Come Find Me

(Pensive piano music) (Voices of children playing) (Waves rippling) [NORI VITO] Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?

[GIULIANA VITO] Why?

[NORI] I got to tell you something.

So next... [GIULIANA] (Overlapping) What?

Eenie, meenie, miney.

Talk to me when I'm doing this.

[NORI] No, I want your attention.

[GIULIANA] Why?

Tell me what's happening now please?

[NORI] So, Mommy is gonna go on an airplane 'cause Mommy's going to Romania.

'Cause Mommy has another family that Mommy's never met.

[GIULIANA] Eenie meenie... [NORI] And Mommy is gonna be on an airplane like this.

[Toy airplane snaps shut] [GIULIANA] It's a pink airplane?

[NORI] Um...I don't know.

It might be a pink airplane.

But...Mommy...Listen...

[GIULIANA] But why do I don't come with you because it's pink like that?

[NORI] And that's...

Listen...so let me tell you.

[GIULIANA] Am I gonna come with you?

[NORI] You're not gonna come with me this time, but you're gonna come with me in the future.

[NORI] Oh.

[Laughs] You wanna help me do my makeup?

You wanna do some makeup of yours, huh?

[GIULIANA] Yeah.

[NORI] All right, let's do some makeup.

(Ethereal piano music) [NORI] I was adopted at the age of two and a half from Romania and I came over in 1991.

I was your typical All-American kid.

I grew up very fortunate.

Uh, did lots of activities, um, good upbringing.

(Sound of home video footage where family is singing) Happy birthday to you... (laughter) [KATHLEEN VITO] One more.

[ENTIRE FAMILY] Yay!

(Cheering and clapping) [NORI] I felt most comfortable when nobody knew I was adopted.

You get looked at differently when you tell somebody you're adopted, especially being a different skin color.

Uh, that was like the instant giveaway.

(Laughs) "Oh, your parents are white?"

(Laughs again) "Yes, yes they are."

Um, it seems like the more and more I tried to forget that I was adopted, the harder and deeper I internalized a lot of issues because I've had fear of abandonment through this adoption, but I've also had fear of abandonment from day one.

My birth mother's birthday and I are extremely close.

And every year that passed, every year, every birthday, it definitely got more vulnerable I think around November just thinking about, "is she alive?

Is she okay?

Is she thinking about me?

Why hasn't she contacted me yet?"

And now, I'm just old enough...now I'm too old to where...I have to break that cycle.

I have to suck it up.

The time is now for me to break that.

(Pensive music builds with intensity) [NORI] I'm getting ready to head into the unknown: armed with nearly an empty family tree and a DNA test that shows I'm from everywhere (chuckles) except for Romania and a handful of faded documents.

I had three names.

My birth mother's and my grandparents, that was it.

I remember asking my Mom, "Is this her signature?

"Is this my mother's signature?"

I can't tell you how many times I looked at that signature, stared at it.

And, you know, I would go run to my room or you know, pick up the phone and call Romania, or you know, write a letter to the embassy.

And each and every time, I just constantly always came up with dead ends.

Facebook's always been my outlet to picking up my search, you know, reaching out to other Romanian adoptees and you know, just trying to learn more about my heritage.

(Dramatic music from TV news report) [TV REPORTER'S VOICE] Tonight, the dramatic climax to 2020's epic series: "The Orphans of Romania."

In the first room we visited, we found children sleeping two to a bed on urine-soaked sheets.

In room after room, we found children clearly in need of medical care, their bodies emaciated.

Some restrained in strait-jackets.

[MALE VOICE] This place is not suitable for animals, let alone for children.

(Rumble of car motor) [TRANSLATOR] Say: "I don't understand."

[Voice speaking Romanian] [TRANSLATOR] It's the "nu" that makes this sentence negative.

How do you say, "Excuse me" in Romanian?

[Voice speaking Romanian] [TRANSLATOR] Now, he wants to ask her, if she understands English.

First, the word "English."

Listen and repeat.

[Voice speaking Romanian] (Chime of text appearing on cell phone) [NORI] Like, this is nuts.

Ileana or Elena, she's the leader to this big Facebook group.

And she's helped over 300 families, I believe, find their birth families.

She got in touch with the local mayor of the county I was born in.

I said, "Wow, the mayor?"

"He knows your family."

"He lives close to them."

"I said, 'This is crazy.'

"Unfortunately, your mother doesn't live in that village anymore.

She has moved to Greece."

"I just received from the mayor this Facebook profile.

This might be your birth mother.

Are you available in an hour time to video call with her?"

[NORI] (Sighs) I must look like my father.

(Chuckles) I don't know.

I don't even know if I have her nose.

I don't know.

Who's that?

Who is that?

Are you my brother?

She sure does have a lot of pictures.

Who?

Yo [slams hand on table and scoffs]... tell me that's not me?

Ah, must be a sibling.

(Sound of ringing of video call) [ILEANA] Hello?

[Speaks Romanian] [Nori speaks Romanian and laughs] [ILEANA] Listen, we can start the call in less that 10 minutes.

In about 10 minutes.

She's very, very excited.

She's very happy.

Okay, so a little insight of the family, right?

Um...so she has in total eight children.

[NORI] Wow, she has, she has eight children?

[ILEANA] And um, she can't wait to get to see you and to hear you now in a few minutes.

[NORI] Okay.

[ILEANA] All right?

Talk to you in a minute.

[NORI] Okay.

Bye.

[ILEANA] Bye, bye.

[NORI] Oh, my... (drinks tea and laughs) Mm... (Sound of ringing of video call) [NORI] Wow...hi twin (laughs)!

[Mandica speaking Romanian] [ILEANA] She said, "Come quick and see Nori."

[More speaking of Romanian] [NORI] Oh, my goodness.

[More speaking of Romanian] [NORI] Hello (laughs)!

[MANDICA] Hello.

[NORI] Nice to finally meet.

[Mandica speaking Romanian] [ILEANA] "You're so beautiful."

[NORI] Oh, it's okay, don't cry.

Happy, this is happy times.

[ILEANA] So...what would you like to ask?

[NORI] Have you ever tried to look for me?

Can you ask her, if she's ever tried to look for me?

It was an open adoption.

[Ileana speaking Romanian] [Mandica speaking Romanian] [ILEANA] "We didn't have the guarantee that you were even alive.

We didn't know."

[Mandica speaking Romanian] [ILEANA] She said, "When I found out that what he did, I, um, felt sick and I uh, never recovered.

I'm very sick, you know?

It...it...it, uh, caused me illness, serious illness."

[NORI] Can...um, can we, can we...can we ask her, if I can...should I, can I come to Greece and meet them?

(Mandica and sister cheering and claps) (Nori laughs) [Mandica speaking Romanian] [NORI] Okay?

(Laughs) You good?

Oh.

[ILEANA] "Please come, I would love to see you."

[NORI] Okay, perfect.

All right.

[ILEANA] All right.

[NORI] Bye guys, bye Mom.

I'll see you soon, okay?

(Laughs) (Blows a kiss) [NORI] What's cool though is...

I think...from this moment on, life has changed forever.

(Upbeat Eastern European music with accordion) [NORI] And just like that, my family tree changed.

A mother and sister living in Greece and a brother who's in prison for smuggling Syrians into Europe.

And six other half siblings spread throughout Romania, England, Germany, and Italy.

(Rumbling of car motor) [NORI] I mean, this is just, oh...my God!

Like, I grew up with a family that was so small and so tight knit.

You know, I grew up in a very small town, small, small life, and...you know?

And now I'm like, "Oh, I have such a large family."

It still doesn't feel real to me because at the same time that this is happening with me, this is happening with my Mom and Dad.

And, you know, I have to sit down and tell them and I'm excited to.

And I'm sure...and I'm excited to answer any questions that they have.

And, you know, it's just gonna web out from here.

So...the can of worms have been opened.

[NORI] Hello?

[KATHLEEN VITO] Hi!

[NORI] Hi!

[KATHLEEN] Hi darling.

[NORI] G!

Hi!

[KATHLEEN] Hi!

(Nori hugs daughter and gives kiss) [NORI] Once, I experienced that unconditional love with my daughter and becoming a mother, I just, I couldn't fathom how...I just could not comprehend how a woman could just let go of her child like that.

[NORI] I missed you.

[GIULIANA] And I'll put the pink back.

Okay, and I'm gonna go to the blue one.

Blue, blue, blue, blue.

[NORI] G say, G say, "Te iubesc" [speaking Romanian] [NORI] Say "Buna, buna tubesc" [NORI] I think I'm saying hi-- [GIULIANA] Ma, look at me!

[NORI] --I love you I think?

[GIULIANA] Ma, (giggles) I'm a rainbow girl.

I'm a rainbow.

[NORI] You are.

Here, go show Mom-mom.

And don't touch any walls.

You can follow her.

[GIULIANA] Mom-mom, look at my makeup.

(Sound of pop song playing on radio) [KATHLEEN] Let me see.

Wow, let me see your face.

Wow, did you do that yourself?

You did?

Did mommy help you?

[GIULIANA] No.

[KATHLEEN] No?

Wow, are you supposed to be an animal or something?

No?

[GIULIANA] Do you want me do it to you or something?

[KATHLEEN] No, I don't think so.

(Chuckles) One beauty's enough.

(Laughs) (Sound of rain falling on roof) [NORI] You know, we've all anticipated this day... in our own ways, our whole lives.

(Sound of rain fades) [KATHLEEN] There wasn't anything I could do, say, or get you that was ever going to fill that hole up and I know that.

I've always known that.

I think anybody who adopts a child has to, has to understand that.

You're my daughter.

I'm your mother.

She gave birth to you, that's it.

So, I don't know if I really want... No, I don't hold any resentment to her.

I mean, why should I?

You know?

She...she... you know, let me have you, we think.

I mean, that bothers me if you were so-called purchased because we were trying so hard to be ethical; but we did what we did.

You know?

[NORI] Right.

Um...how much--do you remember how much you bought me for?

[KATHLEEN] Ah, $3,500.

She initially wanted a lot more.

You know, and that was a lot...that was like buying you.

You know?

And no, I just wasn't gonna do that.

And then, at the very last minute, she wanted me to bring a VCR with me too.

[DAVID VITO] She wanted a VCR.

[KATHLEEN] And I said "no because... [NORI] Who wanted a VCR?

[KATHLEEN] Your birth mother wanted $3,500 and a VCR.

[NORI] Now, now I know what to bring over there (chuckles).

[KATHLEEN] But I definitely didn't buy you on the black market (chuckles).

If that's what she's trying to allude in some way, I don't know.

You know?

Yeah.

[NORI] I don't know either.

[KATHLEEN] I just...I'm just having a hard time buying it totally.

You were in a hospital and somehow or other your father whose name is not on your birth certificate was allowed to get you and sell you to-- [NORI] To other gypsies.

[KATHLEEN] Other gypsies that were going to-- [NORI] Too far-fetched?

[KATHLEEN] Yeah, it is.

It just is.

I guess that's my fear.

Like, you're gonna go over there and they're not gonna be very welcoming and...or they're just gonna try and use you.

Right.

And not be sincere.

[NORI] Well, little do they know, I'm struggling here.

[KATHLEEN] Yeah, little do they know how much you don't have.

But you gotta understand, you've never been out of the country before like this.

You haven't been in places like this.

You have no idea how other people just struggle.

I just hope it doesn't open up even more wounds instead of settling anything, the more details you learn.

[NORI] Um, I wanna be your rock.

I don't want anymore...I don't want anymore...um... we have enough we gotta fix between each other.

I don't wanna create any kind of insecurities or any kinda of, um bad.

I just want...you know, I want this to bring us together and I want you to know that I love you.

[KATHLEEN] I know that.

[NORI] --And you are my Mom.

[KATHLEEN] I know that.

[NORI] Okay?

[KATHLEEN] I know.

It just bothered me that's all.

It just rubbed me the wrong way that day.

It just...it just bothered me.

Especially when she was posting a picture of her with this loving little thing about-- [NORI] I'm sorry.

[KATHLEEN] --this granddaughter that she didn't know she had.

Well, it's not her granddaughter.

It's my granddaughter (sniffles).

[NORI] I don't wanna hurt, I don't wanna hurt anyone (voice breaks, softly crying).

[KATHLEEN] I know.

Look, I know you didn't do this because you wanted to hurt me.

We've been waiting...we thought that someday you would do this.

You know?

Which is why I always told you everything that I knew.

[NORI] I know, but we haven't been the best with each other.

We haven't treated each other-- [KATHLEEN] Why, because you're a bitch?

(Chuckles) [NORI] Because you're never wrong?

[KATHLEEN] That's right.

[NORI] Yeah, sure.

[GIULIANA] This is the sad part that you ever said.

[KATHLEEN] Yeah.

[NORI] This is a sad part.

It's overwhelming, it's too much (cries).

[KATHLEEN] How do you feel about her?

[NORI] I don't know.

I'm still trying to work that through.

I don't care.

I care about you.

I don't care.

I'm just like, super protective to you.

You're my Mom.

[KATHLEEN] Nope, not letting go.

(Sound of wind over water) [DAVID] Do you know where Mommy's going?

[GIULIANA] What?

[DAVID] She's going to Romania.

[GIULIANA] What's Romania?

[DAVID] I'll show you.

You see these things in the picture?

[GIULIANA] Uh-huh.

[DAVID] You know what they are?

They're mountains.

'Cause where Mommy's going are a lot of mountains.

Okay.

[NORI] There it is.

See?

[DAVID] There it is right here.

It does kind of look like a fish, doesn't it?

[NORI] It's a big blowfish, look.

[GIULIANA] It is a blowfish.

(Nori chuckles) [DAVID] Kinda.

[NORI] That's what I always thought.

[DAVID] And then, she's gonna go from there and she's gonna get on a plane and she's gonna go here.

See this island?

She's going to go there too, okay?

[NORI] Cool, huh?

[DAVID] And when she comes back, she's gonna tell you all about who she met when she was over there.

[NORI] I'm ready to do this.

I've been ready for...for 30 years.

(Sound of zipper on suitcase) [NORI] I wanna achieve inner peace finally.

And if I don't get inner peace from this, at least I'll know that I tried, because I'm gonna have to accept the reality that this wasn't such a good idea.

I don't know yet.

(Eastern European music) ♪ ♪ [NORI] I know that by finally being able to go back and stand in the same soil that I was born in, I think that in itself will be just so freeing.

♪ ♪ [NORI] We are...we have officially landed in Bucharest.

(Eastern European music continues then slowly fades) ♪ ♪ (Sound of busy street in Bucharest, cars driving by) [NORI] Tall, tall buildings.

I think this weekend, Andra and I are gonna go out to the village of where I was born.

So, I'm sure it's gonna be very different.

And uh, I don't know what to expect.

ANDRA: It's Thursday today.

Let's say we have Friday and Saturday in Ramnnicu Sarat and area.

So, let me call Roxana right now and tell her we'll be there tomorrow at about two o'clock because I don't know... [NORI] What are we doing with Roxana tomorrow?

ANDRA: --You're meeting your sister.

Roxana is the social worker that is in charge of your sister Geanina.

[NORI] Oh, oh, oh.

Okay, okay.

[ANDRA] 'Cause I'm thinking we have a lot of places to see... [NORI] I know.

[ANDRA] ...to meet people here.

I'm thinking maybe we should meet your brothers somewhere... [NORI] Cool, let's do it, let's jump right in.

(Andra chuckles) (Busy street sounds) (Sounds of people talking) (Birds chirping, sirens) (Accordion music from street performer) ♪ ♪ (Sound of train coming to platform) [NORI] As I gear up with meeting my siblings, I'm still trying to gauge all of these siblings out because (laughs) I'm not used to having more than one brother.

To gain eight more siblings overnight essentially, I'm still trying to put my finger on where I can place myself with them that we can both connect.

I think they're just as apprehensive to me as I am to them.

[Nori speaks Romanian] [NORI] (Laughs) Long time no see!

How do I say that?

(Laughs) Hi!

(Makes "kissing" noise) [NORI] How are you?

(Speaks Romanian) (Makes "kissing" noise) [NORI] Do you mind sitting?

Do you mind, yeah, yeah?

[Paul speaking Romanian] [ANDRA] He said, "We did the same thing you're doing right now."

[Paul speaking Romanian] [ANDRA] He said, "Uh..." [NORI] I knew though, I knew Mandica most likely had more children, but I didn't expect it to be this big and so many similar circumstances too, like...I [Translator Andra speaks Romanian at same time] [Paul speaking Romanian] [ANDRA] They said, "We also were very surprised to find out.

We didn't know."

[NORI] Da, da.

Yeah.

[Andra speaks in Romanian and Paul responds] [ANDRA] They said, "They didn't know anything about anyone.

We could've met them on the street and not know they were our brothers or sisters."

[NORI] Right, right.

[Paul speaking Romanian] [ANDRA] "She's my lottery ticket."

[NORI] She's my meal ticket, yeah.

[Paul speaking Romanian] [NORI] Mmmm...Da, da.

Mmmm.

Mmmm.

[NORI] Well, we were...we were, all an inconvenience.

[More speaking of Romanian] [Andra speaks in Romanian] [NORI] How do you say brother in Romanian?

[Andra says, "frate" [NORI] Frate...frate, frate.

And that's all I got.

(Laughs) [ANDRA] Okay, cheese.

(Bouncy Eastern European music) ♪ ♪ (Music fades out) [NORI] Hello, town of my people.

[Speaks Romanian] Good to be back.

[ANDRA] Good to be back, yeah...welcome.

[NORI] What is it "noroc"?

For cheers?

[Voices speaking in Romanian] (Clink of glasses) [ANDRA] "She has heard about you and her family, she said, she can no longer concentrate.

She's very emotional."

[NORI] Yeah, it's...tell her I mean, I definitely feel the same and I can relate.

And you know... [Geanina and Andra speaking in Romanian] [ANDRA] "She never knew she had a sister."

[NORI] That's crazy.

[ANDRA] But she was born... [Geanina speaking in Romanian] [ANDRA] She said, "It was really bad.

They were abused.

They were beaten."

[Andra speaks in Romanian] [Geanina speaking in Romanian] [ANDRA] She said, "I don't want anything from her.

I just want her to be healthy."

[NORI] So, do I. I've been that way with her from day one.

It's a very, it's a hard thing to find my balance on as far as how vulnerable I am, but also how to embrace her too though 'cause I've been waiting for this moment my entire life.

So, it's just like okay, I can hug you and I can say thanks.

But, yesterday I heard that she wanted money from me.

You know, it's like... [Geanina and Andra speaking in Romanian] [Geanina and Andra speaking in Romanian outside of orphanage] (Car motor rumbling) (Slow somber music with strings) [NORI] I'm definitely working through some survivor's guilt.

Feeling guilty that I got out and they did not.

They don't have the luxuries that we have.

They didn't get a chance to have an education.

They didn't get a chance for a lot of the things I've had chances for.

I don't think I've earned enough time with them yet to be able to say I think I know, or that I think I can relate, or that I think I could understand because I don't.

I can, I can barely comprehend.

[NORI] Look at all this.

This is crazy.

Sorry.

[Andra speaking in Romanian] [NORI] Is this my uncle?

Our uncle?

[ANDRA] He's a neighbor.

[NORI] A neighbor, neighbor.

[Nela speaks in Romanian and neighbor speaks in Romanian] [NORI] Hi, give me hugs.

I'm a hugger.

(Laughs) [Nela speaks in Romanian to Geanina] [ANDRA] You are from here.

[Nori responds in Romanian] [Nela speaks in Romanian] [ANDRA] She said you were born here in the garden.

[NORI] Nuh-uh.

[Nela speaks in Romanian] [ANDRA] The ambulance came when she was about to cut your cord.

[Nela speaks in Romanian] [NORI] Right here?

[Nela speaks in Romanian] [ANDRA] Yes.

[NORI] Wow.

[Costica speaks in Romanian] [ANDRA] He said, "I was not home when you were born, but this garden, in this garden, you were born here."

[Costica speaks in Romanian] [ANDRA] This is the old house in which you stayed when you were little.

[Costica speaks in Romanian] [NORI] I feel like, I wanna call my mom.

Oh, and I have service.

Here we go.

All right, you ready to see where I was born?

[KATHLEEN] (On phone) Yeah.

[NORI] Right here (chuckles).

[KATHLEEN] (On phone) Outside?

[NORI] Yeah, Mom this is my sora (sister).

So, this is the house that I was in for very brief.

Let me introduce you to uh, Mandica's brother.

[KATHLEEN] (On phone) Okay.

[NORI] He had no idea about me, up until right now.

This woman saved me.

She saved my life.

[NORI] This woman saved my life.

[Andra translates and speaks in Romanian] [Costica speaks in Romanian] [ANDRA] He said, "Kisses."

[NORI] Kisses, kisses.

(Somber music fades in) [NORI] Every day has been a whirlwind filled with ups and downs, and lefts and rights.

And I don't even know what direction I'm standing in anymore.

I'm experiencing a lot of uh, nostalgia, and a sense of old feelings, and um, needing her mother and just needing to be loved.

And before I meet my birth mother too especially; because I've heard so many negative things from so many different people coming from so many different angles, it's distorting my feelings.

As vulnerable as I feel and as vulnerable as I'm going to feel when I meet her, I just hope I can get through it.

(Somber music fades out) (Rumble of plane) (Chime of text on phone) (Din of airport) (Sound of sea waves) (Church bells ringing) [NORI] (Sighs) (Street sounds of cars honking) [NORI] Um...So, we're, uh, getting ready to meet the woman that birthed your child.

(Kathleen laughs on video chat) [NICOLETA] I think she knows.

(Laughs) [KATHLEEN] (On phone) Is anyone going with you?

[NORI] Yes, um, meet my um, new-found friend, uh, Nicoleta.

[KATHLEEN] (On phone) So, where are you meeting her, Nori?

[NORI] At her house.

[KATHLEEN] (On phone) Oh, you're going there?

[NORI] Hmm-hmm.

[KATHLEEN] (On phone) You don't have to stay all day, if you don't want me to, once you get over there.

[NORI] I'm fine, really.

[KATHLEEN] (On phone) It doesn't bother your Dad and I that, you know, you're doing this and going to meet her, and everything.

We're still your parents.

[NORI] I know that, but I don't want to...

I don't want her to ever become a wedge between us.

[KATHLEEN] (On phone) We just don't want to see you hurt.

We don't want to see you be disappointed.

[NORI] (Talking via video chat on phone) Good morning, sweetie.

[GIULIANA] (On phone) Where are you?

[NORI] (Talking via video chat on phone) Where am I?

I am on the other side of the world (laughs).

Are you ready for school?

Hmmmm?

You get good sleep last night snuggling Mom-mom?

Sleep overs in Mom-mom's bed.

I love when your hair is like that.

It's so pretty.

That's how Mom-mom used to do my hair.

All right G, I got to call you, okay?

Have a good day at school.

I love you.

Love you Mom.

[KATHLEEN] (On phone) Okay.

[NORI] (Talking via video chat on phone) Okay.

[KATHLEEN] (On phone) Okay.

(Sound of dog barking) (closes car door) [NORI] Okay, hi!

(Laughs) [Speaks Romanian] [NORI] My niece, my nephew, give me hugs, come here.

[Nicoleta speaks Romanian to the children] [NORI] Look what I got you.

[NICOLETA] I said, if they want to ask you something, I can translate.

[NORI] Absolutely, yes!

[NICOLETA] They can speak with me like they speak with you.

[NORI] Look at this, look at that.

[NIECE] Thank you very much.

[NORI] You're welcome very much.

(Laughs) Hi, come here!

[Speaking Romanian] [Mandica breaks down and sobs] [NORI] It's okay.

[Mandica continues to cry and speaks Romanian] [NICOLETA] (Translating) She said that she thought that she will not find you.

She didn't know nothing about you.

[NORI] It's okay, it's okay.

[Mandica speaks Romanian] [NICOLETA] She thought she will never see you again.

[NORI] I'm here, I'm here, all right?

It's okay, it's okay.

[Speaks in Romanian] Okay?

Come on, come on.

I gotta say hi to my twin.

I'm short like you.

[Voices speaking Romanian] (Nori hugs sister and makes "kissing" sounds) [Voices speaking Romanian] (Mihaela "kisses" Nori) [Mandica kisses Nori] [NICOLETA] They're very happy to see you alive.

[Voices speaking Romanian] [NORI] Tell them the feeling's mutual.

[NICOLETA] Please let's go inside because he wants to tell you more about your mother.

[NORI] Absolutely.

[NICOLETA] She didn't have money to pay rent or something.

[Voices speaking Romanian] [NICOLETA] And he feels pity for her and if he didn't was him, she was very sick and probably she was dead.

Here, she was living how you see here in this house.

[NICOLETA] Fifteen years, she was living in this house.

[More speaking of Romanian] [NORI] Here, add this to your wall.

[More speaking of Romanian] [NICOLETA] Okay.

She said, "Please go to eat something, and after, we can speak."

[NORI] Oh, "mangia," "mangia."

"Da."

"Da."

"Da."

Ooo, I'm gonna blow bubbles... A cup of cherries... "Noroc," "Noroc," Right?

Is that what it is?

[NORI] "Salut," "salut" mother!

"Noroc!"

(Laughs) (Music playing and children dancing) [NORI] I should've brought my speaker.

Why is everyone quiet, now?

[Voices speaking Romanian] [NORI] Whenever, like you hold my hand I'm like, oh okay, what is this?

What am I getting here?

[MANDICA] Nori!

[NICOLETA] Okay, I don't know if you know this that's why I want to hold you.

So, your mother, she wants to make abortion with you because she had a very difficult life with your father.

He was beating her.

They didn't have house.

They didn't have nothing, but she didn't make because of your father.

Because he said, "If you're gonna do it, I will never speak with you.

You cannot it do it abortion.

[Mandica speaking Romanian] [NICOLETA] They didn't have house.

They didn't have nothing.

He was very violent.

[NORI] That's something...that's something that I...Hold on.

[Mandica and Nicoleta speaking Romanian] [NICOLETA] Okay, so uh, your father sold you to a family and he took some money.

And after this family sold you to your real family in America and they took more money.

[NORI] Cool.

[NICOLETA] She didn't knew it.

[Mandica speaking Romanian] [NICOLETA] She said, she doesn't know with how much money she sold you, but she knows that really she sold you, she didn't give you, she sold you.

[NORI] $3,500.

[Mandica and Nicoleta speaking Romanian] [NICOLETA] She want to tell you this.

I know that you didn't ask her, but she want to tell you because maybe you'll ask more people and everybody they'll say different things than her.

And because she's your mother, she will tell you the truth.

Okay, good, try to drink something.

She'll tell you the truth and just believe her because it's very important because she's your mother and you must believe her.

(Dogs barking) [Voices speaking Romanian] [NICOLETA] Your father sold many children, not just you, a lot of children.

It was like fashion just to sell children.

[NORI] So Mom, what the hell?

Why are you?

Why are you...(scoffs) God, why are you having kids with men that sell their [deleted] kids?

[NORI] I don't wanna...uh, I don't...I just um...

I'm not here to condemn you or to judge 'cause I'm just trying really hard not to be upset at you 'cause I'm so happy to see you and be here with you.

But I just...

I'm scared of you.

[Voices speaking Romanian] [NORI] I need it to work.

It has to work or else I'm gonna be in a place where I don't think anybody should be.

[Voices speaking Romanian] (Pensive and reflective music with guitar) [NORI] What I thought and what I felt that day did not line up.

I've never felt so much peace, yet, so much despair, all at the same time, I was so scared to ask the hard questions because I knew deep down, I didn't want to ask the hard questions.

I never wanted to let go of her.

♪ ♪ [NORI] That's nice.

[NICOLETA] This is for stress.

[NORI] Is this for stress?

Can I take the whole rack?

All of them?

I'm joking, I'm trying to make her laugh...I'm joking.

(Pensive and reflective music with guitar fades out) (Sound of wind and waves breaking) [NORI] Time was of the essence.

And from the moment I got there, I knew time was running out.

For the rest of my life, I have to take each moment like it's our last.

Ask the harder questions and laying it all out there.

[NORI] It's hard to be numb for so long without crying eventually, I think it's normal.

[NORI] All right, so you, listen.

[Nicoleta speaking Romanian and translating] [NORI] Just relax, Mom.

Let me break this down to how minimal I've had, okay ready?

[Nicoleta speaking Romanian and translating] [NORI] So, 1...2....3...4 [counting in Romanian] This is literally, everything, I've only had all this my entire life.

[Mandica speaking Romanian] [NICOLETA] She said that doesn't know nothing about this paper.

It's not her declaration.

She didn't sign nothing.

She didn't know nothing about this.

[NORI] Okay, all right, so whose, whose signature is this?

[Maria speaks Romanian] [NICOLETA] Don't listen many people because most of the people, they're speaking different things, bad things.

And don't listen to everybody.

[Maria and Mandica speaks Romanian] [NICOLETA] Yes, and your aunt she said the same that your mother didn't sold you.

[NORI] Mom, I'm not, I'm not...it's okay.

[Maria speaks Romanian] [NICOLETA] But she said that how you didn't know what happened with you and of course, she didn't know.

So now, I explain to her all the time that you don't blame, you don't know nothing.

You just present these.

[NORI] ---it's all I had.... [NICOLETA] --Only this you've had.

[NORI] I'm going to take everything that I've heard since I've met you with a grain of salt.

[Nicoleta speaks Romanian and translates] [NORI] Because a lot of it has been bad.

[Nicoleta speaks Romanian and translates] [NORI] But I'm gonna place you above all that because you're my mother.

[Nicoleta speaks Romanian and translates] [NORI] Listen, I don't wanna go home and lose you.

[Nicoleta speaks Romanian as Nori continues speaking] [NORI] But I can tell you right now, I don't have anything.

I can barely support myself.

And I really hope that money, I really hope that um, money doesn't become uh, I don't even wanna even...

I don't want to like utter the sentence.

[Mandica speaking in Romanian] [NICOLETA] She said that she doesn't need it.

You will not support her because she will not live many years, because you are young.

She is sick.

How is the life today or tomorrow...?

[Mandica continues speaking in Romanian] [NORI] Listen, I just want my love to be enough, Mom.

Mom, I just want my love to be enough, that's it.

You're my Mom, I'm your child.

I just want my love to be enough, that's all.

[Nicoleta translates and Mandica continues speaking] [NICOLETA] Nori, you're in America, she's in Greece.

She doesn't know what can be tomorrow, the day after tomorrow.

[NORI] It doesn't matter if I'm in America or Greece.

That doesn't matter.

[More speaking of Romanian] [NORI] I'll love you just the same.

[NICOLETA] "No, it's far away.

It's too far away."

[NORI] It's not far away.

[Nicoleta translates in Romanian] [NORI] I'm right there, I'm feeling, I'm gonna be feeling the same emotions you're gonna be feeling.

[Nicoleta translates in Romanian and Mandica speaking Romanian] [NICOLETA] Her far way, you far away.

[Mandica speaks Romanian] [NICOLETA] We will speak.

We have one connection.

"You'll be inside my heart and you'll be there."

[NORI] It's like it sounds like she's already given up--- [Nicoleta translates in Romania as Nori speaks] [NORI] --Me being in America and her being in Greece, it's like, "Oh, what can I do?"

Well, what can I do?

I wanna try.

We'll figure it out.

[Nicoleta translates in Romania as Nori speaks] [NORI] I love her and I don't want her to break my heart.

I love our Mom and I do not want her to break my heart.

[Nicoleta translates in Romania as Nori speaks] [NORI] 'Cause I feel it, it's like it's just creeping.

(Sounds of Nori packing her suitcase) (Sound of zipper closing on suitcase) (Sounds of crying and sniffling) (Nori hugs Mihaela who is also sobbing and crying) [NORI] (Nori hugs Mandica) It's okay.

I love you.

[Speaks Romanian to Mandica] C'mon, let me go.

Help me get my bags.

[Voice speaking Romanian] [NICOLETA] Have a nice flight.

[NORI] I will.

(Crying and sobbing intensifies) (Slow Greek guitar music) [NORI] I'm happy I found her and I'm happy I got to meet each and every single brother and sister that I met, but this is some trying stuff.

This is hard.

I definitely can say that I thought this would answer a lot of questions and I'm still just as stumped as ever.

Fully knowing that I have a life here, fully knowing that I am a Vito, and that I'm a mom.

My life is here.

Everything that I am is here.

(Greek guitar music fades out) [NORI] There she is.

There's my baby.

(Laughs) Come here, come here.

Hi.

[GIULIANA] Mommy!

[NORI] Come here.

[NORI] Give me a hug.

[NORI] (kissing noise) Hi, how are you?

[GIULIANA] Good.

[NORI] I missed you.

Look, I got you flowers.

Are you ready to go home?

[GIULIANA] Yes.

[NORI] Okay.

Hello, mi familia (chuckles).

[KATHLEEN] Hi!

[NORI] Hi!

[KATHLEEN] Oh, thank you, welcome home.

Welcome home, we've missed you.

[NORI] Oh, yeah?

[KATHLEEN] We missed you, especially this one.

Oh, thank you.

Those are pretty.

[DAVID] (In background) I know, still.

(Chime of text on phone) [NORI] I told Mandica and she's like, "What are you doing?"

as we were rolling up.

I was like, "I just got home."

It is surreal.

(Greek guitar music fades back in) [KATHLEEN] It is.

[NORI] Okay, are you ready to see her?

[KATHLEEN] So, how many versions of the story of Nori did you get?

[NORI] Mom.

[KATHLEEN] I'm just trying to sort it all out in my head.

[NORI] And so am I.

[NORI] Where do we go moving forward with one another?

Maybe forgive a little bit?

Kind of just accepting things for what they are.

And knowing that it doesn't take any hurt away, but maybe you can find a little bit of peace.

And maybe with just that little bit of peace, you can move on and move forward.

(Upbeat Eastern European music) ♪ ♪