Something I can be proud to give you.
Don't.
-I don't want it. -Fine.
You can do whatever you want with it.
All I want is for you to remember...
that we built a house together.
We haven't built shit.
You're just tearing your father down.
Try it. Feels good.
Go!
Come on!
After you.
It's going down. That's it.
Morning.
You're up early.
Sam, did you hear Josh got arrested?
His parents took his car.
They're making him ride a bike all summer.
Is this like a pastime with people? Go away.
Look, I've seen lots of people. It's not a big thing for me.
OK, could you hand me a towel? I'm getting out.
I'm coming in.
I don't want you to.
Why are you so uptight?
I'm not.
I don't even know what that means.
Look, it just means I'm gonna shampoo my hair...
and stay out of your way.
Hand me a towel.
Please.
You don't have to stay.
I thought you'd be up with the sun.
It's my stupid back.
What can I do, anything?
Run to the pharmacy?
I have some Demerol at home.
I took something. I'm fine.
-Where's Sam? -He won't use my shower.
I don't get it.
Come here, Guster!
You brought your kids.
Yeah. I kind of said that maybe they could do something.
You know, help.
They really wanted to come.
I really wanted to come. They wanted to be with me.
I don't think they'll be too much trouble.
I'll find something that won't kill 'em.
Or wound.
Let them keep their eyes and fingers.
You're a good mother, Robin.
Do you need help?
No, come on.
-Yes. -Hold on.
Oh, God.
Put your arm around me. There you go.
You don't want any breakfast?
No, thanks.
Guster, come here.
What was that for?
Mom said I should.
I would've anyway.
Who are you?
-Who are you? -I'm his brother.
I'm his friend.
Mom said we could build a house.
Hi, Alyssa. You want to build a house?
Hi, Mom.
-Morning. -Hello.
Thanks for letting him use your shower.
He's got a standing invitation.
So you want to build a house?
Think it will stay up?
I don't know.
Wait for my signal. Slow.
Brace it.
Put all your body weight against it.
Keep going.
There you go.
Well done. Perfect!
Hey! Where should I put this?
Sam, we need you over here.
Adam, pass me that.
Not funny.
-Where do you want this one? -Right up here.
OK, hand it up.
Lookin' good.
Hi, Mom !
Hey, Mom, did you know George before you knew Dad?
Long before.
Tell him how you made me fall in love with you.
I smiled at him.
Watch out for the smile, boys.
-Who's up for a dance? -Not me.
OK, Sam.
Let's see if you remember this.
I don't know. Maybe.
That's a long time.
I used to rock you to sleep to this.
Used to dance you to sleep.
Come on. Who's gonna dance with me?
I got a lot of work to do.
George?
No thanks.
-Me! -You!
Not too tight!
OK, that's enough for today.
I got a lot of work to do.
Come on, George. Let's see if you've gotten any better.
No. Worse.
I think I'm gonna go home.
See you tomorrow.
I took some of your Vicodin.
I know.
Why?
I like how it feels not to feel.
I know the feeling.
How do you become something that you're not?
What would you like to be?
What I'm not.
What are you now?
I'm nothin'.
That's not true.
You see, that's the thing, though...
is that I am what I say I am.
I gave up on you.
No. If you'd given up on me, I'd be in Tahoe right now.
What would you be doing there right now?
Getting high, I guess.
If I asked you to stop, would you?
I haven't used anything in two days.
I'm trying.
I'm proud of you.
Don't be.
And hide those De--
whatever that new drug is you have.
I'd like it.
I put a gun to my father's head once.
You ever think like that?
He was passed out.
Just been yelling at my mom over...nothing.
Undercooked meat.
I went to my room.
I held the barrel right up to his ear...
and then I chickened out again.
Of course, it was a BB gun...
but still, it would've hurt like hell.
Are you talking?
I was just thinking about my mom.
She wouldn't leave my dad.
I remember once she made dinner for us wearing sunglasses.
Mind you, it was dark outside.
And in.
And nobody said a thing about it.
Why wouldn't she just leave?
I think she was terrified...
to live with him but maybe even...
more terrified of life without him.
I would've killed him.
Would've been so much better if you had.
Then maybe he wouldn't have driven drunk.
Maybe he wouldn't have killed my mom in the car crash.
Woman in the other car.
Hurt a little girl in the back seat, too.
You'd have liked your grandmother.
She was pretty cool.
I still think about that little girl.
They couldn't find her father, and her mother was dead.
You ever wish you'd done it?
What, killed my dad?
I loved him too much.
That's weird.
Yeah, I guess it is.
You know what I've decided?
We should take a vacation.
Just the two of us.
I'd love to drive through New England in the fall.
Sooner than the fall.
I'm helping George with his house.
What?
I've been helping him the last few days.
Weeks, actually. Sam's working.
Well, good. That's great.
That was the plan.
We couldn't stand him, and George needed help.
I can't go right now.
You can't go because of Sam?
We haven't been away together for three years.
What difference is a few months gonna make?
You can't go with me because of Sam.
Sam's working at something...
for the first time in his entire life.
Once in a while he even talks to me.
I want to be around for that.
So am l, Robin. I'm working at something, too.
I'm even talking. You wanna be around for that?
I don't know.
Hey! That is mine.
Put that down right now!
You are in big trouble, mister!
You don't even understand!
George! I'm gonna kill you for this!
I promise you, I'm gonna sue you and sue your dog!
George, you son of a bitch! This is your fault !
These clothes are worth a fortune!
What's the point of this?
Does everything have to have a point?
Are you sure that you're totally into guys?
What are you talking about?
I just-- Josh kind of said--
I'm not gay.
I mean, hello!
Yeah, I was wondering.
You're driving me crazy. You know that?
Do you know what it's like...
trying to jack off in an armoire?
No, not really.
No, you're off, you know?
You're way off.
Look, I thought I was helping you.
You'll help me if I could kiss you.
Look, I thought we were just friends.
What you think you know...
doesn't necessarily have much to do with reality.
I hope I'm not the first to say this about you.
All right.
But then we're just gonna be friends, OK?
Yuck!
You're scrubbing down the shower.
You must have a really great husband.
Why's that?
No, it's just--
I mean, you're here every single day.
He's at work while I'm here.
I guess I would just be jealous if I were him.
He has nothing to worry about.
He's not the type to worry.
-Here you go. -All right, let's eat.
Lunch.
-Napkin? -Who wants cheese?
Me!
Thank you.
I'll have to find it first.
What?
Nothing.
Nothing "R," OK?
Enough for drinks, popcorn, and candy.
And video games after!
Home after.
Will you come in and say hi?
Yeah, I guess.
Seat belt.
Does she have to come?
Definitely. Here, buckle up.
I should go.
Maybe it would be better if you didn't come every day.
Why? I like being with Sam.
But there's less and less for Ryan and Adam to do...
and I'd hate for the boys to be bored, you know.
I know they don't help much anymore...
but they love coming here, George.
But...
How much time do they get to spend with their dad?
What is this?
You know, Alyssa thinks something's up with us.
She keeps giving me crap about being away from Peter...
and now you're doing it, too.
No one realizes that he's not there.
He's never there.
Even when he is, he isn't.
So if you don't want me here...
or you don't want my children here...
then say it.
I'll stop coming.
But it won't be because of Peter.
It'll be because you told me to.
So say what you have to say...
because I'm not leaving till I hear it.
I'd rather you not be here.
I thought we were helping.
Is Alyssa home?
No, she went out with some friends.
What friends did she go with?
I don't know.
You can come in and wait, if you'd like.
OK. Thanks, Mrs. Beck.
Can I get you something to drink, Josh?
-No, but thanks anyway. -Alyssa may be a while.
You sure you don't want anything?
Got a beer?
A beer?
What happened?
Nothing is going on with us, is it?
Going on?
When I picked you up from the train...
what you said--what was that?
What did I say?
-You know. -What?
The thing about me being the most beautiful person.
-What was that? -That was the truth.
You've never said that before.
I might say a lot of things I've never said before.
Sounded like a pickup line.
-I can't pick you up. -'Cause I'm married.
You bit my finger.
If I weren't married...
Should we do this?
I need to know.
What?
Do I still love you?
Absolutely.
There's not a doubt in my mind.
Through all my anger, my ego...
I was always faithful in my love for you.
That I made you doubt it...
that is the great mistake of a life full of mistakes.
The truth doesn't set us free, Robin.
I can tell you I love you...
as many times as you can stand to hear it...
and all that does, the only thing...
is remind us... Iove is not enough.
Not even close.
No, these aren't for you.
All I am is what I have.
God, it sounds pathetic, doesn't it?
What are you doing home?
I always felt that I could never marry...
without first showing you what a fabulous life...
you could live despite me.
You never really trusted me.
We live a fabulous life, Robin.
Despite you.
Where are the kids?
Sam took 'em to a movie.
I'll be in the bedroom.
I fell asleep.
I need to ask you something, Mr. Monroe.
Do you need to ask me like that?
I want you to try something. With me.
I'm on a lot of morphine right now.
Oral morphine for my back.
Can it wait till I can say no and sound convincing?
Did you feel anything?
Maybe a tongue.
My mouth is numb. I'm not sure.
Why did you do that?
When you were dating my mom, I saw you kiss her once, and...
you look like such a good kisser.
My mom would die.
Let's shut up and let her live.
Mrs. Beck!
It's not what I was expecting.
What did you think it would be?
I don't know.
More like when I kiss Sam.
Yeah, more like that.
Thanks for your time, then.
Mom?
-Oh, God. -Get dressed.
Where are my clothes?
-Get dressed now! -Did you know the alarm is on?
Mom ! Where are you?
In here, honey.
Hi.
What are you guys doing?
I...put him to work.
Good. It's fixed.
-Go! -I'm going!
I got to play one video game for three hours straight!
There were no PGs, so I just gave 'em money for video games.
Go tell your dad dinner's ready.
He's in the bedroom.
Are you staying for dinner?
Depends on what I'd give up on.
Lasagna.
See, that's a trap.
He's not there.
No, he's not.
Hey! Wait !
Get! Go on! I'm gonna get you.
The man has never changed from the day we moved in.
Mind your own fucking business.
Tom, get in the car.
Do you believe that?
-Hello? -I don't see Alyssa.
Just please open the door when I knock.
Just come on up.
-What are you doing? -I was wondering...
if you'd like to go for a ride?
Do you want to help us out?
George is paying Sam ten dollars an hour.
Three hundred cash, two hours, that's it.
What?
It's just a joke. Just a stupid joke.
Very funny.
Is your back still killing you?
I didn't expect you today.
I kept thinking about what you said, and...
I hope you're trying to make me stay away for my own sake.
No, it was actually more for me.
Peter left me.
Left you?
No "Fuck you." No "Good-bye."
No "Are you in love with George?"
What did he say?
"I'll be in the bedroom."
I couldn't walk in there, so he left.
Hey, Dad, the electrician needs to know--
I--your mother--
I had a kink in my--
In his neck.
-Back. -His back.
The door was open.
I don't know what I'm doing.
I was...
I wouldn't let Adam or Ryan see you doing this.
It won't happen again.
Well, Dale wants to know if we should run an outside line...
for Christmas lights with a switch inside.
Absolutely.
Have him put it on a separate line.
We'll-- Christmas time--
we'll pack it so full of lights...
the neighbors will need sunglasses.
Oh, God, I could die.
Yeah. Me, too.
Are you going to kiss me?
It's...
it's not my back that's killing me.
Well, hello. How are you?
George, I've recruited help for the roof.
Hi. George Monroe.
Me, too.
See you.
Next.
I just wanted to know where my mom was.
I think she needs to be alone right now.
Because Dad left?
It's just a little sad, that's all.
I don't care if he ever comes back.
Here you go.
Josh, you look like you need a hug.
I'm OK.
Dale.
Don't even think about it.
They got me started.
Look, I will shock you so bad your tongue will turn black.
OK, let's keep going. Knock another hole.
220, right up in here.
Would you get that for me, please?
Just let mine ring.
I don't know...
Hello?
What are you doing?
You are driving me crazy waiting like this.
I want you in my bed now.
-Is it mine? -I hope not.
Coleen. Hello?
Shit.
Oh, my God! Are you OK?
-I'm OK. -Don't move.
-No, I'm fine. -Where does it hurt?
Watch out.
-I heard a scream. -Josh fell.
Is that a bone sticking out?
-Don't move your neck. -I'm going to call an ambulance.
-If I could just stand up. -Stay there.
No, I'm fine. I'm OK.
A leg, two fingers, one rib, and a mild concussion.
Not bad, considering the height.
Not a perfect day.
I should get the kids home.
Come on.
-See you. -Anytime.
Seat belt.
You look like shit lately, you know?
You're looking better than ever.
I don't think Mom cares that much that Peter left.
She seemed upset.
What's wrong with your back?
Do you have to have surgery on it or what?
Because those pills that you're taking are for a lot of pain.
And you seem to be going through them pretty quick, that's all.
You're not still taking any, are you?
No. But I count them.
In a sock isn't exactly new, you know.
I'm having a problem with cancer.
I don't know what that means.
What kind of a problem?
The kind where there isn't any answer.
I still don't know what it means.
Sam, I wanted us to...oh, God.
You know, spend a few months together.
Here.
Sometimes things happen for a reason.
Something bad to force something good.
So you're dying.
And you told Mom today.
Fuck you.
You knew you were dying from the start?
We're all dying from the start.
I just got moved to the head of the line.
But you lied to me.
I would've lied to myself if I thought I'd believe it.
So this whole thing...
this whole summer, having me here, was for your sake.
You selfish fuck.
Having me here, trying to get me to like you.
No, Sam.
I wasn't trying to get you to like me.
I was trying to get you to love me.
Well, congratulations...
because you fucking pulled it off.
Hi. Is Alyssa home?
It's really late.
What's the matter, Sam?
Nothing.
My dad's dying.
I really need to talk to Alyssa.
Sam, you OK?
My day off.
Thought I'd help out with the plumbing.
Maybe I'll fix that shower for you.
Thanks.
I have a favor to ask.
You look like crap, George.
I want you to find someone for me.
Find somebody?
Yeah. I have some unfinished business.
Mr. Monroe?
You're relentless.
Mr. Monroe, one of your neighbors is adamant...
that your home exceeds its approved height...
and he's filed to have construction stopped...
immediately.
It's twenty-five feet.
If it is, we have a problem.
I have the permit.
After your last extension request...
and your appeals to city council...
was there an amended permit?
Yes--for the patio, the air conditioning unit...
and six inches to the height.
David Dokos.
Why do you let your dog crap on his lawn day after day?
I don't let him. He just loves to.
He'll make you tear the entire roof off...
before he'll give you any satisfaction.
Look, I'm afraid you're going to have to stop all this...
until you get things settled.
You can always go back and file an appeal.
That'll take weeks.
Months.
Just so you know, we will be working on this house...
tomorrow and the next day and the day after...
until it's finished.
He'll call us again, and then he'll call the police.
He has an attorney on retainer.
Just so you know.
If he hears a hammer, he'll have you arrested.
You heard the lady.
I'm going to go to bed.
Has he eaten anything at all?
I'd be more comfortable if he slept in the guest room.
I'd be more comfortable if you hadn't slept with Josh.
George would be more comfortable if he wasn't dying.
Sam, there's, like, twenty people...
working on your dad's house right now.
If it was my father, I'd want to spend...
every single second with him.
You hate your father.
If he tricked me into loving him is what I meant.
You'd hate him for the trick.
Not if what he left me was real.
We pulled this crew off a tract at Newport.
They're the best.
They'll stick with it till it's done.
What's going on?
I hired some help.
Why?
Atonement.
Mom.
Where's George?
I think he's still sleeping.
Who are all these people?
I thought he needed some help.
George, wake up.
You're still warm. Wake up.
Stop licking me.
They're taking your dad to the hospital.
Guster.
Hey, Guster.
-Hey, boy. -I just stopped down.
If you're hungry, maybe we could...
You doing OK?
And we got to take all the old paint off.
He even let me choose the color I like best.
He said he loved me.
And I got to drill a hole through a board...
to put the wire through.
I've never seen you so excited about anything.
Maybe you can help, too.
I'd like that.
That's good.
Excuse me.
I'm afraid no one's allowed in there now.
That's my father.
How you feeling?
How are you?
You're wet.
I know.
Why?
I went for a small swim.
I want to show you something.
Well, it's almost finished.
Finish it, Sam.
I want you to go straight to bed.
It's late.
Do you know anything about building a house?
Nope.
I guess I could teach you a few things.
Sweet dreams.
-Keys. -Keys.
You look different.
That was my plan.
Be hardly recognizable to you.
That's me.
I fell in love with George again.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Where were you?
Floating to Catalina.
What?
You got something.
He said he heard hammering.
Who?
My attorney's driving down from Newport Beach...
and I just want you all to know that if I hear...
so much as one more nail being hammered...
I swear to God, by the time this whole thing's over...
I'm gonna own this house.
Mr. Dokos claims your father...
missed his height envelope by six inches.
He wants the whole roof taken down and lowered.
Wait a minute.
Do you drive a black Lexus?
That's not your car out in the driveway right there?
I'm going back to my house to wait for my lawyer.
Are you sure we need lawyers?
I mean, all we're talking about is six inches, right?
Officer, I think we should just forget all about this.
What the fuck?
Everything happens for a reason.
That's what my father says.
Want to give me a hand?
The waves.
He loves it.
There's a big one.
He's holding on so tight.
He's so scared but loving it.
He had salt in his eyes, I think.
You're kissing him.
You're spinning him right now.
He loved that.
I remember.
You were happy.
Here comes a big one!
Really big.
Sam ! It's almost done.
I thought maybe I could help, but...
Iooks like you got all you can handle.
We could always use an extra set of hands.
You sure we can't call anyone?
Hi, Mom.
Is George OK?
I always thought of myself as a house.
I was always what I lived in.
It didn't need to be big.
It didn't even need to be beautiful.
It just needed to be mine.
I became what I was meant to be.
I built myself a life.
I built myself a house.
Second trailer on your right.
Thank you.
Are you sure you want to do this?
You could keep it and rent it out.
This is what he wanted.
I read the letter. You read the will.
He wanted you to keep it and live in it someday.
All right, maybe it's not what he wanted...
but it's what he was hoping for.
Maybe it's what I want.
Twenty-nine years ago my father crossed a double line.
Excuse me.
Changed my life...
and the life of a little girl forever with that mistake.
-Hello. -That's my mom.
Just can't stop thinking about her.
Do you mind if we steal just a moment of your time?
Have a seat.
Thank you.
My father built you a house.
I don't understand.
My father's family had a car accident with your family...
With every crash of every wave, I hear something now.
I never listened before.
I'm on the edge of a cliff, listening.
Almost finished.
If you were a house, Sam...
this is where you would want to be built.
On rock, facing the sea... Iistening.