Boy Meets World (TV Series)

Can I Help to Cheer You? (1999)

J.B. Gaynor: Tommy

Quotes 

• Eric Matthews : Boy, you sure like to get a lot of information before you let somebody take a kid, huh?

  Mrs. Gallagher : Well, normally we just pull names out of a hat. But we really like Tommy. This is the background on the other couple interested in him.

  Eric Matthews : You're allowed to show me that?

  Mrs. Gallagher : No, I'm not. But in this case, you being the big brother and wanting what's best for Tommy, I think it'll be okay. Tommy's been here a long time, and we really care about him as much as you do. We wouldn't place him with just anybody.

  Eric Matthews : I know, but, I mean, come on, why do they have to live in California?

  Mrs. Gallagher : They used to live here in Philadelphia. That's when they adopted their first child from us. A little girl three years ago, Sara.

  Eric Matthews : Well, I mean, they can keep Sara. I don't have a problem with that.

  Mrs. Gallagher : We used to get lots of letters from Sara telling us how happy she was. Then we got fewer letters, and then they stopped coming.

  Eric Matthews : 'Cause she wasn't happy anymore.

  Mrs. Gallagher : 'Cause we weren't her family anymore, they are. As much as it hurts, we love it when the letters stop. Here's a note from her mother.

  Eric Matthews : [reading aloud]  "Dear Mrs. Gallagher, here is Sara's third-grade picture. As you can see, she's growing into a beautiful young lady, and we never realized it was possible to love someone so much. The one thing that could make our family more complete would be a brother for Sara and a son for us. We can't stop thinking about Tommy and how happy we would all be together. Thank you so much for considering us."

  [to Mrs. Gallagher] 

  Eric Matthews : I love Tommy, too.

  Mrs. Gallagher : I know. Now you just have to decide how much.

  Tommy : [Eric gets up and goes into another room where Tommy is waiting with his arms full of toys]  Look, Dad, I packed all my stuff. I'm all ready to go. Isn't it cool the way I call you Dad?

  Eric Matthews : Yeah, Tommy. It's way cool.

  Tommy : Let's get out of here. Let's go. Come on. What?

  Eric Matthews : I can't be your dad, Tommy.

  Tommy : Why not?

  Eric Matthews : Come here. These people in California, they sound really nice.

  Tommy : But I want to be here with you.

  Eric Matthews : You're going to have a mom and a dad and a house with a big pool and a big sister and a dog... named Waldo.

  Tommy : I don't need a dog. I have you. Eric, I'm never going with anybody except you.

  Eric Matthews : I'm not going to adopt you, Tommy.

  Tommy : Why not?

  Eric Matthews : Because I'm not.

  Tommy : Yes, you are.

  Eric Matthews : Tommy. I'm not going to adopt you.

  Tommy : I don't like you anymore.

  Eric Matthews : [clearly hurt but holding his composure]  I'm sorry to hear that, Tom.

  Tommy : And now I'm going to California to be with people who care about me.

  Eric Matthews : Good for you, Tommy. Good for you, man.

  [Eric leaves Tommy in his room and closes the door behind him. He looks at Mrs. Gallagher on the couch] 

  Mrs. Gallagher : Good for you.