♪ In sweet by and by ♪
♪ We will meet on a beautiful beach ♪
♪ In sweet by and by ♪
♪ We will meet on a beautiful beach ♪
♪ There's a land that's fairer than days ♪
♪ And with faith we can see it far away ♪
♪ For the father waiting on the road ♪
♪ To prepare us for a place to live there ♪
[tick hours]
[light switch movie]
[man snorts]
[man urinating]
[sighs]
[man snorts]
[sighs]
[soft piano music]
[man sighs]
[♪♪]
[tick hours]
[man snorts]
[shots and screams in the distance]
[Sounds of war fade] [music continues]
[sighs]
[sighs, breathlessness]
[Water flows]
[sighs, breathlessness]
[panting]
[car passes outside]
[shallow breath]
No.
[♪♪]
[birdsong outside]
[sad complaining]
Oh... well... fine...
Let's see what...
What...
[human voices dissatisfaction]
[♪♪]
[sighs]
[♪♪]
[water dripping from the faucet]
[dog barking in the distance]
Good morning!
Hello?
Mr. Leland!
Hello, Mr. Leland.
You are not Yolanda.
I'm Marisol. I am your aide for that day.
Where is Yolanda?
He is not well today, so the agent sent me in his place.
But don't worry; I have your file.
I'll take care of you okay, okay?
Yolanda is never late.
I'm sorry.
Do you take the freeway?
I did it.
Oh, the wrong thing to do when you are in a hurry.
Should I make you breakfast?
[groaning] I'm not hungry.
Here. Will you give me help about that?
- Of course. Come see. - Yes
Put it there.
- Damn it won't work for me... - Oh well.
The agency didn't tell me You were scheduled to go somewhere.
Do you have an appointment today, Mr. Leland?
Well, you look so handsome.
There.
Are you sure you're not hungry?
Oh, I'm sure.
What about coffee or tea?
Tea.
- OK. - Not too hot.
Uh Four sugars.
And there's no milk, right?
And there's no milk, that's true.
You are sure to tighten the faucet handle when you...
after finishing there.
Good-
Mr. Leland.
Should I contact the agent to check if you have an appointment?
No, don't bother. Nothing for me.
Why do you all dress up?
I have my reason.
[teakettle whistle]
Did you take your morning medicine?
- No. - Watch Out.
- I got it. - Well.
I'll get you a glass of water so you can take it.
T bother. T bother.
You have to take yours morning medicine, Mr. Leland.
I don't need to take anything anymore.
[Father. Leland sipped tea]
I say four sugars.
Too much sugar isn't good for you.
That hasn't killed me in 91 years.
Okay, fine.
I will put sugar again.
I don't want it anymore; forget.
Are you sure?
I'm sure.
[Marisol] Paciencia.
What do you say your name is?
Marisol.
Yolanda is from El Salvador. Where do you come from?
Cuba.
Cuba? Cuba... [chuckles]
I heard they got pretty good baseball players there.
Do you like baseball?
I really don't know much about that.
Oh...
I like watching basketball sometimes.
Do you like basketball?
Basketball is all shows.
The only match worth noting is baseball.
The Dodgers are the only team worthy of attracting,
and Yankee is the only team worthy of interest.
[chuckles]
And why don't you like the Yankees?
[coughing] I don't know.
I just... I don't want to.
Mr. Leland, let me help you.
Oh no. Leave me. Leave me. Leave me.
[piano music soft back]
[Marisol] Do you expect someone?
[Father. Leland] Is that new?
I'm not allowed to take you anywhere, Mr. Leland.
I'm not asking you to take me anywhere.
I'm sorry. I think maybe you want to go somewhere.
[groaning] What time is this?
Uh...
This is 9:18.
Oh, I think...
My appetite is not all the way away first.
I'll make you breakfast.
Yes, fine.
Good-
[Father. Leland sighed in pain]
Yolanda fixes me fried eggs and a little toast.
Everything is in your file.
I will prepare it for you in just a few minutes.
Then, we can take our medicine, okay?
Be sure to tighten the tap after it's finished.
Okay, Mr. Leland.
You almost run out of milk. I will put it in your shopping list.
I don't need milk anymore.
Mr. Leland, you only have a little left.
I said, I don't need it anymore!
Okay, fine.
[Father. Leland snorts]
Do you want fruit? I see peaches in your refrigerator.
I don't want peaches.
Okay, maybe later.
If something is usually done by Yolanda
what I want to do is not in your file,
You told me, okay?
Well, just tell Yolanda I don't need it anymore.
What?
I will appreciate it if you tell him I said...
"Thank you and see you."
Mr. Leland, I'm only here for today.
Maybe tomorrow if I am assigned.
But Yolanda will come back here to take care of you as usual.
She's good at me.
Why don't you want him to come again?
[slow piano and string music]
[Marisol] Mr. Leland.
Because...
Because of the reason, Mr. Leland?
I will die...
today.
Why do you say that?
Because it's true. - That is not true.
And you shouldn't say things like that.
Why did you say something like that?
I see it.
See what? What do you see?
Bright light...
like summer sun leaves of old oak trees red
I used to climb when I was little.
Only that... white with light.
Beautiful.
And peace.
I woke up knowing I would die.
Today.
I don't know why He wants me to know,
but he showed me.
Today is that day...
Who showed you?
Who showed you, Mr. Leland?
God.
God showed me His light called me home.
I am...
ready...
I... I prepared myself for...
I'm ready.
That's all in your mind, Mr. Leland.
And I prefer you to keep it there.
I don't want to talk about things like that.
Finish your breakfast.
I'm done.
You don't even touch your eggs!
I said I was done.
[chiming plate]
You tighten the tap there after it's finished.
You don't have to keep telling me!
[mumble is not clear]
Register your absence for the day, and you can leave.
You don't have to be here.
I need to be here, Mr. Leland! You need my help!
Not anymore.
[soft piano and string music]
[water dripping from the faucet]
I track my days.
I have done that since I retired.
What work do you do?
I drive a city bus, 40 years.
That's a very long time.
Never miss a day at work.
How long have you retired?
Too long.
Like being in prison, I imagine.
How is that?
If you don't keep counting your days...
then your days are not counted.
And if they don't count...
You don't count.
I think many people live their lives...
does not count.
You say that sad things today, Mr. Leland.
And I really hope you won't do it.
You're a Catholic, aren't you?
Why do you ask?
Do you believe that you will be responsible for your actions on earth on judgment day?
Mr. Leland, I'm not here to discuss religion.
Well, I'm not a Catholic, but I'm a Christian.
And I'm afraid I will have it a lot of explanation to do
when I met my maker today.
Mr. Leland, please.
Such talk makes me uncomfortable.
Why does it make you uncomfortable?
This is my clay.
This is not judgment day!
This is mine! This is mine.
Please, Mr. Leland.
I don't want to hear that type of conversation anymore.
- [slow piano and string music] - [Father. Leland erans]
I make sure they are strict.
Not that they are.
[Marisol] What's up, Mr. Leland?
[Father. Leland] Are you sexy?
Well, maybe if you take off your jacket and tie,
You will not feel so hot.
Not the clothes!
It's so hot!
Let me do it for you.
[Father. Leland snorts]
I just... opened and closed it.
Well, will you do it or not?
- Well, you're blocking my way! - Lets do it. Lets do it.
I have opened and closed that for 50 years. Lasts.
- [children scream outside] - [birds chirping]
Is it open enough?
Oh Yes, that... that's enough.
Enough.
Do you want something cold to drink?
Oh yeah.
Strawberry milkshakes from McDonald's & sos;
Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Leland.
Once I arrived on duty, I wasn't supposed to go until I finished my shift.
Well, you should think about it before you ask a question.
It's not all that men want in their house.
How about a glass of water with ice?
No, no, it's cold now. You...
You can close the window.
Okay, Mr. Leland. I will close the window.
[slow piano and string music]
[unclear chat]
[INAUDIBLE]
It's a beautiful day.
Hm?
What time is it now?
Now it's 10:15.
Oh My radio! Get my radio! It's in my room.
- Of course. - Yes.
Speed up.
Do you want to listen to music?
No, I don't want to listen to music. I have a record player for that.
The game is active! I almost forgot the game.
What game?
Ball game!
Only there with a table on the floor.
[Marisol] The game isn't on television?
[moans]
The set has been damaged for years.
[Father. Leland] Just as good.
I have to get an cable and sports package.
[slow piano and string music]
A man must be crazy pay to see the original team on the television itself.
do you see it?
find it.
Well, come on! Bring here!
The game is active!
Bring it here. Put it there.
And install it there.
Good-
That's right.
Do you want me to turn it on?
No, no, we have to shake the button.
- OK. - You know how that is.
Is it okay if I sit on the couch and study?
Yes, you go there. Shut up.
The ball takes time, and he comes out.
Oh shit.
Cursing.
That is the speed of off-speed. Cannot get any wood on it.
But it's hit and run they want, there...
What is that?
This?
Yes it is.
iPad.
A tablet.
A kind of computer.
Let me show you something like magic.
No, I... I...
I will stick with the baseball game on the radio here.
Okay, maybe later.
Oh yeah.
[weak radio signal]
This is McCarthy's tenth start this season.
Skinny right hander sitting on four wins...
Radio everything we had when I was little.
Radio...
teasing your imagination.
That was before your time.
We only had a radio at home when I was little.
There is no television.
Nothing I know has a television.
Uh huh.
My bottom dollar bet Castro has a very good one.
[speaks Spanish]
He always has everything.
Heard he's pretty good baseball player, Castro.
Say that he can play in the big league.
A myth.
Yes, I never believed.
People like him.
What do you know about Castro, Mr. Leland?
I know that...
The bastard commie almost destroyed Cuba...
fighting with us that he can't win.
Castro doesn't need an war with America to destroy Cuba.
He only needs to deny the people their freedom.
[slow piano and string music]
Destruction originates their despair.
- [ball hitter] - Hit the base!
Oh shit.
Cursing.
Yankees aren't shy about getting things done early.
Take full advantage of unfortunate mistakes by boys in blue.
Good...
What... What are you... What did you learn?
Anatomy and Physiology of Humans.
Will you become a doctor?
I will be a nurse.
My mother wants to be a nurse.
His parents can't afford to let him go to school.
So he stayed and...
met and married my father.
Then, it works for the best.
It works the way it works.
My mother never said one way or another, bad or good.
I only study part time, online.
Online?
Through the internet?
Internet.
Yes, I've heard that.
I don't know much about that.
It's amazing. Mud.
I'm currently studying a textbook.
Oh
It even has a GPS application that will tell you how to go wherever you want to go.
That's how I found your home, and it howled here this morning.
Tell you to get on the freeway?
Pues Si, right.
[Father. Leland chuckles]
They say you can access all knowledge in the world through the internet.
[Father. Leland erans]
Good...
I mean... anything?
Whatever. Anything.
Well, what?
Seeing.
Name something.
Any.
Um... Baseball... I... I don't know.
Whatever. Whatever you want about baseball.
Uh...
Game Seven, 1955 World Series.
The best game the Dodgers have played against the Yankees.
They were still in Brooklyn at that time.
Do you have it there?
- Hm? - See?
Oh!
Gosh...
Yes.
I remember today. It's Tuesday.
I listened to it on my transistor radio.
A little thing.
Oh, I'm really excited.
Oh, that's the Dodgers... got the last one and won everything...
And I drive through a traffic light, and I almost destroyed a bus.
Yes.
See it like this...
Gosh.
There is no cable or... antenna.
Whatever.
Like I said, it's like magic.
Oh [chuckles]
Yes, magic. Mm-hmm.
I remember when I was little...
There is a man of color coming in environment, calling himself "C.W."
C.W.
He sells fruit and vegetables behind the small cart,
which is pulled by an old donkey.
I like to walk with him sometimes so I can...
listen to him talk.
He's from Georgia, and I... I just, uh...
love to listen and hear it
say the things he said because I like the way he says it.
You know.
Yes, clay that he told me about hunting squirrels he did...
in the forest and shoot squirrels and him...
And the bad thing is it doesn't come down from the tree.
So, he must...
He has to climb the tree, climb up there wherever the squirrel is,
and he got there getting it... Of course, squirrels die.
And then he heard this terrible commotion above him, and he looked up...
And he saw this white man in a flying tool!
And he became so scared that he just let it go everything: squirrels, limbs
He fell down there to the ground and ran home and...
He told his mother what he saw and... and he...
shout three times.
One for losing squirrels.
Two for losing Dad's .22 pistol.
And three to lie a white man in a flying tool!
[Father. Leland laughs, coughs]
Aw, C.W. had never heard of an airplane.
Can you imagine that?
I don't know.
Let me show you something.
Seeing. Say something.
That's me
Yes, I recorded our video.
Say something.
I have nothing to say.
Mr. Leland, you know that's not true.
- Oh, I don't. - Say hello.
- Turn it off. Not me... - No, no, no, look. That is fun!
- Look, this is you and me. - I don't want to...
I don't want to be like that.
- Just say, "Hello." - Not.
No.
Good-
Turn it off. Turn it off.
There, I delete it.
It's gone now.
Some things should be abandoned.
Maybe you can go there and sit, help, and be quiet,
and let me listen to my ball game.
I'm sorry.
- Full contact. Get out of here. Home run! - Oh shit. Damn the Yankees.
Oh, why are you waiting?
Why are you waiting?
I'm here. I am ready.
Why are you waiting?
[pulsating, suspenseful string music]
Why are you waiting? Why is this...
Reach me.
Why are you making me wait?
Come.
Mr. Leland, sit back.
- Oh... - Mr. Leland.
Get out of here! A home run!
[slow piano music]
[birdsong, glowing insects]
[Marisol] Mr. Leland.
Wake up, Mr. Leland.
[playing jazz]
"Close your eyes do not fall asleep."
Just told me that.
[chuckles]
The Dodgers are back and winning!
I know. I listen.
did you do it?
I did it.
I don't understand everything, but I really like broadcasters.
- "Fastball was hammered into the right field! - [ball hitter]
- [roaring crowd] - That's high! That's long!
It's gone!"
That's not too bad.
I think I will draw for the Dodgers from now on.
And against the Yankees.
The Dodgers won six Title World Series, you know.
Is that a lot?
Only the Yankees win more.
Damn Yankee!
You fucking... That's right! Right. Damn the Yankees.
[Marisol] Mr. Leland.
Mr. Leland.
Wake up Mr. Leland.
It's time for your afternoon medicine.
Game One is not a game; it is a miracle.
The ninth bottom, two outs, three balls, and two attacks...
Eckersley throws the ball.
And Gibson found it.
All of that.
The ball flies high into the right plane.
Sax is waiting on the deck, but the game is now on the plate.
[crowded crowd]
The ball flies high into the right plane. He goes!
The ball is gone...
and it never returns.
[Father. Leland] Oh, listen to that.
That's the sound of 56,000 believers who answered their prayers.
I was there.
I am one of them in the middle of the crowd of believers.
A should sweep the series, and the Dodgers win five times.
In a year that is very impossible,
impossible things have happened.
[crowded crowd]
Baseball is better at that time.
Players, especially good ones,
they respect the game.
Are you a good player & apos;
Oh [chuckles]
I see photos in your closet.
[sighs]
I play in the bush league
for several seasons after I returned from the war.
Left field.
I am barely enough to put food on a table at home.
But you like it.
I did it.
I wonder if you miss the things you love after you die.
[slow piano and string music]
[birdsong]
[sirens in the distance]
Are you from Los Angeles, Mr. Leland?
There's nothing from Los Angeles.
Even people born here.
Only one set of conditions.
Where are you from?
- What? - Mr. Leland.
Where were you born?
[♪♪]
Oh
Um.
West Frankfort, Illinois.
[Marisol] Oh.
March 14, 1925.
My mother gave birth to me in the middle of the twister.
[speaks Spanish]
Your mother must be very scared.
Oh, he...
pray to God and beg him not to take the baby,
or mercy, and bring us both together.
You are a very lucky baby.
Oh, that's not luck; it is prayer.
I forget, you don't want to talk about God.
I said I don't want to talk about religion.
Well, it cuts it very thin, don't you think?
It doesn't matter what I think.
Everything is just how they are.
mm
Do you or don't believe in God, Marisol?
[speaks Spanish]
What does that mean?
Faith and prayer are for the desperate,
who is lonely, and who is afraid.
Now, you are in America now.
You are free to believe anything you want to believe.
I see...
Do you or you do not believe in God?
This is not something I want to talk about today.
If you don't mind.
Well, I object.
This is my last day on God's green earth,
and that's exactly what I want to talk about.
It's just a dream!
That's not a dream.
[Marisol sighs]
Let's sit down, Mr. Leland, and have your lunch.
You don't want to trust me because you don't want to believe in God.
Yes, I believe in God.
And I know what He showed me.
[speaks Spanish]
Speaking English!
You talk crazy!
There's nothing wrong with you!
You will not die today!
People who don't hurt die every clay.
That's right, right.
But not you.
Not today.
You must be grateful, Mr. Leland.
Ninety-one years.
I don't care.
You have to care!
There are people who live in this world who have nothing to live.
There is no house.
There is no food.
There is no hope.
They can own my house.
They can eat lunch.
Hell, they can have my hopes.
When they take me out of here, they can enter right away.
Come on, everyone.
Walter Leland is dead and gone.
If you don't stop saying things you say,
I'm afraid I have to...
What?
Mark in my file?
I don't... Mark it in my file.
I am sick and tired of being a file.
Please, Mr. Leland.
Sit down.
Eat your lunch. Take your medicine.
You will feel better.
I don't want to feel better.
Oh God...
Take me home.
Reach your arms here and...
take me home to You and Mother.
In sweet at that moment,
I'll meet you on that beautiful beach
- Sweet by and by, Stop it! Stop it!
I'll see you about that...
- beautiful beach - Stop it! He is not there!
He doesn't hear you.
God isn't there.
God is not anywhere.
How dare you say that.
How dare you!
She's here. He is there.
And damn you for saying otherwise.
[Father. Leland sighed]
I am very tired of this.
Who will clean up the mess you made?
[Father. Leland sighed]
God?
Because it's not my job! - I don't care if it's cleaned!
Fuck that!
[plate clanging on the floor]
Where did you go?
Sleep.
And die, I guess.
Yes.
For the last time, yes!
[speaks Spanish]
Get out! Go away!
Get out of my house! Back to where you came from!
[Father. Leland sighed]
[soft piano and string music]
[deep breath]
[♪♪]
[music fades]
Mr. Leland?
[tick hours]
Sometimes...
on sunny days...
after the storm...
I will take me for some heladoes.
Ice cream.
And I walked on the beach to watch the waves.
He will show over the ocean and say...
[I $ peaked Spain]
"America like that...
is slightly above the horizon."
He dreamed about going to America.
[speaks Spanish]
"But how," he said.
"Only Papa & apos; Jesus can walk on water."
Besides...
everyone he loves or buried...
is in Cuba.
[speaks Spanish]
"All my roses are in Cuba."
My friend loves Cuba,
but hates the country.
I told him.
One day...
I will be the rose in America.
[soft piano and string music]
I prayed all night for courage to cross.
And one day...
God said...
"Si, Marisol, you may cross. If you have enough faith, You can walk on water."
Twelve dreamers...
left Cuba on a small boat one night.
Tomorrow morning...
all but four are missing.
My precious little Hijito, Mateo Amanda...
His body was never found.
He will be 13 today.
So, you see, Mr. Leland,
You can't die today.
This is my son's birthday.
[music fades]
Leave them.
I want them.
Good-
Duerme, duerme, negrito
Que tu mama esté en el campo, negrito
Duerme, duerme, mobile
Que tu mama esté en el campo, mobila
♪ Trabajando, trabajando duramente ♪
♪ Trabajando Si ♪
♪ Trabajando y va de luto ♪
♪ Trabajando Si ♪
♪ Trabajando y no {pagan e ♪
♪ Trabajando Si ♪
♪ Trabajando y va tosiendo ♪
♪ Trabajando Si ♪
♪ Para el negrito, chiquitito ♪
♪ Y negrito Si ♪
♪ Trabajando Si ♪
♪ Duerme, duerme, negrito ♪
♪ Que tu mama esté en el campo ♪
♪ Negrito ♪
[Marisol] Mateo!
Mateo!
[Father. Leland] Yolanda!
Mateo!
Yolanda!
[whispering] This is Mr. Leland.
Yolanda.
- Mr. Leland. - Yolanda!
No, it's me, Marisol. What is wrong?
Dark. Dark!
I close the curtain so you can sleep.
That's all.
[whispering] Dark.
See? It's still daytime.
[sighs]
I'm scared.
[tick hours]
You don't have to be like that.
I made a mess of everything.
It's been cleaned.
Oh Marisol.
Oh Oh
I shouldn't talk to you like I did. I am...
I'm sorry.
I think we are both fair have a challenging day.
So, why don't we just agree to make the best of what's left of him?
- [Father. Leland chuckles] - Agreement, Mr. Leland?
Call me "Walter."
I want that, if you do it.
Mucho Gusto, Walter.
[playing salsa music]
- Mm-hmm. - Do you like it?
Oh Boy. Yes that's good.
This is good.
Never had Cuban food before.
Now, now it's already.
[laughs] Yes, I have.
This is very embarrassing about your son, Marisol.
That must be difficult, losing him.
That's more than "difficult."
[♪♪]
[cutting music]
A child in a photo with you...
Is he your son?
She... She's my child, huh.
Your child is your son?
Losing him and his mother to a stranger.
[sighs]
His mother is your wife?
Ruth.
We got married July 4, 1946.
Bobby is around five years old when he is enough.
What is enough?
me.
And what happened to me.
Three months after the divorce, he remarried.
Traveling salesperson, everyone, named "Johnson."
That's funny.
What?
Oh, I don't remember his first name.
Anyway, the three of them moved to Cincinnati...
for, "Make a new life for themselves," he said.
It's not too long before adoption papers came.
Certified letter.
I am kind and angry.
And I became good and drunk.
Then I signed my child.
That's...
in the spring & apos; 54.
At that time, the best results from forest deer were called to the Major.
I will never get that call.
I can't hit a long ball.
A piece of German shrapnel ensures that.
Everything I have...
is a bad case _ sorry for yourself.
I woke up one morning behind the wheel of my Buick.
Upside down, in a ditch, halfway to Cincinnati.
Not a scratch on me.
[slow piano and string music]
That's when I heard it, very clear it's like God whispering in my ear.
"Walter Leland...
Better in other ways, somewhere else."
I put the bottle.
I took the Bible.
And I head west and never look back.
Why Los Angeles?
Oh, I think I will get a high-paying job in the defense industry.
Buy a house facing the beach...
where I can watch the sunset on the front porch of my house.
I ended up behind the wheel going round and round to make a living.
Then I bought this house... on the GI Bill.
And, uh...
Well, that's all.
I don't do much.
You fight for people's freedom.
People you don't even know.
- [music fades] - You are a brave man, Walter.
I am a 17 year old high school student who is afraid
I will end up in the mine digging shit next to my father,
who is 50 before he is 40 years old!
I'm not a hero.
And don't go put a medal for me which is inappropriate and I don't want.
All war heroes are dead.
All I did was kill to try to survive.
And fail in life.
There is nothing heroic about that.
You are a soldier.
I'm drunk, and a dreamer,
and father and father are bad.
You were sacrificed with your child , Walter.
So he can have a better life.
With another man.
I think you don't give yourself credit for many good things that you have done in your life.
[chuckles]
If you have to give yourself credit for something you have done,
then maybe what you have done means nothing to others.
- Look at you. - I?
You go around helping people feel better.
You don't go ditching your horn about that, right?
It's my job to help.
No.
It's in your heart to do that.
That's how God created you.
That's why you learn to be a nurse.
I am studying to become a nurse because I want to make more money.
I don't believe that and not you.
I have never made a difference in anyone's life except my own life.
But someone like you can make it all the differences in the world.
"We never touch people so lightly that we leave no trace."
That's what Oprah says.
Who is "Oprah"?
A friend.
Now, you tell your friend, Oprah, that you make a difference in the life of this old man on his last day.
[sighs]
I'm suddenly thirsty.
This is the salt.
Oh yeah, yeah...
I wish I could as strong as your mother
when he faced the wind.
But God?
God.
He failed me during my time, Walter.
- No. - He did.
He is not there for me.
Not for me or for my Mateo.
Don't say that He is always there. He is always with us.
I begged Him for His help.
But he is not with me.
And I let it go.
I'm weak.
I'm afraid,
And I let it go.
So you see?
I'm not special.
I am alone.
Where is Mateo's father?
Rafael.
He's a pilot for the Cuban Air Force.
He will defect and join Mateo and me in Florida.
We will get married...
in America.
I will be a wife and a mother in America.
We will be a family in America.
But once Rafael gets the word Mateo...
I have never heard from him again.
Oh, he shouldn't leave you.
I want to leave myself.
But I can't.
So, I found my way to Los Angeles to get lost.
Can't run away from yourself or your past no matter how hard you try,
how far you go, how long you stay.
[speaks Spanish]
I know.
I live in California, and I never went to the beach.
It's the same in Florida.
Never close to water and bad waves.
I'm afraid I'll see it Mateo's body washed to the beach.
That's what I see almost every night when I close my eyes.
Well, it's a dream. It's not real.
What happened to me is not a dream, Walter.
Mateo is gone.
My son is in the ocean.
Dead.
And I'm still here.
You should be here, Marisol.
And so are you, Walter.
Today. Tomorrow.
And for a few more days to come.
I know you want it to come true...
but there is no day for me after today.
Why, Walter? Why?
Because you are sick?
No. You are not sick.
You have decided to be a stupid parent who is tired of life.
Yes, life is valuable, Walter.
Life is a gift...
given to you by your mother.
My mother took me.
God gave me life.
Then why are you in a hurry to return it?
Because I'm old, Marisol.
I'm old, and I'm tired, and I'm afraid of life...
waiting to die.
God knows. S why He showed me mercy.
Take me home.
I have faith.
[chuckles] Faith.
Shut up.
Alone.
Days after clay, year after year,
listening to a baseball match on an old radio that is broken?
Waiting for everything to end?
What kind of faith is that?
How do I choose to live in my last years
is between me and Him.
He will judge my work and my actions immediately.
[slow piano and string music]
How can you let all these years pass and never try to see your child again?
How is it, Walter?
I wrote to him.
Did he reply?
Let me know about that.
Is he, Walter?
Did Bobby answer the letter?
I never sent it.
Why?
I have never found courage.
Do you know what I'm thinking, Walter?
I think today is a good day to find courage.
I don't even know where he lives...
or even if he is still alive.
You will feel it in your heart if your son does not live.
What is Bobby's full name?
What's the problem & apos ;?
Tell me.
Robert Everett.
Johnson.
We used to call him "Bobby."
What is his birthday?
May 19, 1948.
Oh, he will be 67 now.
Sixty seven.
God.
Let's find him, Walter.
Let's find Bobby.
Why? To say goodbye "?
To say," Hello. "
We will not recognize each other if you sit us face to face.
[music fades]
[ringing of telephone]
Walter & apos ;?
Hello. Leland Residence.
Hello?
Are you there?
[Grunting] He's there.
This is Johnny Williams.
Just tell him to stay, and bring the phone here.
Good. Please wait a moment.
The card is quite long. Just take it.
Yes, right. It's been long enough.
Yes. [sighs]
[whispering] Okay.
Yes.
Hello, Johnny! I almost forgot what Wednesday was.
How are you, Johnny?
You breathe quite strong here today.
Yes. Yolanda...
He can't come today. He is at the hospital.
That's Marisol.
Yes, he likes baseball.
Do you catch ball games?
Yes, the Dodgers pulled that one out from behind them, right?
It will be difficult to make a series...
the way they play.
[Cough]
Listen, Johnny. I'm glad you called.
I have to say "Goodbye" to you, Johnny.
I have been called to the front office.
God took me home today, Johnny.
That's right.
I want you to know this has happened very well to know you.
You've been a good friend for years.
I don't have much.
I thank you for that.
God, we will see each other on the other side.
It would be better to hear your voice again.
Alright, Johnny.
I'll let you go.
Um...
You go ahead and close first.
Johnny, take good care of yourself Until I see you again.
Goodbye, Johnny.
[dial tone]
[slow piano and string music]
[music fades]
Johnny can't talk.
Cancer takes his vocal cords and most of his throat.
He hasn't spoken for ten years.
Not a word.
[speaks Spanish] It's really terrible.
Oh, don't feel sorry for Johnny. He doesn't feel sorry for himself.
He runs it pretty well.
It's just not reduced properly.
You are a good friend, Walter.
Saying "Goodbye" to him is not that difficult as I thought it would happen.
Let me help you find your son, Walter.
I don't have a son.
Watch me, Father.
Daddy, watch me.
[moans]
If he will take me...
news as a good time.
I believe in you, oh God, I say.
You are my God.
My moments are in your hands.
Walter.
[slow piano and string music]
[children laugh outside] [music fades]
Walter.
Walter, wake up.
[moans]
I found it.
I found Bobby.
Did you find Bobby? Where?
Here.
You have no rights.
[whispers] See
[panting]
Oh that...
That's Bobby.
My child.
Police.
My child!
And you have grandchildren.
And great-grandson too.
Do you see them?
Look at them.
Look at them; all of them.
You have a beautiful family, Walter.
Oh, they are so beautiful.
Every last one of them.
They don't even know my name.
Yes, then do it. Mira.
Oh!
This is your grandson.
Walter Johnson.
And you have great grandchildren.
- This is a boy. - [Father. Leland gasps]
Leland Johnson.
You are not forgotten, Walter.
Oh!
You live in this family.
Little girl, here.
Ruth.
Named after his great grandmother.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you. Thank you.
I hope...
if he tries to find me, and I'm not there?
Contact him, Walter.
How is it?
There's no time.
We can send messages via the internet.
Oh, no, no.
Bobby lives without me.
We best leave things as they really are.
Don't you want your family to know is more than your name?
That you exist?
At least know that you care?
Oh
No need now to open old wounds.
[slow piano and string music]
You've finished...
good thing, here. A good thing.
And it looks like that Bobby has a good life.
At least now I can go...
in peace without that one to me.
You don't go anywhere.
You will be here when Yolanda or I come through that door tomorrow morning.
I'm not wrong.
It's happening.
Today.
If you really believe that, Walter,
then there are more reasons to contact your son.
Don't you want him to know you never stop thinking about it?
That you never stopped loving her?
I don't know what to say to him.
Say what is in your heart.
That's enough.
[chuckles]
That he didn't forget?
Does he remember?
That's enough for me.
You're selfish, Walter Leland.
If you can't do it yourself...
then do it for your son.
I'm tired, Marisol.
I'm tired too, Walter.
[slow piano and string music]
[music fades]
See this?
This is all that is left of my child, Walter.
If I can reach my Mateo,
can talk to him somehow...
I want to wish you a happy birthday
and begged him to forgive me for not enough for both of us.
If I believe in things like that,
if I know Mateo I'm safe and happy in heaven
walking on a sunny beach, holding hands with me,
eat ice cream,
I will say to him:
"Your Mamita loves you,
and see you later."
Even if he can't say anything more.
I will shout my love and shout, and scream, and scream!
Until my voice is rough
and there is nothing left from a whisper.
Until God brought my message to my Mateo.
If I believe in things like that!
[slow piano and string music]
[music fades]
[panting]
[slow piano and string music]
Our father, who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name; Your kingdom comes;
You will finish on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread;
and forgive us for our violation
like we forgive them who wronged us;
[music fades, clock ticks]
And brings us into temptation,
but free us from evil.
Because You are a kingdom, and strength, and that light
forever.
Amen.
Oh
God, I know I have to appear your lowest children.
Fool's parents.
But I have to ask for your help.
Please, tell him that he is safe with you.
Give him that mercy.
I say in the name of Jesus.
Oh
One more favor.
Give me strength...
when you show me light.
OK?
- [slow piano and string music] - [tick clock]
Okay then.
[moans]
[music fades]
I'll prepare your dinner.
If you are not hungry, You can have it later.
I want to make a recording.
[speaks Spanish]
Now you are ready.
[Marisol] Please.
I have recorded.
Hello, Bobby. This is me.
I don't know if you've ever wanted to see me again.
But I think I will do this recording.
It's only there.
In terms of...
you ever wanted to know what happened to me like me...
often want to know what happened to you.
I have...
a letter here
that I have held
long enough.
ME...
I want to read it for you if...
it's okay with you.
"Dear Bobby,
This is your father.
I know it's been a long time since I last saw you.
For that, I'm really sorry.
I can't tell you how much times
I have gone up to my old Buick to come and see you.
But every time, after 100 miles or more,
I remember why you and your mother had to leave,
and I turned and go home
think that might be the best
don't keep pushing yourself into your life. "
[soft piano and string music]
"But Son, I want you to know that I pray to God every night for your forgiveness and for your health and happiness.
I moved to California some time ago
and I did my best
to make life for myself here. I hope you and your mother have a good life in Cincinnati
and Mr. Johnson treats you well.
I never intended to make it so we won't be together , Bobby. I failed all of us. I know that.
And I know it's too late to fix things.
But I want you to know, Son,
that no day has passed that I don't think about you.
I miss you so much I know how to say it
so you will understand.
Be a good child
and grow tall and tall become the man I want
and should be.
Say your prayer.
Take care of yourself.
If you can find a moment to write me some...
type line someday,
I promise to respect them.
Always. Your father. "
[music fades]
Is that okay?
Yes, Walter.
That's perfect. I want to play it again so you can watch it?
No. No, I don't want to see it.
Good-
Do you want me to send it to Bobby now?
When will he get it?
Immediately-
Immediately?
Yes . Oh
No.
Don't send until I leave.
Walter.
I wrote the letter 53 years ago.
It can wait a little longer.
No.
I want you to send it after I leave.
I want you to promise to do that.
Do you promise?
I promise, Walter.
Well, I think that's just about that.
[Father. Leland groaning]
[Marisol] What do you need?
I have to wake up.
[slow piano and string music]
It won't be long now.
[music fades, clock ticks]
[boy] Daddy, look at me! Look at me, Daddy!
[Father. Leland] I'm watching you, Son.
[boy] Watch what I can do.
[Announcer] The ball is flying high into the right field!
She's gone!
[crowd roars]
[music fades]
[Father. Leland over iPad] Be a good child
and grow upright and tall be the man I want and should be.
Say...
No days have passed
that I don't think of you and miss you more than I know how to say it
so you can understand.
[Father. Leland] You didn't break your promise, right?
Grow up straight and tall to the guy I want...
No, Walter.
I did not break my promise.
Say our prayer.
I am just...
If you can find moments...
How do you sleep?
Beautiful.
Good.
[moans]
[mechanical beats]
Here.
I want you to have it.
That's very special, Walter.
Mm-hmm.
But I can't accept it. We are not permitted to collect items from...
You don't take anything. I gave it to you.
Please.
I want you to have it.
- Thank you, Walter. - Mm-hmm.
I will always appreciate it.
Oh [chuckles]
Oh
[whispering] Thank you.
You have to have more children, Marisol.
What?
You're beautiful, young woman.
You must stop holding on to the past like there's no tomorrow.
No...
intended to live like that.
I know that now. You helped me see it.
Walter, I... I can...
Listen to me.
You meet someone.
You are married and you have children.
[slow piano and string music]
All the love you hold for your Mateo.
It's bottled and spoils you for no reason at all.
You are a good mother.
You do everything you can for your Mateo.
But it's time for you to...
Forgive yourself...
and continue.
I can never let Mateo go.
- No more. - Do not let go.
Bring him with you, but continue.
You will always be his mother; that can never change.
Give him a brother or sister.
Or both.
Tell them about Mateo.
Tell me everything about him. How...
[chuckles]
How he laughed.
How he likes to walk on the beach to eat ice cream.
[chuckles]
Tell them how much you love him.
How much you will always love him.
Oh yeah.
Tell them everything you need to know about their sister, Mateo.
How did he go to God
and his spirit lives in the sea.
Don't be afraid of life.
Life ends.
And life goes on.
[♪♪]
What time is it now?
It's almost time for your dinner.
I will cut the peach before I leave.
You can have it for dessert later,
or you can have it tomorrow morning with your breakfast.
That will continue.
You're right.
What about?
It's a beautiful day.
I used to take Mateo to the same beach where I used to take me...
on a day like today.
Only the two of us.
He took his first step in the sand.
His footprints are very small next to me.
I wish I could see the sunset from my front porch.
Let's go to the beach, Walter.
For your sunset.
I'll take you there.
[music fades]
Walter & apos;
[slow piano and string music]
[Waves sweeping the beach]
[♪♪]
[music fades]
[slow piano and string music]
[music fades