Original subtitles

[music]

[music]

[music] Heat. Heat.

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

>> It had been the worst summer of [music]

my entire life.

Granny received this order of two dozen

chicks the very day I finished sixth

[music] grade.

Most folks think that baby chicks are

cute and fluffy. Well, they're not. They

bite, which seems impossible, I know,

but they do it somehow of little devils.

They pick and peck and hurt. They make

you [music] bleed.

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

>> There you are.

[music]

About time you got back, you had a lot

to do before your daddy gets home.

>> Yes, ma'am.

>> Okay, I've done 10 of them. Mama,

>> are the birthday cake ready yet?

>> You've asked me that five times in the

last 20 minutes.

>> Sorry, Mom.

>> Tiger can finish the potatoes. You go on

upstairs, wash your face. You got

chocolate around your mouth.

>> Yes, ma'am. Tiger, we going to play pin

and tail on the donkey.

>> Not now, mama. Maybe after supper.

>> Okay.

>> Like I said, the summer was not getting

off to an apicious start. My granny

taught me that word. As far back as I

can remember, she taught me a word a

day. Allpicious was one of my favorites

at the time.

>> After you finish, you better check on

them pigs. Looks to me like Homer's

office feed.

>> Yes, ma'am.

>> Of 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, Karina.

>> Yes, Mom.

>> You put on your party dress and bring

down some ribbons. I'll fix your hair

real nice.

>> Okay, mama.

>> It was my granny's birthday and we are

preparing for a celebration.

Nothing too exciting, mind you.

Although, I was looking forward to that

chocolate cake.

Oh, it looks really good. Karina,

I got a present for you, ma.

>> How did you picture? [laughter]

>> See, it's you and me and Dory K when we

was little. Well, I almost forgot about

Dory K seeing as how she's not here.

It's really nice, Karina.

Lonnie,

[music]

you're home.

Come inside. We got cake.

>> Mr. Thompson [music] gave us some of his

special chameleas for for your mom's

birthday.

>> They're so pretty. It's going to be a

surprise. Lonnie, come on. We got to

surprise mom.

[laughter]

>> [music]

>> Look, Mom.

Look what Lonnie brought you. Oh, how

lovely.

Oh, chameleas. Ain't it?

>> Louisiana lady chameleas. The only ones

in the whole world. Miss Thompson said I

could bring them home for your special

day, Miss Juel.

>> Well, thank you, Lonnie.

>> Sit down, Daddy. We've got a delicious

meal for this apicious occasion.

Happy birthday [singing]

to you.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday dear. [singing]

Happy birthday to youar.

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 Dor K came to visit and

everything changed.

H Dory K.

Hi Sugar.

Oh goodness. Tiger and 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 granny's

birthday, could I? Na. [laughter]

Dark

forever.

Whoa, you almost knocked me over.

>> Hi.

>> Oh goodness.

>> You're as pretty as a pitch in one of

them ladies magazines. Ain't she

tighter? Ain't she pretty?

>> She sure is, mama.

>> It is so nice to see you. I missed you.

>> Welcome, Dor.

>> Well, thank you, Lonnie. It's so nice to

be here.

I wasn't [music] 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, Dor?

>> That would be lovely. They're [snorts]

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, sir, but do you have the

right house

>> for the family of Jewel Ramsay and

Lonnie Parker?

>> That's my grandma and daddy. That's us.

That's us. Would you like some iced tea?

>> What is that? What's in there?

>> Hold on, Karina. You best take that box

back. I didn't order anything from

Mitchell's.

>> According to this hair paper ma'am, it

was ordered and paid for by Miss Dorine

K. Ren.

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.

>> [laughter]

>> MY GOODNESS.

>> That's might kind of Dora K. That must

have cost you a whole lot of money.

>> Oh, it did.

>> How do you get the picture to come on?

>> You plug it in, Karina.

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 [sighs]

amazing test of automatic washers right

here in our studio. Here's Betty

Fessette with the trial of the washer.

>> Yes. Tonight, you're going to 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.

[screaming]

>> Okay, got it.

>> Go get it, Tiger.

She's

>> Well, that's the kind of action we like

to see at Hollywood Legion Stadium.

Dang, out of the ring. Out of his corner

came Red Bar. He whipped deep.

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 crackadon. 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,

>> come on in here.

>> Yes, ma'am.

>> And Wildberry is a very sad citizen.

Indeed's

fan club here tonight.

>> Want to wrestle

>> in the back of the auditorium and it

says [laughter]

wrestlers.

>> Okay. Now you be good and you take care

of your mama. Okay.

>> I will. I'm going to miss you.

>> I I'll miss you too,

Karina. This is the last one. Honey,

>> so cold.

I'll be right back. Okay. I'll see you

real soon.

>> Oh, honey.

>> Now you take care of your mama. Okay.

>> I will.

>> Karina, you stop your crying. You're

going to make me cry, too.

>> Bye.

>> Bye.

>> It's okay, mama.

>> I miss her.

Wish we could go a visitor in Baton

Rouge. Must be so exciting living in a

big city.

>> Uh-oh.

>> What's the matter of Daddy?

>> Rain.

>> Mrs. Thompson said perfect day for a

picnic.

>> No, it it's going to rain. You hear them

frogs?

No.

>> Got to 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 you doing today, but

it's 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 would they quote real loud

right before rain.

[music]

It's going to rain soon.

Listen

good, Tiger.

>> Nothing.

>> Don't worry. One day [music] you'll

you'll hear.

[music]

Abby Lynn, when did you get swimming

pool's going to be ready?

>> Any day now. Just wait.

We have the sweetest new cat. My daddy

says that I can keep her Russ's head.

I'm calling her Panda. 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 Arlet, for arranging

this impromptu recital. Your children

sang with the voices of angels. And when

those sweet voices reach heaven, will I

know that the rains will cease so that

we can enjoy our picnic.

Amen. Amen.

[laughter]

>> Stand up. [music] Stand up for Jesus.

Be solders [music and singing]

of the cross.

Lift high [music and singing] as royal

men.

It must [music] not [singing] suffer

loss.

From victory unto victory [music]

his army shall he lead.

Till [music and singing] every foe is

vanquished

[music] and Christ is [singing] Lord in

me.

>> 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 Saturn.

Have you lost your golden swing?

>> Of course not.

>> That's it, is it? Tiger and Parker has

lost her golden swing. I cannot bet you

any day.

>> I'm not so sure about that anymore.

Where'd you want it to go? Name the

place.

>> Don't think that'll be necessary, Rick.

I've got my key right here someplace.

>> Oh, that's too bad. I could have been a

hero. Yeah, I can see the headlines now.

Extra extra small boy climbs down

through chimney rescues family.

[laughter]

>> The baby chicks.

>> Come on. Shoot. Shoot.

>> Where's all the other baby chicks?

>> Pawsome must have got them.

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 just have to earn some. Start

bright and early tomorrow morning.

>> Morning ladies. Blie.

>> Morning.

>> Morning.

>> Best still to shorty's way. He be in one

of his moods.

Y'all

>> best get to work.

Hi, Lonnie.

>> Lonnie, Mr. Thompson. Morning, Miss

Jewel. Miss Coretta, you brought a

helper. How you doing, Tiger?

>> Just fine, Mr. Thompson.

>> Well, it's my pleasure to have Lonnie

Parker's daughter working here. You

realize your daddy never missed a day on

the job since he was 15 years old. Wish

I had 10 more like him.

>> Where's Jesse Way, Mr. Thompson?

>> Sleeping. Plet thinks he'd break in,

too, if he lifts a finger around here.

I sure do want to thank you for those

Louisiana lady chameleas, wardrobe.

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.

Could make a nice little sum of money.

Well, you ladies take care. Looks like

it's going to be a scorcher today.

>> Oh, here. Put these on.

>> Oh, Granny Duck. Jesse Wade saw me in

these things. 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. [snorts]

refreshment.

>> Oh, that's mighty nice of you, Mrs.

Thompson.

Mayor St. Jose

about Abilan's new swimming pool.

Swimming pool? No,

that one's a carriage with three horses.

Look like a dragon to me.

>> It's a carriage. Tiger,

>> 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 cuz I got to work out there where

it's hot in the 4th of July. And it's

not even my fault. Cuz 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, you can hit a ball and run a

few bases. You can do a few chores.

You're just spoiled, Jesse Wayade

Thompson. You're a big mama's boy.

>> And you look stupid in that goofy hat.

>> It's a sun bonnet.

>> You still look stupid.

>> Get back here, you big mama's boy.

>> [laughter]

>> Hi, Tiger.

>> Hi, Miss Harris.

>> Hello, Karina. [laughter]

>> The books was real good, Miss Harris.

>> I I especially like the one about that

nice bull,

>> Ferdinand.

>> Yes, [laughter] 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.

>> Hi, Abin.

How's Pansy?

>> Py?

Don't believe I know of Py?

>> Your calf?

That would be Pansy. She's fine. Thank

you,

>> Tiger.

>> Tiger, I think your mama's looking for

you. Tiger, where are you?

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' I do, Tiger?

>> Mom, why'd you have to go make a fuss in

hugging me back there?

>> Well, did I squeeze you too tight? Did

I?

Just forget it.

>> It's all there was, Granny. One was

broken.

Oh,

>> that noise box is spooking those hens

now.

>> Your mama's 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. 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 announce

like a dumb puppet show.

>> You mean anybody but your mama?

>> I didn't say that.

>> Your new word for today is pavaricate.

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 to me

all wild and crying.

>> And you were embarrassed.

I want to go to Abby Benson party so

bad. 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.

[sighs]

Tiger, people are afraid of what's

different, but that doesn't mean

different is bad. It just means

different is different.

I wish.

>> What? What do you wish, John?

>> 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 booster turn on you

>> from inside? I'm bleeding from inside.

>> I'll get some rags. You 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. It's the only good thing I can

think of about getting old.

I'm ready. Mom's [laughter]

going to show me how to make black bear

pie.

What's wrong?

>> I'm bleeding. I I got the curse.

[snorts] Oh, tiger. [laughter]

That girl's so happy. I'm so happy.

>> It's a curse. Grandma just said so. It's

a curse.

>> Well, 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 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, you think it's unusual? I'm so

flat.

>> Child, you're 12 years old.

>> Not for long. Abby Anders wears a

brazier. Same with Annette Gills and

Carlin Hudson. I can't even fill up this

baggy old swimsuit.

>> My mama always said that trees bud at

different times in the spring.

>> Well, spring's come and gone, and I'm

still not bud.

>> 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 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?

You ready to Abent's house?

>> Yes.

I'm so sorry. Do you need a ride,

Michelle?

>> I'll be fine. And I can walk. I'll see

Jessie Way later.

>> Well, have fun. Tag Ryan.

>> I hate you Anders. I hate you.

[music]

Tiger.

Tiger.

I looked all over for you, Abby Lind.

After a while, I asked where you were.

When you 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's no big deal. This is much

nicer.

tagger. Tagger tagger tagger

cleanaches in loosens dirt floats it

away. Yet less oil leaves no film, grit

or scratches, even for highly polished

surfaces. Cleaning with less toil is

quicker, easier, more economical. Swing

and swing.

Come here.

>> Can you sleep?

>> No, ma'am.

>> Granny,

when was the first time you were kissed?

>> My goodness. I swear I never know what

is going to 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, night times for sleeping, not for

chattering. Come on, turn off the light.

Getting bit

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 [music]

my maid of honor.

Well,

Rowena was flattering a pancake,

but all the folks

I thought she was the most beautiful gal

in the whole Annie.

>> What? Jessie Wade, what do you want now?

>> I was just walking. It's a free country.

>> Well, walk someplace else.

Tiger,

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 the way I never

thought of you that way. Why'd you have

to go and ruin everything?

>> Well,

it's just that I'm kind of mixed up.

>> I'll say.

>> [crying]

>> Go call [music] Dr. Randall. I'm getting

my daddy.

>> [music]

[music]

>> Daddy. Daddy.

Doc is here. An ambulance is coming too.

[crying]

>> Don't touch me. [laughter]

>> Dr. said, "Let me take a look at your

mom, Karina.

>> Give mom off some meds and make her feel

better.

>> [laughter]

>> Looks like Miss Jewel died of a heart

attack. [laughter and crying]

>> [music]

>> Hi, mama.

>> I'm sorry. We have TO GO GET MAMA right

now.

Let's take time. [screaming]

Ah,

[music]

[music]

Tiger,

go home. Just wait. Just go home.

[music]

So, Lonnie, [music] make sure that

Karina 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. Just way,

>> you take care, Lonnie.

>> I wished I could turn back the clock and

change things. I'd forget about that

stupid swim party. Forget about Jesse

Wade kissing me. I'd help Granny more.

I'd watch her real careful to make sure

she wasn't ever, ever sick with her

heart.

Oh, come here, baby.

Um, [snorts] that's all right.

That's okay, Tiger. Listen to me.

Listen. You're going to be okay. All

right. I know it's hard. I'm here now.

You're going to be okay, sweetie.

It's okay.

>> Dor,

I'm real sorry about your mama.

>> Oh, thank you, Lonnie. Now, how's Karina

>> in bed? She she put on her mama's old

green eye counter. 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

>> Dorite,

>> what do you do when somebody dies?

>> I don't want you to worry about a thing.

Okay. I'm going to 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.

>> [music]

>> I didn't cry at the funeral.

I had to be strong for mama and daddy.

But nothing [music] 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.

[music]

>> [music]

>> Yes, that sounds perfect. Okay, will you

just bill it to me? Bye-bye [music] now.

Karina.

Karina.

Oh, come on now.

That is enough, Karina. 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's dead.

But you're not. And Lonnie is 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.

>> Karina

>> Tiger's going to be angry at me.

>> I'm not mad at you, mama. And you're not

a bad mother. You've just been real sad.

Now, I made it real simple for you.

There is the total.

>> I don't rather see. Dor,

>> 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?

[sighs]

>> Now, I've heard you talking about how

many plant cutings you've made at work,

how many eggs that the hens have laid.

What is the difference between those

numbers and these numbers?

>> It's It's just different. door. Okay.

>> Why

>> them numbers when when I look at them?

Well, they they dance on the page.

>> They dance on the page.

My mom always said I couldn't finish my

arithmetic school cuz I was I

guess that must be it.

I could I could talk to brother Dave.

>> Yes, you could. You could talk to

Brother Dave.

>> Like when your mama gave Miss Ula all

them butter beans last year and Miss Ula

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 hill bills one time each month.

You think that's fair?

Yes.

Yes,

I do.

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 do you want to discuss with me,

Adora K?

Tiger, now that your granny has passed,

things are going to be quite different

for you at home. I

>> I'm really going to miss her.

>> Well, I'm not just talking about that.

>> Oh, honey, your mama and daddy are the

salt of the earth. They're 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 Ula can look in

on her during the day. Oh, honey, your

mama will be just fine.

>> I'd really like to, but

>> no butts. We'll have the best time,

sugar. I'll take you sightseeing. 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, Karina, 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

were on.

>> It's Ma's TV.

I know she'd like for you to watch it.

>> Well, guess what, Karina? You're going

to have a visitor.

My maid Magnolia is going to come and

take care of you. Won't that be nice?

She'll treat you like a real queen,

Karina. She'll wash your clothes, cook

you dinner, take care of the house.

Now, the best part is I'm going to 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's wife. Do you

know her name, Karina?

>> Willie May.

>> Yes, Willie May. 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 Ula. 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. Bye, Lonnie.

>> So long, Dor. Thank you for coming.

>> Okay, now don't you worry, Karina. I'm

going to take good care of Tiger.

>> I'll see you soon, mama.

>> You're my special girl, Tiger.

Don't you forget that.

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

>> Granny used to [music] say that wanting

adventure was foolish. And I hated to

disagree with her, especially now, but I

was sure looking forward to this [music]

adventure.

>> What? Oh, do I have lipstick on my

teeth?

>> No, I was just thinking. What about?

>> You don't seem sad to me, Dor.

>> Sad?

>> Like, mama?

>> Don't you miss Granny?

>> Oh, I lost my mom a long time ago.

You know, it wasn't easy being your

mama's sister, honey.

I had a lot of 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 going to like

Baton Rouge.

>> [music]

[music]

>> Honey,

honey, wake up. We're here. [music]

So, what do you think?

>> I [music] feel like I just stepped into

one of them Hollywood movies.

[laughter]

Home sweet home.

>> Eat your heart out, Abby Lyn 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.

>> Well, 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.

Wow, look at you now. You look like you

really belong in bedroom.

>> I can't think enough for all these fine

things. A Dory K.

>> Oh, listen honey. There's something I've

been meaning to talk to you about. I

don't go by Dory Kay here.

>> Oh, you don't?

>> No, I go by my given name, Doren. And

I'd like for you to call me that, too.

>> Okay. I might tip 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 for all the

latest styles. 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.

>> I guess I shouldn't do that.

>> Sometimes I shudder over to think what I

look like when I first came here. The

clothes I wore and my hairo. Oh,

goodness gracious.

>> You're just about perfect now, Aunt

Dorine. You're the most sophisticated

person I've ever known.

>> A well, thank you, Tiger.

When your mama was younger, she knew

every nursery rhyme by heart.

One of my first memories of Karina 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

Karina 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

granny, 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 Karina

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. That

should 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 granny didn't want to talk about it

ever,

and I didn't have much memory of it

myself.

>> How'd you find out?

>> Well,

when I was about your age, I was feeling

really frustrated because I had to take

Karina 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 Anne. Feel it's more

apicious.

>> Well, all right then, Miss Anne. And you

can call me Magnolia.

>> Pleased to meet you, Miss Magnolia.

Where's Aunt Dory? Aunt Dorine

>> working. She's a working girl. I guess

you could say I'm her working girl.

>> Did your aunt tell you I'd be coming by

today?

>> No, ma'am.

>> Mhm. 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. You people ain't

fussy folks, are they?

>> Oh, no, ma'am.

>> Good, cuz I can't take no fussy either.

I make one dinner for everybody. That's

it.

>> We eat almost anything except snails.

I read in this book once. They ate

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.

Hey,

>> boom score.

Can I help you, Miss Magnolia?

>> You ain't pays me to do the laundry. If

I don't do it, there won't be no chicken

in my pie.

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 they envelopes.

>> Now the post office is up three blocks

and across the street. You be careful,

child. This ain't Ted.

>> Sadder.

>> Sad. Ted, what's the difference? This a

big city. You don't talk to no

strangers. You here?

>> Don't worry, Miss Magnolia. I'll be

right back.

>> [music]

>> 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?

>> He burn. Huh?

I can do that blindfolded.

>> You ever had your haircut?

>> Well, not in a fancy place like this.

>> Granny always trims trimmed my hair on a

full moon day.

>> What?

>> On a full moon day. If you cut your hair

in a full moon day, it'll grow back

faster.

>> Where are you from?

>> Sadder.

>> Well, Miss Sadder, 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?

>> $2. But your hair is 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 going to kill me.

>> I wanted to reinvent myself.

>> Well, at least you done cut it on a full

moon day.

>> Evening, my story.

>> Evening, Magnolia.

Where's my niece?

Honey, are you hiding?

>> Your hair.

>> What? My idea.

>> I love it.

>> You do? Really? You don't think my nose

looks too big?

>> No.

You look very sophisticated.

Doesn't she, Magnolia?

>> I'mma go get ready before I miss my

brothers.

>> Well, this calls for a celebration, huh?

>> Guess what? I've decided to go by the

name Ann while I'm here. Anyway,

[laughter]

>> well, goodbye, Tiger. And hello, Miss

Anne Parker.

>> It sounds real nice.

>> It sounds really nice, Ann.

>> Really nice.

>> You're having a good time, aren't you?

>> 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 could fix the guest bedroom up just

the way you'd like. You could even go to

a fancy private school with uniforms and

everything.

>> You'd really like it if I live with you.

>> Oh, yes, very much.

>> Sounds great. But

>> Oh, you you think [music] about it. Just

consider it, that's all.

>> Well, this was fun, huh? Girls night

out.

>> Do you have a boyfriend, Aunt Dorine?

Oh, I'm much too busy. I don't think any

man would would want me.

Why do you ask?

>> I was just wondering.

>> Did my mom did your granny mention this?

>> No, it was Miss Ula.

>> Miss Ula.

Will you tell her the next time she asks

that I'm doing just fine on my own?

Thank you.

That's what Granny always used to say.

>> She did.

>> Whenever Miss Ula would go on the way

she does, Granny would always say, "One

thing I can count on is my gal, Dor. She

has a good head on her shoulders."

>> I didn't mean to make you sad. [gasps]

>> You didn't, honey. You made me very

happy.

Now, don't forget, I want you to really

think about what we discussed.

>> Baby, Dory,

>> and if you decide that's what you want

to do, I'll come pick you up at the end

of summer. Okay.

>> Bye, Dory. Oh, give your mom a big kiss

for me. Okay. Bye-bye.

>> Okay. Bye.

>> You're going to be okay.

>> Oh, Magnolia.

Thank you for doing this. You call me.

Okay.

>> Okay.

>> Bye. And Dorine.

>> Bye. And Parker.

>> [music]

[music]

>> Even though it had only been a [music]

few days, it seemed like a lifetime ago

that I had left Saturn.

I was coming back a different person.

[music]

>> Is that going to be enough for you?

>> Yeah, I'm fine.

>> Okay.

>> Sure. It's hot.

>> Uhhuh.

>> Miss Magnolia, do you have any children?

>> I got a son. His name's Michael.

How old is he?

>> 19 next month.

>> Guess I'll miss his birthday this year.

First time ever.

>> What kind of work does he do?

>> Oh, he's real good with his hands.

Likes to make birdouses 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 planning to live

with your aunt.

>> How do you know about that?

>> I got eyes and ears.

>> Well, I haven't decided anything yet.

>> No.

Santa.

>> Daddy.

Don't worry, it'll grow bad.

>> Daddy, this is Miss Magnolia.

>> How do you do?

>> Welcome, Miss Magnolia. Thanks for

bringing Tiger home safe.

>> Glad to do it.

>> This way. Mhm.

>> Thank you.

Sure [music]

is pretty. This place called Santa

[music]

Lord Almighty.

It's not always like this. It's just on

account of Granny dying.

Miss Magnolia's here.

>> Hello, Miss Karena. I'm Magnolia.

>> Where's Tiger?

>> Here I am, mama.

>> Your hair, Mr. Stani, 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. Stani?

>> I could take you over to Otis and Willie

Maze now if you want, Miss Magnolia.

>> That'd be right. Fine. Thank you.

I'll see you bright and early in the

morning, Miss Karina.

Miss Magnolia, how'd you get here?

>> Oh, well, ain't nothing but a little

pigs.

>> Besides, you get to see one of the good

Lord's miracles that way.

>> What miracle?

>> A sunrise.

Pinks, purples, oranges. Good Lord sure

know how to bless each day.

>> What you doing up so early?

>> Well, 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 granny sure know how to keep

a kitchen. I ain't here to hunt for a

thing.

>> I like your mama and daddy.

>> Mama used to be like other people, but

she had an accident when she was

>> I don't need no explanations, child. I

told you I like your faults.

Morning, Tiger. Wanda doesn't wave.

>> That's the way. You're up ma early.

>> Well, my daddy wanted me to help out

with all the Louisiana lady chameleas

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'd 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 cutings.

Little my my lookie here.

Morning.

>> Hey, Lonnie. This here is a plant

nursery, not a kitty nursery.

>> Now, take these here cutting.

>> That's all. You just stick them in the

sand.

>> What happens to them?

>> You get roots on them.

Ain't that something?

>> Sure is, Dad.

>> But we take the cutings [music] with the

roots

and we'll transplant them in the liner

shed.

That's that old shed over there with no

walls.

See, that way they get sunshine, but

they stay in the shade.

It's quite a system you got there.

>> Well, when they're ready, we'll put them

in a gallon can [music] and they go in a

hot house. And when they get too big for

the pots,

well, then we'll plant [music] 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 [music] and we

cover the root ball with burlap.

I'm not sure I can remember all that.

>> Oh, it ain't that hard, Jess. Wait.

I can help you [music] if and you get

stuck.

>> Come on.

[music]

>> [music]

>> Please, [music] Mr. Bus driver, can I

come in?

>> Mommy, you made my ponytail too tight.

>> Where'd you learn to do that?

>> My cousin burned him. He says all the

kids in Lafayette are doing it.

>> Why'd 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 Babe, 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, Ted.

What happened to mama?

>> Well, she had a nice bath

and then she helped me put some clean

sheets on the bed 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 going to be feeling better

any day now. You just wait and see.

>> Oh lord, all that laundry.

>> I'll get it.

>> [music]

[music]

>> Heat. Heat. [music]

Fine. Shut tight. It's

>> getting from bad to worse out there.

Miss Karina, I bet you could finish

these hair dishes by yourself.

>> It's all right. I can do it.

>> Like I was saying, Miss Karina, 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.

Did you ask your daddy if he'd be so

kind as to give me a ride?

>> Okay.

>> Look, it's a dress coat.

>> A casual dress.

>> What is it, Lonnie?

>> Something's happening. This is the

chrome.

I

>> I don't know.

>> Since rain,

>> I've seen birds in every tree around the

house.

>> Blue jays and robins and sparrows.

>> They've been chirping and tweeting like

this, trying to say something.

That's pretty.

Oh, that new cap's named Pansy. Abiline

gets to keep her as a special pet.

>> Daddy,

why are you going so fast?

>> Go gather up all the gallon cans we can

find. Carry him over to the liner shed.

>> What for?

>> Something going on, Tiger.

>> Lonnie, Jesse Wade said [music] you

needed to see me. Anything wrong,

>> Miss Thompson? I can't rightly say for

sure, but it seems to me that something

might not big is going to happen.

>> What do you mean?

>> There were these birds that landed in

our tree yesterday.

>> Birds in a tree, huh? But it's a strange

sight. All right.

There were millions of them hooping and

hollering. This morning when the sun

come up, they just left.

>> I don't exactly understand what you

mean.

>> I reckon them birds, they know

something.

>> Oh, yeah. They know if they kept it up,

they'd have every cat and sadder 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 Andis cows. When we went past

them this morning, they was all bunched

together in the field.

>> Oh, I've heard of cows doing that.

>> Would do you think that has anything to

do with a hurricane they're expecting

over in Cameron?

>> Yeah, I bet it does, mama.

>> That hurricane's nowhere near here, Miss

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 cuz Mr. Thompson

spent a lot of time,

too much time to see him just washed

away.

>> Okay, let's get started. What do we do

first?

>> You're not going to listen to him, are

you? It's simple. He's an idiot.

>> My daddy's not an idiot.

>> Mr. Thompson left Lonnie in charge. Now

you do what he says. 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.

See what Mr. Thompson has to say.

Well, let's get started. What do we do

first?

>> M Thompson, if you don't mind getting

your house dirty, I was thinking that

that'll be the best place for the

plants. And I reckon we can put down

some sheets of newspaper so as we don't

mess up your house too much.

>> Oh, don't worry about the floor. Let's

get going. V.

Watch out. [music]

[music]

Good.

[music]

[music]

[music]

>> Stop. [music]

Miss Thompson, I think Tiger best get

home and be with her mama.

>> Okay, of course. Now, I'll [music]

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

going to do.

>> You going to be all right, Tiger?

>> I'll be fine.

>> Tiger, take the shortcut 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 be very careful.

>> I will.

>> [music]

>> Pansy,

[music]

>> what are you doing here? Pansy,

[music]

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, Dark Cat?

>> 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 haircut?

>> In Baton Rouge when I went to visit my

aunt.

>> Kind of looks like Audrey Hetberg.

[music]

>> How'd you get out there?

>> [music]

>> This is wrong.

It's wrong. She should have come home by

now.

>> Now, Miss Karina, she's on her way. Mrs.

T said she only left the show a while

ago.

>> A tiger is bad, though. She is bad. It

don't take her this long from the

Thompson.

>> Well, being in the panic ain't going to

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 a finger running around in there.

[music]

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

Heat.

[music]

Here

over here.

[music]

[music]

[music]

Heat. Heat. [music]

[music]

Heat. Heat. [music]

Heat. Heat.

Magnolia, you all right?

>> No, Lord. No, I'm not all right. Mr.

Delonnie, did you see any sign of Tiger

or Miss Karina on your way?

>> They're not here.

>> NO, SIR. THEY'RE NOT. TIGER never did

get back from the Thompson. And Miss

Karina, well, she just UP AND TOOK OFF

RIGHT IN THE WORST EVENT.

>> OH, NO. I I got to go look for him. Call

Mrs. Thompson.

>> I've been trying or the line's been down

for at least Oh my lord.

>> Hey.

Hey.

[music]

>> [music]

>> Let's go home.

Look, it's Granny's bonnet.

>> Let's go inside. Get some dry clothes.

>> I can feel her hair.

I can too, mama. You can.

>> That's good. That's real good.

Well, it's been quite a day.

Quite a day.

>> Oh, look at the face. Look at the face.

[music]

>> As we sat down to dinner, a [snorts]

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. [music]

I was home and that's exactly where I

wanted to be.

>> I guess you [music] could say that's the

end of the story, but it isn't really.

Life has a way of surprising you. Things

always keep [music] changing and

growing. Kind of like cutting your hair

on a full moon day.

[music]

>> [music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

[music]

>> Hey.

[music]

Hey.

Hey.

>> [music]