01x03 - Scars

[bunniefuu]

[no audible dialogue]

[groans]
I'm over this. Let's go.

You heard the girl.
Let's go.

El, don't get frustrated.

We'll find you the perfect suit
no matter how long it takes.

Ah, another day all about Ella.

I just wanna go and have fun
at Ximena's pool party

but I know that if I wear
this one, which is amazing,

I'll feel super self-conscious
and not having fun.

[Grady] Huh,
wonder what that's like.

- Enough, Grady.
- [sighs]

[Ella] I just hate this.

The bathing suits,
the way that I look in them,

that I even care about that.

I get it. Maybe you feel more
comfortable in a cute one-piece.

Uh, yeah, but one-pieces.

What? I wear one-pieces.

Exactly.

[sighs] So, how goes it?

[both] Terrible.

Well, don't over think it.

Whatever you choose is
gonna be underneath a sun-shirt.

This one, 125 SPF. It's like
wearing an aluminum foil parka.

Forget it.
I'm not going to the party.

El, how about you get
the bikini and the one-piece?

You can see how you feel
on the day of the party.

Really? Thanks, Mom.

Two bathing suits
and the sun-shirt?

We haven't been to
the sunscreen aisle yet.

- And we need to hit the kitchen aisle.
- Why?

- For salad tongs.
- Why?

I may or may not have
half a hanger stuck in my cast.

Uh, look, I know you're
worried about money.

But life seems to be
getting back to normal,

maybe it's time to think
about getting back to work.

What?

I'm sure the car dealership
would give you your job back.

Then maybe I can get that VR
headset you promised me last Christmas.

Dad, if you can sell
Grady on quinoa,

you can definitely
sell a pre-owned hatchback.

- I hate quinoa.
- Still, you got him to try it.

Okay, I'm going to
the sunscreen aisle.

Nobody gets a wheat grass shot
after this. We're going straight home.

Finally, some good news.

Oh, my gosh. You broke your leg?

Yeah, my doctor said it's
one of the worst he's ever seen.

Were you in a car accident
or something?

- Is Ella okay?
- [sighs]

- Heard about your leg, bro.
- Yeah. My tibia's basically shattered.

Better than cancer, right?

Hey, just who I was looking for.

I wasn't in a car accident,
at least it's not cancer,

and Ella's fine, all right?

Okay.

I was just going to
introduce myself. I'm Nora.

Oh. [Chuckles] Hi, Nora.

I've been wanting to
talk to you,

but I was afraid
it was gonna be too awkward.

Why would it be awkward?

Well, any chance you're
free this Friday after school?

I'm free every day after school.

Amazing. Could you grab
some pictures of Ella for me?

I'm painting a 20-foot mural
of her on the handball court.

- Hey.
- Geez. You scared me.

More than being
barefoot in public?

No. My feet are
for my eyes only.

What you did was
more of a startle.

Well, this Saturday, me and
you are going to Ximena's house.

She invited us to a pool party,
and before you start spiraling,

you won't have to show anyone
your perfectly normal toes.

Hmm. Was that snail mail
or one of those e-vitations?

Because I must have missed it.

Kai. I'm telling you,
you're invited.

I was invited by Ximena?

She said, "I want that
weird kid, Kai, there"?

Well, I-I told her that I wanted
you there and she said okay.

Did she say "okay"
or... [sighing] "...okay"?

Kai, please. I need you there.

For the last two years,
the only parties that I went to

were in the
oncology ward rec room.

And while balloon volleyball is
great and I cherish the autograph I got

from the guy that used
to be the kid on that sitcom,

those weren't
real parties. This is.

Listen. You go hang by the pool
with your popular friends. I get it.

I'd choose them over me too.

I just want us
all to be friends.

And I want to be able
to rock an open-toed sandal,

but just because we want
it doesn't mean we get it.

[sighs]

You have one available? Amazing.

Sixty-five dollars? Cash?

Okay. I'll figure something out.

Just hold it for me. Thanks.

[rock music playing on
headphones] - [imitating drums]

Nurse Steve.

Hey... Hey, Grady. What...

Sorry to interrupt
your jam sesh?

Jam sesh? [Chuckles]
No, no, no.

I-I was just listening to this new podcast
about an unsolved mystery case thing.

- Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
- Yeah.

Oh, sorry about your leg.

[grunts]
I've been on crutches. Not fun.

You broke your leg too?

Played Tiny Tim in my community
theater's Christmas Carol.

My armpits were raw
until February.

So, how can I be of service?

Your pits burning?
I've got ointment.

No, nothing like that.

It's just, you know those kids
that took my lunch the other day?

They also made me drop my
VR headset, and now it's busted.

Unacceptable.
Who is bullying you?

I-I don't wanna
get anyone in trouble.

Say no more. I get it.
Code of the halls.

I really want a new headset,
and all I need is 65 bucks.

Any chance you need help
around here?

Wow, uh, that is
mighty enterprising of you.

It seems the scuttlebutt
in the faculty lounge

about you lacking
any motivation isn't true.

Huh?

Oh, never mind. You're hired.

Uh. Let's see.

Hey, Ximena.
I have a favor to ask.

Could you invite Kai to your pool
party? Like, sh**t him a text or something.

A text? I mean, when you asked if
he could come, I was like, "Okay."

Well, Kai is kind of
a formal guy,

so he'd really be into
one of those e-vitations.

[groans]

Or a text would be fine.
[chuckles]

Here's the thing, and
don't take this the wrong way

'cause I am all about
us being us again.

But low-key, I kinda
don't want him to come.

Why?

This is the first party
I'm having at my house

and it has to go well.

And you know Kai. He's weird.

He's not weird. He's my
good friend, and he's not weird.

You said he wants an e-vitation.

He's a little weird, but it's
important to me that he's there.

Does he still insist on
wearing those water shoes?

I can't promise that he doesn't,
but it's all part of his charm.

He's comfortable being who
he is, which is uncomfortable.

He's comfortably uncomfortable.

Okay, I'll text him.

I can't with the e-vitation.
I'm not 90.

Thanks.

So, a-about the pool party.
Question.

- Answer.
- I'm torn between two bathing suits.

One is amazing, but it kind
of puts everything out there.

And the other, well, what
do you think about one-pieces?

I don't.

Right. Uh, so maybe I could
get, like, a sarong or something.

No one wearing a sarong
is coming to my party.

Get a cute little boho skirt
to wear over your bikini.

I'm gonna be
wearing mine all day.

Even in the pool?

No one goes in the pool
at pool parties.

We stand around the pool.

Right. [Chuckles] So maybe I don't
even have to wear a bathing suit at all.

Of course you do. It's
a pool party. [Chuckles]

Uh, think that's everything.

Thanks.
And before you go,

I wanted to show you that
your hard work is appreciated.

Pizza bagels, pepperoni.

Wait. You're not paying
me in Pizza bagels, right?

Nah, dude.
The PBs are just a bonus.

- [sighs]
- [microwave beeping]

Here you go.
Sixty-five dollars.

- Thanks.
- Mm-hmm.

[microwave beeps]

And here's to
your hard work paying off.

- Cheers to that.
- Cheers.

Kai, who cares what
verb choice Ximena used.

She texted you. You're invited.

Gotta go.

I'm sorry,
but these are all noes.

None are high-waisted enough?

Could you please see if there's
anything else in the back?

- Thank you.
- [cell phone ringing]

Hey, Ximena.

[sighs] No, I won't tell
Kai what shoes to wear.

Stop it. He's not
going to ruin the party.

Oh, I-I gotta go.

Unfortunately,
you tried all of our skirts,

but we do have a few sarongs.

[sighs]

Uh, hey, Dad. Could I borrow
one of your ties?

Coach Nattiel wants me to
be in the soccer team pictures

- and we're dressing up. [Sighs]
- Look at you.

I ran into Nurse Steve the other day,
and he mentioned you were helping him out.

He did? Why?

'Cause he's proud of you,
and so am I.

[groans] Is there any meat
in this house

that isn't
vegetables in disguise?

Hey, El, you okay?

Nothing about chorizo
made from peas is okay.

W... Uh, so, about that tie?

Yeah. Take your pick from my
closet. Just not my piano key tie.

Okay. [Chuckles] -Seriously.
That's for special occasions.

Okay.

Hey.

Are you really this worked up
about our meat selection?

If I'm gonna be stuck
in this house all day,

I want to have something
not terrible to eat.

Isn't Ximena's party today?

[sighs] It is, but I'm not going.
It's been nothing but stress.

Yeah, maybe that's for the best.

Medical researchers have linked
stress to all sorts of health problems.

Not to mention, who knows what
chlorine does to us on a cellular level.

And suddenly, I have an overwhelming
urge to get out of the house.

I'm gonna go return these
bathing suits. Where's the receipt?

Uh, it's still in your mom's
purse, but she's at work,

so you'll probably just get it...

Wow. Good talk.

Thanks for the hot chocolate,
Mike.

Hey, are you Grady?

Uh, yeah.
We agreed on 65 bucks, right?

Cash only. I'm not
a fan of paper trails.

- Here you go.
- Hmm?

Hmm.

I'll be right back.

[banging, scraping]

[Ximena] Kai?

What are you doing?

I was looking over the fence
to see if anyone had arrived.

- I didn't want to be the first one here.
- You're the first one here.

Yeah, saw that.

Okay, well, I'll just go sit on
the curb until Ella gets here.

Don't wanna be the first one at
the party. That's frowned upon.

Though I don't understand why society
doesn't appreciate those who are punctual.

You're not punctual,
you're 45 minutes early.

I'll get to the curb.

Uh, just come in.
You can help me set up.

He's perfect.

[goat bleats]

Oh, I almost forgot.
Could I have a receipt?

Kid, what part of "no
paper trail" don't you get?

I just need something that says
"bought by Grady McCaffrey."

Hmm, okay.

Hmm.

- It's perfect. Thanks.
- Mm-hmm.

Well, I gotta go.
Takes two buses to get home.

[laughs]
You can't take goat on a bus.

What? Are you serious?

[chuckles] I may be unlicensed breeder,
but I obey transit authority regulations.

Bye. [Kisses]

- [goat bleats]
- Come on, man.

[knocks] - Joanne,
did you see my email?

The one about the Elam account?

Uh, I am re-running the numbers,
and I'm not seeing any discrepancy.

No, my email about trading Baltic
Avenue and two railroads for Boardwalk.

Not happening. [Chuckles]

[Omar] Joanne, your
daughter is on line two.

Okay, thanks, Omar.

Hey, El.

[stammers]
Here? Uh, I'll come down.

Is everything okay?

Yes, uh, my daughter just
needs me to run downstairs.

- Aw, the lacrosse star.
- That's her. [Chuckles]

- [chuckles] Tell her I say hello.
- I will.

[chuckles]

[elevator dings]

Hey, El. What's up?

I need the receipt
for those bathing suits.

Oh, don't worry about it. Keep
'em both. I'll deal with Dad.

I'm returning both.
I'm not going to the party.

But you were so excited.

[sighs] I don't really feel
like getting into it right here.

Could we go up to your office?

Ugh, we don't
wanna deal with my boss.

How about we go get
some bobas and find a bench.

And you know how big of a deal
getting into a bathing suit is for me.

And I couldn't find a boho skirt
that covers what I want covered.

What about a sarong?

Don't even say that word.

And on top of that,
I'm caught in the middle of Kai,

who's worried about going, and Ximena,
who's worried about having him there.

So now I'm even more worried.

The point of this was to
go and have fun in the pool,

but apparently,
that won't be happening.

Because nobody at pool parties
actually goes in the pool.

- Wait, what?
- I know.

It doesn't make
any sense to me either.

So finally, I was just like,
"Nothing about this is fun."

I still think it can be fun.

Were you listening
to a word I just said?

It seems like Kai and
Ximena are really caught up

in what everyone else
is thinking.

- Totally.
- But so are you.

How much time have you wasted
worrying about which bathing suit to wear?

Too much.

You've grown up
a lot over the last year.

And one of the things
I really admire

is how you don't get stuck worrying
about what other people are thinking.

You're right.
It's about what I think.

And I think that if
I want this party to be fun,

I need to make it fun.
[chuckles]

[groaning, sighing]

[crunching]

You really like celery, huh?

Guess this is as loud outside
of my head as it is inside.

Help. So awkward.

[stutters] We need music.

[pop music playing]

Do you know when Ella's coming?

No, did she say anything to you?

No.

[no audible dialogue]

Finally! FYI,
stay away from the celery.

Ella, he's wearing
the water shoes.

How did she get those scars?

I think it's from
her cancer surgery.

Cannonball!

What? It's a pool party.
I'm not here not to swim.

- I guess we should...
- Probably.

[yelps]

[laughing]

- Thank you.
- [goat bleats]

You thirsty too, buddy?

All right, let's go. Come on.

My friend here will
also have some watermelon.

[phone ringing]

- Hey.
- Hey, did Ella stop by?

She wanted to return
those bathing suits.

She did. Uh, but she ended up
going to the party after all.

Wh... [scoffs]
But her sunscreens are here.

Okay, I'll-I'll
drop 'em off over there.

Carl, she's fine. You don't need
to be by her side every moment.

I just... I worry about her.

I know, honey.

But truth is I'm less worried
about her than I am about you.

You know, when I mentioned
you going back to work,

it's because I really
think it'd be good for you.

I... What if she needs me again?

She's getting her life back.

You deserve to
get yours back too.

[sighs]

Come on, buddy.

Heel? Hyah?

[sighs] Come on.

[bleats]

[sighing]

Come on.

This was so much fun.

I can't believe I was so
worried about showing my scars.

That was awesome, Ella.
You made that party so fun.

You really did.

And I'm glad you came too.
Thanks for helping me set up.

- I arrived a tad early.
- [chuckles]

Forty-five minutes,
but it worked out.

He cut all the vegetables and went
to the store for ice with my stepdad.

[Ella] Bye.

This was chill. Not sure why you made
such a big thing about me being invited.

- [chuckles]
- So, you headed home?

No, I think I'm gonna
stop by my mom's office.

I owe her a thank you.

- Hey, Ella.
- Yeah?

I took my shoes off.

- I know.
- [both chuckle]

Yes, uh, thank you for
asking, but I'm... I'm sure.

- I'm ready to come back to work.
- [Carl's boss] Great.

I mean, it was a... It was a...

It was a tough year for my daughter,
for the whole family really. Um...

But we're good, now.
Everyone's good.

[Grady] It's been fun, buddy.

But do what goats do
and get me expelled

from this miserable school,
and away from my sister.

[Grady] Come on, buddy.

[goat bleats]

Um, excuse me. Do you know
where I can find Joanne McCaffrey?

- And you are?
- Her daughter.

Oh, nice to meet you. And wow,
you are much older than I thought.

Thanks? [Chuckles]

- [chuckles] You're ten?
- I'm thirteen.

I thought your mom said
you were ten.

So, your mom tells me
you're doing great in lacrosse.

Oh, um, I don't play lacrosse.

Oh.

[Ella chuckles]

Ella? What are you doing here?

Why does your boss think I'm
a ten-year-old lacrosse player?

I, uh... [chuckles]
Because, uh... I...

And why are all of your
pictures from before I had cancer?

You had cancer?

[breathes shakily]

Wait. Mom, have you
been hiding that I was sick?

Ella, I'm sorry.

No, I... I cannot believe you.

You tell me to be
myself and not hide

while you're lying to everyone,
hiding who I am.

- Please, Ella, I... [stammers] Honey.
- [scoffs] Just don't.

[sighs]

[sighs]

Is that the new
Carnivorous G album?

Nah, I can't get down with him
ever since he came out as vegan.

- [laughs]
- What are you doing here?

I may need to hang
out here for a night.

Maybe two. [Chuckles]

Maybe forever.

Everything okay?

[shakily] Not really.

[sighs]

[crying]

[Gavin] It's okay.