♪ Lately, I've been thinking of a lot of things... ♪
To truly understand the soul of canaan, Texas,
you'd first have to start with the story
of two young boys...
Rodney? Best be going.
Mwah!
That boy and his books.
Dj!
I'm comin'!
Boys, who were once sworn enemies,
one white, the other black,
and bandit, the puppy they found,
whose life they'd saved,
and, by that act,
became friends.
And there was Daniel Burton,
who, despite struggling
to raise his family on his own...
It's beautiful, papa.
Rodney.
...took the black boy in
when there was no one else to do it,
an act of courage
in a town divided...
...and, then,
the accident,
that left his youngest boy, bobber, crippled...
And, finally,
it's the story of a promise one boy...
Cheers.
...now a writer,
made to the other,
a promise to return to canaan,
and, with him,
he brought a gift,
offered by a stranger,
a gift with the power to change so much,
in ways few could have ever imagined.
You sure you packed enough clothes?
I've packed most everything I've got.
What about socks?
Here you go.
This enough for you?
Besides, it's a big city.
If I need anything, I can just buy it new,
right, Rodney?
Anything you want.
And just what are you proposing to use for money,
your good looks?
I'll pack some of these for you.
Don't know for sure how long we're going to be gone.
You might have to handle the harvest yourself this year.
Well, Rodney'll pitch in.
Between the two of us, we'll manage.
Anything else needs doing, you're in charge,
and, don't forget, there's a little bit of cash
hid in the corner of the shed,
just for emergencies.
We'll get along fine.
You just take care of bobber.
Daddy! Dj!
You need to hurry.
You'll miss your flight!
We wouldn't be the burtons
unless we was fixin' to miss something.
All right, buddy, kiss your sister goodbye.
Bye.
And be sure and thank Rodney.
If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be goin'.
Thanks, Rodney.
Just make sure you do what those doctors say, okay?
I will.
Hey!
Just so's you all know,
I'm not driving you all the way to San Jose.
All right, let's go.
You ready, bobber?
California,
ready or not, here they come,
y'all got any gum?
What do we need gum for?
Keep your ears from poppin' on the plane.
We can stop at shoup's.
Let's do it.
We got time.
I'll be right back, boys.
All right, well, hurry it up.
Hello?
Ah, Mr. Burton!
Can I help you find something?
I need some chewing gum.
Juicy fruit, if you've got it.
Juicy fruit.
Spearmint. Chiclets.
Complete assortment.
How's that brave, young Mr. bobber?
Hope he's well.
Oh, fair to middling.
We're actually on our way to California
to see about gettin' him fixed up right now.
California!
Oh, if I had any sense,
I'd close up and move to California myself,
the way things are goin'.
Really?
Business been slow?
Slower than slow.
It's dead.
You're my first customer all day.
Well, I wouldn't worry too much about it.
You know, money's always tight around here
come the end of the month.
No, it's more than that.
The whole town's changing.
Old folks are moving away.
New folks are shopping elsewheres.
Yeah.
You know what, if the town's changing,
maybe you oughta change right along with it.
And just what would you suggest changing exactly?
Oh, I don't know, maybe try something new.
I heard about some boys putting in a big company farm
South of town.
That'll be needing some farm supplies,
save 'em the trip to clarksboro.
Hmm.
Farm supplies...
And just exactly what am I supposed to know
about farm supplies?
Hi. Can I help you?
Yes, ma'am.
I'm Daniel Burton, this is my son.
We have an appointment to see Dr. hanson.
Just one moment.
Yes?
Dr. hanson, the burtons are here.
Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am.
You're welcome.
Please, come in.
Have a seat.
I'm Daniel Burton. This is my son, bobber.
Bob.
I'm Marcus hanson.
Well, I'm glad to finally meet you.
As you know,
I learned of your case
after reading Rodney Freeman's book,
and approached him with my offer to help.
As I told Mr. Freeman,
the medical school here
has a very advanced neuro-orthopedics group,
and some good advances have been made
in the whole field
of spinal injury rehabilitation,
so when I heard about your story,
well, I thought you'd make a good candidate.
As for the procedure itself,
we'll use special pins and screws
to realign and stabilize the damaged vertebrae.
Then, there'll be
an intensive period of physical therapy,
now, you'll be doing most of your work
right in here...
Oh, good, there's Dr. adair.
She's head of our of post-op rehab.
Dr. briony adair,
I want you to meet Daniel Burton.
Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Burton.
Thanks.
It's nice to meet you, too.
This is my son, bobber.
It's Bob.
I've been looking forward to meeting you.
You've got a lot of admirers around here.
I've been giving them a tour of the facilities.
Do you have time to show Bob
the therapy rooms?
Sure.
Come on.
The doctor,
what's her name?
Dr. adair. Briony adair.
Briny?
That's right.
Right. Hmm...
Level with me, doc.
I mean, you really think this is gonna work?
Well, we've had some success in the past
with similar cases,
so there's a good chance he'll see some improvement.
So, what's the best-case scenario?
Well, the best-case scenario
is that once we relieve the pressure on the nerves,
he'll regain full use of his legs.
Well, what's the worst?
Hello?
Sissy?
Daddy? Everything okay?
Yeah.
Um, I just got done talking to the doctor, and, uh,
things may not be as rosy as we had hoped for.
The doctor says the surgery may not help all that much.
As a matter of fact, it could even make things worse.
How's bobber takin' it?
Well, I haven't told him yet.
To be honest,
I was kind of wondering whether I should or not.
He oughta know.
Well, if he knows,
then he might not go through with it.
Then that's his choice.
Yeah, but
this might be the only chance he has,
and if bobber gets wind of this,
then he loses that chance,
and it's likely to be the only one he has left.
Oh, here he is now.
You wanna say hi to sissy?
No.
Hey, listen, he says he'll speak at you later.
Okay.
Well, take care.
All right.
Love you.
Just catching them up on the latest.
So I heard.
Be real nice if you told me, though, first.
I don't want the operation,
not if it could make things worse.
But, Bob, I also told your father
that there's a good chance
that we would see improvement.
But you don't know for sure.
No, no, we don't, not for sure.
Well, I wish you'd have told me that
before everyone got their minds made up,
and then I'd have told you I wasn't interested.
I'm sorry, son.
It's just, I was just afraid...
Afraid you couldn't find a way to fix what happened?
How many times I gotta tell you,
the accident wasn't your fault,
so it's not your job to keep on trying to fix it.
I have an idea.
What if Bob and I were to take a little walk.
No point.
I'm not changing my mind.
Just think of it as a sadie Hawkins dance.
Ladies' choice.
Can't say no.
Against the rules.
Here.
So...
Cards on the table.
Why the change of heart?
Like I said,
nobody told me it could make it worse.
That's a good reason.
No wonder you're upset.
Look, I get around good enough.
I worked hard to get around this good.
Why would I want to risk what I've got?
I can understand that.
No, you can't.
No one can.
Not you, not my dad, nobody.
It's here, too.
What happened?
I was about your age.
There was an accident,
a fire.
The doctors weren't even sure
they could save my arm.
So many skin grafts and surgeries.
Sometimes, I wished they'd just stop trying.
I about had,
but they never doubted they could save my arm.
Turns out, they were right.
So, here's the deal...
If you decide to have the surgery,
I will work with you myself-,
just you and me.
But there's one thing I won't do.
I won't let you quit.
Not until we have tried everything we can.
Bob, you've been given a gift,
just like I was.
If I were you,
I'd think real hard
before I decided I wasn't interested.
How you feeling, bud? A little drowsy?
Yeah...
Pop?
Yeah, bud?
If something goes wrong...
That's not going to happen.
We've come too far for that.
But, if something does,
I want you to know something.
What's that?
You're the best dad a fella could ever hope to have.
You never gave up on me,
on any of us,
but especially me.
You best get some sleep now, bud.
We got a mighty big day tomorrow.
Yup, big day.
Mighty big day...
Any word?
This is not gonna happen overnight...
We've got to be realistic,
but we can try, we can strive,
and next January, we're gonna strive.
It's time for new leadership.
It's time for our country to move,
it's time for a fair tax policy,
it's time for lower interest rates...
Hello? Dad?
Well, all I can say is,
the boy's got more screws in him
than a John deere tractor...
Not to mention all these rods and brackets,
and titanium stuff I never even heard of.
He's okay?
Oh, he's fine.
Came through it like a trooper.
When will we know if it worked?
Well, nobody's really saying for sure,
not till he starts rehab anyway.
They should have a pretty good idea by then.
Dr. adair.
Briony, please.
Briny...
I'd wanted to check on him earlier,
but I got behind.
How's he doing?
He's out like a light,
but I guess that's good, right?
And you?
How are you holding up?
About how you'd expect.
Listen, I haven't eaten all day,
and I was going to grab a quick bite.
You're welcome to join me.
Sure.
A fella's gotta eat, I reckon.
You always been a city girl?
What make you think I'm a city girl?
Just figured.
You ever heard of crystal Springs, Mississippi?
Population 4,837.
Well, at least that's what it was when I left.
Well, how in the heck did you end up
all the way out here?
Let's just say
a straight line isn't always the shortest distance
between two points.
There's some truth to that,
especially if you've seen me plow.
There's one.
Mind if I ask you a question?
Be my guest.
How'd you get that nickname?
What nickname?
"Briny."
I mean, I know it's got to be short for something,
but darned if I can figure out what.
The only briny I know
has to do with making pickles,
and for the life of me,
I can't figure out how somebody as pretty as you
could get herself nicknamed after something like that.
It's briony.
Briony is a flower that grows in Scotland.
It's where my father's from.
Hmm, it's nice.
I like it.
Bri-on-y.
I'm sorry.
I have to go.
I'll take care of that for you.
Thank you.
It's my pleasure.
It's the least I can do.
'Night.
I found 'em,
and the new popular science just came in, too.
Well, there's still plenty of room in here.
Anything else?
Oh, yeah, there's a bunch of get-well cards
on the sideboard.
Can you grab those for me?
Yeah.
Hey, sissy, where's that address?
It's over there on the hutch.
Hey, sissy...
What's this?
It's nothing.
No, it's an application
for the university of Texas.
Does pop know about this?
No.
Just came.
Well, when did you plan on telling him?
It's just an application.
I'm not sure I'll even send it in.
I just want to wait till things settle down a little bit
before I mention it.
Well, I wouldn't wait too long,
'cause if you are thinkin' about leaving,
he deserves to know.
Good morning.
Morning.
How you feeling?
Like I've been in a fight with a freight train.
Probably one of those big Norfolk southerns
used to roll by my house,
engines all painted up with stripes,
like a big ol' catfish.
Okay,
I'm going to start you out easy,
and you let me know if I'm working you too hard,
and then, I'll work you harder.
- You ready? - Yup.
Let's get cracking.
Show 'em what you're made of, son.
Good.
Let me show you how to do this.
Hold, just hold under here.
And two more of those.
I can't.
Yes, you can.
Just focus, concentrate.
Come on, bud, you can do it.
One more.
Come on...
Good.
I think that's enough for today.
Why don't you go have a long soak in the whirlpool?
You deserve it.
You ready?
Good job, buddy.
I'm proud of you.
You know, I can't thank you enough
for all you've been doin'.
It's my pleasure.
I've been trying to think of some way
to thank you for all your help.
No, that's not necessary, really.
I was kind of thinking that maybe I could at least
just take you out to a nice dinner?
There's this little place
that the guy at the hotel recommends,
called the fireglow?
That is nice.
You been there?
No.
Well, maybe we could go together?
Are you asking me on a date?
I-I guess you could call it that,
I mean, if it ain't against the rules.
I mean, y'all got that
doctor-patient privilege rigmarole thing
going on, so...
I don't wanna get you in no trouble or nothing.
I'm sure we could find a way to bend the rules.
After all, you are the boy's father.
I am his daddy, yeah.
Hello?
Hey, sissy.
Dj there?
He's right here.
Dj! Dad wants to talk to you.
No, actually, I need the both of you.
Both of us?
Hey, daddy, what's up?
Well, it seems I got myself a date.
Daddy, that's wonderful!
Who is she?
She's bobber's rehab doctor.
See, her and bobber hit it off so good,
I just wanted to show my appreciation.
Okay, so where you taking her?
I'm taking her out to dinner.
The folks at the hotel recommended this place.
Sounds romantic.
Now, see, that's why i need your help.
I ain't been out on a date in 25 years, kids.
I don't know what to say.
What do I do?
I... you gotta help me.
Well, let's start with conversation.
Always talk about her, never yourself,
and even when she asks about you,
make it seem like
you're still talking about her.
Got it.
Always talk about her.
And, for heaven's sake, whatever you do,
don't use "reckon" every other word.
It makes you sound like a hick.
Well, dang-flabbit, son! Maybe I am just a hick.
Well, let her catch on to that gradual.
You don't have to spring it on her
the first thing.
Anything else?
Isn't that enough?
Daddy, just relax.
Relax and have a good time.
You'll do fine.
Okay.
Goodnight.
Relax, have a good time...
So, you think he's serious?
I don't know.
I'll tell you one thing for sure...
Giving my dad advice about women?
Something kind of unsettlin' about that.
Hmm...
Hey, you want a soda?
Oh, sure, if you're buying.
Why should today be any different?
Morning, Mr. shoup.
How you doing, dj?
Good.
What's with the seed catalogs?
You ain't thinking about farming, are you?
No, but I am thinking about farmers.
Fact is, it was your dad that got me started on it.
I might be carrying a whole new line here.
That might work.
You think so?
Well, farmers got to buy their stuff somewhere,
no reason it shouldn't be from you.
I like the way you think, son.
Mm-hmm.
Welcome to the fireglow.
May I help you?
Yes, sir, uh, Burton, party of two?
I called in earlier.
Ah.
Excuse me, sir,
but, uh, may I have a word with you?
Sure.
I'm sorry, sir,
but we require our patrons to wear a tie.
Oh, I got on a tie.
I mean a tie-tie, the normal kind.
I'm afraid I don't own the normal kind.
I see.
Well, I'm sure we can find something that will work.
That should suffice.
You think it's bright enough?
Well, let's just call it colorful.
That'll be $5, please.
Five bucks?
You're gonna need to tie it for me.
I see...
There.
Voila.
Voila...
What's that for?
Well, I guess I needed a tie.
You had a tie.
Ah, we're finally dressed for dinner.
I thought I was dressed when I got here, but...
Are we coming?
No, we're not coming.
We're going.
I know a place where people still have manners.
There's a great little restaurant on the wharf.
Uh, excuse me...
It's not fancy, but it's got...
I'll need the tie.
Sure.
That should get your fire glowin'.
Whee, howdy!
Thank you.
Wow!
Now, that is what I call service.
I waited my share of tables back home.
Cheers.
Oh, cheers.
So when'd you decide to be a doctor?
It's what I've always wanted to be,
for as far back as I can remember.
But even knowing early on,
I mean, it still must have been long.
You have to make a lot of sacrifices,
but I'm sure you know all about that,
considering you raised a family all by yourself.
Not fair.
You know way more about me than I know about you.
What do you want to know?
You a single lady?
Now.
Oh. Are you seeing anyone?
My job keeps me pretty busy.
That would be a no?
That would be a no.
Ah. Hmm.
Ever married?
Mm-hmm.
Children?
My folks sure enough thought we were.
You know that's not what I'm talking about.
You got kids?
No.
Did you want some malt vinegar with that?
I don't know, you tell me.
I'm pretty sure that you do.
It's not my prettiest feature.
It doesn't matter.
You're still beautiful.
You want to tell me about it?
You mind me asking?
My mama and I were canning preserves.
The boiler that she used to sterilize the jars exploded.
It knocked a whole box of paraffin
into the fire and all over me.
By the time we put it out, I had third-degree burns,
all the way up to my shoulder.
Eight surgeries later,
half a dozen skin grafts,
a lot of tears and hard work,
and here I am.
So, that's what did it.
Did what?
Changed bobber's mind.
You told him about you, didn't you?
I may have mentioned it.
I want people to know
that it's okay to be afraid.
Everybody's afraid of something.
Probably even you.
I'm not going to be able to thank you enough
for all that you've done.
You'll never know how grateful I am.
I just remember reading your story,
thinking, "who is this guy?
"This Daniel Burton?
"So strong.
"Never backs down
"from what he thinks is right,
yet so kind."
Now you're embarrassin' me.
I thought, this guy can't be real.
He's gotta be just some character in a book.
But here you are.
I hope I'm not a disappointment.
No.
You're not a disappointment.
Would it be all right if I kissed you?
I'd never forgive you if you didn't.
Hope that wasn't against the rules.
It wasn't.
Well, I wouldn't much care if it was.
We've stabilized the injury.
That's the important part,
and, judging from the test results,
there seems to be some modest improvement
in motor function.
So what you're sayin' is it didn't work.
I'm saying there's improvement,
and that's what we want.
But the boy still can't walk.
Pa, it's okay.
It is some better, it really is.
It just seems to me
like he's been through an awful lot
for only "some better,"
that's all I'm sayin'.
You can't let yourself get discouraged.
With ongoing physical therapy,
there's a chance
we could still see continued improvement.
Just how am I supposed to manage that?
We'll find someone near canaan.
I can even work with them
to set up a program specifically for Bob.
I'm happy to make some phone calls.
Or you could just follow us back
and find someone in person.
Whoa, now, hold up here, son.
We can't just ask Dr. adair
to drop everything she's got going on here
and fly off to canaan.
I mean, especially with the holidays
just around the corner.
Maybe she oughta spend Christmas with us.
I'm sure she's got plans.
Do you?
Bobber...
Actually, I don't.
Well, then it's settled.
She's spending Christmas with us
and she can meet Sarah
and dj.
Oh, and Rodney'll be there, too.
I don't want to impose.
Impose? My dad doesn't even know
the meaning of the word "impose."
Do you, pop?
Of course, we'd love for you to come join us,
but you just need to know
what you're getting yourself into.
It ain't nothing ritzy.
Just a good ol' family Christmas.
It sounds wonderful.
Okay, well,
come on, pop,
we got to get to a phone and tell the others.
You go ahead, son, I'll catch up with you.
Looks to me like you just got railroaded.
Are you sure about this?
Are you kiddin' me?
I've been wondering how on earth
I was ever gonna manage saying goodbye to you.
It's gonna be a whole lot easier now,
knowin' there's a hello just a few weeks away.
I can't imagine anything better
than spending Christmas in canaan,
with you.
Bandit, either push, pull, or get outta the way,
preferably the latter.
Here, I'll put him out.
Come on, bandit.
Come on, boy.
Is that the nicest tree you could find?
What's wrong with it?
It's green.
It's got branches in all directions.
And there ain't no squirrel nests.
Seems a little thin on that side.
Rodney, what if we turn it the other way?
Maybe it's got a better side.
Did you clean all the junk out of the guest room?
What, all those seed catalogs?
I thought she was a country girl.
Make her feel right at home.
This country girl
might just be your father's new beau,
and I'll be switched
if I'm going to let her think
a bunch of hayseeds live here.
Now, go on.
Huh?
I'd say this looks pretty good.
It looks really good.
Good enough for country folk.
Now we just need the angel.
I'll get it.
You think she'd mind?
Me inviting a friend here for Christmas?
I imagine she'd be happy.
She'd never have wanted you to stay alone forever.
And what better time than Christmas?
She always did love Christmas.
And she always loved this angel.
Then let's put her up on her angel's perch,
so she can watch over us,
just like always.
Come on.
The boys are waiting.
Okay, who wants the honors?
Dj?
No, my hands got pitch on 'em.
You'll have to.
Bobber?
Can't reach that far.
Why don't you do it this year?
I suppose I could, I guess.
All right.
There.
Perfect.
Her plane lands in a couple hours.
Best get movin'.
Hey, you sure you don't want to borrow
some of my cologne?
It's musk.
I'll do just fine without it,
thank you very much.
Ooh, somebody's a little prickly.
I wonder what that's about.
I wouldn't have the faintest idea.
You kids are going to end up embarrassin' me yet.
Well, we'll certainly give it our best shot.
Drive safe.
Will do.
Poor girl.
I hope she knows what she's in for.
They're here!
They just drove up.
And would you quit fussing?
You look sufficiently glamorous.
Why is it that I feel like a mother
meeting my son's prom date for the first time?
Well, I'm not quite sure,
but if you're thinking about having
the "birds and the bees" talk with him,
I think that duck's pretty well flown.
What's taking them so long?
Well, he's getting her things.
Women come with a lot of accessories.
They do.
Would you look at the three of you?
You're all lined up like it's a firing squad.
Here we are, guys and gal.
Please welcome Dr. adair.
Hello.
I'm glad you made it.
Me too.
This is my older son, dj.
Ma'am... Uh, doctor?
It's briony.
Briony... ma'am.
And this is Rodney Freeman,
canaan's most famous author.
Canaan's only author, best I can tell.
I loved your book.
It makes coming here almost like coming home.
Thank you.
And this is Sarah...
Sissy, I call her,
which I'm sure she hates.
Sarah.
I'm so glad to finally meet you.
I hope you brought an appetite.
Dinner's about ready.
I bet you'd love some help.
Just point me towards the kitchen
and turn me loose...
No!
I mean...
You're a guest.
I can manage.
Well, let me help you
get settled in.
Come on, grab your things here.
Just follow me.
Through here.
Okay.
I'll help you get settled in here...
No, ma'am...
And what's your new book about?
Short stories mostly, about growin' up.
Things my grandmother taught me.
Oh, you would have loved her.
That woman was fearless.
Oh, she had to be.
You know, it wasn't easy back then.
Back then?
So when did it get easy all of a sudden?
I must have missed that part.
Okay, now it's Sarah's turn.
I want to hear all about you.
What about me?
Anything.
Hopes, dreams.
Any special fellas lurking out there
that we should know about?
Not much time for that
when you're busy riding herd
on this bunch.
Then, how about your plans?
Not much to tell.
Ever thought about college?
As bright as your dad says you are.
Yeah, sissy,
what about college?
Sarah go to college?
What for?
For your information,
I recently applied at the university of Texas
at Austin.
Daniel, why didn't you tell me?
That's wonderful.
That's the first I've heard of it myself.
I was wondering when one of us
was finally going to make a run for it,
especially now that there's somebody here
to keep track of you.
Hey.
You got 'em all tucked in?
Mm-hmm.
Three in beds, and Rodney on the couch.
Listen, daddy.
What I said,
about going to college?
I just filled out the application, that's all.
I probably won't even get accepted,
and, even if I do,
I don't have to go.
I've been meaning to tell you.
It's just,
when she asked, I blurted it out.
Well, she has a gift for that,
making folks say what they're feelin'.
It's obvious the boys like her.
Yeah. And you?
I just met her.
I don't know her hardly at all.
She certainly feels at home.
But you like her, right?
I like that you like her.
Oh, I haven't had one of these since last year!
Hey, look, I got one, too.
Just the color I wanted.
Dj, care to hand me that package
there under the tree?
Thank you.
Now, see, we've got a little family tradition around here.
The kids know all about this.
It started one particular Christmas...
My daddy started it...
It had been a pretty rough year.
We weren't expecting much,
but come Christmas morning,
here were all these gifts,
wrapped and under the tree,
just like always.
Well, my mama, when she seen it,
boy, she lit into my dad,
said, "where'd you get the money for all that?"
And daddy just smiled and looked at her, and said,
"don't you know nothin', woman?
"Even if you're flat broke,
you can still have some Christmas."
See, to him, "some Christmas" meant
giving all the gifts you really wanted to give,
when only your heart could afford it.
We did it that first year Rodney came to live with us,
you remember that?
I sure do.
You gave me my first typewriter.
That's right.
So, this year,
with you being practically family and all,
I thought you deserved
some Christmas, too.
It's a little house.
It's a country house.
You're always talking about
how you're a country girl,
so I just thought, maybe someday,
you might like a little country place of your own.
Thank you.
I love it, I really do.
It's so sweet.
Of course, until then,
you're plenty welcome to stay right here with us.
I brought along a little Christmas of my own.
First, the guys.
A sweater.
Not just
any sweater.
That's cashmere.
Nothing wrong with sheep's wool.
Thanks, briony.
And, Sarah,
this is for you.
They're Laurel burch.
I think she makes the most beautiful things,
don't you?
Well, go ahead, sissy.
Put 'em on.
I'll do it later.
Nah, do it now.
I wanna see what you look like in 'em.
Look how pretty you look.
You could be on the runway.
Yeah, along with
all the other crop dusters.
Now, come on, be nice, dj.
Sorry.
Thank you,
Dr. adair.
You shouldn't've.
All us girls need some pretty things.
Now, Daniel,
your turn.
Aw...
Briony, you didn't need to do all this.
You better see if you like it before you start thanking me.
It's a "real" tie.
Whoo...
Italian silk no less.
I bet you didn't think I'd notice.
I love it.
Thank you.
I guess
no more gettin' thrown out of ritzy places.
Come in handy
around here, that's for sure.
And...
I brought something for the house.
A kind of a thank-you to all of you
for inviting me to Christmas.
Here.
You didn't have to do that.
One of you guys want to open it?
Go on.
What is it?
A friend brought it back
from Italy.
I wanted you all to have it.
Isn't it beautiful?
Uh... yes, ma'am.
Sure is.
I thought it would look so pretty on your tree.
We already have an angel.
Oh, but not like this.
This is a botticelli.
Well, a copy, anyway.
All the way from Florence.
You know, it would look real nice
on the mantle.
- I-I vote we put it there. - Mm-hmm, mm-hmm...
It's a tree-topper.
You can't put a tree-topper on the mantle.
Here, let me do it.
There.
A little touch of renaissance.
Didn't you hear him?
He said
we already have an angel.
And where do you get the nerve
to just waltz in here
and move things around without askin'?
You had no right...
Sarah...
I'm so sorry.
Why don't you just leave?
It's been hard on all of 'em.
I'm not blind to that, but...
It's think it's been toughest on her.
I never meant to do anything that would upset her.
I know.
This just all happened pretty quick, you know.
Christmas was when we lost her mama.
I think this just brought it all back.
For you, too.
Thing is,
maybe she knows you're just not ready.
It's just her way of showing it,
of getting your attention.
It's odd.
14 years I've lived with this,
the sorrow of losing Betsy,
and I thought that...
I know what you thought.
Sometimes, we think we've worked through a thing,
just by having lived with it so long,
but oftentimes,
it's something we set aside,
and never really faced at all,
just got on with life.
Daniel, you've done a remarkable thing
for your kids.
You've given them a stable home,
and I know that wasn't easy.
You took on Rodney when he needed a family,
and maybe you let that focus
distract you from your own grief.
I don't know.
Maybe.
And now they're grown.
I think it's your turn.
Your turn to face that grief,
to work on you,
in your own time, in your own way,
just you.
I'm sorry.
You sure you don't want me to drive you?
My daddy always taught me
a fella should leave the dance
with the same girl he brought.
Dj offered.
It's fine.
You know,
all I'm asking for is just a little more time.
We all have things we can't change.
I only wish
you could have looked a little deeper into your heart
before you thought to invite me in,
that's all.
Goodbye, Daniel.
...we got the fertilizers,
and the pesticides around the corner,
up against the wall...
What's 01' man shoup up to now?
Come on, let's go find out.
It's too much trouble.
You go.
You sure?
Yeah.
...fertilizer out back
and pesticides around the corner,
right next to the ones against the wall...
Hey, Mr. shoup!
Rodney!
Rodney Freeman.
You're just in time.
Just in time for what?
For a tour.
You're looking at the newest authorized distributor
of the agro harvest line of professional farm products.
It seems like an awful lot of inventory.
Well, it is,
but you know what they say,
if you can't give it to 'em when they need it,
they'll find it someplace else.
Now, for the first time,
the farmers can buy all their supplies
right here in canaan.
Come on, let me show you.
All right.
We got stacks and stacks of stuff out back,
you'll be surprised
when you see how much stuff we got...
Hey, hey, bobber,
they're wreckin' the house down, come on.
This don't concern you.
Bobber, no!
You get back here right now!
I should've listened to pop and stayed home that night.
You know, back in California,
I told him "some better" was good enough.
But I only told him that because he felt so bad,
and everyone worked so hard.
But it's not, Rodney.
"Some better" is not good enough by half.
Let's get out of here.
Not too far over...
All right, when you... When you sit here,
put your foot in the straps.
See?
And when you push down,
it raises the sandbag.
And you want more weight,
you can just put some sand in.
Well, you want to try it out?
Those doctors already tried everything in the book.
I don't know if a bunch of pulleys
and a bag of sand's going to make a difference.
Now, last year, this was all alfalfa,
but I've been speaking to Ralph Clark down at the co-op,
and he says
we might oughta consider putting in soybeans,
maybe up to half.
Now, I told him I'd ask you.
We could do that.
But mind you, down at Davis & Dunn,
they're puttin' in 100 acres or more of sorghum.
Davis & Dunn?
You know, that new company farm
South of town?
Maybe they know something we don't.
Well, we ain't never planted no sorghum before.
Just cause we haven't, doesn't mean we shouldn't.
Whatever you think.
Oh, no, daddy,
I ain't puttin' my head in that noose
without some company.
Well, whatever we plant,
it's either gonna freeze, bake,
get eaten by bugs,
or be worth nothing by the time we bring it in,
so I say plant whatever you wanna plant.
It ain't gonna matter much anyway.
Well, now, ain't you just Mr. sunshine these days?
Hey, where you goin'?
Town's that-a-way.
Well why drive all the way to clarksboro
when we can order from old man shoup?
Well, Rodney was right.
Looks like openin' day at the county fair.
All he's missin' is the cotton candy.
And the people.
Yeah, that's what I was afraid of.
What?
Well, farmers not buying their stuff here.
We may have come a ways in this town,
but we ain't come that far.
Wait here.
I'm not useless, you know!
Whatever you say, bobbles.
Here, bandit, come on, boy!
There you go.
Hey, look at that.
Keep it up, bobber.
How long's he been out there?
Almost an hour.
I think it's about time we all had a little talk.
I never seen him like this before.
Ever since Christmas.
When briony left,
it's like the joy just flew right out of his life.
Why doesn't he just call her and tell her he's sorry?
Because he's too proud
to let her see him like this.
So, why'd he let her leave if he loved her so much?
Maybe he decided
he just wasn't ready for someone else in his life.
It's been 14 years.
How ready does he got to be?
If only she hadn't busted that angel.
It wasn't the angel.
It wasn't?
It wasn't the angel, or mama, or any of that other stuff.
He did it because of me.
Hey, bobber!
Change the channel to happy days, will ya?
You know that's only for emergencies,
right?
What do you think this is?
You need to go where?
California,
to talk to Dr. adair.
She's the only one who can help.
Does Mr. Burton know about this?
He'd never let me.
Then how can you just up and disappear?
I'll tell him I'm staying over at a girlfriend's.
Jeri-Lynn Drake's baby's sick, and I'm helpin' out.
I've got enough for my ticket.
I've just never flown anywhere before.
Don't even know where to start.
Can you help me?
Are you sure about this?
Well...
I guess I do know a little something
about getting out of dodge...
Or whatever this place is.
...that's a really good improvement.
I'd like to see another 20 degrees of rotation.
I think that's enough for today.
You worked really hard.
I'm really proud of you.
Sarah?
This is a surprise.
Sorry to barge in on you like this,
but I need to ask you a favor.
You want me to do what?
We want you to come back to canaan.
He only let you go
because he thought having you in his life
would hurt me.
He didn't know what else to do.
Does he know you're here?
Then this was your idea, not his?
The family's worried about him.
It's like all the joy has just gone out of him.
He never smiles,
never laughs.
If anyone can help him,
it's you.
He still cares about you.
I know he does.
That doesn't give me the right
to show up at his door uninvited.
I'm inviting you.
We all are.
But Daniel isn't,
and he's the only one who can.
He's the only one who can open his heart
the way he wants to.
The way he needs to.
If I show up in canaan before he's ready,
it won't solve anything.
Chances are,
it'll likely make things worse.
I'm sorry.
So you'll let me know how he's doing?
I will.
Sarah, I know this hasn't been easy,
especially for you.
You've held this family together so long,
and then, suddenly, your dad shows up
with another woman in his life,
but I want you to know one thing.
I know how much you mean to this family,
and no matter what happened,
I would never have done anything to change that.
Thank you, Dr. adair.
Briony.
Thank you.
Thanks, Rodney.
All right, take care.
Where the heck you been, sissy?
You know where.
I told you.
I talked to jeri-Lynn.
I went to California,
to talk to briony.
And what exactly did you expect to get
out of doing that?
Give you two a second chance.
It was the happiest you've been
since mama died.
I'd never seen you like that,
and then it was like this cloud came over all of us.
I know why you did it.
You did it to protect me.
Well, we'll get by somehow, we always do.
Sometimes, we get by because we have to,
but sometimes, "gettin' by" is just "settling."
For once in your life,
you deserve more than just settling.
She probably don't even care anymore?
She's probably moved on.
You don't know that.
She say anything about seeing anybody?
Didn't say, didn't ask.
Figured it was best to leave that up to you.
Good night.
Dr. adair.
Briony?
It's Daniel.
Hi.
I've been thinking about you.
I understand you had a visitor.
I did.
It was quite a surprise.
She's worried about you.
Says you've been a little down?
That doesn't sound like you.
Ah, it's just a rough patch I'm goin' through.
I'll be fine.
Daniel, there's one thing i learned early on.
Sometimes, the best way to lighten your own burden
is to take on someone else's.
Find someone who's worse off than you,
someone who needs you.
Plant some other fields.
Water someone else's crops for a while.
Sounds like good advice.
I'm gonna keep that in mind.
You're a good man, Daniel.
A lot of people care about you,
probably more than you realize.
Thank you.
That means a lot coming from you.
It's true.
I know it first-hand.
Well...
Um...
I just wanted to check in on you.
I'm glad you did.
It's nice to hear your voice.
Hey, if you're ever in the neighborhood,
you be sure and stop in and say hello, all right?
You too.
Okay.
Well, goodnight.
'Night.
Water time...
What you got for us there, bobber?
Well, now,
looks like you boys had yourself quite a year.
Well, you can thank dj for that.
He was the one wanted to plant the sorghum.
Well then, you're lucky someone at your place
knows something about farming.
Whoa-ho-ho...
Whoo-hoo!
Okay, come on, pop, let's celebrate.
Chili cheese fries, and I'm buying.
Who's that?
That's delmer p. Davis,
owner of Davis & Dunn farms.
The way he's goin',
before long,
he'll own half the county.
Hey, dad, you coming?
I don't know how much longer shoup can hold on.
Agro harvest wants their money.
He told me
he can barely afford to keep his lights on.
And if he does start selling,
his mark-up is next to nothing.
I can't believe
people would rather drive a half hour away
and pay a third again more.
It just doesn't make sense.
Well, it doesn't have to.
That's the economics of prejudice.
You tellin' me
after all this town's been through,
there are still folks here
that'd rather see a hardworking fellow like shoup
fail and fall flat
than see him succeed?
What rock you been hiding under, pa?
You think just 'cause it don't matter to us,
it shouldn't matter to them?
Well, I got news for you, not everyone's like you.
It'd be nice if they were,
but the simple fact is that they're not,
not by a long shot.
To see a man fail just 'cause he's black,
it's just not right.
Can I help you, Mr. Burton?
Yes, sir.
I was wondering if you was hiring.
Hiring for what?
Store clerk?
What's so funny?
Tell me,
you see anyone here needin' a clerk?
Well, you will.
Sometimes, all you need to do to bring folks in
is to show 'em a familiar face.
You mean a familiar white face?
I just mean a familiar farmer's face.
Christmas time's coming up real soon.
You're bound to be needing some more help.
Well, I can't pay you nothin', not at first.
That's okay.
I'll just take it out in trade.
But why?
Why you want to work here?
I got my reasons.
Let's just leave it at that.
Okay, you can start tomorrow.
I could start tomorrow, but I'm ready to start today.
Today?
Yeah. Today.
All right.
What do we do first?
What we do first is we sweep the porch.
Yes, sir, boss.
Lord have mercy.
Let me help.
We got some more back there, right?
Yeah...
♪ I tried to find the reason to what it might have meant ♪
♪ I was counting every footstep ♪
♪ and how time was spent
♪ as I sit here lost and all alone ♪
♪ I realize that all roads lead you home ♪
♪ home...
♪ Home is where your heart is
♪ the place inside you never really leave ♪
♪ boy, you keep on searching
♪ in hopes of what you'll find
♪ every road that you ever roam ♪
♪ leads you home
♪ leads you home...
♪ I'm goin' home...
Can I help you, son?
One customer all day,
and that was the ding-dong.
Can't make a livin' just sellin' ding-dongs.
Just got to be patient.
You know, I saw that fella from Davis & Dunn
drive by yesterday.
He slowed down and took a good look.
He's been doing that for weeks.
He ain't stopped once.
Yeah?
Just got to give him time, that's all.
Time's the one thing in short supply.
Everything else I got.
Tomorrow will be a better day.
Listen, Daniel,
you've wasted enough of your time here already.
Let's quit foolin' ourselves.
Just take our losses and move on.
Whatever I owe you, I'll find a way to pay it.
It might take me a while, but I'm good for it.
I'm not worried about it.
You know something,
it just felt good
to do something for somebody else.
Tomorrow's gonna be a better day.
Mr. Davis?
That's right.
My name's Daniel Burton.
I reckon we need to talk about our town.
Now, don't get me wrong.
I've got nothing against
buying from this particular gentleman.
It's just that we require a certain quality
in what we buy.
Well, you consider agro-harvest product
good quality, don't you?
I suppose.
Good as any.
Well then, you'd be getting what you're used to.
Look, you see, we buy in bulk.
That's good, 'cause we sell in bulk.
As a matter of fact,
any price you can get we can match,
probably beat,
and by the time you figure in the cost
of haulin' it all the way out to here,
it's bound to be cheaper for you.
That's another thing.
See, the fella we buy from down in clarksboro's
been at it 20 years or more.
He's got a track record.
This shoup fella?
Shoup's family's owned the store
since the early '30s.
He's second generation.
All right, I'll level with you.
It just doesn't seem right buying from him.
It's nothing personal.
It's just not my kind of place.
Well, I guess I misjudged you.
Sorry for wastin' your time.
Now, hold on a second here.
I got a right to buy where I feel comfortable.
That's my choice.
There's no law against that, is there?
There's no law against it, not an official one anyway.
I'm gonna level with you, Mr. Davis.
I'm just a strugglin' farmer.
I got an old truck,
an old tractor.
Some years, we do okay,
others, not so good,
but I can tell you one thing,
I'd be a whole lot worse off if it wasn't for my neighbors,
if it wasn't for this town.
You see,
if we get a chance to help a neighbor,
and we just choose to stand by and watch him fail
when we could have done something about it,
then this town dies a little.
I'm just asking you to help a neighbor,
that's all,
just one neighbor.
Can I help you?
Who do I need to talk to about placing a seed order?
I could help you with that.
Right on over here.
We'll get you all fixed up.
Emmanuel shoup.
Delmer Davis.
So there you are.
Whatcha doin'?
Just out here thinkin'.
About?
Shoup.
He asked me if I wanted to go in with him,
be his partner.
Do you wanna?
I might.
Let dj run things around here.
He's been doing it mostly by himself anyway.
I think that's a fine idea,
for you and for dj.
I've been thinking, too.
About?
I've been accepted by u.T.
Starting next year,
even offered me a scholarship.
What with working,
and Rodney's offer to loan me a little money
for tuition,
I think I can pay my way,
if it's okay with you.
That's great.
I think you should go.
You know, your mama always said
you were gonna go to college.
She'd be so happy.
Though it's gonna be a little different around here
without you.
Maybe you could invite briony out for a visit.
Nah, I'm sure
she's gotten on with her life by now.
I'd expect that.
You don't know that,
not for sure.
Hi, this briony...
Hey, briony, it's...
I'm sorry I can't come to the phone right now,
but if you leave me a message,
I'll be happy to return your call.
Briony. Hi, it's just...
Hey, briony.
It's Daniel.
Daniel Burton.
I just wanted to give you a call and...
Let you know that you were right about you told me.
The sooner you start trying to help somebody else,
the more you realize that your own problems
don't really add up to all that much.
I don't know how I ever lost sight of that.
Anyway, I also wanted to say
if you're ever anywhere around canaan,
I'd love it if you'd stop by,
or if you just want to call sometime
and say hello,
I'd like that, too.
I think about you,
I think about you a lot lately.
I hope you're doing good.
Well, anyhow,
hope to hear from you,
and by the way...
Merry Christmas.
You know, whoever invented them dad-gum answering machines
oughta be shot.
Merry Christmas to you.
Merry Christmas, son.
Thank you, folks. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, now.
Merry Christmas, son.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you.
Hurry up and lock the door
before somebody else comes in and buys something.
Listen, Daniel,
I owe you a lot.
No more than I owe you.
Well,
whoever deserves it more, thank you.
You headed home?
Yeah, I got a whole house full of in-laws.
You?
I'm headed out to the Freeman place.
Rodney says it's his turn
to have Christmas out there this year,
and I got a feelin'
him and Sarah have probably got something special cooking.
Sounds real nice.
Yeah, I gotta enjoy having everybody together,
you know, with Sarah leaving for college next year.
Once they leave the roost, it's hard to get 'em back.
Then you'd best make the most of it.
You got that right.
Merry Christmas, partner.
Merry Christmas, my friend.
Merry Christmas.
He's here.
Hey, everybody, sorry I'm late.
Have a seat.
I thought you'd never get here.
Me too.
Old shoup was so full of good tidings,
I didn't think he was gonna lock up
and let me come home.
How can I help you?
Finish setting the table?
I'm on it.
Sissy,
I think you miscounted.
There's an extra plate here.
No, it's right.
There's someone else
joining us.
Oh, really?
Somebody I know?
I'd say there's a good chance.
Briony?
What are you doing here?
You invited me,
don't you remember?
You said if I was ever in the neighborhood,
I should stop and say hello.
So, here I am.
Hello.
Merry Christmas.
So, how long you plan on stayin'?
I'm not sure.
There's a job opening in clarksboro.
They're looking for a good orthopedist.
I've been thinking I might apply for it.
Are you sure about this?
About what?
Moving to canaan.
It's a long way from the big city.
I've always been a country girl,
you know that.
Besides, it'll give me a chance
to work a little bit more with bobber.
Well, he'll sure appreciate that.
It's not a permanent position.
Only a year.
Then what?
I don't know.
We'll just have to wait and see.
I reckon
a person can learn a lot in a year, Daniel Burton,
don't you?
Yeah.
I reckon he can.
Hey, you two, dinner's ready!
Well, let's go.
Oh, my, it's lovely.
Dj, bobber, we're ready.
Here, buddy, let me get these for you.
No, it's okay. I'm fine.
You sure?
What's the matter,
you never seen anyone walk before?
Atta boy, bobber.
I'm proud of you, buddy.
Let us bow our heads and thank the lord,
like my grandmother, miss eunice, would've.
We thank you, lord Jesus,
for us to share this meal one to another,
and we ask you to bless those folk who struggle,
even now, as we enjoy this plenty,
and as we partake of this food,
help us grow, not only in strength,
but in love,
one to the other,
in a desire to be more like thee.
Amen.
Well said, Rodney.
Yeah.
As we gathered
around the table,
who could have imagined how a gift for bobber
would become, for Daniel,
another gift entirely.
But, then, in the words of briony,
"what could be better than spending a Christmas...
"Any Christmas...
In a place called canaan?"