Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:19 — 6.7MB)
Rainy weather has been lingering, and we find the kids doing what kids did in the 1950’s indoors, and playing a classic board game together. Cathy rules the board, owning Boardwalk and Park Place. The demands of a leaky roof rescue Bud from the cost of landing on the property to pay rent. Margret has reached her breaking point over the water damage, very uncharistic for her.
All mom’s pent up frustrations over unfair treatment, Easter dresses, the high cost of living, and more spill out. Has her tyrade caused a rift with Jim? When a family car breaks down in front of their house, the Andersons invite them in. As run down as Margret has made the house out to be,, the visiting kids think they’re in heaven.
Can Jim offer Mr Matthews, the traveling man more than a dry place to rest? A Jobe, maybe? Bud has the car fixed up, but maybe at the expense of mom’s vacuum cleaner. The kids are a hit with Betty and Cathy. Is there something bothering mom at the offer to let the kids stay with them while Mr Matthews continues his travelss for a job? It’ll only be for a few days.
Despite the offer of the dry house, the kids don’t want to be left, and without their dad. The Andersons prepare to send them off with plenty of parting gifts. Cowboy suits, toys, coats, and raincoats. Jim reflects on how the traveling family may not have had many possessions, they were rich in loyalty to each other. A thing that makes him feel blessed, despite the earlier disasters.
