Unanswered Prayers Page #8

We can grab dinner at the Lofton Savoy.

They've got that Friday night special.

-What do you think?

-Look, Dad,

I can't work for you next summer.

-Why not?

-Well,

there's this high school writer's

program at Penn, I got accepted.

Oh.

Yeah, you know, they're covering

everything. It's like a scholarship.

Wow. I mean, they must be pretty

thrilled with your writing.

What about pre-season football?

-No.

-What do you mean, "No"?

You can't miss that.

I guess I will.

Look, I'll play next year,

but I'm going to this program.

All right, let me tell you something.

There is no way Coach is gonna go for that.

I talked to Coach T. He's cool with it.

-So is Mom.

-You know, I don't care

who's cool with it.

I'm not cool with it.

I'm going.

It's my decision.

It's funny.

Just when you think you got life

figured out, the game changes.

Well, I guess that's what makes

the game interesting.

You know, all my life,

all I wanted was you to be proud of me.

Son,

I am proud of you right now,

and I always have been.

Well, you...

You think you could come

home for Thanksgiving?

I don't think I can do that to your mom.

I can't just show up unannounced

at Thanksgiving dinner. Not a good idea.

Hey.

Ben's not here.

I'm not here to see Ben.

Do you have a minute?

I've got lots to do, Ava,

running this business.

It's not glamorous, as you can see.

I guess it's not even sexy,

if you think about it.

Certainly it can't

top skinny-dipping at the quarry.

Though I might have waited till August.

But that's just me.

Please stop.

It was one dumb drunk night.

Nothing really happened.

I've already heard all this from Ben.

So what can I do for you?

I guess I just... I want to leave town

this time with a clean slate.

Ben was a gentleman.

I truly believe he had no intention

of having an affair.

We just... We got caught up in the past.

He loves you, Lorrie.

After living with someone for 20 years,

you pick up on little things like that.

I remember how touched I was

when you brought me flowers.

Thank you.

Can I ask you something?

Sure.

Do you love him?

I loved them all,

desperately.

I'm sorry.

Lor, this a good size?

Yeah, Dad. Keep chopping.

Are those the rolls?

Yeah. I got a little creative.

Oh. Good.

What about the sweet potatoes?

Oh, my mom's bringing

the sweet potatoes.

-With marshmallows.

-Oh, boy.

Grams.

Different strokes for different folks.

Monet, your skirt reminds me of Lorrie.

-Me?

-You had one just like that, honey.

I did not!

Why does everyone keep saying that?

No, she didn't. Her sister did.

We got it for Marion

on that trip to Mexico.

I told you.

Dab a little butter on the pan,

so they don't stick.

But you used to steal it

from her all the time.

I did what?

You were so jealous of

that ugly leopard skirt

that you would go into

her closet and steal it.

And then Marion would pitch a fit.

Oh, my God!

Ben said that, and I didn't remember.

This isn't right.

He should be here, Mom.

Hi.

Hi. You scared me.

-Sorry.

-Yeah. Well, listen.

I came here to ask you to come to

Thanksgiving dinner.

I know it's last minute, but it would

mean a lot to Jesse if you would come.

And you?

I can handle it.

Look, Lorrie, I don't want to

make things harder for you.

-No. I'm okay.

-No, no. Really, really.

I was gonna head down

to the Lofton Savoy

for their Thanksgiving special.

$5.95, all you can eat.

I mean, if you can eat it.

Just come to dinner.

You know, I could bring dessert.

I just made a pie.

-Why?

-Something to do,

an homage to Thanksgiving.

You want to check it out?

I should really get going.

Otherwise Mom is gonna start

telling Monet all of our family secrets.

That's right. Your mom likes a few

nips before dinner.

And that would be one

of the family secrets.

Come on. Just a sec.

For a... Just for a second.

This is my humble abode.

You're living high on the hog.

Actually, I got a pretty good deal,

saving the company some cash.

Well, now, that's actually

kind of impressive.

What are the brown things?

I'm not sure.

You want some coffee?

No. Thank you.

Okay, I'll...

You know, I was thinking,

when I was making up my pie last night,

when we first met, I was helping my dad

sell fruit out of the back of a truck,

and your mom was shopping for peaches.

You had been running through the sprays.

Your hair was all wet.

And when Pop wasn't looking,

I tossed you a peach.

I was almost seven.

Yeah. We go back a long way, Lor.

Ben, I have a confession.

I was wrong about the leopard skirt.

It was my sister's.

But I guess I used to steal it and

wear it for some inexplicable reason.

I know.

Well, you don't have

to be so smug about it.

Look, I have no right to ask you this.

-Then please don't.

-No, but I need to.

I've got a lump in my gut

that just won't stop and...

Lorrie, 20 years ago,

I took the right road.

I took the right road

when I married you.

And I know that with all my heart.

I'm so sorry for the way

I hurt you. I am.

I'm asking you to trust me again,

please.

God, Lorrie, I love you so damn much.

Damn it, Ben.

Just come to dinner.

Hey, is Dad coming?

He's not coming.

He's here.

Happy Thanksgiving, Son.

Hey. Check it out.

I brought you a really bad pumpkin pie.

Way to go, man.

Here.

No. You brought it, you bring it in.

Come on.

Try one of those little brown things.

Hey. Best turkey I ever tasted.

Well, I hope you have room for some pie.

I can always make room for pie.

I'll take your plate, Mom.

Well, we have apple, pecan,

and a very special pumpkin pie,

which Ben made himself.

Wow, Ben. I didn't know you could bake.

Isn't anybody daring enough

to try my damn pie?

I will.

There. A brave man. Report back, sir.

That's not fair! Henry likes everything

he puts in his mouth!

Now, that is the worst pumpkin pie

I've ever tasted.

Oh, Ben! That's a first!

Congratulations!

You want some coffee?

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