Imitation Of Life Page #10

Sure.

What can we do

to help Annie, Steve?

There's no answer, Lora,

never has been.

Not for a broken heart.

Mmm, and I know Mother

didn't understand.

Oh, it was so embarrassing.

And poor Steve.

I mean, what could he do?

She just swept over him

like a tidal wave.

Honey, it's only natural

he'd like to go out

with your mother.

He always enjoyed her company.

You remember that.

But it's different now.

All summer long

it's been Steve and me.

- Annie, you know, don't you?

- Know what?

That I'm in love with Steve.

I've always been in love

with him and always will be.

Sure, Susie,

but like a little girl.

No. I don't think

it even started like that.

In a funny way,

I always knew.

Every time I thought

I liked a boy, it was because

he reminded me of Steve.

And then I'd stop

liking him because...

Because he wasn't Steve.

Susie?

Are you up, darling?

Yes.

I just had to tell you.

I have the most wonderful news.

You're going to do

another picture.

No.

Not a picture,

not a play,

never again.

Oh, I know you

don't believe me.

I can't blame you.

Steve didn't either.

He probably won't until

our tenth anniversary.

A-Anniversary?

Oh, Steve and I have

always been in love.

But it seems I've never

had time for anything

but my work.

So I just up and proposed

that we get married.

Well, Susie,

what's the matter?

Are you all right?

Yes, I'm fine.

I hope you'll be very happy.

Oh, we will be,

all of us.

What is it, darling?

Tell me.

I'm very tired.

Good night, Mother.

Good night, dear.

You know, Annie,

last night when I told

Susie the news,

she was like ice.

It's strange.

I... I thought she

would be ecstatic.

She always seemed to...

To adore Steve.

Something's wrong

with her, Annie.

Do you know what it is?

Miss Lora, you've got

to be very careful

the way you handle Susie.

She's got

a real problem.

Problem?

Why don't I know about it?

Why didn't she come to me?

Maybe because

you weren't around.

You mean, I...

I haven't been

a good mother.

I know you meant

to be a good mother,

the best kind of mother,

but look, I meant to

be a good one too,

and I failed.

But you couldn't have been

a better mother to Sarah Jane.

- Then where's

my little girl?

- But Annie, that's different.

Hers is

a very real problem.

What's complicated

Susie's life?

We made a home for her;

the prettiest clothes;

the best schools.

- Susie's in love.

- Oh, Annie.

Is that all?

Why didn't you say so?

It's not unusual for a girl

Susie's age to be in love.

It's who she's in love with

that's causing all the trouble.

Why? Who is it?

Mr. Steve.

What?

That's impossible.

How did it happen?

Why did he let it happen?

I don't think he knows.

Annie, it can't

be serious!

It is, Miss Lora.

Plenty serious.

I better have a talk

with Susie right now.

Wait, wait.

Susie.

I've just spoken

to Annie.

Have you?

Now I know why you were

so upset last night.

So Annie told you.

That's how you usually

find things out about me.

That's not true!

Let's face it, Mama.

Annie's always been more

like a real mother.

You never had time for me.

By the way, is this

worded correctly?

An application

to college?

Uh-huh.

But you're going

to study in New York.

Denver...

It's 1,500 miles away.

That's quite a distance.

I don't think

I'll be missed.

Don't be unfair, Susie.

You know I'd miss you.

I'm sure you'd be too busy

to miss anyone.

Much too busy.

You give me credit

for nothing.

Yes, I'm ambitious,

perhaps too ambitious,

but it's been for your sake

as well as mine.

Isn't this house

just a little bit nicer

than a cold-water flat?

And your new horse.

Aren't you crazy about it?

Yes, but I...

And that closet of yours...

Has all the dresses fit for

the daughter of a famous star.

Now, just a moment,

young lady.

It's only because

of my ambition that you've

had the best of everything.

That's a solid achievement

that any mother can be proud of.

How about a mother's love?

Love? But you've

always had that!

Yes, by telephone, postcard,

magazine interviews.

You've given me everything

but yourself.

No wonder I went to Annie

last night when I told her

about Steve.

Oh, Susie.

If Steve is going

to come between us,

I'll give him up.

I'll never see him again.

Oh, Mama, stop acting!

Stop trying to shift people

around as if they were pawns

on a stage.

But, Susie, I...

Don't worry,

I'll get over Steve,

but please,

don't play the martyr.

Oh, Mama, I'm sorry.

I didn't want to hurt you.

But last night

I was so unhappy!

Oh, darling.

I... I don't know.

Maybe it was all

to the good because...

this morning I felt

strangely independent and...

Well, I like the feeling.

That's why I think I'd...

I'd like to go away,

at least for a while.

Oh, Mama, please try

to understand.

I'm very sincere

about it.

Ah, it's funny

the way things turn out.

Thank you.

I still can't get over Susie

at the station yesterday.

She looked so... grown-up

when she said good-bye.

Yes, she did.

It does seem awfully

quiet here without her.

Annie and I were talking

about that last night.

With both the girls gone,

we felt so alone

in this big house.

When did this idea

of college come up?

Susie never once

mentioned it to me.

She decided suddenly.

And why Colorado?

So far away.

It's what she wanted.

Miss Meredith, it's Annie.

She's terribly sick.

Did you call

the doctor?

Yes, he'll

be right over.

And she wants

the minister too.

Oh, God, no!

I hate to dispute you,

Miss Lora.

Oh, Annie, don't talk.

I've got to talk.

I've got to.

Oh, please.

Please, not now.

You stop crying.

But I...

No, listen to me.

All right.

I'm listening.

When my bills

are all paid,

I want everything

that's left to go to...

Sarah Jane.

Of course.

Mr. Steve?

Yes, Annie?

Find her, Mr. Steve.

Find her.

I will.

You may be sure.

I will.

Thank you.

Miss Lora,

just tell her...

Tell her I know

I was selfish,

and if I loved her too much,

I'm sorry.

But I didn't mean

to cause her any trouble.

She was all I had.

Tell her, Miss Lora.

Oh, please, Annie!

Promise me?

Promise me?

I promise.

Ohh.

My pearl necklace.

Yes?

I want you to give it

to Susie...

for her weddin'.

Give her a real

bridey wedding...

with all the fixin's.

Our weddin' day...

and the day we die...

are the great events...

of life.

Oh, Annie!

Annie, darling.

There's no cause to cry.

- Reverend?

- Yes, Annie?

I'd like for your wife

to have my fur scarf.

She always admired

that fur.

She never believed me when

I said it was genuine mink.

She did, Annie,

she did.

Oh, please,

you don't have to...

And I want Mr. McKinney...

to have a nice, clean

M-Mr. McKinney?

The milkman at the old

cold-water flat.

Oh.

He was so nice

and understanding

about the bill.

I always send him

a little something

at Christmas time,

in both our names.

You've been so good.

Sure hope you're right,

Miss Lora.

I'd like to be standin'

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