Original subtitles

And last Monday, I started a new job as the cashier for Rudy's Mini Mar on

Northern Boulevard.

That's because she lost the last two jobs for drinking and coming in late.

Pappas, you'll have a chance to tell your side.

Go ahead, Blair.

I'm really trying.

And I will do anything to get custody of my little girl. Your little girl?

Our son's little girl is growing up in a stable home with respectable people.

I mean, you know what kind of life Chloe would have if she ever got custody?

But Chloe is my daughter. Ladies, please.

Blair, I am troubled by your employment record since we met here six months ago.

I just haven't found the right job, but I swear that I will keep this one. And

it looks like you haven't been attending your support group regularly.

She can't drag herself out of the bars.

Let me look at the photograph.

What, are you spying on me now?

Isn't it enough that you destroyed my son's life?

I am not going to let you destroy my granddaughter's too. That is not fair.

I loved Kevin.

And there's not a day that goes by that I don't wish he were still here. But his

death was not my fault. If it wasn't for you, he'd still be here. Enough.

I'm sorry, Blair.

I wish you would give me a reason to recommend a change.

But right now, I feel it's in Chloe's best interest to remain in the custody

her grandparents. No, you don't understand.

We'll review this again in another six months.

But I urge you to use the time wisely.

You can still have your supervised visits.

But please try to learn some discipline.

Hold down a job.

Get a handle on your drinking and your self -destructive behavior.

Can you do that this time?

Another margarita, no salt.

Oh, number one, number one.

Hi, honey.

Mom, what are you doing here so early?

Show me the money's still on.

I'm taping it.

Sorry to see you here.

I guess it didn't go so well today.

Oh, it used to. I could be Mother Teresa and they still wouldn't let me have

custody of Chloe.

Oh, look, she's getting another chance.

Go for the money.

The doors are not your friend.

Don't give up, Blair.

She's your daughter. She needs her mother.

I know what that feels like.

Oh, honey, let's not start that again.

You can't live your whole life blaming me for what happened.

Who should I blame?

You were driving.

Kevin died.

It was an accident.

The road was icy. That could have happened to anybody.

Anybody who's drunk. I wasn't drunk.

All right.

You're right. I'm sorry. It's no use going over the same old story.

Forget our troubles.

Tell me if she goes to the bonus round.

Oh, you might want to watch your step, Blair.

Not yet.

Well, Blair, looks like you saved the last dance for me.

You will go back with all your memories intact to change the course of your

life.

We are free agent in the universe.

Afterlife, the heavenly game show where your eternity is up to you.

And now, here's your host, Mr.

Joe!

Hi. Our first contestant today is a high school dropout from Long Island, New

York, an unwed mother with no particular job skills, and a remarkable lack of

self -control, Blair Wilson.

Come on up!

Where am I?

Well, Blair, we'll start with the bad news.

You died.

What do you mean?

The bar, your dancing, your close encounter with the railing. Remember?

I died?

Yes, I'm sorry.

But don't despair. All it takes is one correct answer and you might qualify for

the bonus round.

Blair Wilson, are you ready?

Number one, the eternity of your dreams, the nonstop party where the music's

hot, the drinks are free, you're always young, and there's never a care in the

world. All this can be yours if you choose door number one.

What's behind the other door?

Glad you asked that, Blair, because behind door number two is a life of

struggle, constant uncertainty, and the promise of nothing but more than a

thing. You mean hell?

Not exactly.

Because along with all that anxiety and doubt comes a chance, a slim chance that

you just might get back your little girl.

Chloe? Bingo.

It's all up to you.

You'll have to resist the same temptations you gave into the first time

For starters, that means no booze, Blair.

And there's no guarantee your life will be any easier than it was.

So, which do you choose? The eternal party behind door number one?

Or the chance to be a real mother to Chloe in the lifelong struggle that goes

with it?

Behind door number two.

Can I have both Chloe and the good time?

No can do. Make your choice and hurry.

Time is running out.

I choose Chloe.

Behind door not.

Interesting, Mr. Jones.

And I can't deny that your client's choice of door number two argues in her

favor.

But then, we all know which path is paved with good intentions, don't we?

No, I'm afraid that her record speaks for itself.

Now's your chance.

To what?

Defend yourself.

Tell them there's a reason you made such a mess of things.

my mother. If it hadn't been for her, I'd still have Kevin and Chloe and

everything would be fine.

Blair, do you honestly believe that your mother was responsible

for Kevin's death?

She was driving the car, Your Honor, when a truck slammed into the passenger

side.

I don't care what the test said. I know she was drinking that night. She was

always drinking.

Now, the test was correct.

Oh.

Your mother had a problem with drinking.

Still does.

But she was sober that night.

The accident was a tragedy.

But not her fault.

The question is why she was driving Kevin home at all.

I was willing to drive him. I told her I was okay.

But she didn't want you to, did she?

Why is that?

I was fine.

I'm sorry, Mr. Jones.

You know that we reserve second chances for people who show

some sense of remorse, some awareness that they were responsible for their

choices and their actions.

Ms. Wilson doesn't seem to fall into this category.

Therefore... Your Honor.

Please. I believe in this young woman more than she believes in herself.

Her life had not been easy, and her mother's chronic drinking only made

worse. The state took me away from her. She was such a drunk.

Whatever the facts of the accident, she loved that young man very much. She was

devastated when he was killed.

And when she learned that she was pregnant by him, that, that became

much for a 16 -year -old girl to bear.

Understandable at that age.

But she did have ten years to learn some self -control.

Enough to show the earthly court that she could raise Chloe on her own.

Sadly, she didn't succeed.

But she did try, Your Honor.

And I believe she would have kept trying had she been given more time.

Why are you so sure of that, Mr. Jones?

Why?

I see someone in denial.

Someone who refuses to face the truth.

Look, if you're going to send me to hell, then get it over with.

It won't be that much different than what my life has been like since Kevin

died.

But if I can have one request... Yes?

Please ask God to look after my little girl.

If you can do that for Chloe, I don't care what happens to me.

You have a long way to go, Blair Wilson.

And much to learn about yourself.

Frankly, I'm not sure if you can.

But... There's...

One thing that you didn't have the first time around.

A friend.

This time, you shall have one.

A friend who?

Yourself.

You will have three days, and three days only, to change the course of your

life.

No one will recognize you.

You are a free agent in the universe.

with the blessing of God Almighty and his court.

She can't hold on a job. She drinks.

Not what you call the greatest mother in the world.

Wait, I'm back here.

Are you all right?

Excuse me, I've got to get some water.

What do you think?

What do I think? What am I supposed to think?

I'm back where I was this morning with Mrs. Pappas telling the social worker

what a terrible mother I am. I mean, I would think that it was a dream, but now

you're here, so it's not a dream. It's a nightmare, and I can't wake up.

How can you be so sure they're talking about you?

You heard Mrs.

Pappas. She said she's unfit. She drinks. Who else would she be talking

Look in your file.

Maureen Wilson?

My mother?

Welcome back to 1990.

George Bush is your president, Mikhail Gorbachev is about to win the Nobel

for Peace, and you can't touch MC Hammer at the top of the charts.

What about me?

You're Polly Murtaugh, caseworker for the Child Protection Department of

Services. Look in your pocket.

You even have the cards to prove it.

And you've just been assigned a very interesting case.

I'm a social worker?

No, no, no, no, no, no.

A social worker is the one who took me out of my house when I was a teenager.

The social workers told the court to take Chloe away from me.

What are you thinking?

Well, it's Judge Othniel who makes these famines.

Tell him to make me a friend or a doctor, someone I can trust. Just not a

worker. Those people ruin my life.

Holly, were you talking to somebody?

Sure.

Uh, she can't see me.

I was...

Talking to the files.

I talk to the files sometimes.

And do the files talk to you as well?

No, no, not literally, but I have enough to imagination.

Well, if you could imagine coming back inside, that would be very helpful.

It's your case.

I understand.

I'll be right in.

Why didn't you tell me she was coming out?

I didn't know.

Don't you know everything?

Don't I wish.

And I definitely don't know what your future holds. It's all new now, and it's

all up to you.

I will tell you this much, though.

The accident that cost Kevin his life happened on this date, eight hours from

now.

Thanks for looking into this, Miss Murtaugh.

I felt funny coming here, but I thought someone needed to make sure that Blair

was all right.

How nice that you care so much about Blair.

I do.

Kevin likes her very much, and I respect his judgment.

But if she's not safe in her own home, then we should do something about that,

don't you think?

That's why I'm here.

Great. Thank you.

Witch.

Now, Blair.

What? I knew she didn't like me, but I never knew she was the one who called

social services.

She's the reason I ended up in that horrible group home.

Do I have an office or something?

Follow me.

Okay, if you were a social worker in 1990, how would you get information on

support group meetings for alcoholics?

Phone book?

Good answer.

Good answer for you, too, to get yourself to go.

Not me, my mother.

If the accident was tonight, I'd have to keep her from driving that car.

Well, they're your three days.

But as a rule, my clients have more success trying to change themselves.

There's not always a lot you can do to change others. She has the problem, not

me. But I can fix that. I can save Kevin, I can help my mom, and I can keep

custody of Chloe.

You know, I take back what I said about being a social worker.

It's perfect.

Judge wasn't so dumb after all.

Tell me if that's all.

Hi. Yeah, could you tell me where I could find a meeting tonight?

Port Allen.

Here you are.

Maureen Wilson?

Yes. I'm Polly Morton, Department of Social Services.

Can you have a minute?

Uh, one.

I gotta get back to work.

How did you know I was here?

Do you eat lunch anywhere else?

It's about your daughter.

Blair, is she all right?

We got a report about the environment in your home.

She's a minor, and there's concerns she's not getting the proper parental

attention she needs.

There's no problem in my house.

I wish I had the luxury of being a stay -at -home mom, but I never heard there

was a law against working for a living.

It's not your work that we're looking into, Maureen.

It's what happens afterwards.

The report says that you're in these kind of places almost every night.

Because of your drinking, you've lost a number of jobs, and if you don't do

something about it, you could lose Blair.

You can't take Blair away from me.

She's my life.

Then work with me.

There's a meeting tonight at St. Bridget's at 9 o 'clock.

A support group.

If you meet me there, it'll be a big step in the right direction.

A support group?

For alcoholics.

I am not an alcoholic.

Just because I like to drink a little. Look, you need to do this. There is

nothing worse than losing custody of your child.

I have to think about this.

You're accusing me of something that is not true.

You're asking me to show up with a bunch of drunks and losers.

Why do you always have to be so stubborn?

You don't know me.

But it's so simple.

If you care about Blair, then start with showing up at this meeting.

You do care about her, don't you? More than you do drinking? Of course I do.

I'll give you a call when I've made up my mind.

Now, excuse me. I have to get back to work.

Promise me I won't look like I'm bonkers.

I promise.

But you can see me now.

I'm only visible when I'm in the black suit.

I could sure use one of those.

You know, I suppose I could borrow it sometime.

The boss wouldn't approve.

There I am.

Wow.

Look how young I look.

It was only ten years ago.

So we're off ten years, wasn't it?

Yeah, starting tonight.

Here's Justine. God, I used to think she was so cool.

The guy she's with, Ray, it's bad news.

He set her up as a dancer in the city.

Dancer. Last I heard, she'd been arrested a few times.

I don't think it's about living on the street.

You know, he tried to recruit me to be a dancer, but I said, no way. I had too

much self -respect for that.

Drinking on the job.

That's not a good sign.

Just think that nothing is with Dean.

Blair.

I'm Polly Murtaugh.

Child protection.

I know it doesn't sound good, but I'm here to help you.

Help me what?

There's concern about your mother and her drinking.

And I talked to her before, but I don't think she understands how serious this

is.

How serious is it?

If she doesn't get help right away, the court could take you away from her.

If you're trying to scare me, you're doing a really good job, okay?

What can I do?

Talk to her.

I invited her to a support group tonight, but...

She wouldn't commit to me.

I think if she heard it from you, she may pay attention.

Okay.

Okay, I'll talk to her as soon as I get home from work.

A .B.

Kevin!

Kevin, I haven't seen him since... He was so

beautiful.

Blair, I'm home.

Dinner's on the stove.

Hi, sweetie.

Kevin. Hi.

Do you want me to keep an eye on the food?

Yeah, thanks.

What a day.

12 manicures.

Or pedicures.

Oh, I'm beat.

What about that lady?

The social worker.

You know about her?

She came by the diner. She wanted me to convince you to go to that meeting.

I wouldn't worry about her, honey.

I mean, people talk.

You can't stop them, but I don't have anything to hide.

It's a meeting.

For alcoholics. You know that's not me.

You do drink.

A lot.

Not a lot.

I know my limit.

You're not drinking, are you?

Good,

you're too young.

Look, I'm not saying you have a problem. It's just, can it really hurt to go?

Alcoholics.

Am I drinking now?

I just, I wasn't even planning to go out tonight. I just want to put my feet up

and watch TV. Mom, she was serious, okay? If you don't go, it's going to

really bad.

Mom.

Please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage

to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Thank you.

I'll start tonight.

I'm Don, and I'm an alcoholic.

Even after seven years, it's still hard for me to say that.

Me, a father, a husband, a respected businessman,

and I'm an alcoholic, an addict. I can't tell you how much I still want

to drink, but I know if I have even one, just one,

that would lead to two, then four, and pretty soon I'd be right back on the

bottom.

Good thing about starting is that you get that over with first. So have a

and we'll have our session on the way.

No more for me. No more. Come on.

Friday night.

It's party time.

I'd have to be home in an hour. My parents will be waiting up.

They're so strict.

Hello?

Blair, this is Polly Murtaugh.

Your mother's not there, is she?

No, I thought she was with you.

She never showed up.

Look, this is incredibly important.

You cannot let her drive tonight.

I'm sorry.

I get these premonitions sometimes. I know it sounds weird, but just... I'm

afraid that if she's been drinking in the Rosa Ice, you just promise me, okay,

you will not let her drive you or your friends or even herself.

No problem.

It was just me and Kevin.

I was going to drive them home anyways.

Good. All right, thanks. And have her call me, okay? I'm worried about her.

Everything all right?

Yeah, I think so. I mean, the most important thing is my mom's not driving

home, so he'll be okay.

Where am I staying?

Hotel in Sycamore.

But I was kind of hoping to go back inside and catch the rest of the

Powerful stuff in there, don't you think?

There but for the grace of God, you know.

Glad I don't have that problem.

Sure you don't want me to drive?

It's my car.

Do you know how many tips I have to save for this?

Just saying.

You had more to drink than me.

Kevin, I'm calling.

Black? I should use more of that breast spray. My mom's got a nose like a

bloodhound.

Sure. It's in my purse.

Whoa!

Polly, did you get the message?

No. The hospital called. Kate, the Wilson girl, she was in a car accident

night. Is she all right? Was anyone with her? I don't know. She had your card on

her, and they called here, and... Which hospital?

North Shore.

Dr. Delaney?

Mrs. Patterson.

Tell me what happened. Tell me Kevin's all right. He's fine.

No thanks to that girl.

He's alive? He's okay?

They both are. They just kept them overnight to be sure.

Dr. Johnson to recovery room four. Dr.

Johnson to recovery room four. I'm glad you're happy, Miss Murtaugh, but now do

you know what I'm talking about?

That Blair, she's out of control, just like her mother.

What do you mean?

They were drinking, both of them.

The police said she'll lose her license, but her alcohol level was just under

the limit, so there's nothing more they can do.

It's up to you.

Get her out of that house.

She needs proper supervision before she kills somebody.

Can I take him home now? Yeah, he'll be fine. Just a few bruises. You can check

him out at the front desk.

Can I say goodbye to Blair?

No.

Let's go.

Dr. Hall.

Cardiology. Dr. Hall.

Call cardiology.

Okay, doctor.

I'm Polly Murtaugh, social worker for Blair Wilson.

Thanks for coming. We couldn't find the mother.

Couldn't find her? There was no answer at the house. Blair didn't know where

else to look.

Is she okay?

Very lucky.

But the drinking disturbs me.

She's only 16.

No, she's just fooling around. They all do it. I'm surprised to hear that from

someone in your line of work.

Well, I'm not condoning it. I'm just saying that it was an isolated incident

with Blair.

But I will talk to her about it. There's one more thing.

Do you know if she was aware that she was pregnant?

No, I'm sure she didn't know about it. I figured.

So there's no reason to tell her. Tell her what?

She miscarried. Could be a result of the accident.

She wasn't very far along. Only a few weeks.

I'm glad she didn't know.

I'll have the nurse bring her out.

Chloe. I'm so sorry, Blair.

That was Chloe.

My little girl.

mad at me.

No. I'm sorry about what happened.

The accident.

I know.

Are they gonna take me away from my mom?

I don't know what's gonna happen anymore.

Your mom's car isn't here.

I wish she'd stay sad sometimes.

I'm sure she's fine.

You gonna be okay by yourself?

Yeah, you used to it.

Yeah, you do, don't you?

Chloe loved the park.

I didn't have her to myself for long, but when I did, I took her here.

I used to push her on the swing for hours.

Maybe the court was right.

Maybe I wasn't the best mother.

Whatever you could say about me.

So I was.

I was Chloe's mom.

And now I don't know who I am.

Is she going to be waiting for me in heaven?

We have to get you there first.

Could you turn that thing off, sweetie?

Long night?

I could use a couple more hours sleep.

It's not yet to go to work.

Could you call in sick for me?

Mom, where were you last night?

Out.

Did you have a good time with Kevin?

Why didn't you go to that meeting?

I didn't belong there, sweetie.

But I'm not worried. I take good care of you.

They're not gonna take you away from me.

Sweetie, could you get me some aspirin and a glass of water?

Get your own aspirin, Mom. I gotta go to work.

Blair?

What's that about?

It wasn't my fault, but... Well, I think I'm okay, but they took me to North

Shore for observation or something.

And, um... Could, uh... Could you come and get me, please?

Hey, gorgeous.

How about the corner for my last meal here?

Last meal?

Yeah. Ray got me a place in the city with a couple other girls.

I'm moving in tomorrow.

I've got huge closets, wet bar. You've got to check it out, B.

What about school?

Like what? You and me are going to discover the cure for cancer?

I'm having a blast.

Okay, but isn't this a little dangerous?

What could be dangerous about dancing?

I know what kind of dancing it is.

They're just horny guys, and if you have a problem, you get one of the bouncers.

I gotta do something.

I mean, there's not a lot going on for me here.

What about Kevin?

His mother won't even let him near me.

Well, we have room for one more beat.

Gray, thank you.

She's a wonderful girl.

Your credentials are perfect.

I'll get back to you as soon as I can set up the interview, okay?

You've been busy.

Yeah, I stayed here all night. I couldn't sleep.

You know, I've been through these files, and I think I found three families

who'd be perfect for Blair.

The system can work.

There are good families who can make all the difference to the kids they take

in. That was the problem.

I mean, the social worker that I had, he didn't put much effort into it. He was

happy to put me in a group home and forget about me.

Blair has me, and I think I can place her really well.

Is that what she needs?

What you needed? What I needed was a mother who wasn't a drunk.

But you've known that all along, haven't you?

Today's your last day.

Is there anything that you didn't know before?

About what?

Yourself.

Is that what you think of me? That I'm an alcoholic?

There's nothing to be ashamed of, Blair. I'm not. I wasn't. I mean, sometimes I

drank. Maybe a little too much, but what was I supposed to do with a mother like

that? And losing custody of Chloe?

Drinking was the only thing that made me feel better.

I'm the thing you didn't have real pain.

So what are you saying?

That all of this is my fault?

No, only that you're here to help yourself.

But you can't.

Why? Because you can't solve a problem until you admit you have it.

I'm sorry.

I didn't have a problem.

Everything would have been fine if I had a better family.

I just want her to have a chance.

She'll never know the hurt of losing Chloe.

But maybe that'll be a blessing for her.

Maybe I can start her on a life without any pain at all.

If a life like that exists, I have yet to see it.

It's my last day.

I have to go.

Kevin, have you seen Blair?

Just waiting for her myself.

Well, she's late for work.

Did you call her house?

Yeah, no answer.

I'll wait with you then.

You know, I'm glad you're here.

I'm sure your mother wouldn't be too happy if she knew.

My mom knows I'm here.

Really?

I was afraid she'd try and keep you two apart.

She doesn't have to try.

Blair is great, but I think my mom's right about her What do you mean?

She's drinking all the time and I get caught up in it with her which is really

stupid cuz I should know better I'm gonna help her change all that Kevin.

I hope you do But I think it's got to come from her It's like

she started out drinking at parties Pretty soon, she was drinking more than

everyone else. And then, by herself.

And now it's like, she doesn't drink because she wants to. She does it

she has to.

She can't feel good without it or something.

I can't be with her if she's like that.

You can't give up on her.

She loves you.

I love her too.

But she scares me.

Like mother, like daughter, my mom said.

And I don't think I should be around someone like that.

You're going to love it, B. It's like a non -stop party.

That part sounds great. I'm just a little nervous about the dancing.

Everybody is when they start. I mean, that's what the vlog is for, if you know

what I'm saying.

Get out of the bus, get out there.

It's like you own the crowd, like you're totally in control.

You ready to rock?

We're home. Didn't you get my messages?

Well, I must have been outside.

Or asleep with the ringer off because I don't even know if Flair's here.

Flair? Hello?

Isn't she at work? She has work today.

She never showed up.

She took all her clothes. She's gone.

Gone?

Where?

I don't know. It could be anywhere as long as it's away from you.

Hey.

I don't know who you are thinking you can come in here and insult me and

threaten to break up my family.

It's already broken, Maureen. Don't you see that?

I take good care of my daughter.

She was in the hospital by herself.

She called her social worker to come get her.

Do you call that taking good care of her?

I told her I was sorry about that.

But she is very mature. I don't worry about her here by herself. She's 16.

She's a kid.

She only seems mature because you've never given her the chance to be a kid.

You don't know what kind of mother I am. Yes, I do. I'm exactly like you are.

And they took my little girl away from me for the same reason they're going to

take Blair from you. Because we're alcoholics. Stop calling me that.

If you are weak, that's your problem.

It's not a weakness. It's an illness.

A disease.

And like it or not, you're stuck with it. Just like me and just like Blair.

Blair? Blair doesn't drink.

Why do you think she was in that car accident?

Wake up. She needs your help.

You've lost so much already.

Your marriage...

Blair's childhood.

Even the baby that she will never know.

What?

She was pregnant.

And she didn't even know it.

The accident caused her to miscarry.

Oh.

I know she loves you, Maureen.

And I know you love her.

But for people like us, that's not enough.

Not when you can't face the truth about yourself.

I know that I was never a good mother to my little girl.

And it's too late now.

But it's not too late for you to be a good mother to Blair.

She needs that.

Can you at least try?

Maybe it's too late. I don't know how to find her.

I'm here, Mom.

I just came by to leave you a note.

But I heard you guys in here and...

I'm so sorry baby.

Oh, I'm so sorry baby.

Happy anniversary, honey.

Ten years.

One day at a time.

Ten years?

You and me, together.

Sober!

Look, it says so right there.

One, two, three.

You want me to cut it?

Yeah, sure.

Hello.

Can you tell me what's going on?

Welcome back to your life.

Your new life.

Where you've been in recovery ten years.

It hasn't been easy, but you've had your mom, your husband.

We're married?

You even get along with your mother -in -law. I do?

Wait, I do.

And I respect her.

It's weird. It's like I'm remembering all these things.

You'll remember it all any second.

And forget all about me and your first time around.

But I wanted to congratulate you.

You won the bonus round.

Wait.

Am I going to forget about Chloe, too?

Look down.

She's ready for you now.

And you're ready for her.

Who are you talking to?

Was I talking to someone?

Nothing, Chloe.

How's she doing, Mom?

She's great, Dad.

She's great.