GUEST: Dr. Matthew Opalach, DO

After a wheezing fit, John continues talking to Homer.

“I’m not afraid of a little coal dust!” says John. “Hell, I was born for this! I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that you were, too.”

Homer pauses when his father says this.

“Let’s go watch ’em shoot some coal!” says John.

Later, John and Homer arrive home from the mine.

“Elsie? Hold dinner for a while, will ya?” asks John. “I have to make a call.”

Elsie pulls Homer aside, and talks to him in the hallway.

“I was in the store today, and I heard some talk,” says Elsie. She pauses, then hugs Homer.

Later, Homer arrives at Miss Riley’s home. Miss Riley walks into her living room with a pot of tea.

“Boy, it’s sure hard to keep a secret in this town, isn’t it?” says Miss Riley. “But I guess I did a pretty good job. You know, there was a rumor going around…”

In This Episode

• Jake Gyllenhall as Homer Hickam
• Chris Cooper as John Hickam
• Natalie Canerday as Elsie Hickam
• Laura Dern as Miss Riley