Wives with Knives (2012–…): Season 5, Episode 5 - Southern Spirit - full transcript

- TO THE FUTURE.
- FUTURE.

A SPIRITED ARKANSAS GIRL...

SHE WAS JUST SO NICE
AND JUST ALWAYS REAL BUBBLY.

- NICE TO MEET YOU.
- ...USES HER LOOKS...

OH, I'D LOVE TO GO OUT
SAILING SOMETIME.

...TO GET WHAT SHE WANTS.

WOULD HE BUY YOU
WHATEVER YOU NEEDED?

MM-HMM.

HER LIFE TAKES
A TURN NO ONE EXPECTS.

- WE'RE SELLIN' GUNS NOW?
- YEAH.

- COPS.
- MA'AM, HANDS ON THE TRUCK.



I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD
TURN 21 IN PRISON.

THEN, ONE DAY...
- I'LL KILL YOU!

- SHE SNAPS...
- HEY.

...AND ALL HELL BREAKS
LOOSE.

- GIVE THEM TO ME!
- NO!

I NEVER SAW THE KNIFE.

NOT ALL FAIRY TALES
HAVE HAPPY ENDINGS.

WHEN LOVE GOES WRONG,

A WOMAN CAN DO THE UNTHINKABLE.

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU
DOING HERE, PAULA?

YOU ****.
SLUT.

YOU TAKE MY BOYFRIEND
AWAY FROM ME?

YOU'RE OLD NEWS.

SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD
PAULA MOPPINS



JUST POLISHED OFF
A BOTTLE OF WHISKEY.

- OH, I'M GONNA KILL YOU.
- HEY, HEY.

AND FOR PAULA,
ALCOHOL AND HEARTBREAK

ARE A DANGEROUS MIX

THAT WILL FOLLOW HER
THROUGH LIFE.

NO.
I'M DONE WITH YOU!

PAULA AND HER TWIN SISTER,

TAMMY, GREW UP
IN 1970S ARKANSAS.

AS KIDS, THE GIRLS
WERE CONSTANT PLAY MATES.

SOMETIMES, I WOULD GO TO
SEE WHAT THEY WERE DOIN'.

AND THEN THEY'D JUST BE
TALKIN' TO EACH OTHER.

AND I LOOK BACK
TO TIMES LIKE THAT.

AND IT JUST ALWAYS
BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES.

THERE WAS A LOT OF LOVE.

I WAS HAPPY.

MY HAPPIEST TIMES
EVER WAS

BEFORE THE AGE
OF 12 YEARS OLD.

THE TWINS IDOLIZE
THEIR BROTHER, JEFF,

WHO'S 3 YEARS OLDER.

HE ALWAYS WATCHED OVER 'EM.

YOU KNOW, HE WAS ALWAYS
REAL NICE TO ALL OF US.

AND HE WAS LIKE
A BIG BROTHER TO US.

BUT ALL OF THIS IS
ABOUT TO COME TO A SUDDEN END.

HE WAS 16 YEARS OLD.

AND HE LEFT THE HOUSE
GOIN' TO HIS FRIEND'S HOUSE.

MY SON WAS TRYIN'
TO PASS ANOTHER CAR.

IT KILLED HIM INSTANTLY.
HE WAS A GOOD RIDER.

HE, YOU KNOW,
IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT.

THAT WAS THEIR BROTHER.

YOU KNOW, THAT WAS THEIR FRIEND.

IT HURT HER A LOT,
HURT HER MOTHER A LOT.

IT JUST TOOK
A PART OUT OF HER.

THREE MONTHS AFTER
PAULA LOSES HER BROTHER,

HER PARENTS'
RELATIONSHIP CRUMBLES.

IT JUST DEVASTATED
MY ENTIRE FAMILY.

MY MOTHER WENT
A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

MY DAD WAS THE ROCK.

HE JUST STEERED US
IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION,

ALWAYS TOLD US
THE RIGHT THINGS TO DO.

PAULA FEELS LIKE
SHE'S ALSO LOST HER FATHER.

DR. CASEY JORDAN
IS A CRIMINOLOGIST

WHO STUDIES VIOLENT BEHAVIOR.

PAULA LOVED HER DAD.

HE WAS HER MORAL COMPASS.

BUT NOW THAT HER DAD
HAS LEFT THE FAMILY,

AND HER BROTHER IS DEAD,

IT'S REALLY JUST TOO MUCH
FOR PAULA TO BEAR.

SO MUCH LOSS IS GOING
TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON PAULA,

BOTH NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.

- HEY, PAULA.
- YEAH?

PAULA PUTS ALL OF HER

FOCUS INTO HIGH SCHOOL
AND EXCELS.

I LOVED SCHOOL.

I WAS A MEMBER
OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL.

I HAD GOOD FRIENDS.

WOULD YOU DESCRIBE
YOURSELF AS POPULAR?

I HUNG OUT WITH
THE POPULAR KIDS, YES.

WELL, I DON'T REALLY WANT TO GO
TO STUDENT COUNCIL, THOUGH.

- EVERYONE'S REALLY NICE.
- IT'S SO LATE.

- NO, IT ISN'T.
- SHE WAS A LOT OF FUN.

I MEAN, SHE WAS A LOT OF FUN
TO BE AROUND.

LET'S JUST GO TO CLASS.

DON'T JUMP IN THE AIR.

DURING PAULA'S JUNIOR YEAR,

SHE SUFFERS ANOTHER BLOW.

UM, SO I DECIDED
TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL.

- WHAT?
- HER TWIN SISTER, TAMMY,

SUDDENLY DROPS OUT
AND LEAVES HOME.

YOU'RE KIDDING.

AFTER EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED
WITH OUR FAMILY,

- I JUST... I CAN'T.
- WE HAVE A YEAR AND A HALF LEFT!

- YOU'RE SMART.
- I'M NOT.

NO, YOU CAN'T.
YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME HERE.

LOOK, I CAN'T DO
MY SENIOR YEAR ALONE.

SHE DIDN'T FINISH HIGH SCHOOL.

I'M SORRY.

I JUST BAWLED AND SQUALLED
AND SQUALLED,

"YOU'RE LEAVIN' ME.
YOU'RE LEAVIN' ME."

PAULA LOSES HER FOCUS.

SHE WAS A VERY GOOD STUDENT.

BUT THEN SHE STARTED
GOIN' DOWNHILL.

THAT'S BECAUSE PAULA
KEEPS GETTING DISTRACTED...

- I HAVE TO GO TO CLASS.
- ...BY A SENIOR NAMED MIKE.

- COME ON.
- NO, I HAVE TO.

- WHAT?
- IT'S JUST CHEMISTRY, RIGHT?

YEAH.
BUT I HAVE THAT BIG TEST TODAY.

THEY STARTED DATIN'.

AND SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH MIKE.

YOU DON'T WANT
TO HANG OUT WITH ME?

- GOOD LOOKING GUY.
- NO, I HAVE TO GO.

NO.

YOU COULD SEE THAT THEY WERE
MEANT FOR EACH OTHER,

AS FAR AS BOYFRIEND
AND GIRLFRIEND.

I LOOK AT YOUR FACE.
YOU'RE REMEMBERING IT.

WAS IT INSTANT CHEMISTRY?

UM, HE WAS -
HE WAS SO FINE.

THE TWO ARE ALWAYS
LOOKING FOR A GOOD TIME.

WE STARTED JUST
RIDIN' AROUND.

AND, YOU KNOW,
IT WOULD ALWAYS BE,

WHERE IS THE PARTY?

- YOU WANT TO, UH...?
- NO.

NO, I'M OKAY.

YOU'VE NEVER...?
REALLY?

I FEEL LIKE MAYBE MIKE
INTRODUCED HER TO SMOKIN' WEED.

AND THEY DRANK A LOT.

MIKE MAY NOT HAVE
BEEN THE BEST INFLUENCE.

SOON, PAULA AND MIKE
ARE REGULARLY SKIPPING SCHOOL.

HERE.
I GOT THE DOOR FOR YOU, TOO.

- THANKS.
- AND BEFORE LONG,

THEY DROP OUT ALL TOGETHER.

I FELT DISAPPOINTED.
I WANTED BETTER FOR MY KIDS.

I DIDN'T FINISH SCHOOL.
AND I WANTED BETTER FOR THEM.

BUT IT GETS WORSE.

HE WAS BREAKING INTO
PEOPLE'S HOUSES AND STEALIN'

TVS, VCRS, JEWELRY,
ANYTHING OF VALUE.

SO YOU'RE TELLING ME
MIKE WAS A BURGLAR?

MM-HMM.

AND HE JUST KIND OF,

I DON'T KNOW, WENT NUTS.

WILL YOU PLEASE
JUST SIT OUT FOR ME?

- AND THEN WHAT?
- YOU'RE MY GETAWAY DRIVER.

IT'S NOT LONG
BEFORE MIKE RECRUITS

PAULA TO BE
HIS PARTNER IN CRIME.

I DON'T KNOW, MIKE.
I'M REALLY NERVOUS ABOUT IT.

WHAT IF I PROMISE
TO GET YOU SOMETHING?

HE WAS A SMOOTH TALKER.

OKAY.

I'M THE TYPE
OF PERSON TO BELIEVE

ANYTHING ANYBODY TELLS ME.

AND I WANTED TO BE LOVED.

I WAS SCARED
OF GETTING CAUGHT.

MY HEART WAS POUNDIN'.

GET IN.

HE WAS A BAD KID,
WASN'T GOOD FOR HER AT ALL.

WHAT'D YOU GET?

OH, WOW.
- TRY IT ON.

MIKE HAS JUST MADE
PAULA AN ACCESSORY TO BURGLARY.

THAT WAS NOT
THE NORM FOR ME.

AND THEN IT BECAME THE NORM.

AS PAULA DRIVES AWAY,

SHE GETS A JOLT
FROM THE ADRENALINE RUSH.

THIS IS AWESOME.

PAULA SOON BUYS INTO MIKE'S
MODE OF EARNING CASH.

- EASILY 1,000.
- REALLY?

- OH, YEAH.
- NUH-UH. I'M GONNA COUNT IT.

WITH THE MONEY THEY MAKE
FROM THE SALE OF STOLEN GOODS,

THE YOUNG COUPLE
HAS BIG BUCKS TO SPEND.

AND THEY BURN THROUGH ALL OF IT.

I COULD DO THIS FOREVER.

PAULA ALSO EMBRACES
MIKE'S OTHER HABITS.

OH, LET ME GET
A HIT OF THAT.

THERE IS YOUR GAS MONEY,
UH, YOUR BOOZE MONEY,

YOUR BAG-OF-WEED MONEY.

AND YOU'RE SET
FOR THE DAY.

AND THEN THAT NIGHT,
YOU DO THE SAME THING AGAIN.

OH.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME

SINCE PAULA'S HAD
ANY PARENTAL DISCIPLINE.

SO HER RELATIONSHIP WITH MIKE

IS JUST ONE BIG EXPERIMENT
IN TRYIN' TO FIGURE OUT

HOW MUCH SHE CAN
GET AWAY WITH

BEFORE SHE GETS CAUGHT.

NINE MILLIMETER,
SHOOTS SUPER CLEAN,

ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR ONES
IN THE MARKET RIGHT NOW.

- LET ME CHECK IT OUT.
- YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.

AFTER GETTING AWAY
WITH ROBBERY FOR 2 YEARS,

MIKE UPS THE ANTE AND STARTS
SELLING STOLEN GUNS.

- I LIKE THAT.
- MIKE.

WE'RE SELLING GUNS NOW?

YEAH.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

PAULA CLAIMS
SHE HAD NO CLUE.

WHAT DO YOU
GOT TO GET FOR IT?

IT WAS, LIKE,
FREAKIN' ME OUT

BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW
AT THE MOMENT

WHAT WAS GOIN' ON.

I DID NOT KNOW.
- YOU GOT MONEY?

YEAH.
I GOT MONEY.

ALL RIGHT, MAN.
- COOL.

MIKE!
- AS SOON AS HE'S GIVIN' HIM

THE GUN
AND THE MONEY TRANSACTION,

WE WERE SWARMED BY THE SHERIFF.
- HANDS UP.

GET YOUR HANDS
ON YOUR HEAD, SIR.

- STOP, FREEZE!
- HANDS UP.

GET YOUR HANDS
ON YOUR HEAD, SIR.

MA'AM,
HANDS ON THE TRUCK.

SIR,
FOLLOW MY VOICE.

TAKE STEPS BACK
TOWARDS ME.

PAULA'S BOYFRIEND,
MIKE, HAS JUST SOLD A STOLEN GUN

TO AN UNDERCOVER POLICE OFFICER.
- MIKE.

CHECK THE TRUCK FOR,
UH, DOPE, TOO.

I THINK HE'S GOT
SOME WEED IN THERE.

- IT WAS A STING OPERATION.
- MM-HMM.

IT WAS SCARY
BECAUSE YOU GET CAUGHT,

BAM,
RIGHT ON THERE ON THE SPOT.

AND, YOU KNOW,
THERE IS NO, UM, WELL,

LYIN' OUR WAY OUT OF IT
OR GETTIN' YOUR WAY OUT OF IT.

YOU'RE RED-HANDED BUSTED.
- ALL RIGHT. TAKE CARE.

MIKE HAS FAMILY
CONNECTIONS IN THIS PART OF ARKANSAS.

HE AND PAULA ARE
RELEASED WITHIN HOURS.

THAT WAS SO EMBARRASSING!

I'VE EVER BEEN INSIDE
A POLICE CAR BEFORE.

SO WHAT?

I MEAN, MY GRANDMA
GETS ME EVERYTHING.

AS LONG AS HIS GRANDFATHER
WAS ALIVE, COULDN'T TOUCH MIKE.

THE DRUGS AND THE - THE GUNS,
I'M NOT OKAY WITH ANY OF THIS.

ARE YOU LAUGHING RIGHT NOW?
BECAUSE THIS ISN'T FUNNY.

YOU REALLY NEED
TO GET A GRIP, HUH?

THE TWO WALK AWAY
FROM THEIR ARREST

WITH ONLY PROBATION.

PAULA WAS ABSOLUTELY
FREAKED OUT

WHEN SHE GOT ARRESTED.

BUT ONCE SHE REALIZES
THAT THERE'S

NO REAL CONSEQUENCES
FOR HER BEHAVIOR,

SHE IS CONDITIONED TO BELIEVE
THAT CRIME PAYS.

AND THIS ATTITUDE
IS GOING TO BECOME

A REAL PROBLEM
FOR HER DOWN THE LINE.

WHAT ARE YOU
TALKING ABOUT?

ARE YOU SURE
THAT IT WAS MIKE?

THE ARREST PUTS A STRAIN

ON PAULA AND MIKE'S
RELATIONSHIP.

WELL, I KNEW SOMETHING
WAS GOING ON.

TURNS OUT, MIKE'S GOT
ANOTHER GIRL ON THE SIDE.

SHE DROWNS THE HURT
IN A BOTTLE OF WHISKEY.

AND PAULA PROCEEDS
TO GET COMPLETELY HAMMERED.

HE MADE ME WANT TO FIGHT.

THE COMBINATION OF ME
AND MIKE AND WHISKEY...

IS NOT A GOOD MIX.

FUELED BY THE FIERY BOOZE,

PAULA DECIDES
TO CONFRONT HER RIVAL.

HER FRIEND, BLAKELY,
GIVES HER A RIDE.

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU
DOING HERE, PAULA?

YOU **** SLUT.

YOU TAKE MY BOYFRIEND
AWAY FROM ME?

ARE YOU DRUNK?

THAT'S THE -
OH, I'M GONNA KILL YOU!

HEY, HEY.

AND, I MEAN,
THEY WERE FIGHTIN'.

AND IT WAS JUST HORRIBLE
FROM THEN ON.

- NO!
- IT'S NOT WORTH IT.

I'M DONE WITH YOU!

PAULA WAS VERY HEARTBROKEN.

YOU CAN HAVE HIM,
THE PIECE OF ****!

- ARE YOU OKAY?
- WHAT ARE YOU ALL LOOKING AT?

WHAT ARE YOU -
THE SHOW'S OVER.

WHEN SHE DECIDED
TO GET AWAY FROM HIM,

I WAS SO GLAD.

SHE COULD DO
BETTER THAN THAT.

PAULA ALSO VOWS
TO STAY AWAY FROM WHISKEY.

I LEARNED, YOU KNOW,
NOT TO DRINK WHISKEY, PERIOD.

STILL ONLY 18,

PAULA MOVES ON AND FINDS WORK
AT A LOCAL BAKERY.

AFTER THEY SPLIT UP,
SHE WAS JUST KIND OF

ON HER OWN TRYIN'
TO FIGURE THINGS OUT.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT WAS...

SHE DID PRETTY GOOD WITHOUT HIM.

BUT PAULA HATES BEING
POOR AND SINGLE.

- HEY.
- HELLO.

ARE YOU HERE
TO MEET SOMEBODY?

YEAH.
I'M LOOKING FOR JP?

- YEAH.
- BEFORE LONG,

A FRIEND OFFERS A SOLUTION
TO BOTH HER PROBLEMS.

HI.
NICE TO MEET YOU.

OH, I'M THE LUCKY ONE.
GO ON, HAVE A SEAT.

I WAS INTRODUCED TO JP.

HE WAS 50 YEARS
OLDER THAN ME.

YOU - YOU LOOK
ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL TONIGHT.

I TOOK THE LIBERTY
OF ORDERING CHAMPAGNE.

OH, THANK YOU.
I LOVE CHAMPAGNE.

JP, HAS A TASTE FOR BLONDES.

HE'S ALSO RICH AND GENEROUS.

- TO OUR FIRST DATE.
- TO A GOOD FIRST DATE.

THE FRIEND THAT SET IT UP,

SHE PRETTY MUCH TOLD ME,

"HE WANTS TO GO OUT
TO DINNER WITH YOU.

AND HE'LL PAY YOU $100
TO GO TO DINNER."

EVERYTHING'S GOOD HERE.

UM, I MEAN, YOU CAN
ORDER ANYTHING YOU WANT.

I MEAN, COME ON,
50 YEARS OLDER THAN YOU,

THAT'S LIKE, OLD ENOUGH
TO BE YOUR GRANDPA.

- YEAH.
- THAT DIDN'T TURN YOU OFF?

UH, YEAH.
IT DID.

BUT, YOU KNOW,
HE HAD LOTS OF MONEY.

AND THAT TURNED ME ON.

IT'S A FINE EVENING.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT.

ON THE FACE OF IT,
PAULA AND JP ARE A STRANGE COMBINATION.

SHE'S 20 YEARS YOUNGER
THAN HIS OWN DAUGHTER.

TRYIN' TO GET ME DRUNK.

YET, SURPRISINGLY,
PAULA ENJOYS HIS COMPANY.

JP WAS FUN.

HE DIDN'T
ACT HIS AGE AT ALL.

OH, I'D LOVE TO GO OUT
SAILING SOME TIME.

HE HAD FINANCIAL MEANS
TO MAKE THE WORLD

GO ROUND AND ROUND.

I KNOW SHE KNEW
WHAT SHE WAS DOIN'.

SHE LOVED MONEY.

WHAT A WONDERFUL NIGHT.
OH, IT WAS FANTASTIC.

WOULD HE BUY YOU
WHATEVER YOU NEEDED?

- MM-HMM.
- WHAT YOU GOT THERE?

BUT PAULA INSISTS
HER RELATIONSHIP

WITH JP IS NOT JUST ABOUT MONEY.

DINNER AND FLOWERS
AND JUST EVERYTHING LATELY,

YOU'VE BEEN REALLY GENEROUS.
- WELL, YOU'RE WORTH IT.

NO ONE COULD EVER COME
BETWEEN ME AND JP

'CAUSE HE WAS -

HE WAS SPECIAL TO ME.

AND YOU'RE A WHOLE LOT MORE
BEAUTIFUL THAN THOSE FLOWERS.

PAULA'S MAKING SOME
VERY RISKY DECISIONS HERE.

BY DROPPING OUT OF SCHOOL,

SHE'S LEFT HERSELF
WITHOUT THE EDUCATION NEEDED

TO FIND A GOOD JOB.

AND HER RELATIONSHIP WITH MIKE
MADE HER VERY ACCUSTOMED

TO HAVING A LOT OF CASH
AROUND ALL THE TIME.

SO SHE MIGHT TELL HERSELF
THAT WHAT SHE'S DOING WITH JP

ISN'T OFFICIALLY PROSTITUTION.

BUT, IN REALITY,
THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT IT IS.

NO MATTER HOW SHE
FEELS ABOUT JP,

PAULA IS STILL YOUNG
AND RECKLESS.

SHUT THE DOOR.

SHE TAKES FULL ADVANTAGE OF HER
NEW COMPANION'S OFFERINGS.

DO YOU LOOK AT THIS PLACE?

ESPECIALLY WHEN HE'S NOT AROUND.

HEY, WHAT DO YOU
LIKE TO DRINK?

WHAT DON'T I WANT TO DRINK?

OH, WOW.

PAULA STUMBLE'S ON JP'S SAFE.

- ****
- WE WERE LOOKING FOR BOOZE.

AND WE CAME ACROSS IT.

- HOW MUCH DOES HE...?
- IT'S GOT TO BE THOUSANDS.

- HOW MUCH MONEY WAS IN THERE?
- I HAVE NOT A CLUE.

BUT WE DIDN'T TAKE IT ALL.

GIRL, YOU WANT TO GO
ON A ROAD TRIP.

YES.
I WANT TO GO ON A ROAD TRIP.

PAULA AND HER FRIEND
STEAL $8,000 AND HIT THE ROAD.

I FOUND SOMEONE TO, UH,

DRIVE US TO FLORIDA
DURIN' BIKE WEEK.

IN THE SUNSHINE STATE,
THE WOMEN LIVE IT UP

AND BLOW THROUGH
THE STOLEN CASH,

OBLIVIOUS TO THE FACT

THAT SHE'S ALREADY BEEN BUSTED.

PAULA MOPPINS' THEFT OF $8,000

FROM HER SUGAR DADDY JP
HAS JUST BEEN DISCOVERED.

THERE'S MONEY
MISSIN' FROM THE SAFE.

DAD, I DIDN'T
TAKE YOUR MONEY.

THERE'S REALLY
ONLY ONE PERSON

WHO'S BEEN STEALING
FROM YOU.

IF PAULA TOOK IT, I WOULD
JUST SOON LET HER HAVE IT.

HE DIDN'T CARE.
I MEAN, HE JUST...

I COULD DO NO WRONG
TO THIS MAN.

BUT JP'S DAUGHTER DOES CARE.

YES.
I'D LIKE TO REPORT A ROBBERY.

HIS ELDEST DAUGHTER IS HELL BENT
ON SEEIN' ME GO DOWN.

THIS TIME, PAULA DOES NOT
GET OFF LIGHTLY.

SHE'S CHARGED WITH GRAND LARCENY

AND GETS A 5-YEAR SENTENCE.

I WASN'T HAPPY ABOUT IT.
BUT I THOUGHT,

"WELL, MAYBE THIS'D
TEACH HER A LESSON."

PAULA SPENDS HER
21ST BIRTHDAY IN PRISON.

I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD
TURN 21 IN PRISON.

I WAS HOPIN'
IT WOULD BE AT, UH,

A GOOD NIGHT CLUB,
YOU KNOW, SOMEWHERE.

SHE USES THE TIME TO MAKE UP
FOR HER LOST HIGH SCHOOL YEARS.

AND I GOT MY GED.

I'VE ALWAYS TURNED
NEGATIVE SITUATIONS

INTO POSITION SITUATIONS,
TRIED TO DO THAT.

SO PRISON WAS
A GOOD LESSON FOR YOU.

- UM...
- FINALLY.

UH, THERE WAS STRUCTURE
THAT I DIDN'T HAVE.

I DO GOOD UNDER STRUCTURE.

SO GOOD THAT SHE'S
RELEASED AFTER JUST 8 MONTHS.

PAULA HAS FINALLY DONE
REAL TIME FOR A REAL CRIME.

BUT THE PROBLEM
IS SHE ONLY SERVED

8 MONTHS OF A 5-YEAR SENTENCE.

AND THAT SENDS
A MIXED MESSAGE.

SHE MADE THE MOST
OF HER TIME.

SHE EVEN EARNED HER GED.

PAULA SAYS THAT SHE'S REFORMED.

BUT WILL HER NEW ATTITUDE
HAVE ANY STICKING POWER?

SHE MOVES
TO FORREST CITY, ARKANSAS,

AND FINDS WORK AT A VA HOSPITAL
AND SETTLES INTO HER NEW LIFE.

SHE'S MAKING THE MOST
OF HER FREEDOM.

WE'LL HAVE TWO SHOTS, PLEASE.

- SURE.
- YOU LOOK LIKE A VODKA VIPER.

I'M A VODKA, GIN,
WHATEVER YOU WANT.

PAULA EASILY
MAKES NEW FRIENDS.

- TO THE FUTURE.
- FUTURE.

- I MET THIS GUY...
- I THINK I'M GONNA NEED A BEER.

...HE WAS A COLLEGE STUDENT.
HE WAS A PREPPY GUY, PREPPY,

YOU KNOW, VERY WELL TO DO.

WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING,
MATHEMATICS?

PHYSICAL EDUCATION.

OH, I THOUGHT HE WAS -
HE WAS HOT.

COME HERE.

SO HOT, PAULA'S
ABOUT TO GET BURNED.

I GOT PREGNANT.
HE HIT THE HIGHWAY.

- MM-HMM.
- HE HIT THE HIGHWAY.

AND LEFT YOU ALONE PREGNANT.

MM-HMM.

AT 23, PAULA IS ABOUT
TO BE A SINGLE PARENT.

- HEY.
- ARE YOU STILL HERE?

- YEAH.
- YOU HAVEN'T FIXED IT?

- THIS IS BRAD.
- HEY.

HEY, BRAD.

SHE'S INTRODUCED TO
40-YEAR-OLD BRAD HOLMAN,

A TRUCK DRIVER WITH A PASSION
FOR MOTORCYCLE RACING.

YEAH, RADIATOR'S RED HOT.

UM, PUT WATER IN IT LATELY?

I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS SUPPOSED
TO WATER THE CAR.

OKAY.

CAN I BORROW YOUR WATER?
YES, YOU MAY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS.

BUT SOMETHING JUST -
JUST DRAWED ME TO HER.

YOU KNOW, SHE WAS - SHE WAS
GOOD TO LOOK AT, YOU KNOW.

KEEPS THE RADIATOR COOL.

AND MAYBE LET IT SIT
FOR A LITTLE BIT.

DON'T TAKE OFF TOO SOON.
- SURE.

- ALL RIGHTY THEN.
- THANK YOU.

- SHOULD BE FINE.
- THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WHEN PAULA GIVES BIRTH
TO HER DAUGHTER, AMBER...

HEY, PAULA, I BROUGHT
SOME GROCERIES.

...BRAD COMES TO
THE RESCUE ONCE AGAIN.

HE BRINGS A COUPLE OF
GROCERY BAGS FULL OF GROCERIES.

SO THAT WAS, YOU KNOW,
KIND OF IMPRESSIVE.

HER DAUGHTER WAS BORN.

AND, UH, I WAS JUST CRAZY
ABOUT HER.

MY GOD WHAT
A LITTLE HEARTBREAKER.

LET ME PICK STUFF UP
AROUND HERE FOR YOU.

- OH, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT.
- I KNOW I DON'T.

BUT I WANT TO.

SO YOU'RE KIND OF
STUCK AT HOME WITH THIS NEWBORN.

MM-HMM.

AND BRAD'S BRINGIN'
YOU GROCERIES

AND CLEANIN' UP
YOUR APARTMENT FOR YOU.

- MM-HMM.
- THAT'S KIND OF SEDUCTIVE.

I MEAN, I SAW HOW HE,
UM, LOVED HER.

THAT'S WHEN I STARTED
TO FALL IN LOVE WITH BRAD.

- LIKE LASAGNA?
- THAT'S WHEN I SAW,

"THIS IS A MAN."

THE BUDDING ROMANCE FLOURISHES.

EVENTUALLY, BRAD MOVES IN.

AND 4 YEARS LATER,
THE TWO WELCOME DAUGHTER LEAH.

EVERYTHING FELL INTO PLACE.

AND THEN LEAH WAS BORN.

AND SHE JUST STOLE MY HEART.

CHEERS.
CHEERS.

BRAD'S A GOOD FATHER
TO BOTH AMBER AND LEAH.

BUT IT TURNS OUT BRAD'S
HIDING A SERIOUS DARK SIDE.

WHAT IS THAT?

BRAD WAS A DRUGGIE.

TRUCKERS DO THIS STUFF
ALL THE TIME. IT'S REALLY -

IT'S REALLY... THAT'S... NO.
THAT'S NOT AN EXCUSE.

YOU DON'T GET TO COME
AND DO THIS IN THE LIVING ROOM.

I - I JUST PUT
THE KIDS TO SLEEP.

BRAD WAS A GOOD PERSON
IN HIS OWN WAYS.

BUT, UH, HE LIKED TO DO DRUGS.

YOU SHOULD GIVE IT
A SHOT YOURSELF.

I AM NOT GOING TO
GIVE THAT A SHOT, BRAD.

- COME ON. TRY A LITTLE BIT.
- NO. I'M NOT GOING TO.

DO YOU THINK I CARE
ABOUT THAT, BRAD?

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.

PAULA IS REALLY
BEING TESTED HERE.

THAT CRAVING FOR SECURITY
THAT PAULA'S HAD

SINCE CHILDHOOD
HAS NOT GONE AWAY.

AND, NOW, SHE MIGHT
COMPROMISE DOING

WHAT'S RIGHT JUST TO HAVE
A MAN WHO LOVES HER.

PAULA CHOOSES TO TURN
A BLIND EYE TO BRAD'S METH USE,

AS LONG AS HE DOESN'T
SMOKE AROUND THE KIDS.

SHE'S GETTIN' WORSE
AT GOING TO BED.

WELL, YOU KNOW
WHAT I LIKE TO DO

WHEN I GET STRESSED OUT.

NO.
I'M NOT GONNA DO...

I'M NOT GONNA DO THAT.

I'VE BEEN PAYIN' BILLS
AND KEEPIN' EVERYTHING

RUNNIN' AND SMOKIN' THIS.

I'M NOT GONNA END UP
ON SKID ROW.

GIVES YOU A LITTLE JAZZ,
THAT'S ALL.

PAULA'S CURIOSITY
GETS THE BEST OF HER.

AND THEN PAULA STARTED DOIN' IT.

OKAY, YEAH.
WILL YOU DO IT FOR ME?

YEAH. SO DON'T PUT IT
TO YOUR LIPS JUST YET.

HANG ON.

I'D ALWAYS SAID
I WOULD NEVER TRY IT.

YOU DO THAT FIRST
AND GET SOME SMOKE IN THERE.

BECAUSE I'D HEARD STORIES.

HIT IT.

YOU TRIED IT.

AND YOU LIKE IT.
THEN, YOU'RE HOOKED.

MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE...

- I FEEL LIKE WANT TO MOVE.
- ELECTRIC.

AND GETTING HOOKED IS
EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS.

WHOA, OKAY.

BRAD SOON TAKES IT
A STEP FURTHER

AND STARTS
SELLING DRUGS, TOO.

I MOSTLY SOLD MARIJUANA.
IT WAS JUST -

JUST TO MAKE MONEY, BASICALLY.

IF I WAS TRUCKIN',
I WAS DOIN' OKAY.

BUT IN BETWEEN
TIMES THERE, IT WAS -

IT WAS JUST HARD TO -

TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

IN A THROWBACK TO
HER DAYS WITH MIKE,

PAULA AGREES TO HELP BRAD.

AND THE TWO BEGIN TRAVELING
ACROSS STATE LINES

TO BUY AND SELL DRUGS.

I WOULD GO TO SOUTH TEXAS
AND PICK UP THE MARIJUANA.

AND I MADE GOOD
MONEY DOIN' THAT.

AND THEY DO IT WHILE
PARENTING TWO KIDS.

WELL, WHENEVER YOU
CONTINUE THE BEHAVIOR.

AND YOU DON'T GET CAUGHT.

THEN, IT BECOMES NORMAL.

AND SO IT WAS A NORMAL
BEHAVIOR FOR ME.

IT BECAME NORMAL.

THAT'S ALL I KNEW.

HELL WOULD IT BE IN THE DRESSER?

THAT DOESN'T EVEN
MAKE ANY SENSE, PAULA.

WHERE IS THE PACIFIER, BRAD?

WHERE IS IT?
I SAW YOU PICK IT UP.

PAULA ALSO KNOWS THE
STRESS OF THEIR RISKY LIFESTYLE

IS BOUND TO BOIL OVER.
- KEEP MY VOICE DOWN?

YEAH, KEEP YOUR VOICE...

AND TAKE DISASTROUS EFFECT.

- SHUT UP!
- WILL YOU KEEP YOUR VOICE DOWN?

- ME KEEP MY VOICE DOWN?
YES, YOU KEEP YOUR VOICE D-

HE HAS ANGER ISSUES ANYWAY.

I MEAN, JUST TEAR UP EVERYTHING
IN THE WHOLE HOUSE.

DON'T YOU TOUCH ME, BRAD!

SHE WAS ALWAYS HELL ON WHEELS.

SHE KNOWS WHAT BUTTONS TO PUSH.

YOU STUPID LITTLE...

- STOP IT!
- IT WAS BAD TIMES.

I MEAN, HE USED TO BEAT ME,
I MEAN, BEAT ME TO A PULP.

HE BEAT HER UP SO BAD

THAT THERE WASN'T
A PLACE ON HER BODY

THAT DIDN'T HAVE
A BRUISE ON IT.

EVEN THOUGH THE
BEATINGS LEAVE PAULA BRUISED

AND BATTERED,

BRAD HAS A WAY
OF MAKING IT UP TO HER.

- PAULA.
- HE WOULD ALWAYS BRING FLOWERS

AND LAVISH GIFTS
AND STUFF AFTER,

YOU KNOW, THE -
THE FIGHTS.

I'M GONNA CHANGE.

I JUST WANT US
TO BE A FAMILY AGAIN.

I'M HORRIBLE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT COMES INTO ME.

OKAY.

THE KIDS ACTUALLY
KEPT US TOGETHER,

I THINK, MORE THAN ANYTHING.

PAULA ALWAYS GIVES
BRAD ANOTHER CHANCE.

LESS THAN A YEAR LATER,

THEY ADD TO THEIR FAMILY

WHEN PAULA GIVES BIRTH TO A BOY.

IT'LL BE A WHILE
UNTIL IT FITS HIM.

BUT...
- THEY NAME HIM FORD.

I'D RATHER TALK ABOUT
THE FACT THAT YOU...

ACCORDING TO PAULA,

EVEN THE BIRTH OF THEIR SON

ISN'T ENOUGH
TO STOP BRAD'S OUTBURSTS.

WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING, BRAD?
YOU BROKE THE...

FINALLY, PAULA CAN'T
TAKE IT ANY MORE.

YOU HAVE IT.
YOU HAVEN'T BEEN DOING ANYTHING

BUT GETTING HIGH
IN THE LIVING ROOM!

I GOT TIRED OF HIM BEATIN' ME.
AND THAT'S THE ONLY WAY

I KNEW THAT I COULD GET HIM.

I WENT AND SAW A POLICE FRIEND
OF MINE, DRUG TASK FORCE.

AND I TOLD HIM,
"YOU KNOW, THERE'S DRUGS.

AND IF YOU WANT HIM,
YOU BETTER GO GET HIM.

I'M SICK OF HIM
BEATIN' MY ASS."

THE POLICE WERE
AFTER ME ANYWAYS.

SO THEY WERE TRYIN'
TO PIN ANYTHING ON ME

TO SEND ME TO PRISON.

SHE JUST FACILITATED THEM
WITH WHATEVER THEY HAD.

IT SOUNDS LIKE ONE
OF THE STRONGEST THINGS

YOU'VE EVER DONE, PAULA.

LIKE, YOU NEEDED
YOUR SITUATION TO CHANGE.

AND YOU FOUND A WAY
TO CHANGE IT.

BECAUSE A MAN WHO'S
IN PRISON CAN'T BEAT YOU.

RIGHT.
BUT I DON'T HAVE

ANY KIND OF COPING SKILLS.

PAULA HAS ENGINEERED
AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEAVE BRAD,

PROTECT HERSELF AND GET CLEAN.

SHE DOESN'T REALIZE
THAT THIS IS

ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX

BECAUSE BRAD IS GOING TO GET
OUT OUT OF PRISON SOME DAY.

WHAT PAULA NEEDS TO DO IS
FIND THE STRENGTH TO STAY AWAY.

BUT SHE DOES
THE EXACT OPPOSITE.

INSTEAD OF LEAVING BRAD,
PAULA MARRIES HIM.

IT'S THE ONLY WAY HE CAN
SEE THE KIDS IN PRISON.

HE TURNED HIS LIFE
AROUND IN PRISON,

READ THE BIBLE, PRAYED.

AND YOU'RE THINKING, "I NEED TO
GIVE THIS MAN ANOTHER CHANCE."

MM-HMM.

TWO YEARS LATER,
BRAD GETS OUT OF PRISON.

AND THE HOLMAN FAMILY
MAKES A FRESH START.

CLEAN AND SOBER,
THEY START A BUSINESS

INSTALLING MOBILITY EQUIPMENT
FOR THE DISABLED.

I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE
WITH ONE OF OUR CLIENTS.

AND THEY ABSOLUTELY LOVE
THE INSTALLATION YOU DID.

IS THAT RIGHT?
WAS IT CYNTHIA?

YEAH.
IT WAS.

UH, WE'RE ACTUALLY
GONNA GO GRAB LUNCH

IN A LITTLE BIT
AFTER I PAY THESE OFF.

YOU WANT TO JOIN?
- OF COURSE.

I JUST WANTED TO TAKE CARE
OF MY KIDS, YOU KNOW,

AND MAKE A GOOD LIFE FOR THEM.

THE HANDICAP BUSINESS
WORKED OUT PRETTY WELL.

FINALLY, A LEGIT
BUSINESS.

AND MAKIN' LOTS
AND LOTS OF MONEY.

FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS,

THE HOLMANS BUILD
A COMFORTABLE LIFE TOGETHER.

BUT ACCORDING TO PAULA,

BRAD ISN'T ABLE
TO STAY CLEAN.

DRUGS.

DRUGS TOOK OVER.

BRAD?

BRAD, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

WHAT, I GOT TO REPORT TO YOU
ON EVERYTHING, NOW?

I THOUGHT WE'VE BEEN
THROUGH THIS. YEAH.

WE - WE CLEARED YOU UP, BRAD.
- IT'S NO BIG DEAL.

AND YOU KNOW THAT, TOO.
YES, IT IS A HUGE DEAL.

YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF MY FACE
ABOUT THIS ****. IT'S FINE.

I'M NOT GETTING OUT OF YOUR FACE
ABOUT IT. YOU KNOW...

AND I SEEN

WITHIN A 2-YEAR PERIOD, I MEAN,
A TOTAL CHANGE IN HIM.

DON'T GET TO DO THAT!

****THAT.

DAD, WHAT'S... DAD, DID
YOU HIT MOM? PLEASE DON'T FIGHT.

I HATE IT WHEN YOU GUYS FIGHT.

IT WOULD MAKE ME VERY ANGRY.

I - I JUST WOULD SCREAM
AND TELL THEM TO STOP.

AND HE WOULDN'T.

YOU DO NOT GET TO DO THAT
IN FRONT OF THE KIDS, BRAD.

YOU GET OUT OF HERE.

HE HAS THREE KIDS SCREAMING AT
HIM, TELLING HIM TO STOP.

I DON'T KNOW WHY HE WOULDN'T.

- IS THAT RIGHT?
- YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

YOUR HOUSE?

THE FAMILY IS SUCKED BACK

INTO A CYCLE OF DRUGS
AND DESPAIR.

I DON'T REMEMBER DOIN' IT.
BUT THEY SAID

I RAMMED HER HEAD
INTO THE REFRIGERATOR.

I HAD TO GET OUT.
OR I WAS GONNA DIE.

AND ME AND MY CHILDREN
WERE GONNA DIE.

PAULA AND THE KIDS
MOVE IN WITH HER

TWIN SISTER BACK IN HER HOME
TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS.

SHE GETS A JOB IN A FACTORY

AND TRIES TO REGAIN
CONTROL OF HER LIFE.

I'D HELP HER OUT JUST
A LITTLE BIT, MONEY WISE,

UNTIL SHE, YOU KNOW, GET REALLY
ON HER FEET AND EVERYTHING.

AND SHE WAS DOIN' REAL GOOD,
PAYIN' ALL OF HER BILLS.

FOR THE NEXT 2 YEARS,
PAULA AND HE CHILDREN THRIVE.

I WAS HAPPY WHEN
SHE WAS INDEPENDENT

AND TAKING CARE OF US.

AND WE WERE
ACTUALLY REALLY HAPPY.

I JUST KEPT MY FAITH
TRYIN' TO RELEARN HOW TO LIVE.

I DON'T NEED A MAN.

UM, TAKE CARE OF MYSELF.

IT WAS JUST ME
AND THE KIDS.

THEN, JUST WHEN
SHE LEAST EXPECTS IT,

SHE MEETS SOMEONE NEW.

AND I MET DAVE.
AND HE WAS FUNNY.

HEY, UH, YOU DANCE PRETTY GOOD.

DAVE VINSON IS
IMMEDIATELY DRAWN TO HER.

CAN I GET YOU SOMETHIN'?

- SURE.
- IMMEDIATELY, I SAID,

"WHO'S THIS BLONDE DANCIN'
ON THE DANCE FLOOR?"

SHE'S, UM, VERY VIBRANT,
VERY OUTGOING.

LOOKS AND THEN, UH,
PERSONALITY ATTRACTED ME

TO HER VERY -
VERY FAST.

YEAH.
I'M JUST HERE WITH THE LADIES.

I'M HAVING
A NIGHT OUT TOGETHER.

- NO BOYFRIEND, HUH?
- NOPE.

DAVE'S A CHARMING SALESMAN.

I'D LOVE TO GIVE YOU
A CALL SOME TIME.

- AND PAULA'S BUYING.
- YEAH.

IS HE DIFFERENT FROM,

LET'S SEE, MIKE
AND JP AND BRAD?

- OH, YES.
- JUST SO HAPPENS I HAVE A PEN.

JUST SO HAPPENS
I HAVE A NAPKIN.

I WISH I WOULD HAVE
MET HIM 20 YEARS AGO.

HIS PERSONALITY,
WE'RE A LOT ALIKE, IN WAYS.

YOU THINK MAYBE YOU COULD
SAVE SPACE FOR THAT?

DAVE SWEEPS
PAULA OFF HER FEET.

AND THEIR FIRST
ENCOUNTER QUICKLY

TURNS INTO A WHIRLWIND ROMANCE.

THE COUPLE SOON MOVES
IN TOGETHER

WITH PAULA'S KIDS.

PAULA IS HAPPY.
AND HER KIDS ARE HAPPY.

SHE WAS DETERMINED
TO LEARN FROM HER PAST.

AND, NOW, SHE'S MAKING
GOOD CHOICES IN THE FUTURE.

SO AFTER A LIFETIME
OF MISTAKES,

PAULA HAS FINALLY ARRIVED.

- HEY, BABY.
- PAULA AND DAVE MAKE A POINT

OF SPENDING AS MUCH TIME
AS THEY CAN TOGETHER.

- JUST ENJOYIN' THE DAY.
- YEAH?

- DO YOU FEEL LIKE A DRINK?
- I'D LOVE ONE. OKAY.

THE SUN WAS BRIGHT, YOU
KNOW, SO IT WAS A WARMER DAY.

SITTIN' OUT,
HAVIN' SOME COCKTAILS,

YOU KNOW, AND ENJOYIN' THE DAY.

LOOKIN' A LITTLE MESSY, GAL.

WE WERE DRINKIN' BOURBON.

AND WE WERE CONSUMIN'
QUITE A BIT OF IT.

OH.
OH, I BROKE THE CHAIR.

EVERYTHING WAS GREAT.

IT'S THE FIRST
TIME IN OVER 20 YEARS

THAT PAULA HAS TOUCHED WHISKEY.

WHERE'D THE WHISKEY GO?

WELL, YOU DRANK IT
AND SPILLED IT.

****

I GUESS I'LL JUST GO
TO THE STORE, GET SOME MORE.

- NO, NO.
- YEAH.

- NO, NO, NO.
- YEAH.

- GIVE ME THE KEY.
- NO, NO.

DID YOU TWO POLISH
OFF A WHOLE BOTTLE?

OH, YEAH,
IF NOT ANOTHER ONE.

YOU'RE DRUNK.
YOU AIN'T DRIVIN' ANYWHERE.

YOU'RE NOT DRIVING ANYWHERE.

WELL, I -
I DIDN'T SAY I WAS.

AND I TOLD HER
SHE WAS NOT CAPABLE

OF DRIVING, IN MY OPINION.

LISTEN, SHH, SHH,
I'M JUST GONNA GET TWO BOTTLES.

- UH-HUH.
- ONE BOTTLE FOR YOU.

I'M GONNA GET
ONE BOTTLE FOR ME.

- NO.
- I'M SERIOUS.

YOU'RE NOT GOIN' ANYWHERE.

- GIVE IT TO ME.
- YOU'RE NOT GOIN' ANYWHERE.

- GIVE ME THE KEY, DAVE.
- YOU'RE DRUNK. NO.

PAULA WAS GETTIN'
VERY AGITATED WITH ME.

I WAS VERY INSISTENT
NOT TO GIVE 'EM TO HER.

- GET IN THE HOUSE.
- PAULA ISN'T HAVING ANY OF IT.

GET THE HELL IN THE HOUSE.

YOU LIKE THAT CAR
IN THE FRONT YARD?

WHAT ARE YOU TALKIN' ABOUT.
OF COURSE YOU KNOW THAT.

THAT NICE, SHINY CAR.
HEY.

SHE THREATENED TO HIT
MY WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR.

AND I DIDN'T THINK
SHE WOULD DO THAT.

SHE FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH IT
AND TOOK THE BAT

AND BEAT THE WINDSHIELD
OUT OF THE CAR.

IF YOU WERE WITHIN A MILE,

YOU HEARD HER
SMASHIN' THE WINDSHIELD.

- YOU CALM DOWN.
- FUELED BY WHISKEY

AND A LIFE TIME OF GIVING IN,

PAULA REFUSES
TO BACK DOWN.

YOU'RE NOT GETTIN' THESE KEYS.
YOU'RE DRUNK!

WATCH ME.
I'M GONNA GET THEM.

OR I'M GONNA DO THAT
TO YOUR FACE, DAVE.

I JUST WANTED MY KEYS
TO MY CAR.

AND SHE'LL DO ANYTHING
TO GET HER WAY.

- I'M NOT PLAYIN'. GET AWAY.
- GIVE THEM TO ME!

NO.
GET AWAY FROM ME.

GET AWAY FROM ME.
GET AWAY FROM ME.

SO, UM, THERE WAS A KNIFE,
A TURKEY KNIFE.

IF I COME BACK HERE,
AND YOU'RE WAVIN' -

OW, AH!

- SO IT'S A TURKEY CARVING KNIFE.
- YEAH.

AND IT WAS PROBABLY
LIKE THIS LONG.

AH.

PAULA STABS DAVE RIGHT
IN THE STOMACH.

I NEVER SAW THE KNIFE.
I REMEMBER FEELIN' THE -

FEELIN' THE PAIN.

AND I REMEMBER PUTTIN' MY HAND

OVER MY SHIRT
AND LOOKIN' AT BLOOD.

YOU DON'T GET
TO CONTROL ME!

- YOU - YOU...
- GIVE ME THE KEYS.

IT STILL WAS NOT
REGISTERIN' WHAT I'D DONE.

WHAT'S THE MATTER
WITH YOU?!

THIS IS VERY SCARY NOW.

GIVE ME THE KEYS,
OR I'M GONNA STAB YOU AGAIN.

AT THAT POINT, I HAVE SOMEONE
IN FRONT OF ME I DON'T KNOW.

HERE ARE YOUR KEYS.
AH.

I THREW THE KEYS BECAUSE

I THOUGHT SHE WAS
GONNA STAB ME AGAIN.

WHAT'S THE MATTER
WITH YOU?

PAULA'S DAUGHTER,
LEAH, ARRIVES HOME.

DAVE WAS ON THE GROUND.

AND I - I TACKLED HER,
LITERALLY, TO THE GROUND.

AND I COULD ONLY HOLD HER
DOWN FOR SO LONG

BECAUSE SHE WAS JUST RAGING.

I'VE NEVER BEEN
SCARED OF MY MOM.

BUT, AT THAT POINT, I WAS.

MOM, HE'S BLEEDING!

PAULA SUDDENLY REALIZES
THE HORROR OF WHAT SHE'S DONE.

WE NEED TO CALL 911 NOW!

BUT IN HER DRUNKEN STATE,
SHE DOESN'T CALL FOR HELP.

- GET AWAY FROM...

WE HAVE TO GET IN THE CAR, BABY.
I HAVE TO DRIVE YOU THERE.

I SAID, "LET'S GO. I'M GONNA
TAKE YOU TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

AND I'M GONNA DROP YOU OFF."

I THOUGHT I COULD DRIVE
TO THE HOSPITAL FASTER.

- I NEED TO COME WITH YOU GUYS.
- NO, LEAH.

YOU STAY HERE.

I WAS IN REALLY BAD SHAPE.

AND I COULDN'T WAIT
ON THE AMBULANCE.

IT'S THE ONLY CHOICE I THOUGHT
I HAD AT THAT TIME.

GO.

OH, MY GOD.

BUT PAULA'S
IN NO SHAPE TO DRIVE.

HOW FAST WERE YOU DRIVING?

I HAD MY FLASHERS ON.

I WAS GOIN' OVER SPEED LIMIT

AND GOIN' IN AND OUT OF CARS.

AT THIS RED LIGHT,
I WENT AROUND, UH, A CAR.

AND I FISH TAILED.
AND I HIT ANOTHER CAR.

ALL UNITS STAND BY.

WE HIT A COUPLE OF CARS.

I DON'T REMEMBER HOW MANY
OR ONE OR TWO OR WHAT.

IT WAS A PRETTY
GOOD LITTLE WRECK.

LUCKILY, THE PASSENGERS
IN THE OTHER CARS ARE NOT HURT.

DAVE IS RUSHED
TO THE HOSPITAL.

WITHIN LESS THAN AN
HOUR, I'VE BEEN STABBED

AND IN A CAR WRECK.

THIS WAS THE CRAZIEST
HOUR OF MY ENTIRE LIFE.

PAULA IS ARRESTED
AT THE SCENE FOR DRUNK

DRIVING AND LATER CHARGED

WITH FELONY DOMESTIC BATTERY
FOR THE STABBING.

FORTUNATELY FOR DAVE, THE KNIFE
MISSED HIS VITAL ORGANS.

AND I HAD ON A BIG,
HEAVY FLANNEL SHIRT.

THAT'S PROBABLY
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SAVED ME.

I WASN'T GONNA FORGIVE HER
FOR THIS. I WAS NOT.

I WAS DONE.

THE CASE IS DISMISSED

WHEN DAVE REFUSES
TO PRESS CHARGES.

I - I DON'T EVEN KNOW
WHERE TO BEGIN, REALLY,

ABOUT THE OTHER DAY.

SOMETHIN' MADE ME REALIZE

THAT IT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED
IF SHE HADN'T BEEN DRINKIN'.

- IT'S OKAY.
- THAT WAS THE ISSUE.

LET'S JUST GO HOME.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA
HOW LUCKY BOTH OF YOU ARE?

IF DAVE HAD DIED,
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE?

I WOULD BE IN PRISON.

HOW DID PAULA END UP
STABBING THE ONE MAN

WHO WAS ALWAYS SO GOOD TO HER?

WAS SHE SYMBOLICALLY
STRIKING OUT

AT THAT EX-HUSBAND
WHO HAD ABUSED HER?

THE ANSWER'S PROBABLY
A LOT MORE SIMPLE.

PAULA WAS JUST REALLY DRUNK

AND DOESN'T LIKE BEING
TOLD WHAT TO DO.

THAT STABBING, HOWEVER,
WAS A BIG WAKE-UP CALL

BECAUSE SHE REALLY
COULD HAVE KILLED DAVE.

TODAY, NEARLY 3 YEARS
AFTER THE STABBING,

THE COUPLE IS STILL TOGETHER.

I LOVE HER.
SHE LOVES ME.

AND THIS WAS A MISTAKE.

AND I WAS PROBABLY
AS MUCH TO BLAME,

IN MY OPINION, AS SHE WAS.

OH, DID YOU MAKE THIS FROM
THE LEMON IN THE FRONT YARD?

I DID.
I DON'T THINK I'M IN ANY DANGER.

I DON'T EVER WANT TO HAVE
TO INTERVIEW YOU FROM A PRISON.

I KNOW.

BUT I WASN'T
IN MY RIGHT MIND

'CAUSE I WAS
UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

I LOVE HIM.
AND I'M SORRY.

AND HE KNOWS THAT I AM.

HE KNOWS IT.

THAT WASN'T ME.