The Right Mom (2021) Movie Script

1
[instrumental music]
[instrumental music]
[Mingo] What did you do?
What did you do, Billy?
Billy, look at me.
Why did you do this?
-[Mingo] Why did you do this?
-[Rachel] I'm calling the cops!
-[Rachel] Get away from us!
-[Mingo] Get back here, Rachel!
Get back here! Rachel!
-[Mingo] Rachel, get back here!
-[panting]
[intense music]
[pounding on door]
[Mingo] Open the door!
Rachel, open the door now!
Open the damn door!
Help. I need help.
[man on PA] Dr. Yoder.
Dr. Stanley Yoder,
please call Emergency.
Mr. and Mrs. Chandler, thank you
so much for taking the time
to learn more about emergency
care at Children's Hospital
and for your interest
in the new helipad
so that injured patients can be
brought in safely and swiftly.
[woman on PA] Dr. Wilcox,
return to Emergency.
Dr. Wilcox, incoming medevac.
[stretcher rattling]
Dr. McCullen, Surgery, please.
Dr. McCullen.
[door opens, shuts]
You know what,
let's keep moving.
Um, the doctor
should take care of it.
Honey, did you see that?
That was so scary.
Like I said, this is why
it's important for us
to have the helipad, so patients
like that have a chance.
So, did the Chandlers pull out
their checkbooks?
Well, if they don't make
a donation
after what we saw today,
I don't think they ever will,
no matter how many pretty
pictures you draw for them.
Hey. You hold it right there,
missy.
I do not draw pretty pictures.
I create art that inspires
feelings and emotions.
-Wow!
-It's called passion.
Well, they got a dose
of real feelings
in the emergency room today,
so we shall see.
Fingers crossed.
[cell phone beeps]
[sighs]
Margaret wants to see me.
-[sighs] How lovely.
-[chuckles]
-Good luck.
-Thanks. I need it.
[Margaret] Okay, come on,
just do it. Come in!
They just air-lifted a kid in.
-I know. I was there.
-How did the Chandlers take it?
-I think it shook them.
-Good.
Then they'll be ready
when we make the ask. Sit.
So I just got all the info
on the little boy
from Ellen Graham
in Social Work.
-Child abuse case.
-Child abuse?
Yes. And we're gonna use this
as an opportunity.
I want you to write a story
for the annual report on abuse
centered around this little boy.
You know, how the hospital
steps in, saves kids
when their own parents
do them harm.
It's gonna bring in a lotta
bucks and it's gonna be
a great break-out story for you.
-Was it a parent?
-Stepfather.
[monitor beeping]
All right, we're gonna
take this jacket off.
[telephone ringing]
Well, well, well,
I see you made it
through the Margaret meeting
unscathed.
Yup.
She scares me.
Well, that's 'cause
you're new here.
She'll grow on you.
Well, at least
I think she will.
She wants me to do a story
on child abuse,
says it could be my break-out
story, whatever that means.
Well, maybe there's
something there you can use
in your creative writing class.
Yeah, child abuse?
It's a great topic.
Well, look at it this way.
If it's uncomfortable,
that means it's challenging
and an opportunity to grow.
And if you're scared,
all the more reason to do it.
-Okay, Gandhi.
-I'm gonna go outside.
And, uh, draw these, uh,
pretty little pictures.
-You do that.
-I will.
-Bye.
-Bye.
-[line ringing]
-[door shuts]
Hey, do you have a direct number
to Ellen Graham at Social Work?
[woman on PA]
David, telephone, please.
Jenny? Hi. Ellen Graham.
-Nice to meet you.
-Nice to meet you.
I'm sorry, I thought they would
have transferred the patient
from the ER by now,
but, unfortunately,
he's not a candidate
for surgery
because he's currently comatose
and his chances of survival
are extremely bleak.
You okay?
I, um, just don't get up to the
floors much, especially the ICU.
Yeah. It's not
for the faint of heart.
-Pediatrics, please.
-I'll be fine.
So Margaret
really wants this story.
She can't remember the last time
we did something on abuse,
and it's important
that we write about it.
Oh, it is, Billy is just
one of the many abused
children out there
without a voice,
so let's give him one.
Yeah.
Oh, I'm sorry. Excuse me.
Okay.
Hey! You never come up here.
Guess it's my lucky day.
-What's up?
-I'm writing a story on Billy.
Billy?
That little, little boy
in there.
Billy. Right.
Are we still on for dinner?
Yeah.
Okay, then.
Jenny, can you come in here?
I'd like you to meet
Billy's primary care nurse.
Yeah.
[Ellen]
Beth, this is Jenny Carlyle.
She's from Community Relations.
Jenny, I think you should
include people like Beth
in your story, the caregivers
on the front line.
And Beth is one of the best.
Do we have a prognosis?
We'll know more in a few days.
At this point
it's a waiting game.
What are you writing about?
Um, it's centered around the
importance of getting these kids
into medical care quickly.
If it weren't for the medevac,
he could have died.
[Ellen] Let's just hope
it was quick enough for Billy.
[instrumental music]
[indistinct chatter]
I'm sorry I'm late. So...
You were up in the ICU earlier
today for the child abuse case.
Yeah. Billy.
I'm writing a story about him.
Oh, that's great. A real story.
Not another one of those
about, uh,
grandmas knitting bonnets
for newborns.
It wasn't grandmas. And that is
not all I write about.
You know what I mean,
'cause people are more likely
to read a story
about an abuse case.
It's hardcore, real-life.
Who knows, maybe a publisher
might read it,
offer you a better job.
Well, I like my job.
Plus, I get to see you
all the time.
-[chuckles]
-How was your day?
Oh, well, had to teach a new
resident how to stitch up a cut
on a screaming kid. Sad.
How do they not teach you
this stuff in medical school?
How do you do it every day?
Seeing kids in pain
all the time.
It's the job.
It is hard,
but you get used to it.
Uh, for example, earlier today
I had a nine-year-old
that was stroking out.
It's very hard to see
that happening with a kid.
But I just had to stay focused
on the situation
and not get emotional.
Is he okay?
Uh, didn't make it.
Oh! Look, they have
2000 Chateau Petrus.
Let's order that.
You know what? I, um,
I need to use the bathroom.
And I'm in the mood for a white.
[sighs]
-To the best writer I know.
-I am the only writer you know.
Jenny, you don't want
a boring white.
You want this Chateau Petrus
because it's bold and complex,
just like you.
Are you saying I'm complicated?
-Okay. It's really good.
-Only the best for my best.
-[glasses clinking]
-Bon appetit.
[Jenny] Here at Children's
Hospital we care deeply
about the well-being
of innocent children
who get caught in the
crossfires of domestic abuse,
especially with stories
like Billy's.
By dedicating premier
facilities and resources
like the helipad,
we can ensure quick access
to critical treatment
that can save more young lives.
Jenny, this is too stale.
-It's impersonal.
-It's based on facts.
Well, we need
more than facts, okay?
We need heart, we need purpose,
we need to provoke
a tsunami-like wave of empathy.
Okay, do you want me
to start over?
No, we, we have
something better in mind.
What? What is it?
A new perspective.
Yes, it's called
the Auntie program,
where the auntie serves
as the surrogate parent
without any legal authority.
You would sit and read
and you'd be there
for any painful medical
procedures, that kind of thing.
I know all about it.
I did a story on it last year.
Oh, well, then that's great
because Billy needs an auntie.
And Margaret thinks
it should be you.
Um, that's insane. Why?
Because that way you can tell
Billy's story
from the inside out.
Of course,
we'll change the details
so we have to, to protect his
privacy, but think about it,
you could tell an abuse story,
but with a whole new
fresh, unique perspective.
And I'll-I'll give you time off
to cover your auntie hours.
Okay. Is this even ethical?
I mean, it feels like
we're using this little boy
purely
for the sake of this story.
Jenny, it's important.
We need to get media coverage
to get the helipad,
we need those big donations
pouring in.
This is gonna help save
a lot of other kids, right?
-Yes. Yes, I agree.
-It's the right thing to do.
Okay, now you already have
your security clearance.
This is one issue from last year
when you did the auntie story,
so you're good to go.
And, Jenny, give me your best.
-Okay? I'm counting on you.
-Okay.
Are you sure you're up for this?
Well, it does not look like
I have a choice.
And I need to write
this article.
It's five hours a week,
rain or shine.
Yeah. Margaret said
she'd give me the time off.
Sure, but she'll forget
about that
when you're on a big deadline.
Or some big donor comes
and needs a visiting,
you have to take him
on a long tour.
You're going to have
to see him struggle
the way a young child should
never, ever have to struggle.
Sometimes they never wake up.
You could be standing
next to that bed
for months. Maybe a year.
There may come a time when
someone has to make a decision
about letting him go,
and you are
the only non-medical person
spending time with Billy.
The only one
not poking and prodding him.
He's basically asleep.
What could he need?
Someone who truly gives a damn.
I don't care about your story.
What I care about
is your commitment to Billy.
Come hell or high water,
he needs that.
Do you understand me?
Yeah.
[Beth] Pay attention
to his heart rate.
Notice it goes down when you
hold his hand or talk to him.
He needs you to do both.
Talking is important.
But touch is really
the essential ingredient.
Thought I would
just sit with him.
-Read him a story or two.
-Oh, no.
Touch is essential
for children to heal.
Is there a problem?
-No.
-Okay, great.
[monitor beeping]
[vocalization]
Hi, Billy. I'm Jenny.
I'm going to be your auntie.
At Hanover House we are not here
to merely give you criticism
on your writing.
We're here to be your guides,
you know, to help you
tap in to your
unconscious creativity.
A-and many of you, even if
you've been writing for a while,
have probably never come close
to diving into the reservoir
of all that lies within you.
On that note, I do have your
grades from last week's paper.
-You hate it.
-I think you could do better.
Okay.
I think the issue
is not so much your writing
as your depth
of experience. I mean...
What I'm sensing is that
you've never really had, uh...
How do I say this? Put yourself
on the line for anything.
You know, Hemingway went to war.
You know,
Virginia Woolf laid bare
the entire workings
of her psyche.
Yeah, and then
they killed themselves.
[scoffs] You need to go deeper.
You know, find something
you truly care about,
what scares you.
Write about that.
"I'm not here
to give you criticism.
I'm here to be your guide to
your creative unconsciousness."
He told you to go deeper, right?
He means go darker.
And he hates anything
that's the least bit funny.
And I thought
yours was super funny.
-Sallie Peterson.
-Jenny Carlyle.
Good to meet you.
You actually read my piece?
Well, yeah, I thought
that's why we had to make
a half a dozen copies, so
everybody could give feedback.
Yeah, but nobody actually does.
No, I do.
And yours was the best.
Don't let him make you think
any differently.
Well, now I feel like a jerk
for not reading yours.
-No. Don't worry about it.
-What was it about?
A satire
comparing our world leaders
to the expiring produce aisle.
-Wow.
-Yeah.
Well, now I'm definitely
gonna read it.
I bet you will,
and you're gonna enjoy it.
[chuckles]
[telephone ringing]
-Coffee break?
-I can't.
Margaret wants me to take
some pictures up on the ICU.
So you're really signed up to be
that little boy's auntie, huh?
-Yeah.
-What is it?
Here I am,
working at a Children's Hospital
and I am terrified of sick kids.
Well, yeah, I mean,
nobody likes to see sick kids.
It's more than that.
[Margaret] Are you still here?
-I'm leaving right now.
-Okay.
And, Ray?
Don't I need to have those
visuals of the helipad, ASAP?
This isn't my desk.
Oh, my God, I'm so confused.
Yes, Margaret,
I'm on it right away.
[instrumental music]
-[camera clicks]
-[monitor beeping]
[door shuts]
Ahem. This is good, this one.
That's what we should use.
His identity is covered
by all those bandages,
can't tell what kid it is, so...
Yeah.
Hey. Try not to get sucked in.
You got to keep your emotions
in check with these kids.
Especially with this one, right?
Keep a professional distance.
-I could do that.
-Good.
'Cause if you can't,
I'm gonna have to assign this
to someone who can.
[laptop keys clacking]
-Is this Billy?
-Yeah.
Poor kid.
How you doin'?
As good as I can be.
I just wanna let you know, I
think you're doing a good thing.
Brave.
Nobody else...
would do what you're doing.
-Thanks.
-He deserves that.
[monitor beeping]
So this is all new for me.
I got you this stuffed animal.
Do you wanna name him?
How about Billy Bobcat?
And every time I pet him...
he's gonna help you feel better.
Hey.
Oh. Sorry, didn't mean
to scare you like that.
But, uh, your boyfriend
keeps calling the office,
and I guess
your phone's turned off.
And he's trying to cancel
your date tonight.
I was the only one there,
so I kinda had to deal with it.
Okay.
What do you even see in him?
-What?
-John Dupont Wilcox III.
Um, it's
the richest family around
and they, they don't let
anybody forget about it.
Okay, first of all,
you don't know him.
And second of all, it's none
of your business, is it?
Yeah. No, hey, you're right.
It's not.
-See ya.
-Yeah, see ya.
[dramatic music]
[monitor beeping]
[camera clicking]
How'd they steal your pictures?
-Um, those are not my photos.
-[scoffs]
They even got the dad in here,
"The Face of Child Abuse."
You know, they should have
the headline over his picture.
-He's the face of child abuse.
-So we know where the mom is?
No, no one knows. Poor thing.
You know what happens to
the women in these situations.
You know what it was,
some tabloid sleaze
came in here
and took these pictures.
[gasps]
We're gonna use that
to our advantage.
Try this, not only did Billy
get beaten up by the stepdad,
but then some creepy
tabloid photographer
takes his pictures and
sells them to the press. Huh?
People are gonna be doubly mad.
Bet you we got checks
in the mail by morning.
[dramatic music]
[humming]
That's pretty.
You never sing like that for me.
How's the auntie thing going?
You know,
it's not what I expected.
Every second I'm not with him,
all I think about
is him waking up.
Well, his numbers
have drastically improved
from the ones on the chart.
Oh, that's great.
Jenny, don't get too close.
It's nice what you're doing,
but this...
There's no guarantee
there's gonna be a happy ending.
Just gotta give you that reality
check every once in a while.
Just don't over-extend yourself
with this kid.
You gotta take care
of yourself first.
I know that I can't
effectively save lives
if I don't have that boundary.
And look, yeah,
it's, it's a,
it's a hard lesson
I've learned over the years,
but it's important.
I'll call you later.
Here we have a six-year-old
airlifted one week ago
from Cedar County.
Multiple contusions, twisting
fracture of the humerus,
concussion, some brain tissue
continuing to push through
the cranial sinus.
Comatose since admission.
So who thinks these injuries
might be from a car accident?
If you raised your hand,
you are wrong.
And if you'd been paying
attention, you would know that.
[groans] That hurts, doesn't it?
The twisting fracture of
the humerus is a clear giveaway.
Jack, can I talk to you?
Just take notes.
Billy's improving,
and I feel like having
all these people here
might stress him out.
[woman on PA] Dr. Baker,
Pediatrics, please. Dr. Baker.
You're telling me what to do
in front of my residents?
You have no authority
to tell me
what to do in this hospital.
I have a job, a responsibility.
I can't play favorites
for these rounds simply
for your attachment to this kid.
Look, your story
might be important.
I mean, you're writing
about saving lives,
but we're the ones
actually doing it.
-Gentlemen, as I was saying...
-Jerk.
You okay?
These doctors and nurses
and residents,
they're so... clinical.
So detached from everything.
Well, yeah, I mean,
they have to be.
You must be talking
about your boyfriend.
Yeah, the bona fide
Ice King himself, yeah.
-[knocking on door]
-Hm, speak of the devil.
Hey.
I'm really sorry about today.
I, I acted like a total jerk.
Yes, you did.
Listen, I know
you see a case study,
but I see a little boy who could
possibly have a future.
I know. I know.
And I, I see both now.
You know, the most egregious
part of what I did was
ignoring the fact
that he's growing on you.
Please forgive me.
Hey, buddy. Tell her to give me
another chance.
Sorry, buddy.
But I think
that's up to the lady.
Sorry. Can't help you.
Let me make it up to you,
I made reservations
at the Hollenbeck Resort.
We can ride horses,
we can sit in the hot springs,
we can drink champagne.
What do you say?
I will do nothing
but say I'm sorry
if that's what I need to do.
All you need to do...
show these kids that you care.
Simple.
You got it.
-Promise.
-[cell phone vibrates]
-We good?
-Can we finish this later?
Yeah, sure. A secret rendezvous.
Courtyard, 3 p.m.
Okay.
Well, Margaret isn't fond
of her people dating the docs.
Yeah. I know.
You know, we've been keeping it
really quiet,
but I guess she'll know now.
-Can I ask you a question?
-Sure.
How do you keep yourself
from getting attached?
Oh. You're asking
the wrong person.
I feel it every time
one of these kids is discharged.
And it doesn't get any easier.
You just have to learn
to deal with it.
Have you heard from the mother?
And has she checked on Billy?
Um...
As far as I know, she hasn't.
But that doesn't mean
she's not getting updates
from his attending physicians
like your friend Dr. Wilcox.
But is she okay? Was she hurt?
I mean, last I heard,
no one knows where she is.
And when Billy gets better, we
have to put him somewhere safe.
Somewhere safe,
as in foster care?
Sometimes that could be worse.
And besides, I don't think
they will even consider that
in this case.
We don't know the truth
of what happened.
And the only one who does
is in a coma.
I need to know the truth, Ellen.
So please help me out here.
I'm sorry, Jenny. I can't.
To be honest, I can't be
talking to you about his mother
to this extent, we'll just have
to wait and see what happens.
I know it's hard.
Just be the best auntie
you can be.
[Billy groans]
Billy, honey?
Did you say something?
One cream, one sugar.
Just the way you like it.
-Thanks.
-Get it while it's hot.
What you up to?
I am going to find his mother.
Where'd you get all that?
I broke into Ellen's
file cabinet.
Look, his mother needs to know
what's happening to her baby.
She's probably
hidden away somewhere
'cause of what happened
with the stepfather.
If I was her,
it'd kill me not to know.
What if you don't like
what you find out?
It doesn't matter
if I like it or not.
It's the only lead I have
to help him.
Every child deserves a chance.
You know, a real shot at life.
I gotta go. I'll see you later.
Hey. I had a few minutes
before my next donor tour.
I was sure I heard him
make a sound earlier.
-What kind of sound?
-Oh.
Nothing to be worried about.
We're looking for signs
that he's coming
out of his coma.
Making a sound or shifting
in his bed, stuff like that.
Unfortunately,
nothing has changed.
Except for his heart rate.
It started coming down
the minute you walked in.
I think he knows you're here.
This could mean he's starting
to become aware of things.
[Jenny] You can do it, Billy.
I believe in you.
[line ringing]
[Rachel on voicemail] Hi! You've
reached the Mingo household.
We're not in right now,
but we'll get back to you
as soon as we can. Thanks.
Sorry, sorry, Dr. Houser
was on this, this spiel
about kids and kidney disease,
and I told--
I don't think
we should do this anymore.
Is it because I, I can't be
as soft as you want me to be?
I told you, I-I can't be
emotional with these kids.
It's not about being emotional.
It's about having empathy,
compassion.
I mean, don't you remember
what got you in this field
in the first place? You wanted
to help these kids.
And now they die,
and you go to dinner
and order a bottle of wine.
I can't justify
being with someone
who constantly has this wall up.
This auntie thing
has really changed you.
Maybe it has.
Take care of yourself.
I have to go.
[Jenny] People talk about
their younger years,
playing with the kids
next door,
ice cream with your parents.
Sitting with Billy,
wrapped in bandages,
attached to beeping machines,
I daydream about
a life like that for him...
and wonder about his dreams.
Has he escaped
into his favorite adventure?
Is he sailing the high seas
as we all wait anxiously
for his recovery?
And what tears my heart
is the uncertainty
of how long he'll be here...
in this reality that no child
should ever experience.
What's that?
It's the new helipad. I mean...
I mean, it doesn't even
look like it.
I think it looks great.
Or not.
Hey, I was wondering
if you would read
a short story I wrote on Billy.
It's just about all my thoughts
on what happened this week.
I would really love your input--
Yeah, I can't right now.
Okay.
[Ray] You're wasting your time
with him.
-Excuse me?
-Just face the facts.
He's not coming out
of that coma.
-You don't know that.
-Yeah.
But you're the one
who wants to be a writer,
expose the truth.
Well, you need to see the truth
in order to do that.
Open your eyes, Jenny.
The truth?
The kids here
could do a better job.
[instrumental music]
Send them to the...
[unintelligible] Yeah.
Okay, I hope I haven't just
made a deal with the devil,
but I've agreed
to let a few reporters in here.
You guys are gonna take 'em
on a short tour,
so you can talk about the plans
for the new helipad.
Ray, bring copies
of the helipad sketch
you showed me
this morning, okay?
And, Jenny, they're probably
gonna ask way too many questions
about little Billy, so you
just keep steering them back
to the helipad.
Steer 'em back, steer 'em back.
All right, I can't be late
for this meeting
with the Hospital Commission.
But I will be back
as soon as possible.
Something wrong?
-No.
-No.
Okay, look, whatever it is,
I need you to let it go. Okay?
'Cause we're this close
to getting serious buzz
on the helipad issue,
I don't need
anything screwing it up.
-Understand?
-Yeah.
They're gonna be here
around 2:00.
Whittleson's been apprised.
He says
he's gonna handle it himself.
Oh, and I don't want you letting
this group out of your sight.
Okay?
And definitely don't let 'em
go near the ICU.
You can walk past it,
and that's it. Got it?
-Got it.
-Got it.
Good.
[Jenny] Okay.
[siren blaring]
[dramatic music]
I think we need to present
a united front here.
Okay.
Would it help
if I said I was sorry?
Depends.
What are you sorry for?
For what I said to you.
I wanted to hurt you.
I was being mean,
and I'm sorry.
I'll never hurt you again.
I promise.
You did hurt me.
[Jenny] Hi.
How are you doing today?
[monitor beeping]
And later I'll be showing you
the courtyard meditation garden
funded by the Chandler family.
They also just made a very large
donation to the new helipad.
Now, this helipad is desperately
needed to serve the children
in our community and beyond.
Hey. What do you think
you're doing there? Huh?
Do you have clearance to be
here? Where'd you get this?
I'm sorry.
Just give me one second.
[Ray] Can you escort him out,
please?
Get him out of here.
Get him out.
Billy.
[intense music]
[Jenny] Mr. Mingo,
why did you come here
knowing there's an order
forbidding you
from seeing your stepson?
I had to see him.
Is he gonna be all right?
[scoffs] It's really ironic
coming from you
since you did that to him.
[Mingo] It wasn't me.
Wasn't me.
I knew
there was something going on
when he had those marks on him
last summer.
Just didn't wanna believe it.
Look, I know
I'm not a perfect man.
There's things that I've done
in the past that I regret
and-and I'm-I'm sorry that I
did them, but I didn't do this.
I love Billy. He's a sweet boy.
[sobs] He's my sweet boy.
I can never hurt him.
God, I wish, sh-should have done
something sooner.
I should have taken him away
from her
so he wouldn't have ended up
like this.
Her?
[Mingo sniffles]
Mr. Mingo, are you telling me
that Rachel did this?
That-that she hurt him?
Hurt him?
She may as well have killed him.
"Once upon a time
there was pirate named Roxy.
She was a fierce leader..."
He prefers Peter Rabbit.
Jenny, this is Billy's mother,
Rachel Lee.
-She just got here and she's--
-It's Rachel Lee Mingo.
Are you Jenny,
the one who called?
Yeah. It's so nice to meet you.
[Beth] Jenny is Billy's auntie.
It's this great program
that we--
Is he going to die?
We're doing everything we can.
He hasn't moved, has he?
-No.
-So he's going to die.
-What's this?
-Well...
It's something I got for him
to, to help comfort him.
Maybe I should take you
to the conference room
and we can talk about
what's going on with Billy.
No. I wanna be alone with him.
All right. Jenny?
[dramatic music]
I have a bad feeling about this.
I don't trust her.
-Keep an eye on her, Jenny.
-[elevator bell dings]
[monitor beeping]
[inhales sharply]
[indistinct chatter on PA]
Ah. Jenny, come quick!
You are not gonna believe this.
Billy!
Hey! Hi.
Billy?
Billy came out of his coma
unable to see.
Is he blind?
[Jack] He is, but we don't know
yet if it's permanent.
Hey. Hey, Billy, it's me, Jenny.
Where is Billy Bobcat?
I'm gonna find him for you.
But I did some digging like you
asked, but I didn't find much.
There's no criminal activity
on Rachel's part.
It's Mingo's word against hers,
and he's not exactly Mr. Clean.
Well, now that he's up,
we have to try harder.
I know. His recovery
is gonna go a lot faster now.
So you have to prepare yourself
to let him go.
No, he can't be discharged yet.
Jack said that
his recovery process is gonna be
extremely difficult
and they don't even know
if he's gonna be able to see.
It doesn't matter.
If he gets
all of his other functions back,
they will deal
with the blindness later.
Do you understand
what I'm saying?
Yeah.
And thank you.
I know that bending the rules
is not easy for you.
Well, you would have done this
with or without me.
And I only did this
to prevent you
from rummaging through my files
and making a mess again.
[chuckling]
-Guilty as charged.
-Mm-hmm.
Hey there, bud.
[Billy] Hi, Jenny.
Are you feeling a little better?
Yeah.
Do you wanna
stretch your legs out?
Because I got you
this really cool red cowboy hat.
Come on, I'll help you up.
Ready?
I'm gonna put it on you.
It's perfect.
I think you should just
keep it on all the time.
Now we're gonna sit right here
and read a book.
What do you think about that?
Oh, careful.
Okay. You comfy?
Let's take a break
from this guy.
And we are gonna read
The Tiger In the Trees.
-Do you like animals?
-I have a dog.
-You do? What's his name?
-Sammy.
Well, that's a really cute name.
Where'd you get it from?
[clattering in distance]
-Bad boy! Bad dog!
-O-o-okay.
Hey, hey...
Hey, you're not a bad boy.
It's okay. It's okay.
You're okay.
You're okay. Shh. It's okay.
-[Billy breathing heavily]
-It's okay.
Oh, it's okay. You're okay. Shh.
[woman on PA]
Nurse Rodriguez to Pediatrics.
Nurse Rodriguez to Pediatrics.
Jenny.
I just spoke
with Billy's mother.
Why would she do this?
Can she do this?
Beth said Rachel's been
calling Billy for days now,
and all he wants to talk about
is his auntie.
She doesn't like it.
Well, where has she been
this whole time?
She just doesn't get to walk
in here and get rid of me.
Well, she's his mother.
She can do whatever she wants
where he's concerned.
Including
beating the crap out of him?
We don't know that for sure.
All we know
is what Mr. Mingo says.
He's telling the truth.
I know it.
We can't take that to court
and testify.
There were three people
in the room when that happened.
And one of them
just woke up blind from a coma.
Well, there's no law that says
you can't visit him
as his friend.
I mean, you are his friend now,
you know?
Maybe the only one he has.
Yeah.
Maybe I shouldn't try so hard.
You know, just let it go.
Do you think that's a good idea?
No.
Just trust you instincts, Jenny.
Don't give up on him.
[instrumental music]
[monitor beeping]
[Billy grunting]
No, no, no.
Someone help!
[indistinct chatter]
-Call it in.
-[Billy groaning]
Billy, honey,
just lean on to your side.
What is happening?
What's happening?
Stand back, ma'am.
Did you do something to my baby?
What did you do? Hey!
-I was gone for a minute!
-Heart rate's dropping.
-You need to leave.
-Mama's here.
[Rachel] I'm right here.
Mommy's here.
Back up, ma'am, please.
Back up.
[woman on PA]
199. ICU. Code 199.
Intensive Care Unit.
-[Rachel] Mommy's here.
-Oh, hey, hey, ma'am.
-She did something to my baby.
-Okay, let's talk about this--
You! You bitch!
You did something to my son!
[instrumental music]
[sighs] He's stabilized.
What happened? Can I see him?
No.
Rachel is convinced
you did something to hurt Billy.
She's telling anyone
who will listen.
I would never do that.
I need to speak
with Jenny alone, please.
Listen to me. This thing
has taken an ugly turn.
But the main thing I need
for you to do is to stay away.
I'm going to assign Billy
a new auntie. Ruth.
An older woman, very experienced
with difficult parents.
So I can't see him?
I can't talk to him?
You aren't entitled to know
anything about him anymore.
I'm sorry, Jenny.
But I haven't given up hope.
But for the time being
there's nothing that I or you
or anybody else can do.
[sighs]
[instrumental music]
Jenny, what are you doin'?
You can't stay here all day.
We have work to do.
Hello.
I, uh, I have a really bad
feeling about Billy's mother.
Okay, I told you
not to get involved
in that little boy's case.
Didn't I?
-Someone needs to protect him.
-No, no, no.
What you need to do is you need
to let Ellen Graham handle this,
because you could get suspended
from work
for getting involved
in patient matters
that are none of your business.
You understand? I'm not asking
you, Jen, I'm telling you.
You step back. Okay?
-Yes.
-Okay. Finish up your coffee.
And let's get back to work,
you got that tour
with the Millers at 1:00.
You up for that?
-Yeah.
-Okay, good. See you upstairs.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller,
this is our Intensive Care Unit.
It is where our
most serious cases are treated
and where your gift
will have the greatest impact.
I would love to introduce you
to one of our most experienced
ICU nurses, Beth Randall.
Beth, will you explain
to the Millers
why the ICU
plays such a critical part
in the work we do here?
Uh, of course.
Aside from having
one of the premier...
I got you something.
You okay?
[Jenny sighs]
Billy, say something.
Bad boy.
I'm a bad boy.
Jenny, what are you doing?
You have to take the Millers
somewhere else.
You shouldn't be here.
Beth, he's hurt. He needs me.
Look, why don't you meet me
in Ellen's office
after my shift?
We can talk to her together.
Okay.
You hang in there, sweetheart.
I'm gonna make sure
no one ever hurts you again.
You're firing me.
You went against my direct order
not to visit that child.
Your job was to write a story,
Jenny.
-Where is that story by the way?
-It's not ready yet.
I'm taking it
in a new direction.
You know, I was afraid
that this whole thing
might cloud your judgment,
and it has.
I've had reports from the unit,
I had a complaint
from the mother.
The mother is the one
who did that to him.
You crossed the line, Jenny.
She's threatening
to sue the hospital.
Are you listening to yourself?
He could die if he stays with
her. I'm not gonna abandon him.
He is not your concern.
He's not your child.
Whose is he?
Margaret, whose child is he?
Who gives a damn
about what happens to him, huh?
You can take this.
[door opens, shuts]
[instrumental music]
[Ray] Margaret wanted me
to give you this.
There's actually some cash in
there, if you can believe it.
But it's her way of showing
that she cares.
Anyways, I thought
it was a good excuse
to come see
how you're holding up.
And thought
maybe this might help.
-You know me so well.
-Are you gonna be okay?
Ah, yeah, I'll be fine.
I just...
don't really know what's next.
Well, I'll tell you what's next.
You are gonna focus
on your writing.
Mm, I don't see
the point of that.
Jenny, you have to finish
the article.
Yeah, maybe.
Cheers.
Thank you.
Hey, what's the story
behind that?
I, uh, I grew up
in the foster care system
since I was five or six.
I don't really remember much
of my childhood before that.
But this is all
that came with me.
It's the only evidence
I have that... I belonged.
Or maybe I just imagined
that I did.
I was simply told when
I was old enough that they left,
that my dad died,
or maybe it was my mom.
Don't think
anyone ever told me the truth.
Or maybe they,
maybe they didn't know.
What I knew
was that no one wanted me.
And I grew up believing
that it was somehow my fault.
But what I do know is that
this kid has a chance
to have a life
that I never thought I deserved.
Jenny...
he is so lucky to have you.
To have someone
who truly loves him.
[cell phone ringing]
-Hello?
-[Beth] Jenny, it's Beth.
I hope I don't regret this,
but...
I got a day pass
to take Billy out tomorrow.
The doctors want him
to get some fresh air.
We'll be at Foster's Park
near the hospital,
northeast corner
by the ice-cream stand at 2 p.m.
I will be there.
Thank you, Beth.
I can see Billy tomorrow.
Do you wanna join us
at the park?
Of course.
Okay.
[sighs] Thanks for this.
I'm lookin' forward to it.
[instrumental music]
-How's the ice cream?
-It's good.
-Like, really good?
-Really good.
[chuckles]
Are you gonna share
with the dog?
Yeah.
Here, he could have mine.
Billy looks so happy with Jenny.
Doesn't he?
Congratulations
on your fellowship, by the way.
Paris. Wow, that's exciting.
Yeah. Thanks.
When do you go?
Next week.
[chuckles]
Ice cream on his nose.
What's next week?
Oh, I forgot to tell you
last night.
I wanted to tell you, but, um...
I got accepted into
a fellowship program in Paris.
Ray, that's incredible.
-Congratulations.
-Thanks.
Uh, Margaret's losing
two of her key players.
Yeah, and she's also losing
her mind.
Not that we didn't
already know that.
Well, it's amazing news.
-I'm really happy for you.
-Thank you.
-I have to go to the bathroom.
-Oh, um...
-I can take him.
-Great.
-Will you go with Ray?
-Yeah.
Got it. Come on, buddy.
Come with me. This way.
He's in love with you, you know?
Well, it doesn't matter.
Paris is his future. Not me.
[instrumental music]
-Okay, you wanna feed 'em? Okay.
-Okay.
[indistinct chatter]
Well, I gotta get goin'.
Okay, well, don't be a stranger.
I won't.
You know, if you fail,
you could always
beg Margaret for your job back.
[chuckles] What good is that
when my favorite co-worker
isn't there to give me hell?
I mean, who do I even
have coffee with?
Margaret? Ugh!
I hope you overdose on fromage.
Oh, you bet I will.
And some Rose and, uh...
[inaudible]
Get out of here.
Hey, little man, let's get back
before we all get in trouble.
-I don't wanna go.
-Aw, I know.
But maybe we'll come back.
Let's go.
-Got it? Okay.
-Yup.
-I'll see you soon, okay?
-Okay. Bye, Jenny.
Bye, sweet boy.
Thank you so much for today.
Yeah, of course.
What's wrong?
I heard Billy screaming
in his sleep, "Mommy, stop!"
I spoke to Ellen yesterday.
They assigned him a case worker.
-They said they'd look into it.
-Well, that's good.
Yes, but Ellen is worried
that Rachel will threaten Billy
and then he'll be too afraid
to say anything.
It's a race against time.
The good news is that
he's improving daily
and will be moved
to Transitional Care soon.
The bad news is, that means
he could be discharged.
-That can't happen.
-Ellen's working on it.
If you think of anything...
She gave me her private number
to, to give you.
She's paranoid about talking
on the hospital phones.
I'm gonna talk to whoever
becomes Billy's nurse
in Transitional Care,
see if you can visit him there.
-I don't know how to thank you.
-You're good for him.
That's all I know and that's all
I want as his nurse.
So no thanks necessary.
All right, Billy,
is your seat belt on?
-[Billy] Yeah.
-Awesome.
[Ellen] You're in for one hell
of a ride, you know?
Yeah, I know.
But I can't do this without you.
And deep down,
you know I'm right.
You know I could be right there
on the unemployment line
with you, right? Mm...
All right, what the hell.
-I'll make a call. Bye.
-Thank you.
This is the first time
a few of you have attended
a patient care conference.
In these meetings we evaluate
the care we are providing
and how the patient
is responding.
Today we are discussing
William "Billy" Mingo,
the patient airlifted here
a few months ago
as a suspected child-abuse case.
Pleased to have with us
Ellen Graham,
our head of Social Work
and Beth Randall,
Billy's ICU nurse.
At Ellen's request,
we've also invited
the previous auntie of Billy,
Jenny Carlyle.
What we are discussing today
is that Ms. Carlyle
has raised a question
about how the patient
sustained his injuries.
I believe his mother hurt him.
Over the past several weeks
Billy has begun to talk
to me and Beth
about the night he got hurt.
He had a dog, bought for him
by his stepfather, Thomas Mingo.
-You wanna hold her?
-Yeah.
-Here you go. Yeah.
-Oh! Oh!
-It's your new best friend.
-Yeah.
[Mingo chuckles] You like her?
-Yeah.
-I'll leave you guys alone.
-Have a good day.
-Love you. Bye.
-Love you.
-[indistinct chatter]
[dog yelps]
Wait, mom!
Quiet.
Mr. Mingo was at work
that night
and the dog
wasn't house-trained.
[gasps] Hi, Sammy.
Come on.
Whoa.
[gasps] Oh, no.
Oh, my God.
Oh, no.
Billy's mother,
Rachel Lee Mingo,
became furious.
[Rachel] I told you to put
the dog back in the box.
What did I tell you, Billy?
I told you to put the dog
back in the box!
You did good in there.
But it's still Thomas Mingo's
word against Rachel Lee's.
What we're doing here
is building a paper trail
so we can start the real fight,
the one that's gonna take place
in a courtroom.
And I dunno how you're gonna
stay in there for that one.
Neither am I. But I have to.
What are you gonna do for money?
Find another job.
Do you have any family that can
help you during this time?
-No, I don't.
-Dr. Campbell.
Okay. Well, I'll see you later.
-Jack.
-Ellen.
Why are you doing this?
Everything that you've worked
for, everything you built
is going to go south
if you continue down this road.
It's the right thing to do.
Jenny...
I'm saying this to you
because I care about you.
What's gonna happen
if that kid won't talk
or he changes his story?
-Billy.
-What?
That kid, his name is Billy.
Officer.
[buzzer buzzing]
-Thanks for coming down.
-Of course.
As a family law attorney,
I can still spring
you jail birds out of here.
You wouldn't believe how nasty
some of these
divorces cases can get.
And child custody cases,
they're the worst.
Well, there is not
a judge or jury
who's gonna believe that woman.
What's her name again?
-Rachel Lee.
-Whatever.
She said that you poisoned him,
causing those convulsions.
-With his nurses right there.
-Right. Which is insane.
Yeah. Okay, settle down,
settle down.
Think, think, think, think.
Did you say you handle
custody cases?
-Do you do adoptions?
-Yeah. All the time.
I'm gonna call you tomorrow.
Thank you so much.
-W-where are you goin'?
-To see Billy.
Jenny, you can't. Jenny,
there's a restraining order.
I might not be able to...
Jen...
Jail bird.
[instrumental music]
[sighs] Jenny.
Rachel Lee had me arrested.
Said I tried to kill him.
You've got two minutes.
-Okay.
-[Ellen] That's it.
-Hey, Margaret.
-Hey, Ellen.
I was wondering if I could
grab you really quick
regarding this
new campaign idea I have.
-Campaign idea?
-Yeah.
Regarding, um, teaching families
how to care
for their disabled children.
You don't ever come up
with campaign ideas.
Well, I was feeling inspired.
Did you wanna just grab a drink?
Something wrong?
You never smile this big.
-You're scaring me.
-I got a lead on a new donor.
Oh, okay,
you're talking my language.
-Uh-huh.
-I'll buy.
[Ellen chuckling]
I might not be able to see you
for a little while.
But don't ever think because I'm
not here that I don't love you,
because I do...
no matter what happens.
I love you, too, Jenny.
I'm gonna see you real soon.
You can't keep doing this.
Please.
I could lose my job.
[elevator bell dings]
I'm sorry.
Yes, that's exactly what we are
petitioning the court to do.
Well, just because something
hasn't been done before
doesn't mean
it can't be done now, right?
Right.
Marsha, find me
all the relevant cases
pertaining to temporary custody,
foster care, whatever,
in cases of child abuse.
[Marsha] You got it, boss.
Get to work.
Ms. Peterson,
can you explain to me
why you don't want this case
to be handled
through the usual channels?
Yes, Your Honor.
The State has said it would like
a specific foster parent
be appointed to the child.
In its petition to the court,
the State does not believe
it would be
in the child's best interest
to be moved from the county
until such time
as the allegations of
child abuse have been resolved.
We are asking you to appoint
Ms. Ruth Henderson
to be a foster parent
to the child.
Ms. Henderson is a licensed
and well-experienced
foster-care provider
and has been an auntie
in the final weeks of his
recovery at Children's Hospital.
I understand there were issues
with the first auntie?
Yes, Your Honor,
there have been allegations
and counter-allegations
that the State
is in the process
of sorting through.
And we are confident
that the truth will bear out.
[sighs] Your Honor,
is it in the child's
best interest to testify?
And is he even qualified
to testify
about what happened to him?
I will decide what's in
the best interest of this child,
Mr. Jacobsen, and as for him
being qualified to testify,
we are not here to determine
criminal guilt or innocence.
This is a family court
and our job is to decide
where this child will be safe
until the legal issues
can be sorted out.
But, Your Honor,
is it reasonable
to put the child in foster care
with a, a woman he hardly knows?
That may be preferable,
Mr. Jacobsen,
to putting him back with
a woman he knows all too well.
Now sit down.
Don't worry.
-Is the child here?
-Yes, Your Honor.
Ms. Peterson, this is obviously
upsetting him.
Should we consider alternatives?
Billy is gradually
regaining his sight.
Every day it improves,
and he is no longer fully blind.
Can you see that nice lady
up there?
-[Billy] Yeah.
-And can you tell her your name?
Billy.
And can you tell her
how old you are, Billy?
Seven.
Your Honor, just because
this boy knows his name
and how old he is, doesn't mean
he's going to tell the truth.
Again, that is for me to decide,
Mr. Jacobsen.
Now sit down, and I don't wanna
hear another peep out of you.
-We'll handle this...
-[judge] Billy.
I want you to come up here,
honey, and talk to me.
There you go.
[instrumental music]
[sighs]
[cell phone ringing]
-Hello?
-Are you sitting down?
-Yes, yes. Just tell me.
-Okay.
Good news
is that the court decided
Billy won't have to go home
to his mother
until after
Thomas Mingo's trial.
Bad news is that it won't give
Ruth Henderson
temporary custody.
Well, you said
it was a long shot.
It won't give her
temporary custody
without a guardian ad litem.
-A what?
-It's a legal term.
For someone who has the
interests over somebody else.
Turns out Ellen Graham has
been a guardian ad litem before.
There's some paperwork
to be filed,
but it looks like she'll
be approved for Billy.
Wait, what are you saying?
That Billy gets to go home
with Ruth,
at least temporarily.
Oh, my God! Sallie, thank you.
Thank you. Thank you.
You need to send me a bill.
Ah, no, no, no.
Don't worry about it.
I'll make it up during the next
fat-cat divorce I handle.
[Sallie] But we're going
to need a special investigator
because there are things
about Rachel Lee
that need looking into.
But for right now
I'm gonna have to find
my criminal court shoes, because
there is a trial to prep for.
[instrumental music]
Ms. Lee, you are shaking.
Could I get you anything?
-A glass of water?
-[Rachel] Hm. A cigarette.
I get a little nervous
when I'm not allowed to smoke.
Is that how Billy got
that little
cigarette burn on his right arm?
Objection, Your Honor.
Ms. Lee is not on trial.
[judge] Sustained.
I apologize to the court,
Your Honor.
But Ms. Lee's smoking
is relevant.
Why is everyone calling me
Ms. Lee? It's Mrs. Mingo.
Well, you may prefer it, honey,
but that's not your legal name.
-Objection again, Your Honor.
-[judge] Sustained.
-What're you talking about?
-I'm talking...
About the fact that you're not
married to Thomas Mingo.
Objection, Your Honor,
even if it were true,
what relevance does it have
on the matter at hand?
Your Honor, in this court
we are only interested
in finding the truth.
I'm sure that everyone here
would agree
that if you are willing to lie
about one thing,
you are willing to lie
about many.
This woman lied about her name,
about who she is,
about what she did
to that little boy
to put him in the hospital,
and I'm sure
there was something funny
in that apple juice
she brought him to the hospital
that night.
-Is there a question?
-Ms. Peterson?
My question...
is about the arsenic trioxide
found in Billy's system.
It's a common pesticide
found in your part of the state,
isn't it, Ms. Lee?
-I wouldn't know.
-You wouldn't know?
You've never handled it,
never had it in your hands?
-No.
-Ah.
Is this your name
and signature there?
Yeah, i-it looks like it, yeah.
And you help with
the family business, don't you?
Your father manages
a great big apple orchard.
-Doesn't he?
-Yes.
And he sometimes uses chemicals.
Fertilizers and pesticides
and such?
I suppose.
And that's a receipt
for an insecticide, isn't it?
A receipt for arsenic trioxide?
Um, I don't, I don't know
the names of these things.
I-I pick up stuff
for the orchard sometimes.
It doesn't prove
I did anything to Billy.
Why would I do anything to him?
He's my son.
Your Honor, we would like this
entered into evidence.
So ordered.
Ms. Lee, I want to remind you
that you are under oath.
Do you ever hit Billy?
Well, I swat him sometimes.
How often would you swat him,
Ms. Lee?
I don't know.
And stop calling me Ms. Lee.
How often would you swat him?
And did you do it
because you punished him
or did you do it
because you can?
I don't know. No. No.
[Sallie] You were together with
Thomas Mingo for three years
hoping for a marriage proposal
that never came.
And you became panicked
when Mr. Mingo
showed Billy more affection
than you.
-Objection.
-[judge] Sustained.
He did marry me.
I have a ring to prove it.
Oh, well,
I guess we're just going
to have to take your word
for it, right?
Because there is no registration
of marriage
between you and Thomas Mingo
in this state.
Yes, yes, w-w-we're married.
Yes, we are married.
Wanting something to be so real
doesn't make it fact.
Did you swat Billy
on that night,
the night the dog made a mess
in the kitchen?
[Rachel] Put the dog
back in the box now!
[Billy] I can't stop it!
[Rachel] Get over here, Billy!
[Billy] No! No!
[Rachel] Get up, now!
[Rachel] Get up, Billy!
I hated that damn dog. I...
It was Thomas' idea
to get it for Billy.
And then Thomas Mingo
went to work that night
leaving you alone
with that damn dog and Billy.
And sometimes
Thomas didn't come straight home
after working the night shift,
did he?
Because that night he went out
to the bar with his friends
and they drank and
they played pool,
and you got mad.
I got, I got mad. So, so what?
And the dog made a mess
in the kitchen
and it made you even madder.
And then you told Billy
to put that dog back in the box.
Yeah, I told him to put
the damn dog back in the box.
But he didn't listen.
He disobeyed me.
[Rachel] Why is the dog
peeing everywhere, Billy?
[Billy] Make it stop!
[Rachel] Why is the dog peeing
everywhere, Billy?
So you swatted him
a couple of times?
-Yeah, I swatted him.
-And he cried.
And that made you even more mad
when he cried.
-Didn't it?
-Yes.
I mean no. Of course not.
And Billy wouldn't stop crying
and then he went to get his dog
out of the box again
after you had put that damn dog
back in there.
And you don't remember what
happened after that, do you?
No. Yes. Of course, I do.
You don't remember hitting him
over and over that night.
-Do you?
-Objection! Badgering.
-[judge] Sustained.
-I withdraw the question.
-I never hit him.
-Never?
You just said you did.
You said you hit him sometimes.
Swatted. I swatted him.
That, there's a difference.
How much had you had to drink
that night, Ms. Lee?
I... I don't know.
That's the truth, isn't it?
You really don't know, do you?
[intense music]
[Mingo] Billy. What happened?
What did you do to him?
What did you do to him?
[indistinct yelling]
Calling the cops!
You get away from us!
Get back here!
[Mingo] Rachel, get back here!
[Rachel sobbing]
[breathing heavily]
[banging on door]
[Mingo] Open the door! Rachel!
Open the door now!
-Open the damn door!
-Help me.
[echoing] I need help.
I need help.
[breathing heavily]
[intense music]
You don't know how many times
you hit Billy that evening.
And then
when Thomas Mingo came home
and found Billy on the floor
and he tried to help him,
he got Billy's blood
all over his hands.
And you had changed your clothes
so that by the time
the police arrived,
you were lookin'
pretty together, weren't you?
-What happened to the dog?
-I don't know.
Ms. Lee, I'm going to ask you
again and remind you
that you are under oath.
What happened to Billy's dog?
-It died.
-[Sallie] How did it die?
How should I know?
You killed that dog, didn't you?
[prosecutor] Objection!
Asked and answered.
-[judge] Sustained.
-Yes. Yes. Who cares?
What does that have to do
with anything?
Your seven-year-old boy
was on the floor
where he landed
after you had hit him
and kicked him not once,
but many times.
And then you threw the dog
because you blamed your actions
on that dog.
-Objection.
-Sustained.
Yeah, so what?
What does that have to do
with anything?
-And Billy, always crying?
-Always crying.
Was that what did it? No.
That's not what made you do it.
You couldn't stand
that Thomas Mingo loves Billy,
that Thomas lavishes Billy
with his attention.
Thomas Mingo was supposed
to love you the most.
-Not your son, not the dog.
-Objection! Come on.
-Leading the witness.
-[judge] Sustained.
And you can't take that,
can you?
It wasn't supposed to be
this way.
Thomas should've loved me.
Billy should have only loved me.
He is my son.
I don't care
about that damn dog!
He is my son and I can
punish him the way I want!
-'Cause he is my son!
-Order!
-He's my son!
-Order in the court.
Well, I know at least one of you
has been to war and back.
This one is good.
I think you should look into
getting it published.
-Thank you.
-Very dark.
Mitchel.
[instrumental music]
[knocking on door]
Hello, hello, hello!
I just stopped by
to give you these.
Flowers? What are these for?
Well, you've kind of been
through the ringer
and we managed to get out of it.
And we've never
really celebrated.
Well, I owe you a lot of money,
so you should probably
keep your flowers.
No, because I'm not telling you
the whole truth.
This is not actually from me.
It's from some dude named
John Dupont Wilcox III.
-Jack?
-Yeah.
The same Jack
who wrote me a check
covering the legal fees.
-Wait, what?
-Read the card.
"Thank you for teaching me
that sometimes
you have to do the right thing
simply because it's right.
And if you can't do
the right thing yourself,
you support the one who does.
Your friend, Jack."
I can't believe it.
Well, believe it!
And believe
that this is just the start
of great things for you.
You wrote your first story
and it got published.
And I'm so freakin' jealous
about that.
And the rest of it you're just
gonna have to figure it out.
Just like the rest of us.
But I think you're gonna get
some help, help.
I gotta go,
got a party to go to.
Wait, what?
What are you talking about?
[instrumental music]
I got your letter.
I didn't like Paris anyways.
-The coffee was terrible.
-Really?
No!
I do have something to tell you,
though.
There's, um,
a new guy in my life.
Oh.
-I'm just kidding.
-Ah!
Already givin' me hell.
But I do have something
to show you.
Oh-oh!
Ruth is his foster mom.
But as long as Ellen approves,
I can babysit.
He's a part of my life now.
Well, that makes two of us.
[Jenny] I used to think
having a family
was something out of reach.
I feared being vulnerable.
Opting instead for solitude
where the only sounds
were my fingers
on the keyboard,
or preparing dinner for one.
All right, guys, food's ready.
Time to eat.
[Billy] Come on, Ella, let's go.
-Come on, Ella.
-Hello!
-What did you make?
-Oh, you know.
-My specialty.
-Frozen pizza?
Could be frozen,
could not be frozen.
Could be Dominos.
Now we prepare dinner
for three.
Where once
were only my thoughts
are now the sounds
of conversation and laughter.
Often times we believe
we're too broken to be fixed.
But there's alchemy in love,
where even the tiniest
cracked pieces melt together...
healed and whole.
[instrumental music]
It's pasta.
[instrumental music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
[instrumental music]