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My name is Emanuel.
I'm seventeen years old
and I killed my mother.
I had her sliced open,
like a goat for the slaughter,
to get me pulled out.
As she bled, the doctor
pushed air into my lungs,
and pressed his hands
repeatedly onto my chest,
with the same rhythmic,
repetitive motion
that he used to jerk himself
off that very morning.
It worked.
He came and I came...
Back to life.
The fact that my mother
lost her life for this,
for me, is probably
just a side note.
The cost of doing business.
But it's me who pays.
It's on my tab.
And it accumulates interest
with every passing year.
My point is,
there's no place for me.
Because I'm not supposed
to be here.
Maybe if I was some sort of Olympic
athlete, or a genius scientist,
but I'm not.
I'm not any of those things.
I'm just a girl.
A murderer without a motive.
So I serve my time, waiting
for my sentence to be up.
Mmm.
This is delicious.
It's made with aged gouda
instead of cheddar.
- That's what gives it its sharp kick.
- Mmm.
What do
you think, honey?
Sophisticated is the word
that comes to mind.
Sophisticated,
I like that.
How was
your day, pumpkin?
Great. I met a boy, and we're
dating. It's pretty serious.
Oh, that's wonderful!
What's his name?
- Claude.
- Claude.
You've just met
and it's serious?
Yeah, it is.
Can you pass the broccoli?
Well, I think
that's lovely.
I think it's about time that Emanuel
had a nice fellow in her life.
Why? Were you starting to
think that I was a lesbian?
No.
God, no. Why would
you say that?
I had a dream about
you last week. ***.
Emanuel.
Thought maybe
you picked up on it.
No. No, I didn't.
Hmm. It's perfectly normal.
Just some hybrid oedipal,
Electra complex,
nicely tailored for the
happy, modern stepfamily.
- Relax. It doesn't mean I actually want to have...
- Emanuel.
No offense,
but you're not my type.
Emanuel,
that's enough.
Ignore her.
She always gets this way
around her birthday.
Hey!
Emanuel, be more careful,
please.
No. I can't.
This isn't your private
jerk off closet.
I know.
It's a rickety ladder
on which I'm moving
some sophisticated equipment.
Hardly consider a ***
pump sophisticated equipment.
Why don't you just try one
and get it over with?
Why is it sticky?
Look. If I had a ***,
I'd try it.
It's like if you worked at a restaurant
and they added a new dish to the menu.
You need to try it to know
what you're selling.
Don't want to try the dish.
Hmm.
Tickets.
I'm Claude.
I know.
Says on your bag.
Oh. Uh, this isn't my bag.
Well, I mean, it is,
it's from when I was a kid.
My bag got stolen, so I just pulled
this out from the depths of my closet.
Tickets.
What's that
on your arm?
My name.
Emanuel. Isn't that
a boy's spelling?
They thought
I was going to be a boy.
But you're not.
Reality is overrated.
So why do you have your
name tattooed on your arm?
Because if I get separated from
my bag, I'll still know who I am.
Next stop, Benovale.
Bye.
She seems nice.
You know, reserved.
- Where's she from?
- Denver.
She got a husband?
I didn't ask, but it
certainly didn't seem like it.
It's just a shame, having to raise a
young baby like that all on your own.
Dad did it. Look how well I turned out.
You might want to go over there
and give her some pointers.
She did mention that she
was looking for a babysitter,
but I can't think of anyone
off the top of my head.
The Denzel twins have moved away, right?
I'll do it.
You will?
Yeah, sure.
- But you hate kids.
- I need the money.
What for?
Decided I'm going to become a
collector of Precious Moments figurines.
- Oh.
- She's messing with you.
No, I'm not.
I must have them.
As a constant reminder
of the preciousness of life.
When do I start?
I'll talk
to her tomorrow.
Would you mind?
I need to talk to him.
Excuse me.
What did you
say to him?
I told him that you'd
gotten me pregnant.
So I decided
to get an abortion,
but wanted to
tell you on the train,
surrounded by people,
in case you became violent.
Well that's certainly
one way to liberate a seat.
Hi.
- Hi.
- I'm Emanuel.
Come in.
Something to drink?
Just some water.
Thanks.
Okay.
How old are you?
Turning eighteen
this month.
Oh, yeah.
That's a fun age.
I guess.
College plans?
No. I didn't really
like school very much.
Can't imagine why anyone would
voluntarily sign up for more of it.
But I like
learning stuff.
I'm teaching myself
to speak French.
Oh. So you're planning
on doing some traveling.
No.
Well, it would be a pity to
speak French and not go to France.
Well, I've got some
errands to run, so...
I'll see you in about
an hour and a half.
Oh, please put
your glass in the sink.
Uh, and what about
the baby?
Well, that's why
you're here.
Well, I know, I mean,
shouldn't we meet before
you leave us together?
Oh, no, Chloe is asleep,
and if I wake her up she's
going to be very crabby.
- Oh.
- Just make yourself at home.
There's a stereo
in there.
What happens if
the baby wakes up?
Baby monitors. So...
You'll know
if she needs you.
Okay.
Okay.
How do you
like living here?
It's fine, I guess.
I don't really know
anywhere else.
There's not much
going on.
Hi, guys!
I figured you could use a
little refreshment, in the heat.
- There you go.
- Very thoughtful of you.
- Oh, it was nothing.
- Thank you.
Oh, it's looking good.
It's a start.
Mmm.
Well, I don't want to keep
you from your work. So...
Oh, here.
Oh!
- No, no, I couldn't.
- Oh, please?
If I put these all in my house
it's going to look like a wake.
Oh, thank you,
they're beautiful.
Okay. I'll see you
in a bit.
So why don't you
like your stepmom?
She's fine.
It's just been me
and my dad for so long,
still getting used to having
someone else there.
Where's your mom?
Dead.
Oh. That's awful.
Could you, um...
Could you pick up these tools and this
tarp and put it back in the shed for me?
Yeah, sure.
False alarm.
She was just stretching, and
making herself feel comfortable.
Uh, I'd love to be able to
take power naps like that.
I have something for you.
Pour toi.
I actually lived
in France for a stint.
Thank you.
Oh, positive. I don't even know
how they got in the moving boxes.
There's a basket of, uh, Chloe's
things in the laundry room.
Could you take them upstairs
to the hall closet for me?
Yeah, sure.
What are you doing?
I thought I heard
something, but now I don't.
Huh.
I don't hear a thing.
I'll do this load again.
It's fine.
Just come down.
I don't want to mess
with her sleeping schedule.
Hey, what are you
doing out here?
Studying.
Studying?
- French.
- Really.
You must be pretty
good by now.
You know, you get that
from your mom.
She soaked up languages
like a sponge.
She dragged me to so many
French films, I can't remember.
Do you ever think about what it would
have been like if I'd died instead of Mom?
No.
Really? I do.
You know, Em,
I've been thinking.
Maybe this is the year that you come
with me to visit your mother's grave.
You know, it doesn't have to be
on the actual day of your birthday.
And why would I do that?
I think it's important on the anniversary
of someone's death to pay your respects.
If you want the company,
take Janice.
It's not about
company, honey.
It's about you.
Hi.
Wasn't expecting to see
you until this afternoon.
It's the weekend.
You said you wanted help
organizing your office.
Right.
Well, uh, just go ahead. I'll
meet you in there. Chloe's asleep.
Oh. Where to start?
Uh-huh.
This was her favorite.
But we dropped it so many times
it has now been officially retired.
Linda?
I'm sorry. I just,
I just realized
how tired I am.
You know, I think I am going to
take a little nap in the study.
Would you take
this box to my bedroom?
Yes.
I heard her
on the monitor too.
Yes, it's okay.
Oh. I know.
You don't like it when you
do a pee-pee in your diaper.
No, you don't.
No, you don't.
It's really the only time
she gets fussy. Can...
I can feed her off schedule, then put
her down to sleep off schedule, but...
She doesn't get her diaper
changed when it's wet,
well, it's pretty much
all over.
Oh, can you do me a favor and
get the onesie with the monkeys?
For my little monkey.
Yes, for you.
It's in the dresser
in the hall.
Will you get it for me?
Yes, that's better.
That's much better.
Yes. That's better.
That's much better.
Getting cold in here!
Yes we are.
Yes we are.
Gonna get those feet!
I got your toes.
I got your toes.
Yes I do.
Oh, that's the one
we like.
Because it is soft
and silly.
Just like you.
- Want to come over here and finish?
- No.
Well, come on. Come a little closer
and you can see how it's done.
Now, you always have to remember
to support her head a little bit.
You start with
the cute little feet first.
I want to eat those feet
they're so cute.
And then your cute
little butt.
Look at
that little butt.
Oh, you wiggle worm.
And then we snap you up.
Ooh, and we eat you up.
Yes, we do.
Here, you hold her.
Oh, come on.
She's not gonna bite.
She doesn't even have
her little teeth yet.
There you go.
Herb roasted chicken with
porcini mushroom stuffing.
Mmm.
Well?
Well what?
Well, how's it going with,
uh, what, Linda's her name?
It's fine.
Just fine, not good?
Oh, no, no,
this looks delicious.
We're, we're talking
about the babysitting.
Oh. Yes,
how's that going?
Fine.
How is it that a child
who had more words at two
than an average first grader suddenly
becomes monosyllabic at eighteen?
Maybe I have late
onset autism.
Maybe
you've taken on too much.
You look tired.
You know what,
with the job in town,
and now
this babysitting...
You know, you really sound
like a woman sometimes.
No offense, Janice.
I am just dying
to meet that baby.
Yeah.
Hi.
I'm her parole officer and I
need you to leave your seat.
Don't you want to know
what I told her?
No.
Are you okay?
Hey. Listen.
Did I do something to
offend you or something?
I mean, you seem
pretty mad at me,
and I have no idea
what I've done.
Oh, really?
You have no idea?
- No.
- Where were you this morning?
I was on the 6 a.m. train. I
looked for you in all 32 cars.
- I missed the 6 a.m. because...
- Oh, forget it.
Well, why were
you on the 6 a.m.?
Because I wanted
to see you.
- I'm here now.
- It doesn't work like that.
If you're going to be my boyfriend,
I can't have you disappearing on me.
I don't take well to
people disappearing on me.
- Boyfriend?
- Oh, please.
You're gonna pretend like you
haven't been thinking about
what it'd be like to
hold my hand? To kiss me?
Well, maybe. I...
Which is it?
Maybe, or yes?
Yes.
I'll see you on
the train tomorrow.
Hello?
Linda?
I'm in the kitchen.
She loves waking up
to a bath.
Here, you rinse her.
It's her favorite part.
I'm okay.
I want you to get to know her.
I want her to trust you.
Come on.
Put your hand behind
her head like this.
Come on.
There you go.
That's all there is to it.
I think she's pretty
well rinsed.
Well then dry her off.
I'm gonna take her
on a sunset walk.
- You are?
- Yeah.
It'd be good
for some fresh air.
We did garden this morning,
but I think it's about time
that she get to know
her neighborhood.
There's a flu that's been
going around. It's really bad.
I don't think you should go introduce
her to new neighbors just yet.
Don't you hear
her crying?
Yeah.
I just didn't know
what to do.
You rock her back and forth.
And you talk to her,
because she likes that.
She likes to be talked to.
Don't you, Chloe? Yeah.
Because you're such a good
listener. Yes, you are.
Yeah. There we go.
Don't worry.
You'll figure it out.
I was so worried when
I brought her home.
Was I gonna be able
to take care of her?
What if I was
a terrible mother?
What if
I didn't like it?
But then...
It just happens. It just
comes to you as you go along,
and it's like you were
meant to do it.
Like you've been doing it
your whole life.
And then you think
about your life before her.
It was so pointless,
so selfish, and you just can't
imagine your life without her.
No, I can't.
No.
I've decided to go
for a run instead.
Try to lose these
last five pounds.
You can never turn
your back on her
when you have her up
here like this.
I mean,
she's a feisty little one.
We wouldn't want her
ending up on the floor.
Of course not.
Sorry.
It's okay.
I'll be back soon.
Guess we better
get you dressed.
Don't take
this personally, but...
I'm not very talkative
to begin with.
So, if we don't
really chat a lot,
it's not that
I don't like you.
It's more that I like
to keep to myself.
I just wanted to
make that clear. Okay?
Hi.
What are you doing here?
I brought cookies.
Linda doesn't want cookies.
Who doesn't want cookies?
- She's tryin' to lose her baby weight.
- That is ridiculous. She's bone thin.
Oh, you're not gonna
let me in?
Linda's not here.
She's gone running.
Oh. Well...
I'd love to see the baby.
You can't.
She's sleeping.
Well, I'll just take a quick
peek at her, in the crib.
Oh, this is...
You know, it's much nicer
than I suspected. She...
God, she really did
the place up quickly.
I mean, what did she do,
take measurements months ago,
and then just arrive with
all the perfect pieces?
How should I know?
- Oh.
- No, don't.
Linda's very specific
about disinfecting hands
before touching
any of Chloe's toys.
Well, I'm sure my hands are
nowhere near as dirty as the floor.
No. No.
She's super particular.
Like verging on neurotic.
Where's the kitchen?
That way.
Oh, I like that.
Nice.
So, you're enjoying
working for Linda?
Yeah, it's fine.
Oh. What's she like?
She's nice.
And...
- And that's it.
- Oh.
Just, you've been spending
a lot of time together.
I just figured you'd know
her a little better by now.
I don't, really.
But you like her?
I mean, when I saw you two
gardening together,
you seemed to be
having a lot of fun.
You know, talking, and...
Yeah.
- Hello.
- Hello.
Oh, you look like
you've had quite a run.
No. Ridiculously short,
actually.
I brought you some
fresh baked cookies.
That's very sweet of you.
Thank you.
- Where's Chloe?
- Sleeping.
- Sleeping?
- Yeah.
She fell asleep in my arms,
so I put her down for a nap.
Huh.
You know, we would love to have you and
little Chloe over for dinner some night.
Oh, wow.
That would be lovely.
Um, but Chloe goes
to bed quite early.
Well, maybe Emanuel
could stay later one night.
You know, earn
a little extra money.
I don't need extra money.
And I use my nights
to study French.
Well, maybe you could
study your French here.
You know, while the baby
is sleeping?
Yeah. Okay.
Great. It's settled.
How about Friday?
Okay.
- Yeah.
- Okay.
- Okay.
- You girls have a great night.
How many calories do you
think each one of these has?
I don't know.
Lots.
I should really wake Chloe up,
otherwise she's gonna stay up all night.
I'll do it.
You know, so she gets
used to me. Trusts me.
Okay. It's a good idea.
What happened?
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Are you okay?
I was gonna
take her out for some air,
and bumped into
the thing, and I...
Oh, my God.
- I'm fine. It's just a little cut.
- Oh, that's deep.
No. I'm fine.
Come on. Come on, it's okay.
Come on.
Okay.
This is gonna sting.
Just for a second.
Better?
Yeah.
Look at you two.
You look like sisters.
Yeah.
I hope Chloe grows up to be as
pretty and interesting as you.
You've got so much going
on behind those blue eyes.
I noticed it the moment
I met you.
I see myself in you.
Not necessarily
a good thing.
What're you doing?
What does it look like I'm
doing? I'm solving world hunger.
Uh-oh. Very funny.
It's dangerous, that sort of work, okay?
It's not really fit
for a woman.
So why don't you get down
and let me finish up, please?
I got it. I don't want to take
advantage of your manly stacking skills.
- Um...
- Go help up front.
I hate customer interaction.
and Sam won't let me wear
the surgical masks anymore.
He says it sends
the wrong message.
Oh. I disagree. They give
you an air of competence.
Just...
Emanuel, get down.
Let me do my job.
How do you expect to
meet any women back here?
Uh...
What I'm saying is, you're
looking very handsome these days,
and it's wasted on me.
Why are you being so nice?
And happy?
Guess I'm just a nice,
happy person.
Doctor said
I have lice.
Uh, any chance...
You know, take it on to
stationary land, just for a change?
Okay. Sure.
Well, how about
Friday night?
I can't this Friday.
I have to babysit late.
- Okay, well...
- Actually...
This Friday night
would be perfect.
Can you pick me
up at 7:00?
Yeah.
Great.
We're up here. Shh.
Okay.
Oh, thank God
you're here.
She's just making
me crazy today.
How come?
I don't know. Usually, I can
just sit her in her bouncy chair
and she will entertain
herself. But no, not today.
She wants
my undivided attention
at all times.
Here.
This is her
new best friend.
This is terrible, but sometimes
I just don't want to be a mother.
I just want to push a
button and put Chloe on pause
and just get on
with my day.
That sounds awful,
doesn't it?
No. Sounds honest.
Do you want me
to give her a bath?
No, we've already
done that.
You know, actually, the one
thing that would be really helpful
is if you could just honestly tell me
which of these sweaters I need to toss.
Okay, but I'm not
so good with fashion.
Come on, sit down.
I love your style. I mean,
I think it's too young for me,
but I think you
have excellent taste.
Okay.
So what should I wear
to your house on Friday?
Actually, I can't babysit Friday night.
Something came up.
That's okay.
What are you doing?
I sort of have a date.
That's exciting!
Who is it?
Just some boy
I met on the train.
Does he have a name?
Claude.
You should wear this.
Here, try it on.
- It's really pretty, but...
- Oh, just try it on.
Come on.
Look at you.
You're beautiful.
It's yours.
No. I'll borrow it,
but...
Oh, I haven't
worn it in ages.
Actually, I think it's...
I think it's the blouse
I wore the first date
I had with Chloe's dad.
Where is Chloe's dad?
Let's just say,
not all men know how to step
up when it comes to being a dad.
And we couldn't have that.
No. No we couldn't.
I just don't understand why she would
plan her first date with this boy
on the night that
we're having Linda over,
knowing full well that Linda can't
come unless she babysits little Chloe.
Oh, come in.
Hello.
Hi, I'm Claude.
- Claude.
- Hello.
Dad, Janice,
meet Claude.
Claude, this is my
dad Dennis, and Janice.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
I'm Emanuel's stepmother.
Nice to meet you.
Oh, that's such a pretty
blouse. Where did you get it?
Okay, well, this has been
fun. Now let's go. Bye.
Maybe you'd like to join
us next Friday night.
It's Emanuel's birthday
and I'm going to be
making her favorite meal,
chicken pot pie.
- Sure. Sounds great.
- Okay.
- Okay, great.
- Sounds great.
- Have fun.
- Bye.
- Wanna ride on the back?
- Sure.
It's best
if you stand.
It's a little
tricky getting on,
but once you're up,
you're up.
Unless you crash.
Yeah, that wouldn't
be good. But I won't.
- Okay?
- Yeah.
- Well, I hope you're hungry.
- I am.
Besides, this is the first dinner
we've had just the two of us in a while.
I love how you're
trying to turn Emanuel's
inconsiderate behavior into some
sort of a romantic evening for us.
- Janice, don't.
- No, no, that's okay.
I know how it goes. "Emanuel
is fragile. You don't know what
"she's been through.
She's not like other kids."
Let's not do this.
And yes, yes,
you're her father
and me having no
children of my own,
I couldn't possibly
know how to raise one.
- I didn't say that. Honey.
- Yeah, but that's how you feel.
Oh, this music.
I wanted to take
you somewhere nice.
What, you don't appreciate this
romantic fluorescent lighting?
$16.25.
Thanks.
- Can I ask you something?
- Sure.
- It's kind of a personal question.
- Okay.
Do you mind?
No, not at all.
I'll just wait outside.
Sometimes, when
I'm on my own,
I imagine
myself dying.
Life pouring out of me like an open tap.
Creates this
river of my blood.
My question is, have you
ever noticed me float by?
No. I haven't.
- I thought this was all privately owned.
- It is.
Looks like you're breaking
all kinds of laws tonight.
Stealing, trespassing.
What's next?
Underage drinking.
My dad used to bring
me here a lot as a kid.
Then it got privatized, and we
started going to the other side.
But he knew I didn't
like it as much.
There's just something
special about this spot.
How come you live with your
dad instead of your mom?
Because
she's dead.
That's why I have
this tattoo on my arm.
It's the first and only
decision she got to make for me,
what to name me.
My dad thinks it's probably the
name of some boy she had fling with
when she spent
a semester in Paris.
But he went along
with it anyway.
Stupid.
I like it.
The tattoo.
It's kind
of badass, like you.
- You think I'm badass.
- Yeah. I do.
It's like you live in
your own private world.
And the world the rest of
us live in has nothing on you
because you don't
belong here anyway.
Did you say
the youthinator?
I wish I did, but I said the eukinator.
Uh, that sounds
like you...
Hey, Emanuel. I've just met
your lovely friend Arthur.
What are you
doing here?
You're sweating.
Are you okay?
You, you look
a little red.
Is Chloe okay?
She's fine, except
for this cold. So...
I just thought I would come and see
if maybe you had a little baby...
- Nasal... Aspirator. Yeah.
- Nasal aspirator.
Arthur, go help
the lady in aisle three.
Oh. So, like I said, you just
be kind of ginger with her,
- and this will take care of it, I'm sure.
- Uh-huh. Thank you.
Oh, um, your stepmother came by and
invited me to your birthday dinner.
I know you can't very well babysit Chloe
and attend your own party, so I thought
maybe there's someone that you
know, who you trusted, who, to...
I can do it.
I'm trustworthy and
I like children. So...
Really?
You wouldn't mind?
- No. I would not.
- Arthur!
I think I'd
enjoy it. Yeah.
Okay.
Well, that's great.
Sure. Um, when?
Oh, um...
- Friday at 7:00.
- Friday works.
Great.
How much do
I owe you for this?
Oh, that's on the house.
That's a gift with purchase.
But this
is my actual purchase.
That's correct.
So, it is a purchase
that has now turned
into a gift. For you.
- Well, thank you.
- Yeah.
- Okay, bye.
- Okay, bye.
Bye.
What was that?
My heart pumping blood
to everything else.
Start from
the start.
This is the start.
No. The part where
she wakes you up.
She's having contractions.
You walk her around the room.
I'm walking her
around the bedroom.
The sun is just rising.
- She sits by the window.
- Window.
The first rays of
light hitting her face.
She smiles at you in a way
you've never seen before.
Like she has a secret
she can't wait to share.
She's beautiful. Calm.
I sit by her side
counting the minutes
between contractions.
No.
You help her
to her feet.
She tells you
she loves you.
That she's just had
the most amazing dream.
She was swimming underwater in
a lake and she could breathe.
It was night,
yet she could see.
Because the moonlight made
paths through the water like
fingers pointing
the way.
She was happy.
Swimming amongst
the fishes.
By the time
the doctor arrived,
her face had
gone ash white.
Her eyes were distant.
But her grip
was still strong.
They cut
into her
and pulled you out.
You were blue.
Not breathing.
The cord was still wrapped
around your little neck.
The doctor
worked on you.
And as you took
your first breath...
She took her last.
They tried
to revive her.
But she was gone.
She was gone.
And I was here.
You were here.
- And that's everything.
- Yeah.
That is everything.
Do you do this
to punish me?
I'm just making sure
you've told me everything.
That you haven't
left anything out.
- Happy Birthday, Emanuel!
- Yay!
Oh, my little girl is all grown
up now. There's no denying that.
Oh, you'll try.
You have to make
the first cut.
You do it.
- Okay.
- Uh, it, it's...
It's good luck for the birthday
girl to take the first cut.
I'll do it.
Never say no to
some good luck.
- Right, Claude?
- Right.
We would love to
meet little baby Chloe.
Oh, she has such a
terrible cold right now.
Oh.
Um, but in a couple of days,
maybe, when she's not so cranky,
I'll bring her over.
Oh,
we would love that.
I'm glad you've formed such
a close bond with Emanuel.
I've been married to her
father for almost a year now
and, well, I wouldn't
exactly call us close.
It's different.
You're her stepmother.
That's a whole
different ballgame.
Yeah, I suppose.
I was just hoping that I'd get
to experience a little bit of, uh,
motherhood, with Emanuel.
But, well, I'm seeing that that's
not really in the cards for us.
Well, it's probably
just her age.
She's quite
a troubled young girl,
and confused
in some ways.
I just need you to
know that.
I just don't want her
misinterpreting your fondness for her.
I'm not really
sure what you mean.
She has never
had a mother.
And I think that that has
created a longing in her,
that's, um, not right.
You know, confused.
I think we were all a
bit confused at that age.
I think it's important that
you make it clear to Emanuel
your interest in men.
You are interested
in, uh,
men, are you not?
Claude works
in a nursery.
I've seen you
a lot in your yard.
Perhaps he could help you,
uh, plant your flowers.
I would love that.
Come in.
Hi.
Hey.
Wow, I like your room.
It's so different from
the rest of the house.
How?
I don't know.
Just feels like you.
Is this
your mother?
- What was her name?
- Ava.
You look
a lot like her.
She's got an air of mystery
and intrigue about her,
like someone you've
known for many years,
but you never
really knew them.
She certainly
pulled that off.
She left nothing
behind. Not a trace.
She left you.
That's a pretty
big trace.
Oh, there you are.
Well, uh,
it's getting late.
I'm sure Claude needs
to be getting home.
Well, I should probably
be getting home too.
Thanks for coming and
sitting through that.
- I'm glad I came.
- Really?
Yeah. I mean, everyone's
family is a little odd.
If it's not, then it's
not really a family.
So that uncomfortable,
annoyed feeling I get
whenever I walk in the house
is just telling me I'm home.
Yeah,
pretty much.
I feel the same.
- Same as?
- Before.
It's stupid, but somehow
every year on my birthday
I have this feeling that
this year I'll feel different.
But it never happens.
- Different how?
- I don't know.
Doesn't matter.
- Okay.
- Well, of course.
- Who's that?
- He's my friend from work.
He was babysitting.
I'm gonna be
landscaping for her.
What?
Yeah. Your dad hooked it up. You
know, because I work at the nursery.
I mean, she may not hire me, but I
think I could do a pretty good job.
Look, I don't necessarily
want to see you all the time.
I mean, you've been in
my house twice already.
- What?
- I can't get on the train without you being there
and now I can't even babysit
without you being just
outside the window?
Well, if that's how you really
feel, I'll make it easy for you.
You don't have
to see me at all.
This one or this one?
Either.
Yeah, I agree.
Uh, you're fine with me
going out with Arthur, right?
Yeah. I just don't think he's
boyfriend material for you.
Just dinner. Probably
end up just being friends.
I mean, it's all I can really
handle right now anyway.
Would be kind
of nice, though.
Can't be the three of
us forever and ever.
I think she's hungry.
She has really
grown a lot
over the last couple of
weeks, don't you think?
I can't believe
I'm doing this.
I can tell him you don't feel
well, or that Chloe's sick.
He would
totally understand.
It's okay.
I'm gonna be home soon. This
is not going to be a late night.
How do I look?
You look beautiful.
Okay, bye.
Bye.
I think she's starting to
love me the way she loves you.
That's how it feels.
It's how I've always
imagined it would feel.
Thank you.
It's just the, the
fermenting of a fruit.
Oh, there you are.
Chloe isn't still
awake, is she?
- No, she's fast asleep.
- Good.
- Arthur wants to take a peek.
- No.
I mean, I had a hard time putting
her down. What if she wakes up?
Just gonna have
to be very quiet.
- Don't.
- No, don't worry. I'm doing okay.
I think you'd be
really proud of me.
- I like your make-up.
- Please.
Please just
stay downstairs.
Are you coming?
Oh. She's so pretty.
Isn't she beautiful?
Seems a little stiff.
Not blinking actually.
Like, not real.
Yeah, she is special.
I guess every mother thinks
about their kid like that.
So want to go downstairs
and have a drink?
Yeah.
That's not the baby.
It's fake.
This is a doll. Where's
your actual baby?
Linda?
Where's my baby?
Where's my baby?
- Okay, we're gonna find her.
- Where's Chloe?
Don't. I'm sure Emanuel
put her down somewhere else.
- Where is she?
- Hey, Emanuel?
Emanuel?
- We'll find her. It's okay. We'll find her.
- Where is she?
- Where's Chloe?
- Hey, Emanuel?
Emanuel!
Emanuel?
- She said she was...
- Emanuel!
She's supposed
to be up here.
Where's Chloe?
In her crib.
Where?
Right there.
It's a doll.
Where's Linda's baby?
That's her, Arthur.
This isn't
funny, Emanuel.
What do you
know, Arthur?
What the *** do you
know about anything?
Emanuel, please.
Emanuel, please.
Please, where is she?
- Look.
- Answer me!
Where is she?
You answer
me right now!
What have you done with
her? Give me my baby!
- Okay, okay. Hey, hey! Hey!
- Give her to me!
- Give her to me!
- Hey! Hey! It's okay. We'll find her.
- Emanuel!
- Where is she?
I'll call the police.
- Hey!
- Give her to me! Where is she?
All right.
It's okay.
- Emanuel!
- It's okay.
Where is Chloe?
Emanuel.
Emanuel, can
you hear me?
Em? Can you hear me?
Take it slow, now. Okay.
Can you stay here
with Linda?
I need to go with
Emanuel to the hospital.
Can you do that? She
shouldn't be left alone.
We've located
Linda's husband.
He's flying in.
But I still need you to
answer some questions.
She's in no fit state to
answer these questions.
I think it's time you told
your father about the baby.
Emanuel, pumpkin?
You have to answer
the officer's questions.
She's gone back
to the water.
She's with Mom. I tried to
stop her, but she got away.
They both swam away.
They left me.
All right,
that's all for tonight.
I just wish you'd said
something before this happened.
Why would I say anything that
would get Linda pulled out
of her perfect world and into
this? What's so great about this?
I don't want you
to cut me out, Em.
This may not be the greatest
world, I may not be the greatest,
but this,
it's what you've got.
We've all gotta work
with what we've got.
We don't do that,
we're lost.
It's a long way back.
- What are you doing with that?
- Oh, um...
You can't, uh, wash
an item like this.
It has to be dry cleaned.
If you want to talk about any of this,
now or whenever,
I'm here.
I understand more
than you think I do.
You know,
about Linda?
And what she's
going through.
I can't have kids.
You know my first husband,
he left me because of it.
And the grief
that I felt...
It almost put me
over the edge.
Anyway, that's all.
Sorry about
the other night.
Trying for
a baby was my idea.
Uh, I actually thought it
might fix things between us.
Five years and nearly
$100,000 later, we
finally had our baby.
By then our marriage
was all but over.
And then, uh...
Linda blamed herself.
She was the, uh, she was
the one who found her.
Autopsy was inconclusive, so we'll
never really know what happened.
My wife refused to go to the
burial. She just couldn't.
That's when
the doll happened.
I tried to get her committed
and she disappeared.
So that's when I went to the police
station and filed a missing person's report.
What's her prognosis?
Doctors seem less
than optimistic.
I want to see her.
- You don't want to see her.
- Not, not like this.
Besides, it's
not possible.
They're only allowing family.
- You okay?
- Can you get me in to see Linda?
Close the door.
Em, this obsession
with Linda has to stop.
She's not
your mother.
She's nothing like your
mother. You hear me?
That doesn't mean she
doesn't deserve to be saved.
I'm sure the doctors are doing
everything they can to help her.
- Like they did for Mom!
- Emanuel.
Her husband is gonna
let her rot in there.
- You don't know what's in people's hearts.
- No!
But I know
what's in mine.
Okay?
Thank you for this.
Where's Chloe?
I have her.
Is she okay?
No?
Did you hurt her?
She was already hurt.
Well, I want to see her. Where is she?
What happened?
What happened?
The tide came up.
I was holding her hand
and it took her away.
Why didn't you
hold her closer?
I just couldn't.
Tide was too strong.
It took us to where
the water is
the deepest darkest blue
you've ever seen.
And we were happy,
swimming amongst the fishes.
Then Chloe let
go of my hand.
And I was scared.
But actually,
for me, not for her.
She knew exactly
what she was doing
and where
she was going.
I lost sight of her.
And then the fishes
brought me back here.
Why? Why did they
bring you back?
For you.
This is the place.
Okay?
That's good.