Joyful Noise Page #5

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It could. We just have to convince her,

that's all.

All right. Keep your voice down.

- She's at work. She can't catch you here.

- You're scaring the animals.

See, they're all staring at us.

- It's because you're so hot.

- Shut up.

Look at the yak.

He's totally into you.

Come on.

What do I have to do to cheer you up?

Huh?

- Hey. Hey. Come on. Let's go.

- Go where?

Come on. Don't you worry

about where we're going.

- Don't take my blanket, I'm comfortable.

- Don't care. Give me your hand.

- Where?

- Ha-ha-ha. Don't worry about it.

If we go outside, I need my shoes.

- Okay, I got them.

Where we going?

- I told you, on a date.

A date where? We left town an hour ago.

It's a surprise.

My mother's gonna kill us both.

At least we'll die together.

- She could be somewhere dead in a ditch.

- Oh, don't be so dramatic.

There's no reason to think like that.

Kids run off all the time.

Mostly, they come right back.

It's not like Randy's never pulled

a stunt like this before.

This is your fault.

You brought that hoodlum into our lives.

- No wonder his parents kicked him out.

- You don't wanna go there, Vi.

The best thing you can do

is just go about your business.

- I will call you as soon as I hear anything.

- Go about my business?

Yeah, right.

Hey. Hey, wake up.

Daddy?

You called him?

I took a pretty big chance here.

I'd really appreciate it if you'd smile.

Just walk away, Rene

Oh...

You won't see me follow you...

That's his favorite song.

Hmm.

- How's your mama?

- She's changed, Daddy.

Don't blame your mama for that.

Being left alone can change anybody.

I was the one that ran out.

Randy, can you give us a minute?

I'll be outside.

Look.

I could've stayed.

Now, Olivia, listen to me. This ain't

a easy thing to say to your daughter.

I could've tried harder.

The truth...

...is I couldn't... I couldn't face knowing

that I failed your mama.

No job, no money.

I saw it every time she looked at me.

I know that look.

No, no, no. She was sweet back then.

You remember how she used to be.

I thought the only thing I could do for

y'all was leave and send a paycheck home.

Your mama...

...is the best person I ever met.

And it took being away from her

to realize that.

And now I need you to love her.

And love her hard.

Because I don't think

she's gonna want me again.

And that...

That is a hard thing to live with.

That's not true. She always watches

those home movies with you both dancing.

And I see the way her face looks

when we read our letters.

She tries to fight it,

but I know she misses you.

What letters?

Baby, I haven't sent any letters.

I think your mama

must have been writing them.

I'm sure she thought

it was a good thing.

I have to get back.

I want to be with you.

Baby, I ship out soon.

It's my job.

You worried?

Me too.

Did you know gospel is the only

musical genre with no one-hit wonders'?

No.

Why you love gospel so much, Mama?

Why you ask?

Because I just don't understand

what's so great about God.

You don't mean that.

Seems like he don't do much

around here that I can see.

Give me those glasses.

Let me see that sweet face of yours.

Baby, you have to think of God

as a parent.

You know when I punish you

or make you eat your greens...

...you may not like it, but you know

I love you, no matter what, right?

Right.

Even if you don't understand

why I do what I do.

Well, just like I'm your mother,

God is our father...

...and we have to have faith because

we know he loves us, no matter what.

But...

But what, baby?

You spend all your time...

...singing songs and praising God...

...and he's who did this to me.

He made me this way.

If you loved me, you'd hate him.

- I do.

- No.

- I hate him. I do.

- Walter. Don't say that, Walter.

I just wish I could be normal...

...for you, Mama.

For me?

Baby, you don't have to be anything

except exactly who you are.

I love you.

Come here, come here.

They broke the mold

when they made you.

And when someone don't fit

into a neat little box...

...the answer ain't to squeeze them

in there even harder.

You build a bigger box.

Shoot, God don't make no mistakes, Walter,

and he ain't about to start with you.

Fix me, Jesus

Fix me

Oh, fix me

Oh, fix me

Oh, fix me

Fix me, Jesus

Fix me

Fix me for my home on high

Fix me, Jesus, fix me

Fix me for the by and by

Fix me, Jesus, fix me

Fix me for my starry crown

Fix me, Jesus, fix me

Fix me for a higher ground

Fix me, Jesus, fix me

Oh, fix me

Oh, fix me

Oh, fix me

Fix me, Jesus, fix me

Fix me, Jesus, fix me

Fix me, Jesus

Oh, fix me

Fix me, Lord.

Hello?

Don't do anything stupid over there.

You've never been the bravest man.

Don't abandon that quality now

that it can actually do you some good.

Now, most husbands

would take offense at that.

Be safe.

You gotta know this

is gonna be the longest ride of your life.

Why'd you lie to us?

What, just because he didn't write?

He left to support us.

You think every man who's out of work

leaves their family for two years?

Leaves their wife at home

to raise two kids alone?

- Maybe that's the only choice he saw.

- Maybe it's the only choice he wanted to see.

Maybe he just wanted out.

He doesn't think you'd want him back.

That's what he told me.

Guess he was right.

Personally, if I were him,

that'd be music to my ears...

...because I don't know who would

wanna come back to you.

You will not talk to me like that.

You don't know the first thing

about our marriage, or any marriage.

Of course you adore him.

People who ain't around

make very few mistakes.

But he left.

Just remember that. He left.

You better control your mouth,

young lady.

And don't you dare say a word

to your brother.

Hey.

Hey.

Mm.

Well, you ain't walking too funny.

She couldn't have

whipped your ass that hard.

What, you're not talking to me?

You do know that you're not gonna

be able to keep that up, right?

She may be the wicked b*tch

of the west down here...

...but take her to my neighborhood...

- ...she'd fold like a pair of twos.

- Don't you call her that.

- What? You say the same thing.

- I can talk about her that way. You can't.

I knew what she was like.

I shouldn't have let it get this far.

And I'm sorry I ever did.

My mother won't let me see you

any more outside of choir.

What? No, no, no. Hey.

Don't follow me.

This is crazy.

I love you.

- You get my note?

- Mm-hm.

I got it.

Do you think that's an acceptable way

to say goodbye?

Randy, I'll drive you anywhere

you want to go.

No questions asked.

Even if it's out of this town forever.

But, hon, sooner or later,

you're gonna have to grow a set.

You can't spend your whole life running.

Why should I stay?

Vi Rose hates me. Olivia loves me,

but she won't go against her mother.

There is one other reason

you might consider staying.

- What is that?

- So you can sing with the choir...

...in the finals in Los Angeles.

That's right. Detroit got disqualified.

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