Little Girl Lost: The Delimar Vera Story (2008) - full transcript
The true story of a woman who believed her infant daughter had perished in a fire, only to find her 6 years later living with another family.
[♪]
UNO... DOS...
TRES...
CUATRO...
CINCO...
SEIS...
SIETE...
OCHO...
NUEVE...
DIEZ...
ISRAEL!
READY OR NOT,
HERE I COME!
ISRAEL!
ISRAEL, GO GET
YOUR PAPI! HURRY!
TELL HIM IT'S TIME!
WILFREDO, IT'S YOUR MAMI'S TIME!
THE BABY'S COMING!
[♪]
[BOTH BOYS]:
PAPI! PAPI! PAPI!
PAPI! THE BABY!
THE BABY! THE BABY!
THE BABY'S COMING?
VAMOS!
[MECHANICS SHOUTING
AND CHEERING]
MAMI! THERE SHE IS!
COME ON.
MAMI, ARE YOU
OKAY? MAMI!
OH, MY GOODNESS.
HI, HI.
OPEN THE DOOR,
OPEN THE DOOR!
[♪]
PUT YOUR SEATBELT ON!
MOVE OVER, GUYS.
MOVE OVER.
GOOD?
[MOTHER]: PEDRO!
WILL YOU GET IN THE CAR?
GO! DRIVE!
OKAY. OKAY.
[♪]
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
[FOOTSTEPS ENTERING ROOM]
HERE'S YOUR WATER, LUZ.
DO YOU WANT TO HOLD
YOUR LITTLE GIRL?
SHE LOOKS
JUST LIKE YOU, PAPI.
NO. I-I MIGHT BREAK HER.
DON'T BE SILLY, PEDRO.
[BOY]: COME ON!
LET'S GO
SEE THE BABY!
DON'T RUN.
MAMI, LET'S SEE HER!
LET'S SEE HER!
ME TOO! ME TOO!
I COULDN'T HOLD THEM BACK
ANY LONGER.
SHH, SHH, SHH.
CUIDADO, WILFREDO.
[SHUSHING AND LAUGHING]
OKAY... MAMI
HAS TO REST, OKAY?
MM-MWAH! KISSES
TO BOTH OF YOU.
TAKE A LOOK.
LOOK HOW PRETTY...
LOOK, SHE HAS YOUR HAIR.
AND YOUR NOSE!
[GIGGLING]
I WILL CALL HER DELIMAR.
OKAY. BONITO.
YOU LIKE IT?
SI. "DELIMAR."
SHE'S BEAUTIFUL.
DELIMAR.
SHE'S BEAUTIFUL.
DELIMAR... DELIMAR.
DELIMAR. DELIMAR.
[LATIN MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO]
PEDRO?
YEAH?
THERE'S A LADY HERE.
SHE SAYS
SHE'S A RELATIVE?
SHE NEEDS HER BRAKES FIXED.
WHO ISN'T A RELATIVE
WHEN THEY NEED NEW BRAKES, HUH?
[LAUGHING]
HOLA, PEDRO.
HI.
OYE, PRIMO,
YOU DON'T REMEMBER ME?
HMM...
VALERIE.
I MARRIED YOUR COUSIN ORLANDO
IN NEW JERSEY?
VALERIE! HI.
HI!
HI. I'M SORRY.
IT'S OKAY.
[WRENCH RATCHETING]
SO, PEDRO, I HEARD
YOU'RE HAVING A CHRISTMAS PARTY.
HM. WHO HASN'T HEARD?
WAS IT ON THE FRONT PAGE
OF THE NEWSPAPER OR SOMETHING?
SO CAN I COME?
MAYBE BRING MY NEW BOYFRIEND?
UH, WHAT HAPPENED
TO ORLANDO?
WE SPLIT UP.
SO I'M SEEING SOMEBODY NEW.
[GRUNTING]
OKAY...
YOUR BRAKES ARE FINE,
BUT YOU HAVE A BENT WHEEL.
CAN YOU FIX IT?
I'M BUSY UNTIL MONDAY.
THAT'S OKAY, I CAN WAIT.
OKAY.
COOL.
ALL RIGHT, SO I GUESS
I'LL SEE YOU AT THE PARTY?
YEAH.
I CAN MEET YOUR WIFE.
OKAY. [SPEAKING SPANISH]
ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT.
OYE, PRIMO,
CAN I STILL DRIVE IT?
UH, SI.
NO PROBLEM,
BUT DON'T GO TOO FAR.
OKAY.
[RADIO PLAYING]
DELIMAR?
THAT'S A DORKY NAME.
DELIMAR IS A BEAUTIFUL NAME.
IT MEANS "BY THE SEA."
I LIKE CHRISTOPHER
COLUMBUS BETTER.
[CHUCKLING]
[GASPING DRAMATICALLY] OH!
YEAH, PAPI! WOW!
THE LIGHTS LOOK GREAT!
HI.
TIA TATITA!
LOOK AT OUR
CHRISTMAS TREE!
I KNOW!
WHAT DID YOU
BRING US, TIA?
DULCE DE LECHE.
CAN I HAVE SOME NOW?
CAN WE, MAMA?
ONE PIECE.
OKAY. GO. GO.
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU.
SMILE, LUZ!
[LAUGHS]
I BOUGHT THREE OF THEM,
FOR THE OTHER GUESTS.
LIKE AT CARMEN'S WEDDING
THE OTHER DAY.
I KNOW.
DO IT AGAIN, TATITA,
WITH DELIMAR
NEXT TO THE TREE.
HEY, AND WHO'S GOING TO
PAY FOR THE FILM?
[SPEAKS SPANISH]
MY SISTER ALWAYS HAS
GREAT IDEAS.
[GIGGLING]
[FUSSING IN SPANISH]
[LOUD MUSIC PLAYS]
[♪]
LOOK AT CECI'S DRESS!
MUY ELEGANTE!
IF SHE ISN'T CAREFUL,
SHE'S GOING TO FALL OUT OF IT
LIKE SHE DID THAT LAST TIME.
SHE WORKS FOR A RICH LADY
WHO GIVES HER CLOTHES.
EVERY WEEK,
IT'S A NEW DRESS.
WELL, SHE NEEDS TO
WORK FOR A FATTER LADY.
[ALL LAUGHING]
DID YOU MEET?
VALERIE.
I'M SORRY.
I'M SO BAD WITH NAMES.
PLEASE, ME TOO.
IT'S GOT TO BE
THE BABY HORMONES.
SMILE, LADIES!
[♪]
PEDRO, WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
I HAVE
A LOT OF FRIENDS.
BUT DO YOU KNOW THEM?
NOT YET!
WE ARE RUNNING OUT
OF EVERYTHING.
YOU WORRY TOO MUCH.
HAVE SOME FUN.
OKAY?
[ALL SHOUTING AND LAUGHING]
[♪]
OYE, NO, NO,
NO, COMADRE,
YOU LOOK REALLY GOOD.
YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE
THAT WEIGHT SO FAST.
BUT LOOK AT
MY TETAS... LIKE A COW.
LUZ, YOU JUST
HAD A BABY!
SO DID SHE!
TWO DAYS BEFORE ME!
I KNOW, BUT YOU SHOULD'VE
SEE ME BEFORE THE BABY.
I WAS FLAT LIKE A BOARD.
BUT THAT'S OKAY,
BECAUSE IF I HAD
TETAS LIKE YOURS,
MY BOYFRIEND WOULD BE
EVEN MORE JEALOUS
THAN HE IS NOW.
SUCH TROUBLE,
THESE MEN!
MY PEDRO WAS AFRAID
TO HOLD DELIMAR.
HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT
TO DO CON UNA NENA.
OH, MY G-- WELL,
AT LEAST MY BRIAN'S GOOD.
HE'S BABYSITTING
RIGHT NOW.
YOU'RE LUCKY
TO HAVE THAT.
I KNOW.
YOU'RE BOTH LUCKY.
YOU HAVE TWO NENAS.
[WOMEN LAUGHING]
I'M GOING TO GO
CHECK ON THE BABY.
OH, I WANT TO GO SEE HER!
COME ON.
CECI, LET'S GO SEE THE BABY!
[♪]
COSITA LINDA.
AY, MAMACITA, SHE'S BEAUTIFUL!
YEAH.
JUST LIKE
A PRINCESS, LUZ.
[CECI]: THE RICH LADY
WHOSE HOUSE I CLEAN
HAS LOTS OF TOYS.
SHE'LL GIVE ME
SOME FOR DELIMAR.
LET'S HOPE
THEY'RE BIG ENOUGH.
[SNICKERS]
WHAT DO YOU MEAN
BY THAT?
[LAUGHING]
WHAT'S SO FUNNY?
NOTHING.
SHH, SHH. DON'T WAKE HER.
DON'T WAKE HER.
[VALERIE]: SHE'S SUCH
A GOOD SLEEPER, YEAH?
NOT FIDGETY LIKE MINE.
COSITA PRECIOSA.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S
A GOOD IDEA, LUZ.
BABIES LIKE
TO SLEEP IN THE COLD.
MAKES THEIR LUNGS
STRONGER.
ES UN COSA DE VIEJAS.
NO, IT'S NOT
A WIVES' TALE.
I ALSO HEARD YOU SHOULD
DRINK BEER EVERY DAY.
TO HELP YOUR MILK FLOW.
THAT'S A GOOD ONE!
[LAUGHTER]
BUT IT'S TRUE!
I READ IT
IN A GOOD MAGAZINE.
SHH, SHH, SHH.
I HAVE TO GO BACK DOWNSTAIRS
TO SEE WHAT OTHER TITEROS
PEDRO HAS LET INTO THE HOUSE.
[WOMEN CONTINUE LAUGHING]
SHH.
SHH.
DUERME, MI NENA.
OKAY, LET'S GO.
COME ON.
SHE'S LIKE AN ANGEL.
CHIQUITA...
[MUSIC PLAYING LOUDLY]
PEDRO! MAS CERVEZA, MAN!
OKAY, OKAY,
BUT YOU'VE GOTTA DRIVE. COME ON.
[♪]
PEDRO!
YOU'RE LEAVING?
YOU WORRY TOO MUCH.
GO HAVE SOME FUN.
[LAUGHING]
[♪]
[JOKING IN SPANISH]
[BOTH CACKLING]
[SPEAKS SPANISH]
[BOTTLES CLATTER AND RATTLE]
YOU'VE GOT THE KEYS?
COME ON, LET'S GO,
LET'S GO.
[♪]
WHAT A NIGHT, HUH?
WHAT'S ON
THE STOVE, LUZ?
THERE'S NOTHING
ON THE STOVE.
WE'RE OUT OF EVERYTHING.
CAN'T YOU SMELL THAT?
[MAN]: ¿ES ALGO
QUE SE QUEMA?
WHAT DID HE SAY?
SOME IDIOT'S
BURNING SOMETHING.
[CONCERNED MURMURING]
DID YOU SMELL
SOMETHING BURNING?
[MURMURING INTENSIFIES]
[SNIFFING]
[WOMAN]: FUEGO!
FIRE!
[WOMAN SCREAMS]
FIRE!
[PANIC SPREADING]
FUEGO!
FUEGO! SALGAN!
WHERE'S IT COMING FROM?
GET OUT! AFUERA! GO!
WHERE ARE THEY?
GET OUT!
[FLAMES ROARING]
[GLASS SHATTERING]
MAMI! MAMI!
WHERE'S YOUR BROTHER?
MAMI, I'M AFRAID!
I KNOW. WHERE'S YOUR
BROTHER? WHERE IS HE?
I DON'T KNOW!
ISRAEL?
ISRAEL!
MAMI! MAMI!
WE'VE GOT TO GO!
LET'S GO! GET HIM OUT!
GO! LET'S GO! GO!
GO! GO!
[REALIZING]: THE BABY...
[PANICKING]
[ALL COUGHING AND SPUTTERING]
MY BABY!
DID YOU SEE MY BABY?
DID YOU SEE MY BABY?
[RAGING]: MY BABY!
MY BABY!
[SOBBING AND SCREAMING]
[OVERCOME BY COUGHING]
NO. NO!
NO!
LUZ! COME ON!
LET'S GET OUT!
NO!
NO! LET GO!
COME ON!
LET'S GET OUT
OF HERE!
[LUZ SCREAMING AND RAGING]
COME OUTSIDE.
COME ON, LUZ.
GET OUT OF HERE.
WHERE IS SHE?
GET OUTSIDE!
[SIRENS WAILING]
[♪]
OKAY, LET'S GO!
GRAB A HOSE!
MOVE IT IN HERE!
EVERYBODY!
THE BABY! MY BABY!
WHERE'S THE BABY?
WHERE'S THE BABY?
WHO HAS THE BABY?
WHERE IS THE BABY?
SHE'S NOT HERE!
MAMI!
STAY BACK.
LUZ, YOU CAN'T DO THAT!
STAY BACK.
GET HER BACK!
OVER HERE!
[LUZ SCREAMING IN HORROR]
WHAT HAPPENED?
[BOYS CRYING OUT]
SHE'S INSIDE!
PEDRO, DO SOMETHING!
NO, STAY BACK!
STAY BACK!
WE SENT IN
A RESCUE TEAM!
PEDRO,
SHE'S INSIDE THERE!
[♪]
[♪]
[♪]
DELIMAR?
[SIGHING GROGGILY]
DELIMAR?
DELIMAR...
DELIMAR?
I WANT TO GO HOME.
I WANT TO HOLD MY BABY.
[SNIFFLES AND GULPS]
LUZ...
DELIMAR IS, UM...
SHE'S DEAD.
THERE IS NO HOME.
MI LUZ...
LUZ?
MI-- MI LUZ...
MI AMOR.
LUZ...
LUZ, WE'RE GOING TO
GET A NEW HOME.
YOU AND ME
AND WILFREDO AND ISRAEL,
WE'RE GOING TO
START OVER. OKAY?
OKAY, MAMI?
OKAY?
CAN I JUST HOLD HER?
I WANT TO HOLD
MY BABY.
CAN I JUST HOLD HER?
I WANT TO HOLD MY BABY.
[STIFLING SOBS]
[♪]
THERE THEY ARE.
LUZ, THIS IS LUCY.
SHE MIGHT BE ABLE
TO HELP YOU.
I'M LUCY CAMARENA.
I AM VERY SORRY
FOR YOUR LOSS.
I GAVE TATITA
MY CARD
IN CASE YOU NEED
TO TALK TO ME.
I'M A SOCIAL WORKER.
I MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU,
IF YOU FEEL LIKE
YOU NEED IT.
GRACIAS.
AGAIN, I'M VERY
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
MY BABY IS NOT DEAD.
LUZ, WHAT ARE YOU
TALKING ABOUT?
THE WINDOW WAS OPEN.
I SAW IT WITH MY OWN EYES.
[♪]
I'M SORRY
THERE ISN'T MORE ROOM.
WE'LL BE FINE,
TATITA.
GRACIAS.
CARLOS...
HE GOT WHAT HE COULD...
FROM THE HOUSE.
[♪]
I'M SO SORRY.
[♪]
[HUSHED SOMBER CONVERSATIONS]
MIS CONDOLENCIAS,
PEDRO.
GRACIAS.
I AM SO SORRY, PEDRO.
I JUST... I WANTED
TO PAY MY RESPECTS
BEFORE
I GO BACK HOME.
PRIMA, I DIDN'T
GET TO FIX YOUR CAR.
OH, PLEASE!
DO NOT WORRY
ABOUT THAT, OKAY?
[SNAPPING]: I KNOW WHAT I SAW
WITH MY OWN TWO EYES!
AS I WAS TRYING TO
GET TO DELIMAR...
I SAW THROUGH THE SMOKE.
THE CRIB WAS EMPTY.
I SAW THE WINDOW!
IT WAS OPEN,
BUT I CLOSED IT EARLIER!
IT'S OKAY, LUZ.
JUST CALM DOWN.
YOU WERE THERE.
YOU SAW ME.
AND YOU, AND YOU TOO!
WHEN WE WERE UP THERE,
I BROUGHT
THE HEATER CLOSE,
AND I CLOSED
THE WINDOW.
YOU TOLD ME
NOT TO, REMEMBER?
NO, NO, LUZ, I TOLD YOU
NOT TO PUT THE HEATER ON.
BUT YOU SAW ME
CLOSE THE WINDOW!
WE DON'T REMEMBER.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN OPEN.
WHO KNOWS?
LUZ, AMOR.
IT DOESN'T MATTER--
PERO POR SUPUESTO QUE
IT MATTERS!
THE WINDOW WAS WIDE OPEN LATER!
SO WHAT?
SO SOMEONE STOLE DELIMAR!
OYE...
YOU NEED TO STOP
TALKING LIKE THIS.
SOMEONE STARTED THAT FIRE.
LUZ! ENOUGH!
IT WAS YOUR HEATER
THAT STARTED THE FIRE!
THAT IS WHAT
THE FIREMEN TOLD ME.
[SIGHS]
I DIDN'T WANT TO TELL YOU...
BECAUSE I DIDN'T
WANT YOU TO SUFFER.
NO!
IT WAS THE HEATER!
THAT'S NOT TRUE.
YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER
PUT IT THERE, LUZ.
[SNIFFLES]
[HUFFS]
[♪]
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
BABIES GET STOLEN.
IT HAPPENS.
GO TO SLEEP, LUZ.
THEY SELL THEM!
I KNOW.
I SEE IT ON--
WHAT DO YOU KNOW?
HUH?
WHAT YOU SEE ON TV?
EVERYONE THINKS
YOU'RE GOING CRAZY.
YOU SAW THEM
TAKE HER AWAY.
THEY PUT THAT BUNDLE
IN THE AMBULANCE.
YOU SAW THEM!
I DON'T BELIEVE IT.
WE WILL
BURY HER, LUZ.
AND THEN YOU WILL
FIND A WAY TO ACCEPT
WHAT YOU DON'T WANT
TO BELIEVE.
[♪]
[PEN SCRATCHING PAPER]
WAIT.
I WANT TO SAY
GOODBYE TO DELIMAR.
I WANT TO SEE HER.
LUZ, PLEASE.
PEDRO, I WANT THIS.
[♪]
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO
TELL YOU THIS, BUT, UH...
THERE ARE NO HUMAN REMAINS
IN THE BUNDLE GIVEN TO US
BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WH-WHAT'S...
WHAT'S IN THE BUNDLE?
IT APPEARS TO BE
BURNED MATERIAL
FROM A MATTRESS.
I'M SORRY.
[♪]
UH, EXCUSE ME?
WE ARE LOOKING
FOR THE FIREMAN
WHO WROTE THIS REPORT.
UH, CAPTAIN JORDAN?
[TELEPHONES RINGING]
SADLY, WHEN A BABY
IS THIS SMALL,
IT CAN BE, UM...
COMPLETELY INCINERATED
BY THE HEAT OF THE FIRE.
THAT'S...
WHY THERE WERE NO REMAINS.
WHY DID THEY CARRY
THE BUNDLE OUT OF THE HOUSE?
UM...
UNFORTUNATELY, MA'AM,
FIREFIGHTING
IS NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE.
YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND
THE CONDITIONS...
THE FIRE RAGING
OUT OF CONTROL,
THE SPLIT-SECOND
DECISIONS...
THOSE FIREFIGHTERS GRABBED
WHAT THEY THOUGHT WERE, UH...
THE CHILD'S REMAINS.
THEN, UH...
WE CAN'T EVEN BURY OUR CHILD?
I CAN'T TELL YOU
HOW SORRY I AM FOR YOUR LOSS.
WE DID THE BEST
WE COULD.
[MATCH STRIKES]
[♪]
WE HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING,
PEDRO,
IF WE CAN'T
HAVE A FUNERAL...
SO WE HAVE THIS.
TO SAY GOODBYE.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
LUZ, IT ISN'T GOOD
FOR YOU TO BE
HANGING ON
TO THESE HOPES.
YOU CAN'T
TELL ME WHAT TO DO,
OR WHEN IT IS TIME
TO GIVE UP.
LUZ...
AMOR, IT'S NOT GOOD
FOR ISRAEL,
FOR WILFREDO...
OR FOR ME.
FOR YOU?
SI.
YOU WEREN'T EVEN
HOME, PEDRO!
LUZ, DON'T BLAME HIM
FOR WHAT'S GOING ON.
Y PORQUE NO?
HE LETS ALL THESE STRANGE PEOPLE
INTO OUR HOUSE,
AND THEN HE GOES AWAY!
ONE OF THEM STOLE OUR BABY,
AND HE WANTS TO FORGET ABOUT IT,
AND THEN BLAME ME
FOR STARTING THE FIRE!
THAT'S NOT WHAT
HE'S SAYING--
LUZ. LUZ!
[PEDRO]: LUZ, WHERE
ARE YOU GOING?
LUZ!
[♪]
HI. CAN I HELP YOU
FIND SOMETHING?
I'M LOOKING FOR
A SPACE HEATER.
DO YOU SELL THEM?
THIS WAY.
NO, NO.
NOT LIKE THAT ONE.
THAT ONE.
IS IT SAFE?
OF COURSE.
CAN IT MAKE A FIRE?
A FIRE?
EXPLODE, YOU KNOW?
CAN IT CATCH A FIRE?
NO, IT'S ALMOST
IMPOSSIBLE.
IT HAS MANY SAFETY FEATURES.
YOU SEE THE CAGE?
THAT'S VERY MODERN,
AND IF YOU TIP IT,
IT AUTOMATICALLY
SHUTS OFF.
IT'S VERY SAFE.
SHOULD I RING IT UP
FOR YOU?
NO.
THANK YOU.
[♪]
LUZ!
LUZ!
WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
I DIDN'T
START THE FIRE.
I SAW THE SAME ONE,
THE SAME HEATER.
COME ON, AMOR.
COME ON, LET'S GO
BACK TO TATITA'S, OKAY?
THEY'RE SAFE, PEDRO.
IT WASN'T MY FAULT.
LUZ, IT DOESN'T MATTER!
YOUR FAULT, THE FIRE?
THE HEATER?
IT DOESN'T MATTER!
TAKE ME TO THE POLICE.
WHAT?
I'M GOING TO TELL THEM
TO FIND MY BABY.
LUZ, JUST STOP!
LISTEN TO ME!
SHE WAS MY BABY, TOO!
DON'T YOU THINK
THAT I WANT TO BELIEVE
THAT SOMEHOW
SHE IS STILL ALIVE?
I WANT TO BELIEVE YOU.
BUT I WAS THERE,
AND I SAW
WITH MY OWN EYES.
SO HOW WILL YOU CONVINCE
SOME POLICEMAN
WHO DOESN'T CARE
ABOUT YOU...
OR SOME BROWN
LITTLE BABY
WHEN YOU CAN'T EVEN
CONVINCE ME?
[SOBS BRIEFLY]
LUZ...
AMOR...
YOU HAVE TO
OPEN YOUR EYES
AND SEE REALITY.
[♪]
[♪]
[FRONT DOOR SHUTS]
SOMEBODY'S HOME...
MAMI! MAMI!
BABY. MI NENE.
MWAH!
LO QUIERO MUCHO, MI NENE.
GIVE ME A KISS.
OYE, LUZ.
I'VE GOT SOMETHING
FOR YOU.
OKAY, GO UPSTAIRS.
MAMI'S TIRED.
OKAY.
COME ON, WILFREDO!
I'LL BEAT YOU.
IT'S FROM ELSA.
MIRA COMO TE TRAIGO COSAS.
MIRA!
I CAN USE THESE.
GOOD, YEAH.
BUT THERE'S
SOMETHING ELSE...
REMEMBER THOSE CAMERAS
I BROUGHT?
THAT ONE.
[SIGHING]
SHE DIDN'T KNOW
IF SHE SHOULD
SEND THEM OVER.
IT MIGHT MAKE YOU
TOO SAD.
NO.
[LAUGHS]: I LOVE IT.
YEAH?
YES.
IT'S A MIRACLE.
THIS IS THE ONLY ONE
IN FOCUS.
THE REST
ARE PRETTY BAD.
OYE...
THAT STUPID TREE.
[BOTH CHUCKLING]
MIRA CECI...
[EXHALES SHAKILY]
WHAT?
MIRA, IT'S THE WINDOW.
I TOLD YOU IT WAS OPEN.
IT'S OPEN RIGHT THERE. LOOK.
LUZ...
PEDRO!
DONDE ESTA PEDRO?
PEDRO?
MIRA, PEDRO!
I TOLD YOU. LOOK.
I TOLD YOU,
THE WINDOW'S OPEN.
SOMEONE FROM THE PARTY
STARTED THE FIRE,
THEY STOLE DELIMAR.
I AM WORKING!
THEY TOOK HER
FROM THE WINDOW! LOOK!
LOOK!
LUZ, GO HOME!
OKAY? GO HOME!
WE DON'T HAVE A HOME!
ARE YOU SO BUSY
THAT YOU'VE FORGOTTEN THAT?
TU ESTAS LOCA! VETE DE AQUI!
VETE DE--
[SLAPS HIS FACE]
VETE DE AQUI!
[♪]
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
OYE! YOU NEED TO
CONTROL YOUR WIFE, MAN.
[TOOLS CLATTERING]
BACK TO WORK,
OR TAKE THE DAY OFF!
[SLAM]
TAKE THE DAY OFF,
THEN!
[BOYS PLAYING]
MIRA! HERE'S
A SHIRT FOR DELIMAR.
SHE WOULD LOOK GOOD IN PINK, NO?
OH, IT'S TOO BIG
FOR HER NOW,
BUT MAYBE ONE DAY.
WHEN SHE COMES BACK,
WE WILL GET
A LOT OF NICE THINGS
FOR DELIMAR TO WEAR.
VERDAD, MIS HIJOS?
IT'S PRETTY.
YOU'RE CRAZY, MUJER.
AND NOW YOU'RE PUTTING
YOUR CRAZY THOUGHTS
INTO MY SONS?
NENES, GO UPSTAIRS
AND HELP TATITA. GO.
NOW.
[FOOTSTEPS SCURRYING]
[STAIRS CREAKING]
FIRST,
YOU COME TO MY WORK
AND YOU INSULT ME.
AND NOW THIS?
STOP CALLING ME CRAZY.
LOCA!
TU ESTAS LOCA!
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?
YOU!
YOU ARE WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME.
YOU DON'T LISTEN TO REASON.
YOU DON'T LISTEN TO ME!
IS THAT WHAT THIS IS?
I DON'T LISTEN TO YOU?
WELL, WHY SHOULD I?
IF YOU WERE A HUSBAND,
YOU WOULD BELIEVE IN ME,
AND IF YOU
WERE A MAN, PEDRO,
YOU WOULD GO
GET YOUR DAUGHTER!
CALLATE! CALLATE!
GIVE IT TO ME!
GIVE IT TO ME!
I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU DO...
BUT I WON'T LET YOU
MAKE THE BOYS CRAZY LIKE YOU!
WAITING
FOR A DEAD SISTER
WHO ISN'T COMING BACK,
AND I'VE HAD ENOUGH!
YOU SHOULD HAVE
BEEN THERE THAT NIGHT!
YOU SHOULD HAVE
TAKEN CARE OF US!
YOU DIDN'T
SAVE YOUR OWN BABY!
SHE ISN'T COMING BACK!
AND I'M NOT COMING BACK EITHER.
GOOD! THEN GET OUT!
GET OUT!
[BANGING UP STAIRS]
[EXHALING HEAVILY]
[♪]
[SHIRT DROPS TO FLOOR]
[♪]
[♪]
HE HASN'T COME BACK,
YOUR HUSBAND?
HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN?
UM...
I'M NOT SURE.
MONTHS?
[CHUCKLES SADLY]
DO YOU STILL THINK
YOU WILL FIND YOUR BABY AGAIN?
DO YOU THINK
ABOUT THIS?
DELIMAR?
OF COURSE.
[SIGHING HEAVILY]
YOU'RE NOT A MOTHER, ARE YOU?
NO.
IF YOU WERE, YOU WOULDN'T
LOOK AT ME THAT WAY.
I THINK ABOUT HER
EVERY DAY.
AT NIGHT,
I CAN FEEL HER AGAINST ME,
IN MY ARMS.
SOMETIMES,
I HEAR HER BREATHING.
LUZ SOMETIMES,
OUR MINDS
CREATE THINGS
TO PROTECT US FROM PAIN
WE CAN'T DEAL WITH.
YOU'RE GOING TO
TELL ME
I'M CRAZY,
JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.
NO.
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU
THAT YOU'RE GOING TO
GET BETTER.
YOU ARE A STRONG
WOMAN, LUZ.
TIME WILL HEAL YOU.
AND ONE DAY,
YOU'RE GOING TO
FORCE YOURSELF
TO MAKE A CHOICE
BETWEEN HOLDING ON
TO THIS HOPE
AND THE OTHER PATH.
YEAH? WHAT OTHER PATH?
WILFREDO AND ISRAEL.
YOUR TWO BOYS
NEED THEIR MAMA.
THEY'VE NEEDED YOU
ALL THIS TIME.
THEY NEED YOU TODAY
AND THEY WILL
NEED YOU TOMORROW.
YOU ARE
THEIR MOTHER, TOO.
[EXHALES HEAVILY]
[ALARM BEEPING QUIETLY]
AY! I HAVE TO STOP.
OH.
COME BACK
IF YOU NEED TO SEE ME.
IN THE MORNING,
THE LINE IS NOT SO LONG.
LUZ?
LET IT GO.
LET TIME WASH
THIS PAIN AWAY.
[♪]
[♪]
[BOYS IMITATING GUNS]
[ACTION FIGURES
CLATTERING]
[FIERCE BATTLE RAGING]
HEY!
YOU WANT TO GO
TO THE PARK?
YEAH!
YEAH!
YEAH! LET'S GO!
LET'S GO.
LOOK AT ME! MAMI, LOOK!
PUSH US FASTER, MAMI!
YEAH, FASTER!
FASTER!
WHOO-WOO!
[CHEERS]
FASTER!
DON'T LET GO, MAMI!
FASTER, MAMI!
WHOO!
FASTER!
[LUZ]: WHOO!
WHOA!
[ALL LAUGHING]
[♪]
WHOO-HOO!
[♪]
GO FASTER, WILFREDO!
FASTER, GO FASTER!
NOT SO FAST!
LET'S GO!
[BIKES RATTLING]
TUS HIJOS ESTAN AQUI?
COME ON, COME
WITH ME TO THE PARTY.
I CAN'T.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO WEAR?
WELL, IF YOU WOULD
COME OUT WITH ME SOMETIMES,
I WOULD FIND
SOMETHING FOR YOU.
GET YOU OUT OF
YOUR CHANGLAS.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY SHOES?
YOU SEE?
I DON'T HAVE
ANYTHING TO WEAR.
COME ON! WEAR
SOMETHING OF MINE.
I THINK THAT GUY'S GOING TO
BE THERE, EL GUAPO.
THE ONE WITH
THE FANCY CAR?
MM-HMM. LUIS.
YOU'LL LOVE HIM!
HE TALKS
WITH HIS EYEBROWS.
THAT'S NOT FUNNY.
WHAT'S TO EAT?
YEAH.
WE'RE HUNGRY!
TELL YOUR MAMI
YOU WANT TO COME
TO MONICA'S QUINCEANERA.
DO WE KNOW MONICA?
SI! SHE'S YOUR PAPI'S
UNCLE'S WIFE'S
COUSIN'S BROTHER'S--
NEVER MIND.
WHATEVER!
SHE'S YOUR COUSIN.
WHO ISN'T?
WILL THERE BE FOOD?
YES. LOTS OF FOOD.
AND A BIG CAKE.
TE VAS A QUEDAR SOLA.
[♪]
PEEKABOO!
OH, IT'S SO GOOD
TO SEE YOU.
GOOD TO SEE YOU,
TOO, CECI.
OH, IT'S SO GOOD
THAT YOU'RE HERE.
HAVE YOU
MET OUR HOSTESS?
NO.
PAULA? PAULA,
THIS IS MY GOOD FRIEND,
LUZ CUEVAS.
OH, WELCOME
TO MY HOME, LUZ.
THANK YOU, AND CONGRATULATIONS
ON YOUR DAUGHTER'S QUINCEANERA.
EVERYTHING IS LOVELY.
OH, THANK YOU.
MUCHAS GRACIAS.
LET ME PUT THIS DOWN, OKAY?
GO GET YOURSELF
SOMETHING TO DRINK.
THANK YOU.
DID YOU BRING
YOUR BOYS?
OH, SI.
THEY'RE OVER THERE, EATING.
QUE MAS?
THEY'RE BIGGER
EVERY TIME I SEE THEM.
HEY, CHICA!
DON'T TOUCH THAT CAKE
UNTIL IT'S TIME!
I WARNED YOU!
[BOTH LAUGHING]
HEY, YOU REMEMBER VALERIE, SI?
SHE JUST MOVED
BACK HERE TO PHILLY.
AND SHE'S STAYING
HERE WITH PAULA
UNTIL SHE FINDS
A PLACE OF HER OWN.
I HAVE TO STEAL HER
FROM YOU A MINUTE, AUNT CECI.
OKAY. JUST GO.
I'LL SEE YOU LATER.
GO, GO, GO. MINGLE. OKAY?
LUIS, THIS IS LUZ.
SHE IS THE ONE
I WAS TELLING YOU ABOUT.
SURPRISE!
[LUIS AND TATITA LAUGH]
LUZ?
LUZ?
HEY!
LUZ?
LUZ?
YOU NEED
A LITTLE FRESH AIR.
MAMI! MAMI!
OH, MY GIRL.
THIS IS MY DAUGHTER.
COME ON.
LET'S GO SIT DOWN.
THAT'S DELIMAR.
OKAY, YOU'RE AS WHITE
AS A GHOST.
COME ON.
COME OUTSIDE.
BUT THAT'S HER.
DON'T YOU SEE?
ESTAS HACIENDO.
YOU WANT TO MEET MY FRIENDS?
LUZ! HI!
MY GOD, IT'S SO GOOD
TO SEE YOU.
I ALMOST DIDN'T RECOGNIZE YOU.
DID YOU LOSE
SOME WEIGHT, MAYBE?
I DON'T KNOW.
YOU LOOK REALLY GOOD, COMADRE.
I'M HUNGRY, MAMI.
YOU'RE HUNGRY?
THIS IS MY DAUGHTER, AALIYAH.
CAN WE HAVE
SOME CAKE?
NO, YOU CANNOT
HAVE SOME CAKE.
IT'S GOING TO MAKE YOU FAT
FOR YOUR AUDITION.
SHE'S A MODEL ALREADY.
SHE'S DONE A FEW
COMMERCIALS SO FAR,
BUT ONE DAY,
WE'RE GOING TO GET HER
INTO THE MOVIES, RIGHT?
[CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY]
AALIYAH?
YES.
WELL...
IT WAS REALLY NICE
SEEING YOU.
IF YOU'LL EXCUSE US. CIAO.
DON'T MAKE A SCENE.
VAMOS. VAMOS.
[♪]
WHAT DO YOU THINK
YOU'RE DOING OUT THERE?
DID YOU SEE?
THAT'SELIMAR!
HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT?
DELIMAR WAS ONLY 10 DAYS OLD
THE LAST TIME YOU SAW HER!
DIDN'T YOU SEE?
SHE LOOKS LIKE ME!
MY EYES. MY MOUTH.
I SAW A LITTLE GIRL.
THAT'S ALL, LUZ.
LUZ, CALM YOURSELF, OKAY?
I'M GOING TO TAKE YOU HOME NOW
BEFORE YOU EMBARRASS US, OKAY?
NO. I NEED TO THINK.
[WOMAN]: I NEED TO
USE THE BATHROOM!
OKAY. OKAY. OKAY.
COME ON.
I NEED--
I NEED A PLAN.
WE'RE GOING HOME.
I NEED A PLAN.
NO! LUZ! LUZ!
NO, I LIKE RED BETTER.
SEE?
RED IS MY FAVORITE
COLOR TOO, MAMITA.
ME TOO.
BUT SOMETIMES
I LIKE BLUE, THOUGH.
CAN I SEE WHAT
YOU'RE COLORING?
[VALERIE]: AALIYAH?
ARE YOU UP THERE?
WAIT! WAIT...
IS THAT GUM
IN YOUR HAIR?
GET IT OUT!
OKAY, OKAY. WAIT.
LET ME TAKE IT OUT
BEFORE IT GETS KNOTTED UP.
GET IT OUT.
OW! AH!
OW!
LUZ, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
VAMOS!
[OVERLAPPING CHATTER]
MOMMY!
WHAT?
MOMMY, THE LADY
PULLED GUM OUT OF MY HAIR!
WHAT?
IT'S OKAY... MOMMY'S HERE.
I AM HER MOTHER.
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?
IT WAS YOU. IT WAS YOU.
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
THAT IS MY DELIMAR.
TATITA, GET HER
OUT OF HERE
BEFORE I CALL THE POLICE.
ISRAEL, WILFREDO. LET'S GO.
YOU STOLE HER FROM ME.
GET OUT OF HERE.
SHE STOLE HER FROM ME.
YOU STOLE HER FROM ME!
GET OUT OF HERE!
THAT IS MY DAUGHTER.
YOU'RE SCARING HER!
THAT IS MY DAUGHTER!
YOU HAVE LOST YOUR MIND.
GET OUT OF HERE!
[DOOR SLAMS]
I'M SCARED.
IT'S OKAY,
MAMA, IT'S OKAY.
DO YOU KNOW HER?
SHE WAS MARRIED TO A RELATIVE
OF MY FIRST HUSBAND.
HE LEFT HER
BECAUSE SHE IS CRAZY.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN
BY "CRAZY," MOMMY?
OH, IT JUST MEANS
THAT SHE'S VERY SAD.
WE'RE GOING TO PRAY
FOR HER TONIGHT, OKAY?
AND THEN
WE'RE GOING TO FORGET
THAT THIS WHOLE THING
EVER HAPPENED.
SHE DIDN'T SCARE YOU
TOO MUCH, DID SHE?
OKAY, GOOD.
GIVE ME A KISS.
EVERYONE KNOWS
ABOUT DNA, TATITA.
YOU JUST HAVE TO
WATCH THE TELEVISION.
YOU CAN'T GO
ACTING LIKE THIS AGAIN, LUZ.
PULLING HAIR OUT OF A CHILD!
DNA...
I BEG YOU,
DON'T START
THIS UP AGAIN!
I TOLD YOU SHE DIDN'T DIE.
I CAN'T HEAR THIS.
I ALWAYS THOUGHT SOMEBODY
FROM THE PARTY TOOK HER.
YOU KNOW HOW THIS
MAKES YOU SOUND?
I DON'T CARE HOW THIS
MAKES ME SOUND. I'M DOING THIS.
WHAT IF VALERIE
TELLS THE POLICE
THAT YOU TOUCHED
HER DAUGHTER?
IT'S NOT HER DAUGHTER.
IT'S DELIMAR.
AND NOW I CAN PROVE IT.
[DOOR OPENS AND BANGS SHUT]
[SIGHING WEARILY]
[♪]
NEXT!
WHO'S NEXT?
YOU!
HEY!
YOU'VE GOT TO
PAY ATTENTION, LADY.
HOW CAN I
HELP YOU TODAY?
I NEED A DNA TEST TO PROVE
THIS CAME FROM MY OWN DAUGHTER.
WHAT IS THIS, HAIR?
MM-HMM.
THIS IS A POLICE STATION.
WE DON'T DO
DNA TESTS HERE.
WAIT. POR FAVOR.
WHERE DO I GO?
YOU NEED A LABORATORY.
THEN YOU PAY FOR THE TEST.
OKAY. HOW MUCH?
I DON'T KNOW. $800, $1500.
I WISH I COULD HELP,
BUT YOU'RE IN THE WRONG PLACE.
WAIT, PLEASE!
YOU HAVE TO HELP ME!
I DON'T KNOW
WHERE ELSE TO GO.
I'M SORRY.
NEXT?
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
[♪]
[♪]
[CHURCH BELL
BEGINS TO TOLL]
[♪]
HOLA, LUZ.
IT'S GOOD
TO SEE YOU HERE.
I HAVE LIT A CANDLE
FOR YOUR BABY'S MEMORY.
GOD BLESS YOU.
RE-ELECT ANGEL CRUZ!
HE SPEAKS FOR YOU.
HE FIGHTS FOR YOU!
YOUR VOICE, YOUR VOTE.
ANGEL CRUZ!
THE VOICE FOR THE PEOPLE!
REELIJA ANGEL CRUZ.
EL HABLA PARA USTED,
EL LUCHA PARA USTED.
ANGEL CRUZ,
LA VOZ DEL PUEBLO.
ANGEL CRUZ ES EL FUTURO.
ANGEL CRUZ, LA UNICA OPTION.
UNITE.
[♪]
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
ANGEL CRUZ'S OFFICE.
YES, MA'AM.
YOU HAVE TO HOLD.
...SO I DIDN'T PAY NO RENT,
'CAUSE THERE WEREN'T NO HEAT...
HANG ON.
I NEED TO SEE ANGEL CRUZ.
SORRY. YOU'RE GOING TO
HAVE TO COME BACK TOMORROW.
HELLO?
PLEASE?
I AM A LONG WAY FROM MY HOUSE.
ANGEL CRUZ' OFFICE.
YOU HAVE TO HOLD
FOR JUST ONE MOMENT.
...AND SO, I GOT NO HEAT,
I GOT NO WATER,
AND SHE NEEDS TO
BE PAID ALL--
HI, MR. CRUZ?
YES, IT'S THE MAYOR
ON LINE FIVE. YES.
SORRY. YOU'RE GOING TO
HAVE TO COME BACK TOMORROW.
I CAN WAIT.
[PHONE RINGS]
MR. CRUZ' OFFICE.
PLEASE?
CAN YOU HELP ME?
YES. I WILL HELP YOU.
JUST GIVE ME FIVE MINUTES, OKAY?
YES, YOU CAN HELP ME. YES.
I KNOW THAT, SIR.
I HAVE TO PUT YOU BACK--
I HAVE TO PUT YOU
BACK ON HOLD.
JUST HANG ON A SECOND.
I KNOW, I KNOW.
I'LL BE RIGHT THERE
WITH YOU.
I KNOW. JUST
ONE MOMENT, PLEASE.
[DOORKNOB TURNS]
OKAY...
I'M OFF TO LUNCH.
IF THEY CALL,
PLEASE TELL THEM I'M ON MY WAY.
"EL HABLA PARA USTED,
EL LUCHA PARA USTED."
"THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE."
WHO ARE YOU?
I AM LUZ CUEVAS.
VERY NICE
TO MEET YOU.
I'M ANGEL CRUZ.
DID YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT?
NO.
WELL, WHY DON'T
YOU MAKE ONE--
NO, NO, NO.
EXCUSE ME?
DO YOU REMEMBER
WHAT IT FELT LIKE
TO HAVE NO ONE
LISTEN TO YOU?
BEFORE YOUR FACE
WAS ON ALL THESE POSTERS?
WHEN YOU WERE JUST
SOME INVISIBLE
LATINO NOBODY?
DID YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART
WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY,
OR DID THOSE WORDS
JUST SOUND GOOD?
"THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE."
I BELIEVED.
I STILL DO.
THEN YOU KNOW
THAT THERE COMES A DAY
WHEN YOU CAN'T TAKE
ONE MORE "COME BACK TOMORROW."
I AM SORRY, SENOR CRUZ,
BUT THIS IS THAT DAY FOR ME.
AND I'M SORRY, MS. CUEVAS,
BUT I'M LATE RIGHT NOW
FOR A LUNCH MEETING.
DO YOU WANT TO WALK WITH ME?
[♪]
UH, YOU'LL HAVE TO
EXCUSE ME, THOUGH, LUZ,
BECAUSE I HAVE TO
GO HERE NOW.
THIS IS...
I'M HAVING LUNCH
WITH A BUNCH OF
CAMPAIGN SUPPORTERS,
AND I REALLY
CAN'T BE LATE.
SO WILL YOU HELP ME?
I WOULD LIKE TO.
I WOULD.
BUT WHAT?
BUT I NEED TO THINK
ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT.
IT'S NOT LIKE ON TV.
I CAN'T JUST DO
A DNA TEST ON THE HAIR.
WE DON'T KNOW
WHOSE HAIR IT IS.
BUT I TOLD YOU--
I KNOW, BUT I NEED
PROBABLE CAUSE
TO HAVE THE COURT
ORDER A TEST.
I NEED YOUR DNA
AND THE CHILD'S,
AND THIS WOMAN'S,
AND, UH...
IT'S AN INVASION OF PRIVACY
IF THERE ISN'T PROBABLE CAUSE.
BUT THE FIRE! AND--
LUZ?
LET ME THINK
ABOUT IT, OKAY?
SENOR CRUZ?
MM-HMM.
DO YOU BELIEVE ME?
SI.
UN PLACER.
OKAY...
OKAY.
OKAY!
[♪]
[ASSISTANT]:
OKAY, SO AT 3:00,
YOU HAVE TO MEET
WITH THE ELECTRIC
MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION.
ALL RIGHT.
THEN YOU HAVE A FUND DRIVE
FOR THE ADULT SERVICES PEOPLE.
YOU HAVE TO BE AT THE HOTEL--
REMIND ME I HAVE TO CALL
THAT GUY JIM BEFORE I GO.
AND I NEED YOU TO GET ME
ALL THE RECORDS
ON A FIRE THAT HAPPENED
SIX YEARS AGO.
SIX YEARS AGO?
ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING
YOU CAN FIND.
AND THIS IS THE ADDRESS...
OF THE HOUSE THAT BURNED.
OKAY?
OKAY.
GREAT.
[FOOTSTEPS RECEDING]
THANK YOU, GLORIA.
[SIGHS]
[CRUMPLES AND POCKETS PAPER]
PEDRO?
HOLA, LUZ.
YOU'RE NOT AT THE GARAGE?
NO WORK.
MAYBE SOON.
UM...
DID WILFREDO GET THAT
SHIRT I LEFT FOR HIM?
SI, HE LIKED IT.
THEY WOULD LIKE
TO SEE YOU IN PERSON.
I HAVE TO TALK TO YOU
ABOUT SOMETHING.
IT'S ABOUT DELIMAR.
PEDRO, WAIT.
WAIT, PEDRO!
I SAW HER.
SHE'S SIX YEARS OLD.
SHE LOOKS
JUST LIKE YOU AND ME.
I KNOW IT IN MY HEART.
LUZ--
DON'T SAY IT,
PEDRO!
I KNOW HOW
IT MAKES ME SOUND, PERO...
IT'S HER.
I KNOW.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BELIEVE ME.
I'M GLAD
TO HEAR THAT, LUZ.
OKAY?
I'M GOING TO
BRING HER HOME.
[SIGHS]
[DOOR CLOSES SOFTLY]
[MULTIPLE PHONES RINGING,
BUSTLING CHATTER]
HEY, GRINGO!
JUST THE MAN
I WANTED TO SEE.
ANGELITO.
HOW'S IT GOING, MAN?
I'M GOOD.
YOU MISSED THE GAME
THE OTHER NIGHT.
THE SIXERS WERE ON FIRE.
YEAH, YEAH.
I HAD A LATE NIGHT,
BUT I CAUGHT THE LAST QUARTER
AT HOME. YOU GOT A MINUTE?
NO.
TOO BAD.
I GOT A CASE
I NEED YOU AND GUITIERREZ
TO LOOK AT.
OH, REALLY?
YEAH. I'LL OWE YOU.
YOU BET YOU WILL.
SO THEY OPEN THE BUNDLE
AND FIND A BURNED MATTRESS?
NO HUMAN REMAINS?
SHE WAS TOLD BY THE FIREMAN
THAT THE BODY
WAS TOTALLY INCINERATED.
WELL, THAT'S
A PROBLEM RIGHT THERE.
A FIRE THAT SIZE WOULD ONLY
BURN UP TO 1600°.
REMEMBER THE FORENSICS
ON THAT TELLCO WAREHOUSE FIRE?
YEAH. I MEAN, A BODY
WOULDN'T INCINERATE
AT THAT TEMPERATURE.
NOT EVEN A BABY.
IT'S JUST PHYSICALLY
IMPOSSIBLE.
HMM. AND YET, SUPPOSEDLY,
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.
WHAT'S YOUR GUT ON THIS?
WELL, YOU KNOW,
THIS WOMAN SHOWS UP
WITH THIS STORY...
IT'S OBVIOUSLY IMPLAUSIBLE.
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
ON THE OTHER HAND,
IF THERE'S EVEN A CHANCE
THAT SHE'S RIGHT,
THAT SHE JUST FOUND HER KID
AFTER SIX YEARS
OF WHAT SHE'S BEEN THROUGH?
I THINK I OWE IT TO HER
TO FIND OUT.
OKAY. WE'LL BITE.
EXCELLENT.
RUN A PRIOR ON
THIS WOMAN, UH, VALERIE--
VALLEJA. TWO "L"S.
DONE.
THANKS, GUYS.
YEAH. DON'T THINK
I'M GONNA VOTE FOR YOU.
YOU WILL!
I'LL WIN YOU OVER.
[CHUCKLING]
HURRY UP! YOU'RE GOING TO
BE LATE FOR YOUR AUDITION.
OH! YOU LOOK SO PRETTY.
OKAY, BIG SMILE.
NICE!
DO YOU KNOW
HOW LUCKY WE ARE?
WHY, MOMMY?
BECAUSE WE HAVE
EACH OTHER,
AND WE ALWAYS WILL.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
GOOD. COME HERE.
YES, DETECTIVE RICKMAN'S
ON THE LINE.
HE HAS INFORMATION
ON VALERIE VALLEJA.
TALK TO ME.
HEY, LISTEN TO THIS.
VALERIE VALLEJA
WAS ARRESTED IN TAMPA, FLORIDA
SEVEN YEARS AGO THIS MONTH
AND CHARGED
WITH EMBEZZLEMENT AND ARSON.
MY GOD.
WHAT'D SHE BURN?
THE OFFICE
WHERE SHE WORKED.
SEEMS SHE WAS TRYING
TO COVER HER TRACKS
AFTER STEALING CHECKS
FROM HER EMPLOYER.
SHE PLED GUILTY.
SHE DO ANY TIME?
YEAH, 50 DAYS
IN JAIL,
AND THEN PERFORMED
COMMUNITY SERVICE.
AND FIVE MONTHS AFTER THAT,
SHE'S AT A PARTY WHERE ANOTHER FIRE BREAKS OUT
AND A BABY GIRL
JUST DISAPPEARS INTO THIN AIR?
THIS IS PROBABLE CAUSE, NO?
IT'S TEXTBOOK.
I'LL GET THE COURT
TO ORDER A DNA TEST.
WE'LL SEE IF SHE STOLE
MORE THAN CHECKS THIS TIME.
GREAT. THANKS.
[♪]
THAT'S IT, AALIYAH.
BIG SMILE...
NOW SAY THE WORDS.
MORE CHOCOLATE CHIPS
MAKE ME
SMACK MY LIPS.
THAT'S IT.
NOW PICK UP THE COOKIE...
AND EAT IT.
MM-MM!
THANK YOU.
[MOUTHS WORDS]
[RAPPING ON DOOR]
LET'S CHECK
AROUND BACK.
[KNOCKS]
LUZ CUEVAS?
YES?
WE'RE DETECTIVES RICKMAN
AND GUITIERREZ,
FROM THE SPECIAL
VICTIMS DIVISION.
ANGEL CRUZ HAS ASKED US
TO TALK TO YOU.
OKAY.
WE'RE TRYING TO LOCATE
VALERIE VALLEJA.
REPRESENTATIVE CRUZ THOUGHT
YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP US.
YES! I-- I KNOW
WHERE SHE IS.
DID YOU...
DID YOU--
AHEM.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHY?
WE DISCOVERED
THAT MISS VALLEJA
WAS ARRESTED FOR ARSON
SEVEN YEARS AGO.
[INHALES DEEPLY]
NO.
WE HAVE A COURT ORDER
FOR A DNA SAMPLE
ON VALERIE
AND THE CHILD.
I CAN TELL YOU
WHERE TO FIND HER.
[♪]
HOW CAN YOU COME HERE
AND ASK FOR SUCH A THING?
THIS WON'T
TAKE LONG, MA'AM.
OUR TECHNICIAN'S JUST
GOING TO SWAB YOUR MOUTH
AND THEN SWAB
THE CHILD'S, OKAY?
YOU DON'T NEED DNA.
JUST OPEN YOUR EYES.
SHE'S A GOOD MOTHER.
VALERIE, SHOW THEM
WHAT YOU SHOWED ME.
THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE!
IT'S OKAY.
PAULA, IT'S OKAY.
I WANT THEM TO DO IT.
THAT WAY, THAT CRAZY MUJER WILL
LEAVE US ALONE ONCE AND FOR ALL.
SI.
IS THE CHILD HERE?
SHE IS.
SHE'S UPSTAIRS.
SHE'S GETTING PRETTY FOR YOU.
I TOLD HER WE WERE CASTING
FOR A COMMERCIAL
SO SHE WOULDN'T
BE SCARED.
THAT'S FINE.
I'LL GO GET HER.
HERE. LOOK AT THIS.
IT IS THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE
OF THE CHILD.
YOU CAN LOOK AT IT YOURSELF.
AALIYAH ANN SANTOS--
BORN DECEMBER 5TH.
PARENTS-- VALERIE VALLEJA
AND BRIAN SANTOS.
SHE SHOWED ME THIS
AFTER THE CRAZY MUJER
MADE THE SCENE AT OUR PARTY.
YOU SHOULD BE ARRESTING HER.
I WAITED SO LONG...
AND NOW
WHAT I PRAYED FOR
IS FINALLY
COMING TRUE, BUT--
BUT WHAT?
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
[GULPS]
WHAT IF I'M WRONG?
[SOBS]
WHAT IF DELIMAR
IS NOT THAT LITTLE GIRL?
WHAT IF...
WHAT IF I KNOW MY LITTLE GIRL
IS OUT THERE SOMEWHERE,
BUT I DON'T KNOW WHERE?
[SOBS HEAVILY]
I'LL BE LOOKING
FOR MY LITTLE BABY
FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.
[GASPS AND SOBS]
[♪]
REMEMBER THAT TIME
YOU AUDITIONED
FOR THE COMMERCIAL?
IT WILL BE
JUST LIKE THAT. OKAY?
SI, MOMMY.
OKAY.
YOU LOOK REAL PRETTY.
WAIT, WAIT.
SIT DOWN.
OKAY.
OPEN YOUR MOUTH.
WHAT IS IT, MOMMY?
IT'S NOTHING. IT'S SOMETHING
FOR THE COMMERCIAL, OKAY?
OPEN YOUR MOUTH.
DO AS I SAY--
OPEN YOUR MOUTH.
[SPUTTERS]
SHH!
AND DON'T TELL ANYBODY
ABOUT THIS. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
THAT TASTES BAD.
PAY ATTENTION!
YOU CANNOT TELL ANYBODY.
CLARO?
OKAY.
THERE. FINISHED.
AND IT DIDN'T
HURT, RIGHT?
MY MOMMY SPRAYED
SOMETHING FUNNY
IN MY MOUTH.
SHE DID WHAT?
I'M NOT
SUPPOSED TO SAY.
[♪]
I NEED YOU
TO LOCATE A...
BRIAN SANTO...
BRIAN SANTOS.
HISPANIC MALE, BIRTHDATE--
WHAT'S THE BIRTHDATE?
12...
YEAH. VALERIE AND I
WERE GOING OUT,
BUT AFTER SHE GOT OUT OF JAIL,
I TOLD HER,
I DON'T WANT TO SEE HER NO MORE.
YOU KNOW,
NOT SERIOUSLY.
AND THEN
SHE TOLD ME
SHE WAS PREGNANT
WITH MY BABY.
I DIDN'T BELIEVE HER.
BUT SHE KEPT CALLING,
YOU KNOW,
BEGGING ME
TO GET BACK TOGETHER,
SAYING WE SHOULD
BE A FAMILY.
I FELT SORRY FOR HER.
THEN ONE NIGHT
SHE CALLED ME
TO TELL ME THAT
SHE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL.
SHE'S PREGNANT
AND SHE'S BLEEDING
AND SHE'S LOSING THE BABY.
BUT YOU DIDN'T
BELIEVE HER?
WHAT, ABOUT THE PREGNANCY?
WELL, YOU WERE
SEXUALLY INTIMATE
WITH HER, RIGHT?
YEAH, BUT SHE HAD
HER TUBES TIED
TWO YEARS BEFORE THAT.
I PAID FOR IT.
OKAY?
THERE'S NO WAY
THAT SHE WAS
HAVING ANY BABY.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
[CLICKS RECORDER OFF]
WAIT HERE.
ANYTHING?
IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.
SHE HAD
A TUBAL LIGATION.
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
DOESN'T ADD UP EITHER.
THE STATE REGISTRAR
SAID SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO
PRESENT THE BABY
TO GET THE CERTIFICATE,
ONLY AN AFFIDAVIT.
DID YOU GET A COPY
OF THE AFFIDAVIT?
NO, THEY SAID
THEY MUST HAVE
ACCIDENTALLY DESTROYED
THE ORIGINAL.
OH, THAT'S GREAT.
BUREAUCRACY IN MOTION.
I'M GOING TO
RELEASE HIM.
OKAY.
PEDRO, PLEASE?
THIS HAS TO BE DONE.
IF IT TURNS OUT
THAT VALERIE HAS OUR BABY...
[HUFFS]
...YOU WILL NEVER FORGIVE ME,
WILL YOU?
[EXHALES HEAVILY]
[♪]
[ALL CHUCKLING]
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
[RINGING]
[PHONE BEEPS ON]
HELLO?
LUZ, THIS
IS ANGEL CRUZ.
SI.
I HAVE THE RESULTS
OF THE DNA TEST.
OKAY.
CAN YOU MEET ME
IN MY OFFICE AT 2:00?
OKAY.
GOOD.
I'LL SEE YOU THEN.
[BEEPS PHONE OFF]
WELL?
WE HAVE TO GO TO THE OFFICE.
[SIGHS]: AY.
I'M SCARED, TATITA.
I KNOW, MAMI. I KNOW.
[SIGHS]
COME CLOSER, MIS HIJOS.
YOUR MAMI NEEDS YOU.
COME. OKAY.
HEY.
[DOOR BANGS SHUT]
THE DNA WAS A MATCH,
AND THE GIRL...
...IS DELIMAR.
[GASPING DEEPLY]: AY!
[LAUGHING AND SOBBING]
OH, MY GOD!
YOU DID IT!
[LAUGHING]
OYE!
I WANT TO HOLD HER.
CAN I SEE HER?
A WOMAN FROM
FAMILY SERVICES
IS WITH THE DETECTIVES
RIGHT NOW,
AND THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY
TO...
PICK UP
YOUR DAUGHTER.
OKAY.
[LAUGHTER RESUMES]
OH, HO, HO!
[♪]
I DON'T WANT TO
GO AWAY.
I LIKE IT HERE.
COME ON.
IT'S GOING TO BE FINE.
WE'RE GOING TO GO
TO A NICE NEW PLACE, OKAY?
NOW, HURRY UP
AND GET YOUR JACKET ON.
PUT THIS BY THE DOOR.
[SIREN WAILING]
WHERE'S MY KEYS?
MY KEYS? COME ON!
OH, MY GOD.
HURRY UP, AALIYAH!
MOMMY!
JUST LEAVE IT!
WE'LL GET YOU ANOTHER ONE.
HURRY UP.
[SIREN WAILING]
[IGNITION FIRING]
OKAY, JUST BUCKLE UP.
OKAY.
BUCKLE UP. HURRY UP.
I'M TRYING.
HURRY UP, AALIYAH!
COME ON.
OKAY.
[SIRENS SCREAMING ON APPROACH]
[LOCK CLICKS SHUT]
GO AWAY!
LEAVE US ALONE!
LEAVE ALL OF US
ALONE!
MS. VALLEJA,
I'M BARBARA SANCHEZ,
WITH THE DIVISION
OF YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES.
PLEASE, COME OUT
OF THE CAR.
NO. NO! YOU'RE CRAZY!
YOU ARE ALL CRAZY!
JUST LEAVE US ALONE!
IT'S ALL OVER, VALERIE.
OPEN THE DOOR, PLEASE.
LEAVE MY MOMMY ALONE.
GO AWAY!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
GO AWAY AND LEAVE US ALONE!
VALERIE.
OPEN THE DOOR!
NO!
OPEN THE DOOR!
OPEN THE DOOR,
VALERIE!
IT'S OVER!
MOMMY!
[VALERIE SOBBING]
MOMMY!
AALIYAH.
AALIYAH, HONEY, LISTEN TO ME.
AALIYAH--
IT'S GOING TO
BE OKAY.
GIVE ME
A MOMENT, PLEASE.
PLEASE?
OKAY.
LISTEN.
IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY.
YOU'RE GOING TO GO
WITH THE NICE LADY
AND SHE'S GOING TO
TAKE CARE OF YOU,
AND I'M GOING TO COME
AND GET YOU, OKAY?
OKAY? I LOVE YOU.
MS. VALLEJA, PLEASE DON'T
GIVE HER ANY FALSE HOPE.
AALIYAH!
DON'T EVER
FORGET ME, OKAY?
AALIYAH, PLEASE!
I LOVE YOU.
LET'S GO.
AALIYAH, DON'T FORGET ME!
YOU'RE MY GIRL!
PLEASE WAIT!
AALIYAH!
[♪]
OKAY, DON'T WORRY. IF--
[REPORTER]:
THERE SHE IS.
LUZ!
LUZ! OVER HERE!
HOW DID IT FEEL
TO SEE YOUR DAUGHTER
AFTER SIX YEARS?
HOLD ON. NO, NO.
LUZ! LUZ!
HOW DID IT FEEL--
[ALL CLAMORING,
OVERLAPPING AND INDISTINCT]
[BARRAGE CONTINUES]
LUZ CUEVAS JUST HEADED
INTO THE COURTHOUSE
WITH HER ATTORNEY
TO MEET WITH THE JUDGE
WHO WILL OFFICIALLY RULE
ON THE CUSTODY
OF HER YOUNG DAUGHTER,
DELIMAR VERA.
CUEVAS KNEW IN HER HEART
THAT HER DAUGHTER WAS ALIVE,
AND, AGAINST ALL ODDS,
CLUNG TO HER MOTHER'S INTUITION
WHEN NO ONE ELSE WOULD LISTEN.
TODAY, HER PERSISTENCE
AND DETERMINATION
HAVE PAID OFF.
PHILADELPHIA LAWMAKERS
WILL INVESTIGATE
MEMBERS OF
THE POLICE, FIRE,
AND MEDICAL
EXAMINER'S OFFICE
TO FIND OUT
HOW THE SYSTEM
FAILED HER
SIX YEARS AGO.
IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING,
THIS MOTHER
NEVER GAVE UP HOPE.
MS. CUEVAS, I AM RECOMMENDING
THAT YOU MEET
WITH DELIMAR
IN A NEUTRAL PLACE
FOR A FEW TIMES BEFORE--
I CAN'T TAKE HER HOME WITH ME?
YOUR DAUGHTER NEEDS
TIME TO ADJUST.
SHE DOESN'T KNOW
YOU ARE HER MOTHER.
I WILL TEACH HER.
I HAVE WAITED FOR SO LONG.
PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME
WAIT ANOTHER MOMENT. PLEASE.
I APPRECIATE YOUR URGENCY,
MS. CUEVAS.
I KNOW YOU HAVE
ENDURED FOR SIX YEARS
MORE HARDSHIP AND GRIEF
THAN MOST PEOPLE COULD HAVE
TAKEN FOR A MONTH.
AND NOW I AM ASKING YOU
TO WAIT A FEW MORE DAYS
FOR THE SAKE
OF YOUR CHILD.
LET HER MEET YOU
GRADUALLY.
GIVE HER THIS TIME,
AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE HER
FOREVER.
PEDRO.
HI.
I, UM...
I SAW YOU ON THE TELEVISION.
WERE YOU GOING TO TELL ME?
WHEN THE TIME WAS RIGHT.
ARE YOU...
TRYING TO KEEP ME AWAY?
LUZ, I'M HER FATHER.
I, UM...
[SIGHS]
I SHOULD'VE LISTENED TO YOU.
YOU WERE RIGHT.
ALL I ASK IS FOR A CHANCE
TO BE A PART OF HER LIFE.
DO YOU THINK
YOU CAN FORGIVE ME?
PLEASE?
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
[GLORIA]:
ANGEL CRUZ'S OFFICE.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
MAY I TAKE
A MESSAGE?
I'VE TOLD AALIYAH
THAT SHE IS GOING TO MEET YOU.
SHE IS CONFUSED
AND WANTS TO KNOW
WHEN HER MOMMY'S
COMING BACK FOR HER.
SHE MEANT VALERIE.
FINDING HER
WAS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE.
IT'S STRANGE
THAT IT'S THE SADDEST DAY
OF HER LIFE.
[CHUCKLES SADLY]
[INHALES SHARPLY]
IT WOULD BE
BEST, FOR NOW,
IF LUZ CAME IN ALONE.
WE DON'T WANT TO OVERWHELM HER.
[EXHALES HEAVILY]
[DOOR SHUTS]
AALIYAH?
ARE YOU READY
TO MEET THE LADY
I TOLD YOU ABOUT?
DID I DO SOMETHING BAD?
NO. NO, MI AMOR,
YOU ARE A VERY GOOD GIRL.
YOU'RE THE LADY FROM THE PARTY.
I REMEMBER YOU.
YES.
I REMEMBER YOU, TOO.
FROM A LONG TIME AGO.
I USED TO WATCH YOU SLEEP.
UH-UH.
I DID.
AND I WOULD STARE AT YOU
AND WATCH THE WAY
YOUR EYES WOULD FLUTTER
WHEN YOU WOULD WAKE UP.
WHEN?
[LAUGHS]
WHEN YOU WERE VERY LITTLE...
LIKE THIS.
[SETS READER DOWN]
I WAS THIS SMALL ONCE?
MM-HMM.
I KNEW YOU WHEN
YOU WERE EVEN SMALLER.
I'LL SHOW YOU.
YOU WERE LIKE THIS...
AND LIKE THIS...
AND LIKE THIS...
AND LIKE THIS,
AND LIKE THIS...
AND LIKE THAT.
I WAS THIS SMALL ONCE?
WHEN YOU WERE IN HERE.
ARE YOU SAD?
NO, MI AMOR.
I AM VERY HAPPY.
[GASPS]
[GIGGLING SOFTLY]
[CHUCKLES]
[♪]
IT'S PERFECT!
[SQUEALING]
[♪]
MWAH!
MWAH!
[♪]
[DOORBELL RINGS]
AY!
OKAY.
OKAY.
THANK YOU.
ARE YOU OKAY?
THANK YOU.
WELCOME HOME, MI AMOR.
[GIGGLING]
WHO ARE YOU?
THIS IS YOUR BROTHER,
WILFREDO.
[BOYS CHUCKLING]
DO YOU LIKE
DULCE DE LECHE?
ME TOO.
[TATITA LAUGHING]
AND THIS IS YOUR
OTHER BROTHER,
ISRAEL.
WHAT DO YOU SAY, ISRAEL?
I... I DIDN'T THINK
YOU'D LOOK LIKE THIS.
LIKE WHAT?
LIKE US.
[LAUGHTER]
MI AMOR...
[LAUGHTER CONTINUES]
AND YOUR TIA.
ARE YOU MY BROTHER, TOO?
[ALL LAUGHING]
NO, MI AMOR.
UM... I'M YOUR PAPI.
I HAVE A PAPI?
[PEDRO CHUCKLES]
THE DAY YOU WERE BORN...
I WAS AFRAID...
TO HOLD YOU.
I WAS AFRAID
THAT I WOULD DROP YOU.
WELCOME HOME, BABY.
HERE.
THESE ARE FOR YOU.
THEY'RE RED!
MM-HMM.
YOUR FAVORITE COLOR.
THERE'S
SOMEONE UPSTAIRS
WHO WANTS TO
MEET YOU, TOO.
DO I GET TO KEEP HER?
OH, YES!
SHE HAS WAITED A LONG TIME
FOR YOU TO COME BACK.
HOW LONG?
YOUR WHOLE LIFE.
YOU SLEPT WITH HER
WHEN YOU WERE A BABY.
THERE WERE TIMES
WHEN SHE WAS SO SCARED
BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT
YOU HAD FORGOTTEN
ABOUT HER.
BUT WE TOLD HER
NOT TO LOSE HOPE.
YOU WOULD COME BACK.
YOU KNOW WHAT?
WHAT, MI VIDA?
I DON'T THINK
SHE'S SCARED ANYMORE.
UNO... DOS...
TRES... CUATRO...
CINCO... SEIS...
SIETE, OCHO, NUEVE... DIEZ!
READY OR NOT, HERE I COME!
I SAW YOU!
BUT YOU CAN'T CATCH ME!
YES, I CAN!
[ISRAEL]: COME ON,
YOU CAN DO IT!
YOU CAN CATCH ME.
I KNOW YOU CAN.
[WILFREDO]: COME ON!
YOU CAN'T GET HIM!
YES, I WILL!
[♪]
[LAUGHING AND GIGGLING]
[DELIMAR SQUEALS]
[♪]
[♪♪]
UNO... DOS...
TRES...
CUATRO...
CINCO...
SEIS...
SIETE...
OCHO...
NUEVE...
DIEZ...
ISRAEL!
READY OR NOT,
HERE I COME!
ISRAEL!
ISRAEL, GO GET
YOUR PAPI! HURRY!
TELL HIM IT'S TIME!
WILFREDO, IT'S YOUR MAMI'S TIME!
THE BABY'S COMING!
[♪]
[BOTH BOYS]:
PAPI! PAPI! PAPI!
PAPI! THE BABY!
THE BABY! THE BABY!
THE BABY'S COMING?
VAMOS!
[MECHANICS SHOUTING
AND CHEERING]
MAMI! THERE SHE IS!
COME ON.
MAMI, ARE YOU
OKAY? MAMI!
OH, MY GOODNESS.
HI, HI.
OPEN THE DOOR,
OPEN THE DOOR!
[♪]
PUT YOUR SEATBELT ON!
MOVE OVER, GUYS.
MOVE OVER.
GOOD?
[MOTHER]: PEDRO!
WILL YOU GET IN THE CAR?
GO! DRIVE!
OKAY. OKAY.
[♪]
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
[FOOTSTEPS ENTERING ROOM]
HERE'S YOUR WATER, LUZ.
DO YOU WANT TO HOLD
YOUR LITTLE GIRL?
SHE LOOKS
JUST LIKE YOU, PAPI.
NO. I-I MIGHT BREAK HER.
DON'T BE SILLY, PEDRO.
[BOY]: COME ON!
LET'S GO
SEE THE BABY!
DON'T RUN.
MAMI, LET'S SEE HER!
LET'S SEE HER!
ME TOO! ME TOO!
I COULDN'T HOLD THEM BACK
ANY LONGER.
SHH, SHH, SHH.
CUIDADO, WILFREDO.
[SHUSHING AND LAUGHING]
OKAY... MAMI
HAS TO REST, OKAY?
MM-MWAH! KISSES
TO BOTH OF YOU.
TAKE A LOOK.
LOOK HOW PRETTY...
LOOK, SHE HAS YOUR HAIR.
AND YOUR NOSE!
[GIGGLING]
I WILL CALL HER DELIMAR.
OKAY. BONITO.
YOU LIKE IT?
SI. "DELIMAR."
SHE'S BEAUTIFUL.
DELIMAR.
SHE'S BEAUTIFUL.
DELIMAR... DELIMAR.
DELIMAR. DELIMAR.
[LATIN MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO]
PEDRO?
YEAH?
THERE'S A LADY HERE.
SHE SAYS
SHE'S A RELATIVE?
SHE NEEDS HER BRAKES FIXED.
WHO ISN'T A RELATIVE
WHEN THEY NEED NEW BRAKES, HUH?
[LAUGHING]
HOLA, PEDRO.
HI.
OYE, PRIMO,
YOU DON'T REMEMBER ME?
HMM...
VALERIE.
I MARRIED YOUR COUSIN ORLANDO
IN NEW JERSEY?
VALERIE! HI.
HI!
HI. I'M SORRY.
IT'S OKAY.
[WRENCH RATCHETING]
SO, PEDRO, I HEARD
YOU'RE HAVING A CHRISTMAS PARTY.
HM. WHO HASN'T HEARD?
WAS IT ON THE FRONT PAGE
OF THE NEWSPAPER OR SOMETHING?
SO CAN I COME?
MAYBE BRING MY NEW BOYFRIEND?
UH, WHAT HAPPENED
TO ORLANDO?
WE SPLIT UP.
SO I'M SEEING SOMEBODY NEW.
[GRUNTING]
OKAY...
YOUR BRAKES ARE FINE,
BUT YOU HAVE A BENT WHEEL.
CAN YOU FIX IT?
I'M BUSY UNTIL MONDAY.
THAT'S OKAY, I CAN WAIT.
OKAY.
COOL.
ALL RIGHT, SO I GUESS
I'LL SEE YOU AT THE PARTY?
YEAH.
I CAN MEET YOUR WIFE.
OKAY. [SPEAKING SPANISH]
ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT.
OYE, PRIMO,
CAN I STILL DRIVE IT?
UH, SI.
NO PROBLEM,
BUT DON'T GO TOO FAR.
OKAY.
[RADIO PLAYING]
DELIMAR?
THAT'S A DORKY NAME.
DELIMAR IS A BEAUTIFUL NAME.
IT MEANS "BY THE SEA."
I LIKE CHRISTOPHER
COLUMBUS BETTER.
[CHUCKLING]
[GASPING DRAMATICALLY] OH!
YEAH, PAPI! WOW!
THE LIGHTS LOOK GREAT!
HI.
TIA TATITA!
LOOK AT OUR
CHRISTMAS TREE!
I KNOW!
WHAT DID YOU
BRING US, TIA?
DULCE DE LECHE.
CAN I HAVE SOME NOW?
CAN WE, MAMA?
ONE PIECE.
OKAY. GO. GO.
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU.
SMILE, LUZ!
[LAUGHS]
I BOUGHT THREE OF THEM,
FOR THE OTHER GUESTS.
LIKE AT CARMEN'S WEDDING
THE OTHER DAY.
I KNOW.
DO IT AGAIN, TATITA,
WITH DELIMAR
NEXT TO THE TREE.
HEY, AND WHO'S GOING TO
PAY FOR THE FILM?
[SPEAKS SPANISH]
MY SISTER ALWAYS HAS
GREAT IDEAS.
[GIGGLING]
[FUSSING IN SPANISH]
[LOUD MUSIC PLAYS]
[♪]
LOOK AT CECI'S DRESS!
MUY ELEGANTE!
IF SHE ISN'T CAREFUL,
SHE'S GOING TO FALL OUT OF IT
LIKE SHE DID THAT LAST TIME.
SHE WORKS FOR A RICH LADY
WHO GIVES HER CLOTHES.
EVERY WEEK,
IT'S A NEW DRESS.
WELL, SHE NEEDS TO
WORK FOR A FATTER LADY.
[ALL LAUGHING]
DID YOU MEET?
VALERIE.
I'M SORRY.
I'M SO BAD WITH NAMES.
PLEASE, ME TOO.
IT'S GOT TO BE
THE BABY HORMONES.
SMILE, LADIES!
[♪]
PEDRO, WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
I HAVE
A LOT OF FRIENDS.
BUT DO YOU KNOW THEM?
NOT YET!
WE ARE RUNNING OUT
OF EVERYTHING.
YOU WORRY TOO MUCH.
HAVE SOME FUN.
OKAY?
[ALL SHOUTING AND LAUGHING]
[♪]
OYE, NO, NO,
NO, COMADRE,
YOU LOOK REALLY GOOD.
YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE
THAT WEIGHT SO FAST.
BUT LOOK AT
MY TETAS... LIKE A COW.
LUZ, YOU JUST
HAD A BABY!
SO DID SHE!
TWO DAYS BEFORE ME!
I KNOW, BUT YOU SHOULD'VE
SEE ME BEFORE THE BABY.
I WAS FLAT LIKE A BOARD.
BUT THAT'S OKAY,
BECAUSE IF I HAD
TETAS LIKE YOURS,
MY BOYFRIEND WOULD BE
EVEN MORE JEALOUS
THAN HE IS NOW.
SUCH TROUBLE,
THESE MEN!
MY PEDRO WAS AFRAID
TO HOLD DELIMAR.
HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT
TO DO CON UNA NENA.
OH, MY G-- WELL,
AT LEAST MY BRIAN'S GOOD.
HE'S BABYSITTING
RIGHT NOW.
YOU'RE LUCKY
TO HAVE THAT.
I KNOW.
YOU'RE BOTH LUCKY.
YOU HAVE TWO NENAS.
[WOMEN LAUGHING]
I'M GOING TO GO
CHECK ON THE BABY.
OH, I WANT TO GO SEE HER!
COME ON.
CECI, LET'S GO SEE THE BABY!
[♪]
COSITA LINDA.
AY, MAMACITA, SHE'S BEAUTIFUL!
YEAH.
JUST LIKE
A PRINCESS, LUZ.
[CECI]: THE RICH LADY
WHOSE HOUSE I CLEAN
HAS LOTS OF TOYS.
SHE'LL GIVE ME
SOME FOR DELIMAR.
LET'S HOPE
THEY'RE BIG ENOUGH.
[SNICKERS]
WHAT DO YOU MEAN
BY THAT?
[LAUGHING]
WHAT'S SO FUNNY?
NOTHING.
SHH, SHH. DON'T WAKE HER.
DON'T WAKE HER.
[VALERIE]: SHE'S SUCH
A GOOD SLEEPER, YEAH?
NOT FIDGETY LIKE MINE.
COSITA PRECIOSA.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S
A GOOD IDEA, LUZ.
BABIES LIKE
TO SLEEP IN THE COLD.
MAKES THEIR LUNGS
STRONGER.
ES UN COSA DE VIEJAS.
NO, IT'S NOT
A WIVES' TALE.
I ALSO HEARD YOU SHOULD
DRINK BEER EVERY DAY.
TO HELP YOUR MILK FLOW.
THAT'S A GOOD ONE!
[LAUGHTER]
BUT IT'S TRUE!
I READ IT
IN A GOOD MAGAZINE.
SHH, SHH, SHH.
I HAVE TO GO BACK DOWNSTAIRS
TO SEE WHAT OTHER TITEROS
PEDRO HAS LET INTO THE HOUSE.
[WOMEN CONTINUE LAUGHING]
SHH.
SHH.
DUERME, MI NENA.
OKAY, LET'S GO.
COME ON.
SHE'S LIKE AN ANGEL.
CHIQUITA...
[MUSIC PLAYING LOUDLY]
PEDRO! MAS CERVEZA, MAN!
OKAY, OKAY,
BUT YOU'VE GOTTA DRIVE. COME ON.
[♪]
PEDRO!
YOU'RE LEAVING?
YOU WORRY TOO MUCH.
GO HAVE SOME FUN.
[LAUGHING]
[♪]
[JOKING IN SPANISH]
[BOTH CACKLING]
[SPEAKS SPANISH]
[BOTTLES CLATTER AND RATTLE]
YOU'VE GOT THE KEYS?
COME ON, LET'S GO,
LET'S GO.
[♪]
WHAT A NIGHT, HUH?
WHAT'S ON
THE STOVE, LUZ?
THERE'S NOTHING
ON THE STOVE.
WE'RE OUT OF EVERYTHING.
CAN'T YOU SMELL THAT?
[MAN]: ¿ES ALGO
QUE SE QUEMA?
WHAT DID HE SAY?
SOME IDIOT'S
BURNING SOMETHING.
[CONCERNED MURMURING]
DID YOU SMELL
SOMETHING BURNING?
[MURMURING INTENSIFIES]
[SNIFFING]
[WOMAN]: FUEGO!
FIRE!
[WOMAN SCREAMS]
FIRE!
[PANIC SPREADING]
FUEGO!
FUEGO! SALGAN!
WHERE'S IT COMING FROM?
GET OUT! AFUERA! GO!
WHERE ARE THEY?
GET OUT!
[FLAMES ROARING]
[GLASS SHATTERING]
MAMI! MAMI!
WHERE'S YOUR BROTHER?
MAMI, I'M AFRAID!
I KNOW. WHERE'S YOUR
BROTHER? WHERE IS HE?
I DON'T KNOW!
ISRAEL?
ISRAEL!
MAMI! MAMI!
WE'VE GOT TO GO!
LET'S GO! GET HIM OUT!
GO! LET'S GO! GO!
GO! GO!
[REALIZING]: THE BABY...
[PANICKING]
[ALL COUGHING AND SPUTTERING]
MY BABY!
DID YOU SEE MY BABY?
DID YOU SEE MY BABY?
[RAGING]: MY BABY!
MY BABY!
[SOBBING AND SCREAMING]
[OVERCOME BY COUGHING]
NO. NO!
NO!
LUZ! COME ON!
LET'S GET OUT!
NO!
NO! LET GO!
COME ON!
LET'S GET OUT
OF HERE!
[LUZ SCREAMING AND RAGING]
COME OUTSIDE.
COME ON, LUZ.
GET OUT OF HERE.
WHERE IS SHE?
GET OUTSIDE!
[SIRENS WAILING]
[♪]
OKAY, LET'S GO!
GRAB A HOSE!
MOVE IT IN HERE!
EVERYBODY!
THE BABY! MY BABY!
WHERE'S THE BABY?
WHERE'S THE BABY?
WHO HAS THE BABY?
WHERE IS THE BABY?
SHE'S NOT HERE!
MAMI!
STAY BACK.
LUZ, YOU CAN'T DO THAT!
STAY BACK.
GET HER BACK!
OVER HERE!
[LUZ SCREAMING IN HORROR]
WHAT HAPPENED?
[BOYS CRYING OUT]
SHE'S INSIDE!
PEDRO, DO SOMETHING!
NO, STAY BACK!
STAY BACK!
WE SENT IN
A RESCUE TEAM!
PEDRO,
SHE'S INSIDE THERE!
[♪]
[♪]
[♪]
DELIMAR?
[SIGHING GROGGILY]
DELIMAR?
DELIMAR...
DELIMAR?
I WANT TO GO HOME.
I WANT TO HOLD MY BABY.
[SNIFFLES AND GULPS]
LUZ...
DELIMAR IS, UM...
SHE'S DEAD.
THERE IS NO HOME.
MI LUZ...
LUZ?
MI-- MI LUZ...
MI AMOR.
LUZ...
LUZ, WE'RE GOING TO
GET A NEW HOME.
YOU AND ME
AND WILFREDO AND ISRAEL,
WE'RE GOING TO
START OVER. OKAY?
OKAY, MAMI?
OKAY?
CAN I JUST HOLD HER?
I WANT TO HOLD
MY BABY.
CAN I JUST HOLD HER?
I WANT TO HOLD MY BABY.
[STIFLING SOBS]
[♪]
THERE THEY ARE.
LUZ, THIS IS LUCY.
SHE MIGHT BE ABLE
TO HELP YOU.
I'M LUCY CAMARENA.
I AM VERY SORRY
FOR YOUR LOSS.
I GAVE TATITA
MY CARD
IN CASE YOU NEED
TO TALK TO ME.
I'M A SOCIAL WORKER.
I MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU,
IF YOU FEEL LIKE
YOU NEED IT.
GRACIAS.
AGAIN, I'M VERY
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
MY BABY IS NOT DEAD.
LUZ, WHAT ARE YOU
TALKING ABOUT?
THE WINDOW WAS OPEN.
I SAW IT WITH MY OWN EYES.
[♪]
I'M SORRY
THERE ISN'T MORE ROOM.
WE'LL BE FINE,
TATITA.
GRACIAS.
CARLOS...
HE GOT WHAT HE COULD...
FROM THE HOUSE.
[♪]
I'M SO SORRY.
[♪]
[HUSHED SOMBER CONVERSATIONS]
MIS CONDOLENCIAS,
PEDRO.
GRACIAS.
I AM SO SORRY, PEDRO.
I JUST... I WANTED
TO PAY MY RESPECTS
BEFORE
I GO BACK HOME.
PRIMA, I DIDN'T
GET TO FIX YOUR CAR.
OH, PLEASE!
DO NOT WORRY
ABOUT THAT, OKAY?
[SNAPPING]: I KNOW WHAT I SAW
WITH MY OWN TWO EYES!
AS I WAS TRYING TO
GET TO DELIMAR...
I SAW THROUGH THE SMOKE.
THE CRIB WAS EMPTY.
I SAW THE WINDOW!
IT WAS OPEN,
BUT I CLOSED IT EARLIER!
IT'S OKAY, LUZ.
JUST CALM DOWN.
YOU WERE THERE.
YOU SAW ME.
AND YOU, AND YOU TOO!
WHEN WE WERE UP THERE,
I BROUGHT
THE HEATER CLOSE,
AND I CLOSED
THE WINDOW.
YOU TOLD ME
NOT TO, REMEMBER?
NO, NO, LUZ, I TOLD YOU
NOT TO PUT THE HEATER ON.
BUT YOU SAW ME
CLOSE THE WINDOW!
WE DON'T REMEMBER.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN OPEN.
WHO KNOWS?
LUZ, AMOR.
IT DOESN'T MATTER--
PERO POR SUPUESTO QUE
IT MATTERS!
THE WINDOW WAS WIDE OPEN LATER!
SO WHAT?
SO SOMEONE STOLE DELIMAR!
OYE...
YOU NEED TO STOP
TALKING LIKE THIS.
SOMEONE STARTED THAT FIRE.
LUZ! ENOUGH!
IT WAS YOUR HEATER
THAT STARTED THE FIRE!
THAT IS WHAT
THE FIREMEN TOLD ME.
[SIGHS]
I DIDN'T WANT TO TELL YOU...
BECAUSE I DIDN'T
WANT YOU TO SUFFER.
NO!
IT WAS THE HEATER!
THAT'S NOT TRUE.
YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER
PUT IT THERE, LUZ.
[SNIFFLES]
[HUFFS]
[♪]
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
BABIES GET STOLEN.
IT HAPPENS.
GO TO SLEEP, LUZ.
THEY SELL THEM!
I KNOW.
I SEE IT ON--
WHAT DO YOU KNOW?
HUH?
WHAT YOU SEE ON TV?
EVERYONE THINKS
YOU'RE GOING CRAZY.
YOU SAW THEM
TAKE HER AWAY.
THEY PUT THAT BUNDLE
IN THE AMBULANCE.
YOU SAW THEM!
I DON'T BELIEVE IT.
WE WILL
BURY HER, LUZ.
AND THEN YOU WILL
FIND A WAY TO ACCEPT
WHAT YOU DON'T WANT
TO BELIEVE.
[♪]
[PEN SCRATCHING PAPER]
WAIT.
I WANT TO SAY
GOODBYE TO DELIMAR.
I WANT TO SEE HER.
LUZ, PLEASE.
PEDRO, I WANT THIS.
[♪]
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO
TELL YOU THIS, BUT, UH...
THERE ARE NO HUMAN REMAINS
IN THE BUNDLE GIVEN TO US
BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WH-WHAT'S...
WHAT'S IN THE BUNDLE?
IT APPEARS TO BE
BURNED MATERIAL
FROM A MATTRESS.
I'M SORRY.
[♪]
UH, EXCUSE ME?
WE ARE LOOKING
FOR THE FIREMAN
WHO WROTE THIS REPORT.
UH, CAPTAIN JORDAN?
[TELEPHONES RINGING]
SADLY, WHEN A BABY
IS THIS SMALL,
IT CAN BE, UM...
COMPLETELY INCINERATED
BY THE HEAT OF THE FIRE.
THAT'S...
WHY THERE WERE NO REMAINS.
WHY DID THEY CARRY
THE BUNDLE OUT OF THE HOUSE?
UM...
UNFORTUNATELY, MA'AM,
FIREFIGHTING
IS NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE.
YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND
THE CONDITIONS...
THE FIRE RAGING
OUT OF CONTROL,
THE SPLIT-SECOND
DECISIONS...
THOSE FIREFIGHTERS GRABBED
WHAT THEY THOUGHT WERE, UH...
THE CHILD'S REMAINS.
THEN, UH...
WE CAN'T EVEN BURY OUR CHILD?
I CAN'T TELL YOU
HOW SORRY I AM FOR YOUR LOSS.
WE DID THE BEST
WE COULD.
[MATCH STRIKES]
[♪]
WE HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING,
PEDRO,
IF WE CAN'T
HAVE A FUNERAL...
SO WE HAVE THIS.
TO SAY GOODBYE.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
LUZ, IT ISN'T GOOD
FOR YOU TO BE
HANGING ON
TO THESE HOPES.
YOU CAN'T
TELL ME WHAT TO DO,
OR WHEN IT IS TIME
TO GIVE UP.
LUZ...
AMOR, IT'S NOT GOOD
FOR ISRAEL,
FOR WILFREDO...
OR FOR ME.
FOR YOU?
SI.
YOU WEREN'T EVEN
HOME, PEDRO!
LUZ, DON'T BLAME HIM
FOR WHAT'S GOING ON.
Y PORQUE NO?
HE LETS ALL THESE STRANGE PEOPLE
INTO OUR HOUSE,
AND THEN HE GOES AWAY!
ONE OF THEM STOLE OUR BABY,
AND HE WANTS TO FORGET ABOUT IT,
AND THEN BLAME ME
FOR STARTING THE FIRE!
THAT'S NOT WHAT
HE'S SAYING--
LUZ. LUZ!
[PEDRO]: LUZ, WHERE
ARE YOU GOING?
LUZ!
[♪]
HI. CAN I HELP YOU
FIND SOMETHING?
I'M LOOKING FOR
A SPACE HEATER.
DO YOU SELL THEM?
THIS WAY.
NO, NO.
NOT LIKE THAT ONE.
THAT ONE.
IS IT SAFE?
OF COURSE.
CAN IT MAKE A FIRE?
A FIRE?
EXPLODE, YOU KNOW?
CAN IT CATCH A FIRE?
NO, IT'S ALMOST
IMPOSSIBLE.
IT HAS MANY SAFETY FEATURES.
YOU SEE THE CAGE?
THAT'S VERY MODERN,
AND IF YOU TIP IT,
IT AUTOMATICALLY
SHUTS OFF.
IT'S VERY SAFE.
SHOULD I RING IT UP
FOR YOU?
NO.
THANK YOU.
[♪]
LUZ!
LUZ!
WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
I DIDN'T
START THE FIRE.
I SAW THE SAME ONE,
THE SAME HEATER.
COME ON, AMOR.
COME ON, LET'S GO
BACK TO TATITA'S, OKAY?
THEY'RE SAFE, PEDRO.
IT WASN'T MY FAULT.
LUZ, IT DOESN'T MATTER!
YOUR FAULT, THE FIRE?
THE HEATER?
IT DOESN'T MATTER!
TAKE ME TO THE POLICE.
WHAT?
I'M GOING TO TELL THEM
TO FIND MY BABY.
LUZ, JUST STOP!
LISTEN TO ME!
SHE WAS MY BABY, TOO!
DON'T YOU THINK
THAT I WANT TO BELIEVE
THAT SOMEHOW
SHE IS STILL ALIVE?
I WANT TO BELIEVE YOU.
BUT I WAS THERE,
AND I SAW
WITH MY OWN EYES.
SO HOW WILL YOU CONVINCE
SOME POLICEMAN
WHO DOESN'T CARE
ABOUT YOU...
OR SOME BROWN
LITTLE BABY
WHEN YOU CAN'T EVEN
CONVINCE ME?
[SOBS BRIEFLY]
LUZ...
AMOR...
YOU HAVE TO
OPEN YOUR EYES
AND SEE REALITY.
[♪]
[♪]
[FRONT DOOR SHUTS]
SOMEBODY'S HOME...
MAMI! MAMI!
BABY. MI NENE.
MWAH!
LO QUIERO MUCHO, MI NENE.
GIVE ME A KISS.
OYE, LUZ.
I'VE GOT SOMETHING
FOR YOU.
OKAY, GO UPSTAIRS.
MAMI'S TIRED.
OKAY.
COME ON, WILFREDO!
I'LL BEAT YOU.
IT'S FROM ELSA.
MIRA COMO TE TRAIGO COSAS.
MIRA!
I CAN USE THESE.
GOOD, YEAH.
BUT THERE'S
SOMETHING ELSE...
REMEMBER THOSE CAMERAS
I BROUGHT?
THAT ONE.
[SIGHING]
SHE DIDN'T KNOW
IF SHE SHOULD
SEND THEM OVER.
IT MIGHT MAKE YOU
TOO SAD.
NO.
[LAUGHS]: I LOVE IT.
YEAH?
YES.
IT'S A MIRACLE.
THIS IS THE ONLY ONE
IN FOCUS.
THE REST
ARE PRETTY BAD.
OYE...
THAT STUPID TREE.
[BOTH CHUCKLING]
MIRA CECI...
[EXHALES SHAKILY]
WHAT?
MIRA, IT'S THE WINDOW.
I TOLD YOU IT WAS OPEN.
IT'S OPEN RIGHT THERE. LOOK.
LUZ...
PEDRO!
DONDE ESTA PEDRO?
PEDRO?
MIRA, PEDRO!
I TOLD YOU. LOOK.
I TOLD YOU,
THE WINDOW'S OPEN.
SOMEONE FROM THE PARTY
STARTED THE FIRE,
THEY STOLE DELIMAR.
I AM WORKING!
THEY TOOK HER
FROM THE WINDOW! LOOK!
LOOK!
LUZ, GO HOME!
OKAY? GO HOME!
WE DON'T HAVE A HOME!
ARE YOU SO BUSY
THAT YOU'VE FORGOTTEN THAT?
TU ESTAS LOCA! VETE DE AQUI!
VETE DE--
[SLAPS HIS FACE]
VETE DE AQUI!
[♪]
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?
OYE! YOU NEED TO
CONTROL YOUR WIFE, MAN.
[TOOLS CLATTERING]
BACK TO WORK,
OR TAKE THE DAY OFF!
[SLAM]
TAKE THE DAY OFF,
THEN!
[BOYS PLAYING]
MIRA! HERE'S
A SHIRT FOR DELIMAR.
SHE WOULD LOOK GOOD IN PINK, NO?
OH, IT'S TOO BIG
FOR HER NOW,
BUT MAYBE ONE DAY.
WHEN SHE COMES BACK,
WE WILL GET
A LOT OF NICE THINGS
FOR DELIMAR TO WEAR.
VERDAD, MIS HIJOS?
IT'S PRETTY.
YOU'RE CRAZY, MUJER.
AND NOW YOU'RE PUTTING
YOUR CRAZY THOUGHTS
INTO MY SONS?
NENES, GO UPSTAIRS
AND HELP TATITA. GO.
NOW.
[FOOTSTEPS SCURRYING]
[STAIRS CREAKING]
FIRST,
YOU COME TO MY WORK
AND YOU INSULT ME.
AND NOW THIS?
STOP CALLING ME CRAZY.
LOCA!
TU ESTAS LOCA!
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?
YOU!
YOU ARE WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME.
YOU DON'T LISTEN TO REASON.
YOU DON'T LISTEN TO ME!
IS THAT WHAT THIS IS?
I DON'T LISTEN TO YOU?
WELL, WHY SHOULD I?
IF YOU WERE A HUSBAND,
YOU WOULD BELIEVE IN ME,
AND IF YOU
WERE A MAN, PEDRO,
YOU WOULD GO
GET YOUR DAUGHTER!
CALLATE! CALLATE!
GIVE IT TO ME!
GIVE IT TO ME!
I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU DO...
BUT I WON'T LET YOU
MAKE THE BOYS CRAZY LIKE YOU!
WAITING
FOR A DEAD SISTER
WHO ISN'T COMING BACK,
AND I'VE HAD ENOUGH!
YOU SHOULD HAVE
BEEN THERE THAT NIGHT!
YOU SHOULD HAVE
TAKEN CARE OF US!
YOU DIDN'T
SAVE YOUR OWN BABY!
SHE ISN'T COMING BACK!
AND I'M NOT COMING BACK EITHER.
GOOD! THEN GET OUT!
GET OUT!
[BANGING UP STAIRS]
[EXHALING HEAVILY]
[♪]
[SHIRT DROPS TO FLOOR]
[♪]
[♪]
HE HASN'T COME BACK,
YOUR HUSBAND?
HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN?
UM...
I'M NOT SURE.
MONTHS?
[CHUCKLES SADLY]
DO YOU STILL THINK
YOU WILL FIND YOUR BABY AGAIN?
DO YOU THINK
ABOUT THIS?
DELIMAR?
OF COURSE.
[SIGHING HEAVILY]
YOU'RE NOT A MOTHER, ARE YOU?
NO.
IF YOU WERE, YOU WOULDN'T
LOOK AT ME THAT WAY.
I THINK ABOUT HER
EVERY DAY.
AT NIGHT,
I CAN FEEL HER AGAINST ME,
IN MY ARMS.
SOMETIMES,
I HEAR HER BREATHING.
LUZ SOMETIMES,
OUR MINDS
CREATE THINGS
TO PROTECT US FROM PAIN
WE CAN'T DEAL WITH.
YOU'RE GOING TO
TELL ME
I'M CRAZY,
JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.
NO.
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU
THAT YOU'RE GOING TO
GET BETTER.
YOU ARE A STRONG
WOMAN, LUZ.
TIME WILL HEAL YOU.
AND ONE DAY,
YOU'RE GOING TO
FORCE YOURSELF
TO MAKE A CHOICE
BETWEEN HOLDING ON
TO THIS HOPE
AND THE OTHER PATH.
YEAH? WHAT OTHER PATH?
WILFREDO AND ISRAEL.
YOUR TWO BOYS
NEED THEIR MAMA.
THEY'VE NEEDED YOU
ALL THIS TIME.
THEY NEED YOU TODAY
AND THEY WILL
NEED YOU TOMORROW.
YOU ARE
THEIR MOTHER, TOO.
[EXHALES HEAVILY]
[ALARM BEEPING QUIETLY]
AY! I HAVE TO STOP.
OH.
COME BACK
IF YOU NEED TO SEE ME.
IN THE MORNING,
THE LINE IS NOT SO LONG.
LUZ?
LET IT GO.
LET TIME WASH
THIS PAIN AWAY.
[♪]
[♪]
[BOYS IMITATING GUNS]
[ACTION FIGURES
CLATTERING]
[FIERCE BATTLE RAGING]
HEY!
YOU WANT TO GO
TO THE PARK?
YEAH!
YEAH!
YEAH! LET'S GO!
LET'S GO.
LOOK AT ME! MAMI, LOOK!
PUSH US FASTER, MAMI!
YEAH, FASTER!
FASTER!
WHOO-WOO!
[CHEERS]
FASTER!
DON'T LET GO, MAMI!
FASTER, MAMI!
WHOO!
FASTER!
[LUZ]: WHOO!
WHOA!
[ALL LAUGHING]
[♪]
WHOO-HOO!
[♪]
GO FASTER, WILFREDO!
FASTER, GO FASTER!
NOT SO FAST!
LET'S GO!
[BIKES RATTLING]
TUS HIJOS ESTAN AQUI?
COME ON, COME
WITH ME TO THE PARTY.
I CAN'T.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO WEAR?
WELL, IF YOU WOULD
COME OUT WITH ME SOMETIMES,
I WOULD FIND
SOMETHING FOR YOU.
GET YOU OUT OF
YOUR CHANGLAS.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY SHOES?
YOU SEE?
I DON'T HAVE
ANYTHING TO WEAR.
COME ON! WEAR
SOMETHING OF MINE.
I THINK THAT GUY'S GOING TO
BE THERE, EL GUAPO.
THE ONE WITH
THE FANCY CAR?
MM-HMM. LUIS.
YOU'LL LOVE HIM!
HE TALKS
WITH HIS EYEBROWS.
THAT'S NOT FUNNY.
WHAT'S TO EAT?
YEAH.
WE'RE HUNGRY!
TELL YOUR MAMI
YOU WANT TO COME
TO MONICA'S QUINCEANERA.
DO WE KNOW MONICA?
SI! SHE'S YOUR PAPI'S
UNCLE'S WIFE'S
COUSIN'S BROTHER'S--
NEVER MIND.
WHATEVER!
SHE'S YOUR COUSIN.
WHO ISN'T?
WILL THERE BE FOOD?
YES. LOTS OF FOOD.
AND A BIG CAKE.
TE VAS A QUEDAR SOLA.
[♪]
PEEKABOO!
OH, IT'S SO GOOD
TO SEE YOU.
GOOD TO SEE YOU,
TOO, CECI.
OH, IT'S SO GOOD
THAT YOU'RE HERE.
HAVE YOU
MET OUR HOSTESS?
NO.
PAULA? PAULA,
THIS IS MY GOOD FRIEND,
LUZ CUEVAS.
OH, WELCOME
TO MY HOME, LUZ.
THANK YOU, AND CONGRATULATIONS
ON YOUR DAUGHTER'S QUINCEANERA.
EVERYTHING IS LOVELY.
OH, THANK YOU.
MUCHAS GRACIAS.
LET ME PUT THIS DOWN, OKAY?
GO GET YOURSELF
SOMETHING TO DRINK.
THANK YOU.
DID YOU BRING
YOUR BOYS?
OH, SI.
THEY'RE OVER THERE, EATING.
QUE MAS?
THEY'RE BIGGER
EVERY TIME I SEE THEM.
HEY, CHICA!
DON'T TOUCH THAT CAKE
UNTIL IT'S TIME!
I WARNED YOU!
[BOTH LAUGHING]
HEY, YOU REMEMBER VALERIE, SI?
SHE JUST MOVED
BACK HERE TO PHILLY.
AND SHE'S STAYING
HERE WITH PAULA
UNTIL SHE FINDS
A PLACE OF HER OWN.
I HAVE TO STEAL HER
FROM YOU A MINUTE, AUNT CECI.
OKAY. JUST GO.
I'LL SEE YOU LATER.
GO, GO, GO. MINGLE. OKAY?
LUIS, THIS IS LUZ.
SHE IS THE ONE
I WAS TELLING YOU ABOUT.
SURPRISE!
[LUIS AND TATITA LAUGH]
LUZ?
LUZ?
HEY!
LUZ?
LUZ?
YOU NEED
A LITTLE FRESH AIR.
MAMI! MAMI!
OH, MY GIRL.
THIS IS MY DAUGHTER.
COME ON.
LET'S GO SIT DOWN.
THAT'S DELIMAR.
OKAY, YOU'RE AS WHITE
AS A GHOST.
COME ON.
COME OUTSIDE.
BUT THAT'S HER.
DON'T YOU SEE?
ESTAS HACIENDO.
YOU WANT TO MEET MY FRIENDS?
LUZ! HI!
MY GOD, IT'S SO GOOD
TO SEE YOU.
I ALMOST DIDN'T RECOGNIZE YOU.
DID YOU LOSE
SOME WEIGHT, MAYBE?
I DON'T KNOW.
YOU LOOK REALLY GOOD, COMADRE.
I'M HUNGRY, MAMI.
YOU'RE HUNGRY?
THIS IS MY DAUGHTER, AALIYAH.
CAN WE HAVE
SOME CAKE?
NO, YOU CANNOT
HAVE SOME CAKE.
IT'S GOING TO MAKE YOU FAT
FOR YOUR AUDITION.
SHE'S A MODEL ALREADY.
SHE'S DONE A FEW
COMMERCIALS SO FAR,
BUT ONE DAY,
WE'RE GOING TO GET HER
INTO THE MOVIES, RIGHT?
[CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY]
AALIYAH?
YES.
WELL...
IT WAS REALLY NICE
SEEING YOU.
IF YOU'LL EXCUSE US. CIAO.
DON'T MAKE A SCENE.
VAMOS. VAMOS.
[♪]
WHAT DO YOU THINK
YOU'RE DOING OUT THERE?
DID YOU SEE?
THAT'SELIMAR!
HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT?
DELIMAR WAS ONLY 10 DAYS OLD
THE LAST TIME YOU SAW HER!
DIDN'T YOU SEE?
SHE LOOKS LIKE ME!
MY EYES. MY MOUTH.
I SAW A LITTLE GIRL.
THAT'S ALL, LUZ.
LUZ, CALM YOURSELF, OKAY?
I'M GOING TO TAKE YOU HOME NOW
BEFORE YOU EMBARRASS US, OKAY?
NO. I NEED TO THINK.
[WOMAN]: I NEED TO
USE THE BATHROOM!
OKAY. OKAY. OKAY.
COME ON.
I NEED--
I NEED A PLAN.
WE'RE GOING HOME.
I NEED A PLAN.
NO! LUZ! LUZ!
NO, I LIKE RED BETTER.
SEE?
RED IS MY FAVORITE
COLOR TOO, MAMITA.
ME TOO.
BUT SOMETIMES
I LIKE BLUE, THOUGH.
CAN I SEE WHAT
YOU'RE COLORING?
[VALERIE]: AALIYAH?
ARE YOU UP THERE?
WAIT! WAIT...
IS THAT GUM
IN YOUR HAIR?
GET IT OUT!
OKAY, OKAY. WAIT.
LET ME TAKE IT OUT
BEFORE IT GETS KNOTTED UP.
GET IT OUT.
OW! AH!
OW!
LUZ, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
VAMOS!
[OVERLAPPING CHATTER]
MOMMY!
WHAT?
MOMMY, THE LADY
PULLED GUM OUT OF MY HAIR!
WHAT?
IT'S OKAY... MOMMY'S HERE.
I AM HER MOTHER.
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?
IT WAS YOU. IT WAS YOU.
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
THAT IS MY DELIMAR.
TATITA, GET HER
OUT OF HERE
BEFORE I CALL THE POLICE.
ISRAEL, WILFREDO. LET'S GO.
YOU STOLE HER FROM ME.
GET OUT OF HERE.
SHE STOLE HER FROM ME.
YOU STOLE HER FROM ME!
GET OUT OF HERE!
THAT IS MY DAUGHTER.
YOU'RE SCARING HER!
THAT IS MY DAUGHTER!
YOU HAVE LOST YOUR MIND.
GET OUT OF HERE!
[DOOR SLAMS]
I'M SCARED.
IT'S OKAY,
MAMA, IT'S OKAY.
DO YOU KNOW HER?
SHE WAS MARRIED TO A RELATIVE
OF MY FIRST HUSBAND.
HE LEFT HER
BECAUSE SHE IS CRAZY.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN
BY "CRAZY," MOMMY?
OH, IT JUST MEANS
THAT SHE'S VERY SAD.
WE'RE GOING TO PRAY
FOR HER TONIGHT, OKAY?
AND THEN
WE'RE GOING TO FORGET
THAT THIS WHOLE THING
EVER HAPPENED.
SHE DIDN'T SCARE YOU
TOO MUCH, DID SHE?
OKAY, GOOD.
GIVE ME A KISS.
EVERYONE KNOWS
ABOUT DNA, TATITA.
YOU JUST HAVE TO
WATCH THE TELEVISION.
YOU CAN'T GO
ACTING LIKE THIS AGAIN, LUZ.
PULLING HAIR OUT OF A CHILD!
DNA...
I BEG YOU,
DON'T START
THIS UP AGAIN!
I TOLD YOU SHE DIDN'T DIE.
I CAN'T HEAR THIS.
I ALWAYS THOUGHT SOMEBODY
FROM THE PARTY TOOK HER.
YOU KNOW HOW THIS
MAKES YOU SOUND?
I DON'T CARE HOW THIS
MAKES ME SOUND. I'M DOING THIS.
WHAT IF VALERIE
TELLS THE POLICE
THAT YOU TOUCHED
HER DAUGHTER?
IT'S NOT HER DAUGHTER.
IT'S DELIMAR.
AND NOW I CAN PROVE IT.
[DOOR OPENS AND BANGS SHUT]
[SIGHING WEARILY]
[♪]
NEXT!
WHO'S NEXT?
YOU!
HEY!
YOU'VE GOT TO
PAY ATTENTION, LADY.
HOW CAN I
HELP YOU TODAY?
I NEED A DNA TEST TO PROVE
THIS CAME FROM MY OWN DAUGHTER.
WHAT IS THIS, HAIR?
MM-HMM.
THIS IS A POLICE STATION.
WE DON'T DO
DNA TESTS HERE.
WAIT. POR FAVOR.
WHERE DO I GO?
YOU NEED A LABORATORY.
THEN YOU PAY FOR THE TEST.
OKAY. HOW MUCH?
I DON'T KNOW. $800, $1500.
I WISH I COULD HELP,
BUT YOU'RE IN THE WRONG PLACE.
WAIT, PLEASE!
YOU HAVE TO HELP ME!
I DON'T KNOW
WHERE ELSE TO GO.
I'M SORRY.
NEXT?
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
[♪]
[♪]
[CHURCH BELL
BEGINS TO TOLL]
[♪]
HOLA, LUZ.
IT'S GOOD
TO SEE YOU HERE.
I HAVE LIT A CANDLE
FOR YOUR BABY'S MEMORY.
GOD BLESS YOU.
RE-ELECT ANGEL CRUZ!
HE SPEAKS FOR YOU.
HE FIGHTS FOR YOU!
YOUR VOICE, YOUR VOTE.
ANGEL CRUZ!
THE VOICE FOR THE PEOPLE!
REELIJA ANGEL CRUZ.
EL HABLA PARA USTED,
EL LUCHA PARA USTED.
ANGEL CRUZ,
LA VOZ DEL PUEBLO.
ANGEL CRUZ ES EL FUTURO.
ANGEL CRUZ, LA UNICA OPTION.
UNITE.
[♪]
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
ANGEL CRUZ'S OFFICE.
YES, MA'AM.
YOU HAVE TO HOLD.
...SO I DIDN'T PAY NO RENT,
'CAUSE THERE WEREN'T NO HEAT...
HANG ON.
I NEED TO SEE ANGEL CRUZ.
SORRY. YOU'RE GOING TO
HAVE TO COME BACK TOMORROW.
HELLO?
PLEASE?
I AM A LONG WAY FROM MY HOUSE.
ANGEL CRUZ' OFFICE.
YOU HAVE TO HOLD
FOR JUST ONE MOMENT.
...AND SO, I GOT NO HEAT,
I GOT NO WATER,
AND SHE NEEDS TO
BE PAID ALL--
HI, MR. CRUZ?
YES, IT'S THE MAYOR
ON LINE FIVE. YES.
SORRY. YOU'RE GOING TO
HAVE TO COME BACK TOMORROW.
I CAN WAIT.
[PHONE RINGS]
MR. CRUZ' OFFICE.
PLEASE?
CAN YOU HELP ME?
YES. I WILL HELP YOU.
JUST GIVE ME FIVE MINUTES, OKAY?
YES, YOU CAN HELP ME. YES.
I KNOW THAT, SIR.
I HAVE TO PUT YOU BACK--
I HAVE TO PUT YOU
BACK ON HOLD.
JUST HANG ON A SECOND.
I KNOW, I KNOW.
I'LL BE RIGHT THERE
WITH YOU.
I KNOW. JUST
ONE MOMENT, PLEASE.
[DOORKNOB TURNS]
OKAY...
I'M OFF TO LUNCH.
IF THEY CALL,
PLEASE TELL THEM I'M ON MY WAY.
"EL HABLA PARA USTED,
EL LUCHA PARA USTED."
"THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE."
WHO ARE YOU?
I AM LUZ CUEVAS.
VERY NICE
TO MEET YOU.
I'M ANGEL CRUZ.
DID YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT?
NO.
WELL, WHY DON'T
YOU MAKE ONE--
NO, NO, NO.
EXCUSE ME?
DO YOU REMEMBER
WHAT IT FELT LIKE
TO HAVE NO ONE
LISTEN TO YOU?
BEFORE YOUR FACE
WAS ON ALL THESE POSTERS?
WHEN YOU WERE JUST
SOME INVISIBLE
LATINO NOBODY?
DID YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART
WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY,
OR DID THOSE WORDS
JUST SOUND GOOD?
"THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE."
I BELIEVED.
I STILL DO.
THEN YOU KNOW
THAT THERE COMES A DAY
WHEN YOU CAN'T TAKE
ONE MORE "COME BACK TOMORROW."
I AM SORRY, SENOR CRUZ,
BUT THIS IS THAT DAY FOR ME.
AND I'M SORRY, MS. CUEVAS,
BUT I'M LATE RIGHT NOW
FOR A LUNCH MEETING.
DO YOU WANT TO WALK WITH ME?
[♪]
UH, YOU'LL HAVE TO
EXCUSE ME, THOUGH, LUZ,
BECAUSE I HAVE TO
GO HERE NOW.
THIS IS...
I'M HAVING LUNCH
WITH A BUNCH OF
CAMPAIGN SUPPORTERS,
AND I REALLY
CAN'T BE LATE.
SO WILL YOU HELP ME?
I WOULD LIKE TO.
I WOULD.
BUT WHAT?
BUT I NEED TO THINK
ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT.
IT'S NOT LIKE ON TV.
I CAN'T JUST DO
A DNA TEST ON THE HAIR.
WE DON'T KNOW
WHOSE HAIR IT IS.
BUT I TOLD YOU--
I KNOW, BUT I NEED
PROBABLE CAUSE
TO HAVE THE COURT
ORDER A TEST.
I NEED YOUR DNA
AND THE CHILD'S,
AND THIS WOMAN'S,
AND, UH...
IT'S AN INVASION OF PRIVACY
IF THERE ISN'T PROBABLE CAUSE.
BUT THE FIRE! AND--
LUZ?
LET ME THINK
ABOUT IT, OKAY?
SENOR CRUZ?
MM-HMM.
DO YOU BELIEVE ME?
SI.
UN PLACER.
OKAY...
OKAY.
OKAY!
[♪]
[ASSISTANT]:
OKAY, SO AT 3:00,
YOU HAVE TO MEET
WITH THE ELECTRIC
MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION.
ALL RIGHT.
THEN YOU HAVE A FUND DRIVE
FOR THE ADULT SERVICES PEOPLE.
YOU HAVE TO BE AT THE HOTEL--
REMIND ME I HAVE TO CALL
THAT GUY JIM BEFORE I GO.
AND I NEED YOU TO GET ME
ALL THE RECORDS
ON A FIRE THAT HAPPENED
SIX YEARS AGO.
SIX YEARS AGO?
ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING
YOU CAN FIND.
AND THIS IS THE ADDRESS...
OF THE HOUSE THAT BURNED.
OKAY?
OKAY.
GREAT.
[FOOTSTEPS RECEDING]
THANK YOU, GLORIA.
[SIGHS]
[CRUMPLES AND POCKETS PAPER]
PEDRO?
HOLA, LUZ.
YOU'RE NOT AT THE GARAGE?
NO WORK.
MAYBE SOON.
UM...
DID WILFREDO GET THAT
SHIRT I LEFT FOR HIM?
SI, HE LIKED IT.
THEY WOULD LIKE
TO SEE YOU IN PERSON.
I HAVE TO TALK TO YOU
ABOUT SOMETHING.
IT'S ABOUT DELIMAR.
PEDRO, WAIT.
WAIT, PEDRO!
I SAW HER.
SHE'S SIX YEARS OLD.
SHE LOOKS
JUST LIKE YOU AND ME.
I KNOW IT IN MY HEART.
LUZ--
DON'T SAY IT,
PEDRO!
I KNOW HOW
IT MAKES ME SOUND, PERO...
IT'S HER.
I KNOW.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BELIEVE ME.
I'M GLAD
TO HEAR THAT, LUZ.
OKAY?
I'M GOING TO
BRING HER HOME.
[SIGHS]
[DOOR CLOSES SOFTLY]
[MULTIPLE PHONES RINGING,
BUSTLING CHATTER]
HEY, GRINGO!
JUST THE MAN
I WANTED TO SEE.
ANGELITO.
HOW'S IT GOING, MAN?
I'M GOOD.
YOU MISSED THE GAME
THE OTHER NIGHT.
THE SIXERS WERE ON FIRE.
YEAH, YEAH.
I HAD A LATE NIGHT,
BUT I CAUGHT THE LAST QUARTER
AT HOME. YOU GOT A MINUTE?
NO.
TOO BAD.
I GOT A CASE
I NEED YOU AND GUITIERREZ
TO LOOK AT.
OH, REALLY?
YEAH. I'LL OWE YOU.
YOU BET YOU WILL.
SO THEY OPEN THE BUNDLE
AND FIND A BURNED MATTRESS?
NO HUMAN REMAINS?
SHE WAS TOLD BY THE FIREMAN
THAT THE BODY
WAS TOTALLY INCINERATED.
WELL, THAT'S
A PROBLEM RIGHT THERE.
A FIRE THAT SIZE WOULD ONLY
BURN UP TO 1600°.
REMEMBER THE FORENSICS
ON THAT TELLCO WAREHOUSE FIRE?
YEAH. I MEAN, A BODY
WOULDN'T INCINERATE
AT THAT TEMPERATURE.
NOT EVEN A BABY.
IT'S JUST PHYSICALLY
IMPOSSIBLE.
HMM. AND YET, SUPPOSEDLY,
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.
WHAT'S YOUR GUT ON THIS?
WELL, YOU KNOW,
THIS WOMAN SHOWS UP
WITH THIS STORY...
IT'S OBVIOUSLY IMPLAUSIBLE.
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
ON THE OTHER HAND,
IF THERE'S EVEN A CHANCE
THAT SHE'S RIGHT,
THAT SHE JUST FOUND HER KID
AFTER SIX YEARS
OF WHAT SHE'S BEEN THROUGH?
I THINK I OWE IT TO HER
TO FIND OUT.
OKAY. WE'LL BITE.
EXCELLENT.
RUN A PRIOR ON
THIS WOMAN, UH, VALERIE--
VALLEJA. TWO "L"S.
DONE.
THANKS, GUYS.
YEAH. DON'T THINK
I'M GONNA VOTE FOR YOU.
YOU WILL!
I'LL WIN YOU OVER.
[CHUCKLING]
HURRY UP! YOU'RE GOING TO
BE LATE FOR YOUR AUDITION.
OH! YOU LOOK SO PRETTY.
OKAY, BIG SMILE.
NICE!
DO YOU KNOW
HOW LUCKY WE ARE?
WHY, MOMMY?
BECAUSE WE HAVE
EACH OTHER,
AND WE ALWAYS WILL.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
GOOD. COME HERE.
YES, DETECTIVE RICKMAN'S
ON THE LINE.
HE HAS INFORMATION
ON VALERIE VALLEJA.
TALK TO ME.
HEY, LISTEN TO THIS.
VALERIE VALLEJA
WAS ARRESTED IN TAMPA, FLORIDA
SEVEN YEARS AGO THIS MONTH
AND CHARGED
WITH EMBEZZLEMENT AND ARSON.
MY GOD.
WHAT'D SHE BURN?
THE OFFICE
WHERE SHE WORKED.
SEEMS SHE WAS TRYING
TO COVER HER TRACKS
AFTER STEALING CHECKS
FROM HER EMPLOYER.
SHE PLED GUILTY.
SHE DO ANY TIME?
YEAH, 50 DAYS
IN JAIL,
AND THEN PERFORMED
COMMUNITY SERVICE.
AND FIVE MONTHS AFTER THAT,
SHE'S AT A PARTY WHERE ANOTHER FIRE BREAKS OUT
AND A BABY GIRL
JUST DISAPPEARS INTO THIN AIR?
THIS IS PROBABLE CAUSE, NO?
IT'S TEXTBOOK.
I'LL GET THE COURT
TO ORDER A DNA TEST.
WE'LL SEE IF SHE STOLE
MORE THAN CHECKS THIS TIME.
GREAT. THANKS.
[♪]
THAT'S IT, AALIYAH.
BIG SMILE...
NOW SAY THE WORDS.
MORE CHOCOLATE CHIPS
MAKE ME
SMACK MY LIPS.
THAT'S IT.
NOW PICK UP THE COOKIE...
AND EAT IT.
MM-MM!
THANK YOU.
[MOUTHS WORDS]
[RAPPING ON DOOR]
LET'S CHECK
AROUND BACK.
[KNOCKS]
LUZ CUEVAS?
YES?
WE'RE DETECTIVES RICKMAN
AND GUITIERREZ,
FROM THE SPECIAL
VICTIMS DIVISION.
ANGEL CRUZ HAS ASKED US
TO TALK TO YOU.
OKAY.
WE'RE TRYING TO LOCATE
VALERIE VALLEJA.
REPRESENTATIVE CRUZ THOUGHT
YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP US.
YES! I-- I KNOW
WHERE SHE IS.
DID YOU...
DID YOU--
AHEM.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHY?
WE DISCOVERED
THAT MISS VALLEJA
WAS ARRESTED FOR ARSON
SEVEN YEARS AGO.
[INHALES DEEPLY]
NO.
WE HAVE A COURT ORDER
FOR A DNA SAMPLE
ON VALERIE
AND THE CHILD.
I CAN TELL YOU
WHERE TO FIND HER.
[♪]
HOW CAN YOU COME HERE
AND ASK FOR SUCH A THING?
THIS WON'T
TAKE LONG, MA'AM.
OUR TECHNICIAN'S JUST
GOING TO SWAB YOUR MOUTH
AND THEN SWAB
THE CHILD'S, OKAY?
YOU DON'T NEED DNA.
JUST OPEN YOUR EYES.
SHE'S A GOOD MOTHER.
VALERIE, SHOW THEM
WHAT YOU SHOWED ME.
THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE!
IT'S OKAY.
PAULA, IT'S OKAY.
I WANT THEM TO DO IT.
THAT WAY, THAT CRAZY MUJER WILL
LEAVE US ALONE ONCE AND FOR ALL.
SI.
IS THE CHILD HERE?
SHE IS.
SHE'S UPSTAIRS.
SHE'S GETTING PRETTY FOR YOU.
I TOLD HER WE WERE CASTING
FOR A COMMERCIAL
SO SHE WOULDN'T
BE SCARED.
THAT'S FINE.
I'LL GO GET HER.
HERE. LOOK AT THIS.
IT IS THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE
OF THE CHILD.
YOU CAN LOOK AT IT YOURSELF.
AALIYAH ANN SANTOS--
BORN DECEMBER 5TH.
PARENTS-- VALERIE VALLEJA
AND BRIAN SANTOS.
SHE SHOWED ME THIS
AFTER THE CRAZY MUJER
MADE THE SCENE AT OUR PARTY.
YOU SHOULD BE ARRESTING HER.
I WAITED SO LONG...
AND NOW
WHAT I PRAYED FOR
IS FINALLY
COMING TRUE, BUT--
BUT WHAT?
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
[GULPS]
WHAT IF I'M WRONG?
[SOBS]
WHAT IF DELIMAR
IS NOT THAT LITTLE GIRL?
WHAT IF...
WHAT IF I KNOW MY LITTLE GIRL
IS OUT THERE SOMEWHERE,
BUT I DON'T KNOW WHERE?
[SOBS HEAVILY]
I'LL BE LOOKING
FOR MY LITTLE BABY
FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.
[GASPS AND SOBS]
[♪]
REMEMBER THAT TIME
YOU AUDITIONED
FOR THE COMMERCIAL?
IT WILL BE
JUST LIKE THAT. OKAY?
SI, MOMMY.
OKAY.
YOU LOOK REAL PRETTY.
WAIT, WAIT.
SIT DOWN.
OKAY.
OPEN YOUR MOUTH.
WHAT IS IT, MOMMY?
IT'S NOTHING. IT'S SOMETHING
FOR THE COMMERCIAL, OKAY?
OPEN YOUR MOUTH.
DO AS I SAY--
OPEN YOUR MOUTH.
[SPUTTERS]
SHH!
AND DON'T TELL ANYBODY
ABOUT THIS. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
THAT TASTES BAD.
PAY ATTENTION!
YOU CANNOT TELL ANYBODY.
CLARO?
OKAY.
THERE. FINISHED.
AND IT DIDN'T
HURT, RIGHT?
MY MOMMY SPRAYED
SOMETHING FUNNY
IN MY MOUTH.
SHE DID WHAT?
I'M NOT
SUPPOSED TO SAY.
[♪]
I NEED YOU
TO LOCATE A...
BRIAN SANTO...
BRIAN SANTOS.
HISPANIC MALE, BIRTHDATE--
WHAT'S THE BIRTHDATE?
12...
YEAH. VALERIE AND I
WERE GOING OUT,
BUT AFTER SHE GOT OUT OF JAIL,
I TOLD HER,
I DON'T WANT TO SEE HER NO MORE.
YOU KNOW,
NOT SERIOUSLY.
AND THEN
SHE TOLD ME
SHE WAS PREGNANT
WITH MY BABY.
I DIDN'T BELIEVE HER.
BUT SHE KEPT CALLING,
YOU KNOW,
BEGGING ME
TO GET BACK TOGETHER,
SAYING WE SHOULD
BE A FAMILY.
I FELT SORRY FOR HER.
THEN ONE NIGHT
SHE CALLED ME
TO TELL ME THAT
SHE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL.
SHE'S PREGNANT
AND SHE'S BLEEDING
AND SHE'S LOSING THE BABY.
BUT YOU DIDN'T
BELIEVE HER?
WHAT, ABOUT THE PREGNANCY?
WELL, YOU WERE
SEXUALLY INTIMATE
WITH HER, RIGHT?
YEAH, BUT SHE HAD
HER TUBES TIED
TWO YEARS BEFORE THAT.
I PAID FOR IT.
OKAY?
THERE'S NO WAY
THAT SHE WAS
HAVING ANY BABY.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
[CLICKS RECORDER OFF]
WAIT HERE.
ANYTHING?
IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.
SHE HAD
A TUBAL LIGATION.
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
DOESN'T ADD UP EITHER.
THE STATE REGISTRAR
SAID SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO
PRESENT THE BABY
TO GET THE CERTIFICATE,
ONLY AN AFFIDAVIT.
DID YOU GET A COPY
OF THE AFFIDAVIT?
NO, THEY SAID
THEY MUST HAVE
ACCIDENTALLY DESTROYED
THE ORIGINAL.
OH, THAT'S GREAT.
BUREAUCRACY IN MOTION.
I'M GOING TO
RELEASE HIM.
OKAY.
PEDRO, PLEASE?
THIS HAS TO BE DONE.
IF IT TURNS OUT
THAT VALERIE HAS OUR BABY...
[HUFFS]
...YOU WILL NEVER FORGIVE ME,
WILL YOU?
[EXHALES HEAVILY]
[♪]
[ALL CHUCKLING]
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
[RINGING]
[PHONE BEEPS ON]
HELLO?
LUZ, THIS
IS ANGEL CRUZ.
SI.
I HAVE THE RESULTS
OF THE DNA TEST.
OKAY.
CAN YOU MEET ME
IN MY OFFICE AT 2:00?
OKAY.
GOOD.
I'LL SEE YOU THEN.
[BEEPS PHONE OFF]
WELL?
WE HAVE TO GO TO THE OFFICE.
[SIGHS]: AY.
I'M SCARED, TATITA.
I KNOW, MAMI. I KNOW.
[SIGHS]
COME CLOSER, MIS HIJOS.
YOUR MAMI NEEDS YOU.
COME. OKAY.
HEY.
[DOOR BANGS SHUT]
THE DNA WAS A MATCH,
AND THE GIRL...
...IS DELIMAR.
[GASPING DEEPLY]: AY!
[LAUGHING AND SOBBING]
OH, MY GOD!
YOU DID IT!
[LAUGHING]
OYE!
I WANT TO HOLD HER.
CAN I SEE HER?
A WOMAN FROM
FAMILY SERVICES
IS WITH THE DETECTIVES
RIGHT NOW,
AND THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY
TO...
PICK UP
YOUR DAUGHTER.
OKAY.
[LAUGHTER RESUMES]
OH, HO, HO!
[♪]
I DON'T WANT TO
GO AWAY.
I LIKE IT HERE.
COME ON.
IT'S GOING TO BE FINE.
WE'RE GOING TO GO
TO A NICE NEW PLACE, OKAY?
NOW, HURRY UP
AND GET YOUR JACKET ON.
PUT THIS BY THE DOOR.
[SIREN WAILING]
WHERE'S MY KEYS?
MY KEYS? COME ON!
OH, MY GOD.
HURRY UP, AALIYAH!
MOMMY!
JUST LEAVE IT!
WE'LL GET YOU ANOTHER ONE.
HURRY UP.
[SIREN WAILING]
[IGNITION FIRING]
OKAY, JUST BUCKLE UP.
OKAY.
BUCKLE UP. HURRY UP.
I'M TRYING.
HURRY UP, AALIYAH!
COME ON.
OKAY.
[SIRENS SCREAMING ON APPROACH]
[LOCK CLICKS SHUT]
GO AWAY!
LEAVE US ALONE!
LEAVE ALL OF US
ALONE!
MS. VALLEJA,
I'M BARBARA SANCHEZ,
WITH THE DIVISION
OF YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES.
PLEASE, COME OUT
OF THE CAR.
NO. NO! YOU'RE CRAZY!
YOU ARE ALL CRAZY!
JUST LEAVE US ALONE!
IT'S ALL OVER, VALERIE.
OPEN THE DOOR, PLEASE.
LEAVE MY MOMMY ALONE.
GO AWAY!
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
GO AWAY AND LEAVE US ALONE!
VALERIE.
OPEN THE DOOR!
NO!
OPEN THE DOOR!
OPEN THE DOOR,
VALERIE!
IT'S OVER!
MOMMY!
[VALERIE SOBBING]
MOMMY!
AALIYAH.
AALIYAH, HONEY, LISTEN TO ME.
AALIYAH--
IT'S GOING TO
BE OKAY.
GIVE ME
A MOMENT, PLEASE.
PLEASE?
OKAY.
LISTEN.
IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY.
YOU'RE GOING TO GO
WITH THE NICE LADY
AND SHE'S GOING TO
TAKE CARE OF YOU,
AND I'M GOING TO COME
AND GET YOU, OKAY?
OKAY? I LOVE YOU.
MS. VALLEJA, PLEASE DON'T
GIVE HER ANY FALSE HOPE.
AALIYAH!
DON'T EVER
FORGET ME, OKAY?
AALIYAH, PLEASE!
I LOVE YOU.
LET'S GO.
AALIYAH, DON'T FORGET ME!
YOU'RE MY GIRL!
PLEASE WAIT!
AALIYAH!
[♪]
OKAY, DON'T WORRY. IF--
[REPORTER]:
THERE SHE IS.
LUZ!
LUZ! OVER HERE!
HOW DID IT FEEL
TO SEE YOUR DAUGHTER
AFTER SIX YEARS?
HOLD ON. NO, NO.
LUZ! LUZ!
HOW DID IT FEEL--
[ALL CLAMORING,
OVERLAPPING AND INDISTINCT]
[BARRAGE CONTINUES]
LUZ CUEVAS JUST HEADED
INTO THE COURTHOUSE
WITH HER ATTORNEY
TO MEET WITH THE JUDGE
WHO WILL OFFICIALLY RULE
ON THE CUSTODY
OF HER YOUNG DAUGHTER,
DELIMAR VERA.
CUEVAS KNEW IN HER HEART
THAT HER DAUGHTER WAS ALIVE,
AND, AGAINST ALL ODDS,
CLUNG TO HER MOTHER'S INTUITION
WHEN NO ONE ELSE WOULD LISTEN.
TODAY, HER PERSISTENCE
AND DETERMINATION
HAVE PAID OFF.
PHILADELPHIA LAWMAKERS
WILL INVESTIGATE
MEMBERS OF
THE POLICE, FIRE,
AND MEDICAL
EXAMINER'S OFFICE
TO FIND OUT
HOW THE SYSTEM
FAILED HER
SIX YEARS AGO.
IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING,
THIS MOTHER
NEVER GAVE UP HOPE.
MS. CUEVAS, I AM RECOMMENDING
THAT YOU MEET
WITH DELIMAR
IN A NEUTRAL PLACE
FOR A FEW TIMES BEFORE--
I CAN'T TAKE HER HOME WITH ME?
YOUR DAUGHTER NEEDS
TIME TO ADJUST.
SHE DOESN'T KNOW
YOU ARE HER MOTHER.
I WILL TEACH HER.
I HAVE WAITED FOR SO LONG.
PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME
WAIT ANOTHER MOMENT. PLEASE.
I APPRECIATE YOUR URGENCY,
MS. CUEVAS.
I KNOW YOU HAVE
ENDURED FOR SIX YEARS
MORE HARDSHIP AND GRIEF
THAN MOST PEOPLE COULD HAVE
TAKEN FOR A MONTH.
AND NOW I AM ASKING YOU
TO WAIT A FEW MORE DAYS
FOR THE SAKE
OF YOUR CHILD.
LET HER MEET YOU
GRADUALLY.
GIVE HER THIS TIME,
AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE HER
FOREVER.
PEDRO.
HI.
I, UM...
I SAW YOU ON THE TELEVISION.
WERE YOU GOING TO TELL ME?
WHEN THE TIME WAS RIGHT.
ARE YOU...
TRYING TO KEEP ME AWAY?
LUZ, I'M HER FATHER.
I, UM...
[SIGHS]
I SHOULD'VE LISTENED TO YOU.
YOU WERE RIGHT.
ALL I ASK IS FOR A CHANCE
TO BE A PART OF HER LIFE.
DO YOU THINK
YOU CAN FORGIVE ME?
PLEASE?
[TELEPHONE RINGING]
[GLORIA]:
ANGEL CRUZ'S OFFICE.
HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
MAY I TAKE
A MESSAGE?
I'VE TOLD AALIYAH
THAT SHE IS GOING TO MEET YOU.
SHE IS CONFUSED
AND WANTS TO KNOW
WHEN HER MOMMY'S
COMING BACK FOR HER.
SHE MEANT VALERIE.
FINDING HER
WAS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE.
IT'S STRANGE
THAT IT'S THE SADDEST DAY
OF HER LIFE.
[CHUCKLES SADLY]
[INHALES SHARPLY]
IT WOULD BE
BEST, FOR NOW,
IF LUZ CAME IN ALONE.
WE DON'T WANT TO OVERWHELM HER.
[EXHALES HEAVILY]
[DOOR SHUTS]
AALIYAH?
ARE YOU READY
TO MEET THE LADY
I TOLD YOU ABOUT?
DID I DO SOMETHING BAD?
NO. NO, MI AMOR,
YOU ARE A VERY GOOD GIRL.
YOU'RE THE LADY FROM THE PARTY.
I REMEMBER YOU.
YES.
I REMEMBER YOU, TOO.
FROM A LONG TIME AGO.
I USED TO WATCH YOU SLEEP.
UH-UH.
I DID.
AND I WOULD STARE AT YOU
AND WATCH THE WAY
YOUR EYES WOULD FLUTTER
WHEN YOU WOULD WAKE UP.
WHEN?
[LAUGHS]
WHEN YOU WERE VERY LITTLE...
LIKE THIS.
[SETS READER DOWN]
I WAS THIS SMALL ONCE?
MM-HMM.
I KNEW YOU WHEN
YOU WERE EVEN SMALLER.
I'LL SHOW YOU.
YOU WERE LIKE THIS...
AND LIKE THIS...
AND LIKE THIS...
AND LIKE THIS,
AND LIKE THIS...
AND LIKE THAT.
I WAS THIS SMALL ONCE?
WHEN YOU WERE IN HERE.
ARE YOU SAD?
NO, MI AMOR.
I AM VERY HAPPY.
[GASPS]
[GIGGLING SOFTLY]
[CHUCKLES]
[♪]
IT'S PERFECT!
[SQUEALING]
[♪]
MWAH!
MWAH!
[♪]
[DOORBELL RINGS]
AY!
OKAY.
OKAY.
THANK YOU.
ARE YOU OKAY?
THANK YOU.
WELCOME HOME, MI AMOR.
[GIGGLING]
WHO ARE YOU?
THIS IS YOUR BROTHER,
WILFREDO.
[BOYS CHUCKLING]
DO YOU LIKE
DULCE DE LECHE?
ME TOO.
[TATITA LAUGHING]
AND THIS IS YOUR
OTHER BROTHER,
ISRAEL.
WHAT DO YOU SAY, ISRAEL?
I... I DIDN'T THINK
YOU'D LOOK LIKE THIS.
LIKE WHAT?
LIKE US.
[LAUGHTER]
MI AMOR...
[LAUGHTER CONTINUES]
AND YOUR TIA.
ARE YOU MY BROTHER, TOO?
[ALL LAUGHING]
NO, MI AMOR.
UM... I'M YOUR PAPI.
I HAVE A PAPI?
[PEDRO CHUCKLES]
THE DAY YOU WERE BORN...
I WAS AFRAID...
TO HOLD YOU.
I WAS AFRAID
THAT I WOULD DROP YOU.
WELCOME HOME, BABY.
HERE.
THESE ARE FOR YOU.
THEY'RE RED!
MM-HMM.
YOUR FAVORITE COLOR.
THERE'S
SOMEONE UPSTAIRS
WHO WANTS TO
MEET YOU, TOO.
DO I GET TO KEEP HER?
OH, YES!
SHE HAS WAITED A LONG TIME
FOR YOU TO COME BACK.
HOW LONG?
YOUR WHOLE LIFE.
YOU SLEPT WITH HER
WHEN YOU WERE A BABY.
THERE WERE TIMES
WHEN SHE WAS SO SCARED
BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT
YOU HAD FORGOTTEN
ABOUT HER.
BUT WE TOLD HER
NOT TO LOSE HOPE.
YOU WOULD COME BACK.
YOU KNOW WHAT?
WHAT, MI VIDA?
I DON'T THINK
SHE'S SCARED ANYMORE.
UNO... DOS...
TRES... CUATRO...
CINCO... SEIS...
SIETE, OCHO, NUEVE... DIEZ!
READY OR NOT, HERE I COME!
I SAW YOU!
BUT YOU CAN'T CATCH ME!
YES, I CAN!
[ISRAEL]: COME ON,
YOU CAN DO IT!
YOU CAN CATCH ME.
I KNOW YOU CAN.
[WILFREDO]: COME ON!
YOU CAN'T GET HIM!
YES, I WILL!
[♪]
[LAUGHING AND GIGGLING]
[DELIMAR SQUEALS]
[♪]
[♪♪]