15x01 - Always My Dad

[bunniefuu]

♪ Reading rainbow ♪

♪ Butterfly in the sky ♪

♪ I can go twice as high ♪

♪ Take a look ♪

♪ It's in a book ♪

♪ A reading rainbow ♪

♪ I can go anywhere ♪

♪ Friends to know ♪

♪ And ways to grow ♪

♪ A reading rainbow ♪

♪ I can be anything ♪

♪ Take a look ♪

♪ It's in a book ♪

♪ A reading rainbow ♪

♪ Reading rainbow ♪

Hey, andre. ¿Que pasa?
How are you feeling?

Great!

Hi, and welcome
to family day.

One day each year,
all of the families
in the neighborhood

Get together
for a big bash,

And it's always
a sensational day.

My family used to picnic a lot
right here in this park.

In fact, right over there
was our spot.

Let's see. There was
my mom; my sisters,
letitia and valencia;

Aunts, uncles, and cousins--
lots of cousins.

The only person missing
was my dad.

Because you see, when I was
about 8 years old,

My father and mother
separated.

My dad moved
out of the house,

And my sisters and I
stayed with my mom.

That changed our family
and our lives in lots of ways.

My dad just wasn't
around much anymore,

And I had a pretty tough time
understanding why.

Sometimes I thought I was
the only kid on the planet

With just one parent
at home.

Well, I was wrong.

There are lots of kids
that don't have a dad at home,

Like the girl
in this story:

Always my dad.

Sometimes the person I want
to see more than anyone
in the world is my dad,

But I only see my dad
once in a while.

Daddy moves around,
so his address keeps changing.

His job keeps changing, too.

A long time ago, he flew planes
for the air force.

And after that,

He worked in an office.

Once, his job
was painting houses,

And then he fixed
televisions.

I'm not sure
what he does now.

One day last summer,
mom took me and my brothers

To stay with my dad's parents,
who live on a farm.

After mom left,
I looked everywhere.

In the barn, I saw grandpa
milking brownie.

When I opened the door
to the henhouse,



Who I was really hoping to see
was my dad,

But daddy wasn't there.

My brothers and I played
hide-and-seek.

We helped grandpa
weed the vegetable garden.

We helped grandma
pick blackberries.

And when the evening came,
we listened to the crickets

While we ate blackberry cobbler
and ice cream.

"So peaceful,"
grandma would say.

"Just look at that sky."

Sometimes there was
a moon with no stars,

And sometimes there was
a moon and stars together.

One special night,
there was a light on the path.

"Looks like we got a visitor,"
said grandpa.

Even in the dark,
I could tell who it was.

"Daddy! Daddy!" My brothers
began shouting and running.

But suddenly, I got shy.

"Hi, daddy," I said,
walking up to him real slow.

He lifted me up
and kissed me on the cheek.

"Hi, sugar. Look how tall
you've gotten."

Now instead of brushing
our teeth in the bathroom,

We brushed them outside
at the pump

Because daddy said
it's more fun.

Instead of wearing shoes,
daddy let us go barefoot.

And in the evenings,
while grandma and grandpa
rested on the porch,

We caught lightning bugs
in the field with daddy.

We put them in jars
and made our own flashlights.

In a while,
we went upstairs.

"What's that?" I whispered,
seeing a strange shape
on my window.

"Just some candle flies.
They like the light,"

Said daddy,
tucking me in.

"But then they fly away."

He tapped the pane,
and they disappeared.

One morning, daddy took us
to the general store.

We sat on high stools
and drank grape soda.

"Tomorrow I'm leaving,"
dad told us.

"How come?" I asked him,
trying not to cry.

"Well, I've been
having a problem
getting my life together,"

Daddy said quietly.

"Now at least
I've got a new job--

Driving a truck
cross-country."

"You're always going somewhere,"
grumbled gary.

"Can't we come with you?"
Asked brian. "Please, dad."

Daddy shook his head.

"You're better off
with your mom,
having a regular life."

"When am I going to
see you again, daddy?"

"Soon," he promised.

"I love you.

Just remember, wherever I am,
I'm always your dad."

During the leftover summer days,

My brothers and I played
and did our chores.

At night, we'd listen
to crickets with grandma
and grandpa.

Once, all by itself was
the biggest moon I'd ever seen.

It was round and orange
and looked like
a sweet potato pie.

I don't dream much,
but every once in a while, I do,

And it's always the same.

I'm standing in the field
with daddy.

There are lots of stars
in the sky

And the moon the color
of sweet potato,

And fluttering all around
are silvery candle flies.

Wherever he is,
I know my dad loves me.

He's always my dad.

[Sigh]

My mom had to be
both mom and dad

For my sisters and me.

She helped us
with our homework,

Fixed our bikes
and our roller skates.

She taught us how
to cook and sew.

Mom did just about everything,
and for me, well, it worked,
most of the time.

But once in a while,
it didn't.

Like when my boy scout troop--
troop 416--

Announced
its father and son camp-out.

Well, my dad wasn't around.
What was I going to do?

So I talked to my mom,
and she invited our friend
mr. Bruce to take me.

He agreed,
and I was all set.

Well, the day finally arrived,
and when he came to pick me up,

Mr. Bruce had in the car
with him his own son, doug.

I was crushed.

I mean, I understood
that he wanted to spend
that time with his own son,

But I wanted my own dad.

That was real tough for me.

Whether it's your dad
or your mom who doesn't
live with you,

It can leave an empty space
that's pretty hard to fill.

But take a careful look around.

There are lots of families
with one parent

Who takes care of the kids
by her- or himself.

This is the davis family.

Bill davis is a single parent
who is both dad and mom
to his children.

Bill davis: my former wife and I
agreed that our relationship
was not the healthiest

And that since it was
not very healthy for us,

It would not be very healthy
for our children.

So we made a decision
that it would be better for us
to separate and to get divorced

And that the best way to serve
the children's interests

Was for them to live with me.

Good morning.
Maya, how are you
this morning?

Good. Thank you.

Good. Feeling good?

Naimah, it's time
to wake up.

Good morning, fellas.

Mmm...

Tucson.

Bill davis: it was a transition
that was painful but smooth.

Boy: my dad has to do
a lot of things.

He has to cook breakfast
in the morning.

Naimah, it's time
for breakfast. Maya!

He drives us to school

And to parties
and stuff like that,

So he has to play 2 roles
in this family.

Yeah. Oh, yeah. Mmm!

Bill davis: one of
the biggest challenges for me

Is getting them
up and out in the morning.

Oh, tucson.

Yeah?

Looks like you got
a great piece, man.

Ok.

Everybody did
a great job

Helping out with breakfast
this morning,

So I want you
to enjoy your meal,

And then we got to go.

Bill davis: being a mother
and father has been

The most difficult thing
that I've ever tried to do.

Hi, daddy.
We're back.

What did you get?

Bill davis: sometimes I may have
to say things or do things
that you will not like,

But ultimately, it's because I
love you that I have to do it.

Wait. What is this?
Soda?

We don't drink soda,
man, with all that
sugar in there.

We have to put
the soda back.

All right.

Bill davis: there have been
times in which there have been
disagreement about things.

No. Let's get these.

These.

Girl: sometimes we can't decide
on what cereal to get,

But usually, I win.

We got those last time,
so now we have to get these.

Ok!

Bill davis: but all in all,
I'd have to say

That they have realized
how important it is

For them to work together
as a team.

Somebody please
put the cart back.

I'll put it
back.

Here's some tomatoes.

Bill davis: and they have helped
to support me

So that this circumstance
would work.

So everybody,
tell me about
your day.

Did you and callie
hang out and do
something fun today?

Bill davis: during dinner,
it's the one time

In which we're all sitting
at the table together

And we don't really
have to rush a lot.

That's what
the school system
is doing.

Bill davis: they know
that if there's something
they really need to say,

They have an opportunity
to say it.

Can I have
a cellular phone
for my birthday?

Sure you can.

This birthday
coming up.

No. The birthday when you
get out of high school
and go to college.

Ha ha ha!

Bill davis: for me,
it's invaluable

Because it's one of
the few times that I really
get a chance just to listen.

Tell me
about your day.

Well, I got back
the midterm in math.

Boy: after seeing
my other friends with 2 parents

And seeing how they go on
with life and everything,

Well, I just think
that our family's doing
very well with just one.

Woo!

Girl: my dad is funny,

And when I need him,
he's always there.

Boy: he's a kind, loving,
and caring person.

Oh, daddy, my legs
are getting tired.

Aah!

Woo! Yay!

Tucson: I miss my mom
on birthdays and,
like, christmas

And thanksgiving
and stuff like that.

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday, dear naimah ♪

Boy: the last time I saw her
I think was, like,


Something like that,
so I miss her.

My birthday wish
for you, naimah,
is that I hope

You have good health
and prosperity through
the rest of your life.

Maya: I don't think
she knows what
prosperity means.

Are you ready to blow
your candles out?

Go, naimah!

Yay! All right!
Very good.

Bill davis: birthdays are
really difficult

Because that's the time when
they really miss their mother.

The challenge that it takes
for parenting

Is just an ongoing thing.

You realize that
no matter how well you do it,

You have to go back
and keep on doing it

And keep on doing it
and keep on doing it.

I tell people it's the most
difficult job you'll ever love.

Ha ha ha!

Get him!
Get him!

Uh-oh! Here
comes somebody!

Boy: I want to be like my dad
because he's a good parent,

And I want to be
a good parent, too.

Maya: if he loves you
and cares for you,

One great parent
is all you need.

I'm hungry.

No!

Yeah. It's time
for dessert.

The davis family
is a happy family

Because even though
it's a single parent household,

Everybody gets what they need.

Sometimes that means
reaching out to others,

But together,
they always find a way.

When I was growing up,
I could generally talk
to my mom about anything,

But sometimes, I just needed
a man's point of view.

Like when my scoutmaster,
mr. Hill,

Would spend extra time with me
working on my camping skills:

Knot tying, fire building,
how to sharpen my pocketknife.

My mom didn't know anything
about camping,

But mr. Hill was there for me.

Once in a while, someone special
can step in when you need help.

Like a big brother,
for example.

Meet mark and max.

They're like brothers, but they
don't belong to the same family.

Max lives with his mom.

Ha ha ha!
Nice try.

Game!

Mark is a businessman
who spends free time with max.

Just being able
to see someone...

[Door buzzer]

That must be mark.

Yes!

It's mark.

Ok, come on up.

Why don't you get a jacket
and get whatever else you need

And get going?

All right. Sure.

Mother: when max
was 6 years old,

Max's dad and I
got a divorce,

And I became a single mom
and began to raise max myself.

Well, I remember
there was one time,

I went to my friend's house--

This is after my parents
had been divorced.

I went to my friend's house,
and I saw him and his father
wrestling,

And I came home,
and I was really upset,

And I asked my mom
would she wrestle with me,

And that's when
she really realized

That I needed someone
to be there for me.

My dad wasn't there for me,
like, 4 years.

I didn't hear
one word from him.

I just started getting
really depressed,

And my mom realized
that I needed somebody

To fill up any holes that were
left from my dad leaving.

Hey, max.
How you doin'?

I'm ok.

Hi, carol.
How are you?

You all ready to go?

Levar burton: mark became
part of max's life

When max's mom called
big brothers and big sisters.

Have a good time.

[Telephone rings]

Hello. Valerie stark.

Oh, yes, hi.
How are you?

Levar burton: big brothers
matches kids with adults

Who can be like
older brothers or sisters.

Carol: he'll be here any minute.
Don't be so nervous.

Do you have any
questions for me, max,
before mark gets here?

Will I like him?

Mark: I really didn't
know what to expect,

What kind of kid he was,
if he'd like me.

Yeah, you could say I was
a little nervous.

I just wanted to make sure
he'd like me.

He's here.

Max: he was dressed in,
um, jeans, a t-shirt,

And a leather jacket.

Valerie: mark, this is max.
Max, this is mark.

Max: my mother told me
I should dress up for him,

So I wore a shirt,
a tie, and jeans.

I don't normally wear
a shirt and tie.

Bye.

Mark: valerie just asked us
to take a walk around the block

Sort of to get
to know each other.

So we took
a walk around the block,

And I told him
a little bit about myself.

So, um, where do
you live?

I live
in staten island.

I have a friend
who lives
in staten island.

Max: I was nervous,
but the way he talked to me,

I knew I was
going to like him

Because he was just like
the type of person that I was.

Where do you work?

I work a couple
of blocks from here.

He looked like a very
warm person on the inside.

What do you do?

I'm a stockbroker.

Mark: he looked like
a great kid. He really did.

He looked like the type
of person I could have
a lot of fun with,

So I felt comfortable
about it.

No, I can't
imagine--oh, look.
They're back.

Hi, guys.
How'd everything go?

Really well.
Really well.

Great.

Where'd you go?

Nice day, right, max?

Hey, mark, you mind
if I open my window?

Sure you can.

Max: I expected somebody to be
kind of like a father for me,

But it turned out
it was actually more
like a big brother.

One of the first girls
I ever went out with
lived on this block.

What was her name?

Chris.

Yeah?

Mark: big brother--
my definition is someone who is

Just there for another person,

Whether to listen,
to talk to,

Whatever it may be.

I try to bring up topics
about school, maybe girls.

Have any girlfriends?

Yeah.

Really? It sounds like
you have more than one.

Only one.

So how long
are you dating her?

A week.

A week?

A week.

Max: sometimes when mark
asks me about things that are

A little personal
or things like that,

I feel
comfortable with him.

Your mom told me you got
a report card recently.

Uh-huh.

And how was it?

Not so great.

Not so great?
What does that mean?

I failed




Carol: listen, this--
this is not finished.

You can't leave this
like this.

Carol: many times, I feel like
I can be a close person to him,

But I know
I can't be his dad.

Come on, max.
If you want to
get good grades,

You've got to
be able to do
the work.

You can do it
neatly, too, ok?

Yeah. Whatever.

Which subject is this
that you're working on?

This is science.

So this is one
of the subjects

That you're having
a little problem with
in school.

So let's go back
a little bit...

Max: I think my mom
really likes mark
because he helps me

With a lot of things
that I need help with.

Body temperature drops
with the temperature
of the environment.

So if you go back
to the graph...

Mark: I went into this,
I really just wanted
to help somebody.

It's a very, very rewarding
thing to do.

Max: since I've become
a little brother
and I have a big brother,

My life has changed
because now I know that
there's someone there for me,

And it's not only my mom
and my aunts and my uncles.

It's also mark.

Mark: hey, guys,
how you doin'?

Mark: when I was growing up,
I did want a little brother,

And I talked to my mom
about that,

And she said my sister and me
were enough.

Oh!

I've known max
about a year and a half now,

And we built
a relationship together

That will continue
for the rest of our lives.

Let's get a haircut
in here.

No way!

Come on. We'll cut
your hair really short,

And the girls
will really like it.

The girls like it
how it is.

Valerie: it's incredible.
When you see them together,
you cannot believe

That a year ago, these two
were complete strangers,

And now it's
like they're family.

Our relationship is
just like real brothers.

I mean, that's what we are.

I think we were just made
for each other or something.

I consider him
my little brother,

The little brother I never had.

I love him like a brother.

There's just no substitute
for a good friend--

Someone to turn to when you have
something wonderful to share

Or a tough time
to get through.

And books can be
good friends, too.

They'll keep you company,
make you smile,

And always be there
when you need them,

But you don't have to
take my word for it.

Hello. My name is
sofia cooper,

And I'm going to tell you
about a great story.

It's called boundless grace.

It's about a young girl
named grace.

Grace lives with her nana
and her mom.

Her mother and father
got a divorce.

She feels sad because she wants
to be with her father.

The most exciting part
of the story

Is when she goes to africa
to visit him.

Grace feels very, very happy

And close to her dad
for the first time.

But she also feels mixed up.

Africa is far away,

And sometimes
grace misses her mom.

She has a whole new family
to get used to.

This story has a happy ending--

Not like a fairy tale,
but like in real life.

I like it a lot.
I hope you do, too.

Allow me
to introduce myself.

My name is sam, and I'm here
to tell you about a good book.

It's entitled the perfect spot.

It's a realistic story
of a boy and his dad.

Together, they spend
a day in the woods

Looking for the perfect spot.

His dad is looking for a place
with trees, rocks, and shadows.

But the boy wants to find
a place with lots of frogs.

The boy goes along
with his dad

But looks for frogs
and salamanders.

It seems sometimes that they are
looking for 2 different spots.

In the end, they find
that the perfect spot

Is where they can be together.

Under the waterfall,
splashing around,

They're having fun.

Just like this boy, I like
spending time with my dad.

The father and the son
in this book really
love each other.

In the end,
that's what really counts,

So I recommend
the perfect spot.

Hola, amigos y amigas.

I have a great book
for you today.

It's about a girl named tina
and her very special papi.

That's spanish for dad.

The book is called
taxi! Taxi!

Tina's favorite day
of the week is sunday.

That's because every sunday,

Her papi comes
in his yellow, shiny taxi

To take her out for the day.

Sometimes he's a little late,
but he always comes.

He opens the taxi door and says,
"at your service, senorita."

They have a picnic
and take walks on country roads.

Papi even buys tina a balloon,

And he says, "para mi chica
la mas preciosa."

That means "to my best girl."

Tina's parents
don't live together,

So sunday is very special

Because papi
makes time to be with his girl.

I'm happy that my papi
lives at home,

But even if yours doesn't,
find time to spend with him.

You can start by reading
this book together.

Hasta luego. See you.

Maybe you live with both
your parents or your dad.

Maybe it's your mom
who is at home.

Well, guess what.
That's your family.

Every family has
its own unique personality,

And sometimes
things go smoothly,
and sometimes they don't.

It's up to each family to find
a way to make things work.

Hey, I grew up
with just my mom,

And I think she did
a pretty good job.

Hey, levar, will you
be in the wheelbarrow
race with me?

My dad's not here.

Hmm. The wheelbarrow
race, huh?

Yeah, you bet. Come on.

I'll see you next time.
Let's go!

Girl: all right,
everybody! Get set!

On your mark,
and...go!

[Cheering]

♪ Butterfly
in the sky ♪

♪ I can go
twice as high ♪

♪ Take a look ♪

♪ It's in a book ♪

♪ A reading rainbow ♪

♪ A reading rainbow ♪

♪ A reading rainbow ♪

♪ A reading rainbow ♪

♪ A reading rainbow ♪

Today's reading rainbow books
are...

Always my dad
by sharon dennis wyeth,

Illustrated by raul colon,

Published by alfred a. Knopf
books for young readers.

Taxi! Taxi!
By cari best,

Illustrated by dale gottlieb,

Published by little, brown
& company.

Boundless grace
by mary hoffman,

Illustrated by caroline binch,

Published by dial books
for young readers,

A division of
penguin books u.s.a.

The perfect spot
by robert j. Blake,

Published by philomel books,

A division of the putnam
and grosset group.

Reading rainbow