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Ms. Harrison?

Ugh. What do you want from me?

I just need you to hear my case.

Look, there are plenty of lawyers around.

Find one. Do not approach me again.

Everyone says that you are the best

civil-rights lawyer in this state.

That's right, I am. And there's only one of me,

which means I cannot right every injustice

in the state of Florida.

What do your other clients do to get your attention?

Look, I've never done anything wrong,

but my daughter was taken away from me.

Why won't you listen to me? What do I have to do?

Do I have to rob? Do I have to kill? Is that it?

Tell me what the hell it is, because I'll do it.

Do you know where my office is?

Be there next Wednesday at 7 a.m.

And if you think you're gonna be one minute late,

do not come.

Ms. Nielson. Janine.

Janine. You were well-represented at your last trial.

You're lucky you got visitation rights.

I want my child back. She belongs with me.

What makes you think an appeal is gonna make any difference?

I won't give up.

This is not just for myself.

I want what's best for Heather.

She needs me.

How long have you been actively homosexual?

Excuse me?

How long have you been an active homosexual?

I need to know.

I'll tell you anything you wanna know, Ms. Harrison.

I knew I was gay long before I ever acted on it.

How long did you know Sandra Cataldi?

A long time.

But not long enough.

I like your shirt.

Excuse me?

Your shirt.

I love cowboy shirts.

Uh, you know what kind of flowers those are on it?

Um...

...cabbage roses.

Thank you.

Can I-- Can I give you a hand?

Uh, no, thanks. I'm fine. Ooh.

Are you sure? Yeah. Yeah.

Let me help you.

I'm-- I'm not, uh--

I'm not...

You're not what?

I came out to my parents when I was in high school.

What did they do?

Yelled and cried.

They said that it was a phase.

But what could they do? You wanna sit down?

Yeah, sure.

When I was 13,

my mother found these letters

I had written to this girl in school.

They were innocent.

I told her she had beautiful hair.

My mother went nuts.

They moved me to another school.

They wouldn't let me make a phone call without them

standing right there.

It just became the way things were.

The way I was.

Even when I went to college, you know, I...

It just wasn't a part of me.

It?

What do you think it is, hm?

It's not something you can take a little medicine for

that's gonna go away.

I know that.

What you doing Saturday night?

We're here.

Y-You're taking me to church on our first date?

And what's wrong with that?

I'm kidding.

I just wanna stop in for a minute.

I'm on the bake-sale committee.

Okay.

Hey, Sandy.

Reverend Wasney, I want you to meet Janine Nielson.

Welcome, Janine.

Hi.

Good to see you.

-You want something to drink? -No.

-Hey, San! -Hey!

That's Nora. We actually dated for about five years once

till we realized that we were--

We were really meant to be best friends.

You wanna dance?

Okay. Heh.

You wanna keep dancing?

Okay.

Good.

Me too.

Though I've performed many holy unions,

I must say it is my deep, personal pleasure

to pronounce you, Janine Nielson,

and you, Sandra Cataldi,

two women united in love in the eyes of God.

Congratulations, sweetheart.

I always wanted another daughter.

God bless you, honey.

God bless both of you.

Ah, no. Wait, wait, wait. I just wanna say one thing.

-That'll be a first. I'm gonna let that go

because this is my wedding day and I am a vision.

I just-- I just wanna say

that after this year with you, Janine,

I truly never thought that I would see this,

uh, mostly because I'm not exactly what you call

a traditional bride.

This marriage may not be legal in the state of Florida,

but standing here beside you, Janine,

and I know that it is blessed

and we were truly meant to be together, Neen,

and I love you.

All right, shut up and feed each other cake.

All right.

Mm.

Mm, mm, mm...

Aw...

-Okay. -Mm, mm!

-Hey. -Hey.

I-I'm ready.

-How was your day? -Good.

-Janine? -Yeah.

-Hey, Sandy. -Hey, Peter.

Uh, before you go,

could you start an IV line for my patient in 223?

Oh, sure, of course.

I'll be really quick.

Oh, here. Let me help.

Oh, gracias. Let me help you.

-Thank you. -You're welcome.

Hey, there. Hey, little guy. What you doing here?

Oh, he's got an infection,

um, in his, uh, breathing?

In his lungs?

Sí, lungs.

So doctors give him some medicine.

Oh.

You have children?

No, I don't.

You have something wrong?

No. No, not at all.

I-I love kids.

You want to hold him.

I just have to go, you know?

-I'll be right back. -Okay.

Hey, there.

Hey, there, little fella.

I'm exhausted.

Hey, where you going? It's your night to cook.

Don't make me cook tonight.

I cooked every night for the past week.

All right, I'll cook.

Janine, let's have a baby.

-No. -Why not?

You love kids probably more than I do.

How can you eat that garbage?

You don't like it, you cook.

You just have a block about cooking.

-Any idiot can make a pasta sauce. -Idiot's a good word.

What, you hold a baby for a minute and now you want one?

Now, you know me better than that.

I've been thinking about it for a while.

We would be such great parents, Neen.

Sandy, please, get a cat.

Get a dog. A bird.

A nice pet will satisfy whatever this urge is you've got.

I train dogs all day for a living,

I can assure you I do not want a pet.

I want a child.

Our child.

Our child?

Yeah.

That is not a possibility,

in case you haven't noticed.

You like children, see?

It's not right, San. It just isn't.

Why not?

Because we've made our choices.

We are what we are.

I love you.

And I'm with you forever.

We're not exactly Ozzie and Harriet.

Honey, Ozzie only has one thing you don't.

It's not funny.

It's not true.

We're different, San.

We don't have any right to force all this on a child.

Force what?

Love...

...and devotion?

Goodness and decency? Would that--?

Would that child be so harmed by that?

-Oh, Sandy. -Neen,

I love us.

And I'm proud of us.

And I want a child.

And if you don't want a child, say so.

But make it because you don't want it and not because

we don't deserve it, or because of what someone else will think.

What do you want, honey, hm?

Tell me what you want.

Hm?

So I go up to the ticket counter and I say,

"Two seniors, please."

And the guy looks at me and he says,

"I'm gonna have to see some ID."

I tell you, I almost kissed him right there.

Slow down, Sandy.

Give yourself time to digest.

Why talk? She never listens.

Hm? What'd you say, Dad?

-What? Huh?

Oh, ha! Funny. Very funny. Very funny.

You know, Sandy, you have put on a little weight.

I noticed that when you came in.

Ahem. Well, my doctor says

I'm right on target for my first trimester.

You going back to school?

Trimester for what?

Of a pregnancy.

What--? What, are you kidding?

This isn't funny.

She's not joking.

Oh, my God. Are you pregnant?

Call me crazy, but I always thought

you needed a man to get pregnant.

You never heard of artificial insemination?

What?

The sperm comes from the donor,

and the doctor squirts it on up there--

Okay, okay, Sandy.

You know, people are eating here, come on.

So, grandma,

what do you think?

Oh, my God!

Oh, my God! Oh, my God, a baby!

A baby! A baby!

When? When? When?

Well, we went to the-- We went to the clinic in August,

but we really didn't get the--

No, no! When? When is the baby due?

The baby. I never thought I'd ever get to say that.

The baby.

I mean, how did you talk her into this, Janine?

I don't care. What am I saying?

A baby. Oh, God!

I love you. I love you. And I love you.

Where's my phone book?

A baby! You're gonna be a grandpa.

Congratulations, sweetheart.

We're thrilled for both of you.

Well, it's nice to see you, Janine.

It's been such a long time.

Yeah, it's been a while.

You look very well.

I think you look great.

Thanks. I'm really happy.

San and I are doing great.

In fact, we made an important decision together.

That's why I'm here. I wanted to tell you about it.

Sandy and I are gonna have a baby.

I don't understand.

Well, Sandy's gonna have a baby.

I know you don't really know Sandy,

but she's gonna be a wonderful mother

and the donor's file was amazing.

He's everything you'd want in a man, if you wanted a man.

Don't be crass, Janine.

I was kidding.

I was kidding about that.

Anyway, what do you think?

What do you want us to think, Janine?

You come into our home and throw this in our faces.

You're my family.

You wanna live the way you do, that's one thing,

-but don't you dare-- -Daddy, please.

-Melissa, mind your business.

What, you expect me to stand here and congratulate you,

is that it?

You want me to tell you it's okay?

Well, it's not.

It's not natural, Janine.

Excuse me.

Daddy, please, I was talking to you.

Think about what you're doing, Janine.

Really think.

They're my family.

How could they do this to me? What did I do?

Oh, nothing.

Nothing. You didn't do anything.

I can't do it, San.

I can't do it. I can't help a baby.

-I can't care for a baby. -Shh, shh.

No, we can't protect a baby.

Come here.

-Come here. -What?

What?

This is our baby's world.

And it is soft and quiet and safe.

You see these hands?

These are the hands that are gonna hold her.

Strong hands.

Look at this person, Neen.

Now, come on, really look.

Because this is who our baby's gonna see.

You.

Brave and honest,

wise.

You're beautiful.

Promise me you'll never leave me?

I promise.

-Let's go.

You got the video camera?

Yes, I do. It's okay. You're okay.

I can't do this! I take it back.

-You can't take it back now. -I damn well can.

All right. Don't panic. Keep breathing.

Next time you're doing this. I can't do this.

Yes, you can. You can do it.

-You can do it, okay? -Don't forget,

Heather if it's a girl and Charles if it's a boy.

I don't like the name Charles.

Okay, Sandy, let's talk about it later, okay?

What's up?

Oh, look at you.

Oh, you're so beautiful.

Oh.

Hi.

Hi. Ha-ha.

Is everything okay?

What happened?

Um, it was a standard C-section.

She was all tangled up in the cord.

Sweetie.

Oh, she's so beautiful.

Oh, Heather.

Oh, God. Ha-ha.

I know I'm crazy, but I think she looks like you.

Heather Janine.

And so we welcome Heather Janine Nielson Cataldi

to the world and to the community.

May she always know God's house and God's love.

And may she be able to write her full name

-by the time she's 20.

We now invite the parents to speak.

I'm holding, you talk. Go on.

Janine's gonna talk? Ha! Now, that's a miracle.

Um...

Well, we want to thank you all for being here.

Especially you, Heather.

Uh, even though your Aunt Nora's a pain in the neck.

Uh, I really just wanted to say in front of your mother,

and in front of all of you,

that you will never feel like you do not have two parents.

I really love you--

Sandy, what is it?

Sandy, honey, what's the matter?

The C-section's healing great.

Everything looks good.

So, Peter, what's up then?

I got some routine tests back from the lab

and there were some irregularities

in your blood and your urine.

So I ran another batch of blood tests

and, uh, well, they came back positive.

Sandy, you have systemic lupus.

Oh, my God.

It's an autoimmune disorder and it's pretty uncommon.

Mostly affects women.

Basically, what happens is the immune system

loses its ability to differentiate between

its own cells and tissues and foreign challengers,

bacteria or viruses.

We don't know what causes it or how to cure it,

but there are a lot of drugs out there which can control it.

Are you sure it's systemic?

I mean, have you ruled out discoid altogether?

Hey, come on, come on, talk English.

Yeah, okay. Um,

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease.

Discoid affects the skin,

systemic means it travels through the body

from organ to organ.

That's what you have.

It's going to affect your joints, your kidneys,

-as well as your skin. -Heather?

Oh, no, no. No. Heather is fine.

And you're not contagious.

Look, I want to send you to a rheumatologist.

There are all kinds of drugs for you to try,

but they can be rough.

The drugs work, but there are side effects.

Oh, my God.

Come on. Come on. Come on, lighten up.

I mean, it's not like it's fatal or anything, right?

Not usually, no, no.

It's treatable, Sandy.

Whee! There it goes.

Look at the-- Look at the waterfall.

Let's see if we can shoot at it, huh?

Look at that. Whoa!

Look at this.

Where's my birthday girl?

Mom, are you crazy?

Oh, God, there's no more room in the house.

Make room. She's my only granddaughter.

What do you expect? Hi, sweetheart.

Oh, that's my girl.

Hi, Janine.

Hi, honey. Hi.

Look at the cake, honey.

Oh, look. Pink ice cream.

Frank, would you put it in the freezer before it melts?

Yeah, okay.

Yes, I will. I'll be right back.

Oh, what a cute pool.

Yes. Heather's birthday present.

Okay, sweetheart, are you ready to go in the water?

Oh, wait, wait, wait.

Are you ready to go in the water?

Okay, let's go in the water.

Let's go in the water. Oh, God!

Don't splash the camera. -Okay.

Sandra, sit under the umbrella. Get out of the sun.

It's bad for your lupus.

I'm fine, Mom. Oh, she takes off the hat.

Mom, take the camera.

I don't know how to do this.

Take it and just push this button here.

Oh, sweetie.

Oh, what's silly Mommy doing?

Here we go, Heather.

Where's Grandma's little girl?

Whoa! -Hey!

Look who's here.

Look, it's Aunt Nora.

I'll go.

Oh. I'll go.

-Oh, she's all right. -Ooh.

Her binky just fell out of the crib.

You okay?

Yeah, I'm too tired to put my--

My baby's binky back in her crib, that's how I am.

You're the mother of a 2-year-old,

you're supposed to be exhausted.

I don't know what's making me feel worse,

the lupus or the drugs.

We'll call your doctor in the morning.

I mean, I can't stand this.

It's not unusual for medications to cause side effects.

The side effects are worse than the--

Than the disease. Look at me. I'm getting fat and I'm--

And I'm too weak to move.

The doctor will probably just adjust your medications, okay?

You'll be okay.

I'm sorry.

I just-- I feel like I am losing the battle here.

The thought of working even half a day tomorrow.

I can't. I can't do it, Neen.

You don't have to.

You're gonna quit your job, okay?

You have got to concentrate on your health,

on getting better.

Sweetheart, you can't support all three of us.

Yes, I can.

I'll work extra shifts at the hospital.

We'll be okay, I promise.

I'm sorry.

You're not attracted to me anymore, are you?

Of course I am.

I'm just stressed.

I can't kiss for that long.

My lungs.

-Lie back. -Oh.

There you go.

So, what's the drill?

All right, I need you to pick Heather up today at school

at 2:00 and bring her to her dancing lesson.

And then drop her off at home. Tuesdays and Thursdays

she's got swimming and Fridays gymnastics.

How many extra shifts are you working?

As many as they'll give me.

Except on Mondays because I've gotta take Sandy to dialysis.

How long do you think you're gonna be able to keep this up?

Until Sandy is back on her feet.

Oh, Janine, get real.

Look, if shuttling Heather around three afternoons a week

is too much for you, just tell me. It's okay. It is not your problem.

Hey, Sandy's my best friend, it is my problem.

I mean, the three of you are like family.

I thought that you and I had come further than that

in all these years.

Janine, I am with you.

Okay, dancers, let's make our big circle.

Good job. Good job.

Into your straight line, please.

Very nice. Now, could we please go to our two lines.

And first position feet relevé.

And turn. And turn.

Good job.

Now, let's do two butterfly arms before we do our reverence.

And you dancers did such a good job today.

Thank you.

-Hey, sweetie. -Neeny! Neeny!

Girl, oh, you were wonderful.

When you were twirling around,

you looked like a beautiful flower.

Not a butterfly?

And a butterfly too.

It's nice having you over me.

Come here, Heather.

Here you go, doll.

You give these to Mommy now.

That's my girl.

Here's your pills, Mommy.

Thank you, sweetie.

How was school today?

We talked about c-careers.

Jeffrey's gonna be psy--

Psychapothist when he grows up,

and Marcy's gonna make jeans.

What the heck are they teaching the kids over there?

Jeffrey's father is a therapist,

and Marcy's mother splices genes.

Ah.

And what are you gonna be? A little princess, I hope?

I'm gonna be a nurse like Neeny.

Someday your mommy is going back to school

and she's gonna become a pharmacist.

Would you like to be one too?

Oh, what are you telling her that for?

I'm not gonna go back to school.

Yes, you are.

Mom?

What's a pharmacist?

Someone who gives people pills to make them feel better.

Neeny!

As opposed to someone who takes pills, which is me.

I'm a pharmacist too.

Yes, you are, sweetie. Better than I'll ever be.

I'm sorry we live so far away and we can't help more.

You do help.

I don't know how I would do it without you both.

Look, Janine, you can't do it all.

Now, Sandy is--

I mean, if she--

She's all I have.

I know how hard it is on you and Frank.

We're your family too, Ev.

Me and Heather.

Thank you.

Good night, honey.

What'd she wanna talk about?

She thinks that I should vacation in the tropics

for the holidays.

Well, for once, she's right.

You're not sleeping.

I know you're not eating.

Well, what do you think I should do Dr. Welby?

I suggest that you start taking care of yourself,

because Heather's gonna need you.

Okay, stop that.

Neen.

You're getting better.

Please.

Don't give up on me, San.

Janine.

I'm not gonna listen to this crap.

I'm gonna go check up on Heather.

Honey, just pick one, I'm not hungry.

Mom, you have to eat.

Okay.

Chicken or meatloaf?

You pick for Mommy.

What do you wanna watch tonight?

How about Heather Janine's first birthday party?

Or how about Heather Janine's third birthday party?

The first. I like how you look in that one.

Can we decorate the tree when Neeny gets home?

-Here you go. -Thank you.

Sandy loves these nachos.

Maybe I can get her to eat some.

Janine, look, she's only making the effort

because she doesn't wanna let you down.

Good. I'll take it.

She's in pain.

The lupus has hit nearly every organ in her body.

And she's fought it off.

She's doing better.

Her doctors have cut down on her prednisone.

Not when it hits the brain.

Look, I read up on this. It's gonna happen.

-And if you don't see what's coming-- -I see her.

I see her every single day.

For five years I've seen her fight and win.

And if you just wanna write her off, you go ahead, but I'm gonna fight with her.

And if I have to, I'll fight for her, understand?

Where have you been?

Hi. Where's Heather?

She's in bed asleep. Where have you been?

Here. I was at the beach.

You were with Nora?

Y-Yeah.

Are you in love with her?

What?

Are you sleeping with Nora?

What's gotten into you? Or is it Peter?

Is that why you're working overtime at the hospital?

Peter is gay. Oh, my God. You're burning up.

Well, who is it, damn it? Who is it?

It's you. It is you. I take care of you!

I take care of Heather. When am I--?

You lie! You lie! You lie! You lie!

Oh, Sandy! Oh, my God!

Oh, Sandy! Sandy!

Sandy! Oh, God!

Oh, God! Oh, God, no!

Hi.

Oh, hi.

Sorry about before.

Oh, please. How is she?

She's hanging on. I think she's gonna be okay.

Okay.

You get some sleep, okay?

Okay. Hey, thanks. For everything.

Hi, Neeny.

Hi, sweetheart.

How's Mommy?

I got up to make and Nora said

she got a sick spell,

and you took her to the hospital to make her better.

Is she better yet?

No, not yet, sweetheart.

When's Mommy coming home?

I don't know.

Is Mommy gonna die?

Is it because God needs another angel?

-Who told you that? -Mommy.

Oh. Oh.

Hello.

Sandy had a seizure. She's in the hospital.

Oh, God.

She's resting now.

W-Why didn't you call?

I didn't have a chance, Evelyn.

You live so far away, it was really late,

there was nothing you could have done.

You have to call me, damn it!

I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking.

No, you weren't thinking. Where is she?

She's in 211 North. I'll, uh-- I'll see you there.

Dr. Larson, ICU stat.

Dr. Larson, ICU stat.

Sandy!

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

-Sandy! -Don't come in here!

-Don't come in here! -I'm her mother!

-I know, Mrs. Cataldi. -We're her family!

-I know. I know. -Sandy!

-Andrew, what happened? -She developed meningitis.

We're gonna do the best we can, okay?

-Please, I've got-- -I promise you. I promise you.

Damn it, I can't get a vein here.

Here, I'll find one.

-Janine? -I'll do it.

Janine, you can't do it. You're family.

Prepare please, Louise, you do it.

Her pressure's dropped to 60.

-Andrew, please let me stay. -Okay. Okay. Sure.

Could somebody get me a cutdown tray, please?

Her kidneys are shutting down. Come on, get it out.

Doctor needs a drape and a scalpel. Fifteen blade.

Got it. What's the systolic?

San...

Don't go, San.

Don't.

Don't go. Don't go.

I love you too.

San.

No.

No.

Do something...

Sandy...

Hi, Neeny.

Hi, sweetheart.

Where's Mommy?

Oh. Um, I have to talk to you about something, okay?

Are we going to see Mommy?

Honey, Mommy had a visit

from one of God's angels this morning.

God decided that

it was time for Mommy to become an angel too.

But I don't want Mommy to go yet.

I know, sweetheart, neither do I.

Did Mommy tell the angel no?

She couldn't. She had to go.

Where is she? I wanna see her.

You can't.

I wanna see her.

Mommy had to go, okay? She's up in heaven now.

No! I want my mommy!

I want my mommy!

I want my mommy!

I don't believe this.

What's up?

"Survived by her beloved parents and daughter."

What about me?

Well, I'm sure Evelyn and Frank didn't do it on purpose.

I would have settled for "long-time companion."

Or "friend" or "roommate" would have been better than nothing.

Did you tell them that you weren't bringing Heather to the funeral?

Yeah.

Evelyn agreed it would be too hard on her.

Let us pray. Our Father-- -Evelyn?

--who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

-Come on. Thy kingdom come,

thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Forgive us our trespasses.

But deliver us from evil,

for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory

forever and ever. Amen.

My friends, members of the family,

Evelyn, Frank,

we are here today not to mourn a passing,

but to celebrate a life,

the beautiful life of our dear departed sister,

Sandra Cataldi.

Thanks, Donna.

Hi, sweetheart.

Are you hungry?

Well, you have to eat.

Let's see what we've got.

You sit right down there.

Okay, we've got chicken and meatloaf.

How about chicken?

Okay.

Mmm. Stay right there,

'cause I'm gonna need your help.

What for, Neeny?

Well, it's my night to cook.

I've got an idea.

How about, just this once,

we go get a hamburger and some French fries.

Our little secret.

Our little secret.

Please leave messages for Sandy, Neeny and Heather

-after the beep.

Heather, it's Grandma.

Please call me. Janine has the number.

How you holding up?

On my own.

Well, maybe if you answered the phone when people called,

you wouldn't be on your own all the time.

I just don't feel like it.

You look exhausted.

I am. I get up at 6:30. I get Heather to school by 8:30.

I go to work. I pick her up.

I put her down by 8,

and then I can't even fall asleep before 2 or 3.

So, what have you done about Heather, Janine?

What do you mean?

Well, since Sandy didn't leave a will, which, uh,

we were pretty surprised about,

you're gonna have to deal with a lot of loose ends.

It's Florida, honey.

You need to establish your legal guardianship of Heather.

I know. I just...

haven't had the strength to deal with it.

You have to. What if she had an accident or something?

I know a really good family lawyer.

And he's great at domestic-partner stuff.

He'll handle everything.

Peter talked to me about your situation and yourself.

He's very fond of you and concerned.

How are you holding up?

Oh, I'll be fine.

It just takes time.

I understand.

I'm afraid my news isn't gonna be much help, either.

Uh, since we spoke on the phone last,

I've done some preliminary inquiries.

And our situation is a little more complicated

than we thought.

Why?

Well, legally, according to Florida law,

blood relatives have more of a claim on your daughter

than you do.

But no one wants Heather but me.

Well, Frank and Evelyn Cataldi, Sandy's parents--

I know who they are.

They filed papers last month.

What kind of papers?

I don't understand. What--? What does this mean?

I mean, what is this?

I'd say it's a sneak attack.

It's an application for custody and guardianship.

Heather's grandparents want to adopt her themselves.

I think we'd better have another look round.

I'm coming. I'm com-- Okay.

Okay.

Janine?

Why are you doing this?

How dare you just burst in here.

Why are you trying to take her away?

Because she doesn't belong with you.

You're not her blood, Janine. She-- She's Sandy's baby.

She belongs with blood.

Are you crazy?

She's my daughter too.

She is not your daughter.

She is Sandy's daughter and she's all we have.

I am not keeping her from you.

Oh, the hell you're not.

You you don't even return our calls.

I don't return anyone's calls.

I'm trying to adjust.

We're just trying to get through this.

"We"? "We" who? Huh?

-Who else you got over there in that house? -What?

We do not want her around your friends.

We do not want her around those kind of people.

-What kind of people? -Dykes.

-Queers. -Frank, don't.

Can I make that any clearer for you?

Your daughter was "those kind of people."

Yeah, thanks to you.

Me?

She told you what she was in high school.

In high school? She was confused.

She didn't know what she wanted.

You messed up her life.

And I do not want you messing up Heather's life.

Mr. and Mrs. Cataldi are incapable of raising

a 5-year-old child, Your Honor.

They have health problems typical of their age.

Nothing of note, Your Honor.

We could present doctors' reports on that

as well as recommendations.

They live in a one-bedroom apartment

in an adults-only retirement complex.

Excuse me, Your Honor,

but I have photographs of a home

that the Cataldi's are prepared to purchase.

Thank you.

Photographs do not constitute a contract.

They don't even constitute intent.

Wait. Wait. Wait. Why buy a house

before we even know if we need one, huh?

We'll buy a house.

W-we've already picked out a swing set, Your Honor.

A-and we can afford it. Janine can barely support herself.

That is completely untrue, Your Honor.

Miss Nielson has been the sole wage-earner in the house.

She has supported herself, her daughter and her chronically ill partner.

Thank you, Mr. Crane, I have those figures already.

And you have more than established

Ms. Nielson's ability to support the child.

Unfortunately, it is not relevant.

There is not a true issue of custody here.

Florida law is quite explicit

regarding the rights of blood relatives

over all other rights.

It is not in my power or anyone else's present

to change that law at this time.

Therefore, I cannot but rule

that the Cataldi's be given full legal custody of the girl.

As for visitation,

I believe the child is young enough

that her ability to adapt to new surroundings

and circumstances is significant.

But that excessive exposure to Ms. Nielson

would be confusing and potentially destructive.

Therefore, Ms. Nielson may see Heather one weekend a month.

She may call her on the phone once a week.

Are there any questions?

I believe that this is all in the best interests of the child.

-Thank you.

And Allison can only lift her leg this high,

but I can lift it practically over my head.

And Miss Barnes said with a little practice

I can probably lift it higher than even she can.

Neeny, why are we stopping here?

Because I need to tell you something, okay.

-You know how much I love you, right? -Uh-huh.

And you know how much your grandma and your grandpa love you?

Yeah.

Well, sometimes when you love someone so much,

y-you have to make a decision that won't make everybody happy,

but it will work out best in the end.

-Like what? -Well, like going to live

with your grandma and your grandpa.

But I live with you.

I know you do, sweetheart.

But a very, very smart lady has decided

that it's a good idea for you to live with them.

Okay? And they want it.

And you can take all your toys,

and I'll come and visit.

But I wanna live with you.

I know. And I want to be with you, sweetheart,

but sometimes you just can't have what you want, okay?

Please, Neeny, I promise I'll be good.

Honey, you are good. You're the best little girl in the world.

Hi, Heather. Come to Grandma.

No, I don't wanna go with you.

You don't mean that, sweetheart.

I wanna be with Neeny.

Will you help me here, Frank.

Yes. -Come on, Heather.

Neeny! Neeny!

Neeny!

You want to be with Grandma.

Grandma's here, sweetheart.

Neeny! Neeny!

Let go. -Neeny!

Come on, honey. Neeny!

Come on. We've got her. We've got her.

Neeny! Neeny, I wanna stay with you.

Grandma's here. Grandma's here.

We're gonna have ice cream and good things.

Good things, okay?

Ice cream.

Neeny! Neeny!

Beautiful day.

Hello, Janine, I'm Dr. Gage.

I guess you don't feel like eating today.

Would you like to talk?

Now, you see, honey, because I have this combination,

I'm gonna put two more nickels in the pot.

Do you want to put the nickels in the pot for me?

That's Grandma's girl.

She's so smart.

You're so smart.

Ha-ha. What do you say?

Thank you.

She's so quiet, Evelyn.

Yeah, isn't she a doll?

Not like mine.

They're so noisy, I can't hear myself think.

Janine, if you don't eat,

they're gonna put you on an IV drip.

We are not gonna let you die here.

Hey, Janine, it's Nora.

Honey, I know you're hurt, but i-it's been a week.

Don't you wanna talk to Heather?

Does she even hear us?

She hears us.

I don't know what to say.

Say anything. Chitchat.

Memories. Piss her off.

Just keep talking.

No complaints.

Got some cream for your coffee. Been buying a whole pint.

Well, you don't have to apologize to me, Mr. Warden.

You'll never know how I appreciate this.

Heather? Honey, what is it?

What's wrong?

You can tell Grandma.

I miss Mommy.

I know, Honey. I do too.

And I miss Neeny.

Shh-shh-shh.

Did she die too?

Did Neeny die too?

No. No, honey, Neeny didn't die.

Then why doesn't she call?

I don't know, honey.

Doesn't she love me anymore?

I don't know.

But Grandma loves you.

You know that, don't you?

Yes.

Do you love Grandma?

Yes.

Well, good.

See, that's all that counts.

Sometimes, you know,

people we think love us, they don't--

They don't always love us.

But your family will always love you.

That's why they're your family.

You know that? Huh?

Close those eyes and go to sleep.

That's Grandma's girl.

Come on, open up.

Damn it, Janine, open up your mouth.

All right, fine. You wanna die, die.

Why are you just giving up?

There are people here who love you.

And there is somebody out there who desperately needs you.

How could you forget about your damn daughter?

Heather needs her mother, and that is you.

Oh!

Sandy had no choice.

She fought until the very last second.

But not you.

Do you know what Heather's days are like?

Do you know i-if she cries at night?

No, you-- You coward.

That judge was right. You don't deserve her.

You-- Y-y-you don't care about her.

You never loved her, and you know what?

You are not her mother.

Yes, I am.

Yes, I am.

Walter, my boy, come join your uncle in a game of putt.

I have to sharpen up my game.

I'm going to join that swanky, ritzy, Vista Country Club.

Hello.

-You can do it. Hello?

Evelyn, it's Janine.

I wanna speak with Heather.

She's not home.

It's after 7, she has to be.

She's asleep.

Then wake her.

I certainly will not.

Mrs. Cataldi, this is Dr. Gage, Janine's doctor.

Janine has the legal right

to speak with Heather once a week.

Let her talk.

Oh, here you go, honey.

Hello.

H-Heather, it's Janine.

It's your Neen.

Neeny?

Yes. Oh, it-- Oh, it's so good

to hear your voice.

Why didn't you call? Why didn't you visit?

Well, honey, I've been very sick.

You promised you'd call.

I know.

I know, and I was wrong not to call you

for a whole month, but I still love you.

I love you so much.

When are you coming? When are you coming to take me home?

Oh, b--

Baby, I'm-- I'm gonna come really soon.

Okay?

I can't come right now to take you home,

but I'm gonna visit.

I-I'm gonna visit really soon.

Florida law expressly forbids gays and lesbians from adopting.

Now, Sandy didn't will you guardianship.

She didn't leave a will. Why not?

There's no good answer.

We didn't want to admit that kind of defeat. I--

I wanted to stay positive around Sandy all the time.

I never wanted to bring it up.

You knew she was dying.

You knew you had to protect this child.

Why didn't you leave Florida?

My work, our-- Our support was here.

You're a nurse, you could work anywhere.

Our home, Sandy's family, all of her doctors were here.

You just didn't wanna deal with it.

-That's not true. -Yeah, it is.

You didn't wanna deal with your lover's illness.

You didn't want to deal with your life.

You didn't want to deal with your parental responsibilities.

You just didn't wanna deal.

So you end up in a mental institution.

You got the nerve to ask me to stand in front of a judge

and ask him to repeal the laws of this land

to place this child in the hands

of an irresponsible, unsuitable guardian.

I'm Heather's parent. She belongs with me.

Now, if you will not help me, I'll go find someone who will,

'cause I will not give up until Heather is home with me.

Good. Neither will I.

You're gonna hear that and a lot worse in court.

And if you crumble, we're gonna lose.

I will not crumble.

I thought you said I didn't have a chance.

I'm not sure you do. I like a good fight.

We need to dig, Janine.

We have to prove that Heather's life

is going to be better if she's with you,

so you have to find letters, photos, anything.

And do me a favor.

Get yourself a nice, pink dress to wear in court.

Just what the well-groomed lesbian is wearing for spring.

What do you want?

I'm here to visit with Heather.

The hell you are. She's resting.

She has a tummyache.

Then I'll sit with her.

No, you're not coming in this house.

Mrs. Cataldi, we're here to ensure

that the court-ordered visitation takes place.

Any request to postpone or alter it

must be made 24 hours prior.

Well, I couldn't do that.

I mean, she's missed all the other days,

how was I supposed...?

Heather? Heather?

-Neeny. Neeny. -Oh, hi, sweetheart.

Oh. Mmm. I missed you so much.

Did you come to take me home, Neeny?

Not yet, baby, no.

This is your home, sweetheart.

Come on, honey, let's go out for a little while, okay?

Go get your bathing suit.

Go on.

I don't give a damn for any judge's orders.

Heather's my child and I'll decide what she does,

and she is not leaving this house.

Defiance of this order

is grounds for appeal, Mrs. Cataldi.

Damn you.

Neeny. Neeny.

Hurts doesn't it, Ev.

Wait up.

Oh, slow down.

All right.

Mmm. So did you make any new friends?

No.

How come?

'Cause kids aren't supposed to live there

and kids are too noisy.

Did your grandma say anything about moving

into a big new house?

We're not going to.

How come?

'Cause money don't grow on trees.

So, what do you do after school?

Watch TV.

Neeny, why can't I come home?

Janine's gonna have a pretty rough time.

To be blunt, it would help immensely for the court

to see my family.

To see her family supporting her.

I'm afraid we can't support her in this endeavor, Dr. Brown.

You know, it's not really about Janine.

I believe the focus here is Heather.

The child is not blood to us or Janine.

I'm sure she'd be better off with her family.

Is something amusing?

I keep hearing about this notion of blood bonds

making for a family.

I told you. Let's go.

Mmm.

Hello.

Oh, hey, Nora.

No, no, no. Uh-uh.

I'm still looking through stuff for the lawyer.

Nervous.

Yeah, Terry called earlier.

We have been assigned

one of the most conservative judges in the state.

Yeah, the whole state.

No. No, no, no. I'm fine. Thank you.

Okay. Bye.

I'm gonna let that go because this is my wedding day.

-I just--

I would endeavor to spare this court and this state

from the enormous waste of time of this appeal.

My clients, Frank and Evelyn Cataldi,

have been given legal custody

of their granddaughter, Heather Cataldi.

She's flourishing under their care, Your Honor.

The Florida law is quite clear on the particular issues

concerning the appeal of this plaintiff.

The law expressly prohibits homosexuals from adopting.

I therefore move for dismissal.

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien.

Uh, Ms. Harrison.

Your Honor, the court in it's previous decision

separated a 5-year-old child from her parent.

Now, I say parent, because my client acted in that capacity

from the time the child was conceived.

Now, no doubt the court was seeking only to protect

and enhance the quality of this child's life.

And it did so based on prevailing laws which exist

only here in the state of Florida.

Now, we seek to show that, in fact,

the child's life has not been enhanced.

In fact, it has been diminished by this situation.

We seek not to grant this woman the right to raise her child,

but we seek to grant the child the right

that every child in the United States has.

And that is the right to go home.

The, uh, motion for appeal is granted.

Let's proceed, shall we?

Heather's as healthy as can be.

She gained some weight and she grew a quarter of an inch.

Tell me, how is she doing emotionally?

Objection, Your Honor. She's not a psychiatrist.

It's pure conjecture.

I'll allow it.

Uh, she's a very happy little girl.

She still gets sad about her mommy sometimes, but so do I.

I think that's healthy. And she's so affectionate.

All the time she's telling me how much she loves her grandma.

-Does she ever talk about Ms. Neilson? -On occasion.

She was concerned when Janine never called or came to visit her.

And Frank and I, we tried to explain it as best we could.

And I think she understands.

But I am sure that Janine's absence

has hurt whatever relationship they had.

Objection, Your Honor, it's conjecture.

I'm aware, Ms. Harrison.

That's all right, Your Honor.

I have no further questions. Thank you.

Ms. Harrison.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Mrs. Cataldi, where do you reside?

1118, Vista Del Mar.

And prior to adopting Heather, where did you live?

Well, Frank and I have lived there for 14 years.

It's a retirement community, isn't it?

I never heard it referred to that way.

Oh? Well, how many children under the age of 12

live on your block?

Uh, I really couldn't say.

Well, is it five?

Is it three? Is it two?

No. Well-- Well, not on our block.

So Heather really is the only one.

I, uh, I'm not sure.

Possibly.

At the last court proceedings,

you said you were buying a two-bedroom house

on a fairly large residential lot.

When do you think you'll take occupancy?

The house fell through. Really?

Oh, they wanted way too much money.

So you're looking for another one?

We are registered with an agent.

Do you have that name?

I, uh-- I-- I don't-- I don't remember it offhand.

Your present house only has one bedroom, isn't that right?

Yes.

So where does Heather sleep?

Frank sleeps on the couch and Heather bunks in with me.

Every night?

What's wrong with that?

Well,

do you think that that's better

than the room she has at Janine's?

I think anything is better for my granddaughter than Janine's house.

You said your granddaughter.

That means Heather's not your daughter?

What do you mean?

Well, did you give birth to Heather?

Well, of course I-- I didn't have--

Well, that's ridiculous.

Well, maybe you can clear something up for me.

I have a document here.

A birth certificate for Heather Janine Nielson Cataldi.

-Do you recognize it? -Yes.

And where it says "Name of mother,"

a name has been whited out and your name has been placed here.

Mrs. Cataldi, how old are you?

Look, we were told that this was the only way we could cut off

Heather's visitations with Janine.

But why would you want to do that?

Because she's unstable.

Because whenever Heather talks to her, she gets depressed.

She gets confused.

Why does she get confused?

Well, wouldn't you be confused if your mother liked girls?

So you think of Janine as Heather's mother?

No!

Your Honor,

I was just trying to keep my granddaughter

-away from people like her. -Objection, Your Honor.

Wouldn't you do the same thing to save your own granddaughter?

Objection, Your Honor. Objection. Wouldn't you?

According to all our research,

having both a matriarchal and a patriarchal presence

in the home is the most beneficial situation

for the normal development of a child.

In other words, the situation in the Cataldi home.

Yes.

Thank you, professor.

Your witness.

Would the results hold true if the child

were a victim of abuse?

Objection, Your Honor.

There's been no claim of abuse here.

Sustained.

Hypothetically speaking,

would the results be the same

if the parents were elderly or infirm?

Your Honor?

I stressed "hypothetically."

You may answer.

It would all have to be judged case by case.

Age alone does not make for unsuccessful parenting.

All right. Well, professor, does the research show

that children of gay parents are more likely to be gay?

-No. In fact, the opposite

is more often true than not.

Seems to be.

Are children of gay parents less intelligent?

No.

-Less successful? -No.

More prone to violence or crime? No.

Less likely to have children?

No. Less capable parents?

No.

So there's nothing anywhere in any study that shows

that children raised by gay parents

are adversely affected in any way?

Not to my knowledge, no.

Thank you.

Janine suffered a nervous collapse

brought on by exhaustion and profound depression.

Under the circumstances, quite understandable.

She's responded well to grief therapy

and has been off all medication for several months.

I see no indication of any reoccurrence

and I would say that she is as emotionally sound

as anyone I know.

She's stressed, but quite capable.

Your Honor, I'd like to call Melissa Nielson.

I never knew my sister was a lesbian until she told us.

She's always been respectful and caring.

And my parents cannot accept who she is.

And they've made it impossible for her to be with us.

She once told me that Mr. and Mrs. Cataldi

were far more loving in accepting the mom and the dad.

That they were her family.

She loved them.

I don't know what she could have done

that they would take her child.

Ms. Nielson, you and Sandra Cataldi

were partners, you said?

Yes.

Loving partners?

Yes.

Sexual partners?

Objection. It's irrelevant.

Overruled.

Sexual partners?

Yes.

Were you and Sandra Cataldi married?

Not legally.

Why not?

This state does not allow

same-sex marriages.

Did you impregnate Sandra Cataldi?

I was present at the insemination.

So no biological part of you caused her to become pregnant?

Obviously not.

So there is no biological connection

between you and Heather Cataldi?

No.

Do you accept there is a biological connection

between Heather and the Cataldis?

Yes.

But you do not acknowledge that that gives them

superior claim of kinship or guardianship?

No, I do not.

Do you consider your cohabitation with Sandra Cataldi

to be that of a normal, married cohabitation?

I think it is normal.

But not identical to the majority of living arrangements.

So it's not a normal situation?

It is not a conventional one, no.

What do you think gives you the right to bring a child

into that situation and pretend that it is better

than the one that is being provided by her natural,

and I mean that in every sense, grandparents?

Aren't your acts merely a blatant example

of self-interest and selfishness?

I know many unwed couples,

lots of whom are impregnated artificially

as Sandy and I were.

They are considered parents,

morally and in most cases, legally.

I base my statement on that fact

and on the fact that I mothered Heather

in every practical, responsible, emotional way.

As far as she and I are concerned, we are parent.

We are mother and child.

Did Sandra Cataldi have a will, Ms. Nielson?

No, she did not.

Why not?

Probably because I didn't encourage her to.

I thought it would be detrimental

in fighting her disease.

Well, that's very convenient.

What makes you so sure that Sandra Cataldi

even wanted you to have this child?

Your Honor, if I may.

I'd like to propose that that question might best be answered

by introducing item E into evidence.

Heather, sweetheart, this is for you.

And I hope that you-- You never have to see this,

but just in case, I want you to have something from me

other than the life that I gave you.

And I want you to know

that Janine and I wanted you so much.

And you were more than we ever could have dreamed for,

my precious little girl.

I'm sorry about not supplying you with a father,

but I-- I hope that someday you'll understand

that that's not part of who I am.

And I am leaving you with a wonderful person to love.

We've been together from the moment

that you were conceived.

And we will always be together.

So love Neen as she loves you.

And respect her and make her proud of you.

I leave your future happiness in her hands.

And forgive me, my little one,

if I have to leave you,

but know that no matter where you are,

I will always be with you

and love you forever and ever and ever.

Your Honor, this court does not know what condition

Miss Cataldi was in when this tape was shot,

whether she was medicated or coerced.

Let's move on, shall we?

Your Honor,

my clients are physically, mentally,

emotionally and financially fit to care for Heather Cataldi.

There is a natural family bond between them.

And we believe to disrupt this family at this time

would cause tremendous adverse psychological effects

on this child.

She has a very loving home.

And the law is very exact

and we believe should be honored to the letter.

Thank you.

Ms. Harrison.

Your Honor, there is no doubt in anyone's mind

that the Cataldi's love their granddaughter

and they're providing for her to the best of their ability.

But my client also loves her.

And it's clear that Sandy's intention was that Janine

continue to raise this child.

You know in any other state the question of responsibility

would never be an issue.

It is only in the state of Florida

that says same-sex partners cannot adopt.

And while it's certainly my wish that someday we will be able

to repeal the laws which still denies homosexuals

their full civil rights,

that's not the business of this courtroom today.

And in order to see clearly,

we must focus on the individual case before us.

The case of one individual parent and one individual child.

And if you ask Heather Cataldi who her mommy is,

this is her mommy.

And if we deny her the right to be raised by her mother,

all we will accomplish is the separation of two people

who love each other,

who need each other

and have the right to be with each other.

Thank you.

I'll retire to chambers

and come back with my decision.

This court is recessed.

All rise.

Please be seated.

No evidence has been presented in these proceedings

to suggest that the plaintiff, Janine Nielson,

is anything but a fit and loving parent.

Concurrently, there so no evidence

that Evelyn and Frank Cataldi have acted out of anything

but love and devotion to their granddaughter.

Much has been made of the plaintiff's sexual orientation.

Personally, I believe that if you engage

in a homosexual relationship,

you forfeit much.

Specifically, you ought not to have children.

It complicates a very legally spotty landscape.

As far as this case is concerned,

a child has already been born.

The only issue to be weighed

is what is right for this child.

The state of Florida holds that the bond of blood

takes precedence over all other bonds.

And, quite frankly, I support that.

However,

the testimony in this courtroom,

especially that of the child's deceased mother,

can lead to only one conclusion.

That a maternal bond exists

between Janine Nielson

and Heather Cataldi.

It is the opinion of this court

that it is in the best interest

of Heather Cataldi

that she be returned immediately

to the legal custody of Janine Nielson.

Such custody is awarded today

and should be carried out in its entirety

and as expediently as possible.

This court is adjourned.

Thank you.

We got lucky.

Maybe it'll help somebody else.

Go get your daughter.

-And Janine? -Yes.

Pink is definitely your color.

Oh.

We did it. Yeah!

Evelyn.

She's your grandchild.

Stay in her life.

Thank you, Janine.

Heather!

Neeny! Neeny!

Oh! Oh!

Let's go home.

You're gonna live with me from now on.

Yay! Neeny!

Ah!

-Are you hungry? Yeah.

How about a hamburger and some French fries?

I know a secret.