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Hey, hey, hey, hey,slow it down.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Andrews.

Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin.

Dear Lieutenant and Mrs. Franks.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Peterson.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Lupo.

I'm sure you've never received a letter of this nature before,

and I'm also quite sure you'll be surprised

by the circumstances under which I'm writing it.

My name is Alex Chivescu, and I'm a junior,

soon to be a senior at Eagle Creek High School

in Rochester Hills.

My parents moved to Michigan to go to college here,

they divorced when I was 2 years old

and I have not heard from my father since.

My mother is a nurturing and caring person

who inspired my love of learning.

This paper saysyou're a Doctor.

Well sort of, this is morethan a piece of paper Alex,

this is why I cameto this country.

It's why I've studiedso hard.

Education is like a magic keyto open any door,

with it anything is possible.

Can I go to a schoollike this someday too?

Absolutely, absolutely.

You're education is goingto be even better than mine,

you'll go to a great universitylike Harvard.

Is Harvard the best?

The very best.

Then that's where I'll go.

You'll have to work hard.

I will, I promise.

You'll see.

You make me so proud.

So proud.

Perfect, what do you think?

I think I want one too.

You can get a headstart on that,

you do your homeworkwhile I make us some dinner.

Okay.

Okay.

You hungry?

Yes, I'm starving.

Good.

Um, my teacher said you wantedto see me Mrs. Thomas?ing.

Yes Alex, you know yourmother's friend Miss Carson?

Hi Miss Carson.

Hi Alex, why don'tyou have a seat?

Alex, I'm sorry to have to bethe one to tell you this,

you're mom's beenin a car accident.

She's in the hospital.

But she's got good doctorstaking car of her

and I'm sure she'sgoing to be fine.

Can I see her?

Can I go in?

Not yet, hun.

They'll be moving herto a regular room

in a couple of days and youcan talk to her then, okay?

In she going to be okay?

She's going to be fine.

Come on, in you get.

You know, Alex, we can visityour mom as much as you want

once she's out ofintensive care.

Would you like that?

Okay, goodnight.

I'll see youin the morning.

Miss Carson?

Yeah?

Could you leave a light on,please?

Of course I can, honey.

It's going to be okay, Alex,you'll see.

Okay, I bought some groceries,made soup and casseroles;

you won't have to cookfor a while.

Oh, thanks Ellen,you've been so helpful,

especially with Alex.

Here, have a seat.

Alright.

Would you like me to staywith you and Alex tonight?

No, we're fine.

You sure?

It's okay.

You be a good boy and takecar of your mom.

It's okay.I will.

You know what?

I'm going to make yousome tea before I go.

Want to help me, Alex?

Sure.

My mother suffered a serious head injury

from a car accident and developed Bi-Polar Disorder.

When she was on her medication she was able to work

as a professor and things were mostly normal.

But the medication had harsh side effects.

The drugs made it harder for her to think clearly.

Mom, I'm home.

She hated that so she stopped taking them.

Mom?

Then she spiraled down, couldn't work,

and became neglectful and abusive.

Then she spiraled down,Mom, I got my report card.

Are you okay?

I have a headache Alex,leave me alone.

Okay.

I'll leave it here so you Alex,can sign it later.lone.

Have a seat, Alex.

Your mom had to go backto the hospital.

What?

What happened?

She just had a little setback,

but the doctors are takingreally good care of her

and she'll be homeas soon as possible.

Now this is Mrs. Edenger.

Hi.

Hello Alex,nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you too.

I'm from Child ProtectiveServices.

Do you know what that is?

Well, we find nice peopleto take care of children

when their parents can't.

So while your momis in the hospital

you'll stay with a familythat lives near here.

Why can't I staywith Miss Carson?

Well, she won't be ableto take care of you

Why can't I sfor as long as yourwith Miss Carmom is going to be

in the hospital this time.

See this isn't so bad.

Please don't make mestay here.

It's just for a few weeks untilyour mom gets better, okay?

Please don't make me!

Alex, I need you to bea big boy.

Let's just sit downright here.

I've got to go talkto your foster mom.

Maybe you can unpackyour suitcase.

I'll come check on yousometime next week, okay?

It's going to be okay,Alex.

When my mother was taken away from me

I felt alone, abandoned,

and I was terrified that I would never see her again.

I will never forget the first time

I was put in a strange home with people I didn't' know.

Days felt like weeks,

a month without my mom felt like a lifetime.

Mom!

Please don't leave meagain mom.

Please!

I'll try not to.

I'll do my best,okay?

There were times when my mother returned from the hospital

that I thought I had my life back,

but it never lasted for long.

Mom come on,it's Christmas!

Mom come on!

Mom!

Mom?

Can you leave mealone please?

But it's Christmas mom.

I have a present for you.

I made it myself.

Please not now.

My mother struggled constantly with the symptoms

of her condition

and the harsh side effects of the drugs she had to take.

Even when I was home with my mom

it often felt like she wasn't really there.

Mom.

Mom?

Can't you see I'm lookingfor a job?

I need some lunch money.

Your lunch is supposedto be free.

You didn't fill out that paperI brought home from school.

I can't get free lunchuntil you do that.

I'll do it later.

What about lunch today?

There!

That's all I can do!

I don't have a job,I don't have money!

There was never enough money,

and I always worried that we'd have enough food

or that my mom would be able to pay our rent.

It wasn't easy, but I learned to fend for myself.

Open this door!

Do you hear me?

This is what I get for taking care of you

and feeding you, devoting my life to you?!

I pay the rent here!

You open this door right now!

I'm going to kick it in, Alex.

If you don't open this door right now

you're going to be so sorry!

Hey!

you'[pounding on door]sorry!

Hey, what's going on in there?

What?

Look lady, how many times doI have to come down here?

If you don't keep it downI'm going to call the police.

You don't have to do this,let me go back to my apartment.

I'll--I'll calm down,I'll be fine, okay?

Just let me...

I don't want to go,I--I--I can't do this.

I'll be okay.

Oh, there's my son,don't put in front of him.

My mother was taken away from me many times,

sometimes my mom was taken away for weeks,

other times for months.

She'd be hospitalized and put on medication

and I'd end up living with strangers again.

After a while she'd return to stability

and I'd be placed back in her care,

but it always felt precarious.

I lived in fear

because I knew a life with my mother could never last,

before long she'd go off her medication

and everything would fall apart again.

I felt bad for my mom

because she couldn't take care of herself

let alone take care of me.

When I was 16

I left my latest foster home

and returned to live with my mother.

Fortunately for me our apartment was located

in the Eagle Creek High School district,

one of the best in the State.

It wasn't easy coming in as a junior

after the semester had already started.

Your transcript is certainlyimpressive, Alex;

I mean, one point below aperfect score on your ACT.

Wow!

I mean, considering how manyschools you've attended

your GPA is especiallyremarkable.

Yeah, I ah, I moved a lot.

Well, you keep this upand you're well onyour way to getting

into a top school.

Any idea where you'dlike to go?

Harvard.

Any idea where you'dlike to go?Harvard.

Well, that's a lofty goal,but one I think you can reach.

Now, look, you're going to haveto keep up your grades.

I will.

I made a promise.

Okay then.

I'll do my best to help youkeep that promise.

That needs to bemuch better.Okay then.

This is a nice start.

Exceptional work, Alex.

You need up buck up.

He got an A.

All right people listen up;

the midterm assignment for thissemester is a 50-page paper

on an aspect about governmentthat you will choose.

Okay, okay, don't worry.

You can work in groups of up to three people.

Hey, new kid.

Nice work in Rowe's class.

That guy never gives an A.

Yeah, it's like his thing.

An A represents perfection,

and I've never seena perfect paper.

I'm Lucy, this is Danny.

Alex.

We were wonderingif you wanted to work

on the midterm with us?

Really?

Yeah, I mean Danny here isa straight C student

so he'll be tons of help.

Hey, you shouldtalk Picasso.

All she cares aboutis art and poetry.

Hey, you shouldSocial studies isn't her thing.

You can see what you'd begetting yourself into.

I mean neither one of usis a brain like you.

Not a problem, when doyou want to start?

Do you want to meet at my houseon Saturday, 10:00?ke you.

10:00?

You know I sleep 'till noonon Saturdays.

Fine, 11:00.

Alex?

Sounds good.

Okay, but I'm going to be ina coma for the first hour.

You're always in a coma.

Eagle Creek High became everything to me.

I immersed myself in studies

and found compassion and support from my new friends.

When chaos reigned at home, school became a refuge for me.

Mom?

What are you doing?

I'm sick of these medications,

the side effects aremaking me worse!

I can't focus, my-my headis throbbing.

I can't think!

Stop it.

Please!

Mom!

It hurts!Please!

But you know what happenswhen you stop taking them!

I don't care anymore!

We really lucked outwith you Alex,

we might actually doalright on this paper.

We're going to get an A.

You sound pretty sureof yourself.

We have to;

I've got to maintain a 4.0to have any chance

at getting into Harvard.

Harvard?

Right and I'm goingto play shortstop

for the Detroit Tigers.

So you think I'm delusional?

Yeah.

I don't.

I'm 1,000 percent positiveyou can do it.

Mom?n't.

I'm Home!

Mom there's no food!

I'm gonna get going,

my mom and I are goingto an art show.

Whoa, check this out,crazy lady 9:00.

Alex!

What are you doing here?

You should be home!

I've been looking everywherefor you!

Why do I have to trackyou down?

I had to come all the wayover here, why?

Why do I have to trackyou down?Calm down.

You don't tell me whatclasses you're taking

or what you're doingafter school!

Nothing!

Mom, don't do this to me,please!

Don't you dare tell me whatto do, I'm your mother.

You respect me!

Ah, excuse me, Mrs. Nistor?

Ah, did you stop by the officeand get a visitor's pass?

What?

Ah, did you stop by the officeand get a visitNo.s pass?

I'm sorry, it's school policy.

Wanna come with me?

Alex, wait!

Leave me alone!

Alex, please canyou talk to me?

There's nothingto talk about!

My mom is crazy, okay?

Well, what's wrong with her?

Well, she's sick,and she can't help it.

We can't afford insurance soshe can't get good treatment.

They hospitalize herwhen it's a crisis

and when she's on her ownshe just can't cope.

If you knew what sheused to be like

before she got sick.

She has a PHD;

it kills her when her mindcan't function the way it did.

That must be really hardfor her, and you.

I think I know whatyou're going through.

Oh, I doubt that.

My father's arecovering alcoholic.

Before he got sober he wascompletely unpredictable.

Sorry Lucy, I had no idea.

It's okay, he's good.

He's in a program andhe's doing really great.

He's my dad again.

What are you going to doabout your mom?

I don't know.

I mean, I want to save her,but I don't know how.

Sound pretty stupid,huh?

No, it sounds heroic.

What happened?

I'm sorry Alex, your mothercouldn't pay the rent.

You've been evicted.

Where is she?

Hospitalized.

She went off her meds again!!

I told her she's gotto keep taking them

but she won't listen.

I found an emergencyfoster home for you.

Great, my fourth!

Well, hopefully your mom willstabilize in a couple of weeks.

Aww, what's the point?

She'll just go off her meds,go crazy and wind up

right back in the hospital!

I understand how frustratedyou must be.

right back iNo, you don't'!

Yes, I do!

Now, I've made arrangementsfor someone to come

and take theseinto storage, okay?

Just pick out a couple thingsthat you need

and I will take you toyour foster placement.

My mom was always being taken away from me.

And while my social worker helped keep me fed,

clothed and sheltered,

the cycle of instability started to take a toll.

For six years I had been in and out of foster homes,

my mom in and out of hospitals.

I kept telling myself that someday she'd get better,

be like her old self again and stay that way,

but I finally had to face reality;

it just wasn't going to happen.

If anything was going to change

it would be up to me to change it.

IfI just, I can't take itanymore.hange

The depression, the rants,the constant uncertainty.

Nobody should haveto live like that.

What exactly are youasking, Alex?

I'm asking to terminatemy mom's parental rights.

I have the right dothat now, I'm 16.

Do you fully understandwhat that means?

Means I don't have to be afraidof her hurting herself anymore.

Or me.

It doesn't meanI don't love her.

Let's begin.

Alex, these attorneys are hererepresenting your mother.

The court doesn't allow herto be present

Alex, these attorneys are hererepresentiduring your testimony

so that you may speakfreely and honestly.

Do you understand?

Very well, let's proceed.

Alex, explain to Judge Bradywhy it is

you want your mother'srights to be terminated.

Please believe meYour Honor;

this was the hardest decisionthat I've ever had to make.

I love my mother;

she was a role-modelfor me when I was little.

I got my curiosity and loveof learning from her.

But she's a verydifferent person now

and if I'm put back in hercustody the circus will go on.

The circus?

The craziness.

Being evictedfrom our apartment,

not having enough food,

police being called by neighborsbecause of her screaming,

going in and outof foster homes.

Do you understandwhat this means legally?

going in and outYes, ma'am.omes.

It means that accordingto the law

I won't have a mother anymore.

Alex, how could you do this?

I'm sorry mom.

Well, your mother's testimonydidn't help her case.

The judge has grantedtermination of parental rights.

You won.

No, I didn't.

Nobody won.

You're 16 Alex,

finding a permanent placementfor a teenager, I'm sorry.

You'll be living here now.

What about school?

Well, you can stayat Eagle Creek.

Umm, the orphanage has a driverwho will transport you

and the school districtwill reimburse them.

So I guess it's official now.

What?

I don't have a family anymore.

Alright here's aninformation packet.

As long as you accept all therules here you'll do just fine.

Rules?

There's no fighting, no loudmusic, lights out at 10:00.

But I usually stay upstudying later than that.

Well, you'll have to have yourhomework done by 10:00.

I have five or six hoursof homework a night.

Well, we could possiblymake an exception.

Yes sir.

Well, we could possiblymake an exception.Okay.

It says here we're not allowedto have a checking account.

That's correct.

But I need mine so I havea safe place to keep

what I earn from my jobat the bookstore.

No, no, no, no, you're notallowed to have a job, son.

I've never lived in aninstitution like this before.

This is different for me,but maybe I'm different

from the kids you'reused to dealing with.

I work hard andI'm highly motivated,

I'm saving moneyfor college.

Don't you want kidsto come out of here

and make somethingof themselves?

That's what I'm tryingto do.

Alright, but that doesnot mean you are free

to come and go as you please.

Okay.

Oh, one more thing, doyou have a cell phone?

Yes sir.

Alright, hand it over, you'renot allowed to keep that.

But I won't be able to stayin touch with my friends.

Well, it's a security issue.

Phone please.

Hi,

I'm Alex Chivescu.

What kind of name is that?

Romanian.

But I was born hereso I'm American.

Yeah, I was born here too,

people still call me Mexican.

Hey, hop in Alex.

How do you knowmy name?

Oh, I've heard all about you.

You have?

Hmm, let's just say

you don't exactly fitthe profile around here

you know what I'm saying?

Listen this is a long driveto Eagle Creek.

Why don't you hop up fronthere with me?

Alright, buckle up,my man.

By the way, I'm Henry.

Can you let me out here?

Well, we're notat your school yet.

That's okay,this is good.

Your friends don't knowwhere you're living, do they?

No.

Okay, well, I'll pick you backup here after then.

That would be great,can you come at 5:00?

Sure thing,5:00 it is.

Thanks Henry.

Wooo!!

Check it out, we got an A.

That's capital A baby!

Thanks to Alex.

We should celebrate.

Do you guys want to cometo my house and order pizza?

I can't.

I have something to do.

I'll catch you guys later.

Later dude.

Ahhhh, my first A!

I love that guy.

Oh god.

Hey Henry, thanksfor picking me up.

It's so stupid!

I hate this crap.

I mean, who caresabout x's and y's?

What's the point?

You know it's really not thathard once you get the basics.

Yeah, well, I'm nevergonna get it!

What, you win all these?

Yeah.

What's this one for?

It's a National MerrittScholarship.

And what's that?

It means I get a scholarship for$2,500 when I go to college.

2,500 bucks?

What if you don't go?

Do you get to keepthe money?

No, but I'm definitelygoing to college.

Man kids like us don't goto college.

I will.

My mom told mea long time ago

that education was like a keythat could open any door.

What are you some kindof brain?

Yeah, I guess.

I mean, I could help you.

I tutor kids at schoolto make extra money,

I'd tutor you for free.

And why would you do that?

Make sure I don'tbeat you up?

Yo, I'm just messingwith you, man!

Yo, I could tell youwas kinda scared!

Yeah well.

Hey man, I can'thave guys thinking

I'm an easy target, you know?

You wanna have a lookat that equation?

Not really.

Come on, I'll show you.

Open it up.

Where'd you start?

It's right over here, right?

Look what I ran across today,

A Tale of Two Cities.

Remember?

You used to read this to mewhen I was little.

"It was the best of times;

"it was the worst of times.

"It was the age of wisdom;

"it was the age offoolishness..."

I've been in the systemsince I was five,

how 'bout you?

Since I was 10.

Newbie.

So, what's the dealwith your parents?

Dad gone, mom crazy.

Same as me, man.

We could be brothers.

You dad's not around either?

Hell no.

I don't even knowwho my dad is.

So why is your mom crazy?

She's a crack-head,your mom on dope too?

No.

What's so funny?

It's just being on drugsmakes your mom crazy, right?

Not being on drugsmakes my mom crazy.

It's just being on drugsI don't get it.om crazy, right?

She's sick.

She needs medicationbut she hates taking it.

That sucks.

Alright, 8 ballcorner pocket.

Alright, pressure's on.

Oh, I'm so good.

Now who's going to school,professor?

Rack 'em up.

Fight, fight!

Take him!!

Yeah, yeah, you got him!

Good!

Fight, fight, fight!

Carlos!

What are you doing, man?

Let him go!

What's going on?

That's enough, get up!

Hey, that's enough!

Back up!

Now you know the rules!

Carlos, I warned youabout this.

But he was tryingto steal...

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

Both of you getto my office.

Now!

Carlos!

What's going on?

They're kicking me out,sending me someplace

with more supervision.

Probably be somesort of lockdown.

No, they can't do that.

It's my third fight.

That jerk Feldman won'teven listen to my side.

All he cares aboutis the rules

so I told him what he coulddo with his stupid rules.

Ahhh Carlos!

I'm gonna miss you, bro.

I'm gonna miss you too.

Won't be missing youralgebra lessons though.

Stick with it,you can do it.

Yeah right.

I mean it!

Don't give up.

Don't you give up either.

Harvard?

Man, that's gonna be cool.

Hey man, check it out.

My dad let me borrowthe car.

Why don't you hop inwe can give you a ride.

Oh, that's okay.

I've already got a ride.

Alright.

Your friends?

Yeah.

I'm sorry, Alex.?

Hi Alex.

Something wrong?

Is it my mom?

Your mom's okay.

But I'm afraid we havesome bad news.

Due to budget cuts theschool district can't afford

to transport you herenext year.

And I've spoken to the directorat Mercy Point

and unfortunately theycannot cover the costs

of driving you either.

What does that mean?

Where will I go to schoolfor my senior year?

You'll have to attend a highschool closer to the orphanage.

No!

My counselors, teachersand friends are all here!!!

Alex, I am sorry...

Don't you understand?!!!

This school is the only realhome I've ever known

and now it's beingtaken away too.

It's not fair!!!!

Alex!

I'm sorry Alex.

I tried I really tried.

Apparently there's some ruleagainst me driving you

on company time.

That's not fair, Henry!

Changing schools it couldkeep me out of Harvard!

Man, that school waseverything to me.

I know how you must feel.

No, you don't!

You have no ideahow it feels,

I've worked so hardfor so long

and now you're just goingto take this away.

I've worked so hardfor so longYou just hold on!

Now maybe I didn'tgo to college.

Hell, I didn't even graduatefrom the 8th grade,

but I sure know what it feelslike to be disappointed!

And I know what itfeels like, Alex,

to have somethingtaken away from me.

I'm sorry.

Henry, I didn't meanto take it out on you.

Yeah, you did.

Now you may beall book smart

but you sure ain'tpeople smart.

It's just that's all I have.

Listen, that's not true.

That's not true,you got friends.

You got peoplewho car about you.

You know I might not be much,but you got me too.

Come on, let's get outof here.

It's just I don't knowwhat to do Henry.

They're taking schoolaway from me.

Listen, you got a goodhead on your shoulders,

so think.

You can come upwith a plan.

Use those famous smarts ofyours for something other than

trying to keep peoplefrom getting close to you.

Think man.

You're right.

Social services isnever going to help me.

Maybe not.

Come on, let's get back.

What's the rush?

You going to make medrive, Henry?

Come on, let's go!

Come on!

Alright.

Hey, hey, hey, hey,slow it down.

You've reached Mrs. Edenger at children's welfare,

please leave a message.

Mrs. Edenger,it's me Alex.

I just wanted you to knowthat I'm through

waiting for you to finda family for me.

I'm going to findone myself.

I'm sure you've never received a letter of this nature before

and I'm also quite sure you'll be surprised

by the circumstances...

My mother is a nurturing and caring person

who inspired my love of learning...

I understand that it is a great emotional

and financial burden to take a 17 year old into your home...

straight A's, advanced placement college classes...

and a strong desire.

My most fervent dream is to be accepted

into Harvard University.

You have no commitment to me

after I graduate from high school next year...

..fail to respond to my urgent and dire...

as of now I am a ward of the state...

My social worker has kept me fed, clothed and sheltered

but she doesn't understand how desperately I want to stay

in the same school for senior year

where the counselors who know me will help me apply to colleges,

where the teachers who know me will help me

write letters of recommendation and advise me

and where my friends will be there to support me.

I'm a good kid in a bad circumstance,

I need a home.

Thank you.

Alex Chivescu.

Hey, any repliesto your letter yet?

Yeah, all negative.

Look, there's somethingI want to tell you, man.

I kinda asked my parentsif you could live with us

but they said no.

It's nothing personal.

It's just you know they bothwork such long hours.

It's okay, I understand.

Sorry.

Hey, don't be.

I asked my parents too.

They actuallyconsidered it but...

You guys, it means a lotto me that you asked.

Thanks.

I got a letterfor you, bud.

Dear Alex, my wife and I weredeeply moved by your letter.

We'd like to meet youand discuss

the possibility ofsharing our home.

Yes!

thI made you somefchocolate chip cookies,

I hope you like them.

Wow, thank you Mrs. Franks,they sure look good.

They're our son Paul'sfavorite.

He's at Camp Lesjunefor basic training.

Takes after me, I'm alieutenant in the US Army.

We live off base.

Our house is modestbut we have an extra room

now that Paul's gone.e off base.

Did you get a lot of responsesto your letter?

No sir, only youand Mrs. Franks.

And you can call usJulia and Richard,

and don't you darecall him sir.

We might be in the army

but we do not run our houselike a barracks.

Well I'm sure you wantto know more about me.

Ever done drugs?

No sir.

Drink?

No.

Been in troublewith the law?

No.

That's all we need to know.

You mean that's it?

No more questions,no thinking about it?

We took Paul inas a foster child

and ended up adopting him,

we have no reservationsabout taking you in, Alex.

Well, thank you Mr. Franks,Mrs. Franks,

I mean Richard and Julia.

Wow.

Hustle up!!

This will be the kind of homeI never had.

After everythingI've been through

it feels like I canfinally relax.

That's a good thing.

What if it's too goodto be true?

Don't over think this,Einstein.

Just let yourself be happyfor once.

You deserve it.

Hi Alex.

Hi, Mr. Feldman told me youwere here, is everything okay?

We stopped by because wewanted to tell you in person,

I'm being transferredto a base in New York.

We leave in two months.

Oh.

But we want you to comewith us.

You'd take me with you?

Of course.

You have a home with usas long as you need it.

I don't know what to say.

Say yes.

I'm really grateful

but moving away woulddefeat my whole purpose

and it's the reasonI wrote the letter.

I want....I need to stay hereand graduate from Eagle Creek,

and I can't leave my mom.

At least when I'm hereI know she's nearby.

We understand.

Is there another familyyou can stay with?

Oh sure, definitely.

I am so sorry, Alex.

We really wanted thisto work out.

Good luck son.

Bills, bill and bill,there you go.

Do either of you know someoneby the name of Alex Chivescu?

Nope.

Who is he?

I don't know, let's find out.

Oh, goes to Eagle Creek High,and he lives in an orphanage.

How sad.

He's looking for a fosterfamily to live with

during his senior year.

He's going to college after that,

his father is out of the picture

and his mother haspsychiatric issues

and lost custody of him?

We need to meet him, mom.

Jen.

Mom.

Look this isn't likeyour stray dogs or cats

or wounded birds...

Or turtles.

Exactly, that you broughthome since you would walk.

I mean this, we don'teven know this kid.

It's probably a scam.

Dad, can you imagine the gutsthat it took for him

to write this letter?

He's turning to total strangersbecause he has nobody else.

You don't even know him,Jen.

Well, I know that he's got tofeel scared and desperate.

I have you guys, this kiddoesn't have anyone.

We need to help him.

Bringing a stranger intoour home is serious business.

We need to learnmore about him

and then we can talkabout it.

Alright.

I'm going to go checkif he's on Facebook

and add him as a friend.

Okay.

Our daughter has a verybig heart.

Yeah, well, I know whereshe gets that from.

But Suzanne this has to bea thoughtful discussion.

There's too much at stakefor our family

and for this young man.

I know.

He's on Facebook!

Let me see.

He's kinda a nerd in a nice waybut a total brain.

He looks friendly mom.

He does Jim.

Oh.

So when can we meet him?

Now hold on you two,come on.

Dad, I'm going to be goingto college in the fall.

You and mom are goingto be here all alone.

The empty nest thing is goingto be really hard on you.

Or liberating.

No more loud music, no moregiggling girls at sleepovers.

Very funny.

I suppose we could just meetthe boy, Jim.

Yeah, I suppose we could.

Yay!!!!

That's all I'm promising.

Sure.

Sure.

I didn't' realize I'd beso nervous.

Me neither.

Mr. and Mrs. Bante?

Yes.

Alex, nice to meet you.

It's nice to meet you too.

You want to grab a seat?

Sure.

You want to grab a sOkay.

Don't' forget your coffee.

Well, Alex we spoketo your school counselor

and obviously you'rean excellent student

Well, Alex we spoketoand that's just great.

But Suzanne and I want to knowsome more things about you.

Of course sir, umm, here.

Here's some of my awards,high school transcripts,

and these are lettersof recommendation

from some of my teachersand my social worker.

Alex, you're not applyingfor a job.

If we do this,

we're not asking for you tolive with us for a year or so,

we're inviting youinto our home

to be part of our family,permanently.

Permanently?

That's right.

Yeah.

So you really needto think about that,

and so do we.

Okay?

Yeah.

Okay?Hello?

Yes Mr. Bante.

Thank you sir, thank youvery much.

I can be ready then.

Okay, okay, bye.

Hey Alex, you almostready?

We're parked out front.

I'm all packed.

Where are the restof your things?

I thought you saidyou had a lot of stuff.

Well, this is it,everything I own.

Okay, great we'llgive you a hand.

Here I'll take that Alex.

We'll meet you in the car.

I don't know what to say,Henry.

I wouldn't' have made itwithout you.

No need my man,this isn't goodbye.

You'll come and see me?

Of course!

Still gotta finish teaching youhow to drive.

Your parallel parking needsa lot of work you know.

I know.

Here we go.

Hey Alex, it's niceto finally meet you.

I'm Jen.

It's nice to meet you too,Jen.

Come on, I'll showyou to your room--

actually it was my old room.

Well, I don't want to takeyour room.

Oh, no, it's okay.

I moved intothe smaller guest room.

I leave for collegein a couple of weeks

so I won't be homethat much.

It will be your job to lookafter my parents,

make sure they don't partytoo hard.

Two years ago I wasdiagnosed with Lupus,

I have flare-ups sometimes.

Last spring I had thisreally bad attack.

I had chest pains andI couldn't breath,

Lastand I collapsed onrealthe bathroom floor.

I had chest pains andMust have been scared.reath,

Oh, I was terrified.

Fortunately my parentsfound me right away

and I had to go to the hospitalfor like a kazillion testsied.

and my mom and my dadthey never left my side.

I can't imagine whatit's been like for you,

not having your parents around.

I mean, it's justthe way it is.

I don't even remembermy dad,

but my mom was incredible.

Before she got sickshe was on her own,

raising a kid, somehow stillmanaged to get her PHD.

Well, now we know who you gotyour brains from.

Yeah.

Disturbed?

The Black Keys?

Sierra?

Okay, no way!

What?

When it comes to music we weredefinitely separated at birth.

I wish I wasn't goingto college so soon;

you are going to bea cool little brother.

Just don't be bratty.

Deal, as long as you'renot bossy.

Hey!

Welcome to the family!

So don't worry about me,

'cause I found a really nice foster family

and they have a daughter who already feels like a sister.

I'm still working hard towards getting into Harvard,

my counselor thinks I can do it.

Remember when I made that promise to you?

I'm going to keep it.

I miss you mom.

Love Alex.

Hey there he is.

Good morning, Alex.

Morning.

Eggs and toast okay?

Thanks, Mrs. Bante.

You know Alex, you don't haveto call us Mr. and Mrs. Bante.

What would you like meto call you?

I don't know.

Jim and Suzanne?

Whatever you'recomfortable with.

Yeah.

Well, I'm comfortablewith Mr. and Mrs. Bante.

Okay.

Well, I'm comfortablewith Mr. and MOkay.ante.

Grab a seat, Alex.

We never had a chanceto talk about your chores.

Chores?

Yeah, everyone pitches in here,

so when Jen leaves for schoolyou'll take over her jobs.

Well, what kind of jobs?

Well, for example, today'strash pick up day,

so when you leave the houseyou'll put the cans out.

When you come homefrom school

you'll put them backin the garage.

We'll talk about the restlater, I gotta run.

Bye honey.

Bye.

I will see you guys tonight.

Scrambled?

Ah, yes please.

Great.

I can't take it,it's too much..

And a bunch of chores too.

And Mrs. Bante cameinto my room,

tried to get me to talkto her.

Well imagine that.

Okay, remember to checkyour side mirrors.

She wants me to talkabout my feelings.

Okay, remember to checkSo what's the problem?

I don't know, they're notmy parents you know,

I wish they'd stopacting like they are.

Why?

Because I don't need that.

You don't need it,

or you don't knowhow to handle it?

I wish they'd just let mepay rent and leave me alone.

Really Alex?

I mean, is that whatyou really want?

Hey Alex,how was school?

Fine.

Learn anythinginteresting today?

Not really.

Can I have an apple?

Alex, this is your home,you don't have to ask.

You know when Jen was in senioryear all she wanted to do

was bring her friends overand...

Mrs. Bante, I got lotsof homework to do.

Yeah sure, go ahead.

Come in.

Hey Alex, I just wantedto say goodnight.

Goodnight, Mrs. Bante.

Alex, I want you to know thatyou're part of our family now

and the thing aboutfamilies is

that we can talkto one another.

So if there's anything you want to say...

I'm fine Mrs. Bante.

Good.

But if you ever do wantI'm fineto talkante.

Jim and I are readyto listen.

Okay um, alright,goodnight.

Night.

It's a miracle he turned outas well as he did.

He doesn't know how to dothe most basic things

and his social skillsdefinitely need some work.

I think his upbringingwas a lot more difficult

that we realized.

Well, at least hetalks to you Jim,

he barely says a wordto me.

Don't take it personally,honey.

It's not about my feelings,it's about his.

I can only imagine whatit must be like for him.

I just wish that he feltsafe enough with us

to open up and sharewhat he's going through.

Suzanne, he barely knows us

and he definitelydoesn't trust us yet.

Well, what if he never can?

Well, that's up to him.

He'll let us past his defensesor he won't.

There has got to be somethingwe can do to help him.

All we can do is treathim like what he is,

a member of this family.

Jim, are we crazy to havegotten into this?

Probably, but no matterhow it turns out

I'm not going to besorry that we tried.

You?

No.

Good.

Call us as soon as youget there, okay?

I will mom.

And I know you're going to bebusy but please stay in touch.

Okay.

Go.

Keep an eye on them;

don't let them getinto too much trouble.

It will be okay, they'renot the coolest parentsin the world

but they'll be therefor you

just like they'vealways been for me.

Wouldn't ya know it.

I finally get a brotherand I have to leave.

Are you gonna miss me?

Nah.

Ha, very funny.

See you at Christmas.

See ya.

But Mr. Bante I don't needyou to give me money

to buy Christmas gifts.

I don't want to bea charity case.

Don't give me that Alex,you're not a charity case.

Don't assume what peoplefeel for you is pity.

It might actually belex,something else.arity case.

Alex, come here,listen to me;

I want to be clear here.

You've had a rough time,life hasn't been fair,

but it wasn't your fault.

Now it's natural to feelsorry for yourself,

but that's not goingto get you anywhere.ault.

Look, we respect everythingyou've accomplished,

but more so we respectwho you've become.

Now, I know it's beenhard all this time

with your dad notbeing around,

maybe I can help youwith that.

Now what do you say we getthis tree in the house, huh?

It's a beauty, isn't it?

Hey rememberthis little guy?

Oh yeah.

Hey Alex come in, decoratingthe tree is the best part.

Oh look this is Jen'sChristmas ornament.

She made in second grade.

Look at that.

Everything okay, Alex?

I um, I got my report card.

I don't know if you guyswant to see it or not.

Absolutely!

Yeah, of course we do!

Will you look at that--straight A's.

Alex, that's great!

We're so proud of you.

Nice work, this callsfor a celebration.

Do you have an extra cardI could have for my mother,

Mrs. Bante?

Yeah, of course Alex.

Here you go.

Thanks.

Would you help mewith the tree?

Yeah.

You know, Alex, if you wanted toget a present for your mother

I could take you shopping,pick out something nice.

No thanks, Mrs. Bante.

Well, if you want to visit herI could take you there.

I don't think so.

Alex, it must be hard spendingChristmas without her.

No, I've spent a lot ofChristmas's without her.

College girl's home!

Hey!

College girl'sMom!e!

Oh welcome home sweetheart!

Did dad tell you how muchwe missed you?

Only for the last 300 miles.

Good, good, well let'sget you settled.

There's tons of foodin the kitchen.

It is so good to be home withmy folks and my little bro.

College is greatbut the food sucks.

I'm so excited for mom'sChristmas Eve dinner tonight.

The turkey smells so good!

Believe me you're goingto want seconds.

Jen,

Behow come you don't mindtosharing your parents with me?

It doesn't take anything awayfrom how they feel about me.

They have plenty of loveto go around.

It's just who they are.

But they hardly know me.

I mean, how couldthey love me?

Because they do.

You're worth being loved,Alex.

You know that right?

Are you going to go seeyour mom on Christmas?

No.

Or at least call her?

Do you ever talk to her?

I um, I write to her.

Well, that's good.

What's this?

I don't send the letters.

Why not?

You don't know how angryshe was Jen. the letters.

Especially when I went to courtto terminate her rights.

I abandoned her,just like she did to me

only she couldn't help it.

Neither could you.

Well, I don't thinkshe'll ever forgive me.

Of course she will,she's your mom.ou.

She loves youno matter what.

Come on, let's go.

Where to?

Let's go give your momthe best Christmas present

that she has ever had.

Jen, I can't.

Come on!

Come on!

Jen!

Nistor, apartment 103.

Wait, wait, wait, Jen!

What if she freaks out?

Come on Alex, we're here now,you can do this.

No, no, no, I can't Jen,please I can't,reaks out?

I'm not ready to see her,please!

Jen, please!

I'm sorry Alex,I didn't realize.

Do you want to leavethe letters?

No, this was a mistakecoming here.

Alright let's go.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Come here quick!

Alright which one's mine,which one's mine?

Well, well, it looks like SantaCowas generous this year, huh?

Okay, I want you bothto open these first.

That's for you.

Slow down.

What is it?What is it?

And that's for you.

Mom.

Do you like it?

This is awesome!

I cannot believe that yousaved all my old t-shirts!

I did, I did.

There's one from your tennisteam, your debate club

when you ran forstudent counsel

and a whole bunch of musicgroups I've never heard of.

Me neither.

I cannot wait to put this onmy bed in my dorm room!

Oh, I'm glad you like it,Merry Christmas sweetheart!

Well, how 'bout meI made it.

Yeah right, thank you.

I hope you like it, thinkof it as a family heirloom.

Something you can keepforever if you want.

It's amazing.

The letters spell outHarvard.

Thank you.

Your welcome.

Jen, just give hima minute.

This is a good thing,he should be happy.

I think he is.

He probably never had much ofa real Christmas growing up.

I'm sure it's just a bitoverwhelming for him.

Yeah.

Dear mom,

I heard you're out of the hospital.

I hope you're feeling better.

Even though I haven't seen you in a long time

I want you to know I think about you a lot and I miss you.

Here's my number in case you want to call sometime.

I hope you have a great holiday mom.

Love Alex.

Hello?

Alex?

Mom?

How are you?

I'm alright, much better being in my own place.

Is it nice?

Yes, yes, it is very nice.

Maybe you can comevisit me sometime?

Sure.

And um, is it alright where you are?

Yeah.

Yeah?

Are they good to you?

Very good.

Thank you for the card,it's beautiful,

and it means so muchto me.

I wish you were here mom,I miss you.

I miss you,Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Well, it all looks great.

Alex, we have a familytradition,

before we enjoy dinnerwe all like to share

what we're all thankful for.

If you feel like itI hope you join in.

I'll go first.

I'm thankful for sharingthis special time of year

with the three of you.

I'll go next, I am thankfulfor my beautiful family,

especially it's newestmember, Alex.

I'm grateful for my parents

who help me throughall the difficult times.

And my new iPad.

Umm, I'm thankful for havinga normal Christmas.

Well, okay, I like that,let's raise our glasses,

to a normal Christmas.

To a normal Christmas.

Okay, let's eat.

I'm starved.

But Mr. Bante, you didn'tneed to buy me a suit.

Alex, you're not going to weara t-shirt and jeans

to your high school graduation.

And what about yourcollege interviews?

It's too expensive.

Hey you let me worryabout that.

Hey!

You wanna go to promwith us?

Are you kidding?

No people go ingroups all the time--

Well, not everybody but...

Yeah, come on dude,it'll be a blast.

What's the theme again?

"It's a jungle out there."

Yeah, me Tarzan,she Jane, you Cheetah.

Very funny.

No seriously, will you go?

Sure.

Alright.

Well, how are you feelingabout your Harvard interview?

It's coming up,isn't' it?

31 hours and 14 minutes.

Don't worry you'll be fine.

Just remember,be yourself,

look 'em in the eye and givethem a firm handshake, okay?

Okay.

look 'em in the eye and givethe[cell phone ringing]okay?

Excuse me, Igotta take this.

There you go.

Mom calm down.

I can't understand you, okay?

Okay, don't worry about it;

I'll take care of it.

Thanks for coming.

I didn't know who elseto call.

Not a problem,what happened?

I don't know exactly.

I thought she was doing okay.

Now she's been evicted andnow she's back in the hospital.

Okay.

This is why I'm always afraidto let her back in my life.

Do the Bantes knowabout this?

I didn't wantto tell them.

Well, I'm pretty surethey'd want to help.

You okay Alex?

I should have beenthere for her.

I should have takencare of her.

You're just a kid.

You couldn't take careof her.

You need help.

You need to tell the Bantes.

Get them involved.

No, this is noneof their concern.

Yes, it is becauseyou're their concern.

That's the problem, Henry.

They want to help too much.

Because they care about you.

That's just the way momsand dads are, man.

I already have a mother.

Oh Alex, it's notthe Bantes fault

that your mom couldn'ttake care of you.

You gotta stop blaming them.

Everybody needs somebody.

Stop trying to act likeyou're different.

Alex, where have you been?

We've been worriedsick about you!

Are you alright?

It's my mom.

I need your help.

It's going to be okay.

She's in room 304.

We can go up anytime.

Do you want us to go inwith you?

Well, if you don't mindI'd like to go in alone.

Of course,we'll wait here.

Take as long as you want,okay?

Dr. Reynolds, you have a call at Nurse's station 2.

Dr. Reynolds, you have a call at Nurse's station 2.

Mom?

Sorry I never cameto see you.

I wrote to you.

I don't know whyI didn't send them

but I want you to havethem now.

I'm sorry abouteverything mom.

Alex.

Should we go talk to him?

Not right now.

He needs a little timeto deal

with whateverhappened back there.

His Harvard interviewis tomorrow.

Come on.

Come in.

I brought you somehot chocolate,

put little marshmallowsin it.

Jen likes it that way.

I thought maybeyou would too.

Thanks.

Here you go.

Anything else you need, Alex?

Anything at all?

No.

Okay.

I'm sorry Mrs. Bante.

Sorry for what?

You tried to do allthis nice stuff for me

and I couldn't handle it.

I wasn't used to it.

I know.

You thought I was tryingto take your mother's place.

You do all the thingsthat I needed her to do.

I feel guilty thinking thatyou were better at it

than she was.

Alex, your mother couldn'tgive you what you needed

but I know she triedas hard as she could.

How can you be so sure?

Because I know how mucha mother loves a child,

how much we wantto protect them.

And if we're unableto do that

it's because it's outof our control.

It's the worst feelingin the world.

I know your mother lovesyou Alex, I know it.

And so do I.

Rise and shine buddy,today's the big day.

Suzanne pressed your suit,picked out a tie,

and we're having French toastfor breakfast.

Alex, why aren't you dressed?

Yeah, your interviewis at 11:00.

It's all the wayacross town.

I'm not going.

What?

I mean, what's the point?

I've just been kidding myself.

Why would Harvardtake a kid like me?

I've been in and outof seven foster homes

and nothing ever works out

so why would this beany different?

I'll tell you why, Alex,

because you have a gift.

One that you inheritedfrom your mom,

and her of all peoplewould hate to see you

throw that gift away.

Did something happenat the hospital?

If you talk about itmaybe we can help.

Please.

When I was 10 and I sawher in the hospitaltfor the first time,

you know what really gotto me?

It was her hands.

At the time I calledthem her alligator hand

because she had themcurled up tight

against her chestlike this.

I saw those same hands againlast night.

After all these yearsnothing's changed.

She's never goingto get better

and it's always goingto be the same.

You can't give into that.

But what if I end uplike my mother?

Alex, that is not goingto happen.

I just wanted her to tell meI could do it.

She knows you can do it.

And so do we.

You know what, Alex,

we haven't asked a lot of youbut we're asking now.

Go upstairs,put that suit on

and let's get youto that interview.

Firm handshake, right?

That's right.

Alex Chivescu?

How do you do?

Please come on up,we've got lots to talk about.

Well, how'd it go?

I gave it my best shot.

That's my boy.

Come on.

Jim, it's here!

It's here?

Yeah.

It's hereNow before I open this,

there's a couple thingsI want to say.

Okay.

First, I respect you bothMr. and Mrs. Bante,

more than anyone elseI've ever known.

Second, I used to thinkthat this was everything.

Now I still hope I get in

but if I don't I'll gosomewhere else

because the thing is I alreadyhave what matters most,I get in

a family.

Alex, open it.

I made it.

What?

I made it!!!!!!!

Yeah!!!!!!

He's going to Harvard!

I gotta call Jen and Lucyand Danny!

Go, go, go!

He did it, Jim!

No, we did it.

That's good, right I got this.

Okay squeeze in you guys, squeeze in.

Alright Eagle Creek gradssay 2009.

2009!

That's good that's good,one more,

one more, 2009.

2009!

Oh man!

I don't believe it,

I'll be right back.

I can't believe youguys came!

My man, of coursewe came!

We couldn't missthis party!

Listen, you need any helpwith that college algebra

you know who to call.

Yeah, how've you been,Carlos?

I'm good.

I'm working, goingto community college

Yeah?I'm good.

Taking classes in welding.

You 'otta see this guywith a blowtorch.

I'm awesome.

Yeah, I bet you are.

Um, excuse me.

I am so proud of you.

Thank you.

Thanks for coming, mom.

I wouldn't missthis for the world.

I read your letters,

It really means a lot to methat you wrote them.

I'm sorry I nevermailed them.

No, Alex I'm sorry.

I'm so very sorryyou had to go through

Noeverything you went through.

It wasn't your fault, mom.

Thanks for that.

Anyway, I got you something.

This is on loan until you getone of your own from Harvard,

and I know you will.

I just want you to knowthat whatever I become,

whatever I achieveis because of you.

I love you mom.

I love you too.

Congratulations.