Gloria examines the scar left by Keane's surgery, and says he's doing fine. Diane enters and tells Keane he has a visitor. It's his father, who gives him a warm hug. Keane asks after his sister, and his dad tells him she's recuperating faster than expected. He says that he's a little turned around by all the media attention, but that a lot of people have been very supportive. Keane gets serious, and tells his dad he wants him to talk to Keane Light. His father's face falls. "He's turned into a fag." Keane makes an impassioned speech about how lonely it is in Oz and what it does to a person. His dad exposits that he raised the three kids alone, and that now that she's going to live, Keane's sister is going to make something of herself. "What's Billie ever gonna be?" Keane: "Your son. My brother. Forever." Sniff. Diane calls time, and the two Keanes share a tender embrace. Hill VOs that it's rare to say goodbye to someone when you know it's the last time. I can think of a number of people I've shown the door the morning after, knowing I'd never see them again, but that's not really what he's talking about, I'm guessing. Outside, Keane's father breaks down as Diane humanely stays with him. He says that Jefferson was his oldest kid (and he uses the past tense, which kills me), and as such always had a special place in his heart. "A man shouldn't live to see his own son die." That's one sentiment that has been expressed over and over on TV and the movies, yet will never get old, because it's so heart-wrenchingly true. Diane sympathetically puts a hand on his and looks ready to cry herself. Tom, do you own stock in Kleenex or something?

McManus comes to see Keane, who's back in PC/DR, and says that he brought him some tea. Okay, even I have to give Timmy some credit here for that simple act of kindness with no ideological strings attached. Maybe this episode has worn my snark shields down. Keane accepts it, but asks why he's really there. McManus simply and unmelodramatically tells him he's sorry he's going to die, and...Keane: "You'd like my forgiveness?" McManus shrugs assent. Keane forgives him for whatever he thinks he's done. I'm reminded of Giles's statement to Buffy in "I Only Have Eyes For You": "Forgiveness is an act of compassion. It's not done because people deserve it. It's done because they need it." And boy, does Timmy look like he needs it right now.

By the way, I can't believe I just quoted a Marti Noxon episode while passing on a chance to tear McManus apart. I think I need a hug.