08x12 - The Prodigal Father

[bunniefuu]

He asked me for the one thing

I wanted to do even
less than those things.

He asked if he could
be a part of my life

and Peter's life again.

Well, he's sober.

He, he went through rehab,

hasn't had a drink
in three years.

He's an artist.

He just got this job
teaching at a small college.

It doesn't pay much, but he's
managed to save enough money

to give me the child support
due to Peter since the time he left.

He wants a second chance.

What do you want?

I want to go back in time and
never return his phone call.

I wanna, I wanna take
back that cup of coffee

and the conversation.

Given that that's not gonna
happen, what do you really want?

I want Vic... (sighs)

to be somebody other than Vic.

He's still the
same irresponsible,

annoying, angry
guy he always was.

I thought it was the
alcohol, turns out it's him.

I don't like him.

But maybe I'm
judging him too harshly.

And it even doesn't
matter what I think,

because we have
a child together,

and I stupidly gave
him visitation rights

when I divorced him, which up
until now, he's never requested.

Please, you've got to help me.

Do something,
anything that doesn't let

his reappearance ruin our lives.

I'm going to talk to Peter,

then I've got to go find
Chandler and talk to him.

Chandler seems to be
getting very close to Peter.

Are you and Chandler
considering... marriage?

No, no.

And even if we were,
this, this turn of events

would mean reconsidering.

Not that Chandler's
not a great guy, he is.

He's the best thing

that's happened to
me and Peter in years...

Did I just hear my
name mentioned?

I missed you.

I missed you, too.

I better get going.

I was assuming when
I heard you talking

that you were waiting for me,

but... you weren't
waiting for me, were you?

No.

But I-I would
like to talk to you.

♪ th Heaven ♪

♪ When I see their happy faces ♪

♪ Smiling back at me ♪

♪ th Heaven ♪

♪ I know there's
no greater feeling ♪

♪ Than the love of family ♪

♪ Where can you go ♪

♪ When the world
don't treat you right? ♪

♪ The answer is home ♪

♪ That's the one
place that you'll find ♪

♪ th Heaven ♪

♪ Mmm, th Heaven ♪

♪ th Heaven. ♪

(barks)

Hi.

Hi. I just wanted
to say good night.

Oh, that's very nice of you.

Good night. I love you.

I love you, too.

That's why I'm
hoping you can find out

what's going on with Peter.

He sounded really angry
on the phone tonight.

And he practically hung up
on me after making me promise

to call him after I was
finished my homework.

I know you met with
his mother this afternoon.

And you know my counseling
sessions are private matters

that I don't share.

Oh. So it was a
counseling session,

not just, say, a
friendly meeting.

Good night.

Fine. Good night.

I just hope that Paris
didn't say no to Chandler.

I hope that's not what's
making Peter angry.

No to Chandler?

Good night.

What's up?

I hate my mother.

Eh, we all probably hate our
mothers at one time or another.

Restrict you?

No.

Took away something? No.

Won't let you buy something?

No.

Doesn't want you
to play some sport

because it's too dangerous?

Uh-uh.

Made you eat something
that's good for you

that you don't like?

Made you wear bad pants?

Enrolled you for dance classes?

That's just stuff
that all mothers do.

That's not stuff that would make
me crazy enough to hate her.

You don't really
hate your mother.

I might. Because?

She talked to my dad.

When she was on
her business trip,

they met and had coffee,
and talked about me

and how we could all be
one big, happy family again,

because now he's
sober and responsible.

How do you feel about that?

How do I feel?

If I had wanted
to talk to a shrink,

I would have gone to one.

I wanted to talk to a man.

How would you feel if you
were put in my position?

I don't want to see my dad.

I don't want to talk to him...

I wish he were dead.

You know, my father is dead,

and I can't tell you
how much I miss him.

Maybe I'm not the right
person to talk to after all.

I'm sorry. I didn't
mean to offend you,

but my father was a
drunk, a mean drunk,

and he left us,

and my mom's worked really
hard to get us what we have now.

And we're happy, and we
were going to marry Chandler,

but once again, my dad's
shown up and ruined everything.

Marry Chandler?

Well, he hasn't asked her yet,
but he asked me, and I said yes.

But now that isn't
going to happen.

Now everything is ruined.

Now everything is
more complicated,

but maybe it's not ruined.

What is your mom
asking you to do?

Just see your dad?
Just talk to him?

One or the other.

It sounds like you're
really angry with him.

Maybe this is an opportunity
to tell him how angry you are.

I'm not going to forgive him,

and I'm not going
to forget what he did.

Aren't you the guy who recently
helped facilitate a meeting

between an alcoholic
father and his son?

What's the difference between
what your mom is asking

you to do and what you
asked that father and son to do?

I'll tell you. That was
them and this is me.

I liked that father,
he was nice.

And I liked that
son, he was nice.

But I don't like my father,
and he really isn't nice at all.

Trust me.

It's going to be okay, Peter.

Everything is going to be okay.

You can do this.

And if you can't do it alone,

Reverend Camden
will go with you,

or your mom will go with you.

Or even both of them.

Would you?

Sure. But why me?

Because if Reverend
Camden or my mom go with me,

I'll have to be
a good little boy;

but if you go with me, I can
say what I really want to say.

You're a cop, you
know the dark side of life.

Does Chandler know about this?

Oh, yeah, he and my mom
are fighting about it right now.

You did what?

I wouldn't have asked
him that if I had known

that you were having
coffee with your ex

with the dream of getting
back together with him.

Getting back together with my
ex-husband would be a nightmare,

not a dream.

Then why did you meet with him?

Because he's Peter's father
and he asked me to meet with him.

Would you get back
together with him

simply because
he's Peter's father?

There's nothing simple about it.

And if you were
serious about me,

about Peter and me, about us,

then why wouldn't you tell
me before you told Peter?

Would it have
made any difference?

Please, please, please.

I can't say anything.

Did Peter tell you
not to say anything?

No, but he obviously
doesn't want you to know

or he would have talked to you.

Okay, you're right.

And I'm sorry, I shouldn't
have even asked.

Thanks.

You want a cookie?
I feel like a cookie.

I do feel like a cookie
and a big glass of milk.

We have cookies.

We don't have milk.

I'll walk over and get some.

It's cold out. I'll go.

No, I'll go.

I owe you.

I just got home.

Where were you?

At your house.

Why didn't you
come up to see me?

I went to see Kevin.

I just called to
apologize about before.

I got some stuff going on.

It's about that business trip
your mom went on, isn't it?

I might as well tell you.

She saw my dad.

What's the big emergency?

It's not an emergency.

I told Smitty just to tell you
to call me when you called in.

They told me it
was an emergency.

Do you have any cookies?

I need you to run a
check on Peter's dad,

find out if he has a
record or anything.

Why can't you?

I kind of ran out of favors.

Is it to my advantage for
the guy to have a record?

Either way, Paris is taking
some time away from Chandler.

What's his name?

I'll have to find out.

So here we go again.

Just when I thought

we were going to settle
down with Chandler.

Chandler's got the
potential to be a great dad,

a dad I can be proud of.

And I care about him,
and he cares about me.

But your dad still
cares about you, too.

And you can still care about
him and care about Chandler.

Look, I don't need any
of your sage advice.

This is why I didn't tell you
about it in the first place.

And what do you know
about it? You're a Camden.

I can't believe you.

I was listening.

I admit it.

I can't believe I
sunk so low, but I did.

I apologize. I'll
never do it again.

It's just you left me
downstairs, wondering...

No excuses, I was wrong.

Okay, I guess you owe me.

So I'm assuming you
know that Mrs. Petrowski

went out for coffee with
the ex-Mr. Petrowski.

Paris and Chandler are
having a big fight about it,

so are Peter and I.

Peter thought that Chandler
was going to be his new dad,

and I don't think he
wants his old dad back.

Chandler?

Did Kevin tell you?

No, I didn't.

We have milk.

I thought I heard somebody.

What is going on?

(sighs)

Paris is seeing her ex.

She wants to give
him a second chance.

She wants Peter to give
him a second chance.

And you were hoping
to make Paris your wife

and be a dad to Peter, I know.

Who told you?

Nobody had to tell me.

You're going to
have to let them go.

Let them all have
their second chance,

because that's
really all you can do.

All you can do that you
would feel good about, anyway.

I'm, I mean, I'm assuming that
they both know how you feel.

Yeah.

Good.

I have a feeling
that everything's

gonna work out in the end.

So go home and get some sleep.

And then, here's an idea.

Maybe you should consider
that when you first came here,

you jumped in and did
practically everything

at the church for Eric.

And you did a great job.

But then, you know,
Eric came back,

you stepped aside and
kind of lost your footing.

Not that you
didn't do everything

that anyone ever
asked you to do,

but you've been
waiting to be asked.

And you don't have to do that.

The church needs you.

The community needs you.

The world needs you.

So do something.

Make a contribution.

Good night.

Hey, there's some
hidden brownies

in the drawer under
the dish towels.

And, um, there's
plenty of milk in the frig.

Did you have her say that?

Hey, look who's here,

the guy we like.

(stammering): I'm sorry.

I really have to get to work.

I won't keep you. I just, uh,

have something that I
want to say to both of you.

My timing might have
been bad last week

when I talked to
Peter about, uh...

well, my intentions.

But, uh...

I'm glad that both of you know
how much I care about you.

I wouldn't want either of you,

well, especially Peter,
to think that I was

abandoning you.

I still want to see you.

I still want to talk to you.

But only if and
when it's appropriate.

And, Peter, I think that we
need to let your mom decide that.

And I know that you
have a lot to think about.

But if you need my
help with anything,

or get lonely, or, uh,

you just miss me...

Please, uh, just let me know.

What, are you afraid
of a little competition?

Peter.

It's not a competition.

If it was, I'd jump right
in and fight to the finish.

But it's not.

He's your dad.

This isn't about me.

This is about you

and your mom and your dad.

I am glad you dropped by.

But I've got to get to work

and I better get
Peter to school.

I want to talk to my dad alone,

man to man.

No, I think I should be there.

I think if any adult has to
be there, it should be Kevin.

Kevin?

I'd be safe with Kevin.

And I have some
things to say to my dad

that I don't think I
should say in front of you

or a reverend.

Please don't tell me
that after what he did

I can't say anything.

I mean, I've been waiting
all this time to say plenty.

I-I just think that your dad
would be uncomfortable

talking to you with Kevin there.

He doesn't even know Kevin.

What about what
I'm comfortable with?

(sighs)

Okay, I've got to get to work.

Listen, let me think
about this, okay?

Let me talk to your dad.

Wait. Please.

I don't want to make
you late, but, Mom,

it's been me and you
for the past three years.

You've made all
the big decisions,

and you've let me be a
part of that decision making.

Don't cut me out now. Please.

You know, you're right.

You are absolutely right.

If your dad wants to talk to
you and you want Kevin there,

then you should
have Kevin there.

I'll let him know.

Come on.

So while you continue
to help individuals

and save the world
one person at a time,

what I thought I could do is

gather up all the young
people in the congregation

who haven't found who they
want to help or what they want

to do yet, and get them
all together as a team.

And we could make ourselves
available to community groups,

or social services,

uh, veteran's organizations,

local charities,
global charities

or whoever needs us, but
only if it's okay with you.

Oh, it's more than okay.

It's terrific.

And if you want my
help, let me know.

Otherwise, I'll just, I'll
stay out of your way.

Thanks for supporting me.

I'm excited to get started.

I'm here to see Reverend Camden.

Are you? No, I'm not.

It's the first
door on the right.

Reverend Camden?

Oh, Vic Petrowski?

Vickery. George Vickery.

People just call me Vic.

Petrowski's her
name, and I allowed

for Peter's name to be changed.

Thought it'd be easier
for them at the time.

'Course at the
time, I was drunk.

Have a seat.

I'm happy you could stop by.

Believe me, I didn't want to.

I was hoping for just
a simple conversation

between my ex-wife and my son.

But, if this is what she wants,

then this is what I'll give her.

What would you like to know?

Let's see, um, I
went through rehab.

I've been sober for three
years and nine days, whoo-hoo.

Um, I have a job.

A crummy job; I teach
art to a bunch of loser

at St. George Community College.

Yeah, I'm a
freakin' art teacher.

So I guess you're
also an artist?

(chuckles): Not
really, whatever.

I'm sorry if you felt this
meeting was forced on you.

Paris thought I
could be of more help

to her and Peter in
discussing this reunion

if I knew you a little better.

Right. So if you like me,
you'll get Peter to talk to me.

Yeah, great. Nobody likes me.

But it never stopped
me from living my life.

Look, I didn't get
sober for nothing.

So let's just get on
with this, all right?

All right.

You mind if I ask,
are you in AA?

Isn't that Alcoholics Anonymous?

Yes, it is. I'm sorry.

I'm not in it.

I'm not an alcoholic.

I'm sober.

And I don't like people.

What about you?

Do you like you?

Truthfully, not that much, no.

But I'm not changing
for anybody, even me.

Giving up alcohol is
about as far as I want

to go with self-improvement.

I don't have to be
any better than I am

right now for my son to love me.

And that's the way I see it.

You weren't nice drunk,

and the two or three
times I remember you

even being sober, you
weren't nice then, either.

You stink as a father, and
you stink as a husband.

I don't care how much
money you coughed up.

You can't buy us back.

You're a lousy, no good,

rotten piece of... MARTIN: Whoa.

You can't talk to
your father like that.

Why not? That's
what I think of him.

Still, if I talked to
my father like that,

I'd be picking myself
up off the ground.

Your father would hit you?

Well, he never has,

but if I talked
to him like that,

I think the chances would
be good that he would.

My father's in the Marines.

You can't talk to a Marine
like that... or a dad like that.

If you ask me, a
father/son relationship

is about honor and respect,

and I'd suggest being
honorable and respectful,

no matter how upset you are.

Sorry, maybe you
should ask someone else.

Are you quoting from a movie?

No, I'm saying
what's in my head.

I've been rehearsing
it for years.

I think you should
rehearse something else.

You can't say any of that.

(sighs)

I don't think I should even
see the guy, but I have to,

and if I have to, I'm
gonna say how I feel.

Okay, fine.

Say what's in your
heart, but use your head.

Know what I mean?

Yeah, I know just what you mean,

but I don't feel like
censoring my feelings.

Maybe you should ask
somebody else about this.

You can ask me.

I promise I won't give you any

of my "sage
advice," as you call it.

Forget it.

I'm looking for someone
who will agree with me.

You can't talk to
your dad like that.

I understand that you're angry,

but you'd be getting
off to a really bad start.

That's the nice version.

What would you say?

Dad, I'm very happy and
proud that you stopped drinking,

but I'm still angry with you
for the years that you did drink,

for the years that you weren't
so nice to Mom and me,

and I'd like to tell you
how it felt when you left us,

because it was hard for us,

maybe a lot harder
than you realized.

This is why I asked
Kevin to take me.

You Camdens have
really lived a sheltered life.

Just give me a few minutes
to change, and I'll be ready.

Um, well, maybe while
you're getting ready,

Peter can run his speech
to his dad past you,

and maybe you
can help him with it.

I could, but I think
Peter should say

whatever he wants to say.

(sighs)

Well, how'd it go
with Peter's dad?

I was reminded what a complex

and difficult
task it is for us...

to love one another.

I somewhat hope that

Peter has the guts to tell Vic
what a mean, rotten guy he is,

'cause I spent a couple of
hours making him try to come

to that conclusion himself
and do something about it,

'cause... he wants to be loved,

and I think he'd respond
to being loved... by anyone.

But unless something shifts,

believe me, he's
gonna remain an island

of self-loathing and
self-hatred, forcing himself

on the only people he
can, Peter and Paris.

I don't think that's
to Vic's benefit,

and it certainly isn't to
Peter or... or Paris's benefit.

Is there anything I can do?

Or anything anyone can do?

My gut feeling is

that we need to
circle the wagons

and just surround this man

with as much love
as we can muster,

and I'd love to lead the way,

but I'm exhausted
from just trying

not to smack him with the
newspaper that was on my desk.

♪ ♪

You had to bring a cop?

You thought I'd do
something stupid?

Actually, I thought I'd
do something stupid.

I thought I was going to
tell you how much you...

Go ahead.

I wasn't counting on
being happy to see you.

But you are, right?

Sort of. It's just that...

Just that what?

I'm heavier than you remember?

I'm balder, older?

It's still me, kid.

I know, but you weren't
very nice to Mom or to me

when I last saw you.

Yeah, I know.

(clicks tongue)

But... I'm still your father.

And you're supposed to love
your father no matter what.

Yeah, I know, but you left
without even saying good-bye,

and you never even called,

not even on my
birthday or Christmas.

Well, once I was
out of the house,

I didn't want to come back until I
was back on my feet and sober.

I didn't know it was
going to take this long.

And I didn't want
to spoil your birthday

or Christmas by calling.

You might not want
to hear from me.

Yeah, I guess I didn't.

But I didn't really want to
hear from you now, either.

Things have been going
really good for Mom and me.

Yeah, well, now things can
go even better for all of us,

especially your old dad.

Why now? Really?

You quit drinking
three years ago,

and you've had your job a while.

'Cause I couldn't go any
longer without seeing you.

I'm... bored,

lonely,

and I missed you.

Is that a crime?

No.

Good.

So, is your mom seeing anybody?

(exhales loudly)

(sighs)

(phone ringing)

Hello?

Ruthie. Uh, just the person
I was hoping to talk to.

How can I help you?

Well, I'm working
on this new project

where I get different teams of
people from the congregation

to help out with all the local
charities and the civic groups

who need support
with their projects,

and the word got out so
fast that I just got a call,

and I now I need some
volunteers for Saturday.

That's tomorrow.

Yes, it is.

How would you like to help

a really nice group of people
move into a new home?

Okay. I'm not much
on heavy lifting,

but I'm pretty good at
bossing people around.

(quiet laugh)

I tried to find something
good about him today...

And-and there's
good in everyone...

But it's more difficult to
see in some than others.

My hunch is that if he
could see his own value,

love himself, respect himself,

you'd all be coming at
this from a better place.

Dad, tomorrow,
Chandler needs me.

Great.

To help move.

Terrific. Maybe
Martin and Cecilia

would like to get involved.

We're going. We're
involved already.

And don't forget to ask Peter.

Uh, about spending
time with Chandler?

Is that a good idea?

What makes me think
you're up to something?

I was wondering the same thing.

Hi. Hey.

Kevin went home.

So, how-how'd it go, you two?

Okay. Good even.

Thanks for making me do this.

Uh, Dad, this is Ruthie

and Cecilia

and Martin. VIC: Oh, yeah.

You're the Marine's kid, huh?

When are you signing
up, next month?

I'm only , but when
I'm , yeah, I might.

Why? Was that a
cr*ck at the Marines?

Calm down. It wasn't a cr*ck.

I'm just being friendly.

Apology accepted.

You don't live
here, either, right?

No.

It's like an orphanage,

only the, uh, kids have parents
waiting for them at home, huh?

Well, if you guys are
all done staring at me,

I think I'll go home.

Peter, I'll call you tomorrow.

Paris...

good night.

Good night.

We-We better be going, too.

(door closes)

Yeah, good night.

(sighs)

Everything's gonna be fine.

(door closes)

LUCY: Ah.

So Kevin says
everything went pretty well.

I don't know how that happened.

Does Peter have
to see his father?

Well, it's not a matter
of having to see him.

Most children want to
see their mom and dad,

no matter who they are or
what they've done to them.

And since we all love Peter,

we're going to find
a way to love Vic.

So what's your plan?

All will be revealed
in due time.

In due time.

Hiding?

No, I'm not hiding.

What do you know
about this group of people

that Chandler's going
to help tomorrow?

I know they're nice people,

and I think they have
something to teach us all.

About loving Vic?

Mm-hmm.

Does Chandler know
that he and his project

are being used for your project?

Well, Chandler won't mind

when he understands that
it's-it's also to his benefit.

When are you going to tell him?

Uh...

All right.

(phone beeps on,
touch tones sounding)

(phone ringing)

Eric!

How did you know it would be me?

Because I finally figured out
that you were the only person

that knew about my idea, so
you must have made a phone call.

Well, I-I was inspired.

I-I acted in the moment.

It's okay. I'm
grateful to jump in

and get going, so thank you.

You're welcome.

Okay, what don't I know?

Can I come up?

Sure.

I brought pie.

I didn't want to show up
uninvited and empty-handed.

Did you talk to Peter?

No, but I met his dad. Wow.

By the way, we need help
moving some people tomorrow.

What people?

I don't know.

Just some people that
Chandler said he'd help move.

Fine with me.

We're out of milk.

Could you get it, Kevin?

I need a sister right now.

Ever since Peter's
dad came around,

he's been angry with me.

He doesn't want to talk to me.

He doesn't think that
I'll be able to understand

what he's going through
because we're Camdens,

and our parents never divorced.

This was a sudden
change for Peter,

and I think he was a
little scared and angry

before he sat down
and talked to his dad.

You should see his dad.

I mean, I'm surprised he
wasn't more scared and angry

after he sat down
and talked to him.

Yeah. Kevin met him.

He had the same reaction.

I don't know why
Peter's angry with me.

I'm the one who told him

it was okay if he
wanted his dad in his life.

I told him he could love his mom
and Chandler, and his dad, too.

It may have seemed that you
were giving Peter permission

to love his father,

when he hadn't yet
given himself permission.

He has to get to know him again.

None of us know his dad.

We don't know if
we like him or not.

We don't know if he's capable

of being a positive
addition to Peter's life or not,

and that's none of
our business anyway.

That's Paris's and
Peter's business.

All we know is
that we love Peter,

and he's a positive
addition to our lives.

So what I think Dad's
in the process of doing is

making it easier for all of us
to accept Vic into our circle,

so we don't push
Paris and Peter out.

Especially while they're
vulnerable and scared

and going through
a difficult time.

How's he going to
get us to accept Vic?

Seems to be a big secret,
but we'll find out tomorrow.

Thanks, sis.

I really needed that.

(laughs quietly)

What? We have milk.

I know. Thanks.

(phone ringing)

(phone beeps on)

Yeah?

I finally got the
information you wanted.

Nothing. Squeaky-clean.

Not so much as a parking ticket.

Thanks.

Think Paris will
go back with him?

I kind of doubt it.

But there's nothing
wrong with him.

Oh, there's plenty
wrong with him.

There's just nothing legally
wrong with him, but thanks.

(phone beeps off)

(dial tone, phone beeps off)

Can't you get in trouble
for running checks

on people all the
time for no reason?

Yes. Nevertheless,

that never stops you or
your family from asking.

(phone ringing)

Hello.

Hi.

I just wanted to say good night

and thanks for
introducing me to your dad.

I was gonna call you. You were?

I'm sorry if I've
been a jerk lately.

No. I've been a jerk.

I don't know what
you're going through,

and I just want
to say that I hope

you still have room
for me in your life

no matter how things
go with your dad.

Always.

But just so you know, I'm
kind of expecting my life

to be a little like a roller
coaster now that he's shown up.

I don't think this is
gonna be an easy ride,

and I don't know if we're
gonna make it back safely,

or if everything's just
gonna break down again.

Is there anything
I can do for you?

I'm bringing my dad over
to the house tomorrow

and we're all gonna help
Chandler move those people in.

So, if he gets mean,
or insulting or anything,

if you could just, well,

not judge him or anything,

or judge me because he's my dad,

that would be great.

I know people don't
always like him,

I don't always like him.

He's embarrassing at
times, but he is my dad.

No problem.

It'll be a problem, but thanks.

Good night.

Good night.

(sighs)

I don't know how I would
have gotten done today

without your help.

Most of the parents are like me,

too old to be much
good for physical labor.

Of course that's why
we have to do this,

because the parents are older.

And when they pass away,

the children have to
have some place to go.

(grunts)

Relatives...

They don't usually
want to take 'em,

and social services
isn't the place.

'Cause they've
always had a home.

You know it's hard to
get people to adopt adults,

but some of them
do take them in.

I've just been waiting for a...

a house to become
available in my neighborhood

that my wife and I
could afford to help buy.

(sighs)

There's John,

my son.

I'm so proud of him.

Your dad must be proud of you.

It's an honorable
profession you've chosen.

Yeah, well, my dad
passed away last summer,

and honestly, he never
really liked the idea

of me being a minister.

Oh, I'm sorry to
hear about your dad.

I'm sorry to hear that he never
told you he was proud of you.

But you take my word,

fathers are all proud
when their sons succeed.

And you've obviously
done very well with your life,

Chandler.

You're a good man.

Hi.

So you're the
minister of the church.

Uh, my official title
is Associate Pastor.

That's nice.

Yeah.

Would you marry me?

Uh...

He thinks you want to marry him.

No, I meant,

would you marry
me to my boyfriend.

Oh.

Of course.

Of course, I can do that.

But first you gotta
get a boyfriend.

Yeah.

That's first.

Thank you.

Where did John
find his housemates?

Oh, they all work together
at a local TV station.

They help out with anything

that anyone needs help with.

You know,

delivering packages,

or pick up lunches, help
out at corporate events,

almost anything.

You know, they've
worked together for so long,

that Mrs. Thomas and I
have become close friends

with the other
parents, also the kids.

'Course they're
not kids anymore.

Looks like a clown car.

(all laugh)

Is, uh, Peter coming with you,
or is he coming with his dad?

Oh, he's coming with his dad.

Ah. Good.

That's-that's good, I guess.

After I finish this, I'm gonna
go get the smoke detectors.

You need a new one in here,

and we should put
one in the hallway.

And what can I do?

I am good with money,

so if you have any
budget problems.

And I'm a mom,

so I can cook and clean

and do laundry.

That's nice of you to offer,

but we like doing
all that ourselves.

How many children do you have?

Oh, just one, Peter.

What's your husband's name?

Uh, well, I'm divorced,
but his name is Vic.

He, uh,

he hasn't been around
in the past few years.

In fact, this weekend
is the first time

he's seen Peter in...

three years.

They're supposed to
come by later and help out.

I'm sorry.

This must be a
hard time for you.

And it must be
scary for you, too.

(sighs) Yeah, it is.

I never even thought to
offer Paris any sympathy.

I know.

Me neither.

I didn't even say
anything to her.

I think this is one
of the many lessons

my dad was hoping
we'd learn here today.

Are you excited about moving

into a house with your friends?

I have to.

My mom is making me
because if I stay at home with her,

when she dies I'll be all alone,

and that won't be any good.

My father's dead.

Do you have a father?

No, he d*ed when I was young.

Who are you going to live
with when your mother dies?

I live with my wife Lucy.

We live in her family's
garage apartment,

so we have lots
of family around.

That's good.

I'm sure your dad is happy
when he looks down and sees you.

We just attempted our
first ceiling fan installation.

How'd you make out?

Uh, we were thinking

maybe we should get Annie
over here a little sooner.

I bet Lucy could help.

I could ask Lucy.

I'm not afraid to ask for help.

Oh, thanks, but I
should ask her...

like he told me to an hour ago.

I'll go with you.

Martin can help Richard
move this table inside.

I heard you play baseball.

Yeah, I do.

How did you learn
to play baseball?

My dad.

That's wonderful.

You'll always have that.

Your dad taught you
how to play baseball.

My mom and little brothers

are bringing lunch
over for everyone.

(laughs) What?

You're not waiting
for your mother.

No, I'm not.

I'm waiting for my
boyfriend Peter.

He's coming over with his dad.

Do you like Peter's dad?

I'm trying to,
but... you'll see.

Everything will be fine.

You know how I know?

No.

Because everything is fine.

Peter and Vic are here.

Hey.

They're here.

Wait till you see this.

You're not going to believe it.

Hi, I'm Peter.

This is my dad Vic.

Hi.

(tearing)

Oh, you stupid idiot.

Moron, jackass!

Pinhead!

I think he's talking
about him, not us.

I painted this.

I wanted to give you guys
something for your house.

I can't believe I ripped it.

I'm such a...

Can we see it?

Wow.

(gasping)

It's beautiful.

It's not beautiful, it's torn.

So it's not perfect.

Nothing's perfect.

Come on, I stink.

So you're not perfect either.

We all love you. We love you.

Thank you, Peter's dad.

You're great. Good work.

You're wonderful, Peter's dad.

Thank you very much.

Okay, that's nice, thank you.

That's a nice group hug.

I appreciate it.

He might be all right,

and whether he is
or isn't, we love you.

Thank you, Cecilia.

When we get finished here,

you feel like going
to the batting cages?

Just the two of us?

Maybe we'll take Richard.

I think he'd like it.

What?

I was just thinking
how great it is

to have a wife and a family.

It's amazing.

You said to expect a miracle

and there are little miracles
happening all around us.

In matters of the heart,

always best to go to those
with the biggest hearts.

Thanks, both of you.

And thank your boss.