Them That Follow

There you are.

Hey.

You gonna tell me what we're doing out here?

Come on.

All right.

- Oh. - Wow.

- There's even more than last time.

- Are you sure we're supposed to be sneaking up

on a nest like this?

- It's a maternity den, the rocks keep them warm.

Helping their babies grow.

They're so beautiful.

You're beautiful.

- Mara, I hate doing this, you know.

Hush up and smile, Dilly.

Hey, we're looking for a ride to town.

Come here, Bo, come here, Bo.

Hey, how are you?

I'm fine.

Hi, Sister Slaughter.

Pastor know you're here?

We'll be quick.

- It oughta be around here somewhere.

Oh, got it.

You all right?

Yeah.

Just getting ready for tomorrow.

- Is that all you're looking for?

- We should get some of these too.

These too.

- You girls gonna be late for worship.

You walk here?

Yeah, but it ain't so far.

- I'll give you a lift, I'm closing up.

We got a dog outside.

I'll meet you in the lot.

- Can't believe the party's tomorrow, are you excited?

Yeah.

'Course I am.

He's late.

We don't mind the wait.

- Hey, y'all get in trouble with my ma?

Hey Augie.

Come on, girl.

Here, let me hold your purse.

I missed you.

Hey.

So you been good?

Yeah, you?

All right, I guess.

All right, scooch in.

Ready? - Mmhmm.

Here, careful.

- Do you some good to join us today.

- Thanks, Ma, but I'm already pretty full up today.

That right?

- Any more I'd just be plain greedy.

Mara! Come on, we're gonna be late.

- Amen. - Jesus said,

go ye into the world and preach.

- Welcome sisters. - The gospel.

- Amen, amen, amen. - Amen?

Amen.

- He said, those that believeth in me and are baptized

shall be saved, amen? - Amen.

- But those that believeth not shall be damned,

shall be damned! - Amen, amen!

Hallelujah.

- These signs shall follow them that flee in my name,

in my name, shall they cast out devils.

- Amen! - They shall speak

with new tongues, amen? - Amen.

- They shall take up serpents. - Amen!

- They shall take up serpents. - Amen.

- And if they drink any deadly thing,

it shall not hurt them, amen? - Amen!

- And so what happened? - That little one got bit

on the neck.

Family prayed all night, but he couldn't fight off the venom

and once he passed, the law was up there in no time.

Hmm, I see.

- And since the deceased was still a minor,

it ain't gonna stop with him neither.

They out for blood.

- Sorry, Daddy, there was a bit more cleaning tonight.

- It's all right, Garret and I just having a moment.

You hungry?

Yes sir.

- Well, let's go eat, then. - All right.

7:30.

All right.

Hey, Big weekend ahead of you?

All of us.

Yes sir.

- Well, I'll go rest these old bones.

He's a good man, you try not to keep him on hold too long.

No, Daddy.

You kids get some rest now.

Yes sir, just got to clean up.

Mara?

I just wanted to say...

Well, I never thought I'd have this, you know,

a girl like you, taking me on.

But here you are.

You're a beauty, Mara, not just talking about

that pretty face of yours.

- Sometimes I worry you might think too much of me,

Garret.

- It's just the God's honest truth.

Thank you, Garret.

Well.

I better head out.

Night, then.

- Oh loving and kind God have mercy, have pity on me

and take away the awful stain of my transgressions.

Oh wash me, cleanse me from this guilt.

Let me be pure again.

- For I admit my shameful deed, it haunts me day and night,

create in me a new clean heart filled with clean thoughts

and right desires, don't toss me aside.

- Banished forever from your presence.

Or take your Holy Spirit from me.

But restore to me the joy of your salvation

and make me willing to obey you.

- You all twisted up about Garret?

Nerves ain't a sin, you hear me?

Now you just follow the spirit as close as you can,

he'll guide your path.

'Cause the devil's gonna do his damnedest to ruin

the goods you got coming your way.

Hey girl!

How you doing?

How you doing, sweet thing?

Hmm?

Come to help?

Bye.

- Sorry, Mara, I thought there was more.

It's all right.

Still no word from your mama?

I'm sorry, Dilly.

- Let's not talk about her, not today.

Okay.

All right.

- Better hustle up, then, see what these old hens

have in the store for us.

All righty.

- Two colic babies? - She wouldn't feed them

her milk, you ask me.

And that Casey Jay.

- Curse on her poor mama, that girl.

- All right now, a proposal's been made.

And as sisters of this community, we are charged

with a serious business, an important decision.

Figuring what kind of woman you hope to be

and finding the man who's gonna help you do it.

- Think Connie Ray missed that point last time around.

All right, hush up.

Harold ain't so bad.

- So we'll spend the rest of the morning making the quilt

and by sundown, Mara's mind must be made on Garret Booner.

- Oh, it's the young 'uns you gotta keep a watch for.

They barely bit me, still took my thumb.

Holy Ghost shine through me more than once.

No doubt about that.

- What about that boy you raised?

All right.

Let's get after it, then.

- Last spring there was some down here.