Mr. Church

Henry Joseph Church could have been

anything he wanted to be.

He chose to cook.

The key, he said, jazz.

Mama, wake up, wake up.

Baby, baby, what is it?

There's a black man in our kitchen cooking eggs.

Baby, that's okay.

It's Mr. Church, our new cook.

New cook? Mm-hmm.

We never had an old cook.

You know what? Mama just needs a tiny bit more rest.

I'll... Go introduce yourself. I'll be there soon.

Mr. Church used to work for Richard Cannon,

who was Mama's lover.

But he wasn't my daddy.

When Mama found out Richard was married

she ended it, though she still loved him.

Morning, baby.

When Richard was sick,

the last thing he said to Mama was,

"I'll care for you

until my dying day and beyond."

Good morning, Mr. Church. Oh, good morning, ma'am.

I guess Mr. Church was the "beyond" part.

I see you met Charlie.

Well, not officially.

Oh, well, Charlie, where's your manners?

Good morning, Charlotte. My name's Mr. Church.

How are you? Fine.

Wow, this looks delicious. Thank you, Mr. Church.

You are most welcome, ma'am.

Come on, baby. Eat up.

I want Apple Jacks.

Charlie! What are Apple Jacks?

Well, it's a cereal.

It tastes like apples.

Well, and sugar, mainly.

You've never heard of Apple Jacks?

Hey, don't be rude. I can make the child

some Apple Jacks if that's what she wants...

It's already made. It comes in a box.

Add milk and you're done.

She doesn't need it.

Well, she got to eat something, ma'am.

You have made an incredible meal. Charlie, eat.

What is this?

You never heard of grits?

There are a lot of secrets in my grits.

Mm.

This is delicious. You got to try some, sweetie.

Charlotte Marie Brooks, you sit your butt down right now.

I'm going to count to three, okay?

One... two...

Mr. Church, excuse me.

I want cereal!

You're embarrassing me.

Why is he here?

I don't know. Because Richard wanted it this way.

And I want Apple Jacks. Charlie...

What times does he go home?

I guess when he's done.

When is he done? When we're done.

Well, we're done.

Oh, Charlie, please.

It makes no sense.

It's what Richard wanted.

Who cares what he wanted? He's dead.

Morning, Gibby. Morning, dear. Charlie.

Morning, Gibby.

How are you two this morning?

We're fine.

We have a cook.

That's nice, dear.

Here, take this.

You drink coffee all day. I eat Apple Jacks.

We don't need a cook. Well, Richard seems to think we did.

If Richard really cared about you,

he would have married you.

Mr. Church won't be staying.

I'm sure he's already realized what a mistake all this is.

Come on, Charlie. We gotta move.

Love you.

It was always hard to stay mad at Mama-

She was too nice, and far too beautiful.

I was always looking,

trying to find someone more beautiful than my mama.

But I never could.

And out of everyone in the whole wide world,

she loved me most.

Hey, Mr. Church, could I have a word with you?

Oh, man. I'm going to need to go to the market.

Yeah, well, it's about all that.

Yeah, I brought some groceries with me today, ma'am,

but no offense, all you got in here is some condiments and stuff.

There's nothing to spread them on.

I suppose I haven't been to the store in a while.

Could we just hold off on that for a second?

I wanted to wait till Charlie was at school

before speaking with you... Ma'am, you're shivering.

Yeah, I forgot my jacket. It's kind of chilly out.

Maybe you want to put on a sweater or something.

Yeah, I will. I just... 'Cause you don't want to get sick, ma'am.

He told you.

Yes, ma'am.

What'd he say?

That you have a cancer in your breast

and that you're dying, ma'am.

Did he tell you how long I have?

Six months, ma'am.

Mr. Church, we're talking about my breast and dying.

You can drop the "ma'am" stuff, okay?

Because it's Marie.

You really think you should be smoking

in your condition, ma'am?

Absolutely.

How'd you do on your English test?

Hmm, I think I failed.

Good morning, Miss Samuels. Good morning, Miss Brooks.

How are you this morning?

Oh, well, we have a cook.

He's black, he makes grits with secrets,

and he's hanging out in our kitchen.

So, what kind of a deal did Richard make with you?

I was just asked to cook for you and your child

till you passed on, ma'am.

And certainly you're getting something

out of this.

Well, Mr. Cannon guaranteed me a lifetime salary

if I kept my word.

Not bad.

Total financial security

in exchange for six months of meals.

So, you got yourself a pretty good deal, Mr. Church.

Yes, ma'am.

Come on.

Hey, Charlie.

Owen Baxter was by far

the most gorgeous 10-year-old boy

that ever breathed on this or any other planet.

I, on the other hand,

was about the most awkward 10-year-old girl

on this or any other planet.

Come on, Owen.

What is it?

Who knows?

Look at you,

already bringing fancy sandwiches to lunch,

Miss I Have a Cook Brooks.

Can I come see him?

I told you, he's leaving.

Probably gone already.

Oh, if you don't want him, I do.

Our private school took a few charity oases a year.

The year I turned five, it was me

and Poppy Samuels, my one and only friend.

She lived with her sister because both of her folks

were serving time in prison for a robbery gone wrong.

And even with that, she was more popular than me.

Tell you something, Charlie,

it's not every day you get a cook.

It might be nice having a man around to help your mama out.

We've always done fine.

We don't need a man, and we sure as hell don't need a cook.

My sister says every woman needs a man.

Sometimes more than one.

Where'd you get all that?

Stole it from my sister's dresser.

Stealing's the one thing us Samuels are good at.

Yeah?

Excuse me, ma'am.

I'm about to head out to the market.

Okay. Um...

We shop at Gordon's. Is that all right?

Oh, yeah, that's fine. Yeah, yeah.

You know, Mr. Church, if we're going to do this,

let me at least give you some money.

I've only got $12, but...

Oh, ma'am, don't worry about that.

Mr.Cannon opened up an account for me to draw off

for marketing and such.

"And such?"

Well, your medical bills and rent and medicine.

That's all taken care of, courtesy of Mr. Cannon

for the next six months.

And what, in his estimation,

did six months of life come to?

Beg your pardon, ma'am?

Never mind.

You know what?

At least take some coupons, you know?

I'm not completely helpless.

It couldn't hurt. Yeah, it couldn't hurt at all.

All right. Okay.

Oh, Mr. Church, um...

Charlie doesn't know that I'm sick,

and I'd like to keep it that way.

Oh. As you wish, ma'am.

I'll be back shortly, all right?

All right, $43.32, sir.