- Kids, - living on the street.
Have you ever talked to one?
Most come from homes
where they're abused,
often by their parents
who were supposed to
protect them, but couldn't.
There's no peace
inside of these children.
Pain is the quickest
path to pleasure,
and they cope by
hurting themselves
just so they can feel
something, anything.
We now have whole generations
who are raised in
and then lose their children
to a very broken
foster care system.
Children who live confused,
betrayed, angry,
yet still yearning for a home,
for a family, for love.
This boy is one of them.
His name is America
and this is his story.
I love you.
I love you so much.
You're my baby.
I love you.
- I work - at a residential treatment
Facility
that's the end of the road
for way too many
of these kids.
This is their last stop.
For me, it's where
the love has to start.
- Here's the - boys' dorm.
- The girls' are - on the other side.
Don't get any ideas.
Girls' dorms are
off-limits.
Only places where everybody
mixes are in the common
areas downstairs,
classes, cafeterias,
rec rooms.
During the day when you're
in school or therapy, all
of these rooms are locked.
No access or
unsupervised entry.
4:00 to 5:00,
you can come up
here for quiet time.
- Quiet time is - for homework.
You got dinner at 5:00,
lights out at 10:00.
This is your room.
This is your bed
and your dresser.
Any questions?
No.
Get anything
to eat yet?
Come down to cafeteria,
we'll get you some food.
I'm not hungry.
You got therapy at 10:00
and group at 2:00.
And, America,
meet your new
roommate, Fish.
Hi. I'm Fish.
♪ Yo, now is you ready
for the man stepping in
♪ With the heavy artillery
- ♪ Both hands cocked - in the back ready
And willingly
- ♪ And he's spit fire - over tracks
♪ You ain't feeling me
♪ Judging how I look,
not my lyrical abilities
♪ Please, this is
for my people
in the background ♪
America Vega?
- (RAP MUSIC PLAYING - ON HEADPHONES)
America? Hi.
Come on in.
Sit right here.
Either seat's all right.
I'm Dr. Maureen Brennan.
You can call me Dr. B.
I will be your counselor
while you're here at Ridgeway.
Just so you understand,
everything that you say
during our sessions
is confidential,
with a couple
of exceptions.
Number one,
if you tell me
someone's hurting you.
Number two,
if you tell me you're
gonna hurt yourself.
Or number three, if you
tell me you're gonna hurt
someone else. Okay?
Do you have any
questions, America?
Did you understand
what I just said?
Yes?
Yeah.
Great. Would you sign
this for me, please?
Just says that I told you
what our sessions are going
to be about,
and what the rules are,
and all that mumbo jumbo
they make you
do nowadays.
Thank you very much.
Whoa!
I cannot believe that I am
almost blind without these
glasses. Did you know that?
I turn 42, totally
went downhill.
I can't read
without them.
So what's on your
mind, America?
Anything?
Anything on your mind
you wanna share,
or something that might
help me get to know you
a little bit better?
I read in your file
that you've done
this a couple of times,
this whole therapy thing,
so I'm sure you remember,
the first session's
always the toughest.
So, why don't we
just end early for today
and start off
tomorrow with a bang,
what do you say?
Is that good
for you?
Fine.
Okay, great. You can go.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Thank you.
Nice to meet you.
Have a good day.
- Come on, you're - gonna let me go through?
No.
No?
I'll tickle you!
♪ In the mirror
Got a problem, man?
♪ But I can't trust
my own eyes
♪ It's unclear ♪
America! America!
What a sweet baby.
Where's that boy?
Easy. Where's that boy?
Where is my sweet baby?
Where's that boy? America.
Oh. I see you, mister.
I see you.
I found you!
Oh!
You like that ring?
Mmm-hmm.
I had it when I was
a little girl.
You know what?
One day it'll be yours.
And if you rub it,
it'll bring you
good luck every day.
Good luck every day.
Good luck.
- Yes, we're - trying to work together
As a team.
- You're supposed - to talk to each other.
That's right,
communicate!
- We're gonna get this ball - going as fast as we
Can around the room.
- Hold up. Heads up, - heads up. Hold up!
- Come on, get it - around, get it around.
- I like this, - I like what
I'm seeing!
- Come on! Good job! - Good job!
- Good tossing, - good tossing,
Good tossing!
- Get it around here. - Right. Come on,
Come on, come on.
Team work!
Team work! Come on.
Good job, good job!
Hot potato, hot potato,
hot potato, two.
One to you!
- Get the ball over here. - Right here.
Yo, man, what's up?
Yo, you all right?
You just
gonna leave?
Just like that?
All right. Well,
don't forget to write.
- All right, hot - potato back in!
Come on, guys.
- Let's go! - Let's go! Let's go!
Let's go! Let's go!
♪ I truly despise to
♪ In the mirror
♪ In the mirror ♪
Shut up!
- You know, we've been - here a long time.
You think you're
ever gonna talk to me?
You got my file. Read it.
I read it. It's full
of facts, not feelings.
I'd much rather
talk to you than
read about you.
I'm too tired.
You know, I'm kind
of tired myself.
- How about we just end - today a little bit early
And start again
tomorrow morning?
Okay.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Got nowhere to go?
What?
I don't know.
Seem lonely sitting
here by yourself,
so I figured you
had nowhere to go
for the weekend.
Fish is one of
the lucky ones.
He always has places
to go on the weekends.
It's hard at first,
you know, adjusting
and everything,
- but trust me, - it'll be fine.
You know, you kind
of look all mixed up,
like you have
a little bit of
everything in you.
Your name fits you, America.
I'm in America,
I'm in America.
I'm in America
and America is me!
And we live
in Michigan, in America.
I'm America.
Hot dog!
Yes, you are.
Yes! America
is a place where we live,
and it's also your name.
I'm in America,
and America is me.
Watch out!
How about that!
I'm in America,
and America is me.
You know, I think
my mom slept with almost
every guy in America.
Now she's started on Mexico.
She's a flake, but...
You want some?
No, thanks.
- Food here's pretty good. - It's not that bad.
- I mean, there's - like vending machines
Everywhere,
and they always refill them
every Friday, so...
Here.
So, America,
I know you don't
want to talk about it,
but three months ago, you
tried to kill yourself. Why?
Why don't you
read my file?
- Why don't you - read your file?
- So interested - in what it says?
I don't need to
read it. I already
know what's there!
- Look at you! - Look at you, boy, look.
- You a man now! - You a man now!
- Wanna talk about - Mrs. Harper?
No.
- You lived with her - and her brother
Reggie, right?
Why you asking me
what you already know?
I don't know everything.
- I know you were - taken from your mom
When you were
just a baby...
Nobody took me.
Listen, I know
this is hard stuff,
this is painful
stuff to talk about,
to remember, to feel.
You were taken
from your mom by CPS,
Child Protective Services.
They did it to keep
you safe, America.
You were placed
with a foster family?
- They were rich and - my skin was too dark,
- So they gave me to - their housekeeper.
Mrs. Harper?
Yeah, Miss Harper.
And she tried
to adopt you, hmm?
- You think about - her a lot?
- Yeah, I think about her. - I think about a lot of things.
Like what?
Like, you wouldn't
understand.
Well, maybe I would.
So try me.
Well, listen. I saw
good work today. Really.
Nice job. I'm gonna
let you out early.
- America, - are you okay?
Yeah, I'm fine.
Should I go...
No! Just leave me alone,
okay? I'm fine!
Are you mad at me?
No, I'm not mad at you,
okay? Just leave me alone,
all right?
I'm fine. Go back to sleep.
I'm fine.
Leave me alone.
We've got books,
and there's some good books,
and there's books
here for everyone.
So I want everybody
to come on up and
take your pick.
Come on! Come on up!
Take your pick.
Okay, now, some of
the books were donated,
but some of them are mine.
So, respect, please.
Lemony Snicket's
A Series of
Unfortunate Events.
You should like that,
Marshall. That one's
pretty dark.
Okay, now just remember
that you have to give
a little report on the book
- that you choose - to the class.
So choose wisely.
This one's got pictures.
Oh, that's good!
That's a good one for you.
Now here is
a popular book.
It's called
The Catcher in the Rye.
- I read it. - Did you like it?
It's a good book.
You should read it.
So what's going on?
- How long do - I have to stay here?
Depends. How long is long?
A week? A month?
A year? What?
Long is whenever
they feel like deciding.
And who is "they"?
Everybody. The state, you.
Long is long.
How long?
Long is long.
1-3-1-3-1-4-6
9-8-5-3.
How long?
- Oh, just a couple - of days.
- Then you'll be back here - and start kindergarten.
Hey, kindergarten!
You're a big boy.
Can you believe it?
Oh! An unsupervised visit,
that's what I can't believe.
Now, you know how
to call us, right?
1-3-1-3-1-4-6
9-8-5-3.
Only zero
first for collect.
Do I have to go?
Oh, honey, your mama
wants to see you.
You're my mama.
You adopted me, right?
Well, not yet.
I'm trying.
We have to wait
till the judge says so.
I don't wanna go.
Oh, honey, she's your mama,
and she wants to see you.
Just remember the numbers.
You need me or
your Uncle Reggie,
and we'll come for you.
1-3-1-3-1-4-6
9-8-5-3.
All right.
Now, you be bad
and your mama gonna
send you back here quick.
All right?
Do not listen to Reggie.
America. America.
America, look at me.
- Whatever you don't - deal with now,
- You're gonna have to - deal with it later.
I don't care.
Well, you should care.
You're 17 years old.
When you turn 18, you
age out of the system.
You know what
that means?
No.
- It means no more - services for you,
The state's done.
They raised you, out!
You're on the street, alone.
- You know what - happens to those kids?
Jail or homelessness.
That's not a life for you.
- Or you could - get your GED.
- If you get your GED, - you know what,
The state will pay for
you to go to college.
It's your choice.
Can I go now?
Yes, you can go.
But you know what?
At some point,
America, it's up to you.
It's up to you.
You think about it, okay?
What's that
supposed to be, Liza?
- Well... - It's a whale.
Shut up, Shoelaces.
What did you say?
I said,
"Shut up, Shoelaces!"
Shoelaces here,
he tried to hang
hisself with shoelaces.
- I mean, how - stupid is that?
- I bet you like - arts and crafts...
Guys!
Stop! Stop! Stop!
Stop!
- Both of you - need to stop!
- You're gonna get - in trouble!
You asked for it, Shoelaces.
- His name isn't - Shoelaces!
- Is that true? - What?
- You tried to - kill yourself?
So what if I did?
I don't like people
who are gonna die, okay?
People that try
to kill themselves.
- Had nothing to - do with you.
Why are you so mad?
- Because. - Because why?
I have my reasons, okay?
Just promise me
that you'll never try
to take your life again!
- Promise me! - Okay, okay.
Say it!
Okay, I promise, fine.
Hey, you two.
Grab a broom.
This place is filthy.
What's up
with the shoelaces?
Nothing.
What is that?
Where did you get that?
No lighters allowed,
America. Sorry.
America! America! America!
Somebody help me!
America, no!
Somebody help me!
You got that?
Meat or pasta?
America, move up.
Fish, who is that guy?
He's mean, that guy.
- Meat or pasta? - Pasta.
I've never seen
him here before.
He went but he comes back.
I think his name's Brooklyn.
He's mean, that guy.
Yeah, I know.
You said that.
These are your
brothers. This is Brooklyn,
and that's Lyle.
- Look, I'm jacked. - I'm wired,
And I've been up for,
like, two, three days,
I don't even know how long.
No. No, see, I had to
do something really,
really important, okay?
I had to... I had to
make a run, all right?
But I'm done now.
I'll be there in
five minutes, okay?
Wait for me!
- No. No, look, - you can wait
For me, okay?
Please. Please, okay?
Please wait for me,
all right? Okay.
Mama!
No, let me get in
the door first, okay? Okay.
All right, yeah,
I'll be there
in five minutes. Okay.
All right, now.
Now, America,
these are your brothers.
All right,
this is Brooklyn,
and that's Lyle.
And... And they're gonna
watch you for me. You're
gonna watch him, right?
Okay.
Right, now listen, baby,
I gotta go on an errand.
But I'll be
right back, okay.
Mama!
No, no, no, no! Stay there,
and don't open the door
for nobody. Okay?
- I'll be back. - I'll be back.
What you got there?
Candy.
Give them to me!
- Mama! - No, no,
No, no! Stay there,
- and don't open - the door for nobody. Okay?
Brooklyn, Brooklyn.
Meat or pasta?
Brooklyn...
- Which one? - We ain't got all day.
Meat.
♪ If you don't know
why you're here
♪ Join the club
Man, you cover
for me, man?
♪ All humanity
has already signed up
♪ If you cannot sleep at night
♪ For fright of being
this lonely forever
♪ Remember that we are
all in the same boat
♪ The world is smaller
than you think ♪
Hey. Dwayne,
you see America?
Yeah? Thank you.
Yo.
Yeah. You missed
your session.
Yeah, okay.
How do you get to
go in the kitchen?
- What? - How do you get to
Work in the kitchen?
How do you get
to serve food?
Why do you wanna know?
Just tell me.
You earn it.
It's reserved for
the residents in the drug
treatment program.
- Why do you - wanna know?
It's not important.
It's important to me.
I'd like to know.
Look, why don't you just
leave me alone, okay?
- What do you - bother me for?
- Go home, take care - of your own kids.
You think I have kids?
I don't know.
Maybe you don't have kids.
Maybe it's just you.
Maybe that's why you're here.
You know how
to play cards?
Solitaire, gin,
poker, anything?
This is
a ace, stupid. Now
we got a war going.
Two of spades
beats everything,
including aces.
Do you know aces?
I don't know.
This is a ace, stupid.
Now we got a war going.
War.
All right.
Cut the deck.
You know the rules?
- I don't know - your rules.
Everybody's got
their own rules for war.
Two of spades
beats everything,
including aces.
Got it.
Do you want to
know my rules?
I don't do sessions
in the game room.
You have to show up
to my office,
every day, on time.
- We don't have - to stay there.
We could take a walk.
- We could go - somewhere else.
- But you must - show up, America.
You understand?
Yeah, okay.
Okay?
Okay.
War!
I get it.
I don't know.
Hey, you just fall back.
Look at him,
he's scared.
- Shaking like - the lunch Jell-O.
- Hey, Fish! - Maybe you'll fall
And hit your head
- and blood will just - be gushing everywhere.
Come on, guys!
Come on, you can do it.
I don't want to get hurt.
Fish, you can do it.
I know you can do it.
- Spotters, - are you ready?
Ready!
Fish, you can fall now.
Falling.
Fall. Go on.
Yeah!
Yeah, Fish!
Good job.
I trusted
you, right?
- People shouldn't - hurt each other
Or kill each other,
not even ants.
Shut up, Fish!
No, you shut up!
Okay, okay, cool it.
All right, who's next?
Who's next?
- I'll go. - Me.
You done?
Yeah.
I was in this
foster home once,
with this other kid,
we ate what the families
left on their plates.
It was gross!
Yeah. I've been
in some pretty
bad places, too.
Of course, when the Earth
runs out of water,
there won't be any food.
We'll just waste away.
You're weird.
So are you.
Look at your hands.
Big as my whole face!
You know what
they say about guys
with big hands, right?
Big gloves!
- I like you. - What?
I said I like you.
Why?
I don't know why.
One of life's mysteries.
Son of a bitch!
- America, - what's wrong?
There's glass in my bed.
Glass?
Yeah, glass!
America...
I should get
the nurse.
No, I don't want the nurse.
I'm no snitch.
I wonder who did it.
I know who.
I know who did it.
Marshall, huh?
America, you
mustn't kill him.
You mustn't
never kill nobody.
I know, Fish.
Not even ants.
Come on in.
Hey. You're early.
- What's wrong? - I'm sick of this
Place, okay?
I want to get
out of here!
Where would you go?
Home.
And where is home?
I'm bad!
So do it! Where is she?
Why do you care?
Is she ever coming back?
Just shut up!
I'm bad!
- Reggie said if - I was bad, you'd
Send me home!
So do it!
Send me home!
Hey, I know it's not
so great being here,
I totally get it.
- Let me help you. - I don't want any help.
- I know. - But everybody needs help.
I just want to get out!
Okay! I hear you,
you want to get out.
Let's talk about
how you get out
of here, okay?
Take a breath.
Come, sit.
- Come on, sit, - talk to me.
Tell me what's wrong.
Bad dream.
- Dreamed - there was a monster.
Did it get you?
No, it got Mama.
- Is she ever - coming back?
You're my baby.
I love you.
I love you so much.
You know that, don't you?
I can't take
this anymore.
I just can't.
Excuse me! Hello,
chore list is up! Hello!
Chore list up for
the week! Listen up!
Uh, Billy,
you are dusting.
Don, you are mopping.
Carla, you are sweeping.
Lyle, you are
doing laundry.
Marshall, you have trash.
Let me see.
Joe, you're washing dishes.
Fish, you are sweeping.
America, you are doing
laundry.
- Bob, you are - washing dishes.
Brooklyn.
What the heck
are you doing here?
- You're not supposed - to be in here.
Get out of here!
I need to talk to you.
Need to? Can't you
see I'm busy, man?
Okay, so when are
you not busy?
When can we talk? When?
- Look, meet me here - at 11:00 tonight, all right?
Go. Get out of here.
Brooklyn, get
the soup, man!
Yeah, yeah.
What are you doing here?
Get out!
Let him do it.
I don't wanna
get in trouble.
Do what?
Never mind, Shoelaces.
- He want me - to brand him.
You do it.
You scared?
No.
Both shoulders.
- You're crazy. - Look who's talking.
You stoned?
Just one little pill.
Make sure you get
it good and hot.
- Here? - Yeah.
- You ready for - the other one?
- I'm keeping - the lighter.
- Let's go - hit that car.
Come on, Brook!
Let's go,
America. Let's beat it.
So I'll see
you after group. All right?
Nice. It's nice to see
you smile for a change.
Hey.
Nice one!
You like basketball?
It's okay. I'm not
very good at it.
Well, two in a row,
better than me on a good day.
- Brennan has the ball. - It's at the three-point line.
She looks, she shoots!
Off the rim! You got
a favorite team?
Pistons.
Detroit Pistons.
Good choice.
I like them.
Watch them on TV?
Went to a game once.
No kidding?
Yeah. Reggie took me.
Yeah!
It's my favorite
thing to do.
Couple friends,
stadium full of
people cheering,
get a hot dog...
Yeah, and a beer.
You had a beer?
Huh?
Little one on one,
what do you say?
What do you think? Yeah?
Wanna take it up?
Before we start,
I just want you
to see one thing.
Look at that!
Yo, we done? America?
You hiding?
Yeah. I like it down here.
It's nice and quiet.
Want some gum?
No, thanks.
Missing out on a lot.
Have you ever seen
that IMAX about
Mount Everest?
No.
It's so high up.
It's all snow and ice.
It's higher than any
place in the whole world.
Sounds beautiful.
It is.
You don't know
where the clouds start
and the snow stops.
Yeah, but you have
to worry about
that frostbite.
Turn your skin all black,
start to fall off.
Next thing you know,
your whole nose is
gone just like that!
Want it?
Give me a fresh piece.
- Come on. - Don't be a baby.
You have a sexy mouth.
Give it back.
Uh-uh. No, you're
not getting it back.
Give it!
What's this?
It's cut and stitch.
What?
I used to cut myself
and then stitch it with
a needle and thread.
Wait a minute.
Weren't you the one crying,
- begging me to - never hurt myself?
I told you.
I don't do it anymore.
Goes up your whole arm.
My legs too,
my belly.
I liked to feel the pain
on the outside,
not the inside.
- That's what - Dr. B says.
When you cut open your skin,
you see life running out.
I've done worse.
What?
I've done something
so bad that I can
never tell anybody.
I'm not anybody. It's me.
Come on, tell me.
I can't...
I can't tell you.
Tell me.
Tell me!
I know you probably
don't want to hear this,
but I'd be better off dead.
Don't say that!
Don't you ever say that!
You're just a jerk!
I hate you!
- Wait! Come back! - I don't want to
See you again!
Liza, wait. Come...
♪ Told everyone I knew
to be kind to you
♪ Cause you were
new to this place
♪ But they just
threw me in your face
♪ Told everyone I knew
to be kind to you
♪ Cause you were
new to this place
♪ But they just
threw me in your face
♪ Be
♪ Me ♪
What do you want?
Where'd you get that?
Why, you want some?
I thought you were
getting clean.
What happened?
What happened to you,
Lyle, Mom?
You got me out here
in the middle of the night
to ask me what happened?
- You know. - You were there.
We got separated.
It's over. Done.
Forget it.
- Now let's get - this straight.
You and me,
we ain't brothers,
we ain't associates,
we ain't nothing.
You got that?
Why'd you show up then,
if we ain't nothing?
Can you
tell me about your brothers?
After the cops came
I never saw them again.
- Separated, - different foster home?
Yeah, in and out
for three stupid years.
Must have been horrible.
I kept telling
them the numbers.
Mrs. Harper's
phone number?
Yeah, Mrs. Harper.
You got
lost in the system,
but you're back.
You a man now!
- We've been - looking for you.
You know what they said?
"You got lost in the system."
But you're back!
You're back! Reggie!
Yeah.
Here he is. He's back.
- Yeah, there he is. - Look at you, boy.
Oh, no! You a man now!
You got
to go back to her, right?
Huh?
You got to go back
to Mrs. Harper's?
Yeah.
And then, when you
were 16, you ran away.
I don't really
understand that
part, America.
All you wanted was to get
back there, and then after
you were there, you left.
Can you tell me why?
Would you like to
see her, America?
- She's probably - dead now anyway.
No, she's not dead.
She's in a nursing home
not far from here,
- and if you like, - we could go see her.
Yeah. Okay.
Okay.
America.
What happened
just then?
We were talking
about Mrs. Harper,
and you checked out.
You went someplace.
- Where did you go? - I didn't go anywhere, okay?
I'm here. I'm right here!
We all go away
in our minds sometimes.
Everyone does it.
It's totally normal.
Really, I mean,
things are too
painful to talk about,
- you don't want - to think about it,
You get a little
brain break, you know?
A little vacation
in your mind.
Everything shuts off.
You go someplace safe.
- Okay, I'm screwed up, - all right?
I knew that already.
You are not screwed up.
You're human!
- That's how we - protect ourselves.
- I'm out of here. - Hey, come on!
Have I ever
walked out on you?
Even once? Have I? No.
You gotta stop walking
out on me, all right?
We're past that.
When you go away
in your head, tell me,
where do you go?
Mount Everest.
- Mount Everest? - Yeah.
It's cold, so cold
you go numb all over.
And you don't
feel anything there?
It's peaceful, quiet,
and now that I told you,
I don't think
I can go there anymore.
Maybe you won't have to.
What's that word?
"This side up."
You're guessing.
Don't guess.
Sound it out.
- You think I'm dumb, - and you don't
Like me anymore!
Well, I've always
liked you.
Before, now, forever! America!
- That's - a bunch of crap!
Hey, come on.
Come on, America.
You getting all riled up.
Help me with supper.
We gotta take care of her.
We a team,
you and me!
Tuck your fingers under,
like I showed you.
Mmm. Mmm-mmm.
- Professional, - all right?
So you don't
cut yourself.
Here you go.
You need to relax.
You're too tense.
Here, try this.
- Come on, - it'll relax you.
What are you?
A little girl?
Come on, man!
Look here.
Now try.
That's better. Yeah.
That better? Yeah. Good.
Mmm.
You be cool, and I'll
teach you how to spell.
- I'll help you - with your spelling.
- Are you ready? - Yeah.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
- Yeah? - Let's go!
All right. What's that?
"P."
Right. And this one here?
"E."
Now here's
a real difficult one.
"N."
And the easiest
one of all.
"I."
And the snake!
The snake.
"S."
Now put it all together.
"Penis."
What?
"Penis."
Say it!
"Penis!"
- Crazy! Here, - have some more.
I don't think
she'd like this.
She not going to know.
It's gonna be
our little secret.
Mmm.
- Now, go ahead, - finish it up.
And now you going to
drink or you going to
cut the celery?
You look very nice.
I ironed my shirt
in the laundry room.
Who taught you to iron?
Reggie.
Oh, yeah? Good guy, huh?
- There's nothing - wrong with Reggie.
Are you ready?
Yeah.
You're sure?
Yeah.
All right.
- Then go right - through here.
She used to
talk about you.
Her boy, America.
She doesn't
talk much anymore,
but I know she hears.
Mrs. Harper?
Guess who's here
to see you? America.
Well, you've been
waiting on him.
Here he is.
Hello, Miss Harper.
It's been a long time.
Do you remember
when we used to
play hide and seek?
Do you remember that?
I remember.
And all the angels
you used to paint?
Angels.
I'm sorry for what I did.
I never...
I never meant
to hurt you.
I...
Your ring.
Your magic ring.
You like that ring?
Now if you have good luck,
you gonna give me some?
I remember you used to say
that if I rubbed it,
I would have good luck.
Yes, good luck.
I love you.
I forgive you.
She smelled the same.
Mint and Chap Stick.
The smells of home.
Yeah.
Hey, Dr. B.
Yeah?
I wanna work
in the kitchen.
Why?
- My brother works - in the kitchen.
Your brother?
Yeah, my brother Brooklyn,
he works in the kitchen.
I'll see what I can do.
Brooklyn.
What the heck
are you doing here?
Working.
I got a job here.
I've had experience
working in the kitchen.
- Look, I'm not trying - to bother you,
But since we're both here,
there's a lot of stuff
we could talk about.
I don't think so.
Why not?
I told you before,
I don't remember nothing.
Nothing at all.
- Look, it wasn't - right, okay?
They should've
kept us all together.
We're brothers.
Get back to
the pots and pans, man.
I been looking for you...
Enough!
Give it up.
Just give it up.
Forget it.
- ♪ Ooh, baby, - I like your size
♪ Sweet and petite
Your hips and thighs
- ♪ Jump in my car - And let's go for a ride
♪ We gonna slide
to the other side
♪ And work
Girl's worth something
- ♪ Don't hurt nothing - Work
♪ Girl, go get it
Come back with it ♪
Liza is hot.
Fish, do you
know what hot is?
I didn't think so.
- Hey, Fish, - wanna dance?
No, I don't wanna.
I'm guessing you
don't dance, right?
- No. - Figured.
Come on, girl.
Come on.
♪ Ooh, baby, I like your size
- ♪ Sweet and petite - Your hips and thighs
- ♪ Jump in my car - And let's go for a ride ♪
America! America!
- Dance isn't over - until 10:00.
It's over for me.
- Your boyfriend's - looking for you.
He's not my boyfriend.
He's a jerk.
Yeah, whatever.
I've missed you.
Missed talking to you.
You haven't
missed anything, okay?
Just leave me alone.
Can you stop?
Look, would you
just leave me alone?
My scars.
It's okay.
You're beautiful.
More beautiful than
anything I've ever seen.
- No, wait. Stop! - It's okay.
I can't. Just...
- What's wrong? - I don't want to
Anymore, okay?
- I don't want to. - Why?
- You're... - You're all scarred up, okay.
You're just... You're ugly!
- I know you, - and this isn't you.
Just leave me alone, okay?
- Stay away from me! - You're an ugly skank!
What's with you?
Just leave me alone, okay?
Just leave me alone.
Rice up!
Enchiladas.
- Come on, man. - So what happened?
- What do you think - happened?
Liza wanted it bad.
She was begging for it.
Oh, yeah?
- Come on, Shoelaces, - don't be so stingy.
I mean,
Liza wasn't last night.
She was all over me.
Yo, man.
Fight! Fight!
Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!
Lose the knife!
- Let go! - I'll kill him.
- Chill, man! - Just chill,
All right?
I'm gonna let you go.
Look, somebody
clean this up!
Okay, dude,
you're out of jail.
Get back to your room.
- Don't get into - any more trouble.
Fine.
America. America,
guess what?
- They're sending - Marshall away.
Good.
He's been transferred
to Fairfield.
Fairfield, that's bad!
And Liza's going home.
Liza?
Yeah. Reunification,
I heard it.
She's a skank, huh?
No, Fish.
That's not true.
She's not a skank.
America,
what's a skank?
Liza! Liza!
What do you want?
You weren't gonna tell me
you were leaving?
Why would you care?
I didn't mean
any of that stuff
I said the other night.
I know.
It was your first time, huh?
Kind of.
Come in.
You and Marshall, you...
I was mad at you.
My mom's coming
to pick me up
this morning.
She's nuts, you know.
When I was eight years old,
my dad pretty much
shot his head off
with a deer rifle.
I don't want to
end up like them.
You won't.
It's up to you.
One more.
Aren't you
gonna say anything?
What do you want me to say?
Tell me you love me.
What?
Even if you don't mean it.
Just say it.
I love you.
Feels good
to say it, right?
Yeah.
Feels good to hear it, too.
- I should go. - People are probably
Waking up.
Stay, stay. Don't go.
I'll write to you, America,
but you have to write back.
Liza...
I love you, too.
Hey, Dwayne. Morning, Carol.
- Good morning, Dr. B. - How are you?
What you got there?
- Two messages. - Okay, I'll do them
After lunch.
Okay.
Hey. What are you doing here?
Come on in.
Why are you up so early?
I couldn't...
I couldn't sleep.
You know why?
Liza's gone.
- Yeah, but she's - gonna be okay.
- Did you really tell her - that cutting yourself
Lets all the pain
you have inside out?
Yes, I did.
But you don't
have to cut yourself
to let all the pain out.
What else can you do?
You talk to someone,
someone you trust,
and that's why I'm here.
- I'm sorry. - Wait, don't.
- No. I'm sorry. - No. No.
- I'm not gonna - touch you again.
Don't...
Don't touch me.
I'm sorry about that.
- What's going on? - Can you...
Can you tell me?
No, I can't.
- Just tell me, America. - Just say it!
Everybody leaves, okay?
- Everybody like who? - Like Liza?
My mother, Liza, my brothers.
- They all... They all go away. - No one ever stays.
Okay.
- People who are supposed - to protect me, don't.
People who are
supposed to care, don't.
Reggie, Mrs. Harper,
my brothers,
my mother, everyone.
So confused you
don't know what's right,
what's wrong anymore.
This is gonna be
our special secret.
- This is gonna be - our special secret.
This is gonna be
our special secret.
I'm just teaching
you to be a man, huh?
And you know what?
You're a good learner.
Yes, you did!
I didn't do nothing wrong!
I keep telling you,
I didn't do nothing!
Then why do they
keep calling me,
wanting to have a conference?
Your grades are going down.
They telling me
you're disturbed!
No, something ain't right.
Imagine having
your fingers scraped
like I'm scraping this carrot.
Take the skin of your finger
and peel it right off,
just like that.
Imagine that
as a way to think
about what might happen
if you tell our secret.
What about Mrs. Harper?
What... What was
that about Mrs. Harper?
Nothing. The boy's
just giving me trouble,
that's all.
I don't like carrots, is all.
Since when?
- Since when you - don't like carrots?
What's going on here?
Nothing. Everything's fine.
- Look, don't worry - about America.
- I talked - to the principal
And the teachers,
and they're working it out.
And he's gonna
straighten up, right?
- Something's - always with this boy.
Yeah, always!
Yeah, he's just
a little behind,
that's all.
Just a little dumb.
I ain't dumb!
Yes, you are! You're dumb!
- I'm not dumb! - No, you're not dumb.
- He kept... - He kept saying...
- He kept saying - I would like it!
And in the beginning I did,
but then it stopped
feeling good!
You're talking about Reggie?
Is that the way
you going to be?
Well, maybe I go find
your precious Mrs. Harper,
go find that old lady, huh?
Is that what you want?
- He said he was - gonna hurt her.
- He was gonna hurt - Mrs. Harper?
Yes. I...
I... I can't. I...
Yes, you can.
You're so close,
America, you're so close.
- What did he do? - Tell me, what did Reggie do?
He took care of me, okay?
He bought me stuff.
He was nice.
- Now you know - all the things
I do for you.
Just remember that, huh?
Just remember.
Put that in your head,
and then you
don't have to worry
about that old lady.
- She's just - getting in the way.
I had to do it!
- He said he was - going to kill her, okay?
I had to do something! I...
- I just couldn't - take it anymore.
What did you do?
- I knew where they - kept some money.
- I was gonna pay her back, - I swear.
- I would... - I would never hurt her.
I know you wouldn't
hurt her, America.
Look at me. Look at me.
Tell me what happened.
I wet some towels.
I put them under her door.
I put them...
I put them by her door and...
I was drunk and...
I killed him! I killed him!
Okay.
I had to do it.
Okay. Okay, okay, okay.
I saw it on TV.
They were pulling his
body out of the house
on a stretcher.
Mrs. Harper told them
he was smoking in bed.
She covered for me.
She loved you.
I didn't hate Reggie.
He was... He was kind.
He wasn't.
What?
Are you going to tell?
No, America.
I'm not going to tell.
Okay.
Are you ready?
Yeah.
- You wrote down - everything in there
That you need
to say to Reggie?
Everything?
Yeah.
Okay. Now we bury it.
Now it's done.
I'm proud of you.
You take as long as you need.
I'll meet you inside,
all right?
You try to
bury the hurt and hope
the future will be better.
Kids go away, released
into the world at 18.
- I never know - where they may land.
Most aren't ready.
They go back to a family
that's unable or unwilling
to care for them,
or they end up
in the streets.
It often feels hopeless.
But at the end of the day,
I live for that moment
when I see one kid
heading down the right path.
Foster, it means to support,
to encourage, to sustain,
to cherish.
Its very first meaning
was to feed or nourish.
That seems pretty simple.
All a kid needs
is one person
to hang on to,
one person to see them,
to listen, to care,
to show up consistently.
One person,
that's what I believe.
Another batch,
and I always get
a catch in my throat.
Maybe I'm naive, but I think
in a country like ours,
we can do better, we must.
These kids don't
belong to somebody else.
These kids
belong to all of us.
They are America's children.
They are America.
♪ Something lucid
♪ This is new
♪ And on the other side
♪ All I see is you
♪ You speak my language
I don't speak yours
♪ Now we find ourselves
♪ Inside this perfect storm ♪