It was 2019.
I was at the top of my game.
We'd finally put the hard times behind us.
Wait till you hear the story of
the mom they said, "worked a miracle."
Everybody's favorite Hoosier...
- Hey! - Kristine Barnett.
Kristine Barnett, Indiana's own...
With me today is bestselling author,
Kristine Barnett.
And I can assure you, every parent out there today...
Kristine Barnett, it's such a thrill to have you here...
So, you saved your son.
Please welcome Indiana's own super mom,
Kristine Barnett.
Whoo! Gosh, it still is such a trip
to find myself in front of crowds like you all.
I'm just a regular mom
who's trying to keep the wheels from careening off the bus.
So, you see, I may have written a book on parenting,
but I don't have it all figured out.
There's a new challenge every day.
It's a lesson I learned when my oldest, Jake there, was two.
He suddenly stopped talking. He stopped playing.
He stopped making eye contact.
Autism.
The experts told me he might never learn to read
or tie his shoes again.
He'd never wrap his arms around my neck
and tell me he loves me...
that I might never hear his voice again.
I was devastated for about a minute,
until I realized those experts were wrong.
I was the expert on my son,
and I sure as heck wasn't gonna give up on him.
Because I don't give up on the people that I love.
Call it mom's intuition, but I knew Jake had gifts.
And a few years ago, at just 15,
he began a PhD in quantum gravity.
So, I wrote The Spark because over the years
I've worked with hundreds of kids with autism.
Like Jake, each has a spark.
And if we just learn to listen to our kids,
they will reveal to us who they really are.
Standard autism therapy
pushes kids to focus on normal tasks...
instead of their everyday...
fixations, instead of their unique fixations.
But I found that the opposite works better.
With my Spark Method, I immerse kids
in things they're naturally drawn to,
whether that's algebra or animals.
Well, gosh, parenting 911, what's your emergency?
You Kristine Barnett?
Kristine Barnett, you're under arrest for child neglect,
the abandonment of a dependent, and conspiracy to commit neglect.
- You have the right to remain silent. - What? My boys are right there.
- Should we call Dad? - No, this is his fault.
- You have a right to an attorney. - Call Grammy.
If you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you.
Do you understand these rights as I've read them to you?
You don't understand. Do you know who I am?
The families that I've helped?
Do you know how many children I saved?
You're arresting the wrong person.
She's not who she says she is. Ow!
That bitch tried to kill me!
- Bye, Miss Kris. - Bye-bye, I'll see you tomorrow.
This was the fall of 2010.
I didn't want to admit at the time
that my husband and I were struggling.
We'd been on the path to adopting a little girl named Blanca,
but it fell through.
And I'd been thinking lately
how if that hadn't happened,
I wouldn't be sitting here today.
Oh! At her last school, I couldn't get her in the door.
With you, I can't get her out.
Now, if you don't let go, how am I gonna go to the junk store
and get us a radio to take apart?
Speaking of, how much do we owe you
for all that extra one-on-one time?
- Oh, no. - Kristine, you charge barely half
of what that other school costs, and they did nothing.
With you, Shawn's reading.
"Don't put crayons in your nose."
Yeah, it has been a bit of an epidemic.
You're so sweet, Val, but I don't charge for those sessions
because I don't want the families who can't afford extra
to miss out.
It's official, you're a literal saint.
Okay, honey, come on.
Okay, how about this?
How about I make a donation for the rec center?
- Oh, come on, I just want to help. - Will you stop?
I don't need the help.
Oh, God, o-of course. I'm so sorry.
I-I just didn't wanna brag,
but I got a grant from the Christian Community Fund,
so that, plus what I've saved, almost ready to open.
Kris, congratulations!
Hold on, honey, I got it, I got it.
On top of everything you two have been through,
how are you and Mike holding up?
Oh, we're hanging in.
Having the new space to focus on has been our saving grace.
Honestly, I think it's all God's will.
He just wanted me to get my behind in gear.
Mom?
What's up, bud?
I-It's too quiet in the living room.
Would you sit with me?
Sure, just, uh, let me freshen up a little bit
before Daddy gets home, okay?
Do me a favor and take this down.
I'll be down in a jiff, okay?
Hi, babe. How was inventory?
Long.
The boys didn't call and say goodnight.
Oh, I'm sorry. I did try.
There was some sort of Lego crisis.
But you could go peek in now.
Yeah, well...
they're asleep.
And why are you still up, sir?
- The dreaded string theory. - Hm.
It's getting pretty late, pal.
You know, even college kids need to chillax at some point,
so what do you say?
Wanna call it a night, play a little Xbox with the old man?
I think I got some Pop-Tarts in there.
Dad, would you please stop talking?
What are those?
Oh, I just packed a few things up
to take over to the rec center.
You're getting rid of her stuff?
I'm just trying to pay it forward.
I-I didn't want it to go to waste.
And you weren't gonna ask me?
Could you guys talk about this somewhere else, please?
You're right, bud. This is parent talk.
Can I use the windows?
He's, he's 12, he should be in bed.
If I stop now,
I'll lose everything that I just figured out.
He was on a roll.
Yeah.
Good luck, bud.
Turn out the lights when you're done.
You're okay. You're okay.
So, where do you propose I sleep now?
How about right where you are?
Is that why you let him stay up?
Gonna force me to sleep in here tonight?
- Michael. - You spoil that kid.
Says the man who bribes his son with video games and Pop-Tarts.
I wanted time with him.
I just worked a 12-hour shift
to provide for a family that I don't even get to see.
And now, on top of that, I have nowhere to sleep.
For Pete's sake, Michael,
if sleeping with your wife is so repellent,
there's a whole other bedroom down the hall
that no one is using.
So, are you really just over her?
Is that honestly what you think?
I think I'm gonna sleep on the floor.
Mike, I'm trying to sleep.
I told you this would happen if you married that man.
You told me I'd catch him spilling seed
on the floor of our room?
Well, not verbatim.
It's just a phase, Mother. He's depressed.
And it's my job to help him find his joy again.
Well, you know best, I suppose.
If you ask me, that life was never right for you.
Just come home.
I'm making soft meat.
Will you stop? Michael's my soulmate.
Well, whatever cranks your tractor, I suppose.
I don't even know what that means.
It means what it means.
I have to go, Mother. I'm here.
Think about what I said.
♪ Meet me in the middle of the night ♪
♪ Let me hear you say everything's alright ♪
♪ Let me smell the moon in your perfume ♪
♪ Oh, Gods and years will rise and fall ♪
♪ And there's always something more ♪
♪ Lost in talk, I waste my time and it's all been said before ♪
♪ While further down behind the masquerade ♪
♪ The tears are there ♪
♪ I don't ask for all that much ♪
♪ I just want someone to care ♪
♪ Answer right now ♪
♪ Meet me in the middle of the day, let me hear you say everything's okay ♪
♪ Come on out beneath the shining sun ♪
♪ Meet me in the middle of the night ♪
♪ Let me hear you say everything's alright ♪
♪ Sneak on out... ♪
Hi, babe, it's me.
You're okay.
Just calling to say I'm sorry about her stuff.
I should have asked you first.
You're okay.
It's just that I think that...
Oh, maybe this is you.
Hi, I was just leaving you a message.
Uh, hi, is this Mrs. Barnett?
Uh, my name is Sandy Mosley,
down here at First Path Adoptions in Myrtle Beach.
Oh. Gosh, I thought you were my husband.
Oh, no.
Well, no, like I said, this is, uh, Sandy Mosley,
and, uh, I'm sorry to call out of the blue.
But I got your name from, uh,
Secure Children Indiana.
Uh, and well, I understand, uh, your family was fostering
a little girl earlier this year.
Yeah. Yes, is, is Blanca okay?
Oh, yes. I mean, I assume.
But I'm actually calling because,
uh, I see you were on the path to adopting her.
Yes, until her aunt showed up and the state insisted
she'd be better with biological family.
Great, because we have a little girl here
who I think you will love.
She is seven,
uh, born in Ukraine.
She has dwarfism, and is as sweet as can be.
Now, the only hiccup is we're...
we're in a little bit of a pinch.
Uh, you see, her current situation didn't work out.
So, if we can't find a family for her in 24 hours,
she's gonna be sent to a group home.
Ooh, gracious, poor thing.
What happened with the other family?
I'm afraid this happens more than you'd
care to think.
Not everyone's heart
is big enough to hold a child
with special needs.
That's why we called you.
Actually, the preferred term is disabled.
All kids are special.
Absolutely. Absolutely.
That's why when your file came across my desk
describing your daycare and your son,
I just, I cried.
I think you're the light
that this little girl needs.
- I'd have to talk to my husband. - Of course, of cour...
Absolutely, I, I know this is fast.
And what's her name?
Natalia.
Natalia Grace.
That is beautiful.
- Almost like a prayer. - Amen.
As soon as I got the call, I knew what we had to do.
I mean, this isn't like getting a dog from the pound
and realizing you can't take care of it.
We're talking about a little girl here.
It's awful, Kris.
But that doesn't mean that w...
Jen, would you mind taking that out back or something, please?
I'm sorry for the girl, okay? I am.
But Kristine, I'm...
we're barely holding it together as is.
Because of what happened with Blanca.
- No. - Yes.
We were fine before that.
Because I needed time to grieve.
And you just forgot about her immediately.
That's not fair. I was just raised not to wallow.
Kris, she was supposed to be our daughter.
Maybe she wasn't. Maybe this little girl is.
And who says the same thing isn't gonna happen
all over again, Kristine?
How do we know? How do we know that?
Well, because Michael, she needs us.
She doesn't have anybody.
And if we don't take her,
they're gonna put her in a group home.
Do you know what happens to disabled kids in a group home?
Kris, come on, please.
I know things have been rocky between us this last little bit,
I know you've been sad.
But this is the little girl that you've always wanted.
A daughter to dance with at her wedding.
Everything you've always said and talked about.
I have to get back to work.
Maybe we're not being called to save this little girl.
Maybe she's being called to save us.
Hi.
♪ Hey ♪
♪ Hey, soul sister ♪
♪ Ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo ♪
♪ The way you move ain't fair, you know ♪
♪ Hey, soul sister, I don't wanna miss ♪
♪ A single thing you do ♪
♪ Tonight ♪
- Hey, guys. - Oh, boo, Mom, boo!
- Hey, guys. - What?
I want us all to be prepared
that it may take Natalia a little while to warm up to us.
So, we need to be patient with her.
- That's right. - Even if she hits us?
She's not gonna hit you. She just may not hug you right away.
I don't want her to hug me. She's a girl.
Boys rule and girls drool.
Might wanna try a different opening line there, Wes.
It's not how the expression goes anyway. It's the reverse.
- What? - No way, I don't drool.
- Huh? - Anyhoo,
the other thing I want us all to remember is
that even though Natalia's small,
she's the same age as Ethan.
- She's not a baby. - How small is she?
Like a G.I. Joe?
No, dummy.
Mommy said she's a little person.
Yes, a little person is another way
to refer to someone with dwarfism.
The point is that Natalia is seven.
- Yeah. - Well, I hope you guys got all that,
because we are here.
Well, this can't be the right place.
Mm, GPS says it is.
Welcome to Myrtle Beach.
Come on in, there you go.
That's it, right this way.
Now, your princess is saying goodbye
to her previous family,
um, so you all can just wait right here
in our Forever Family Room.
Okay. Will there be a chance for us
to speak with the other family?
Not in a closed adoption. Mm-mm.
But you all have fun, and we'll be in shortly, alright?
- Thank you. - Okay.
They're really not gonna say hi?
I mean, I don't know. Would you want to say hi to us?
They're probably embarrassed.
When's she gonna be here?
Soon, soon.
Whoo, okay. Should we check out the toys?
They have the Game of Life.
Oh.
- Ugh. - Okay, well...
- Hm. - how about a game on my phone?
Yes!
Thank you.
Okay.
- What was that? - Someone sounds mad.
Ooh. It's probably nothing.
You want me to go see what's going on?
No, no, I think you should give that some space.
Okay.
Sorry that took a minute.
Oh, what was that? Is everything okay?
Oh, just a little hustle and bustle.
Uh...
- But this is... - Natalia!
Hi!
Are you gonna be my mommy and daddy?
Well, um...
We sure would love that, if you'll have us.
I will, I will.
We got you this.
We squeezed it the whole way here.
We filled it up with all the hugs we've been missing
for the last seven years.
Mm. Aw.
- Hi, Daddy. Hi, Mommy. - Sweetheart.
Guys, come on, meet your sister. Get over here.
- I'm Ethan. - I'm Wesley.
- Jacob. - Hi.
- And we just need your signatures here. - Okay.
Now, on the phone, they didn't mention Natalia's walker.
It's fine, of course, but our house isn't accessible,
so it'll need work.
Well, there's no financial assistance.
No, no, I just meant that we'll need time to do the work,
and I, I don't wanna get dinged for that
- on home visits. - Oh!
Oh, no, don't worry about that.
No, we have your home study from before,
and this is technically an independent adoption.
So, the state doesn't require post-placement visits.
Oh, which state? South Carolina or Indiana?
Uh, neither.
Great, that'll just help smooth the transition, don't you think?
We find that it does.
Does she have any other health concerns?
Oh, well, just a few surgeries
to help with the hip and foot pain.
But she got a clean bill of health at her last checkup.
Well, she sure seems like a spitfire.
Yeah.
Look out for that one.
Oh, and, uh, speaking of her surgeries,
we usually just add the past medical expenses
onto the other fees, if that works for you.
I'm sorry, what?
To reimburse the, uh, previous family
for accrued medical expenses.
We have to pay for her surgeries?
None of that was in anything they sent.
Well, there are HIPAA restrictions on what we can email.
- Well... - Well, how much is it then?
- Y-Yeah? - Not a lot.
- Uh, her family had great insurance. - Okay...
Uh, it was just shy of seven grand.
I'm... Seven th... W-We...
- We don't have $7,000 just lying around. - Okay, okay, okay.
- We-we're not that kind of family, so... - No, no, I... So...
So none of this was mentioned,
so I think we should speak to a lawyer.
- Yeah. - Absolutely.
Mm, of course.
Mm. We're...
We're gonna have to put her in a home
until you sort things through.
No, I just... I think we just need a minute.
- Give us a minute. - Mm-hmm.
Okay.
- I will figure this out. - How, how, how, possibly?
We, we maxed out our credit card just to get down here, Kristine.
I know, but what are we gonna do?
We're just gonna let them dispose of her?
- Daddy and Mommy? - Hi, hi. Hi, sweetheart.
Hercules ran out of hugs.
Oh, did he, already?
"She," she did. Hercules is a girl.
Of course, of course, my mistake.
Well, let's fill Lady Hercules up.
Okay, okay, okay.
That ought to hold her.
Um...
Uh, could I get a refill too?
- Sweetheart, yes. - Yes.
- Of course.
Oh, excuse me.
- Oh. What was that? - I didn't have breakfast.
- What? - They didn't give you breakfast?
No, it's... it's okay. I'm, I'm more of a lunch girl.
It's not okay, Natalia.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
- That's right. - Tell Jacob to dig around
in the blue backpack and look for a granola bar to tide you over.
And we'll stop for lunch on the way back to the motel.
- Okay. - Okay?
- Thanks, Mommy. - Okay.
Oh.
I'm okay.
What are we gonna do? What are we gonna do?
- Okay. - We can't... we can't just...
We'll use the rest of the rec center money.
That ought to do it.
Wh-What? Don't you need that to finish it up?
No, it's okay, we'll cut corners at home until we pay it back.
That money is there to help disabled kids, right?
Are you sure?
My grandpa always said when God has a job for you,
he gives you everything you need to get it done.
I'm gonna go get my checkbook.
Okay!
Okay.
- Little syrup for you. - Thank you, Daddy.
You know, I saw on Food Network that in the Ukraine,
they eat pancakes with fish eggs.
- Ew! - Would you like some help?
- Thank you, Mommy. - Did you used to eat fish eggs, Natalia?
Nah. I like fish brains better.
- Ew! - Ugh!
- Watch out, I'm gonna puke. - Not on me.
- You're making a joke, aren't you? - Of course!
Who puts fish on pancakes?
But I do like to, um, do this.
I'm just gonna... so I put this on here.
And then... and then I roll it, and then, ta-da!
Pancake burrito.
We have a chef, you guys.
I could see fish eggs being good on it too.
No, no, no, no.
Thank you.
Uh, how come you aren't eating, Mommy?
You said breakfast was the most important meal of the day.
It is. I'm just not that hungry right now.
You can have some of mine, Mommy.
My tummy's telling me it's full.
I'm full too. Can we go down to the water?
Please, Mom?
- Can we? Can we? - Please, please, Mom?
That's a great idea.
Go wear yourselves out before the flight.
Okay.
Last one there's a rotten egg!
Don't mind if I do.
Oh, man, look how much fun he's having.
- Oh, I love seeing him like this. - Yeah.
I wanna go too. Will you carry me?
- The sand is hard for my walker. - Yes, ladybug.
Just let Daddy and I pick up these scraps,
and we'll take you down.
I thought you're not hungry.
Waste not, want not.
But how come the boys didn't have to wait?
- It's not fair. - You know what? It's okay.
- I'll take her. - No, you should eat.
Natalia, in a family, we have to be patient.
But it's not fair.
Fair isn't always equal.
I wanna go down to the beach too, it's not fair.
It's not fair!
- Maybe someone's still hungry. - I wanna go to the beach now!
Maybe should just... we should just let her go...
No, now, now, now, now!
I wanna go to the beach now!
- Natalia. - I wanna go to the beach now!
- Have some more pan... - No, Mommy!
- Have some more pancakes. - No, I don't want pancakes!
Natalia! That's enough.
Look, I get the tantrum,
but the whole running thing, I mean, what was that?
Do you think she's faking not being able to walk?
No, I don't think she's faking.
Michael, she's a kid.
She didn't just go out and buy a walker.
A doctor prescribed it.
I mean, look, there are real skeletal concerns
with dwarfism that would cause pain.
It's not that she can't walk, it's just that it hurts to walk.
Could you get Hercules, please?
And this morning, she wanted to go down to the beach so bad
- that the pain didn't matter. - Hm.
I think we just have another
very stubborn kid on our hands.
Here we go.
- No peeking, okay? - I'm not.
- Are you ready, Natalia? - I am.
Okay!
- Oh. - Don't you like it?
It's a little baby-ish.
Oh.
Um, that's not kind, Natalia.
Daddy worked so hard putting this together for you.
Oh, I thought you did it.
I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, Daddy.
I just thought I should be honest.
The whole princess thing isn't really my jam.
Well, okay. Well, what is your jam?
Black, or rocker.
Rock and roll.
Well, I can dig that.
You know, I played in a band for a while.
- Whoa, I have a cool dad. - I know.
Well...
Okay, hold on a second.
We did a pretty jacked up
cover of I Would Do Anything for Love.
♪ I would do anything for love ♪
Look at you, you are a rocker.
And you know what?
It is okay if you don't like the room.
We'll just redecorate it.
It'll be our little daddy-daughter project, cool?
What do you think? Huh?
Aw.
No, no, thank you.
And the more we get the word out,
the more kids we can help, right?
That's the goal, right.
Okay, we'll see you there.
- See you soon. - Great.
- Bye-bye. - Bye.
You guys,
The Star is gonna do a piece
on the rec center opening next week.
Yes!
Natalia, Mommy is about to open
a community center and school
for kids with autism.
We're very proud of her.
Now, can we talk about why Natalia got to watch TV
- and we didn't? - Oh, really?
Well, it was just this once.
It's her first night home, guys.
Yeah. And fair isn't always equal.
Eat up, sweet pea.
Do you want something else, honey?
Can I have something else too?
No. You get what you get,
- and you don't get upset. - Exactly.
Of course.
Tastes a lot better with a big squirt of ketchup.
I loved every bite.
Okay, Mr. Clean Plate. You may be excused.
Go do your homework.
- Would you sit with me, Mom? - Absolutely.
I'll give your sister a bath and I'll be right there.
- I want Daddy to give me a bath. - Aw.
Maybe Daddy can do bath tomorrow night.
Tonight he's on dish duty.
Do you like toys in the bath,
or are you more of an in-and-out kid?
- I don't know. - I'll take that as in-and-out.
Do you wanna start getting your clothes off?
I hate baths.
- It's gross just sitting in dirt soup. - I get that.
But you didn't take a bath at the motel.
And we need to get those airplane germs off.
You can't tell me what to do. You're not my real mom.
How about a bird bath?
You can just stand in the tub
- and I can wash your... - I said no!
It's polite to ask how someone is
when they're hurt.
Mommy, I'm so sorry. Mommy, I'm so sorry.
Mommy, I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Mommy!
- Oh, it's okay. - I'm sorry, please don't mad, Mommy.
- It's fine. - I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry, Mommy. Please don't be mad.
- We'll skip the bath tonight. - I'm so sorry.
It's okay. I'm gonna go get some ice.
Well, I had to read her about a dozen books,
but she is finally asleep.
How's your side?
- It'll be sore tomorrow... - Mm-hmm.
but I'll be okay.
Okay, I'm sorry you had a rough first night,
but I just know you guys are gonna be great.
I see many a mother-daughter pedicure in your future.
I'm not worried, Michael.
It's the first night, for heaven's sake.
Well, good. That's great.
Look, 'cause I know, believe me, how hard it is when a child
is favoring the other parent.
And for what it's worth,
you know, I, I find Natalia to be
kinda like a little cat, you know?
You just gotta... gotta wait for her to just come to you.
Oh, is that what you've been doing?
Never mind, I just...
Ignore it if it's not helpful.
Anyway...
S-Scoot over?
Hey, Mama.
You know, I really was in the mood,
but it just... it hurts so bad.
Yeah.
Morning.
Good morning.
Mom!
Mom, come here. Mom!
- Mom. - What is it, baby?
Wes or Ethan wouldn't do this.
Natalia Grace.
Come in here.
- Did you do this? - Well, uh...
- Don't you like it? - We don't draw on the windows, Natalia.
We draw on paper.
- But Jake did, I thought I could. - Well, you can't.
Jake does that when his equations
get too big for his notebook,
so he does it on the windows.
- It's for school. - I-I didn't know.
- Are you mad at me? - Oh, no.
No one's mad at you, honey.
- It was just a mistake. - This wasn't a mistake.
She did it because I caught her sneaking Cheetos last night,
and threatened to tell.
No, no, why would I sneak Cheetos when I had
Pop-Tarts with Daddy?
Is that true?
- We... - Did you give her Pop-Tarts
after she didn't eat her dinner?
No, no, no, don't be mad at Daddy.
Playing Xbox just made me hungry.
Was that before or after the 10 books?
Okay, we played for maybe 20 minutes. It's not a big deal.
If it wasn't a big deal, then why didn't you mention it?
- We're supposed to be on the same team. - Don't do that.
We are on the same team. Which is why I was trying to help.
I was just trying to put her to bed.
Doesn't sound like you were trying to get her to bed.
You weren't there, so you don't really know.
- I don't know why... - Will you guys please just stop?
You're right, honey, sorry.
Let's focus on how do we fix it.
Do you wanna talk it out again?
Dr. Joglekar has office hours today.
I wanna talk to him.
Okay.
Well, I can take you
because I have to, uh, go by the rec center anyway.
Dad can take me on his way to work.
It's more efficient.
Okay.
Let's get some breakfast.
Natalia, can you stop that, please?
I like the sound.
Well, it's really making Mommy's head hurt.
This is Kristine Barnett.
You guys, this is too much. Oh boy, hold on.
Here we go.
Hang on, one second.
Babe, are you in on this too?
In on what?
The team just surprised me with a new Daddy party.
They got me drinking soda out of a baby bottle.
Walmart won't install the hoops
because the payment didn't go through.
I ordered it ages ago,
and I thought the check had cleared
before we paid for that other thing.
It's almost the end of the month.
Why don't we wait till I get my paycheck
- and just put a down payment? - No.
I need it for the opening next week.
I have a reporter coming,
and part of my grant is showing that
I have a range of physical activities.
And how the heck am I supposed to explain that I don't?
Michael, are you listening to me?
I need help.
Boys, be careful.
I think we just have to wait till we have the money.
- I'm sorry. - Fine, I'll figure it out myself.
So, I have to fess up.
I was excited for you to meet Natalia,
but the real reason I popped by is,
you know I've been working like crazy to get the rec center open.
But I realized today that
we are just a wee bit short on funds and...
Oh my God, hell yes. I would be thrilled to help.
- How much do you need? - Oh gosh.
- Val, I... - Would 1,000 to start help?
It would, Val. It would be...
And I will pay you back.
It is not a loan, you nut, it's a donation.
You pay me back by letting me be a part of something.
So, I'm dying to hear about Natalia.
I didn't know you were still trying.
Well, it's a tragedy, really.
I mean, we're her second adopted family.
- First one gave her back. - My God, why?
No idea why, she's the sweetest thing.
She just ran right up and gave us a big hug
and called us Mommy and Daddy.
Almost like it was fate.
How is she getting along with Mike?
Honestly, it's been a godsend,
because you know, he was having such a hard time
since things with Blanca fell through.
So, I've just been trying to stay back
and give them space to bond.
You really are a miracle worker,
you know that, right?
And we had such a tough time at the beginning.
Really? How so?
Jaden was just so hot and cold.
One minute, he was sweet as pie,
and then the next, he was
throwing screaming tantrums
and crying until he threw up.
He would say that I wasn't his real mom or he didn't want me.
Oof. That must have hurt a lot.
I just didn't know what to do.
I mean, who wants to go to the social worker and admit,
you know, "Oh, I don't know,
maybe my new kid just doesn't like me"?
So, when did things turn around for you guys?
Um, I guess after a few months.
I mean, it was gradual, of course.
I remember there was this one night
he had strep, and he was so sick.
You know, just this little mush.
He crawled into bed with us like we were a safe place.
I guess that's,
that's when I knew that everything would be okay.
Hey. How did it go with Dr. Joglekar?
I don't know. He was like that the whole way home.
Can I come in?
I'd love to hear about your day.
Come on, little man.
Don't close up now,
you've gotten so good at talking about your feelings.
I'm not not talking to you because of autism.
I'm not talking to you because I'm mad at you.
You said you'd sit with me last night,
but you stayed with Natalia.
- You lied. - I didn't lie.
- I was hurt and I was tired. - You're never tired.
I'm always tired.
And last night, I was feeling a little sad.
How come?
I guess I'm...
I guess I'm worried Natalia doesn't like me very much.
But you said it would take a while
for her to warm up to us.
It took a while for me to warm up too, right?
Yeah, it did.
And that was definitely worth the wait.
You know you're one of my favorite people
to talk to, right?
I know.
I've always considered myself blessed.
How many folks spend their whole lives
searching for their purpose?
But me, I've known I was put on this earth to help children,
ever since I was a child myself.
More than anything, I've wanted to build a world
where all kids can feel safe just being who they are.
And that's what the safe center will be.
Safe center. Safe center.
Safe space.
Our space. Our house.
- Hi, Mommy. - Our... Oh, sweetie.
You need to hop to it and get ready.
People are gonna be here sooner than I care to think.
That dress is funny-looking.
Oh, well, that was mine when I was little.
So, you should understand.
Natalia, today is very important for me.
I would like it if everyone tried to look nice.
You don't think I look nice?
That's not what I meant.
If that's what you're comfy in, fine.
Why are you being so mean?
I came in 'cause I wanted to help.
I would love your help. You can fold the napkins.
I wanna cut veggies.
No. Natalia, put that knife down.
- I don't want you to hurt yourself. - I won't.
Drop the knife, please.
That's a knife for grown-ups. Now, put that down.
No, you can't tell me what to do, you're not my real mom.
Leave me alone.
- Natalia, put the knife down. - No, I wanna cut veggies.
- Drop that knife right now. - No!
- Drop it, Natalia! - You're not my real mom,
you can't tell me what to do!
Natalia, drop it.
Natalia, drop it now!
Hey, what's going on?
Natalia, what is it?
Sweetie, what is it?
Mommy is mad at me!
W-What is happening?
I... She... She wanted to help,
and she wanted to cut vegetables
and I wouldn't let her, and I grabbed her arm.
Wait, you grabbed her arm?
Michael, I felt like she wanted to hurt me.
- What? - I was scared.
I'm telling you, I was scared.
Kristine, she's... she's just a little girl.
- What do you... - Hello?
- Are we the first ones here? - No, no, no.
- The place looks amazing! - Michael, I'm not ready.
I-I'm not ready for this right now.
Nothing is ready. Nothing is ready.
I don't have a name for this place.
- Nothing back here is ready. - Okay, calm down.
You got this.
- Okay. - It's fine.
- Okay. - You got this.
Michael...
- I can do this. - Yes, you can do this.
- Okay. - There you are.
- I'm fine. - Yeah, you are.
I'm gonna do this, and you are gonna go out there
and make sure everything is okay.
Make sure Natalia is okay, okay?
I need everything to go smoothly today, okay?
Okay, I will, I will see what I can do.
- Okay, I need you. - Okay. You're...
- You're good, you're good. - Okay. Okay.
There's somebody here to see you.
Oh, don't get old, Natalia.
So, you giving me back, too?
What? No.
Honey, no, of course not.
- But she hates me. - She... Who, Kristine?
She does not hate you, no.
If anything, I think she's
worried that you might hate her.
She thinks I hate her?
Well, not 'cause of anything you've done.
It's just, Kristine wants to be close to you.
And if there's anything that Kristine does hate,
it's not being able to help the people she cares about.
- I don't hate her. - I know that, honey, I know.
Look, my dad,
your grandpa, I guess, that's funny...
he was a, he was a pretty mean guy,
especially to his kids.
And, when I met Kris, I...
didn't think I deserved to be loved,
because I wasn't really used to that.
And so, sometimes, I would behave in ways
that, um, made it harder for her to love me,
so I wouldn't get hurt in case she changed her mind
and, and realized I was no good.
- Does that make sense? - Not really.
Okay, I'm sorry.
Look, I, I... I just want you to know
that in this family, we love unconditionally.
And that means we love you for who you are no matter what.
Even Kristine?
Oh, sweetheart, especially Kristine.
So, what are you studying exactly, Jake?
Um, mostly quantum physics.
And what does that entail?
Well, I've been focusing a lot on PT symmetric lattice systems.
Don't worry, I have no idea what that means either.
Oh, good, I'm not alone.
Well, I, I gotta say, if what you've done with Jacob
is any indication of the scope that this place can have,
I think you're gonna have a major impact.
For so long, it's been a dream of mine
to build a place where kids on the autism spectrum
can come and play,
and make art, and watch movies.
Most of all, a place where no one tries to change them.
A place where our kids feel free to just be who they are.
I've decided to name our center Jacob's Place,
because it's been in raising Jacob
that I've realized how important it is for all kids
- to have a safe haven. - Mommy?
- Mommy. - To learn, to play...
to be themselves.
And even though it's called Jacob's Place,
I hope that everybody feels like this is their place.
- Mommy! - We are a community.
Hi, Mommy.
Sweetheart, what can I do for you?
No Daddy, I want Mommy.
I hope everybody feels welcomed...
-Daddy, stop it. Daddy - and so we are open to anyone...
- Mommy? - Yes.
- The zipper is so tricky. - Okay, okay.
For those of you who haven't met our new daughter,
this is Natalia Grace.
I took off my dress to go eat
because I didn't want it to get messy,
but now I can't put it back on.
Okay, sweetheart.
No, Mommy, Mommy,
I'm sorry about before.
I'm sorry too, baby. It's okay.
You don't hate me?
No, of course not.
I could never hate you.
Aww.
Did you know we got two teams' worth of kids
signed up for basketball today?
Honey, I am so proud of you.
But you... you were the real hero today.
Whatever you said to Natalia, you just...
you really saved the day.
- You wanna know what I said to her? - Yeah.
That you were the one who taught me how to love.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
And that I couldn't have helped her...
if you hadn't helped me first.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
- Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
Mommy.
Mommy, are you awake?
Oh.
Hi, sweet pea.
Did you have a bad dream?
Do you wanna get in and cuddle?
No.
It's not time yet.
♪ From in the shadow she calls ♪
♪ And in the shadow she finds a way ♪
♪ Finds a way ♪
♪ She's been everybody else's girl ♪
♪ Maybe one day she'll be her own ♪
♪ Everybody else's girl ♪
♪ Maybe one day she'll be her own ♪
♪ Hey ♪
♪ And in the doorway they stay ♪
♪ And laugh as violins fill with water... ♪