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1

It's not easy

spending a day in the city

with two kids

around Christmastime,

even if you have taken them to

a matinee and outdoor skating.

I'd had to fight with them,

with Danny in particular,

to get them aboard the 3:55

back to the suburbs

in time for dinner.

Presents were still in his mind.

What's in the box?

Danny...

Leave the man alone.

Present.

- Can I see?

- Danny.

Stop being so nosy.

It's okay. No problem.

Gotta go. My stop's next.

Brookfield next.

Brookfield.

Come on, Danny.

What'd he have?

Who?

The man, dummy,

the one with the box.

What was in the box?

The one on the subway.

Oh. Nothin'.

Nothing?

You seriously mean it was empty?

- There was nothing in there?

- Hey, guys.

Chow's on.

Great.

What's the matter, squirt?

Not hungry?

Not really.

You, not hungry?

You're always hungry.

Did you get them

something to eat

when you were out?

Just hot chocolate.

With marshmallows and licorice.

Nice.

Can I go play?

Sure.

But I want those teeth brushed.

- Yeah, dad.

- All right.

More?

They're coming to get you,

Barbara.

- Want some, Danny?

- Stop it.

- No? Wow.

- You're ignorant.

More for us.

Stop it.

You're acting like a child!

They're coming for you.

- Oh, my god. Look.

- Oh, look.

Here comes one of them now.

- Raah!

- He'll hear you.

Kids.

No running.

No, thanks, mom.

Daniel.

Yeah, mom?

Don't forget your lunch.

Thanks.

What's going on?

- You're not hungry again?

- Nope.

It was pizza day at school.

No, I skipped it.

I find that hard to believe.

Come on. Eat your ribs.

No, thank you. I'm not hungry.

He came home

with his lunch untouched again,

you know.

Really?

He was probably

sneaking junk food

in the cafeteria or something.

I think we should make

an appointment with Dr. Weller.

Maybe he's coming down

with something.

I'm sure it's just

some stunt he's pulling

to get out of going to school.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Well, I am starting

to get worried.

Look, he doesn't have a fever.

And even if he has the flu,

there's nothing Dr. Weller

can do for him anyway.

I guess so.

Listen, buddy,

you gotta eat something.

Danny, why didn't you eat

the lunch I made you today?

I didn't feel like it.

Try some garlic bread.

It's really good.

You love spaghetti.

No, thanks.

It... it's been three days,

buddy.

Are you feeling okay?

Oh, my god.

It better not be the chickenpox.

Amanda Dewsbury

had the chickenpox,

and she didn't show up

for school

for, like, an entire week.

She was covered in, like,

these disgusting,

oozing sores...

I feel fine,

just not hungry.

Okay.

Come on, Danny.

We made your favorite, pizza.

Come on now.

Not hungry.

Smells good.

You're not getting up

from this table

until you eat that pizza.

Do you understand me?

Do you understand me?!

Please, Danny,

just take one bite.

No, thank you.

This has gone on

long enough. Danny!

God damn it, will you just eat?!

I'm not hungry.

Fine.

Then just go to bed.

Dr. Manson, circuit three.

Any, uh, dizziness,

vomiting, diarrhea?

No, nothing.

Fever, listlessness?

No. He seems fine.

And you say

he hasn't eaten in five days?

Absolutely nothing.

Can I have a moment

with him, please?

Um, yeah, sure.

- Sure.

- Thanks.

Danny...

Hmm?

Is there anything

you want to tell me?

You sure? I mean...

I'm here to listen.

I wanna help.

Everything's fine.

I'm just not hungry, is all.

You gotta eat, Danny.

Why?

Well, um...

There's people starving

all over the world.

I mean, if you don't eat...

Eventually you'll die.

It's that simple.

So?

Why didn't you

bring him in sooner?

I don't know.

Well, he's lost five pounds

since his last checkup.

Other than that,

he seems fine physically.

We're gonna run

some tests on him,

and hopefully, uh,

it'll give us a clearer picture.

Has he had

any problems at school?

- No.

- No.

Nothing that we're aware of.

Home?

No. Why do you ask?

I think Danny might be having

some emotional problems.

Now, there's a specialist

that I can recommend for you.

A psychiatrist?

No, a therapist,

and don't worry.

He's not gonna

push any pills on Danny.

He'll be there to help him.

Well, how's he gonna help him,

doctor?

Look, we're gonna

get to the bottom of this.

Now, what I want you to do

is to call me every day

and let me know

how Danny's doing,

if he's eating.

Okay.

If he's not, don't push him.

No, of course not.

All right?

Stay calm.

I'll keep you posted.

- Thanks, Dr. Weller.

- Thanks.

It doesn't make any sense.

Hey.

What are you guys talking about?

- Nothing.

- Nothing.

Come on. What were you

just talking about?

Just stuff.

Secret stuff?

Just, you know, stuff.

Stuff that maybe has to do

with why you're not eating?

That kind of stuff?

Fine.

Let's get back to bed.

Jenny, what's the matter?

Oh, nothing.

Good night, mom.

Jenny.

Coming.

Hey, mom.

Hey.

Yeah, mom?

- It's chocolate.

- I'm okay.

I'm not hungry. Thanks.

Where's Jenny?

She says she's not hungry.

Why?

I don't know.

I wish I did.

Are you taking

any of this seriously?

Of course I am.

I'm their mother.

Well,

I just don't understand it.

Understand what?

How you can eat

while our children are starving.

Well, I have to eat, don't I?

Danny.

Hey.

What is going on

with you and Jenny?

Y... you know you can tell me.

Please, tell me.

What did he say?

Huh?

Danny.

Oh.

Nothing.

Piece for you.

Piece for you.

There you go.

I remember laughter

from that day,

plenty of laughter.

Nobody's new clothes fit,

but we tried them on anyway.

Believe it or not,

we were happy.

We were more together

than we had ever been.

Danny...

Do you remember

that day on the train...

The man with the box?

Do you remember

looking inside the box?

Yeah.

What was in it?

Nothing.

Really nothing?

You mean it was actually empty?

But I thought I...

I remember him saying

it was a present.

Was he playing

some kind of a joke?

I mean, is this

some kind of a joke?

Danny died on January 17th.

Jenny went on February third,

and my husband Robert lingered

until the 27th.

And through all of this,

through all these weeks now,

going back and forth

to the hospital each day...

I look for him.

I need to find him...

To know what my son knew and

then passed on to the others.

It's the only way

I can get close to them now.

I want to see.

I have to see.

I'm hungry.

Tsk.

Good morning, Carla.

Oh, thank you.

The guests will be getting here

in less than an hour.

I let Lucy sleep in.

She hasn't been sleeping well.

You want me to wake her?

Um, guess maybe wake her

in 15 if she's not up yet.

Okay.

Is that for David?

- Yeah.

- Oh.

No, I don't think Mr. Lampton

will be joining us

at his daughter's birthday.

His car was here

when I got in this morning.

Must have gotten in late.

No. No.

He's not back from his trip yet.

Maybe he's out for a run.

I really doubt it.

I think I would know

if he had come in last night.

Yes, of course. I didn't...

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