Original subtitles

Hey, you missed dinner.

Well, there's leftovers in the fridge.

Which I was

going to take as a lunch tomorrow, so I could eat

in the office and get caught up.

But you're not here for dinner anyway, are you?

We're here to rat out Simon, because, evidently,

that's the kind of people we are now.

He just called and asked to borrow

$500 from us.

He asked me for the money

and I told him I would give it to him.

Without even telling me.

Evidently, it's Kevin's money, not our money.

And evidently, Simon's your brother, not my brother.

That's right, I consider him my brother.

And if my brother called and asked for a loan,

I'd just give it to him. Uh, both

the money and the brother belong to both of you,

but that's an argument you can have over at your place.

$500 for what?

Simon didn't say.

So you know he's in trouble.

But maybe he's in trouble

that he can fix by himself if he just had the money.

Why didn't you ask him why he needed the money?

It's not like you

not to ask about a loan like that,

Kevin, is it?

I mean, if your brother, Ben, called

and asked for $500, you'd probably

ask him what he needed it for.

True, but I thought I'd ask Simon

when I drive up there tomorrow to give him the money.

Is something wrong with that?

So many things.

I just think you might be getting in

a little over your head.

Don't you think I should go with you?

No offense, but do you always

have to solve the family problems?

Shouldn't I be able to step in and solve a problem sometimes?

This is my father

you're talking to.

No one solves problems better than he solves problems.

I'm not saying that you can't fix

whatever's going on, I'm just saying that...

That I can't.

Still, I'd like a shot.

Then, please, you... Go ahead up there,

if that's what you think you should do.

It's not that I think I should.

It's more that Simon asked me to,

and I think I can handle it.

I mean, I'm a police officer

and I handle difficult situations every day.

Is it a police matter?

I don't think so.

Well, then it's a parent matter.

You just might want to think about whether or not

getting involved in a parent matter might be,

again, getting in over your head.

But, hey... no, you... just go on up there

and handle it just liked Simon asked.

What? What?

Well, Kevin's right.

Simon didn't call us, he called Kevin.

He wants Kevin to handle this,

and I'm sure there's a reason for that.

But, son,

if you find that you can't handle

whatever this is on your own in a way that you know

both Annie and I would both approve of,

then please, give me a call, okay?

Okay.

It's a trap.

Okay, it's a trap.

I don't care. I'm going anyway.

And whatever the problem is, I'll handle it.

♪ 7th Heaven ♪

♪ When I see their happy faces ♪

♪ Smiling back at me ♪

♪ 7th Heaven ♪

♪ I know there's no greater feeling ♪

♪ Than the love of family ♪

♪ Where can you go ♪

♪ When the world don't treat you right? ♪

♪ The answer is home ♪

♪ That's the one place that you'll find ♪

♪ 7th Heaven ♪

♪ Mmm, 7th Heaven ♪

♪ 7th Heaven. ♪

Hi.

Hello.

Hey, there.

Thanks for coming. Look, I really

appreciate it. I just...

I hated to call Dad.

Especially after everything that happened this summer.

I didn't think he'd understand.

I didn't want to have to go through the hassle

of trying to explain it to him.

So make me understand.

I got kicked out of the dorms,

so I have to move into an apartment.

I found a place that I can share with another student.

I just need a deposit, like, today.

I take it you got kicked out for something other than, say,

playing your music too loud?

Yeah.

And I take it that you can't just get kicked out

for having a woman in your room, because you had a woman

in your room all last year, so it has to be more that that.

Yeah.

And I take it that you think that no matter what it is,

I won't say anything to your parents about it.

And I'll just loan you

the money, and you'll pay me back.

And it'll just be between us.

I was hoping.

Depends.

What'd you get kicked out for, Simon?

I was letting this girl stay in my room

and that's against the rules.

But we weren't having sex,

it's not like that.

She's just a friend.

Even Georgia doesn't understand that.

So you risked losing Georgia and getting kicked out of school

to help someone? Exactly.

Very noble, yet you couldn't have helped her out

in any other way than by letting her live in your dorm room?

That was the help she needed.

Why did she need to live in your room?

Why can't she get a room of her own?

Because she and her boyfriend were living together.

They got into a huge fight before school started.

And by then it was too late for her to get a dorm room.

Her boyfriend was paying all the rent.

She had no money, so she needed a place to stay.

It's as simple as that.

Nothing about this strikes me as simple.

How do you know this girl?

I knew her from high school.

I saw her at registration,

and she explained to me her situation.

She asked for my help.

It was only supposed to be for a night or two

and it became longer that that,

but it didn't become more than that.

Okay, she's really nice.

And she feels terrible about what happened.

Again, I just question why you wouldn't have asked me

for the $500 for her to pay security deposit weeks ago.

So then she wouldn't have needed to stay with you in the dorm.

'Cause you, you don't even know her.

No, but I would have preferred to give

her the money to keep you out of trouble.

That would have been better than giving you the money

after you got into trouble.

But I'm going to get into more trouble

if I don't have a place to live.

I realize that, but now the $500 is for an apartment

to share with a woman who got you kicked out of the dorm.

Is there a problem with that?

There might be lots of problems with that.

Lucy and I feel we can't support something that we know

Mom and Dad would not approve of.

And I think it's not very likely

they would approve of this move.

But the dorms are coed.

So why would they object to a coed apartment,

if they even had to know about it, which they don't.

Do they know the dorm is coed?

Yes, they do. All the dorms are coed.

Okay, in the unlikely event they would approve

of your moving to an apartment with a girl,

a girl they don't even know,

how are you going to pay the rent?

I just got a job at the school radio station,

so I can pay my half of the rent.

And she'll pay her half of the rent

once she gets a job.

Look, I didn't...

I didn't call Lucy and ask her for help.

Okay, I didn't call my mom and dad ask them for help.

I called you and asked you for help,

so I didn't have to answer a million questions.

I just need a loan,

a simple, $500 loan to keep me in school.

Look, Simon.

Lucy got very upset

about your calling me and asking for money.

That's why we told Mom and Dad

you called and asked for a loan.

Why did you do that?

Because Lucy thought that if you needed $500,

you might be in big trouble,

and she wanted your parents to know.

And you are in big trouble.

I wasn't comfortable telling them about the loan,

but now I'm not comfortable giving you the money

unless you call Dad and he says it's okay.

So you want me to call him

or you want to call him?

If I wanted to call my dad,

I would've called my dad already.

By the way,

why didn't my dad come up here

if he thought I was in so much trouble?

Because I told him I wanted to handle it.

Then handle it, please.

I'm begging you, just leave everyone else out of it.

Come on, come to Papa.

Hello?

Have you heard from Kevin?

No, but I'm sure I will.

Should we call the school?

What and ask if they know why Simon needs $500?

We could call Monty.

Eric?

I called him.

I didn't get an answer.

We're in trouble.

Your dad left a message.

Was the message for me or Kevin?

It was for me.

Why would my dad be leaving you a message?

Oh, we talk all the time.

But I don't tell him anything.

Since when?

Since you're never in the room,

except to let Christina in.

And, by the way, now I'm in trouble,

because Christina was living in our room.

So it's no longer your friend in your room.

It's your friend in our room.

So now, I'm on probation.

'Course, I don't have to move.

Who are you?

Oh, this is my brother, Kevin.

He's married to Lucy, my sister.

You married your sister?

My sister.

I thought you just said he was your brother?

He has a thing about not being

brother-in-law and being a brother.

You know, one big, happy family.

Oh, yeah. I've heard about those big, happy families before,

but I don't think I've ever really seen one.

Well, it was nice meeting you.

I have class.

Let's just get on with this, shall we?

All right, first of all, who kicked you out, Simon?

That was Jimmy, my R.A.

I'll go get him.

I know you're going to call.

I know it.

Kevin?

Lucy. Have you heard from Kevin?

No. Oh, I think it was

completely unfair to send Kevin up there to help Simon

when you know he's just going to end up calling you

to go up there and help Simon.

Maybe Kevin can handle this. Who knows?

I don't understand why you're even letting him

try to handle this.

He asked to handle it.

He said he'd handle it.

I know you're trying to teach him some kind of lesson.

I'm just trying to get my sermon written before I have to drive

two and a half hours to Simon's school.

What lesson are you trying to teach him, just so I know?

Not to help, unless you really can help.

Hi. I'm Kevin Kinkirk.

I'm married to Simon's sister.

I'm a police officer in Glenoak,

and I came up here to try and investigate

this situation.

Okay.

How long have you been an R.A.?

Since school started.

What year in school are you?

Third.

Okay, I still have a few sophomore classes to make up.

Have you ever done anything that would get you into trouble?

Ever had anyone in the dorm that wasn't supposed to be there?

No, never.

Have you ever brought alcohol into the dorm?

No. Pot?

No.

What are you doing?

Everyone makes mistakes, Jimmy... everyone.

I'm just trying to find a mistake that you've made

to use as an example.

Look, I haven't made any mistakes, I swear.

And when it comes to dormitory rules,

three strikes and you're out.

Now, Simon broke all the rules more than three times.

He's out.

Who's your supervisor, Jimmy?

The Dean of Students.

Why don't you tell him, I'd like to see him?

'Cause he's, like, the dean, you know.

You got to go see him.

All right, I'll go get him.

Are you sure about this?

You wanted to see me, Officer?

Are you a plain clothes officer?

I'm an off-duty officer.

I'm married to Simon Camden's sister, Lucy.

So, you have no authority

in this county or, like, on this campus, right?

Right. I'm just here

to get to the bottom of this matter

with Simon getting kicked out of the dorm.

Well, you were at the bottom of it when you talked to Jimmy.

Um, what do you want to talk to me for?

The whole thing just seems a bit suspicious, that's all.

Um, how so?

Maybe you can tell me.

Are you always this strict when enforcing dorm rules?

No exception has ever been made

to the three-strikes-you're-out rule, ever?

Well, you know, maybe, but this time, we just can't.

Simon's already on disciplinary probation.

If-If I could help you out, I would, really, but I can't,

so, no offense officer, but Simon has to go.

Is there anyone else I can talk to?

Well, you could try the dean of the school,

but perhaps you should go to her.

I mean, she really doesn't have a sense of humor like I do.

So, Simon put everything at risk...

His parents, his family, his education...

All to help out a poor girl who had no place to stay?

That's basically it.

Well, that's not the first time

I've heard a woman blamed for a guy's problems.

You're not a parent, are you?

Not yet. My wife, Simon's sister, and I

are expecting our first child, a daughter.

Well, when you get that child,

and she goes to school and she gets in trouble,

if all you can do is blame the teachers

and the administrators and interrogate the people

who don't think your daughter's playing by the rules

and should pay the consequences,

then your daughter's gonna be in trouble her entire life.

You have a lot to learn, Officer,

which is why I imagine

Simon's dad let you come up here.

Now, I want him living off campus by midnight tonight.

Well?

I think we need your dad.

Kevin?

I'm in over my head.

I couldn't get the school to let you back into the dorms,

but the dean told me about, uh, a man

who rents low-income single apartments to students,

to graduate students.

Now, I talked to this man, and he has

a couple of singles that he's willing to rent

to you and your friend.

Even though you're not graduate students,

he's going to make an exception,

provided that you understand that the people

who live in these apartments are serious about studying,

not partying, but studying.

What's the difference between getting this single

and getting the apartment that I wanted?

They're singles.

You and Christina wouldn't be living together.

Let me say it again.

These apartments are

for students who are interested in studying.

Dad, I didn't do this to get out of the dorms, okay?

Or to live with a woman.

I swear.

We're not doing anything.

I mean, she asked me for help.

You know, I let her stay here.

Which of course, I shouldn't have done.

Hi. I would have been here earlier,

but I didn't want to miss a class.

Hi, Simon.

Christina, this is my dad.

Hi. Eric Camden.

Hi.

I'm really embarrassed about what happened,

but I just didn't know what to do.

Uh, my dad has some-some good news

and some bad news.

We're not gonna be getting an apartment together.

Um, but my dad did find some singles that we can rent,

you know over where the graduate students live.

You know, I think before we go any further, uh, we should...

we should talk to your parents, Christina, get them involved.

I was wondering

when the subject of my parents would come up.

I don't have parents.

I came out of Social Services.

Last summer, when I turned 18,

I was no longer allowed to be in Social Services.

I'm out

on my own, and the guy that I was living with thought,

since I was homeless, and I needed a place to stay,

that he could take advantage of that,

and that led to the argument that broke us up.

So, you were in Social Services?

For about ten years, but I-I managed

to graduate high school

despite the fact that I moved around a lot.

You know how it is.

One foster home after the other, one school after the other.

And I managed to make good enough grades to get

a partial scholarship, and I got a school loan,

but I didn't have the money to pay for a dorm.

And I don't have the money to pay for the apartment.

I don't have a job.

I-I had one, but they cut back at the end of the summer.

Yeah, Simon had-had mentioned that.

Ah, you know, there's an opening in the cafeteria,

and the dean said

that she would have them give you first consideration.

I don't have a security deposit.

Simon could

share part of the money that, uh,

Kevin loaned him, and I think I can

probably get the rest for you

out of an emergency fund we have at the church.

Why would you help me?

I mean,

why now?

I just got your son kicked out of his dorm.

Not-Not that I don't appreciate it,

I do, but...

I've lived in your community for a long, long time,

and you didn't help me.

Nobody did.

Not really.

I'm sorry.

I didn't know you.

I-I didn't know you needed help.

Although, I'm well aware of

the number of children there are

in social services, you know,

and that they all need help, but...

I have a younger sister.

I don't know if you remember her, Simon,

but she needs more help than I do.

A sister. Okay, okay.

I'll... Yeah, I'll-I'll get right on that.

Hey, thanks, Dad, um, for helping me.

I mean that.

You're welcome.

Ah, but before I leave, let me just remind you that, uh,

living off campus is a big responsibility,

and a big leap of faith

on my part and on your mother's part.

I talked to her about this,

and she's gonna go along with it,

but she's not gonna be happy

about it unless you come home more, and unless

you maintain your grades.

I promise, I will.

This apartment is

a privilege, not a right, and...

Privileges can be taken away.

So...

So, act responsibly.

Now, I'm gonna need a little more information

about your sister.

Thanks for coming.

I was hoping that you would have paid me a visit weeks ago.

Harry, Ruthie's boyfriend, and I were supposed to get married

to get out of here, and then your family saved a bird,

and that plan went right out the window.

Of course, Harry thinks

that God saved the bird and saved him,

but I credit you with finding Harry another foster home.

I, by the way, don't

want another one, unless you can guarantee my safety.

The last one I was in, I got my wrist broken,

and not by the parents...

By their other foster kid,

an adorable, psychotic ten-year-old boy.

Just imagine what the little darling will be able

to do after a few more growth spurts.

Of course,

the parents blamed me for breaking my own wrist

and sent me packing.

So now, I'm here, home sweet home.

I'm sorry you had to go through that.

Yeah, well, I'm sorry that I was ever born,

at least most of the time.

Look, are you

here just because you told my sister you would come,

or are you actually gonna find me a new home?

I'm gonna try.

Well, trying isn't good enough.

I need action. I need a home.

I don't think we've had a chance to introduce ourselves.

I'm Eric Camden, and you're Meredith, right?

Yeah, on top of everything else, I got stuck with Meredith.

I promise you,

Meredith, that I'm gonna help you,

but I just... I don't know how yet.

How about your family?

You have to have a few rooms open, right?

I mean, Simon's not taking up any space at your house, so,

there's a room.

Well... And Simon's

older sister, the one who got kicked off the basketball team...

She's married and living in New York now, right?

So, another room.

That's true, but... And Simon's

other sister... the one that's living in your garage apartment,

expecting a baby with her husband...

I mean, they got to get out of there at some point, right?

So, that's a whole apartment.

Yeah, but...

And, your doctor son, Simon's older brother...

Another room.

So, you have to have a room

at your house, even with that

hunky Martin guy staying there,

which I wouldn't mind sharing a house with him, believe me.

I cook, I clean,

I don't eat a lot. All right, but...

I'll do whatever you tell me to do.

I'm used to not having a lot of money.

I don't need any money. I just...

I need a safe place I can call home.

So, what do you say?

And you said?

I said we'd think about it.

But, I also said we might not be the best home for Meredith.

You know?

Meredith, uh, Davis, the one who was gonna marry Harry?

Yeah. You know her?

Everyone knows her.

She's a really friendly girl,

likes to talk a lot,

kind of desperate to make friends.

Does she have any friends?

Ah, I don't think so.

I mean, kids don't usually like kids

who are desperate to make friends.

Hmm. It scares people.

That and the fact that she lives at Social Services.

I mean, those kids

are tough, except for Harry.

He didn't seem that tough.

Oh, well, thanks for the information.

Sure. So, are you going to help her?

Oh, I'm sure

we will, but probably not

by having her come to stay at the house.

If I wasn't living here, would you take her in?

Oh, probably not.

No. I think Meredith needs a home where

the family focuses just on her.

She deserves that, and I think

Eric can find her that, can't you, dear?

Well, I'm-I'm certainly gonna try.

Well, it's just

that Kevin and Lucy

still haven't found a house,

and they're gonna have their baby soon.

I'm not sure we can take on any more challenges at the moment.

We have seven children and two grandchildren.

It seem like a lot to me at the moment.

And then you've got me.

We're happy

you're here, Martin, really.

I'm just saying that I don't think

we can take on any more children right now.

What are we talking about?

That girl at school, Meredith,

the one who was going to marry Harry.

Oh, yeah.

Is she coming to live here?

No, I don't think so,

but your dad is going to try to find her a home.

I'm going to try to find her a home.

That's what I said.

What about the sister?

Well, I managed to find her a cheap apartment

and help her get a job.

Christina should be fine.

No, I meant the other sister.

Who's the other sister?

She's in my class.

The one in the wheelchair?

The one in the wheelchair?

Meredith has a handicapped sister?

Christina and Meredith have a handicapped sister?

I don't know if she's handicapped,

but she's in a wheelchair.

I've probably seen her, but I don't know her.

I didn't even know Meredith had a sister.

They don't live in the same home.

Kelly has to live in a home for special needs kids.

They just get to see

each other at school.

It's sad.

So you're the Davis family's guardian angel?

Where have you been all these years?

Sleeping on the job or what?

What,

a girl can't have wheels and a sense of humor?

No, of, of course.

Uh, I'm Eric Camden.

It's nice to meet you.

I'm Kelly.

Meredith and Christina called.

They were going to spring me on you

after you got Meredith a family, but, well, somebody blew

the surprise?

Yeah, my daughter Ruthie... I believe she's in your class.

Yeah.

I knew her dad was a minister,

but I didn't know you actually helped people.

I mean, a lot of you godly types talk about helping,

but who ever does anything, right?

Hmm.

So...

So...?

Are you going to help Danny, too?

Danny?

Nobody told you we have a brother?

Hey, Greta.

This, this must be Danny.

Hi, I'm Eric. Hi.

I'll just sit over here out of your way.

Okay.

Don't let the black eye fool you.

I don't get into a lot of fights.

I mostly just get beat up.

I'm in a group home.

I reached for a pudding

and a big kid elbowed me in the eye.

He didn't do any permanent damage,

and besides, I've been hurt worse, way worse.

So I understand you talked to my sisters,

all three of them.

I did.

Gee, mister, I haven't talked to my sisters in a long time,

a long, long time.

I really miss them.

It stinks that I don't get to see the only family I have.

Hey, you got a restroom here that doesn't have a line?

That'd be great.

Oh, yeah, it's right down the hall.

Okay, thanks.

See,

some things are your business and some things are my business.

Now you've stepped into my business and you think you going

to solve this little problem all on your own,

like I never even tried.

No, I'm sure you've tried.

Yes, I have.

I know the Davis family, know them very well,

but you never called me to ask me if I knew them

or if I could help you.

You just went right from one to the other.

Yeah, I did kind of do that, didn't I?

Christina Davis is

one of our success stories.

Most kids who spend their childhood in Social Services

don't end up doing that well.

As you know... And I know you know...

There just isn't any kind of support system in place

for kids who age out of the system and never get adopted.

When these kids turn 18 like Christina,

we just show them the door

and sadly wait for them to return...

Pregnant, drug addicted, victims of domestic violence.

That's the future for most of these kids, and ironically,

if they get addicted to drugs, we have programs to help them.

Pregnant, abused, we have programs.

We have all kinds of programs

to help them if the worst happens,

but we have no programs to help them when they succeed.

We're a government agency.

Each year, we get less money and more kids.

So what are you going to do, Reverend?

'Cause the Davis family problem is a nationwide problem.

You want to come to our rescue?

Great, 'cause we need some help.

Let me get you a plate.

Thanks.

Sorry about yesterday.

I didn't want you to have to drive up to the school.

I thought I could handle it.

Well, that's okay.

Sometimes we all take on

something we can't quite handle.

Tell him about the other thing.

I learned my lesson.

You do what you do and I do what I do,

and I was way in over my head.

I wouldn't have the slightest idea

where to begin to help that family.

I couldn't even help Simon.

I'm not a parent.

I don't parent.

Should have left it all up to you, Dad.

I'm sure you'll do fine with the parenting

when the time comes.

It's just a little tough to, to jump in too cold.

Why are you looking at everybody, Daddy?

Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

This is just

something that a lot of families take for granted...

Just having dinner with each other,

helping each other out,

getting one another through

the tough times, being there during the good times.

Teaching each other little lessons.

Yeah.

Really, it was very nice of you

to apologize, but maybe I shouldn't have

done that. I really don't know

everything about everything.

Pretty close.

So what's your plan for helping out

this Christina and her two sisters and her brother?

How are you going to do that?

Well I'm sure there's something that can be done.

You didn't volunteer us for anything, did you?

No, I didn't.

I don't mind getting a couple more sisters.

And I don't mind sharing the room in the house

you're all sharing with me.

I'd be okay in a tent in the backyard.

Really. Well, there are a lot of things I'd like to volunteer for,

but we just can't take on any more children

right now. Well, Kevin and I obviously

can't take a child right now, but if you need me

or Kevin to help in anything else...

Yeah, just name it.

I'm available if you need me.

I am, too.

So am I. Me, too.

I don't know what to do yet.

But you'll figure it out.

Yeah, you'll figure it out.

You always know how to help everyone.

Yeah, you're good at helping.

Hello?

Eric, it's Greta.

I found the information on the Davis kids' mother.

I have an address for you.

Oh, good.

But I'm telling you, visiting her

is not going to solve anything.

I have to try.

Well, take your son-in-law with you.

You're going to want the company and maybe the protection.

Tell him to go in uniform.

Okay.

I don't know why you're doing this.

Isn't the whole foster system about reuniting families?

Shouldn't we try to reunite this family?

You can't reunite this family, Reverend.

The dad's dead of a drug overdose

and the mom is working on it.

She's been in and out of rehab.

That's one of the things

that keeps the kids from being adopted.

The mom gets out, she makes her case,

some judge allows her to take the kids back.

She gets back on drugs and we take the kids again.

She might be their only chance.

That's what you've come up with?

That the mother may be the only chance?

I don't know what you want me to do.

Well, go see the mom.

And maybe she'll inspire you

to come up with another solution,

because that one's not going to work.

All I can do is try.

Well, you're going to want to try something else,

but go on.

Pay the mom a visit.

It's a halfway house.

Halfway between here and hell.

Yeah...

I have to do this.

Of course, you do.

And my guess is you'll succeed.

I'll be right here,

unless you've changed your mind and want me to go in with you.

No, I'll go alone.

Hi.

Reverend Camden? Yeah.

You really figure you need a police escort?

I mean, aren't you a minister?

Isn't God watching over you?

Or is God too afraid to come

to this neighborhood, too?

Ooh, who's the hunk?

This is Officer Kinkirk, or Kevin.

He's, he's my son-in-law.

He was going to be in the neighborhood anyways.

Can we talk?

Sure.

Hello?

How's it going?

It's going. I'll call you back.

Have you seen the mother yet?

We just met her.

I'll call you back.

What does she look like?

Can I call you back?

Is she standing right there?

Pretty close, yeah.

I really would appreciate if I could call you back.

I'm working.

You're watching my dad work.

True, and if he can reunite this woman with her children

and have it all turn out okay,

he really should just hang out a sign as a miracle worker.

What are you saying?

I'm saying that when I got in over my head,

I got some help.

And I think your dad just may be getting to the point

where he knows he's in over his head

and he should get some help.

Well, don't do anything to discourage him.

Don't be all negative like that.

Say something encouraging.

All right, I'll try.

Because if anyone can pull this off, he can.

I realize that.

It's just not going to be easy.

I have to go.

I didn't mean to upset you.

I ju...

I want to help you,

so I can help your children.

I don't need your help.

That was a court-ordered rehab I went through.

Now, I'll spend a couple of weeks here

and then I'll be released.

And then this time,

I think I'm going to pass on the time with the kiddies,

and just go back to doing what I do best...

Getting high.

So you're not even going to try to stay sober

and get your kids back?

Nope. I'm done with all that.

They're all fine, anyway. What do you mean?

They're anything but fine.

They need a home.

They need to be with each other.

They have homes. They have

places to live, they don't have "homes." They'll be fine.

They're tough kids.

They've got each other.

No, they don't. They're all separated.

You knew I was gonna come by here tonight,

so you must have wanted to talk to me.

There must be something

that we can do together to help your children.

Maybe get you into some better drug program,

some counseling, some classes.

Maybe...

if you went back to school.

Maybe if you came to church.

Would you come to church?

You are such an innocent little lamb, aren't you?

I'm not that innocent.

I'm just the eternal optimist.

I, I just feel that something can be done here

for your children.

And if you don't want to help them,

then maybe,

maybe you'd be willing to give up your rights to them,

let some other family help them.

Giving up

your rights might mean they'd have

a better chance at adoption.

I am not giving up my rights to my children.

They are my children!

And if that's what you came for, good riddance and good night!

Were you hoping I was here for you?

'Cause... I'm here for you, too, Alison.

Wh-What do you need?

Talk to me.

I need what everybody else needs:

money.

The only reason I agreed to let you come by

was 'cause I thought you might give me a couple of bucks.

If I had any money, I'd give it to your children.

Then I'm just wasting my time, aren't I?

See you, Rev.

How'd it go?

Seems to be spiraling downward.

You'll pull this out.

You can do it. I know you can.

How was your night?

Oh, not that good.

I really hope you can figure out how to help this family.

Ever since my mom died, that's been my greatest fear...

Being put in Social Services.

It's really scary, and especially for kids like me

who don't really have any extended family.

Y-You have your aunt.

Yeah, but when I was younger

and she was younger, I didn't picture a judge,

you know, letting her be in charge of me.

Yeah.

Well, I'm gonna try to figure something out

for the Davis family.

It's a bit of a challenge, but hopefully

there's an answer to their problem out there somewhere.

There's always hope, right?

Right.

I'll, uh, tell Meredith that

when I see her at school tomorrow.

What's he going to tell Meredith?

Let me know, so I can tell Kelly.

I don't think either of you should tell

either of them anything, 'cause I don't know

how I'm gonna help them yet.

I'm trying.

I-I really am.

I know you are, Dad.

Good night.

I-I don't know.

I really don't know.

I don't have the solution, okay?

Hello.

I told you so.

Yeah, I know.

But...

maybe we can get Alison to relinquish her rights.

Or-or maybe we can get the court

to terminate her rights, something.

Look, I hate to admit it,

but maybe I should just give up on this one,

get you someone else

to help you help the Davis family.

And who would that someone be?

You can't quit now, Reverend.

Sorry, this isn't like me.

Just feel at a complete loss.

I-I don't know what to do.

And I almost always know what to do,

or-or an answer almost always comes to me

in one form or another.

But... I just feel so...

Hopeless, useless, pessimistic, despondent,

depressed, sad and heartbroken by what you see?

Yeah.

Welcome to Social Services.

I forget sometimes what you people do,

what you do, Greta.

Well, I don't forget what you do.

So you keep praying, see what you can come up with.

Good night.

Night.

I can't do this alone.

Come on, I just, I just need an idea,

something I haven't thought of.

Have you thought about getting the whole church involved?

I mean, Lucy and I were just talking,

and we'd be willing to go through the process of,

you know, becoming licensed foster parents.

What?

Oh, no.

I mean, not actually taking on foster children,

but to support those of our church

who would be willing to go through the process.

Social Services needs more foster parents,

and the reason I think that there aren't enough

is because people are just afraid.

They're afraid of being turned down.

They're afraid of taking on a child

who's been abused or abandoned or has problems.

They're afraid that the mother will come back,

and that they'll have their child taken away from them.

They're afraid of taking on too much.

They're afraid of adding to their own family.

They're afraid of starting a family.

They're-they're just afraid.

But what if we all went through

the process of licensing together?

You know, like sort of one big family...

The family of our church...

All helping each other to not be afraid.

You think that would work?

Well, of course. Why not?

I mean, we can call everybody, get everybody together...

People who are willing to become foster parents,

people who have been successful at being foster parents,

social workers who need people who want to be foster parents

and who know how to take them through the process.

And somewhere

in our church, there has to be

a family for those four Davis children.

And with all the churches around here, there's got to be

other families for all the other children.

I mean, we can find them.

We can do this.

You can help everybody do this.

Those who are willing.

I started out my week trying to prove to my son-in-law

that he was in over his head when he offered to go

up to Simon's college and loan him some money

for some problem yet to be explained.

The explanation was that Simon

had a friend who needed money.

This, this friend had been

turned out from Social Services at 18.

And, uh, yeah, she needed the money.

But more than that,

she needed a family

for her three younger siblings who were still in

Social Services but separated into different homes.

I haven't found that family,

but I'm going to.

And... I hope to find a home

for the half-million, half-million other children

in America who are in some form of foster care right now.

There are almost 130,000 in need

of immediate placement across the United States.

The older children are the hardest to place.

They're the last to get adopted

or they don't get adopted, and at 18,

they're out on the street with no support,

like Simon's friend at college.

But I've decided I'm not gonna

limit myself to children in America.

Since I'm in over my head anyway,

I'm gonna open this church

up to adoption agencies who work in other countries,

'cause worldwide there are

millions of children who need a home.

Those countries who can't take care of their own children

are asking for our help,

and I'm gonna give them whatever help I can.

Now... I'm sure this seems like an impossible task...

Getting every child a home... But...

with God, all things are possible.

I truly believe that.

There's a saying that I love

that most of you have heard me say before:

Save the life of a child, and you save the world.

So let's do it.

Let's save the world.

One child at a time.

One family at a time.

One church at a time.

We can make a difference.

You can make a difference.

♪ You're the stars that fill the heavens ♪

♪ Everlasting, shining bright ♪

♪ Forever my love is by your side ♪

♪ I'll always be there when you need me ♪

♪ I'll always be there night and day ♪

♪ And if the rain comes down tomorrow ♪

♪ You know the sun is gonna shine again ♪

♪ I'll always be there ♪

♪ You're the stars that fill the heavens ♪

♪ Everlasting, shining bright ♪

♪ And if the rain comes down tomorrow ♪

♪ You know the sun is gonna shine again ♪

♪ I'll always be there for you ♪

♪ I'll always be there night and day ♪

♪ I'll be there. ♪