PRIEST #1
We must learn to celebrate God’s judgment, even when we do not understand it. Tertellian wrote that the faithful would have the pleasure of watching, from Heaven, the sinners burning in Hell. Potentially, these tortured sinners could even include family members of the saved. It sounds gruesome. But think of the faith this requires. The relish for divine justice, as He sees it, not as we might. To have faith in God is also to have faith in His judgments – whether they come in damnation or in floods and droughts, in this life or in the next.
EXT. KEHOE HOUSE – DAY – LATER
Andrew Kehoe sits on the porch, looking profoundly depressed. An older brother comes out to find him and approaches him.
OLDER BROTHER
Come inside. Dad has something to say to us.
ANDREW KEHOE
I don’t want to.
OLDER BROTHER
Come on.
The older brother grabs Andrew’s ear, pulling it. Andrew shakes off his brother’s grip.
ANDREW KEHOE
I don’t have to!
OLDER BROTHER
Yes, you do. Dad put me in charge of you. He needs all the help he can get, with Mom gone. Now, come on.
Andrew gets up and follows his older brother inside.
INT. KEHOE HOUSE – DAY (CONTINUOUS)
Andrew and his older brother come inside, where Mr. Kehoe is assembling the family.
MR. KEHOE
Come on, come on. I want everyone in here. Just like that, come on.
A few stragglers enter, making all thirteen children present.
MR. KEHOE
(continued)
Okay, then. I want you to know that a lady is coming over tonight, and I want you all to be on your best behavior. Is that clear? Your best behavior. Now, I know you can be a little rowdy, some of you. That’s normal. But you know how hard it is for me to handle all of you, all the time. Now, it’s very important that this lady like you, do you understand?
Some of the children nod and give signs of assent.
MR. KEHOE
(continued)
I said, am I understood?
KEHOE CHILDREN
(as a group)
Yes, father.
MR. KEHOE
Well, then, that’s it. You can go.
The children file out.
INT. BEDROOM OF THE KEHOE HOUSE – LATER
Andrew sits, playing with one of his other brothers. There is some laughter in the hall, including a WOMAN’s voice. Andrew looks confused.
Mr. Kehoe and the woman appear at the door. Mr. Kehoe sees the boys playing in the bedroom and ushers them out.
MR. KEHOE
Come on, then, boys. Give us the room.
Andrew stands and looks at the woman, then looks at the bed where his mother died.
WOMAN
Oh, I think they’re perfectly charming. You know I don’t mind children. They just need a stern hand.
MR. KEHOE
Well, then, Andrew? What do you say?
Andrew looks at his father, looks at the woman, and runs out of the room.
MR. KEHOE
(continued)
I’m sorry, dearest. He’s still quite upset, being so young.
WOMAN
Oh, I’m confident he’ll learn to listen. It’s a good deal all around, isn’t it?
They shut the door.
INT. KEHOE HOUSE – MORNING – LATER
The children are running around, preparing for school. Andrew straggles through, looking disheveled.
WOMAN
Now, Andrew, you know we’re not going to let you go to the schoolhouse looking like that, are we?
ANDREW KEHOE
What’s wrong with me?
WOMAN
Fix that collar and tuck in that shirt.
ANDREW KEHOE
I will at school.
WOMAN
Now.
Andrew fixes his shirt.
WOMAN
(continued)
Good. Now lace up those shoes proper. We won’t have you looking like a hobo and making shame for the family.
ANDREW KEHOE
I don’t have to. You’re not my mother!
The woman slaps Andrew.
WOMAN
I have enough children to watch over without you making such a fuss. Your father and I are married now, and that means I am your mother. So do as I say, and we’ll get along fine.
As Andrew laces up his shoes, Andrew’s older brother enters, dressed properly.
WOMAN
(continued)
You were supposed to watch Andrew and make sure he was dressed.
OLDER BROTHER
Yes, mother. Sorry, mother.
WOMAN
Go, then.
The brothers exit the house.
EXT. KEHOE HOUSE – MORNING (CONTINUOUS)
Andrew and his older brother exit the house. Andrew immediately stoops and unties his laces.
What are you doing?
ANDREW KEHOE
I hate her.
OLDER BROTHER
Come on.
The two rush off to catch up to their other siblings, who are walking to school.
INT. SCHOOLHOUSE – DAY – LATER
The various Kehoe siblings all sit in one single-room schoolhouse, while a teacher lectures.
The school Kehoe attended as a child. (From The Toledo Blade.)
EXT. GENERAL STORE – DAY – LATER
The various siblings stand outside the store.
OLDER BROTHER
Dad only gave me one nickel for each of you. That’s a lot of money, so don’t ask for anything more. And be careful how you spend it.
The children open the door and file in, making a long procession.
INT. GENERAL STORE – DAY (CONTINUOUS)
The various children overwhelm the store, looking at everything. Some eye various candies. After looking around, Andrew approaches his older brother.
ANDREW KEHOE
I want my nickel.
OLDER BROTHER
Just tell me what you want. I’ll pay all at once.
ANDREW KEHOE
I don’t want anything. I just want my nickel.
Andrew holds out his hand.
OLDER BROTHER
You don’t want a treat?
ANDREW KEHOE
I want to save it. It’s my nickel. Please?
The older brother hands over the nickel.
OLDER BROTHER
You’re just going to lose it.
ANDREW KEHOE
No, I won’t.
Andrew looks contented. He wanders off, then opens his palm and stares at the nickel. He puts it in his pocket.
EXT. KEHOE HOUSE – TECUMSEH, MICHIGAN – 1886 – DAY
The house looks older and less idyllic.
ON-SCREEN TITLES
Tecumseh, Michigan
1886
INT. KEHOE KITCHEN – DAY (CONTINUOUS)
Andrew Kehoe, now 14, and his stepmother are in the kitchen together. He is chopping vegetables while she prepares a meal.
WOMAN
It sure is easier not cooking for fifteen people. I’ll be glad when all you children are out of the house. You’re not chopping that fast enough. I’m almost ready to start.
ANDREW KEHOE
Yes, mother.
As she turns away, Andrew looks down at the knife in his hand, then back up to her. He continues chopping, faster now.
WOMAN
You know, Andrew, it doesn’t behoove you to fight with me like this, chopping things slowly.
ANDREW KEHOE
Yes, mother.
WOMAN
I don’t have to cook for you, you know. I do it because I’m your mother. Your father and I provide for you. You’re old enough now to be a man and let this silly business of yours go.
ANDREW KEHOE
Yes, mother.
WOMAN
I don
’t have time to wait on you.
She snatches the vegetables away from him and adds them to what she’s preparing.
ANDREW KEHOE
Can I go now, mother?
WOMAN
(exasperated)
You may go.
Andrew exits the kitchen. She bends over to light the old-fashioned oil stove. She struggles to get it to light. Without warning, it EXPLODES. Burning oil from the stove douses her, and she’s set aflame, screaming.
WOMAN
Oh, Jesus! Andrew! Andrew!
Andrew is standing in the doorway, frozen, just watching. For a few moment, we do not know if he is going to watch her burn to death.
WOMAN
(continued)
Water! Jesus! Water! Water!
Andrew snaps into action, rushing to the tap to fill a bucket with water. As it fills, she continues to burn, screaming.
He douses her with water, but the flames are not extinguished. She lies burning, her flesh charring. Andrew fills another bucket and pours it on her, extinguishing the flames.
INT. KEHOE KITCHEN – NIGHT
The few remaining Kehoe children, those still under 18 or so, sit gathered, waiting for their father to return. One of Andrew’s sisters, who looks like she’s been crying, breaks the silence.
KEHOE SISTER
Do you think Dad will get another wife? I mean, if she dies?
No one answers.
KEHOE SISTER
(continued)
I guess he wouldn’t need to. We’re old enough.
The door opens and Mr. Kehoe enters. He walks past them. The children just stare at each other, oddly.
INT. BEDROOM OF THE KEHOE HOUSE – NIGHT (CONTINUOUS)
Mr. Kehoe lies in bed, in the darkness, staring into space, a blank look on his face. The remaining children arrive at the door and stare inside. No words are exchanged.
EXT. CEMETERY IN TECUMSEH, MICHIGAN – DAY – LATER
Andrew Kehoe and the rest of his family, minus a few siblings, watch as his stepmother’s simple pine casket is lowered into the soil, while a priest stands by. Andrew’s face is emotionless.
Chapter 2: Nellie
INT. CLASSROOM – EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – YEARS LATER – DAY
Andrew Kehoe, now perhaps a decade older, sits in a classroom at what became Michigan State University, while a teacher lectures.
ON-SCREEN TITLES
East Lansing, Michigan
TEACHER
You freshmen are part of a proud tradition here. We opened in 1857, but our creation goes back to our state’s constitution in 1850, which called for the creation of an agricultural school to help the state flourish. In 1861, we expanded to a four-year curriculum and master’s degrees. And we began admitting women in 1870. So while we teach all manner of subject here, we have always stressed agriculture and keeping our costs low. We are a practical school for practical young men. And women.
Andrew Kehoe looks over at a girl near to him, ELLEN “NELLIE” PRICE, who is about three years younger than him. She returns his gaze and looks away.
ANDREW KEHOE
What’s your name?
ELLEN
I don’t talk to strange boys.
ANDREW KEHOE
And I don’t talk during class.
ELLEN
It’s Ellen. Ellen Price. But people call me Nellie.
ANDREW KEHOE
Hello, Nellie.
EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS – LATER – DAY
Andrew Kehoe and Ellen Price sit beneath a tree, pretending to read from books but actually talking with each other.
ELLEN
So it’s not a long trip for me by coach. All the way from Lansing, right?
ANDREW KEHOE
What are your parents like?
ELLEN
I don’t know. Aloof. They let their money talk for them.
ANDREW KEHOE
Best thing you can do with money is to save it. I used to save nickels, when I was a kid. I may not be rich, but I know money’s value.
ELLEN
You must have been a nice kid.
ANDREW KEHOE
No, I was sloppy. I was a dirty boy. Not very neat.
ELLEN
What’s yours like? Your family, I mean.
ANDREW KEHOE
If it means anything, I have twelve brothers and sisters.
ELLEN
Twelve? I can’t imagine.
ANDREW KEHOE
We’re Catholic.
ELLEN
We were Catholic, and I don’t have twelve siblings.
ANDREW KEHOE
Yeah, well, you’re high Catholic.
ELLEN
And your parents?
ANDREW KEHOE
My father is… he’s an old-fashioned man. My mother… she died when I was five. I had a stepmother too. She died when I was fourteen.
ELLEN
Remind me never to marry you, Andrew.
ANDREW KEHOE
Why’s that?
ELLEN
It was a joke. I’d hate to think you inherited your father’s luck with wives.
ANDREW KEHOE
I’d very much like to kiss you. That is, if it’s alright with you.
ELLEN
Not on the campus lawn.
INT. CATHOLIC CHURCH – LATER – DAY
Andrew Kehoe, now 40, and Ellen Price, now 37, are getting married by a priest.
ON-SCREEN TITLES
1912
PRIEST #2
I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.
The couple kiss.
EXT. TEMPORARY KEHOE RESIDENCE – DAY
A priest walks up to the door and knocks. Andrew Kehoe answers.
ANDREW KEHOE
Hello, father.
PRIEST #2
Hello, Andrew. I came by to ask you about something. You know we’re trying to build a new church building, and we’ve done assessments of all our parishioners, to finance the new building.
ANDREW KEHOE
I’m well aware.
PRIEST #2
Well, Andrew, I see you in church, but you’ve made no effort to pay your tithe of $400.
ANDREW KEHOE
I’ll be damned before I pay it.
PRIEST #2
Andrew, I married you and your wife.
ANDREW KEHOE
And garnered a good fee for it.
PRIEST #2
Everyone’s got to do his part. We do need that new church building.
ANDREW KEHOE
The old building was fine with me.
PRIEST #2
You know we won’t be able to perform services for you and your wife, if you don’t pay your assessment. Think of your immortal soul. When was the last time you confessed, Andrew?
ANDREW KEHOE
You had best get to the street before I push you there myself.
PRIEST #2
What?
ANDREW KEHOE
You’re on my property, and I’ve every right to throw you off by force.
The priest walks hurriedly away.
INT. TEMPORARY KEHOE RESIDENCE – DAY
Andrew Kehoe enters. Ellen Price, now Ellen Kehoe, is present.
ELLEN
What was that about?
ANDREW KEHOE
We’re done with the church, Nellie. Neither of us ever goes again.
INT. NELLIE’S AUNT’S HOUSE – DAY
Ellen Kehoe sits talking with her aunt.
ON-SCREEN TITLES
1919
ELLEN
I don’t know… we’ve moved around so much. We’ve been married for seven years, and we still don’t have a real place of our own.
NELLIE’S AUNT
Did you ever want children, Nellie?
ELLEN
Once. Of course, we’re too old now. Andrew didn’t really want them, I guess. I don’t blame him, growing up with all those siblings…
NELLIE’S AUNT
The child is always either the same as the parents or a violent reverse.
ELLEN
He always says they were so messy. All those kids, running around. That was why his father remarried, you know. To have someone to take care of all those rowdy kids. And he hated his stepmother.
NELLIE’S AUNT
Still, it’s a shame. I always thought you’d be a good mother.
ELLEN
Oh, Auntie, I’m sorry for going on like this. I hope I’m not intruding with all my problems.
NELLIE’S AUNT
Never, Nellie.
ELLEN
I just… I don’t know where we’re going with our lives. Moving around like this…
NELLIE’S AUNT
What is it that you want, dear?
ELLEN
Andrew and I always talked about being farmers. I think he would like that very much. And we’re educated, Auntie. We studied agriculture. Andrew’s very good with his hands.
NELLIE’S AUNT
It can be a hard life, on a farm. Are you quite sure you’re suited to it?
ELLEN
I’d like it. And it’s what Andrew wants. But they’re so expensive, and he’s so darned frugal. Oh, I’m sorry, Auntie.
NELLIE’S AUNT
Never you mind. Farm life was never really for me, you know. You remember I have a farm out about ten miles northeast of Lansing. It’s not far from the little town of Bath, which isn’t even incorporated.
ELLEN
You’re not using it?
NELLIE’S AUNT
No. We bought it with Lawrence’s money. The Oldsmobile money, we called it.
ELLEN
From when he ran the plant.
NELLIE’S AUNT
Same money that financed the hospital. Frankly, I’ve been looking to get rid of that farm for some time now. Do you think that would be a help to you two?
ELLEN
I do. But I know Andrew. He’d be so worried about the cost.
NELLIE’S AUNT
Surely you have savings? With him being so frugal.
ELLEN
We do. But not enough.
NELLIE’S AUNT
I could let it go to you at a very fair price. You’re family, Nellie.
INT. BATH TOWNSHIP BANK – LATER – DAY
Andrew Kehoe sits, talking with a LOAN OFFICER.
LOAN OFFICER
What is the cost of the property?
ANDREW KEHOE
$12,000.
LOAN OFFICER
And what are you putting down?
ANDREW KEHOE
$6,000. I’m looking for a mortgage for the other six.
LOAN OFFICER
50% down isn’t bad.
ANDREW KEHOE
I must confess I pride myself on being frugal.