FADE IN:
CH.1 THE WELCOMING WAGONS OF EVERWOOD
EXT. OUTSIDE ABBOTT GENERAL MEDICAL CLINIC-EVERWOOD - DAY
The day was bright, the sun was out shining upon the small town that I despised. I wanted to be a big town doctor.
somebody all of the world would look up to. I sure didn't want my fathers' life, this small town and the friendly small town doctor. I'd had dreams of being renouned, respected. on newspapers and latenight news reports, I had dreams but I couldn't do it. My hands weren't the type of hands for a first class renouned sergion, my dreams had come crashing down and I"d been forced back into this town, the town I'd tried to shard to get out of. But not everything was bad, I looked up an old girlfriend, I'd been thinking about her away at college and now, almost a full year after I'd returned to Everwood, Me and Rose were planning on getting married. my father was making a big deal out of it and a part of me could never reach mother, she seemed happy for me but she wasn't the kind of woman that easily shared her feelings with every other person she knew. but she was strong willed and she knew what she wanted out of life, I knew that it meant the world to her that I'd settled down to raise a family in everwood, and I'd started at my fathers' practice. It wasn't my own. but it was good for now. I think it made him happy to know that someday his practice would be My practice.
But I was so glad that I had what I did have right now, It took me alot to get rose back and for her to know that I wanted her. that I loved her. I told her that it didn't matter to me. it didn't matter that my dreams had been forced into this small town and I wasn't able to do what I'd went to medical school to do, I told her with a smile",It'll be alright rose", We'll have a family. Second best thing". but inside it wasn't the second best thing, not to me. Not to say I didn't want children and I didn't want this family life that my father had built for me and my sister, what Rose wished every night for, the months had passed and we'd gotten married, a beautiful church wedding by the town reverand, everyone everybody and it was a beautiful wedding with flowers and people around, my father patted me on the shoulder telling me how I'd become quite a man..and my mother. Although she didn't say anything, I could tell that it wasn't a joyous occasion for her, I'd asked her many a time why she'd seemed like it was more of a funeral than a wedding, but she'd just smile and tell me not to worry.."I'm Stronger than I look",Junior..She would tell me as she'd dissapear off into another room to be with dad until he fell asleep in the recliner after a long and tiring day of saving a little girl from a mysterious disease, I envied my father. I hoped that one day i would be half the man he was now. but things were good, we had our own home now, we were married. and things were taking a different turn than how I'd expected them to take, But a part of me started to forget about the dreams that got stolen from me because of a game of chance and started to see things differently, me and Rose were trying for a baby. I wanted it just as much as she did. I had high hopes that I could be the family man and husband that she wanted and I believed that I could make her very happy, No matter what I'd lost, we had history and we loved eachother, there was a time I thought Love made the world go round. "I know different now".
But today was a new day, I was awake and alert and ready for everything that life had to offer, even everything Everwood had to offer. I wasn't always so thrilled to live here. It had taken me years to accept the small town life and even once I did, it wasn't completely until I was much older and had something I wouldn't give up that this life was appealing and I loved it. but it wasn't like that now, I had to go through all of this to get to that feeling but I didn't know that there would be twists and turns in the road, not until I'd awakened to find rose sitting on the couch in our living room, we weren't rich but we were taken care of, I was new at working with my father and I had enough money to keep me and rose satisfied, even give a baby a good life, which was what we were trying for, she'd told me not to go with her to the doctors' office, siad she had a bad feeling. I hadn't believed her. I could've given her the exam, but she didn't want that, said it was creepy,almost.
but I spose it was less creepy with my father doing it. Ithought to myself seeing the tears as I was immediatelybrushed away from my thoughts to sit closed her on the beige sofa, Putting my arms around her telling her that I was there, letting her know that she could talk to me. but I was panicked to. We had been so close to having a little baby of our own, to give my parents' a grandchild.."So Close"..This baby was supposed to make up for everything me and rose had to give up, every dissapointment we'd been put through and now it proved as just another dissapointment, she looked at me, tears sliding down her face..her auburn hair swaying from side to side and greenish blue eyes staring up at me for answers as tears welled up inside of them, I knew what she was going to say before she even said it, it was as if I was a mind reader and new that fate and destiny had failed us again and that at the end of the day, it would just be me and her.
"I'm Sorry Harold", But I'm Afraid we lost the baby"..Thedoctor said that I..That I.."She stuttered a bit as I held onto her hand tightly", protectively"..The doctor tells me that there may be no baby. No child in our future. "Harold", I can't have children"..She told me as tears slid down her face faster now, I could tell this ruined everything, not just for me, but for her. I wanted a family but a family was her dream and for someone to tell her that she couldn't have it, it was devastating to her, i wanted to be mad at my father, to tell him that I hated him and never wanted to speak to him again, but I couldn't. it wasn't his fault that Rose had these physical problems. it wasn't her fault thatshe couldn't give birth and couldn't have children, I couldtell that it broke her heart for her to have to tell methis.
but I wasn't going to break it even more. Even though
my heart was breaking in two. "I'm sorry", Rose. Maybe he's wrong. Maybe if we keep trying things will change. Maybe we shouldn't give up..Not everything is an exactscience,Rose..I promised her even though deep down I figured that Dad was probably right.
I didn't want to believe that he was right,though. believing that he was right was something that was inevitable. but right now I could flatter my wife with a lovely and thoughtful lie, she'd except it knowing that it would never happen but she'd be grateful and it would brighten her mood alittle, not much but alittle made all of the difference, I figured that I would emmerse myself in my work, I'd make myself for available for my patience and Rose and if I did that, it wouldn't hurt as much to know that we'd never have a child together, but it did. it hurt just as much.
but I couldn't show it. I had to be there for rose. I started to see the sad expressions my mother gave me and I ignored them because I didn't want her pity. I went on as if I hadn't recieved the news and I tried to make the best out of a situation that wasn't good and I think Rose understood..in some sense, everyone did. But I figured life would just move on and nothing amazing or shocking would ever happen not in a small town like Everwood, but again I was wrong. Yes, I had devoted so much time to moving passed the idea of children that when it came up again I was disgusted at the thought of it. We'd been sitting up in bed.. she sat there, she wasn't crying, she was clear mind and she knew what she wanted, or she seemed to. but she must've forgotten that she can't have children..I thought..
"Harold", I want a baby..A child of my own..I know things went badly before but the doctor doesn't know everything. there has been cases of doctors saying one thing and it changing and the patient fooling the doctor. if it's even possible. I want to have a child with you. It's all I've wanted my entire life and if there's any chance it'll work I have to go for it. I know you don't understand..But you can love a son or a daughter as much as I do..Why are you fighting me on this"? she asked me as I was shocked she didn't know.
"Why am I fighting you on this", I repeated pulling theblanket off standing there in my pajamas as if it was some statement to make", The last time we did this you got so worked up that you didn't eat for a whole month, you were in the hospital hooked up to wires and even when you came home you were so depressed, crying all the time. it took you just that month to get over it and move on and now that we're stable again and things are back to normal and want to go back into all of that chaos"? Just to be hurt again.
"I can't bear to see you hurting Rose"..I explained as she didn't want to argue with me but I knew she understood by the expression on her face..But she didn't bring it up again, just told me that after I got back from work tonight that we'd discuss it again.."I did the only thing I could've done", I agreed and told her that we'd discuss it. I didn't want to hurt her. but this thing. it seemed like a lost cause.
I almost lost her last time. I didn't want her to hurt anymore.
But I'd play this game her way so I didn't hurt her feelings, but I didn't realize that the next time we'd speak I'd have news to share and that at the moment I thought it would be a good thing. but I'd went to the office as I normally did, my mother was in the waiting room going through some files and commenting on how it wasn't as neat and orderly as she liked it, but she didn't say much else, mornings were quiet times, that was around the times when my father would go up on the bridge, the very bridge he and mom had first kissed..sometimes he went up there to think.
I thought it was hazardous to the town and should be removed but most people dissagreed with me..even rose. She saw it as romantic. "Romance must kill", I thought to myself as I could hear talking in the waiting room now, it must be my first patient of the day I thought..But I was mistaken. my mother led a man, he was a tall with dark brown hair and dark blue eyes, he wore a grey sweater and blue jeans, the girl stayed close at his side, seemed alittle bit timid, my guess was seven years old. her long dark blonde hair hung to her shoulders and her brown eyes stayed to the floor as if she'd been warned or threatened not to look around and have an interest in anything, My guess was that her parents were very strict, or atleast that's what seemed like to me. I'd learn in afew minutes that the man's name was Rupert Giles and his daughter Was Amy.
Hi", I"m sorry to barge in on you like this. We're new in town..I'm Rupert..Rupert Giles! the man told me with acertain elegant charm and wistfulness that made a chill go up my spine, the manner he'd used to introduce himself had sounded eery to me, or maybe I just wasn't with it. it had been a long morning and I didn't want to pull rose through all of this stuff again and hurt her more, maybe I was seeing things that weren't there. but a part of me doubted that I was oblivious to a nice man, but he seemed nice enough, right now. but I still wasn't sure.
"Oh how foolish of me", This is my Daughter Amy..Amy Say hi to the doctor. I heard the man tell his daughter as she whisper and weak", Hi. I knodded my head seeing how shy and nervous she was but I wandered what he wanted. Was his daughter sick, was he sick..What did this man want from me? I wandered staring his way as he knodded his head knowingly.
I have made some wise investments through the years and this property, it's amazing. the things I could do with it..I just might buy it out. What do you say? from one business man to the next..he asked me as I was completely stunned", he was trying to buy my building,my fathers' practice. "How could he"? He had the nerve.
I saw my mother cirnge, and for a second I thought I sawdisgust her eyes, but it wasn't me it was aimed at. could he know mom. I wasn't sure. "My practice isn't for sale", this is a doctors' office. you can't buy this building. I told him firmly as he laughed as
if he knew what my response would be, as if this was all a joke but I could tell in his eyes that he wasn't done or finished with what I liked to call", the joke.
"I can buy anything I went and there isn't no judge orlawyer in the world that would agree with a small town doctor over someone like me", Now I'm not just going to take it out from under you, I've been around town hearing the latest gossip and I have needs to and my needs need to be met, but the question now becomes, What will you and your father give up to keep your practice..? he uttered", I thought heard him say something more on the lines of dad but I couldn't prove it, as if something was going down right now and my father wouldn't have to think of a way to pay him off, that eery feeling was coming back and I didn't know what to say or do, all I could say was", there is no way your getting this place. it's been in our family for years.
What do you want from me? I shouted out", I saw how nervous it was making his little girl and I felt bad but this man was trying to strip me and leave me with nothing. the man turned to his daughter as if a light came on and he had an idea.
Amy, go to the car. your mother could use some assistance. Alicia could always use some assistance. Don't you think? he urged not having to ask her twice as she walked away abruptly and I couldn't ever remember seeing a child that obedient, especially at that age, but I figured he was strict, he seemed like the type that would be. I wanted to know what he had to say and how i would be able to pay him off so he left and left without taking this place with him, I couldn't believe something could happen like this on a day like today..I couldn't believe this.
"I'm interested in this town and I've went above the mayors' head..I have plenty of money and a giles' always makes his best bet in circumstances like these", I've bought over half of the town. I want to buy this building, it's the only thing that's standing in the way of me not owning the town in it's entirety. If you agree to the deal you can keep running your practice and everyone wins, with alittle extra favor..I think this'll benefit you pretty well, I heard about your wifes' problems and I'm willing to to pay you to care for my daughter. I've got business that's outside the united states..and my business deals never come back on
me..Unless you want me to take everything a wipe away a history that families usually cherish, if I were you. I'd take the deal. but you can think about it. Ponder for a while if you must..We'll be in town. I'm taking my family out to eat, but i'll be in touch..he told me stepping towards his car and getting in, I wanted to ask him why his wife couldn't take care of their daughter but I feared that if I did he would take my place of practice away , but I couldn't believe what he wanted, but if I could still practice medicine and I could make Rose a mother and me a father to this child..maybe it was a good idea. maybe he was just a business man who was consumed with business and not family. maybe I could do this.
"Dont' Do it Junior",That mans' trouble..I heard my mothers' voice standing behind me outside as if she had previous experience that I didn't know about. I know he seems bad but if I keep to this deal of his we'll have a daughter and I"ll be able to keep practicing medicine here. it's really the best thing. I think I'm going to accept,mother..I'm sorry if you don't agree. but he's given me no option. I explained as she knodded walking past me, not stopping as she spoke", I fear for you,son..as she was gone. I didn't know what she meant but I didn't want to know, if I would've known then what I know now, things wouldn't have looked so good from the beginning, nothing was ever yours when you were head to head with Rupert giles', Life was even on Loan, that was the lesson I'd learned, but at that moment, I was a foolish man who thought this deal was the answer to me and rose' prayers. guess what..I was wrong.
Most of the night mom didn't speak one word to me, when she stared at me it was with dissapointment and anger, I wasn't sure which one was for me and which one was for the man it appeared she didn't like, she didn't say anything until the phone had rang. we were all watching t.v., mom had been ignoring me and me and Rose had already talked and she'd felt bad because of the position I was in, but the fact that she could be somewhat of substitute mom for a little girl gave her hope that she wouldn't be alone forever and I was glad, but mom didn't agree. I could hear her talking, speaking in loud sobs. "Is he alright", is my husband alright? I heard her shout in fear and if you knew her you knew that fear wasn't the type of discription you would normally note, she was so stronger and couragious, but now she seemed small and weak as if somebody
had just taken a blow torch and knocked her to the ground, taken the wind out of her sails, so to speak. I didn't know what to think, but some part of me felt the fear that it was dad..", I had to be strong for everyone. they'd need me but she didn't show any weakness once she was off the phone, she didn't say one thing to us, just led us out to the car, but before we could speak to ask her if she was okay or remind her to breathe we were off towards the morgue in the hospital..because it was true..my father was dead. Once at the hospital we stared down under the black sheets at a man who seemed so unhuman now when just hours ago he'd been real and full of emotion, so full of life, wanting to live everyday to its fullest. the doctor had told us that it looked like he'd fallen off of the kissing bridge and broken his neck, but he'd warned us that it wasn't an exact analysis and that it could be proven that he died another way but it wasn't on the record he was just telling us what he knew. I watched, seeing the rage and anger in my mothers' face as she rushed out, away from the hospital, away from the doctor and his terrible news, away from the horrid sight of her dead husbands body..She was going to the bridge..she had to see for herself, as if it was a place of peace and she could be free like the waters below the broken bridge, but mostly she was angry. who in their right mind wouldn't be. thoughts of children and families had vanished now..All that was left was tragedy.
Standing there among friends and family as I stared down at a black casket that was lowered lower down into the ground, I tried to be strong and not to cry, not just for my own sake but for my mothers..For Rose' sake as I heard the words and took in the fact that he was gone forever but some part of me wandered if dads' death truly was an accident? had he fallen off of the bridge accidentally, was the bridge unsafe,so unsafe that now it still stood even though kids and grown men were falling off recently. I didn't know what to think but I wasn't going to ponder such dark thoughts, I'd be there for mom..she needed me now..I'd been so emmersed in it that I'd almost forgotten about my deal. the man had been waiting in the shadows as he appeared standing by a tree with the young girl I'd seen before..his eyes were dark, as if he'd been crying too. he held onto a white blouse in his hand as he sobbed into it. "Momma died"..Amy told us as I offered my apologies as did Rose, but mother did not..she simply walked away.."Your not
fooling anybody"..she simply quipped".And for a moment I thought that I saw a flicker of enjoyment and humor in his eyes, but it quickly changed as I was starting to wander if mother wasn't right. but I had to keep good on my deal as I told him that I'd accepted and he gave his daughter a good push foreward, she stared at him in dismayed shock as if she hadn't known and he smiled, with a slight wave as she called for him to come back.."Daddy", comeback..She called, screaming out with tears down her face as I couldn't tell very much, but I was almost sure.."he was smiling".
The minutes turned into hours as we took Amy home, we fed her something warm and had her sleep on the couch we planned on getting her, her own stuff for her own room tomorrow, we were both excited about this but it was hard because she didn't want to be with us, she wanted her parents and her mother, she cried every night for her mother to come back, as if she wasn't dead at all. as if that was some ploy her father told her that she didn't believe and so we tried as hard as we could and even at times when I thought she was forgotten, something happened..something said or done and it came back up, sometimes even an expression let me know that they would always be a part of her, but I wandered if he'd ever come back for her, he'd never mentioned, he'd left it hanging as if he was playing a dangerous game with everybody in Everwood, A game I wasn't sure I liked. but I played it well, allowing myself To love Amy, to give her a good life and to treat her as if she was my own, sooner than later we'd excepted ourselves as her parents and I liked to think she excepted us as the same. that's how it began. how the deception and horror started, it had seemed a game at first, a game that benefited me and rose so we would win in the end, but as the old saying goes..You play with fire, you'll get burned.