Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story (2025) Movie Script
1
Can anyone help find
a missing child?
Sir, sir, does this little girl
look familiar to you at all?
OK, thanks for taking a look.
I appreciate it.
Missing child, please...
thank you, ma'am.
Take a look.
Thank you.
Excuse me. I'm, I'm confused.
Are you trying to
find your daughter?
No, I'm the one
who's missing, ma'am.
I need help finding me.
This is my family.
That's my mama, Elizabeth.
I guess y'all thought y'all
was runnin' to Boston, huh?
She's got alpha energy,
always in charge.
Give me my buck.
Most people were afraid of her,
avoided bumping heads, even men.
Usually, I tried to
stay out of her way.
But daughters need mothers.
-Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
-That's right, partner.
Take them downtown.
Miss Barbara was
a family friend.
She always hung around
in good times and bad.
Stop all that yapping, Barbara.
Let me see you
get your hands dirty.
My granny, Sarah,
she was
second in command to Mama.
And Mama made sure to remind her
when she overstepped.
Uh-uh, worry
about your own partner.
Don't sell no whoop tickets
over here.
My uncles didn't make much fuss.
Boy, renege and see if
I don't come for your behind.
Uncle Eddie was
kind of laid back,
but quick to let you know
he was streetwise.
Nobody moves,
nobody gets caught.
Uncle Leroy liked to be
the center of attention.
Right as rain, boy, you better
get yourself an umbrella,
because you about to kiss...
hah!
Where the sun don't shine.
Mm-hmm.
That's my uncle Nelson
by the hi-fi.
He didn't fool with
the family too much.
He was the stop by to show
his face and leave early type.
And that's Uncle Leroy's wife,
Elaine.
When she wasn't around,
Mama and Granny talked about
how she wore her dresses
too short and too tight.
Now which one of y'all
gonna ride this train?
Ha!
Deuce or die, baby!
Deuce or die.
Girl.
What you want, girl?
I'm thirsty.
Glad I bought my umbrella.
It's about the rain diamonds.
Yeah, yeah.
That's what I'm talking about.
-Look what you made me do!
-Liz!
You see me over here
trying to focus,
and you dragging my game.
You supposed to be in bed.
Leave the gal alone, Liz.
You was going to lose anyway.
Uh-uh.
Because if
it was me at that age,
out the bed this late,
in grown folks' conversations,
I would have lost a tooth.
Baby didn't mean no harm.
Sugar, come give
Granny a kiss goodnight.
Sugar, come give
Granny a kiss goodnight.
You better not move.
And I am known as
Symbolie Monique Smith.
My daughter.
I wish you'd let me raise her.
Everybody called me Bolie,
Everybody called me Bolie,
though I prefer Monique.
For years, I didn't know
if either was my given name.
Mama, where did this
gentle attitude come from
-when we was coming up?
-Mm-hmm.
I still got that mark
on my left cheek
from one of your back hands.
Spare the rod, spoil the child.
That is what the good book say.
Hey, look, Mama.
Why don't I just
take off your hands?
Take your whoopin' in peace.
-Come on.
-Go on.
Hey, hey, somebody
put my hand, man.
Oh, yeah.
When I was a young woman,
I discovered my entire
identity was a lie.
None of these people
are my real family.
All right, all right.
Hey, you got your water...
and your teddy bear,
everything you need
for a good night's rest.
Uncle Leroy,
am I really that bad?
It ain't you.
Everybody make her mad, OK?
Look, I think that
you are a very good girl.
But...
Ah,
What?
Uh, well,
I have something special
that I could give you.
But, uh...
But, uh...
It's only for good girls, OK?
I can be a good girl!
I can be a good girl!
Please, can I have it?
Oh.
Well, look,
if I give it to you,
you got to be real quiet.
And you can't tell your mama
She gonna get mad.
And, well, I don't know
what she gonna do.
I might not be
around to save you.
Yeah?
Can you keep my secret?
I won't tell.
Oh, okay. Okay.
Yeah.
Yeah. Lay back.
Lay back.
I'm not playing with him!
Not in that outfit.
Can you keep my secret?
Somebody better teach him
how to play.
I'm gone.
Look what he got on.
Mama, can we get it?
Didn't I tell you
to come in this store
and touch nothin'?
Sick of you.
I longed for a close
mother-daughter relationship
like the ones I saw
in other families.
But my relationship
with my mother
was marked by
fear and uncertainty.
I never knew when
the smallest infraction
would trigger her rage
and make me question whether
she had even the tiniest bit
of love or compassion for me.
Don't you ever get out in public
and embarrass me like that
again.
You hear me?!
You got people out here
thinking I don't feed you,
begging for some stupid cereal.
Maybe if I grab you
around your damn throat,
you'll know what it feels
like to want some food
and can't have it.
-I'm sorry...
-I know you sorry!
You the picture of sorry.
I won't ever
ask you for anything.
I know you won't. You know why?
'Cause that's your
last time embarrassing me.
You hear me?
Let a tear fall
and I'll give you something
to cry about.
Yeah.
I heard all the commotion.
I thought you could use
a little pick-me-up.
Hmm?
You know that you can
always count on me
to look out for you.
I've got an idea.
I can help you forget
that this whole day
ever happened.
Close your eyes.
Hm?
Now, take a deep breath.
Fine.
Now take another breath.
But just like that.
Just...
like... that...
I can help you forget that
this whole day ever happened.
You turn that down.
Hey, you stop to
the corner store
and cash your check?
Damn, let the girl
get in the house good enough
before you
shake her down like a pimp, man.
Shut up, Leroy.
When I want to hear
what you got to say,
I'll tell you what to say.
Is this all that came today?
You looking for something?
I took the test to join
the Army after graduation.
They said I should get
a letter telling me how I did.
You want to fight
in a white man's war?
The man who came
to my school said
the Army would pay for me
to go to college.
Oh, yeah.
He did call.
I almost forgot to tell you.
He said you flunked.
-Flunked?
-Mm-hmm.
The Army don't take
no stupid people,
and neither do college.
I'm graduating top of my class.
Play your cards right,
you can get those white people
to let you clean their offices
full time
after you finish school.
I want to go to college.
People in hell want ice water,
Bolie.
Here.
That should be enough
to get you back and forth
until you get your
next paycheck.
Mama, I need more
than just bus fare.
I gotta pay my graduation fees.
I gotta get my cap and gown.
Bolie!
Make sure that kitchen
cleaned before you go to bed.
Yes, ma'am.
Hey, Bolie.
How was school today?
Good, Granny.
I got another A on
my chemistry test.
Oh, you always have
been a smart girl.
All that makeup and big old hair
is supposed to get you a man?
You don't know
the latest styles.
Oh, I know what looks good
and what looks like
somebody done had his way.
That lady that play on that
TV show that you always watch
keep her hair fixed like this.
That lady got a doctor husband
and five beautiful children.
That's what you
think you gonna get?
Well, we know the children
ain't a-happening.
Would've had some by now
if that was the case.
Won't you mind
your business, Eddie?
I think you look pretty, Mama.
That eye shadow brings out
the sparkle in your eye.
There's one thing
about you, Bolie.
You always did have taste.
Mama, can I get
my birth certificate
and Social Security card?
What you want that for?
In case the Army
changes its mind.
Girl, that is the government.
That decision is set.
Well, I am 18.
I should have a copy
of those papers anyway.
Why haven't you
ever shown them to me?
Because I give you
everything that you need.
Well, I couldn't get
my driver's license, remember?
Who car you gonna drive?
Where was I born?
Who's my father?
Girl!
Don't you ever
question me like that.
You think 'cause you 18
and you grown-ass you can say
whatever you want
to say to me, huh?
No!
I got news for you, honey.
No, ma'am.
Leroy, give me your belt.
No, no!
Give me your belt now!
You can't keep doing
this all the time, man.
Look, the little girl,
she ain't say nothing...
-Oh, shut up!
-Oh, Mama!
Disrespecting me
in my own damn house.
The Army was going
to be my sure way of escape.
Without it,
I'd have to find a new route.
It may have been
a tougher road ahead,
but I had to go.
Dear Granny,
I appreciate
every hug, every kiss,
every kind word you ever spoken.
But I know I don't belong here.
It's time for me
to find my place.
I will miss you.
Love, Bolie.
I knew someday I'd have to
escape this house
and all of its horrors.
Didn't know today
would be that day.
But I couldn't stay another day
in a place where I had to fight
for my life.
I took the first bus route out.
Anywhere was better
than Baltimore.
No, no, no! Hey, wait! Stop!
Next bus leaving
for Baltimore, Maryland
in 30 minutes.
You coming or going?
Just got in from Baltimore.
These benches don't
make the softest beds.
Got somebody picking you up?
Got pickpocketed on the bus.
No choice but to stay
here till morning,
figure out what's next.
I'm Caroline. What's your name?
I'm Monique.
Monique.
You got kinfolk in town?
No, ma'am.
Did you know St. Augustine
is the oldest city
in these United States?
So much history here.
And the beaches.
I'd put our beaches up against
any other beaches
in the entire world.
You should see them
for yourself sometime.
Sure I'll get around to it.
These streets can be
some mean places
for a young girl
out here all alone.
I can handle myself.
Tell you what.
Why don't you come home with me?
I've got an extra bed.
No reason you can't
sleep in it for a while.
I don't have any money to...
Oh, don't worry
about that, baby.
I can help you find work.
If it were my daughter,
stranded out here all alone,
I'd want someone to help her.
Just like I'm helping you.
You sure?
Come on, baby.
Gather your things.
The lure of a woman who showed
all of the motherly compassion
I craved
was irresistible.
The idea that she would
immediately
find me worthy of care
and attention
seemed like vindication,
delivery from evil.
But I soon discovered
that encounter would mark
the beginning of a life
I could never have imagined.
What?
You've never seen
a little clutter before?
You can clean up around
here to help earn your keep.
Yes, ma'am.
See you in the morning.
I got you. I got you.
You can have Jackie's bunk.
-Thank you.
-You'll be just fine.
All the girls get along nicely
and they'll show you the ropes.
You'll fit right in.
Where's everybody?
Working.
They'll take you out tomorrow.
Is this some kind
of boarding house?
The first rule of
getting along around here
is everybody minds
their own business.
Bathroom's down
the hall to the right.
I'll put a set of
towels in there for you.
Oh, you like that one.
This color suits you best,
but this cut would
really flatter your figure.
That's a little low cut for me.
That's the point, princess.
I changed into someone
who I did not want to become
in Caroline's house.
I was forced into
a life I did not want.
It had no means to escape.
I learned to never say
what I would never do
in order to survive.
Bartender.
Let me get another drink
for the young lady.
Thank you.
A tough night at
the office tonight, huh?
Excuse me?
Just saying.
I thought your dance card would
have been filled up by now.
Night's still young.
Yeah, so are you.
How old are you, anyway?
-Sir...
-Gino.
Gino...
Would you like to go on a date?
Okay. I see, uh, small talk
isn't a part of
your sales technique, huh?
Most customers know
what they want.
No need for me to put on a show.
This seat's for customers only.
I'll ask again.
Sir?
Would you like to go on a date?
Actually, uh, yes.
I would love,
love to take you out on a date.
You're so silly.
Uh-huh.
You're something else.
I told you. I told you.
Oh, man.
Uh-huh.
A rose for the pretty lady.
No one's ever called
me pretty before.
Yeah, well, not even that
rose is as beautiful as you.
That's just silly.
You deserve so much more.
I mean, if I could
give you the sun, moon,
and the stars, I would.
Most men are happy with
what I can give them.
An hour at a motel.
That's if we make it.
Sometimes a parked car
is as far as we get.
I'm not most men.
You certainly aren't most women.
Monique, you're special.
I knew that the first moment
that I laid eyes on you.
-You don't know me.
-Yeah, but I want to know you.
What is a sweet girl
like yourself
doing in your line of work?
Gullible.
Broke.
Desperate.
What if I told you
I can give you a better life?
I can take care of you, Monique.
Will you let me?
Fire danced in my belly
with the protective touch
of Gino's strong hands
and the tenderness of his words.
If this was what love felt like,
it was worth the wait.
My love I'm lovin' you now
I never thought that I
Could take this chance
with my life
I'm giving you all
Life can give
Take my hand and we
can live this life so free
See, I waited so long
for this moment in life
What's up?
What you mean I gotta
do the drop, man?
-Baby...
-Get off of me!
Shut up!
Divine love
Not again.
Gino! Gino!
I was fighting for my life
while he was fighting
his own demons.
It's one thing to find
yourself in a bad situation.
It's worse to stay there.
Especially when
you're pregnant with no job,
no money and no help.
All I had was bad choices.
I could stay here, where even
in the house with my husband,
I'd give birth to
my first baby alone.
Or I could go to the only
place I knew as home.
With all of its problems,
I knew I would at least
find comfort
with my grandmother.
I can help you forget
that this whole day
ever happened.
Ma, I'll be home
around nine, okay?
Take that chicken
out the freezer.
Well, look what the cat
done drug in.
How you doing, Mama?
Well, I see you done went
and got yourself knocked up.
Tell you right now,
I ain't got no money
to take care of you
and that bastard baby.
Leave that gal alone.
You can go to work, Liz.
I'm married.
Well, excuse me, Miss Married.
Where's the lucky groom?
Oh, he ain't want
you either, huh?
Can I please stay here
for a while?
Just until I get a job.
I'm going to get
a place of my own.
Four long years
you've been gone.
What made you come back?
I guess...
this is home.
I hope you got that
money you stole from me.
And don't steal nothing else.
Mm.
I wanted to call.
But you didn't.
I didn't know what to say.
I appreciate the note.
I still have it.
Couldn't leave without
saying goodbye.
You find what you was
looking for out there?
I was looking for better.
Are you back home to stay?
I'm here for now.
Still trying to figure out
what it means to be home.
Home is more of a feeling
than a place, sugar.
It's where you feel
the most loved and protected.
It's a safe refuge.
Is this where you feel safe?
Hand me that dish rag, love.
Granny,
I didn't know you were sick.
I'm just old, baby.
Keep living. You'll see.
Well, have you been
taking your medicine?
I think you've got enough
to tend to besides my medicine.
When are you due anyway?
Not much longer now.
Oh.
-Granny.
-Mm-hmm?
Was Mama happy
when she was pregnant with me?
I wouldn't know.
Liz had been away
living in New York,
and she just showed up
with you one day.
She never told you
she was pregnant with me?
How do you even know
she gave birth to me?
All I ever wanted
to be was a mother.
Gentle, nurturing, loving.
The kind of mother I never had.
Now that I have
brought life into the world,
I'm curious about my own
mother's experience.
Did she feel for me
what I feel for my sweet girl?
Good morning, Mommy.
How are you and the little one?
Fine.
Is Dad on his way?
I'm afraid not.
How about your parents?
It's just me and my baby girl.
We have each other.
And that's all you need, right?
I just have a few questions
so we can get her
birth certificate filed?
Sure.
What's the baby's name?
Christina Sherelle Rogers.
And I have you
listed as SYM-bo-lie...
Uh, Sym-BO-lie... SYM-bo-lie...
Sym-BO-lie Monique Smith.
Sorry.
Such a unique name.
Oh, beautiful, though.
Does it have a meaning?
No, ma'am. Well, I don't know.
I'm not sure where
my name came from.
Well, you certainly know where
this little bambina
got her name, huh?
So for the father,
what's Dad's name?
Ma'am, if I wanted to get
a copy of my own
birth certificate,
how would I do that?
Three.
Number four.
Hey.
Um, can I request
a birth certificate for
Symbolie Monique Smith?
Fill out the top portion,
sign at the bottom.
Okay.
I am not finding
a birth certificate
under that name and birth date.
Is it the correct spelling?
I think the spelling is correct.
Um, can you try it
with 1968, '69, and '70?
I might be off on the year.
Sorry, miss. Still nothing.
Can you try for
a death certificate?
-Same name?
-Yes, ma'am.
That's a big swing.
Can you try leaving
the year blank?
Sorry.
No death certificate either.
Whoever you're looking for
doesn't exist in Baltimore.
Maybe try the surrounding areas?
And you don't have to carry
your baby around with you
to each municipality.
When you have some free time,
just write a few query letters
and they'll send you
any information they have
in the mail.
Thank you for your help.
Have a good day.
Shh...
I know.
I know.
Hey, neighbor! Welcome to work.
-I'm Rubye.
-Monique. Monique Smith.
Well, Monique Smith,
I stocked your desk
with everything you need.
Your pens,
Post-it notes, file folders.
Thank you.
Last girl that worked
here, she quit.
She went back to
school full-time,
but her and I used to carpool.
Do you drive?
Oh, I don't have a car.
Oh, uh, sometimes my mom or
my boyfriend will drive me.
Where do you live?
I'm planning on moving soon.
Me and my baby girl,
we need our own space.
A woman just moved
out of my building.
I could put in a good word
for you with my super
if you wanted.
I gotta bank a few checks
before I have
first and last month
'cause I've got a new baby
and all,
can't say how much savings.
Girl, I will tell him
that you and I work together.
You're good for it.
-Thank you.
-Welcome.
I got a job
and my first real friend.
Chrissy, we have
our very own apartment.
My apologies.
Didn't mean to startle you.
I'm Jonathan.
What are you doing
in my apartment?
The super sent me
to unclog the drain
in the bathroom sink
before you moved in.
Guess I'm a little late.
Oh, no, it's okay. You're fine.
I mean, you're okay. It's fine.
Um, I actually wasn't supposed
to be here until tomorrow.
But I picked up the keys.
I got excited.
Is this your first place?
Is it that obvious?
God bless the child
who has her own.
Can't wait to start decorating.
I'm no expert on which
pillows goes with what rug.
But I'm fairly handy
with a toolbox.
Give me a call if you need help
hanging up your
pictures or whatnot.
Unless your husband gonna
be handling that for you.
Oh, we're not together anymore.
Me and Chrissy are on our own.
Just call me if you need me.
Okay, so either Jonathan
is turning up the heat,
or you are getting more
action on what you've been
telling me about. What gives?
They're from Jonathan.
Aww.
What's it been?
Six, seven months now?
Something like that, yeah.
Okay, so does he need to
make up for something?
Or does he want
to make out or both?
I, uh...
I got word last night that...
my granny passed away.
The funeral's
this Saturday morning.
Honey, I am so sorry.
Loss is so hard.
How's your mom?
How's the family holding up?
My relationship
with my family is...
is complicated.
But my granny...
she always was on my side.
Wading in the water
Walk with me, Father.
As I see depression
and misery fade,
I can envision my steps
on golden streets,
as angels from above
pave the way...
See that ghost
all dressed in white
Bolie?
Uncle Nelson.
Jonathan Hunt.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
I'll get the car.
It's good to see you.
You doing okay?
As good as anybody else,
I suppose.
How are you holding up?
I wish I would've came around
a lot more these last few years.
Guess I didn't want to
think about her getting older.
It seemed a lot easier
just keeping my distance.
When I left home,
I never planned on
coming back to that
house as long as I lived.
Granny...
was the one person
who made it worth it.
Glad you got to
spend time with her.
Me too.
No regrets.
Listen...
don't let it be another funeral
before I see you again.
If you need anything...
just let me know.
Thank you, Uncle Nelson.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
God's gonna
trouble the water
God's gonna
trouble the water
God's gonna
trouble the water
God's gonna
trouble the water
Thank you for coming
with me today.
No need for you to go alone.
Come here.
-I'm gonna miss her.
-Of course you will.
Sometimes I felt like
she was my only family.
And now she's gone.
You got Chrissy.
And you got me.
Fatherhood looks good on you.
I'm a rookie.
Where's the owner's manual?
I looked for one. Trust me.
It does not exist.
I know you're gonna be
a great dad.
I never planned to be a dad.
Well, I certainly
planned to be a mother.
Six kids...
I want six beautiful,
healthy, strong children.
That's a lot of seats
at the dinner table.
You're gonna need
a much bigger place.
You sure you can
handle all that?
It would be nice
to have a partner.
Monique...
you know how I feel about you.
But...
I don't know if
I'm the marrying kind.
No matter what
happens between us...
we have Jonathan Jr.
With or without paperwork,
we are family now.
You're right.
It's true.
Love will find you
when you're not looking for it.
Especially when you're a mother.
My connection to my own children
made it that much harder
to understand how
my mother could have
treated me the way she did.
How could a mother be
so cruel to a living being
who is an extension of herself?
"Dear Miss Smith,
thank you for your inquiry.
"Unfortunately, we do not show
in our records any report
"of a live birth of
Symbolie Monique Smith
"in the years
between 1965 and 1975.
"Further, we cannot verify any
"single live birth to
Elizabeth Ann Smith.
"Unless we hear from you
with additional details,
we will consider
this inquiry closed..."
"...of a live birth
of Symbolie Monique Smith
"in the years between
1965 and 1975.
"Further, we cannot verify any
"single live birth to
Elizabeth Ann Smith.
"Unless we hear from you
with additional details,
we will consider
this inquiry closed."
What you want, Bolie?
No wonder you never loved me.
You never cared
one bit about me.
You couldn't have treated me
the way that you did
all those years
if I was your flesh and blood.
Not even if I was adopted.
You stole me, didn't you?
You stole me!
You are not my mother!
Who are you?!
Who are you?!
Motherhood felt like
my opportunity to make good.
A chance to be someone else,
what no one ever was to me.
I loved my children,
and they loved me.
My most agonizing fear
was one day,
someone would
take them away from me.
Some force.
Maybe it would be
the police or state workers.
Somebody would stake
claim to my children
because I couldn't prove
they belonged to me.
That I'm their mother.
That I am who I say I am.
Mommy?
Sweetie,
I'm so sorry I woke you.
When are we going to work on
that family tree project?
Miss Cooper says
it's due next Friday,
and we haven't even started.
We'll get around to it, okay?
Miss Cooper says
we should try to go back
at least three generations.
What's a generation?
It's a group of people born in
the same time period, dum-dum.
We're a generation.
Mommy's a generation.
Uncle Eddie,
Uncle Leroy, and Granny Liz
is a different generation.
Very good, Christina.
And I'm sorry we woke you.
But you know
we do not call each other names
in this house, right?
-Sorry.
-Thank you.
Now both of you
get to sleep, okay?
It's going to be time
for breakfast soon.
I'll help you fill in some
of these blanks by
next Friday, okay?
Mommy?
Yes, Jon Jon?
I love you.
I love you so much.
Always and forever.
How could I tell my son that
I didn't know where to start?
All of his short years,
I had let him believe a lie.
We had no real aunts, uncles,
cousins or grandparents
to speak of.
The people he thought
were family were not.
My children deserved to know
who they are
and where they came from
once and for all.
I had that dream again.
Or should I say nightmare?
Monique, that's not a reality.
You are the best
mother that I know.
No one is coming
to take your children.
I can't keep living
with this agony of not
knowing my true identity.
It is not fair to my children.
Chrissy and Jon Jon
both love you, girl.
Your kids are happy.
They're well adjusted.
Nothing is going to change that.
Maybe I should just make peace
with the idea that I may
never find the truth.
Or maybe it's time to shine
a light in some places
you haven't searched before.
Get some help if you need it.
Monique, you have come
too far to give up now.
Elizabeth spent some time
living in New York in the '60s.
Well, maybe
that's your next stop.
Hello, how you doing?
I need help finding
a missing child.
Sir, here you go.
Take one, please.
Thank you so much.
So many missing children.
It felt like an epidemic.
For every child
who had gone missing,
I knew there was
a family who couldn't eat,
couldn't sleep.
The pain of not knowing
must have torn them up
from the inside out.
Ma'am, help finding
a missing child.
Thanks.
Does this little girl
look familiar at all?
Can anyone help find
a missing child?
Somewhere, there had to be
a family who was grieving
their loss of me.
Does this little girl
look familiar to you at all?
Okay. Thanks for taking a look.
Appreciate it.
Missing child.
Please, thank you, ma'am.
Take a look.
-Thank you.
-Excuse me. I'm confused.
Are you trying to
find your daughter?
No, I'm the one
who's missing, ma'am.
I need help finding me.
Thank you.
Thank you for your
interest in my case.
You really think you
can help me solve it?
I'm no detective, but
I've been around a long time,
and I know a good
story when I hear one.
You've done
other cases like mine?
I cover politics mostly,
but I have a penchant
for stories
about women and children
who haven't gotten a fair shake.
I feel like...
any time I can help
a victim find victory,
I get a little chip in heaven.
You have kids?
I can barely keep
this fern alive.
You think you can help me?
I did some preliminary digging.
It doesn't look like you were
ever reported missing
in the state of New York.
I mean, somebody has
to be looking for me.
I can feel it in my bones.
I'll never argue with intuition,
but I deal with facts.
I'm sure that I was
kidnapped in the late '60s.
Elizabeth Smith
stole me from somebody.
That's a fact.
What makes you so sure
you were abducted?
I never really
fit in with my family.
Every family's
got a black sheep.
Maybe you were it.
No, it was...
it was deeper than that.
I never felt loved.
No matter how badly I wanted it
or how hard I tried to force it,
she and I never had a real
mother-daughter relationship.
It felt more like
I was in her way.
Feelings are not facts.
All right.
Facts.
My so-called mother beat me
within an inch of my life.
More times than I care to count.
I was raped repeatedly
by her brother Leroy
from the age of four
until I left when I was 18.
Her other brother, Eddie,
took up with me when
I was in middle school.
I remember I asked
him once to stop.
He said, "You ain't
my real niece anyway."
He said it like a joke, but...
I never processed that
comment until years later.
Have you been to
the police with any of this?
When I was younger,
I was too scared.
Now, I guess it's too late.
Only person who showed me
any compassion was my granny.
But she passed away
several years ago.
Now both uncles are dead, too.
So this Elizabeth has
never been arrested?
There's no evidence she
ever committed a crime.
We just haven't
uncovered it yet.
Let's see what you got.
I checked every
local municipality,
couldn't find
a birth certificate.
But since I went
to school, I figured
Baltimore Public Schools
must have one on file.
And did they?
To my surprise,
they had several.
And they all matched
my Social Security card.
What a hodgepodge.
I've been using
the same card for everything.
It's the one I used to
get my job at Johns Hopkins.
I had no idea there were
three different ones
floating around.
All with fake
information about you.
There is one
consistency, though.
I'm holding my breath.
In all these forms, she
wrote I was born in New York.
New York.
New York.
That would explain why I
couldn't find any record
of my birth in Maryland.
I was looking in
the wrong state.
So we need to check New York's
Bureau of Vital Records.
"This is to certify
that a search was made
"of births in all five boroughs
of New York City and...
the names were not found."
According to all public records,
I do not exist.
Let's come up with a timeline
of who knew what when.
I want to prepare you, Monique.
We could do all of
this searching and end up
no closer than when you started.
Good, bad, ugly, I'm ready.
For whatever rears its head.
Let's roll up our sleeves, then.
But that's why I wrote it down.
Here, look, look, look, look.
Wait, let me use the...
Here, switch this side.
Put this on the left.
And this on the right. Okay?
Maybe if this happened before...
I think my little
Italian had dark hair.
Elementary school.
Hi, yes, um,
I would like to speak to...
Elaine...
And this happened
after the 1975 to 1980,
somewhere in there?
Shh.
I don't know. I don't know.
I really don't know.
I don't know anymore.
I really don't.
How much longer
do I have to babysit the kids?
Babysit?
I didn't know taking care
of our kids is babysitting.
You know what I mean.
Where are the kids?
Chrissy's doing her homework,
and Jon Jon's
sitting at the dinner table.
-Is that Mom?
-Me first!
Mom?
When are you going to
teach Dad to cook like you?
Girl, you better stop
talking about my chicken.
-How's your brother?
-I don't know.
Mommy, I got 100
on my spelling test.
Wow, that's fantastic, honey.
Miss Cooper said
we only have
a few more days to finish
the family tree project,
and we still haven't started.
We need new markers
and construction paper.
Mommy, when are you coming home?
I'll be back as soon as I have
at least some of the answers
for that family tree.
When phone calls
and research weren't enough,
it was time to make visits
to whoever I could get to.
Miss Elaine?
Who wants to know?
Monique Smith.
Symbolie Monique Smith.
Bolie?
Get yourself in here.
Let me look at you.
You are as beautiful
as the day is long.
It's so good to see you.
It's good to see you, too.
And who's your friend?
This is Stacia Clemons.
She's writing
a newspaper article on me.
-Oh!
-Nice to meet you.
The pleasure is mine.
Why are you going
to be in the news?
She's helping me find my family.
My real mother.
Please have a seat.
Does Liz know about this?
She won't tell me anything.
I've asked.
And what do you want from me?
You were married
to my uncle Leroy
for as long as I can remember.
Did he ever say anything
about where I came from?
Well, I remember Leroy
mentioning visiting her
when she lived in New York.
The summer before
she moved back to Baltimore.
But she didn't have
a baby or a baby bump.
Then, when she arrived
at your granny's house,
there you were.
Liz didn't offer
any explanations.
That had to be 1970, '71.
How old was I then?
Oh, you were
an itty bitty thing.
Probably like two or three.
Is there anything else
you can remember from that time?
Leroy decided
how you would spell your name.
He was really proud of that.
How'd that happen?
Well, Liz had to fill out
paperwork
so Bolie could go to Head Start.
Liz said your name was Symbole,
or something like that.
But she didn't know
how to spell it.
So he sounded it out,
filled out the forms,
and his way became the way
you spell your crazy name.
What about
the birth certificate?
A Social Security card?
Didn't they need
those things to enroll me?
You know, Liz always had
some scheme going on.
Thank you for your help, ma'am.
If you think of anything else,
that's my direct number.
Bolie.
-Do you remember Barbara?
-Of course.
Our house was like her
second home back then.
Well, she moved in
with her daughter.
Not too far from here.
Got an address?
Lost her leg to sugar.
But I hear her mind
is as sharp as a tack.
Thanks. We'll check in with her.
Can you keep my secret...
Ain't you a sight for sore eyes?
Been a long time, Miss Barbara.
How's your mama doing?
I ain't seen her since
she stole that money from me.
Claims she ain't know
nothing about it.
Hmm.
I always wondered why
you stopped coming around.
Because if you lie, you cheat.
And if you cheat, you steal.
And I knew your mama
was always a liar.
You knew?
You knew I was kidnapped?
Who did she steal me from?
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on.
Slow down, child.
I said that she stole money.
I don't know nothing
about her stealing no babies.
But you was
always around back then.
Where did she say I came from?
Elizabeth ain't never
tell you nothing?
Not a mumbling word.
She said she knew your mama
from the bar where they worked.
She was on drugs real bad.
She had about
six or seven other kids.
But you?
You was as cute as a kitten,
baby.
The little one of the family.
Who was this woman?
Did you catch her name?
Uh... Mary? Margaret? Martha?
Something like that.
Last name?
Nah. Can't say I recall it.
I'm sorry.
How did she get me
from my mother?
The lady asked Liz to watch her
when she went out of town.
Liz felt sorry for her
and agreed.
But the woman,
she ain't never come back.
Well, why didn't
she call the police?
Why didn't you call the police?
Liz said that
you had had it bad enough
because
your mama didn't want you.
And that you'd get it
worse in the system.
Suppose I agreed with her.
Miss Barbara,
do you remember coming by
the house one day
looking for Ma... Elizabeth?
I was about ten years old.
Hey, Bolie! Where's your mama?
In the shower.
You've been crying.
What's the matter, baby?
Who's that at the door, Bolie?
It's me, Liz!
I brought over the jacket
for you to wear tonight.
Go on and get dressed.
I'ma leave it with Bolie!
Thanks, girl.
I'm gonna call you later.
I showed you my bruises.
She had hit me
with a two by four.
I trusted you.
I thought you would help me.
In those days,
you minded your business, baby.
You don't go telling what's
happening in your own household
or anybody else's.
If you do,
everybody is going to jail.
You've been really quiet.
Haven't said a word all the
way from the train station.
Is something on your mind?
Jonathan.
Is this the end?
We've been over this.
You found more information this
time than you ever have before.
Yeah, I'm getting closer.
I mean, I have
a first name, maybe.
I still don't know if my
birth mother is dead or alive.
She could live
right down the street
and I wouldn't know it.
And what about my siblings?
You're gonna keep
leaving our kids
looking for family
who didn't care enough
to ever look for you?
Monique? Monique?
Take it back.
-Monique...
-Take it back!
Lower your voice.
The kids can hear you
all the way inside of the house.
Take it back.
I did not mean that
the way that it came out.
How did you mean it? Hmm?
You're trying to imply
that I'm some throwaway,
some stray?
That nobody ever loves me,
nobody ever loved me?
You're taking this
the wrong way.
I could be laying
in a gutter somewhere
after all I have been through.
I'm not supposed to be
breathing.
But I'm doing better than most.
I have a successful career.
I own my own home.
And most importantly,
I am the mother
to two amazing children.
And if I were to find out
whose blood is running
through their veins
as a cherry on top? Let me be!
I understand how you...
You can't understand.
You say you understand. How?
Every day...
I wonder if my mother
would have been proud of me,
if I've become
who she dreamt I would be.
You can never know the
emptiness that I feel.
All I'm saying is...
you're spending a lot of
time and energy
searching for family,
and your family
is right in front of you.
Hey, Jonathan. How's it going?
Anybody home?
Yay! Mom is home!
-Hey, Mom!
-Hey, girl! Christina!
You grew like
two inches since I saw you!
-It's been only a week!
-It feels like forever.
Rubye, thank you.
I don't know how
I can ever repay you.
Yeah, you know
that's not necessary.
Is everything okay?
Yeah, just...
Call me later, okay?
Okay.
Jonathan, do you mind
dropping me off at home?
-Oh, uh, no problem.
-Okay, thank you.
Come on, y'all wanna
say bye to Rubye?
Yeah.
I called to check on my
grand babies and I found out
that you done left
them with a stranger.
Rubye is as much
my family as anybody.
They need to be with
their grandmother.
Grandma, you finish your coffee
and I'm ready to play.
Sweetheart,
go upstairs to your room, okay?
Y'all go play for a little bit.
You too, Chrissy.
I'll go give you your
souvenirs in a minute.
Yay!
I hope you got me a dinosaur.
You have no right coming
to my home uninvited,
intimidating my guests.
Who the hell do
you think you are?
Miss High and Mighty?
Get over your damn self.
You need to leave.
I'll leave when
I get good and ready.
You going to jail
for the rest of your life.
For what?
For putting food in your mouth
and clothes on your back
and a roof over your head?
Since when does taking care
of somebody
be considered a crime? Huh?
I don't hear no sirens.
Yeah, you right.
If I could prove what you did,
you'd already been arrested.
You got nothing to lose.
Just tell me.
Just tell me the truth.
The truth is that
you had it good.
Always did, but you ungrateful.
You beat me.
For no reason.
More times than I can count.
You was a hard-headed
little girl, Bolie!
Spare the rod, spoil the child!
Hell, look around.
Look like you did
good for yourself.
You ought to be thanking me.
You stole me.
I know you did.
I don't know who told you
what up there in New York,
but you better be careful
what lies you spread.
I don't for one minute believe
that my mother trusted you
to babysit me and then
just never came back.
Your mama was
a crackhead, Bolie.
I did you a favor.
So did you give her money
or drugs in exchange for me?
Or did you steal me outright
because you couldn't
have no kids of your own?
I will go to my grave
before I tell you anything.
Get out of my house.
Don't ever come back to my home.
Don't ever come near
my children again.
I'm barely breathing
I'm lost somewhere
in the deep end
Oh God. Oh God.
I don't know the answer
I don't want none
I can feel my anxiety break
Killing off the cancer
Slowly feel in control
Kids, come down here, please!
Okay.
Did Grandma leave?
Everything that Grandma
told you is a lie.
Mommy needs to tell you
the truth about our family.
What's this?
Gonna put my DNA
into these databases.
These companies search
everybody who sends in a sample
and tells you all
about your genealogy.
Where you really come from.
I thought they only used DNA
to catch rapists and killers.
You watch too much TV, Chrissy.
The cops are always picking up
soda cans and wine glasses
from the crime scene.
Well, DNA technology
has come a long way
and can do a lot of good.
If somebody in our family
has also sent in a sample,
we could match.
Just like that, I have a
link to my biological family.
Well, if you can use DNA
to prove that someone is
your biological family,
couldn't you also use it
to prove that someone is not?
You're a smart cookie,
sweet girl.
You might be on to something.
Must be all that TV I watch.
Christina made a good point.
So, it was time to do
process of elimination.
Bolie! It's nice to see you.
Good to see you, too,
Uncle Nelson.
To what do I owe
the pleasure of this visit?
I need your help.
Anything for you, Bolie.
Come on. Let's sit.
For several years, I've been
trying to figure out
where I came from,
who my real family is.
What do you mean, real family?
I believe Elizabeth
kidnapped me.
Kidnapped?
That's a serious allegation.
I can't prove it.
But I've spoken
to enough people,
heard enough stories
to know that at the very least,
she's not my biological mother.
But I need you to
help me prove it.
I need you to submit a sample of
your DNA to the state police.
Police?
If the DNA comparison shows
that you and I have no
biological connection,
then your sister can't possibly
be my biological mother.
That will give them cause
to investigate how she came
into possession of me.
And there are no adoption
records anywhere?
I've checked.
I can only imagine what you must
have gone through
growing up in that house.
I wish I could
have protected you.
There's a lot of
people who could have,
should have called the police
or Family Services
to stop the abuse.
But I can't dwell on who didn't
do what back then to rescue me.
I'm focused on
saving myself now.
Tell me where I need to go.
Who I need to contact.
I'll give them whatever
they need for them to help you.
These look good.
I know.
I like how they turned out too.
So, how's the book coming along?
Why didn't you stop me
when I said I was
going to write a book?
When have I ever stopped you
from sharing your story?
And you should know by now
that what happened to you,
that's not only about you.
You know, it's about
all of those people
who are coming behind you.
All the parents,
all the children
who are going to need to draw
some inspiration
and some lessons from you.
You're right.
Gotta set the record straight
for my kids and everybody else.
You know what?
I read those pages you sent me.
That's some pretty heavy stuff.
Writing this is bringing up
some hard memories.
I mean, I even struggled
reading some of those details.
You think your kids are going
to be able to handle that?
If you haven't noticed,
my children are young adults.
Yeah, it'll be tough
to digest some of it, maybe.
But my whole life
was built on lies.
It's important
they know the truth.
They are going to support you
every step of the way,
regardless.
As will I.
Oh. By the way,
what did you
decide about tomorrow?
Still haven't decided.
Well, there is no wrong choice.
But just remember,
whatever decision you make,
it's not only about you.
Thanks for agreeing
to this, Mom.
I know it's difficult,
but we all need closure.
Ty-Tyler! And Madison.
Lose the headphones, please.
-Christina.
-Guys.
Madison.
You're getting up?
It might be helpful
if you say goodbye.
I said goodbye to Elizabeth.
A long time ago.
In this moment,
all I was sure of
is that the truth of who I am
may have died with
Elizabeth forever.
All right.
Congratulations
on your first house.
Just want you to know,
I am the type of landlord
who is always available.
So if you ever need anything,
feel free to reach out.
Excuse me.
Detective Ellis, how are you?
What kind of information?
Detective Ellis.
Oh, Ms. Smith.
Thanks for coming
down so quickly.
-I got here as fast as I could.
-I do appreciate it.
Right this way.
You said there might
be a break in my case?
Yeah. Having that DNA sample
to rule out any
biological connection
to the woman claiming
to be your mother
gave me an idea to go in
a different direction.
What did you find?
There's somebody I'd
like you to meet.
So Trinity is a genealogist
who specializes in
hard-to-crack cases.
Had a couple of cold cases.
Yours was one of them.
She got a hit.
Your case was actually
easier than I expected.
Well, that's a first.
What did you uncover that no
one else has been able to find?
I found several people
who share DNA with you.
All descended from
a couple in the 1850s.
I kept digging and found
a daughter named Margaret.
Margaret?
That's my mother's name.
So I was told.
So where's Margaret?
Do you know where
my mother lives?
Everything you need
is in this folder.
I wish you the best of luck.
No longer a Jane Doe.
You have a family now.
I belong to somebody.
You always have.
After all these years,
the information
I had been searching for,
was in the palm of my hand.
And I was worried
about using it.
What if she didn't want
to be connected to me?
What if on the other side
of the phone line
was yet another rejection?
There was only
one way to find out.
Hello?
Hi. Hello.
I'm looking for Ruth Harrison.
Yeah? Yeah, what?
Is this Ruth?
Who's asking?
Okay, I'm working
with a detective
and they
gave me your information.
A detective? What is this?
This better not be no game.
No, it's not a game, I promise.
This is... This is serious.
I'm from New York.
I don't play games
and this better not be no scam.
So who is this
and what the hell do you want?
I'm working with
the Maryland State Police
and a DNA detective.
My ancestry information
came through
and they said we are a match.
A match? For what?
That we're kin. Relatives.
Maybe even sisters.
Well, what do you look like?
I don't know what I look like.
Well, send me something.
Don't even tell me your name.
Just send me something.
Anything.
A recent picture. Anything.
Okay. Okay.
Hello?
I have been looking for you
ever since I was a little girl.
You're Symbolie Harrison.
You're my baby sister.
We gotta meet.
Aah!
Well, we're here.
We're here.
You ready?
I'm ready.
Okay.
Oh! Oh, okay!
Oh!
Oh my God!
You look like me.
You look like me.
You look like me, I'm older.
We got the same skirt on!
What was she like?
She was beautiful.
You look a lot like her.
Oh, my God!
I look like our mother.
You definitely take after her.
We both do.
You're the baby of seven girls.
I have six sisters?
And a ton of nieces and nephews.
When did she pass away?
You would have been
about eight years old.
What happened?
She died in a drug house
from a heroin overdose.
Did she ever tell you...
what happened to me?
Mama never shared how
or why you disappeared.
But I can assure you, she
never stopped loving you.
And I never stopped
thinking about you.
I thought about you
every single day.
You have no idea how much
it means to me to hear
you say those words.
I knew it.
I knew somebody had to miss me.
I couldn't just disappear...
and no one notice.
We all missed you.
Auntie Ruth?
Oh, baby.
This is my oldest.
Christina.
Looking at you is like
looking at my own daughter.
This is perfect.
His eyes are on
The sparrow
And I know he watches
Me
I sing because...
Welcome home, Symbolie!
I may never know
exactly what happened to me,
but I know I am a survivor.
I know I am loved.
I know I have roots.
My family tree
begins with me.
...he watches me
Can anyone help find
a missing child?
Sir, sir, does this little girl
look familiar to you at all?
OK, thanks for taking a look.
I appreciate it.
Missing child, please...
thank you, ma'am.
Take a look.
Thank you.
Excuse me. I'm, I'm confused.
Are you trying to
find your daughter?
No, I'm the one
who's missing, ma'am.
I need help finding me.
This is my family.
That's my mama, Elizabeth.
I guess y'all thought y'all
was runnin' to Boston, huh?
She's got alpha energy,
always in charge.
Give me my buck.
Most people were afraid of her,
avoided bumping heads, even men.
Usually, I tried to
stay out of her way.
But daughters need mothers.
-Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
-That's right, partner.
Take them downtown.
Miss Barbara was
a family friend.
She always hung around
in good times and bad.
Stop all that yapping, Barbara.
Let me see you
get your hands dirty.
My granny, Sarah,
she was
second in command to Mama.
And Mama made sure to remind her
when she overstepped.
Uh-uh, worry
about your own partner.
Don't sell no whoop tickets
over here.
My uncles didn't make much fuss.
Boy, renege and see if
I don't come for your behind.
Uncle Eddie was
kind of laid back,
but quick to let you know
he was streetwise.
Nobody moves,
nobody gets caught.
Uncle Leroy liked to be
the center of attention.
Right as rain, boy, you better
get yourself an umbrella,
because you about to kiss...
hah!
Where the sun don't shine.
Mm-hmm.
That's my uncle Nelson
by the hi-fi.
He didn't fool with
the family too much.
He was the stop by to show
his face and leave early type.
And that's Uncle Leroy's wife,
Elaine.
When she wasn't around,
Mama and Granny talked about
how she wore her dresses
too short and too tight.
Now which one of y'all
gonna ride this train?
Ha!
Deuce or die, baby!
Deuce or die.
Girl.
What you want, girl?
I'm thirsty.
Glad I bought my umbrella.
It's about the rain diamonds.
Yeah, yeah.
That's what I'm talking about.
-Look what you made me do!
-Liz!
You see me over here
trying to focus,
and you dragging my game.
You supposed to be in bed.
Leave the gal alone, Liz.
You was going to lose anyway.
Uh-uh.
Because if
it was me at that age,
out the bed this late,
in grown folks' conversations,
I would have lost a tooth.
Baby didn't mean no harm.
Sugar, come give
Granny a kiss goodnight.
Sugar, come give
Granny a kiss goodnight.
You better not move.
And I am known as
Symbolie Monique Smith.
My daughter.
I wish you'd let me raise her.
Everybody called me Bolie,
Everybody called me Bolie,
though I prefer Monique.
For years, I didn't know
if either was my given name.
Mama, where did this
gentle attitude come from
-when we was coming up?
-Mm-hmm.
I still got that mark
on my left cheek
from one of your back hands.
Spare the rod, spoil the child.
That is what the good book say.
Hey, look, Mama.
Why don't I just
take off your hands?
Take your whoopin' in peace.
-Come on.
-Go on.
Hey, hey, somebody
put my hand, man.
Oh, yeah.
When I was a young woman,
I discovered my entire
identity was a lie.
None of these people
are my real family.
All right, all right.
Hey, you got your water...
and your teddy bear,
everything you need
for a good night's rest.
Uncle Leroy,
am I really that bad?
It ain't you.
Everybody make her mad, OK?
Look, I think that
you are a very good girl.
But...
Ah,
What?
Uh, well,
I have something special
that I could give you.
But, uh...
But, uh...
It's only for good girls, OK?
I can be a good girl!
I can be a good girl!
Please, can I have it?
Oh.
Well, look,
if I give it to you,
you got to be real quiet.
And you can't tell your mama
She gonna get mad.
And, well, I don't know
what she gonna do.
I might not be
around to save you.
Yeah?
Can you keep my secret?
I won't tell.
Oh, okay. Okay.
Yeah.
Yeah. Lay back.
Lay back.
I'm not playing with him!
Not in that outfit.
Can you keep my secret?
Somebody better teach him
how to play.
I'm gone.
Look what he got on.
Mama, can we get it?
Didn't I tell you
to come in this store
and touch nothin'?
Sick of you.
I longed for a close
mother-daughter relationship
like the ones I saw
in other families.
But my relationship
with my mother
was marked by
fear and uncertainty.
I never knew when
the smallest infraction
would trigger her rage
and make me question whether
she had even the tiniest bit
of love or compassion for me.
Don't you ever get out in public
and embarrass me like that
again.
You hear me?!
You got people out here
thinking I don't feed you,
begging for some stupid cereal.
Maybe if I grab you
around your damn throat,
you'll know what it feels
like to want some food
and can't have it.
-I'm sorry...
-I know you sorry!
You the picture of sorry.
I won't ever
ask you for anything.
I know you won't. You know why?
'Cause that's your
last time embarrassing me.
You hear me?
Let a tear fall
and I'll give you something
to cry about.
Yeah.
I heard all the commotion.
I thought you could use
a little pick-me-up.
Hmm?
You know that you can
always count on me
to look out for you.
I've got an idea.
I can help you forget
that this whole day
ever happened.
Close your eyes.
Hm?
Now, take a deep breath.
Fine.
Now take another breath.
But just like that.
Just...
like... that...
I can help you forget that
this whole day ever happened.
You turn that down.
Hey, you stop to
the corner store
and cash your check?
Damn, let the girl
get in the house good enough
before you
shake her down like a pimp, man.
Shut up, Leroy.
When I want to hear
what you got to say,
I'll tell you what to say.
Is this all that came today?
You looking for something?
I took the test to join
the Army after graduation.
They said I should get
a letter telling me how I did.
You want to fight
in a white man's war?
The man who came
to my school said
the Army would pay for me
to go to college.
Oh, yeah.
He did call.
I almost forgot to tell you.
He said you flunked.
-Flunked?
-Mm-hmm.
The Army don't take
no stupid people,
and neither do college.
I'm graduating top of my class.
Play your cards right,
you can get those white people
to let you clean their offices
full time
after you finish school.
I want to go to college.
People in hell want ice water,
Bolie.
Here.
That should be enough
to get you back and forth
until you get your
next paycheck.
Mama, I need more
than just bus fare.
I gotta pay my graduation fees.
I gotta get my cap and gown.
Bolie!
Make sure that kitchen
cleaned before you go to bed.
Yes, ma'am.
Hey, Bolie.
How was school today?
Good, Granny.
I got another A on
my chemistry test.
Oh, you always have
been a smart girl.
All that makeup and big old hair
is supposed to get you a man?
You don't know
the latest styles.
Oh, I know what looks good
and what looks like
somebody done had his way.
That lady that play on that
TV show that you always watch
keep her hair fixed like this.
That lady got a doctor husband
and five beautiful children.
That's what you
think you gonna get?
Well, we know the children
ain't a-happening.
Would've had some by now
if that was the case.
Won't you mind
your business, Eddie?
I think you look pretty, Mama.
That eye shadow brings out
the sparkle in your eye.
There's one thing
about you, Bolie.
You always did have taste.
Mama, can I get
my birth certificate
and Social Security card?
What you want that for?
In case the Army
changes its mind.
Girl, that is the government.
That decision is set.
Well, I am 18.
I should have a copy
of those papers anyway.
Why haven't you
ever shown them to me?
Because I give you
everything that you need.
Well, I couldn't get
my driver's license, remember?
Who car you gonna drive?
Where was I born?
Who's my father?
Girl!
Don't you ever
question me like that.
You think 'cause you 18
and you grown-ass you can say
whatever you want
to say to me, huh?
No!
I got news for you, honey.
No, ma'am.
Leroy, give me your belt.
No, no!
Give me your belt now!
You can't keep doing
this all the time, man.
Look, the little girl,
she ain't say nothing...
-Oh, shut up!
-Oh, Mama!
Disrespecting me
in my own damn house.
The Army was going
to be my sure way of escape.
Without it,
I'd have to find a new route.
It may have been
a tougher road ahead,
but I had to go.
Dear Granny,
I appreciate
every hug, every kiss,
every kind word you ever spoken.
But I know I don't belong here.
It's time for me
to find my place.
I will miss you.
Love, Bolie.
I knew someday I'd have to
escape this house
and all of its horrors.
Didn't know today
would be that day.
But I couldn't stay another day
in a place where I had to fight
for my life.
I took the first bus route out.
Anywhere was better
than Baltimore.
No, no, no! Hey, wait! Stop!
Next bus leaving
for Baltimore, Maryland
in 30 minutes.
You coming or going?
Just got in from Baltimore.
These benches don't
make the softest beds.
Got somebody picking you up?
Got pickpocketed on the bus.
No choice but to stay
here till morning,
figure out what's next.
I'm Caroline. What's your name?
I'm Monique.
Monique.
You got kinfolk in town?
No, ma'am.
Did you know St. Augustine
is the oldest city
in these United States?
So much history here.
And the beaches.
I'd put our beaches up against
any other beaches
in the entire world.
You should see them
for yourself sometime.
Sure I'll get around to it.
These streets can be
some mean places
for a young girl
out here all alone.
I can handle myself.
Tell you what.
Why don't you come home with me?
I've got an extra bed.
No reason you can't
sleep in it for a while.
I don't have any money to...
Oh, don't worry
about that, baby.
I can help you find work.
If it were my daughter,
stranded out here all alone,
I'd want someone to help her.
Just like I'm helping you.
You sure?
Come on, baby.
Gather your things.
The lure of a woman who showed
all of the motherly compassion
I craved
was irresistible.
The idea that she would
immediately
find me worthy of care
and attention
seemed like vindication,
delivery from evil.
But I soon discovered
that encounter would mark
the beginning of a life
I could never have imagined.
What?
You've never seen
a little clutter before?
You can clean up around
here to help earn your keep.
Yes, ma'am.
See you in the morning.
I got you. I got you.
You can have Jackie's bunk.
-Thank you.
-You'll be just fine.
All the girls get along nicely
and they'll show you the ropes.
You'll fit right in.
Where's everybody?
Working.
They'll take you out tomorrow.
Is this some kind
of boarding house?
The first rule of
getting along around here
is everybody minds
their own business.
Bathroom's down
the hall to the right.
I'll put a set of
towels in there for you.
Oh, you like that one.
This color suits you best,
but this cut would
really flatter your figure.
That's a little low cut for me.
That's the point, princess.
I changed into someone
who I did not want to become
in Caroline's house.
I was forced into
a life I did not want.
It had no means to escape.
I learned to never say
what I would never do
in order to survive.
Bartender.
Let me get another drink
for the young lady.
Thank you.
A tough night at
the office tonight, huh?
Excuse me?
Just saying.
I thought your dance card would
have been filled up by now.
Night's still young.
Yeah, so are you.
How old are you, anyway?
-Sir...
-Gino.
Gino...
Would you like to go on a date?
Okay. I see, uh, small talk
isn't a part of
your sales technique, huh?
Most customers know
what they want.
No need for me to put on a show.
This seat's for customers only.
I'll ask again.
Sir?
Would you like to go on a date?
Actually, uh, yes.
I would love,
love to take you out on a date.
You're so silly.
Uh-huh.
You're something else.
I told you. I told you.
Oh, man.
Uh-huh.
A rose for the pretty lady.
No one's ever called
me pretty before.
Yeah, well, not even that
rose is as beautiful as you.
That's just silly.
You deserve so much more.
I mean, if I could
give you the sun, moon,
and the stars, I would.
Most men are happy with
what I can give them.
An hour at a motel.
That's if we make it.
Sometimes a parked car
is as far as we get.
I'm not most men.
You certainly aren't most women.
Monique, you're special.
I knew that the first moment
that I laid eyes on you.
-You don't know me.
-Yeah, but I want to know you.
What is a sweet girl
like yourself
doing in your line of work?
Gullible.
Broke.
Desperate.
What if I told you
I can give you a better life?
I can take care of you, Monique.
Will you let me?
Fire danced in my belly
with the protective touch
of Gino's strong hands
and the tenderness of his words.
If this was what love felt like,
it was worth the wait.
My love I'm lovin' you now
I never thought that I
Could take this chance
with my life
I'm giving you all
Life can give
Take my hand and we
can live this life so free
See, I waited so long
for this moment in life
What's up?
What you mean I gotta
do the drop, man?
-Baby...
-Get off of me!
Shut up!
Divine love
Not again.
Gino! Gino!
I was fighting for my life
while he was fighting
his own demons.
It's one thing to find
yourself in a bad situation.
It's worse to stay there.
Especially when
you're pregnant with no job,
no money and no help.
All I had was bad choices.
I could stay here, where even
in the house with my husband,
I'd give birth to
my first baby alone.
Or I could go to the only
place I knew as home.
With all of its problems,
I knew I would at least
find comfort
with my grandmother.
I can help you forget
that this whole day
ever happened.
Ma, I'll be home
around nine, okay?
Take that chicken
out the freezer.
Well, look what the cat
done drug in.
How you doing, Mama?
Well, I see you done went
and got yourself knocked up.
Tell you right now,
I ain't got no money
to take care of you
and that bastard baby.
Leave that gal alone.
You can go to work, Liz.
I'm married.
Well, excuse me, Miss Married.
Where's the lucky groom?
Oh, he ain't want
you either, huh?
Can I please stay here
for a while?
Just until I get a job.
I'm going to get
a place of my own.
Four long years
you've been gone.
What made you come back?
I guess...
this is home.
I hope you got that
money you stole from me.
And don't steal nothing else.
Mm.
I wanted to call.
But you didn't.
I didn't know what to say.
I appreciate the note.
I still have it.
Couldn't leave without
saying goodbye.
You find what you was
looking for out there?
I was looking for better.
Are you back home to stay?
I'm here for now.
Still trying to figure out
what it means to be home.
Home is more of a feeling
than a place, sugar.
It's where you feel
the most loved and protected.
It's a safe refuge.
Is this where you feel safe?
Hand me that dish rag, love.
Granny,
I didn't know you were sick.
I'm just old, baby.
Keep living. You'll see.
Well, have you been
taking your medicine?
I think you've got enough
to tend to besides my medicine.
When are you due anyway?
Not much longer now.
Oh.
-Granny.
-Mm-hmm?
Was Mama happy
when she was pregnant with me?
I wouldn't know.
Liz had been away
living in New York,
and she just showed up
with you one day.
She never told you
she was pregnant with me?
How do you even know
she gave birth to me?
All I ever wanted
to be was a mother.
Gentle, nurturing, loving.
The kind of mother I never had.
Now that I have
brought life into the world,
I'm curious about my own
mother's experience.
Did she feel for me
what I feel for my sweet girl?
Good morning, Mommy.
How are you and the little one?
Fine.
Is Dad on his way?
I'm afraid not.
How about your parents?
It's just me and my baby girl.
We have each other.
And that's all you need, right?
I just have a few questions
so we can get her
birth certificate filed?
Sure.
What's the baby's name?
Christina Sherelle Rogers.
And I have you
listed as SYM-bo-lie...
Uh, Sym-BO-lie... SYM-bo-lie...
Sym-BO-lie Monique Smith.
Sorry.
Such a unique name.
Oh, beautiful, though.
Does it have a meaning?
No, ma'am. Well, I don't know.
I'm not sure where
my name came from.
Well, you certainly know where
this little bambina
got her name, huh?
So for the father,
what's Dad's name?
Ma'am, if I wanted to get
a copy of my own
birth certificate,
how would I do that?
Three.
Number four.
Hey.
Um, can I request
a birth certificate for
Symbolie Monique Smith?
Fill out the top portion,
sign at the bottom.
Okay.
I am not finding
a birth certificate
under that name and birth date.
Is it the correct spelling?
I think the spelling is correct.
Um, can you try it
with 1968, '69, and '70?
I might be off on the year.
Sorry, miss. Still nothing.
Can you try for
a death certificate?
-Same name?
-Yes, ma'am.
That's a big swing.
Can you try leaving
the year blank?
Sorry.
No death certificate either.
Whoever you're looking for
doesn't exist in Baltimore.
Maybe try the surrounding areas?
And you don't have to carry
your baby around with you
to each municipality.
When you have some free time,
just write a few query letters
and they'll send you
any information they have
in the mail.
Thank you for your help.
Have a good day.
Shh...
I know.
I know.
Hey, neighbor! Welcome to work.
-I'm Rubye.
-Monique. Monique Smith.
Well, Monique Smith,
I stocked your desk
with everything you need.
Your pens,
Post-it notes, file folders.
Thank you.
Last girl that worked
here, she quit.
She went back to
school full-time,
but her and I used to carpool.
Do you drive?
Oh, I don't have a car.
Oh, uh, sometimes my mom or
my boyfriend will drive me.
Where do you live?
I'm planning on moving soon.
Me and my baby girl,
we need our own space.
A woman just moved
out of my building.
I could put in a good word
for you with my super
if you wanted.
I gotta bank a few checks
before I have
first and last month
'cause I've got a new baby
and all,
can't say how much savings.
Girl, I will tell him
that you and I work together.
You're good for it.
-Thank you.
-Welcome.
I got a job
and my first real friend.
Chrissy, we have
our very own apartment.
My apologies.
Didn't mean to startle you.
I'm Jonathan.
What are you doing
in my apartment?
The super sent me
to unclog the drain
in the bathroom sink
before you moved in.
Guess I'm a little late.
Oh, no, it's okay. You're fine.
I mean, you're okay. It's fine.
Um, I actually wasn't supposed
to be here until tomorrow.
But I picked up the keys.
I got excited.
Is this your first place?
Is it that obvious?
God bless the child
who has her own.
Can't wait to start decorating.
I'm no expert on which
pillows goes with what rug.
But I'm fairly handy
with a toolbox.
Give me a call if you need help
hanging up your
pictures or whatnot.
Unless your husband gonna
be handling that for you.
Oh, we're not together anymore.
Me and Chrissy are on our own.
Just call me if you need me.
Okay, so either Jonathan
is turning up the heat,
or you are getting more
action on what you've been
telling me about. What gives?
They're from Jonathan.
Aww.
What's it been?
Six, seven months now?
Something like that, yeah.
Okay, so does he need to
make up for something?
Or does he want
to make out or both?
I, uh...
I got word last night that...
my granny passed away.
The funeral's
this Saturday morning.
Honey, I am so sorry.
Loss is so hard.
How's your mom?
How's the family holding up?
My relationship
with my family is...
is complicated.
But my granny...
she always was on my side.
Wading in the water
Walk with me, Father.
As I see depression
and misery fade,
I can envision my steps
on golden streets,
as angels from above
pave the way...
See that ghost
all dressed in white
Bolie?
Uncle Nelson.
Jonathan Hunt.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you.
I'll get the car.
It's good to see you.
You doing okay?
As good as anybody else,
I suppose.
How are you holding up?
I wish I would've came around
a lot more these last few years.
Guess I didn't want to
think about her getting older.
It seemed a lot easier
just keeping my distance.
When I left home,
I never planned on
coming back to that
house as long as I lived.
Granny...
was the one person
who made it worth it.
Glad you got to
spend time with her.
Me too.
No regrets.
Listen...
don't let it be another funeral
before I see you again.
If you need anything...
just let me know.
Thank you, Uncle Nelson.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
God's gonna
trouble the water
God's gonna
trouble the water
God's gonna
trouble the water
God's gonna
trouble the water
Thank you for coming
with me today.
No need for you to go alone.
Come here.
-I'm gonna miss her.
-Of course you will.
Sometimes I felt like
she was my only family.
And now she's gone.
You got Chrissy.
And you got me.
Fatherhood looks good on you.
I'm a rookie.
Where's the owner's manual?
I looked for one. Trust me.
It does not exist.
I know you're gonna be
a great dad.
I never planned to be a dad.
Well, I certainly
planned to be a mother.
Six kids...
I want six beautiful,
healthy, strong children.
That's a lot of seats
at the dinner table.
You're gonna need
a much bigger place.
You sure you can
handle all that?
It would be nice
to have a partner.
Monique...
you know how I feel about you.
But...
I don't know if
I'm the marrying kind.
No matter what
happens between us...
we have Jonathan Jr.
With or without paperwork,
we are family now.
You're right.
It's true.
Love will find you
when you're not looking for it.
Especially when you're a mother.
My connection to my own children
made it that much harder
to understand how
my mother could have
treated me the way she did.
How could a mother be
so cruel to a living being
who is an extension of herself?
"Dear Miss Smith,
thank you for your inquiry.
"Unfortunately, we do not show
in our records any report
"of a live birth of
Symbolie Monique Smith
"in the years
between 1965 and 1975.
"Further, we cannot verify any
"single live birth to
Elizabeth Ann Smith.
"Unless we hear from you
with additional details,
we will consider
this inquiry closed..."
"...of a live birth
of Symbolie Monique Smith
"in the years between
1965 and 1975.
"Further, we cannot verify any
"single live birth to
Elizabeth Ann Smith.
"Unless we hear from you
with additional details,
we will consider
this inquiry closed."
What you want, Bolie?
No wonder you never loved me.
You never cared
one bit about me.
You couldn't have treated me
the way that you did
all those years
if I was your flesh and blood.
Not even if I was adopted.
You stole me, didn't you?
You stole me!
You are not my mother!
Who are you?!
Who are you?!
Motherhood felt like
my opportunity to make good.
A chance to be someone else,
what no one ever was to me.
I loved my children,
and they loved me.
My most agonizing fear
was one day,
someone would
take them away from me.
Some force.
Maybe it would be
the police or state workers.
Somebody would stake
claim to my children
because I couldn't prove
they belonged to me.
That I'm their mother.
That I am who I say I am.
Mommy?
Sweetie,
I'm so sorry I woke you.
When are we going to work on
that family tree project?
Miss Cooper says
it's due next Friday,
and we haven't even started.
We'll get around to it, okay?
Miss Cooper says
we should try to go back
at least three generations.
What's a generation?
It's a group of people born in
the same time period, dum-dum.
We're a generation.
Mommy's a generation.
Uncle Eddie,
Uncle Leroy, and Granny Liz
is a different generation.
Very good, Christina.
And I'm sorry we woke you.
But you know
we do not call each other names
in this house, right?
-Sorry.
-Thank you.
Now both of you
get to sleep, okay?
It's going to be time
for breakfast soon.
I'll help you fill in some
of these blanks by
next Friday, okay?
Mommy?
Yes, Jon Jon?
I love you.
I love you so much.
Always and forever.
How could I tell my son that
I didn't know where to start?
All of his short years,
I had let him believe a lie.
We had no real aunts, uncles,
cousins or grandparents
to speak of.
The people he thought
were family were not.
My children deserved to know
who they are
and where they came from
once and for all.
I had that dream again.
Or should I say nightmare?
Monique, that's not a reality.
You are the best
mother that I know.
No one is coming
to take your children.
I can't keep living
with this agony of not
knowing my true identity.
It is not fair to my children.
Chrissy and Jon Jon
both love you, girl.
Your kids are happy.
They're well adjusted.
Nothing is going to change that.
Maybe I should just make peace
with the idea that I may
never find the truth.
Or maybe it's time to shine
a light in some places
you haven't searched before.
Get some help if you need it.
Monique, you have come
too far to give up now.
Elizabeth spent some time
living in New York in the '60s.
Well, maybe
that's your next stop.
Hello, how you doing?
I need help finding
a missing child.
Sir, here you go.
Take one, please.
Thank you so much.
So many missing children.
It felt like an epidemic.
For every child
who had gone missing,
I knew there was
a family who couldn't eat,
couldn't sleep.
The pain of not knowing
must have torn them up
from the inside out.
Ma'am, help finding
a missing child.
Thanks.
Does this little girl
look familiar at all?
Can anyone help find
a missing child?
Somewhere, there had to be
a family who was grieving
their loss of me.
Does this little girl
look familiar to you at all?
Okay. Thanks for taking a look.
Appreciate it.
Missing child.
Please, thank you, ma'am.
Take a look.
-Thank you.
-Excuse me. I'm confused.
Are you trying to
find your daughter?
No, I'm the one
who's missing, ma'am.
I need help finding me.
Thank you.
Thank you for your
interest in my case.
You really think you
can help me solve it?
I'm no detective, but
I've been around a long time,
and I know a good
story when I hear one.
You've done
other cases like mine?
I cover politics mostly,
but I have a penchant
for stories
about women and children
who haven't gotten a fair shake.
I feel like...
any time I can help
a victim find victory,
I get a little chip in heaven.
You have kids?
I can barely keep
this fern alive.
You think you can help me?
I did some preliminary digging.
It doesn't look like you were
ever reported missing
in the state of New York.
I mean, somebody has
to be looking for me.
I can feel it in my bones.
I'll never argue with intuition,
but I deal with facts.
I'm sure that I was
kidnapped in the late '60s.
Elizabeth Smith
stole me from somebody.
That's a fact.
What makes you so sure
you were abducted?
I never really
fit in with my family.
Every family's
got a black sheep.
Maybe you were it.
No, it was...
it was deeper than that.
I never felt loved.
No matter how badly I wanted it
or how hard I tried to force it,
she and I never had a real
mother-daughter relationship.
It felt more like
I was in her way.
Feelings are not facts.
All right.
Facts.
My so-called mother beat me
within an inch of my life.
More times than I care to count.
I was raped repeatedly
by her brother Leroy
from the age of four
until I left when I was 18.
Her other brother, Eddie,
took up with me when
I was in middle school.
I remember I asked
him once to stop.
He said, "You ain't
my real niece anyway."
He said it like a joke, but...
I never processed that
comment until years later.
Have you been to
the police with any of this?
When I was younger,
I was too scared.
Now, I guess it's too late.
Only person who showed me
any compassion was my granny.
But she passed away
several years ago.
Now both uncles are dead, too.
So this Elizabeth has
never been arrested?
There's no evidence she
ever committed a crime.
We just haven't
uncovered it yet.
Let's see what you got.
I checked every
local municipality,
couldn't find
a birth certificate.
But since I went
to school, I figured
Baltimore Public Schools
must have one on file.
And did they?
To my surprise,
they had several.
And they all matched
my Social Security card.
What a hodgepodge.
I've been using
the same card for everything.
It's the one I used to
get my job at Johns Hopkins.
I had no idea there were
three different ones
floating around.
All with fake
information about you.
There is one
consistency, though.
I'm holding my breath.
In all these forms, she
wrote I was born in New York.
New York.
New York.
That would explain why I
couldn't find any record
of my birth in Maryland.
I was looking in
the wrong state.
So we need to check New York's
Bureau of Vital Records.
"This is to certify
that a search was made
"of births in all five boroughs
of New York City and...
the names were not found."
According to all public records,
I do not exist.
Let's come up with a timeline
of who knew what when.
I want to prepare you, Monique.
We could do all of
this searching and end up
no closer than when you started.
Good, bad, ugly, I'm ready.
For whatever rears its head.
Let's roll up our sleeves, then.
But that's why I wrote it down.
Here, look, look, look, look.
Wait, let me use the...
Here, switch this side.
Put this on the left.
And this on the right. Okay?
Maybe if this happened before...
I think my little
Italian had dark hair.
Elementary school.
Hi, yes, um,
I would like to speak to...
Elaine...
And this happened
after the 1975 to 1980,
somewhere in there?
Shh.
I don't know. I don't know.
I really don't know.
I don't know anymore.
I really don't.
How much longer
do I have to babysit the kids?
Babysit?
I didn't know taking care
of our kids is babysitting.
You know what I mean.
Where are the kids?
Chrissy's doing her homework,
and Jon Jon's
sitting at the dinner table.
-Is that Mom?
-Me first!
Mom?
When are you going to
teach Dad to cook like you?
Girl, you better stop
talking about my chicken.
-How's your brother?
-I don't know.
Mommy, I got 100
on my spelling test.
Wow, that's fantastic, honey.
Miss Cooper said
we only have
a few more days to finish
the family tree project,
and we still haven't started.
We need new markers
and construction paper.
Mommy, when are you coming home?
I'll be back as soon as I have
at least some of the answers
for that family tree.
When phone calls
and research weren't enough,
it was time to make visits
to whoever I could get to.
Miss Elaine?
Who wants to know?
Monique Smith.
Symbolie Monique Smith.
Bolie?
Get yourself in here.
Let me look at you.
You are as beautiful
as the day is long.
It's so good to see you.
It's good to see you, too.
And who's your friend?
This is Stacia Clemons.
She's writing
a newspaper article on me.
-Oh!
-Nice to meet you.
The pleasure is mine.
Why are you going
to be in the news?
She's helping me find my family.
My real mother.
Please have a seat.
Does Liz know about this?
She won't tell me anything.
I've asked.
And what do you want from me?
You were married
to my uncle Leroy
for as long as I can remember.
Did he ever say anything
about where I came from?
Well, I remember Leroy
mentioning visiting her
when she lived in New York.
The summer before
she moved back to Baltimore.
But she didn't have
a baby or a baby bump.
Then, when she arrived
at your granny's house,
there you were.
Liz didn't offer
any explanations.
That had to be 1970, '71.
How old was I then?
Oh, you were
an itty bitty thing.
Probably like two or three.
Is there anything else
you can remember from that time?
Leroy decided
how you would spell your name.
He was really proud of that.
How'd that happen?
Well, Liz had to fill out
paperwork
so Bolie could go to Head Start.
Liz said your name was Symbole,
or something like that.
But she didn't know
how to spell it.
So he sounded it out,
filled out the forms,
and his way became the way
you spell your crazy name.
What about
the birth certificate?
A Social Security card?
Didn't they need
those things to enroll me?
You know, Liz always had
some scheme going on.
Thank you for your help, ma'am.
If you think of anything else,
that's my direct number.
Bolie.
-Do you remember Barbara?
-Of course.
Our house was like her
second home back then.
Well, she moved in
with her daughter.
Not too far from here.
Got an address?
Lost her leg to sugar.
But I hear her mind
is as sharp as a tack.
Thanks. We'll check in with her.
Can you keep my secret...
Ain't you a sight for sore eyes?
Been a long time, Miss Barbara.
How's your mama doing?
I ain't seen her since
she stole that money from me.
Claims she ain't know
nothing about it.
Hmm.
I always wondered why
you stopped coming around.
Because if you lie, you cheat.
And if you cheat, you steal.
And I knew your mama
was always a liar.
You knew?
You knew I was kidnapped?
Who did she steal me from?
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on.
Slow down, child.
I said that she stole money.
I don't know nothing
about her stealing no babies.
But you was
always around back then.
Where did she say I came from?
Elizabeth ain't never
tell you nothing?
Not a mumbling word.
She said she knew your mama
from the bar where they worked.
She was on drugs real bad.
She had about
six or seven other kids.
But you?
You was as cute as a kitten,
baby.
The little one of the family.
Who was this woman?
Did you catch her name?
Uh... Mary? Margaret? Martha?
Something like that.
Last name?
Nah. Can't say I recall it.
I'm sorry.
How did she get me
from my mother?
The lady asked Liz to watch her
when she went out of town.
Liz felt sorry for her
and agreed.
But the woman,
she ain't never come back.
Well, why didn't
she call the police?
Why didn't you call the police?
Liz said that
you had had it bad enough
because
your mama didn't want you.
And that you'd get it
worse in the system.
Suppose I agreed with her.
Miss Barbara,
do you remember coming by
the house one day
looking for Ma... Elizabeth?
I was about ten years old.
Hey, Bolie! Where's your mama?
In the shower.
You've been crying.
What's the matter, baby?
Who's that at the door, Bolie?
It's me, Liz!
I brought over the jacket
for you to wear tonight.
Go on and get dressed.
I'ma leave it with Bolie!
Thanks, girl.
I'm gonna call you later.
I showed you my bruises.
She had hit me
with a two by four.
I trusted you.
I thought you would help me.
In those days,
you minded your business, baby.
You don't go telling what's
happening in your own household
or anybody else's.
If you do,
everybody is going to jail.
You've been really quiet.
Haven't said a word all the
way from the train station.
Is something on your mind?
Jonathan.
Is this the end?
We've been over this.
You found more information this
time than you ever have before.
Yeah, I'm getting closer.
I mean, I have
a first name, maybe.
I still don't know if my
birth mother is dead or alive.
She could live
right down the street
and I wouldn't know it.
And what about my siblings?
You're gonna keep
leaving our kids
looking for family
who didn't care enough
to ever look for you?
Monique? Monique?
Take it back.
-Monique...
-Take it back!
Lower your voice.
The kids can hear you
all the way inside of the house.
Take it back.
I did not mean that
the way that it came out.
How did you mean it? Hmm?
You're trying to imply
that I'm some throwaway,
some stray?
That nobody ever loves me,
nobody ever loved me?
You're taking this
the wrong way.
I could be laying
in a gutter somewhere
after all I have been through.
I'm not supposed to be
breathing.
But I'm doing better than most.
I have a successful career.
I own my own home.
And most importantly,
I am the mother
to two amazing children.
And if I were to find out
whose blood is running
through their veins
as a cherry on top? Let me be!
I understand how you...
You can't understand.
You say you understand. How?
Every day...
I wonder if my mother
would have been proud of me,
if I've become
who she dreamt I would be.
You can never know the
emptiness that I feel.
All I'm saying is...
you're spending a lot of
time and energy
searching for family,
and your family
is right in front of you.
Hey, Jonathan. How's it going?
Anybody home?
Yay! Mom is home!
-Hey, Mom!
-Hey, girl! Christina!
You grew like
two inches since I saw you!
-It's been only a week!
-It feels like forever.
Rubye, thank you.
I don't know how
I can ever repay you.
Yeah, you know
that's not necessary.
Is everything okay?
Yeah, just...
Call me later, okay?
Okay.
Jonathan, do you mind
dropping me off at home?
-Oh, uh, no problem.
-Okay, thank you.
Come on, y'all wanna
say bye to Rubye?
Yeah.
I called to check on my
grand babies and I found out
that you done left
them with a stranger.
Rubye is as much
my family as anybody.
They need to be with
their grandmother.
Grandma, you finish your coffee
and I'm ready to play.
Sweetheart,
go upstairs to your room, okay?
Y'all go play for a little bit.
You too, Chrissy.
I'll go give you your
souvenirs in a minute.
Yay!
I hope you got me a dinosaur.
You have no right coming
to my home uninvited,
intimidating my guests.
Who the hell do
you think you are?
Miss High and Mighty?
Get over your damn self.
You need to leave.
I'll leave when
I get good and ready.
You going to jail
for the rest of your life.
For what?
For putting food in your mouth
and clothes on your back
and a roof over your head?
Since when does taking care
of somebody
be considered a crime? Huh?
I don't hear no sirens.
Yeah, you right.
If I could prove what you did,
you'd already been arrested.
You got nothing to lose.
Just tell me.
Just tell me the truth.
The truth is that
you had it good.
Always did, but you ungrateful.
You beat me.
For no reason.
More times than I can count.
You was a hard-headed
little girl, Bolie!
Spare the rod, spoil the child!
Hell, look around.
Look like you did
good for yourself.
You ought to be thanking me.
You stole me.
I know you did.
I don't know who told you
what up there in New York,
but you better be careful
what lies you spread.
I don't for one minute believe
that my mother trusted you
to babysit me and then
just never came back.
Your mama was
a crackhead, Bolie.
I did you a favor.
So did you give her money
or drugs in exchange for me?
Or did you steal me outright
because you couldn't
have no kids of your own?
I will go to my grave
before I tell you anything.
Get out of my house.
Don't ever come back to my home.
Don't ever come near
my children again.
I'm barely breathing
I'm lost somewhere
in the deep end
Oh God. Oh God.
I don't know the answer
I don't want none
I can feel my anxiety break
Killing off the cancer
Slowly feel in control
Kids, come down here, please!
Okay.
Did Grandma leave?
Everything that Grandma
told you is a lie.
Mommy needs to tell you
the truth about our family.
What's this?
Gonna put my DNA
into these databases.
These companies search
everybody who sends in a sample
and tells you all
about your genealogy.
Where you really come from.
I thought they only used DNA
to catch rapists and killers.
You watch too much TV, Chrissy.
The cops are always picking up
soda cans and wine glasses
from the crime scene.
Well, DNA technology
has come a long way
and can do a lot of good.
If somebody in our family
has also sent in a sample,
we could match.
Just like that, I have a
link to my biological family.
Well, if you can use DNA
to prove that someone is
your biological family,
couldn't you also use it
to prove that someone is not?
You're a smart cookie,
sweet girl.
You might be on to something.
Must be all that TV I watch.
Christina made a good point.
So, it was time to do
process of elimination.
Bolie! It's nice to see you.
Good to see you, too,
Uncle Nelson.
To what do I owe
the pleasure of this visit?
I need your help.
Anything for you, Bolie.
Come on. Let's sit.
For several years, I've been
trying to figure out
where I came from,
who my real family is.
What do you mean, real family?
I believe Elizabeth
kidnapped me.
Kidnapped?
That's a serious allegation.
I can't prove it.
But I've spoken
to enough people,
heard enough stories
to know that at the very least,
she's not my biological mother.
But I need you to
help me prove it.
I need you to submit a sample of
your DNA to the state police.
Police?
If the DNA comparison shows
that you and I have no
biological connection,
then your sister can't possibly
be my biological mother.
That will give them cause
to investigate how she came
into possession of me.
And there are no adoption
records anywhere?
I've checked.
I can only imagine what you must
have gone through
growing up in that house.
I wish I could
have protected you.
There's a lot of
people who could have,
should have called the police
or Family Services
to stop the abuse.
But I can't dwell on who didn't
do what back then to rescue me.
I'm focused on
saving myself now.
Tell me where I need to go.
Who I need to contact.
I'll give them whatever
they need for them to help you.
These look good.
I know.
I like how they turned out too.
So, how's the book coming along?
Why didn't you stop me
when I said I was
going to write a book?
When have I ever stopped you
from sharing your story?
And you should know by now
that what happened to you,
that's not only about you.
You know, it's about
all of those people
who are coming behind you.
All the parents,
all the children
who are going to need to draw
some inspiration
and some lessons from you.
You're right.
Gotta set the record straight
for my kids and everybody else.
You know what?
I read those pages you sent me.
That's some pretty heavy stuff.
Writing this is bringing up
some hard memories.
I mean, I even struggled
reading some of those details.
You think your kids are going
to be able to handle that?
If you haven't noticed,
my children are young adults.
Yeah, it'll be tough
to digest some of it, maybe.
But my whole life
was built on lies.
It's important
they know the truth.
They are going to support you
every step of the way,
regardless.
As will I.
Oh. By the way,
what did you
decide about tomorrow?
Still haven't decided.
Well, there is no wrong choice.
But just remember,
whatever decision you make,
it's not only about you.
Thanks for agreeing
to this, Mom.
I know it's difficult,
but we all need closure.
Ty-Tyler! And Madison.
Lose the headphones, please.
-Christina.
-Guys.
Madison.
You're getting up?
It might be helpful
if you say goodbye.
I said goodbye to Elizabeth.
A long time ago.
In this moment,
all I was sure of
is that the truth of who I am
may have died with
Elizabeth forever.
All right.
Congratulations
on your first house.
Just want you to know,
I am the type of landlord
who is always available.
So if you ever need anything,
feel free to reach out.
Excuse me.
Detective Ellis, how are you?
What kind of information?
Detective Ellis.
Oh, Ms. Smith.
Thanks for coming
down so quickly.
-I got here as fast as I could.
-I do appreciate it.
Right this way.
You said there might
be a break in my case?
Yeah. Having that DNA sample
to rule out any
biological connection
to the woman claiming
to be your mother
gave me an idea to go in
a different direction.
What did you find?
There's somebody I'd
like you to meet.
So Trinity is a genealogist
who specializes in
hard-to-crack cases.
Had a couple of cold cases.
Yours was one of them.
She got a hit.
Your case was actually
easier than I expected.
Well, that's a first.
What did you uncover that no
one else has been able to find?
I found several people
who share DNA with you.
All descended from
a couple in the 1850s.
I kept digging and found
a daughter named Margaret.
Margaret?
That's my mother's name.
So I was told.
So where's Margaret?
Do you know where
my mother lives?
Everything you need
is in this folder.
I wish you the best of luck.
No longer a Jane Doe.
You have a family now.
I belong to somebody.
You always have.
After all these years,
the information
I had been searching for,
was in the palm of my hand.
And I was worried
about using it.
What if she didn't want
to be connected to me?
What if on the other side
of the phone line
was yet another rejection?
There was only
one way to find out.
Hello?
Hi. Hello.
I'm looking for Ruth Harrison.
Yeah? Yeah, what?
Is this Ruth?
Who's asking?
Okay, I'm working
with a detective
and they
gave me your information.
A detective? What is this?
This better not be no game.
No, it's not a game, I promise.
This is... This is serious.
I'm from New York.
I don't play games
and this better not be no scam.
So who is this
and what the hell do you want?
I'm working with
the Maryland State Police
and a DNA detective.
My ancestry information
came through
and they said we are a match.
A match? For what?
That we're kin. Relatives.
Maybe even sisters.
Well, what do you look like?
I don't know what I look like.
Well, send me something.
Don't even tell me your name.
Just send me something.
Anything.
A recent picture. Anything.
Okay. Okay.
Hello?
I have been looking for you
ever since I was a little girl.
You're Symbolie Harrison.
You're my baby sister.
We gotta meet.
Aah!
Well, we're here.
We're here.
You ready?
I'm ready.
Okay.
Oh! Oh, okay!
Oh!
Oh my God!
You look like me.
You look like me.
You look like me, I'm older.
We got the same skirt on!
What was she like?
She was beautiful.
You look a lot like her.
Oh, my God!
I look like our mother.
You definitely take after her.
We both do.
You're the baby of seven girls.
I have six sisters?
And a ton of nieces and nephews.
When did she pass away?
You would have been
about eight years old.
What happened?
She died in a drug house
from a heroin overdose.
Did she ever tell you...
what happened to me?
Mama never shared how
or why you disappeared.
But I can assure you, she
never stopped loving you.
And I never stopped
thinking about you.
I thought about you
every single day.
You have no idea how much
it means to me to hear
you say those words.
I knew it.
I knew somebody had to miss me.
I couldn't just disappear...
and no one notice.
We all missed you.
Auntie Ruth?
Oh, baby.
This is my oldest.
Christina.
Looking at you is like
looking at my own daughter.
This is perfect.
His eyes are on
The sparrow
And I know he watches
Me
I sing because...
Welcome home, Symbolie!
I may never know
exactly what happened to me,
but I know I am a survivor.
I know I am loved.
I know I have roots.
My family tree
begins with me.
...he watches me