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11-year-old Corey Taylor is hanging out at the
local newsstand when he spies a locket dangling near the cash
register. He steals the locket in plain view and runs off before
anyone can catch him. Alice Dupree, the newsstand attendant,
contacts the police regarding the theft. Monica arrives on the
scene as the officer on duty to get all the information. Alice
gives Monica a photo of the culprit who was caught on her security
camera as well as a sketch of the heart-shaped locket, which Alice
describes as a priceless family heirloom given to her by her
mother. Monica pays a visit to Corey's school and discovers that
he's an orphan with a heart condition. But Alice remains
unsympathetic, anxious to get her locket back. Monica tracks
Corey down at the local arcade and gives him the opportunity to
return the locket on his own. When he doesn't show up, Alice is
irritated with Monica's trusting attitude. It just confirms what
she's believed all along, that trust leads to disappointment.
Monica catches up with Corey at the arcade and spends some time
getting to know him. He explains what it's like to live at the
boys home, waiting for someone to adopt him. He's come close a
couple times, but when they find out he's got a heart defect, they
change their minds. Monica gives Corey a second chance to return
the locket, but on his way there, some bullies rough him up and
steal the locket. Corey tries to explain this to Alice, but she
doesn't believe him. Corey explains that he's prayed for God to
send him a mother and that he stole the locket so he would have a
gift when the time comes. Alice is unmoved until he collapses
before her eyes. Corey is rushed to the hospital. Alice feels
bad for him, but still considers herself the victim in all this.
Tess tells Alice to stop thinking of herself and go to the
hospital and forgive Corey. Monica notices that Alice is
softening toward Corey and suggests that maybe God has already
found a mother for Corey -- Alice. Alice doesn't appreciate
Monica's meddling, but as she spends more time with Corey, Alice
starts to consider the possibility of adopting. But she's still
unsure that she has what it takes, feeling that she could never
live up to being the kind of mom her own mother was to her. But
Tess encourages Alice to make the change. Alice tells Corey the
good news and he is elated. Alice braces herself for all the
legal red tape, but is amazed when things fall into place
quickly. Alice heads to the hospital with the final papers, but
when she arrives, she finds that Corey has taken a turn for the
worse. Alice goes into a tailspin, unprepared to make the
emotional commitment only to lose him. Monica reveals herself to
Alice as an angel, exposing the fact that Alice's locket was not
the cherished reminder of her mother she claimed it to be. In
fact, her mother was an abusive alcoholic who beat her. Monica
points out that Alice is a survivor, but that she hasn't healed.
God wants her to learn what it's like to love without fear. With
a renewed sense of purpose, Alice works up the courage to be the
mother that Corey needs her to be. Corey returns the locket to
Alice, which now contains his own picture, and with his last
breath, he is able to say the words he's been waiting to say: "I
love you, mom." |
