#101 THE MOTEL                   (Original air date: 10/01/96)
 

Written by:	E.F. Wallengren
Directed by:	Victor Lobl
Produced by:	Martha Williamson, Jon Andersen & R.J. Visciglia, Jr.

Guest Cast:

Lillian Hightower	Marion Ross
Tess	Della Reese
Caroline Montgomery	Lea Moreno

The Greenes are passing through Arkansas when Russell decides that the family needs a break from life on the road and a pit stop to recharge their batteries. The motel owner, Lillian Hightower, tells them to hit the road when she realize they're related to Joe Greene who skipped out on his bill. Despite Russell's assurances to make good on his brother's debt, Lillian is unmoved. Russell won't take no for an answer and starts hacking away at a dilapidated trellis. Lillian agrees to put them up in return for the family's help renovating her rundown motel. Josh meets a young girl who is staying at the motel. Nathaniel, using his wiles from his life on the road with his renegade father, lifts a gun and a room key hidden in Lillian's office. Lillian warms to the Greenes as they make good on Joe's debt until she discovers her gun is missing. A shot is heard. The family frantically sets out to search for Nathaniel. Russell finds Nathaniel safely lying in a field. Russell taps into the boy's sadness over his father's absence and his own anger toward his brother for disappearing -- but an understanding of the demons that are haunting him. In the meantime, Russell explains to Nathaniel that the closest thing they've got to having Joe is each other.

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