7th Heaven (1996–2007): Season 9, Episode 7 - Regret to Inform - full transcript

What's going on?

We were going to
play some pool

to blow off some steam
after studying,

but, uh, it looks like
all the tables are full.

You can wait with us
if you want to.

Sure.

Hello?

Hi. I-I know you're out
with the guys,

and you should spend time
with your friends,

but, on your way home,

could you pick up
a chocolate shake for me?



Of course.

Oh, so when are you coming home?

I shouldn't be long--
an hour or so.

Or now.

Perfect.

See you soon.

She sure is keeping
you on a short leash.

Doesn't your wife realize

that this pregnancy thing
is just as hard on you?

You need
your alone time, too.

The fact that you two
aren't married truly amazes me.

Hi, guys.

Hi, Venus.

How have you been?



I've been good.

So, you guys are new?

Yeah, we just got here.

No, I mean new on the job.

We don't
work here.

Looks like you're going
to have some fun

breaking those
new guys in.

New guys?

They're coming out of
the academy looking

younger and
younger every year.

Oh, yeah.

You know rookies.

The dark-haired one
is kind of cute.

Make sure you
keep 'em in line.

Will do.

Good luck.

What did that mean?

Who knows?

Hey, don't look now, but that
woman is checking you out.

What woman?

Smooth move.

She's not looking at me; she's,
like, five years older than us.

Whatever, she's looking at you.

Martin's still not home?

No sign of him and
he hasn't called.

Why don't you try him
on his cell phone?

Do you have his number?

Neither do I. I've never
had to call him before,

so I guess I never
thought to ask for it.

He's always been so great
about coming home on time

and doing his homework.

I hope nothing's wrong.

I'm sure he just lost
track of the time.

That's probably true.

You're still going to try
to find him, right?

Yeah.
Yeah.

Don't pay any attention to them.

I'm not.

Good for you.

They try to make it hard for
you, but they respect you more

if you don't take
everything they dish out.

Good shot.

Thanks.

Where did the time go?

I know, it's, uh, kind of late
and I should be getting home.

Well, you're going
to take me home, right?

You want me to
take you home?

Yeah, my friend
dropped me off earlier,

but she already left.

I need a ride.

Can you handle it?

Uh, yeah, I
can handle it.

I'm sure your friend
can find his own way home.

I'm giving her
a ride home.

We're giving her
a ride home?

Actually, I think
she just wants me to drive her.

What am I supposed to do?

You drove me here.

I'm sure one of Kevin's buddies
can take you.

Ready?

Sure.

I'm glad you're still up.

I'm not interrupting
anything, am I?

I was just doing some reading
before I go to sleep.

I'm willing to postpone it
if you need anything.

Shoot.

Do you have
Martin's cell phone number?

No. Why don't you just
snoop around his room

and get it yourself?

That's what I would do.

I'm not going
to snoop around his room

looking for a phone number.

Okay, I couldn't find it.

Do you have
his friend Mac's number?

No, he's too old for me,
remember?

Do you have any idea
where Martin might be?

I don't know.

He's usually home by now.

Oh, the
pool hall.

He said something about studying
and then going to the pool hall.

Pool hall, thanks.

Glad to help.

Thanks for the ride.

Oh, my pleasure.

And thanks
for walking me inside.

No, it was nothing, just a few
feet from the car to the door.

True, but you can never be
too careful.

Well, now that I know
you're safe,

I think I'll, uh, be on my way.

What's the rush?

Uh, no rush, really,
just should probably get home.

Are you sure you don't want
to stay for a drink?

Uh, thanks, but I don't drink.

Coffee?
Hmm...

Afraid it'll stunt your growth?

No, I just don't like the taste.

Also, it could make you jittery,

and in your line of work,
you need to keep your cool.

Then how about a soda?

Juice?

Water?

You were so nice to me.

I should do something
to try to return the favor.

Come on.

Stick around for a while.

Okay, but just
for a minute,

then I really need to get
home and get some sleep.

Don't worry, I'll make sure
you get to your shift on time.

I'm just going
to go make some tea.

You rookie cops are
all alike.

Sorry to bother you, but
Martin hasn't come home yet.

I was wondering if you had
any idea where he was.

I was at the pool hall
with him earlier.

He was there
when I left.

Yeah, Ruthie told me
about the pool hall,

but I called
and he isn't there anymore.

Did he say something
about going somewhere afterward?

He's probably with his friend
Mac, hanging out somewhere.

Everything on the Promenade
is closed by now.

Where else could he be?

I'm sure he's fine.

He's never been late
like this before.

I'll make some calls.
Maybe we should go look for him.

No, let me make
some calls first.

Or maybe we should call
the station,

see if there have been
any accidents.

Don't worry, it's nothing.

How do you know it's nothing?

Martin was talking to this girl.

He's probably just out with her.

What kind of girl is out

until this time of night
on a school night?

Lots of girls.

Yeah, lots of girls,

like the twentysomething-
year-old woman

whom you led to believe
that Martin was a rookie cop.

Why would you do that?

She likes cops,
she's always hanging around.

I'm sure she's figured out
the truth by now.

It was just a joke.

It doesn't sound very funny.

Older women picking up
younger men.

Martin's only 17.

Not only is it not funny,
it's illegal.

Don't you have some calls
to make?

Go back to the house;
I'll find him.

I don't think it's funny either.

Sorry it took so long.

The minute I walk
through the door,

I have to change
into my pajamas.

Clothes are so confining,
don't you think?

Yeah, confining.

L-Look,

when you called me
a rookie earlier...

Sorry about that.

I'm not sure what the other guys
are calling you nowadays:

rook, meat, newbie, plebe.

Y-You think I'm a, a rookie cop?

It's kind of obvious, isn't it?

You've got a
real boyish thing

that none
of the other guys have.

You couldn't have been on
the force for very long, right?

Uh, not exactly, uh, I...

Don't worry, it's not important.

I know some of you guys
don't like

to talk about the job too much.

No, really,
it's not that, it's...

My dad's the same way.

He hates to talk about work--

not that's he's a cop,
but being a marine.

You're dad's a marine?

In Afghanistan.

My dad's a marine in Iraq.
Really?

I wouldn't lie about that.

Uh, Master Sergeant Beau Brewer.

Captain Tom Graybridge.

It's hard, isn't it?

The worst.

Being so far
away from them.

Knowing they're risking
their lives every day.

Always worrying
about them.

Dreading late night phone calls.

And every single knock
at the door.

And trying to watch reports
on the news, but...

They're either too much to take.

Or not enough information.

It, it just drives you crazy.

And then there's trying
to keep in contact.

Knowing that your e-mails are
never enough.

But they're all you can do

because they can't call
that often.

But when he does call
and I hear his voice...

That's the best thing.

Just to talk to him, and
for a minute everything seems...

Normal.

Like he's just down the street.

Yeah.
Only he's not.

No.

But then the phone call's over.

And you remember where they are.

And what they're going through.

I miss my dad.

Yeah, so do I.

So, you don't
have Venus's phone number?

Thanks anyway.

And again, sorry to wake you.

Good night.

No luck?
Not yet.

Well, hurry up-- it's not easy
to fall asleep like this.

I have a sleeping baby
in this house,

so this better be important.

Phil, hi. It's Kevin.

Kinkirk... what do you want?

I was wondering
if you knew Venus's number.

Venus?

Uh...

might have it
around here somewhere.

Hang on.

So...

So...

Uh, look, I, um...

Hello?

Venus, hi.

It's Kevin... Kinkirk.

Oh, hey, Kinkirk.

You wouldn't know what happened

to Martin, would you?

You know, the dark-haired rookie
from tonight.

He's sitting right across
from me.

Could you put him on the phone?
It's important.

Sounds like urgent
police business.

Hello?

Do you have any idea
what time it is?

Uh...

oh, it's, uh, late.

Yeah, it is.

There better be nothing
going on.

What do you mean?
We're... we're just talking.

Get home now.

I'm on my way.

I have to go.

So I heard.

Will I see you tomorrow night?

Uh, I don't know.

Oh, do you have some kind of
special case you're working on?

Uh, something like that.

I-I'd tell you more,
but I can't.

Uh, I really can't.
That's okay.

I understand.

Are you forgetting
something?

Uh...

Aren't you going
to kiss me good night?

Uh... no.

That wouldn't be right.

This was just a ride home.

It wasn't a date.

In fact, I...

I love a man
with a sense of honor.

That is so rare.

Except with men
like our dads, of course.

Good night, Venus.

Good night, Martin.

It's a...

little late, isn't it?

We were going to ask
you the same thing.

Are you waiting up for me?

Yes, we are.

No one knew
where you were.

You should
have called.

We were worried
about you.

You shouldn't have been.

I was fine.

I am fine.

I'm sorry I came home late.

I'm sorry you were worried,
but Venus and I got to talking,

and I just...
I lost track of time.

Venus, the older woman
you were out with?

Kevin told us about her.

Really? Did he, uh,
also tell you

this whole thing was his fault?

Whole thing, meaning?

Nothing happened.

We talked-- that's it.

And it's not like
I have a curfew.

I know you don't have a curfew.

You've always
been responsible enough

that we never thought
you needed a curfew.

You're not my...

I know...
we're not your parents,

but your father trusted us
with the responsibility

of making sure
you stay out of trouble.

Staying out late on a school
night with an older woman--

we see these things
as signs of trouble.

This has nothing to do
with an older woman.

Now, if you'll excuse me,
I have school

in the morning,
and I need to get some sleep.

Good night.

I had to walk home
last night.

Sorry.

So, what happened with Venus?

I stayed out late,
I came home late.

The Camdens were waiting up
for me-- end of story.

Sure, end of story.

You got in trouble
with the Camdens,

but did you get in trouble
with Venus?

It's not like that--
we just talked.

You just talked.

Sure.

Oh, but get this.

She thinks we're cops.

You told her we're cops?

We were with Kevin.

I guess she just assumed
we worked with him.

And you never
told her otherwise.

I tried, but...

I'm going to tell her.

I'm going tocall her
and tell her tonight.

You might get your chance
sooner than that.

What's she doing here?

I don't know,
but she's headed this way.

What are you doing here?

I'm a substitute teacher.

Mr. Newton's out sick,
so they called me.

What about you?

Wait.

Are you undercover?

Is that it?

Narcs... right?

Right, narcs.

Wow.

How very Starsky and Hutch.

Oh, please.

It's nothing like you see on TV.

Most of the time,
our job is pretty tedious,

but when the action goes down,

it's an adrenaline rush
you can't believe.

So I've heard.

Well... don't worry.

Your secret's safe with me.

I had fun last night.

Yeah, I... I did too.

So... call me.

You know, about tonight.

Kinkirk called you,

looking for Venus's
number, too?

I had a message
on my machine

from him when
I got home.

I didn't want to give him
any trouble, though,

so I didn't
call him back.

Yeah, neither did I.

Clever use
of the kid, though.

Got to hand it to him.

What are you
talking about?

Kinkirk.

Looking for Venus
late last night.

You didn't give him
her number, did you?

Yeah, I did.

What? My wife had her number.

Venus babysat for us
a couple of times.

I didn't see what harm
could come from it.

Why do you think
he wanted the number?

He didn't need a babysitter,
'cause the baby's not here yet.

Oh, come on, you don't think...

She's a minister.

He's just a lost little lamb.

He's cheating
on Lucy?

Are you talking about who
I think you're talking about?

His father is
counting on us.

I understand.

And again, I'm sorry.

He looks up to you.

There's enough bad influences
for him out there.

How is everyone doing?

Back from your
camping trip?

How was it?
Oh, it was great.

I went camping with
some of the guys

from the station
house-- you know,

firemen who fight fires.

That's who I
was camping with: firemen.

Why are you still here?

Captain Michaels called
looking for you.

Got to go.

Oh.

How was your camping trip
with the guys?

Oh, it was great.

I thought you were supposed
to come back last night.

Yeah, one of the guys wanted

to stay a little longer,
so... we did.

Oh, that's nice.

Oh, um, someone called
for you, too.

Really?
Dr. Pearson.

Isn't that your doctor,

the woman doctor
Kevin didn't like?

Huh. What did she want?

She called to say
that she had

a wonderful time with you
this weekend, so call her.

Thanks.

I'm very uncomfortable
when a Kinkirk lies to me.

If you could lie to me
about something,

then Kevin could lie
to me about something,

and that's not a very good
feeling right now.

Uh, sorry.

Smitty said you wanted
to see me, sir.

How is everything
going with Lucy?

How is everything at home?

Lucy's great.

Everything else is fine, too,

except the Camdens
are giving me a hard time.

About...?

It's this stupid thing
with Venus.

Obviously, you've already
heard about it.

Eric and Annie know?

Yeah, and they're not
too happy about it.

I would imagine.

I made a mistake.

I'm going to fix it.

How are you going to do that?

I'll talk to her.

I don't think
you should do that.

In fact, I'm going
to give you an order

not talk to her or go near her.

Got it?

So, you hate me, but
what do you think

about Miranda...
uh, Dr. Pearson?

Well, I only met her
that one time she filled in.

I hope you'll use
her for delivery.

I'd feel more
comfortable with that.

She's very
professional.

While it's nice
of you to worry

about things you
shouldn't worry about,

Kevin and I decided to go back
to our regular doctor.

Dr. Kline?

How do you know that?

You and your doctor

have been talking
about our doctor?

It's kind of
funny, actually.

Dr. Kline is Miranda's
ex-husband.

So, you see, you really
can't go back to him now.

It's a conflict
of interest.

For you, maybe, but not for us.

Okay, I'll just come clean

and tell you the truth,
since you're into that.

Your doctor's really
not a nice guy.
What do you mean?

They went to med school
together.

They started
a practice together.

They had children together.

Now he wants his freedom,

so he bought himself some
fancy condo, and he's dating.

Well, Dr. Pearson-- Miranda--
is dating, too.

I'm the first guy
she's gone out with.

So, she went on a three-day
out-of-town date with you?

I'm just trying
to help you guys out.

How?
You don't
want that

sleazy ex-husband
delivering my niece, do you?

Well...

Don't worry.

I'll talk to Kevin about it.

I'm sure he'll
see things my way.

You know the substitute teacher
in Mr. Newton's class?

Martin's going out with her.

Really?

How did that happen?
She's hot.

I know-- they met
at the pool hall last night,

and he was over at her house
until late... really late.

Martin, we need to talk.

Look, I never meant
for you

to go off last night
with Venus.

She's older
than you are, and she's

much more experienced
than you are.

I know that.

We didn't do anything.

We were talking.

That's it-- talking.

Good, because if anything
did happen,

it would be against the law
because you're under age.

You know what else
is against the law?

Uh, impersonating
a police officer,

but thanks to you,
I'm guilty of that now.

That was a joke.

I figured the cop thing
and the age thing

would come out naturally
in the course of the evening.

Well, you figured wrong.

You're Kinkirk's
brother, right?

Yeah, uh,
Ben Kinkirk.

I'm just waiting
for Kevin.

I need to talk to him.

And this can't wait
till he gets home?

It's not the kind
of conversation

I want to have in front of Lucy.

Well, this isn't the kind
of conversation

I want to have in front
of everyone here.

This behavior
isn't like Kevin,

and frankly, I find it
quite concerning.

I hope, as his brother,
you're not doing anything

to encourage Kevin
with this sort of activity.

No, of course not.

A person can do one wrong thing,

and it makes you start

questioning
his entire character.

I've known Lucy
since she was a baby,

and the thought of Kevin
cheating on her, well...

there's no excuse for it.

I'll talk to him.

I've got him working tonight.

I thought it would keep him
out of trouble,

give him time
to come to his senses.

But he's got
to put a stop to this.

And sooner or later,
he needs to tell Lucy the truth.

Yeah, she's a stickler for that.

Hey, how was practice?

Fine.

About last night...

If this is about my
coming home late or Venus,

you don't have to bother.

I've had enough
lectures for the day.

I don't wanna lecture you,
I just wanna...

Tell me what I can
and cannot do?

Your father trusted us
to take care of you.

That's what I'm doing.

The only way I know how--

by treating you
like my own son.

I don't wanna give you the
"my house my rules speech"

but if you're living
in my house,

you have to live by my rules.

Then maybe I shouldn't
live in your house anymore.

Look,

you won't have to worry
about me much longer.

I'll be just fine on my own.

You can't just go off
and live by yourself.

Do you think your father would
give you permission to do that?

I'm going to become emancipated.

It's something my dad and I
talked about a while ago,

and decided
not to go through with.

But now, it seems like
it might be a good idea.

Emancipated?

With my father overseas

and my aunt in New York,
it makes sense.

I mean, what if something
were to happen to my father?

What if something
were to happen to me?

I should be able
to look after myself

and make decisions for myself.

Don't you need to have an
income to become emancipated?

I have an income.

My mother had life insurance
she put in a trust for me.

I get a check every month.

It's not a lot and it's been
going into my savings,

but it'll be enough for me
to take care of myself.

I know what you're gonna say.
You do?

You're gonna say I haven't
thought this through.

You're gonna say
I'm making a mistake.

You're gonna say
I'm too young to be making

all these decisions for myself.

Believe me, I've thought
about those things.

I'm 17 years old.

10 months from now,
I'm gonna be 18.

What, in 10 months, I'm going
to become a responsible adult,

but until then I'm just some
stupid, irresponsible kid?

What is going to change
in those 10 months?

Why is some arbitrary date
gonna make me responsible

for everything that I do,
but now, I can't do anything

without the approval
of my family?

Who I don't know
if you've noticed

isn't exactly nearby
to lend me a hand.

Or you, who I don't know
if you've noticed,

aren't exactly my family.

If I need a piece of paper
to say that I'm an adult,

then I'm gonna get
that piece of paper.

What are you doing?

Packing my things.

Are you moving in
with your girlfriend?

What are you talking about?

I heard you're dating
a substitute teacher.

Where'd you hear that?

It's going around at school.

Mac?

She's not just a sub,
she's a friend,

and I'm not dating her.

So, you're moving out
to move in with this friend

that you're not dating?

I'm not moving in with her.

So, you're just moving out?

Dad's never gonna let
you do this, you know.

See you at school.

We just wanted to say
good night, Martin.

And good-bye.

We'll miss you.

Did you hear everything?

Yes.

Good luck with your teacher.

We like our teacher, too.

Yeah, but we would never
leave Mom and Dad to date her.

I'm not dating her.

Bye, guys.

Oh, Martin, we don't
want you to leave.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Camden,

but... I have to go.

Why does this have
to be tonight?

Why can't you sleep on this
for a night, a week, longer?

Things aren't going to change
in a night, a week or longer.

This decision has been
coming for a while.

It doesn't matter
if I leave tonight,

tomorrow, next week
or in a month.

I'm still gonna leave.

I might as well
get it over with.

Look, I know we're not perfect,

and our own kids
certainly aren't perfect,

but all families argue
and confront challenges.

Have we been so
horrible to live with

that we've ever kept you from
anything you've wanted to do?

Have we ever done anything
but try to help you?

It's not that I don't
want your help,

it's... that I don't
need your help.

Don't you think you're trying

to grow up a little too fast
here, like overnight?

I'm already grown up.

You think I wanted
to grow up this fast?

I didn't want my mother to die.

I didn't want my dad
to be fighting in a war

on the other side of the world.
I didn't want any of that.

I grew up because I had to.

Not because I wanted to.

Are you hungry?

No.

Thirsty?

No.

Because if you're
hungry or thirsty

I can run out and get you
something. Anything.

Thanks, I'm fine.

Sure I can't get you anything?

Where's Kevin?

I thought he had
the night off.

Oh, something came up.
He had to work.

He's really working.

I know because I talked
to Captain Michaels

and he told me he's working,

so he's not lying
about working.

He's working.

Okay, if you
hear from him...

At work.

Right, if you hear from
him when he's at work,

would you let him know
I need to talk to him?

Sure.

What was that all about?

Nothing, Kevin's working.

Kinkirk.

Kevin, it's me.

Luce, I'm back at the station,

but I just made an arrest.

I can't talk now.

I'll call you later, okay?

Okay.
Sorry.

Did you talk to Kevin

when you were down at the
station this afternoon?

No, I talked with Captain
Michaels and he told me,

I swear that Kevin's
working tonight.

Well, I know he's working.

I'm just wondering why
you're making such a point

of telling me that he's working.

No reason.

Where's your girlfriend
doctor tonight?

Oh, I was with her
the last three days.

I can't see her every night.

Besides, I'm here to spend
time with you and Kevin.

So, I'm spending time
with you and Kevin.

You spent the last three
nights away from me and Kevin.

Well, I can't see you guys
every night either.

I can't see anyone every
single night of my life.

That's why I'm not married.

I find it hard to believe

that that's the only reason
you're not married.

No, it's true.

Do you think Kevin
asked to work tonight

to get away from me?

Oh, no, no, no,
Kevin is working tonight

because Captain Michaels
asked him to work tonight.

Why would he ask him to work?

I don't know.
Yes, you do.

I don't; I swear.

Where you going?

Down to the station, so I can
talk to Kevin face-to-face.

I'll go with you.

No, you won't.

Kinkirk.
Kev, it's--

I'm busy.

I said I'm busy.

Hello?

Hi.

I was wondering when you'd call.

This weekend was great.

I thought so too,
but the funniest thing

happened when I got back.

What's that?

My ex-husband decided
to come home.

He wants to give us
another shot.

I thought you said
he was a bad guy.

Ah, I was probably exaggerating,
you know,

getting all the pent-up
anger out of my system.

But... what it all comes down
to is that we're a family

and now we're back together.

That's great.

And we have you to thank for it.

What do you mean?

When my ex picked up the kids
and got one look at you,

he realized he was wrong.

So, thanks.

You're welcome.

Who's that?!

What are you doing here?

Wh-What's going on?

Nothing.

Except for me doing my job.

You should go home.

He's cheatin' on ya.

Some chick named Venus.

Lucy, wait.

Marriage is tough, isn't it?

♪ ♪

Hello?

Reverend Camden.

Martin, I'm so glad you called.

Come home, we'll talk.

I-I can't.

I need your help.

You can't go with
Dr. Pearson or Dr. Kline.

What?

Miranda just broke up with me

to get back together
with her no-good husband,

ex-husband, husband, whatever.

You need a new doctor.

Sorry if
I can't worry about

which doctor is gonna
deliver my baby.

Right now, I've got to plan

to raise my daughter
as a single mother.

What?

Kevin's cheating on me

with a girl named Venus.

You knew?

I heard a rumor about it

when I was down
at the station today,

but I haven't had a chance to
confront Kevin about it yet.

I confronted him.

What'd he say?

Well, I ran out
before I had to listen

to any of his lies.

There's gotta be an explanation.

Kevin would never do
anything like that to you.

You're everything to him.

If there's one thing
Kinkirk men are it's loyal.

Sometimes we fib
a little, well I do,

but Kevin doesn't,
but we're loyal.

You can't even be with
the same woman every night,

you said so yourself.

If that's an example
of Kinkirk loyalty,

what does that say
about your brother?

It says that Kevin is
a luckier man than I am.

I've never been able
to find the right woman,

or when I did, she didn't
see me as the right man.

But Kevin did find
the right woman.

He found you.

He would never cheat on you,

I don't care what anybody
says, don't believe it.

You did.

Yeah, well, I'm not very smart.

So, I had to sit with the
information a little while

before I realized
it wasn't true.

Martin?

You're going to find Martin?

His friend got some bad news.

She's gonna need him.

Why are you going?

Because he needs me.

I need to talk to my wife.

Okay, but after that,

we need to talk
about your doctor.

Get out.

It's been an
interesting evening.

What do you want me to say?

I want you to say that the
Venus rumors aren't true.

I want you to say that

you're never gonna
leave me and our daughter.

I want you to tell me

that you're gonna
love me forever.

All those Venus
rumors aren't true.

I'm never going to
leave you and our daughter

and I am going to
love you forever.

And I want it to be the truth.

Lucy, it is the truth.

How can you even believe
something like that?

You're a cop and isn't she
like some type of cop groupie?

And with what everyone
was saying, I don't know

maybe it just felt like
familiar territory for me.

I know you're not cheating.

I know you would
never cheat on me.

Just to let you know
how the rumor got started,

when I was calling
around trying to get

Venus's phone number last
night to track down Martin,

the guys thought
I wanted to track her down

for a different reason.

I guess they started talking.

I swear, you guys gossip
more than old ladies.

Do you want me to go down there

and tell each and every one
of them that I trust you?

Not really, no,
I think I can handle it.

Hello?

Lucy, it's Captain Michaels.

Did Kevin make it home?

He did.

And did he explain
how everything was all

just a big misunderstanding?

He did.

And did he get to the part
where he apologizes for me

for helping to spread such
a nasty rumor, even though,

in my defense, I did it
only to stop something

I now know never happened?

He hasn't gotten
to that part yet.

Oh, well, I guess I'll
apologize for myself.

Apology accepted.

Have a good evening.

Good night.

You always expect
that knock on the door.

You have to.

You hope it never comes,

but you have to expect it.

That way, when every
deployment ends

and your dad comes home...

it's such a blessing.

You thank God for every day
you get to spend with him.

Because you know
it won't last.

He'll get the next call
and spend six months,

a year, two years,

far, far away from you.

So, you tell him you love him
and send him on his way.

And then you start to wait
for the knock again.

You always expect the knock.

But you're never ready for it.

My father was a casualty

assistance officer
in the Marines.

He's had to knock
on more doors,

and tell more wives,
sons and daughters,

mothers and fathers

that they've just
lost loved ones

than I can even imagine.

It's an awful job.

I had to do it quite
a few times myself, you know,

when there's been a car
accident or... a suicide

or a sudden death
in their family,

but the most
important thing

is what happens
after I leave.

The people who come forward

to lend a hand
or a shoulder to cry on.

You know, what you were
saying earlier is true.

In a lot of respects,
you're a grown man.

And this is
your friend.

And I can go in there
with you if you want, but...

she's expecting you--

her friend
whose dad is a marine.

Can you handle it?

I think I can handle it.

It'd be easier
if I hadn't lied to her.

It still wouldn't be easy.

Thanks for coming over.

You should know by now

that I'd do anything
to help my family.

555-0192.

My cell phone.

In case it's late
and I'm not home.

We won't be waiting
up for you tonight.

You come home
when she's okay

or when someone can
take over for you.

Or when she wants
to be alone, okay?

♪ ♪

The last time
I answered the door

something terrible happened.

This probably isn't a good
time for you to be here.

I was outside.

I was waiting for them to leave.

I'm not a cop.

I'm only 17 years old.

I know.
You do?

I pretty much figured
it out at school today.

I didn't figure a narc
would brag

about going out
with a substitute teacher.

Oh, Mac, yeah.

Well, I just wanted everything
to be out in the open

and for you to know
why I'm here.

I'm here for you.

As the son of a marine
and as your friend.

Why him?

Why did he have to die?

He died with honor.

The way all marines do.

Fighting for what
they believe in.

I miss him already.