Touched by an Angel (1994–2003): Season 8, Episode 17 - Hello, I Love You - full transcript
A young girl in search of the father she has never known is guided to several possibilities.
"Wells, Nevada,
"where regional
business opportunities
"meet quality rural living.
Population 1,363."
I read that on the welcome
sign on our way into town.
I see.
Oh, but they can add
three more to that total now.
Someone should tell
them that Mrs. Fisk
had triplets last night.
I'm sure everyone around
here already knows that.
Mm, good news travels
fast in a small town.
All news travels
fast in a small town,
good and otherwise.
Her name is Danni Blake.
That's short for Daniella.
She never liked that name.
She says it's a
little too froufrou.
Danni is my assignment.
Yes, but Danni is just
the tip of the iceberg.
There's more to this
case than meets the eye.
Tess, why do you do that?
If you don't mind my saying.
At the beginning of every
assignment, you talk in circles.
I do not.
You do. You just said it.
"There's more to this
than meets the eye."
We need more information.
Well, try talking less and
paying attention more.
Father, give me patience,
the patience that I
say what I need to say
when I need to say it,
and that's all I'm gonna say.
Hey, my-my mom said it's okay
if I have a sleepover
tomorrow night.
Did you ask your
mom if you can come?
Um, yeah.
She said no.
We're going to my house.
And I guess we
won't be seeing you
next Friday night, huh, Danni?
That was mean, Kate.
Well, who cares?
She's just Danni
Blake, the Big Mistake.
Knock-knock.
Gail, what are you doing here?
Oh, your hair
looks cute, Nicole.
What'd you do to it?
Nothing yet.
Didn't you get my message?
I found a sitter.
Yes. You hired a total
stranger out of the newspaper?
You're always too nice,
so I thought I'd give
her the third degree.
She seemed nice on the phone.
Why do you always
have to assume the worst?
Do you watch the 6:00 news?
I am staying till I'm
convinced she's okay.
I hate school!
Hmm.
What was that about?
Oh, man.
Father-daughter
dance next Friday.
Well, I told you this was
gonna happen sooner or later.
I know; I was just
hoping for later.
Much later.
A father-daughter dance...
What's wrong with that?
Not a thing.
If you've got a father.
But, Tess, all
humans have a father.
I mean, sure, there's precedent
for immaculate
conception, but...
What Tess is saying
is that Danni's father
is no longer around.
Oh.
Where is he?
That's the rest of the iceberg.
Oh.
♪ 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 ♪
♪ Walk with you ♪
♪ Believe me, I'll
walk with you. ♪
♪♪
Danni, I know how you feel.
No, you don't.
You had a daddy.
Everybody has one except me.
I'm tired of being Danni
Blake, the Big Mistake.
Oh, baby, you are not a mistake.
You know that.
Then how come nobody
ever talks about it?
It's like you're embarrassed.
No.
Danni, I'm not embarrassed.
I will talk about it.
I just didn't think
you were ready yet.
What do you want to know?
Well, does he hate me?
No.
Of course he doesn't.
Then how come he never
even sent me a birthday card
or a Christmas
present or anything?
Hold on.
- Hi.
- Hello.
You must be Monica. Come on in.
Thank you.
I'll be with you in a minute.
Okay.
Hello.
I'm Monica, the new sitter.
Oh, Gail, Nicole's sister.
No calluses, no
dirt under the nails.
Looks like a
professional manicure.
Why are you here?
Uh, your sister hired me to...
I know why you're
here. Why are you here?
What's your angle?
It's my understanding that
Nicole was offered a promotion
at the factory if she'd
switch to the swing shift,
but she has no one to
take care of her daughter.
Okay, Danni's eating
dinner and she chokes;
what do you do?
You got ten seconds.
If she can speak, then her
airway is not fully blocked
and she can dislodge
the obstacle herself,
usually by coughing.
If she can't speak, then
the airway is blocked,
and I would perform
the Heimlich Maneuver.
So...
What's that?
It's kind of a memory box
I've been saving for you.
Your dad gave you
this on your first birthday.
"For my very special girl.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be
with you on your birthday,
"but I think about
you every day.
"I love you very much.
Love, Daddy."
Wow.
Well, what about the
rest of my birthdays?
Well, I asked him
not to send any more.
Why?
Because I thought it
would be better for us
to make a clean break.
How come?
Didn't you love him?
Yes, I did.
What was he like?
Well, I don't know
what he's like now,
but I remember
when I first met him.
After high school, I got a
job at the Silver Springs Diner,
and he came in every day.
He never said much, but he
had this million-dollar smile.
And one night, instead
of a tip, he left a list.
And at the top
of the list, it said,
"100 things I
like about Nicole."
100 things?
- Wow.
- Wow.
He always knew
the right things to say
to make me feel better.
So, if you love him, why
can't we all be together?
Well...
Love between a man
and a woman can be
a complicated thing, honey.
You wish people could
be one way, and they can't.
Sometimes you say things
that you can't take back.
And even if you
wanted to try again,
maybe the other person
won't, and you're too afraid to try
and find out, so
you both just let it go.
But...
You have to trust
me on this, Danni.
Sometimes life
just gets in the way,
and it's too late to try to put
things back together again.
Do you ever wonder about him?
Yes.
Do you think I'll ever
meet him one day?
Mm, maybe.
Maybe someday.
And you know something?
You got your daddy's smile.
I do?
Mm-hmm.
I love you.
I love you, too.
Okay.
Silver Springs.
Hi, Danni.
Hi. Guess what?
I'm going to the
dance next Friday.
Right. With Who?
With my dad.
You don't have a dad.
Everybody has a dad, Kate. Duh.
My mom and I talked
about it last night.
He lives in Silver Springs
and he's really nice.
Cool. You want to
walk home with us?
Yeah, okay.
For Silver Springs.
The name's Jackson.
Uh, first name? I'm not sure.
Danni?
What are you doing?
I was...
Trying to call my dad to invite
him to the dance Friday night.
You can't do that.
Why not?!
Because I said so.
That's not fair!
I can call him if I want to!
Daniella, go to your room.
Don't call me that!
I hate that name!
Go to your room. Now.
I can't believe she did that.
I think she's just trying
to find out who she is.
I-I shouldn't have
told her anything.
She's just too
young to understand.
I've got to go.
Danni?
Danni, wake up.
Wake up; we have
to get you dressed.
My husband's catching
the next flight back home.
Monica, do you think
that you could drive me,
'cause I just...
What's going on?
There was an
accident at the factory.
Portable X-ray to I.C.U.
Portable X-ray
to I.C.U., please.
Is she okay?
She's in surgery.
When can I see my mom?
It'll be at least
12 hours, honey.
But you can say a
prayer for her right now.
I don't want to say a prayer.
I want to do something.
When your mother came
in, she was wearing this.
Why don't you keep it for
her until she feels better.
When the foreman
called me from the factory,
he said that she...
Listen, Danni, why don't
you go into my purse,
get a dollar and go
buy a Coke, okay?
The cafeteria's just
down the hallway.
Do you want me to go with you?
No, that's okay.
I'll be right back.
Tess, if my sister
comes out of this,
what kind of care will she need?
Well, it's too
early to say exactly
what her medical needs will be,
but I do know that she's
going to need all the love
and support that
she can get from you.
She's a single mom,
and she doesn't
have much family.
Just Danni...
Bus 623 now arriving.
623 now arriving.
Why don't you just wait
inside; I'll get the car.
- All right?
- Okay.
Monica?
Danni, please get in.
I can't.
I'm sorry I ran away,
and I'm sorry I took
Aunt Gail's money,
but I got to help my mom.
How are you gonna
help her by running away
when she needs you most?
She told me that
my dad always knew
what to say to
make her feel better.
So you came here to find him?
Yeah, and if she wakes up
tonight and he's there for her,
then everything will be okay.
Please, Monica, please help.
It's really, really important.
All right, I'll help you.
But first you have
to make a phone call.
Okay.
Yeah, I know, but
Monica's here with me,
and could you please
tell my Aunt Gail?
How's my mom?
Well, she's out of surgery.
She's in recovery.
But we won't know
anything for a while, baby.
May I speak to Monica?
Yeah.
She wants to talk to you.
Hello.
So, she's looking
for her father?
Yes.
You think that's a good thing?
Well, I think she's feeling
very helpless, and I think that
this might help her to feel
like she's doing something.
You have her back here tonight.
Yes, ma'am.
Here he is!
I mean, here they are.
Four people named Jackson.
All right, then, we'll
get a piece of paper
so we can write down
the addresses, and then...
All set. Let's go.
This is the right
address; this could be it.
Only one way to find out.
No one seems to be home.
Hello.
We're looking for
a Timothy Jackson.
What?
Timothy Jackson.
That's me.
Whatever you're
selling, I ain't buying.
We're sorry for troubling you.
Yes, may I help you?
Hey.
What up?
We're looking for Alex Jackson.
You got him, babe.
Now what can I do for you?
This is the last one.
One is all you need.
Are you Mr. Jackson?
No, I'm Andrew.
Mr. Jackson's in the house.
- Thanks.
- Okay.
I didn't know that you were
assigned to Walter and Kim, too.
Kim?
Walter's wife.
It's just, uh, marital
difficulties and trust issues.
You're not on
this case, are you?
Well, no.
And maybe.
You're starting to
sound like Tess.
Yes?
Hello, Mr. Jackson,
my name's Monica.
This is Danni.
Danni?
Yeah, it's better than
my real name, Daniella.
Weird, huh?
My mom gave it to me,
but I don't know why.
Maybe you know her?
Her name is Nicole Blake.
Nicole Blake.
I think you're my father.
What?
Wh-What are you talking about?
I think you're my daddy.
Um, I don't know
any Nicole Blake.
Did she say what
I think she said?
Uh, listen, Kim, wait, um...
I can't believe this is
happening again, Walter!
You got to believe me.
I-I don't know... I can
give you a hundred reasons
why you have to believe me.
Did you hear what he just said?
He could give her
a hundred reasons.
Just like the list... the hundred
things he loved about my mom!
I'm not sure it's really
the same thing, Danni.
And I think we need
to come back later.
Come on.
Okay.
How could you do this to me?
I didn't do anything.
Really?
That's what you said about Lisa.
And before her, Renee.
And before that,
I forget, Walter.
Who was first?
Was it Heather or Terri?
Look, I know I made
mistakes early on... big ones.
But that was a long time ago,
and I thought that
we worked this out.
Yeah, well, so did I.
That had to be him, Monica.
He was the last
Jackson on the fist.
He did seem to be
the right age, but...
Maybe he wasn't the last one.
"Dan Jackson."
Hi.
Danni, this is my friend Gloria.
Hi.
What are you doing here?
Oh, uh, Tess sent
me to help this man
with self-esteem issues.
But frankly he seems
perfectly happy the way he is.
And now that you're
here, something tells me
that maybe Dan
Jackson is Danni's father.
Where is he?
Inside. Follow me.
Dan?
This is Monica and Danni.
- This is Dan Jackson.
- Hello.
- Hi.
- I like your van.
You mean my W.E.S.V.?
What's that?
Work, Eat, Sleep Vehicle.
You live in your van?
Yeah.
That's why you're
not in the phone book.
Yeah.
So, uh, what can I do you for?
I got ten offices full of
windows to clean here,
then I'm at your service.
Oh, and I run a
cash-only business.
He travels around a lot.
Nice locket.
This?
Yeah.
Reminds me of somebody I
used to know a long time ago.
Really?
Yeah.
Excuse me.
It's him, it's my dad!
A few minutes ago, you
thought Walter was your dad.
Yeah, but this
time I'm really sure.
His name is Dan, mine's Danni.
And he remembers
my mom's locket!
I'm not so sure, Danni.
All we got to do is get him
to smile and see if it's worth
a million dollars
like my mom said.
Dan has to be
the one... It all fits.
It seems to, but something
doesn't feel right yet.
Oh, the whole living
in the van thing?
Mm. That presents a challenge.
It also suggests
someone who didn't want
to be tied down with a family.
Oh.
Maybe he is her father.
And maybe he doesn't want to be.
What animal do you
look like in the bathtub?
A little bear.
Get it?
Try this. Knock, knock.
Lady?
Can you do something
with your kid?
I got a lot of work to do here.
I'm gonna get some
more cleaning fluid.
Take this stuff
to the next office.
Well, Dan, Dan, the handyman,
making the rounds again.
Every three months, J.T.
As dependable as a Swiss watch.
Now, did you
remember to get yourself
that business license this time?
Yes, sir.
All right.
I can't get him to
smile at me, Monica.
My mom said my
dad smiled all the time.
Maybe he just doesn't like me.
I don't think it has anything
to do with you, Danni.
Some people just aren't smilers.
Walter is.
Can we go see him again?
So, you just drive around
and people hire you?
Yep.
And I hire people like you
to help me when I need it.
Then it's off to the next
town and the next job.
And next assistant.
I like to keep moving.
How do you get to
know people that way?
I don't.
So no... little romances?
No special Valentine?
No.
Not anymore.
Aha.
Aha?
Yes. There's obviously something
in your past to explain
your fear of commitment.
You're just not telling me.
You know what I like best about
the way I live my life, Gloria?
What?
I don't answer to anybody.
Monica, we need to hurry.
My mom will be waking up soon.
When are you gonna get
this thing running, Andrew?
Pretty soon.
Timing's still a little off.
Please, hurry.
I swear, if this
car was running,
I'd be a hundred
miles away by now.
You know, maybe it's good
that, uh, neither of you
are running right now.
What you doing
standing out here?
Car still not working yet?
Why don't you come
inside; we could talk.
No.
You never want to talk.
I turn off the TV,
you just stare at me.
I ask you how you
are, you say, "I'm fine."
Got to give me something
to work with here.
Uh, do you guys want me
to take a break or something?
No.
Please fix the car.
Okay, here it is.
Every time I leave this house...
Go to the hairdresser, the
grocery or the cleaners...
Whenever I just see a
woman walking down the street,
I wonder to myself, is
she younger than me?
Is she prettier than me?
Did Walter have an
affair with her, too?
Why do you do that to yourself?
I didn't do this to me.
You did this to me.
You're the one who
cheated on me, remember?
That-that was a
long, long time ago.
I said I would never do it
again, and I never have,
and you said that
you forgave me.
Forgiving was the easy part.
It's forgetting that I'm
finding next to impossible.
And when that little girl
showed up at the door,
I thought to myself,
well, what's next?
Or who's next?
When are you ever
gonna trust me again?!
Uh, excuse me.
We're sorry for interrupting.
I didn't mean to
make anybody fight,
but my mom got hurt, and
I really need to find my dad.
This isn't your
fault, sweetheart.
Talk to her.
Hey.
It's Danni, right?
Short for Daniella.
I know, stupid name.
Try Walter.
It's not so great right
about now either.
I like your smile.
Thank you.
I like yours, too.
Thanks.
So did you know my mom?
She met my dad at
the Silver Springs Diner.
We really need to
hear the truth, Walter.
The truth is that I don't know.
There was a time when I
used to know a lot of women,
but I don't think I really
need to discuss that
With a little kid.
I'm not little, I'm ten.
Oh, you're ten?
I was born November 28, 1991.
I was a Thanksgiving baby.
Mom said not only did
I give her something
to be thankful for,
but because of me, she
didn't have to cook that year.
It's not me.
It couldn't be me. Kim!
Kim!
She was born in November of '91.
I'll send her a birthday card.
Think about it.
Where were we that
whole year? You remember?
I don't know.
Let's see, um... '91?
That's the year
we spent in France.
Exactly.
And her parents met each
other here in Silver Springs.
What?
What is it now?
That solves your
problem, not ours.
Huh, thought you left, kid.
You said this reminded you
of somebody you used to know.
It was my mom, Nicole Blake.
And you're my dad.
She's serious, Dan.
Look, uh, don't get me wrong.
You seem like a
nice little girl, but, uh...
I don't eat very much, and
I don't make a lot of noise.
You don't have to come
back and live with us forever,
but if my mom could see
you when she wakes up,
it'll help her get better,
because she really,
really loves you,
and I don't know you that
well, but I love you, too.
You don't understand.
You've got the wrong guy.
I'm not your daddy!
Please.
She's just a little girl.
I know, I... I'm sorry.
Look, I don't know
any Nicole Blake,
and you wouldn't want
me around anyway.
I got a lousy temper,
no money, I smell
like turpentine.
I don't care.
I need to find my daddy!
Well, you should care.
Yeah, I knew somebody
who had a locket like this.
And it was somebody
I loved very much.
Her name was Barbara.
No, it's Nicole.
You're just forgetting!
No, honey.
My wife left me because I...
I couldn't give her children.
I can't possibly be
your daddy, 'cause...
I can't be anybody's daddy.
Dr. Genetti, fourth
floor nurses' station.
Dr. Genet“ to the fourth
floor nurses' station.
Welcome back, Sissy.
Uh, Danni?
Yeah, she's out with Monica.
They'll be back in a minute.
What happened?
One of the hydraulic cables
came loose on your line,
hit you in the back of the head.
They had to go in
and stop the bleeding.
Want some?
Mom!
Oh, honey.
How are you feeling, Nicole?
Ow.
- Hmm.
- Monica and Danni
have been on a little adventure.
It was a stupid adventure.
I went to Silver Springs.
It wasn't Monica's
fault, or Aunt Gail's.
I snuck out.
You said that my dad
always made you feel better,
so I went to get him
so he'd be here
when you woke up.
- But I couldn't find him.
- Oh.
Oh, sweetie,
there's only one person
that I wanted to see,
and that's you.
You're the most important
person in the world to me.
Oh, don't cry, sweetheart.
I think what you tried
to do was wonderful.
Some things just
aren't meant to be.
We have to let your
mama get some rest.
I'll take Danni home.
We'll be back in the morning.
Thanks, Monica.
Bye.
I'm sorry.
No, it's okay.
I'll see you in the morning.
Okay.
I have got to get some coffee.
Be back in a minute.
That's quite a
girl you got there.
Thanks.
She seems determined
to find her father.
I know.
Someday.
What if I told you...
today is someday?
Well, even if it was,
there's nothing I
can do about it now.
I know you can't.
But God can.
And He sent an angel to help.
Now, tell me something
about this man.
Okay, try it now.
Stop. Stop it.
You said you forgave
me; you just can't let it go.
So as far as I'm concerned,
this is your problem, not mine.
You know what?
This is a beautiful car, and
I can tell that the two of you
really, really take
good care of it.
You know, you change the
oil, you-you call a mechanic
- when you need one.
- Excuse me?
I don't want to stick my nose
into where it doesn't belong,
but I've been listening
to the two of you all day,
and it seems to me
that part of the problem
is you don't listen
to each other.
Marriage is a gift from God,
and you give it less
TLC than you do a car.
Everything was fine
before that kid showed up.
It's all her fault.
Was it really?
Walter, things were not fine.
We were just
ignoring the problems.
If that little girl
hadn't shown up...
Kim, Walter hurt you,
and that is very,
very hard to forget,
but love doesn't just
run away, you know?
It hangs in there.
And, Walter, you want
to regain your wife's trust,
but you can't just demand it.
You've got to earn it.
You've got to show her every
day that you love her so much
that she has nothing
to be afraid of.
Are you a mechanic or
a marriage counselor?
Neither.
So you're just gonna pack
it up and move on again?
That's the way I do it.
Have you ever thought
about staying in one place?
No.
What's it to ya?
Dan, having your own children
isn't the only measure of a man,
and it's not the only
way to be a father.
Or a friend or a neighbor.
You were hurt once,
but who hasn't been?
Now you've taken that pain,
and you've turned
it into a lifestyle.
You're nuts.
You're afraid to love again,
so you just keep moving around
so you won't get
attached to anybody.
And that's why you
got mad at Danni today.
She had the courage
to risk getting hurt,
because she just wanted
to love you so much.
And you're afraid
of love, aren't you?
You sure got a
way of being blunt.
Mm, I know.
It's the way I was made.
I tell the truth.
And you were made to listen.
I'm an angel.
And God loves you, Dan Jackson.
Now, that's blunt.
Danni?
Leave me alone!
I can't.
God sent me to help you.
Monica.
I'm an angel, Danni.
God sent me for
you, just for you.
- Really?
- Really.
I don't want an angel,
'cause God's a big liar!
Oh, no.
God loves you very much, Danni.
Then how come I'm Danni
Blake, the Big Mistake?
You're not a mistake.
God doesn't make mistakes.
I'm just a big loser.
Do you know what you did today?
Yeah.
I tried to help my mom,
but all I did was
get everybody mad.
Do you know what the
word "catalyst" means?
Isn't that something terrible?
No.
It's the reason
something got started.
When you met
Walter Jackson today,
you were a catalyst in his life.
Dan Jackson, too.
Really?
God made me a catalyst?
Mm-hmm.
God does it a lot.
Sometimes you start out
trying to do one good thing,
and you end up doing
something even better.
You may not have found
your father today, Danni,
but you helped some
other people find peace.
And they'd like
to say thank you.
Hi. You ready?
Hi, Danni.
I just wanted to make
sure you got home all right.
Yeah, I did.
How's your mom?
She's gonna be okay.
That's great.
I bet she's a really nice lady.
Yeah. You'd like her.
Well, I'm glad I
got to meet you.
And I want to thank you for
knocking on our door today.
I was a catalyst, you know.
Yes, you were, honey.
And I was a big jerk.
And I have been for a long time.
But God willing...
things are about to change.
Oh, I think God
is really willing.
Hey, I really hope you
find your dad, Danni.
And when you do,
I hope he realizes
what a great kid you are.
Thanks.
Hi.
Hey, kid.
Did you get an angel, too?
Oh, yeah.
It's been Angel City in
Silver Springs today, I hear.
So are you happier now?
Yeah. Yeah, I am.
I'm thinking of getting
a little house there.
Put down some roots,
see what happens.
I did that?
Yep.
You had the guts
to go some place
you'd never been before
just to find your dream,
even though you knew
you might not find it.
Faith like that...
can move mountains.
So I figure I ought
to give it a try.
Settle down, maybe
make a few friends.
You want to be one of them?
Okay.
Well, if I couldn't find my dad,
at least I got to be a catalyst.
Don't give up hope, Danni.
God's timing is
different from yours,
and you never know who's
out there making things happen.
Oh, he's the catalyst king.
You know how fast
you were going, ma'am?
I know.
I've been doing nearly
90 for almost 30 minutes.
What took you so long...
"Officer Jackson?
It's a really nice job, Danni.
Thanks.
There's a visitor here.
Oh, she's asleep.
He came to see Danni.
This is Officer Jackson.
«Jackson? «Jackson.
- Um...
- Oh. Uh... Maybe we should, uh...
Yeah, yeah. I, um,
could use some coffee.
Uh, hi, Danni.
Hi.
Did I do something wrong?
No. No.
I heard you were
in Silver Springs
looking for your dad yesterday.
Yeah, but I didn't find him.
Wearing your mom's locket, huh?
Yeah. How'd you know?
The way you never give up.
That's the first
thing on the list.
You mean the hundred
things you like about Nicole?
Yeah.
She used to keep
the list in that locket.
She's only got me
in there right now.
See?
She kept it behind
your picture here.
"Number two:
the way you bite your
lower lip when you think."
Hey, I do that, too.
"Number three through
100: the 98 ways..."
"you make me smile."
Could you smile for me, please?
Daddy?
How'd you find me?!
That's... That is a long story.
Do you believe in angels?
Yeah.
And I believe in families, too.
Hey.
Hi.
I've thought about this
moment for a long time.
- Me, too.
- Me, too.
You know what you are, Danni?
You are reason number 101.
What'd they say?
What'd they say?
They seem very happy.
Well, good. Well,
that's it then, huh?
Oh, no, it's not over yet.
There's a kid named
Jackson playing air guitar.
He could use some guidance.
Tess, is that really necessary?
Don't complain
to me, Miss Wings.
If the Father says we
go talk to Mr. Guitar Boy,
we go talk to Mr. Guitar Boy.
If the Father says we
do the hokey pokey,
we do the hokey
pokey, and I don't want
to hear another word about it.
What's a hokey pokey?
"where regional
business opportunities
"meet quality rural living.
Population 1,363."
I read that on the welcome
sign on our way into town.
I see.
Oh, but they can add
three more to that total now.
Someone should tell
them that Mrs. Fisk
had triplets last night.
I'm sure everyone around
here already knows that.
Mm, good news travels
fast in a small town.
All news travels
fast in a small town,
good and otherwise.
Her name is Danni Blake.
That's short for Daniella.
She never liked that name.
She says it's a
little too froufrou.
Danni is my assignment.
Yes, but Danni is just
the tip of the iceberg.
There's more to this
case than meets the eye.
Tess, why do you do that?
If you don't mind my saying.
At the beginning of every
assignment, you talk in circles.
I do not.
You do. You just said it.
"There's more to this
than meets the eye."
We need more information.
Well, try talking less and
paying attention more.
Father, give me patience,
the patience that I
say what I need to say
when I need to say it,
and that's all I'm gonna say.
Hey, my-my mom said it's okay
if I have a sleepover
tomorrow night.
Did you ask your
mom if you can come?
Um, yeah.
She said no.
We're going to my house.
And I guess we
won't be seeing you
next Friday night, huh, Danni?
That was mean, Kate.
Well, who cares?
She's just Danni
Blake, the Big Mistake.
Knock-knock.
Gail, what are you doing here?
Oh, your hair
looks cute, Nicole.
What'd you do to it?
Nothing yet.
Didn't you get my message?
I found a sitter.
Yes. You hired a total
stranger out of the newspaper?
You're always too nice,
so I thought I'd give
her the third degree.
She seemed nice on the phone.
Why do you always
have to assume the worst?
Do you watch the 6:00 news?
I am staying till I'm
convinced she's okay.
I hate school!
Hmm.
What was that about?
Oh, man.
Father-daughter
dance next Friday.
Well, I told you this was
gonna happen sooner or later.
I know; I was just
hoping for later.
Much later.
A father-daughter dance...
What's wrong with that?
Not a thing.
If you've got a father.
But, Tess, all
humans have a father.
I mean, sure, there's precedent
for immaculate
conception, but...
What Tess is saying
is that Danni's father
is no longer around.
Oh.
Where is he?
That's the rest of the iceberg.
Oh.
♪ 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 ♪
♪ Walk with you ♪
♪ Believe me, I'll
walk with you. ♪
♪♪
Danni, I know how you feel.
No, you don't.
You had a daddy.
Everybody has one except me.
I'm tired of being Danni
Blake, the Big Mistake.
Oh, baby, you are not a mistake.
You know that.
Then how come nobody
ever talks about it?
It's like you're embarrassed.
No.
Danni, I'm not embarrassed.
I will talk about it.
I just didn't think
you were ready yet.
What do you want to know?
Well, does he hate me?
No.
Of course he doesn't.
Then how come he never
even sent me a birthday card
or a Christmas
present or anything?
Hold on.
- Hi.
- Hello.
You must be Monica. Come on in.
Thank you.
I'll be with you in a minute.
Okay.
Hello.
I'm Monica, the new sitter.
Oh, Gail, Nicole's sister.
No calluses, no
dirt under the nails.
Looks like a
professional manicure.
Why are you here?
Uh, your sister hired me to...
I know why you're
here. Why are you here?
What's your angle?
It's my understanding that
Nicole was offered a promotion
at the factory if she'd
switch to the swing shift,
but she has no one to
take care of her daughter.
Okay, Danni's eating
dinner and she chokes;
what do you do?
You got ten seconds.
If she can speak, then her
airway is not fully blocked
and she can dislodge
the obstacle herself,
usually by coughing.
If she can't speak, then
the airway is blocked,
and I would perform
the Heimlich Maneuver.
So...
What's that?
It's kind of a memory box
I've been saving for you.
Your dad gave you
this on your first birthday.
"For my very special girl.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be
with you on your birthday,
"but I think about
you every day.
"I love you very much.
Love, Daddy."
Wow.
Well, what about the
rest of my birthdays?
Well, I asked him
not to send any more.
Why?
Because I thought it
would be better for us
to make a clean break.
How come?
Didn't you love him?
Yes, I did.
What was he like?
Well, I don't know
what he's like now,
but I remember
when I first met him.
After high school, I got a
job at the Silver Springs Diner,
and he came in every day.
He never said much, but he
had this million-dollar smile.
And one night, instead
of a tip, he left a list.
And at the top
of the list, it said,
"100 things I
like about Nicole."
100 things?
- Wow.
- Wow.
He always knew
the right things to say
to make me feel better.
So, if you love him, why
can't we all be together?
Well...
Love between a man
and a woman can be
a complicated thing, honey.
You wish people could
be one way, and they can't.
Sometimes you say things
that you can't take back.
And even if you
wanted to try again,
maybe the other person
won't, and you're too afraid to try
and find out, so
you both just let it go.
But...
You have to trust
me on this, Danni.
Sometimes life
just gets in the way,
and it's too late to try to put
things back together again.
Do you ever wonder about him?
Yes.
Do you think I'll ever
meet him one day?
Mm, maybe.
Maybe someday.
And you know something?
You got your daddy's smile.
I do?
Mm-hmm.
I love you.
I love you, too.
Okay.
Silver Springs.
Hi, Danni.
Hi. Guess what?
I'm going to the
dance next Friday.
Right. With Who?
With my dad.
You don't have a dad.
Everybody has a dad, Kate. Duh.
My mom and I talked
about it last night.
He lives in Silver Springs
and he's really nice.
Cool. You want to
walk home with us?
Yeah, okay.
For Silver Springs.
The name's Jackson.
Uh, first name? I'm not sure.
Danni?
What are you doing?
I was...
Trying to call my dad to invite
him to the dance Friday night.
You can't do that.
Why not?!
Because I said so.
That's not fair!
I can call him if I want to!
Daniella, go to your room.
Don't call me that!
I hate that name!
Go to your room. Now.
I can't believe she did that.
I think she's just trying
to find out who she is.
I-I shouldn't have
told her anything.
She's just too
young to understand.
I've got to go.
Danni?
Danni, wake up.
Wake up; we have
to get you dressed.
My husband's catching
the next flight back home.
Monica, do you think
that you could drive me,
'cause I just...
What's going on?
There was an
accident at the factory.
Portable X-ray to I.C.U.
Portable X-ray
to I.C.U., please.
Is she okay?
She's in surgery.
When can I see my mom?
It'll be at least
12 hours, honey.
But you can say a
prayer for her right now.
I don't want to say a prayer.
I want to do something.
When your mother came
in, she was wearing this.
Why don't you keep it for
her until she feels better.
When the foreman
called me from the factory,
he said that she...
Listen, Danni, why don't
you go into my purse,
get a dollar and go
buy a Coke, okay?
The cafeteria's just
down the hallway.
Do you want me to go with you?
No, that's okay.
I'll be right back.
Tess, if my sister
comes out of this,
what kind of care will she need?
Well, it's too
early to say exactly
what her medical needs will be,
but I do know that she's
going to need all the love
and support that
she can get from you.
She's a single mom,
and she doesn't
have much family.
Just Danni...
Bus 623 now arriving.
623 now arriving.
Why don't you just wait
inside; I'll get the car.
- All right?
- Okay.
Monica?
Danni, please get in.
I can't.
I'm sorry I ran away,
and I'm sorry I took
Aunt Gail's money,
but I got to help my mom.
How are you gonna
help her by running away
when she needs you most?
She told me that
my dad always knew
what to say to
make her feel better.
So you came here to find him?
Yeah, and if she wakes up
tonight and he's there for her,
then everything will be okay.
Please, Monica, please help.
It's really, really important.
All right, I'll help you.
But first you have
to make a phone call.
Okay.
Yeah, I know, but
Monica's here with me,
and could you please
tell my Aunt Gail?
How's my mom?
Well, she's out of surgery.
She's in recovery.
But we won't know
anything for a while, baby.
May I speak to Monica?
Yeah.
She wants to talk to you.
Hello.
So, she's looking
for her father?
Yes.
You think that's a good thing?
Well, I think she's feeling
very helpless, and I think that
this might help her to feel
like she's doing something.
You have her back here tonight.
Yes, ma'am.
Here he is!
I mean, here they are.
Four people named Jackson.
All right, then, we'll
get a piece of paper
so we can write down
the addresses, and then...
All set. Let's go.
This is the right
address; this could be it.
Only one way to find out.
No one seems to be home.
Hello.
We're looking for
a Timothy Jackson.
What?
Timothy Jackson.
That's me.
Whatever you're
selling, I ain't buying.
We're sorry for troubling you.
Yes, may I help you?
Hey.
What up?
We're looking for Alex Jackson.
You got him, babe.
Now what can I do for you?
This is the last one.
One is all you need.
Are you Mr. Jackson?
No, I'm Andrew.
Mr. Jackson's in the house.
- Thanks.
- Okay.
I didn't know that you were
assigned to Walter and Kim, too.
Kim?
Walter's wife.
It's just, uh, marital
difficulties and trust issues.
You're not on
this case, are you?
Well, no.
And maybe.
You're starting to
sound like Tess.
Yes?
Hello, Mr. Jackson,
my name's Monica.
This is Danni.
Danni?
Yeah, it's better than
my real name, Daniella.
Weird, huh?
My mom gave it to me,
but I don't know why.
Maybe you know her?
Her name is Nicole Blake.
Nicole Blake.
I think you're my father.
What?
Wh-What are you talking about?
I think you're my daddy.
Um, I don't know
any Nicole Blake.
Did she say what
I think she said?
Uh, listen, Kim, wait, um...
I can't believe this is
happening again, Walter!
You got to believe me.
I-I don't know... I can
give you a hundred reasons
why you have to believe me.
Did you hear what he just said?
He could give her
a hundred reasons.
Just like the list... the hundred
things he loved about my mom!
I'm not sure it's really
the same thing, Danni.
And I think we need
to come back later.
Come on.
Okay.
How could you do this to me?
I didn't do anything.
Really?
That's what you said about Lisa.
And before her, Renee.
And before that,
I forget, Walter.
Who was first?
Was it Heather or Terri?
Look, I know I made
mistakes early on... big ones.
But that was a long time ago,
and I thought that
we worked this out.
Yeah, well, so did I.
That had to be him, Monica.
He was the last
Jackson on the fist.
He did seem to be
the right age, but...
Maybe he wasn't the last one.
"Dan Jackson."
Hi.
Danni, this is my friend Gloria.
Hi.
What are you doing here?
Oh, uh, Tess sent
me to help this man
with self-esteem issues.
But frankly he seems
perfectly happy the way he is.
And now that you're
here, something tells me
that maybe Dan
Jackson is Danni's father.
Where is he?
Inside. Follow me.
Dan?
This is Monica and Danni.
- This is Dan Jackson.
- Hello.
- Hi.
- I like your van.
You mean my W.E.S.V.?
What's that?
Work, Eat, Sleep Vehicle.
You live in your van?
Yeah.
That's why you're
not in the phone book.
Yeah.
So, uh, what can I do you for?
I got ten offices full of
windows to clean here,
then I'm at your service.
Oh, and I run a
cash-only business.
He travels around a lot.
Nice locket.
This?
Yeah.
Reminds me of somebody I
used to know a long time ago.
Really?
Yeah.
Excuse me.
It's him, it's my dad!
A few minutes ago, you
thought Walter was your dad.
Yeah, but this
time I'm really sure.
His name is Dan, mine's Danni.
And he remembers
my mom's locket!
I'm not so sure, Danni.
All we got to do is get him
to smile and see if it's worth
a million dollars
like my mom said.
Dan has to be
the one... It all fits.
It seems to, but something
doesn't feel right yet.
Oh, the whole living
in the van thing?
Mm. That presents a challenge.
It also suggests
someone who didn't want
to be tied down with a family.
Oh.
Maybe he is her father.
And maybe he doesn't want to be.
What animal do you
look like in the bathtub?
A little bear.
Get it?
Try this. Knock, knock.
Lady?
Can you do something
with your kid?
I got a lot of work to do here.
I'm gonna get some
more cleaning fluid.
Take this stuff
to the next office.
Well, Dan, Dan, the handyman,
making the rounds again.
Every three months, J.T.
As dependable as a Swiss watch.
Now, did you
remember to get yourself
that business license this time?
Yes, sir.
All right.
I can't get him to
smile at me, Monica.
My mom said my
dad smiled all the time.
Maybe he just doesn't like me.
I don't think it has anything
to do with you, Danni.
Some people just aren't smilers.
Walter is.
Can we go see him again?
So, you just drive around
and people hire you?
Yep.
And I hire people like you
to help me when I need it.
Then it's off to the next
town and the next job.
And next assistant.
I like to keep moving.
How do you get to
know people that way?
I don't.
So no... little romances?
No special Valentine?
No.
Not anymore.
Aha.
Aha?
Yes. There's obviously something
in your past to explain
your fear of commitment.
You're just not telling me.
You know what I like best about
the way I live my life, Gloria?
What?
I don't answer to anybody.
Monica, we need to hurry.
My mom will be waking up soon.
When are you gonna get
this thing running, Andrew?
Pretty soon.
Timing's still a little off.
Please, hurry.
I swear, if this
car was running,
I'd be a hundred
miles away by now.
You know, maybe it's good
that, uh, neither of you
are running right now.
What you doing
standing out here?
Car still not working yet?
Why don't you come
inside; we could talk.
No.
You never want to talk.
I turn off the TV,
you just stare at me.
I ask you how you
are, you say, "I'm fine."
Got to give me something
to work with here.
Uh, do you guys want me
to take a break or something?
No.
Please fix the car.
Okay, here it is.
Every time I leave this house...
Go to the hairdresser, the
grocery or the cleaners...
Whenever I just see a
woman walking down the street,
I wonder to myself, is
she younger than me?
Is she prettier than me?
Did Walter have an
affair with her, too?
Why do you do that to yourself?
I didn't do this to me.
You did this to me.
You're the one who
cheated on me, remember?
That-that was a
long, long time ago.
I said I would never do it
again, and I never have,
and you said that
you forgave me.
Forgiving was the easy part.
It's forgetting that I'm
finding next to impossible.
And when that little girl
showed up at the door,
I thought to myself,
well, what's next?
Or who's next?
When are you ever
gonna trust me again?!
Uh, excuse me.
We're sorry for interrupting.
I didn't mean to
make anybody fight,
but my mom got hurt, and
I really need to find my dad.
This isn't your
fault, sweetheart.
Talk to her.
Hey.
It's Danni, right?
Short for Daniella.
I know, stupid name.
Try Walter.
It's not so great right
about now either.
I like your smile.
Thank you.
I like yours, too.
Thanks.
So did you know my mom?
She met my dad at
the Silver Springs Diner.
We really need to
hear the truth, Walter.
The truth is that I don't know.
There was a time when I
used to know a lot of women,
but I don't think I really
need to discuss that
With a little kid.
I'm not little, I'm ten.
Oh, you're ten?
I was born November 28, 1991.
I was a Thanksgiving baby.
Mom said not only did
I give her something
to be thankful for,
but because of me, she
didn't have to cook that year.
It's not me.
It couldn't be me. Kim!
Kim!
She was born in November of '91.
I'll send her a birthday card.
Think about it.
Where were we that
whole year? You remember?
I don't know.
Let's see, um... '91?
That's the year
we spent in France.
Exactly.
And her parents met each
other here in Silver Springs.
What?
What is it now?
That solves your
problem, not ours.
Huh, thought you left, kid.
You said this reminded you
of somebody you used to know.
It was my mom, Nicole Blake.
And you're my dad.
She's serious, Dan.
Look, uh, don't get me wrong.
You seem like a
nice little girl, but, uh...
I don't eat very much, and
I don't make a lot of noise.
You don't have to come
back and live with us forever,
but if my mom could see
you when she wakes up,
it'll help her get better,
because she really,
really loves you,
and I don't know you that
well, but I love you, too.
You don't understand.
You've got the wrong guy.
I'm not your daddy!
Please.
She's just a little girl.
I know, I... I'm sorry.
Look, I don't know
any Nicole Blake,
and you wouldn't want
me around anyway.
I got a lousy temper,
no money, I smell
like turpentine.
I don't care.
I need to find my daddy!
Well, you should care.
Yeah, I knew somebody
who had a locket like this.
And it was somebody
I loved very much.
Her name was Barbara.
No, it's Nicole.
You're just forgetting!
No, honey.
My wife left me because I...
I couldn't give her children.
I can't possibly be
your daddy, 'cause...
I can't be anybody's daddy.
Dr. Genetti, fourth
floor nurses' station.
Dr. Genet“ to the fourth
floor nurses' station.
Welcome back, Sissy.
Uh, Danni?
Yeah, she's out with Monica.
They'll be back in a minute.
What happened?
One of the hydraulic cables
came loose on your line,
hit you in the back of the head.
They had to go in
and stop the bleeding.
Want some?
Mom!
Oh, honey.
How are you feeling, Nicole?
Ow.
- Hmm.
- Monica and Danni
have been on a little adventure.
It was a stupid adventure.
I went to Silver Springs.
It wasn't Monica's
fault, or Aunt Gail's.
I snuck out.
You said that my dad
always made you feel better,
so I went to get him
so he'd be here
when you woke up.
- But I couldn't find him.
- Oh.
Oh, sweetie,
there's only one person
that I wanted to see,
and that's you.
You're the most important
person in the world to me.
Oh, don't cry, sweetheart.
I think what you tried
to do was wonderful.
Some things just
aren't meant to be.
We have to let your
mama get some rest.
I'll take Danni home.
We'll be back in the morning.
Thanks, Monica.
Bye.
I'm sorry.
No, it's okay.
I'll see you in the morning.
Okay.
I have got to get some coffee.
Be back in a minute.
That's quite a
girl you got there.
Thanks.
She seems determined
to find her father.
I know.
Someday.
What if I told you...
today is someday?
Well, even if it was,
there's nothing I
can do about it now.
I know you can't.
But God can.
And He sent an angel to help.
Now, tell me something
about this man.
Okay, try it now.
Stop. Stop it.
You said you forgave
me; you just can't let it go.
So as far as I'm concerned,
this is your problem, not mine.
You know what?
This is a beautiful car, and
I can tell that the two of you
really, really take
good care of it.
You know, you change the
oil, you-you call a mechanic
- when you need one.
- Excuse me?
I don't want to stick my nose
into where it doesn't belong,
but I've been listening
to the two of you all day,
and it seems to me
that part of the problem
is you don't listen
to each other.
Marriage is a gift from God,
and you give it less
TLC than you do a car.
Everything was fine
before that kid showed up.
It's all her fault.
Was it really?
Walter, things were not fine.
We were just
ignoring the problems.
If that little girl
hadn't shown up...
Kim, Walter hurt you,
and that is very,
very hard to forget,
but love doesn't just
run away, you know?
It hangs in there.
And, Walter, you want
to regain your wife's trust,
but you can't just demand it.
You've got to earn it.
You've got to show her every
day that you love her so much
that she has nothing
to be afraid of.
Are you a mechanic or
a marriage counselor?
Neither.
So you're just gonna pack
it up and move on again?
That's the way I do it.
Have you ever thought
about staying in one place?
No.
What's it to ya?
Dan, having your own children
isn't the only measure of a man,
and it's not the only
way to be a father.
Or a friend or a neighbor.
You were hurt once,
but who hasn't been?
Now you've taken that pain,
and you've turned
it into a lifestyle.
You're nuts.
You're afraid to love again,
so you just keep moving around
so you won't get
attached to anybody.
And that's why you
got mad at Danni today.
She had the courage
to risk getting hurt,
because she just wanted
to love you so much.
And you're afraid
of love, aren't you?
You sure got a
way of being blunt.
Mm, I know.
It's the way I was made.
I tell the truth.
And you were made to listen.
I'm an angel.
And God loves you, Dan Jackson.
Now, that's blunt.
Danni?
Leave me alone!
I can't.
God sent me to help you.
Monica.
I'm an angel, Danni.
God sent me for
you, just for you.
- Really?
- Really.
I don't want an angel,
'cause God's a big liar!
Oh, no.
God loves you very much, Danni.
Then how come I'm Danni
Blake, the Big Mistake?
You're not a mistake.
God doesn't make mistakes.
I'm just a big loser.
Do you know what you did today?
Yeah.
I tried to help my mom,
but all I did was
get everybody mad.
Do you know what the
word "catalyst" means?
Isn't that something terrible?
No.
It's the reason
something got started.
When you met
Walter Jackson today,
you were a catalyst in his life.
Dan Jackson, too.
Really?
God made me a catalyst?
Mm-hmm.
God does it a lot.
Sometimes you start out
trying to do one good thing,
and you end up doing
something even better.
You may not have found
your father today, Danni,
but you helped some
other people find peace.
And they'd like
to say thank you.
Hi. You ready?
Hi, Danni.
I just wanted to make
sure you got home all right.
Yeah, I did.
How's your mom?
She's gonna be okay.
That's great.
I bet she's a really nice lady.
Yeah. You'd like her.
Well, I'm glad I
got to meet you.
And I want to thank you for
knocking on our door today.
I was a catalyst, you know.
Yes, you were, honey.
And I was a big jerk.
And I have been for a long time.
But God willing...
things are about to change.
Oh, I think God
is really willing.
Hey, I really hope you
find your dad, Danni.
And when you do,
I hope he realizes
what a great kid you are.
Thanks.
Hi.
Hey, kid.
Did you get an angel, too?
Oh, yeah.
It's been Angel City in
Silver Springs today, I hear.
So are you happier now?
Yeah. Yeah, I am.
I'm thinking of getting
a little house there.
Put down some roots,
see what happens.
I did that?
Yep.
You had the guts
to go some place
you'd never been before
just to find your dream,
even though you knew
you might not find it.
Faith like that...
can move mountains.
So I figure I ought
to give it a try.
Settle down, maybe
make a few friends.
You want to be one of them?
Okay.
Well, if I couldn't find my dad,
at least I got to be a catalyst.
Don't give up hope, Danni.
God's timing is
different from yours,
and you never know who's
out there making things happen.
Oh, he's the catalyst king.
You know how fast
you were going, ma'am?
I know.
I've been doing nearly
90 for almost 30 minutes.
What took you so long...
"Officer Jackson?
It's a really nice job, Danni.
Thanks.
There's a visitor here.
Oh, she's asleep.
He came to see Danni.
This is Officer Jackson.
«Jackson? «Jackson.
- Um...
- Oh. Uh... Maybe we should, uh...
Yeah, yeah. I, um,
could use some coffee.
Uh, hi, Danni.
Hi.
Did I do something wrong?
No. No.
I heard you were
in Silver Springs
looking for your dad yesterday.
Yeah, but I didn't find him.
Wearing your mom's locket, huh?
Yeah. How'd you know?
The way you never give up.
That's the first
thing on the list.
You mean the hundred
things you like about Nicole?
Yeah.
She used to keep
the list in that locket.
She's only got me
in there right now.
See?
She kept it behind
your picture here.
"Number two:
the way you bite your
lower lip when you think."
Hey, I do that, too.
"Number three through
100: the 98 ways..."
"you make me smile."
Could you smile for me, please?
Daddy?
How'd you find me?!
That's... That is a long story.
Do you believe in angels?
Yeah.
And I believe in families, too.
Hey.
Hi.
I've thought about this
moment for a long time.
- Me, too.
- Me, too.
You know what you are, Danni?
You are reason number 101.
What'd they say?
What'd they say?
They seem very happy.
Well, good. Well,
that's it then, huh?
Oh, no, it's not over yet.
There's a kid named
Jackson playing air guitar.
He could use some guidance.
Tess, is that really necessary?
Don't complain
to me, Miss Wings.
If the Father says we
go talk to Mr. Guitar Boy,
we go talk to Mr. Guitar Boy.
If the Father says we
do the hokey pokey,
we do the hokey
pokey, and I don't want
to hear another word about it.
What's a hokey pokey?