All language subtitles for Where The Heart Is 2000 DvdRip x264 LKRG

[ 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 5 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 ]

[ Radio:Rock ]

[ WillyJack Singing ]
Sometimes I wonder

Will I ever make it home

- [ Snoring ]
- Sometimes I wonder

Will I ever make it home

[ Continues Snoring ]

I been gone so long
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--

- 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.

[ Humming ]

[ Woman ] Do you mind ?

[ Toilet Flushes ]

[ Continues Humming ]

Thank you.

[ Novalee Sighs Loudly ]

- [ Sighs Ecstatically ]
- Mommy !

[ Register Beeping ]

- Ma'am, here's your change.
- Hmm ? Oh, sorry.

Five dollars and 5 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-- 1 0, 1 1 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, 1 2:00 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 ]
You said you was the king of love

[ 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.

We could wait on that plan
make all new strategy

And when it hits the fan
make it what we want it to be

And wanna get higher then
higher than you've ever been

What about you
What about you

Shake it up, shake it down
You can feel it all around

[ Thunder Rumbling ]

[ Radio ]
I know that your memory lives

- [ 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.

$21 8 in your pocket and 1 4 cartons
of Winston Light 1 00s...

in a plastic sack
in the trunk of your car.

By the strangest damn coincidence,
that's exactly what someone stole...

from the 7-1 1 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.

- [ Radio Starts ]
- [ Alarm Clock Rings ]

Comes down
to just one moment

No way
you can control it

Somehow your heart will know
the place and time

It won't change your world
but it just might change your life

[ 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.

I-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 ?

I-- 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.

- 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 1 5,
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 $1 0.''

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 $1 0.

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, I--
- That's okay, I--

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!
- I--

All right. So,

- I'll see you soon.
- Uh-huh.

Oh, uh--

- Good-bye.
- Bye.

- Forney!
- [ Sighs ]

- You may find
- [ Inmate ] Shut up!

Look inside
and find the part

[ Sighs ]

- Look inside and find the part
that's leadin' you
- Shut the hell up!

Jack. Hey,Jack--

- [ Grunting ]
- [ Inmates Yelling ]

[ 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 ] Only you

Can make this world

[ 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--

Can make the darkness bright

Only you

And you alone

Can thrill me like you do

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 1 5...

- 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.

- 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, I-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'.

[ Rock & Roll ]

[ Chattering ]

[''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.

[ Guitar ]

Sometimes it's hard

You don't wanna look
over your shoulder

'Cause you don't want to

Remember where you've been

There'll come a time
you'd die

If you could only hold her

I know that's where I am

So listen
with all your heart

Hold it inside forever

You may find all your dreams
have already

Come true

Look inside
and find the part

That's leading you

That's the beat
of the heart

[ 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 ?

[ Country Rock ]

So listen
with all your heart

- Hold it inside forever
- [ Glass Shattering ]

- [ Grunting ]
- You may find all your dreams
have already come true

- [ 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 ]

You may find all your dreams

Have already come true

Look inside
and find the part

That's leadin' you

That's the beat of the heart

No one

Can tell you
how to get there

It's a road you take

All by yourself
Come on, Americus. Sing with me.

- All by yourself
- All by yourself

Oh, that song !

All your heart

- Hold it in--
- [ 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 1 909.

- Comes to about $41 ,000.
- [ Gasps ]

[ Spits ]
Sorry.

[ Chuckling ]

I'm gonna shake my soul

And release my hold

Givin'up control

And let the rest unfold

'Cause it's a long, long way
from here

- To where we go
- [ Kids Shouting ]

Brownie ! Brownie,
do not lasso your sister !

Take off the training wheels

Lift off the handle bars

I'll drive right through
my fears

And resurrect my heart

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.

I'm gonna shake my soul

And release my hold

I'm givin'up control

I let the rest unfold

'Cause it's
a long, long way

It's a long, long way

From here to where we go

[ 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'reJohnny 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. 1 25.

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'.

MaybeJohnny 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, I-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 ?

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 ]

I give my all

Or not at all

There's no in-between

I'll give my best

Won't second guess

This feeling deep in me

I give my heart
Give my soul

I won't hold back
I'll give you everything

- [ 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, I--
- 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.

[ Wedding Recessional ]

[ Laughing, Clapping ]

- You like that, huh ?
- Ah !

[ Shutter Clicking ]

[ Rhythm & Blues ]

Mustang Sally

[ 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 ]

All you wanna do is
ride around, Sally

Ride, Sally, ride

[ Laughing ]

Can't he see
my head is reeling

-There's so many things
I'm feeling
- [ Laughing ]

- [ Laughing, Chattering ]
-Don't know what I'm thinking

Oh, I'm so in love

Pardon me
if I seem distant

[ 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.

I-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.

Away

Beyond

The blue

Away

Beyond

The blue

I'm open !

One star

Belongs to you

One star

Belongs

To you

And every breath

I take

-And every breath
-And every breath

I take

-I'm closer to
-I'm closer to

That place

-I'm closer to
-I'm closer to

That place

[ Chattering ]

Oh.

[ Chattering, Indistinct ]

[ Chattering ]

Novalee ?

Novalee !

Novalee.

What are you doing here ?

- I--
- 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. I--

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.

There you are

In the early light of day

There you are

In the quiet words I pray

I've been blessed

-[ Continues ]
- [ Woman On P.A.]
Attention, Wal-Mart shoppers...

and wedding guests.

Our garden center is running
a special on potting soil and rakes.

-Every time I turn around
- [ Cheering ]

When I'm lost
and when I'm found

Like an angel
standing by

There you are

Every time I take a breath

And when I forget to breathe

You're watchin'over me

There you are

When I'm looking
for the light

In the middle of the night

Searching
for the brightest star

There you are

The cool grass
of the river bank

We were lyin'there
We were soakin' wet

Feelin'things
we'd never felt

We were jumpin'in
deep as we could get

-That night
-That night

-That night
-That night

-The moon so bright
-The moon so bright

-And your touch,your kiss
-Your touch,your kiss

-Let's keep it like this
-Keep it like this

I wanna grow young with you
baby

And cheat old Father Time

I wanna grow young with you
baby

Make sure that sun
keeps shining on us

Crazy barefoot
lovesick kids

With fearless hearts
and souls

I wanna grow young with you
baby

Too young to ever grow old

Oh

Yeah,yeah

Oh,yeah

No fear, no rules

We'll be love's fools
just like we were

That night

The moon so bright

-We took a chance
-We took a chance

-We danced the dance
-We danced the dance

-Your touch,your kiss
-Your touch,your kiss

-Let's keep it like this
-Keep it like this

I wanna grow young

With you, baby

I wanna grow young

Let's be those

Crazy barefoot
lovesick kids

With fearless hearts
and souls

I wanna grow young with you

Too young to ever grow old

Sometimes it's hard
You don't wanna

Look over your shoulder

'Cause you don't want to

Remember where you've been

There'll come a time you die

If you could only hold her

'Cause I know

That's where

I am

So listen
with all your heart

Hold it inside forever

You may find all your dreams

Have already come true

Look inside
and find the part

That's leading you

'Cause that's the beat
of the heart

No one

Can tell you
how to get there

It's a road you take

All by yourself

All by yourself

All by yourself

So listen
with all your heart

Hold it inside forever

You may find all your dreams

Have already come true

Look inside
and find the part

That's leading you

'Cause that's the beat of

Oh, it's the sweetest sound

'Cause that's the beat of

The heart

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