Ellen Foster Page #4

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my kid out of there.

Ain't nobody going

to stop me, all right?

Mr. Hammond, please.

I will get my little

baby girl out, all right?

Mr. Hammond, please.

Please, nothing.

That's my baby girl

in there.

You understand?

I'm going to get her out.

I can take care of her.

Hey! I got money.

I got money.

I understand, sir...

That's a public school.

My girl is

in a public school.

You want some of me?!

Want a piece of me?!

Oh, my.

Get your damned hands

off of me!

They stole

my little girl!

She's in for it now.

You ain't got the right!

They stole my little girl!

I'm her father!

Hey! They stole

my little girl!

That's my little girl!

Here.

You're sure there isn't

going to be any problem?

That would be

very unlikely.

I don't want there

to be any problems.

It would be

very unlikely.

Who believes it?

The authorities...

the legal authorities.

They generally believe

that children should be

with their families

when it's

at all feasible.

Well, if we were walking

down the street

everybody would think

we was a family.

We think so, too.

This is such a bummer.

They going to send me

back to my daddy?

No. Not your daddy.

Well, who, then?

Your Honor,

I just want you to know...

I'm not really interested...

He has no right

to say anything...

Would you...?

Would you please sit down?

They just want to take her...

Sir, sit down!

They talked

mainly above my head

and usually, I can jump in

and hang on

to what people are saying

but I felt so dazey in my head

that not a word made sense.

Then the judge

who was up in the box

he talked right to me

for the first time.

Ellen, honey

I have grandchildren of my own...

six of them,

to be exact...

and if any

solitary one of them

was ever in a,

in a difficult situation

and needed caring

in a special way

because of that situation

I wouldn't hesitate

for one minute

to clasp him or her to my bosom

and cherish and protect

him or her.

The family is

the cornerstone of society

and when it begins to crumble

we are bound to rush in

with mortar

and bricks and whatever

else there is to hand

to shore it up.

I know that

you're old enough

and clever enough

to understand

and I'll say it again:

The family is

the cornerstone of society.

Do I get a chance

to say something?

No, you don't. Now, hold

it right there, please.

But, Judge...

Just hold, please.

What could she possibly

have to say, Judge?

This matter

has been concluded

as far as I can see.

Can't we please find out

what's on her mind?

After all she is the bone

of contention here!

And I think it's only fair

that she gets to put

her two cents in.

Now you speak right up, honey.

All that stuff you've

been saying about the family

and the cornerstone

of society?

I heard about that in school

but if you don't mind me

saying as families

you've got us mixed up

with a different bunch of folks.

Judge...

Shh!

Ever since my mama died

things have been

like she used to say sometimes:

"Up in the air. "

When I asked her

what was going to happen

about one thing or another,

she'd often say

"Well, that's up in the air

just at this moment. "

Well, then, along came

Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs

and they just pulled me

right down

from all that floating.

Judge, I protest!

Mrs. Nelson.

Please!

I can't figure out why

my mama's mama wants me.

She don't even like me.

I don't even remember her

looking at me nice

in my whole life

though I don't know why.

Have we had enough of this?

Have we?

Mrs. Nelson,

justice for all in my court.

Please. Justice for all!

Plus, it beats me

why a person can't live

with whoever they like best

and who likes them best

so I'm just hoping

you'll let me.

I guess that's all my two cents.

Kid's got a mouth on her,

ain't she?

Honey... Ellen.

I surely do appreciate

your giving us

your side of the story,

and you may be even right

about a couple of things

here and there

but the fact of the matter is

that when it comes to family

blood is blood

and the law

is the law.

When you grow up,

you'll understand

and I surely hope

you'll thank me for it.

My ruling stands.

This hearing

is concluded.

That's okay.

I'd rather go

to reform school

or get on a chain gang

than go stay with her.

So would we.

She makes a knot in me

just thinking

about her face.

We'll have visits.

I wouldn't count on letting

her visit if I was you.

Were you.

Were you.

When does school

start again?

Well, it just ended

and I sure am looking forward

to the summer at your house.

I asked you

when school starts.

I do not need

the commentary.

If I'd have known then

all I know about her now

I would have jumped out

of that big car moving

and hightailed it.

It's big.

Good thing, too.

You won't be under my feet

every minute of the day.

Show her where

she's staying.

Maybe some of her mama

will rub off on her

staying in that room.

Yes, ma'am.

How you doing,

Miss Ellen?

Remember me?

We done met before.

I'm Mavis.

Taking

my mama's clothes.

That's me.

Come on along, then.

This place is heaps fancier

than the one you was living in.

Does anyone else

live here?

Just your grandma...

till you, now.

I ain't much

to fill it up.

Need a lot more

like you to fill up this place.

Don't you live here?

Lord, no, child.

Me and Alvin

got our place out back.

Who's Alvin?

Alvin's my husband.

Drives your grandma's car.

Here you go.

Oh!

Used to be

your mama's room.

You knew my mama?

Since she was about

like you are now.

And this was

her bedroom?

Sure was.

Not a lot of changes, neither.

Not since the night

she run off.

Run off where?

To be with your daddy...

'fore he was your daddy

of course.

Yeah, I know Miss Charlotte

good as I know myself.

I never knowed nobody

sweet like your mama.

Smart as a whip, too.

She was?

Lord, yes.

Maybe you're

smart like her

since you were

her little girl.

I don't know.

Yep, your mama

was her mama's favorite

of the bunch

and you know, the others

didn't care for that...

not Miss Nadine,

Miss Betsy

Not even Mr. Robert.

Who's he?

Mr. Robert?

That was your grandma's boy.

He passed a long time ago.

Throwed off a horse

at the age of 16.

Between me and you

and the fence post

I'd say your grandma

went peculiar

the night Miss Charlotte run off

and since she passed...

rest her soul...

well, I'd call her

downright touched

your grandma.

Don't you go telling her

I said that.

Lord, child.

You look just like your mama.

Got them beautiful eyes.

Why don't you

go wash up a bit

then come on down

to the kitchen

and I'll introduce you

to Rosaleen.

Rosaleen does the cooking

I do the taking care.

Reverend,

how is your missus?

Much better.

Thanks for asking.

I'm so glad.

Good morning,

Miss Ellen.

Good morning.

You go sit down and

give this baby to me.

Aw...

Here we go.

We're going to sit down.

Yes. We're going to sit down.

Things are going

to be okay.

Stop that.

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