What We Hide (2025) Movie Script
1
Shouldn't...
Shouldn't we say something?
Spider?
Stop!
I love you, Mama.
You know, we can't tell nobody.
Jessie.
Anyone finds out she's dead,
they're going to separate us.
Why do they do that?
It's just the way it is.
Too many kids in foster care
with everything going on.
I won't let it happen.
I'll die before
I let them break us up.
Come on, you gotta eat.
Shit. Mom's phone.
Who was it?
It's no one.
Come on. Gotta get going.
Come on.
Take that off.
Why?
Because it's Mom's.
You can't wear that
out of the house.
People might wonder.
From now on, we lock the door
when we leave the house.
Behind us when we get home.
All right? Now, come on.
And that's why I feel so bad.
I know, it's crazy.
Hey.
Nothing to nobody. All right?
You gonna tell Alexis?
I need to hear you say it.
Nothing to nobody.
I ain't telling nobody.
Just you.
What do you mean?
You know what they're doing,
right? Breaking up families.
Brie and her brother
last year when their mom died.
The Wilson sisters
and they're twins.
You can't tell your dad.
You can't tell nobody.
But won't people be wondering
why she's not coming in
- and out of the house?
- What people?
Last couple months, she barely
even made it to the front porch.
But, what about her boyfriend?
He's not...
He wasn't her boyfriend.
You know what I mean.
What about your caseworker?
I'll figure it out.
How's Jessie?
She'll be all right.
Been more of a mom to her
than she ever was.
I'm so sorry, Spider.
It's a miracle
it didn't happen sooner.
Okay.
Bye, Maddy.
See you, Jessie.
Thanks for
driving her home, Miss Foley.
Needed cigarettes anyway.
You can't be doing that.
Doing what?
Letting her drive you home.
Letting anybody drive you home.
Why not?
Jessie, use your brain.
What if she wanted to come in,
use the bathroom,
start asking questions
or something?
Why would she?
Just keep people away
from the house, all right?
Fine. Whatever.
Sheesh.
Hey.
I'm starving.
You making dinner?
After this chapter.
What you reading?
"Their Eyes Were Watching God."
What's it about?
You wouldn't understand.
It's about this Black girl.
You know, she doesn't even know
that she's Black at first.
She lives in the yard
of a white family.
Thinks she's one of them.
She grows up.
Does what
she has to do to survive.
Makes her life her own.
Why don't you think
I'd understand?
That's it?
We use the whole box?
We got to make for what we have
'til the first of the month.
Why?
Card's out.
Had to make sure there
was money on Mom's phone.
We need to know when people
are trying to reach her.
Well, when's the first of
the month?
Six days.
Six days?
I mean, I guess if you don't
want it, I eat it.
I want it.
Stay here.
-Jacey!
-She ain't here.
Car's here.
Jacey,
get your bony ass out here!
I got something for you.
I just told you, she ain't here.
Well, she don't want to see me.
Is that it?
Some car came and picked her up.
About an hour ago.
What car? What fucking car?
-Was it Reddick?
-It wasn't Reddick.
Just some woman.
I ain't never seen her before.
She said when she'd be back?
No.
You lying to me, girl?
Tell your mom to call me.
Tell her I got something that's
gonna make her wet for a week.
He's gonna keep coming back.
He's gonna
keep coming back, Spider.
Well, what do you think?
I'm deaf?
I heard you the first time.
What are we gonna do, Spider?
Reece is a drug addict.
Means all he cares about
is drugs.
Once he gets that Mama
ain't interested in him no more,
he's just gonna move on
to the next person.
What if he don't?
Hey.
What do you say...
the next time we get
some money on the card,
we do something fun?
Like what?
There.
You got it.
Perfect. All right.
Is that everything?
I don't know.
Is that everything, Jessie?
That's everything.
- All right.
- Okay.
Can't wait to eat.
It has to be a fair trade.
Give it back.
Then, give me that one.
Oh, my goodness.
The blue bear is my favorite.
I think that
boy's taking pictures of us.
Hey!
-You're taking pictures of us?
-No, look, I was, um...
What are you,
some kind of pervert?
-What?
-Let me see it.
Ow. Hey.
Look, just careful with it,
okay? It's an A1.
Where's the pictures?
It's not that kind of camera.
Well, it takes pictures,
don't it?
Well, sure,
but it's not digital. It's film.
Cody, break's over.
Can I get my camera back?
Please?
How much we get
on the card every month?
$196 per person.
So almost $400?
Spider, ain't you
just the least bit sad?
About what?
Mama?
You stay here.
I mean it this time.
Hi, there. My name is Matthew.
What's your name?
Is your mom or dad at home?
My dad's working out back.
Oh, that's all right.
I don't want to bother him.
May I ask
if you have a church home?
A what?
A church home.
Yeah. No, thanks.
I'm not interested.
Oh, wait a second. I got--
Hello?
Hello?
Can I just give you
one of these?
Hi.
-Who are you?
-Jessie.
Hi, Jessie.
I'm Pastor Matthew.
I just started
as the associate pastor
over at
the Hopewell Baptist Church.
I'm trying to get
a youth ministry going.
We're kicking things off
with a pizza night next week.
You're both welcome.
Well, I'll just leave you
with our pamphlet there.
It was real nice
meeting you ladies.
I hope to see you there.
Now, what part of
staying in the kitchen
don't you understand?
Can we go?
-To what?
-Pizza night.
Mama don't deserve
to be in a shed, Spider.
That ain't right.
And it sure ain't
very Christian.
Let me see that.
Hey! What'd you do that for?
I'm doing you a favor.
Don't need to be filling
your head with all that crap.
We used to go to church.
Remember?
A couple times on Christmas.
That one time on Easter.
Mama made you wear that purple
dress with the white ruffles.
Only time I ever seen you in
a dress.
You threw such a hissy.
Remember that?
Mama was in
one of her good spells.
Listen to me.
We're lucky
that we have that shed.
I don't know
what we would've done.
Well, maybe
she's not in the shed.
Not really.
Maybe she's in heaven.
My little Spider.
Mama?
Mama's phone.
- Who is it?
- I don't know.
Jacey, this is
Paula Dickinson
from Child Services.
- Shit.
- I wanted to stop by
and see how you and the girls
were getting along.
It's about
7:30 Saturday morning.
Should be there within
the hour.
See you soon.
It's baby snatcher.
What are we gonna do, Spider?
Mom's room.
I'll do trash. You grab
the clothes and start folding.
Come on.
What's the point?
She's gonna notice
Mama ain't here.
I'll think of something.
What's that?
It's Mama's
teaching certificate.
Hard to believe
Mama used to teach.
It was a long time ago.
Come on.
She's gonna be here soon.
I'll just say
she's at a job interview.
What kind of job,
in case she asks?
How about Walmart?
No. That's too easy to check.
I'll just say the bank.
- Which bank?
- I don't know.
What's the point?
There's a bunch of them
that she didn't say.
That's better.
If Mama's on a job interview,
wouldn't she have taken her car?
Did it stick you?
No.
Put your foot on the brake.
That's how it works
at the go-karts.
Did she say which bank?
No, ma'am.
Well, I mean, she did,
but I just forgot.
Do you remember?
No.
How would you say
your mom's doing, overall?
She's good.
She's doing real good.
Do you ever feel
unsafe in the house?
Either with your mom or anyone
your mom might have over?
No, ma'am.
How about you, Jessie?
Do you ever feel unsafe here?
No, ma'am.
Could you open
the refrigerator, please?
Sure.
It's Paula.
I'm with the family now,
and then I've got
four more visits before I...
Uh-huh.
Maggie, I've got 30 cases on
my desk
I haven't even looked at yet
and I'm not even supposed
to be working today.
Uh-huh. Bye.
Sorry about that.
Do you have any food
in the cabinets?
Yeah.
Be all right
if I see your mom's room?
Yes, ma'am.
Tell your mom to give me a call,
all right?
Important I speak to her.
See you girls later.
It's Paula.
I'm just finishing a visit.
Just give me 15. Yes.
Give me a moment.
She's gonna be
checking up on us.
How many case workers
have we already had?
None of them lasted a year.
They all quit.
We only get a new one
if there's a report.
We just gotta keep doing
what we're doing.
All right?
74 Charlie. 74 Charlie.
74 Charlie. We have a 10-58.
Just gave the female
a second hit of Narcan.
Looks like
she's coming out of it.
Didn't make it
in time for the male.
Keep breathing.
Vicky, any word from the court?
There you go.
We gotta get these kids out.
Roger that.
I found a cigarette.
I don't know who it's for.
Hey, girls.
-Hey, Dad.
-How was your game, baby?
It was good. We won. I scored.
You scored? Yeah?
Where'd you put it?
-Upper left.
-That's my girl.
-How you doing, Spider?
-I'm all right.
- Yeah?
- Yes, sir.
Good to see you.
Now, why is it that every time
I ask you about school,
all I get is a grunt?
Oh.
You're lucky you get a grunt.
It was fun. What else
do you guys want me to say?
Can you pass
the potatoes, babe?
Mm-hmm.
How about you, son?
How's school?
Good.
We're multiplying fractions now.
See? That wasn't so hard.
We had a health class today.
Want to hear about that?
Mm.
Can you keep it G-rated?
Penis, vagina, babies.
- In that order.
- That sounds all right.
Ew. Ew!
Well, I'm stuffed.
That was real good, huh?
It was delicious.
Thank you, Spider.
Your mama coming for you?
No, she's, you know,
she's real busy,
so I was just
going to take the bus.
Oh, don't be silly.
I'll run you home.
No, it's really fine.
-It's not a big deal.
-It's dark, sweetheart.
It's no problem.
Make sure you get home safe.
-Thanks for the ride.
-Hey, how's your mom doing?
Keeping busy?
Yeah, she's-- she's been busy,
looking for a job.
Yeah? Teaching?
No, um, I don't think.
Right.
You know, I used to cheat off
your mom. Biology, 10th grade.
Would have failed that class
if we weren't
sitting next to each other.
You know, I'll go in and say hi.
Oh, no, you shouldn't.
You know,
she told me not to say anything.
She's just got this interview
at the bank real early tomorrow,
and she's
super nervous about it.
Which bank?
You know, she mentioned it, but
I just don't remember the name.
She just made us
swear up and down
that we wouldn't say anything.
She doesn't want people
bothering her about it.
Well, hope she gets it.
Yeah. Me too.
Well, thanks again.
Anytime.
-What?
-What do you think?
Maddie's grandma
can't drive me home,
but it's okay for the sheriff
to drive you home.
That's bullshit.
Don't cuss.
I'm almost 11,
I can cuss if I want,
especially when
I'm calling bullshit.
I messed up.
I'm sorry.
-What?
-I said...
Well, you heard me.
I thought I did,
but I don't think I ever
heard you say sorry before.
It sounded kind of weird
coming out of your mouth,
so I couldn't be sure.
Hey.
Did he ask about Mama?
What?
How long do you think
we can keep this up, Spider?
If you're here
for the 3:25, hun,
I'm afraid you just missed it.
No, I'm here for information,
actually.
How much are tickets?
Well, that depends on
where you want to go.
Can you go anywhere?
With connections,
just about.
Got a schedule here.
How old are you, baby?
Whatever troubles you got,
it's a lot worse out there,
especially for girls like you.
Do you need me to call someone?
Hey, I was hoping you'd be back.
Why?
Well, what do you think?
I think that you were lying.
You said that you weren't
taking pictures of us.
Oh, sure, I just kind of thought
that you were gonna break
my camera or my nose.
Oh, no, It's, um... it's yours.
To keep.
Do you ever want to take
pictures together sometime?
I don't mean like that.
I mean, um, I go out a lot,
and, you know, take photos
of whatever, and it's kinda--
I gotta get home.
Okay.
I'm Cody, by the way.
Spider.
Hey.
You okay?
I feel closer to her
when I'm holding this.
-Why are you so mad at her?
-Jessie.
It wasn't her fault,
you know.
They say it's just like
cancer or something.
You wouldn't be mad at someone
for having cancer, would you?
Mama didn't have cancer.
She just made bad choices.
Is that you, Mama?
Jessie, dinner!
One sec.
Goodbye.
You need me to get a refill?
No, this one's pretty full.
Hmm, that's cute.
That boy from
the country mart take it?
You guys been hanging out
or somethin'?
No.
Then how come he gave it to you?
What?
You think he likes you?
He's, like, 17.
So?
So, no, I don't think
that he likes me.
Yeah, you're probably right.
Boy would have to be
batshit crazy like you.
Well, you know, he did ask me to
take pictures with him, but...
He did? What'd you say?
Nothing.
-You should go.
-I think that that's the last
thing that I should do.
-Why?
-What do you mean, why?
That's the last thing
we need right now.
Just somebody else,
poking around in our business.
You know what I think?
I think you're afraid
of what might happen
if you actually had some fun
for once in your life.
And with a boy, no less.
Hey.
You expected me
to get on that thing?
-It works, you know, for now.
-For now?
Well, yeah, no, I pick
these, uh, bikes up
from the salvage yard,
fix 'em up, you know,
breathe a new life into 'em,
get a few extra miles.
You ever been on a bike before?
They're super fun.
Hey, might feel better if you
wrap your arms around my waist.
My arms are fine
where they are, thank you.
Hey, what are we doing here?
Gotta drop this off.
What's up, Shutterbug?
It's about time,
I've been waiting on these.
Yeah, I got a couple
more developing.
-Give 'em to you next week.
-Yeah, all right, 'til then.
All right.
Good to see you.
Sorry about that.
-You ready?
-Yeah.
Come on.
You're not, like, some kind
of axe murderer, are you?
No. What, are you?
No.
Cool.
Come on.
Ah...
Hey. Come here.
Wow.
Hey, uh, did you ever--
you ever use one of these?
-Mm-mm.
-You have to...
So, look through there.
That's the viewfinder.
It's all blurry.
Oh, um, is that better?
I just turn the lens,
that's how you focus it,
and that's the--
that's the shutter.
So, when you frame up,
make sure it's in focus.
- Yeah.
- And then hit that button.
And take a photo. Yeah.
You got it?
-Yeah.
-And just cock that,
when you want to take
your next one.
What do I take pictures of?
Whatever you want.
Jacey?
It's Ben.
Hey, Jace?
You home?
Sheriff, you there?
Yeah, Wendy, what's up?
We've got a probable
overdose at the Starlight
Motel.
Manager called it in.
Victim is female, 40s.
Copy that.
Who are these people?
Just people.
You know, from town.
Do you know 'em?
Nope.
Hmm.
Why do you bother taking
pictures of 'em?
I don't know, there's
just something about 'em.
Just like you and your sister
that one day.
Why do you take pictures
of drug addicts?
What do you mean?
They're just people, you know?
Once you get on that road,
it's hard to get back.
Is that your friend
from the motel?
Dennis?
- How do you know him?
- Uh...
Just taking pictures, you know.
There's lots of interesting
folks coming out of the motel.
And since Dennis is there,
they let me photograph 'em.
I offer them a print,
if they want it.
He sell drugs?
He used to.
And then he and his wife OD'd.
His wife died,
and the state took the kids.
Now he just sells moonshine,
knockoffs, things like that.
What's that?
Some kind of tower?
Is that a light switch?
It's pretty neat, huh?
Yeah.
I took that one.
You got a good eye.
This is stupid.
Well, it's-- I told you,
if my mom sees me with a boy.
Just let me
take you closer.
It's fine, right up the street.
All right, suit yourself.
I'll see you later.
Hey, you forgot
your, uh, backpack.
Thanks.
You know, I wasn't, um, joking
when I said that--
that you have a good eye.
Here.
It's digital, so you can--
you can practice.
I can't take that.
And how much it cost.
I'm not giving it
to you to keep,
just thought you might
like to borrow it.
Look, I got, like,
six of 'em anyways.
Thanks.
See ya.
It was real nice
hanging out with you.
You eat anything yet?
No.
I'll make something in a bit.
So, how was your date?
It wasn't a date.
Then how come you're blushing?
Hey!
Hey, save some of that.
Come on, you drank,
like, half it already.
Well, how come
we gotta share, anyways?
Because, it's a dollar.
And French fries are a dollar.
So?
So, we're running low
on the card.
Plus, we both don't need
our own milkshake.
It's excessive.
What's excessive mean?
The amount of questions
you're always askin' me.
That's excessive.
Oh, so, like, how your
bitchiness is excessive.
I'm gonna whoop your ass
one of these days, for real.
Hello, girls.
You know, your mama
still has not called me.
Yeah, well, maybe
she don't wanna talk to you.
You got a lip
on you, Spider.
These little brats are Jacey's.
So, is she getting clean?
Is that it?
Yeah, that's right.
She don't want nothing
to do with you.
That's all right.
She'll come back around.
Always does.
In the meantime, how much that
stuff I get from Tiny cost?
A few hundred, at least.
You tell your mama that if she
don't wanna play no more,
she owes me.
I want 300, by Friday,
or I'm coming by.
And I ain't leaving
'til she makes it right.
One way or the other.
It's a Cam Shot.
I can give you 50 for it.
No, it's worth 150.
I looked it up.
That's if it's new.
This is used.
There's not even
a scratch on it.
I sell this to you,
you hold on to it
so I can buy it back?
Two weeks.
Then it goes in the case.
Same with the camera?
So I can buy it back?
I can't hold the electronics.
I can give you
50 for the locket.
No, I need 100.
Buybacks are double.
What do you mean?
I give you 100, it'll cost you
200 to buy it back.
Well, that's not fair.
Why didn't you
use canned?
I thought there was money
on the card.
Not anymore.
What do you mean?
I mean, there ain't no more
money on the card.
What do you think I mean?
-What? What are you doing?
-I'm going out for a bit.
I'm gonna go and pay Reece.
I'm going to pay him,
and he's gonna leave us alone.
What?
- Spider.
- It's okay.
You don't gotta be scared.
Reece?
Hey there, girl.
I got your money.
300 dollars.
I'm gonna give you this,
and you're gonna leave us alone.
Mama's done with you,
you understand?
Hmm.
Whatever you say.
Uh... let me count it.
I gotta go. It's all here.
Easy, now.
You know I can't let you
leave 'til I count it.
Why don't you stay a while,
and I'll show you
what makes your mama so crazy.
Would you like that, Spider?
Hey, Spider.
Where is your Mama?
She clean, and let you
come here all by yourself?
You up to something,
ain't you, girl?
I ain't done with you, Spider!
I ain't done with you!
Fuck you!
I hate you.
I hate you!
Jessie? It's me.
I thought something happened.
It seemed like
you were gone forever.
All right, well, I'm fine.
Just let me breathe.
So?
He's going to leave us
alone now.
Right?
Yeah.
He's going to leave us alone.
Come on. It's late.
You go and get ready for bed.
"Kinship adoption can be
a great alternative
to the foster care system.
A sibling can adopt a younger
sibling if they are 18.
You must be able to show
an ability to provide
and take care of the child
emotionally and physically."
What you doing?
Nothing.
Can I get a cupcake?
Yeah, sure.
I just got money on the card.
Great.
Hey.
You seen Mama's locket?
I thought I left it
on the table.
I'm sure it'll turn up.
Go set the table.
Who is it?
Hey, Jacey. It's Ben.
You know, Jen and I
were talking, We'd love to have
you and the girls
over at some point.
Do me a favor.
Give me a call back.
It'd be good to catch up.
Fictional New York City
locale on children's TV.
Starts with an S,
name of a place.
Oh!
Children's TV?
Um, is it Sesame Street?
Sesame Street. Thank you.
It was driving me nuts.
Hmm.
I was wondering
if you do fake IDs.
I do.
Good ones, too.
But, sweetheart, no one's
gonna believe you're 21,
no matter how good I do 'em.
I don't need to be 21.
Just 18.
Well, how old are you, really?
My daughter's 15.
I can get you an ID card
easy enough.
Yeah, I just need something
official-looking.
You know,
like a driver's license.
Probably gonna need,
like, two birth certificates.
A driver's license is 500 bucks.
I could do the birth
certificates for 200 apiece.
I can't... I can't afford 500.
You know, I can't really afford
much of anything right now.
I really need them.
What do you need 'em for?
Hey, watch this.
Is this still enough for you?
Woo-hoo!
You know, if you break your
legs, you can't keep riding it.
I love this, Alexis.
Man, I wish I could keep it.
Woo-hoo!
Look at me!
Look at this!
Spider, Spider, look!
Look, look, look!
I'll be right back.
I'm doing a loop-de-loop!
Everything all right?
I gotta tell you something.
Okay.
We're leaving.
Jessie and me.
What?
What do you mean?
The law says that you can
adopt a younger sibling
when you turn 18.
It's just...
I met this guy.
And...
He makes fake IDs.
Birth certificates.
What are you gonna do?
We're just...
gonna go somewhere far away.
Where nobody knows us.
Spider, what--
You're just gonna live
on the streets?
I'm 18.
I'll just get a job, and...
With the birth certificates,
I can put Jessie into school.
I'm not telling her, though.
Not until they're ready.
She'd just say
something to Maddie.
Just like how I'm telling you.
When are you leaving?
As soon as they're ready.
He said they'd be done
by the end of the week.
What am I gonna do without you?
You already sold the camera?
Electronics move fast.
Well, you got any
other Cam Shots?
Yeah. Got one right over here.
How much is it?
Hey, the one I sold you
was way nicer,
and you only gave me 50 for it.
Hey! What about the locket?
Can't afford it.
Hey.
Um, it's good to see you again.
Here. I just wanted
to be sure to get this to you.
What's this?
Just, the one that you gave me,
it kinda...
You know, you didn't have to,
I told you I got,
like, plenty of these.
You take any pictures?
Hey, you know,
I'm gonna be off in, like, 20.
If you wanted, we could, um...
I gotta get going.
I'm real busy.
Are you really busy
or are you just saying that
because you don't wanna
hang out with me?
I don't wanna hang out with you.
Oh.
Just joking.
There's just a lot
going on right now.
Like what?
You're real pushy,
you know that?
You know, the light's
about to get beautiful.
Um...
Late afternoon is really nice.
Come on.
Let's try out the new camera.
What do you say?
What do you think?
That's a great shot.
My inhaler's almost out.
I'll get you a refill
after school.
What'd you do to your hair?
I just put it back.
What?
It's kind of weird.
I can actually see
your whole face.
You look...
Pretty.
Jacey?
It's Paula Dickinson.
Could you come
to the door, please?
Jacey? It's Paula Dickinson.
Jacey? It's Paula.
Jacey, it's Paula Dickinson.
I just stopped by your house.
If we don't connect
by the end of the day,
I'm gonna have to call
the sheriff's office.
Guess she didn't quit.
All right.
I'll see you after.
Maybe we should just tell her.
What are you talking about?
Baby Snatcher.
I mean, ain't you tired of this?
How can you--
You know what happens
if we tell her.
She's gonna find out anyways.
Hey, Jessie.
You keep your mouth shut.
You hear me?
Jessie?
Wanna let go of me?
Please?
Come on, let's go, Maddie.
Hey. Is Dennis here?
Shouldn't you be in school?
He ain't here.
Do you know when he'll be back?
Got court today.
Is he in some kind of trouble?
What? No.
Trying to get his kids back.
He's making something for me.
I know.
Do you know if it's done?
It's not.
You should be grateful
instead of pouting.
Barely making rent,
son of a bitch doing freebies.
He said it'd be done
by the end of the week.
Then why are you here?
It's Thursday, ain't it?
Come back tomorrow.
Well, you're home early.
Didn't go.
Why?
You sick?
No.
You say anything?
Jessie?
No.
You sure?
You didn't say nothing
to Maddie or to--
I just told you,
I didn't say nothing.
Still can't find the locket.
Just looked everywhere again.
What'd you do with it?
I sold it.
What? How could you?
Locket meant everything to her.
You really think that Mama gave
a shit about that stupid locket?
She'd have sold it
if she didn't.
Even when she was real bad off--
Mama didn't give a shit about
nothing except getting high.
That was all she cared about.
Nothing else.
-She was a bad person.
-Don't say that.
-Mama wasn't bad.
-She was!
And the sooner you get
that through your thick head,
-the better off you'll be.
-You're wrong. Mama was good.
She was just sick.
Messed up, but she was good.
She loved us.
She loved us?
Is that what you think?
-Yeah.
-Did you forget about all those
nights whenever you
were crying your eyes out
while Mama and Reece
were getting into it?
How about all the times we'd get
up for breakfast in the morning
and there'd be strange people
in the kitchen doing drugs?
What about the time whenever
you were a baby
and Mama left you on the porch
outside in the freezing cold
while she was inside
getting high?
You know, if your screams
wouldn't have woke me up,
you'd be dead.
Don't mean she didn't love us.
Jesus, Jessie,
that's exactly what it means!
I mean, why do you think
that you're sick?
What do you mean? I'm not sick.
-Your asthma.
-What about my asthma?
Spider, what about my asthma?
Mama was using...
the whole time
she was pregnant with you.
Messed up your lungs.
That's not true!
You're lying!
Why would I lie about that?
'Cause you hate her!
And you want me to hate her.
But I don't!
Jessie! Jessie!
Hang on. Jessie.
Shit, I forgot to fill it.
Hey. Hey. Hang on!
911, what's your emergency?
My sister can't breathe.
She needs an ambulance.
-What's the address?
-604 Valley Stream Road.
Calling dispatch now.
How long are you gonna take?
Ambulance will get there
as soon as we can.
I'll stay on the line with you.
Help!
Please, help!
Help!
Okay. I can't-- Help!
All right,
tell us what happened.
- She has asthma.
- Okay. What's her name?
- She can't breathe!
- What's her name?
- Jessie.
- Hi, Jessie.
We're gonna take
good care of you.
We're gonna get
respiratory staff.
She's cyanotic. We need
to get her on the monitor ASAP.
-Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
-Hey, hey!
-Get off of me!
-Get back there. You're fine.
-Get off of me! Get off of me!
-You can't come back there.
-It's gonna be okay.
-Jessie!
She's all I have!
Sweetie,
is that your car outside?
What?
Sweetie, how old are you?
Is she okay?
-Is there someone we can call?
-I--
-Your mother or father?
-Is she okay?
Please, I need to see my sister.
I need to know that she's okay.
Please.
- I'm sorry...
- Please, I can't.
...but we can't
discuss your sister's condition
without a parent or a guardian.
It's not--
Just isn't fair.
Just-- Please.
Okay, thank you.
She's okay.
She's gonna be all right.
s
I didn't-- I didn't-- I didn't--
It's okay.
She's gonna be fine.
I didn't mean to.
You did good.
I didn't--
Here you go. Drink it up.
Go on. You need it.
They're gonna discharge her now.
You know, doc said
it was you getting her here
as fast as you did
that saved her life.
Yeah, well, it's my fault.
I forgot to get
her inhaler refilled.
Oh, Spider.
You're her sister, not her mom.
You know where she's at now?
How long she been
using this time?
You can tell me.
Please don't take us away.
You do that
and they'll separate us.
Is--
Hey, sweetheart.
Go on.
Hey.
I'm so sorry.
Are you okay?
Just tired.
All right.
I'm gonna run y'all
back to our house,
then I'll go talk to your mama,
let her know you're safe.
Thank you, Mr. Jeffries.
Yeah. Come on.
Okay.
I'll grab you some shoes
at your house.
Okay.
I went to
their house. She wasn't home.
Tracked down their caseworker,
and she said Jacey's been
ducking her for weeks now.
-For weeks?
-Yeah.
And you're just
hearing about it now.
I am sorry,
but that is unforgivable.
-Easy.
-It is.
Babe, if I drove you down
to the CPS offices right now,
you'd see more kids
sleeping between the damn desks
than you can count
on both your hands.
They're doing what they can.
We all are.
I know, it's just-- I'm sorry.
Yeah.
Both Spider and Jessie
are not going to be
sleeping on any floors,
I can tell you that.
They'll be staying with us
until we can find 'em a home.
A home in what county?
Got a list of 70 kids
waiting to get placed, 70!
Even if these girls get put
in the front of the line,
I don't know any family
that's gonna take both of them.
I never seen it.
All right, you girls
have a good day at school.
Hey, Spider, I don't want
you worrying none, okay?
I'm gonna keep checking
the house. I'm gonna find her.
We're gonna figure this out.
Go on.
You're not
coming in today, are you?
You heard your dad.
We gotta get out of here now.
Here.
My babysitting money.
-Alexis--
-Uh-uh.
You can throw it out if you want
to, but I'm not taking it back.
Thanks.
I love you.
Love you too.
Dennis.
Oh, hey, sweetheart.
Come on in. Come on in.
What's the matter with you?
No running.
I'm looking for my sister.
Jessie Zweydorf?
Jessie... yeah, she went out the
Murray exit with Maddie Grayson.
Thanks.
Why you freaking out?
'Cause I told you
to wait for me at school.
Now come on, get inside.
Spider!
You wanna tell me
what's going on?
Come on.
I need you to grab clothes.
You wanna fit in this suitcase.
What? Why? Where are we going?
Can't you just do
what you're told?
Spider!
You know what? Fine.
You don't wanna pack?
-I'll just do it for you.
-Spider, stop!
-Hey, stop!
-Listen to me.
Alexis's dad or Baby Snatcher
could be here any minute.
I got a license.
It says I'm 18, and that
means that I can adopt you.
It means that nobody
can ever separate us.
Now, you and I, we have to get
to the bus depot in Franklin,
and then we can go anywhere.
We get to start new.
I don't wanna go.
I think you don't got a choice.
Spider, this is crazy.
I mean, what about school?
There'll be school
where we're going.
What about my friends?
What about Maddie?
-What about Mama?
-What about her?
I mean, we can't just
leave her like that.
Yes, we can. Come on!
Mama had good in her heart,
no matter what she did.
God damn it! Come on!
No, I'm not going!
-They are going to separate us!
-Good!
The door.
Stay here.
I know you're in there, girl.
What do you want?
-Let me in.
-You need to leave.
Now!
Or what?
I'm calling the cops!
I knew you were up to something!
No, get off of me!
I've been to the clinics,
the houses, the dealers.
Nobody's seen your mama,
not in weeks.
She's dead, ain't she?
And you two are living
high on the hog with
that extra 200 bucks a month.
Easy, now! Easy.
I'll keep your little secret.
But it's gonna cost you.
I want that extra 200 bucks
every month, you understand me?
You understand me, girl?
Yes! Yes.
See,
now that wasn't so bad, was it?
Is your sister home?
What do you say you and me
relax for a little bit?
What do you say?
Would you like that?
-No, no!
-You like to play rough?
-No!
-Real rough, don't you?
Get off of her!
Jessie!
Hey.
You okay?
Is he gone?
Yeah. He's gone.
Did he hurt you?
No.
I hit him pretty hard
with the bat, though.
Spider?
Yeah?
I don't wanna go.
Shh, shh.
I'm sorry.
You ain't got nothing
to be sorry for.
All right?
Nothin'.
I'm sorry.
I like when you sing to me.
It reminds me of Mama.
I'm real sorry.
What I did...
is it wrong?
You did what you had to
to try to keep
your family together.
Nothin' wrong with that.
What's gonna happen to us?
Grieving is
the price you pay for loving.
Love is forgiveness.
Continue to love and do good for
one another with the knowledge
that there's a home for
all of us after this life.
I think, on this day,
Jacey is lying down
in her warm bed,
humming nursery rhymes,
waiting to snuggle
with her two girls.
Made you guys a plate.
These mini hot dogs are crazy.
Not hungry.
Mmm. Yeah, these are amazing.
I know, right?
Mmm.
These are good.
Hey.
Hey.
Um...
you know you didn't
have to come.
What, you want me to leave?
Come on.
Are all these people
friends of your mama's?
I guess.
A few weeks back,
one of her old teaching friends
heard that she died.
They asked to chip in for this.
I don't think she'd seen
most of 'em for a while.
That sucks.
I'm sorry.
So I've been
kind of wondering...
what's your name?
I mean your real name.
Sadie.
Sadie.
No.
No, it doesn't suit you.
It's way too, uh--
it's too dainty.
My point exactly.
So how'd you get
to being called Spider?
My mom.
She said I was just like
the spider in the nursery rhyme.
What?
She's right.
Shouldn't...
Shouldn't we say something?
Spider?
Stop!
I love you, Mama.
You know, we can't tell nobody.
Jessie.
Anyone finds out she's dead,
they're going to separate us.
Why do they do that?
It's just the way it is.
Too many kids in foster care
with everything going on.
I won't let it happen.
I'll die before
I let them break us up.
Come on, you gotta eat.
Shit. Mom's phone.
Who was it?
It's no one.
Come on. Gotta get going.
Come on.
Take that off.
Why?
Because it's Mom's.
You can't wear that
out of the house.
People might wonder.
From now on, we lock the door
when we leave the house.
Behind us when we get home.
All right? Now, come on.
And that's why I feel so bad.
I know, it's crazy.
Hey.
Nothing to nobody. All right?
You gonna tell Alexis?
I need to hear you say it.
Nothing to nobody.
I ain't telling nobody.
Just you.
What do you mean?
You know what they're doing,
right? Breaking up families.
Brie and her brother
last year when their mom died.
The Wilson sisters
and they're twins.
You can't tell your dad.
You can't tell nobody.
But won't people be wondering
why she's not coming in
- and out of the house?
- What people?
Last couple months, she barely
even made it to the front porch.
But, what about her boyfriend?
He's not...
He wasn't her boyfriend.
You know what I mean.
What about your caseworker?
I'll figure it out.
How's Jessie?
She'll be all right.
Been more of a mom to her
than she ever was.
I'm so sorry, Spider.
It's a miracle
it didn't happen sooner.
Okay.
Bye, Maddy.
See you, Jessie.
Thanks for
driving her home, Miss Foley.
Needed cigarettes anyway.
You can't be doing that.
Doing what?
Letting her drive you home.
Letting anybody drive you home.
Why not?
Jessie, use your brain.
What if she wanted to come in,
use the bathroom,
start asking questions
or something?
Why would she?
Just keep people away
from the house, all right?
Fine. Whatever.
Sheesh.
Hey.
I'm starving.
You making dinner?
After this chapter.
What you reading?
"Their Eyes Were Watching God."
What's it about?
You wouldn't understand.
It's about this Black girl.
You know, she doesn't even know
that she's Black at first.
She lives in the yard
of a white family.
Thinks she's one of them.
She grows up.
Does what
she has to do to survive.
Makes her life her own.
Why don't you think
I'd understand?
That's it?
We use the whole box?
We got to make for what we have
'til the first of the month.
Why?
Card's out.
Had to make sure there
was money on Mom's phone.
We need to know when people
are trying to reach her.
Well, when's the first of
the month?
Six days.
Six days?
I mean, I guess if you don't
want it, I eat it.
I want it.
Stay here.
-Jacey!
-She ain't here.
Car's here.
Jacey,
get your bony ass out here!
I got something for you.
I just told you, she ain't here.
Well, she don't want to see me.
Is that it?
Some car came and picked her up.
About an hour ago.
What car? What fucking car?
-Was it Reddick?
-It wasn't Reddick.
Just some woman.
I ain't never seen her before.
She said when she'd be back?
No.
You lying to me, girl?
Tell your mom to call me.
Tell her I got something that's
gonna make her wet for a week.
He's gonna keep coming back.
He's gonna
keep coming back, Spider.
Well, what do you think?
I'm deaf?
I heard you the first time.
What are we gonna do, Spider?
Reece is a drug addict.
Means all he cares about
is drugs.
Once he gets that Mama
ain't interested in him no more,
he's just gonna move on
to the next person.
What if he don't?
Hey.
What do you say...
the next time we get
some money on the card,
we do something fun?
Like what?
There.
You got it.
Perfect. All right.
Is that everything?
I don't know.
Is that everything, Jessie?
That's everything.
- All right.
- Okay.
Can't wait to eat.
It has to be a fair trade.
Give it back.
Then, give me that one.
Oh, my goodness.
The blue bear is my favorite.
I think that
boy's taking pictures of us.
Hey!
-You're taking pictures of us?
-No, look, I was, um...
What are you,
some kind of pervert?
-What?
-Let me see it.
Ow. Hey.
Look, just careful with it,
okay? It's an A1.
Where's the pictures?
It's not that kind of camera.
Well, it takes pictures,
don't it?
Well, sure,
but it's not digital. It's film.
Cody, break's over.
Can I get my camera back?
Please?
How much we get
on the card every month?
$196 per person.
So almost $400?
Spider, ain't you
just the least bit sad?
About what?
Mama?
You stay here.
I mean it this time.
Hi, there. My name is Matthew.
What's your name?
Is your mom or dad at home?
My dad's working out back.
Oh, that's all right.
I don't want to bother him.
May I ask
if you have a church home?
A what?
A church home.
Yeah. No, thanks.
I'm not interested.
Oh, wait a second. I got--
Hello?
Hello?
Can I just give you
one of these?
Hi.
-Who are you?
-Jessie.
Hi, Jessie.
I'm Pastor Matthew.
I just started
as the associate pastor
over at
the Hopewell Baptist Church.
I'm trying to get
a youth ministry going.
We're kicking things off
with a pizza night next week.
You're both welcome.
Well, I'll just leave you
with our pamphlet there.
It was real nice
meeting you ladies.
I hope to see you there.
Now, what part of
staying in the kitchen
don't you understand?
Can we go?
-To what?
-Pizza night.
Mama don't deserve
to be in a shed, Spider.
That ain't right.
And it sure ain't
very Christian.
Let me see that.
Hey! What'd you do that for?
I'm doing you a favor.
Don't need to be filling
your head with all that crap.
We used to go to church.
Remember?
A couple times on Christmas.
That one time on Easter.
Mama made you wear that purple
dress with the white ruffles.
Only time I ever seen you in
a dress.
You threw such a hissy.
Remember that?
Mama was in
one of her good spells.
Listen to me.
We're lucky
that we have that shed.
I don't know
what we would've done.
Well, maybe
she's not in the shed.
Not really.
Maybe she's in heaven.
My little Spider.
Mama?
Mama's phone.
- Who is it?
- I don't know.
Jacey, this is
Paula Dickinson
from Child Services.
- Shit.
- I wanted to stop by
and see how you and the girls
were getting along.
It's about
7:30 Saturday morning.
Should be there within
the hour.
See you soon.
It's baby snatcher.
What are we gonna do, Spider?
Mom's room.
I'll do trash. You grab
the clothes and start folding.
Come on.
What's the point?
She's gonna notice
Mama ain't here.
I'll think of something.
What's that?
It's Mama's
teaching certificate.
Hard to believe
Mama used to teach.
It was a long time ago.
Come on.
She's gonna be here soon.
I'll just say
she's at a job interview.
What kind of job,
in case she asks?
How about Walmart?
No. That's too easy to check.
I'll just say the bank.
- Which bank?
- I don't know.
What's the point?
There's a bunch of them
that she didn't say.
That's better.
If Mama's on a job interview,
wouldn't she have taken her car?
Did it stick you?
No.
Put your foot on the brake.
That's how it works
at the go-karts.
Did she say which bank?
No, ma'am.
Well, I mean, she did,
but I just forgot.
Do you remember?
No.
How would you say
your mom's doing, overall?
She's good.
She's doing real good.
Do you ever feel
unsafe in the house?
Either with your mom or anyone
your mom might have over?
No, ma'am.
How about you, Jessie?
Do you ever feel unsafe here?
No, ma'am.
Could you open
the refrigerator, please?
Sure.
It's Paula.
I'm with the family now,
and then I've got
four more visits before I...
Uh-huh.
Maggie, I've got 30 cases on
my desk
I haven't even looked at yet
and I'm not even supposed
to be working today.
Uh-huh. Bye.
Sorry about that.
Do you have any food
in the cabinets?
Yeah.
Be all right
if I see your mom's room?
Yes, ma'am.
Tell your mom to give me a call,
all right?
Important I speak to her.
See you girls later.
It's Paula.
I'm just finishing a visit.
Just give me 15. Yes.
Give me a moment.
She's gonna be
checking up on us.
How many case workers
have we already had?
None of them lasted a year.
They all quit.
We only get a new one
if there's a report.
We just gotta keep doing
what we're doing.
All right?
74 Charlie. 74 Charlie.
74 Charlie. We have a 10-58.
Just gave the female
a second hit of Narcan.
Looks like
she's coming out of it.
Didn't make it
in time for the male.
Keep breathing.
Vicky, any word from the court?
There you go.
We gotta get these kids out.
Roger that.
I found a cigarette.
I don't know who it's for.
Hey, girls.
-Hey, Dad.
-How was your game, baby?
It was good. We won. I scored.
You scored? Yeah?
Where'd you put it?
-Upper left.
-That's my girl.
-How you doing, Spider?
-I'm all right.
- Yeah?
- Yes, sir.
Good to see you.
Now, why is it that every time
I ask you about school,
all I get is a grunt?
Oh.
You're lucky you get a grunt.
It was fun. What else
do you guys want me to say?
Can you pass
the potatoes, babe?
Mm-hmm.
How about you, son?
How's school?
Good.
We're multiplying fractions now.
See? That wasn't so hard.
We had a health class today.
Want to hear about that?
Mm.
Can you keep it G-rated?
Penis, vagina, babies.
- In that order.
- That sounds all right.
Ew. Ew!
Well, I'm stuffed.
That was real good, huh?
It was delicious.
Thank you, Spider.
Your mama coming for you?
No, she's, you know,
she's real busy,
so I was just
going to take the bus.
Oh, don't be silly.
I'll run you home.
No, it's really fine.
-It's not a big deal.
-It's dark, sweetheart.
It's no problem.
Make sure you get home safe.
-Thanks for the ride.
-Hey, how's your mom doing?
Keeping busy?
Yeah, she's-- she's been busy,
looking for a job.
Yeah? Teaching?
No, um, I don't think.
Right.
You know, I used to cheat off
your mom. Biology, 10th grade.
Would have failed that class
if we weren't
sitting next to each other.
You know, I'll go in and say hi.
Oh, no, you shouldn't.
You know,
she told me not to say anything.
She's just got this interview
at the bank real early tomorrow,
and she's
super nervous about it.
Which bank?
You know, she mentioned it, but
I just don't remember the name.
She just made us
swear up and down
that we wouldn't say anything.
She doesn't want people
bothering her about it.
Well, hope she gets it.
Yeah. Me too.
Well, thanks again.
Anytime.
-What?
-What do you think?
Maddie's grandma
can't drive me home,
but it's okay for the sheriff
to drive you home.
That's bullshit.
Don't cuss.
I'm almost 11,
I can cuss if I want,
especially when
I'm calling bullshit.
I messed up.
I'm sorry.
-What?
-I said...
Well, you heard me.
I thought I did,
but I don't think I ever
heard you say sorry before.
It sounded kind of weird
coming out of your mouth,
so I couldn't be sure.
Hey.
Did he ask about Mama?
What?
How long do you think
we can keep this up, Spider?
If you're here
for the 3:25, hun,
I'm afraid you just missed it.
No, I'm here for information,
actually.
How much are tickets?
Well, that depends on
where you want to go.
Can you go anywhere?
With connections,
just about.
Got a schedule here.
How old are you, baby?
Whatever troubles you got,
it's a lot worse out there,
especially for girls like you.
Do you need me to call someone?
Hey, I was hoping you'd be back.
Why?
Well, what do you think?
I think that you were lying.
You said that you weren't
taking pictures of us.
Oh, sure, I just kind of thought
that you were gonna break
my camera or my nose.
Oh, no, It's, um... it's yours.
To keep.
Do you ever want to take
pictures together sometime?
I don't mean like that.
I mean, um, I go out a lot,
and, you know, take photos
of whatever, and it's kinda--
I gotta get home.
Okay.
I'm Cody, by the way.
Spider.
Hey.
You okay?
I feel closer to her
when I'm holding this.
-Why are you so mad at her?
-Jessie.
It wasn't her fault,
you know.
They say it's just like
cancer or something.
You wouldn't be mad at someone
for having cancer, would you?
Mama didn't have cancer.
She just made bad choices.
Is that you, Mama?
Jessie, dinner!
One sec.
Goodbye.
You need me to get a refill?
No, this one's pretty full.
Hmm, that's cute.
That boy from
the country mart take it?
You guys been hanging out
or somethin'?
No.
Then how come he gave it to you?
What?
You think he likes you?
He's, like, 17.
So?
So, no, I don't think
that he likes me.
Yeah, you're probably right.
Boy would have to be
batshit crazy like you.
Well, you know, he did ask me to
take pictures with him, but...
He did? What'd you say?
Nothing.
-You should go.
-I think that that's the last
thing that I should do.
-Why?
-What do you mean, why?
That's the last thing
we need right now.
Just somebody else,
poking around in our business.
You know what I think?
I think you're afraid
of what might happen
if you actually had some fun
for once in your life.
And with a boy, no less.
Hey.
You expected me
to get on that thing?
-It works, you know, for now.
-For now?
Well, yeah, no, I pick
these, uh, bikes up
from the salvage yard,
fix 'em up, you know,
breathe a new life into 'em,
get a few extra miles.
You ever been on a bike before?
They're super fun.
Hey, might feel better if you
wrap your arms around my waist.
My arms are fine
where they are, thank you.
Hey, what are we doing here?
Gotta drop this off.
What's up, Shutterbug?
It's about time,
I've been waiting on these.
Yeah, I got a couple
more developing.
-Give 'em to you next week.
-Yeah, all right, 'til then.
All right.
Good to see you.
Sorry about that.
-You ready?
-Yeah.
Come on.
You're not, like, some kind
of axe murderer, are you?
No. What, are you?
No.
Cool.
Come on.
Ah...
Hey. Come here.
Wow.
Hey, uh, did you ever--
you ever use one of these?
-Mm-mm.
-You have to...
So, look through there.
That's the viewfinder.
It's all blurry.
Oh, um, is that better?
I just turn the lens,
that's how you focus it,
and that's the--
that's the shutter.
So, when you frame up,
make sure it's in focus.
- Yeah.
- And then hit that button.
And take a photo. Yeah.
You got it?
-Yeah.
-And just cock that,
when you want to take
your next one.
What do I take pictures of?
Whatever you want.
Jacey?
It's Ben.
Hey, Jace?
You home?
Sheriff, you there?
Yeah, Wendy, what's up?
We've got a probable
overdose at the Starlight
Motel.
Manager called it in.
Victim is female, 40s.
Copy that.
Who are these people?
Just people.
You know, from town.
Do you know 'em?
Nope.
Hmm.
Why do you bother taking
pictures of 'em?
I don't know, there's
just something about 'em.
Just like you and your sister
that one day.
Why do you take pictures
of drug addicts?
What do you mean?
They're just people, you know?
Once you get on that road,
it's hard to get back.
Is that your friend
from the motel?
Dennis?
- How do you know him?
- Uh...
Just taking pictures, you know.
There's lots of interesting
folks coming out of the motel.
And since Dennis is there,
they let me photograph 'em.
I offer them a print,
if they want it.
He sell drugs?
He used to.
And then he and his wife OD'd.
His wife died,
and the state took the kids.
Now he just sells moonshine,
knockoffs, things like that.
What's that?
Some kind of tower?
Is that a light switch?
It's pretty neat, huh?
Yeah.
I took that one.
You got a good eye.
This is stupid.
Well, it's-- I told you,
if my mom sees me with a boy.
Just let me
take you closer.
It's fine, right up the street.
All right, suit yourself.
I'll see you later.
Hey, you forgot
your, uh, backpack.
Thanks.
You know, I wasn't, um, joking
when I said that--
that you have a good eye.
Here.
It's digital, so you can--
you can practice.
I can't take that.
And how much it cost.
I'm not giving it
to you to keep,
just thought you might
like to borrow it.
Look, I got, like,
six of 'em anyways.
Thanks.
See ya.
It was real nice
hanging out with you.
You eat anything yet?
No.
I'll make something in a bit.
So, how was your date?
It wasn't a date.
Then how come you're blushing?
Hey!
Hey, save some of that.
Come on, you drank,
like, half it already.
Well, how come
we gotta share, anyways?
Because, it's a dollar.
And French fries are a dollar.
So?
So, we're running low
on the card.
Plus, we both don't need
our own milkshake.
It's excessive.
What's excessive mean?
The amount of questions
you're always askin' me.
That's excessive.
Oh, so, like, how your
bitchiness is excessive.
I'm gonna whoop your ass
one of these days, for real.
Hello, girls.
You know, your mama
still has not called me.
Yeah, well, maybe
she don't wanna talk to you.
You got a lip
on you, Spider.
These little brats are Jacey's.
So, is she getting clean?
Is that it?
Yeah, that's right.
She don't want nothing
to do with you.
That's all right.
She'll come back around.
Always does.
In the meantime, how much that
stuff I get from Tiny cost?
A few hundred, at least.
You tell your mama that if she
don't wanna play no more,
she owes me.
I want 300, by Friday,
or I'm coming by.
And I ain't leaving
'til she makes it right.
One way or the other.
It's a Cam Shot.
I can give you 50 for it.
No, it's worth 150.
I looked it up.
That's if it's new.
This is used.
There's not even
a scratch on it.
I sell this to you,
you hold on to it
so I can buy it back?
Two weeks.
Then it goes in the case.
Same with the camera?
So I can buy it back?
I can't hold the electronics.
I can give you
50 for the locket.
No, I need 100.
Buybacks are double.
What do you mean?
I give you 100, it'll cost you
200 to buy it back.
Well, that's not fair.
Why didn't you
use canned?
I thought there was money
on the card.
Not anymore.
What do you mean?
I mean, there ain't no more
money on the card.
What do you think I mean?
-What? What are you doing?
-I'm going out for a bit.
I'm gonna go and pay Reece.
I'm going to pay him,
and he's gonna leave us alone.
What?
- Spider.
- It's okay.
You don't gotta be scared.
Reece?
Hey there, girl.
I got your money.
300 dollars.
I'm gonna give you this,
and you're gonna leave us alone.
Mama's done with you,
you understand?
Hmm.
Whatever you say.
Uh... let me count it.
I gotta go. It's all here.
Easy, now.
You know I can't let you
leave 'til I count it.
Why don't you stay a while,
and I'll show you
what makes your mama so crazy.
Would you like that, Spider?
Hey, Spider.
Where is your Mama?
She clean, and let you
come here all by yourself?
You up to something,
ain't you, girl?
I ain't done with you, Spider!
I ain't done with you!
Fuck you!
I hate you.
I hate you!
Jessie? It's me.
I thought something happened.
It seemed like
you were gone forever.
All right, well, I'm fine.
Just let me breathe.
So?
He's going to leave us
alone now.
Right?
Yeah.
He's going to leave us alone.
Come on. It's late.
You go and get ready for bed.
"Kinship adoption can be
a great alternative
to the foster care system.
A sibling can adopt a younger
sibling if they are 18.
You must be able to show
an ability to provide
and take care of the child
emotionally and physically."
What you doing?
Nothing.
Can I get a cupcake?
Yeah, sure.
I just got money on the card.
Great.
Hey.
You seen Mama's locket?
I thought I left it
on the table.
I'm sure it'll turn up.
Go set the table.
Who is it?
Hey, Jacey. It's Ben.
You know, Jen and I
were talking, We'd love to have
you and the girls
over at some point.
Do me a favor.
Give me a call back.
It'd be good to catch up.
Fictional New York City
locale on children's TV.
Starts with an S,
name of a place.
Oh!
Children's TV?
Um, is it Sesame Street?
Sesame Street. Thank you.
It was driving me nuts.
Hmm.
I was wondering
if you do fake IDs.
I do.
Good ones, too.
But, sweetheart, no one's
gonna believe you're 21,
no matter how good I do 'em.
I don't need to be 21.
Just 18.
Well, how old are you, really?
My daughter's 15.
I can get you an ID card
easy enough.
Yeah, I just need something
official-looking.
You know,
like a driver's license.
Probably gonna need,
like, two birth certificates.
A driver's license is 500 bucks.
I could do the birth
certificates for 200 apiece.
I can't... I can't afford 500.
You know, I can't really afford
much of anything right now.
I really need them.
What do you need 'em for?
Hey, watch this.
Is this still enough for you?
Woo-hoo!
You know, if you break your
legs, you can't keep riding it.
I love this, Alexis.
Man, I wish I could keep it.
Woo-hoo!
Look at me!
Look at this!
Spider, Spider, look!
Look, look, look!
I'll be right back.
I'm doing a loop-de-loop!
Everything all right?
I gotta tell you something.
Okay.
We're leaving.
Jessie and me.
What?
What do you mean?
The law says that you can
adopt a younger sibling
when you turn 18.
It's just...
I met this guy.
And...
He makes fake IDs.
Birth certificates.
What are you gonna do?
We're just...
gonna go somewhere far away.
Where nobody knows us.
Spider, what--
You're just gonna live
on the streets?
I'm 18.
I'll just get a job, and...
With the birth certificates,
I can put Jessie into school.
I'm not telling her, though.
Not until they're ready.
She'd just say
something to Maddie.
Just like how I'm telling you.
When are you leaving?
As soon as they're ready.
He said they'd be done
by the end of the week.
What am I gonna do without you?
You already sold the camera?
Electronics move fast.
Well, you got any
other Cam Shots?
Yeah. Got one right over here.
How much is it?
Hey, the one I sold you
was way nicer,
and you only gave me 50 for it.
Hey! What about the locket?
Can't afford it.
Hey.
Um, it's good to see you again.
Here. I just wanted
to be sure to get this to you.
What's this?
Just, the one that you gave me,
it kinda...
You know, you didn't have to,
I told you I got,
like, plenty of these.
You take any pictures?
Hey, you know,
I'm gonna be off in, like, 20.
If you wanted, we could, um...
I gotta get going.
I'm real busy.
Are you really busy
or are you just saying that
because you don't wanna
hang out with me?
I don't wanna hang out with you.
Oh.
Just joking.
There's just a lot
going on right now.
Like what?
You're real pushy,
you know that?
You know, the light's
about to get beautiful.
Um...
Late afternoon is really nice.
Come on.
Let's try out the new camera.
What do you say?
What do you think?
That's a great shot.
My inhaler's almost out.
I'll get you a refill
after school.
What'd you do to your hair?
I just put it back.
What?
It's kind of weird.
I can actually see
your whole face.
You look...
Pretty.
Jacey?
It's Paula Dickinson.
Could you come
to the door, please?
Jacey? It's Paula Dickinson.
Jacey? It's Paula.
Jacey, it's Paula Dickinson.
I just stopped by your house.
If we don't connect
by the end of the day,
I'm gonna have to call
the sheriff's office.
Guess she didn't quit.
All right.
I'll see you after.
Maybe we should just tell her.
What are you talking about?
Baby Snatcher.
I mean, ain't you tired of this?
How can you--
You know what happens
if we tell her.
She's gonna find out anyways.
Hey, Jessie.
You keep your mouth shut.
You hear me?
Jessie?
Wanna let go of me?
Please?
Come on, let's go, Maddie.
Hey. Is Dennis here?
Shouldn't you be in school?
He ain't here.
Do you know when he'll be back?
Got court today.
Is he in some kind of trouble?
What? No.
Trying to get his kids back.
He's making something for me.
I know.
Do you know if it's done?
It's not.
You should be grateful
instead of pouting.
Barely making rent,
son of a bitch doing freebies.
He said it'd be done
by the end of the week.
Then why are you here?
It's Thursday, ain't it?
Come back tomorrow.
Well, you're home early.
Didn't go.
Why?
You sick?
No.
You say anything?
Jessie?
No.
You sure?
You didn't say nothing
to Maddie or to--
I just told you,
I didn't say nothing.
Still can't find the locket.
Just looked everywhere again.
What'd you do with it?
I sold it.
What? How could you?
Locket meant everything to her.
You really think that Mama gave
a shit about that stupid locket?
She'd have sold it
if she didn't.
Even when she was real bad off--
Mama didn't give a shit about
nothing except getting high.
That was all she cared about.
Nothing else.
-She was a bad person.
-Don't say that.
-Mama wasn't bad.
-She was!
And the sooner you get
that through your thick head,
-the better off you'll be.
-You're wrong. Mama was good.
She was just sick.
Messed up, but she was good.
She loved us.
She loved us?
Is that what you think?
-Yeah.
-Did you forget about all those
nights whenever you
were crying your eyes out
while Mama and Reece
were getting into it?
How about all the times we'd get
up for breakfast in the morning
and there'd be strange people
in the kitchen doing drugs?
What about the time whenever
you were a baby
and Mama left you on the porch
outside in the freezing cold
while she was inside
getting high?
You know, if your screams
wouldn't have woke me up,
you'd be dead.
Don't mean she didn't love us.
Jesus, Jessie,
that's exactly what it means!
I mean, why do you think
that you're sick?
What do you mean? I'm not sick.
-Your asthma.
-What about my asthma?
Spider, what about my asthma?
Mama was using...
the whole time
she was pregnant with you.
Messed up your lungs.
That's not true!
You're lying!
Why would I lie about that?
'Cause you hate her!
And you want me to hate her.
But I don't!
Jessie! Jessie!
Hang on. Jessie.
Shit, I forgot to fill it.
Hey. Hey. Hang on!
911, what's your emergency?
My sister can't breathe.
She needs an ambulance.
-What's the address?
-604 Valley Stream Road.
Calling dispatch now.
How long are you gonna take?
Ambulance will get there
as soon as we can.
I'll stay on the line with you.
Help!
Please, help!
Help!
Okay. I can't-- Help!
All right,
tell us what happened.
- She has asthma.
- Okay. What's her name?
- She can't breathe!
- What's her name?
- Jessie.
- Hi, Jessie.
We're gonna take
good care of you.
We're gonna get
respiratory staff.
She's cyanotic. We need
to get her on the monitor ASAP.
-Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
-Hey, hey!
-Get off of me!
-Get back there. You're fine.
-Get off of me! Get off of me!
-You can't come back there.
-It's gonna be okay.
-Jessie!
She's all I have!
Sweetie,
is that your car outside?
What?
Sweetie, how old are you?
Is she okay?
-Is there someone we can call?
-I--
-Your mother or father?
-Is she okay?
Please, I need to see my sister.
I need to know that she's okay.
Please.
- I'm sorry...
- Please, I can't.
...but we can't
discuss your sister's condition
without a parent or a guardian.
It's not--
Just isn't fair.
Just-- Please.
Okay, thank you.
She's okay.
She's gonna be all right.
s
I didn't-- I didn't-- I didn't--
It's okay.
She's gonna be fine.
I didn't mean to.
You did good.
I didn't--
Here you go. Drink it up.
Go on. You need it.
They're gonna discharge her now.
You know, doc said
it was you getting her here
as fast as you did
that saved her life.
Yeah, well, it's my fault.
I forgot to get
her inhaler refilled.
Oh, Spider.
You're her sister, not her mom.
You know where she's at now?
How long she been
using this time?
You can tell me.
Please don't take us away.
You do that
and they'll separate us.
Is--
Hey, sweetheart.
Go on.
Hey.
I'm so sorry.
Are you okay?
Just tired.
All right.
I'm gonna run y'all
back to our house,
then I'll go talk to your mama,
let her know you're safe.
Thank you, Mr. Jeffries.
Yeah. Come on.
Okay.
I'll grab you some shoes
at your house.
Okay.
I went to
their house. She wasn't home.
Tracked down their caseworker,
and she said Jacey's been
ducking her for weeks now.
-For weeks?
-Yeah.
And you're just
hearing about it now.
I am sorry,
but that is unforgivable.
-Easy.
-It is.
Babe, if I drove you down
to the CPS offices right now,
you'd see more kids
sleeping between the damn desks
than you can count
on both your hands.
They're doing what they can.
We all are.
I know, it's just-- I'm sorry.
Yeah.
Both Spider and Jessie
are not going to be
sleeping on any floors,
I can tell you that.
They'll be staying with us
until we can find 'em a home.
A home in what county?
Got a list of 70 kids
waiting to get placed, 70!
Even if these girls get put
in the front of the line,
I don't know any family
that's gonna take both of them.
I never seen it.
All right, you girls
have a good day at school.
Hey, Spider, I don't want
you worrying none, okay?
I'm gonna keep checking
the house. I'm gonna find her.
We're gonna figure this out.
Go on.
You're not
coming in today, are you?
You heard your dad.
We gotta get out of here now.
Here.
My babysitting money.
-Alexis--
-Uh-uh.
You can throw it out if you want
to, but I'm not taking it back.
Thanks.
I love you.
Love you too.
Dennis.
Oh, hey, sweetheart.
Come on in. Come on in.
What's the matter with you?
No running.
I'm looking for my sister.
Jessie Zweydorf?
Jessie... yeah, she went out the
Murray exit with Maddie Grayson.
Thanks.
Why you freaking out?
'Cause I told you
to wait for me at school.
Now come on, get inside.
Spider!
You wanna tell me
what's going on?
Come on.
I need you to grab clothes.
You wanna fit in this suitcase.
What? Why? Where are we going?
Can't you just do
what you're told?
Spider!
You know what? Fine.
You don't wanna pack?
-I'll just do it for you.
-Spider, stop!
-Hey, stop!
-Listen to me.
Alexis's dad or Baby Snatcher
could be here any minute.
I got a license.
It says I'm 18, and that
means that I can adopt you.
It means that nobody
can ever separate us.
Now, you and I, we have to get
to the bus depot in Franklin,
and then we can go anywhere.
We get to start new.
I don't wanna go.
I think you don't got a choice.
Spider, this is crazy.
I mean, what about school?
There'll be school
where we're going.
What about my friends?
What about Maddie?
-What about Mama?
-What about her?
I mean, we can't just
leave her like that.
Yes, we can. Come on!
Mama had good in her heart,
no matter what she did.
God damn it! Come on!
No, I'm not going!
-They are going to separate us!
-Good!
The door.
Stay here.
I know you're in there, girl.
What do you want?
-Let me in.
-You need to leave.
Now!
Or what?
I'm calling the cops!
I knew you were up to something!
No, get off of me!
I've been to the clinics,
the houses, the dealers.
Nobody's seen your mama,
not in weeks.
She's dead, ain't she?
And you two are living
high on the hog with
that extra 200 bucks a month.
Easy, now! Easy.
I'll keep your little secret.
But it's gonna cost you.
I want that extra 200 bucks
every month, you understand me?
You understand me, girl?
Yes! Yes.
See,
now that wasn't so bad, was it?
Is your sister home?
What do you say you and me
relax for a little bit?
What do you say?
Would you like that?
-No, no!
-You like to play rough?
-No!
-Real rough, don't you?
Get off of her!
Jessie!
Hey.
You okay?
Is he gone?
Yeah. He's gone.
Did he hurt you?
No.
I hit him pretty hard
with the bat, though.
Spider?
Yeah?
I don't wanna go.
Shh, shh.
I'm sorry.
You ain't got nothing
to be sorry for.
All right?
Nothin'.
I'm sorry.
I like when you sing to me.
It reminds me of Mama.
I'm real sorry.
What I did...
is it wrong?
You did what you had to
to try to keep
your family together.
Nothin' wrong with that.
What's gonna happen to us?
Grieving is
the price you pay for loving.
Love is forgiveness.
Continue to love and do good for
one another with the knowledge
that there's a home for
all of us after this life.
I think, on this day,
Jacey is lying down
in her warm bed,
humming nursery rhymes,
waiting to snuggle
with her two girls.
Made you guys a plate.
These mini hot dogs are crazy.
Not hungry.
Mmm. Yeah, these are amazing.
I know, right?
Mmm.
These are good.
Hey.
Hey.
Um...
you know you didn't
have to come.
What, you want me to leave?
Come on.
Are all these people
friends of your mama's?
I guess.
A few weeks back,
one of her old teaching friends
heard that she died.
They asked to chip in for this.
I don't think she'd seen
most of 'em for a while.
That sucks.
I'm sorry.
So I've been
kind of wondering...
what's your name?
I mean your real name.
Sadie.
Sadie.
No.
No, it doesn't suit you.
It's way too, uh--
it's too dainty.
My point exactly.
So how'd you get
to being called Spider?
My mom.
She said I was just like
the spider in the nursery rhyme.
What?
She's right.