[Liquid Dripping]
[Man] You're gonna actually drive this deathtrap from Tennessee to California?
- You're sayin' I'm not? - I'm sayin' you won't make it past that tree.
- Hey, Novalee, you plannin' on leavin' today? - In the bathroom, WillyJack.
Why don't she just move in to the damn bathroom?
- Get all those pictures and knickknacks. - I'm ready.
- I'm ready to go. - Now, hold on, hold on.
Now I gotta go.
- We'll miss you, Novalee. - You know the floor's missin'.
WillyJack got the whole car for 80 bucks. He had to fix everything on it.
And here's the best part. No fives.
- You and your fives. - What fives?
On my fifth birthday, my mama ran off with a baseball umpire named Fred and never came back.
After I dropped out of school and was waitin' tables at Red's,
one of the regulars there named Gladys went crazy.
When I tried to calm her down she jumped at me with a steak knife...
and cut me from my wrist to my elbow.
And what's that got to do with fives?
It took 55 stitches to close her up.
I don't like fives.
- That's it. Let's hit it. Let's go, let's go! - Hon,
will you take a picture of us with my new camera?
- Wait! - All around, let's go. Come on, come on!
- I'm gonna miss you. Call me, okay? - All right. Bye.
All right. Bye.
- Jesus, finally. It's already 5:00. - 5:00?
I hope we can a place to live that overlooks the ocean.
Hell, Novalee, you can't see the ocean from Bakersfield.
Well... well, maybe a pond then.
I wanna get one of those patio tables with an umbrella over it...
where we can sit with the baby and drink chocolate milk and watch the sun go down.
I've never lived anyplace that didn't have wheels under it.
Hey. Hey! [Whistles]
[music][Radio: Rock]
[WillyJack Singing] [Music] Sometimes I wonder [music]
[Music] Will I ever make it home [music]
- [Snoring] - [Music] Sometimes I wonder [music]
[Music] Will I ever make it home [music]
[Continues Snoring]
[Music] I been gone so long [music] Hey!
Hey, Novalee, wake up! You sound like a damn pig.
Jesus. What the hell's the matter with you?
And where are your shoes?
That's just great. That's great.
My feet are swollen. I had to take 'em off.
Ooh!
Wanna feel the baby?
Here.
- Feel that? - No.
Right there. Feel that little bomp-bomp-bomp?
That's where the heart is.
Couldn't prove it by me.
- Ooh! - Would ya... The hell...
Wal-Mart. I can go to the bathroom.
[Horns Honking]
- All right. Hurry up. - Hon, I'm gonna need some money.
- They gonna charge you to pee? - I have to get some house shoes.
I gotta get some kind of shoes.
- All right. Get you some house shoes. - Come on.
Get you some green polky-dot house shoes.
That way everyone will be sure to notice you.
[Man Over Loudspeaker, Indistinct]
- Bathroom, bathroom? - All the way to the back.
Thank you.
You all got yourself a beautiful child here. Be an award-winning picture.
I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up on a cereal box. Steve, look at me.
- Say "cheese" for me. - Cheese.
[music] [Humming]
[Woman] Do you mind?
[Toilet Flushes]
[music] [Continues Humming]
Thank you.
[Novalee Sighs Loudly]
- [Sighs Ecstatically] - Mommy!
[Register Beeping]
- Ma'am, here's your change. - Hmm? Oh, sorry.
Five dollars and 55 cents.
- No! - Ma'am!
[Whimpering]
Ma'am? Ma'am?
You left these at the counter.
And your change.
- Are you all right? - Uh-huh.
I... just...
My boyfriend... went to get the car fixed.
He'll pick me up.
Well, have a nice day.
Well, Ruth Ann Mott.
Why, honey, just look at you! Little Ruth Ann Mott.
Honey, I haven't seen you since your mama passed. What's that... 10, 11 years?
- I'm not... - Don't you remember me? I'm Sister Husband.
Oh, you remember me. You used to call me "Telma" because you couldn't say Thelma.
[Laughs] Can you say "Thelma"?
- Thelma. - Good!
Oh, Lord, look at you... havin' a baby.
- So, you just move back home, Ruth Ann? - See, I'm not who...
Oh, you know what they say: "Home is where your history begins.
Home is where they catch you when you fall."
That's what the late Brother Husband used to say.
Brother Husband... was he your husband?
No, he was my brother, a real man of God.
- You read the Bible, Ruthie? - Not as much as I should.
Good. I think that's good.
Folks read too much of it. They just get confused.
That's why I like to hand out just one chapter at a time.
That way, folks can deal with their confusion as it comes.
Come on. Come on. You're comin' with me. Come on.
I'm not gonna let you get away empty-handed.
Now, on behalf of the Merchants and Businessmen's Association...
of the city of Sequoyah, Oklahoma,
I do present you with this basket of gifts and merchandise.
- Thank you. - Looky here, Ruth Ann, you got, um, discount coupons...
and matches, a map of the city, emery boards... oh, oh, yeah.
Now, you see this little appointment book? I ran out of these last week,
so I had to put two or three of my own appointments in this one,
but if you're not an alcoholic, you'll know those meetin's aren't for you.
- No, ma'am, I'm not. - Good. I think that's good.
Oh, yeah, one more thing.
- What is that? - This is a buckeye tree. Brings you good luck.
Here, take it. There.
Well, good-bye, Ruth Ann.
You know it was real nice to see you again. Hmm. And welcome home!
I'm in the phone book. You come and see me anytime you want.
And bring that baby.
[Engine Starts, Backfires]
Excuse me.
- Would you like a picture of your baby? - Hmm?
- I'm not... I mean, I'm still... - Oh, well, I mean, after.
- Oh! - [Chuckling] Of course.
Wow! What kind of camera is that?
This is a Rollei.
- There aren't many made like this here. - It's a beauty.
My name is Moses... Moses Whitecotton.
Novalee Nation.
Novalee Nation... that's a good strong name.
You know, a name's important.
Have you picked out a name for your baby yet?
Well, I was thinkin' about "Wendi" with an "I."
Oh, don't you dare.
Give that baby a name that means somethin', a good, sturdy name.
Here.
I'm here the first Friday of every month, 12:00 to 6:00. Take care.
And remember: Give that baby a name that means somethin', you hear?
I will, I promise.
[Woman Over P.A.] Attention, Wal-Mart shoppers.
It is 9:00, and Wal-Mart is closing.
Please bring your final selections to the checkout counters.
Wal-Mart will open again at 9:00 tomorrow morning,
and, as always, thank you for shopping Wal-Mart.
[Gasps Softly]
Oh. Oh.
[Coughing]
[Toilet Flushes]
[Radio] [Music] You said you was the king of love [music]
[music] [Continues, Indistinct]
- Hi. - Hey.
You, uh... you need a hand?
I need a lift.
So, where you goin'?
Anywhere but here. Where you goin'?
- Vegas. - Cool.
Whoa-whoa-whoa. Hey, hey. No. No.
Thanks.
[Music] We could wait on that plan make all new strategy [music]
[Music]And when it hits the fan make it what we want it to be [music]
[Music]And wanna get higher then higher than you've ever been [music]
[Music] What about you What about you [music]
[Music]Shake it up, shake it down You can feel it all around [music]
[Thunder Rumbling]
[Radio] [Music] I know that your memory lives [music]
- [Girl] You know, you're almost out of gas. - Yeah.
Some son of a bitch stole my wallet last night right out of my damn hotel room.
Maybe this'll help.
Hey!
Well, I tell you what. You want it?
Glide on over here and get it.
Maybe I will.
Maybe you'll get yourself a nice big surprise.
[Siren Blaring]
Shit.
$218 in your pocket and 14 cartons of Winston Light 100s...
in a plastic sack in the trunk of your car.
By the strangest damn coincidence, that's exactly what someone stole...
from the 7-11 store about two hours ago.
Not to mention... Jolene, how old are you these days?
- Fourteen. - Oh? Fourteen.
[Grunting]
[Alarm Clock Rings, Clicks Off]
[Voices]
[Chattering]
- I cleaned the bathroom the other day. - And you did such a good job...
- you get to do it again! - [All Laugh]
[Prisoner] Hey, sweet thing.
- [music] [Radio Starts] - [Alarm Clock Rings]
[Music] Comes down to just one moment [music]
[Music]No way you can control it [music]
[Music]Somehow your heart will know the place and time [music]
[Music]It won't change your world but it just might change your life [music]
[Cooing]
- [Man] What do you want? - Uh,
I'm lookin' for... for a book.
What kind of book?
About... about trees.
Trees?
Yeah.
You know.
Forestry? Environment? Agriculture? Botany? What do you want to know about trees?
Well, a few weeks ago somebody gave me a buckeye tree.
Buckeye... horse chestnut...
belongs to the genus Aesculus, of the family Hippocastanaccae.
L-I think it's dyin'... my tree. I could show it to the people who gave it to me,
but I'm embarrassed to let them see how sick I let it get.
- There. Look up "buckeye" in the index. - The what?
I'll start slower. These are called "books."
- Are you still with me? Here. - Hey.
Uh, there. See? Read.
"Leaf rot. Root damage. Nit... Nitro...
"Nit... Nitrogen d... def...
defic..." [Sighs]
- "Defic..." - Deficiency! Keep reading.
Also buckeye...
Mm-hmm.
[Glass Breaks, Woman Cries Out]
Excuse me.
[Door Opens]
Well, I don't know how I could have made such a mistake.
You don't look like Ruth Ann at all, do you? [Laughs]
It's good to see you again, darlin'. You come right on in.
I want you to meet my gentleman, Mr. Sprock.
- Mr. Sprock? Mr. Sprock. - Hmm?
- Oh, how do you do? - Buttermilk?
Dear Lord, we pray that You will bless this food...
to the nourishment of our bodies,
and we pray, Lord, for a safe delivery and a healthy child...
for our new friend.
And we ask forgiveness, Lord, for the fornication that Mr. Sprock and me...
have committed again this afternoon.
Amen.
- Amen. - Amen.
I'll come by every day to take care of it. You won't have to do a thing.
- Oh, good. - Now, if it's any kind of bother, I could...
Oh, no, no, darlin'. I meant it's good that you'll be by every day.
- Why, we'd sure be glad to see you. - Oh.
Although, you know, I have to say,
I don't know what kind of people you're staying with that won't let you plant a tree.
- Well, they're... - And what's gonna happen when you have your baby?
L... I'm not sure.
Let me help you there, Mr. Sprock.
- Hey, Rosita! How you doin' today? - Good!
[Sighs]
You know, the book in the "libary" said the highest spot in the yard...
- is the best place to plant the tree. - Oh, you must have met Forney.
- Who? - [Wheezing]
[Continues Wheezing]
- You all right, Mr. Sprock? - Oh, I'm fine. A little emphysema.
- It's nothin' serious. - You know, he makes that noise whenever he exerts himself?
- Who's "Thorny"? - Forney.
Forney Hull... brilliant man, lives in the "libary."
- Brilliant. - There's no tellin' what he might have done in this world...
if he'd been allowed to finish his schoolin'.
Why didn't he?
The Lord gives us obstacles.
[Train Whistle Blowing]
[Gasps]
[Thunder Rumbles]
[Gasps, Moans]
[Panting]
[Gasps, Moans]
[Thunder Rumbles]
[Groaning]
[Sobbing]
[Cries Out]
[Wailing]
[Continues Whimpering, Crying]
[Grunting]
[Screaming]
[Screaming Echoes]
I hope you're not hungry, 'cause it's Tuesday.
Friday is the best breakfast day... they have bacon.
- I'm Lexie... Lexie Coop. - Hi.
- Where'd all these flowers come from?
All over. You're a big celebrity.
They're reporters here. Lean up.
See?
- TV! They've been here all night. - What for?
For you! They wanna talk to you.
- Me? - Of course.
Everybody wants to talk to the mother of the Wal-Mart baby.
- Am I in trouble? Are they gonna arrest me? - What for?
- For livin' in the Wal-Mart. - Arrest you?
Is the hospital gonna keep my baby? Where is she?
- Why would the hospital keep your baby? - Because I can't pay.
It's like... it's like a restaurant... when you can't pay, they make you wash dishes.
I don't know what they're gonna make me do.
- No. No. - I'm broke. I got nothin'.
I have no family, no job, and I got a baby.
I know what you need.
- [Gurgling] - Yes, you're okay. Look who we're going to see.
[Gasps] Say, "It's about time."
- Does that help? - [Gurgling]
Oh, oh, yeah.
How can you love someone so much you just met?
Forney's okay too. Doctor stitched him up and sent him on home.
- Forney? The "libary" guy? - Mm-hmm.
- Yeah. - Why? What happened to him?
He jumped through a plate-glass window to deliver your baby.
- Don't you remember? - That was him?
- [Fussing] - Oh.
So, what are you gonna name her?
Oh, that's right.
[Lexie] "Americus"? How the hell'd you come up with a name like Americus?
[Novalee] I wanted her to have a strong name, a name that stood for somethin'.
- Ooh. Aw. - [Baby Crying]
Well, I guess I should talk. I call my kids after snack foods:
Brownie, Praline, Cherry and Baby Ruth.
- You got four? You don't look old enough. - Yep.
Well, I started when I was 15, and I just couldn't stop.
I wanted to find the first one a daddy, but all I got out of that was another baby.
So, I wanted to find 'em both a daddy, and so on, and so on.
- I think I'm goin' about this the wrong way. - [Chuckles]
Hey! There she is! That's the Wal-Mart mommy!
Now, how long were you living in the Wal-Mart?
Uh, uh,
- six weeks. - And what was it like?
You know.
[Giggles]
Have you spoken to the father?
Novalee, if I was you, I'd rule out a career in broadcastin'.
- Why would anyone write anything so hurtful? - What's it say?
"A baby born out of holy wedlock is an abomination in the eyes of God."
- [Sighs] - My baby is not an abomination.
- Screw 'em. - Midnight, Mississippi.
Oh, my. This one's sad.
"I gave birth to a baby in a V.W. Van where I lived for nearly a year."
[Sighs] " My baby didn't make it. I hope yours does.
I don't have much else to offer you, but I know that some money might help,
so I enclose $10."
Can you believe that?
- "Duda," Texas. - [Chuckles]
"I wish I could send you some money, but I don't have any.
What I can offer you is a good home."
Send her the $10.
Lexie, one of your kids is on the phone.
Which one?
I don't know. Pez, Twinkie... one of 'em.
- [Scoffs] I'll be right back. - [Giggles]
- [Woman] Is Novalee in there? - [Lexie] Yes, ma'am.
Well,
I hope you don't think this kid's gonna call me "Grandma."
I'm sorry, ma'am, but visiting hours are not until... [Gasps]
- Are when? - Right now.
Yes. Thank you.
- Mama? - I thought you'd be surprised.
- How'd you know I was here? - There ya are.
I saw your fabulous interview on the television,
and I hopped right in the car, and here I am.
Oh, I must have been in that damn car, like, ten hours, I'm tellin' you.
From where?
New Orleans.
I been livin' there about, um...
Huh.
I guess I been livin' there about two, three years now.
- With Fred? - Who?
Fred, the umpire.
[Scoffs]
That shithead? Oh, my God!
[Laughing] Jesus!
What in God's name made you think of him?
Because he was the reason you left.
- Left what? - Me.
Oh, geez. Now,
sweetie, look.
[Scoffs] That is all water under the bridge.
I didn't drive here for ten hours to reminisce with you, all right?
- Well, then why did you come? - Well, I thought you could use some help.
You didn't look too good up there. You...
Livin' in the Wal-Mart is not my idea of a big success.
- How are you gonna help? - I don't know.
- You got a man? - No.
It's not one of those artificial "spermination" things is it?
No.
Then where is the prick who put you in this mess?
California.
[Laughs] Well, that figures.
All the pricks... they move to California.
They ought to call it "Prick-ifornia."
Got a place to live?
Sweetie, look. You are going to need a place to take this baby.
Maybe you should think about movin' into Sears. I hear Kmart is really nice.
Did you come all this way just to make fun of me?
God, no.
Jesus.
- [Stamping Out Ash] - I didn't. I wanted...
[Laughing Nervously] To help my child with her child, is all.
- You want me to go? - No.
All right then. [Chuckles]
- When are they lettin' you out? - Tomorrow.
Hmm.
Well, I'm not in any hurry to move on.
Maybe I could find a place... you and me and the baby.
You mean like... like a home?
Uh...
home, apartment, whatever... till you get on your feet.
I got me a little money. [Chuckles]
Oh, I got money. The president of Wal-Mart sent me $500.
Why?
- He's not the father of the child, is he? - No.
- Aw, shit. - No, he just wanted to be nice.
They offered me any job in any Wal-Mart in the country.
Wow. [Chuckles]
So.
I'm thinkin',
what with your money and my money together,
we might be able to find us a real decent place,
so I don't want you to worry about anything anymore,
'cause Mama Lil is here now.
Why don't you come by and pick us up tomorrow... me and Americus... 9:00 a.m.?
On the dot. [Chuckles]
So, I got me a lot of stuff to do. We gotta get diapers and blankets...
and a cradle.
- Mama? - Yeah?
Thank you for comin'.
You bet.
[Baby Fussing]
It's okay, baby. It's okay.
You're okay.
Maybe you should try to call whoever's pickin' you up.
I don't know where she's stayin'.
I could call a cab for you. Where you goin'?
[Baby Crying]
Five hundred dollars... I should have known.
[Horn Honking]
Hey.
[Sighs]
Well, look at all this.
[Chuckles] And look at you.
Oh, yes, you're just as cute today as you were yesterday,
- maybe cuter. - Yeah.
Well, you know that tree...
your tree that you planted in my yard?
I've been tryin' to take care of it, and I just don't have the feel for it.
I don't have the time either.
So, I thought maybe if you and the baby came to stay with me for a while...
that you could take care of it for me.
Sure help me out a lot.
Okay.
- [Woman] Forney! - What?
- Where are you? - I'm just putting the dishes in the sink.
- Forney? - I'll be... I'll be right back.
- Forney. Forney! - [Knocking] - We're closed!
Look, we're...
Hi.
Can I come in?
Uh, yeah.
- I need a towel! - They're in the bathroom!
- Is this a bad time? - Uh, yeah. No. [Chuckles Nervously]
I just... I just wanted to thank you for...
- I can't reach them! - Give me two minutes!
I'll be right there.
- Sorry, l... - That's okay, l...
I just wanted to thank you for... Well, I guess you saved our lives...
- me and Americus. - "Americus"?
You wanna hold her?
- Oh... - It's okay.
Oh, oh, oh. [Gasps]
Moses Whitecotton gave me this as a baby gift.
- Uh-huh. - Oh.
Hat.
All right. One, two, three, smile.
- Forney! - L...
All right. So,
- I'll see you soon. - Uh-huh.
Oh, uh...
- Good-bye. - Bye.
- Forney! - [Sighs]
- You may find [music] - [Inmate] Shut up!
[Music] Look inside and find the part [music]
[Sighs]
- [Music] Look inside and find the part that's leadin' you [music] - Shut the hell up!
Jack. Hey, Jack...
- [Grunting] - [Inmates Yelling]
[music][Radio, Indistinct]
What do you think? It took me a whole month to get back to my old size.
[Gurgling]
Oh, well, a little weight on a woman's no harm.
Huh? What do you think of that?
[Chuckles] Breakfast?
No. Before work I'm gonna take your truck in and get those brakes checked.
I'm payin'. Don't argue.
- Sister, there's people at the door. - Oh, here. Come on.
- Come on. There ya go. - Hello.
- There ya go. Who's a good girl? - Yes.
I got her.
- Yes? - Ma'am,
we have come here today to bring the Word of God to the Wal-Mart baby...
and to her young, unmarried mama.
We drove all the way up from Midnight, Mississippi.
Well, you folks could have saved yourself a trip,
'cause the Word of God's been in this house a long time.
[Sighs] I thought that was all over and done with...
people wantin' to see the Wal-Mart baby.
- Bye, sweetie. Mama will be back. - [Gurgles]
- Bye, Mr. Sprock. - I made links!
Thank you.
[Sighs] Dear Lord, we pray...
that you will bless this food for the nourishment of our bodies,
and we ask forgiveness, Lord, for the fornication that Mr. Sprock and me...
committed this morning on this very table.
- Amen. - Amen.
[Radio] [music] Only you [music]
[Music] Can make this world [music]
[Man] Hey, whoa, whoa! You can't park there!
- We ain't open yet. - I know that, but I gotta get to work.
- Well, I'm workin' too, and I gotta keep the sidewalk clear. - I'll leave you the keys, then...
[music] Can make the darkness bright [music]
[Music] Only you [music]
[Music]And you alone [music]
[Music] Can thrill me like you do [music]
I think I might be pregnant.
You know that guy I told you about... the one I met last month?
- Yeah, the good-lookin' mechanic. Honey... - Yeah.
I don't know what's wrong with me. I didn't even want to be with him.
- Well, didn't he use anything? - Just me.
I don't know what I'm gonna do.
Well, this old Gypsy woman once told me that if you jump backwards nine times...
before the sun come up, you won't be pregnant.
So I jumped so far I had to take a bus to get back home, and then I had twins.
- [Chuckles] - Which is why the guy I'm seein' now is pretty perfect.
- Why's that? - Well,
he's sterile as a cotton ball.
- So it's permanent? - Oh, yeah. He had mumps when he was 15...
- and they went down on him. - Down where?
To his manly areas.
- So they're... - Oh, God, Novalee, no.
He's just shootin' blanks, is all.
Well, let's face it: Girls like us don't get the pick of the litter.
I don't think you're pregnant, but you'll have to wait it out.
- I'll see ya. Bye-bye. - Bye.
- You ready to go home?
[Grunting]
Are you finding what you want?
I don't know what they're talkin' about.
I have to look up every other word in the dictionary,
then I have to look up those words in the children's dictionary.
Takes me a half-hour to read a page.
Well, maybe this is something that's hard to learn from books.
- I mean, it's photography. - Hard for me anyway.
- Uh... - Is something wrong?
- Is there a ladies' room? - Yeah.
[Novalee Shouting] Yes! Thank you, Lord! Thank you so much.
- Things went well? - You bet.
Oh, l-I gotta go.
- Oh, you've got a big date or something? - No.
Oh, because I thought you were sort of seeing somebody, or...
No, that's done. That's finished. I am done with guys like that.
- Like what? - You know... good-lookin', cocky,
look great in tight jeans and a white t-shirt.
Those guys are all wrong for me, Forney.
I don't want that anymore. I want a change.
- No more men at all. - Oh.
[Crashing]
Forney, help me.
[Sighs] All right. Here.
Okay.
Who's that?
Novalee, I'd like you to meet my sister.
This is Mary Elizabeth Hull.
She's the librarian.
Mary Elizabeth's a lot older than I am.
I was still just a kid when she started drinking.
Oh, you're underselling that. [Chuckles]
I was about ten, I guess, the first time my father put her away.
- Away? Where? - In a sanitorium back east.
So, what exactly are you looking for?
Well, I'm lookin' for a gift for Sister and Mr. Sprock.
- It's their anniversary. - Anniversary?
Yeah, they've been... close for six years.
So anyway, I was back east at college, and...
- College? - Yeah, I was studying to be a history teacher,
but my dad died and my sister couldn't be left alone here.
She begged me never to send her away again. Told me she'd kill herself if I did.
That was nine years ago.
So what are you thinking? Candlestick holders?
Picture frame?
Good God. Who would buy somebody else's toupee?
[Laughs] Oh, my gosh. Look at this.
[Blows]
It just needs a little cleanin' is all.
Hey, Moses, you want to hear somethin' funny?
I wouldn't mind.
Well, I was thinkin' that...
someday... I mean, I mean a long time from now...
I could, you know, maybe be a photographer.
That's not funny.
- It's not? - You don't hear me laughin'.
[music][Rock & Roll]
[Chattering]
[music]["Jingle Bells" Playing On Sound System]
I never had a Christmas tree before.
Not a live one.
You have one of those aluminum ones?
No.
Those cost money.
No, when I was eight,
I was livin' with this... this old lady.
She promised me we'd have a Christmas tree.
And then she went and spent all her money...
on a set of bagpipes...
because, well, I guess she was just insane, but...
- [Chuckles] - She, she felt bad.
So, on Christmas morning, she found some green paint,
and she painted a Christmas tree...
on her living room wall, floor to ceilin'.
And that was my only tree till now.
- Hey. - Hey, Lexie.
- Hi. - Hi.
- Hey, Lex. Hi, kids. - [Lexie] Hi.
- Hi. - Everybody say "hi."
- How do you feel? - Ha! Mumps?
I got his mumps right here.
All right, babies. Go find us a good-lookin' Christmas tree.
One that doesn't cost more than $40.
- So have you heard from him? - Oh, you mean, since he stole...
my brand new Dutch oven, king-size pillows and rode out of town on his Harley?
I guess that's what I meant.
You want us to wait around, give you a ride?
Nah. You never know.
Maybe I can get knocked up again on the way home.
- Merry Christmas. - Merry Christmas.
Why would a man on a Harley steal a woman's pillows?
Just because he could, I guess.
You know, I cannot wait till Americus sees this tree.
Well, don't expect too much of a reaction.
After all, Americus is only...
- Hey, you know what? - What?
Americus is exactly five months old today.
- What? - Yeah, she was born July 5.
[Tires Screeching]
- [Sister] Novalee! - What happened?
I'm sorry. I no more than turned around and she was gone.
- What happened? - She's gone. Americus is gone.
You say the front door was unlocked.
I went to the shed for more Christmas decorations. I wasn't gone two minutes.
Was anything else missing? Money, jewelry?
Is there anyone you can think of? Anyone mad at you, has a score to settle?
There's a woman at work doesn't like me much.
She says I park in her space even though we don't have regular spaces,
but I don't think she'd take Americus.
What about you, Sister?
- Anyone have a grudge against you? - Like who?
Someone at the A.A. Anyone there might wanna hurt you for some reason?
Harry, we're alcoholics.
We're generally satisfied just to hurt ourselves.
Yeah.
Anyone could have her, and I don't know if she's scared or if she's sick or if she's hurt.
I don't know if she's hungry or cold.
- I know, honey. I know. - I don't even...
Excuse me. Is this always in the baby's crib?
No, that's not my Bible.
Oh, Lord.
Lord, I know who took her. I know who took Americus.
What?
Yesterday,
this woman came to the door.
She was here once before. She had a man with her,
and they said that they wanted to give you the Word of God.
I smart-mouthed 'em,
and they had Bibles with 'em,
like that one.
They came from Mississippi...
Midnight, Mississippi.
They said my baby was an abomination?
Am I bein' punished, Forney?
For what?
Things I did.
I wasn't married when I had my baby.
Do you really think this is what you deserve?
Let me tell you about what you deserve, Novalee.
- If it were up to me... - [Siren Wailing]
[Wailing Continues]
- [Truck Doors Close] - [Engine Starts]
[Dispatcher, Indistinct]
Sorry, folks. We got a classical crime scene across the street.
- Oh, my God! - You can't... - Let her go!
Hey, hey, hey! Get down!
- Hey! - [Sirens Wailing]
[Tires Screech]
[Gasping]
[Sirens Stop]
[Baby Fussing]
[Crying]
[Laughing]
A highway patrol had spotted a Mississippi plate and stopped 'em.
They admitted they took her and said we'd find her right here.
[Continues Crying]
Jesus Christ. Another guitar player. What's your name?
WillyJack Pickens.
You didn't even have to make that up did you?
What?
Well, you just carry that guitar around to keep your balance?
You want me to play?
What the fuck do you think I want you to do, call bingo?
One, two. You're best shot.
All right. Well, I wrote this one myself.
- I have goose bumps already. - Jesus Christ.
[music][Guitar]
[Music] Sometimes it's hard [music]
[Music] You don't wanna look over your shoulder [music]
[Music] 'Cause you don't want to [music]
[Music]Remember where you've been [music]
[Music] There'll come a time you'd die [music]
[Music] If you could only hold her [music]
[Music] I know that's where I am [music]
[Music]So listen with all your heart [music]
[Music] Hold it inside forever [music]
[Music] You may find all your dreams have already [music]
[Music] Come true [music]
[Music]Look inside and find the part [music]
[Music] That's leading you [music]
[Music] That's the beat of the heart [music]
[music][Guitar Stops]
What do you think?
It's gonna cost me $1,000 to clean you up.
Pictures, another 200.
My name's Ruth Meyers. Call me Ruth Meyers.
All right. All right.
[Hair Dryer Whirring]
Well, Penny, could you just please sign it? Thank you.
By the way, I changed your name.
- You did? - Yes, you're Billy Shadow now.
One Willy in the business is enough.
Billy Shadow. I like it.
Here.
Spending money?
[music][Country Rock]
[Music] So listen with all your heart [music]
- [Music] Hold it inside forever [music] - [Glass Shattering]
- [Grunting] - [Music] You may find all your dreams have already come true [music]
- [Grunts] - Whoa!
[Ruth] I told you it wasn't gonna be easy.
I told you it would take two years to get you on the radio.
- But it's been two years. - Well, then you know what?
- What? - It's gonna take three years.
[Line Disconnects]
[Music] You may find all your dreams [music]
[Music] Have already come true [music]
[Music] Look inside and find the part [music]
[Music] That's leadin' you [music]
[Music] That's the beat of the heart [music]
[Music] No one [music]
[Music] Can tell you how to get there [music]
[Music] It's a road you take [music]
[Music] All by yourself [music] Come on, Americus. Sing with me.
- [Music] All by yourself [music] - [Music] All by yourself [music]
Oh, that song!
[Music] All your heart [music]
- [Music] Hold it in... [music] - [Radio Stops]
- It's catchy. - I don't know.
Something about that guy's voice just rubs me the wrong way.
Americus, honey, what are you doing?
- Eatin' dough in my nose. - Don't.
Forney's outside waitin'.
[Giggling]
How do I look?
Great. How do I look? Nervous?
Uh-huh.
- [Forney] Are you ready to go? - Forney!
- Oh! - Pony ride!
Well, if it doesn't rain.
It can't rain.
I'm shootin' an outdoor wedding.
Do I look professional?
- You know what would help? - What?
If you brought your camera.
Shit. Mama didn't say, "Shit."
- Yes you did. - Here you go.
Now you take some beautiful picture of that weddin'. You look wonderful.
- Drive careful, all right? - Bye, baby.
- Bye. - Bye. Good luck.
- Say bye to Mama. Bye. - Bye.
- [Americus] Bye. Bye, Mama. - [Sister] Good luck.
- [Forney] Bye. - Bye.
[Wind Blowing]
Mommy! Mommy! Storm's comin'!
Weather Channel just put out a tornado warnin'. We better get going.
Ooh. You better pick these up.
- Here you go. - I swear.
I spent more on film than I got paid.
What is goin' on here?
Well, it turns out that the groom's former girlfriend...
was a waitress at the reception.
And this was right after the bride called her a cheap, big-ass tramp.
Ooh. Who's this on the stretcher?
The waitress, after the bridesmaids finished jumpin' up and down on her.
- [Both Laughing] - You think they're gonna want these pictures?
- I took everything. - Ooh, we better get movin'.
I'll meet you two in the cellar.
I'm ready!
You certainly are. Now, you're all set.
Got it?
Where you goin'?
Dixie Marlon's still sick. Gonna bring her some potato soup right quick.
I'll be right back.
[Wind Gusting]
[Dog Barking]
- [Phone Ringing] - Pick it up. Pick it up.
Come on, Novalee, pick it up. Pick it up.
- [Ringing] - [TV] Those in Rogers County should take action as well.
- This includes areas of Claremore and Sequoyah. - [Ringing Continues]
- [Moans] - [Softly] All right.
- Oh. - I got you.
Rosita, help me.
- [Americus] I'm scared. - I've got you, honey. Hold on. I've got you.
[Radio Announcer] We interrupt this program for an important weather bulletin.
Where's Grandma Sister?
She's coming, honey, all right?
- There you go. - [Radio] Those of you in Rogers County...
My husband's painting a house somewhere on Commerce Street.
He'll be all right.
- Hi, Americus. Do you wanna play cards? - I wanna play with my bear.
- [Americus] He's scared of the storm. - I'm gonna go look for Sister.
Sister?
Shouldn't we shut the door?
Sister's still comin'. Let's wait.
[Siren Wailing]
Oh, God.
- Novalee, come back. - Mommy, where are you going?
Novalee, please!
[Grunts]
[Grunting Continues]
- [Screaming] - Mommy!
[Rosita] Come here! Come here!
[Screaming Continues]
Americus, come here!
[Screaming Continues]
Hold on, Novalee! I've got you!
- Stay here, Americus! - Americus, stay back!
Kids, get back!
- Americus! - Hang on!
- Get back, baby! - Americus, no!
[Whimpering]
- No! - Mommy!
[Shutter Clicking]
Look, Mommy.
[Lexie] I still don't know why they couldn't reopen the Wal-Mart here.
- Too much structural damage. - Well, livin' in Poteau, we'll never see you.
That's where they built the new store. I gotta go, Lexie.
What else can I do? I've gotta make a living.
- So where's this guy we're supposed to meet? - Come on, honey.
Where is he?
- We're still early. - Mommy, can I play?
Yeah, you can play for a couple of minutes, honey, but then we have to go.
- A trailer. - Hmm?
The place I rented in Poteau. It's got wheels under it.
- Forney called me last night. - Forney?
I figured his sister fell out a window or somethin'.
He asked me if I could find you a job at the hospital, and I said,
"Oh, gee, Forney, as what, brain surgeon on weekends?"
- [Chuckles] - That boy does not want you to move to Poteau.
It's just he's so crazy about Americus.
Oh, give me a break.
- He is. - Forney is in love with you.
Tell me you don't know that.
It's just not like that with me and Forney.
I have seen him. He loves you.
He loves the way you walk. He loves your hair.
He loves everything about you.
Forney and me... we're just not that way.
Forney's different from us.
He went to college. His family had money.
What are you tryin' to say,
that you're not good enough for him?
[Horn Honks]
I wonder what he wants.
I wouldn't know. He just called me last night and asked to meet me.
And I told him I was goin' out of town, but he still wanted to.
- Miss Nation. - Uh-uh. Her.
- Hi. I'm Ray. - Hi.
Well, Sister spoke of you often at the meetings.
- Oh, both of you were al... - Alcoholics, yes, ma'am.
- Ray? You used to call in... - Call in the middle of the night.
And Sister would come and pick my sorry ass up... excuse me...
in whatever sleazy beerjoint I happened to be passed out in.
[Sighs] She never gave up on me, even after I got disbarred.
You know, I once went into court and started defendin' the wrong person.
[Laughing] Anyway,
she's the one who helped me turn it all around...
get my license back.
- Well, everything's in here. - What is?
- It's Sister's estate. - Estate?
Yeah, she left it all to you.
The land, the insurance on the trailer and contents, life insurance,
even some old oil stock her grandfather bought from the Comanches back in 1909.
- Comes to about $41,000. - [Gasps]
[Spits] Sorry.
[Chuckling]
[Music]I'm gonna shake my soul [music]
[Music]And release my hold [music]
[Music] Givin' up control [music]
[Music]And let the rest unfold [music]
[Music] 'Cause it's a long, long way from here [music]
- [Music] To where we go [music] - [Kids Shouting]
Brownie! Brownie, do not lasso your sister!
[Music] Take off the training wheels [music]
[Music]Lift off the handle bars [music]
[Music]I'll drive right through my fears [music]
[Music]And resurrect my heart [music]
Mr. Sprock, I still don't feel right about this.
I feel like some of what Sister had should be yours.
The only thing I wanted I got... that old kitchen table.
A lot of fine memories.
All right.
[Music]I'm gonna shake my soul [music]
[Music]And release my hold [music]
[Music]I'm givin' up control [music]
[Music]I let the rest unfold [music]
[Music] 'Cause it's a long, long way [music]
[Music]It's a long, long way [music]
[Music]From here to where we go [music]
[music][Blues]
I just think that Ruth Meyers has went about as far as she can with me.
My head just keeps buttin' against the ceilin', and I wanna break through.
And you're the guy. You’re Johnny Desoto, for Christ's sake.
- You got the clout. - Well,
I will say I thought you'd pick up a little more momentum off of "Beat of a Heart."
Exactly. That was eight months ago.
Here I am in Santa-friggin'-Fe still playin' to damn clubs.
Shit. I gotta go get ready. I got a show.
You and Ruth Meyers got some kind of a contract?
I just wanna warn you. Ruth Meyers could be a powerful ally,
but she makes a hell of an enemy.
You mess with her, and nobody'll touch you.
Johnny, Ruth Meyers ain't got that kind of clout. Come on.
[Elevator Bell Dings]
[Applause]
And the winner of this year's Kodak first prize,
for the greater Southwest area,
she's from Sequoyah, Oklahoma.
How 'bout a real big hand for Miss Novalee Nation?
Novalee, congratulations. Way to go.
I shot this picture with a Rollei twin lens Reflex at F-4...
using A.S.A. 125.
I took it... I took it to remember a very dear friend.
She gave me that tree, and then she took me in...
when me and my baby had no place else in the world to go.
And I would rather be livin' again with her in that trailer...
than in the finest house in Oklahoma.
- Thank you. - [Applause]
[Giggling]
All right. Hold on. We're almost there.
- Who's that? - Who's what?
There's a lady.
Ruth Meyers.
You, out.
Are you married?
- To her? - Out.
I will leave when I am good and ready.
[Grunts, Moans]
- [Door Slams] - So, how's it goin'?
So, I got a call from an attorney down in Albuquerque.
Well, hell, if this is about that girl...
It's about a guy named Tommy Reynolds.
- Who? - Don't lie to me!
God! All right. Tommy Reynolds. What?
- He says he was your cellmate in prison. - So?
He says he wrote "Beat of a Heart."
That is such bullshit.
I wrote that song. He sold me his damn guitar. That's it.
I got the crap kicked out of me for writin' that song.
Shit!
What are we gonna do? What...
What are we gonna do? We ain't gonna do nothin'.
Maybe Johnny Desoto will help you out.
[Door Opens]
Ruth. Ruth Meyers.
- Come on. I need your help with this. - [Elevator Bell Dings]
Hey, Ruthie.
I bet if we went back to my room we could work it out.
Huh? You sexy sweet thing.
[Grunts] Oh, goddamn!
Hi!
Hi, honey. Sorry, but I made it.
Was it a big inconvenience?
Novalee, I have five children. Everything is an inconvenience.
You mind if I drive real slow on the way home? I'd like to pretend it's a vacation.
- You all right, honey? - I'm great.
- Good. - So, anything new around here?
No, not a thing, unless you think me meetin' a guy is new.
- Who? How? - Well, his name is Roger.
Roger Brisco. He's a C.P.A.
- He has his own successful business in Fort Worth. - How'd you meet him?
We pumped gas together at the Texaco. He drives a new Buick.
And when his dipstick got jammed, I helped him yank it out.
Yeah.
He told me my kids were beautiful, so I know he likes me.
You never know, Novalee.
Maybe in a couple of months, you'll be takin' pictures at my weddin'.
Oh. All right. Thank you.
You're welcome, honey. Bye.
Bye. Oh.
What?
I forgot to get Forney a gift for watchin' Americus.
- Oh, I know what you can give him. - What?
[Laughing] Oh!
No, l-I'll give him... hotel slippers.
Oh, Novalee, that's just what every man wants.
A nice pair of house slippers.
- Bye. - Bye.
Forney.
[Camera Shutter Clicks]
[Shutter Clicks]
Mmm. Hi.
- What time is it? - It's late. Sorry.
It's all right.
- Mm, how was your trip? - Great.
Well, better get her to bed.
No, that's okay. I'll do it.
[Whispering] Hey. There.
- Forney? - Mm-hmm.
I brought these for you.
Oh! Thanks.
- Bye. - Good night.
[Phone Ringing]
Hello?
Is somebody there?
Who?
Brownie?
Why? Where's Lexie?
Brownie, is your mama there?
Brownie.
Brownie, let me talk to Lexie. Put your mama on the phone.
Why? What's wrong?
I'm coming.
[Dog Barking]
Lexie?
[Static]
Are you both okay?
You stay here, honey. I'll be right back.
[Moaning]
Oh, God.
[Horn Honks]
Moses, can Lexie keep her things in your barn for a while?
- Sure. How come? - She doesn't have any more sick leave,
and she can't pay for her apartment.
Where are her and the kids gonna stay?
- [Kids Chattering] - We had this for lunch.
Well, finish it or you're gonna have it for breakfast.
No more.
Sorry, honey.
Eat your food, Brownie.
- [Coughing] - Wanna eat?
Lex.
You all right?
I was supposed to work until 4:00 that day.
But I decided to skip my lunch hour and get off at 3:00...
'cause Roger was coming in from Fort Worth.
I wanted to take a shower and shampoo my hair.
I picked up the baby and the twins from the day care.
And when I got home I was surprised because Roger's car was in the driveway.
And he said he wouldn't be there until after 4:00.
But Brownie and Praline were home, and I knew they'd let him in.
When I went inside,
I heard a noise comin' from the back of the apartment...
from my bedroom.
And I set down the baby, and I ran to see...
There was somethin' against the door.
I had to push,
and it was Praline.
She was crumpled on the floor coverin' her eyes.
And... [Crying]
Roger had... Brownie... on the bed.
And he had his...
And I flew at him.
I wanted to kill him and I would have.
I hit him twice, and that's all I remember.
You know,
he went after little Praline first,
and she threw up on him.
And that's when Brownie came in.
How did he find me, Novalee?
How do men like that find my kids?
How'd he know he could do such a thing to us?
He had to be lookin'.
He was lookin' for women like me...
who are alone with children...
and women who are stupid.
And they saw through him.
They could tell he was evil.
And all I saw was a Buick.
Oh, God.
What am I gonna tell my babies?
What am I gonna say...
to Brownie and Praline when they ask me why this happened to them?
[Sobbing] What am I supposed to say, Novalee?
[Sighs]
You tell them...
you tell them that our... our lives can change with every breath we take.
We both know that.
And you tell them to let go of what's gone.
'Cause men like Roger Brisco never win.
And tell them to hold on like hell to what they've got...
each other and a mother who would die for them...
and almost did.
You tell them we've all got meanness in us.
But we've got good in us too.
And the only thing worth livin' for is the good.
And that is why we've got to make sure to pass it on.
[Continues Crying]
[Sighs]
[Birds Chirping]
Forney, if you feed a cow chocolate, will you get chocolate milk?
Yeah.
And, if you spin a cow around real fast, you'll get whipped cream.
Wow! You know a lot.
Well, I work in the library.
I don't know how you kept her alive this long, Forney.
You're welcome to ride along with us.
[Knock At Door]
How did you find me?
Small town.
You didn't come to the service. I was worried.
I didn't mean to worry you.
- Can I come in? - Okay.
You all right?
I couldn't stay at the library. I had to...
I understand.
I have to go away for a while,
take Mary Elizabeth back to Maine,
bury her in the family plot.
I'm so sorry, Forney.
I couldn't go to the service.
I had four white roses.
And when I got to the service, [Sighs]
They turned brown.
I couldn't take her brown roses.
[Crying]
[Music]I give my all [music]
[Music] Or not at all [music]
[Music] There's no in-between [music]
[Music]I'll give my best [music]
[Music] Won't second guess [music]
[Music] This feeling deep in me [music]
[Music]I give my heart Give my soul [music]
[Music]I won't hold back I'll give you everything [music]
- [Whispers] Novalee. - Yeah?
I love you.
He told you he loves you,
and you didn't say anything?
I'm a dope. I'm such a dope.
But I was scared. I was confused, and... It's just strange.
Honey, don't take this wrong, but Forney is strange.
- [Chuckles] - So when's he comin' back?
[Car Horn Honks]
[Honking Continues]
- What was that all about? - Nothing.
Nothin'? Why was Ernie the exterminator honkin' at you?
Oh. I said I'd, uh... go out with him.
- You told him you'd what? - I said I'd go out on a date with him.
- [Chuckles] How'd that happen? - Tsk.
Well, he's Brownie's soccer coach.
And he makes him laugh, which, let's face it, nobody does.
And that psychologist said it would be a good idea,
but I don't know.
Oh, man. You don't think he's gonna wear that orange jumpsuit on our date.
- Do ya? - [Laughs]
[Bird Squawking]
You know, maybe it was a bad idea to tuck in the shirts.
[Chattering] Yeah. All right. Whoa.
Isn't there a championship banner or somethin'?
Oh, we're not the champions. We're just celebratin' we lived through the season.
- [Team Laughing] - All right.
Well, here we go, then.
Smile.
[Shutter Clicks]
Novalee, do you know how to reach Forney?
It's about some legal work involvin' the library.
Oh, I expect him back today or tomorrow.
- Forney's comin' back? - Sure.
Well, I just figured, with Mary Elizabeth gone,
he'd wanna pick up with his life again...
or go back to college.
Hey, did you know his great grandfather was governor of Maine?
No.
Well, sometimes things work out for the best.
Now he can get out of here and have a real life.
All right. Let's take this picture. We're all startin' to smell.
[Phone Ringing]
Hello?
Where are you?
When'd you get back?
No, no, no. I'll come over.
I'll come there. Okay? Bye.
- Hi. - Hey.
Come in. [Chuckles]
- Sorry I called so late. - No, no. That's...
- So how was your trip? - Good.
Okay. You wanna sit down?
Sure.
I was startin' to worry a little when you didn't come back. I thought...
Oh. I forgot how lovely it is back there.
- Very different from here. - I'll bet.
- I drove over to Bowden. - Mm-hmm?
Yeah. I, uh, was only gonna go for a couple of hours.
I wind up staying two days. I saw a couple of my old professors.
I forgot what a great library they have there.
Have they hired a new librarian here yet?
Yeah. Mayor Allbert's daughter.
Oh. [Chuckles]
Well.
Oh, well. It's okay. I wouldn't want to go back there anyway.
I hear they're hiring at the plastics factory.
I'll bet I could get a job there.
Are you okay?
What about teaching?
You said once you wanted to be a history teacher.
Oh, that was a long time ago.
- But if it's what you want, l... - What I want?
What I want is to be with you... to be with you and Americus.
I love you. I love you so much.
When we were here together...
That might have been a mistake.
- Mistake? - I mean...
Are you saying you made love to me because you felt sorry for me? Is that it?
- No. - Then what? It was a bad decision, an impulse?
- Forney. - Do you love me?
You are the best friend I've ever had.
- Just answer me. - You delivered my baby.
Do you love me?
No.
No, Forney, I don't love you... not that way.
[Crying]
This place looks good.
It's nice and bright.
The carpet looks new.
My kids could turn this place into a dump before the door closes.
[Gasps] Look. You can see the library.
Yeah.
You ever hear from Joe College?
He writes to Americus, sends her books.
At the end of every letter, he writes,
"Please tell your mother I extend my best wishes."
Hot. You written him back?
No. What could I say to him?
Oh, God, that you lied to him for one.
That you love him. That you miss him.
That these have been the most miserable three months of your life...
and that he should come back.
Come back to what?
To a job at the plastics factory...
or flippin' burgers at Lita's Drive-in?
- Or drivin' a delivery truck? - What about Wal-Mart?
- No. - Oh, so it's okay for you,
but it's not good enough for him.
- No. - Novalee, you never thought you deserved Forney.
You never thought you were good enough for him.
Honey, I know that your mother walked out on you...
and what that butthole WillyJack did,
but that is what makes them trash, not you.
- You still seein' Ernie? - Sort of.
- You know, sort of. - So you like him or what?
I don't know. He's, you know,
he's got kids of his own...
and the man kills bugs for a living, for goodness sake.
I just don't think he's my type.
[music][Wedding Recessional]
[Laughing, Clapping]
- You like that, huh? - Ah!
[Shutter Clicking]
[music][Rhythm & Blues]
[Music]Mustang Sally [music]
[music][Continues]
Oh, you wanna know how I knew Ernie was different and he was the one?
- Sure. - Well, you can't tell anybody 'cause it's a secret.
- Okay. - [Sighs]
- Ernie's daughter Carol Ann... - Uh-huh?
Is not his daughter.
His ex, Maxine... she had Caroline before they met.
And they had Cody together. She decided she's splittin' and she doesn't want Cody.
But she decides she doesn't want Carol Ann either until she finds out that Ernie does.
And then she's got somethin' to bargain with.
Ernie had this bright red fully-restored '67 Camaro. I mean, a beauty.
And she wants it.
So he trades his car. For her daughter.
[Novalee] Oh, my God.
When he told me that, Novalee, I knew he was the pick of the litter.
I am so happy I finally found me a winner.
Oh. I'm also pregnant.
- What? - [Both Laughing]
[Music] All you wanna do is ride around, Sally [music]
[Music] Ride, Sally, ride [music]
[Laughing]
[Music] Can't he see my head is reeling [music]
- [Music] There's so many things I'm feeling [music] - [Laughing]
- [Laughing, Chattering] - [Music]Don't know what I'm thinking [music]
[Music] Oh, I'm so in love [music]
[Music]Pardon me if I seem distant [music]
[music][Radio: Rock]
- [Engine, Radio Stop] - Hey.
- Where the hell are your shoes? - What?
- Why did we stop? - I'm hungry.
It wouldn't hurt you to get something inside you besides pills and whiskey.
[Sighs] Don't you start.
Suit yourself.
[Exhales]
[Willy Sighing, Sniffling]
[Grunts]
Ow. Shit!
Shit. Ah.
- [Novalee's Voice] Wanna feel the baby? - Huh?
Feel that? Right here.
That little bomp-bomp-bomp? That's where the heart is.
I don't feel nothin'.
[Grunting]
[Moaning]
[Shouting, Cheering]
Yeah!
How about that? What do you think of my cake?
- As pretty as a picture. - Thank you. I saw it in a magazine.
Thought, "I could do that."
I'm ready for candles.
- [Novalee] No candles. - Why? It's her birthday.
Five days old, she got the jaundice.
Five weeks old, she got an ear infection.
Five months old, she was kidnapped. Five years old?
I'm not lightin' any fires, thank you.
Novalee, you're a pip.
- [Ernie] Does everybody have one? - [Kids] Yeah.
All right. Come on. Let's go!
Oh, I'll get those.
Honey, it's been a perfect day. It's gonna keep bein' a perfect day.
It's her birthday cake. She's gotta have candles.
- If you say so. - What is it?
Let me see. "Victim's Wheelchair Stolen"?
"A legless man, identified as W.J. Pickens,
was discovered Sunday afternoon in a men's room at a rest stop near Alva."
Oh, my gosh.
"Pickens, who lost his legs four months ago in a train accident,
had been trapped since sometime late Friday when he was robbed of his wheelchair."
Oh, my God.
- [Door Opens] - [Gasps]
What'd you say?
Novalee?
Yeah.
I can't believe it.
How'd you know I was here?
The story in the paper.
I was comin' to see you.
Sure.
I was.
Why? What were you gonna do, WillyJack?
Come back to the Wal-Mart, think I'd still be there waitin' for you five years later?
No.
I just...
I gave birth at a Wal-Mart.
Was it a boy?
Was it a girl?
- Is it all right? Does it have a name? - Yes, it's a girl.
Her name's Americus, and she's mine. You stay away from her.
Stay away from her? I can't even get out of this bad, Novalee.
What am I gonna do, run away with her?
- If you think I'm gonna feel sorry for you... - I'll get new legs and liver.
Why did you come here? Why are you coming after us?
Is there a problem here? I can hear you all the way down the hall.
Sorry.
You need another shot?
No. Let's wait.
I came back to tell you something.
You remember that last day... that last day we was together?
Yeah, I remember.
You put my hand on your belly...
and asked me if I could feel the baby's heart.
I said no.
L-I lied.
Why?
Why does anyone lie?
'Cause we're scared or crazy...
or just mean.
I mean, there's a million reasons to lie, Novalee.
Sometimes you tell a lie so big, it...
it'll change your whole life.
The lie's so big,
it makes you think...
"I'd do anything...
if I could have just one chance to set it straight."
Just one chance to change it.
You don't know what I mean.
Yeah.
I do.
[Music]Away [music]
[Music]Beyond [music]
[Music] The blue [music]
[Music]Away [music]
[Music]Beyond [music]
[Music] The blue [music]
I'm open!
[Music] One star [music]
[Music]Belongs to you [music]
[Music] One star [music]
[Music]Belongs [music]
[Music] To you [music]
[Music]And every breath [music]
[Music]I take [music]
- [Music]And every breath [music] - [Music]And every breath [music]
[Music]I take [music]
- [Music]I'm closer to [music] - [Music]I'm closer to [music]
[Music] That place [music]
- [Music]I'm closer to [music] - [Music]I'm closer to [music]
[Music] That place [music]
[Chattering]
Oh.
[Chattering, Indistinct]
[Chattering]
Novalee?
Novalee!
Novalee.
What are you doing here?
- L... - Are you all right? Is Americus all right?
- Yes, she's fine. - [Sighs]
Well, when, when did you get here?
- I just drove. - You drove?
- All the way from Oklahoma? - Yeah... No... Uh...
First I stopped in Tennessee.
I had to drop someone off.
- Oh. - Old friend.
- Somebody who needed to go home. - Oh. Well.
I lied, Forney.
You lied? You didn't go to Tennessee?
No. Yes, I did go to Tennessee...
Forney, hey. Hey, we're gonna go to Sam's for some coffee.
- Uh, do you wanna come? - Uh, yeah, yeah. I'll catch up later.
- Okay. - Okay.
It's too late, isn't it, Forney?
Too late?
For what?
I lied to you...
when you asked me if I loved you, and I said "no."
- Remember? - Yes.
I lied, Forney.
It wasn't true. L...
I love you.
It's just I lied because...
I thought you deserved something better.
Something better than you?
Novalee, there isn't anything better than you.
[Music] There you are [music]
[Music]In the early light of day [music]
[Music] There you are [music]
[Music]In the quiet words I pray [music]
[Music]I've been blessed [music]
- [music][Continues] - [Woman On P.A.] Attention, Wal-Mart shoppers...
and wedding guests.
Our garden center is running a special on potting soil and rakes.
- [Music]Every time I turn around [music] - [Cheering]
[Music] When I'm lost and when I'm found [music]
[Music]Like an angel standing by [music]
[Music] There you are [music]
[Music]Every time I take a breath [music]
[Music]And when I forget to breathe [music]
[Music] You're watchin' over me [music]
[Music] There you are [music]
[Music] When I'm looking for the light [music]
[Music]In the middle of the night [music]
[Music]Searching for the brightest star [music]
[Music] There you are [music]
[Music] The cool grass of the river bank [music]
[Music] We were lyin' there We were soakin' wet [music]
[Music]Feelin' things we'd never felt [music]
[Music] We were jumpin' in deep as we could get [music]
- [Music] That night [music] - [Music] That night [music]
- [Music] The moon so bright [music] - [Music] The moon so bright [music]
- [Music]And your touch, your kiss [music] - [Music] Your touch, your kiss [music]
- [Music]Let's keep it like this [music] - [Music]Keep it like this [music]
[Music]I wanna grow young with you baby [music]
[Music]And cheat old Father Time [music]
[Music]I wanna grow young with you baby [music]
[Music]Make sure that sun keeps shining on us [music]
[Music] Crazy barefoot lovesick kids [music]
[Music] With fearless hearts and souls [music]
[Music]I wanna grow young with you baby [music]
[Music] Too young to ever grow old [music]
[Music] Oh [music]
[Music] Yeah, yeah [music]
[Music] Oh, yeah [music]
[Music]No fear, no rules [music]
[Music] We'll be love's fools just like we were [music]
[Music] That night [music]
[Music] The moon so bright [music]
- [Music] We took a chance [music] - [Music] We took a chance [music]
- [Music] We danced the dance [music] - [Music] We danced the dance [music]
- [Music] Your touch, your kiss [music] - [Music] Your touch, your kiss [music]
- [Music]Let's keep it like this [music] - [Music]Keep it like this [music]
[Music]I wanna grow young [music]
[Music] With you, baby [music]
[Music]I wanna grow young [music]
[Music]Let's be those [music]
[Music] Crazy barefoot lovesick kids [music]
[Music] With fearless hearts and souls [music]
[Music]I wanna grow young with you [music]
[Music] Too young to ever grow old [music]
[Music]Sometimes it's hard You don't wanna [music]
[Music]Look over your shoulder [music]
[Music] 'Cause you don't want to [music]
[Music]Remember where you've been [music]
[Music] There'll come a time you die [music]
[Music]lf you could only hold her [music]
[Music] 'Cause I know [music]
[Music] That's where [music]
[Music]I am [music]
[Music]So listen with all your heart [music]
[Music]Hold it inside forever [music]
[Music] You may find all your dreams [music]
[Music]Have already come true [music]
[Music]Look inside and find the part [music]
[Music] That's leading you [music]
[Music] 'Cause that's the beat of the heart [music]
[Music]No one [music]
[Music] Can tell you how to get there [music]
[Music]It's a road you take [music]
[Music]All by yourself [music]
[Music]So listen with all your heart [music]
[Music]Hold it inside forever [music]
[Music] You may find all your dreams [music]
[Music]Have already come true [music]
[Music]Look inside and find the part [music]
[Music] That's leading you [music]
[Music] 'Cause that's the beat of [music]
[Music] Oh, it's the sweetest sound [music]
[Music] 'Cause that's the beat of [music]
[Music] The heart [music]
5@y3