death.  is often a bittersweet occasion to us catholics. bitter in the pain it causes the deceased .  and their families. sweet to those who know the salvation that awaits them. and some may ask, what is death. is it the end? or is it the beginning? and what is life? what is this thing we call life?
how you holding up, walt?
huh?
right, mr. kowalski. your wife and i became quite close these last few months. she asked that i watch over you when she passed on. i told her i watch out for my entire flock, but she made me promise i'd keep an extra sharp eye on you.
dorothy mentioned specifically that it was her wish for you to go to confession. she said she couldn't remember the last time you went.
it is. walt drains his lowball glass.
hi there, walt.
sorry.  mr. kowalski.
oh, nothing. thought i'd drop by and see how you were doing. haven't seen you in church in awhile.
i'd really like to talk, mr. kowalski.
why? do you have a problem with me, mr. kowalski?
no, i do.
so, here's where my flock congregates when they're not in church.
hi, mel. hey there, darrel.
hi, walt. walt says nothing. he just sips his beer.
no. i came down to talk to walt, if that's okay. mel and darrel look at walt. it puts him on the spot.
i promised your wife. walt looks over at mel and darrel and then back at father janovich.
i'll have a diet coke.
ummmm.  i'll have a gin and tonic.
i promised your wife i'd get you to go to confession.
she was very insistent. she made me.
let's talk about something else.
life and death.
i'd like to think i know a lot. i'm a priest.
i don't know about that.
what do you know, mr. kowalski?
and what about life? walt has to think for a second. he struggles with his answer.
sounds like you know more about death than you do living. walt downs a shot.
good afternoon, walt. walt's eyes narrow.
i mean, mr. kowalski.
why didn't you just call the police?
i do work with some of the hmong gangs and i heard there was some trouble in the neighborhood. why didn't you call the police?
what were you thinking? someone could have been killed. we're talking life and death here.
we're not in korea, mr. kowalski. walt says nothing.
i've been thinking about our discussion on life and death. about what you said. about how you carry around the horrible things you were forced to do. horrible things that won't leave you. it seems that it would do you good to unload some of that burden. things done during war are terrible, being ordered to kill, killing to save others, killing to save yourself. you're right, those are things i don't know anything about. but i do know about forgiveness. and i've seen a lot of men who have confessed their sins, admitted their guilt and left their burdens behind them. stronger men than you. men at war who were ordered to do appalling things and are now at peace. walt nods. father janovich threw a bull's-eye. almost.
thank you.
what's that, mr. kowalski?
mr. kowalski, are you in here?
are you okay? walt nods.
the police finally left. no one is talking. one thing about the hmong, they keep their mouths shut.
what are you saying?
they took sue to the hospital. she's scared. they're all scared.
i know that. believe me, they all know that. tao especially. he's sitting out there staring at your front door. you know what he expects, mr. kowalski.
i know what i'd do if i was you, or at least what you think you should do. if i was tao i guess i'd want vengeance. i'd want to stand shoulder to shoulder with you and kill those guys.
what would i do? i'd come over here and talk to you i guess. i know you're close with these people, but this pisses me off too, mr. kowalski. walt nods.
i'd love one.
damn all this. it just isn't fair.
so, what are you going to do, mr. kowalski?
alright, what are you going to do, walt?
mr. kowalski, what can i do for you?
oh lord jesus, what have you done?
what are you up to?
how long has it been since your last confession?
what are your sins, my son.
yes. go on.
yes. fine.
that's it?
god loves and forgives you. say ten hail marys' and five our fathers.' are you going to retaliate for what happened to sue? walt says nothing. father janovich looks hard at walt.
i'm going over to that house today, mr. kowalski.
it is. and every other day until you see the folly in what you are planning.
go in peace.
je -- zuz -- christ.
i'm telling you. if we're not here, there will be bloodshed.
i'm begging you to stay.
i'm staying.
walt kowalski once said to me i didn't know anything about life or death because i was an overeducated, 27-year-old virgin who held the hands of superstitious old women and promised them eternity.' walt definitely had no problem calling it like he saw it.' but walt was right. i knew really nothing about life or death until i got to know walt. and boy, did i learn.