01x02 - Jump the Jitters Out

[bunniefuu]

So you see, I may have

written a book on parenting,

but I don't have it

all figured out.

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.

[Kristine Barnett]

Do you know who I am?

-[crowd gasping]

-Do you know how many children I saved?

[Michael Barnett] Previously,

on Good American Family

[Sandy Mosley] [on phone] This is

First Path Adoptions in Myrtle Beach.

We have a little girl here

who I think you will love.

This is Natalia.

Hi.

Are you gonna be

my mommy and daddy?

We usually just add the

past medical expenses

onto the other fees,

if that works for you.

We have to pay for

her surgeries?

We maxed out our credit card

just to get down here.

-[tense music playing]

-[Natalia Grace] I hate baths.

How about you can stand in the tub

and I can wash your--

-I said no!

-[grunts]

Mommy, I'm so sorry.

Mommy, I'm so sorry.

-Mommy, I'm sorry.

-[groans]

[Michael]

I get the tantrum

Now, now, now! I wanna go

to the beach now!

[clatters]

[Michael] the whole running thing,

I mean, what was that?

Well, she's a kid,

she didn't just

go out and buy a walker.

Did you give her Pop-Tarts

after she didn't eat her dinner?

It's not a big deal.

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.

[eerie music playing]

Hi sweet pea.

Do you wanna get in and cuddle?

No. Not time yet.

[music intensifies]

[Michael] He first came to see me

in the fall of 2019,

and when he showed up,

I'm not gonna lie,

I was a little nervous.

My wife and kids are inside,

so it'll be quieter out here.

-Is this okay?

-Perfect.

Okay.

-Mind if I

-Oh, so, uh, we're doing that?

Uh, it won't bite.

I mean, yeah, I-- I guess it's, uh

it's fine.

[door closes]

I thought you guys might

like some pop.

Uh, Detective Drysdale,

this is my-- my wife Jennifer.

-This is, uh, Wyatt.

-Thank you.

-Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Barnett.

-Likewise.

So, I'll leave you to it?

Yeah.

-Love you.

-[Jennifer Barnett] Yeah.

[back door opens, closes]

-She seems nice.

-The best.

How long you two been married?

A couple years,

but you know, we're still, uh,

full-on honeymoon phase.

You know, she's, um

she's a complete opposite

-of my first, so

-Right.

Word is, it was a mean divorce.

Yeah, that's what I thought

this might be.

Um, listen, man, I--

Those things that Kristine says

about me that-- [stammers]

don't believe it, okay?

It's not true.

She's-- she's a liar.

No, man. Listen, believe me,

you seem like a good guy.

And I've heard plenty

about how rough your ex is.

-[chuckles]

-That's why I'm here,

to get it from the

horse himself.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

Okay, I mean, if that's the case,

then, uh, um

"neigh," I guess?

[both laughing]

Now, I gather that your

boys are with her.

-Uh-huh.

-And you have a daughter too.

-Natalia, right?

-Mm-hmm.

She with your ex as well?

No, God no.

I mean,

[scoffs] they don't even speak.

I mean, you put those

two together,

it's like

[mimics explosions]

fricking World w*r Three,

man.

[exhales sharply] Huh.

So, how did things between your ex

and Natalia turn ugly?

-[tense, curious music playing]

-[exhales sharply]

I don't even know

where to start.

-The beginning's always good.

-Okay.

To start at the beginning,

uh, Kristine is-- is insane.

And she's also the--

basically, the devil.

But she's the worst

kind of devil, you know,

because she thinks

she's God's gift

[over recording]

to the whole dang world.

[Detective Drysdale] [on recording]

How do you mean?

[Michael] Do you know

what a savior complex is?

[Detective Drysdale] Sure.

[Michael] Yeah, well,

that's, that's Kristine.

You know, she takes credit

for all of Jacob's success.

She does that with

all the kids she works with.

That's why we adopted

Natalia in the first place

-What is this?

-[Michael] so she could save her.

-When did you do this?

-[Michael] When that didn't work out,

that's when the proverbial

crap hit the fan.

[tape player clicks,

recording stops]

Mr. Barnett and I

spoke last week.

That's why we could

arrest you today.

Well, let me tell you something.

Don't believe anything

that man says.

I swear to God,

he's the real devil here.

[dramatic music plays]

[curious theme music playing]

[flag flapping in breeze]

♪♪

[bridge cracking]

[engine humming]

[TV static buzzing]

[paper cutting]

[theme music fades out]

[rain pattering outside]

[Kristine softly gasping]

[soft ominous music playing]

[exhales deeply]

[Kristine]

This was 2010,

almost two weeks

after we brought Natalia home.

[soft ominous music continues]

[whispers] Natalia.

Natalia.

[Natalia]

What are you doing, Mommy?

I thought I heard you

come in our room just now.

Just wanna check

and make sure you're okay.

Did you? Just come in our room?

[Natalia]

I don't think so.

Nighttime isn't for wandering,

sweet pea.

It's for sleeping.

That's what I had been doing.

Can I hold Hercules

for a minute?

Why?

Just wanna give her a checkup,

like at the doctor.

We hate doctors.

Okay, not the doctor then.

Just

Mom, Mom, stop.

-Natalia, just--

-Mom, no.

-Mommy! No.

-Natalia.

-Stop it! No, no!

-Shh!

Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Hey, hey, hey.

-No, stop it!

-What's going on? What's going on?

Daddy, please.

Tell Mommy not to take Hercules.

I wasn't out of bed,

I promise. Please.

Don't worry, baby. Why would Mommy want

to take Hercules?

It was a misunderstanding.

I just wanted to make sure

that Hercules had enough hugs.

So, you do, uh

Let's check.

[light, tense music playing]

Um, okay.

-[sighs] So, honey--

-No.

It's okay, sweetheart.

Just-- just real quick.

Everything's gonna be fine.

Mommy's just gonna--

And you didn't just

come in our room?

Is Mommy okay?

Y-Yes. Y--

She's just tired.

She's just tired.

You know what,

we have a big day tomorrow.

Mommy always puts ice cream

in our cereal

on the first day of school.

Will you tuck me

in again, Daddy?

Of course I will, sweetie.

Of course I will.

-Here's your Hercules, honey.

-Thank you, Daddy.

-[Michael] There you go. Okay.

-[Natalia whimpers]

[sighs]

You're welcome, sweetie pie.

[tense music playing]

[sighs]

Kris, what the--

what the heck's going on?

She came in our room earlier,

and it looked like

she had a knife.

But they're all here,

so I guess I must be crazy.

[music softens]

-[drawer banging]

-Dang it!

[sighs]

Oh, baby, I'm sorry. You okay?

-Hey, let me see, let me see.

-[Kristine groans]

Hey, look, you're just--

Honey, you're just tired.

You-- you're stressed,

and you had a bad dream.

-Come on, let's go to bed. Come on.

-No, it wasn't a bad dream.

I know what that feels like.

This wasn't that.

Hey, what's going on, huh?

Come on.

-[exhales sharply]

-Talk to me.

I thought I saw something,

and then no, it w-- it wasn't.

Don't go there.

I know what you're doing.

Stress dreams feel really real.

That's all this was, okay?

You are not your dad.

You're not.

Okay, so say it was

a stress dream.

That's almost worse.

I'm not myself with her.

I get frustrated so easy.

We're not connecting.

And Michael, how am I

supposed to be her mother

if I can't talk to her?

Do you hear yourself right now?

Do you remember this

conversation

that we had about

another one of our kids?

And look what you did there.

That kid's being recruited

by Princeton.

-Jake is special.

-So are you.

Heck, you're gonna

be in the papers

because of what you can do.

This is a tough nut.

Natalia is a tough nut to crack.

But you will.

You are Kristine Barnett.

-Maybe I've lost my touch.

-Bulldink, okay?

You've been doing this

for 15 years, honey.

Nobody cares for kids

like you do.

Nobody understands them better.

That's all Natalia is,

she's just another kid.

Another kid who needs you,

honey.

You're exhausted.

You've been taking

care of all of us.

Honey, you've been taking

care of me.

And that's my fault, okay?

I got-- I got knocked out flat

by the Blanca thing.

I did, okay? But I--

Hey. Hey. I'm back.

I'm back, baby.

And I wanna take care

of you, okay?

What if you let me--

what if you let me

take care of you

for a little bit, huh?

What if we made this my turn?

Would that be nice?

Hmm, there she is.

There's my girl.

-Mm.

-[kissing]

Yeah. It could be nice.

I need my cow!

I know, baby.

But if we can't find her,

we're gonna have to come up

with another option.

-No!

-What about we talk about something?

What about our trip to Omaha?

I mean, it is called

Show and Tell, right?

No one does "Tell," Mom.

Well, maybe it needs

a rebranding then.

I wanna bring Bessie Cow, Mom.

When's the ice cream?

It's your sister's first

day, not yours.

So, when she comes down.

Right, then I'm gonna

go get her.

[Michael] Morning, zoo crew.

Hey, am I in the paper?

Not yet, hot stuff.

[Ethan Barnett]

Mom! Bessie?!

Did you check the laundry room?

No.

Pulled out a suit for you.

Yeah, I saw that.

I'm not sure why.

It's just a meet-and-greet.

-Hey, who's driving me?

-Me.

We're gonna get your sister

set up at school

and then run over to Jacob's place

for my session,

and then head out to IUPUI

for your interview with

[emphatically]

Princeton.

-It's a meet-and-greet.

-With

[Michael and Kristine]

Princeton!

You guys are just

embarrassing yourselves.

-Enough.

-[Wesley Barnett] Natalia won't come out.

She says she's too tired because Mom

woke her up in the middle of the night.

[Ethan] Mommy!

Bessie Cow's not in here either.

It's okay.

Hey, you stay on cow patrol.

I'll go check on Natalia, okay?

-[knocking]

-Knock, knock, rise and shine.

[Natalia]

Come in.

Ta-da.

Are those Ethan's?

I didn't like what

Mommy picked.

Well, she just wants

you to look nice

for your first day photos,

honey.

That dress is for a 5-year-old.

Did you at least ask Ethan

before you took his clothes?

[Natalia]

I just

I don't want everyone

to think I'm a dumb baby.

[scoffs] Honey, no one's gonna

think that, okay?

Look, when I-- when

I first met you,

I thought you were at least 45.

-May-- maybe 50 even.

-[chuckles]

I wish you were taking me,

Daddy.

Me too, kiddo.

But I got the boss' bosses

coming into the store tomorrow,

you know?

-So, I gotta get it all ready for them.

-[groaning]

I know. But

do you know what I do

when I have something

really scary at work like this?

[whispering]

I jump the jitters out.

[softly] What?

[babbling wildly]

-You do that at work?

-Yes, it helps get me outta my head.

[singing] Jump the jitters, whoa, jump,

jump the jitters out ♪

I jump the jitters, jump,

jump the jitters out ♪

-Try it, here you go.

-[Natalia giggling]

Jump the jitters, jump,

jump the jitters out ♪

-Jump, jump the jitters out ♪

-[laughing]

Jump the jitters,

jump, jump the jitters out ♪

Watch out, here comes the worm.

-Here it comes.

-No!

Whoa, whoa.

-[light, tense music playing]

-[Natalia giggling]

Natalia.

What happened here?

Where's the head?

I was just playing with it.

You were--

You know, Ethan's been

looking all over for this.

Please, please don't tell Mommy

I broke it.

-Please don't tell. Please--

-[Kristine] Mike, we gotta motor.

Can you get

Natalia's registration folder?

-Yeah, we'll be right down, honey.

-Daddy, no. Daddy, please.

Daddy, please, Daddy, please don't tell

Mommy I broke it.

Please don't tell Mommy.

Please don't.

-Please don't.

-Hey, hey, hold on.

-Please don't tell, please.

-Hey, look. You're okay.

Take a breath.

You're okay.

Look at me.

[sighs]

I shouldn't do this,

but I promise I won't tell.

But you have to work

on being brave enough

to tell Mommy yourself, okay?

Young child with dreams ♪

["Shilo" by

Neil Diamond playing]

Dreaming each dream

on your own ♪

What took you slowpokes so long?

-And what happened to her dress?

-Game time switcheroo, Mom.

-Alright.

-Well, hop in,

or we're not gonna get there

in time to take a picture.

-Oh, my goodness, so much

-[overlapping chatter]

Seems like you end up alone ♪

[Michael]

Buckles! Alright

Papa says he'd love

to be with you ♪

You guys have the best day ever!

-[kids] Bye, Dad!

-Alright, bye.

-I need that folder.

-Oh, folder, yes.

So you turn to the only

friend you can find ♪

Okay, that's gonna

cost you a kiss.

-There in your mind ♪

-Bye, guys.

Shilo, when I was young ♪

-I used to call your name ♪

-[Kristine] Smile, Natalia.

[Wesley]

Show the pearly whites.

When no one else would come ♪

Shiloh, you always came,

and we played ♪

[indistinct chatter]

Young girl with fire ♪

[Kristine] As soon as we saw

the photo, we fell in love.

We flew right down.

It was an emergency situation--

a child in need--

we had to act.

But in this kind of adoption,

all personal information

is strictly confidential.

-It's called redacted.

-Mm-hmm.

Well, maybe. [stammering]

I just-- I'm not seeing much

that I can go on here.

I mean, this one's not

even in English.

That's her birth certificate.

Yeah, it just kind of

looks fake to me.

Oh, because it's a photocopy.

Okay, um, do you have

her school records?

It's withheld too,

because it's all confidential.

So, where am I supposed

to put her?

Does this mean I don't have

to go to school?

No, sweet pea. We're gonna get it

straightened out.

[Dr. Wachter] Alright, so we're gonna

leave the swords at home next time,

foam or otherwise?

Alright, buddy, back to class.

Dr. Wachter, Kristine Barnett.

Wes and Ethan are in

third and first grade.

Of course. Such great kids.

So, we've just adopted

Natalia here.

-Trying to get her enrolled.

-Without any paperwork.

-What grade are you, sweetheart?

-A-plus.

-[laughing] I bet.

-[Kristine] She's seven.

But we don't have records

from her previous school.

-It was a closed adoption.

-No problem, I've dealt with that before.

We can, uh, put her in first

until we can do some testing.

Do you have her vax records?

-Uh, everything is here.

-Ah, thank you. [chuckles]

Ah, you adopted her

in New Jersey?

No, South Carolina. Why?

The fax number here. My mother-in-law's

from Montclair.

I, uh, block every call

with a 201 area code.

[Dr. Wachter chuckling]

Hmm.

Why'd they redact

the dates of the shots?

That-- that I've never seen.

Oh, just being thorough,

I guess.

Privacy?

[tense, curious music playing]

Natalia, do you remember

when the last time you had

some shots was, sweetheart?

-I don't like shots.

-Who does?

Well, is it okay for her to start?

It's getting late.

Well, I'm not sure

these will fly long-term,

but the state gives us a 20-day

grace period on vaccinations.

So, if you can get us the full list

over the next few weeks,

-we'll be cruising.

-Great.

So, you want Mommy

to walk us to class?

-Let's go.

-No, thank you, I'm a big girl.

-I can just go with you.

-[Dr. Wachter] Mm.

-Okay, well, look at you.

-[Natalia giggling]

[Michael] So, we gotta get

in their heads, you know?

If I'm corporate, one thing

I am definitely checking

is that our top selling SKUs

are well stocked on

the floor, right?

So, right away, on the way back,

I noticed we're a little low

on the LG-65-LED-80-HNA

and the SAM-70-LCD-72-FHA.

Every dang time. It's scary.

You know, we don't

speak SKU, Mike.

You've got that in English?

Sorry, humans. Translating.

[imitating a robot]

The LG 65-inch and the Sam 70.

Oh.

[imitating robot] Oh, copy you.

For real though, man, sh*t like that's

why you're getting a promotion.

You're gonna jinx me.

Where-- Now, where's the wood?

Where's the wood? Ah!

["Don't Cha" by The Pussycat Dolls

ringtone playing]

-Oh, God.

-Wow.

-Mike.

-So, so embarrassing.

Kristine made this her ringtone

a while back, I forgot to change it.

I hear that's how he won her heart,

by knowing the SKU

to the Samsung 60-inch.

I'm never gonna

live this down, am I?

Hey babe, how'd it go at school?

[Kristine] [on phone]

Not great.

They almost

didn't let her enroll.

What? Why?

[Kristine] Because all her vax records

were redacted.

Dr. Wachter said he's never

even seen that before.

Okay, but they let

her in, right?

[Kristine] For now.

But also, Mike, all the records

were faxed from New Jersey.

Don't you think that's weird?

Uh, I don't know.

Why is that weird?

[Kristine] Because we adopted

her from South Carolina.

-So?

-So, why would a family from New Jersey

go to South Carolina to

put a kid up for adoption?

Uh, I don't know.

Why would a family from Indiana

adopt a kid from South Carolina?

Well, because that's where the kid was,

Mike, it's different.

[Michael] [on phone]

Why is this bothering you?

I-It's gonna be fine.

They let her in, right?

[Kristine]

For now.

We have to get

the actual vax records though.

Okay, so you'll call

First Path, right?

Yeah, yeah. Fine.

I'll handle it.

I gotta go.

Wait till you see what

I got you at the junk store

this time, Shawny.

-[indistinct chatter]

-[Shawn giggles]

Okay, sweetie, I have to run,

but I'll get that screwdriver

and we'll open up the rest of it

another time, okay?

-Okay.

-Okay.

[indistinct chatter]

Shawny did great today.

Oh, well, this is her nirvana.

[chuckles]

Oh, hey.

They called me for a quote

-about the Jake's Place article.

-Oh!

I told them that you're

Indiana's own miracle worker.

[laughing]

Cute, right?

I just wish it would

come out already.

I want people to see

what we're doing here.

I know, I totally get it.

I mean, that's exactly

how I feel

whenever I have a listing

that's ripe for a bidding w*r,

it's t*rture.

Trust me, this place

is gonna be huge.

You're gonna have more

enrollments than you know what to do with.

[Kristine]

Mm

-From your lips.

-[Valika chuckles]

Alright, enough belly gazing.

Gotta skedaddle.

Today is Jake's Princeton

interview.

[gasps] How exciting.

Good luck.

Go get 'em.

-[phone chimes]

-Call First Path Adoptions, Myrtle Beach.

[line ringing]

Wheels up in 10, bud.

[line ringing]

-[disconnected tone rings]

-[automated voice] We're sorry.

You have reached a number

that has been disconnected

or is no longer in service.

[hangs up]

[keyboard clacking]

"First Path Adoptions."

[tense, curious music playing]

[Kristine gasps]

[Jacob Barnett]

You okay, Mom?

Yeah, bud. Peachy.

Get packing up though,

we gotta scoot.

♪♪

[Sandy] [on voicemail]

Hi, it's Sandy.

You know the drill.

-[phone beeps]

-Hi, Sandy. Kristine Barnett here.

You helped us adopt

Natalia Grace.

It's all going great.

Except today, when we went

to enroll her in school,

we were missing some

key paperwork.

So, call me back, would you?

Also, what in the blue blazes

is up with First Path?

Did they close?

[hangs up]

Okay.

Princeton, here we come.

I'm primarily focused

on particle physics,

but right now I'm

also taking a class

in philosophy and physics.

The direct nature of time,

probability of

statistical mechanics,

-that sort of thing.

-I was a French major,

so you'll have

to give me a little more

-[in French] Contexte?

-S'il te plaît.

He speaks Arabic too.

Cool, so basically-- well, one thing we

like to talk about

is how humans perceive

something like this.

-What do you think this is?

-Well, I know what that is. It's a pen.

Good guess.

But you're ignoring the millions

of molecules that go into this.

You're simplifying to see

what you need out of a pen

instead of what it actually is.

It's what we do as humans.

You know, we assign

meaning to objects.

It's efficient, but

that doesn't mean

it's the actual truth

of the object.

So, you're telling me

that's not a pen?

So then, what about me? Am I me?

You're definitely you.

You just may not be

who you think you are.

Whoa.

See, now that is très French.

[all laughing]

-[phone ringing]

-[gasps] Oh.

Real quick.

Hello.

Hi, Sandy.

Thanks for returning my call.

[Sandy] [on phone] Listen,

your daughter is gonna be just fine.

'Kay? She's, she's one

of the lucky ones.

Just--

Best to leave it at that.

Wait, what?

What do you mean?

[Sandy] If you just stop

asking questions,

you probably won't

be implicated.

I-- I'm sorry?

Implicated for what?

-What are you talking about?

-[Sandy] That's all I can say.

Don't call me again.

[call ends]

-Looks nice, right?

-Yeah, it's beautiful.

Sorry about that. Work stuff.

Oh, no worries. We were just talking

about housing.

So, since Jacob would be

transferring in as a sophomore,

-he would be assigned residential--

-Jake is 12.

-He can't live on his own.

-[phone ringing]

Mom, seriously?

[phone ringing]

This is your brothers' school.

The problem is,

uh, it wasn't just one kid.

She rammed several students

with her walker.

But all the kids are okay.

Well, they're just

shaken up a little bit.

But Mrs. Barnett, I had to leave

Running Club for this.

And I will admit

that I feel a bit betrayed.

Betrayed? How so?

Well, when we agreed

to take Natalia this morning,

you neglected to mention

her severe behavioral issues.

Well, because there

hasn't been any.

-No troubling behavior at home, or?

-No.

Just the usual temper tantrum

or some cranky kid stuff.

And I have to ask you--

well, you may not know,

because you were

at Running Club.

What was going on

before this happened?

Were the kids teasing her?

Are you saying the children

deserved to be hurt?

No, but I find it

hard to believe

that Natalia just

started randomly

ramming her walker

into kids unprovoked.

As I'm sure you're aware,

children with disabilities

are often the victims

of bullying.

Mm-hmm, although from

what I understand,

it was Natalia who was

doing the bullying.

What about her previous family,

her past schools?

Are you aware of issues there?

Well, as we established

this morning,

I don't have her school records.

-I'm working on getting them.

-Okay.

Well [sighs]

perhaps it would be

better if we wait

until we have some more

information on Natalia

for her to come back to school.

You're suspending her

on her first day?

Do you know how destabilizing

that'll be for her

while she's in the middle

of this massive transition?

I'm sorry, but I'm an advocate

for kids in need.

And if Natalia is having

behavioral issues, this is why.

Because of all that's

been done to her.

If it's helpful to you,

I'd be happy to come in

and have a workshop

for your faculty

on working with kids

with disabilities.

[Dr. Wachter]

Thank you, that's so kind.

But, uh, you know,

we don't have to consider this

a, a suspension, per se.

This is an opportunity for us

to get some more information

and reassess.

It might just be that we have her

in the wrong grade.

[Natalia humming]

[Kristine] Can we talk about what happened

at school today, sweet pea?

[Natalia continues humming]

I know you would never hurt

anybody on purpose, Natalia.

A kid must have done

something to you.

[continues humming]

Did someone do something?

[Natalia continues humming]

I'm trying to talk

to you, sweetie.

[stops humming]

I should've worn something else.

Did someone say something mean?

[Natalia's foot tapping]

You know, you can

tell me anything.

[tapping continues]

And that goes for whatever--

stuff now, or stuff

that happened

before you came to us

with your other family.

Where was that, anyway?

Were you in South Carolina,

or did you maybe take a trip

from New Jersey?

I thought you weren't allowed

to ask questions

because it's closed.

We're family.

I'm allowed to ask you anything,

and you're allowed to tell me.

Okay? Anything you want.

I don't remember.

[lock clacking]

Natalia, stop that.

It's dangerous.

Were you happy with

your other family?

Did something happen there

that made you sad?

I was just sad to leave them.

[wind blowing, traffic rushing]

Natalia!

-[tires screeching]

-[horn honking]

[car horns honking]

[tires screeching]

[traffic rushing by]

[soft tense music playing]

Natalia Grace!

Don't you ever do that again!

Do you know how dangerous

that was?!

[Natalia humming]

[humming echoes]

[curious music playing]

[pop-up chimes]

[crunches]

[Kristine] "First Path

Falsifying Adoptions."

[mouse clicking]

[survivor 1] We had two

beautiful weeks with Miguel

before they told us

there was a custodial issue

and they took him back

[survivor 2] They promised

our baby to two other families.

[survivor 3] We never got

the baby they promised us.

Now, we might lose our house.

[survivor 4] and ever since that

second adoption fell through,

my wife is a wreck.

Cries all the time,

can't get off the sofa.

They destroyed her!

[survivor 5] Then two weeks

before the due date,

they said our birth mother was

shot and k*lled

[Justine Bowman]

My name is Justine.

-I live outside Indianapolis.

-Oh.

-And First Path ruined my life too.

-Mom, what's up?

Tough crossword tonight.

-[typing]

-Sorry for the Rando DM.

I adopted a child from

First Path too.

I live near you and

was wondering

What's up, fam jam?

Hi.

How's everybody doing?

-Mm!

-Mwah! Mm.

-How was Princeton?

-[laughs]

Kid's a shoe-in.

And Natalia? Everything

go smoothly

once you got her settled?

She did great.

Awesome. She sleeping?

Yeah, they went down

about an hour ago.

Just us chickens now.

I might just go take

a little peek in on her.

-[Kristine] Okay.

-Oh, so, uh, Jenn

had a little shower at work,

and she refused the leftovers.

[tapping]

Guys, red velvet.

-Oh.

-Just sayin'.

-Don't stay up too late.

-[Kristine] Ooh. Okay.

Maniacs.

Red velvet. Oh.

-No.

-Oh.

Looks like someone m*rder*d it.

[scoffs]

Not even Wes would eat that.

Have a cookie.

So, how come you didn't tell Dad

that Natalia got

kicked out of school?

[crunches]

Did you see how happy

your dad was just now?

I just believe he deserves

to stay that way.

What about you though?

You don't seem happy.

What makes you say that?

Well, you basically ate

all the cookies yourself.

Now it looks like you're gonna

eat the cake too?

Also, you almost

screwed up my interview

after trying to make me

wear a suit to it.

Sorry

that I had to keep

running out like that.

I just

It's okay. I actually had fun.

I hope I get in, don't you?

You deserve to be happy too.

I'm just not sure I'm ready

to give you up to dorm life yet.

I'm going in.

Oh, gosh.

[notification chirps]

[Justine]

Hi there.

Happy to tell you about

my experience with First Path.

The headline is,

because of those criminals,

I had to give my daughter back.

[light, tense music playing]

[Kristine] [typing]

I'm so sorry. What happened?

-[notification chirps]

-[Justine] I'll tell you, but not online.

I'm not at liberty

to speak freely.

[Michael] I just feel like

she's the missing puzzle piece

in our family, you know?

Just, just fits right in.

[sighs]

Do you remember when

Wes used to sleep sideways?

Like with his head

on our bellies like this?

Natalia does the same

thing with me.

It is so cute, it kills me.

Uh, can you take her

to work with you tomorrow?

Doesn't she have school?

Well, turns out they need

the full vax chart

before she can go back,

so it's just a,

a red tape thing.

Well, that sucks.

Did you call First Path?

Are they gonna send it?

Yeah, yeah, it'll be fine.

I just-- I have a lot

of students tomorrow,

so I can't take her.

Oh, uh, tomorrow's

tough for me too.

I have corporate coming,

so I don't--

I could bring her to my mom's.

Uh, you know, no.

Uh, I will get one of the guys

at work to watch her,

and we'll just say it's

Take Your Daughter to Work Day.

-It'll be fun.

-Perfect.

-[Michael] There she is.

-[Natalia giggling]

Hi. Daddy, it's me.

-[Michael] It's you!

-[giggles]

Well, there's-- there's

a lot of yous.

There's one, two, three, four

I can't even count that much.

-I love it. So many Natalias!

-[giggling]

There's one. That's my favorite

one right there.

-I like this one.

-Wait, what about her?

Wow, Mike, you didn't

tell me Taylor Swift

was coming into the store today.

Can I get a picture?

Snap, snap, snap, snap.

So, Natalia, this is

my friend Jenn.

-Hi.

-And you are gonna hang out with her

while I go meet with

my bosses, cool?

Can't I just stay

with you, Daddy?

Oh, I get it.

Your dad's the coolest.

Do you want to hear a secret?

[whispers]

I've got a baby in here.

That's kind of obvious.

[laughing]

Well, that's not the secret.

Have you ever heard of cravings?

Mm-mm.

Cravings mean I'm always

hungry for sweet treats.

So, why don't we let your dad

go get his big fancy promotion,

and you and me,

we can go pig out.

How do donuts sound?

Donuts sound like,

"Eat me, eat me now."

[all laughing]

That is an incredible

impression.

We should probably find out what cocoa

sounds like too, right?

-Yeah.

-[Natalia and Jennifer] Yeah.

-Bye, Daddy.

-Have fun, sweetie.

Daddy's gonna miss you.

We really thought we had found

our daughter, but then

Okay, the story they gave us

was that her mom died

and her dad and stepmom

neglected her.

It was like Cinderella,

only I got to be the

fairy godmother.

And how'd you find out

that wasn't true?

[Justine]

Molly started to learn English.

She started saying stuff like,

"You're not my mom."

Like, "I miss my real mom."

In general, she was harder on me

than she was on Dale,

my husband.

Her mom died when she

was so young we thought.

But her English got better,

her stories got more specific,

like details about

her mom's cooking.

And one day, her mom told her

she got picked to go

to boarding school.

But instead of taking her to school,

they took her to us.

Do you think First Path

was doing this a lot?

[Justine]

Not always this.

Sometimes they'd make

fake birth certificates

or health records.

Anything to make kids

more appealing

to adopted families.

It's pure evil.

We're part of a

class action suit,

that's why I couldn't

talk to you online.

So, you think your daughter

might be

Maybe.

I don't know.

You should get a lawyer.

[light, tense music playing]

We gave all our savings

to First Path.

Well, reputable agencies

hate places like First Path.

Did you ever work with

another agency?

They might be able to help you.

You're okay.

[indistinct PA announcement]

You're okay.

[exhales sharply]

Jump, jump, jump.

[singing]

Jump the jitters ♪

Jump, jump the jitters out ♪

Jump, jump the jitters ♪

Jump, jump the jitters out ♪

Jump ♪

Hey.

Uh, yeah, come on.

[chuckles] Nice to see ya.

[Kristine]

The whole reason we did this

was to help Natalia,

to save a child.

So, the thought that I would

somehow be complicit

in taking her from her family,

I'd be devastated.

I can only imagine the pain

you must have been in

thinking you might

be losing her.

But, here's what makes me

feel better, Mrs. Barnett.

First, from what I can

see in our database,

Natalia came to the U.S.

through New Hope Christian Services.

They're a good reputable agency.

No history of trafficking.

-Really?

-Mm-hmm.

And second, and this is

good news for your family

and sad news for

I don't know,

the world, I guess.

Um, it would be unusual

in a country like Ukraine

for a child like your daughter

to be trafficked for adoption.

Kids with disabilities

aren't usually targeted.

They aren't considered, um

attractive.

What is more common

is for hospitals

to pressure moms

into giving up these kids

into state orphanages.

And they don't

live happy lives.

And you think that's what

happened with Natalia?

That would be my suspicion.

Okay.

My poor girl.

[Tom] We're called upon

to visit orphans

and widows in their afflictions.

[Kristine]

Amen.

And thank you

for squeezing me in so quick.

Oh, of course.

Anything I can do.

-Actually, there is one more thing.

-[Tom] Hm?

We need to get her

school records

to get her back in class.

Do you see those?

I can print these and I can redact the

personal info.

Or you could just leave it.

We are dying to know

more about our girl.

I wish I could.

You could go get a pop

or go to the bathroom.

Forget to put your

computer to sleep.

[laughing]

You're fun.

Uh, but maybe I just print it

and I, I redact the

secret stuff.

-That works too.

-Mm-hmm.

[Michael] All I've ever wanted

was a family

and a job that I love.

And with my Circuit crew,

I get both.

[both chuckle]

Well, your fam's conversion

and sales per square foot

-are super strong.

-We have a, a going gag.

Any associate that gets their average

up to two for the quarter,

I'll do a back flip

up at the register.

[both chuckling]

I'm not sure that jives

with corporate policy,

but I'd love to see it.

Man, that was not a smart bet

on my part.

I got some strivers on,

uh, this team.

Well, the numbers sure show it.

You know, I'm not sure if you're

finding this at other stores,

but, um, we just cannot

keep the new L--

Um

-The L-- uh

-You okay?

Yes, sorry.

I-- I just remembered,

I forgot to send a PO out

on some Samsungs.

Hey, hey.

Don't sweat the tiny stuff.

Your numbers are really great.

-Okay, yeah.

-Let me tell you

to be increasing in

sales right now

when everyone else

is plummeting,

that's meaningful.

Okay, okay.

Which is why it sucks so hard

to let you know that we're gonna

need to close the store.

[slightly gasps]

I know, I know.

It's a tough thing to hear.

It's a tough thing to say too,

though I, uh, have the routine

down these days, so

Here's what happens next.

Hold off on telling your team

until HR reaches out.

Then, you're gonna

do a fire sale,

try to liquidate.

What?

Do you have the time

to listen to me whine ♪

About nothing and everything

all at once? ♪

["Basket Case" by Green Day

playing on stereo]

-I am one of those ♪

-Do you mind the music?

This is Daddy's mad music,

so it's gonna get a little loud, okay?

-I-I don't mind.

-You sure it's okay?

Neurotic to the bone,

no doubt about it ♪

Thank you.

[raises volume]

Sometimes I give myself

the creeps ♪

It's gonna be okay 'cause I'm gonna

get another job.

Sometimes my mind

plays tricks on me ♪

[laughing] It's gonna be okay.

I'll get another job.

It all keeps adding up,

I think I'm cracking up ♪

Am I just paranoid

or am I just stoned? ♪

-I went to a shrink ♪

-[lowers volume]

Hey sweetheart, um,

is it okay if we don't tell

mommy what happened?

'Cause I just need to, um

It needs to be

the right moment, okay?

I-I'll wait till you're

brave enough

to tell her yourself.

Thank you. I'm gonna

turn the music up again, okay?

Okay.

I'm gonna get a little loud,

is that okay?

-Okay.

-[raises volume]

Sometimes I give myself

the creeps ♪

-Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me ♪

-[screaming]

-Alright, sweetie, here we go.

-[Natalia moans]

-Hi.

-[Michael sighs]

-How was your day?

-Why are you in my room?

I went shopping.

You went shopping?

With-- with what money?

I was excited. I got all the paperwork

sorted out,

so we're ready to go

back to school.

And I thought these

would be perfect

for Natalia's second first day.

I don't wanna go to school.

I know the first day

was hard, honey.

But we can start all over.

We can even retake

your pictures.

-I don't wanna go to school!

-[board clatters]

I wanna go to work with Daddy!

It's okay. It's okay.

[light, tense music playing]

Sweetie, I'm sure you

were very helpful.

Daddy's been at that

job a long time.

He knows how to get by.

But, now he has an

even busier job.

-He got a big fancy promotion.

-[Kristine] Oh, wow.

Guess I should have shopped

even harder then, huh?

-[chuckles]

-Congrats, babe.

Eh, you know.

It's-- It's not--

not a big thing.

-[phone ringing]

-[birds chirping]

[ringing continues]

Hey, Val, you okay?

[Valika] [on phone]

Oh, no, did I wake you?

I'm so sorry.

I thought for sure

you'd have seen the article.

About First Path?

What?

No, what's First Path?

Here, listen. This is on the front page,

by the way.

Headline, "Genius at work."

And then a big honking

picture of Jacob!

-Michael, Michael, wake up!

-What, what, what?

-We're on the front page!

-What, what?

-Go ahead, Val.

-Okay, here we go.

"Jacob Barnett

has memorized pi to 200 digits.

"He taught himself algebra,

[over phone]

"geometry, trigonometry,

"and calculus in two weeks.

He's 12."

-Yes! That's our boy!

-[laughs] Yes!

And what does it say

about Jacob's Place?

Um

Okay, let me see. Let me see.

[gasps] Here we go,

[over phone] "His mom even

named her daycare after him."

Okay, not bad.

So much for enrollment numbers.

-Oh, come on.

-[Valika] No, no way.

Jake's the best PR

you could get.

After this, people are

gonna be lining up

for your advice, I swear.

Yeah, yeah. Okay, alright.

-Thanks, Val. I'll call you back.

-[Valika] Bye.

-[hangs up]

-I am proud of you. Come on.

-You're in the paper there, you are.

-[shrieking]

What's going on?

Your brother's in

the paper, bud.

You wanna run down and get it?

Cool.

[knocking]

-Got some great news, bud.

-[Jacob] Uh, what?

[Ethan] [screaming]

Ow!

-Mom, Mom!

-Ethan!

-[tense music playing]

-[Ethan] Mom!

-What is it, what?

-[Ethan] Ow, Mom.

Oh, what in the--

-[Ethan] [crying] Mom, Mom.

-What did she do?

-Who? What? [whimpering]

-Nothing. Never mind.

-Okay, let's just--

-[Michael] What's going on here?

No, no, no, no, no. Don't come out here

with bare feet.

-[Michael] Okay, hold on.

-Natalia put tacks.

Wait, what?

Why do you think she did it?

How would she even

have done this?

Because she's the one

with the cork board in her room.

Go ask her.

[sobbing]

Why would she do that!

-Okay. Alright.

-Okay.

You two go get dressed

for school, please.

-Okay. Okay.

-Ow! Ow.

Look at me, don't look down.

Ready? One, two, three.

[Ethan] [screams]

Ow!

-[Almeda] Knock-knock.

-Okay.

-Hello.

-Okay, Mom, did we have a date?

Uh, No.

I just brought some kringle

to celebrate Jake's making

the big time.

-What's happening here?

-Ethan stepped on a tack.

That Natalia put there.

-[Almeda laughing]

-What about that is funny, Mom?

Well, Ethan was

always a bit soft.

Maybe God saw a chance

to give him some calluses.

-Mom.

-Well, [sighs] she said she didn't do it.

Go get dressed.

Of course, she says

she didn't do it.

Even if she did, who cares?

It's just a goofy kid prank.

For Pete's sake, Mike,

will you stop being

so defensive?

How are we supposed

to help her if you don't

admit there's an issue?

She's troubled.

-[Almeda] Michael is right.

-Wh-- I am? What?

Now, that should

be in the paper.

It's no big whoop.

She's just a kid.

You're blowing the thing up

all out of proportion

like you always do.

You see problems that

don't exist.

I see problems that you

refuse to admit exist.

Could you please calm down

and find me something

to cut this with?

[Michael]

Who invited the mother?

[soft ominous music playing]

[gasps]

What-- What's going on?

What is it?

♪♪

-What?

-[drawer slams shut]

Natalia?

[tense, dramatic

music playing]

[items clattering]

♪♪

Natalia!

Natalia!

[knife clacks on counter]

Have you seen Natalia?

-She's not in her room?

-No.

[door closes]

[Almeda] Will you relax?

She's just a little girl.

[screams]

Close the door!

[unsettling music playing]

Michael?

What? Wh-What happened?

She has hair.

Wait, what? What hair?

[Kristine]

Down there!

I don't think she's

a little girl.

[Almeda]

Who wants kringle?

["Basket Case" by

Green Day playing]

Do you have the time

to listen to me whine ♪

About nothing and everything

all at once? ♪

I am one of those

melodramatic fools ♪

Neurotic to the bone,

no doubt about it ♪

Sometimes I give myself

the creeps ♪

Sometimes my mind

plays tricks on me ♪

It all keeps adding up,

I think I'm cracking up ♪

[song fades out]

[fanfare playing]