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Labor Day (2013)
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(FOLK ROCK MUSIC PLAYING) ADELE: Good morning. (SIGHS) (ENGINE STARTING) ADULT HENRY: It was just the two of us after my father left. He said I should count the new baby he had with his new wife, Marjorie, as part of my family, too. Plus Richard, Marjorie's son. For the most pan, my mother never mentioned my father, or the woman he was married to now. GERALD: You could always come live with Marjorie and me. I mean, if that was something you wanted, we can have her evaluated. No. Mom is great. She's learning to play the cello. I just asked because I get the feeling her... (SIGHS) That she's getting worse. ADULT HENRY: I don't think losing my father broke my mother's heart but rather, losing love itself Even at that age, I understood this and wanted to make up for some of the neglect. ADELE: Oh, what did you do? - You made all this for me? - Mmm-hmm. ADELE: "Husband for a Day." ADULT HENRY: I made her a coupon book. - I cleaned. - "One week of clean dishes." Did little chores around the house. "Handyman." There was a coupon for a shoulder rub. A bubble bath. I even took her on a date. A man should know how to dance. When a man can dance, the world is his oyster. Some men just set their hand on your shoulder or against your back but there has to be strong pressure there. ADULT HENRY: At the time, I was too young to understand the part of being husband for a day, I was not equipped to carry out. But I sensed my own terrible inadequacy. I could feel her loneliness and tonging before I had a name for it. BANK TELLER: Hey, Henry. How's your mother? Fine. I hope to see her in here one of these days. ADULT HENRY: I understood who my real family was. (EXHALES) Her. (ENGINE STOPS) Even if that mean! only leaving the house once a month to pick up supplies at Pricemart. I think it's this way. Is it all right if I go check out the comics? Um... Okay. Just don't wander. I'll be right over there. I wonder if you could give me a hand here. You're bleeding. Yeah, well, I fell out a window. We should get help. No, I wouldn't want to upset anyone. Did you come here with that woman over there? My mom. She looks like the kind of person that could help me. I... I don't know. What I want to ask is, you think she'd give me a ride? Hmm? This is my mother, Adele. Mom, this is Frank. He needs our help. You got a good boy here, Adele. He was kind enough to offer me a ride. Oh. Um... Well, he may have, but... We have a big afternoon. I don't think we can help you. Well, that's a shame. I thought we could have a catch. - I suck at baseball. - Hey Maybe you used to. Don't you throw around a ball with your dad'? I only see him on Sundays. - Oh. - ADELE: No. I'm sorry. I won't be any trouble. We really (STAMMERS) can't help you. FRANK: Frankly, this needs to happen. (BEEPING) Oh, here. Why don't you get in back? (SIGHS) Where do you want to go? Your house. Just for a few moments, to rest my legs. (SIREN WAILING) (DOOR CLOSES) You'll have to excuse the mess. We've been busy. Nice place. ADELE: How do you, uh, take your coffee? As is. - How did you hurt your leg? - (SIGHS) I'm going to be straight with you, here, Henry. I'm not going to lie. I hurl my leg jumping out of a second oor window at a hospital they'd taken me to to get my appendix out. At the prison. That's how I got out. When? This morning. You escaped? So, now, the police are looking for you. I would have gotten further except for the damn leg. (WATER BOILING) (CUTLERY CLANKS) I'd be grateful if you let me stay till nightfall. I'd try and help out. I wouldn't ask anything of you. You just did. Nothing more than a place to lay low and rest my leg for a few hours. How do I... How do I know you won't hurt us? I've never intentionally hurt anyone in my life. You understand how that could be hard to believe. Yeah, I do. How far are the train tracks from your backyard? Running? Limping. Twenty minutes, maybe. People come over. Often. Randomly. Friends, salesmen, religious people. I'll make a run for it tonight and I can stay out of your way until then. I mean, they'd notice if I went quiet. Even for a little bit. I just escaped from prison. The last place I want to go is back. I'm stronger than you think. I don't doubt that. And I won't let anything happen to my son. He's in good hands. (PANTING) ANCHORWOMAN ON TV: Welcome back to Action News. Commuters may have experienced delays on their drive home {his afternoon. Roadblocks on Route 73. Who are police looking for? Frank Chambers, an inmate at Stinchfield Prison, who escaped earlier this morning. MALE REPORTER: Captain! Where is Frank Chambers? Considering his injuries, we believe he hasn't gotten far. Now keep in mind that he is dangerous and quite possibly armed. ANCHORWOMAN: Chambers was recovering from appendicitis on the second oor of this hospital when police say, he just made a jump for it. Urn, I went to check on him and the next thing I knew he was out the window. Authorities would like to remind our viewers that this kind of leap can spell desperation. Especially in an inmate serving 18 years for murder. ANCHORMAN; Coming up next on the Channel 7 News, the hottest day in 11 years in New Hampshire. Didn't happen that way. Isn't it against the law to hide a fugitive? You got a wise son here, Adele. It's good to know he's looking out for you. It's all going to be fine. It would only be a problem if someone found Frank here. And that doesn't need to happen. He can just lay low for a few hours, and then keep moving. That's true enough. It's still not acceptable to place you and your family here in jeopardy. If someone were to come by' it would need to look like I kidnapped you. That's why I'm going to have to tie you up. It's about keeping up appearances. I think you understand what I mean. - Who are you going to... - Only you. Henry here knows he doesn't want anything to happen to his mother. Right, Henry? Hmm? Open these. (SIMMERING) Grab a bowl. (BLOWING) ADELE: I don't suppose your father has told you anything about sex. Most people put all this focus on the physical changes you'll be going through soon. HENRY: It's okay. They explained everything in a health assembly. Well, there's another aspect that your health teacher is unlikely to explore. People act as if making love is all about secretions and body functions. Mom. It's okay. For all the discussions of body parts and hormones, they forget to mention how it feels. There's another kind of hunger. The hunger for human touch. Desire. People never tell you about how it feels. The longing;. What time do the trains start in the morning? I don't know. I'll just have to keep an ear out for them, I guess. (SLURPS) FRANK: I don't blame you for wondering. Just know that there's more to this story than you'll see in that paper there. How did you escape? I told the guard at the hospital if he left, I was going to jump out the window. He heard that and went to have a smoke. Nothing misleads people like the truth. You have any brothers or sisters? (STAMMERS) No. My mom tried, but... I've got a stepbrother and a half-sister. My dad takes me out to dinner with them on Sundays. How does a fellow let a woman like your mother get away? He got together with his secretary. Good riddance. Good morning. We won't be needing that any longer. But if the day comes and you have to say I tied you up, you won't be lying. Haven't heard any trains go by. Holiday weekend. Breakfast? You have to try one. Okay. (SOFT MUSIC PLAYING) FRANK: Hey, give me a three-quarter-inch ratchet wrench. Ratchet wrench. ADULT HENRY: That day, Frank changed the oil in the car and replaced the {use for the blinkers. Then he replaced the filter on the furnace. He checked out the cord of firewood that just got delivered and informed my mom that the guy was shorting her. Then he washed the oor and waxed it. FRANK Then you rotate {he bait. Grip it loose. Two fingers up top, thumb on the bottom. Just let it rest there. Barely tight enough to hold. And when you release, snap your wrist down, like a whip. Just crack. And then you grab those seams when the ball leaves your fingers. You bite your lip when you sew. (EXHALES SOFTLY) I'm trying not to stick you. How'd you get that scar? (ADELE CHUCKLES) Stars and Stripes Forever routine for my dance recital. Halfway through rehearsal, they got rid of the ramp. I tapped myself right off the stage. (POUNDING ON DOOR) Come here! Come here! Answer the door, Hank. Let them know your mother's out. And I trust you're not gonna get nervous and say something. Now go. Oh. Hi, Henry. I was looking for your mother. (STAMMERS) I'm sorry, Mr. Jervis, she's not home. Oh. Well, that's... That's not like her. Has she been following the news, do you know? Did she leave you here by yourself? No, I just mean she can't come to the door. - She's taking a bath. - MR. JERVIS: Oh. Are those for her? Yeah. I had so many' I didn't know what to do with them. I thought your mother might like them. Thank you. I'm sure she'll appreciate them. Let her know there's something I'd like to discuss with her. Is everything okay? MR. JERVIS: Well, uh... Look, Henry, I don't know if you've heard, but there's a guy loose. Broke out of Stinchfield. He's probably long gone by now, but till they find him, I wouldn't be opening the door without an adult. Thank you for telling me. Look, I doubt he's anywhere near here by now. Just remember, I'm right across the street. You have any problems, just give me a jingle. (ADELE PANTING) He had more than he needed. You did good, Hank. Um... Henry, why don't you go check on Joe? I'm sure he's fine. It's a hot day. Make sure his water hasn't dried up. Yeah. You can't do that again. What? What did I do? My son is not your lookout. He's not your accomplice. And I don't... - It was just a neighbor. - It doesn't matter! Don't forget what's going on here. Not for a second. Now, I see the way he looks at you. What he wants. That encouragement, pat on his shoulder. And I want it for him. But not for that. I can't promise what's going to show up at the door. I know. Okay, then. (EXHALES) It's a good peach. It's too bad they're all so ripe, you'll never get through them all. We should throw most of them away before they rot. No, I have another idea. Take a peach. HENRY: Thank you. FRANK: Now, the filling is easy. What I want to talk about is crust. You've got to keep your ingredients cool. Hot day like this is challenge enough. The phone rings while you're making a crust, just let them call you back. Mix it up. (SIGHS) Pie crust is a very forgiving thing. Forks. You can make all kinds of mistakes, but don't forget the salt. ADELE: All of it? FRANK: Yeah, before it gets too warm. Keep everything cool. Then mix it up. Take that knife. It's all about instinct. Pay too much attention to recipes, you forget how to feel. It's like reading a book on gardening when all you've got to do is get dirt underneath your fingernails. All right. Put it in there. That's it. Now, don't over-handle. You want it right on the verge of crumbling at any moment. There you go. Now grab the outside. Heel of the hand. People buy all these fancy gadgets, but sometimes the best tool is attached right there to your own body. Okay. Scatter a little tapioca, like salt over an icy road. Cure for a soggy crust. The whole thing. Make a little mountain out of it. Perfect. Okay, moment of truth. Can't go loo fast. You can't hesitate. ADULT HENRY: I don't know when my mom's hands started shaking exactly. But eventually, it was beyond her control. (TREMBLING) Help me put a roof on this house. Perfect. (BEEPING) (TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING IN THE DISTANCE) I should go. They won't come back for a few hours. This is as good a window as I'm gonna get. Maybe tomorrow, once your stitches have had a little more time. They're not going to stop looking, Adele. HENRY: They have dogs that can smell your blood. You should probably let your stitches heal. You should stay. ADELE: Thank you. I'm really nervous. You have to... FRANK: I understand. We'll just lay here a while. ADELE: We haven't had anybody in this house for such a long time. Let me get my... (ADELE AND FRANK MOANING) ADULT HENRY: Rhythm. This was the word that burrowed into my brain as I listened to their late nigh! conversation quietly dissipate. I thought about that word, rhythm," and whether my mom thought Frank had it. These were the images I returned to at night. Particularly now that the evening was no longer silent. (MOANING CONTINUES) ADULT HENRY: The next day, Frank fixed the loose oorboard on the stairs. (SQUEAKING) He got the squeak out of the kitchen door, then cleared the debris out of the gutters. Thank you. I'll tell you this. You don't want to wait to learn to fix it. Especially if you got a lady in the seat beside you when it happens. ADULT HENRY: They did laundry. He ironed. And in return, my mom taught him to rumba. Two... three... four. Shift your weight this way. Two... three... four. ADULT HENRY: For lunch, Frank thought it only right that we fire up the barbecue. So, he sent me to pick up groceries. (BELL JINGLING) You know, drinking from aluminum gives you Alzheimer's. Is that true? Uh-huh. It's the perfect crime 'cause you can't remember how you got it. Is there anything to do in this town? There's bowling? Bowling. GROCER: If you ask me, I think he's holing up in someone's house waiting for things to cool down. SHOPPER: I just can't get his face out of my head. The worst part is knowing that a man like that has nothing to lose. Life to a person like that is worth about 10 cents. They'll get him eventually. They always do. - Henry. How's your mother'? - She's doing great. Where's all the canned goods? You usually buy like you're planning for a tornado. Yeah. Special recipe. Henry. This is a man's razor. Your mom wants one of the pink ones on aisle 7. It's not for my mom. It's for me. You practicing? All right. Just do me a favor and keep the cap on, okay? Keep an eye out, all right? (CAR DOOR OPENS) (CAR DOOR CLOSES) Mom? ADELE: You were just a boy. RANK; I was 21. ADELE: You didn't know what you were doing. FRANK: Doesn't make it right. ADELE: Why didn't you say something? EVELYN: Adele? Hey, Henry, where's your mom? (STAMMERS) I don't know! Um, let me go... Let me go get her. Stay here! EVELYN: I need you to watch Barry! ADELE: Ev, hi! She asked me to watch Barry. EVELYN: Listen. I'm at my wits' end. I really need some help from you. I have to go. My dad's in the hospital. ADELE: Oh, my God. I'm sorry. EVELYN: So I need somebody to watch Barry. ADELE: Like, right now'? EVELYN: Yeah. Yeah, I'll be back tonight. ADELE: You know, I can't. Um... - Hey, Barry. How's it going? - Good. They don't expect my dad to hold on for long. Yeah, normally... I really don't have any other options, Adele. I know. (STAMMERS) I really want to help you. I promise he'll be good. You're gonna be good, right, Barry? You remember Henry? And his mom? And all the good times you've had here? Evelyn. Please. One mother to another. I would not ask you if I wasn't desperate. It's just that... I don't have any other options. Please. - You're not going anywhere. - (SIGHS) - Okay. - Thank you. Thank you, thank you. I owe you. I will be back by the end of the night. It's about two hours' drive. Ah, okay. EVELYN: Just put his chair in front of the TV. He loves cartoons. Okay. Um... Come on. I'll get you inside. Here we go. The door. Hey, Barry, you look mighty toasty in all those clothes. I swear, she dresses him for winter in August. Well, you got here just in time. We needed a third baseman. Now, Barry, my name's Frank. (MUMBLES) That's right. Frank. There you go. All right. Let's see that swing. Don't get your hopes up. Want to run that by me again? Bat up. Shoulders forward. Choke up on the bat, hands together. Knees bent. There we go. Good. When I throw it to you, see the ball. - See the ball. - See the ball. Keep it uid. - There we go. - BARRY: Whoa! HENRY: See the ball. ADULT HENRY: The thing was, when Frank threw the ball, I hit it. FRANK: If I had more time to work with you, we could really get somewhere. You ready? Your turn? (PANTING) - No, no. - Come on. - FRANK: Take a deep breath. - (INHALES DEEPLY) Relax. There you go. Bend your knees. Hands together. There you go. - I can't do this. - Yeah, you can. You are doing it. Bend your knees. Ready? Bring on the heat, Hank. - There you go. - Whoa! (CHUCKLING) ANNOUNCER ON RADIO: The count is 2 and 2. The Red Sox are leading, 4 to 0. Cleveland batting in the 5th inning. Ail four Red Sox runs in the 2nd. (INAUDIBLE) (CAR DOOR CLOSES) You fool. (INDISTINCT MUSIC ON TV) Tonight at 11:00, more on escaped convict Frank Chambers. Our psychologist weighs in an what to expect from a murderer on the run and where he might be hiding;. That and more at 11:00. (VEHICLE APPROACHES) ADELE: (SIGHS) Okay, Barry. Looks like your mother is here. - Hi. - Hi. How's your dad? Oh. It's complicated and not all good, but he's under supervision. Did you have a good time today? Yea-yeah! ANCHORWOMAN ON TV: This is Lynn Jolicoeur for News Four New Hampshire. Tonight's top story is our continuing coverage of the escape of Stinchfield Prison inmate Frank Chambers, a convicted murderer. Well, we've had a busy day, so... EVELYN: Uh, listen' I've been on the road for two hours. Could I trouble you for a glass of water'? Uh, sure. Henry, would you grab Evelyn some water'? ANCHORWOMAN: ...leaving police with very few clues. EVELYN: So, was he difficult? No. No, not at all. No. We had the best time with Barry. We went outside and threw a ball around. EVELYN: Oh, God. Did you put on sunscreen? - ADELE: Yeah. Of course. - (MUMBLES) EVELYN: A lot of people don't do that. Fwah. Fwah. Fwah! Yes, I know. We're going. Fwah, Fwah, Fwah! (SIGHS) Oh, God. Okay, okay. We're going home. I just need a sip of water. Fwah! Leaving Labor Day motorists with more than the usual delays. Fwrank! We're gonna watch television when we get home. Fwranh! Fwrank! Stop it! He needs some rest. (CAR ENGINE STARTS) ADELE: You were so young. Why didn't you appeal? FRANK: I don't know. I thought I got what I deserved. ADELE: But you don't feel that now. FRANK: No, now it doesn't matter. You couldn't take a lot. Might seem suspicious. ADELE: We just start driving? Just like that? FRANK: You couldn't tell any of your friends. ADELE: No one to tell, really. I can't imagine you not being free. FRANK: I can't call myself free until I can walk down the street, arm around you. I'd like that. FRANK: Take you on road trips to places we don't know a soul. ADELE: (CHUCKLES) Like on the run? FRANK: Mmm-hmm. That's right. On the run. My ex-husband would never let me take Henry away. FRANK: You know what that would mean. ADELE; I know. FRANK: All right, then. I noticed a spot under the shower where the water is finding its way under the linoleum. You don't want dry rot. I'll tackle that tomorrow, okay? ADELE: Maybe it doesn't matter. What do you want to do? HENRY: I dam know. ELEANOR I think you know. Come on. Just say it. ELEANOR: What's the matter? FRANK: Is it cold? ADELE: You're a tough guy. I think you could take it. FRANK: Is it too cold to grow things? ADELE: It's mostly farms. FRANK: It sounds nice. Morning, sport. Hey. How'd you sleep? Fine. Um, I was wondering if you could do me a little favor. Top secret research. Research? Just a trip to the library to pick up a book on Prince Edward Island. FRANK: Your mom says it's beautiful. ADELE: Can you pick up the book, Hank? So, do you go to school around here? (STAMMERS) I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... ELEANOR: I just moved here from Chicago. I'm supposed to try out living with my dad this year. Oh. What happened? The official reason is I have an eating disorder and they think a new school environment will help. But really, I think my mom just wanted to get rid of me so she can fool around with her boyfriend. I understand. This guy, he just moved in with my mom and me. And now he wants you out. - I don't think so. - ELEANOR: He will. So they can have sex. So, what are you reading? I'm investigating my legal rights. You see, I got into this really great private school where they only focus on drama. No one cares about sports or what kind of clothes you wear. The teachers stay off your case. It's really elevated. But at the last minute, my parents decided they didn't have the money. Could they get a loan? Oh, they have the money. They're just using me as a pawn in their sick little game. What's that? It's for my mother. She wants to know if Canada might be a good place to move. And how do you feel about that? Moving. Leaving your friends. I'm asking because that's what I had to do. And frankly, I consider it child abuse. I don't know. Canada seems nice. Do you even know if they're taking you? My mom wouldn't leave me behind. When people have sex, it affects their brains. They can't see things normally. It's like a drug. I'm not sure if that's true. Well, you're probably gonna need an intervention. Maybe even need to deprogram her. - Deprogram her? - Yeah. This guy... Does he have charisma? Maybe. Too bad your mom and my dad couldn't get together before this whole boyfriend person showed up. But then if you and I got married, it'd be kind of like incest. My mother doesn't normally date anyway. I see only one hope for you. You need to find a way to get him out of your life. I don't know if that's possible. Either you get rid of him, or he's probably going to get rid of you. JERRY LEWIS ON TV: All these people here love you a lot. A lot of them don't even know you and they love you, because you represent so very much. But I'm very, very proud that I could put this show on for you. And I hope next year we can do better so that you can sit in a different position. We love you, Mikey Neufeldt. God bless you. (AUDIENCE APPLAUDING ON TV) What time is Women's League? Women's League is Tuesday. Mandy? (CAR HORN HONKING) GERALD: Hey, pal. So that's the fool that walked out on you. (WHIRRING) MARJORIE: You full? Yeah, Chloe? He's good. You're a good eater tonight. Uh-oh. Fribbles. So... Seventh grade. How about that? Richard's thinking of going out for lacrosse. Aren't you, Rich? Yeah. Maybe. How about you, pal? Lacrosse'? Soccer, maybe? Probably not football till you get a little more meat on those bones, huh? Actually, I was thinking of signing up for modern dance group. Well, I'm not sure that would be such a good move. I know how your mother feels about dancing, but people might get the wrong idea. They might think... - They might think you're gay. - MARJORIE: Richie. Or they might think I like girls in tights. (BOTH CHUCKLE) You boys are reaching that stage of life. Probably time for us to have a little man-to-man conversation. I already had that with my real dad. I guess that just leaves you and me. It's okay. I'm up to speed. Well, I'm sure your mother gave you the basics, but there are some things a guy needs to hear from a man. MARJORIE: It can be difficult not having a man around the house. Who says I don't? (SIGHS) Before you know it, you two boys will be going out on dates. A couple of lady-killers! If I was still in seventh grade, I'd think you two were the cutest. Gross. If you were still in seventh grade, I wouldn't even be born. Not to mention it'd be incest. Were you serious? About a guy hanging around the house? - What do you care? - Hey. You're my kid. I'd like to know who's around. Thanks. - See you later. - GERALD: Bye, pal. (CAR DOOR CLOSES) (UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING) FRANK: Henry, your mom is some kind of dancer. Most people wouldn't tackle the cha-cha in this kind of weather' HENRY: Yeah. It was a little loud. (EXHALES) It's just music. I just figured we were trying to avoid attention. Oh, come on, Hank. - You can have the next dance. - (MUSIC STOPS) I'm going to go to bed. Henry, wait! Um... There's something we wanted to talk to you about. (SIGHS) After your father left, I thought I would be alone forever. I didn't think I would care about anyone else besides you. I'm really happy for you. We're thinking Canada might be a good place to start over. Canada? They speak English. And you don't need passports to get across the border. Thanks for the research, bud. We've decided 10 go together. Will I ever see you again? What are you talking about? Do you even care about what happens to me? ADELE: What? You didn't think... We're all going. Really? I would never leave you. You would have to leave school. And you couldn't tell anyone, okay? We would just pack the car and go. What about the roadblocks? They're looking for a man traveling alone. They won't be expecting a family. ADULT HENRY: A family. - Half. - (STAMMERS) But, I just... Half. HENRY: I'll be back in a little bit. Hank, we still have work to do! I know. I'm almost done. ELEANOR: Any luck getting that sex fiend out of your house? I don't think he's a fiend. But, no. He's still there. It's easy, you know. Just tell your mom he touched you. It's not like that anymore. We're actually getting along. They're going to take me with them. To Canada. ELEANOR: When? Tomorrow. On the first day of school? It's him, isn't it? You're on the run. This one, right? (GROANS) Are you okay? (GROANING) Probably just need some aspirin before we hit the road. - Let me take a look. - No, I'm fine. It's fine. If this is going to work, sometimes you need to let me take care of you. (BREATHING HEAVILY) ADELE: Oh. Jesus. - You need medicine. - No, it can wait. No, it's infected. I'll send Henry to the pharmacy. Let me do it. It's okay. You go. No, there's still too much packing to do. I don't think you're going to make a run for it. Okay. ELEANOR: How'd you escape? HENRY: It's not like that. - He trusts me. - (ELEANOR LAUGHS) ELEANOR: Or maybe he was just waiting for you to leave the house so they could run off together. (ENGINE STARTING) ELEANOR: It's just like Bonnie and Clyde. HENRY; Who? ELEANOR: They made a movie about them. Bonnie was this woman who was bored because she hadn't had sex in a long time. This guy, Clyde just showed up one day and took her away. They drove all around, holding up banks and living out of their car. HENRY: What happened to them? In the end' they got killed. Federal agents tracked them and gunned them down in an ambush. The part where Bonnie gets killed there's so much blood, my mother couldn't even watch. Could you imagine if your mom got killed in an ambush and you were right there watching it? They probably wouldn't shoot at you since you're a kid, but you'd see the whole thing. It'd be pretty traumatic. I bet you never did that before. Now you'll always remember I was the first girl you ever kissed. It's a shame you're leaving just as we started dating. I'll have to find another boy to make out with. (BREATHING HEAVILY) What's wrong? Nothing. If you're not up for this, you need to let me know. No, it's not that. Because tomorrow you're gonna say good-bye to everyone you've ever known. I've already said good-bye. It's just... We're gonna hit the road and never look back. There's gonna be roadblocks and border-crosses. I know, I know. So, if you don't want this, you need to tell me. No, I do want this. More than almost anything I've ever wanted in my life. Then what is it? (SIGHS) After Henry was born, my body just forgot how. The first time ii happened, I woke up with these horrible cramps. I felt something slip from me. It was tiny. If I could have just held tighter. I know this is a very difficult and painful time for both of you. ADELE: My doctor said that this was more common than we thought. I was young We could try again. But two more times... I'd start feeling the nausea and the swelling. We'd celebrate. Began setting up the nursery. Only to wake up feeling betrayed by my own body. No...(PANTING) No. No. No. No. (SOBBING) By my fourth time, we knew better than to celebrate. We knew better than to tell our friends. Or think of baby names. We hadn't even packed a suitcase for the hospital when the contractions started. (GROANS) All right. Two pushes. Two pushes. - Stop. Take a breath. - (PANTING) One more. One more. This is it. - Last big one. - This is it. Come on, come on. - Push, push' push. - There you go. - (GROANING) - ADELE: We'd made it. (PANTING) What? What is it? ADELE: Maybe they just took pity on me. They'd wrapped her in a pink blanket and put on a diaper. The only one she'd ever wean. As 1 stared at this beautiful lime girl, her tong eyelashes, her daddy's nose, my chin, the little mouth that would never take a breath, I knew there would be no further conversations. No more attempts. We were done. The world had become a cruel place. I stopped going for walks. I couldn't leave the house. I couldn't even open a window at night. (BREATHING HEAVILY) (sesame) Eventually, when Gerald left, I understood. I'd become a prisoner. I came to save you, Adele. Tomorrow that's exactly what I'm going to do. I can't... I can't give you a family. You already have. (SIGHS) ADULT HENRY: By the end of the afternoon, everything in the house had been neatly separated into essentials and things we'd leave behind. For no practical reason more than it seemed like the right thing to do, we cleaned each room. (INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) Is he even mine? Huh? Is he even my son? (LAUGHS) MANDY: You fool. (LAUGHING) Mandy? Mandy? Mandy, honey? No! No, no! OFFICER TREADWELL: Morning, son. You all right? Yeah, I'm okay. You want to tell me where you're going? I'm just walking. Heading home. Well, hop in. Your parents are probably worried about you. It's just my mom. She's fine. Well, just to be safe, I'm gonna give you a ride. I'm... I'm really fine. You not going to make me arrest you now? School starts today, doesn't it? What grade are you in? I'm going to guess, uh, sixth. - Seventh. - Seventh. I've got a son about to start fifth, although I guess you wouldn't associate with a grade schooler. So, what are you doing out here? I left something at my dad's house. But he'd already left for work. Thank you for the ride. No. No. No. (BREATHING HEAVILY) - What does he want? - I don't know. Found him by the side of the road. Did you know he was out? He said he'd be right back. He's got to be in school in a few minutes, doesn't he'? Sure does. Thank you for bringing him home. You going on a trip? Hmm? You taking a road trip? Um... No. Just taking some old things to sell on consignment. You need some help? ADELE; I'll be fine. I don't want to take you away from your duties. No. I think the streets are safe for the moment. ADELE: That's the heavy one. Nice place. Clean. This one? ADELE: Mmm-hmm. (CHUCKLES) You weren't kidding. What've you got in here? Some old kitchenware. Hey. Thank you for your help. A pleasure. Got a good handshake there, partner. Have a good day, ma'am. - (CAR DOOR CLOSES) - (ENGINE STARTS) (DOOR CLOSES) He seem suspicious? I don't know. We have to get out of here now. Take Henry to the bank. I'll finish up here. (BREATHING HEAVILY) - Hey. - What? We're going to be fine. (SIGHS) Okay. (METALLIC RATTLING) Hey, Henry. Nice to see you in here. You need to sign it. Hmm? Oh. Of course. EVELYN: Adele? Thought you'd be in school today. He has a dentist appointment. On the first day of school? My teeth hurt. Oh, sorry. Is Adele here? Uh, she'll be right back. She's dropping her kid at school. I just brought these to thank her for something. Well, I'll make sure she gels them. And you would like this all in cash? Mmm-hmm. Yeah. With an amount this large, I just need to get it approved by my supervisor. I'll be right back. (STAMMERS) Is that really... (TALKING INDISTINCTLY) Are... Are you a friend? Just the handyman. (WHISPERS) I shouldn't have tried to get so much. I should have just asked for half. It's gonna be fine. They're just being extra careful. - Hi, Adele. - Hi. I just wanted to make sure you weren't experiencing any problems. No. Everything5 fine. Are they going somewhere? I don't know. It sure looks like it. Well, maybe I should get my pan back, then, in case they're gone for a while. MANAGER: It's just a somewhat unusual situation for us having a person withdraw this much in cash. Normally, when transferring funds of this quantity, our clients prefer a cashier's check. Yeah, I, uh... Yeah. Mmm. Yeah, it's... I just don't really get out much anymore, so... EVELYN: Did they say where they were going? I'm just here to fix a few things. (DOOR CLOSES) Some would even call a withdrawal like this a little suspicious. Actually, we've packed up all our things. We're emptying our bank account and then gonna make a run for the border. You know, like Bonnie and Clyde. (BOTH CHUCKLING) Of course you are. Well, come on, Muriel, let's not keep our friends here waiting. (SIGHS) (PANTING) We should go. (ENGINE STARTS) Get in here. Get in. Henry's father called and left a message. Did you leave him some sort of note? (STAMMERS) I wanted him to know that I'd be all right. - Why would you do that, Henry? - We need to go, now. I just need to say good-bye 10 my room! Oh, Henry, don't! We need to leave! FRANK: Listen to your mother! ADELE: Henry! (SIRENS WAILING IN THE DISTANCE) (GASPS) (ADELE PANTING) Don't be scared. What do we do? Where do we go? We have to get you out of here. (WAILING CONTINUES) No. (TIRES SCREECHING) (HELICOPTER HOVERING) OFFICER ON MEGAPHONE: We have a perimeter. Open the door slowly. Step our with your hands open and above your head, palms facing forward. You're a fine boy, Henry. Anybody who says otherwise is not worth your time. I'd take 20 more years just to have another three days with you. (sesame) OFFICER 1: Open the door slow. Hands above your head! Keep them up! - Hands above your head! - OFFICER 2: On your knees! OFFICER 32 Get down. OFFICER 2: On your knees, do it now! Hands behind your head! OFFICER 42 All right, all right, we got him! Move in! Move to the kitchen. Okay, I need to run some tests. Don't be scared, son. Your mom will be fine. We got the guy. He won't be able to do anything to you and your mom anymore. Ma'am, over here. I need you to look over here, please. - I'm going to cut the tape. - Can you hear me okay? (CAR ENGINE STARTS) ADULT HENRY: They charged him with kidnapping. When my mother heard, she drove to see the prosecutor with me as a witness to make him understand that no unlawful detainment had taken place. He didn't hurt us. He is a good man. He was kind to my son. ADULT HENRY She omitted the fact that they were in love. Adele, these situations are never simple. Never clean. It may take years for you to fully weave it all together. Now, perhaps, before putting this kind of statement into record, you might want to take sometime to think about what actually happened. Harboring a fugitive is a major crime we don't look lightly upon. And, of course, there is delinquency to a minor. You could lose custody of your son. ADULT HENRY: They gave Frank 10 years for me escape and 15 for the kidnapping;. My mother tried to visit him once, but was told he was doing solitary. She wrote to Frank, sometimes daily, but received no response. Eventually, a package arrived containing all of her letters stamped with a prison seal. None of them had been opened. She nailed to enquire and was told Frank had been transferred. Within a month, my mother voluntarily relinquished custody of me to my father. He rarely knew what to say. More often than not, he just kept quiet. The newspapers had said ii ail anyway. When I visited my mother, she would act busy and distracted. Calls to make, chores to do. I think my presence made her uncomfortable. A strange reminder of what was missing;. All those two had was each other. That was enough. By my junior year, people hardly brought up the events leading up to seventh grade. For the first time, I had someone to call a girlfriend. (PEOPLE CHEERING) There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about. Oh, Dad, please. We're having such a pleasant time. Everybody talks about all this crazy, wild passion. That's how it goes in the songs. You know. Your mother was like that. She was in love with love. She couldn't do anything partway. She was a terrific woman. Funny. So beautiful. A better man might have stayed around and helped her through all that sadness. But I couldn't bear it. I just wanted a regular life. I don't know what these last few years have done to repair, but I'm sorry I cut out on you. It's okay. I'm going to get the check. ADULT HENRY: The next day, when I suggested I move back in with my mother for the rest of senior year, he didn't argue. And it was there in my mom's kitchen, my final summer at home, that I first tried my hand at baking. FRANK". Dear Henry. I hope you will remember me. We once spent Labor Day weekend together. Five of the best days of my life. I had always wondered who you would become and what you would look like. And then one day, I came across a familiar-looking pie. And there you were. Fm proud of you. I will understand if you choose not to respond to this letter. However, I am due to be released shortly. I am no longer young, but I have plenty of good health remaining. And I'd like to live much the same way we discussed that weekend back when we thought we'd be a family. Most likely, your mother has remarried by now. But on the off chance that she might be alone, I wanted to ask you whether I might write her a letter. I promise you, I would sooner cut off my own hand than bring any more grief to Adele. ADULT HENRY: I wrote him back that day to say that it wouldn't be difficult to locate my mother. She lived at the same address. (sesame) ADULT HENRY: I spent half of my life worrying my mother wouldn't be able lo go out into the world on her own. But as it turned out, she wouldn't have to. |
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