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[ominous music]
[car engine rumbling]
-[Mary] I was always told that every story has two sides.
But for my mama, grandma and me...
there were three.
And they all led to what would become
the worst night of our lives.
[engine rumbles and turns off]
[man grunts]
-Damn glasses.
[breathing heavily]
-[Veronica] Willard...
-You think I wouldn't find out what really happened?
-[Ella] Oh for the love of God, Willard.
Not in front of your kids.
-My kids?
Now I can't trust this slut to take care of my Jeep.
-[Ella] Mary...
-Why trust her with anything else?
[door slams]
-[Veronica] Willard. -[Ella] It's okay.
-[Veronica] Try and calm down.
-[Willard] Oh, is that what you want? You want me to calm down?
-[Ella] Sammy, Mary, come here.
-[Veronica] No, you got things twisted.
-[Willard] Now enough with the lies!
-[Veronica] I'm not lying. Please.
-[Willard] People all over town are saying
there's another man crashed my Jeep.
-[Veronica] No, no, no. Just listen.
-[Willard] Exactly as I thought.
-[Veronica] Willard please, just listen.
-[Willard] As if you were being faithful to me
when I was on my trucking runs.
-[Veronica] No. No, Willard. Please just listen.
-[Willard] Now come here!
-[Veronica] Willard, no! No. Stop.
-[Willard] It's time to remind everybody who's in charge.
-[Sammy] Daddy.
-[Veronica] Willard, no! No, stop.
-[Willard] How many men been inside my Jeep?
-[Veronica] Please!
-[Willard] How many men been inside you?
-[Veronica] No!
[gunshot]
[melancholy music]
-What now, Veronica?
-Just give me a minute.
-Mama?
-Leave me be, Mary.
-[Ella] Come here, it's okay.
[phone dialing]
[call ringing]
-[operator] 911, what's the nature of your emergency?
-911? [sniffs]
-[operator] That's right.
-I wanna report a murder.
-[operator] Okay. Um...
-[sniffs] I just shot my husband.
- [operator] Can you give me your address?
[dramatic music]
[overlapping conversation]
-Go, go.
To the back.
-Okay.
Go.
Where's the vic?
-Please, we're not the ones who...
-Was this weapon used tonight?
-Got a body.
-Call it in.
Was that rifle used tonight?
-She can't hear you. She's deaf in one ear.
-Who are you?
-I'm... I'm the one who called 911.
Took you long enough.
I've been out trying to get help from a neighbor.
It's okay, Mary. Mama's here.
-You called 911?
-Only I didn't tell everything true.
It wasn't me who shot my husband,
it was my daughter, Mary.
-No.
-Sheriff. Victim's still alive.
[dramatic music]
[background conversation]
-It ain't right they're not in a holding cell.
-Why don't you find out if we got a corpse first?
Go check with the doctor.
-Willard's my husband so shouldn't I be knowing
what's going on around here?
-Veronica.
-What?
These cops don't fool me with their fake concern.
Ain't nobody came to our rescue for all these years
which is exactly why we had...
-Why you had to what? Veronica?
-Sheriff.
Victim didn't make it. Willard Simms is dead.
-[Ella sighs]
-Let's move these three down to the station.
-I told you it wasn't me who shot my husband.
-Sheriff ordered gunshot residue tests for all three of you.
-All three?
-You ain't gonna find nothing.
-Who's next?
Next.
-Mama?
-You got nothing to worry about, Mary.
[dramatic music intensifies]
-Okay, thanks.
And?
-Two of them handled the rifle that killed Willard Simms.
-[sighs]
Which means two different explanations.
-You're free to go.
-I'm arresting you for the murder of Willard Simms.
-I wanna sue for false imprisonment.
-You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can and will be used against you
in a court of law.
-Do we get to go home now?
-Not exactly.
-I told you... Mary's the one who done it.
-Mary. -Mama.
-Don't worry, Mary. I'm gonna tell ´em everything.
-I wanna tell everything too.
-You shouldn't say anything until you've been assigned
a court appointed attorney.
-That the same as a lawyer?
-It's exactly the same, Mary. I'm here for your benefit.
To see you through the upcoming trial and its outcome.
-Why do I need a... court appointed attorney
if I already know to tell the truth?
-Well that's the thing, Mary.
I already told them, you're not gonna testify.
You're not even gonna be in the courtroom.
-What? I was there when Willard was shot.
-I'm gonna suggest that you never repeat that.
-No one knows what happened the way that I do.
I'm the one been living this nightmare for 10 years.
-It's important for everyone concerned,
including the deceased, that you share every detail.
We need to know not only who killed Willard Simms
but also the events that led up to his shooting.
Don't be afraid, Veronica. Tell us everything.
-Who's the most beautiful baby girl in the whole wide world?
You are, Mary Bailey.
I'm gonna make sure you don't want for nothing.
-That mean you're gonna start helping
with expenses around here?
-You know I'd do anything for my baby girl, Mama.
-Except get her father to leave his wife
and admit that Mary's his baby.
-I told you I know what I did was sin.
That don't make Mary one. Look at her.
I'm gonna find Mary a new daddy.
A man who takes pride in family.
-Ain't no such thing in this god forsaken town.
-There you are!
I'll figure something out Mama, you'll see.
For you, for me... and especially for Mary.
-You still got some growing up to do, Veronica.
Just try to do it with the right kind of people this time.
-Just seems like being a volunteer counselor
at church summer camp's a good place to start.
-Maybe.
But if anybody could screw that up it'd be you.
Whatever you do when you grow up...
don't end up like her.
[baby crying]
-And now we'll head downstairs
and I'll show you the rooms for arts and crafts
and indoor play when the weather's not so nice.
And Veronica, I'll pair you with this young man.
I'll leave you both to it then. Be good now.
-Hold on a sec.
Well that's better.
Um... I'm Willard. Willard Simms.
-Hi. -Hi.
I'm Veronica Bailey.
-Do you believe in destiny Veronica Bailey?
-[laughs] What?
-You know, when two people are meant to be as one?
-Are you for real?
-Why do you ask? Do I seem too good to be true?
[both laugh]
-Do we have to bring baby Mary with us everywhere we go?
-You'll understand one day when you have a baby.
Ain't nothing like it, Susan.
-Count me out.
I'm gonna move away and never look back
once I find me someone who's as old as he is rich.
-Better off relying on ourselves than any man.
-Well, don't that depend on the man?
-Not polite to eavesdrop.
-Hi Willard.
-I wasn't eavesdropping, just passing by.
You on your way to the bakery?
-Maybe.
-Well whatever you're having,
whatever you want, it's my treat.
Not used to people being nice to you, taking care of you?
It's time you realize
how special you are, Veronica Bailey.
I'm the one who's gonna make sure of it.
Ain't that right, sweet little Mary?
See you there, ladies.
-What happened to not relying on any man?
[upbeat music]
[women giggling]
-Ma went to Sears portrait studio
to take photos of her and the baby.
She's gotten kinda possessive with Mary.
-I told you that's a good thing.
-Hi Willard.
-Now you are too young and beautiful to have a kid.
-Didn't Pastor McCall say no fraternizing
between camp counselors?
-He also said no drinking.
Oh. Can I get an amen?
-[crowd in unison] Amen!
-I, uh... thought I asked you
to stop telling everyone you got a kid.
-Well, those are my friends.
They spend plenty of time with Mary.
My baby will never be no dirty little secret.
I'm proud to be her mama.
-So you're okay with people thinking you're a slut?
It's what I hear other people saying, that's all.
I only wanna protect you.
-Got a funny way of showing it sometimes.
Damn, you're beautiful.
Here, take a sip.
-You know I'm not old enough.
-Don't you trust me to know what's best for you?
-You really take a drink.
Hey Todd!
-Hey!
Hey. Listen dude. I'm, like... drunk as a skunk.
[laughs]
-Do me a favor and kiss Veronica.
-Huh?
-What?
-[chuckles]
-Yeah, tell me if you can taste the booze on her lips.
Or her tongue.
-For real?
-Willard.
-I mean, I'm... I'm willing if you are.
[chuckles]
[blow thuds]
-What are you doing?!
-Proving I always got your back.
Veronica.
[car door shuts]
[Willard] At least let me apologize.
-[sniffs]
-The way I was acting was...
-What?
Willard, wait.
-Are you shaking?
-What happened with Todd... it scares me.
-I would never do...
-But I've already been with one bad man,
I can't make the same mistake twice.
Not now that I got Mary.
-Is that what you think I am?
A bad man?
Well you got my parents to thank for messing me up.
Drinking.
Fighting.
Punching.
You know, I swore I'd never be like them, but...
I guess the more you try to run away from something
the faster it catches up to you.
-Willard, wait.
I guess...
I don't really have the best track record myself.
Dating a married man and having a baby nobody wants but me.
My mama reminds me all the time of what a mess-up I am.
-Don't you ever say that again, Veronica.
There's nothing about you that's messed up.
Don't you see this is why I wanna protect you?
I wanna be with you forever.
You are the only one on this earth
who can save me from myself.
[door opens]
-Veronica! Do you know what time it is?
You never fail to disappoint.
-You got the wrong idea about what's going on out here, ma'am.
-I know what boys your age are interested in,
especially when it comes to girls
who ain't got no moral compass.
-Mama!
-Way past your bedtime, Veronica Bailey.
Do yourself a favor and steer clear of my daughter.
Ain't no good's come to anyone who's ever known her.
Let's go.
[door slams shut]
-Hi. I'm picking up a cake for Veronica Bailey.
-Coming up short?
-Willard.
-So you do remember my name.
Now I've seen you around town lots over the past year
but you don't even as much as say hi.
-Well my mama, she...
Besides, I heard you moved on and got married.
-As if moving on is even possible after meeting someone
as amazing as you.
What are the balloons for anyway?
-Oh. I got ´em for Mary's birthday.
I was trying to get a cake too.
-Will this cover it?
-Heard you's about to be a daddy.
-Ever hear of someone trying to mend a broken heart?
-By getting my former best friend, Susan, pregnant?
-I'd leave her in an instant
if it meant we'd be together again.
I don't care what your mama says or Susan or anyone else neither.
I'm in it for you and me.
-And Mary?
-[chuckles]
I'm trying to buy her a cake, ain't I?
-I don't know, Willard.
Who says we're not wrong for each other
after what happened last year at church?
-I apologized for that. I even made up with Todd.
You forget you're the only one who can save me from myself.
-I, Veronica Jo Bailey, take thee Willard Simms
to be my lawfully wedded husband.
To have and to hold from this day forward,
for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish...
No wait, I remember.
[both chuckle]
To love and to cherish ´till death do us part.
-I can't say that Willard wasn't trying.
Um... keeping us fed.
Paying the bills.
Making me feel protected.
He was doing little things to show his affection.
-For me? -Yeah.
-But... Willard... he had another side.
One that would show up without warning.
He blamed it on overreacting when he was scared
on account of him being abused when he was little.
Willard always promised to do better.
That, uh... that he was gonna change.
And I prayed on it, I hoped on it.
I committed myself to it
because of the wedding vows I took in front of God.
But... Willard's promises
never seemed to take for very long.
-Mama?
-Oh Mary. Hi.
Hi Mama.
-Do something to deserve that shiner?
-Nobody deserves to be beat, Mama.
Not even me.
We watch what we say around Mary.
-Well here's an idea.
Why don't you take her to live with you and Willard
so I don't have to raise her anymore?
-You know there's not enough room at Willard's.
It's not always safe for Mary to be around him.
Hey, you know what?
Why don't we pick out your favorite color
and we can paint each other's nails?
-Mm-hmm.
-[gasps]
Red's my favorite color too.
Why don't you wait for me downstairs, okay?
-Okay. -Okay.
Mary's here for her own safety
'till I can find a way to leave Willard
so that he doesn't maybe come after me or Mary
or... or even you.
-Willard Simms don't scare me.
What I do find frightening is that a child I raised
would grow up to be like you.
[sighs]
Turns out I'm not the only one who's disappointed
in the kind of person you turned out to be.
-Nothing a little nail polish can't fix. Right?
-Pretty.
-Yes you are, Mary Bailey.
Don't you ever forget how much I love you. Okay?
Don't forget that one day... we're gonna be together.
-Yeah?
-Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Safe and happy without anyone telling us
how to live our lives.
It's just you and me, baby girl. That's all that matters.
There we go.
[intense dramatic music]
-Admit it. You're trying to cut me out.
-Out of what exactly?
Mary... she misses living with me,
I was just trying to show her some love.
-Yeah, what about me?
I mean, don't I deserve love?
-I wish you knew how much I had for you.
Mary'll love you too if you let her.
-Maybe we start thinking about giving Mary a brother...
or sister.
-Yeah, one day. Sure.
-Come on, there's no time like the present.
-I'm cooking.
-Mmm.
Come on baby, we'll prove our love.
To Mary, your mama.
-Willard...
-The whole damn world.
-Please Willard, not like this. No, not this way.
Please don't do this.
-Come on baby, prove our love. You and me.
-Stop. Please stop.
-What you described,
is that how you became pregnant with Mary's brother?
-Mary's half brother, Sammy.
His conception was... no act of love but, still...
Love was all I had for my new baby boy once he got here.
[baby fussing]
I'm not sure how, Sammy,
but I'm gonna give you and your sister, Mary,
the best life that I can manage.
-Mama?
Baby brother?
-Mm-hmm. Sure is, Mary. This is Sammy.
-Hi Sammy. I love him.
-And he loves you.
-You'll never get away from Willard now.
Not after having his boy.
-Pastor McCall says there's always a way.
-Church don't offer the kind of sanctuary you think it does.
-Sunday school is fun.
-I know it is, Mary.
We're gonna be spending lots more time there at church too,
you wait and see. Okay?
Yeah.
-From me for you.
-Aww.
-Paid with my, um... allowance.
-Ain't you the sweetest.
-[Willard] Who, me?
-Did you get those outta the trash?
Come on, Mary.
Let's leave your mama to the family she chose over you.
-Mama!
-Well, am I wrong?
-You can't say something like that...
-She knows what's going on. I raised her...
-But if you keep talking negative like that
it's gonna start rubbing off on her.
-I'm sorry but she's a smart girl,
she knows what's going on.
-I didn't think you'd say something like that...
-Excuse me.
-...what, am I lying?
-Of course you're not.
-Willard!
-Mary and I was just playing.
Ain't that right?
My handsome little man.
You done good.
[bell tolling]
-Don't you worry none, Sammy.
I'm sure your daddy just got held up at work...
or something important like that.
Yeah. It's okay.
I told you to be here by 3:30, Willard.
So what's got you...
Susan.
You're the last person I'd expect to pick me up.
-Willard didn't leave me much of a choice.
-I told you I could drive.
-I knew you was carrying on behind my back
but you kept at it even while I was having Willard's baby?
-I tried warning you he was no good all those years ago.
-Yeah, but then you went and had a kid with him
when he and I was broken up.
-And here you are! Following my lead.
Don't you need a ride?
-Did you put the baby down?
-Yeah, he's fine. Let's just focus on Willard.
[Willard thuds]
-What's the baby's name?
-Sammy.
-Sammy? You mean Susan.
[groans]
[laughs]
My two best girls.
-Willard, don't.
-You think you can boss me around? Huh?
You tell me what to do?
Disrespect me in front of the woman I love.
-Willard. -What?
It's true, isn't it?
-I don't gotta take this.
-Well, you wanna leave then leave.
You're gonna do it the way you came...
with nothing.
-No.
-Let her take her baby.
-It ain't hers to take.
-No! No! No!
[baby fussing]
If you take my baby I swear I'll...
-What?
What are you gonna do, huh?
Your own mama loves you less than I do.
You leave and your kids'll become wards of the state.
So I'd think long and hard
before you start making threats that don't add up to nothing.
-So ultimately you never left? Even as your kids grew older.
Even as the abuse extended to them.
-Well, honestly I didn't know how to leave him.
I was flat broke.
I had to choose between being free from Willard
and feeding my babies.
-Wasn't there anyone you could ask for help?
Like your mother?
-My pastor.
And you sure you ain't gonna say
nothing to anyone, Pastor McCall?
-What you share here stays between us and the Lord.
-Willard says he's gonna take Sammy away
if I try and get divorced.
Sammy's only six years old, it wouldn't be safe.
-You familiar with Ephesians? Chapter four, verse three?
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit
"through the bond of peace."
-Peace?
[chuckles]
No disrespect but I ain't know peace in years.
I mean, it's bad enough Mama's always riding me
even though we pay the bills
´cause she gambled all her savings away.
Then there's Willard's cheating and...
This way of living ain't right.
Especially not for Mary or Sammy.
I, uh... it's probably a mistake
bringing all this up with you. I'm...
-No, no. Maybe if I spoke to Willard.
-Oh, no. Promise you won't.
I know Willard can come off all sweet and polite but...
he's got a real dark side and I don't want you getting hurt.
Alright? I got my hands full
trying to keep him from beating Mary.
-Is that why you've been bringing Mary
by the church so often?
-Yeah, well she feels safe here. It makes her less combative.
Sometimes she can be scary protective of me around Willard.
-I've noticed she has a lack of patience
and even compassion at times.
-She's always saying that one day she's gonna try
and stop Willard.
-You don't think she'd actually harm anyone, do you?
-Honestly?
I don't know.
[ominous music]
-Can I do the next box?
-Yeah, you can do them later. It's not your turn.
-You two aren't getting in the way, are you?
-We're helping, Mama.
-I know you are. And what about you Sammy?
-[laughs]
-Well he wanted to do all the heavy lifting
but I told him to leave it to me.
-Well you and your sister should go get your coats on
before your daddy gets here. Okay?
You know he don't like to be kept waiting.
-Okay. Come on.
-You always keep this place looking so good.
-Not as good as you, Veronica.
-[chuckles] Oh, Perkins.
Don't you know lying's a sin? Especially in church.
[car horn honks]
-A new car?
-A new car.
-Yeah, it's time I drove something a little more rugged
to match my style.
-That there's a fine vehicle, Willard.
-I didn't know we could afford something like this.
-I got my first check from that cross-country trucking gig.
-Isn't that cool?
-Even though I can barely manage the grocery bills?
-How is you being too stupid
to keep up with a bank account my problem?
Hey Sammy...
What do you say, you wanna check it out?
-Yeah. -Yeah?
Come on, get in the back.
Hey, hey, hey! Careful, you ungrateful brat.
This car is worth way more than you'll ever be.
-Oh, Willard. -What?!
Nothing to see here, Bo.
Wait in the car.
-Where are you gonna go?
-Where do you think?
I'm gonna do what I always do. Protect you.
[door slams open]
-Mama. -It's okay. It's okay.
[ominous music]
-Willard.
Bet you're, uh, loving how that vehicle handles mountain passes.
-Kinda like how you love when I'm outta town
on my trucking runs.
[Bo thuds]
-No, please!
-I'll kill you for looking at my wife.
And then I'll kill her too.
-What on God's earth?
Willard Simms, what's gotten into you?!!
-Just helping out my fellow man, Pastor McCall.
-You alright?
-Yeah, just... fell.
-Were you ever afraid for your life, Veronica?
-My children's lives.
That's who I was most worried about
the weekend Willard said that I was gonna die.
-How long you been screwing the man who wrecked my Jeep?
It wasn't a man, Veronica.
-Aren't you supposed to be watching your brother?
-Mom needs help. Willard's talking crazy.
-Some might argue your mom
invites this kinda thing on herself.
-[Veronica] Willard you know I'd never do you wrong.
-[Willard] Come on, tell me! -[Veronica] Willard, no!
-[loud thud] -[gasps]
-You really think you got what it takes
to end this nightmare, Mary?
-I'll do whatever I have to do to save Mama.
[knocking]
-What'd you do to set him off this time?
-Mama, no!
[blow thuds]
-[groans]
Oh...
-Don't get up.
Unless you want another reason to stay down.
-[crying] Why don't you believe it was me
that crashed your Jeep?
-More than one person told me
it was another man driving when it got all banged up.
-[sobbing]
-The same man that's been bedding you.
-But you and me is a team, Willard.
-Except when I overhear you talking to Mary.
Trying to work out some kinda plan to leave me
when I always promised to protect you!
-Leave my mama alone!
-This ain't your concern, Mary.
Get your grandma and get out. It's between me and your mama.
[breathing heavily]
[dramatic music intensifies]
-You brought all this on yourself
and now the rest of us are suffering because of it.
Because of you.
-I can't risk Willard taking Sammy and never let me keep him.
He said he'd kill me first.
Ain't nothing or no one can save me now.
-No.
-You're supposed to be in bed.
I don't want you hearing any of this.
-Somebody's gotta do something.
-Well don't look at me, Mary.
You're the one always saying you're gonna fix everything.
[ominous music]
[gunshot]
-[gasps] -[mug shatters]
What in God's name?
-You're not actually buying any of this,
are you, Your Honor?
-I loved him. I never wanted him to die.
Mary shot Willard, not me.
[crowd murmuring]
[gavel pounds]
-I look like I'm guilty.
-I need you to calm down, okay?
-I want order in this court.
-I respect that, Your Honor.
[gravel pounds] -I said order!
-I know, look at me. -Oh my God.
-Hey. Hey. Not surprisingly your daughter's testimony
is full of lies and half-truths.
You prepared to reveal what really happened?
Or do you let your 12-year-old granddaughter take the blame
and be convicted of killing your son in law?
[dramatic music]
-The people call Ella Bailey to the stand.
Is your recollection of what transpired
the same as your daughter's?
Mrs. Bailey?
-[whispering] -Okay.
Your Honor, the witness is hard of hearing on her left side
because of an injury sustained at the hands of Willard Simms.
[crowd murmuring]
[gravel pounds]
-How's this, any better?
Is your version of what happened the same as your daughter's?
-My daughter told her... truth.
Now I'll tell mine.
-Okay. Mama, you can feed Mary for a little bit.
I'm late meeting Willard.
-Look, you know I'll do anything for you and Mary, sweetheart.
But is hanging out with Willard Simms really a good idea?
-Mama. You just hate it don't you?
That I'm young and pretty and I got my whole life ahead of me.
And yours is practically over
except for the time you spend at church.
But now you got a new pastime, raising Mary.
-But she's your child, Veronica.
-Mama. You know good and well
if I realized I was pregnant before Mary was due...
-Don't you say it.
-Why not?
[scoffs]
This baby's the last thing I need in my life right now.
So now that Mary's here she's your problem, not mine.
[car horn honks]
Bye now.
-Oh... don't worry, Mary.
You can always count on me.
God willing.
[baby crying]
[engine rumbling]
[girls giggling]
-Are we gonna wake your mama? -No, it's fine.
[baby fussing]
-Hey, hey.
So? You gonna do it?
[thunder cracks]
Aw, I knew you was too chicken.
-No, I'm up for anything.
-That goes double for me.
-Prove it.
[girls giggle]
-Veronica! What has gotten into you?
-Thought you said your mama wouldn't hear us.
-It's that damn baby, keeps waking up crying all the time.
[sighs] Mary's wrecking all of our lives.
-Get in this house.
-Make me.
-Do I have to remind you, you're still underage?
-You can try and control me all you want, old woman,
but it ain't never gonna take.
-You know the reason I'll never stop trying?
´Cause I'll never stop loving you.
-See y'all tomorrow?
-Have a good evening, Mrs. Bailey.
-I'll pray for you Willard Simms.
-Bye.
-Don't bother.
Already going straight to hell.
[both chuckle]
-So you warned your daughter repeatedly about the dangers
of her involvement with the deceased?
-Objection, Your Honor.
Prosecution is leading the witness.
-Willard Simms was dangerous.
But so was... so is my daughter.
Putting the two of them together
was like mixing gasoline with fire.
That walk to church ain't so bad, right?
-Yeah. And Sunday school is fun.
What is it, Grandma?
-It just makes me so happy
that you love church as much as I do, Mary.
[glass shatters]
-Ow!
-You stay here.
Veronica?
-Stupid thing.
Come on.
-What on earth?
-It broke.
-Mama?
-Leave me be, Mary.
-How about you go down to the kitchen
and get a cookie out of the cookie jar?
-But... -We'll be along in a minute.
Can I help you find something?
-Have you got anything stronger than this?
Something that seems natural but taking in a giant dose
would be powerful enough to kill someone?
-Kill someone? Or kill Willard?
You know you can leave him
and move back in here with me and Mary.
-I can't exactly jump ship now that I'm pregnant with his son.
-What?
-The more kids I have the more money I get from the state.
But Willard's never gonna let me leave with his baby.
Not that I'm sure this kid I'm carrying's even his.
So I gotta consider other options.
-Like poison?
-Whatever it takes to erase him from my life,
and with any luck, the planet.
-Wait. Okay. This is not like you, Veronica.
-You don't know me. You never did.
I'm my own person and I'm gonna do whatever it takes
to live the kinda life that I deserve.
-Are you drunk?
-I'm high.
Not that I'd expect you to know the difference.
You got any poison or not?
-[scoffs]
-Let's go, Mary.
-You're the one that said I could move back in with you.
-Yeah, but I didn't think it'd be with Willard.
Do you really think he's a good influence on Mary?
-Well find me that poison and we can discuss other options.
-Where's my little man?
Hi buddy.
[chuckles] Hey.
[clears throat]
It's mighty good of you to make room for us, Mom.
It don't make you feel old when I call you that, does it?
-I just hope you do right by Mary and me, Willard.
And the rest of your family.
-Why does your mom treat me like the enemy?
-Gee, I don't know.
If it walks, looks and quacks like a duck, what do you think?
-I think your mama don't know what kinda handful you are.
Don't think I won't take Sammy and leave you high and dry,
you worthless slut.
That's right, that'd mean less welfare.
[chuckles]
You ain't got the guts.
Hey, you seen my glasses?
-No, I have not.
[voices on television] -I work in a factory that makes this doll.
Two bucks is too much.
-I'm very sorry sir but your company charged...
-I know it was you, Mary.
You hiding my glasses?
Tell me and I'll turn the TV back on.
-I could help you find them... Daddy.
-What'd you call me?
-You're Sammy's daddy and you're my daddy too.
-No, I ain't your daddy.
I ain't never gonna be your daddy.
[whimpering]
Now don't you go and start crying.
There is nothing for you to cry over.
Unless you want a reason to cry?
-No. -Hmm?
-Hey, don't you raise a hand...
[blow thuds]
-[groans]
Mary! Mary, no!
-Get off.
-[crying]
-Grandma.
-Mary, honey.
It's okay.
[phone dialing]
[call ringing]
-[operator] 911. What's the nature of your emergency?
-Yeah. My, uh, son in law's been threatening my grandchildren
with physical violence.
-[operator] Are the children hurt?
-No. Well... -Ma'am, I'm sorry.
-No, but... -Ma'am. Please.
-Well earlier... -I'm sorry, we can't help.
-No, please.
-You'll have to call social services.
[call disconnects]
Hello?
-No one's coming, is they?
Don't look so scared, I'm not the boogeyman.
No one wants to be the bad guy, you know?
I'm not proud of my struggle.
You understand that, right? Mom?
Whether you do or not, listen to me clear old woman.
Try and call for help again and you will live to regret it.
-You don't scare me Willard Simms.
-[chuckles] No, maybe not.
What about your granddaughter, Mary?
Hmm?
I know how to hurt you.
-Things were worse than I imagined they ever could be.
And I've been through a lot in life.
-You say you made it your mission to protect Mary.
-Well my daughter wouldn't.
So I had to, or... at least I tried.
But by the time Mary was a young lady she was already helping me
more than I could ever help her.
Mary cooked, cleaned and took care of all of us.
Especially Sammy.
Her love for her baby brother was something to treasure.
-Alright, here's breakfast.
-And lunch. Am I right?
-We're not due for more food stamps until week's end.
Willard didn't leave any cash
when he went on his last trucking run.
-Don't worry, Grandma.
-Willard's my daddy, not yours.
-Still makes you my brother and I love you Sammy.
-Gross!
-You can't go without eating, Mary.
-Done it plenty of times before.
-[sighs]
Enough's enough.
Time you started treating your kids as more than a way
to get an allowance from the state, Veronica.
-Leave me be, I was up late.
-You don't think I know that?
You don't think I hear strange men
coming in and out of this house all hours of the night?
-You're imagining things.
-What if I was Willard?
-Willard's not due back from the road ´till week's end.
I need my beauty rest.
-No, what we need is food.
Now you take Willard's Jeep, go down to the Piggly Wiggly
and see if we have any credit left.
-I can't.
-Your kids are starvin'.
-The Jeep's not here. A friend borrowed it.
-You let somebody borrow Willard's Jeep?
-He needed cigarettes,
he promised he'd bring it right back.
-And how long ago was that?
-I don't know.
It's been hours.
[phone ringing]
Yeah.
[dramatic music]
-That your friend with the Jeep?
-There was an accident.
The Jeep crashed and it got dented up real bad.
Willard's gonna kill me when he gets home
and finds out his new Jeep's wrecked.
Especially if he knows another guy was driving it.
-You think I wouldn't find out what really happened?
-[Ella] Oh for the love of God, Willard.
Not in front of your kids.
-What, my kids?
Now I can't trust this slut to take care of my Jeep.
-No, you got things twisted.
-Now enough with the lies! This is the weekend you die.
-Veronica, no.
-What other choice have we got?
How many times you call the cops?
And?
Nothin'.
Willard don't make any sense anymore.
All he wants to do is hurt us.
He said I'm gonna die this weekend.
Which is why I need you to kill him for me, Mary,
while he's passed out drunk in front of the TV.
-Veronica, please!
-I can't, Mama.
I don't even know how to use a gun.
-Sure you do, we've been over it lots.
-Do you hear yourself?
What you're asking your little girl to do?
-Mary's practically all grown up.
You'd do anything for me, wouldn't you?
You gotta shoot Willard in the head.
Kill him before he kills me.
-Mary, don't listen to her.
-One of us has to use this rifle
before Willard wakes up.
[intense dramatic music]
[footsteps]
[dramatic music intensifies]
[gunshot echoes]
-I'll leave it to God to decide who's guilty.
But I do know who's not innocent.
-You've confirmed battered woman syndrome.
And we heard from the gentleman who testified the accused
asked him to kill the victim three years ago.
But you haven't yet revealed what actually took place
in the room the moment the deceased was shot.
Not to mention who actually pulled the trigger.
What we've heard thus far is hearsay at best.
I see no choice but to have the daughter of the accused testify.
-No. No. I won't do it.
I love my mama, I don't want anything bad to happen to her.
-You wouldn't be testifying against anyone, Mary.
You'd be telling your side of things,
helping everyone understand what really happened.
-The decision's yours, Mary. No one else's.
-If you won't testify
we'll have no other choice but to prosecute you.
-Now come on.
-She's under arrest for the same murder charge as her mother.
-I'm sorry, Mary. They got us in the crosshairs.
-So what's it gonna be?
Tell everything you know in court
or go on trial for murder yourself?
[dramatic music intensifies]
[reporters' clamoring]
-Mary! -More details!
-Mary!
[reporters clamoring]
-You okay?
Shouldn't your foster brothers and sisters
bring in their own dishes?
-I help my Grandma plenty at home.
-Which is lovely.
But you know it's okay to have fun every now and then, right?
[blows soap]
[laughing loudly]
[both laughing]
Come here.
-[blows soap] -Ooh!
[both laughing]
[laughing] Stop.
[laughing]
-I can't imagine all the emotions
you must be feeling right now.
-I'm worried for my mama.
-I'm sure she's worried about you too.
Which is why she'd want you to do what's right.
-You mean... testify?
I just want all this to go away.
So I could go back to being with Mama, Sammy and Grandma.
I don't wanna go to jail but I don't want it for Mama either.
-Nobody knows how all of this will turn out.
But if they don't have the full story...
Maybe if you spoke to your mom.
-If they let me,
will you drive me to jail to see her?
-Mary, your mom's been out on parole
since the day of the arrest.
Since the day you came into foster care.
-That can't be true.
-I assumed you knew.
-Why wouldn't she come see me?
-Parole can be complicated. Maybe she got busy and she...
-I'd like to be alone now.
-I understand, sweetheart.
[melancholy music]
-If you need anything... -No.
[sniffs]
-The people call Mary Bailey to the stand.
-We don't want your mother's story
or your grandmother's story.
We want your story, Mary.
-I always loved my mama and I always wanted to be with her.
It seemed like I was always waiting for her though.
[Veronica giggling]
I couldn't understand why Mama lived life the way she did.
But... I figured she had her reasons.
-We haven't got all night.
[both laughing]
-Shh! -Shh.
-Keep it down, you're gonna wake my mama up.
-Let's wake her up.
[both laughing]
What we need is another drink.
-Mama?
-Mary, what are you doing up? You're supposed to be in bed.
-I wanna be with you, Mama.
-Need me to handle this?
-No, no, it's good. We're good.
Listen...
Go on now. Get back to bed, okay?
Next time I'm over I'm gonna paint your fingernails. Okay?
-Can they be red?
-Uh huh, that's my favorite.
-All these stories in town, you're saying it's all a lie?
-What do you mean?
[arguing overlapping]
-Usually it was me watching over Mama
instead of the other way around.
-Oh...
-Why do people fight?
-I wish I knew, baby girl.
Your step-daddy keeps promising that he's gonna do better
but then that promise never sticks.
Willard's always talking about me being the only one
that can save him from himself. But...
It just don't seem to be anyone around to save you and me, Mary.
-I thought a lot about running away.
Ever since I could remember.
But I figured if I left, who would take care of Mama?
-What made you feel you needed to protect your mother
from Willard Simms, Mary?
-Being scared of my step-daddy
was something me and her had in common.
-Because he'd beat you both?
-Yes ma'am. Beat everyone in the family.
A lot.
But those weren't the only times we were scared.
-Somebody better find my glasses.
-There was no guessin' what my step-daddy might say or do.
Could be sweet as a baby bird one minute
and mean as a rattlesnake the next.
-Where are you Mary?
-Sorta like a firecracker
that would go off all by itself without warning.
-Gotcha.
-Sounds like a frightening way to live life.
-I hid.
A lot.
-I promised after last time that...
I wouldn't hurt you.
Not again.
-[crying]
[dramatic music intensifies]
-Think I don't know where you get to
when you should be in school, Mary Bailey?
-I was hiding from Willard, then decided I couldn't take
the teasing I was getting in class
for wearing the same clothes and never having lunch money.
-Oh, Mary. My heart breaks for you.
But you know I don't like the idea
of you missing your lessons.
-You're not gonna tell Mama, are you?
Or Willard?
-Get your shoes on.
-Are you taking me to the principal's office?
-You'll see.
Some of you know my granddaughter Mary,
who sometimes decides her place isn't in school.
Thought we might be able to help her feel
more accepting of herself
so that all the teasing she gets in class
don't bother her so much.
-Welcome, Mary.
We were just telling some jokes.
-In church?
-I like to keep things light
between my Sunday and Wednesday sermons.
[chuckles]
Uh... okay, I got one.
What do pirates call Noah's boat?
The Arrrrrk.
[group laughing]
It's okay to laugh, Mary.
-Try telling a funny joke.
[all laughing]
Guess I'll try harder next week, won't I?
[laughs]
-All of a sudden I wasn't thinking about hiding so much.
I finally felt like I had a place I fit in,
a place I belonged.
If only I didn't have to go home to Willard
in between being at church.
-[Willard] You telling me what to do?
-[Veronica] Would you let me explain?
-[Willard] No, you're done explaining.
-[slap] -[Veronica screams]
-[Veronica] Please listen to me.
-[Willard] No, I'm not listening to anything
you say anymore Veronica.
I am sick and tired of this. Come here!
Now you need to respect me, Veronica.
-[Veronica] I'm sorry, okay?
-Now I'll show you what happens when you don't...
[knock on door]
-Shh! Shh!
Willard, no!
-Stop it, stop it. Stop.
-Sammy?
-I'm scared.
-Yeah, come in.
[suspenseful music]
-What the hell is going on in here?
-Nothing.
We was just...
-Wasn't talking to you, Mary.
I was talking to someone who matters.
Did she tempt you in here?
-What?
-I had a nightmare.
-So who should I hit first?
-Me!
Hit me.
I told Sam to come here ´cause I was scared.
-[chuckles]
You got more guts than most people in this town.
[scoffs]
[chuckles]
-[crying] I peed.
-You have nothing to worry about, Sammy.
Accidents happen.
Here. You can wear these.
-Thanks Mary.
-You're welcome.
I prayed hard for things to get better
and I spent lots of time at church too.
-So which is it today, Mary?
You skipping school or you here ´cause you wanna be?
-I'd be here every day if I could.
-[chuckles]
Given more thought about getting baptized?
-I want to. But...
-I know for a fact your grandma would love for you
to identify with Christ.
-It's Mama and Willard. He...
-More spankings?
We can't always know where the path we're on
will lead us, Mary.
Some call our challenges a test from God,
like he's getting us ready for something.
-Like what?
-Won't know ´till it happens.
When it does, you gotta be ready.
For yourself and for everyone you love.
-I wanna be ready, Pastor McCall.
When God calls on me to do what I need to do,
I'm gonna be ready.
-Is it ready yet?
-Oh, it's ready.
Mmm. Smells good.
-It's perfect, Grandma.
["We Wish You A Merry Christmas" playing in background]
-Well I can't think of anything I want for Christmas more
than to spend it with you and Sammy.
[door shuts]
-[giggles]
-Well if this ain't a Norman Rockwell painting.
-Merry Christmas.
-And same to you, Mary.
-It's real nice of you Willard to pay for the turkey
and all the fixings for Christmas dinner.
-I'm glad you think so. Come on Sammy, get your coat on.
-Where we going?
-Uh... we ain't going nowhere.
We're going to my girlfriend...
your, uh, mother's girlfriend Susan's house.
-What?
-We got a kid there too, so...
-Don't spill any of this on the way to the car.
-Here buddy.
-What are you doing?
-I promised Susan we'd bring Christmas dinner.
Forget who paid for this bird?
-It's not fair.
-Yeah, well keep being naughty
and it won't be Santa who punishes you for it.
I said coats on, let's go.
-Sammy come on, let's go. Come on, get your coat on.
Let's go.
[door shuts]
-Remember what we learned from Pastor McCall, Grandma?
Christmas ain't about gifts.
Or even special dinners with all the fixings.
It's about Jesus, right?
-You've got a beautiful soul, Mary Bailey.
-What I got is the best gift ever.
My grandma.
-I don't think there's a person in this courtroom
who isn't inspired by your ability
to recall the happier times, Mary.
But now we need to talk about the bad times.
Can you tell us about the events
occurring in February of 1987, Mary?
[dramatic music intensifies]
-A new car?
-A new car.
-Yeah, it's time I drove something a little more rugged
to match my style.
Hey, what do you think you're doing?
-But... there's mud all over.
-This here car's worth more than you'll ever be.
-I'm sorry, I was just trying...
-And what'd I say about sassing me?
-Willard, no! Don't. Not in front of...
-What the hell are you looking at?
-That's when I finally figured out why no one,
not even other grown-ups,
stopped him from being how he was.
Everyone was right terrified of Willard Simms.
He was a bad man.
-Is that why you decided to do what you did to him?
-Do you understand the question, Mary?
-I never decided to do what I did.
I was asked... well, told what to do.
Look Mama.
-Leave me be, Mary.
What if you said that you crashed the Jeep?
-Willard knows I don't drive.
Besides, you don't think he'd hurt me for messing up his car?
-I can't really blame the guy who crashed it for leaving town.
I wish he took me with him.
-And what about Mary and Sammy?
-I'm not able to collect welfare without ´em,
that's the very reason I can never leave Willard.
I lose the checks if I lose the kids.
Except you Mary, Willard don't even want you.
-Veronica. -What?
[car engine rumbling]
[dramatic music]
I bet he's drunk enough to kill us all.
[car door slams]
-Damn glasses.
[breathing heavily]
[door slams]
-You think I wouldn't find out what really happened?
-Now Willard, you got things twisted.
-Now, enough with the lies.
Now, people all over town are saying there's another man
who crashed my Jeep. Exactly like I thought.
As if you were faithful when I was on my trucking runs.
There's my number one son.
Come here, buddy.
Come here buddy, it's okay.
-Sammy.
-Sammy, sweetheart.
Was your mama kissing one of her friends?
Or maybe another man when I was away on the road?
-No.
-Did you trained him like a parrot?
-Just try and calm down.
-Is that what you want, huh? For me to calm down.
Actually, that's a fine idea.
-Willard, wait. Wait.
I was gonna tell you.
I just didn't know how to talk to you, how to contact you.
-[blow thuds] -[screams]
-For the love of God, Willard. Not in front of your kids.
-My kids? My kids?!
[glass shatters]
I can't trust this slut to take care of my Jeep.
Why should I trust her with anything else?
-No!
-How do I know Sammy's really my blood, huh?
Maybe I should kill him and see if his real daddy steps forward.
-Leave Sammy be!
-What's gotten into you?
-Tell me if he's really my son!
-[crying] Stop it.
-I swear to God, Veronica.
I will snap his neck right here in front of you!
-No!
-[crying] Please stop.
Please let him go.
-It's a weak man who can't control his own family.
Guess it's time to remind everybody who's in charge.
-[crying] No.
-Who's first? Hmm?
[dramatic music]
-Daddy?
-This is the weekend you die.
-Go put your brother to bed, okay?
-Yes Mama [sniffs].
-[crying]
Is he passed out?
-Yeah. We gotta get outta here.
-And go where?
-What happens when he wakes up?
-Who says we're gonna let him?
-[Mary] Things were quiet but in a bad way.
Sammy's sleeping.
-Is your step-daddy still passed out?
-Far as I could tell.
-So this is the weekend that I'm gonna die.
-I wish prayer served us better.
-There's only one way out.
Willard's gotta die first.
-Mary, you're too innocent to be hearing all this.
-Mary...
You remember how to use this gun?
-No.
-Veronica!
-I'd fire the rifle if I could, I'm too broken to hold it.
You're not Mary, you're strong.
I need you to save me.
-Killing's a sin.
-But not if it's to keep someone else alive, someone you love.
-Veronica.
-What jury's gonna convict a little girl
of trying to protect her mama? Mary'd never go to jail.
It's one bullet to the head, that's all it'd take.
-No.
-To the chest then, just shoot him in the chest.
Just make sure he's dead.
Come on.
Oh... [winces]
[crying] Pick it up Mary, please.
You can do this for me, right Mary?
[dramatic music intensifies]
You can do this for me, can't you Mary?
[dramatic music]
[Willard snoring]
[snorts]
[dramatic music]
[trigger clicks]
[dramatic music]
-The gun won't fire.
-Give it here.
[gun cocks]
It's loaded.
Here.
What are you waiting for?
Go. Go.
[suspenseful music]
-[breathing shakily]
[suspenseful music]
[trigger clicks]
[Willard snores]
It's not working.
-Oh, for the love...
The safety was still on.
-[crying] I'd do anything for you Mama but not this.
-We got no other choice, Mary.
Think of your baby brother. Do you want Sammy dead?
[suspenseful music]
-Please let the gun fire.
[gunshot]
-Oh!
-[choking]
-Is he dead?
-What now Veronica?
-Just give me a minute, Mama.
-Mama?
-Leave me be, Mary.
[phone dialing]
[phone ringing]
-[operator] 911. What's the nature of your emergency?
-I wanna report a murder.
I just shot my husband.
-[operator] Can I get your address?
-It's 16 Tanner Trail.
-[operator] Okay now, ma'am. You all hold tight there.
-It's okay, Mary. It's okay.
-Veronica? Where are you going?
-We don't got the fastest cops.
I'm gonna head on down the road to my girlfriend's to celebrate.
[Willard groaning]
-What's that?
-What's what?
-TV's still on.
[TV static]
-[raspy breathing]
[groaning]
-We gotta get Sammy and go! -What?
-Willard, he...
-I don't understand.
-Please Grandma, he's coming.
[door opens]
-Where's the victim?
-Please, we aren't the ones who...
[police sirens]
-Was this weapon used tonight?
-Got a body.
-Call it in.
-Who's the real victim here?
The abusive man who's now dead
or the woman on trial who didn't even pull the trigger.
Both are responsible for another crime.
The crime of taking away a young girl's childhood.
Not simply by the monstrous act she was compelled to do
but all those years before it.
When will Mary Bailey be allowed to be a little girl?
One man's been convicted for his abuse in God's eyes.
The other abuser's fate lies in your hands.
[suspenseful music]
-Has the jury reached a verdict?
Guilty.
[crowd murmuring]
With mercy. Meaning no death penalty.
Ten years in prison. No chance for parole.
[crowd murmuring]
Order. [gavel pounds]
Deputy, you can escort Mary Bailey to her foster parent.
[emotional music]
-[reporters clamoring] Mary! Mary!
Will you ever forgive your mother?
Do you think you can trust her again?
-Got a joke for you.
-[chuckles] Yeah?
-What kinda car would Jesus drive?
-Um...
-A Christ-ler.
[both chuckle]
-I'll use that one in church.
We miss you there, Mary.
Ain't nearly the same without you.
-Kinda surprised my brother and Grandma aren't here.
-Well your brother's being adopted by the foster family
he's been staying with.
And, uh, your grandma...
I wish I weren't the one to have to tell you this.
-Something happen?
-No, your grandma's fine.
Only she...
she moved out of state to live with your mom's brother.
-Are you here to adopt me?
-My wife and I looked into it.
But we're told that it's best you're not raised in town.
You should be where no one knows your...
your history.
You got the kinda strength none of us do, Mary.
I'm afraid you're gonna have to rely on it a spell longer.
-I don't wanna be strong anymore.
I wish you was my daddy.
-Me too.
Don't ever lose hope.
-Pastor McCall...
is it a sin that I still love my mama?
-You kidding me?
That's God working through you, Mary.
If we hate those who wronged us, we're no better than them.
And I know deep down your mama must love you.
It's a gift you're giving yourself if you remember that.
Now you decide how or what could represent that bond
you and she might still share.
No one has to know but you.
-Except maybe one day Mama?
-Maybe so, Mary. Maybe so.
[emotional music]
-Been waiting a long damn time for this day.
Well... you're the last person
I'd expect to pick me up and take me in.
-Hi Mama.
Alright, I know it's not all that much.
I got you a towel and a toothbrush.
Um... but... I hope you'll be comfortable.
-Wait. So... is this how it's gonna be now?
Just being civil with one another,
just light words now and then, nothing more than that?
It's alright, Mary.
I know after everything that's happened...
-Actually why don't you to come with me.
Let's sit.
-That's my favorite.
-Nothing a little nail polish can't fix.
-I wasn't sure if you could forgive me for...
-Forgive?
Yes.
Forget, never.
I've been through a lot to get to where I am today.
Most of which Sammy and I
should've never been put through to begin with.
But that don't mean I'm not able to move on.
To... live life. To find peace.
I can't expect to move on myself
if I'm not ready to offer you the same kinda grace.
[emotional music]
-I love you Mary Bailey.
-I love you too Mama.
[emotional music]
-Well, do you wanna go first?
-[chuckles] Okay.
[emotional music]
♪