 |
|
Bill McNabb, a cappuccino machine
salesman, arrives with his pregnant wife, Joann at Juliano's Coffee
Shop where Andrew is acting as temporary manager. While Bill tries to
sell the "newest and best" machine to Andrew, Joann comfirms
their plans to give a baby shower for friends at the coffee shop later
that evening. Having overheard the discussion of babies, Monica
introduces herself as a Lamaze teacher and invites Joann to attend a
class. Bill and Joann then go to a Doctor's appointment and learn that
their baby is going to be born with Down Syndrome. Bill immediately
mentions "alternatives" to having the baby and tells Joann
not to tell anyone about the diagnosis until they decide what to do.
At the baby shower, a busboy with Down Syndrome, Taylor, breaks dishes
while avoiding a small child and this prompts Bill to tell Joann that
their baby "is not a miracle" but rather "a
mistake." Joann temporarily gives in, going to a community clinic
but is unable to go through with an abortion, saying "I'm
pro-choice and I've made my choice. I'm going to have this baby."
She then continues her pregnancy alone while the angels try to
convince Bill to come to reason. At Andrews urging, Bill begins to
reconcile with Joann but is unable to accept the child. Tess tells him
that perfect souls do not come in perfect bodies and that "it's
not the packaging but the parenting" that will make the
difference in a childs life. As Bill is servicing a cappuccino
machine, Andrew continues to try and reason with him. Bill says he
wants a "normal" kid, tall and healthy, perhaps one who
could be captain of the football team. An all American kid then walks
in, pulls a gun and begins robbing the store. As he is exiting, Joann
enters and Bill tries to take the gun from the all-star thief. The gun
explodes and Joann is hit. At the hospital, the doctor tells Bill that
Joann may not make it and asks him to give consent to operate to save
the baby. Bill is torn when Taylor reveals himself as an angel. He
tells Bill that fear is worse than Down Syndrome and that he should
not be afraid of ruining his life by having the child or of not having
enough love to give. "The child was born of love" and
"what we do in love is never lost." Bill signs the consent
form and prays for his wife and son. Tess soon brings his healthy son
into his arms. Joann continues to fight, eventually stabilizing and
the family are united in love.
|
