November Christmas (2010) Movie Script
- Welcome back.
- Hi. How's it going? Hey.
- Hello.
- Hi.
- Oh...!
- How are you?
- Welcome home, Vanessa.
- Thank you. It's great to be here.
- Hi, everyone.
- Hi!
I'm excited to be here.
Thank you very much for having me.
- What's the book about?
- It's about me and a town.
- Like here?
- Well, I don't wanna spoil it for you,
but... I will let you in
on one little secret.
There's magic.
- Are you ready?
- Mm-hmm.
- Yeah? Yeah? Okay.
- Yeah.
November Christmas.
"A pumpkin patch in August.
"A Christmas tree in fall.
"Wow, how fun.
"The very idea of it would seem impossible
to most eight-year-olds, but not to me.
"I knew that magic was real.
"And it was everywhere,
if you knew where to look.
"My magical adventure
began one ordinary summer morning,
"in a quiet town,
when everyone was still asleep.
Well, almost everyone."
Do you not see what I see?
Crow, will ya?
The sun came up 15 minutes ago.
What are you waitin' for?
- How long have you been standin' there?
- Long enough.
Should I be worried
about you talking to that old bird?
Probably.
- Thanks.
- Wade called.
He's gettin' nervous about his eggs.
- He's always nervous.
- Better get down there.
I'll take 'em over to him.
You need anything in town?
No, I'm on my way into the library.
What do you want for dessert tonight?
Just you. And a fruit pie.
I'll see you later.
Okay.
See ya.
Dr. Perry,
please report to Cardiology.
Dr. Perry, report to Cardiology,
please.
What time is it now?
- It's time for you to sit down.
- Don't give me that face.
Sit down.
We're gonna be out of here really soon.
I'm giving this one to Nurse Angie.
- Oh... she'll love that.
- Hmm.
- Mom?
- Yes, Gordon.
- When's dad coming back?
- Um...
Right now.
Dr. Blade to Oncology, please.
Dr. Blade to Oncology.
- Thank you.
- Let's go.
- Let's go.
- Ah, Vanessa, we have to wait
till Dr. Patel signs your discharge papers.
- How much longer?
- Oh, 10 seconds.
- One, two, three..
- Okay, five minutes.
Hey, Gordo, look what I got you.
- Whoa! Thanks, Dad!
- Yeah, buddy.
And this...
... is for you.
Wow. Thanks.
- You shake it.
- What?
You shake it so you can see the snow.
Good morning, ladies.
Hey, slow down and enjoy the ride!
Idiot.
Coffee break?
- I... I need this.
- I needed you
to be on time this morning.
Let's go, hmm? You're on dishes
this afternoon.
Again?
Boo-hoo. Customers. Go.
He's been asking for you
and he's in a foul mood.
That's a shocker.
Hmm.
- I heard you missed me.
- Yeah...
- Want these in the cooler?
- Yeah, put 'em there where I can get 'em.
My dishwasher didn't show - again.
- Thought people wanted to work.
- Ah...
Where the heck did she go?
Tammy!
If my niece had her way,
mornings would begin at noon.
You hungry?
- No, I..
- Well, grab a muffin before you head out.
Thanks, Wade. I'll see ya.
Nobody likes cold food.
Table six.
Go.
- Whoop.
- That would've not been pretty.
- Sorry.
- Uncle Wade's impossible.
I would've been on time
if he had let me drive the car.
You gotta prove
that you're trustworthy.
- I'm here, I'm working!
- And you gotta show a better attitude.
He's making me stay after my shift
to be the dishwasher - again.
- 'Morning, Tammy.
- Yeah, good morning.
- Excuse me.
- How are you this morning, Mr. Zachary?
Busy. Gotta unblock
the Richters' kitchen sink,
repair the netting
on the Hammonds' screen door
and build a hutch for a pet rabbit.
Thank goodness for
these helpless city folk moving in.
- Thank you.
- Can I get a muffin?
Yeah, sure thing.
Just lookin'.
It's your turn, Gordon.
I spy...
... Vanessa sleeping.
Boo, I'm awake.
Homeward bound.
- Mom?
- Yeah, sweetie.
The little girl inside the snow globe,
she's holding another snow globe
in her hands.
- Really?
- And it looks like...
... there's another little girl
inside that one.
I didn't notice that.
That's pretty cool.
But it's too small
and I can't really see it.
Can I see?
Pretty cool.
Hmm.
- Feels good to be home, doesn't it?
- Yeah.
Do you need me to help you
unpack your backpack, sweetheart?
I'm okay.
Okay.
Shhh.
It's from the school. We have
to register Vanessa for third grade.
- There's nothing in there.
- Nothing eatable, as Gordon would say.
Rice cakes and anchovies.
- Yuck, as our daughter would say.
- What do I say?
Look at what your daddy
is thinking about eating.
- Yuck.
- It is yuck.
- What are we gonna do today?
- We're gonna take it easy,
since we spent the morning in the car.
Why can't we do something?
- Let's you and I go shopping for mommy.
- I want her to take it easy.
- Can I get a toy?!
- Oh...
- How does he do that?
- I already got you a toy, buddy!
- Just me and dad, Gordon!
- Dad and me.
- And let's not yell.
- Why can't I come?
- Do you see what you've started?
- It's back to normal.
Hey, munchkins,
come on, let's go, in the car.
Maybe with us outta your hair,
you can do a little something for you.
We're gonna be okay.
- How's it going?
- Good.
We have all the books in, except
for one on the fourth grade list,
and that'll be here next week.
Fantastic.
And... a new illustration.
And check out the books
in the Fall and Winter Reading Series.
I used all you book suggestions.
I see.
Claire... I want you to run it.
Oh, no, Abby,
I said I would do it for the summer,
but..
Come on, you love it.
- I do.
- And I wanna add another group,
so with scheduling
and overseeing the readers.
I'll need you here one more day.
That would be three days a week
away from the farm.
Ah, I'll talk to Jess.
Sure. Thanks.
Dad?
- Dad.
- Yeah, Gordo.
- I'm gonna be Batman for Halloween.
- Well,
you outgrew that costume.
But I wanna be Batman.
Okay, I guess we'll just have
to get a new one when the time comes.
- When will that be?
- Oh, not for a while.
- Why?
- Well, it's only August.
- When's Halloween?
- End of October.
- How long's that?
- That's a couple of months.
- How long's a couple of months?
- That's 60 days, buddy.
Hey, honey.
Hey.
Miss Sunshine, you okay?
- Mm-hmm.
- You sure?
You want me to take you home
so you can rest?
We can get our vegetables later.
- Tomorrow.
- No, I'm okay.
Let's go!
Hello, Tom. Good to see ya.
- You, too.
- Kids, say hi to Mr. Sanford.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- Can we go see the animals?
- If it's okay with Mr. Sanford.
Sure you can.
Careful where you step.
How long have you been livin' out here?
Mm, seven...
eight months. Why?
Mr. Sanford was my dad.
Call me Jess.
Kids are sure growin'.
Ah... yep. Happened fast.
Yeah.
- Tomatoes on your list?
- They are.
Four.
That's good. Let's make it six.
Kids like corn?
Sure. So do I.
It's on the list: six ears.
Haven't seen much of you folks.
Been gettin' your vegetables
someplace else?
No, we, uh...
We just been busy.
Well... busy's good.
Beats the alternative.
Uh... excuse me.
Hey.
Yeah, yeah, I, uh... I got the disk.
And... I'm gonna write the programme,
so...
C'mere. Sit, sit.
Sit. Sit.
What's his name?
His name's Stanley.
Good boy.
No, no, no, I was planning
on being there, but now I, uh...
I can't make it.
Look, just call me
after the meeting's over.
Okay, bye.
Would like to...
Could I return these?
Beth.
- Hi, Claire.
- Hi. I haven't seen you all summer.
- Everybody good?
- Everybody's great.
Yeah, we've just been
in and out of town. Mm.
Y'know, we're gonna continue
the preschool reading series in the fall.
Gordon might really enjoy it.
Found it.
I'll keep it in mind.
It was nice seeing you.
You, too. Tell Tom and the kids hi.
Beth.
- Hi.
- Megan's mom.
Rita.
Right. I'm sorry. Of course. It's...
There's just been a lot going on.
Ugh, tell me about it.
Summer camps, family stuff,
kids getting ready to go back to school...
Yeah, right.
How's your daughter?
Forgive me, I'm only asking
because..
It's okay.
She's, uh... she's doing much better.
It's nice seeing you.
Yeah, I'll take two orders to go.
- All right.
- Thanks.
There's nobody here!
Yeah...
How's your tummy feel now?
Okay.
- Yeah? Come here.
- When am I gonna get better?
- Soon.
- How long is soon?
Do you remember when we planted
those flowers in the backyard?
- Yeah.
- Yeah?
Remember they were very healthy
when we first planted them?
But after some time, they...
... wilted.
So we cut them back and...
you don't know this, but your daddy
gave them some plant food
to prepare them for the winter
so that they could grow healthy again.
It's just like that.
Dr. Patel gives you medicine
that sometimes makes you feel bad,
but it's so you'll get better.
Okay?
By Halloween?
Maybe.
But probably more like Christmas.
That's not for... forever.
Hey, now... don't say that.
Let's just say you'll be better by
the time we have our first big snowfall.
Okay?
- Want your covers all the way up?
- Sure.
Snug as a bug in a rug.
- Love you.
- I love you, too, sweetheart.
What do you say, Tom?
Jess.
- Do you have any pumpkins?
- Pumpkins?
No, too early.
Got a lot of squash.
Got some nice zucchini.
How long will it be
before you have pumpkins?
Ah, nobody around here's gonna have any
pumpkins till the first part of October.
Been too cool and dry this summer.
Maybe down in New York
and New Jersey, but not around here.
I'll have lots of 'em by Halloween.
Right. Okay.
Thanks, Jess.
Sure.
- What was that all about?
- I got no idea.
- Oh. We expecting company?
- No. Why?
You made a pot roast...
It's Monday night...
I was in the mood.
Lucky me.
- Mm. Apple?
- Yep.
Yum.
That old dog sure sleeps a lot.
Suppose he's got a thyroid problem?
Oh, he's okay, he's just old.
That what you say about me?
You don't sleep that much.
It's all that pie you feed me.
So what's up?
Abby wants to continue
the children's reading series
into the school year.
She wants me
to run it.
It'd mean an extra day each week
at the library, but...
I'm thinking of saying yes.
Do it.
I mean, you enjoy being there.
You're great with the kids.
Y'know, they're lucky to have you.
I saw Beth Marks.
- She came by the library.
- Really?
Tom and the kids stopped by
the stand the other day.
He's an odd one.
He's not odd, he's just young.
He came back again today
lookin' for pumpkins.
In August. That's odd.
Can we keep the light on
and my door open a crack?
Of course, sweetheart.
And you just call out
if you need anything, okay?
- Okay.
- Okay.
- I love you. Good night.
- Good night.
'Night.
I think we should reregister Vanessa
for school.
Her immune system's too weak
to be around other kids.
- Honey, you're just being--
- Don't make this about me, Tom.
Well, we can't keep her in a cocoon.
Eventually, she's gotta go school.
She needs to get well first.
She's gonna get well.
I just... I don't think we should
making any set plans right now.
- That's exactly what we need to do.
- I don't think you're being realistic.
But we moved here
because of the schools.
What would it hurt to meet the teacher,
let Vanessa see the classroom.
No. No, we're not doing that.
It's too much pressure.
I don't want her feeling badly
that she can't be around
the other kids again.
I'm homeschooling her this year.
And, please, stop pushing me.
Sorry.
Hey. Sorry.
Okay. Me, too.
Why couldn't it have been me?
So what are we gonna do today?
We can watch a video.
Okay. You wanna play a board game?
We could do that.
Why do we have to stay inside?
It's not raining anymore.
- Can we go swimming?
- Can we?
- We still have that wading pool, don't we?
- Mm-hmm.
- Hmm?
- It's for babies. Can't we go swimming?
- No, we cannot go swimming.
We don't have to go swimming
to have a good time.
When I come back from my meeting,
we can get outta here.
There's one.
There's one right there.
Oh!
- Look at him crawling.
- Is that a baby?
- I think it might be a baby, yeah.
- Where's the mommy?
- I don't know.
Maybe if we're lucky
we'll get to see her.
- Oh! Is that her?
- Yep.
I think that's her right there.
Is that the mommy?
Careful, careful. Watch your toes.
- Oh...
- Watch your... watch your toes.
Go on! Yeah!
Now lift her up real high!
There you go! Yeah, that's it!
Get that thing going, buddy!
All right, let's go.
Good! Whoo!
Whoo.
- Yeah!
- That's it! Faster, buddy! Faster!
Yeah! Keep going, buddy! Faster!
That's it! Yeah!
Let Vanessa have a try.
Hey, Gordon, let Vanessa try.
- Yeah!
- There you go, sweetie.
Now come on..
Go, honey, go!
Run, let's go.
- Oh, yeah!
- Whoo!
- All right.
All right! Yeah!
Hey, slow down.
Easy, buddy.
- Who wants a topper?
- Me!
Of course.
- Hey, hey, hey, sweetie, where you going?
- Oh, it's okay.
I have that book.
Uh... it's a really good book.
I know it by heart.
And I have the same colour pencils.
Cool.
- Do you like drawing?
- Mm-hmm.
I draw animals and people.
Sometimes they come out funny.
Uh... this is supposed to be a possum.
Do you think you could help me
with this?
I only saw one possum
in my whole life.
But I sorta remember.
You're really good.
What's your name?
Vanessa.
I'm Tammy.
- Did you just move here?
- Five months ago.
- Do you... read a lot?
- Mm-hmm.
It's my favourite thing.
And drawing.
I'm thinking about writing a book.
That'd be good.
With a possum?
Tom, can you call them again?
Guys, breakfast! Let's go!
Guys!
Dad.
No fever, no worries.
We've been overdoing it.
I knew we should've kept her at home.
- Beth.
- I'm an idiot, thinking everything is okay.
Everything is okay.
I'm calling the doctor.
It's okay.
You just have to get some rest,
then you're gonna be good to go.
Okay.
Sorry!
- Hi, hon. How's she doing?
- Hi.
So she went right back to bed
after she finished her lunch.
And I talked Dr. Patel again
and she said she didn't need to see her.
Well, the doctor would've has us
bring her in if she had a fever.
Well, I think I should've insisted
that I bring her in.
She...
she's got an appointment next week.
Get all her levels checked
and you'll see, they'll be good.
You were right, we overdid it.
Okay. I gotta go.
- I'm almost home.
- Okay.
Don't see you for a month
and now it's three times in one week.
Sorry, I probably...
should've called first.
I probably wouldn't have answered.
- Sure is peaceful out here.
- Yes, it is.
Say, would it be possible
for me to choose a Christmas tree?
No, we don't tag trees
till mid-November.
Sorta like hangin' on to these...
long summer days.
If I could stop time,
I'd stop it right now.
- November for tree tagging.
- Right.
- Thanks.
- Sure.
I know what Tom's up to.
- Tom who?
- Marks.
Beth's husband.
That little girl of theirs is sick.
He's movin' up the clock.
- What does that mean?
- He's pushin' everything forward.
He's... he's looking for pumpkins
and Christmas trees
in the middle of summer.
He's gonna make sure
she has a Halloween or a Christmas.
Did he say something to you?
It's what he's not sayin'.
I need your help, Teddy.
My neighbour's little girl
is really sick.
What do you want from me?
Pumpkins.
Your nephew still grow 'em?
We sold a lot of melons and apples
down this way.
You believe what they're sayin' about...
... winter comin'
in the middle of October?
Pfft.
Well, the thing about the weather is,
not matter what's predicted,
we find out soon enough if it's true.
I'm sorry, Teddy.
Should've said it a long time ago.
When Stevie died...
... we just couldn't get up from it.
Then you lost Ellen.
And I wasn't there for ya.
Claire and I loved her dearly,
you know that.
I'd like to think Ellen'd... understand.
And if she would, maybe you could too.
This whole thing between us has...
... gone on for too long.
I've been really stupid.
Yeah, well, we, uh...
... we both been through a lot.
We're okay, then?
We're okay.
- There you go. Go it?
- Got it.
- There you go.
- Yeah, there's a couple of beauties.
Rick! Tell your uncle and Mr. Sanford
that they're stayin' for dinner!
If Lily's isn't happy, no one here is.
I've never turned a free meal down yet.
Thanks.
What are you workin' on?
Uh... the great American novel.
For kids under seven.
- How's it going?
- Uh... would it be too clich
to say I have writer's block?
Doesn't look like it
from where I sit.
You know,
if you're into kids books...
we could use some help with the preschool
reading series at the library.
- If you have some free time.
- Yeah, maybe.
Great.
- Lily, that meal was fantastic.
- Mm. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
- Susie, I'm so happy you were able to join us.
- Well, thanks for inviting me.
- Susie lives close by.
- Mm. I live 10 minutes away in town.
- She's got family in Sullivan.
- My first cousin, Laura Booker.
I know her husband.
Used to play ball with him.
- Hmm.
- You get up to Sullivan often?
- Well, Ted comes down here mostly.
- Ah...
- Hmm.
Maybe we should be going soon.
- Well, why don't you guys just stay over?
- We've got the room.
Well, you won't have to twist my arm.
Just gonna have to call my wife
and let her know I won't be home.
Good for me.
Not too late to drive home.
I like Susie.
Me, too.
And she likes you.
I know.
I can't imagine
how I managed to be so lucky.
Twice now.
Well, I can.
- I wasn't sure what you'd think.
- I think it's great.
Ellen would've wanted you
to be happy.
Oh Susie Q
Oh Susie Q
- Oh Susie Q
- Enough.
Baby I love you Susie Q
Hey, Gordon.
What's up?
Am I gonna get sick?
- What?
- Am I gonna get sick?
No.
Why's Nessa sick?
Well... uh...
I don't know, sweetie. That's...
... one of those questions
we don't know the answer to.
Like if there are other little girls
in Vanessa's ball?
In Vanessa's snow globe?
Vanessa tries to see
how many little girls are in there.
She says we'll never know.
Well, yeah, Vanessa's right.
That's another one of those questions
we'll know the answer to.
- But you know what?
- What?
Your sister is very tough and she's
teaching us all how to be strong.
I'm strong.
Yeah.
You are the strongest little man
that I know.
Tom! Gordon!
Get down here!
Come on.
Oh! Look at all the pumpkins!
- Oh!
- Wow!
- Are these all for us?
- Well, read the note, honey.
"What do you know,
found a few ripe ones. Jess Sanford."
Whoa! There's gazillions of 'em!
- What are we gonna do with all of 'em?!
- Uh, well, we're gonna decide
after the two of you get dressed.
Go on.
Go up and change your clothes.
Mommy rules.
C'mon, go upstairs and change.
What did you say to Jess
to get him to bring you
an entire pumpkin patch?
Nothin'.
I just asked when he'd have some.
What are we gonna do with all of these?
Let's have an early Halloween.
But it's August, Tom.
I know, but we have pumpkins.
Let's... let's throw a Halloween party.
It'd be great. Turn the living room
into a ghost house.
- Vanessa, we're having a Halloween party!
- Gordon, what did we say
about listening in
on our conversations?
Come on, go upstairs and change,
buddy. Hurry up.
Are you serious about this?
Let's move up the holidays.
Move up Halloween,
then the next holiday, then the next.
As many as we can give her
for however long.
What?
All this time you've been cheering us on
and you don't believe any of it.
You don't think she's gonna make it.
Look at me.
What's wrong with creating a little
happiness for our daughter right now?
I just want her to be happy.
"Our neighbour, Mr. Sanford,
"had planted pumpkin seeds
that magically grew during the night.
"There were big ones and small ones,
orangey ones and yellowy ones.
"I was the luckiest girl in the world
and Gordon was the luckiest boy.
"We were off to our neighbour's farm
to thank him got helping us get pumpkins
for a special early Halloween
just for us."
- We made these for you.
- Well, thank you, Vanessa.
Pink cookies are my favourite.
They're strawberry.
They're dad's favourite, too.
We're having a Halloween party.
I'm gonna be a cowboy. Right, Dad?
- That's right, bud.
- And I'm gonna be a princess.
Well, that wouldn't be much different
from what you are every day, would it?
- I'll be turtle!
- Turtle?
- Good choice.
- Um, yeah,
you're not the one
who has to make the costume.
You wanna go see the geese, go ahead.
Come on, Stanley.
Look at the geese!
- I still don't know how you did it.
- Come on, over here.
- But I owe ya.
- I've been paid, Tom.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Here, boy.
- Gordon?
- It's okay, Mom!
Stanley's my friend!
Hey.
Hey.
Some women get diamonds...
you shower me with pumpkins.
Got a bit carried away.
They're throwin' themselves
a Halloween party Thursday night.
You were right.
What were you doing up there, Jess?
They're not his things.
Just Halloween stuff.
Y'know, I wonder if I would've thought
about doin' somethin' like this for Stevie
if I'd had a chance.
Get away!
About time.
All right, you kids, pack it up!
Ah!
Ah!
No! Get off!
What part of "quit"
do you rascals not understand?!
I got wrangled into babysittin'
my nephew's kids for the mornin'.
I see.
I brought you a little reward
for your 400-mile drive.
- Pumpkin?
- Good guess.
- You get 'em all delivered?
- I got 'em delivered.
They're plannin' on
havin' a Halloween party.
I'm takin' some stuff over there now.
What's that look?
I get it, Jess.
I know what you're doin'.
'Cause you're gettin' real
involved here.
I just hate seeing you
go down that road again.
That road
is always gonna be there, Ted.
And there'll be times
when I'm gonna go down it.
So will Claire.
That's just the way it is.
But if I can put a smile
on that family's face...
I'm gonna do it.
And that's the way that is.
How's Susie?
She's good, thanks.
Good.
Ahem.
- What do you say, Tom?
- Jess!
- What's all this?
- Some old Halloween stuff out of our attic.
Got a little more in the truck.
It's yours if you want it.
Ah... Sure. Thanks.
Uh... you want a cup of coffee?
- Yeah, coffee'd be good.
- Okay.
Been a long time
since I've been in this old house.
- D'you always live here in Sullivan?
- No, I grew up in the Southwest.
I came up here after the army and...
met Claire and... that was it.
There used to be an old stone fireplace
where this bar is.
- Really? Wish they'd kept that.
- Amazing, huh?
Excuse me.
Hello?
Why haven't you left yet?
Her platelets were that low?
Even after the transfusion?
Yeah, I know, I know. Just...
Okay, just... just get home safe.
It's right
what you and your wife are doin'.
If it were anybody but you, Mr. Sanford,
on my rock...
I didn't know you hung out here.
My son and his friends
used to play hockey here in the winter.
That was his dream...
... playing hockey for the NHL.
All I ever wanted to do
was play baseball when I was his age.
How about you?
You know what you wanna be?
Happy?
Sounds simple enough, doesn't it?
Actually,
what I really wanna be is a writer.
- Really?
- Yeah.
How'd you decide on that?
I've been keeping a journal
since I was nine.
Y'know, my escape from my mom
and what was going on in my house,
but... you probably know all of this.
Wade never said anything to me.
Other than you were his niece
and you were stayin' with him.
My friends and I got picked up
by the police a couple of times.
- Ah.
- I mean, nothing serious, but,
y'know, I had to produce a parent;
otherwise... foster care.
And I couldn't find my mom.
Big surprise, right?
So I called Uncle Wade and...
he came right away and brought me here.
Yeah.
Started writing a children's book.
And I dunno.
Maybe it's stupid.
- What do I know about kids?
- I'll bet you know a lot about kids.
- Yeah? Why?
- Well, you were one once.
And not that long ago.
I don't think anybody really knows if
they're good at anything till they try it.
If your dream is being a writer,
then I say write.
Gotta tell ya,
I came here today hopin' I'd see ya.
I got a favour to ask ya.
Might involve actin' like a kid again.
Okay, Vanessa, turn around.
Wait, let me...
let me get your arm through.
Okay, here we go.
Turn around. Okay.
You look really good.
Do you feel good?
- Yeah.
- You look exactly like a turtle.
C'mon, let's go see who it is.
C'mon.
C'mon, buddy.
- Stop it. Stop it!
- Shhh, they're coming.
Trick or treat!
- I don't have any candy to give.
- Doesn't matter.
We're just here for the party.
Well... well, come on in.
- Happy Halloween! Happy Halloween!
- Hey, Vanessa.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Oh!
- Good job!
- Good job!
Oh!
- I know, it's really cool.
- Yeah!
Do it again!
- Thank you.
- You're very welcome.
All righty.
Oh, I like that.
- Thank you.
- You're very welcome.
Thank you.
The door to the passageway
was stuck.
Their only light from their one candle
was flickering and flickering.
It went out!
Tiny flashes of light scurried about:
mice or something worse.
She's coming...
She's coming.
The witch is coming.
They tried the door once more
as the cries got louder
and the witch was coming up closer
to them and BOOM!
Okay.
Well?
Happy Halloween.
Yeah.
- Anybody home?!
- Over here, Tom!
Sorry it took me a couple of weeks
to get this stuff back to ya.
That stuff was for the kids.
You didn't have to bring it back.
Oh, thanks.
- So? How'd the party go?
- Yeah. Great, yeah.
They, uh... Gordon and Vanessa
really appreciated the kids comin'.
We... we did, too.
- Ah, good.
- Yeah.
Can't have a party without a few kids.
Right.
Glad it went good.
Thank you.
Hey, uh... you got time,
we can go over to the tree farm
and put a tag on one for ya.
I'd love to.
I, uh...
- I wanted to make it a family thing.
- Yeah, we can do that, too.
Our schedule's gettin' kinda
hectic again. Uh...
... how's next week work for ya?
Next week it is.
"D".
"D".
"Gracie was hungry. It was
early morning in the public gardens
"and she was ready for breakfast.
"Gracie launched herself
into the cool water of the fountain,
"fluffing her feathers
as a spray sprinkled all around her.
"The gates of the public garden
would soon be unlocked
"and Mr. Black Suit
usually arrived shortly after.
"He would sit on the park bench
to drink his coffee,
"and he always shared
his breakfast with her.
"Muffins, thought Gracie, as
Mr. Black Suit appeared around the bend.
"That looks like a muffin bag.
Oh, yummy!"
I, uh, wanna take you up on your offer
to help with the reading series,
if it's not too late?
It's never too late.
- What days are you free?
- Uh, since school started,
I'm free Saturdays
and Thursday afternoons.
- Saturdays work.
- Ah, great.
This is the reading list
and the dates.
"The Five Chinese Brothers."
Great book.
"Harold and the Purple Crayon."
My mom used to read it to me
when I was little.
The good early years.
My son loved that book.
I'm glad you're here.
Me, too.
"... gardens through the swinging gate,
crossed the road..."
Is this boring for you?
- The best part of this book is the pictures.
- You're right.
It's a cool hat.
You wear hats a lot?
It's because I don't have any hair.
My best friend likes to shave her head.
So I started writing
that story we talked about.
- The possum one?
- Yeah, only now it's a rooster.
That's better.
I'm calling it "My Secret Pal."
I drew a rooster, we have it
on the wall.
- Could I see it sometime?
- Come to our house.
Okay, sounds great.
Maybe you can help with the story.
Do drawings for it,
if you want to.
Okay.
Okay.
Ever see the wild goose
Sailing on the ocean
Ranzo me boys
Oh Ranzo
Ray
They're just like them pretty girls
Let's go! Come on, buddy!
When they get the notion
Ranzo me boys
Oh Ranzo Ray
Oh Ranzo
You'll rue the day
As the wild goose
Sails away
As I was walking
One evening by the river
Ranzo me boys
Oh Ranzo Ray
I met with a pretty girl
My heart it was a quiver
Ranzo me boys
Oh Ranzo Ray
Oh Ranzo
You'll rue the day
As the wild goose
Sails away
Oh Ranzo
You'll rue the day
As the wild goose
Sails away
- This one!
- This one, yeah!
Guys, that one's a little tall.
- This is definitely the one.
- What do you think, can we have it?
I said how are you
Doing this morning
Ranzo my boys
Oh Ranzo Ray
Look at this, guys.
Oh she said none the better
For the seeing of you
Ranzo me boys
Oh Ranzo Ray
Oh Ranzo
You'll rue the day
As the wild goose
Sails away
Oh Ranzo
You'll rue the day
As the wild goose
Sails away
You broke me heart
You broke it full sore
Oh Ranzo my boys
Oh Ranzo Ray
And if I sail like the wild goose
You'll break it no more
Oh Ranzo me boys
Oh Ranzo Ray
Oh Ranzo
You'll rue the day
As the wild goose
Sails away
Oh Ranzo
You'll rue the day
As the wild goose
Sails away
This was so great.
And that pie!
Thanks.
It's one of Jess's favourites.
I can see why.
So how did you two meet?
Oh...
Once upon a time in the '60s.
Jess had come up here for a concert
at a nearby farm
and I was one of the locals
working the show.
I saw him standing and waiting
at the first aid tent.
He had this terrible cut on his foot.
Oh, he was... so handsome.
And my uncle was the town doctor,
so I offered him
a ride into town and...
... he said yes and he never left.
What about you two?
Uh, we met at our first job
right out of college.
Oh, could he make me laugh.
I miss those days.
Beth...
... you know we're just right down
the road...
... if you need anything.
Thank you.
Those your old toys?
Those belonged to our son, Steven.
He died when he was 13.
What happened?
Comin' home from a hockey game...
... minivan hit a patch of ice
on the highway.
Lost control.
Stevie and the driver died on the spot.
Someone tried to comfort me
with the notion that...
... when a child is taken...
... their soul only had
a tiny mission to accomplish here.
That's why they were blessed
to depart.
Needless to say, God and I
haven't seen eye to eye since.
I'm scared outta my mind, Jess.
Vanessa's so strong...
... I just can't shake the feeling
that we're gonna lose her.
You've been dealt a bad hand, Tom.
I wish I could change it.
What'd he do?
He threw a ball through
the chapel window.
- Fella's got a good arm.
- Sure does.
I need to ask you a favour, Bob.
In your daily prayers...
... would you mind puttin' one in
for my neighbours?
Tom Marks and his family.
His little girl, Vanessa.
Yeah, will do.
- Thanks.
- But, you know, your prayers
have just as much weight as mine.
Yeah.
Been a long time
since I was one of his regulars.
God knows you, Jess.
And he never stopped listening.
Thanks.
The dishes are in the rinse cycle,
I placed the order for tomorrow's pastries,
and I will be back before my shift starts.
Wait up, Tammy.
- What'd I forget?
- I don't want you ridin' your bike
in the dark.
It'll still be light.
No bike. Eyes on the road
the whole time, no speeding,
no radio. Hmm?
Thank you.
This is supposed to be a cloud.
- Is that your doctor?
- Uh-huh. It's Dr. Patel.
She's really nice.
- Is that you?
- Mm-hmm. It's me with hair.
This one is a watercolour.
So is this.
And here,
is my second pair of drawings.
It's pastels.
You're really, really good.
- Hmm.
- Can I see more?
Sure.
This is like on the farm.
And this is supposed to be Stanley.
And... this,
is at the bottom of the sea, I think.
And this is a princess on a unicorn,
and she's gonna go
all the way up the mountains
and she's gonna find her
true love up there.
Hey... here's my helper.
- Thanks a lot.
- Thank you.
I wanted some company today.
Buddy,
I'm gonna be back right after dinner.
How long is that?
- Not long.
- We're gonna be so busy,
you won't know where the time went.
Let's go sneak up on Mr. Sanford
and Stanley, okay?
Okay, so I'm gonna show you something,
Gordon, okay?
This is where it's...
Vanessa's counts are down.
- Well, they've been down before.
- Yes.
However, this time, lymphoblasts
appeared on her blood smear.
We have to admit her now
and start a new round of chemo.
- What... what does that mean?
- We begin again
with a new drug.
One day at a time.
Here you go, buddy.
When's my daddy gonna be here?
As soon as you get up from your nap.
- Are you gonna stay with me?
- I am.
And Stanley?
He's already here.
Hey, Jess. I heard you've had yourself
a young boarder these past few weeks.
Only during the day.
His dad picks him up again at night.
- Things workin' out okay?
- It's workin' out fine.
Claire has really taken
to little Gordon.
It's been nice for all of us.
We like havin' little feet
under us again.
I'm sorry it's not
under different circumstances.
- How's the little girl doin'?
- She's fightin' the fight.
I'm headin' over there now.
Tell her hi for me?
- I will.
- It's wonderful, what you're doing, Jess.
Thank you, Bob.
Listen... if they need any...
takeout meals or... anything,
let me know.
Same here.
Well, that's what it's all about, huh?
People reachin' out.
Yeah.
See ya.
She's really weak.
They're talkin' about sendin' us
home soon.
They have to stop the treatments
till she gets stronger.
Did they give you any idea?
All her counts have to go up.
These drugs really beat her up.
So in a month... six weeks,
we'll see if she needs to come back
for more treatments.
Gordon can stay with us
for as long as you need to be here.
You guys oughta get outta here
for a while.
Take a walk.
Breathe some real air.
Let me go and sit with her for a while.
It'll be all right.
Go on.
Dr. Gregory, please report...
Dr. Gregory, please report
to Physical Therapy.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Okay if I sit with you
for a little bit?
Sure.
- How you doin'?
- I'm okay.
- How's Stanley?
- He's good.
I know he'd like to see ya.
My dad says we're going home soon.
But I might have to come back
at Christmas.
I don't like it here.
I don't wanna be here for Christmas.
That's why I'm here.
I have it on good authority
that you will be home for Christmas.
I want you to rest up.
Be ready to celebrate.
- Okay?
- Okay.
He was under the Christmas tree
and my son Stevie was about two.
What, you like it?
Wow.
And then, look at this.
This big guy...
is Mr. Billingsly.
- Wow.
- And he...
has to know everything
that's going on around the house.
And he asks lots and lots
of questions, just like you-know-who.
- Me.
- You, yeah.
Wow.
And then, there's this.
Whoa. Can we play with him?
Well, when it stops raining,
I'm gonna take you outside
and I am gonna see
how fast you can make him run.
- Okay?
- Okay.
- Okay.
- Wow...
- Wanna hold him?
- Uh-huh.
Wow...!
It's... so much better than I expected.
It's simple and... and great.
Mr. Tim should wear glasses.
I have to go.
I have my uncle's car
and I can't be late.
But, hey, next time we get together
is at my house, okay?
Come on, Vanessa,
you got a book to work on.
I mean, you've seen how I draw.
I proposed to Susie today.
She accepted.
She did?
I want you to be my best man.
Are you sure she said yes?
Shhh... Come on.
Let's go!
- Bye.
- Thank you both so much.
Thanks.
It's beautiful.
- Come on, honey.
- Come on, sweetie.
Come here, sweetheart.
Welcome home, Vanessa.
Good to see you back.
Thank you.
Do you see?
Mr. Sanford, you were right.
It's Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Vanessa.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Vanessa.
Merry Christmas.
Come on, sweetie, let's go inside.
Come on, Gordon.
I don't know how to thank you.
You don't have to thank me.
Just go inside
and be with your family.
"Just as my mother had promised,
"by the first snowfall,
I did begin to get better.
"And just as I believed the girls
in my snow globe went on and on,
"I saw and began to believe
in the endless possibilities for me.
"The real medicine for my recovery
"was the boundless goodness
shown to me and my family.
"And just as we became
part of our little town,
"I became part of something nobody
was sure I would ever be a part of:
this wonderful world."
Thank you.
Thank you.
That was really good.
It was really a good story.
I love your writing.
Oh, bye.
Bye, sweetie.
- Bye.
- Bye!
- Bye-Bye.
- Bye.
- See you soon!
- Merry Christmas.
Bye.
Don't forget your backpack.
Come on, guys.
You liked that, didn't you, buddy?
Was that story really about you?
- Yeah, it was.
- Did you have to go back to the hospital?
All right, let's go.
Between you and me, I did.
But pretty soon after that,
I really did get better.
- That's good.
- Yeah, it is.
- Have a great Christmas.
- Thank you.
Bye.
Okay. Yeah. Get the car.
I didn't think you could top last year.
- Pretty cool, huh?
- Unbelievable.
- Hi, Dad.
- Hey.
Hi.
Hey, Gordon.
It's good to see you.
You, too.
Hi.
Welcome home.
Thank you.
Well... I'm here to take my tree.
You're late. Christmas comes
in November around here.
Mm.
Merry Christmas, Vanessa.
- Thank you.
- C'mon...
Let's go find ya the perfect tree.
- Hi. How's it going? Hey.
- Hello.
- Hi.
- Oh...!
- How are you?
- Welcome home, Vanessa.
- Thank you. It's great to be here.
- Hi, everyone.
- Hi!
I'm excited to be here.
Thank you very much for having me.
- What's the book about?
- It's about me and a town.
- Like here?
- Well, I don't wanna spoil it for you,
but... I will let you in
on one little secret.
There's magic.
- Are you ready?
- Mm-hmm.
- Yeah? Yeah? Okay.
- Yeah.
November Christmas.
"A pumpkin patch in August.
"A Christmas tree in fall.
"Wow, how fun.
"The very idea of it would seem impossible
to most eight-year-olds, but not to me.
"I knew that magic was real.
"And it was everywhere,
if you knew where to look.
"My magical adventure
began one ordinary summer morning,
"in a quiet town,
when everyone was still asleep.
Well, almost everyone."
Do you not see what I see?
Crow, will ya?
The sun came up 15 minutes ago.
What are you waitin' for?
- How long have you been standin' there?
- Long enough.
Should I be worried
about you talking to that old bird?
Probably.
- Thanks.
- Wade called.
He's gettin' nervous about his eggs.
- He's always nervous.
- Better get down there.
I'll take 'em over to him.
You need anything in town?
No, I'm on my way into the library.
What do you want for dessert tonight?
Just you. And a fruit pie.
I'll see you later.
Okay.
See ya.
Dr. Perry,
please report to Cardiology.
Dr. Perry, report to Cardiology,
please.
What time is it now?
- It's time for you to sit down.
- Don't give me that face.
Sit down.
We're gonna be out of here really soon.
I'm giving this one to Nurse Angie.
- Oh... she'll love that.
- Hmm.
- Mom?
- Yes, Gordon.
- When's dad coming back?
- Um...
Right now.
Dr. Blade to Oncology, please.
Dr. Blade to Oncology.
- Thank you.
- Let's go.
- Let's go.
- Ah, Vanessa, we have to wait
till Dr. Patel signs your discharge papers.
- How much longer?
- Oh, 10 seconds.
- One, two, three..
- Okay, five minutes.
Hey, Gordo, look what I got you.
- Whoa! Thanks, Dad!
- Yeah, buddy.
And this...
... is for you.
Wow. Thanks.
- You shake it.
- What?
You shake it so you can see the snow.
Good morning, ladies.
Hey, slow down and enjoy the ride!
Idiot.
Coffee break?
- I... I need this.
- I needed you
to be on time this morning.
Let's go, hmm? You're on dishes
this afternoon.
Again?
Boo-hoo. Customers. Go.
He's been asking for you
and he's in a foul mood.
That's a shocker.
Hmm.
- I heard you missed me.
- Yeah...
- Want these in the cooler?
- Yeah, put 'em there where I can get 'em.
My dishwasher didn't show - again.
- Thought people wanted to work.
- Ah...
Where the heck did she go?
Tammy!
If my niece had her way,
mornings would begin at noon.
You hungry?
- No, I..
- Well, grab a muffin before you head out.
Thanks, Wade. I'll see ya.
Nobody likes cold food.
Table six.
Go.
- Whoop.
- That would've not been pretty.
- Sorry.
- Uncle Wade's impossible.
I would've been on time
if he had let me drive the car.
You gotta prove
that you're trustworthy.
- I'm here, I'm working!
- And you gotta show a better attitude.
He's making me stay after my shift
to be the dishwasher - again.
- 'Morning, Tammy.
- Yeah, good morning.
- Excuse me.
- How are you this morning, Mr. Zachary?
Busy. Gotta unblock
the Richters' kitchen sink,
repair the netting
on the Hammonds' screen door
and build a hutch for a pet rabbit.
Thank goodness for
these helpless city folk moving in.
- Thank you.
- Can I get a muffin?
Yeah, sure thing.
Just lookin'.
It's your turn, Gordon.
I spy...
... Vanessa sleeping.
Boo, I'm awake.
Homeward bound.
- Mom?
- Yeah, sweetie.
The little girl inside the snow globe,
she's holding another snow globe
in her hands.
- Really?
- And it looks like...
... there's another little girl
inside that one.
I didn't notice that.
That's pretty cool.
But it's too small
and I can't really see it.
Can I see?
Pretty cool.
Hmm.
- Feels good to be home, doesn't it?
- Yeah.
Do you need me to help you
unpack your backpack, sweetheart?
I'm okay.
Okay.
Shhh.
It's from the school. We have
to register Vanessa for third grade.
- There's nothing in there.
- Nothing eatable, as Gordon would say.
Rice cakes and anchovies.
- Yuck, as our daughter would say.
- What do I say?
Look at what your daddy
is thinking about eating.
- Yuck.
- It is yuck.
- What are we gonna do today?
- We're gonna take it easy,
since we spent the morning in the car.
Why can't we do something?
- Let's you and I go shopping for mommy.
- I want her to take it easy.
- Can I get a toy?!
- Oh...
- How does he do that?
- I already got you a toy, buddy!
- Just me and dad, Gordon!
- Dad and me.
- And let's not yell.
- Why can't I come?
- Do you see what you've started?
- It's back to normal.
Hey, munchkins,
come on, let's go, in the car.
Maybe with us outta your hair,
you can do a little something for you.
We're gonna be okay.
- How's it going?
- Good.
We have all the books in, except
for one on the fourth grade list,
and that'll be here next week.
Fantastic.
And... a new illustration.
And check out the books
in the Fall and Winter Reading Series.
I used all you book suggestions.
I see.
Claire... I want you to run it.
Oh, no, Abby,
I said I would do it for the summer,
but..
Come on, you love it.
- I do.
- And I wanna add another group,
so with scheduling
and overseeing the readers.
I'll need you here one more day.
That would be three days a week
away from the farm.
Ah, I'll talk to Jess.
Sure. Thanks.
Dad?
- Dad.
- Yeah, Gordo.
- I'm gonna be Batman for Halloween.
- Well,
you outgrew that costume.
But I wanna be Batman.
Okay, I guess we'll just have
to get a new one when the time comes.
- When will that be?
- Oh, not for a while.
- Why?
- Well, it's only August.
- When's Halloween?
- End of October.
- How long's that?
- That's a couple of months.
- How long's a couple of months?
- That's 60 days, buddy.
Hey, honey.
Hey.
Miss Sunshine, you okay?
- Mm-hmm.
- You sure?
You want me to take you home
so you can rest?
We can get our vegetables later.
- Tomorrow.
- No, I'm okay.
Let's go!
Hello, Tom. Good to see ya.
- You, too.
- Kids, say hi to Mr. Sanford.
- Hi.
- Hi.
- Can we go see the animals?
- If it's okay with Mr. Sanford.
Sure you can.
Careful where you step.
How long have you been livin' out here?
Mm, seven...
eight months. Why?
Mr. Sanford was my dad.
Call me Jess.
Kids are sure growin'.
Ah... yep. Happened fast.
Yeah.
- Tomatoes on your list?
- They are.
Four.
That's good. Let's make it six.
Kids like corn?
Sure. So do I.
It's on the list: six ears.
Haven't seen much of you folks.
Been gettin' your vegetables
someplace else?
No, we, uh...
We just been busy.
Well... busy's good.
Beats the alternative.
Uh... excuse me.
Hey.
Yeah, yeah, I, uh... I got the disk.
And... I'm gonna write the programme,
so...
C'mere. Sit, sit.
Sit. Sit.
What's his name?
His name's Stanley.
Good boy.
No, no, no, I was planning
on being there, but now I, uh...
I can't make it.
Look, just call me
after the meeting's over.
Okay, bye.
Would like to...
Could I return these?
Beth.
- Hi, Claire.
- Hi. I haven't seen you all summer.
- Everybody good?
- Everybody's great.
Yeah, we've just been
in and out of town. Mm.
Y'know, we're gonna continue
the preschool reading series in the fall.
Gordon might really enjoy it.
Found it.
I'll keep it in mind.
It was nice seeing you.
You, too. Tell Tom and the kids hi.
Beth.
- Hi.
- Megan's mom.
Rita.
Right. I'm sorry. Of course. It's...
There's just been a lot going on.
Ugh, tell me about it.
Summer camps, family stuff,
kids getting ready to go back to school...
Yeah, right.
How's your daughter?
Forgive me, I'm only asking
because..
It's okay.
She's, uh... she's doing much better.
It's nice seeing you.
Yeah, I'll take two orders to go.
- All right.
- Thanks.
There's nobody here!
Yeah...
How's your tummy feel now?
Okay.
- Yeah? Come here.
- When am I gonna get better?
- Soon.
- How long is soon?
Do you remember when we planted
those flowers in the backyard?
- Yeah.
- Yeah?
Remember they were very healthy
when we first planted them?
But after some time, they...
... wilted.
So we cut them back and...
you don't know this, but your daddy
gave them some plant food
to prepare them for the winter
so that they could grow healthy again.
It's just like that.
Dr. Patel gives you medicine
that sometimes makes you feel bad,
but it's so you'll get better.
Okay?
By Halloween?
Maybe.
But probably more like Christmas.
That's not for... forever.
Hey, now... don't say that.
Let's just say you'll be better by
the time we have our first big snowfall.
Okay?
- Want your covers all the way up?
- Sure.
Snug as a bug in a rug.
- Love you.
- I love you, too, sweetheart.
What do you say, Tom?
Jess.
- Do you have any pumpkins?
- Pumpkins?
No, too early.
Got a lot of squash.
Got some nice zucchini.
How long will it be
before you have pumpkins?
Ah, nobody around here's gonna have any
pumpkins till the first part of October.
Been too cool and dry this summer.
Maybe down in New York
and New Jersey, but not around here.
I'll have lots of 'em by Halloween.
Right. Okay.
Thanks, Jess.
Sure.
- What was that all about?
- I got no idea.
- Oh. We expecting company?
- No. Why?
You made a pot roast...
It's Monday night...
I was in the mood.
Lucky me.
- Mm. Apple?
- Yep.
Yum.
That old dog sure sleeps a lot.
Suppose he's got a thyroid problem?
Oh, he's okay, he's just old.
That what you say about me?
You don't sleep that much.
It's all that pie you feed me.
So what's up?
Abby wants to continue
the children's reading series
into the school year.
She wants me
to run it.
It'd mean an extra day each week
at the library, but...
I'm thinking of saying yes.
Do it.
I mean, you enjoy being there.
You're great with the kids.
Y'know, they're lucky to have you.
I saw Beth Marks.
- She came by the library.
- Really?
Tom and the kids stopped by
the stand the other day.
He's an odd one.
He's not odd, he's just young.
He came back again today
lookin' for pumpkins.
In August. That's odd.
Can we keep the light on
and my door open a crack?
Of course, sweetheart.
And you just call out
if you need anything, okay?
- Okay.
- Okay.
- I love you. Good night.
- Good night.
'Night.
I think we should reregister Vanessa
for school.
Her immune system's too weak
to be around other kids.
- Honey, you're just being--
- Don't make this about me, Tom.
Well, we can't keep her in a cocoon.
Eventually, she's gotta go school.
She needs to get well first.
She's gonna get well.
I just... I don't think we should
making any set plans right now.
- That's exactly what we need to do.
- I don't think you're being realistic.
But we moved here
because of the schools.
What would it hurt to meet the teacher,
let Vanessa see the classroom.
No. No, we're not doing that.
It's too much pressure.
I don't want her feeling badly
that she can't be around
the other kids again.
I'm homeschooling her this year.
And, please, stop pushing me.
Sorry.
Hey. Sorry.
Okay. Me, too.
Why couldn't it have been me?
So what are we gonna do today?
We can watch a video.
Okay. You wanna play a board game?
We could do that.
Why do we have to stay inside?
It's not raining anymore.
- Can we go swimming?
- Can we?
- We still have that wading pool, don't we?
- Mm-hmm.
- Hmm?
- It's for babies. Can't we go swimming?
- No, we cannot go swimming.
We don't have to go swimming
to have a good time.
When I come back from my meeting,
we can get outta here.
There's one.
There's one right there.
Oh!
- Look at him crawling.
- Is that a baby?
- I think it might be a baby, yeah.
- Where's the mommy?
- I don't know.
Maybe if we're lucky
we'll get to see her.
- Oh! Is that her?
- Yep.
I think that's her right there.
Is that the mommy?
Careful, careful. Watch your toes.
- Oh...
- Watch your... watch your toes.
Go on! Yeah!
Now lift her up real high!
There you go! Yeah, that's it!
Get that thing going, buddy!
All right, let's go.
Good! Whoo!
Whoo.
- Yeah!
- That's it! Faster, buddy! Faster!
Yeah! Keep going, buddy! Faster!
That's it! Yeah!
Let Vanessa have a try.
Hey, Gordon, let Vanessa try.
- Yeah!
- There you go, sweetie.
Now come on..
Go, honey, go!
Run, let's go.
- Oh, yeah!
- Whoo!
- All right.
All right! Yeah!
Hey, slow down.
Easy, buddy.
- Who wants a topper?
- Me!
Of course.
- Hey, hey, hey, sweetie, where you going?
- Oh, it's okay.
I have that book.
Uh... it's a really good book.
I know it by heart.
And I have the same colour pencils.
Cool.
- Do you like drawing?
- Mm-hmm.
I draw animals and people.
Sometimes they come out funny.
Uh... this is supposed to be a possum.
Do you think you could help me
with this?
I only saw one possum
in my whole life.
But I sorta remember.
You're really good.
What's your name?
Vanessa.
I'm Tammy.
- Did you just move here?
- Five months ago.
- Do you... read a lot?
- Mm-hmm.
It's my favourite thing.
And drawing.
I'm thinking about writing a book.
That'd be good.
With a possum?
Tom, can you call them again?
Guys, breakfast! Let's go!
Guys!
Dad.
No fever, no worries.
We've been overdoing it.
I knew we should've kept her at home.
- Beth.
- I'm an idiot, thinking everything is okay.
Everything is okay.
I'm calling the doctor.
It's okay.
You just have to get some rest,
then you're gonna be good to go.
Okay.
Sorry!
- Hi, hon. How's she doing?
- Hi.
So she went right back to bed
after she finished her lunch.
And I talked Dr. Patel again
and she said she didn't need to see her.
Well, the doctor would've has us
bring her in if she had a fever.
Well, I think I should've insisted
that I bring her in.
She...
she's got an appointment next week.
Get all her levels checked
and you'll see, they'll be good.
You were right, we overdid it.
Okay. I gotta go.
- I'm almost home.
- Okay.
Don't see you for a month
and now it's three times in one week.
Sorry, I probably...
should've called first.
I probably wouldn't have answered.
- Sure is peaceful out here.
- Yes, it is.
Say, would it be possible
for me to choose a Christmas tree?
No, we don't tag trees
till mid-November.
Sorta like hangin' on to these...
long summer days.
If I could stop time,
I'd stop it right now.
- November for tree tagging.
- Right.
- Thanks.
- Sure.
I know what Tom's up to.
- Tom who?
- Marks.
Beth's husband.
That little girl of theirs is sick.
He's movin' up the clock.
- What does that mean?
- He's pushin' everything forward.
He's... he's looking for pumpkins
and Christmas trees
in the middle of summer.
He's gonna make sure
she has a Halloween or a Christmas.
Did he say something to you?
It's what he's not sayin'.
I need your help, Teddy.
My neighbour's little girl
is really sick.
What do you want from me?
Pumpkins.
Your nephew still grow 'em?
We sold a lot of melons and apples
down this way.
You believe what they're sayin' about...
... winter comin'
in the middle of October?
Pfft.
Well, the thing about the weather is,
not matter what's predicted,
we find out soon enough if it's true.
I'm sorry, Teddy.
Should've said it a long time ago.
When Stevie died...
... we just couldn't get up from it.
Then you lost Ellen.
And I wasn't there for ya.
Claire and I loved her dearly,
you know that.
I'd like to think Ellen'd... understand.
And if she would, maybe you could too.
This whole thing between us has...
... gone on for too long.
I've been really stupid.
Yeah, well, we, uh...
... we both been through a lot.
We're okay, then?
We're okay.
- There you go. Go it?
- Got it.
- There you go.
- Yeah, there's a couple of beauties.
Rick! Tell your uncle and Mr. Sanford
that they're stayin' for dinner!
If Lily's isn't happy, no one here is.
I've never turned a free meal down yet.
Thanks.
What are you workin' on?
Uh... the great American novel.
For kids under seven.
- How's it going?
- Uh... would it be too clich
to say I have writer's block?
Doesn't look like it
from where I sit.
You know,
if you're into kids books...
we could use some help with the preschool
reading series at the library.
- If you have some free time.
- Yeah, maybe.
Great.
- Lily, that meal was fantastic.
- Mm. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
- Susie, I'm so happy you were able to join us.
- Well, thanks for inviting me.
- Susie lives close by.
- Mm. I live 10 minutes away in town.
- She's got family in Sullivan.
- My first cousin, Laura Booker.
I know her husband.
Used to play ball with him.
- Hmm.
- You get up to Sullivan often?
- Well, Ted comes down here mostly.
- Ah...
- Hmm.
Maybe we should be going soon.
- Well, why don't you guys just stay over?
- We've got the room.
Well, you won't have to twist my arm.
Just gonna have to call my wife
and let her know I won't be home.
Good for me.
Not too late to drive home.
I like Susie.
Me, too.
And she likes you.
I know.
I can't imagine
how I managed to be so lucky.
Twice now.
Well, I can.
- I wasn't sure what you'd think.
- I think it's great.
Ellen would've wanted you
to be happy.
Oh Susie Q
Oh Susie Q
- Oh Susie Q
- Enough.
Baby I love you Susie Q
Hey, Gordon.
What's up?
Am I gonna get sick?
- What?
- Am I gonna get sick?
No.
Why's Nessa sick?
Well... uh...
I don't know, sweetie. That's...
... one of those questions
we don't know the answer to.
Like if there are other little girls
in Vanessa's ball?
In Vanessa's snow globe?
Vanessa tries to see
how many little girls are in there.
She says we'll never know.
Well, yeah, Vanessa's right.
That's another one of those questions
we'll know the answer to.
- But you know what?
- What?
Your sister is very tough and she's
teaching us all how to be strong.
I'm strong.
Yeah.
You are the strongest little man
that I know.
Tom! Gordon!
Get down here!
Come on.
Oh! Look at all the pumpkins!
- Oh!
- Wow!
- Are these all for us?
- Well, read the note, honey.
"What do you know,
found a few ripe ones. Jess Sanford."
Whoa! There's gazillions of 'em!
- What are we gonna do with all of 'em?!
- Uh, well, we're gonna decide
after the two of you get dressed.
Go on.
Go up and change your clothes.
Mommy rules.
C'mon, go upstairs and change.
What did you say to Jess
to get him to bring you
an entire pumpkin patch?
Nothin'.
I just asked when he'd have some.
What are we gonna do with all of these?
Let's have an early Halloween.
But it's August, Tom.
I know, but we have pumpkins.
Let's... let's throw a Halloween party.
It'd be great. Turn the living room
into a ghost house.
- Vanessa, we're having a Halloween party!
- Gordon, what did we say
about listening in
on our conversations?
Come on, go upstairs and change,
buddy. Hurry up.
Are you serious about this?
Let's move up the holidays.
Move up Halloween,
then the next holiday, then the next.
As many as we can give her
for however long.
What?
All this time you've been cheering us on
and you don't believe any of it.
You don't think she's gonna make it.
Look at me.
What's wrong with creating a little
happiness for our daughter right now?
I just want her to be happy.
"Our neighbour, Mr. Sanford,
"had planted pumpkin seeds
that magically grew during the night.
"There were big ones and small ones,
orangey ones and yellowy ones.
"I was the luckiest girl in the world
and Gordon was the luckiest boy.
"We were off to our neighbour's farm
to thank him got helping us get pumpkins
for a special early Halloween
just for us."
- We made these for you.
- Well, thank you, Vanessa.
Pink cookies are my favourite.
They're strawberry.
They're dad's favourite, too.
We're having a Halloween party.
I'm gonna be a cowboy. Right, Dad?
- That's right, bud.
- And I'm gonna be a princess.
Well, that wouldn't be much different
from what you are every day, would it?
- I'll be turtle!
- Turtle?
- Good choice.
- Um, yeah,
you're not the one
who has to make the costume.
You wanna go see the geese, go ahead.
Come on, Stanley.
Look at the geese!
- I still don't know how you did it.
- Come on, over here.
- But I owe ya.
- I've been paid, Tom.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Here, boy.
- Gordon?
- It's okay, Mom!
Stanley's my friend!
Hey.
Hey.
Some women get diamonds...
you shower me with pumpkins.
Got a bit carried away.
They're throwin' themselves
a Halloween party Thursday night.
You were right.
What were you doing up there, Jess?
They're not his things.
Just Halloween stuff.
Y'know, I wonder if I would've thought
about doin' somethin' like this for Stevie
if I'd had a chance.
Get away!
About time.
All right, you kids, pack it up!
Ah!
Ah!
No! Get off!
What part of "quit"
do you rascals not understand?!
I got wrangled into babysittin'
my nephew's kids for the mornin'.
I see.
I brought you a little reward
for your 400-mile drive.
- Pumpkin?
- Good guess.
- You get 'em all delivered?
- I got 'em delivered.
They're plannin' on
havin' a Halloween party.
I'm takin' some stuff over there now.
What's that look?
I get it, Jess.
I know what you're doin'.
'Cause you're gettin' real
involved here.
I just hate seeing you
go down that road again.
That road
is always gonna be there, Ted.
And there'll be times
when I'm gonna go down it.
So will Claire.
That's just the way it is.
But if I can put a smile
on that family's face...
I'm gonna do it.
And that's the way that is.
How's Susie?
She's good, thanks.
Good.
Ahem.
- What do you say, Tom?
- Jess!
- What's all this?
- Some old Halloween stuff out of our attic.
Got a little more in the truck.
It's yours if you want it.
Ah... Sure. Thanks.
Uh... you want a cup of coffee?
- Yeah, coffee'd be good.
- Okay.
Been a long time
since I've been in this old house.
- D'you always live here in Sullivan?
- No, I grew up in the Southwest.
I came up here after the army and...
met Claire and... that was it.
There used to be an old stone fireplace
where this bar is.
- Really? Wish they'd kept that.
- Amazing, huh?
Excuse me.
Hello?
Why haven't you left yet?
Her platelets were that low?
Even after the transfusion?
Yeah, I know, I know. Just...
Okay, just... just get home safe.
It's right
what you and your wife are doin'.
If it were anybody but you, Mr. Sanford,
on my rock...
I didn't know you hung out here.
My son and his friends
used to play hockey here in the winter.
That was his dream...
... playing hockey for the NHL.
All I ever wanted to do
was play baseball when I was his age.
How about you?
You know what you wanna be?
Happy?
Sounds simple enough, doesn't it?
Actually,
what I really wanna be is a writer.
- Really?
- Yeah.
How'd you decide on that?
I've been keeping a journal
since I was nine.
Y'know, my escape from my mom
and what was going on in my house,
but... you probably know all of this.
Wade never said anything to me.
Other than you were his niece
and you were stayin' with him.
My friends and I got picked up
by the police a couple of times.
- Ah.
- I mean, nothing serious, but,
y'know, I had to produce a parent;
otherwise... foster care.
And I couldn't find my mom.
Big surprise, right?
So I called Uncle Wade and...
he came right away and brought me here.
Yeah.
Started writing a children's book.
And I dunno.
Maybe it's stupid.
- What do I know about kids?
- I'll bet you know a lot about kids.
- Yeah? Why?
- Well, you were one once.
And not that long ago.
I don't think anybody really knows if
they're good at anything till they try it.
If your dream is being a writer,
then I say write.
Gotta tell ya,
I came here today hopin' I'd see ya.
I got a favour to ask ya.
Might involve actin' like a kid again.
Okay, Vanessa, turn around.
Wait, let me...
let me get your arm through.
Okay, here we go.
Turn around. Okay.
You look really good.
Do you feel good?
- Yeah.
- You look exactly like a turtle.
C'mon, let's go see who it is.
C'mon.
C'mon, buddy.
- Stop it. Stop it!
- Shhh, they're coming.
Trick or treat!
- I don't have any candy to give.
- Doesn't matter.
We're just here for the party.
Well... well, come on in.
- Happy Halloween! Happy Halloween!
- Hey, Vanessa.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Oh!
- Good job!
- Good job!
Oh!
- I know, it's really cool.
- Yeah!
Do it again!
- Thank you.
- You're very welcome.
All righty.
Oh, I like that.
- Thank you.
- You're very welcome.
Thank you.
The door to the passageway
was stuck.
Their only light from their one candle
was flickering and flickering.
It went out!
Tiny flashes of light scurried about:
mice or something worse.
She's coming...
She's coming.
The witch is coming.
They tried the door once more
as the cries got louder
and the witch was coming up closer
to them and BOOM!
Okay.
Well?
Happy Halloween.
Yeah.
- Anybody home?!
- Over here, Tom!
Sorry it took me a couple of weeks
to get this stuff back to ya.
That stuff was for the kids.
You didn't have to bring it back.
Oh, thanks.
- So? How'd the party go?
- Yeah. Great, yeah.
They, uh... Gordon and Vanessa
really appreciated the kids comin'.
We... we did, too.
- Ah, good.
- Yeah.
Can't have a party without a few kids.
Right.
Glad it went good.
Thank you.
Hey, uh... you got time,
we can go over to the tree farm
and put a tag on one for ya.
I'd love to.
I, uh...
- I wanted to make it a family thing.
- Yeah, we can do that, too.
Our schedule's gettin' kinda
hectic again. Uh...
... how's next week work for ya?
Next week it is.
"D".
"D".
"Gracie was hungry. It was
early morning in the public gardens
"and she was ready for breakfast.
"Gracie launched herself
into the cool water of the fountain,
"fluffing her feathers
as a spray sprinkled all around her.
"The gates of the public garden
would soon be unlocked
"and Mr. Black Suit
usually arrived shortly after.
"He would sit on the park bench
to drink his coffee,
"and he always shared
his breakfast with her.
"Muffins, thought Gracie, as
Mr. Black Suit appeared around the bend.
"That looks like a muffin bag.
Oh, yummy!"
I, uh, wanna take you up on your offer
to help with the reading series,
if it's not too late?
It's never too late.
- What days are you free?
- Uh, since school started,
I'm free Saturdays
and Thursday afternoons.
- Saturdays work.
- Ah, great.
This is the reading list
and the dates.
"The Five Chinese Brothers."
Great book.
"Harold and the Purple Crayon."
My mom used to read it to me
when I was little.
The good early years.
My son loved that book.
I'm glad you're here.
Me, too.
"... gardens through the swinging gate,
crossed the road..."
Is this boring for you?
- The best part of this book is the pictures.
- You're right.
It's a cool hat.
You wear hats a lot?
It's because I don't have any hair.
My best friend likes to shave her head.
So I started writing
that story we talked about.
- The possum one?
- Yeah, only now it's a rooster.
That's better.
I'm calling it "My Secret Pal."
I drew a rooster, we have it
on the wall.
- Could I see it sometime?
- Come to our house.
Okay, sounds great.
Maybe you can help with the story.
Do drawings for it,
if you want to.
Okay.
Okay.
Ever see the wild goose
Sailing on the ocean
Ranzo me boys
Oh Ranzo
Ray
They're just like them pretty girls
Let's go! Come on, buddy!
When they get the notion
Ranzo me boys
Oh Ranzo Ray
Oh Ranzo
You'll rue the day
As the wild goose
Sails away
As I was walking
One evening by the river
Ranzo me boys
Oh Ranzo Ray
I met with a pretty girl
My heart it was a quiver
Ranzo me boys
Oh Ranzo Ray
Oh Ranzo
You'll rue the day
As the wild goose
Sails away
Oh Ranzo
You'll rue the day
As the wild goose
Sails away
- This one!
- This one, yeah!
Guys, that one's a little tall.
- This is definitely the one.
- What do you think, can we have it?
I said how are you
Doing this morning
Ranzo my boys
Oh Ranzo Ray
Look at this, guys.
Oh she said none the better
For the seeing of you
Ranzo me boys
Oh Ranzo Ray
Oh Ranzo
You'll rue the day
As the wild goose
Sails away
Oh Ranzo
You'll rue the day
As the wild goose
Sails away
You broke me heart
You broke it full sore
Oh Ranzo my boys
Oh Ranzo Ray
And if I sail like the wild goose
You'll break it no more
Oh Ranzo me boys
Oh Ranzo Ray
Oh Ranzo
You'll rue the day
As the wild goose
Sails away
Oh Ranzo
You'll rue the day
As the wild goose
Sails away
This was so great.
And that pie!
Thanks.
It's one of Jess's favourites.
I can see why.
So how did you two meet?
Oh...
Once upon a time in the '60s.
Jess had come up here for a concert
at a nearby farm
and I was one of the locals
working the show.
I saw him standing and waiting
at the first aid tent.
He had this terrible cut on his foot.
Oh, he was... so handsome.
And my uncle was the town doctor,
so I offered him
a ride into town and...
... he said yes and he never left.
What about you two?
Uh, we met at our first job
right out of college.
Oh, could he make me laugh.
I miss those days.
Beth...
... you know we're just right down
the road...
... if you need anything.
Thank you.
Those your old toys?
Those belonged to our son, Steven.
He died when he was 13.
What happened?
Comin' home from a hockey game...
... minivan hit a patch of ice
on the highway.
Lost control.
Stevie and the driver died on the spot.
Someone tried to comfort me
with the notion that...
... when a child is taken...
... their soul only had
a tiny mission to accomplish here.
That's why they were blessed
to depart.
Needless to say, God and I
haven't seen eye to eye since.
I'm scared outta my mind, Jess.
Vanessa's so strong...
... I just can't shake the feeling
that we're gonna lose her.
You've been dealt a bad hand, Tom.
I wish I could change it.
What'd he do?
He threw a ball through
the chapel window.
- Fella's got a good arm.
- Sure does.
I need to ask you a favour, Bob.
In your daily prayers...
... would you mind puttin' one in
for my neighbours?
Tom Marks and his family.
His little girl, Vanessa.
Yeah, will do.
- Thanks.
- But, you know, your prayers
have just as much weight as mine.
Yeah.
Been a long time
since I was one of his regulars.
God knows you, Jess.
And he never stopped listening.
Thanks.
The dishes are in the rinse cycle,
I placed the order for tomorrow's pastries,
and I will be back before my shift starts.
Wait up, Tammy.
- What'd I forget?
- I don't want you ridin' your bike
in the dark.
It'll still be light.
No bike. Eyes on the road
the whole time, no speeding,
no radio. Hmm?
Thank you.
This is supposed to be a cloud.
- Is that your doctor?
- Uh-huh. It's Dr. Patel.
She's really nice.
- Is that you?
- Mm-hmm. It's me with hair.
This one is a watercolour.
So is this.
And here,
is my second pair of drawings.
It's pastels.
You're really, really good.
- Hmm.
- Can I see more?
Sure.
This is like on the farm.
And this is supposed to be Stanley.
And... this,
is at the bottom of the sea, I think.
And this is a princess on a unicorn,
and she's gonna go
all the way up the mountains
and she's gonna find her
true love up there.
Hey... here's my helper.
- Thanks a lot.
- Thank you.
I wanted some company today.
Buddy,
I'm gonna be back right after dinner.
How long is that?
- Not long.
- We're gonna be so busy,
you won't know where the time went.
Let's go sneak up on Mr. Sanford
and Stanley, okay?
Okay, so I'm gonna show you something,
Gordon, okay?
This is where it's...
Vanessa's counts are down.
- Well, they've been down before.
- Yes.
However, this time, lymphoblasts
appeared on her blood smear.
We have to admit her now
and start a new round of chemo.
- What... what does that mean?
- We begin again
with a new drug.
One day at a time.
Here you go, buddy.
When's my daddy gonna be here?
As soon as you get up from your nap.
- Are you gonna stay with me?
- I am.
And Stanley?
He's already here.
Hey, Jess. I heard you've had yourself
a young boarder these past few weeks.
Only during the day.
His dad picks him up again at night.
- Things workin' out okay?
- It's workin' out fine.
Claire has really taken
to little Gordon.
It's been nice for all of us.
We like havin' little feet
under us again.
I'm sorry it's not
under different circumstances.
- How's the little girl doin'?
- She's fightin' the fight.
I'm headin' over there now.
Tell her hi for me?
- I will.
- It's wonderful, what you're doing, Jess.
Thank you, Bob.
Listen... if they need any...
takeout meals or... anything,
let me know.
Same here.
Well, that's what it's all about, huh?
People reachin' out.
Yeah.
See ya.
She's really weak.
They're talkin' about sendin' us
home soon.
They have to stop the treatments
till she gets stronger.
Did they give you any idea?
All her counts have to go up.
These drugs really beat her up.
So in a month... six weeks,
we'll see if she needs to come back
for more treatments.
Gordon can stay with us
for as long as you need to be here.
You guys oughta get outta here
for a while.
Take a walk.
Breathe some real air.
Let me go and sit with her for a while.
It'll be all right.
Go on.
Dr. Gregory, please report...
Dr. Gregory, please report
to Physical Therapy.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Okay if I sit with you
for a little bit?
Sure.
- How you doin'?
- I'm okay.
- How's Stanley?
- He's good.
I know he'd like to see ya.
My dad says we're going home soon.
But I might have to come back
at Christmas.
I don't like it here.
I don't wanna be here for Christmas.
That's why I'm here.
I have it on good authority
that you will be home for Christmas.
I want you to rest up.
Be ready to celebrate.
- Okay?
- Okay.
He was under the Christmas tree
and my son Stevie was about two.
What, you like it?
Wow.
And then, look at this.
This big guy...
is Mr. Billingsly.
- Wow.
- And he...
has to know everything
that's going on around the house.
And he asks lots and lots
of questions, just like you-know-who.
- Me.
- You, yeah.
Wow.
And then, there's this.
Whoa. Can we play with him?
Well, when it stops raining,
I'm gonna take you outside
and I am gonna see
how fast you can make him run.
- Okay?
- Okay.
- Okay.
- Wow...
- Wanna hold him?
- Uh-huh.
Wow...!
It's... so much better than I expected.
It's simple and... and great.
Mr. Tim should wear glasses.
I have to go.
I have my uncle's car
and I can't be late.
But, hey, next time we get together
is at my house, okay?
Come on, Vanessa,
you got a book to work on.
I mean, you've seen how I draw.
I proposed to Susie today.
She accepted.
She did?
I want you to be my best man.
Are you sure she said yes?
Shhh... Come on.
Let's go!
- Bye.
- Thank you both so much.
Thanks.
It's beautiful.
- Come on, honey.
- Come on, sweetie.
Come here, sweetheart.
Welcome home, Vanessa.
Good to see you back.
Thank you.
Do you see?
Mr. Sanford, you were right.
It's Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Vanessa.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Vanessa.
Merry Christmas.
Come on, sweetie, let's go inside.
Come on, Gordon.
I don't know how to thank you.
You don't have to thank me.
Just go inside
and be with your family.
"Just as my mother had promised,
"by the first snowfall,
I did begin to get better.
"And just as I believed the girls
in my snow globe went on and on,
"I saw and began to believe
in the endless possibilities for me.
"The real medicine for my recovery
"was the boundless goodness
shown to me and my family.
"And just as we became
part of our little town,
"I became part of something nobody
was sure I would ever be a part of:
this wonderful world."
Thank you.
Thank you.
That was really good.
It was really a good story.
I love your writing.
Oh, bye.
Bye, sweetie.
- Bye.
- Bye!
- Bye-Bye.
- Bye.
- See you soon!
- Merry Christmas.
Bye.
Don't forget your backpack.
Come on, guys.
You liked that, didn't you, buddy?
Was that story really about you?
- Yeah, it was.
- Did you have to go back to the hospital?
All right, let's go.
Between you and me, I did.
But pretty soon after that,
I really did get better.
- That's good.
- Yeah, it is.
- Have a great Christmas.
- Thank you.
Bye.
Okay. Yeah. Get the car.
I didn't think you could top last year.
- Pretty cool, huh?
- Unbelievable.
- Hi, Dad.
- Hey.
Hi.
Hey, Gordon.
It's good to see you.
You, too.
Hi.
Welcome home.
Thank you.
Well... I'm here to take my tree.
You're late. Christmas comes
in November around here.
Mm.
Merry Christmas, Vanessa.
- Thank you.
- C'mon...
Let's go find ya the perfect tree.