TTia
Thanks for dinner, Mrs. Camden. Could I help you clear the rest of these dishes?
Oh, no. Relax. We're enjoying your company.
EricYeah, it's not often that anybody around here wants to talk about my sermons after church.
TTia
I just think that frost poem you quoted was so beautiful.
It was a good choice, wasn't it?
Eric
Yeah, I'm surprised you're familiar with the death of the hired man.
TTia
Yeah, it's in our English lit book, but I never heard it read out loud before. It was perfect. I mean, the safe choice would have been something like the road not taken.
Exactly. Wouldn't it? You know, when Eric and I first started dating, he wrote some pretty wonderful poetry himself.
I bet it wasn't anything you could read out loud in church, huh, dad?
Eric
I wouldn't say that I would.
TTia
Could you quote the frost poem again?
Eric
Well, I think people around here have probably had enough eloquence for one day.
That's right. We wouldn't want to have to call the poetry police.
TTia
Please, just a line or two?
Go on honey, I thought you were pretty terrific myself.
TTia
Please? The line about home.
Eric
"Home, he mocked gently. Yes, what else but home? It all depends on what you mean by home. Home is the place where, when you have to go there. They have to take you in."
Eric
Your mom picked the poem.
Eric
What do you think that was about?
I don't know, but she's obviously in a lot of pain.
Eric
Should I...
Come on. Tell me what's going on.
TTia
I'm sorry. I generally try not to burst into tears. Unless I'm alone.
No, that's ok. We're, uh, we're big on emotions around here.
TTia
I know it doesn't seem like any big deal, but my parents just got divorced.
TTia
You don't know how lucky you are to be part of this family.
Oh, oh, yes, I do... But I'm also lucky that I met you.
Mary and I would like to go to dinner with John and Keisha tonight if that's ok. We'll be home early.
Eric
Well, what's the occasion?
No reason. We just haven't seen John and Keshia for a while, and we thought we'd grab a burger together. That's all.
Eric
Where?
[to Eric] He's now covered who, what, when, where, and why.
Eric
What's this?
Eric
Did you buy it at the Varsity?
Eric
Did you take it without paying for it?
Dad, everyone takes something from the Varsity. It's like a school ritual.
Eric
It's like stealing. No, it is stealing.
Eric
[to the manager of the Varsity] I'm Eric Camden. I'm Matt's father.
MManager
I'm not dropping the charges.
Eric
Just hear me out first.
MManager
Ok, but I'm not dropping the charges.
Eric
My son knows he was wrong. That's why he apologized. Matt's learned his lesson.
MManager
That's not the problem. The problem is that the rest of those kids haven't learned anything. I lose thousands of dollars every year. If I raise the prices of food to cover the losses, I have no customers. Kids shouldn't steal, and they should learn that if they do, there are consequences. If I let Matt off the hook, they'll think they can get away with anything.
Eric
This isn't about all those other kids. They didn't come in here and apologize to you. This is about my boy. He tried to do the right thing, and he's getting punished for it. What kind of message is that?
MManager
It says there are consequences if you break the law. That's a message I'd like to get out. You got a problem with that?
Eric
Yeah, I do. Isn't the law supposed to be about justice and mercy as well as punishment?
MManager
I guess we'll find out tomorrow in court, won't we?
[to Ruthie] No, "hailed" is not a bad word, and neither is "hell" unless you say something like "Go to hell!"
Eric
[walks in] What did you say?!
Oh, um. I was just trying to explain that "hell" is not a bad word. It's just how you use it, like if you say something like "There's a heaven and a hell", that would be ok, right?
Eric
Yes, that would be ok, but that's not what I heard you say.
[about George] So you want him?
Eric
I don't know. We did always say we'd adopt after Mary.
Eric
Then after Simon.
And now it's after Ruthie.
Eric
We'd be crazy to even consider it, I guess. Right?
We are crazy. We'll talk to the kids and George tomorrow.
Eric
[when he and Annie want to adopt George] I don't see where your opinion fits into this.
That's wonderful. You're dreaming again. Who's gonna pay for the kid? The adoption? The court costs? And let's not even get into how you're going to send him to college, or any of your other five, for that matter.
Eric
They'll get to college the same way I did, Dad. They'll get jobs.
You still resent me for not paying your way.
Eric
I don't still resent you. I never resented you for that.
Yes, you did then, and you still do. But you and your sister needed to learn that you have to work for the things that are important.
Eric
I know that, Dad. I get it.
Yeah, you get it because we taught you the value of hard work and discipline!
Eric
And I'm happy to credit you accordingly!
We just thought you might already have your hands full.
Eric
[when his parents say they're going to adopt George] George is not your average kid. He's had a tough life. The adoption itself is gonna be hard on him. He's gonna need a lot of love and support.
And you have a corner on that market?
Eric
No, of course not, but support of any kind isn't one of your strong suits.
Eric
Do you ever remember holding me or Julie when we were upset? Did you ever allow us to express any of our feelings?
If you're asking me if we wiped your noses and held your hands, then the answer is no. No, we were too busy keeping a roof over your heads and food on the table!
Eric
Well, there's more to parenting than that, Dad.
Oh, and what does that mean?
Eric
It means that you are not the parents for George.
That was Patricia. She and Morgan were wondering if we'd like to drive up to Stedmond Caves tonight and go camping!
No. No. Just me and your dad.
Eric
And what, we'll put the kids in a kennel?
No. They can stay here with the Hamilton kids.
Eric
And who's gonna babysit?
Eric
No, of course not. Who would keep an eye on you?
Eric
Exactly.
[to Ruthie] What's the matter, honey? Not too hungry today, huh?
Opening day jitters, Mom. [to Ruthie] Listen, eat something light. A little toast, maybe. Throwing up at school is just as bad as crying.
Eric
Simon.
What? I'm just giving Ruthie the benefit of my experience. I mean, come on, let's face it. It has been a while since you or Mom were at school.
[Simon leaves]
Honey, it's gonna be okay. You know the teacher, and she's really, really nice, and you're gonna make lots of friends.
Fine. I just don't like this cereal.
7th Heaven · 700 quotes
