God & Salsa (2022)

[bunniefuu]

(soft music)

[Mia] Hi, Mom.

Please don't blame yourself.

You're really good at that.

(somber music)

Truth is, half of me is always
fighting the other half,

and I never feel whole.

I'm always hating
some part of myself.

But ever since
you guys divorced,

I'm really not sure
what half I should be.

The fact is I can't be
anything but what I am,

a combination of both of you.

Nothing can ever change that.

(mother crying)

I love you both,

though I felt for a long time

that I couldn't or
shouldn't love you

because Dad would get upset.

No matter how hard I tried,

one of you was
always disappointed.

Nobody understands
how painful it is

to to turn off half my heart,

but still miss you in silence.

I hated myself for mistreating
you and you were so loving.

I'm sorry for the pain
I have caused you,

Dad, and the rest of the family.

Luke 18:16 Says Jesus
sent for them saying,

let the little children come
to me and do not keep them away

for such as the
kingdom of heaven.

Why God?

Why, God, why did you
take her away from me?

Why (crying)?

(necklace clattering)

[Monica] I need to
set the record straight.

Who the hell do
you think you are?

(door slamming)
(glass shattering)

You're the one always
flirting with your students,

and God knows...
- Enough!

I had enough of this.

You're the one that ran
off with the lawyer.

What was his name, Jack, Jacob?

Oh admit it, just
admit it right now.

What?

Here we go again.

Nothing is ever
good enough for you.

You're a horrible
husband and father.

If I'm such a horrible
husband and father,

what does that make you?

Not in a million years.

Even if we had a million years,

we wouldn't be able
to work this out.

Yeah, well,

why try?

We don't have a million years.

And even if we did,

I would never spend it here
fighting with you like this.

Don't walk away from me,
I'm not finished with you!

Don't you walk away from me!

We're not finished yet!

[Matt] That's it, I'm done.

I want a divorce.

Hey.

Come here.

[Announcer] Late night
movie classics will return

after the commercial break.

(bright music)

[Announcer] Learn to
dance from former champions

Enio Cordoba and Terryl Jones

at LA's premiere
dance studio and club.

The calendar is filling up,

so get off that couch and
book your first lesson today.

You're six glorious steps
from escaping all your worries.

Actually, you're six steps
from a really hard workout.

[Announcer] Book today
at www.lets dance la.com.

That's www.lets dance la.com.

It's gonna be okay.

This isn't their
first time, right?

They do this all the time.

(somber music)

Hey, come here.

Everything's gonna be okay.

All right?

I promise.

I will always be your father

and I'll always be here for you,

whether it's in
this house or not.

Your mom and I,

we just don't get along anymore.

I'm gonna make this work.

I promise.

Okay?

I love you guys so much.

If you're going to
leave, then leave.

Now!

Now!

(drink splashing)
Get out.

Go!

(Monica crying)

(engine starting)

(Car drives off)

[Mia] I'm tired,

tired of trying to
figure this all out.

I just want it all to end.

I know you tried your best.

Love you, Mia.

(light music)

(b*mb exploding)

(g*ns f*ring)

(speaking in foreign language)

(somber music)

(phone vibrating)

[Woman] Hi, Raquel.

I'm sorry to keep
calling like this.

I know this is a difficult time,

but we haven't seen
you in church since,

well for several months,

and I miss you at
the welcome booth.

We all do.

Anyway, I don't
mean to pester you.

I know you need time to heal,

but I think it would be good
for you to join us again

when you're ready, of course.

In the meantime, I'm sending
you a text with a link

to this great message from
pastor John, please check it out.

Hang in there.

You are loved.

(phone vibrating)

Well, I'm sure
you've noticed by now

that since you allow
God into your life,

all your troubles
have poof, gone away,

like that.
(fingers snapping)

(audience laughing)

Oh, come on.

I must be in the wrong church.

Really?

Honestly, though,

life can really be hard,

and sometimes
seemingly devastating.

Things that happen
can even seem cruel.

There are times we may
feel like that life

has tried to rob us
or tried to destroy us

and the ones we love.

And yet God says he's come
to give us an abundant life.

Now, one of the ways that
we can find this abundance

that he's offering

is if we embrace the very
thing that brought us grief.

There's not a human alive

that's going to avoid
the land of grief.

We're all going across
its borders at some point.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says for
everything, there is a season

and a time for every
matter under Heaven.

There's a time to weep
and a time to laugh.

There's a time to mourn and
there's a time to dance.

(upbeat music)

Hello, welcome.

You're good.
- Thank you.

Now, fall back.

And left.

Right.

Where you going?

You can't escape that easily.

I forgot, I have to, um.

Come join us.

It's just a mistake,
I'm not ready.

We won't bite.

Well, at least I won't.

And besides, you can't
do any worse than that.

Oh, you'd be surprised.

I like surprises.

Dancing is like therapy.

You're so busy
learning the steps,

you don't have time to
think of anything else.

And it's a great workout.

So come, join us.

We go side and left.

Right.

Get ready.

Turn.

Three,

two,

one, turn.

And three.
- Don't forget to spot.

Two,

one.

Left, right, left.

And three,

two,

one.

And again on three,

two,

one, keep your foot still.

Don't let your foot move.

Put your weight in.

Next time, get ready.

Here we go.

Turn.
- All the way.

Cross around side.

Snap it, and three,

two,

one.
- Here we go.

- Here we go.
- All the way around.

Get ready.

Take it forward, here we go.

And left,

right.

- Stay in rhythm.
- Left,

right, keep your arms up.

(door knocking)

Hey buddy.

You ready?

Dad.

Where's your sister.

You're a half hour late.

Hi, Monica.

Where's Amanda?

I really want to get going.

They don't want to go with you.

Shane.

- Screw this crap.
- What was that?

Get back over here.

Shane, get back
over here right now.

All right, I'm not
gonna put up with this

for the third time in a row.

What's going on here, Monica?

We have shared custody.

Hey sweetie, get your stuff.

You ready?

Come on, let's go.

This isn't right
what you're doing.

They don't want to go with you.

You can't force them.

And it's clear they
don't want to go.

I have a legal right.

Oh God, what are you gonna do?

Call a cop?

If I have to.

[Monica] Don't be ridiculous.

Shane.

I don't want to go, all right?

Go wash your hands,
dinner's almost ready.

What kind of a loving father

threatens to have
his own children

forcibly taken by the police?

The man obviously needs help.

(Shane screaming)

Where were you?

Where the hell were you
when she needed you,

when we needed you?

How could you?

(glass shattering)

(door knocking)

Shane, your
dinner's getting cold.

I called you over an hour ago.

Oh my gosh.

Oh my gosh.
(heart b*ating)

Oh my gosh.

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, help me!

Someone help me!
(siren wailing)

(upbeat music)

All right, get ready.

To the right.

Ready go three.
- Freestyle.

Five, six, shut the door,

Basic.

Basic, wind up, to the right.

Here we go.
- Where are you looking?

Shut that door.

Basic.
- Only turn right.

Get ready, yeah.

To the right.

Shut the door.

Basic.

Basic, here we go.
- Oh hold it, hold it.

Hold it.

Don't forget.

You gotta look
where you're going.

Right, there's two spots,
where you're going.

And don't forget to
shut the door so you don't

fall out of it.
- Crash into people.

All right, here we go.

- Hit it, Oscar.
- Go.

Get ready.

And one, two, pivot.

Pivot, pivot, side.

Control your stop.

There we go.
- Wind up, go!

- Pivot, pivot, slide.
- Shut the door.

Left, wind up, to the right,
to the right, to the right.

Focus on the stop.

There you go, that's better.

Get ready.
- Get ready.

To the right.

The other right.

To the right.
- Wind up.

- Here we go.
- Snap your head.

Here we go.

Remember, you gotta focus.

[Enio] Don't fall
back, don't fall back.

Hold it, and right.

There you go.

Jump back in.

Here we go, one, two, pivot.

Pivot, pivot, side.

Mrs. Cameron.

I'm afraid we're
gonna have to hold him

for another couple of days
for observation, maybe more.

We have him on antidepressants.

This will help stabilize him,
but he needs a therapist,

drug rehab, and an
outpatient psychiatrist.

Antidepressants?

He experimented with opioids.

Bad, yes.

Stupid, yes.

But it's not like he's
clinically depressed.

You know, a couple of weeks ago,

another Bay Area hospital
who also had a patient

on an involuntary hold
due to suicidal ideation

reported he used one of
these to end his life.

And that was in between
15 minute wellness checks.

I can't impress upon
you strong enough

what occurred with Shane.

He's in a very fragile
state, severely depressed,

and needs to be under
constant supervision.

At least till he stabilizes.

Is that what you believe?

Yes.

I need to take him home today.

I'm afraid he's gonna
have to stay, Mrs. Cameron.

And you're going to have to
find a very good therapist

before I can release him.

But it's past 72 hours.

Please, just let me
take home my son.

He's under 18.

I'm his mother.

I can look after him.

You get him a
reputable therapist.

Then I'll release him.

(solemn music)

(door creaking)

Raquel, come on in.

Thanks.

Thank you.

It's so good to see you.

Thanks.

You too.

You know, you can take
more time off from work

if you need to.

Everything okay?

Feel like talking about it?

I just don't know if
I can do this anymore.

It takes time.

I'll be okay.

I know you will.

Now there's a guy
out there, a walk in,

his name is Matt Cameron.

High school teacher.

Says he was referred to you.

You feel up to seeing him?

Sure.

Great.

Thanks.

Of course.

I'm here anytime
you need me, Raquel.

Mr. Cameron.

Hi, I'm Raquel.

- Matt.
- Yes.

Please, have a seat.

So what brings you
here today, Matt?

My son Shane,

he's not right.

He.

[Raquel] Is he in danger?

Tried to k*ll himself.

Drug overdose.

I am so sorry to hear that.

The important thing
is that he's alive.

I had to find out
from a neighbor.

Can you believe that?

A neighbor called me.

I know how hard this is for you.

So, they will probably
want to keep him a week.

After that, they require a
therapist be assigned to him

for future follow-up treatments.

That's why I'm here.

You see, my ex and I couldn't
agree on a therapist.

And so the judge picked one
for us sort of randomly,

and lo and behold,
he picked you,

which was amazing because
you're the person that I wanted.

Well, we can't
legally do anything

until I get the official
notification from the court.

It should be here in
the next few days.

Few days?

My son needs help!

And he'll get it.

We need to wait for the
paperwork to arrive.

Look, I'm not sure I'm
best suited to help you.

I can recommend you to
a colleague of mine,

one of the very best, years
more experience than me.

What?

No.

No, it has to be you.

Why does it have to be me?

I just know.

Look, Matt, you
have to understand

the gravity of the situation.

The gravity of the situation?

Are you serious?

You really don't.

Why do you think I'm here?

Sorry.

Poorly phrased.

What I mean is in you choosing
me to be your therapist.

I'm confident I
made the right choice.

I'm not so sure.

A friend of mine recommended
you, someone I trust and.

And what?

There are no
atheists in foxholes.

Excuse me.

In w*r, when you're
hunkered down in a foxhole

and the enemy is
bearing down on you,

you'd be hard pressed
to find someone

who wasn't calling their maker.

Are you a religious man?

Not really.

But a couple of days ago, for
the first time in my life,

I got down on my knees and
I prayed for God to help me.

My kids, especially Shane.

And.

And what?

That day, a friend of mine,
a colleague from school,

gave me your card.

I know you must be exhausted
and in terrible pain,

but there are life circumstances

that may preclude me from
being your best choice.

I know.

And I'm sorry.

You know?

That's why I'm here, Raquel.

Who better to handle the case?

Who better than someone that's
been there deeper than me?

I (stammering).

[Matt] Oh, you'll do it, Raquel.

Thank you so much.

This means the world to
me, you have no idea.

I'm sorry.

I can't.

I'm sorry.

That's okay.

I understand.

(door knocking)

Not ready yet, huh?

Look, I know you, Raquel.

You're the best
person for this job.

Who knows who
they'll land on next?

He needs you.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

(phone vibrating)

- Hello?
- Okay,

so the first step is
to sign some forms.

And I'm gonna want
to meet the mother.

Raquel?

You're in.

Yeah.

So again, I'm gonna want
to meet the mother, Monica,

and Shane, of course.

As part of the intake process,

we're gonna have
to set some rules,

and then the sessions can begin.

Okay, yes, yes, yes.

Thank you.

Raquel, thank you so much.

Sure.

You're welcome.

Bye.

Bye.

I don't know what you told them.

They think you tried
to k*ll yourself,

that you suffer from depression.

Can you believe that?

What are people gonna
think? My son is not crazy.

But thank God you're all right.

Fentanyl.

Fentanyl!

What, how could you?

What the hell were you thinking?

Where did you get it anyway?

You have everything.

I have given you
everything, more than most.

Sick of your attitude.

This is your father's fault.

If he would have
been around more,

if he would have
been tougher on you.

We're gonna get through this.

We always do.

Okay?

I'm gonna do everything I
can to make it right, baby.

But I need you to
do your part too.

Okay?

You don't know how
much I love you.

I love you more than you will
ever know. (upbeat music)

And Sombrero

Now, get into the hip, Marilyn

Get your Marilyn Monroe.

That's it.

- Rotate.
- Good.

Next one down.

Ladies down one.

One partner.

One partner.

[Both] Ready?

And.

Make yourself comfortable.

Thank you.

I wanted to take a moment
to discuss scheduling.

I'm very sorry to say I'm
usually extremely busy at work.

I totally understand.

We can schedule you later in
the day or during your lunch

if that works better for you.

Me?

Yes.

I would like to
have a few sessions

with both you and
Matt individually.

Of course, Shane is
our primary focus.

How often?

Once a week for Shane,

twice a month for
both of you and Matt.

And I think it's important
for me to see Amanda as well.

If you're willing.

Oh, Um..

You know, I'm not
sure about that.

This is all very overwhelming.

I know.

He made a mistake, I know,

but it's not like there's
something mentally wrong

with my son.

I'm here to help.

If there's something I can
do to get him back on track,

that's my job.

That's why I'm here.

Look at it that way.

You know, I'm gonna
be late for a meeting.

You said you wanted
to meet with Shane.

Please.

And how long is that gonna take?

Not long.

Just a few minutes.

Hi.

I'm Raquel.

Please sit.

Make yourself comfortable.

How are you doing today, Shane?

During our sessions,

there's a few things you
need to keep in mind.

No phones, no foul language,
and no abusive behavior.

And the use of headphones
is not permitted.

I'm here to listen.

I'm here to help.

So if there's
anything in particular

that you want to talk about
whenever or wherever we meet,

please go right ahead.

Our sessions are confidential.

However, I am mandated to
report any abusive behavior

or any attempts of su1c1de
or harm to anyone else.

Okay?

Do you have any
questions, Shane?

No.

Whatever.

I got it.

Can I go now?

Sure.

(bright music)

(singing in foreign language)

(energetic music)

To the front.

Two hands, two hands.

Two, three around she goes.

All the way around.

Bring her in.

There we go, right
here, right here.

There we go.

Right here, that's it.

Yes!

And rotate, rotate, rotate.

[Both] One, two, three.

Here we go.

Cross body, go, flip the elbow,

catch her.

Work it.

And send her out.

And shake it,
shake it, shake it.

Cross body to back.

That's it, rotate, rotate.

Rotate, that's good.

Awesome.

Cross body.

Send her out.

Hit with a little attitude.

From the hip, shake your hip.

Oh, no, no, no.

No, no, no, no.

You can't have ballroom top
and Latin on the bottom.

Stop, stop, stop.

Have the dr*gs worn off?

You're hurting my eyes.

Drive a stake through my heart.

You don't have one.

(all laughing)
- Ouch!

All right, here we go.

Two hands, take your partner.

(singing in foreign language)
(bright music)

(energetic music)

(light music)

Hey, he's playing
really good music tonight.

Wow, check them out.

That's Victor and Amy.

(singing in foreign language)

(voices clamoring)

So, anybody need a ride?

I'm parked right over in
the parking structure.

Oh, we took a ride
share, but thank you.

No, I'm parked right there.

Oh great, okay.

Bye everybody.

[All] Bye.

Great to see ya.

See you.

So anyway.

(phone vibrating)

Hi Kim.

I am so sorry I haven't
returned your calls.

I totally understand.

I really miss you though.

We all do.

I'm just not ready.

I know.

We've been praying for you.

Thanks.

Did you?

Yes, I got the link, Kim.

Thanks.

It sounds like you're
busy, I'll let you go.

Take care.

You are loved.

Thanks.

You too.

Kim?

Kim?

The secret to discovering
this life and peace

in the midst of
the land of grief

is to understand what's
happening in partner with God

in the process.

You know, Christ said the
sick need a physician,

but if don't recognize or
admit that we need healing,

we suffer unnecessarily.

Hear me, hear my words.

It's not weakness to grieve.

Don't let your ego lie to you
saying you gotta be strong

all the time.

Even if you've been
through loss before,

each time it's real and unique,

though the stages are the same.

Now the first is the
most obvious, denial.

And I'm not talking
about the river, either.

(audience laughing)

Sometimes we just
don't want to accept

that a loved one is gone and
our family is breaking up.

Now, once we get
through that portion,

the second stage can
even be more challenging.

Anger.

Sometimes we're just angry
that our spouse or our parent

have left us.

Worse yet, sometimes
we're angry at ourselves

thinking we should've
seen the signs

or done things differently.

Remember what I
said about the phone?

(book slamming)

That's a pretty big book.

I guess this pretty
much covers it, huh?

Thanks.

I like what you've
done with the place.

You into art?

Not really.

What do you see in that?

People with a lot of problems.

You do this?

A client.

Before or after you helped them.

During.

Art can be very therapeutic.

I get it, Ms. Cortez.

You can call me Raquel.

Raquel.

Please, sit down.

Relax.

So what I'm getting at, Raquel,

is that you've gone really far
and away here to fix things.

I like to help people,
if that's what you mean.

I mean yourself.

Please, sit down.

This isn't about me.

It's about you.

Really?

Let's see,

you have a daughter.

I don't see a husband's picture.

I'm guessing an ugly divorce

and all the fun
that comes with it.

(Phone vibrating)

You can't get over it.

You can't quite figure it
out, what you did wrong.

Probably feel guilty.

So you come here,
see all these people

with the same problem

so you can maybe get
some kind of answer.

You were probably a
little wobbly before that.

(Phone vibrating)

I mean, that's why you all
get into this kind of work,

right?

To keep from wearing
a tinfoil hat.

Ooh.

(Phone vibrating)

Please move your car.

You're parked in
a reserved spot.

(engine starting)

(pensive music)

(speaking in foreign language)

Finish your dinner.

Not hungry.

I work very hard to
put food on this table.

If your father wasn't
such a deadbeat,

he'd be able to pitch in more.

Instead he creates more
expenses and trouble.

You do realize I'm
gonna be the one paying

for most of the so-called
therapy he's forced on us.

I hate him, I don't ever
want to see him again.

Where do you think
you're going, mister?

Got lots of homework.

Can I be excused please?

Leave your door cracked.

Hear me?

[Shane] Yes ma'am.

(bright music)
(singing in foreign language)

And, basic, all the way around,

Cross body, there you go.

Shadow.

Wake up, Raquel.

I know you can do
better than that.

What's wrong?

I'm sorry, just really
tough day at work.

When you come in here,

you have to leave
all of that outside.

When you're here, you have to
be 100% present in the music.

Let me lead, let
the music guide you.

Put some passion into
it and loosen up.

Let's try it again.

(bright music)
(singing in foreign language)

Here we go.

A little better, okay.

That's all right.

Oh.

No, I know you can
do better than that.

When you hit, bam, let it
go down the body, right?

With a little more passion.

You need to put your
heart into it 100%.

Okay, think of your boyfriend.

I don't have a boyfriend.

Okay, think of something
you love, anything.

I love chocolate.

Okay, look into my eyes.

Imagine the best piece of
chocolate you've ever had.

And you want to put
your hands all over it.

Enio (laughing).

Try it again, here we go.

(bright music)
(singing in foreign language)

Ready?

And, come on... all the way

Yeah, much better.

Look at me.

Now, come on.

Yeah, that's what you want.

There you go.

And...

And how long ago
was the divorce?

It should be finalized
soon, sometime next month.

And if you don't
mind, Mrs. Cameron,

if you can give
me some background

on what you think
may have caused it

and how you think it
impacted your children.

The breakup of my marriage?

I know it's not an
easy thing to talk about,

but nothing leaves
these four walls.

Well, my ex Matt, well,
I guess you know him,

he had an affair with
one of his students.

He made sure she was
of age, of course.

I am so sorry.

There were others.

And you know, you
might find this funny

or really hard to believe, but.

Go on.

I still would have
stayed with him,

but I was really worried
about the children.

Worried how?

That they would catch him or?

The thought crossed my mind.

But no, it was more that he
was an irresponsible parent,

really bad example to them.

How so?

Gosh, where do I begin?

He was way too permissive.

He would let them stay up
as late as they wanted,

would take them to
inappropriate movies,

miss doctor's appointments.

He was just a kid himself.

He had no self control.

He's terrible with money.

Honestly, if it wasn't for
the fact that I do very well

for myself, we would
have been ruined.

The affairs were
just the last straw.

Oh, and the drinking of course.

Wow, that is quite
a lot to contend with.

It must've been unbearable.

If you could remind
me, Mrs. Cameron,

what do you do for work?

Would you mind
not calling me that?

I've gone back to my
maiden name, Spencer.

I am terribly sorry.

Ms. Spencer.

I'm a real estate broker.

Thank you so much for sharing.

I really believe this
is gonna help Shane

in the long run.

So I'll see you in two weeks.

Yes, of course.

We have to keep
the courts happy.

I will have to call you when
I figure out my schedule.

Sure.

That's fine.

And you're to see
Shane Friday at three?

Yes.

Well, he'll be here.

Ever since I got him the car,

he's thrilled to drive
it any chance he gets.

It's a very nice car.

Well, I bought
it for him because,

I thought it would help him
feel better about himself.

Got it.

Bye then.
- Take care.

(bright music)

(singing in foreign language)

[Enio] When you're here,

you have to be 100%
present in the music.

Let me lead, let
the music guide you.

Put some passion into
it and loosen up.

[John] Ecclesiastes 3:1 says,

for everything there is a season

and a time for every
matter under the heavens.

There's a time to weep
and a time to laugh.

There's a time to mourn and
there's a time to dance.

Hey.

You're 40 minutes late.

Oh yeah.

Sorry.

You know, I understand

that this cocky,
bad boy outer shell

keeps people from
getting inside.

Wow, that's deep.

I know you don't mean to
hurt people with your words

or your bravado

and that you're really just
trying to protect yourself.

Inside, you're just a confused
child in a world of pain

who's trying to see a way

through something he
just doesn't understand.

And he has no idea
what he's doing

and there's no end in sight.

Last time we met,

you made the assumption that
I got into this profession

to solve problems I was having
in my own personal life.

Tough words from someone
who's not so tough.

None of us are, Shane.

No one can do this
alone in this world.

But let's just say you were
right about your assumptions

and I am trying to
solve my own problems.

I spent years doing it.

I've done years of research.

I've seen countless people
in your same situation.

(soft music)

Don't you think I may
have learned something?

Aren't you in the
least bit curious

if I've discovered ways
on how to deal with it?

Or how others have
dealt with it?

Wouldn't it help
you to understand

what it's like when a parent
actually loses their daughter

to a successful su1c1de attempt?

The unbearable pain it causes.

In a way, it's like you're
k*lling more than one person

when you do that.

I can help you, Shane.

But you have to let me in.

I'm here to talk to,

but no more BS.

It has to be real or
it's a waste of time.

It's really up to you, Shane.

So, how's Shane doing.

It's too early to tell.

Is he ever going,
I mean, will he ever?

He seems stable.

Sort of.

It's gonna take time,

trying to get him to
talk about his feelings

is really an important
step right now.

He's a good kid, Raquel.

I know he comes off
aloof and mean sometimes,

but it wasn't always like that.

I understand.

How's Medusa?

That's not nice.

Let me guess, I'm an
abusive alcoholic pedophile

who's destroyed
all of their lives.

Pretty much, except
for the abusive part.

Ah, she's slippin' (chuckling).

And you got the part about
the affair with the student?

She did say she was of age.

The only student I ever
had an affair with was her.

I was teaching English
in Madrid and I was 25

and she was 20.

And she was,

I guess you could say naive,
a country girl from Alabama.

And she came after me like
a heat seeking m*ssile.

And we fell in love.

We stayed in Spain
and Shane was born.

And then several years later
we moved back to the states.

She's changed over the years.

Although she always had
her sights set high,

wanted the finer things in life.

So I put her through
real estate school.

As soon as she
started doing well,

she set her sights higher,

higher than a high
school teacher, that is.

She was the one
that had an affair

with a con man by the
name of Jack Jacobs.

Anyway, you know, her
reality is a construct

of her imagination, and now
she's completely destroyed

my relationship with my kids.

Dammit, who does that?

Take it easy, Matt.

- I'm sorry.
- It's okay.

Go on.

Sometimes I feel like I'm
mourning my children's death,

even though they're alive and
live right down the street.

The feeling of rejection
is almost unbearable to me.

I refuse to give up on them.

I will never give up on them.

It's a difficult time.

I suggest you keep a journal

and you jot down every
time you call them,

reach out to them, or see them.

And dig up some pictures
of past happy times,

focus more on Shane for now.

It will remind him that there
was good in the relationship.

But don't send too many, a
little will go a long way.

Thursday, the 12th work for you?

Yeah.

How am I?

How do you cope?

Well, I probably will
never get over the pain,

but, dancing,

dancing seems to help.

But it could be
anything physical

that keeps your mind
and your body active.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

[Man] Cause of death is
asphyxiation from hanging.

I'm afraid it's
su1c1de, Ms. Cortez.

I'm very sorry.

When we finally accept our
loss and we face our anger,

we may feel helpless
in the rage.

You know, some of us
have a silent rage.

Others are a bit louder.

I happen to be on the loud side.

(audience laughing)
No, it ain't that funny.

The most empowering thing
that we can do is forgive.

Now forgiveness
doesn't always mean

somebody's done you wrong
or you've done wrong.

It actually means in
its root to let go.

You know, if there is
anything that we have learned

from the teachings of the
life and death of Christ,

it's forgiveness, right?

Father, forgive them.

They don't know
what they're doing.

So forgive your
boss for f*ring you.

Forgive your loved
ones for leaving you.

And most importantly,
forgive yourself if you must.

Stop any personal condemnation,

you could've done this or
you could've done that.

It's time to loosen the
grip and start letting go.

(phone vibrating)

(happy music)

Hey.

Where are you going?

You just got here.

I'm just, I'm not in the mood.

This isn't like that
meat market place downtown.

Here, it's about the dancing.

I just.

This is God's salsa,

a mix of diverse ingredients
that come together

to tantalize the palette.

God, I just got
myself with that one.

Look,

Daryl's daughter has cancer.

Byron's wife just left him.

We're all dealing
with something.

You come here to
smile, to forget.

You have to let yourself smile.

Enio.

What am I gonna do with you?

Thank you.

Go dance with
him, have some fun.

(light music)

Um...

Do you have any idea?

Go ahead, Shane.

Ask me anything you like.

Do you know...

Do you know why.

Why she k*lled herself?

I guess I'll never
really know for sure,

but I do know that there
isn't a minute of a day

that I don't ask myself
the same question

and wonder if there was
anything I could have done

to stop it,

if I could have
talked to her more,

talked to her differently,

if I could have convinced her

that I wasn't the monster
that she thought I was,

or was told I was.

I miss her more than
I could ever express.

And I know I will
until the day I die.

I learned more in
the note she left

than I ever knew
when she was alive.

She felt she was always

disappointing or
upsetting one of us.

She said it was
too painful for her

to always have to turn
off half her heart.

She became extremely
depressed and withdrawn,

and she started to act out.

I couldn't get through to her.

Sound familiar?

Every case is different and
there are no easy answers.

One thing is for sure though,

talking to someone
who's experienced,

who cares, and who's
been there helps a lot.

How old was she?

15.

I'm sorry.

Some things in
life are really hard,

but there's always hope.

Is that mine?

What does it say about me?

Not much.

You weren't in the
hospital very long

before you were discharged

against the tending
physician's recommendation.

I wasn't trying to
k*ll myself, you know?

Really?

Dr. Thomas seems to think so.

Have you ever done
opioids before?

Once.

Mostly just do pot.

Do your folks know?

A little, not really.

Would you say that your
parents were involved

in a conflict of divorce?

You're kidding, right?

Of course it was conflicted.

They fricking hate each other.

And you were
stuck in the middle.

That is not a
pleasant place to be.

People are complicated.

And then they allow their
emotions to get away from them.

They lose sight of
what's really important.

Or never really
knew to begin with.

What was it with you?

Let's just say that in a
great amount of these cases,

it's parental alienation.

Parental alienation?
Sounds about right.

I always thought they
were from outer space.

(both laughing)

Basically. It's
when one parent

goes on a vigorous campaign

to turn their kids
against the other parent

using any method possible.

A lot of lies and character
assassination, mostly.

I'm really sorry about
your daughter. Raquel.

Me too.

It didn't have to be that way.

If we would have talked more

or if she knew and believed
how much I loved her.

So you're really
believing that stuff?

I used to.

Really?

Why?

I used to look up to
a nun from my school,

Sister Esther.

In fact, when I
was a little girl,

I used to want to be
a nun because of her.

My mom wasn't too
happy with that.

She eventually started buying
me shorter skirts (laughing).

When I was 16,

I had to leave El Salvador
because of the w*r.

I just wanted to see her
one last time before I left,

only to find out that
she'd been transferred

to a convent in another country.

For days I prayed
and prayed on the bus

that I could see
her one last time

before coming to the U.S.

We had to change
buses in Mexico City.

And I just remember walking
through this massive bus station

and seeing a bunch of
nuns standing there

in this waiting area.

And I looked carefully
to see if she was there,

but she wasn't.

And then all of a sudden,

one of them turned
towards me and it was her.

I couldn't believe it.

What a coincidence.

It was a miracle.

She told me God is good.

And that he'll always be with
me, when I'm sad or lonely.

She said that there's
gonna be moments

where I might feel like
I've lost sight of Him.

And that in those moments,

that's when he's the closest.

Where is he now?

Do you have a plan, Shane?

What do you mean?

It's when you write
down how you would do it.

It's okay.

You're not the only one.

Tell me about it.

Well, I just wrote
that if someone

was going to do something
like that, one was.

Yes.

It seemed like a
less violent option.

Less messy.

Yes.

dr*gs.

OD'ing seemed like
the easiest way out.

Well, do me a favor.

If think about it again,

let's talk about it.

Trust me.

There are people in
this world that love you

and would be devastated
if you acted on it.

So,

Thursday?

Sure.

Oh, and in the meantime,
if you want to talk at all,

feel free to call me.

Thanks, Raquel.

Of course.

That's what I'm here for.

(phone vibrating)

(vibrant music)

(singing in foreign language)

So how did getting those texts
from your dad make you feel?

Pretty sure the
pictures were your idea.

I guess they made me think.

Think about what?

Maybe he's not all bad.

I mean, I was smiling
in the pictures.

I suppose no one is all bad.

I have something I would
like for you to try.

What's that?

Well, it's sort
of like an exercise.

I would like for
you to make a list

of all your mother's bad
qualities and good qualities

and do the same for your
dad, and for you also.

Yeah.

I don't think I can come up
with any good ones for my dad.

No one is all bad, or
all good for that matter.

Besides, you were
smiling in that picture.

I think you'd be
really surprised

at how it would make you feel.

We can discuss it next week.

(soft music)

Hey.

Hey, my boy,

You remember this place?

Yeah.

You used to love it when you
were a kid, especially this.

(laughing) Nice.

What's up, how are you doin'?

I'm fine, just chill out, Dad.

I can't believe your
mom let you come here.

Yeah, she doesn't know.

She?

Hey, what'd you think of Raquel?

She's okay.

See the game last night?
(light music)

Total passing game.

Dude, Ohani was out of control.

Right?

This therapy is
costing a fortune.

Yet another example
of your father's

irresponsible behavior,
wasting time and money.

(silverware clanging)

What was that about?

He's not,

he's not as bad
as you say he is!

Excuse me!

How dare you talk to?

Shane.

I'm sorry.

I guess I'm just stressed.

This whole therapy thing
is weighing on us all.

And to top it off, she
wants to see your sister.

I just don't think she should
be exposed to this at her age.

It could mess her
up for a long time.

Now I know you and
your dad believe

that this is a good thing
for you, but frankly,

I think it's doing a
lot more harm than good.

Shane,

you made a mistake.

You do not have mental issues.

Just think of what
it can do to her.

I'm sorry.

I just love you,
and I need you guys.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I love you.

I'm sorry, guys.

You okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Sorry I'm late.

Something happened.

Positive change doesn't
usually happen overnight.

Did you do the exercises?

I saw my dad.

That's great.

Huge mistake.

Look, thanks and all, but
this is not going to work.

You'd be surprised.

I know you mean well,

but I just can't deal
with this right now.

Okay?

It's complicated.
- I get it.

You have my number if you
want to call me any time.

(solemn music)

Look Jack, I've made up my mind.

I'm filing for 100% custody
with or without your help.

I want him out of their lives.

Look, Monica,

suing for sole custody could
be difficult and costly.

I don't care how much it costs.

I've had a good year.

I'll take a second on
the health if I have to.

I can't stand it any more, Jack.

I can't stand his interference.

It's not good for the kids

and it's certainly
not good for me.

Well, we'd have to
prove that he's not fit.

He was awarded 50% custody
and changing that is not easy.

It would be easier if
we had something on him.

Like what?

Abuse is always good.

I mean...

You know what I mean.

So you'll take the case.

Well, I'd have to
see your financials.

For God's sake,
Jack, I'm good for it.

You'll get it tomorrow.

Okay.

(Shane panting)

(phone ringing)

Hello, this is Raquel.

Hi, Raquel.

You said you wanted
to see Amanda, right?

Yes, that would be great.

When can she come in?

Are you available
Friday at four?

Yes.

Nice to meet you.

Shall we get started?

If you don't mind,
we'll be done shortly.

Oh, of course.

Now you tell Ms. Cortez
the complete truth.

Okay, Mom.

So how are you doing today?

Good.

And what grade are you in?

Fifth grade.

Wow, that's great.

So, I'm gonna ask
you a few questions

as it relates to
you and your family.

Okay?

So tell me about your relationship
with your brother, Shane.

I don't know,
he's kind of weird.

Sometimes he won't
even talk to us.

He doesn't even play with me.

Aw.

And what about your father?

What do you think about him?

I hate him.

Really?

Why?

He does things that
aren't really nice.

Well, what kind of things?

(tense music)

That's terrible.

Can you give me an
example of this?

I don't know, he just does.

Well, how do you know he does?

My mom says so.

And tell me, what do you
feel about your mother?

She's the best mom in the world.

(phone ringing)

Hello, this is Raquel.

You won't believe
what she just did.

She's petitioning
for 100% custody.

Yeah.

Based on my supposed
abuse of Amanda.

How'd you know?

Lucky guess.

What's the point?

I mean, she's already
turned them against me.

They don't even want to see me.

But this will give her
100% legal control as well.

The first thing she'll
do is end therapy.

The dynamic of experiencing loss

when you walking
the path with God

is that it helps you
find the real you.

This isn't about a false hope
or a telling yourself that,

oh, everything is
just good and dandy.

No, this is about inner
transformation and discovery.

Title.

I changed the brakes and the
tires less than two months ago.

So you should be good to go.

Fantastic.

Appreciate it, man.

Enjoy.

You can't just
forget about grief

'cause it's gonna show
up in some other way.

You can't simply
distract yourself

or even medicate yourself.

Regardless how hard you try,

eventually, if you don't face
it, it is gonna face you.

You know, like some wise guys

I know that didn't
get their cut.

(audience laughing)

(energetic music)
(singing in foreign language)

That just covers what
you already owe me.

How are you gonna pay me
for the custody hearing?

I'll find a way.

I will.

Trust me.

If I had a dime for
every time I heard that.

Please.

sh**t.

All right, I'll do it.

It's gonna get ugly.

She's gonna do
everything she can

to make you into a monster.

And her counsel is
really good at it.

Thank you.

I really could have helped him.

You have helped him.

She's smart, Mark.

She knows exactly
what buttons to push

to make them scared
to do anything

but to decide in her favor.

So she's not only a liar,
but she's a really good liar.

You'll probably be
brought in to testify.

I know.

Don't let them get
under your skin, Raquel.

You can do this.

You can.

Shane, what's up, man?

You cutting class, too?

Come on, man, let's go party.

Nah.

Not feeling it.

Just gonna go home.

Not feeling it?

That's the point.

You need a couple of drinks
and then you'll be feeling it.

At least just give
me a ride then.

A ride where?

Anthony's.

Come on, Anthony's?

Heard he was in juvie.

He's out.

He's got some really
good stuff, man.

Will blow the back of
your head right off.

What about his parents?

Well, his dad's out of
town if you know what I mean.

And his mom's working
a double shift.

(phone vibrating)

He said to meet him for
some sunset action first.

He jumped the gate on that
apartment building on Venice.

Man, it's rooftop party time.

I can give you a
ride, but that's it.

Okay, all right.

Come on man.

Just one drink, one drink.

Come hang out just a
bit, just a little bit.

Come on.

Yeah, come on.

Look what Anthony left.

Anthony.

What's up, man.
- My man.

- Nice to see you, Bob.
- How are you?

I'm doing okay.

What's up?
- Nice view.

Hey, get a drink going.

You want one?

You want a drink?
- I'll take one.

(pensive music)

I prayed.

I prayed that you would
show me how to help her.

I prayed that you
would help her.

And with Shane, I prayed
and you never showed up.

You never showed up.

(speaking in foreign language)

(phone ringing)

(Raquel crying)

I stayed for the game.

What game?

Sorry, Mom.

I thought I told you.

When's it over?

Eight or so.

But, I was hoping to grab
something to eat after.

Dammit, Shane, you should
have told me this earlier.

Sorry, Mom.

I'll be more careful next time.

It's okay, baby.

Just be safe,

and not too late because
you have school tomorrow.

Okay.

I love you.

I love you too.

(lively music)

What's up with Raquel?

Better let her dance it off.

(singing in foreign language)

What's up?

I want to get some.

Dude.

Seriously?

Relax, okay?

I know what I'm doing.

All right, just don't
freaking do it all at once

this time, moron.

Come on, let's get
back to my place.

All right.

I'll be right over.

I just want to
check out the view.

All right, I'll
see you later, man.

(lively music)
(singing in foreign language)

[John] There's a
whole story about a man

who fell into a deep hole.

One person came by.

He had a rope.

So the man was down there, but
the rope wasn't long enough.

Then another person came by.

He had a ladder,
threw the ladder down,

but the ladder
wasn't tall enough

so the man couldn't climb out.

Then finally this guy came by,

heard the man crying and sobbing
and hollered down to him,

hey buddy, I hear you.

Let me go get my shovel
and I'll be right back.

(lively music)
(singing in foreign language)

So he runs off, gets
the shovel, comes back,

shovel and all,
jumps into the hole.

Now the guy who was crying is
yelling, what are you crazy?

Now we're both down here.

And the guy looked at him
and said, yeah, I know,

but I've been here before
and I know the way out.

Think of that.

I've been here before
and I know the way out.

(Shane crying)

(phone ringing)

(phone vibrating)

Raquel.

Sorry, I didn't mean to
bother you this late.

No problem, it's okay.

Where are you?

I just wanted to thank you.

For what?

For being a
lighthouse in a storm.

For getting it

I'm still here for you, Shane.

I haven't gone anywhere.

I'm done talking.

I'm so tired.

Shane, I want you
to stop whatever it is

you're doing right now.

It's nothing that can't wait
until tomorrow or the next day.

Shane?

Shane, I need to talk.

No.

I understand,
but I need to talk.

Do this for me.

Shane, where are you?

Please, don't do
anything you can't undo.

A day or two won't...

k*ll me?

Why wait?

Give me 10 minutes.

You can do that, can't you?

Where are you?

Shane?

I got a great view from here.

You're going to have
to be more specific.

Where, Shane?

Oh God, please let me
help this young man.

Oh Lord,

show me the way.

Please.

(speaking in foreign language)

Something's wrong.

What?

What?
(Shane crying)

I'm here to help, Shane.

Everything's gonna be okay.

I need to stop it.

I can't stop it.

I need it to stop.

I'm so sorry you're
going through this.

Please calm yourself.

Did you do the
exercises I gave you,

and what did you find?

Just roughly the
percentages good and bad.

I don't see how this will help.

Please try, please.

Mom was

80% good,

Dad is 70% bad.

And I am 95% bad.

- I see.
- I don't.

It just makes me feel like crap.

I know.

Please bear with me.

You trust me, right?

No matter how skewed
your percentages are,

they're off, Shane.

Shane, you gotta
focus on the good,

that's the starting point.

Do you really believe
you're 95% bad?

I sure don't, I don't
think anybody would.

(soft music)

This is all my fault.

Shane,

I understand.

I felt the same way,

but I've learned something.

Tonight with your
help, I've learned.

What?

I guess it's something I
should have known all along,

but sometimes you're so
deep in the dark hole

that you need somebody
else to shine the light

or bring a shovel.

I feel like I'm getting
crushed under the weight.

This is all my fault.

It's not, Shane.

It's not.

Your percentages are way off.

Shane, the point of the
exercise was to show you

that not everyone is
all bad or all good.

It all starts with forgiving.

When you can forgive the people

who you believe have
hurt you the most,

and most importantly, yourself.

No one's perfect, Shane, and
there's blame to go all around.

You do not need to
take all the blame.

It is not your fault, Shane.

It's not your fault.

That goes for you too.

Yeah, it goes for me too.

Thank you.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you, Shane.

Thank you for being here.

(phone ringing)

Hello?

Hello, Ms.
Spencer, Raquel here.

Oh, hi.

How are you?
- Fine.

I'm sorry to bother you.

I just wanted to schedule
an appointment with you.

Oh, I see.

Well, things have,
well, they've changed.

I'm not sure if you know,

but I'm in the process
of petitioning for.

I know.

I think it's really important
that I speak with you.

I really don't see the point.

In fact, I never have,
particularly when I found out.

Found out what?

When I Googled you and
found out what happened,

I was shocked that you couldn't
even save your own daughter.

But I can help Shane.

I need to discuss with
you what I discovered

when Amanda came.

Please, it's really
quite important.

Oh, I see.

Sure, no problem.

I could swing by this afternoon
if that works for you.

So, please tell me what's
going on with my darlings.

You have me worried.

There is a parent
child relational problem

that really
complicates and worsens

an already traumatic
event for the children.

The breakup of the
family unit, divorce.

Raquel.

When a parent deliberately
turns the children

against the other parent.

Ms. Cortez.

When a child is alienated
from their sense of security,

he or she loses all
emotional stability.

They will spin out of
control and self-regulate

through their peers, dr*gs
and or alcohol, et cetera.

With all due respect,

I came here to talk
about my children,

my case, not some hypothetical.

I am actually talking
about your case, Ms. Spencer.

Oh.

I see, you're
talking about Matt.

Wow, this whole thing just
starting to make so much sense

to me.

It is not their father.

Really?

Is that what you believe?

The courts don't
look kindly on a parent

who coaches their children
into lying about abuse.

You can't prove that.

No, but I can and I will testify

to what my professional
findings and conclusions are.

Go ahead.

Winning 100% úcustody is
not really winning at all.

I suppose you have
convinced yourself

that it is for the
good of the children,

when the truth is that
you are mad at Matt

and you want to get back at him.

You feel like a victim
and you want revenge.

Are you finished?

I know you love your children.

Think about what this
is doing to them,

if not now, five
years from now or 20,

when they reassess and see
it from an adult perspective.

It can and does often happen.

When they realize that
Matt is not the monster

that you have made
him out to be,

what do you think they're
gonna think of you?

There is no easy
solution to this all.

The only thing you can do

is to start the
healing process now.

Compromise, work it out,
especially for your children.

They really do
need both parents.

Please.

I'll see you in court.

Petition for 100%
custody is denied.

(gavel banging)

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

(both laughing)
- That was so much fun.

♪ Happy birthday,
Grandma Mitzi ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

- Yeah, I miss Grandma Mitzi.
- I miss Grandma, too.

We love you, Grandma Mitzi.

We love you.

Go to your room.

Now.

You know I love you, Mom.

You know I do.

You don't know what love is.

I love you, but
he's not that bad.

Not as bad as you say.

(hand slapping)

No one's perfect, Mom.

Not even you.

What's gotten into you?

Can't you see he's
trying to manipulate you?

He's a weak man trying to
sink his claws into you.

Stop, Mom.

What did you say to me?

Just, please chill out.

You are just like him.

I thought I could save
you, but it's just no use.

The same cocky, loser attitude.

Love you, Mom.

- No.
- And I love Dad.

I love you both.

You will never amount to
anything, just like him.

He never says
anything bad about you.

Go and live with him then.

No problem.

Get out of my house.

Now.

Keys.

Love you, Amanda.

You made your choice, now go.

(reflective music)
(singing in foreign language)

(door knocking)

Hey buddy.

Dude, your place is sick.

What do you think?

Nice.

I love it.

Look.

It's gonna be okay. All right.

I promise.

She's your mom, she loves you.

You guys will work it out.

All right?

You want to watch the game?

Comes on in five minutes.

And pizza's on the way.

(Shane laughing)

All right.

Thomas Merton, a famous
Trappist monk once said,

see, I'm not as dumb
as I look, all right?

(audience laughing)

He said, the more you
try to avoid suffering,

the more you suffer.

Because smaller and more
insignificant things begin

to t*rture you in proportion
to your fear of being hurt.

Now, if you can imagine it,

God is closer than
your own breath.

He's where your pain
and reality intersect.

And you're either going to be

the one who needs to admit
you need help in healing,

or you're the one
who needs to help

and show the way of healing.

You know, the guy
with the shovel.

The way it works best is
if you realize you're both.

Our wholeness isn't
based on avoiding pain,

but embracing it into
everlasting abundant life.

Amen.

(audience applauding)

So glad you're here.

God bless you.
- Thank you.

It's been a long journey.

Hey, Raquel.

Would you believe
there's another walk-in?

You feel up to seeing him?

Sure, send him in.

Okay.

Hey.

Hi Shane.

Sorry for just
showing up and all.

It's okay.

How are you?

Good.

Well, much better anyway.

Amanda still won't see
Dad, but baby steps, right?

All you and your dad
can do is keep trying,

let her know that you're
out here and show her love

any way you can.

I'm heading off to college soon.

So I just wanted to say goodbye.

Thank you.

Thank you so much
for all you've done.

Pleasure, Shane.

Thank you.

So,

wow, off to college?

Yeah (laughing).

Hard to believe.

You're gonna do great.

Yeah.

You know you can
still call me anytime.

Well.

Thank you.

You know, you never became
a nun, but you're an angel.

He was always with you.

And with you.

(bright music)

Matt?

You must have seen
that same commercial.

Yeah.

You know, I've taken a
couple of beginner classes.

I'm not bad.

Great.

Good for you.

Look, Raquel,

words could never express.

It's what we do.

(energetic music)

Wanna dance?

Yeah.

(singing in foreign language)