Boonville Redemption

Back in 1906,

Boonville was the heart of activity

In Anderson Valley.

Nestled in Northern California

with mountains on three sides,

the ocean beyond the redwoods,

and rich farm land just as far as you could see.

Hard working people live here,

from all walks of life.

Everyone of them has a story,

and I know most of them,

'cause I've been the town's doctor

for as long as I can remember.

But there was one story

about a quiet girl named Melinda,

that transformed this town forever.

Maybe that's because

she didn't get the best start in life.

You see, she was born out of wedlock.

I'm sorry, I'm looking for Pastor Palmer.

The pastor's inside.

Melinda.

And she grew up knowing

that judging eyes were always on her.

She often visited Pastor Virgil Palmer

who didn't judge her, but listened patiently to all her questions.

She'd reached the age where she wanted to know

what happened to her real father,

but no one would tell her.

It's time you had your own Bible.

I can't answer all your questions, Melinda.

But God's word will.

- Pastor Palmer... - Hmm

Is hatin' bad people a sin?

It can be. Why do you ask?

I'm always wishin' that my life was like other families.

But there's just no pleasing my step-daddy.

You know, I knew him.

Your real father.

I've been wanting to talk to ya and tell ya...

Just wait here, I'll be right back.

What are you doing here?

- Oh, Heavens! - Oh, my dear!

Did you hear that? Hurry!

Someone help me!

Someone help me!

Pastor Palmer!

Maddox, someone shot Pastor Palmer.

Trouble just seems to follow you,

doesn't it.

Now get home. Go on get!

Melinda's stepfather, Maddox,

was a heartless man.

Money was his god,

and it always got him what he wanted.

Clyde was the town's watcher.

He had a terrible fear of the dark so,

he comforted himself with a lit lantern, night and day.

Melinda's home looked as friendly

as a warm apple pie on a windowsill.

Melinda!

But looks can be deceiving.

Where are you Melinda?

It's bad luck to worry your Mama.

Melinda.

- Child... - Ow!

That's for worryin' your mama.

We live too near an insane asylum,

one of those crazies coulda broke out

and hurt you!

You sit right down there and churn up that butter.

Cover your mouth when you yawn,

your soul can go out of your body.

Her mama's superstitions were an amusement

and a puzzle to her.

Actually, to all of us who knew Alice.

Hmm, looks like it's gonna rain.

I'd better put an acorn on the ledge

keep the lightning away.

Another superstition, Mama?

It's science.

What am I supposed to do with this?

It'll bring you good luck.

Did my real daddy believe in acorns?

What?

Here, why don't you have some more milk?

All you do is stuff me with food

like I was a pantry!

I'm old enough to know what happened to my Father.

What is this?

Pastor Palmer gave me that.

Is this where you're getting all your crazy ideas?

I don't want you reading it. It's full of lies.

Then why do we go to church?

Because it's a good work,

and I'm try to be a good person,

and I have a lot of...

I don't need to explain myself to you.

Melinda's questions about her father

always went unanswered.

It was what people didn't say,

that sparked her search for the truth.

I'm gonna be awhile.

Why don't you go see if any of your friends are in town.

Sorry about Pastor Palmer.

What?

He was a good man.

I know he was important to ya.

I'd see ya go visit him.

Clyde, you're always watching things here in town.

You ever hear what happened to my daddy?

Huh? What? Why, did you hear something?

Clyde you know something, I can tell you're lying.

You see everything that goes on.

Stop!

Look! Look what you've done.

My best lantern! My very best!

No! No! Go away.

How will I get home now? You're just trouble.

I'm sorry. It was an accident.

What if I get you a new one?

A better one.

Will you tell me about my daddy?

- How new? - The best.

Just tell me what you know.

I want to see the lantern first.

Wait here.

Here.

Sure is a pretty one.

Clyde, my daddy?

Oh, yeah.

Well, I know he used to work

for your Grandpa and Grandma.

And he was sweet on your Mama.

He was a good boy.

But then one day,

he just up and disappeared.

We think coyotes got him.

Yup, coyotes got him.

She knew that the truth was somewhere in the lies.

Did ya' know our town was named after W. Boone?

He's some relative of Daniel Boone?

They dropped the E.

I don't hear you talking to me.

Of course you hear me. You answered.

Just mind your beeswax.

I don't care who this stupid town's named after.

Stupid boy.

I ain't stupid, Melinda.

I knew this and I told you first.

Why are you gotta so mean to me?

'Cause I can be.

You're too stupid to stop me.

Ow!

Boy: You're meaner than a bear on her tick diet.

You're my sister, ain't you supposed to be nice to me?

There ain't no brother-sister law.

Give me some of that!

Look, I'm just mean.

I got something inside me

that's mad all the time.

Nobody wants me in this world.

You don't know how that feels.

Sometimes I'm glad your here.

And something else,

I don't believe in science like our Mama.

That ain't science, it's superstition.

What happened to my new lantern?

It was on the wagon.

It was there when we left for town.

I'll look for it. But first, Maddox,

my Mama's housekeeper, she quit.

And I'm gonna need to go to Wendling,

so I can find someone to take care of her.

Get one of those old hens

that go to church with her up there

to take care of her.

Please Maddox, this is my Mama.

I have to do what's right.

Your place, sweetheart,

is here in your home with your husband.

I broke it.

What?

You broke my new lantern.

And when were you going to tell me this?

I probably wasn't

Maddox!

I will not have her insolence.

You didn't have to hit her.

I did not hit her, I slapped her.

There's a big difference, remember?

Now, young lady, I want you to stand up,

go pack your things.

You're going to Wendling.

You're to take care of your Grandmother.

What about her schoolin'?

Those days are over.

Now get up and get ready.

I will be waiting for you outside.

Melinda turned that moment around in her mind.