The Exorcism in Amarillo

Hey, sarge.

The wife's keeping me busy.

What are you doing?

Iraq?

I don't know how I'm gonna tell the wife.

How long do I have?

I can be ready.

Okay, I'll talk to you later, all right.

What are you doing?

Out tending the chickens.

I got to talk to you.

- There was another coyote attack.

Down one of the chickens dragged off into the woods.

Another coyote?

Come on, man.

I'm going to get you a six-foot fence.

I'm gonna put a fence in.

- But this is a farm, not a city house.

- I know you don't like fence panels.

We have to fence the yard out.

I guess you're right.

We should talk in the house.

The news is I have to go to Iraq.

I know I just got back, but Tommy will be here.

I get extra hazard pay.

- Did you see the watermelon I got out of the garden?

It's a real big one.

Yeah.

- It'd be a nice treat for everyone.

- That would be nice for dessert tonight.

I won't be gone long.

Well, what do you got to say?

- Silly me, I forgot the cantaloupe.

- Look, I'm not gonna be gone long.

I'll be okay.

You just got back.

I know, I'm sorry.

I don't have a choice.

I didn't volunteer for this.

- You did when you signed that darn line.

When do you wanna tell the kids?

I don't know.

Tonight at dinner.

Your turn.

Get it, come on.

I don't see it coming.

You got it, got it.

- That's one token for you.

Is that a cigar?

Okay. - No, it's--

Hi, how are you guys?

Hey, babe. - Yeah?

- I finally fixed the fence. - Thank you.

- And I put little pretty lights on top the post for you.

That should keep the coyotes out.

I'm really gonna miss you.

I'm gonna miss you, too.

I wish I didn't have to go.

I love you.

Why didn't you shave yet?

- I don't have to shave this time.

Another dangerous mission.

I have a special assignment.

I'm still going to be worried.

Doesn't matter what job you're doing.

- You and the girls will be fine.

- Guess that just means I need to pray harder.

- I'll check in with you when I can, okay?

I love you.

I love you, too.

- Mom, mom. - What?

- You're supposed to take me to meet Amber

at the library, remember?

I'm sorry, I forgot.

I'll be right back.

I have to take her to the library.

What's wrong?

- I picked up this book and I got this creepy feeling.

And a huge gust of wind hit me.

- Mom probably just left one of the windows open.

Come on, let's go check.

I'm not going back in there.

Come on, I'll go first.

Stop being such a baby.

That's the windows are open.

See, there's nothing to worry about.

It's probably just a draft.

The cat.

Stop that, boy.

He's really scared.

I wonder if he's all right.

- I can feel his claws digging into my leg.

Stop that.

I heard once that cats are more sensitive than humans.

- Do you think he could have seen something?

Maybe.

I thought I heard something.

Why is his tail swinging?

I wish Mom would get back.

Should we tell Mom?

No, I don't think we should.

She's already got enough to deal with with dad being away.

We don't want to worry her.

It's probably nothing.

I do know one thing.

We're not alone.

Girls, we're back.

So glad you're back.

Is everything okay?

Oh, yeah, totally fine.

- Okay, I'm gonna get dinner started.

All right, great.

You're not glad I'm back?

Oh yeah, sorry, come on.

Apology accepted, barely.

- Here's a book he sent.

You can follow along with it.

Oh, wow, yay, great, thanks.

- There's a disk, play it.

These pictures are hilarious.

This is gonna be fun. - Surprise, girls.

I'm here with a special message.

I signed up with the USO and a special reading program.

I got you this new book, "Where the Sidewalk Ends."

And I'm gonna be mailing it home to you

so look forward in the mail, okay?

I wanna tell you that I love you and I miss you.

I wish I was there to hold you.

I want you to be strong for me

and I'm gonna see you soon.

I only have a few minutes,

but I wanna read this book to you, okay?

And I'm gonna send it on a DVD to you with the book.

"When the Sidewalk Ends."

"If you're a dreamer, come in.

"If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar and a hoper,

"a prayer and a magic bean buyer,

"if you are a pretender, come sit by my fire

"for we have some flax golden tales to spin.

"Come in, come in."

I love you, girls.

Just hang in there and I'll see you soon.