03x08 - b*at Me at My Own Game

[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]

[solemn music playing]

Chef, we saw the deputies leaving,

but we never imagined.


- And, no, I do not know why or how.


- [camera clicking]

Door wasn't forced. Cameras were disabled.

Someone thought this through.

Someone who really must hate us.

And I can only think of one person

who hates us close to this much.

Deputies didn't find

much of anything evidence
-wise,

but that doesn't mean

we won't get justice.

Y'all know what justice looks like

right about now?

Getting this place cleaned up and reopened

before folks even hear what happened.

I have taken all the pics I need

for insurance, so

Maybe the fire department

would lend us a hose.

Wish it were that simple.

We'll start with buckets, mops, brooms,

and moving whatever needs

to be scrubbed to the dishwasher.

Let's do this.

Thank you.

Uh, if y'all can take care of this,

I will do a quick inventory,

talk to the suppliers, and see

what we can pull together for a menu.

Just gonna say

pomegranate, quail, and grits

have served us well before.

Okay.

Can I talk to you for a minute?

[solemn music continues]


- [Dana Sue] Ugh. God. [sighs]


- [Ronnie] Here, give me your hand.


- [clattering]


- [Ronnie] Whoa.

[door closes]

[Ronnie] Kathy did this.

This has her fingerprints all over it,

even though the deputies

didn't find any fingerprints,

which is also just like her.

After all this time, after Annie's party,

what does she still think

she can get from us?

My attention. And she surely has it now,

but she will not like how it lands.

[pensive music playing]

Come on in, boss.

Noreen said you wanted to talk to me.

Trotter?

Are you all right? Is Ashley all right?

[Trotter] We're fine.

Isn't it

fascinating how life

keeps testing our balance?

My, uh

my favorite professor in college,

my mentor, my friend is brilliant,

is funny, is wise.

We talk all the time.

I owe him so much.

And Christopher

raised generations of college students.

Now he's he's raising

his grandchildren by himself.

He does sound like an amazing man.

[voice breaking] He, uh

he called me last night

to tell me that he's he's very sick.

Trotter.

[somber music playing]

So sorry.

And he needs someone

to help him with the children.

Um

Someone the children

can feel comfortable with if he

Trotter, you need to go.

[Trotter breathing heavily]

No matter what the outcome may be.

This is not how Ashley and I

wanted to build our family.

Of course not.

But Christopher needs you,

and I completely understand

because whenever I'm in turmoil,

I always feel better when I can reach out

and I can hold your hand.

Go, and take it one step at a time.

[crying]

You're in turmoil now.

I don't know how long we'll be gone.

As long as it takes.

And we will love you,

and we will miss you.

We'll pray for you every day.


- [Trotter exhales]


- All of you.

Oh, Trotter.

[somber music continues]


- Great job on these popsicles, Katie.


- [Katie chuckles]

They're gonna make

some excellent holiday popsicles.

Nana says the best things

are the ones you make yourself.

Does that include playgrounds?

Sophie and Willow are coming over

to help me do research

on sustainable playground design.


- Wanna help?


- Sure.


- Ty?


- That sounds fun.

But I got stats homework

I really should do

right after I rub salt

into some open wounds.

That doesn't sound like fun at all.

[Kyle] Sophie, Willow, and I

are a study group for biology.

It helps to be able to talk things through

with someone who gets you, you know?

Yeah.

A tutor might be exactly what I need,

and I know just the person.

About time.

Oh, you've kept me waiting plenty.

Didn't think you'd mind.

[tense music playing]

Always a pleasure,

"Trish."

I have no idea what you're talking about.

And even if I did, don't you dare

use that language with me. [chuckles]

When we were kids,

and Trish became code for the word

Mom couldn't bring herself

to call Patricia,

wasn't the whole point

not to be a Trish when we grew up?

Absolutely.

So I've gotta ask you, Kathleen.

Why are you being

such a coldhearted Trish to my family

and my friends at Sullivan's?


- What do you have against them?


- Nothing.

Nothing at all.

I'd happily have them work for me.

Too bad that restaurant

isn't owned by the proper party

because Miss Frances told the bank

I wasn't trustworthy, but you two were.

All I want is what I deserve.

But every time I try, every time I try,

you and your little friends weren't

Would you just stop!

Oh! [scoffs]

You're trying to wring out sympathy

from a rag that went dry 20 years ago.

You've had plenty of chances to move on,

build something of your own,

but all you seem to know how to do

is set fire

to what other people have built,

and I will not let you do this

to my family.

Now I'm not family?

[scoffs]

Hey.

This is not how family acts.

[tense music continues]

Family is defined by love, compassion.

Ronnie. Ronnie.

[sighs]

Daddy taught you better than that.

Family is about blood,

loyalty, tough love.

Where in heaven's name

did you get your definition?

From the family I built.

And we never excluded you.

You excluded yourself.

You have to accept that.

And you need to leave all of us alone.

For good.

You want me to go,

I'll go.

Once you give me what I deserve.

[June] I can't speak

for the entire interfaith council,

but I do think your proposal

will go over well.

Ah, no surprise the Magnolias

have come through yet again. [chuckles]

Been through so much.

Hmm? That sounds worried. Not pleased.

We've just been scattered lately.

Mm, happens to busy women.

But is everything okay?

We'll see.

We're getting together to talk soon,

I hope, about a lot of things.

I guess I'm just nervous

about the presentation.

Pastor Mosby likes to refer to us

as an august body,

to which I always like to counter

with a June spirit.

But we're not intimidating at all.

We come together for the same reason

you three started your foundation.

To help those we love

because we all believe

in loving our neighbors.


- It is always the intention, anyways.


- [chuckles]

To love, to be helpful.

Don't worry about being polished.

Just be passionate.

Bring what you have,

and we'll all sort it out together.

[hopeful music playing]

[June chuckles]


- The most awful cat of all time!


- [CeCe] Oh no! [laughs]

[sighs]

I'm gonna go put my things upstairs.

I'll be right back.

Okay.

[pensive music playing]

[emotional music playing]

[Helen breathes heavily]

[chuckles]

[inhales deeply]

[uplifting music playing]

[chuckles softly]

[Dana Sue] That would be wonderful.

Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.

Okay, Gus has found us ground beef

and ground pork.

He will be by in a few hours.

Spaghetti and meatballs for dinner.

Molto bene, Chef.


- [chuckles]


- [phone vibrates]

[gentle music playing]

[phone vibrates]

[sighs]

[footsteps approaching]

I know I'm late. [sighs] Sorry.

Don't worry.

I picked up everything for the Bixbys.

While you were dealing with Sullivan's,

I was being the sous
-chef with this.

My friend, we're about to spend the day

working with power tools,

and I need to know

if you're gonna be able to focus.

Ever make a big decision

you know is right,

but then you feel the doubt and regret

eating you alive ten minutes later?

Yeah, you're describing

my entire baseball career

and every relationship until Maddie.

If you went with your gut, you did right.

Unless that thing was planning

a trip to Vegas for the weekend,

in which case you've got

ten seconds to invite me.

[laughs]

Okay. Thanks, Cal.

You're a good guy.

What you did came from a good place.

Okay, got me. I'm convinced.

Give me ten minutes,

then I'm gonna need that pep talk again.

Make sure you repeat the part

about how I'm a good guy.

We can do it on the way. Get in.

[calm music playing]

Do you want some help?

You know any jailbreak techniques?

Oh, you got grounded.

Oh yeah, big
-time.

I think it works out to 45 years.

I made one mistake. They're overreacting.

Now, with whatever this was,

I won't be able to talk to them for ages.

Have you considered they're doing this

because they love you?

My parents were the same way.

Yeah, no way you were a rule
-breaker.

[chuckles]

Freshman year of high school,

some of my friends

were going to a midnight movie.

It was way past my curfew,

so my parents wouldn't let me go.

That night, I went to bed early,

climbed out of my bedroom window,

and biked to the movie.

I had a great time. [chuckles]

Felt so slick.

Well, imagine my surprise

when I climbed back into my bedroom

to discover both of my parents

sitting on my bed.

[Annie chuckles]

My mom goes, "I hope you had fun.

I'm glad you're safe."

"You are grounded,

somewhere between 30 and 80 years."

Eventually, I realized

the rules weren't there to ruin my fun.

Like my mom said, they kept me safe.

So, yeah, 45 years

seems like an overreaction to you,

but what does it seem like

to your mom and dad?

[poignant music playing]

I hate it, but you're right.

I get it.

It is a teenager's job

to be, well [chuckles] a teenager.

But it is your parents' job

to be the parents.


- How long were you actually grounded?


- Somewhere between 30 and 80 years.

[Annie sighs]

[Isaac chuckles]

[poignant music continues]

[Maddie] I appreciate you all helping me.

Well, it's my way of saying thank you

for a delicious dinner.


- [Maddie] Mm.


- It's their duty as good kids.


- But we don't mind.


- Which is why we're going to Wharton's.

Well, I love you all so much.

I am gonna go upstairs to freshen up.

I do not mean to duck out on all the fun,

but I need to skip Wharton's

and go to True Brew.

Gotta see a girl about some tutoring.

Did you clear this with your mom?

It's not code for something?

No! No, I'm serious.

Stats is k*lling me,

so I'm looking for some help.

Mom approves.

[Katie] Bye, Ty!

Let's go somewhere other than Wharton's

that Ty will be mad he missed.


- That would be very funny


- [door opens]

and also very wrong. Does that mean

you don't wanna go to Wharton's?

I wanna go.

And Kyle should have to stay here

because he was being mean.

[chuckles] Let's go, Coach. You and me.

[amusing music playing]

[grunts] Help me, Kyle!

Why? You were ready to ditch me.

I was being very funny but very wrong.


- [chuckles]


- I think that counts as an apology, Kyle.

Let's go.

On the way, can you both help me

with a story I have to write?


- Ah man. Using all your spelling words?


- Mm
-hmm.

I remember those days.


- Please tell me one of them is aardvark.


- [Katie laughs] No.

Albatross.

Antidisestablishmentarianism.


- What?


- Exactly.


- [laughs] What does that mean?


- I don't know.

[door closes]

[footsteps approaching]

Please sit.

I am so sorry.


- I'm sorry too.


- We're all sorry, but

I might be the sorriest of all.

I

[inhales sharply]

I just endured

the finale of my greatest romance.

We know.


- Oh?


- Ryan told my mother.

[Helen inhales]

And our hearts broke for you.

Are still broken for you,

but we we weren't sure

How to reach out?

Because I was too stubborn

and proud, frustrated to, um

to admit that

your concerns were valid,

and I left town without telling you


- No, Helen.


- [Dana Sue] No.

We didn't wanna add to your pain.

I told Maddie we needed to leave you alone

because that's what you said you wanted.

And I was so wrong.

I had to change my hair,

get on a plane, go to Zeke's house,

sleep in a single bed

for three nights and

get a lecture and and a hug from my mama.

Oh, and promise

to do estate law for a horrible cat

to figure out how wrong I was.

How stupid I was

to slam the door on the two of you.

It was not stupid.

It was completely understandable.

And I know that this sounds hollow now,

but I am so sorry

for what you've been through.


- No.


- So am I.

[Helen sniffles]

That makes three of us.

[chuckles]

And and that's

what I wanna talk about tonight.

Ryan is in the past, where he belongs.

I am done with sadness and regret.

What matters most is making sure

that the three of us

are back in alignment.

Without that, my world

would just spin right off its axis.

In the spirit of alignment,

may I offer one regret?

I wanna take responsibility

for my gotta
-fix
-everything attitude.

What happened with you

and what happened with you.

What?

[Maddie] It taught me so much.

Namely, to stop doing it.

And I am gonna work on

putting that energy to better use.

[gentle music playing]

Well, I would like to take responsibility

for demanding peace

before working through the issues.

Hmm..

Sorry.

O okay. Now, what exactly happened?

[exhales sharply, sniffles]


- Hey, hey, we are working it out.


- Oh no.


- Oh, dear Lord, dear Lord.


- Yeah, I know I know we are.

[crying] This this is relief.

It's relief.

Life has been bumpy recently,

and every time something new went wrong,

I just wanted to pick up the phone

and and tell you two, but I couldn't.

It made it all that much worse.

I know exactly what you mean.

[Dana Sue breathes deeply]

But I will not make tonight

all about me, so [laughs]

No. We're not gonna talk about me

all night long, that's for sure. [laughs]

Uh, well, the night

is about all three of us,

as margarita night should be.

Yeah.

But that's a that's a problem.

How can it be margarita night

when there's not a margarita in sight?


- Maddie.


- Right this way.

[Dana Sue, Helen laughing]

[mellow music playing]

[shopkeepers bell rings]

Tyler Townsend.

Olivia Harris. What ya listening to?

I have my sunny day mix on right now.

I will switch to my study time

when I get to my table.

You make your own playlists?

Uh, no, I burn my own CDs.

Playing bass usually helps me study too,

but I figured it would be obnoxious

to bring my bass and amp to a coffee shop.

I play guitar. We should totally jam

together sometime. [chuckles]

You're so smart and have

such a chill vibe. I bet you're great at

This doesn't sound like stats.

Are you hitting on me?

I am.

Well, I'm trying to.

Thanks for the interest, but no.

O okay, I'm sorry.

I really appreciated

your help with the stats homework.

It's actually why I wanted to talk to you

before I stuck my foot in my mouth.

The homework you helped me with

is all I understood.

Could you please be my tutor

for the rest of the year?

You don't know how to talk to girls

without flirting, do you?

[chuckles softly]

I mean, I kind of just go on autopilot.

I was going for charming

without flirting, but yeah.

It's kind of how I talk to girls.

Uh, women.

I will tutor you in stats.

I charge a coffee and snack per meeting,

but this is contingent

upon your also receiving tutoring

in how to talk to women without flirting.

You got it, friend.

Friend.

[amusing music playing]

Well, come.

After you.


- God bless Trotter and Ashley.


- [Maddie] Mm.


- [Dana Sue] Mm.


- Yeah, indeed.

Noreen and Genevieve

will be a huge help while they're gone.

Harlan's dad is

just about ready to come home.

The guys have renovated

the downstairs bathroom,

changed some cabinets

to widen the entrances into the kitchen,

and installed smart home devices.


- [Helen] That's wonderful.


- [Dana Sue] Mm
-hmm.

You should know

that, um, I told Cal about you and Ryan,

so the basketball group knows.


- All of them?


- [Maddie] Yes.

And we fully respect your right

to make this decision without sharing

Maddie, this tiptoeing thing you're trying

may be more painful

than you marching in there

and telling me what to do.


- I am trying to strike a balance.


- [Helen laughs]


- Here, baby.


- What?


- That's my definition of balance.


- [Helen laughs]

A margarita in each hand.

[Dana Sue, Helen laugh]

Before Maddie strains something,

allow me to say

that I have not talked to Erik,

and I do not intend to talk to Erik

anytime soon.

But what you two had was so special.

I ended it.

And and I cannot and should not expect

to be able to just pick it back up

like a a book I tossed aside

to answer the phone.

I wanna I wanna respect

his process and my own.

I'm gonna pray on it anyway.

Do you see how she just went literally

over my head on that one?

This will bring her back down to earth.

Let's count the days until the vow renewal

and all that needs to happen.


- [Dana Sue groans]


- Let me dive into all that joy.

Not too deeply tonight, please,

or my nerves might get the better of me.

I am trying to be so responsible,

but every time Ronnie and I talk,

one of us has a new idea,

and the whole shebang gets wilder.

More people, more flash, more cash.

It's sweet that Ronnie's excited.

And your vow renewal

deserves to be flashy,

all that you've been through.

Not to mention

that the original celebration

was rather [in posh accent] inexpensive.


- Cost conscious?


- Frugal.

Economical.


- Cheap! It was cheap!


- [laughing loudly]


- [Dana Sue] We can say it.


- [Helen laughing]

We can also say that dollar for dollar,

that was the best damn party

this town has ever seen.

Hey.

Certainly the highest number of citizens

waking up barefoot in town square.

Although the competition's a lot stiffer

on that than most out
-of
-towners think.

[all laughing]


- Have you picked your dress yet, Dana Sue?


- No! Have you picked out yours?


- No!


- [Dana Sue laughs]

I look away for one moment,

one moment, mind you,

and everything falls apart.

We were waiting for you to get back

so we could go dress shopping

in Charleston all together.


- Mm.


- That's a fabulous idea.


- Mm.


- [Helen] Agreed. Agreed.

Let's have a few more.

Mm, margaritas?

Fabulous ideas.

Here's one.

To never taking our friendship

for granted.

["Look in Your Eyes" by Danny Kirsic

& James Kalamasz Joseph playing]

[chuckles softly]

'Cause when I see

That look in your eyes ♪

You want me to check

how level the floor is

so you can factor that in too?

[chuckles] You need to understand

that I am a thorough and deliberate man

in all of my passions.

Ooh! Clyde needs to crank up the AC.

[pool balls clacking]

[chuckles]

I may have finally met my match.

[Erik] I was hoping so.

[Genevieve chuckles]

Maybe we should order another round

and steady that hand.

[chuckling]

You might not wanna do that.

[chuckles]

[pool balls clacking]

[Erik] But we could do a round

to celebrate how well things are going.

You have a new job you love.

I'll tell you, I hit the jackpot.

I mean, those women


- [pool balls clacking]


- what a community.

And I left a job I didn't love.

Without another one lined up.

That takes courage.

[Erik] It's faith.

Every step.

Every day.

So, what comes next?

Depends.

Is this a date?

[chuckles softly] Spare me, Lord.

Are you one of those

"where do we stand? What are we?"

"Am I doing this right?"

Actually, I like that last one.


- Noted.


- [chuckles]

Does it matter if this is a date?

Yes.

Because if it's not,

I'd like to invite you out on one.

I would love that.

Even though you're trying

to b*at me at my own game.

["Look in Your Eyes" continues playing]

[crickets chirping]

[Rebecca cooing]

Do you have a formal agreement with Bill?

I don't.

We just have a handshake agreement

that he'll financially contribute,

but that's it.

Have you considered talking to Helen

about what your options are

for a formal agreement,

establish a paper trail,

set some explicit boundaries?

I don't know what my options are,

but I guess talking to Helen

might not be a bad idea.

I'm sorry if I got so shaky

when Bill stopped by the other night

that you went to googling legal questions.

Oh, it's not that.

I just wanna look out for you.

And for Bex.

I'm so grateful to have you

as a landlord and a babysitter,

but most importantly, a friend.

You're the gift I never expected

when I came back to Serenity.

You and Bex are

pretty special additions to my life too.

[Noreen chuckles softly]

[gentle music playing]

[Dana Sue grunts]

[humming melody]

[chuckles]


- Hey, babe.


- Hello.

I'm guessing all's good with you girls.

All's great.

It is such a blessing

to be able to talk things through,

work it out, and regain harmony.

I am so happy for you.

For them. For all three of you.


- Hmm.


- You being happy makes me happy.

Mm. [chuckling]

So important to remember

with the folks who love us

that we can ride through

any rough water together.

Laying it on a little thick,

aren't we, sweetheart?

[chuckling] No, not not at all.

Just sharing and emphasizing

how important and

Oh, sweet Jesus, help me.

[breathes deeply] You talked to Kathy.

I did.

And?

[stammers] The important thing is

she's gonna leave us alone.

Why do I suspect you skipped over

another important thing or two?

I mean, I couldn't get her to admit

that she that she trashed the kitchen,

though I know in my heart she did, but

we could put this all behind us now

because Kathy is leaving town for good.

That's fantastic.

And a little unbelievable.


- How so?


- It's a tad simple, too simple, even.

[sighs] What deal did you have to strike

with that devil?

I wrote her a check.

You did what?

For how much?

Enough for her to go away and stay away.

[somber music playing]

You bowed down to a bully.

Negotiated with a t*rror1st.

You let Kathy win!

I protected my family,

which is what I told you I would do.

How does that protect us

to give her our money?

We always said

we would never give her any money!

The money is what she comes for.

It's the only thing she respects anymore,

and it is the only thing

that will make her go away.

But she doesn't win, Dana Sue.

We do because we have each other

and Annie and Sullivan's and our friends

and everything that we have built together

over the years.

And Kathy has nothing.

By her own doing.

She chose the lonely way, the hard way,

and there is a corner of my heart

that will always feel sorry for Kathy.

[somber music continues]

But the whole of my heart

belongs to you

and Annie.

I do not agree with what you've done.

I know.

But I understand why you did it.

Thank you.

This is an act of service.

You are communicating

in your love language [chuckles]

by executing a plan.

I respect that.

[gentle music playing]

Thank you for hearing me.

And for trusting me.

I know in my heart

that this is the answer.

And I will never stop

doing everything in my power

to make life better for you and Annie.

[gentle music continues]

Can you explain this to me one more time?

You were so excited on the phone.

I didn't quite catch it all.

I came into some money,

and I'm heading out of town for good.

Fresh start and all that.

Well [chuckles]

[inhales deeply]

Then I wish you well

on your next adventure.

You should come with me.

You're the first person I've ever met

who truly understands

what it means to be haunted by your past.

I mean, to be striving for change

and have the people around you

just refuse to see

what you're trying to do.

[tense music playing]

I was serious when I said

I was looking for a fresh start.

I mean, don't we both deserve that?

No.

[scoffs]

I understand that I've hurt people,

and I'm making real efforts to apologize.

I only moved to Castlewood

'cause it seemed like

everyone needed space.

Any further, and I'll be running away.

Wh

I'm trying to be

a better parent to my kids.

And even if I never get a chance

to be a better partner

to Maddie or Noreen,

I know I still have a place

in my kids' lives,

so I'm still trying to figure out

what that place is.

Sometimes, the best thing you can do

for the people you love, Bill,

is leave.

[zipper zips]

[liquid trickling]


- Happy to be back?


- Yes.

Yeah, I I'm not saying it wasn't great

to hang out with my family,

but I I'm kind of loving this year,

you know,

and I I got some new thoughts

to share with Annie, and

[chuckles]

You must be so glad

to be back on track with your friends.

So glad.

[CeCe sighs]

It's always a mistake to be afraid

to reach out, talk,

apologize.

And yet, it's a an easy mistake to make.


- Why do you think that is?


- Mm.

Probably ego.

When people you love are involved,

you kick ego to the curb.

Make things right.

Make a a clear resolution

to make a good, fresh start.


- I wanna learn to think like you.


- [laughs]

I do.

I mean [sighs]

I come from

a bar
-the
-door kind of family.

You know, like wrong, done, next.

Hmm.

But I'm I'm realizing

a lot of people don't feel that way.

They they need more when things

Uh

End?


- [laughs] Yeah, that.


- [Helen laughs]

[gentle music playing]

Have you considered

that things don't have to end?

They can change,

evolve in a new direction.

Did you ever imagine that you and Annie

could be comfortable as lab partners?


- No. No way!


- [Helen laughing] No.

What other evolutions might await?

Okay.

[chuckles softly]

[students chattering indistinctly]

[pensive music playing]

I know you miss Jackson.

Let me see if I can help.

Uh [clears throat]

"Mumble, mumble, baseball, y'all."

[both chuckle]

Thanks, but I'm not jealous.

I'm just frustrated.


- That he isn't here?


- That he isn't putting in the effort I am.

That he thinks he's defying his parents

when he's actually hiding from them.

That he ran like a startled squirrel

rather than having my back.

Let me try again.

"Mumble, mumble, baseball, y'all."


- [Annie laughing]


- [Lily chittering]

Hey. We're talking about

reviving Ash Grove playground.

Emphasis on sustainability

and accessibility. Want in?

And to start, we're making a list

on all the things we'll need.

Paint, lumber,

shredded rubber for the ground.

My dad's been working more

with reclaimed wood,

so he might be able

to point us in the right direction.

If you email me a list of questions,

I can ask him.

Yeah.

Uh, I don't know Ash Grove.

What are the issues there?

Girl, what isn't an issue?

But it's Kyle's idea, so ask away.

Uh, the playground is totally run
-down,

but I think we have an opportunity

not to just repair but rebuild

in an environmentally friendly way

that benefits everyone.

There's no excuse for a public playground

to be in such poor condition.

Uh, sorry to interrupt,

but are you talking about Ash Grove?

We are. We were explaining to Lily.

Would you agree

with the assessment of "totally run
-down"?

Oh, understatement.

Yeah, I I took my siblings there,

but Joshua stopped wanting to go

after the spring riders broke

and never got replaced.

Then the flooding started,

and Corky and Cammie wouldn't go

'cause they hate wet socks.

Yes, exactly. We need to fix it up

so kids can enjoy it again.

Yes, exactly. What?

[Sophie] Yes, Ash Grove playground

has been left for dead,

and the "exactly" was about

how CeCe's sibs used to like going there.

You know, the whole point of a playground.

We're brainstorming ideas

on how to bring it back from the dead.

Full resurrection,

not zombie undead stuff.

I didn't know the whole crew was in on it.

Are y'all doing, like, a D&D theme?

Dragons, Bridge Trolls

[laughs] that sort of thing?

I'm not sure about D&D,

but, uh, Ty's right.

Yeah, a theme's a great idea.

[happy music playing]


- We need to head out.


- Oh, yeah. Okay.

I have to go, but we'll have

a formal meeting to talk about this soon.

Okay, keep coming up with ideas.

Hey, if y'all are really gonna do this,

just let me know how I can help.

Really? What about your tutoring?

And now CeCe seems really into it.

Not a problem.

I wanna help.

[Kyle] Hmm.

[Helen] I think that that the cornerstone

of this food insecurity program

should be better access to fresh produce.

So if you'd be interested

in discussing that with us

[chuckles] we'd be delighted.

I'd love to.

I've actually wanted to develop a program

for donating surplus produce

for a while now.

Produce doesn't have to look perfect

to be nourishing.


- I am thrilled that you're interested.


- [chuckles]

Perhaps you could come by the spa

and meet with me and Maddie and and

And Dana Sue.

I'd love that. Text me a date and time,

and I'll be there with bells on

and maybe some really fine blackberries.

[chuckling] Great.

[happy music playing]

Thank you, Jeremy.


- Thank you.


- Thanks.


- See ya.


- Yep. Bye.

Okay.


- Erik.


- Helen.

I heard you were out of town.

Mm.

Welcome back.

It's good to be back.

Are you well?

I am. You?

I am.

I admire your taste in produce.

Oh. [laughs]


- Jeremy.


- Oh.

Me too.

I should let you and your pear

be on your way.

Yeah.

Thank you.

It's good to see you.

[poignant music playing]

Take care of yourself.

I will accept my place

as the center of the universe.

Sometimes paths cross

because of limited space,

not divine intent.

Congratulations

on uncrossing your path at Z's.

Word travels fast.

Kathy has a record

for crushing colleagues.

Your fellow survivors keep track.

What did Dana Sue say about you working

for her wild
-eyed sister
-in
-law?

[tense music playing]

What?

Wow. Kathy played it close to the vest.

Isaac was surprised when I told him too.

[calm music playing]

[chuckles] This is a surprise.

Well, I knew you couldn't get phone calls.

And I can't invite you in.

Rule three is no friends indoors

without a parent at home.

[Ty] Huh.

Let's go for a walk.

Rule four, the prisoner

is not to leave the house

unless for work, school, or church.

I'm hoping the porch

is technically the house.

Man, that's harsh.

Is it though?

I lied to my parents big
-time.

I get why they're upset,

and I wanna respect their rules.

I'll support that decision.

And if you need someone to put in

a good word and help you get early release

on good behavior or something,

just let me know.

I appreciate you.

So, what's up?

I just heard some stuff at school.

Wanted to stop by, check in,

and see how you're doing.

Yeah, there's no use

in putting a good face on

for the guy who failed to talk me out

of eating tadpoles when I was five.

[both chuckle]

Yeah.

You were right then,

and you were right now.

I've made some massive mistakes.

Especially in who I'm hanging out with

and not hanging out with.

I'm so grateful

that you're still willing to talk to me,

check on me, worry about me.

[gentle music playing]

Well, I've been doing it all so long,

I don't think I can stop if I wanted to.

Which is why,


- since you're off all electronics


- [unzips]

[both laughing]

The summer we were convinced

we could talk through these.

But really, we were just screaming so loud

we could hear each other anyway.

And Mr. Farquaad told that to my folks.

And mine at two o'clock in the morning.

No respect for science.

What a memory blast.

And it did exactly what

it was supposed to do.

It made you smile.

[both chuckle]

I should've known you were up to something

when you asked me to wear a dress.

Guilty as charged.

So, this isn't a sign
-up event

for fall classes?

No, this is the first week of tango class,

which I signed us both up for.

[Maddie chuckles]

I know we've both been working

on our homework,

but I thought it'd be fun

to learn something together.


- [claps three times]


- [instructor] Thank you all for coming.

Today we are gonna be covering

the tango hold and the four
-step walk.

No pressure. We're here to have fun, okay?

So find a place with your partner.

Leading people,

your back should be to the door.

If you came here alone, come to the front,

and I'll pair you off.

This is so exciting! [giggles]

Now leading's left hand

and following's right hand

clasped together.

Leading's right hand on following's back

so leading's fingertips

are on following's spine,

just slightly angled down.

Following's left arm goes on top

so the hand, palm out,

is on leading's back,

just under the arm.

Now let's do the four
-step walk.

Let's give it a try, okay?

A five, six, seven, eight.

We go slow

[tango music playing]

[instructor continues speaking

indistinctly under music]

Yeah, this is gonna be fun.

[Maddie chuckles]

Good, here we go. A five, six

[patrons chattering indistinctly]


- [door opens]


- [shopkeepers bell rings]

Together again, at last.

[Nellie chuckles nervously]

[Kyle exhales excitedly]

I knew our romance could survive

across space and time. [chuckles]

Kyle, please sit down.

I don't know what you're talking about

or what's going on here.

Nellie

I don't understand

the carnations in my bike basket either.


- What do you want from me, Kyle?


- I want the same thing you want.


- What do you think that is?


- To keep our romance going.

What romance? We broke up

that night at the kissing tree.


- But the carnations you sent me.


- I didn't send you any carnations.

And the letters I sent you?

I didn't get any letters.

Look, is this some kind of game, Kyle?

Are you gaslighting me or something?

No, never. I I thought

I I really liked you, Kyle.

And, you know, I still admire you

as a person,

so please don't ruin that.

There seem to have been

a number of misunderstandings here,

like The Importance of Being Earnest

without the happy ending.

I don't mean to hurt you, Kyle. I

I'm just confused.

Me too.

And, um

I have a boyfriend.

In Castlewood.

[exhales shakily]

A happy ending for you then.

That that's wonderful, Nellie.

[somber music playing]

[Nellie] Um

I wish you the best, Kyle.

I hope you find someone wonderful too.

Take care, Nellie.

[somber music continues]

[door closes]


- [country music playing]


- [diners chattering indistinctly]

I don't know if the cowboy hat

is too much, but whatever.

No way.

I knew it. Too much beauty

for this town to handle.


- Do you want a table?


- I'd like to see Dana Sue.

And I'm sure she'd like to see you, sir.

Oh, thank you.

[Isaac laughs]

Do we applaud or call a doctor?


- Both?


- [Ronnie] Huh?

What do you think, sweetheart?

I think y'all can go ahead

and cancel this little show.

[Skeeter] Oh.

Well, the tuxes were Ronnie's idea,

but I have a perfectly good suit.

Yeah. I heard the first wedding

was denim and no shoes.

Oh, Cal. The stories I could tell you.


- Huh.


- Mm.

[solemn music playing]

I thought we agreed on tuxes.


- We did earlier.


- So, what happened?

I've been crunching the numbers,

and there is just no way around it.

After Annie's college fund

and the foundation,

the money that was left,

the money that was supposed to pay

for the vow renewal

paid Kathy

instead.

So it's off.

[solemn music continues]

[closing theme music playing]