Touched by an Angel (1994) s03e16 Episode Script
Crisis of Faith
(ER STAFF CLAMORING) DOCTOR: Give me an update.
EMT: Pupils are now blown.
Pulse rate is thready.
DOCTOR: Hyperventilate.
We're gonna have to intubate.
On three.
One, two, three.
Tube in.
Breath sounds? Yes.
Get that neurologist out here, stat.
Let's go, people.
Did you know this was going to happen? Of course not.
These things are never part of the plan.
But our work was over.
Our assignment was finished.
Nothing is ever over, and God is never finished.
Humans see to that.
I can't believe it.
One moment, one little thing, one tiny decision, everything changes.
No.
A lot of little things led up to this.
That's the problem.
It's like ripples on the water.
People cannot always see the ripples before they cast a stone into the universe.
NURSE: Pulse rate's dropping.
V-Fib.
No pulse.
Crash cart.
The stone in the water, Tess, who threw it? I mean, who started all this? Does it matter? It does.
I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't me.
Oh, baby.
DOCTOR: Clear! â« When you walk down the road â« Heavy burden, heavy load â« I will rise and I will walk with you â« I'll walk with you till the sun don't even shine â« Walk with you, every time â« I'll tell you I'll walk with you â« Walk with you â« Believe me I'll walk with you â« (DOCTORS CLAMORING) DOCTOR: Asystole.
200 again.
Ready.
Clear.
Get back.
Mmm-hmm.
DOCTOR: Still flatlined.
Go to 360.
NURSE 1: Right.
Charging.
NURSE 2: Ready.
DOCTOR: Clear.
(SHOCKING PATIENT) DOCTOR: Asystole.
EMT: Still nothing.
What does that mean, Tess? Hello, Andrew.
DOCTOR: In here, quick.
This one's bad.
Does the family know what's going on? I don't know what's going on.
This was supposed to be just a simple assignment, but 12 hours ago everything changed.
Everything.
(BASKETBALL BOUNCING) Hey! Luke Brewer, coast to coast.
(CHUCKLING) Do you believe this, son, huh? It's done.
Pretty amazing.
(PANTING) Well, as minister of this church, I hereby declare jump ball.
(GRUNTING) Ah, you're making it easy on me.
Come on, Dad.
Run and gun's my game.
No, no, no, no.
The more you work it, the more you score.
Nice shot, Dad.
Of course, I gave it to you.
Uh-uh.
It's your center.
I figure you ought to get the first bucket.
No way you gave it to me.
Oh, Daniel, it was charity all the way.
Oh, well, then I gratefully accept.
For to whom much is given, much is expected.
Would you like to see that again? Let's go.
You okay, Dad? Yeah, it's that junkyard ankle.
GLORIA: Daniel? DANIEL: Oh, I'm fine.
Oh, honey, this is Monica, the building inspector.
How do you do? MONICA: Hello.
Everything's all right, I hope? Everything is perfect.
You have a beautiful place here.
Better be.
Dedication's this afternoon.
Oh, I got a call from the Pittsburgh paper.
They're sending a reporter.
Mechanicsburg's finally gonna get on the map.
Oh, Daniel, this is great.
Congratulations.
Well, I, uh I got one more stop to make, and then I'm gonna inaugurate the shower.
I don't know how to thank you, God.
Thank you for the privilege of, uh, doing something that honors you.
It wasn't always easy, but every time we got stuck, well, it seemed like there was an angel looking over us.
Thank you for all the people that helped.
Thank you for Tess.
Whenever we were running out of money I mean, when we were out, she was always there to raise it.
And thank you for Andrew.
Bless his mind and heart.
Give him the words and wisdom to help every kid who calls in on the Crisis Line.
Thank you for my son.
That kid He's your greatest gift, and I love him, even when he's late.
It's so nice to see a dedicated man, Tess.
This must've been a very satisfying assignment for you and Andrew.
We're leaving this Teen Center in good hands.
Well, that's it for this job.
I guess now I have time for you.
The hobby that's supposed to relax me.
(MONICA CHUCKLING) So, does he have a name yet? Has he started obeying me yet? I don't think so.
No obedience, no name.
I'll see you later.
I got plans for you.
We're not finished here, are we, Andrew? I thought all I had to do was train the counselors and set up the hotline, but then I got sent back.
Do you know why? No, but if God says we stay, we stay.
What are you Shoo, shoo, and don't go getting in that pound again.
I'm not bailing you out anymore.
Oh, and one more thing I could use your help on.
You know I've always been a small town preacher.
I've never used fancy words.
But that's okay, 'cause the folks in my flock, well, they're not fancy people.
But now we've got this big city reporter coming in and, well, Lord, more people are gonna find out how I feel about you in one newspaper article than all my sermons put together.
So, if you'd just help me with the words, I'd appreciate it.
You know, people are always saying to me, "I don't understand the teenagers today.
" "I can't relate to them.
" "What do they want? What do they need?" Well, if you listen to them, they'll tell you.
They need your time, they need your attention, they need your open hearts and your open minds, and that's what we're here to give them.
So thank you all for being here.
(CAMERAS CLICKING) And remember, God loves you and so do I.
(ALL CHEERING) A-ha! How are you, Gladys? Oh, I love you WOMAN: It's wonderful to be here.
DANIEL: Thank you for being here.
Thanks for your It was quite a speech, huh? What's it like having a Dad who's so popular? Great.
Really great.
Well, I wonder sometimes, does it feel like he's a tough act to follow? Yeah, sometimes, but he's a great guy.
I mean, everybody wishes they had him for a Dad.
And now with this place, I guess they do.
Well, in a way, but he'll always be your Dad.
And even though he gives to everyone else, he saves the best part of himself for you.
WOMAN: Reverend Brewer? Yes? Kelly Monroe from the Register Sunday Magazine.
Oh.
You agreed to talk to me after your speech.
Yes, well, I didn't anticipate such a turn-out.
Well, I'm sure this translates into the kind of money and notoriety a personality like you can build upon.
The church can build upon.
Yes, but there are ways a man like you, in the public eye, espousing a new philosophy, can capitalize on.
ANDREW: Um, excuse me.
Ladies and gentlemen, excuse me.
We have our first hotline caller.
Hello? Can you hold on a minute? Thanks.
Um She needs help with her algebra homework.
(ALL LAUGHING) I think I can handle that.
Hi.
Daniel, what a wonderful speech! Thanks.
Oh.
Excuse me.
Are you all right? Is that ankle bothering you? Oh, I'll I'll just give it a good soak when I get home.
You know, why don't you rest? Let me get you some aspirin, huh? You have to admit, there are ministers who set up operations like this for their own gain.
Perhaps, but that's really not what this center's all about.
Super speech, Dan.
Super.
Lorna thought so, too.
Thanks, Walt.
How about you, Karen? What'd you think? Um Hey, you know, uh, Karen's helping me with our annual statement.
She's gonna be an accountant just like her old man.
No, Dad, I Hey, end of discussion.
Well, I'm certain whatever Karen should decide to do, she'll be successful at it.
Well How we doing, Tess? Great.
Look at this.
Oh, my.
You're gonna help Tess make this tally.
Sure.
Oh, don't worry about it.
I think I got it covered.
Dan, you want punch? I'll get you some punch.
Karen? Yeah? You, uh You know, my Dad wanted me to be a doctor so bad it almost killed someone.
Me.
Pastor Brewer, I, uh Can I talk to you? Of course.
Pastor Brewer, your speech was so inspiring.
There's a group of young people in Greenville who would love to hear you talk to them.
I'd be honored.
Would you see to it I get the details? Yes, I will.
Thank you.
What do you need, Karen? Well, can I talk to you? Right here? Right now? Right now, I need you to finish this interview.
I'm on deadline.
Yes, but I think we ought to take a little time with this.
You need to understand what's going on here.
Karen, honey, this is a bad time.
Could we do this tomorrow, maybe? Sure.
Okay? Yeah, tomorrow.
All right.
KELLY: Pastor Brewer, I need a picture of you and your family to go with the article.
DANIEL: All right.
Oh, there's my son.
Luke? Luke, I'd like you to meet Miss Monroe.
She's a reporter from the Register.
Hi.
I'll tell you what.
Right after the reception, we'll get that family picture you wanted, and then you can talk with Luke and get a teen's perspective on the Center.
That okay with you, son? Sounds cool.
All right.
I just solved that problem.
I didn't know I was so good at the new math.
Maybe I should learn it.
I'm almost a $1,000 short.
Oh, that's a lot of money.
That's a lot of bake sales and bingo.
Maybe you should let me count it.
It won't do any good.
There are a lot of things around here that don't add up.
MONICA: Everything was sailing along so smoothly.
And then one person made a choice, and because of that, another person made a choice, and soon everybody involved was making choices.
Ripples in the pond.
I wish there were something I could've done.
I should've seen this coming.
No, Monica, you can't blame yourself.
Nobody can foretell the future, not even angels.
Karen, wait.
Leave me alone, Luke.
Look, I know you stole the money.
I saw you.
Oh, great.
Now your father's gonna tell my father, and then this whole thing is just gonna get even worse.
Maybe my Dad can help.
Why didn't you talk to him about it? I already tried.
He was too busy for me.
He's caught up with the Center.
It's a big deal.
Oh, and that makes a lot of sense.
He's too busy with the Teen Center to help a teenager out.
Isn't that the whole idea? Well, I'm here.
I'll listen.
I'll walk you home.
(SIGHING) No problem.
Glad to do it.
God bless you.
Thanks so much.
Thank you.
God bless you.
DANIEL: God bless you.
Thank you so much.
Is he always like this? Oh, no, no.
Thanks.
Sometimes he's popular.
Thanks so much.
We've got a problem, Daniel.
What? Tess can't make the books match.
She thinks we're missing almost a $1,000.
Well, probably just an accounting error.
Wouldn't be surprised if we couldn't blame it on that old antiquated adding machine Tess insists on using.
Listen, in my business missing money is no laughing matter.
Come on, Lorna.
I'm coming.
Oh, what a wonderful day.
A glorious day.
Pastor Brewer, what will the teen hotline mean to your church? Well, the church is its people.
It means our young people will have a place to turn to when they're in trouble.
Well, let's speak financially.
All this free publicity means more parishioners, and more parishioners mean more money.
Sounds to me like you've already written your story, Ms Monroe.
As I said before, this is not about the church receiving more money, and it angers me when people assume that if you're a person of faith you have a financial angle going.
Now, if you've come here in search of impropriety, I'm afraid you've come to the wrong church.
Pastor, I'm only doing my job.
That's all I'm trying to do, so why don't we write about that? Instead of some non-existent scandal? Um, would you excuse us for a moment? Sure.
(SIGHING) What? Are you sure you're up to this? I just want her to talk about what's going on here, not satisfy her own agenda.
Oh, and you think losing your temper will help.
Danny, you have to calm down.
I know how much this means to you.
You're right.
Maybe we should just cancel the whole thing, huh? Oh, that'd make for some dandy reading.
When asked about the financial holdings of the church, the Pastor cancelled the remainder of the interview.
(BOTH CHUCKLING) No.
But I do need Luke to help me show the real picture.
Where is he, anyway? Oh, you know that boy can't keep track of time.
(DOOR OPENING) Luke? No, it's just me.
Oh, Monica, you're working late.
Aye, but there are some parts of the building you can only inspect in the afternoon light.
Such as? Well, such as shadows.
You know, you can't have too many shadows.
It's a violation of the building code.
Very funny.
I was just trying to be thorough.
Have you seen Luke around? I thought he was going to be here for the pictures.
So did I.
Listen, I have a deadline.
Oh, he'll be here, Ms Monroe.
You can count on it.
Why'd you steal the money? So I could run away.
My friend Annie has a cousin that lives in San Diego.
Why'd you wanna run away? Because my father would never understand.
Understand what? This is kind of hard to talk about with the Pastor's son.
Maybe you should talk to the Pastor about it.
Whatever it is, my Dad'll come through for you.
He'll help you talk to your father.
He's a great guy, even for a Dad.
That's a good idea.
Thank you for your help, and I'll see you tomorrow.
You're sure you're okay? Yeah.
I just gotta go.
My Dad's waiting.
Take care of yourself? Yeah.
Karen, don't! No! Stop it! Let me go! Stop it! Stop it! Let me go! (SOBBING) Just let me go! I just don't understand it.
Luke knew this was important to Daniel.
Well, he's not in the gym.
Apparently, he's not anywhere in the building, period.
Interesting angle.
Minister who counsels teens has problems with his own.
It's not interesting, and it's not true.
Good.
Good.
Oh, God bless these lights, and when they're turned on, make them go on, and when they're turned off, make them go off.
(TELEPHONE RINGING) Hello.
Pastor Brewer's office.
Pastor Brewer, it's Luke.
Luke? Hi, Dad.
Where are you, Luke? I'm at Karen's.
Oh, no.
You're supposed to be here, son, for the pictures.
I know, I know, but There are no buts, Luke.
This is no time to be off someplace with a girl.
I need you here, son.
I need you now.
But, Dad I'm sorry, Dad.
I can't.
Luke? (BUSY TONE) Excuse me.
What'd he say? He said he'll make the time to talk to you.
Can we take your car? Um, sure, but you'd better drive.
That was Luke.
He, uh, lost track of time.
He's sorry.
I'm gonna go pick him up.
Uh, pick him up where? He's at Karen Gregg's.
He walked her home.
I won't be long.
Daniel, you're tired.
Look, why don't you stay here, take an aspirin for your ankle, and I'll go.
I'm okay.
No, you're not.
You're angry.
I'm not angry, okay? This evening is very important to me.
I want my son to be here.
I need Luke to be here.
Now, hang onto that reporter.
Don't let her go anywhere.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
Luke.
You don't know my Dad.
When he finds out what's going on, he'll really be there for you.
The day I had my confirmation, he wrote me a letter.
It was addressed, "To my son, on the day he becomes a man.
" What'd it say? It said that life can be hard, and when it gets hard, you're gonna forget everything about it that's beautiful.
But if you believe in yourself, and you believe in your family, and you believe in God, everything will be all right.
Do you believe that? Yeah, I do.
(SCREAMING) (CAR TIRES SCREECHING) (CRASHING) (AMBULANCE SIREN WAILING) (DOCTORS CHATTERING) (ECG BEEPING) (GROANS) DOCTOR: Mr.
Brewer? We checked your wallet and we notified your wife.
She should be down.
Your chart says you've been out for some time.
Chart? Oh, my God.
My car.
I hit someone, didn't I? I hit someone.
Yes, I know.
You were both rushed here by the paramedics.
But your injuries are fairly minor.
Well, who'd I hit? Are they okay? The one passenger is doing just fine.
The other one didn't make it.
My Lord.
(SOBBING) He was on his way home, just like you asked him to.
Luke's gone.
Oh, God, our baby's gone.
(DOORBELL RINGING) WOMAN: Pastor, I'm so sorry.
DANIEL: Thank you.
I just wanted you and Gloria to know that we'll all be there at the funeral.
If there's anything we can do.
Thank you.
I know what you're thinking.
Why don't you just say it? I drove that car.
I hit their car.
I killed our son.
(SOBBING) Hello, Gloria.
May I come in? You know, the secrets of these casseroles is to eat them, honey.
No, I can't eat.
I can't sleep.
All I can do is think.
What do you think about? Everything.
Every day of his life.
You see, I don't wanna forget anything about Luke, so that's what I think about all day and all night.
(SOBBING) I should've stopped him, Tess.
I shouldn't have let Dan go.
He was so angry and tired and in pain.
If only I'd given him the aspirin, you know, just the two minutes it would've taken to get it, they might've missed each other.
Just two minutes.
I could've stopped it.
No.
No, no, baby.
You don't know that, and I don't believe that.
God has not left you alone in this, and he doesn't want you judging yourself or anybody else.
He wants you to do what you've been doing.
Be his child.
Let him comfort you.
Nobody can comfort you better than he can right now.
I know that, and I think that's the only thing that's keeping me sane right now.
But I'm so worried about Daniel.
What do you mean? His faith has been shaken so hard.
He's not the same man.
Losing Luke, it hurt him, but the loss of his faith, that could destroy him.
God's not gonna let that happen, baby.
(SOBBING) I can't lose them both.
Oh, honey, honey.
(SHUSHING) It's gonna be all right.
Don't worry about it.
It's gonna be all right.
I put the car in the driveway.
Car? Yeah.
The, uh, Sheriff's Department said there wouldn't be any investigation, I should just bring the car back to you.
Thanks.
Sign right there, please.
If I were you, I wouldn't even try to fix that thing.
Just let the insurance company take it away.
And don't let them try to rip you off.
That was a nice car.
Yeah.
Okay, thanks.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING) That was quite a sermon for a non-preacher.
Well, thank you, thanks.
I didn't have a lot of time to prepare, but it came from the heart.
Very nice.
Thanks.
Thank you.
Thanks.
Bye.
Excuse me.
Karen? I am so sorry about Luke.
I know that you guys were friends.
Don't forget, the, uh, crisis hotline is up and running now, and if anybody's been through a crisis recently, it's you.
I'll let you know if I need to talk.
What about if you need to cry? There's nothing left to cry about.
Is this a test? Because if it is, I'm failing, Lord.
(SOBBING) I'm failing.
How could you take my son? I've been your good, loyal servant all my life, and this is the reward I get? What did I do wrong? What kind of God could let this happen? Well, not the God I believed in.
Not the God I loved.
Where did you go? Oh, Tess, I thought his faith would help him through this terrible time.
Daniel is a man who's losing his faith, baby, and he's losing his faith just when he needs it the most.
Pastor Brewer? Now's not a good time, Karen.
I just need to talk.
We've both been through something terrible, and I just thought maybe we could help each other.
I wish we could, but I have no one else to talk to.
Just, please, help me.
How can I help you, if I can't even help myself? You need a man of God, Karen.
That's not who I am anymore.
I'm sorry.
(ORGAN PLAYING) (SIGHS) Pastor Brewer should be here by now.
It's time for the service to start.
How could he be late for his own son's funeral? I don't think the Bishop can wait much longer.
You'd better go tend the flock, while you go find the shepherd.
There's a passage in the Bible that says, for everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.
A time to be born, and a time to die.
I believe this is what you would call a time out.
Monica? I am an angel.
An angel? Sent by God to help you.
To help me? Now he decides to help me.
Where was he when my son was dying? God is always with you, Daniel, and now Luke is with him.
Luke is with him, and I'm alone.
God is with you, too.
Is he? Doesn't feel like it.
I'm so lonely.
I can't get used to my son not being here.
I wake up every morning wanting to hear the sound of his voice.
I wanna see him smile.
(SOBBING) I wanna put my arms around him and hug him just one more time.
Just once more.
Some day you will.
The last words I said to him were in anger, but I love him.
I love my son, and I didn't get a chance to tell him.
He knows.
You and Luke had a very special relationship.
He told me how much he loved and admired you.
He knew then how much you loved him, and believe me, Daniel, he knows now.
If only I hadn't got in that car.
If only I hadn't driven to get him.
It was an accident.
I killed my son.
God could've stopped it from happening.
Why did God let it happen? People have free will, and they make choices that determine their fate.
Luke chose to stay and help Karen.
You chose to get in the car.
No one is blaming you for the choice that you made, but you have to accept responsibility for making it, because only then can you fully receive the forgiveness your heart needs to heal.
Forgiveness.
How can he forgive me? All my fancy speeches about listen to the kids and listen to God.
I'm the biggest phony there is.
I didn't listen to Luke, I didn't listen to Karen, I didn't listen to Gloria, I didn't listen to God, and "Listen to God," I used to say.
"Listen to him.
" I believed it.
I believed it and I preached it, and then when it counted, I couldn't live it.
And I've failed.
You failed and you're human.
Just because you're a man of faith doesn't mean you won't make mistakes.
It means that when no one will understand why you made them, you know that God will.
And it means that when no one can forgive you, you know that God can.
Because he will forgive you, Daniel.
He will.
Will you let him? (SOBBING) Oh, God.
Please, please, please forgive me.
You have to forgive yourself.
He wants you to carry on.
He has work for you to do.
It's up to you, Daniel.
Will you do it? Karen, what are you doing? Stay away from me.
Let me help you.
It's too late.
I'm sorry I turned away from you in church.
It doesn't matter now.
Sure it does.
We can talk about this.
I don't wanna talk.
Okay, okay, then I'll talk.
I'll talk about Luke.
No.
Don't you get it? If I wasn't so screwed up, Luke would still be alive.
Is that what you've been thinking? That you're to blame? It started with me.
It wasn't your fault.
Yes, it was.
He was helping me.
He was the only one that cared and he died because of it.
I don't know why he had to die.
I know I was the one that was driving the car that killed him, but I don't know why he had to die.
I do know it had nothing to do with you.
Luke was doing what he wanted to do.
He was where he was supposed to be.
He was always where he was supposed to be.
He was there for you when I wasn't.
Let me Let me be here for you now the way my son was.
It's too late.
I've screwed up too much.
We're just human beings doing the best we can.
God knows that.
God doesn't want anything to do with me.
He won't listen to me now.
God always listens.
I have that on high authority.
I promise you, this time I'm listening, too.
You know the money that Tess said was missing from the church fundraiser? Yes.
I took it.
I had to get away.
Luke saw me.
He was trying to convince me to give it back and stay.
He said he would help me if I stayed.
He said you'd help me.
Can you tell me what it is you're trying to run from? There's nothing you can do.
There's nothing anyone can do.
I can do what I should've done with my son.
I can listen.
Luke said you would.
Luke was right.
I screwed up, too, big time, but I'm here for you now, and I won't desert you.
I'm pregnant.
Must be very scary for you.
My father is gonna kill me.
I promise, no matter how angry your father may be, deep in his heart he loves you.
He'd do anything for a chance to help you.
Anything.
But I can't tell him.
I'm scared.
We'll tell him together.
We'll see this thing through together.
I promise.
(ORGAN PLAYING) (PEOPLE CRYING) MAN: (WHISPERING) Pastor's here.
Oh, thank God.
Forgive me.
Luke was my world.
That's how I feel.
I wish I'd told him that every day he was alive.
He was such a beautiful young man.
These past few days, I've lost my way.
Guess that's not much of a secret.
I've doubted, I've questioned, I've been very angry with God, and yet somehow, right here, this moment, now I feel closer to him than ever before.
Because God is merciful.
He is.
You know, as humans, we can't always understand his plan, but he loves us beyond measure, and if we accept that and do his work, well, little miracles just seem to happen all around us.
When Luke died, he was doing God's work in the purest way.
He was doing his best to help a friend.
Thank you for that, son.
I promise you I'll spend the rest of my life trying to live up to your example.
So, here we are, Lord.
Take my son unto yourself, and show us how to carry on.
What are you thinking? He was a good kid.
Yes, he was.
He certainly was.
So, I think we're through here, Miss Wings.
What I was thinking about was, who's going to play one on one with Daniel now? Don't worry about it.
The Lord always provides a match-up.
(DOG WHINING) I don't feel like playing right now.
Come on.
When are you gonna give this wee dog a name, Tess? He gets a name when he gets trained.
Come.
I said, come.
Okay, be that way.
(DOVE COOING)
EMT: Pupils are now blown.
Pulse rate is thready.
DOCTOR: Hyperventilate.
We're gonna have to intubate.
On three.
One, two, three.
Tube in.
Breath sounds? Yes.
Get that neurologist out here, stat.
Let's go, people.
Did you know this was going to happen? Of course not.
These things are never part of the plan.
But our work was over.
Our assignment was finished.
Nothing is ever over, and God is never finished.
Humans see to that.
I can't believe it.
One moment, one little thing, one tiny decision, everything changes.
No.
A lot of little things led up to this.
That's the problem.
It's like ripples on the water.
People cannot always see the ripples before they cast a stone into the universe.
NURSE: Pulse rate's dropping.
V-Fib.
No pulse.
Crash cart.
The stone in the water, Tess, who threw it? I mean, who started all this? Does it matter? It does.
I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't me.
Oh, baby.
DOCTOR: Clear! â« When you walk down the road â« Heavy burden, heavy load â« I will rise and I will walk with you â« I'll walk with you till the sun don't even shine â« Walk with you, every time â« I'll tell you I'll walk with you â« Walk with you â« Believe me I'll walk with you â« (DOCTORS CLAMORING) DOCTOR: Asystole.
200 again.
Ready.
Clear.
Get back.
Mmm-hmm.
DOCTOR: Still flatlined.
Go to 360.
NURSE 1: Right.
Charging.
NURSE 2: Ready.
DOCTOR: Clear.
(SHOCKING PATIENT) DOCTOR: Asystole.
EMT: Still nothing.
What does that mean, Tess? Hello, Andrew.
DOCTOR: In here, quick.
This one's bad.
Does the family know what's going on? I don't know what's going on.
This was supposed to be just a simple assignment, but 12 hours ago everything changed.
Everything.
(BASKETBALL BOUNCING) Hey! Luke Brewer, coast to coast.
(CHUCKLING) Do you believe this, son, huh? It's done.
Pretty amazing.
(PANTING) Well, as minister of this church, I hereby declare jump ball.
(GRUNTING) Ah, you're making it easy on me.
Come on, Dad.
Run and gun's my game.
No, no, no, no.
The more you work it, the more you score.
Nice shot, Dad.
Of course, I gave it to you.
Uh-uh.
It's your center.
I figure you ought to get the first bucket.
No way you gave it to me.
Oh, Daniel, it was charity all the way.
Oh, well, then I gratefully accept.
For to whom much is given, much is expected.
Would you like to see that again? Let's go.
You okay, Dad? Yeah, it's that junkyard ankle.
GLORIA: Daniel? DANIEL: Oh, I'm fine.
Oh, honey, this is Monica, the building inspector.
How do you do? MONICA: Hello.
Everything's all right, I hope? Everything is perfect.
You have a beautiful place here.
Better be.
Dedication's this afternoon.
Oh, I got a call from the Pittsburgh paper.
They're sending a reporter.
Mechanicsburg's finally gonna get on the map.
Oh, Daniel, this is great.
Congratulations.
Well, I, uh I got one more stop to make, and then I'm gonna inaugurate the shower.
I don't know how to thank you, God.
Thank you for the privilege of, uh, doing something that honors you.
It wasn't always easy, but every time we got stuck, well, it seemed like there was an angel looking over us.
Thank you for all the people that helped.
Thank you for Tess.
Whenever we were running out of money I mean, when we were out, she was always there to raise it.
And thank you for Andrew.
Bless his mind and heart.
Give him the words and wisdom to help every kid who calls in on the Crisis Line.
Thank you for my son.
That kid He's your greatest gift, and I love him, even when he's late.
It's so nice to see a dedicated man, Tess.
This must've been a very satisfying assignment for you and Andrew.
We're leaving this Teen Center in good hands.
Well, that's it for this job.
I guess now I have time for you.
The hobby that's supposed to relax me.
(MONICA CHUCKLING) So, does he have a name yet? Has he started obeying me yet? I don't think so.
No obedience, no name.
I'll see you later.
I got plans for you.
We're not finished here, are we, Andrew? I thought all I had to do was train the counselors and set up the hotline, but then I got sent back.
Do you know why? No, but if God says we stay, we stay.
What are you Shoo, shoo, and don't go getting in that pound again.
I'm not bailing you out anymore.
Oh, and one more thing I could use your help on.
You know I've always been a small town preacher.
I've never used fancy words.
But that's okay, 'cause the folks in my flock, well, they're not fancy people.
But now we've got this big city reporter coming in and, well, Lord, more people are gonna find out how I feel about you in one newspaper article than all my sermons put together.
So, if you'd just help me with the words, I'd appreciate it.
You know, people are always saying to me, "I don't understand the teenagers today.
" "I can't relate to them.
" "What do they want? What do they need?" Well, if you listen to them, they'll tell you.
They need your time, they need your attention, they need your open hearts and your open minds, and that's what we're here to give them.
So thank you all for being here.
(CAMERAS CLICKING) And remember, God loves you and so do I.
(ALL CHEERING) A-ha! How are you, Gladys? Oh, I love you WOMAN: It's wonderful to be here.
DANIEL: Thank you for being here.
Thanks for your It was quite a speech, huh? What's it like having a Dad who's so popular? Great.
Really great.
Well, I wonder sometimes, does it feel like he's a tough act to follow? Yeah, sometimes, but he's a great guy.
I mean, everybody wishes they had him for a Dad.
And now with this place, I guess they do.
Well, in a way, but he'll always be your Dad.
And even though he gives to everyone else, he saves the best part of himself for you.
WOMAN: Reverend Brewer? Yes? Kelly Monroe from the Register Sunday Magazine.
Oh.
You agreed to talk to me after your speech.
Yes, well, I didn't anticipate such a turn-out.
Well, I'm sure this translates into the kind of money and notoriety a personality like you can build upon.
The church can build upon.
Yes, but there are ways a man like you, in the public eye, espousing a new philosophy, can capitalize on.
ANDREW: Um, excuse me.
Ladies and gentlemen, excuse me.
We have our first hotline caller.
Hello? Can you hold on a minute? Thanks.
Um She needs help with her algebra homework.
(ALL LAUGHING) I think I can handle that.
Hi.
Daniel, what a wonderful speech! Thanks.
Oh.
Excuse me.
Are you all right? Is that ankle bothering you? Oh, I'll I'll just give it a good soak when I get home.
You know, why don't you rest? Let me get you some aspirin, huh? You have to admit, there are ministers who set up operations like this for their own gain.
Perhaps, but that's really not what this center's all about.
Super speech, Dan.
Super.
Lorna thought so, too.
Thanks, Walt.
How about you, Karen? What'd you think? Um Hey, you know, uh, Karen's helping me with our annual statement.
She's gonna be an accountant just like her old man.
No, Dad, I Hey, end of discussion.
Well, I'm certain whatever Karen should decide to do, she'll be successful at it.
Well How we doing, Tess? Great.
Look at this.
Oh, my.
You're gonna help Tess make this tally.
Sure.
Oh, don't worry about it.
I think I got it covered.
Dan, you want punch? I'll get you some punch.
Karen? Yeah? You, uh You know, my Dad wanted me to be a doctor so bad it almost killed someone.
Me.
Pastor Brewer, I, uh Can I talk to you? Of course.
Pastor Brewer, your speech was so inspiring.
There's a group of young people in Greenville who would love to hear you talk to them.
I'd be honored.
Would you see to it I get the details? Yes, I will.
Thank you.
What do you need, Karen? Well, can I talk to you? Right here? Right now? Right now, I need you to finish this interview.
I'm on deadline.
Yes, but I think we ought to take a little time with this.
You need to understand what's going on here.
Karen, honey, this is a bad time.
Could we do this tomorrow, maybe? Sure.
Okay? Yeah, tomorrow.
All right.
KELLY: Pastor Brewer, I need a picture of you and your family to go with the article.
DANIEL: All right.
Oh, there's my son.
Luke? Luke, I'd like you to meet Miss Monroe.
She's a reporter from the Register.
Hi.
I'll tell you what.
Right after the reception, we'll get that family picture you wanted, and then you can talk with Luke and get a teen's perspective on the Center.
That okay with you, son? Sounds cool.
All right.
I just solved that problem.
I didn't know I was so good at the new math.
Maybe I should learn it.
I'm almost a $1,000 short.
Oh, that's a lot of money.
That's a lot of bake sales and bingo.
Maybe you should let me count it.
It won't do any good.
There are a lot of things around here that don't add up.
MONICA: Everything was sailing along so smoothly.
And then one person made a choice, and because of that, another person made a choice, and soon everybody involved was making choices.
Ripples in the pond.
I wish there were something I could've done.
I should've seen this coming.
No, Monica, you can't blame yourself.
Nobody can foretell the future, not even angels.
Karen, wait.
Leave me alone, Luke.
Look, I know you stole the money.
I saw you.
Oh, great.
Now your father's gonna tell my father, and then this whole thing is just gonna get even worse.
Maybe my Dad can help.
Why didn't you talk to him about it? I already tried.
He was too busy for me.
He's caught up with the Center.
It's a big deal.
Oh, and that makes a lot of sense.
He's too busy with the Teen Center to help a teenager out.
Isn't that the whole idea? Well, I'm here.
I'll listen.
I'll walk you home.
(SIGHING) No problem.
Glad to do it.
God bless you.
Thanks so much.
Thank you.
God bless you.
DANIEL: God bless you.
Thank you so much.
Is he always like this? Oh, no, no.
Thanks.
Sometimes he's popular.
Thanks so much.
We've got a problem, Daniel.
What? Tess can't make the books match.
She thinks we're missing almost a $1,000.
Well, probably just an accounting error.
Wouldn't be surprised if we couldn't blame it on that old antiquated adding machine Tess insists on using.
Listen, in my business missing money is no laughing matter.
Come on, Lorna.
I'm coming.
Oh, what a wonderful day.
A glorious day.
Pastor Brewer, what will the teen hotline mean to your church? Well, the church is its people.
It means our young people will have a place to turn to when they're in trouble.
Well, let's speak financially.
All this free publicity means more parishioners, and more parishioners mean more money.
Sounds to me like you've already written your story, Ms Monroe.
As I said before, this is not about the church receiving more money, and it angers me when people assume that if you're a person of faith you have a financial angle going.
Now, if you've come here in search of impropriety, I'm afraid you've come to the wrong church.
Pastor, I'm only doing my job.
That's all I'm trying to do, so why don't we write about that? Instead of some non-existent scandal? Um, would you excuse us for a moment? Sure.
(SIGHING) What? Are you sure you're up to this? I just want her to talk about what's going on here, not satisfy her own agenda.
Oh, and you think losing your temper will help.
Danny, you have to calm down.
I know how much this means to you.
You're right.
Maybe we should just cancel the whole thing, huh? Oh, that'd make for some dandy reading.
When asked about the financial holdings of the church, the Pastor cancelled the remainder of the interview.
(BOTH CHUCKLING) No.
But I do need Luke to help me show the real picture.
Where is he, anyway? Oh, you know that boy can't keep track of time.
(DOOR OPENING) Luke? No, it's just me.
Oh, Monica, you're working late.
Aye, but there are some parts of the building you can only inspect in the afternoon light.
Such as? Well, such as shadows.
You know, you can't have too many shadows.
It's a violation of the building code.
Very funny.
I was just trying to be thorough.
Have you seen Luke around? I thought he was going to be here for the pictures.
So did I.
Listen, I have a deadline.
Oh, he'll be here, Ms Monroe.
You can count on it.
Why'd you steal the money? So I could run away.
My friend Annie has a cousin that lives in San Diego.
Why'd you wanna run away? Because my father would never understand.
Understand what? This is kind of hard to talk about with the Pastor's son.
Maybe you should talk to the Pastor about it.
Whatever it is, my Dad'll come through for you.
He'll help you talk to your father.
He's a great guy, even for a Dad.
That's a good idea.
Thank you for your help, and I'll see you tomorrow.
You're sure you're okay? Yeah.
I just gotta go.
My Dad's waiting.
Take care of yourself? Yeah.
Karen, don't! No! Stop it! Let me go! Stop it! Stop it! Let me go! (SOBBING) Just let me go! I just don't understand it.
Luke knew this was important to Daniel.
Well, he's not in the gym.
Apparently, he's not anywhere in the building, period.
Interesting angle.
Minister who counsels teens has problems with his own.
It's not interesting, and it's not true.
Good.
Good.
Oh, God bless these lights, and when they're turned on, make them go on, and when they're turned off, make them go off.
(TELEPHONE RINGING) Hello.
Pastor Brewer's office.
Pastor Brewer, it's Luke.
Luke? Hi, Dad.
Where are you, Luke? I'm at Karen's.
Oh, no.
You're supposed to be here, son, for the pictures.
I know, I know, but There are no buts, Luke.
This is no time to be off someplace with a girl.
I need you here, son.
I need you now.
But, Dad I'm sorry, Dad.
I can't.
Luke? (BUSY TONE) Excuse me.
What'd he say? He said he'll make the time to talk to you.
Can we take your car? Um, sure, but you'd better drive.
That was Luke.
He, uh, lost track of time.
He's sorry.
I'm gonna go pick him up.
Uh, pick him up where? He's at Karen Gregg's.
He walked her home.
I won't be long.
Daniel, you're tired.
Look, why don't you stay here, take an aspirin for your ankle, and I'll go.
I'm okay.
No, you're not.
You're angry.
I'm not angry, okay? This evening is very important to me.
I want my son to be here.
I need Luke to be here.
Now, hang onto that reporter.
Don't let her go anywhere.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
Luke.
You don't know my Dad.
When he finds out what's going on, he'll really be there for you.
The day I had my confirmation, he wrote me a letter.
It was addressed, "To my son, on the day he becomes a man.
" What'd it say? It said that life can be hard, and when it gets hard, you're gonna forget everything about it that's beautiful.
But if you believe in yourself, and you believe in your family, and you believe in God, everything will be all right.
Do you believe that? Yeah, I do.
(SCREAMING) (CAR TIRES SCREECHING) (CRASHING) (AMBULANCE SIREN WAILING) (DOCTORS CHATTERING) (ECG BEEPING) (GROANS) DOCTOR: Mr.
Brewer? We checked your wallet and we notified your wife.
She should be down.
Your chart says you've been out for some time.
Chart? Oh, my God.
My car.
I hit someone, didn't I? I hit someone.
Yes, I know.
You were both rushed here by the paramedics.
But your injuries are fairly minor.
Well, who'd I hit? Are they okay? The one passenger is doing just fine.
The other one didn't make it.
My Lord.
(SOBBING) He was on his way home, just like you asked him to.
Luke's gone.
Oh, God, our baby's gone.
(DOORBELL RINGING) WOMAN: Pastor, I'm so sorry.
DANIEL: Thank you.
I just wanted you and Gloria to know that we'll all be there at the funeral.
If there's anything we can do.
Thank you.
I know what you're thinking.
Why don't you just say it? I drove that car.
I hit their car.
I killed our son.
(SOBBING) Hello, Gloria.
May I come in? You know, the secrets of these casseroles is to eat them, honey.
No, I can't eat.
I can't sleep.
All I can do is think.
What do you think about? Everything.
Every day of his life.
You see, I don't wanna forget anything about Luke, so that's what I think about all day and all night.
(SOBBING) I should've stopped him, Tess.
I shouldn't have let Dan go.
He was so angry and tired and in pain.
If only I'd given him the aspirin, you know, just the two minutes it would've taken to get it, they might've missed each other.
Just two minutes.
I could've stopped it.
No.
No, no, baby.
You don't know that, and I don't believe that.
God has not left you alone in this, and he doesn't want you judging yourself or anybody else.
He wants you to do what you've been doing.
Be his child.
Let him comfort you.
Nobody can comfort you better than he can right now.
I know that, and I think that's the only thing that's keeping me sane right now.
But I'm so worried about Daniel.
What do you mean? His faith has been shaken so hard.
He's not the same man.
Losing Luke, it hurt him, but the loss of his faith, that could destroy him.
God's not gonna let that happen, baby.
(SOBBING) I can't lose them both.
Oh, honey, honey.
(SHUSHING) It's gonna be all right.
Don't worry about it.
It's gonna be all right.
I put the car in the driveway.
Car? Yeah.
The, uh, Sheriff's Department said there wouldn't be any investigation, I should just bring the car back to you.
Thanks.
Sign right there, please.
If I were you, I wouldn't even try to fix that thing.
Just let the insurance company take it away.
And don't let them try to rip you off.
That was a nice car.
Yeah.
Okay, thanks.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING) That was quite a sermon for a non-preacher.
Well, thank you, thanks.
I didn't have a lot of time to prepare, but it came from the heart.
Very nice.
Thanks.
Thank you.
Thanks.
Bye.
Excuse me.
Karen? I am so sorry about Luke.
I know that you guys were friends.
Don't forget, the, uh, crisis hotline is up and running now, and if anybody's been through a crisis recently, it's you.
I'll let you know if I need to talk.
What about if you need to cry? There's nothing left to cry about.
Is this a test? Because if it is, I'm failing, Lord.
(SOBBING) I'm failing.
How could you take my son? I've been your good, loyal servant all my life, and this is the reward I get? What did I do wrong? What kind of God could let this happen? Well, not the God I believed in.
Not the God I loved.
Where did you go? Oh, Tess, I thought his faith would help him through this terrible time.
Daniel is a man who's losing his faith, baby, and he's losing his faith just when he needs it the most.
Pastor Brewer? Now's not a good time, Karen.
I just need to talk.
We've both been through something terrible, and I just thought maybe we could help each other.
I wish we could, but I have no one else to talk to.
Just, please, help me.
How can I help you, if I can't even help myself? You need a man of God, Karen.
That's not who I am anymore.
I'm sorry.
(ORGAN PLAYING) (SIGHS) Pastor Brewer should be here by now.
It's time for the service to start.
How could he be late for his own son's funeral? I don't think the Bishop can wait much longer.
You'd better go tend the flock, while you go find the shepherd.
There's a passage in the Bible that says, for everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.
A time to be born, and a time to die.
I believe this is what you would call a time out.
Monica? I am an angel.
An angel? Sent by God to help you.
To help me? Now he decides to help me.
Where was he when my son was dying? God is always with you, Daniel, and now Luke is with him.
Luke is with him, and I'm alone.
God is with you, too.
Is he? Doesn't feel like it.
I'm so lonely.
I can't get used to my son not being here.
I wake up every morning wanting to hear the sound of his voice.
I wanna see him smile.
(SOBBING) I wanna put my arms around him and hug him just one more time.
Just once more.
Some day you will.
The last words I said to him were in anger, but I love him.
I love my son, and I didn't get a chance to tell him.
He knows.
You and Luke had a very special relationship.
He told me how much he loved and admired you.
He knew then how much you loved him, and believe me, Daniel, he knows now.
If only I hadn't got in that car.
If only I hadn't driven to get him.
It was an accident.
I killed my son.
God could've stopped it from happening.
Why did God let it happen? People have free will, and they make choices that determine their fate.
Luke chose to stay and help Karen.
You chose to get in the car.
No one is blaming you for the choice that you made, but you have to accept responsibility for making it, because only then can you fully receive the forgiveness your heart needs to heal.
Forgiveness.
How can he forgive me? All my fancy speeches about listen to the kids and listen to God.
I'm the biggest phony there is.
I didn't listen to Luke, I didn't listen to Karen, I didn't listen to Gloria, I didn't listen to God, and "Listen to God," I used to say.
"Listen to him.
" I believed it.
I believed it and I preached it, and then when it counted, I couldn't live it.
And I've failed.
You failed and you're human.
Just because you're a man of faith doesn't mean you won't make mistakes.
It means that when no one will understand why you made them, you know that God will.
And it means that when no one can forgive you, you know that God can.
Because he will forgive you, Daniel.
He will.
Will you let him? (SOBBING) Oh, God.
Please, please, please forgive me.
You have to forgive yourself.
He wants you to carry on.
He has work for you to do.
It's up to you, Daniel.
Will you do it? Karen, what are you doing? Stay away from me.
Let me help you.
It's too late.
I'm sorry I turned away from you in church.
It doesn't matter now.
Sure it does.
We can talk about this.
I don't wanna talk.
Okay, okay, then I'll talk.
I'll talk about Luke.
No.
Don't you get it? If I wasn't so screwed up, Luke would still be alive.
Is that what you've been thinking? That you're to blame? It started with me.
It wasn't your fault.
Yes, it was.
He was helping me.
He was the only one that cared and he died because of it.
I don't know why he had to die.
I know I was the one that was driving the car that killed him, but I don't know why he had to die.
I do know it had nothing to do with you.
Luke was doing what he wanted to do.
He was where he was supposed to be.
He was always where he was supposed to be.
He was there for you when I wasn't.
Let me Let me be here for you now the way my son was.
It's too late.
I've screwed up too much.
We're just human beings doing the best we can.
God knows that.
God doesn't want anything to do with me.
He won't listen to me now.
God always listens.
I have that on high authority.
I promise you, this time I'm listening, too.
You know the money that Tess said was missing from the church fundraiser? Yes.
I took it.
I had to get away.
Luke saw me.
He was trying to convince me to give it back and stay.
He said he would help me if I stayed.
He said you'd help me.
Can you tell me what it is you're trying to run from? There's nothing you can do.
There's nothing anyone can do.
I can do what I should've done with my son.
I can listen.
Luke said you would.
Luke was right.
I screwed up, too, big time, but I'm here for you now, and I won't desert you.
I'm pregnant.
Must be very scary for you.
My father is gonna kill me.
I promise, no matter how angry your father may be, deep in his heart he loves you.
He'd do anything for a chance to help you.
Anything.
But I can't tell him.
I'm scared.
We'll tell him together.
We'll see this thing through together.
I promise.
(ORGAN PLAYING) (PEOPLE CRYING) MAN: (WHISPERING) Pastor's here.
Oh, thank God.
Forgive me.
Luke was my world.
That's how I feel.
I wish I'd told him that every day he was alive.
He was such a beautiful young man.
These past few days, I've lost my way.
Guess that's not much of a secret.
I've doubted, I've questioned, I've been very angry with God, and yet somehow, right here, this moment, now I feel closer to him than ever before.
Because God is merciful.
He is.
You know, as humans, we can't always understand his plan, but he loves us beyond measure, and if we accept that and do his work, well, little miracles just seem to happen all around us.
When Luke died, he was doing God's work in the purest way.
He was doing his best to help a friend.
Thank you for that, son.
I promise you I'll spend the rest of my life trying to live up to your example.
So, here we are, Lord.
Take my son unto yourself, and show us how to carry on.
What are you thinking? He was a good kid.
Yes, he was.
He certainly was.
So, I think we're through here, Miss Wings.
What I was thinking about was, who's going to play one on one with Daniel now? Don't worry about it.
The Lord always provides a match-up.
(DOG WHINING) I don't feel like playing right now.
Come on.
When are you gonna give this wee dog a name, Tess? He gets a name when he gets trained.
Come.
I said, come.
Okay, be that way.
(DOVE COOING)