The Waltons (1971) s07e20 Episode Script

Miss Emily, it's Erin Walton.
May I come in? Miss Emily, please! I know you're not feeling well, but I have to talk to you.
I have to explain about what you saw this morning.
No! I don't want to hear it.
Go away! I don't want to see any of you ever again! In early 1942, with the advent of a war, the world was taking on a different character, seemingly becoming a stranger to itself.
At the same time, our family was to witness similar changes in the personalities of some of those we were close to on Walton's Mountain.
Aren't there any pencils around here longer than two inches? I never know what happens to them.
What are you doing? Making a list or writing a letter? No, I'm going to help the Baldwins with their memoirs.
Again? That book's gonna be longer than Gone With the Wind.
Well, Miss Emily keeps remembering things about Ashley Longworth.
Probably the most important thing that ever happened to her.
Yeah, sometimes I think she adds a little fiction, though.
- Here how's this? - Perfect, thanks.
All right, honey.
When you get back, how about helping me write my life history? The story of Wild John Walton.
Never sell.
Ow! Elizabeth, you in there? If you don't hurry, I'm going to be late for school.
- What are you doing? - Bleeding.
That's my razor you're using.
What do you care? You only use it on Sundays.
What're you doing that for, anyway? Once you start you have to keep it up, and it gets to be a real pain.
It's one of the price women have to pay, along with curlers and girdles.
That's stupid.
You know what women need worse than smooth legs? - What? - A figure.
- I'm getting a figure.
- You've still got a long way to go.
Pris Moseley is younger than you are and she gets whistled at every time she walks down the street.
Jim-Bob, would you mind waiting outside? Sure is hard to get any privacy around here.
I'm sorry, but I've gotta give John Curtis his bath.
Mary Ellen, how old were you when you started to develop? Well, I think 13, but it seems like a long time ago.
Do you think I have a pretty good figure? I mean for my age? Elizabeth, believe me, don't worry about it.
I think you just answered my question.
Elizabeth, if you're finished in here, would you mind giving me a little room? Sister, listen.
"Ashley was tall, and the sun shining on his hair "when first I saw him made him look like a god "descended from the Olympian heights.
" - That does describe him, doesn't it? - It does if you appreciate hyperbole.
- I never read him myself.
- That's exaggeration, dear.
Do you think I should have Erin add something about the width of Ashley's shoulders? He could scarcely get through a doorway, don't you know.
We've devoted far too much of our memoirs to Ashley Longworth already.
He came and he went one autumn, and that's all there was to it.
Oh, I'm terribly sorry.
- Well, I should hope so.
- I didn't see you.
Well, maybe next time you'll look where you're going.
You're absolutely right.
I wasn't paying attention.
Could I give you a lift somewhere? Let me drop you where you were going.
It's the least I could do.
Where are you headed? Actually, I'm lost.
I was looking for the Baldwin residence.
Well, that's where I was going before you came along.
Really? Hop in.
- What's your name? - Erin Walton.
Ashley Longworth.
I hope you have a very pleasant day.
Hello, Elizabeth.
What can I do for you this morning? "Pancake makeup?" It's kind of funny stuff to put on your face.
I want you to take one of these lipstick samples home to Erin.
Perhaps she'd be interested in our new line of colors.
Thanks.
How's Aimee? Oh, I just got a letter from her this morning.
I believe that she is blossoming into a very refined young lady at Miss Holcomb's Finishing School.
I miss her.
There are some things I'd like to talk to her about.
Well, she'll be back this summer.
Then you two girls can get caught up on all the secrets that young girls share, teachers, movie heroes, youthful crushes.
There's one secret I'm especially interested in.
I beg your pardon? Well, I need some advice and I don't know who to ask.
Oh, well, feel free, my dear.
I will give you a mother's counsel.
Do you think I'm old enough for brassiere? Well.
That all depends.
Some girls mature at an early age.
Others never feel the need of that particular undergarment.
- Well, how will I be able to tell? - Believe me, you will know.
Oh, dear.
Sometimes I feel that all young girls should have a year or two at Miss Holcomb's Finishing School.
Oh, there you are, Mr.
Godsey.
Look who's come to inquire about Aimee.
Hi, Elizabeth.
You're really getting to be a grown-up young lady.
I know, it's starting to cause a lot of troubles.
Poor child.
Olivia gone, she's just foundering.
I must do what I can to offer her a mother's help.
- Corabeth, you're a good person.
- One does what one can.
What are you doing, Sister? I'm making some corrections and revisions.
I always wore my pearls with my blue velvet, not the cameo broach.
Oh, that will be Erin.
You can tell her about it.
Come in, dear.
Hello.
I've brought somebody with me.
He'd like to see Miss Emily.
- This is Miss Mamie.
- Oh, my.
And this is Miss Emily.
I'd like you both to meet Ashley.
Junior.
Ashley Longworth Jr.
You're the image of your father.
- Miss Emily, can you hear me? - Oh, I'll get the smelling salts.
I had no idea my coming would be such a shock.
Miss Emily faints a lot, especially over Ashley.
Now I can see why.
I'm fine, Sister.
Is it really you? I wanted to come see you before this, but I couldn't get leave any earlier.
I see you're a military man.
Lieutenant, JG, United States Navy.
USS Montclair.
We're in Norfolk dry dock for overhaul and repair.
I do hope it's nothing serious.
Oh, no, strictly SOP.
Sop, Sister.
Standard Operational Procedure.
You'll have to forgive me, ladies.
I've been at sea for quite a while.
Oh, never mind.
The important thing is that you're here now.
And we're both so pleased.
- Will you be staying long? I could only manage a short leave, but my mission here is important.
Oh, Ashley, your visits always were so brief.
A stroll in the woods, a game of croquet, a tea dance was all we could ever manage.
Do you remember dropping pennies off the bridge into the pond? Sister, I think you're confused, dear.
Sister, where are our manners? Pour Ashley a cup of tea.
Or better still, bring out the Recipe.
You will be staying with us, of course.
It won't be a bit of trouble.
I'll just run upstairs now and see to the guest room.
Oh, Ashley, I always knew someday you'd come back.
I should go up and help Sister.
Erin, pour Ashley a cup of the Recipe.
Sister, do you know where we put Papa's eiderdown quilt? Ashley would sleep so comfortably under it.
I'll find it, dear.
You mustn't excite yourself.
He's hasn't changed a bit, has he? The lieutenant downstairs is young Ashley, Sister.
That's what I mean! Why, when I saw him standing there in that doorway, I thought I was imagining things, the way I so often do.
But when he put his arm around me, I knew it was for real.
Real, Sister! - After all these years.
- Ashley's son, dear.
Do you suppose he would enjoy a fire in his room? I don't believe there's been one laid there since 1936, when Cousin Polonius came to visit.
All in due time, Sister.
Now, you are overtired and you'll feel much better after you've had a nap.
Oh, nonsense, I must hurry.
Ashley is expecting me downstairs.
Oh, there it is! Goodness, I must remember not to stand up so abruptly.
I'm going to put you to bed right this minute.
Oh, no.
No, Sister.
I couldn't bear to awaken and find Ashley gone again.
He'll be here.
- Promise? - I promise.
My father said they were delightful ladies.
They certainly are.
I've heard a lot about your father.
Miss Emily makes him sound like Prince Charming.
He could have been that as a young man.
Even as an older man he had a kind of courtliness about him.
What kind of work did your father go into? He was in the diplomatic corps.
We lived all over the world.
Berlin, Geneva, Tokyo.
The longest I ever spent in one place was at a school in Lucerne.
- And do you take after your father? - Not in the least.
A devil-may-care sailor.
With a girl in every port.
Well, I haven't been in that many ports.
Mostly I've been out at sea.
I've seen the ocean, but I've never been on it.
It's breathtaking to be out there, especially at night.
The moon shining down on black rolling waves, making a silver pathway right to the horizon.
You don't talk like a devil-may-care sailor.
- Do you ski? - No.
Why? - You look like a skier.
- What do girls who ski look like? Fresh-faced, open, warm, interesting, exciting.
Well, then I guess I'll have to learn.
- I'd be glad to teach you.
- When? First we need some snow.
Then you have to come back in the winter.
I will, I will definitely be back.
I know that.
- Well, it's been nice talking with you.
- Well, you aren't leaving? Well, I don't think we'll get any work done today.
Well, let me drive you home.
I owe you that for splashing the mud on you.
- I hope you've forgiven me.
- I'll walk home, and I do forgive you.
- Maybe I'll see you tomorrow.
- I do hope so.
Oh, wow! Is Miss Emily feeling better? I've put her to bed.
A little of the Recipe will help her sleep.
This must be trying on you, too, Miss.
May I serve you some of the Recipe? Oh, that would be most thoughtful.
Thank you.
I was looking through your memoirs.
I hope you don't mind.
Oh, not at all.
That may help you understand Sister's confusion at the moment.
She seems quite convinced that you are your father.
They cared for each other very deeply, didn't they? Profoundly.
I wonder if it might not be a good idea to have a doctor look in on Miss Emily.
Oh, I don't think so.
I've seen Emily like this before.
She's extremely delicate, you know.
We may have to humor her for a while, but she'll come around.
Also, I've always harbored the fear that a doctor might send Emily away.
For a rest, you know.
And I don't know what we'd do if we were separated.
I shouldn't have just shown up.
I should have given you some warning.
Oh! The important thing is that you're here now.
And I must say the resemblance is uncanny.
I can understand why my sister sees you as your father.
She's going to want some news of him when she's more receptive.
That's why I came.
There is news that must be broken to Miss Emily.
And I've got something to give her from Father.
But you will be gentle? Lt'd be difficult to be anything else.
She is just as my father described her.
Oh, Lord, we thank you for all the good things that you have given us, and we ask your guidance in the way we use them.
We thank you for your continued blessing on this family and on the food before us.
Bless those of us who are not here tonight, especially Mama.
Amen.
Amen.
I thought I told everybody to be on time for meals around here.
Well, Jason's giving a piano lesson and Jim-Bob and Ben are helping at Ike's.
Mary Ellen's upstairs putting the baby to bed.
We're hardly ever all together for meals anymore.
I know, and I don't like it.
We're gonna do something about it.
Elizabeth, what's that all over your face? Is that lipstick? Well, all my friends are starting to wear it.
I'm just practicing.
Take your napkin and you wipe it off.
I'm not gonna have my little girl looking like some kind of a movie star.
- Come on, Daddy.
- Wipe it off.
You're never gonna guess who's a visitor on Walton's Mountain right now.
Wipe it off.
- Who? - Ashley Longworth.
What? - Junior.
- Miss Emily's old beau? No, his son.
Sorry I'm late.
I want you to be on time for meals from now on, Jason.
Yes, sir.
Whose son? Well, you know that sweetheart Miss Emily's always talking about? - Ashley Longworth? - That's the one.
What's he doing here? - Sorry I'm late.
- And don't let it happen again.
- I won't, Daddy.
What's who doing here? Ashley Longworth Jr.
- He's Miss Emily's old beau.
- He's a lieutenant in the Navy, Daddy.
And he's here on his leave from his ship in Norfolk.
Is he cute? Oh, I'm glad you didn't keep dinner on me.
John Curtis refused to go to sleep.
Is who cute? You know, it would be nice to be able to start a conversation and finish it without all these interruptions.
I want everybody to get here on time from now on.
That goes for you, too, Jim-Bob.
I was trying to help out Ike so he wouldn't have another heart attack.
Well, that's fine, but I want you here when the meal begins, all of you.
Come Sunday, while you're in church, I'm gonna be cooking the meal for you.
And I want you here when it begins.
- You can't cook.
- Who says? I ain't seen you cook anything except maybe coffee in the morning.
Well, you might be surprised.
I learned a few things when I was over in France a while back.
I'll bet you did.
And I don't know if we want to know what they were.
You cooking makes me miss Mama even more.
Now, hold on.
Your mama wants us to be together as much as possible.
If I have to be chief cook and bottle washer to get that done, that's what I'll do.
I'm gonna cook you a turkey dinner with all the fixings you won't soon forget.
- Any objections? Sounds good to me.
Sister, whatever have you done to yourself? Ashley always preferred my hair this way.
Oh, now, Emily, we must face facts.
This is Sunday.
It is the year 1942.
We are at war with Germany and Japan and we must be practical.
- Ashley Longworth is - I wore my hair this way the day we picked wild blackberries in the meadow.
It was July, and the berries were rich and ripe.
We ate them all, and the rich dark juice was like wine.
Are you sure you feel up to going to church? Of course.
I never miss church.
I feel all new this morning.
- Fit as a fiddle, as Papa would say.
- Well, I must say, you do seem to sparkle.
And I want to introduce Ashley to all our friends.
So many of them have heard me speak of him, don't you know.
Come in.
The car is warming up.
May I escort you ladies to church? How considerate of you, Ashley.
But then you always were the most thoughtful of men.
- You sure you don't need any help, Daddy? - Nope.
I'm doing fine.
Better get going.
You'll be late for church.
Looks like you got enough to last us a week.
Maybe we could use some extra guests.
Who you got in mind? Well, we haven't had the Baldwin ladies over in a long time.
And they just happen to have a very special guest of their own.
- Why not? I'd like to meet young Ashley.
- You mean it? Sure.
The more the merrier! Now get going.
I got work to do.
We better get going.
We don't want to keep Daddy's turkey waiting.
I think Miss Emily wants to introduce Ashley around first.
Oh, well, you go ahead, and I'll go home with the Baldwins.
Or you mean drive home with Ashley, huh? Have a good day.
Bye-bye.
Have you ever in your life seen anything the way Miss Emily Baldwin has got herself rigged up this morning? I think she looks cute.
I think that young lieutenant agrees with you.
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
Wasn't it a lovely sermon, this morning? I think Reverend Bradshaw's line was well taken.
We should all be reminded that each of us is a part of God's herd.
- I think the word is flock, Sister.
- Either way, we're all in it together.
Well put, Miss Emily.
Oh, I'd like you to meet my friends, Mr.
And Mrs.
Godsey.
May I present my suitor, Mr.
Ashley Longworth? The admiration of beautiful women has been a tradition in the Longworth family.
Mr.
Longworth, I hope that you are enjoying your sojourn in Walton's Mountain.
- Very much, thank you.
- Unfortunately, it will be brief.
But meaningful.
We must make the most of Ashley's stay.
When this dreadful war is ended and Ashley has fulfilled his official duties, he shall return, and we will never be parted again.
The turkey is excellent, sir.
Lieutenant, this isn't the Navy.
We're sharing the same table.
Why don't you call me John and I'll call you Ashley? Daddy, don't tell Mama this, but your gravy is every bit as good as hers.
This dressing is terrific, Daddy.
I don't know what all this fuss is about cooking dinner.
It's easy.
I just wouldn't wanna do it every day.
Looks like you had a little problem with the clean-up.
I didn't have any problem, just ignored it.
Wish I could get away with not making my bed that way.
You do.
Sister, you've hardly touched your food.
I think the excitement of the past few days has quite taken me off my appetite.
Papa always said that Sister ate like a bird.
I had a 19-inch waist.
Do you remember, Ashley? Do you know what I found in the garden this morning? A jack-in-the-pulpit! We found your ring in the tree, Ashley.
I haven't had it off since.
That looks lovely on your hand.
Ashley, maybe while you're here, you'd like to see the defense plant where I work.
That's very nice of you, dear, but I intend to show him around the mountain myself.
Miss Emily.
We're pleased you're sharing someone so special with us.
Isn't that right? - Yeah.
- Mmm-hmm.
Come on, Erin, let's start cleaning up or we'll never finish all those dishes.
- I'll help.
- Oh, no, you're not going near the sink.
Try and keep me away.
Here, I don't think you're going to need me.
You better be careful or you'll end up with dishpan hands.
You think this is bad, you should see the galley on a ship after a couple hundred sailors have had their chow.
Oh, but you're an officer.
You don't have to see things like that.
Well, I did when I was in training.
It's too bad you have to spend your leave this way.
I only wish I had more time to do what I'd like to do.
Miss Emily seems to have your every moment filled.
Yeah, I wouldn't dream of disappointing her.
What would you like to do? I'd like to spend more time with you.
Well, I wouldn't usually say this to somebody I don't know very well, but I feel the same way.
You know, sometimes when two people meet, something special happens and - I felt that when I met you.
- All covered with mud? You're the most enchanting thing I've ever splashed mud on.
I'm not going to fall in love with you.
I promise.
Try.
You'd better do some more dishes.
You're falling behind.
- Are you free tomorrow evening? - What good would it do me if I was? Miss Emily will think of something for you to do.
- I'll manage to get away.
- Then I guess I can manage to be free.
It's my last night here.
We'll do something special.
Make up for the time we haven't been able to spend together.
Morning.
- You're gonna be late for school.
- I don't care.
Something wrong? - Sometimes I wish I could talk to Mama.
- I know what you mean.
We all miss her.
It's about the way I look.
Something wrong with the way you look? Well, my shape.
You think I'm normal for my age? I'm not much of an expert, honey, but you look real good to me.
I've was wondering if maybe a bra might help.
Don't you think maybe you're rushing things a little? I don't know.
Sometimes I wish I'd just hurry up and be a woman.
But at times I wanna be a little girl again.
It just hurts to be where I am right now.
Well, Elizabeth.
You ever watched a butterfly trying to get out of its cocoon? Changes never come easy, you know.
You might not realize it now, but wonderful things are happening to you.
Feels like nothing's happening at all.
You've got the in-betweens.
You just gonna have to accept it, honey.
Nature gonna takes its time no matter what you do.
Nothing you can do to stop or hurry it.
You know, Elizabeth, you've got your whole life to be a grown-up.
I'm not worried about the rest of my life.
It's today at school that bothers me.
"And what is so rare as a day in June? "Then, if ever, come perfect days.
"Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune, - "and over her softly her warm ear lays.
" - "And over her softly her warm ear lays.
" - Oh, what a lovely day! - I had it delivered just for you.
There's this incredibly expensive florist in New York who specializes in beautiful days.
I called him.
He had one left, I had it sent right in for you.
That's what you said that autumn day when last we met, remember? It was September and the world was ablaze with color.
Every leaf on every tree was a thing of beauty.
Miss Emily, there's something we have to discuss.
I'm supposed to go back to ship tomorrow, but before I go, there's something you and I have to talk about.
If it's about waiting for you, Ashley, you know how I feel.
I'll wait.
I've waited a long time already.
Are you sure this is the shortcut back to the main road? I think so.
I don't know.
I've haven't been up here in years.
I think we're lost.
Oh, dear, I hope I'm not losing my sense of direction.
There was a turnoff back there.
I'll back up.
- Are you all right? - I really don't know.
We'll get out of this somehow.
In the meantime, let's make the best of it.
Is there something I can do? - You drive.
I'll push.
- That's a masterful idea.
Hello, Jason.
How do I look? I wish I had a picture of you to send to Mama.
- I think I'd rather send her one of Ashley.
- He's really kind of a special guy, isn't he? Mmm-hmm.
But sometimes I get as confused as Miss Emily.
I mean, there's the Ashley in the Baldwins' book and there's the one that's coming here tonight.
I know they're two different people, but sometimes they seem the same.
You better stop now before I get confused.
Have a good time tonight.
- I got to get to the Dew Drop.
- Okay.
And you better not be home by the time I get back.
Again.
- Are we marooned? - This car isn't going anywhere for a while.
We'll just have to struggle for survival in the wilderness, foraging for berries and such.
I don't think the situation is that desperate.
I saw a farmhouse back the road a way.
- I'll go back and see if I can get some help.
- Shall I go with you? - It's a pleasant evening for a walk.
- We've done enough walking for one day.
You'd only slow me down.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
Is there anything I can do while you're gone? Light a fire, perhaps? Would you just stay put? I don't want to have to come looking for you.
I just love a masterful man.
Okay.
Oh, honey.
Don't be too hard on Ashley.
There's got to be a reason he didn't show up.
He promised he'd be here.
Well, now, I saw the way he looked at you the other day.
He'd be here if he could.
It's Miss Emily.
She won't let him out of her sight.
- Erin, are you jealous of Miss Emily? - I know it sounds silly, but when I know that he's with her and I want to be with him so much, I just can't help it.
Honey.
You know, I think you ought to get a good night's sleep.
Things will look a lot brighter in the morning.
I don't ever want to see him again.
But I do.
Miss Fannie, would you get me Olivia in Alberene, please? Liv? Hi.
I hope it's not too late.
Well, I know I'm gonna see you tomorrow.
I just I just wanted to hear your voice tonight.
Why? What makes you think anything's wrong? Oh, everything's fine.
Well, Erin's having a little trouble with a beau, I guess.
And Elizabeth I guess she's finding it difficult to grow up.
Especially in certain places, if you know what I mean.
I talked to her about it, but I don't know if I did much good.
I'm not too good at those things.
What do you mean you'll take care of it? You'll surprise me.
All right, honey.
All right, I'll see you tomorrow.
I love you too, Liv.
Good night.
Erin, maybe you'd feel better if you went to work.
I've already called the plant and told them I don't feel like it.
And I really don't.
- Well, I'm off.
- Elizabeth's gonna be late for school.
She's under the weather, I told her she could stay home from school.
- You, too? - I don't feel like going to work.
Well, I hope your mama gives me some idea how to deal with three grown-up women.
See you later.
Tell her we're doing fine and give her our love.
Daddy deserves a day off from all our problems.
I wish I could find a way to get away from mine.
Erin, your father told me to come on in.
Now, Erin, I've got to talk to you.
Now stop! All right! But don't you dare look at me! - What do you want? - I want to talk about last night.
Let's go for a walk.
- I'm not dressed.
- I'll wait for you to get ready.
I can't.
I don't feel well.
Erin, quit acting stupid.
- I'll be down in a minute.
- That's more like it.
I said don't look at me! That was close.
- Good morning, Sister.
- Sister, you've dressed already.
I didn't want to miss a moment of Ashley's last day.
Poor dear, he must be exhausted from last night.
I didn't hear a sound from his room.
Well, that's exactly what I presumed after that harrowing experience on the mountain.
- We must let him sleep late.
- Well, that's what I'm trying to tell you.
When I came down this morning, I heard the door close and I saw him strike off down the road.
- He's gone? Already? - He walked away with great purpose.
Then I know where he went.
We talked of it yesterday.
Now, Sister, things are not what they seem to be for you at the moment.
But I do know where he's gone, to our special place.
Our very own tree.
And I must join him.
Sister! You must realize that this charade must end.
Sister, do not envy me my happiness.
Let me enjoy it as long as I can.
I must go to him.
Please don't go, Emily.
He doesn't even know where your tree is! Of course he does.
He put my ring there before he left the last time.
Emily, listen to me! Emily! You mean you had to walk all the way back to the farmhouse in the dark? Then I had to walk back with the farmer and his team to the car.
Then sweat it out pulling the car out of that mudhole, and then suffer through that ride home.
I don't know if it's that funny.
I came by your house, but it was dark.
Did you really? And I came by as early as I could this morning.
- How did Miss Emily hold up? - She loved it, every minute of it.
She's getting worse.
I've got to see her before I go.
I have something to give her from Dad.
That's why I came.
Erin.
I had no idea I'd meet someone like you here.
I wish we had more time.
If I come back, can we still do something special? You can teach me to ski.
It'll be nice to have you to think about, to remember.
- Oh, no! - No, wait.
Maybe it's for the best.
Now there's nothing to keep me from being honest with her.
Whatever have you done to her, Ashley? She made it quite clear she doesn't want to see you.
It was all a terrible mistake.
We had no idea she would see us.
We? Erin and I.
- Miss Emily saw us kissing.
- Oh, how could you let that happen? Now you've made her feel that she has lost you twice.
I regret that very much.
But I'm really beginning to resent this masquerade, Miss Mamie.
We started this to avoid hurting her.
We've ended hurting her worse than ever.
I think you should go, Mr.
Longworth.
- Perhaps Papa was right.
- I have to leave.
I'm sorry.
May I go pack? Come in.
- Hi, honey.
How you feeling? - Better, I guess.
I got something for you.
Your mama sent it.
It's pretty.
She sent a note, too.
She wants me to read it to you.
"Dearest Elizabeth.
"Growing up isn't easy.
"Some things seem to be happening too fast, others not fast enough.
"One day soon, you'll find that all the confusing pieces of the puzzle "have slipped into place and you will experience "the joy and wonder of your womanhood.
"It breaks my heart that I can't be with you at this time, "but I pray that every day, "that I will soon be back with you all.
" Why don't you open it? "Never hesitate to confide in your father, "for if he doesn't immediately have all the answers, "he knows how to seek out someone who does.
"In this case it happens to be your mother, who loves you very much.
"I hope you will enjoy wearing this camisole that I made for you this morning.
"Perhaps it will comfort you and help you realize "that you are the most special human being known as a woman.
"Your father brings you this and all my love to go along with his.
Mama.
" Miss Emily? Please let me in.
We're all very worried.
I'm sorry you saw Ashley and me this morning.
But you of all people should know what that's like.
We were just standing there underneath the trees, and the morning sun was shining through their branches.
Just like the day Ashley's father kissed you.
Remember? In that shower of golden leaves? And before either of us knew what was happening, well, it just did.
Ashley loves you in a very special way, Miss Emily.
And he has something he needs to give you.
So please come down before he leaves.
We'll be waiting.
I'm sorry I have to leave so soon, but we're due to sail.
I'll think of you and pray you'll be all right.
Sister! Miss Emily, I'm glad you're here.
I was afraid I wouldn't get to see you before I had to leave.
- Your father is dead, isn't he, Ashley? - Yes, he is.
I knew in my heart that your coming was an omen of that news.
But I couldn't bring myself to face what you had to tell me.
Your father has been with me a long, long time.
But I think maybe it is time for me to let go of my daydreams, now that you have made his memory so very real.
My father married late in life.
He loved my mother very much, I think.
But he told me about you, his first love, and he asked me to give you this.
Thank you.
I shall cherish it always.
- And read it in my solitude.
- Thank you for seeing me.
May God go with you, Ashley Longworth Jr.
Always.
Erin, you must see him on his way.
Thank you, Miss Emily.
He'll come back to us.
I know he will.
Thank you.
- Are you all right, Sister? - Yes, I think so.
Now that I know Ashley's gone, my life can never be the same again.
He used to help to pass the days, imagining he might appear as if by magic.
Some lonely evening at dusk, under the tree where he kissed me.
But he's dead, Sister, and he won't be back.
Does it comfort you to know that his son will be back to see you and Erin? Life does flow merrily on, does it not? I think that's what it's supposed to do, dear.
- Shall we have some of the Recipe? - Yes, thank you, Sister.
Will you pour? In the days to come, Miss Emily and Miss Mamie looked forward eagerly to Ashley's letters and occasional visits.
The final words from his father to Miss Emily were never included in the Baldwin memoirs, but were locked forever in Miss Emily's heart.
Are you writing another letter to Ashley Longworth, Erin? What if I am, Elizabeth? He writes very nice ones to me.
I think I kind of like the sound of it.
Of what? What your name might be, Erin Longworth Jr.
- Good night, Elizabeth.
- Good night, Junior.
English - SDH