Original subtitles

Wonderful sermon, as usual, Rev. Well, thanks for coming, as usual, Ed.

Stop by the rec room for refreshments if you've got time.

Simon, no soliciting on church property.

My son's trying to earn some prize by selling greeting cards.

My son's doing the same thing.

There's an ad in a comic book that's got them all going door to door.

It's a comic book ad, huh, Neil? Maybe that's where I should advertise church

services, attract more young people.

Oh, you could advertise Matt's broken up with Heather. That'll attract more

young people.

Thanks.

Mrs. Camden, I'm trying to locate the culinary magician who made these.

extraordinary. They're just muffins, Mr. Friel.

Oh, no, no. These are not just muffins. I've tasted a lot of just muffins, and

these are, well, extraordinary.

How'd you like to sell them in my stores?

Sell what?

I'm offering your mom a chance to go into business with me.

Great. Mom needs a job.

By the way, do you gift drop any of your cookies?

You know, as gifts that might require, say, a greeting card for any and all

occasions.

Not now, Simon.

Sorry about that.

Well, what about my offer?

Mr. Friel, I'm really flattered, but I already have a job raising five kids.

Oh, hey, girls.

I was just telling your mom she could make a lot of money selling these

Really? Yeah, really.

But I told him I was too busy.

Doing what?

Hey, Emery, how's it going?

Ah, okay, I guess.

It's hard, but we're hanging in there. Is that where Nell is this morning with

Steve? Yeah.

His condition is stabilized for now, but we figured better than taking him home,

it might be a little less risky keeping him in the hospital in case, you know,

there's an emergency situation.

Anyway, insurance is paying for hospital care.

If there's anything I can do, let me know.

There's really nothing anyone can do.

Right now, they're giving him six months.

That's it.

That's what we're dealing with.

I don't know how you're managing.

We are getting a little worn out.

Both working, stopping by at lunch, and then going back over at dinner and

staying with him until he's asleep.

Actually, maybe there is something you could do.

Mel asked me to see if you knew anyone we could hire to sit with Steve. Someone

responsible enough to hang out with him at night so we could get some rest.

We're willing to pay good money.

Excuse me.

You know, I could sit with the kid.

I don't think so.

I'll tell you what, Emery.

I'll check around, see if I can come up with somebody for you.

Thanks, Frank. Appreciate it.

My best to Nell and Steve, okay? Yeah, thanks.

Hey, Dad.

Seven heavens, when I see their happy faces smiling

back at me.

Seven heavens, I know there's no greater feeling than the love

of family.

Where can you go when the

world goes to hell?

that's the one place that you'll find seven

seven seven

seven

Kills me.

Oh, hey, Dad. Yeah.

Next time you're talking to Mom, I think you should encourage her to get out in

the world. Really? Yeah.

Mary and I think that part of the reason why Mom stays at home is because you're

not the type to help around the house and with the kids.

So she feels like she's obligated to just be a housewife when she can make a

whole lot of money out there in the real world, especially now that Ruthie's in

school. What brought this on?

Well, David Friel, the cookie man, offered her a chance to help him expand

business with her muffins.

But her self -confidence has been so undermined over the years that she

even have enough self -esteem to want to try it.

Your mom has a college degree with majors from home economics to business

philosophy. And on top of all that, she can bake a cake while putting in a new

garbage disposal.

Why would she be suffering from low self -esteem? Well, maybe she's never had a

chance to spread her wings and fly a little bit.

You know, pass the role of mother and wife.

Dad, all we want is for you to be supportive and encouraging in case she

she wants to experiment a little with this muffin thing.

Dad, can we talk for a second?

Love to.

I'm kind of angry with you about something.

Well, I'm glad you're telling me that instead of...

Running out of the house and doing something crazy.

What'd you do?

I got a job.

What kind of job?

I'm taking care of that Steve kid.

So you just went to Emery and Nell and asked them for the job when I told you

no? Yeah, I went to them. I thought it should be their decision.

Well, now I'm a little angry with you.

Why? Come on, Matt. You went around me knowing I didn't want you to take the

job. I said no.

But why don't you want me to have it? You know I need the money.

Do I have to remind you that for the past six or seven jobs you've had,

also needed the money, and yet you managed to get yourself fired? This

be a good job to get fired from. I'm not going to get fired.

Have you met Steve?

No. Steve is tough to be around.

Even for me, I'm a minister. I've counseled the dying and been with sick

a lot.

Being with a kid who's dying is different. It's harder.

It's the hardest thing in the world.

I'm just going to read to him.

When are you supposed to start?

Tonight.

What do you say we compromise? And I use the term loosely because I really

didn't want you to do this, and you're doing it.

Let me come with you to the hospital tonight, and if you think you can handle

this, then fine, but this is really not something that you should get involved

in unless you're absolutely sure you can do it. If you can't, it's okay.

Steve's parents will understand.

Dad, it pays 20 bucks a night. I can do it.

How would he pay for the muffins when he could eat them at our house for free?

Mr. Freel wants to buy the muffins from me and then sell them in his cookie

stores. And then he'll pay me part of the money he makes. It's called sharing

the profits.

Why wouldn't you get all the profits?

Well, because without Mr. Freel's bakeries, I couldn't sell the muffins.

not? I don't have any place to sell them, and even if I did, I'm not very

at selling anything.

Neither is Simon, but he's selling greeting cards.

Has he sold any yet?

No, when he's supposed to sell ten boxes of them. And if he does, he just gets

an incredible prize.

If I sold cards, I'd like to make money.

Why don't you then?

You could.

How?

Well, first, you'd have to buy all of Simon's cards from him. How much is one

box? Four dollars.

So if you sold all ten boxes for five dollars each instead of four dollars

you'd make one dollar on each box, and that would give you a total of a ten

dollar profit.

Would that be fair?

Well, it'd be business. You can charge as much as a customer will pay. Keep

in mind next time you're a customer.

Can I keep the whole $10?

Sure, but of course you'll have to find someone to loan you $40 so you can buy

Simon's cards.

Who would do that?

I'll loan you the money.

I'd be happy to invest in your business.

It's a win -win situation.

Simon gets his prize, and if you do a good job, you get your $10.

Can I go tell Simon? Sure, and tell him to wash up for dinner while you're at

it, okay?

I like pandas.

Daddy, you want to buy a box of greeting cards?

Oh, not really, sweetheart.

Please, they're just five dollars for a whole box, and they last a long time.

Okay, one box.

Thanks, Daddy.

Ruthie's helping Simon? She's buying him out and going into business for

herself. Is that what you plan on doing with the muffins eventually, buying out

David Friel? You think I couldn't? You think I'm not smart enough to buy a

of crummy bakeries and go into business myself?

No, I know how smart you are.

Do you?

Because I don't think anyone in this family knows how smart I am or how hard

work or even that I work. So you know what? I'm going into the muffin

One box, four bucks.

That's all I ask.

I see.

Thanks anyway.

Who was that?

Mrs. Bink. She recycles her cards.

Someone sends her one, she sends it back.

So, how much for all ten boxes?

Who wants to buy all ten boxes?

I do.

And what are you going to do with them?

Sell them. No thanks. I'm selling them. I'm going to get all ten points in the

sales catalog and win that cool take action figure.

You still can.

So you're going to buy them from me, sell them for me, and I'm still going to

get the prize?

Not exactly.

I'm going to sell them for profits.

For five dollars a box.

Look, kid.

I'm the only one in the family who's good with money.

You can't be me.

You have to be you. So why don't you just go and do something you're good at.

And stay out of the business world.

You're good at savings and moanings, but everybody knows I'm the one who can

sell. That's why everyone always picks me when they have to sell things for

school. No, no, no, they take you because you're cute.

They used to take me.

Right.

Fine, but I need all 40 bucks up front, so I can send it for the prize now.

The deal.

Pretty good, huh?

Hey, come on. Talk to me.

I came out there just to tell you how much I think that you should do this

muffin thing with David. It'll be good for you to spread your wings a little.

Hey, if you're worried about things around the house, I'll pitch in.

Look what I did with these flowers.

No, thanks. I'm perfectly capable of running the household and baking a few

muffins at the same time.

You blew it, huh?

Great dinner, as usual.

Matt and I are going to go to the hospital now.

Can I pick up anything for you on the way back?

I don't even know what I did.

You know, I'm just trying to lend my support so you can do your own thing,

know?

Do you mind telling me where you're getting all these condescending,

little phrases?

Oh, never mind. I know exactly where you're getting them from.

Say hi to Nell on Emory for me.

I will.

Bye.

So... Have you called David Friel yet?

Why? Do you think I should?

Oh, definitely. I mean, just because you did the mom thing first doesn't mean

you can't have a career. I'm still doing the mom thing. Yeah, but don't you

think you'd be setting a good example for Ruthie? In what way? We don't want

to think that the only thing a woman could do is cook and clean.

Where did I go wrong?

Well, maybe it was when you didn't go back to work after Matt was born. Oh.

You know Reverend Kanda?

Hey, Steve.

Hello, Reverend.

And this is Matt, the guy we've been telling you about.

Hi.

You know anything about the tick?

As in Arthur's boss?

Well, then, I guess this should...

Work out just fine.

Here it is. A check for $40.

That's him, huh?

Yep. What does it say right here?

Please allow four to six weeks for delivery.

Four to six weeks is a really long time.

Yeah? Well, it could take you four to six weeks to sell all ten boxes of

I don't think so.

Hey, can I borrow some comic books to take to the hospital tonight?

Yeah, sure. What's he into?

Well, he's got all the tick comics, and outside that, Steve's a pretty

traditional. He likes Superman.

Well, here they are. It's all Superman.

Take a pick.

The new stuff's pretty cool if you can get used to the new uniform. New

Superman? What's that all about?

You haven't heard of the new Superman?

Getting old, bro.

He was in touch with the younger generation.

Just like Dad.

Yeah, except, you know, I'm like Dad. I'm still faster than a speeding bullet.

I'm not hurting him.

I didn't say you were.

Go get your stuff. We're going to be late for school.

We're going to be late for school. We're going to be late for school.

Don't worry. No one's going to be tackling Steve like that. Promise me you

won't. Promise. I'm just going to reach him. That's it.

Good to hear.

Yeah.

I realize it might be more cost effective to substitute some of the

but I don't think the quality would be the same if we went to margarine instead

of butter.

I mean, then again, what might make a big difference to me might not make any

difference to your customers. What do you think?

I'm not sure either, but for this initial test run, I'd say definitely go

the original recipe.

Okay.

You really think the muffins are that great?

Trust me, I know a winner when I taste one.

Here's what I propose for our deal. Our lawyers will work it out in detail, of

course, but I pay you a flat fee for your muffin recipe, say around $1 ,000.

guaranteeing, of course, that the recipe stays protected since it is a secret

family recipe. Plus, I'll give you 30 % of the profits.

Could I keep this sheet to look over?

Sorry to interrupt.

I have to get to work.

No problem, Rev. We're just wrapping up here.

How's it going?

Great. Great.

I'll talk to you later.

Or when I get home.

Or whatever.

See you around, David.

Sure thing.

Bye.

Hasn't anyone ever told you it's not nice to eavesdrop?

Did you hear how much Mr. Friel's paying Mom for a recipe?

Your mother will tell me even when she wants me to know.

If she's not so mad at you.

She's not mad at me.

Well, she probably is now.

Excuse me?

Dad, you can't just go barging through a business meeting like that. I was

saying goodbye. What was I supposed to do, just leave?

What? Not that I'm going to take any more of your advice.

Dad, how do you expect Mom to deal with her fear of failure with you always

hovering over her like that, just waiting for her to fall on her butt?

I wasn't hovering over anybody. And for the record, I'm quite sure your mom is

not afraid to fall.

Fail.

She's almost been a risk taker.

She married me, didn't she?

This is not a laughing matter.

This is Mom's career we're talking about.

Hi, Mr. Cleo. Hey, Ruthie. How's it going?

Fine, thank you.

Simon filled this out. Will you please mail it? Sure.

Regency Sales Club?

Wow. I didn't even know they were still in business. I used to sell greeting

cards for them when I was a kid.

My mom helped me buy all my brothers, and now I'm selling them over again.

Would you like to buy some?

Why not? How much are they going for these days?

$5 a box, or you can have three boxes for $20.

Wouldn't it be three boxes for $15?

It would be, but I'm trying to make a profit, so I'm selling them for more

they're worth.

In that case, I'll take the three for $20.

Hey, you're almost halfway there.

And I'm halfway to paying you back for the loaning.

Thank you, Ms.

Camden. Now scoot. The others are waiting. And make sure Simon doesn't

his lunch in the car again, okay?

Okay.

Bye. Bye.

Thanks. I'll get you the cards as soon as I can.

I better be going, too. I'll be in touch sometime this afternoon.

Okay. I'll make sure I'm here. Good. And I'll have someone drop off the supplies

as soon as I get a better idea of quantity.

Supplies? For the muffins.

You didn't expect that to do the shopping on top of all the baking.

The baking?

Here? Yeah, I just assumed.

I mean, being a cookie company, we're not set up for muffins. Of course, we'd

make the adjustments in the kitchens if that 30 -day test run goes off, huh?

That's all right with you, isn't it?

Fine.

Hi, kids. How was school?

Oh, the usual.

Where's Simon and Ruthie?

Checking the mailbox. Where else?

Oh. I'm taking off for the hospital. I told Steve's parents I'd be there by 4

.30. Will you be home for dinner?

Probably not. It's Nell and Emery's first dinner out in a few months, so I

them to take their time.

Hey, there.

I tried the front door, but no one answered. Are you Annie Camden? Yes.

I've got your supplies and an order from David Friel for you.

30 dozen muffins?

I was

just thinking my family's finishing dinner pretty soon, and then my dad's

to find some excuse to pop in and check on us.

Yeah.

He'll say he was visiting someone at the hospital and he thought he'd just drop

by.

Yeah, probably.

What's wrong?

I was just thinking.

What do you think dying is like?

You don't have to answer that.

I think about it sometimes.

I think it's kind of like when you're little and you're sick and

your parents take you and they put you in their bed and you wake

up and you know you're not in your bed but then it just takes a second and you

realize where you are and that you're okay.

I think it's like that.

Was that a stupid answer?

No, I like it.

Oh.

Does that mean we can change the subject?

Sure.

Did you know I haven't been outside in months?

Am I counting that on a patch of grass between the cafeteria and the parking

lot?

No. No, I didn't know.

My parents are worried that if they take me out somewhere, something might

happen to me.

Something is going to happen to me.

I'm going to die.

I just wish that before I do, I could have a day out of this hospital.

I can't take you out, Steve, now without your parents giving me permission.

Why not?

Because I get fired for one thing.

So your reputation is more important than my life?

Hey, guys.

I was just upstairs visiting a friend. Thought I'd drop by.

So... That was great, man.

Yeah.

Hey, you do understand why I can't take you out of here.

I mean, you're not going to fire me for not springing out of this place, are

you? No, I don't have to.

I'm pretty sure eventually you'll break.

What time is it?

Oh, honey, it's 5 in the morning. Go back to bed.

Okay. What day is it? It's Friday.

What time does the delivery man come?

Oh, he'll come around 5 .30. Come on, go back to bed.

But delivery man... and just wake me up again. He always rings the doorbell.

Oh, no, he's not going to do that today, not after the way I yelled at him

yesterday, so don't you worry. Are you sure I can't just have a cup of coffee

and wait for the mailman? He might bring the cards today.

Then I can deliver them. He might, but not for a while. Besides, I don't think

you drink coffee.

I sold all ten boxes.

Well, I know, but I think that was cheating a little bit to sell Grandpa

Colonel three boxes each.

I gave him a special discount.

Good morning, Mrs. Camden. You rang the bell. I forgot.

And you're early. Yeah, I know. But the thing is that the people, they're coming

into the stores earlier than usual to get those muffins.

Really? They're selling that well?

Yup. You're carving a new niche in Mr. Freel's cookie world.

Great.

Sorry about the bell. I forgot.

Okay.

Honey.

Why don't you go back to bed and I'll make breakfast for the kids so you can

some sleep. It's okay. I can handle it. Are you sure? I'd really like to help

out. I'm fine.

Okay.

You like it light on the cream and heavy on the sugar, right?

Where are you off to this time of the morning? I'm going to see Steve.

Isn't it a little early?

I can never get back to sleep after that guy rings the doorbell. And anyway,

Steve's always up at dawn.

Hey, do you think you could take the kids to school for me so I can have a

little longer to stay with them?

Yeah, sure, I can do that.

I just hope you're not spending so much time with Steve that your homework isn't

getting done.

Not at all, I promise. In fact, Steve's proofreading my essay for Mr. Cobra.

The kid's a spelling genius.

I've got to admit, I may have been wrong about you and this job.

Surprised?

No, not at all.

What are you doing with that bag?

I wasn't going to take anything. I just wanted to see how much money was he made

off me.

Just 60 bucks.

That's after she paid back Mom.

She was only supposed to sell those cars for $40.

Technically, you're the one who was only allowed to sell them for $40. Once

Ruthie bought them from you, she was free to charge whatever she wants.

That's a loophole. Mom told me.

It's a loophole.

Why are you whispering?

Because everyone else is.

You know, I'm going to take Happy out.

Happy.

So, what are you going to do with all that money?

I'll tell you, but you can't tell nobody.

Anybody?

Them either.

Excuse

me.

Yes? Yeah, I wanted to ask you something about Steve in there.

Your family?

Not exactly. I mean, no.

I'm just sitting with them for his parents. But we're good friends.

I'm Reverend Camden's son.

Steve's parents go to our church.

You know, I was hoping I could get a feel for me of how sick Steve is.

Exactly.

So you are Steve's next mark, I guess, huh?

The kids had at least one go at everyone in this entire hospital trying to

convince them to get him out of here.

So why don't you give him a break and take him out?

Well, without his parents' permission, I can't. It's against the rules, and if I

broke those rules, I could lose my license to practice medicine.

Well, why don't his parents take him out then?

They're scared.

They probably figure they're buying him some extra time if they keep him under

constant supervision.

Would anything happen to him if he weren't under constant supervision?

I think he'd be okay for a day out. In fact, I'm sure of it.

Convincing them, well, that's another story.

How risky is it?

As long as it didn't involve doing anything crazy, I'm sure he'd survive.

Hey. What are you doing here?

What do you mean, what am I doing here? I thought you were going to read my

essay for me.

Maybe later.

I don't feel like it right now.

You feeling sick?

You know, I can get someone.

No, I'm not sick.

I feel really great.

It's just so hard.

I just really, really love one last time to hit a ball on the

bases.

Hey, Steve.

How about breakfast in the cafeteria today?

Yeah, sure. That'll be a big thrill.

You know what? I can take him. I'd like to if it's okay.

Absolutely.

You know where it is?

Well, I'm sure Steve can navigate.

Have fun.

Call your parents and tell them I'm here and that they don't have to come by

this morning.

Maybe I'd still like to see them before they go to work.

Yeah?

Thought you wanted to hit a baseball.

Are you kidding?

No, I never kid.

You know, they'll fire you if they catch us. You know that, right?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, Ben, they've done that.

You can handle it. Call them.

Nell called again. They still haven't found Steve.

She and Emery went back to the hospital to wait.

And there's a package from Regency Sales Club on the kitchen table.

My action figure!

My cards!

Well, I'm going to head back.

Did you check the varsity?

Yeah, I've been there, the pool hall, just about everywhere. I'm running out

places to look. I'm about ready to strangle him.

I knew this wasn't a good idea. I just knew it.

Not so fast.

While we're all waiting to see how this little adventure of Matt's turns out,

you can help me with tomorrow's muffin order.

Oh, I can. I got rehab exercises, then homework and stuff.

Oh. Me too. The homework part.

Plus, Laura invited me to sleep over. It's Friday. You have the whole weekend

do homework, and you're not sleeping anywhere tonight. You're going to stay

until the delivery man comes tomorrow morning at 5 a .m.

Boy, the job's really getting to her.

Yeah, I'm sure it's hard getting used to it after not working for so long.

Three for the Cookie Man.

Three for Grandpa.

Three for the Crown.

One for Daddy.

That's ten, right?

Sorry you didn't get your tick doll yet.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

No word. No, no, there's no word.

How stupid is that, hiring Matt Camden? A 17 -year -old boy looking after our

son? I mean, what was I thinking? The problem is we weren't thinking. We're

tired to think. Look, I'm sure they'll be back soon. And when they are,

everything will be okay.

Would you be so calm if this was your kid?

If he were my kid, I would have taken him out myself. I've already told you as

much.

Look, I'm sure Steve is okay.

And I really wouldn't worry about Matt Camden.

I have to make rounds. The desk knows to page me the second they get back, okay?

Excuse me.

Marilyn Holmes to admitting.

Marilyn Holmes to admitting.

I'm sorry. I still haven't found her, but I got a feeling I've been going

this all wrong. What do you mean? Well, I've been looking for them at Matt's

hangouts, and it finally occurred to me I should be looking for them where Steve

would hang out.

Where would Steve hang out?

Well... If Steve could do anything he wanted for a day, it would be playing

baseball. You still remember how to get to that baseball camp he went to the

last summer before the diagnosis? Sure.

Let's go.

Wait. Maybe I should wait here in case they come back.

It's okay. The hospital knows how to page me. Come on.

Okay, Lucy. Half a dozen eggs into each bowl, then whisk them.

And Mary, I'd like you to measure out ten cups of flour into each bowl, and

cut one stick of butter into each.

Mom! We're happy to help, really.

It's just, don't you think you'd feel a lot better about this if you did it by

yourself?

What is your sister talking about, please?

Mom, it's just that we are so proud of you, you know? I mean, going to business

by yourself. It's just that we don't want you to think you can't do it alone.

Wait a minute. Now that I'm making muffins for sale, you're proud of me,

weren't proud of me before? No, we didn't say that.

Yeah, this is not a good time to be putting words in our mouths.

Are you kidding? There wouldn't be room enough in there with all your feet.

Did it ever occur to you that I already have a career?

That being a mom to five kids and a minister's wife is a career all in

Did it?

You know, I chose this for myself.

This is what I love to do. I love being a mom and running this house.

That's right. I love it.

And it is a full -time, 24 -hour -a -day job.

Filled with every bit as much challenge and fulfillment as anything else out

there. Plus, it has ten times the variety. I get to be a bookkeeper, a

nurse, a carpenter, a psychologist, a dog walker, a plumber, a handywoman, a

cook, a maid.

And I'm proud of it.

I'm darn proud of it.

Man, I can't believe that I let you two sucker me into thinking that I needed to

be validated by a big corporation in order to be important.

And a male -owned corporation at that.

It's just really hysterical.

I've always had a fairly healthy sense of self -worth, and I let you two talk

into baking a bazillion muffins a day to prove it?

It's the funniest thing I've ever heard. It must have been out of my mind.

Don't get it.

Keep working.

Poor mom.

She doesn't even know what career means.

She just wasn't ready for this.

Oh, hi.

You're in a good mood. Yeah, you could say that.

Oh, then this should make it even better.

What is this?

It's a check.

A check? Yeah.

Wow. Is that a good one or a bad one?

It's not a bad one. It's just that I've baked all the muffins I'm going to bake.

It's over. I quit. I'm done. I'm sorry.

But the test runs 30 days.

Well, no.

After tomorrow, the test run is over. It would be over today, but I'm teaching

Mary and Lucy a lesson.

Annie, we were off to such a good start. Are you sure about this? You can buy

the recipe if you're still interested.

Absolutely I am, but you sure you just don't want to hang in there a little

while longer?

I could, but it's not going to happen. Thanks for the offer.

It's been a pleasure doing business with you.

If you ever change your mind, you call me.

See you outside.

You bet.

Bye.

Mommy? What?

I have a favor to ask from one businesswoman to another.

Oh, there is no way

I'm ever getting married or having kids.

I am, but...

I'm going to make sure that I have a job that pays so much that I can hire

someone to do all this crummy stuff.

Yeah, like who?

Well, you heard her.

Mom loves keeping house. Maybe I'll hire her if she's not too old by then.

You missed the point.

I love doing all this crummy stuff because I love all of you.

Why are you taking off your apron?

Because I quit.

And because Ruthie and I have an errand to run.

But what are we supposed to do?

Well, there's the recipe.

Bake the muffins.

Seriously. It'll be a good way to learn some respect for me and for all the

mothers in the world who work at home.

Oh, and take out the last load of laundry, fold it and put it away, and

something for dinner.

We're all knotted up here in the 12th, but leading off is the kid. Look in this

foil, Camden's no hitter.

Whoa, a grounder up the middle.

Looks like he's going to go for two.

Here comes the third and second. It's going to be... Uh -oh.

Time to face the music.

That's okay.

We're in extra innings anyway.

It's been great, though.

Thanks. It's been great for me, too, kid.

Oh, we were so worried. Are you okay?

You're great. I had the greatest day of my life.

Wish you could have been here.

Yeah, I wish we could have, too.

I'm sorry.

You shouldn't be in a hospital room.

I'm just so afraid.

You don't have to be, Mom.

Please don't be.

Everything's going to be fine, no matter what happens.

If you want me to go back, that's okay.

I've had my day off.

But I'd rather be at home.

So aren't you going to say something?

If I could decide what to say, I would.

This doctor said that. I know. I know what he said. I talked to him.

I love you too, Mom.

A risk is still a risk, though.

This one was a big one.

When I'm sorry I didn't have the courage to take myself.

If something had happened to Steve while he was with you, what would you have

done?

I'm not sure.

Other than I would have gotten him back to the hospital.

If it was too late for that, I guess I just would have held him, been with him.

If something had happened, Dad, at least the kid would have had a day off.

He's dying, and there's nothing anybody can do about it but try to let him live

a little.

They're taking me home! They're taking me home!

There wouldn't be anything else to eat besides muffins by any chance, would

there? You ate three hot dogs for dinner. Mom never makes hot dogs for

If she ever did, she wouldn't count potato chips as a vegetable.

Would you, Mom?

No.

I have a surprise for you. The only surprise I want is the tick.

Is that for me?

Yep.

Where'd it come from?

It's 50 times... It's as big as the one in the catalog.

I bought it for you at the mall with my profit, and I still have the $10 I

wanted left over.

I'm sure there's a lesson in this for me somewhere, huh, Mom?

I know the lesson.

It's do what you love to do.

That means you should stick to savings and loanings.

That's for sure.

Thanks, Dorothy.

I'm sorry you're out of a job.

Again. Me?

What about you? What are you going to do now that you don't have me to follow

around to check up on?

No, who said I'm retiring from that job?

I'm glad you finally found something you're interested in.

And that you're good at.

You know, you could work for the Starlight Foundation or the Make -A

organization.