If These Walls Could Talk 2 Page #2

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things down here.

Edith, I'm--

Edith, I'm sorry-- what's

your last name again ?

Uh, tree.

Sweetheart, let's--

Stop that.

You know, I think that

that was a very nice service.

It sure was.

It was very respectful.

Well--

There we go.

Well, I expect

you're hungry.

I'll make some tea.

No, we're fine.

- No, no.

Why don't you two sit down.

No, no, I'll do it.

You can go over

your aunt's papers.

I'll make the tea.

I'm sure I can find

my way around.

The kitchen

is this way ?

I went all around the house

and dug up everything

I could find,

But Abby was

never very organized

about these things.

She sure wasn't.

I found this photograph

of you and aunt abby.

Geez,

I don't remember this.

It was the first visit

you and your parents made...

To... Us,

- mm-hmm.

And aunt abby

took you fishing

for the first time.

Uh-huh.

You were afraid to put

the bait on the hook.

Oh, oh, oh. Right.

And she showed you

how to do it.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I remember that hat.

Huh.

Well, okey-doke,

let's see what we have here.

- please !

Don't touch those, dear.

They're very fragile.

Those were

your great aunt Abby's.

She was a big bird watcher.

Oh.

These were hers, weren't they ?

Yes. She used to like

to keep them by her chair...

So she could

watch the feeders...

Here you go, honey.

Through the window.

Here, honey, see if you can

spot us some birds, okay ?

Can I have these ?

- Sure.

Mm.

Well, it looks

like abby owned this house.

Yes, it was in her name,

but we both helped

to pay the mortgage.

I see.

Well, I guess it's only fair

that you get something back.

Wha-- how do you mean ?

When I sell the house.

Oh ?

Oh, I'm s--

uh--

Did you wanna stay on here ?

Yes ! That was

always the agreement

between abby and me.

did she leave a will

or anything...

Saying that she wanted

to give the hous to you ?

No, no.

okay.

Well, I-I have no problem

with you staying here.

Uh, maybe we can work out

some kind of rental situation.

Oh, but Abby and I already

paid off the mortgage.

I really shouldn't

have to pay rent

all over again.

Uh--

But you see, um--

Uncle sam is gonna slap me

with a big inheritance tax

on this place,

And I can't just let it

sit here and eat a hole

in my pocket.

Oh.

You see what I'm saying ?

I've been here for 30 years.

Where am I going to go ?

Do you have

any family, Edith ?

What do you mean ?

Do you have anybody

who could take you in ?

I really don't want

to be taken in.

Okay, here we go.

This is a beautiful teapot.

Was it abby's ?

No, it was mine.

You know, I-I think

that before we leave,

That I'd help you

sort through some

of Abby's things.

No, there's no need for that.

Oh, don't be silly.

Sit down, sweetheart.

She is Ted's family,

after all.

You really shouldn't

have to do it all.

It's an awful job.

After my mother died,

my sisters and I--

stop picking at that.

My sisters and I

had to go down

and clean out the house,

And I swear, it was a solid week

just trying to figure out

what to do with all the junk...

That was in the drawers.

So, is most of this furniture

here yours...

Or abby's ?

- It's both of ours.

Actually, Edith said

she might want to stay on here

for a little while,

So, uh, maybe we should just--

no, thanks--

Maybe we should just leave

the furniture.

Oh, well, that's fine.

I'm relieved.

Frankly, I didn't know

what we were gonna do

with all of it.

So, well, that's perfect.

Well, these, now,

were Abby's, weren't they ?

Yes.

- Oh, yeah, some of these

are very beautiful.

I-I gave her that one.

Oh. It's a lovely gift.

Abby was a teacher,

wasn't she ?

Yes, we both taught

at the same school

for many years.

Oh, so you've known each other

a long time ?

Yes.

It must be so very sad for you

to lose such a good friend.

It is.

It is.

I think that you should

have something of hers

to remember her by.

I would really like it...

If you would pick

one of these birds...

To have as a keepsake.

Are you going

to keep them ?

You know, I think

that Ted would like

something of his aunt's.

I don't think we need to take

the birds, sweetheart.

You know, they really are...

A part of the family.

I think Maggie would want them.

Let's talk about it

later, okay ?

I'm going to get some milk.

I'll help you.

What ?

Oh, I'm sorry.

- Excuse me.

Oh, Edith, good news.

I found a couple savings bonds

that might be worth something.

I was thinking, after whatever

taxes they take out of them,

you and I can split the amount,

And that would help you

pay for the rent.

Ted, would you do me

a favor, please ?

- Sure.

The ladder--

the one she fell from--

is still out in the yard.

Would you--

- yeah, I got it.

I'll move it.

Thirty.

Hon,

Will you hold this edge

over there so we can see

how wide this is ?

- Thank you.

- What are you doing ?

Oh, you know, edith,

i think that we're gonna

take the bed.

You know,

it is a family piece.

- Ted said that

it's his grandparents'.

- Abby never mentioned that.

Well, it is, actually.

Mom, who's this ?

Hmm ? Let's see.

Is that aunt Abby ?

I don't know.

- Why are they dressed like men ?

I don't know.

We were dressed

for a costume party.

Let's go visit daddy

in the yard.

Come on, sweetheart.

Come on.

I didn't mean to leave

such a mess.

The problem is,

if she stays on here,

We're the ones who are gonna

be responsible for her.

Well, I'm sure she has

some family somewhere.

What if they don't want her ?

You see, I don't think

it's fair that we should have

to take care...

Of somebody else's

maiden aunt.

- Yeah.

Hey, daddy, look what I found.

It just fell out

of the birdhouse.

That's neat, sweetheart.

Why don't you go inside

and pick out what you want...

From aunt Abby's

bird collection.

- That other lady

doesn't want me to touch it.

- Well, it's not for her to say.

Okay ? Go inside.

What are we gonna do

with the rest of this stuff

in this yard ?

My darling, my darling,

my darling, my darling.

Oh, my darling !

What do you want ?

I-i found this.

oh, oh, yes.

Let me see.

It's a starling's egg.

Did it come

from the birdhouse ?

Oh, they must've hatched.

Great-aunt Abby knew

they were there.

Here.

That was

aunt abby's handkerchief,

but you can have it.

Little girl,

it is not for you to say

what I can and cannot have.

It is not for your parents

to tell you what you can take.

I'm-I'm sorry.

It's all right,

you can have it.

You didn't know

your great-aunt, did you ?

She was very kind.

She couldn't bear

to see anything suffer.

When we were girls,

She had her own little hospital

for all the birds and mice...

She rescued from her cat.

They all survived--

Those fragile

little creatures.

Somehow, she helped them

pull through.

Edith, I need to go over

a few more things with you

before we leave.

All right.

Maggie, why don't you

go play outside

a little bit more, okay ?

Please.

um--

Edith, I know you and i...

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