Wives with Knives (2012–…): Season 5, Episode 6 - Perils of Paranoia - full transcript

Narrator:
A FEARLESS TEEN SKIPS HER YOUTH

TO LIVE LIFE IN THE FAST LINE.

WAIT. HOW OLD ARE YOU?

I JUST WANTED TO BE WILD.

WHAT ARE YOU OFF DOING
AFTER WORK?

Narrator: BUT HER PARANOIA
KEEPS DRIVING LOVE AWAY.

AND SHE ALMOST LOSES
THE ONE THING SHE TRULY LOVES.

GO GET SOME HELP.

I DIDN'T WANNA KEEP THEM
APART OR ANYTHING.

TERRY?

Narrator: SHE FINALLY GETS
TO FOLLOW HER HEART...



- HAD YOU EVER HAD THIS BEFORE?
- NO.

I JUST FELT LIKE IT WAS
EVERYTHING I WANTED.

TERRY, WHAT THE HELL?

...UNTIL TRUE LOVE LEADS
TO THE ULTIMATE HEARTBREAK.

I WAS LIKE, "HEATHER,
STOP BEFORE THINGS GO TOO FAR."

GET OUT!

♪♪♪♪

Narrator: NOT ALL FAIRY TALES
HAVE HAPPY ENDINGS.

WHEN LOVE GOES WRONG,
A WOMAN CAN DO THE UNTHINKABLE.

CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS

17-YEAR-OLD HEATHER HUGHES
IS LOOKING FOR TROUBLE.

UH, WELL, RYAN SAID WE COULD
CRASH AT HIS PLACE LATER.

COOL.

Heather: AND WE STOP
AND WE SEEN THIS CAR.



HEY. SOMEONE LEFT THE KEYS.

AND THE KEYS WERE RIGHT IN IT,

SO IT WAS LIKE IT WAS THERE
FOR US TO TAKE.

SHOULD WE DO IT?
- YEAH.

ALL RIGHT. LET'S GO.

[ IGNITION ALERT BEEPING ]

[ LAUGHS ] GO, GO!

[ TIRES PEAL ]

♪♪♪♪

Narrator: BUT HEATHER
WASN'T ALWAYS SUCH A REBEL.

SHE GREW UP ON THE OUTSKIRTS
OF WICHITA, KANSAS.

- HI, SWEETHEART.
- HI.

Narrator: SHE HAS A CLOSE BOND
WITH HER MOTHER

ONCE HER FATHER'S
OUT OF THE PICTURE.

HE WAS VERBALLY ABUSIVE
AND EVERYTHING

'CAUSE HE WAS DRUNK
ALL THE TIME.

Narrator: SUPPORTING HEATHER
ON HER OWN IS A STRUGGLE,

BUT RICHA FINDS STRENGTH
IN HER DAUGHTER'S POTENTIAL.

SHE'S GOT A LOT OF TALENT,
YOU KNOW?

SHE WANTED TO GO TO NEW YORK.

SHE WANTED TO BE
A FASHION DESIGNER.

I JUST ALWAYS TEACH TO KIDS,
"BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE."

WHO IS THAT?
- THAT'S YOU.

[ LAUGHS ]

♪♪♪♪

Narrator: BY 13, HEATHER'S NOT
JUST TALL FOR HER AGE.

SHE'S LOOKING TO GROW UP FAST.

HEY, HEY.

- HEY.
- HOW YOU DOIN'?

Narrator:
THEN SHE MEETS TYLER JONES.

- HEATHER.
- WHERE YOU GOIN'?

- HOME.
- HOME? MAN, UH, THAT'S BORING.

Narrator: HE'S SUAVE, HANDSOME

AND FRESH OUT OF JAIL.

SHE LIKES WHAT SHE SEES.

- HELL, YEAH.
- WAIT.

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

I'M 16, ALMOST 17.

- YOU SURE?
- YEAH.

AT FIRST, ALL I SEEN
WAS OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE FUN

SO I LIED ABOUT MY AGE.
- HEY, LISTEN.

UM, COUPLE OF
MY FRIENDS COMIN' OVER.

WE HAVIN' A PARTY LATER.
YOU WANNA HANG OUT?

Narrator: HEATHER HEADS INTO
THE 21-YEAR-OLD'S HOUSE

WITHOUT HESITATION.

- COMIN'?
- YEAH.

♪♪♪♪

Narrator: THAT NIGHT,
HEATHER FEELS A LITTLE LOST

AROUND AN OLDER CROWD...

- GOOD. WHAT'S UP, BABY?
- HI.

HOW YOU DOIN'?
YOU HAVIN' FUN?

YEAH, YEAH.

WHY YOU BEIN' A WALLFLOWER
OVER HERE LIKE...

...BUT TYLER QUICKLY
MAKES HER FEEL RIGHT AT HOME.

INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME
OF MY FRIENDS.

HEY, HEY!
- Men: HEY!

- WHAT'S UP, BOY?
- WHAT'S UP?

LEMME INTRODUCE YOU TO MY GIRL.

THAT'S BRENT.
- HI.

- THAT'S ROB.
- Narrator: THE TWO START DATING.

I JUST WANTED TO PARTY.

I HAD FUN DOIN'
WHAT I WAS DOIN'.

Narrator: AND BEFORE LONG,
HEATHER LOSES HER VIRGINITY

TO HER MUCH OLDER BOYFRIEND.

21-YEAR-OLDS SHOULD NOT
BE MESSIN' AROUND

WITH 13-YEAR-OLDS.

BUT YOU KNEW THAT.
YOU'RE - YOU'RE OWNING IT.

YOU'RE TELLING ME
THAT YOU LIED ABOUT YOUR AGE

TO GET HIM INTERESTED
IN YOU.

- YES.
- HE WASN'T THE PREDATORY ONE?

NO.

Narrator: DR. CASEY JORDAN
IS A CRIMINOLOGIST

WHO STUDIES VIOLENT BEHAVIOR.

HEATHER IS A BORN REBEL.

SHE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE
OF CHOICE THEORY.

SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE'S DOING,
SHE KNOWS THAT IT'S WRONG,

AND SHE CHOOSES TO DO IT ANYWAY.

NOTHING WILL STOP HER
UNTIL SHE GETS CAUGHT.

♪♪♪♪

- HI.
- HEY, BABY.

WANT ANYTHING
FROM THE KITCHEN?

Narrator:
FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS,

HEATHER FREQUENTLY RUNS AWAY
FROM HOME

TO PLAY HOUSE WITH TYLER.

- OH, COOL.
- I'M TOO OLD FOR THAT.

I DIDN'T KNOW
SHE WAS DATING HIM.

I DIDN'T.

AND I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY
SHE KEPT RUNNING AWAY, YOU KNOW?

[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]

IT'S PROBABLY MY BOYS.
COME IN!

Man: HEY.

Narrator:
HANGING AROUND THE APARTMENT,

HEATHER LEARNS SOMETHING NEW
ABOUT HER BOYFRIEND.

NOT ONLY DOES HE INDULGE
IN HARD DRUGS,

BUT HE ALSO SELLS THEM.

I'M-A SHOW THEM A LITTLE SOMETHIN'
IN THE KITCHEN REAL QUICK.

- OKAY.
- KEEP HER COMPANY.

Villescas:
SHE WAS AROUND PEOPLE

THAT WASN'T GOOD FOR HER,
YOU KNOW?

PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT
POSITIVE INFLUENCE BY NO MEANS.

PEOPLE WHO WERE UP TO NO GOOD.

YOU WANNA SMOKE?

YOU GOTTA TRY IT.

OKAY.

I WAS CURIOUS.
THAT'S WHY I TOOK IT.

I WAS CURIOUS
AND I WANTED TO KNOW.

Narrator: WHEN HEATHER TRIES
CRYSTAL METH FOR THE FIRST TIME,

ALL OTHER HIGHS PALE
BY COMPARISON.

IT WAS A WRAP FROM THERE.

Dr. Jordan:
HEATHER IS VERY YOUNG,

BUT SHE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT
SHE IS DOING.

SHE IS PERFECTLY HAPPY
TO DEFY SOCIETY

AND LIVE
HER HEDONISTIC LIFESTYLE.

AND NOW THAT SHE'S ADDED METH
TO THE MIX,

WHO KNOWS HOW SHE'S GONNA BE
ABLE TO TURN HER LIFE AROUND.

SHOULD WE DO IT?

YEAH.

Narrator:
OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS,

HEATHER DROPS OUT OF SCHOOL

AND EARNS HERSELF
A LONG RAP SHEET.

GO, GO! [ LAUGHS ]

[ TIRES PEAL ]

HOW MANY FELONIES
BETWEEN 12 AND 17?

13 FELONIES.
22 MISDEMEANORS.

GO, GO, GO, GO!

Narrator: AND SHE'S ABOUT
TO ADD TO THE LIST.

SHE AND HER COUSIN
ARE BUSTED CRUISING AROUND

IN A STOLEN VEHICLE.

[ SIREN WAILING ]

WE SEEN - WE CALL 'EM
BLUEBERRIES AND CHERRIES,

YOU KNOW, THE -
THE LIGHTS GO ON.

WE GOT PULLED OVER
AND, UM, WE -

WE TOLD THE OFFICERS
THAT IT WAS,

YOU KNOW, UM,
OUR FRIEND'S AUNT'S CAR.

Narrator: POLICE DON'T BUY
HEATHER'S STORY

AND THEY TAKE THE GIRLS
INTO CUSTODY.

SO WHERE WERE YOU REALLY?

Narrator: HEATHER'S MOM, RICHA,
NEARLY EXPLODES

WHEN SHE FINDS OUT
WHAT HER DAUGHTER'S BEEN UP TO.

- YES, I WAS.
- YOU LIED TO ME!

I THINK SHE BECAME A REBEL

BY THE WAY
I COMMUNICATED WITH HER

AND BY YELLING,
YOU KNOW, LIKE,

"WELL, I'M NOT GONNA LISTEN.
I'M JUST GONNA GET YELLED AT."

I DON'T CARE WHO HEARS ME!
- YOU KNOW WHAT?

IF YOU WERE JUST GONNA
YELL AT ME,

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE
EVEN COME, OKAY?

I HAVEN'T BEGUN
TO YELL AT YOU!

AND SHE'LL JUST DO WHATEVER,

SO I FEEL LIKE
I CONTRIBUTED TO THAT.

OBVIOUSLY, YOU WEREN'T THINKING.
- I JUST WANTED TO BE WILD.

♪♪♪♪

LOOK, I'M SORRY, OKAY?

[ LAUGHS ]

I CAN'T BELIEVE
YOU PLAYED ME LIKE THAT.

I WASN'T...

Narrator: RICHA'S NOT THE ONLY
ONE WHO'S ANGRY WITH HEATHER.

TYLER FINALLY LEARNS THE TRUTH
ABOUT HER AGE.

I'M OVERREACTING?

YOU WERE 13 YEARS OLD
WHEN I MET YOU?

DO YOU KNOW
I'M ON PAROLE RIGHT NOW?

I KNOW.

I'VE PUT HIM THROUGH
SO MUCH STUFF, YOU KNOW.

ONCE HE FOUND OUT ABOUT MY AGE,
I MEAN, YOU JUST...

LIKE, HE WAS ANGRY.

- THEY'RE NOT GONNA FIND OUT?
- THEY'RE NOT GONNA FIND OUT!

Narrator:
THEIR RELATIONSHIP CRUMBLES.

FOLLOWING HER RELEASE,

HEATHER'S STAYING BACK HOME
WITH HER MOM

AND MAKES A PLAN TO ENROLL
IN A G. E. D. COURSE.

[ VOMITS ]

BUT SOON, LIFE WILL TAKE HER
ON A MUCH DIFFERENT COURSE.

♪♪♪♪

♪♪♪♪

Narrator: 17-YEAR-OLD HEATHER HUGHES
HAS PLANS TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL,

BUT THOSE PLANS MAY HAVE JUST
GONE DOWN THE DRAIN.

I WAS SO DIZZY, LIGHT-HEADED,
ABOUT TO PASS OUT.

AND MY FRIEND TOOK ME
TO EMERGENCY ROOM.

THEY BROUGHT A SONOGRAM IN,
DID - AND HEARD THE HEART,

SO THAT CONFIRMED EVERYTHING.

Narrator: NOW PREGNANT,

HEATHER FANTASIZES
ABOUT RECONCILING WITH TYLER.

I KNOW SHE ALWAYS WANTED
THAT FEEL TO BE LOVED,

TO BE CARED FOR, YOU KNOW,

TO BE THE WIFE AT HOME,

YOU KNOW, THAT COOKS DINNER
WHILE THE MAN'S OUT WORKIN'.

Narrator: HEATHER'S DREAM
OF A PERFECT FAMILY SHATTERS

WHEN TYLER IS SENT BACK
TO PRISON ON DRUG CHARGES.

I GUESS IT JUST KINDA
BURST HER BUBBLE

WHENEVER IT WASN'T REALLY LIKE
WHAT SHE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.

HEATHER. WAIT UP.

Narrator: THEN COMFORT COMES
FROM SOMEONE UNEXPECTED -

24-YEAR-OLD BRENT JOHNSON,

TYLER'S BEST FRIEND.

- HEY.
- THAT'S BRENT.

- HI.
- TELL YOU WHAT.

YOU STILL LOOK AMAZING.

Narrator: UNLIKE TYLER,
BRENT DOESN'T HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD.

TELL ME ABOUT BRENT.
THEY WERE BEST FRIENDS, RIGHT?

THEY WAS, LIKE,
TWO PEAS IN A POD.

SO BRENT WAS ALWAYS THERE
ON THE SIDE,

ALWAYS THERE
IN THE BACKGROUND.

THEY WAS BROTHERS.

THAT WAS STUPID,
BUT IT WAS FUNNY THOUGH.

Narrator: HE'S ALWAYS
HAD A SOFT SPOT FOR HEATHER.

OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS,

HEATHER FINDS HERSELF
FALLING FOR HIM.

IF YOU EVER NEED ANYTHING,

IF YOU EVER NEED TO TALK,
YOU'VE GOTTA KNOW

THAT I'M ALWAYS GONNA
BE HERE FOR YOU, OKAY?

ALL RIGHT. COME ON.
- THANKS.

I WAS HAPPY.
I MEAN, IN THAT TIME,

I HAD A LOT OF JOY
BEING PREGNANT.

Narrator: AND THAT'S NOT
THE ONLY REASON HEATHER'S HAPPY.

HE WORKED HARD FOR US
TO SAVE UP FOR OUR OWN PLACE.

IT WAS CUTE 'CAUSE IT WAS LIKE
A LITTLE GARAGE APARTMENT.

AND, I MEAN, IT WAS OURS.

Dr. Jordan: HEATHER SEEMS TO BE
CATCHING A LUCKY BREAK HERE.

ONCE HER MAN GOES TO PRISON,

HEATHER IS LOOKING
AT BEING A BROKE, SINGLE MOTHER.

BUT BRENT...

HE SEEMS LIKE A GOOD GUY
WHO GENUINELY CARES ABOUT HER.

AND HE MAY OFFER HER
A FAR BETTER CHANCE

AT HAVING THE HAPPY FAMILY
THAT SHE ALWAYS WANTED,

A LIFE THAT TYLER
NEVER COULD HAVE GIVEN HER.

♪♪♪♪

Narrator: WHEN HEATHER IS
7 MONTHS PREGNANT,

BRENT CATCHES HER
TOTALLY OFF GUARD.

- ARE YOU SURE?
- DEFINITELY.

HE - HE WAS LIKE,
HE WANTED TO GET MARRIED.

AND I WAS LIKE, "I MEAN,
YOU KNOW I'M PREGNANT,"

YOU KNOW?
AND HE SAID HE DIDN'T CARE.

AND I WAS WITH BRENT
EVER SINCE THEN.

THAT'S THE PERSON
SHE WANTED TO BE WITH, UM,

FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE.

JUST YOU AND ME.

- AND THE BABY. [ LAUGHS ]
- YEAH. A COUPLE BABIES.

Narrator:
THE COUPLE GETS MARRIED,

AND HEATHER GIVES BIRTH
TO A DAUGHTER SHE NAMES EMMA.

BRENT NEVER LEAVES HER SIDE.

HE WAS WITH HER THROUGH
THE WHOLE PREGNANCY.

HE WAS A GOOD HUSBAND.

Narrator:
HE TREATS EMMA LIKE HIS OWN.

I HAD A FAMILY OF MY OWN.

I FELT LIKE I WAS DOIN'
SOMETHIN' RIGHT.

♪♪♪♪

Narrator:
AFTER A YEAR OF MARRIAGE,

HEATHER AND BRENT
SEEM HAPPIER THAN EVER.

THEN HEATHER COMES ACROSS
A SHADY MESSAGE

ON BRENT'S PHONE.

THERE WAS THIS GIRL,
SHE WORKED WITH HIM.

I SEEN A PICTURE OF HER, UH,
IN HER UNDERWEAR ON HIS PHONE.

WHO THE HELL IS THIS?

[ LAUGHS ] THAT'S GINA.

- WHO THE HELL IS GINA?
- I WORK WITH HER.

SHE'S GOT A CRUSH ON ME.
IT'S...

WHY IS SHE SENDING YOU
PICTURES LIKE THIS?

ARE YOU CHEATING ON ME?

Narrator: DESPITE HIS DENIALS,
HEATHER IS NOT CONVINCED.

WITH HER DAD LEAVING EARLY
AND TYLER GOING TO PRISON,

HEATHER HAS A VERY REAL FEAR
OF ABANDONMENT.

AND THIS LEADS HER
TO OVERCOMPENSATE

AND DEMAND LOVE AND FIDELITY

INSTEAD OF LETTING HER PARTNER
JUST OFFER IT FREELY.

HEATHER'S LACK OF TRUST
IS NOW ALIENATING BRENT.

AND IF SHE KEEPS BADGERING HIM
FOR REASSURANCE,

SHE IS GOING
TO DRIVE HIM AWAY.

- WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
- I'M GOIN' TO WORK.

♪♪♪♪

I DON'T UNDERSTAND
WHY YOU'RE NEVER HOME.

Narrator: HER PARANOIA BECOMES
A DAILY STRUGGLE.

SHE KINDA SUSPECTED
THAT HE WAS CHEATIN' ON HER.

I KNOW AT ONE POINT IN TIME,

SHE WANTED TO SLICE
ALL FOUR OF HIS TIRES.

AND I WAS LIKE,
"YOU REALLY CAN'T DO THAT."

- BABY, DON'T...
- I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE!

Narrator: BEFORE LONG,

HEATHER REALIZES
SHE'S PREGNANT AGAIN.

- YEAH, A COUPLE BABIES.
- [ LAUGHS ]

Narrator: SHE'S CONVINCED
IT'LL SOLVE ALL THEIR PROBLEMS.

- AND WAS BRENT HAPPY?
- HE WAS SUPER HAPPY.

HE WANTED HIS OWN CHILD
WITH YOU?

HE - HE WANTED... YES.

HEATHER, I'M HOME.

Narrator: BUT THEIR HAPPINESS
DOESN'T LAST LONG.

HEATHER?

HEATHER.
HEATHER, HEATHER!

BABY, WAKE UP!
BABY, WAKE UP!

HEATHER! HEATHER!

YEAH,
I NEED AN AMBULANCE.

UH, 1164 MORNING GLORY CIRCLE.

MY WIFE,
SHE'S NOT RESPONDING.

JUST SEND SOMEONE!

ME AND MY DAUGHTER
GOT CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

[ SIREN WAILING ]

FROM OUR UNDERSTANDING,

IT WAS FROM THE LITTLE HEATER
IN THE HOUSE.

IT WAS LEAKING.

WOKE UP NEW YEAR'S DAY
IN THE HOSPITAL.

THE DOCTOR EVEN TOLD US

HE DIDN'T KNOW
HOW WE WERE STILL ALIVE.

Narrator: WHILE, LUCKILY,
HER DAUGHTER EMMA SURVIVED,

HEATHER SUFFERS A MISCARRIAGE.

IT'S A DEVASTATING LOSS
THAT TEARS THE COUPLE APART.

BRENT STARTS SPENDING
MORE TIME AWAY FROM HOME.

BRENT, IT'S ME. CALL ME.

IT WENT FROM HIM
BEIN' HOME EARLY AT NIGHT

TO HIM BEIN' GONE
TILL ALMOST MIDNIGHT.

SHE FELT LIKE, YOU KNOW,

SHE PUT HER ALL
IN HER RELATIONSHIP

AND IT'S CRUMBLIN' DOWN,
BASICALLY.

NO, YOU HAVEN'T.
IT'S LATE.

WHERE THE HELL HAVE
YOU BEEN?

Narrator: HEATHER'S PARANOIA
COMES BACK FULL FORCE.

I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN
SEEING SOMEONE.

- CALM DOWN. JUST CALM DOWN.
- WHO IS IT?

YOU KNOW, MY HEAD
JUST STARTED GOIN' BACK

TO WHERE WE CAME FROM BEFORE
ANY OF THIS HAPPENED.

- ALL RIGHT! FINE!
- WHAT? OKAY!

- I'M DONE!
- STOP LYING!

- I AM DONE AND I AM OUT!
- WE ARE NOT DONE!

AND ONE DAY, HE LEFT.

HE WENT TO WORK,
NEVER CAME BACK HOME.

HEY! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

HE DOESN'T LOVE ME ANYMORE,
OKAY? HE JUST LEFT ME.

Narrator: HEATHER QUICKLY
GOES OFF THE DEEP END.

WHEN HE LEFT, I STARTED
GETTIN' HIGH ON METH AGAIN.

Narrator: RICHA STEPS IN

TO HELP TAKE CARE
OF HER GRANDDAUGHTER EMMA,

EVENTUALLY TAKING OVER
FULL GUARDIANSHIP.

FOR HEATHER, NOT EVEN DRUGS
CAN RELIEVE THE PAIN

OF LOSING HER FAMILY.

I WAS SAD
AND I WAS LONELY

AND I WANTED MY BABY.

Morgan:
I JUST TOLD HER, YOU KNOW,

"EVERY DAY, IT -
IT'LL GET BETTER.

IT'LL GET BETTER.
YOU JUST GOTTA GIVE IT TIME."

♪♪♪♪

Narrator: HER APARTMENT
SOON BECOMES HOST

TO ALL OF HER OLD DEMONS.

I HAD SO MANY PEOPLE
IN AND OUT THAT HOUSE.

I DID-I DIDN'T HAVE NOBODY
TO TAKE CARE OF.

I DIDN'T HAVE -
I DIDN'T HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES.

SO I GOT HIGH,
AND GOT HIGH AND GOT HIGH.

Narrator:
THEN ONE DAY, IN JULY 2008,

HEATHER GETS A PHONE CALL

THAT MAKES HER HEART
SKIP A BEAT.

- HELLO?
- Hey.

- Narrator: IT'S BRENT.
- I WAS SO HAPPY.

HE SAID THAT, "TOMORROW,
WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT

AND WE'LL START
MOVIN' MY STUFF BACK."

AND I WAS SO HAPPY.

OKAY. I'LL, UH,
I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

Cool. All right. Bye.

Narrator:
EAGER TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS,

HEATHER DECIDES
TO SPEND THE NIGHT

AT HER BEST FRIEND SARAH'S
HOUSE.

WE KINDA SWITCHED OFF,
YOU KNOW,

FROM STAYIN' AT HER HOUSE

TO STAYIN' AT MY APARTMENT.

SO DID HE CALL YET?
- NO, NOT YET.

I'M SURE HE'LL CALL SOON.

Narrator: THE NEXT DAY,
HEATHER WAITS FOR BRENT'S CALL.

I'M SURE - I'M SURE HE'LL CALL.
DON'T WORRY.

Narrator: HOURS PASS.

[ CELLPHONE RINGS ]

WHEN THE PHONE FINALLY RINGS,

IT'S FROM A NUMBER
SHE DOESN'T RECOGNIZE.

- HELLO?
- Narrator: ONCE AGAIN,

HEATHER'S DREAM
OF A PERFECT FAMILY

IS ABOUT TO SHATTER.

OH, MY GOD.
IS HE - IS HE OKAY?

♪♪♪♪

♪♪♪♪

[ CELLPHONE RINGS ]

Narrator: HEATHER HUGHES
HAS JUST RECEIVED A PHONE CALL

THAT WILL CHANGE
HER ENTIRE LIFE.

OH, MY GOD. IS HE OKAY?

BRENT GOT IN A CAR WRECK.

I WAS LIKE, "WELL,
WHERE'S HE AT?

WHAT HOSPITAL IS HE AT?"

IF HE - IF HE DOESN'T WANNA
SEE ME ANYMORE,

HE CAN JUST TELL ME.

JUST - JUST TELL ME
WHICH HOSPITAL I SHOULD GO TO

SO I CAN SEE HIM.

BUT HE SAID, "HE DIED.

HE GOT IN A CAR WRECK LAST NIGHT
AND HE DIED ON IMPACT."

[ Voice breaking ] SO WHEN
HE SAID THAT, I FELT LIKE

JUST SOMETHIN' HUGE JUST KNOCKED
ALL AIR OUTTA ME.

HE DIED.
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

[ CRYING ] HE WAS A GREAT GUY.

IT'S OKAY. IT'S OKAY.

IT WAS A HARD TIME
FOR BOTH OF US.

Narrator:
HEATHER'S FIRST INSTINCT

IS TO NUMB HERSELF FROM THE PAIN
OF THE CRUSHING NEWS.

I WANT CRYSTAL.
I JUST NEED SOME CRYSTAL.

I THINK ANY TIME THERE WAS
A CRISIS IN HER LIFE

OR SOMETHING THAT CAME UP,

THAT'S WHAT SHE WOULD DO.

Morgan: YOU KNOW,
SHE WAS HEARTBROKEN.

SHE THOUGHT THAT WAS
REALLY GONNA BE THE PERSON

SHE WAS GONNA BE WITH.

Narrator:
BUT IN HER FRAGILE STATE,

THE DRUGS HAVE
A DANGEROUS EFFECT.

I KEPT TELLIN' MYSELF,
YOU KNOW, LIKE, YOU KNOW,

YOU BELIEVE IN ANGELS
AND STUFF.

LIKE, SURELY, IF I JUMP OFF THIS
BALCONY, HE'S GONNA CATCH -

HE AIN'T GONNA LET ME
HIT THAT GROUND.

YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU WERE
HAVING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS.

NOT SUICIDAL THOUGHTS,
BUT JUST...

I KNEW HE WOULDN'T
LET ME HIT THAT GROUND.

YOU WOULD'VE HIT
THAT GROUND.

YEAH.
I WASN'T BELIEVING THAT.

Dr. Jordan: HEATHER IS TRYING TO
COPE WITH THIS TRAGEDY BY,

ONCE AGAIN,
NUMBING HERSELF WITH DRUGS.

BUT THE DRUGS
AND THE SLEEP DEPRIVATION

ARE MAKING HER DELUSIONAL.

THESE SUICIDAL THOUGHTS
ARE VERY REAL.

SHE HAS LOST ALL HOPE,

AND AT ANY MOMENT,
SHE MIGHT JUMP.

- GET OFF!
- Narrator: FOR THE NEXT 3 YEARS,

HEATHER IS IN A REVOLVING DOOR
OF ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS,

EACH ONE MORE VIOLENT
THAN THE LAST.

GET OUT!

WHERE WAS YOUR STRENGTH?

WHERE IS THE TOUGH GIRL
HEATHER THAT HAD BEEN THERE

SINCE THE DAY YOU WERE BORN?
- I DON'T KNOW.

Narrator:
BY EARLY SPRING OF 2011,

HEATHER'S DAUGHTER EMMA
IS 4 YEARS OLD.

SHE'S RARELY SEEN HER MOTHER
OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS.

ONE AFTERNOON, A HOMELESS
22-YEAR-OLD HEATHER

SHOWS UP ON RICHA'S DOORSTEP.

HI, MOM. I-I-I BROUGHT A TOY
FOR EMMA.

YOU JUST SHOW UP?

I DIDN'T WANT TO
KEEP THEM APART OR ANYTHING.

AND SO WE JUST KINDA HAD MADE
SOME GROUND RULES, YOU KNOW?

YOU GET YOURSELF TOGETHER.
YOU JUST GOTTA WORK ON YOURSELF.

GO GET SOME HELP.
- I-I WILL GET HELP.

I JUST - I'M JUST GONNA...

I JUST WANT TO SAY HI
TO MY DAUGHTER FIRST.

AND THEN - AND THEN...

Narrator: HEATHER'S
DETERMINED TO RECONNECT

WITH THE DAUGHTER
SHE'S NEGLECTED FOR SO LONG.

SHE CHECKS HERSELF INTO REHAB
THE FOLLOWING DAY.

I- I WANTED OUT.
I-I COULDN'T -

I DIDN'T EVEN FEEL LIKE
I COULD GET HIGH ANYMORE.

THAT'S HOW DONE I WAS
WITH IT.

I GOT TIRED
OF BEIN' HIGH FINALLY.

♪♪♪♪

NOW HOLD THIS.
- Narrator: A FEW WEEKS LATER,

RICHA LETS HER DAUGHTER
BACK IN THE HOUSE.

UM...

GREEN? OKAY.

EMMA'S HAPPY TO HAVE
HER MOM BACK.

SHE'S PRETTY.

UM, SHE'S NICE.

SHE WOULD DO MY HAIR.

AND WE WOULD TALK ABOUT, LIKE,
DOING MY CHORES,

STAYING OUT OF TROUBLE.

OH, LOOK AT THAT.
LOOK AT MY BRAIDS.

LOOK AT YOU.
- [ GIGGLES ]

♪♪♪♪

LOOK AT HOW HIGH
I CLIMBED.

I KNOW!
YOU DID SUCH A GOOD JOB.

Emma:
SHE'D TAKE ME TO THE PARK.

SOMETIMES WE'D HAVE PICNICS.

UM, SHE WOULD PLAY WITH ME.

SO IT'S LIKE A WHOLE
NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

- YES.
- YOU'RE GONNA STAY CLEAN,

BE A GOOD MOM
TO YOUR DAUGHTER.

AND AT THIS TIME,
I HAVE NOBODY.

IT'S JUST
ME AND MY DAUGHTER.

Narrator:
BUT THAT'S ABOUT TO CHANGE.

TERRY? HEY!
UH, HEATHER FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

- OH, MY GOSH! HI!
- HI!

Narrator: IN MAY 2011,

HEATHER BUMPS INTO
26-YEAR-OLD TERRY LEE.

WHAT ARE -
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

OH, MY, UM,

DAUGHTER'S PLAYING
OVER THERE ON THE PLAYGROUND.

Narrator: THE ENCOUNTER
STIRS UP FEELINGS

THAT HAVE BEEN HIDING
UNDER THE SURFACE.

I WAS ATTRACTED TO TERRY
EVER SINCE I WAS 14 YEARS OLD.

LONG-TIME CRUSH.

I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT HER,
LIKE, THE WAY SHE DRESSED.

SHE - SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL,
YOU KNOW.

JUST EVERYTHING ABOUT HER
WAS JUST...

I WAS ATTRACTED TO HER.

YOU HAD ALWAYS KNOWN THAT
YOU WERE ATTRACTED TO GIRLS.

- YES.
- WHEN'D YOU FIRST KNOW THIS?

FOR AS LONG
AS I CAN REMEMBER.

YOU KNOW,
I LIKED WHAT I SEEN.

BUT THEY KEPT TALKIN'
ABOUT THESE BOYS AND STUFF,

SO I FELT LIKE WE -
WE WERE SUPPOSED TO LIKE BOYS

AND WE - THAT WAS WHAT
WE HAD TO DO.

I JUST NEVER CAME OUT
OR ANYTHING.

YOU KNOW, YOU AND I
SHOULD GET TOGETHER.

WE SHOULD GET DINNER SOMETIME.
- YEAH.

Narrator: HEATHER CAN'T WAIT
TO SEE TERRY AGAIN.

- I'LL SEE YOU LATER.
- ALL RIGHT.

YEAH. BYE.
- BYE.

Narrator: THE FOLLOWING WEEK,

TERRY INVITES HEATHER AND EMMA
OVER FOR PIZZA.

AND I TURN AROUND,
AND I'M LIKE, "WHERE IS HE?"

Narrator: HEATHER FEELS
COMPLETELY AT EASE WITH TERRY.

HI, HONEY!

UM, CAN YOU PLEASE
READ ME A BOOK?

OH, I'D LOVE TO!

BUT, YOU KNOW,
ME AND YOUR MOMMY

ARE HAVING A REALLY NICE DINNER
RIGHT NOW.

COULD I READ IT TO YOU
IN 15 MINUTES?

UH-HUH.

I JUST LIKED HOW SHE INTERACTED
WITH MY DAUGHTER.

LIKE, EVEN THOUGH WE WAS
HAVIN' OUR ADULT CONVERSATION

AND HAVIN' OUR LITTLE DRINKS,

WHEN MY DAUGHTER CAME UP,
IT WAS FOCUSED ON MY DAUGHTER.

AND THAT'S WHAT I LIKED.

WE CAN JUST WATCH A MOVIE
WITH EMMA.

SHE ACCEPTED
EVERYTHING ABOUT ME.

YOU KNOW, SHE ACCEPTED
MY PAST AND EVERYTHING.

♪♪♪♪

Narrator: AS THINGS HEAT UP,

HEATHER'S THE HAPPIEST
SHE'S EVER BEEN.

I JUST FELT LIKE IT WAS
EVERYTHING I WANTED.

FOR ONE, IT WAS A WOMAN.

- FINALLY.
- FINALLY.

FOR TWO, WHAT WE HAD
WAS INNOCENT FUN.

LIKE A... I GUESS YOU WOULD
CALL A NORMAL HANGOUT.

FINALLY, WE HAVE SOME INSIGHT

INTO HEATHER'S
LONG HISTORY OF ANGER

AND REBELLION AND DEFIANCE.

MAYBE HEATHER'S SELF-DESTRUCTIVE
BEHAVIOR WAS ROOTED

IN THESE LONG-REPRESSED
FEELINGS FOR WOMEN.

STAYING CLEAN AND STARTING
A HEALTHY, HONEST RELATIONSHIP

WITH ANOTHER WOMAN COULD BE
A VERY POSITIVE STEP

IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I HAVE SOMETHING
I WANTED TO TELL YOU.

Narrator: WITHIN 2 MONTHS,
HEATHER MOVES IN WITH TERRY

AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP
GOES PUBLIC.

YOU CAN TELL ME ANYTHING.

I JUST THOUGHT THEY WERE
REALLY GOOD FRIENDS

FOR A WHILE, YOU KNOW?

IT JUST DIDN'T HIT ME.

SHE'S MY GIRLFRIEND
AND...

AND I LOVE HER.
- MMM. [ CHUCKLES ]

I WAS KINDA, LIKE, SHOCKED.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

UM...

IT TOOK ME A MINUTE TO REALLY
GET USED TO HER AND THE IDEA.

BUT, YOU KNOW,
SHE'S MY DAUGHTER

AND I LOVE HER UNCONDITIONALLY.

AND IT - YOU KNOW,
WHATEVER MAKES HER HAPPY.

THAT'S W-WONDERFUL.

IT'S... YEAH.

MM-HMM.

Narrator:
FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS,

HEATHER PLAYS HOUSEWIFE

WHILE TERRY WORKS FULL-TIME
AT A MARKETING FIRM.

I HAVE TO GET READY.
LOVE YOU.

YOU WANNA TAKE
THAT TRIP THIS WEEKEND?

UH, YOU KNOW...

Narrator: ACCORDING TO HEATHER,
BOTH WOMEN EVEN CONSIDER

THE IDEA OF GETTING MARRIED.

Heather: WE WAS GONNA
GO TO VEGAS, YOU KNOW.

THAT - THAT WAS OUR PLANS.

THAT WAS WHAT I KNEW.

I FELT - ACTUALLY FELT LIKE
I HAD EVERYTHING I WANTED.

GIMME, LIKE,
A MONTH, OKAY?

[ CELLPHONE ALERT CHIMES ]

Narrator:
BUT WHEN HEATHER FINDS

A SUSPICIOUS TEXT
ON TERRY'S PHONE,

THEIR SEEMINGLY SOLID FOUNDATION
IS PUT TO THE TEST.

RATHER THAN CONFRONT TERRY,

SHE DECIDES TO CALL
THE MYSTERY WOMAN HERSELF.

I REALLY THOUGHT
IT WAS SOMEBODY

SHE WAS HAVIN' A ISSUE WITH
AT WORK, YOU KNOW.

AND THEN COME TO FIND OUT...

Woman: Terry, hi!

THIS IS HEATHER,
TERRY'S GIRLFRIEND.

Um, Terry didn't tell me
she has a... girlfriend.

YEAH, WELL, SHE DOES.
WHO IS THIS?

Um... yeah, you should talk to
your girlfriend about this.

I gotta go. Bye.
- WAIT. HELLO?

Y'ALL BEEN MESSIN' AROUND.

Narrator:
HEATHER CAN'T BEAR THE THOUGHT

OF LOSING HER SOUL MATE,

SO SHE APPROACHES TERRY
WITH CAUTION.

I KNOW ABOUT MELISSA.

I- I-I MEAN,
I WAS SO CALM ABOUT IT

'CAUSE I TOLD HER
WHEN WE GOT TOGETHER,

YOU KNOW,
I-I DON'T WANT NO DRAMA.

I- I'VE HAD IT ALL MY LIFE.

IT'S FINE IF YOU WANNA SEE
OTHER PEOPLE.

YOU SURE ABOUT THAT?

AS - AS LONG AS YOU
KEEP IT OUTTA THE HOUSE,

I DON'T - I DON'T CARE.

THIS WAS SO IMPORTANT TO YOU,
THIS NUCLEAR FAMILY,

THIS IDEA OF GETTING MARRIED
TO THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE,

THAT YOU WERE WILLING
TO TOLERATE

HER HAVING...
GIRLS ON THE SIDE.

YES. AND I WAS MAD.
AND I WAS HURT.

BUT YOU WERE WILLING
TO DO THAT.

- YES.
- YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU, RIGHT?

- YEAH.
- SEE YOU TONIGHT.

Narrator:
OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS,

IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT
HEATHER REALLY ISN'T OKAY

WITH TERRY SEEING OTHER WOMEN,

AND SHE DEALS WITH IT
BY TURNING TO THE BOTTLE.

OKAY, BABE.
THAT'S ENOUGH.

CAN YOU STOP?

OKAY, WHAT'S YOUR DEAL?

[ CELLPHONE ALERT CHIMES ]

LOOK, I'M SORRY.

WHO ARE YOU TEXTING?

DENISE.

Narrator: WHEN HEATHER REALIZES
TERRY'S TEXTING

WITH HER EX-GIRLFRIEND DENISE,
SHE LOSES IT.

PLEASE JUST STOP THAT,
ALL RIGHT?

WHAT THE HELL, HEATHER?

♪♪♪♪

♪♪♪♪

I ASKED THAT YOU
KEEP IT OUTTA THE HOUSE.

KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW?
- WE'RE JUST FRIENDS.

WILL YOU PLEASE
JUST STOP THAT, ALL RIGHT?

WHAT THE HELL, HEATHER?

BUT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER,
HEATHER, I HAVE TO REMIND YOU

THAT YOU HAD JUST
FINISHED TELLING HER

THAT WHAT SHE EVER DID
ON THE SIDE,

AS LONG AS IT DIDN'T AFFECT
YOUR RELATIONSHIP,

YOU JUST, LIKE, YOU KNOW,
DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL.

YOU JUST DON'T WANNA KNOW.

SO WAS THAT POLICY
STILL IN EFFECT?

UM...

I REALLY THOUGHT WE WAS OVER IT,
THAT SHE WAS OVER IT.

THAT THAT WAS JUST
A ONE-TIME THING...

- YEAH. YEAH.
- ...THAT DALLIANCE ON THE SIDE?

- STOP LYING TO ME!
- OH, MY GOD. WE'RE DONE.

IF YOU'RE GONNA ACT THIS WAY,
I DO NOT WANNA BE A PART OF IT.

THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

♪♪♪♪

Narrator: IN DECEMBER 2011,

HEATHER PLANS A NIGHT OUT
FOR TERRY'S BIRTHDAY.

- SHOTS.
- SHOTS. CAN I DO SHOTS?

- SHOTS. SHOTS.
- BIRTHDAY SHOTS.

SO IT'S ME,
TERRY, AND SARAH.

AND WE'RE ALL GOIN' OUT.
AND LIKE - LIKE IT -

YOU KNOW, IT WAS GOOD,
NORMAL FUN.

LIKE, THAT'S WHAT I LIKED,
DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

IT WASN'T THIS OUTRAGEOUS STUFF
THAT I'D BEEN DOIN' FOREVER.

Narrator: BUT THEN HEATHER SPOTS
AN UNWELCOME FACE AT THE BAR.

IT'S TERRY'S EX-GIRLFRIEND.

- DENISE?
- WOW.

YOU CAN'T BE HERE.

YOU CAN'T BE HERE.
YOU GOTTA GO.

- I WAS INVITED!
- WHO INVITED YOU?

- I WAS PERSONALLY INVITED!
- I ORGANIZED THIS!

Morgan:
I REMEMBER WITH TERRY'S EX...

AND THERE WAS A FEW WORDS
SAID, UH, LOOKS GIVEN.

THEY WAS
CALLIN' EACH OTHER BITCH.

- ASK THAT BITCH!
- YOU ARE SUCH A SKANK!

- PUSH ME AGAIN!
- YOU KNOW, IT'S MY GIRLFRIEND.

OH, HELL, NO!
YOU BETTER GET OUT OF HERE.

SHE HAD A BUTTERFLY KNIFE.

SHE, LIKE, PULLED IT
OUT OF HER HAIR.

Narrator: BOTH HEATHER AND
DENISE GET THROWN OUT OF THE BAR.

I DON'T KNOW IF SHE WAS
GOIN' TO USE IT.

BUT AT THAT POINT IN TIME,
THEY WAS ALREADY PULLED APART.

Narrator:
WHILE SARAH TAKES HEATHER HOME,

TERRY STAYS BEHIND, HOPING TO
SALVAGE THE REST OF HER NIGHT.

NOT LONG AFTER, SHE MEETS
29-YEAR-OLD JENNY THOMPSON.

ROUGH NIGHT?

[ LAUGHS ] YOU THINK?

JUST A LITTLE BIT.

YOU KNOW, JUST
A LITTLE INTRODUCTION

BETWEEN MY EX
AND MY CURRENT GIRLFRIEND.

SO THAT'S WHAT WENT DOWN.
AND IT'S MY BIRTHDAY.

- ON YOUR BIRTHDAY?
- YEAH.

Narrator: JENNY'S SMART,
EASYGOING,

AND A FAR CRY
FROM HEATHER'S INSTABILITY.

AND AS THE NIGHT WINDS ON,
TERRY FINDS HERSELF SMITTEN.

DID TERRY'S BEHAVIOR CHANGE
AFTER THAT NIGHT?

SHE DID START ACTIN' FUNNY.

UM, SHE STARTED TAKIN' HER PHONE
WITH HER TO THE BATHROOM.

SHE STARTED LOCKING
THE BATHROOM DOOR

WHEN SHE SHOWERED.

Narrator:
AS TERRY DISTANCES HERSELF,

HEATHER GROWS
MORE AND MORE POSSESSIVE.

BABE, I'M SO TIRED.

YOU'RE ALWAYS TIRED.

YOU NEVER WANNA DO
ANYTHING ANYMORE.

Morgan: SHE FELT SHE WAS
CHEATIN' ON HER.

LIKE, SHE WAS KINDA

PUSHIN' HER AWAY
FROM THE RELATIONSHIP.

YOU DON'T CARE ANYMORE.

- [ SCOFFS ] I DO CARE.
- NO, YOU DON'T.

- YES, I DO!
- IF YOU DID,

YOU WOULDN'T BE "TIRED"
ALL THE TIME.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

I WOULD NOT BE -
I WOULD NOT BE WORKING...

WHAT HAPPENS TO
YOUR RELATIONSHIP

WHEN YOU GET ALL SUSPICIOUS
AND ACCUSATORY?

SHE STARTED SUGGESTIN' THAT,

UM, WE TAKE SOME TIME APART.

UH, SHE NEVER TOLD ME
IT WAS OVER.

SHE JUST SAID
SHE NEEDED SPACE.

Narrator: ONCE AGAIN,

HEATHER FEELS
LIKE SHE'S LOSING CONTROL.

SHE PACKS A BAG
AND LEAVES TERRY'S APARTMENT.

HEATHER IS FALLING INTO
THE SAME PATTERN

THAT SHE WAS IN WITH BRENT.

SHE WANTS TO BE WITH TERRY.

SHE DESPERATELY WANTS TO LOVE
AND BE LOVED.

BUT HER POSSESSIVENESS

AND THAT CONSTANT NEED
FOR CONTROL

IS SUFFOCATING
THEIR RELATIONSHIP.

Narrator: AFTER DROPPING
HER DAUGHTER WITH A NEIGHBOR,

HEATHER SEEKS OUT COMFORT
AT HER FRIEND SARAH'S HOUSE.

- I DON'T WANNA TALK ABOUT IT.
- SHE STARTED USIN' AGAIN.

SHE USED AND USED AND USED.

WENT ON A BINGE.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE
THIS HIGH CAME FROM,

BUT THIS HIGH WAS...
OUT THERE, YOU KNOW.

BUT EVERY DAY, ME AND TERRY
TEXT AND TALKIN' ABOUT

"WHEN I COME HOME,
WHEN I COME HOME."

SO SHE'S STILL TALKING ABOUT
YOU COMING HOME?

YES.

Dr. Jordan:
HEATHER IS IN TOTAL DENIAL.

SHE JUST REFUSES TO SEE
ALL THESE OBVIOUS SIGNS

THAT TERRY IS DONE WITH HER.

AND ALL OF THIS DENIAL
TAKES A LOT OF MENTAL ENERGY.

SO IT'S REALLY NO SURPRISE

THAT HEATHER TURNS TO DRUGS
AGAIN TO TRY TO KILL THAT PAIN.

Narrator: HEATHER'S BINGE
LASTS OVER A WEEK,

AND SHE SLIDES FURTHER
AND FURTHER

INTO A DEEP DEPRESSION.

Morgan: SHE FELT LIKE IT WAS
THE END OF THE WORLD, REALLY.

SHE HAD SUICIDAL THOUGHTS.

I'D TRY TO DRIFT HER AWAY
FROM 'EM.

I KNEW SHE WAS TOO FAR IN.

I MEAN, I BEAT MYSELF UP
ABOUT IT EVERY DAY.

Narrator:
HEATHER'S DESPERATE TO REUNITE

WITH THE WOMAN SHE LOVES.

ON FEBRUARY 5, 2012,

NINE DAYS AFTER BEING
ASKED TO LEAVE,

HEATHER SHOWS UP OUTSIDE
TERRY'S APARTMENT.

I LET HER KNOW,
I'LL BE THERE IN 5 MINUTES.

DID SHE RESPOND?

SHE SAID THAT, UH,
SHE'S NOT THERE RIGHT NOW.

YOU KNEW SHE WAS LYING.

NOW THAT'S WHAT SET
THE RED FLAG OFF IN MY HEAD

BECAUSE HER CAR WAS THERE,

AND SHE JUST SAID
SHE'S NOT THERE RIGHT NOW.

TERRY! TERRY! WHAT THE HELL?

WHO THE HELL IS THIS?
- WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

TERRY SAID THAT SHE WAS, UH,

LOCKING THE DOOR OF
HER APARTMENT

WHEN SHE HEARD A LOT OF YELLING
FROM BEHIND HER.

SHE TURNED AROUND
TO SEE HEATHER THERE.

WHO THE HELL IS THIS?
WHAT THE HELL?

I NEED MY PRIVACY RIGHT NOW.

- YOU NEED YOUR PRIVACY?
- YES!

- AND YOU NEED TO RELAX! RELAX!
- NEITHER OF YOU ARE -

WHAT THE HELL IS...
AND I WAS LIKE,

"IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED ME
OUTTA THE HOUSE FOR?"

AND SHE'S LIKE,
"YOU'RE JUST CRAZY."

AND I SAID -
SO I LOOKED AT THE GIRL,

AND I SAID, "WHO ARE YOU?"

AND - WELL, REALLY, I SAID,
"WHO THE **** ARE YOU?"

[ SHOUTING OVER EACH OTHER ]

- HEY, DON'T TOUCH ME.
- YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE.

I'M TRYING TO TALK
TO MY GIRLFRIEND RIGHT NOW!

JENNY, GO.
I'M CALLING THE POLICE.

I GRABBED TERRY'S CELL PHONE
'CAUSE SHE WAS ON THE PHONE.

PLEASE COME BACK HERE.

HEATHER, GIVE ME MY PHONE.

Narrator: INSIDE THE KITCHEN,

HEATHER BEGS TERRY
TO TALK TO HER.

DON'T TOUCH ME!
DON'T TOUCH ME!

DON'T TOUCH ME!
- I LOVE YOU.

STOP! GET OUT!

I DON'T EVER WANNA
SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN!

JUST LEAVE.

Heather: AND SHE DON'T HAVE
NOTHIN' TO SAY,

SO I WENT OVER THERE
TO GIVE HER A HUG.

AND SHE GAVE ME A HUG
FOR, LIKE, 20 SECONDS.

AND THEN SHE TRIED
TO PUSH ME OFF HER,

AND THAT'S ALL I REMEMBER.

Narrator: BUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
WILL MAKE THIS A DAY

THAT NEITHER HEATHER
NOR TERRY CAN EVER FORGET.

♪♪♪♪

♪♪♪♪

GET OUT!

HEATHER ACTUALLY HIT HER
IN THE HEAD WITH THE KNIFE,

UH, LEAVING A GASH
IN THE TOP OF TERRY'S HEAD.

SHE PUSHED HEATHER
INTO THE REFRIGERATOR.

SHE HIT HER HEAD.
SHE FELL TO THE GROUND.

Narrator:
TERRY MAKES A RUN FOR IT.

SO I PICKED UP THE KNIFE

AND I WAS GONNA SLASH HER TIRES,
ALL FOUR OF 'EM.

- TO FORCE A CONVERSATION?
- YEAH.

JUST SO SHE WOULD TELL ME.

ALL SHE HAD TO DO WAS

SAY, YOU KNOW,
AND I WOULD'VE LEFT.

SAY WHAT?

SAY WHATEVER IT WAS
THAT I WASN'T CLEAR OF.

[ CRYING ] HEATHER, STOP!

STOP! JUST STOP!

Narrator: HEATHER IS FOLLOWING
TERRY TO HER CAR

WHEN JENNY RE-APPEARS...

HEY! YOU NEED TO GO.

YOU KNOW, SHE WAS WALKING
WITH HER HANDS BEHIND HER BACK.

...AND SHE'S ARMED
WITH A CROWBAR.

BUT SHE, YOU KNOW, SHE SWINGS
AT ME THE FIRST TIME AND MISSES.

PLEASE, NO!

THE SECOND TIME SHE SWINGS AT ME
AND I CATCH HER ARM.

AND WITH THIS ARM, YOU KNOW,
I HAD THE KNIFE AND I JUST -

I STUCK HER ONCE.
- [ TERRY SCREAMS ]

YOU STABBED HER!

YOU STABBED HER! [ CRYING ]

♪♪♪♪

Narrator: BUT TERRY HAS A
DIFFERENT ACCOUNT OF WHAT HAPPENED.

[ CRYING ]
HEATHER, STOP! STOP!

Narrator: SHE CLAIMS HEATHER
ATTACKED JENNY UNPROVOKED.

Cochran: AT NO POINT DID JENNY
ADVANCE TOWARD HER.

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE
TO SHOW THAT -

THAT SHE DID ANYTHING
IN AN AGGRESSIVE WAY

THAT WOULD HAVE GIVEN HEATHER
THE OPPORTUNITY

TO EXERCISE SELF-DEFENSE
ON HER PART.

Narrator: AND THE CROWBAR
WAS NEVER USED.

OBVIOUSLY, JENNY FELT
VERY THREATENED BY HEATHER,

AND PICKED IT UP IN AN ATTEMPT

TO HAVE SOMETHING
TO TRY TO DEFEND HERSELF.

Narrator: REGARDLESS
OF WHO WAS THE AGGRESSOR,

HEATHER FLEES THE SCENE.

I DIDN'T REALLY THINK THAT,
YOU KNOW,

I COULD'VE DONE ANYTHING SERIOUS
'CAUSE SHE'S LIKE,

"OH, SHE STABBED ME
IN MY HEART!"

AND THAT SOUNDED DRAMATIC,
YOU KNOW, AT THE TIME.

YOU KNOW, I WAS WELL AWARE
OF WHAT I DID,

BUT SOMETHIN' CLICKED IN ME
AND I WAS LIKE,

"HEATHER, STOP,
BEFORE THINGS GO TOO FAR."

YOU STABBED HER ONCE, THOUGH,
IN THE CHEST.

YES.

- JENNY!
[ SIREN WAILING ]

Narrator: A WITNESS CALLS 911.

ONE OF THE OFFICERS

ON THE SCENE
ACTUALLY GOT A NUMBER -

A TELEPHONE NUMBER
TO CALL HEATHER

AND ACTUALLY MAKE CONTACT
WITH HER BY TELEPHONE.

Man: HANDS UP.

Narrator: HEATHER GIVES UP
HER LOCATION

AND SURRENDERS TO POLICE.

- WHAT'S YOUR NAME?
- HEATHER HUGHES.

I TOLD 'EM EVERYTHING
THAT HAPPENED.

I TOLD 'EM MY PART.

- WHERE'S THE KNIFE?
- IT'S IN MY PURSE.

Cochran: SHE NEVER WOULD SAY
THAT SHE DID IT.

IT WAS ALMOST AS IF JENNY
HAD BEEN MIRACULOUSLY CUT.

THEY LOOKED FOR THE, UM,
THE WEAPON,

YOU KNOW, IN MY PURSE.

I WAS TOTALLY COMPLIANT.

[ CONTINUES CRYING ]

Narrator:
JENNY SUCCUMBS TO HER INJURY.

- JENNY DIED.
- YES.

YOU STABBED HER IN THE HEART,
AND SHE DIED.

YEAH.

Narrator: HEATHER IS CHARGED
WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER.

WHEN YOU'RE TELLING ME THIS,

YOU HAVE ALMOST
NO EMOTION WHATSOEVER.

SO I CAN'T TELL WHETHER

YOU DON'T FEEL ANYTHING
ABOUT JENNY,

OR WHETHER YOU THINK
IT WAS COMPLETELY JUSTIFIED.

IT WASN'T JUSTIFIED.
YOU KNOW, THAT WAS...

MY ACTIONS WAS,
YOU KNOW, UNCALLED FOR.

WAS IT SELF-DEFENSE OR NOT?

IN THAT MOMENT, I FEEL LIKE,
IF I DIDN'T HAVE MY KNIFE

AND SHE WOULD'VE GOT ME
WITH THAT,

THEN WHERE WOULD I BE
RIGHT NOW?

SELF-DEFENSE REQUIRES
A SUBJECTIVE STANDARD.

WHAT WOULD
A REASONABLE PERSON DO

IF THEY WERE STANDING
IN HEATHER'S SHOES?

BECAUSE THERE WAS
NO HARD EVIDENCE

SUPPORTING HEATHER'S CLAIM THAT
JENNY ATTACKED HER UNPROVOKED,

IT'S NOW UP TO THE JURY
TO DETERMINE

IF THE STABBING WAS JUSTIFIED.

Narrator: A YEAR LATER,

A JURY FINDS HEATHER GUILTY
OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER.

I THINK IT SHOULD'VE BEEN
A CRIME OF PASSION

OR MANSLAUGHTER.

I DON'T THINK SHE SHOULD'VE
GOT THAT AT ALL.

Cochran: SENSELESS.
THAT'S HOW I SUM THIS CASE UP.

THIS WAS A WOMAN
THAT DID NOT HAVE TO DIE.

HEATHER HAS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE
FOR HER ACTIONS.

Narrator: HEATHER IS SENTENCED
TO LIFE IN PRISON.

SHE'S NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE
UNTIL MAY 2050.

I JUST SOMETIMES WISH WE COULD
RELIVE OUR LIVES, YOU KNOW?

BECAUSE I CAN'T BELIEVE
SHE'S WHERE SHE IS RIGHT NOW.

LIKE, SHE'S A GOOD PERSON
AND SHE'S A VERY GOOD MOM.

AND SHE'S GOT A LOT TO OFFER
HER BABY GIRL.

SHE'LL LEARN
FROM HER MISTAKES AND STUFF.

AND IT WAS JUST SELF-DEFENSE.

I WISH I WOULD'VE JUST HAD
THE STRENGTH TO WALK AWAY

AND NOT BEEN SO WEAK
TO WANT ANSWERS.

BUT FOR HER FAMILY'S SAKE,
I JUST...

I'M SORRY.

- YOU REGRET IT?
- [ SNIFFLES ]

YOU THINK YOU'LL
EVER GET OUT?

PROBABLY NOT.