(church bell tolling)
%%
(siren)
When the call came in I was thinking
Multiples from the accident.
No, there's just one.
My wife met a drop-dead gorgeous girl at the office.
Why are you always trying to fix me up?
I'm your friend.
I'm looking out for you.
You work too hard.
Well, you can't have a relationship
And this job at the same time.
Works for me.
Well, let's go, William, duty calls.
All right, let's get him into x-Ray.
Let's go, let's go.
This kid got a name?
Sean Addison, 19 years old.
Two-car collision on the interstate.
X-rays?
Both legs are broken.
His pelvis is fractured.
But he's awake and responding --
His ultrasound is positive, his abdomen's pretty tight,
He's a tough kid.
I'm worried about that internal bleeding.
Hey, how you doing?
That's a dumb question.
Doc, it's real important to my mom
That I get home in time for Christmas.
Let's do this: Let's get you home for Christmas.
Anesthesiologist: Okay, Sean,
I want you to start counting back from ten for me.
Ten, nine, eight...
Get him protamine.
Damn it!
I need to get a clamp on the iliac to grab it.
It's okay, it's okay.
It's not okay.
Come on, Sean, c'mon, hang in there.
More surgicel and gelfoam.
We need a sponge.
We're losing volume, we need pressure.
Get two units of blood.
The bleeding's out of control!
We are losing pressure.
Come on, Sean, come on, hang in there.
We're losing him, we're losing pressure!
Sponge.
Nurse: Doctor?
Doctor!
Come on, Sean, come on.
Damn it!
Nathan?
Nathan!
(water running)
You did everything you could, we all did.
I can't do this anymore.
It's not your fault.
I blew it.
Look, every surgeon has gone through
What you're going through.
I lost him.
Things go wrong, things beyond our control.
You don't understand,
I promised this kid I'd have him home for Christmas.
I understand there's a family sitting out there
We have to help through this.
I lost him.
Give me your wallet.
Whoa!
Hey, dad.
What are you doing here?
I'm just taking a few weeks off from the hospital.
You're on vacation?
Well, I'm a little burnt out, but yeah, sure, I'm on vacation.
Wilsonville's not my idea of a vacation,
But, you know, whatever turns your crank.
What, can't a guy take some time off and bond with the old man?
Bond?
Are you feeling all right?
Shoes...They would be...
Ah.
(sighs)
Man on CD: Como esta usted.
Como esta usted?
Yo estoy bien.
Mui bien.
Aww...
(Spanish continues indistinct)
(laughs)
Ah, disculpe.
Trabajas tu aqui?
Eschuche me.
Eschucha me?
Trabajas tu aqui?
I'm sorry, I don't speak...I wish I did.
I really wish I did.
I got it, I got it, I got it dad.
I got it, I got it.
Can I...
Ah, si, si, si.
These books are a mess.
Let me see the Bill, Jack.
You're family, I'm not going to charge you.
I just want to see it.
It's in here somewhere -- I'll stick it in the mail.
I know this lady at church, Lydia.
Smart as a whip!
She's got half the businesses in town online.
Nice lady.
Lost her husband about six years ago, sings in the church choir.
I'll call her.
Okay, okay.
(Spanish on CD player)
Como se llamo usted?
Me llamo Meghan.
Hey, ma'am, you just picked up a nail, but you're good to go.
Yo pienso tengo un poco dinero?
No, no, no money.
No dinero.
Just come back as a future customer, that's good enough.
Bueno.
(car starts)
You're cute, Mr. Mechanic.
Muchas gracias!
Well, I'll be.
Hi, grandma.
Don't call me that.
What are you doing here?
I'm just taking a little time off.
Well, don't take too much time off.
When I need my coronary bypass I want you to operate.
The older you get, the more you remind me of your mother.
We just lost one of our
After-school playground volunteers
Over at the elementary school.
Oh, sorry, I'm just here on vacation.
So, when you're on vacation,
That means you can't help little kids?
I'll call the school and tell them to expect you.
And don't be late.
Yes, ma'am.
Dad, have you seen mom's Christmas shoes?
What?
Her red shoes, I've looked everywhere for them.
They're on the top shelf in the closet.
I checked there.
Son, I don't know.
Well, think!
Aw, jeez.
What?
They might have got mixed in with some stuff I donated.
Going to the church.
Damn it!
Man: I already signed you up, so you're all set.
Are we still going to move to Alaska and go fishing?
As soon as I save up the money.
(bell rings)
Dad, will you walk me to my class?
I got work to do.
Please?
Hey, don't screw around after school, okay?
We're lucky to get a couple of jobs
After only being here for a week.
I need your help today.
Two blocks down this street -- big gray house on the corner.
Okay.
Feeling all right?
Yeah.
Now that I have everyone's attention,
We're going to play a game.
The game is called spotlight,
And today in the spotlight we have...
Hola mejor Jose,
O, Clara, no.
Va hacer Charlie Bennett.
Stand up, Charlie.
Charlie is new to the school and the community,
So, tell us a little bit about yourself, Charlie.
Where did you live before you came to Wilsonville?
Well, my dad and I moved here from Rockville,
And before that we were in silver spring, Maryland,
Before that, Indiana.
My dad works on big estates so that's why we move a lot.
Hey dork, there's no estates in Wilsonville.
Okay, buddy, that's enough.
Very good, Charlie.
Sasha, could you flip the lights for me?
Now, who can tell me what cinco de mayo means?
Cinco de may-o is Mexican mayonnaise.
(class laughs)
Okay, uh, Charlie.
Mexico's independence.
Exactly right, Charlie.
It's actually one of the biggest holidays in Mexico,
And speaking of the holidays,
We all know that the holidays are about family and friends,
So, I want you all to start thinking about
Writing a paper on someone who's important to you,
Someone special.
Maybe even a family member,
And don't forget it's due on December 15.
(bell rings)
Okay, gracias, everybody.
Class: Gracias.
Marty James got the chicken pox, so we're one man down.
So what do we want to do?
I can take both of these guys.
No, you have to play two on two.
How can...
Hey, what's your name?
Charlie.
Charlie, do you want to play?
We're a man down.
Sure.
All right, it's you two against you two.
Buddy, you're first.
All right, here we go, two on two.
(whistle blows)
Whoa, steal!
Nicely done.
(boys chattering)
Oh, well done!
Very good.
All right, let's see you do that again.
It's not gonna happen again.
Oh, between the legs he goes!
Very nice!
We got a player here.
Very good!
You should play with us more often,
You could really whip these guys into shape.
I gotta go.
Well, think about it, Charlie, you're really good.
Emily, look at you!
You are getting so big.
If you ever need me to baby-sit...
I'd love that, but Emily hasn't been feeling well.
Oh, sweetheart.
Well, you just let me know, okay?
Bye, hon.
Bye.
Are you...
Hey, are you all right?
Did you hurt your --
Oh, hey you --
Slowly: Hola, me llamo Nathan.
Let's cut the Spanish, okay?
I'm in pain now.
I was just practicing on you this morning.
It's my first semester here,
I was teaching a section on Mexico.
Mui bien.
(laughing)
So you were at the garage this morning, and now you're here.
What's going on?
I'm stalking you.
No, no, I'm a volunteer here.
I was just playing basketball with the kids earlier.
Your ankle feels okay.
That's because you're holding the wrong one.
Right.
Meghan: I can't believe I tripped.
This one.
Looks like it's just like a sprain.
You might want to ice it ten, 15 minutes,
Three or four times a day.
Instead of ice you can use frozen peas or corn works well.
An ace bandage, too --
Wrap it up and keep it elevated if you can.
Where did you learn all that?
Uh, I took a couple first aid classes this Summer.
You know, lifeguard and stuff.
So you fix tires in the morning,
A playground monitor in the afternoon
With a little sidewalk first aid thrown into the mix.
Am I overlooking anything?
No, that's pretty much me.
Well, okay.
Send me a Bill for the flat tire and the ankle, all right?
Hey, no charge.
Thanks.
What's with the shirt?
Uh, see that little house over there?
Some of the other teachers and moms and I
Decided to start a fundraiser so that we could buy it
And turn it into a daycare center.
We're doing a benefit Christmas Eve.
Nice.
I gotta get going, I'm late for training.
Nathan: Training?
What training?
Cross country.
I'm a runner, six Miles a day.
Once a jock, always a jock.
Well, you shouldn't train today, not with that ankle.
Are you kidding?
Haven't you ever heard the expression, "no pain --
-- No gain," I know.
But still --
It's kind of a metaphor for life, don't you think?
Well, okay, if you're not going to take my ankle advice
Then you're going to have to pay for the tire.
Okay, what do I owe you?
Call me at the garage, maybe we can have dinner.
(children playing)
Hey Charlie, it's Nathan.
You need some help?
Yeah, sure.
Too bad you had to leave the game so early.
Yeah, well, my dad needed me.
We're a team.
Nice place.
My dad and I don't live here, we just work here.
When I was a kid we used to take all the leaves,
Put them in a gigantic pile,
I'd hide inside and our dog would go run,
Jump in the middle and try to find me.
I never had a dog.
Does your mom work, too?
I don't have a mom.
I don't have a mom, either.
She died when I was about your age.
I remember some things about my mom, but not a lot.
She left when I was little, to be an actress in Hollywood.
An actress, wow.
At least, that's what my dad said.
I hate not having a mom.
Nathan: Ah!
Look at this.
Aww!
Charlie.
Oh, hey, dad.
We were just...Playing.
Sorry, it's my fault.
Who the hell are you?
I'm Nathan Andrews.
I'm volunteering at the school,
Just playing hoops with the kids.
My first week.
This isn't a playground, it's what we do for a living.
I --
See you at school, Charlie.
(car starts)
What the hell were you doing playing basketball?
Charlie: It's fun, dad.
Why can't I once in a while?
I mean, I'll be careful, I promise.
The coach said I was a natural.
Coach?
He's not a coach.
What does he know?
He knows I'm good.
That right?
Wow, thanks, dad!
Perfect.
The shoes are gone.
I'm sorry, son.
I know it was a long time ago, but I can't help it, you know?
I was attached to them.
I know.
Dad.
I don't think I'm going to be a doctor anymore.
What?
Nathan: It's not for me.
I mean, there are other things to do in life.
What, like be a mechanic?
What's wrong with being a mechanic?
You're a mechanic.
Yeah, but if I was smart enough to be a doctor,
I'd be a doctor, Nathan.
I don't know, I just --
Oh, wait a minute, what are you saying?
You think you're gonna move back in here with me?
Is that it?
Why not?
Son, I'm planning on selling the house.
What are you talking about?
I'm getting restless here, I need a change.
Dad, you can't -- no!
You can't do that.
What do you mean, no?
I mean, it's okay for you to make a change in your life
But not me, is that what you're saying?
Dad, I grew up in this house.
(country western music playing)
(laughing)
Okay, where are we?
I take all the girls I'm trying to seduce to this very place.
Really?
Yeah.
Brave of you.
It sounds like a good choice.
Well, if you can't bring the girl to Texas,
Bring Texas to the girl.
Wow.
Right?
I had no idea this place was here.
Oh, yeah, I'm full of surprises.
Cheers.
(glasses clink)
So how'd a Texas girl end up in new England?
Oh...Cowboys.
Let's just say I took a bad fall.
Tex loved NASCAR, rodeo, and Pat Conroy --
Deadly combination in my book.
I thought he was the only guy for me,
And he fooled me into thinking I was the only girl for him.
So, when I picked myself up,
I thought it would be a good time to go someplace else.
What about you?
Yeah, there was one.
Rachel.
We fought like cats and dogs but we were crazy about each other,
Talked about marriage the whole year.
We actually planned on running away together.
The day came, we gathered up all our clothes
And what little money we had in a dirty sock,
And then our moms caught us and we got grounded.
What was this, fifth grade?
Fourth grade, yeah.
Oh, okay.
So nothing serious since Rachel?
My mom always said you don't look for the right person,
You...Discover each other.
%% on Friday night when I see her out %%
%% even in a crowd %%
%% she's hard to miss %%
%% there ain't a man breathing air %%
%% who wouldn't stop and stare %%
%% and the best part is %%
%% she doesn't know she's got it %%
%% she doesn't know how bad we want it %%
%% she doesn't know she's got it %%
%% and that's what's getting me %%
You must be proud of yourself, building up a business.
What?
What'd you say, Lydia?
I said, you must be proud of yourself,
Building up a business.
Oh, yeah, it's only a garage, so...
It's yours.
Reflects your hard work.
A lot of men couldn't have accomplished what you have.
Well, I'm not the most organized guy in the world, so good luck.
That's okay, at least you have a computer, that's a start.
Yeah, that was from my son.
It was a few years ago.
He says I need to upgrade?
Oh, I think I'll start with what you have
And we'll go from there.
Good, you do that.
Answering machine: Nathan, John Wilson at the bank.
We are processing the home loan application,
Shouldn't be a problem, but call if you have any questions.
(beep)
Nathan, this is Dr. Goetz.
William and the rest of the team said to tell you
We sure could use some good help around here --
(voice cuts off)
So you think I'm nuts to want to buy the house I grew up in?
Mmm, I moved around so much as a kid,
There's not one of the houses I'd ever want to go back to.
My mom died in that house.
So...Your plan is to live in the house that you grew up in
The rest of your life, and die in it like your mom did?
The house has memories.
Mmm, houses don't have memories.
People have memories.
Come on.
So, right now, it's just an empty house,
But after we buy this place,
I'm going to bring in all kinds of furniture:
A fridge, a microwave, a new stove.
Upstairs, we're going to have all kinds of,
You know, beds and cribs for the children to nap in,
And then in the backyard
We're going to have a swing set with slides --
Everything you need to open up a daycare center,
And I love that it's across the street from the school.
Whenever a single mom has a job,
She'll know that there's a safe place she can leave her kids.
If anyone can do it.
You know what else?
I'd like to get every doctor in town
To donate just an hour or so every month.
Most of the women that would come to a place like this
Would be just like my mom: No health insurance,
Working two and three jobs, no husband,
Always worried about leaving their kids somewhere.
Can I be the first person to volunteer?
I'm an expert plumber.
You're hired.
I can also probably get a couple doctors to volunteer.
Another round?
Why not?
Here you go.
Old friend?
Yeah.
Wife.
Ex-wife.
Dad.
All right.
I was just leaving.
You came here just in time.
Wow, Christmas lights.
I love Christmas.
Your mother left us on Christmas,
That always left a bad taste in my mouth.
Last year you said she left us on Easter,
Right before the resurrection.
Well, it was a holiday, I remember that.
You know, she's probably dancing on Broadway
Right this very minute.
Oh, come on, dad.
You're always making stuff up.
Like what?
One time you said she was an artist
And she ran away to Italy to paint.
Another time you said she was in a country band,
And then another time you said she was an actress in Hollywood.
Well, she's been gone a long time.
She's done all that stuff.
What, you think I'm making all this stuff up?
Okay, all right, Mr. Smart guy.
She was a dancer.
These belonged to your mother.
Wow, man.
Nathan?
Hey.
What's up?
Rita's having trouble getting her car to start.
Could you look at it?
Sure.
Whatever it costs, I'll cover it.
Okay.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate this.
No problem.
So, what do you think the problem is?
Just a loose spark plug wire, she's lucky.
Could you take a look at the baby?
Rita doesn't have health insurance.
Nathan, anything you can do.
Meghan, I'm a mechanic.
Do you know how much trouble I could get in
Trying to diagnose a baby?
I've taken a few first aid classes.
Nathan, please?
Meghan, I --
Please?
Come on.
All right.
(baby cries)
Thank you.
Hi, do you mind if --
She won't stop crying.
I can see.
Hi, hey little one.
Aww, you're okay.
Hi, hi, I know.
Is she going to be okay?
Yeah, okay, oh...
Yeah, I think she's a little colicky.
Maybe it's her diet.
Milk allergy?
Let me give you the number of a doctor friend of mine.
His name's William, and he'll take care of your baby.
Thank you so much.
You're welcome.
Nathan, would you give me a lift home?
Sure.
Oh, I know.
Baby, don't cry.
Bye, sweetheart.
I love you.
Oh, thank you.
Rita was my mom and I was that little girl.
Thanks.
What?
Who are you?
What does that mean?
You're one of the good guys, aren't you?
Meghan, you can't do that anymore.
I can't give out medical advice.
But you're good at it.
I'm good at lots of things.
Really?
Prove it.
Where is this guy?
Meghan: He'll be here, he's a good guy.
Man: I need the environmental impact report.
I need it not the day after tomorrow, not tomorrow,
I need it today, now.
There he is.
I know, Mr. Layton, but I'm having --
Look, this is an honest, small-time businessman,
And this environmental lobby's
Trying to shut him down any way that they can.
And he doesn't have 20 lawyers
Like all the bad guys do, he's got us.
We're it.
I know, Mr. Layton.
I'm just having a problem getting the reports from --
You know, you need to get beyond the problem,
That's why you're here.
That's why you became an attorney.
And if you have a problem with that,
Then maybe you ought to find a different career.
You think that guy's going to donate to your cause?
Forget it.
Nathan, please.
I need all the help I can get.
If I don't get a down payment by the end of the month
Then I lose the option on the house
And there goes the daycare center.
Excuse me.
Meghan.
Hi, Robert.
Hey.
Hi, Nathan Andrews.
Robert.
She's going to be a good attorney one day,
She just doesn't know it yet.
This is a list of people I've contacted
Who are willing to contribute.
Oh, Robert.
Thank you.
It's a great idea, we need to find more ways
To contribute back to the community.
Well, you wouldn't by any Chance know someone
Who would want to help administer this program?
There's legal and administrative issues.
Well, I'd love to help,
But I think you should talk to Julian Haymer
At legal aid society.
I've talked to him; he's willing to help out.
Great!
Again, thank you.
You bet.
It's nice meeting you.
You, too.
Well, you're a great judge of human nature.
Hey, would you come out here a minute?
I need your advice.
You know, Lydia,
I was thinking about your idea.
Yeah, well like you said, it's been 18 years.
Time for re-roofing and repainting, right?
Yeah.
Nathan: Dad.
There's got to be a better way.
What are you talking about?
You're using 20th century equipment
On 21st century technology; it's inefficient.
You're the one that went through college,
I mean, you're telling me you can't figure this out?
You want me to do it?
No, I can do it, it's just going to take
Two or three times longer than it should.
You really need to invest in some new equipment.
It would pay off for you, for both of us.
I think Nathan's right, Jack.
It will increase the value of the business.
(sighs)
And so, I can afford this?
Sure.
Then, we'll see.
Your son is very handsome.
Jack: Takes after his mom.
I think he's got a lot of you in him,
Especially through the eyes.
So, Nathan must have been pretty young when he lost his mother.
He was about ten, it's tough on him.
Tough on both of you.
And, of course, after a few years,
People think you ought to be over it,
Get on with your life, right?
What do they know?
I could be in line at the post office
Or at the grocery store or in church,
And I'd just start bawling like a baby.
Felt pretty stupid sometimes.
Well, you couldn't help it.
Unless you've been through it.
That's right, you got no idea what it's like.
Yeah, and you never get over losing someone like that, never.
It feels like yesterday.
I know exactly what you mean.
Do you date at all, Jack?
No.
Well, I mean, I have off and on over the years,
But I haven't given it much thought lately.
I have.
Well, just a little.
Hey, what are you doing?
Toss those bags in the truck.
Hey dad, how long have you had the dancing shoes?
I don't know, a long time.
How come you've never shown them to me before?
Well, maybe I lost them, or maybe I couldn't find them.
Could have told me about them.
Tucker: What would you have done?
You'd drive me nuts, that's what.
Hey, if you don't want them, I'll get rid of them.
No, no, I want them.
Did mom take dancing lessons when she was little?
How'd she get so good?
You know what kind of dancing she does?
Charlie, what do you think I am, a damn encyclopedia?
Dad?
What?
You have any idea how good she was at dancing?
Charlie, why don't you just maybe sit down
And do some homework or something, okay?
All right, let's beat these bums, come on.
Nice, nice.
Charlie?
Charlie!
Charlie, talk to me!
Nathan, what is it?
What's wrong with him?
Oh, my God.
What happened?
Go get help, hurry.
Call 911.
We've got to get him to new England general.
Guys, give him some room.
Back up, please?
Hang in there, buddy.
Stay with me.
Meghan: Why did we have to bring him all the way to Burlington?
What's happened to him, Nathan?
What's going on?
Good to see you again.
His father's on his way.
His 02 levels are up.
Right, right.
His aorta's enlarged, Marfan syndrome.
This boy had his chest opened when he was three.
They sewed in a graft but the repair was never perfect.
It's gotten considerably worse.
Excuse me, but, what's wrong with Charlie?
How does a healthy ten-year-old boy
Go from playing basketball to the ICU?
Charlie's not healthy.
He's got a cardio condition that could have major consequences.
Yeah, his heart, Meghan, it's -- it's failing.
Well, can you fix it?
I mean, can you do something?
We've put him on some new medication that may sustain him.
It's our only hope, he's not a transplant candidate.
I hope this means you're back, doctor.
Hey.
How's Charlie?
I just got back from the hospital.
His medication is working, he should be home in a few days.
Good.
How are you?
I must be coming down with something.
Maybe disappointment.
Look, Meghan, I didn't mean to deceive you.
Then what were you doing?
Because you sure could have fooled me.
I just didn't want everyone in town
Knowing that I'd left the hospital.
What do you think everyone's thinking
When they see you working at the garage, Nathan?
Hello?
I don't know --
Don't be dishonest with me.
Look --
I had my fill of that in Texas, I don't want it again.
I am not being dishonest with you.
I'm not.
No, you just didn't tell me what you've spent
The last 12 years of your life doing.
Nathan, figure out what's holding you back in life,
Let it go, and move on.
And don't lie to me!
Woman's voice: "dear Nathan,
How excited you must be on your high school graduation.
I wish I could have been there.
I bet you looked so handsome in your cap and gown.
Right now, you're probably trying to figure out
What to do in life.
I did, too.
I loved music.
I was so grateful when I was chosen to lead the youth choir
In the annual Christmas show.
What a surprise!
What fun!
If I could say anything to you,
I would say to do what you love to do.
To be happy in your work is a blessing.
All my love, mom."
Hey dad, remember those letters mom wrote to me before she died?
I forgot that she was thinking about
Being a music major in college.
Man, she could do anything.
Hey, some of that new equipment is coming in, huh?
Oh hey, and here she talks about the first time she met you.
I don't want to talk about it.
Nathan: You guys had your picture taken together
At some county fair?
Are you listening to me?
Am I getting through?
Dad --
Look, every damn holiday, every damn vacation
You come home from school
And we drag out the pictures, drag out the letters,
Talk about mom, cry about mom.
It makes me feel good to talk about her.
Well maybe it makes you feel good, but then you'd leave.
For the next month I'm walking around with my guts hanging out.
I can't live like that year after year, I can't.
So, what are we supposed to do, pretend mom never existed?
Is that what you want?
No, I need to live like she's gone.
Well, I don't.
(sighs)
Why are you really here?
What do you mean, why?
I told you, I don't want to be a doctor anymore.
Baloney.
You ate, drank, and slept that stuff
And now suddenly you change your mind?
I just wanted to come home for a bit.
Your senior year of high school,
You said you couldn't wait to get out of this house,
This dumpy little town.
Yeah, well, maybe I've grown up.
Or maybe you haven't, maybe that's your problem.
Hey, dad, are we going to have Christmas lights at our place?
Probably not.
Why not?
I already told you,
I get a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to Christmas.
Hey, dad --
Charlie, look.
In case you haven't noticed, we're trying to work here.
Hey, dad, how tall was mom?
Don't you have some homework to do?
How many school days did you miss?
This is my homework.
I have to write a report about mom.
Now, how tall is she exactly?
Five foot five.
Brown eyes, right?
When I first met your mom,
She was a waitress at a truck stop outside Cincinnati.
Yeah, she had the most beautiful brown eyes I'd ever seen.
She could make me laugh, like nobody I'd ever met.
She had big dreams, way bigger than mine.
I figured out pretty quick that I couldn't live without her,
So we took off, just the two of us, got married.
Well, what kind of dancer is she?
I don't remember.
You don't remember?
Didn't you ever watch her?
I mean, what did it look like when she danced?
Did she have a costume, or did she dance alone,
Or with a bunch of other dancers?
Do you know the name of the kind of dancing she did?
Fred something or other, I think.
That's all I remember.
Fred?
Who's Fred?
The dancer guy!
Why don't you ask your teachers?
Why I pay all the damn taxes I do.
Fred...Something.
%% was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay %%
%% in fields where they lay keeping their sheep... %%
(doorbell rings)
Charlie, what are you doing out so late?
My dad said it was okay.
All right, come in.
Megan: It sure is good to see you up and about,
Looking so good.
Miss Sullivan, I kinda had a question.
Okay, let me just turn this off.
Running is hard.
To do anything well is hard.
Come on, let's sit.
So, did you come here for some math help?
Um, I was working on the report about my mom,
And she's a dancer.
Ooh, a dancer.
What kind of dancer?
That's what I came here to ask you.
All my dad said was Fred something.
Fred Astaire?
You know him, this Fred guy?
Well, I don't know him,
But I know the kind of dancing that your mom does.
Could you show me?
Um...Well...
Charlie: Please?
Okay, I'm not very good,
But I've seen a lot of the old movies.
It's very elegant and romantic.
The men get all dressed up, usually in their tuxedos,
And the women, they wear these beautiful dresses and shoes
And they kind of glide across the dance floor,
Staring into one another's eyes.
Hey, coach, what are you doing here?
Oh, I was just going to visit your teacher.
Meghan's a good friend of mine.
My teacher sure can dance, coach.
She sure can.
Charlie, you need a ride home?
Okay.
Thanks.
So, Charlie, you've been sick a long time, huh?
As long as I can remember.
Been to a lot of doctors?
Yeah, my dad's taken me to about a thousand of them.
You remember to take your medicine?
Yeah.
You sure?
Because I've been thinking of a way you can remember.
We could tattoo it on your forehead,
Or we can get some of the girls at your school to remind you.
No, coach, I promise I remember.
Okay?
Honest.
All right, because it's really important that you do.
And sorry, but no more basketball.
Coach, remember how I said my mom was a dancer?
Yeah.
Look.
These are her dancing shoes.
Where...
Coach, are you okay?
Yeah, I just...My mom had a pair of shoes just like this.
Thanks for the ride.
Later.
Stay after those pledges.
Can't stop now, we have too many moms and kids depending on us.
Okay, Meghan.
We can do this.
We've got three weeks 'til the benefit.
All right, see ya.
Bye.
Hey.
You got a minute?
Can we talk?
Sure.
I know this is going to sound nuts, but when I was a kid,
I bought this pair of red shoes for my mother, on Christmas Eve,
The night she died, and for years I hadn't seen them,
And in fact I thought they were lost,
But somehow Charlie has found them.
You think I'm crazy, don't you?
No, not really.
Well, just a little bit.
So, Charlie has a pair of red shoes
That once belonged to your mother.
What's going on, Nathan?
Is this about losing a pair of shoes?
The day I walked out of the hospital,
I lost a teenage kid on the operating table.
When I was looking down on him,
This wave swept over me and I was ten years old again,
And afraid -- afraid of losing someone else, you know?
Afraid of losing my dad.
So --
So, that's why you moved back into the house.
Yeah, so we could be together.
I can't shake that feeling of losing him.
You're not going to lose your dad, Nathan, okay?
And you're stuck with me.
I just think sometimes I'm too tough on him, you know?
I mean, a man wants to do right by his kids,
But...Gosh, sometimes you just don't know what right is.
Yeah, I'm thinking of selling my business.
My son's not going to like it.
How old's your boy?
He's late twenties.
He's a good kid, he's confused maybe,
A little like his old man.
(laughing)
I don't know, maybe it's not such a good idea.
Tucker, kind of new around here.
Jack, been here too long.
Hey, you don't mind an opinion, do you, Jack?
No, go ahead.
Well, your kid, he's got a whole life ahead of him,
And you don't.
Here's to fatherhood.
You don't come here much, do you?
What makes you say that?
Well, you're one of those guys that stares into his beer
Instead of drinking it.
It's a dead giveaway, man.
My wife died 18 years ago
And in those days I came in all the time.
But -- I started thinking about my boy at home
And I realized I was spending way too much time here.
I've been lying to my kid for years.
His mother left us and then she was killed in a car crash.
I started making up stories to make it easier on him,
You know, and hell, when he was little, it worked pretty good.
But he's older now; he's asking more questions,
And I'm running out of stories and answers.
How about the truth?
No, I could never tell him.
I could never tell him.
Thanks.
Sure.
Christmas.
Man: I'll draw up the contract
And get the papers over for you to sign as soon as possible.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
You bet.
Dad, hey.
Hey!
Place looks great, huh?
Yeah, listen, I need your help.
I was a little tough on you the other night.
No, it's fine.
The bank turned me down for the loan on the house.
Well, you owe about a million bucks in medical school loans,
And you're not a doctor anymore, so it's no wonder.
Right, but they'll accept a loan if you'll co-sign.
Well, I can't do that.
What do you mean you can't do that?
I'm selling the garage.
A guy just left here, he's in real estate,
And he says he can turn the place over fast, so --
Dad, you can't sell this place, too.
What is going on?
Son, you've got your whole life in front of you, and I don't.
This is a great opportunity for me.
You think this is easy?
Selling my house, my business?
Letting go a chunk of my life?
I have to.
Lydia: Jack?
Are you okay?
Yeah, yeah.
I just can't believe we finished the place is all.
Yeah.
A lot of hard work, wasn't it?
Mm-hmm.
It was definitely worth it.
Lydia: I think so.
So what are you going to do, after you sell the place?
You know, I worked my whole life,
And I've never really done anything, been anywhere,
And I was thinking --
I was thinking I was going to get an R.V.
I'm going to get an R.V., I'm gonna travel around,
Maybe go fishing, go to Florida.
I really appreciate what you've done for me.
I never could have done any of this without you.
So, you know, if you want to send me a Bill, that's fine.
Yeah, sure.
Hey, Lydia.
Thanks.
%% don't waste your time looking over your shoulder %%
%% those loves from the past ain't getting no closer %%
%% when I look in my future you're all I can see %%
%% so honey don't go loving on nobody but me %%
%% nobody but me gonna love you like you ought to be loved on %%
Meghan?
Whoa, whoa!
%% don't go loving on nobody but me %%
Excuse me.
Nathan.
Tell me.
Tested positive for hip b.
The liver biopsy showed severe hepatic cirrhosis.
Viral, with irreparable damage.
Could have had it for the last six months or so,
The symptoms mimic a bad flu.
We need to get a transplant team involved, now.
I can't lose her, William, I just can't.
Say, Mr. Mechanic.
Is there any Chance I can get a new transmission?
My mama always said Christmas was the time for miracles.
Sometimes it's tough waiting for the Miracle.
I've got some bad news.
I told the front desk
You're not allowed to have any visitors from Texas,
Particularly those big, strong cowboy types.
I don't need the competition.
(laughing)
Tex and I didn't want the same things.
All I wanted was commitment.
Maybe it's old-fashioned, but it works for me.
It's funny how things work, isn't it?
If none of that happened, I wouldn't have left Texas,
And I wouldn't have met you.
I guess I owe Tex.
I've been reading my mother's letters.
And?
She said, one day, I would meet a girl
And my heart would skip a beat when she smiled at me.
And then the day would come when I realized
I couldn't live without her.
And she was right.
Hmm.
Hey, Meghan's friend, right?
Yeah.
Yeah, Nathan.
You remind me of somebody.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah, I just can't figure out who.
I've had that happen.
How's she doing?
She's not good.
Can I go see her?
Yeah, I'm sure she'd love that.
How are you holding up?
She's really sick, and there's nothing I can do about that.
And now this house that she wants to buy,
The option's up on Christmas Eve,
So that's not going to happen.
You never know what's going to be.
See you.
Hey, how's Meghan?
What do you care?
Hey!
Nathan, come here.
I want to show you something.
Come on.
What is it?
Sometimes, when you were at school,
And I knew I was by myself,
I'd get a little crazy because I missed her so much,
And...
Nice, huh?
I thought about plastering it over,
But over the years when stupid things would annoy me,
I would come in here, I would look at the hole,
And I would realize what was important in life.
Yeah, well, if I never came home
I wouldn't be going through any of this right now.
I would go through everything --
The pain and the loss all over again,
To hold your mother one more minute.
(crying)
Hey, Charlie boy.
How'd you get in here?
I kinda snuck in.
Thank you.
Well, sneaking in is the best way to visit.
How's school?
I finished my paper.
It's called "mom."
You did?
Can I read it?
Yeah.
There was a fire in your trailer?
Yeah, when I was a baby.
Sweetheart, that's terrible.
Everything got burned up,
Including all the pictures of my mom.
You know, my mom used to say
That you learn the most about God when times are tough.
My dad and I have had a lot of tough times.
We must be at the top of God's list, huh?
(laughing)
Yeah, and you are right at the top of my list, that's for sure.
An a?
Wow!
Well, it's one of the best papers I've ever read.
What's wrong with you?
I have a bad liver.
I need a new one.
Are you going to die?
Maybe.
I don't want you to die.
Charlie, look at me.
Here, come here.
The best thing you can do for me right now
Is not to worry about me.
Take care of yourself, okay?
Okay.
Okay, here we go!
Charlie, Charlie.
A little Christmas cheer, buddy.
Dad?
I don't feel so good.
Daddy?
Hi, coach.
Hi, Mr. Three-point jump shot.
I guess I'm not doing so good, am I?
The medication's not working anymore.
So your heart can't work the way it's supposed to.
What's Heaven like?
I don't know.
But I bet it's beautiful.
Do you think you can see everything from Heaven?
You don't want to see everything.
Garbage can, inside of a toilet.
But I bet I'll be able to see buddy cheating at basketball,
My dad cleaning gutters.
I bet you will.
Why is God taking me?
Charlie, God isn't taking you, he's receiving you.
I don't know why it has to be now,
But I believe that God must need you.
He must want you to be with him.
Maybe he needs a good outside shooter for one of his teams.
Maybe he does.
What does your mom look like?
Well, she's not very tall, and she has brown hair,
And blue eyes, these dimples, and a great smile.
And she's got a great laugh,
So if you see someone up there that looks like that,
It just might be her.
If I see her, would you like me to tell her something for you?
Yeah.
Tell her that I still miss her,
And that I love her as much now as I did when she was here.
Okay.
Coach?
Could you do something for me?
Sure.
I'd like my teacher to have these.
You got it.
Charlie: Hi, dad.
Hi.
I guess I'm not going to make it to Alaska.
Alaska's not all it's cracked up to be.
It's too damn cold up there, anyway.
I know it's not Christmas yet, but...
Here, let me help you.
Charlie?
It's your mom.
I just saw her, dad.
I just saw her.
I think mom is where I'm going.
She was dancing, dad, she was dancing.
Look, you just rest, okay?
Because I've got this little job to do,
And I'll be back later.
Dad?
Could you stay?
Just this one time?
Yeah, sure, I can stay.
My coach says you can see everything from Heaven.
When you go to Alaska, could you pick salmon for me?
Yeah, sure.
My teacher's real sick.
Yeah, I know.
Dad, I want you to promise me something.
Anything, son.
Anything you want.
Hey.
So I guess you got that transmission after all.
Why did it have to be Charlie?
I don't know, Meghan, I don't know.
But the important thing is, you're alive,
And Charlie was a big part of that.
You helped him through, didn't you?
Of course.
And he helped me through.
Oh, he wanted you to have these.
They belonged to his mother, and my mother,
And now they belong to you.
I love you so much.
Nathan, thanks for coming.
Yeah, not a problem.
Sit.
Listen, a long time ago, years, I was a jerk.
All I cared about was my work, I spent no time with my daughter,
Marriage was on the rocks --
Mr. Layton, I'm not sure I should --
And on Christmas Eve I met a little boy
At Wilson's department store
Who was trying to buy a pair of shoes for his mom.
Thanks, mister.
My God.
That night changed my life.
If it hadn't been for you,
I never would have been able to buy my mom that present.
I guess we were both meant to be there.
Tell Meghan not to worry about the kids' house.
Who'd have thought a pair of shoes
Can change people's lives?
Thank you.
Nathan.
You're doing great.
Your mom would be proud.
(phone dialing)
(phone ringing)
Lydia: Hello?
Hi, it's Jack.
Oh, hi Jack.
Listen, there's a fundraiser tonight in the town square
With some sort of surprise guest or surprise something,
And I was wondering, if you're not busy,
That maybe you could meet me there.
%% I remember our first Christmas %%
%% we were young and so in love %%
%% nothing to give but we had each other %%
%% somehow it was more than enough %%
%% I remember how I held you %%
%% and said I'd never let you go %%
%% now here we are another year another Christmas %%
%% and there's something you should know %%
%% this is my Christmas present... %%
You cold?
A little.
Thanks, Jack.
Hey, you ever been to Florida?
No, but I'd like to.
Joe, thanks for making the call to Nashville.
I feel so thankful.
Yeah, me too.
Hey, I'm going to go back into the hospital -- pediatrics.
Nathan!
And, there's something else.
A little early Christmas present.
The house.
Robert bought the kids' house.
%% ... God will see us through %%
%% and you'll have me %%
%% and I'll have you %%
%% and you'll have me %%
%% and I'll have you %%
(applause)
Thank you.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
We have a surprise guest tonight here,
All the way from Nashville, Tennessee.
Would you make welcome Blake Shelton.
Merry Christmas, Blake, we love you!
Thank you, thank you.
A new song, everybody.
Let's hear it for them.
I also want to send out a special thanks to Robert Layton,
Who put all this together for us tonight.
Thank you, Robert.
You know, there's one person who probably understands
More why we're here tonight more than anyone else.
Meghan?
Is Meghan out there?
Meghan?
She's right here.
(applause)
Thank you, thank you so much for coming.
Tonight is about raising money for the kids' house.
I would like to rename the kids' house "Charlie's House,"
In honor of a very special little boy.
Charlie wasn't in this town for very long, but he touched lives.
I know he touched mine.
He gave me my life back.
Charlie, I love you.
Blake?
(applause)
%% don't waste your time looking over your shoulder %%
%% those loves from the past ain't getting no closer %%
%% when I look in my future you're all I can see %%
%% so honey don't go loving on nobody but me %%
%% nobody but me gonna love you like you ought to be loved on %%
%% nobody but me gonna cry if you up and leave %%
%% now you can do what you want to %%
%% but I'm asking pretty please %%
%% honey don't go loving on nobody but me %%
%% I took my time to tell you how I feel %%
%% just because I took so long %%
%% don't mean that it isn't real %%
%% now I ain't got no Diamond but I'm down on my knees %%
%% so honey don't go loving on nobody but me %%
%% nobody but me gonna love you like you ought to be loved on %%
%% nobody but me gonna cry if you up and leave %%
%% now you can do what you want to %%
%% but I'm asking pretty please %%
%% honey don't go loving on nobody but me %%
{{{ the end }}}