The Bad Orphan (2024) Movie Script
[dramatic music]
[siren blaring]
[female operator]
9-1-1.
[somber music]
[fire crackling]
[police radio chatter]
[indistinct chatter]
[sighs]
You're the owner?
Chief Thorpe.
I'm really sorry
for what you're going through.
- Thank you.
- Any idea how it started?
[music continues]
Why don't you ask her?
[swing creaking]
- Your child?
- Foster child.
I think she might have
started it accidentally.
It was no accident!
That girl hates us!
She's a little girl.
[scoffs]
That's what she looks like.
I don't know what she is.
[fire crackling]
[dramatic music]
- Morning.
- Good morning.
- Hey, put a sweater on.
- I'll be warm running.
- Well, are you running now?
- Fine!
Oh, and keep practice short,
because the air quality
is just below orange.
I don't want you ingesting
all those toxins.
Mm-hmm. Yes, mom.
I'll be the healthiest girl
on the team.
Probably in the school.
Maybe I'll never die.
Well, if that happened,
I wouldn't hate it.
What are you doing today?
Uh, I have an open house
at noon.
The Palmer house
over on Sherman.
What do you have going on?
I'm working with Oliver
in the den.
We gotta get our drawings
in front of the city council
pretty quick.
Three other architectural firms
have already submitted bids.
- Thank you.
- [door opens]
- Hi, guys.
- Hey.
- Hey, you ready?
- Yeah.
Oh, honey,
and just for my calendar,
what time is your track meet
on Saturday?
Okay, mom, you don't need
to come to every meet.
I...
It's at 2:00 pm, Mrs. Long.
Thank you, Derek.
I'm sorry.
Am I embarrassing you
in front of your friends
at your track meets?
No, not at all, I think
it's wonderful
the way you insist on witnessing
every moment of my life.
Good. 'Cause I love it.
- Bye. Bye.
- Bye.
It's scary how well
she's turning out.
Where does that
confidence come from?
I thought everybody under 18
was being destroyed
by the Internet.
- [chuckles]
- [cell phone rings]
- Oh, my God.
- What?
It's the adoption agency.
[exhales]
Hello.
Yes, this is Jessica Long.
Yes, we are more
than ready to...
[birds chirping]
[pensive music]
Yes.
No, I just, um...
Uh, sorry, we... [exhales]
This is the fourth adoption
we've had fall through
in three years, so I'm...
No, I don't, I don't think
it's your fault, Maya, it...
Oh! I...
[Maya] It may not be
what you had in mind
but there's another possibility.
Everyone wants a baby,
and they are thin
on the ground these days.
Would you be open to
an eight-year-old girl
with special needs?
I mean, I know we've only
talked about babies
but... an older girl
needs love too.
Would we be able
to meet her first?
Of course. How about tomorrow?
[music continues]
Talk it over. And...
Something to bear in mind.
You're both in your 40s.
Most birth mothers prefer
to place their babies
[Maya] with younger parents,
and it's only gonna get worse.
The door you're waiting
for may not open.
Uh, give us a few minutes.
We'll call back.
- All right.
- All right. Thank you.
[exhales]
Okay. I...
[music continues]
Okay.
We're not gonna get a baby.
We're not gonna get a baby.
And I think that
maybe this girl could be
what we've been waiting for.
But it's two leaps, you know?
It's just an older child
- and one with special needs.
- I know. I know.
I just...
It's a risk.
Anytime you adopt, and I just...
You can't...
You can't solve every unknown
before you commit.
You just can't.
[music continues]
Okay.
[both chuckle]
- I love you. I love you. Okay.
- I love you too.
Okay.
Okay.
Hey, Oliver,
am I the kind of person
that needs to
figure out every angle
before I commit to anything?
[chuckles] Oh, yeah.
Big time.
- Really?
- Are you kidding?
You're Mr. Spock.
It's like, "Oliver, the odds
of us selling this project
are 23.6 to one."
Look, some people run hot,
some people not.
That's why I do all the pitches.
You analyze
while I jump up and down.
Anyway, so w-w-what's
this all about?
Well, you know, we've been
trying to adopt a baby.
Today the agency suggested
an eight-year-old child
with special needs.
Oh. Wha-what does Jess think?
You know Jess.
She's been dreaming about
- a child in her arms.
- Yeah, well...
Now maybe the dream comes true.
Yeah, well, what do you think?
Well, I'm right there with her
wanting another child.
Ah, but she's ready to
dive into the deep end
while you're checking
the pool for issues?
You make me sound
incredibly boring.
No, no, no, no, it's just that
you... look at things
from another angle.
It's like,
if Jess's first thought
is a little girl in her arms,
what's your first thought?
[chuckles]
We need to start making
the house accessible for her.
See, and that's why you guys
make the perfect partners
for this adventure.
Mm.
Thank you so much
for doing this.
Of course.
- Ooh, yes.
- Oh, Lani, no.
- I know, I know.
- Why?
If you don't want me
to sneak them,
don't make them
look so tempting.
[both laugh]
How do you do it, Jess?
Well, everything from scratch.
No processed ingredients.
Never trust anything
from a package. Okay.
How does Karl feel
about adopting this girl?
Uh, he's open to it,
but... [sighs]
I mean, you know Karl.
He's got to write a dissertation
in his head first.
[soft music]
Jess, why is this
so important to you?
You've done such a great job
with Rhiannon.
But in a few years, she's gonna
be going off to college,
and here you are,
signing up for re-enlistment.
What about freedom,
travel, exploring new things?
So, what, I should just take
a cruise, learn French?
[exhales] I mean, nothing is
more important to me
than being a mother
to a child who needs me
and protecting them in a world
that can be so dangerous
in so many ways.
But they need to figure it out.
I mean,
I can't think of anything
that's more important than that.
Okay, then I'm here for you.
Even if it's not
what I would do.
- [laughs]
- I mean, look at this place.
The Palmers raised
three kids here
and yet they're selling it
because they can't stand
how empty it is.
Jess, I love how you
make up things in your head.
They're selling this place so
they can move to Carolina beach.
Okay, no... That is what
they tell everybody.
- But I know the real agenda.
- Mm.
No, no.
Spoken like a mom.
[instrumental music]
Hey! That's mine.
Did you get this from
Mrs. Allashine's purse?
I thought you wanted a baby.
Does the idea bother you?
- Why would it bother me?
- Well...
She'd take up
a lot of our attention.
Okay, great. I need less
attention than you're giving me.
[chuckling]
Okay, but it doesn't
bother me. Seriously.
You know, I always wanted
brothers and sisters.
And I kind of like
the idea of having a sister
I can get to know
before I go away to college.
- Oh, college.
- [laughs]
Well, don't expect all
your fantasies to come true.
'Cause only children
envy kids with siblings
and kids with siblings
think they're in hell.
- Oh, God.
- Mm. Okay, Karl.
And the grass
is always greener...
Well, sure,
but we don't need to go
all the way to hell
to make that point.
Please feel free to look
forward to having a sister.
I think it's a good idea.
I mean, I thought
you guys were gonna
have me changing diapers, so.
Well, here we are,
complicating everything
and teen reactions
are so simple.
- How will this affect me?
- [scoffs]
- I'm not complaining.
- [chuckles]
[birds chirping]
[breathing deeply]
- Is it that stressful?
- I just...
I can't take another no.
I can't.
Karl, Jessica.
- Hi, Maya.
- Hi.
- Nice to see you again.
- Oh, so good to see you again.
I'm sure you want to hear
more about Gabby
- before you meet her...
- Oh, Gabby?
Gabrielle Sadler.
Born in a small village
in Portugal
to an American mother,
Jeanette Sadler.
When Gabby was less
than a year old,
her mother decided to marry
a local man
who didn't want children.
The marriage
was conditional on that.
Gabby's mother
chose that man over her.
She was in an orphanage
till she was five,
when Gabby's grandmother
discovered her existence
and sent for her.
The timing was good,
as her village
was still picking up
from an earthquake,
and the orphanage
was in bad shape.
Good Lord.
She's had nonstop bad luck.
I mean, at least
she was with family,
you know, a-a grandmother
who wanted her.
Well, soon after Gabby arrived,
the grandmother started having
dementia symptoms.
She's in a memory care unit
and Gabby's been
in foster homes ever since.
Okay.
[instrumental music]
[indistinct chatter]
What's that?
It's a drawing I made
for my new mother and father.
[chuckles]
So nice, Gabby.
But this family
already has a daughter,
so there would be four people.
[sighs] How old is she?
Two years of fostering,
and she just keeps getting
passed from one to another.
I hope if this works out,
it'll be her forever home.
[Jessica] Yeah.
Hi, Gabby. Hi.
We have been looking forward
to meeting you.
[soft music]
- Do you know who we are?
- Are you... the maybe people?
"Maybe people"?
Whenever I ask if you might
be my new mother and father
they say maybe.
Oh.
Would you like that, Gabby?
I want a real family,
not like the fosters.
Would you love me?
[sighs]
What is that?
[music continues]
Um... would you like
to be a part...
Would you like to be
part of our family?
Okay. Because I would
really love that.
We can start
making the arrangements.
Please do it. [Chuckles]
[door opens]
Okay, well, we had to sign
a ton of paperwork,
but here she is,
a very special person.
Hi, Gabby. I'm your
new sister, Rhiannon.
If you want,
you can call me Rhi.
- Hello.
- [Rhiannon chuckles]
- Did you eat?
- Uh, yeah.
- I had the leftover salmon.
- Okay.
Do you wanna see your room?
[sighs] I'm so glad you're here.
You get to take
some of the heat.
What heat?
Well, the thing is,
when you're my age,
you don't need your mom checking
in on you all the time.
But now she's got you
to occupy her,
so this is a dawn
of freedom for me.
What are you
telling her, Rhiannon?
Um, the same thing
I'm always telling you.
Mmm. See, that's
what I was afraid of.
[laughs] Okay, let's go.
[instrumental music]
There you go.
It's... nice.
Um...
Hello, Princess Gabby!
Welcome your royal subjects.
[music continues]
Hi, Mr. Lion.
[chuckles]
I'm tired.
Can I go to bed now?
Yeah. Oh, of course.
Of course, of course, of course.
[Jessica] Oh, here
are your things.
Okay.
Okay. We'll...
give you some time.
Okay.
[music continues]
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight, honey.
Goodnight.
- Is anything wrong?
- No.
I don't know.
I just...
[sighs]
I knew we weren't
getting a baby.
And I-I'm okay with that.
I am. I just...
I don't know, i-it feels
so different
than I thought it would.
I-I don't know.
I mean, Jess, you've
had that room ready
for a baby for three years now.
I know.
She's an eight-year-old girl
with her own personality.
I know.
That's all it is, right?
Yeah. I mean,
what else could it be?
I'm sure it's me. [Chuckles]
I think I've had a long day
and could use some rest.
[Jessica sighs]
- All right. Let's go to bed.
- [Karl chuckles]
[birds chirping]
Hi. Come on in.
Are you famous?
[chuckles] No, not yet.
Will they want me to do that?
Running? Sports?
No, you can do
whatever you want.
Here, take a seat.
Are there any games you like?
Um, grandma and I used
to play a card game.
- Yeah?
- It's only three cards.
It's not hard,
but it got hard for her.
What about games
you played with other kids?
Other kids don't play with me.
Here.
Okay, so this is
"Llamas in the Lake."
And the llamas all try to swim
to that island, see?
- Wanna try?
- Yeah.
[pensive music]
You'll be going to school
in a few days.
And you'll make friends then.
No, I won't.
Oh, wow.
Oh, my gosh.
You didn't have to do that.
I saw how tired
you looked last night.
Oh, sweetie.
Thank you.
Coffee, coffee, coffee.
Oh. Good morning.
- What?
- What's that?
- Oh, my bracelet?
- [Gabby] Yeah.
This... is a medical
alert bracelet.
It's 14 carat gold.
- What does it say?
- It says, "Latex allergy."
Those are odd words, hm?
An allergy is when
something makes you sick.
And the thing that makes me
sick is latex.
Latex is a specific
kind of rubber.
It's very romantic, Gabby.
- [laughs]
- [Jessica] It is actually.
[laughs] Dad got it for mom
when they got engaged.
He said it was so
he'd never lose her.
Never mind, sweetie.
The more important thing is,
what would you like
for breakfast?
- Uh, do you have caviar?
- [chuckles]
My mother used to give me that.
Oh, uh, oh,
your-your foster mother,
she used to give you caviar?
She's not my mother. My real
mother is a famous singer.
She'll come back for me someday
and I'll be a singer too.
Well, that's nice.
Um, we are out of caviar
at the moment.
But we do have cereal.
And then after breakfast,
I can help you get ready
and wash up.
I don't need help
getting washed.
There's a stool by the sink.
Yes, but I think that
we should do more than
a sink wash... today.
I know that you are
very capable,
but you just need help getting...
I don't need help.
[pensive music]
[knocking]
- Gabby.
- [Gabby] Yeah.
- I'm ready.
- Yes.
I, I wish that you wouldn't
have gotten dressed.
I came upstairs to
help you take a bath.
Oh, I washed.
I don't need a bath.
Okay, honey, we-we talked
about this in the kitchen.
Okay, we have rules
in this house
and we don't just
ignore each other.
And at some point, you're gonna
have to take a bath...
I said no.
[dramatic music]
Okay, fine.
No bath today.
Are you sure you wanna do this?
'Cause it could
be really boring.
- I wanna be with you.
- [chuckles]
All right, you can stay till
the open house starts then.
But couldn't we do
something else together?
Well, I'd love to,
but I have to work.
We could go to the movies.
I'm sorry, Gabby.
Work comes first, okay?
Hi. Elaine and Richard,
this is Gabby.
- Well, hello, young lady!
- Hi.
- And where do you come from?
- Monaco.
It's a city and a country.
Gabby is going to help me make
my famous
open house cookies today.
Yes, we heard they were
a hit at the last showing.
Oh, thank you.
It's actually the aroma
that's more important
than the cookies.
Which is why I am going
to bake them in your oven.
- Setting the mood.
- Exactly.
Well, we'll leave you
to it then.
Nice to meet you, Gabby.
- Yeah.
- We're gonna have fun.
Bye.
Okay, we're gonna do
dry ingredients first.
So, honey, why did you say
"Monaco" to Mr. Palmer?
He asked where I came from.
But you're not from Monaco,
so why would you
tell a fib like that?
[pensive music]
And this morning you said your
mother was a famous singer.
Those are nice dreams. Hmm.
Monaco's a very fancy place.
There's a prince and a princess.
Maybe you heard about
that in a movie.
Okay, but this is the thing.
No matter how nice dreams are,
we can't just say things
to people that aren't true.
How do you know?
[chuckles] How do I know what?
W-What's true?
[music continues]
[door opens]
Hang on. [Sighs]
- Elaine left her phone here.
- Oh.
Isn't it silly
that I had to come back?
Years ago, I wouldn't even care.
But now I feel like
they have to amputate
that thing from my hand.
[chuckles]
Little Gabby is quite
the eccentric, isn't she?
- Yeah.
- Monaco.
- Karl mentioned Portugal to me.
- Oh.
He knows that I worked out of
Lisbon for a couple of years.
He wondered if I knew
anything about her village.
I wouldn't have heard
of her place
except for the earthquake
a few years ago.
- Mm.
- Terrible.
The hospitals were full.
A lot of people
never found, you know.
It's a lot for a little girl
to take on.
It's not in any
of the usual places.
Could one of you call my number?
I don't...
[line ringing]
[phone ringing]
- Kitchen.
- Yes.
[phone ringing]
[grim music]
I'm helping.
Help, it felt more
like sabotage.
What, you mean like deliberate?
Well, I refused
to take her to a movie,
and then I told her
that I didn't believe her,
and it seemed like
this was payback.
And then we had
a fight this morning.
I offered to help her
take a bath,
and she insisted on just
washing up at the sink.
And for a minute, I thought
she was gonna attack me.
I mean...
Maybe she was abused
and that's why she won't
take her clothes off
in front of anyone.
That's a terrible thought.
Either way, she's obviously
not comfortable with it.
- I know.
- And she's really
just met you both.
If it were me,
I'd give her time.
Yeah. Yeah.
I just... I, I thought that
I would understand her better.
We were both born overseas,
you know,
she came from Portugal,
I came from Germany,
and we both had to adjust
as little kids.
But I just...
I don't get her.
There's a probationary period,
isn't there?
Yes, but Karl
and I agree on this.
You can't bring a child
into your home
and then dump her
where you got her.
You know, like she's the wrong
size shoe or something.
At least she'll be starting
school in a couple of days
- and be out of your hair.
- Thank God.
I did do a check on
the second grade teacher.
- Typical Jess.
- Oh, I know I have to.
And she's got
a great reputation.
She's a few years
from retirement,
and she is supposed to be just
really good with the kids.
So, it'll be good.
- You do you.
- Mm.
And whatever happens, remember,
we'll always have Chardonnay.
- We need it.
- Yeah.
[chuckles] I do.
[clears throat]
- I know you're awake.
- It wasn't a secret.
[soft music]
Are we in way over our heads?
I don't know.
Should we maybe get some help?
Like take her
to some kind of counselor?
[sighs] I don't know.
I mean, it's early.
She's still adjusting.
I mean, they could
offer advice at least.
- We don't have to take it.
- I know, I'm just...
I'm worried that sending her
to a therapist right now
that she'll see that
as a way of saying
something's wrong with her.
[music continues]
[sighs] We were so lucky
with Rhiannon.
[scoffs] Come on.
Oh, she had her moments.
Yeah, yeah, she did. [Laughs]
[laughs] You remember the time
she, she got on the wrong bus
- just to see what would happen?
- Oh, my God.
I aged like five years that day.
Oh, at least.
Okay, then let's,
let's rise to this occasion.
- You know.
- Yeah.
Maybe a few years from now
when Gabby's in college
we'll look back on today
and find it funny.
[chuckles]
[laughs] No, we won't.
- Probably not.
- [laughs]
Oh, you're cute
when you're wrong.
[music continues]
Oh...
[birds chirping]
[suspenseful music]
[exhales]
[gasps]
[Rhiannon breathing heavily]
- [Gabby] Rhiannon yelled at me.
- Yeah, 'cause she was shocked.
You know, she wasn't
expecting to find you there.
When someone's surprised like
that, it's, it's upsetting.
- Yeah.
- So it's okay she yelled at me?
No, no...
No, but she has
a right to her privacy.
Okay? Like, that room is hers,
just like this one is yours.
Hers is better than mine.
It's different.
[birds chirping]
I saw her runner pictures.
You looked proud of her.
Yeah, we are.
I can't run. Not like her.
[exhales] Well,
you know, you'll, um...
You'll find your
own things, you know.
Special things that mean
something to you.
Yeah.
We don't love Rhiannon
because she runs,
we love her because
she's Rhiannon.
Hey... do you like your room?
Because you have these toys
and y-you don't play with them.
Of course I like them.
So, Gabby's schooling has been
pretty patchy at best.
Um, she's moved around
a lot, right, Gabby?
And some of her fosters
home-schooled
when they bothered.
Well, don't you worry, Gabby.
We'll make sure you
are caught up
to the rest of
the second grade in no time.
Great. Okay. Have fun today.
[indistinct chatter]
Today we are going to add
a one digit number
to a two digit number.
Let's say Jan has 12 Pokemon
stickers and she gets two more.
[sighs]
- You're funny looking.
- You're a bitch.
When you left I cried
100 hours straight
- [Rhiannon] Hi.
- Hey, there. Just in time.
- How was practice? Ah!
- Still working on my form.
- That smells great.
- Right?
I'm starving!
[indistinct song]
[sizzling]
She's just watching
like a spy, mom.
- She's creepy.
- Okay.
Listen, I know you were upset
that she was in your room,
but think about this.
You have a place here,
okay? She's new.
And then she sees these
photos of you
doing things she'll never
be able to do.
And so I think, to her, it must
look like you have the world.
Maybe she was just lonely
and just a little bit jealous.
[song continues]
- Yeah, I guess it's possible.
- Yes.
All right. Take these over
and you two can get started.
- Here you go. Thank you.
- Yeah.
How's school going?
[birds chirping]
- Hey, Rhi, what's that bird?
- Oriole.
You know all the birds by name
because your grandma's
a bird watcher.
She and grandad
live out in the country.
We'll take you to visit one day.
- You will?
- Yeah. They're great.
I have a picture of gran
and granddad
framed on my dresser. I'll
show it to you. One second.
Will they be
my grandparents, too?
Yes, and when we visit,
we'll show you where the bear
looked at gran
through the window.
- A bear?
- A bear
who stole the bird feeder.
Oh, you're gonna hear
all the stories, Gabby.
Will they like me?
[Rhiannon screams] Mom!
[dramatic music]
Even my trophies.
She even took my trophies.
[music continues]
[chuckles]
Why is she here?
Why is she here?
Here's what you're gonna do.
You're gonna return everything
you took to Rhiannon.
- Apologize to her.
- No. I shouldn't have to!
She has enough things.
Okay, being part
of a forever family
doesn't mean things
are just handed to you.
Okay? It's about participating.
It-it's about being
respectful to one another.
And you can start
by taking off that sweater
and giving it back to her.
That's Rhiannon's sweater?
Are you sure?
- Yeah, it's cropped.
- I like this sweater.
Why can't I have it?
Because it doesn't
belong to you.
Okay. I'll knit you
another sweater.
Whatever color you want.
I like this.
Knit one for Rhiannon.
Okay, this is ridiculous.
Take off that sweater.
[pensive music]
Okay, you know what,
you need to go,
and you need to stay
in your room
and think about what you did.
Go.
Or I will pick you up
and I'll carry you there.
[screams]
- Well, that felt like a draw.
- Oh, my God.
[birds chirping]
[tense music]
[groaning]
[liquid pouring]
[birds chirping]
- You gonna be all right?
- Yeah.
It's just a sprain.
- Okay.
- I feel...
I feel like the thing
I told you at the hospital.
- You think I'm paranoid.
- [scoffs]
I just don't think that toy
was left there deliberately.
I mean, kids leave things
around all the time.
- So do a lot of adults.
- Yeah.
You know how we were wondering
if we can handle this girl?
What if she's thinking
the same thing about us?
Deciding if she doesn't like us?
If she doesn't like me
because I go up
and down those stairs
all the time
with that laundry basket.
She is a troubled kid.
[chuckles]
She's not a master criminal.
So what are you doing today?
Oh, I'm supposed to do
notes on the houses
that I've listed, but I don't
know how I'm gonna do that.
I can help.
[tense music]
I... Thank you, Gabby,
but you have to go
to school today.
- Do I have to?
- Yes. [Chuckles]
The eternal question.
All right, maybe I can help
when I get back tonight, okay?
Thank you.
- Have a good day.
- You too.
[birds chirping]
- [phone ringing]
- Okay, get ready for school.
I'll be right back.
Hey, Lani.
[Lani] I've barely started, and
I'm already having a bad day.
I say wine bar tonight.
Oh, believe me. But did I
tell you I sprained my wrist?
[Lani scoffs] So you can lift
the glass with your other hand.
[laughs]
Right.
I don't know. I...
[birds chirping]
What? Whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa, whoa.
[instrumental music]
Okay, this is weird, but I think
Gabby was using my computer.
Why would an eight-year-old girl
be looking up
adoption regulations?
[Bienenfeld] The dog is sad.
When Joanie and Sam come home,
Buddy plays with them.
Question one, why is Buddy sad?
Write your answers.
Gabby, you're not writing.
May I go to the bathroom,
Mrs. Bienenfeld?
Yes, y-you may.
[music continues]
[music continues]
[music continues]
Honey, Gabby's
missing from school.
What? How can she be missing?
- She's supposed to be in class.
- I know, I know.
She asked use the bathroom.
Nobody's seen her since.
They're searching
the school for her.
Let's go. Sorry.
[tense music]
We've been over every room once,
and so now we're going back
and checking every inch,
every cupboard, every...
[loud thud]
Um...
Gabby.
Gabby.
I was so worried about you.
- I'm sorry.
- Oh!
[instrumental music]
Did you take these things
from the teacher's lounge?
Mrs. Long, Mr. Long.
- I think we need to talk.
- Yeah, yeah.
Are you okay?
I'll be back. Let's go.
The teacher said
she's extremely bright
and must have had some
advanced home-schooling.
- Oh.
- So they're keeping her out
for a little while
while they test her
and figure out
where to re-grade her.
Does this mean you might
have a, a child genius?
[scoffs]
I don't know what we have.
I mean, being a child genius
wouldn't explain
her having her period
if she has it.
Did you confront her about that?
Yeah, she admitted
taking the tampons
from Rhiannon's room,
and claimed
that she didn't know
what they were.
- Don't buy it.
- Do you hear girls
are getting their period
younger these days.
Yes, fine. Sure,
but then why lie about it?
[music over stereo]
And, you know, she just...
She doesn't seem
like an eight-year-old.
[Jessica] She doesn't play
with little girl toys.
I thought maybe the braces were
an indication that she was older
but apparently kids as
young as seven can have them.
But, you know, adults
can too, so who knows?
Jess, why would she lie
about being a child?
Where's the reward?
Well, Karl and I
are supporting her
so she doesn't have
to work for a living.
She could probably squeeze
a college education out of us
and, you know,
who knows what else.
- How old do you think she is?
- I don't know.
But you said work for a living...
No, I-I know. I just...
[pensive music]
[exhales]
I have wondered
if she's an adult.
I know. That sounds incredible.
What does Karl think?
Karl thinks that
[Jessica] she was curious
about the tampons
and that she's extremely
bright for her age.
That part he likes. So I'm
pretty much on my own in this.
And I don't even know
what to make of her
looking up adoption
regulations on my laptop.
Well, maybe she's worried.
Wants to see how easy
it would be for you
to reverse the adoption.
Yeah, or she's wondering
what would happen to her
if something happened to us.
- What would happen to you?
- I don't know.
[tense music]
[doorbell rings]
- Hey, Derek.
- Hey.
Rhi's not ready yet.
So where are you two going
this afternoon?
Well, I'm trying
to get Rhi to go
to the science center
with me but
she always says the weather's
too nice to be indoors.
Well, your odds
aren't good today either.
Another beautiful Saturday.
Feel free to hang out,
I'm going back to work.
[instrumental music]
[birds chirping]
[music continues]
Hi. You must be Derek.
I'm Gabby, the new sister.
- Hello.
- Want a soda?
- Uh, I'm okay. Thanks.
- Okay.
So, are you going anywhere
interesting today?
I'm not sure.
You should go
to the science center.
- Really?
- Yeah.
They have an exhibit
on the space shuttle.
Are you interested in science?
I love it.
I love learning things.
- [chuckles]
- [cellphone vibrates]
[instrumental music]
Oh, no, I, I lost my earring!
I'll find it.
Oh, I found it.
I'd hate to lose
one of these things.
See how nice they are?
[music continues]
Hey, Rhi.
We should, we should get going.
When I get home, I want
those earrings back in my box.
Bye!
I know how it sounds,
but I'm not jealous.
I'm really not.
She's a liar and a thief.
And my parents are all just,
"Give her a chance.
She needs to learn
what a family is like."
Well, why do we
have to teach her?
[upbeat song over speakers]
Hey, you're not saying much.
Isn't there something wrong
about this whole thing?
What do you think?
Well, now that
you mention it, yeah.
- He misunderstood.
- He's not stupid, dad.
I'm not saying that, I'm...
I'm just saying
when you're a boy of 15,
you can sort of dwell
on the subject of sex
a little more than a girl
of 15 might realise.
You think he's seeing
something that's not there?
I think an eight-year-old
girl is not out
to steal anybody's boyfriend.
Who says that she is eight?
[birds chirping]
We both saw her
birth certificate.
Not just the American version,
the original Portugese one.
Okay, okay, so
she's a little girl
who is educated
beyond her years,
is stealing tampons and
has somehow convinced
a 15-year-old boy that she is
flirting with him.
- I'm...
- We need to talk to her.
No! I'm eight years
old. I'm eight.
Why do you want me
to lie to you?
Okay, Gabby. Honey, listen.
However old you are,
we're not gonna punish you.
- I'm eight, I'm eight!
- Okay. Gabby, calm down.
It's Rhiannon, isn't it? Talking
about me behind my back!
She doesn't want me here and she
doesn't wanna share anything.
I mean, you all go on about
family, but you don't mean it!
Okay, Gabby, honey,
just calm down, nobody's...
You're not what I wanted!
I wish I'd never come here!
[somber music]
Okay. Well, so much for
the "talking to her" method.
Well, maybe we need somebody
who's better at talking.
Well... [sighs]
I know you're not
sold on the idea,
but I think it's time
for a child therapist.
Do you really think a child
therapist is what we need here?
[Gabby] You're just gonna
tell them everything I say.
No, I'm not.
This is between me and you.
But I will talk to your parents
later about what I think.
Let's talk about
your time in America.
How did you like
living with your grandma?
- She was okay.
- [Li] Mm-hmm.
Until she got confused.
And before that?
In Portugal?
[instrumental music]
Can you tell me
about the earthquake?
It was dark. And then,
the earth started to shake.
Well, that must be pretty scary.
Yeah, it was.
I yelled and woke the dorm,
and helped
the little kids get out.
Oh, you're... You were pretty
little yourself, weren't you?
That was three years ago.
You were what, around five?
Yeah.
- So you got out?
- No. I was inside.
[Gabby] The ceiling
came down on me.
I couldn't move.
I thought it would be okay.
I thought someone would come.
Oh, they must have tried.
No! No one tried.
No one looked.
They left me all by myself
in the dark.
How long were you trapped?
- Three days.
- But they found you.
They found me by accident.
Can you tell me
about your new family?
Do you like 'em?
I don't like 'em
for bringing me here.
[chuckles]
Is there anything
you've done that
you feel bad about?
No. I do what I need to.
Well, she's had more than
her share of trauma.
I think she's at a crossroads.
You've heard of "la vie en rose"
seeing life through
rose-colored glasses?
Yes.
[Li] For Gabby
it's "la vie en noir."
She sees the world
as dark and dangerous.
So what does that mean for us?
Well, clearly, she's...
very bright for her age,
but... when someone's
in a dark place,
[Li] they may see enemies
where there are none.
And then they may take action
to protect themselves.
So what can we do?
You can show her
that she can rely on you.
[Li] That the world
isn't dark and dangerous.
But the world
is dark and dangerous.
And yet children
need to feel safe.
Yeah, we'll try.
- It'll take time.
- What if we don't have time?
Dr. Li, I...
we have another daughter
at home and...
Gabby a-at times
seems jealous,
even hostile toward her.
"Hostile" might be
going too far...
Okay, Karl, t-this is important
and we can't be blind to it.
Gabby just came into
our lives a few weeks ago.
And she's saying
that she is eight years old.
Her documents say she's eight.
But I have to say
given the way she behaves...
[sighs] I think
that she may be lying.
I think she may be lying about
that and, and other things.
I would have
to assess her further.
[Li] But...
if she were, in fact,
pretending to be
something she's not,
like manipulating you, or
taking advantage of your
emotional weak spots
it changes things.
We'd be talking
less about trauma,
and more about psychopathy.
"Psychopathy."
Does that mean
that she's dangerous?
[pensive music]
Potentially.
[whistle blowing on laptop]
[crowd cheering on laptop]
[ominous music]
- Drop 'em! What're you doing?
- [scissors clattering]
I was only
going to cut a flower!
Oh, yeah?
What are you a gardener now?
You wouldn't let me
keep the posters.
I wanted something
pretty for my room!
Stop it!
[dramatic music]
Come on.
No. No! No!
- Going off here, huh?
- Let me...
[Gabby] Put me down!
I... I just don't get it.
Why do I have to stay with Lani?
And why is Gabby
locked in her room?
She didn't... really
try to hurt me, did she?
We just think it's better for
you to spend a few days away
- while we settle some things.
- What things though?
- What is going on?
- Listen...
We don't feel that it's safe
to have Gabby living here.
Great.
We can't just drop a child
off on a doorstep.
So we have to make arrangements,
we have to get a hold of
the adoption agency,
and I don't know how long
that's going to take.
And keeping you safe is
the most important thing
- in our lives.
- Yes.
So you go to Lani's.
You understand?
- Yes, Daddy. I understand.
- [car honking]
Okay, she's here. Let's go.
[door opens]
[dog barking]
Hey.
Thank you for doing this
I really appreciate it.
You'll love it.
My condo is next to a bakery.
- Chocolate pastries from heaven.
- Yep.
- All right sweetie, love you.
- Okay, bye.
[instrumental music]
[footsteps receding]
I know this feels
like a terrible failure.
But you know, we can't
have Gabby stay here.
She was gonna be
part of our family.
I know. I know, sweetheart.
You know how much I wanted this?
It is killing me
to think that it...
It was just a dream.
- [car engine starts]
- [blows kiss]
- [chuckles]
- [phone rings]
Ah!
[music continues]
Hello?
Uh, yes.
It's Child Welfare.
[Jessica] Yeah, this is Jessica.
Gabby. I don't want you to worry
about anything you say.
You're not going to get
in trouble for talking with us,
and I don't want you to
worry about anyone else.
[birds chirping]
What is she telling them?
I mean she could say anything.
And they will
have to take her seriously.
Hell, even the truth looks bad,
locking her in her room.
I know.
- [phone ringing]
- I know.
Rhi? Everything okay?
[Rhiannon]
Yeah, all good here, um...
I'm just really confused
about what's going on there.
What do you, what do you mean?
Nothing's going on here.
Well, I'm... on the family page,
I'm online.
And I thought the adoption
agency said we weren't allowed
to post pictures of Gabby
to social media.
W-we're not.
Well, it's up there,
and there's this text with it
and it doesn't sound like
either of you guys.
"Our darling little girl.
She's been through an ordeal,
but that ends now
because we've welcomed
this lost angel into our arms."
Oh, my God, and then more
about how she's so sad and
how amazing we are.
This makes it look as if we
are trying to pass ourselves
as saints.
- Rhi, thanks, honey, uh...
- Oh, my God.
We're gonna try to get
to the bottom of this.
- [Karl] You stay safe.
- Yeah, this is...
Well, It's fine honey,
we've got this.
- [Jessica] We love you, okay?
- Love you guys.
- [Karl] Love you.
- I love you, honey.
[line disconnects]
I'm not sure how
many more levels
of bad we can reach today.
What do you think
this looks like?
Abusers that are using their
adopted child as publicity.
- I mean...
- Delete it.
Hopefully nobody seen it yet.
Well, it's got 89 smiley faces
and 12 comments.
[sighs]
She did this.
- She did this.
- What?
I don't know how she did it.
But she did it.
- But why?
- To hurt us, Karl!
I mean, it's the same reason
that she left
that toy on the stairs
where I walk up and down
every single day.
The same reason
she went after Rhiannon!
Jess, how?
Your laptop is logged off
when you're not using it. How...
I don't know, I don't know how.
I also don't know how
David Blaine catches a bullet
in his teeth, but he does it.
[birds chirping]
[Jessica sighs]
We finished for the time being.
But we'll be back.
Why? We've explained.
Yes, Mr. Long,
your explanations
have been accounted for.
Gabby backed you up.
[pensive music]
Okay, so, why isn't
this all over with, then?
When a child has bruises,
we take it very seriously.
[Charlotte] And they're not
always forthcoming
about how these things happen.
We'll be checking in again.
Thank you.
[door opens]
[door shuts]
[music continues]
This is exactly what she wants!
- It's blackmail!
- [Karl sighs]
She can testify to those people
and destroy our lives
any time we do something
she doesn't like.
And then, my, we, we're done.
Our reputations are gone, and
I don't just mean your project
because who wants to buy
a house from a child abuser.
I mean, who wants to be
friends with a child abuser?
Oh, what do we do?
[somber music]
I don't know. Do we move?
Do we change our names?
I mean, would that even work
because the Internet
just follows you everywhere?
If they thought
we were harming Gabby
would they want to remove
Rhiannon from our custody too?
- Oh, my God.
- [Karl] You're right.
It's not just my work,
we can literally lose
- everything that matters.
- Okay, okay.
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
We can't be the first people
that she's taken advantage of.
We need to drill down
into her past.
Jess, do-do you
know how this sounds?
Gabby backed our story
to Child Welfare!
Yes!
Yes! Because she
is a manipulator.
[Karl sighs]
Oh, my God, somebody
put up that story online.
Someone who's in our house
and had access
to the adoption folder.
What do you think?
Do you think Oliver did it?
Do you think Rhiannon did it
before she left the house?
Okay, I get it.
[pensive music]
It's possible.
Then let's please
defend ourselves.
She doesn't get many visitors.
I'm sure she'd like to hear
about her grand-daughter,
but the truth is, she may
not remember she has one.
- Okay.
- She prefers to be called June.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
[indistinct chatter]
June.
Oh, gosh, you're a knitter!
- I am too.
- Oh.
[chuckles]
Can I sit with you?
Hm. Yes, yes.
[birds chirping]
[soft music]
[June] Fighting.
We were always fighting.
Hmm.
[June] What were
we just talking about?
Your daughter. Janette,
who went to Portugal.
Well, she can't go
to Portugal. She's only seven.
So
you and your daughter,
you fought a lot?
Is that why she didn't
tell you that she had a baby?
Your grand daughter, Gabby.
[music continues]
The little girl!
The little girl
who'll always be little.
Yes! Yes, Gabby. Yeah.
Don't you just love purple?
Oh, I do. I do.
So...
Gabby...
She didn't look
anything like her.
They said she looked
just like her mother.
[music continues]
[Karl] I can't believe we're
sitting outside our own house
so we won't be overheard.
Okay, this is what I got
from the adoption agency.
The Ackers house.
Gabby's foster family.
Okay, what are you telling me?
So, the Foster Dad blamed Gabby.
But the insurance
blamed Foster Dad.
It seems he's a drinker,
and they think he fell asleep
with a lit cigarette.
The fire started in his bedroom.
Okay, if that were true,
why would he blame Gabby?
Well, they think i-it was,
because he was afraid
that he wouldn't get
the insurance payout,
if the fire was due
to his own negligence.
And no matter what, she comes
out smelling like a rose, right?
We-we can't be sure
that she was behind it.
There's no real evidence.
How many benefits of the doubt
are you gonna give this girl?
We don't even know who she is!
What does that even mean?
I...
The grandmother said
she doesn't looks
- anything like her mother.
- Okay.
So what proof do we have
that this is Gabby?
- A birth certificate.
- Yes!
Yes, a birth certificate
with an unbelievable age.
Aside from that
what else is there?
[sighs]
[pensive music]
There's not really
anything else.
[chuckles] There was
a disaster in her town, right?
Mm-hmm.
People went missing,
they were never found.
The authorities, they,
they were confused.
They, they were overwhelmed.
The grandmother sends for her.
How do we know
that it's really Gabby
that shows up
in the United States?
I mean, all that Grandma
needs to go on is
you know whatever
paperwork was sent to her
from Portugal at that time.
So, who's to say the girl
who shows up on the doorstep
isn't some much older girl
running a scam.
Because that's
a pretty nice life, right?
A soft landing
in the United States
with some generous
sweet old lady.
- It's a theory.
- Yeah.
It's a theory that would
explain pretty much everything.
Look, this girl's
been a psychopathic liar
from the beginning, and
she can do whatever she wants
without fear of consequences
because she has a piece of paper
that says she's eight years old.
I don't know, I...
Basing all of this
off of what a senile woman
happens to say...
Come on.
Fine. Okay. What if I'm right?
Then where's Gabby?
The real Gabby?
I mean is she...
Is she alive
somewhere in Portugal?
Or not alive?
[pensive music]
We can confront her.
I'll-I'll back you up in that.
Good. I think
we should do it today.
Because I really
want my life back.
- [door opens]
- [Jessica sighs]
- Hi.
- Hey.
- Where's Gabby?
- Uh, she's in her room.
When she got hungry
I ordered us some pizza.
But if you wanted
something healthier,
should've asked
someone else to babysit.
I haven't eaten all day.
I have a monster headache.
Yeah.
[sighs]
I just want a few minutes
before the fireworks
start with Gabby again.
Would you please give
me some Ibuprofen?
I think I left
the bottle in the den.
We're neck and neck with
stress these days, huh?
I know, honey. I know.
[instrumental music]
- [bottle clattering]
- Are you guys all right?
You seem a little jumpy?
Uh... No, we're, we're okay.
Mm-hmm.
- You okay?
- Oh!
[plate shatters]
[sighs]
Why wouldn't I be okay?
You've been acting
a little funny.
[chuckles] That's good.
That is good.
Yeah, that's a good
manipulation technique.
You blame the other person
for their reactions
to the things you are doing.
I'm not doing that.
What're you...
Oliver isn't completely
oblivious after all.
[grim music]
- Who are you? Really?
- What?
How did you get
Gabby's birth certificate?
Oh, come on, we know.
Oh, so you can just cut it out
with the "I'm
a little girl" routine.
You need to be honest with us.
- I'm going back to my room.
- No, no, no. No, no.
We're gonna
settle this right now...
[wheezing]
Help!
[choking]
[tense music]
Okay. Okay, okay, right.
Okay, okay. All right.
- [groans]
- [Karl] Okay, okay.
Breathe. Please breathe.
[Jessica gasping]
This is Karl Long
at 17 Highview Drive.
My wife just went
into anaphylactic shock.
I administered her epinephrine.
Yes, yes, thank you,
how long before they get here?
Thank you. Okay, look.
They're only a few minutes away.
Whoa, whoa, whoa
what the hell is going on?
Jess went
into anaphylactic shock.
- An ambulance is on the way.
- [Jessica breathing slowly]
[music continues]
The dish washing gloves,
I think they're...
- I think they're latex.
- What?
How.. How-how does that happen?
No, no, no, no, no.
You're going to your room.
Oliver, you stay here
and keep a watch on Gabby.
- I'm going to the ER with Jess.
- But th-this is crazy!
I told Jess
her suspicions were crazy,
and look where we are.
[crying]
The important thing is always
to get the epinephrine
injected intramuscularly
as soon as possible.
- And you managed that.
- Well...
We'd just like to keep
you under observation
for a little while longer.
[chuckles] Of course.
[indistinct chatter]
[sighs] Okay, so...
We have got
to figure something out.
Yeah, first thing we got to do
is get her out of our house.
Oh, my God.
I'll call the adoption agency
and I'll have them pick her up.
Or I can drive her to them.
But she's gone, okay? Tonight.
God!
How do you feel
about involving the police?
I mean, I'm not thrilled
with the idea.
Yeah, me neither. I mean,
what evidence have we got?
Oops, someone made
a mistake with the gloves.
I... N-no!
Those gloves were
placed there deliberately.
I know, but there's no way
to prove it wasn't accidental.
Yeah, you're right, she's always
got plausible deniability
on her side, doesn't she?
Honey, I'm sorry
I've been so hard to convince.
I should have taken
your worries more seriously.
- It's okay.
- Okay.
Just, we're in it together now.
Yeah.
I want to go home.
All right, I'll meet you there.
We'll have her stuff
packed in the car.
See you soon.
So I made it
very clear that, uh,
Gabby tried to harm
or even kill you.
I heard that part.
What was her reaction?
Uh, shocked but professional.
- I guess she's been seen a lot.
- Well...
Well, she said they don't
have the facilities
to deal with violent
criminal behavior. So...
I'm gonna drive Gabby
to a psychiatric hospital,
- where she'll meet us.
- Okay.
They'll evaluate her, and then I
guess the, uh, social workers
- will take it from there.
- Yeah.
Gabby will be back in the
system, just in a worse place.
- Oh, my God.
- Oh, hey.
Okay, don't be upset.
I took a taxi.
- Are you okay? What happened?
- Yes.
Lani told me
you were in the hospital.
Is there nothing Lani
refuses to share?
Okay, she was upset.
I kept at her.
Listen, I had an allergic
reaction but I'm fine.
How could you have a reaction?
You never go near latex.
- [sighs]
- Oh, my God.
Does this have to do with Gabby?
I'm gonna drive
you back to Lani's.
- Wait, wait.
- No.
Is that still necessary?
I mean...
Your mother and I have
a lot to talk to you about.
- Yeah.
- Let's go.
Ah, she's in her room
and I haven't heard a peep.
Okay, you two, pack her bag,
I'll make sure
that she takes a bath
and is ready to go.
Is that necessary?
Well, I don't want anyone
saying we neglected her.
And I'm not sure she's doing
a good job of washing herself.
Rhi, I want you to
stay in your room, honey.
Okay.
[knocking on door]
- Gabby?
- [Gabby] Yeah?
[tense music]
[door opens]
I-I need you to
come with me, Gabby.
Where?
We're gonna see Mrs. Savage,
from the adoption agency.
And you're going
to be spending the night.
So, you need to
take a bath
and get some things together.
Why? Where am I going?
Back to my last foster family?
You're going to a place
where people can help you.
Is this like that therapist
I had to talk to?
No. I know the kind
of place you mean.
Where they lock people up.
I won't go!
Let's go pack her things.
[music continues]
[water trickling]
I know you don't want
to take a bath,
but I'm just going to help you
get in and out of the tub.
I'll leave you with the soap.
I'm not gonna look at you.
[grim music]
But I know
you're not a little girl.
Okay, so, let's not pretend.
- I'm 15.
- Are you?
I mean, you tell so many lies
it's hard to keep track, right?
Are you 15? Are you 18? You 20?
- I only lied about my age!
- [Jessica] No.
No. How about your famous
mother, the singer?
- And your life in Monaco?
- So I talked big, okay?
I knew you knew that was crap.
Okay, I embarrassed myself
because I just wanted
you to like me.
[Jessica chuckles]
[music continues]
You're good.
Such a good manipulator.
You don't want to go away,
so now you're giving me
a half confession.
It's not gonna work this time.
You will be sorry!
You
will take a bath.
I'm gonna go get the towels.
[music continues]
[tense music]
[drawer shuts]
Oh, God!
Have you seen Gabby? She really
doesn't want to take a bath.
Maybe it's not worth
pushing her, Jess.
- Let's just move on...
- [alarm blaring]
Oh, my God.
She went out the back.
- Gabby!
- Gabby!
Gabby!
- Gabby!
- Here, sweetie?
[alarm blaring]
Come on, sweetie, it's okay.
Gabby!
Gabby!
We want to help you, Gabby!
[car whirring]
[tense music]
[insects chirping]
[rustling]
[officer] I know it's upsetting,
but we find most runaways
around here in 24 hours.
We'll make sure the photo
is widely distributed.
- Okay. Thank you so much.
- Thank you.
[insects chirping]
[Jessica sighs]
[door shuts]
- How're you doin'?
- You know...
I know Gabby's just a kid, but
I didn't like the way she said
- we'd be sorry.
- She's not a kid.
And I am really grateful
that the police are involved.
[Karl sighs]
[faint thud]
[faint thudding]
Oh. Oh.
- What's the matter?
- Did you hear that?
I don't, I don't hear anything.
It was, it was
kind of a thumping.
Oh, God.
We have mice. I can't
deal with them tonight.
[faint thumping]
Oh, Karl, honey, please,
it's been such a crappy week
and I just...
I feel better when
you're next to me.
Please.
Come on.
I'm just gonna
look around a little.
Okay. I mean...
It'll be morning
before you know it.
[faint thumping]
[switch clicks]
[door opens]
- [faint thumping]
- [muffled screaming]
[wind whistling]
Um, honey,
I think I found the culprit.
I-I can't hear it if you talk.
What culprit?
[Jessica chuckles]
There it is.
That's not what I heard.
[faint thumping]
[wind whistling]
[switch clicks]
[muffled screaming]
[door opens]
[thumping]
[muffled screaming]
How? Oh!
Oh, God. Oh, my God.
Oh, God, are you okay?
Go-go get a knife, we have
to cut these off her.
Are you okay? Are you...
- Oh, come on.
- Help!
You're not getting away.
- [muffled screaming]
- Stop it. Stop!
[shushing] Stop it.
- What are you doing?
- Stop it!
She was gonna kill me.
No, don't. Don't cut her loose.
Please don't.
- Did you put her in here?
- I had to.
Because you, you don't see
anything it's not your fault,
I don't blame you.
Did you believe it,
now she's crying.
[Jessica crying]
You can see she's not so...
- You were suffocating her.
- I wasn't suffocating her...
If I hadn't come...
I just need her
to stop saying things
about me that aren't true.
You mean, like you tying her up?
She tried to poison me, Karl.
Does that not matter
that she tried to murder me?
You're defending her?
[tense music]
Did she, Jess? Where did
she get the gloves?
Did she drive into town
an-an-an-and go shopping?
She is very resourceful.
I think she had someone from
school get those gloves for her.
She hasn't been to school
in two weeks.
They're still working out
what grade she should be in.
Why do I still do this?
Jess, if I checked
the grocery receipts
would gloves be on
your last one?
[dramatic music]
[crying]
I need you to listen to me.
Oh, my God.
[crying] I needed you
to take me seriously!
Oh, my God, Jess.
Please don't untie her.
Please.
She's gonna kill me.
Mom?
[music continues]
[breathing heavily]
She's gonna kill me.
[door opens]
[Jessica sniffles]
[somber music]
[crying]
[door shuts]
I can't believe it.
You're so naive.
I, I'm the one to
protect my family.
I am the one
to protect all of us.
I make sure there's no
processed foods in the house,
I'm the one who makes sure
that the teachers are okay,
I'm the one who checks the air
advisories every single day.
What do you do?
You don't even know.
Please don't.
Please don't choose
that girl over me.
I'm not.
Please don't do this, Karl.
[music continues]
She wants to get me.
[sniffles]
[groans]
Please don't make me go.
Please.
[sniffles] Okay.
Don't touch me.
Don't touch me.
[birds chirping]
[music continues]
[Jessica crying]
[sniffles]
[doors shuts]
[engine starts]
[music continues]
[birds chirping]
[Dr. Jacks] Persecutory
Delusional Disorder.
It's not surprising
that you didn't spot it,
because outside their
particular delusions,
such patients
are fully rational.
I keep feeling like
I should have known.
The brain plays a trick
on these people.
She didn't see Gabby
as a harmless child,
she saw her as an enemy
hiding in plain sight.
Your wife really thought
she was defending herself.
And her family.
I know you've only
just seen her, but
can she be helped?
These conditions
can be a challenging.
Behavioral therapy may work.
But it depends on how willing
she is to accept treatments.
Right now, she's not
willing at all. She...
- She doesn't trust you. Or me.
- That's the problem, isn't it?
Unless she's willing
to bring herself
to trust our good faith,
she'll actively work
against getting better.
You're not making me
feel better, Doctor.
I don't want to mislead you,
but you should know
that we have treated people
with similar conditions,
and they've found
their way home again.
[somber music]
Okay.
[both chuckle]
[comical music over laptop]
Is she all right?
[Karl sighs]
Your mother has an illness.
It can, uh...
It's something
that can make people see
enemies who aren't really there.
No one would choose to-to-to
be sick this way. It's...
It's a bad thing
that happens to them.
Will she get better?
The doctors are gonna
keep her and try to
find the right
treatment for her.
[Karl] It may take a while.
How long?
[somber music]
They don't know.
Gabby
why'd you lie about your age?
At the orphanage
they always told me,
the little kids get taken home.
Nobody wants the older ones.
So when Grandma sent for me,
I asked a kid I knew
to change my birth certificate.
His brother used to make IDs
for getting into clubs
in the city.
Grandma didn't know any better.
[Gabby] All she'd heard was that
my mother had a child
in an orphanage somewhere.
She didn't know how old
I was or where I was.
[music continues]
I think she wrote to
every orphanage in the country.
I thought, this is my chance.
She'll love me if I'm young.
She'll keep me.
And what about taking
Rhiannon's things?
Dad, I'm not mad about that now.
I know, I'm just...
I'm just trying to understand.
You love her so much. I...
I thought,
if I were just like her
and had the things
she had and
liked the things she liked
[Gabby] you know,
really sisters, you know
you might, might
might love me.
[music continues]
[sighs]
Gabby.
You want to leave?
I won't blame you.
And we were so sure
of ourselves, weren't we?
And instead of helping,
we were just
one more thing
you had to go through.
Are you be willing
to give us another chance?
[Karl] I know it's asking
a lot, and then
the agency might not
want to allow it...
[music continues]
[Rhiannon chuckles]
I'll take that as a yes.
Then we will fight like
hell to keep you, okay?
[sniffles]
[birds chirping]
[indistinct chatter]
Detective stories.
[instrumental music]
Won't you look at me?
What's the point?
[crying] I tried
to hurt a little girl.
I mean I don't know
what I would have done
if you hadn't... [sighs]
What I did was unforgivable.
And I can't undo that.
It was the illness, Jess.
It wasn't you.
No, it had to be me because
nobody else made me do it.
[music continues]
Rhiannon misses you.
She came second
in the 800-meter!
[Jessica chuckles]
Gabby and I
were cheering her on.
Look, I won't say Gabby's been
all smooth sailing
we've had our arguments.
[Karl] I don't think she's
ever gonna be an easy kid.
And the agency
is monitoring our every move.
Well, I mean... [chuckles]
But she's really
settling in, Jess.
She's learning to knit.
[music continues]
- [Jessica] What?
- [Karl chuckles]
From watching videos online.
She made some awful potholders.
But then she made this.
I thought it was a scarf,
but she said it's a shawl.
- [Jessica chuckles]
- For if you get cold.
You said nothing you did
was forgivable, but, uh,
for a kid
who's never had a mother,
[Karl] she might have
a different point of view.
Look, I, I know
I can't even understand
how tough this is for you.
But don't give up on us.
Keep working.
Okay, we all want you home.
[Jessica] I want to come home.
- [Jessica] I really do.
- I know.
[Jessica sniffles]
- So Gabby is really...
- She's an amazing kid, Jess.
[chuckles]
She's wanted
a family for so long.
You should see
how well she's doing.
[instrumental music]
[Karl] And I think...
I think she finally feels safe.
[Rhiannon] Gabby! Have you
seen my gold hair clip?
- Sorry! Where did you leave it?
- [Rhiannon] I don't know!
I can't find
my cherry lipstick either.
I just keep losing things!
[music continues]
[siren blaring]
[female operator]
9-1-1.
[somber music]
[fire crackling]
[police radio chatter]
[indistinct chatter]
[sighs]
You're the owner?
Chief Thorpe.
I'm really sorry
for what you're going through.
- Thank you.
- Any idea how it started?
[music continues]
Why don't you ask her?
[swing creaking]
- Your child?
- Foster child.
I think she might have
started it accidentally.
It was no accident!
That girl hates us!
She's a little girl.
[scoffs]
That's what she looks like.
I don't know what she is.
[fire crackling]
[dramatic music]
- Morning.
- Good morning.
- Hey, put a sweater on.
- I'll be warm running.
- Well, are you running now?
- Fine!
Oh, and keep practice short,
because the air quality
is just below orange.
I don't want you ingesting
all those toxins.
Mm-hmm. Yes, mom.
I'll be the healthiest girl
on the team.
Probably in the school.
Maybe I'll never die.
Well, if that happened,
I wouldn't hate it.
What are you doing today?
Uh, I have an open house
at noon.
The Palmer house
over on Sherman.
What do you have going on?
I'm working with Oliver
in the den.
We gotta get our drawings
in front of the city council
pretty quick.
Three other architectural firms
have already submitted bids.
- Thank you.
- [door opens]
- Hi, guys.
- Hey.
- Hey, you ready?
- Yeah.
Oh, honey,
and just for my calendar,
what time is your track meet
on Saturday?
Okay, mom, you don't need
to come to every meet.
I...
It's at 2:00 pm, Mrs. Long.
Thank you, Derek.
I'm sorry.
Am I embarrassing you
in front of your friends
at your track meets?
No, not at all, I think
it's wonderful
the way you insist on witnessing
every moment of my life.
Good. 'Cause I love it.
- Bye. Bye.
- Bye.
It's scary how well
she's turning out.
Where does that
confidence come from?
I thought everybody under 18
was being destroyed
by the Internet.
- [chuckles]
- [cell phone rings]
- Oh, my God.
- What?
It's the adoption agency.
[exhales]
Hello.
Yes, this is Jessica Long.
Yes, we are more
than ready to...
[birds chirping]
[pensive music]
Yes.
No, I just, um...
Uh, sorry, we... [exhales]
This is the fourth adoption
we've had fall through
in three years, so I'm...
No, I don't, I don't think
it's your fault, Maya, it...
Oh! I...
[Maya] It may not be
what you had in mind
but there's another possibility.
Everyone wants a baby,
and they are thin
on the ground these days.
Would you be open to
an eight-year-old girl
with special needs?
I mean, I know we've only
talked about babies
but... an older girl
needs love too.
Would we be able
to meet her first?
Of course. How about tomorrow?
[music continues]
Talk it over. And...
Something to bear in mind.
You're both in your 40s.
Most birth mothers prefer
to place their babies
[Maya] with younger parents,
and it's only gonna get worse.
The door you're waiting
for may not open.
Uh, give us a few minutes.
We'll call back.
- All right.
- All right. Thank you.
[exhales]
Okay. I...
[music continues]
Okay.
We're not gonna get a baby.
We're not gonna get a baby.
And I think that
maybe this girl could be
what we've been waiting for.
But it's two leaps, you know?
It's just an older child
- and one with special needs.
- I know. I know.
I just...
It's a risk.
Anytime you adopt, and I just...
You can't...
You can't solve every unknown
before you commit.
You just can't.
[music continues]
Okay.
[both chuckle]
- I love you. I love you. Okay.
- I love you too.
Okay.
Okay.
Hey, Oliver,
am I the kind of person
that needs to
figure out every angle
before I commit to anything?
[chuckles] Oh, yeah.
Big time.
- Really?
- Are you kidding?
You're Mr. Spock.
It's like, "Oliver, the odds
of us selling this project
are 23.6 to one."
Look, some people run hot,
some people not.
That's why I do all the pitches.
You analyze
while I jump up and down.
Anyway, so w-w-what's
this all about?
Well, you know, we've been
trying to adopt a baby.
Today the agency suggested
an eight-year-old child
with special needs.
Oh. Wha-what does Jess think?
You know Jess.
She's been dreaming about
- a child in her arms.
- Yeah, well...
Now maybe the dream comes true.
Yeah, well, what do you think?
Well, I'm right there with her
wanting another child.
Ah, but she's ready to
dive into the deep end
while you're checking
the pool for issues?
You make me sound
incredibly boring.
No, no, no, no, it's just that
you... look at things
from another angle.
It's like,
if Jess's first thought
is a little girl in her arms,
what's your first thought?
[chuckles]
We need to start making
the house accessible for her.
See, and that's why you guys
make the perfect partners
for this adventure.
Mm.
Thank you so much
for doing this.
Of course.
- Ooh, yes.
- Oh, Lani, no.
- I know, I know.
- Why?
If you don't want me
to sneak them,
don't make them
look so tempting.
[both laugh]
How do you do it, Jess?
Well, everything from scratch.
No processed ingredients.
Never trust anything
from a package. Okay.
How does Karl feel
about adopting this girl?
Uh, he's open to it,
but... [sighs]
I mean, you know Karl.
He's got to write a dissertation
in his head first.
[soft music]
Jess, why is this
so important to you?
You've done such a great job
with Rhiannon.
But in a few years, she's gonna
be going off to college,
and here you are,
signing up for re-enlistment.
What about freedom,
travel, exploring new things?
So, what, I should just take
a cruise, learn French?
[exhales] I mean, nothing is
more important to me
than being a mother
to a child who needs me
and protecting them in a world
that can be so dangerous
in so many ways.
But they need to figure it out.
I mean,
I can't think of anything
that's more important than that.
Okay, then I'm here for you.
Even if it's not
what I would do.
- [laughs]
- I mean, look at this place.
The Palmers raised
three kids here
and yet they're selling it
because they can't stand
how empty it is.
Jess, I love how you
make up things in your head.
They're selling this place so
they can move to Carolina beach.
Okay, no... That is what
they tell everybody.
- But I know the real agenda.
- Mm.
No, no.
Spoken like a mom.
[instrumental music]
Hey! That's mine.
Did you get this from
Mrs. Allashine's purse?
I thought you wanted a baby.
Does the idea bother you?
- Why would it bother me?
- Well...
She'd take up
a lot of our attention.
Okay, great. I need less
attention than you're giving me.
[chuckling]
Okay, but it doesn't
bother me. Seriously.
You know, I always wanted
brothers and sisters.
And I kind of like
the idea of having a sister
I can get to know
before I go away to college.
- Oh, college.
- [laughs]
Well, don't expect all
your fantasies to come true.
'Cause only children
envy kids with siblings
and kids with siblings
think they're in hell.
- Oh, God.
- Mm. Okay, Karl.
And the grass
is always greener...
Well, sure,
but we don't need to go
all the way to hell
to make that point.
Please feel free to look
forward to having a sister.
I think it's a good idea.
I mean, I thought
you guys were gonna
have me changing diapers, so.
Well, here we are,
complicating everything
and teen reactions
are so simple.
- How will this affect me?
- [scoffs]
- I'm not complaining.
- [chuckles]
[birds chirping]
[breathing deeply]
- Is it that stressful?
- I just...
I can't take another no.
I can't.
Karl, Jessica.
- Hi, Maya.
- Hi.
- Nice to see you again.
- Oh, so good to see you again.
I'm sure you want to hear
more about Gabby
- before you meet her...
- Oh, Gabby?
Gabrielle Sadler.
Born in a small village
in Portugal
to an American mother,
Jeanette Sadler.
When Gabby was less
than a year old,
her mother decided to marry
a local man
who didn't want children.
The marriage
was conditional on that.
Gabby's mother
chose that man over her.
She was in an orphanage
till she was five,
when Gabby's grandmother
discovered her existence
and sent for her.
The timing was good,
as her village
was still picking up
from an earthquake,
and the orphanage
was in bad shape.
Good Lord.
She's had nonstop bad luck.
I mean, at least
she was with family,
you know, a-a grandmother
who wanted her.
Well, soon after Gabby arrived,
the grandmother started having
dementia symptoms.
She's in a memory care unit
and Gabby's been
in foster homes ever since.
Okay.
[instrumental music]
[indistinct chatter]
What's that?
It's a drawing I made
for my new mother and father.
[chuckles]
So nice, Gabby.
But this family
already has a daughter,
so there would be four people.
[sighs] How old is she?
Two years of fostering,
and she just keeps getting
passed from one to another.
I hope if this works out,
it'll be her forever home.
[Jessica] Yeah.
Hi, Gabby. Hi.
We have been looking forward
to meeting you.
[soft music]
- Do you know who we are?
- Are you... the maybe people?
"Maybe people"?
Whenever I ask if you might
be my new mother and father
they say maybe.
Oh.
Would you like that, Gabby?
I want a real family,
not like the fosters.
Would you love me?
[sighs]
What is that?
[music continues]
Um... would you like
to be a part...
Would you like to be
part of our family?
Okay. Because I would
really love that.
We can start
making the arrangements.
Please do it. [Chuckles]
[door opens]
Okay, well, we had to sign
a ton of paperwork,
but here she is,
a very special person.
Hi, Gabby. I'm your
new sister, Rhiannon.
If you want,
you can call me Rhi.
- Hello.
- [Rhiannon chuckles]
- Did you eat?
- Uh, yeah.
- I had the leftover salmon.
- Okay.
Do you wanna see your room?
[sighs] I'm so glad you're here.
You get to take
some of the heat.
What heat?
Well, the thing is,
when you're my age,
you don't need your mom checking
in on you all the time.
But now she's got you
to occupy her,
so this is a dawn
of freedom for me.
What are you
telling her, Rhiannon?
Um, the same thing
I'm always telling you.
Mmm. See, that's
what I was afraid of.
[laughs] Okay, let's go.
[instrumental music]
There you go.
It's... nice.
Um...
Hello, Princess Gabby!
Welcome your royal subjects.
[music continues]
Hi, Mr. Lion.
[chuckles]
I'm tired.
Can I go to bed now?
Yeah. Oh, of course.
Of course, of course, of course.
[Jessica] Oh, here
are your things.
Okay.
Okay. We'll...
give you some time.
Okay.
[music continues]
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight, honey.
Goodnight.
- Is anything wrong?
- No.
I don't know.
I just...
[sighs]
I knew we weren't
getting a baby.
And I-I'm okay with that.
I am. I just...
I don't know, i-it feels
so different
than I thought it would.
I-I don't know.
I mean, Jess, you've
had that room ready
for a baby for three years now.
I know.
She's an eight-year-old girl
with her own personality.
I know.
That's all it is, right?
Yeah. I mean,
what else could it be?
I'm sure it's me. [Chuckles]
I think I've had a long day
and could use some rest.
[Jessica sighs]
- All right. Let's go to bed.
- [Karl chuckles]
[birds chirping]
Hi. Come on in.
Are you famous?
[chuckles] No, not yet.
Will they want me to do that?
Running? Sports?
No, you can do
whatever you want.
Here, take a seat.
Are there any games you like?
Um, grandma and I used
to play a card game.
- Yeah?
- It's only three cards.
It's not hard,
but it got hard for her.
What about games
you played with other kids?
Other kids don't play with me.
Here.
Okay, so this is
"Llamas in the Lake."
And the llamas all try to swim
to that island, see?
- Wanna try?
- Yeah.
[pensive music]
You'll be going to school
in a few days.
And you'll make friends then.
No, I won't.
Oh, wow.
Oh, my gosh.
You didn't have to do that.
I saw how tired
you looked last night.
Oh, sweetie.
Thank you.
Coffee, coffee, coffee.
Oh. Good morning.
- What?
- What's that?
- Oh, my bracelet?
- [Gabby] Yeah.
This... is a medical
alert bracelet.
It's 14 carat gold.
- What does it say?
- It says, "Latex allergy."
Those are odd words, hm?
An allergy is when
something makes you sick.
And the thing that makes me
sick is latex.
Latex is a specific
kind of rubber.
It's very romantic, Gabby.
- [laughs]
- [Jessica] It is actually.
[laughs] Dad got it for mom
when they got engaged.
He said it was so
he'd never lose her.
Never mind, sweetie.
The more important thing is,
what would you like
for breakfast?
- Uh, do you have caviar?
- [chuckles]
My mother used to give me that.
Oh, uh, oh,
your-your foster mother,
she used to give you caviar?
She's not my mother. My real
mother is a famous singer.
She'll come back for me someday
and I'll be a singer too.
Well, that's nice.
Um, we are out of caviar
at the moment.
But we do have cereal.
And then after breakfast,
I can help you get ready
and wash up.
I don't need help
getting washed.
There's a stool by the sink.
Yes, but I think that
we should do more than
a sink wash... today.
I know that you are
very capable,
but you just need help getting...
I don't need help.
[pensive music]
[knocking]
- Gabby.
- [Gabby] Yeah.
- I'm ready.
- Yes.
I, I wish that you wouldn't
have gotten dressed.
I came upstairs to
help you take a bath.
Oh, I washed.
I don't need a bath.
Okay, honey, we-we talked
about this in the kitchen.
Okay, we have rules
in this house
and we don't just
ignore each other.
And at some point, you're gonna
have to take a bath...
I said no.
[dramatic music]
Okay, fine.
No bath today.
Are you sure you wanna do this?
'Cause it could
be really boring.
- I wanna be with you.
- [chuckles]
All right, you can stay till
the open house starts then.
But couldn't we do
something else together?
Well, I'd love to,
but I have to work.
We could go to the movies.
I'm sorry, Gabby.
Work comes first, okay?
Hi. Elaine and Richard,
this is Gabby.
- Well, hello, young lady!
- Hi.
- And where do you come from?
- Monaco.
It's a city and a country.
Gabby is going to help me make
my famous
open house cookies today.
Yes, we heard they were
a hit at the last showing.
Oh, thank you.
It's actually the aroma
that's more important
than the cookies.
Which is why I am going
to bake them in your oven.
- Setting the mood.
- Exactly.
Well, we'll leave you
to it then.
Nice to meet you, Gabby.
- Yeah.
- We're gonna have fun.
Bye.
Okay, we're gonna do
dry ingredients first.
So, honey, why did you say
"Monaco" to Mr. Palmer?
He asked where I came from.
But you're not from Monaco,
so why would you
tell a fib like that?
[pensive music]
And this morning you said your
mother was a famous singer.
Those are nice dreams. Hmm.
Monaco's a very fancy place.
There's a prince and a princess.
Maybe you heard about
that in a movie.
Okay, but this is the thing.
No matter how nice dreams are,
we can't just say things
to people that aren't true.
How do you know?
[chuckles] How do I know what?
W-What's true?
[music continues]
[door opens]
Hang on. [Sighs]
- Elaine left her phone here.
- Oh.
Isn't it silly
that I had to come back?
Years ago, I wouldn't even care.
But now I feel like
they have to amputate
that thing from my hand.
[chuckles]
Little Gabby is quite
the eccentric, isn't she?
- Yeah.
- Monaco.
- Karl mentioned Portugal to me.
- Oh.
He knows that I worked out of
Lisbon for a couple of years.
He wondered if I knew
anything about her village.
I wouldn't have heard
of her place
except for the earthquake
a few years ago.
- Mm.
- Terrible.
The hospitals were full.
A lot of people
never found, you know.
It's a lot for a little girl
to take on.
It's not in any
of the usual places.
Could one of you call my number?
I don't...
[line ringing]
[phone ringing]
- Kitchen.
- Yes.
[phone ringing]
[grim music]
I'm helping.
Help, it felt more
like sabotage.
What, you mean like deliberate?
Well, I refused
to take her to a movie,
and then I told her
that I didn't believe her,
and it seemed like
this was payback.
And then we had
a fight this morning.
I offered to help her
take a bath,
and she insisted on just
washing up at the sink.
And for a minute, I thought
she was gonna attack me.
I mean...
Maybe she was abused
and that's why she won't
take her clothes off
in front of anyone.
That's a terrible thought.
Either way, she's obviously
not comfortable with it.
- I know.
- And she's really
just met you both.
If it were me,
I'd give her time.
Yeah. Yeah.
I just... I, I thought that
I would understand her better.
We were both born overseas,
you know,
she came from Portugal,
I came from Germany,
and we both had to adjust
as little kids.
But I just...
I don't get her.
There's a probationary period,
isn't there?
Yes, but Karl
and I agree on this.
You can't bring a child
into your home
and then dump her
where you got her.
You know, like she's the wrong
size shoe or something.
At least she'll be starting
school in a couple of days
- and be out of your hair.
- Thank God.
I did do a check on
the second grade teacher.
- Typical Jess.
- Oh, I know I have to.
And she's got
a great reputation.
She's a few years
from retirement,
and she is supposed to be just
really good with the kids.
So, it'll be good.
- You do you.
- Mm.
And whatever happens, remember,
we'll always have Chardonnay.
- We need it.
- Yeah.
[chuckles] I do.
[clears throat]
- I know you're awake.
- It wasn't a secret.
[soft music]
Are we in way over our heads?
I don't know.
Should we maybe get some help?
Like take her
to some kind of counselor?
[sighs] I don't know.
I mean, it's early.
She's still adjusting.
I mean, they could
offer advice at least.
- We don't have to take it.
- I know, I'm just...
I'm worried that sending her
to a therapist right now
that she'll see that
as a way of saying
something's wrong with her.
[music continues]
[sighs] We were so lucky
with Rhiannon.
[scoffs] Come on.
Oh, she had her moments.
Yeah, yeah, she did. [Laughs]
[laughs] You remember the time
she, she got on the wrong bus
- just to see what would happen?
- Oh, my God.
I aged like five years that day.
Oh, at least.
Okay, then let's,
let's rise to this occasion.
- You know.
- Yeah.
Maybe a few years from now
when Gabby's in college
we'll look back on today
and find it funny.
[chuckles]
[laughs] No, we won't.
- Probably not.
- [laughs]
Oh, you're cute
when you're wrong.
[music continues]
Oh...
[birds chirping]
[suspenseful music]
[exhales]
[gasps]
[Rhiannon breathing heavily]
- [Gabby] Rhiannon yelled at me.
- Yeah, 'cause she was shocked.
You know, she wasn't
expecting to find you there.
When someone's surprised like
that, it's, it's upsetting.
- Yeah.
- So it's okay she yelled at me?
No, no...
No, but she has
a right to her privacy.
Okay? Like, that room is hers,
just like this one is yours.
Hers is better than mine.
It's different.
[birds chirping]
I saw her runner pictures.
You looked proud of her.
Yeah, we are.
I can't run. Not like her.
[exhales] Well,
you know, you'll, um...
You'll find your
own things, you know.
Special things that mean
something to you.
Yeah.
We don't love Rhiannon
because she runs,
we love her because
she's Rhiannon.
Hey... do you like your room?
Because you have these toys
and y-you don't play with them.
Of course I like them.
So, Gabby's schooling has been
pretty patchy at best.
Um, she's moved around
a lot, right, Gabby?
And some of her fosters
home-schooled
when they bothered.
Well, don't you worry, Gabby.
We'll make sure you
are caught up
to the rest of
the second grade in no time.
Great. Okay. Have fun today.
[indistinct chatter]
Today we are going to add
a one digit number
to a two digit number.
Let's say Jan has 12 Pokemon
stickers and she gets two more.
[sighs]
- You're funny looking.
- You're a bitch.
When you left I cried
100 hours straight
- [Rhiannon] Hi.
- Hey, there. Just in time.
- How was practice? Ah!
- Still working on my form.
- That smells great.
- Right?
I'm starving!
[indistinct song]
[sizzling]
She's just watching
like a spy, mom.
- She's creepy.
- Okay.
Listen, I know you were upset
that she was in your room,
but think about this.
You have a place here,
okay? She's new.
And then she sees these
photos of you
doing things she'll never
be able to do.
And so I think, to her, it must
look like you have the world.
Maybe she was just lonely
and just a little bit jealous.
[song continues]
- Yeah, I guess it's possible.
- Yes.
All right. Take these over
and you two can get started.
- Here you go. Thank you.
- Yeah.
How's school going?
[birds chirping]
- Hey, Rhi, what's that bird?
- Oriole.
You know all the birds by name
because your grandma's
a bird watcher.
She and grandad
live out in the country.
We'll take you to visit one day.
- You will?
- Yeah. They're great.
I have a picture of gran
and granddad
framed on my dresser. I'll
show it to you. One second.
Will they be
my grandparents, too?
Yes, and when we visit,
we'll show you where the bear
looked at gran
through the window.
- A bear?
- A bear
who stole the bird feeder.
Oh, you're gonna hear
all the stories, Gabby.
Will they like me?
[Rhiannon screams] Mom!
[dramatic music]
Even my trophies.
She even took my trophies.
[music continues]
[chuckles]
Why is she here?
Why is she here?
Here's what you're gonna do.
You're gonna return everything
you took to Rhiannon.
- Apologize to her.
- No. I shouldn't have to!
She has enough things.
Okay, being part
of a forever family
doesn't mean things
are just handed to you.
Okay? It's about participating.
It-it's about being
respectful to one another.
And you can start
by taking off that sweater
and giving it back to her.
That's Rhiannon's sweater?
Are you sure?
- Yeah, it's cropped.
- I like this sweater.
Why can't I have it?
Because it doesn't
belong to you.
Okay. I'll knit you
another sweater.
Whatever color you want.
I like this.
Knit one for Rhiannon.
Okay, this is ridiculous.
Take off that sweater.
[pensive music]
Okay, you know what,
you need to go,
and you need to stay
in your room
and think about what you did.
Go.
Or I will pick you up
and I'll carry you there.
[screams]
- Well, that felt like a draw.
- Oh, my God.
[birds chirping]
[tense music]
[groaning]
[liquid pouring]
[birds chirping]
- You gonna be all right?
- Yeah.
It's just a sprain.
- Okay.
- I feel...
I feel like the thing
I told you at the hospital.
- You think I'm paranoid.
- [scoffs]
I just don't think that toy
was left there deliberately.
I mean, kids leave things
around all the time.
- So do a lot of adults.
- Yeah.
You know how we were wondering
if we can handle this girl?
What if she's thinking
the same thing about us?
Deciding if she doesn't like us?
If she doesn't like me
because I go up
and down those stairs
all the time
with that laundry basket.
She is a troubled kid.
[chuckles]
She's not a master criminal.
So what are you doing today?
Oh, I'm supposed to do
notes on the houses
that I've listed, but I don't
know how I'm gonna do that.
I can help.
[tense music]
I... Thank you, Gabby,
but you have to go
to school today.
- Do I have to?
- Yes. [Chuckles]
The eternal question.
All right, maybe I can help
when I get back tonight, okay?
Thank you.
- Have a good day.
- You too.
[birds chirping]
- [phone ringing]
- Okay, get ready for school.
I'll be right back.
Hey, Lani.
[Lani] I've barely started, and
I'm already having a bad day.
I say wine bar tonight.
Oh, believe me. But did I
tell you I sprained my wrist?
[Lani scoffs] So you can lift
the glass with your other hand.
[laughs]
Right.
I don't know. I...
[birds chirping]
What? Whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa, whoa.
[instrumental music]
Okay, this is weird, but I think
Gabby was using my computer.
Why would an eight-year-old girl
be looking up
adoption regulations?
[Bienenfeld] The dog is sad.
When Joanie and Sam come home,
Buddy plays with them.
Question one, why is Buddy sad?
Write your answers.
Gabby, you're not writing.
May I go to the bathroom,
Mrs. Bienenfeld?
Yes, y-you may.
[music continues]
[music continues]
[music continues]
Honey, Gabby's
missing from school.
What? How can she be missing?
- She's supposed to be in class.
- I know, I know.
She asked use the bathroom.
Nobody's seen her since.
They're searching
the school for her.
Let's go. Sorry.
[tense music]
We've been over every room once,
and so now we're going back
and checking every inch,
every cupboard, every...
[loud thud]
Um...
Gabby.
Gabby.
I was so worried about you.
- I'm sorry.
- Oh!
[instrumental music]
Did you take these things
from the teacher's lounge?
Mrs. Long, Mr. Long.
- I think we need to talk.
- Yeah, yeah.
Are you okay?
I'll be back. Let's go.
The teacher said
she's extremely bright
and must have had some
advanced home-schooling.
- Oh.
- So they're keeping her out
for a little while
while they test her
and figure out
where to re-grade her.
Does this mean you might
have a, a child genius?
[scoffs]
I don't know what we have.
I mean, being a child genius
wouldn't explain
her having her period
if she has it.
Did you confront her about that?
Yeah, she admitted
taking the tampons
from Rhiannon's room,
and claimed
that she didn't know
what they were.
- Don't buy it.
- Do you hear girls
are getting their period
younger these days.
Yes, fine. Sure,
but then why lie about it?
[music over stereo]
And, you know, she just...
She doesn't seem
like an eight-year-old.
[Jessica] She doesn't play
with little girl toys.
I thought maybe the braces were
an indication that she was older
but apparently kids as
young as seven can have them.
But, you know, adults
can too, so who knows?
Jess, why would she lie
about being a child?
Where's the reward?
Well, Karl and I
are supporting her
so she doesn't have
to work for a living.
She could probably squeeze
a college education out of us
and, you know,
who knows what else.
- How old do you think she is?
- I don't know.
But you said work for a living...
No, I-I know. I just...
[pensive music]
[exhales]
I have wondered
if she's an adult.
I know. That sounds incredible.
What does Karl think?
Karl thinks that
[Jessica] she was curious
about the tampons
and that she's extremely
bright for her age.
That part he likes. So I'm
pretty much on my own in this.
And I don't even know
what to make of her
looking up adoption
regulations on my laptop.
Well, maybe she's worried.
Wants to see how easy
it would be for you
to reverse the adoption.
Yeah, or she's wondering
what would happen to her
if something happened to us.
- What would happen to you?
- I don't know.
[tense music]
[doorbell rings]
- Hey, Derek.
- Hey.
Rhi's not ready yet.
So where are you two going
this afternoon?
Well, I'm trying
to get Rhi to go
to the science center
with me but
she always says the weather's
too nice to be indoors.
Well, your odds
aren't good today either.
Another beautiful Saturday.
Feel free to hang out,
I'm going back to work.
[instrumental music]
[birds chirping]
[music continues]
Hi. You must be Derek.
I'm Gabby, the new sister.
- Hello.
- Want a soda?
- Uh, I'm okay. Thanks.
- Okay.
So, are you going anywhere
interesting today?
I'm not sure.
You should go
to the science center.
- Really?
- Yeah.
They have an exhibit
on the space shuttle.
Are you interested in science?
I love it.
I love learning things.
- [chuckles]
- [cellphone vibrates]
[instrumental music]
Oh, no, I, I lost my earring!
I'll find it.
Oh, I found it.
I'd hate to lose
one of these things.
See how nice they are?
[music continues]
Hey, Rhi.
We should, we should get going.
When I get home, I want
those earrings back in my box.
Bye!
I know how it sounds,
but I'm not jealous.
I'm really not.
She's a liar and a thief.
And my parents are all just,
"Give her a chance.
She needs to learn
what a family is like."
Well, why do we
have to teach her?
[upbeat song over speakers]
Hey, you're not saying much.
Isn't there something wrong
about this whole thing?
What do you think?
Well, now that
you mention it, yeah.
- He misunderstood.
- He's not stupid, dad.
I'm not saying that, I'm...
I'm just saying
when you're a boy of 15,
you can sort of dwell
on the subject of sex
a little more than a girl
of 15 might realise.
You think he's seeing
something that's not there?
I think an eight-year-old
girl is not out
to steal anybody's boyfriend.
Who says that she is eight?
[birds chirping]
We both saw her
birth certificate.
Not just the American version,
the original Portugese one.
Okay, okay, so
she's a little girl
who is educated
beyond her years,
is stealing tampons and
has somehow convinced
a 15-year-old boy that she is
flirting with him.
- I'm...
- We need to talk to her.
No! I'm eight years
old. I'm eight.
Why do you want me
to lie to you?
Okay, Gabby. Honey, listen.
However old you are,
we're not gonna punish you.
- I'm eight, I'm eight!
- Okay. Gabby, calm down.
It's Rhiannon, isn't it? Talking
about me behind my back!
She doesn't want me here and she
doesn't wanna share anything.
I mean, you all go on about
family, but you don't mean it!
Okay, Gabby, honey,
just calm down, nobody's...
You're not what I wanted!
I wish I'd never come here!
[somber music]
Okay. Well, so much for
the "talking to her" method.
Well, maybe we need somebody
who's better at talking.
Well... [sighs]
I know you're not
sold on the idea,
but I think it's time
for a child therapist.
Do you really think a child
therapist is what we need here?
[Gabby] You're just gonna
tell them everything I say.
No, I'm not.
This is between me and you.
But I will talk to your parents
later about what I think.
Let's talk about
your time in America.
How did you like
living with your grandma?
- She was okay.
- [Li] Mm-hmm.
Until she got confused.
And before that?
In Portugal?
[instrumental music]
Can you tell me
about the earthquake?
It was dark. And then,
the earth started to shake.
Well, that must be pretty scary.
Yeah, it was.
I yelled and woke the dorm,
and helped
the little kids get out.
Oh, you're... You were pretty
little yourself, weren't you?
That was three years ago.
You were what, around five?
Yeah.
- So you got out?
- No. I was inside.
[Gabby] The ceiling
came down on me.
I couldn't move.
I thought it would be okay.
I thought someone would come.
Oh, they must have tried.
No! No one tried.
No one looked.
They left me all by myself
in the dark.
How long were you trapped?
- Three days.
- But they found you.
They found me by accident.
Can you tell me
about your new family?
Do you like 'em?
I don't like 'em
for bringing me here.
[chuckles]
Is there anything
you've done that
you feel bad about?
No. I do what I need to.
Well, she's had more than
her share of trauma.
I think she's at a crossroads.
You've heard of "la vie en rose"
seeing life through
rose-colored glasses?
Yes.
[Li] For Gabby
it's "la vie en noir."
She sees the world
as dark and dangerous.
So what does that mean for us?
Well, clearly, she's...
very bright for her age,
but... when someone's
in a dark place,
[Li] they may see enemies
where there are none.
And then they may take action
to protect themselves.
So what can we do?
You can show her
that she can rely on you.
[Li] That the world
isn't dark and dangerous.
But the world
is dark and dangerous.
And yet children
need to feel safe.
Yeah, we'll try.
- It'll take time.
- What if we don't have time?
Dr. Li, I...
we have another daughter
at home and...
Gabby a-at times
seems jealous,
even hostile toward her.
"Hostile" might be
going too far...
Okay, Karl, t-this is important
and we can't be blind to it.
Gabby just came into
our lives a few weeks ago.
And she's saying
that she is eight years old.
Her documents say she's eight.
But I have to say
given the way she behaves...
[sighs] I think
that she may be lying.
I think she may be lying about
that and, and other things.
I would have
to assess her further.
[Li] But...
if she were, in fact,
pretending to be
something she's not,
like manipulating you, or
taking advantage of your
emotional weak spots
it changes things.
We'd be talking
less about trauma,
and more about psychopathy.
"Psychopathy."
Does that mean
that she's dangerous?
[pensive music]
Potentially.
[whistle blowing on laptop]
[crowd cheering on laptop]
[ominous music]
- Drop 'em! What're you doing?
- [scissors clattering]
I was only
going to cut a flower!
Oh, yeah?
What are you a gardener now?
You wouldn't let me
keep the posters.
I wanted something
pretty for my room!
Stop it!
[dramatic music]
Come on.
No. No! No!
- Going off here, huh?
- Let me...
[Gabby] Put me down!
I... I just don't get it.
Why do I have to stay with Lani?
And why is Gabby
locked in her room?
She didn't... really
try to hurt me, did she?
We just think it's better for
you to spend a few days away
- while we settle some things.
- What things though?
- What is going on?
- Listen...
We don't feel that it's safe
to have Gabby living here.
Great.
We can't just drop a child
off on a doorstep.
So we have to make arrangements,
we have to get a hold of
the adoption agency,
and I don't know how long
that's going to take.
And keeping you safe is
the most important thing
- in our lives.
- Yes.
So you go to Lani's.
You understand?
- Yes, Daddy. I understand.
- [car honking]
Okay, she's here. Let's go.
[door opens]
[dog barking]
Hey.
Thank you for doing this
I really appreciate it.
You'll love it.
My condo is next to a bakery.
- Chocolate pastries from heaven.
- Yep.
- All right sweetie, love you.
- Okay, bye.
[instrumental music]
[footsteps receding]
I know this feels
like a terrible failure.
But you know, we can't
have Gabby stay here.
She was gonna be
part of our family.
I know. I know, sweetheart.
You know how much I wanted this?
It is killing me
to think that it...
It was just a dream.
- [car engine starts]
- [blows kiss]
- [chuckles]
- [phone rings]
Ah!
[music continues]
Hello?
Uh, yes.
It's Child Welfare.
[Jessica] Yeah, this is Jessica.
Gabby. I don't want you to worry
about anything you say.
You're not going to get
in trouble for talking with us,
and I don't want you to
worry about anyone else.
[birds chirping]
What is she telling them?
I mean she could say anything.
And they will
have to take her seriously.
Hell, even the truth looks bad,
locking her in her room.
I know.
- [phone ringing]
- I know.
Rhi? Everything okay?
[Rhiannon]
Yeah, all good here, um...
I'm just really confused
about what's going on there.
What do you, what do you mean?
Nothing's going on here.
Well, I'm... on the family page,
I'm online.
And I thought the adoption
agency said we weren't allowed
to post pictures of Gabby
to social media.
W-we're not.
Well, it's up there,
and there's this text with it
and it doesn't sound like
either of you guys.
"Our darling little girl.
She's been through an ordeal,
but that ends now
because we've welcomed
this lost angel into our arms."
Oh, my God, and then more
about how she's so sad and
how amazing we are.
This makes it look as if we
are trying to pass ourselves
as saints.
- Rhi, thanks, honey, uh...
- Oh, my God.
We're gonna try to get
to the bottom of this.
- [Karl] You stay safe.
- Yeah, this is...
Well, It's fine honey,
we've got this.
- [Jessica] We love you, okay?
- Love you guys.
- [Karl] Love you.
- I love you, honey.
[line disconnects]
I'm not sure how
many more levels
of bad we can reach today.
What do you think
this looks like?
Abusers that are using their
adopted child as publicity.
- I mean...
- Delete it.
Hopefully nobody seen it yet.
Well, it's got 89 smiley faces
and 12 comments.
[sighs]
She did this.
- She did this.
- What?
I don't know how she did it.
But she did it.
- But why?
- To hurt us, Karl!
I mean, it's the same reason
that she left
that toy on the stairs
where I walk up and down
every single day.
The same reason
she went after Rhiannon!
Jess, how?
Your laptop is logged off
when you're not using it. How...
I don't know, I don't know how.
I also don't know how
David Blaine catches a bullet
in his teeth, but he does it.
[birds chirping]
[Jessica sighs]
We finished for the time being.
But we'll be back.
Why? We've explained.
Yes, Mr. Long,
your explanations
have been accounted for.
Gabby backed you up.
[pensive music]
Okay, so, why isn't
this all over with, then?
When a child has bruises,
we take it very seriously.
[Charlotte] And they're not
always forthcoming
about how these things happen.
We'll be checking in again.
Thank you.
[door opens]
[door shuts]
[music continues]
This is exactly what she wants!
- It's blackmail!
- [Karl sighs]
She can testify to those people
and destroy our lives
any time we do something
she doesn't like.
And then, my, we, we're done.
Our reputations are gone, and
I don't just mean your project
because who wants to buy
a house from a child abuser.
I mean, who wants to be
friends with a child abuser?
Oh, what do we do?
[somber music]
I don't know. Do we move?
Do we change our names?
I mean, would that even work
because the Internet
just follows you everywhere?
If they thought
we were harming Gabby
would they want to remove
Rhiannon from our custody too?
- Oh, my God.
- [Karl] You're right.
It's not just my work,
we can literally lose
- everything that matters.
- Okay, okay.
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
We can't be the first people
that she's taken advantage of.
We need to drill down
into her past.
Jess, do-do you
know how this sounds?
Gabby backed our story
to Child Welfare!
Yes!
Yes! Because she
is a manipulator.
[Karl sighs]
Oh, my God, somebody
put up that story online.
Someone who's in our house
and had access
to the adoption folder.
What do you think?
Do you think Oliver did it?
Do you think Rhiannon did it
before she left the house?
Okay, I get it.
[pensive music]
It's possible.
Then let's please
defend ourselves.
She doesn't get many visitors.
I'm sure she'd like to hear
about her grand-daughter,
but the truth is, she may
not remember she has one.
- Okay.
- She prefers to be called June.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
[indistinct chatter]
June.
Oh, gosh, you're a knitter!
- I am too.
- Oh.
[chuckles]
Can I sit with you?
Hm. Yes, yes.
[birds chirping]
[soft music]
[June] Fighting.
We were always fighting.
Hmm.
[June] What were
we just talking about?
Your daughter. Janette,
who went to Portugal.
Well, she can't go
to Portugal. She's only seven.
So
you and your daughter,
you fought a lot?
Is that why she didn't
tell you that she had a baby?
Your grand daughter, Gabby.
[music continues]
The little girl!
The little girl
who'll always be little.
Yes! Yes, Gabby. Yeah.
Don't you just love purple?
Oh, I do. I do.
So...
Gabby...
She didn't look
anything like her.
They said she looked
just like her mother.
[music continues]
[Karl] I can't believe we're
sitting outside our own house
so we won't be overheard.
Okay, this is what I got
from the adoption agency.
The Ackers house.
Gabby's foster family.
Okay, what are you telling me?
So, the Foster Dad blamed Gabby.
But the insurance
blamed Foster Dad.
It seems he's a drinker,
and they think he fell asleep
with a lit cigarette.
The fire started in his bedroom.
Okay, if that were true,
why would he blame Gabby?
Well, they think i-it was,
because he was afraid
that he wouldn't get
the insurance payout,
if the fire was due
to his own negligence.
And no matter what, she comes
out smelling like a rose, right?
We-we can't be sure
that she was behind it.
There's no real evidence.
How many benefits of the doubt
are you gonna give this girl?
We don't even know who she is!
What does that even mean?
I...
The grandmother said
she doesn't looks
- anything like her mother.
- Okay.
So what proof do we have
that this is Gabby?
- A birth certificate.
- Yes!
Yes, a birth certificate
with an unbelievable age.
Aside from that
what else is there?
[sighs]
[pensive music]
There's not really
anything else.
[chuckles] There was
a disaster in her town, right?
Mm-hmm.
People went missing,
they were never found.
The authorities, they,
they were confused.
They, they were overwhelmed.
The grandmother sends for her.
How do we know
that it's really Gabby
that shows up
in the United States?
I mean, all that Grandma
needs to go on is
you know whatever
paperwork was sent to her
from Portugal at that time.
So, who's to say the girl
who shows up on the doorstep
isn't some much older girl
running a scam.
Because that's
a pretty nice life, right?
A soft landing
in the United States
with some generous
sweet old lady.
- It's a theory.
- Yeah.
It's a theory that would
explain pretty much everything.
Look, this girl's
been a psychopathic liar
from the beginning, and
she can do whatever she wants
without fear of consequences
because she has a piece of paper
that says she's eight years old.
I don't know, I...
Basing all of this
off of what a senile woman
happens to say...
Come on.
Fine. Okay. What if I'm right?
Then where's Gabby?
The real Gabby?
I mean is she...
Is she alive
somewhere in Portugal?
Or not alive?
[pensive music]
We can confront her.
I'll-I'll back you up in that.
Good. I think
we should do it today.
Because I really
want my life back.
- [door opens]
- [Jessica sighs]
- Hi.
- Hey.
- Where's Gabby?
- Uh, she's in her room.
When she got hungry
I ordered us some pizza.
But if you wanted
something healthier,
should've asked
someone else to babysit.
I haven't eaten all day.
I have a monster headache.
Yeah.
[sighs]
I just want a few minutes
before the fireworks
start with Gabby again.
Would you please give
me some Ibuprofen?
I think I left
the bottle in the den.
We're neck and neck with
stress these days, huh?
I know, honey. I know.
[instrumental music]
- [bottle clattering]
- Are you guys all right?
You seem a little jumpy?
Uh... No, we're, we're okay.
Mm-hmm.
- You okay?
- Oh!
[plate shatters]
[sighs]
Why wouldn't I be okay?
You've been acting
a little funny.
[chuckles] That's good.
That is good.
Yeah, that's a good
manipulation technique.
You blame the other person
for their reactions
to the things you are doing.
I'm not doing that.
What're you...
Oliver isn't completely
oblivious after all.
[grim music]
- Who are you? Really?
- What?
How did you get
Gabby's birth certificate?
Oh, come on, we know.
Oh, so you can just cut it out
with the "I'm
a little girl" routine.
You need to be honest with us.
- I'm going back to my room.
- No, no, no. No, no.
We're gonna
settle this right now...
[wheezing]
Help!
[choking]
[tense music]
Okay. Okay, okay, right.
Okay, okay. All right.
- [groans]
- [Karl] Okay, okay.
Breathe. Please breathe.
[Jessica gasping]
This is Karl Long
at 17 Highview Drive.
My wife just went
into anaphylactic shock.
I administered her epinephrine.
Yes, yes, thank you,
how long before they get here?
Thank you. Okay, look.
They're only a few minutes away.
Whoa, whoa, whoa
what the hell is going on?
Jess went
into anaphylactic shock.
- An ambulance is on the way.
- [Jessica breathing slowly]
[music continues]
The dish washing gloves,
I think they're...
- I think they're latex.
- What?
How.. How-how does that happen?
No, no, no, no, no.
You're going to your room.
Oliver, you stay here
and keep a watch on Gabby.
- I'm going to the ER with Jess.
- But th-this is crazy!
I told Jess
her suspicions were crazy,
and look where we are.
[crying]
The important thing is always
to get the epinephrine
injected intramuscularly
as soon as possible.
- And you managed that.
- Well...
We'd just like to keep
you under observation
for a little while longer.
[chuckles] Of course.
[indistinct chatter]
[sighs] Okay, so...
We have got
to figure something out.
Yeah, first thing we got to do
is get her out of our house.
Oh, my God.
I'll call the adoption agency
and I'll have them pick her up.
Or I can drive her to them.
But she's gone, okay? Tonight.
God!
How do you feel
about involving the police?
I mean, I'm not thrilled
with the idea.
Yeah, me neither. I mean,
what evidence have we got?
Oops, someone made
a mistake with the gloves.
I... N-no!
Those gloves were
placed there deliberately.
I know, but there's no way
to prove it wasn't accidental.
Yeah, you're right, she's always
got plausible deniability
on her side, doesn't she?
Honey, I'm sorry
I've been so hard to convince.
I should have taken
your worries more seriously.
- It's okay.
- Okay.
Just, we're in it together now.
Yeah.
I want to go home.
All right, I'll meet you there.
We'll have her stuff
packed in the car.
See you soon.
So I made it
very clear that, uh,
Gabby tried to harm
or even kill you.
I heard that part.
What was her reaction?
Uh, shocked but professional.
- I guess she's been seen a lot.
- Well...
Well, she said they don't
have the facilities
to deal with violent
criminal behavior. So...
I'm gonna drive Gabby
to a psychiatric hospital,
- where she'll meet us.
- Okay.
They'll evaluate her, and then I
guess the, uh, social workers
- will take it from there.
- Yeah.
Gabby will be back in the
system, just in a worse place.
- Oh, my God.
- Oh, hey.
Okay, don't be upset.
I took a taxi.
- Are you okay? What happened?
- Yes.
Lani told me
you were in the hospital.
Is there nothing Lani
refuses to share?
Okay, she was upset.
I kept at her.
Listen, I had an allergic
reaction but I'm fine.
How could you have a reaction?
You never go near latex.
- [sighs]
- Oh, my God.
Does this have to do with Gabby?
I'm gonna drive
you back to Lani's.
- Wait, wait.
- No.
Is that still necessary?
I mean...
Your mother and I have
a lot to talk to you about.
- Yeah.
- Let's go.
Ah, she's in her room
and I haven't heard a peep.
Okay, you two, pack her bag,
I'll make sure
that she takes a bath
and is ready to go.
Is that necessary?
Well, I don't want anyone
saying we neglected her.
And I'm not sure she's doing
a good job of washing herself.
Rhi, I want you to
stay in your room, honey.
Okay.
[knocking on door]
- Gabby?
- [Gabby] Yeah?
[tense music]
[door opens]
I-I need you to
come with me, Gabby.
Where?
We're gonna see Mrs. Savage,
from the adoption agency.
And you're going
to be spending the night.
So, you need to
take a bath
and get some things together.
Why? Where am I going?
Back to my last foster family?
You're going to a place
where people can help you.
Is this like that therapist
I had to talk to?
No. I know the kind
of place you mean.
Where they lock people up.
I won't go!
Let's go pack her things.
[music continues]
[water trickling]
I know you don't want
to take a bath,
but I'm just going to help you
get in and out of the tub.
I'll leave you with the soap.
I'm not gonna look at you.
[grim music]
But I know
you're not a little girl.
Okay, so, let's not pretend.
- I'm 15.
- Are you?
I mean, you tell so many lies
it's hard to keep track, right?
Are you 15? Are you 18? You 20?
- I only lied about my age!
- [Jessica] No.
No. How about your famous
mother, the singer?
- And your life in Monaco?
- So I talked big, okay?
I knew you knew that was crap.
Okay, I embarrassed myself
because I just wanted
you to like me.
[Jessica chuckles]
[music continues]
You're good.
Such a good manipulator.
You don't want to go away,
so now you're giving me
a half confession.
It's not gonna work this time.
You will be sorry!
You
will take a bath.
I'm gonna go get the towels.
[music continues]
[tense music]
[drawer shuts]
Oh, God!
Have you seen Gabby? She really
doesn't want to take a bath.
Maybe it's not worth
pushing her, Jess.
- Let's just move on...
- [alarm blaring]
Oh, my God.
She went out the back.
- Gabby!
- Gabby!
Gabby!
- Gabby!
- Here, sweetie?
[alarm blaring]
Come on, sweetie, it's okay.
Gabby!
Gabby!
We want to help you, Gabby!
[car whirring]
[tense music]
[insects chirping]
[rustling]
[officer] I know it's upsetting,
but we find most runaways
around here in 24 hours.
We'll make sure the photo
is widely distributed.
- Okay. Thank you so much.
- Thank you.
[insects chirping]
[Jessica sighs]
[door shuts]
- How're you doin'?
- You know...
I know Gabby's just a kid, but
I didn't like the way she said
- we'd be sorry.
- She's not a kid.
And I am really grateful
that the police are involved.
[Karl sighs]
[faint thud]
[faint thudding]
Oh. Oh.
- What's the matter?
- Did you hear that?
I don't, I don't hear anything.
It was, it was
kind of a thumping.
Oh, God.
We have mice. I can't
deal with them tonight.
[faint thumping]
Oh, Karl, honey, please,
it's been such a crappy week
and I just...
I feel better when
you're next to me.
Please.
Come on.
I'm just gonna
look around a little.
Okay. I mean...
It'll be morning
before you know it.
[faint thumping]
[switch clicks]
[door opens]
- [faint thumping]
- [muffled screaming]
[wind whistling]
Um, honey,
I think I found the culprit.
I-I can't hear it if you talk.
What culprit?
[Jessica chuckles]
There it is.
That's not what I heard.
[faint thumping]
[wind whistling]
[switch clicks]
[muffled screaming]
[door opens]
[thumping]
[muffled screaming]
How? Oh!
Oh, God. Oh, my God.
Oh, God, are you okay?
Go-go get a knife, we have
to cut these off her.
Are you okay? Are you...
- Oh, come on.
- Help!
You're not getting away.
- [muffled screaming]
- Stop it. Stop!
[shushing] Stop it.
- What are you doing?
- Stop it!
She was gonna kill me.
No, don't. Don't cut her loose.
Please don't.
- Did you put her in here?
- I had to.
Because you, you don't see
anything it's not your fault,
I don't blame you.
Did you believe it,
now she's crying.
[Jessica crying]
You can see she's not so...
- You were suffocating her.
- I wasn't suffocating her...
If I hadn't come...
I just need her
to stop saying things
about me that aren't true.
You mean, like you tying her up?
She tried to poison me, Karl.
Does that not matter
that she tried to murder me?
You're defending her?
[tense music]
Did she, Jess? Where did
she get the gloves?
Did she drive into town
an-an-an-and go shopping?
She is very resourceful.
I think she had someone from
school get those gloves for her.
She hasn't been to school
in two weeks.
They're still working out
what grade she should be in.
Why do I still do this?
Jess, if I checked
the grocery receipts
would gloves be on
your last one?
[dramatic music]
[crying]
I need you to listen to me.
Oh, my God.
[crying] I needed you
to take me seriously!
Oh, my God, Jess.
Please don't untie her.
Please.
She's gonna kill me.
Mom?
[music continues]
[breathing heavily]
She's gonna kill me.
[door opens]
[Jessica sniffles]
[somber music]
[crying]
[door shuts]
I can't believe it.
You're so naive.
I, I'm the one to
protect my family.
I am the one
to protect all of us.
I make sure there's no
processed foods in the house,
I'm the one who makes sure
that the teachers are okay,
I'm the one who checks the air
advisories every single day.
What do you do?
You don't even know.
Please don't.
Please don't choose
that girl over me.
I'm not.
Please don't do this, Karl.
[music continues]
She wants to get me.
[sniffles]
[groans]
Please don't make me go.
Please.
[sniffles] Okay.
Don't touch me.
Don't touch me.
[birds chirping]
[music continues]
[Jessica crying]
[sniffles]
[doors shuts]
[engine starts]
[music continues]
[birds chirping]
[Dr. Jacks] Persecutory
Delusional Disorder.
It's not surprising
that you didn't spot it,
because outside their
particular delusions,
such patients
are fully rational.
I keep feeling like
I should have known.
The brain plays a trick
on these people.
She didn't see Gabby
as a harmless child,
she saw her as an enemy
hiding in plain sight.
Your wife really thought
she was defending herself.
And her family.
I know you've only
just seen her, but
can she be helped?
These conditions
can be a challenging.
Behavioral therapy may work.
But it depends on how willing
she is to accept treatments.
Right now, she's not
willing at all. She...
- She doesn't trust you. Or me.
- That's the problem, isn't it?
Unless she's willing
to bring herself
to trust our good faith,
she'll actively work
against getting better.
You're not making me
feel better, Doctor.
I don't want to mislead you,
but you should know
that we have treated people
with similar conditions,
and they've found
their way home again.
[somber music]
Okay.
[both chuckle]
[comical music over laptop]
Is she all right?
[Karl sighs]
Your mother has an illness.
It can, uh...
It's something
that can make people see
enemies who aren't really there.
No one would choose to-to-to
be sick this way. It's...
It's a bad thing
that happens to them.
Will she get better?
The doctors are gonna
keep her and try to
find the right
treatment for her.
[Karl] It may take a while.
How long?
[somber music]
They don't know.
Gabby
why'd you lie about your age?
At the orphanage
they always told me,
the little kids get taken home.
Nobody wants the older ones.
So when Grandma sent for me,
I asked a kid I knew
to change my birth certificate.
His brother used to make IDs
for getting into clubs
in the city.
Grandma didn't know any better.
[Gabby] All she'd heard was that
my mother had a child
in an orphanage somewhere.
She didn't know how old
I was or where I was.
[music continues]
I think she wrote to
every orphanage in the country.
I thought, this is my chance.
She'll love me if I'm young.
She'll keep me.
And what about taking
Rhiannon's things?
Dad, I'm not mad about that now.
I know, I'm just...
I'm just trying to understand.
You love her so much. I...
I thought,
if I were just like her
and had the things
she had and
liked the things she liked
[Gabby] you know,
really sisters, you know
you might, might
might love me.
[music continues]
[sighs]
Gabby.
You want to leave?
I won't blame you.
And we were so sure
of ourselves, weren't we?
And instead of helping,
we were just
one more thing
you had to go through.
Are you be willing
to give us another chance?
[Karl] I know it's asking
a lot, and then
the agency might not
want to allow it...
[music continues]
[Rhiannon chuckles]
I'll take that as a yes.
Then we will fight like
hell to keep you, okay?
[sniffles]
[birds chirping]
[indistinct chatter]
Detective stories.
[instrumental music]
Won't you look at me?
What's the point?
[crying] I tried
to hurt a little girl.
I mean I don't know
what I would have done
if you hadn't... [sighs]
What I did was unforgivable.
And I can't undo that.
It was the illness, Jess.
It wasn't you.
No, it had to be me because
nobody else made me do it.
[music continues]
Rhiannon misses you.
She came second
in the 800-meter!
[Jessica chuckles]
Gabby and I
were cheering her on.
Look, I won't say Gabby's been
all smooth sailing
we've had our arguments.
[Karl] I don't think she's
ever gonna be an easy kid.
And the agency
is monitoring our every move.
Well, I mean... [chuckles]
But she's really
settling in, Jess.
She's learning to knit.
[music continues]
- [Jessica] What?
- [Karl chuckles]
From watching videos online.
She made some awful potholders.
But then she made this.
I thought it was a scarf,
but she said it's a shawl.
- [Jessica chuckles]
- For if you get cold.
You said nothing you did
was forgivable, but, uh,
for a kid
who's never had a mother,
[Karl] she might have
a different point of view.
Look, I, I know
I can't even understand
how tough this is for you.
But don't give up on us.
Keep working.
Okay, we all want you home.
[Jessica] I want to come home.
- [Jessica] I really do.
- I know.
[Jessica sniffles]
- So Gabby is really...
- She's an amazing kid, Jess.
[chuckles]
She's wanted
a family for so long.
You should see
how well she's doing.
[instrumental music]
[Karl] And I think...
I think she finally feels safe.
[Rhiannon] Gabby! Have you
seen my gold hair clip?
- Sorry! Where did you leave it?
- [Rhiannon] I don't know!
I can't find
my cherry lipstick either.
I just keep losing things!
[music continues]