Kitty: It's nice to see you. It's been so long since you last visited. Faith: I know. I'm sorry about that. There just seems to be so many people who need help and so little time... Kitty: Don't worry, I understand. Although, I think you should try to take time for yourself. You'll burn out, if you continue worrying about other people like you do. Faith: I know you're right, but I just can't... - In fact, I must confess I came here under false pretense.
Kitty: What do you mean by that? Isn't this just a friendly visit? Faith: Not exactly. You see, I need help. Well, not me, but someone else and I was thinking... Kitty: What sort of help does this someone else need? Mine or Riddick's? Faith: Actually, both. You see, she's a relative of yours. From your grandfather's side. Kitty: Oh. We haven't heard of them in... decades, I think.
Kitty: So, what does she need? Faith: A home. Kitty: What did you say? Faith: She needs a home. I'm not talking about a small child, she's just a few years younger than Mary. I can't ask anyone else in your family. Kitty: I know that. Faith: Kitty, I know I'm asking a lot and I understand, if you say no. Then we'll just start asking the registered foster families to see if one of them could take her. Kitty: But they wouldn't be her kind?
Faith: No. I have never understood that, but that's how it is. Kitty: A relative is a relative and others don't count. Even if she's pure-bred, which I assume she is, you couldn't find anyone not related to her to take care of her. Inside our community, I mean. Faith: I know. That's why I'm asking you. Kitty: All right, let's get to the practical questions. I need to talk with Riddick and Mary and we need all the information you can give, so we know what to expect, if we decide to take her. Faith: So, you're not refusing right away? I'm glad about that. This is the situation...
Later: Kitty: She's in a group home right now. Riddick: Where are her parents? Kitty: Her father left the family years ago and has disappeared so totally that nobody has any idea where he might be. He might as well be dead. Riddick: And mother? Kitty: She's in prison. 10 years for some drug related crimes. Look, I know that's bad... Riddick: Kitty, you're forgetting who you're talking to. I'm not going to say no because of something like that.
Kitty: So, what do you say? Riddick: I have told you that if you want children, then we will have children. Maybe I should have added that they don't necessarily need to be our biological children. - If this is the only way she can get a family with at least one of her own kind in it, I'm all for it. Kitty: You really are absolutely wonderful. - Now we just need to talk with Mary. Riddick: Do you want me to do that? Kitty: Yes. She'll be more honest to you about how she feels.
Riddick: ...so, do you have any questions? Mary: Is she going to come live with us for good? She's not going to go away? Riddick: She will live with us at least until she's 18, if everything goes as planned. Mary: Are you going to adopt her? Riddick: No. She still has a mother. And probably also a father somewhere. Mary: What if she's really horrible? What if I don't like her at all? Riddick: There is always that possibility. There will be a sort of a trial period first. You know, it is possible that she will hate us and would rather go back to the group home.
Mary: How could anyone hate us? Riddick: It is a possibility you need to keep in mind. We don't know her and she doesn't know us. So, there is a trial period for all of us to find out whether we get along well enough for her to stay. Mary: All right. I would have preferred a baby sister, but if this is what you and Kitty want, it's fine by me. Riddick: Are you quite sure? Mary: Yes.
Some time later: Anika: Faith could have asked me. Kitty: Would you have said yes? I don't know what the problem was all those years ago and I don't care, but I know that you do. Anika: Are you suggesting I wouldn't treat her well? Whatever happened, she didn't even exist then, so it has nothing to do with her. Kitty: I'm glad you think that way, but this isn't about you, it's about what's best for her. Anika: I would have been a better choice. After all, I would have had more time...
Kitty: About that... I know you haven't entirely accepted the way things are, but I'm still going to ask this. Would you give me an inheritance advance, unconditionally? Anika: Why? Kitty: Riddick and I talked about the situation and came to the conclusion that it would be best for me to stay at home, if only we can find a way to manage that financially. Anika: How much? Kitty: My salary for two years. After that, the situation may be different and I can get back to work again.
Anika: All right. That sounds reasonable, considering what it is you call your salary. Kitty: Really? Are you serious? No conditions? Anika: Quite serious. And no conditions. Well, except for one... Kitty: I knew it. What is it? Anika: That you do your best to raise that child so that she'll become a decent and law-abiding citizen. Kitty: We were going to do that anyway.
Anika: I also wish that you will come to me or your mother, if you have problems with the child. You know, problems you and Riddick can't deal with. This is not a condition, just a wish. Kitty: All right. Anika: I'll ask Kevin to make the necessary arrangements. - So, what does Mary think of all this? Kitty: She's excited to get a sister, although she would have preferred a baby. Anika: I'm sure she can have one of her own one day.
Kitty: Would you tell me something? Faith was wondering about it, but I couldn't explain as I have never really understood it myself. Why don't people in our community foster children who are not any sort of relatives? Anika: It just isn't done. That's how it has always been. Besides, it very rarely becomes a problem, because usually there's some relative somewhere. Kitty: Yes, Henry has mentioned the word "inbreeding" when we have talked about the issue. Anika: That young man really has some very disagreeable views. Kitty: I thought there was nothing wrong with him.
Anika: Have you met the child yet? Kitty: Her name is Beatrice. Yes, we visited her at the group home, so that coming here would be a little less of a shock to her. Anika: What's she like? Kitty: Hard to say. She doesn't talk much. Still, she seems nice and I'm sure Mary will get her talking in no time. Anika: I see. Well, when she arrives, I would like to meet her.
And so: Faith: Here we are. Beatrice, this is your new home. As you know, you will live with Kitty and Riddick and Mary from now on. After you have been here for some time, we'll see how things are going. Kitty: Hi Beatrice. We're happy you're finally here. Bea: It's Bea. Kitty: Oh, I'm sorry. At the group home, everybody called you Beatrice, so I thought... Mary: Come on, Bea. I'll show you our room.
Riddick: So, where are all her things? Faith: There isn't any. All they had was debts and the property was seized. Kitty: It doesn't matter. We can go shopping tomorrow and get what is needed. Riddick: She doesn't talk much. Faith: I'm sure she'll start talking more once she gets to know you. She seems to be a bit reserved. Riddick: Nothing wrong in that. Faith: There's one more thing. Some of your friends may be a bit scary... Kitty: We'll take it slow.
Mary: This is our room. It used to be Riddick's room, but he gave it to me when I came here. Bea: I thought he's your dad. Mary: He is, but I was living with my mother until recently. - That's my bed. You'll sleep on the sofa. It's fine for you as you're not too tall to sleep in it. If you don't like it, we'll get you something else.
Bea: Riddick is scary. Mary: I guess he looks that way, but he's really nice. There's no need to be scared of him. I'm sure you'll get used to him soon.
Mary: The computer is Riddick's, but we can use it. Bea: Really? I can use it? Mary: If you know how. If you don't, I can teach you. - Would you like to see the rest of the house? Bea: Sure.
A little later: Kitty: What have you two been up to? Mary: I showed Bea our room and the rest of the house. We didn't go to the garage. Riddick: I'm happy to hear that. I think you better not go there at all. Mary: All right.