All language subtitles for Highway to Heaven S03E01 A Special Love (1)_Subtitles01.ENG

[gentle music]

[upbeat music]

You sure it's all
right, my stopping off

and seeing Scotty and Diane?

I told you, no problem.

Yeah, but we're supposed
to start this new assignment.

Yeah, I'll stop
off at the hospital.

I'll get all the
information for us.

Hospital?

I thought we were
going to be coaches.

We are.

Oh, great.

Boy, that's right up my alley.

Did I ever tell you that I was
on the All City Police squad

for--

Two years in a row.

--two years in a row.

You know what they called me?

Magic Fingers Gordon.

Must have mentioned
that before, huh?

About 372 times
since we first met.

I think your record was seven
times during the Super Bowl

last year.

But we're not coaching football.

It's track and field.
- Track and field?

That's great.

Do you know that I ran the 110--

10.9.

I must have
mentioned that, too.

Mm-hmm.

You know what they called me?

Express Train Gordon.

[imitates train whistle]

[laughing]

Track and field.

That's right up my alley.

I hope we get some
good material.

You know, some kids are special.

Well, all of these kids are.

We're coaching Special Olympics.

Special Olympics?

Mm-hmm.

Oh, I don't know if I'm cut
out for something like that.

Well, you just said it
was right up your alley.

I know, I know,
but I thought you

were talking about normal kids.

These kids are-- well, you know.

Retarded.

Yeah.

I mean, what can they do?

You know, it's--
it's sort of sad.

Why?

Because they're not
as smart as you and I?

Well, yeah.

All right, compared
to Albert Einstein,

you and I are retarded.

Feel particularly
sad about that, too?

I guess you're right.

[chuckles]

The hospital's right up there.

[gentle music]

I'll see you over at Dan's.

Right.

Drive carefully.

Oh, yeah.

[gentle music]

Here are your
coaches' manuals.

Oh, thanks very much.

I'm sure you and your friend
will work out just fine.

Where is Mark anyway?

Oh, he stopped off
to see his cousin.

To tell you the truth, I
think he's a little afraid

about coaching these kids.

[chuckles] Let me
tell you something.

That's the best kind.

He'll spend some
time with these kids.

And, well, we kind of
have an inside joke

when we get a new coach
that's afraid like that.

They spend one afternoon
with our athletes,

and we go like this.

[laughs] They're
Hooked You know?

I'm sure that's the
way it'll be with Mark.

It's just going to
take a little time.

That's all.
- Yeah.

Speaking of time,
I've got a class.

We'll get in touch
with you tomorrow.

You'll go through
our training school

and then you'll jump right in.

Thanks.

Sounds good.

You, uh, have the
games every four

years just like the Olympics?

We do have international
games every four years,

but Special Olympics is a
year-round sports program with

training and competition
in 22 different

summer and winter sports.

You're going to be amazed.

People always are when they see
the skill and courage of people

with mental retardation.

Oh, I know.

One of the saddest
things is you'll--

you'll see somebody.

A kid that's worked really
hard in school and gets

placed in a regular class
with non-handicapped kids,

they're able to
do the class work.

Down on the playground,
they're the ones

standing alone with no
friends or sitting on a bench

all by themselves.

There's a kid named
Todd then I would

love to get into the program.

We got a referral
from his teacher,

and I've tried a
couple of times.

Maybe you could give it a try.

Hey, I'd be happy to.

Well, I've got to be going.

It was nice meeting you.

And I'll get you Todd's address.

Thanks very much.

HOSPITAL ANNOUNCER: Dr. Lanigan,
please report to emergency.

Dr. Lanigan, report
to emergency.

Hey, Scotty, you
old ambulance chaser.

How are you doing?

Jonathan, what are
you doing down here?

Well, Mark and I got to
work around here for a while.

What are you doing here?

Seeing the doc about my test
results, sperm count and such.

I'm nervous as hell.

You want some company?

You bet.

I'm heading thataway.

You got it.

How's the law business?

Hey, I'm Perry
Mason on wheels.

What can I tell you?

How's Diane doing?

She's.

Great too great.

I wish we could get a little
morning sickness going here,

you know?

I mean, I guess you already
know about it from Mark.

I think Diane's mother
puts out a newsletter.

Nah, you and Diane haven't
been trying for that long,

have you?
- No.

But you know, when
you're in a chair,

you kind of wonder
what other parts

don't work the way they should.

Oh, you and Diane are
going to make great parents.

If there's any problem, there's
all kinds of alternatives.

Yeah, yeah, I know.

But it's like the old
commercial, "Mother, please.

I'd rather do it myself."

Ah, here we are.

Ah, well, here you go.

Cross your fingers for me.

You got it, buddy.

Here's some hot coffee.

Ah, thank you.

What time is it?

Mm.

4:45.

I'm worried about Scotty.

Why?

I mean, he's feeling
OK, isn't he?

Oh, he's fine.

I'm just worried
about how he's going

to feel if the tests
show he's got a problem

and he can't have any kids.

Yeah.

But you know, today with
artificial insemination,

you can almost pick the
kind of kid you want.

Yeah.

But the kind of kid he
wants is a little Scotty,

and that's what I want, too.

[chuckles] Oh, Mark.

It just doesn't seem fair.

I mean, he's been
through so much already.

[sighs] Why can't God give
him a break this time?

Eh, maybe he will.

Yeah.

Yeah, maybe.

(SINGING) Ya,
da de, de, de, de.

De, de, de, de, de, de.

Ya, de, de, de, de, de, da, da.

Scotty, what?

Look who I found.

Hello!

Jonathan, hi!

- Diane, how are you?
- Good.

Oh, it's good to see you.

Oh.

Oh, it's good to see you.

Well, where have you been?

I was getting worried.

Wrong question.

What's the right question?

How are you?

Fine.

No, no, my dear.

"How are you?" is
what you ask me?

How are you?

All in good time.

And now, let's see what Jonathan
has behind door number one.

Well, let's see right behind
door number one, we have--

[laughs]

And just to show that I'm
not a sexist, chauvinist pig,

you hit it, Johnny boy.

Ta-da.

Now ask me how I am again.

You mean?

Yes, ma'am, I'm potent,
brimming over with virility,

a veritable stallion on wheels.

The bottom line is we
can make a baby, baby.

Scotty, [laughs] a baby.

[chattering]

Oh, boy.

A little nervous, huh?

Yeah a little.

It'll pass.

Believe me.

They're great kids.

You're going to love them.

OK, everybody, listen up.

This is Mark Gordon, your coach.

Let's give him a big hi, Mark!

Hi, Mark!

OK, Coach.

You're on your own.

Hi, guys.

Now, listen.

When I call your name, you
just-- uh, you stay here, OK?

Ah.

Jimmy?

Here.

Uh, Mary Beth?

I am here.

[laughs]

And Kyle?

Kyle?

All right.

Kyle-- Kyle's not here.

Kyle, right over here.

Kyle, when I call your
name, you say here, OK?

Kyle, when I call your
name, you answer up, OK?

He can't speak any.

Right.

OK.

Do you have to
go to the bathroom?

Uh, why do you ask me that?

You can't stand still.

Oh, well.
That?

I get it.

I'm just a little nervous.

I don't have to go to bathroom.

How come?

How come what?

How come you're very nervous?

[sighs] Well, I'm--

I'm just nervous,
you know, that I

won't be a good coach for you.

Actually, I'm scared
to death I won't

be a good coach for you guys.

Do you know that you're old?

What, old?

That's what we say
in Special Olympics.

"Let me win.

But if I cannot win, let
me be brave in my attempt."

Oh, yeah.

I should have remembered
that from the trading school.

That's OK.

We learn slow, too.

You have to try, so.

Yeah, you're right.

You're right, and I will.

I'll try.

[upbeat music, cheering]

Way to go!

[upbeat music]

[gun bangs]

[upbeat music]

[whistle blows]

Ah!

[upbeat music]

OK, who's next?

[applauding]

[cheering]

Way to go!

[gun bangs]

[upbeat music]

[whistle blows]

[upbeat music]

[cheering]

[upbeat music]

OK.

Here we go.

[cheering]

Come on!

[laughs] Come on.

You're going to get it.

Come on!

[upbeat music]

[whistle blows]

[upbeat music]

Ah, that's right.

That's right.

[upbeat music]

[laughing]

I'm sorry, Diane.

I wish I had better news.

All this time we thought--

well, I thought it was Scotty.

Isn't there something I can
do, some kind of operation?

Some-- some thing?

You could get
a second opinion,

but I think the answer
will still be the same.

I can't--

I can't ever have a baby?

I'm sorry.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[toy beeps melodically]

It's my turn, Scott.

Not it.

I want a turn.

You won't get one.

You always cheat.

You're a bad sport, Mary Beth.

Excuse me.

Are you Mrs. Burke?

Yes.

My name is Jonathan Smith.

I'm with Special Olympics.

Oh!

Nice to meet you, Mr. Smith.

You're here about Todd.

Right.

Yeah, we got a referral
from his teacher.

She said she thought he could
get a lot of Special Olympics.

She's.

Right if you can get
him in that program,

it would be the
best thing for them.

But-- and an awful big if--

Matt Roarke was out
here several times.

Tommy just don't want
anything to do with it.

Tommy doesn't want anything
to do with anything right now.

What's he like to you?

He'll get his way,
watch TV all day long.

Sounds like a
lot of other kids.

Well.

it's more than that with Todd.

It's his way of escape.

Thirteen's a difficult
age for any kid,

but for one who's
mentally retarded,

it's even harder,
especially with his peers,

the other kids in the school.

I thought that'd be
all the more reason they

want to be in special needs.

It'd be a chance
to prove to himself

he can do it, plus make friends.

You don't have to convince me.

You gotta convince Todd.

What about his parents?

Well they gave him up
to foster care years ago.

That's what they were
encouraged to do.

They pay his bills, but they
haven't seen him in years.

Today, it's different.

We encourage families
not to give up

their retarded
children, and that's

what's good about
the Special Olympics,

what it does to the families.

It gives them such
a sense of pride.

Whereas before maybe
there was only despair.

Why me?

JONATHAN: Oh.

Come on.

Let me take you up
to Tommy's room.

Hi.

It's free time.

I-I don't have to do anything.

Miss Burke said so.

Yeah, that's
fine with me, Todd.

I just wanted to talk to you.

My name is Jonathan.

I don't want to talk!

[clicks tongue] Can I come in?

No.

[clicks tongue] Anybody home?

No.

Well, then who
keeps saying no?

N-n-nobody.

Well, I'll bet
it's not nobody.

I'll bet it's somebody.

Go-- go away.

How come?

'C-cause I'm mean.

Well, I bet you're
not as mean as me.

I-I-I am, too.

Yeah?

How mean?

Real mean.

Show me how mean you are.

I mean, can you-- can you
make a mean face or something?

Oh, come on.

That's not mean.

I'll show you mean, huh?

Look at this.

[growls]

Oh-- oh-- oh, yeah?

Look at this.

Oh, yeah?

Look at this.

Mm?

O-oh, yeah?

L-look at this.

Ew, OK.

All right, you're right.

You win.

That's the meanest face
I ever saw in my life.

[chuckles] You're
pretty good at that.

But I'd bet there's a lot
of things you're good at.

Look, I'm a Special
Olympics coach.

We'd sure like to
have you come down

and find out some other
things you're good at.

I-I-I'm not good at nothing.

I'm done.

Oh, man.

I don't think you're dumb.

Then you're dumb.

I haven't been
mean to you, Todd.

Please don't be mean to me.

Then-- then go away.

I-I don't want to do nothing.

I can't do nothing,
a-and you can't make me.

Well, you're right
about that, son.

I can't make you.

You have to want to.

W-w-well, I don't.

[somber music]

G-go away.

OK.

[somber music]

I hope this roast
isn't too burned.

Are you kidding?

I love it.

It's like that Cajun style
when they seer everything.

What do you call that?

Burnt roast?

JONATHAN: [laughs]

MARK: Very funny, very funny.

Listen, I was thinking.

Now you guys said if you
had a kid, if it was a boy,

you were going to
name it after me.

But what if it's a girl?

So I said to myself,
what do we do then?

So I thought of the best name
in the world for a little girl.

Marquette.

Huh?

Huh?

What do you think?

Marquette.

That sounds like a place
where you buy groceries.

[laughs] He's right.

Mark, if it's a boy,
you'll be the namesake.

But you better leave the
naming of the girl up to Diane.

MARK: OK, OK.

So what have you picked?

I hope it at least
starts with an M. Diane?

mean, what's wrong?

We aren't going to
have any children.

We can't.

What are you talking about?

All my tests came out fine.

It's not you, Scotty.

It's me.

I can't have any children.

Is this some kind
of joke or what?

Does-- does this
sound like a joke?

When did you find out?

Today.

I'm sorry.

Me and my big mouth.

I'm sorry.

Well, it's a tough break, but
it's not the end of the world.

What?

"It's a tough break, but it's
not the end of the world,"

like this is no big deal?

I didn't mean it that
way and you know it.

Well, you thought it was
a pretty big deal when you

couldn't have kids, wasn't it?

Wasn't it a big deal?

All right.

It is a big deal, but
it's not my fault.

Why are you taking it out--
- That's right.

That's right.

It's not your fault, so
it's not your problem.

Right?

Well, it is my problem, Scotty.

It's very much my problem!

[tense music]

[door slams]

Um, I'm sorry,
but you better go.

Yeah.

Mark?

Take that baby stuff with you.

[somber music]

[gentle music]

Well, just give it some time.

He'll come around.

Look, Diane.

You knew he was stubborn
when you married him.

Yeah, OK.

I'll call you later.

[sighs]

How's she doing?

She's down.

I can't say I blame her.

They really got into it
last night after we left.

She mentioned adoption.

Scotty went through the ceiling.

Hey, come on.

Don't blame it all on Scotty.

You saw the way she got
on his case last night.

She's feeling a lot of
guilt. They're both talking,

but nobody's listening.

Yeah.

Man, but why do
things like this have

to happen to people like them?

I mean, I know couples who
spit out babies like BBs.

They don't give a
damn about them.

Here are two people dying to
have a kid and they can't.

If they want a
child bad enough,

they're going to have one.

Well I hope so.

Come on.
We better go.

Yeah.

Why don't you head on
over to the practice field?

I'll meet you there later.

What's up?

Ah, I just want to stop by
Scotty's office for a moment.

You want me to go along?

No.

You know how sometimes
it's easy to talk

without a relative in the room?

No matter what you say,
Scotty's going to think

you're siding with Diane.

I'll see you at practice.

All right.

JONATHAN: They pay you $100 an
hour to look out the window?

Where's Mark?

I figured Diane would send
all the troops in force.

Diane doesn't
even know I'm here.

But you've talked to her.

Mark did.

Well what I told her
last night is final.

We're not going to
adopt, and that's it.

Oh, your decision is final?

That's right.

Hey, it must be
good to be king.

What happens if Diane
disagrees with you?

You just drop her
head off or what?

I'm not in the mood for
your humor right now, OK?

Why did you want to have
a child in the first place?

For the same reason
anyone wants to have kids.

I'm no different.

Ah, but you are different.

You're in a wheelchair.

What are you getting at?

Just that maybe you wanted
to have a child that looked

exactly like you,
a little Scotty

who could run and play and do
all the things you couldn't do.

Yeah I wanted to have a kid
who could do all those things.

What's wrong with that?

JONATHAN: Nothing.

The child doesn't have to look
like you to do those things.

I don't want to
adopt, and that's

really all there is to it.

Why not?

Hey, I don't owe
you an explanation.

No, you don't know me one.

But what about Diane?

That's our business
and not yours.

Hey, I'm sorry to
question you, King.

I think you better go.

Fine.

It's a good thing you
asked me to leave.

If we'd have kept
talking, you might

have to tell me the truth about
why you don't want to adopt.

You might have to tell me
that you're filled with pain

and anger and you blame Diane.

It's all her fault. And this
is a great way to get even,

isn't it?

You don't know a damn thing.

You know that?

Really?

If the shoe was
on the other foot

and you were the one that
couldn't have children,

would you have adopted then?

[door closes]

[vacuum humming]

[sighs] This carpet
needs a good shampooing.

Diane?

One of the problems I have
is that when we have a fight,

I can't play the big love scene
like they do in the movies

and gently take you in my
arms and turn your face to me.

Please look at me.

I hurt you last night, and--

and-- and-- and I wanted to.

You see, I fell into that damn
trap of feeling that no one

could suffer as much as I do.

And I wanted you to because
inside, oh, hell, I don't know.

I guess I'm just a damn jerk.

But I want to live my life
with you, grow old with you,

raise children with you.

And if we can't have
a child of your womb,

then let's have a
child of our heart.

You mean adopt?

Yeah.

Oh.

Scotty, I love you.

I love you, too.

[chuckles]

[gun bangs]

[chattering]

[cheering]

Hey, I think you're getting
faster than your old man, huh?

Oh, he already is.

I guarantee it.

Your kid's doing
great, isn't he?

Yeah, he sure is.

All right, your stay you this
lane, get faster all the time.

He's really proud of himself.

We're proud of him, too.

Roarke, get your stuff.

That's all for today.

What a sweet kid.

Yeah, I know.

Has he, uh, has he been
able to say anything?

I mean, have you heard
him say anything at all?

Well, no, nothing yet.

But he's trying real hard.

That's the main thing.

He'll talk one of these days.

One of these days,
the light will go on.

And he'll say Mama.

I just know it.

[chuckles] Hey!

Hey!

You all set?

Oh, bye, Mark, and thanks.

No, no, no.

That's the other way around.

Thank you for letting
me know your kid.

We'll see ya.

Come on, honey.

That was a great--
Take care now!

Bye-bye!

Well, how's it going, Coach?

As a matter of fact,
It is going great!

[laughs]

Hey, take a look.

Hey, it's Scotty and Diane.

What are you two
doing down here?

We came down to see thanks.

For what?

We've just come back
from the adoption agency.

That's great!

[laughs] Oh!

They have a list of
forms to fill out there

that you wouldn't believe.

Well, how long will it take?

Oh, it's hard to say because
there's such a long wait

for healthy newborns.

They said, what,
about three years?

Hey, if I was a kid and I
needed a family, I'd say you

two are worth waiting for.

Well, like I said,
I just wanted to thank

you for that talk you gave me.

Yeah, my advice is just0
like yours, Counselor.

It comes with a price.

You name it.

All right.

Diane, if you don't
mind, I want to borrow

your husband for a few hours.
- Sure.

Uh, can you drop me off at home?

You got it.

OK.

Let's go, Counselor.
- Hey, hey.

What's the hat for?

I'll tell you on the way.

I am so happy!

Oh!

That's great!

[upbeat music]

Hi, Todd.

Who are you?

My name's Scotty.

A friend of mine asked
me to come and see you.

His name is Jonathan.

He's a coach at the
Special Olympics.

Remember?

Yeah.

What is that thing?

It's a control that
makes my wheelchair

go forward when I want it to.

It helps me get around.

W-what do you need it for?

Because I can't
move my arms or legs.

Does it hurt?

What?

Your arms and legs?

No, they just don't work.

I hear you told
Jonathan you don't

want to be in Special Olympics.

I'm not going to, either,
and you can't make me.

I hear you told him you don't
want to be in Special Olympics

because you said you
can't do anything.

Is that right?

Y-yeah.

You see this baseball
cap on my head?

Yeah.

It's pretty nice, isn't it?

Yeah.

Why don't you take it
off my head and try it on?

Come on.

Yeah, it fits great.

You keep it.

Thanks.

How come you don't want
to be in Special Olympics?

Because kids make fun of me.

Oh, yeah?

I've had some kids make
fun of me in my life.

Why?

Because I'm in this chair.

Kids can be mean.

Yeah, they can.

But I'll tell you something.

The kids in Special
Olympics aren't mean.

You know why?

Because everybody's
training to do their best.

Everyone is important.

Everyone is special like you.

Are-- are you special?

Yeah.

[chuckles] Yeah, I guess I am.

We both special.

Right.

That's why we have
to stick together.

See, Todd, I bought that
cap when I thought I

was going to have a little boy.

And I was going to save that
cap until the little boy was

old enough to be able to
run and jump and play.

And then I was going to give
the cap to that little boy.

You know why?

Why?

So I could watch him.

So I could watch that
little boy when he ran,

and when he jumped, and
when he played, and it would

be almost like I was
out there running,

and jumping, and playing.

And he'd probably be able to
run twice as fast because he'd

be running for both of us then.

What happened
to the little boy?

Well, he was never
born, and he never

will be born because
my wife and I

can't have children of our own.

So I want to ask you
to do something for me.

What?

I want you to take that cap.

And I want you to go
down to Special Olympics

and put that cap on and run
just as fast as you can,

so fast you'll feel the
wind whip past your ears.

So fast those mean kids
who made fun of you

and me won't even
be able to see you.

They'll just see a
blur go whizzing by.

But I'll be able to see you.

I'll be up in those stands, and
I'll see you with that cap on.

It'll be almost like
seeing me run down there.

And I'll be shouting just as
loud as I can, come on, Todd!

And when it's over,
you'll tell me

what it's like, what it's
like to run that fast and hear

a-- a whole stadium
full of people

cheering and calling your
name because that's something

I'll never be able to do.

But that's something
that you can do.

All you have to do is
we want it and try.

Can you do that, Todd?

I could do that.

OK.

All right.

Off we go then!

[cheering]

Here we go!

[applauding]

Go.

CHILD: Come on, Sam!

[cheering]

Come on.

Go fast!

Hi, Kyle.

Hi.

Look, there's somebody
I want you to meet.

This is Todd.

Hi.

Can't you talk?

Well, you see, uh, Kyle
hasn't learned to talk yet,

but he's working
really hard on it

like you're going to be learning
about running, you know?

Kyle already knows that.

He knows about the--
the starting position,

how to stay in his own
lane, how to break the tape

at the end of the race.

So I'll tell you what we're
going to do from now on.

What we're going to
do is we're going

to use the buddy system here.

You guys know what that is?

Well, that means you're going
to be buddies, you know?

You're going to be friends.

I mean, each of you
has got something

the other one needs to learn,
so you can teach each other.

You can help Kyle
with his words.

Kyle can help you with
the track stuff, OK?

OK.

OK.

What do you say we have
a little race now, find

out what kind of speed you got?

All right, come on, Kyle.

Let's show him the
starting position.

All right.

On your mark-- get down there.

Down, down, down.

Gets set.

Bring it up.

All right, Todd.
Come on.

You try it.

Come on!

All right.

On your mark, set--

Todd, get your head up.

Go!

[upbeat music]

WOMAN: Go, Todd!

Let's go!

Come on!

You got the boy.

Whoo!

Hey!

Is that your son out there,
the one with the cap?

Well, the cap is mine.

The boy is just a friend.

[upbeat music]

[laughs] Way to run, guys!

Way to run!

[upbeat music]

All right, everybody out!

Thank you, Jonathan.

My pleasure, Mary Beth.

Sc-scotty is
going to be my dad.

What?

Scotty and Diane.

They're going to be my family.

They're going to come and
take me to their home,

and I'm going to live with
them a-and be their little boy.

Yeah, well, Todd, did
Scotty tell you that?

He said he wanted
to have a little boy.

Well, Todd, I
know what he said.

He-- he gave me
his cap because he

doesn't have a little boy.

So he gave me the cap, a-and
I'll be his little boy.

Oh.

Now, look, Todd.

It's not that simple.

Yes it is.

I-it's simple.

No, it isn't.

Now, look.

Scotty likes you very much.

He wants to be your friend.

So does Diane.

B-but they want a little
boy, a-and I'm a little boy.

And me and Scotty are special.

He said so.

Yeah, you're
special, all right.

Pick you up for
practice tomorrow, OK?

OK.

Hey, Todd?

You did great today.

Because I'm running
for Scotty, too.

[gentle music]

Dr. Bryant?

Yes?

My name is Jonathan Smith.

Smith.

You're the new
patient, aren't you?

Oh, no.
No, sir.

I'm with Special Olympics.

Oh.

Oh, I see.

Uh, well, if you can
leave, uh, some literature

and some envelopes, I'm sure we
can make some sort of donation.

No.

Uh, that's very
kind of you, Doctor.

But I'm not here for a donation.

I'm here because
your son has just

enrolled in Special
Olympics, and we

try to encourage as much family
participation as possible.

I. See How-- how is he doing?

Well, today was his first day,
but I think he's doing fine.

He just needs a lot of
encouragement, you know?

Well, they're--
they're very good

at the group foster care home.

I know.

But I was kind of
hoping you and your wife

could come out and watch him
run in practice a little bit

or at least same race
in Special Olympics.

I, uh, appreciate you
coming down here, Mr. Smith.

Uh, and I'm glad that-- that
Todd is able to participate.

I'm sure it'll be
very good for him.

The truth is is that we haven't
seen Todd in a number of years.

And I don't think it would
be good for him to pop back

into his life for a track meet.

I-I understand that, Doctor.

Let me-- let me
finish, Mr. Smith.

We have, uh, two other children.

And when we found out that
Todd was retarded, we--

we consulted the best
people in the field.

If there was any hope that
something could be done, it--

but there isn't any hope.

He's retarded, and that's that.

[somber music]

We, uh, [sighs] we can't take
care of him as well as they

can.

I mean, that's what they
told us, the doctors.

We tried.

We have two other children
who need us, too, so it--

it just wasn't fair to them,
and it wasn't fair to him.

So, uh, we placed him
in a foster care home,

but it wasn't an easy
decision, Mr. Smith.

I'm sure it wasn't, Doctor.

We did what was best for
our family and best for him.

Now I-- I won't upset that and
reopen a lot of old wounds.

I-- it wouldn't be good
for him, and it-- it

wouldn't be good for us.

Excuse me.

[gentle music]

Mr. Smith, thank you for what
you're doing for the boy.

I mean, I'm glad that he's
able to get some joy out

of his life at least.

Goodbye, Doctor.

[gentle music]

Great.

Just great.

Just what I needed.

Well, I just thought
you ought to know

what he's been thinking, so
the next time you see him--

The next time I see him?

There isn't going
to be a next time.

Scotty, you just can't
drop the kid like that.

That's the only
thing I can do.

I know what disappointments
are all about.

I'm not going to build
the kid up for something

that can't possibly happen.

Well, maybe it can happen.

What are you talking about?

Well, you know, he's--
he's such a sweet kid.

And, well, I've been thinking.

There-- there are so many
different kinds of parents

waiting to adopt
a healthy newborn.

And a boy like Todd
really needs someone.

Yeah, but we don't need him.

Maybe you do.

Don't get serious,
Jonathan, and you, too, Diane.

His own family gave him up.

The child is retarded.

How would we take care of him?

Well, nothing is more
dependent than an infant.

How would we take
care of an infant?

Well, an infant grows up.

Oh.

Well, if that's what you want,
why don't we adopt an adult?

We could always adopt Mark.

You can't afford to feed him.

Very funny.

I am serious here.

There is no way we
can adopt that kid.

We don't even know him.

Honestly, Diane.

You see a kid and two seconds
later, you want to adopt him.

I just have a special
feeling about him.

That's all.

Well, your feeling
doesn't seem to take

into consideration the facts.

There are practical
considerations here.

Scotty, there were
practical considerations when

I fell in love with you, too.

I'm not saying that we
should jump into this,

but well, I was
thinking, maybe we

could have him over for a
weekend and get to know him.

I don't want to
get to know him.

I don't want to hurt him,
and I don't want to hurt us.

Jonathan, you asked me why
I wanted to have a kid,

and you were right.

Part of it was to see him do
all the things I can't, but part

of it was to share
whatever I have with him.

I can't share my
body with a kid.

I can't go out and chuck
the ball around with him,

but I can sure in my mind.

I have a championship mind.

That's what I have to give.

That's all I have.

What could I give
to a kid like Todd?

Love.

Everything in life
can't be answered

by that one word, Jonathan.

It was for me, Scotty.

He is mentally handicapped.

I am physically handicapped.

Why can't you see that?

Look, I don't want
to hurt the kid.

You tell him I'll go
to the big track meet,

the Special
Olympics, whatever it

is, when he runs his race
as a friend, as a buddy,

and that's all.

I am not going to pick him up
and show up at practice and all

the rest of what he wants.

Well, I am.

What?

You heard me.

I am.

Yeah?

Well, I say you're not.

Scotty, ever since
I've known you,

you've wanted to be considered
the same as any man.

What's that got
to do with anything?

Well, tonight you've
achieved your goal.

You are as much of
a chauvinist jerk

as any man I've ever known.

I love you Scotty, but I won't
take your macho junk any more

than I would some other man's.

Goodnight.

[door slams]

[sighs]

Todd, come on!

[whistle blows]

[chattering]

Todd, come on!

[sniffles]

W-w-why doesn't Scotty
ever come down to practice?

Oh, Todd.

Todd, he doesn't want
to build you up to think

that he's going to be your dad.

He just wants to be your friend.

But why doesn't he
want to be my dad?

Oh.

But w-why?

I, uh, I think he's scared.

I-i-i-it's-- it's
because I'm dumb.

I-i-it's because-- because
I'm dumb, isn't it?

Todd, no.

It isn't.

Listen to me.

I think he's scared that,
uh, that if we adopt you,

he'll lose me on the way.

I-- I really think
that's a big part of it.

He's afraid that I won't have
enough time left for him.

And it's not just because
he's in a wheelchair

and I have to do a
lot of things for him.

I think that's what any man
feels whenever a new child

comes into the family.

B-but I-I wouldn't
be any trouble.

I promise.

I-I can make my bed, I-- and
I wouldn't leave my toys out.

He-- he could even ask
Mrs. Burke at the home.

I-I can make my bed.

Oh, I know you
wouldn't be any trouble.

And I'm sure you'd
help out at home, but--

but--

I-I got a show
that I can do stuff.

I got-- I got to show him
I wouldn't be any trouble.

T-Todd, it isn't that simple.

Yes, it is.

It is.

Simple if I win the
race, he'll know.

He'll see me with his
hat, and then you'll know.

Todd, where are you going?

I-I got to go back
and practice some

more so I can win the race.

Th-then he'll know.

Todd!

[gentle music]

[upbeat music]

[chiming]