Touched by an Angel (1994–2003): Season 8, Episode 22 - Forever Young - full transcript

We've all seen
this equation before.

E equals M C squared.

No, I'm not talking

about Einstein's
Theory of Relativity.

This is Costello's
Theory of Success.

The E is for "effectiveness,"

an effective sales force.

This is marketing
multiplied by charm,

and being square
with your customers.

That's the same groan I got

when I tried to explain it
to my daughter Kimmie.



She said to me, "Daddy,

what's the worst thing
that a salesperson can do?"

Anybody here know?

Everybody give up?

That is the worst thing
that a salesperson can do...

Give up.

Now everything we've
covered this morning you'll find...

His name is Don Costello;
he's a motivational speaker.

He seems very good at it.

It's easy to talk the talk,
but walking the walk is hard.

Yes, of course.

I'm sorry, come again?

Don is better

at telling other
people what to do



than doing it himself.

The case file.

This assignment has been
around before you were created.

We need you to catch up quickly.

Let me tell you

something else
about my daughter.

Uh, uh...

Kimmie was born with
a learning disability.

You've probably
all heard about it.

It's called A.D.D.,
Attention Deficit Disorder.

We were told that she
would never do well in school,

but Kimmie had her
heart set on being a doctor.

She wanted to help people.

So, while her friends went off

to be teenagers
after school every day,

Kimmie went home and studied.

She never gave up.

Now if a high school girl can
overcome an obstacle like that,

then why not you?

Uh, my time is up,
uh, but before I go,

there are evaluation
forms in your packets.

If you'd take a
minute to fill them out

before the break,
I'd appreciate it.

After lunch,

you'll have some
other know-it-all in here

telling you how to do your jobs.

Thanks for having me.

Uh, how am I doing
so far, Monica?

You're quite a dynamic speaker.

Thanks.

So is that, uh,
all there is to it?

No, we still need to sit down

and go over the
audience evaluation forms

before I hand in
my final report.

Oh, um, listen,

any chance that, uh,
we could do that later?

Sure.

Uh, say 3:00?

I like to work out of my home

as much as possible these days.

Um...

Hey. Monica,

- this is my wife, Stacey.
- Ah.

Hello.

- Hello.
- This is Justin.

Uh, Monica's doing

my performance
evaluation this year.

She's, uh, gonna be coming

by the house this afternoon,

let me know if I
still have a job.

Well, of course
you'll still have a job.

You're a wonderful speaker.

Don't let the false
modesty fool you, Monica.

He's the best.

That's nice to hear.

Uh, I'll see you at 3:00.

Excuse us.

When did you start using
Kimmie in your presentation?

What difference does it make?

What are you doing here?

Justin was in a fight at school.

He's been suspended
until he gets counseling.

We have an appointment
in half an hour.

Impressive, isn't he?

Yeah, he used to be,

until he became obsessed
with talking about his daughter.

Well, she is a good example.

She was. His daughter's dead.

It was terrible.

It was a real tragedy.

And now his family
is falling apart.

♪ 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. ♪

- Tess, we need to go.
- Yes.

Going? Where?

This is a very unusual
assignment, Gloria.

There are a lot
of different threads

that need to be pulled
together very quickly.

You've only got a few minutes

to bring her up to speed.

Up until about a year ago,

the Costellos were
a very happy group.

They had the same
problems that other families do,

but they were full
of love, and life,

and so many
plans for the future.

Hi, Mom.

Hey, honey, how's your day?

Just perfect.

I remember how wonderful life is

when the cutest boy
in school likes you.

You? Really?

Well, don't worry,
I won't tell Daddy.

That was your daddy.

Oh.

Oh, don't make any
plans next Saturday.

I signed you up
for the S.A.T.'s.

Mom, I've already
taken them twice.

And you did better on
them the second time.

If you want to be a doctor,

you need to get
into a good college.

Well, there goes
another Saturday.

Hi, Kim-be.

Hi, Dad. Bye, Dad.

And that actually passes
as a heart-to-heart talk for us.

So sit by her at dinner tonight.

She'll just want
to talk about Blake.

What's she see in
that guy, anyway?

Well, let's see:

He's handsome,
charming, a football star...

I can't imagine
what it could be.

- Hey, honey.
- Hey.

Hey, how was school, bud?

Did any of my teachers call?

No.

Then it was great.

Watch the hair.

Daddy, can Blake come

with us to dinner tonight?

Friday's family night.

Blake's family.

Kinda sorta.

He's not jumping up and down.

Blake is on the phone?

Hi, Blake.

My mom says hi.

My dad doesn't.

Daddy, I'll love you forever

if you say yes.

You won't love me
forever anyway?

He's changing the subject.

All right, fine.

Yes.

Okay, 5:00 pm.
Tonight at Robintino's.

Oh, and wear that
blue button-down shirt.

It goes so great with
your... Come here.

Here's your "You're
a good dad" hug.

You need to get going, Gloria.

- Yeah?
- Yeah, it's time.

We were lucky this doctor

could see us on
such short notice.

This is so stupid.

No.

Getting into a fight
at school is stupid.

Hi. Thanks for waiting.

You must be the Costellos.

Yes, hi.

Um, this is Justin.

Hi, Justin. I'm Gloria.

Don't be rude, Justin.

The doctor said hello.

Hey.

What do you want
us to do, Gloria?

Well, there's a nice

little French burger
joint around the corner.

I think it's called Chez Moo.

You and your wife could
go grab a little lunch,

and then meet me
back here in an hour.

Justin... you're with me.

I don't have time for lunch.

I've got to get ready for
my meeting with Monica.

Fine.

I have to be somewhere, too.

I'll, uh, pick up
Justin in an hour.

Good afternoon.

Oh, it certainly is.

Beautiful day to be alive.

I'm glad to hear you
say that, Dorothy.

Um... I'm sorry.

I'm so bad with names.

My name's Andrew.

I'm an angel.

Oh, an angel.

As in... As in
"messenger from God."

Now look, we don't usually like

to spring this on
people all at once,

but frankly, Dorothy,
I'm a little short of time.

Your vice principal says

a classmate invited
you to play football,

and you started punching him.

Gave him two black eyes.

Not a football fan, huh?

"Drop humor."

So... What's the deal, Monica?

I've been doing this for years.

I've never once
gotten a personal call

from the evaluation police.

Yes, it's true,

over the years, your
evaluations as a motivator

have been among the highest
in the company's history.

People know when you're
being straight with them.

Yeah, I believe they do.

Let's see.

Fresno, ten months ago:

"Knows his stuff,

but I felt manipulated when
he mentioned his little girl."

Can't please everybody.

San Diego, six months ago:

"I was with him until he started
using his daughter, Kimmie,

"to make points.

I thought it was a cheap shot."

Okay, but those are old.

This one is from today:

"Hated him bringing up

his dead daughter
in his speech."

I never say she's dead.

With all due respect, Don,

it was in the news, and
perhaps, as you say,

people do know when
you're being straight with them.

Justin, I'm working.

Whatever it is, ask your mother.

She never came to get me.

I had to walk home.

We can continue this
tomorrow, if you'd prefer.

I'd appreciate that.

I'll see myself out.

She never showed up?!

Great.

Where is she now?

I remember when I was seven.

My mom used to
take me to the park.

I want to stay forever and ever.

Oh, wouldn't that
be nice, Kimmie?

Can I go on the slide?

Sure.

I'll wait right here
till you get back.

Promise?

Cross my heart and hope to...

OFFICER: Park is closed

after dark, ma'am;
you'll have to go.

So when everyone
asks, "Where's Stacey?"

This is where she is.

And she comes here every day?

Yes, and it's getting
harder for her to leave.

There's no milk.

They're forecasting snow again.

Ten years, one-page,
written evaluations,

and now they send
somebody in person.

What's that all about?

Shouldn't it be spring by now?

The whole thing is ridiculous.

Can I have some potatoes?

Ten years.

Doesn't make any sense.

Justin...

you have things
bottled up inside you,

things that make
you sad and angry.

You feel like you can't talk to
your parents or your teachers

or your friends or
anyone about them,

but you can talk to me.

Okay.

I'll be here when you're ready.

No rush.

Now, I know it's a shock,

and I know it's
hard to understand,

but it's true... I am an angel.

Calm down, Rosalita.

A visit from an
angel is a good thing.

Well, that's the silliest
thing I ever heard of.

Of course girls should
play sports and be doctors.

But what if I'm better
than all the boys?

That's their problem.

In the real world,
there aren't men's jobs

and women's jobs.

They're just jobs, period,

and they should go to the person

who's the best educated
and the most qualified,

and that'll be you, Kimmie.

How come you
didn't want a career?

Mm... I had one,

but then after you and
Justin were born, I...

there was just one
career I really cared about,

and that was being your mom.

Whoo-hoo! All right, Mom.

Thank you.

So, why do you talk

about your daughter
in your seminars?

She's a great example
of what hard work can do.

Yes, but you only
started talking about her

after she was killed.

Look, I know

that Kimmie's death
is understandably

still very painful
for you, but...

I know you have to evaluate me,

and if you need to
write me a bad report,

then do what you got to do,

but leave my family out of it.

Don, I'm merely suggesting

that you might be suppressing
a great deal of anger.

I'm not angry.

Of course you're angry.

You're angry because
your daughter was killed.

You're angry because
you were helpless

to do anything about it,

but you have to let
that anger out, Don.

You've got to let it go,
if you're going to heal.

I'm not... angry.

You're wrong.

I believe I have what I
need for this evaluation.

Hmm... What are you reading?

Something interesting
here in your file.

A-a family dinner a
little over a year ago

at a place called Robintino's?

Well, it wouldn't
be Friday night

without the Costellos.

We'll need an extra
chair tonight, Rocco.

An extra chair?

Long story. Don't ask.

Thanks, Rocco.

Blake!

Ah, amore, huh?

No, no, no amore.

Just dinner.

Ew.

Hi, Mrs. Costello.

Hi, Blake.

Mr. Costello.

Nice to see you again.

Blake.

Hey, Justin.

Oh, hey, Blake.
Oh, sit next to me.

He can sit next to both of us.

Kimmie got her driver's
license in the mail today.

- Mom.
- Let's see it.

No, let's not.

I had a bad hair day.

Oh, I bet you look great.

You've got that
incredible smile.

Really?

So... you still thinking
about going out

- for peewee football this summer?
- Totally.

We ought to get together,
and I'll show you some moves.

Sure.

Justin?

Justin, are-are you okay?

I'm not talking about it.

No, no, don't go. Don't go.

Don't, don't,
don't, don't, don't.

- No, you don't get it!
- Get what?

It's my fault that
Kimmie's dead.

It's all my fault.

Justin, I'm here to help you,

but I can't unless you let me.

You're hurting, and
you want it to stop.

You can trust me,

and if you'll just look at me,

you'll know I'm
telling the truth.

That day... the
day it happened...

it even started off weird.

Would you hurry up?

I'm gonna be late.

Chill, Waldo.

I need a favor.

I'm not doing your chores again.

Not that.

I think Blake may
come over later.

- Coo|.
- Not cool.

I don't want to see him anymore.

Well, how come?

He's starting to creep me out.

It's like he's two different
people or something,

and it's just getting
on my nerves.

So just don't tell him
I'm going to the library

after school, okay?

Yeah, okay.

Thanks.

You know, as Waldos
go, you're not so bad.

Watch the hair.

Kimmie never did
anything bad to me.

I didn't want anything
bad to happen to her.

Of course not.

Why'd I do it?

Well, what did you do, Justin?

Stacey, how can a person
forget their keys every time th...

Oh, hey.

I thought you were my wife.

I'm here to apologize.

I realize now that I
was long on evaluating

and short on listening,

but if you'd like
to do the talking,

I promise I'll listen.

You raise your kids
to think for themselves,

and then they stop
listening to you.

I'm sure that Kimmie
appreciated everything you did.

She was gonna be
valedictorian, you know.

She wrote her own
speech for graduation.

And the night...
before she died,

she, uh, actually
let me read it.

I just couldn't resist
making a suggestion.

So that's it?

Just throw it out
and start over?

It sounds like a speech.

It is a speech.

Look, your ideas are smart,

but if you want to
motivate people,

you have to make
them feel something.

You have to write
from your heart.

Look, just because
you do this for a living,

doesn't mean I stink.

I-I didn't say that.

Look, I'm just trying to help.

I didn't want your help.

I just wanted you to...

Never mind.

I didn't have to be so blunt,

but I'd had a bad
day, and I was too tired

to be whatever it
was she wanted.

I figured I'd make
it up to her later,

but I didn't get the chance.

How many times do we say,

"I'll do it later,"

"I'll fix it next week,"

"I'll say I'm sorry tomorrow"?

Well, that's the
problem, Monica.

I blew it.

Now... it's too late
for Kimmie and me,

and it hurts like hell.

I know it does.

You're not the typical
performance evaluator

from the main office.

That's not what you need.

I think you need a friend.

I do.

Hey.

What are you doing
home so early?

Um...

Justin has something
he needs to share

with you and your
wife, Mr. Costello.

I had a dream last
night I was old like you.

I'm sorry, dearie.

Could you speak up a little bit?

You know what I mean.

It was amazing.

I-I lived in this
beautiful house,

and I had twins
named Taylor and Tyler,

and I was a country doctor,

and all the kids called
me "Dr. Kimmie."

Then I'd come home at night

and feed the twins
and put them to bed.

Then my husband would
take me out dancing,

and then we'd come back
home and just stand there

watching our children
sleep and be in love.

Whoa, that's a nice dream.

But what if it
doesn't come true?

When I was your age,

I wanted a dog named Bo

and a husband named Rick.

Oh, wait, or was it
a dog named Rick

and a husband named Bo?

I can't remember.

What you want at 17

isn't what you wanted
when you were seven,

and it may not be what
you want when you're 27.

But what if I want it all?

The perfect family,
the perfect career.

I want to make a
difference somehow.

From the minute you were born,

I knew you were gonna
make a difference.

You will.

I know it.

I hope so.

Race you home.

Wait!

Wait.

What's going on?

Justin has something
he needs to tell us.

It's about when Kimmie died.

Um... I-I... Uh...

Could we talk about this later,

after dinner?

We have company,

and H should really
get to the store.

No. I think we should
deal with this now.

Go ahead, Justin.

That day... I was in the yard.

I made a promise to
Kimmie... Heads up.

And I broke it.

Hey, Kimmie home?

No.

Oh.

Well, where is she?

Um... I don't know.

No?

Not really.

Justin, you have a girlfriend?

Nah.

Let me tell you
something about girls.

They'll run away from you,

but they really want
you to chase after them,

and they say that
they don't want

to talk to you anymore
just to watch you beg.

It's like some little
game they play.

You know what I'm talking about?

I guess so.

I knew you would.

Hey, go for a pass.

So... I looked
everywhere, but, uh,

she's not at school, right?

Nah.

She's at the big library,
over on Green Street.

Right, right.

Hey, go long.

Don't say I told you, okay?

Hey, our secret. Shh.

Go deep.

Costello, going long...

Fakes one man, then another...

He's in the clear! He's open...!

I guess Blake
went to the library.

I told you, Blake, it's over.

Look, I know, I
don't deserve you.

I messed up. Just
let me apologize,

and I'll take you home.

Give me 30 seconds.

Twenty?

Eight?

I'm sorry.

I'll miss you. Five?

Five.

Hold on, Kimmie.

Justin has been

blaming himself the whole time.

He used you,

and he would've used
anyone to find her,

and he would've found her.

The guy was sick, Justin.

It's not your fault.

Oh, look at the time.

I've got to get to the park.

Stacey, are you all right?

Yeah, I'm fine.

It's just that it's
getting dark outside,

and Kimmie's not home
yet, but I know where she is.

I'll-I'll go get her.

I wish I was the
one who was dead.

That's not the answer.

I know.

I just wish it were.

What-what are you doing?

This is what I do
at times like this.

I'm an angel.

Whoa.

A real angel?

Mm-hmm.

And God sent me to tell you

that he knows you would
never do anything to hurt Kimmie.

And Kimmie knows it, too.

Kimmie's with God?

Like in Heaven?

Mm-hmm.

Does she know
how much I miss her?

Yes, she does,

and there's something
she wants you to know,

but you have to come
with me to find out.

Come on.

I knew... subconsciously...

that all those disappearing
acts she pulled weren't normal.

Sometimes she'd go out for milk

and come home three
hours later, empty-handed.

I knew... she was
out there somewhere,

dealing with it in her own way.

Just as you have
dealt with it in your way,

and Justin in his way.

Three people alone,

instead of one family together.

I don't think there
is a family anymore.

Incredible, isn't it?

One day in the life
of a teenage girl,

and suddenly... she's gone...

and so are we.

One day.

That was the day that
your hearts were broken.

Today is the day that
they can be healed again.

Don't be afraid, Donald.

I'm an angel.

What?

I am the answer to your prayer,

the prayer you made the
night that Kimmie was found.

That wasn't a prayer.

It was... a scream.

It was a curse.

They took me into that room,

and I saw the... the bruises...

around my baby's throat...

and I cursed God.

Damn You!

I hate You!

You let this happen,
and I hate You.

And here is His answer:

"I love you."

That is the message that
He's sent me to give you.

He loves you, Donald,

and He would rather that
you pray to Him honestly

than not at all.

God hears you
when you call to Him,

and He knows what
no one else does.

He knows that you
cry alone at night here,

in this room.

He knows the agonizing
pain that you feel.

He knows you feel so helpless

as you watch your
family disintegrating,

and God says,
"Donald, I am strength

"where you are helpless,

"I am peace where there is pain.

"Let me wipe away
every tear and hold you,

as I hold your
little girl even now."

Kimmie?

Yes.

Kimmie?

Kimmie, where are you?

Kimmie?

Oh!

I'm looking for my daughter.

Have you seen her?

She's about... she's about...

Kimmie's not here, Stacey.

No, I saw her
here this afternoon.

I...

Do I know you?

My name's Andrew.

Our paths have crossed.

Oh, she's playing hide-and-seek.

Stacey, God created you
to live in the real world.

That's where He wants
you to be, not here.

Come out, come
out, wherever you are.

You know Kimmie isn't here.

You know that she's... No.

Leave me alone.

Kimmie?

Kimmie, Mommy is
very unhappy with you.

Stop it... and listen to me.

What?

Your daughter is at peace.

What are you?

What... some sort of
angel or something?

I am.

Well, you're too late!

Go away!

I can't.

I can't leave you alone

anymore that I could've
left Kimmie alone.

There was an angel with Kimmie?

I was in the car, I
was in the hospital,

and I was with her the
moment that she died.

Then why didn't
you do something?!

Why didn't you do something?!

I did.

I took her home.

She was never alone, Stacey.

She was never alone.

Mrs. Costello.

Oh, Rocco.

Welcome back.

It's been so long.

Mm-hmm, too long.

A private party?

Oh... Well, another night then.

You don't know?

- No. What?
- The party's for you.

Mom.

Justin... what are
you doing here?

The angels.

You, too?

Yes.

Welcome.

Okay.

Who are all these people?

I have no idea.

Just going with the
flow now, honey.

I'm glad you're here.

She left something
behind for you.

Kimmie's graduation speech?

She rewrote it after
she read it to you.

You need to read it now.

Hello.

Uh...

I'm-I'm not really sure
why we're all here tonight,

or why I'm about
to read to this you,

but, uh... this was
a graduation speech

no one ever got to hear.

"I always wanted to do this,

"give the graduation speech,

"but now that I am,

"I'm not really
going to give it at all.

"My real one,

"the one I always
practiced in my head,

"said things like,
'We are the future,

blah, blah, blah.'

"Then I read it to my dad,

"and he told me to throw it out

"and start over.

"He said I had to
speak from the heart.

"I was so mad at him,

until I realized he was right."

"My dad isn't perfect.

"He works too hard,

"his jokes aren't that funny,

"and he has terrible
taste in music,

"but he loves

"our family more than anything,

"and I know that years from now,

"when I look back on my life,

"I won't be stressing about
how he made me mad,

"I'll be remembering everything

"he and my mom ever did for me,

"especially telling me the truth

"when I didn't want to hear it.

"That must be so
hard for parents,

"but they do it anyway.

"They believe in
us and support us,

"and that's why
we're here tonight,

"and I think we should
give all our parents

"a big round of
applause... "and, oh, yeah,

"we are the future,

"and it's going to be great,

blah, blah, blah."

This was the speech my
daughter never got to give.

Her name was Kimmie.

Kim.

They know, Don.

They know.

They-they do?

How?

Kimmie had
something for you, too.

Wow... that was a bad hair day.

The amazing part's on the back.

"Organ Donor Card."

I'm Dorothy Fleming,

Grand Rapids, Michigan.

I had type 1
diabetes for 20 years.

I was on dialysis... forever.

I'd given up hope

of ever getting a
kidney transplant.

And then I did.

From Kimmie.

Rosalita Ortega,
Phoenix, Arizona.

When I was pregnant, I
began to lose my sight.

Kimmie's corneas let me
see my son Hector be born.

I thanked God for my gift,

but never thought about
who had given it to me.

Now I know I have
more than two good eyes.

I have parts of a
wonderful person,

with a beautiful family.

My name is Harrison Abbott,

and this is my daughter Sarah.

Norwood, Ohio.

Sarah needed a liver transplant,

and we just about
lost her three times.

Mr. and Mrs. Costello,

I know that your daughter will
never graduate from high school,

but thanks to her, mine will...

and when she does...

we'll be thinking about you

and about Kimmie.

I didn't know
about all this stuff.

They asked us when
we were in the hospital.

We said yes, but
we were so... Numb.

We were so... numb.

Kimmie... helped
all these people.

Her dream came true after all.

She did make a difference.

My name's Tommy.

I was sick my whole life.

I wasn't ever supposed
to live very long,

but they told me now
that I could even get old,

'cause I got Kimmie's heart.

I'm sorry.

No... no, no, Tommy, it's okay.

It's a strong heart.

It's a powerful heart.

It's a good heart to have.

I thought you might like this.

Oh, my...

Who wants to see what
Kimmie looked like?

This is when she was seven.

Look how beautiful she is.