Right Before Your Eyes (2019) - full transcript

No!

"Man walks in his integrity

and his children are
blessed after him."

Proverbs 20.

But what if you didn't
walk in integrity?

What if you got lost
in a bottle of booze

every chance you could

and ran away when your
son needed you most?

And what if your little
boy isn't blessed,

but is suffering because of you.

Can God's grace change that?



I'm Ethan and I'm
on the train ride

on a journey to fulfill
my duties as a father.

And this is my story.

Beautiful day.

Love the fall weather myself.

Yeah?

Ethan.

Ambrose.

Nice to meet ya.

So, where you headed young man?

To see my son Lucas.

I haven't seen him
since he was a baby.

He's at my mom Thea's
house with my ex, Sarah.

Oh yeah?



That's Lucas' mom.

This is him, that's Lucas.

Beautiful, right?

You know, I keep
that in my pocket.

Everyday, everywhere I go with
this one year sobriety coin.

They told me if I
put it in my mouth

and it melts it's
okay to drink again.

Interesting concept.

It hasn't happened yet though.

Cute kid.

Must take after his mother, huh?

Wise guy.

It's been a long, hard
journey to get here, Ambrose.

Ethan!

Ethan!

Coming, Mom!

Cowboy stew again, huh?

When are you gonna make me
something good for dinner, Thea?

As soon as you stop blowing
your entire paycheck on booze.

What's that?

What'd you say?

Nothing.

Yeah, you did, Thea.

You said something,
what'd you say?

Say it again.

Say it again, I dare ya!

Say it again.

I can't work miracles.

We don't have money
for anything else other

than ground beef and potatoes.

Oh, that again, huh?

I wrote you a story, Daddy.

It's about me and
you going fishing.

You catch this gigantic.

Gigantic.

Every chance you get, you
disrespect me, cut me down.

And then you teach
me how to cast, Daddy.

You're never
satisfied with anything.

You're always complaining
about something, Thea.

Always complaining. You
know what I think it is,

you know what I think it is?

I've been thinking.

I think, maybe you get
some kind of sick enjoyment

outta doing this to me
all the time, right?

No.

No, no.

Oh that's right.

Perfect little Thea,
perfect little Thea.

Mom of the century.

Congratulations on that, Thea.

And then I catch
this big fish but.

Is that what happens!

Oh, baby him.

Baby him like you always do.

Encourage his stupid ideas.

His ideas are not stupid.

What?

Go wait outside.

Oh, that's right, run away.

Just run away with him.

Keep him soft.

Keep him soft, Thea!

You know, he's never gonna
do anything important.

He's never gonna amount to
anything because of you.

Because of you, just
remember that, Thea.

Go, go, go.

And while you're out
there, get me another beer.

Get it yourself.

It's the only
father I knew, though.

The only father I had.

A drunk and absent one.

The irony is even though
she did everything

she could to steer me
in the right direction,

I became more like my father.

Aw, come on!

You know, just once in
my lifetime I'd like

the birds to win
a bowl, just once!

Ain't gonna happen, John.

What do you mean it
ain't gonna happen?

We're cursed, bro.

Ethan, that's
why you should make

the switch to soccer, come on.

Didn't we agree that
you wouldn't talk soccer

during football season!

Soccer is a better game and
you know it in your heart.

Oh, I think I just
vomited in my mouth.

Hope, three shots for
me and my pals please.

No, I'm good.

Yeah, yeah.

Grab 'em, they'll
drink 'em, trust me.

Thank you, Hope.

Bring it in.

To the two best friends a
guy could ever wish for.

John, like the
brother I never had.

Dimitri, the father
I never knew.

Down the hatch, gents.

Bring it on.

35, 41.

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Go, go, go!

E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles!

I mean in the
beginning it was just me

and John and Dimitri
and a few other friends

getting together,
having a few drinks.

But as time went by,
I would watch them.

They had this switch inside
their heads, you know.

They could just
turn off and go back

to their responsibilities.

But me, I've never
had that switch.

You know, Ethan you and
I have been good friends

for quite a few years now.

I've always liked you.

But John, John not so much.

But you I've always
considered a close friend.

But lately, lately you've
been too hard on yourself.

A man can't put that kind
of weight on his shoulders.

It really starts
to crush his soul.

You understand what
I'm talking about?

I guess all I'm
trying to say is,

I can't drink with you anymore.

Okay?

So I could help you.

I could help you get help.

Because you really mean
a lot to me, my man.

Are you listening to me?

Huh?

That's the last time
Dimitri had a drink with me.

Couldn't stand to see
me do that to myself.

Ethan are you okay?

Whoa, whoa.

I'm fine.

Dan.

I'm fine.

Flags.

I'm fine, bro.

I'll call you, John.

Ethan, maybe you should wait.

No, no, no.

It's, he's going out
to call his son again.

It's a new thing he does
now when he's hammered.

He's been really a self
defecating man as of lately.

Oh, he's only making it worse.

Well, you can't stop him.

He's a grown man.

He can poop on his own
parade if he wants.

Sarah, Sarah?

Sarah, can I just talk to Lucas?

So I was only with
her a couple months

before she got pregnant.

Things were good, I got a job,

I was off the
hooch all together.

I was working, happy.

And then Lucas was born.

Best day of my life, ever.

And then we found out he
was severely autistic.

Instead of waiting around
for answers I just let

the liquor do the
talking, like always.

Ethan, you know the rules.

You can't talk to your
son unless you're sober.

And you're not sober.

It's one o'clock in
the afternoon, nice.

I'm sober, do you
hear me, I'm sober.

I'm talking fine, what
are you talking about?

You got the child
support I sent, right?

Are you kidding me right now?

You haven't made a payment
in over four months.

You know what they do to dead
beat dads in Philly, don't ya?

There's probably a warrant
out for you at this point.

Well, you called the cops?

You called the cops?

Are you kidding me right now?

Sarah, he's my son.

He's my son, Sarah!

Sarah, Sarah are you there?

Hang up the phone.

I'm sorry, mommy's sorry.

Honey, I'm sorry.

Help me, Lucas.

I don't know how to help you.

I ran away like a little boy.

What kind of man does that?

That's not a father.

But now I keep having
this vision, you know,

this dream that I'm
sitting with him.

Just he and I.

And we're talking.

He's talking to me, you know.

I wanna be there for his
first words, Ambrose.

Ethan, hey.

It's been a while.

What's it been like a week?

Have you been in jail?

No, wise guy I wasn't in jail.

I was cleaning up a little bit.

I'm trying to turn
over a new leaf.

I've got a gift for
my kid and a cake.

Check it out.

Top of the line.

Awesome.

Right.

Mm-hm, well I'm so proud of you.

I'm a little nervous.

Can I take a beer and a
whiskey, calm the nerves?

How about
just a beer to be safe?

How about a beer and a whiskey?

A whiskey for Jack.

Thank you, thank you Ethan.

To the kid.

To the kid.

Woo!

Round for the chicks, come on!

Ethan.

Ethan!

You have a phone call.

What?

You have a phone call.

Who's calling me here?

I don't know but
they don't sound too happy.

Um, hello?

You called your son and
personally promised him

you would be here today.

He didn't have a birthday cake.

Ethan, who does that to his son?

I'm done with you.

You're not allowed to
see him, or talk to him

until you're sober
for at least a year.

I hope you're happy
with yourself.

Ethan, where are you going?

Dan, I need you!

Ethan, you can't
drive in that shape.

You're gonna have to
give me your keys.

No, no, no, buddy.

No, no.

You know, I used to blame my dad

for who I've become.

But I had choices, man.

I mean, I coulda went
right instead of left.

Right instead of wrong, but I.

I just kept choosing wrong.

Hey, buddy.

What's going on?

Listen, Ethan.

I gotta tell ya something.

It's not gonna be easy
for me, I'm not gonna lie.

But I have a new roommate
coming in here next week.

Look, I could deal with
you not paying your rent

for three, going on four months.

I mean, 2,000 dollars
isn't worth the friendship.

But I can't, I can't sit
back and watch you drink

yourself to death and
god forbid something

should happen to you here alone.

And I didn't do
anything about it.

I wouldn't be able to live.

Look, Ethan.

If you would just
go into rehab today,

I could tell this guy
that the room is taken.

Please Ethan.

I'm not going to rehab.

You were supposed to
be my best friend.

Man.

That's tough love.

But that's the only way
to deal with an addict.

Sounds like he cares
about you a lot.

Ethan, yo, my boy.

Yo, Ethan!

Yo!

Where you been, my man?

I've been looking
all over for ya.

Hey.

You can't be missing so long.

I've been worried
sick about you.

Come on, your
mom's been calling.

She's real worried, brother.

You gotta give her a call.

Yeah, I'm just kind of doing
my thing out here, you know.

So.

Tell you what, why don't
you let me take you out

and get you something to eat.

You know, I'm mostly
on a liquid diet.

So, I'm trying to stay hydrated.

I see you haven't lost
your sense of humor.

And I figured
you'd say that much

so here's what I did, I
brought you some stuff.

I know you're hungry.

I got you some good Greek food.

I got gyros.

That's great, that's great.

Why don't you take
all that stuff back

and bring me a bottle of Ouzo

and you'd be helping me.

Ethan, you know I can't do that.

You know I can't do that.

Yo, yo, yo!

Where you going, come here.

Let me talk to you
for a second, will ya?

I never told you this before

but I had a son once.

He was born premature, okay.

I had him for a few days.

The thing is when
I met you and John

you were so full of life
and we had such a good time.

Playing pool,
watching ball games.

Ethan, I felt like
I had my son back.

So please, I'm begging you.

Let me help you.

That's tough about your kid.

That really sucks.

But I ain't him.

Life is short, Ethan!

Remember there's people
out there that love you.

But that's how it was.

I was an empty vessel.

No compassion, a heart
full of darkness.

Some will depart from the faith

by devoting themselves
to deceitful spirits

and teachings of demons.

Yeah, yes, man!

You're well versed in the word.

You know Ethan,
one day you're going

to be the best dad in the world

and I'm gonna be
one proud grandma.

I truly believe that.

You have to believe in God
and believe in yourself.

And he will always be
there to carry you.

Even when you think
you can't do something.

This guy will always be
there waiting for you.

Okay.

All right, let's
get you into bed.

There you are.

Now we've got you
all nice and warm

so you should fall
right to sleep.

Why was the heat
turned off again?

It's an adult problem, Ethan.

Let me worry about it.

I'll find a way to get it
turned back on, I promise.

But I also promise I will
not let you get cold.

I'm gonna come in here
every couple of hours

to check on you, okay?

Good.

Because I don't want you
to turn into an icicle.

Although, you'd be the
most handsome little icicle

I had ever met.

Thea?

Thea!

I love you.

I want you
downstairs waiting for me.

Not upstairs babying him!

Keep your voice down.

So, what was your
defining moment

before you went downhill?

Got close to that rock bottom.

I hit many bottoms
before I burned

and crashed into the rocks.

Thea!

Get down here!

Stop.

When I get home,
I want you downstairs

waiting for me, not
upstairs babying him.

Keep your voice
down, he'll hear you.

Keep my voice down?

Don't tell me to
keep my voice down!

This is my house, I'll
talk as loud as I want!

All right.

And I want dinner on the table

when I walk in that door.

There's nothing on the
table now, nothing!

It was on the
table, two hours ago

when you were
supposed to be home.

- What did you say?
- - Nothing.

What did you just say to me?

Nothing.

- I'll heat it up.
- - No you won't!

Clean that slop off the floor

and you're gonna
make me a sandwich!

Dad?

Dad?

Dad?

Come back, Dad.

Dad stop!

Stop.

Why did you do that to my mom?

Get away from him.

He's my father.

No he's not, he's my father.

Are you okay, Dad?

Get away!

I was trying to.

For the first time it
made sense to me, man,

what I was supposed to do.

I need you, John.

Can you help me, man?

Can you help me, brother?

So my mother, she
got the ball rolling.

She got me in touch
with the minster

at my church, Father Michael.

That's how I found out
about Bethesda Mission.

I like where this is going.

"But as for me, I
will look to the Lord.

"I will wait for the
God of my salvation."

"My God will hear me."

Micah 7:7, nice.

Wow, I'm impressed
you know that.

Yeah, well what happened
next is the reason I know that.

It saved my life.

Hello, Ethan.

So this is it, huh Father?

You're taking me to
the Bethesda Mission.

Bethesda, healing water.

This is only the
beginning, Ethan.

Open your heart to the Lord

and he will hear you.

I promise you that.

In a homeless shelter, Father?

It is more than that.

The process of your
recovery is within.

Let the healing begin, Ethan.

Thank you, Father.

I read your entire intake file.

And I met with Father
Michael and your mother.

You're very lucky to
have them in your life.

You got a fresh cut and we're
already taking care of ya.

So let's just get to it, Ethan.

Why don't you tell
me why you're here?

I'm a drunk.

And now I'm homeless, so.

I guess this is my
last chance, huh?

Well, you're right on the
drunk and homeless part.

But this isn't your last chance.

In fact, it's a new beginning.

The answers to every
important question you have

are in that book.

Ethan, everyone here wants
the same thing, redemption.

And we all have our own demons.

But the most important
thing for you to remember

is the relationship you
build with Jesus Christ here

will determine whether
you are ever able

to walk out those
doors the right way

and have a life with your boy.

Your room's down
in the basement.

Hello?

Hold on a second.

Welcome to Bethesda Mission.

Hey, sorry.

Yeah, here we go fellas.

Hey, we got some fresh
meat coming, all right.

Wow, man.

Come on over here
and get your indoctrination.

You ain't
sleeping down here, dude.

- You can sleep, he's our boy.
- Alonzo.

Alonzo, Lonzo, Lonzo, Lonzo,

Lonzo, Lonzo,
Lonzo, Lonzo, Lonzo!

Welcome to the
Mission, my brother.

Let me show you to your rack.

Thanks.

I'm so sorry.

Bud, I'm so sorry, buddy.

Daddy's trying.

Why don't you give
me another life lesson?

Don't play cards with me.

Yeah, well this one's mine.

Oh no, whoa, okay.

What kind of
ice cream do you guys like?

The shaking doesn't last.

You'll be better tomorrow.

What's the
matter, man? You feeling froggy?

Oh, no, no, no.

Two, Michael's are even.

Oh my God.

What's happening?

Ken, I need you to call my mom.

Ethan, no, no, no.

- I need you.
- I can't call your mom.

I am cold, bro.

I don't know what's
happening to me.

You're going through
something that happens.

And it's okay, it's not real.

It's gonna be gone.

- No, no, I'm cold.
- You gotta fight through it.

You gotta fight through this.

Call my mom, she's gonna
come and get me, bro.

I swear to God she's
gotta come here.

No she's not, she's
not coming to rescue you.

No, no, she is,
she's gotta come!

You've gotta do this yourself.

You've gotta do this yourself.

Get away from me!

I don't wanna be here!

We're here for you.

We're here for you!

So I was in that
place for nine months.

Meetings everyday,
prayer, meditation.

Discipline, you know?

Everyone starts cleaning here.

You gotta be kidding me.

Nope.

I ain't cleaning that thing.

Well, that's up to you.

But if you ever wanna
see your child again

I think you will.

What's this for?

It's for the, the crevasses.

You gotta get in there.

Yeah, thanks.

I'll be back to inspect.

Ugh.

I had never cleaned a
toilet in my life, mind you.

You know why?

Why?

I thought I was too good for it.

But while I was doing it,
cleaning this nasty toilet,

I had an epiphany, you know.

I realized for the first
time I was no better

than anyone of those people.

I was just another guy.

Garden variety alcoholic trying

to get another day of sobriety.

There was many people in there

that were just as sick as me.

No, yeah, I'm going to China.

There it is.

So this is how
it works, I think.

Basically, let's do it.

Let's do it for real.

You roll the dice and
then you pick a card up,

you roll the dice and then.

Hand it out when you're done.

Keep the door open.

It's dirty, Ted.

Come on.

Zero tolerance, guys.

Hey Ken, I need
to see my kid, man.

You're not ready.

I am ready, in fact
it's all I think about.

I need to see my kid!

I need to call him, at least!

Which is why you're not ready!

You think you have the
reward of seeing Lucas

without thinking about
the work you need

to do on you to make it happen!

You want the reward without
putting in the work.

You want the easy
road, just like always.

It's your fatal flaw.

Put in the work
and with God's help

and through his grace, you
will see your son again.

I promise.

All right.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, all right.

Thea, he left.

He was doing so well.

Do have any idea
where he might be?

Really?

You're gonna throw all
that work down the drain?

About to lose yourself
in that bottle, again.

You know, this isn't
just about you, Ethan.

Your son needs you and
you're about to blow it, man.

I guarantee you,
you take one drink

from that bottle and your
misery will be refunded

to you 100%.

Trust me, I know.

And you'll lose your kid.

You will never see
him again, ever.

But you know, if
that's what you want

big man, have at it!

But if you ever wanna
do the right thing,

you know where I'll be.

Yo, wait up!

Hold up.

Hey Mike.

You're not doing it right, pal.

You gotta get under
the lip first.

You can do it.

I'll be back to inspect.

It wasn't a revolution, bro.

No, but you didn't have to.

This being my last
day with you men and women

I wanna part with these words.

You're never, ever gonna
be happy and find peace

until you turn your
will and your life over

to the care of God.

Rely on God and have faith
that you can do this.

I was so lost when I got here.

And I was told that
he could handle it.

So I did, I turned it
over and here I am.

And if he was able to handle me,

trust me he could
handle anyone of you.

I tried to do it on my
own and in my own way

so many times I've lost count.

And I failed every single time.

Be truthful, ask
God for guidance,

and always remember, be patient.

God has three ways of answering.

Yes, no, and wait.

I heard when I first got here

that whenever there's
two people seeking God

that he's usually there.

And although we can't see him

and some of you new
people can't feel him,

I want you to know
that he's here,

right before your eyes.

And I'm living proof of that.

So before I part I
wanna call you fine men

and women up here to
lay your hands upon me

as we close with the
Serenity Prayer followed

by the Lord's Prayer.

God, grant me the serenity

to accept the things
I cannot change,

the courage to change
the things I can,

and the wisdom to
know the difference.

I tell you what, it's
pretty painful, Ambrose.

To see your kid growing
up through pictures.

But you turned it all around.

You faced your demons,
stood up to them,

became a better man.

That's something you
should be proud of, Ethan.

Yeah, but I just
hope I could help him.

I mean, I hope I can
sit across from him

and hear him speak.

I mean, wouldn't
that be something?

With God's touch
anything is possible.

All the Father has to
do is take his hand

and put it on your boy's lips.

Man, I wish it were that easy.

Unfortunately, nothing is.

Prayer is a
powerful thing, Ethan.

It really does work,
if you believe.

What do you pray on the most?

If you don't mind me asking.

Well, lately I've been
having a recurring dream

that kind of includes a prayer.

It's me in a park
with me as a child.

And Lucas is there.

And all three of us are playing.

And I hold them
both up close to me

and I whisper in their ear.

What do you whisper to them?

I love you.

God loves you, forgive.

Why do you
think you pray on that?

It brings me hope.

Dinner's ready!

Pork?

Oh, Oodles of Noodles again.

You love Oodles of Noodles.

Yeah, but not every night.

Eat it.

Aren't you gonna eat?

I'm not hungry, honey.

Mom?

Yes.

How come Dad never gets
home until after I'm asleep?

He works long hours.

Some of the kids at school
say he's the town drunk.

Who said that?

Some kids.

Is he?

Your father uses
alcohol for relaxation.

Some men build models, your
father has a few drinks.

Is that why we
don't have any money

and you can't eat?

Stop it.

A boy your age shouldn't have
to think about such things.

Does he still love us?

Of course he does.

He doesn't even talk to me.

Why?

Now look, I'm gonna
tell you something

and I want you to
listen to me good, okay?

I love you with all of my heart.

And I will always
take care of you.

And I'm going to make sure that
there's clothes on your back

and food in your belly.

And I'm going to
make sure that you

have everything that you need
to be a good man, I promise.

And I will always love
you and you will always

be my little man,
you understand me?

It still hurts?

Yeah.

Yeah, I still haven't
made peace with my dad.

We haven't spoken in
years and I'm not sure

I even want to, you know?

I heard through the
grapevine he's been trying

to contact Lucas and me.

He wants to make peace.

I don't know, I'm
just not feeling it.

Well.

I hope things work out
with you and your dad.

You don't wanna regret
not making peace with him.

I mean, if the man wants
to make peace, make peace.

We all deserve a second
chance, right Ethan?

I just keep thinking,

what if he doesn't forgive me?

Ethan, you made this
decision yourself.

You've come a long
way to get clean.

You decided to fly
right for your kid.

You should be proud of that.

Come on, let's go.

All right, after you.

This is a big day for you, huh?

Yeah, I'm still nervous.

Hey listen.

I got something for ya.

Oh, Dimitri.

For you.

No, man I can't take that.

Yeah, look, look.

Put it back in
your pocket, Dimitri.

Come on.

Come on, my father gave
this to me in Greece

when I was a kid.

Yeah, I know.

Just before we
came to America.

It brought me good
luck on my journey

and in my life and I'd
like to pass it on to you

for luck on your journey.

Okay?

It's from my heart.

It's a Greek tradition,
you gotta take it.

You gotta accept it.

I guess I have no choice, huh?

That's right.

Enjoy, man.

You're a gem.

Thank you.

A Cristo.

What'd you say?

A Cristo.

Very good, my man, very good.

I told you if you
listened to me.

I love you.

Your Greek
is getting much better.

That thug, man.

This guy's causing
enough trouble over here.

Excuse me a minute, guys.

It won't be long, I promise.

Are you sure you wanna
mess around with that guy?

Yeah, let me, I can handle him.

Dimitri, be careful, bud.

Hey yeah.

How many times have
I gotta tell ya, huh?

Come on, I'm trying to
run a business here.

You're playing music like
it's a DJ op or something.

Yeah, but this is my
business you're disturbing.

You want me to
call the cops, huh?

Is that what you want, huh?

You see this?

Oh, okay.

John, we gotta go.

Yeah, sure.

You're a piece of dirt.

I'll knock your teeth
down your throat.

Just get outta my place.

Get outta my sight.

I'm not gonna put
up with it anymore.

Unbelievable.

These guys.

Mother Mary, that
was kind of loco.

Are you all right?

Yeah, this kind of stuff
happens all the time.

Take it easy.

Look, I'm sorry you
had to see this, man.

You know, what are you gonna do?

Listen.

I'm gonna miss you my friend.

I gotta go, guys.

- Hey, I'll walk with ya.
- Okay, all right.

Stay away from that guy.

Yeah, be careful.

York Haven, Pennsylvania,

ladies and gentlemen, last stop.

Well, I guess this is my stop.

It was nice hearing
your story, Ethan.

You're gonna be a great dad.

Thanks.

You know what I can't.

I can't do it, I can't.

I'm not ready for this, man.

You gotta get off
here, my friend.

No, no I'm not ready.

He's not gonna accept me

the way that I am now and
I'll just book another trip.

Look, boy!

I did not sit here for the
last hour and a half listening

to your story for you
not to get off this train

and to go see your son.

You know why you're gonna
go see your boy today?

Your gonna go see him for all

those men at the home who
never got the chance to.

You're gonna do it for
all of those toilets

of humility you had to scrub

to take down that ego of yours.

You're gonna do it for John,

and Dimitri, and your mother

because they believed in you.

You're gonna do it
to break the cycle

because your father couldn't.

Because you are a
strong man, Ethan.

And most of all
you're gonna do it

because your son needs you.

A son needs his father.

But you know that
better than most men.

He needs you to
be there for him.

To care for him.

To protect him.

Because that's
what a parent does.

You're right.

Thank you.

You do all the thanking I
need by taking care of your boy.

Now get your narrow
butt off this train.

I'm gonna go see my kid.

Fall has a lot of symbolism.

Something I think about
when I look around

is how much things
change in fall.

Life giving foliage makes way

to a colorful
orchestra of leaves

that eventually wither away
and slowly descend upon

the cold, hard earth.

A gray marble sky
constantly lingers overhead

accompanied by
dreary weather trying

to suffocate all
that it touches.

That sounds a bit
pessimistic, though, right?

I guess it all depends
on how you look at it.

One can, for instance,
notice all the brilliance

of the colors of fall and see

that this season does
have a life of its own.

Unfortunately though, only
when our immortality complex

wears off do we
actually understand

that tomorrow is no guarantee.

The weather can do what it wants

because the optimism
of having a son

breathes new life into me.

He is life.

He is the spring and
summer after a long, cold,

unforgiving fall and winter.

But it's amazing how
a little boy can teach

a grown man his most
important lesson in life

without uttering a single word.

How to forgive.

I remember these tracks well.

They lead back to
my mom's house.

I walked them 1,000
times when I was a boy.

Now I'm walking
them to see my son.

I hope I can do this.

Please God, give me the strength

to walk these tracks
to my new life.

To be a loving, strong,
and kind father.

How long has it been
since you've heard from him?

About an hour and a half.

He said he'd call as
soon as he got to town.

Train takes about 90 minutes.

Well, if I know my son,
which I think sometimes I do.

He'll be good here
good and late.

Lucas!

Do you remember me, bud?

I'm your dad.

You remember me?

Come here.

Lucas!

Lucas is gone,
check the front.

Lucas!

No!

I was calling for ya,
you didn't see me?

Yeah, I'm your dad.

Lucas!

How many times have I told you
not to play near the street?

Promise me you will
never do that again.

Is he okay?

Get inside, get inside.

Mom, I had him.

Guys, it's cool, I'm here.

Guys why aren't you
listening to me?

Bud.

I love you, bud.

Cute kid, indeed.

What are you doing here?

This part is always
hard for me to say.

- What are you talking about?
- Why can't they hear me?

The living can't
hear you, Ethan.

You're passing on.

No, no, no.

You're crazy.

See for yourself.

Wait, but I was on the train
about an hour and a half ago.

Time is irrelevant
at this point.

You are not physically
here, Ethan.

I gotta go, guys.

Hey, I'll walk with ya.

All right, stay
away from that guy.

Yeah, be careful.

You are
physically still at the deli.

I traveled all this
way, though man, I'm here.

Look at me, I'm
standing right here.

Only your spirit is here, Ethan.

Here, at the end
of your journey.

Your mission was to
protect your son from harm.

And you did just that.

I did.

You're right, I did, and
I don't want that to end.

I wanna be here.

I wanna be his father.

I wanna stay right here.

Can't that change?

Look man, I spent
my whole life trying

to get a purpose and
trying to be a dad.

I finally get it
and you're trying

to take it away from me, man.

You're right, Ethan.

You learned what
your purpose is.

What your whole reason for
being on this earth was.

And because you
have worked so hard

at being a good
father to your son,

I'm going to reward
you through the Father

through whom all
things are possible.

Ethan.

The father is going
to let you talk

to your boy one last time.

He's gonna talk to me?

Hey, Lucas.

Hi bud.

Look.

I got a picture of you.

I carry this with
me wherever I go.

Because I love you.

And.

And I just wanna
know what it is,

what can I do for you Lucas?

All the father has to do

is take his hand and put
it on your boy's lips.

Lucas.

Speak.

I forgive you, daddy.

I love you, daddy.

I don't want you to leave.

Oh buddy, I
don't wanna leave, either.

I love you so much, kid.

But I gotta go.

I'm always gonna be
right inside here, okay.

And I'm always gonna watch
over you and your mom.

I gotta go, bud.

Lucas?

Did you say something, baby?

I was talking to Daddy.

He's my angel, Mommy.

Baby, you're talking.

He said he'd always be with me.

Our Father, who art in heaven.

Hallowed by thy name.

Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

and forgive us our trespasses.

As we forgive those who
trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the
kingdom, the power,

and the glory for
ever, and ever.

Amen.

Oh thank you, God.

We all deserve a
second chance, right Ethan?

Happy birthday!

Buddy.

Oh my goodness.

Oh my god, buddy.

Oh Lucas.

Sarah, thank you
so much for this.

- Happy birthday.
- Thank you.

How do you feel?

I'm all right, I'll live.

Thank you.

Big guy.

Hey.

Oh, I couldn't have
done it without ya.

You did it yourself.

I would just
throw 'em away, like that.

Oh my.

Don't ever
follow my lead, buddy.

I made this picture
for you, Daddy.

You did?

Do you like it?

Do I like it?

Buddy, I love it.

I'll get it.

It's the best gift I ever got.

Thank you so much.

Ethan.

There's someone here to see you.

Dad?

Dad!

Happy birthday, son.

Come here.

Welcome.

Thank you.

Thank you.

What do I like about the stars?

That's a tough question.

How beautiful do stars look?

They look like
pinpoints of light.

Because they sparkle.

Christian was
diagnosed with autism

at an early age, probably
around age three.

He was very closed
off in the beginning.

Didn't want anyone to
touch him, the usual.

You know, a lot of
traits with autistic kids

is they don't want to be,
you know, stay away from me,

separated all his food,
did the whole thing.

Stacked up things neatly.

It seems like as the
years go on though,

he kind of out grows that

and one of the main
ways he did that

was getting into astronomy.

I was having dreams that I'd
never hear him talk, you know.

And he did, now he
can't shut up, you know.