Original subtitles

My uncle says if I tell, he'll kill my mother.

But I have to tell somebody.

Can I tell you?

Jacob, where are you?

Jacob, get out here right now.

Jacob, please listen to your father.

You know I don't like to be mad.

My stepdad, he will just start

Coming after me with a belt.

But I have to tell someone.

She gets out of control.

Jacob, don't you run from me.

Jacob, don't make things worse than they are.

Jacob.

Jacob, why do you make me so mad?

I don't want to be mad.

And then you make me mad.

Jacob.

Jacob, you're going to get it

If you don't come out right now.

Please.

You know what you've done.

You know you've been bad.

Jacob?

Where are you?

Jacob.

Please don't hide from your father.

You know, I've got things to do here.

Jacob.

Jacob.

Get up here now.

ChildHelp National news hotline How can we help you?

Yvonne and I opened our headquarters

Here in Scottsdale in '96-

Sara and I consider it the heart of the operation.

Child Help's National Abuse Hotline.

It's the cadillac of hotlines.

All of our operators have their master's degree.

Wow, that's impressive.

Yes.

Well, they have to be able to handle whatever comes

Their way, right Detective Carter?

Yeah.

Well, you never know what a call will bring.

Detective Carter, this is Annie Grayson.

She's going to be working with us.

Welcome aboard.

Thank you.

Nice to be here.

Are you still there?

Hello?

My name is Grace.

Can't tell you tell me yours?

Can you tell me your name?

Jacob.

Jacob.

Do you need some help, Jacob?

Jacob.

Please don't hide from your father.

Don't hang up.

We can only help you if you stay on the line.

I lost him.

Caller ID was blocked.

Not enough time to do a trace.

How much time do they need?

About 45 seconds.

Come on Jacob, honey.

Call us back.

You know I have things to do.

Where are you?

Childhelp.

National Abuse Hotline.

Jacob?

Keep talking.

Just keep the line on.

Jacob, is that you again?

You need to talk to me.

Can you do that?

Can you tell me what's wrong?

Are you hurt?

Do you need someone to help you?

Do you believe in angels?

Yes, I do.

I do believe in angels, Jacob.

Jacob needs an angel right now, real bad.

Jacob.

Jacob, get over here now.

I hear someone else with you.

Is it someone you know, Jacob.

Are you at home?

Do you know your address?

Can you tell me where you are?

Bart.

Please let me talk to him.

Jacob, get out here now.

Jacob, where are you?

Jacob.

Daddy, please, no.

Please.

Jacob?

Come on.

Jacob?

Jake?

Got a phone number.

And it's local.

Our son makes prank calls all the time.

Tell them, honey.

That's right.

He's only nine.

You know how children can be.

There's no problem here, officers.

I understand that, Mr. Fletcher.

We still need to speak with him.

He went out with friends.

At this hour?

The boy's nine, you said.

It's all right.

You'll be OK.

We found him beaten, tied to his bed.

There were marks on the posts.

So this wasn't the first time.

Kid hasn't said a word since then.

You left him with our doctor, right?

Yes, ma'am.

He's in the exam room now.

Get the paperwork started.

I'll get to the scene.

Thank you.

How did Jacob ever find the strength to make that call?

It's a miracle.

We've seen our share of those over the years.

Remember Tokyo?

Our first miracle.

So are you boys having a great time

Over here on this side of the Pacific?

We heard you might need some new recruits.

Think you could squeeze us in?

Well, in that case, Private Sara.

And Private Yvonne reporting for duty.

Could one of you boys point me in the direction

Of the Air Force beautiful parlor?

You don't need one.

Oh, aren't you boys so sweet.

Why can't the boys at home be like you?

Move over here.

Sorry.

Sorry, ladies.

We've got to cut this short, ladies.

Are we under attack?

It's another siren.

We've got to get you back to your hotel.

Come on.

Careful.

Let's go.

Welcome to typhoon season.

October in Japan.

How long do these storms last?

Anybody's guess.

But we have more shows.

They're expecting us in Korea.

We can't fight an act of God.

He maybe wants you to stay here.

Oh.

Sit tight.

I'll be right back.

Oh, Sara, look.

Oh, my goodness.

What are they doing out there?

You shouldn't be dressed like that.

You'll catch your death.

Why aren't you guys at home?

You understand home, your parents?

Mama-sahn.

Papa-sahn.

Oh, my lord.

Think they're orphans?

Are you hungry?

I have some candy in my pockets.

Oh, my goodness.

OK.

Bet they haven't had a decent meal in days.

Come on, kids.

Come, come, come.

What are you doing?

We can't leave them out her, Sara.

They'll freeze.

Come on, honeys.

Come on.

This is going to lead to trouble.

Come on.

Come on.

OK, that's it.

Let's go.

OK, come on.

Come on.

Let's go get dry.

Here we go.

Here we go.

Open the door.

That's it.

Spot's our mascot.

He won't let anything bad happen to you.

My name is Dr. Riggs.

And I'm only here to make sure you're OK.

Are you good with that?

OK.

Let's just have a look here.

This must have hurt.

You want to tell me about it?

Is it OK if I take a picture?

I thought you'd want to see these, Detective.

These Polaroids were in their room?

Anything you might have seen?

Anything at all could be helpful.

People in this neighborhood keep to themselves, Detective.

Privacy is very important to us.

More important than protecting a child?

That boy still needs your help.

Give it some thought.

Call me if anything comes to mind.

I've seen your x-rays, Jacob.

You have some broken bones that didn't heal very well.

Did you know that?

Can you tell me how that happened?

Take your time.

There's no hurry.

The boy's still not talking.

Not a word so far.

Well, he called our hotline.

And he spoke to one of the counselors.

So we knew he can talk.

Just from observation earlier, he's about two years behind.

He can't read very well.

Typical for abused children.

His father's a big shot attorney.

No police record for him or his wife.

But Jacob's teacher did file a report last month.

Too many sick days, suspicious injuries.

Parents actually documented their abuse.

What do you mean?

Polaroids.

Mrs. Fletcher's admitted showing them to Jacob

And promising it would all happen again

If he didn't do what they told him.

No wonder the boy's not talking.

He's terrified.

I've seen that in private practice before.

But Polaroids?

Is there a spot for Jacob at the Merv Griffin Village?

Wickenburg is at capacity.

And so is our Virginia facility.

What about California, Beaumont?

Yvonne is already working on that.

What's he holding back?

It's a secret, children.

No one should know you're here.

Uh, just a minute.

Aloha.

Hi.

Peek-a-boo.

What's Japanese for peek-a-boo?

I don't know.

Some of them can barely say hello.

Down, down, down.

Down.

Under, under, under.

Under.

Under.

What's he doing?

Yes?

Only two, ladies?

Yep.

So many towels.

Yes.

Well, we take a lot of showers.

And you know, could you talk to room service for us?

We need some sandwiches.

About 20.

20.

Yeah.

And three or four pitchers of milk.

We're just...

Starving.

Famished.

So...

You have child-ah in here?

Where you go?

Ah!

So many children, ah!

Hotel should know.

Um.

My gosh.

Thank you for the towels.

Do you... have you ever seen a cashmere sweater before?

See, it's soft.

Isn't... that's soft.

Um.

If, if you were not to say anything at all about this,

You, you could have this sweater.

All yours.

OK?

Our secret.

Yes.

Thank you.

Very generous, Yvonne, considering it was my sweater.

Oh my god.

More towels?

You call.

Oh, thank you.

Thank you.

OK, before you say anything, Colonel, we have... Sara

And I didn't have any choice.

They didn't have anywhere to go.

And, and they were freezing.

That is not the issue.

Well, no one with a heart could have

Left these children out in that storm.

It was terrible.

The fact is you can't keep them.

It could be a diplomatic problem for all of us.

So what do we do?

Toss them back onto the streets?

You need to do something.

And if you don't, I will.

Pffft.

It's OK.

It's OK.

In your wildest dreams, could you

Have ever expected anything like this?

What?

Coming here to sing and dance and ending up

A mother hen to a dozen little chicks?

Never.

This will be your new home for awhile, Jacob.

It's a Childhelp Village, the first one

That Sara and Yvonne created.

And what that signs says up there is true.

Can you read it?

It says, all who enter here will find love.

Don't be afraid.

You're going to like it here.

Jacob, this is Michael.

This is David.

You're going to be roommates.

Here's some new clothes for you to start with.

And you'll be able to pick out your own later.

You get a new bed too, with your initials on it.

Every kid does.

This is my bed.

And this is my bed.

So keep off it.

David.

Well it's mine.

You get toys, too.

You can earn points to buy more.

You like it?

What is he?

Stupid?

Can he talk?

That's enough.

David, that's enough.

Jacob.

Jacob.

Jacob.

Jacob, listen.

I know it's a lot to take in.

All these boys have been in the same shoes as to you've been.

And it's going to be OK.

If you let us, it's going to be fine.

Jacob, look at me.

You could give us a chance to help you.

Just let us help you.

You'll be fine.

Jacob, look at me.

Jacob.

No.

Look at me.

It's going to be OK.

You're going to be fine.

You're going to be fine.

Jacob.

It's OK.

It's OK.

It's going to be fine.

So who's the new kid?

The kid the bus brought in today.

What's his story?

You know I'm not going to answer a question like that.

What's the big deal?

How'd you like if I talked about you with the other kids?

Rusty, that's for the horses.

Never seen him take anybody like he has to you.

We both been through a lot.

That's why.

If you mix red and blue, you get purple.

You know that?

Yeah.

Like the color of a bruise.

Or a plum.

Or an eggplant.

I thought eggs came from chickens.

It's a vegetable.

Nothing to do with eggs.

Yeah?

Huh.

Yeah, maybe you could plant one in your garden patch.

Maybe.

How about using some of those colors you've mixed,

Maybe painting a picture.

Do they pay you by the number of pictures us kids turn out?

No.

Did you paint for your last art instructor?

You're not an instructor.

You're a therapist.

I asked Mr. Ogly about the new kid.

Oh?

And?

He wouldn't tell me anything.

Did you think he would?

I heard he freaked out in his room.

I heard he doesn't talk.

And that's just creepy.

Creepy around here is saying something.

I bet he got beat up a lot of home.

I bet his mom had a boyfriend who drank a lot, took drugs.

And cut it when he didn't do what he was told.

Is there more red?

Yeah.

There's some right over there on the table.

Serve it.

Looking at these kids, it's pretty hard

To believe this could be their last chance.

Most of them have been bounced through a dozen foster homes

Before finding this place.

I wish my daughter knew how lucky she is.

Having trouble adjusting to the move.

Oh, yeah.

She misses her friends from Seattle.

Complains about me working too much.

How long you been divorced?

Um, six years.

Six years.

How about you?

Ever think of getting married?

Having kids?

Aaah.

I've got a whole village of them, right.

Well, thank god for the village.

Mhm.

God.

Yvonne and Sara.

Those gals, they never take no for an answer.

No.

No.

We are full here.

Every place full.

Typhoon has made many new orphans.

But what about these children?

We've been to five other orphanages.

And no one will take them.

How can you turn them away?

They are not ours.

Japanese, you mean?

They most certainly are.

Only part.

Other part American.

You won't take them because they're a mixed race?

What difference does their background make?

They're children.

Mm.

Children, yes.

Not ours.

I'm very sorry.

OK, honeys.

What have we gotten ourselves into?

Come on, honey.

Come on.

Come on, come on.

I thought you might be cold.

Why don't you want the covers on?

My Mom used to tuck me in all the time.

She used to let me light her cigarettes for her, too.

She's coming to get me soon.

I think.

I don't hear from her much.

That's because she's been sick.

I bet or something.

I should go back to bed.

Julia?

Sorry I'm late, honey.

Julia.

Honey?

Who are you?

This is Granger.

He's helping me study.

Oh.

Little old to be the same class, aren't you?

I'm not actually in school.

We met at the mall.

Right.

Well, Granger.

It's a little late.

And my daughter's a little young for all this help.

So maybe you could find your way to the door.

Mom!

It's OK.

Some other time.

Right.

In about five years, Granger.

I won't forget this.

And neither will I.

Sometimes I think we try to be too many places at once.

Did you call Bob and let him know

That were going to be late tonight?

After all these years, if I ever showed up

At a decent hour, I think he'd take me.

Hey.

Hello, honey.

Some interesting information on the Jacob Fletcher case today.

Their Arizona record is clean.

But a neighbor called and mentioned seeing a Colorado

License plate when they moved in.

And as usual, without a national database,

Their records didn't follow them from state to state.

How many times have we come up against this?

And somebody's got to close that loophole.

That may just have to be you and me, Yvonne.

Admit it.

You were wondering what to do with all that spare time.

Remind me again why we gave up show business.

At least now with these records to back us up,

We can see those parents do time.

How much time is the next question.

Right.

Oh, a package came for you from overseas.

Oh, from Tokyo.

Mama Ji.

Yvonne!

This can't be right.

There is barely a door.

But this is it... this is the address he gave us.

Maybe they read their numbers right to left

Like the newspaper.

Oh, excuse me.

Are you Mama Ji?

Yes.

Oh, you the ladies?

American ladies?

Yes.

Yes.

A doctor with the gospel mission told us about the children

You take, the ones that no one else will help,

And what good work you do.

He tell me about you too, but sorry to say, no room here.

It's OK.

Come see.

Come see.

OK.

Come on, honeys.

Come on, sweetie.

Come see.

No clothes.

Too little food.

I can barely handle children I got.

Then suppose we get you some help.

If we can do that...

But give takes money and time.

Well, the time we have.

The rest...

We'll get.

How?

He say you sing?

Tell a joke?

People pay big money for that?

I don't think so.

She's obviously seen our act.

Nina.

I don't know how we're going to make this right.

If we don't, who will?

Bye.

Jacob?

Jacob.

So I just wanted to let you know

And let you hear me say how much me and your sister

Want to make this work again.

I know you're thinking you heard it all before.

But I'm doing the therapy every week.

Mrs. Grayson can tell you that if you don't believe me.

Three months so far.

I haven't missed a meeting.

Is there something you want to say to me, sweetie?

Laura, you can say whatever's on your mind.

I don't know why I'm here.

You're here to get better.

I mean, why am I here in this room?

I don't want to see you.

I hate you.

Sweetie, we're family.

I don't want that family any more.

And if there was a way to get Karen away from you,

I would do that too.

Is he still there?

No.

But when he's finished his sentence...

It's Johnny's home too.

I've talked to him.

He's changed.

Do I have to stay here?

You don't have to do anything you don't want to do.

Baby, no.

I've done everything that they said to do.

I don't know what else.

You're still planning a life with a man

Who hurt your daughter.

Johnny's been good to me.

And he won't lay a hand on Karen.

He's promised.

I mean, he knows he did wrong.

And he swore to me.

If Laura would just give him half a chance.

Mrs. Wade, this is the man who has your daughter so terrified

That she still wets her bed almost every night

So that he'll leave her alone.

This is the man who repeatedly molested

Her, who took a razor to her face.

The sex was never proved.

He's serving 10 months for it now.

Well, the razor... That was an accident.

He didn't mean to hurt her.

Did you listen to a word she said.

Did you hear her?

There is no chance in hell that she's

Coming home until at the very least you get that man out

Of your life.

I'm sorry.

I don't know what else to say to you.

Thank you.

Thank you all.

You'd think you hadn't seen women over here in awhile.

I guess they haven't

What with all that's happened, we

Were in Japan a lot longer than planned.

Sorry.

Well, I guess you all know that feeling, right?

We want you to know that we're just really

Happy we could be here for you.

If we could get serious for just one minute.

We'd like you to be there for us too.

Because we need some help.

We discovered some children here in Tokyo.

And they need homes.

And no one will take them in because they're of mixed race.

They're just kids who desperately

Need a helping hand.

And you see, Sara and I, we made a promise... a promise

That we intend to keep.

Yes, and we can't do that alone.

And you're the only friends we have over here.

Yeah.

So we're asking you if you could find it

In your hearts to maybe donate a few dollars.

Maybe help them out.

Could you do that for us?

Make their lives a little bit easier.

Thank you.

Take your hat.

Thank you.

Thanks.

There you go, darlin'.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I've got some over here.

Thank you very much.

It's very kind of you.

Both countries are well aware of the problem.

And both countries ignore it.

And you're going to do what

Two major governments can't.

Well, we can certainly try.

Listen, I could have you on a plane

And back to the States with a single call.

Well, don't waste your dime.

We won't go.

Their fathers may have turned their backs on these kids.

But Yvonne and I just can't.

Colonel, could you hand me that blouse out there?

Don't make me pull rank.

Then don't make us... well, please, just don't make us.

Look, you've got television and movies

Waiting for you back in Hollywood.

Why are you wasting your time on a hopeless cause?

Hopeless?

It's only hopeless if we give up on it.

Now that we're involved, you'll have to...

Carry us kicking and screaming to that plane of yours.

Yvonne and I believe that every life has a purpose.

And ours seem to be tangled up with these kids.

Do you have a family?

If these were your children, what would you want us to do?

Dammit.

I hired entertainers, not social workers.

We'll have the plane waiting at 09:00 tomorrow.

You have your stuff packed and be on it.

And that's an order.

Looking forward to showing you the ranch, Jacob.

You're not shy around animals, are you?

A lot of kids are.

But I'm willing to bet that you're

Going to have a good time.

So what is it you think you'd like to do?

There's a lot of choices.

There's gardening.

There's ah grooming, feeding the animals.

Any thoughts?

Man of few words.

Not always a bad thing.

So uh hey, ever seen a cow?

Up close, personal?

That's Bessie.

Why don't you go on over and introduce yourself.

There's no reason to be afraid.

She likes kids.

Go on.

Go on.

Whoa.

Whoa.

Whoa.

Hey now.

That's not the... let go.

Let go.

That's not the way we treat animals

Around here, especially Bessie.

She's been roughed up enough, haven't you, girl?

Let me show you.

She's a prize cow... blue ribbons, everything.

Then one day, someone poured acid all over her.

See?

When she came to us, she was half dead.

Afraid of people.

Always stayed in that corner over there,

Even if it may get real hot and thirsty.

But with love, attention, a lot of patience,

Well, she's as good as gold now.

You think on that the next time you feel like hitting her.

And she can't say it right out, because she's a cow.

But all she really needs is love.

Take care of her for me.

Jacob knows.

Jacob knows.

That's very good, Laura.

It's only a line.

Yeah, but it's a good line.

And every great painting starts somewhere.

I didn't make them up.

They're just me.

All of them?

Yes.

Even this one?

Mom's boyfriend cut all my hair off

So nobody else would think I was pretty.

No offense, mom, but all of this is just sad.

You never talk about normal things anymore.

Well, we could talk about your school work.

But that's been pretty sad lately, too.

The teachers here have it in for me.

No one has it in for you.

Maybe if you spent more time at home, you could help me.

Oh, I see.

Your lousy grades are my fault.

My grades were fine in Seattle.

I hate my life here.

Oh, honey, Julia.

If you only knew how good you have it.

As compared to what?

Your freaks?

Hey.

That's enough.

Sorry.

Can't Childhelp do like plastic surgery or something

On this kid?

Yes, they can.

It has to be her choice.

She has to be ready.

If I had a face like this I'd be ready last year.

Why do you and those women...

Sara and Yvonne.

Right.

Why do they care so much about this kid?

It's not just this kid.

It's every kid.

That's what they fought for their whole lives.

Are we going to leave without a fight, Yvonne?

Those kids need us.

What about all that money we collected?

It's not even enough to give him a roof over their heads.

A couple of months of food maybe, but what

Happens when... when that's gone?

You're right.

The easiest thing for us to do would

Be to go back to Hollywood and forget we ever met those kids.

That's the easiest thing, all right.

Except for the forgetting part.

All they need is a place to be safe.

Where's the baby?

In the nursery.

That's where he belongs.

Do you want to talk about why the baby belongs there?

Well, today I thought we could do a drawing of someone

Really special.

Of who?

Of you.

Of Jacob?

Come on, I'll show you.

Stand up here against the paper.

Put your arms out.

There we go.

Now we're going to start.

And I'm going to draw around your arms,

You legs, and your head.

And now you get to fill it in.

Color it in any way you'd like.

Jacob can't draw very good.

Not like the other kids.

Well, you know.

That's what makes this so special,

Is that it's just yours and not like anyone else's.

OK.

That' great.

Big, beautiful eyes like yours.

Good nose.

How about ears?

You can't hear anything without ears.

Jacob doesn't like what he hears.

What about a mouth?

He always says the wrong thing.

He doesn't need a mouth.

Well, you can still color in any of the other parts.

What would you like to draw next?

Look at that.

It's stupid.

We should just cut it off, it looks so stupid.

Jacob's bad.

Jacob's bad.

Stupid.

Jacob's just stupid.

Too stupid to live.

Jacob.

Jacob.

Jacob.

Jacob.

You can't hide from me forever, pal.

Why did you have to be so bad, honey.

You know I can't help you now.

Did you really think I wouldn't find you?

Uh, please!

No, please.

Jacob.

Please.

Stop.

Please.

Jacob?

Are you OK?

We wish it were more.

But it's all we could manage.

Ladies such a blessing.

So few even try.

This can go long way.

Can it go far enough?

Mama Ji,

What soldiers doing here?

Oh, they're not here for you.

They're here for us.

You asked me what I'd do if they were my children?

I'll tell you what I'd do.

Better yet, I'll show you.

Gentleman.

They're all volunteers.

They're on their own time.

An answer to our prayers.

It's a miracle.

Well, God works in mysterious ways.

Even through Colonel Johnson.

Before we left Japan, we had 100 children in our care.

We came back and built four orphanages

That went on to help thousands.

By then, there was a controversial war

Waging in Southeast Asia.

With lots of help, we managed to build five more

Orphanages and a children's hospital in Vietnam.

When the bombs began to fall, we had no choice but to evacuate.

We became known as Operation Babyland.

I know you're all frightened and you don't even

Know what I'm saying right now.

The most important thing is that you're safe now.

Hi.

Yvonne.

This one needs attention.

Oh, OK.

We have a medical team downstairs.

It's OK here, honey.

Sara.

Let's look at you.

Oh.

Come here.

Angela, honey.

Can you take this one, please?

Let's get the sick ones and the youngest ones off first.

Yvonne, Sara.

Yes?

I need to talk to you.

We were expecting more.

Did you get all the kids out of the China Beach orphanage.

No.

The Viet Cong were coming too fast.

We barely got the plane off the ground.

There was fire all around us.

But the children...

We got as many as we could.

If we hadn't left when we did.

As we took off and banked left over the beach,

We see the staff getting the others out by bus.

When I looked back, I saw the rest of the children being

Pulled out of their hiding places out onto the beach.

They were lined up.

And they just shot them.

I'm sorry.

It's OK.

After all we did, it wasn't enough.

So then we just have to do more.

OK?

A few months in jail?

That's all for what those people did to Jacob?

Hey, most child abusers don't do any time.

Mr. And Mrs. Fletcher.

I want to see my son.

And I want you to make that happen.

Jacob has had a very difficult time adjusting and he...

Of course he's had a very difficult time adjusting.

He's surrounded by strangers.

He needs to be home.

He needs to be safe.

The boy needs to know that there are people who

Care about him, who want the best for him.

Who Jacob is with isn't your decision,

Not when it comes right down to it.

He's not your son.

And he's not your property.

Will you arrange the visit.

Or do I bring the courts into this?

We can't stop you from seeing him.

But I swear I will walk through fire to make sure you don't

Have control over his life again.

Dig deeper.

Keep those people from ever getting that boy back again.

Laura, would you help me wash the brushes, please?

Sure.

Laura, are you OK?

No, don't hit me.

It's OK.

It's all right, Laura.

It's OK.

Come on.

Come sit down.

Come sit down.

Where'd you go just now?

I was back home.

Sometimes if I did something or didn't

Do something, my mother's boyfriend...

Johnny.

He'd fill the tub with hot water.

Only the hot.

He'd push me in.

My skin blistered sometimes.

Did he give you a reason why?

Maybe I didn't get him a beer when he asked.

Or maybe he didn't like the way I looked at him.

Sometimes he'd lock me in the closet at night.

I couldn't get out to eat or go to the bathroom.

My sister would shove food in the crack under the door

If he didn't catch her.

Did he hurt her, too.

I'd sleep in front of her on the bed at night,

Push her against the wall so he couldn't reach her.

So he'd take me instead.

Where was your mother when this was happening?

At work, I guess.

I don't know.

Did she know what was going on?

She says she didn't.

Did you ever tell her?

Did you ever ask her to make it stop?

Johnny called me a liar and said

That he would move out if Mom took my side.

So she believed him.

Even after.

After?

Mrs. Grayson, if somebody did this to your daughter,

Would you just let them stay there?

This is all a misunderstanding.

I know my rights, Mr. Aubry.

Oh, good.

Have a seat.

Let's talk about those rights.

You can visit your son.

But only here and with supervision,

Unless and until the courts say otherwise.

And the courts, they tend to listen

To what Chidhelp has to say.

So like it or not, this is the beginning

Of a long, long process.

All I want is my child back.

Have you ever asked Jacob how he feels about that?

He's a kid.

He wants to be home.

You do you want that, don't you, sweetheart?

What are you doing?

Huh?

Jacob.

It looks like packing.

Are you packing?

Shh.

Jacob's going home.

They'll get him if he doesn't.

But if you go, you won't meet my mom.

Don't you want to meet her?

Sorry.

Jacob's gotta go.

Ah, thought that might be you.

Come into town to check out the night life, did you?

Jacob's waiting for a bus.

Bus, huh?

Yeah, it might be a bit of a wait.

Next one doesn't come by until tomorrow morning.

Can I give you a lift back to your cottage?

If Jacob goes back, something bad will happen.

Are you hungry?

Me, I'd go for a burger and fries,

Maybe even a chocolate shake.

Hate to eat alone.

Think you might want to keep me company?

Yup.

Sure.

Run away If you want.

You'd be missing a lot... Parties and friends, school.

Teachers say that you're doing real well lately.

Pass the ketchup there.

Jacob moved up a whole grade.

He can work a computer now.

Not many kids can accomplish something like that so fast.

Uh, did I mention that Bessie's been asking about you?

Cows don't talk.

Doesn't mean they don't have something to say.

You weren't talking when you came to us, either,

You remember?

But you had plenty on your mind.

Still do, I guess.

Hey, look.

I know.

This is tricky, huh?

Here's the bottom line.

You put your trust in me and Annie, and your cottage

Supervisor, and all the counselors

That are looking out for you.

We will never let you down.

You don't want to go home.

And we will do our best to make sure that that doesn't happen.

Here you go.

Thanks.

Oh, boy.

You got any money on ya?

This one's on me.

You know, a bus is going to cost you a few bucks.

You can't get that far on charm alone.

Three million cases of child abuse are reported every year.

It's more than 10,000 a day.

Ladies, we know the statistics.

It's what we do for a living.

Not very successfully if these numbers are any indication.

We came here because Mrs. Reagan

Asked us to meet with you.

She asked you to meet with us because she agrees

That these children need a safe and healing environment.

Instead of moving the children from agency to agency,

Bring the professionals to them.

We want to approach the child abuse problem from all sides...

Psychologically, environmentally,

Educationally, legally, spiritually.

Combine conventional therapies with art

Therapy, animal therapy.

Just throw everything but the kitchen sink at it.

To accomplish something like that, you'd need a...

A village.

You'd need a village.

Eventually several.

If you had any experience at all,

You know that wouldn't work.

Let me tell you what won't work.

Ignoring the problem won't work.

Assuming there is no solution won't work.

Sitting on your tail, admiring your diploma won't work.

Don't you people ever get tired of, of saying no?

Yvonne and I have never been that way.

And we never will be.

We've asked all of you here because we need your help.

But if you're not up to it, we'll

Just go right across this country

And knock on every door until we put the right team together.

Yvonne, do you have anything you'd like to add?

Yes, I do.

We'd like a commitment from each of you, a promise to help.

Or else we won't let you leave the room.

Can Jacob see Bessie?

Uh, I don't know, pal.

Uh, she's probably still sleeping.

But, yeah.

I guess she'd like that.

Go ahead.

Hey there, Bess.

It's OK now.

It's OK.

It's OK.

I love you, Bessie.

No!

No covers.

OK.

OK.

Nice work, cowboy.

You're in awful early, aren't you?

The hours it takes are the hours it takes.

I saw you pull in.

Kid had a rough night.

Took til dawn to talk him into coming back.

How did you know what he needed to hear?

I was that kid once.

Yeah, my ma used to hit the bottle.

And when she did, her moods turned violent.

Damn near killed me once or twice.

Is that why don't you want to have children?

Family abuse runs in cycles.

It stops with me.

Well, from what I can see, the cycle's already broken.

Well, if that's true, I owe it to this place.

There's something about this property that's healing.

Sara and Yvonne must have felt that when

They first laid eyes on it.

This is a large tract with buildings

Already here from our recent boy's town.

You're offering us less than half what we're asking.

If that's your final offer, then I...

Well, actually, Bishop O'Connor,

We are uh prepared to offer more than that.

You see, the orphanage that we helped build in Tokyo...

They baked cookies.

Mama Ji and all the children.

And they sold them on the streets to raise money for us.

They raised almost $5,000.

Those must be some cookies.

Yes, they are.

We're talking millions.

It's all very touching, ladies.

But business is business.

All right then, well then let's talk business.

You're never going to sell this land for what you're asking.

And that's just a fact.

Sorry to be blunt, but it's out in the middle of nowhere.

And it's of no use to anyone.

Anyone but us.

And when you look at it that way, you actually need us.

We need you?

Am I hearing you correctly?

Bishop O'Connor, we are looking for a place

That we can help undo the damage that these children have

Suffered.

This could be that place.

But we only have 1.8 that we can offer.

Plus the cookies.

Well, then I suppose we'll just have to take it.

Oh.

Oh, my gosh.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, really.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

Where are you going, Rusty?

Where are you going?

Where's Mr. Aubry?

Getting some breakfast.

I'm keeping watch.

Well, Bessie and me.

Jacob had a late night.

I heard.

Can I sit with you?

Just til he wakes up?

Of course.

Come on.

Thank you.

Mrs. Grayson?

Mhm?

Am I pretty?

Yes.

Yes, you are.

Some of the kids call me scar face.

Well, they just can't see what I see, a beautiful girl who

Cares about other kids like Jacob.

Sometimes I forget it's there.

And I look in the mirror and it surprises me,

Like it's somebody else looking back.

I wish it would go away.

We can make that happen.

But only if that's what you really want.

It didn't use to be.

But I think maybe now it is.

Nervous?

Yeah, a little.

You look like you're going to cry.

Is it that bad?

No, no.

It's not.

You can see for yourself.

You're like new.

Now, there's a little bit of redness and some swelling.

But that's going to fade over the next few weeks.

It's wonderful, Laura.

It really is.

When you were born, you were the most

Beautiful baby I'd ever seen.

Your skin was pink and perfect.

And now you're that way again.

It's like you're born all over.

Take another look.

It's great.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Hey, Mrs. Grayson.

Hey, Laura.

You're up next, all right.

Jacob.

Laura.

No more scar face, see.

That's great.

I got your card in hospital.

You made it yourself, right?

Yeah.

OK.

So next for our Halloween entertainment, Laura Wade

Would like to read us something, something she wrote herself.

I used to want to be a bird away up

In a tree, or a fish that swims forever,

In a world beneath the sea.

I wanted to be anyone or anything that's free.

But I'm not hiding anymore.

And now at last I see.

That all I really wanted was for me to just be me.

Wow, was that our Laura?

It's pretty amazing the power they have to heal.

Trick or treat.

Thank you.

Michael?

That's my mom!

Michael?

Mom!

Mommy!

I knew you'd come.

We're petitioning the courts to regain custody.

Well, you're welcome to try, Mr. Fletcher.

But it's our opinion and the opinion

Of all the social workers who know your case that will

Determine whether or not Jacob can be returned to you.

You've kept him from us without just cause.

We mean to prove that and rectify the situation.

You both have children.

As mothers, you know what a child means to a parent.

I know even better than most, Mrs. Fletcher.

But I also know your history with Jacob.

Yes, we've seen the x-rays, and the bruises,

The photographs you yourself...

We've served our time.

Listen.

If you won't turn him over to us yourselves,

We're prepared to let the authorities do it for you.

Let's go

Things will be different this time.

I promise.

Give me that bag, David.

Mrs. Grayson?

Yes?

That's David.

What's he doing?

He didn't tell you?

He's being adopted today by a Childhelp

Chapter member family.

Oh, hey Jacob.

Bye!

That's it.

Good.

Good.

See, it's a lot easier than you thought it would be, isn't it?

Yeah.

That's great, Jacob.

Good work.

Yeah, yeah.

Turn him.

Turn him.

Use your leg.

Use your... now we're talkin'.

That's it.

Good.

Good.

Great.

That's it.

Looking good.

Hey.

What are you working on?

Putting together the best parts of me.

Well, there are lot of really good parts, aren't there?

What do you think?

You like it?

I love it.

You hate it.

Did you think I wouldn't?

This isn't some new shade of lipstick, Julia.

You should have asked me.

It's my body.

Not until you're 18, it's not.

This is so typical.

You tolerate the most freaky behavior from these loser kids

Every day, and yet you come home and expect me to be perfect.

Well, I'm tired of it.

You call this art?

I call it therapy.

Is this supposed to be a tree?

It's the project I start new children off with.

Every kid knows what a tree looks like.

But how they paint it reflects what they've been through.

Well, what's that?

It's a trauma hole.

It's a mark of her molestation.

The closer to the top it is, the more recent.

The larger it is, the more invasive.

That was painted by a seven-year-old boy.

That's him there.

He does spell peaces.

His mother used to cut him with razor blades.

But only where his clothes would cover his scars.

You know, Julia.

These are pictures of lives that children

Shouldn't even have to imagine.

And these kids live them.

You should come to the village sometime.

See for yourself.

Like I'd actually do that.

Bye, Michael.

Bye.

So how do you really feel about Michael going home today?

On paper, his mother's done everything

The judge demanded of her.

You don't really trust her, do you?

Let's hope for the best.

I don't want you to leave.

It's all going to be great now.

It's all I ever wanted.

Really.

When you're afraid at night, think of me.

OK?

OK.

And it'll all be better.

I'll write you.

I'll write you back, Michael.

You're the best friend I've ever had.

You too.

Maybe we can go camping sometime like we talked.

And maybe my mom will take us.

Yeah.

Well, goodbye.

We've got a long drive ahead of us.

Let's get a move on now.

You call us if you need us, OK Michael.

All I need's my mom.

Right.

OK.

I said get in the car, Michael.

Bye, Jacob.

Bye, Michael.

So I have a new budget here.

And there's an item we need... Sara?

Little Michael's dead.

What?

From Beaumont?

Oh, that poor sweet little boy.

We should have never allowed him to go back to that woman.

Honey, we had no choice.

We should have fought harder, found ways, something.

It's like I'm losing my own son again.

It's 20 years ago.

And I'm hearing about the crash, knowing

There's nothing I can do.

If we can't save one small boy.

We have saved thousands, Sara.

Thousands aren't enough, not today.

It should have been one more.

It should have been Michael.

Shh.

I know you must be missing my chicken sandwiches.

They've got chicken here.

Not like mine, I bet.

Johnny's never coming back.

Did you know that?

I told him that he wasn't welcome.

You were right.

It was thing to do, to protect Karen.

And to prove to you that I mean what I've been saying.

You're my life, Laura.

You and your sister.

Why should she believe you, Mrs. Wade?

Well, I'm speaking from my heart.

What about tomorrow, though.

Or next week, or next year.

Well, there's no calendar on my love

For my daughter, Mrs. Grayson.

You can't just expect her to...

I don't expect her to do anything

Except for to give me a chance.

I got a new job.

And we moved to an apartment that's closer

To schools, right.

I really hope you come home, Laura.

I miss you.

I miss you, too.

You know what, we don't have to decide right now, OK?

Uh.

Let's just have our picnic.

And we can talk about this more next time.

OK?

Mrs. Grayson.

I made extra.

No, thank you.

Hey, hey.

Hey.

Hey.

Ah.

You OK?

Yeah.

After what happened to Michael, I uh... I looked at Laura

And all I could think was what might

Happen if that little girl goes home.

And she might.

We don't have the final say.

We just have to accept that.

I can't lose another one of these kids.

Right know you can give Laura what

I know you give your own daughter... the conviction

That she's worthy of respect and love.

Yeah.

Julia.

Yes?

Honey, are you down here?

Yes.

You OK?

You checking up on me?

Just making sure you're safe.

What's safer than my own house?

Hm.

So you've been going through my things.

Well, kind of.

Since you showed them to me, I can't stop thinking about them.

And this one here, is this a picture of how he feels?

Or how it really was?

Well, this was painted by a girl, six years old,

Locked in the basement most of her life.

Neighbors didn't even know she existed

Until a relative called child services.

You really care about these kids.

Yeah, I do.

But that doesn't mean I care any less about you.

I love you.

You know that, right?

I love you, too.

That's good to hear.

And you know it's good for both of us to hear now and then,

Right?

Sure is.

Back to homework.

Uh, thanks.

These will be pretty.

I saw you coming out of the chapel this morning.

Ah, well, I had some things I needed to talk over with God.

Do you think he really listens?

I think he does.

Yes.

Why?

Is there something you need to talk over with him?

I was wondering what God thought about me going home.

I mean, I want to trust my mother, but I'm not sure I can.

And I need to be there for my sister.

Well, you know.

Those are good questions to ask God.

I used to ask my mom questions all the time.

When I asked about God, she said he never made mistakes.

Hmm.

Then Johnny heard us talking.

And he said that God made a mistake when he made me.

Well, you know, there's a saying

My mother used to tell me, consider the source.

Yeah.

Consider the source.

You got it.

Jacob.

He needs to breathe.

Hey, what are you doing out here?

He needs a straw to breathe through.

Even then it's... it's hard.

What are you talking about?

The baby, the baby in the ground.

The baby in the ground.

Tell me about the baby, Jacob.

The daddy, he digs a hole in the backyard.

And he makes me do it.

And he was lying down in it.

He says if he if he screams he'll be in there longer.

Well, Mommy, she gives him a straw

To breathe through and and he

He fills the hole.

He woudn't have done it if he hadn't been bad.

What's the baby's name, son?

Jacob.

I know.

Yeah.

Yeah.

You're a good kid.

You're a good kid.

You're a good kid.

You're a good kid.

You're a good kid.

You're a good kid.

You're a good kid.

Good kid, Jacob.

I'm out late a lot, you know, out walking my dog.

Every now and then, I'd see the lights come on back here.

Over there, guys.

I mean, I thought it was a bit strange being the middle

Of the night and all, but, uh...

Did you ever anything?

Like?

Like noises.

People talking.

Someone digging.

Digging?

Detective.

My god.

What were they doing to him?

I'm losing my patience with you, Mr. Aubry.

I really am.

Has something happened we should know about?

Yes.

Your case is about to be reopened.

Nonsense.

We can't be tried twice for the same supposed crimes.

This is a new crime, Mr. Fletcher.

A new crime?

This time I hope they throw away the key.

Bart?

Relax.

They found nothing.

Because there's nothing to find.

I'm here almost 15 years, Fletcher.

Thought I'd seen it all.

Whatever Jacob's told you is all in his head.

He's always been a liar.

You know what kind of trouble he causes.

What kind of trouble would make you bury your son alive?

Oh, my god.

Not another word.

You'll be hearing from me, you and

This whole damn organization.

Thanks to this damn organization, the law

Sides with kids these days.

Mr. And Mrs. Fletcher.

You'll have to come with me.

It's just beautiful, sweetie.

It's the first one she's let me put up.

I know Johnny hurt you, honey.

And if there was some way to go back and take that pain away,

I would.

You let him do that to me.

How does that make you any better than him?

It doesn't.

But I will find some way to make it up to you.

I will prove it to you no matter how long it takes.

OK.

I think they're all wonderful.

Picking a top three, ah... Which are your favorites?

Do you like this one?

Yeah.

I think you did a great job with this guy.

Look at him.

He's got a pretty fancy hairdo.

Julia.

You said this art show was open to everybody.

So I thought I'd come and check it out.

I'm glad.

I'm glad you came.

Listen, I know I've been kind of a pain lately.

And...

Yeah, well.

You're a teenager.

It's part of the job description, right?

But until the other night, I didn't even

Really get what you were doing here.

Anyway, um.

I was thinking maybe there's some kid

Who could use a friend.

I could.

Julia, this is Jacob.

Jacob, this is my daughter, Julia.

Hi.

Hi.

You're lucky that you have such a cool mom.

Oh, you think?

So Are any of these paintings yours?

A couple.

You want to see?

Sure.

Give me the whole tour.

I'm not very good yet.

But Annie, I mean Mrs. Grayson, your mom,

Says that's not the point.

Ready.

Ready.

Go get it, Rusty.

I don't know who's going to miss you more, me or Rusty.

Or me.

Don't worry.

I'll come back when I can.

I really don't want you to leave.

Jacob, you'll be fine.

And whatever happens, you'll find a good home.

I already found a good home.

It's right here.

How lucky is that?

I guess we're both lucky we found this place.

I'll keep it forever.

I might even send you a new painting if it's good enough.

What are you talking about, if it's good enough.

If it's from you, of course it'll be good enough.

Besides, I couldn't let you leave without a proper goodbye.

Laura, are you sure about this?

Going home, I mean.

No.

But it's important to me to try again.

Then It's important to me, too.

Oh, I'm going to miss you.

I'll miss you, too.

Hey, Jacob!

Sara and Yvonne!

Look at you.

Hello.

Well, I guess we don't have to ask how you're doing.

Everything's great.

Oh, fantastic.

You look wonderful.

Thanks to all you've done for me.

This is such a nice surprise, Jacob.

We heard you're in college now.

Premed.

Good for you.

What brings you back here?

Couldn't stay away forever.

Oh.

Came back to volunteer.

I thought there might be someone who needed a special friend.

Well, you know there is always.

Come with us.

He's right over here.

We'll introduce you.

His name is Andrew.

And he's had such a rough time of it.

You'd be the perfect person to make a difference,

Won't he, Sara?

Absolutely.

The perfect person.

And what's life all about if you can't make a difference?

Hey, Andrew.

I'm Jacob.

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