- 9 hours ago
In Love With A Crippled Farmer
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Grandma and dad were selling mom and me to Mr. Cole, a farmer in town, to settle a debt, Cole
00:06Turner.
00:07That's the same name as the uncle who sometimes sneaks me candy.
00:11Mom got beat again last night. One of her ribs is cracked.
00:15Grandma grabs her by the hair and drags her down the stairs.
00:21Get up! Stop playing, dad!
00:25Today's the day you finally prove useful!
00:28I try to block them. Uncle Derek picks me up and tosses me aside.
00:33The back of my head hits the corner of the wall. Everything goes black for a long time.
00:40Grandma shoves mom into the backseat. Mom struggles.
00:44Uncle Derek pins her arm down until something pops out of place.
00:47They throw me in next and I land on top of mom.
00:50Don't be scared.
00:51The pickup starts moving. I know where we're going.
00:55Cole Turner's farm. Father owes him money.
00:57Grandma says they can't pay it back, but there are other things they can use.
01:02That cripple's been wanting a woman, hasn't he?
01:04Rose just sits around here eating anyway. Might as well send her over.
01:08And the girl can work. A few more years and she'll sell for something too.
01:11Father still doesn't say anything.
01:13We reach the farm.
01:15Cole Turner stands in the barn doorway and he holds a hammer.
01:19It's him. The uncle who used to slip me candy.
01:22Grandma pushes mom forward. Mom's arm dangles at a wrong angle, sweat covering her face, her lip bleeding where she's
01:29bitten it.
01:30Grandma shoved mom at him.
01:32Mr. Cole, my son owes you money.
01:35We can't pay it back, but this woman is strong.
01:38She can work and bear children.
01:40The girl's quick with her hands. In a couple of years, she'll be strong labor too.
01:44Take them and the debt is cleared.
01:46What do you say?
01:47I want money, not people.
01:48Grandma's face twisted. She spun on mom.
01:51You hear that?
01:53Worthless woman, even he doesn't want you.
02:00Blood beaded on her forehead instantly.
02:03She was shaking hard, but she still dragged me behind her.
02:06Her injured arm hung useless at her side.
02:09I saw the blood. Grandma shoved me down.
02:12I crawled to her side.
02:14Then I dropped to my knees.
02:16Mr. Cole, please.
02:19Take us.
02:20You little bitch.
02:22You dare beg him?
02:24Say one more word and I'll rip that mouth apart.
02:27I looked at the only man who could save us.
02:30Dad!
02:33Get up.
02:35All of you.
02:38Where's Ethan?
02:39He's not feeling well today.
02:42I asked where Ethan is.
02:44Grandma's smile freezes.
02:46Cole walks over to mom.
02:47Mom steps back and the movement wrenches her dislocated arm, making her gasp.
02:53He doesn't come any closer.
02:55What's your name?
02:57Grace.
02:59He gives a small nod.
03:01Then he stands and looks at Grandma.
03:03She stays.
03:04The debt's cleared.
03:05Something flickers across Grandma's face.
03:08Disappointment.
03:09Maybe greed.
03:10Mr. Turner, don't you think you could add a little more?
03:13It's not easy feeding two extra mouths.
03:16Cole looks at her, says nothing.
03:18Grandma's voice fades.
03:19She takes half a step back.
03:21Cole pulls a piece of paper from his pocket and holds it out.
03:25From now on, they've got nothing to do with your family.
03:28Grandma takes the paper, glances at Cole's face, and signs without another word.
03:33Once the paper's signed, she turns and walks away.
03:36Uncle Derek has already retreated to his motorcycle.
03:39The pickup pulls off, leaving a trail of dust.
03:43Only the three of us are left standing outside the barn.
03:4640,000 feet up, in the back of a Gulfstream, G700.
03:49I've looked at this photo for three years, from the time she was pregnant with Grace to the time Grace
03:54learned to walk.
03:55If I wanted this woman, there are a thousand ways to get her.
03:58I could buy her from Ethan outright.
03:59I could use legal channels.
04:01I could have taken her three years ago, but I didn't.
04:03Ten years ago in Texas, my car breaks down on the highway.
04:06I walk three miles to the nearest gas station.
04:08She's working there, heavily pregnant.
04:11She pours me two glasses of water, and gives me her own lunch.
04:19Sir, everything's gonna be alright.
04:21She's barely holding on herself at the time.
04:23I want her.
04:27But I need her to come back.
04:29So I wait in that town for three years, play the part of a broke farmer, wait for her to
04:35be free.
04:35My phone rings.
04:36The voice on the other end is urgent.
04:38I don't make it through half the call before my expression changes.
04:42Ethan sold her tonight.
04:43Sold her to me to settle his debt.
04:46My fingers are shaking.
04:47Frank has been with me for 12 years.
04:49I've never seen him look at me like that.
04:51Home.
04:52The plane begins its descent.
04:54Runway lights glow in the darkness below.
04:56The lights of that small town lie beneath me.
04:58The woman I've waited three years for is down there.
05:01This time, I'm not letting her go.
05:03Mom kneels on the ground, holding me with her good arm,
05:06her dislocated one-hanging useless at her side.
05:09She trembles with pain, but she doesn't let go.
05:12Cole goes inside and comes back with a glass of water.
05:15He crouches down again and sets it in front of Mom.
05:19Drink.
05:24Give me your arm.
05:26I'll put it back.
05:28He holds out his hand, palm up.
05:30He doesn't rush, just waits.
05:32Mom hesitates a long time.
05:34Finally, she slowly extends her dislocated arm toward him.
05:38His movements are gentle.
05:39Mom bites her lip, but doesn't make a sound.
05:42Cole lets go and pushes the glass closer to her.
05:45This time, she drinks.
05:47Hungry?
05:49I shake my head.
05:51Come in.
05:52He turns and walks into the house.
05:55Mom kneels there, holding me.
05:57Mom, is he a good man?
06:00She doesn't answer.
06:02She just stares at the open door for a very long time.
06:07I don't know what kind of man he is.
06:09I don't know why he bought us.
06:11I don't know what waits for us tonight.
06:13But when he fixed Mom's arm, his hands were gentle.
06:16When he said my name, his voice didn't sound like Father's mom stands up and takes my hand.
06:22Hers are still shaking.
06:23The door is still open.
06:25But just then, Dad yelled,
06:28Wait!
06:32After that absurd transaction ends, Mom seems like she doesn't know what to do next.
06:37Starts folding the clothes from our bag.
06:40She folds very slowly, pressing every wrinkle flat, stacking everything in a neat pile.
06:45Then she goes to wipe the table.
06:47There's nothing on it, but she wipes it three times.
06:50I stand nearby, not knowing what to say.
06:54Back at Ethan's house, this is how she survives.
06:57As long as she keeps working, she doesn't get hit.
07:00Cole comes in from outside while she's wiping it for the second time.
07:05You don't have to.
07:07I'll have it clean in a minute.
07:09I can do anything.
07:11Grace can help too.
07:13She doesn't eat much.
07:14We won't be a burden.
07:16Cole doesn't say anything else.
07:17He turns and goes into the house.
07:19I can tell she wants to ask where the kitchen is, what to do about dinner.
07:23But her mouth opens and closes, and the words never come.
07:27I take her hand.
07:29It's still cold.
07:31After a moment, Cole comes back out of his room.
07:34What's wrong?
07:34I instinctively shrink back behind Mom.
07:37But there are only two of us here.
07:40If I hide, Mom will be alone.
07:41I bite my lip, step out from behind her, and take her hand again.
07:45Cole's eyebrow shifts slightly.
07:47Mom finally forces the words out.
07:49I wanted to ask where you keep the food.
07:53I'll make dinner.
07:55You must be tired and hungry after a long day.
07:59Through there.
08:01Mom looks at the closed door.
08:03Do you have the key?
08:05He walks over, turns the handle, and pushes the door open.
08:09No lock.
08:10Mom freezes.
08:11She stares at the open door for a long moment.
08:14Go in.
08:16Mom took a step forward.
08:17She looked at Cole.
08:19Her lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.
08:22Back at Ethan's house, the kitchen was locked.
08:25The refrigerator had a lock.
08:27The rice bin had a lock.
08:28Grandma would measure out exactly how much rice, how much oil, how much vegetable for each meal.
08:33Set them on the counter.
08:35And watch Mom while she cooked.
08:37If she dropped a single grain of rice on the floor, Grandma would scream at her for half an hour.
08:43Mom stands in front of the counter, looking at all the open food, lifting her hand, and then lowering it
08:49again.
08:49I tug at her shirt.
08:51Mom?
08:51She doesn't hear me.
08:52She picks up the jar of tomato sauce, looks at it, and puts it back.
08:56She doesn't dare use anything.
08:57She's afraid of making a mistake, afraid of getting hit like with Ethan.
09:01Afraid that using something she shouldn't will make them think she's stealing food.
09:05Cole leans against the doorframe watching us.
09:07He doesn't say anything.
09:09After a long pause, he turns and walks away.
09:12Mom stays where she is, her hand still resting on the counter.
09:15Mom, I say again, who is he?
09:20Mom gives a quiet laugh that doesn't sound happy.
09:23The voice is barely audible.
09:25I don't know.
09:26That night, Mom makes pasta and steak.
09:28Every time she takes something from the kitchen, she glances at the doorway first to make sure Cole isn't there
09:34before she touches it.
09:36There are words printed on the steak package.
09:38I can't read them, but it doesn't look like something from the regular supermarket.
09:42I finish the pasta.
09:43I finish the steak.
09:45My stomach is so full it hurts, but I don't dare stop.
09:49Cole pushes his remaining half plate of pasta toward me.
09:52Finish it.
09:53I look at Mom.
09:54She nods.
09:55Go to bed, a bed when you're done.
09:56He starts toward his room, then stops and looks back at Mom.
10:01Oh, the kitchen.
10:02Use whatever you want.
10:04Meat in the fridge, cans in the cupboard.
10:07Eat when you're hungry.
10:08You don't need to ask.
10:09Mom sits at the table for a long time.
10:11My stomach is too full, but I don't dare say anything.
10:14Mom?
10:15She comes back to herself and buries her face in her hands.
10:18Her shoulders tremble slightly.
10:22Mom?
10:23Are you sick?
10:24She lowers her hands.
10:26Her eyes are red, but she isn't crying.
10:28I'm fine.
10:29She says, touching my head.
10:30Mom's fine.
10:31She stands up to clear the table.
10:33Her movements are slower than at Ethan's house.
10:36Not because she's lazy, but because no one is watching her.
10:39That night, Cole gives us the empty room on the west side.
10:43The room is big.
10:44A large bed sits in the middle.
10:45There's a rug on the floor.
10:47Not the thin synthetic kind, but thick and soft.
10:50The kind that sinks under your feet.
10:51I take off one shoe and touch it with my toes.
10:56Mom?
10:58She stands in the doorway, not entering.
11:00Close in the closet.
11:02Tomorrow I'll take you shopping.
11:05I crawl under the blankets.
11:07They're soft and warm.
11:08They don't smell like laundry powder.
11:10They smell like sunshine, but fainter, nicer.
11:12I've never slept under blankets like these.
11:14Mom, it's so warm.
11:17She lies down next to me and pulls me close.
11:20Yes, it's warm.
11:23A long time passes.
11:24I think she's fallen asleep.
11:26But my hair feels wet.
11:28I don't know why she's crying.
11:30But I know, for the first time, winter doesn't feel so cold.
11:33When I wake up, sunlight is slipping through the gap in the curtains.
11:37I've never woken up in a room this bright.
11:39Back at Ethan's house, the windows were always covered with heavy curtains.
11:43Grandma said opening them wasted electricity.
11:45Mom is already up.
11:47She stands in front of the closet, her hand on the handle, not opening it.
11:51What's wrong?
11:51Nothing.
11:52She takes a breath and pulls the doors open.
11:54Clothes hang inside.
11:56Not one or two pieces, but a whole row.
11:58My size, Mom's size.
11:59The colors are simple.
12:00The fabric soft as touching a cloud.
12:03Go take a shower.
12:05Use as much hot water as you want.
12:07Those words didn't exist in Ethan's house.
12:10The bathroom is bigger than I imagined.
12:12White tiles, a big mirror.
12:13Two sets of towels folded neatly on the counter.
12:16I turn the faucet, and hot water comes out immediately.
12:20I put my hand under it and pull back.
12:22Then I put it under again.
12:23It's really hot.
12:24It's really warm.
12:25Before, Grandma and Father never let me use hot water.
12:28They said bad children who didn't obey only deserved cold water.
12:32Mom said I was a good child, but even she only got cold water.
12:35I told her it was okay.
12:37I'd use cold water too, right alongside her.
12:39When I come out, Mom is making the bed.
12:42She folds the blankets neatly, fluffs the pillows like in a hotel.
12:46Not that I've ever stayed in one, but I've seen it on television.
12:50Mom, these clothes?
12:51Clean clothes.
12:52Wear them.
12:53I put on the new clothes.
12:55I don't know when he bought all this.
12:56We only arrived last night.
12:58And by morning, the closet is full.
13:01Who is this man?
13:02When Mom comes out in her new clothes, I almost don't recognize her.
13:05She wears the navy blue sweater, her hair brushed and pulled back.
13:09The bruises on her face are still there, but the blood is gone.
13:13She looks at herself in the mirror for a moment, then quickly looks away.
13:16Cole is in the kitchen.
13:17He hears us come out and looks back.
13:19Eat.
13:20Breakfast is on the table.
13:22Cole sits across from me, watching me eat.
13:26Grace, every morning from now on, this is how it works.
13:30Eat until you're full, then go play.
13:33You too.
13:35Too skinny.
13:36Mom lowers her head, stirring her spoon in her bowl.
13:39After breakfast, Cole gives us a tour of the house.
13:42The living room is big.
13:43The couch is leather.
13:44Above the fireplace are a few photos.
13:46All landscapes, none with people.
13:48The shelves are packed with books, thick and thin.
13:51These books?
13:52Read whatever you want.
13:53Yeah.
13:54He takes us upstairs.
13:56There are three bedrooms on the second floor.
13:58One for us, one for him, and one he pushes open the door.
14:01Yours?
14:02I stop.
14:02The room isn't large, but it has everything.
14:04A stuffed rabbit sits on the floor.
14:06I walk over and pick it up.
14:08You like it?
14:09I bury my face in the rabbit's belly and nod.
14:12Mom stands in the hallway with her hand over her mouth, her eyes red.
14:16What's wrong?
14:16Nothing.
14:17It's just, she's never had any of this before.
14:22She will from now on.
14:23I don't know why he's being so kind, but I know that starting today, I have my own bed,
14:28my own lamp, my own rabbit.
14:29Mom stands in the doorway, watching me sit on the bed with the rabbit in my arms.
14:34She finally smiles.
14:35The days pass.
14:36Mom slowly starts cooking more.
14:38She's too scared to make much at first, adding a little more each time.
14:43Make more.
14:44So she makes more, and more.
14:46The refrigerator never runs out of food.
14:49When the steak is gone, new steak appears.
14:52When the milk is finished, a new bottle appears.
14:54One night, I get up for water and see Cole stocking the fridge, not from something he's
14:59brought home, but from a delivery.
15:02A black van is parked outside, and two men unload a few cardboard boxes, then drive off
15:07without a word.
15:08I don't tell Mom, but I think it's strange.
15:11Doesn't everyone in town say Cole Turner is a broke farmer?
15:14Cole starts teaching me things.
15:16Do you know how to ride?
15:18He nods and doesn't say anything else.
15:21The next day, he leads a horse out of the stable.
15:23It isn't a skinny old workhorse.
15:25It's a chestnut mare with a coat that shines like satin in a mane brush straight.
15:30It's Daisy.
15:31She is gentle.
15:32Want to try it?
15:33I step back, scared.
15:34The horse is much bigger than I imagined.
15:37Cole crouches down to my eye level.
15:39His eyes are calm.
15:40I'll hold on to you.
15:41You won't fall.
15:42That afternoon, I sit on Daisy's back while Cole leads her around the pasture.
15:46He walks steadily.
15:47His hand never leaving the rope.
15:49Mom stands in the doorway watching.
15:51Her apron bunched in her fists.
15:53Her lips pressed tight.
15:54At dinner, she says quietly to Cole.
15:56She's so small.
15:57What if she falls?
16:00She's so...
16:02She won't.
16:03Cole takes a piece of bread.
16:04His tone matter of fact.
16:06The girl's too thin.
16:07Moving around will be good for her.
16:09He looks at me.
16:10Again tomorrow.
16:11Mom doesn't say anything else.
16:13I look down at my plate and feel my mouth twitch into a smile.
16:16The kitchen is open.
16:17The food is there for the taking.
16:19No one watches us.
16:20No one yells.
16:21The expression on mom's face slowly changes.
16:24It isn't that tight, watchful look anymore.
16:27The one that's always ready for a blow.
16:29It's something else.
16:30Something I can't name.
16:32Like she's loosening.
16:33A rubber band stretched too tight, finally starting to ease back.
16:37Unevening, Cole comes back with a wild chicken in his hand.
16:40Stew it.
16:41For grace.
16:42She needs it.
16:45Too skinny.
16:47A strong wind would blow you away.
16:49He looks down at her hands.
16:50She laughs quietly.
16:52Cole pauses for a moment, then turns and goes outside.
16:55Mom carries the chicken into the kitchen.
16:57I hear her humming.
16:59I stand in the hallway, listening to her hum, and think maybe this house isn't so cold after all.
17:05But people in town don't see it that way.
17:07One time I go with Cole to the feed store.
17:10The owner sees me in smiles, asking Cole,
17:12Whose kid is this?
17:14Haven't seen her around.
17:15Before Cole can answer, a woman waiting to pay cuts in.
17:19Isn't that the ward girl?
17:20Her mother went with Turner, remember?
17:24She looks me up and down like I'm something at a market.
17:28I heard her mother was never satisfied at the ward place.
17:31Enough.
17:32Cole's voice isn't loud, but the woman shuts up immediately.
17:36He pays for the feed, picks up the bag, and walks out.
17:39I follow behind, head down, not looking at anyone.
17:43On the way home, Cole doesn't say a word, but I notice his knuckles are white on the steering wheel.
17:48Not long after, Grandma's side of the family starts spreading rumors.
17:53Simone in town says to Mom,
17:54Rose, you sure landed on your feet.
17:57Divorced and straight into Turner's bed.
17:59What's that broke farmer giving you?
18:01Mom doesn't answer.
18:02She takes my hand and walks fast.
18:04Her hand is shaking.
18:06That night Cole comes home,
18:08hangs his hat by the door, and looks at Mom.
18:14Did someone bother you today?
18:16Mom shakes her head.
18:17No.
18:17Cole doesn't ask again.
18:19I don't know what he does, but after that,
18:22people in town keep their mouths shut when they see us.
18:25I want to call him Dad sometimes.
18:27He's good to me.
18:28He teaches me to ride.
18:30He makes sure I have food,
18:32but the word won't come.
18:33Not because I'm scared.
18:35It's something else.
18:36I feel like if I call him Dad,
18:38I'd be betraying my real father.
18:40Mom is quiet for a long time.
18:44Your real father
18:47isn't a father.
18:48I know,
18:49but I still can't say it.
18:51That night,
18:51Cole comes home late.
18:53I'm already in bed
18:54when I hear him stop in the hallway
18:55and knock softly on our door.
19:00Asleep?
19:01Mom opens the door.
19:03Whatever they said in town today,
19:06don't let it get to you.
19:08If something happens,
19:09tell me.
19:10He pauses.
19:11Grace,
19:12is she okay?
19:14She's asleep.
19:16Good.
19:17He turns and leaves.
19:18I bury my face in the blanket,
19:21my nose burning.
19:22He isn't my real father,
19:23but he's the first person in this world
19:26who's asked if I'm okay.
19:28Cole begins taking me into the hills,
19:30not for hunting.
19:31He says I'm still too young.
19:32He teaches me to recognize animal tracks,
19:35to tell which berries are safe to eat
19:37and which ones I can't even touch.
19:39He shows me how to find direction in the woods.
19:44You're too thin.
19:47Walking more,
19:48eating more.
19:49That's how you grow.
19:51I follow him,
19:52one foot sinking into pine needles and mud,
19:54then the other.
19:55His steps are steady,
19:56certain.
19:57I walk in his footprints.
19:58One time I trip on a root and fall,
20:00my knee hitting a rock.
20:01The skin breaks.
20:02Cole looks back,
20:03walks over,
20:03and crouches down to look at my knee.
20:05Can you walk?
20:07He doesn't say anything.
20:08He just picks me up
20:10and sets me on his shoulders.
20:11His shoulders are broad,
20:13solid.
20:13I rest on them,
20:14watching the trees fall away behind us.
20:17Dad,
20:18you can put me down.
20:20He carries me all the way
20:21to the bottom of the hill
20:23before he lets me off.
20:24Be more careful next time.
20:26That night,
20:27Mom cleans the scrape on my knee.
20:29Cole stands nearby,
20:30watching.
20:31Tomorrow,
20:31I'm taking her to get boots.
20:33Wearing those shoes in the hills,
20:35no wonder she fell.
20:37When Cole takes me to buy boots,
20:39I stand outside the store
20:40and can't make myself go in.
20:42Cole already pushed the door open.
20:44Come in.
20:44The clerk comes over with a smile.
20:46Boots for her.
20:47Custom fit.
20:48He crouches down,
20:49one hand holding my ankle,
20:50the other helping me into a test pair.
20:52His hands are large,
20:54the knuckles defined,
20:55but his movements are gentle.
20:56He pays with a black card.
20:58Then he takes me to the clothing store next door
21:00and buys a few thick coats
21:01for me and for Mom.
21:04She doesn't need.
21:05Winter's cold.
21:06Your mother's coat is too thin.
21:08On the way back,
21:09I sit in the back seat of the pickup,
21:11holding the bag of clothes,
21:12watching the scenery flash past the window.
21:15Cole glances at me in the rearview mirror.
21:17Happy?
21:18When we get home,
21:19Mom sees the coat
21:20and stares at it for a long time.
21:22This is too expensive.
21:24No, that's too cheap for you.
21:25Mom holds the coat against her chest that night.
21:28I walk around the house in my new clothes,
21:30not wanting to take them off.
21:32Mom,
21:32why is Cole so good to us?
21:36Because he's a good man.
21:38But everyone in town says he's bad.
21:41What people in town say isn't always true.
21:44I close my eyes.
21:45My mind fills with images from today.
21:48Cole crouching down to put shoes on my feet.
21:50His hands so gentle.
21:52The thick stack of cash
21:53and the black card in his worn leather jacket.
21:55The days pass.
21:57Spring comes.
21:57Cole starts teaching me more things.
21:59Riding.
22:00Shooting.
22:01Fixing fence.
22:02He says girls need to learn to protect themselves, too.
22:05In this world,
22:06you can't count on anyone but yourself.
22:08Remember that.
22:09He also takes me to town to meet his friend, Frank.
22:12Frank runs the Ranchers Association
22:13and has a good name in town.
22:16He laughs and claps Cole on the shoulder.
22:19Old man,
22:19looks like you got yourself a daughter.
22:21Frank crouches down and looks at me.
22:23Grace,
22:24your dad's a tough one.
22:25Known him 20 years,
22:26never seen him bring anyone around.
22:30Just like your father,
22:31a woman of few words.
22:34Frank's a good man.
22:35You can go to him if you ever need anything.
22:38Okay.
22:39And that thing you said before
22:40about nursing school?
22:41You remember that?
22:42Finish high school first,
22:43then we'll get you into the best medical school there is.
22:46Can I?
22:47Why not?
22:48Thank you, Dad.
22:49It was something I said without thinking.
22:51I saw a nurse on television
22:52wrapping a patient's wound.
22:54That looks so cool.
22:55He reaches over and ruffles my hair,
22:58then keeps driving outside the window.
23:00Ranch after ranch rolls past.
23:01His hands rest on the steering wheel.
23:03Long fingers.
23:04Defined knuckles.
23:05Cleanly trimmed nails.
23:06Not a rancher's hands.
23:07A rancher's hands don't look like that.
23:09But the good days don't last.
23:11Trouble comes.
23:12One afternoon,
23:13I'm coming home when I see a black sedan.
23:16I don't recognize parked outside the house.
23:18A well-dressed woman stands by the door.
23:21Next to her,
23:22Ethan,
23:22my father.
23:23He's back.
23:24I freeze in place.
23:26My leg's too heavy to move.
23:28Ethan sees me and looks me up and down.
23:30He's lost weight.
23:31His face sallow.
23:32Wearing a suit that doesn't quite fit.
23:34Like a kid playing dress-up.
23:37The woman.
23:38I find out later her name is Claire Montgomery.
23:41Daughter of the town's oil family.
23:43This is your ex-wife's kid?
23:46Mom comes out of the house.
23:47The moment she sees Ethan...
23:50You're alive?
23:52Her voice shakes.
23:53I'm back.
23:55He looks at Mom,
23:55then at me.
23:56And finally,
23:57his gaze lands on Cole.
23:58Cole stands in the doorway.
24:00Thanks for taking care of them.
24:03Cole says nothing.
24:05You're the rancher?
24:07Claire, let's go.
24:08We'll come back another time.
24:12They get in the car.
24:13The black sedan pulls away,
24:15trailing dust down the road.
24:17Mom stands there,
24:18trembling all over.
24:19Cole sets the wrench aside
24:21and looks at her.
24:22Rose.
24:23Inside.
24:25He's back.
24:26So what?
24:27You're my wife.
24:27Grace is my daughter.
24:28No one's taking you from me.
24:30Unless you want to go with him.
24:32I don't.
24:34I don't want to.
24:35Cole looks at her for a long moment.
24:39Then come inside.
24:41It's cold out here.
24:42I swear.
24:43No one's ever going to split us apart.
24:45Then he steps forward
24:46and puts his arms around her.
24:47News of Ethan's remarriage
24:48spreads through town fast.
24:50Some say he's turned over a new leaf.
24:52Some say he's lucky
24:53to have landed a rich wife.
24:55But some people whisper among themselves.
24:57He's the one who sold his own wife
24:59and daughter to pay a debt.
25:00Grandma's reaction comes the fastest.
25:02The day after Ethan comes back,
25:04Grandma takes Uncle Derek
25:05straight to the Montgomery mansion.
25:07She tells anyone who will listen
25:09that her son made something of himself,
25:11married into an oil family,
25:13that money's never going to be a problem again.
25:15But when it comes to me and Mom,
25:17her attitude is completely different.
25:19Your mother was always bad luck.
25:21She brought Ethan nothing but trouble.
25:24And now she's clinging to that broke farmer.
25:28Shameless.
25:29I stand there,
25:30my hands balling into fists.
25:33My name is Turner now.
25:36I don't have anything to do with you.
25:38You little...
25:40That's enough.
25:40Don't fight with her.
25:43I'll deal with him.
25:45Frank,
25:46dig into someone for me.
25:48Ethan Ward.
25:49I want everything.
25:51He hangs up and sits in the dark
25:53for a long time.
25:54I press my eye to the crack in the door
25:55and watch his back,
25:57his broad shoulders slumped slightly,
25:59his fingers tapping twice on the armrest.
26:01The way he taps his fingers.
26:03It doesn't look like a farmer.
26:05It looks like a man waiting for news.
26:07Frank works fast,
26:08less than a week,
26:09and he has it all.
26:10That night,
26:11Cole calls me and Mom into the living room.
26:13His face is calm,
26:14but I notice a stack of paper
26:16spread on the coffee table,
26:18covered in small type.
26:19It's about Ethan.
26:21I have the full picture.
26:23Mom's hands tighten around her cup.
26:25He doesn't have a job.
26:27During your marriage,
26:28he never did.
26:29He moved from woman to woman,
26:31conning them to pay his gambling debts.
26:33The Monogomeries are looking into him now.
26:37He needs to marry Claire fast,
26:39before they find out.
26:40But there's one thing he needs.
26:42What?
26:44A child.
26:46Claire can't have children.
26:48Ethan needs a kid to lock in the marriage.
26:52Preferably a son.
26:55So when he came back,
26:58he came to you.
26:59It's not a question.
27:01Mom nods.
27:02Her lips tremble.
27:03What did he offer?
27:05He said,
27:07if I give him a son,
27:09he'll give me money
27:10and take Grace back.
27:12Cole is quiet for a long time.
27:15What did you say?
27:17I told him I'm your wife,
27:19and Grace is your daughter.
27:21I told him to get out.
27:26Okay.
27:29Let's eat.
27:33He stands and walks into the kitchen.
27:34I hear him in there,
27:36standing still,
27:37not touching anything.
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