Picket Fences (1992–1996): Season 3, Episode 20 - Saint Zach - full transcript

[Jimmy] Previously on

Picket Fences.

That swan didn't die
of natural causes,

it was beaten to death!

‐I knew it.
‐And we're not talking about
a couple of whacks!

It was struck
more than a hundred times!

I want you to tell your father
exactly what you told me.

[sighs] Bunch of kids,

they decided
instead of street hockey,

that it might be fun
to play swan hockey.

You hit them with
your hockey stick
to put them into a goal?



Zack and I never hit them.

So you just let
the swan be killed.

[Zack] In you, O Lord,
I take refuge,

that we never be put to shame,

In your justice rescue me,

Incline your ear to me,

Make haste to deliver me,

You will free me
from the snare they set for me.

For you are my refuge,

Into your hands
I commend my spirit.

Uh, Zack, what are you doing?

Praying, Psalms 31.

Why are you praying?

I want to be delivered...
from evil.



Oh!

And I want salvation.

Uh‐huh, well, I'd rather
you do your homework.

Jimmy! Jimmy, honey,
just don't‐‐
Excuse us a minute, Zack.

‐[Zack] My life is worn down
by sorrow...
‐See what he's doing?

Yes, honey, he's been
doing that every night
for the past two weeks.

He wants forgiveness
for the swan killing.

I thought he wanted
to be Jewish.

All of a sudden he's gone
fundamentalist, I don't know
what to say.

He's 11 years old,
he should be doing

"Now I lay me down to sleep"

‐not "Deliver me from evil."
‐Well, it's just a prayer,

there's nothing wrong with it.
He's fine.

‐They see me in the street,
but quickly shy away.
‐Huh.

And forgotten,
like the unremembered dead.

I am like a dish
that is broken.

I say "You are my God."

In your hands is my destiny.

Rescue me.

[theme music playing]

[theme music ends]

Honey, I really think
you're making too big a deal
out of it.

He gave up hockey
out of respect for the swan.

He refuses to pick up
a hockey stick!

‐That's sacrilege!
‐Just eat your waffle.

‐It's a pancake.
‐Don't contradict me.

Yeah, honey,
eat your round flat
blueberry waffle.

‐What's this?
‐I'm off to church.

‐How're you gonna get there?
‐I can walk.

I'll go to Mr. Novotny's church.

It's not too far, and it's not
too much to ask in His name.

Honey, I think it's...
[scoffs]

I think it's wonderful

how you've
been so sincere,

in repenting for
what happened to the swan.

But you don't have to.

And I think it's great,
that you're going to church.

I‐‐I've been meaning to
go more myself.

But, um, I'm sure

that God has forgiven you
for the swan incident.

Thanks.

I'll say a prayer
for all of you.

[door opens]

[door closes]

He's whacked!

[swans honking]

[honking continues]

[Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus"
playing]

♪ Hallelujah
Hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah
Hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah
Hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah
Hallelujah ♪

♪ Hallelujah ♪

[door opening]

[door closing]

Zack. You're still here?

‐I need help.
‐What kind of help?

I need to do penance
for my salvation.

I contributed to the death
of an innocent swan.

‐My soul feels damned!
‐Oh, that! [chuckling]

You know, God works in very...

Maybe you're coming at this
from the wrong angle.

Maybe you should thank God
for the swan incident.

What kind of a minister
would say that?

Well, your suffering over this
could be a sign of God's favor.

He wouldn't give you
this cross to bear,

if he didn't
think you could handle it.

Really?

It's been a real challenge.

What have you learned from this,
young man?

Swans shouldn't
be used as pucks?

Well, I think there's
a little more to be learned,

if you'll search yourself.

Okay, but first I think
I should pray some more.

All right, my friend.

[choral music playing]

[Zack yells and pants]

What is it? What's wrong?

I don't know, honey,
he just sounded very upset.

‐Well, how did he cut himself
in church?
‐I don't know.

‐I'm okay.
‐They both started bleeding?

At the same time?

This is where
your blisters were,
isn't it?

‐The blisters were healed.
‐Well, they seem okay.

‐Were you squeezing something
at church?
‐No.

[clicks tongue]
You're okay. Hmm.

I guess it must have been
the blisters though,

they just started to bleed.

You must have
aggravated them somehow.

[Novotny]
Blisters don't bleed like that.

Well, was he holding something?

No, he was just praying

and then suddenly he's crying

and blood's coming out
of his hand.

‐There was a lot of blood.
‐But there are no jagged cuts.

It has to have been
the blisters.

From the hockey stick.

With the swan, you know...
He was,

squeezing that stick so hard,
he gave himself blisters.

‐Don't be ridiculous!
‐I saw it with my own eyes,
Gary.

Look, I hate to admit it,

‐I never even
believed in stigmata.
‐Shh.

‐His mother said
it was blisters. She's a doctor.
‐Like hell.

Look, his hands just opened up
while he was praying,
looking at the crucifix.

‐I didn't hear that.
‐You heard it. I just told you.

‐You sure?
‐I am positive.
I was 20 feet away.

Well, I need to talk to the boy.
This needs to be authenticated.

The Church has very strict rules
about this sort of thing.

Oh, God!

The last thing we need
right now is a miracle!

Damn it!

[Matthew]
You were just praying?

Think it was punishment?

For what?

The swans...

Giving Dad the finger...

Singing with Episcopalians?

God doesn't punish for that.

I was asking him
to show me a sign.

God.

I was asking him to show me
he was there.

He cut you?

[knocking on door]

[Jimmy clearing throat]

‐[Jimmy] What's going on?
‐We'd just like to talk to you.

About what?

Uh, Jill, the wounds,

do you really think
they were blisters?

‐What's going on?
‐[Barrett] Please bear with us.

[chuckles]
Really bear with him,
because

this is gonna sound
way out there.

‐[Barrett clears throat]
‐I'm just trying to brace them.

Brace us for what?

There is a phenomenon
known as a stigmata.

It is when ordinary
everyday people

suffer spontaneous
lesions on the hands...

resembling the marks of, um...

Christ's Crucifixion.

Now there have been nearly 300
authenticated cases,

since the 13th century.
Obviously, it's very rare.

‐But it has happened.
‐What?

Well, I... [stammering]

I don't think really that this,
you see, it's just possible,

that the wounds
on Zachary's hands,

might have been,

possibly, you know...

The wounds of Christ Almighty,
our Savior!

Are you out of your minds?

Jimmy, there have been
documented cases.

Now, most of them
have been Roman Catholic,
I'll grant you.

But, present day stigmatics
include a Baptist,

‐an Anglican, a Celtic...
‐Henry, it... [sighs]

This is ridiculous,
what you're suggesting.

Can you explain
these wounds medically? Can you?

Well, I must admit,
they were a little strange,
but‐‐

But there is some plausible,
medical reason?

Well, [stammering]

people under stress,
can suffer psychosomatic
skin injuries.

‐It, it could be‐
‐"Psychosomatic"?

His hands gushed blood!

Um, could it be something else?

Could it?

Um...

I don't know.

Oh, dear God!

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, Zack, is it true?

What?

That you got touched by God,
with something sharp?

I don't know.

My mother, um, knows
about stigmatists.

She says maybe you're a saint.

I'm a Congregationalist!

Can you bless me?

What?

Well, I have a big
geography test

and I could use a little more
than my basic prayer.

I don't know
how to bless people.

It's the same as
they dub knights in England.

You touch each shoulder
and then the head,

and you say,
"Bless you, my son."

‐And it works?
‐That's what my mother said.

Look, can you do it fast?
I'll be late for class.

Bless you, my son.

Thanks, I've got to go.

Hi, Zachary,
you're looking well.

I have a zit,
could you eradicate it, please?

What the hell do you mean
you have to investigate?

Look, you think I like this?
But I'm a priest.

If somebody reports a stigmata,

‐I have to call...
‐You're not calling your people
in here to investigate my son.

Hey, I want to dismiss this.

I mean, what happens
if he's declared a saint?

I have to take orders
from the little bugger?

You think I want that?

Now, you've got to give me
something to go with

and it better be better
than blisters.

You're not calling in
your inquisition team.

Then, Jimmy, let us
talk to the boy.

Maybe we can nip this today.

Otherwise he doesn't have
a choice except
to call his bishop.

I've read his little
priest handbook.

Well, you think you're so funny.

Please trust us.

Kenny,

do me a favor, go get Zack.

Yes, sir.

[Kenny] What the hell is this?

[Oslo] He's blessing them.

He's healing acne
and promising better grades.

I'm about to break it up
but I thought you should
see this first.

‐They really believe
he's the Chosen One?
‐No.

But, what can it hurt?

All right, everybody,
break it up,

‐back to your
homerooms you go.
‐[kids] Aww!

‐That's enough.
‐But I haven't been blessed yet.

Get blessed at recess.

If you haven't got a pass,
stay out of the hallways,
let's go.

Keep moving, go along.

Zack, Minister Novotny
and Father Barrett
would like to talk to you.

‐[Oslo] Break it up over there.
‐Hey, Zack.

Zack, um, I'm sorry
I kicked your volleyball.

No man shall trouble me

because I bear
the marks of Jesus on my body.

Can you do me a favor?
I have an emergency.

‐What kind?
‐I need you to come to my house.

Well, we need him
to come with us first, okay?

‐Come on, Zack.
‐I bear the marks of Jesus
on my body.

So I hear.

Once I had an earache,
I thought it was
a sign from God.

‐Turned out it was wax.
‐Hmm.

So his hands
just started to bleed?

Well, that's what they say,
but who knows?

Protestants are into
special effects these days.

That's how they get
their TV contracts.

Do you ever listen to yourself
when you speak?

Praying is not enough
these days, Henry.

People want production values.

[Littleton] I'm telling you,
this could be trouble.

This stigmata,
weeping Madonnas,

the town has been
flipping out over this.

If the church gives
this stigmata thing
any credibility, watch out.

[Judge] What?

Rome's not going to be
a quiet little ordinary
town anymore?

Character.

Uh!

When you were watching
the swan get hit,

your mother said that
you started squeezing
the hockey stick real hard.

‐Yes.
‐Is that how
you got the blisters?

Yes. I also helped
dig the grave for the swan,

and I was squeezing the shovel.

And your hands bled
from these blisters yesterday?

‐The blisters were healed.
‐Are you sure?

Maybe you just thought
they were all better?

No, they were healed.
Swear to God.
You want me to?

No. No, it's okay.

Were you holding anything sharp
while you were praying?

‐No!
‐[Barrett] Zack!

Why do you think
your hands started bleeding?

‐I don't know!
‐All right, come on now,
don't be afraid like that.

‐It's all right.
‐Can I go?

Yes you can go.

Don't be afraid now. Go on.

‐I have to tell the bishop.
‐What?

The boy wasn't a hysteric.

There's no medical explanation.

‐I have to inform the bishop.
‐What'll he do?

Well, he'll convene
a theological commission‐

‐Like hell! I let you
talk to him, and that is it!
‐Jimmy, listen to me.

They are not
interested in finding
anything supernatural.

Their mission is to find
a nice, acceptable,
earthly cause.

And then forget about it.

No, still, we don't want him
subjected to‐‐

Jill, this is the fastest way
to get this thing behind us.

I promise you!

I'm getting flooded with calls
about an apparition,

and Zachary Brock.

Uh, yeah, we're still
checking it out,
what's all this?

[interpreter]
Security. I'm the mayor.
I wanna live.

Now what's with Zack?

Uh, all we know is that
his hands started bleeding
while he was praying.

Novotny and Father Barrett
are orgasmic.

[interpreter]
Well, let me know.

The Christians are scared!

What next?

‐It's insane!
‐Calm down, Jimmy.

Jill, how can we do this?

We're gonna let him become
the object

‐of some holy inquisition.
‐[Jill sighs]

They just want to ask him
a few questions.

Yeah. Right, sure. Well,

suppose they declare him to be
one of these stig things?
What then?

What are you gonna say
to the Chosen One when he asks
for a bigger allowance?

According to Father Barrett,
they'll explain it away
with some earthly‐‐

Why are we even
submitting to it?

Who cares what they think?
It's ridiculous!

We're submitting to it
because the rumors are flying
all over town!

People are calling your office,
people are calling here!

Helen Lewis wants Zack
to fix her gall bladder.

And the fastest way
to put the squash
on the whole thing

is for the Bishop to come here
and tell us that it's nothing!

What if he is a stigmatic?

I've been reading up on it.
There are documented cases.

There are supposedly
20 living stigmatics today.

[Jimmy] That's nonsense.

You don't believe that crap.

Well, Daddy,
maybe you should read this.

There people aren't
kooks and nuts.

If it really happened,

if it ever really happened,

we would know about it.

It happened in the priest
in Virginia.

His wrist started to bleed.

Same thing that happened
to Zack.

That was on the news.

There are medical treatises
on stigmatists, too.

Hands and feet
suddenly bleeding.

Now it usually happens to people
who are very religious,

‐with a predisposition...
‐Will you listen to her?

Could you listen?

Now we know Zack,

he's been like an open cavity
when it comes to God
and religion.

And aside from him being
a little young,

he fits the profile exactly.

Kimberly, honey.

Do you really believe Zack has
the wounds of Christ?

I don't know, I'm wondering.

This crosses the line
from faith to insanity,

and you should know better.

Do you believe
in the resurrection?

‐What?
‐That Jesus died
and then came back to life?

‐Do you believe that?
‐Has nothing to do with that.

Well, [scoffs] coming back
from the dead has a bigger trick

than a hand bleeding.

Do you think
the resurrection happened?

I don't know, I wasn't there.

‐[Kimberly] Do you believe
in the second coming?
‐[Jimmy sighs]

You see, now these are
the kind of questions

Zack is going to be getting

if we let him
go through with this.

No, Daddy, I'm just trying
to make sense of it,

just like you.

Now Christians believe
in the second coming
that Christ will return.

We're Christian,
so I guess in theory
we believe this, right?

Um, right.

Well, that's a pretty
big miracle

that Christ will one day walk
the Earth again.

If we believe that,

how can we automatically
disbelieve this stigmatic thing

especially after there's already
been documented cases.

We can disbelieve it
because it's crap.

And it's all evidence of how
dangerous and how ridiculous

organized religion can be.

[Kimberly] Okay.

The crap theory, got it.

This is my brother Mark.

This is the kid.

Can you heal my brother?
They say he's gonna die.

I don't know.
I'm new at this.

Can‐‐can you, like,
bless him or something?

Yeah, I think.

I'm not sure,
but I think I should...

Touch his head and...

we should pray, silent,

‐with our eyes closed.
‐Okay.

Okay, Mark, close your eyes.

‐All right?
‐Okay.

Will you hold my hand?

‐Can this work?
‐I don't know.

Never done it before. Okay.

Now, close your eyes.

[boy] Okay.

Pray.

Pray hard.

They're down there
in the living room.

‐You scared?
‐What if it's like
The Exorcist?

It won't be.

Maybe they just want
to ask you some questions.

Why is everybody so upset?

I didn't hurt anybody.

This is religion, Zack.
It's supposed to get
people upset.

That's the whole point.

We were told nothing
about a medical examination.

Well, we'd like to resolve
this matter quickly
with one visit.

Thayer Hospital has
agreed to let us use
the radiology department

‐and we have a staff of our‐‐
‐What? Excuse me, what?

Dr. Brock, we get hundreds
of reports every year
concerning stigmatics.

We must authenticate...

No, no, you're not poking
and probing my son.

Of course, when this sort
of thing involves a child, well,

naturally, the parents
become quite concerned.

Nobody wants their little boy
to be anointed as a saint.

Makes it tough to get him
to take out the garbage.

If you're finding humor in this
you should know that I'm not.

My point is

I understand that you do not
want your son to be a saint.

An angel from time to time,
but not a saint.
Am I correct?

‐Very correct.
‐[Bishop] Well, here's our
problem.

Thus far, you have proffered
blisters as the sole
medical cause.

According to our physicians
that's rather unlikely.

Most of the claims we received
turn out to be self‐inflicted.

However, Reverend Novotny
disputes that possibility
in this instance.

I assume you do as well.

If you told us
that the wounds
were self‐inflicted.

Well, as the boy's mother
and doctor, we'd have
to accept that, wouldn't we?

We could leave right away.

Were these wounds
self‐inflicted, Dr. Brock?

Were Zachary's wounds
self‐inflicted, Dr. Brock?

No, they were not.

[sighs] I see.

Which leaves us with
quite a mystery.

Now, customarily we find
that the more thorough
our testing,

the less divine
the explanation turns out to be.

So, with your permission,

we'd like to take Zachary down
to Thayer Hospital.

I think that would be best.

Don't you agree?

["Hosanna" from
Jesus Christ Superstar
playing]

[interpreter]
A boy's blister started bleeding
in a church, period.

[reporter] Reports are, that it
was completely spontaneous,

as he stared at the crucifix.

A coincidence
according to the doctors.

Deputy Lacos assures me
that everything is very earthly.

Sorry to disappoint you.
If we learn anything more,
we'll let you know.

I'm afraid there really isn't
much of a story. Thank you.

[reporters clamoring]

I didn't say everything
was "definitely earthly."

You want this place
to become a Mecca?

So, you're trying
to protect the town?

[interpreter]
I'm trying to protect the boy.

‐They found nothing?
‐Nothing medical.

‐What is that supposed to mean?
‐I don't know, Jimmy.

They didn't share
their findings with me, okay?

All I know is that,
radiology tests,

everything's fine,
everything's normal.

He doesn't have an alien
growing inside of him.

My God, poor kid.

‐He's 11.
‐Well, hopefully this will
all be over by tomorrow.

‐[sighs] Where is he now?
‐I don't know. Playing with
his friends, I hope.

Like any normal 11 year old boy.

[chorus of "Hosanna"
from Jesus Christ Superstar
playing]

‐How many?
‐The mother said
at least a hundred.

‐And she let them in?
‐They were friendly.

[chorus continues]

[Zack]
The Lord will guard your life.

I lift my eyes
to the mountains,
my help is from the Lord.

Who created Heaven and Earth.

The Lord is your guardian,
the Lord will guard your life.

Both now, and forever.

He's got a million of them.

Zack, it's great that
you want to help him,
but next time you should knock.

‐They knew we were coming.
‐Well, you could still
ring the doorbell.

I'm not trying to be a saint.
I'm just want to cheer him up.

Because sometimes
the mind can heal.

We saw it on PBS.

Yeah, well, my cable's out.

‐Ow!
‐Zack!

‐Are you okay? Zack!
‐[crying]

Zack, I want you to go
right home, and go to bed, okay?

‐You're gonna be okay, pal.
‐He's got a bump, I don't think
he has a concussion.

‐You see?
This is what religion does.
‐Oh, Jimmy!

‐Who threw the rock?
‐We've narrowed it down
to three kids.

Narrow it down more,
then file charges.

[Jimmy] I told you.

‐I told you that
if we did this...
‐Jimmy, calm down.

No, this is what
organized religion is all about.

Hatred, throwing stones...

‐He doesn't mean that.
‐Yes, he does!

You're not a saint!
You're a boy, an eleven‐year‐old
with blisters.

‐You're not a saint.
‐What if Jesus was
showing me a sign?

Jesus is a fake!

[sighs]

He's a stupid myth.

This whole thing is stupid.

You mean...
he wasn't the son of God?

Come on, I'm taking you home.

You people, disperse.
Go home now!

Disperse!

[Jill] So, Jesus was a fake?

Sorry, I never knew
I thought that.

[Jill] But you do.

[sighs]

At your age, you're just
finding out that's what
you believe?

I've, uh...

never been pushed
in a corner like that before.

You know me and God, Jill.

Leave him out there,
keep him illusory,

that way he stays almighty.

You don't believe in Him either?

Now that I know Him,
I believe in Him.

No, you don't.

You believe in the concept
of God, but you don't
believe in Him.

Well, I think I do.

Do you think he's
in this room right now
listening to this?

I don't know.

You think about whether
He's ever in the room?

Not much, no.

Are you afraid to think
about it because of what
you might conclude?

Is that why you got so angry?

This is hard, Jimmy.

It's not like we're such
a religious family,
but this is hard.

‐Is it important to you
that I believe in Jesus and God?
‐Yes.

And it's important that I think
I know who you are.

It's pretty fundamental.

I promise you,

I heard it for the first time
as it came out of my mouth.

We have to talk to the kids.
We have to be honest.

You've been putting up
that Christmas tree every year.

We have to be honest.

What do I tell them?

The truth.

Hm.

You don't have to be scared,
Zachary.

You're Frank the Potato Man.
You're dead.

I came back to tell you,
you don't have to be afraid.

Are you‐‐ Are you Him?

‐Who?
‐Jesus.

I'm Frank Teacher.

How come you're coming back
from the dead?

This is all a dream.

You'll wake up shortly
in your bed

and your mother and father
will be there.

Now, all you have to remember
about this dream is that it's...

it's okay to believe in Him.

To trust your faith.

Jesus is really...

Frank the Potato man?

I don't know.

I suspect he comes back
in different ways
for different people.

Maybe in dreams sometimes
so they can get his message

without thinking
they've gone crazy.

You don't have
to be a saint, Zack.

Or a prophet.

You can just be a boy
who loves to play hockey

and is nice to swans.

It's okay to be a kid.

Will you ever come back
as yourself

as Jesus?

I'm Frank Teacher.

Don't come back as Jesus.

They'll kill you.

It's time to wake up, my son.

[swans honking]

‐[Jill] Honey. Honey.
‐[gasps]

It's okay, it's okay,
you were just having a dream.

‐You okay, pal?
‐[chuckles]

Zack, listen. Before you go
to school, Daddy and I want
to talk to all of you.

So, if you could come down
for breakfast, okay?

‐Okay.
‐Okay.

I want...

I need to explain
my little outburst yesterday.

Now, you've all heard me say
many times that...

you know, I believe in God,
but that God should be kept
out there somewhere

we shouldn't be getting
in the same room with him.

Well, I've been sort of,
this week, forced...

into that room...

to confront what I believe
and what I don't.

And I'm afraid I've been
misleading you and myself.

I'm agnostic.

Do you know what that means?

It's like an atheist.

No, an atheist is someone
who doesn't believe in God.

An agnostic...
just doesn't know.

He's confused.

Agnostics supposedly believe
that God is improbable.

Is that you,
you think He's improbable?

Yes.

What about Jesus?

I think Jesus was a good man
and a good teacher

and I believe very much
in his message.

But you don't think
he's the son of God?

No, I don't.

Then how did he walk on water?

Or change water into wine?

‐Or raise the dead?
‐I don't think he did any
of those things.

I think that was the legend
created by imaginative gospels.

So you don't believe
a person has a soul?

That when someone dies,
they're just dead?

They go into nothingness.

I don't know, Kimberly.

Daddy needs for things
to make sense, um...

and we disagree on this.

I believe that
the whole point of faith

is to keep on believing
even when things
don't make sense.

We differ on this.

And I just wanted to tell you
and let you know what I believe.

You can believe
whatever you choose.

Do you think Jesus could ever
come to a person in a dream?

Um, [clears throat]
I‐‐I suppose it's possible.

Even if this is just blisters,

it can still be a sign
from God to help people,
couldn't it?

Mm‐hmm.

I‐‐I think that's possible, too.

Well, maybe I was given
a sign to help Dad.

‐[doorbell rings]
‐[sniffles]

We got some
truly fantastic news, Jill.

‐Your son's no saint.
‐[Jill] What happened?

We concluded it was
only psychogenic.

The stress not only
over the swans
but also his mother

being convicted of manslaughter,
very traumatic.

That can make his hands bleed?

It's not typical,
but the doctors say
yes. Evidently,

severe emotional distress
can affect spontaneous bruising.

Because he had the underlying
blisters and the weakened skin,
the blood broke through.

Official finding of the church
is natural causes.

[Bishop] Thank you
for indulging us, Doctor.

‐I'm glad it was the result
we all hoped for.
‐Yes. Thank you.

[sighs and chuckles]

Well, Zack, congratulations.

‐You're normal.
‐Great.

[phone ringing]

‐What happened?
‐Well, nothing really.

Nothing that's an emergency.
I mean,

the boys were playing soccer
waiting for the school bus,
and suddenly...

he just came out of the house,
and joined them.

‐[boy] Watch it!
‐Oh.

[sighs]

[Mrs. Burton]
What's going on, Dr. Brock?

Should I get him
to the hospital?

‐And one more big breath.
‐[deep breath]

All right. Very good.
We're done.

Well, his energy is
certainly up.

But there's nothing
to be concerned about.

[sighs] Jill...

he's acting healed.

He still has the leukemia.

But it's possible there's been
some remission

and that accounts
for the sudden strength.

Or psychologically,
having all those kids visit

‐it certainly could have
given him a lift.
‐"A lift"?

Yesterday, he could barely walk
and‐‐and today

‐he's playing soccer.
‐Well, I hope there's been
a remission.

But I want to check him
into Thayer,

I wanna do some tests.

But, uh, we're not using
the "M word." Hm?

I'd like to, but not yet.

[Mark]
Mom, can we get a hot dog?

I really want a hot dog.

Zack, how ya doing?

Good.

‐I'm glad it's over.
Being a saint kind of sucked.
‐[chuckles]

But I'm going to keep
blessing Dad though.
I think he needs it.

I think you could be right.

So, he could be in remission?

Cancer sometimes does that,
just goes into remission.

Yes, it does.

For no medical reason.

Happens quite a lot, really.
I hope it's happened here.

‐He's a great kid,
that Mark Burton.
‐Yeah, he's a great kid.

And you know, I bet Zack
did help him psychologically,

‐bringing all those kids over.
‐I bet it did.

Yes.

Yeah.

"Can Jesus come to you
in a dream?"

That's what Zack asked.

‐Huh.
‐[chuckles]

‐Wonder where he got that.
‐Yeah.

I bet it did help him,
bringing those kids over.

Yeah, I bet it did.

[theme music playing]

[theme music ends]