Party of Five s01e10 Episode Script
Thanksgiving
Has anyone seen my-- We're leaving in five minutes.
My plaid shirt and floppy hat? I don't wear hats.
Five minutes! Claudia! Claudia! Semi-naked.
Don't come in.
Have you seen my plaid shirt? Um, I'm not sure.
You mean the red one with the zipper and the little stain on the left sleeve? Claudia! You're dead! Hey.
A person's tent is her castle, you know.
Yeah? Well, you're being invaded.
What else have you got in here? This is so humiliating.
My Shawn Colvin CD.
Oh, it has a little scratch.
My thesaurus, my hoop earrings My sports bra? Hey, a girl can dream.
What are you, a kleptomaniac? Don't use language like that with me.
I'm 11.
Claudia, a kleptomaniac is someone who steals things.
I didn't steal.
I borrowed.
-You stole! -Would you have let me take them if I had asked you nicely? No.
See? I had no choice.
You drove me to this.
My floppy hat.
Claudia, I'm sick of this.
I wanted to wear this three times last week.
Personally, I don't think it does very much for you.
Just stay out of my stuff, you got it? God, I'm never going to forgive you for this.
That seems fair.
All right, well, I want to make sure you're going to be here Thursday, so I booked a table for 5:00.
Prime time.
The place to be.
Don't all jump up and down at once.
I don't know, Joe.
It's a really busy night for you.
Yeah, I mean, we don't want to take up one of your tables on Thanksgiving.
Gotcha.
Okay.
Well, as long as you promise me you're going to celebrate at home.
Actually, we thought we might just skip it this time around.
Face it, none of us really knows how to cook.
Well, I'll send stuff from here.
Well, we're kind of busy.
I mean, Charlie's got this house painting job.
Bailey's got this big paper due.
Anyway, it's more fun just to watch football.
You don't have to worry about cooking and cleaning up.
You guys sure? -Yeah.
-Yeah.
Yeah.
We all decided.
Okay.
I'll get a round of drinks.
Thanks, Joe.
Thanksgiving never was one of my favorite holidays anyway.
It's kind of dumb.
It's really just about how these Pilgrims took advantage of the Indians.
-Did you know that? -MAN: Hey, you guys.
Hey, how you doing, Emmett? Mind if I join you? No.
Pull up a chair.
So, I tried to call you guys at home before you left, but you had already gone.
I need to talk to you.
I got a phone call this afternoon at the law firm.
I guess there's no other way to say this except to come straight out with it.
Walter Alcott was released from prison last week.
He's out? Already? The sentence was 18 months.
It hasn't been nearly that long.
He was eligible for parole when he'd served half his time.
I guess based on his prison record and the fact that this was his first conviction for drunk driving, that the board determined-- How could they let him out? I know it's hard to believe, honey.
I know it doesn't seem fair.
So that's how things work, huh? Nine months and he just gets to walk out of there like nothing happened? He killed two people.
I wish I could tell you something different.
There is something else.
I got a request from him through his lawyer.
A request.
And I want you to know that you're under no obligation, absolutely none.
He wants to see you.
What? Why? I think he'd like a chance to say he's sorry.
Everybody wants to live Like they want to live And everybody wants to love Like they want to love Everybody wants be Closer to free Closer to free BAILEY: What does that mean, anyway, "Say he's sorry"? What's he going to do, explain what happened? There's nothing for us to talk about.
I don't know.
What? Is there anything that he has to say that you want to hear? An apology? Give me a break.
Emmett says maybe-- Emmett says that we should worry about ourselves, not about this guy.
Walter Alcott Maybe it'd be good for us.
Oh, that's a load of crap.
I don't know.
I mean, maybe it kind of helps you to get past it.
I mean, you see him one time, that's it, and You're past it.
Hey, we were all doing fine before tonight.
I think I can can get past it without looking at his face.
Maybe, but he's always going to be out there, and instead of it being this big question and us always wondering, we could close that door forever.
Are you saying you want to see him? I'm not sure.
God! Bailey, why are you being so mean? Look, we've got to decide one way or the other.
Forget it.
He can shove his apology.
It doesn't do me any good.
All it does is make him feel better.
Now, you give me one reason why we should do that.
So he can't sleep at night.
That's fine with me.
Charlie? What? Don't you have anything to say about this at all? I'm with Bailey.
We got to all agree, Jule All of us.
Okay.
Jule? (MUSIC BOX PLAYS) What are you doing in here? Nothing.
You're not messing around in my stuff again, are you? No.
Jule? What was the trial like? It wasn't a trial.
It was a hearing.
Well, what happened? Why do you want to know, Claud, huh? I just do, okay? Well, they brought the guy in-- In handcuffs? Was he in handcuffs? I don't think so.
And the judge asked him how did he plead.
He said, "Guilty.
" And the prosecutor said some stuff, and his lawyer said some stuff, and the judge sentenced him, and that was it.
Did he cry? Yes.
And was his family there? I guess so.
There was a woman and a girl who looked like him.
-And did he say anything? -Come on, Claud.
We all agreed we were going to try to forget about this.
You know, I can't find my blue vest.
You didn't take my blue vest, did you? You know, Claudia, I swear, if you don't stop taking my stuff-- Claud? Can I help you? I'm looking for a book.
Well, you're going to have to be a little more specific than that, sweetheart.
On, um On jewelry.
Well, that would be in our hobby section against the far wall.
Far wall? Could you maybe help me look? I can't reach the books on top.
Do you want a coffee table book or something with more text? Let's see Now, this has some of both.
What do you think about something like this? I'm Claudia Salinger.
I'm their youngest daughter.
I just wanted to see what you look like.
BAILEY: God, you shouldn't have done that, Claud.
We all agreed we weren't going to see him.
I know, but-- So then what did you think you were doing, huh? Look, if you're not going to listen Hey, lay off her, okay? You all got to see him.
I never saw him.
I just-- I needed to see what he looked like.
BAILEY: So? How did he look? Normal, I guess.
He kind of looked pretty nice.
Like anyone.
Like someone you would know.
A little like Amy Patterson's dad.
Isn't that weird? What did you think he'd look like, Claud? I don't know.
Ugly, kind of mean.
He was nice to people in his store.
And before he knew who I was, he called me "sweetheart.
" There were people in his store? So he's, like, doing pretty well.
I guess.
I don't know.
Well, did he seem happy, like his whole life was okay? I don't know, Bay.
Well, what did he say when you told him who you were? I just left.
You left? I don't get it, Claud.
I wanted to see him, just to see his face, just so I could stop wondering about him.
That's all.
I didn't go there for an apology, and I didn't want to talk to him, okay? So now I'm satisfied.
Claud And I don't want to think about it anymore.
Claudia Didn't you hear me? Leave her alone, huh? He's got his life back.
He's working I don't know, he can go to dinner or see a movie or take his family somewhere.
Do you really think that, Bay? I don't.
Well, I don't want to take the chance.
I mean, he was in jail for nine months.
Nine months.
That's 4 1/2 months for each of my parents.
And good behavior? What is that about, huh? What did he do? Cure cancer? I want him to pay for what he did, and if it can't be with more jail time, then I want him to pay out of his own pocket.
You want to sue him? Can we? Well, yes, technically, you could file a civil suit against him.
Then let's do it.
Let's sue the bastard for every cent he's got.
And you think that a lawsuit's only going to make his life miserable? What about yours? You know how long these things can take? What with depositions, continuances, and appeals, it's years, Bailey.
I don't care.
You don't care, but what about the others? What about Claudia or Owen? What about Owen, Bailey? Because by the time this thing is over, he's going to be old enough to understand.
Yeah, well, at least he'll see me doing something.
But doing what? Let's say you lose.
What was it all for? Well, let's say we win.
Okay, let's say that.
You win.
What has it changed? Exactly what have you won? You take something like this on, and it becomes your life.
It is my life.
Oh, no.
-Claudia? -Aah! What are you doing? Um, nothing.
Spring cleaning.
Fall! I mean, fall cleaning.
Yeah.
Why? Because.
I mean, I just I have too much stuff.
No one needs this much stuff, so I'm I'm getting rid of most of it, and looking for those few things I absolutely have to have to survive.
I got home, I went into the kitchen, I got a glass, I went to the fridge.
-Claudia.
-Aah! What are you doing? Um, I'm trying to remember everything I did today.
It's, um, it's a school project aboutmemory.
-Claudia.
-Aah! -What are you doing? -Uh, nothing.
Yeah, well, cut it out.
I gotta get in here, and you're kinda bugging me.
Bugging you? Oh, right.
Of course I am.
This is really annoying, but you'll get over that, right? I mean, you're that kind of person, aren't you? You don't, like, hold a grudge, right? Right? What's this? I figured I'd get some turkey into you one way or another.
Thanks.
Looks good.
Listen, Charlie, here's what I was thinking.
I own the place, right, so who says that I gotta work the holiday shift? So I'm gonna take tomorrow off, and what do you say you guys come over some time in the afternoon, we watch the ball game, I'll put a little food on Joe, I told you-- No, no, no.
We won't even call it "Thanksgiving.
" It's just going to be you guys coming over to my house for a meal.
Nothing fancy.
Paper plates.
Joe, I don't think so.
Come on.
You got to eat.
We'll eat.
Look, we've had other invitations-- Ross, Bay's friend Will.
We just don't feel like it.
(SIGHS) Charlie, there are going to be other holidays without them.
Are you going to skip those too? Look, we just need to get through this one, okay? It's easier that way, for everyone.
I know this guy coming back, it shakes up everybody, and it brings up things that nobody wants to deal with, but you make a meal, you sit down as a family.
It's like saying, "Life goes on.
" We say that every day, Joe, without the turkey.
(KNOCKING) -Hi.
-Hi.
I'm sorry.
I don't know-- I'm Annie Alcott? Walter Alcott's daughter.
Oh, right.
I brought this pie for you.
We wanted to send something back then, but the lawyers said-- I feel so stupid now, like this is supposed to mean anything, but I thought I should bring something.
I think maybe you should take this back.
Okay.
I really don't know what to say.
You want me to go? Maybe.
I don't know.
I'm sorry.
I knew you wouldn't go see my father, so I had to come see you.
I had to see how you lived.
I had these horrible pictures in my head of what it might be like for you.
It's a nice house.
So you have a baby brother, huh? Yeah.
Owen.
He's almost one.
That's good.
You go to high school? Grant.
Urban.
I'm a senior.
Got to figure out colleges now.
You? Sophomore.
My mom wants me to go to school in state, but I kind of want to get away, you know? My parents are divorced.
I lived with my mom while my dad was in jail.
Why are you telling me this? I don't know.
II don't know I'm sorry.
When my dad was in jail, it was almost easier.
You know, it sounds stupid, but now that he's back, I I look at everything that I have, and I feel like I need to be punished or forgiven or something.
Why? I don't think so.
He's not a bad man.
I want you to know that.
He's just a man.
He's kind of quiet and gentle, really.
I mean, he sells books.
Okay.
I shouldn't have come.
It's okay.
I don't mind.
Do you mean that? Yeah.
I bet we know some of the same people.
I've got some friends who go to Urban.
I'm Bailey Salinger.
God, I'm nervous.
I've gone through this conversation so many times in my head For so many months.
Really? You saw it as a conversation? I say something, you say something.
Well, yes.
Just out of curiosity, what do I say? "It's okay"? "I forgive you"? How's it end? Do we shake hands or do we hug? I know you're angry.
Angry? Angry God.
No, I Mean I understand.
I don't think you can.
I really don't think that there's any way that you could possibly understand.
You don't want to hear anything I have to say, do you? No, I sure don't.
Okay, then.
I want to know what you know about them.
About my parents.
Well, uh, I know their names.
I know your mother was 45 and your father was 48.
He owned a restaurant.
She was a musician, a violinist.
I mean the important stuff.
She had hair all the way down her back.
Did you know that? Beautiful dark hair, my father wouldn't let her cut.
They were married 26 years last january, and my dad would still come home in the afternoon and claim he had a headache, and he and my mom would go upstairs, and we all knew what they were doing.
They loved each other.
They were in love.
My sister asks me questions that I can't answer because I don't know, like why didn't he wear a watch? Or what was that song she used to sing to us when we were little, when we had fevers? And Owen God, he won't even know to ask.
They're just going to be pictures on the piano and stories that we all tell that everyone remembers a little differently.
He's going to walk soon, my brother.
He's a couple weeks away, and they're not going to see it because of you Because you had a few drinks, and you got in your car, and you went through that intersection, and you killed them.
What can I do? What do you want me to do? I want you to step on your damn brake and stop at that red light! So do I But I can't.
I can't take it back So what I have to do is figure out a way to go forward.
I don't want you to get past this.
I can't.
Why should you? See, I want to hurt you.
I want to take something from you, something that is so much a part of you that you don't know who you are without it, and I want you to spend the rest of your life knowing that's what you did to us And I want to make sure you never forget.
Wait, wait, wait.
What does that mean, she stopped by? Nothing.
She just wanted to see who we are.
She's nice.
She goes to Urban.
What did you two do? Have a little chat? What's your problem? -Did you say she can come back? -No.
Good, because I don't want her here.
And I don't want you talking to her anymore.
Where do you get off telling me who I can talk to? You want to know? I'll tell you.
I have the right to say I don't want his family in this house.
I mean, who do you care about here, Julia? Are you listening to this, Charlie? I don't care.
I don't want to see her.
Both of you.
Hey, we're the ones who lost our parents here, so why the hell am I in the business of making her feel better, huh? You know, they're going to have Thanksgiving tonight.
Wow.
What is happening to you? Can't you even try and help here? What do you want me to do? That's all you can say? Doesn't it bother you what's happening to us? I mean, don't you care? How can you not have a damn thing to say? Just Just cut it out, okay? Go fetch.
Go fetch.
Come on, Thurber.
I've seen this work on tv.
Now, you know what it smells like.
Now go find it.
Thurber Please.
Thurber, please! Come on.
Start sniffing.
Come on.
Be a real dog for once.
Listen, Thurber, I'm not saying I don't love you, but you have been a very big disappointment recently.
I mean, you're not much of a pet, and it would go a long way to making me feel better about you if you'dyou'd just help me out.
Just a little? Bailey.
God.
What are you doing here? I don't know.
I came to see you.
It's a bad time.
We're justsitting down to dinner.
To Thanksgiving.
My mom would be okay if you wanted-- No.
No, that's okay.
You go-- You go back.
I'll see you.
Are you okay? Uh, not really, no.
MOTHER: Kate, honey, we're sitting down.
You guys start without me, okay? I'll be back in a sec.
You want to sit down? Tell me, Bailey, did something terrible happen? You're scaring me.
No.
No, it's nothing like that.
It The guy, the drunk driver who hit my mom and dad, he got out of prison.
Oh, wow.
That's so fast.
Yeah.
And the thing is I don't know what's happening to me.
I mean, I was pretty okay with everything before this I know you were.
But now I'm so angry.
I just, I can't do anything but be angry.
He wants me to forgive him, and I hate him.
I hate him, and he's ruining everything.
I just I can't even think about my mom and dad anymore, and I really need to be able to think about them again where it doesn't hurt, you know? What can I do? I really needed to talk to someone, and I realized that the person that I really wanted to talk to I pushed away.
And And I don't know what I was thinking.
I really don't know why I thought any of those stupid things mattered, and I'm sorry.
I don't know why we split up, Kate.
I really don't.
I just I just need you.
I need you.
(FOOTBALL GAME PLAYS ON TV) You know when you cut a turkey's head off, it can still run around for a long time? For days, even.
Where'd this come from? Have you tried it? The crust is kind of gross.
You want some pb&j? No.
Thanks.
I think it's important that you eat something.
Hunger can add to irritability.
It can cloud your judgment.
It can make you overreact to bad news.
Sure you don't want a sandwich? I'm not hungry, Claud, okay? How is that? Dad's was better.
Coverage of today's game brought to you by Faber's steel-belted tires, wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.
I'll be back.
Where are you going? Yes? Julia.
Dad, this is-- I know, honey.
I know who it is.
I know you think that nine months isn't enough time And it's not.
I know that.
Even being in prison that long didn't feel like punishment enough.
I I think of all the things I should be doing without to compensate you But there is no compensation, is there? No, there isn't.
I know you're sorry, and I know you wish it hadn't happened And I know you're suffering, I can see it, but knowing that doesn't help me.
It doesn't make it better, Annie.
It really doesn't.
What can I do? There's nothing.
But I know what you want from me.
You want me to forgive you.
Yes.
I don't know that I can do that.
I mean, it wasn't just my life that you changed, and I don't know that I have the right to speak for anyone else.
And what does that mean, anyways, "I forgive you"? Is it going to change anything? Or does it just mean that I stop being angry at you.
And I stop hating you? Because I want that so much.
Just as much as you.
I'll try.
I'm going to try.
The only thing that I can do The only thing I can do for you is tell you that we're going to be okay.
Because we are, the five of us.
I don't know how I know it.
I just do.
We're going to be okay.
And maybe if you know that, you'll be okay too.
What's going on in the kitchen? Since when are you Julia Child? I kind of thought I'd make us a late Thanksgiving.
You thought? Really? What-- What happened to what we all decided? Charlie, I think we made a mistake.
Well, I don't.
I think it shows a little respect not to sit down and celebrate like nothing happened this year.
Come on.
It's not like we never sit around the table and laugh.
It's not like we never smile, and when we do, we're not saying we're forgetting or that everything's okay.
We're just doing what we have to do.
We're never going to have what we had last Thanksgiving, and if we wait 20 years, it's never going to be the same.
I just want to take a step, Charlie.
Please? I went to see him yesterday.
For God's sakes, Jule.
-I think you should too.
-Forget it.
I know something's wrong with you.
The last few days, it's like you've disappeared, and I'm just trying to figure out why.
Why? Would you just stop? No.
Go see him, Charlie.
It'll help.
-Yeah, him.
-No, us.
I'm telling you it's hard, but it's not the hardest thing in the world to say "I forgive you.
" -Yes, it is.
-No.
What you're going through is a lot harder.
Please, Charlie? It's like talking about your nightmares or looking under your bed for monsters.
It makes them go away.
Saying "I don't hate you" Makes him go away.
I don't know.
Charlie I don't know.
My father had an affair.
What? Recently? A couple of years ago, when my parents were still together.
You're kidding.
Was it with your stepmother? It was some other woman in his office.
I don't even know her name.
Mom just walked in on them one afternoon.
God.
Yeah, I think about that a lot, how that must feel-- Opening a door and having your whole life change in a single minute.
I know you know.
He met Patricia about three months after they were separated.
It almost killed Mom.
She didn't want him to have a life, be happy, if she couldn't.
She became this whole other person This ugly, angry person.
She made sure the divorce took forever just to spite him.
She refereed to him as "the son of a bitch.
" At my confirmation, she keyed Patty's Jag.
Your mom? Really? Yeah, I don't know what happened, but one day she let go of it.
She moved on.
I think she figured out her life could have become totally about him, or it could have become about her.
Anyway, she came downstairs and sat down at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee, and she just said, "Okay, enough.
" What about you? You mean did I hate him? Yeah.
Sure, for a while, but it took so much energy to hold on to that.
Everything is so complicated, Bailey.
My mom and dad, my dad and me, even me and you So you try to make it simple, and what it comes down to is this.
People make mistakes, terrible mistakes, all the time, every day, and you have to learn to live with it, because, really, what's the alternative? The stuff with my folks, I know it's not the same.
I know it's not nearly the same.
But still You want to give me a hand, maybe peel some oranges? Sure.
I got to talk to you about something first, though.
Could you put the knife down, please? I did something you're really, really not going to like.
Yes? Why don't we just leave it at that? Where are those oranges? Claudia You know that bracelet you have that Dad bought Mom, the one with all the little jewels and the rubies and everything? Mm-hmm.
Well, I sort of, kind of, took it.
Oh, no.
I did everything I could to find it.
Honest.
I looked everywhere.
And then I tried to replace it, but I don't know how, and I don't have that much money, and I'm really sorry, because I know that you loved it-- How long ago did you lose it, Claud? Two days ago.
God, Claudia! Two days! It's probably gone for good! You could have said something.
Yeah, right.
You would have just screamed at me.
-That's not true.
-Yes, it is.
You're always angry at me.
Well, you're always taking my stuff.
So? What's the big deal? It's just because I want to be like you.
I don't know why, because everything I do makes you mad, and you never forgive me.
You never forget about anything.
Like, you're still mad at me from seven months ago when I forgot to tell you that guy called, that guy, what's his name? -Steven Pomper.
-See? I'm sorry for always being mad at you, okay? How did you get the combination to my little mailbox, anyway? I didn't.
You left it in your jewelry box on your dresser.
No, I didn't.
No, I don't trust you enough.
What is it you took, Claud? The bracelet with all the little red and little purple jewels.
With the silver clasp? -Yeah.
-That's a piece of junk.
It's from, like, four years ago when I played a gypsy in a sixth-grade play.
Piece of junk? I spent two days in hell because I lost a prop? Very funny.
I, uh, I have no story.
I was spending a Saturday with friends, and we had dinner, this long dinner, and then I had too much wine.
That's it.
That's all I did.
I had too much wine with dinner.
And then about 8:00, I got into my car to drive home.
It was a completely forgettable day.
You know, people make mistakes all the time and nothing happens.
I imagine a million meaningless separate events had to come together just so.
Why was there no traffic? Why was there no cop to stop me from speeding? Why did I have to be at the intersection of California and Van Ness at exactly 8:22? Why did the light have to be red? Why did two people with five children have to be driving in the other direction? Because of me.
What? They, uh They had tickets to a concert at Symphony Hall.
I guess Mrs.
Kelleher had the day off, I don't remember.
But I promised to babysit.
But I was with this girl, this woman, and, uh, we were at her apartment, and, uh, I lost track of the time.
I don't remember when I finally got there, but He was-- He was so mad at me.
The thing is, the concert started at 8:00.
They would have been sitting-- They would have been sitting in their seats at 8:00.
One date.
One stupid date.
I mean, who cared? I could have I could have been home so easily.
You know what he said to me? "Next time, be here.
" Next time.
And Mom, she Handed Owen to me.
She handed him to me, and Then they walked away.
What did I do? God help me.
How do I get rid of this? Charlie, listen to me.
No! It's my fault.
I did it.
I need to be forgiven, only they're not here to forgive me! Stop it.
It's my fault.
It's my fault! Charlie It's my fault.
Listen to me.
Let me do one good thing in all of this and tell you the truth.
You're the hero in this story, son.
Well? It needs salt.
And a little more pepper But on the whole? First rate.
-Really? You think so? -Absolutely.
I doubled the garlic and added a little extra chicken broth so it wouldn't dry out.
Dad's was always a little on the dry side.
Season away.
What's all this? What's it look like? Thanksgiving? You cooked? Well, Joe sent a lot of stuff over, but I made stuffing, sweet potatoes, and apple pie.
And I helped.
And Claud helped.
Didn't we kind of Miss the boat here? I mean, Thanksgiving was Yesterday? Big deal.
I mean, what difference does it make, right? Right? No difference at all.
Turkey's in the oven.
Set the table, Claud, will ya? Sure.
Hey, man.
Where you been? You look like hell.
Out.
Just out.
I'm glad.
Julia made Thanksgiving.
I see.
Hey, wait a second.
Don't we always eat Thanksgiving dinner in the dining room? Yeah.
Yeah.
There we go.
That looks great, Jule.
That looks very good.
Want some bread? Want some stuffing, Claud? A little bit.
Great potatoes.
Is that enough? Oh, yeah.
It's getting kind of weedy over by Nana and Papa.
I'll say something to the groundskeeper.
Here too.
God.
I don't think those are weeds, Bay.
It's lavender.
Let's leave it.
Hey, how come some of the headstones have stones on them? Some people like to leave something behind, kind of as a way of showing they were here.
Yesterday A child came out to wander Caught a dragonfly Inside a jar Fearful when the sky Was full of thunder Pez? JULIA: Ha ha! Sure.
-CHARLIE: Why not? -That's a good idea.
Hey, you know what, Claud? -You're it.
-What? Oh, no fair.
No fair! And the seasons They go round and round And the painted ponies Go up and down We're captive On the carousel of time We can't return We can only look Behind from where we came And go round and round And round In a circle game
My plaid shirt and floppy hat? I don't wear hats.
Five minutes! Claudia! Claudia! Semi-naked.
Don't come in.
Have you seen my plaid shirt? Um, I'm not sure.
You mean the red one with the zipper and the little stain on the left sleeve? Claudia! You're dead! Hey.
A person's tent is her castle, you know.
Yeah? Well, you're being invaded.
What else have you got in here? This is so humiliating.
My Shawn Colvin CD.
Oh, it has a little scratch.
My thesaurus, my hoop earrings My sports bra? Hey, a girl can dream.
What are you, a kleptomaniac? Don't use language like that with me.
I'm 11.
Claudia, a kleptomaniac is someone who steals things.
I didn't steal.
I borrowed.
-You stole! -Would you have let me take them if I had asked you nicely? No.
See? I had no choice.
You drove me to this.
My floppy hat.
Claudia, I'm sick of this.
I wanted to wear this three times last week.
Personally, I don't think it does very much for you.
Just stay out of my stuff, you got it? God, I'm never going to forgive you for this.
That seems fair.
All right, well, I want to make sure you're going to be here Thursday, so I booked a table for 5:00.
Prime time.
The place to be.
Don't all jump up and down at once.
I don't know, Joe.
It's a really busy night for you.
Yeah, I mean, we don't want to take up one of your tables on Thanksgiving.
Gotcha.
Okay.
Well, as long as you promise me you're going to celebrate at home.
Actually, we thought we might just skip it this time around.
Face it, none of us really knows how to cook.
Well, I'll send stuff from here.
Well, we're kind of busy.
I mean, Charlie's got this house painting job.
Bailey's got this big paper due.
Anyway, it's more fun just to watch football.
You don't have to worry about cooking and cleaning up.
You guys sure? -Yeah.
-Yeah.
Yeah.
We all decided.
Okay.
I'll get a round of drinks.
Thanks, Joe.
Thanksgiving never was one of my favorite holidays anyway.
It's kind of dumb.
It's really just about how these Pilgrims took advantage of the Indians.
-Did you know that? -MAN: Hey, you guys.
Hey, how you doing, Emmett? Mind if I join you? No.
Pull up a chair.
So, I tried to call you guys at home before you left, but you had already gone.
I need to talk to you.
I got a phone call this afternoon at the law firm.
I guess there's no other way to say this except to come straight out with it.
Walter Alcott was released from prison last week.
He's out? Already? The sentence was 18 months.
It hasn't been nearly that long.
He was eligible for parole when he'd served half his time.
I guess based on his prison record and the fact that this was his first conviction for drunk driving, that the board determined-- How could they let him out? I know it's hard to believe, honey.
I know it doesn't seem fair.
So that's how things work, huh? Nine months and he just gets to walk out of there like nothing happened? He killed two people.
I wish I could tell you something different.
There is something else.
I got a request from him through his lawyer.
A request.
And I want you to know that you're under no obligation, absolutely none.
He wants to see you.
What? Why? I think he'd like a chance to say he's sorry.
Everybody wants to live Like they want to live And everybody wants to love Like they want to love Everybody wants be Closer to free Closer to free BAILEY: What does that mean, anyway, "Say he's sorry"? What's he going to do, explain what happened? There's nothing for us to talk about.
I don't know.
What? Is there anything that he has to say that you want to hear? An apology? Give me a break.
Emmett says maybe-- Emmett says that we should worry about ourselves, not about this guy.
Walter Alcott Maybe it'd be good for us.
Oh, that's a load of crap.
I don't know.
I mean, maybe it kind of helps you to get past it.
I mean, you see him one time, that's it, and You're past it.
Hey, we were all doing fine before tonight.
I think I can can get past it without looking at his face.
Maybe, but he's always going to be out there, and instead of it being this big question and us always wondering, we could close that door forever.
Are you saying you want to see him? I'm not sure.
God! Bailey, why are you being so mean? Look, we've got to decide one way or the other.
Forget it.
He can shove his apology.
It doesn't do me any good.
All it does is make him feel better.
Now, you give me one reason why we should do that.
So he can't sleep at night.
That's fine with me.
Charlie? What? Don't you have anything to say about this at all? I'm with Bailey.
We got to all agree, Jule All of us.
Okay.
Jule? (MUSIC BOX PLAYS) What are you doing in here? Nothing.
You're not messing around in my stuff again, are you? No.
Jule? What was the trial like? It wasn't a trial.
It was a hearing.
Well, what happened? Why do you want to know, Claud, huh? I just do, okay? Well, they brought the guy in-- In handcuffs? Was he in handcuffs? I don't think so.
And the judge asked him how did he plead.
He said, "Guilty.
" And the prosecutor said some stuff, and his lawyer said some stuff, and the judge sentenced him, and that was it.
Did he cry? Yes.
And was his family there? I guess so.
There was a woman and a girl who looked like him.
-And did he say anything? -Come on, Claud.
We all agreed we were going to try to forget about this.
You know, I can't find my blue vest.
You didn't take my blue vest, did you? You know, Claudia, I swear, if you don't stop taking my stuff-- Claud? Can I help you? I'm looking for a book.
Well, you're going to have to be a little more specific than that, sweetheart.
On, um On jewelry.
Well, that would be in our hobby section against the far wall.
Far wall? Could you maybe help me look? I can't reach the books on top.
Do you want a coffee table book or something with more text? Let's see Now, this has some of both.
What do you think about something like this? I'm Claudia Salinger.
I'm their youngest daughter.
I just wanted to see what you look like.
BAILEY: God, you shouldn't have done that, Claud.
We all agreed we weren't going to see him.
I know, but-- So then what did you think you were doing, huh? Look, if you're not going to listen Hey, lay off her, okay? You all got to see him.
I never saw him.
I just-- I needed to see what he looked like.
BAILEY: So? How did he look? Normal, I guess.
He kind of looked pretty nice.
Like anyone.
Like someone you would know.
A little like Amy Patterson's dad.
Isn't that weird? What did you think he'd look like, Claud? I don't know.
Ugly, kind of mean.
He was nice to people in his store.
And before he knew who I was, he called me "sweetheart.
" There were people in his store? So he's, like, doing pretty well.
I guess.
I don't know.
Well, did he seem happy, like his whole life was okay? I don't know, Bay.
Well, what did he say when you told him who you were? I just left.
You left? I don't get it, Claud.
I wanted to see him, just to see his face, just so I could stop wondering about him.
That's all.
I didn't go there for an apology, and I didn't want to talk to him, okay? So now I'm satisfied.
Claud And I don't want to think about it anymore.
Claudia Didn't you hear me? Leave her alone, huh? He's got his life back.
He's working I don't know, he can go to dinner or see a movie or take his family somewhere.
Do you really think that, Bay? I don't.
Well, I don't want to take the chance.
I mean, he was in jail for nine months.
Nine months.
That's 4 1/2 months for each of my parents.
And good behavior? What is that about, huh? What did he do? Cure cancer? I want him to pay for what he did, and if it can't be with more jail time, then I want him to pay out of his own pocket.
You want to sue him? Can we? Well, yes, technically, you could file a civil suit against him.
Then let's do it.
Let's sue the bastard for every cent he's got.
And you think that a lawsuit's only going to make his life miserable? What about yours? You know how long these things can take? What with depositions, continuances, and appeals, it's years, Bailey.
I don't care.
You don't care, but what about the others? What about Claudia or Owen? What about Owen, Bailey? Because by the time this thing is over, he's going to be old enough to understand.
Yeah, well, at least he'll see me doing something.
But doing what? Let's say you lose.
What was it all for? Well, let's say we win.
Okay, let's say that.
You win.
What has it changed? Exactly what have you won? You take something like this on, and it becomes your life.
It is my life.
Oh, no.
-Claudia? -Aah! What are you doing? Um, nothing.
Spring cleaning.
Fall! I mean, fall cleaning.
Yeah.
Why? Because.
I mean, I just I have too much stuff.
No one needs this much stuff, so I'm I'm getting rid of most of it, and looking for those few things I absolutely have to have to survive.
I got home, I went into the kitchen, I got a glass, I went to the fridge.
-Claudia.
-Aah! What are you doing? Um, I'm trying to remember everything I did today.
It's, um, it's a school project aboutmemory.
-Claudia.
-Aah! -What are you doing? -Uh, nothing.
Yeah, well, cut it out.
I gotta get in here, and you're kinda bugging me.
Bugging you? Oh, right.
Of course I am.
This is really annoying, but you'll get over that, right? I mean, you're that kind of person, aren't you? You don't, like, hold a grudge, right? Right? What's this? I figured I'd get some turkey into you one way or another.
Thanks.
Looks good.
Listen, Charlie, here's what I was thinking.
I own the place, right, so who says that I gotta work the holiday shift? So I'm gonna take tomorrow off, and what do you say you guys come over some time in the afternoon, we watch the ball game, I'll put a little food on Joe, I told you-- No, no, no.
We won't even call it "Thanksgiving.
" It's just going to be you guys coming over to my house for a meal.
Nothing fancy.
Paper plates.
Joe, I don't think so.
Come on.
You got to eat.
We'll eat.
Look, we've had other invitations-- Ross, Bay's friend Will.
We just don't feel like it.
(SIGHS) Charlie, there are going to be other holidays without them.
Are you going to skip those too? Look, we just need to get through this one, okay? It's easier that way, for everyone.
I know this guy coming back, it shakes up everybody, and it brings up things that nobody wants to deal with, but you make a meal, you sit down as a family.
It's like saying, "Life goes on.
" We say that every day, Joe, without the turkey.
(KNOCKING) -Hi.
-Hi.
I'm sorry.
I don't know-- I'm Annie Alcott? Walter Alcott's daughter.
Oh, right.
I brought this pie for you.
We wanted to send something back then, but the lawyers said-- I feel so stupid now, like this is supposed to mean anything, but I thought I should bring something.
I think maybe you should take this back.
Okay.
I really don't know what to say.
You want me to go? Maybe.
I don't know.
I'm sorry.
I knew you wouldn't go see my father, so I had to come see you.
I had to see how you lived.
I had these horrible pictures in my head of what it might be like for you.
It's a nice house.
So you have a baby brother, huh? Yeah.
Owen.
He's almost one.
That's good.
You go to high school? Grant.
Urban.
I'm a senior.
Got to figure out colleges now.
You? Sophomore.
My mom wants me to go to school in state, but I kind of want to get away, you know? My parents are divorced.
I lived with my mom while my dad was in jail.
Why are you telling me this? I don't know.
II don't know I'm sorry.
When my dad was in jail, it was almost easier.
You know, it sounds stupid, but now that he's back, I I look at everything that I have, and I feel like I need to be punished or forgiven or something.
Why? I don't think so.
He's not a bad man.
I want you to know that.
He's just a man.
He's kind of quiet and gentle, really.
I mean, he sells books.
Okay.
I shouldn't have come.
It's okay.
I don't mind.
Do you mean that? Yeah.
I bet we know some of the same people.
I've got some friends who go to Urban.
I'm Bailey Salinger.
God, I'm nervous.
I've gone through this conversation so many times in my head For so many months.
Really? You saw it as a conversation? I say something, you say something.
Well, yes.
Just out of curiosity, what do I say? "It's okay"? "I forgive you"? How's it end? Do we shake hands or do we hug? I know you're angry.
Angry? Angry God.
No, I Mean I understand.
I don't think you can.
I really don't think that there's any way that you could possibly understand.
You don't want to hear anything I have to say, do you? No, I sure don't.
Okay, then.
I want to know what you know about them.
About my parents.
Well, uh, I know their names.
I know your mother was 45 and your father was 48.
He owned a restaurant.
She was a musician, a violinist.
I mean the important stuff.
She had hair all the way down her back.
Did you know that? Beautiful dark hair, my father wouldn't let her cut.
They were married 26 years last january, and my dad would still come home in the afternoon and claim he had a headache, and he and my mom would go upstairs, and we all knew what they were doing.
They loved each other.
They were in love.
My sister asks me questions that I can't answer because I don't know, like why didn't he wear a watch? Or what was that song she used to sing to us when we were little, when we had fevers? And Owen God, he won't even know to ask.
They're just going to be pictures on the piano and stories that we all tell that everyone remembers a little differently.
He's going to walk soon, my brother.
He's a couple weeks away, and they're not going to see it because of you Because you had a few drinks, and you got in your car, and you went through that intersection, and you killed them.
What can I do? What do you want me to do? I want you to step on your damn brake and stop at that red light! So do I But I can't.
I can't take it back So what I have to do is figure out a way to go forward.
I don't want you to get past this.
I can't.
Why should you? See, I want to hurt you.
I want to take something from you, something that is so much a part of you that you don't know who you are without it, and I want you to spend the rest of your life knowing that's what you did to us And I want to make sure you never forget.
Wait, wait, wait.
What does that mean, she stopped by? Nothing.
She just wanted to see who we are.
She's nice.
She goes to Urban.
What did you two do? Have a little chat? What's your problem? -Did you say she can come back? -No.
Good, because I don't want her here.
And I don't want you talking to her anymore.
Where do you get off telling me who I can talk to? You want to know? I'll tell you.
I have the right to say I don't want his family in this house.
I mean, who do you care about here, Julia? Are you listening to this, Charlie? I don't care.
I don't want to see her.
Both of you.
Hey, we're the ones who lost our parents here, so why the hell am I in the business of making her feel better, huh? You know, they're going to have Thanksgiving tonight.
Wow.
What is happening to you? Can't you even try and help here? What do you want me to do? That's all you can say? Doesn't it bother you what's happening to us? I mean, don't you care? How can you not have a damn thing to say? Just Just cut it out, okay? Go fetch.
Go fetch.
Come on, Thurber.
I've seen this work on tv.
Now, you know what it smells like.
Now go find it.
Thurber Please.
Thurber, please! Come on.
Start sniffing.
Come on.
Be a real dog for once.
Listen, Thurber, I'm not saying I don't love you, but you have been a very big disappointment recently.
I mean, you're not much of a pet, and it would go a long way to making me feel better about you if you'dyou'd just help me out.
Just a little? Bailey.
God.
What are you doing here? I don't know.
I came to see you.
It's a bad time.
We're justsitting down to dinner.
To Thanksgiving.
My mom would be okay if you wanted-- No.
No, that's okay.
You go-- You go back.
I'll see you.
Are you okay? Uh, not really, no.
MOTHER: Kate, honey, we're sitting down.
You guys start without me, okay? I'll be back in a sec.
You want to sit down? Tell me, Bailey, did something terrible happen? You're scaring me.
No.
No, it's nothing like that.
It The guy, the drunk driver who hit my mom and dad, he got out of prison.
Oh, wow.
That's so fast.
Yeah.
And the thing is I don't know what's happening to me.
I mean, I was pretty okay with everything before this I know you were.
But now I'm so angry.
I just, I can't do anything but be angry.
He wants me to forgive him, and I hate him.
I hate him, and he's ruining everything.
I just I can't even think about my mom and dad anymore, and I really need to be able to think about them again where it doesn't hurt, you know? What can I do? I really needed to talk to someone, and I realized that the person that I really wanted to talk to I pushed away.
And And I don't know what I was thinking.
I really don't know why I thought any of those stupid things mattered, and I'm sorry.
I don't know why we split up, Kate.
I really don't.
I just I just need you.
I need you.
(FOOTBALL GAME PLAYS ON TV) You know when you cut a turkey's head off, it can still run around for a long time? For days, even.
Where'd this come from? Have you tried it? The crust is kind of gross.
You want some pb&j? No.
Thanks.
I think it's important that you eat something.
Hunger can add to irritability.
It can cloud your judgment.
It can make you overreact to bad news.
Sure you don't want a sandwich? I'm not hungry, Claud, okay? How is that? Dad's was better.
Coverage of today's game brought to you by Faber's steel-belted tires, wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.
I'll be back.
Where are you going? Yes? Julia.
Dad, this is-- I know, honey.
I know who it is.
I know you think that nine months isn't enough time And it's not.
I know that.
Even being in prison that long didn't feel like punishment enough.
I I think of all the things I should be doing without to compensate you But there is no compensation, is there? No, there isn't.
I know you're sorry, and I know you wish it hadn't happened And I know you're suffering, I can see it, but knowing that doesn't help me.
It doesn't make it better, Annie.
It really doesn't.
What can I do? There's nothing.
But I know what you want from me.
You want me to forgive you.
Yes.
I don't know that I can do that.
I mean, it wasn't just my life that you changed, and I don't know that I have the right to speak for anyone else.
And what does that mean, anyways, "I forgive you"? Is it going to change anything? Or does it just mean that I stop being angry at you.
And I stop hating you? Because I want that so much.
Just as much as you.
I'll try.
I'm going to try.
The only thing that I can do The only thing I can do for you is tell you that we're going to be okay.
Because we are, the five of us.
I don't know how I know it.
I just do.
We're going to be okay.
And maybe if you know that, you'll be okay too.
What's going on in the kitchen? Since when are you Julia Child? I kind of thought I'd make us a late Thanksgiving.
You thought? Really? What-- What happened to what we all decided? Charlie, I think we made a mistake.
Well, I don't.
I think it shows a little respect not to sit down and celebrate like nothing happened this year.
Come on.
It's not like we never sit around the table and laugh.
It's not like we never smile, and when we do, we're not saying we're forgetting or that everything's okay.
We're just doing what we have to do.
We're never going to have what we had last Thanksgiving, and if we wait 20 years, it's never going to be the same.
I just want to take a step, Charlie.
Please? I went to see him yesterday.
For God's sakes, Jule.
-I think you should too.
-Forget it.
I know something's wrong with you.
The last few days, it's like you've disappeared, and I'm just trying to figure out why.
Why? Would you just stop? No.
Go see him, Charlie.
It'll help.
-Yeah, him.
-No, us.
I'm telling you it's hard, but it's not the hardest thing in the world to say "I forgive you.
" -Yes, it is.
-No.
What you're going through is a lot harder.
Please, Charlie? It's like talking about your nightmares or looking under your bed for monsters.
It makes them go away.
Saying "I don't hate you" Makes him go away.
I don't know.
Charlie I don't know.
My father had an affair.
What? Recently? A couple of years ago, when my parents were still together.
You're kidding.
Was it with your stepmother? It was some other woman in his office.
I don't even know her name.
Mom just walked in on them one afternoon.
God.
Yeah, I think about that a lot, how that must feel-- Opening a door and having your whole life change in a single minute.
I know you know.
He met Patricia about three months after they were separated.
It almost killed Mom.
She didn't want him to have a life, be happy, if she couldn't.
She became this whole other person This ugly, angry person.
She made sure the divorce took forever just to spite him.
She refereed to him as "the son of a bitch.
" At my confirmation, she keyed Patty's Jag.
Your mom? Really? Yeah, I don't know what happened, but one day she let go of it.
She moved on.
I think she figured out her life could have become totally about him, or it could have become about her.
Anyway, she came downstairs and sat down at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee, and she just said, "Okay, enough.
" What about you? You mean did I hate him? Yeah.
Sure, for a while, but it took so much energy to hold on to that.
Everything is so complicated, Bailey.
My mom and dad, my dad and me, even me and you So you try to make it simple, and what it comes down to is this.
People make mistakes, terrible mistakes, all the time, every day, and you have to learn to live with it, because, really, what's the alternative? The stuff with my folks, I know it's not the same.
I know it's not nearly the same.
But still You want to give me a hand, maybe peel some oranges? Sure.
I got to talk to you about something first, though.
Could you put the knife down, please? I did something you're really, really not going to like.
Yes? Why don't we just leave it at that? Where are those oranges? Claudia You know that bracelet you have that Dad bought Mom, the one with all the little jewels and the rubies and everything? Mm-hmm.
Well, I sort of, kind of, took it.
Oh, no.
I did everything I could to find it.
Honest.
I looked everywhere.
And then I tried to replace it, but I don't know how, and I don't have that much money, and I'm really sorry, because I know that you loved it-- How long ago did you lose it, Claud? Two days ago.
God, Claudia! Two days! It's probably gone for good! You could have said something.
Yeah, right.
You would have just screamed at me.
-That's not true.
-Yes, it is.
You're always angry at me.
Well, you're always taking my stuff.
So? What's the big deal? It's just because I want to be like you.
I don't know why, because everything I do makes you mad, and you never forgive me.
You never forget about anything.
Like, you're still mad at me from seven months ago when I forgot to tell you that guy called, that guy, what's his name? -Steven Pomper.
-See? I'm sorry for always being mad at you, okay? How did you get the combination to my little mailbox, anyway? I didn't.
You left it in your jewelry box on your dresser.
No, I didn't.
No, I don't trust you enough.
What is it you took, Claud? The bracelet with all the little red and little purple jewels.
With the silver clasp? -Yeah.
-That's a piece of junk.
It's from, like, four years ago when I played a gypsy in a sixth-grade play.
Piece of junk? I spent two days in hell because I lost a prop? Very funny.
I, uh, I have no story.
I was spending a Saturday with friends, and we had dinner, this long dinner, and then I had too much wine.
That's it.
That's all I did.
I had too much wine with dinner.
And then about 8:00, I got into my car to drive home.
It was a completely forgettable day.
You know, people make mistakes all the time and nothing happens.
I imagine a million meaningless separate events had to come together just so.
Why was there no traffic? Why was there no cop to stop me from speeding? Why did I have to be at the intersection of California and Van Ness at exactly 8:22? Why did the light have to be red? Why did two people with five children have to be driving in the other direction? Because of me.
What? They, uh They had tickets to a concert at Symphony Hall.
I guess Mrs.
Kelleher had the day off, I don't remember.
But I promised to babysit.
But I was with this girl, this woman, and, uh, we were at her apartment, and, uh, I lost track of the time.
I don't remember when I finally got there, but He was-- He was so mad at me.
The thing is, the concert started at 8:00.
They would have been sitting-- They would have been sitting in their seats at 8:00.
One date.
One stupid date.
I mean, who cared? I could have I could have been home so easily.
You know what he said to me? "Next time, be here.
" Next time.
And Mom, she Handed Owen to me.
She handed him to me, and Then they walked away.
What did I do? God help me.
How do I get rid of this? Charlie, listen to me.
No! It's my fault.
I did it.
I need to be forgiven, only they're not here to forgive me! Stop it.
It's my fault.
It's my fault! Charlie It's my fault.
Listen to me.
Let me do one good thing in all of this and tell you the truth.
You're the hero in this story, son.
Well? It needs salt.
And a little more pepper But on the whole? First rate.
-Really? You think so? -Absolutely.
I doubled the garlic and added a little extra chicken broth so it wouldn't dry out.
Dad's was always a little on the dry side.
Season away.
What's all this? What's it look like? Thanksgiving? You cooked? Well, Joe sent a lot of stuff over, but I made stuffing, sweet potatoes, and apple pie.
And I helped.
And Claud helped.
Didn't we kind of Miss the boat here? I mean, Thanksgiving was Yesterday? Big deal.
I mean, what difference does it make, right? Right? No difference at all.
Turkey's in the oven.
Set the table, Claud, will ya? Sure.
Hey, man.
Where you been? You look like hell.
Out.
Just out.
I'm glad.
Julia made Thanksgiving.
I see.
Hey, wait a second.
Don't we always eat Thanksgiving dinner in the dining room? Yeah.
Yeah.
There we go.
That looks great, Jule.
That looks very good.
Want some bread? Want some stuffing, Claud? A little bit.
Great potatoes.
Is that enough? Oh, yeah.
It's getting kind of weedy over by Nana and Papa.
I'll say something to the groundskeeper.
Here too.
God.
I don't think those are weeds, Bay.
It's lavender.
Let's leave it.
Hey, how come some of the headstones have stones on them? Some people like to leave something behind, kind of as a way of showing they were here.
Yesterday A child came out to wander Caught a dragonfly Inside a jar Fearful when the sky Was full of thunder Pez? JULIA: Ha ha! Sure.
-CHARLIE: Why not? -That's a good idea.
Hey, you know what, Claud? -You're it.
-What? Oh, no fair.
No fair! And the seasons They go round and round And the painted ponies Go up and down We're captive On the carousel of time We can't return We can only look Behind from where we came And go round and round And round In a circle game