04x02 - Practical Dreams

[bunniefuu]

- ["Destination" by Nickel Creek playing]
- ♪ You don't owe me ♪

♪ One more minute of your wasted time ♪

♪ You act like it's all fine ♪

♪ It isn't hard to leave ♪

♪ Knowing that I'll be getting life
On track ♪

♪ I wanted to believe ♪

♪ I've gotta make a destination ♪

♪ Find where I belong ♪

♪ This time I've got no hesitation ♪

♪ I'll be movin' on ♪

♪ To where I belong ♪

♪ I'll be movin' on ♪

♪ Over the line I've drawn ♪

♪ I'm already gone ♪

[music fades]

[Cal] Today, we stand here
and say, "I do."

[gentle music playing]

But it's really, "I will."

I will always tell you
how much I love you.

[camera shutter clicks]

I will always comfort and support you,
no matter what happens.

I will never interrupt margarita night.

[crowd chuckling]

[Helen chuckling]

I will fill your life

with as much magic and romance
as you can stand

every single day…

[Maddie] Mmm.

…for as long as we both shall live.

[gentle music continues]

Maddie.

Cal.

You were the surprise
that I never saw coming.

[chuckles]

I never expected to find someone

that would make me feel
as hopeful and giddy

like a teenager.

But you did

and still do.

Every time you open the door,

every time you cook dinner…

[voice breaking]
…every time you hold my hand,

you take my breath away…

with astonishing ease.

I wish I could find the words
to describe how lucky I am…

to say that you're mine.

[Maddie sniffles]

You make me feel strong,

confident,

loved.

I'm the best version of myself
when I'm with you.

I cannot wait

to spend the rest of our lives together.

By the power vested in me by God

and the state of South Carolina,

I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may now…

- [crowd cheering]
- [both] Oh!

[Helen laughing]

[cheering continues]

[June] If y'all will make room,

these two lovebirds

will take their first dance
as a married couple. [laughs]

♪ All that I know… ♪

Love you.

♪ Is you caught me at the right time ♪

♪ Keep me in your glow ♪

♪ 'Cause I'm having such… ♪

I meant what I said.

Every day.

I will make sure that you know

that you are the most cherished woman
in the world.

[Maddie chuckles]

I do.

But can we cut back
on the spiders after tonight? [laughs]

♪ You've set my world… ♪

Thank you.

♪ And I know
I know everything's gonna be all right… ♪

- [Iris chuckles]
- Come on, Isaac.

They need us to show 'em how it's done.

♪ I used to get sad… ♪

[June] Everyone is welcome to join them.

♪ And lonely when the sun went down… ♪

[Dana Sue chuckling]

You didn't wanna tell me
your best friend was getting married?

[Dana Sue chuckling]

Apparently, Maddie wanted
to keep it a surprise.

What? You didn't know?

[both chuckling]

- Why wouldn't she tell us?
- We can keep a secret.

Well, you can, at least.

- Not even a hint.
- Mm-mm.

Nothing.

I lead?

- After you.
- [Alexander] Ah.

♪ And I know, I know everything's… ♪

You aren't mad at me, are you?

- [laughs]
- Come on, honey, no.

Please don't be mad.
We all wanted to surprise you.

- You did.
- Yeah.

It was the best kind of surprise.

- [Helen chuckles]
- [Maddie exhales]

May you be forever in love.

[Helen chuckling]

Just let us tell people in our own way.

In our own time. Please?

Ty, after everything we went through
with the wedding,

I think we've proven
that we can keep a secret.

A wonderful, beautiful secret.

Thanks, Katie.

We just wanted to...

Bro! I am so happy for you, man.

Oh!

Thanks. Thanks, Gabe. I don't really know
what you're talking about here.

You won the stepdad lottery.

- [Ty, Annie chuckle]
- It's so cool, man.

- Congratulations.
- [Ty] Thanks, bro.

Congrats to all of you.
Way to keep a secret.

Excuse me, but isn't there another secret
to be shared?

Oh, uh… [chuckles]

I mean, it's more of an announcement
than a secret.

CeCe and I are official. As of last night.

- No way!
- I'm so happy for you.

Thank you. I'm gonna be so happy for you
one of these days.

["I Slay" by Tina Parol playing]

- Who feels like dancing?
- Let's do it.

- [CeCe] You.
- Me?

[CeCe] Come with me.

[Annie laughs]

[Lily] Time to party!

- [Gabe] There we go!
- [Ty] Here we go!

Are weddings hard for you?

Think I'm pondering the future?

More like pondering the past.

Oh no.

How about we… ponder the present?

[Genevieve grunts, laughs]

Howie says that you were
one of the best nurses in the practice.

It's… it's true.

We still haven't danced tonight.

I've been waiting.

♪ "Hey, today's my lucky day" … ♪

[Noreen] On the right.

♪ I slay… ♪

Yeah, yeah!

♪ I slay ♪

♪ Yeah, I'm in business ♪

♪ And I'm gonna do this ♪

♪ Got that something different ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ My eyes on tomorrow ♪

♪ I lead, I don't follow ♪

♪ That's just the way that I roll ♪

♪ I slay ♪

♪ Slay, I slay all day ♪

♪ Walk in the room like
"Hey, today's my lucky day" … ♪

[indistinct chatter]

[Iris chuckles]

I am on cloud nine.

Oh, me too.

Oh, we're finally in-laws.

Iris, dear, we are better than in-laws.

We are "outlaws."

- [Iris] Mmm.
- [both chuckling]

Yes. [chuckles]

♪ Watch me… ♪

[Annie chuckles]

- [car engine starts]
- [woman cheers]

[Ty] Wait, wait, wait.

♪ Watch me… ♪

[woman cheering]

Okay.

I… I know what we told Kyle and Katie
about keeping us a secret, but...

It was a mistake.

What?

To keep it a secret.

I wanna go in there right now
and just yell it to everybody.

Wouldn't that be rude
on your mom's big night?

Besides, what would you say?

Hey, everybody.

I've been an idiot, but Annie forgave me
and agreed to be my girlfriend.

[chuckles] Is that what I agreed to?
I should've held out for one true love.

I'll agree to that.

Me too.

So… we won't steal the spotlight tonight,

but who do we tell first?

Right now, let me keep saying it to you.

[romantic music playing]

- [Maddie] Good night.
- Good night.

- Oh.
- [Maddie chuckles]

Best wedding ever. [chuckles]

It was lovely.

But if my husband gets the idea
we should renew our vows

in ugly Christmas sweaters,
I'm blaming you.

[laughing] Okay.

- Thought never crossed my mind.
- [whispers] Do it.

Oh, I am.

[Maddie, Harlan chuckle]

- Good night.
- [Harlan] Good night.

[Paula] Ah! Best Halloween ever.

Now I understand why Katie insisted on
having a slumber party at your house.

Thank you for taking care of them.

Anything for my new daughter
and grandkids. [exhales]

[Paula] For the first time in my life,

I am so happy

I'm speechless.

- Oh.
- [Paula laughs]

- [Paula mumbling]
- [Iris laughing]

I love you.

I love you too.

So happy.

- So happy for you.
- Thank you. Love you.

- [Iris] Love you.
- [chuckles]

[Paula laughs, gasps]

Oof! [chuckles]

[car engine revving]

Leave it. They'll clean it.

Whoa, what's the matter?

This was the best night of my life.

It's all downhill from here. [chuckles]

We haven't even gotten to
the best part of the night yet.

Oh. Is it the cleanup?

[paper cup rolling]

Folding the tables?

[romantic music playing]

Freezing the leftover cupcakes?

[chuckles] Oh.

All the cupcakes that I want.
That is the best part.

Why don't I just take you back
to my place and show you?

- Oh! Cal! [chuckling]
- [Cal grunting]

[Maddie chuckling]

[romantic music fades]

[bird chirping]

[engine stops]

Welcome home, husband.

[Cal chuckles]

- A guy could get used to that.
- [chuckles]

Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Hold on. Hold on a minute.

- [groans]
- Hold on.

- [Maddie] Cal.
- No, no, no.

You cannot.

Yes, I can.

Oh my goodness.

[Cal grunts]

[dog barking in the background]

I told you. Magic and romance.

Carrying me over the threshold
is very romantic,

but you're not gonna do this
every day, are you?

- Maybe. I've gotta keep you on your toes.
- [chuckles]

Or… off of them, in this case.

[romantic music playing]

[romantic music stops]

[Dana Sue clears throat]

Yeah, I'm… [clears throat]

- …just gonna go inside.
- [Helen] No, don't you dare.

You turn that married rear end around,
and you go right back to your house.

- There are people waiting on you.
- And they have a thing or two to say.

[birds chirping]

You said you weren't upset.

A lady knows
how to carry difficult emotions

from an inappropriate time…

[truck engine starts]

…to an appropriate one.

- The wedding was the kids' idea.
- You're gonna blame the children for this?

No. Sorry, I...

Cal and I got married
because we wanted to.

But the kids wanted us
to have a Halloween ceremony.

We planned the whole thing
together as a family.

The "don't tell anybody" part was…

It was really important to them.

Besides, isn't it a little exciting
that, after all these years,

I can still surprise my best friends?

I think this is somewhere past hailstorms
and double yolks on the surprise spectrum.

- I didn't mean to upset you.
- [Helen] Maddie, we're not upset.

In truth, we've been sitting here
trying to understand exactly what we are.

[Dana Sue] Stunned.

[chuckles] And tickled pink for you.

And maybe a little disappointed.

Not at the fact
that you and Cal got married.

Hallelujah and praise Jesus
that you finally put a ring on him.

But...

But we do feel a little left out.

We know that's selfish of us.

No, no, no. I… I get it.

It's truly the last thing that I wanted.

We're just used to being a part of the big
and little things in each other's lives.

We were looking forward
to helping you plan your ceremony.

Going to cake tastings

and watching Dana Sue

try not to tell the baker
how to improve his recipe.

All the commentary as you tried on
a mountain of wedding dresses

and finally decided to go with
the first one you looked at.

Or giving you suggestions
as to where to take your honeymoon.

Oh, you still can. We're not going until
after the holiday rush at the restaurant.

[Dana Sue] Maddie.

Your relationship with Cal
is like a Serenity storybook romance,

and we wanted to contribute
to the pages about the wedding.

You are woven into those pages

and every page before and after that.

Right by my side.

You were my rock
when Cal and I hit hard times,

and you were my light,
celebrating us in the good times.

Like last night. [sniffles]

We don't have your gift.

You! You are my gift.

[Dana Sue] We didn't have a toast.

[Helen] But fortunately for you,
we had all night.

[Dana Sue chuckles]

So

- Here's our surprise for you.
- [Maddie chuckles]

- Yeah.
- [Dana Sue] Grab it.

[glass tinkling]

- [Helen, Dana Sue chuckling]
- [cutlery clattering]

To a woman who never thinks about herself

before thinking of others.

To a woman who would give you
the shirt off her back

and offer to wash it for you.

- [Helen laughing] Yeah.
- [Dana Sue chuckles]

More gentle than Snow White.

More loyal than Dorothy Gale.

Funnier than Carol Burnett.

The best friend…

[voice breaking] …either of us
could ever ask for.

[gentle music playing]

We're so blessed to have you in our lives.

[voice breaking] We hope
you and Cal will be happy…

[sniffles] …and magnificently in love…

[laughing] …for the rest of your days.

To Maddie Maddox.

[laughing] Oh, that is going to take
some getting used to!

- Are you gonna take his name?
- I haven't decided yet.

- It doesn't matter.
- [Helen mumbles]

- Here we go.
- [Dana Sue] Start again.

[both] To Maddie and Cal.

[Helen chuckles]

Love you.

[Harlan] We didn't get
to throw you a bachelor party.

Well, why do you think
I kept the wedding a secret?

Isaac has seen The Hangover
one too many times.

- There will be a party someday.
- [Cal] Hmm.

Not if we don't get this stuff
prepped for the moving truck.

You got more stuff than I did when I
moved back in with Dana Sue and Annie.

Town legend says
Dana Sue burned everything you owned

when she kicked you out.

Not true. Not true.
She did not touch my hairbrush.

And neither did you.

[Harlan laughing]

- Nice. Nice.
- [Erik chuckling]

Cal, you nervous
about moving in with Maddie and the kids?

I have to imagine it'll be an adjustment

going from living solo
to having four other people around.

It sure was for me when Noreen moved in.

And then Bex came along,
and everything changed all over again.

Not that I'm complaining.

It just took some getting used to.

I'm excited.

If there's a challenge, I feel lucky
that Maddie and I will tackle it together.

- [Ronnie grunts]
- [glass shatters]

But maybe with less stuff.

[door opens]

Thank you for making time after hours.

Did I take you away from your Bible study?

You said it was urgent.

The mayor needs to make
further cuts to the budget.

I understand.

I'm just not used to
this much bureaucracy.

I, um…

I read the suggestions you sent over.

Every time I think about making them,
I think of patrons.

I was going to cut the ESL program,
but then I thought of Ubah.

There's adult literacy,
but Ruby needs that.

I could sell some computers,

but how would Mr. Heron
make his appointments for the VA?

If the suggestions weren't helpful,
we truly value your input.

[Beatriz] Here is a list of everything
that hasn't been accessed.

In the last three years.

- If we sold them...
- No, no. This… this won't go far enough.

I know this can't be easy.

The library is
an important part of Serenity.

[chuckles] I… I probably wouldn't have
gotten into college without it.

Unfortunately,
if we don't shrink the budget,

we may have to shut the doors altogether.

[sad music playing]

I don't want that to happen.

[inhales] I think…

[keyboard clacking]

…if we were to

eliminate this,

the library could survive.

Whatever you think is best.

[sad music intensifies, fades]

Everyone ready for pizza?

Yes. I just wanna…

- Yep. Yeah.
- Yeah.

All right. Just wanted to talk
to both of you before we head out.

Ah, I almost made it through
my first official day as your stepfather

without getting into trouble.

[chuckles] Not at all.

I just want to share something with you
before we go to Wharton's.

- [Katie screams]
- [Kyle] Shh!

[hesitates]

All right. You two, come in.

Um… [hesitates]

Annie and I are now a couple.

[gasps] Oh my goodness.

- Smart man.
- Oh my goodness!

And she should be telling her parents
right now.

[Maddie chuckling]

- [exhales]
- It was so beautiful!

- Oh my goodness.
- Wait, what?

We… we kind of walked in on them
making the decision last night.

- Oh my goodness.
- No, nothing...

Okay. I think you broke your mother.
You two, in the car.

Let's give these two a moment.

- [Katie chuckles]
- [Maddie] Oh.

Honey. [chuckling]

Can we just agree
that I am always gonna wanna hug you

and maybe even cry over you
when good things happen,

no matter how grown up you are?

Please don't ever stop.

- [chuckles]
- You are such a wonderful young man.

And she is a wonderful young woman.

[chuckling] And I've only been longing
for this

since both of you
were in elementary school.

Well, the right things
are worth waiting for.

You and Coach taught me that.

[Maddie sighs, chuckles]

[gentle music playing]

[Ty exhales]

[wind chime chimes]

[both laughing]

If he breaks her heart,
Ronnie'll hurt him.

Oh. Well, here I was worried
you were already planning the wedding.

I didn't say I wasn't.
Just setting some ground rules.

- He's so happy.
- She's over the moon.

- Oh my goodness.
- [both laughing]

- [Dana Sue] It's so great!
- Oh.

You mysteriously summoned me
in the middle of the night,

and I find you hugging and laughing.
What's going on?

- It's nine o'clock.
- [grunts] What, what, what?

Ty and Annie told us tonight…

[inhales] …they're a couple!

Thank the Lord!

[sighs] They didn't lose their nerve.

- You knew?
- You knew?

[laughs]

[inhales] Oh, my dear,
cherished childhood friends.

If you were about to share momentous news

that your parents have been waiting
to hear ever since you were in the cradle,

wouldn't you come by for a sweet tea
and practice on your godmother first?

[Helen laughing]

You little… [laughing]

Ah, they're so cute!

[upbeat music playing]

[Dana Sue] Who knows what this is?

[student] A tomato.

Or a "tomah-toe,"
if you're trying to be fancy.

What can you do with a tomato?

Uh, eat it like an apple.

Or make ketchup, bruschetta.

Chili. Soup, especially gazpacho.
Pasta sauce.

Caprese. Pico de gallo.
And only the green ones fry up right.

This tomato is like your future.

The possibilities are
as vast as your imagination.

However, before you decide
what to do with the tomato,

you should know all the love
and attention showered on each ingredient.

The pipeline of farm-to-table.

Find as many vendors
on this worksheet as possible.

Talk to them about what role they played

in getting this tomato into my mouth.

- Let's go. [chuckles]
- Okay. Easy now, Gordon Ramsay.

That's one sexy-looking tomato.

Are you spying on me?

Getting groceries.

And some midday inspiration…

- [Dana Sue chuckles]
- …which you and that tomato are providing.

You're shopping for groceries.

Hold on.
Am I feeling nerves or excitement?

[laughs] All excitement.

I'm gonna cook you dinner.
If your schedule permits.

- That's sweet. You don't have to do that.
- I want to.

But I'm so proud of you.

Everything you're doing
with the foundation, teaching,

restaurant, the spa.

Let me celebrate you.

[romantic music playing]

Remember that time
we watched Like Water for Chocolate?

I remember you sleeping through it.

I was playing possum so you didn't think
I liked movies without explosions.

[chuckling]

I wanna do what they did in that movie.

Put my feelings for you into my food
and let my love bring you to tears.

I'm gonna cry right here
in the farmers market.

Imagine what's gonna happen…
when you get home.

Oh.

[romantic music fades]

[rock beat playing]

[beat ends]

Yes! Wow!

Wow. That… that was just incredible.

Thank you. Thank you. I saw you guys
in the square on 4th of July.

- You ruled. It would be great to join up.
- Yeah.

Thanks, Roxanne.
We'll get back to you soon.

[dog barking in the background]

- [Olivia gasps]
- Oh my God.

First of all, her technique is insane.

- Yeah.
- Number two, she writes strong songs.

Number three, the way she used the cymbals
when she was playing with us...

I agree on one and three,
but I don't wanna promise her

we're gonna use her songs until we know
her and… and her work just a bit better.

Fair.

- [Ty] But...
- I know.

- [Ty] Yeah. God.
- [chuckling]

And now that it's finally official,
I'll ask, what do you think?

[hesitates] I don't have an opinion.
It's not my band.

I'm… I'm grateful
you let me sit in and listen.

Hallelujah. Oh my gosh.

I have lost count

of the bands I've been in that fell
apart cause of the guitarist's girlfriend.

You're the one who was...

- Hey! I'm the guitarist's girlfriend.
- And I knew you'd be a good one.

Hi, uh, I'm the guitarist's girlfriend.

Pleased to meet you. Big fan.
Especially of the no opinion part.

- [laughs]
- [Olivia chuckles]

How worried should I be?

[Olivia chuckles]

- Very. Yeah. [laughs]
- Yeah.

[Paula] What a magnificent Halloween.

[chuckles] I hate to see it over.

I still can't believe you didn't tell me
you were getting married.

I mean, who am I
if I'm not the sneaky one in the family?

Oh, I think there's plenty
of sneak left in those bones.

[chuckles] Well, you, my darling daughter,

managed to pull one over the whole town
and keep me in the dark.

- [gasps] Teach me your ways.
- [laughs]

Oh, I'm so happy for you.

Cal is an amazing man,

and I'm thrilled by what he does for you

and what he does for the kids
and what he does for me.

For you?

I don't have to dread running into him
when I come over here to see the kids,

like I did with Bill.

Well, I wasn't a real fan.

I know.

[Paula] Oh, I'm sorry.

I should have heeded
my mother's advice more devotedly.

[both] "If you can't say anything nice,
don't say anything at all."

But I am happy
to welcome a worthy son-in-law.

Mmm. He and Walter
would've gotten along so well.

[gentle music playing]

You think?

Absolutely.

[chuckling] Walter would have
laughed himself silly

over your wedding shenanigans.

It was so…

perfectly unexpected,

the way you honored your romance
in front of everybody you love.

- There was only one missing guest.
- Who?

If I had known, I would have brought
North the Foraging Fox

and put him back where he belongs,
right on top of the wedding cake.

[both laughing]

[gentle music fades]

[Kyle] Every other day, Lily has
another application to do. It's bananas.

I'm just the boyfriend,
watching from the sidelines.

I mean, how do you seniors not stress out?

It's a lot. Schools I never thought of
are emailing asking me to apply.

Like Emily Carr University in Vancouver.

Canada!

Turns out they have one of the best
photography programs in the world.

Awesome. You gonna apply?

I don't know.

[inaudible]

I keep staring at the essay question,

trying to figure out what to write
that would make them wanna import me.

Remember when Sophie and I realized

it was gonna take us decades
to raise money for our game?

All right. Who was it that encouraged us
not to quit but to refocus our passion?

Which is why we're famous…

No, sorry. Excuse me.

…extremely popular D&D streamers today.

So… I should write an essay
about giving my friends good advice?

Know where most good advice comes from?
A place of hope.

The belief that the world can get better,

will get better,
if we focus on the right things,

if we support each other
in reaching for our dreams.

Now, you did that for Kyle.

Your mother did that for me.

[upbeat music playing]

I love that.

I could write about hope.

And hope they like it enough to accept me.

This is for photography, right?
Not comedy?

- Kyle.
- [Annie laughs]

I hope you're thankful
she's unpacking linens

and not cast iron right now.

Potato. One, two, three. Hot...

[Dani screams]

- Honey? Are you...
- [Dani screams]

- [girl crying]
- Let me see.

Genevieve?

I want my mommy.

Go. I've got 'em.

Dani, we're gonna go out into the hall,
make your nose feel better. Okay, come on.

[Dani continues crying]

[Noreen] We'll be right over here.

[Genevieve] Okay, friends.

All right, sit right up here.

Everything is gonna be okay.
Will you get me the first aid kit, please?

[Dani continues crying]

Do I need to call Howie?

Thank you.

Just a bead up the nose.

This will be over in a second.

I need you to be a brave girl for me
just a little longer. Okay? Okay.

[Dani groans]

[Noreen gasps]

That was amazing, Dani.
All right, there you go.

[singing] ♪ Hush, little darling
Don't say a word ♪

♪ Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird ♪

♪ If that mockingbird don't sing ♪

♪ Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring ♪

There were nearly 20 kids
at the peak of the afternoon.

They've been coming since school got out.

I thought we'd be okay,

but then all five Cantrell kids showed up,
and it just got wild.

We've never had that many kids.

The after-school program
at the library suddenly closed.

So now Mrs. Cantrell
and a few of the other members

changed their workout schedules
to the afternoon

so I could keep the kids occupied.

The children's program at the library
was eliminated.

I am so lucky that you were here.

Thank you.

If it's gonna be like this
every afternoon,

I'm gonna need some help
for the sake of the children.

[Maddie] No, no, no, of course.

[boy laughing]

[upbeat music playing]

- Oh, this vehicle is unnecessarily fancy.
- [sighs]

Yeah. [grunts] Jimmy insisted.

Mmm. You sure you can't stay, Mom?

Oh, I have to go back, sweetheart.

Or some unhappy ladies
won't have their holiday dresses on time.

I'm delighted I got to spend Halloween
with you and Maddie.

[scoffs] Well, we weren't
gonna get married without you.

Thank you.

- Seeing the two of you say "I do" …
- [car door closes]

…was almost as fantastic
as seeing you channel Karloff.

- [chuckles]
- I love you.

Love you too, champ.

[Iris sighs]

I'm so happy for you,

for Maddie, and especially for those kids.

[inhales] I'm so excited
you finally get to be a father.

You'll be an incredible one.

They're ridiculously fortunate
to have you.

[birds chirping]

[Iris inhales] Okay.

- [Jimmy laughs]
- [Paula] Oh.

Hey, hey.

Have a good trip, darling.

Behave yourself.

[chuckling] I'm not promising anything.

Oh.

[Iris, Paula chuckling]

Come back soon, dear outlaw.

- Oh. [laughs]
- [Paula laughs]

You keep an eye on them until I do, okay?

- Sorry, who… who's keeping an eye on whom?
- Oh. [chuckling]

[Paula chuckling]

[Jimmy] Come on.

[car door closes]

[ducks quacking]

[Dana Sue] CJ Camp!

You got time to fish in muddy waters
but none to mow lawns?

[CJ] Fish don't seem to mind.

How you doing this afternoon,
Ms. Sullivan?

I just heard from Chantal Davenport,
Mr. Kevin, and Ms. Shen

about the fact that you didn't show up
to mow their yards this afternoon.

- How do you think I'm doing?
- I see how you might be bothered.

The foundation pays you
to take care of our seniors' yards.

It may be November,
but grass is still growing.

Why did you not mow those yards today?

Maybe on account of
I don't work for you no more.

[insects chirping]

Excuse me?

Look, this is nothing against you,
Ms. Sullivan. It's Ms. Decatur.

[spluttering] What does she have
to do with this?

- It's about how she done my daddy.
- What are you talking about?

She showed up on town business

and tried to cheat him
out of his hard-earned money.

Then, when he stood up for himself,
she fired him in front of his whole crew.

Doesn't sound like Helen.

Well, I trust my daddy's word.

- Now, look…
- [Dana Sue clears throat]

…I really like you, Ms. Sullivan.

And I believe in what y'all are doing
down at the foundation, but…

I can't work for nobody
that treats my daddy like that.

[floorboards creaking]

Now, why does a woman who doesn't cook
need such a big kitchen?

Alexander, where else
am I gonna host my cooking show?

- Don't know why I didn't see that.
- [laughing]

- It's for my mom.
- [Alexander] Mmm.

Growing up, she always complained
that the kitchen was too small.

So when I redid the house, I built it out
in case she ever wanted to move back home.

It's very good work.

- Thanks.
- Have you always lived here?

Papaw and Daddy built it
when Daddy and Mama got married.

And as soon as they got moved in,
they started having people over.

[inhales]

Didn't matter who came through that door.
Every guest knew that they were welcome.

A strong foundation
is the most important part of a house.

[Helen] Mmm.

When Daddy passed,
Mama couldn't make the payments,

so she had to sell.

Someone not from around here
bought it for an investment,

and they... [exhales]

Well, they didn't care about it
or its good foundation.

As soon as I graduated,
I saved everything I could.

No splurges, nothing extravagant
until I had the deed to this house.

- You are a very determined woman.
- [chuckles]

Yeah, well…

I don't need fancy vacations
or flashy cars.

- All I need is within these four walls.
- Mmm.

[romantic music playing]

- [glasses clinking]
- [romantic music fades]

[acoustic guitar playing]

[footsteps approaching]

- This mean she said yes?
- Roxanne is in the band.

- Yes! Come on!
- [laughs]

Okay, so she is fine driving her drum kit
in her crossover

as long as we can take her kick drum mic
in my truck so it doesn't get smushed.

Awesome.

So all we need to do is start
confirming dates with people,

and, uh… [sighs]

…we will have ourselves our first tour.

[dog barking]

[laughing] Yeah, we will. Yeah.

[laughs] So you said your bosses are cool
with you taking off whenever?

- Oh yeah, totally.
- Okay, great. Uh, mine too.

So if we give ourselves, like,
a week to practice with Roxanne...

Wait, should we take two?

[somber music playing]

Wondered when this would come up.

What?

What? Olivia, we need to make sure
our set is as clean as possible.

We don't wanna be working out problems
in front of paying customers.

And this has nothing to do
with not wanting to leave Annie?

- Don't do this, Ty.
- Don't do what?

Get cold feet.

I am committed to our tour.

And to your girlfriend, which I respect.

I'm happy for you two,
but you need to find a way

to make these commitments
work together… and fast.

Partner.

[somber music fades]

- [Helen panting] Hey.
- Helen?

Good morning.
You know what Maddie wants to talk about?

No, but I wanna talk about
why you fired Clayton Camp Sr.

I didn't.

I tried to renegotiate his contract.
He chose to quit.

Well, Clayton Jr. is going around town
telling people that you fired his daddy.

And what's worse,
he won't work for the foundation anymore.

- We'll find someone else to mow the yards.
- Well, we better do it soon.

[scoffs] Maybe I should have
Mr. Kevin call and pester you

about somebody getting rid
of his crabgrass.

He's called me four times
this morning, Helen. Four times.

Dana Sue, I regret this impact
on the foundation.

I never imagined
that Clayton Sr. would quit,

much less
that CJ would up and follow suit. D...

[gentle music playing]

Let's see what Maddie wants.

[Maddie] The children's library program
was closed yesterday,

and we had a lot of kids here.

One of them got hurt,
and Noreen handled it beautifully,

but she is gonna need some backup.

[Dana Sue clears throat]

What?

CJ up and quit mowing yards
for the foundation

to protest Helen firing…

causing his dad
to quit working for the town.

And I know, I know it's not your fault,

but we still have two dozen seniors
expecting to get their yards mowed,

and no one to do it.

Did you know about Carla too?

She was furloughed. That's why
the children's programs are closed.

[Dana Sue] Helen!

- Carla's our friend.
- There was no other choice.

Things are tough right now.

They'll get worse if you wanna keep
the lights on in this town.

- How bad is it?
- [Helen scoffs]

[exhales]

I wish I could tell you.

I'll call around.

See if we can get some volunteers
to do some yard work

while we find a replacement for CJ.

Genevieve can cover the front desk
in the afternoon so I can help Noreen.

Maybe we should hire Carla.

Is that a… good idea?

I mean, do we think
she'd even want the job?

She would be amazing if she does.

We can ask and see.

I… [exhales]

[hesitating] I should talk to her.

[gentle music playing]

Is there passion fruit in this?

Your nose catches everything.

- Professional gift.
- [chuckles]

It's a special blend
of natural ingredients

that'll make you glow.

[Erik] Hmm.

- You do this for all your clients?
- [Genevieve] No.

That wouldn't be practical.

Too complicated for them, but not for you.

[Erik chuckles]

I love
how you approach everything practically

but still manage to find the joy in it.

I wish I could.

Isn't feeding people practical?

[sighs] Not the way I do it.

I think of it as… [inhales]
chasing a dream.

My food makes people happy,
but I gotta find a way

to make it practical enough
to fit on a plate.

We both delight people with what we do.

You delight me.

- [Genevieve chuckles]
- What does that make us?

Practical?

No.

You're a dream.

[dog barking]

[Kyle] Annie, these are amazing.

It's easy to take great pictures
of great subjects.

Yeah, yeah. [inhales]

Take the compliment, Kyle.
You guys have more followers every week.

You're making money off the stream.
And you know what impresses me most?

You make people so happy.

The other night, you had the whole party

scrambling down the bluff
to escape the Ettercap.

I was terrified for them
but also laughing so hard I was weeping.

You're watching?

Of course I am. I love it.

Plus, I wanna support my friends.

- And fellow artistes. Same.
- [door opens and closes]

- [Annie chuckles]
- I'm so sorry to keep you waiting.

We can go now.

No. I'm talking to your brother.

[whimsical music playing]

You know, I think I make
a pretty good rogue, don't you?

Maybe half-elf.

Half-elf, full charlatan.

[splutters] Wait,
you've both been studying?

I don't know whether to be flattered
or terrified.

[Ty, Annie laugh]

[whimsical music fades]

This, all of this, is a surprise?

[Isaac] Exactly.

You and I are going out to celebrate.

- What are we celebrating?
- You being a hero.

I stopped a nosebleed. [scoffs]

Mrs. Cantrell's telling anyone
who will listen.

And people listen to Mrs. Cantrell.

And if it weren't for you,
Dani would be in the hospital.

So tonight, you get a hero celebration.

And I've already talked to Jeremy.

He's gonna keep Bex at the farm
until we're done. But you need to change.

Where are we going?

Work gloves?

Coveralls?

- For the mud.
- We're going four-wheeling?

I found a place in Egret Falls
that's open late.

You remembered.

Hey, if it's good enough
to celebrate straight A's,

it is good enough
to celebrate saving a life.

Or at least a nose.

Bex and I are so lucky to have you.

[upbeat music playing]

Well, let me go get cleaned up
so we can get dirty.

[exhales]

[upbeat music fades]

[Dana Sue] How are you feeling
about the restaurant opening? You excited?

Yes. And we'll get there.

But what are you making with okra,
purple sweet potatoes, and guava?

It was for class. [chuckles]

At the farmers market,

I told the kids to buy a fruit
or a vegetable

they had never tried. [inhales]

They brought these in today to discuss.

Who's never had broccoli?

[scoffs] Spencer.

That boy is nothing
but water and grilled cheese.

I keep telling him

that he should add a tomato
or avocado, but no-go.

Or bacon.

- Anything. [chuckles]
- [chuckling]

I want him, all the kids,
to step out of their comfort zone,

try something new,
even if they don't like it.

And I got this for myself.

Ooh.

[Dana Sue] Mm-hmm.

- What are you gonna make out of it?
- I don't have a dang darn clue. [chuckles]

That's part of the fun, isn't it?
Figuring it out.

You are the perfect person to teach them
to face new foods and new challenges.

That's why I know I can work here
without you by my side all the time.

You've reminded me
how to tackle new challenges

with courage and a smile.

Well, I knew I suffered through braces
for a reason.

[laughs]

- [telephone ringing]
- [keyboard clacking]

[somber music playing]

[door closes]

What have you done?

[telephone ringing]

I made cuts and furloughs…
which is what you asked me to do.

- And then you hired Carla.
- [scoffs]

I got elected,
promising that I wouldn't be like Trent,

handing out contracts
to my buddies all over town,

but you created a job
for your furloughed friend.

- How's that gonna look to Clayton Sr.?
- No. That's not what I did.

The Corner Spa, one of the businesses
in this town, needed help.

Carla is more than qualified.

My business partners and I hired her.

To the next person
who loses their town job,

it'll look like she got special treatment.

It was a political mistake.

[Helen] No, it's never a mistake
to help people.

That's the whole reason
I ran your campaign.

So that you could aid people

and not take advantage of them
like our previous mayor.

But instead of going out there
and helping people,

you're hiding in here
behind paperwork and spreadsheets.

You fail to remember

that for every line item
we cut out of that budget,

somebody in this town
loses something that they need.

Books, parks, trash pickup,

lights, safe streets.

Making those cuts without giving folks
an alternative is too high a cost, Peggy!

You don't think I understand
the cost of doing the right thing?

Petey is in jail because I wouldn't…
I couldn't ask the judge to be lenient.

Because if I would have spoke up
on my brother's behalf,

it would have looked like
I was asking for a political favor,

and everything,
everything this office does

has to be aboveboard.

Still, my mother blames me
for not saving him.

Do not dare stand there

and tell me I don't understand
the cost of saving this town.

[tense music playing]

If we are lucky, we have four months
before we're bankrupt, Helen.

[Helen inhales, exhales]

[voice breaking] Four months.

[tense music intensifies]

[tense music fades]

How can one man have so much stuff?

You should see the boxes of ABBA vinyl
in the bedroom.

Cal's an ABBA fan?

- [Maddie chuckling]
- [Paula scoffs]

Well, if the first book
was about Princess Katie,

maybe the second's about a dancing queen.

Actually, I think I know
what the next book is about.

- [footsteps approaching]
- Waterloo?

- [Maddie chuckles]
- [box thudding]

[exhales] One last load, and we're done.

[Cal inhales, exhales]

[gentle music playing]

- [car door closes]
- [exhaling]

[car engine revving]

Is Maddie home?

Uh, can I help you?

Who are you?

[door opens]

I'm her husband.

- Well, I need to...
- [door closes]

[footsteps approaching]

- Mama Townsend. What are you doing here?
- Oh.

[somber music playing]

It's Bill.

He's dead.

[dramatic music playing]

[Maddie gasping]

[dramatic music fades]

[closing theme music playing]

[closing theme music ends]