Touched by an Angel (1994–2003): Season 6, Episode 21 - Living the Rest of My Life - full transcript

She wants grandbabies.

Yeah, she wants
grandchildren, but she doesn't

want a daughter-in-law,
that's for sure.

Oh, come on, baby.
Mama loves you.

I love her, too.

It's just starting to
get a little crowded

in here, honey.

Shh... Baby, she can
find her own place.

What is she doing
here with us, huh?

Hey, hey, I love my mom, okay?

I love my mom, too, Phillip,



but I don't have to have
her around 24 hours a day.

Remember the
good old days, Tess?

Which ones?

When all the
generations of a family

would live together
under one roof?

Parents and
grandparents and children,

all taking care of each other.

Yeah, I remember those days.

I think it's wonderful that
someone still cares enough

about his mother to keep
a tradition like that alive.

That man downstairs is
not interested in tradition.

He's interested in himself.

He's got all kinds of reasons
to keep his mama in this house,

and none of them have anything
to do with the good old days.



Oh, dear.

Then I feel sorry for her.

Abigail Peabody-Jackson
might need an angel

or two, but she does not need
anybody to feel sorry for her.

Mmm.

Now, you got to respect a
woman with this much style.

Now those were
the good old days.

That's cute.

Morning, Mama.

Morning, son.

Coffee's in the pot.

Yeah, and boy, do I need some.

Pour me one, too?

Mother Abby, when
are you gonna try using

these gourmet beans
that I bought, honey?

Judith, I've always
used this coffee,

and Phillip loves it.

Besides, that fancy
coffee is too expensive.

Maybe you can
afford it, but I can't.

I remember when we used
to use the coffee bean twice.

Oh, Mother Abby, I
love you, I really do,

but I just can't
listen to those stories

about the Great
Depression this morning.

Well, maybe not, but when
those stocks and bonds

you put so much
faith in go to pot,

you'll be saving every
coffee bean you can find.

Mama, I'm a professional.

Now, I'm not worried about
it, and you shouldn't be either.

You are a day trader, son.

I just as well be
betting on horses.

You don't even know
what day-trading is.

Oh, yes, I do.

I watch TV.

Which reminds me,

the electricity bill was
a little high this month.

I thought

you didn't care about
spending money.

That's okay.

Got my own money.

Can get my own place.

Can pay my own electricity.

Mama, nobody wants you to leave,

and you can watch
all the TV you want.

You can make any
kind of coffee you want.

I'm going to work.

No offense, Mother Abby.

We just have a big sale,
and I got a lot on my mind.

See you.

Bye.

Mama, you know I love you.

Yes, I love you, too, son.

And you're my first girl,

and I don't know how
to live without you.

Oh.

Oh, wow, man, look at this mess.

I'm gonna be late.

I'll go ahead and
clean it up right now.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
You just go on to your job.

I'll take care of it.

I got it.

Okay, if you're sure?

I'm sure.

Okay.

Thanks.

Have a good day, son.

That's the way it
is every morning.

"Hello, Mama."

"Thanks, Mama."

"Good-bye, Mama."

It's hard to say

who's wrapped around
whose little finger.

Well, into each family

a little dysfunction must fall.

Time to cut the
apron strings, huh?

It's time to take the
apron off altogether.

♪ When you walk ♪

♪ Down the road ♪

♪ Heavy burden ♪

♪ Heavy load ♪

♪ I will rise ♪

♪ And I will walk with you ♪

♪ I'll walk with you ♪

♪ Till the sun
don't even shine ♪

♪ Walk with you ♪

♪ Every time, I tell you ♪

♪ I'll walk with you ♪

I Walk with you ♪

♪ Believe me, I'll
walk with you. ♪

Edmund, this is not...

- Hmm-mm.
- What I need.

Don't you marry that man.

Don't you... Don't you do it.

Listen to what he's saying.

- Can't you hear him?
- Eureka.

- Champagne, not bad.
- Get...

- I was saving it for...
- Hello?

Hello?

- Wait a minute, wait a minute, hold on.
- Perfect.

All right, now what is it?

Would you like to
maximize your portfolio

- by investing...
- What?

Your portfolio?

Now, what makes you think

I want to maximize my portfolio

by impacting my
investment strategy?

My investment strategy has
been the same for the last 40 years.

Earn it and save it.

And by the way, young
lady... Yes, ma'am?

"Impact" is not a verb.

Good-bye.

Now, it's always...

- perfectionist, never seem...
- Who is it?

Hello, Mrs. Jackson?

Which one?

Mrs. Abigail Jackson.

She's dead. Go away.

Mrs. Jackson, my
name is Monica, and...

I said I'm not interested.

Go away.

I thought you were dead.

Now you're just not interested?

What's your point?

Well, my point is that
we're actually moving

in the right direction.

I figure if I stand
here long enough,

you might open the door.

Well, you can stand
there until kingdom come.

I'm not opening this door.

I need some help, please.

Hello?

I'll handle this, baby.

Abigail Peabody-Jackson,

I know you're in there.

Open the door, please.

Nobody's gonna try
to sell you anything

or steal those pretty hats
you have in your closet.

We just want to talk to you.

What about?

Oh, my name is Tess, and
this is my friend, Monica,

and we're collecting
for our fundraiser.

What kind of fundraiser?

It's for the Living the Rest
of My Life Retirement Center.

We're collecting any old
clothes that you don't need.

Scarves, gloves, hats.

You know about my hats?

How you know about that?

Well, you gave a lecture

for the Ladies' Missionary
Society in St. Louis.

Uh, "Hats: My
hobby, my vocation."

That was 35 years ago.

It left an impression.

You made all of these.

Now, this one is really special.

I brought my baby boy
home from the hospital

in this one.

You say you're collecting

for one of those
old folks' homes?

Sad, isn't it?

All those lonely people.

Oh, no.

No, no.

Our people are not like that.

Everybody's lived
a marvelous life.

They've done interesting things,

and they want to
keep on doing them.

Like sitting in front
of the television

watching soap
operas all day, yeah?

No, they're much
too busy for that.

They're on field trips or
taking cooking classes.

Some of them are even
volunteer grandparents

down at the local
day care center.

And at night, there's
great conversation

and concerts and
ballroom dancing.

Oh, please.

I haven't danced so long,
I wouldn't know what to do.

Why don't you come for tea
this afternoon with us, Abby.

Oh... I don't know.

I think you'd really enjoy it.

There's the dining room,

and over there is
the recreation room.

This is the family room.

Oh.

And nothing says "family"

like a gang member
painting graffiti on the wall.

Oh, this is Ramon.

He's not a gang member.

But he is serving
community service time.

He painted graffiti on
a highway overpass,

and the judge sentenced
him here to help us out.

He's painting a mural
to brighten things up.

And this is his punishment?

Well, we all have
our specialties.

- Yes.
- And no one
should be wasted.

Of course.

Why don't you let me
show you the apartments

while you're here.

This is just become available.

Mrs. Campbell moved on.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Oh, no, ma'am.

She didn't die. She
just... she moved on.

She met a man from
Florida on the Internet.

Abby, this Andrew.

Andrew, this is Abby.

How do you do?

Nice to meet you.

I think you'll like it here.

But, uh, who said
I was moving in?

Uh, well... Excuse me.

It's nice to meet you.

Just take this back,

and you tell the kitchen
that's the worst pecan pie

I ever had in my life,
and believe you me,

I've had some garbage.

Can I get you something else?

Why would I want
more from that kitchen?

I'd rather eat socks.

Lois, what brings you out today?

Self-preservation.

- Lois, this is Abby.
- Hello.

How do you do?

Mm.

Did you, uh, paint...

Those paintings,
did you paint them?

Oh, yeah, she's a great painter.

You two probably...
have a lot in common.

You have been trying
to sell me on this place

from the minute I
made the mistake

of opening my door
for the both of you.

Well.

I'm not buying.

All right.

You just go sit in that house,

and watch your soap operas,

if that's what you
really want to do.

Let me just understand this:

you have a cranky old woman

who will not come
out of her room

except for pecan
pie, which she hates.

Ex-convict painting
peaches on the walls.

People who cannot bake,

let alone bake a good pecan pie.

And you think that's
all right for me?

Oh, no.

No, no.

I'm leaving.

And I'm not coming back.

Mama.

Phillip, what are you doing
home in the middle of the day?

It's... 4:00 in the afternoon.

I've been here since 2:00.

Now where the
hell have you been?

Have you lost your mind?

How dare you
talk to me like that?

I'm sorry.

It's just that
everything's been so...

Hello?

Yeah, she's here.

And she's fine.

I'll talk to you later,
baby. Bye-bye.

So, Mama, where were you?

I mean, I called, and I called,
and there was no answer,

and finally I come home,

and you're missing.

Oh, Phillip.

I wasn't missing.

I'm not a dog that
jumps over the fence.

I wanted to get
out, and I got out.

Okay.

But Mama, you need to understand
that you're precious to me.

So if you need to go anywhere,

shopping, to the bank...

anywhere, you let me know.

I'll take you, okay?

If I wanted to go dancing,

would you take me dancing?

Mama, don't be crazy.

You're 70 years old. 70.

Ramona.

It's looking good.

It's, um... it's a nice...

nice use of color.

Hello.

Law says I gotta work.
Doesn't say I gotta talk.

You know,
you're... you're right.

You don't have to talk.

But you know what I think?

I think you don't realize

you've got an entire
roomful of people

willing to listen to you.

And it's my guess

that that's the first time
that's ever happened.

So why don't you enjoy it?

Excuse me.

Ramona?

I was wondering
if you've anything

you'd like to contribute
to the fundraiser.

Excuse me?

Everyone here is
donating something.

A quilt, dance
lessons, babysitting.

Is there anything that
you'd like to donate?

I don't live here.

Well, you're part
of the family now.

I'll leave you to
think about it, okay?

Lois?

We have a surprise for you.

My name is Abby.

We met yesterday.

No visitors.

No... What is that?

Probably the best pecan pie

you will ever eat.

I doubt it.

Put it over there.

Phillip, did you ever
notice that place

down on Grand?

What place?

It's called "Living
the Rest of My Life."

I've seen them.

It's a retirement home
or something like that.

No, no, no, no, forget about it.

Those places are
just rip-off joints.

Not this one.

How do you know that?

'Cause I've been there.

You what, Mama?

And I saw a painting

that your father and I
fell madly in love with

on our honeymoon.

Oh, we wanted
to buy this painting

so badly, but...

we just didn't have the money.

And the artist lives
right there in that place.

Really?

Very interesting.

Phillip, I'd like to
have my checkbook.

For what?

Well, lots of things.

I might, uh...

want to make a contribution
to their fundraiser.

I might, um...

I just might want
to buy that painting.

Well, your checkbook's in
the safe deposit box, Mama.

It's not here?

Mama, you can't just
leave it around the house.

Some plumber or
repair guy might lift it.

Well, I... I'd like to get it.

Sure.

Next time I'm at the bank,

I'll pick it up for you.

Thank you.

You know, I think
there's a lot to be said

for living the rest of my life.

Mama, you're doing
that. Right here.

Right with your son.

Where you belong.

Excuse me.

Good night, son.

Good night.

Good night, Mama.

Hey, Mark. Phil.

Listen, sorry to
call you at home.

Uh, I just wanted to
know if the deal was done.

Nothing. Nothing's wrong.

I'm not looking
to back out, Mark.

I'm just checking.
I'm just checking.

All right. See you.

Mama?

Hello, son.

What's the matter?

Days seem to get
longer and longer, and...

you're running twice as
fast just to stay in one place.

You're working too hard.

I try to make this a
nice place, Mama.

- I do.
- I know you do.

What's bothering you?

How did you know?

Motherly instinct.

You know I'm going to
be 71 years old tomorrow.

I don't know what I
would do without you.

Everything is
going to be just fine.

Oh, by the way...

I don't want you making
any plans for tomorrow night.

Okay?

Okay.

I won't make any
plans for tomorrow night.

I'll save them just for you.

Good.

Good night, Mama.

You don't know
what you're missing.

Would you like some cake?

Birthday cake?

No, but maybe
Ramone would like some.

Well, we've tried
everything else.

I might as well try sugar.

Ooh, oh, my goodness.

Oh, please, excuse me.

Uh, gosh, look at the time.

What time do you have?

You can't leave now.
We're just getting started.

Oh, but Phillip asked me not
to make any plans for tonight.

I think he has something
special in mind.

You know I can't
let my son down.

But I want to thank you all

for such a wonderful surprise!

- It was a wonderful birthday.
- Happy birthday!

- Happy birthday!
- Happy birthday!

Abby! I'm...

I'm sorry I missed
the birthday party.

Oh, Lois.

I missed you...

I can't bake a pie like you,

but I know what
to do with the pan.

I painted it myself.

Lois, it's beautiful!

Oh, it's nothing, really.

This is turning out to be

such a wonderful birthday.

Well, happy birthday to you!

Why, thank you so much.

Bye-bye.

Hmm...

♪♪

One message at 1:00 pm.

Mama. Pick up the phone

if you're there, Mama.

Okay, you must have
the TV up loud again.

Uh, I hope you
hear the doorbell.

I have the phone guy coming by

between the hours
of 5:00 and 8:00.

I want you to let him in. Okay?

Judith and I are both
working late tonight,

and then we're meeting
for dinner, so don't wait up.

See you in the
morning. Bye-bye, Mama.

End of message.

To erase this
message, press twice.

Everything is in the trunk.

Thank you.

Happy birthday, baby.

Let's go.

Mama! Oh, man, where is she now?

She probably went
for a walk. Relax.

Sweetie, it's breakfast time.

She knows I always want
her to make my breakfast.

So make your own
toast like a big boy.

- Ben?
- Hmm?

Well, Vincent... I did it.

You always wanted
the best for me.

I only decided
that you were right.

So...

Oh, my, here I am.

Not bad, huh?

This is where I wait for
my transportation to glory.

Well, well, well, looks like
somebody's celebrating.

Tess, I have, I have
those papers ready for you.

All right, darling.

Now let me see.

That's fine. Now you
give us one month,

and then when you have your
finances settled with your son,

you give us the rest.

You sure that's all right?

Oh, it's perfect.

- Don't worry about it.
- Good.

One, two, three.

Wonderful. I'll
get you a receipt.

There you are, Mama.

We wanted to surprise you.

Well, you did. A present?

What is it?

It's a universal remote.

Now you can run the TV, the
stereo and the cable with that.

It's all there when
you come home.

But you don't
have cable, Phillip.

We do now.

Ah, we got it just for you.

It's sort of a late
birthday present.

I'm afraid I don't
live there anymore.

Do you like it
here, Mother Abby?

Yes, I do, Judith.

There are folks here who
remember things that I remember.

And then there's a lady here
that H think really needs me.

No, I need you, Mama.

You know, I, I don't understand
what's gotten into you.

I mean, Daddy's not
even cold in his grave,

and you turned away from
everything and everyone

who's ever meant
anything to you.

Your father has been
dead for over a year.

And there isn't a
day that goes by

that he's not in my first,
last, and every thought.

After 47 years of love, I
don't expect that to change.

But he's not coming back.

And it's not my time to go.

And I intend to live my life

until it's time for me
to graduate to glory.

How did you pay for this?

I gave 'em cash for a month.

Cash, Mama?

Now where did you
get that kind of cash?

Well, don't you suppose

that a lady would
live all this time

and not put aside a little
for a rainy day, do you?

- How much?
- Enough.

But I do need my,
my, my checkbook.

I think what you're
doing is wonderful.

Thank you, Judith.

Congratulations.

I tell you what, Mama.

When you come to your senses,
you know where to find me.

Come on, baby.

- Phillip...
- No!

Here's your checkbook.

I got it out of the safe deposit
box yesterday afternoon.

You just keep living your life.

- Bless you.
- Yeah.

What is it?

What's it look like?

It look like somebody
let a first-grader loose

with a Magic Marker.

What, what is this
supposed to be, windows?

Are those people in there?

What they think of being
stuck in this garbage?

Get out of my face,
all right? This is my art.

It's not art.

Look, don't be
ragging on my life

just because you have
nothing to show for yours.

Lois?

What's wrong?

Ramona. That boy doesn't know
ha“ of What he think he knows.

He's young. He'll learn.

Not from me, he won't.

A washed-up has-been.

Never was too
good to begin with.

What?

Everything I had I
had because of Ben.

He was the talented
one, the sculptor.

I used to love just, just
sitting near one of his pieces.

Listen to the people "ooh"
and "ah" over his work.

I was so proud.

So proud.

I didn't care if anybody
ever saw a thing I did.

Ben... my sculptor.

Well... I certainly
understand that.

- That's the way we women are.
- Mm.

We always put our men first.

Vincent...

whenever he was
about to close a big deal,

we would just sit up all night.

All night long just
talking, talking.

"I think this is
it," he would say.

But you know it always
made me feel so good

when he turned to me and say,

"I couldn't do it
without you, Abby."

Oh, he was far from
perfect, but he was alive.

Full of life.

And he didn't leave
any pitiful widow behind.

He left a healthy
fulfilled woman.

And I intend to stay that way
until it's time for me to go on.

Now don't you think Ben
would like you to do the same?

I miss him, Abby.

I miss him so much.

I told you how much Vincent
and I loved this painting.

I'd like to buy it.

Really?

Would you take a check?

Uh-huh.

Ramona, what...
What are you doing?!

Erasing a mistake.

My, my, my, here I thought
you were a tough guy.

Andrew, get her out of here!

Ramona, what,
What is it this time?

What does it matter?

Because in a couple
of days I'm out of here.

All artists care

what people say
about their work.

It's the reason they
paint or sculpt or carve.

If you an artist...

Now you hear me...
You feel the same way.

That's why what I said hurt you.

I don't care what you think.

Ramone, you've never had anyone

apologize to you
before, have you?

It didn't sound like no apology.

Uh, I'm sorry.

I had no right to tell
you your art was wrong.

Now... how's that?

I forgot for a while that
what we paint is who we are.

And your work... is good.

Thank you. Next.

You're a pretty one.
Look to the side.

It's basically a rendition
of my neighborhood.

And what I see is how I've...

Thank you so much.

Your hats are a big success.

Isn't that wonderful?

Oh, my, you know,

I-I made several
telephone calls to Phillip,

but he hasn't returned one.

Oh, don't you
worry about it, baby.

You just hang in there.

You're doing the right thing.

Thank you.

Oh, there she is.

- Hi.
- Kay!

Oh, you know,

we wouldn't have
missed this for anything.

What, what?

My hats are going fast.

Come on. You have to
pick one out for yourself.

Pick out any one
you want. Any one.

This one.

- I figured.
- What you think?

- Oh, I like that, don't you, Phillip?
- Oh, it's really good.

What do you think, Phillip?

Yes, it's, uh, it's nice.

Oh, it's better than nice.
Come on, and guess what.

- I can give you the best deal.
- Yeah?

- I know the designer.
- Oh!

That's the painting I
was telling you about.

It's beautiful.

You can't trust
anybody these days.

Mm-mm. You don't know.

Excuse me.

Lois... what are you doing?

Repossessing my painting.

What? I... Abby...
your check bounced.

Oh, there must be some mistake.

Phillip, how could
my check bounce?

I have my life savings
in that account.

Phillip...

Phillip?

It's gone, Mama.

It's all gone.

Mama, I invested it for you.

I was trying to set you
up for the rest of your life,

and, uh... company went bust.

There's nothing left.

Oh, Phillip.

My faith, managed for 40 years.

And now it's gone.

All gone?

Mama, everybody said
it was a sure thing, okay?

And I thought I did good.

But when the bottom
fell out, I felt, I felt,

I felt sick, Mama.

What's important is the way

your mother feels
right now, Phillip.

I'm sure he supposed he
was doing the right thing.

Yes, I did, Mama, and
you got to forgive me.

'Cause I don't know if
I can live without you.

I don't know what to say.

Well, I suppose I'll... I'll
just have to move back in.

I sure can't afford
to stay here anymore.

I'm sorry.

Guess I'll go start
packing up your things.

I'm sorry, Abby,

but it's like I told ya,
there's nothing left for us.

We'd been better off if we'd
have died with our husbands.

Now, Lois, you can't
start talking like that.

There were people here today

who thought your painting
should be in a museum.

That's the problem. We
all belong in a museum.

We all belong there!

Hey, I just about got
you all packed up here.

I see that.

Mama, I haven't
told you this yet,

but we lost a lot of money, too.

Now, we aren't
gonna lose the house,

but the car...

We're gonna
lose a lot of things.

Just give me the
book and get out.

What is it, Mama?

I saw what you did, Phillip.

I'm sorry you had to see that.

I am, too.

Careless, he makes mistakes.

But everybody does.
Especially if they're desperate.

Abby, that was not a mistake.

That was a deliberate theft.

I wouldn't expect
you to understand.

Why do you always run from
me when you know I'm right?

You are not right.

I am right.

Angels always are.

Yes, but you're no angel.

I am an angel.

Sent by God to help you, Abby.

Angel?

Yes.

From God?

Yes.

For me?

- Yes.
- Thank you, Father.

I knew you'd help me.

Of course, he's
going to help you.

But he's going to help
you more than you think.

This is not just about
the money, Abigail.

God says it's time for you

to face some things
about your child

that you've been
putting off for a long time.

But it was a mistake.

He's a good boy.

Everybody makes mistakes...

and God understands how
disappointing children can be.

His children steal from
Him and lied to Him and...

and-and break promises
to Him every day,

but He doesn't stop
being who He is.

He doesn't bend His rules.

He lets them face the
consequences of their action,

because that's the only
way that they're gonna grow.

And you're going to
have to do the same thing.

It's time for you

to stand on your two feet,

and Phillip has
got to stand on his.

But... I tried so hard.

How did he get this way?

Listen to me, now,

Abby... and listen to me good.

God loves you as much as
you love Phillip, and more.

He loves all His children.

He wants you to be strong,

so that Phillip can
become strong.

You've got to live
the rest of your life

whether you do it here
or somewhere else.

You're so wonderful
with people, Abby.

You take care of them.

But... sometimes, baby...

the best thing you
can do for people...

is to let them take
care of themselves.

And trust God to
take care of the rest.

- Thank you.
- It's gonna be all right.

Mother, where's your suitcase?

I'm not going anyplace
with you, Phillip.

Now I know why you
kept me in that house...

why you wouldn't let me
go anyplace by myself.

You were afraid
I'd get to the bank

and find out what was going on.

You stole money out
of my bank account.

You stole money
out of this b... Phillip...

you stole money out of this book

and you didn't even
look to see what it was.

This is your baby book, Phillip.

Look at it.

Look at this sweet baby
boy God gave to the world.

Hmm?

Lovely... innocent, happy.

Look at it.

It's all there on these pages...

along with my prayers for you.

Phillip... what is
happening to you?

Hmm?

You owe me one
hundred thousand dollars...

and I want every
single penny of it.

Mama, how could you...
Deep down inside me,

I knew that all of that
"I love you, Mama,"

and "You're my best girl" stuff

was just that: stuff!

Just your way of keeping me

making your coffee,

answering your telephone,

waiting for the plumber,

waiting for the
telephone company.

Phillip, I am not your maid!

I am your mother!

I want my money...
and I want all of it.

Now, how am I supposed to
come up with that kind of money?

That is not my problem.

Mother Abby...

I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry for all of this.

I know, Judith.

Lord knows I pray for you.

Pray for me, too, Mama?

I always pray for you, Phillip.

You'll always be in my heart.

But you can never
be in my life...

unless you get
your life together.

That's a lot of money.

Hey, Miss Abby?

Whatcha got there, Miss Abby?

Oh, you know they used
to call this a crib, Mr. Wilbur.

Well, you aren't
gonna be needing it.

I can't afford to live
here anymore, Lois.

I don't see why not.

I just paid in advance for
your upcoming year here.

But... Wha-What
are you talking about?

You don't have any money.

She does now.

I looked up Lois
on the Internet.

Better known as Chloe.

And check this out.

"Although a minor
regional figure,

Chloe's mature work
remains highly valued."

They think I'm dead.

You mean your paintings

are worth that much?

"Minor figure"?

I don't like being minor,

and I don't like being dead.

But I sure like being expensive!

Would you like to do the
dance of joy, Miss Abby?

I knew I should have
bought that pizza!

I just knew it!

I think the apron
strings have been cut.

Not only have the
apron strings been cut,

I think she's left the kitchen.

The Father never
ceases to amaze me.

Whenever He sets something
free, he sets it all the way free.

So... anyone else
for the dance of joy?

Charmed.

♪♪