Original subtitles

I took this picture on one of my visits just three months ago, but it seems like

a lifetime.

In some ways, it was a lifetime ago.

When did you start following this case?

Oh, it's been about two years.

I drop in every now and then.

But when I first started, I never thought that we would need you.

Is Gloria on her way?

Mm -hmm.

She should be there any minute now.

Need some help?

Can I get a ride with you?

Where are you headed?

Asheville.

I can take you part way.

Great.

So, I didn't see a car or anything.

What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?

Waiting for you.

What?

There really is no time to ease into this.

So, here it is. My name is Gloria.

I'm an angel. And I have a message that you need to hear.

When you walk down the road...

Heavy burden, heavy load I

will rise and I will walk with you I'll

walk with you Till the sun don't even shine Walk with

you Every time I tell you I'll walk with you

Believe me, I'll walk with you.

An angel.

Yes.

Why did you call me that?

Because that's the nickname your brother gave you.

He was 12, you were 8.

He mixed some chili pepper into your chocolate milkshake when you weren't

looking. You nearly choked to death.

And pepper ever since?

Look, lady, I don't know what you're up to. Pepper?

Your brother is in trouble.

Did he send you?

No. I told you, God did.

Oh, please.

Please, just try to stay on the road. Please.

Yeah.

I'm sorry. I'm going to let you out. This is just too weird for me. No, no,

Please, just let me ride with you.

Just listen to what I have to say.

And then you can decide what to do.

Please. I already know everything I need to know about my brother.

No, you don't.

Two years ago, Rob and Courtney started getting visits from an angel.

Only they didn't know she was an angel, and they didn't know how much they were

going to need one.

Monica was hired as a consultant for your family's furniture business.

It's over a hundred years old. My great -grandfather originally built it for the

old Biltmore estate.

And he made it right here?

Uh, yeah. The original mansion had over 250 rooms, so a lot of craftsmen settled

down in this area when they were working on it.

And that's how the furniture business got started here in the Carolinas.

And Kellerman and Son has been a part of that for four generations.

Oh.

Look. Did you make this?

Uh, no. No, that was the project my son, Sam, was working on.

It's supposed to be a bookend, but the wood is too light. It just falls over if

you lean a book on it.

I see.

You see, there are certain things that you cannot know unless you can touch

and look at up close.

That's the whole problem with this computer website thing you and Courtney

dreamt up. Yes, but if people like what they see on the website, then they'll

come down here for a more hands -on experience.

She's right.

We've got to get the word out somehow, Rob.

Business is down by almost 10%. We've been fine for 100 years without a

computer. And we'll be even better in the next 100 with a computer.

Don't worry, Monica.

They'll come around eventually.

So this Monica, is she supposed to be an angel too?

That's supposed to be. She is.

Well, God must be really bored if he sends an angel to pump up sales.

God sends angels to people for all sorts of reasons, but in this case it was

about more than sales.

After your father passed away, Rob and Courtney were so busy trying to handle

the business that he left behind that, um, well, they didn't notice another

problem developing.

Good one, Dad.

Yeah? Your turn.

Let's see if you can beat three skips.

Easy. Easy? Let's see what you got. Go ahead.

Let's see.

Stupid rock.

Oh, that's an interesting strategy. You blame the rock instead of trying to

figure out how you can improve your next throw?

Maybe I didn't hold it lovely enough.

Yeah, well, you hold it.

There you go.

Yeah, no, you keep practicing.

Buddy, I gotta get in the house, see if I can help your mom and Monica.

Okay.

Honey, is that you?

Hey, you're just in time.

You can be the first to boot up our new computer.

I'm not worthy. You go ahead.

You'll soon get the hang of it, Rob. And then you'll wonder how you ever lived

without it.

Whatever you say.

Don't pay any attention to him. He's not really good with change.

Well, if you really don't want this website, you could bring in a full -time

salesperson instead.

Your brother, perhaps?

I don't have a brother.

Oh. Well, why did your father rename the company Kellerman & Sons?

Didn't you want to get some pictures of me working out in the shop?

Yeah, that'd be a great way to sell the craftsman concept.

Well, then let's make that happen.

Come on.

Maybe that's enough for now.

Uh, no, no. It's just a cramp.

Apply some pressure on that.

This is crazy.

We should get you into the house and clean that up.

What is it, Mrs. Poole?

Oh, Robbie.

I was just admiring your new car.

It's not ours. It belongs to Monica here. She's a consultant.

Consultant?

I see.

I'm kind of bleeding here, Mrs. Poole.

Oh, dear.

Blood. I'll be inside.

Are you okay, Blood?

So what kind of consulting do you do, Monica?

Whatever kind is needed, Mrs. Poole.

Nice to meet you.

Let me see. It's fine. Let me see.

I think Mrs. Poole will survive.

She's a nutcase. She's been pulling that fake fainting thing forever.

I think you're going to need stitches.

Honest to God, Courtney, it's just a scratch.

Don't be such a man.

Monica, what do you think?

Yeah, I have to agree with you.

It does look quite deep.

We're going to the emergency room.

Do you mind keeping an eye on Sam for a while? I'd be happy to. Oh, and Rob, you

should tell the doctor about the shaking.

What shaking?

It's nothing.

I love a good Rob cuts himself story.

No, the cut wasn't that bad.

But the doctor was concerned about the shaking in Rob's hand, so he ran some

tests.

A few days later...

Rob and Courtney got the results.

Hello.

Hi. Sorry to keep you waiting.

So what's the verdict? Pinched nerve?

No. No, the MRI showed the beginnings of some muscle atrophy in your hands

and some cell death in the area.

It indicates the early stages of hemiotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Lou Gehrig's disease.

Yeah.

No, that can't be right.

You haven't spoken to your brother in over 12 years. But I saw him at my dad's

funeral. He looked fine.

I mean, I didn't talk to him or anything.

I didn't even know I was there, but I saw him.

I think you got some bad information.

No, it's true.

And two years ago, Rob didn't want to believe it either.

I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.

A

lot can change

in two years.

And life can become overwhelming.

It's addressed to his son.

But there's somebody else who needs to read this.

Pedal to the metal, baby. Time is short.

I can't believe it.

It doesn't make any sense.

It never makes sense when you get news like that.

When Rob and Courtney came home from the doctors, they still couldn't believe

it.

Look, Andrew said they can slow the paralysis, and they're doing all kinds

research.

Maybe they made a mistake. Maybe the lab messed up.

Hey, Dad, want to skip some rocks before bedtime?

Sam, can you have a seat for a second?

You know, I haven't been feeling 100 % lately.

Well, the doctor thinks I have this disease that makes my muscles weak.

But they can fix it, right?

Sure, buddy.

They're gonna try.

Hey, get your coat on. Let's go skip some rocks.

I'm not letting this thing get to us.

Okay.

Nothing changes.

But things did change.

A year and a half later, things were very different.

Okay, medications, water bottles, clothing.

What am I missing?

Diapers.

Come on, Sam.

You can do better than that. That's not straight and you know it.

Here.

Here!

Let me help.

No, I'm doing it.

Okay, Mom. I've got it. It's my assignment.

There you go. I knew you could do it.

It's four o 'clock.

I'm going to get the van set up.

Sam, give your dad a kiss goodbye.

Hey, I got the pictures of those oak chairs, and I'll have them up on the

website tomorrow.

Yeah, did you get a good shot of the uneven finish and the nicks on the

Well, I think Gary's doing good work.

Yeah.

Yeah, well, good work isn't Kellerman work.

We hired him to meet a particular standard.

Poor thing's doing the best he can, considering he wasn't born a Kellerman.

Give him a break.

We're going to be late.

Bye, Sammy. See you later.

Love you. Bye, Mom. I love you.

Thanks for watching him. I'm happy to.

Rob's voice is starting to go. Rob can still speak for himself. It's a good

to learn a new communication system before you actually need it. We don't

lot of money, Andrew. That's okay, because there are a lot of organizations

there that can help you if you need it.

And a lot of this technology is actually inexpensive, like this one.

Hello, my name is Rob Kellerman.

This is called the e -triloquist, and what it does is it uses a computerized

voice. to read back whatever you just typed in.

And then when typing becomes a little difficult, excuse me, you have this,

is called the mercury, and you pre -program the symbols on the touch screen

relay the message, the water glass symbol.

I need a drink of water.

My name is Pat Edmonds.

Who's Pat Edmonds?

Pat was a patient here.

Now deceased.

The ALS Society tries to make this technology available to you as soon as

becomes available again.

Let's go.

Bob,

I know that this is a very, very difficult thing for you to adjust to.

going to roll over and adjust, Andrew.

Excuse me.

Could you pull off up there?

An order from on high?

No, it's just a suggestion from me.

Because the rest of the story is going to be difficult to hear.

Three days ago, when Rob and Courtney were driving back from their visit with

Andrew, everything changed again.

Andrew was trying to help.

By wasting our money on something we don't need? How is that helpful?

Dear God.

I am trying so hard to do this right, but sometimes I feel like I am in this

alone, and it is killing me.

I want to keep you as long as I can, Rob, but you have to try.

I'm sorry. I just, I see that voice box thing and I see surrender.

It might as well be a coffin.

What will I do when I can't hear your voice anymore?

I just love you so much.

Look out!

Is there anyone out there?

Hi.

The doctors are looking at your x -ray and Andrew's getting you a new

wheelchair. Where's Courtney?

She was in surgery when I got here.

Listen, I'll tell the nurses that you're awake.

Wait.

Where's Sam?

Oh, I found a friend of mine to watch him. Her name is Tess.

She'll take really good care of him.

What's going on?

Got some bad names, Rob.

No! No!

Her injuries were so severe.

She's dead?

I'm sorry, Pepper.

I know how much she meant to you.

You know, I met her first.

I can't believe that was 15 years ago.

Business was booming and we needed somebody to answer the phone, so we ran

and Courtney answered it.

I dropped to interview her.

Just kept staring at her. She was so beautiful.

Couldn't even form a complete sentence, so I just hired her right on the spot.

And then later, when I got to know her, she was...

She was even more beautiful on the inside.

I never felt like that about anybody before.

Or since.

But Robbie, you liked her too. I mean, we used to laugh about her.

I'd say may the best man win.

She liked us both.

And we made her choose.

But you told them you were okay with it. Yeah, well, what was I supposed to do?

Tell them I felt like my heart had been ripped out? No, I wasn't going to give

them that satisfaction.

I did the right thing. You know, I backed off.

And then later he asked me to be his best man. I thought I could handle it,

their wedding day, I drove to the

church.

I looked inside and I just turned around and walked back to my car.

Started driving.

Like I said, left him waiting at the altar.

I started over and I never looked back.

Never talked to either one of them again.

Yeah, I guess I never will.

Courtney's gone.

But Rob's still here.

You don't know how it works with Rob and me, Gloria.

We don't back down.

Then you both lose.

And so will Sam.

Sam.

How's he handling this?

Rob had become almost totally dependent on Courtney.

And with her gone, everything started to fall apart.

I'm sorry, Dad. I'm sorry.

Hey, don't worry. It's okay, Sam.

I found a whole bunch of loose chains down here.

What happened?

I tried to help. him into his wheelchair but he slips and it was too heavy and

don't worry about it sam it takes some getting used to go ahead and get cleaned

up for breakfast monica will get some help it's all right i'll take care of it

okay sorry dad i'm sorry it's okay maybe mrs pool can

help you can't do this by yourself mrs pool is getting flowers for the funeral

let me try

How did you do that?

Strength comes from all sorts of places.

You just need to know where to look.

Rob, you know that I will stay here as long as I can.

But you are going to need special help.

And as much as he may want to, Sam cannot do it. He's just a little boy.

I know.

It's not fair, is it?

Every day, this thing takes away a little more of me.

I'm alive, but I don't have a life anymore, and neither does anybody around

It's all about maintaining me.

And I'm not sure it's worth it.

The funeral was today.

It was like most funerals.

Beautiful, dad, surreal.

And when the guests started to leave, reality stayed behind.

Hey.

What you said about your mom at the service was really beautiful.

It was true.

Now,

Robbie, I'm right next door if there's anything you need.

Anything at all.

Mrs. Poole, I need to go to the bathroom and I can't do it by myself.

Oh.

Well, that's... I'm not sure that I can... It's okay.

Thanks anyway.

Oh, there is something else you can do.

Oh, dear.

Could you open these...

The cap is childproof, unfortunately. That means they're rob -proof as well.

Of course. Like I said, I'll do anything.

Oh, pain pills.

Do they help?

They will.

ready to go to bed um okay um can i i mean

do you want me to sleep in your room uh no it's okay i'll be fine

and you're gonna be fine too i know i'm a kellerman

come here give me a hug

I love you, too.

Good night, Sam.

Good night.

Thanks for everything you did today.

Can you loosen this damn tie?

Shall I just give you your medication?

No, I've got it covered. Thanks.

I was wondering, could you come in early tomorrow?

There's something we need to handle before Sam gets up.

Sure, but I'd just like to give you your medicine. Then I'll be on my way.

I'll do it.

It's not a problem.

Are you

having pain?

Yes. Just leave it, Monica.

Do you want me to stay tonight?

No, I just want to be alone.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Rob went to the computer to write.

Okay, so what's the point?

Rob's typing tonight, so what?

It's not that he was typing.

It's what he was typing.

He's gonna kill himself.

I always told Mom we were the messy ones.

What are you doing here?

My God, Rob.

You like the chair?

It's not much for mileage, but I get the best parking spaces.

I came to help.

Not interested.

Get out of my house.

I mean it! Get the hell out of here!

Wait, wait, wait.

There is something you can do.

Open these for me.

Are you going to do it or not?

No.

I'm not going to help you kill yourself.

You don't have any idea of what you're talking about.

How'd you get that?

You wouldn't believe me even if I told you.

Fine. You don't want to help me? Get out.

Get out!

I'm not going anywhere. You need my help. I don't need you. Not now.

Not ever.

You made your choice a long time ago.

I'm sorry, all right?

I loved her as much as you did. So you destroy this family?

There is nothing left for you here.

I know that it's too late for a lot of things now.

It's too late for everything.

What about Sam?

They're going to take him away from me sooner or later.

And I can't take that. I can't. lose him too.

So he's just going to wake up in the morning and you'll be gone?

Don't you get it?

He's going to lose me anyway.

I'm already dead.

Rob? Rob?

Rob?

Rob?

Don't do this.

Open the door. I swear to God, I'll break it down.

Let me die. Let me die.

Please let me die.

No, not like that.

How did you get in here?

I'm an angel.

An angel?

I don't believe in angels.

But... But here I am.

And somewhere deep inside you, you know it's true.

You can lock out the world, Rob, but you can't keep an angel from delivering a

message from God.

God?

There really is a God?

Oh, yes.

Almighty God, creator of all things, has heard your cry.

He's here with us right now.

And he wants you to know that as alone and frightened as you may feel, you're

not alone because he is with you.

And you have no need to fear because he promises he will provide for you and for

Sam if only you will trust him.

How can I trust the God who gave me this?

God didn't give this to you, Rob.

But God will see you through it to the end of this life and into the next.

I don't want to go through it anymore.

I can't take it anymore.

There's some kind of test I don't want. I can't pass it. God doesn't treat his

children that way.

He doesn't test you with disease.

He doesn't create car accidents to teach you a lesson.

God loves you.

And when you fall down, the Father wants to pick you up and carry you home and

heal you in his time, in his way.

But your time is not here yet, Rob, because you're a father too, and you

little boy who needs to be healed before he can let you go.

Look at me.

The state is going to take Sam away from me sooner or later.

That's not part of God's plan for Sam.

The man that he will grow up to be, the husband and father that one day he will

become, the son that he'll always be glad he was, all of these things

depend upon the lessons that you can still teach him while you have time.

Isn't that something worth living for?

Won't you let those who love you help you do it?

I don't deserve it. God knows how much I've screwed up in my life. But I want

be a brother to you.

I want us to be a family again for as long as we can.

You sure you're ready for this?

You're my big brother, Rob.

I lost you 12 years ago because I was jealous and angry and selfish.

I don't want to lose you again.

You're gonna lose me, Pep.

This isn't curable.

I know.

But it doesn't have to be tonight.

I guess it doesn't.

Dad?

What's wrong?

Nothing, buddy.

But there is something here I want you to make. Come on in.

This is your Uncle Pepper.

He's my brother.

Yeah.

Mom told me about him.

She did?

Yeah. She said that you'd left, but that you'd come back someday.

Your mom left a sworn lady?

I was thinking of hanging out here with you guys for a while.

What do you think?

Well, it's okay with me.

I guess.

You could help me take care of my dad.

Yeah, I can do that.

Wow, Sam, you nailed it. That was cool.

How'd you learn to do that?

My dad taught me.

They still have time to make a few memories, don't they?

Yeah, they do.

Can't help but thinking about all the people in the world who should be

stones together right now.

Every moment on this earth is precious, baby.

But some human beings never learn that.

For those who do, life is a miracle.