Big Eden

In June 2000, Henry Hart, a gay man and successful artist living in New York, receives a call from his old friend Grace Cornwell, a kindergarten teacher in his hometown, who tells him that his grandfather Sam had a stroke. Although his assistant, Mary Margaret Bishop, wants him to stay, Henry feels himself bound to visit and help his ailing grandfather. He jumps on the next plane to his hometown, Big Eden, Montana, giving up his new home and career. Stranded in his place of birth, Henry is confronted by the changes of time. Though Sam is recuperating, Henry feels that he should stay with his helpless grandfather because he fears becoming an orphan. While accompanying Sam to church every Sunday, he involuntarily becomes part of the town life and gossip again. The townfolks somehow always knew about his sexuality, but never mentioned it publicly. Further complicating the situation is the presence of his former high school crush Dean Stewart. Dean has just split up from his wife and has returned to Big Eden with his children Ben and Andrew. This leaves Henry trying to work out his unresolved feelings for Dean. Grace sets up a support system for Henry and Sam. Included is Widow Thayer and Pike Dexter, a shy Native American man. Pike is the town's general-store owner, and the Widow Thayer is the center of gossip and society in Big Eden. She attempts to hook up Henry with different people; first women, but after a few "social gatherings" she realizes her error and invites men instead. While all this is going on, the Widow Thayer cooks for grandfather and grandson daily, and Pike takes it over to their house and helps by setting the table. After a few weeks Pike realizes that the food is inappropriate and learns how to cook healthy dishes. He keeps this secret, telling neither the Harts nor Thayer, exchanging Thayer's dinner with his own delicious meals. He also orders the supplies Henry needs to continue painting in Big Eden. Pike, who wants "things to be nice for Henry", has obviously fallen in love with him, too. Meanwhile, Dean is around Henry a lot, helping him build a ramp for Sam's wheelchair, and taking Henry dancing and to the mountains. With all of his effort, he tries to show Henry his affection and feelings, but Dean eventually tells Henry that he couldn't live together with him. Time passes and Sam becomes worse. One night, Henry arrives home and finds Pike there, looking forlorn. Pike tells Henry that Sam has died. The town falls into mourning at Sam's death. He built every house in town and was closely connected to everyone. Though Dean comforts Henry, Pike secludes himself. A funeral is held for Sam, which everyone but Pike attends. Henry, now completely alone, realizes that Pike meant something to him. Pike had shared a "promised dinner together" with him one night where he fascinated Henry with his knowledge of stars and mystical stories. That upsets Henry even more because he thought Sam meant something to Pike, too. They don't talk to each other until the day Henry leaves for New York. At the very last minute, Pike accepts his love for Henry and tries to catch him at the airport, but he is too late. On his way home, Pike sees Sam's truck in front of his store, not expecting Henry to be waiting for him. The two men become a happy couple. ==Cast and roles==