All language subtitles for Highway to Heaven S01E18 A Child of God

[music playing]

[music playing]

Oh excuse me

[phone ringing]

All set kitten?

Mom, you should see
the stuff in this book.

It's so gross.

It's shows people with their
whole insides sticking out.

Oh, don't tell me.

I could never be a doctor.

I don't know how they look at
all that stuff without barfing.

What'd the doctor say?

Oh, you know doctors.

They're all also confusing.

He must have said something.

I'll tell you what, I'll
tell you over a hot dog.

I'm starved.

Me too.

[music playing]

The doctor thought
it would be good

for me to get away for a while.

A change, you know.

You mean like a vacation?

No, more permanent.

You mean move away?

Yeah.

But all my friends are here.

And what about your job?

I'm gonna give notice today.

Mom, do we have to?

I like my school.

Yes we have to.

Oh, Amy.

I'm so sorry.

You see, that's why
I have to get away.

I need a rest, you understand?

If it'll make you better
do whatever you want.

But, where will we go?

To California to
see your grandparents.

But you said that--

I know what I said.

But it's been years
and people change.

I've changed, I'm sure
my father's changed.

It's not right that he hasn't
seen his own granddaughter.

Honey, I know it's all of a
sudden but it's for the best,

believe me.

You upset?

Yeah.

You mad?

Yeah.

You'll get over it?

Yeah.

[laughing]

Sure.

MAN: I do not believe it.

I don't believe it.

That's the fourth
thing you haven't

believed in the newspaper
in the last 10 minutes.

Yeah, well this
one takes the cake.

This guy kills
two people, right?

So a psychiatrist gets up in
court says the man is sick.

So they give him a couple
of years of treatment,

then the same psychiatrist
gets up and says

that the man's all right.

He's out two days,
he kills a kid.

I don't believe it.

And the expert, he
doesn't understand it.

You know what they ought to do.

What?

If this so-called expert is
so sure that this guy is All

right, well they ought
to make that guy stay

in that psychiatrist
house for one year

with the wife and the kids.

Then we'll know
if he's all right.

And what's a psychiatrist
doing in a courtroom anyway?

Did you See "One Flew
over the Cuckoo's Nest"?

Mhm.

Well, those guys fooled
me and they were actors.

I bet a guy could act
pretty crazy if he knew

it was going to save his neck.

Here we are.

Where?

Our new home for
the next few days.

We stay here for a while.

This moving around all
the time gets tough.

Oh come on, it's not so bad
when you consider the results.

How long you been doing this?

Doing what?

You, know angleling.

Oh, I don't know.

About 30 years.

30 years?

You're kidding.

And you're still on probation?

That's an awful long
time don't you think.

Not to God.

Manager's in 305.

It's just a one
bedroom apartment,

but the sofa opens up.

It's comfortable.

Mhm.

Hey, nice kitchen in here Mark.

I think this will be just fine.

I insist on a year's lease.

First and last month in
advance, and a cleaning deposit.

Oh, well you see
actually, we were just

planning to stay about a month.

Sorry, a years
lease or nothing.

I'm afraid it's just
not going to work out.

You know, old Charlie
Dearne told us things would

be different in California.

Charlie Dearne?

Oh Yeah, he's just an old
friend of ours from back home.

Well, we're going to have
a look somewhere else

but thank you very much.

Where Are you two from?

Iowa.

Merrington.

Well, I don't believe it.

I do.

I'm from Merrington.

You're not going
to believe this--

Yes, I am.

--But I used to
date Charlie Dearne.

No.

oh no, come on.

I don't b-- a, a
tall redheaded guy?

That's him.

[laughter]

Oh, no, no wait a minute.

You are not Betty.

Better known as Betty
Boop to Charlie?

Charlie didn't
talk about me did he?

Talked about you?

He talks about you all the time.

I think he's still
carrying a torch.

What a small world.

Isn't it?

Listen, just forget about
what I said about the lease.

You're welcome to stay
as long as you need.

Oh, that's very,
very kind of you.

[knocking]
- Mrs. Hardy?

Yes?

All the power's
off in my apartment.

Did you try your fuse box?

Yes, I pushed the breaker
but it just clicked right off.

It must be a short or something.

Well I, I can't get an
electrician out here today

it's Sunday.

They're going to charge
me an arm and a leg.

Hey I'd be happy
to take a look at it.

I'm kind of a jack
of all trades.

I'd appreciate it.

No problem at all.

I'll be back in a few minutes.

I just can't get over it.

You two knowing
my old bo Charlie.

[laughter]

What a shock.

Yeah.

Was to me too.

The fuse box is right
over there on the wall.

All right, let me take a look.

Let's see.

Now how did you do that?

I tried for 10 minutes.

Ah ha, it is magic.

Mommy.

Mommy, it's fixed.

I know.

Thanks to Mr--

Jonathan Smith.

I'm Marsha Stearns.

And this is my daughter Amy.

Amy, how are you doing?

Fine.

I hope I get a chance
to return the favor.

Oh, come on it was nothing,
Well, I better get back

and get settled in.
Good seeing you, Amy.

Bye.

Thank you again.

Oh.

Oh, you know I've
got one question.

I want to go to
church this morning

and I wondered if there was one
in the neighborhood somewhere.

Yes, as a matter of fact,
we're going this morning too.

Hey, maybe we
could ride together.

Well--

It's all right.

I understand.

We'll probably see you there.

Mr Smith.

Yeah.

We should be there at 9:45.

Takes about 10 minutes by car.

All right.

Let's play it safe, I'll
meet you out front at 9:30.

- All right.
- See you then.

OK.

Are you nervous?

Of course not.

Liar.

Nine years, it's a long time.

A long time.

What shall we do with those
less fortunate in our midst?

Shall we say, they
didn't try hard enough,

they don't want to work,
all they want is a handout?

It is easy to say
that and pass them by.

It's easy because we
don't have to make

the effort to help them.

That's right the effort.

It takes doing,
doing for others.

But what rewards.

What a gift we
receive when we open

our hearts to our fellow man.

Ask yourself these
questions, what can I do?

How can I help?

What am I not doing that must--

What am I not doing that
must be done to help?

Ask yourself these questions
each and every one of you.

And you will find a
new purpose to life.

Wonderful service brother.

Fred, see you Wednesday.

Father, this is Amy,
your granddaughter.

How's mom?

She's well.

That's good.

You look wonderful.

You haven't changed.

No, no I haven't
changed at all.

I, I wondered
if we could talk.

We have nothing to talk about.

We haven't had for years.

Amy, go wait with
Jonathan for a minute, OK?

She's a wonderful child.

Why did you come back here?

I thought it was
time to end all this.

To try and be like a
father and daughter.

I have no daughter.

She died nine years ago.

Whoever you are, please go.

[music playing]

[music playing]

I always like
to pray the Stars.

Hi.

Hi.

How did you know I was praying?

Wishing, praying,
just a guess.

I haven't prayed
for a long time.

Shame, shame.

You're the daughter
of a minister.

I heard you called him today.

I haven't seen him
in such a long time.

I could tell.

You could?

Mhm.

Yeah, people who have been close
and then separated for whatever

reason always seem to
have a very strange

kind of uncomfortableness.

Silly word, but it suits.

Yes, it does.

I guess you could tell it
didn't go very well today.

It's amazing how
we kid ourselves.

I really believed
I could come back

and everything would
be as it was before.

Before what?

Before I got pregnant
and became imperfect.

Why am I talking
to you like this?

Because I'm a stranger,
and another very

imperfect human being.

And believe me, there's
a lot of us out there.

Not my father.

He's perfect.

Oh come on, you
don't believe that.

He does.

That's the important thing.

Makes you angry, doesn't it?

Yes damn it.

But he's my father and--

And what?

And he's my father.

My father the minister.

Ooh, do you know what
that's like growing up?

Growing up with the perfect
father that everyone reveres.

Oh, I mean reveres.

He's not just a person, he's
got the inside track on God.

When he tells you you've
sinned, you have sinned.

And have you?

I have a child, I
don't have a husband.

That's a sin, isn't it?

Not giving your
child love in a sin.

I love her more than
anything in the world.

Then where's the sin?

Then how can he make
me feel so guilty?

Oh, people who judge
others rely on guilt. See,

it keeps them from having to
deal with their own feelings

of guilt.

[music playing]

I'm gonna let you get
back to your praying.

God bless you.

[music playing]

[phone ringing]

Hello?

MARSHA (ON PHONE): Hello mother.

Marsh.

Oh, Marsh.

Your father told me about today.

DAVID: Sarah, who is it?

It's, uh, Mrs. Angus
about the bazaar.

DAVID: Does she
want to talk to me?

No, it's all right.

I'll take care of it.

Marsh, I've missed you so.

MARSHA (ON PHONE): Can
I see you tomorrow?

Of course.

Your father will be gone by 9.

You understand?

MARSHA (ON PHONE): Yes.

I'll see you then.

Marsh?

The child?

MARSHA (ON PHONE):
I'll bring her.

Good night mom.

Good night Darling.

It was Marsha wasn't it?

No, I told you it was, Um--

It was Marsha.

Yes.

She wants to see me.

Sarah, I told you today--

David, she's my daughter.

That little girl
is our grandchild.

What happened happened.

It was nine years ago.

I know how long ago it was.

I have tried for all that time
to forget it, to block it out

of my mind but I will
not let her come back

here seeking our forgiveness.

No.

She's coming tomorrow.

I want to see her.

Then we will put an
end to it tomorrow.

[music playing]

[music playing]

JONATHAN: Reverend Stearns?

I'm sorry if I startled you.

Oh, that's all right.

I didn't hear you come in.

Do I know you?

No.

I'm not a regular member
of the congregation.

I did hear your
sermon today though.

It was very good.

Thank you Mr, uh--

Jonathan Smith.

Mr Smith.

I hate to bother you
now, but I wondered

if I could talk to you.

Ask some advice.

Of course, sit down.

That's very kind of you.

See, I, I have a
friend who's had

a falling out with her family.

And she desperately wants to
get back with them because she

loves them very much.

Mhm.

Her father just won't bend.

I was wondering if
there was any chance

of your getting them
together, talking to them,

counseling them.

Yeah, of course.

At least I can try.

Why don't I give
you my, my card.

They can call me any time.

Mhm.

We can meet here, or at,
uh, my house if that would

be more comfortable for them.

Ah, that's very kind of you.

The problem is going to be
getting the father to come.

The daughter is
more than willing.

Well, perhaps I
can talk with him.

Do you know where to reach him?

Right here.

What?

The father I'm speaking
of Reverend, is you.

What is this?

Did my daughter
put you up to this?

No, your daughter
doesn't even know I'm here.

My relationship
with my daughter

has absolutely nothing
to do with you.

I never said it did.

I'm only asking if
you'll speak to her.

We have said everything that
can be said to each other.

You're willing to sit
down with two strangers,

but you can't do the same
thing for your own child?

My daughter is an adulteress.

Did she tell you that?

No.

I didn't think so.

Should it make a difference?

Even someone on death row has
a man of the cloth to talk to.

Do you consider your daughter
worse than a murderer?

They are asking
for forgiveness.

She never asked
for my forgiveness.

She wasn't sorry for
what she did then,

and she's not sorry for it now.

She has a wonderful child.

Should she be sorry
for her existence?

This discussion
is over Mr Smith.

If you want to
help my daughter, I

suggest you pray for her soul.

It's more important Reverend
that I pray for yours.

[music playing]

There's lots to
see around here.

Disneyland, Magic Mountain.

You like rides?

I've never been
on any big ones.

Well, they'll scare the pants
off you, but they're great.

Can we go sometime mom?

Sure.

I'll bring in airsickness bag.

It's a ride at the next corner.

Fourth house on the right.

OK.

[music playing]

Oh, Marsh.

Amy, this is your grandmother.

Hello Amy.

Hello grandmother.

I'm sorry.

You probably think
I'm a silly old lady.

I've Just waited so long
to hear Hello grandmother.

I don't think you're silly.

Good.

Your father's here.

He knew it was you on the phone.

I tried to talk to
him again last night

but, you know how he can be.

Yeah, I know.

Do you think it might be
better if I come with you?

No, it's all right.

I want to speak to both of you.

Jonathan, could Amy stay
with you for an hour?

I've got some things
to straighten out.

Sure, no problem.

I'll meet you back at the
apartment an hour or so.

OK.

We'll get some ice cream.

Nothing like ice
cream for breakfast.

Why doesn't
grandfather like me?

I told you sweetie, it
has nothing to do with you.

It's between your
grandfather and me.

We're both kind of stubborn.

Everything will work out.

Now go on.

[engine revving]

Hello again father.

Your mother told
me you were coming.

I wanted to be
sure you understood

what I told you yesterday.

David.

It's all right mother.

I understood perfectly.

I'm not here expecting to be
welcomed back with open arms.

I came to talk about
your granddaughter.

Can we sit down?

I'm at a crossroads in my life.

I've done fairly well in
the advertising business,

and I have the
opportunity to become

a full partner in the firm.

But, it means constant travel.

And that's impossible
with a child.

You can stop right there.

I see what's coming.

First, the child stays here
for a while, then you visit.

No, no.

I'm not going to let
you use your daughter.

Would you shut up
for once and listen?

My daughter needs a family.

Not just a mother who
will be gone all the time.

What I am asking is will
you take your granddaughter

and raise her in this house?

Until it's convenient for
you to come back for her?

No, for good.

Marsh, you can't do that.

Mother, I'm doing
what's best for the child.

I know how you feel about me.

But Amy is your grandchild.

She's all the family you have.

She had nothing to do
with what happened.

She's a lovely, loving
child who needs you.

You would give
up your daughter,

your own daughter for a job?

Yes.

It shouldn't surprise you.

You know the way I am.

All right, suppose we say Yes.

How do we know that you
won't change your mind

and come back for her?

You have my word.

I'm a sinner, not a liar.

That's not good enough.

I'll have any legal papers
made out that you want.

Marsh, think about
what you're doing.

Have you said anything
about this to the child?

Not yet, but I will.

I wanted her to be with
both of you a while.

Learn to feel safe,
then I can tell her.

Mother please, I
know what I'm doing.

I'll leave at the
end of the week.

I'll tell her it's a business
trip for a few months.

It'll give you time.

Well?

All right.

I'll go then.

[music playing]

Love her.

[laughter]

MARK: 45, 46, 47, 48, 49.

AMY: Mommy!

Mommy, is everything all right?

I got worried.

Everything is wonderful.

It was just such a nice day,
I decided to go for a walk.

What about grandfather?

All worked out.

I told you everything
was going to be OK.

I'll tell you all
about it later.

Right now, I feel
like doing something.

Can we go to the
amusement park?

Mark said he'd take us.

Do you really want to go?

There you go again.

We asked didn't we?

Then let's go.

[screaming]

Are you sure you
don't want to go on?

I'm sure.

If I got on that thing even
my beard would turn green.

OK scardey cat.

So we're going to go it alone.

I can't believe the
difference in that girl.

I'm sure glad you got things
worked out with her dad.

It's an act.

What?

It's an act.

You sure?

Yeah, I'm sure.

[music playing]

[screaming]

But, why do you have
to be gone for so long?

Maybe it won't be that long.

If I can get my work
done sooner I will.

Promise?

Promise.

Now, you're going to have fun.

Grandparents love
to spoil children.

, So don't take advantage.

Maybe just a little bit.

All right.

Now, you get some sleep.

You and I are going to be
very busy the next few days.

What are we gonna do?

Tell me.

We're going to do everything.

The beach, the theater.

You name it, we'll do it.

Oh mom, I love you.

I love you too.

Now, off to sleep.

Yes ma'am.

AMY: Mom?

Leave the hall light on, OK?

OK.

See you in the morning.

Now what do you
think you're doing?

Well, I thought
I was doing dishes.

I can do that.

Well then so can
I. Here, you dry.

Mark said good night.

I noticed he was
having trouble keeping

his eyes open at dinner.

I know it.

You're sure full
of energy today.

I know.

I feel hyper.

It's probably from getting
everything straightened out

with your father.

It is.

It's like a weight
being lifted off me.

Guess what I did today.

Let me see, uh, ran
around an amusement park.

Before that.

I can't guess.

I went and saw Amy's father.

What, you just
bumped into him?

No, I, I went by
where he worked.

I wasn't sure he'd still
be there, but he was.

Did you talk to him?

No.

I just looked.

Silly, huh?

No.

No, I don't think silly.

He doesn't even
know about Amy.

Why Didn't you tell him?

Because he was married.

Why do I always
tell you everything?

It's like I said,
sometimes it's

easier to talk to strangers.

You don't seem like
a stranger to me.

You seem like an old friend.

I'm glad.

Amy wasn't a mistake you know.

It's hard to explain,
but I loved him so much.

And I knew no matter
how he felt, that he

would never leave his family.

I wanted to have his baby.

Did you ever tell
your father that?

Lord, no.

He wouldn't have listened.

And if he had, he
wouldn't have understood.

How did you manage to
change his mind today?

I guess he's just
mellowing with age.

Hey, are you all right?

Yeah, the day's
catching up to me.

I don't blame you.

I'll get out of your hair.

Thanks again for dinner.

Thank you for being a friend.

You've got a lot more
of them than you know.

Good night.

Good night.

What's the matter?

You been pacing around like
that ever since you came in.

I don't know.

I sense something.

What, about Marsha?

Yeah.

You sure you're
not just bothered

she straightened things out with
her father and you couldn't.

Oh, come on Mark.

No, I mean, looked
awful happy tonight.

[knocking]

AMY: Jonathan!

Amy honey, what's wrong?

My mom, she fell in the
bathtub and I can't get her up.

All right, I'm coming.

Mark, you call an ambulance.

See if you get a
hold of her folks.

Come on.

[music playing]

Jonathan.

Sarah, where's David?

He wouldn't come.

How's Marsh?

This is Dr. Gottlieb.

Doctor.

Your daughter's resting.

She's conscious.

She just overdid today.

Thank God.

Will she have to stay
in the hospital long?

No.

We can release her
in a day or so.

But, if she wants to stretch
the time that she has left,

we'd better see to
it that she doesn't

weaken herself this way.

The time she has left?

[music playing]

I, I certainly thought
that you would know.

Know what?

Your daughter
is terminally ill.

I contacted her
doctor in New York.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I thought you knew.

Time left.

Is that final?

Yes.

Six months at the outside
if she takes it easy.

The child?

She knows.

May I see her?

Of course.

Come with me.

[music playing]

How did you get in here?

That doesn't matter.

Your daughter needs you now.

Oh, well I know
she's in the hospital.

But let me tell you
something, that is an act.

She wants us to
feel sorry for her.

Well, let me tell you
something it will not work.

No.

I told her that we would
raise that child if she

went away and never came back.

She said she would.

Now she wants our pity so
that we will take her in.

Well, the answer is no.

You can tell her that for me.

Your daughter will keep her
promise about not coming back.

See, she's dying Reverend.

Oh, that's a lie.

Oh no.

She's known for some time.

That's why she came back here.

You're lying.

She could have told me.

She didn't tell
you because she

wanted you to take her daughter
in out of love not out of pity.

She wanted to give
her daughter a chance

to feel secure with
your love before she

had to face her mother's dying.

And she carried that inside all
by herself for her loved ones.

Amazing isn't it?

After everything you've done,
your daughter still loves you.

And you call that
child of God a sinner?

Jonathan.

My wife has taken the car.

May I go with you?

Yes.

[music playing]

I won't cry anymore.

That's all right, crying's
supposed to be good for us.

My mom wasn't crying.

I know, she's past that now.

But I bet she did at first.

Do you believe in heaven?

Sure I do.

I wonder what it's like.

We'll all find out someday.

It's supposed to
be a beautiful place.

It is the best.

Then why do people cry
when someone goes there?

I guess it's for
the same reason

that people cry in
airports, and bus stations.

You know?

Somebody that we love
is going on a long trip

and we're going to miss them.

Then we're really crying
for ourselves aren't we?

Yeah.

It's all right.

It's all right.

Father.

Things didn't work out
quite the way I planned.

I thought about telling you.

I understand.

I'm wanted to hurt you
the way you had hurt me.

And the longer we'd
been apart the more

I wanted to forget you.

Can you ever forgive me?

Forgive you?

I don't want you to go away?

I want you to stay here with us.

We have so much to say,
and so little time.

Please don't go.

[music playing]

Please daughter.

Don't go.

He loves me mama.

He loves me.

[church bells ringing]

Before I start
my sermon today,

I would very much like to
introduce you to two very

important people in my life.

My daughter Marsha, and
my granddaughter Amy.

We speak often of how much
children can learn from their.

Parents I'd like to
talk today about what

I learned from my child.

It deals with judging others.

We all do it.

You do it, your
minister does it.

We'd read about someone in a
newspaper, someone we don't

even know and we judge them.

We judge our friends,
we judge our loved ones.

And in so doing, we play God.

Well, not the type of
God we worship here.

No, for He is the last to judge.

Why then should we take it
upon ourselves to do so?

We even judge someone
for worshiping

in a different
manner than we do.

And by so doing, we
create prejudice.

A man asked me once
if I had my choice

would I rather face
an atheist with a gun,

or a Christian with a gun.

Of course I told him
I'd rather face neither.

[laughter]

But you see, what
he was really saying

was that because the one
man said he was a Christian,

he was automatically
better than the atheist.

Is that true?

Or, is that just a judgment?

You cannot go to heaven if
you don't believe in God.

Is that true?

Or, am I merely
judging by saying yes?

Am I supposed to
believe that someone who

has led a good life, and helped
others will be condemned by God

because he doesn't believe?

I don't think so.

I do not believe that God
looks so much for recognition

as he does for the good in
each and every one of us.

Spend your time on this
earth loving, not judging.

And then we will truly
be the children of God.

[music playing]