Original subtitles

IF THAT KID RIPS HER TUBE OUT ONE MORE TIME,

I’LL SCREAM. MORNING, SUSAN.

MORNIN’.

Man: HI, SUSAN.

HEY, JERRY.

THEY’RE DOING A CRASH SECTION IN O.R. 10.

WHY AREN’T THE LABS BACK? MORNING, SUSAN.

MORNIN’, DOCTOR.

OHH, PLEASE TELL ME YOU HAD A QUIET NIGHT.

WELL, LET’S SEE. THE 34-WEEKER IN BED 4 HAD TO BE INTUBATED.

THE POST-OP IN BED 10 SPIKED A TEMP.

THE POST-OP OPEN HEART IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH HIS BLOOD PRESSURE.

HOW’S THAT FOR QUIET?

WELL, IF YOU’RE GONNA NIT-PICK...

[TELEPHONE RINGS]

THAT’S FOR YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

[RING]

N.I.C.U. THIS IS LANSING.

YEAH, I GOT IT LAST NIGHT.

LOOK, I TAKE CARE OF MY PATIENTS FIRST,

AND THEN I FILL OUT ALL THESE FORMS YOU KEEP SENDING ME.

LOOK, IS THIS-- CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

IS THIS A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH?

WELL, SORRY, BUT AROUND HERE,

EVERYTHING ELSE COMES IN A ROARING SECOND.

HAVE A NICE DAY.

SAVE US FROM THE BUREAUCRATS.

PRESENT COMPANY EXCLUDED, OF COURSE.

OF COURSE.

SPEAKING OF BUREAUCRACY...

OH, DON’T TELL ME.

AFRAID SO. SHE’S ON HER WAY OVER FROM ELLINGTON COMMUNITY.

HEY, I AM STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT.

WHY CAN’T THEY KEEP HER?

THE KID SPIKED A FEVER, EAR INFECTION.

YOU CAN GUESS THE REST.

THEY WANT TO DUMP HER BEFORE IT GETS SERIOUS.

EXACTLY. SHE’LL BE YOUR FIRST PEDIATRIC AIDS CASE.

ANNIE MARSTEN. 8 WEEKS OLD. MOTHER?

I.V. DRUG ABUSER, DISAPPEARED TWO DAYS

AFTER THE BABY WAS BORN.

ANNIE ALSO CAME INTO THE WORLD

WITH A HEROIN HABIT.

SHE’S ALREADY GONE THROUGH WITHDRAWAL.

NOT A GREAT START FOR LITTLE ANNIE.

NOT A GREAT FINISH, EITHER.

AT LEAST SHE WON’T LIVE LONG ENOUGH

TO FIND OUT WHAT HER MOTHER DID TO HER.

YOU HAVE SUCH A SUNNY OUTLOOK, ALICE.

YOUR JOB IS TO TUCK HER IN A CRIB

AND BREAK HER FEVER.

MINE’S TO FIND HER A LOVING FOSTER HOME.

WHICH ONE OF US HAS A BETTER CHANCE?

[SIGHS EXASPERATEDLY]

WHERE DO YOU WANT HER?

SUSAN, O.R. ON LINE 1.

THE OPEN HEART’S ON THE WAY UP.

OH, UH, GET HER SETTLED,

AND I’LL CHECK HER LATER.

LOOK, WE HAVE THE LOWEST MORTALITY RATE

OF ANY PEDIATRIC ICU IN THE STATE,

AND I WANNA KEEP IT THAT WAY.

WELL, TELL YOUR BEAN COUNTERS I AM NOT GONNA DOUBLE UP ON PATIENTS.

CASE CLOSED.

[SOFT CRYING]

LET’S GET A CAP GAS ON HER.

SHE’S LOOKING A LITTLE DUSKY.

SHE HAD A TEMP. HER STATS ARE OK.

IT’S MORE THAN THAT. SHE’S RETRACTING. SHE’S GOT NASAL FLARING.

SHE’S OBVIOUSLY COMPROMISED.

WELL, SHE WAS BORN COMPROMISED.

I DON’T WANT HER TO CRUMP. LET’S GET A BLOOD GAS.

LOOK, THE RESIDENT’S BEEN UP ALL NIGHT,

SO I WANT YOU TO PUT THIS RIGHT UNDER HIS NOSE.

DON’T LET HIM SIT ON IT WITHOUT AN ANSWER.

HE’S GONNA WANNA GIVE HER OXYGEN.

HANG IN THERE, SWEETIE.

HEY. HEY.

CAN I TAKE THE CAR?

WHERE YOU GOIN’?

TO THE MOVIES WITH THE GUYS.

OK...AS SOON AS YOU FINISH CLEANING THE GARAGE.

AS SOON AS I FINISH? WHEN DID I START?

ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, BEFORE YOUR 16th BIRTHDAY.

CAN’T IT WAIT? WE DON’T USE THE GARAGE.

WE COULD IF ALL YOUR JUNK WASN’T IN IT.

I’LL DO IT TOMORROW.

FINE. WALK TO THE MOVIES.

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT THE GARAGE ALL OF A SUDDEN?

TAKE A LOOK AND FIND OUT, WISE GUY.

YES!

IT’S A FEW YEARS OLD BUT I HAD A MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT.

DAVID, THIS IS A JEEP, NOT AN AIRPLANE.

WILL YOU PLEASE SLOW DOWN?

IT’S GREAT, MOM. HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO SCRAPE UP THE CASH?

I SCRAPED.

I MEANT TO HAVE IT BY YOUR BIRTHDAY

BUT I HAD TO SCRAPE A LITTLE HARDER.

YOU CNA LET GO OF THE DASHBOARD NOW.

YOU REALLY LIKE IT, HONEY?

NAH. I HATE IT.

YEAH, I LIKE IT! I LOVE IT!

DID COACH CARMEN CALL YOU TODAY?

NO. WHY?

HE SAID THAT A COLLEGE SCOUT WAS ASKING ABOUT ME.

COLLEGE? YOU’RE ONLY A JUNIOR.

DAVID, THAT WAS NOT A FULL STOP.

THAT WAS A FULL STOP.

THAT WAS A ROLLING STOP.

[SIGHS] WHAT COLLEGE?

TULANE.

OH. THAT’S SO FAR AWAY.

I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE YOU’RE OLD ENOUGH TO DRIVE,

MUCH LESS TO BE THINKING OF COLLEGES.

LOOK OUT FOR THE GUY ON THE BIKE.

I SEE HIM. WILL YA?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

[BABY CRYING]

OH.

WHAT’S THE MATTER, BABY?

DID YOU LOSE YOUR NURSE? HUH?

ARE YOU ALL ALONE?

DID YOU LOSE YOUR NURSE? HUH?

I LOST HER, TOO.

I DON’T KNOW WHERE OLD EDNA IS.

OH...

LOOK AT YOU.

YOU’RE SO SWEET.

OHHH...

[GURGLING]

SO BEAUTIFUL.

WHERE WERE YOU?

HELPING KAREN WITH A BURN THAT JUST CAME IN.

DID SHE ASK FOR HELP?

NO.

HOLD THIS BABY MORE.

SHE NEEDS HUMAN CONTACT.

DON’T TELL ME HOW TO DO MY JOB.

I SHOULDN’T HAVE TO.

THIS BABY IS GONNA DIE.

ALL THE HUMAN CONTACT IN THE WORLD

ISN’T GONNA CHANGE THAT.

WHEN IS SHE GONNA DIE, EDNA?

TONIGHT? TOMORROW?

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

BECAUSE SHE MIGHT DIE,

SHE SHOULDN’T BE TOUCHED OR HELD OR LOVED?

I NEVER SAID THAT.

IT IS YOUR JOB TO TAKE CARE OF HER.

IF YOU CONTINUE TO NEGLECT HER,

THAT JOB IS IN JEOPARDY.

I AM NOT NEGLECTING HER.

I’M UNCOMFORTABLE WITH HER.

YES. SO IS EVERYBODY ELSE.

SHE’S HIV-POSITIVE, FOR GOD’S SAKE.

YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE A PROFESSIONAL. DO YOUR JOB.

I THINK YOU’RE OBSESSED WITH THIS PATIENT, SUSAN.

IS THAT BEING PROFESSIONAL?

ISOLATION.

EXCUSE ME.

THE PATIENT IS A 9-WEEK-OLD GIRL

WHOSE MOTHER CONTRACTED AIDS THROUGH INTRAVENOUS DRUG USE.

CHILD TESTED HIV-POSITIVE AT BIRTH.

T-CELL COUNT IS LOWER THAN NORMAL,

AND SHE HAS SUFFERED EAR AND NASAL INFECTIONS.

PROGNOSIS?

SHE’S PROBABLY INFECTED

AND WILL MOST LIKELY DIE FROM PNEUMONIA

OR SOME OTHER OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION.

WHY?

WHEN A BABY’S IMMUNE SYSTEM IS THIS COMPROMISED,

A SIMPLE COLD CAN TURN INTO A FATAL ILLNESS.

ELAINE, WHAT’S THE COURSE OF TREATMENT?

PROPHYLACTIC ANTIBIOTICS

TO WARD OFF PNEUMOCYSTIS PNEUMONIA.

SEPTRA, ALSO AMPICILLIN FOR THE EAR INFECTION.

OK. LET’S MOVE ON.

I GOT A BIG ALGEBRA TEST TOMORROW.

MMM.

I’LL PROBABLY FAIL IT.

THEN I’LL DROP OUT.

MAYBE I’LL GET MY NOSE PIERCED.

MOM?

HELLO?

MOM?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU’RE FAILING ALGEBRA?

I’M NOT FAILING ALGEBRA.

WHY ARE YOU ACTING SO WEIRD TONIGHT?

SORRY. WE JUST GOT OUR FIRST HIV BABY AT THE HOSPITAL.

I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT HER.

GIVE IT A REST.

YOU’RE NOT AT THE HOSPITAL.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT AIDS BABIES DURING DINNER.

I BETTER GO STUDY.

DO GOOD ON YOUR TEST.

OK.

DAVID?

YEAH?

DON’T GET YOUR NOSE PIERCED.

I’LL THINK ABOUT IT.

DAVID?

WHAT?

SHE DOESN’T HAVE AIDS. SHE HAS THE VIRUS THAT CAUSES AIDS.

DO YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?

YEAH, I KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

LIGHTEN UP, WILL YOU?

NO. NO.

YOU CAN’T GET THE VIRUS THROUGH A BABY’S TEARS.

NURSE MALLENSON, PLEASE CALL THE OPERATOR.

NURSE MALLENSON, CALL THE OPERATOR, PLEASE.

LOOK, I CAN’T PROMISE YOU THAT, BUT--

[DIAL TONE]

THE MARSTEN BABY?

CAN’T SAY I’M SURPRISED.

NO ONE WANTS A BABY WHO’S GOING TO DIE.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HER?

WELL, SHE’LL PROBABLY END UP AT TREMONT.

THEY’LL HAVE A BED IN THREE WEEKS.

TREMONT?

FOR ANNIE?

YES,

IF ALL ELSE FAILS, WHICH IT PROBABLY WILL.

OH, ALICE, TREMONT’S A DUMPING GROUND.

YOU KNOW THAT.

WHAT ELSE AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?

SHE CAN’T STAY HERE FOREVER. SHE’S GOT TO GO SOMEWHERE.

YOU CAN’T DUMP HER AT TREMONT.

OK, WHERE DO YOU SUGGEST I DUMP HER?

I’M NOT SUGGESTING YOU DUMP HER ANYWHERE.

THERE’S GOTTA BE A FOSTER FAMILY

THAT’LL TAKE HER IN. ISN’T THAT YOUR JOB?

WANT TO GET ON THIS PHONE

AND TRY TO FIND A FOSTER FAMILY,

CONVINCE SOMEONE TO TAKE A BABY

THAT COULD GIVE THEM A TERMINAL DISEASE?

BE MY GUEST.

I’M SORRY, ALICE.

OHHH...

[CRYING]

THANK YOU.

[TELEPHONES RINGING]

Child: HICKORY, DICKORY, DOCK...

THE MOUSE WENT UP THE CLOCK.

[OVERLAPPING VOICES IN BACKGROUND]

HEY, GERRY.

SUSAN. GOOD TO SEE YOU.

HOW ARE THINGS AT UNIVERSITY?

BUSY. SAME AS ALWAYS.

I HAVE A PATIENT WHO MAY BE TRANSFERRED HERE.

BRAIN DAMAGED?

HIV.

YEAH. WE’VE SEEN A FEW OF THOSE CASES.

COULD I TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR PEDIATRIC WARD?

COME ON.

I HOPE YOU’VE GOTTEN MORE STOIC SINCE NURSING SCHOOL.

[CRYING]

GOOD BOY.

[BABIES CRYING]

YOU’VE GOT A HARD JOB, GERRY.

THESE KIDS HAVE IT A LOT HARDER.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE

TO FIND FOSTER CARE FOR THESE CHILDREN?

SUSAN, THIS IS TREMONT.

THESE CHILDREN AREN’T WAITING FOR FOSTER HOMES.

THEY’RE WAITING TO DIE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK I’M DOING HERE, WRITING POSTCARDS?

I WENT TO TREMONT THIS MORNING.

WHY?

JUST TO SEE FOR MYSELF.

YOU CAN’T SEND HER THERE, ALICE.

SHE DESERVES BETTER THAN THAT.

EVERY KID DESERVES BETTER THAN THAT.

SHE HASN’T GAINED AN OUNCE OF WEIGHT.

SHE KNOWS NOBODY’S FIGHTING FOR HER.

NOBODY WANTS A CHILD WITH HIV.

IT’S NOT MY FAULT. IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT.

IT’S JUST THE WAY IT IS.

NOBODY WANTS HER.

I WANT HER.

WHAT?

I WANT HER.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO BE A FOSTER MOTHER?

GIRL, GET A GRIP. I CAN’T LET YOU DO THAT.

IT’S NOT UP TO YOU.

YOU CAN’T TAKE HOME EVERY KID WITH A HARD-LUCK STORY.

ALICE, YOU SAID IT WAS YOUR JOB

TO FIND HER A FOSTER HOME. YOU JUST DID.

NOW, WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?

A BABY?

I KNOW IT SOUNDS A LITTLE CRAZY. A LITTLE?!

IT’S BAD ENOUGH YOU’RE ALWAYS AROUND SICK BABIES AT WORK.

DO YOU HAVE TO BRING ONE HOME?

I’M GOOD AT CARING FOR BABIES.

THAT’S WHAT I DO.

WHY CAN’T SHE STAY AT THE HOSPITAL?

I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT BEING ANNIE’S NURSE.

I’LL BE HER MOTHER.

THAT’S WHAT SHE NEEDS.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THIS BABY GETS AIDS?

IT’S GONNA BE HARD.

I CAN’T PRETEND THAT IT WON’T.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SHE DIES?

DAVID, SHE NEEDS US.

SHE NEEDS A HOME. SHE NEEDS A FAMILY,

AND I NEED YOU IF THIS IS GONNA WORK.

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

I SAY IT’S GONNA HAPPEN NO MATTER WHAT I SAY.

DR. CASEY, ADMITTING DESK, PLEASE.

DR. CASEY, ADMITTING DESK, PLEASE.

NOW WHAT?

NOW YOU WAIT.

THE FORMS HAVE TO BE PROCESSED.

YOU HAVE TO GET APPROVED, WHICH YOU WILL. MAYBE A FEW WEEKS.

THE STATE WILL PAY YOU MONTHLY FOR CHILD CARE,

MORE WHEN SHE STARTS TO REALLY GET SICK.

WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS, SUSAN?

BECAUSE I WANT TO.

BECAUSE SHE NEEDS A PLACE,

EVEN IF IT IS JUST A PLACE TO DIE.

WHY DOES THAT BOTHER YOU SO MUCH?

SUSAN, YOU’RE MY FRIEND,

AND I DON’T WANT TO SEE YOU GET HURT.

YOU’RE ASKING FOR A BROKEN HEART.

MAYBE...

BUT SHE’S WORTH IT.

YOU JUST HAVE TO BE SURE YOU WEAR RUBBER GLOVES

WHENEVER YOU COME INTO CONTACT WITH HER BODILY FLUID.

[CLICK]

HELLO?

[DIAL TONE]

HELLO, I’M CALLING ABOUT YOUR AD IN THE "JOURNAL."

RIGHT, I’M LOOKING FOR A BABY-SITTER.

WELL, I’M BRINGING THE BABY HOME ON MONDAY.

GREAT.

THERE IS JUST ONE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW.

THE BABY CARRIES THE HIV VIRUS,

BUT THERE’S VERY LITTLE RISK,

AND SHE’S JUST ADORABLE.

RIGHT.

OH, I UNDERSTAND.

THANKS ANYWAY.

YOU’RE NEVER GONNA FIND ANYONE.

YES, I WILL.

MOM, TRUST ME ON THIS.

AS SOON AS YOU MENTION BODILY FLUIDS AND RUBBER GLOVES,

THEY’LL HANG UP.

[PICKING UP PHONE]

[KEYING IN NUMBER]

DOROTHY KILGORE. HI. THIS IS SUSAN LANSING.

I’M CALLING ABOUT YOUR BABY-SITTING AD.

RIGHT.

LOOK, UH...

COULD YOU COME BY FOR AN INTERVIEW?

GREAT.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING OUT HERE

ON SUCH SHORT NOTICE.

WAIT. JUST A MINUTE.

COULD YOU TAKE ONE CUBE OUT?

TOO MANY MAKE MY TEETH HURT.

THERE.

IS THAT ALL RIGHT?

UH, IT’S A LITTLE SWEET, BUT DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT.

SO...

I SUPPOSE YOU WANT TO KNOW

WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE I’VE HAD.

THAT SEEMS LIKE A GOOD PLACE TO START.

I’VE NEVER DONE IT BEFORE,

NOT FOR MONEY, MIND YOU,

BUT I RAISED THREE KIDS OF MY OWN, GOOD KIDS.

AND I TAKE CARE OF THEIR KIDS, TOO,

WHEN THEY NEED ME,

WHICH ISN’T OFTEN ENOUGH.

ANYWAY, THERE’S NOTHING I HAVEN’T BEEN THROUGH WITH THE YOUNG ONES.

IT IS JUST THE ONE CHILD?

I HAVE A SON, A TEENAGER. VERY INDEPENDENT.

SO YOU WON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HIM.

HE’S SWEET. YOU’LL LIKE HIM.

THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

MY FOSTER DAUGHTER IS 12 WEEKS OLD.

HER NAME IS ANNIE.

AND YOUR HUSBAND?

OH, I’M DIVORCED,

SINCE RIGHT AFTER MY SON WAS BORN.

SO YOU RAISED THE BOY BY YOURSELF?

YES.

NOW YOU’LL RAISE A NEW ONE BY YOURSELF?

YES.

RIGHT.

ONE THING. I’M NOT A MAID.

I WON’T BE COOKING OR CLEANING

OR PICKING UP AFTER YOUR TEENAGER.

I DON’T CARE HOW SWEET HE IS.

I LOOK AFTER THE BABY, AND THAT’S THAT.

SO...YOU’LL TAKE THE JOB?

AREN’T YOU OFFERING IT?

WELL, YES.

WELL, THEN, I’M TAKING IT.

NOW, WHEN DO I START?

UH...

WELL...

RIGHT AWAY... WOULD BE GOOD.

WHY, LOOK AT THAT LITTLE GRIN.

SHE LIKES IT HERE.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE NEED TO GO OVER.

I’M ALL EARS.

ANNIE IS, UH...

VERY...DELICATE.

IF ANYTHING HAPPENS-- IF SHE GETS A COLD OR A FEVER,

YOU HAVE TO CALL ME RIGHT AWAY.

AND WHENEVER YOU CHANGE HER,

WHENEVER YOU COME INTO CONTACT

WITH ANY OF HER BODILY FLUIDS,

ESPECIALLY BLOOD,

YOU HAVE TO WEAR THESE.

[ANNIE CRIES]

DOES THIS CHILD HAVE AIDS?

SHE DOESN’T HAVE AIDS YET, BUT...

SHE IS HIV-POSITIVE.

YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME.

I SHOULD HAVE. I KNOW.

I WANTED TO, BUT...

BUT YOU KNEW I’D SAY NO?

YOU WANTED ME TO SEE HER... AND LIKE HER...

AND WANT TO TAKE CARE OF HER.

I’M SORRY. I DIDN’T MEAN IT TO BE LIKE THIS.

I...

SIX MONTHS AGO, I BURIED MY HUSBAND.

I LOST HIM TO CANCER.

I’M NOT GOING TO WATCH SOMEONE ELSE DIE.

I DON’T WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN.

I’M SORRY I WASTED YOUR TIME, MRS. KILGORE.

I’LL PAY YOU FOR THE DAY.

UH, IT’S NOT THAT I DON’T LIKE CHILDREN.

UH, DON’T GET ME WRONG.

I LIKE THEM BETTER THAN ALL THE GROWNUPS I KNOW,

INCLUDING ME.

DID HER MOTHER HAVE IT?

YEAH.

POOR CHILD.

LOOK...

MAYBE I COULD HELP YOU OUT FOR A LITTLE WHILE...

UNTIL YOU GET SOMEBODY ELSE?

OK?

OK.

THANK YOU.

JUST ONE MORE THING, YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIE TO ME.

I DON’T LIKE IT. I CAN TAKE THE TRUTH.

ALL RIGHT.

COME ON THEN.

[BABY CRYING]

[BABY CRYING]

I’M SORRY, HONEY.

IS THIS GONNA GO ON ALL NIGHT?

IS THIS HOW IT’S GONNA BE?

SHE’S GOT A FEVER. SHE CAN’T HELP IT.

I’VE GOTTA BE UP IN THREE HOURS.

SO DO I.

SHE’LL SETTLE DOWN. DON’T WORRY.

THIS IS GREAT.

THIS IS JUST GREAT, MOM.

GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING.

A LONG NIGHT, WAS IT?

I FORGOT IT COULD BE LIKE THIS.

OH, YES.

YES, NIGHT AFTER NIGHT AFTER NIGHT.

THANK YOU.

I REMEMBER NOW.

THIS MUST BE HIMSELF.

EXCUSE ME?

YOU’RE EXCUSED.

MOM?

DOROTHY, THIS IS MY SON DAVID.

DAVID, THIS IS DOROTHY.

SHE’S TAKING CARE OF ANNIE ON MY WORKDAYS.

THE PLEASURE IS MINE, I’M SURE.

WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?

YOU KNEW I WOULD HAVE TO

GET SOMEBODY TO HELP OUT.

YOU DON’T EVEN TELL ME?

I COME DOWNSTAIRS, THERE’S A STRANGER IN THE KITCHEN.

I’M SORRY. THERE’S SO MUCH GOING ON.

I NOTICED.

YOU BE NICE TO HER, UNDERSTAND?

I CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE HER.

WHAT IS THIS, "THE BRADY BUNCH"?

DON’T MIND DAVID.

HE’S HAVING A LITTLE TROUBLE ADJUSTING.

OH, I’LL ADJUST HIM, ALL RIGHT.

I’LL HANDLE IT, THANK YOU.

OH, GOSH. I’M LATE.

CALL ME IF SHE EVEN SNIFFLES.

YOUR MOTHER JUST CALLED.

SHE’S GOING TO BE A FEW MINUTES LATE,

AND I CAN’T STAY.

LATE? BUT-- NOW, DON’T PANIC.

SHE SAID SHE WON’T BE LONG.

AND I KEPT MISS ANNIE UP ALL AFTERNOON,

SO SHE SHOULD SLEEP RIGHT THROUGH

TILL YOUR MOTHER GETS HERE.

WHICH BETTER BE SOON.

I’VE GOT TICKETS TO SEE THE SHE DEVILS

AT THE DUNGEON TONIGHT.

IT SOUNDS CHARMING.

NOW, IF SHE DOES WAKE, JUST GIVE HER A BOTTLE.

YOU KNOW HOW TO WARM IT, DON’T YOU?

I’M NOT A COMPLETE MORON.

A YES OR A NO WILL DO NICELY.

I THINK SO.

RIGHT.

I’LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

THANKS FOR THE WARNING.

I HEARD THAT.

[BABY CRYING]

DAVID!

[CRYING]

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

WHAT IS IT, HONEY?

HUH?

WHAT IS IT? YES.

HANG UP.

WHAT?

I SAID HANG UP.

I’LL CALL YOU LATER.

WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH YOU?

DIDN’T YOU HEAR HER CRYING?

WOULD IT HAVE KILLED YOU TO PICK HER UP?

I PICKED HER UP.

THEN WHY WAS SHE CRYING ALONE IN HER CRIB?

I DON’T KNOW WHY SHE CRIES.

YOU’RE THE EXPERT. WHY WAS SHE CRYING?

MAYBE HER EAR HURT OR SHE WAS HUNGRY OR WET.

MAYBE SHE WANTED TO BE PICKED UP,

AND YOU’RE TOO SELFISH TO DO IT!

I PICKED HER UP! SHE SCREAMED HER BRAINS OUT!

I PUT HER DOWN. SHE SCREAMED SOME MORE!

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST

TO KNOW A BABY NEEDS ATTENTION.

IT’S NOT MY FAULT THAT SHE CRIES OR THAT SHE’S SICK.

IT’S NOT MY FAULT SHE’S HERE.

SHE’S NOT MY PROBLEM.

WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?

YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE HOME TWO HOURS AGO!

I MISSED A CONCERT I’VE HAD TICKETS TO FOR THREE WEEKS!

I’M SORRY. I GOT HUNG UP AT WORK.

I’LL MAKE IT UP TO YOU, OK?

YOU’RE BLOWING IT, MOM.

YOU’RE BLOWING EVERYTHING OVER THAT KID.

[DOOR SLAMS]

[CRIES]

YES.

ANNIE, YOU ARE BECOMING A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY.

I WISH I WERE THIS BRAVE

WHEN I HAVE TO GIVE BLOOD.

SHE’S STILL GETTING FEVERS,

EAR AND SINUS INFECTIONS.

WELL, IT MIGHT BE NOTHING.

IT MIGHT MEAN HER IMMUNE SYSTEM IS WEAKENING.

AT LEAST HER LYMPH NODES AREN’T SWOLLEN.

NO RUNAWAY THRUSH IN HER MOUTH,

NO BAD FLUS OR PNEUMONIAS

SITTING IN HER CHEST.

IS SHE HAVING TROUBLE TOLERATING THE ANTIBIOTICS?

NO.

OH, GOOD.

WOULD YOU CHECK HER WEIGHT, PLEASE?

SHOULDN’T WE TEST HER AGAIN WHEN SHE’S 18 MONTHS

AND HER IMMUNE SYSTEM’S MATURE?

WE WILL, BUT I WOULDN’T GET MY HOPES UP, SUSAN.

HER T-CELL COUNT IS STILL BELOW NORMAL.

WITH HER INFECTIONS, EVERYTHING POINTS TO HIV.

BUT I WILL SCHEDULE HER FOR A P-24.

IS THAT NEW?

BRAND NEW.

IT WON’T EVEN BE AVAILABLE TILL NEXT MONTH.

IT LOOKS RIGHT AT THE VIRUS,

NOT JUST THE ANTIBODIES.

GIVE US A BETTER IDEA OF WHERE SHE IS.

DID I TELL YOU I FILED ADOPTION PAPERS?

I KNEW YOU WOULD.

I’M VERY HAPPY FOR YOU, SUSAN.

YOU’VE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB. SHE’S VERY LUCKY.

NO. I’M THE ONE THAT GOT LUCKY.

[CHATTER AND CHILDREN LAUGHING]

THIS ONE? YOU WANT YOUR DOGGIE.

PUT HIM OVER THERE.

YEAH. HEH HEH. THERE YOU GO.

[LAUGHTER]

I THOUGHT WE HAD INVITED A LOT MORE CHILDREN THAN THIS.

WE INVITED EVERY KID IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

ANYWAY, I THINK IT’S TIME FOR THE CAKE.

OK.

HE WANTED SOME POPCORN. THERE YOU GO.

HERE YOU ARE, ALLIE.

WHEE! [LAUGHING]

ALICE!

YOU’RE JUST IN TIME FOR THE CAKE.

[SUSAN] ALICE. I WAS AFRAID YOU WEREN’T GONNA MAKE IT.

WELL, SOMETHING CAME UP. I CAN ONLY STAY A MINUTE.

OH, NO.

I PUT YOU IN CHARGE OF THE GAMES.

OH...SHE LOOKS SO HAPPY.

HAS IT REALLY BEEN A YEAR?

TO THE DAY.

CAN I TALK TO YOU?

SURE.

DID I DO SOMETHING WRONG

WITH THE ADOPTION PAPERS?

NO, THE PAPERS ARE FINE.

THE MOTHER...

THE MOTHER WANTS HER BACK.

WHAT?

LINDA MARSTEN SHOWED UP OUT OF THE BLUE.

SHE WANTS HER DAUGHTER BACK.

YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING.

I WISH I WAS.

SHE HASN’T LAID EYES ON ANNIE SINCE SHE GAVE BIRTH.

SHE CAN’T DO THIS. SHE ABANDONED HER.

SHE CAN DO IT, SUSAN.

THERE’S GOING TO BE A HEARING.

SHE’S A DRUG ADDICT. SHE’S GOT AIDS.

SHE CLAIMS TO BE FREE OF DRUGS NOW.

THE FACT SHE HAS AIDS WILL NEVER ENTER INTO IT.

OH, COME ON, ALICE.

THAT INFORMATION IS PROTECTED

UNDER HER RIGHT TO PRIVACY.

NOBODY CALLED ME.

NOBODY TOLD ME ANYTHING.

DON’T I HAVE A SAY IN THIS?

YOU’RE THE FOSTER MOTHER, SUSAN.

YOU DON’T HAVE ANY LEGAL RIGHTS.

LINDA IS HER MOTHER.

I’M HER MOTHER.

I’M GONNA FIGHT YOU ON THIS, ALICE.

I KNOW YOU WILL,

BUT YOU CAN’T WIN, SUSAN.

YOU DON’T THINK SO? WHEN IS THIS HEARING?

IT DOESN’T MATTER WHEN IT IS.

YOU CAN’T BE THERE. IT’S CLOSED.

CLOSED TO ME?

THAT’S NOT FAIR.

NONE OF THIS IS GONNA BE FAIR.

WHO’S REPRESENTING HER?

YOU.

OH, I CAN’T BELIEVE IT.

ALICE, YOU SEE HOW HAPPY SHE IS HERE!

YOU SEE THIS IS HER HOME.

HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO HER?

IT’S NOT ME DOING IT. THIS IS MY JOB.

YOUR JOB SHOULD BE TO MAKE SURE SHE HAS THE BEST HOME!

MY JOB, SUSAN, IS TO REPRESENT THE BIRTH MOTHER.

I DON’T LIKE IT, BUT I DON’T HAVE ANY CHOICE.

I DON’T HAVE ANY CHOICE.

RIGHT.

LET ME HEAR FROM THE SOCIAL WORKER.

YOUR HONOR, LINDA MARSTEN

HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A DRUG REHAB PROGRAM

AND TESTED CLEAN FOR DRUGS FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS.

SHE HAS APPLIED FOR AID FOR FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN,

SHE’S GOT AN APARTMENT,

AND SHE WANTS TO BE REUNITED WITH HER DAUGHTER.

I UNDERSTAND THE FOSTER MOTHER’S PETITIONED FOR ADOPTION.

I’M NOT GIVIN’ UP MY KID.

PLEASE LET YOUR CASEWORKER ANSWER FOR YOU.

MISS MARSTEN HAS STATED

SHE HAS NOT TERMINATED HER PARENTAL RIGHTS

AND WILL NEVER VOLUNTARILY DO SO.

IS THERE ANY REASON WHY MS. MARSTEN AND HER DAUGHTER

SHOULD NOT BE REUNITED IMMEDIATELY?

YOUR HONOR, THE STATE RECOMMENDS

THAT WE BEGIN ONLY WITH SUPERVISED VISITING PRIVILEGES...

I WANT HER BACK.

WHILE THE COURT REVIEWS THE CASE.

I’LL REVIEW THE CASE FOR JUDGMENT.

YOU’LL HAVE MY DECISION IN 10 DAYS.

SUPERVISED VISITATION PRIVILEGES ARE GRANTED.

NEXT.

DON’T YOU WANNA HOLD HER?

I CAN SEE HER OK FROM HERE.

WHAT DOES SHE... WHAT KIND OF THINGS DOES SHE LIKE TO DO?

SHE LIKES TO GO TO THE PLAYGROUND, SHE LIKES TO COLOR,

SHE LIKES TO--

SHE LOOKS GOOD. I MEAN, SHE...

SHE DOESN’T LOOK SICK.

SHE GETS FEVERS, INFECTIONS...

I MEAN SICK THE OTHER WAY.

YEAH, I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN.

SHE MIGHT NOT GET SICK FOR A LONG TIME.

HOW OLD ARE YOU, ANNIE?

SHE’S 16 MONTHS.

I THINK I KNOW THAT.

I WAS ASKING HER.

ARE--ARE YOU THIS MANY?

MAMA.

I DON’T WANT HER CALLING YOU MAMA.

I’M HER MOTHER.

I’M THE ONLY MOTHER SHE’S EVER KNOWN.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE’LL CALL ME?

I DON’T CARE. I DON’T WANT HER CALLING YOU THAT.

YOU SHOULD’VE THOUGHT OF THAT

WHEN YOU LEFT HER AT THE HOSPITAL.

DON’T YOU JUDGE ME.

YOU DON’T KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT.

YOU WEREN’T THERE WHEN I HAD HER.

YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT MY LIFE WAS LIKE.

YOU WEREN’T THERE WHEN SHE NEEDED YOU.

WHERE WERE YOU THE LAST YEAR?

THIS ISN’T GONNA WORK.

YOU SHOULD PICK YOUR ENEMIES MORE CAREFULLY.

YOU HAD TO PUSH IT, DIDN’T YOU?

OH, PLEASE. THAT WOMAN’S NOT FIT TO BE ANNIE’S MOTHER.

SHE HAS LEGAL RIGHTS, SUSAN.

[SIGHS]

ALICE, WHY IS SHE DOING THIS?

THE WOMAN HIT BOTTOM.

SHE LOOKED AROUND AND ASKED HERSELF,

"WHAT DO I HAVE?"

AND THE ANSWER WAS NOTHING

EXCEPT THIS LITTLE GIRL.

OH, HOW VERY TOUCHING.

WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?

I CAN’T TAKE SIDES. I HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LAW.

I CAN’T BELIEVE THE LAW

WOULD GIVE CUSTODY TO THAT WOMAN. NO WAY!

THAT WOMAN JUST WENT TO COURT

AND WON THE RIGHT TO TAKE ANNIE ON AN OVERNIGHT VISIT.

UNSUPERVISED?

SHE TOLD THE JUDGE

SHE COULDN’T VISIT HER DAUGHTER

IN SUCH A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT.

SHE TOLD THE JUDGE, OR YOU TOLD THE JUDGE?

OH, SUSAN,

YOU CAN’T BLAME ME FOR THIS ONE.

IF YOU’D JUST BEEN CIVIL TO HER,

THIS NEVER WOULD’VE HAPPENED.

IT’S NOT RIGHT.

ANNIE HARDLY KNOWS HER.

WELL...

I THINK THAT’S GOING TO CHANGE.

THIS IS HER SCHEDULE.

I HAVE EVERYTHING DOWN HERE THAT SHE’LL NEED.

I’M NOT STUPID.

I’M NOT SAYING YOU ARE,

BUT ANNIE CAN’T TELL YOU

WHAT SHE NEEDS OR WHAT SHE LIKES.

THAT’S RIGHT.

LIKE, SHE DOESN’T DRINK APPLE JUICE, ONLY ORANGE.

SHE LIKES IT IN HER SPECIAL CUP.

DID YOU PUT THE CUP IN?

YEAH. SHE LIKES TO READ BOOKS BEFORE GOING TO BED.

I PUT HER FAVORITES IN THE BAG.

WHAT ELSE?

SHE’S PRETTY GOOD LATELY ABOUT SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT,

BUT IF SHE CRIES OR EVEN COUGHS, CALL ME.

I DON’T CARE IF IT’S 3:00 IN THE MORNING.

COME ON, SWEETIE.

NO.

COME ON, SWEETIE.

[CRYING]

WE’LL GO FOR A RIDE.

MAMA!

YOU’LL JUST MAKE IT WORSE.

[ANNIE CRYING]

MAMA!

[CRYING]

MAMA!

[CRYING]

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT?

FIVE HOURS? SIX?

WELL, DID YOU CALL ALICE AGAIN?

THREE TIMES.

SHE’S OUT IN THE FIELD, WHATEVER THAT MEANS.

MAYBE THIS LINDA JUST LOST TRACK OF THE TIME.

NO, SHE’S NOT STUPID, THAT ONE.

SHE MAY BE SLEAZY,

BUT SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE’S DOING.

SHE’S TAKEN HER SOMEWHERE, DOROTHY, I KNOW IT.

NOW, LOOK, YOU’RE DRIVING YOURSELF CRAZY.

AND ME ALONG WITH YOU.

NOW, JUST WAIT UNTIL ALICE COMES BACK

AND LET HER HANDLE IT.

IS SHE STILL NOT BACK?

I WAS BRINGING YOU A SANDWICH.

MOM’S PRETTY WORRIED, HUH?

THAT SHE IS.

I THINK THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!

ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.

WELL, JUST HAVE HER CALL ME AS SOON AS YOU CAN. PLEASE.

SHE’LL BE ALL RIGHT, MA.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

I’M GONNA GO TO THE HOSPITAL.

CAMP IN HER OFFICE IF I HAVE TO.

MOM, I REALLY DON’T THINK THAT’S SUCH A GOOD IDEA.

LOOK, DAVID, GIVE ME THE KEYS.

I DON’T THINK YOU SHOULD DRIVE RIGHT NOW.

GIVE ME THE KEYS.

I SAID, I DON’T THINK YOU SHOULD DRIVE RIGHT NOW.

I’LL DRIVE.

IF YOU WON’T TELL ME WHERE SHE IS,

JUST CALL THE POLICE AND TELL THEM!

SHE’S NOT MISSING, SUSAN. SHE’S JUST LATE.

SHE’S FIVE HOURS LATE.

SHE’LL BE BACK.

SHE COULD BE HALFWAY TO CANADA

FOR ALL YOU KNOW.

WHY AM I EVEN TALKING TO YOU?

I’LL CALL THE POLICE MYSELF.

SUSAN, YOU’RE GETTING HYSTERICAL.

WE CAN’T REPORT HER MISSING UNTIL AFTER 72 HOURS.

WHAT THE HELL IS THE POINT OF A 24-HOUR VISIT

IF YOU CAN’T ENFORCE IT?

AND HOW CAN YOU JUST SIT THERE?

YOU’RE THE ONE WHO DROVE OFF WITH MY DAUGHTER

AND THAT AIRHEAD JUNKIE!

WHERE DID YOU TAKE HER, ALICE?

I WANT TO KNOW.

OFFICIALLY, I CANNOT TELL YOU THAT.

OH, FOR GOD’S SAKES,

ALICE.

FORGET YOU’RE A BUREAUCRAT

FOR TWO MINUTES.

YOU’VE KNOWN ME FOR 14 YEARS.

OFFICIALLY OR UNOFFICIALLY...

JUST TELL ME.

I’M LATE FOR A MEETING.

[PEOPLE ARGUING IN BACKGROUND]

SEVEN.

HERE IT IS.

HEY, SWEETIE.

YOU OK, HONEY?

SHE’S FINE.

TAKE HER DOWN TO THE CAR.

IT’S ALL RIGHT. I’LL BE RIGHT DOWN.

HEY, HONEY.

YOU’VE GOT A LOT OF NERVE. YOU KNOW THAT?

OR ARE YOU JUST SO BRAIN-DEAD FROM DRUGS

YOU CAN’T TELL TIME ANYMORE?

LOOK AT THIS PIGSTY.

YEAH...

IT’S THE MAID’S DAY OFF.

TOO BAD WE CAN’T ALL LIVE

IN A NICE HOUSE IN THE SUBURBS.

I GUESS YOU’RE JUST ONE OF LIFE’S LITTLE VICTIMS?

I DON’T HAVE TO TAKE YOUR BULL. GET THE HELL OUT OF MY--

GLADLY! ANNIE’S NEVER COMING BACK HERE, COURT OR NO COURT.

DON’T YOU THREATEN ME.

SHE’S MY KID. DON’T FORGET THAT.

I’M GETTING HER BACK.

WE’LL SEE ABOUT THAT.

PEOPLE LIKE YOU MAKE ME SICK!

YOU THINK JUST ’CAUSE YOU GOT MONEY,

EVERYTHING GETS HANDED TO YOU, INCLUDING OTHER PEOPLE’S--

HEY! NOTHING EVER GOT HANDED TO ME!

I WORKED FOR EVERYTHING I EVER GOT!

I WASN’T ON THE STREET CORNER BANGING DOPE WITH DIRTY NEEDLES!

WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

YOU DON’T KNOW A DAMN THING ABOUT MY LIFE,

SO QUIT ACTING LIKE YOU DO!

FOR YOUR INFORMATION,

I’VE BEEN CLEAN FOR SIX MONTHS!

HOW MANY JUNKIES DO YOU KNOW

WHO COULD QUIT COLD TURKEY?

I DON’T KNOW ANY JUNKIES, FRANKLY.

I ONLY KNOW WHAT IT DOES TO THEIR CHILDREN.

[DOOR SLAMS]

WHAT?

LET’S GO TO MY OFFICE.

NO. TELL ME RIGHT HERE.

WHAT’S THE DECISION?

THE JUDGE AWARDED CUSTODY

TO LINDA THIS MORNING.

DAMN YOU.

ME?

YES, YOU. YOU HELPED HER.

YOU KNOW DAMN WELL WHO’S MORE FIT TO RAISE ANNIE.

YOU KNOW SHE’S BETTER OFF WITH ME,

BUT YOU HELPED THAT DRUG ADDICT TAKE HER AWAY!

NOW, LOOK.

I WARNED YOU FROM THE BEGINNING

THAT YOU WERE SETTING YOURSELF UP FOR A BROKEN HEART.

THIS IS HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS.

YOU DON’T LIKE IT, BLAME THE SYSTEM. DON’T BLAME ME.

PEOPLE LIKE YOU ARE THE SYSTEM, ALICE.

YOU’VE GIVEN UP.

YOU JUST DON’T WANT TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY.

IT’S NOT YOUR PROBLEM.

YOU--JUST CHALK IT UP TO THE SYSTEM.

YOU LET YOURSELF GET EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED

WITH A PATIENT.

THAT’S UNPROFESSIONAL AND AGAINST THE RULES,

AND YOU KNOW IT.

TO HELL WITH THE RULES.

SOMEBODY HAD TO GET EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED WITH THAT LITTLE GIRL.

IF NOT ME, WHO?!

SHOULD I JUST WATCH WHILE SHE’S DUMPED IN THE TRASH HEAP?

WHO’S GONNA TAKE CARE OF THESE KIDS? WHO?

YOU TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS CHILD.

THAT’S MORE THAN MOST PEOPLE WOULD DO.

BUT ALONG WITH THAT,

YOU TOOK THE RISK

THAT SOMEDAY YOU WOULD LOSE HER,

WHETHER IT WAS TO HER NATURAL MOTHER

OR THE STATE OR AIDS.

NO ONE HID THAT FROM YOU.

YOU JUST DIDN’T WANT TO SEE IT.

I DIDN’T WANT THIS...

TO HAPPEN, SUSAN.

YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE ME.

I’M GONNA LOSE MY BABY.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

TOTALLY.

I DON’T KNOW IF I CAN HANDLE THIS ONE, MA.

I MEAN, REALLY.

I CAN’T THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE TO DO, DAVID.

DO YOU WANT ME TO LOSE ANNIE?

DO YOU WANT TO LOSE HER?

NO.

THEN DO THIS WITH ME, DAVID.

HELP ME.

HAVE YOU GONE COMPLETELY OUT OF YOUR MIND?

DO YOU HAVE A BETTER IDEA?

YOU CAN’T TRUST SOMEONE LIKE HER. YOU KNOW THAT.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

IT’LL NEVER WORK.

WE HAVE TO AT LEAST TRY, DOROTHY.

WHAT IF I PAY YOU MORE...

OR I’LL WORK FEWER HOURS?

IT’S NOT THE MONEY.

YOU KNOW ME BETTER THAN THAT.

I CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU, DOROTHY.

GOOD LORD. I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M GONNA GO ALONG WITH THIS.

BUT I’M DOING IT FOR YOU AND FOR ANNIE.

NOT FOR HER.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

WHERE IS SHE?

UPSTAIRS. COME IN.

NO, THANKS. I’LL WAIT OUT HERE.

WOULD YOU COME IN FOR JUST A MINUTE?

I’D LIKE TO TALK TO YOU.

SIT DOWN.

HOW ABOUT A CUP OF COFFEE?

LOOK, WHAT DO YOU WANT?

I’M TRYING TO BE NICE.

RIGHT.

THAT MEANS YOU WANT SOMETHING.

WHAT--WHAT IS IT?

WOULD YOU JUST SIT DOWN FOR A MINUTE?

LOOK, IT’S OBVIOUS THAT YOU AND I

DON’T HAVE A LOT IN COMMON, EXCEPT ONE THING.

WE BOTH WANT WHAT’S BEST FOR ANNIE, RIGHT?

IS THIS A LONG STORY?

OK, I’LL MAKE IT QUICK.

THE WAY I SEE IT,

YOU DON’T HAVE TWO DIMES TO RUB TOGETHER.

YOU DON’T SEEM TO HAVE ANY FAMILY,

AND YOU’RE LIVING IN A FLOPHOUSE.

YOU DON’T HAVE VERY MUCH GOING FOR YOU.

WELL, I GOT ONE THING GOING FOR ME EVEN YOU DON’T.

I’M GETTING MY KID BACK. YOU WANT TO BRING HER?

I WANT YOU TO MOVE IN HERE WITH US.

HERE IN THIS HOUSE?

HERE IN THIS HOUSE.

I DON’T NEED YOUR CHARITY.

THIS ISN’T ABOUT CHARITY.

YOU NEED A DECENT PLACE TO LIVE,

AND I NEED TO BE WITH ANNIE.

YOU’RE CRAZY.

WELL, MAYBE SO, BUT YOU’RE CRAZY

IF YOU DON’T TAKE ME UP ON IT.

I CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR MEDICATION

AND GET YOU MEDICAL CARE THROUGH THE HOSPITAL.

YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT CLINICS.

YOU’LL HAVE A HOME.

LINDA MARSTEN, THIS IS MY SON DAVID.

UH-HUH.

DAVID, WHY DON’T YOU SHOW LINDA WHERE EVERYTHING IS?

I’M GONNA GO PUT SOME DINNER ON.

I--I’M NOT HUNGRY.

WELL, MAYBE THE REST OF US ARE.

THIS USED TO BE MY ROOM.

I’VE PRETTY MUCH CLEARED EVERYTHING OUT.

OH, EXCEPT FOR THE FISH TANK.

I’M GONNA NEED AN ASHTRAY.

MY MOTHER DOESN’T WANT ANYONE TO SMOKE IN THE HOUSE.

THIS’LL DO.

AH-AH!

I’LL SEE IF I CAN FIND ONE.

[TV PLAYS, INDISTINCT]

YOU DIDN’T EXPECT ME TO GIVE MYSELF UP.

WHY NOT?

IT’S A FAR, FAR BETTER THING THAT I DO...

[ANNIE] OH...

DOROTHY?

WHAT IS IT?

GET ME AN ICED TEA, WILL YOU?

I DON’T SEE AN ANCHOR ON YOUR BEHIND.

THE KITCHEN’S THAT WAY.

WHEW!

AH, COME ON, MISS ANNIE.

NOW, LET’S PUT THESE AWAY

AND GO SOMEPLACE WHERE WE CAN BREATHE.

LIGHTEN UP. SHE’S FINE.

MY MOTHER SMOKED ALL THE TIME WHEN I WAS A KID.

DIDN’T HURT ME.

RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, SHE’LL GET TO KNOW YOU A BIT BETTER

IF YOU COULD PLAY WITH HER A LITTLE.

SHE WAS FINE PLAYING BY HERSELF, OK?

HERE, WHAT’S THAT SHE’S GOT?

WHAT ON EARTH?

SHE JUST FOUND THESE ON THE FLOOR?

WELL, WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH YOU?

WHY DON’T YOU JUST LEAVE

AN OPEN CAN OF BEER ON THE NIGHT TABLE WHILE YOU’RE AT IT?

LOOK, I DON’T NEED THIS FROM YOU.

AND TAKE YOUR MESS WITH YOU.

YOU’RE THE MAID. YOU DEAL WITH IT.

THAT’S WHERE YOU’RE MISTAKEN.

LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHIN’.

START MINDIN’ YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

YOU DON’T LIKE THE WAY I LIVE, KEEP IT TO YOURSELF,

OR I’LL TAKE MY KID AND BE ON MY WAY.

STILL UP?

WHAT’S THE MATTER?

AM I READING TOO LOUD?

I JUST THOUGHT YOU MIGHT WANT TO TUCK HER IN.

I THINK SHE’S HAD ABOUT ENOUGH OF ME FOR ONE DAY.

YOUR ASHES.

I HATE TO BRING THIS UP,

BUT DOROTHY TOLD ME ABOUT THE MATCHES.

OH, PLEASE. WHAT DOES SHE DO,

MAKE A LIST OF MY SINS

AND REPORT THEM TO YOU AT THE END OF THE DAY?

YOU JUST HAVE TO BE CAREFUL AROUND ANNIE.

SHE PICKS THINGS UP. SHE PUTS ’EM IN HER MOUTH.

YOU...YOU CAN’T LEAVE THINGS LYING AROUND.

I THINK YOU SHOULD FIRE DOROTHY.

OH, YOU DO?

YOU DON’T NEED HER. I CAN TAKE CARE OF ANNIE.

BESIDES, ALL SHE DOES IS RAG ON ME.

RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE KID. IT’S NO WONDER SHE’S AFRAID OF ME.

SHE’S NOT AFRAID OF YOU. SHE JUST HAS TO GET TO KNOW YOU.

SHE’S NOT GOING TO AS LONG AS BROOM HILDA

KEEPS STICKING HER TWO CENTS IN.

WHY DO YOU KEEP ACTING LIKE EVERYBODY’S OUT TO GET YOU, LINDA?

WE’RE ON YOUR SIDE. WE’RE TRYING TO HELP YOU.

YEAH. WE’RE ALL FRIENDS TO THE END,

AS LONG AS THE END COMES PRETTY SOON, RIGHT?

I’LL TRY TO SMOKE OUTSIDE, OK?

I’D APPRECIATE IT.

LOOK, I’M TAKIN’ ANNIE FOR A CHECKUP TOMORROW.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO WITH US?

IS IT EARLY?

NOON.

THINK YOU’LL BE UP?

I’LL SEE HOW I FEEL.

[BABY CRIES]

HI, SUSAN.

HI, JASON.

HIYA, ANNIE.

JASON, I WANT YOU TO MEET LINDA MARSTEN.

OH, HI, LINDA.

EXCUSE THE GLOVE.

ANY FEVERS?

VERY MILD, AND ONLY WHEN THE EAR ACTS UP.

GOOD. WE FINALLY GOT THE PROTOCOLS

FOR THE P-24 TEST.

I THINK WE SHOULD JUST GO AHEAD AND DO IT.

WE’LL LOOK RIGHT AT THE VIRUS, NOT JUST THE ANTIBODIES.

OK. WE KNOW THE DRILL, DON’T WE?

CAN I HAVE YOUR ARM?

OH, ANNIE, YOU HAVE SPOILED ME TOTALLY.

HERE WE GO.

THAT’S IT.

RIGHT THERE.

JUST A LITTLE STICK.

GOOD GIRL.

LOOK, IF IT’S NONE OF MY BUSINESS, JUST SAY SO,

BUT I WAS WONDERIN’ WHAT HAPPENED TO ANNIE’S FATHER.

DEAD.

O.D.’d.

YOU MUST HAVE SOME FAMILY.

WHAT IS THIS, THE THIRD DEGREE?

SORRY.

CAN I PUSH HER?

SURE.

I--I HAVE A MOTHER.

I HAVEN’T SEEN HER FOR A LONG TIME.

OH.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

MY PARENTS ARE STILL ALIVE.

THEY DON’T TALK TO ME, THOUGH.

THEY DISOWNED ME WHEN I WAS PREGNANT WITH DAVID.

HOW COME?

WE WEREN’T MARRIED.

WELL...WHERE IS HE, THE FATHER?

WHAT IS THIS, THE THIRD DEGREE?

OH, HE FINALLY MARRIED ME,

BUT HE DIDN’T STAY AROUND VERY LONG.

JUST NOT HUSBAND MATERIAL, I GUESS.

HEY, LET’S TRY THE SLIDE.

OH, COME ON. LET’S GO TRY THE SLIDE.

[ANNIE BABBLING]

I’LL SHOW YOU HOW TO BUILD A HOUSE--

A HOUSE OUT OF THESE BLOCKS. OK?

UM...

NO, WE’RE NOT GONNA PLAY

WITH THAT RIGHT NOW. LET’S--ANNIE, LOOK AT ME.

WE’RE GONNA BUILD A HOUSE.

MOM.

A GREAT BIG... BLOCK...HOUSE.

HOUSE OF-- HOUSE OF BLOCKS.

ANNIE.

YOU--ANNIE, YOU’RE NOT PAY--

PAY ATTENTION. LOOK AT ME.

NO. I--I DON’T WANT TO PLAY WITH THAT.

YOU’RE NOT LISTENING TO ME.

YOU’RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION!

[WHIMPERING]

[SUSAN] LINDA!

WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?

YOU DON’T YELL AT A CHILD LIKE THAT.

SHE WON’T LISTEN TO ME.

DON’T EVER LOSE YOUR TEMPER AT HER AGAIN.

I JUST WANTED TO PLAY WITH HER.

SHE’S JUST A BABY.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

SHE DOESN’T KNOW YOU.

YOU HAVE TO GIVE HER TIME.

WELL, I DON’T HAVE TIME.

DON’T YOU GET THAT?

I DON’T HAVE ANY TIME.

[DOOR SLAMS]

IT’S ALL RIGHT, BABY.

IT’S LATE.

YEP.

DON’T YOU EVER TAKE A BREAK?

NO SUCH THING WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS.

I’M SORRY WHAT I DID TO ANNIE.

I GUESS I DON’T KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT KIDS.

MAYBE YOU OUGHT TO TRY AND LEARN.

WHY DID YOU COME BACK, LINDA?

WHY, AFTER ALL THIS TIME?

I DON’T KNOW.

YES, YOU DO.

I GUESS EVERYTHING I EVER DID MY WHOLE LIFE

I FOULED UP.

I ALWAYS TOOK THE EASY WAY.

GUYS, DRUGS...

I WANTED TO TRY AND DO AT LEAST ONE THING RIGHT...

ONE THING THAT I COULD POINT TO

THAT WAS GOOD.

SO I GOT CLEAN, I CAME BACK FOR HER,

TRY AND BE SOME KIND OF MOTHER TO HER

FOR WHATEVER TIME I HAVE LEFT.

WHATEVER TIME SHE HAS LEFT.

MAYBE IT’S TOO LATE.

MAYBE IT’S NOT.

JUST BE PATIENT WITH HER, LINDA.

SHE’LL COME AROUND.

I’LL TRY.

I GUESS I’LL SAY GOOD NIGHT THEN.

GOOD NIGHT.

[COUGHING]

[SMOKE ALARM BEEPS]

[ANNIE CRIES]

ANNIE!

TAKE ANNIE OUTSIDE.

LINDA!

IT’S ALL RIGHT. IT’S OUT.

SOMEBODY, JUST TURN OFF THAT ALARM.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

YOU PROMISED YOU WOULD SMOKE OUTSIDE.

I DIDN’T PROMISE. I SAID I’D TRY.

IS THAT ALL YOU CAN SAY, "I DIDN’T PROMISE"?

YOU PRACTICALLY BURN THE HOUSE DOWN AND US WITH IT,

AND THAT’S ALL YOU CAN SAY?

IT WASN’T ON PURPOSE.

IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. I’M SORRY.

WELL, "I’M SORRY’S" NOT ENOUGH.

I SAID IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!

DID YOU EVER HAVE AN ACCIDENT, SUSAN?

BESIDES, YOU OUGHT TO BE HAPPY.

YOU HAVE ANOTHER REASON TO TREAT ME LIKE DIRT.

TREAT YOU LIKE DIRT?

I’VE BEEN TRYIN’ TO MAKE YOU PART OF THIS FAMILY

SINCE YOU GOT HERE, AND YOU FIGHT ME EVERY STEP!

YOU WATCH EVERY MOVE I MAKE.

I NEVER HAVE A MOMENT ALONE WITH MY OWN KID.

ALL DAY LONG, DOROTHY’S LOOKIN’ OVER MY SHOULDER!

ALL NIGHT LONG, I’VE GOT YOU.

I FEEL LIKE I’M ON PAROLE!

I LEFT YOU ALONE WITH HER YESTERDAY,

AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED.

I KNEW YOU WERE GONNA HOLD THAT OVER MY HEAD.

WHY DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE ME FEEL

SO GUILTY ABOUT EVERYTHING?

DON’T YOU THINK I FEEL GUILTY ENOUGH?

I’M SORRY.

[SOBS]

IT’S OK.

LINDA...IT’S OK. I’M SORRY, TOO.

IT’S OK. I’M SORRY, TOO.

LINDA.

IT’S OK. [SOBS]

IT’S OK.

[MAN ON RADIO] THAT WAS HIS LATEST RELEASE.

GIVE US A CALL. LET US KNOW.

HE’S GONNA BE IN TOWN NEXT WEEK.

WE STILL HAVE A FEW SEATS LEFT.

WE’RE GIVING THOSE AWAY IN THE NEXT HOUR.

[BIRDS CHIRP]

WE HAVE A TRAFFIC UPDATE...

GOOD MORNIN’, ALL.

WELL, IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY.

WE SHOULD ALL BE OUTSIDE ENJOYING IT.

MAYBE MISS ANNIE AND I WILL TAKE OUR LUNCH

IN THE YARD LATER. YES?

ALL RIGHT, WHAT DID I MISS?

NOTHING.

EVERYTHING’S FINE.

ALL RIGHT.

EVERYTHING’S GRAND.

HERE’S ONE YOU MIGHT LIKE.

[MUSIC PLAYS]

[TURNS UP VOLUME]

♪ WELL, HEY, LITTLE BABY ♪

♪ IT’S YOU AND ME TONIGHT ♪

♪ I KNOW IT FEELS SO RIGHT ♪

ANNIE, LET’S YOU AND ME SHAKE A LEG.

LET’S SHOW THESE PEOPLE

HOW TO HAVE SOME FUN.

♪ WELL, HEY, LITTLE BABY ♪

♪ I’VE ALWAYS LOVED YOU SO ♪

[DAVID] LOOK AT YOU.

♪ I WANTED YOU TO KNOW ♪

YEAH. LOOK AT YOU. GO SEE DOROTHY.

ARE YOU COMIN’ TO DANCE WITH DOROTHY?

♪ OUR TRUE LOVE WAS IN THE AIR ♪

♪ SPARKS WERE FLYING EVERYWHERE ♪

♪ IT MAKES ME FEEL... ♪

NO, DAVID! DON’T YOU DARE!

SMILE.

I’M NOT KIDDIN’, DAVID. STOP IT.

LOOK AT YOURSELVES.

NO! NO. GO AWAY WITH THAT THING.

LINDA, YOU READY? SMILE.

OOH.

THERE YOU GO.

♪ OH, BABY ♪

WHOO.

♪ OOH ♪

YOU WANT TO TAKE HER?

YES, YOU DO.

♪ THE FIRST TIME THAT I SAW YOU THERE ♪

♪ OUR TRUE LOVE WAS IN THE AIR ♪

♪ SPARKS WERE FLYING EVERYWHERE ♪

♪ YOU MADE ME FEEL SO RIGHT ♪

♪ WELL, HEY, LITTLE BABY, IT’S YOU AND ME TONIGHT ♪

♪ I KNOW IT FEELS SO RIGHT ♪

♪ IT’S YOU AND ME TONIGHT ♪

♪ IT’S YOU AND ME TONIGHT ♪

♪ IT’S YOU AND ME TONIGHT ♪

♪ IT’S YOU AND ME TONIGHT ♪♪

MOM.

IT’S ME.

DON’T HANG UP.

DON’T--

[CLICK]

MOM?

[COUGHING]

YOU’RE ONE BEAUTIFUL KID.

YOU KNOW THAT?

I KNOW YOU PROBABLY CAN’T UNDERSTAND A WORD OF THIS,

BUT...I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT...

I’M SORRY.

I’M SORRY WHAT I DID TO YOU.

I’M SORRY FOR WHAT I GAVE YOU.

I WOULDN’T HURT YOU FOR ANYTHING IN THE WORLD.

I DESERVE WHAT’S GONNA HAPPEN TO ME.

YOU DON’T.

I’M SO SORRY.

I GUESS IT’S READY.

IS THAT IT?

I DON’T ADD WATER OR ANYTHING?

NO. I THINK YOU JUST STIR IT NOW.

WHEN I WAS GROWIN’ UP, I NEVER KNEW ANY GUY LIKE YOU.

IS THAT GOOD OR BAD?

NO. I MEAN IT.

THE GUYS I KNEW,

THEY WERE ALWAYS IN TROUBLE.

WELL, THEY’RE ALL IN JAIL.

SO HOW DID YOU TURN OUT SO GOOD?

I DON’T ALWAYS THINK I’M SO GOOD.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

I DON’T KNOW.

I GUESS I’M JUST LUCKY.

[SUSAN] I’M HOME!

[DOOR CLOSES]

YOU’RE LUCKY YOU HAD A MOTHER LIKE THAT.

OH, I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU GUYS COOKED DINNER.

I’M VERY IMPRESSED.

I DON’T KNOW IF YOU COULD CALL IT COOKIN’.

IT WAS MORE LIKE,

HE OPENED THE JARS, I BOILED THE WATER.

WELL, IT WAS DELICIOUS.

AND THERE’S ENOUGH TO LAST THE REST OF THE YEAR.

NOW WE’RE OFF TO HAVE OUR BATH,

SO WE’LL SEE YOU LATER. BYE-BYE.

AND YOU’RE OFF TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

I GET THE HINT.

GOOD NIGHT. NICE COOKIN’ DINNER WITH YOU.

YOU NEED THIS?

I GUESS NOT.

MY MOTHER.

DID YOU CALL HER?

OH, YEAH.

WHAT HAPPENED?

NOTHING I DIDN’T EXPECT.

SHE DIDN’T WANT TO TALK TO ME.

WHAT IF I CALLED HER?

NO. NO.

WHY NOT?

’CAUSE IT WOULDN’T DO ANY GOOD.

I COULD TRY.

I’M GONNA CALL HER.

[WHISPERING] Don’t let her know that I’m standing here.

HELLO. MRS. MARSTEN?

MY NAME IS SUSAN LANSING.

YOU DON’T KNOW ME, BUT I’M...

I’M TAKING CARE OF YOUR DAUGHTER.

YES. YES. SHE’S BEEN LIVING HERE WITH ME.

LOOK, I KNOW THERE’S BEEN SOME TROUBLE BETWEEN YOU,

BUT--WHAT?

OH. ALL RIGHT.

JUST A MINUTE.

OK. GO AHEAD.

BUT DON’T YOU--

[CLICK]

WHAT DID SHE SAY?

SHE, UH...

SHE GAVE ME THE NAME OF A FUNERAL HOME.

DEAR OLD MOM.

ALWAYS THINKIN’ AHEAD.

I’M SORRY, LINDA. I SHOULDN’T HAVE DONE THAT.

DON’T BE.

THAT’S JUST THE WAY SHE IS...THAT’S ALL.

THANKS FOR TRYING, THOUGH.

WHEN DID YOU CALL HER?

LAST NIGHT.

I DON’T KNOW WHY, REALLY.

I GUESS I KEEP LOOKING AROUND FOR SOME KIND OF...

FORGIVENESS.

I KEEP TELLING EVERYBODY HOW SORRY I AM.

I THOUGHT MAYBE SHE’D FINALLY LET ME APOLOGIZE.

IS THAT STUPID?

DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP.

MAYBE SHE JUST--

JUST WHAT?

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU TOLD ME

YOUR PARENTS DISOWNED YOU,

I COULDN’T BELIEVE IT.

I MEAN, WHAT MORE DO THEY WANT?

YOU’RE SUCH A... A GOOD PERSON.

YOU’RE SUCH A... GOOD MOTHER.

HOW COULD THEY LIVE OUT THEIR LIVES WITHOUT EVER KNOWING YOU?

WITHOUT EVER KNOWING DAVID?

I’M...I’M SORRY.

NO. IT’S OK.

I JUST WISH MY PARENTS COULD HEAR YOU.

I WISH THEY’D HEAR ME.

I WISH THEY’D FORGIVE ME.

YOU KNOW, THE ONLY GOOD THING I EVER DID IN MY LIFE

WAS HAVE ANNIE.

EVEN THEN, AT THE SAME TIME I GAVE HER LIFE,

I GAVE HER DEATH.

I DON’T EXPECT ANYBODY, MUCH LESS MY MOTHER,

TO FORGIVE ME FOR THAT.

BUT YOU KNOW SOMETHING?

SHE NEVER EVEN GAVE ME A CHANCE.

WELL, I GUESS I’M THE ONE THAT’S GONNA HAVE TO FORGIVE HER, HUH?

THEN I’M GONNA HAVE TO FORGIVE MYSELF.

YOU KNOW SOMETHING? MY HEAD IS KILLING ME.

LET ME GIVE YOU SOMETHING FOR IT.

NO, THANKS.

I’M JUST GONNA SAY GOOD NIGHT...

TO ANNIE AND GO TO BED.

BESIDES, I’M...

I’M DYING FOR A CIGARETTE.

GOOD NIGHT.

[GLASS BREAKS]

LINDA?

DAVID! CALL AN AMBULANCE!

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

SHE’S IN THE ADVANCED STAGES OF AIDS.

I GOT SOMETHIN’ TO SAY.

COLLAPSED, THEN STARTED A 2-MINUTE SEIZURE.

GET ME THE PRESSURE...

I SAID I GOT SOMETHIN’ TO SAY.

THIS I.V. PUMP IS BROKEN. WE NEED ANOTHER.

LISTEN TO ME!

CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME?

WE HEAR YOU.

I ONLY WANT TO SAY THIS ONCE.

I KNOW I’M PROBABLY NOT GONNA WALK OUT OF HERE,

SO I’M TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW.

WHEN IT’S MY TIME TO GO,

YOU’D BETTER LET ME GO.

I DON’T WANT ANY MACHINES BREATHING FOR ME.

I DON’T WANT ANYBODY POUNDING ON MY CHEST.

JUST LET ME GO.

EVERYBODY UNDERSTAND?

MAKE A NOTE ON HER CHART. "DO NOT RESUSCITATE."

HI.

HI.

HOW YOU DOIN’?

I’VE BEEN BETTER.

CAN I GET YOU ANYTHING?

YOU SURE?

YOU KNOW, IF I BEAT THIS,

I’M GONNA DO WHAT YOU DID.

I’M GONNA GO TO SCHOOL AND GET A JOB

AND MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF MYSELF.

THERE’S NO WAY I CAN BEAT THIS THING, IS THERE?

I HOPE THERE IS.

YOU HAVE A LOT TO GIVE.

YOU THINK SO?

YEAH.

I NEVER SAID GOOD NIGHT TO ANNIE.

I’LL SAY GOOD NIGHT FOR YOU.

HERE, NOW, YOU STOP THAT.

IT’S YOUR DAY OFF. YOU SHOULD REST.

I’VE GOTTA STAY BUSY. DID THE HOSPITAL CALL?

NO.

[BANGING ON DOOR]

JASON.

I HAD TO SEE YOU RIGHT AWAY.

I COULDN’T DO THIS OVER THE TELEPHONE.

REMEMBER THE P-24 WE DID ON ANNIE?

I GOT THE TEST RESULTS BACK THIS MORNING.

I CHECKED IT AGAIN AND AGAIN.

ANNIE IS NO LONGER TESTING POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODIES.

HER OTHER BLOOD TESTS CAME UP NEGATIVE AS WELL.

I CHECKED IT THREE TIMES, SUSAN.

I DON’T UNDERSTAND, JASON.

OK. LET ME EXPLAIN THIS.

WHEN ANNIE WAS BORN, SHE TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY.

OF COURSE WE ASSUMED SHE WAS INFECTED WITH THE VIRUS,

ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF HER LOW T-CELLS AND HER INFECTIONS.

WHAT ARE YOU SAYING, JASON?

I AM SAYING ANNIE DOES NOT HAVE THE HIV VIRUS.

I SPOKE TO A COLLEAGUE WHO’S STUDYING THIS,

AND HE’S COMING UP WITH THE SAME THING.

IN SOME CASES, THE CHILD ONLY GETS

THE HIV ANTIBODIES FROM ITS MOTHER,

BUT NOT THE INFECTION.

NOBODY KNOWS WHY THIS HAPPENS, BUT IN SOME KIDS, IT DOES.

YOU’RE TELLING ME... THAT ANNIE’S GONNA LIVE.

SUSAN, I DON’T GET TO SAY THIS VERY OFTEN,

SO LET ME SAVOR IT.

ANNIE DOES NOT HAVE THE HIV VIRUS.

THERE’S NO REASON TO THINK

SHE WON’T LIVE A NORMAL, HEALTHY LIFE.

WHAT’S WRONG, MOM?

WAIT HERE.

I’M NOT GETTING A PULSE. START CPR.

NEED A MILLIGRAM OF EPINEPHRINE.

DR. REILLY.

YOU SHOULDN’T BE HERE. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

TRYING TO SAVE HER LIFE.

SHE DIDN’T WANT THIS. IT’S IN HER CHART.

I HAVEN’T SEEN HER CHART. WE’LL DEFIBRILLATE...

SHE DIDN’T WANT TO BE BROUGHT BACK!

IF SHE CAN BE SAVED, DO YOU WANT ME TO LET HER DIE? DO YOU?!

CLEAR.

THEY SAY IT’LL BE ANOTHER COUPLE WEEKS...

SHE’S STABLE.

DR. KUTTRELL. DR. JANET KUTTRELL.

EMERGENCY ADMITTING.

LINDA.

SUSAN...THEY BROUGHT ME BACK, DIDN’T THEY?

YEAH.

I...ASKED THEM NOT...TO DO THAT.

THEY WROTE IT ON MY CHART.

YOU’RE GONNA BE GLAD THEY DID.

WHY?

SO YOU CAN KNOW THAT ANNIE’S GONNA LIVE.

THEY DID A SPECIAL TEST, A NEW TEST.

ANNIE DOESN’T HAVE THE VIRUS.

SHE’S NOT GONNA GET AIDS.

HOW CAN THAT BE?

YOU ONLY PASSED HER THE ANTIBODY, NOT THE VIRUS.

ANNIE’S GONNA GROW UP.

SHE’S GONNA GO TO SCHOOL.

SHE’S GONNA RUN AND PLAY

JUST LIKE ANY OTHER KID.

SHE’S GOT EVERYTHING IN FRONT OF HER NOW.

YOU DIDN’T GIVE HER DEATH.

LINDA...

YOU GAVE HER LIFE.

NOW, WHEN YOU’RE STRONGER,

YOU’RE COMIN’ HOME WITH US...

WITH ANNIE.

YOU CAN BE WITH YOUR FAMILY.

WELCOME HOME.

IT’S GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK, LINDA.

IT’S GOOD-- GOOD TO BE BACK.

WHERE-- WHERE’S ANNIE?

OH, SHE’S TAKING HER NAP.

WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO BRING HER DOWN?

NO. I WANT TO GO UP AND SEE HER.

CAN YOU MAKE THE STAIRS?

I’LL BE ALL RIGHT.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW SOMETHING.

YOU GAVE ME THE FIRST HOME I EVER HAD.

I NEVER KNEW IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THIS.

THANKS FOR LETTING ME HAVE IT.

HEY, SLEEPYHEAD.

YOU’RE GONNA HAVE A GREAT LIFE.

LIVE IT FOR ME.

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE LUNCH, ANNIE?

WOULD YOU LIKE A PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICH?

[CAR HORN HONKS]

THERE’S A CAB OUTSIDE.

IT’S FOR ME. I CAN’T STAY.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU CAN’T STAY?

I HAVE TO GO.

[DOROTHY] WHAT ARE YOU TALKIN’ ABOUT?

YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO ANYWHERE.

YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED RIGHT HERE.

PLEASE, DON’T...

FIGHT ME ON THIS.

I’M NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO TAKE ON THE BOTH OF YOU.

YOU JUST HAVE TO LET ME GO.

GO WHERE?

I FOUND A HOSPICE.

IT’S A GOOD PLACE. DECENT PEOPLE.

NOT AS DECENT AS YOU, BUT...

DON’T DO THIS.

DON’T LEAVE US. DON’T LEAVE ANNIE.

I HAVE TO.

I DON’T WANT HER TO WATCH ME DIE.

BUT THIS IS YOUR HOME.

SUSAN...

IF THIS IS WHAT LINDA WANTS...

WE HAVE TO LET HER DO IT.

IT’S THE RIGHT THING.

WHEN SHE’S OLDER, YOU’LL TELL HER

HOW MUCH I LOVED HER, WON’T YOU?

I PROMISE.

YOU WON’T FORGET?

I WON’T FORGET.

I’LL NEVER FORGET.

TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.

ANNIE, I HAVE SOMETHING I WANT YOU TO GIVE YOUR MOTHER.

TELL HER NOT TO READ IT UNTIL AFTER I GO.

I WON’T LOOK BACK.

IT WOULD KILL ME TO LOOK BACK.

"I, LINDA MARSTEN,

HEREBY TERMINATE MY PARENTAL RIGHT..."

WAVE GOOD-BYE TO YOUR MOTHER.

MAMA?