Original subtitles

Mama, can you pick that up?

It's okay.

It's fine. It was just a bad dream.

It was about Mom.

She wanted to tell me something, but she couldn't talk.

I miss her too, Angel.

But she's been dead for 12 years.

But... I know.

It gets bad every year, Roger.

It will be in a week.

Come on. You gotta let her go.

You know how upset this makes Dad.

Everything okay?

Yeah. She just had a bad dream, that's all.

Something you want to talk about?

Not really.

Was she really as bad as Dad said?

Yeah.

She was.

Get some sleep, okay?

No more bad dreams.

Want some?

Gross.

Any more nightmares?

I wish I could have gone to her funeral.

Right, and gotten yourself killed. That would have been real smart.

I know. It's not like Dad hasn't told us that a million times.

But if I could have seen her just one more time... She was bad news, Angel.

We were lucky to get away with our lives. You need to stop having fantasies

about her.

I don't want to.

She was our mother.

Why is someone looking for Angel and me?

Here we are.

Before you changed our names.

Is Mom alive?

I told you. I know what you told us.

That she took drugs, that she owed a lot of money. They threatened to hurt us if

she didn't pay. No, no, no.

They didn't threaten to hurt you. They threatened to kill you. And there was no

way I was going to let that happen.

Yeah, and then she died after we left. So why are they still after us? This

could be a trick.

They could have easily gotten this photograph from your mother's things.

It's been 12 years, Dad.

Why would they be so desperate to hurt us after all this time? I don't know.

But their threats were real.

And your mother got us into this mess, so I had to get us out of it. I remember

your fights before you took us away. You never said anything about drugs.

Sam, you were five years old. How could you possibly know what you were hearing?

Is she alive?

I mean, is she the one looking for us?

All right, Sam, you're getting older.

Maybe old enough to understand.

She was destroying our lives.

She was tearing this family apart. I did what I had to do.

Yeah, well, maybe she got better.

Maybe that's why she's coming to look for us. She could never get better.

But I've given you a good life, haven't I?

Haven't I?

Yeah. She didn't love you, Sam.

But I do.

Don't pursue this thing.

It could only bring terrible trouble.

Do I have your word?

Dad? Sam?

I forgot my book report.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Missing children hotline.

Hi, I'm calling about a woman named Rebecca Curtis.

Did she file her kids as missing?

May I have your name, sir, and where you're calling from? Look, that doesn't

matter.

We need a name, sir, for our record.

Could you listen for just a second? I might know where her kids are.

Are you calling from area code 529?

How did you know my area code? Sir, if you leave us your name and number, we

will have someone contact you. It'll be anonymous.

No, I can't do that.

Forget it. Forget I called.

Hey, you okay?

Yeah.

Yeah, I'm great.

Just great.

Wyoming, and that's final.

Wyoming? Nobody lives in Wyoming. Why are we moving there?

It's safe there. There's dangerous people looking for us, and I have to

sure that we're safe.

What dangerous people? Who are they?

You know exactly who they are. Then why don't we just call the police or

something? Why do we have to keep running away and changing our name?

Dad knows what's best.

Gee, thanks. One -way ticket to Wyoming.

Happy birthday to me.

Angel, that... What about my friends?

You can make new ones.

Who, cowboys and rodeo clowns? I'm not going. I'll run away. No, Dad, I'm not

going. I don't care who's looking for us.

Angel!

You don't have to do this, right? You know that, don't you?

Yeah, sure.

I'll go talk to her.

I'm going to go for a drive.

What are you doing?

I mean it, Sam. I'm not leaving.

Dad's telling the truth.

Then I'll protect myself.

Angel.

Hey, that's Dad's. Put that back. No!

How do you know that Dad's not the one that they're looking for?

Maybe he's the one who's running away from something. I never did anything

wrong, and if someone wants to hurt me, then I'll be ready. We can talk to Dad,

all right? No! You don't know how to use that.

Give me it.

There are a thousand kids a year in the U .S. alone because parents keep the

guns in the house to be safe.

Well, you'll be safe where you're going, young man.

I'm just sorry it had to be so soon.

You will go back with all your memories intact to change the course of your

life.

a free agent in the universe.

Therefore, Your Honor, in light of his blameless record for the 17 short years

of his life, I hope you'll agree that no one deserves a place in the kingdom of

heaven more than Jordan Curtis.

Sam Ryder. My name is Sam Ryder.

Oh, you don't have to pretend anymore, Jordan. You can use your real name.

It is interesting, though, isn't it, Mr. Jones?

In his heart, he feels like Sam Ryder. Don't you, son?

I feel like Sam?

Yes, sir, I guess I do.

Not surprising, considering the choice you made.

Choice, Your Honor?

Well, I'm not sure he was entirely comfortable with it, but he did choose

Sam Ryder.

Your Honor, the record is quite clear.

The boy's father took the children away when Jordan was only five years old.

He's the one who hid them from the authorities and decided on the change of

names. Jordan had nothing to do with that.

Well, I'm not talking about his childhood, Mr. Jones. More recently,

his tragic death, he made a phone call.

Confirmed your suspicions, yes?

That my mother was alive?

I guess. I mean, I don't know for sure.

Well, you hung up before you could know for sure.

Well, you can't consider that a strike against him, can you? I mean, Your

there is a big one that says honor thy father. Oh, that's one of the biggest.

Right up there with honor thy mother.

Put this boy in quite a pickle, I'd say.

And I'm not saying he was at all at fault for the choice he made.

I'm just wondering, are you at peace with it, son?

I... I'm not sure I understand.

Join the club.

In your heart.

Did you believe that your mother was the destructive villain that your father

said she was?

Why would he lie? I mean... Even if she...

wasn't dead.

Maybe he was just saying that just to protect us so it wouldn't hurt so much

know that she was alive but didn't love us.

Take a look.

We haven't had any kind of marriage in years and I'm tired. I'm tired of being

your servant.

You are my wife. You're the mother of my children.

Shh, please. You're going to wake them. All right, all right. Who is it? Tell

me. What is it? One of your artist friends? Is that it?

Doesn't matter.

Well, just tell me who it is then.

Yes. He's an artist, all right?

One who doesn't think what I do is, or what is it you call it, some silly

self -indulgent hobby. He doesn't try to control me or belittle me.

I can't take it anymore, and I've already called a lawyer.

Have you any idea what this will do to the children?

This will be the best thing that ever happened to them. And you want to know

why? Because I'll be happy.

For the first time in their lives, I'll be happy. Because I won't have you

belittling me every day.

You won't get away with this, Becca.

You mark my words, you will regret this for the rest of your life.

Death of a marriage is so hard.

Prayers from children who wish that their parents would love each other

Some of the saddest to hear.

Do you remember that night?

Nothing about drugs or bad guys with guns.

And you remembered that all your life, didn't you?

I... Well, that doesn't mean that Dad lied.

Did you want to know the truth?

Well, I wasn't... I was afraid that if Dad knew that I'd looked for her...

You know, he'd be mad, or maybe leave us, too.

Then we'd have no one.

You came this close, and you finally chose not to find out.

If you had a second chance, would you make the same choice again?

I don't know.

Was I wrong?

Did I do something wrong? No, no, no.

And if you're happy about the choice you made, God bless.

Eternal paradise awaits you.

You know, you know what? I am happy about it. I mean, whatever the truth is,

abandoned us. She betrayed us.

Dad was right. She obviously didn't love us. And I don't care if she wanted to

see us. She didn't deserve to.

The only mistake I made was even getting on the phone in the first place.

I see.

Angel.

Just Angel and your dad now.

They'll be leaving for Wyoming.

She never knew that your mother was looking for the two of you. You decided

keep that from her.

She looks so sad.

She doesn't blame herself for what happened with the gun, does she?

Well, how could she not?

This clock is an absolute mess.

But I'm going to fix it if it takes me an eternity.

It has the most beautiful chime you've ever heard.

So delicate.

Like the sound of children's laughter.

There is no more beautiful sound in the universe than that.

You know, I've... Never heard Angel laugh.

I don't know if she's ever really been happy.

Another pity.

Well, time is money, as the mortals like to say.

Should we summon the sweet chariot, Mr. Jones, and send this boy to the promised

land? Wait, what if I took a second chance?

Could I help Angel? I mean, is that something I could fix if I went back? I

mean... Oh, no, no, I'm afraid not.

No, you can only affect the change in yourself.

Well, what if I really did it this time? I mean, I found out about Mom, and that

would make her happy.

I could do that, right?

Are you sure you want to?

It could be difficult.

Your first choice may be the best one.

I want to see Angel laugh.

She has that right.

So be it.

You will have three days.

And three days only.

You will go back with all your memories intact and no one will recognize you.

You are a free agent in the universe with the blessing of God Almighty and

court.

Oh, man.

This is totally weird.

Yeah, it's quite a change.

Am I still me? You know it, and I know it, but remember what Othniel said.

No one will recognize you.

Take his word for it.

So this is just three days ago.

Right. You made the call about your mother four days before this.

But it's still three days until the accident.

We have time.

So that's the idea. I have three days to save my own life.

It's your time, Sam.

Use it however you like.

Who am I?

Kirk Ivers.

You talking to me?

No, Robert De Niro.

Okay, this is your class schedule.

If you have any questions, my office hours are 8 to 2 p .m. Your locker

and combination are written inside that folder.

Good luck, and I hope I don't see you back here anytime soon, huh?

He needs some help.

Lisa.

Yeah, how did you know?

Oh, you look like someone I used to know. Her name was Lisa.

Well,

mine jabs, too. I mean them sometimes.

Kind of like my boyfriend recently, actually.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah, I mean, one day things are really cool. We're talking about going to

college together. And the next thing you know, he's in his own private Idaho,

and he won't even return any of my calls.

Um, maybe he's just got a lot on his mind.

Yeah, like dumping me before he goes to college.

No, he would never do that. I mean, he'd be crazy to let go of you.

Well, I mean, he doesn't own me. It's my choice just as much as his.

So I take it you're new here. What's your name?

Oh, um, Kirk Ivers.

Oh, where are you from?

I'm from here.

I was away, and now I'm back.

Were you in prison or something?

Uh, no.

I was just away.

Hey, Sam, wait.

Here are your college brochures.

No point in me keeping them since you're barely speaking to me.

What are you talking about?

Come on, Sam, don't play dumb.

I mean, you've been totally dissing me.

If it's over, just do me a favor and tell me, okay?

Because you're not the only guy in Pennsylvania, you know.

You know, she's a great girl. You probably shouldn't ignore her.

What, are you trying to make a move on her, broccoli boy?

Hey, it wasn't my idea. And no, I'm not making a move on her.

I'm just saying you look like a guy who's got something on his mind. I mean,

like a noise or a voice that won't quiet down no matter how hard you try.

Who died and made you king of the mind readers?

Look, it's a long story.

It's pretty amazing, Noah. I went through the exact same thing and in the

lost more than my girlfriend.

Wait, what's going on? What did Lisa tell you?

Nothing.

Look, I'm just saying, you look like you could use a friend to help you work

things out.

It's tough when you have no one to talk to. I don't even know who you are.

Kirk Ivers. Yeah, whatever.

Look, I got everything under control and I certainly don't need a friend like

you.

So, what's up? What's on your mind?

I need some answers.

What if I can't get through to me?

What if I can't convince myself to search for the truth?

Don't focus on the negative.

There's so many things that I didn't realize when I was alive.

I mean, all the people that I was hurting.

And by keeping stuff inside, my sister and Lisa, myself.

I saw it in my face.

So afraid.

Never helps anything, you know.

What?

Fear.

Gotta let go of it. It's not your friend.

We're here.

This is your stop.

The landlady is Mrs. Gearson.

She's expecting you.

Don't worry.

She's a great cook.

You must be Kurt. I've been expecting you. Come in.

Your room's just at the top of the stairs, across the hall from a real

woman.

You've got plenty of time to clean up before dinner.

Thanks.

By the way, I like your hair.

Must have taken a lot of courage to do that.

Well, not really. It sort of happened by accident.

Accidents happen for a reason, I always say.

Anyway, I like it.

I heard you could cook, but I had no idea.

That was amazing.

The world always looks better on a full stomach.

At least that's my philosophy.

No, no, you stay there and relax.

I'll take care of these and I'll get our dessert ready.

Becca, we've just finished. But the leftovers are in the oven. I'll get you

plate. Oh, no, don't bother, really.

Nonsense. You need to eat.

Kirk, this is Becca Curtis.

Becca, this is Kirk Ivers, our newest tenant.

Hello? Hi.

Nice to meet you.

Becca just flew in all the way from California.

You sit.

I'll get you dinner.

I've got a son around your age.

Do you go to school around here? Maybe you know him. Or maybe my daughter.

No, I don't.

I mean, I doubt it.

What school do they go to?

I'm not sure.

I haven't seen them in 12 years.

How come?

Well, it's complex.

They were taken by their father.

So are you just looking for them now?

Or why didn't you look earlier?

Oh, I did.

I started the day they were kidnapped, and I never stopped.

Yeah, well, you must have not looked hard enough.

It's not like he could make them invisible or something.

Oh, no, I've, um... I've done everything I could.

But I've never had much money, and it costs a fortune to hire a private

investigator.

Yeah, if you're not rich...

There's not much help in this world.

Is that what you did this for?

For money?

No. No, of course not.

I finally got a call that they might be somewhere in this area code.

It could turn out to be a wild goose chase, but I won't give up hope.

So why did he take them in the first place?

I mean, people don't take kids from their mothers just for no reason.

Cook, I'd like to explain it to you.

I'm sorry. I don't feel very well right now.

It's all the drugs in my system.

He was right.

What? Who?

Nobody.

But you look like you're on drugs.

No wonder he took them away from you. I mean, how does a mom do that to herself

and let her family just suffer?

Oh, you don't understand.

Oh, I understand just fine.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

I hope you never find your kids, because you don't deserve to know them.

My mother is a disgrace.

Is that why you brought me back?

Now I can spend all of eternity knowing what a terrible person my mother is?

Why did I have to know?

Why did you have to rub it on my face?

Why, Jones?

Why did you have to show me she was a stupid selfish drug addict?

She's not on those kinds of drugs, Sam.

She's on chemotherapy.

She has cancer.

And she's dying.

Hi. Come in.

I just came to say I'm sorry I got so worked up last night.

It's all right, Kirk.

I kind

of had something similar happen.

With my family.

As you know, there's two sides to every story.

I only ever got to hear one.

It's my fear.

That my kids will never know my side of what happened.

Well, that's why you came here to tell them, right?

If I find them.

If I can hold on long enough.

Does the chemo help?

I think so.

I think what keeps me going more is hope.

Although I don't know how much more that I have.

You know, I was thinking that I could help you.

I mean, out of all the places I could have ended up, I ended up right here

you.

You'd help me look for my children?

Maybe.

I mean, if you could help me understand what happened, you

could tell me your side.

Help me see if I could find them.

Really, you would do that for me?

You're an angel, Craig.

Oh, you seem like such a kind, sweet soul.

So much like my own little boy.

Why won't you tell me?

There's nothing to tell.

You and Dad have been acting so weird the last few days. Don't deny it.

I just have a lot on my mind.

I mean, with applying for college and all.

Everything's fine.

All right?

Well, I know it's something, and I'm getting really tired of all these

Angel... Don't tell me it's nothing when I know it isn't.

Morning.

What do you want?

Just a minute to talk.

Cool hair.

Thanks. Your brother thinks it looks like broccoli.

How'd you know she was my sister?

I was just, uh, I was hoping we could be friends, so I was asking around. Yeah,

well, stop asking. I don't need any new friends.

Why are you being such a butthead?

Yeah.

I'm Kirk. Hi, I'm Angel.

And I apologize for my bravado.

Well, I gotta go. I'll see you guys later.

Look, I'm sorry. There's a lot of kids at this school. I'm sure plenty of them

would be friends with you. You know, uh...

That's not why I'm here. I wasn't sure even at first. But now I know. I've seen

your mom.

What?

The phone call. She came all the way out from California to find you.

She told me the whole story. Your dad's been lying to you all these years.

Of course, you already knew that, didn't you?

Look, Keith. Kirk.

Yeah, whatever.

Did you tell her you know where we are?

No. I mean, that's up to you.

Good.

You keep it that way. I don't know what the real story is, but my dad's a good

guy, all right?

And he had a reason to do what he did.

We don't need our mom coming back into our lives and screwing things up.

She wanted a divorce.

I mean, that was all. Dad, your dad couldn't handle that, so he kidnapped

punish her, to show her who was boss. You call that a good guy?

How do you know she's telling the truth?

Come and see her.

I mean, come and let her tell you herself. She's amazing, Sam.

I always wished that I had a mother like that.

But it's not up to me to decide if the truth should come out or not.

So you have to come and meet her and decide for yourself.

What do you mean, have to?

Look, I know what you're going through.

Just come with me and skip class. You didn't finish your homework anyway.

How do you know?

Broccoli boy knows all.

Never mind.

Just a lucky guess.

Come on.

Let's go.

Keep the change.

Wow, a whole quarter. Thank you. White guy.

Mrs.

Gerson. Kirk.

Why aren't you boys in school?

We need to talk to Becca.

Oh, dear.

She collapsed after you left this morning.

I had to call an ambulance.

She's in the hospital now.

She looks so different.

Cancer's not exactly a walk in the park.

Neither is having your kids stolen.

Why do you care so much about this?

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

Anyways, it doesn't matter.

All that matters is her.

She needs to know that she's found you and Christina.

What's the point?

She's unconscious.

Just talk to her.

She'll know. I mean, I think it's what she needs to help her keep going.

I... I don't know.

What's wrong with you?

What are you so afraid of?

If she wakes up and sees me, there's no telling what would happen to Angel and

me. I mean...

She could die anyway, and then my father's going to end up in prison or

something. I mean, you just don't know.

I know your father's lied to you for all your life.

He's turning you into a liar just like him. He didn't have a choice.

You know what? It doesn't matter.

You think you can handle it, but what about Angel?

I mean, have you ever seen her laugh one day in her life or be happy?

No.

Because you both lied to her for...

All her life telling her that she doesn't have a mother who loves her.

You're freaking me out. I don't know what you want.

Give Angel back to her mother.

Even if it's just for a few days or a few hours. I mean, at least she'll be

to say goodbye.

Get out of my face.

I can't do this.

Harder than you think.

How could I turn out so weak while she's so strong?

At least if I've failed, maybe I can see her when she comes to heaven.

Could you ask the judge if I can do that?

He already gave you a second chance, Sam.

Use it.

Don't give up.

You didn't give up being your mom.

She still hasn't woken up yet, Mr. Jones.

Isn't there anything you can do to help?

There's nothing I can do, Sam.

You're the only one who could change things, and you're running out of time.

But I tried.

I mean, you saw what happened. I mean, what else can I do?

Pray?

You're still afraid, aren't you?

Kirk, did you stay with her all this time?

Yeah, I guess.

Told you I was a good judge of character.

Even with green hair, I knew you were a nice boy.

What's all that?

Oh, things Becca had in her room. I thought you might like them here.

That's a great sound.

Becca said she gave it to her little girl. Their last Christmas together.

Right. I'd forgotten.

Oh, did you tell you about it, too?

No, I just... I'd just forgotten how good a mother's love felt.

Did you lose your mother, Kirk?

Yeah.

And I didn't have to.

Yeah.

I'm a friend of Sam and Angel's.

Oh, they're at their choir practice. They'll be back for 10 or 15 minutes.

Yeah, I know, but I wanted to come here and talk to you before they got home.

Will you let me inside, please?

Mind telling me what this is all about?

Funny, isn't it?

I mean, they're at church right now, and they like to go, but you never go. Why

is that?

Now, that's really nobody's business but my own, young man, now, is it? Yeah, it

makes sense, though. I mean, you can't really hide from the eyes of God in

church, can you?

Of course, you really know that there's no safe place to hide it. All right, now

listen, I don't know who you are, and I don't know what your agenda is, but it's

time for you to get to your point or move on.

She's back.

Yeah, you know who I'm talking about.

Becca's here. She's staying where I'm staying. She told me the whole story.

woman is a liar. Stop. I don't want to hear it.

I know the truth as well as you do, but I'm not here to rat you out. That's not

why I came. The only reason she could be here is to bring us more trouble. Now

I'm going to have to get the kids out of here again. I don't believe it. Would

you stop? I don't have much time.

The truth is going to come out sooner or later, whether it's here or in heaven.

And you're going to have to answer for all the things that you did.

And I don't think you realize all the pain that you've caused.

I mean, Angel is miserable and getting worse.

I mean, she's this close to completely losing it because of you.

She's fine. No, she's not.

And Sam, he wants to believe you because you're his father. He wants to love

you, but he knows you don't deserve it. And you never will unless you give them

back to their mother.

It has to come from you.

She put you up to this, didn't she?

She's too afraid to face me herself, isn't she?

No, that's not it.

I mean, she's sick.

She's close to dying.

Which I'm sure you don't even care about.

But her kids need to see her.

If you want your kids to love you, you have to tell them the truth now, today,

before it's too late. My kids do love me. No, they don't.

I could tell you this is surely as if I was your own son.

You're a lonely, unhappy man, and you can't let your kids end up the same way.

You have to give them a reason to love you.

Please, give them back to their mother.

Broccoli Boy?

What are you doing here?

Dad, whatever he said, he's lying.

Sorry,

Sam. It's time.

No, not yet.

Nothing. I'm just talking to myself.

Well, we really have to go.

Christine?

Mom?

Mom? Christine?

Go get Sammy. He's in the bathroom.

You in here?

Whoa.

Welcome back.

Where'd he go?

Or me?

Where'd I go?

Kirk's time was up.

In just a moment, you'll have no idea that you were one and the same person.

You won't remember me either.

Or the gunshot.

Any of what happened to you.

Just your new life with your mom who's back, thanks to you.

I know you're probably not supposed to tell me this, but what happens now?

I mean, how long will I have before she dies?

She has her children now.

The two of you could be the best medicine there is for her.

But it's not going to be easy.

It's an uphill road, and she'll need all your support.

How about my dad?

I mean, will I ever forgive him?

Give yourself time.

Remember, you've got a second chance.

Now go on. Your mother's waited a long time to see you.

Don't make her wait anymore.

You know, I...

I think I might actually miss the green hair.

I had you and Angel with me for a long time.