Original subtitles

♪ In the sweet by and by ♪

♪ We shall meet on that beautiful shore ♪

♪ In the sweet by and by ♪

♪ We shall meet on that beautiful shore ♪

♪ There's a land that is fairer than day ♪

♪ And by faith we can see it afar ♪

♪ For the Father waits over the way ♪

♪ To prepare us a dwelling place there ♪

[clock ticks]

[light switch flicks]

[man grunts]

[man urinating]

[deep sigh]

[man grunts]

[deep sigh]

[soft piano music]

[man sighs]

♪♪

[clock ticks]

[man grunts]

[gunfire and screams in distance]

[warfare sounds fade] [music continues]

[deep sigh]

[deep, pained sigh]

[water pours]

[deep, pained sigh]

[heavy breathing]

[cars pass outside]

[shallow breathing]

No.

♪♪

[birds chirping outside]

[pained sigh]

Oh...Okay...Okay...

Let's see what...

What...

[man vocalizes discontent]

♪♪

[deep sigh]

♪♪

[water dripping from faucet]

[dog barking in distance]

Good morning!

Hello?

Mr. Leland!

Hello, Mr. Leland.

You're not Yolanda.

I'm Marisol. I'm your aide for the day.

Where's Yolanda?

She isn't feeling well today, so the agency sent me in her place.

But don't worry; I have your file.

I'll take good care of you, okay?

Yolanda's never late.

I'm sorry.

You took the freeway?

I did.

Oh, wrong thing to do when you're in a hurry.

Shall I make you your breakfast?

[groaning] I'm not hungry.

Here. Would you give me some help on that?

-Of course. Let's see. -Yeah.

Put that through there.

-The damn thing won't go through for me... -Oh, okay.

The agency didn't tell me you were scheduled to go somewhere.

Do you have an appointment today, Mr. Leland?

Well, you look very handsome.

There.

Are you sure you're not hungry?

Oh, I'm sure.

How about some coffee or some tea?

Tea.

-Okay. -Not too hot.

Uh. Four sugars.

And no milk, right?

And no milk, that's right.

You be sure to tighten those faucet handles when you're...

when you're done out there.

Okay.

Mr. Leland.

Should I call the agency to check if you have an appointment scheduled?

No, don't bother. There's nothing for me.

Why are you all dressed up?

I have my reason.

[teakettle whistles]

Did you take your morning meds?

-No. -Be careful.

-I got it. -Okay.

I'll get you a glass of water so you can take them.

Don't bother. Don't bother.

You have to take your morning meds, Mr. Leland.

I don't have to take anything anymore.

[Mr. Leland sipping tea]

I said four sugars.

Too much sugar isn't good for you.

It hasn't killed me in 91 years.

Okay, fine.

I'll put in another sugar.

I don't want it anymore; never mind.

Are you sure?

I'm sure.

[Marisol] Paciencia.

What'd you say your name was?

Marisol.

Yolanda was from El Salvador. Where are you from?

Cuba.

Cuba? Cuba... [chuckles]

I hear they got some pretty good ballplayers down there.

You like baseball?

I don't really know much about it.

Oh...

I like to watch basketball sometimes.

Do you like basketball?

Basketball is all show.

The only game worth watching is baseball.

The Dodgers is the only team worth pulling for,

and the Yankees are the only team worth pulling against.

[chuckles]

And why don't you like the Yankees?

[coughing] I don't know.

I just... I just don't.

Mr. Leland, let me help you.

Oh, no. Leave me be. Leave me be. Leave me be.

[soft piano music returns]

[Marisol] Are you expecting someone?

[Mr. Leland] That a new car?

I'm not allowed to take you anywhere, Mr. Leland.

I didn't ask you to take me anywhere.

I'm sorry. I thought maybe you wanted to go somewhere.

[groaning] What time is it?

Uh...

It's 9:18.

Oh, I guess my...

My appetite isn't all the way gone just yet.

I'll make you your breakfast.

Yeah, okay.

Okay.

[Mr. Leland sighs in pain]

Yolanda fixes me a fried egg and a little bit of toast.

It's all in your file.

I'll have it ready for you in just a few minutes.

Then, we can take our medicine, okay?

Be sure to tighten up those faucets when you're done.

Okay, Mr. Leland.

You're almost out of milk. I'll put it on your grocery list.

I don't need any more milk.

Mr. Leland, you only have a little left.

I said, I don't need any more!

Okay, fine.

[Mr. Leland grunts]

Would you like some fruit? I saw a peach in your refrigerator.

I don't want the peach.

Okay, maybe later.

If there is something Yolanda usually does

that you'd like me to do that's not in your file,

you just let me know, okay?

Well, just tell Yolanda I don't need her anymore.

What?

I would appreciate it if you just tell her that I said...

"Thank you" and "Goodbye."

Mr. Leland, I'm only here for today.

Maybe tomorrow if I'm assigned.

But Yolanda will be back here to take care of you like always.

She was good to me.

Why don't you want her to come any more?

[slow piano and string music]

[Marisol] Mr. Leland.

Because...

Because why, Mr. Leland?

I'm going to die...

today.

Why would you say such a thing?

-Because it's true. -It's not true.

And you shouldn't say things like that.

Why would you say something like that?

I saw it.

Saw what? What did you see?

Bright light...

like summer sunshine through the leaves of the old red oak tree

I used to climb when I was a boy.

Only it was...was white with the light.

Beautiful.

And peaceful.

I woke up knowing I was going to die.

Today.

I don't know why He wanted me to know,

but He showed me.

Today...is the day...

Who showed you?

Who showed you, Mr. Leland?

God.

God showed me His light calling me home.

I'm...

ready...

I'm...I got myself ready to...

I'm ready.

It's all in your mind, Mr. Leland.

And I preferred you keep it there.

I don’t want to talk about such things.

Finish your breakfast.

I'm done.

You didn't even touch your eggs!

I said I was finished.

[plate clangs]

You tighten the faucets there when you're done.

You don't have to keep telling me!

[indistinct mumble]

Sign your timesheet for the day, and you can go.

You don't have to be here.

I do need to be here, Mr. Leland! You need my help!

Not anymore.

[soft piano and string music]

[water dripping from faucet]

I keep track of my days.

I've been doing that since I retired.

What kind of work did you do?

I drove a city bus, 40 years.

That's a very long time.

Never missed a day on the job.

How long have you been retired?

Too long.

Like being in prison, I imagine.

How is that?

If you don't keep counting your days...

then your days don't count.

And if they don't count...

you don't count.

I think a lot of people live their lives...

not counting.

You're saying such sad things today, Mr. Leland.

And I really wish you wouldn't.

You're a Catholic, aren't you?

Why do you ask?

Do you believe that you'll be accountable for your earthly deeds

on the day of judgement?

Mr. Leland, I'm not here to discuss religion.

Well, I'm not a Catholic, but I am a Christian.

And I'm afraid I'm going to have a lot of explaining to do

when I meet my maker today.

Mr. Leland, please.

That kind of talk makes me uncomfortable.

Why does it make you uncomfortable?

It's my judgement day.

It's no one's judgement day!

It's mine! It's mine.

Please, Mr. Leland.

I don't want to hear that kind of talk anymore.

-[slow piano and string music] -[Mr. Leland groans]

I made sure they were tight.

Doesn't mean that they are.

[Marisol] What's wrong, Mr. Leland?

[Mr. Leland] Are you hot?

Well, maybe if you take off your jacket and tie,

you won't feel so hot.

It's not the clothes!

It's just damn hot!

Let me do that for you.

[Mr. Leland grunts]

I've just...been opening and closing it.

Well, are you going to do it or not?

-Well, you're in my way! -Let's do it. Let's do it.

I've been opening and closing that thing for 50 years. Go on.

-[children shouting outside] -[birds chirping]

Is that open enough?

Oh. Yes, that's...that's enough.

That's enough.

Would you like something cold to drink?

Oh, yeah.

A strawberry milkshake from McDonald's.

Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Leland.

Once I arrive on duty, I'm not supposed to leave until I finish my shift.

Well, you should've thought of that before you asked the question.

Not everything a man wants is in his house.

How about a glass of water with ice?

No, no, it's cooled off now. You...

You can close the window.

Okay, Mr. Leland. I'll close the window.

[slow piano and string music]

[indistinct chatter]

[inaudible]

It's a beautiful day.

Hm?

What time is it?

It's 10:15.

Oh. My radio! Get my radio! It's in my room.

-Of course. -Yes.

Hurry up.

You want to listen to some music?

No, I don’t want to listen to music. I got a record player for that.

The game's on! I'd almost forgot the game was on.

What game?

The ball game!

It's just down there by the nightstand on the floor.

[Marisol] The game's not on television?

[groans]

The set's been broken for years.

[Mr. Leland] Just as well.

I'd have to get cable and the sports package.

[slow piano and string music]

A man would have to be crazy

to pay to see his home team on his own television set.

You see it?

Found it.

Well, come on! Bring it out here!

The game's on!

Bring it over here. Put it right there.

And plug it in right there.

Okay.

That's right.

Would you like me to turn it on?

No, no, we've got to wiggle the button.

-Okay. -You know how it is.

Is it okay if I sit on the couch and study?

Yeah, you go over there. Be quiet.

The ball takes a hop, and he's out.

Oh, damn.

Damn.

It was an off-speed pitch. Couldn’t get any wood on it.

But that's the hit and run they wanted, right there...

What is that?

This?

Yes, that.

An iPad.

A tablet.

A kind of computer.

Let me show you something like magic.

No, I... I...

I'll stick with the baseball game on the radio here.

Okay, maybe later.

Oh, yes.

[radio signal weakens]

This is McCarthy's tenth start this season.

The lanky right hander sits at four wins...

Radio's all we had when I was a boy.

Radio...

teased your imagination.

It was before your time.

We only had a radio in the house when I was a little girl.

No television.

Nobody I knew had a television.

Uh-huh.

Bet my bottom dollar Castro had a very nice one.

[speaking Spanish]

He always had everything.

Heard he was a pretty good baseball player, Castro.

Say that he could have played in the big leagues.

A myth.

Yeah, I never believed it.

Man like him.

What do you know about Castro, Mr. Leland?

I know that...

Commie son of a bitch almost destroyed Cuba...

getting into a war with us that he couldn't win.

Castro did not need a war with America to destroy Cuba.

He only needed to deny its people their freedom.

[slow piano and string music]

The destruction comes from their desperation.

-[bat strikes ball] -Base hit!

Oh, damn.

Damn.

Yankees aren't being shy about getting things going early.

Taking full advantage of unfortunate errors by the boys in blue.

Well...

What... What are you... What are you studying?

Human Anatomy and Physiology.

You going to be a doctor?

I'm going to be a nurse.

My mother wanted to be a nurse.

Her parents couldn’t afford to let her go off to school.

So she stayed put and...

met and married my father.

Well then, it worked out for the best.

It worked out the way it worked out.

My mother never said one way or the other, bad or good.

I only study part-time, online.

Online?

Over the Internet?

Internet.

Yes, I've heard of that.

I don't know much about it.

It's amazing. Miré.

Right now I'm studying a textbook.

Oh.

It even has a GPS app that will tell you how to get anywhere you want to go.

That's how I found your house, and that's how I got here this morning.

Tell you to get on the freeway?

Pues sí, it did.

[Mr. Leland chuckles]

They say you can access all the knowledge in the world over the Internet.

[Mr. Leland groans]

Well...

I mean...anything?

Anything. Anything at all.

Well, what?

Look.

Name something.

Name something. Anything.

Um...Baseball... I... I don't know.

Anything. Anything you want about baseball.

Uh...

Game Seven, 1955 World Series.

Best game the Dodgers ever played against the Yankees.

They were still in Brooklyn then.

You got that on there?

-Hm? -See?

Oh!

Oh, my...

Yeah.

I remember this day. It was a Tuesday.

I listened to it on my transistor radio.

A little thing.

Oh, I was so excited.

Oh, that's the Dodgers... got the last out and won it all...

And I drove through a stoplight, and I damn near wrecked a bus.

Yes.

Seeing it like this...

Oh, my.

No wires or...antenna.

Anything.

Like I said, it's like magic.

Oh. [chuckles]

Yeah, magic. Mm-hmm.

I remember when I was a boy...

There was a colored man came through the neighborhood, called himself "C.W."

C.W.

He sold fruits and vegetables on the back of his little wagon,

which was being pulled by an old mule.

I loved to walk with him sometimes so I could...

listen to him talk.

He was from Georgia, and I...I just, uh...

loved to listen and hear him

say the things he said because I liked the way he said them.

You know.

Well, the one day he told me about a squirrel hunt that he went on...

out in the woods and shot a squirrel and he got--

and the darn thing didn't come down out of the tree.

So, he had to...

He had to climb up that tree, up the top there wherever that squirrel was,

and he reached in there get that... sure enough, dead squirrel.

And then he heard this terrible racket up above him, and he looked up...

And he saw this white man in a flying contraption!

And he got so scared he just let go of everything: the squirrel, the limb.

He fell right down there to the ground and ran on home and...

He told his momma what he saw and...and she...

whooped him three times.

One for losing the squirrel.

Two for losing Daddy's .22 rifle.

And three for lying about a white man in a flying contraption!

[Mr. Leland laughs, coughs]

Aw, C.W. had never heard of an airplane.

Can you imagine that?

I don't know.

Let me show you something.

Look. Say something.

That's me.

Yes, I'm recording a video of us.

Say something.

I don't have anything to say.

Mr. Leland, you know that's not true.

-Oh, I don't. -Say hello.

-Turn that thing off. I don't-- -No, no, no, look. It's fun!

-Look, it's you and me. -I don't want to do...

I don't want to be on that.

-Just say, "Hello." -No.

No.

Okay.

Shut it off. Shut it off.

There, I deleted it.

It's gone now.

Some things are best left undone.

Maybe you could go over there and sit, please, and be quiet,

and let me listen to my ball game.

I'm sorry.

-Full contact. It's out of here. Home run! -Oh, damn. Damn Yankees.

Oh, why are you waiting?

Why are you waiting?

I'm here. I'm ready.

Why are you waiting?

[pulsing, suspenseful string music]

Why are you waiting? Why is this...

Reach down to me.

Why are you keeping me waiting?

Come.

Mr. Leland, sit back down.

-Oh... -Mr. Leland.

It's outta here! A home run!

[slow piano music]

[birds chirping, insects trilling]

[Marisol] Mr. Leland.

Wake up, Mr. Leland.

[jazz music playing]

"Shut eyes ain't asleep."

C.W. just now told me that.

[chuckles]

Dodgers came back and won!

I know. I listened.

You did?

I did.

I didn't understand everything, but I really liked the announcer.

-"Fastball hammered into right field! -[bat strikes ball]

-[crowd roars] -It is high! It is long!

It is gone!"

That's not bad.

I think I'm going to pull for the Dodgers from now on.

And against the Yankees.

And against the Yankees.

The Dodgers won six World Series titles, you know.

Is that a lot?

Only the Yankees have won more.

Damn Yankees!

You're damn-- That's right! That's right. Damn Yankees.

[Marisol] Mr. Leland.

Mr. Leland.

Wake up Mr. Leland.

It's time for your afternoon meds.

Game One wasn't a game; it was a miracle.

The bottom of the ninth, two outs, three balls, and two strikes...

Eckersley throws the ball.

And Gibson found it.

All of it.

High fly ball into right field.

Sax waiting on deck, but the game right now is at the plate.

[crowd buzzes]

High fly ball into right field. She is gone!

That ball was gone...

and it was never coming back.

[Mr. Leland] Oh, listen to that.

That's the sound of 56,000 believers who got their prayers answered.

I was there.

I was one of those in that crowd of believers.

A's were supposed to sweep the series, and the Dodgers won in five.

In a year that has been so improbable,

the impossible has happened.

[crowd buzzes]

Baseball was better back then.

The players, especially the good ones,

they respected the game.

Were you a good player?

Oh. [chuckles]

I saw the pictures on your dresser.

[sighs]

I played in the bush leagues

for a couple of seasons after I got home from the war.

Left field.

I barely made enough to put food on the table at home.

But you loved it.

I did.

I wonder if you miss the things you love after you die.

[slow piano and string music]

[birds chirping]

[siren in distance]

Are you from Los Angeles, Mr. Leland?

Nobody's from Los Angeles.

Not even the ones born here.

Just a set of circumstances.

Where are you from?

-What? -Mr. Leland.

Where were you born?

♪♪

Oh.

Um.

West Frankfort, Illinois.

[Marisol] Oh.

March 14, 1925.

My mother gave birth to me in the middle of a twister.

[speaking Spanish]

Your mother must've been so afraid.

Oh, she...

prayed to God and begged him not to take her baby,

or to be merciful, and take both of us together.

You were a very lucky baby.

Oh, it wasn’t luck; it was prayer.

I forgot, you don't wanna talk about God.

I said I don't want to talk about religion.

Well, that's cutting it pretty thin, don't you think?

Doesn't matter what I think.

Things are just how they are.

Mm.

Do you or do you not believe in God, Marisol?

[speaking Spanish]

What the hell does that mean?

Faith and prayer are for the desperate,

the lonely, and the afraid.

Well, you're in America now.

You're free to believe whatever you want to believe.

So...

Do you or do you not believe in God?

This is not something I want to talk about today.

If you don't mind.

Well, I do mind.

This is my last day on God's green earth,

and it's exactly what I want to talk about.

It was only a dream!

It wasn't a dream.

[Marisol sighs]

Come sit down, Mr. Leland, and eat your lunch.

You don't want to believe me

because you don't want to believe in God.

Well, I believe in God.

And I know what He's shown me.

[speaking Spanish]

Speak English!

You're talking crazy!

There's nothing wrong with you!

You're not going to die today!

People with nothing wrong die every day.

That's right, they do.

But not you.

Not today.

You should be grateful, Mr. Leland.

Ninety-one years.

I don't care.

You should care!

There are people alive in this world who have nothing to live for.

No home.

No food.

No hope.

They can have my home.

They can have my lunch.

Hell, they can have my hope.

When they carry me out of here, they can just move right in.

Come one, come all.

Walter Leland is dead and gone.

If you don't stop saying the things you're saying,

I'm afraid I'll have to--

What?

Mark in my file?

I don't-- Mark it in my file.

I'm sick and tired of being a file.

Please, Mr. Leland.

Sit down.

Eat your lunch. Take your medicine.

You'll feel better.

I don't want to feel better.

Oh, Lord...

Carry me home.

Reach Your arms down here and...

take me home to You and Mother.

In the sweet by and by,

I will meet you on that beautiful shore

-In the sweet by and by, -Stop it! Stop it!

I will meet you on that...

-beautiful shore -Stop it! He's not up there!

He doesn't hear you.

God's not up there.

God's not anywhere.

How dare you say that.

How dare you!

He's here. He's there.

And damn you for saying otherwise.

[Mr. Leland sighs]

I'm so tired of this.

Who's going to clean up the mess you made?

[Mr. Leland sighs]

God?

-Because it's not my job! -I don't care if it ever gets cleaned up!

The hell with it!

[plate clangs on floor]

Where are you going?

To lie down.

And die, I suppose.

Yes.

For the last goddamn time, yes!

[speaking Spanish]

Get out! Go!

Get out of my house! Go back where you belong!

[Mr. Leland sighs]

[soft piano and string music]

[deep breathing]

♪♪

[music fades]

Mr. Leland?

[clock ticks]

Sometimes...

on sunny days...

after a storm...

my tía would take me for some helado.

Ice cream.

And I'd walk on the beach to watch the waves.

She would point out over the ocean and say...

[speaking Spanish]

"America's that way...

just over the horizon."

She dreamed about going to America.

[speaking Spanish]

"But how," she would say.

"Only Papá Jesu can walk upon the water."

Besides...

everyone she loved or buried...

was in Cuba.

[speaking Spanish]

"All my roses are in Cuba."

My tía loved Cuba,

but hated the country it had become.

I told her.

Someday...

I would be her rose in America.

[soft piano and string music]

I prayed many nights for the courage to make the crossing.

And one day...

God said...

"Sí, Marisol, you may cross.

If you have faith enough, you may walk upon the water."

Twelve dreamers...

left Cuba on a tiny boat one night.

By morning...

all but four were lost.

My precious little hijito, Mateo Amando...

his body was never found.

He would have been 13 years old today.

So, you see, Mr. Leland,

you cannot die today.

It's my son's birthday.

[music fades]

Leave them on.

I want them on.

Okay.

Duerme, duerme, negrito

Que tu mama está en el campo, negrito

Duerme, duerme, mobila

Que tu mama está en el campo, mobila

♪ Trabajando, trabajando duramente ♪

♪ Trabajando sí ♪

♪ Trabajando y va de luto ♪

♪ Trabajando sí ♪

♪ Trabajando y no le pagan ♪

♪ Trabajando sí ♪

♪ Trabajando y va tosiendo ♪

♪ Trabajando sí ♪

♪ Para el negrito, chiquitito ♪

♪ Y negrito sí ♪

♪ Trabajando sí ♪

♪ Trabajando sí ♪

♪ Duerme, duerme, negrito ♪

♪ Que tu mama está en el campo ♪

♪ Negrito ♪

♪ Negrito ♪

♪ Negrito ♪

[Marisol] Mateo!

Mateo!

Mateo!

Mateo!

[Mr. Leland] Yolanda!

Mateo!

Yolanda!

[whispering] It's Mr. Leland.

Yolanda.

-Mr. Leland. -Yolanda!

No, it's me, Marisol. What's wrong?

It's dark. Dark!

I closed the curtains so you could sleep.

That's all.

[whispering] It's dark.

See? It's still daytime.

[deep sigh]

I was afraid.

[clock ticks]

You don't have to be.

I made such a mess of everything.

It's already cleaned up.

Oh. Marisol.

Oh. Oh.

I shouldn't have talked to you the way I did. I'm...

I'm sorry.

I think we're both just having a challenging day.

So, why don’t we just agree to make the best of what's left of it?

-[Mr. Leland chuckles] -Deal, Mr. Leland?

Call me "Walter."

I would like that, if you did.

Mucho gusto, Walter.

[salsa music playing]

-Mm-hmm. -Do you like it?

Oh, boy. Yeah, that's good.

It's good.

Never had Cuban food before.

Well, now you have.

[laughing] Yes, I have.

It's a terrible shame about your son, Marisol.

It must've been hard, losing him.

It was much more than "hard."

♪♪

[music cuts]

The little boy in the picture with you...

He's your son?

He was... He was my son, yes.

You son was your son?

Lost him and his mother to a stranger.

[deep sigh]

His mother was your wife?

Ruth.

We married July 4th, 1946.

Bobby was around five years old when she'd had enough.

Enough of what?

Me.

And what came with me.

Three months after the divorce, she remarried.

A traveling salesman, of all people, named "Johnson."

It's funny.

What?

Oh, I can't remember his first name.

Anyway, the three of them moved to Cincinnati...

to, "Make a new life for themselves," she said.

It wasn't too long before the adoption papers came.

Certified mail.

I got good and mad.

And I got good and drunk.

Then I signed away my son.

That was...

in the spring of '54.

By then, the best crop of bush leaguers were being called up to the Majors.

I was never going to get that call.

I couldn't hit the long ball.

Piece of German shrapnel made sure of that.

All I had left...

was a bad case of feeling sorry for myself.

I woke up one morning behind the wheel of my Buick.

Upside down, in a ditch, halfway to Cincinnati.

Not a scratch on me.

[slow piano and string music]

It was then that I heard it, so clear

it was like God whispering in my ear.

"Walter Leland...

Go be better at something else, somewhere else."

I put down the bottle.

I picked up the Bible.

And I headed West and never looked back.

Why Los Angeles?

Oh, I thought I’d get a high-paying job in the defense industry.

Buy a home facing the beach...

where I could watch the sunset on my front porch.

I wound up behind a wheel driving around in circles for a living.

Then I bought this house...on GI Bill.

And, uh...

Well, that's about it.

Not much to my story.

You fought for people's freedom.

People you didn't even know.

-[music fades] -You were a brave man, Walter.

I was a 17-year-old high school dropout who was afraid

I would end up in the mine digging dirt next to my father ,

who was 50 before he was 40!

I'm not a hero.

And don't go pinning a medal on me that I don’t deserve and don't want.

All the war heroes are dead.

All I did was kill to try to survive.

And fail at life.

There's nothing heroic about that.

You were a soldier.

I was a drunk, and a dreamer,

and a damn bad husband and father.

You sacrificed being with your son, Walter.

So he could have a better life.

With another man.

I think you're not giving yourself credit

for the many good things you have done in your life.

[chuckles]

If you have to give yourself credit for something you've done,

then maybe what you've done isn't worth anything to anyone else.

-Look at you. -Me?

You go around helping people feel better.

You don't go tooting your horn about it, do you?

It's my job to help.

No.

It's in your heart to do that.

It's how God made you.

That's why you're studying to be a nurse.

I'm studying to be a nurse because I want to make more money.

I don’t believe that and neither do you.

I never made a dime's worth of difference in anyone's life but my own.

But someone like you can make all the difference in the world.

"We never touch people so lightly that we do not leave a trace."

That's what Oprah says.

Who is "Oprah"?

A friend.

Well, you tell your friend, Oprah, that you made a difference

in this old man's life on his last day.

[sighs]

Suddenly I'm thirsty.

It's the salt.

Oh, yeah, well...

I wish I could've been strong as your mother

when she faced her storm.

But God?

God.

He failed me during mine, Walter.

-No. -He did.

He wasn't there for me.

Not for me or for my Mateo.

Don't say that. He's always there. He's always with us.

I begged Him for His help.

But He wasn't with me.

And I let go.

I was weak.

I was afraid,

And I let go.

So, you see?

I'm not special.

I'm all alone.

Where's Mateo's father?

Rafael.

He's a pilot for the Cuban Air Force.

He was going to defect and join Mateo and me in Florida.

We were going to be married...

in America.

I was going to be a wife and a mother in America.

We were going to be a family in America.

But once Rafael got the word of Mateo...

I never heard from him again.

Oh, he should not have abandoned you.

I wanted to abandon myself.

But I couldn't.

So, I found my way to Los Angeles to get lost.

Can't run away from yourself or your past

no matter how hard you try,

how far you go, how long you live.

[speaking Spanish]

I know.

I live in California, and I never go to the beach.

It was the same in Florida.

Never near that awful water and waves.

I'm afraid I would see Mateo's body wash onto the shore.

It's what I see most nights when I close my eyes.

Well, that's a dream. It's not real.

What happened to me was not a dream, Walter.

Mateo is gone.

My son is out in the ocean.

Dead.

And I am still here.

You're supposed to be here, Marisol.

And so are you, Walter.

Today. Tomorrow.

And for however many more days to come.

I know you want that to be true...

but there are no days for me after today.

Why, Walter? Why?

Because you are sick?

No. You are not sick.

You have decided to be a foolish old man who's tired of living.

Well, life is precious, Walter.

Life is a gift...

given to you by your mother.

My mother carried me.

God gave me life.

Then why are you in such a hurry to give it back?

Because I'm old, Marisol.

I'm old, and I'm tired, and I'm afraid of living...

waiting to die.

God knows. That's why He's showing me mercy.

Bringing me home.

I have faith.

[chuckles] Faith.

Shut away.

All alone.

Day after day, year after year,

listening to baseball games on an old, broken radio?

Waiting for it all to end?

What kind of faith is that?

How I chose to live my last years

is between me and Him.

He'll judge my labors and deeds soon enough.

[slow piano and string music]

How could you let all these years pass and not ever try to see your son again?

How, Walter?

I wrote him a letter.

Did he write back?

Let me be about it.

Did he, Walter?

Did Bobby answer the letter?

I never mailed it.

Why?

I never found the courage.

You know what I think, Walter?

I think today is a good day to find courage.

I don’t even know where he lives...

or even if he's alive.

You’d feel it in your heart if your son wasn't alive.

What is Bobby's full name?

What does it matter?

Tell me.

Robert Everett.

Johnson.

We used to call him "Bobby."

What is his birthday?

19 May, 1948.

Oh, he'd be 67 now.

Sixty-seven.

Oh, my God.

Let's find him, Walter.

Let's find Bobby.

Why? To say, "Goodbye"?

To say, "Hello."

We wouldn't recognize one another if you sat us face-to-face.

[music fades]

[telephone ringing]

Walter?

Hello. Leland residence.

Hello?

Are you there?

[grunts] He's there.

It's Johnny Williams.

Just tell him to hold on, and bring a phone over here.

Okay. Just a moment, please.

The cord's long enough. Just bring it over.

It's all right. It's long enough.

Yeah. [sighs]

[whispering] All right.

Yep.

Hello, Johnny! I almost forgot what Wednesday it was.

How you doing, Johnny?

You're breathing pretty strong here today.

Yeah. Yolanda...

She couldn't come today. She's home sick.

That was Marisol.

Yeah, she likes baseball.

You catch the ball game?

Yeah, the Dodgers pulled that one out of their backside, didn't they?

Going to have trouble making the series...

with the way they're playing.

[coughs]

Listen, Johnny. I'm glad you called.

I need to say "Goodbye" to you, Johnny.

I've been called up the front office.

The Lord's bringing me home today, Johnny.

That's right.

I want you to know it's been real nice knowing you.

You've been a good friend for all these years.

I didn't have many.

I thank you for that.

Good Lord willing, we'll see each other on the other side.

It'll be good to hear your voice again.

All right, Johnny.

I'm going to let you go.

Um...

You go ahead and hang up first.

Johnny, take care of yourself 'til I see you again.

Goodbye, Johnny.

[dial tone]

[slow piano and string music]

[music fades]

Johnny can't talk.

Cancer took his vocal cords and most of his windpipe.

He hasn't spoken for ten years.

Not a word.

[speaking Spanish] How awful.

Oh, don't feel sorry for Johnny. He doesn't feel sorry for himself.

He had a pretty good run of it.

It's just not waning down so well.

You're a good friend, Walter.

Saying "Goodbye" to him wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be.

Let me help you find your son, Walter.

I don't have a son.

Watch me, Daddy.

Daddy, watch me.

[groans]

If He's going to take me...

now's as good a time as any.

I trust in You, oh Lord, I say.

You are my God.

My times are in Your hands.

Walter.

[slow piano and string music]

[children laughing outside]

[music fades]

Walter.

Walter, wake up.

[groans]

I found him.

I found Bobby.

You found Bobby? Where?

Here.

You had no right.

[whispering] Look.

[gasps]

Oh, that's...

That's Bobby.

My boy.

Bobby.

My son!

And you have grandchildren.

And great-grandchildren, too.

Do you see them?

Look at them.

Look at them; all of them.

You have a beautiful family, Walter.

Oh, they are beautiful.

Every last one of them.

They don't even know my name.

Yes, then do. Mira.

Oh!

Here's your grandson.

Walter Johnson.

And you have great-grandchildren.

-Here's a boy. -[Mr. Leland gasps]

Leland Johnson.

You're not forgotten, Walter.

Oh!

You're alive in this family.

It's a little girl, here.

Ruth.

Named after her great-grandmother.

Oh, thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.

I wonder...

if he ever tried to find me, and I wasn't there?

Reach out to him, Walter.

How?

There's no time.

We can send him a message over the Internet.

Oh, no, no.

Bobby's lived a life without me.

Best we leave things as they are.

Don't you want your family to know more than just your name?

That you exist?

At least know that you care?

Oh.

No need now to open old wounds.

[slow piano and string music]

You've done...

a good thing, here. A good thing.

And it looks as though Bobby's had a good life.

At least now I can leave...

in peace without that one being on me.

You're not going anywhere.

You will be right here when Yolanda or I come through that door tomorrow morning.

I'm not wrong.

It's happening.

Today.

If you really believe that, Walter,

then that's ever more reason to contact your son.

Don't you want him to know that you never stopped thinking about him?

That you never stopped loving him?

I wouldn't know what to say to him.

Say what's in your heart.

That will be enough.

[chuckles]

That he didn't forget?

That he remembered?

That's enough for me.

You are being selfish, Walter Leland.

If you can't do it for yourself...

then do it for your son.

I'm tired, Marisol.

I'm tired, too, Walter.

[slow piano and string music]

[music fades]

See this?

This is all I have left of my son, Walter.

If I could reach out to my Mateo,

could speak to him somehow...

I would wish him happy birthday

and beg him to forgive me for not being brave enough for the both of us.

If I believed in such things,

if I knew my Mateo was safe and happy in heaven

walking on a sunny beach, holding hands with my tía,

eating ice cream,

I would tell him:

"Your mamita loves you,

and I'll see you again someday."

Even if he could say nothing back.

I would shout my love and shout it, and shout it, and shout it!

Until my voice was raw

and there was nothing more left than a whisper.

Until God carried my message to my Mateo.

If I believed in such things!

[slow piano and string music]

[music fades]

[breathes heavily]

[slow piano and string music]

Our Father, Who art in heaven,

hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come;

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

[music fades, clock ticks]

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory

forever and ever.

Amen.

Oh.

Lord, I know I must seem the least of Your children.

An old fool.

But I have to ask You for a favor.

Please, let her know that he is safe with You.

Grant her that mercy.

I say in Jesus' name.

Oh.

One more favor.

Give me the strength...

as You show me the light.

All right?

-[slow piano and string music] -[clock ticks]

All right, then.

All right, then.

[groans]

[music fades]

I'll get your dinner ready.

If you're not hungry, you can have it later.

I want to make a recording.

[speaking Spanish]

Now you're ready.

[Marisol] Go ahead.

I'm already recording.

Hello, Bobby. It's me.

I don't know whether you ever wanted to see me again.

But I thought I would do this recording.

Just so it's there.

In case...

you ever want to know what became of me as I've...

often wanted to know what became of you.

I have a...

a letter here

that I have been holding

for quite a while.

I...

I'd like to read it to you if...

that's all right with you.

"Dear Bobby,

It's your Daddy.

I know it has been quite a while since I last saw you.

For that, I am truly sorry.

I cannot tell you how many times

I've climbed into my old Buick to come and see you.

But each time, after 100 miles or so,

I remembered why you and your mother needed to leave,

and I'd turn back around and head home

thinking it was probably best

not to keep pushing myself

into your life."

[soft piano and string music]

"But Son, I want you to know that I pray to God every night

for your forgiveness and for your health and happiness.

I moved to California some time ago

and am doing my best

to make a life for myself out here.

I hope you and your mother have a good life in Cincinnati

and that Mr. Johnson is treating you well.

I never meant to make it so that we wouldn't be together, Bobby.

I failed us all. I know that.

And I know it's too late to fix things.

But I want you to know, Son,

that there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of you.

I miss you more than I know how to ever say

so you would understand.

Be a good boy

and grow up straight and tall into the man I had wanted to be

and should have been.

Say your prayers.

Take care of yourself.

If you could find a moment to write me a few...

kind lines someday,

I promise I will cherish them.

Always. Your Daddy."

[music fades]

Is that all right?

Yes, Walter.

That was perfect.

Want me to play it back so you can watch it?

No. No, I don't want to see it.

Okay.

Do you want me to send it to Bobby right now?

When would he get it?

Right away.

Right away?

Yes.

Oh.

No.

Don't send it until after I'm gone.

Walter.

I wrote that letter 53 years ago.

It can wait a while longer.

No.

I want you to send it after I'm gone.

I want you to promise to do that.

Do you promise?

I promise, Walter.

Well, I guess that's just about it.

[Mr. Leland groaning]

[Marisol] What do you need?

I need to get up.

[slow piano and string music]

Won't be long now.

[music fades, clock ticks]

[boy] Daddy, watch me! Watch me, Daddy!

[Mr. Leland] I'm watching you, Son.

[boy] Watch what I can do.

[announcer] High fly ball into right field!

She is...gone!

[crowd roars]

[music fades]

[Mr. Leland over iPad] Be a good boy

and grow up straight and tall

into the man I had wanted to be and should have been.

Say your--

There's not a day that goes by

that I don’t think of you and miss you more than I know how to ever say

so you could understand.

[Mr. Leland] You're not breaking your promise, are you?

...grow up straight and tall into the man I had wanted...

No, Walter.

I'm not breaking my promise.

Say your prayers.

I was just...

If you could find a moment...

How was your nap?

Beautiful.

Good.

[groans]

[mechanical ticking]

Here.

I'd like you to have that.

That's very special, Walter.

Mm-hmm.

But I can't accept it. We're not allowed to take things from--

You're not taking anything. I'm giving it to you.

Please.

I want you to have it.

-Thank you, Walter. -Mm-hmm.

I'll cherish it always.

Oh. [chuckles]

Oh.

[whispering] Thank you.

You should have another child, Marisol.

What?

You're a beautiful, young woman.

You need to stop holding on to the past like there's no tomorrow.

We're not...

meant to live that way.

I know that now. You helped me see it.

Walter, I... I could--

Listen to me.

You meet someone.

You marry and you have a child.

[slow piano and string music]

All that love that you are holding for your Mateo.

It's bottled up and spoiling in you for no reason at all.

You were a good mother.

You did all you could for your Mateo.

But it's time for you to...

forgive yourself...

and move on.

I could never let go of Mateo.

-Never again. -Don't let go.

Take him with you, but move on.

You'll always be his mother; that can never change.

Give him a brother or a sister.

Or both.

Tell them about Mateo.

Tell them all about him. How...

[chuckles]

How he laughed.

How he loved to walk on the beach eating ice cream.

[chuckles]

Tell them how much you loved him.

How much you'll always love him.

Oh, yes.

Tell them all there is to know about their little brother, Mateo.

How he's gone off to God's

and his spirit lives in the sea.

Don't be afraid of life.

Life ends.

And life goes on.

♪♪

What time is it?

It's almost time for your supper.

I'll cut up that peach before I go.

You can have it for dessert later,

or you can have it tomorrow morning with your breakfast.

It'll keep.

You were right.

About what?

It is a beautiful day.

I used to take Mateo to the same beach where my tía used to take me...

on days like today.

Just the two of us.

He took his first steps in the sand.

His footprints were so tiny next to mine.

I wish I could've seen the sunset from my front porch.

Let's go to the beach, Walter.

For your sunset.

I'll take you there.

[music fades]

Walter?

[slow piano and string music]

[waves lapping the shore]

♪♪

[music fades]

[slow piano and string music]

[music fades]