7th Heaven (1996–2007): Season 9, Episode 9 - Thanksgiving - full transcript
Hi, Mom.
We're here.
I can see that.
Hey!
So, uh, can we come in?
Well, yes, of course!
Come in!
Come in. I didn't...
I didn't know you were
coming this weekend.
What a great surprise.
Isn't this a great
surprise, Annie?
I would've picked you
up at the airport
if I'd known
you were coming.
I know,
but we didn't want
to be a bother-- plus,
we didn't know we were coming
till a couple of days ago.
Mary got us passes,
and luckily,
because it's a week before
the Thanksgiving holiday,
we were able
to book a flight.
Well, whatever the reason,
however you got here,
we're just so happy
to see you guys.
Right, Annie?
Mom, are you okay?
I thought you and Sarah
were coming
next weekend for Thanksgiving.
W-We couldn't get out of
working Thanksgiving,
so we thought we'd
come this week instead.
But you promised that
you'd be here for Thanksgiving.
And we are so sorry about
messing up your plans, but...
But being medical students, we
don't get to pick our schedules.
I mean, we have to do
what they tell us
and go where they tell us
and work whenever they need us.
Since all the doctors
and senior staff
want to spend Thanksgiving
with their families,
we have to fill in.
Sure, sure.
No, look, we're just so happy
that you made the effort
to spend time with us anytime.
I mean, we understand
how busy you both are.
Don't we, Annie?
My parents are out of
town all week, so Matt
and I are all yours.
Well, isn't that great, Annie?
They're all ours.
I haven't had the entire family
together for Thanksgiving
or any holiday for years.
I wanted this Thanksgiving
to be different.
This Thanksgiving,
I wanted everyone,
together, under one roof.
I'm gonna go check
on the twins now.
You know, I'm
sorry, for...
some reason this has become
extremely important for her
to have everyone...
together this year.
She's been making plans
for weeks.
Uh, everyone?
Yeah. Why?
Wh-What do you know?
Mary and Carlos told us
they're planning on taking
Charles Miguel to Puerto Rico
to spend Thanksgiving
with his family.
But Annie thinks
they're coming here.
Uh, what else do you know?
Mary told us Simon told her
he's working
at the campus radio station
and can't get away
for Thanksgiving.
We thought he was coming
this weekend,
but evidently, he changed
his mind at the last minute,
and by last minute, I mean
we didn't find out from Mary
until we landed.
So, no Matt, no Sarah.
Tsk.
No Simon. No Mary?
No.
No Carlos, no baby, no...
out-of-town family
here for Thanksgiving.
Would you two be willing
to break that news
to your mother for me?
No.
What's cooking?
Wax.
It's almost lunchtime.
Yes, it is, so maybe
you ought to think
about what you're going
to make for Sam and David.
I'm busy with my
Thanksgiving preparations.
I'm making special
holiday gourd candles,
and then I'm going to stencil
leaves onto a tablecloth,
and then I have to go out
and gather seasonal berries
and leaves so that
I can garnish the buffet table.
I still haven't
finalized my menu,
and I cannot find those
turkey-shaped Jell-O molds.
What's wrong?
Is it possible
that you're going
just a teensy bit overboard?
Ah, it's Thanksgiving.
I know, but I don't recall
our ever making this big a deal
out of Thanksgiving before.
I mean, you're... you're really
going to a lot of trouble,
and, you know, you don't
have to, I mean, you don't...
you don't even have to cook
this year-- we could go out.
When have we ever gone out?
For Thanksgiving?
I don't want to go out
for Thanksgiving.
I like doing this.
I like Thanksgiving.
Okay, it seems
like you're doing
just a little bit more
than you usually do.
Well, of course I am.
It's Charlie's
first Thanksgiving.
It's our first Thanksgiving
as grandparents.
It's a big one!
All right, but...
But what?
What about Matt and Sarah?
What about Matt and Sarah?
Well, I just think
they might feel a little...
underappreciated
after last night.
Why?
Well, after coming all this way
to visit us, you didn't seem
too happy to see them.
Oh, I was just surprised,
caught off guard, if you will.
They're not supposed
to be here now.
They're supposed
to here next week.
And they need to be here
next week when everyone
else is here.
Uh, they don't
need to be here.
It would be nice
if they were here.
There's a difference,
don't you think?
We... we just want
our family to be here,
whatever family is
able to be here, right?
I need you to get
the turkey today.
Okay? A nice, big one.
Make sure it's free-range,
and fresh, not frozen.
I think about a 20-pounder
should do it.
But Matt and Sarah said
they can't be here.
And who knows,
maybe some of our other kids
won't be able to make it.
But we can always
have leftovers.
Turkey sandwiches. Yeah.
I'll get the 20-pound turkey.
Don't worry about Matt
and Sarah-- they'll be here.
Yeah, well, not unless
by some miracle, their
work schedule changes.
I took care of it.
She called the Director
of Medical Education.
What? She... Who?
Mom called the Director
of Medical Education.
The director is in charge
of all medical students.
He's like my boss.
My mother called
my boss and asked
if my wife and I could have
Thanksgiving weekend off
because I was needed at home.
When the director told her
he didn't make the schedules,
she called the dean.
But it's Saturday,
so the dean wasn't at work,
so she got someone
at the hospital to give her
the Dean's home number,
and then she called him.
Hmm.
She called the dean
of my medical college at home
and asked if I could have
Thanksgiving weekend off.
So what did he say, can you
be here for Thanksgiving?
No! A-And Mom
really needs to get a grip,
because us not being here for
Thanksgiving is not a tragedy.
There are bigger problems
out there.
You don't look so good.
Your mother's working very hard
to have a big
family Thanksgiving,
and half the family
isn't gonna be here.
I'm sorry, Dad.
Well, it's not your fault.
Well, yeah, it is, kind of.
Since I won't be here, either.
At least I hope I won't be here.
I was just coming down
to ask you
if I can spend Thanksgiving
with Carlos and Mary.
They're spending it
with Carlos's parents
in Puerto Rico.
I-I know, Matt told me.
They got me a ticket
and everything.
Plus Carlos's parents
have a huge house,
so there's tons of rooms
for all of us.
I won't need a hotel.
I mean, I think
they only invited me
because they need help
with the baby, but...
hey, a free trip's
a free trip, right?
You can't go.
Oh, no, I won't be flying alone,
if that's what
you're worried about.
Carlos said he would fly here
and then fly back with me
to Puerto Rico.
Oh. You can't go.
But I promised Carlos and Mary.
And they need me,
and I really want to go.
Your mother
needs you to be here.
I spent every Thanksgiving
with you and Mom.
What's the big deal
about me missing just one?
Come on, Dad,
I really want to go.
Please?
Well, Mary and Carlos
and the baby are gonna be here.
They are?
Yeah, I don't know how I'm gonna
get them here,
but I'll find a way,
so you don't need
to go to Puerto Rico.
Hey, Reverend Camden.
We'll be back.
We're just going
to the batting cages.
Mac.
Yes?
What are you doing
for Thanksgiving?
It's just...
I-I think
we might have a few extra seats
at our table, and I thought,
you know, after you
have dinner with your family,
you could come over here and
have dinner with our family.
Wow, that's really nice.
But I won't be here.
See, every year
my dad goes up north
for the holiday
to visit his sister.
Oh, so you're
gonna be out of town?
No. His sister hates me.
Something I did with
her Hummel collection
when I was three.
Oh, and that accident
with her cat when I was five.
And I set her kitchen
on fire when I was six.
The more nervous
she made me,
the bigger the accident.
So up until last year, my dad
was too afraid to take me,
so he decided
to let me stay back here
and go camping
with some friends,
and it worked out
so well for everyone
that he decided
to let me do it again this year.
What about your mother?
She goes
to her boyfriend's house.
I don't like her boyfriend.
Well, so if you've
got nowhere to be...
No offense,
but I'd rather go camping.
It's nothing
against you and your family.
It's just...
it's Thanksgiving.
It's just a meal.
Everyone makes
such a big deal out of it
that no one ever
seems to enjoy it.
Sorry.
I just thought you and Martin
might want to spend Thanksgiving
together, that's all.
We are--
I'm going camping with Mac.
I told you about it last month.
I don't remember.
I'm sure I mentioned it.
I'm sure you did,
but I really need you here
for Thanksgiving.
Is there any way you would
reconsider the camping trip?
Look, my aunt and I
celebrated last year
and it was the first
Thanksgiving
we celebrated in years
and it was... horrible.
It's just such a family holiday
that with my dad overseas
and my mom... gone,
well, celebrating just
made both of us miss
what little family we have
even more than we already do.
Well, if you two
change your minds...
We're not going to
change our minds.
We're, uh, going camping.
I need to run some
errands for Mommy,
and then we can
all get lunch out.
Daddy, what's wrong?
You look sad.
Well, I'm fine, or I will be
when I get all your
brothers and sisters together
for Thanksgiving this year.
Mommy wants us all together.
But we're going to Lucy's
for Thanksgiving.
She invited us.
Lucy?
Okay, get your jackets
and shoes on.
I'll be right back.
Where's Lucy?
She's up in the apartment,
thinking of new ways
to torture me.
She wants me to go collect
acorns from people's yards
and then help her glue-gun them
to string so she can use them
as Thanksgiving
napkin ring holders.
She's making such a big
deal over Thanksgiving.
Menus, silverware, acorns.
Me, I just want to eat turkey
until I can't eat anymore,
and then I want to watch
football until I fall asleep,
then wake up and do it
all over again.
Celebrate Thanksgiving
the way God intended.
But I'm married,
and my wife's pregnant,
so I'm off to collect nuts
from people's yards.
I don't even know
what an acorn looks like.
But don't get me wrong;
I'm glad she wants to do
Thanksgiving dinner this
year for everyone, but...
How does this sound?
Maple roast turkey,
chestnut stuffing,
sweet potato spoon bread, root
vegetables in sautéed butter,
autumn succotash,
cranberry-orange relish,
pumpkin mousse pie
and apple pandowdy.
Pandowdy?
It's a classic American dessert
from the 19th century,
but Martha has dowdied it up by
cutting the dough into pieces
instead of leaving it whole.
I think my theme is gonna be
classic colonial American
but I haven't finalized
the menu up yet.
Martha?
Martha Stewart.
The queen
of Thanksgiving entertaining.
Oh.
I'm following all her recipes
and decorating ideas and crafts.
This is gonna be the best
Thanksgiving ever.
It's gonna be my Thanksgiving.
I can't wait
to put my stamp on it
and claim it as my own.
But, but I also want
Mom to be proud of me,
so everything has
got to be perfect.
,And, you know, she
shouldn't be in jail,
especially during
the holiday season.
That's a cruel
and unusual punishment.
Your mother isn't in jail.
Not mom, Martha.
Oh.
Martha Stewart
shouldn't be in jail.
She's suffered enough,
been punished enough.
Okay, well...
I mean, last week,
Kevin arrested this
scummy drug dealer
and he got off,
but Martha's in jail.
How is that helping anyone?
How is that justice?
Back to Thanksgiving.
Uh, you're planning on
having it this year?
Yeah, I can't wait.
Have you spoken to your mother?
Why?
I think she's thinking
she's planning the family
Thanksgiving dinner,
since she's always done it.
Yeah, but she won't mind
if I do it this year.
Besides, I want it
to be my gift to her.
Yeah, but your mother has
always made the dinner.
Always.
Yeah, but now that I'm a
wife and a soon-to-be mother,
it's time for her to retire,
pass the spoon on to me.
This year, Thanksgiving
is all mine.
Hmm. Okay.
Oh, good,
I was looking for you.
I got a question.
I bought these walnuts
at the store.
Do you think I can convince Lucy
that they're really big acorns?
We have a problem.
Fine, I'll go find
some stinking acorns.
No, no, no, no,
not a problem
with those nuts,
a problem with our nuts,
Lucy and Annie.
Annie is planning on hosting
a huge family Thanksgiving.
But so is Lucy.
That's the problem.
You... you have to tell Lucy
that she can't have
Thanksgiving this year.
Yeah, me and what army?
Have you seen her? She's manic.
Why don't you tell Annie
to take the year off?
I'd rather eat glass.
Besides, Annie's way
more manic than Lucy.
Plus, if I can't get Mary,
Carlos,
the baby and Simon
here next week,
then I have to break that bad
news to her; that's enough.
Lucy thinks it's her
wifely duty to do this.
She bought an apron
and everything.
What if you tell Annie
and I tell Lucy?
Then where will we eat?
No, no, look, you tell Annie
about Mary, Carlos,
the baby and Simon,
and I'll tell Lucy
that she can't host
Thanksgiving this year.
They'll go easier on us
because we're
not their husbands.
In theory,
they'll go easier on us.
All right, just let me see who
I can get to be here next week
and... and we'll meet
back here later
and we'll figure out a plan.
Meanwhile,
keep Lucy away from Annie.
I need a little time.
How much time?
I don't know.
Just don't let Lucy
leave the apartment.
I'm making
candles out of squash.
I shouldn't be complaining.
If Annie could figure out a way
to freeze pumpkins,
I'd be making pumpkins vases.
So, you're having a good time.
Oh, yeah.
You know, it's not that
we don't want to be here
over Thanksgiving,
we just thought we'd be
here this weekend instead.
We thought if we were here,
and Simon was here
it would be kind of, you know,
a... a pre-Thanksgiving.
Maybe your parents would
like to join our family
for Thanksgiving, help us
fill out the table a bit.
I'm sure they'd love to
if they weren't already
going to be in New York with us.
You and Matt are having
Thanksgiving with your parents?
I... have some calls to make.
And I have candles to make.
I got so carried away making
the candles this morning,
I forgot to make the bed.
Oh, I hope you don't mind,
I talked to your dean.
He is very understanding
and very nice and he...
Mom.
Yes?
You shouldn't have done that.
Oh, well, I didn't mind, really.
And I know
you didn't want to ask.
Anyway, he said that
you can have Thursday off
as long as you're back
Friday afternoon,
which works for me.
He said that because he thinks
there's some family emergency.
I already told him there was a
family emergency this weekend.
Well, now why did you do that?
Because it's better for us
to have this weekend off
than the actual holiday weekend.
Do you have any idea how
competitive medical school is?
Do you know that we are
judged from the word go?
That whatever emergency we have,
if we take time off for it,
we will pay for it, either in
our grades or when it comes time
for recommendation letters
or when and how we are assigned
or what rotations we get?
You just can't call the dean!
Oh, Mattie, Mattie, Mattie,
don't let the pressure
get to you.
You and Sarah are
gonna be just fine.
It won't hurt for the two of you
to take a couple of days off.
You know, it might even be good
to get away and clear your head.
Okay, seriously,
what's going on with you?
What do you mean?
It's not like you to be so...
So what?
So insistent about the holidays.
Well, you're right. You are.
So, what's going on?
You want to know what happened
when I didn't insist?
I'll tell you what happened--
nobody came.
So, now I'm insisting.
I'm insisting that
you and Sarah be here,
and thanks to me
you got the time off,
so I don't see the problem.
If you won't do it
for yourselves,
Matt, please, do it for me.
I want you here.
I need you here.
Kevin, we got a problem.
We do?
The walnuts aren't gonna work.
Oh...
Maybe I should go ask my mom
what nuts she would use.
No.
Okay, yeah, you know what?
You're right.
First I've got to tell her
that I'm doing dinner this year.
She's gonna be so relieved.
I mean, it's a lot of trouble.
Uh-huh.
Where're you going?
To tell mom.
I think I got the menu
all worked out in my head.
So, now I just gotta
tell her my big surprise.
I don't think she's home.
I think she took
the twins somewhere.
Uh, okay, I'll tell her
later when I get the menu
and the schedule all
completely worked out.
You know, you can
put me on the schedule.
I'll do whatever
you want me to do.
And if you need acorns,
I will scour
the neighborhood for some.
That's really sweet, thanks.
Something wrong?
No. Why?
You're acting strange.
Am I?
Yeah.
Well, I was just thinking...
Thinking about what?
Do you really want to take on
Thanksgiving dinner this year?
I mean, there's still
time to back out.
You haven't told your mom yet.
It's just,
with the baby coming
and your school finals
and your church work,
maybe you should let your mom
host this year
and then next year
when you have less
on your plate, you can host.
Plus, we live
above a garage
with a small stove
and no dishwasher.
How exactly are you planning
on cooking and serving
Thanksgiving dinner
for your entire family?
See, next year, we'll
probably have a house
and it'll be our first
Thanksgiving together
in that house.
You, me and the baby.
Next year will be much better
for you to start
hosting holidays
and taking the reins
and stepping up.
I can handle Thanksgiving,
the baby, school,
my church work.
Oh, okay, good.
Kevin.
Yeah?
What's going on?
I'm gonna go out
and find some acorns.
You really need acorns.
Freeze!
Start talking.
I can't keep this up.
We have to.
I know you want to be here
when Simon gets home,
but now that he's
not coming home,
we're really here
for no reason.
And we lied to get here.
The least Simon could
have done is called us
instead of calling Mary
and letting her tell us.
What do you think your
parents are gonna say?
It's hard to tell.
Poor Simon.
Don't feel sorry for him.
I don't feel sorry for him.
I mean, he's an adult,
and he's responsible
for making a long list
of bad decisions.
You think your mom
senses something?
You think that's why
she's acting so nuts?
I don't know.
I just hope Simon changes
his mind and comes home.
I mean, he has to talk to them.
In the meantime, considering
they have no idea what's
in store for them,
I think we want
to circle the wagons
and make my mom and dad know
we're all family
and we're here for them
if they need us.
You know, have
the support system in place
ready for when Simon drops
the bomb.
Circling and supporting?
It's going to be difficult,
considering your mother wants
nothing to do with us.
Can we stay in here with you?
Sure.
So, if Mommy comes looking
for us, would you hide us?
We're tired of doing
Thanksgiving stuff.
I don't want to make turkey
drawings from my hands.
And I don't want to make pilgrim
hats out of construction paper.
That's schoolwork.
At home, we just want to play.
Last year, Mommy didn't make us
do anything.
All she did was bake turkey
and stuffing and pie
and we ate and ate.
And we didn't have
to make drawings or hats.
Eating is fun.
This is not fun.
Well, let's go see
what Matt and Sarah are doing.
Hello, You've reached Carlos
and Mary and Charles Miguel.
Please leave a message.
Okay, you two, you can run,
but you can't hide.
Well, considering this is
the third message I've left,
it seems you can
both run and hide.
Call me back, please.
I need you to reconsider
your Thanksgiving plans.
Carlos, I need you and Mary
and the baby here this year.
Call me.
Oh, good.
You guys are just in time.
Please, Annie, I love you,
but no more Thanksgiving crafts.
Oh, no, but this is something I
thought we could all do together
as a family, you know,
to get ready for the holidays
because Thanksgiving
is all about family, right?
What, is something wrong?
Mom, isn't family meant
to be celebrated every day,
whenever family gets together,
whenever family is together?
Not just during the holidays,
right?
Yes, of course.
Because, Mom,
Sarah and I are family.
And even though
we are in New York
and we don't get to see you
as often as we'd like,
we're here for you always.
You can count on us, always,
no matter what.
We love you, Annie,
and we're here for you.
Right now, as a matter of fact.
So, come on, I mean, forget
about the crafts
and the candles.
Come with us for pizza
and a movie.
Oh, no, no, no.
I have too much to do.
Besides, you know what?
I can hang out
with you and Sarah
when you're back
for Thanksgiving.
For the last time,
it doesn't matter
who you called at the school
or the hospital.
Sarah and I cannot come home
for Thanksgiving weekend.
That's why we're here
this weekend.
So, are you going
to come with us?
I can't. I told you,
I have too much to do.
Fine. I'll, uh...
I'll just take
everybody else out
and tomorrow Sarah and I will
leave and you will have wasted
a chance to spend
the entire weekend with us
just because
it wasn't when you wanted
to spend the weekend with us.
Matt!
Matt, you and Sarah,
you're going to miss
a great family holiday.
I mean, everybody's
going to be here.
Won't you at least consider
coming home for Thanksgiving?
Mom, wake up.
Everyone will not be here
for Thanksgiving.
You know what?
It may not be a great
holiday, either.
It might not even
be a good holiday.
Simon isn't coming home
for Thanksgiving.
He has to work.
And Mary and Carlos
are going to Puerto Rico
and they've asked Ruthie
to go with them.
And I want to go.
So, can I go?
I won't be here, either.
I'm going camping with Mac.
So, it will just be you and I
and Sam and David
and Kevin and Lucy.
But that's enough. It is.
That's plenty of family.
Mom, Kevin says that Dad
says that you're going crazy
over Thanksgiving this year
and I wanted to go crazy
over Thanksgiving this year.
I wanted to do the dinner.
I thought you knew
that I was going
to do it this year.
It is important
for me to do it this year.
O-Okay, wh-what's going on?
Mom?
Mom.
Mommy.
Annie?
Say something.
You are not my family.
What's up
with you guys?
I'm not hungry.
Can we go?
We're finished.
You didn't eat much.
We're not hungry, too.
Yeah.
You really should eat.
I'm too upset to eat.
We're not her family?
How can you eat?
What? I'm hungry.
Hey, if I lost my appetite
every single time
that there was
a domestic disturbance
in my house,
I would have never eaten.
My parents fought constantly
when I was growing up.
They were always yelling
and calling each other names.
It was either adapt or starve,
so I chose "adapt."
Can you pass the soda, please?
So, what do we do?
I don't know what we can do,
but I'm hoping
there's something Dad can do.
We should tell
our parents.
No. No, not yet.
Why?
Because I'm not ready
to tell them.
Well, I want to tell my parents,
or at least my dad.
I mean, I think that
after the initial shock,
I think they're going
to be happy for us.
I'm not ready
to tell my parents
and if your parents know,
they'll tell my parents.
So, we say nothing.
Matt and Sarah know.
I mean, they thought
we were going
to tell my family this weekend.
They flew all the way in
for support.
Well, that's not my fault.
I didn't want anyone to know.
That's not the point.
The point is, they know.
And they're with my parents.
Well, they'd better not
say anything.
You know, this is our news,
not their news.
Well, I didn't want
to surprise my parents
with our news
on Thanksgiving.
That's why I thought we'd
tell them this weekend.
Maybe they'd get over it
by Thanksgiving.
Your parents are not going
to get over this in a week.
Okay, I just want to wait
until the holidays
are over altogether. Okay?
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New
Year's before we say anything.
You should get that.
Let the machine get it.
I have to go.
Hey, no.
Just... just stay, please?
We'll talk tonight.
Okay.
Hi, this is Simon.
Leave a message.
I'll call you back.
Simon, this is your dad...
again.
Please call me when you get this
or when you get any of the other
ten messages I've already left.
I need to talk to you about...
Hey. I'm here. I'm sorry.
Uh, I was at work all day
and library. What's up?
I need you to come home
for Thanksgiving.
I'm sorry, Dad, I can't.
I should have told you, but I--
I know. You have to work.
Matt told me. But...
You need to find someone to fill
in for you at the radio station.
You have time. You can do this.
I need you to do this.
Dad, I can't. I tried, okay?
Everyone who could work for me
is going out of town.
Try harder.
What's the big deal?
It's just one Thanksgiving.
Well, the big deal is that
your mother wants us all
together this year,
and I don't think
I can get everyone.
I'm going to try to get
as many Camdens as I can,
but you're on my can-get list.
Does Mom really care
if I miss one stupid holiday?
Yes.
Stop wasting time
asking questions.
Hang up. Call everyone you know.
Get someone to work for you
on Thanksgiving day.
Okay? And-and...
Look, you can drive down
and back on the same day,
but I need you here,
happy and eating turkey.
I can't.
Simon, you sound funny.
Are you okay?
I'm fine, Dad.
I just can't come home.
Please do this for me.
I'm counting on you.
I... I need you.
Find a way to be here.
Thanks for not putting
too much pressure on me, Dad.
Bye, Simon.
We'll make hand turkeys
and pilgrim hats if you want.
I'm sorry I lost my temper
and was a bit upset earlier.
Did you eat?
We couldn't eat.
No one could.
Honest. We like doing crafts.
No, you don't.
We love you and if you love that
other stuff, we'll do it.
I have a better idea.
Why don't you come around here
and sit on my lap
and look at these pictures
with me
and then we can go downstairs
and I'll make you a snack, okay?
Look at...
Hello?
Hi, Carlos.
It's Ruthie.
Ruthie, it's late.
Really late.
Oh, I'm sorry. I hope
I didn't wake Charlie.
Uh, if Charlie can sleep
in New York City,
he can sleep
through a phone ringing.
Is everything all right?
Do you need to talk to Mary?
'Cause she's on a trip.
No, I don't need Mary.
Okay.
But everything
is not all right.
What do you mean?
I can't go to Puerto Rico with
you and Mary for Thanksgiving.
I want to, but I can't.
Ruthie, what's going on?
Hey, we're hungry.
Then let me make you
guys some sandwiches.
We'll help you.
We're good at
making sandwiches.
Okay.
Mom, I-I want to apologize.
Oh, no, let me apologize.
I'm the one who went holiday
crazy. I'm sorry.
We really would be here
if we could.
I understand that.
We just can't fly here
and back in one day
and the best we
could hope to get off
would just be
the one day,
so that's why we
came this weekend,
when we could
stay all weekend.
But I was thinking, why don't
you and dad and everyone else
fly to New York and spend
Thanksgiving with us there.
That way we could all
be together.
Not in Glenoak, but together.
That's sweet,
but totally unnecessary.
No, I plan to have Thanksgiving
right here in this house
with whatever family
can be here.
I really feel like
I'm letting you down.
Well, don't. No.
You and Sarah go to school
and work.
And you know, someday soon,
when your schedule permits,
you'll both be here,
hopefully next year.
Your words say you're okay,
but you don't look okay.
You look upset.
Is there something else going on
besides Thanksgiving?
No, I'm, I'm fine.
Really, I am.
You're really okay
with our not being
here for Thanksgiving?
Yes, I am.
What are you doing?
Well, I can't host
Thanksgiving now.
It would be like taking
something away from my mother.
Neither one of us
would enjoy it.
But you should hang
on to that stuff.
You never know, your mother
might change her mind.
I don't think so.
You saw upset she was.
I can't get Matt and Sarah,
Simon, Mary, Carlos
and Charlie here
for Thanksgiving,
but I can step aside
and let her make the meal
and decorate and do
what she's always done,
what she clearly
wants to do.
I'm sorry. I know
you were looking
forward to this,
what with the
acorns and all.
Someday,
we'll have our own house
and we'll have our own family
and you can have
your Thanksgiving
and do whatever you want.
But I guess as long as we're
living here with your parents,
it's going to be
your mother's Thanksgiving.
Well, when we have our own house
and our own family,
am I gonna end up
like my mom, all sad
because our children ended up
making other plans
or living far away, or spending
the holidays with friends?
It doesn't make you a bad son or
daughter for not spending time
with your family
on the holidays.
I'm not gonna be spending
Thanksgiving or Christmas
with my mother or Ben
or my sister.
I'm gonna be here with you.
Do you want to go home?
Not this year, but next year.
I think it would be nice
if we spent some holiday time
with my family, too.
Yeah, we should.
I love you.
I love you, too. Thanks.
Thanks for staying here
and not making me choose
between my family
and your family.
I guess I went a little holiday
nuts on you, didn't I?
I don't know how
I didn't figure it out sooner.
Figure what out sooner?
With all this rush
to get the family together,
you-you never mentioned Ginger.
Why is that?
I don't know. I just...
Well, if I invited Ginger,
if I...
if I invited Ginger...
it would remind me
that my father's gone.
This is the first Thanksgiving
since your dad passed away.
I'm such a fool.
Oh, no, you're not the fool,
I'm the fool!
I can't get over
my father's death!
The death of a parent isn't
something you get over;
it's just something
you learn to live with.
I thought if we could have
the whole family together here
for Thanksgiving, then I might
be able to forget that,
that my father is...
is not here.
It's gonna be okay...
you, Thanksgiving,
everything.
Do you have a minute?
Oh sure, come in.
I'm glad you stopped by
on your way to bed
because I was thinking that,
um, if you want to go camping
with Mac over Thanksgiving
weekend, you should go.
But you'd rather I stay here.
Yes, I'll miss you,
but I'll understand.
I don't know
if you do understand.
Oh, is this you?
Yeah, when I was about nine,
and that's my mother.
She's very beautiful.
Yeah, she was.
That picture was taken
right before my mom
was diagnosed with cancer,
and that Thanksgiving
turned out to be
the last one we had together,
all of us together and healthy.
I don't know if you guys
are rubbing off on me or what,
but I accidentally heard you and
Reverend Camden talking tonight.
About my father?
And that's why you're sharing
this picture with me.
Most people don't understand
what it's like to lose a parent,
and it's not something
I would wish on anybody.
To not be able to see my mom
or call my mom or hug her
or just be with her or spend
Thanksgiving and Christmas
with her--
it's not just difficult to me,
sometimes
it's downright painful.
She's gone, and all I have
left of her is a few photos
and a lot of
really good memories.
Unfortunately,
around the holidays,
the memories never
make me feel better,
they make me miss her more.
Then I start to miss my dad
and my aunt,
but it all starts
with missing my mom.
I don't know
if I'll go camping or not.
Maybe I'll stay here this year,
give Thanksgiving one more try.
But no matter what I do, I just
want you to know that I know
what it feels like
to lose a parent,
and even though I'm just a kid,
I'm available to talk
if you ever feel like talking
to someone
who's going through
what you're going through.
Have I told you lately
how very glad I am
that you've come
to live with us?
Not lately.
Well, I am.
I am, too.
And I want my dad
to come home soon,
but when he does,
I'm gonna miss all of you.
Good night.
Do you have time this morning
to go to church?
We have the whole day.
Oh, good, 'cause you know,
I sort of want to make up
for lost time,
so I thought after church,
the three of us
could take a walk
and talk a little bit
about what's going on.
I'd like to get caught up
with, you know, medical school
and life in New York.
Yeah, that would be great,
Annie.
Mom.
Mom.
Okay, who was that?
That was my mother.
She's going to be fine.
Whenever she hears Simon's news,
she's going to be fine.
Eventually. I just wish
he'd get it over with.
I, I wish he'd come home.
Mom.
Oh, I called Carlos
last night and told him
it was all right
with your father and me
if you want to go
to Puerto Rico.
He's on his way.
I thought you wanted everyone
home this year for Thanksgiving.
I do, but I also know
that you miss Mary
and you want to spend
Thanksgiving with your sister
and your brother-in-law
and nephew,
so I'll miss you,
but I'll understand.
What happened to Mom?
I think, uh...
well, why ask why?
Come on.
We'll wait
for you two outside.
Your turkey apron?
I'm passing on the torch,
or in this case,
my Thanksgiving turkey apron.
Really?
Really.
That's the good news.
The bad news is, I want
to have Thanksgiving tonight
while everyone's here.
Okay, I accept.
But will you help me, please?
Oh, come on.
Let's do it together.
It will be fun.
I would really like you
to help me.
Okay, we'll do it together.
Shall we?
I've got a church full
of parishioners
and a sermon to give.
Oh, wait, um, Matt...
you were right.
I was?
A family is meant
to be celebrated every day,
not just on holidays.
Whenever a family can get
together, like, like now,
this is a celebration,
and I, I just wanted
to savor the moment a bit.
You are all my family,
and I love all of you so much.
Love you, too, Ma.
Love you.
Love you.
Happy week
before Thanksgiving.
It sure is.
Happy week before Thanksgiving!
We're here.
I can see that.
Hey!
So, uh, can we come in?
Well, yes, of course!
Come in!
Come in. I didn't...
I didn't know you were
coming this weekend.
What a great surprise.
Isn't this a great
surprise, Annie?
I would've picked you
up at the airport
if I'd known
you were coming.
I know,
but we didn't want
to be a bother-- plus,
we didn't know we were coming
till a couple of days ago.
Mary got us passes,
and luckily,
because it's a week before
the Thanksgiving holiday,
we were able
to book a flight.
Well, whatever the reason,
however you got here,
we're just so happy
to see you guys.
Right, Annie?
Mom, are you okay?
I thought you and Sarah
were coming
next weekend for Thanksgiving.
W-We couldn't get out of
working Thanksgiving,
so we thought we'd
come this week instead.
But you promised that
you'd be here for Thanksgiving.
And we are so sorry about
messing up your plans, but...
But being medical students, we
don't get to pick our schedules.
I mean, we have to do
what they tell us
and go where they tell us
and work whenever they need us.
Since all the doctors
and senior staff
want to spend Thanksgiving
with their families,
we have to fill in.
Sure, sure.
No, look, we're just so happy
that you made the effort
to spend time with us anytime.
I mean, we understand
how busy you both are.
Don't we, Annie?
My parents are out of
town all week, so Matt
and I are all yours.
Well, isn't that great, Annie?
They're all ours.
I haven't had the entire family
together for Thanksgiving
or any holiday for years.
I wanted this Thanksgiving
to be different.
This Thanksgiving,
I wanted everyone,
together, under one roof.
I'm gonna go check
on the twins now.
You know, I'm
sorry, for...
some reason this has become
extremely important for her
to have everyone...
together this year.
She's been making plans
for weeks.
Uh, everyone?
Yeah. Why?
Wh-What do you know?
Mary and Carlos told us
they're planning on taking
Charles Miguel to Puerto Rico
to spend Thanksgiving
with his family.
But Annie thinks
they're coming here.
Uh, what else do you know?
Mary told us Simon told her
he's working
at the campus radio station
and can't get away
for Thanksgiving.
We thought he was coming
this weekend,
but evidently, he changed
his mind at the last minute,
and by last minute, I mean
we didn't find out from Mary
until we landed.
So, no Matt, no Sarah.
Tsk.
No Simon. No Mary?
No.
No Carlos, no baby, no...
out-of-town family
here for Thanksgiving.
Would you two be willing
to break that news
to your mother for me?
No.
What's cooking?
Wax.
It's almost lunchtime.
Yes, it is, so maybe
you ought to think
about what you're going
to make for Sam and David.
I'm busy with my
Thanksgiving preparations.
I'm making special
holiday gourd candles,
and then I'm going to stencil
leaves onto a tablecloth,
and then I have to go out
and gather seasonal berries
and leaves so that
I can garnish the buffet table.
I still haven't
finalized my menu,
and I cannot find those
turkey-shaped Jell-O molds.
What's wrong?
Is it possible
that you're going
just a teensy bit overboard?
Ah, it's Thanksgiving.
I know, but I don't recall
our ever making this big a deal
out of Thanksgiving before.
I mean, you're... you're really
going to a lot of trouble,
and, you know, you don't
have to, I mean, you don't...
you don't even have to cook
this year-- we could go out.
When have we ever gone out?
For Thanksgiving?
I don't want to go out
for Thanksgiving.
I like doing this.
I like Thanksgiving.
Okay, it seems
like you're doing
just a little bit more
than you usually do.
Well, of course I am.
It's Charlie's
first Thanksgiving.
It's our first Thanksgiving
as grandparents.
It's a big one!
All right, but...
But what?
What about Matt and Sarah?
What about Matt and Sarah?
Well, I just think
they might feel a little...
underappreciated
after last night.
Why?
Well, after coming all this way
to visit us, you didn't seem
too happy to see them.
Oh, I was just surprised,
caught off guard, if you will.
They're not supposed
to be here now.
They're supposed
to here next week.
And they need to be here
next week when everyone
else is here.
Uh, they don't
need to be here.
It would be nice
if they were here.
There's a difference,
don't you think?
We... we just want
our family to be here,
whatever family is
able to be here, right?
I need you to get
the turkey today.
Okay? A nice, big one.
Make sure it's free-range,
and fresh, not frozen.
I think about a 20-pounder
should do it.
But Matt and Sarah said
they can't be here.
And who knows,
maybe some of our other kids
won't be able to make it.
But we can always
have leftovers.
Turkey sandwiches. Yeah.
I'll get the 20-pound turkey.
Don't worry about Matt
and Sarah-- they'll be here.
Yeah, well, not unless
by some miracle, their
work schedule changes.
I took care of it.
She called the Director
of Medical Education.
What? She... Who?
Mom called the Director
of Medical Education.
The director is in charge
of all medical students.
He's like my boss.
My mother called
my boss and asked
if my wife and I could have
Thanksgiving weekend off
because I was needed at home.
When the director told her
he didn't make the schedules,
she called the dean.
But it's Saturday,
so the dean wasn't at work,
so she got someone
at the hospital to give her
the Dean's home number,
and then she called him.
Hmm.
She called the dean
of my medical college at home
and asked if I could have
Thanksgiving weekend off.
So what did he say, can you
be here for Thanksgiving?
No! A-And Mom
really needs to get a grip,
because us not being here for
Thanksgiving is not a tragedy.
There are bigger problems
out there.
You don't look so good.
Your mother's working very hard
to have a big
family Thanksgiving,
and half the family
isn't gonna be here.
I'm sorry, Dad.
Well, it's not your fault.
Well, yeah, it is, kind of.
Since I won't be here, either.
At least I hope I won't be here.
I was just coming down
to ask you
if I can spend Thanksgiving
with Carlos and Mary.
They're spending it
with Carlos's parents
in Puerto Rico.
I-I know, Matt told me.
They got me a ticket
and everything.
Plus Carlos's parents
have a huge house,
so there's tons of rooms
for all of us.
I won't need a hotel.
I mean, I think
they only invited me
because they need help
with the baby, but...
hey, a free trip's
a free trip, right?
You can't go.
Oh, no, I won't be flying alone,
if that's what
you're worried about.
Carlos said he would fly here
and then fly back with me
to Puerto Rico.
Oh. You can't go.
But I promised Carlos and Mary.
And they need me,
and I really want to go.
Your mother
needs you to be here.
I spent every Thanksgiving
with you and Mom.
What's the big deal
about me missing just one?
Come on, Dad,
I really want to go.
Please?
Well, Mary and Carlos
and the baby are gonna be here.
They are?
Yeah, I don't know how I'm gonna
get them here,
but I'll find a way,
so you don't need
to go to Puerto Rico.
Hey, Reverend Camden.
We'll be back.
We're just going
to the batting cages.
Mac.
Yes?
What are you doing
for Thanksgiving?
It's just...
I-I think
we might have a few extra seats
at our table, and I thought,
you know, after you
have dinner with your family,
you could come over here and
have dinner with our family.
Wow, that's really nice.
But I won't be here.
See, every year
my dad goes up north
for the holiday
to visit his sister.
Oh, so you're
gonna be out of town?
No. His sister hates me.
Something I did with
her Hummel collection
when I was three.
Oh, and that accident
with her cat when I was five.
And I set her kitchen
on fire when I was six.
The more nervous
she made me,
the bigger the accident.
So up until last year, my dad
was too afraid to take me,
so he decided
to let me stay back here
and go camping
with some friends,
and it worked out
so well for everyone
that he decided
to let me do it again this year.
What about your mother?
She goes
to her boyfriend's house.
I don't like her boyfriend.
Well, so if you've
got nowhere to be...
No offense,
but I'd rather go camping.
It's nothing
against you and your family.
It's just...
it's Thanksgiving.
It's just a meal.
Everyone makes
such a big deal out of it
that no one ever
seems to enjoy it.
Sorry.
I just thought you and Martin
might want to spend Thanksgiving
together, that's all.
We are--
I'm going camping with Mac.
I told you about it last month.
I don't remember.
I'm sure I mentioned it.
I'm sure you did,
but I really need you here
for Thanksgiving.
Is there any way you would
reconsider the camping trip?
Look, my aunt and I
celebrated last year
and it was the first
Thanksgiving
we celebrated in years
and it was... horrible.
It's just such a family holiday
that with my dad overseas
and my mom... gone,
well, celebrating just
made both of us miss
what little family we have
even more than we already do.
Well, if you two
change your minds...
We're not going to
change our minds.
We're, uh, going camping.
I need to run some
errands for Mommy,
and then we can
all get lunch out.
Daddy, what's wrong?
You look sad.
Well, I'm fine, or I will be
when I get all your
brothers and sisters together
for Thanksgiving this year.
Mommy wants us all together.
But we're going to Lucy's
for Thanksgiving.
She invited us.
Lucy?
Okay, get your jackets
and shoes on.
I'll be right back.
Where's Lucy?
She's up in the apartment,
thinking of new ways
to torture me.
She wants me to go collect
acorns from people's yards
and then help her glue-gun them
to string so she can use them
as Thanksgiving
napkin ring holders.
She's making such a big
deal over Thanksgiving.
Menus, silverware, acorns.
Me, I just want to eat turkey
until I can't eat anymore,
and then I want to watch
football until I fall asleep,
then wake up and do it
all over again.
Celebrate Thanksgiving
the way God intended.
But I'm married,
and my wife's pregnant,
so I'm off to collect nuts
from people's yards.
I don't even know
what an acorn looks like.
But don't get me wrong;
I'm glad she wants to do
Thanksgiving dinner this
year for everyone, but...
How does this sound?
Maple roast turkey,
chestnut stuffing,
sweet potato spoon bread, root
vegetables in sautéed butter,
autumn succotash,
cranberry-orange relish,
pumpkin mousse pie
and apple pandowdy.
Pandowdy?
It's a classic American dessert
from the 19th century,
but Martha has dowdied it up by
cutting the dough into pieces
instead of leaving it whole.
I think my theme is gonna be
classic colonial American
but I haven't finalized
the menu up yet.
Martha?
Martha Stewart.
The queen
of Thanksgiving entertaining.
Oh.
I'm following all her recipes
and decorating ideas and crafts.
This is gonna be the best
Thanksgiving ever.
It's gonna be my Thanksgiving.
I can't wait
to put my stamp on it
and claim it as my own.
But, but I also want
Mom to be proud of me,
so everything has
got to be perfect.
,And, you know, she
shouldn't be in jail,
especially during
the holiday season.
That's a cruel
and unusual punishment.
Your mother isn't in jail.
Not mom, Martha.
Oh.
Martha Stewart
shouldn't be in jail.
She's suffered enough,
been punished enough.
Okay, well...
I mean, last week,
Kevin arrested this
scummy drug dealer
and he got off,
but Martha's in jail.
How is that helping anyone?
How is that justice?
Back to Thanksgiving.
Uh, you're planning on
having it this year?
Yeah, I can't wait.
Have you spoken to your mother?
Why?
I think she's thinking
she's planning the family
Thanksgiving dinner,
since she's always done it.
Yeah, but she won't mind
if I do it this year.
Besides, I want it
to be my gift to her.
Yeah, but your mother has
always made the dinner.
Always.
Yeah, but now that I'm a
wife and a soon-to-be mother,
it's time for her to retire,
pass the spoon on to me.
This year, Thanksgiving
is all mine.
Hmm. Okay.
Oh, good,
I was looking for you.
I got a question.
I bought these walnuts
at the store.
Do you think I can convince Lucy
that they're really big acorns?
We have a problem.
Fine, I'll go find
some stinking acorns.
No, no, no, no,
not a problem
with those nuts,
a problem with our nuts,
Lucy and Annie.
Annie is planning on hosting
a huge family Thanksgiving.
But so is Lucy.
That's the problem.
You... you have to tell Lucy
that she can't have
Thanksgiving this year.
Yeah, me and what army?
Have you seen her? She's manic.
Why don't you tell Annie
to take the year off?
I'd rather eat glass.
Besides, Annie's way
more manic than Lucy.
Plus, if I can't get Mary,
Carlos,
the baby and Simon
here next week,
then I have to break that bad
news to her; that's enough.
Lucy thinks it's her
wifely duty to do this.
She bought an apron
and everything.
What if you tell Annie
and I tell Lucy?
Then where will we eat?
No, no, look, you tell Annie
about Mary, Carlos,
the baby and Simon,
and I'll tell Lucy
that she can't host
Thanksgiving this year.
They'll go easier on us
because we're
not their husbands.
In theory,
they'll go easier on us.
All right, just let me see who
I can get to be here next week
and... and we'll meet
back here later
and we'll figure out a plan.
Meanwhile,
keep Lucy away from Annie.
I need a little time.
How much time?
I don't know.
Just don't let Lucy
leave the apartment.
I'm making
candles out of squash.
I shouldn't be complaining.
If Annie could figure out a way
to freeze pumpkins,
I'd be making pumpkins vases.
So, you're having a good time.
Oh, yeah.
You know, it's not that
we don't want to be here
over Thanksgiving,
we just thought we'd be
here this weekend instead.
We thought if we were here,
and Simon was here
it would be kind of, you know,
a... a pre-Thanksgiving.
Maybe your parents would
like to join our family
for Thanksgiving, help us
fill out the table a bit.
I'm sure they'd love to
if they weren't already
going to be in New York with us.
You and Matt are having
Thanksgiving with your parents?
I... have some calls to make.
And I have candles to make.
I got so carried away making
the candles this morning,
I forgot to make the bed.
Oh, I hope you don't mind,
I talked to your dean.
He is very understanding
and very nice and he...
Mom.
Yes?
You shouldn't have done that.
Oh, well, I didn't mind, really.
And I know
you didn't want to ask.
Anyway, he said that
you can have Thursday off
as long as you're back
Friday afternoon,
which works for me.
He said that because he thinks
there's some family emergency.
I already told him there was a
family emergency this weekend.
Well, now why did you do that?
Because it's better for us
to have this weekend off
than the actual holiday weekend.
Do you have any idea how
competitive medical school is?
Do you know that we are
judged from the word go?
That whatever emergency we have,
if we take time off for it,
we will pay for it, either in
our grades or when it comes time
for recommendation letters
or when and how we are assigned
or what rotations we get?
You just can't call the dean!
Oh, Mattie, Mattie, Mattie,
don't let the pressure
get to you.
You and Sarah are
gonna be just fine.
It won't hurt for the two of you
to take a couple of days off.
You know, it might even be good
to get away and clear your head.
Okay, seriously,
what's going on with you?
What do you mean?
It's not like you to be so...
So what?
So insistent about the holidays.
Well, you're right. You are.
So, what's going on?
You want to know what happened
when I didn't insist?
I'll tell you what happened--
nobody came.
So, now I'm insisting.
I'm insisting that
you and Sarah be here,
and thanks to me
you got the time off,
so I don't see the problem.
If you won't do it
for yourselves,
Matt, please, do it for me.
I want you here.
I need you here.
Kevin, we got a problem.
We do?
The walnuts aren't gonna work.
Oh...
Maybe I should go ask my mom
what nuts she would use.
No.
Okay, yeah, you know what?
You're right.
First I've got to tell her
that I'm doing dinner this year.
She's gonna be so relieved.
I mean, it's a lot of trouble.
Uh-huh.
Where're you going?
To tell mom.
I think I got the menu
all worked out in my head.
So, now I just gotta
tell her my big surprise.
I don't think she's home.
I think she took
the twins somewhere.
Uh, okay, I'll tell her
later when I get the menu
and the schedule all
completely worked out.
You know, you can
put me on the schedule.
I'll do whatever
you want me to do.
And if you need acorns,
I will scour
the neighborhood for some.
That's really sweet, thanks.
Something wrong?
No. Why?
You're acting strange.
Am I?
Yeah.
Well, I was just thinking...
Thinking about what?
Do you really want to take on
Thanksgiving dinner this year?
I mean, there's still
time to back out.
You haven't told your mom yet.
It's just,
with the baby coming
and your school finals
and your church work,
maybe you should let your mom
host this year
and then next year
when you have less
on your plate, you can host.
Plus, we live
above a garage
with a small stove
and no dishwasher.
How exactly are you planning
on cooking and serving
Thanksgiving dinner
for your entire family?
See, next year, we'll
probably have a house
and it'll be our first
Thanksgiving together
in that house.
You, me and the baby.
Next year will be much better
for you to start
hosting holidays
and taking the reins
and stepping up.
I can handle Thanksgiving,
the baby, school,
my church work.
Oh, okay, good.
Kevin.
Yeah?
What's going on?
I'm gonna go out
and find some acorns.
You really need acorns.
Freeze!
Start talking.
I can't keep this up.
We have to.
I know you want to be here
when Simon gets home,
but now that he's
not coming home,
we're really here
for no reason.
And we lied to get here.
The least Simon could
have done is called us
instead of calling Mary
and letting her tell us.
What do you think your
parents are gonna say?
It's hard to tell.
Poor Simon.
Don't feel sorry for him.
I don't feel sorry for him.
I mean, he's an adult,
and he's responsible
for making a long list
of bad decisions.
You think your mom
senses something?
You think that's why
she's acting so nuts?
I don't know.
I just hope Simon changes
his mind and comes home.
I mean, he has to talk to them.
In the meantime, considering
they have no idea what's
in store for them,
I think we want
to circle the wagons
and make my mom and dad know
we're all family
and we're here for them
if they need us.
You know, have
the support system in place
ready for when Simon drops
the bomb.
Circling and supporting?
It's going to be difficult,
considering your mother wants
nothing to do with us.
Can we stay in here with you?
Sure.
So, if Mommy comes looking
for us, would you hide us?
We're tired of doing
Thanksgiving stuff.
I don't want to make turkey
drawings from my hands.
And I don't want to make pilgrim
hats out of construction paper.
That's schoolwork.
At home, we just want to play.
Last year, Mommy didn't make us
do anything.
All she did was bake turkey
and stuffing and pie
and we ate and ate.
And we didn't have
to make drawings or hats.
Eating is fun.
This is not fun.
Well, let's go see
what Matt and Sarah are doing.
Hello, You've reached Carlos
and Mary and Charles Miguel.
Please leave a message.
Okay, you two, you can run,
but you can't hide.
Well, considering this is
the third message I've left,
it seems you can
both run and hide.
Call me back, please.
I need you to reconsider
your Thanksgiving plans.
Carlos, I need you and Mary
and the baby here this year.
Call me.
Oh, good.
You guys are just in time.
Please, Annie, I love you,
but no more Thanksgiving crafts.
Oh, no, but this is something I
thought we could all do together
as a family, you know,
to get ready for the holidays
because Thanksgiving
is all about family, right?
What, is something wrong?
Mom, isn't family meant
to be celebrated every day,
whenever family gets together,
whenever family is together?
Not just during the holidays,
right?
Yes, of course.
Because, Mom,
Sarah and I are family.
And even though
we are in New York
and we don't get to see you
as often as we'd like,
we're here for you always.
You can count on us, always,
no matter what.
We love you, Annie,
and we're here for you.
Right now, as a matter of fact.
So, come on, I mean, forget
about the crafts
and the candles.
Come with us for pizza
and a movie.
Oh, no, no, no.
I have too much to do.
Besides, you know what?
I can hang out
with you and Sarah
when you're back
for Thanksgiving.
For the last time,
it doesn't matter
who you called at the school
or the hospital.
Sarah and I cannot come home
for Thanksgiving weekend.
That's why we're here
this weekend.
So, are you going
to come with us?
I can't. I told you,
I have too much to do.
Fine. I'll, uh...
I'll just take
everybody else out
and tomorrow Sarah and I will
leave and you will have wasted
a chance to spend
the entire weekend with us
just because
it wasn't when you wanted
to spend the weekend with us.
Matt!
Matt, you and Sarah,
you're going to miss
a great family holiday.
I mean, everybody's
going to be here.
Won't you at least consider
coming home for Thanksgiving?
Mom, wake up.
Everyone will not be here
for Thanksgiving.
You know what?
It may not be a great
holiday, either.
It might not even
be a good holiday.
Simon isn't coming home
for Thanksgiving.
He has to work.
And Mary and Carlos
are going to Puerto Rico
and they've asked Ruthie
to go with them.
And I want to go.
So, can I go?
I won't be here, either.
I'm going camping with Mac.
So, it will just be you and I
and Sam and David
and Kevin and Lucy.
But that's enough. It is.
That's plenty of family.
Mom, Kevin says that Dad
says that you're going crazy
over Thanksgiving this year
and I wanted to go crazy
over Thanksgiving this year.
I wanted to do the dinner.
I thought you knew
that I was going
to do it this year.
It is important
for me to do it this year.
O-Okay, wh-what's going on?
Mom?
Mom.
Mommy.
Annie?
Say something.
You are not my family.
What's up
with you guys?
I'm not hungry.
Can we go?
We're finished.
You didn't eat much.
We're not hungry, too.
Yeah.
You really should eat.
I'm too upset to eat.
We're not her family?
How can you eat?
What? I'm hungry.
Hey, if I lost my appetite
every single time
that there was
a domestic disturbance
in my house,
I would have never eaten.
My parents fought constantly
when I was growing up.
They were always yelling
and calling each other names.
It was either adapt or starve,
so I chose "adapt."
Can you pass the soda, please?
So, what do we do?
I don't know what we can do,
but I'm hoping
there's something Dad can do.
We should tell
our parents.
No. No, not yet.
Why?
Because I'm not ready
to tell them.
Well, I want to tell my parents,
or at least my dad.
I mean, I think that
after the initial shock,
I think they're going
to be happy for us.
I'm not ready
to tell my parents
and if your parents know,
they'll tell my parents.
So, we say nothing.
Matt and Sarah know.
I mean, they thought
we were going
to tell my family this weekend.
They flew all the way in
for support.
Well, that's not my fault.
I didn't want anyone to know.
That's not the point.
The point is, they know.
And they're with my parents.
Well, they'd better not
say anything.
You know, this is our news,
not their news.
Well, I didn't want
to surprise my parents
with our news
on Thanksgiving.
That's why I thought we'd
tell them this weekend.
Maybe they'd get over it
by Thanksgiving.
Your parents are not going
to get over this in a week.
Okay, I just want to wait
until the holidays
are over altogether. Okay?
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New
Year's before we say anything.
You should get that.
Let the machine get it.
I have to go.
Hey, no.
Just... just stay, please?
We'll talk tonight.
Okay.
Hi, this is Simon.
Leave a message.
I'll call you back.
Simon, this is your dad...
again.
Please call me when you get this
or when you get any of the other
ten messages I've already left.
I need to talk to you about...
Hey. I'm here. I'm sorry.
Uh, I was at work all day
and library. What's up?
I need you to come home
for Thanksgiving.
I'm sorry, Dad, I can't.
I should have told you, but I--
I know. You have to work.
Matt told me. But...
You need to find someone to fill
in for you at the radio station.
You have time. You can do this.
I need you to do this.
Dad, I can't. I tried, okay?
Everyone who could work for me
is going out of town.
Try harder.
What's the big deal?
It's just one Thanksgiving.
Well, the big deal is that
your mother wants us all
together this year,
and I don't think
I can get everyone.
I'm going to try to get
as many Camdens as I can,
but you're on my can-get list.
Does Mom really care
if I miss one stupid holiday?
Yes.
Stop wasting time
asking questions.
Hang up. Call everyone you know.
Get someone to work for you
on Thanksgiving day.
Okay? And-and...
Look, you can drive down
and back on the same day,
but I need you here,
happy and eating turkey.
I can't.
Simon, you sound funny.
Are you okay?
I'm fine, Dad.
I just can't come home.
Please do this for me.
I'm counting on you.
I... I need you.
Find a way to be here.
Thanks for not putting
too much pressure on me, Dad.
Bye, Simon.
We'll make hand turkeys
and pilgrim hats if you want.
I'm sorry I lost my temper
and was a bit upset earlier.
Did you eat?
We couldn't eat.
No one could.
Honest. We like doing crafts.
No, you don't.
We love you and if you love that
other stuff, we'll do it.
I have a better idea.
Why don't you come around here
and sit on my lap
and look at these pictures
with me
and then we can go downstairs
and I'll make you a snack, okay?
Look at...
Hello?
Hi, Carlos.
It's Ruthie.
Ruthie, it's late.
Really late.
Oh, I'm sorry. I hope
I didn't wake Charlie.
Uh, if Charlie can sleep
in New York City,
he can sleep
through a phone ringing.
Is everything all right?
Do you need to talk to Mary?
'Cause she's on a trip.
No, I don't need Mary.
Okay.
But everything
is not all right.
What do you mean?
I can't go to Puerto Rico with
you and Mary for Thanksgiving.
I want to, but I can't.
Ruthie, what's going on?
Hey, we're hungry.
Then let me make you
guys some sandwiches.
We'll help you.
We're good at
making sandwiches.
Okay.
Mom, I-I want to apologize.
Oh, no, let me apologize.
I'm the one who went holiday
crazy. I'm sorry.
We really would be here
if we could.
I understand that.
We just can't fly here
and back in one day
and the best we
could hope to get off
would just be
the one day,
so that's why we
came this weekend,
when we could
stay all weekend.
But I was thinking, why don't
you and dad and everyone else
fly to New York and spend
Thanksgiving with us there.
That way we could all
be together.
Not in Glenoak, but together.
That's sweet,
but totally unnecessary.
No, I plan to have Thanksgiving
right here in this house
with whatever family
can be here.
I really feel like
I'm letting you down.
Well, don't. No.
You and Sarah go to school
and work.
And you know, someday soon,
when your schedule permits,
you'll both be here,
hopefully next year.
Your words say you're okay,
but you don't look okay.
You look upset.
Is there something else going on
besides Thanksgiving?
No, I'm, I'm fine.
Really, I am.
You're really okay
with our not being
here for Thanksgiving?
Yes, I am.
What are you doing?
Well, I can't host
Thanksgiving now.
It would be like taking
something away from my mother.
Neither one of us
would enjoy it.
But you should hang
on to that stuff.
You never know, your mother
might change her mind.
I don't think so.
You saw upset she was.
I can't get Matt and Sarah,
Simon, Mary, Carlos
and Charlie here
for Thanksgiving,
but I can step aside
and let her make the meal
and decorate and do
what she's always done,
what she clearly
wants to do.
I'm sorry. I know
you were looking
forward to this,
what with the
acorns and all.
Someday,
we'll have our own house
and we'll have our own family
and you can have
your Thanksgiving
and do whatever you want.
But I guess as long as we're
living here with your parents,
it's going to be
your mother's Thanksgiving.
Well, when we have our own house
and our own family,
am I gonna end up
like my mom, all sad
because our children ended up
making other plans
or living far away, or spending
the holidays with friends?
It doesn't make you a bad son or
daughter for not spending time
with your family
on the holidays.
I'm not gonna be spending
Thanksgiving or Christmas
with my mother or Ben
or my sister.
I'm gonna be here with you.
Do you want to go home?
Not this year, but next year.
I think it would be nice
if we spent some holiday time
with my family, too.
Yeah, we should.
I love you.
I love you, too. Thanks.
Thanks for staying here
and not making me choose
between my family
and your family.
I guess I went a little holiday
nuts on you, didn't I?
I don't know how
I didn't figure it out sooner.
Figure what out sooner?
With all this rush
to get the family together,
you-you never mentioned Ginger.
Why is that?
I don't know. I just...
Well, if I invited Ginger,
if I...
if I invited Ginger...
it would remind me
that my father's gone.
This is the first Thanksgiving
since your dad passed away.
I'm such a fool.
Oh, no, you're not the fool,
I'm the fool!
I can't get over
my father's death!
The death of a parent isn't
something you get over;
it's just something
you learn to live with.
I thought if we could have
the whole family together here
for Thanksgiving, then I might
be able to forget that,
that my father is...
is not here.
It's gonna be okay...
you, Thanksgiving,
everything.
Do you have a minute?
Oh sure, come in.
I'm glad you stopped by
on your way to bed
because I was thinking that,
um, if you want to go camping
with Mac over Thanksgiving
weekend, you should go.
But you'd rather I stay here.
Yes, I'll miss you,
but I'll understand.
I don't know
if you do understand.
Oh, is this you?
Yeah, when I was about nine,
and that's my mother.
She's very beautiful.
Yeah, she was.
That picture was taken
right before my mom
was diagnosed with cancer,
and that Thanksgiving
turned out to be
the last one we had together,
all of us together and healthy.
I don't know if you guys
are rubbing off on me or what,
but I accidentally heard you and
Reverend Camden talking tonight.
About my father?
And that's why you're sharing
this picture with me.
Most people don't understand
what it's like to lose a parent,
and it's not something
I would wish on anybody.
To not be able to see my mom
or call my mom or hug her
or just be with her or spend
Thanksgiving and Christmas
with her--
it's not just difficult to me,
sometimes
it's downright painful.
She's gone, and all I have
left of her is a few photos
and a lot of
really good memories.
Unfortunately,
around the holidays,
the memories never
make me feel better,
they make me miss her more.
Then I start to miss my dad
and my aunt,
but it all starts
with missing my mom.
I don't know
if I'll go camping or not.
Maybe I'll stay here this year,
give Thanksgiving one more try.
But no matter what I do, I just
want you to know that I know
what it feels like
to lose a parent,
and even though I'm just a kid,
I'm available to talk
if you ever feel like talking
to someone
who's going through
what you're going through.
Have I told you lately
how very glad I am
that you've come
to live with us?
Not lately.
Well, I am.
I am, too.
And I want my dad
to come home soon,
but when he does,
I'm gonna miss all of you.
Good night.
Do you have time this morning
to go to church?
We have the whole day.
Oh, good, 'cause you know,
I sort of want to make up
for lost time,
so I thought after church,
the three of us
could take a walk
and talk a little bit
about what's going on.
I'd like to get caught up
with, you know, medical school
and life in New York.
Yeah, that would be great,
Annie.
Mom.
Mom.
Okay, who was that?
That was my mother.
She's going to be fine.
Whenever she hears Simon's news,
she's going to be fine.
Eventually. I just wish
he'd get it over with.
I, I wish he'd come home.
Mom.
Oh, I called Carlos
last night and told him
it was all right
with your father and me
if you want to go
to Puerto Rico.
He's on his way.
I thought you wanted everyone
home this year for Thanksgiving.
I do, but I also know
that you miss Mary
and you want to spend
Thanksgiving with your sister
and your brother-in-law
and nephew,
so I'll miss you,
but I'll understand.
What happened to Mom?
I think, uh...
well, why ask why?
Come on.
We'll wait
for you two outside.
Your turkey apron?
I'm passing on the torch,
or in this case,
my Thanksgiving turkey apron.
Really?
Really.
That's the good news.
The bad news is, I want
to have Thanksgiving tonight
while everyone's here.
Okay, I accept.
But will you help me, please?
Oh, come on.
Let's do it together.
It will be fun.
I would really like you
to help me.
Okay, we'll do it together.
Shall we?
I've got a church full
of parishioners
and a sermon to give.
Oh, wait, um, Matt...
you were right.
I was?
A family is meant
to be celebrated every day,
not just on holidays.
Whenever a family can get
together, like, like now,
this is a celebration,
and I, I just wanted
to savor the moment a bit.
You are all my family,
and I love all of you so much.
Love you, too, Ma.
Love you.
Love you.
Happy week
before Thanksgiving.
It sure is.
Happy week before Thanksgiving!