Mitch Leery quotes from Dawson's Creek

Mitch

One night, you're standing in a dark room, exhausted, reaching for diapers and answers on a shelf you can't see, and this little person calls out to you. "Daddy." That's when you get it. You feel your heart expand in a way you never knew was possible, and you love this little person so much... that you actually ache. I can't explain it any better.

When are you going to stop punishing me?

Mitch

When I can get rid of the vision of my naked wife playing hide the...when it stops hurting.

Mitch

The night you were born I cried like a baby.

Dawson

Did you really? I didn't know that.

Mitch

I think I cried for 24 hours straight. Holding you, so small in my arms, I never knew I could love anything so much, so fast. So utterly. Part of me was terrified. Raising a son is more a matter of faith than most people know.

Dawson

So's being one.

Mitch

You're right. I think I realized something today.

Dawson

What?

Mitch

That my job as a father, isn't to give you the whole picture, because the truth is, I can't see it myself. My job is to try and help. And every now and then, fit a piece of the puzzle.

Dawson

You have helped me dad.

Mitch

I hope so. But your future, your expectations… they belong to you. Don't let anybody stand in the way. Not even me.

Dawson

You always pushed me to be my own person. To think for myself. I just did what you taught me.

Mitch

I think, if I were Joey and Bessie, I would consider myself very lucky to have you in my life.

Pacey

Why? Everything and everybody that I touch, I screw up, alright, you're aware of the Midas touch, right? You've heard of that? Okay, well the Midas touch, whatever that is, I've got the opposite.

Mitch

Don't be so sure. I mean, look at you, you're still at it, you haven't given up. Pace, instead of..dwelling on everything that's gone wrong this weekend..so far..um...think of what you've contributed. I mean you've put a lot of selfless work into this place, right? Now that's the real question. Listen, that goes to the heart of who Pacey Witter is.

Pacey

What?

Mitch

What makes you care so much?

Mitch

[watching Joey and Pacey kiss] Just doesn't seem fair, does it?

Dawson

What's that?

Mitch

Well, you saved the day and you still don't get the girl. [pause] But maybe, just maybe, you got something more important.

Dawson

[sigh] How do you figure that?

Mitch

You have this moment. No matter where your life takes you, you can look back on this and know that you did a great thing. That's something that all the girls and all the things in the world can't replace.

Gretchen

Guys, Gale's been throwing up a lot, right?

Mitch

Yeah.

Gretchen

And she's still hungry and putting on some weight. She's tired all the time. Her back hurts. Irritability. Mood swings.

Dawson

Yeah.

Mitch

The worst. How'd you know?

Gretchen

Sounds to me like she'll be feeling a lot better in about nine months.

Mitch

I can't get over how much he reminded me of you.

Dawson

I remind you of him?

Mitch

Well, that part where he talks about that girl? How she jumped over the counter, they went off to California together, they didn't even know each other? Who does that?

Dawson

Hitchhikers.

Mitch

Risk takers. Dreamers. People who understand that every once in a while, an opportunity presents itself. And whatever they decide to do in that moment will change the rest of their lives forever. Brooks could have told that girl to get lost. He could have gone off to California alone like he planned, but he didn't.

Dawson

No, he didn't.

Mitch

Because he knew. Very few men are lucky enough to actually see those moments, Dawson.

Dawson

Um... guys, USC is not for me. I want to drop out. I know this comes as a surprise to both of you, but I spent the whole summer in L.A., And I went to every single one of my classes, and the main thing that I learned about L.A. is that L.A. is just not where I want to be right now.

Gail

And Boston is?

Dawson

All my friends are in Boston.

Gail

Oh, honey. You'll make new friends in California. It just takes some time.

Dawson

Mom, it's more than that. It's more than that. I'm... I'm at a profound crossroads in my life, and I know that if I don't choose this path, I'm going to have significant regrets.

Gail

Hmm… Where would you live?

Dawson

Uh, with Jack and Jen at Grams'.

Gail

What would you do?

Dawson

Find a new school.

Gail

Oh, Dawson.

Dawson

Mom, I know I sound like a complete flake, but I promise you, I've given this a lot of thought.

Mitch

I've given this some thought myself, and I've decided... you're not dropping out.

Dawson

It doesn't work like that, dad.

Mitch

If you're going to stand here and talk to me about crossroads and paths so you can drop out of school and go crash on a sofa, then don't presume to talk to me like you're an adult.