GCB

The lesson today is taken from Matthew 5:39.

"But I say unto you, love your enemies."

"Do good to them that hate you."

"Bless them that curse you"

"and pray for them that smite you."

"And to him that smites you on the one cheek,"

"turn to him the other."

Thank you, Ripp, for the reading of the word.

And now for announcements.

As you know, me and my beautiful bride Carlene

will be celebrating our 17th anniversary this week

with the annual renewal of our vows.

This year's theme is "Gone With The Wind."

And as always, the entire congregation

is invited to attend the reception

at Dallas' own Tara, our home.

No gifts. Just donations to our charity...

"for children with something."

Mark your contributions to "Gone With The Wind."

Let us now present our tithes and offerings.

Hey, Ladybug.

Hey.

Oh, I'm sorry.

How amazing is my sister's voice, huh?

Listening to Carlene sing is like being closer to God.

What's wrong, Carlene?

Double whammy, Ripp.

First, pastor Tudor's "turn the other cheek" sermon,

then your fingers strumming that beautiful prayer

got me to thinking.

Trying to almost-but-not-really blackmail Amanda last week

was awful of me.

Wrong, wrong wrong.

God forgives you, kitten. We're all sinners.

Don't I know it?

Just look at 'em.

She drives men to drive off cliffs,

and he has terrible taste in women.

Who am I to say they're not meant for each other?

Ripp, consider my cheek officially turned.

You get so full of love around vow renewal time.

Mm.

I am the matron of honor.

It's Carlene's highest accolade.

She's never given it to me in 17 years.

But thanks to my recent personal growth

under your tutelage, pastor Tudor,

she knows I can handle the massive responsibilities

that come with matron-of-honorship.

Don't you just walk down an aisle?

Oh, lord, have mercy, no.

I have planned this thing to perfection.

To the horse-drawn carriages that bring the guests

to the "burning of Atlanta" barbecue reception.

I'm... I'm getting kind of nervous.

All you have to do is read the vows.

I'll provide your horse and the confederate uniform.

Sperm bank. Low overhead.

Just a couple of freezers,

plastic cups, and dirty magazines.

Should we invest in it?

Everybody wants babies.

You're misty. Something the matter?

Oh, no, nothing. Just a...

Just a reality check.

Our nest will be empty soon.

Little angel's going off to college.

She's not gonna need her daddy anymore.

Well, there is a bright side.

No more pep rallies, parent-teacher conferences.

More time for product expansion,

and if we're gonna bust that chambermaid union,

we really have to focus.

You know, truth be told,

I always thought we'd have another one.

Another what?

- Baby? - Wasn't that part of the 15-year plan?

Triple your father's business, have two kids?

Well, plans change.

I've got way too much going on with the I.P.O.

to even think about raising another child right now.

Speaking of daddy business...

You seem very busy up at the ranch

with your new foreman... Randy.

- Rusty. - Rusty.

That relationship has nothing to do with this.

Never has, you know that.

I want another child.

Just... consider it.

I always consider everything.

(Man over P.A.) Please fasten your seatbelts

and prepare for landing.

One more thing.

The matron of honor Melanie Wilkes...

Parasol.

Oh, my God in heaven, you look...

Antebellum.

Hey, girls, sorry I'm late.

Just got off the plane from El Paso.

I require liquor.

Anything wrong?

You look like somebody licked the red off your candy.

You know how carefully I plan my life.

Blake wants to upend my agenda.

Ripp likes to do that, too, sometimes.

Took some gettin' used to.

Look at my parasol. It twirls.

You've got to be kidding me.

This theme is worse than "The Empire Strikes Back."

What did Blake do?

Out of the blue, he tells me he wants another baby.

Part of me would love to try motherhood again.

And this time, actually try motherhood.

I mean, Alexandra never even came to me for a hug.

And I'm not asking for one, either.

Sharing and caring time is over.

Ladies, before you throw me out,

you let me say my piece.

Now I know things haven't been great between us

ever since the whole uncle Burl thing...

You mean ever since you stole the land

for her condos for Christian living right out from under her?

Sharon, I appreciate you leaping to my defense,

but I've already forgiven Heather

for her shocking lapse of judgment.

You should never choose a man over your dear, dear friends...

Especially the kind you date,

who just... come and go.

I know I messed up, and I am so, so sorry.

You ladies are my best friends.

We're practically sisters.

I really miss you.

Oh, honey, we missed you, too.

Welcome back into the fold.

Thank... oh. Thank you.

Talk is cheap, darling.

You can't just tell me you love me.

You're gonna have to show me.

I've never had turkey bacon before.

You really are from California.

Don't worry. Mama hates it, too.

Hey, um, listen...

since you and I seem to be on the verge of hitting it off...

well, I think we're on the verge of hitting it out of the park.

Okay. Then I just gotta know...

exactly how close are you and Carlene?

Carlene is a good woman

who's just terrified of being bad, okay?

Which sometimes makes her behavior...

Incomprehensible?

Now I never understand her, but I adore her.

And, hey, she does know how to throw a good party.

In fact, what are you doing Saturday?

You wanna be my date for the vow renewal?

I wish I could. I... just...

Anything else I'd be totally game for.

I just think that with Carlene's and my history,

it's not such a good idea.

You understand.

- Not really. - Not really.

No. But hey, if you change your mind,

I'll just...

- Be right across the street. - Oh.

Bye.

Hey.

- Get out of here. - Mm.

How much did you hear?

Well, I must have heard wrong,

because you couldn't possibly have sent away a good man

just because you're scared of some blonde nitwit

in 20-inch heels.

Mother, Carlene and I have serious differences.

So what? Luke is a doll.

Set aside your differences with Carlene.

How am I supposed to do that?

Don't be a chicken. Cross the road.

Amanda!

I'm sure you're not here to see me.

Luke!

- Hey. - Hey.

- Perfect timing. - Yeah.

You can help with my civil war costume.

Gonna freak Carlene out and come as Abraham Lincoln.

But he wasn't in "Gone With The Wind."

I like breaking the rules.

Me, too.

And in the spirit of that, I've changed my mind.

I'd love to be your date on Saturday night.

That is awesome.

Amanda's my date for the vow renewal.

Luke, precious... (Laughs)

You know the protocol.

You're the best man.

The best man's date has to be someone in the bridal party.

Take Heather. She's alone again...

With no one... Powerless.

Or take me. Zack's out of town.

Yeah. (Chuckles) Take Sharon.

Okay, I just won't be in the wedding party, then.

We'll come as civilians.