All language subtitles for My Louisiana Sky (Arkin_ Adam 2001)_WEBRip.1080p.x264.AAC_EN

It had been the worst summer

of my entire life.

Granny received this order

of two dozen chicks

the very day I finished

the sixth grade.

Most folks think

that baby chicks are cute

and fluffy, well they're not.

They bite.

It seems impossible, I know,

but they do it somehow,

the little devils.

They pick and peck and hurt.

They make you bleed.

Tiger, what's taking

you so long?

There you are.

About time you got back.

You got a lot to do before

your daddy gets home.

Yes, ma'am.

Okay, I've done ten

of them, mama.

Is the birthday

cake ready yet?

Corrina, you've asked me

that five times in

the last 20 minutes.

Sorry, mom.

Tiger can finish

the potatoes.

You go on upstairs

and wash your face.

You've got chocolate

around your mouth.

Yes, ma'am.

Tiger, are we gonna play

pin the tail on the donkey?

Not now, mama.

Maybe after supper.

Okay.

Like I said, the summer

was not getting off

to an auspicious start.

My granny taught me

that word.

As far back as I can remember,

she taught be a word a day.

"Auspicious" was one

of my favorites at the time.

After you finish,

you better check on them pigs.

It looks to me like

homer's off his feed.

Yes, ma'am.

Off course,

I was only 12 then,

and there was a whole lot

of things I didn't understand

about the world

the way I do now that I'm 13.

Oh, Corrina.

Yes, maw?

You put on your party dress

and bring down some ribbons.

I'll fix your hair real nice.

Okay, mama.

It was my grannie's birthday

and we were preparing

for a celebration.

Nothing too exciting,

mind you, although I was looking

forward to that chocolate cake.

Oh, it looks really good,

Corrina.

I got a present for you, ma.

I did you a picture.

Oh.

See, it's you and me, and

Dorie Kay when we was little.

I almost forgot

about Dorie Kay,

seeing as how she's not here.

It's really nice, Corrina.

Lonnie.

Lonnie, you're home.

Come inside. We got cake.

Mr. Thompson gave me

some of his special

Camellias for your

mama's birthday.

Oh, they're so pretty.

That's gonna be a surprise,

Lonnie.

Come on, we got

a surprise for mama.

Look, ma.

Oh.

Look what Lonnie brung you.

Oh, how lovely.

Uh, Camellias, ain't they?

Louisiana lady Camellias.

The only ones in

the whole world.

Mr. Thompson said

I could bring them home for

your special day, miss Jewel.

Well, thank you, Lonnie.

Sit down, daddy.

We've got a delicious meal

for this auspicious occasion.

Happy birthday to you,

happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday dear grandma,

happy birthday to you.

Saturday morning,

after a week of rain,

the sun finally

came out again.

But my life still seemed

to have a cloud over it.

Dull, dull, dull.

Then aunt Dorie Kay came

to visit and everything changed.

Aunt Dorie Kay.

Hi, sugar.

Oh, goodness.

Tiger Ann Parker,

let me get a look at you.

You are growing up into

such a young lady.

What are you doing here?

Well, I couldn't miss your

grannie's birthday, could I now?

Dorie Kay!

Dorie Kay! Dorie Kay!

Oh, Corrina.

Whoa, you almost

knocked me over.

Hi.

Oh, goodness.

You're as pretty as a picture

in one of them lady's magazines.

Oh.

Isn't she, Tiger,

isn't she pretty?

She sure is, mama.

Well, it's so nice

to see you, Corrina.

I missed you.

Welcome, Dorie Kay.

Why, thank you, Lonnie.

It's so nice to be here.

I wasn't expecting

to see you.

It's been a while.

Well, I thought I'd come

for your birthday, mama.

My birthday was yesterday.

Okay, come inside,

before you get them city clothes

all messed up.

Should I get your bags,

Dorie Kay?

That would be lovely.

They're right in

the front seat there.

Oh, I like that one.

Look at her hat, and her hair,

and her hair looks kind of

like yours.

You have such

a good eye, Tiger.

I like that one.

Can I cut that out?

Sure.

Okay.

What's that?

Well, it looks

like a truck to me.

Are you expecting

something from Mitchell's?

No, ma'am.

It must be a mistake.

Well, why don't

you go see, honey?

Excuse me, sirs, but do

you have the right house?

For the family of

Jewel Ramsey and Lonnie Parker?

That's our grandma and daddy.

That's us, that's us.

Would you like some iced tea?

What is that?

What's in there?

Hold on, Corrina.

You best take that box back.

I didn't order anything

from Mitchell's.

According to this here paper,

ma'am, it was ordered

and paid for

by miss Doreen Kay Ramsey.

What'd you get this for?

I got it for

your birthday, mama.

It's your present.

It's so big.

You didn't have

to get me nothing.

Oh, you two.

My goodness.

That's mighty kind of you,

Dorie Kay.

That musta cost you

a whole lot of money.

Oh, it didn't.

How do you get

the picture to come on?

You plug it in, Corrina.

Look.

Nothing's happening.

Oh, you have

to turn the knob.

Tiger, would you like

to do the honors?

Yes.

This is the most exciting

moment of my entire life so far.

Right now, something never

before attempted on television,

an amazing test

of automatic washers

right here in our studio.

Here's Betty furness with

a trial of the washers.

Yes, tonight you're gonna

see a trial of four

of america's leading

automatic washers,

including the laundromat,

to see just how well they wash

and rinse your clothes.

These four ladies are four

leading club women from

the New York state

and New York City

federation of women's clubs.

And they're here

to represent you.

One, two, three.

Okay, Tiger,

go get her, Tiger.

Oh, Corrina.

Well, that's the kind

of action we like to see

at Hollywood regional stadium.

Bang, out of the ring.

Out of his corner

came Red Berry.

You spent too much.

I was trying to get you

something nice for your

birthday, something that

the whole family could enjoy.

Well, we sure could

have enjoyed a new toaster.

You should be

saving your money.

Well, I work hard,

and I spend sensibly.

I suppose it's sensible

to have a colored maid

that cleans your apartment

and cooks your meals.

It most certainly is, mama.

I mean, most days I wake up

at the crack of dawn, I'm not

home until late in the evening.

If I didn't have magnolia,

I'd never get

a home-cooked meal.

I don't have a maid

in my kitchen.

I best cook my own stew.

Mama, why do we have

to argue about everything?

Tiger, stop that silliness.

I need you to help me here

in the kitchen.

Tiger, now come on in here.

Yes, ma'am.

You want to wrestle?

Okay, now, you be good,

and you take care

of your mama, okay?

I will.

I'm gonna miss you, too.

I'll miss you, too.

Corrina, this is

the last one, honey.

Don't go.

I'll be right back, okay.

I'll see you real soon.

Oh, honey.

Now, you take care

of your mama, okay?

I will.

Corrina, you stop

you're crying.

You're gonna make me cry, too.

She'll be fine.

Bye.

It's okay, mama.

I miss her bad.

I wish we could go

and visit her in Baton Rouge.

It must be so exciting

living in a big city.

Uh-oh.

What's the matter, daddy?

Rain.

Mrs. Thompson said

it's a perfect day for a picnic.

Nope. It's gonna rain.

You hear them frogs?

No.

You gotta listen

more careful.

I...

I keep telling you, Tiger,

if you watch and

you listen to the earth,

it talks to you.

It's never talked

to me, daddy.

Not talk like,

"how're you doing today?"

But it's different.

Different.

You know how spiders

build shorter and thicker

webs before a storm?

Yeah.

And grasshoppers, they chirp

loudest when it's hot?

I reckon that's true,

all right.

Them frogs, well, they croak

real loud right before a rain.

It's gonna rain, soon.

Listen good, Tiger.

Nothing.

Don't worry,

one day you'll hear.

Abby Lynn, when's your new

swimming pool gonna be ready?

Any day now, Jesse Wade.

We have

the sweetest new calf.

My daddy says that

I can keep her as a pet.

I'm calling her pansy.

We used to have a goat

named buttercup.

Well, friends, as

the old saying goes,

"if you want to make god laugh,

tell him your plans."

Thank you, sister arlette,

for arranging

this impromptu recital.

You children sing with

the voices of angels.

And when those sweet voices

reach heaven, well I know that

the rains will cease,

so we can enjoy our picnic.

Amen, amen.

Stand up, stand up

for Jesus

ye soldiers of the cross

let tyre's royal banner

it must not suffer loss

from victory unto victory

his army shall be free

till every foe is vanquished

and Christ is lord indeed

hey, Tiger.

Jesse Wade.

Want to hit a few?

Nope.

What's the matter with you?

Nothing.

Just giving up the game.

What?

You heard me.

Well, that's stupid.

You can hit the ball farther

than anybody in satter.

Have you lost

your golden swing?

Of course not.

That's it, isn't it?

Tiger Ann Parker

has lost her golden swing.

I can outbat you any day.

I'm not so sure

about that any more.

Where do you want it to go?

Name the place.

Right over there.

Hurry up.

I ain't got all day.

Now, doesn't that

make you want to play?

Nope.

What?

Are you crazy, Tiger?

You got sunstroke, or something?

Jesse Wade, a girl has

to grow up some time.

I don't think that will

be necessary, Rick.

I've got my key right here,

someplace.

Oh, that's too bad.

I could have been a hero.

And I could see

the headlines, now.

"Extra, extra, small boy climbs

down through chimney,

rescues family."

What in tarnation?

Fox.

The baby chicks.

Come on, shoo.

Shoo!

Where's all

the other baby chicks?

A possum must have got them.

Oh, poor babies.

You're mighty quiet,

young lady.

Do you know anything about this?

Yes, ma'am.

I'm afraid I left

the gate open this afternoon.

Then I'm afraid

you owe me two dozen chicks.

That's fair, granny.

But I haven't got any money.

Then you'll just have

to earn some, starting bright

and early tomorrow morning.

Morning, ladies, Lonnie.

Good morning, Otis

good morning.

You'd best stay

out of shorty's way.

He be in one of his moods.

I want these out of my way.

Well, I best get to work.

Bye, Lonnie.

Lonnie.

Mr. Thompson.

Morning, miss Jewel,

miss Corrina.

And you brought a helper.

How are you doing, Tiger?

Just fine, Mr. Thompson.

Well, it's my pleasure

to have Lonnie Parker's

daughter working here.

Do you realize your daddy

has never missed

a day on the job

since he was 15 years old?

I wish I had ten more like him.

Where's Jesse Wade,

Mr. Thompson?

Sleeping.

Arlette thinks he'll break

in two if he lifts

a finger around here.

I sure do want to thank you

for those Louisiana

lady Camellias, Woodrow.

They're the prettiest

things I ever seen.

Totally my own creation, too.

Eight years in the making,

they was.

Oh, well, I declare.

Got a man in Dallas

very interested.

I could make a nice

little sum of money.

Well, you ladies take care.

It looks like it's gonna be

a scorcher today.

Oh, here, put these on.

Thanks, mama.

Oh, granny, I'd die if

Jesse Wade saw me in this thing.

Well, you'll just have

to take your chances, child,

because if you don't,

you'll be freckled as

a leopard by the end

of the day.

Now, come on,

let's get to work.

Refreshments.

Oh, that's mighty nice

of you, Mrs. Thompson.

Merci, Jesse Wade.

You hear about

Abby Lynn's new swimming pool?

Swimming pool? No.

That one's a carriage

with three horses.

It looks like a dragon to me.

It's a carriage, Tiger Ann.

Why do you always have

to be right about everything?

It's not a carriage,

it's not a dragon,

it's a cloud, Jesse Wade.

Well, I don't see

why you have to get all

riled up about it.

Maybe because I gotta

work out there where

it's hotter than

the fourth of July,

and it's not even my fault,

because I'm not the one

who made me hit the ball

at the hen house

and leave the gate open.

I didn't make you

do anything.

How come you've never done

a lick of work in your life?

What's that got to do

with anything?

Just answer me.

I was sick.

That's when you were a baby.

The way I figure it,

if you can hit a ball

and run a few bases,

you can do a few chores.

You're just spoiled,

Jesse Wade Thompson.

You're a big mama's boy.

And you look stupid

in that goofy hat.

It's a sunbonnet.

You still look stupid.

Get back here,

you big mama's boy.

Turn. Race ya.

Hi, Tiger.

Hi, miss Harris.

Hello, Corrina.

The books was real good,

miss Harris.

Yeah.

I especially liked

the one about that nice bull.

Ferdinand?

Yes.

The words was real hard,

but my Tiger read it to me.

She reads real fine.

Well, you go choose

some new books.

Okay.

I might want to take

that ferdinand book again.

You going to wear

the one you wore?

Yes, lavender

with little stars.

I remember.

I'm gonna have

a swimming party.

I'm sending out

the invitations in the mail.

Mama bought me special pink

envelopes with little

white roses on the back.

Why, hello, Tiger Ann.

Hi, Abby Lynn.

How is patsy?

Patsy, don't believe

I know a patsy.

Your calf.

That would be pansy.

She's fine, thank you.

Tiger.

Tiger Ann, I think

your mama's looking for you.

Tiger, where are you?

Oh, oh, I didn't know

where you were.

I thought you forgot me.

It's okay, mama. It's okay.

Let's go home, okay?

Your turn.

No, thanks.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

I just don't feel like it.

Well, you kicked rocks

when we came.

Why don't you want to play now?

Because, I don't feel

like it.

Why are you mad at me, Tiger?

What'd I do, Tiger?

Mama, why'd you have

to go make a fuss

and hugging me back there?

Oh, did I squeeze you

too tight? Did I?

Just forget it.

That's all there was, granny.

One was broken.

Oh, that noise box is

spooking those hens now.

Your mama is spending too much

time in front of that thing.

I know.

Yesterday, when daddy came home,

she didn't even notice.

I could tell his feelings

were hurt.

Well, this morning,

I asked her to help me

hang up the wash.

You know what she said?

What?

"To the moon, Alice."

Now, that doesn't

make any sense to me at all.

So I figure it comes

from that noise box.

I don't see how anyone

with an ounce of sense

could like a dumb puppet show.

You mean anybody

but your mama?

I didn't say that.

Your new word for today

is prevaricate.

It means to lie.

I'm not lying.

It also means

to speak evasively.

Did somebody say

something about your mama?

Not exactly.

Well, they either did,

or they didn't.

Now, which is it?

I left her in the bookmobile

when I went into the gym with

the other kids,

and she got scared,

and she came running at me

all wild and crying.

And you were embarrassed.

I want to go to Abby Lynn's

swimming party so bad.

But now I know

she'll never invite me.

Well, if she wouldn't invite

you because of that,

then she isn't somebody

you want to be your friend.

Oh, Tiger, people are

afraid of what's different.

But that doesn't mean

different is bad.

It just means different

is different.

I wish that...

What?

What do you wish, child?

I wish mama

wasn't different.

Sometimes I do, too.

Granny! Granny!

What is it?

What's wrong now, child?

I'm bleeding.

Did that rooster turn on you?

From inside.

I'm bleeding from inside.

Well, I'll get some rags.

You've got the curse.

The curse?

From now on, you can look

forward to it every month until

you're too old to have babies.

And then thank the lord,

it's over.

That's the only good thing

I can think of

about getting old.

I'm ready, ma.

Ma's gonna show me

how to make blackberry pie.

What's wrong?

I'm bleeding, like,

I got the curse.

Oh, Tiger.

Tiger, I'm so happy.

I'm so happy.

It's a curse.

Grandma just said so.

It's a curse.

Oh, that's not true.

It's beautiful.

Well, I mean,

it's kind of messy,

and sometimes your tummy

hurts bad, but, Tiger,

I couldn't have had you until

I was bleeding every month.

And having a baby,

having you, well,

that was the best thing

that ever happened.

Oh, I love you, Tiger.

I got a lot of work

to do in the garden.

I want you to be

in charge of lunch.

Granny, do you think

it's unusual I'm so flat?

Child, you're 12 years old.

Not for long.

Abby Lynn Anders

wears a brassiere.

The same with Annette gills

and Carlene Hutson.

I can't even fill up

this baggy old swimsuit.

Well, my mama always said

that trees bud at different

times in the spring.

Well, spring has come and

gone, and I'm still not budding.

You will be.

You're on your way

to becoming a woman now.

I can't really ever

imagine becoming a woman.

Granny, would you say

I was pretty?

Pretty, don't you go

wasting your time thinking

about that kind of nonsense.

You're smart,

and that's more important.

You going down to the creek?

Yes, ma'am.

Well, it's hot enough for

a swim, that's for sure.

Just make sure

that you're back in time

to fix some lunch.

I will be.

Oh, goodness,

that Jesse Wade is so forgetful.

Were the two of you supposed

to go to the swimming party

together?

Swimming party?

He already left for

Abby Lynn's house?

Yes. I'm so sorry.

Do you need a ride, mon cher?

I'll be fine. I can walk.

I'll see Jesse Wade later.

Well, have fun, Tiger Ann.

I hate you, Abby Lynn Anders,

I hate you.

Tiger.

Tiger.

I looked all over for you

at Abby Lynn's.

After a while,

I asked where you were.

When she told me you

weren't invited, I left.

Great. Now, everyone knows

I wasn't invited.

Oh, I'm sorry.

It's not fair.

I didn't do anything to them.

Her pool is no big deal.

This is much nicer.

Tiger.

Tiger, Tiger!

Tiger?

Loosens dirt,

floats it away,

yet lestoil leaves no film,

grit or scratches, even for

highly polished surfaces.

Cleaning with lestoil

is quicker, easier,

more economical.

Tiger?

It's so easy when

you use lestoil.

Come in.

Can't sleep?

No, ma'am.

Granny, when was

the first time you were kissed?

Oh, my goodness, I swear,

I never know what is gonna

come out of that mouth of yours.

Now, what in the world

would make you want to ask me

a question like that?

I'm just aiming

to find out about life.

A girl has to know

about these things.

Oh, well, nighttime's for

sleeping, not for chattering.

Come on, turn off the light.

Get it bed.

Lay here, here you go.

Tiger, I've been thinking

about what we talked about

the other day, about your mama

being different.

Well, the thing is,

your mama may have

a simple mind,

but her love is simple, too.

It flows from her like

a quick, easy river.

Now, you may not understand

that now, but one day you will.

Turn over.

You know, when I was young,

my best friend

was Rowena Johnson.

And she was my maid of honor.

Well, Rowena was

flatter than a pancake.

But all the folks they thought

she was the most beautiful gal

in the whole county.

What?

Jesse Wade, what do

you want now?

I was just walking.

It's a free country.

Well, walk someplace else.

Tiger Ann, I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have kissed you,

not so soon, anyway.

I kind of sprung it on you.

Sprung it on me?

Jesse Wade, I never

thought of you that way.

Why did you have to go

and ruin everything?

Well, it's just

that I'm kind of mixed up.

I'll say.

Ma!

Go call Dr. Randall.

I'm getting my daddy.

Daddy, daddy!

The doc's here, and

an ambulance is coming, too.

Don't touch me.

Doc, miss Jewel's sick.

Let me take a look

at your mama, Corrina.

Give mama some medicine

and make her feel better.

It looks like miss Jewel

died of a heart attack.

No.

No, you give me

back my mama.

Corrina, Corrina.

You give me back my mama.

Corrina, I'm sorry, we have

to take your mama away now.

No, no, mama.

Let's take her inside.

Mama!

Tiger?

Go home, Jesse Wade,

just go home.

So Lonnie, make sure that

Corrina knows that if she needs

anything, she just has to ask.

You take as much time off

work as you like, Lonnie.

Yes, sir.

Tell Tiger I'll come visit.

I'll do that, Jesse Wade.

You take care, Lonnie.

I wished I could turn back

the clock and change things.

I'd forget about that

stupid swimming party.

I'd forget about

Jesse Wade kissing me.

I'd help granny more.

I'd watch her real careful

and make sure she wasn't ever,

ever sick with her heart.

Oh, come here, baby.

Oh, that's all right.

That's okay.

Tiger, listen to me, listen.

You're gonna be okay.

All right?

I know it's hard.

I'm here now.

You're gonna be okay, sweetie.

It's okay.

Dorie Kay, I'm really sorry

about your mama.

Oh, well, thank you, Lonnie.

Now, how is Corrina?

In bed.

She put on her mama's

old green nightgown,

and she's just lying

there crying her eyes out.

Oh, dear.

She don't want to talk to me.

She don't want to talk

to anybody, daddy.

Dorie Kay, what do you

do when somebody dies?

I don't want you

to worry about a thing, okay?

I'm gonna take care of

everything.

Honey, could you

go grab me a phone book?

And Lonnie, I need you

to fire up that stove.

We need to make a nice,

warm supper.

There's enough food here

to feed an entire army.

I'll get some wood.

I didn't cry at the funeral.

I had to be strong

for mama and daddy.

But nothing seemed real.

And the only thing I wanted

to hear no one could say.

There's a lot of people

at your house.

I didn't need you

to tell me that.

That's why I'm here.

I don't remember

inviting you to join me.

Tiger, do you want me

to just disappear, or what?

I don't know how

I'm supposed to feel about you.

I don't really want

to talk about this right now.

I'm real sorry

about miss Jewel.

Yes, that sounds perfect.

Okay.

Well, you just bill it to me.

Bye-bye. Now.

Corrina? Corrina?

Oh, come on, now.

That is enough, Corrina.

Now it's time to get up.

Lonnie went to work,

and Tiger's got the house

looking all beautiful.

Now, come on,

we have things to do.

Ma's dead.

She went to heaven.

That's right.

Ma is dead.

But you are not.

And Lonnie's not,

and I'm not,

and neither is Tiger.

Now, what kind of mother lies

in bed when she has

a child to tend to?

Oh, no. I've been bad.

Corrina.

Tiger's gonna be angry at me.

I'm not mad at you, mama.

And you're not a bad mother.

You've just been real sad.

Oh, baby.

Now, I made it

real simple for you.

There is the total.

I don't rightly see,

Dorie Kay.

What don't you see, Lonnie?

How do you know

how much to pay?

It's right here

on the paper, Lonnie.

It clearly shows

the total owing.

Why, why do they give you all

them numbers if they only want

you to pay one of them?

Now, I heard you talking

about how many plant cuttings

you've made at work, how many

eggs the hens have laid.

What is the difference

between those numbers

and these numbers?

It's just different,

Dorie Kay.

Why?

Them numbers, when I look

at them, well, they,

they dance on the page.

They dance on the page.

My mama always said

I couldn't finish my arithmetic

at school

because I was retarded.

I guess that must be it.

I could talk to brother Dave.

Yes, you could.

You could talk to brother Dave.

Like when your mama gave

miss Eula all them butterbeans

last year, and miss Eula made

them calico curtains

for Tiger's bedroom.

I'm not sure I see

the connection, Lonnie.

I could mow the church lawn

one day a week,

and brother Dave,

he could write up these

here bills one time each month.

Do you think that's fair?

Yes.

Yes, I do.

Mm-mm.

Honey, do you like that flavor?

I could order you

a different one.

No, I'm fine.

You're a little thing,

like me.

I fill up really fast, too.

What did you want to discuss

with me, aunt Dorie Kay?

Tiger, now that your granny

has passed, things are gonna be

quite different for you at home.

I'm really gonna miss her.

Well, I'm not

just talking about that.

Oh.

Honey, your mama and daddy

are the salt of the earth.

They are sweet,

and loving, and kind.

But the most

that can be asked of them

is that they look

after themselves.

Now, I think with some help,

they can do that.

So I've decided

to ask my maid, magnolia,

to come out for the summer

and to help them out.

Oh, that's good.

Tiger, I've got an idea.

What?

How would you like to come

to Baton Rouge with me to come

get magnolia?

We'd stay for just

a couple of days,

and you'd get a taste

of life in the big city.

But what about mama?

Well, your daddy will be at

home at night, and I'm sure

miss Eula can look in

on her during the day.

Oh, honey, your mama

will be just fine.

I'd really like to, but...

No buts.

We'll have the best time, sugar.

I'll take you sight-seeing.

We could go to

a fine restaurant or two.

You need a little holiday

away from all this.

This is my present to you.

Oh, my goodness.

Corrina, you scared me

lying there like that.

Mama?

Mama?

Why don't I turn on

the TV for you?

I bet a lot of your

favorite shows are on.

It's mama's TV.

I know she'd like

for you to watch it.

Well, guess what, Corrina?

You're gonna have a visitor.

My maid magnolia is gonna

come and take care of you.

Won't that be nice?

Hm.

She'll treat you

like a real queen, Corrina.

She'll wash your clothes,

cook your dinner,

take care of the house.

Now, the best part is,

I'm gonna take Tiger with me

to go pick her up.

Are you coming back?

Of course, mama.

I'll only be gone

for a few days.

Now, I need

to call Otis' wife.

Do you know her name, Corrina?

Willie Mae.

Yes, Willie Mae.

I'll need to call her and ask

if she has a place

for magnolia to stay

in the colored quarters.

Then I need to call

miss Eula.

Oh, I hope she does not keep me

yakking on the phone

with all her nonsense.

Well, that's it.

Everything's all loaded up.

Goodbye, Lonnie.

So long, Dorie Kay.

Thank you for coming.

Okay, now, don't you worry,

Corrina.

I'm gonna

take good care of Tiger.

I'll see you soon, mama.

You're my special girl,

Tiger.

Don't you forget that.

Granny used to say that

wanting adventure was foolish.

And I hated to disagree

with her, especially now.

But I was sure looking

forward to this adventure.

What?

Oh, do I have lipstick

on my teeth?

No, I was just thinking.

What about?

You don't seem sad,

aunt Dorie Kay.

Sad?

Like mama.

Don't you miss grannie?

Oh, I lost my mama

a long time ago.

You know, it wasn't easy

being your mama's sister,

honey.

I had a lot

of responsibilities.

I know mama can be

a lot of work.

But she can't help

the way she was born.

I have so much

to show you, honey.

I think you're really gonna

like Baton Rouge.

Honey?

Honey, wake up.

We're here.

So, what do you think?

I feel like I just

stepped into one of them

Hollywood movies.

Home, sweet home.

Eat your heart out,

Abby Lynn Anders.

And in the bathroom,

you just turn on the faucet

and the water comes out,

as hot as you like.

No trips to the well, or taking

a bath in that old aluminum tub

on the porch.

So you know, last week on TV,

I saw some lady taking

a bubble bath.

Well, tonight you can

take one.

Come on, let me show you

your room.

Well, do you like it?

I love it.

Oh, good.

I didn't know if it would be

too much, or...

Well, why don't you

make yourself comfortable

and get unpacked?

And I'll make us a snack.

Okay.

Okay.

Daddy.

Well, look at you.

Now you look like you

really belong in Baton Rouge.

I can't thank you enough

for all these fine things,

aunt Dorie Kay.

Oh, listen, honey,

there's something

I've been meaning

to talk to you about.

I don't go by Dorie Kay here.

Oh, you don't?

No, I go by

my given name, Doreen.

And I'd like for you

to call me that, too.

Okay.

I might slip up once in a while,

but I'll try real hard.

You know, Tiger,

you can really reinvent

yourself in Baton Rouge.

That's what I did

when I first came here.

How?

Well, let's see, I used to

practice all the voice patterns

of ladies on radio commercials,

and then I would study

different fashion magazines

and I even went

to expensive restaurants,

and I would order some tea,

and I would just sit,

and I would watch the way

people with class ate.

Hm.

I, I guess I shouldn't do that.

Sometimes I shudder to think

what I looked like

when I first came here.

The clothes I wore,

and my hairdo,

oh, goodness gracious.

You're just about perfect,

now, aunt Doreen.

You're the most sophisticated

person I've ever known.

Oh, well, thank you, Tiger.

I made you some cocoa.

This is you

and my mama, isn't it?

Yes.

Mama's eyes,

they look different.

Different?

What do you mean?

Like, like

they're seeing more.

When your mama was younger,

she knew every

nursery rhyme by heart.

One of my first memories of

Corrina is of her laughing

and reciting "Jack and Jill."

And then at the end,

we would both go tumbling,

and tumbling.

Mama was born smart,

like regular kids?

Yes, she was.

But what happened to her?

Well...

When I was very young,

I used to climb everything.

You couldn't

keep me on the ground.

And even though Corrina

was only six at the time,

she would follow me around

like a mother hen,

making sure that I didn't

hurt myself.

And so one day my mama,

your grannie, left the ladder

leaning up against

the old oak tree.

My oak tree,

where my swing is?

Yes.

And so I went climbing up

the ladder,

all the way to the top,

and I grabbed

hold of this branch.

And Corrina came up after me.

And she reached out for me,

and she lost her balance,

and then she fell to the ground.

She broke her arm, but it was

her head that got hurt the most.

And the doctors said

that she would never,

never get right again,

and that she'd always

be like a six-year-old.

Mama never forgave herself

for leaving that ladder out.

And she never forgave me

for climbing up the tree.

Why didn't anyone tell me?

Oh, honey.

Well, your grannie didn't

want to talk about it, ever.

And I didn't have

much memory of it myself.

How did you find out?

Well, when I was about

your age, I was feeling really

frustrated because I had to take

Corrina with me everywhere.

And it's a terrible thing

to admit, but I was

embarrassed by my sister.

And so one day I was going

on and on about

how unfair it all was.

And mama sat me down,

and she told me the whole story.

And that was the only time

she ever talked about it.

Honey, I cannot tell you

how much guilt I felt.

But you were a baby.

It wasn't your fault.

Good morning, miss Tiger,

you want some breakfast?

Yes, ma'am.

And if you don't mind,

I prefer to be called Ann,

I feel it's more auspicious.

Well, all right,

then, miss Ann.

And you can call me magnolia.

Pleased to meet you,

miss magnolia.

Where is aunt Dorie...

aunt Doreen?

Working.

She's a working girl.

And I guess you could

say I'm her working girl.

Did your aunt tell you

I'd be coming by today?

No, ma'am.

Mm-hmm. Busy, busy,

she's always too busy.

Hold on a minute.

You haven't said grace.

I guess you and me

be seeing a lot of

each other this summer.

Your people ain't

fussy folks, are they?

Oh, no, ma'am.

Good, cause I can't

take no fussy eaters.

I'm making one dinner

for everybody, that's it.

We eat almost anything,

except snails.

I read in this book once

that they eat snails

in Paris, France.

I don't have

no snail recipes.

I hope your folks don't

get too used to my face.

As soon as I can,

I'm headed home.

Didn't sign on for no long trip.

You, you you are my evil one

you, you, you

you are my evil one, baby

look.

Hey.

Movie star!

Nice glasses.

Can I help you,

miss magnolia?

Unh-unh, your aunt pays me

to do the laundry.

If I don't do it, there won't be

no chicken in my pot.

You know, if you're that bored,

you could go to

the post office for me.

Your aunt needs her bills paid,

and she's out of stamps.

Yes, ma'am.

Here are the envelopes.

Now, the post office

is up three blocks,

and across the street.

You be careful, child.

This ain't tatter.

Satter.

Satter, tatter,

what's the difference?

This is a big city.

You don't talk to no strangers,

you hear?

Don't worry, miss magnolia,

I'll be right back.

You sure you want to cut it?

Well, do you have any idea

how you'd like it cut?

I can do any of these.

Can you do this one?

Hepburn, huh?

I can do that blindfolded.

Have you ever had

your hair cut?

Well, not in

a fancy place like this.

Grannie always trims...

trimmed my hair

on full moon day.

What?

On a full moon day.

If you cut your hair on

a full moon day,

it'll grow back faster.

Where are you from?

Satter.

Well, miss satter,

don't go telling anyone

around here that story.

Okay. You can look now.

I told you,

just like the magazine.

I really like it.

How much do I owe?

Two dollars, but

your hair's still wet.

It's all right.

I can dry it when I get home.

Thank you.

Miss magnolia.

Oh, lord.

I'm so sorry, miss magnolia.

Good grief, child,

I was worried

when you didn't come right back.

I'm so sorry.

I heard you the first time.

What have you done to your hair?

Your aunt is gonna kill me.

I wanted to reinvent myself.

Well, at least you done

cut it on a full moon day.

Evening, miss Doreen.

Evening, magnolia.

Where's my niece?

Honey, are you hiding?

Your hair.

It wasn't my idea.

I love it.

You do? Really?

You don't think my nose

looks too big?

No.

Oh, you look very sophisticated,

doesn't she, magnolia?

I'm gonna go get ready

before I miss my bus.

Well, this calls for

a celebration, huh?

Guess what?

I've decided to go by the name

Ann, while I'm here, anyway.

Well, goodbye, Tiger,

and hello, miss Ann Parker.

It sounds real nice.

It sounds really nice, Ann.

Really nice.

You're having a good time,

aren't you?

The best time

I've had in my whole life.

Well, you know,

if you wanted,

it could be permanent.

Permanent?

What do you mean?

I mean, you could come

and stay with me.

We can fix the guest bedroom up

just the way you liked,

and you could even

go to a fancy private school,

with uniforms, and everything.

You'd really like it

if I lived with you?

Oh, yes, very much.

It sounds great, but...

Oh, you, you think about it.

Just consider it, that's all.

Well, this is fine, huh?

Girls night out.

Do you have a boyfriend,

aunt Doreen?

Oh, I'm much too busy.

I don't think any man

would want me.

Why do you ask?

I was just wondering.

Did my mama,

did your grannie mention this?

No, it was miss Eula.

Miss Eula?

Well, you tell her the next time

she asks that I'm doing

just fine on my own, thank you.

That's what grannie

always used to say.

She did?

Whenever miss Eula would go

on the way she does,

granny would always says,

"one thing I can count on,

is my gal Dorie Kay.

She has a good head

on her shoulders."

I didn't mean to make you sad.

You didn't, honey.

You made me very happy.

Now, don't forget, I want you

to really think about

what we discussed.

I have been, aunt Doreen.

And if you decide that's

what you want to do,

I'll come pick you up

at the end of summer, okay?

Bye, aunt Doreen.

Oh, give your mama

a big kiss for me, okay?

Bye-bye.

Okay, um...

You're gonna be okay.

Oh, magnolia,

thank you for doing this.

You call me, okay?

Okay.

Bye, aunt Doreen.

Bye, Ann Parker.

Even though it had only been

a few days, it seemed like

a lifetime ago

that I had left satter.

I was coming back

a different person.

Watch your step, ma'am.

There you go.

Is that gonna be

enough for you?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Okay.

It sure is hot.

Uh-huh.

Miss magnolia,

do you have any children?

I got a son.

His name is Michael.

How old is he?

Nineteen next month.

I guess I'll miss his birthday

this year, the first time ever.

What kind of work does he do?

Well, he's real good with

his hands, he likes to make

bird houses for me.

He don't have

a job right now, though.

These days, the world is

a hard place

for a young negro man to live.

What do you mean?

Your folks know you're

planning to live with your aunt?

How'd you know about that?

I got eyes and ears.

Well, I haven't

decided anything yet.

Uh-huh.

Satter.

Daddy!

Don't worry, it'll grow back.

Daddy, this is miss magnolia.

How do you do?

Welcome, miss magnolia.

Thanks for bringing

Tiger home safe.

Glad to do it.

This way.

Thank you.

It sure is pretty,

this place called satter.

Lord, almighty.

It's not always like this.

It's just on account

of grannie dying.

Corrina,

miss magnolia is here.

Hello, miss Corrina.

I'm magnolia.

Where's Tiger?

Here I am, mama.

Your hair.

Mr. Lonnie,

I'm getting tired

and fading quick.

You mind if I settle in

for the night and

start fresh tomorrow?

Of course not.

It's been a long day traveling.

Is your name Mr. Lonnie?

I could take you over to Otis

and Willie Mae's now,

if you want, miss magnolia.

That would be right fine,

thank you.

I'll see you bright and early

in the morning, miss Corrina.

Miss magnolia,

how did you get here?

I walked.

Ain't nothing

but a little piece.

Besides, you get to see one

of the good lord's miracles

that way.

What miracle?

The sunrise.

Pinks, purples, oranges.

The good lord sure knowed

how to bless each day.

What you doing up so early?

My daddy asked me to help out

at the Thompson's this week.

That's where he works,

at the Thompson's nursery.

Well, your grannie sure

knowed how to keep a kitchen.

I ain't had to hunt for a thing.

I like your mama and daddy.

Mama used to be

like other people.

But she had an accident,

and she was...

I don't need

no explanations, child.

I told you, I like your folks.

Morning, Tiger.

Morning, Jesse Wade.

Jesse Wade, you're up

mighty early.

Yeah, my daddy wanted me

to help out

with all the Louisiana

lady Camellias, and all.

Lonnie, I'm heading out to

Dallas, be back in a few days.

Keep an eye on things

for me, will you?

Yes, sir, Mr. Thompson.

I'll be mighty proud

to keep an eye on things.

Tiger, you sure do look

different somehow.

I guess you're growing up,

just like Jesse Wade.

See you in a couple of days.

Bye, son.

Bye, daddy.

Let's get to work.

I'll show you how

to make cuttings.

Well, my, my, my, looky here.

Morning.

Hey, Lonnie, this here's

a plant nursery,

not a kiddie nursery

now, you take these

here cuttings.

That's all?

You just stick them in the sand?

What happens to them?

They get roots on them.

Ain't that something?

It sure is, daddy.

Well, we take the cuttings

with the roots and we transplant

them in the liner shed.

That's that old shed

over there with no walls.

See, that way

they get the sunshine,

but they stay in the shade.

That's quite a system

you got there.

Well, when they're ready,

we put them in a gallon can

and they go in the hot house.

And when they get too big for

the pots, well, then we plant

them in the field.

I never knew there

was so much to it.

Well, when we're ready

to sell them,

we go and we dig them up

and we cover the root ball

with burlap.

I'm not sure

I can remember all that.

Oh, it ain't

that hard, Jesse Wade.

I can help you

if'n you get stuck.

Come on.

Please, Mr. Bus driver,

can't I come in?

Hm.

Mommy, you made

my pony tail too tight.

Where did you learn

to do that?

My cousin Vernon.

He says all the kids

in Lafayette are doing it.

Why did you go

and cut off all your hair?

It's not all cut off.

Did your daddy really ask you

to come help out at the nursery?

Well, he did need the help.

And I thought

you might be here today.

I wasn't sure if you'd

be mad or not.

Jesse Wade, I'm sorry

I told you to leave me alone.

I wanted to take it back

the minute I said it.

It's just you acted so mushy.

I want to stay your friend.

Me, too, Tiger.

Hi.

What happened to mama?

Well, she had a nice bath.

And then she helped me put

some clean sheets on the beds.

And then she drew me

a picture of all

the baby chicks

you used to have.

My, but she's

a joy to be with.

When I was your age,

my mama laid down and died.

And I had five younger brothers

and sisters to take care of,

and I done it.

Your mama needs you,

and you need her and your daddy.

Anyway, she's gonna be

feeling better any day now,

you just wait and see.

Oh, lord all that laundry.

I'll get it.

The barn's shut tight.

It's getting from bad

to worse out there.

Miss Corrina, I bet you can

finish these here dishes

by yourself.

It's all right, I can do it.

Like, I was saying,

miss Corrina, it sure

would be a help to me

if you was to finish up here.

I want you to

get home safe, magnolia.

I can do them dishes.

Well, now, I knew you could.

Would you ask your daddy

if he would be so kind

as to give me a ride?

Okay.

Take soothing

pepto-bismol

and feel good again.

Look, it's a dress code.

What is it, Lonnie?

Something's happening.

What is it?

I, I don't know.

Since the rain stopped,

I seen birds in every tree

around the house,

blue jays, and Robins,

and sparrows.

They've been chirping

and tweeting like they was

trying to say something.

Listen.

That's pretty.

Oh, that new calf's

named pansy.

Abby Lynn gets to keep her

as a special pet.

Daddy?

Why are you going so fast?

We gotta gather up all

the gallon cans we can find

and carry them over

to the liner shed.

What for?

Something going on, Tiger.

Lonnie, Jesse Wade

said you needed to see me.

Anything wrong?

Mrs. Thompson,

I can't rightly say for sure,

but it seems to me that

something mighty big

is gonna happen.

What do you mean?

There were these birds that

landed in our tree yesterday...

birds in a tree, huh, well,

that's a strange sight,

all right.

There were millions of them

whooping and hollering.

This morning when

the sun came up, they just left.

I don't exactly

understand what you mean.

I reckon them birds,

they know something.

Oh, yeah, they knew

if they kept it up,

they'd have every cat

in satter after them.

What do you think

it means, Lonnie?

I think a really big storm

is coming.

And the birds knew it,

and the cows, too.

Cows?

The Anders' cows, when we

went past them this morning,

they was all bunched

together in the field.

Oh, I've heard of cows

doing that.

Well, do you think that

has anything to do with

the hurricane they're expecting

over in Cameron?

Yeah, I bet it does, mama.

Why, that hurricane's

nowhere near here,

Mrs. Thompson.

We might get us some rain,

but that'll be about it.

And what do you say

we should do?

I reckon that we should

get these Louisiana ladies

safe, because Mr. Thompson

spent a lot of time,

too much time to see

them just washed away.

Okay. Let's get started.

What do we do first?

You're not gonna

listen to him, are you?

He's simple.

He's an idiot.

My daddy is not an idiot.

Mr. Thompson

left Lonnie in charge.

Now, you do what he says.

Well, I ain't taking

no orders from no idiot.

Then you had better leave.

All right, then.

Come on.

Come on, Milton.

If you feel the same way,

Milton, you are

welcome to leave.

I'm sorry, shorty.

I got a family to feed.

We'll see what Mr. Thompson

has to say.

Well, let's get started.

What do we do first?

Mrs. Thompson,

if you don't mind

getting your house dirty,

I was thinking that

that would be the best place

for the plants.

And I reckon we can put down

some sheets of newspapers

so as we don't mess

up your house too much.

Oh, don't worry

about the floor.

Let's get going.

Vite, vite.

Watch out.

It's starting.

Mrs. Thompson,

I think Tiger best

get home and be with her mama.

Okay, of course.

Now, I'll understand

if you need to leave, too.

No, ma'am.

Mr. Thompson told me

to keep an eye on things,

and that's what I'm gonna do.

Are you gonna be

all right, Tiger?

I'll be fine.

Now, Tiger, take

the short cut through the woods.

Okay.

You want me to go with you?

No, Jesse Wade, you best stay

here with your mama.

Hurry, Tiger.

Okay, I will.

Tiger, be very careful.

I will.

Pansy.

What are you doing here,

pansy?

I better get you home.

Come on.

Come on, pansy.

Get on up there, come on.

Come on, pansy,

come on, pansy.

What are you doing

with our calf?

I was returning her.

Next time I'll leave her

to blow away in the hurricane.

What hurricane?

This one.

Where'd you get

your hair cut?

In Baton Rouge when

I went to visit my aunt.

It kind of looks

like Audrey hepburn.

How'd you get out, pansy?

This is wrong.

It's wrong.

She should have

come home by now.

Now, miss Corrina,

she's on her way.

Mrs. Thompson said she only

left a short while ago.

My Tiger is fast, though.

She is fast.

It don't take her this long

from the thompsons.

Well, being in a panic ain't

gonna make things any better.

I got to go look for her.

No, no, no, you can't

go out there, not like this.

That won't make things

any better, no, no.

No. You stay here.

Having the both of

you running around in this.

Tiger!

Tiger!

Tiger!

Tiger!

Here, mama, over here.

Tiger!

Mama! Mama!

Tiger!

Mama, over here!

Where, baby?

This way!

Hold on, I'm coming.

Mama, here, mama.

Don't move. I'm coming.

I'm here, baby.

I'm here now, baby.

Oh, my baby, my baby.

Mama.

Oh, mercy.

Magnolia, are you all right?

No, lord, no.

I'm not all right, Mr. Lonnie.

Did you see any sign of Tiger

or miss Corrina on your way?

They're not here?

No, sir, they're not.

Tiger never did

get back from the Thompson's,

and, and miss Corrina,

well, she just up and took off

right in the worst of it.

Oh, no, I got

to go look for them.

Call Mrs. Thompson.

I've been trying, but

the line's been down

for at least...

oh, my lord.

Hey. Hey.

Let's go home.

Corrina?

Look.

It's grannies bonnet.

Let's go inside

and get some dry clothes.

I can feel her here.

I can, too, mama.

You can?

That's good,

that's real good.

Well, it's been quite a day,

quite a day.

As we sat down to dinner,

a feeling swept over me,

sweeter and warmer

than anything I had ever known.

And despite all the pulled up

trees and broken branches,

I felt my head

and my heart clear.

I was home, and that's

exactly where I wanted to be.

I guess you could say

that's the end of the story.

But it isn't, really.

Life has a way

of surprising you.

Things always keep changing

and growing,

kind of like cutting

your hair on a full moon day.