That's who Ethan Carter is. That's the man I called a criminal. She looked straight into the lens. So to every single one of you who ever looked at somebody and decided you knew them, I'm begging you. Don't.
You have no idea who you're looking at. I almost died learning that lesson. Don't make my mistake. The clip was seen 40 million times in two days. They flew the passengers out of Thuli on a relief aircraft.
And there was a moment on the tarmac before they boarded that no camera fully captured, but that everyone who was there would tell their grandchildren about. Little Tyler wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. He found Ethan near the hanger and he ran to him across the frozen tarmac. And Ethan knelt down to the boy's level the way he always knelt down for children. And Tyler flung his arms around the biker's neck.
"Mr. Carter," Tyler said, muffled against his shoulder. "Mr. Walter said you flew the plane. " He said, "You're the reason I get to see my mom. " "Your friend, Mr. Walter's a good man," Ethan said, holding the boy.
"He took care of you up there. That was brave what you did, being scared and holding on anyway. That's the bravest thing there is. " Tyler pulled back and looked at him with enormous serious eyes. Are you really a bad guy? The TV said you were a bad guy and then it said you were a good guy and I don't I don't understand.
Ethan looked at the boy for a long moment and something moved behind his eyes. Tyler, he said gently, "Can I tell you the truth? " even though it's complicated. Tyler nodded solemnly. The truth is there's no such thing as bad guys and good guys not really. There's just people and people are all mixed up.
We've all got some good in us and some bad in us and some scars and some mistakes. He tapped the boy lightly on the chest. What matters isn't whether you're a good guy or a bad guy. What matters is what you do when it's hard, when it costs you something, when it's easier to look away. He smiled tired and real.
You be the kind of person who holds on when it's hard and who doesn't look away when somebody needs help and who gives people a chance before you decide who they are. You do that and it won't matter what jacket you wear or what people say about you. You'll be exactly who you're supposed to be. Tyler thought about this very hard. Then he said, "Like you. " Ethan's throat closed.
I'm still working on it, buddy. Every day. But yeah, that's what I'm trying to be. Tyler hugged him one more time, fierce and quick, and then he ran back to the airline escort and at the door of the aircraft, he turned around and waved with his whole arm. And Ethan waved back, kneeling on the frozen tarmac until the boy disappeared inside.
Calin found him there a minute later, still kneeling, watching the aircraft. "You're good with kids," she said. I had a lot of practice with one. Ethan stood his knees cracking. How you holding up?