11x10 - You Don't Know What You've Got 'Til He's Gone

[bunniefuu]

Hi. I looked for you
at school today.

How'd it go?

I hated it.

I can't believe I'm back there

and right in the middle
of the year.

Yeah. I guess
it's a little tough

starting after everyone else.

But, hey, at least you got
to start on a half day.

Teacher work day.

What a crock.

All I did was register.

The bureaucracy of the American
school system is absurd.

What a waste of my time.

I mean, in Scotland,
we actually learned geography

and sociology by meeting people
and actually traveling.

We learned history
by going to castles

and even hanging out in pubs.

We learned accounting
by living on our own

and managing our own money.

And philosophy.

I had a philosophy class.

They don't even offer philosophy
at our stupid school.

I'm into philosophy myself.

I mean, I just read on my own.

A little Nietzsche,
a little Kierkegaard.

Yeah, I'm sure you understand
both of those guys,

reading on your own.

I do okay.

Don't kid yourself.

You can't get an education
at our high school.

Uh, yes, you can.

If you want to.

No, you can't.

Well, then why don't you
join the twins

and do a homeschooling program?

Yeah, like my mom and dad
know anything.

Oh, I think they know plenty.

They've had very limited
life experiences.

They've hardly traveled
out of the country at all.

Unlike you.

I mean, you... you were away
the entire six months.

Well, yeah, I mean,
it was a real eye-opener.

You know, your parents are
both really smart people.

And they read a lot,

and they have friends
from all kinds of walks of life.

What does that have
to do with anything?

Well, what difference does
it make if you meet people

all over the world in Scotland
or right here,

in the little hamlet of Glenoak?

Are you kidding me?

There's no culture here.

There's plenty of culture,

if you get outside
your own head.

Excuse me?

You came back from six months
in Scotland quite the...

"self-centered,
I'm better than everyone else,

I'm smarter than everyone else"
pain in the neck.

Didn't you?

You can't talk to me like that.

Oh, I sure can.

I actually just did.

And I'm not finished.

You better wise up.

Your dad is seriously ill.

Yeah. My dad, not your dad.

It's my dad.

And it's not your family,
and it's none of your business.

What was that?

A thr*at?

Well, maybe it was.

What are you
going to do about it?

I'll tell you
what I'm going to do about it.

♪ Ruthie and T Bone ♪

♪ Sittin' in a tree ♪

♪ K-I-S-S-I-N-G. ♪

(Sam and David snickering)

♪ 7th Heaven ♪

♪ When I see
their happy faces ♪

♪ Smiling back at me ♪

♪ 7th Heaven ♪

♪ I know there's
no greater feeling ♪

♪ Than the love of family ♪

♪ Where can you go ♪

♪ When the world
don't treat you right? ♪

♪ The answer is home ♪

♪ That's the one place
that you'll find ♪

♪ 7th Heaven ♪

♪ Mmm, 7th Heaven ♪

♪ 7th Heaven. ♪

I don't know,
it's just that I'm the only one

that isn't married,
doesn't have children.

And I know Aunt Pearl
is going to ask me,

in front of everyone,

"Where's your boyfriend?
Why aren't you married yet?

Don't you want
to have children?"

Okay, I-let... let me just
stop you right there.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I-I'm sure my problems seem
really trivial to you right now,

when you're--I mean, I know...

Well, the clock's ticking
for everyone, isn't it, Betsy?

So, this year,

why don't you just sit down
next to Aunt Pearl

and tell her the truth.

Tell her that you care more
about your job

than about being
in a relationship

and-and that y-you just
don't feel like

making any effort to meet a guy.

I make an effort.

No, you don't.

So, maybe you'll meet a guy,
maybe you won't.

But if it depends on making an
effort, then, well, you won't.

It's like, every time
you sense a guy is interested,

you're so afraid of him
that y-you run the other way.

Are-Are you scared or just lazy?

Then stop eating so much
and exercise more.

No kidding, Phil.
(chuckles)

I mean, that's really
all there really is to it.

That, and you might consider
why you eat so much.

You eat so much because
your wife humiliates you.

And that makes you
feel powerless.

And then she nags you to diet

and you get back at her
by eating.

So break the cycle!

Get up tomorrow morning
and start walking, you know?

Or-Or get into any diet program.

Or just, uh,
keep a food journal.

Count your calories,
set a limit.

Eat less, move more;
it's not that complicated.

My wife doesn't humiliate me.

I think she does.

Lindsay, your brother hasn't
spoken to you for three years

because, in his words,
you are a jerk.

And I'm sure he thinks

you're still a jerk, 'cause all
the man wants is an apology.

So just apologize to him.

I mean, you know you were wrong,
and even if you weren't,

better to apologize than
never see your brother again,

'cause I know you.

You love your brother, or
you wouldn't have been talking

about this for three years.

But I think we were both wrong

and he owes me an apology, too.

(mimics buzzer sounding)
Wrong answer.

Again-- no, you told his fiancée

that he was still in love
with his ex-wife,

and then his fiancée left him.

Well, he was in love
with his ex-wife.

Just apologize.

I don't care how much

your children want a--
whatever it is.

Children have to
understand that they

can't have everything they want,
even if Santa can figure out

a way to pay for it
over the next 12 months.

Now, if, after paying for food,
clothing and shelter,

and putting
a set amount of money

into savings
to reach your financial goals,

if you can then pay cash for it,
then buy it

and enjoy it with your
children--simple as that.

But, if you don't buy it,

the children
will still love you.

Maybe even more.

I swear.

And-And I don't
do that very often.

Now... if nobody ever buys you

anything you want,
buy yourself something you want.

Or--this is harder--

share more of your life
with those you love,

so that they
get to know you better

and they know something that you
might really want or-- bonus--

the feelings that you share
with each other

will take the place
of any present

and relieve your need to receive
the perfect gift.

'Cause, you know, love...
love is the perfect gift.

But you have to give love
to get love.

You know, if you weren't...

Never mind. Um...

Thank you.

I...

How long are you going
to complain about

not getting the doll
for Christmas?

About not getting as much

as your brothers got
when you were all children?

Because, God knows, you know,

your mother only sent the boys
to the country,

during the Depression,
so they could eat.

She wasn't favoring them.

She was just doing
what she had to do.

She was probably afraid
to send you to the country.

She probably thought they were
tougher--I don't know.

What I do know is that...
you've already missed

enjoying, what, 70 Christmases

at this point?

Dean's not ready;
that's all I'm saying!

Dean's not ready.

Hey, good to see you.

Oh, I love you, Lucy.

Oh, that's so nice, Dad.

I love you, too.

What are you doing here?

Mom's cooking dinner
for everyone.

She's going to be putting it

- on the table in, like,
15 minutes. -I know.

Kevin and I are going out
of town for a couple of days.

Oh?

Second honeymoon...?

Yeah, we're going up to San
Francisco--just for two days.

Hmm. Is Savannah
staying with us?

Yeah, but Jane and Margaret
are available to help.

And she likes them
and they like her, you know.

Especially Margaret.

So I-I just wanted to stop by

and say good-bye
before we leave.

Kevin's waiting for me
in the parking lot.

Get any phone calls lately?

Phone calls?

Yeah. Any complaints?

Oh, uh, you mean about
your counseling sessions?

Yeah, I got a few phone calls.

Not so much as complaints,

more just, uh,
concerned phone calls.

What are they
so concerned about?

Well, it's just that...

I think people
don't really want me

to tell them
what's wrong with them.

I think they just want me
to, like, fix them

without doing any of
the really hard work themselves.

I'm focusing in on seven people.

I got seven chronic complainers
who want fixing bad.

Isn't that what everybody
always wants--

you to fix them without having

to do any of the work
themselves?

Pretty much, yeah.

Well, you don't have to be

in a hurry to fix them
right now, do you?

I mean, nobody has to be fixed
right this second, do they?

It's just kind of a gut feeling
I have that the time is now.

So you came by here
before leaving on your trip

in case anything happens to me?

I'm fine, Luce.
Right now, I'm fine.

So you should just go
have a wonderful time

in San Francisco
with your husband.

Okay. But if you need me,
you better call me.

- Promise.
- Mm.

Your dad, uh, looked a little
tired tonight, didn't he?

He's fine.

He looks fine; he's just old.

Everyone should just
leave him alone

and quit talking about him
and to him.

I don't know why everyone
has to talk to him.

He's not that old.

Most of my friends
in Scotland have parents

who are in their 30s--
he's in his 50s.

Only in his 50s.

Do you have any idea how lucky
you are to have two parents?

Yes, and I don't need you
to tell me.

Where's your mother, by the way?

Vegas.

She, uh,
practically abandoned me,

so I'm declaring myself
an adult.

You're what?

It's called emancipation.

Does my dad know?

He knows.

He's helping me.

You think he's helping you.

He's probably got your mother
in some kind of program

where she'll show up
at Christmas and take you home.

I don't think so.

Yeah, well, I think I know him

a little bit better
than you do.

Right, because he is
your father.

And you know him as your father.

Whereas I know him
as a man, a minister

and a human being.

Therefore, I trust him
to tell me

the truth when he advises me
to declare my independence.

Whatever.

You know,
I can do this by myself.

Yes, but my mom asked both of us

- to do it.
- And since when

do you do what your parents
tell you to do?

Told you.

Told her what?

You two like each other.

We do not like each other.

I think you do.

Seriously like.

Seriously.

We don't like each other.

They do.

Who does what?

Are you... two having a problem?

I'm not having
a problem with Ruthie.

Ruthie, are you having
a problem with me?

No.

ANNIE:
With Margaret?

Are you having a problem
with Margaret?

No.

No, I'm not having
a problem with Margaret.

Well, that only leaves T Bone,
and I know

you're not having
a problem with T Bone.

What's the problem?

Okay,

whatever it is,
you two take care of it.

Your-Your father's up to here
with problems this time of year.

He can't take
any more problems.

So you two straighten it out,
right now.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Good night.

Good night.

What happened?

Nothing.

Nothing happened.

Liar.

No, I'm not lying.

You kissed her.

How did you know that?

She didn't.

(both laughing)

- Hi.
- Hi.

Hi.

What's going on
with you and T Bone?

You two avoided each other
all during dinner.

Yeah, so go back down there
and straighten things out

like your mom asked you to do.

I mean, the kid's--

he's had a really hard time,
and he's a really nice guy.

I'm not having a problem
with T Bone.

I don't where you guys
would have gotten that from.

But I will go talk to him.

- Okay.
- Hi, boys.

ERIC:
Okay.

You think Ruthie's having
a problem with T Bone?

Really?

Are they fighting?

Nope.

They're not fighting.

Okay.

They're in love.

Look after Savannah,
will you, boys?

I need to talk to him.

Oh, go ahead.

Bye.

So is he a good kisser?

Thanks a lot.

(sighs):
They guessed.

Right. Like you don't
talk too much.

By the way, it was an accident.

It was not an accident.

Yeah, it was.

I meant to slap you.

Oh, you meant to slap me.

All right, I see.

You're practically
like my brother.

You're living at my house.

Well, I would be
like your brother

if you'd been living
in your house,

but you haven't been
living in your house,

so... not like your brother.

You're too young for me.

We're the same age.

Seriously, you're
too immature for me.

Oh, is that right?

Everyone knows that guys

are not as mature as girls
at this age.

I've... heard that.

But, uh, I'm a guy
who's been living alone

and taking care of myself,
by myself, for a very long time.

So that has matured me
well beyond my years.

And your years, as well.

So, I may only be 17,

but make no mistake about it,
I'm a man.

(chuckles):
You are not a man.

And I doubt you're even 17.

Shh.

T BONE:
Would, I, uh,

do this if I weren't a man?

Would I do this
if I weren't a woman?

(chuckles): I never said
you weren't a woman.

All right.

So I guess we're not really
having any problems.

T BONE:
No.

I, uh, would certainly say
we're not having any problems.

Fine.

Fine.

Oh.

- We talked.
- Good.

I'm glad you did.

Yeah. Me, too.

I'm going to bed now.

- Good night.
- Good night.

- Love you, Ruthie.
- Love you, Ruthie.

Yeah. Love you, too.

I'm happy you're home.

Yeah. It's okay.

For now.

Night.

Well...

I guess it's homework time.

Uh, good night.

Thanks again for daughter.

Dinner.

(T Bone chuckles)

Did... I just say "daughter"?

I believe you did.

Dinner.

Uh, really a good dinner,
Mrs. Camden.

Thank you.

And good night, T Bone.

Good night.

(chuckles)

Well... it's a little early
just to go to bed.

Yeah, if we were
just going to bed.

Oh, seriously, you just
are too immature for me.

(chuckles)

Come on, Dad.

Yeah, we can't
wait to find out

what happens in the story.

Yeah, but what if
we don't start with English?

What if there's
a pop quiz instead?

- Yes!
- Yes!

I didn't say what subject.

We studied last night--
every subject.

Spelling!

Please, Dad?

Hmm.

Is it me, or were they always
so enthusiastic about school?

Uh, let me think, uh...

It's you.

Where are our two lovebirds
this morning?

They left early.

They took the bus.

You know, they didn't want

to bother us with
driving them to school.

- Oh.
- I know it's not right

that Ruthie likes a boy who's
living in our house, but...

But I think I saw her
smile last night.

I know-- isn't it great?

Aren't we missing
a-a wee baby girl?

Oh, Jane and Margaret
took her for a walk,

along with Samson
and Delilah and Happy.

Jane and Margaret are up?

Yeah. Jane has a job interview
this morning at 11:00.

Receptionist
for an environmental

public relations firm.

Did you find that for her?

Well, she was doing

her usual routine about
how much she hates eating meat

when a customer at
the Dairy Shack walks up

and offers to have her meet with
him at his company about a job.

It's a miraculous time
of the year.

You sent him to
the Dairy Shack, didn't you?

Winston James--
he goes to our church.

Mm...

(clicks tongue)

(sighs)

I really hope you get that job.

Me, too. But I hate
to leave you at the Shack.

Hello.

Merry Christmas!

Uh-oh.

Hi!

Is that Savannah Kinkirk?

Hey, we didn't steal her, okay?

We're just helping out
the Camdens. Honest.

Oh, you're the girls
living in the garage apartment.

Maybe.

Can we help you with something?

Reverend Camden said that
you were the talkative one,

so you must be the one
who likes children.

I do.

Would you be interested in mine?

No, I mean,
Reverend Camden suggested

that you might make
a really good nanny.

And I'd be willing to pay
a lot of money, a lot of money.

I just don't want
to send Georgina

back to day care, and, well,
I have to go back to work.

I have to--we have
this family business and...

Well, would you?

(shrieks):
Yes!

I mean, yes, I'd love to.

I really would.

I'm gonna try
to go back to school,

but I could take
classes at nights,

or on weekends, or online, even.

And, in the meantime...
we could be such great friends.

I love the park, I love animals,
I love to read books

and watch the same videos
over and over.

And I can make odd things
out of Play-Doh.

And I love playing dress up
and braiding hair.

And I know how to make cookies

from refrigerated
cookie dough...

Hired.

(brief chuckle)

So, am I supposed to act
as if I know you or not?

Or not.

But everyone knows
I live in your house.

Yeah, okay, but you're
not my boyfriend.

We just know each other
from the house.

Okay. As long as that means
we can still make out,

I don't really care.

We can't keep making out--
my parents already know.

No, they don't.

Sam and David saw us.

And if they didn't
tell them last night,

they told them this morning.

I mean, believe me,
those two cannot keep a secret.

And neither can your buddies
Jane and Margaret.

Believe me, someone has told
them, or will tell them soon.

And once the secret is out,

your living arrangements
could be in jeopardy.

Maybe someone's already told
them; maybe they don't care.

You think my parents are so much
cooler than they really are.

Well, maybe they're a little
cooler than you think.

Stop acting like you know
more about my family than I do.

Maybe I do.

No, you don't.

Well, I know that
your father's critically ill.

Yeah, but he's not going to die.

He's not.

Okay.

I certainly hope not.
I mean...

I don't want anything
to happen to him,

but he is walking around
with a bad heart.

You think I don't know that?

I think you don't act like that.

I don't act like it

because it would be
a burden on him.

And it's not a burden
acting as if you don't care?

I care.

He knows I care.

How?

I mean, I showed up, didn't I?

You had to.

I wanted to.

Well, I think that would be
news to everyone.

Well, I mean, everyone
should just understand

that it's not easy coming back
under these circumstances.

It's hard.

I love my dad.

But I have to leave,
every morning,

knowing that I may never
see him again.

But you didn't even say
good-bye to him this morning.

Me?

That was my fault?

You said you wanted
to take the bus.

Well, I didn't know
you were feeling

the way you were feeling.

You never said anything.

And I thought we would
make out on the bus.

Like you weren't thinking that.

(phone ringing)

Hello.

Hey, Dad, it's me.

I didn't get to say good-bye
to you this morning.

Oh, that's okay. I knew
you wanted to get to the bus.

You and T Bone.

(mouthing)

Yeah.

All right, well,
I'll let you go.

Oh, uh, no, no.

Uh, I'm glad you called.

I got this, uh, package here
from the mailman,

and it's from you.

It looks like it was sent
a month ago.

I just wondered if it was
meant for Christmas

or if I could, uh, open it now.

Oh, you can open it.

It's not really
a Christmas present.

It's stupid.

I don't even know
if you'll like it.

(school bell rings)

All right, well,
I'll let you go. Bye.

Bye, Ruthie. Love you.

And tell T Bone good-bye, too.

He says to tell you
good-bye, too.

Not so close.

Is that for you?

It is.

It's a kilt.

Ruthie sent it from Scotland.

Isn't it great?

Are you going to wear it?

I most certainly am.

You're not afraid
people will laugh at you?

I don't care
if people laugh at me.

I love this. I love it.

I'm going to go right upstairs
and try it on.

He's brave.

And funny.

And smart.

And kind.

I just hope he has good legs.

I just hope he has a good heart.

(chuckles softly)

Baby.

(sighs)

I have to admit,
you look brilliant.

Well, got to get
down to the church.

Uh, y-you're gonna...
go to the church wearing your

skirt? Kilt?

Yeah, I-I mean, I've wanted
one of these my whole life.

Oh, you never mentioned it.

- Didn't I?
- No.

Well, you know what? Maybe...

maybe I'll wear this
from now until Christmas.

Maybe I'll have the weeks

after Thanksgiving
and before Christmas

declared kilt-wearing weeks,

and I'll wear them
this time of year, every year.

All right, if that's
what you want to do.

Hey, uh, by the way,

any news on who's coming
for Christmas and who's not?

Everybody's coming.

Matt and Sarah?

Mary and Carlos?

And all the multitudes
they have begat?

All of them.

And-And Simon's
going to show up?

He is.

With...?

Well, I have a feeling
he has a girlfriend,

but he's not saying.

And Sandy and Aaron
are going to stay with us

while her dad stays
across the street

with Martin and his dad.

So we will have a full house,

especially with Jane
and Margaret and T Bone.

T Bone.

How great is it
that she has a boyfriend?

A boyfriend.

A boyfriend
for the holiday season.

And the entire family's
gonna be here, all of them,

for Christmas Eve?

God willing.

I hope they're not all just...

coming because I'm...

Oh, no.

Things just worked out
that way this year.

Yeah, I doubt it, but...
I don't care.

For whatever reason, I'll be
happy to see them, all of them.

Yeah, me, too.

Well, I'd better be on my way.

Bye, boys.

(chuckles)

Good-bye, Savannah.

Good-bye, Annie.

(laughs)

I'll see you around 7:00?

- Yeah. I love you.
- Love you, too.

All of you.

And all of you.
(imitates dog barking)

Bye.

You think it's safe for Dad
to go to work in a skirt?

Some people might not like it.

Oh, we don't care if some people
like it or not.

If Daddy wants
to wear his skirt,

then he can wear his skirt.

And it's not a skirt,
it's a kilt.

What's the difference?

Well, a skirt is a skirt
and a kilt is a...

is a kilt.

(Eric whistling happily)

Whoa.

Wasn't really expecting anyone.

Sorry. I just wanted to say
thank you so much.

She settled for
an engagement ring.

His mother's ring.

And a date.

We're getting married
next New Year's Eve.

Isn't that perfect?

It's only 12 months,
two weeks and a day away.

Congratulations.

She wanted you to be
the first to know.

Once the pressure was off,
I don't know, I just...

Well, I realized
how much she means to me.

Happy, happy, happy holidays.

Merry Christmas.

Oh, uh...

uh, I can come back
when you're not so busy.

Oh, no, we were just leaving.

Bye, Reverend Camden.

Bye. And, hey, nice skirt.

Yeah.

It was a gift.

From Ruthie.

You're getting your gifts
early this year?

Yeah, I guess I am.

Uh, have a seat,
make yourself comfortable.

No, I just wanted you to know
how very, uh, happy I am

that you were so terribly
rude to me yesterday.

Was I? I'm sorry.

You were, and, uh--

But as it turns out,
it's exactly what I needed.

I went from here straight over
to the post office,

and I picked up
one of the letters to Santa,

and this year, I'm going to be
a Santa myself.

I'm taking a very special doll

to a little girl
who lives in my neighborhood.

Isn't that wonderful?

It is wonderful.

Well, it's all because of you.

I have a feeling it's 'cause of
somebody greater than me.

Well, I hope you and your family

have the loveliest Christmas
you've ever had.

I wish the same for you.

Sorry to interrupt.

Oh, no, not a problem.
What's up?

I need a letter of reference.

Changing jobs?

No, no.

I love my job
and I love the money it pays.

The problem is,
I have too much money

and too big a house
and no family to share it with.

I've decided to adopt.

Really?

Well, you have to
give love to get love.

And the gift I want
to give myself is a family.

I've always wanted
a dozen children,

and I don't know if or when
I'll ever get married,

so I'm going to start
a family on my own.

I'm going to start

with a sibling group
of five from Ethiopia.

Five?

Why not?

Thank you, Reverend Camden,
for pushing me yesterday.

My pleasure.

Nice skirt.

Don't get up. You can show off
your skirt some other time.

I just want to say

I had a long talk
with the children,

and I gave them a choice.

They can either have that

crazy expensive electronic
whatever-it-is

and no allowance for six months,
or they can just have me,

without my cell phone
or e-mail for three days--

December 24, 25 and 26.

And they took that one.

(chuckles)

They got so excited,

I'm giving them December 31
and January 1,

electronic-free, too.

So, um, you were right
and I was wrong.

And that's all I came to say.

That, and thank you.

I'm-I'm really looking forward
to Christmas

and the rest of
my debt-free year.

Merry Christmas.

(phone ringing)

Hello. It's Eric Camden.

I just thought you should know

that I just got back
from apologizing.

You apologized to your brother?

No, I apologized
to his ex-fiancée.

Oh.

And she's still single
and still interested.

Now all I have to do
is apologize to my brother,

who's still single
and still interested.

So, there you go.

Next time, don't wait
three years to yell at me.

I wasn't yelling.

Yes, you were.

And what's with the skirt?

I hear you're wearing a skirt.

I wish I had time
to come by and see it,

but I want to change before
I go to my brother's house.

Merry Christmas.

Same to you.

So, uh, busy afternoon?

Uh, yes, it is.

But a very nice afternoon.

I just got back from Overeaters.

Good for you, Phil.

Good for you. What'd you think?

Well, there's a lot of
humiliation going around.

I agree.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no--
I wanted to wear this.

No, this, this was
a gift from-from Ruthie.

She was living in Scotland,
you know.

She's part of
an exchange program.

I just came from a meeting,

and I've heard enough
family stories for one day.

- Okay.
- I don't know how you do it--

listening to one person
after another, after another,

complaining and complaining.

I like people.

I do.

Y-You might say
I even love people.

Well, hey, I'm a married man.

(chuckles)

But, uh, I have to go home
and talk to my wife.

Really talk to her.

We got some stuff to work out.

Good time of year
to start fresh.

Yeah. It is.

Thanks, Rev.

(chuckles)

(phone ringing)

Where are you?

I'm sorry.

I-I'm having the nicest day.

Well, don't be sorry
about having the nicest day.

What's going on?

Well, everybody I yelled at,
or practically yelled at,

has come back by here today

to give me
some bit of good news.

And everyone's coming home
for Christmas.

And I'm wearing a kilt.

I'm just insanely happy.

Well, me, too.

Five minutes.
Be home in five minutes.

Oh, you know, it's-it's
meat night, so don't be late.

It's not gonna come around
for another week.

How great is that?

Meat night.

Completely forgot.
What are we having?

Well, pork chops,
very lean, baked,

with just a little bit
of barbecue sauce.

I'm in heaven
just hearing about that.

Oops. Uh, another visitor.

Okay, well, make this
the last one.

Promise. Love you.

I love you, too.

I was kind of expecting you.

Didn't sound like it.

No, no, I-I was.

It's been that kind of day.

Sit down.

Oh, no, that's okay.

And I'm sorry
for not calling first,

but I was just driving by
and I sort of got pulled in.

Is that a kilt?

Yes, it is.

Okay.

Whatever.

Did something happen today?
Something good?

Did he tell you already?

- He?
- Van.

Van?

Well, I ran into him

last night at the grocery store.

I didn't know.

He's asked me out before.

I think he tries to sit next
to you every Sunday at church,

but you always put yourself
at the end of a row,

you know, next to a family,
so there's no room.

I wasn't aware.

Or maybe I was.

And?

Oh, well, he was buying

something for dinner
and I was buying

something for dinner and...
I don't know.

We just decided
to go out for dinner.

- Oh?
- Uh, so I took him

to Aunt Pearl's restaurant.

She invited him
to Christmas dinner.

Well, I'll be darned.

(laughing):
Me, too.

And, you know,
we stayed out so late,

I missed a deadline for work.

And nothing bad happened?

(laughs):
No.

Um, anyway, I just...
thought I should tell you.

Thank you.

No, thank you, Reverend.

For everything.

For helping me,
for helping everyone.

I don't know
what we would do without you.

Hey, with any luck,
we-we won't have

to find that out
for a long, long time.

So you're doing okay?

I'm fine.

Everything's fine.

And I don't know, I just,
I have this feeling

that something almost magical
is happening to me today.

Maybe it's the season.

Maybe it is.

Happy holidays.

Merry Christmas.

Hmm.

All this and pork chops, too.

Thank you.

(groans quietly)

(phone ringing)

Oh...

Hello.

Oh, hey, Luce.

I'm-- No, I'm fine.

H-How are you?

How's San Francisco?

(humming happily)

Good God, man!

You almost scared
the skirt off me.

And-And, now, don't ask--
you-you can't have it.

Funny you should say that.

What?

I was just thinking,

how come you never ask to live?

I don't know.

Just grateful to be alive.

Had a wonderful day.

I'm heading home
for a wonderful meal.

Hey, you want
to join us, Stanley?

And have some, uh,
pork chops with us.

Oh, no, not-not tonight.

Maybe some other night.

I'm-I'm not a fan
of "the other white meat."

Not enough fat on it.

Yeah.

I like a big, juicy steak.

With the fat on it.

That's probably why
my heart's so good.

Why, I eat that fat and
my whole body adapts to the fat.

(both laughing)

How come you don't ask to live?

I mean, anything I ask for,
I get.

I'm no better than you.

What keeps you from asking, man?

Did you come by
just to find that out?

I did.

I don't know, Stanley.

How's the family?

They're fine, thank you.

Annie?

Oh, she's great.

Hey, we got this new bed.

It's one of those, uh,
like, electronic things.

Uh, it was a gift.

The twins?

They're both doing well.

Yeah, and they're both so smart.

They love homeschooling,

and I'm enjoying
spending the time with them.

And Reverend Kinkirk--
where is she?

Oh, she and Kevin took off
for a few days in San Francisco.

She's very resilient, that Lucy.

And the little one?

- Ruthie's in love.
- (chuckles)

She doesn't know it yet, but,
yeah, I think she's in love,

and with a guy I actually like.

And the rest of them?

All the children are well--
all of them--

and they're all coming home
for Christmas.

(chuckles) And what about
the ones that aren't your kids?

They're fine, too. Yeah.

All's right
with the world, Stanley.

Well, that's what I like
to hear, Reverend.

But, uh, do me a favor.

Just ask about living.

Okay, I-I will, Stanley.

Is there anything else?

Nothing for right now.

And thank you.

For what?

For everything.

(chuckles)

Let me live, Lord.

Let me live.

(gasping quietly)