MY SO-CALLED LIFE [So-Called Angels]

Season 1, Episode 15

Voices

[Rickie stumbles to the ground. Blood flows from his mouth] And love and trust me here. And with this day give and serve, to life, to guard, to hold, and to guide, Amen. I have nowhere to go. I am so hungry. Dear God. [guitar chords from Silent Night]

Danielle

It's not fair. Angela got a new bike when she was eleven.

Graham

What do you do? Keep like running tally of everything we bought for Angela?

Danielle

Well, yeah.

Patty

Danielle, we cannot afford that partic -- oh, a Christmas card from the Levettis?

Graham

So?

Patty

Well, I finally took them off the list! We haven't laid eyes on them since Danielle started solids, and now out of nowhere they send this?

Graham

Patty, it's a greeting card, not a dead fish.

Patty

Yeah, but if I send them a card now, it's going to look like I'm only sending them a card because they sent us a card.

Danielle

Angela got new boots?

Patty

Oh, Danielle, stop keeping score.

Graham

Those are nice; they must be warm.

Angela

How come we never go to church?

Graham

Uh, well --

Patty

Well, you know, in the last few years -- you girls, um -- haven't -- shown much enthusiasm.

Angela

So, do you believe in God?

Graham

Well, look, just because --

Patty

You know, just because we don't attend church on a regular basis doesn't mean that, um --

Graham

Exactly, I mean y-you -- you can believe in God without --

Patty

Yeah, because you know your your father was raised Catholic, and I -- wasn't so we have certain -- certain -- differences which which doesn't mean that we don't --

Danielle

Do we have to keep talking about religion? It's Christmas.

Chorus

Away in a manger/No crib for his bed/The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head...

Rayanne

Boy, people get swept up in this Christmas thing, huh?

Angela

You mean, you don't?

Rayanne

Yeah, but my mom and I like to wait -- for stuff to go on sale.

Angela

Oh, my God.

Rickie

Oh, it's okay. I'm fine. I was running to catch the bus and I slipped on a stupid patch of ice. All these people had to help me. It was stupid; I was embarrassed.

Rayanne

Well --

Angela

So you landed on your face or something?

Rickie

Oh, I don't know -- how am I supposed to know? Does anybody have quarters? I need to get a candy bar before soc.

Rayanne

It's cool, I've got change.

Rickie

Cool. Ah, see you later.

Angela

Rayanne -- do you think it was true -- about falling?

Rayanne

Sure, probably. I don't know. Look, Angel-food, there is -- see, Rickie has this like tendency -- to get beat up, and he doesn't always love talking about it. [she walks away. As she passes Sharon] Teenage help line?

Sharon

[excited] Yeah, what about it?

Rayanne

I don't know, just -- making depressed people talk to someone like you. Couldn't that, like, I dunno, push them over the edge?

Sharon

Over the edge. That's like your address, right? [Rayanne laughs hysterically, and scatters Sharon's flyers all over the floor] Krakow! Hey, here, take some of these. So we're set, right? Christmas Eve. You and I, representing Liberty High at the teen help line.

Brian

Look, Cherski, um --

Sharon

Krakow -- you signed up.

Brian

So, unsign me.

Patty

You will not believe what Bernice and Bob Krakow did.

Graham

Oh, I know, but just that once, right? To make Brian, huh?

Patty

They skipped town.

Graham

What?

Patty

Seriously. They're on some ten-day cruise. Bernice called me from the boat -- would I look in on Brian.

Graham

Oh, Brian's a level-headed kid. He probably likes having the place to himself.

Patty

For Christmas?

Graham

Well, the Krakows are Jewish, aren't they, I mean, didn't Hannukah already happen, or something?

Patty

I think so. Girls! We're going out -- to purchase a few -- lumps of coal.

Graham

I love the mall this time of year. So what do you want for Christmas, shorty?

Patty

I want you to come with us to church, on Christmas Eve. Would you just think about it?

Graham

Uh, church isn't for me. Come on, we should get going before all the -- junk that nobody needs is snapped up.

Patty

Wait, wait. Look. I - I know that it hasn't been a part of our lives, and it certainly isn't a part of the girls', but the thing is -- I want it to be.

Graham

Then you should go.

Angela

[taking out the trash. She is startled by a noise] Who is it? Who's there?

Rickie

Hey, it's okay.

Angela

Oh, Rickie, what are you doing?

Rickie

Sorry -- I - I -- did I scare you?

Angela

No, I just -- come in.

Rickie

Uh, I was at -- uh, Brian's so I just thought, you know, I'd stop by. Today at Rayanne's, uh, Amber's boyfriend Rusty was there. Boy is he unfriendly.

Angela

So you went from Rayanne's to Brian's?

Rickie

Yeah, I just realized -- Amber and Rusty -- must like earth tones.

Danielle

Isn't it kinda late at night to like drop by?

Angela

Danielle!

Rickie

No, she's right. I - I should go, you know? [pauses as he leaves] God, your house smells like amazing.

Angela

My dad's teaching like this cooking class now, so -- he's trying lots of recipes. Are you hungry or something?

Rickie

Mm, thanks. I must have forgotten to eat lunch today. It must have slipped my mind or something.

Angela

Uh, yeah, it happens to me sometimes.

Patty

Who tracked all these wet footprints in the hall? Oh, Rickie's here. Graham, uh, look, Rickie's here.

Graham

Clearly.

Angela

He was visiting Brian Krakow, so --

Rickie

Uh, I - I guess my shoes are leaky. I'll wipe it up. I - I'm sorry.

Patty

It's no big deal. Uh, sweetie, um -- could we see you for a minute? I - I need you to try something on.

Angela

Look, it's no big deal, all right?

Patty

Why don't you just tell us what's going on and we'll decide if it's a big deal?

Graham

What happened? Was he in a fight?

Angela

He says he fell.

Patty

Well, in any case, it's awfully late to be having friends over.

Angela

I don't think he has anywhere to go.

Graham

Did he say that?

Angela

No, I just have this feeling.

Graham

Look, sweetie, if he's run away from home [Rickie listens from the kitchen] or if there's something really wrong --

Patty

Maybe your father and I should talk to him.

Angela

No, that'll just freak him out worse. Couldn't he just stay here for one night?

Patty

Honey, it's not our place. What if his parents are expecting him? What if -- honey, having him stay here is not the answer.

Angela

Then what is the answer? [door closes] Oh, no. Rickie! [runs after him] He's gone.

Singers

There's no place like home for the holidays/'Cause no matter how far away you roam/When you find all the sunshine from your friendly days/All the holidays you can't beat home sweet home.

Rickie

[as Jordan walks by] Hey.

Jordan

[heading toward his car, then turns] You need a ride or sumpin'?

Rickie

Uh, sure.

Jordan

So where we goin'?

Rickie

Uh, uh, let me think -- um --

Jordan

Look, you - you need someplace to crash, I know a place.

Rickie

Thanks.

Jordan

My old man used to knock me around, too.

Rickie

He did?

Jordan

hasn't done in a couple of years, though. He's too scared. 'Cause the last time -- I-I threw a chair at him.

Rickie

Well, I'm going to light a candle for you on Christmas Eve.

Jordan

Oh, yeah, you think that changes anything?

Rickie

Uh-huh.

Singers

All the holidays you can't beat home sweet home.

Patty

Were we wrong? Down there about Rickie?

Graham

No, we weren't wrong.

Patty

I mean, what do we really know about that boy, you know?

Graham

Virtually nothing.

Patty

We've never met his family, I mean, how on earth are we supposed to know what, you know -- what the situation is?

Graham

I know, honey. Except -- I think he does make you - you kind of uncomfortable.

Patty

What do you mean -- be-because he wears makeup?

Graham

No, I'm just saying -- what if that was Brian Krakow with that bruise on his face?

Patty

W --

Graham

Well, that'd be a different story, wouldn't it?

Patty

Graham -- you can't compare them. I mean -- I've known Brian Krakow since he was five years old.

Graham

I know. So have I. Now all I'm asking is -- should that make a difference?

Patty

Well, maybe not. But it does.

Graham

I know.

Rayanne

Angelika -- chill.

Angela

Where is he? Why isn't he at school?

Rayanne

Maybe he's coming in late. Maybe he's at some Sal Mineo film festival.

Angela

I should have hidden him in my room.

Rayanne

Stop acting so guilty. He probably went to his cousins'. He - he stays there sometimes. Angela -- you can't like be responsible for the whole world.

Brian

What is this big thing about Christmas? Everyone talks about it like it's the Second Coming, or something.

Sharon

Krakow -- this is when people need the help line, okay? People get so stressed over this holiday stuff -- they experience actual symptoms of depression, or whatever. Like total hopelessness and despair.

Brian

Oh, yeah, so what? What do I care.

Sharon

And like, loss of appetite, or whatever. Christmas cookie?

Brian

Not hungry.

Sharon

But I promised the supervisor, Brian. You are the only one I can ask. It's Christmas Eve. People have like plans --

Brian

Oh, except me, huh? I - I know. Get Brian. He never has any plans. Happy holidays.

Sharon

Damn Santa Claus pin. The stupid nose broke.

Rayanne

[blowing bubbles from a small jar] I'm just going to let that one go. That's too easy.

Sharon

So Brian Krakow completely just screwed me over.

Rayanne

Oh, really. How non-unusual.

Sharon

Do you like know him? /

Rayanne

Not real well. We slept together once. It's a joke, Cherski. Bubbles?

Sharon

I told the help line two volunteers from Liberty High on Christmas Eve. I mean, how do I get myself into these situations?

Rayanne

Wild guess. Stupidity?

Sharon

No, no, you're right. because I do it -- over and over again. I am like so overextended. I mean, besides the help line, I have this whole holiday basket thing I said I'd make for this nursing home, plus I have like two million presents to wrap, not to mention the fifty thousand social events I said I'd go to, and -- I have to say, you're a -- pretty good listener.

Rayanne

Well, I should be. Spent my whole life listening to my mom rag about her problems, of which she has, like many. Now to top it all off she's got a low-life sex maniac boyfriend like staying with us. You know it's gotten to the point, I just can't handle it. I may just as well go be somewhere else for Christmas. Like they'd notice.

Sharon

I know where you could be on Christmas.

Teacher

We're right over here. [Angela ducks around a corner so as not to be seen. She hears singing and the strum of a guitar]

Girl

Deep in the night/I think all the time/All is bright/Here in this dark place/I see in your face/All is not right/Make it, make your way home/Better find the light/Brave it, brave it alone/Take a second chance. [looks up at Angela] Oh, sorry.

Angela

No, keep going. I mean --

Girl

I was just leaving.

Angela

'Cause of me? I'm not even supposed to be in here.

Girl

Me neither. I hang out here sometimes. It's funny. Before, I'd never go to school, and now that I don't go to school, I'm always here.

Angela

What was that song? That was -- beautiful.

Girl

It's just this song I fool around with. I'll probably be working on it forever. [pause] I hate to go back out there. I can never get warm. It's because of my shoes, see? Worn clear through. I had a decent pair, but somebody swiped them.

Angela

Seriously?

Girl

While I was sleeping. You're Angela, right? You're a friend of Rickie's?

Angela

Y - you know Rickie?

Girl

Uh-huh.

Angela

Wait, where is he? I've been really --

Girl

I know. You don't have to worry. I've been looking out for him. [she leaves]

Angela

Oh, thank God. Wait! You have to show me where Rickie is! [she chases the girl out into the crowded hall. As she strains to see through the crowd, she bumps Jordan] Oh, sorry. Did you see that girl just now?

Jordan

What girl?

Angela

With a guitar?

Jordan

Well, what's - what's her name?

Angela

I don't know. She knows Rickie.

Jordan

He still crashing at that place?

Angela

What place?

Jordan

That old warehouse on Tennessee? I brought him there.

Angela

You brought him somewhere?

Jordan

Yeah, he was like, I'm gonna light a candle for you, and I'm like, don't waste your match. Ah, I shouldn't say stuff like that. I mean I didn't completely mean it. What, you miss him? come on, I'll bring you there.

Angela

Thanks.

Graham

Hello! Can someone get the door? [Danielle opens it. Brian enters, carrying the front end of the Christmas tree.]

Brian

Oh, I'm sorry.

Graham

Careful, careful, careful. Now, swing it around. [As they struggle to maneuver through the house, there is an audible crash]

Brian

Oh, sorry, sorry.

Graham

Well -- didn't really -- like that, anyway. Uh, set it down. Got it? Good.

Brian

So, anything else you need help with?

Graham

I don't think so. Thanks. But if I think of anything --

Patty

[entering, almost hits Brian with the door] Oh!

Brian

Oh, jeez.

Patty

[to Brian] Hi! [to Graham] Hi.

Graham

Hey.

Patty

Where's Angela?

[Angela and Jordan crawl through a hole in a panel in the wall.]

Guy

Hey, you got a smoke?

Jordan

Yeah, yeah, here. [Angela wanders around the warehouse. There are kids everywhere, huddled up sleeping, trying to keep warm. She hears a familiar voice singing]

Girl

Open a window/Let in the sun/Cold is all I know/Go to the the fire/Stir it around/There's really no place for me to go/So make it, make your way home/Better than you had/Break it, break thee along/Leave it in the past/Oh, look and you'll find it/Someone wants to love you.

Angela

Oh, hi, again. [the girl wordlessly gets up and leads Angela through the warehouse. She stops outside a room. Angela enters]

Angela

Rickie?

Rickie

What are you doing here?

Angela

Jordan brought me. Rickie, are you okay? What happened?

Rickie

Nothing.

Angela

They why can't you go back home? [he does not answer] Okay, come on.

Rickie

What?

Angela

I mean it, come one. You're staying at my house.

Rickie

I'm not sponging off your family.

Angela

Shut up! It wouldn't be like that.

Rickie

Angela, your parents don't want me around.

Angela

That's not true. Rickie, please. Rickie, you can't be here. You can't. Tomorrow's Christmas Eve.

Rickie

You think I'd stay here for Christmas? I'm going to my cousin's tomorrow. You - you'd better go home. They're going to start wondering where you are. I mean, face it, you don't belong here.

Angela

You don't belong here, either.

Rickie

I can't talk about this! Not with you. If you want to help me, leave me alone! [Angela leaves. Rickie cries] [As Angela leaves, she passes by the girl's room. She is curled up, asleep, her boots by the side of her pallet. Angela examines the worn shoes, then begins to unlace her own boots. She leaves her boots by the girl's side, and carries the other pair off]

Patty

Angela, is that you?

Angela

Uh, yeah. Wow. The tree looks -- really great. Huh.

Brian

Hi.

Danielle

We saved you the angel. [she hands it to Angela]

Angela

Thanks. [she climbs the ladder to place it atop the tree]

Graham

We waited as long as -- uh, Danielle could stand it, but --

Angela

I know, I'm sorry. I lost track of time.

Danielle

Can I trim my room?

Graham

Why not?

Patty

So will you call next time please if you're going to stay out this late?

Angela

I know, I'm sorry. Rickie's fine, by the way.

Graham

Good. I'll start dinner.

Patty

I'll help.

Brian

So -- what was wrong with Rickie?

Angela

Excuse me, but why are you here?

Brian

Excuse me, your dad asked me to help. With the tree. So -- seriously -- is - is Rickie okay?

Angela

If I tell you, will you promise not to blab it to everyone?

Brian

Yes.

Angela

[her voice can be heard in the kitchen] See, he never spelled it out, but I think his parent,s like, beat him up, or something. Because -- for some reason, he's scared to go home.

Graham

Oh, my God.

Angela

And you will not believe where he's been sleeping. See, there's this place. This -- big abandoned warehouse. Brian -- it's so scary and so strange. All these kids, just like -- live there.

Brian

What kids?

Angela

Kids, Brian. There are kids who, like, have nowhere to live. Don't you know that?

Brian

What, you go to like one abandoned warehouse, and suddenly you're this like expert on homeless people?

Angela

Shut up. It's just that -- they're like -- normal. They're like us. Like there's this one girl. And when you're talking to her, it's -- it's like you forget that -- you know -- that there's any difference between you.

Brian

Is this that place on Roscoe by the bowling alley?

Angela

No, it's on Tennessee Avenue.

Patty

Oh, my God, Graham.

Graham

Hey, let's just --

Patty

That's where she was. Do you realize what could happen to her in a place like that?

Graham

Let's not, let's not panic.

Patty

Oh, well maybe panicking is the answer. We -- you realize we - we can't ignore this. We - we have to do something, we have to -- do the right thing.

Graham

Who are you, Spike Lee?

Patty

Graham.

Graham

Okay, yeah, I know. We - we have to do the right thing. Dinner!

Police

Doughnut? Coffee? Moonlit dinner for two?

Patty

Uh, we'd like to report -- a situation.

Police

Be my guest.

Graham

See our daughter has a friend who is --

Patty

Who is, um, apparently living in an abandoned warehouse with --

Graham

With some other kids. So of course, we're --

Police

Of course. Where did you say this place was?

Patty

Tennessee Avenue.

Patty

Oh, yeah. Tennessee.

Graham

See, uh, see the point is, this is a good kid. Now we're here because we --

Patty

Because we wanna -- you know, help.

Police

Yeah, and we thank you very much. Uh. Was there something else?

Graham

No. Would - would you -- ah, excuse us? [aside, to Patty] What are we doing?

Patty

I don't know.

Graham

I mean, is this right? Is this the right thing?

Patty

Well, these are the people who are supposedly -- handle these situations. I don't know. He seems like a decent man.

Graham

He's fine, he's adorable. It's just that we --

Patty

[to the officer] Um, what exactly will happen?

Police

Um, depends on the circumstances. Is this kid a runaway or a throwaway?

Graham

A throwaway?

Police

See, a runaway -- leaves home of his own volition. A throwaway, a push out -- is pushed out.

Patty

Oh, my God. [looking around the office, she sees a bulletin board with pictures of missing children]

Police

Look. First off, every effort is made to restore --

Voices

Dear God, please help me. I have nowhere to go. Oh, God. I feel so lost. Please show me the way. Please help my daughter, God. Oh, God. I'm scared. Mama, come and get me.

Graham

Patty, we should go.

Police

Thanks for being good citizens. [before they leave] You got a -- daughter, you said.

Patty

[quietly] Yes.

Police

You keep her close, okay?

Patty

[numb] Okay.

Police

Merry Christmas.

[The television is playing the Mr. Magoo Christmas Special]

Solicitor

At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, 'tis more than usually desirable we should make some slight provisions for the poor --

Patty

Danielle, i asked you to set the table.

Danielle

Angela said she'd do it.

Solicitor

-- of want of common comfort, sir.

Scrooge

Ah, yes, the prison.

Patty

[entering the dining room] Oh! Ah!

Angela

Mom, don't look yet, I'm not finished.

Patty

Sweetheart, it's beautiful. Oh, it -- one thing I forgot to tell you -- Grandma and Grandpa are in the mountains.

Angela

I - I know.

Patty

And Neil and Marla are with her parents in Rockfort, so --

Angela

Mom, I know.

Patty

So why is --

Angela

Mom, I really want to do this, okay. Please say it's okay?

Patty

Say what's okay?

Angela

I want to bring Rickie and that girl over here for Christmas Eve dinner. That's right, I didn't even tell you about her. Mom, this girl has the most amazing voice. Seriously, wait till --

Patty

Angela., listen. You cannot -- go back to that place.

Angela

How do you know about that place?

Patty

Sweetie, look --

Angela

Don't, Mom.

Patty

We had to do something. We couldn't just --

Angela

I can't believe this. What did you do?

Patty

Your father and I -- overheard you and Brian talking, and --

Angela

Oh, my God, you didn't -- did you call the police or something?

Patty

Angela --

Angela

Mom, don't you realize, we have to do something. We have to warn them --

Patty

Angela, listen to me. You are not going back to that place. This is a serious matter.

Angela

I know that! Why do you speak like this to me, like I'm a child?

Patty

This girl, whoever she is, has serious problems!

Angela

you haven't even talked to her! I've talked to her. This girl -- she could be me.

Patty

Oh, don't say that! She couldn't be you. How can you say that?

Angela

Because it's true. [long pause] Fine. I'll put back the extra plates. [she clatters the plates angrily]

Graham

Hey, shorty.

Patty

What is this with "shorty"? [fumbling a bow] Shoot!

Graham

Need help?

Patty

No. No. I can do it myself. God -- I just had -- the most upsetting fight with Angela. You know, it was one of those fights where -- it doesn't even seem real, it seems like the fight is having you. You'd better go speak to her.

Graham

Danielle said she went out for a walk. What was the fight about? [Patty suddenly gets up, runs from the room] Patty? Patty?

Angela

[crawling through the panel in the warehouse wall] Rickie!

Man

[a bright light is turned in her direction] Hey, you there. Don't be scared. You're coming with us.

Patty

What was I thinking? What have I done?

Graham

You were just trying to help. We both were.

Danielle

Will somebody tell me what's going on, for like once in my life?

Graham

I'll explain in a minute.

Patty

Stay here, won't you, in case she phones?

Graham

Patty, it's okay, all right? She's going to come home. [as Patty opens the door to leave, she is surprised by Brian Krakow, standing there]

Brian

Um -- hi. I was just -- you know -- had -- had nothing like planned, so I, so --

Patty

So what? Spit it out! I'm sorry -- I'm sorry --

Graham

It's okay. Go, go. [to Brian] She's just -- she's -- in a hurry.

Danielle

Don't ask me. I just live here. [The television is playing the classic version of A Christmas Carol]

Scrooge

Tell me -- are these the shadows of the things that will be, or are they the shadows of the things that may be only? [he sees a tombstone, illuminated by a flash of lightning] Ebeneezer Scrooge! Am I the man who lay upon the bed? No, spirit, no! I am not the bitter man I was --

Sharon

[on the phone] And a merry Christmas to you, too. Thanks for calling the help line. [the phone rings]

Rayanne

Oh, can I have this one, can I have this one, please, please, please?

Sharon

Oh -- well -- okay. But, but -- don't let the supervisor see you.

Rayanne

Hello? Help line?

Brian

Hi. My name is -- Steve.

Rayanne

Hi, Steve. [to Sharon] It's Brian Krakow!

Brian

See, it's not like I enjoy spending time with my parents or anything -- so -- when they first told me they were going away, they asked me if -- if I wanted to go to Denver -- to my sister and her husband's house -- but -- I - I said no, because -- I thought -- you know -- it'll be great. I'll -- work on my PSATs. It'll be like -- peaceful -- But -- I just -- didn't expect to feel this like -- lonely. Like even now, I'm at my neighbors' and --

Rayanne

My God, he's crying.

Sharon

Get outta town!

Rayanne

My hand to God!

Sharon

Do you want me to get the supervisor?

Rayanne

No. No, I'll handle it. So, Steve, you never asked me my name.

Brian

What is your name.

Rayanne

Jade.

Brian

Jade, do you go to Liberty?

Rayanne

Negative, Steve.

Brian

Thank God.

Rayanne

So, Steve -- what are you wearing?

Brian

What? Um -- all right. My red flannel shirt and my brown corduroys. Why?

Rayanne

Would you like to know what I'm wearing -- Steve?

Brian

Um, sure.

Rayanne

I'm wearing a tank top. It's really low cut. I'm practically popping out of it! And these super tight shorty cutoffs! Oh, they are so tight! I better unzip them. Ooh. Mm. That's so much better.

Brian

Are -- are you sure this is the help line?

Rayanne

It's the help line, all right. Mm. It's getting really warm in here. I think I should take off my tank top.

Brian

Look, I better get off. I mean, hang up. I mean. I'm at my neighbors', so --

Rayanne

Well, think of it this way, Steve. You still feel like crying? [she glances at Sharon, who is smiling nervously]

Patty

Uh, excuse me, is -- is this Tennessee Avenue?

Man

We're late.

Patty

Oh. [in the distance, she sees the girl. She is not sure who it is at first, but then she sees Angela's boots. Patty follows]

Brian

Hello?

Graham

Is it her? [Brian hands him the phone] Angela?

Angela

Dad.

Graham

Angela --

Angela

Dad, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

Graham

It's all right, it's all right. Just tell me where you are.

Angela

I'm -- well, you're not going to believe this, but I'm in the basement of this church. They brought all the kids from the warehouse here.

Graham

Just give me the address. Yeah, okay, I know where that's at. Right. All right. You stay there, and we'll come get you. [to Brian, Danielle] We're going to church.

Patty

[stopping in front of a church] Angela! [sees the girl] Oh, never mind. Uh, I mean, uh. I - I'm sorry -- I'm, uh. My daughter has has boots just like those. You see, I'm trying to find my daughter and um --

Girl

I know. Because I'm no different from her.

Patty

No, no, um -- you don't understand.

Girl

Sure I do. I had a mom. Clean sheets. All of that. Another toss of the dice, I could be in her shoes, she could be in mine.

Patty

There but for the grace of God --

Girl

Go I. Go ahead. Ask me.

Patty

Why did you leave home?

Girl

My mother and I had a fight -- the kind of fight where it seems like the fight is having you. So what else do you want to know?

Patty

[pause, then quietly] How did you die?

Girl

I froze.

Patty

[looking skyward] Oh, God. Please -- help me. [the sounds of a choir humming O Holy Night begin. When Patty turns, the girl is gone, the gates of the churchyard closed. The stairs the the church are illuminated by a soft, warm light. Patty enters the church.

In an alcove, Rickie is lighting candles. As he lights the last one, he clasps his hands together in prayer and crosses himself. He turns to see Patty standing there. Crying, he embraces her. Meanwhile, Angela comes up the stairs.

There is a chorus at the front of the church. They are singing a gospel hymn, which continues to the end of the episode]

Chorus

Oh Lord/I feel like going home/ I tried and I failed and I'm tired and I'm weary/Everything I done is wrong/Lord, and I feel like going home/Lord I tried to see it through/But it was too much for me/Hey Now I'm coming home to you, yeah/Yes, I feel like going home/Cloudy skies are closing in/And not a friend around to help me/Oh all the places I been/But I feel like going home/Don't it feel like coming home/I tried and I failed and I'm tired and I'm weary/Every place I've ever gone/And I feel like going home. [segue to Silent Night] All is calm, all is bright/Round yon Virgin mother and child/Holy infant so tender and mild/Sleep in heavenly peace/Sleep in heavenly peace.

[Angela sees Rickie and Patty sitting and listening to the chorus. She waves to them. They both stand; Rickie embraces her. They hold each other for a long while. Patty closes her eyes and looks skyward in relief and thanks. As she holds him, Angela meets Patty's gaze; there is an unspoken forgiveness and an understanding between them. Angela goes to embrace Patty, who welcomes her deeply.

Graham, Brian, and Danielle enter the church. Patty, Rickie, and Angela are sitting in the pews, listening to the music. Graham taps Patty on the shoulder; she is pleased to see him. Graham turns to the altar and crosses himself before sitting down. Rickie and Angela smile as they see Brian, who sits in front of them. Danielle also sits in front of them, but casts a single glance at Angela before doing so. Angela meets her gaze with a smile, and Danielle returns her own grudging half-grin before turning her attention to the chorus as well. Angela's hands find Rickie's, and they hold to each other as they listen to the chorus.

Cut to a brief pan past the help line, where Sharon and Rayanne are joking and laughing as they eat Christmas cookies and sip mugs of eggnog or cider.

Cut to a brief pan of Jordan lighting a candle. He looks up to the sky in quiet contemplation.

The Chases, with Rickie and Brian, leave the church, buttoning their coats against the winter chill. The camera angle rises above them, and pans across the girl looking down upon them. She then looks out in profile across the night, then glances skyward. She turns, and before she moves completely offscreen, there is a brief glimpses of feathered wings which disappear into the night.]