most of the world is

starving.

We certainly aren't.

Well, we can thank the good Lord for

that. I don't understand you sometimes,

Sister Luchi. Who are we serving and not

God's children? If I had my way, we'd

have taken.

It will be

I don't know where I thought I was

going. Back to Tom, I guess. I just

started to run toward the bushes so I

could hide and figure it out. But once I

got there, I couldn't find my way out. I

got more and more scared.

The dark forest turned into a bright

meadow,

and I just ran and ran until I couldn't

run any longer.

I felt frightened and alone.

Something tickled my face.

I tried to get up to continue to run

but tree wouldn't let me

so I stopped

and then I saw him. He was just a tree,

not even a very big tree. He made me

feel better.

I cuddled up to him and I named him

treat.

Not very clever, I admit, but I was just

a child.

He was warm and sweet.

And I felt safe.

Sister Francis found me sleeping there.

But when she tried to take me back to

the house, I told her in a very clear

voice,

"No,

Emma, you spoke.

We have been so worried. We couldn't

find you.

We have to go inside now."

No. Please.

Tree.

Yes, honey. This is a tree.

No, my tree.

All right. It can be your tree just for

you.

Sister Francis stayed with me, but not

before she ran and told the others where

we were. One by one, they came to the

meadow.

Oh, my Anna.

I brought some fruit from the garden and

some poems to read. Anna, we were so

worried. You must never do that again.

Oh, I heard you were here. I thought

might be a good day to eat outside.

Tell Mother Superior what this is, Anna.

It's tree. My tree.

Anna, you're talking.

Oh, Anna, how wonderful. I know a lot

about trees. I have books.

This is exactly what I was afraid of.

We have work to do today. Sister

Francis, you were going to help me

organize the clothes drive.

Someone forgot the lemonade.

Please come and join us.

They became my family and tree was at

the very center of it.

We sat there with Tree until the sun

went down. Sister Francis carried me in,

but not until I kissed Tree good night.

Good night, little tree.

I belonged here with them

and my tree.

People aren't meant to be all alone in

the world.

Richard, hi. It's Beth. I didn't hear

from you. I know you got in safe. The

pilot called. I think he likes me. Um, I

got you some cold medicine. I left it

there on the coffee table. Um, did you

find a tree? Well, I guess I'll hear in

the office tomorrow. Bye,

Richard. Honey. Hi, it's Rebecca. Look,

I left my ladder in your car last week.

My ex gave it to me and we're getting

back together. So, I need it. Okay.

Bye-bye.

I think it's out there for all of us, a

tree of sorts. It's up to us to find it

and to have the courage to wrap

ourselves around it once we do. It also

helps to have the patience to let it

grow as big as my Norwegian spruce.

Mr. You don't have to worry about any of

that. You tell it to your lovely wife

that we're going to get that nasty tree

out of there. Yeah. Beautiful as it is.

I mean, now it can be a little messy.

Turkey with avocado on the ride.

But you're going to see a real drop in

your garden bill. I guarantee you that.

Pickles extra crispy.

Oh, yes. Yeah. I I just hate a shady

tennis court myself. My idea of hell on

earth, sir.

Ice scoffy black. I hope it didn't melt.

Hey, those purple flowers outside,

they're beonies.

What? Yes, sir.

They're wilted. I know how they feel.

So, listen. We will be contacting you

sometime in November.

Well, and a happy Independence Day to

you.

Yes. And thank you again for your

beautiful tree. You're a true patriot.

Yes. Thank you. Feel good about it.

Bye-bye.

Yes.

This year's tree

done.

Happy 4th of July.

What? What are you doing on the 4th?

Anything?

I don't know, Bethy, my girl. I'm sure

I'm invited to some big winging, though,

aren't I?

Oh, no.

Oh, it's another star.

Doesn't she ever stop?

What does she think I do all day?

I don't know. What does she think you do

all day? Here's

another star. It's a lucky star. My

68-year-old group made it for you. It's

covered with fourleaf clover we found

under tree. We already used it to wish

you'd find this year's tree.

I already found this year's tree. Thank

you very much.

We need you on Wednesday. We're getting

down and dirty and need your expertise.

Class starts at 10:00. Always Sister

Anthony.

That's tomorrow.

Where's the number?

Right there on the board.

Um, tomorrow's the 4th, you know.

Yes, I know that. And

I'm not about to spend my Fourth of July

planting. Hello, Mother Superior. Hello.

This is Richard Riley.

Oh, yes. Hello, Mr. Riley. How are you?

I'm just great, thank you.

Um, listen. Sister Anthony asked me if I

could come out there tomorrow. Well, I

can't.

Yes. Well, fine. We'll see you then.

No, no, no.

Come in.

So, um, do you think you might want to

come over to dinner tomorrow night? We

could watch the fireworks from my

window.

Your house?

Yeah.

Uh yeah. Yeah, I would. That would be

nice. But

um I I think I have to go um to that

thing at the Kramer estate, don't I?

Damn.

I mean, I don't know what I'm doing.

You're the only one who knows. What am I

doing?

Nothing.

Nothing

really. Well, uh great. No, that'd be

great. I I I'll have to call you cuz I I

may have to go out to Brush Creek.

Great.

There you are, Sister Anthony.

Oh, good. You're here. Listen, listen to

this. Ah, but a man's reach should

exceed his grasp. Or what's a heaven

for? Robert Brownie.

Very nice. I tried to call you.

Oh, I never talk on the phone. I thought

I put that in one of my letters. Maybe

not.

No, you did. I spoke with Mother

Superior. What?

I'm surprised you got through at all.

The phone has been off the hook. No one

noticed it.

Listen to me, sister.

Did you find this year's tree?

Yes, as a matter of fact, I did.

Good.

Maybe our wishing star helped.

I don't have time for this.

Why are you here then?

I drove out here to tell you.

I can't come.

Well, that's interesting. Is that how

you conduct your business?

What do you want to do with these? Come

here, Richard.

Why are you a landscape architect?

Um, well, my dad's a lawyer, so I

couldn't be a gardener.

Does that make sense?

I wanted to be one. You know, I started

by cutting people's lawns, watering,

pruning, cleaning. But my dad wanted me

to get an education to become something.

Did you

go to school? Yeah. Yeah. Syracuse.

become something.

Well, what do you think, sister?

What do you think?

Look, you're going to drive me crazy.

Let's just put these in the ground so I

can get back to the city,

right? You've got something important

going on tonight. It's the fourth.

Well, yes.

What?

I'm having dinner with a friend.

Good one.

Yes. Good. But I mean, well, sort of. I

mean, Beth, my assistant, she's

I mean, she works for me. It's just it's

not it's I if I get back in time. Look,

I don't know what I'm doing tonight.

Oh, well, I'm happy for you.

I don't know if I want to know why.

Are you confused?

Here are your waters and your watering

place. Drink and be whole again. Beyond

confusion.

Robert Frost.

Where'd you go to school, sister?

Here. I I got a degree from Emerson and

Yale correspondence, but for my primary

education, I had the benefit of

Radcliffe and the College of William and

Mary. That's where my teachers were

educated.

My education started almost immediately

upon arriving at Brush Creek. Every

Monday and Friday morning, I would learn

French from Sister Francis.

On Wednesday mornings, Mother Superior

gave me piano lessons.

Anna,

if we have one cow, which will yield

this much milk in a day, how many cows?

And every Tuesday and Thursday mornings,

I had to spend what seemed like forever

with Sister Luchia and mathematics.

But every afternoon I would spend with

Tree and Sister Mary.

She didn't care if I wore shoes or

behaved like a lady. She let me stand on

my head and jump from rocks. And she

taught me about everything. Every bird

and flower.

Yeah, it's definitely different.

The stars will be in different

positions. She taught me about the

stars.

Sister Mary,

where's the big one?

Well, the North Star is over there.

I was always looking for a big star that

I could never find.

I've never stopped looking for it, even

though

I don't know what you mean.

I don't know why.

And she taught me to read. First, we

read all the best children's books. then

adventure stories and Russian novels and

poetry. She helped me preserve the

magical things I had brought with me to

Brush Creek that Tom had put in my

satchel.

But Sister Mary's path was different

than the rest.

She was very worried about the other

people in the world

and there was a war going on in Europe.

Sister Mary felt she had to go. Oh, my

sweetheart.

Someday I hope you'll understand.

You have to listen to your heart when it

tells you to move and do something.

Even though you might be scared

and I am scared.

I have to go to try and help.

No.

Please say goodbye to me.

I love you and tree.

I'll miss you terribly.

I'll write to you and you can read my

letters out loud to Tree and to the

others.

I'll be back.

No,

please hug me. Goodbye.

I don't want to leave you, but I have to

try to be everything that I can.

Anna,

Anna,

I want you to hear me.

You don't have to hug me or even say

goodbye.

I know how much I mean to you.

I want you to know that I will always

remember this goodbye as though you said

it with all your heart

because it's your heart that's talking

to me right now and I hear it.

Goodbye tree.

Take care of Anna.

A little over 3 months later, we

received a telegram.

Sister Mary had been killed in London in

a bombing attack.

She received a medal for her bravery.

All my life I've missed her. I think

often of what she said to me that day.

She knew how much I loved her. But

she knew that I was I was just a child.

child who couldn't tell her.

I wish I could have been as brave as

she.

Oh, here they come. Let's go.

But what's the matter with you? Feel

like I've been hit by a blunt

instrument.

Oh, come on.

Sit next to tree. You're in desperate

need of him.

This is the Boston Pops. Hope you're

having a happy and safe fourth.

Yeah, right.

I'm so sorry I'm late. I know. I should

have called. I'm late, aren't I? I know.

Hi, Richard.

Hi.

Are you all right?

You look like you've been mugged.

Wow. Nice. No, I know. I I I

should have cleaned up more.

Oh, no. No. You're You're fine. I just I

didn't want to miss the fireworks.

Did I?

No.

Good.

Hi.

Hi.

Oh, look.

Well,

great deal.

Yeah. Well,

so so how is Sister Anthony? I don't

know. Great.

Yeah, it was great.

Wow.

I didn't think you were coming.

Really? Oh, I didn't. No, I didn't

either. I mean, I didn't know if I

could, but I'm

I'm I'm here now. Sorry. I'm sorry.

Wow.

Yeah.

Hi.

Hi.

Sorry I'm late.

What took you so long?

Well, it takes me a lot longer to get

ready in the morning than it takes you,

believe it or not.

Are you implying I take a long time?

Oh, certainly not. Here you go.

Thank you. Well, if I do take a long

time, it's because

lately I've been spending half my time

watching you.

Then I've been spending half my time

watching you, watching me.

Yeah, but we weren't even together this

morning. What's your excuse now?

Harvey called.

Harvey, foreman, my crew or Harvey my

dentist?

Harvey, foreman of your crew.

Thank God.

Maybe not. He wants you to get out there

this morning. You're starting to trust

the Baxter's tree. Good for Harvey.

Well, he can't get them to sign the

papers.

Why not?

I don't know. Something about Mr. and

Mrs. Baxter yelling at each other so

much. Everyone's afraid to interrupt.

Do you want to come out there with me?

You want me to?

If you want to.

Well, I work at the office, but if you

ask me.

No, I don't want you to come if I have

more important things to do.

No, it's just office stuff. It's not

important. I do it in the car here even.

Let's see. Um, Mr. Felman called about

6:30 last night. Wants to return his

call today after 3.

Okay.

Linda Williams called.

She did.

Thank you for dinner.

That was just business, Beth. That

couldn't be avoided.

Yeah, right.

Beth.

Beth, you know that.

Yes, I know. I know.

Um, Mr. Oie, also called. He wants to

know if you're going to renew the lease

on this apartment. wants you to know

he's going to raise the rent.

Well, then I'm out of here.

I love this apartment.

Yeah, I do, too. But who can afford it?

We could.

I love your apartment.

Yeah, but together we could afford your

apartment. Beth, are we are we ready for

sidebyside toothbrushes?

I am. Aren't you?

I don't want to move in with somebody

just because I want to keep my

apartment.

Well, how about you move in with someone

because you just don't want to live

without them.

Why do you want to live with me? I take

up a lot of room.

I I need a whole drawer for my

underwear. I don't even want socks in my

underwear drawer.

I don't care where you put your

underwear.

Yeah, but you will.

Mr. Riley's office. I'm sorry. Force has

happened.

It's all right. Who is it?

Um, may I ask who's calling?

Let me see if he's available.

Tanya Harrington,

are you available?

She's the new head of public relations

at the building. That's all.

Oh, sure. Great. No,

she just wants to have dinner. That's

all, Beth.

Yeah. And I want your underwear drawer.

I think I better go to work.

No, just hold on a second. Tanya, hi.

Could you could I ask you to hold on for

one minute? I I just have someone on the

other line. Let me get rid of them. I'll

get right back to you. Okay, hold on.

Thanks. Hi.

Come on, Beth.

Come on. What? Richard, I care about

you, but you have too many phone lines

going all at the same time, and you want

me to stay on hold until you decide to

come back online, and it's

it's really starting to hurt my

feelings.

We've we've got to move one way or the

other on this. You You have to decide

what you want to do with your life so I

can decide if I want to be a part of it.

No, really. I I don't like how this

feels.

I like how this feels.

Yeah, I like how this feels, but

I have to get this.

Okay.

Tanya, hi.

How are you?

Good, thanks.

Yeah, very well.

I'm going to go to work.

Okay. Wait, what? What?

You know what? I do have more important

things to do.

Oh,

I'm back. You gorgeous specimen. You

are you talking to me? What?

Oh,

you startled me. I wasn't expecting you.

I wasn't expecting me either.

So,

oh, I came to see tree.

Remember what the real thing looked

like.

Did you collect your other tree today?

You look like you just lost your your

best friend.

I think maybe I did.

Beth,

it's frightening

being in love.

How would you know?

Sorry. People

aren't born nuns. Well, maybe Sister

Luchia,

you know, when when I was about 18,

Sister Francis, who by that time had

become the mother superior decided that

we had to modernize the plumbing. The

father of the the house let her know

in no uncertain terms.

The entire plumbing system had to be

reworked and it took months.

Oh, sorry.

Hi.

Hi.

I'm Roy.

I'm Anna.

Do you live here?

Yes.

Are you a nun?

No.

Good.

I mean, it's

I'm sorry.

Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Thanks a lot.

His name was Roy and he worked for his

father. Someday it was going to be his

company and he was very proud of it and

his dad.

What is he but a brute whose flesh has

soul to suit. His spirit works like

the other.

Sure.

I kept him company while he did his

work.

He kept me company while I did mine.

Here

he is.

Everyone in my family liked him,

including Tree.

Okay, Roy. This is Tree.

Tree. Roy.

Hi, Tree.

What do you think?

Oh, God.

It's great, isn't it?

Love it. Yeah.

Anyway, well, I got to go. I guess I'll

see you see you tomorrow.

Drive safely.

At the end of each day, I could think of

nothing but the next morning and Roy.

Then the job was finished and he told me

we wouldn't be seeing each other

anymore. His father wanted to relocate.

He had sold their house and they were

moving to Florida.

I tried not to think about it.

Would you care to dance?

No, I can't.

Yes, you can. Come on.

That day he taught me how to dance.

Just hold on.

Don't let go.

Anna,

come with me.

I love you, Anna. Please come away with

me.

I can't.

Yes, you can, Anna. Just pack your bags

now.

No, I can't.

Why, Anna?

Don't you love me?

Do you love me?

Yes.

Why won't you come away with me?

I can't.

Anna. Anna.

Roy, you have been so good for her, but

I can't make her different. I don't know

that I want to. She's special.

Tell her I said goodbye.

All right.

Tell her I'll always love her.

Yes, I will.

Roy.

Roy.

Roy.

tree.

Why didn't you go?

I was scared.

I I couldn't leave the only safe place.

I

I didn't know how.

So, you've never left here?

No.

Ever?

No.

Wow. That is way safer than I want to

be.

We all have different paths. Mine has

been here

so far.

Well, yes, so far.

But I have learned one thing.

You can't always listen to your fears.

You did?

Well, that's but my my heart was here

with my family and tree.

You are a puzzle.

Yes, I am. Aren't we all?

You know, I think about you and your

stories even though you drive me crazy.

But I'll tell you, I realized something

about you today.

What?

You don't practice what you preach, my

friend.

You don't practice what you preach.

Oh, I hope we have enough firewood.

Oh my goodness.

Keep calm, everybody. Please.

Oh, how sad. It's It's the little maple.

Oh, if you would just help me, please.

Yes, the bones are out. Oh, good

riddance to them. They deserve it.

They'll probably be back on soon.

Monsoon? We don't have monsoon, sister.

I may be hard of hearing, but I'm not

stupid. Yes, mother.

Oh, look. There's a tree in our house.

Sister Anthony, did you do this? No,

mother. God did it. Who? God. Oh, yes,

of course.

How How are you feeling, Sister Luchia?

Just fine. Don't bother about me. It's

just a touch of something. It's not the

end of the world. Not the end of me.

Oh dear.

Everyone get your candles if you can

find them.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night, Sarah.

Dear Richard, I needed to talk to you

tonight, so I thought I'd write. Don't

know when you'll get this. There's a

storm raging outside and Sister Luchia

is very sick.

She keeps telling me she will be just

fine. But

Sister Luchia is such an important part

of why I stayed here and how I became

Sister Anthony.

Shortly after Roy drove away for the

last time, I was in my room getting

dressed and turned to get my satchel. It

wasn't on the hook where I'd always kept

it. I felt instantly sick to my stomach.

I feel a little like that right now.

Has anyone seen my satchel?

No, dear.

Where did you last have it?

Eat something, then you can think

better.

We searched the house for hours. The

more we looked, the more frantic I got.

Everyone became worried about me. I was

desperate, and I couldn't find it

anywhere.

Help me

if everybody leaves me. And now this.

Everyone has not left you. Who has left

you?

Roy.

You could have stopped him. You let him

go.

No, I didn't. And Sister Mary and

everyone left you.

Anna,

get up from there this instant.

I said get up from there and come with

me.

Right now.

All right.

I'm waiting. All right.

I have to find my satchel.

Come with me.

Let us kneel and pray.

Sister Luchia,

with all due respect, what good will

this do?

It's not in here. I've looked.

No, you haven't. You've looked in here,

but you haven't looked in here.

Come.

How can you make such a fuss over a

little woolen bag with leaves in it? I

feel frightened without it. And how does

that bag protect you?

I don't know. It's from the past. It's

part of me.

I need it.

There is no part of you in that bag.

You're protected by your father and you

need to know him.

My father left me.

You have a father and he has always been

with you. He's in tree and he is here

with you now. You can never misplace

him. But you have to know him.

He's in your heart

and that's what you have to find. Not

that bag.

I have lit two candles. We will pray to

God, your father, to help you find that

place in your heart.

And we will pray to St. Anthony,

patron saint of lost souls,

to help you find your bag.

I kneled in the quiet room with Sister

Luchia, who I had never really liked,

and I prayed to my father and to St.

Anthony.

An extraordinary peace came over me the

way I felt when I was with tree.

A voice called to me saying, "What lies

out there for us today?"

I thought of the star again, the one in

my nightmares. But I wasn't frightened

anymore.

I felt at peace.

You must get some sleep now.

I'll sit with you.

We can start early tomorrow.

To pray

to pray.

She sat with me that night as I sit with

her now.

how life makes us change roles

constantly.

I look out at the storm and worry about

my elderly friend tree. And I turn back

to the bed and worry about my sister

Luchia.

Oh, I didn't tell you. We found the

satchel the next day.

Anna, I found it.

You can stop now. We found it.

And it's about time.

Sister Luchia,

I love you, too.

Well,

let's get on with the day, shall we?

Has anyone milked that cow today?

How can we even think about getting

another one?

I vowed then I would become Sister

Anthony, that I would serve God. I had

found a part of myself.

Now, I can't remember whether you wanted

all your correspondence filed under C

for correspondence or L for letters. Is

this the file? Oh. Oh, no. That can't be

the file filling me.

It's morning now. Sister Luchia has been

sleeping peacefully. Thank the Lord. It

stopped snowing about dawn. I've got to

get to tree. When we opened the front

door, a mountain of snow fell in. The

others didn't want me to go, but I had

to see tree.

I practically had to crawl. There has

been so much damage. All our hard work.

But nothing mattered as long as tree was

all right. And finally,

there he was.

And finally there he was tall and strong

and proud.

Thank God. Thank God. Sister Luchia's

fever is down and my tree withtood the

storm.

Beth, could you step in here a moment?

Uh, just a sec. Anything else

now?

Hang on.

Yeah, listen, Richard. I need to see you

as soon as possible.

Why?

Beth, I could give this job to my

daughter if you like.

Got to coming, sir. Listen, thanks for

reading it to me.

Bye,

Beth. Listen.

Oh, well.

Let me know if you figure it out.

See you.

You all right?

Look.

What?

Do you know what this is?

He brought me here to show me a twig.

It's from tree. Isn't it wonderful?

Well, there probably lots more out

there, but I just never looked before.

And no, that's not why I asked you to

come.

I looked this up. Well, I knew it

anyway. I just never wanted to face it.

What?

Yes. So, Norway spruce has about a 60 70

year lifespan. And tree is probably

older than that.

What? What do you say?

Have you found a tree for this year?

No,

it's only February.

I want you to have Tree.

Well, I want Tree

to be the very best of what he can be.

the way Sister Mary was. I was a child

then and I

I couldn't really say goodbye to her.

But I'm not a child anymore

and I have to let Tree move on with

grace and dignity.

Everything moves on.

But sister, wait, what what about you?

What? What will you cling to?

Cling to? What do you mean?

You you you'll let Tree move on, but

what about you?

I'll be fine,

sister.

Come on. You're always pushing me to

take a big bite out of this wonderful

world. But you, my my friend, you've

never even left here.

Why,

Richard? I

No. Why, sister? Yes, you do. What is

New York City to you?

What is that to you? What is that thing?

What is this thing you've carried around

all these years? There's something

you're not telling me, sister. What is

it? What's missing?

Nothing. There's nothing. Nothing's

missing. I've told you all my story.

No, you haven't. How did you get that

thing?

I told you, Tom, at the office.

He made it for you?

Yes. Yes.

And then he filled it up with leaves.

Yes.

How did he get those leaves?

I mean, how did a 10-year-old boy with

absolutely nothing to his name make this

for you? I mean, look at this. This is

Sister, that look at that. That That's a

zipper.

So, this is an old pair of trousers.

Tom didn't make this for you. Who did?

I don't know.

Yes, you do. Yes, you do.

Sister, some part of this is missing.

Some part of the story. Some part of

you.

I don't know. I don't know.

I always thought it was Tom. Why? Why

are you doing this to me?

Cuz I care about you.

Then say you'll you'll take tree

please.

Beth

Richard, what are you doing here?

Oh, sorry. Are are you going

out? Yeah.

Oh,

can I talk to you for one minute?

Okay.

Richard, but just for a second. I'd

really rather not be here when heaven

arrives.

Have someone named Evan. What's come

over you?

Richard, what do you want?

Sister Anthony wants me to take Tree.

Really?

I can't take him from her. I can't do

it. I mean, he's meant so much to her.

You look so beautiful.

Thanks. You look a wreck, but it becomes

you.

Richard, I know how much you care about

Sister Anthony, but I I just don't have

the time right now.

Right, Evan? Yeah. Okay. Sorry. Um, you

know, I told her

that that part of her was missing.

Part of me is missing.

I've been as been so frightened to

feel the way that she feels about Tree.

to love something

someone you

cuz I do

and I have

Evan. Uh tell him I was the um plumber

or something.

Sorry.

Hi. Come on in.

I don't know if you're right about all

the guys named Evan, but

this one was allergic to my flowers,

preferred a type of bottled water I did

not have, and thought that the women's

movement was really the downfall of the

American family.

Hello.

I

thought I'd come by and help you find

those missing parts.

Sister Anthony

How's that looking?

Sister Anthony, shall we give Tree his

blessing now? Oh, yeah. Uh, Richard,

Richard,

is is this a good time to stop the men

so that we can give Tree a blessing for

his journey?

Absolutely.

Amen.

We'd like to um stop right where we are

so that we can give Tree a moment of

prayer.

So

feel free to join in.

This is fun.

God

might

lead forth in beauty.

All the starry bands

shining world

in spend through the

grateful songs

before my throneise.

Come away. I'll stay. Are you sure?

This will take a couple days.

I'll stay.

Got the guidelines

going up top.

Fire.

We're

ready to make the cut.

All right, fellas.

Come on.

Come on.

All right. Come on.

We need more back

there.

Do you want to see how old he is?

Yeah.

You okay,

Tree?

is just a a little bit older than I.

It's just as I thought.

He's 75 ft.

Yes, he is, ma'am.

And what's the tallest tree you have

ever had?

Um, before my time there was one 98 ft.

Oh,

75 ft. You sure?

Measure again.

No, no, no. It's okay.

He doesn't have to be the tallest.

It's not a competition.

No.

That's right.

But

I'm sure he's the most beautiful.

Yes, he is.

That's for sure.

Be unfortunate.

Well, I guess getting drunk is out of

the question.

I think so.

I've had enough events for today.

Goodbye my friend.

All right, everyone. Now, where's Sister

Rose? I'm here. I'm here.

What's the rush? My word. You two act as

if you've never been to the city.

We don't want to be late. We're guests

of honor.

Late? If we were any earlier, we'd have

to get a hotel room.

Oh, look. Elaine's coming.

Back in the car.

Well, sit down.

No.

How can we go without Sister Anthony?

It's all settled.

Elaine's going to drive her car and I'm

going to drive the van.

Who's that?

Oh, how wonderful. It's Mr. Riley. Oh,

Mr. Riley, how nice to see you. But

don't you have a lot to do today?

Yes, but I have something more important

to do here.

I beg your pardon. He's here to talk to

Sister Anthony.

Oh, she's in the greenhouse. Come on.

Maybe you can convince her.

Sister Anthony.

Richard is here to see you.

It won't be right to celebrate tree

without you.

I've already celebrated. Tree

mother superior. Why don't you go on?

I'll talk to her.

Well, go. Please go.

Since I've known you, you've been

telling me about daring to love

something and then having the patience

to let it grow and fighting your fear to

find the best of what you are.

Well, this is your path, my friend, and

you have to follow it.

Tree is in the city being the very best

of what he can be.

I mean I hear him calling even if you

don't

let me take you to tree whatever is

there for you I will be with you and I

won't let go of your hand

you know I keep thinking about that

letter that you wrote me

I wrote a lot of letters

now in this one you you you said that

you saw a big hand holding a little hand

you remember that

let that be mine and yours

please trust me,

my friend. You have given me so very

much. Please allow me to give you

something back.

I wonder what lies out there for us

today.

Little Anna,

it was my father.

What lies out there for us today, little

Anna?

He said that to me. I remember. And he

he held my hand.

And we we stood in line to to eat

a soup line. The depression.

Yes. And and I I I I was frightened.

Why?

I I I was in a crowd. The star.

The star of the sky.

He made the bag for you, didn't he?

Yeah.

Yes, I

I suppose he did.

Out of his own trousers.

Well, grab your hat, Missy.

We're going to the big city.

Are you kidding me? Hey, get this car.

Oh, Mr. O'Reilly,

I'm sorry.

Steve, can you give me 10 minutes?

No problem. Don't worry. Thanks.

Let's go. Let's go.

Come on. Take my hand.

I won't let go.

All right.

Excuse me.

Excuse me. Sorry.

Sorry. Excuse me. Excuse me.

Excuse me.

There he is, my friend.

The jewel in the city.

Can I get

Here

it is.

You seen the star, little Anna?

It's the star.

What?

The star? This is the star.

It's there to remind us of the beauty.

Even when all we feel is hardness.

I took you here.

Sister Anthony,

he never wanted to leave me.

He was dying.

I remember him.

He took you to see the tree.

Yeah.

And now it's my tree.

Merry Christmas, Richard.

Merry Christmas, Sister Anthony.

Merry Christmas, Tree.

Hi.

Hi.

Dear Richard, I planted little tree

today, so you and Beth should come

tomorrow. Tre's little sapling. I

probably won't be around to see him get

as big as his father. Everything moves

on. I have my father now and I remember

more and more about him. When I looked

around at the people that night, I

realized we were all there looking at

tree looking for just a simple moment of

beauty. That's what a tree is,

a simple moment of beauty.

Oh,

God.