#214 PURPLE HEART                      (Original air date:   01/29/98)
 

Written by:	William Schwartz
Directed by:	Alan J. Levi
Produced by:	Martha Williamson, Jon Andersen, E.F. Wallengren & R.J. Visciglia, Jr.

Guest Cast:

Nick Brogan	Eric Robertson
Edward Brogan	Robert David Hall
Connie Petrie	Kaitlin Hopkins
Andrew Petrie	Steve Valentine
Billy Halpern	Grady Hutt
Jane Halpern	Teri Cowan

 

Nathaniel finds a purple heart for sale at a flea market and convinces his Uncle Russell to help him return the medal to its rightful owner. Their search leads them to a magician named Andrew Petrie and his wife Connie. Connie admits that she gave the medal away because she didn't want any reminder of her estranged father. Later, unbeknownst to his wife, Andrew stops by the Greene's trailer to give them his father-in- law's address. Russell and Nathaniel pay a visit to Connie's father, Ed Brogan, and discover an embittered veteran (and double amputee) who wants nothing to do with the medal or the daughter who gave it away. The subplot involves Nathaniel's friendship with a boy his age named Billy Halpern. When Billy's mother finds out that Nathaniel's father is serving a jail sentence for manslaughter, she decides to restrict Billy from associating with Nathaniel. Josh witnesses the exchange and tries to defend Nathaniel, but Mrs. Halpern refuses to be swayed. Later, Russell overhears Nathaniel explain to his friends that his father is dead -- that he in fact was killed by a drunk driver. In an effort to heal the breach between Nathaniel and his father, Russell arranges a surprise phone call for Nathaniel. The idea backfires with Nathaniel refusing to speak with his father and running away. Russell and Claire go to the magic store to search for Nathaniel and make a final plea for Connie to consider the effect her behavior has had on their nephew. Claire tries to persuade Connie of the importance of overcoming past wrongs and how bitterness can distort and overshadow the good memories. Nathaniel comes from the back room of the magic store, having cooled off, apologizes for his behavior. Moved by Nathaniel's change of heart, Connie asks Nathaniel for the Purple Heart -- she's decided to make amends with her father. The next day, at the ice skating rink, Josh boldly confronts Mrs. Halpern for treating Nathaniel unfairly because of his father. In his zeal, he gets so agitated he loses his balance and falls flat on his back. He may not have won over Mrs. Halpern -- but he wins something more important, strengthening the bond between him and his cousin, Nathaniel.