♪ What would you do
if I sang out of tune? ♪
♪ Would you stand up
and walk out on me? ♪
♪ Lend me your ears,
and I'll sing you a song ♪
♪ I will try not to
sing out of key, yeah ♪
♪ Oh, baby, I get by ♪
- ♪ by with a little help
from my friends ♪
-♪ All I need is my buddies ♪
-♪ High with a little
help from my friends ♪
-♪ I'm sayin' I'm gonna get higher ♪ - ♪
try with a little help from my friends ♪
-♪ Whoa-oa-oa-oa ♪
-♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
-♪ Somebody who
knows quite sure ♪
♪ Baby ♪
-♪ By with a little
help from my friends ♪
-♪ Said I'm gonna make
it with my friends ♪
-♪ Try with a little
help from my friends ♪
-♪ Oh, I'm gonna
keep on trying ♪
-♪ High with a little
help from my friends ♪
♪ I'm gonna keep on
trying now, baby ♪
-♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
[Nat king cole's
"at last" plays]
♪ At last ♪
-Before my parents
were mom and dad,
They were norma and jack.
-♪ My love has come along ♪
-Or so the story goes.
-♪ My lonely days... ♪
-Back then, they
didn't have much,
So they got by
on what they had...
Each other.
-♪ ...and life is like a song ♪
-Somewhere along
the way, though,
Hearts and flowers
gave way to other things.
Guess it kind of
took 'em by surprise.
-♪ The skies above are blue ♪
-So, like any couple
of their generation,
They did what they had to do.
-♪ My heart is wrapped... ♪
-They became... Parents...
Providers.
-Damn!
-What is it, jack?
-I thought we paid
this bill last month.
-That was the orthodontist.
This is the dentist.
-Property tax?
Already?
-Corn or carrots, honey?
-Whatever.
-By 1970, my parents
had elevated providing
Into something
close to an art form.
-Guess we dip into the
christmas club again.
-Dad was the maestro
of payment plans.
Mom was a virtuoso
with vegetables.
-Broccoli.
-You had to hand it to 'em.
They were good at what they did.
And, of course, it was
all for a good reason...
-Hey!
- Their three
beautiful children...
-Are we gonna
eat here, or what?!
- With all the rights
and privileges thereof.
Not that we took
the folks for granted.
It's just, with
thanksgiving coming,
We had certain... Needs.
-Daddy?
When I go back from break,
I-i'm gonna need
money for a few things.
Okay?
-Like what?
-Some books, some art supplies,
A yoga mat.
-A yoga... Mat?
-What the hell do you
need a yoga mat for?
-Yoga.
-And no matter how
ridiculous those needs were,
We knew, somehow, they'd
come through for us.
-We'll work it out, honey!
-Thanks!
- I need a new stereo.
- I need a new baseball glove.
-[Growls]
-Back of the line, butthead.
- Hey, I asked him first.
- What do you mean?
I need a new stereo.
- I need a new baseball glove.
I've had the same
one for two years.
I can't play with it.
- I haven't even had a new...
-For the things that were
really important, anyway.
-I haven't had a new
one for two years!
-Oh, my goodness.
The stove's out again.
-[Sighs]
-Eh, she's dead all right.
Deader than a doornail.
-[Sighs] but, you can fix it?
-Well, yeah.
-[Sighs] good!
-I can fix it if I
can find the parts.
I'll tell you, norma.
I probably shouldn't
be saying this
What with you being such
a good customer and all,
But, well, let me
put it this way...
She's old. She's tired.
It's time to buy a new one.
-What do you mean,
"buy a new one"?
-Hi, jack.
-Why can't you
just fix the old one?
-Well, your thermostat's sh*t,
Your top burner's not
juicing out like she oughta,
And you got one mean
short-circuit in your wiring.
-And there it was...
The carefully considered
opinion of a professional.
Dad had no choice
but to take action.
-I'll get my toolbox.
-Honey, I don't think your
toolbox is gonna help this time.
I think we need to
buy a new stove.
-She's right, jack...
As much as I hate to say it.
-Poor mom.
All she really wanted
was a working stove
So that she could
take care of her family.
And poor dad.
All he really wanted was
to be able to provide mom
With a working stove
So that she could
take care of the family.
-[Sighs]
-Olive loaf?
-And poor us.
All we wanted was something
besides cold cuts for dinner.
Seemed like it was time to
explore the alternatives.
-Jack, I was checking
the paper today,
And montgomery wards is
having a sale on appliances.
-How much would a
new stove set us back?
-Only about $250.
-Don't say "only" and "$250"
In the same breath, norma.
-Gee...
How do they get the little,
ugly, green olives in there?
-And that about
covered the alternatives.
All but one.
-Maybe I should talk to
management tomorrow,
Ask for a raise.
-It was a bold and
unexpected decision.
-The company owes me, norma.
It's been too long.
-Good idea, dad.
-You certainly
deserve one, honey.
-After all, dad was
the great provider...
-Whoa! Check it out!
- Fully supported
by his providees.
-Wow.
Dad, you look great!
-What happened?
Somebody kick the
bucket? [Chuckles]
-Jack...
-Oh. [Chuckles]
-Oh, jack, are you sure
you want to wear that tie?
-What's wrong with this tie?
-[Chuckles] jack...
-It worked for me once.
-Maybe it'll do it again.
Wish me luck?
-It was nice seeing
my parents like this...
-Good luck, honey.
- Doing what they had
to do for the family.
-Bye-bye
-I guess were all kind of
caught up in the moment.
-Hands off, scrote.
-Okay, so you'll just have
to take my word for it.
[Dog barking in distance]
[Car horn honks]
That afternoon,
I got home a little
faster than usual...
And so did dad...
Which could only mean
the news wasn't good.
-So, dad, how'd it go?
-Rough.
-Well...
Maybe next time.
-Maybe...
And maybe not.
[Car door closes]
[Clears throat]
-You got the raise.
-[Chuckles] not just a raise.
You're looking at the new regional
manager of product support services.
-Not that any of us had a
clue as to what that meant.
- [Laughs]
- right on, dad!
-Still, it had an
impressive ring to it.
- Honey, that's great!
- Pretty good, huh?
-Regional manager?
-Uh-huh. Regional manager.
-'Course, um...
That means some
new responsibilities.
-Well, you can handle it.
-I'll, uh, have to go
on the road some,
Move around from plant to plant,
Troubleshoot in the field,
You know, that sort of thing.
-Does that mean you
have to travel, a lot?
-Well, some.
Maybe just at first. [Chuckles]
I've got to fly to
pittsburgh tonight.
-So soon?
-Well, they said we need
somebody out there right away.
-Oh.
-But it'll just be
until next wednesday.
[Vase pings]
-And suddenly we were
getting a pretty fair idea
Of what a regional manager did.
-But, hey, it's for
the best, right?
[Chuckles]
-Of course, honey.
-And maybe it was.
Mom looked happy.
-Hefty raise, dad?
-Not too shabby, there, chief.
-And dad finally had the
recognition he deserved.
-Now I'm gonna get you!
- Protect your father.
- Get out of the way!
-All right! [Laughs]
-That night, we
watched as mom and dad
Shared a tender
moment of farewell.
-Where the hell's that damn cab?
-Calm down,
honey. It'll be here.
-Y-you didn't pack
my handkerchiefs?
- Oh, they're in the carry-on.
- Oh.
[Car horn honks]
Ah, it's about time.
Okay. That's it, huh?
-It was strange.
Everything was
happening so fast...
For all of us.
-Oh, uh, where's my tickets?
-Oh, they're in
your breast pocket.
-So, uh, that's it, then, huh?
[Car horn honks]
O-okay, you kids. You better take
care of your mother now, huh?
- Bye, dad.
- Go get 'em, dad.
-Be good, will you?
Oh, yeah...
Why don't you go ahead
and buy that new stove.
-[Chuckles]
-Take care, huh?
- Bye, dad.
- Bye, dad.
- Bye.
[Door closes]
-It was as romantic as some
old movie on the late show.
Well, as romantic as
my parents got, anyway.
But, then, I guess
he was in a hurry.
-Jack, it is
absolutely beautiful!
[Laughs]
Well, I splurged a little
and got the easy-clean model.
And I went with the white.
-By the monday
before thanksgiving,
Things were looking up again.
-No, no. We're all fine.
And, uh, we'll see
you wednesday night!
Okay. Bye-bye.
-How's dad, mom?
-Fine. Just fine.
Isn't it beautiful?!
-Really nice, mom.
-And it was, as stoves go.
-Look!
It has meal minder...
"Automatically regulates
the oven temperature
So that you're free to
entertain your guests."
Oh, that'll sure help
with the turkey this year.
-[ Sarcastically]
pretty exciting!
-[Scoffs]
Well, I got to go to school.
-Okay, sweetheart.
You have a good day.
-Maybe I should
have been caught up
In the spirit of
things a little more,
But for some reason,
I couldn't shake the feeling
that something was missing.
-So, when's your
dad getting back?
-Uh, w-wednesday.
Wednesday night.
-He must be having a blast.
-Huh?
-You know, catching
planes, staying in hotels.
That's got to be fun.
-Well... [Scoffs]
He probably wants to get home.
-Oh, sure. No question.
-Besides, we're doing
pretty much okay without him.
It's kinda... Different,
Kind of an adventure.
-And it was, as adventures go.
-Pot pies!
[ Music plays]
These took no time
at all in the new stove.
-And let's not forget to
mention that new stove!
-Uh, mom...
Don't you think
these are a little...
Underdone in the middle?
-Well...
-Yeah. Mine's still frozen, too.
[Tapping]
-Must be that new timer.
I'll have your father take a
look at it when he gets back.
[Telephone rings]
[ Music stops]
Hello?
Oh, hi, honey!
No, everything's
fine here... Just fine.
-Tell him "hi."
-Oh?
Well, did he say
that was definite?
Well, can't you fly
in thursday night?
Oh. No, I know it's expensive.
No, honey. Of course.
I understand.
Well, when do you think
you could come home?
Saturday.
-Saturday?!
But that's two days after...
-Jack, don't be silly!
We'll be fine.
Really.
Okay. Bye-bye.
[Receiver clicks]
- "Okay. Bye-bye"?
Seemed to me this called for
a little further discussion.
-Dad's not coming
home for thanksgiving?
-No.
He's got to be in denver
first thing friday morning.
-Can't he just fly in for a day?
-No, honey.
It's... It's just too expensive.
- What's he gonna do
for thanksgiving?
- Kevin.
-I guess that was about
as much discussing
As we were gonna do.
-Oh, I know what's wrong!
I forgot to preheat the
oven before I set the timer.
-Well, one thing was clear.
Between dad's new job
and mom's new stove,
This holiday was
going to the dogs.
-[Whimpers]
-That night, I thought a
little family reconnaissance
Might be in order.
-Wayne...
-What?
-Can I ask you something?
-The answer's "no."
-No, really.
H-have you noticed anything...
Funny about the way
mom's been acting?
It's kind of like...
Things are weird around here.
You know?
-And for a moment, I
knew I wasn't alone.
Wayne actually understood.
-You know...
You've got a big
glob of toothpaste
Right there in your nose.
[Laughs]
-Still, maybe I was
over-reacting.
-[Sighs]
-Or maybe not.
-[Sighs deeply]
-And we've got a beautiful
crystal-clear autumn day.
-That's right, bob.
-Thanksgiving day.
We hauled out all
the old traditions...
The pageantry, the celebrations,
A day of family...
And of children.
[Dishes clattering]
[Liquid bubbling]
And through it all, mom
was a cooking machine...
A whirling dervish
of domesticity.
And as much as she
had come to love
That new stove of hers,
I had come to hate it.
[Match strikes]
[Beethoven's "9th symphony,"
2nd movement plays]
And so, the time had arrived
To give thanks for
our many blessings...
To consume the fruits
of our bountiful harvest.
From the depths of mom's stove
Came a tidal wave
of holiday fare,
A symphony of corn and carrots,
A blitzkrieg of
potatoes and yams.
And to top it all off...
A turkey the size of a buick.
-Well, that's everything.
-It was enough to
feed a small army.
-Turkey looks great, mom!
-It does, doesn't it?
I followed the
directions in the cookbook
That came with the new stove.
-And there was
nothing left to do
But sit down and dig in.
-[Gasps]
Oh, my goodness!
I forgot the napkin rings.
-Only, for some reason...
-Oh, here they are.
- Mom wouldn't sit down.
-One for you...
One for you...
And one for you.
You know, this year,
I tried granny
apples in the stuffing
Instead of golden delicious.
Oh, and instead of
putting the marshmallows
On top of the yams,
I melted them down and
added a little brown sugar
For flavoring.
Then I put everything
together in the blender
And whipped it up,
But it still wasn't
right, so, then...
-We sat there while
mom kept talking
And folding her napkin.
- Threw in a little
bit of coconut
Just before I baked it.
-It was horrible.
Then it got even worse.
[Clock ticking]
Her silence was
like a cry for help.
She was out there on a limb.
[Dish clatters]
So I figured I'd
come to the rescue.
-Mom?
Who's gonna carve?
-I don't know.
[Utensils clatter]
-Nice going, butthead!
-Oh, he hasn't?
Oh, no, no. That's all right.
Could you just leave a
message for him when he gets in?
Tell him that norma called.
Yes.
Thank you.
-When you're 14, you
know a lot of things...
How to throw a spiral,
How to fix a bike.
But standing there,
I knew I couldn't
fix what was wrong.
-Come in.
-Mom?
-Hmm?
-I'm sorry.
[Telephone rings]
-Hello?
Jack!
Well, where are you?
Really?
Of course, honey.
[Laughs]
Bye-bye.
Put on your coat.
We're going to the airport.
-He's coming home?
-No, he's flying in,
just for an hour.
-But I thought he said
it was too expensive.
-[Chuckles]
Yeah.
It is, isn't it?
-Thanksgiving night of 1970,
My father came
home to his family...
[Woman speaking indistinctly]
The family he cared for...
- Hi!
- Hi!
- Hi!
-Dad, over here!
- The family he provided for...
But he came home
to someone else, too.
He came home to
the girl he loved.
-I missed you.
-I missed you, too.
-Maybe sometimes the simple
things in life get forgotten,
The things parents need...
The things children need, too.
But that night, mom and dad...
Jack and norma...
Promised to remember.