Gracie's Choice Page #5

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for the welfare money.

Too bad you had so many miscarriages

because there would have been more!

- You go to hell!

- I was born in hell!

They are never going to give them to you.

Not to you.

Just leave...

...before I call the cops.

Oh, my little baby grandchild.

I love you.

Oh, God.

- We can run away.

- We don't have any wheels.

We could take a bus, get jobs

and find a place to live.

- Wyoming.

- We can't run away, guys.

That's how Mom deals with her problems,

by skipping town.

We have to ask the court.

You take care of us,

so why do we have to ask the court?

Judges are smart

and listen to both sides...

...and they figure out

what's best for us, right?

We already know what's best for us.

Why don't I read you guys a story.

We've read Bambi about 100 times.

Don't knock it.

It's the only book we've got.

I don't think you know

what you're doing.

- You understand they must stay in school?

- Yes, sir.

You're employed part-time.

You have a work permit?

- Yes, sir. Through the school.

- This has been a very trying day.

I've had half a dozen children

who had to be placed.

Well, your school records have

certainly improved. Mrs. Thurston?

Yes, Your Honor?

You're a counselor at Gracie's school.

What's your assessment?

Gracie is doing extremely well, and I'm

also encouraging her to apply for college.

All of the children are making an effort.

Ryan and Robbie are in special day classes,

and Jonny's pulling in A's.

What happens to them

when Gracie's at work?

My grandmother can come

to my apartment after school...

...or there's foster-family daycare.

I know it's not perfect,

but it's very important to me...

...and to my brothers

that we stay together.

Where is the mother, Rowena Larson?

I talked to her yesterday.

She said she would be here.

Well, how did these children

get here today?

- Easy. We took the bus.

- You don't have a car?

We're getting one.

Look, I don't understand this money

problem with your grandmother.

She's getting $520 a month

for each child.

The thing is, Your Honor, my grandmother

gives the money to my mother.

We don't ever see it.

Gracie buys us our shoes and stuff, sir.

I mean, Your Honor.

The money would have to go

directly to you.

That's gonna make Grandma really mad.

Because my mother

will raise hell about it.

- I mean, heck.

- You don't have to worry about her.

Just worry about these kids.

You got a checking account?

- I can get one.

- What about an apartment?

I found one. It has to be approved.

How will you handle it?

You got telephone, electricity.

These children gotta have

their own bed, dresser.

- Yes, I have the list.

- This is ridiculous.

- I'll give you a week to get it all in order.

- I can do it, judge.

Well, if you can do all that, maybe

we should give you a job around here.

Okay.

This is just temporary,

but we're gonna give it a three-month trial.

But I'm gonna be watching you. I want

reports from the doctor, the dentist...

...and copies of report cards.

This is highly unusual, but I'm giving you

a chance to keep your family together.

I hope it doesn't come back

to haunt me.

- Thank you, Judge Donner. Thank you.

- Next case.

Tough neighborhood. I don't know.

It's better than most places we've lived,

and we can stay in the same schools.

Well...

...you're gonna have to clean it up.

I have plenty of experience

scrubbing out bathtubs and cupboards.

Well, put some pictures up.

Family stuff. Make it cozy and warm.

- I'll be back in a week.

- Does that mean you approve it?

Done.

- You did this without telling me?

- I was afraid you'd think I was nuts.

No, my parents think you're nuts.

I, on the other hand,

think you're incredible.

I didn't have a choice.

Before I know it, I'm picking out beds.

- What do you think of this one?

- It's way too soft. You know what?

We got a twin bed in the garage.

Okay, how much money you got?

I've saved a few thousand,

and with the foster-care money...

Wait a minute. You've been saving

your money in a sock?

Yeah, underneath the mattress.

Why didn't you just put it in the bank,

you know? Earn some interest.

What's that?

The bank pays you a percentage

for the use of your money.

Free money?

That is a great, great idea.

- This thing's awesome!

- Go, Gracie, go! Go, Gracie, go!

Grandma...

...could you cut this for me

right there on that line?

Left, left, left, right, left.

- Up the stairs.

- Left, left, left, right, left.

We found a kitten!

Can we keep him, please?

Yes, we can. You all are gonna

be taking care of him, okay?

What do we call him?

- Lobo.

- That's a good name.

Okay, thank you, Jonny.

That's good enough.

What did I tell you?

We do not jump on the furniture.

Put it in the corner. Thank Mrs. Turner

when we give it back to her.

We don't have any pictures,

so what pictures do we put in the frames?

Keep the ones that are in there.

Isn't Mr. Bessey supposed to be here?

I'm late for my open house.

- Don't worry. He will be here.

- Now can we go out and play?

No, I don't want you guys

getting all dirty again.

Mr. Bessey is never late,

so something must have come up.

Okay, that's him. Okay, come on.

Come on, come on, come on.

Okay, everybody ready? Clean hands?

Elbows?

- Okay, good.

- This is such bull!

- We're gonna miss the whole thing.

- Calm down, Ryan.

Hello. I'm Sandy Jacobs.

I'm your social worker.

Hi. You know what?

There might be a mistake.

Bob Bessey, Mr. Bessey,

he's actually our social worker.

Your file's on my desk now.

That's the way it works.

Okay.

You're late.

- Sorry. Traffic.

- Yeah, right.

We have a phone.

You could've called.

They're upset because they had

an open house at school tonight.

Yeah, it started an hour ago.

Yes, well, this takes precedence

over an open house at school.

It's very homey.

- You have gas, electricity?

- Look at our kitten, Lobo.

It means "wolf" because he bites.

- We got our teeth cleaned.

- Me too.

Yes, I have the reports.

Who are these people?

Aunt Beth Ann and Uncle Mike.

- And where do they live?

- Portland.

They do?

Okay, I noticed in the report that

your Grandma Lou checks here regularly.

- We have a stable support line.

- Very stable.

And I noticed that Brian

has communication problems.

Do you mean Ryan?

Oh, yes, Ryan. Sorry.

So many families. So many children.

I don't wanna upset him.

I would rather discuss this in private.

I think you should consider

counseling for him.

That... That's a great idea. I will do that.

Okay, well, I have to make my report

to the judge.

All in all, I would say, "Good job. "

I'm gonna grant you

a three-month extension.

Good work, boys.

Grace, I have got to hand it to you.

You have a lot of patience.

And you're a better mother

than I ever was.

Grandma, we never could have

done all this without you.

Who drank all the milk?

If you drink all the milk, we don't have

anything left for the week.

Why couldn't we get cereal?

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