Turn of the Cheek (2020) - full transcript

Come on everybody.

Come on everybody.

- How much is that?

- It's $250.

Had to spend $50 on food.

- What's that supposed to do?

That's not enough to
catch us up on the rent.

We owe $1,200.

We're three months behind,

the old dude said

if we don't have the
money by 5:00 PM tomorrow



he's having the cops come
over here and put us out.

- Look Lee, you think
I don't know that?

There ain't no food
in that fridge.

You gone let my sin starve?

Look at him!

- Look at him?

Look at me Cain.

I didn't sign up for this.

When I got with you,
you was balling.

Now look at you, done
fell all the way off.

Got me up in here
taking care of your kid,

in this filthy house.

- Look Lia, I'm
doing the best I can!

You know the hook
looking after us, right?



Right.

So you want me to go out and
start robbing people, huh?

- I want you to be a man

and do what you gotta
do to handle yours.

I got somewhere to go.

I can't keep living like this.

What you gon' do if
five o'clock come around

and you don't got the
money for the rent?

What then?

That's what I thought.

- Daddy, I'm not hungry.

You can take the food
back to have more money.

- Listen to me son, don't
worry about none of that, okay?

I just want you to grab
yourself some food, all right?

- Thank you so much for coming,

I really appreciate it.

Thank you so much for
coming, I appreciate it.

- Pastor, I really enjoyed
that message today.

I needed that.

- Thank you, sister Green.

It's always good to know

not everyone was
sleeping while I

was teaching.

- I'm sorry, pastor,
I guess I stayed up

a little later than I
should have last night

trying to get everything
ready for this afternoon.

- No need for apologies man.

Just make sure you
set me aside some of

them world-famous ribs that
I've been hearing about.

- Yes sir, you got it.

Yup.

Hey sweetheart, I'ma go pull
the car up for you, okay?

- No, it's okay sweetie,
I'm right behind you.

- You sure?

- Pastor, we'll see
you around 4:30, right?

We wanted you to bless the food.

- Yes, yes, I'll
be there Lord will.

- Absolutely.

- Thank you so much again.

Thank you, sir.

- Great service.

- Thank you, I appreciate it.
- God bless.

- Hey Daniel.

- Pastor McGee.

- How are you doing, man?

- Very well.

- So I hear that
you're gonna Howard.

- Yeah, can't wait.

Leave in two weeks.

- You gotta be good son.

Listen, I just want
to let you know

that we're all
very proud of you.

You know, I watched you
grow from a young boy

to now a promising young man.

- Yeah.

- I'm excited to see what
God's gonna to do for you

and your life.

- Thank you, sir.

- Hello pastor.

- Hey.

- Really good service today.

- Thank you so much, I
really appreciate that.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

- Bless you.

- Thank you so much.

- You touched my heart today.

- Thank you so much.

Thank you.

All right man, don't
ever forget Him.

- Oh, never.

- All right, take care.

- All right, see you later.

Them ribs waiting on you now.

- All right.

- Did Tammy get those ribs?

Lauretta.

Aren't you finished
with that slideshow yet?

- Look Debbie, I'm
going as fast as I can.

- Well dear sister, if you

didn't wait till the last
minute to do everything

then maybe...

- Then maybe you should
come over here and do it.

- All right now.

After all the work I did
for Devon's open house,

oh, we will have peace today.

- Hey ma.

- I swear, I don't know what
to do with you sometimes.

- Ma, now I can hear you
fussing all the way outside.

- Don't you start
with me Daniel.

People will start arriving
here in about an hour

and nothing's ready.

- Everything is fine ma.

- No, it's not.

The balloons still
needs to be placed

and the food set out
and then I need...

Oh my God, I forgot the ice?

Out of all the things in the
world I could have forgotten,

how did I forget the ice?

Now the drinks
are gonna be warm.

Where are my keys?

- Mom, stop.

- Daniel, stop it.

I got to go to the store
and grab some ice before...

- I'll run to the store
and grab some ice.

Calm down.

Jesus.

- I swear, I don't know what
I'm gonna do when you leave.

- Oh, here we go.

- Stop it.

Don't do make fun of me.

This was hard.

You will see when you
have kids of your own.

- Kids?

- Well, one day.

Don't you make me a
grandma no time soon,

did you hear me?

- Yeah.

- Crying again?

- Yep.

- Oh boy.

- I know y'all better
leave me alone.

Anyway, go ahead and go to
the store and grab that ice

so you can get back.

You know you're
the guest of honor.

So you need to be here to
greet people as they come in.

- Yes.

You need anything else, ma?

- Oh yeah.

Here, grab some more waters too.

- All right, I'll be right back.

Awesome.

I love you ma, love you.

- I love you too baby.

- I'll be back.

- All right.

- Your boy's all grown up huh?

- Yeah.

I think I want another one.

- What?

Baby, you serious?

Baby, no, don't play.

He about to go off
to college now.

Hey.

- Well, congratulations
young man.

- Thank you ma'am.

- I love to see young
people doing great things.

You know graduation is
quite an accomplishment

these days.

- Yes it is, I'm blessed.

- Yes, and so
handsome and polite.

Your parents must be
very proud of you.

- Yes they are.

Thank you, you have
a blessed day ma'am.

- You too.

- Gary, my man.

- Daniel my friend.

Congratulations.

How's it feel to be done with
this chapter in your life?

- Oh man, it feels good.

- gonna Howard, right?

- Yeah, can't wait.

- Girls, right?

- No man, I'm not gonna college

just to pick up girls.

- Come on man, I'm just
saying it's a perk of course.

I'm just saying.

I see you've got those cougars
coming for you already.

- How much I owe you?

- Look man, I didn't
get you anything

for your graduation and
I wanted you to celebrate

so why don't you go
ahead and keep it,

this one's on the house.

- Oh man, I appreciate that.

Now when I become a lawyer,

your first consultation's on me.

- And I will remember that.

Don't forget, I got
the cameras up here.

- All right, I appreciate it.

See you later Gary.

- See you.

Have a good one bro.

- How you doing?

- Hi, how are you doing?

- I'm good, how are you today?

- Good.

Is that a free?

- That's it.

- All right, it's just a dollar.

- Okay.

- Thank you.

- How's business going for you?

- Oh, it's going.

Same old, same old you
know, nothing's changed.

- All right, you
have a good day.

You too, you have a great day.

Thank you so much.

My man, you know
they say the mind

is the first one to go
when you get older, right?

- I believe it.

If I would've went home
without this water,

my mom would've had a fit.

- Moms?

Don't talk to me about moMs

My mom should make
Attila the hun wanna cry,

believe me bro.

It's tell you.

- Call the police!

- Daniel, Daniel, wait, wait.

- Give me your
keys, me your purse.

Give me your keys.

- Oh please.

- I won't kill you.
- Hey!

- Please don't hurt me.

- Hey!

Hey!

Daniel.

- Oh God.

- Oh my God.

Daniel, you okay?

Oh my God, stay with me bro.

Come on.

Stay with me bro.

Call an ambulance.

- He took my phone.
- Call an ambulance now.

Use the one in the store, go!

Oh God, come on man.

Don't die on me Dan,
stay with me bro.

Don't die on me Danny.

Come on, man.

Come on.

Stay with me, bro.

Stay with me.

Stay with me.

Danny!

Dan!

Daniel!

- Oh Jesus man.

Pastor will be over here soon.

Babe.

- I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

- Honey, Daniel didn't
clean the grill,

I told him.

- Just clean it babe.

- But I told him
before we left church.

You're gonna continue to,

you gon' take up that boy
and put his whole life.

He gon' have to do something.

Jesus.

- Excuse me, could you point us

in the direction of
Mr and Mrs. Green.

- Yes sir, how can I help you?

- Mr Green, is it possible
that you could step aside

and talk to you and
your wife privately.

- Sure, you can
follow me inside.

- Thank you.

- Debbie, hey.

These guys need to talk to us.

Yeah, I mean I don't know.

- Detectives?

- That's what he said
baby, I don't know.

- What's wrong?

Where's Daniel?

- Mr and Mrs Green,
I'm detective Ferguson,

this is my partner
detective Dawson.

I'm sorry to tell
you that there was

an attempted robbery up the
street at the party store.

Daniel Green is your son?

Seems that he attempted to stop

the robber who was
trying to rob a woman.

- No.
- Baby.

What's he saying baby.

- Seems to be a scuffle
ensued and a gun went off

and he was shot in the stomach.

I'm sorry, he didn't make it.

- what are you...

- What are you saying man,
what are you saying man.

- Hey, what's wrong?

- We need to put
everything in this bag,

we gotta go.

Where's Jacob at?

- He's sleep.

What do you mean get packed?

What did you do?

- Come on son, we gotta go.

- Cain, what's going on?

- Look Lia, I think
I killed somebody.

The cops could be
here any second.

I don't know how
many people seen me.

- What?

- Look, I ain't got
time to explain nothing

to you.

Do what I tell you,
get in the car.

- Who did you kill?

How could you be so stupid.

- Look Lia,

you said we needed money, right?

So that's what I did.

You wanted me to handle my
stuff like a man, right?

And now we gotta go.

Stop talking and
do what I tell you!

- You know what?

I'll get my stuff.

- Yeah.

- But you're crazy if you
think I'ma be on the run

with you and your kid!

- Get out of here then!

- I'm out!

- Get down!

- Be still.

- It was a beautiful service.

What now?

- Oh Daniel.

Oh Daniel.

I just don't know.

Oh I just don't know.

What do you do when
you've just the body

of your only child.

Oh Daniel it's just not fair.

Oh God, it's just not right.

Oh Daniel.

- Next up on the docket,

it's the people
versus Cain Vasquez

in the case of Daniel Green.

Mr. Vasquez, you had
been found guilty

of murder in the second degree,

a second charge of armed robbery

and today you will be sentenced.

Now the family has
waived their right

to speak at these proceedings

therefore we will move
right into your sentence.

Looking at your record,

I see that you've been in
and out of jail for drugs,

gang activity and
weapons charges.

I for one would like to say
that it is a very sad day

when such a fine young man
with such a bright future

is sacrificed at the
hands of the likes of you.

Someone who has nothing of
value to offer a society.

Do you have anything
to say for yourself,

Mr. Vasquez?

- What's gon' happen to my son?

- Now you're worried
about your son?

Why weren't you worried about
what would happen to your son

before you decided to go out
and rob and then kill someone.

Talk about priorities.

What will happen to your
son is none of your concern,

Mr. Vasquez.

That is now at the
pleasure of the state.

I just hope and pray

they will be able
to find them a home

with someone who can
counteract all the damage

that you've done.

Now, on the first count of
murder in the second degree,

this court hereby sentences
you to 40 years of imprisonment

in a Michigan state
correctional facility.

On the second count
of armed robbery,

this court hereby
sentences you to 15 years

in a Michigan state
correctional facility.

Both of these sentences are
to be served consecutively

and will begin immediately.

Mr and Mrs. Green, I truly
wish there was more I could do.

I'm sorry.

This court's adjourned.

Bailiff, get this
prisoner out of my sight.

- Jacob, listen to me Jacob.

Listen to me, come here.

Come here.

Stop crying.

What'd I tell you about that?

You're a man.

Real men do what they gotta do,

they don't cry about it.

Tears don't change nothing.

They're never gonna
change anything.

You remember that.

Daddy has to go
away for a while.

There's nothing that
neither one of us

could do about it

so I need you to stop crying.

You hear me?

So I need you to start lying

how you gon' live your
life outside of this.

Daddy can't help you now.

You're a man.

- But I love you, daddy.

- I love you too.

Now let me do what I gotta do.

- I think this belongs to you.

- It's not mine.

The lady gave it
to me to play with

but I don't feel like
playing right now.

- Well, I'll just sit it
right here next to you

so that if you change your
mind, you know where it is.

- Thank you, Ms Lady.

My daddy said I'm
not supposed to cry

but he's going away and
I can't stop my eyes

from crying.

- Excuse me, excuse me.

- Oh baby, excuse me, excuse me.

- Come on sweetheart.

It's time to go.

- I don't think I've
ever felt hatred

the way I felt it today
when I saw that man.

- I wanted to kill him.

Lord forgive me,
but I wanted to.

- I know.

I can't stop thinking
about that little boy.

I mean, it's not his fault
his father is a criminal.

And now he has to
go into a system

that'll probably take
away all of his innocence.

- Yeah.

Well, we better get some rest.

You have a long day
ahead of you tomorrow.

- Goodnight honey, I love you.

- Love you too.

- Come in Deborah.

- Hello, pastor.

- Hey, how are you doing?

Have a sit.

- Thank you for seeing
me on such short notice.

- There's no need for that,

that's what I'm here for.

How are you and Thomas doing?

It's been a few months and
we're gonna miss you guys.

- We're doing.

- Well, just to let you know,

if you guys are
ready to come back,

we'll be waiting
here with open arMs

- Thank you pastor.

The reason for my
visit today is I wanted

to get your opinion
on something.

- Of course, anything I
could do to help, I'm here.

- Well, ever since the
sentencing for Daniel's killer,

I've been having some
very conflicting feelings.

- What kind of feelings.

- On one hand, extreme anger

and hatred towards Cain Vasquez.

All I can think about is
how I want him to suffer.

And on the other hand,
I can't stop thinking

about his little boy.

- I see.

- I know I should have
just kept this to myself,

I'm sorry to have bothered you.

- No, Deborah, Deborah, no.

Please have a seat.

Please.

Listen.

Deborah, you just experienced
the loss of your only son.

So the hatred you feel
towards his killer

is only natural.

It's not what God
wants, but it's natural.

So what we have to do is help
you find a way to get past

the hatred so we
can find forgiveness

for the one that wronged you.

- I'm not sure I can do that.

- No, you can't.

In your own strength,

you can't find it in your
heart to forgive something

of that magnitude.

With our Lord and
savior Jesus Christ,

all things are possible.

- I know pastor,

but I have to get past
being angry with God

before I can move on
to forgiving the man

he allowed to kill my son.

- I do appreciate your honesty.

So with that, I motion
we come back to that.

But you mentioned this boy.

Tell me about it.

- I can't stop
thinking about him.

For the past few weeks,

every time I think about
him going into the system,

my heart aches.

It's like I feel like
I got to do something.

- Did you talk to
Thomas about this?

- No.

- Did you pray about it?

- No.

- Those are two
things right there

that I would have at the
top of my to-do list.

Deborah listen, I know
that you're still in pain

but if you put your
trust in the Lord,

He will do things far
beyond what you can imagine.

- Thank you pastor for taking
out the time to speak with me.

- Of course.

May we pray before you leave?

- I don't think I'm ready yet.

Maybe next time.

- Okay, but Deborah,

just know that I'll be
praying for you, okay?

And yes, He allowed your only
son to be taken from you,

but understand that he
gave his only son for you.

- What you're doing here Lia?

- I wanted to come a while
ago, but I was scared.

I feel so bad about how
everything turned out.

And I wanted to say, I'm sorry.

I know that doesn't
change anything.

- What's done is done.

It is what it is.

You said, you're sorry.

I don't want to see
you back up here.

- Cain, why you
gotta be like that?

- Be like what?

You let my son get put
in the system, right?

After everything I did for you,

you couldn't even take
care of my son, man?

- What?

Take care of a kid?

I barely have a place
to lay my head Cain,

how I'm supposed to
take care of a kid?

- Yeah, you're right.

There ain't nothing
else to talk about then.

- Please don't be
like that Cain.

I know you don't
have anybody else.

Let me do something for you.

Let me put some
money on your books.

- Yeah?

You wanna do something for me?

Find out where my son is.

Other than that I
want nothing from you.

Guards, take me back to my cell.

- Hey, how was your visit?

- What you in my business for?

- Bro, no disrespect.

Just trying to
make conversation.

- Hey every time I pass
by this cell you got

your nose buried
in that book, man.

You know it ain't nothing but
some white man's BS anyway.

- Really?

- Yeah, really.

- How you know?

You ever read it?

- No, and I don't need to.

I'm too busy living real life.

- Oh really, it's too bad bro.

You don't know what
you're missing.

- Whatever.

- I dig, you ever want
to know more about it,

you're more than welcome.

I'm right here.

- Yeah?

Whatever man.

- Detective Ferguson,
detective Ferguson?

- Hey.

- Hi.

I stopped by because I
wanted to talk to you

about a private matter.

Do you have a moment?

- Yeah, come on, sure.

Come on into my office.

So what can I do for you?

- I wanted to see if you
could help me find someone.

- I can drop, is
it someone missing?

- No, I'd like to find a
little boy from the trial.

The son of Cain Vasquez.

- I'm a little lost.

Why would you wanna do that?

- Well, seeing him in his
reaction to losing his dad,

I mean he was so little

and I just felt
really bad for him.

I'd like to meet him if I could.

I don't know, something about
him really touched my heart.

I can't explain it, but
I'd like to do something.

- Like what, Mrs Green?

- I don't know.

- Are you sure
that's a good idea?

I mean, does your
husband know you're here?

- No, he doesn't.

So will you help me?

- Is everything all right babe?

- What?

Yeah, yeah.

Well, there was something I
wanted to talk to you about.

- What's wrong?

- I went to see
detective Ferguson today.

- About what?

- I wanted to find
out about the boy.

- Boy?

What boy?

- From the trial?

Vasquez's son.

- Why would you
wanna go and do that?

- I don't know.

Ever since we saw
him in the hallway,

I can't stop thinking about him.

I mean, it just hurts my heart

that the innocent
little boy is gonna

have to go into the system over

something he had
no control over.

- That's not our
problem, Debbie.

You need to let it go.

- I know...

- I said let go!

Look,.

- Ma'am, I just wanna
see my caseworker

so I can set up my
next appointment.

- Could you mail me?

Look, I've told you a
million times already

that you need to fill
out a request form

in order to see
your case worker.

- And I've already been
here a million times before

and you never made me do that.

- Well today is a brand
new day, baby girl.

If you'd like to see
your case worker,

you're gonna fill out this
request form and bring it back

to me because we do not have
time to cater to your needs.

So here you go boo.

Okay.

Debra Green.

- I'm Deborah Green.

- Hi, Mrs Green, Ms
White will see you now.

If you go down that hallway,

her office is a second
door on the right.

Come in.

Hi Mrs. Green, have a seat.

Hi Ms White, thank you
so much for seeing me.

- Oh, no problem at all.

So what brings you in today?

- I wanted to find out
if it could be possible

for me to meet
Cain Vasquez's son.

I know it seems like a
really strange request,

but ever since we saw him
in the hallway that day

after the trial, he's
been heavily on my mind.

Does he have any family?

- No.

I mean, that's why
he's here with us,

but Mrs. Green, this is a
highly irregular request.

I mean...

- Ms White, I know it
seems really strange

for me to come in here,

asking to see the son of
the man who murdered my son.

- Yes.

- But as much as I've tried for

the past few months
to forget about him,

I keep seeing his
face and the tears

running down his cheek.

And it breaks my heart.

It's killing me to think of
that little boy getting lost

in this messed up
system, all because

of the sins of his father.

So I thought maybe if I could
spend some time with him,

I don't know what I thought,
but I thought I'd try.

- Okay.

Okay, Mrs Green,

I'll let you see him.

But only for 30
minutes only, okay?

Now listen, if you
upset him in any way,

I'll have to make you leave.

- Thank you.

I understand.

Thank you so much.

- Okay.

Well, follow me and
I'll get you situated

and I'll get Jacob.

Jacob, this is Mrs Green,

remember her from the courtroom?

She wanted to come see
how you were doing.

- Hello Jacob, it's nice

to officially make
your acquaintance.

- Go ahead baby, it's okay.

Go ahead, have a seat.

- How have you been Jacob?

- Good.

- Have you made any
new friends here?

- No, the other
kids don't really

talk to me that much.

- Oh well, I'm sure
they'll come around.

I brought you something.

I remember you had one like it

but you said it wasn't yours.

But now you have one
that's your very own.

- Just for me?

- Yes sweetie, just for you.

- Jacob, what do you say?

- Thank you Ms Lady.

- You're very welcome.

Hey, do you want to play a game?

- I don't really know how
to play games that much.

- That's okay, I'll teach you.

Thank you again for
letting me see him.

- Oh, no problem at all.

He seemed to really
enjoy the visit.

- I did too.

Would it be okay if I came back?

I'd like to see him again.

- Sure.

No problem.

You know what?

I'll go ahead and
make the arrangement

to get you on his approved list.

That's gonna take about a week,

but I'll give you a call
and once it's approved.

- Thank you.

- You're welcome.

Take care.

- Come on.

I know you see me standing here.

- What y'all want man?

- What I want.

It ain't even about what I want,

it's about what it is.

See it's my understanding

you were affiliated with the
West Side squad, correct?

- Who's that?

- This guy's funny,
he don't know nothing.

Don't play dumb, we know
who you rocking with.

And ain't none of
your boys up in here.

I personally make sure of that.

- East side, homie.

- Snitch.

Hey, sleeping
beauty, welcome back.

- How long I been up here?

- Over 24 hours.

Stitch you up real good.

Gave you something
so you could sleep.

They got you pretty good, huh?

- Yeah, but it's all right.

I'll get on my feet,
I got so for them.

- I bet you do.

But then, they gon' have
something else for you.

And the vicious cycle continues.

Go back and forth till
one of you is dead.

Sound about right?

- No man.

Not my version.

My version, all
three of them dead.

- Oh yeah?

And their crew gon'
come looking for you.

And you crew gon'
come looking for them

and so on and so forth.

Vicious cycle I
was talking about.

When does it end?

The Bible says
"Vengeance is mine,

"I will repay."

- You came over here
to preach to me?

Listen, I need no move
from no preacher, man.

Don't you got some
piss to clean up?

- Yeah, I do.

Let me ask you something.

Don't you find it odd
that you got stabbed

in the same place
you shot that kid?

I do too.

Anyway, if you can tell
me book, chapter and verse

I just quoted from the Bible,

I'll give you $5
from my commissary.

- All right.

- So, what's the next step?

- Next step for what?

- Jacob.

He's been here for
more than six months.

How does the process
go for a child his age?

- Well, it's our goal
to place our children

with good families
who will love them

and provide a stable environment

for them to grow up in.

But unfortunately it just
doesn't always happen

for kids Jacob's age.

- Why aren't the other
kids playing with him?

- I don't know.

He's really a sweet kid.

He is shy, he keeps to himself.

He really enjoys the
interaction of the other kids

but sometimes he's content
with just being by himself.

Now the kids, they don't
bother him or anything,

they seem to know when
he doesn't want to play.

Seems to get lost
in his thoughts.

- What about his dad?

- What about him?

- Does he ever get
to see his dad?

- No, but he does ask
about him a whole lot.

He's so far away so he
doesn't get a chance

to see him or
anything like that.

But I do try to help him
write a letter to him

at least once a month, you know?

And he hasn't written them
back yet, which really sucks.

But I try to do what I can.

- That's all you can do.

- Yeah.

- Well, well, if it ain't
the little homie Cain.

How you feeling bruh?

- I'm all right.

Surprised not to see you
nose buried in that book.

- Yeah, yeah, got
some great sermons

from this program
I've been gonna

on this little audio player.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

You can have my pillow, until
you get a little better.

Wouldn't want you
tearing your lady parts.

- Thank you.

- What was that?

- Man I said, thank you.

- You're welcome bruh.

- Hey, how much you got?

I saw a letter waiting
for you to come.

- Where's it?

- Hey babe.

- Hey.

Where have you been?

- Oh you know, just running
my usual Saturday errands.

Nothing unusual.

- I noticed a few strange
charges on the account.

A few from Toys "R" Us.

You wouldn't know anything
about that, would you?

Debbie, you've been
gonna see that boy again,

haven't you?

- Yes.

Yes I have, so what?

- I thought I told
you to let it go.

- I can't.

I tried to come and
talk to you about it

but you wouldn't listen.

I've been spending
time with him and...

- And what?

What?

- And I want to bring him home.

To be with us.

- You mean to tell
me that you want

to bring the son of the
man who killed our son

into this house?

- Yes.

His name is Jacob and he's
an innocent little boy

who got caught in the
middle of something

that had nothing to do with him.

He's an innocent bystander
in this, just like us.

His case worker, Ms White,
at the Family Services Center

has been allowing me to see
him several times a week

and I just feel in
my heart of hearts

that he's supposed
to be here, with us.

I can't explain it.

It's just something
I can't let go of.

I have an appointment to
see him again this week.

Maybe if you just
came and you met him...

- No!

I would never betray the
memory of my son, our son!

How can you see the son of
the man who murdered him?

How could you do that Debbie?

What is wrong with you?

- Tommy...

- No!

Listen, I don't wanna
hear anything else

about it.

You entertain that boy
then that's on you.

I don't wanna hear
anything else about it.

You just don't get it, do you?

You wanna do something,
think about my son,

my son, Daniel.

- The Bible is filled with
examples of people in situations

that God uses to
fulfill his purposes.

Welcome.

- Well, well, look what
the cat dragged in.

Welcome brother.

- They said it's this
or cleanup bathrooMs

I'm not gonna clean
up no bathrooMs

- I bet.

- Listen, God is no
respect of persons.

Moses and King David were
both greatly used by God

and yet they were
both murderers.

God used Moses to write the
first five books of the Bible,

David was a man after
God's own heart.

Jacob was a liar and yet
he was a child of promise

and God used him to
establish the 12 tribes

of Israel and the list goes on.

- And that makes
sense to you, huh?

- Do you care to
elaborate on that, Mr...

- Cain.

My name is Cain.

Yes, I'd like to
elaborate pastor.

So you mean to tell me that
this God y'all talking about

using liars, murderers,
thieves to accomplish

all His plans?

I don't buy none of that.

- But before I try to
help you understand,

do you believe that the
Bible is the word of God?

- I never read no Bible, man.

- So how can I
make you understand

if you don't know
anything about it.

- From what you up
here telling me,

and what I'm hearing
from all of y'all,

God's supposed to be this big,

all-seeing Holy entity and
He looking down on all of us,

judging us for everything
that we do wrong?

That don't make no sense.

Why he used the
liars and murderers?

- What if I told you
that liars and murderers

and sinners were the
only people that existed

in this world and God sent
his only son, Jesus Christ.

He did die for you and I.

- No, that sounds stupid to me.

I'm a father, pastor.

I ain't about to send my
son to die for nobody.

We're supposed to
protect our kids.

- That's very true.

And that's the amazing
thing about God.

And as a Holy God, he cannot
and will not tolerate sin.

So for sinful people
like you and I,

it was the perfect sacrifice.

So He can take
all that sin away.

- How's that supposed
to help me, pastor?

I'm sitting in here for
the rest of my life.

- Because of Jesus Christ,

now you know that your
sins can be forgiven.

All you have to do is
believe that Jesus Christ

is the son of God.

Repent your sins and let God
into your heart to save you.

- Hey, I ain't
listening to this BS.

I'm gon' go clean me a bathroom.

Catch you later pastor.

- Mr. Cain.

- You're getting pretty
good at this game.

Jacob, can I ask you a question?

- Yes.

- Do you know what
happened to your mommy?

- Yes.

- What happened to her?

- She died when I was born.

- Oh, I see.

- Excuse me, Deborah,

can I see you outside
for a moment please?

- Sure.

Honey, I'll be right back, okay?

Is everything okay?

- Yes.

There's someone who
would like to speak

with you for a moment.

I'm gonna leave you
to some privacy.

But Deborah, when you're ready,

just come back in.

I'll keep Jacob some company
till you're back, okay?

- Hi.

- Hi.

- What are you doing here?

- I got to thinking
about what you said

and I overreacted.

The truth is, I haven't
been sleeping very well.

- Me neither.

- So I thought that maybe I
should look past all the pain

and try to see
the whole picture.

So for the first
time in a long time,

I got on my knees and I prayed.

Then I prayed some more

and Debbie I...

- Thank you so much.

I know this was hard for you.

It was hard for me too at first.

I was so angry but something
kept pulling me back.

And now?

Now it's like I can't stay away.

Would you like to meet him?

- Sure.

- Do you have a four?

- Jacob sweetie, I have
someone I want you to meet.

- Who?

- My husband.

His name is Thomas Green.

- Nice to meet you Thomas Green.

Would you like to
play a little with me?

- Sure.

- So, what did you think?

- I like him.

I like him a lot,
more than I wanted to.

- I felt the exact same way.

The first day I went there,

I didn't wanna like him.

I wanted him to this
little gremlin kid

so I'd have a reason
to walk away and felt

like I had done my
part by gonna see him

but it was the exact opposite.

- So what now?

- Well, if it's okay with you,

I'd like to bring them
home for a weekend visit.

Ms White already gave
me the clearance,

but I didn't want to do it
without your permission.

So I never got back
to her about it.

Honey, you don't have to do it.

I'm so thankful for the fact

that you came down
there to meet him.

That was a huge step for you.

So I won't pressure you.

I'll just keep gonna
see him at the center.

- You know what?

Let's do it.

I'd be lying If I said I
didn't enjoy spending time

with him today.

- Really?

- Really.

- Thank you.

- Dearly beloved,
avenge not yourselves,

but rather give unto wrath,

for it is written,

vengeance is mine.

"I will repay," says the Lord,

Romans 12:19

I want my $5 of
that commissary CJ.

- Tell me a good joke Jacob.

- Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Glasses.

Glasses who?

I don't really know.

- What?

I didn't get that one Jacob.

- Yeah, I know.

- We are here.

- Whoa, you live here?

- Yes, we live here.

- Wow, is this a mansion?

- No sweetie, it's
not a mansion.

Come on.

Come on.

Let's sit your bag down here.

We are gonna have so much fun.

We're gonna go to the
movies and swimming

and then we're gonna
play laser tag.

How does that sound?

- I've never done
that stuff before.

- Oh, well that's okay.

- Okay Ms Lady.

- Jacob, I told you you
don't have to call me that.

You can call me Deb, Ms Debbie.

- Okay, Ms Lady.

- Well guys, we
have a busy day ahead of us

so we better get going.

What do you say
about that, Jake?

Is it okay if I call you that?

- Yeah.

- All right, let's go.

That boy was knocked out.

He didn't wake up once.

We had a good time though.

- I'm exhausted myself.

I forgot how much
energy little kids have.

He wore me out.

- Gotta tell you though, reminds
me when Daniel was young.

Don't know how to feel
about all this babe.

- I know, I know.

- Well, I'ma head over
to bed, all right?

- All right babe.

- You have a good night.

- You too.

- Don't stay up too late.

Seriously, don't
stay up too late.

- I won't.

Good morning Jacob.

Are you hungry?

I made some bacon and eggs.

- Yes please.

- Morning babe.

- Good morning.

- Morning Jake.

- Morning.

- You sleep all right?

- Yes.

- Good.

Looking good sweetheart,
looking good.

Thank you.

Pretty good huh?

There's more to go.

- Jacob, today I
thought maybe you'd like

to go to the science center.

How does that sound?

- Good.

May I be excused?

- Sure.

Go ahead and get dressed.

We'll be leaving soon.

- Kids.

- Yo CJ, what you in
here for anyway man?

- Cain, we been
here almost a year,

you're just not asking
me what I'm in here for?

- Well, guess I
didn't care before.

- Oh, you care now?

- All right listen, I
ain't saying all that

but I gotta wonder what
a Bible-thumbing cat

like you did to get up in here.

- Well, I wasn't always
a Bible thumber Cain.

Used to be chief head thumper,

- Head thumper?

That still ain't answer
my question, man.

- Yeah?

That's really all
you need to know.

I was young, dumb, did a
lot of stupid stuff, man.

I'm here for the
rest of my life.

End of story.

- What made you turn to
that Bible over there?

- God's gracious for
showing me the Bible.

That's the only thing give
me hope in a place like this.

I know I can never do
anything to make up

for all the wrong I did,

but with Jesus, feel like I
got a second chance you know?

So whether I'm in
here on the outside,

I'll spread the gospel.

- Yeah, that's real dawg.

What if nobody in here
wants to hear the gospel?

- Not my problem.

It's my job to plant the seed,

God's job to grant the increase.

Everybody got choices, bro.

Even in here.

So you can choose to
learn from your mistakes

or choose to be damned.

- Man, you sound crazy.

- You can call it
what you want, bro.

Cain.

- What's up?

- When are you gonna get the
courage to write your son?

- Man, what?

Hey man, don't
worry about my son.

- Come on man.

I got two kids out there, bro.

Wish I knew where they was so
I could write them a letter.

You know what I would do?

I would kill to get a
letter from my kids, man.

- What I'ma say?

I've got nothing
to say to him, man.

Listen, I failed my
son, end of story.

What he need to do
is forget about me

and start learning
how he's gonna live

his life out there.

- If you say so bro.

But you and I both know
you don't mean that.

- Whatever dawg.

I'm going back to sleep.

- Is this your son?

- Yes sweetie.

This is our son Daniel.

But he's gone now.

- 'Cause my daddy killed him?

- Yes.

- Guess it's all my fault
that my daddy killed your son.

I was hungry and he
didn't have enough money.

So he went to go buy more
and then when he got back

he was really yelling
and then the cops came

and it's all my fault.

It really is.

- Hey, hey, it's not your fault.

Look at me, it's not your fault
your daddy did what he did.

So you don't ever have
to say that again.

Okay?

- Okay.

- Hey.

We said no tears, okay?

Let's go downstairs and brush
your teeth and get ready

for bed and I'll
read you a story.

How does that sound?

- Good.

- Okay.

- Hi, how can I help you?

- I was thinking if I could
speak with the caseworker

for Jacob Vasquez.

- Who are you?

- A friend of the family.

- Do you have an appointment?

- No.

- I'm sorry, but
without an appointment

you can't see one
of our case workers.

- You don't understand.

I need to see that he's
doing okay for his dad.

- I totally understand

but what you're not
understanding is
our caseworkers are

very busy so without an
appointment, you can't see one.

But if you'd like to
fill out this form,

bring it back to me and I'll
make an appointment for you.

Or you can call the number
at the bottom of the form and

someone will call
you within 48 hours.

- Thought I told
you not to come back

up here Lia.

- I know but...

- What?

- I did what you asked me to do.

I went to check up on Jacob.

- What?

You saw Jacob?

- Yes.

A couple of days ago,

I went to family services
to see if I could speak

with the case worker to get
some information for you

and they wouldn't let me see
her without an appointment.

Then as I'm getting ready to go,

he pulls up with some
lady that's taking

him back in the building.

- Some lady?

What you mean some lady?

What she look like?

- I don't know, mid to
late thirties, pretty.

And by the way she dressed, it
look like she has some money.

- Well how was Jacob though?

- He looked happy.

He was smiling.

He looked healthy.

Cain, I said he looked happy.

- Guard, it's time for me
to go, my business over.

- What?

I do what you ask me and
then drive four hours

all the way up here
and that's all I get?

- What do you want from me Lia?

I don't to have anything
else to give you.

Thanks for checking on my son.

- Hey.

- Hey yourself.

- Man, there's something
I haven't seen in a while.

- What's that?

- That beautiful smile of
yours that I fell in love with.

I've missed it.

- I've missed having it.

Feels good.

- That little boy is
something isn't he?

- Yes he is.

- It's been really
nice to have him here

these past few weeks.

His energy, his youth.

I have to admit he wears me out.

- Yeah, me too.

And here I was still thinking
I was in pretty good shape.

- It feels right having
him here with us.

- What are you saying?

- I'm saying honey, it's
been a really hard decision

to come to but it feels right.

- Really Tommy?

- I prayed about it

and I believe it's
in God's plans

for our lives.

Have you prayed about it?

- No.

I can't say that I have.

I want to.

I know you're struggling baby
but we have to be on accord

in this.

- I know.

I'm trynna find
my way back Tommy.

Really I am.

- So what now?

- I don't know.

I'll call Ms White
in the morning.

Let's figure out what
the next step is.

What do you mean you have
to consider Cain Vasquez's

parental rights?

He's a murderer.

He was sentenced
to life in prison.

He doesn't have any rights.

- Unfortunately, Ms Green,

Jacob's father does
have certain rights.

- He hasn't even had any
contact with him in over a year.

This is ridiculous.

- Calm down, Debbie.

- So you mean to tell
me this man who murdered

our son in cold blood gets

to make the decision
as to whether his child

becomes a permanent
ward of the state,

instead of going to a good
home where he'd be loved

and cared for?

- Look, Ms Green,

I understand how
frustrating this is, I do,

but you have to understand

we have some rules
that we have to follow.

And sitting here
complaining about them

is not gonna change anything.

How about we focus on
starting the process?

- Sorry.

So what happens now?

- Well, you all have been having
a successful weekend visits

with Jacob for the
few months now.

I'm pretty sure I can get you
approved to be foster parents.

I have a great relationship
with the powers that be

so I'm pretty confident
I can get them home

with you on a more
permanent basis.

- So what does that mean?

- It means that Jacob will
be able to stay with you

while we go through
the adoption process.

Now I will have to do
some followup visits
on a weekly basis

for a month or so, but
then it will switch

to once a month, as long
as things are going well.

- So how long will
that take to happen?

- Well, normally it takes
anywhere from 60 to 90 days,

but like I said,

I'm pretty confident I can get
it done in two weeks or less.

Listen, it's our goal to
place children in good homes.

And I have taken a
special interest in Jacob.

I have watched him.

He is so happy when he see
you walk through the door.

He's so sad when we have

to come back after the weekends.

That baby has been
through a lot.

I really want to see
this happen for him.

- Can we tell him?

- No.

Why don't we wait to make
sure that the foster care

is approved first, okay?

I'm afraid if we tell them
now, it'll only confuse him

when you bring him
back after the weekend.

Give me about two weeks
to get everything done

and then I'll jumped
on the adoption papers.

Now listen, it's gonna
be a lot of things

you're gonna have to sign.

There's gonna be an
extensive background check

then we have to wait to
see if his father sign off

on his parental rights.

This adoption process,

it's not gonna be easy
nor will it be quick,

but I will do what
I can for you.

- Thank you Ms White.

- Thank you for
everything you've done.

- Don't thank me yet.

Are you praying people?

- Why do you ask?

- Because I just believe
that you should get God

about in every major decision
you have in your life.

- Thank you again.

- You're welcome.

- We look forward to
hear from you soon.

- All right.

- Well, well, well,

if it isn't Mr West
side connection himself.

Good thing for you this time,

I'm gonna finish
what we started.

You really shouldn't
have did that,

I was just gonna have
a little fun with you.

I was just gonna cut
you a little bit,

put our brand on you,
have some fun, but now,

now you got to die.

- I wouldn't do
that if I was you.

Get off him!

- This ain't got
nothing to do with you,

it's between me and him.

- Well I just made it about me.

So not what?

- Like I said, it's
between me and him.

We cool.

- Thought that'd be
the route you take.

What's you still doing here?

Let's go!

Cain, you good?

- Yeah, I'm straight.

Go back to the rock.

T Money gonna
finish your mopping.

Yeah, that's right.

But you ain't know, let's go!

- You know I owe you right?

- Yeah, you do.

- What you need from me?

- Lockdown.

- I'll let you know
when the time come.

- Hey man, how you
about to be all gangster

one second and be reading the
Bible the next door though?

- That's a gift.

- It's a gift, huh?

- That's right.

- What happened to all that

Vengeance is mine.

- It do say that but King
David was a gangster, bro.

He was a Holy gangster for God.

I mean...

- Stop lying dawg.

- Well I'm serious bro say
it right here in Samuel II.

- All right man, whatever.

But look,

- What's up?

- Got me a letter man.

- Word?

- Yeah, they trying to take
away my parental rights.

My son.

You know, I ain't done
much right in my life man.

My son though, he's the
only thing I did get right.

Now they trying to
take it away from me.

- Did you write him back?

- No, man.

What I'ma say?

Hey son, food is horrible,

it stink, everybody keep
trying to kill me up in here.

But yeah, keep your head up.

No.

Even if I do decide to go
through, give up my rights,

that's it, there ain't
no coming back from that.

So if there is some chance

that I do get up
out this hell hole,

I might not never
see Jacob again.

But hey, maybe you can
holla at your God about that

for me.

- Thomas!

Thomas!

Thomas!

Thomas!

Thomas!

- What?

- They approved us.

- What?

- We got approved.

- Calm down, what are
you talking about?

- They approved us for
foster care, he can stay.

- Oh my God, yes!

Oh yes!

- Where's Jacob, let's tell him.

Jacob?

Sweetie?

Come here for a second?

- Jake, Jake, come here man.

- Yeah?

- There is something we
wanted to talk to you about.

We've been waiting for a
couple of weeks to talk to you

about something because we
wanted to make sure that

everything was okay.

- And we just got
the confirmation we
needed in the mail.

- And not that we know for sure

we wanted to ask if
you wanted to come

and live with us.

- Forever?

- Well, Jake we're
working on that part

but you'll be here us for now.

And that means you'll be
here with this every day

instead of just on the weekends.

Would you like that?

- Yes sir.

I always wanted a mommy.

Now I get to have a new
dad since my daddy's gone.

- Oh yes.

- Honey, why is
all of this in your drawer?

- So I'll never be hungry.

- Jacob, it's okay.

Sweetie, I'm not mad.

I just wanna know
why you have all

that food in your drawer.

- So I'll never be hungry.

- Are you hungry, sweetie?

Aren't you getting
enough to eat?

- Yes, but there'll be one
day there won't be enough

food in the house, that's why
I got it so you won't have

to spend more money.

- Oh baby, you don't ever have
to worry about that, okay?

You can eat what ever
we have in this house

and as much as you want.

And if we run out of food,

we'll go to the
store and buy more.

So you don't have to
hide food anymore, okay?

Hey, it's okay.

I love you and I forgive you.

Hey, why you hiding your face?

I'm not mad, we're just talking.

- My daddy said I'm
not supposed to cry

and he's gone away and I can't
stop my eyes from crying.

- Hey, can I tell you something?

It's okay for real
men to cry sometimes.

Crying is what cleanses
all of the bad stuff

out of our souls.

If you hold it in too much,
it might make you sick.

- Does Mr Thomas cry?

- Sometimes, if he's really sad.

- Like when your son died?

- First thing in the
morning when you wake up

I want you to put all this
stuff back in the kitchen.

Okay?

- Okay Ms Lady.

- I am so glad to
hear that Jacob

is doing so well
in his new school.

- Yes, he is so smart.

Tommy wants to put them
in basketball this summer.

- Okay.

- Have you heard anything
back from his father?

- Well, actually I have.

And that's why I
called you in today.

Cain Vasquez still
refuses to sign off

on his parental rights.

- Why?

- Listen Ms Green,
I totally understand

why you feel the way
you feel about him.

But we have to look
at the bigger picture.

If it were you, would
you want to sign off

on your parental
rights of your child?

- It shouldn't
matter what he wants.

It's his own fault he's
locked up in there.

Is there anything
else we can do?

Well, we can petition the courts

and they'll set up a hearing

and that could take up
to months, even years.

- I don't care what it takes.

- If he wants a fight then
we'll give him a fight.

- Okay, I'll get
the ball rolling.

- I'll have our attorney
call you tomorrow.

- Yeah.

- What's all that noise about?

- Well, thought it was
time that I get back

into the weekly Bible
study and I thought Jake

might like the children's
chapel and he did.

Then we went to get ice cream.

- I see.

- All right, Jake get
on up, brush your teeth

and get ready for bed, okay?

- Can I have a story?

- You can have a story.

Is everything all right?

- He won't sign off on
his parental rights.

- I see.

Listen sweetheart,
I truly believe

that everything is
gonna be all right.

Besides, God put this in your
heart to pursue this thing

so we just gonna have the
trust and He'll see us through.

- I know, I just
feel so helpless.

I mean, anything can happen.

- You're absolutely right,

anything can happen.

But if there's one thing
I do know this for sure.

Anything that is supposed
to happen will happen.

Are you ready to pray
about it with me?

- I'm still not ready yet.

I'm sorry.

- Hello?

Hi Ms White.

How are you doing?

- Hi Ms Green, I'm
well, thanks for asking.

Listen, I'm calling because
we got a court date.

The preliminary hearing is
set for 90 days from now.

- Okay, thank you.

- Cain, it's good to see you.

What brings you
over this fine day?

- You know cleaning
bathrooms wasn't working out.

- Well, I'm glad to have you.

So let's get started.

We were talking about
turning the cheek

as mentioned in Matthew five,

as it relates with forgiveness
and learning how to deal with

the wrongs that people do to us.

So the question I want to
start off with today is what is

the one thing that
you're holding onto?

Okay, if you can let go,

I know you guys are
dealing with a lot.

If you can let go of one of
those things, what would it be?

Who would like to go first?

- I'm holding on to
something pastor.

- Go ahead CJ.

- Been holding on
to a lot of anger,

a lot of hatred.

See my mother was a crack head

and my father?

Never knew my father.

I hated them both.

I hang with some cats
in the neighborhood,

before you knew
it I was in a gang

with a natural talent
for violence in numbers

so it's right that
I ran my own gang.

Money started coming in from
running girls and drugs.

I decided to start
a family of my own.

Three boys, by three
different women too.

I loved them all,
do believe that bro.

Real love.

I loved being a father, always
said I would be for my kids

what my parents weren't for me.

I know, wouldn't be the
kind of life I was living.

Family had something
to get used to.

One day, I was playing ball
at the park with my boys

and out of nowhere
shots rained down.

So as I hurry up
grabbed the two boys

that was closes to
me and got them down.

On the other side of
the court, my baby boy

was playing with
his little ball.

It was too late.

I killed my baby boy.

They killed my son.

They got him.

So you know how we do, strapped
up and we went hunting.

And don't get me wrong,

all the dirt I done
done in my life pastor

it's always been
business, never personal.

But this had become personal.

Caught up with the people
responsible for killing my son.

Only 16, 17 years
old themselves.

They was kids they still.

I didn't care.

I had my crew tie them
up, strip them down,

I made them leave.

I killed those kids one by one

and I didn't feel a thing.

Nothing at all.

That's how they
caught me, got sloppy

when I killed those kids.

It didn't matter to me
'cause I got my revenge.

Funny thing about it,

it made me feel no better.

Didn't bring back my son.

I ain't never said
none of that out loud.

- How'd you get
past that hatred?

- I started coming here.

And the first time I came

you said something
about God's forgiveness

and the love of Jesus Christ.

It's like someone was
pulling in my heart,

couldn't sleep.

I wanted to know more about it.

And you shared the
gospel with me, pastor.

I was able to give my life
to Christ, gave it all away.

All the pain, all the
hurt, all the anger,

hatred, gave it all to him.

Like a huge weight been
lifted off my shoulders.

Don't get me wrong, bro,

prison is a nasty, disgusting,
filthy place to be, man.

And sometimes we gotta do
things in here to survive that

ain't very Christlike.

But if this is the only
way I can get to him,

I take my lows up
with no complaints.

Look forward to
seeing my baby boy

again in paradise

Until then, just hope He
you use me to help others.

That's all pastor.

- Well, thank you for
sharing that with us CJ.

Would any of you
guys like to go next?

- Man, I can't believe this.

- What?

- Man the boy I
shot, man his parents

are trying to get
rights to my son, man.

- What?

Let me see that.

- Here.

Oh man.

They trying to
get back at my son

what I did to their son.

I know they are.

- Yo chill out, man.

What if they're looking at this

as a chance to give a kid
with no family a home?

- What?

Man, no.

I'd rather have my son
get put in the system

than deal with them.

- Oh you know how
great the system

is for minority men.

In and out of jail
till you're locked up

for the rest of your life?

That sounded like you don't it?

- Man shut up man.

I know I got rights.

I'm gonna get
rights from my son.

- Hey man, your rights
don't got nothing to do

with this and you know it.

You just scared your son
go grow up hating you

'cause of what you
did to their son.

- What?

Man shut up.

I'm warning you.

- Or what?

You gon' hit me 'cause
I'm telling you the truth?

I told you man, I'm trying
to curve this violent thing

but I'm real good at
it Cain, you hear me?

You're son's gon'
always be your son

but you can't do
nothing for him in here,

you understand that?

- Get off me man.

- You're taking away a chance
at a better life for your son

'cause you scared he gon'
grow up hating you is selfish.

And if you do that,
it's gonna haunt you

the rest of your life.

You got to let it go, Cain.

Let it go, man.

Let it go and
forgive yourself bro.

Look man, I'm sure you did
all you could for your son

when you was out there and I'm
sure he always gonna remember

that Cain.

What you gotta do is
keep doing it for him.

You gotta give him a chance at
a life that you didn't have.

Come on bro.

And don't swing on me again.

God's still working on me

but that's the only
warning you get.

- Okay Jake, it's time for bed.

- Can I have a story?

- Only if you're in
bed with teeth brushed

by the time I come down there.

- Okay.

- Goodnight dude.

Are you ready for tomorrow?

- As ready as I'll
ever be, I guess.

- You'll have him on video
feed, are you ready for that?

- I guess I have no
choice but to be, right?

- You'll be fine.

- Once upon a time,
there was a lonely kid

and he had no friends...

What's wrong?

- Do you think Jerry
will ever forgive

the boys that are
being mean to him?

- I think so.

He seems like a nice kid and
I'm sure his friend Alana

will be there to encourage him.

- Ms Lady...

- Jacob, when are you
gonna stop calling me that?

Please call me Ms
Deb, auntie Deb.

Anything but that.

- Okay Ms Lady.

Can I ask you a question?

- Always.

- The lady at church
today said that

Jesus forgives other
people who beat him

and killed him on the cross,

is that true?

- It sure is.

That's what the Bible says.

And the Bible is God's word.

I believe what it says is true.

- Ms Lady, do you think
you'll ever forgive my daddy

for, you know.

- I don't really know sweetie.

I'm not really sure
how to go about it.

I'd like to try.

- Can I stay with you forever?

- I don't know sweetie,
we're working on it.

- Ms Lady, can I call you mommy?

- I'd love that, I'd be honored.

- Goodnight Ms Lady, love you.

- Goodnight sweetie,
I love you too.

- Hey, is everything okay?

Honey, talk to me.

What's wrong baby?

- I need you to pray with me.

- Oh baby, it's gonna
be all right, I got you.

You don't have to cry
sweetheart, I got you.

Let it go baby, let it go.

Father God, we need
you right now Lord.

- Hurry up guys,
we gotta get going.

Ms White?

What are you doing here?

We're due in court in
less than two hours.

- May I come in?

- Sure

Is everything okay?

- Everything is perfect.

Listen, last night this
showed up on my desk.

I could not give you
this news over the phone,

I had to come tell
you in person.

Do you know what this is?

This is a letter from
Cain Vasquez signing off

on his parental rights.

- He did it.

- Yes, he did.

You guys are free
to adopt Jacob.

- Oh my God.

Tommy!

Tommy come down here!

- What?

What's wrong?

What's wrong?

Ms White, what are
you doing here?

- He did it, He worked it out.

God made it happen.

He signed off on his rights.

We can adopt Jacob now.

- What?

Are you serious?

- Jake, Jake come here.

- Jake hurry up, hurry up.

- Come here bud.

We can adapt you now.

God made everything
happen and now you

can come live with us forever.

- Forever?

- Or until you
decide to leave us

and get married or something.

- No way, girls are yucky.

- Thank you for everything.

- Oh no, don't thank me.

We all know who get the
thanks for this one.

Now listen, we still
have to appear today

so I'm gonna head on all
the while you stay here

to get things wrapped up, okay?

- Thank you so much.

- That chapter, right?

- This one.

- Right.

I don't know how much I
understand all this man.

- That's why you got to start
coming to Bible study Cain.

You hear me?

You can't understand
this overnight.

So take your time, bro.

Did you start in
John like I told you?

- Yeah.

- Okay, look.

Let's go over the first chapter.

We're gonna discuss it in
the group Thursday night.

All right, I got
you bro, don't trip.

- Vasquez!

You got a visitor.

- Who is it?

- I ain't your
secretary, let's go!

I ain't got all day,
I got child, come on.

- Daddy!

- How are the Greens
treating you, you all right?

- Yeah.

I live there with
mommy and daddy.

- Yeah?

Good.

Then let's go thank them for
letting you go see me son.

Come on.

Boy come here.

Thank y'all for
bringing my son up here.

Thank you.

- He talks about
you all the time.

It's been almost two years.

- You talk about me son?

Let me finish talking to
the greens, all right?

Why don't you go play
with the toys over there.

They'll get you when we're done.

Look, I know there's nothing
that I'm gonna be able to say

that's gonna be able to
take any pain away from

doing what I did.

I'd like to tell you
guys that I am sorry.

I'm very sorry.

I wasn't supposed
to hurt anybody.

Nobody was supposed to get hurt.

All I was trying to
do was get some money

so I can take care of my son.

Nothing like that was
supposed to happen,

it was an accident.

- An accident?

It was an accident that
you took a loaded gun to go

and rob someone?

Was it an accident that
you didn't feel the need

to get up, get a job to
earn a decent living like

us regular people?

You took our son from us!

- I know I did that.

Every single night,
past two years

all I've been seeing
is Daniel's face.

And I expect for
that to be my fate

for the rest of my life as
I rot behind these bars.

And I accept that.

I pray that by giving
y'all the only thing

that I have left in this world

and the best part of me, my son,

that y'all please
dig into your heart

to forgive me.

All I'm asking is forgiveness.

Please forgive me.

- For long, I hated you.

I hated you so much
that at one point

I couldn't even clear my
conscious enough to pray

because I felt so dirty
from all of the hatred

I had in my heart for you.

But the day I saw
your son in court,

something happened to me

that I just couldn't explain.

I had to deal with
my hate for you,

in the midst of loving the
child that you left behind.

And then he asked me
if I'll ever be able

to forgive his daddy.

All I could say was
that I'd like to try.

And today, as I sit
here forgiving myself

and washed in the blood of my
Lord and savior Jesus Christ,

I say I can.

- Thank you.

- I forgive you.

- Thank you.

Thank you, thank you.

- I forgive you.

I forgive you.

- Mommy, are you okay?

- Yes baby, I'm fine.

- Time!

- It's time for me
to go little man.

You think I can get one
last hug before I go?

- It's okay for a
man to cry sometimes.

- Daddy was wrong about
a lot of things son,

it's okay to cry sometimes.

Please Jacob, hope
you can forgive me

for that one day.

- I forgive you daddy,

I forgive you 'cause I love you.

- I love you more son.

I gotta go.

- Let's go home.