I Am Somebody's Child: The Regina Louise Story (2019) - full transcript
Regina Louise, an abandoned black child, is placed in a home where she demonstrates anger issues. Jeanne Kerr, a white counselor, empathizes with her and they form a bond which leads to a ...
(♪♪♪)
Mama!
Mama!
(♪♪♪)
Regina: My whole life I
wanted to hear how I came
into the world a wanted
and special child.
(♪♪♪)
But for the first
13 years of my life,
it seemed nobody wanted me.
You lost?
I'm here for a place to stay.
Yeah, what's your name?
Regina Louise.
How old are you?
Thirteen.
(sigh)
Where are we goin'?
I'm taking you to the
children's centre.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
(door buzzer)
(♪♪♪)
I've got Regina Louise.
Great, can you
sign here, please?
Hi Regina.
Thanks a lot.
Bye Regina.
(footsteps)
(♪♪♪)
(click)
(♪♪♪)
Good night.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
Regina: All my life I wanted
to be somebody's someone...
instead of feeling like
just another nobody.
(♪♪♪)
(click)
Morning Sunshines!
Up, up, up!
Out of bed, sleepy heads.
Rise and shine, it's
a beautiful day.
(♪♪♪)
Hi Regina.
I'm Miss Kerr.
Welcome to the shelter.
I'll get you set up.
Come with me.
Up and at 'em!
(♪♪♪)
That's Miss Happy Trails.
You go on with
Happy Trails, girl.
(♪♪♪)
We keep your jewelry
in your personal safe.
They'll be waiting for
you when you leave.
Oh, nice mood ring.
You have a purse?
How about your pockets?
Don't throw that away!
That has my mama's lipstick on
it from when she kissed me last.
Oh!
(♪♪♪)
Here, you can change just there.
There are privacy curtains.
(♪♪♪)
How'd you get that
bruise on your arm?
I bumped into a refrigerator.
Mm-hmm.
How old were you when you
got hurt on your legs?
I don't remember.
Well, that must have hurt a lot.
Who did that to you?
I was on a ball team.
Would you mind,
please, standing up?
(♪♪♪)
May I please lift up
the back of your shirt?
Wait, what do you need
to see my back for?
I just need to finish my report.
Do you mind?
I'll just lift up the
back of your shirt.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
How'd you get those
scars on your back?
Playing.
Playing what?
Games.
Games?
Someone do that to you?
No.
Okay.
Your time here is limited,
so you make the most of it.
And your goal is to
be a gold star girl.
Gold stars are good
and red stars are bad.
Nobody wants a red star.
Have you understood
everything I've told you?
(♪♪♪)
(car horn honking)
Regina: It seemed
like everyone went home
to their someone
over the weekend...
Have a good weekend.
Thank you, bye.
...except for me.
See you on Monday.
Regina: And if they
couldn't be picked up,
they got in Miss Ford's car and
she delivered them to a home
where they might get a chance.
Have a good weekend.
(car door slams)
(♪♪♪)
How are we doing with
our little Regina?
Regina, Regina has lived
in illegal pay care
situations since birth.
In one home she was viciously
and repeatedly beaten.
The scars were ugly.
We've all seen scars, Jeanne.
Well, this weekend she confided
that the abuser was an older
child, no relation,
living in the same quasi
foster home in Texas.
She's only had sporadic
contact with her mother,
whereabouts unknown.
She most recently lived with
her father for 6 months
until she ran away.
She worries her dad
is angry with her,
but she's eager to make it work.
I'm happy to report
he's coming today.
Good.
Your father and
stepmother are here.
(♪♪♪)
Hi Sam.
Hi Nadine.
(♪♪♪)
I'll wait outside.
This is between
Regina and her father.
Oh, Mrs. Lock, a
Regina's stepmother,
you're welcome to
join the meeting.
No thank you.
(♪♪♪)
(footsteps)
Did Regina tell you that
my wife and I took
her in for 6 months?
Did she tell you that she
alienated my children
and nearly destroyed
my marriage?
Mr. Lock, all due respect,
Regina is also your child.
That we do not know, and
I have sincere doubts.
Before I gave my
life to the Lord,
I had relations with
Regina's mother.
But I'm no longer that man.
I've married Nadine, with
whom I have a family,
with whom I have built a life.
I can be good.
My wife and I took in Regina out
of the goodness of our hearts,
and she repaid us with theft,
deceit and violence
towards my wife.
I ain't mean to hit her.
Mr. Lock, I can only
imagine how upsetting,
hurtful and frightening it
must have been for you
when Regina ran away from home.
The children...
Wait a minute, did she tell
you she ran away from home?
I ordered her out of my home and
I paid a woman to take her in!
Miss Bushnell said your
checks stopped coming,
she locked me out.
(♪♪♪)
Miss Kerr, listen, I
want nothing more to do
with this child.
I want her out of my life.
So, are there other forms,
papers I need to sign,
what do I do?
I promise to be good.
Listen, listen, know your
Father in Heaven loves you.
Learn to put your faith in Him.
(♪♪♪)
Mr. Lock, do you have any
information that could help us
find Regina's mother?
I'll meet you in the car.
You look at her.
All sad.
Our half hour dinner is
turning into a hour, ladies.
Let's watch the time.
And I told her to your face,
you're a worthless
piece of shit!
What did you say to me?!
You want to get
some, Sandy, huh?
Come on, Sandy!
(Sandy: Screaming)
Fight, come on,
fight, Sandy, fight!
Fight, fight, Sandy!
Regina!
Sandy Blair and Regina Louise,
you have just earned
yourself red stars.
It wasn't my fault,
she just freaked.
Get in my office!
What happened?
Regina got angry.
No, you got angry.
Own up to it, anger's okay.
Violence is not and we don't
tolerate it here at the shelter.
Just across the
parking lot is juvie,
and is where you'll be detained
the next you're violent.
Those are the rules!
You had a hard day.
Your dad gave me some
information that may help
me find your mother.
Let's not lose hope, okay?
Yeah, right.
Regina Louise, get
to my office now!
(♪♪♪)
Okay, girls, and one, and two...
Found your mother.
You talked to her?
I did.
She's coming to see you.
Is she coming from Texas?
She said she lives in Oakland.
I've been in California two
years, if she was in Oakland,
why didn't she
come for me before?
(♪♪♪)
She said she's coming
to see you on Monday.
I'm excited for you.
That's what she said.
(♪♪♪)
Give me an I!
Girls: I!
Give me a C!
Girls: C!
Girls: Icy!
(laughing)
Come on, right here.
Bring me back one from the
mall, will you, purple.
(girls chatting)
Thank you.
Where did you get those shoes?
I took 'em.
You can't do that.
That is unacceptable!
What you getting in my face for?
That's my business,
these are my shoes.
No, ma'am, you take
those shoes off
and you put your shoes back on.
Annie, may I borrow
the van, please?
We are going to
apologize to the manager.
When my mama sees
these ugly ass clothes,
she ain't gonna want me!
(♪♪♪)
(girls reciting
jump rope rhymes)
Lenny, your mother's here.
Cathy, Mira, Sandy, the rest
of you girls come inside,
your parents will be here soon.
Come on, Regina.
Where are we goin'?
We are going to
the fabric store.
We're gonna make you a pretty
outfit to wear for your mother.
(door bell jingling)
Corduroy, it has to be corduroy.
But that's a pretty warm fabric.
But we could make you a
sleeveless jumper and you can
wear a short T or a long sleeved
T, according to the weather.
I think that would work, that
would give you some versatility.
I think so.
Ah, this one.
Mm-hmm.
Star, sun, peace sign?
Too white hippy.
Um, that one.
I want to be a rainbow girl.
What do you think?
I think you're gonna look
beautiful for your mama.
(door bell jingling)
(sewing machine clicking)
How did you learn to do
that? My mother taught me.
You're in my light.
Want to help?
Here, come here,
hold this like this.
Yes.
This looks good!
Come on.
Stand up straight.
Regina is the perfect name
for you, it means queen.
You have a regal spirit.
What's regal mean?
Look it up in the dictionary.
R-E-G-A-L.
Pertaining to a king...
Or a queen.
...magnificent,
splendid.
That's right.
I am honored to be in
your court, your majesty.
(♪♪♪)
I'm leaving with my mama today,
so goodbye and good
luck to everybody.
Shut up, girl!
You worse than
Miss Happy Trails.
Psst, Miss Kerr.
Oh, is your mother here already?
No, I'm still waiting
for her out front.
Can I borrow some
of your perfume?
Perfume, yes.
(♪♪♪)
Hold out your wrists.
Rub your wrists together,
it wakes up the fragrance,
and then dab behind
your ears, there you go.
You're beautiful.
Thank you.
(♪♪♪)
(door buzzer)
(hurried footsteps)
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
You want some lunch?
I already said
goodbye to everybody.
Here, made you a sandwich,
some Cracker Jacks in there,
you take it with you.
(♪♪♪)
You working a double shift?
Oh, no, no, I'm out of here.
Okay.
Hey Regina.
(♪♪♪)
It's okay.
She's done this
a thousand times.
I'll wait a little bit longer.
(♪♪♪)
(footsteps)
(♪♪♪)
(footsteps)
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
It's me.
Oh, oh!
(sobbing)
You are not going to be alone.
You're gonna be okay.
(sobbing)
You're gonna be all right.
(♪♪♪)
Thought you were leaving.
Your mother forgot somethin'?
(screaming)
(pow)
(♪♪♪)
You're going to juvie.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
You okay?
Yes.
(school bell ringing)
(door slams)
Miss Kerr is upset.
I ain't mean to hit her.
Is she hurt bad?
No.
She's upset because
you're in juvie.
Miss Kerr put you here because
she promised you that she would.
Now, she's asked the supervisor
to release you just as soon as
you've written a
letter of apology.
A letter of apology?
Are you kidding me?
A letter to Miss
Kerr and to Sandy.
Two letters!
I ain't mean to hit Miss Kerr,
but I should have
kicked Sandy's ass!
We don't talk like that.
She wrote you.
She made her write me?
Mm-hmm.
Why she want everything
all nicey-nicey?
Now it's your turn.
Damn.
Dear Miss Kerr, I'm sorry
that I hit you in the face.
I made a poor choice.
I know that I can do better.
Sincerely, Regina.
Well done.
Do you want a cookie?
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
(knocking)
Hi, my name's Jeanne Kerr,
I'm looking for Ruthy Louise.
Ruthy.
What you need?
I'm here about Regina.
That crazy girl.
Who's Regina?
Just, she's just a girl we
know, an old friend from Texas.
I'll be right back, baby.
What the hell are you
doing coming in here
with that business?
On the phone you said
that you would come to
the shelter on Monday.
I changed my mind.
What can I do to help you?
If you need a ride, if you need
us to bring Regina to you,
we can do that.
You want to help?
Then stay the hell
out of my life.
I got a future ahead of me,
do you hear what I'm saying?
I'm about to get married.
I understand, you are in the
middle of a big life change.
Regina is almost 14 years old.
You don't need to tell
me how old my kid is.
A girl that age needs to have...
Where was my social worker
when I was 13 and pregnant
and living in a foster home?
I was a child having a child.
Do you understand that?
This is my chance, I get to be
happy, that girl was a mistake,
and I don't think I should
have to pay for that mistake
for the rest of my life.
Goodbye.
Have a good weekend.
Bye guys.
(car engine running)
(car horn honking)
Give me an S!
Give me a W!
I-M!
Swim!
Come on, Regina, let's
go, let's go swimming.
I ain't got no swimming suit.
Annie, don't we have a
swimsuit around here
that would fit Regina?
Yes, I believe we do.
(♪♪♪)
(splashing and kids chatting)
(splashing and kids chatting)
What's wrong?
I changed my mind.
I don't want to be swallowing
other peoples' pee.
City pools is for people who
ain't got pools at home.
Whoever told you that was
pulling your leg, come on.
Woo, your butt looking like lime
green Jell-O jiggling like that.
This bowl of Jell-O
is jumping in.
(splash)
Regina, do you know how to swim?
Come on, baby, get in
the pool, I'll help you.
Come on.
Come on, Pumpkin, get in
the pool, I'll help you.
(♪♪♪)
First, we have to see what
it's like under the water.
So, we take a big
breath, hold our nose.
(♪♪♪)
What's it like?
Watery, sounds cool though.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
Excellent!
Now, we blow bubbles.
Gonna count first, okay.
Both: One, two, three.
(♪♪♪)
Hey!
See this girl, Annie,
she's a natural!
Woo!
(claps)
What do you want to
do for your birthday?
(spitting)
How do you tomorrow's
my birthday?
I saw it on your chart.
Anything special you want to do?
Go swimming again?
Deal.
Good night.
Yes.
(splashing and kids chatting)
(♪♪♪)
Right, kick off the wall.
Kick your legs, kick your legs.
Come up for air.
Kick your legs, I'm right here.
(♪♪♪)
Right here, kick your
legs, kick you legs,
kick your legs, grab the wall!
Yeah!
How does it feel to be so brave?
I did it!
You did it.
Okay, champ, back you go.
Kick, kick, kick, kick, kick,
kick, come up for air, kick,
kick, kick, kick, kick, kick,
grab the wall now, Regina.
Woo!
(claps)
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
(splashing)
(kids chatting)
(kids chatting)
What are you looking at?
Annie, take a picture of
me with the birthday girl.
Absolutely.
All right.
Cheese.
(camera click)
Okay.
(kids chatting)
My mama said that judge
can kiss her ass.
She got a lawyer trying
to get me out of here.
I don't want no frizz job.
What you doin'?
I need more time!
Girl, who did you have
for weekend duty?
Miss Kerr.
Happy Trails.
Oh, Miss Rise and Shine.
Was in a lime green
swimsuit, woo!
Shakin', jiggling like Jell-O,
thighs so white, I was blinded.
(zap)
Fire!
Out!
(sizzling)
(bang)
Ah!
Everybody all right?
(sigh)
What, what I said about
the lime green swimsuit,
I was just being stupid.
You're worried about
my lime green jelly.
You scared me to death!
Please hand me a towel.
TV: Screaming
I am not doing a very good job.
No, you're doing good.
You haven't seen it.
I can feel it.
I can feel you're
doing it right.
See, it looks good.
You all tucked in?
Your last name starts with a K.
Yes, it does.
My last name starts with an I.
It means we're right next to
each other in the dictionary.
Yes, we are.
(click)
Good night.
(click)
Yesterday, the court
declared you're a ward
of the state.
What's that mean?
If all goes well,
you could be adopted.
In order to place you,
gonna need you to put your
best foot forward, Regina.
We're gonna need this
red star girl you are
to become a gold star girl.
Do you understand me?
Yes.
Okay.
(♪♪♪)
I'm not coming back?
If all goes well, no, you won't.
Would you like to
wear your mood ring?
Put it here.
Mm-hmm.
Tissue?
I don't want it no more.
(♪♪♪)
Regina, this is a
wonderful opportunity.
You'll do well.
(♪♪♪)
(door slams)
Their names are
Mr. and Mr. Rowen,
and that is what you will
call them until they
tell you otherwise.
What are their names?
Mr. and Mrs. Rowen.
Good.
Is he okay?
(snort)
Mr. Rowen has
a bad heart.
If you act up, he's likely
to have a heart attack,
so you be good.
(snoring)
I feel awful.
May I be excused?
What's wrong with you?
I think I got to go to bed, or
to the bathroom, or something.
I don't feel good.
Oh, you got your menses.
Look at the mess you're making!
I didn't sign up for this!
I thought I was getting a
child, not a adolescent!
I'm not dealing with a teenage
girl that might get
pregnant on my watch!
They don't pay me enough
money for this here.
You got to get up out of here.
Regina: It wasn't even my fault,
but Miss Ford looked at me
like I was a lost cause.
(huff)
Miss Kerr took the time to
explain my inner workings,
but I already knew
where babies came from.
Boys had been trying to force
themselves between my legs
for as long as I could remember.
Miss Kerr said I was
a young lady now,
and it was time
to see the world.
I landed in the ocean.
Well, what's the nearest land?
Bahamas.
I always wanted to go.
Let's go.
Let's go.
♪♪ Open up your heart for me
and throw away the key, yeah. ♪
♪ And forever there I'll be. ♪
(opera music)
Brraa-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bo.
Brraa-bu-bu-oh-oh-oh-oh.
(giggling)
Get that teapot for me.
What's that?
It's for you.
Don't you want to
see what it is?
(paper crinkling)
Here, press there, there.
Now you're recording.
Say something.
Hi Pumpkin.
Hey, pretty girl.
Today is our day!
Today is indeed our day.
What do you call me?
Pumpkin.
(laughing)
You're crazy.
I really liked the paintings.
Maybe you want to be an
artist when you grow up.
When I grow up, I want
to be a hairdresser.
Maybe I'll be a hairdresser
to all the stars.
You can do anything
you put your mind to.
But if that doesn't work out,
then I want to work with
kids the way you do.
Not a bad fallback position.
The most important thing
is to do what you love.
Oh, my gosh, we have to go!
We don't have to go.
I have to get you
back to the shelter.
Come on.
Ou.
Oh, honey.
I really don't feel good.
What's the matter, Pumpkin?
It hurts.
Oh, my goodness,
you are burning up.
Come on.
(♪♪♪)
Come on, right here.
Sit here.
(♪♪♪)
(dialing)
(phone ringing)
Hi, this is Jeanne Kerr.
May I please be connected
to the doctor on call?
Hi Annie, the doctor says that
there is a flu going around,
and Regina has it.
I'm gonna keep her
here with me tonight.
Okay, bye.
(♪♪♪)
Hi.
Do you think you can keep
down a couple sips of soda?
It sits well with you, I'll
make you some broth, hmm.
I didn't want her to be
alone when she was sick.
She's had such a hard
time being placed.
You're the reason
I can't place her.
That girl sabotaged multiple
placements because
of her attachment to you.
I'm just trying
to encourage her.
That beautiful spark in her,
she is so bright and
energic and hopeful.
I don't want to see her
swallowed up by the world.
Do you hear yourself?
This is a shelter, it's not a
home, don't confuse Regina.
She needs to understand
who she is
and you can't do that for her.
You're not to spend anymore
time with that girl.
(♪♪♪)
All these months on the
arts and crafts sidelines,
and here you are a total pro.
We have to hide
it from Miss Kerr.
Uh, Miss Kerr is not
working this week.
Why?
Uh, Miss Ford rotated her
out for a little while.
But, you know, we'll, we'll
still have a lot of fun.
We got lots of new
intakes coming.
(bang)
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
Eleven, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16...
(♪♪♪)
Thank you for a lovely evening.
I'll call
you... soon.
Good night.
How did you get here?!
I walked.
It's a right, a left, a
right, and then 22 lampposts,
to Loral Lane.
That's 12 miles, Pumpkin.
I like your hair, it looks good.
Were you on a date?
I saw you kiss him.
Annie, I am so sorry for
the worry this caused you
and Regina is, too.
I'll bring her back first
thing in the morning.
Yeah, I'll Gwen Ford know.
Bye.
(♪♪♪)
I think I understand you.
You don't know who you
are and you're headed
for an identity crisis.
But understand this,
Regina, you are black,
and I see you trying to
ingratiate yourself into this
white world here with all
your cutesy little antics.
I don't want to be hanging
out with white people.
I just want to be
with Miss Kerr.
She invited me over
for Christmas break
'cause I don't have
anyplace else to go.
Oh, unless you want to
invite me over to your house.
♪♪ Troll the ancient
yuletide carol,
fa la la la la, la la la la. ♪♪
I can't sing anymore,
will you sing for me?
There are the words, I
bet you know this one.
O Come, All Ye Faithful,
my choir of angels.
I don't know this one.
You'll recognize it.
♪♪ O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant ♪
♪ O come ye, O come ye... ♪♪
What was this about mistletoe?
I saw Robby and Marcy
under the mistletoe.
You should go for it, you
should have kissed him.
No, I'm gonna take
a pass on that.
Cranberry sauce, yes, I want
more, it was wonderful.
You could be great, girl.
It's your recipe.
You're stalling,
you're stalling.
Regina and I saw
Tosca last night.
Opera is so bourgeois, Jeanne.
Why must everything be labeled?
Opera comes from the
streets of Naples,
a lumpenproletariat impulse for
the proletariat expropriated
by the bourgeoisie.
I have no idea what my
children are saying.
Me neither.
What do you think of
the opera, Regina?
You hate it, right, it's boring.
It's boring.
Opera's good.
See, she hates it,
she's being nice.
She just appreciates culture.
You don't have to
lie, it's okay.
You're so polite.
She's compulsively honest.
Merry Christmas, Pumpkin.
Okay, ready?
Both: One, two, three.
(paper rustling)
(♪♪♪)
I made this, and Miss
Sandy gave me the pot.
It's a plant holder.
It's the most beautiful
plant holder I've ever seen.
The Collegiate Dictionary.
Regina Louise, you
put my name on it.
What's collegiate mean?
Okay.
B, C, college, collegiate.
Adjective; Of or belonging
to a college containing,
connected with, or having
the status of a college.
I love it.
Thank you!
Okay, yes, we'll
talk soon, bye-bye.
How was your white Christmas?
My Christmas was
lovely, thank you.
How about yours?
Oh, it was fine.
I found a placement for Regina.
Can you get her
personals, please,
and have her ready by noon?
This is good news.
Yes, it is.
I know that you'll do well.
Now, I want you to
cooperate with Miss Ford.
Show her that you
are a big girl.
And if you ever feel
lonely, or discouraged,
I just want you to call me.
(♪♪♪)
How far away do they live?
Don't even think about
walking back, Regina.
Coach and his wife have only
taken in boys over the years.
You're gonna make
this work, child.
I'm out of options for you.
Do you understand me?
Yes.
Byron's come to us
3 years ago now.
He's dad's all star player.
And Robby came the year before,
but asthma keeps him from
playing on the team.
And our little Will,
he just had his 8th anniversary
with us last Christmas.
He was lame.
I mean they wrote him up in the
paper like he was some star,
when all he threw
were interceptions.
He had his comeuppance.
You're looking at his
comeuppance right here.
Regina made these
mashed potatoes.
Regina made these?
Mm-hmm.
It's Mrs.
Power's recipe.
Good night, honey.
Good night.
Thank you.
(click)
Regina: I miss Miss Kerr
so much my heart hurt,
but the coach and his
wife were good people
and were willing to
give me a chance.
It might have worked,
except for one thing...
Oh!
(silenced screams)
Shh-shh, shh-shh.
Open your legs, open your legs.
Shh-shh.
I'm gonna give you
a cooling down.
(smack)
What the hell?!
Woo.
(birdsong)
(♪♪♪)
(telephone ringing)
Hello.
Jeanne, have you
heard from Regina?
For?
If you hear from Regina,
call me immediately.
What happened?
She's runaway yet again.
This time after battering
the son of a foster family.
Oh, where is she?
What's her address in Richmond?
This is not your
business, Jeanne.
Juvenile delinquency is
a matter for the police.
(dial tone)
Please be safe, please be safe.
Oh, baby, oh, oh!
(sobbing)
It's okay, it's okay,
it's okay, it's okay.
(sobbing)
It's okay.
Oh, it's okay, it's okay,
it's okay, it's okay.
Mom, I want to adopt Regina.
Pumpkin, I knew
that at Christmas.
Oh, I'm so happy
for you, sweetie.
I love you.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
Where have you been?
How was I supposed to
know you didn't get in
a car wreck or something?
Oh, no, sweetheart,
I am so sorry.
I'm sorry, I have been
looking at apartments.
I have been looking at
some private schools.
School?
Mm-hmm.
What are you looking
at schools for? For you.
How would you feel about
being adopted... by me?
How would you feel
about being my daughter?
Me?
(tears of joy)
Oh.
(♪♪♪)
Gonna be manipulated by
a child who has survived
by manipulation.
Do you not believe that
boy tried to rape her?
That's not the question.
The problem here is that
Regina Louise has sabotaged
numerous foster care placements.
Now, I don't doubt
your good intentions,
but what the girl needs is
behavioural correction.
She doesn't need you.
What she needs is a loving home.
I want to adopt her.
If you pursue this,
I will fire you.
I turn in my notice.
I need to find a
new job, anyway,
so I can have my nights
and weekends free
to be home with Regina.
Are you hearing me?
Back off of this.
Why? She is one of
our neediest cases.
I can take care of her.
I want to take care of her.
A single white mother with
a black child is unhealthy.
Mm, some of our best foster
parents are single mothers.
Black mothers for
black children,
white mothers for white.
Regina needs to bond
with black adults.
She's already confused
about who she is.
Miss Ford, I'm not
the right race,
but I am the right
mother for her.
I can give her love.
I can give her security.
I can give her an education.
I'm not asking for foster care,
I am asking for adoption.
Is your need more important
than her identity?
Do you, do you understand
that I have to answer to
the American Association
of Black Social Workers?
It is up to me to make sure that
our black children do not get
stripped of their black
identity, their culture,
their history.
What do you see yourself as,
some liberal white woman coming
in to save the life
of a black child?
You think what
Regina needs is you?
No, what she needs is to
bond with all black people
in a black community.
It's about self-determination
and self-preservation.
And if this adoption
doesn't take,
that girl will be alone
trying to save herself.
Miss Ford, I would do
anything for this child.
Then stay away from her.
Give me an S, give me a
T, give me a U, P, I, D.
Come on, don't be stupid.
Jeanne, I work with these kids,
you know that I love them,
but taking on a black kid,
that is a ball and chain
that you don't need.
(♪♪♪)
I-I'm, I'm sorry,
I miss-, I misspoke.
(♪♪♪)
Jeanne.
(♪♪♪)
Keep in touch, okay?
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
All rise, case number 127A,
Jeanne Kerr versus the Louis
Centre for the adoption
of Regina Louise.
(♪♪♪)
Your Honor, this is a list
of all of the available
two bedroom apartments near
St. Mary's middle school.
I would like to
show them to Regina,
so we can decide
together where to live.
And employment?
I understand your work was
terminated at Lewis
Children's Centre.
Yes, your Honor, I am no
longer at the shelter,
but I am confident I
will be employed soon.
I have a nursing degree.
I've worked steadily
since graduation.
I'm a hard worker,
I'm a good saver,
and I am sure that I can provide
Regina with a safe, secure,
supportive and nurturing home.
It would be my greatest honor
to be Regina's adoptive mother.
Thank you, Miss Kerr.
Please be seated.
Miss Ford, I understand
you oppose this adoption.
I do, your Honor.
You know me and
you know my record.
In my professional opinion,
Regina has no chance for
a future without
behavioral correction,
which Miss Kerr is
incapable of providing.
The National Association of
Black Social Workers has
condemned transracial families.
Black children belong
with black families,
and I trust in this court that
it would never condone this
particularly insidious form of
genocide proposed by Miss Kerr.
Miss Kerr, your sincerity and
commitment to this child is not
in question, but I must weigh
heavily the opinion of
the child's supervisor.
Can I say something?
Sit down, Regina.
Everyone is working towards
your best interest, sit down.
I know, but I...
Sit down.
I deny your petition to adopt
Regina Louise on the grounds
that a white woman cannot know
or fully appreciate the needs
of a black child in our society.
Upon the request of Miss Ford,
Regina will be transferred to
Redding, California, where she
can receive medical treatment
for behavior problems, which
if not adequately treated now,
could lead to more serious
sociopathic behaviors
in adulthood.
(♪♪♪)
We're adjourned.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
They think something's
wrong with me.
They said I have to get better
before I can be with you?
They're taking you to
Riverway's tomorrow.
Miss Ford says
it's a nice place.
And then I could come
and live with you?
(♪♪♪)
You are going to make good
friends where you're going.
I want you to confide in
your counsellors, okay.
Let them know how you feel.
Let them be your friends.
And every night, I want you to
ask yourself if you've done
your best that day.
Ask yourself what nice thing
you've done for someone
else that day.
You are very good at this.
It's one of your special
qualities, sweetheart.
(♪♪♪)
You are always in my heart.
Remember that.
(♪♪♪)
I believe in you.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
No, no, no, no!
(bang)
(♪♪♪)
(door buzzer)
We're the first children's
centre with in-house
psychiatric assessment,
nurses and classrooms.
Residents have full use of
the rec room and the pool.
This is a palace compared
to juvenile detention.
You should be counting
your blessings.
Where are all the kids?
At seven they get
their treatment.
And I'll be back next month
to check on her progress.
Miss Ford, I'm
here a whole month?
You're here as long
as I say you are.
Regina!
Regina, stop it!
(♪♪♪)
I need to talk to my mama!
Your mother made you
a ward of the state.
My mother is Miss Kerr and
I need to talk to her now!
She is not your mother.
Now, I have put you here in
the lap of luxury instead
of juvenile hall.
Pull yourself together, child.
Get off of me!
(banging)
Easy, easy, you'll get the
help you need here, Regina.
You're lying!
You lied to me!
You're all lying!
Are you feeling sad?
Are you feeling angry?
It's safe to talk about
your feelings here.
I want to talk to Miss Kerr.
In the adjustment phase, it's
best if residents don't make
or receive phone calls.
You can write Miss Kerr.
You can write her
every day if you want.
I'm here to help you
get what you need,
and the more you tell
me about yourself,
the more help I can be.
How do you feel about Miss Ford?
I hate Miss Ford!
Uh-huh.
I just want to be
somebody's someone.
You what?
Miss Kerr wants to
be a mama to me.
On a scale of one to ten,
just how angry would
you say you feel?
(♪♪♪)
(door buzzer)
(♪♪♪)
Miss Kerr.
Yes.
I'm Dr. Rice.
You'd like to see Regina Louise.
Yes, I would.
I haven't been able to
get through by phone,
and I just need to
know how she's doing.
I also understand you told
the receptionist that
you're her counsellor.
Yes. But that's not true, is it?
I was her counsellor.
Mrs. Ford told us you were
fired from that position.
It concerns us that you persist
in trying to contact Regina.
I'm her closest friend.
I need her to know
that I'm here for her.
Well, we'll let her know that.
In the meantime, we need you
to desist from calling
or coming here.
Do we understand?
(♪♪♪)
You think you know, but you
don't know, they know.
And even if you don't
care, they care.
Delores.
(♪♪♪)
Mm-hmm.
Regina Louise.
I can't stop shaking.
Your shaking will stop once your
body gets used to the medicine.
(♪♪♪)
Mm-hmm.
Who are you writing?
My mother.
You call your mom a Miss Kare?
Miss Kerr.
I call my mom a mama.
You want to see her picture?
This is her purple,
this is her canary,
and this is her cranberry.
That's her.
Don't touch it!
(gagging)
You about to puke?
Those pills don't
make me feel good.
The most important thing is
that they don't make you feel
all angry all the time.
You can't be nice, you
better think twice.
They give you red
stars if you act up?
They take you downstairs.
You don't want to go down there.
They put cigarettes out on you.
She's just poking your eyes.
Don't lie, okay.
You can't help it,
but don't lie.
Okay, cool, D.
Just don't upset her.
PS - Please send me
a photo of yourself.
(♪♪♪)
You see how much better you do
when you're in the right place?
You see it?
I see it.
When Regina entered Riverways,
she was prone to violent
outbursts and
self-destructive behaviour.
After 30 days of treatment, she
has become a model of success.
Do you hear that?
A model of success,
that's my gold star, girl.
When can I talk to Miss Kerr?
Well if you can get through the
next 30 days without trouble,
you can have phone privileges.
(♪♪♪)
How come your
calendar is backwards?
I want to count the
days off, not up.
You're a genius.
My mom's out of jail in 2 years,
that's 368 days times two, is
two times eight is sixteen,
is a six and carry the one.
There's 365 days in a year.
That's what I said.
(♪♪♪)
Mm-hmm.
(♪♪♪)
The colored girl's
sick, somebody help!
The colored girl's sick,
somebody help!
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
(footsteps)
(door slamming shut)
(door buzzer)
I'm sorry, Miss, you're not
permitted to be down here.
I'm Jeanne Kerr, here
to see Regina Louise.
I'm her friend. Miss Kerr, I need
to speak to you outside, please.
(door buzzer)
Why, why do this, a
restraining order?
Your petition for
adoption was denied.
Dr. Rice has told me that
you have repeatedly tried
to contact Regina.
I just need to know that
Regina is all right.
Regina's behaviour
hasn't been better.
Then why won't they
let me speak to her?
Why hasn't she answered
a single letter?
Have you ever considered that
Regina doesn't want to be
in contact with you?
Look...
Annie McKay told me that
your mother passed away
two weeks ago, which helps
explain this behavior.
You need to know that you're
way out of bounds, you need to,
you need to pull
yourself together.
I can't believe
you're doing this.
Don't turn this
back on me, Jeanne.
This is your obsession,
this is your illness.
If you really care
about that girl,
you will sever
the bond for good.
That's the truth.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
What happens when
you get to one?
I get to talk to my mother.
Regina doesn't have a mother.
She's a ward of the state.
I have a mother.
(distorted recording playing)
Regina's mom is a man.
No wonder she don't have
a picture of her mama.
Shut up, don't be mean.
(distorted recording playing)
What are you doing in D's box?
Nothing.
Don't touch D's box.
I ain't touch it!
I forgot my box.
She was in your box.
(screaming)
Regina! Regina!
Hey, hey, hey, hey,
what is going on?
She took her, she took her!
Regina took my mother!
Calm down, what happened?
Regina stole D's picture of
her mother out of her box.
Where is the picture, Regina?
Regina, I asked you a question.
I didn't take it, I just
wanted to look at it.
For stealing another
resident's property,
you're facing three
months probation.
I'll tear it up if you don't
let me talk to my mama!
I mean it, I'll tear it!
Regina, Regina, calm down.
Give me the photo.
No, no, no!
This is it, it's over, come on.
No, no, no!
No, no, please, no,
no, please, no!
I hate you!
Let me go!
I hope you die!
Sorry, Delores, I didn't
mean to hurt your picture!
Please, please, let me down!
Stop it!
No, no, no, no, no!
No, you let me out of here!
You call my mom and tell
her what you've done to me!
(slam)
(♪♪♪)
I can't leave yet.
It's been a year.
It's time to move on.
We have to go, come on.
Come on.
You have accomplished nothing
by your destructive behavior.
This file, this history of
trouble will follow you
for the rest of your life.
I pulled strings to get you
in here, and believe me,
this is a cake walk compared
to the psych ward
at the state hospital.
So, what are you gonna do?
How are you gonna
turn all this around?
I'll go to college.
Oh, I see, where will you
get money for college?
I'll get a scholarship.
For what, a
scholarship for what?
You're already three
years behind in school.
It's time you took a long hard
look at yourself and start
to set some realistic
goals, Regina.
Look at myself?
What do you see
when you look at me?
You see something
not worth loving.
You can't stand the sight of me.
Miss Kerr is the only
person that loves me.
Miss Kerr left the country.
She married a foreign man,
who I am sure does not
want a black child.
That's the world works, Regina.
(♪♪♪)
Does somebody put it in the
wrong box or hid it or lost it?
This is the only
place it would be.
Is there a problem, Regina?
I have a letter from
Miss Kerr somewhere.
She wouldn't leave
without writing me first.
I'm sorry, Regina, there's
nothing in the box.
No, look again.
I'm sorry.
(♪♪♪)
(recorder clicking)
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
(spit)
That's nasty, D.
Don't you get your spit on me.
(spit)
(♪♪♪)
Mm-hmm.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
Have you seen Regina?
(♪♪♪)
Hey, where's Regina?
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
(splash)
Come on, hurry, hurry, come
on, get her out of there!
(♪♪♪)
Tilt her head back.
Pass me her robe!
Tilt her head back!
Oh, Regina!
No pulse!
Don't do this to me!
Come on, Regina!
Come on, Regina!
She listens to this for comfort.
Come on, Regina!
Regina!
Recording: Hey Pumpkin.
Hi, pretty girl.
Today's our day!
Today is indeed our day.
What do you call me?
Pumpkin.
(laughing)
You're crazy.
(laughing)
Today, we are making a cake.
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
You want to say anything?
Whether I talk or not,
you write things down.
This is your history.
Can I read my file?
Your file is confidential.
That's how we understand you.
Maybe I don't like the way
you're telling my story,
Dr. Rice.
Regina, I'm glad
you're feeling better.
What's that?
Well, you were
cheeking the pills,
so you'll take a liquid dose.
I want to see you drink it down.
Drink it down.
I almost lost my job
because of what you did.
Now drink it!
You drink it.
(splash) Ah!
(knocking) Guard!
May I have a piece of paper
and a pencil, please?
No sharp objects.
I'll take a crayon, that'll do.
Do you have a better
colour than this?
There are 64 colours in a box
and all you have is raw sienna?
(♪♪♪)
Regina: I pulled her
words up from my heart
where they were stored
for safekeeping.
The story of me being able to
do anything I put my mind to,
the story of me someday
going to college,
the story of me making
my dreams come true.
(♪♪♪)
A, abacus, abandon,
abandoned, abapical,
opposite from apex.
What's an apex?
(♪♪♪)
Dr. Rice, I want to go to
high school and get a job.
Why do you want a job?
So, I can save
money for college.
Regina, one of our goals
is to get you to think
realistically about yourself.
You're already three
grade levels behind
other girls your age.
Yes, that's why I
have no time to waste.
I want to attend a high
school, not the classes here.
But you haven't
earned out privileges.
How do I do that?
That's up to you.
Regina: For 180 days I did
everything I was told,
except take the meds
in the Dixie cup.
To keep myself from going crazy,
I learned every word
in the first 642 pages
of the dictionary.
By the time I reached the K's,
I had won my out privileges.
Kinetics, noun, the study
of all aspects of motion.
(♪♪♪)
(typewriter keys clicking)
(♪♪♪)
If you're gonna do
it, do it right,
get under the baseboard, baby.
Yes, ma'am.
(♪♪♪)
Mmm, there it is.
You got this.
(♪♪♪)
Ms. Lewis is great.
These are gonna look fantastic.
I'm gonna own my own
hair salon one day,
and do hair for all the stars.
(♪♪♪)
(school bell ringing)
(♪♪♪)
Miss Lewis, something really
good happened to me today.
I'm going to college!
San Francisco State is giving me
a full scholarship to school.
That's good, baby.
That's real good.
Thank you.
(♪♪♪)
Sign and date here and here.
This confirms you're now
an adult and the center
has no responsibility
or liability for you.
And this confirms that
you've claimed
all of your personal belongings.
Oh, that's it, you're
sending me out
with nowhere to go, no money?
The center's responsibility
to you is over.
I want my files.
Before I sign this,
I want my files.
Your files, the
property of the center.
It's my file. You're
not understanding.
No, you're not understanding.
You can't dope me up and
put me in a box anymore,
so I'll be a pain in the
ass until I get my file,
it's my history, then I'll
sign this release for you.
Medical records and psychiatric
assessments are confidential
and remain in the center.
But you may have your letters.
Sign please.
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
Recording: Sweetheart, they
wouldn't allow me to see you
or call, so I'm sending
you this message.
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
Pumpkin, I know you must be
busy making new friends
and settling into your new home.
Everything changes so
very quickly at your age.
If you have a moment, I'd be
so happy to know how you are.
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
(♪♪♪)
Recording: Happy
birthday, dear heart!
May your next journey around
the sun be your happiest ever.
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
(♪♪♪)
Recording: Hi Pumpkin, my
mother died this morning.
Feels unreal to say those words.
I'm so glad she had the chance
to meet you and to know
how wonderful you are.
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
(♪♪♪)
Recording: Sweetheart, there
have been some big changes
in my life, which I'll tell
you about when I see you,
but I want you to know this
will never change. (Sobbing)
I hold you in my heart.
You are in prayers
each and every day.
Love, Jeanne.
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
(door key click)
How did you get in here?
I was emancipated yesterday.
I didn't have anywhere to go, so
I climbed through the window.
I'm sorry.
Such an outrage.
Dumping kids out of the system
with nowhere to go, oh god.
Here's a key.
Sleep here until
you find some place.
(♪♪♪)
Hi Regina.
Here's your welcoming packet.
Thank you.
And here's your key.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
(♪♪♪)
You go to the bank and say,
"I want a loan to start
a small business."
The bank will ask for what?
A plan.
Yes, the banker will
ask for a business plan.
What are the components
of a business plan?
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
(typewrtier keys clicking)
Regina: With God's grace and
20 years of hard work,
my dreams came true bigger and
brighter than I ever imagined.
I had yearned for a mother as
I made my way in the world.
Now, I longed for her
to share my victories.
(♪♪♪)
In my need to find Jeanne,
I wrote a book
about my childhood.
It was my hope that
she would read it
and we would find each other.
Gina, I'll need some photographs
from your childhood
for the book cover.
I don't have any photographs.
Just a few will do.
I don't have any.
Who took photos of you
when you were a kid?
No one was ever round long
enough to take my picture.
No problem.
I'll come up with a
different concept.
(♪♪♪)
Regina: Every night before bed,
I continued my search for her.
This is a national broadcast?
It's as big as it gets.
And rolling.
Regina: Now as I publicized the
book, I hoped she would find me.
There's not a day that goes by
that I don't get up and put my
feet on the floor and hope that
she'll come back into my life.
(♪♪♪)
All these years I had
kept Jeanne in my heart,
like a mama whispering,
I love you, baby,
into her child's ear when
it was needed the most.
No matter what, there would
always be something or someone
for everybody, for all of
us who have been told
that we are unworthy.
We will give ourselves
merciful favor,
while standing in the blistering
heat of that primal wound.
We will wipe away from
our consciousness
someone else's fatalistic
narrative of what our life
will be, handed back to
the disbeliever and say,
"I believe this
belongs to you."
Thank you.
(applause)
Thank you.
Hi, Bonnie, Bonnie.
You take care, Bonnie.
Name?
Jeanne.
(gasp)
I'm so proud of you.
(♪♪♪)
Oh my.
(♪♪♪)
Ohhh.
(♪♪♪)
I saw you on TV and
couldn't believe my eyes.
Oh.
My birthday.
My goodness, look at that,
I remember that shirt.
You darling girl.
And the cake.
(laughs)
Oh.
My beautiful little girl.
You have grown into a
beautiful, amazing woman.
(♪♪♪)
Oh!
Oh, my goodness!
(laughs)
(♪♪♪)
Do you, Jeanne Kerr,
take Regina Louise
to be your daughter?
To love, to hold and to cherish
and to support financially
and emotionally in her future
endeavors no matter
what they may be?
I do.
Regina: Everybody wants
to be somebody's someone,
and today I was.
(♪♪♪)
♪♪ Love is when
you do the things
you say that you will do. ♪
♪ I give my heart to you. ♪♪
I knew I was going to find her.
I knew that one day I would just
say thank you for loving me
when no one else did.
I just didn't prepare myself for
her saying I'm gonna make you
my daughter, so I got a two
for, I got a two for,
I got to say thank you and I
get to be her daughter, so.
You are my daughter.
See.
(laughing)
Mama!
Mama!
(♪♪♪)
Regina: My whole life I
wanted to hear how I came
into the world a wanted
and special child.
(♪♪♪)
But for the first
13 years of my life,
it seemed nobody wanted me.
You lost?
I'm here for a place to stay.
Yeah, what's your name?
Regina Louise.
How old are you?
Thirteen.
(sigh)
Where are we goin'?
I'm taking you to the
children's centre.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
(door buzzer)
(♪♪♪)
I've got Regina Louise.
Great, can you
sign here, please?
Hi Regina.
Thanks a lot.
Bye Regina.
(footsteps)
(♪♪♪)
(click)
(♪♪♪)
Good night.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
Regina: All my life I wanted
to be somebody's someone...
instead of feeling like
just another nobody.
(♪♪♪)
(click)
Morning Sunshines!
Up, up, up!
Out of bed, sleepy heads.
Rise and shine, it's
a beautiful day.
(♪♪♪)
Hi Regina.
I'm Miss Kerr.
Welcome to the shelter.
I'll get you set up.
Come with me.
Up and at 'em!
(♪♪♪)
That's Miss Happy Trails.
You go on with
Happy Trails, girl.
(♪♪♪)
We keep your jewelry
in your personal safe.
They'll be waiting for
you when you leave.
Oh, nice mood ring.
You have a purse?
How about your pockets?
Don't throw that away!
That has my mama's lipstick on
it from when she kissed me last.
Oh!
(♪♪♪)
Here, you can change just there.
There are privacy curtains.
(♪♪♪)
How'd you get that
bruise on your arm?
I bumped into a refrigerator.
Mm-hmm.
How old were you when you
got hurt on your legs?
I don't remember.
Well, that must have hurt a lot.
Who did that to you?
I was on a ball team.
Would you mind,
please, standing up?
(♪♪♪)
May I please lift up
the back of your shirt?
Wait, what do you need
to see my back for?
I just need to finish my report.
Do you mind?
I'll just lift up the
back of your shirt.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
How'd you get those
scars on your back?
Playing.
Playing what?
Games.
Games?
Someone do that to you?
No.
Okay.
Your time here is limited,
so you make the most of it.
And your goal is to
be a gold star girl.
Gold stars are good
and red stars are bad.
Nobody wants a red star.
Have you understood
everything I've told you?
(♪♪♪)
(car horn honking)
Regina: It seemed
like everyone went home
to their someone
over the weekend...
Have a good weekend.
Thank you, bye.
...except for me.
See you on Monday.
Regina: And if they
couldn't be picked up,
they got in Miss Ford's car and
she delivered them to a home
where they might get a chance.
Have a good weekend.
(car door slams)
(♪♪♪)
How are we doing with
our little Regina?
Regina, Regina has lived
in illegal pay care
situations since birth.
In one home she was viciously
and repeatedly beaten.
The scars were ugly.
We've all seen scars, Jeanne.
Well, this weekend she confided
that the abuser was an older
child, no relation,
living in the same quasi
foster home in Texas.
She's only had sporadic
contact with her mother,
whereabouts unknown.
She most recently lived with
her father for 6 months
until she ran away.
She worries her dad
is angry with her,
but she's eager to make it work.
I'm happy to report
he's coming today.
Good.
Your father and
stepmother are here.
(♪♪♪)
Hi Sam.
Hi Nadine.
(♪♪♪)
I'll wait outside.
This is between
Regina and her father.
Oh, Mrs. Lock, a
Regina's stepmother,
you're welcome to
join the meeting.
No thank you.
(♪♪♪)
(footsteps)
Did Regina tell you that
my wife and I took
her in for 6 months?
Did she tell you that she
alienated my children
and nearly destroyed
my marriage?
Mr. Lock, all due respect,
Regina is also your child.
That we do not know, and
I have sincere doubts.
Before I gave my
life to the Lord,
I had relations with
Regina's mother.
But I'm no longer that man.
I've married Nadine, with
whom I have a family,
with whom I have built a life.
I can be good.
My wife and I took in Regina out
of the goodness of our hearts,
and she repaid us with theft,
deceit and violence
towards my wife.
I ain't mean to hit her.
Mr. Lock, I can only
imagine how upsetting,
hurtful and frightening it
must have been for you
when Regina ran away from home.
The children...
Wait a minute, did she tell
you she ran away from home?
I ordered her out of my home and
I paid a woman to take her in!
Miss Bushnell said your
checks stopped coming,
she locked me out.
(♪♪♪)
Miss Kerr, listen, I
want nothing more to do
with this child.
I want her out of my life.
So, are there other forms,
papers I need to sign,
what do I do?
I promise to be good.
Listen, listen, know your
Father in Heaven loves you.
Learn to put your faith in Him.
(♪♪♪)
Mr. Lock, do you have any
information that could help us
find Regina's mother?
I'll meet you in the car.
You look at her.
All sad.
Our half hour dinner is
turning into a hour, ladies.
Let's watch the time.
And I told her to your face,
you're a worthless
piece of shit!
What did you say to me?!
You want to get
some, Sandy, huh?
Come on, Sandy!
(Sandy: Screaming)
Fight, come on,
fight, Sandy, fight!
Fight, fight, Sandy!
Regina!
Sandy Blair and Regina Louise,
you have just earned
yourself red stars.
It wasn't my fault,
she just freaked.
Get in my office!
What happened?
Regina got angry.
No, you got angry.
Own up to it, anger's okay.
Violence is not and we don't
tolerate it here at the shelter.
Just across the
parking lot is juvie,
and is where you'll be detained
the next you're violent.
Those are the rules!
You had a hard day.
Your dad gave me some
information that may help
me find your mother.
Let's not lose hope, okay?
Yeah, right.
Regina Louise, get
to my office now!
(♪♪♪)
Okay, girls, and one, and two...
Found your mother.
You talked to her?
I did.
She's coming to see you.
Is she coming from Texas?
She said she lives in Oakland.
I've been in California two
years, if she was in Oakland,
why didn't she
come for me before?
(♪♪♪)
She said she's coming
to see you on Monday.
I'm excited for you.
That's what she said.
(♪♪♪)
Give me an I!
Girls: I!
Give me a C!
Girls: C!
Girls: Icy!
(laughing)
Come on, right here.
Bring me back one from the
mall, will you, purple.
(girls chatting)
Thank you.
Where did you get those shoes?
I took 'em.
You can't do that.
That is unacceptable!
What you getting in my face for?
That's my business,
these are my shoes.
No, ma'am, you take
those shoes off
and you put your shoes back on.
Annie, may I borrow
the van, please?
We are going to
apologize to the manager.
When my mama sees
these ugly ass clothes,
she ain't gonna want me!
(♪♪♪)
(girls reciting
jump rope rhymes)
Lenny, your mother's here.
Cathy, Mira, Sandy, the rest
of you girls come inside,
your parents will be here soon.
Come on, Regina.
Where are we goin'?
We are going to
the fabric store.
We're gonna make you a pretty
outfit to wear for your mother.
(door bell jingling)
Corduroy, it has to be corduroy.
But that's a pretty warm fabric.
But we could make you a
sleeveless jumper and you can
wear a short T or a long sleeved
T, according to the weather.
I think that would work, that
would give you some versatility.
I think so.
Ah, this one.
Mm-hmm.
Star, sun, peace sign?
Too white hippy.
Um, that one.
I want to be a rainbow girl.
What do you think?
I think you're gonna look
beautiful for your mama.
(door bell jingling)
(sewing machine clicking)
How did you learn to do
that? My mother taught me.
You're in my light.
Want to help?
Here, come here,
hold this like this.
Yes.
This looks good!
Come on.
Stand up straight.
Regina is the perfect name
for you, it means queen.
You have a regal spirit.
What's regal mean?
Look it up in the dictionary.
R-E-G-A-L.
Pertaining to a king...
Or a queen.
...magnificent,
splendid.
That's right.
I am honored to be in
your court, your majesty.
(♪♪♪)
I'm leaving with my mama today,
so goodbye and good
luck to everybody.
Shut up, girl!
You worse than
Miss Happy Trails.
Psst, Miss Kerr.
Oh, is your mother here already?
No, I'm still waiting
for her out front.
Can I borrow some
of your perfume?
Perfume, yes.
(♪♪♪)
Hold out your wrists.
Rub your wrists together,
it wakes up the fragrance,
and then dab behind
your ears, there you go.
You're beautiful.
Thank you.
(♪♪♪)
(door buzzer)
(hurried footsteps)
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
You want some lunch?
I already said
goodbye to everybody.
Here, made you a sandwich,
some Cracker Jacks in there,
you take it with you.
(♪♪♪)
You working a double shift?
Oh, no, no, I'm out of here.
Okay.
Hey Regina.
(♪♪♪)
It's okay.
She's done this
a thousand times.
I'll wait a little bit longer.
(♪♪♪)
(footsteps)
(♪♪♪)
(footsteps)
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
It's me.
Oh, oh!
(sobbing)
You are not going to be alone.
You're gonna be okay.
(sobbing)
You're gonna be all right.
(♪♪♪)
Thought you were leaving.
Your mother forgot somethin'?
(screaming)
(pow)
(♪♪♪)
You're going to juvie.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
You okay?
Yes.
(school bell ringing)
(door slams)
Miss Kerr is upset.
I ain't mean to hit her.
Is she hurt bad?
No.
She's upset because
you're in juvie.
Miss Kerr put you here because
she promised you that she would.
Now, she's asked the supervisor
to release you just as soon as
you've written a
letter of apology.
A letter of apology?
Are you kidding me?
A letter to Miss
Kerr and to Sandy.
Two letters!
I ain't mean to hit Miss Kerr,
but I should have
kicked Sandy's ass!
We don't talk like that.
She wrote you.
She made her write me?
Mm-hmm.
Why she want everything
all nicey-nicey?
Now it's your turn.
Damn.
Dear Miss Kerr, I'm sorry
that I hit you in the face.
I made a poor choice.
I know that I can do better.
Sincerely, Regina.
Well done.
Do you want a cookie?
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
(knocking)
Hi, my name's Jeanne Kerr,
I'm looking for Ruthy Louise.
Ruthy.
What you need?
I'm here about Regina.
That crazy girl.
Who's Regina?
Just, she's just a girl we
know, an old friend from Texas.
I'll be right back, baby.
What the hell are you
doing coming in here
with that business?
On the phone you said
that you would come to
the shelter on Monday.
I changed my mind.
What can I do to help you?
If you need a ride, if you need
us to bring Regina to you,
we can do that.
You want to help?
Then stay the hell
out of my life.
I got a future ahead of me,
do you hear what I'm saying?
I'm about to get married.
I understand, you are in the
middle of a big life change.
Regina is almost 14 years old.
You don't need to tell
me how old my kid is.
A girl that age needs to have...
Where was my social worker
when I was 13 and pregnant
and living in a foster home?
I was a child having a child.
Do you understand that?
This is my chance, I get to be
happy, that girl was a mistake,
and I don't think I should
have to pay for that mistake
for the rest of my life.
Goodbye.
Have a good weekend.
Bye guys.
(car engine running)
(car horn honking)
Give me an S!
Give me a W!
I-M!
Swim!
Come on, Regina, let's
go, let's go swimming.
I ain't got no swimming suit.
Annie, don't we have a
swimsuit around here
that would fit Regina?
Yes, I believe we do.
(♪♪♪)
(splashing and kids chatting)
(splashing and kids chatting)
What's wrong?
I changed my mind.
I don't want to be swallowing
other peoples' pee.
City pools is for people who
ain't got pools at home.
Whoever told you that was
pulling your leg, come on.
Woo, your butt looking like lime
green Jell-O jiggling like that.
This bowl of Jell-O
is jumping in.
(splash)
Regina, do you know how to swim?
Come on, baby, get in
the pool, I'll help you.
Come on.
Come on, Pumpkin, get in
the pool, I'll help you.
(♪♪♪)
First, we have to see what
it's like under the water.
So, we take a big
breath, hold our nose.
(♪♪♪)
What's it like?
Watery, sounds cool though.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
Excellent!
Now, we blow bubbles.
Gonna count first, okay.
Both: One, two, three.
(♪♪♪)
Hey!
See this girl, Annie,
she's a natural!
Woo!
(claps)
What do you want to
do for your birthday?
(spitting)
How do you tomorrow's
my birthday?
I saw it on your chart.
Anything special you want to do?
Go swimming again?
Deal.
Good night.
Yes.
(splashing and kids chatting)
(♪♪♪)
Right, kick off the wall.
Kick your legs, kick your legs.
Come up for air.
Kick your legs, I'm right here.
(♪♪♪)
Right here, kick your
legs, kick you legs,
kick your legs, grab the wall!
Yeah!
How does it feel to be so brave?
I did it!
You did it.
Okay, champ, back you go.
Kick, kick, kick, kick, kick,
kick, come up for air, kick,
kick, kick, kick, kick, kick,
grab the wall now, Regina.
Woo!
(claps)
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
(splashing)
(kids chatting)
(kids chatting)
What are you looking at?
Annie, take a picture of
me with the birthday girl.
Absolutely.
All right.
Cheese.
(camera click)
Okay.
(kids chatting)
My mama said that judge
can kiss her ass.
She got a lawyer trying
to get me out of here.
I don't want no frizz job.
What you doin'?
I need more time!
Girl, who did you have
for weekend duty?
Miss Kerr.
Happy Trails.
Oh, Miss Rise and Shine.
Was in a lime green
swimsuit, woo!
Shakin', jiggling like Jell-O,
thighs so white, I was blinded.
(zap)
Fire!
Out!
(sizzling)
(bang)
Ah!
Everybody all right?
(sigh)
What, what I said about
the lime green swimsuit,
I was just being stupid.
You're worried about
my lime green jelly.
You scared me to death!
Please hand me a towel.
TV: Screaming
I am not doing a very good job.
No, you're doing good.
You haven't seen it.
I can feel it.
I can feel you're
doing it right.
See, it looks good.
You all tucked in?
Your last name starts with a K.
Yes, it does.
My last name starts with an I.
It means we're right next to
each other in the dictionary.
Yes, we are.
(click)
Good night.
(click)
Yesterday, the court
declared you're a ward
of the state.
What's that mean?
If all goes well,
you could be adopted.
In order to place you,
gonna need you to put your
best foot forward, Regina.
We're gonna need this
red star girl you are
to become a gold star girl.
Do you understand me?
Yes.
Okay.
(♪♪♪)
I'm not coming back?
If all goes well, no, you won't.
Would you like to
wear your mood ring?
Put it here.
Mm-hmm.
Tissue?
I don't want it no more.
(♪♪♪)
Regina, this is a
wonderful opportunity.
You'll do well.
(♪♪♪)
(door slams)
Their names are
Mr. and Mr. Rowen,
and that is what you will
call them until they
tell you otherwise.
What are their names?
Mr. and Mrs. Rowen.
Good.
Is he okay?
(snort)
Mr. Rowen has
a bad heart.
If you act up, he's likely
to have a heart attack,
so you be good.
(snoring)
I feel awful.
May I be excused?
What's wrong with you?
I think I got to go to bed, or
to the bathroom, or something.
I don't feel good.
Oh, you got your menses.
Look at the mess you're making!
I didn't sign up for this!
I thought I was getting a
child, not a adolescent!
I'm not dealing with a teenage
girl that might get
pregnant on my watch!
They don't pay me enough
money for this here.
You got to get up out of here.
Regina: It wasn't even my fault,
but Miss Ford looked at me
like I was a lost cause.
(huff)
Miss Kerr took the time to
explain my inner workings,
but I already knew
where babies came from.
Boys had been trying to force
themselves between my legs
for as long as I could remember.
Miss Kerr said I was
a young lady now,
and it was time
to see the world.
I landed in the ocean.
Well, what's the nearest land?
Bahamas.
I always wanted to go.
Let's go.
Let's go.
♪♪ Open up your heart for me
and throw away the key, yeah. ♪
♪ And forever there I'll be. ♪
(opera music)
Brraa-bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-bo.
Brraa-bu-bu-oh-oh-oh-oh.
(giggling)
Get that teapot for me.
What's that?
It's for you.
Don't you want to
see what it is?
(paper crinkling)
Here, press there, there.
Now you're recording.
Say something.
Hi Pumpkin.
Hey, pretty girl.
Today is our day!
Today is indeed our day.
What do you call me?
Pumpkin.
(laughing)
You're crazy.
I really liked the paintings.
Maybe you want to be an
artist when you grow up.
When I grow up, I want
to be a hairdresser.
Maybe I'll be a hairdresser
to all the stars.
You can do anything
you put your mind to.
But if that doesn't work out,
then I want to work with
kids the way you do.
Not a bad fallback position.
The most important thing
is to do what you love.
Oh, my gosh, we have to go!
We don't have to go.
I have to get you
back to the shelter.
Come on.
Ou.
Oh, honey.
I really don't feel good.
What's the matter, Pumpkin?
It hurts.
Oh, my goodness,
you are burning up.
Come on.
(♪♪♪)
Come on, right here.
Sit here.
(♪♪♪)
(dialing)
(phone ringing)
Hi, this is Jeanne Kerr.
May I please be connected
to the doctor on call?
Hi Annie, the doctor says that
there is a flu going around,
and Regina has it.
I'm gonna keep her
here with me tonight.
Okay, bye.
(♪♪♪)
Hi.
Do you think you can keep
down a couple sips of soda?
It sits well with you, I'll
make you some broth, hmm.
I didn't want her to be
alone when she was sick.
She's had such a hard
time being placed.
You're the reason
I can't place her.
That girl sabotaged multiple
placements because
of her attachment to you.
I'm just trying
to encourage her.
That beautiful spark in her,
she is so bright and
energic and hopeful.
I don't want to see her
swallowed up by the world.
Do you hear yourself?
This is a shelter, it's not a
home, don't confuse Regina.
She needs to understand
who she is
and you can't do that for her.
You're not to spend anymore
time with that girl.
(♪♪♪)
All these months on the
arts and crafts sidelines,
and here you are a total pro.
We have to hide
it from Miss Kerr.
Uh, Miss Kerr is not
working this week.
Why?
Uh, Miss Ford rotated her
out for a little while.
But, you know, we'll, we'll
still have a lot of fun.
We got lots of new
intakes coming.
(bang)
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
Eleven, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16...
(♪♪♪)
Thank you for a lovely evening.
I'll call
you... soon.
Good night.
How did you get here?!
I walked.
It's a right, a left, a
right, and then 22 lampposts,
to Loral Lane.
That's 12 miles, Pumpkin.
I like your hair, it looks good.
Were you on a date?
I saw you kiss him.
Annie, I am so sorry for
the worry this caused you
and Regina is, too.
I'll bring her back first
thing in the morning.
Yeah, I'll Gwen Ford know.
Bye.
(♪♪♪)
I think I understand you.
You don't know who you
are and you're headed
for an identity crisis.
But understand this,
Regina, you are black,
and I see you trying to
ingratiate yourself into this
white world here with all
your cutesy little antics.
I don't want to be hanging
out with white people.
I just want to be
with Miss Kerr.
She invited me over
for Christmas break
'cause I don't have
anyplace else to go.
Oh, unless you want to
invite me over to your house.
♪♪ Troll the ancient
yuletide carol,
fa la la la la, la la la la. ♪♪
I can't sing anymore,
will you sing for me?
There are the words, I
bet you know this one.
O Come, All Ye Faithful,
my choir of angels.
I don't know this one.
You'll recognize it.
♪♪ O come, all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant ♪
♪ O come ye, O come ye... ♪♪
What was this about mistletoe?
I saw Robby and Marcy
under the mistletoe.
You should go for it, you
should have kissed him.
No, I'm gonna take
a pass on that.
Cranberry sauce, yes, I want
more, it was wonderful.
You could be great, girl.
It's your recipe.
You're stalling,
you're stalling.
Regina and I saw
Tosca last night.
Opera is so bourgeois, Jeanne.
Why must everything be labeled?
Opera comes from the
streets of Naples,
a lumpenproletariat impulse for
the proletariat expropriated
by the bourgeoisie.
I have no idea what my
children are saying.
Me neither.
What do you think of
the opera, Regina?
You hate it, right, it's boring.
It's boring.
Opera's good.
See, she hates it,
she's being nice.
She just appreciates culture.
You don't have to
lie, it's okay.
You're so polite.
She's compulsively honest.
Merry Christmas, Pumpkin.
Okay, ready?
Both: One, two, three.
(paper rustling)
(♪♪♪)
I made this, and Miss
Sandy gave me the pot.
It's a plant holder.
It's the most beautiful
plant holder I've ever seen.
The Collegiate Dictionary.
Regina Louise, you
put my name on it.
What's collegiate mean?
Okay.
B, C, college, collegiate.
Adjective; Of or belonging
to a college containing,
connected with, or having
the status of a college.
I love it.
Thank you!
Okay, yes, we'll
talk soon, bye-bye.
How was your white Christmas?
My Christmas was
lovely, thank you.
How about yours?
Oh, it was fine.
I found a placement for Regina.
Can you get her
personals, please,
and have her ready by noon?
This is good news.
Yes, it is.
I know that you'll do well.
Now, I want you to
cooperate with Miss Ford.
Show her that you
are a big girl.
And if you ever feel
lonely, or discouraged,
I just want you to call me.
(♪♪♪)
How far away do they live?
Don't even think about
walking back, Regina.
Coach and his wife have only
taken in boys over the years.
You're gonna make
this work, child.
I'm out of options for you.
Do you understand me?
Yes.
Byron's come to us
3 years ago now.
He's dad's all star player.
And Robby came the year before,
but asthma keeps him from
playing on the team.
And our little Will,
he just had his 8th anniversary
with us last Christmas.
He was lame.
I mean they wrote him up in the
paper like he was some star,
when all he threw
were interceptions.
He had his comeuppance.
You're looking at his
comeuppance right here.
Regina made these
mashed potatoes.
Regina made these?
Mm-hmm.
It's Mrs.
Power's recipe.
Good night, honey.
Good night.
Thank you.
(click)
Regina: I miss Miss Kerr
so much my heart hurt,
but the coach and his
wife were good people
and were willing to
give me a chance.
It might have worked,
except for one thing...
Oh!
(silenced screams)
Shh-shh, shh-shh.
Open your legs, open your legs.
Shh-shh.
I'm gonna give you
a cooling down.
(smack)
What the hell?!
Woo.
(birdsong)
(♪♪♪)
(telephone ringing)
Hello.
Jeanne, have you
heard from Regina?
For?
If you hear from Regina,
call me immediately.
What happened?
She's runaway yet again.
This time after battering
the son of a foster family.
Oh, where is she?
What's her address in Richmond?
This is not your
business, Jeanne.
Juvenile delinquency is
a matter for the police.
(dial tone)
Please be safe, please be safe.
Oh, baby, oh, oh!
(sobbing)
It's okay, it's okay,
it's okay, it's okay.
(sobbing)
It's okay.
Oh, it's okay, it's okay,
it's okay, it's okay.
Mom, I want to adopt Regina.
Pumpkin, I knew
that at Christmas.
Oh, I'm so happy
for you, sweetie.
I love you.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
Where have you been?
How was I supposed to
know you didn't get in
a car wreck or something?
Oh, no, sweetheart,
I am so sorry.
I'm sorry, I have been
looking at apartments.
I have been looking at
some private schools.
School?
Mm-hmm.
What are you looking
at schools for? For you.
How would you feel about
being adopted... by me?
How would you feel
about being my daughter?
Me?
(tears of joy)
Oh.
(♪♪♪)
Gonna be manipulated by
a child who has survived
by manipulation.
Do you not believe that
boy tried to rape her?
That's not the question.
The problem here is that
Regina Louise has sabotaged
numerous foster care placements.
Now, I don't doubt
your good intentions,
but what the girl needs is
behavioural correction.
She doesn't need you.
What she needs is a loving home.
I want to adopt her.
If you pursue this,
I will fire you.
I turn in my notice.
I need to find a
new job, anyway,
so I can have my nights
and weekends free
to be home with Regina.
Are you hearing me?
Back off of this.
Why? She is one of
our neediest cases.
I can take care of her.
I want to take care of her.
A single white mother with
a black child is unhealthy.
Mm, some of our best foster
parents are single mothers.
Black mothers for
black children,
white mothers for white.
Regina needs to bond
with black adults.
She's already confused
about who she is.
Miss Ford, I'm not
the right race,
but I am the right
mother for her.
I can give her love.
I can give her security.
I can give her an education.
I'm not asking for foster care,
I am asking for adoption.
Is your need more important
than her identity?
Do you, do you understand
that I have to answer to
the American Association
of Black Social Workers?
It is up to me to make sure that
our black children do not get
stripped of their black
identity, their culture,
their history.
What do you see yourself as,
some liberal white woman coming
in to save the life
of a black child?
You think what
Regina needs is you?
No, what she needs is to
bond with all black people
in a black community.
It's about self-determination
and self-preservation.
And if this adoption
doesn't take,
that girl will be alone
trying to save herself.
Miss Ford, I would do
anything for this child.
Then stay away from her.
Give me an S, give me a
T, give me a U, P, I, D.
Come on, don't be stupid.
Jeanne, I work with these kids,
you know that I love them,
but taking on a black kid,
that is a ball and chain
that you don't need.
(♪♪♪)
I-I'm, I'm sorry,
I miss-, I misspoke.
(♪♪♪)
Jeanne.
(♪♪♪)
Keep in touch, okay?
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
All rise, case number 127A,
Jeanne Kerr versus the Louis
Centre for the adoption
of Regina Louise.
(♪♪♪)
Your Honor, this is a list
of all of the available
two bedroom apartments near
St. Mary's middle school.
I would like to
show them to Regina,
so we can decide
together where to live.
And employment?
I understand your work was
terminated at Lewis
Children's Centre.
Yes, your Honor, I am no
longer at the shelter,
but I am confident I
will be employed soon.
I have a nursing degree.
I've worked steadily
since graduation.
I'm a hard worker,
I'm a good saver,
and I am sure that I can provide
Regina with a safe, secure,
supportive and nurturing home.
It would be my greatest honor
to be Regina's adoptive mother.
Thank you, Miss Kerr.
Please be seated.
Miss Ford, I understand
you oppose this adoption.
I do, your Honor.
You know me and
you know my record.
In my professional opinion,
Regina has no chance for
a future without
behavioral correction,
which Miss Kerr is
incapable of providing.
The National Association of
Black Social Workers has
condemned transracial families.
Black children belong
with black families,
and I trust in this court that
it would never condone this
particularly insidious form of
genocide proposed by Miss Kerr.
Miss Kerr, your sincerity and
commitment to this child is not
in question, but I must weigh
heavily the opinion of
the child's supervisor.
Can I say something?
Sit down, Regina.
Everyone is working towards
your best interest, sit down.
I know, but I...
Sit down.
I deny your petition to adopt
Regina Louise on the grounds
that a white woman cannot know
or fully appreciate the needs
of a black child in our society.
Upon the request of Miss Ford,
Regina will be transferred to
Redding, California, where she
can receive medical treatment
for behavior problems, which
if not adequately treated now,
could lead to more serious
sociopathic behaviors
in adulthood.
(♪♪♪)
We're adjourned.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
They think something's
wrong with me.
They said I have to get better
before I can be with you?
They're taking you to
Riverway's tomorrow.
Miss Ford says
it's a nice place.
And then I could come
and live with you?
(♪♪♪)
You are going to make good
friends where you're going.
I want you to confide in
your counsellors, okay.
Let them know how you feel.
Let them be your friends.
And every night, I want you to
ask yourself if you've done
your best that day.
Ask yourself what nice thing
you've done for someone
else that day.
You are very good at this.
It's one of your special
qualities, sweetheart.
(♪♪♪)
You are always in my heart.
Remember that.
(♪♪♪)
I believe in you.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
No, no, no, no!
(bang)
(♪♪♪)
(door buzzer)
We're the first children's
centre with in-house
psychiatric assessment,
nurses and classrooms.
Residents have full use of
the rec room and the pool.
This is a palace compared
to juvenile detention.
You should be counting
your blessings.
Where are all the kids?
At seven they get
their treatment.
And I'll be back next month
to check on her progress.
Miss Ford, I'm
here a whole month?
You're here as long
as I say you are.
Regina!
Regina, stop it!
(♪♪♪)
I need to talk to my mama!
Your mother made you
a ward of the state.
My mother is Miss Kerr and
I need to talk to her now!
She is not your mother.
Now, I have put you here in
the lap of luxury instead
of juvenile hall.
Pull yourself together, child.
Get off of me!
(banging)
Easy, easy, you'll get the
help you need here, Regina.
You're lying!
You lied to me!
You're all lying!
Are you feeling sad?
Are you feeling angry?
It's safe to talk about
your feelings here.
I want to talk to Miss Kerr.
In the adjustment phase, it's
best if residents don't make
or receive phone calls.
You can write Miss Kerr.
You can write her
every day if you want.
I'm here to help you
get what you need,
and the more you tell
me about yourself,
the more help I can be.
How do you feel about Miss Ford?
I hate Miss Ford!
Uh-huh.
I just want to be
somebody's someone.
You what?
Miss Kerr wants to
be a mama to me.
On a scale of one to ten,
just how angry would
you say you feel?
(♪♪♪)
(door buzzer)
(♪♪♪)
Miss Kerr.
Yes.
I'm Dr. Rice.
You'd like to see Regina Louise.
Yes, I would.
I haven't been able to
get through by phone,
and I just need to
know how she's doing.
I also understand you told
the receptionist that
you're her counsellor.
Yes. But that's not true, is it?
I was her counsellor.
Mrs. Ford told us you were
fired from that position.
It concerns us that you persist
in trying to contact Regina.
I'm her closest friend.
I need her to know
that I'm here for her.
Well, we'll let her know that.
In the meantime, we need you
to desist from calling
or coming here.
Do we understand?
(♪♪♪)
You think you know, but you
don't know, they know.
And even if you don't
care, they care.
Delores.
(♪♪♪)
Mm-hmm.
Regina Louise.
I can't stop shaking.
Your shaking will stop once your
body gets used to the medicine.
(♪♪♪)
Mm-hmm.
Who are you writing?
My mother.
You call your mom a Miss Kare?
Miss Kerr.
I call my mom a mama.
You want to see her picture?
This is her purple,
this is her canary,
and this is her cranberry.
That's her.
Don't touch it!
(gagging)
You about to puke?
Those pills don't
make me feel good.
The most important thing is
that they don't make you feel
all angry all the time.
You can't be nice, you
better think twice.
They give you red
stars if you act up?
They take you downstairs.
You don't want to go down there.
They put cigarettes out on you.
She's just poking your eyes.
Don't lie, okay.
You can't help it,
but don't lie.
Okay, cool, D.
Just don't upset her.
PS - Please send me
a photo of yourself.
(♪♪♪)
You see how much better you do
when you're in the right place?
You see it?
I see it.
When Regina entered Riverways,
she was prone to violent
outbursts and
self-destructive behaviour.
After 30 days of treatment, she
has become a model of success.
Do you hear that?
A model of success,
that's my gold star, girl.
When can I talk to Miss Kerr?
Well if you can get through the
next 30 days without trouble,
you can have phone privileges.
(♪♪♪)
How come your
calendar is backwards?
I want to count the
days off, not up.
You're a genius.
My mom's out of jail in 2 years,
that's 368 days times two, is
two times eight is sixteen,
is a six and carry the one.
There's 365 days in a year.
That's what I said.
(♪♪♪)
Mm-hmm.
(♪♪♪)
The colored girl's
sick, somebody help!
The colored girl's sick,
somebody help!
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
(footsteps)
(door slamming shut)
(door buzzer)
I'm sorry, Miss, you're not
permitted to be down here.
I'm Jeanne Kerr, here
to see Regina Louise.
I'm her friend. Miss Kerr, I need
to speak to you outside, please.
(door buzzer)
Why, why do this, a
restraining order?
Your petition for
adoption was denied.
Dr. Rice has told me that
you have repeatedly tried
to contact Regina.
I just need to know that
Regina is all right.
Regina's behaviour
hasn't been better.
Then why won't they
let me speak to her?
Why hasn't she answered
a single letter?
Have you ever considered that
Regina doesn't want to be
in contact with you?
Look...
Annie McKay told me that
your mother passed away
two weeks ago, which helps
explain this behavior.
You need to know that you're
way out of bounds, you need to,
you need to pull
yourself together.
I can't believe
you're doing this.
Don't turn this
back on me, Jeanne.
This is your obsession,
this is your illness.
If you really care
about that girl,
you will sever
the bond for good.
That's the truth.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
What happens when
you get to one?
I get to talk to my mother.
Regina doesn't have a mother.
She's a ward of the state.
I have a mother.
(distorted recording playing)
Regina's mom is a man.
No wonder she don't have
a picture of her mama.
Shut up, don't be mean.
(distorted recording playing)
What are you doing in D's box?
Nothing.
Don't touch D's box.
I ain't touch it!
I forgot my box.
She was in your box.
(screaming)
Regina! Regina!
Hey, hey, hey, hey,
what is going on?
She took her, she took her!
Regina took my mother!
Calm down, what happened?
Regina stole D's picture of
her mother out of her box.
Where is the picture, Regina?
Regina, I asked you a question.
I didn't take it, I just
wanted to look at it.
For stealing another
resident's property,
you're facing three
months probation.
I'll tear it up if you don't
let me talk to my mama!
I mean it, I'll tear it!
Regina, Regina, calm down.
Give me the photo.
No, no, no!
This is it, it's over, come on.
No, no, no!
No, no, please, no,
no, please, no!
I hate you!
Let me go!
I hope you die!
Sorry, Delores, I didn't
mean to hurt your picture!
Please, please, let me down!
Stop it!
No, no, no, no, no!
No, you let me out of here!
You call my mom and tell
her what you've done to me!
(slam)
(♪♪♪)
I can't leave yet.
It's been a year.
It's time to move on.
We have to go, come on.
Come on.
You have accomplished nothing
by your destructive behavior.
This file, this history of
trouble will follow you
for the rest of your life.
I pulled strings to get you
in here, and believe me,
this is a cake walk compared
to the psych ward
at the state hospital.
So, what are you gonna do?
How are you gonna
turn all this around?
I'll go to college.
Oh, I see, where will you
get money for college?
I'll get a scholarship.
For what, a
scholarship for what?
You're already three
years behind in school.
It's time you took a long hard
look at yourself and start
to set some realistic
goals, Regina.
Look at myself?
What do you see
when you look at me?
You see something
not worth loving.
You can't stand the sight of me.
Miss Kerr is the only
person that loves me.
Miss Kerr left the country.
She married a foreign man,
who I am sure does not
want a black child.
That's the world works, Regina.
(♪♪♪)
Does somebody put it in the
wrong box or hid it or lost it?
This is the only
place it would be.
Is there a problem, Regina?
I have a letter from
Miss Kerr somewhere.
She wouldn't leave
without writing me first.
I'm sorry, Regina, there's
nothing in the box.
No, look again.
I'm sorry.
(♪♪♪)
(recorder clicking)
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
(spit)
That's nasty, D.
Don't you get your spit on me.
(spit)
(♪♪♪)
Mm-hmm.
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
Have you seen Regina?
(♪♪♪)
Hey, where's Regina?
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
(splash)
Come on, hurry, hurry, come
on, get her out of there!
(♪♪♪)
Tilt her head back.
Pass me her robe!
Tilt her head back!
Oh, Regina!
No pulse!
Don't do this to me!
Come on, Regina!
Come on, Regina!
She listens to this for comfort.
Come on, Regina!
Regina!
Recording: Hey Pumpkin.
Hi, pretty girl.
Today's our day!
Today is indeed our day.
What do you call me?
Pumpkin.
(laughing)
You're crazy.
(laughing)
Today, we are making a cake.
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
You want to say anything?
Whether I talk or not,
you write things down.
This is your history.
Can I read my file?
Your file is confidential.
That's how we understand you.
Maybe I don't like the way
you're telling my story,
Dr. Rice.
Regina, I'm glad
you're feeling better.
What's that?
Well, you were
cheeking the pills,
so you'll take a liquid dose.
I want to see you drink it down.
Drink it down.
I almost lost my job
because of what you did.
Now drink it!
You drink it.
(splash) Ah!
(knocking) Guard!
May I have a piece of paper
and a pencil, please?
No sharp objects.
I'll take a crayon, that'll do.
Do you have a better
colour than this?
There are 64 colours in a box
and all you have is raw sienna?
(♪♪♪)
Regina: I pulled her
words up from my heart
where they were stored
for safekeeping.
The story of me being able to
do anything I put my mind to,
the story of me someday
going to college,
the story of me making
my dreams come true.
(♪♪♪)
A, abacus, abandon,
abandoned, abapical,
opposite from apex.
What's an apex?
(♪♪♪)
Dr. Rice, I want to go to
high school and get a job.
Why do you want a job?
So, I can save
money for college.
Regina, one of our goals
is to get you to think
realistically about yourself.
You're already three
grade levels behind
other girls your age.
Yes, that's why I
have no time to waste.
I want to attend a high
school, not the classes here.
But you haven't
earned out privileges.
How do I do that?
That's up to you.
Regina: For 180 days I did
everything I was told,
except take the meds
in the Dixie cup.
To keep myself from going crazy,
I learned every word
in the first 642 pages
of the dictionary.
By the time I reached the K's,
I had won my out privileges.
Kinetics, noun, the study
of all aspects of motion.
(♪♪♪)
(typewriter keys clicking)
(♪♪♪)
If you're gonna do
it, do it right,
get under the baseboard, baby.
Yes, ma'am.
(♪♪♪)
Mmm, there it is.
You got this.
(♪♪♪)
Ms. Lewis is great.
These are gonna look fantastic.
I'm gonna own my own
hair salon one day,
and do hair for all the stars.
(♪♪♪)
(school bell ringing)
(♪♪♪)
Miss Lewis, something really
good happened to me today.
I'm going to college!
San Francisco State is giving me
a full scholarship to school.
That's good, baby.
That's real good.
Thank you.
(♪♪♪)
Sign and date here and here.
This confirms you're now
an adult and the center
has no responsibility
or liability for you.
And this confirms that
you've claimed
all of your personal belongings.
Oh, that's it, you're
sending me out
with nowhere to go, no money?
The center's responsibility
to you is over.
I want my files.
Before I sign this,
I want my files.
Your files, the
property of the center.
It's my file. You're
not understanding.
No, you're not understanding.
You can't dope me up and
put me in a box anymore,
so I'll be a pain in the
ass until I get my file,
it's my history, then I'll
sign this release for you.
Medical records and psychiatric
assessments are confidential
and remain in the center.
But you may have your letters.
Sign please.
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
Recording: Sweetheart, they
wouldn't allow me to see you
or call, so I'm sending
you this message.
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
Pumpkin, I know you must be
busy making new friends
and settling into your new home.
Everything changes so
very quickly at your age.
If you have a moment, I'd be
so happy to know how you are.
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
(♪♪♪)
Recording: Happy
birthday, dear heart!
May your next journey around
the sun be your happiest ever.
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
(♪♪♪)
Recording: Hi Pumpkin, my
mother died this morning.
Feels unreal to say those words.
I'm so glad she had the chance
to meet you and to know
how wonderful you are.
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
(♪♪♪)
Recording: Sweetheart, there
have been some big changes
in my life, which I'll tell
you about when I see you,
but I want you to know this
will never change. (Sobbing)
I hold you in my heart.
You are in prayers
each and every day.
Love, Jeanne.
(♪♪♪)
(sobbing)
(door key click)
How did you get in here?
I was emancipated yesterday.
I didn't have anywhere to go, so
I climbed through the window.
I'm sorry.
Such an outrage.
Dumping kids out of the system
with nowhere to go, oh god.
Here's a key.
Sleep here until
you find some place.
(♪♪♪)
Hi Regina.
Here's your welcoming packet.
Thank you.
And here's your key.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
(♪♪♪)
You go to the bank and say,
"I want a loan to start
a small business."
The bank will ask for what?
A plan.
Yes, the banker will
ask for a business plan.
What are the components
of a business plan?
(♪♪♪)
(♪♪♪)
(typewrtier keys clicking)
Regina: With God's grace and
20 years of hard work,
my dreams came true bigger and
brighter than I ever imagined.
I had yearned for a mother as
I made my way in the world.
Now, I longed for her
to share my victories.
(♪♪♪)
In my need to find Jeanne,
I wrote a book
about my childhood.
It was my hope that
she would read it
and we would find each other.
Gina, I'll need some photographs
from your childhood
for the book cover.
I don't have any photographs.
Just a few will do.
I don't have any.
Who took photos of you
when you were a kid?
No one was ever round long
enough to take my picture.
No problem.
I'll come up with a
different concept.
(♪♪♪)
Regina: Every night before bed,
I continued my search for her.
This is a national broadcast?
It's as big as it gets.
And rolling.
Regina: Now as I publicized the
book, I hoped she would find me.
There's not a day that goes by
that I don't get up and put my
feet on the floor and hope that
she'll come back into my life.
(♪♪♪)
All these years I had
kept Jeanne in my heart,
like a mama whispering,
I love you, baby,
into her child's ear when
it was needed the most.
No matter what, there would
always be something or someone
for everybody, for all of
us who have been told
that we are unworthy.
We will give ourselves
merciful favor,
while standing in the blistering
heat of that primal wound.
We will wipe away from
our consciousness
someone else's fatalistic
narrative of what our life
will be, handed back to
the disbeliever and say,
"I believe this
belongs to you."
Thank you.
(applause)
Thank you.
Hi, Bonnie, Bonnie.
You take care, Bonnie.
Name?
Jeanne.
(gasp)
I'm so proud of you.
(♪♪♪)
Oh my.
(♪♪♪)
Ohhh.
(♪♪♪)
I saw you on TV and
couldn't believe my eyes.
Oh.
My birthday.
My goodness, look at that,
I remember that shirt.
You darling girl.
And the cake.
(laughs)
Oh.
My beautiful little girl.
You have grown into a
beautiful, amazing woman.
(♪♪♪)
Oh!
Oh, my goodness!
(laughs)
(♪♪♪)
Do you, Jeanne Kerr,
take Regina Louise
to be your daughter?
To love, to hold and to cherish
and to support financially
and emotionally in her future
endeavors no matter
what they may be?
I do.
Regina: Everybody wants
to be somebody's someone,
and today I was.
(♪♪♪)
♪♪ Love is when
you do the things
you say that you will do. ♪
♪ I give my heart to you. ♪♪
I knew I was going to find her.
I knew that one day I would just
say thank you for loving me
when no one else did.
I just didn't prepare myself for
her saying I'm gonna make you
my daughter, so I got a two
for, I got a two for,
I got to say thank you and I
get to be her daughter, so.
You are my daughter.
See.
(laughing)