Wilma quotes from The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

Have you thought anything about getting a job, Homer?

Wilma

Father, it's much too soon for Homer to be thinking about a job. He's just out of the hospital.

Yes, I know but a few months from now, the same opportunities won't exist that exist today. You might think about my business Homer, insurance. We've taken on a number of veterans. They make very good salesmen, you know. Men who have suffered from some kind of disability.

Homer

What about us? We're all right, aren't we?

Wilma

No, listen to me, Homer.

Homer

I'm listening.

Wilma

You wrote me that when you got home, you and I were going to be married. If you wrote that once, you wrote it a hundred times. Isn't that true?

Homer

Yes, but things are different now.

Wilma

Have you changed your mind?

Homer

Have I said anything about changing my mind?

Wilma

No. That's just it. You haven't said anything about anything...I don't know what to think, Homer. All I know is, I was in love with you when you left and I'm in love with you now. Other things may have changed but that hasn't.

Homer

I'm sorry, Luella. It isn't your fault. Just go on and play with your friends. [To Wilma] I know Wilma, I was wrong. I shouldn't have acted like that. It wasn't her that burned my hands off. I'll be all right. I just got to work it out myself.

Wilma

I could help you, Homer, if you'd let me.

Homer

I've got to work it out myself. All I want is for people to treat me like anybody else instead of pitying me. It guess it's, it's hard for them to do that. I've just got to learn to get used to it and pay no attention.

Wilma

Couldn't I...?

Homer

No, I've got to do it myself.

Wilma

They figure you don't want me around. You don't want to see me, and if I go away for awhile, maybe I'll get all of this out of my mind...Do you want to get rid of me? Tell me the truth, Homer. Do you want me to forget about you?

Homer

I want you to be free, Wilma, to live your own life. I don't want you tied down forever just because you've got a kind heart.

Wilma

Oh, Homer! Why can't you ever understand the way things really are, the way I really feel? I keep trying to tell you.

Homer

But, but you don't know what it would be like to live with me. Have to face this every day, every night.

Wilma

I can only find out by trying. And if it turns out I haven't courage enough, we'll soon know it.

Homer

Wilma, you and I have been close to each other for a long time, haven't we? Ever since we were kids.

Wilma

Yes, Homer.

Homer

I'm going upstairs to bed. I wantcha, I want ya to come up and see for yourself what happens.

Wilma

All right, Homer.

Homer

I'm lucky I have my elbows. Some of the boys don't, but I can't button them up.

Wilma

I'll do that, Homer.

Homer

This is when I know I'm helpless. My hands are down there on the bed. I can't put them on again without calling to somebody for help. I can't smoke a cigarette or read a book. If that door should blow shut, I can't open it and get out of this room. I'm as dependent as a baby that doesn't know how to get anything except to cry for it. Well, now you know, Wilma. Now you have an idea of what it is. I guess you don't know what to say. It's all right. Go on home. Go away like your family said.

Wilma

I know what to say, Homer. I love you and I'm never going to leave you, never. [She kisses him]

Homer

You mean you, you didn't mind?

Wilma

Of course not. I told you I loved you.

Homer

I love you, Wilma. I always have and I always will.

Wilma

Good night, darling. Sleep well.