Goody Goody (2026) Movie Script
1
[Wind whistling]
In a dark, dark wood,
there was a dark, dark house.
[Drum beating]
[Wind whistling]
And in that dark, dark house...
[Drum beating]
[Moaning in pain]
-Breathe.
-Breathe, Goody.
You got this.
-Breathe.
-[Moans]
Breathe.
[Moaning continues]
Good job, baby.
You're doing such a good job.
-Thank you.
-You warm enough?
-Yeah.
-[Speaks indistinctly]
You can relax.
He's being shy all of a sudden.
-He gets that from me.
-I'm sure.
Let me know when you feel
your next contraction, okay?
-Until then, just breathe.
-Mm-hmm.
Maybe give their hands
a little break.
I'm sorry, guys.
I think you popped my pinky.
-Your pinky?
-I popped my pelvis.
Need anything, baby?
[Speaks indistinctly]
Mm. Got any of those
in your bag?
-Afraid not.
-[Camera shutter clicks]
How much longer?
That's between you
and the little guy.
-What is he doing in there?
-[Chuckles]
Right now he's giving me a break.
That's sweet of him.
No. He's just biding his time.
Once I've calmed down a little,
he's gonna hit me where it hurts.
Oh. A little rope-a-dope?
-Mm-hmm.
-That's my boy.
It feels like your boy.
-Big old head.
-You like my head.
-You like my head.
-Oh, my God. Ew. No.
[Laughter]
It slipped out.
You perverts want anything?
-No. We're good.
-Sarah?
No. Thank you.
Maybe some sushi.
Yeah?
The first date we can go on.
-[Chuckles]
-Whatever you want, baby.
I want sushi and green tea.
Okay. What else?
Edamame?
-Mmm! Oh, yes.
-Soy sauce.
-[Chuckles]
-You guys are too cute.
[Both laugh]
One of us is.
Stop. Get off me!
You're gonna be good parents.
-You promise?
-Yeah. Cross my heart.
Well...
we promise to prove you right.
It might take us
a few trial kids,
but we'll get there eventually.
[Laughter]
-You have kids?
-No. Haven't met the right...
[Ball bouncing loudly]
I haven't met
the right fella yet.
But I've delivered a lot
of babies,
so I guess I'm everybody's mama.
How are we doing on time?
Uh, almost six minutes.
Okay. You alright, Goody?
I'm beautiful.
You can say that again.
-Candace.
-Uh, six on the dot.
-Okay.
-You warm enough?
-Yeah. I'm fine.
-We could put some water on.
No, I should be...
Uhhhh!
-[Screaming]
-You got this.
You're doing great.
You can push.
-[Screaming continues]
-You good, baby?
-She's good.
-Oh, my God!
-[Screaming continues]
-You got this, girl.
You got this.
[Moaning in pain]
-Keep going.
-You got this.
[Moaning in pain]
-Stop, stop, stop!
-Goody, don't push, don't push.
Don't push. Just breathe.
Breathe through this contraction.
Don't push.
Alright.
[Moaning softly]
You know, um,
I-I-I could actually use a cup
of tea, Jayson,
if you could help me
in the kitchen.
Yeah. Of course.
Hey, is it okay if I step away?
-Are you sure?
-It's fine, baby.
I got her, Jay.
Okay.
Candace, if the contraction
doesn't happen sooner,
let me know
when we're at five minutes.
Of course.
[Stopwatch ticking]
[Pilot light clicking]
[Gas whooshes]
A few good options here for you.
Uh, this right here is
a nice rooibos.
We have a good herbal blend,
green pomegranate, jasmine.
I'll just take
whatever's easiest.
You have tea bags?
-Yeah. We don't do bags.
-They're just plastic and mold.
Oh.
Okay. Um... pomegranate.
It's a great choice.
-So, Jayson...
-Mm-hmm?
I don't want to alarm you.
Okay, well,
you are off to a bad start.
[Chuckles] Sorry.
It's just I think we maybe have
a slight problem.
No, don't maybe think anything.
Are we having problems
or are we not?
No, but...
Why are you freaking me
out like this?
I'm not trying to freak you out.
Do you have any idea
how anxious I am?
I am not trying to freak you out.
I just think we should be taking
every precaution that we can.
Hey, even if it's just
the slightest hint of an issue,
we should take that seriously,
right?
Of course.
So, what is the slightest hint
of an issue right now?
Last time I checked,
she was fully dilated
and now out of nowhere,
she's maybe 8 centimeters.
Is that, like, a serious issue?
Not necessarily.
You know, swelling happens,
but in most circumstances,
we wait for that cervix to go
away and push when it does.
Is this not most circumstances?
[Sighs] I just have
a bad feeling.
[Teakettle whistling]
You can call it intuition,
call it whatever you want.
But I have been doing this
a while
and right now, I have
a very bad feeling.
Okay.
[Chuckles softly]
Look, I get it, right?
It's late.
We're tired.
She's been pushing for hours.
I'm sure she's had plenty of bad
feelings tonight, too,
but just, please, just...
Just not Chicken Little me
like this again.
That is not
what's happening here, Jayson.
-This is my job.
-Yeah, and I get that.
This is what you hired me...
I'm not trying
to disrespect you...
I would expect you
to listen to the expert...
-something's wrong.
-on a feeling.
This is your child, too, Jayson.
Yeah, well, I had nightmares
about the baby pool
-in the living room.
-It's not a baby pool.
-It is what it is. Alright?
-I get that you're on edge.
Can we just...
Just try to stay away
from the sky's actually falling?
-[Sighs]
-Okay?
[Whistling continues]
[Sighs]
[Whistling stops]
[Water pouring]
We good?
[Sighs]
-Sarah?
-Sure.
Okay.
Make sure to actually bring
that out when you come back.
-Goody will notice.
-Okay.
-[Sighs]
-Everything good?
You know it.
How's my little Jim Kelly doing
in there?
-Kicking ass and taking names.
-[Laughs]
[Wind whistling]
[Heavy breathing]
That is all I want for him.
Not just to enter the world,
but to enter into our home,
to feel that warmth
and that belonging.
I really believe that
on some level that can be felt.
It's a beautiful sentiment.
But I'd really like you to
consider where I'm coming from.
If you were having
the baby tomorrow,
I might feel differently.
But six months from now,
you could be snowed in.
We have a plow for the Jeep.
Every second matters, Goody.
We are not pushing snow
the whole way to the hospital.
Sarah...
when I first met you,
my heart did a little back flip.
I told Jayson on the ride home
that I wouldn't trust
anyone else.
Mm. I'm flattered.
And at this point,
my vision for this
is as much about you
as it is anything else.
The moment we met,
I knew that you were my midwife.
And I would love nothing more
than to fill that role for you.
But a massive part of my job
is looking out for your safety.
And that starts
with conversations like this.
Refining your birth plan,
finding little compromises that
we all feel comfortable with
how you approach this change
in your life.
This isn't a little compromise.
I assure you,
in the grand scheme
of things, it is.
It would still be
a home birth, baby.
Mm-hmm.
Not our home.
Goody.
I've done this for dozens
of clients.
We set the pool up here.
We light candles,
put on their favorite music,
and if there's an emergency,
we're minutes away from
the hospital instead of hours.
I've worked with mothers
just like you
who think it might
not be the same.
But almost always,
they leave grateful
that they don't have to handle
the cleanup.
[Chuckles]
I so respect your resolve, Goody.
That is an extraordinary
quality in a mother.
But the risks of any pregnancy
are so great
that we can't be taking
any unnecessary chances.
You said a minute ago
you trust me.
I do.
So trust me.
I say this with no disrespect.
The only person who would do this
is someone inexperienced
enough to underestimate
these challenges
or so experienced,
they overestimate themselves.
I admire your vision,
but it's not worth
sacrificing your safety
or the safety of your child.
I understand.
Okay.
I appreciate you taking the time
to meet with us again, Sarah.
But I think we should be going.
You sure, sweetheart?
Yeah.
We have a long drive back.
Thank you, Sarah.
You have a lovely home.
Thank you.
May I use the restroom
before I leave?
-It's right down the hall.
-Thanks.
Look,
I'm so sorry about this, Sarah.
No need to apologize.
It's your family, your plan.
Yeah, well,
look, I hope you know that if
you can find it within you to...
to do this with us,
you would be in charge.
Alright?
Whatever you say goes.
Well, right now I'm saying
don't have
a home birth in the woods.
[Chuckling]
Yeah. Fair enough.
[Chuckling]
You get a lot of birds out here?
Not as many as I'd like.
Yeah. We used to have, uh,
feeders back at my place.
Yeah. What'd you see?
A lot of cardinals, like,
robins and those little, uh...
-Yeah. Like nuthatches.
-I love the little guys.
-Yeah, the little gray ones?
-Uh-huh.
I saw a lot of those.
Then those deer
started showing up,
started sniffing out whatever
birdseed might have fallen.
Yeah.
Once they get used to
a food source,
they forget
how to fend for themselves.
So I had to take the feeders
down,
which, you know,
Goody wasn't too happy about.
The birds got the memo,
but those deer,
they just kept showing up.
-They do that.
-Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
They got pretty bold, too.
-Yeah?
-Yeah, I saw this one.
He... He put his front hooves
up on our living-room window
like a little dog.
Oh! Oh, my gosh.
Then I woke up one morning
and I saw Goody just
throwing handfuls of birdseed
all over the backyard.
Oh, no.
Yeah. Yeah. That's Goody.
She just...
She just does things
her own way, you know?
Sure.
You're on the train,
you're on the tracks.
[Exhales sharply]
[Birds chirping]
[Chirping continues]
[Dog barking, children playing
in the distance]
[Sighs]
[Teakettle whistling]
[Wind howling]
[Whistling continues]
[Door creaks]
[Howling continues]
[Whistling stops]
[Howling continues]
[Breathing heavily]
[Drum beating]
[Moaning in pain]
Hey, hey. Hey, hey.
-Ohh!
-Breathe.
[Moans]
You good?
-Ohh!
-I know.
I know.
Aah!
Goody...
I have this terrible feeling
that if you can't find someone,
you'll try
and do this on your own.
Is that true?
If I say yes, will you say yes?
That feels nice.
Good.
My body's been screaming
for months.
-Your boobs look great.
-I'll second that.
-Thank you, baby.
-Mm-hmm.
I should get knocked up.
-Big boobs in the pro column.
-Yeah.
The rest of your body gets
fucking ravaged, but...
-them titties.
-Mm-hmm.
[Light laughter]
Honey, are you okay?
That's the spot, wasn't it?
We're at five minutes, Sarah.
Thank you, Candace.
How are you feeling, Goody?
Still pregnant.
This little man plan
on changing that anytime soon?
He better.
If he takes after his father,
he'll be right on time.
-Ha!
-He ever tell you about that?
What?
Showed up 30 minutes late
to our first date.
-Jayson!
-Thought he stood me up.
-I was jet-lagged.
-Bullshit.
-What?
-Bullshit. Jet-lagged?
-I was jet-lagged.
-Jet-lagged where?
It's not like New York to Texas.
-I was in Japan. Okay?
-Bullshit.
-I do, and I will.
-I have a clock.
I am always on time.
-You're always on time?!
-Absolutely.
You weren't even on time
to get here.
I literally was, and I still
will be better than you.
-Better than me?
-This is Japan jet lag.
Okay, you know what?
How about you go to Okinawa
and come in and tell me about
being jet-lagged?
-Buzz!
-Did you just buzz me?
My wife is pregnant.
Whose fucking fault is that?
-You forgive me.
-Don't you, baby?
A thousand times yes.
Want some music on?
Yeah, that'd be nice.
Her name is Goody
Goody Goody
No.
Giving birth
in a kiddie pool
Her name is Goody,
Goody Goody
-I'll take that.
-Never heard of a hospital
Oh, Goody, Goody Goody
-Don't get lost.
-I need my super pseudo doula.
Were you ever a doula?
-Sarah?
-Hmm?
Were you ever a doula?
No. Uh, no.
I was a pediatric nurse
for a while,
and then I got my degree
in midwifery.
Was that always the plan?
More or less. Yeah.
Flirted with my mom's
plan for a semester,
but I knew it wasn't for me.
What was that?
A surgeon.
Sounds so dismissive.
-I don't mean to be.
-It's just...
It's a very typical thing
for a mom to want.
And what do you want
little man to be?
-Faster.
-[Chuckles]
That makes two of us.
[Ticking]
Mm.
Let's burn some midnight oil.
["Kelen Ati Leen" by
Orchestra Baobab playing]
Whoo!
[Man singing in global language]
Goody, do you still feel
your last contraction?
Hmm?
Can you still feel
your last contraction?
Hmm...
Hmm. Little bit.
Well, you're gonna feel them
the rest of your life.
Waking up in a cold sweat
with labor flashbacks.
Yeah, just try not to wake me
up when that happens.
May I please examine you?
You are in
for the rudest of awakenings.
-Would you please...
-Oh, yeah?
Add nursery
to your next tour of duty.
-I like that.
-Goody!
Baby.
May I please examine you?
-Yes.
-Yeah. Of course.
Is everything okay?
Yeah. Just want to see...
Get you to relax a little.
-Sarah.
-[Softly] Oh, my God.
-You good?
-[Speaking softly]
Sarah.
Shit.
[Music slows down, stops]
[Wind howling]
-What happened?
-Shit.
-What happened, Jayson?
-It's just the power, baby.
-What's going on?
-It's okay, Goody.
-Why is the power out?
-Is it coming back on?
-Sweetie, it just went out.
-Goody, it's okay.
Well, I can't do this
in the dark, Jayson.
-Hey.
-You need to keep breathing.
Well, can you check
the fuse box or something?
I don't think it's a fuse, baby.
-Well, how do we fix it?
-It's probably out all over.
We have to do something.
You need to keep breathing,
Goody.
Yeah. Just try to relax.
Don't tell me to relax, Jayson.
This is not a relaxing time
for me.
You can't get worked up
like this, sweetie.
Don't tell me what
I can't do, Jayson.
Just go fucking fix it.
I don't think it's something
I can fix.
Well, do something.
Get some candles, Easter Island.
Put that fucking head to use.
[Chuckles] Okay.
Jesus Christ.
Okay.
I'm gonna go get some candles.
-Okay. [Sniffles]
-[Wind whistling]
You need to let go of my hand
first.
-I'm sorry.
-It's okay.
-I'm sorry I yelled at you.
-It's okay.
It's okay.
Your head's not even that big.
-It's okay.
-It's pretty big.
I love you so much.
I love you, too.
Let me get those candles.
Okay?
Now, just try and relax, Goody.
That just scared me.
I know, sweetheart.
You have nothing to be afraid of.
Mm.
What are you talking about?
-I mean it.
-How can you say that?
The power's out, and I'm getting
K.O.'d by a fucking baby.
This isn't a fight, Goody.
This isn't a fight.
It's just...
It's life, right?
I mean, there are ups and downs,
but it's all worthwhile.
I actually do think this
is gonna be really beautiful.
Think about it.
He's gonna be born
into this warm water
surrounded
by love and candlelight.
That's an incredible way
to come into this world.
That is how he's gonna live.
[Lighter clicking]
Surrounded by love,
warmth,
all things beautiful.
He's gonna have
this incredible story
that you and Jayson share.
And you'll tell him
how you pushed and you pushed,
but he was just too shy to come
out with all those lights on.
Then the world went quiet,
and his daddy brought
an entire sky full of stars
into your home just so that
he could be born into the water.
You'll tell him so often
that even he'll be convinced
that he can remember it.
Every day for as long
as he lives,
he'll picture you and Jayson
moving heaven and earth
to make sure
that he was born beautifully,
that he came into this world
exactly how he deserved to.
Surrounded by love and warmth.
Was the brightest,
most beautiful ray of light
in a room full of stars.
How do you feel, mama?
I feel beautiful.
Goddamn right.
That was really lovely, Candace.
You would say that.
Hippies love shit about stars.
I'm not a hippie.
No, just a normal cornrowed
white girl
having a home birth.
Nothing to see here, folks.
You just had to ruin
that moment, huh?
-I made the fucking moment.
-I'll do as I please.
[Laughs]
Candace, would you run and grab
another towel from the closet?
Of course.
What's that for?
I want to get you out
of this pool.
Have you walk around
a little bit.
A little bit of movement.
You know, get the blood flowing.
-Yeah, that should be...
-Oh!
-That was a weird one.
-Weird how?
I don't feel it anymore.
Not at all?
Not at all.
Whoa.
What happened here?
Candace, get her out
and walk her down the hall.
Got it.
Alright.
What's going on?
The sky's falling.
Alright. What's wrong?
Her contractions were
hitting every 5 or 6 minutes,
and then out of nowhere,
she goes, like, 15 minutes
and it's the weirdest fucking
contraction I've ever seen.
Maybe she's just
not fully dilated.
She was before.
But either way,
why would her contractions
-start spacing out like that?
-I don't know. Why?
-No, it's not a riddle, Jayson.
-I don't know either.
So is this not, like,
a common thing?
-No, no, no.
-I cannot stress to you enough.
This is a serious problem.
The baby could be breech.
-Why do you think that?
-It's just a possibility.
Why is it a possibility?
Because I can't think of
anything else that makes sense.
[Crying]
-Fuck.
-It's okay.
-Fuck.
-Hey. It's okay.
How is this okay?
Because we are going to
the hospital right now.
If something's wrong,
everything will be better there.
They can handle it better.
And if baby's fine,
at least you'll be somewhere
-where the lights are on, right?
-Yeah. Yeah.
With the contractions
this far apart,
we can take the drive
a little more slow.
-Okay.
-We get there safe,
we figure out what's going on,
we bring him into this world,
happy and healthy.
-Yeah.
-Okay. Get your go bag.
Get anything else that you need
and get the car running.
-Okay?
-Okay.
Okay.
Hey. Cross my heart...
you're gonna be a great dad.
[Sighs]
[Sighs]
[Heart beating]
-Sarah.
-[Gasps]
We overheard.
Okay.
I'm scared, Sarah.
-That's okay.
-It's okay to be scared,
but everything's gonna be
alright.
I know it wasn't the plan,
but we got to go
to the hospital now.
[Crying] Okay.
Candace, can you grab her boots?
-[Sniffling]
-No problem.
Let's get you changed
before we go outside.
No.
Goody, you can't go out
in this weather like that.
-No!
-Goody.
No!
This is my dress.
I'll go to the hospital.
I'll... I'll go to the hospital.
But this...
This is my dress.
Hey.
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
-I got you. Okay?
-[Sniffles]
I got you.
It's gonna be alright.
-I'm scared.
-I know.
I am too.
-It's gonna be alright. Okay?
-[Crying]
I'm gonna get you
to the hospital.
It's gonna be alright.
Yeah.
I'm gonna warm the car up
for you.
It's gonna be nice
and toasty when you get in.
You're cold in that dress,
but it's gonna be okay, alright?
[Laughs] Yeah.
I love you, baby.
Hey, now you bundle up for me.
-Alright?
-Mm-hmm.
Okay.
[Sighs]
-Thank you, Jayson.
-[Door opens]
I trust you, Sarah.
[Door closes]
I trust you.
That's all I need, sweetheart.
Now, come get your boots on.
Candace, get her bundled up.
-Her scarf's over there.
-Got it.
Oh.
I feel like a snowman.
No, you're too hot
to be a snowman.
-You'd be nothing but a puddle.
-I'm gonna go see
-if the car's ready.
-Heard.
[Wind whistling]
[Wind rushing]
Hey. Are we ready to go?
[Ignition beeping]
Jayson?
Jayson!
Jayson!
Jayson!
Jayson!
Jayson!
[Wind howling]
[Wood creaking]
[Roars]
[Beeping continues]
Okay.
[Beeping stops]
[Wind whistling]
[Breathing heavily]
[Screaming]
When did this contraction start?
-A minute ago.
-A whole minute?!
-At least.
-[Moaning in pain]
Okay. Okay. Breathe.
-Just breathe, Goody. Breathe.
-What's happening?!
-You're having a baby.
-That's what's happening.
-Oh.
-Let's get this coat off of her.
I'm cold.
I know, I know,
but we're gonna get a blanket
and that'll be warmer for you.
I thought we were leaving.
-We will. We are.
-We're just, uh...
We, uh, need to make sure
that you're good to go first.
I am.
-I'm good to go.
-Okay. Alright.
-I think we should go.
-Yeah, we will.
-We will soon, I know.
-I don't feel good.
No, no, no, don't say that.
-I don't.
-Don't say that.
Candace, call an ambulance,
please.
-Where's Jayson?
-I don't know, Goody.
Is he outside?
I-I don't know.
Where is he?
Oh.
You're freezing.
-Hey.
-[Blowing]
Sarah, please.
Hey.
Hey, where...
Where is my husband?
I don't know.
I went out to the car
to check and he...
he wasn't there.
-Where did he go?
-I don't know where he went.
Is... Is he coming back?
I don't know.
Where did he go?
I don't know where he went.
-Why didn't you tell me?
-I don't want to scare you.
I'm already scared, Sarah.
My baby's upside down.
-No, no, we don't know that.
-I'm already fucking scared.
We don't know that for sure.
Something's wrong.
I'm scared.
I'm really scared.
I couldn't be more scared
than I am right now.
So please, please do not
try to save me
from any more scary shit
because I'm already
fucking scared.
It's gonna be okay.
-Yes, it will.
-It's not gonna be okay.
-It's not gonna be okay.
-Yes, it will.
I don't feel good.
No, no, don't say that.
-I feel sick.
-Please.
-And I feel fat.
-Please.
-Don't do this.
-I'm sorry. I'm scared.
-I'm so scared.
-Don't do this.
Please. Hey.
-Hey.
-Uhh...
-I got you.
-Okay? I got you.
You don't have to be scared.
I don't know if I can.
You can.
-You can do this.
-I can't do this.
Yes.
You've come so far.
Do not give up.
I will not let you.
I will not let you.
You got this.
Just keep breathing.
-Yeah.
-Sarah.
[Sighs]
-Sarah.
-What, Candace?!
The phone's dead, too.
Oh, fuck.
Oh, God. Okay.
Okay.
[Voice shaking]
[Crying] Okay. Okay, okay.
-Take her.
-Should we get her to the car?
-Just give me...
-Give me a minute.
-We should get her to the car.
-Right?
I just need to think.
What the fuck is there
to think about?
You said we have to leave.
The keys are gone.
-What do you mean, they're gone?
-Jayson had them.
-Where's Jayson?
-I don't know.
What do you mean you don't know?
-I don't know, Candace.
-His wife is in labor.
He's not just gonna up
and leave like that.
[Crying]
Sarah.
Sarah!
Where is Jayson?
I think something took him.
What do you mean?
I don't know, but he's gone.
-We have to go find him.
-We have to do something.
-Do what?
-Fucking something, Sarah.
He could be hurt.
He could be lost.
He wouldn't do this to us.
He wouldn't do this to Goody.
He would not do this to me!
Candace...
we need to take care
of Goody now.
If something bad happened
to Jayson,
there's nothing we can do.
There are no tracks to follow.
There is no phone
to call for help.
We can hope and we can pray,
but there's nothing
we can do right now for him.
She's in labor.
She's struggling.
The power is out.
The phone line is down.
We are here.
We are here.
You here with me?
Are you with me, Candace?
We need to keep her warm.
Can you grab a proper blanket
for her?
Wait.
Wait, Candace, wait.
Just stay here one more moment.
I can feel him.
Is he kicking?
Yeah.
Kicking and screaming.
I love you both so much.
How do you feel, mama?
I feel beautiful.
Okay.
Can you grab her a comforter
or a quilt from the bedroom?
[Sighs]
[Crying softly]
[Sniffles]
[Sobbing silently]
I'm scared, Sarah.
I know.
I know, sweetheart.
If it makes you feel any better,
I've never met a mother
who wasn't.
And even
if everything goes perfectly,
it's still just a little scary.
But I'm not gonna let
anything happen.
I'm not gonna let
anything happen to you.
It feels like
someone's breaking my feet.
-That's not good.
-They're all tingly.
Okay.
I just need to make sure
that the blood... is flowing.
Can you pop my toes?
What?
Jayson does it for me.
Okay.
[Knuckle cracks, both laughing]
That was a good one.
Thank you.
-Can you...
-Here, wrap her up.
Tuck her in a little.
Goody, do you have
any more candles?
That's all they have
is hippie shit.
The cupboard in the nursery.
-And flashlights?
-[Wind whistling]
Same spot.
Candace, can you
just keep her comfortable?
Okay.
Can you pop her toes for her?
-What?
-Jayson pops her toes for her.
I'm not fucking
touching her feet.
-[Laughs]
-Go get the candles.
[Sighs]
[Wind howling]
[Objects clattering]
Oh, shit.
[Sighs]
[Sighs]
Mm.
-[Gasps]
-[Screaming]
-Sarah!
-[Gasps]
[Moaning in pain]
Shit!
Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit.
-Help her up. Help her.
-[Screaming]
Get her on her feet.
You're not dilated.
Open those hips and breathe.
[Moaning]
-[Screaming]
-Okay. Okay.
[Screaming continues]
[Bones cracking]
Aah! Aah! Aah!
[Growling]
-I got you.
-I got you, mama.
Yes. There you go.
There you go. Just breathe.
Just breathe. Just breathe.
Candace, can you get some
of these lit?
Yeah.
I just need to see
how baby's situated.
Candace, bring a flashlight.
In my bag, there's a stethoscope.
It looks like a horn.
[Heart beating]
[Match ignites]
Candace, can I get
that flashlight over here?
Is this too much pressure?
[Gasping]
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
It was a little too much
pressure, Sarah.
Just a little too much.
What was that?
[Wind howling]
[Breathing heavily]
That was baby.
Did you feel him kick
or something?
-Something.
-Something like that.
Mm.
That's my boy.
Uh, Candace,
can you help me
with something in the pantry?
Yep.
What do you need from the pantry?
I have no fucking clue,
but we'll be right back.
Okay. Sarah, what do we do?
-Let me just...
-Let me think a moment.
Maybe I go out,
I can try to find help and...
No! No! I don't know
what happened to Jayson.
I don't think it's
very safe out there.
It's not feeling very fucking
safe in here, Sarah.
Maybe the baby only has
a few fingers on that hand.
Those aren't baby fingers,
Candace.
-How do you know? It was dark.
-It was just a glimpse.
I've seen baby fingers.
Candace, I've seen a lot
of baby fingers.
Mostly like 5,
maybe 10 at a time.
I can't feel the baby's back.
I can't feel the baby's head.
When I was examining her,
it wasn't up, it wasn't down.
It was turning
and then pushing against her.
It wants out of her.
There is something unnatural
inside of her, Candace.
So what do we do?
We deliver it.
[Fire crackling]
Goody?
Hey, Sarah.
Where did all
these candles come from?
The loft?
No, there weren't as many
up there, Goody.
Jayson must have brought
some more.
Jayson?
Yeah.
Did Jayson do all this?
Uh-huh.
And then he put me back
in the water.
Did you see where Jayson went?
I didn't see him at all.
And how do you know it was him?
He said..."Deliver my son."
Mm.
Okay.
Okay. Let's just get
around the pool then.
-Are you fucking serious?
-Please, Candace.
What are we doing?
I guess...
we're just gonna push.
[Wind howling]
Great.
What does the clock say, Candace?
I do not have the clock.
It's... It's probably fine.
You guys are doing
such a great job.
Such a great job.
Okay.
Are you warm enough?
Are you warm enough, Candace?
No. You, Goody.
Oh, yeah.
He heated the water for me.
Of course he did.
That's because he loves you
very much.
Oh. He does.
And he definitely
wouldn't want to hurt you
or anyone else
who might be helping you.
-Oh, my God.
-What?
-Hot.
-Oh, fuck!
I told you.
He loves me so-o-o-o-o much.
There he is.
Who?
Jayson.
You see Jayson?
What is he doing up there?
What is he doing?
What is he doing up there?
What is he doing up there?
Candace,
is there someone up there?
I'm not fucking looking.
I can feel him.
Tearing like a harrow
through the lining of my womb,
he makes of me a vessel
and a burden of my blessing.
Tormenting me, though
I spoke no words against him.
What wouldst thou with me?
Sweet nothing-shaped dreamscape,
clay to quicken on thy knee.
Wouldst thou come fawning
in the morning?
Your forked tongue glistening
with honey
hissing like a zephyr through
the meadow in the spring.
Arms outstretched.
Rise to thee.
Bones picked clean and bleached
before the scrying.
Blooms of lavender
escaping with the breaking
of my marrow.
Am I no more than soil?
The naked field made fulsome
by the slaking of your thirst.
Could the loam not bare
this soul,
roiling like a tempest,
water breaking on the shoal?
You stole diamonds
from my eyes...
that you might crush them
into coal.
I can feel him.
I can f-f-feel him.
I can... I can...
feel him.
Oh! Oh!
Oh!
[Water splashes]
Now... he doth beckon.
Drawing me like venom
from a wound.
His serpent circling
and groping over my person.
I shan't deny him.
His name
like nightshade on my lips.
[Speaking in global language]
[Sighs]
[Wind howling]
[Water splashes]
[Breathing shakily]
[Speaks indistinctly]
Oh, God!
Oh, my God.
God, please, no.
God, please, no.
-Please.
-[Gasps]
God isn't here anymore.
Sarah, what do we do?
Sarah.
What do we do?
-Sarah!
-Stop, Candace.
I know you're scared,
but please just stop.
There's something wrapped
around my arms.
I'm just trying to slip
my hands out of my blouse.
-What can I do?
-Shut up.
I'm sorry.
I love you.
-But, please, just shut up.
-Okay.
[Drum beating slowly]
Oh, my God.
Grab me, grab me!
[Groaning]
Ow, ow!
[Grunting]
[Groaning]
[Screaming]
Get a knife!
Get a fucking knife!
Oh!
Goody, Goody, Goody,
Goody, Goody.
Let her go.
Let her g...
Please, God, let her go.
Who?
Let who go?
What are you doing?
Let her go
or I will kill the child.
Let her go
or I'll fucking stick this knife
through her and kill them both!
[Gasping]
[Groaning]
You okay?
-[Gasps]
-What is that?
[Water splashing]
Oh. Candace.
We need to get her out of there.
No shit.
I need to see
if she's losing blood.
We need to get her
out of the pool.
We need to get the pool
out of the house.
Okay.
-You okay?
-I'm having a baby.
-Get under her arm.
-One, two, three.
Okay,
we're gonna get you out of here.
Come on, Goody.
We got you, babe.
Okay.
Now just your other foot.
The floor is so cold.
That is the least of our
problems right now, Goody.
-Well, yeah.
-You're wearing shoes.
-For fuck's sake, Goody!
-Get out the goddamn water!
-Oh! Come on.
-[Wind whistling]
[Moaning]
You okay?
I don't know.
Are you hurt?
Do you feel hurt anywhere?
Everywhere.
Sarah.
Help.
Oh, my God.
What is that?
I don't know.
Move!
Okay.
Oh!
Oh!
Pressure, pressure.
Just pressure, put pressure.
[Moans softly]
-You gonna fix this?
-Can you stitch her up?
I don't know.
Sarah, please,
you have to help her.
You have to do something.
Sarah, please.
[Wind howling]
[Breathing shakily]
We should have gone
to the hospital an hour ago.
We should have gone to
the hospital
at the first sign of trouble.
We could have made it.
We all could have made it.
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I should have got you out of
here when I still had a chance.
But you didn't, Sarah.
We're here.
Right? We're here.
And I need you to save her.
What would they do
at the hospital?
I can't do it.
What can you do?
What would they do
at the hospital right now?
A C-section?
Okay.
Okay, so we do a C-section.
I never did one before.
But you know how it's done,
right?
[Inhales sharply]
I don't know if she'll survive.
That's the best chance
she's got, right?
The only chance.
Okay, so we cut it out.
Sarah.
Sarah.
Sarah...
we cut it out.
Get me a knife.
Does this work?
No. No. Smaller, scalpel-y.
Okay.
I need a clean towel,
some alcohol
and gloves from my bag.
Where's Jayson?
One thing at a time, sweetheart.
I want sushi.
Green tea.
Edamame.
-I have sutures in my kit.
-Look in the bag.
This is gonna sting.
Good.
-[Groans]
-It's okay.
-It's okay.
-It hurts, it hurts.
-I know, sweetheart, I know.
-That's a good thing.
That means it's clean.
You want to be clean, right?
I want to be dead!
-Not tonight, mama.
-Not tonight.
Did you get a knife?
Yeah.
Jesus Christ.
Scalpel-y.
[Sighs]
Okay. [Sighing]
Okay. Hold her hands.
No, no, no, no.
Hold them.
Okay.
[Mumbling]
Slice the uterine wall.
Okay. Okay.
Okay.
Thank you.
[Wind whistling]
Okay.
Are you okay?
[Muffled] I'm beautiful.
[Exhales slowly]
[Gasps, screaming]
[Grunting]
[Screaming continues]
Hold her. Hold her!
[Screaming continues]
[Screaming continues]
There he is.
I need your hand.
-Where?
-Her stomach.
What?
Hold her fucking stomach.
[Screaming continues]
[Wailing]
[Wailing stops]
[Mumbling]
Just one more left.
Just one more.
Just one more.
Just one more.
Oh, my God!
[Muffled screams]
[Grunting]
[Wailing]
[Screaming]
[Gasping]
[Hissing]
Is he... Is he okay?
[Crying]
Sarah.
Is he okay?
[Chittering]
-Let me hold him.
-[Crying]
Sarah.
Sarah, he's crying.
[Crying]
-Let me hold him, Sarah.
-He's crying.
Let me hold him.
[Chittering]
Please.
Please.
Please, please let
me hold my baby.
[Sobbing]
[Chittering]
Let me hold my baby.
[Gasps]
[Groaning]
[Chittering]
[Grunting]
[Breathing heavily]
[Chittering]
Uhh!
Ah!
[Breathing heavily]
[Wind whistling]
[Wind howling]
[Groaning]
[Panting]
I'm so sorry...
Aaaaaah!
[Upbeat music playing]
[Singing in global language]
[Object thumping]
[Object thumping]
[Breathes shakily]
[Gasps, exhales deeply]
[Panting]
Goody.
Goody?
Goody!
[Wheezing]
I got you.
I can feel him.
The baby?
Jayson.
I love you,
Candace.
I love you, too, my love.
Tell me again.
I love you.
No.
Tell me how.
How he was born.
Surrounded by stars.
Goody?
Goody.
Goody, please. Come on.
Goody.
Goody. Please. Come on.
Tell me you're okay.
[Drumming music playing]
I'm beautiful.
[Wind whistling]
In a dark, dark wood,
there was a dark, dark house.
[Drum beating]
[Wind whistling]
And in that dark, dark house...
[Drum beating]
[Moaning in pain]
-Breathe.
-Breathe, Goody.
You got this.
-Breathe.
-[Moans]
Breathe.
[Moaning continues]
Good job, baby.
You're doing such a good job.
-Thank you.
-You warm enough?
-Yeah.
-[Speaks indistinctly]
You can relax.
He's being shy all of a sudden.
-He gets that from me.
-I'm sure.
Let me know when you feel
your next contraction, okay?
-Until then, just breathe.
-Mm-hmm.
Maybe give their hands
a little break.
I'm sorry, guys.
I think you popped my pinky.
-Your pinky?
-I popped my pelvis.
Need anything, baby?
[Speaks indistinctly]
Mm. Got any of those
in your bag?
-Afraid not.
-[Camera shutter clicks]
How much longer?
That's between you
and the little guy.
-What is he doing in there?
-[Chuckles]
Right now he's giving me a break.
That's sweet of him.
No. He's just biding his time.
Once I've calmed down a little,
he's gonna hit me where it hurts.
Oh. A little rope-a-dope?
-Mm-hmm.
-That's my boy.
It feels like your boy.
-Big old head.
-You like my head.
-You like my head.
-Oh, my God. Ew. No.
[Laughter]
It slipped out.
You perverts want anything?
-No. We're good.
-Sarah?
No. Thank you.
Maybe some sushi.
Yeah?
The first date we can go on.
-[Chuckles]
-Whatever you want, baby.
I want sushi and green tea.
Okay. What else?
Edamame?
-Mmm! Oh, yes.
-Soy sauce.
-[Chuckles]
-You guys are too cute.
[Both laugh]
One of us is.
Stop. Get off me!
You're gonna be good parents.
-You promise?
-Yeah. Cross my heart.
Well...
we promise to prove you right.
It might take us
a few trial kids,
but we'll get there eventually.
[Laughter]
-You have kids?
-No. Haven't met the right...
[Ball bouncing loudly]
I haven't met
the right fella yet.
But I've delivered a lot
of babies,
so I guess I'm everybody's mama.
How are we doing on time?
Uh, almost six minutes.
Okay. You alright, Goody?
I'm beautiful.
You can say that again.
-Candace.
-Uh, six on the dot.
-Okay.
-You warm enough?
-Yeah. I'm fine.
-We could put some water on.
No, I should be...
Uhhhh!
-[Screaming]
-You got this.
You're doing great.
You can push.
-[Screaming continues]
-You good, baby?
-She's good.
-Oh, my God!
-[Screaming continues]
-You got this, girl.
You got this.
[Moaning in pain]
-Keep going.
-You got this.
[Moaning in pain]
-Stop, stop, stop!
-Goody, don't push, don't push.
Don't push. Just breathe.
Breathe through this contraction.
Don't push.
Alright.
[Moaning softly]
You know, um,
I-I-I could actually use a cup
of tea, Jayson,
if you could help me
in the kitchen.
Yeah. Of course.
Hey, is it okay if I step away?
-Are you sure?
-It's fine, baby.
I got her, Jay.
Okay.
Candace, if the contraction
doesn't happen sooner,
let me know
when we're at five minutes.
Of course.
[Stopwatch ticking]
[Pilot light clicking]
[Gas whooshes]
A few good options here for you.
Uh, this right here is
a nice rooibos.
We have a good herbal blend,
green pomegranate, jasmine.
I'll just take
whatever's easiest.
You have tea bags?
-Yeah. We don't do bags.
-They're just plastic and mold.
Oh.
Okay. Um... pomegranate.
It's a great choice.
-So, Jayson...
-Mm-hmm?
I don't want to alarm you.
Okay, well,
you are off to a bad start.
[Chuckles] Sorry.
It's just I think we maybe have
a slight problem.
No, don't maybe think anything.
Are we having problems
or are we not?
No, but...
Why are you freaking me
out like this?
I'm not trying to freak you out.
Do you have any idea
how anxious I am?
I am not trying to freak you out.
I just think we should be taking
every precaution that we can.
Hey, even if it's just
the slightest hint of an issue,
we should take that seriously,
right?
Of course.
So, what is the slightest hint
of an issue right now?
Last time I checked,
she was fully dilated
and now out of nowhere,
she's maybe 8 centimeters.
Is that, like, a serious issue?
Not necessarily.
You know, swelling happens,
but in most circumstances,
we wait for that cervix to go
away and push when it does.
Is this not most circumstances?
[Sighs] I just have
a bad feeling.
[Teakettle whistling]
You can call it intuition,
call it whatever you want.
But I have been doing this
a while
and right now, I have
a very bad feeling.
Okay.
[Chuckles softly]
Look, I get it, right?
It's late.
We're tired.
She's been pushing for hours.
I'm sure she's had plenty of bad
feelings tonight, too,
but just, please, just...
Just not Chicken Little me
like this again.
That is not
what's happening here, Jayson.
-This is my job.
-Yeah, and I get that.
This is what you hired me...
I'm not trying
to disrespect you...
I would expect you
to listen to the expert...
-something's wrong.
-on a feeling.
This is your child, too, Jayson.
Yeah, well, I had nightmares
about the baby pool
-in the living room.
-It's not a baby pool.
-It is what it is. Alright?
-I get that you're on edge.
Can we just...
Just try to stay away
from the sky's actually falling?
-[Sighs]
-Okay?
[Whistling continues]
[Sighs]
[Whistling stops]
[Water pouring]
We good?
[Sighs]
-Sarah?
-Sure.
Okay.
Make sure to actually bring
that out when you come back.
-Goody will notice.
-Okay.
-[Sighs]
-Everything good?
You know it.
How's my little Jim Kelly doing
in there?
-Kicking ass and taking names.
-[Laughs]
[Wind whistling]
[Heavy breathing]
That is all I want for him.
Not just to enter the world,
but to enter into our home,
to feel that warmth
and that belonging.
I really believe that
on some level that can be felt.
It's a beautiful sentiment.
But I'd really like you to
consider where I'm coming from.
If you were having
the baby tomorrow,
I might feel differently.
But six months from now,
you could be snowed in.
We have a plow for the Jeep.
Every second matters, Goody.
We are not pushing snow
the whole way to the hospital.
Sarah...
when I first met you,
my heart did a little back flip.
I told Jayson on the ride home
that I wouldn't trust
anyone else.
Mm. I'm flattered.
And at this point,
my vision for this
is as much about you
as it is anything else.
The moment we met,
I knew that you were my midwife.
And I would love nothing more
than to fill that role for you.
But a massive part of my job
is looking out for your safety.
And that starts
with conversations like this.
Refining your birth plan,
finding little compromises that
we all feel comfortable with
how you approach this change
in your life.
This isn't a little compromise.
I assure you,
in the grand scheme
of things, it is.
It would still be
a home birth, baby.
Mm-hmm.
Not our home.
Goody.
I've done this for dozens
of clients.
We set the pool up here.
We light candles,
put on their favorite music,
and if there's an emergency,
we're minutes away from
the hospital instead of hours.
I've worked with mothers
just like you
who think it might
not be the same.
But almost always,
they leave grateful
that they don't have to handle
the cleanup.
[Chuckles]
I so respect your resolve, Goody.
That is an extraordinary
quality in a mother.
But the risks of any pregnancy
are so great
that we can't be taking
any unnecessary chances.
You said a minute ago
you trust me.
I do.
So trust me.
I say this with no disrespect.
The only person who would do this
is someone inexperienced
enough to underestimate
these challenges
or so experienced,
they overestimate themselves.
I admire your vision,
but it's not worth
sacrificing your safety
or the safety of your child.
I understand.
Okay.
I appreciate you taking the time
to meet with us again, Sarah.
But I think we should be going.
You sure, sweetheart?
Yeah.
We have a long drive back.
Thank you, Sarah.
You have a lovely home.
Thank you.
May I use the restroom
before I leave?
-It's right down the hall.
-Thanks.
Look,
I'm so sorry about this, Sarah.
No need to apologize.
It's your family, your plan.
Yeah, well,
look, I hope you know that if
you can find it within you to...
to do this with us,
you would be in charge.
Alright?
Whatever you say goes.
Well, right now I'm saying
don't have
a home birth in the woods.
[Chuckling]
Yeah. Fair enough.
[Chuckling]
You get a lot of birds out here?
Not as many as I'd like.
Yeah. We used to have, uh,
feeders back at my place.
Yeah. What'd you see?
A lot of cardinals, like,
robins and those little, uh...
-Yeah. Like nuthatches.
-I love the little guys.
-Yeah, the little gray ones?
-Uh-huh.
I saw a lot of those.
Then those deer
started showing up,
started sniffing out whatever
birdseed might have fallen.
Yeah.
Once they get used to
a food source,
they forget
how to fend for themselves.
So I had to take the feeders
down,
which, you know,
Goody wasn't too happy about.
The birds got the memo,
but those deer,
they just kept showing up.
-They do that.
-Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
They got pretty bold, too.
-Yeah?
-Yeah, I saw this one.
He... He put his front hooves
up on our living-room window
like a little dog.
Oh! Oh, my gosh.
Then I woke up one morning
and I saw Goody just
throwing handfuls of birdseed
all over the backyard.
Oh, no.
Yeah. Yeah. That's Goody.
She just...
She just does things
her own way, you know?
Sure.
You're on the train,
you're on the tracks.
[Exhales sharply]
[Birds chirping]
[Chirping continues]
[Dog barking, children playing
in the distance]
[Sighs]
[Teakettle whistling]
[Wind howling]
[Whistling continues]
[Door creaks]
[Howling continues]
[Whistling stops]
[Howling continues]
[Breathing heavily]
[Drum beating]
[Moaning in pain]
Hey, hey. Hey, hey.
-Ohh!
-Breathe.
[Moans]
You good?
-Ohh!
-I know.
I know.
Aah!
Goody...
I have this terrible feeling
that if you can't find someone,
you'll try
and do this on your own.
Is that true?
If I say yes, will you say yes?
That feels nice.
Good.
My body's been screaming
for months.
-Your boobs look great.
-I'll second that.
-Thank you, baby.
-Mm-hmm.
I should get knocked up.
-Big boobs in the pro column.
-Yeah.
The rest of your body gets
fucking ravaged, but...
-them titties.
-Mm-hmm.
[Light laughter]
Honey, are you okay?
That's the spot, wasn't it?
We're at five minutes, Sarah.
Thank you, Candace.
How are you feeling, Goody?
Still pregnant.
This little man plan
on changing that anytime soon?
He better.
If he takes after his father,
he'll be right on time.
-Ha!
-He ever tell you about that?
What?
Showed up 30 minutes late
to our first date.
-Jayson!
-Thought he stood me up.
-I was jet-lagged.
-Bullshit.
-What?
-Bullshit. Jet-lagged?
-I was jet-lagged.
-Jet-lagged where?
It's not like New York to Texas.
-I was in Japan. Okay?
-Bullshit.
-I do, and I will.
-I have a clock.
I am always on time.
-You're always on time?!
-Absolutely.
You weren't even on time
to get here.
I literally was, and I still
will be better than you.
-Better than me?
-This is Japan jet lag.
Okay, you know what?
How about you go to Okinawa
and come in and tell me about
being jet-lagged?
-Buzz!
-Did you just buzz me?
My wife is pregnant.
Whose fucking fault is that?
-You forgive me.
-Don't you, baby?
A thousand times yes.
Want some music on?
Yeah, that'd be nice.
Her name is Goody
Goody Goody
No.
Giving birth
in a kiddie pool
Her name is Goody,
Goody Goody
-I'll take that.
-Never heard of a hospital
Oh, Goody, Goody Goody
-Don't get lost.
-I need my super pseudo doula.
Were you ever a doula?
-Sarah?
-Hmm?
Were you ever a doula?
No. Uh, no.
I was a pediatric nurse
for a while,
and then I got my degree
in midwifery.
Was that always the plan?
More or less. Yeah.
Flirted with my mom's
plan for a semester,
but I knew it wasn't for me.
What was that?
A surgeon.
Sounds so dismissive.
-I don't mean to be.
-It's just...
It's a very typical thing
for a mom to want.
And what do you want
little man to be?
-Faster.
-[Chuckles]
That makes two of us.
[Ticking]
Mm.
Let's burn some midnight oil.
["Kelen Ati Leen" by
Orchestra Baobab playing]
Whoo!
[Man singing in global language]
Goody, do you still feel
your last contraction?
Hmm?
Can you still feel
your last contraction?
Hmm...
Hmm. Little bit.
Well, you're gonna feel them
the rest of your life.
Waking up in a cold sweat
with labor flashbacks.
Yeah, just try not to wake me
up when that happens.
May I please examine you?
You are in
for the rudest of awakenings.
-Would you please...
-Oh, yeah?
Add nursery
to your next tour of duty.
-I like that.
-Goody!
Baby.
May I please examine you?
-Yes.
-Yeah. Of course.
Is everything okay?
Yeah. Just want to see...
Get you to relax a little.
-Sarah.
-[Softly] Oh, my God.
-You good?
-[Speaking softly]
Sarah.
Shit.
[Music slows down, stops]
[Wind howling]
-What happened?
-Shit.
-What happened, Jayson?
-It's just the power, baby.
-What's going on?
-It's okay, Goody.
-Why is the power out?
-Is it coming back on?
-Sweetie, it just went out.
-Goody, it's okay.
Well, I can't do this
in the dark, Jayson.
-Hey.
-You need to keep breathing.
Well, can you check
the fuse box or something?
I don't think it's a fuse, baby.
-Well, how do we fix it?
-It's probably out all over.
We have to do something.
You need to keep breathing,
Goody.
Yeah. Just try to relax.
Don't tell me to relax, Jayson.
This is not a relaxing time
for me.
You can't get worked up
like this, sweetie.
Don't tell me what
I can't do, Jayson.
Just go fucking fix it.
I don't think it's something
I can fix.
Well, do something.
Get some candles, Easter Island.
Put that fucking head to use.
[Chuckles] Okay.
Jesus Christ.
Okay.
I'm gonna go get some candles.
-Okay. [Sniffles]
-[Wind whistling]
You need to let go of my hand
first.
-I'm sorry.
-It's okay.
-I'm sorry I yelled at you.
-It's okay.
It's okay.
Your head's not even that big.
-It's okay.
-It's pretty big.
I love you so much.
I love you, too.
Let me get those candles.
Okay?
Now, just try and relax, Goody.
That just scared me.
I know, sweetheart.
You have nothing to be afraid of.
Mm.
What are you talking about?
-I mean it.
-How can you say that?
The power's out, and I'm getting
K.O.'d by a fucking baby.
This isn't a fight, Goody.
This isn't a fight.
It's just...
It's life, right?
I mean, there are ups and downs,
but it's all worthwhile.
I actually do think this
is gonna be really beautiful.
Think about it.
He's gonna be born
into this warm water
surrounded
by love and candlelight.
That's an incredible way
to come into this world.
That is how he's gonna live.
[Lighter clicking]
Surrounded by love,
warmth,
all things beautiful.
He's gonna have
this incredible story
that you and Jayson share.
And you'll tell him
how you pushed and you pushed,
but he was just too shy to come
out with all those lights on.
Then the world went quiet,
and his daddy brought
an entire sky full of stars
into your home just so that
he could be born into the water.
You'll tell him so often
that even he'll be convinced
that he can remember it.
Every day for as long
as he lives,
he'll picture you and Jayson
moving heaven and earth
to make sure
that he was born beautifully,
that he came into this world
exactly how he deserved to.
Surrounded by love and warmth.
Was the brightest,
most beautiful ray of light
in a room full of stars.
How do you feel, mama?
I feel beautiful.
Goddamn right.
That was really lovely, Candace.
You would say that.
Hippies love shit about stars.
I'm not a hippie.
No, just a normal cornrowed
white girl
having a home birth.
Nothing to see here, folks.
You just had to ruin
that moment, huh?
-I made the fucking moment.
-I'll do as I please.
[Laughs]
Candace, would you run and grab
another towel from the closet?
Of course.
What's that for?
I want to get you out
of this pool.
Have you walk around
a little bit.
A little bit of movement.
You know, get the blood flowing.
-Yeah, that should be...
-Oh!
-That was a weird one.
-Weird how?
I don't feel it anymore.
Not at all?
Not at all.
Whoa.
What happened here?
Candace, get her out
and walk her down the hall.
Got it.
Alright.
What's going on?
The sky's falling.
Alright. What's wrong?
Her contractions were
hitting every 5 or 6 minutes,
and then out of nowhere,
she goes, like, 15 minutes
and it's the weirdest fucking
contraction I've ever seen.
Maybe she's just
not fully dilated.
She was before.
But either way,
why would her contractions
-start spacing out like that?
-I don't know. Why?
-No, it's not a riddle, Jayson.
-I don't know either.
So is this not, like,
a common thing?
-No, no, no.
-I cannot stress to you enough.
This is a serious problem.
The baby could be breech.
-Why do you think that?
-It's just a possibility.
Why is it a possibility?
Because I can't think of
anything else that makes sense.
[Crying]
-Fuck.
-It's okay.
-Fuck.
-Hey. It's okay.
How is this okay?
Because we are going to
the hospital right now.
If something's wrong,
everything will be better there.
They can handle it better.
And if baby's fine,
at least you'll be somewhere
-where the lights are on, right?
-Yeah. Yeah.
With the contractions
this far apart,
we can take the drive
a little more slow.
-Okay.
-We get there safe,
we figure out what's going on,
we bring him into this world,
happy and healthy.
-Yeah.
-Okay. Get your go bag.
Get anything else that you need
and get the car running.
-Okay?
-Okay.
Okay.
Hey. Cross my heart...
you're gonna be a great dad.
[Sighs]
[Sighs]
[Heart beating]
-Sarah.
-[Gasps]
We overheard.
Okay.
I'm scared, Sarah.
-That's okay.
-It's okay to be scared,
but everything's gonna be
alright.
I know it wasn't the plan,
but we got to go
to the hospital now.
[Crying] Okay.
Candace, can you grab her boots?
-[Sniffling]
-No problem.
Let's get you changed
before we go outside.
No.
Goody, you can't go out
in this weather like that.
-No!
-Goody.
No!
This is my dress.
I'll go to the hospital.
I'll... I'll go to the hospital.
But this...
This is my dress.
Hey.
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
-I got you. Okay?
-[Sniffles]
I got you.
It's gonna be alright.
-I'm scared.
-I know.
I am too.
-It's gonna be alright. Okay?
-[Crying]
I'm gonna get you
to the hospital.
It's gonna be alright.
Yeah.
I'm gonna warm the car up
for you.
It's gonna be nice
and toasty when you get in.
You're cold in that dress,
but it's gonna be okay, alright?
[Laughs] Yeah.
I love you, baby.
Hey, now you bundle up for me.
-Alright?
-Mm-hmm.
Okay.
[Sighs]
-Thank you, Jayson.
-[Door opens]
I trust you, Sarah.
[Door closes]
I trust you.
That's all I need, sweetheart.
Now, come get your boots on.
Candace, get her bundled up.
-Her scarf's over there.
-Got it.
Oh.
I feel like a snowman.
No, you're too hot
to be a snowman.
-You'd be nothing but a puddle.
-I'm gonna go see
-if the car's ready.
-Heard.
[Wind whistling]
[Wind rushing]
Hey. Are we ready to go?
[Ignition beeping]
Jayson?
Jayson!
Jayson!
Jayson!
Jayson!
Jayson!
[Wind howling]
[Wood creaking]
[Roars]
[Beeping continues]
Okay.
[Beeping stops]
[Wind whistling]
[Breathing heavily]
[Screaming]
When did this contraction start?
-A minute ago.
-A whole minute?!
-At least.
-[Moaning in pain]
Okay. Okay. Breathe.
-Just breathe, Goody. Breathe.
-What's happening?!
-You're having a baby.
-That's what's happening.
-Oh.
-Let's get this coat off of her.
I'm cold.
I know, I know,
but we're gonna get a blanket
and that'll be warmer for you.
I thought we were leaving.
-We will. We are.
-We're just, uh...
We, uh, need to make sure
that you're good to go first.
I am.
-I'm good to go.
-Okay. Alright.
-I think we should go.
-Yeah, we will.
-We will soon, I know.
-I don't feel good.
No, no, no, don't say that.
-I don't.
-Don't say that.
Candace, call an ambulance,
please.
-Where's Jayson?
-I don't know, Goody.
Is he outside?
I-I don't know.
Where is he?
Oh.
You're freezing.
-Hey.
-[Blowing]
Sarah, please.
Hey.
Hey, where...
Where is my husband?
I don't know.
I went out to the car
to check and he...
he wasn't there.
-Where did he go?
-I don't know where he went.
Is... Is he coming back?
I don't know.
Where did he go?
I don't know where he went.
-Why didn't you tell me?
-I don't want to scare you.
I'm already scared, Sarah.
My baby's upside down.
-No, no, we don't know that.
-I'm already fucking scared.
We don't know that for sure.
Something's wrong.
I'm scared.
I'm really scared.
I couldn't be more scared
than I am right now.
So please, please do not
try to save me
from any more scary shit
because I'm already
fucking scared.
It's gonna be okay.
-Yes, it will.
-It's not gonna be okay.
-It's not gonna be okay.
-Yes, it will.
I don't feel good.
No, no, don't say that.
-I feel sick.
-Please.
-And I feel fat.
-Please.
-Don't do this.
-I'm sorry. I'm scared.
-I'm so scared.
-Don't do this.
Please. Hey.
-Hey.
-Uhh...
-I got you.
-Okay? I got you.
You don't have to be scared.
I don't know if I can.
You can.
-You can do this.
-I can't do this.
Yes.
You've come so far.
Do not give up.
I will not let you.
I will not let you.
You got this.
Just keep breathing.
-Yeah.
-Sarah.
[Sighs]
-Sarah.
-What, Candace?!
The phone's dead, too.
Oh, fuck.
Oh, God. Okay.
Okay.
[Voice shaking]
[Crying] Okay. Okay, okay.
-Take her.
-Should we get her to the car?
-Just give me...
-Give me a minute.
-We should get her to the car.
-Right?
I just need to think.
What the fuck is there
to think about?
You said we have to leave.
The keys are gone.
-What do you mean, they're gone?
-Jayson had them.
-Where's Jayson?
-I don't know.
What do you mean you don't know?
-I don't know, Candace.
-His wife is in labor.
He's not just gonna up
and leave like that.
[Crying]
Sarah.
Sarah!
Where is Jayson?
I think something took him.
What do you mean?
I don't know, but he's gone.
-We have to go find him.
-We have to do something.
-Do what?
-Fucking something, Sarah.
He could be hurt.
He could be lost.
He wouldn't do this to us.
He wouldn't do this to Goody.
He would not do this to me!
Candace...
we need to take care
of Goody now.
If something bad happened
to Jayson,
there's nothing we can do.
There are no tracks to follow.
There is no phone
to call for help.
We can hope and we can pray,
but there's nothing
we can do right now for him.
She's in labor.
She's struggling.
The power is out.
The phone line is down.
We are here.
We are here.
You here with me?
Are you with me, Candace?
We need to keep her warm.
Can you grab a proper blanket
for her?
Wait.
Wait, Candace, wait.
Just stay here one more moment.
I can feel him.
Is he kicking?
Yeah.
Kicking and screaming.
I love you both so much.
How do you feel, mama?
I feel beautiful.
Okay.
Can you grab her a comforter
or a quilt from the bedroom?
[Sighs]
[Crying softly]
[Sniffles]
[Sobbing silently]
I'm scared, Sarah.
I know.
I know, sweetheart.
If it makes you feel any better,
I've never met a mother
who wasn't.
And even
if everything goes perfectly,
it's still just a little scary.
But I'm not gonna let
anything happen.
I'm not gonna let
anything happen to you.
It feels like
someone's breaking my feet.
-That's not good.
-They're all tingly.
Okay.
I just need to make sure
that the blood... is flowing.
Can you pop my toes?
What?
Jayson does it for me.
Okay.
[Knuckle cracks, both laughing]
That was a good one.
Thank you.
-Can you...
-Here, wrap her up.
Tuck her in a little.
Goody, do you have
any more candles?
That's all they have
is hippie shit.
The cupboard in the nursery.
-And flashlights?
-[Wind whistling]
Same spot.
Candace, can you
just keep her comfortable?
Okay.
Can you pop her toes for her?
-What?
-Jayson pops her toes for her.
I'm not fucking
touching her feet.
-[Laughs]
-Go get the candles.
[Sighs]
[Wind howling]
[Objects clattering]
Oh, shit.
[Sighs]
[Sighs]
Mm.
-[Gasps]
-[Screaming]
-Sarah!
-[Gasps]
[Moaning in pain]
Shit!
Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit.
-Help her up. Help her.
-[Screaming]
Get her on her feet.
You're not dilated.
Open those hips and breathe.
[Moaning]
-[Screaming]
-Okay. Okay.
[Screaming continues]
[Bones cracking]
Aah! Aah! Aah!
[Growling]
-I got you.
-I got you, mama.
Yes. There you go.
There you go. Just breathe.
Just breathe. Just breathe.
Candace, can you get some
of these lit?
Yeah.
I just need to see
how baby's situated.
Candace, bring a flashlight.
In my bag, there's a stethoscope.
It looks like a horn.
[Heart beating]
[Match ignites]
Candace, can I get
that flashlight over here?
Is this too much pressure?
[Gasping]
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
It was a little too much
pressure, Sarah.
Just a little too much.
What was that?
[Wind howling]
[Breathing heavily]
That was baby.
Did you feel him kick
or something?
-Something.
-Something like that.
Mm.
That's my boy.
Uh, Candace,
can you help me
with something in the pantry?
Yep.
What do you need from the pantry?
I have no fucking clue,
but we'll be right back.
Okay. Sarah, what do we do?
-Let me just...
-Let me think a moment.
Maybe I go out,
I can try to find help and...
No! No! I don't know
what happened to Jayson.
I don't think it's
very safe out there.
It's not feeling very fucking
safe in here, Sarah.
Maybe the baby only has
a few fingers on that hand.
Those aren't baby fingers,
Candace.
-How do you know? It was dark.
-It was just a glimpse.
I've seen baby fingers.
Candace, I've seen a lot
of baby fingers.
Mostly like 5,
maybe 10 at a time.
I can't feel the baby's back.
I can't feel the baby's head.
When I was examining her,
it wasn't up, it wasn't down.
It was turning
and then pushing against her.
It wants out of her.
There is something unnatural
inside of her, Candace.
So what do we do?
We deliver it.
[Fire crackling]
Goody?
Hey, Sarah.
Where did all
these candles come from?
The loft?
No, there weren't as many
up there, Goody.
Jayson must have brought
some more.
Jayson?
Yeah.
Did Jayson do all this?
Uh-huh.
And then he put me back
in the water.
Did you see where Jayson went?
I didn't see him at all.
And how do you know it was him?
He said..."Deliver my son."
Mm.
Okay.
Okay. Let's just get
around the pool then.
-Are you fucking serious?
-Please, Candace.
What are we doing?
I guess...
we're just gonna push.
[Wind howling]
Great.
What does the clock say, Candace?
I do not have the clock.
It's... It's probably fine.
You guys are doing
such a great job.
Such a great job.
Okay.
Are you warm enough?
Are you warm enough, Candace?
No. You, Goody.
Oh, yeah.
He heated the water for me.
Of course he did.
That's because he loves you
very much.
Oh. He does.
And he definitely
wouldn't want to hurt you
or anyone else
who might be helping you.
-Oh, my God.
-What?
-Hot.
-Oh, fuck!
I told you.
He loves me so-o-o-o-o much.
There he is.
Who?
Jayson.
You see Jayson?
What is he doing up there?
What is he doing?
What is he doing up there?
What is he doing up there?
Candace,
is there someone up there?
I'm not fucking looking.
I can feel him.
Tearing like a harrow
through the lining of my womb,
he makes of me a vessel
and a burden of my blessing.
Tormenting me, though
I spoke no words against him.
What wouldst thou with me?
Sweet nothing-shaped dreamscape,
clay to quicken on thy knee.
Wouldst thou come fawning
in the morning?
Your forked tongue glistening
with honey
hissing like a zephyr through
the meadow in the spring.
Arms outstretched.
Rise to thee.
Bones picked clean and bleached
before the scrying.
Blooms of lavender
escaping with the breaking
of my marrow.
Am I no more than soil?
The naked field made fulsome
by the slaking of your thirst.
Could the loam not bare
this soul,
roiling like a tempest,
water breaking on the shoal?
You stole diamonds
from my eyes...
that you might crush them
into coal.
I can feel him.
I can f-f-feel him.
I can... I can...
feel him.
Oh! Oh!
Oh!
[Water splashes]
Now... he doth beckon.
Drawing me like venom
from a wound.
His serpent circling
and groping over my person.
I shan't deny him.
His name
like nightshade on my lips.
[Speaking in global language]
[Sighs]
[Wind howling]
[Water splashes]
[Breathing shakily]
[Speaks indistinctly]
Oh, God!
Oh, my God.
God, please, no.
God, please, no.
-Please.
-[Gasps]
God isn't here anymore.
Sarah, what do we do?
Sarah.
What do we do?
-Sarah!
-Stop, Candace.
I know you're scared,
but please just stop.
There's something wrapped
around my arms.
I'm just trying to slip
my hands out of my blouse.
-What can I do?
-Shut up.
I'm sorry.
I love you.
-But, please, just shut up.
-Okay.
[Drum beating slowly]
Oh, my God.
Grab me, grab me!
[Groaning]
Ow, ow!
[Grunting]
[Groaning]
[Screaming]
Get a knife!
Get a fucking knife!
Oh!
Goody, Goody, Goody,
Goody, Goody.
Let her go.
Let her g...
Please, God, let her go.
Who?
Let who go?
What are you doing?
Let her go
or I will kill the child.
Let her go
or I'll fucking stick this knife
through her and kill them both!
[Gasping]
[Groaning]
You okay?
-[Gasps]
-What is that?
[Water splashing]
Oh. Candace.
We need to get her out of there.
No shit.
I need to see
if she's losing blood.
We need to get her
out of the pool.
We need to get the pool
out of the house.
Okay.
-You okay?
-I'm having a baby.
-Get under her arm.
-One, two, three.
Okay,
we're gonna get you out of here.
Come on, Goody.
We got you, babe.
Okay.
Now just your other foot.
The floor is so cold.
That is the least of our
problems right now, Goody.
-Well, yeah.
-You're wearing shoes.
-For fuck's sake, Goody!
-Get out the goddamn water!
-Oh! Come on.
-[Wind whistling]
[Moaning]
You okay?
I don't know.
Are you hurt?
Do you feel hurt anywhere?
Everywhere.
Sarah.
Help.
Oh, my God.
What is that?
I don't know.
Move!
Okay.
Oh!
Oh!
Pressure, pressure.
Just pressure, put pressure.
[Moans softly]
-You gonna fix this?
-Can you stitch her up?
I don't know.
Sarah, please,
you have to help her.
You have to do something.
Sarah, please.
[Wind howling]
[Breathing shakily]
We should have gone
to the hospital an hour ago.
We should have gone to
the hospital
at the first sign of trouble.
We could have made it.
We all could have made it.
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I should have got you out of
here when I still had a chance.
But you didn't, Sarah.
We're here.
Right? We're here.
And I need you to save her.
What would they do
at the hospital?
I can't do it.
What can you do?
What would they do
at the hospital right now?
A C-section?
Okay.
Okay, so we do a C-section.
I never did one before.
But you know how it's done,
right?
[Inhales sharply]
I don't know if she'll survive.
That's the best chance
she's got, right?
The only chance.
Okay, so we cut it out.
Sarah.
Sarah.
Sarah...
we cut it out.
Get me a knife.
Does this work?
No. No. Smaller, scalpel-y.
Okay.
I need a clean towel,
some alcohol
and gloves from my bag.
Where's Jayson?
One thing at a time, sweetheart.
I want sushi.
Green tea.
Edamame.
-I have sutures in my kit.
-Look in the bag.
This is gonna sting.
Good.
-[Groans]
-It's okay.
-It's okay.
-It hurts, it hurts.
-I know, sweetheart, I know.
-That's a good thing.
That means it's clean.
You want to be clean, right?
I want to be dead!
-Not tonight, mama.
-Not tonight.
Did you get a knife?
Yeah.
Jesus Christ.
Scalpel-y.
[Sighs]
Okay. [Sighing]
Okay. Hold her hands.
No, no, no, no.
Hold them.
Okay.
[Mumbling]
Slice the uterine wall.
Okay. Okay.
Okay.
Thank you.
[Wind whistling]
Okay.
Are you okay?
[Muffled] I'm beautiful.
[Exhales slowly]
[Gasps, screaming]
[Grunting]
[Screaming continues]
Hold her. Hold her!
[Screaming continues]
[Screaming continues]
There he is.
I need your hand.
-Where?
-Her stomach.
What?
Hold her fucking stomach.
[Screaming continues]
[Wailing]
[Wailing stops]
[Mumbling]
Just one more left.
Just one more.
Just one more.
Just one more.
Oh, my God!
[Muffled screams]
[Grunting]
[Wailing]
[Screaming]
[Gasping]
[Hissing]
Is he... Is he okay?
[Crying]
Sarah.
Is he okay?
[Chittering]
-Let me hold him.
-[Crying]
Sarah.
Sarah, he's crying.
[Crying]
-Let me hold him, Sarah.
-He's crying.
Let me hold him.
[Chittering]
Please.
Please.
Please, please let
me hold my baby.
[Sobbing]
[Chittering]
Let me hold my baby.
[Gasps]
[Groaning]
[Chittering]
[Grunting]
[Breathing heavily]
[Chittering]
Uhh!
Ah!
[Breathing heavily]
[Wind whistling]
[Wind howling]
[Groaning]
[Panting]
I'm so sorry...
Aaaaaah!
[Upbeat music playing]
[Singing in global language]
[Object thumping]
[Object thumping]
[Breathes shakily]
[Gasps, exhales deeply]
[Panting]
Goody.
Goody?
Goody!
[Wheezing]
I got you.
I can feel him.
The baby?
Jayson.
I love you,
Candace.
I love you, too, my love.
Tell me again.
I love you.
No.
Tell me how.
How he was born.
Surrounded by stars.
Goody?
Goody.
Goody, please. Come on.
Goody.
Goody. Please. Come on.
Tell me you're okay.
[Drumming music playing]
I'm beautiful.