05x09 - Common Language

[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]

Just think,
a few more details, and we're done.

- Yeah.
- You can focus on getting married.

[Helen chuckles]

You act as though these last decisions
aren't somehow the most daunting.

Uh, your thoughts, Mrs. Whitley?

I'm still adjusting to the notion
of no assigned seating.

I don't have anything helpful to offer.

We discussed our priorities
with the coordinator,

and this is her recommendation
for seating.

Mm-hmm.

[Erik] Adjustments can still be made.

Well, as long as there's plenty of room
for dancing, I'm on board.

Well, your thoughts, Mr. Whitley?

I don't believe my--

Keith and I don't wanna cloud
your decision with our opinion.

It's your wedding.

[tense music playing]

Hmm.

Is there, uh, anything
you'd like to talk about?

Oh, I'm sure you'll do
what you feel is best, dear.

Thank you. [chuckles]

[tense music fades]

What I love most about baseball
is that it's a group of specialists

pooling individual talents
for a common goal.

Supporting each other,
letting each other shine,

everyone aiming to be better.

We believe in each other.
Serenity does that too.

Look at our neighbors.

This town council, the interfaith council.

Little League, Junior League.

Tikkun O'Lawn.

The new Art Walk and Summer Plays
both open in just a few days.

Everywhere you turn,

people are getting together
to make life better for each other

because when we combine
our talents and our passions,

we can accomplish anything.

- [woman] Hmm.
- We can be a home for this team.

They will become our neighbors.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you, Mr. Maddox.

You and I had some tough conversations
when I was school board president.

So I am compelled to say

I'm very impressed by your presentation.

[gentle music playing]

Does the council have questions?

[man] No. I'm good.

I move we proceed to formally invite
this team to consider Serenity.

Is there a second?

Second. All in favor.

Well done, Mr. Maddox.
We look forward to discussing next steps.

Oh, congratulations, sweetheart.

Thank you, Mom.
It means a lot that you're here.

My small-town hero.

Great job.
It never sounded like you were reading.

Your pointers made all the difference.
Thanks, bud.

We're a little early,
but better that than late.

This is the first of three places
we're looking at today,

and depending on how this goes, Ruth has
a few other options for us to consider.

Central location.
Good kitchen. Space for Annie.

Parking spot big enough
for your truck would be nice,

but that could be street parking
if necessary.

- All important. I absolutely agree.
- [Dana Sue chuckles]

But why aren't we checking out
Loblolly Pines?

Th… that old place? I don't think
they've renovated since we were newlyweds.

Which means it's probably inexpensive.

Cheap.

[chuckles] I mean, we're not exactly
rolling in it right now.

Then maybe you and Jeremy should get
a clearer picture of what's left

of the business so we know
how much we have to spend

on housing or anything else.

Do you really wanna make Annie live
in a shoebox before she goes to college?

You think that will make her excited

to come back for fall break
or for Christmas?

Loblolly was a new beginning.
I mean, isn't that what this is?

And the place was so good to us.

Brought us a lot of luck,
which we could use again.

Why are you set on going backwards?

I am trying so hard
to push us past our problems,

and you just keep turning around
and pointing to some mythical past.

We were happy then.

That was such a long time ago.

And we were different people.
People who believed in myths.

[melancholy music playing]

My buddy Troy said his aunt
has a place on Hilton Head,

and she'd give it to us for a week.

- I mean, as long as we don't wreck it.
- [both chuckle]

We could have a lot of fun.

I went into this summer looking for fun.

- And you are so much fun.
- [Blake chuckles]

But I'm realizing I was trying to do
what everyone told me to do.

Just be carefree and enjoy.

I need something deeper.

And…

And I'm not that guy.

[somber music playing]

This isn't about anything you did
or didn't do.

I… I'm just not good at casual.

And I'm not good at serious.

But I sure have enjoyed
spending time with you.

Go find your something deeper,

Annie Sullivan.

You deserve it.

[somber music fades]

- [door closes]
- Oh.

[uplifting music playing]

[Jodie chuckles]

Cal, this is…

Javier Guzman. What…

[Javier laughs]

Didn't I tell you he'd be surprised?

That… that is the face of a man
remembering all the amazing times

we had together back in the day

and realizing it's been too long,
huh, Cal?

Oh, hey. [laughs]

And you must be the magic woman
who tamed this wild man.

Javi, this is Maddie, Cal's wife.

Knew you'd be a knockout.

Mmm.

Um, so Javi was just telling me
how the two of you are still friends.

We spent a year together on the Braves.
Last year before Cal retired.

I, uh, remember when you left.

Too long, man.

Yeah.

And, uh, you're here because…

I told Jodie you'd be
a next-level general manager,

and I gotta be your second in command.

You and me together,
we can make this new team epic!

- Why don't we all sit down?
- [Cal] Yeah.

[inaudible] We had a preliminary meeting,
and the investors love him.

He said you two worked well together
on the Braves

when we all started out.

[inaudible] I'm sure that's how
he remembers it.

We'll figure it out.

Not that I'm the kind to look a gift dress
in the mouth or whatever, but

are you sure?

Hmm. I insist.

Now that, uh… now that you're reading
during the ceremony,

your dress should coordinate
with the attendants.

No offense to the dresses
your grandmother brought.

Oh, you saved me from it.

[chuckles]

You went away to school, right?

I did.

Went to law school in San Francisco.

Was it good?

Oh, I loved it.

Are you thinking
about pivoting to pre-law?

I mean, was it good for you
to go to school so far away?

[inhales] Well, I believe
that it was part of God's plan for me.

I went to a great school,

lived in a big city,
and saw a different ocean.

I always knew I was gonna come back home.

Is Boston not far enough?

Might be too far.

I didn't mean for my choice of school
to look like I was leaving my family.

Were you?

Maybe a little bit.

I mean, it was nice to meet new people,
and it's a good school.

But I went there
to put Chicago in my rearview, and

I'm not actually sure
that's a good thing for me,

like, in the long term,
to be so far away from them.

All of them.

[emotional music playing]

You know,

there's nothing wrong in walking away
from something that's bad for you.

There's also nothing wrong
with changing your mind.

You're 19.

[laughs] You don't have to have it
all figured out yet.

Just sometimes, I feel like
I've spent so long doing what I'm told

that I've forgotten how to speak my mind.

But now I've spent an incredible summer

surrounded by people
who speak from their heart.

Well, could it be your turn to do that?

Try those on.

Okay.

[emotional music fades]

[inhales] Was Javi always like this?

No.

He was way worse.

He was a party boy.

Weren't you all?

I knew when to stop.

Javi was always one more bar,
one more drink,

one more girl.

He was one of those guys
who spent all his energy

complaining how no one recognized
how brilliant he was.

But he wasn't.

He… he was good.

That's it.

He… he could have been brilliant,
but he didn't do the hard work,

couldn't maintain the discipline,

and he never took responsibility.

If he's been coaching, though,
and Jodie thinks that he can do it, I…

Yeah, you're right.

You're right. Jodie was willing
to surprise me, to give me a fresh look.

I know she vetted him,

and I'm sure Javi told her
he's changed completely.

Maybe he has. [chuckles awkwardly]

Maybe he's just nervous seeing you again.

He certainly looks up to you
and wants to work with you.

And that kind of energy
is great in a player, but…

Not… as a manager.

I'll be a GM for the first time.
This is supposed to be a partnership.

And I was hoping for someone
who had a better grip on the rung

so that we could help each other along.

[emotional music playing]

Are you having second thoughts?

Not yet.

Just… flagging my concerns.

I will say, you've coached high schoolers,

so you do seem uniquely suited
to handle Javi's energy level.

[Cal] Mmm.

[laughing]

[emotional music fades]

The venue said they'd reach out to you
about linens and serving dishes

after Helen and I
approved them this morning.

If they haven't gotten back to you
by tomorrow morning, let me know.

Will do. Anything else?

You're already going above and beyond.

But I have one more special request.

Now, there are few people I trust
with my kitchen

and even fewer I trust… with this secret.

[sentimental music playing]

- Your brownie recipe.
- We don't want a wedding cake.

Would you make my brownies
for us to cut at the reception?

[sentimental music builds]

Yes, Chef. [chuckles]

All right.

Kathy?

[Kathy] Oh.

Are you okay? Why are you here?

Because your house burned down,

and I had to hear it
from my sister-in-law.

Were you ever gonna tell me?

I… I was tired of only having you come
to town when bad things happened.

I want to be here when bad things happen
so I can help you through.

Why should you have to help me
sweep up ashes I created?

Oh Lord in heaven. Ronnie.

You are my brother, and I love you.

Let me… let me show you that.

Especially because this… Hey.

This tough guy, "I can do it myself" act…
This is nonsense.

I mean,
martyrdom really doesn't suit you, Ronnie.

Why do you do this?

Why do you punish yourself,
even for things that aren't your fault?

I am sorry about your house,

but this isn't some act
of heavenly judgment.

And what if it was? Huh?

Why would it be?

Were you holding a match
and a can of kerosene?

Might as well have.

[dramatic music playing]

Okay. Now you're scaring me.

What did you do that's so terrible
that you think you deserve all this?

[scoffs] I haven't loved my family
the way I should.

I don't deserve them.

You would never let me get away with that.

So I'm gonna tell you,

whatever it is that's eating you up,
you find a way, Ronnie,

to prove that you are sorry
for whatever you've done or left undone.

I can't.

You can.

Ronnie, yes, you can.
I mean, maybe you won't, but you can.

Ronnie, you have a decision to make.

I mean, you give that gem
of a daughter and your wife,

who loves you so much

that she even called me
to say that she was worried,

you give them everything they deserve.

Or you walk away.

What's it gonna be? Hm?

[dramatic music builds]

- [cries]
- Oh no.

[dramatic music fades]

- [Annie] Bye!
- [Jessica] Bye, Miss Helen.

Three, two, one.

Annie and Jessica
are off to Lily's for the evening,

so we are officially alone.

[all] Pour it out!

[all laugh]

[Maddie and Dana Sue] Mmm.

Thanks again for taking Annie in,

and double thanks
for taking the two of us in.

You are both welcome to stay
for as long as you need.

Well, I appreciate you,
but I'd like us to be under one roof

when Annie leaves for school,
and step one is done.

- We looked at apartments with Ruth today.
- Oh.

Is it odd to think about
tucking your lives back into an apartment?

It is a little strange,

but it's easier with the constant mantra,
"This is only temporary."

Mm-hmm. And what will Maddie do
with all that peace and quiet?

[chuckles] Please. I still have to live
with Cal, Kyle, and Katie.

[Helen laughs]

Plus, Iris is staying as long
as she wants to,

and my mom's over all the time.
It's good practice for a baseball team.

- [Helen laughs]
- If the team comes.

[inhales] Well, Erik shared
that the business lunch seemed to go well.

Yeah, I thought so too.

Uh, but this number two that Jodie brought
really threw Cal for a loss.

- Unflappable Cal?
- [Maddie] Mm-hmm.

His name is Javi. Cal used to know him.

He is a whirlwind, a charming one,

but Cal's worried
about having to wrangle him.

How do you feel?

Well, I love Cal, and I fully support him.

And if this is what he wants to do,
I really think that he can do it.

- But?
- [Maddie chuckles]

But… I would not be
the woman that he married

if I wasn't worried
about the emotional labor involved.

And he wouldn't be
the man that you married

if he didn't run into this thing
full speed.

Back in New York, Stacy, she panicked when
she got her first round of copy edits.

She came into my office in tears
because she thought she failed,

and I told her that you got this far
because you're good.

Everyone around you, like your editor,
is around you because you are good.

It's the same with Cal.

It came to him because he's good.

He's nervous about failing, but…
[exhales] …I just…

I want him to celebrate everything
that got him to this point.

Which is why we pushed you to celebrate
when you got home from New York.

Look forward, not backwards.

May the burdens of our past
not haunt our futures.

[all scoff]

[all] Pour it out.

[all chuckle]

How's everything going
with Erik's parents?

[chuckles] Oh!

I thought I had the hometown advantage,
as it were.

You know, showering Sondra and Keith
with Serenity's warmth and hospitality.

Alas, the frost has not melted.

As big as your heart is, make sure
you're putting yourself and Erik first

with your wedding.

[Maddie] Yes, there's always
time afterwards

to keep loving your in-laws-to-be,
if they'll allow it.

- Hmm.
- But this should be about you and Erik.

Speaking of…

[sentimental music playing]

- What?
- [Dana Sue] Ah.

[Helen chuckles]

Oh.

- [Dana Sue gasps]
- [Helen chuckles]

Oh.

- [Maddie] Helen.
- Oh.

This is amazing.

- [Helen chuckles]
- [Dana Sue] Oh!

Iris made the veil itself.

- Wow.
- Paula, she painted along the edges.

[Maddie] Oh my goodness.

Grace silk-screened some of the flowers.
Mama and I sewed them on. [laughs]

It's absolutely gorgeous, Helen.

Well, the most important part
is yet to be done.

Please.

Can you add your flowers to my veil?

Oh.

Well, I'm no seamstress, but I can manage
a running stitch. [laughs]

Is there a hot glue g*n option?

Uh-uh.

[sentimental music fades]

- It's all good.
- [Dana Sue laughs]

It's all good.

I just couldn't leave
without thanking you for calling.

The talk went well?

He didn't tell you?

Uh, he didn't even tell me you saw him.

Oh. Well, I'm sure that he is trying
to get it all straight in his head

so that when he tells you,
it's as pretty as he can make it.

And if he tells you that it was his idea,
that's fine.

Won't be the first time he's taken credit
for something I talked him into.

[uncomfortable laugh]

He loves you, Dana Sue.

You and Annie.

I mean, he's just, ugh…
he's stubborn and prideful.

I mean, he is a hardheaded man.

I used to admire that.

Used to.

But he is committed to you.

You and Annie,

and he understands
how hurt you are by the fire

and the business, by all of it.

He may need a little time, a little help,

but… he knows the right choice to make.

[nervous chuckle]

[exhales] Oh. [chuckles]

Well, I called
because I knew he was too proud to.

I never imagined you would come
all the way here and do this for him.

And for you, Dana Sue.

Thank you.

I mean, we've had our differences.
Big, messy differences.

But you have always tried to help me,
and I'm grateful for that.

I'm grateful we're family.

[Dana Sue chuckles]

And I love my brother.

[melancholy music playing]

And I love you.

I love you too.

[melancholy music fades]

Oh. This is my favorite one.

[Helen and Bev laugh]

Well, my favorite of Erik
might be him in his EMT uniform.

{\an8}- [Bev] Oh.
- [Helen laughs]

{\an8}- Or… or, wait, it's this one.
- [Bev] Oh!

{\an8}Clearly, I just like Erik
when he's all dressed up.

[Bev and Helen laugh]

Oh, you raised a remarkable man, Sondra,

but there's just something extra special
about him when he's all cleaned up.

[chuckles]

Sondra?

I held on too tight,

and now I've lost him.

[Sondra exhales]

Never.

I made it so hard for him
to go his own way.

He had to fight for it,
and now I'm terrified of every goodbye.

When he went to Atlanta.

When he married Vera.

When…

[somber music playing]

When he moved to Serenity,
each step farther away, more final,

and on what should be a joyous day,
all I can think is,

"What if this is the last time I see him?"

Oh, no, you're not losing Erik.

No. Yes, yes, he has a home
and a community here, but he…

we…

we will come back to Chicago to visit,

and you and Keith
can come here to Serenity.

This is not the end of a story.

It's the end of a chapter, with the next
one full of… of promise and joy.

Sondra Whitley, you raised a marvelous man
that I cannot wait to marry.

[Helen chuckles]

[Sondra sniffs]

[Helen] So you hold on to one hand.

I'll hold the other.

[softly] Thank you.

- [Helen softly] Yeah.
- [Sondra cries]

Your father and I haven't made a decision
other than to eliminate

the complex on Old Mill Road.

Their kitchens are too small
for the amount of cooking we do.

I like the high ceilings
in the second one,

but it's not worth picking just for that.

I'm so sorry
that you'll be going off to college

from somewhere other than our house.

The house where we brought you home
from the hospital,

where you had your first steps,

and where I took
every first-day-of-school photo.

Now, your first words
were actually at Maddie's.

But look at all the adventures
that come from being in a new space.

Well, that's true.

But remember,
as long as your dad and I are here,

Serenity will be home, and you will have
a place to lay your head.

And wherever you and Dad are
will always be home.

[sentimental music playing]

[sentimental music fades]

While the original Sullivan's was…
was lovely,

the renovation was about
making the space feel more open

without losing any warmth.

This bar's really cool, Erik.
Makes so much sense in the space.

[chuckles]

I can make recommendations.

Although I am biased
and will happily claim

that every item on the menu is delicious.

No way! Peanut soup?

- Grandmama's recipe?
- [laughing] Yeah.

[Victor] Wow.

It was one of the first dishes
I got on the menu.

Those summers with her are some
of my favorite childhood memories.

- Oh yeah.
- I love that peanut soup.

She always insisted
the weather was too warm.

- Too warm. Right.
- Yeah. [laughing]

And still made it for us anyway.

[Victor chuckles]

Oh, wow. It's, uh… it's nice
that you have a touch of her in Serenity.

Isn't it nice that Erik has shaped
the menu and included a family recipe?

It's fine.

We talked about this in the car.

We talked about how you didn't want me
to be critical, so I'm not.

[melancholy music playing]

We appreciate the effort, Dad, but…

See, everything is always fine,

unless there's active disapproval.

Which means it's not really fine.

It's just not something
you can find true fault with

but also not something
you wanna compliment either.

So it's just… "fine."

If you'll excuse me,
I'd like to go check on my kitchen.

[melancholy music fades]

[gentle music playing]

[women laughing]

I should have known it would mean trouble
to get you two together again.

The real trouble will start
when I get Bev on a backgammon table.

Oh, not on your life, sister.

[all laugh]

I am so proud of the way
this Art Walk has turned out.

- Yeah.
- [laughing in background]

Uh-uh… [chuckling]

Will you excuse me for a minute?

What are you two up to?

We're seeing ourselves in Serenity.

And hoping people see Serenity in us.

- Yeah.
- Oh, there it is.

- Mm-hmm.
- Yeah.

- Oh, hold on.
- Okay.

- Okay.
- Okay.

[phone clicks, vibrates]

- Yes!
- [all laugh]

Okay, I gotta go. I love you both.

- Love you.
- Have an amazing Art Walk.

Love you.

[Dana Sue chuckles]

Oh, hey, Dee Dee. [chuckles]

Put those wherever you want.

Oh, well, this is an artistic decision.

Plus, we don't wanna
start you off lopsided.

I'm just so thrilled
that you both came down for the event.

- Of course.
- I'm always happy to work with you.

- Oh! Here, let me help you.
- Hi.

Thank you.

Beatriz.

This is Nell and Stacy.

- [Nell and Stacy] Hi.
- Our visiting authors.

Nell and Stacy,
this is Beatriz, our local author.

Okay, before anything else happens,

I have an idea
that I wanna share with you.

I soft-pitched an idea
of a novella collection

to a contact in New York.

Three romance novellas,
all set in the same small town,

from three different authors.

[all gasp lightly]

Oh, I'm in!

[all chuckle]

I… Didn't I just say
I love working with you?

I'm absolutely on board.

If you think I can do it,
who am I to say no?

- I do. I do! Okay, great.
- [all cheering, laughing]

All right.

That's everything.

The partnership with Courtney
is dissolved.

There's a separate contract
committing her to a payment plan

to pay off the remaining missing money.

She's just not liquid enough right now.

Jimmy's not bailing her out this time.

Next step would usually be establishing
a new partnership, just the two of us.

You're welcome to go forward,
but after discussing with Noreen,

I won't be staying with the Bike Barn.

Wait, you're done?

I am.

That's it?

All the long hours, all of our hard work,
nothing to show for it?

Doubling down on a mistake
doesn't turn it into something good.

This is what's best for me and my family.

You get to decide
what's best for you and yours.

[soft, dramatic music playing]

[soft, dramatic music fades]

[gentle music playing]

Hey, y'all. Welcome to the revival
of a grand tradition, the Art Walk.

[applause and cheers]

We're here to honor
the talents of our neighbors,

including the opening
of the Summer Play tonight.

- [crowd applauding]
- The Guild is so excited

about everything that lies ahead
for all of the artists of Serenity,

and we'll start
with a special announcement

from the Magnolias.

[crowd applauds]

This seems the perfect time
to share exciting news with you all.

[Maddie chuckles]

We have a new business venture,
Common Language.

It's going to be in the old Bellwether,

and we are building a bookshop,
a teaching kitchen, and an art market.

[crowd exclaims]

It will offer artistic fellowship
and community to ignite the soul,

and we can't wait
to gather with you there.

[crowd applauds]

Okay. [chuckles]

- Nice opening remarks. You looked--
- How's Ronnie feeling?

How are you feeling?
Did you get all the papers signed?

I will not be distracted. How did it go?

Fine. I'm clear of the Bike Barn.

[exhales] What about Ronnie?

He didn't say much,
but letting go is hard,

and he deserves some time.

He'll do the right thing.

Like you always do.

[uplifting music playing]

I was savagely outbid
on the quilt Miss Eustice donated,

but my hope of winning
the custom birdhouse from Skeeter

remains alive.

Can you?

Can I what?

See yourself

in Serenity.

That picture becomes clearer all the time.

[chuckles] Well, don't overthink it.

That's how you end up with shaky designs
and too much syrup on the plate.

I… I'm not overthinking.

I can smell the smoke
from where I'm standing, bud.

[Dana Sue chuckles]

How exciting! Does this mean
your teaching kitchen is opening soon?

The building's been secured,
and planning's begun.

Excellent. I'll be the first person
to book a party.

- Oh.
- An adult party.

Well, it'll take a while.

[Aimee] Fine.

I just wanna be first.

Okay.

Gentlemen, I have a waiting list.

[all laugh]

"He pulled back as far as she would allow,
their lips still brushing as he spoke."

"'I leave tomorrow.' She nodded."

"Past caring, desperate, and needy."

"'Tomorrow.'"

[uplifting music playing]

[crowd applauds]

Thank you to all three wonderful authors,

and I am pleased to announce

that they will be collaborating
on a novella collection,

and we're talking to publishers.

Stay tuned for more Common Language news.
This is just the beginning.

[crowd applauds]

Okay. It's too awkward.

[Annie laughs]

[phone clicking]

Annie, should we just grab someone
to take the picture? I can't.

Maybe we should ask one of her many men,
wherever they may be.

I ended things with Blake,
so I don't know where he is.

Uh… Way to break the news.

- Where does that leave Noah?
- Oh, still in the running.

Let's take the picture, please.

[phone clicking]

Kyle. Kyle.

Come take this picture for us, please.

Happy to.

See you, guys.

All right.

Say, "Kyle's the best."

- Oh, please.
- [all laugh]

- Great.
- [message tone dings]

[dramatic music playing]

[message whoosh]

Uh, let's get some lemonade.

[CeCe] It's so good.

So I'll… I'll begin with an art market,

but with time, it could be more.

You know,
artists offering classes and such.

But today,

Erik is displaying some of his pottery.

Let me show you some more.

I didn't realize
you started pottery again.

I didn't realize
I was supposed to tell you.

You only ever said my pottery was "fine."

So… why bring it up?

[sentimental music playing]

I talk about my pottery with Helen,

who loves it because I love it

and because it brings me joy.

Thanks for pitching in so Bailey
can take a lap and see everything.

Of course I'm gonna help.
You're a busy lady.

You already have a waiting list.
Incredible. Something to be proud of.

Inspiring, even.

I'm gonna find a way
to keep the Bike Barn going.

[softly] I…

I thought you and Jeremy
were gonna let it go.

Jeremy did, which I respect,
but I still believe in the dream.

Good for you.

Hi. [chuckles]

Oh, they're amazing.

[chuckles]

I know it's not great,
but that was the fun part.

I tried something new,
and that's why I agreed to display it.

Art can be intimidating,
but it's a skill that can be learned.

I love that it's a butterfly.

I think about that walk a lot.

In a good way?

In a "challenging the way I think" way.

In a "I feel seen" way.

In a "I… I should have
done this sooner" way.

[romantic music playing]

[romantic music fades]

Are you an audiobook listener?

I'm not a book guy,
but my lady is always listening to one.

Your lady?

My fiancée, Anya.

If we can make this work,
and I really hope we can,

I'll be bringing Anya,
and then Luciana will be born in Serenity.

Oh, Anya's pregnant. Congratulations.

Cal isn't the same guy I played with.

Did the town change him, or did you?

He changed himself, Javi.

I'm not the guy I was.
I want the chance to prove that to Cal.

Have you told Cal any of this?

What good are words? I have to show him.

[uplifting music playing]

[Olivia] Break all the legs!

You guys look so good!

Happy opening night.

- I can't believe it.
- I hope you're excited.

Pretty sure I'm terrified,

but I'll get through it
because you have faith in me.

You've done such incredible work,
grown all through the rehearsal process.

You should have faith in yourself too.

Oh, I do. I just don't have
as much faith in me as you do.

And I love that.

[Timothy] Kyle.

Lily. Uh, I'm sincerely sorry,
but I need to talk to Kyle for a minute.

Of course, Timothy.

Happy opening night. Uh, I have something
to say before we start.

Go ahead.

What you and Lily have been doing,
I figured it out.

I don't know what you mean.

The acting exercises, the new approaches.
I get it now.

Timothy…

You've been trying to teach me
without showing everyone.

And I really respect that 'cause it seems
the Serenity High drama program

really is better than St. Cecilia's.

I… I just can't quite figure out
why you wanna help me,

you know, since we're rivals and all.

We're not rivals. We're fellow artists.

What we do is hard,
but… I want us all to enjoy it.

[sentimental music playing]

[chuckles]

[Kyle chuckles]

Break a leg.

I need one of those.

[laughing] All right.

[sentimental music heightens]

What, will you not suffer me?

Nay, now I see.

She is your treasure.
She must have a husband.

I must dance barefoot on her wedding day.

[softly] Sophie's great, but I still think
you would have been an amazing Kate.

We wind up where we're meant to be.

Now, mistress,
profit you in what you read?

What, master, read you?
First, resolve me that.

I read that I profess, "The Art to Love."

Then may you prove, sir,
master of your art.

While you, sweet dear,
prove mistress of my heart.

Come, Kate, we'll to bed.

We three are married,
but you two are sped.

'Twas I won the wager,
though you hit the white.

And being a winner,
God give you good night.

[rock music playing]

[crowd applauds, cheers]

[rock music fades]

Your expression
is disconcertingly serious.

What's wrong?

I've been thinking a lot today about

parents and children.

I do believe that your parents are trying.

They're firm

and quiet.

[both chuckle]

And you've gotten
used to loud and messy people.

[chuckles]

But they do love you.

What I've been wondering is,
having been raised that way,

what kind of parent could I be?

Excuse me?

We've talked about children of the heart.

And the closer we get to our wedding,

the more I wanna make that a goal for us.

We can adopt.

We can foster.

But can I be a good father?

Erik.

[soft, dramatic music playing]

Keith is… is not a bad father.

He's just not
the kind of father you wanna be.

And you can absolutely decide
the kind of father you wanna be.

Hey. I see you
with the… the young men in your kitchen

and… and at church and in our community.

And I see the love and patience

and compassion
that are the bedrock of good parenting.

You're forgetting
the most crucial ingredient.

What?

You

will be an exquisite mother.

Kyle said that the play went great,

and he'll be even better tomorrow night
when we're there.

[soft, dramatic music fades]

Cal?

Javi talked the whole way to the hotel
about how wonderful Serenity is

and how excited he is about the team.

Isn't that an important part of this?

It would be… if I believed him.

Why don't you?

He always said whatever he thought
people wanted to hear,

and… and he's radiating desperation.

Which means

he's hiding something.

From me or from Jodie or from both of us.

Did you know that Javi's engaged?
And his fiancée is pregnant?

What's that got to do with
whether I should work with him?

[chuckles] Just that a man
who is trying as hard as he can

to take care of his family
might strike you as "desperate."

[solemn music playing]

Cal.

You always said
that Serenity gave you a second chance.

Maybe it could do the same for him.

[door opens]

Why did you wanna meet here?

I didn't feel
I could speak freely at Maddie's.

What better place
to have this conversation, really.

What conversation?

You're keeping the Bike Barn?

Yeah. I had a long talk with Kathy,

and she told me
I had some tough decisions to make.

No, she told me she convinced you
to let go of the Bike Barn.

No.

She didn't.

Dana Sue, Kathy told me

I need to put you and Annie first,
and that is what I'm doing.

I started this journey
to take better care of you both.

Running the Bike Barn the right way,

I can finally be a successful businessman,
and you all could be proud of me.

How?

I'm working on a plan.

With whom?

By myself.

You have enough on your plate.

Ronnie.

Why can't you--

Let go?

I let go once before,

and I have been trying to cleanse myself
of the guilt and shame ever since.

You have a million and one reasons
to tell me "no,"

but I am begging you

to believe in me one more time.

- That wasn't my question.
- I recommit.

To you, to Annie.

I will work every day

to get back into the good graces
I so deeply desire

and know I'm unworthy of.

Ronnie, my question is,

why can't you learn?

[dramatic music playing]

Where are you going?

To find some space, some quiet,
and maybe even some peace.

To work on my plan.

[dramatic music swells]

[dramatic music ends]

[closing theme music playing]

[closing theme music ends]