Original subtitles

(MultiCom Jingle)

Downloaded from YTS.BZ

Official YIFY movies site: YTS.BZ

(people talking)

- Are you okay?

- Fine.

- I'm gonna go inside and check things out.

Y'all stay here now,

and I'll come back here before the time.

- Okay.

Okay.

- Rachael.

- Hi.

It's going okay.

- When's she going?

- She's up next.

- You're up next.

You nervous?

- Terrified.

- You can still back out of it, you know.

- No, I've come this far.

- Mrs. Sara Williams.

I have to take you in now.

(mellow piano music)

- Ladies and gentlemen of the press,

Mrs. Sara Williams.

- Ladies and gentlemen.

My name is not Sara Williams.

My name is Maryanne Walker-Tate,

and I am a fugitive.

My children and I have been forced to live underground,

under assumed names.

At this moment, I am in contempt of a court order,

and if the judge sees this hearing,

I will be placed under arrest.

I might even be charged with kidnapping,

and I am not alone.

(mellow piano music)

- [Man] Good catch.

Keep working on it.

- This is nice, isn't it?

- Mm-hm.

- You're happy, aren't you Daniel?

- Yeah.

- Yeah?

- Hey, you two.

Seems like everyone's trying to get the last days of sun.

- Yep.

- Y'all have to come over to our place sometime.

- Well, I don't know.

- Maybe soon as our boy gets back, you can come by.

You know, he's due home on leave any day.

- Ah, that would be--

- We don't get out much, you know.

I mean, well with my schedule and the kids,

Maryanne's up to her neck.

- Well, if you all change your mind.

You know where we are.

Third house there on the left.

Good night.

- [Woman] Bye now.

- [Maryanne] Well.

- Hey, Dad.

You wanna play?

- Yeah, sure why not.

I'll toss a few.

- Honey?

What time are you bringing Jason in?

Well, don't stay out too late you two.

It's a school night, Jason.

Besides, it's getting chilly.

- The prince looked everywhere,

but soon the prince found the ballerina.

- [Maryanne] Oh, that's good.

- That's what I'm gonna be, a ballerina.

- No, a beautiful ballerina.

(door slams)

- Mommy!

- Shh!

It's just Daddy and Jason.

(humming)

- [Daniel] Maryanne!

Maryanne, where the hell are you?!

- Josie, I want you to lay back down,

and go to sleep, okay?

Okay?

- [Daniel] I am talking to you, dammit!

I want you down here now!

You'd better get down here!

What the hell took you so long to get down here, huh?!

What were you doing up there, huh?!

Where were you?!

- I was--

- Where?!

- Upstairs with Josie.

She had trouble falling asleep.

- Oh yeah?

I have trouble falling asleep.

What do you do for me?

Do you ever help me fall asleep at night?

- No.

- Do ya?!

- No.

I mean...

I mean I don't know.

I try.

- What?

Yeah, what do you ever do for me, huh?

What do you ever do for me?!

- Nothing.

I don't do anything.

- Dad, no!

- Get upstairs!

- [Maryanne] Go upstairs, please!

- No, I'm staying with you.

- You get upstairs!

- [Jason] No!

- Daniel, no.

This is between you and me, leave him alone.

Please.

Please, leave him alone.

- You'd better get upstairs, baby.

- [Maryanne] Jason, go upstairs.

- No.

- Please.

Please.

Go.

- Sit down.

What were you doing this afternoon?

- I don't know what you're talking about.

- [Daniel] With Mal.

He touched you.

- He's our neighbor, Daniel.

- Why was he touching you?

- I don't know.

To be friendly?

- To be friendly?

Why would anyone want you, huh?

- Ow, Daniel.

- What do you see, huh?

What do you see?!

- God Daniel, please don't.

Don't, please.

- Daniel, please, don't.

Please don't, Daniel.

Please don't.

That's all I ever hear from you.

Please don't, Daniel.

In bed at night, when I wanna touch you!

Please don't, Daniel!

- Oh no, God Daniel that's not true.

I love you.

- You love me, huh?

- I love you.

- You love me.

You don't know how to love anyone.

- Daniel, Daniel--

- [Daniel] You're incapable of love!

- Please don't.

Please don't, Daniel.

- I got no use for you.

No use!

No use!

No use!

(mellow piano music)

Baby.

Oh.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

(car horn honks)

(car horn honks)

- What?

- What took you so long?

- Nothing.

I was talking with the guys.

- Where's your sister?

- I don't know, I didn't see.

- Would you go look for her, please?

It's getting late.

It's okay, honey.

Let's get a move on, I have to get home.

- Mommy!

- Hi, sweetheart.

C'mon, up you go.

So, how was your day?

- It was okay.

Mom, can we go for ice cream before ballet?

- Ballet.

Oh God, I forgot.

Josie, honey, I'm sorry.

No ballet today.

- But you promised.

We had to miss it last week, remember?

I have to practice.

- Honey, listen, your father wants an early dinner,

and I have to go to the market first.

- But you promised me.

- Look, I know I promised you, and I will make it up to you,

but I don't wanna upset your father.

See, he wants us home by five o'clock,

and it's very important that I do this for him.

Understand me, Josie?

I have to do this for Daddy.

(jarring piano music)

Jason, Josie, you wanna give me a hand here, please?

Now, please.

We have to get inside.

Honey, close the door.

Oh, Daniel I'm sorry we're late.

It's only by a few minutes, I hope that's okay.

- Look at this!

Do you see this?!

Huh?!

Maryanne, look at this!

(crying)

- [Maryanne] Josie, please.

- Dammit, will you shut her up!

You shut up!

- Daniel, no, no.

- [Daniel] Shut up!

- Let me take and Jason upstairs, and get 'em settled,

and you and I can talk.

Maybe I can help you fix the rendering.

- You only think of them!

You can fix anything!

You can't do anything right!

I asked you a week ago to get some new pencils, didn't I?!

Didn't I?!

- I did.

They're in the desk drawer.

- No, Maryanne you gotta leave 'em where I can find them!

You stupid, stupid woman!

- Daniel, please.

Please, just let me get the kids upstairs,

and then, I'll come right back down, I promise you.

- [Daniel] You can't even get food on the table on time!

- I know.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry.

- Do not leave me, Maryanne!

- I'm not leaving you, Daniel.

I swear.

- You are always looking for some reason to leave me,

for some way out.

You leave this house tonight, I'll kill you.

I swear, I'll kill you.

(crying)

- Josie.

- Mommy.

- Josie, honey.

Listen to Mommy.

Listen to Mommy.

Now, I have to go back downstairs,

and try and talk to Daddy,

so I need you to be a very good girl

and stay up here with Jason.

Okay?

And Jason, I need you to stay in here, please,

with the door closed.

No matter what happens,

you stay with her and try and keep her calm.

- [Daniel] Maryanne, I want you down here!

- Why does he do this?

Why?

- He doesn't mean to hurt me.

I think he just can't help himself sometimes.

I need you to understand.

- [Daniel] What are you doing up there?!

- I need you.

- [Daniel] Maryanne!

- Promise me, Jason.

- [Daniel] Maryanne!

- [Maryanne] Coming, Daniel.

I'm coming right now.

Just--

- [Daniel] Get over here, Maryanne!

- [Maryanne] No, don't!

(Daniel hitting Maryanne)

Oh!

- [Daniel] No use--

- [Maryanne] Oh, Daniel don't!

- [Daniel] You're just no use!

You can't even do anything right!

Get up!

(music playing loudly)

- [Maryanne] No!

No!

(ball thumping)

(piano music)

- Daniel, no!

No, don't do it, no!

Daniel!

Stop, stop, stop.

No!

- I'll kill you first.

I'll kill you first.

- Stop, please, please, stop.

- I'll kill you!

Shut up!

She said she was going down to the kitchen,

and I heard a scream.

It took so long for the ambulance to get here.

She could die.

It's gonna be fine.

- Mommy.

- It's okay.

Welcome back, my love.

Oh, you gave us all a scare.

Easy, easy, easy.

Everything's all right.

It's all right now.

I love you, Maryanne.

I want you to know that.

You mean everything to me.

You're my whole life.

I love you.

(knocking)

- Mrs. Tate, may I come in?

Oh, look at these flowers, they're beautiful.

- They're from my husband.

- Oh.

Maryanne, may I call you Maryanne?

Good.

My name is Nancy Silverstone.

I'm a social worker here at the hospital,

and I'm just checking to see if there's anything you need.

- Just my kids.

I wanna see them, but the doctor tells me I'm not ready yet.

- He's right.

You need your peace.

- They are my peace.

- Well, why don't you take advantage of the quiet,

and get some rest.

You know, let yourself heal.

You were pretty badly hurt when they brought you in.

How did you get hurt?

- I had an accident.

I was running down the stairs and I tripped

over one of my daughter's toys.

- At four in the morning?

- It was dark.

I couldn't see.

- Maryanne, the bruises you have, the injuries,

this isn't the first time.

You've been admitted for similar things.

- Accidents, that's all they are.

- Are you sure?

- Of course, what else would they be?

What are you getting at?

- Nothing.

They're just questions.

Look, I know this is tough, but we have to know.

See, we have reason to believe that your

husband's been abusing you physically.

We're worried about you and your kids.

Has your husband been beating you?

Has Daniel been beating you?

It's okay.

You don't know me.

There's no reason for you to trust me.

Just listen for a minute.

You don't have to stay there and be hurt

day after day after day.

There's places for you to go.

Places that'll take you in and help you.

But my hands are tied unless you admit you're being abused.

Okay.

Why don't you just concentrate

on getting well right now, huh?

It's okay.

- Mommy.

Mommy.

Mommy!

Mommy!

Mommy, please!

Mommy!

- Josie, Josie wake up.

Josie, Josie, Josie.

Josie, wake up.

Josie.

- Where's Mommy?

- You know where she is.

Like last time.

She had to go to the hospital.

- Did she die?

- No.

No, she'll be home soon.

Just go back to sleep.

(mellow piano music)

- [Daniel] How's my girl?

- Oh, thank you.

- How are you?

- A little tired.

- C'mon sit down.

Oh, these are for you.

I drove your car in today.

I left it in the lot downstairs,

so it'll be there when you're ready to leave.

I want things to be perfect for you, Maryanne.

I want things to be right between us again.

- How are the kids?

- Everybody's fine.

- I miss them so much.

- They miss you.

- You know, Daniel, I was...

I was thinking that maybe when I get out of here,

I thought maybe, if it's okay with you,

that I might take the kids and go to my mother's.

- You gonna leave?

- Oh, just for a few days.

- Why?

- Well, for rest, Daniel.

I need a rest.

- Who's been talking to you, Maryanne?

- Nobody.

- Well, you wanna get away from me.

To leave me.

- Just for a while.

- Oh, so you do plan to leave me.

- No, no.

Everything's all twisted.

- They've been telling you things about me here, Maryanne.

Trying to turn you against me.

- No.

- I don't like you being around people, you know that.

It's because you believe everything they say.

Especially, your mother.

It is not good for us, Maryanne.

- She's not even going to be there, Daniel.

She's leaving town for a week,

she was going to give me her key.

- Yeah, I don't care.

You're not going.

- Why?

- Why?

- Why won't you let me go?

- Because this is just another one of your stupid

ploys to get out of the house.

- That isn't true, Daniel.

- Yeah, well you go...

If you go, I swear you will never see the kids again.

I'll make sure of it.

- Oh, don't say that.

- I mean it, Maryanne.

I'll take those kids away from you for good.

- No, please, please, don't say that.

- You're not fit to raise 'em, Maryanne.

- I can't handle this right now, Daniel.

I'm too tired.

- Are you tired of me, Maryanne?

Are you tired of our life together, huh?

You answer me, Maryanne.

Are you so tired of me you can't

stand to have me around anymore?

- I can't think right now, Daniel,

I'm just so tired.

I'm just so tired.

- Hi, I just came by to say goodbye,

and to give you this.

It's my office number.

Call me, you know, if you need anything.

Or if you just wanna talk.

If you are being abused Maryanne,

you need to get out of the house,

do you understand me?

You have got to leave.

- I can't.

My life is with Daniel.

- It's not gonna get any better.

The abuse is gonna go on, and on, and on,

till he wears you down into nothing, or he kills you.

- My place is with him.

He needs me.

- You've got to deal with this, Maryanne.

- Daniel needs me.

(mellow piano music)

Daniel?!

Daniel?!

(knocking)

Daniel, are you there?!

Jason?!

Jason, Josie?!

Please, somebody open the door!

- [Josie] Mommy?!

Mommy!

- [Daniel] Go away, Maryanne!

- Daniel, what's going on?!

What are you doing with the children?!

- [Daniel] My children, Maryanne!

You don't live here anymore!

- No, what are you talking about?!

Daniel,

Daniel, let me in!

(knocking)

Let me see the children!

Daniel, let me see the children!

Help me.

Help me!

Oh God, please, somebody help me!

Help me!

Daniel, what are you doing?

What are you doing with the children?

- I'm getting a court order, Maryanne.

- What?

- A court order against you for abandonment.

And when I'm finished with you,

you won't be able to come within 100 feet

of this house, or the children.

- Daniel, please.

My babies, please, let me see--

- Get out of here!

- Why are you doing this?

What do you want from me?

- You abandoned us, Maryanne.

You were gonna move in with your mother, and leave me.

- No.

- You told me yourself.

- No, no, honey.

Just for a little while,

just to get back on my feet again.

- You intended to leave me and take my children with you.

Now, you have no right here anymore.

Now, if you don't get out of here, right now,

I'm gonna call the police,

and I'm gonna have you arrested.

- No, Daniel, just let me talk to you.

I wanna talk to you, okay?

Just let me in.

Please let me in.

Let me in.

God, let me in.

(crying)

(melancholy piano music)

- Miss?

Miss, you wanna step out of the car, please?

Miss.

(knocking)

Step out of the car, please?

- Oh, I'm sorry.

- It's okay, ma'am.

Just like to see some ID, please?

- It's in the car in my bag.

- Mrs. Maryanne Walker-Tate.

1-2-7-4-5 West Third Street?

What are you doing out here?

How'd you get those bruises?

- I had an accident.

- What do you say, we just get you on home.

- No, see, I locked myself out of the house,

and I really don't wanna wake anybody up.

- So, you just slept out here in your car all night?

- Please,

if you want me to go somewhere else now, I will,

but I really can't, I really can't go home.

(talking softly)

- [Officer] Okay, got it.

- Mrs. Tate, my partner's gonna make a call.

It's seems there's a shelter, it's not too far from here.

- Shelter?

- They can help you over there,

but you have to talk to them first, okay?

C'mon, they can help you.

Okay?

You just have to talk to them for a few minutes,

and then, we'll escort you part of the way over.

All right?

- Watch your step now.

Let me help you.

Need any coffee or tea before we get started?

- No.

- Maryanne, this lady is Louise Levy

She's gonna be sittin' in with us for a while,

if you don't mind.

Now, Louise is a social worker.

She's also a paralegal and what we call an advocate.

She helps our women with their cases,

with their attorneys.

- Attorneys?

I don't need an attorney.

What I need is to see my children.

- Honey, let me tell you a little bit about where you are,

and what we do here.

This is a Agape House.

We're one of the oldest battered women shelters in the area.

Now, there is nothing to be afraid of here.

I can promise you that.

Now, what we do is we help women when they leave the home.

By the time they get to us, they're desperate.

Most of them got nothing but the clothes on their backs.

The only thing we require is that you go to counseling

and workshops.

- He locked me out.

He threw me out, and now he's got my children.

He's got my children.

- When did he take 'em?

- Yesterday.

No, no, I, I...

The day before I can't remember.

But he said I wasn't to see them,

and then he threatened me with a court order

so that I'd stay away from them.

- He's got no grounds.

He's just bullying you, Maryanne.

Now, in the meantime,

did you tell anybody about this?

Relatives, friends?

- I don't have anybody.

Just my mother.

- What about her?

- She doesn't know.

- Good.

Don't tell her.

Don't you tell anybody where you are.

Not even your kids.

Now, this is very important.

It's for your protection, as well as for the others.

Some of these guys, they come looking for their wives.

That's why we don't advertise.

No signs out front, right?

- Right.

- Now, me and Louise we're gonna help you file

a restraining order just in case that husband

of yours gets restless and changes his mind

about wanting you back.

- My children, what about my children?

- We're gonna try to help you,

but it may take a while.

- No.

I can't take that chance.

What if he hurts them?

- Honey, me and Louise are gonna do everything we can,

and that is a promise.

(whispering)

- Yeah, okay.

- Eat your breakfast, don't play with it.

- I want Mommy.

- Mommy is not here.

- When is Mommy coming home?

- Mommy doesn't live here now.

Mommy doesn't wanna be with us anymore.

You're gonna stand right over there.

(crying)

- Dad?

- What?

- Where is Mom?

(crying)

- I don't know.

And frankly, I don't care.

- Well, doesn't she wanna see or talk to us anymore?

- I don't think so.

Jason, your mother is very selfish.

And she just does things, you know.

Josie, come here.

Listen to me.

Mommy doesn't wanna live with us anymore.

Mommy doesn't love us anymore.

It's up to us now.

We just gonna have to do it all on our own.

Okay?

Okay?

It's just gonna be the three of us now.

Nobody else.

Just the three of us alone.

- You know, just kind of like forcing me

to have sex with him, and you know,

beatin' me a little bit.

And then, when he's through, he goes,

he says you know so what are you

gonna do like tell you friends

that maybe I raped you or something.

(melancholy piano music)

- C'mon now, Maryanne.

You've got to get your feet wet here sometime.

You have to talk about those feelings.

All those nights,

how did it feel every time Daniel laid his hands on you?

- I can't.

I can't.

(phone ringing)

- [Josie] Hello?

Hello?

Bye.

- I just feel ashamed and embarrassed.

I always thought that I was lucky to get him.

He was so smart and successful.

- Okay, Maryanne.

C'mon, honey, it's time.

You haven't said anything yet.

- Because I have nothing to say.

- Oh please, come off it already.

You ain't hardly said a word since you brought

your ass up in here.

- [Woman] Rosalie.

- What?

What?

You think you had it any rougher than the rest of us?

- No.

- You think your story is different from ours, right?

- No.

- What the hell do you think we're doing here

having a tea party?!

- Rosalie.

- [Maryanne] Look, you have no right

to talk to me like that.

- Well, somebody needs to talk to you.

- You don't know me.

- No, I don't know you, miss high-and-mighty.

- You don't know what my life is like.

You don't know.

You don't know.

About all those nights of his rage,

his hands on me,

beating me, pounding me,

pushing me into walls,

into the ground.

He killed my baby.

- What?

- He killed my baby.

- How, honey, how?

- I was pregnant with our third child, and...

he hated it.

He hated me.

So, he beat me.

He kicked me.

He kicked me so hard, I miscarried,

and he killed my baby.

He killed my baby, and now he's got my children.

I want my children back.

I want my children back.

- How does it make you feel?

- I hate him.

I hate him.

I hate him.

I hate him.

I hate him.

I hate him.

I hate him.

God, I hate him.

I hate him.

I hate him.

- I know.

You're okay though.

You're okay.

(mellow piano music)

(knocking)

- Hey.

I brought you a cup of tea.

(mellow piano music)

- It's good to see you mama.

Thanks for coming.

I wasn't sure you would.

- What do you want?

- Well, I wanted to talk to you,

but first tell me about the kids.

How are they?

Have you seen them?

- They're fine, Maryanne.

I've only seen them once, since...

I've seen them once since you left Daniel.

- I didn't leave Daniel, mother.

He threw me out.

He changed the locks, and he threw me out in the street.

- Look, I really don't want to get involved.

This is your business.

Whatever happens between you and your husband is private.

- Do you have any idea

what my life with Daniel has been like all these years?

- I assumed everything was fine.

- Do you know that he beat me?

- What do you want from me Maryanne?

- Why did you ask me to meet you?

- Because I need you.

I am scared, mama.

I am so scared.

I have nowhere to go.

Let me stay with you.

- I can't.

It wouldn't work out.

You know that.

- All my life you have pushed me away.

Why?

What are you afraid of?

- When I was a child, my mother was beaten by my father.

Day after day after day.

When she left, he came after me.

- Oh, mama.

You never told me.

I never knew.

- We never talked about it.

It was...

We just pretended everything was all right.

It's just the way things were.

By the time your father came,

I wanted to die.

He pulled me out.

He saved me with his love.

- But Daddy left us.

- Before you were born, your father and I were very close.

We had dreams together.

Magical dreams.

Then, you came.

I made a terrible mistake, Maryanne,

I never should've had a child.

It was a terrible mistake.

- Oh, mama.

- I can't.

(children playing)

- [Jason] I'm open. I'm open.

Right now.

(mellow piano music)

(knocking)

- Hi.

What's up?

- I can't live like this anymore, Louise.

I wanna file for divorce.

- What happened?

- I took a long look at myself.

- [Louise] And what did you see?

- Me.

Nobody can get me through this, Louise.

And nobody can help me, I've gotta help myself.

I wanna make a life for me and my kids.

I want them back with me.

Full custody.

- Do you have any bank accounts,

or own any property?

- No, everything's in Daniel's name.

- Do you have any money at all?

- Nothing.

Obviously, I have a problem.

- Yeah, you do where the kids are concerned,

if you're going for full custody.

- Okay.

Then, the first step is I...

I get a job.

- So, did you get anything?

- Not yet.

- Well, you look great.

Look like you really belong out there, you know.

- So do you.

- Nah, not me.

I don't know what's up with me.

Lately, I've been all over the place.

Sometimes I feel like I'm just gonna explode.

- I know.

- Guess we all gotta go through, huh?

- Hi.

Rosalie, do you mind?

I need to talk to Maryanne.

- Yeah, no problem.

See you later.

- What's wrong?

- I was on my way to file your papers

when I get a call from Daniel's attorney.

- And?

- He's filed for divorce,

and he's charging you with abandonment and desertion.

- He can't do that.

Louise, he's lying.

- Well, we can handle that in court,

but that's not all of it.

He wants full custody of the kids.

- What?

That's impossible.

Would the courts give him custody?

- I'm afraid he's got a good shot at it.

- But I didn't leave him, I was in the hospital.

What about the beatings?

- They may not be admissible.

- What?

- The law states that the judge must not hear

the testimony of spousal abuse in child custody cases.

- Oh, that's insane.

What'll happen to the kids?

- I, honestly, don't know.

I wish I could tell you they'd be fine,

but I can't.

I just don't know.

(mellow piano music)

- Hey, look at you.

Ah, rough day, huh?

- I don't know what I'm gonna do, Maryanne.

Everything's closing in on me.

- Well, you'll get a job soon.

- You think it's that easy for me?

And you, you ain't been out there in years.

- Well, maybe not, but--

- Look at me.

Take a good long look at me.

It ain't just about the color of my skin.

There ain't no place out there for me.

In this whole world,

I feel like there's just no place for me.

I'm going back to my husband.

- Rosy, you can't.

- I have to.

I don't know how to be out there on my own.

With him, it wasn't so bad.

Besides, my man wants me back tonight.

- Rosy, you--

- Hey, take this.

It's a job.

Ask for Walter.

- Rosy, this is your chance.

- Look, I know what I gotta do.

You just get your kids back.

- Excuse me, are you Walter?

- Yeah.

What can I do for you?

- I heard you had an opening, a friend of mine said.

- You ever work in a restaurant before?

- No, but I'm a quick learner.

- You good with people?

- I think so.

- You got kids?

- Two.

They're with their father now.

- You on your own?

- Yes.

But I have been cooking and serving three meals a day

to a house full for the last 12 years.

So, I really, really, know what I'm doing.

- When can you start?

When?

- Oh, well right now.

Today.

- You come on Thursday.

It's quiet.

I'll start you then.

- Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

- Hey, nine o'clock.

Don't be late.

- Did I remember to say thank you?

Thank you.

Thank you.

So, he hired me on the spot.

I still can't believe it.

I've got a job.

- How much is he paying you?

- I don't know.

I forgot to ask.

Well, it's still a long way from what

I started out to be.

- [Louise] Oh yeah, what was that?

- Oh, nothing.

You'll laugh.

- [Louise] Oh c'mon, you know me better than that, c'mon.

- [Maryanne] A dancer.

I wanted to dance.

- Your Honor, strictly for purposes

of determination at this temporary custody hearing,

I beg the court to allow me to introduce

as evidence the hospital records

of Mrs. Maryanne Walker-Tate.

- I'm sorry, Ms. Morales, I cannot allow testimony

of spousal abuse in this court.

- Please, Your Honor, these were not minor incidents.

These were episodes which went at times for days.

Mrs. Tate was so severely beaten and traumatized,

she had to be hospitalized on more than one occasion.

- Even if I wanted to, I could not accept this.

The issue of abuse is only her word.

- [Rachael] But Your Honor--

- That's all Ms. Morales.

Now, the assertions against your client are very serious.

Mr. Tate is claiming desertion and abandonment

by your client.

- That's outrageous, Your Honor.

My client was hospitalized because of the beatings.

Upon her return to the home,

she found all her locks had been changed.

- I couldn't get in my own house.

- Mrs. Tate--

- Your Honor, please, you have to listen to me.

- Ms. Morales, you're going to have to control your client,

or I'll have to place her in contempt.

- Calm down.

- Now, Mrs. Tate.

It says here that you are petitioning the court

for full custody of your children.

Where do you reside?

- Tell him.

- Right now, I'm staying in a shelter.

A shelter for battered women.

- [Judge] When will you be leaving the shelter?

- [Maryanne] In three weeks?

- And do you have a place to live when you leave?

- She will by the time she leaves, Your Honor.

- Mrs. Tate, do you have a job?

- Yes.

- What do you do?

- I'm a hostess at a restaurant.

- And Mr. Tate is a successful architect

with a sizeable income.

He currently resides at his family home with the children.

- In light of the information presented

in this court today,

I'm awarding full custody, on a temporary basis,

to the children's father.

- No, Your Honor, please.

If you would just hear our testimony

as to the kind of man that Daniel Tate is.

- Mr. Tate's character is not on trial here, Your Honor.

- No, no, please don't take my children away.

- Mrs. Tate will be given weekend visitation privileges.

- How can he do this?

You're lying, Daniel!

I never abandoned you!

I'm begging you, Your Honor.

Please don't take my children away from me.

Please don't take my children!

Please!

Please don't take my children away.

Please don't.

(melancholy piano music)

Oh Rosy.

I came as soon as I heard.

Rosy.

- What are you gonna tell them

when they ask you why you left?

Why you haven't seen them.

- I'm gonna tell them the truth.

I love them too much to lie to them,

and every time I cover for Daniel

I'm lying.

There they are.

Oh Louise, there they are.

Hi kids.

Oh.

Oh.

Oh, you feel so good.

- Have 'em back by five, Maryanne.

- This arrangement is just until I'm more settled in.

- By five.

No later.

- It is so good to see you guys.

Oh, I've missed you so much.

So, what do you wanna do, huh?

Well, I thought maybe we could pick up a pizza,

and bring it back to my place,

and then, you guys can help me paint my apartment.

Hmm?

All your favorite colors.

We'll fix it up together, how does that sound?

Oh, c'mon you guys,

what do you think, huh?

C'mon, it's okay.

Now, I thought we should walk, just like we used to.

It'll be more fun, okay?

Come here.

Jason, you didn't finish telling me about school.

How's soccer?

- Okay.

- Uh-oh, Josie, honey, be careful I don't have much

turpentine left.

- Daddy won't let me take ballet anymore.

- What, honey?

- Daddy won't let me take ballet anymore.

- Why not?

- He says it's not good for me to be around

all those other kids.

I don't care what Daddy says.

I don't like it there without you.

- Josie!

Josie, get over here!

You're so stupid!

- Jason, Jason, Jason.

It was an accident.

She didn't mean it.

Jason.

Jason!

Jason, you come back here.

(mellow piano music)

- Hey.

You know, hockey season's about ready to start up again.

I got 'em.

Season tickets.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

- Great.

- I figure we can make about two out of every three games.

- You never asked about Mom today.

We never talk about her.

- Nothing to talk about she's gone.

She's out of our lives.

- Don't you care?

- Of course I care.

It's better this way, believe me.

- You still love her?

- Come here.

I wanna tell you something.

Your mother doesn't want you anymore.

- I don't believe you.

- It's the truth.

I wouldn't lie to you, would I?

We tell each other everything, right?

- I guess.

- That's why I kicked her out.

That's why she doesn't live here anymore.

- Because of us?

- Look, I didn't wanna say anything,

but you were bound to find out sooner or later.

Your mother was planning on leaving us.

- No.

- She never wanted to come back here

after she left the hospital.

She was going to abandon you and your sister.

- No.

- You see, that's why I did it.

That's why I asked her to leave.

To protect you.

I wish I could make it easier for you.

I wish...

I could make it all go away.

- Your son's outbursts are getting out of hand, Mrs. Tate.

Today, he beat up a boy half his size

for no apparent reason.

- Was the boy badly hurt?

- A few bruises considering the beating he took.

We had to send him home.

- And Jason, what's going to happen to him?

- We're gonna give him a 24-hour suspension

to cool him off.

But this isn't the first time it's happened, Mrs. Tate.

We've tried to contact his father, repeatedly,

but he hasn't responded.

We tried to get a hold of him today,

but he still hasn't responded.

- I didn't know any of this was going on, Mr. Grayson.

My children don't live with me.

- We're aware of the situation, Mrs. Tate,

but that does not excuse Jason's behavior.

Jason has a lot of anger in him.

Dangerous anger.

- You see, the last few years have been very hard on him,

and I think now, with me being gone, it's...

- Clearly, the boy needs help.

I'm going to make a recommendation that Jason

receives counseling,

but you'd better do it now, Mrs. Tate.

Because if you don't, Jason's rage will cost

him more than just a few days away from school.

- Are you hungry?

I asked you a question.

Jason, we have to talk.

- No.

I don't have to talk to you.

- You have a problem, and we have to talk about it.

You can't keep shutting me out.

- I'll do what I want!

- Not in this house.

- This is your house!

I don't live here!

You don't want me!

- Of course I want you, more than anything.

Where would you get something like that?

- Dad said that you didn't want us!

That you were just gonna leave!

- That isn't true.

- That you're sick of us!

That you don't wanna be our mother anymore!

- You are my life.

- No!

- I love you.

- No, no, no!

- Honey, no.

No, I love you.

I love you.

- No!

- I love you. I love you.

- No!

- Stop it.

- No!

No!

- Stop, stop.

Look at yourself.

Is this what you want?

You want a life like your father had with me?

Is this how you love?

Is this how you love?

- Why did you let him do that to you?

Why didn't you stop him?

Why did you let him hit you?

- Because I thought I deserved it.

I thought I was no good.

- All the times he hit you, and I couldn't stop him.

- It wasn't your responsibility.

- I wanted to, but I couldn't

- I know.

Oh honey, I know.

Oh honey, what have we done to you?

What have we done?

It's all right now.

- [Jason] There was nothing I could do.

- Go ahead and cry, I'm here.

I'm here.

I'm not going anywhere ever again.

I love you.

I love you.

- [Josie] Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!

- Oh, hi honey.

How's my girl, huh?

How's my girl?

Daniel, I've been waiting over an hour.

- Well, I had things to do.

- I left work early because you said you wanted

to meet right away.

- Okay, okay.

You're the one who called this meeting,

what do you want?

- I just thought it was important that we talk.

- I have nothing to talk to you about, Maryanne.

You're wasting my time.

- Daniel, please.

- Shut up, Maryanne!

- Jason, here are my keys.

You two go wait in the car.

I need to talk to your father alone.

Go on.

- Well?

- Jason needs help.

We've gotta get him into some kind of therapy.

- He doesn't need therapy.

- He's in trouble, Daniel.

Now, the school says they've tried to call you--

- Well, I'm a busy man.

I don't have time for this.

- Look, if you don't want the responsibility,

then give them back to me.

- Oh, yeah, right.

- Stop lying to them.

(laughs)

- Boy, you're really something, Maryanne, you know.

You can't even take care of yourself,

and yet, you're gonna get the kids back.

Yeah, right.

- Don't walk away from me, Daniel.

- You're pathetic.

- This is about the children.

You guys get your jackets off,

and I'll get dinner ready.

Jason, take your jacket off, you'll catch cold.

Josie, stop it, honey.

Stop it, sweetheart.

Stop it, you two, c'mon.

Guys want some hot chocolate?

- Yes, please.

- Take your cap off, Jason.

Jason.

Take off your cap.

My God, have you been fighting at school again?

- It didn't happen at school.

Daddy did it.

- What?

- [Josie] Daddy and Jason had a fight.

- Shut up!

- Is this true?

Did your father hit you?

- We were playing catch and I got in the way of the ball.

- Don't cover for him, dammit!

Did he hit you?

If he hit you, Jason, then I have to know about it.

What happened to your eye?

What happened to your eye?

- He hit me, okay?

We got in to it about you, and he punched me!

- Oh, Jason you shouldn't talk to him about me.

What happens between your daddy and me is our business.

- I was trying to protect you.

- What happened?

- He backed me into a corner,

and he started pounding on me.

I couldn't move.

I couldn't even get away.

- This will never ever happen again.

Not to you, not to me.

Never again, I promise you.

Never again.

(knocking)

- What do you want?

- I wanna talk to you.

- You know, you have no right to be here.

You're trespassing.

If you don't get out of here now--

- Don't threaten me, Daniel, it won't work anymore.

I don't give a damn about your threats.

I'm here about Jason.

- All right.

What about Jason?

- Why did you hit him?

- It was just a little slap.

- He has a black eye.

- He opened a mouth to me.

- Don't you ever, ever lay a hand on my son again.

- [Daniel] Your son?

- My son.

- You know, I think the court gave me custody for--

- 'Cause you lied.

And the court won't allow me to defend myself

against you.

- Yeah, well maybe there's another reason, Maryanne.

- All those years, I believed I was nothing.

- You are nothing.

- No, not anymore.

Tell me about your children, Daniel.

Who are they?

You can't, can you?

Because you don't know them.

You don't care about them.

You're just using them to get back at me, because...

I don't need you anymore.

Don't you hit me again!

Don't ever hit me!

I won't let you hit me anymore!

No!

No!

No!

(knocking)

- Who is it?

- [Maryanne] It's me, Maryanne.

- Hey.

Oh, your face.

What happened?

Where have you been?

- To see Daniel.

- Where are the kids?

- At my place.

Look, I didn't want them to see me like this,

so I took a chance and came here.

- You saw Daniel alone, are you crazy?

- I had to, he hit Jason.

- [Louise] When?

- Last night.

- Did you take him to a doctor?

- No, no, no, I went straight to see Daniel.

- Oh no, you have to take him to a doctor,

and photograph any bruises.

Every bit of documentation is a piece of evidence

for the judge.

Now, the next time something--

- There isn't going to be a next time, Louise.

I'm never going to take them back there again.

I'm keeping them with me.

- You can't.

Daniel has custody, Maryanne.

By law, he has rights.

- What about my rights?!

Don't I have rights?!

Where are the laws that protect me and my children?

Don't I have the right to keep them safe?!

- You know what the judge said.

Oh, damn the judge!

These are my children we're talking about.

Now, Daniel almost killed me.

He could kill them.

I won't take that chance.

I want you to call Rachael,

and ask for an emergency hearing.

- Oh, no, no, that's impossible.

- Just call her.

(mellow piano music)

She's having such a good time.

- Look at her.

- Thanks for getting her in here, Louise.

I know this class was full,

but she loves it so.

Look at her.

- Yeah, she's so sweet.

- I don't want her spirit to die, Louise.

I don't want Daniel to take that from her.

Did you talk to Rachael?

- Oh yeah, I got a packet right here.

There's lots for us to do.

Every day that goes by that you keep these kids,

that's another day against you.

- I just want that judge to look at Jason's face,

in his eyes, and then, tell him

he has to go back to his father.

Lights out, honey.

It's very late.

Sleep tight.

- Mom?

- Hmm?

- Are we ever gonna see Dad again?

- I don't know.

- Does he love us?

- Oh, Jason.

I think...

I think he loves us very much.

- Well, why does he hurt us?

- I don't know.

I don't think he even knows.

I think he's scared.

- I wish it could be normal.

Then, we could all be together.

That he wouldn't hurt us.

- Well, you're safe now,

and no one can hurt you,

and nothing can harm you.

So, you just close your eyes.

Close your eyes,

and I'll stay with you until you go to sleep, okay?

- Okay.

- I love you.

- Your Honor, Mrs. Tate has deliberately kept

her children from their father,

he doesn't even know where she lives.

- [Judge] Is that true, Mrs. Tate?

- I've only registered, care of my attorney and advocate.

- Mrs. Tate, the court must have a residence address

for you on record.

- I'm sorry, Your Honor, I can't.

I won't.

- That is illegal.

My client has rights.

- I am sick and tired of hearing about Daniel's rights.

The whole system is designed to protect the abuser,

not the children.

- Mrs. Tate--

- My son returned home to me with a black eye

and a swollen cheek.

Injuries his father gave him.

- I believe Mrs. Tate is exaggerating, Your Honor.

According to my client's testimony, it only happened once.

He slapped the boy for being fresh.

The boy has gotten out of hand.

He was simply exercising his right to discipline

the young man.

- Discipline?

He beat him.

Your Honor, my children are afraid of their father.

They don't want to live with him,

in fact, right now, they don't even wanna see him.

- Children have the right to the benefit of both parents.

- What if it isn't healthy for them?

What if one of the parents is emotionally unstable?

- That is not for Mrs. Tate to decide.

- Your Honor, please, if you will just hear my testimony

of Daniel's abuse.

- Mrs. Tate.

No matter how much I might want to,

at this point, I cannot admit spousal abuse.

- He beat me for years.

- It is irrelevant in custody cases.

- And now, he's abusing my children.

- There's no evidence of that here.

- That isn't true, and you know it.

- It's the law.

- The hell with the law, Your Honor.

- Mrs. Tate, I'm giving you 24 hours to report

your residence address to the court,

and to return the children to their home.

- They are home.

With me.

- Mrs. Tate, I'm placing you in contempt.

- Please, if you'll only hear me.

- 24 hours, or I'll have a warrant out for your arrest.

- [Louise] So, are they sleeping?

- I can't take them back to him, Louise.

I won't do it.

- Do you understand what'll happen if you don't?

- I'll leave the state if I have to.

I'll go so far away, he'll never be able to find us.

- He can bring kidnapping charges against you.

- I don't care.

These are my children.

- And the law is the law.

- Yeah.

But there is another way, isn't there, Louise?

- I could disappear.

- Maryanne--

- Rosalie was talking about it at the shelter.

She has a friend who's living underground.

- This isn't something to bring up lightly.

I can't advocate it.

Only women in extreme cases--

- This is extreme, Louise.

If I don't do something, if I don't take it

into my own hands,

I could lose my children.

- Going underground is serious business, Maryanne.

Now, officially, I can't help you.

I'd be putting the center in jeopardy.

- But as my friend?

- Look, you don't know what you're into here, hun.

There are consequences.

Serious ones.

- I can handle it.

- [Louise] Really?

- Anything is better than this.

- But can you handle the emotional stress?

Moving your kids, changing their names.

There'd be no records.

Before this is all done, you might have to move

again and again and again.

- We'll just deal with it.

- Well, could you deal with going to jail,

'cause that could happen.

What'll happen to your kids then?

What would you do if you lost them?

- It's a chance I have to take.

It's my only hope, Louise.

- Okay, okay.

Okay, okay.

Okay.

Maryanne, you will have no past.

- So, we're all on the run.

(mellow piano music)

Daniel's out there somewhere.

I can feel it.

- [Josie] Look at all this hair.

- I know.

What do you think?

How's that look?

- It looks great.

- You like it?

You like it?

- [Jason] Will we have to leave town?

- [Maryanne] No, Daddy doesn't know where we live

so we can stay here.

- [Josie] What about Caitlin?

- [Maryanne] Not.

We'll pick a perfect name for you.

(mellow piano music)

(children cheering)

(phone ringing)

- Louise Levy.

Who?

Oh yes, I'll hold.

Yes.

Just a minute, let me check.

Tomorrow is just fine.

Thanks.

Leah, get me all of the records for the custody

cases of the last five years,

and call Ellen and get hers too okay?

Thanks.

- Congresswoman Morella and I have

gone through these files.

These stories are frightening.

Sometimes, we get as many as 50 calls a day

from abused women wanting to leave the home.

- But they don't.

- Most of them have nothing on their own.

They're afraid they'll lose the children.

- Well, that's why the congresswoman called for this data.

There's going to be a press conference to gain support,

and we need women who would be willing to talk.

Do you have anyone?

Anyone at all.

- [Man] Ladies and gentlemen of the press,

Mrs. Sara Williams.

My name is not Sara Williams, and I am a fugitive.

And if the judge sees this hearing,

I will be placed under arrest.

I might even be charged with kidnapping,

and I'm not alone.

In this country, right now, eight women a minute

are being physically abused by their mates.

Most of them have no money or no place to go,

so for the sake of the children they stay

in a violent situation.

I know this because I've spent the last 11 years

of my life as a battered woman,

and I'm still being battered.

Only this time by the courts and by a government

that does not honor or respect women,

but instead strips us of our rights, and our dignity.

I lost custody of my children to the man

who beat me for 11 years.

I lost custody because the judge refused to hear

my testimony of spousal abuse.

I was threatened with abandonment and desertion,

and then, not allowed to defend myself or my children.

This is because judges may not, and shall not,

hear evidence of physical spousal abuse in custody cases.

It is irrelevant.

Irrelevant.

I've heard that word a lot since all this started.

Our courts are insensitive to our pain.

For years, I hid.

Ashamed of my bruises.

Afraid of my shame.

And now that I'm free, I'm still hiding.

All I want is to be heard.

All I want is to give my children a home,

to love them, and take care of them,

without the threat of violence.

So, please,

please I beg you,

give me back my children.

(clapping)

(mellow piano music)

- Some time ago, I placed Mrs. Maryanne Walker-Tate

in contempt of this court,

since that time the state of Maryland

has become one of many states to adopt

the Morella Resolution,

allowing domestic court judges the right to hear

testimony of spousal abuse in custody cases.

It is with that right that I ask her attorney

to call Mrs. Maryanne Walker-Tate to the stand.

I will hear her testimony of abuse.

- [Rachael] Your Honor, I call

Mrs. Maryanne Walker-Tate to the stand.

- [Bailiff] Raise your right hand, and repeat after me.

I.

- [Maryanne] I.

- [Bailiff] Maryanne Walker-Tate.

- [Maryanne] Maryanne Walker-Tate.

- [Bailiff] Do solemnly swear.

- [Maryanne] Do solemnly swear.

- [Bailiff] To tell the truth.

- [Maryanne] To tell the truth.

- [Bailiff] The whole truth.

- The whole truth.

- [Bailiff] And nothing but the truth.

- And nothing but the truth.

- [Bailiff] So help me God.

- So help me God.

(mellow piano music)

(MultiCom Jingle)