Four Extraordinary Women

"Caught in a down-draft

I'm swimming from a life-raft

I'm stuck in an avalanche

I'm swinging from a tree branch

I swear on my momma's

good grave life's strange,

'Cause only the good die young

The rest of us just change

'Cause now it's time to fly

time to rise

time to glide

In the air

away up here

In the clear blue atmosphere.

Now it's time to fly

time to glide

time to rise

Here outside in the esophere

Way up here in the atmosphere."

John >> I remember hearing when I was real little,

"things happen for a reason". So when things happened that

made no sense, I would try to find a reason.

It's strange because some things actually don't make

sense, until you make sense of them...later.

after the fact.

Hi.

Thank you.

I'm John... Sharon, hi.

What? Nothing...

You pulled my chair out for me.

Yeah? Somebody raised you right,

or you have older sisters.

Two. One older, one younger...

Well, one sister really.

I guess it's two sisters. You "guess"?

It's complicated...

I hope not for your mother.

It might have killed her.

Sharon >> Oh, come on.

Actually...

She died of cancer.

I'm...so sorry.

What about your mom?

Um...

sometimes, I just wish she were dead.

Susie >> I don't understand... John >> I didn't at first

either, but then it dawned on me

You have two more years here. So?

Later today, when I get the diploma, I can't see

myself setting foot on camp

This part's over for me. Did you know Ring Lardner

was a reporter in Chicago when he was nineteen.

So theoretically, I'm behind. I haven't seen the world.

Don't you want to see the world in two years?

I thought we'd see the world together.

I gotta go get my cap and gown.

Wasn't it something?

Four years, in the blink of an eye, huh?

John >> Dad, I'd like you to meet Frank.

He's been my roommate the last few semesters.

What happened to David? Anne >> He transferred, dear.

Mary >> Like, two years ago, Dad.

Anne >> Ohh... thank you.

Nice meeting you. Bill >> Nice meeting you.

John >> And this is my mom. Frank >> Pleasure to meet you.

Anne >> Congratulations. Thanks very much.

Are your parents here? I'd love to meet them.

I think they found themselves a spot in the shade.

Lucky. I'll let them know

you asked after them. You remember Mary?

Sure. How're you doin'? Good.

John >> And this is Caryl. Hi.

Surprised you made it, Caryl. Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you, too. Anne >> Caryl.

We're gonna go get ready. Okay, comb your hair!

You never said you had an older sister.

I don't. Then who's Caryl?

I thought you went to the restroom.

I don't want to do this around your mom.

You should go back inside.

I'll be done in a minute.

Gotta love that...

It's a good thing we could all do this for you.

Anne >> There we go.

I would like to say something.

John... Mom...

I am...well, we all are feeling a great deal of

joy seeing you finish. Not to mention

financial relief. Mary >> And surprise!

Anne >> Not true, not true. I think we should all raise

our glasses in honour of a job well done...

Dad, fill her glass. It's bad luck to toast

with water. Oh, nonsense, no.

I'll have some wine, Dad.

Anne >> Okay. Honey, we're all so proud

of all the work you've done here.

And I love you.

Cheers. All >> Congratulations.

Thank you.

Anne >> Um...One more thing I'd like to share, and

I know you're going to say I really pick my moments -

but I think if I say it here, on this happy day,

that you will all understand that I can handle it,

and right now it's just part of our landscape, that's all.

Recently I found a lump in my breast.

And it's cancerous and it has to come out.

And so it will.

Simple.

Mary >> Mom, when did you find it?

Anne >> Hey, I, uh...

I'd like some dessert. I don't know about you.

Who's going to join me?

Cheesecake, they have a mean cheesecake here.

Anne >> Oh, I think we're out of light-bulbs.

I didn't know you were here. Caryl >> Oh, I just had

a few things to wash. I hope you don't mind.

You don't have to be doing my laundry.

Oh. These are yours.

I hope that's okay... Well, of course it is.

You don't need to ask. Is this all you have?

Well, I fell asleep on the couch a couple of times

and I haven't had a chance to go home.

Don't you know how welcome you are by now, Caryl?

I wanted to ask you something.

I, um...

I have to leave my apartment,

and I can't go home.

And I was kind of hoping...

that...

maybe you'd want me to stay.

More than you know.

John >> I'd never seen mom in a way, before.

I didn't think anyone was home.

Hi, stranger!

I didn't hear your car. Hey, Mom.

Hey...

Hi.

Mickey >> How fast are you? Fast, sir?

You really need to cut out the "sir" business.

In fact, the whole "aw, shucks, look at the big buildings"

bit went out with Menudo.

Can you type fast?

When there is something to write.

Cat statistics...

More people own cats in the Village than in any

other part of the city.

That's got to be worth 1,500 words, right?

Type fast, I'll read, and we'll talk about more.

>> Mom...?

Hmmm?

I wasn't waiting up, I swear.

I couldn't sleep.

You know, I get so tired, and then my mind starts racing

and I... Look.

She looks so sweet like that. Even with her taste in clothes.

She came right home after her night classes to sit with me.

How was your evening?

Can we talk a sec?

Is everything okay?

Yeah, yeah. I just...

We haven't had a chance to talk the past few weeks.

and I wanted to...

wanted to... I dunno...

I wanted to ask you something.

Caryl >> Oh, hi, John. Hey.

I must have dozed off.

Why don't you go upstairs, and get some sleep, honey.

Can I help you with anything?

Oh, I'm fine, thanks.

I'll take that.

Good night. Good night.

Ahem.

She is such a blessing.

What did you want to talk about, honey?

I still have a little bit of money saved up from

working last summer.

Um...

I know my timing's bad...

but with Caryl here, and Mary...

Yeah...?

I think it's time I found a place of my own.

Except for college, I've been here in this house

my whole life. I wanna live on my own.

Pay my own bills, cook my own dinner...

Let's not get excessive.

Seriously, Mom.

Don't you think it's time?

What?

What? I was thinking about

something I read this morning. Something about "change",

about being open to change.

I'm sorry.

Oh, no, honey. I knew you were going to ask me.