04x05 - True North

[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]

[dramatic music playing]

- I should go.
- The guys will find Ty.

I hate that he's hurting,

that he's alone,

that things got so heated
with Bonnie, for him, and for me.

But I also hate that he ran off
to God knows where.

Why is it our instinct is so often

to… to isolate ourselves, to find answers

when the people who love us
are right there? [chuckles]

Ty just needs time.

[scoffs]

Remember when their problems were simpler?

[Dana Sue chuckles softly]

Skinned knees and stuffy noses.

Missing Legos. [chuckles]

Now it's career plans
and college applications

and "what am I supposed to do
with my life?"

I'm not sure
that last question ever goes away.

Mmm.

I must confess.

When June was talking about Bill

and hope and change and…

I got a little…

Teary.

Jealous.

I do not follow.

[Maddie] I wish

I knew the man she was talking about
a little bit better.

Or maybe I was wishing
that I knew the man that Kathy knew.

The one that he became with her.

Let's not hand out credit too freely.

When you let go of someone
you don't love anymore,

you're losing that person,

the one you did love.

But you're also gaining the opportunity

to better understand
where things went wrong.

[chuckles softly]

And to see the person you've become
as a result.

One of your superpowers, my dear,

is your ability to let the right things go

at the right time.

And I may be a little jealous of that.

[Maddie chuckles softly]

[cell phone vibrates]

Oh, Cal found Ty.

Thank the Lord.

[uplifting music playing]

[Ty] Coach.

Why are you here?

What's the point of coming out here
for midnight practice

if there's no one here
to take notes on your form?

Plus, I bet Erik and Ronnie 20 bucks
that I'd know where you'd be.

I didn't know where else to go.

I am out of steam, man.

And this place brings you peace?

[Ty] No.

But it's the only place
I understood my dad.

We were getting better.

But we weren't there yet.

You were trying.

All you can do.

You warned me to fix things with him
before it was too late.

And I blew it.

Ease up on yourself.

The game of life
has good innings and bad innings.

Sometimes you get rocked,

but all you can do is
focus on what's actually in your control.

[gentle music playing]

Like not fighting with Grandma Bonnie?

Her trashing my music wasn't that bad,

but then she laid into the whole
"be a Townsend man" thing,

and this weight fell on me.

I hate the whole concept
of "man of the house."

Not only can it undervalue women,

but it can make a guy
scrunch up his feelings

and cover them with bills and taxes
and… staying late at the office.

Can I be honest?

It's not even the "man" part.

I don't know if I want to be a Townsend.

So much of my dad's legacy was pain.

A name only has to mean bad things
if you associate it with bad things.

You don't want to be like him.

That's your choice.

I want to move forward.

My father was a man
who avoided responsibility,

and… I wanna be a man who takes it on.

Like you.

You were responsible to us
for a long time,

even before you married my mom.

Thanks, man.

And the responsible thing
to do next would be?

I never meant to cause problems
between you and Grandma Bonnie.

I can't be leaving messes
for other people to clean up,

and I left one for you,
and that increased your pain.

[music fades]

I'm sorry.

No.

These have been tough days.

I appreciate your honesty
and thoughtfulness.

[exhales]

Congrats again for tracking me down.

I will always come for you, Ty.

We're a team,
responsible to and for each other.

That's how it's gonna work
in the Townsend-Maddox-Vreeland

and-anyone-else
who-wants-to-come-by household.

But please, someone come up
with a snazzier family name.

[laughs]

So

I'm not gonna go on the road with Olivia.

What?

Whoa. Whoa. What?

This is an important time in our family,

and I don't want anyone to think
that I'm running away.

I'm… I'm the guy that sticks around.

Nobody thinks...

I admire where your heart is.

I'm grateful.

And I don't know
that this is the right answer,

but I do know it's a bigger conversation

than we should be having
at this hour of the night

after the day that we've had.

You don't agree?

I agree that it's been a long day.

And here's the thing about good ideas.

They're still good in the morning.

"Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee."

"All through the night."

- I love you, Mom.
- I love you too, sweetheart.

[Maddie exhales]

Where did that...

Don't dare come back here
without a pint of butter pecan in hand.

I swear on a stack of Jason Isbell albums,
I didn't say anything about his tour.

I didn't think you did.

Then where did...

I love you more than I can say,
but I am not sharing your spoon.

This is your spoon.
I don't like butter pecan.

And you kept that from me
until after the wedding?

Speaking of keeping things…

Oh, honey, I'll keep you anyway.

I understand
why you didn't tell me about Isaac.

But I hope, as we begin married life,
that there ere will be no more secrets.

[exhales]

Wouldn't it be great?

A world without secrets?

Though I'm pretty sure that
would be ill*gal in Serenity. [chuckles]

Agreed.

From here on out, we share everything.

You can start
by sharing the covers, mister.

What? Hey. No!

Not my butter pecan.

What? [laughs]

[birds chirping]

[gentle music playing]

[exhales]

[gentle music builds]

I didn't want this whole visit to be sad,

so I'm playing Santa.

These are Christmas presents
that your dad picked out for each of you

because he loved you so much.

Christmas isn't until next month.
It's such a long wait.

[present rattles]

- Best not shake that.
- [Kathy chuckles]

Grandpa Tripp and I talked to your mom,
and she said you can open them now.

That way, we can watch you

and carry those pictures in our hearts
all the way back to Texas.

Dinosaur tooth!

Yes. It's real too. It's from
this amazing museum in San Antonio.

- Chomp.
- [all laugh]

Thank you, Grandpa Tripp.
Thank you, Miss Kathy.

You're so welcome.

Kyle, why don't you go next?

Whoa.

A gift card

to the Jefferson Street Playhouse
in Charleston.

Enough for two tickets
to the show of your choosing.

Wanna see what's playing?

[Kyle] I already know the whole season.

To see a heartbreaking tragedy of yore

or a modern experimental instant classic.

I'll have to text Lily.

Thank you.

[Tripp] Your dad said
you were quite the actor.

Hopefully, I'll get to
see you perform one day.

[wrapping paper rustling]

[gentle music playing]

Is that a compass?

[Ty] Like the one Dad had
when I was in Scouts.

I was always bugging him
to borrow it, but he…

But he what, Ty?

He was worried I'd break it, Katie.
And I did.

Bet you won't break this one.
You're all grown up now.

[compass closes]

Thank you.

Well, yep.

It's time to hit the road.

Thank you, Grandpa.

[Tripp chuckles]

For Bex and Isaac,
whenever you think it's appropriate.

Thank you.

- [Ty] Thank you.
- You're welcome.

[Kathy] Thank you so much.

[music fades]

Smells like rain. Let's get a move on.

- Maddie.
- Oh.

[gentle music playing]

I think one of the lessons
that you and I are struggling to learn

in the wake of all this is that

words left unsaid will haunt us forever.

Please know how sorry I am
that Bill's gone.

I pray that peace will come to us all
through faith and time.

I'll make sure there are fresh flowers
on Bill's grave on a regular basis.

Blue thistles, white roses.

But if you prefer something else,
just let me know.

Did I ever tell you why
Tripp and I moved away from Serenity?

To be closer to Tripp's mother.

You remember when Ty knocked
my favorite porcelain angel off the hutch?

Must've been six or seven.

Five.

And I… carried him away bawling

and reassured him for days… after that

that his grandma Bonnie
wouldn't be "whipping him with a switch."

And Bill…

…stayed back to comfort you
over your broken angel.

No. That's not what he did. No.

[chuckles] Indeed.

- He told me...
- Bill tore into me.

Reprimanded his mother.

"These are Maddie's children, Mama,
not yours, and Maddie knows best,

and you do not interfere."

My boy was right.

You raised… fine children.

Those three…

[sniffles]

…they were the best thing
Bill and I did together.

By the time my boy came back to me
in Texas with Kathy,

he was a different man.

Happy.

We all were.

I wish I got to know that man better.

I'm glad you had the time you had.

Sure we can't get you some coffee
for the road? All three of you?

I'd love to, but we need to go.
Bonnie is so worried about the storm.

[Ronnie] Forecast is changing
minute by minute.

- At least you're driving away from it.
- Yeah.

Promise you'll stop somewhere
if the weather gets bad?

You both have been so kind.

That's why I asked Bonnie and Tripp
to stop for a sec,

just so I could run in
and hug you one more time

and make sure Ronnie told you

I have changed, Dana Sue.

I'm learning to fix things.
Including myself.

Bill taught me that.

- And it is hard work, but you gotta do it.
- [Dana Sue] Mmm.

Bill left me some money…

and so I am paying you back
for the money that I took to leave town.

I even added some extra in there,

so you could do something special
for yourselves.

Well, how about we use it
to honor Bill… through the foundation?

Yeah.

Oh.

[both exhale]

- See you soon?
- Yeah.

Maybe Christmas?
For some chocolate-covered…

- Jawbreakers.
- Jawbreakers.

Bye.

[upbeat music playing]

She truly has changed.

I can't believe it.

Okay, I believe it. [chuckles]

Kathy has absolutely changed.

[music fades]

[Helen] On behalf of
the Magnolia Community Foundation,

thank you, Ali,

for helping those who aren't able
to do storm prep on their own.

It's no problem at all.

Our book club at the synagogue
formed Tikkun O'Lawn

when we realized our own elderly neighbors
needed assistance.

So when the foundation called,
we were thrilled to step in.

[Helen] Mmm.

We all loved Miss Frances so much.

Mmm. It's, um,

it's wonderful to see how many are eager
to keep her spirit alive, you know?

Well, and it's good for us.

Lawn care gets us out and exercising.

- [Helen] Yeah.
- Feeds the soul too.

All gratitude to you and Tikkun O'Lawn.

"See something, do something." Our motto.

And there are some days when I think
we would happily do this work full-time

if we could afford it.

[Helen] Mmm.

Serenity Public Library
does not need more books.

Free or not.

I'm confused.
Didn't you tell Elena, and I quote,

that you were "unsatisfied
with certain community leaders

for their tepid response
to the budget crisis"?

You memorized my quote.

Just the first part.

"There's a lot of lip service
but no real help."

"Some would rather flaunt their fame
and fortune than help the town."

"The library isn't just
for publicity tours."

"We don't even have
enough books for our patrons."

Did I mention anyone by name?

Nevertheless, in this box, you will find
two dozen free copies of my book.

And I can request more.

- I can't afford these.
- Excuse me?

Picture books
need special binding and sleeves.

Since I work alone now,
I'd have to send them out,

which takes a number of weeks,

then catalog and add the barcode
when they come back.

Again, I'm understaffed
and over-obligated,

as I keep trying to make clear,
but no one hears me.

I only wanna help.
If you would just offer a clue how.

This stunt doesn't help
with our budget problems.

It puts your book on my shelves.

You're not serving the town.

You're serving yourself.

If you really want to help the library,
then help me save it.

[dramatic music playing]

Tropical Storm Maxine
is now Hurricane Maxine

and headed straight for us.

She's still not as scary
as my aunt Maxine.

[Cal] Maybe not the best idea

to have a grand opening
during a hurricane.

You want the food to blow people away,
not the weather.

And there could be interruptions
in the supply chain.

We need to delay.

Again, not ideal,

but I understand your concerns.

You disagree.

Who am I to argue with a hurricane?

I know you've been looking forward
to putting on a show for Genevieve

after all the late hours,
but she'll understand, won't she?

Doesn't matter. She's gone.

- Gone?
- Gone, gone?

She has not moved nor quit her job,
but the two of us are no longer together.

[inaudible]

If the hurricane does get downgraded

or changes direction or something,

could the Magnolias and their dates
still make it tomorrow? Or the day after?

That's a huge "if," but, yes.

- [Cal] Alex is still in town?
- No. Unfortunately, Alexander is gone.

- Gone?
- Gone, gone?

Every storm has a mind of its own.
It's too early to cancel.

I don't see it that way, but…

We don't have to make the call
right this minute.

[scoffs]

I'm gonna go run some errands,
just in case.

[footsteps departing]

Is any of this about the hurricane?

Aren't we running the restaurant?

You and I should make these calls.

What do you wanna do?

It's not that simple.

It should be.

[inhales] I wanna go on the road real bad,
but I should stay here.

It's just… classic
"duty versus desire" scenario.

What about your duty to Olivia?
And Roxanne?

Okay. Duty versus duty, then.

What is the right direction for Ty?

It's not a Magic 8 Ball,

but

true north is you.

For real.

Thanks. But I'm not going to tell you
what to do.

I don't wanna hurt anyone by leaving.

Isn't it selfish of me
to be thinking of something that…

You think we don't want you to be happy?

[gentle music playing]

We believe in you.

We know what you're capable of, and…

maybe…

maybe your dad believed in you too.

So stop putting the reasons for staying
on everyone else,

and answer from your heart.

Stay or go.

Go.

Then go.

And you'll be okay?

I will be so busy bragging
about my rock star boyfriend.

I won't even know you're gone.

I will call and text and write songs
about you while I'm on the road.

Come on.

Now go… and tell Olivia.

But do not kiss her.

[Ty chuckles softly]

[exhales]

[inhales, sobs]

We have to take this seriously.

A lot of fans
are waiting for the next book.

Well, I have made 12 different starts,
and I don't think any one of them

are good enough to be the next book.

[Cal exhales]

Let's write about a mean, horrible witch

who hides in her scary house
and never comes out.

Very interesting.

Why is the witch mean?

[Katie] What do you mean? She's a witch.

[Maddie] Well, every creature
who is mean and horrible

has a reason why,
even if no one knows what it is.

Like what?

Well, sometimes,

people are hurting or afraid

or never learned
how to get along with other people.

What is a good reason
why the witch is mean?

Because I want her to be.

I'll brainstorm with my dinosaurs.

[footsteps departing]

[Maddie] Not sure that's the spot either.

Oh, this is my favorite chair.

It had a perfect spot at my place.
It… needs a perfect spot here.

I remember it being more chocolate.

[Katie] Mommy!
Best idea ever! Come listen.

Wow, those are
some incredibly inspiring dinosaurs.

Think she'd loan me one?

To help you move a chair?

[Katie] Mommy!

Go. I'd hate to see
what an impatient dinosaur is capable of.

[chair creaks]

[dramatic music playing]

[Ty] Thank you for doing this with me.

It's probably weird.

[Helen] No, nothing of the kind.

My daddy's been gone a long time,
but I still chat with him often.

[Helen chuckles softly]

Both our fathers
will appreciate this visit.

I was gonna ask my mom
to come out with me,

- but she's… got a lot on her mind.
- Hmm.

Yeah, she does, which is the other reason
I agreed to take this stroll with you.

- You are gonna have a glorious time.
- [laughs] Yeah.

But your mother and your girlfriend
are gonna worry about you.

A lot.

So I want you to promise me

that if you ever, ever need

to vent, rage, or even whine…

I don't whine.

Oh, you might.

…you bring all of that to me.

You call me,

text me.

I will be your safe space,

and I will listen without judgment.

Unless I'm doing something stupid?

If I point that out, it won't be judgment.

It'll be instructive.

So let's work together
to make your absence easier on everyone.

Including me.

[upbeat music playing]

Thank you, Aunt Helen…

for believing in me.

Thank you, Ty,

for being easy to believe in.

[upbeat music builds]

Did I ever tell you that my daddy
taught me to drive stick shift right here?

- Oh, yeah?
- Yeah. Yeah.

[music fades]

[Ty exhales]

That's one of my favorites.

Which is why I get to hang on to it.

Maybe wear it once or twice
when I really miss you.

[Maddie] Knock, knock.

[Annie chuckles]

Mom, I don't need this many clothes.
I'll be back before Christmas.

You can pack less if you promise
to do laundry at least twice.

[Kyle] Oh man. Haven't you left yet?

I'm trying to figure out which duffel
I'm putting all of you guys in.

[Paula laughs]

Well, fortunately,
you don't have to pack this.

You get to wear it.

- Nana, this… this is amazing.
- [Paula laughs]

Iris made the jacket.

[Ty] Oh.

And I painted your band's logo
on the back.

There.

[Ty grunts]

[Paula laughs]

I'm now the coolest touring musician ever.

Almost.

When you get back,

I'll tell you about the wild bassist
I knew before I married your grandfather.

[Maddie] Uh, Mama, no.

[Ty] Nana, yes.

Wanna take her with you?

[both laughing]

Thank you so much.

Hate to break it to you, Ronnie,
but Bill didn't leave you anything.

[both laugh]

Actually, he did.

The realization that I don't have a will.

Not that I have a lot to leave,
but what I do have

needs to go to the right people.

[Tom] Good for you.
Too many men put it off.

Most guys our age only have a bucket list.

Don't have one of those either.

You've given no thought to the adventures
you wanna go on before your time's up?

What's on yours?

[Tom] Skydiving.

Bull riding. You know, all the things
that Tim McGraw sings about.

If you could do anything
with the rest your life,

what would it be?

[birds chirping]

- Hey, girl.
- [Olivia] Hey!

- Are you ready?
- Almost.

Oh, nice jacket.
You got one of those for me?

- Sorry, it's one of a kind.
- Just like you.

You're comfortable driving?
The weather's changing pretty fast.

Oh yeah.
We're… we're going northwest. Totally dry.

He forgets to eat when he writes.

He'll say "in a minute" a lot,
but you have to make him do it.

I will keep a spare bag of chips
at all times,

and I swear,
I will remind him to text and call you.

If you have to remind him about that,
he's already in trouble. [laughs]

Won't be an issue.

[Olivia chuckles]

And make him take pictures of everything.

He never thinks it matters

until it's too late
and he's wishing he had one.

Got it. Anything else?

If you think of anything else,
Olivia will only be a FaceTime away.

[Olivia] Mm-hmm.

And me too.

Okay!

I think this is when I look for something
in the glove compartment. See you soon.

[gentle music playing]

I love you.

I love you too.

All right.

[music builds]

[music fades]

It needs more cumin.

The fire department likes extra onions
and cumin in their chili.

I wish Isaac were here.

To help cook?

No, to suffer with us. [chuckles]

The hurricane hasn't changed course.
Are you ready to make the call?

At this point, I think Maxine will be
the only one at the opening.

Decision's been made.

What? When?

When Dana Sue ground
all the prime sirloin chuck for the chili.

There aren't enough supplies
to cook anything we planned.

- The market closed early for the storm.
- For the storm.

But on the bright side,

Serenity's firefighters are gonna have
the finest chili of their lives tomorrow.

- Is the chuck ready?
- [Willow] Chef Dana Sue?

Willow. What are you doing here?

My big brother's a volunteer firefighter.

He tells me about the chili you make.
Everybody looks forward to it.

So I just had to come help.

[chuckling]

Extra help is welcome. Wash your hands.

We'll set you up here.
You can put your tote bag in the office.

Oh, it's not a tote. This is my knife roll
until I can get a real one.

Lovely. Wash your hands, hop in.
Dice onions. Remember dicing?

Bailey, let's trust our pallets
for the chili.

It's not the time for exact measurements.

- Chef, you always say, "The art..."
- "The art and the science."

- I'm so sorry, Chef Erik.
- Just…

[uptempo instrumental music playing]

Cumin, garlic powder, what else?

Cumin, garlic powder,
cayenne, paprika, coriander.

- [Willow] Which knife?
- No, no. That knife's too big.

Oh, okay.

[Bailey] Cumin, garlic powder…

[Dana Sue] Cumin, garlic powder,
cayenne, paprika, coriander.

Willow, dice. Don't chop.

Cumin, garlic powder,
cayenne, paprika, coriander.

[metal clanging]

Willow! Willow.

I'm so sorry, Chef Erik.

I could use some help folding,
uh, napkins.

[Willow] Thank you.

Okay, that was my mistake. She's a
good student. I thought she could help.

It's not your kitchen anymore.

No, of course it's not.

So Sophie crunched all the numbers,

and our online engagement
is through the roof.

I mean, we have to be one of
the fastest-growing D&D streams on Twitch.

Oh, that's fantastic. Yay, us!

Yeah, we should celebrate.

- You know, capitalize on the moment.
- We have a lot of followers in the area.

Wouldn't it be awesome
if we did something in person?

[gasps] A meetup!

Yes. Yes, great idea.

And what if we do it in character,
Serenity Park, day after tomorrow?

Glad you're excited,

but the incoming hurricane
might get in the way just a tad.

Oh, it'll probably blow over.

And if it doesn't,
we turn the meetup into a cleanup.

- You're cute when you're ambitious.
- Yeah.

[upbeat music playing]

[both chuckle]

[ominous music playing]

[wind whistling]

[thunder cracking]

I'd have hired movers had I known
we'd be doing this much lifting.

[Maddie laughs]

Can't have anything heavy near a window
during a hurricane.

Besides, preparing
makes the hurricanes go away.

Seriously, If things get bad,

we should all hunker down
at the restaurant,

and be ready
to check on people who need help.

Does that mean you've officially postponed
the opening of Sullivan's and Friends?

[Dana Sue] I did, though
I'm completely embarrassed about it.

It was Cal and Erik's call, not mine.

I didn't realize I was getting in the way
until my own little mini-me

gave me a taste of my own medicine.
Boy, was that a bitter pill.

- [Helen laughs]
- [Maddie] Give it time.

Big changes can always be difficult.

For longer than you want.

Speaking of big changes,

I heard about one
that you'll wanna know, Helen.

Erik is single.

[Maddie squeals]

[whimsical music playing]

Is Genevieve okay?

Is Erik okay?

Both seem to be fine.

Good.

- Help me roll up my mother's rug.
- [Maddie groans]

How's the book going, Maddie?

Well, we know the kingdom needs saving,

but we don't know what from.

[Dana Sue] Mm-mm.

A witch, maybe?

[Helen chuckles]

[chuckles] After Bonnie,
aren't you tired of witches?

[Maddie laughs]

Credit where… [grunts]

…credit is due.

As… they were leaving town,
she apologized to me.

- [Dana Sue] That's impressive.
- Yeah.

So fences are mended for the moment?

She was in so much pain.

And that helped me to see

that Beatriz was coming
from a similar place.

[Helen] Mmm.

Wouldn't it be wonderful
if we could ease their pain?

You find joy in knowing that
you did your part for each of those women.

Now they have to do their part
in their own lives.

- [sighs] I pray they do.
- [Helen] Mmm.

Well, you gave them just a little nudge
to get started healing.

I know they're grateful.

Admit it or not,

we could all use some help
to get through challenges we're facing.

Does that mean you'll call Erik?

The challenges we're facing
in the community.

[mouthing] Oh, okay.

I'm handling my own personal challenges
quite fine. Thank you very much.

All right.

[Helen, Dana Sue laugh]

Oh, but Peggy.

Oof.

She's strained under heaps of work.

I am too, frankly.

I wish we could put the town
in additional reliable hands,

but there aren't many
we can trust to share the load.

- We'll share anything.
- [Dana Sue] Yeah.

And I'll tell you all about it later.
Once I get a handle on things.

You want us to help
with the problem once you fix it?

- Exactly. [laugh]
- [laughs]

To the hope of better days on the horizon.

All the storms we've weathered,
we'll weather this one too.

No matter how hard it hits.

[thunder cracking]

Goodness.

Oh…

[thunder cracking]

Okay.

Back to work.

Mm-mm. Don't you dare.
You sit down. I'm done with this.

[all laughing]

Y'all be careful out there,

and if you need more chili,
you just holler.

That can wait, Cal.

This way, we're completely ready to open.
When we open. Whenever we open.

Okay.

Thank you, Skeeter, Ronnie.

We know you got a lot of people calling
on you, but we appreciate your help.

The boards are so heavy
you can't even hear the storm... [gasps]

Okay.

[Maddie] Whoa.

- It's okay, sweetie.
- Call me if these boards start lifting.

I'm gonna go check on folks

who are foolish enough to be up on ladders
in the middle of all this.

Skeeter, I'm going with you.

Did you get permission?

You're safe here. I'm safe with Skeeter.
There are folks who aren't as fortunate.

- Please be careful. Both of you.
- Yeah.

Keep us posted.

You need a hand with that before I go?

I'm good. I'm done.

Hunker down, everyone.
We could be here a while.

- [rain falling]
- [thunder rumbling]

Okay, Maddie. Everyone on my phone tree
is sheltered at home or town hall.

Most of mine are at the high school
and safe.

When did you last hear from Ty?

They're making good time
and out of harm's way.

All our friends are safe too.
Lily, Sophie, everyone.

- Noreen.
- What about Willow?

At the fire station with her brother.

I should've put a note in the chili.
Tell her I was asking after her.

Yeah.

[man] Whoo! Oh man. It's crazy.

- [Dana Sue] Come on.
- [Maddie] Priya, kiddos.

[Priya] Oh, Maddie.

Thank you so much for inviting us.
This is our first hurricane.

I'm excited. Mātā is not.

I want Mama.

- [Katie] Hi.
- Abigail.

Mama and Dr. Howie are helping anyone
who needs a doctor. Remember?

Your mama is being a hero
for helping people,

and your mātā is a hero
for teaching people.

So you think that you could be a hero
and help us protect people here tonight?

We'll help make sure you have fun.

[Katie] Abigail, come with me! Dinosaurs!

Those dinosaurs wanna eat my chili!

Let's sit over here.

Sorry. Can we talk for a second?

You go right ahead.

I'm just gonna sit here
and wheedle this chili recipe

out of Bailey here.

You wheedle away, Miss Paula.

I will. [laughs]

Have you thought about
doing a trivia night?

- [thunder cracking]
- [both gasp]

[Abigail groans]

Oh, it's okay.

I've taken
our dream-big conversation to heart

and started looking at dream schools
and forgetting about the practical stuff.

Just dreaming really big.

Clemson? You'd make a great tiger.

A little further, actually.

How far?

Just don't say "California"
in front of my mom.

Swapping coasts, huh?

- I hope so.
- [chuckles]

This school is special,
so I need a special recommendation.

- [Erik] Mmm.
- Would you write me one?

Whatever I can do to help you
follow your passion, I will do.

I'm asking because
you're a big inspiration, you and Ty,

even though thinking about him
and college makes my head spin.

[Erik chuckles]

Annie, the future will always
make your head spin if you let it.

Just don't try to take it all in
at the same time.

Focus on one spot and try and get there.

Let him do the same.

Your paths may cross,

run parallel,

separate, and come back together.

But what matters
is that they move forward.

I appreciate you.

- [thunder cracking]
- [gasps]

Helen must be at town hall
with Mayor Peggy.

Peggy is at
the High School Evacuation Center,

and Helen is still closing up her house.

It's getting so bad outside.

If she's not here soon,
I don't know if coming's a good idea.

[phone unlocks]

[keypad beeping]

Well, it's been a pleasure, Miss Eustace.

Yeah, and I'd love to talk longer,
but I really… I really should let you go.

Yes, ma'am. Yes, we will have tea soon.

I said, we'll have tea soon,
and we'll catch up.

All right? Yes, I'm glad you're safe.
You have a good night now.

Good night. Good night.

[phone beeps]

Hey, Maddie, before you even start,

I have a couple more boxes to pack,
a couple more phone calls to make.

The sooner you let me off this phone,
the sooner I'll be there.

I love you. Love you. Love you.

Oh gosh.

That's done.

[man] You know…

Annie, do you know Dev?

[Dev] Hi. Dev Webster.

You don't know me,
but I've seen you at school,

and I've been
hanging out with Kyle at school,

and I am such a huge fan of New Myths
that I had to come and tell him,

once again, how brilliant he is
and how epic the stream is,

and how it really speaks to me
on the whole "if we band together,

we can accomplish amazing things"
kind of level, you know?

I'm a big fan of the stream too.

[wind whooshing]

[chuckles softly]

This is so popular tonight,
we should put it on the menu once we open.

- [laughs]
- Have you eaten?

Not yet.

Um,

Erik.

I'm sorry for getting in the way
of your decision-making process.

With all the changes happening,
it's hard not to fall into old habits.

I love your involvement.

But I also wanna make the most
of your generous offer

to let Cal and me run the restaurant.

[Dana Sue] Mm-hmm.

We'll find a balance.

I can work on being
a bigger cheerleader for you both.

You'll get pom-poms?

[laughing] No!

Not quite my style.
But I'll help hand out chili if you want.

[both laughing]

Let's dish it out.

[Dana Sue] I am certain

that you and Cal
will do great by Sullivan's and Friends

when it finally opens
on the day of your choosing.

[Dana Sue chuckles]

- [Erik] So…
- No.

[gasps] Good, you found the flashlights.

I just need five minutes alone.

I need to recharge.

I have lost my taste
for being around lots of people 24-7.

- I understand. I'll go.
- [Cal] No.

You're not lots of people.

You are my one and only.

[thunder rumbling]

I brought my old chair
into your beautiful house

because it's where
I always had to think, to rest, to…

Be alone?

Is that awful?

Now that I know its secret,
I may have to give it a try.

So much of this is still new to me.

The hurricane came at a bad time.

Mmm. They tend to do that.

[both chuckle]

I just need to catch my breath.

And kiss my wife.

Better?

Almost.

[wind whistling]

[car honking]

[inaudible]

Hey, hey, hey, hey. Slow down.

[gentle music playing]

Thank you.

So I had no idea that you were
the smallest one in your family.

It's true. My brothers and sisters
call me "lil guy."

[laughs] Spectacular.

[phone chimes]

[inaudible]

[metal clanging]

Can I have everyone's attention?

Unfortunately, our lives are on hold
while we're together here tonight.

The future is uncertain. A little scary.

Not everyone who wants to be here is.

By no means is this a perfect moment.

But tonight is also

what Sullivan's and Friends
was made to be.

A place to gather,

no matter what's happening
in the outside world.

To support each other.

Comfort each other.

Entertain each other.

And love each other.

Life isn't meant to be perfect,

but it is meant to be spent together.

So though it's not a perfect time,

it feels like the right time.

Tonight is the official opening
of Sullivan's and Friends.

[all cheering]

We're gonna make you proud, Dana Sue.

[Paula laughing]

[Paula] Oh, that's wonderful.

- To Sullivan's and Friends.
- [laughing]

Sullivan's and Friends.

To Sullivan's and Friends.

Oh!

Every time I try, I get call failed.

[Dana Sue] Her landline's out too.

What's happening? Is it Helen?

- [thunder cracking]
- [Dana Sue gasps]

[Ronnie groans]

[Dana Sue] Oh, thank God you two are safe.

This storm is a monster.

Trees down everywhere.

River Road is flooded.

She can't get here now.

[tense music playing]

Take my truck.

Oh. Okay.

Everything's gonna be okay.

[Abigail screams]

♪ When the night has come ♪

♪ And the land is dark ♪

♪ And the moon ♪

♪ Is the only light we'll see ♪

♪ No, I won't be afraid ♪

♪ No, I won't be afraid ♪

♪ Just as long as you stand ♪

♪ Stand by me ♪

♪ So, darling, darling ♪

♪ Stand by me ♪

♪ Oh, stand by me ♪

♪ Oh, stand now… ♪

Helen!

♪ Stand by me ♪

♪ If the sky… ♪

Helen!

♪ That we look upon ♪

♪ Should tumble and fall ♪

- ♪ Or the mountains ♪
- [panting, whimpers]

♪ Should crumble to the sea… ♪

- No. No. Come on, come on, come on.
- [phone line beeping]

Come on!

[gasps]

- Erik.
- Helen!

Erik!

♪ As you stand ♪

♪ Stand by me ♪

[Erik grunts]

[Helen] Erik.

- Come on. Get the door. Get the door.
- [grunts]

God, please.

[Erik grunting]

- I think it's stuck.
- [Erik] Push!

♪ And darling, darling ♪

♪ Stand by me ♪

♪ Oh, stand by me ♪

♪ Oh, stand now ♪

♪ Stand by me ♪

♪ Whenever you're in trouble ♪

♪ Won't you stand by me ♪

♪ Oh, stand by me ♪

♪ Oh, stand now ♪

♪ Stand by me ♪

♪ Stand by me ♪

- [music ends]
- [thunder rumbling]

[closing theme music playing]

[closing theme music ends]