04x07 - Hide and Seek

[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]

[gentle music playing]

[door opens]

[Cal] Ow.

Ow. [grunts]

[Cal grunts]

You're lucky
this sprained ankle isn't a broken neck.

You have to learn your limits.

- Ask for help.
- [grunts]

You can't just fly around here
caring for everyone else,

not getting any sleep,
until you literally collapse.

[grunts] I'm not a child, Maddie.
Stop scolding me.

The last person I settled into this house
to recover was a child.

I've been a mom
for the better part of my life,

and Dr. Bill Townsend insisted
that no one could take care of him better

than he could take care of himself,
so I don't know how to care for an adult.

[music fades]

This is new for me,

and I'm messing it up.

It's new to me too.

In baseball, you... learn to play hurt.

Push through the pain.

And I carried that
into my adult relationships.

Once, I... I cut my hand on a can opener,

and Vicky dropped me off at the ER...

on our way to a wine tasting.

The problem with playing hurt is that you

never completely heal.

You don't get stronger. You just

get by.

And I never want to just get by with you.

I wanna be vulnerable enough...

to let you take care of me
without complaint.

Caring for you when you're hurt
is one of the ways that I get to show you

how much I love you.

I know.

And I appreciate the love you show me...
everyone who's lucky enough to know you.

You're an incredible woman, Maddie.

And you are an incredible man.

Even when you are an incredible pain.

[both chuckle]

I mean, when you're in pain.

[Cal] Mmm.

Okay.

I am gonna go pick up your prescription
and go by the spa.

You'll call Erik to explain?

Yep.

Anything else
that I can get my strong, brave patient?

- Chocolate milk?
- [chuckles]

[upbeat music playing]

Have I told you
how much I love this shirt?

- I believe so.
- Well, good.

Because I don't wanna
sound critical, but...

surely you have others.

[laughing]

- I suppose we have been a bit preoccupied.
- [chuckles softly]

I'll swing by home
and pack a few things in a bag

And leave a few things here?

Oh, Erik Whitley.

I will clear a drawer for you.

A nightstand... for you.

[Erik laughs]

A kitchen cabinet... for you.

Ooh!

Be mindful with that steamy talk,
Ms. Decatur.

I want you to feel at home here.

When we first tried this,

I told you I was still
processing the loss of my wife.

Vera and your baby.

I thought I was looking for something to...
fill the space they left behind.

But what I needed

was to grow around it.

Create space around it for something new.

You taught me that.

It's not just drawers
and kitchen cabinets, Helen.

You've made space for me in your heart,

and it is the only home I'll ever need.

- [gentle music playing]
- [Helen chuckles softly]

And as grateful as I am for that

and for what you've done for me...

[Erik chuckles softly]

I... I still haven't seen your home.

[Erik exhales]

I'm guessing that's where, uh,
these mysterious other shirts are kept.

Are you free tomorrow night?

[Helen] Mmm.

[Annie] November is a weird time to fish.

[Dana Sue] Grandfather was adamant that
bass fishing was best in cold weather.

His advice never led me down a bad path.

I don't know which lure to pick.
The water is pretty muddy.

And shallow. So you want something
that has a little extra flash.

The sun will be able to catch it
and make it sparkle,

and the fish will rise to meet it.

Speaking of flashy,

I'm sure you were as surprised as I was

by your father's new motorcycle
and new behavior.

It isn't exactly new, is it?

This is the way he acted four years ago
when he was drinking.

Which I promise you he is not.

He is going through something,
and I refuse to call it a midlife crisis

since that would imply
that I, too, am midlife.

You never told me the whole story.

I was a kid back then,
but now I'm an adult.

Almost.

I can handle it.

Perhaps.

But when it comes to your father and me,

you are entitled to the truth

but not to all the information.

Some things stay between a married couple.

[Dana Sue] Mmm.

If we're talking truth,
I asked Erik for a recommendation letter.

Lovely. I'm sure he was honored.

[Annie] For a school in California.

California.

Why California?

They have
an incredible photography program.

It... it isn't just fine arts.

There are classes in photojournalism,
fashion photography, sports, wildlife.

Wow. So many options.

That's promising.

[Dana Sue chuckles]

[splutters] But if Dad's in a bad place,
maybe it's not a good time.

Annabelle Sullivan.

Your father and I have been able
to forgive each other many things,

but we would never forgive ourselves
for taking you off your path.

You only have this one life,

and you have to do
everything in your power to make it count.

No matter where that takes you.

Do you hear me?

Yes, ma'am.

And the one promise
I have always asked remains.

Don't hide anything from me.

Don't hide yourself from me.

And if that water... ever gets muddy,

you rise up and shine bright.

- Deal?
- [chuckles]

Deal.

[both laugh]

[door opens]

I am so sorry to keep you waiting.

Madeline Townsend.

Maddie. Lovely to meet you, Mike.

Michael.

Welcome, Michael.

We're so grateful Emergency Services
sent someone to assess the storm damage.

You can continue
about your business, ma'am.

I don't need you
for this leg of the inspection.

Oh. Would you like some sweet tea?

I don't drink on the job.

Thanks for coming in.

- I wasn't sure what to do...
- [wall knocking]

- [Michael] Huh.
- [knocking continues]

Cal doing all right?

Yes. Thanks to Howie.
Just two weeks in that boot.

Howie mention anything else?

No. Should he have?

You know,
Howie and I have been driving around

helping whoever can't make it in
to see him.

And it's been incredible.

We're doing such important
and necessary work,

helping the most vulnerable people
in Serenity.

Are you trying to tell me
you're resigning from the spa?

- No, absolutely not.
- Oh, thank goodness. [exhales]

I do wanna do part-time here.
Swap schedules with Carla, essentially.

She'll be here during the day
while I'm with Howie,

and I'll join her
for the rush in the afternoon.

Sounds wonderful. And to be clear,
I only sounded concerned about losing you

because we adore you around here.

Thank you. I love working with the kids,

and I'm so grateful
for your giving me the opportunity.

I just had no idea
how much I'd miss nursing.

Howie and I are even talking about

growing our house calls
into a real mobile clinic,

but it's so much work to do.

Licensing, supplies,
replace Howie's Jeep with a clinic van.

- It all feels out of reach.
- Because you just started.

It's okay to take a dream by inches,
not just miles.

Start with the house calls and then
just put one foot in front of the other.

Noreen, there is such a light about you
when you work as a nurse.

You have an incredible gift,
and you share it so selflessly.

God gave us all gifts.
We're not meant to hoard them.

[Tape measure snaps back]

[Michael] Mm-hmm.

[upbeat music playing]

[upbeat music fades]

I knew we were popular online,

but now people wanna join us
or just hang out.

I mean, I never imagined
Dev and I would be friends.

[splutters] And he suddenly kind of
attached himself to me,

which is fine.

But if people are listening to me...
shouldn't I be saying something?

Draw three cards.

[exhales] So what are your thoughts?

- On what?
- Fame.

I win.

Seriously. I'd love to get your take.

On fame or that last hand?

This is my first time being known
as more than Ty's little brother.

I'm not used to people coming to me,
talking to me, wanting things from me.

I win.

Well, whenever
you're in a position of influence,

you should use it
in the service of others.

With great popularity
comes great opportunity.

[Katie] I win.

Wait, how? How do you win?
I thought we were playing poker.

- I thought it was gin rummy.
- We're playing "Katie cards."

I make up the rules.

- But they keep changing.
- [Katie] Yeah.

Because if the rules aren't good anymore,
I change them.

[Cal] Katie, you are wonderfully creative.

But if you play a game,

you have to set rules and follow them
so the rest know what's happening.

I don't always understand,
but I keep going.

Why do grown-ups get to decide
what rules we have to follow?

I wanna break some rules.

[sighs] Oh, I just keep making mistakes.

You know, when I played ball,
it was my errors that kept me up at night.

Who told you you had to be perfect?

Oh, I could give you a list,
but I think I'll just thank you.

Yeah, my new therapist
dropped that one on me.

I also have some perfectionist issues.

Huh.

So what else
do you and your therapist recommend

for a guy trying to get it right?

Be thoughtful.

Be diligent. Do your best.

And trust the rest of the family
will give you detailed feedback

on what you should've done instead.

Hey! Hey. [laughs]

"Wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee."

Come on.

I'm so glad to catch my breath.

- [Helen] Mmm.
- I haven't had this much going since...

I'm too scrambled to think of a time.

[all chuckle]

I'm not quite sure if you two are here
or if this is a dream.

Oh, if it was a dream, I wouldn't have
six missed calls from Tom.

[Maddie] Tom?

- Are you in trouble?
- No. Not at all.

I've wrangled him
into helping Sherman and everyone else

whose insurance companies dropped them.

They're either appealing

or looking at alternative coverage
for high-risk areas.

Tom likes to keep me updated.

[phone chimes, vibrates]

[Maddie] Mmm.

- He really likes to keep me updated.
- [chuckling]

Well, he can take the library off
of his list

because Peggy assured me
that it is a priority.

Oh, that's nice.

I've been so busy grinding my sensible
yet stylish heels into the ground,

attending to town business.

Well, thank you for hosting.
Ronnie and I needed a breather.

Cal and me too.

He is not the easiest patient.

Of course. I... Oh.

- Blueberry lemonade margaritas, ladies.
- Oh!

[softly] Yes, yes, yes.

Oh.

- Nicely done, Erik.
- Here you go. Mm-hmm.

- For you.
- Thank you, sir.

[Erik] And for my queen.

[Helen chuckles]

Don't let me get in the way of you
pouring it out.

[Helen laughs]

- Brownie bites are on the counter.
- Thank you.

[Erik] Mm-hmm.

[jazz music playing]

[chuckles]

- [music ends abruptly]
- Do not drool on my furniture.

- But he's so nice to look at.
- [laughs]

These margaritas are
just as mouthwatering.

[groans] Anything's better than
Ronnie's chocolate hot sauce margaritas.

Okay, can we talk about Ronnie?
Or rather about what your mother said

to convince him to go out
and buy himself a motorcycle.

- So it's true?
- Yes!

Rowdy Ronnie has returned.

[all laughing]

Remember when he hijacked that golf cart
and did donuts on the country club green?

Or when he stole
the... the Castlewood Cavaliers' mascot,

and he rode that horse through town square
singing the Serenity High fight song.

And the chocolate fountain.

Oh, and the rubber ducks
and the water balloons and...

[all] Glitter b*mb!

[all laughing]

Oh! But he was not always alone
in making mischief.

I do remember
that Rowdy Ronnie had a partner in crime.

♪ Boom, boom, hey, hey ♪

♪ Danger Sue ♪

- One public nuisance at a time, please.
- Okay. [chuckles]

Ah.

Those were fun days.

[laughs]

But if you remember,

they always ended
with Ronnie crashing. Hard.

It's a pattern.

One I have no idea how to break.

[Maddie] I see it in Cal too.

I mean, he quite literally crashed
down the stairs.

And I...

[Dana Sue, Maddie chuckle]

- Let me...
- [both] Go eat your brownies.

Okay. All right.
I'll go get my brownies. [laughs]

Don't choke on 'em now.

[all laughing]

Erik and I are... are
perfect in the moment,

and I am thankful.

I am sympathetic.

- It is a problem, though, isn't it?
- [Dana Sue] Mm-hmm.

How do we care for these men?
How do we break the cycles?

I'm worried
if he doesn't sort it out soon,

we're gonna wind up fighting.

Now that you're not Danger Sue.

[whimsical music playing]

Maybe I should be.

Beat him at his own game,

or make him realize
how ridiculous he's being.

Either way could work, right?

As long as you do nothing ill*gal.

I'm not using my executive power
as the town "Temporary Whatever"

to bail you out.

[laughing] Okay.

To the return of Danger Sue.

[Helen] Mmm.

Here we go.

- Oh boy! Buckle up, Helen.
- Yeah. Danger Sue! Hey!

Cal, what are you doing
climbing those stairs?

Well, I discovered last night
I can't sleep without you in my arms.

Well, at least let me help you
the last few feet.

- [Cal groans]
- Oh goodness.

[Cal groans]

[Cal grunts]

- [Maddie] Okay.
- [grunts]

- Easy. Easy, easy, easy, easy.
- [groans]

Here.

- Here you go.
- [exhales]

[Cal exhales]

So how was margarita night? [exhales]

It actually gave me an idea.

Who do you have to talk to, Cal?

Your thoughts, problems,
questions about your life.

I have Helen and Dana Sue, but...
do you have anyone you can confide in?

I have you.

And you can talk to me about anything.

But you might want a more neutral party
to share things with.

I've been thinking that in the way
that it takes a village to raise a child,

it also takes a village
to take care of each other.

Well, it used to be Erik.

But now all we talk about
is the restaurant.

Well, think on it.

[romantic music playing]

I want you to have
a big, strong safety net

so you don't crash again.

[Maddie] Mmm.

Do I smell

basil?

[Maddie chuckles]

- We haven't broken the curse yet.
- [laughs]

I'm trying something new.

- I love trying something new.
- [laughs]

[Helen] "Sources suggest the situation is
far more dire than town hall disclosed."

"The mayor's office didn't respond
to requests for comment."

I thought it prudent to bring this
to your attention immediately.

Why on earth would you decline a call
from the town paper

on such an important issue?

When Alaina rang, she made it sound like
a social call. What did she say?

She asked if Peggy could chitchat.

And I've had plenty going on
without getting caught on the phone

with Serenity's foremost chitchatter.

[exhales] Between the library...

Which Alaina portrays as unsalvageable.

And the emergency rep arriving...

Whom I have supplied

with an exhaustive list
of affected homes and businesses.

And I've alerted all residents
that he'll get to them eventually.

Not that it's stopped Collins
from calling several times this morning

about his hardware store being seen to.

[Helen] We are working ourselves
to the bone, and not just us.

Somehow, people are not understanding
what we're trying to do and why.

We need to rethink our messaging,

and... and then this article won't be
quite so critical of our efforts.

We are deep in a financial crisis
exacerbated by a natural disaster.

I don't have time to run around
making sure everyone likes me

while I'm busy trying to save this town.

I no longer think
either of you need this caffeine.

[footsteps departing]

Look, I'm sorry, and you're right.
Of course.

I might not have recognized the immediacy
of Alaina's "chitchat" request either.

But we do need to run some damage control.

I'll speak with my mother,

the almighty Sentinel editor.

[Helen] Yes.

And I'm taking Alaina to court.

[whimsical music playing]

The pickleball court, of course.

Morning, Chef.

Good morning, Dana Sue.

Good morning, you two.

Erik, I am reporting
for our weekly coffee.

Unless y'all need a helping hand.

I know you and Bailey are on your own
until Isaac and Cal are back.

But we're not alone.

[Dana Sue] Oh.

[laughs]

Apparently, she went home
after her last unfortunate visit

and chopped every onion in the county.

Check, Chef.

[soft music playing]

These are absolutely perfect.

- Oh!
- [Dana Sue chuckles softly]

[Dana Sue, Willow laugh]

[Erik clears throat]

We have plenty of shallots
that need chopping.

Yes, Chef.

[both chuckling]

Yes.

[music fades]

I know we set these coffee dates
so I could ask your advice,

but I wonder if you might not have
a different discussion topic today.

[Dana Sue chuckles]

You are a keen observer
of human nature, Erik,

and it is so infuriating.

I thank you for the time.

I really just wanted to ask

about Annie's recommendation letter.

Uh, I'm not angry. I just

wanna know why you didn't tell me.

Should I have?

- [scoffs]
- Dana Sue.

You are a singularly superb mother

and teacher... and chef,

but I'd be remiss if I didn't remind you

the true test of leadership
is knowing when to take a step back.

Why do I have the feeling
we're no longer talking only of Annie?

Consider Willow.

When you gave her space
and your confidence,

she made a lovely fennel pesto.

When you hung over her
and eyed her every move,

she couldn't keep an onion
on the cutting board.

She almost hurt herself.

Well, that's what I'm afraid of.
I don't want the people I love to be hurt.

But they will, with or without you.

Growth includes pain.

You can't always smooth the road
for those you love.

Becoming skilled and brilliant,
as you are...

takes risk.

What if she stumbles? [sniffles]

Then... she learns.

Just how devastating
would you say this storm was to Serenity?

Are you an employee of the mayor's office?

I'm a good friend
of the mayor's office. [laughs]

And here is my good friend
who is in the mayor's office. Helen, dear.

I have been so anxious to hear.

Did you see my front-page article
in the Sentinel?

See it? I've been accosted by it.

Why would you paint the mayor's office
as being apathetic

to a damaged and grieving town?

Why would you make it seem
as though the library,

the... the emotional center of Serenity,

would be left to just sink into the earth?

Why would you write something
so deeply unhelpful?

Helen, I am quite sure
I was being helpful.

People were starving for information.

I brought these problems to light,
but I did not cause them.

- Don't you wanna be part of the solution?
- You're asking me to do your job?

Oh no, dear.

I am asking you to let me do mine

without the obstacles
of misinformation and petty gossip

that you are passing off as news.

You know what happens
when you miss the ball, Helen.

The other person scores.

[tense music playing]

[Helen] I'm done playing with you, Alaina.

The people of Serenity, they trust us.
And that's what matters most.

Well, Helen, dear, have you ever
considered that you might be wrong?

[gentle music playing]

[music ends]

That's the venue
that they played last night.

There's a sunset... and another sunset.

Oh, there's a statue of a pink elephant
holding a martini glass.

Your mom would love that.

Only if it were a margarita.

It's so amazing to see
where Ty's been through his pictures.

[phone chimes]

Another picture from Ty?

It's from Monterey Institute for the Arts.

We're here with you. Open it.

[exhales]

They love my portfolio.
They wanna see more.

This is...

This is awful.

Don't you mean awesome?

Bailey, that stock won't season itself.

[dramatic music playing]

This is what you wanted. What's so awful?

They want me to submit a self-portrait
showing them who I am.

And?

How do I know who I am?

- [inhales, exhales]
- [dramatic music continues]

Oh, I thought you weren't home. Your car...

In the shop. The storm.

Right.

Your clothes.

It's a long story.

Mine too.

Can I start?

I am... I am so sorry
that I didn't tell you about Bill.

But there never seemed to be a right time.

Maybe there were 100 right times,
but whenever I thought about telling you,

I thought that this might be
the last good moment between us.

And I couldn't stand to ruin it.

So I just...
I kept kicking the can down the road.

And weeks turned into a year.

But now I see
there was never gonna be a perfect time.

And your friendship means the world to me.

So much so that I... I can't imagine
life in Serenity without you.

That is... if it's not too late.

That all?

Yes.

[dramatic music playing]

I've had some time to think too, you know,

and I can't imagine
the weight you had to carry.

Please know that from here on out,
you can share all of your burdens with me,

no matter what they are.

I missed you.

I missed you too.

[door unlocks]

I feel like a teenager
sneaking into my boyfriend's room.

[both laughing]

Well, we do have to hurry. My parents,
I mean, the Whartons will be back soon.

[both chuckle softly]

[gentle music playing]

- [Helen] What are these?
- Pictures of church.

The church you attend and I
had a parting of ways.

This is where I worship now.

[Helen] I can see God in your pictures.

All right.

Do not tell me that you cook and sew.

[both laugh]

[Erik] My grandmother. It was a gift
for graduating culinary school.

- Where the magic begins.
- [chuckles]

- And the fun stuff.
- Mmm.

[Helen gasps]

[Helen laughs]

[music fades]

Sarah Vaughan's Golden Hits.

- [Erik] Mm-hmm.
- Yeah.

Dizzy on the French Riviera.

[laughs]

[Helen gasps]

Nina Simone.

I Put a Spell On You.

Yes.

I should've guessed
that you're a fan of vinyl.

[Erik] It's the next best thing to live.

You hear the crackle,

the breathing,

hmm, the hesitation.

And you love it anyways.

[jazz music playing]

Does this palace have a closet?

Perhaps where, uh, shirts are kept.

Hmm. This seems out of place
next to The Green Mill and Birdland.

The night I saw you sing at Z's,

it became my favorite jazz club.

We did come here for a reason.

[Helen] Mmm.

[jazz music continues]

[Helen] Is this Vera?

- I can move it.
- No.

No, don't.

She's lovely.

[jazz music continues]

[doorbell ringing]

The Whartons.

[both laughing]

[Helen laughs]

- Oh.
- Oh.

- Oh.
- Aw!

[all laugh]

[jazz music ends]

[sexy music playing]

[Dana Sue clears throat]

Oh!

Is that you, Danger Sue?

Rowdy Ronnie.

If you do not take me out on the town
right this second,

I cannot be held responsible
for my actions.

[Ronnie chuckles]

[Ronnie] Yes, ma'am.

[sexy music ends]

Taking a shower with this boot is slow,
but how long was I in there?

This is the first moment I've had

to pack up all of these family photos
and keepsakes after the funeral.

I don't know how it got all so jumbled.

Well, maybe a certain Miss Katie
got curious.

[Maddie] Mmm.

{\an8}This looks very taxing.
Maybe you should take a break?

I have to clear all this stuff out

so you don't trip
and wind up with a second boot.

[Cal] Hmm. Well,
what if I promise to be very,

very

careful?

Hey! How dare you!

This is my diary.

I wanna know the untold stories of Maddie.

Well, not these.
An eight-year-old's thoughts are sacred.

[Cal] Hmm.

Okay, fine.

How about this?

[Maddie gasps]

A very unfortunate haircut.

[Cal chuckles softly]

I cherish every part of you,
even the bad haircuts.

I wanna know each step on the road
that made you into the woman I love.

Fine. But I get to choose.

Is that a dinosaur?

[chuckling] No.

Katie's dinosaur is an evolution
of my stuffed dragon.

When I was little, he would protect me

in exchange for jelly beans,
which Mama discovered

when she followed a whole line of ants
from the front door to my bedroom.

That sounds like a childhood friend
any kid would be happy to have.

Not every kid is equipped to handle it.
You have to be careful with dragons.

They're like us,

but with sharper teeth, tougher skin.

Don't forget about their magic.
Seems to have rubbed off on you.

[music fades]

[birds chirping]

[phone ringing]

- Mother?
- Now, don't look surprised.

You summoned me.

I asked if we could set a time.

Oh, I always have time for my... my mayor.

- Will you sit down?
- I don't think so.

Then I'll keep this brief.

What were you trying to accomplish
by publishing this?

Your office was given
the opportunity to comment.

You're turning Serenity against me.

The least you could have done
is paired the article with...

With an op-ed supporting your approach?

We held it back
for more hurricane coverage.

Will this satisfy you, Madam Mayor?

I am not looking for satisfaction.

I was hoping for a balanced response.

Well, balance implies the presence
of two equal forces,

two equal sides.

Thank you, Madam Editor.

The proper words are important, Mayor,
in my job and in yours.

I look forward
to both of us using good words

to do what's right for this town.

Thank you for coming by.

I'm sure you remember that the words
"the truth shall set you free"

are prominently displayed
on the walls at the Sentinel's office.

I used to touch the words for inspiration.

Daddy made me stop
because I was tarnishing them.

Those words are our family legacy.

The truth must be proclaimed
and protected.

When I reported on the mill,
no matter what people pushed me to write,

I wrote the truth.

But this family does not harbor secrets
that affect the town.

I'm not harboring secrets.

I was determining the full picture
before speaking up.

People project onto silence, Peggy.

We've all learned that
in how I handled Isaac.

I'm ashamed to say that, at that time,

I thought I was the one
with the most to lose.

The truth is
a difficult and dangerous legacy

to pass on to your children.

But it is all we have.

[Isaac humming]

[door opens]

[humming continues]

You're here?

I am.

[Dana Sue] You're well?

I am.

[Dana Sue] Mmm.

Mmm!

Is that a black eye?

Oh. [sighs]

[laughs] No, it's eyeliner.

Last night, Ronnie and I
had a bit of an adventure,

and my waterproof eyeliner
won't admit that it's over.

- Well, I need to hear the whole story.
- Absolutely not.

I haven't stayed up that late
since Annie had colic.

I'm exhausted.

And I've come to the conclusion
that, out of everyone in town,

Danger Sue is the greatest danger
to herself.

I leave you alone for one moment...

[both laugh]

So... you really back?

For good.

Serenity is where I belong.

I'm not going anywhere.

Where you belong may change
as you move through life,

but I'm so happy you're here

and that it's where you belong
for however long it's right.

I also miss
those apple pie egg rolls of yours. Hmm.

Caramel's in the fridge.

[laughs]

I love this one.

Aperture's off.

Well, this one's great.

Composition's a mess.

Does this one mortally offend you
in some way as well?

It's boring.

[chuckles]

I made the right decision
going in undeclared.

Your forehead has a worry line
that could hold soup.

Leave my forehead line alone,
or I'm not gonna edit your essays anymore.

You'll have to figure out
which "its" get an apostrophe yourself.

What a horrible, outsized threat.

[Kyle panting]

- Did you run the whole way here?
- [Kyle] Yeah, and I have to run back.

Dev and I are really close
to cracking this Big Bad we're designing.

I wanna reference a spell
you and I figured out. The insomnia spell.

I texted you. You didn't answer.

And this couldn't wait
until you saw me at dinner?

- You forgot.
- No. No, no, no.

I just... I got... carried away.

Maybe Dev can join us? And you helped
with this spell, so you should be...

No.

No?

You two need a minute?

I like Dev, and I appreciate
what you're doing for him,

but he cannot become a constant addition
to every time I want to see you.

You made your chalice.

I wanted to make it with you, to symbolize
pouring into each other creatively,

but I had to make it on my own.

Being there for others shouldn't mean
that we stop being there for us.

I'm gonna tell you something
my dad told me.

"Listen to the smart women in your life."

Love your dad.

[melancholy music playing]

A pledge.

To us.

Thank you both for coming in for lunch.

While it's a bit early
for a pitcher of margaritas,

I thought a Margherita pizza
would not be unwelcome.

Never.

So why this Margherita midday?

Where did this glitter in your hair
come from?

The glitter. I'll respond to that in time.

The more pressing matter is... this.

Me. As a customer.

Doesn't it feel good?

[Dana Sue] No.

The guys are doing such an incredible job
with the restaurant.

And... And I'm sorry,
how is that a problem?

- All I'm doing is stepping on toes.
- [Helen] Ah.

Perhaps...
Perhaps you need a space of your own.

A teaching kitchen or something.

Well, vo-tech isn't enough
to warrant a new space,

especially once the school budget
is sorted out.

Teach all ages.

Adults too. I would take a class
to learn how to make your beef Wellington.

That's an idea.

Because I would love to know the secrets
of your, um, Wellingtons and your beef.

[all chuckle]

- [Dana Sue] Helen?
- Uh-huh. Yes. Yes, yes.

Maybe your good friend Alaina

would do a feature
on the teaching kitchen.

Do not talk to me
about that walking gossip column.

I told her to watch herself.

Need anything, ladies?

Oh. I cannot think of anything
that I would need

that you and your colleagues
have not already anticipated.

Actually, could I have a word?

I, um, I would like to invite you
over to dinner at my house tonight

if you're free.

That sounds lovely.

I know that you have
a wonderful family in Ohio,

but I was hoping
that we could be your Serenity family.

I seem to be suffering
from an abundance of family these days.

- I'd be pleased and honored.
- Aw.

Michael?

Isaac?

- You two know each other?
- Yeah. From college.

Oh.

Well, Michael, would you care to join us?

No, thank you. I, uh...

Let me guess.
You don't eat on the job either.

Right.

[upbeat music playing]

[yawns]

[Annie scoffs]

Did you get any sleep last night?

[Ronnie] Forty-five minutes.

Not only did your mom and I
stay out way late,

I drank nothing but Diet Coke
the whole time,

so the caffeine had me bouncing till dawn.

[sighs] Delete. Again.

Hey, go easy on yourself.

They weren't supposed to want me.

Who wouldn't want you?

I was supposed to apply,
get rejected, and then move on.

But now they wanna know who I am
in a single picture.

But what if I don't know who I am?
What if I never know?

[metal clanking]

Who you are isn't finite.

You'll be different a year from now,
ten minutes from now.

So embrace who you are in this moment.

[engine starts]

[engine revving]

Let it rip.

[revving continues]

He's here! Isaac's here!

Okay, Katie. Don't pull his arm off.

I brought some things. Maddie.

- Aw, thank you.
- Katie.

It's beautiful.

- [Maddie chuckles]
- Here we've got Kyle.

- [Kyle] Ooh.
- [Isaac chuckles]

And... Cal.

[Cal] Oh.

- Is this from the restaurant stock?
- She invited me at lunch. I'll replace it.

[Cal laughs]

Isaac, would you like to say grace?

I... I don't think I know how.

Would you mind if I do?

Thank you for this meal,

for this time,

and for this family.

Amen.

["Angel" by Peter Malick
& Amyl Justin playing]

I think it looks okay,
but you'll have to tell me.

♪ Down here you need an angel ♪

♪ In the darkness, you need a light ♪

♪ Spread your wings, sweet angel ♪

♪ And brighten up my night ♪

♪ Before you came down to me... ♪

Now I'm standing in the locker room
with pants ripped all the way up the seat,

and keep in mind, this is an away game,

and the opposing team's fans
are... are unforgiving.

So I

guess I'll have to save
the thrilling conclusion

for another night.

When Ty's here,
it's his job to carry Katie up to bed.

In his absence, I nominate Isaac.

What a dubious honor.

You don't have to.

I'm happy to.

♪ Be my candle in the night ♪

♪ I have lived so long in shadows ♪

Kyle, if you will lead the way.

♪ My eyes were veiled in tears
And you came and... ♪

Looks like Katie has another dragon
to protect her.

♪ No more darkness ♪

You okay?

♪ I am bathed in light ♪

♪ I will never forget that evening ♪

That felt right, Cal.

- Perfect end to the day.
- [chuckles softly]

And a perfect beginning.

♪ A candle in the night ♪

Why are kids so much heavier
when they're asleep?

- Why do you think I nominated you?
- [chuckles]

While you were in Ohio,
Kathy gave us Christmas gifts Dad bought.

We already unwrapped ours.

You can open yours now or wait.

Can I say that surprises from Bill
make me nervous?

[inhales] You are not alone.

Whoa.

What don't I understand?
All I know are chef's knives.

It's a Townsend tradition.

Grandpa Tripp gave Dad a pocket knife
when he became a man

because Grandpa's dad gave him one,
and so on.

[exhales]

Ty and I got ours when we finished Scouts.

The knife is meant to cut through
the hardship of adulthood.

The anchor signifies hope.

Steadfast and sure.

If he'd come home for Christmas,

Dad would've told you
you're a man of the family now.

[splutters] If you wanna be,

bro.

[dramatic music playing]

[Kyle chuckles]

The response to the insurance workshop
has been huge.

I think we may need to do two sessions.

Well, are you thinking both weekends
or one weekend and one weekday evening?

Uh, good morning, Helen...

You two might wanna come with me.

It would be a shame if you missed seeing
your children get arrested.

What?

[dramatic music playing]

[music fades]

[closing theme music playing]

[closing theme music ends]