Family History Mysteries: Buried Past (2023) - full transcript

I know my dad and I only
lived with them for four years

when I was little, but...

Katherine and Anja were like

the mother and sister
I never had.

Well, here is your copy.

Thank you for letting me
hold on to it.

I'm sorry I don't have more.
Just this one picture of them.

I guess I wasn't
really expecting anything.

Not with so little to go on.

Well, even for a...
an experienced genealogist,

it was a challenge.



And Tina, it may be
the only photo you have,

but it's... it's a good one.
A very good one.

And because you were
smart enough to keep it,

we were able to use it
to track down the woman

whose wedding you attended
when the photo was taken.

It turns out she and Katherine

have kept in touch
all these years.

Wait, are you saying that...

- Are you ready for us, Sophie?
- Mm-hmm.

Did you...

Tina?

Katherine?
Is that you?

Anja.

Well done, Soph.



Soph! It's me!

You said 9:00, and it's 9:30.

9:30? Come on,.

Oh!

- Hey, um, can we talk?
- Yeah.

Are you sure the
leukemia is back?

I mean, you've been in
remission for so long.

There's always a chance
it was gonna come back.

Soph, I know how
to do this, okay?

There's a few more tests to run,

but I already have
a treatment plan.

Okay, okay. Um, so...

Tell me, what's the first step?

Well, step one is you
put some liquor in that tea

and we marathon
The Golden Girls for five hours.

- Hey, I'm serious!
- So am I.

All right, well, answers first,
then hot toddies after.

Okay, so, I will eventually
need a bone marrow transplant.

We just have to find
a matching donor first.

Mom and Dad got tested today,

and Jackson's coming up
tomorrow to get tested too.

Stop eating my food
and give me a hug.

Come on.

- I love you.
- I love you too.

Okay, okay, okay.
One hot toddy, please.

Fine, but...

I am really happy for you
that Jackson's coming back.

It's just, it feels like ever
since he moved to Manhattan,

he just forgot we existed.

Well, he did come back for
your mom's funeral, at least.

I know he did,
but you know what I mean.

Yeah, well, I mean,

Manhattan is, like,
a train ride away.

You could just go
visit him like I do.

I have lots of
family trees to shake

and no one's
gonna shake 'em but me.

- Well, and Esme.
- Right.

- Have you told her yet?
- Not yet.

Okay. What about Alex?

Oh, yeah, I was going
to tell you, I swear,

but we broke up,
like, two weeks ago.

What!? John,
and you didn't tell me?

Well, because it's no big deal!

- I'm your be...
- I'm fine.

I mean, could you really
imagine that conversation?

Hey, Alex, I know we've
been dating for two months,

but surprise, my
leukemia's back.

I know, but I've told you
this time and time again,

you have to trust people.

Soph, I am here right now

'cause I wanted to
tell you what's going on,

not dissect my love life.

Okay?

- Okay.
- So...

How about that
Golden Girls marathon?

How can I possibly
say no to that?

- Thank you!
- Stop eating my food.

Dr. Forest, dial 118, please.

Dr. Forest, please dial 1-1-8.

Soph?

Jackson? Hey!

- Hi.
- Hi.

What are you doing here, hm?

Well, I was getting tested

to see if I could be a
bone marrow donor for Jonathan.

I mean, I know the chances
of a non-related match are low,

literally 1 in a million,

but I thought it was
worth a shot.

And I'm just the first.

Jonathan said I was
okay to share the news,

so Esme and a few others
are coming by later.

Actually, you're second.

I just did mine in
the other room there.

Hey, Winston!

Soph, Jackson.

Hey man, it's been a while.

I was about to head
to your office

when I ran into Sophie.

Well, this seems a good trip.

Hi.

I'm up.

I'll see you both later, I hope?

Yeah.

Ah, lot of people
really care about Jonathan.

Yeah. Yeah, he's really loved.

Yeah.

So, I read that siblings have,
like, a 25 percent chance

of being a match?

I mean, not that I'm the expert.
You're the doctor.

ER doctor, not an oncologist.

But yeah, Mom and I
are the most likely.

I have a 1 in 4 chance.
Parental match is a longer shot,

but significantly more likely
than a random donor match.

But between you and me, Mom's
pretty much convinced herself

it's gonna be me.

What about George?

I mean, I know he's
not your bio dad, but...

He thinks he'll be a match,

although it's
extremely unlikely.

You know him, though...
Soft belly, big heart.

- You'll keep me in the loop?
- Of course.

Hey, we didn't, uh, get
much of a chance to talk

at your mom's funeral.

I just, I wanted to say
again how sorry I am.

She was like a second
mother to us growing up.

I still can't
believe she's gone.

- Thanks, Jackson.
- Yeah.

- I should get back to work.
- Yeah, okay.

Um, this is my stop.

- I'll see you around, Sophie.
- Yeah.

Dorothy?

Hey, what are you doing here?
I just came from the hospital.

Hi, Sophie.
Um... can we talk?

Yeah.
Is everything okay?

- Let me buy you a coffee.
- Okay.

Jonathan told
you about the relapse?

I can't even imagine how hard

this must be for you,
but they're gonna find a match.

That's why I
wanted to talk to you.

If Jackson and I
aren't a donor match,

the doctor has suggested that

another member of the
immediate family might be.

And that's where
you can help me.

I'm not following.

I wanna hire your company

to find the boys'
biological father,

- Clark Higgins.
- I...

I thought he died
before the boys were born.

The State of New York
declared him dead

three years after
his disappearance,

but they never found a body.

Just his car after
it went off the bridge.

Um... that's us
the day we tied the knot.

Behind us, you can see
Clark's sister, Jessie,

and his best friend, Bill.

Nine years after
the disappearance

and a month before
I got this postcard,

my friend Anna swore
she saw Clark in Boston.

I hired a private investigator
to try and find him,

but no luck.

Postmarked Bradford, Massachusetts.

I think that's near Boston.

Did Clark have
any ties to the area?

Not to my knowledge.

What about any other family
members besides his sister?

Just Jessie.

I think she got married and
moved away, but I'm not sure.

And the private investigator
that you hired...

Couldn't find a thing, but...

I've seen how good
you are, Sophie.

And you know what
my boys mean to me.

I need your help.

Please.

I'll pay you whatever you ask.

No, Dorothy,
I can't take your money.

Oh Sophie, you have to. I...

Of course I will take the case,
but I can't take your money.

I mean, you guys are...

You guys are family.

Thank you.

Uh, there's just one
other little small thing.

I haven't told the boys
about any of this, so...

you'll need to be discreet.

Dorothy, I can't
lie to my friends.

I'm happy to take the case,

but you have to be straight
with Jonathan and Jackson.

And besides, they
deserve to know.

Okay.

Okay.

I'll call them as
soon as I leave here

and tell them everything.

- Then we're good.
- Thank you, Sophie.

I know if anyone can
find Clark, it's you.

Earth to Sophie!
Hi.

I got your favorite farro
and beat salad from Le Chef.

Ooh, sorry, my mind
was on something else.

We... we have a new case.

Oh, you saw the email
about the love letters client.

I was gonna give her
a call later about the job,

but glad you got
a head start on it.

No, actually,
we have a new case,

one that hits
kind of close to home.

Dorothy just hired us
to find Jonathan and Jackson's

biological father to see
if he is a bone marrow match.

Uh, that's new to me.
How do you match a dead guy?

Well, it turns out
maybe not so dead.

Nine years after
his disappearance,

there was a sighting.
And then there's this.

- Whoa, he sent this?
- Possibly.

It's been handled
too much for fingerprints.

Uh, can you pull
the death certificate for me?

His name is
Clark Edward Higgins.

- Yeah.
- Thanks.

Death by drowning, and they
never recovered the body, right?

Right.

I had Dorothy
walk me through it.

Clark's car went off
the Buffalo Skyway

sometime during the night.

The reason the car went
off the bridge is unknown

and a body was never recovered.

Okay, so... what's our next move?

I'm gonna try to find

Clark's best friend,
Bill Reynolds.

I need to get a DNA
sample from Jonathan

and enter it into
the DNA databases.

Maybe we can lock
into a paternal match.

There's also an aunt,
uh, Clark's sister, Jessie.

Okay, well, we can search
for her the old-fashioned way...

Social media,
ancestry websites, et cetera.

Assuming she's still
using her maiden name.

Right.

So... I'm gonna be
kind of slammed with this.

How do you feel about taking on

the love letter
case by yourself?

- You're serious?
- Mm-hmm.

- I got my own case?
- Yeah, I think it's time.

You've been working
with me for, what?

- Six months.
- I think you're ready.

Wow, from art teacher
to genealogical detective.

Oh, I'm ready.

And I'm gonna go talk to the
love letters lady right now.

Great. You'll like it.

Wait, you forgot your lunch!

So, Alicia, why
don't you tell me about

how you found these letters?

I wanted a fixer because
I'm all about DIY.

You renovated
this place yourself?

I started with the
kitchen first because I knew

it was gonna take the most work.

But when I ripped out
the floorboards here,

I noticed one of
these boards was loose.

This was hidden under it.

There are no last
names or addresses.

No envelopes.
Just the letters.

"My darling Charlie,

"If only I could hold you,

"feel the warmth of
your arms around me.

I know fate has kept us
apart, but one day..."

"we'll find our way
back to each other."

"With love, R."

- So romantic, right?
- Well, just so you know,

these letters may be
older than we realize.

I can't guarantee that the
people involved are still alive.

If they are, I promise that we
will do everything in our power

to return them to
their rightful owner.

Thank you, Esme.

♪ When I set my eyes on you ♪

♪ All the lights
still bleeding ♪

♪ When I set my
love on you, oh ♪

♪ Written across your face ♪

Hey!

Sorry.

- Sorry to interrupt.
- It's okay.

I could use a break.

Want to come to the
record store with me

for some retail therapy?

Ooh, yes, that sounds great.

But first I just need
a quick DNA sample from you.

Excuse me? Why?

Well, I need the sample
so I can upload it

to some online
genetic databases.

Look, I know those
are words you're saying,

but I'm completely
in the dark here.

Your mom didn't
call you, did she?

- She was supposed to tell you...
- Tell me what?

That you're coming over
with a very large Q-Tip.

I have no idea if she called.

I've been listening to
music the whole time.

Um, your mom wanted me
to do a job for her,

but it's not a big deal
and I can just come back

- after you guys talk.
- Sophie.

What job?

Hey, guys.

I got chocolate glazed,
coconut cream, sprinkled,

old fashioned glazed...
Oh, and cinnamon sugar.

I wasn't sure what you'd like,
but I thought a little sugar

might be a little
morale booster.

What's with the gloves?
Did I interrupt something?

No, not that all.

Sophie here was just collecting
a DNA sample for Mom.

But she won't tell me why.

A DNA sample, huh?
Why would you need that?

Mm, your mom
didn't call you either.

No.

Um...

It's not a big deal.

Uh, I'm just gonna
come back later,

after you guys talk to her, so...

- Soph?
- What?

- You're doing the thing.
- I didn't do the thing.

Yeah, you're doing the thing.

Any time you're not
being straight with me,

you do the thing.

I can't.

You can't what, Sophie?

Tell us.

Okay, um...

Your Mom hired me to
find your biological father.

She thinks he might
still be alive

and that he might be a
bone marrow match for Jonathan.

And why are you
just telling us now?

We didn't have any proof.

That's why I hired a
private investigator

all those years ago.

I didn't wanna say something
to you and be wrong.

Your mother
and I talked about it

after her friend Anna thought
she saw Clark in Boston, but...

But what?

You should've told us.

It was our right to know.
He was our father.

I don't understand how you
can just be standing there

acting like this
isn't a huge deal.

It is a huge deal,
but we need to focus on

what matters right now.

Jonathan, you're right.

We made a mistake.

And I am so sorry for
not sharing this with you.

Mom, we know
this was hard for you,

that you were just doing
what you thought was right.

- We do?
- Look, I'm just trying to

see things from
her point of view.

We were just trying
to protect you both.

- And this is how you protect us?
- Yeah.

By lying to us, and then
hiring Sophie behind our backs

to find the guy who
dumped us and took off?

Your biological dad
could be a bone marrow match.

- We have to at least try.
- Jackson is gonna be the match.

So I don't understand why
we're having this conversation.

Jonathan, please.

Okay, say you find him.
Let's say he's a match.

How do you know
he's gonna go through with it?

He wasn't there
for us growing up.

So why would he be
there for me now?

It's worth a shot.

I wanna do whatever
it takes to keep you alive.

Yeah, we all do.

If you wanna waste
your time looking for a man

who abandoned us,
abandoned Mom, go ahead.

Even if he is alive,

he has done a real good job of
hiding himself our entire lives.

Good luck finding him.

Jonathan has a right
to be upset with us.

You know, if my parents
hadn't told me I was adopted

when I was seven and instead
sprung it on me as an adult,

I'd be hurt.

How are you doing about it all?

I don't know.

It's kind of weird
to think about

Clark being alive
out there somewhere.

Living a whole other life.

Maybe even having a
whole other family.

I think that's one of the
reasons why I became a doctor.

I get that.
You couldn't help your dad,

but you could help other people.

Yep, pop psychology for the win.

You know, for what it's worth,

I've always admired the way
you've followed your heart.

You're doing
what's important to you.

You're helping people.

And all the while
living in one of

the most amazing
cities in the world.

Well, you didn't have to
stay back here in Buffalo.

I-I couldn't leave my mom.

And it was a joy to be there
for here when she needed me.

I wouldn't change
it for the world.

You know, we never talked
about any of this stuff before.

Mm, you never asked.

Yeah, well, that's my bad.
I should've.

Ah,

I didn't have lunch,

and since we're standing
in front of Big Tony's...

I've got first dibs on pinball.

Oh, you...

Did you and Jonathan
ever spend time with

your aunt Jessie?

I don't think we ever met her.

I was just wondering if
maybe Clark reached out to her,

if maybe she knows where he is.

Assuming he did fake
his own death,

he would need some help, right?

I just wanna know why he did it.

Why fake his own death?

No money, no job,
no place to live.

What's he running away from?

Finding out the answer
to that could mean a lot.

We should talk to
Anna ourselves.

- We?
- She knows me.

Maybe I'll be able to get her
to open up, talk more openly.

Oh, I like this.

Jackson Ford is
my Watson extraordinaire.

Ah, ah, ah, it's
Dr. Watson Extraordinaire.

Right.

Hi! Anna Malone?

Yes. Can I help you?

- Hi, Anna.
- Oh, Jackson.

This is my friend,
Sophie McClaren.

She's Harry's daughter.

We were hoping to
ask you about something.

Sure, come in.

So what did you
wanna talk about?

Clark Higgins,
my biological father.

My mother said that you
thought you saw him in Boston.

If she already told you...

It's really better to get
the information from the source.

That's a long time ago.
I don't really remember much.

Can you tell us
what you do remember?

I'm not even sure it was him.

Like I said,
it was a long time ago.

And even back then,
I almost didn't tell your mom,

because if I was wrong,
then it would only hurt her.

But something compelled
you to tell her.

What was it?

I just thought if it
were me, I'd wanna know.

I was in Boston for
my niece's wedding,

at the rehearsal dinner.

I just remember looking out
the window of the restaurant,

and there he was, walking by.

So I ran outside,
called his name.

No response.

Watched him hop
into a car and leave.

I know this was
a really long time ago,

but is there anything
else you can remember?

Maybe the car?

Wait a minute,

The car.

Uh, it was one of
those boxy Volvos.

It was gray or... blue.

Powder blue.

Okay, a powder blue Volvo.
That's something.

Is there anything
else you can remember?

I...

No, no.

Anna, if you saw something,
we really need to know.

Please.
Jonathan has had a relapse

and he needs a bone
marrow transplant.

If I'm not a match,
Clark might be.

We need to find
him just in case.

There was a woman
holding on to his arm.

It was very intimate.

I didn't see her face,
but she had long red hair.

I felt terrible for Dorothy.

If it was Clark,
then he wasn't dead.

He left her for another woman.

I'm so sorry, Jackson.

Yeah, well, it's
better than no truth.

Well, at least now we really
do have reason to believe

that Clark was alive back then,

and that maybe he had
a powder blue Volvo.

Doesn't seem like much to go on.

I mean, I guess we know
he had bad taste in cars.

Hey, believe me,

I have found people
using far less.

Look, I wanna help,
so what can I do?

Actually, there is one thing.

But I promised my dad I'd
have dinner with him tonight,

so if you don't mind...

I'd be happy to swing
by Harry's house.

Okay.

All right, that's it!
That wasn't so bad, was it?

Thank you.

I just didn't wanna bother
Jonathan with this, you know?

Mm-hmm.

Now what?

Now I send your genetic profile
into online ancestry databases,

see if we get any matches.

Maybe Clark had other
kids or distant relatives

who may know his whereabouts.

And in the meantime?

In the meantime, I use
other tools at my disposal

and focus on the Boston area.

Do you really think
you can find him?

If he's alive,
I think I can find him.

I just hope I can do in time.

I'm also on the hunt for

Clark's best friend,
Bill Reynolds.

Your mom said he was
a witness at their wedding.

He and Clark taught at
the same school,

but your mom and him lost touch.

- Hey, hey!
- Hey, Dad!

- Look who came to say hi.
- Harry! Good to see you.

Jackson, my favorite Ford kid.

Dad! You know what?

Don't listen to
anything this man says

because he tells
Jonathan the same thing

every time he comes over.

Don't give your
old man's secret away, kiddo.

Harry, you? Old? No way.

Hm? You see why
he's my favorite?

Yeah.

Sophie told
me what was going on.

I'm glad you're here.

Jonathan and your parents
need all the support

they can get right now.

- I'll do my best, sir.
- I know.

Stay for dinner, hm?
I'm making chicken a la Harry.

There's more than enough
for three.

Oof, as good as that sounds,

I better get back
to my parents' house.

Jonathan's coming by
for dinner tonight,

and I was told to be
home at 7:00 sharp.

- I'll walk you out.
- Well, maybe next time.

Just you and me, kiddo.

Don't be a stranger, huh?

- Good to see you again, Harry.
- Same to you.

Thanks for letting
me tag along today.

- Yeah.
- I need to be doing something

or I'm gonna go stir crazy.

Yeah, same old Jackson,
can't abide boredom.

Don't know too many guys
who were football captain

and salutatorian of their class.

And that would've
been valedictorian

if there wasn't
some brainiac girl

who remembered
everything in my class.

Oops.

Okay, um, so I'll
call you tomorrow

and we'll make a plan?

- Great.
- Okay.

- Good night.
- Night.

- Mmmm!
- Mm-hmm!

- That smells good, Dad.
- Mm-hmm.

What?

Oh, nothin'.

Dad, Jackson's just a friend.

Sometimes friends

can become more than friends, huh?

Your mother and I were
friends once upon a time.

Okay, okay, I'm not 15 anymore.
No dating advice.

Hey, I wanted to ask
you something, though, Dad.

Um... you and Mom
were friends with Dorothy

when she was married
to Clark Higgins, right?

Well, your mother
and Dorothy were friends.

I mean, uh, we, uh...

We double dated
a couple of times,

caught a ball game
or two, but that's it.

Why?

Well, we have reason to believe
that Clark may still be alive.

- Wow.
- Yeah.

- All this time?
- Yeah.

It seems Dorothy knew about it,

but Jackson and
Jonathan didn't know.

Well, now that you mention it...

What?

Do you know something
about Clark's disappearance?

George and I took
in a Bills game once.

I think you and the kids
were maybe 9 or 10.

And I remember he was
really stressed and nervous.

Not George-like at all.

What was he nervous about?

When I asked him,
he said that there was something

that was gonna make
Dorothy leave him.

No, not something. Someone.

I offered to help, and he
said he'd taken care of it.

I guess he did, because he
never spoke about it again.

- Are you sure about when?
- Definitely.

'96 playoffs. Why?

That was right after
Clark was seen in Boston.

Hi George, it's Sophie.

I've left you a few messages.

Um, if you could call me
back, it's very important.

Thanks.

Just had a great meeting with
the love letters client, Alicia.

- Great.
- So I already started

working on chain of ownership
for the house,

but I learned it
was built in 1954,

and the kitchen where Alicia

originally discovered
the letters was an addition,

so it wasn't built until 1981.

Great work!
That should narrow it down some.

I'm excited!

So how goes the hunt for
Jonathan and Jackson's dad?

- Well...
- No.

Whatever this is,
I want no part of it.

Well, you don't even
know what I'm gonna ask you.

I don't need to.
I can see from the look

on your face
I'm not gonna like it.

How about this?

Dinner on me at the new
French restaurant downtown

if you'll swing by the
hospital and ask Winston

to put a rush on
the DNA profile?

I knew it.
Sophie, he's so cute,

but he can't even
look me in the eye.

It is beyond awkward.

Like, he takes it to
a whole new level, I...

Can we just do it
through the proper channels?

No, because it will take weeks,
and if you ask Winston,

I'm pretty sure we'll get
the raw DNA profile in days.

This is a much bigger
ask than steak frites

and chocolate mousse.

Oh, did I mention a bottle
of their best wine to share?

Huh? Plus, you'd
be doing it for Jonathan.

Okay, well, that's not fair
because now I can't say no.

I know.

I might as well get it done now.

But you do know that Winston is
never gonna ask me out, right?

No matter how many times
you try to throw us together,

it's just, it's hopeless.

Who, me? Never say never!

Mm-hmm.

Hi, I'm trying to
reach Bill Reynolds.

He owns aircraft N-N-7-4-1-P.

And he just won our drawing
for a year's supply of, uh,

airplane polish.

I know, you never think people

actually win
those things, right?

Yes, yes, a phone number
would be great.

Hi, is this Bill Reynolds?

Yes, my name is Sophie McClaren.

I'm a forensic genealogist,

and I'm looking for
Clark Higgins.

Uh, I understand that,
but I would actually

still love to talk to you.
It's very import...

Esme.

To what do I owe this
unexpected pleasure?

- Well...
- Wait, don't tell me.

Let me guess.

Is that a sample you'd
like me to genotype for you?

If you have the time and
it's not too much trouble.

I'll put a rush on it.

That's great.
Thank you, Winston.

Well, I guess
I should get going.

Yeah, yeah, I'm sure
you're very beautiful.

Busy. Busy.

Beautifully busy.
You are beautiful.

Yeah.

All right, well,
uh, I just, um...

I guess give the office
a call when it's done.

Yeah, uh...

Thank you.

Uh, no, thank you.

No, thank you.

Bye, Winston.

No, thank you?

Come on, Winston,
use your words.

I know I said I'd call,
but I was in the neighborhood.

Actually, I was gonna call you.

I found Clark's friend,
Bill Reynolds,

and I was gonna head
to the airfield now.

Sounds great. I'll drive.

Thanks.

So chivalrous.

If the guys you're dating
aren't opening doors for you,

you're dating the wrong guys.

I'll take that under advisement.

So, are you dating anyone?

It's been a while
since we've talked.

Ah, you sound like
Esme and my dad.

How so?

Well, Esme says I'm too picky.

But I'm sorry, a guy wearing
squared-toed dress shoes?

That is a deal-breaker to me.

Good to know
that women don't like men

in square-toed dress shoes.

I'm mentally going through
my closet right now.

I think I'm good.

And my dad,
he just wants me happy,

but that means finding
somebody I actually like.

And since dating now consists
of swiping left and right,

finding a good match
seems impossible.

How about you?

I guess everyone just swipes
left when they get to me.

Stop.

No, I've had
a few serious relationships.

But no one's ever
lived up to my first love.

She set the bar pretty high.

Okay, well, whoever she is,

I'm sure she's ruing the
day she let you get away.

Yeah, I don't think she is.

Okay, so we're looking
for Bill Reynolds

in a gold-striped Cessna.

Hello? Anyone here?

N-N-7-2-4-1-P.

Mr. Reynolds?

Look, you can't be in here.

There's a lot of
sensitive equipment.

- Mr. Reynolds?
- Yeah.

Uh, we were just looking for...

Wait, you're the girl on
the phone asking about Clark.

Yeah, did you know him?

I told you...

Oh my goodness.
You look just like your father.

- Uh, I wouldn't know.
- Of course not.

He died before you were born.

Look, Mr. Reynolds,

I know you said you
didn't wanna talk to me...

So you thought
you'd come down here

and maybe I'd
just change my mind.

Yes, I was hoping.

I just thought if we could
explain the situation...

I already told you on the phone,

I'm not interested
in dredging up the past.

Now, I have work to do.

Look, my brother's
life is on the line,

and I think my father
would've wanted you to help us.

Please?

For your best friend?

Like I said,
I have work to do, so...

if you wanna talk,
you gotta work.

We have reason to believe
that Clark may still be alive.

That he may have possibly
faked his own death.

I don't believe
that for a second.

Bill, you knew him best.

Maybe you could tell us
a little bit about him?

Clark was a good guy.
Always had your back.

A champion dart player.

Legendary at the Iron
Hound, our local pub.

He loved your mother, he...

He never would've done something
like faking his own death.

Even if he'd gotten involved
with another woman?

Didn't happen.
Clark was a responsible type.

There's no way he woulda
left her in a lurch like that.

No, not unless...

he had a very good reason.

Was there a reason?

He was upset that night, sure.

But not enough to
do what you're saying.

Why was he upset?

Clark called me that night.

Asked me to meet him
at the Iron Hound Pub.

It was raining, it was
a real mess out, but...

Clark sounded bad, so I went.

And he and your mom
had had a fight.

It was bad.

- Was the marriage in trouble?
- I don't know.

They were newlyweds.
They had plans, and

getting unexpectedly
pregnant with twins?

That wasn't one of them, so...
it freaked Clark out.

Well, lots of people get
nervous about having kids.

You need to understand.

Your grandparents?
They were alcoholics.

Not nice ones.
After they passed,

Clark was left with
his younger sister, Jessie,

to raise by himself, and
she had emotional problems.

She was in and out of school
with trouble all the time.

Clark did his best,
but I think he felt like

he really failed her.

And now here he is,
two babies on the way,

two kids he was
afraid he might fail.

So you think if he ran,
maybe that was why?

If he ran?
Yeah, could be.

- Thank you very much.
- Hi, George!

Sophie, uh, what
are you doing here?

Well, I left you a few messages,
but I know how busy you get,

so I thought
I'd just swing by your office.

Yeah, I've been really busy.

In fact, I have a
meeting right now.

So, sorry.

Okay, well, this will
just take a second.

How about I do the talking
and you tell me if I'm close?

I think that Clark came
back maybe a year or two

after you and
Dorothy got married,

and I think that instead of
finding Dorothy and the kids,

he found you.

And I think you know that

he's been alive this
entire time.

Sophie!

I have nothing to do with Clark.

Do you understand me?

Okay, listen, if he's out there,

I'm sure you will do
your best to find him.

But I can't help you.

Esme, what's up?

I may have a
lead on Clark's sister.

I found the guy
she was married to.

How?

Marriage records?

Divorce records.
I'm sending you his address now.

Great.

Look at the two of you.
Boy, did I have my hands full.

Yeah.

Um, Sophie and I, we, uh...

We talked to
Bill Reynolds today.

- You found Bill?
- Mm-hmm.

You know, I always felt bad
about losing touch with him.

Between you and me,

I think he blamed
himself for Clark's death,

sending him out driving
into the middle of a rainstorm,

which is absurd.

If anyone's to blame...

it's me.

Why? Because of
the fight you two had?

- He told you about that?
- He did, yeah.

The night that, uh, he died,

I was angry.

We... had a big fight,
and I said some harsh words.

I even threatened to leave him

if he didn't get his act together,

- but I didn't mean it.
- It's not your fault.

I pushed him over the edge.

You didn't do
anything wrong, Mom.

Hi! My name is Sophie McClaren,

and I'm looking for
your ex-wife, Jessie?

You mean the woman that left me
six months into our marriage

- for some old boyfriend?
- Uh...

I don't know where she is.
I don't wanna know.

You feelin' all right?
You're looking a little flushed.

And I have never known you
to leave a slice behind before.

Is this my doctor
or my brother asking?

I'm fine.
I'm just a little tired.

And Jackson, never comment
on a gay man's eating habits.

All right, that's fair.

This is nice though, isn't it?

Like I said, I-I feel
like I haven't even since you

since I've come home.

Yeah, this...

This whole Clark thing
has been really upsetting.

Dad lied to us, and then
you didn't even have my back.

That's not fair.

I think if we sit down
with Mom and talk...

I'm not interested in
hearing her excuses.

- Can we just let it go?
- Yeah, fine.

Esme. Hey.

Oh, fancy seeing you two here.

We were just starving,

so we thought we'd
grab a bite after work.

- Why don't you join us?
- What happened to just us?

You can't refuse a sick man.
Can you, Esme?

Sophie, come on, sit.
Help me, please.

Yeah, sure.

- Hey!
- Hey.

Hi! I ordered us a medium
mushroom and cheese to share.

So, how's the search for
our dead dad coming along?

I have some leads I'm working
on, but nothing solid yet.

Yeah, exactly.

Esme, please, just tell me
something exciting in your life.

Well, I'm working on
my first solo case.

- Really?
- Yeah.

- That's great!
- Thank you.

And then hopefully she can help
us find Clark after that, right?

Absolutely.

- You're helping too?
- Yeah!

Jonathan, it's... it's
okay to have some help.

Stop telling me
how to feel, Sophie.

Wow, okay, you need
to break it down.

You're not inside
my head, Jackson.

So please just stop
acting like it.

Sorry...

- Jonathan?
- Jonathan?

I got you, I got you,
I got you. Take it easy.

Are you okay?

Whoa, whoa, I need some water!

Hey, hey, hey...

Stay with me.
Hey, look at me, buddy.

That was so scary.

- I'm glad you were there.
- Yeah, me too.

And I've had a few is there
a doctor in the house moments,

but it's an entirely
different feeling

when the patient
is your own brother.

Dr. Kravitz?

You have a visitor
in the main lobby.

I really appreciate
you being here.

Hey, of course I'm here.
He's my best friend.

I mean, you are too, were.
I don't know.

I mean, we're still
friends, right?

I really missed
having you in my life.

Yeah, I mean, of
course we are, Soph.

I should've said
this a long time ago,

but I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have
taken off the way I did.

What do you mean?

You know,
taking the job in Manhattan

when you and Jonathan were
expecting me to stay in Buffalo

after my residency?

No, Jackson, it's not that

I was upset with you for leaving.

I mean, I was a little, yeah.

But it's more that you took off

right when things got bad with
my mom.

I mean, you just disappeared.
I needed my friend,

and you were just gone.

Look, there's really
no excuse, okay?

If I promise I won't
disappear on you again,

you think you can forgive me?

Yeah, of course I forgive you.

I just want Jonathan to be okay.

- I need him to be okay.
- Yeah, me too.

- Oh, hey.
- Oh, hey.

Uh... so the, uh,
doctor said that

Jonathan has a mild infection.

It's nothing serious, but, uh,
his immune system is weakened

by the leukemia.

But he's responding very well
to the antibiotics, right?

Right.

And, um, they'll probably
be sending him home soon.

- Great.
- So that's it.

There's nothing else that
we can do right now, so...

I'll be taking your mother home.

- I'll see you, Dad.
- All right.

- See you later.
- See you, Mom.

Bye, honey.

Okay.

Ah, hey, so, um...

This is, um...

I need to talk to
you about something,

and I don't want to upset you.

Okay, you won't.
What is it?

I think that Clark
came back to see your mom

after she married George,

and I think... I don't know.

I think that George
knows something

that can help us find Clark.

But he won't talk to me,
so I was hoping...

- Maybe he'd talk to me.
- Thank you.

- Mm-hmm.
- Thank you.

And I promise you, I will
be right by Jonathan's side

when he wakes up.

- Okay.
- See you soon.

Yeah.

- Hey.
- Hey.

I got your text.

Your mother's resting.

You know, this happened

so long ago,
I thought I was safe.

I should've figured Sophie

would be the one
that figured it out.

What happened?

I'm not proud of what I did.

I mean, Lord knows I always
try to do the right thing

and set a good example
for you boys.

But when someone
threatens your way of life

and your marriage...

you really learn what
you're capable of doing.

- Dad?
- Hm?

Just tell me.

You boys and your
mother were at the McClarens.

I was home alone, and Clark
comes and knocks on the door

like it was nothing.

Like the world hadn't
moved on since he disappeared.

Why did he come back here?
Did he say?

Yeah, he wanted
to apologize to your mother.

Said that he had managed
to escape from the car

as it hit the water,
but he had...

suffered a skull facture.

And then he wandered
downstream for miles

until he got picked up
by a truck driver.

He spent weeks in the hospital
with his head injuries.

- That's awful.
- Yeah.

And I was terrified.

I was terrified
that once she saw him,

saw what he had become,

that she'd break it off
with me and go back to him.

To help him.

What do you mean? Why?

The night of the accident,
he lost his sight.

And he never got it back.

What?

- Hi, cutie.
- Hey.

Did I make it to
the door, at least?

Or did I pass out in
the middle of Tony's.

Middle of Tony's.

I am never gonna
live that down, am I?

- No.
- No way.

So? Any news?

You're gonna have to wait
for your oncologist for that.

But if the love doctor's in,

I might need some
more of your advice.

I already told you...
The love doctor says

that it's time to put
on your big boy pants

and ask the lady out.

Love doctor, hm?

Is this about Esme?

Yes, sadly still pining away.

Every time she comes
around, I get tongued tied

and I just choke.

Winston, you gotta
put yourself out there

and damn the consequences.

Even if it means a broken heart?

Yeah. Even if.

You don't want to
regret not going for it

when you had the chance.

The love doctor concurs
with the real doctor.

Hey!
You feelin' okay, Jonathan?

Yeah.

I could use a shower.

And maybe a...
an almond milk latte.

You know, we can take
care of the latte for you.

Thank you.

I have to get back to my lab.
See you later?

See you, Winston.

- Sure you're okay?
- Yeah.

All right, love doctor.

My dad was hiding something big.

I don't know how you knew,
but you were right.

What did he say?

Clark came to
the house one night.

He wanted to talk to my mom.
Oh, and get this.

The woman with the red hair,
she was with him.

My dad saw her
sitting in the car.

- Wow.
- Yeah.

My mom, she wasn't home,

and I think my dad
just freaked out,

'cause he threatened Clark.

Yeah, he told him
that he would expose him

for faking his own death if
he didn't leave right away.

I think that could've
landed Clark in big trouble.

The worst part is, though,
because of the accident,

- Clark lost his sight.
- Oh, that's awful.

Yeah, I feel like
my entire world

just got flipped
upside down, you know?

Like, everything I ever
believed is just wrong.

It's gonna be okay.
I promise.

I hope so.

Hey, as someone who was adopted,

I've spent my entire life
wrestling with that question.

And it's always there,

but it can be so hard
to pull out that string.

I'm still afraid to
find my birth parents.

My mom left me a package, and
I haven't even opened it yet.

It's a... it's a big leap to take.

- Yeah.
- Are you going to?

I don't know. Maybe.

I mean, like you said,
everything feels upside down.

Well, you'll know
what to do, Soph.

You always do.

- Thanks.
- Mm-hmm.

Okay, so the results are in.

Dr. Turner, what is it?

Maybe I shouldn't be here.

Sophie, stay, please.

So neither Dorothy
nor Jackson are a match.

Obviously this is not
the news we were hoping for.

Now, we're gonna send Jonathan
home with some antibiotics,

but his infection
has us concerned, so...

We need to find Clark. Now.

Winston came through!

I just got his email,

and I am uploading
Jackson's DNA profile

to all the registry sites.

Ah, fingers crossed
something comes through.

- I think it's a good bet.
- I don't know.

I just feel like every
lead I've taken lately

has led to a dead end.

Yeah, but you see things
other people don't, Soph.

You got this.

- Hi.
- Hi... Winston.

I came here on the off
chance that you were here.

Yes.

- Brought you donuts.
- Oh! Thank you!

Sophie says you love donuts.

Sophie...

Yes, I do love donuts.

That's great.

- That's awesome.
- Yeah.

May I have the honor of taking
you out for a cup of coffee,

Esme Sabatier?

Are you asking me out on a date?

- Yes.
- Uh, then yes, yes,

I would love to have
coffee with you, Winston.

Yes.

Okay.

Okay, all right, uh...

I'll call you later.

You've made me so happy.

I'm so glad.

Oh.

So that just happened.

I would hate to say
I told you so, but...

You told me so.

Seriously, Jackson,
you don't need to baby me.

I'm fine.

You gotta take it easy, okay?

Your body needs rest,
and I know you.

You're gonna try to
get up off this couch

and head back into work.

I just... I don't wanna
think about being sick 24/7.

I just wanna pretend that
everything's gonna be okay

for, like, five minutes.

I hate to break it to you,
but that's not how this works.

Don't you think I know that?

And when you keep
pushing everyone away,

like me, and Mom,
and even Sophie,

it's hard for me
not to just step in

and deal with everything
for you, okay?

That's the same problem
we've always had,

you being the older brother.

By two minutes. Settle down.

And you act like I'm incapable
of looking after myself.

Not true.

Well, you went away and I
did just fine without you.

Yeah, well, I'm here now, okay?

Yeah, and did someone's
life have to be at stake

for you to come back?

Even you can't fix
this for me, Jackson.

So please, just... just back off.

You got it.

Take your meds.

I found her.

I... I found her.
Soph? Soph?

I found the missing link
to my love letters case.

Okay, so the house was used
not just as a residence,

but also a home-based business,

mainly a hair salon called
Carlotta's Curls and Cuts,

Carlotta being the woman
that owned the house in 1990.

Now, I reached out
to the former owner,

and she said that Carlotta
not only ran her business there,

but also lived there.

- And her nickname was Charlie.
- Yes.

So this whole time I thought
we were looking for a man.

It was Carlotta.

So Carlotta just
emailed me back.

Turns out she lives right
here in Elmwood Village.

What do you think about going

and returning these
letters to her together?

Let's go.

So, you're looking for someone?

Yes, and we think
it might be you.

Those are Robert's letters.

They were found
underneath the floorboards

of your cousin's house.

It's changed hands
a few times since,

but the current owner, a
young woman name Alicia,

wanted to make sure that they
found their way back to you.

I moved out after a few months,

and when I realized I had left
them behind, it was too late.

You don't know
what this means to me.

Can I ask what happened
with you and Robert?

Robert was my first love.

He wrote these to me on his
first tour of duty in Iraq.

We planned on getting married
when he came home, and we did.

Just so glad to have these back.

Ah, part of him.

Something I can share with
Eddie and Gregory... his words.

These memories are
so important to have.

Your family is so beautiful.

Edgar is a junior at
Baderton University,

and Gregory is at a
school for the blind

right here in Buffalo.

Wait up, Soph,
what's... what's going on?

- Where has my mind been?
- What are you talking about?

We have to get back
to the office.

I have been totally
missing the obvious.

Hi, my name is Sophie McClaren,

and I'm looking for
someone who I think...

Hi, is there a Clark Higgins
that ever taught at your school?

Hi, has a Clark Higgins
ever worked there?

Clark Higgins.

You're sure?
He did. When?

He retired?

Okay, um, is there
a forwarding address?

No, okay. Thank you.

Hi, Mom.
I wish you were here.

I feel like I've
hit a brick wall.

I just knew in my gut
that Clark was a teacher

and he would go back
to teaching if he could,

and that's how I'd find him.

But I didn't.
I was too late.

And I'm running
out of time, Mom.

And this is the
one case I can't fail.

And I'm worried that's
exactly what I'm doing.

♪ So you're trying
to take away ♪

So once I finally found
Charlie, aka Carlotta,

- she was thrilled.
- That's amazing.

In my job, I don't usually
get to deliver good news.

I do hope they
find Clark, though,

for Jonathan's sake.

If anyone can do it,
it's Sophie and Jackson.

Yeah, those two are relentless.

- So Winston...
- Hm?

What was it that finally
made you decide to ask me out?

Uh...

Something Jackson said.

I realized if I didn't put
aside my fear and ask you out,

I was never going to
get to know the real you.

And that would've been the
biggest regret of my life.

Well, I'm really glad
that you finally did.

Waiting... a long time, you know?

♪ I fell into, into ♪

♪ Your ♪

How long exactly?

The day we met.

♪ How did you get me to fold ♪

♪ So ♪

♪ Soon ♪

Hey, what can I get ya?

I'll take a lager, please.

Thank you.

Hey, so what brings you here?

Nostalgia.

You've been here before?

No, um, my, um...

My father has.

All right, well, let me know if
you need anything else, buddy.

Yeah.

Jessie, the red-haired woman.

Food's about ready.

Hey.

Sorry, I'm not
great company tonight.

I just had a rough day.

Soph, whatever problems
you've faced in your life,

you've always
found a workaround.

It's not the same this time.

I...

thought I had it.

And I don't know.

From the moment you
came into our lives...

your mother and I knew there
was something special about you.

And we were right.

You're the best thing
that ever happened to us.

You're gonna find Clark Higgins.
I have total faith.

Thanks, Dad.

I... I still haven't opened
the package Mom left me.

I want to.

I just am not ready.

Your mother would want you

to take as much
time as you need, honey.

Opening the package
she left you is not a race.

Yeah.

Sorry, Dad, um...

it's Jackson.

Um, Dad, will you
check on dinner, okay?

We just got a lead.

Go get 'em, kiddo!

Your mom gave me
a black-and-white photo.

That's why we couldn't tell that
Jessie was the red-headed woman.

And that was who Anna
saw with Clark in Boston...

Arm and arm because he's blind.

That does make me
feel a little better

knowing he didn't just leave
my mom for another woman.

Wait, when I talked to Oscar,
he said that Jessie had left him

for an old boyfriend.

And the way this guy,
this K. Del Rio

has his arm around her...

You think that might
be the old boyfriend?

And if she got married
and changed her name,

that would explain
why we haven't found her.

Okay.

Um... I'm running a
search for Jessie Del Rio

in the Massachusetts area,

age range 50 to 60,

with other family members in

the same household
and the same age range,

specifically men,
first initial K.

Look, there, the bottom entry.
Bradford, Mass.

- Should we call?
- Yeah,

it beats a seven-hour drive.

Hello?

Hi, my name is Sophie McClaren,
and I'm a forensic genealogist.

I'm looking for someone
who I think lived there.

Jessie Del Rio?

No, there's no Jessie here.

Maybe you've got
the wrong number.

Is there anyone else
that I can speak to?

No, bye.

Bust, huh?

It was probably
just a wrong number.

We'll find her.

It's only a matter of time.

Time is the one thing
we don't have much of.

Maybe we should just
head there tomorrow.

You know, check out
this address, the town nearby,

see if anyone
remembers seeing her?

Yeah, yeah, you're right.
We're not giving up.

Okay, uh, I'll
expand the search,

see if we can get
any more leads.

And in the meantime, maybe
we can order some takeout.

I think that's
your best idea yet.

Yes.

I think it's a good idea,

we just having
a little bit of food.

I think someone was
getting a little hangry.

Excuse me!
Who was the hangry one here?

I think the last time
we had Chinese food together

was when we were
17 in New York City.

Oh yeah, that's right.

That little hole in
the wall in the Village.

That's the same night
that you, me, and Jonathan,

went to that Springsteen concert
at the Garden, right?

Yes, that was such a night!

I remember I wanted to drive,

but you wouldn't
let me touch the wheel

because you always
had to be in control.

Whoa, I just, I like
to keep everyone safe.

- That's why I became a doctor.
- That's true.

You know, um...

that was the night
I almost kissed you.

- What? Really?
- Yeah.

What do you mean?

Remember, um, Jonathan
was asleep in the backseat,

and we stopped at
that gas station?

- Yes, 'cause I wanted a soda.
- That's right.

Because Sophie wanted a soda,

and I was trying to give
Sophie whatever she wanted.

So... what happened?
Why didn't you kiss me?

Uh... I don't know.

We were... we were outside,
leaning against the car.

Looking at the stars...

Well, I was looking at you.

And I leaned towards you
like this.

And I was just about to
ask you if I could kiss you.

And then?

And then, uh...

And then, I don't know.

I guess I just chickened out?

Then Monday morning,
Jeff Wizorski asked you out.

Jeff Wizorski? Wait, that guy
that asked me out to homecoming

and then spent the entire night
talking to his friends,

ignoring me, and who I never
went out with ever again?

- That guy?
- Yeah, that guy.

Mm-hmm.

So...

Why didn't you try to
kiss me again after that?

I felt like I missed my chance.

And then, um... I don't know.

I decided that it wasn't
worth ruining our friendship

over one meaningless kiss.

Yeah.

Yeah, you're right.
I mean, thank god

we preserved our
friendship this long.

Soph, I didn't
mean it like that.

It's okay.
It's... no big deal.

And we've been on
different paths.

You know, you in
the city, me here.

I guess we wouldn't
have worked out anyway.

Yeah.

I guess not.

But I'm glad you're back.
I missed you.

Yeah. Yeah,
I missed you too, Soph.

You and Jonathan are
my closest friends.

That's important to me.

Yeah. Friends. Right.

I have to say
that you called it.

Of course I did.

Wait, what did I call?

I can be a bit controlling.

I push you to do what I
think is best and I always have.

Wow, um... that was
not what I was expecting.

And, um, I'm sorry.

But you know I only do it
because I love you, right?

Yeah, and I love you too.

I mean, I didn't mean
to lay into you like that.

But you know me.
When I think it...

- I say it.
- You say it.

Yes, I know.

I gotta lay down.

Yeah.

Look, I-I feel like an idiot
for not being here for you

like I should have.

And when I moved to New York,

everything became
about the work for me.

I...

I just kind of
dropped the ball with

everybody I cared
about back here.

Yeah, you kinda did.

Yeah.

Then I came back acting
like I was gonna fix you.

Acting like I was
gonna fix everything.

But I wasn't a match, and...
then I couldn't find Clark.

I just, I kind of feel like

I just failed you
all around, you know?

You didn't fail me.

- You're here with me now.
- Yeah.

Look, I know you.

I know it's easier for you
to lock down your feelings

and focus on helping others.

But all I need...

All I need is for
you to be my brother.

My older, less
attractive brother.

Well, I can do that.

Hey, so, uh...

Winston called
you the love doctor.

Yeah.

It turns out that people
will ask for your opinion

if you just call it advice.

Okay.

Well...

I could use your advice, Doc.

Let me guess. Sophie?

Are you finally admitting it?

You have a thing for Sophie?

I never actually
thought you'd admit it.

- I owe Mom 100 bucks.
- What?

- Hey, hey, tell me everything.
- Um, okay.

Um...

I may have already said
some embarrassing stuff.

- Okay.
- Like, uh...

that I tried to
kiss her that night

that we were coming home
from that Springsteen concert.

Yeah, at the gas station.

- Yeah, I wasn't really sleeping.
- You weren't?

Dude. Okay, so what happened?

I crashed and burned.

Okay, so what are
you gonna do now?

I don't know.

My instincts are telling
me that I should just

cut my losses and run,
but I don't wanna do that again.

Jackson, I know you.

And when you think
you're being so obvious,

you so are not.

Buddy, tell her how you feel.

Don't beat around the bush.

Now, what did you tell Winston?

To put yourself out there.

And damn the consequences.

Yeah.

Right.

Hey.

George, what are you doing here?

You have
every right to be angry.

What I did was unforgivable
and I know that.

I was just so scared
of losing you.

And losing the boys.

And losing my family.

And it was hard for me,
feeling second best.

That was never the
way it was between us.

I married you
because I loved you.

I know that now.

But back then, I was young,
and I was insecure.

And I was stupid in love.

We could lose Jonathan
because of what you did.

Yeah, I know.

And if I could go back in
time and change it, I would.

But I can't.

George...

I have never regretted our
life together, not for a minute.

You... you stepped up and
saved me when I was lost.

Made a home for me and the boys.

And you were...

Are. You are
an incredible father.

And I love you.

Come here. Come here.

Jonathan?
Jackson, hey, open up!

Open up.

- I found her.
- What are you talking about?

We got a close family match

from one of the ancestry websites.

The profile was private,

so I couldn't access the profile
until the match came through.

- Does this mean...
- Jessie Del Rio.

Your DNA matched with hers.

And when I went to the
profile, I found this.

It's the same Bradford
address and phone number.

We had the right address.

We just spoke to
the wrong person.

Hey, what's going on?
Who won the lottery?

Well, we did.

That's Jessie, Clark's sister.

You found him?

No, we found his sister,

but maybe she can help
make the connection to Clark.

Or maybe she or
one of her family members

could be the match
we've been looking for.

Oh!

Isn't it great?

Hello? Anyone home?

- Oh, hi!
- Who are you?

Who do you want?

My name is Sophie McClaren.
This is Jackson.

I called you the other
day about Jessie Del Rio.

Is she around?

Look, we've been
driving all night.

- We need to talk to her.
- My grandma owns this house.

We don't know anyone
named Jessie Del Rio.

Okay, um...

Well, is there anyone
else that I can...

Okay.

- Clearly not a morning person.
- No.

No, no, no, we can't go yet.

So, what?

We just wait, then?

For someone who
doesn't even live here?

Mm-hmm.

Isn't that the
definition of insanity?

Doing the same thing
over and over again

and expecting
a different outcome?

Well, I guess we're insane
because we are not leaving.

- Wow, Sophie, you are good.
- Yes, I am.

You know that night
after the concert?

It wouldn't have been
just some meaningless kiss.

What do you mean?

I think that's
part of the reason

why I didn't come back
here much after college.

I was a little, uh, heartbroken.

By your mysterious first love.

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

I missed my chance that night.

And even though
I blamed Jeff Wizorski...

Wait, wait, wait.

What does Jeff Wizorski
have to do with anything?

Who do you think
I've been talking about?

Sophie... I was
talking about you.

You were the girl that
no else could ever live up to.

Uh...

I'm sorry if this is a lot.

Are you kidding me?

I was hung up on you for years.

Jonathan still hasn't
let me live it down.

- Are you serious?
- Yes!

I mean, why do you think I was
so upset with you when you left?

- So that night...
- Yeah, I guess things

could've been very different.

Look, Anna said it was blue.

But it was gray.

Come on, let's go.

Oh hi, excuse me.
Jessie Del Rio?

Yes?

Hi, my name is Sophie McClaren,
and this is Jackson Ford.

- Ford?
- Mm-hmm.

And what can I do for you?

We're looking for Clark Higgins.

He's, um...

He's your father.

Oh, come and give
your aunt Jessie a hug.

I was always wondering if one
of you boys would come looking.

When my granddaughter
called just now and said

she scared away
some lookie-loos.

I had no idea.

She listens to too many of
those true crime podcasts.

She thought you were
casing the joint or something.

No.

You had a good reason
to come here, didn't you?

Yes, ma'am.

It's my brother, Jonathan.

He's sick, and we
need to find our father.

I think he'd love to meet you.

This is surreal.

If you'dve asked
me a few weeks ago

I thought that today we'd be
meeting our biological father

that we didn't even know existed...

I would've thought
you were nuts.

You ready for this?

Ready as I'll ever be.

Jonathan and, uh, Jackson?

Hi, um, you must be Clark.

I'm Jackson.
And, uh, this is Jonathan.

Hi.

Where to begin?

Look, we're just happy
that Sophie found you.

Now that you're
here with us now,

the rest of it
we can figure out.

- I'm happy too.
- Yeah.

Here's Mom.

- Clark?
- Dorothy.

- Dorothy, I'm sorry.
- Why did you...

I was afraid.

And after my accident,
I didn't know what to do.

I...

I didn't know how
I could be father.

It felt easier to be disappear,

to give you and the boys
a fresh start without me.

I know it was wrong.

I was all alone.

I tried to come back.

I know Anna saw me
and Jessie in Boston.

But by then, I was
married to George.

And... he threatened you.

He was just
trying to protect his family.

He did what I couldn't.

I knew he loved you all.

That's why I had
Jessie send that postcard.

The boys had a
father, had a family.

It was too late for me
to come back from the dead.

It's not... too late.

Never.

Thank you.

Look, I-I wanna know you both.
I wanna hear everything.

Um, there's something
you all should know.

Winston just sent me
your test results,

and Clark, you're a match!

Jonathan, I wanna help.

I want to do this for you.

Thank you. Thank you.

Well, we're off to
kick cancer's butt!

- I love you, darling.
- I love you too, Mom.

Here we go.

Thanks again, Soph.
For everything.

For finding Clark,
and for never giving up.

I don't think
giving up is in my DNA.

- I bet I get that from my mom.
- Yeah, I bet you do.

I've been thinking about

sticking around
here for a while.

I wanna be here for
Jonathan's recovery

and to get to know Clark.

Yeah, no, I think that's...

I think that's a good idea.

You don't get second
chances like this.

No, you don't.

You know, you Higgins-Fords
have kind of inspired me.

I think it might be time for
me to find my birth parents.

The package my mom left me,

I think opening it is the first
step to finding out who I am.

And I didn't have the courage
to do that... until now.

- Look, I know it can be scary.
- Yeah.

But the truth
really will set you free.

I mean, look at me.
I'm living proof of that, right?

Well, how do you feel
about grabbing a slice

at Big Tony's this weekend?

There's a pinball machine
with your name on it.

I'm still holding
top scorer, so...

You are so on.

Great.

I'd hate to miss a shot...

at a second chance.

- I'll see you then.
- Yeah.

My dear Sophie,

If you're reading this letter,
then I'm in a better place.

Being your mother has been
the blessing of a lifetime.

I know that one day, you'll be
ready to find the truth about

where you came from.

All I have to give
you is this blanket

wrapped around you the
night you were placed

on the firehouse steps... the
night you became my daughter.

I wish I could give you more.

But I know you, Sophie McClaren.

You are incredible
at what you do.

And I know with this
one little clue,

you can find all
the answers you need.

I love you more
than you can know.

Forever and always, Mom.