01x01 - Almost Like a Prayer

[bunniefuu]

[footsteps plodding]

[Kristine Barnett]

It was 2019.

I was at the top of my game.

We'd finally put the

hard times behind us.

[announcer 1] Wait till

you hear the story of

the mom they said,

"worked a miracle."

[announcer 2]

Everybody's favorite Hoosier

-Hey!

-Kristine Barnett.

[announcer 3] Kristine Barnett,

Indiana's own

[announcer 4] With me today

is bestselling author,

Kristine Barnett.

[announcer 5] And I can assure you,

every parent out there today

[announcer 6] Kristine Barnett,

it's such a thrill to have you here

[announcer 7]

So, you saved your son.

[announcer] [over PA] Please welcome

Indiana's own super mom,

-Kristine Barnett.

-[audience clapping]

-[inspiring music playing]

-Whoo! Gosh, it still is such a trip

to find myself in front of

crowds like you all.

I'm just a regular mom

who's trying to keep the wheels

from careening off the bus.

So, you see, I may have

written a book on parenting,

but I don't have it

all figured out.

There's a new challenge

every day.

It's a lesson I learned when my oldest,

Jake there, was two.

He suddenly stopped talking.

He stopped playing.

He stopped making eye contact.

Autism.

The experts told me

he might never learn to read

or tie his shoes again.

He'd never wrap his

arms around my neck

and tell me he loves me

that I might never hear

his voice again.

I was devastated

for about a minute,

until I realized

those experts were wrong.

I was the expert on my son,

and I sure as heck

wasn't gonna give up on him.

Because I don't give up

on the people that I love.

[applause]

Call it mom's intuition,

but I knew Jake had gifts.

And a few years ago, at just 15,

he began a PhD

in quantum gravity.

[applause]

So, I wrote The Spark

because over the years

I've worked with hundreds

of kids with autism.

Like Jake, each has a spark.

And if we just learn

to listen to our kids,

they will reveal to us

who they really are.

-[crowd murmuring]

-Standard autism therapy

pushes kids to focus

on normal tasks

-[police radio chatter]

-instead of their everyday

-[officers chattering]

-[cuffs rattling]

fixations, instead of

their unique fixations.

But I found that the opposite

works better.

-[tense music playing]

-[indistinct chatter]

With my Spark Method,

I immerse kids

in things they're

naturally drawn to,

whether that's algebra

or animals.

[police radio chatter]

Well, gosh, parenting 911,

what's your emergency?

-[audience laughing]

-You Kristine Barnett?

[tense music continues]

Kristine Barnett, you're under arrest

for child neglect,

the abandonment of a dependent,

and conspiracy to commit neglect.

-You have the right to remain silent.

-What? My boys are right there.

-Should we call Dad?

-No, this is his fault.

-You have a right to an attorney.

-Call Grammy.

If you cannot afford one,

one will be provided for you.

Do you understand these rights

as I've read them to you?

You don't understand.

Do you know who I am?

-[audience gasping]

-The families that I've helped?

Do you know how many

children I saved?

You're arresting

the wrong person.

She's not who she says she is.

Ow!

That b*tch tried to k*ll me!

-[curious theme music playing]

-[paper cutting]

-[child] Bye, Miss Kris.

-Bye-bye, I'll see you tomorrow.

This was the fall of 2010.

I didn't want to admit

at the time

that my husband and

I were struggling.

We'd been on the path to adopting a little

girl named Blanca,

but it fell through.

And I'd been thinking lately

how if that hadn't happened,

I wouldn't be sitting

here today.

Oh! At her last school,

I couldn't get her in the door.

-With you, I can't get her out.

-[both chuckle]

Now, if you don't let go, how am

I gonna go to the junk store

-and get us a radio to take apart?

-[laughing]

Speaking of,

how much do we owe you

for all that extra

one-on-one time?

-Oh, no.

-Kristine, you charge barely half

of what that other school costs,

and they did nothing.

With you, Shawn's reading.

[Shawn] "Don't put crayons

in your nose."

-[both laughing]

-Yeah, it has been a bit of an epidemic.

You're so sweet, Val, but I don't charge

for those sessions

because I don't want the

families who can't afford extra

to miss out.

It's official,

you're a literal saint.

[Kristine chuckles]

Okay, honey, come on.

Okay, how about this?

How about I make a donation

for the rec center?

-Oh, come on, I just want to help.

-Will you stop?

I don't need the help.

Oh, God, o-of course.

I'm so sorry.

I-I just didn't wanna brag,

but I got a grant from

the Christian Community Fund,

so that, plus what I've saved,

almost ready to open.

Kris, congratulations!

Hold on, honey,

I got it, I got it.

On top of everything

you two have been through,

how are you and Mike holding up?

Oh, we're hanging in.

Having the new space to focus on

has been our saving grace.

Honestly, I think it's

all God's will.

He just wanted me to

get my behind in gear.

[gentle music playing]

[Kristine sighs]

-[knocking]

-[Jacob Barnett] Mom?

[sniffling]

What's up, bud?

I-It's too quiet

in the living room.

Would you sit with me?

Sure, just, uh,

let me freshen up a little bit

before Daddy gets home, okay?

Do me a favor and

take this down.

I'll be down in a jiff, okay?

-[door closes]

-[Michael sighs]

Hi, babe.

How was inventory?

Long.

The boys didn't call

and say goodnight.

[Kristine]

Oh, I'm sorry. I did try.

There was some sort

of Lego crisis.

But you could go peek in now.

Yeah, well

[groans] they're asleep.

And why are you still up, sir?

-The dreaded string theory.

-[Michael Barnett] Hm.

It's getting pretty late, pal.

You know, even college kids

need to chillax at some point,

-so what do you say?

-[claps hands]

Wanna call it a night, play a little Xbox

with the old man?

I think I got some Pop-Tarts

in there.

-Dad, would you please stop talking?

-[pen scratching]

[insects chirring outside]

What are those?

[gasps] Oh, I just packed

a few things up

to take over to the rec center.

[stammers]

You're getting rid of her stuff?

I'm just trying to

pay it forward.

I-I didn't want it

to go to waste.

And you weren't gonna ask me?

Could you guys talk about this

somewhere else, please?

You're right, bud.

This is parent talk.

[sighs] Can I use the windows?

He's, he's 12,

he should be in bed.

[Jacob]

If I stop now,

I'll lose everything

that I just figured out.

He was on a roll.

[scoffs]

Yeah.

[exhales sharply]

Good luck, bud.

[marker tapping, squeaking]

Turn out the lights

when you're done.

[marker continues tapping]

You're okay. [clicks tongue]

You're okay.

-[sighing] You're okay.

-[door opens]

So, where do you propose

I sleep now?

How about right where you are?

Is that why you let him stay up?

Gonna force me to sleep

in here tonight?

-Michael.

-You spoil that kid.

Says the man who bribes his son

with video games and Pop-Tarts.

I wanted time with him.

I just worked a 12-hour shift

to provide for a family

that I don't even get to see.

And now, on top of that,

I have nowhere to sleep.

For Pete's sake, Michael,

if sleeping with your wife

is so repellent,

there's a whole other bedroom

down the hall

that no one is using.

[tense, solemn music playing]

So, are you really

just over her?

Is that honestly what you think?

[clicks tongue]

I think I'm gonna sleep

on the floor.

♪♪

[sighs]

-[Michael breathing heavily]

-[bedsheet rustling]

[breathing intensifies]

-Mike, I'm trying to sleep.

-[Michael scoffs]

[Almeda] I told you this would

happen if you married that man.

[Kristine] [on phone] You told me

I'd catch him spilling seed

on the floor of our room?

Well, not verbatim.

It's just a phase, Mother.

He's depressed.

And it's my job to help him

find his joy again.

[Almeda] [over phone]

Well, you know best, I suppose.

If you ask me, that life was never

right for you.

-Just come home.

-[distant cow moos]

I'm making soft meat.

[Kristine] Will you stop?

Michael's my soulmate.

[Almeda] Well, whatever cranks

your tractor, I suppose.

I don't even know

what that means.

[Almeda]

It means what it means.

I have to go, Mother. I'm here.

[Almeda]

Think about what I said.

[Bluetooth beeps, call ends]

["Romeo’s Tune" by Steve Forber

playing on stereo]

[stereo volume increases]

Meet me in the middle

of the night ♪

Let me hear you say

everything's alright ♪

Let me smell the moon

in your perfume ♪

Oh, Gods and years

will rise and fall ♪

And there's always

something more ♪

Lost in talk, I waste my time

and it's all been said before ♪

While further down

behind the masquerade ♪

The tears are there ♪

I don't ask for

all that much ♪

I just want someone to care ♪

Answer right now ♪

Meet me in the middle of the day,

let me hear you say everything's okay ♪

Come on out

beneath the shining sun ♪

[phone buzzing]

Meet me in the middle

of the night ♪

Let me hear you say

everything's alright ♪

Sneak on out ♪

[Kristine] [on voicemail]

Hi, babe, it's me.

[Michael] [quietly]

You're okay.

[Kristine] Just calling to say

I'm sorry about her stuff.

-[Michael sighing]

-I should have asked you first.

[Michael] [chuckling]

You're okay.

-It's just that I think that--

-[phone beeping]

Oh, maybe this is you.

[phone beeps]

Hi, I was just leaving

you a message.

[speaker] [on phone]

Uh, hi, is this Mrs. Barnett?

Uh, my name is Sandy Mosley,

down here at First Path Adoptions

in Myrtle Beach.

Oh. Gosh, I thought you

were my husband.

[Sandy Mosley]

Oh, no. [chuckles]

Well, no, like I said,

this is, uh, Sandy Mosley,

and, uh, I'm sorry to

call out of the blue.

But I got your name from, uh,

Secure Children Indiana.

Uh, and well, I understand, uh,

your family was fostering

[over phone] a little girl

earlier this year.

Yeah. Yes, is, is Blanca okay?

[Sandy]

Oh, yes. I mean, I assume.

But I'm actually

calling because,

uh, I see you were on the path

to adopting her.

Yes, until her aunt showed up

and the state insisted

she'd be better with

biological family.

Great, because we have

a little girl here

who I think you will love.

She is seven,

[over phone]

uh, born in Ukraine.

She has dwarfism,

and is as sweet as can be.

Now, the only hiccup is we're--

we're in a little bit of

a pinch. [chuckles]

Uh, you see, her current

situation didn't work out.

So, if we can't find

a family for her in 24 hours,

she's gonna be sent

to a group home.

[curious music playing]

Ooh, gracious, poor thing.

What happened

with the other family?

I'm afraid this happens

more than you'd

care to think. [sighs]

Not everyone's heart

[over phone]

is big enough to hold a child

with special needs.

That's why we called you.

Actually, the preferred

term is disabled.

All kids are special.

[Sandy]

Absolutely. Absolutely.

That's why when your file

came across my desk

describing your daycare

and your son,

I just, I cried.

I think you're the light

[over phone]

that this little girl needs.

-I'd have to talk to my husband.

-[Sandy] Of course, of cour--

Absolutely,

I, I know this is fast.

And what's her name?

[Sandy] Natalia.

Natalia Grace.

Natalia Grace.

That is beautiful.

-Almost like a prayer.

-[Sandy] Amen.

[Kristine] As soon as I got the call,

I knew what we had to do.

I mean, this isn't like

getting a dog from the pound

and realizing you can't

take care of it.

-We're talking about a little girl here.

-[door opens]

[Michael]

It's awful, Kris.

But that doesn't mean that w--

[country music playing

in store]

Jen, would you mind taking that

out back or something, please?

[smacks lips]

[door closes]

I'm sorry for the

girl, okay? I am.

But Kristine, I'm--

we're barely holding

it together as is.

Because of what happened

with Blanca.

-No.

-Yes.

We were fine before that.

Because I needed time to grieve.

And you just forgot about

her immediately.

That's not fair.

I was just raised not to wallow.

Kris, she was supposed

to be our daughter.

Maybe she wasn't.

Maybe this little girl is.

And who says the same

thing isn't gonna happen

all over again, Kristine?

How do we know?

How do we know that?

Well, because Michael,

she needs us.

She doesn't have anybody.

And if we don't take her,

they're gonna put her

in a group home.

Do you know what happens to

disabled kids in a group home?

Kris, come on, please.

I know things have been rocky

between us this last little bit,

I know you've been sad.

[somber music playing]

But this is the little girl

that you've always wanted.

A daughter to dance with

at her wedding.

Everything you've always said

and talked about.

I have to get back to work.

♪♪

Maybe we're not being called

to save this little girl.

Maybe she's being called

to save us.

[somber music continues]

[footsteps receding]

[door opens, closes]

[scanner beeping]

[phone chimes]

♪♪

-[music softens]

-[store patrons chattering]

Hi.

["Hey Soul Sister"

by Kidz Bop Kids playing]

Hey ♪

Hey ♪

[Michael and kids singing along]

Hey, soul sister ♪

Ain't that Mr. Mister

on the radio, stereo ♪

The way you move

ain't fair, you know ♪

Hey, soul sister,

I don't wanna miss ♪

A single thing you do ♪

-Tonight ♪

-[turns off stereo]

-Hey, guys.

-Oh, boo, Mom, boo!

-[laughing] Hey, guys.

-[Wesley Barnett] What?

I want us all to be prepared

that it may take Natalia

a little while to warm up to us.

So, we need to be

patient with her.

-That's right.

-Even if she hits us?

She's not gonna hit you. She just may

not hug you right away.

I don't want her to hug me.

She's a girl.

Boys rule and girls drool.

Might wanna try a different

opening line there, Wes.

It's not how the expression

goes anyway. It's the reverse.

-What?

-No way, I don't drool.

-Huh?

-Anyhoo,

the other thing I want us

all to remember is

that even though

Natalia's small,

she's the same age as Ethan.

-She's not a baby.

-How small is she?

Like a G.I. Joe?

[Wesley] No, dummy.

Mommy said she's

a little person.

Yes, a little person

is another way

to refer to someone

with dwarfism.

The point is that

Natalia is seven.

-[Ethan Barnett] Yeah.

-Well, I hope you guys got all that,

because we are here.

[curious music playing]

[Kristine] Well, this can't be

the right place.

[Michael]

Mm, GPS says it is.

♪♪

[door bells jingle]

[indistinct chatter]

[Sandy] Welcome to

Myrtle Beach. [chuckles]

Come on in, there you go.

That's it, right this way.

Now, your princess

is saying goodbye

to her previous family,

um, so you all can

just wait right here

in our Forever Family Room.

Okay. Will there be

a chance for us

to speak with the other family?

Not in a closed adoption. Mm-mm.

But you all have fun, and

we'll be in shortly, alright?

-[Michael] Thank you.

-[chuckles] Okay.

[door creaks shut]

They're really not gonna say hi?

I mean, I don't know.

Would you want to say hi to us?

-They're probably embarrassed.

-[Kristine sighs]

When's she gonna be here?

[Kristine] Soon, soon.

Whoo, okay.

Should we check out the toys?

They have the Game of Life.

Oh.

-[Ethan] Ugh.

-Okay, well

-[Michael] Hm.

-how about a game on my phone?

[Wesley]

Yes!

Thank you.

-[Kristine] Okay.

-[object thuds]

-[kids gasp]

-[muffled yelling]

-What was that?

-Someone sounds mad.

Ooh. It's probably nothing.

You want me to go see

what's going on?

No, no, I think you should

give that some space.

-Okay.

-[door opens]

[slight chuckle]

Sorry that took a minute.

Oh, what was that?

Is everything okay?

Oh, just a little hustle

and bustle.

-[door thuds]

-Uh

-But this is

-Natalia!

Hi!

[gentle music playing]

Are you gonna be

my mommy and daddy?

-Well, um [chuckles]

-[laughing]

We sure would love that,

if you'll have us.

I will, I will.

[all chuckle]

We got you this.

We squeezed it the

whole way here.

We filled it up with all

the hugs we've been missing

-for the last seven years.

-[softly chuckles]

[Michael] Mm. Aw.

-Hi, Daddy. Hi, Mommy.

-Sweetheart.

Guys, come on, meet your sister.

Get over here.

-I'm Ethan.

-I'm Wesley.

-[Jacob] Jacob.

-Hi. [chuckles]

-And we just need your signatures here.

-Okay.

Now, on the phone, they didn't mention

Natalia's walker.

It's fine, of course,

but our house isn't accessible,

so it'll need work.

Well, there's no

financial assistance.

No, no, I just meant that

we'll need time to do the work,

and I, I don't wanna

get dinged for that

-on home visits.

-[Sandy] Oh!

[chuckling]

Oh, no, don't worry about that.

No, we have your home study

from before,

and this is technically

an independent adoption.

So, the state doesn't require

post-placement visits.

Oh, which state?

South Carolina or Indiana?

Uh, neither.

Great, that'll just help smooth

the transition, don't you think?

[Sandy]

We find that it does.

[Kristine] Does she have

any other health concerns?

Oh, well, just a few surgeries

to help with the hip

and foot pain.

But she got a clean bill of health

at her last checkup.

Well, she sure seems

like a spitfire.

Yeah. [laughing]

-Look out for that one.

-[all laughing]

Oh, and, uh,

speaking of her surgeries,

we usually just add the

past medical expenses

onto the other fees,

if that works for you.

[dark music playing]

I'm sorry, what?

[Sandy] To reimburse the,

uh, previous family

for accrued medical expenses.

We have to pay for

her surgeries?

None of that was

in anything they sent.

Well, there are HIPAA restrictions

on what we can email.

-Well--

-Well, how much is it then?

-Y-Yeah?

-[Sandy] Not a lot.

-Uh, her family had great insurance.

-Okay

-[clicking mouse]

-Uh, it was just shy of seven grand.

I'm-- Seven th-- W-We--

-We don't have $7,000 just lying around.

-Okay, okay, okay.

-We-we're not that kind of family, so

-No, no, I-- So--

So none of this was mentioned,

so I think we should

speak to a lawyer.

-Yeah.

-[Sandy] Absolutely.

[dark music continues]

Mm, of course.

[sighs] Mm. We're--

We're gonna have to

put her in a home

until you sort things through.

No, I just-- I think

we just need a minute.

-Give us a minute.

-[Sandy] Mm-hmm.

Okay.

-[Kristine] I will figure this out.

-How, how, how, possibly?

We, we maxed out our credit card

just to get down here, Kristine.

I know, but what

are we gonna do?

We're just gonna let them

dispose of her?

-[Natalia Grace] Daddy and Mommy?

-Hi, hi. Hi, sweetheart.

[Natalia groaning]

Hercules ran out of hugs.

Oh, did he, already?

"She," she did.

Hercules is a girl.

[chuckles] Of course,

of course, my mistake.

Well, let's fill

Lady Hercules up.

[Natalia giggling]

[sirens wailing,

loud street noise]

[giggles]

Okay, okay, okay.

[loud kissing noises]

[Natalia and Michael laughing]

That ought to hold her.

[gasps] Um

Uh, could I get a refill too?

-Sweetheart, yes.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Of course.

-[stomach growling]

-[Natalia] Oh, excuse me.

-Oh. What was that?

-I didn't have breakfast.

-What?

-They didn't give you breakfast?

No, it's-- it's okay.

I'm, I'm more of a lunch girl.

It's not okay, Natalia.

Breakfast is the most

important meal of the day.

-That's right.

-Tell Jacob to dig around

in the blue backpack and look for a

granola bar to tide you over.

And we'll stop for lunch

on the way back to the motel.

-Okay.

-[Kristine] Okay?

-Thanks, Mommy.

-[Kristine] Okay.

-[walker rattles]

-Oh.

[Natalia] [mutters]

I'm okay.

What are we gonna do?

What are we gonna do?

-Okay.

-We can't-- we can't just--

We'll use the rest

of the rec center money.

That ought to do it.

Wh-What? Don't you need

that to finish it up?

No, it's okay, we'll cut corners

at home until we pay it back.

That money is there

to help disabled kids, right?

-[curious music playing]

-Are you sure?

My grandpa always said

when God has a job for you,

he gives you everything

you need to get it done.

I'm gonna go get my checkbook.

[chuckling] Okay!

-[upbeat music playing]

-[Barnett family chattering]

[Michael] Okay.

-Little syrup for you.

-[Natalia] Thank you, Daddy.

You know, I saw on Food Network

that in the Ukraine,

they eat pancakes

with fish eggs.

-[Wesley] Ew!

-[Kristine] Would you like some help?

-Thank you, Mommy.

-Did you used to eat fish eggs, Natalia?

Nah.

I like fish brains better.

-[Ethan] Ew!

-Ugh!

-Watch out, I'm gonna puke.

-Not on me.

-You're making a joke, aren't you?

-[giggles] Of course!

Who puts fish on pancakes?

But I do like to, um, do this.

I'm just gonna--

so I put this on here.

And then-- and then I roll it,

and then, ta-da!

Pancake burrito.

-We have a chef, you guys.

-[Natalia laughing]

[Jacob] I could see fish eggs

being good on it too.

[Ethan and Wesley]

No, no, no, no.

Thank you.

-[patrons chattering]

-[ocean waves crashing]

Uh, how come you aren't

eating, Mommy?

You said breakfast was the most important

meal of the day.

It is. I'm just not that

hungry right now.

You can have some

of mine, Mommy.

My tummy's telling me it's full.

I'm full too.

Can we go down to the water?

[Ethan]

Please, Mom?

-Can we? Can we?

-Please, please, Mom?

That's a great idea.

Go wear yourselves out

before the flight.

[Ethan]

[chuckles] Okay.

[Wesley]

Last one there's a rotten egg!

-Don't mind if I do.

-[Natalia giggling]

[brothers chattering]

Oh, man, look how much

fun he's having.

-Oh, I love seeing him like this.

-[Michael] Yeah.

I wanna go too.

Will you carry me?

-The sand is hard for my walker.

-Yes, ladybug.

Just let Daddy and I pick

up these scraps,

and we'll take you down.

I thought you're not hungry.

Waste not, want not.

But how come the boys

didn't have to wait?

-It's not fair.

-You know what? It's okay.

-I'll take her.

-No, you should eat.

Natalia, in a family,

we have to be patient.

But it's not fair.

Fair isn't always equal.

I wanna go down

to the beach too, it's not fair.

-[pounding table]

-It's not fair!

-Maybe someone's still hungry.

-I wanna go to the beach now!

Maybe should just--

we should just let her go--

No, now, now, now, now!

I wanna go to the beach now!

-Natalia.

-I wanna go to the beach now!

-Have some more pan--

-[sobbing] No, Mommy!

-Have some more pancakes.

-No, I don't want pancakes!

-[clatters]

-Natalia! That's enough.

[tense, curious music playing]

[Michael]

Look, I get the tantrum,

but the whole running thing,

I mean, what was that?

[airplane humming]

Do you think she's faking

not being able to walk?

-[Natalia giggling]

-No, I don't think she's faking.

Michael, she's a kid.

She didn't just go out

and buy a walker.

A doctor prescribed it.

I mean, look, there are

real skeletal concerns

with dwarfism that

would cause pain.

It's not that she can't walk,

it's just that it hurts to walk.

[loudly]

Could you get Hercules, please?

And this morning, she wanted

to go down to the beach so bad

-that the pain didn't matter.

-Hm.

[softly] I think we

just have another

very stubborn kid on our hands.

[Michael scoffs]

-[Natalia giggles]

-[seatbelt sign chimes]

-Here we go.

-[Natalia giggling]

-No peeking, okay?

-I'm not.

-Are you ready, Natalia?

-I am.

Okay!

[birds chirping outside]

-[Natalia] Oh.

-[Michael] Don't you like it?

It's a little baby-ish.

Oh.

Um, that's not kind, Natalia.

Daddy worked so hard

putting this together for you.

Oh, I thought you did it.

[Natalia sighs]

I didn't mean to hurt

your feelings, Daddy.

I just thought I should

be honest.

The whole princess thing

isn't really my jam.

Well, okay.

Well, what is your jam?

Black, or rocker.

Rock and roll.

-[Michael] Well, I can dig that.

-[Natalia giggling]

You know,

I played in a band for a while.

-Whoa, I have a cool dad.

-I know.

-[Natalia giggles]

-[Kristine] Well

[Michael]

Okay, hold on a second.

We did a pretty jacked up

cover of I Would Do

Anything for Love.

[singing as rock star]

I would do anything for love ♪

-I would do anything for love ♪

-[Natalia humming]

Look at you, you are a rocker.

-[giggling]

-And you know what?

It is okay if you don't

like the room.

We'll just redecorate it.

It'll be our little

daddy-daughter project, cool?

-[laughing]

-What do you think? Huh?

Aw.

[sighs]

No, no, thank you.

And the more we get

the word out,

the more kids we

can help, right?

[speaker] [on phone]

That's the goal, right.

Okay, we'll see you there.

-[speaker] See you soon.

-Great.

-[speaker] Bye-bye.

-Bye.

[ends call]

You guys,

The Star is gonna do a piece

on the rec center opening

next week.

Yes!

Natalia, Mommy is about to open

a community center and school

for kids with autism.

We're very proud of her.

[dogs barking outside]

Now, can we talk about

why Natalia got to watch TV

-and we didn't?

-[Kristine] Oh, really?

Well, [sighs]

it was just this once.

It's her first night home, guys.

Yeah. And fair isn't

always equal.

Eat up, sweet pea.

Do you want something else,

honey?

Can I have something else too?

No. You get what you get,

-and you don't get upset.

-Exactly.

Of course.

[whispers] Tastes a lot better

with a big squirt of ketchup.

-[Michael makes farting noise]

-[Michael and Natalia laugh]

I loved every bite.

Okay, Mr. Clean Plate.

You may be excused.

Go do your homework.

-Would you sit with me, Mom?

-Absolutely.

I'll give your sister a bath

and I'll be right there.

-I want Daddy to give me a bath.

-[Michael] Aw.

Maybe Daddy can do bath

tomorrow night.

Tonight he's on dish duty.

[Natalia sighs]

[water running]

Do you like toys in the bath,

or are you more of

an in-and-out kid?

-I don't know.

-I'll take that as in-and-out.

Do you wanna start

getting your clothes off?

I hate baths.

-It's gross just sitting in dirt soup.

-I get that.

-[shuts off faucet]

-But you didn't take a bath at the motel.

And we need to get those

airplane germs off.

You can't tell me what to do.

You're not my real mom.

[tense, curious music playing]

How about a bird bath?

You can just stand in the tub

-and I can wash your--

-I said no!

[Kristine groans]

[exhales sharply]

[Natalia breathing heavily]

It's polite to ask

how someone is

when they're hurt.

[tense music continues]

Mommy, I'm so sorry.

Mommy, I'm so sorry.

Mommy, I'm sorry!

I'm sorry, Mommy!

-Oh, it's okay.

-I'm sorry, please don't mad, Mommy.

-It's fine.

-I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry, Mommy.

Please don't be mad.

-We'll skip the bath tonight.

-I'm so sorry. [crying]

[Kristine] It's okay.

I'm gonna go get some ice.

[Kristine groans, exhales]

♪♪

[music fades out]

Well, I had to read her

about a dozen books,

but she is finally asleep.

[crickets chirping outside]

How's your side?

[Kristine groans]

-It'll be sore tomorrow

-Mm-hmm.

but I'll be okay.

Okay, I'm sorry you

had a rough first night,

but I just know you guys

are gonna be great.

I see many a mother-daughter

pedicure in your future.

I'm not worried, Michael.

It's the first night,

for heaven's sake.

Well, good.

That's great.

[spits]

Look, 'cause I know, believe me,

how hard it is when a child

is favoring the other parent.

And for what it's worth,

you know,

I, I find Natalia to be

kinda like a little cat,

you know?

You just gotta-- gotta wait for her

to just come to you.

Oh, is that what you've

been doing?

Never mind, I just--

Ignore it if it's not helpful.

Anyway

-S-Scoot over?

-[Kristine sighs]

Hey, Mama.

You know, I really

was in the mood,

but it just-- it hurts so bad.

Yeah.

[light clicks]

-Morning.

-[milk sloshing]

Good morning.

[sloshing continues]

[Jacob] Mom!

Mom, come here. Mom!

-Mom.

-What is it, baby?

-Wes or Ethan wouldn't do this.

-[Kristine gasps]

-[tense, curious music playing]

-Natalia Grace.

Come in here.

-Did you do this?

-[Natalia] Well, uh

-Don't you like it?

-We don't draw on the windows, Natalia.

We draw on paper.

-But Jake did, I thought I could.

-Well, you can't.

Jake does that when

his equations

get too big for his notebook,

-so he does it on the windows.

-[glass door rolls]

-It's for school.

-I-I didn't know.

-Are you mad at me?

-[Michael] Oh, no.

No one's mad at you, honey.

-It was just a mistake.

-[Jacob] This wasn't a mistake.

She did it because I caught her

sneaking Cheetos last night,

and threatened to tell.

No, no, why would I sneak

Cheetos when I had

Pop-Tarts with Daddy?

Is that true?

-We-- [scoffs]

-Did you give her Pop-Tarts

after she didn't eat her dinner?

No, no, no,

don't be mad at Daddy.

Playing Xbox just

made me hungry.

Was that before or

after the 10 books?

Okay, we played for maybe 20 minutes.

It's not a big deal.

If it wasn't a big deal,

then why didn't you mention it?

-We're supposed to be on the same team.

-Don't do that.

We are on the same team.

Which is why I was trying to help.

I was just trying to

put her to bed.

Doesn't sound like you

were trying to get her to bed.

You weren't there,

so you don't really know.

-I don't know why--

-Will you guys please just stop?

[tense music playing]

You're right, honey, sorry.

Let's focus on how do we fix it.

Do you wanna talk it out again?

Dr. Joglekar has office

hours today.

I wanna talk to him.

Okay.

Well, I can take you

because I have to, uh,

go by the rec center anyway.

Dad can take me

on his way to work.

It's more efficient.

Okay.

[tense music continues]

[walker rattling]

Let's get some breakfast.

-[bottle clanking]

-[staple g*n thumps]

[staple g*n thumps]

[bottle clanking continues]

Natalia, can you stop that,

please?

[Natalia]

I like the sound.

Well, it's really making

Mommy's head hurt.

-[phone ringing]

-[bottle clanking]

This is Kristine Barnett.

[clanking gets louder

and echoes]

You guys, this is too much.

Oh boy, hold on.

Here we go.

[employees chattering]

-[Michael chuckles]

-[phone buzzing]

Hang on, one second.

[laughter and chatter continues]

Babe, are you in on this too?

[Kristine] [over phone]

In on what?

The team just surprised me

with a new Daddy party.

They got me drinking soda

out of a baby bottle.

Walmart won't install the hoops

because the payment

didn't go through.

I ordered it ages ago,

and I thought the

check had cleared

before we paid for

that other thing.

It's almost the end

of the month.

Why don't we wait till

I get my paycheck

-and just put a down payment?

-[Kristine] No.

-I need it for the opening next week.

-[mouthing]

[Kristine]

I have a reporter coming,

and part of my grant

is showing that

I have a range of

physical activities.

And how the heck am I supposed

to explain that I don't?

-[noise makers blaring]

-[laughing, snorting]

Michael, are you

listening to me?

I need help.

Boys, be careful.

I think we just have to wait

till we have the money.

-I'm sorry.

-Fine, I'll figure it out myself.

-[scoffs]

-[ends call]

So, I have to fess up.

I was excited for you

to meet Natalia,

but the real reason

I popped by is,

you know I've been working like crazy

to get the rec center open.

But I realized today that

we are just a wee bit

short on funds and--

Oh my God, hell yes.

I would be thrilled to help.

-How much do you need?

-Oh gosh.

[stammers]

-Val, I--

-Would 1,000 to start help?

-It would, Val. It would be--

-[Valika chuckles]

And I will pay you back.

[Valika] It is not a loan,

you nut, it's a donation.

You pay me back by letting me

be a part of something.

[Kristine sipping]

So, I'm dying to hear

about Natalia.

I didn't know you were

still trying.

Well, it's a tragedy, really.

I mean, we're her second

adopted family.

-First one gave her back.

-My God, why?

No idea why,

she's the sweetest thing.

She just ran right up

and gave us a big hug

and called us Mommy and Daddy.

Almost like it was fate.

How is she getting

along with Mike?

[Kristine]

Honestly, it's been a godsend,

because you know,

he was having such a hard time

since things with Blanca

fell through.

So, I've just been trying

to stay back

and give them space to bond.

[Valika]

You really are a miracle worker,

-you know that, right?

-[Kristine chuckles]

And we had such a tough time

at the beginning.

Really? How so?

[Valika]

Jaden was just so hot and cold.

One minute, he was sweet as pie,

and then the next, he was

throwing screaming tantrums

and crying until he threw up.

He would say that I wasn't his real mom

or he didn't want me.

Oof. That must have hurt a lot.

[Valika]

I just didn't know what to do.

I mean, who wants to go

to the social worker and admit,

you know, "Oh, I don't know,

maybe my new kid just

doesn't like me"?

So, when did things

turn around for you guys?

[Valika]

Um, I guess after a few months.

I mean, it was gradual,

of course.

I remember there was

this one night

he had strep,

and he was so sick.

You know, just this little mush.

He crawled into bed with us

like we were a safe place.

I guess that's,

that's when I knew

that everything would be okay.

[hopeful music playing]

[Kristine] Hey. How did it go

with Dr. Joglekar?

I don't know. He was like that

the whole way home.

[keyboard clacking]

[knocking]

[music fades out]

Can I come in?

I'd love to hear about your day.

[insects chirring outside]

Come on, little man.

Don't close up now,

you've gotten so good

at talking about your feelings.

I'm not not talking to you

because of autism.

I'm not talking to you

because I'm mad at you.

[sighs] You said you'd

sit with me last night,

but you stayed with Natalia.

-You lied.

-I didn't lie.

-I was hurt and I was tired.

-You're never tired.

I'm always tired.

And last night,

I was feeling a little sad.

How come?

[sighs]

I guess I'm

[gentle music playing]

I guess I'm worried Natalia

doesn't like me very much.

But you said it would

take a while

for her to warm up to us.

It took a while for me

to warm up too, right?

[Kristine chuckles]

Yeah, it did.

And that was definitely

worth the wait.

You know you're one of

my favorite people

to talk to, right?

I know.

[Kristine] I've always

considered myself blessed.

How many folks spend

their whole lives

searching for their purpose?

But me, I've known I was put

on this earth to help children,

ever since I was

a child myself.

More than anything,

I've wanted to build a world

where all kids can feel safe

just being who they are.

[pepper crunching]

And that's what the safe

center will be.

Safe center.

Safe center.

-Safe space.

-[chopping vegetables]

Our space. Our house.

-[Natalia] Hi, Mommy.

-Our-- Oh, sweetie.

You need to hop to it

and get ready.

People are gonna be here

sooner than I care to think.

That dress is funny-looking.

Oh, well, that was mine

when I was little.

So, you should understand.

Natalia, today is

very important for me.

I would like it if everyone

tried to look nice.

You don't think I look nice?

That's not what I meant.

If that's what you're

comfy in, fine.

[birds chirping outside]

Why are you being so mean?

I came in 'cause

I wanted to help.

I would love your help.

You can fold the napkins.

[Natalia]

I wanna cut veggies.

[Natalia humming]

No.

Natalia, put that knife down.

-I don't want you to hurt yourself.

-I won't.

[Natalia muttering, grunts]

[Kristine]

Drop the knife, please.

That's a knife for grown-ups.

Now, put that down.

No, you can't tell me what to do,

you're not my real mom.

-[tense music playing]

-Leave me alone.

-Natalia, put the knife down.

-No, I wanna cut veggies.

-Drop that knife right now.

-No!

-Drop it, Natalia!

-You're not my real mom,

you can't tell me what to do!

-Natalia, drop it.

-[grunting]

Natalia, drop it now!

[knife clatters]

[tense music continues]

[door opens]

Hey, what's going on?

-[Natalia sobbing]

-Natalia, what is it?

Sweetie, what is it?

[crying]

Mommy is mad at me!

W-What is happening?

I-- She-- She wanted to help,

and she wanted to cut vegetables

and I wouldn't let her,

and I grabbed her arm.

Wait, you grabbed her arm?

Michael, I felt like

she wanted to hurt me.

-What?

-I was scared.

I'm telling you, I was scared.

Kristine, she's-- [laughing]

she's just a little girl.

-What do you--

-[Valika] Hello?

-Are we the first ones here?

-No, no, no.

-[Valika] The place looks amazing!

-Michael, I'm not ready.

I-I'm not ready for

this right now.

Nothing is ready.

Nothing is ready.

I don't have a name

for this place.

-Nothing back here is ready.

-Okay, calm down.

You got this.

-[breathes deeply] Okay.

-[softly] It's fine.

-Okay.

-You got this.

Michael [exhales sharply]

-I can do this.

-Yes, you can do this.

-Okay.

-There you are.

-I'm fine.

-Yeah, you are.

I'm gonna do this,

and you are gonna go out there

and make sure

everything is okay.

Make sure Natalia is okay, okay?

I need everything

to go smoothly today, okay?

Okay, I will, I will

see what I can do.

-Okay, I need you.

-Okay. You're--

-You're good, you're good.

-Okay. Okay.

[sighs]

[sighs]

There's somebody

here to see you.

[chuckles lightly]

[grunting]

Oh, don't get old, Natalia.

-[sighs]

-So, you giving me back, too?

What? No.

Honey, no, of course not.

-But she hates me.

-She-- Who, Kristine?

She does not hate you, no.

If anything,

I think she's

worried that you might hate her.

She thinks I hate her?

[Michael] Well, not 'cause

of anything you've done.

It's just, Kristine wants

to be close to you.

And if there's anything

that Kristine does hate,

it's not being able to help

the people she cares about.

-I don't hate her.

-I know that, honey, I know.

Look, my dad,

your grandpa, I guess,

that's funny--

he was a, he was a

pretty mean guy,

especially to his kids.

-[gentle music playing]

-And, [sighs] when I met Kris, I

didn't think I deserved

to be loved,

because I wasn't really

used to that.

And so, sometimes,

I would behave in ways

that, um, made it harder

for her to love me,

so I wouldn't get hurt

in case she changed her mind

and, and realized I was no good.

-Does that make sense?

-Not really.

[laughing]

Okay, I'm sorry.

Look, I, I--

I just want you to know

that in this family,

we love unconditionally.

And that means we love you

for who you are no matter what.

Even Kristine?

Oh, sweetheart,

especially Kristine.

[gentle music continues]

[kisses]

So, what are you

studying exactly, Jake?

[Jacob]

Um, mostly quantum physics.

[reporter]

And what does that entail?

Well, I've been focusing a lot

on PT symmetric lattice systems.

[guests chattering]

Don't worry, I have no idea

what that means either.

-[both laughing]

-Oh, good, I'm not alone.

Well, I, I gotta say,

if what you've done with Jacob

is any indication of the scope

that this place can have,

I think you're gonna

have a major impact.

[hopeful music playing]

[Kristine] For so long,

it's been a dream of mine

to build a place where kids

on the autism spectrum

can come and play,

and make art, and watch movies.

Most of all, a place where no one

tries to change them.

A place where our kids feel free

to just be who they are.

I've decided to name our center

Jacob's Place,

because it's been

in raising Jacob

that I've realized

how important it is for all kids

-to have a safe haven.

-[Natalia] Mommy?

-Mommy.

-[Kristine] To learn, to play

-[mouthing]

-to be themselves.

And even though

it's called Jacob's Place,

I hope that everybody

feels like this is their place.

-Mommy!

-We are a community.

[Natalia] Hi, Mommy.

Sweetheart,

what can I do for you?

No Daddy, I want Mommy.

I hope everybody feels

welcomed

-Daddy, stop it. Daddy

-and so we are open to anyone--

-Mommy?

-Yes.

-[Natalia] The zipper is so tricky.

-[Kristine] Okay, okay.

For those of you who haven't

met our new daughter,

this is Natalia Grace.

I took off my dress to go eat

because I didn't want

it to get messy,

but now I can't put it back on.

[crowd laughing]

[Kristine] [whispers]

Okay, sweetheart.

No, Mommy, Mommy,

[whispering]

I'm sorry about before.

[whispering]

I'm sorry too, baby. It's okay.

You don't hate me?

No, of course not.

I could never hate you.

-[gentle music playing]

-[crowd] Aww.

♪♪

-[music fades out]

-[door closes]

Did you know we got

two teams' worth of kids

signed up for basketball today?

Honey, I am so proud of you.

But you

you were the real hero today.

Whatever you said to Natalia,

you just

you really saved the day.

[thunder rumbling outside]

-You wanna know what I said to her?

-Yeah.

That you were the one

who taught me how to love.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

[Kristine chuckles]

And that I couldn't

have helped her

if you hadn't helped me first.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-[thunder continues]

-[Kristine chuckles]

-Yeah.

-Oh, yeah.

-Yeah.

-[both chuckle]

-Yeah.

-[chuckles]

[raining outside]

[bedroom door opens]

[Natalia] [whispering]

Mommy.

Mommy.

[tense, curious music playing]

Mommy, are you awake?

Oh.

Hi, sweet pea.

Did you have a bad dream?

Do you wanna get in and cuddle?

No.

It's not time yet.

[tense, curious

music continues]

♪♪

[shushing]

[gasping]

["Girl" by Tori Amos playing]

From in the shadow

she calls ♪

And in the shadow

she finds a way ♪

Finds a way ♪

She's been everybody

else's girl ♪

Maybe one day

she'll be her own ♪

Everybody else's girl ♪

Maybe one day

she'll be her own ♪

Hey ♪

And in the doorway

they stay ♪

And laugh as violins

fill with water ♪

[music fades out]

[fanfare playing]