I Am Somebody's Child: The Regina Louise Story (2019)

[bunniefuu]

(♪♪♪)

Mama!

Mama!

(♪♪♪)

Regina: My whole life I

wanted to hear how I came

into the world a wanted

and special child.

(♪♪♪)

But for the first

13 years of my life,

it seemed nobody wanted me.

You lost?

I'm here for a place to stay.

Yeah, what's your name?

Regina Louise.

How old are you?

Thirteen.

(sigh)

Where are we goin'?

I'm taking you to the

children's centre.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

(door buzzer)

(♪♪♪)

I've got Regina Louise.

Great, can you

sign here, please?

Hi Regina.

Thanks a lot.

Bye Regina.

(footsteps)

(♪♪♪)

(click)

(♪♪♪)

Good night.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

Regina: All my life I wanted


to be somebody's someone...

instead of feeling like

just another nobody.

(♪♪♪)

(click)

Morning Sunshines!

Up, up, up!

Out of bed, sleepy heads.

Rise and shine, it's


a beautiful day.

(♪♪♪)

Hi Regina.

I'm Miss Kerr.

Welcome to the shelter.

I'll get you set up.

Come with me.

Up and at 'em!

(♪♪♪)

That's Miss Happy Trails.

You go on with


Happy Trails, girl.

(♪♪♪)

We keep your jewelry

in your personal safe.

They'll be waiting for

you when you leave.

Oh, nice mood ring.

You have a purse?

How about your pockets?

Don't throw that away!

That has my mama's lipstick on


it from when she kissed me last.

Oh!

(♪♪♪)

Here, you can change just there.

There are privacy curtains.

(♪♪♪)

How'd you get that

bruise on your arm?

I bumped into a refrigerator.

Mm-hmm.

How old were you when you


got hurt on your legs?

I don't remember.

Well, that must have hurt a lot.

Who did that to you?

I was on a ball team.

Would you mind,

please, standing up?

(♪♪♪)

May I please lift up


the back of your shirt?

Wait, what do you need

to see my back for?

I just need to finish my report.

Do you mind?

I'll just lift up the

back of your shirt.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

How'd you get those

scars on your back?

Playing.

Playing what?

Games.

Games?

Someone do that to you?

No.

Okay.

Your time here is limited,

so you make the most of it.

And your goal is to

be a gold star girl.

Gold stars are good

and red stars are bad.

Nobody wants a red star.

Have you understood

everything I've told you?

(♪♪♪)

(car horn honking)

Regina: It seemed

like everyone went home

to their someone

over the weekend...

Have a good weekend.

Thank you, bye.

...except for me.

See you on Monday.

Regina: And if they

couldn't be picked up,

they got in Miss Ford's car and

she delivered them to a home

where they might get a chance.

Have a good weekend.

(car door slams)

(♪♪♪)

How are we doing with

our little Regina?

Regina, Regina has lived

in ill*gal pay care

situations since birth.

In one home she was viciously

and repeatedly beaten.

The scars were ugly.

We've all seen scars, Jeanne.

Well, this weekend she confided

that the ab*ser was an older

child, no relation,

living in the same quasi

foster home in Texas.

She's only had sporadic

contact with her mother,

whereabouts unknown.

She most recently lived with

her father for 6 months

until she ran away.

She worries her dad

is angry with her,

but she's eager to make it work.

I'm happy to report

he's coming today.

Good.

Your father and

stepmother are here.

(♪♪♪)

Hi Sam.

Hi Nadine.

(♪♪♪)

I'll wait outside.

This is between

Regina and her father.

Oh, Mrs. Lock, a

Regina's stepmother,

you're welcome to

join the meeting.

No thank you.

(♪♪♪)

(footsteps)

Did Regina tell you that

my wife and I took

her in for 6 months?

Did she tell you that she

alienated my children

and nearly destroyed

my marriage?

Mr. Lock, all due respect,

Regina is also your child.

That we do not know, and

I have sincere doubts.

Before I gave my

life to the Lord,

I had relations with

Regina's mother.

But I'm no longer that man.

I've married Nadine, with

whom I have a family,

with whom I have built a life.

I can be good.

My wife and I took in Regina out

of the goodness of our hearts,

and she repaid us with theft,

deceit and violence

towards my wife.

I ain't mean to hit her.

Mr. Lock, I can only

imagine how upsetting,

hurtful and frightening it

must have been for you

when Regina ran away from home.

The children...

Wait a minute, did she tell

you she ran away from home?

I ordered her out of my home and

I paid a woman to take her in!

Miss Bushnell said your

checks stopped coming,

she locked me out.

(♪♪♪)

Miss Kerr, listen, I

want nothing more to do

with this child.

I want her out of my life.

So, are there other forms,

papers I need to sign,

what do I do?

I promise to be good.

Listen, listen, know your

Father in Heaven loves you.

Learn to put your faith in Him.

(♪♪♪)

Mr. Lock, do you have any

information that could help us

find Regina's mother?

I'll meet you in the car.

You look at her.

All sad.

Our half hour dinner is

turning into a hour, ladies.

Let's watch the time.

And I told her to your face,

you're a worthless

piece of sh*t!

What did you say to me?!

You want to get

some, Sandy, huh?

Come on, Sandy!

(Sandy: Screaming)

Fight, come on,

fight, Sandy, fight!

Fight, fight, Sandy!

Regina!

Sandy Blair and Regina Louise,

you have just earned

yourself red stars.

It wasn't my fault,

she just freaked.

Get in my office!

What happened?

Regina got angry.

No, you got angry.

Own up to it, anger's okay.

Violence is not and we don't

tolerate it here at the shelter.

Just across the

parking lot is juvie,

and is where you'll be detained

the next you're violent.

Those are the rules!

You had a hard day.

Your dad gave me some

information that may help

me find your mother.

Let's not lose hope, okay?

Yeah, right.

Regina Louise, get

to my office now!

(♪♪♪)

Okay, girls, and one, and two...

Found your mother.

You talked to her?

I did.

She's coming to see you.

Is she coming from Texas?

She said she lives in Oakland.

I've been in California two

years, if she was in Oakland,

why didn't she

come for me before?

(♪♪♪)

She said she's coming

to see you on Monday.

I'm excited for you.

That's what she said.

(♪♪♪)

Give me an I!

Girls: I!

Give me a C!

Girls: C!

Girls: Icy!

(laughing)

Come on, right here.

Bring me back one from the

mall, will you, purple.

(girls chatting)

Thank you.

Where did you get those shoes?

I took 'em.

You can't do that.

That is unacceptable!

What you getting in my face for?

That's my business,

these are my shoes.

No, ma'am, you take

those shoes off

and you put your shoes back on.

Annie, may I borrow

the van, please?

We are going to

apologize to the manager.

When my mama sees

these ugly a*s clothes,

she ain't gonna want me!

(♪♪♪)

(girls reciting

jump rope rhymes)

Lenny, your mother's here.

Cathy, Mira, Sandy, the rest

of you girls come inside,

your parents will be here soon.

Come on, Regina.

Where are we goin'?

We are going to

the fabric store.

We're gonna make you a pretty

outfit to wear for your mother.

(door bell jingling)

Corduroy, it has to be corduroy.

But that's a pretty warm fabric.

But we could make you a

sleeveless jumper and you can

wear a short T or a long sleeved

T, according to the weather.

I think that would work, that

would give you some versatility.

I think so.

Ah, this one.

Mm-hmm.

Star, sun, peace sign?

Too white hippy.

Um, that one.

I want to be a rainbow girl.

What do you think?

I think you're gonna look

beautiful for your mama.

(door bell jingling)

(sewing machine clicking)

How did you learn to do

that? My mother taught me.

You're in my light.

Want to help?

Here, come here,

hold this like this.

Yes.

This looks good!

Come on.

Stand up straight.

Regina is the perfect name

for you, it means queen.

You have a regal spirit.

What's regal mean?

Look it up in the dictionary.

R-E-G-A-L.

Pertaining to a king...

Or a queen.

...magnificent,

splendid.

That's right.

I am honored to be in

your court, your majesty.

(♪♪♪)

I'm leaving with my mama today,

so goodbye and good

luck to everybody.

Shut up, girl!

You worse than

Miss Happy Trails.

Psst, Miss Kerr.

Oh, is your mother here already?

No, I'm still waiting

for her out front.

Can I borrow some

of your perfume?

Perfume, yes.

(♪♪♪)

Hold out your wrists.

Rub your wrists together,

it wakes up the fragrance,

and then dab behind

your ears, there you go.

You're beautiful.

Thank you.

(♪♪♪)

(door buzzer)

(hurried footsteps)

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

You want some lunch?

I already said

goodbye to everybody.

Here, made you a sandwich,

some cr*cker Jacks in there,

you take it with you.

(♪♪♪)

You working a double shift?

Oh, no, no, I'm out of here.

Okay.

Hey Regina.

(♪♪♪)

It's okay.

She's done this

a thousand times.

I'll wait a little bit longer.

(♪♪♪)

(footsteps)

(♪♪♪)

(footsteps)

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

(sobbing)

It's me.

Oh, oh!

(sobbing)

You are not going to be alone.

You're gonna be okay.

(sobbing)

You're gonna be all right.

(♪♪♪)

Thought you were leaving.

Your mother forgot somethin'?

(screaming)

(pow)

(♪♪♪)

You're going to juvie.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

You okay?

Yes.

(school bell ringing)

(door slams)

Miss Kerr is upset.

I ain't mean to hit her.

Is she hurt bad?

No.

She's upset because

you're in juvie.

Miss Kerr put you here because

she promised you that she would.

Now, she's asked the supervisor

to release you just as soon as

you've written a

letter of apology.

A letter of apology?

Are you kidding me?

A letter to Miss

Kerr and to Sandy.

Two letters!

I ain't mean to hit Miss Kerr,

but I should have

kicked Sandy's a*s!

We don't talk like that.

She wrote you.

She made her write me?

Mm-hmm.

Why she want everything

all nicey-nicey?

Now it's your turn.

Damn.

Dear Miss Kerr, I'm sorry

that I hit you in the face.

I made a poor choice.

I know that I can do better.

Sincerely, Regina.

Well done.

Do you want a cookie?

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

(knocking)

Hi, my name's Jeanne Kerr,

I'm looking for Ruthy Louise.

Ruthy.

What you need?

I'm here about Regina.

That crazy girl.

Who's Regina?

Just, she's just a girl we

know, an old friend from Texas.

I'll be right back, baby.

What the hell are you

doing coming in here

with that business?

On the phone you said

that you would come to

the shelter on Monday.

I changed my mind.

What can I do to help you?

If you need a ride, if you need

us to bring Regina to you,

we can do that.

You want to help?

Then stay the hell

out of my life.

I got a future ahead of me,

do you hear what I'm saying?

I'm about to get married.

I understand, you are in the

middle of a big life change.

Regina is almost 14 years old.

You don't need to tell

me how old my kid is.

A girl that age needs to have...

Where was my social worker

when I was 13 and pregnant

and living in a foster home?

I was a child having a child.

Do you understand that?

This is my chance, I get to be

happy, that girl was a mistake,

and I don't think I should

have to pay for that mistake

for the rest of my life.

Goodbye.

Have a good weekend.

Bye guys.

(car engine running)

(car horn honking)

Give me an S!

Give me a W!

I-M!

Swim!

Come on, Regina, let's

go, let's go swimming.

I ain't got no swimming suit.

Annie, don't we have a

swimsuit around here

that would fit Regina?

Yes, I believe we do.

(♪♪♪)

(splashing and kids chatting)

(splashing and kids chatting)

What's wrong?

I changed my mind.

I don't want to be swallowing

other peoples' pee.

City pools is for people who

ain't got pools at home.

Whoever told you that was

pulling your leg, come on.

Woo, your butt looking like lime

green Jell-O jiggling like that.

This bowl of Jell-O

is jumping in.

(splash)

Regina, do you know how to swim?

Come on, baby, get in

the pool, I'll help you.

Come on.

Come on, Pumpkin, get in

the pool, I'll help you.

(♪♪♪)

First, we have to see what

it's like under the water.

So, we take a big

breath, hold our nose.

(♪♪♪)

What's it like?

Watery, sounds cool though.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

Excellent!

Now, we blow bubbles.

Gonna count first, okay.

Both: One, two, three.

(♪♪♪)

Hey!

See this girl, Annie,

she's a natural!

Woo!

(claps)

What do you want to

do for your birthday?

(spitting)

How do you tomorrow's

my birthday?

I saw it on your chart.

Anything special you want to do?

Go swimming again?

Deal.

Good night.

Yes.

(splashing and kids chatting)

(♪♪♪)

Right, kick off the wall.

Kick your legs, kick your legs.

Come up for air.

Kick your legs, I'm right here.

(♪♪♪)

Right here, kick your

legs, kick you legs,

kick your legs, grab the wall!

Yeah!

How does it feel to be so brave?

I did it!

You did it.

Okay, champ, back you go.

Kick, kick, kick, kick, kick,

kick, come up for air, kick,

kick, kick, kick, kick, kick,

grab the wall now, Regina.

Woo!

(claps)

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

(splashing)

(kids chatting)

(kids chatting)

What are you looking at?

Annie, take a picture of

me with the birthday girl.

Absolutely.

All right.

Cheese.

(camera click)

Okay.

(kids chatting)

My mama said that judge

can kiss her a*s.

She got a lawyer trying

to get me out of here.

I don't want no frizz job.

What you doin'?

I need more time!

Girl, who did you have

for weekend duty?

Miss Kerr.

Happy Trails.

Oh, Miss Rise and Shine.

Was in a lime green

swimsuit, woo!

Shakin', jiggling like Jell-O,

thighs so white, I was blinded.

(zap)

Fire!

Out!

(sizzling)

(bang)

Ah!

Everybody all right?

(sigh)

What, what I said about

the lime green swimsuit,

I was just being stupid.

You're worried about

my lime green jelly.

You scared me to death!

Please hand me a towel.

TV: Screaming

I am not doing a very good job.

No, you're doing good.

You haven't seen it.

I can feel it.

I can feel you're

doing it right.

See, it looks good.

You all tucked in?

Your last name starts with a K.

Yes, it does.

My last name starts with an I.

It means we're right next to

each other in the dictionary.

Yes, we are.

(click)

Good night.

(click)

Yesterday, the court

declared you're a ward

of the state.

What's that mean?

If all goes well,

you could be adopted.

In order to place you,

gonna need you to put your

best foot forward, Regina.

We're gonna need this

red star girl you are

to become a gold star girl.

Do you understand me?

Yes.

Okay.

(♪♪♪)

I'm not coming back?

If all goes well, no, you won't.

Would you like to

wear your mood ring?

Put it here.

Mm-hmm.

Tissue?

I don't want it no more.

(♪♪♪)

Regina, this is a

wonderful opportunity.

You'll do well.

(♪♪♪)

(door slams)

Their names are

Mr. and Mr. Rowen,

and that is what you will

call them until they

tell you otherwise.

What are their names?

Mr. and Mrs. Rowen.

Good.

Is he okay?

(snort)

Mr. Rowen has

a bad heart.

If you act up, he's likely

to have a heart attack,

so you be good.

(snoring)

I feel awful.

May I be excused?

What's wrong with you?

I think I got to go to bed, or

to the bathroom, or something.

I don't feel good.

Oh, you got your menses.

Look at the mess you're making!

I didn't sign up for this!

I thought I was getting a

child, not a adolescent!

I'm not dealing with a teenage

girl that might get

pregnant on my watch!

They don't pay me enough

money for this here.

You got to get up out of here.

Regina: It wasn't even my fault,

but Miss Ford looked at me

like I was a lost cause.

(huff)

Miss Kerr took the time to

explain my inner workings,

but I already knew

where babies came from.

Boys had been trying to force

themselves between my legs

for as long as I could remember.

Miss Kerr said I was

a young lady now,

and it was time

to see the world.

I landed in the ocean.

Well, what's the nearest land?

Bahamas.

I always wanted to go.

Let's go.

Let's go.

♪♪ Open up your heart for me

and throw away the key, yeah. ♪

♪ And forever there I'll be. ♪

(opera music)

Brraa-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bo.

Brraa-bu-bu-oh-oh-oh-oh.

(giggling)

Get that teapot for me.

What's that?

It's for you.

Don't you want to

see what it is?

(paper crinkling)

Here, press there, there.

Now you're recording.

Say something.

Hi Pumpkin.

Hey, pretty girl.

Today is our day!

Today is indeed our day.

What do you call me?

Pumpkin.

(laughing)

You're crazy.

I really liked the paintings.

Maybe you want to be an

artist when you grow up.

When I grow up, I want

to be a hairdresser.

Maybe I'll be a hairdresser

to all the stars.

You can do anything

you put your mind to.

But if that doesn't work out,

then I want to work with

kids the way you do.

Not a bad fallback position.

The most important thing

is to do what you love.

Oh, my gosh, we have to go!

We don't have to go.

I have to get you

back to the shelter.

Come on.

Ou.

Oh, honey.

I really don't feel good.

What's the matter, Pumpkin?

It hurts.

Oh, my goodness,

you are burning up.

Come on.

(♪♪♪)

Come on, right here.

Sit here.

(♪♪♪)

(dialing)

(phone ringing)

Hi, this is Jeanne Kerr.

May I please be connected

to the doctor on call?

Hi Annie, the doctor says that

there is a flu going around,

and Regina has it.

I'm gonna keep her

here with me tonight.

Okay, bye.

(♪♪♪)

Hi.

Do you think you can keep

down a couple sips of soda?

It sits well with you, I'll

make you some broth, hmm.

I didn't want her to be

alone when she was sick.

She's had such a hard

time being placed.

You're the reason

I can't place her.

That girl sabotaged multiple

placements because

of her attachment to you.

I'm just trying

to encourage her.

That beautiful spark in her,

she is so bright and

energic and hopeful.

I don't want to see her

swallowed up by the world.

Do you hear yourself?

This is a shelter, it's not a

home, don't confuse Regina.

She needs to understand

who she is

and you can't do that for her.

You're not to spend anymore

time with that girl.

(♪♪♪)

All these months on the

arts and crafts sidelines,

and here you are a total pro.

We have to hide

it from Miss Kerr.

Uh, Miss Kerr is not

working this week.

Why?

Uh, Miss Ford rotated her

out for a little while.

But, you know, we'll, we'll

still have a lot of fun.

We got lots of new

intakes coming.

(bang)

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

Eleven, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16...

(♪♪♪)

Thank you for a lovely evening.

I'll call

you... soon.

Good night.

How did you get here?!

I walked.

It's a right, a left, a

right, and then 22 lampposts,

to Loral Lane.

That's 12 miles, Pumpkin.

I like your hair, it looks good.

Were you on a date?

I saw you kiss him.

Annie, I am so sorry for

the worry this caused you

and Regina is, too.

I'll bring her back first

thing in the morning.

Yeah, I'll Gwen Ford know.

Bye.

(♪♪♪)

I think I understand you.

You don't know who you

are and you're headed

for an identity crisis.

But understand this,

Regina, you are black,

and I see you trying to

ingratiate yourself into this

white world here with all

your cutesy little antics.

I don't want to be hanging

out with white people.

I just want to be

with Miss Kerr.

She invited me over

for Christmas break

'cause I don't have

anyplace else to go.

Oh, unless you want to

invite me over to your house.

♪♪ Troll the ancient

yuletide carol,

fa la la la la, la la la la. ♪♪

I can't sing anymore,

will you sing for me?

There are the words, I

bet you know this one.

O Come, All Ye Faithful,

my choir of angels.

I don't know this one.

You'll recognize it.

♪♪ O come, all ye faithful,

joyful and triumphant ♪

♪ O come ye, O come ye... ♪♪

What was this about mistletoe?

I saw Robby and Marcy

under the mistletoe.

You should go for it, you

should have kissed him.

No, I'm gonna take

a pass on that.

Cranberry sauce, yes, I want

more, it was wonderful.

You could be great, girl.

It's your recipe.

You're stalling,

you're stalling.

Regina and I saw

Tosca last night.

Opera is so bourgeois, Jeanne.

Why must everything be labeled?

Opera comes from the

streets of Naples,

a lumpenproletariat impulse for

the proletariat expropriated

by the bourgeoisie.

I have no idea what my

children are saying.

Me neither.

What do you think of

the opera, Regina?

You hate it, right, it's boring.

It's boring.

Opera's good.

See, she hates it,

she's being nice.

She just appreciates culture.

You don't have to

lie, it's okay.

You're so polite.

She's compulsively honest.

Merry Christmas, Pumpkin.

Okay, ready?

Both: One, two, three.

(paper rustling)

(♪♪♪)

I made this, and Miss

Sandy gave me the pot.

It's a plant holder.

It's the most beautiful

plant holder I've ever seen.

The Collegiate Dictionary.

Regina Louise, you

put my name on it.

What's collegiate mean?

Okay.

B, C, college, collegiate.

Adjective; Of or belonging

to a college containing,

connected with, or having

the status of a college.

I love it.

Thank you!

Okay, yes, we'll

talk soon, bye-bye.

How was your white Christmas?

My Christmas was

lovely, thank you.

How about yours?

Oh, it was fine.

I found a placement for Regina.

Can you get her

personals, please,

and have her ready by noon?

This is good news.

Yes, it is.

I know that you'll do well.

Now, I want you to

cooperate with Miss Ford.

Show her that you

are a big girl.

And if you ever feel

lonely, or discouraged,

I just want you to call me.

(♪♪♪)

How far away do they live?

Don't even think about

walking back, Regina.

Coach and his wife have only

taken in boys over the years.

You're gonna make

this work, child.

I'm out of options for you.

Do you understand me?

Yes.

Byron's come to us

3 years ago now.

He's dad's all star player.

And Robby came the year before,

but asthma keeps him from

playing on the team.

And our little Will,

he just had his 8th anniversary

with us last Christmas.

He was lame.

I mean they wrote him up in the

paper like he was some star,

when all he threw

were interceptions.

He had his comeuppance.

You're looking at his

comeuppance right here.

Regina made these

mashed potatoes.

Regina made these?

Mm-hmm.

It's Mrs.

Power's recipe.

Good night, honey.

Good night.

Thank you.

(click)

Regina: I miss Miss Kerr

so much my heart hurt,

but the coach and his

wife were good people

and were willing to

give me a chance.

It might have worked,

except for one thing...

Oh!

(silenced screams)

Shh-shh, shh-shh.

Open your legs, open your legs.

Shh-shh.

I'm gonna give you

a cooling down.

(smack)

What the hell?!

Woo.

(birdsong)

(♪♪♪)

(telephone ringing)

Hello.

Jeanne, have you

heard from Regina?

For?

If you hear from Regina,

call me immediately.

What happened?

She's runaway yet again.

This time after battering

the son of a foster family.

Oh, where is she?

What's her address in Richmond?

This is not your

business, Jeanne.

Juvenile delinquency is

a matter for the police.

(dial tone)

Please be safe, please be safe.

Oh, baby, oh, oh!

(sobbing)

It's okay, it's okay,

it's okay, it's okay.

(sobbing)

It's okay.

Oh, it's okay, it's okay,

it's okay, it's okay.

Mom, I want to adopt Regina.

Pumpkin, I knew

that at Christmas.

Oh, I'm so happy

for you, sweetie.

I love you.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

Where have you been?

How was I supposed to

know you didn't get in

a car wreck or something?

Oh, no, sweetheart,

I am so sorry.

I'm sorry, I have been

looking at apartments.

I have been looking at

some private schools.

School?

Mm-hmm.

What are you looking

at schools for? For you.

How would you feel about

being adopted... by me?

How would you feel

about being my daughter?

Me?

(tears of joy)

Oh.

(♪♪♪)

Gonna be manipulated by

a child who has survived

by manipulation.

Do you not believe that

boy tried to r*pe her?

That's not the question.

The problem here is that

Regina Louise has sabotaged

numerous foster care placements.

Now, I don't doubt

your good intentions,

but what the girl needs is

behavioural correction.

She doesn't need you.

What she needs is a loving home.

I want to adopt her.

If you pursue this,

I will fire you.

I turn in my notice.

I need to find a

new job, anyway,

so I can have my nights

and weekends free

to be home with Regina.

Are you hearing me?

Back off of this.

Why? She is one of

our neediest cases.

I can take care of her.

I want to take care of her.

A single white mother with

a black child is unhealthy.

Mm, some of our best foster

parents are single mothers.

Black mothers for

black children,

white mothers for white.

Regina needs to bond

with black adults.

She's already confused

about who she is.

Miss Ford, I'm not

the right race,

but I am the right

mother for her.

I can give her love.

I can give her security.

I can give her an education.

I'm not asking for foster care,

I am asking for adoption.

Is your need more important

than her identity?

Do you, do you understand

that I have to answer to

the American Association

of Black Social Workers?

It is up to me to make sure that

our black children do not get

stripped of their black

identity, their culture,

their history.

What do you see yourself as,

some liberal white woman coming

in to save the life

of a black child?

You think what

Regina needs is you?

No, what she needs is to

bond with all black people

in a black community.

It's about self-determination

and self-preservation.

And if this adoption

doesn't take,

that girl will be alone

trying to save herself.

Miss Ford, I would do

anything for this child.

Then stay away from her.

Give me an S, give me a

T, give me a U, P, I, D.

Come on, don't be stupid.

Jeanne, I work with these kids,

you know that I love them,

but taking on a black kid,

that is a ball and chain

that you don't need.

(♪♪♪)

I-I'm, I'm sorry,

I miss-, I misspoke.

(♪♪♪)

Jeanne.

(♪♪♪)

Keep in touch, okay?

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

All rise, case number 127A,

Jeanne Kerr versus the Louis

Centre for the adoption

of Regina Louise.

(♪♪♪)

Your Honor, this is a list

of all of the available

two bedroom apartments near

St. Mary's middle school.

I would like to

show them to Regina,

so we can decide

together where to live.

And employment?

I understand your work was

terminated at Lewis

Children's Centre.

Yes, your Honor, I am no

longer at the shelter,

but I am confident I

will be employed soon.

I have a nursing degree.

I've worked steadily

since graduation.

I'm a hard worker,

I'm a good saver,

and I am sure that I can provide

Regina with a safe, secure,

supportive and nurturing home.

It would be my greatest honor

to be Regina's adoptive mother.

Thank you, Miss Kerr.

Please be seated.

Miss Ford, I understand

you oppose this adoption.

I do, your Honor.

You know me and

you know my record.

In my professional opinion,

Regina has no chance for

a future without

behavioral correction,

which Miss Kerr is

incapable of providing.

The National Association of

Black Social Workers has

condemned transracial families.

Black children belong

with black families,

and I trust in this court that

it would never condone this

particularly insidious form of

genocide proposed by Miss Kerr.

Miss Kerr, your sincerity and

commitment to this child is not

in question, but I must weigh

heavily the opinion of

the child's supervisor.

Can I say something?

Sit down, Regina.

Everyone is working towards

your best interest, sit down.

I know, but I...

Sit down.

I deny your petition to adopt

Regina Louise on the grounds

that a white woman cannot know

or fully appreciate the needs

of a black child in our society.

Upon the request of Miss Ford,

Regina will be transferred to

Redding, California, where she

can receive medical treatment

for behavior problems, which

if not adequately treated now,

could lead to more serious

sociopathic behaviors

in adulthood.

(♪♪♪)

We're adjourned.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

They think something's

wrong with me.

They said I have to get better

before I can be with you?

They're taking you to

Riverway's tomorrow.

Miss Ford says

it's a nice place.

And then I could come

and live with you?

(♪♪♪)

You are going to make good

friends where you're going.

I want you to confide in

your counsellors, okay.

Let them know how you feel.

Let them be your friends.

And every night, I want you to

ask yourself if you've done

your best that day.

Ask yourself what nice thing

you've done for someone

else that day.

You are very good at this.

It's one of your special

qualities, sweetheart.

(♪♪♪)

You are always in my heart.

Remember that.

(♪♪♪)

I believe in you.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

No, no, no, no!

(bang)

(♪♪♪)

(door buzzer)

We're the first children's

centre with in-house

psychiatric assessment,

nurses and classrooms.

Residents have full use of

the rec room and the pool.

This is a palace compared

to juvenile detention.

You should be counting

your blessings.

Where are all the kids?

At seven they get

their treatment.

And I'll be back next month

to check on her progress.

Miss Ford, I'm

here a whole month?

You're here as long

as I say you are.

Regina!

Regina, stop it!

(♪♪♪)

I need to talk to my mama!

Your mother made you

a ward of the state.

My mother is Miss Kerr and

I need to talk to her now!

She is not your mother.

Now, I have put you here in

the lap of luxury instead

of juvenile hall.

Pull yourself together, child.

Get off of me!

(banging)

Easy, easy, you'll get the

help you need here, Regina.

You're lying!

You lied to me!

You're all lying!

Are you feeling sad?

Are you feeling angry?

It's safe to talk about

your feelings here.

I want to talk to Miss Kerr.

In the adjustment phase, it's

best if residents don't make

or receive phone calls.

You can write Miss Kerr.

You can write her

every day if you want.

I'm here to help you

get what you need,

and the more you tell

me about yourself,

the more help I can be.

How do you feel about Miss Ford?

I hate Miss Ford!

Uh-huh.

I just want to be

somebody's someone.

You what?

Miss Kerr wants to

be a mama to me.

On a scale of one to ten,

just how angry would

you say you feel?

(♪♪♪)

(door buzzer)

(♪♪♪)

Miss Kerr.

Yes.

I'm Dr. Rice.

You'd like to see Regina Louise.

Yes, I would.

I haven't been able to

get through by phone,

and I just need to

know how she's doing.

I also understand you told

the receptionist that

you're her counsellor.

Yes. But that's not true, is it?

I was her counsellor.

Mrs. Ford told us you were

fired from that position.

It concerns us that you persist

in trying to contact Regina.

I'm her closest friend.

I need her to know

that I'm here for her.

Well, we'll let her know that.

In the meantime, we need you

to desist from calling

or coming here.

Do we understand?

(♪♪♪)

You think you know, but you

don't know, they know.

And even if you don't

care, they care.

Delores.

(♪♪♪)

Mm-hmm.

Regina Louise.

I can't stop shaking.

Your shaking will stop once your

body gets used to the medicine.

(♪♪♪)

Mm-hmm.

Who are you writing?

My mother.

You call your mom a Miss Kare?

Miss Kerr.

I call my mom a mama.

You want to see her picture?

This is her purple,

this is her canary,

and this is her cranberry.

That's her.

Don't touch it!

(gagging)

You about to puke?

Those pills don't

make me feel good.

The most important thing is

that they don't make you feel

all angry all the time.

You can't be nice, you

better think twice.

They give you red

stars if you act up?

They take you downstairs.

You don't want to go down there.

They put cigarettes out on you.

She's just poking your eyes.

Don't lie, okay.

You can't help it,

but don't lie.

Okay, cool, D.

Just don't upset her.

PS - Please send me

a photo of yourself.

(♪♪♪)

You see how much better you do

when you're in the right place?

You see it?

I see it.

When Regina entered Riverways,

she was prone to violent

outbursts and

self-destructive behaviour.

After 30 days of treatment, she

has become a model of success.

Do you hear that?

A model of success,

that's my gold star, girl.

When can I talk to Miss Kerr?

Well if you can get through the

next 30 days without trouble,

you can have phone privileges.

(♪♪♪)

How come your

calendar is backwards?

I want to count the

days off, not up.

You're a genius.

My mom's out of jail in 2 years,

that's 368 days times two, is

two times eight is sixteen,

is a six and carry the one.

There's 365 days in a year.

That's what I said.

(♪♪♪)

Mm-hmm.

(♪♪♪)

The colored girl's

sick, somebody help!

The colored girl's sick,

somebody help!

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

(footsteps)

(door slamming shut)

(door buzzer)

I'm sorry, Miss, you're not

permitted to be down here.

I'm Jeanne Kerr, here

to see Regina Louise.

I'm her friend. Miss Kerr, I need

to speak to you outside, please.

(door buzzer)

Why, why do this, a

restraining order?

Your petition for

adoption was denied.

Dr. Rice has told me that

you have repeatedly tried

to contact Regina.

I just need to know that

Regina is all right.

Regina's behaviour

hasn't been better.

Then why won't they

let me speak to her?

Why hasn't she answered

a single letter?

Have you ever considered that

Regina doesn't want to be

in contact with you?

Look...

Annie McKay told me that

your mother passed away

two weeks ago, which helps

explain this behavior.

You need to know that you're

way out of bounds, you need to,

you need to pull

yourself together.

I can't believe

you're doing this.

Don't turn this

back on me, Jeanne.

This is your obsession,

this is your illness.

If you really care

about that girl,

you will sever

the bond for good.

That's the truth.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

What happens when

you get to one?

I get to talk to my mother.

Regina doesn't have a mother.

She's a ward of the state.

I have a mother.

(distorted recording playing)

Regina's mom is a man.

No wonder she don't have

a picture of her mama.

Shut up, don't be mean.

(distorted recording playing)

What are you doing in D's box?

Nothing.

Don't touch D's box.

I ain't touch it!

I forgot my box.

She was in your box.

(screaming)

Regina! Regina!

Hey, hey, hey, hey,

what is going on?

She took her, she took her!

Regina took my mother!

Calm down, what happened?

Regina stole D's picture of

her mother out of her box.

Where is the picture, Regina?

Regina, I asked you a question.

I didn't take it, I just

wanted to look at it.

For stealing another

resident's property,

you're facing three

months probation.

I'll tear it up if you don't

let me talk to my mama!

I mean it, I'll tear it!

Regina, Regina, calm down.

Give me the photo.

No, no, no!

This is it, it's over, come on.

No, no, no!

No, no, please, no,

no, please, no!

I hate you!

Let me go!

I hope you die!

Sorry, Delores, I didn't

mean to hurt your picture!

Please, please, let me down!

Stop it!

No, no, no, no, no!

No, you let me out of here!

You call my mom and tell

her what you've done to me!

(slam)

(♪♪♪)

I can't leave yet.

It's been a year.

It's time to move on.

We have to go, come on.

Come on.

You have accomplished nothing

by your destructive behavior.

This file, this history of

trouble will follow you

for the rest of your life.

I pulled strings to get you

in here, and believe me,

this is a cake walk compared

to the psych ward

at the state hospital.

So, what are you gonna do?

How are you gonna

turn all this around?

I'll go to college.

Oh, I see, where will you

get money for college?

I'll get a scholarship.

For what, a

scholarship for what?

You're already three

years behind in school.

It's time you took a long hard

look at yourself and start

to set some realistic

goals, Regina.

Look at myself?

What do you see

when you look at me?

You see something

not worth loving.

You can't stand the sight of me.

Miss Kerr is the only

person that loves me.

Miss Kerr left the country.

She married a foreign man,

who I am sure does not

want a black child.

That's the world works, Regina.

(♪♪♪)

Does somebody put it in the

wrong box or hid it or lost it?

This is the only

place it would be.

Is there a problem, Regina?

I have a letter from

Miss Kerr somewhere.

She wouldn't leave

without writing me first.

I'm sorry, Regina, there's

nothing in the box.

No, look again.

I'm sorry.

(♪♪♪)

(recorder clicking)

(♪♪♪)

(sobbing)

(spit)

That's nasty, D.

Don't you get your spit on me.

(spit)

(♪♪♪)

Mm-hmm.

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

Have you seen Regina?

(♪♪♪)

Hey, where's Regina?

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

(splash)

Come on, hurry, hurry, come

on, get her out of there!

(♪♪♪)

Tilt her head back.

Pass me her robe!

Tilt her head back!

Oh, Regina!

No pulse!

Don't do this to me!

Come on, Regina!

Come on, Regina!

She listens to this for comfort.

Come on, Regina!

Regina!

Recording: Hey Pumpkin.

Hi, pretty girl.

Today's our day!

Today is indeed our day.

What do you call me?

Pumpkin.

(laughing)

You're crazy.

(laughing)

Today, we are making a cake.

(♪♪♪)

(sobbing)

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

You want to say anything?

Whether I talk or not,

you write things down.

This is your history.

Can I read my file?

Your file is confidential.

That's how we understand you.

Maybe I don't like the way

you're telling my story,

Dr. Rice.

Regina, I'm glad

you're feeling better.

What's that?

Well, you were

cheeking the pills,

so you'll take a liquid dose.

I want to see you drink it down.

Drink it down.

I almost lost my job

because of what you did.

Now drink it!

You drink it.

(splash) Ah!

(knocking) Guard!

May I have a piece of paper

and a pencil, please?

No sharp objects.

I'll take a crayon, that'll do.

Do you have a better

colour than this?

There are 64 colours in a box

and all you have is raw sienna?

(♪♪♪)

Regina: I pulled her

words up from my heart

where they were stored

for safekeeping.

The story of me being able to

do anything I put my mind to,

the story of me someday

going to college,

the story of me making

my dreams come true.

(♪♪♪)

A, abacus, abandon,

abandoned, abapical,

opposite from apex.

What's an apex?

(♪♪♪)

Dr. Rice, I want to go to

high school and get a job.

Why do you want a job?

So, I can save

money for college.

Regina, one of our goals

is to get you to think

realistically about yourself.

You're already three

grade levels behind

other girls your age.

Yes, that's why I

have no time to waste.

I want to attend a high

school, not the classes here.

But you haven't

earned out privileges.

How do I do that?

That's up to you.

Regina: For 180 days I did

everything I was told,

except take the meds

in the Dixie cup.

To keep myself from going crazy,

I learned every word

in the first 642 pages

of the dictionary.

By the time I reached the K's,

I had won my out privileges.

Kinetics, noun, the study

of all aspects of motion.

(♪♪♪)

(typewriter keys clicking)

(♪♪♪)

If you're gonna do

it, do it right,

get under the baseboard, baby.

Yes, ma'am.

(♪♪♪)

Mmm, there it is.

You got this.

(♪♪♪)

Ms. Lewis is great.

These are gonna look fantastic.

I'm gonna own my own

hair salon one day,

and do hair for all the stars.

(♪♪♪)

(school bell ringing)

(♪♪♪)

Miss Lewis, something really

good happened to me today.

I'm going to college!

San Francisco State is giving me

a full scholarship to school.

That's good, baby.

That's real good.

Thank you.

(♪♪♪)

Sign and date here and here.

This confirms you're now

an adult and the center

has no responsibility

or liability for you.

And this confirms that

you've claimed

all of your personal belongings.

Oh, that's it, you're

sending me out

with nowhere to go, no money?

The center's responsibility

to you is over.

I want my files.

Before I sign this,

I want my files.

Your files, the

property of the center.

It's my file. You're

not understanding.

No, you're not understanding.

You can't dope me up and

put me in a box anymore,

so I'll be a pain in the

a*s until I get my file,

it's my history, then I'll

sign this release for you.

Medical records and psychiatric

assessments are confidential

and remain in the center.

But you may have your letters.

Sign please.

(♪♪♪)

(sobbing)

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

Recording: Sweetheart, they

wouldn't allow me to see you

or call, so I'm sending

you this message.

(♪♪♪)

(sobbing)

Pumpkin, I know you must be

busy making new friends

and settling into your new home.

Everything changes so

very quickly at your age.

If you have a moment, I'd be

so happy to know how you are.

(♪♪♪)

(sobbing)

(♪♪♪)

Recording: Happy

birthday, dear heart!

May your next journey around

the sun be your happiest ever.

(♪♪♪)

(sobbing)

(♪♪♪)

Recording: Hi Pumpkin, my

mother died this morning.

Feels unreal to say those words.

I'm so glad she had the chance

to meet you and to know

how wonderful you are.

(♪♪♪)

(sobbing)

(♪♪♪)

Recording: Sweetheart, there

have been some big changes

in my life, which I'll tell

you about when I see you,

but I want you to know this

will never change. (Sobbing)

I hold you in my heart.

You are in prayers

each and every day.

Love, Jeanne.

(♪♪♪)

(sobbing)

(door key click)

How did you get in here?

I was emancipated yesterday.

I didn't have anywhere to go, so

I climbed through the window.

I'm sorry.

Such an outrage.

Dumping kids out of the system

with nowhere to go, oh god.

Here's a key.

Sleep here until

you find some place.

(♪♪♪)

Hi Regina.

Here's your welcoming packet.

Thank you.

And here's your key.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

(♪♪♪)

You go to the bank and say,

"I want a loan to start

a small business."

The bank will ask for what?

A plan.

Yes, the banker will

ask for a business plan.

What are the components

of a business plan?

(♪♪♪)

(♪♪♪)

(typewrtier keys clicking)

Regina: With God's grace and

20 years of hard work,

my dreams came true bigger and

brighter than I ever imagined.

I had yearned for a mother as

I made my way in the world.

Now, I longed for her

to share my victories.

(♪♪♪)

In my need to find Jeanne,

I wrote a book

about my childhood.

It was my hope that

she would read it

and we would find each other.

Gina, I'll need some photographs

from your childhood

for the book cover.

I don't have any photographs.

Just a few will do.

I don't have any.

Who took photos of you

when you were a kid?

No one was ever round long

enough to take my picture.

No problem.

I'll come up with a

different concept.

(♪♪♪)

Regina: Every night before bed,

I continued my search for her.

This is a national broadcast?

It's as big as it gets.

And rolling.

Regina: Now as I publicized the

book, I hoped she would find me.

There's not a day that goes by

that I don't get up and put my

feet on the floor and hope that

she'll come back into my life.

(♪♪♪)

All these years I had

kept Jeanne in my heart,

like a mama whispering,

I love you, baby,

into her child's ear when

it was needed the most.

No matter what, there would

always be something or someone

for everybody, for all of

us who have been told

that we are unworthy.

We will give ourselves

merciful favor,

while standing in the blistering

heat of that primal wound.

We will wipe away from

our consciousness

someone else's fatalistic

narrative of what our life

will be, handed back to

the disbeliever and say,

"I believe this

belongs to you."

Thank you.

(applause)

Thank you.

Hi, Bonnie, Bonnie.

You take care, Bonnie.

Name?

Jeanne.

(gasp)

I'm so proud of you.

(♪♪♪)

Oh my.

(♪♪♪)

Ohhh.

(♪♪♪)

I saw you on TV and

couldn't believe my eyes.

Oh.

My birthday.

My goodness, look at that,

I remember that shirt.

You darling girl.

And the cake.

(laughs)

Oh.

My beautiful little girl.

You have grown into a

beautiful, amazing woman.

(♪♪♪)

Oh!

Oh, my goodness!

(laughs)

(♪♪♪)

Do you, Jeanne Kerr,

take Regina Louise

to be your daughter?

To love, to hold and to cherish

and to support financially

and emotionally in her future

endeavors no matter

what they may be?

I do.

Regina: Everybody wants

to be somebody's someone,

and today I was.

(♪♪♪)

♪♪ Love is when

you do the things

you say that you will do. ♪

♪ I give my heart to you. ♪♪

I knew I was going to find her.

I knew that one day I would just

say thank you for loving me

when no one else did.

I just didn't prepare myself for

her saying I'm gonna make you

my daughter, so I got a two

for, I got a two for,

I got to say thank you and I

get to be her daughter, so.

You are my daughter.

See.

(laughing)