01x53 - Episode 53

[bunniefuu]

DEREK:
You awake?

ASHLEY:
Woke up early.

Couldn't get back.

Figured. You were a kickboxer
last night.

[groans]

Sorry.

You want to talk about it?

No.

Stayed in bed way too long,
hoping to get rest. I didn't.

Now, I'm tired
and behind schedule.

- Make you breakfast?
- Oh, no, that's okay.

Naomi's coming over.

Great. I can make enough
for all of us.

We have eggs, right?

Oh, are we out of bacon?

Uh, Derek, this is sort of a
regular thing for Naomi and me.

You didn't know. I get it.

We stopped when you were hurt,
and I was taking care of you,

- but...
- It's okay. I-I'll just grab something out.

You can stay.

I don't want you to feel
like I'm kicking you out.

- You live here.
- No worries.

How can you gossip about me
if I'm here listening?

You cool if I pop
in the shower first?

Go ahead.

That's perfect. Thank you.

I hear that the donuts here
are to die for.

Sorry. Have you
ever even had one?

- I said I hear.
- [both laugh]

Yeah, this is
my Ashley morning, so...

Are you gonna fill her in
on all the family drama?

I don't have to.

Her mom is good friends
with Mona,

so she got a full blow by blow.

News spreads like wildfire here,

which means that what
Leslie accused Dad of

is probably out there too, huh?

Yep.

Did he ever text you back?

Own up to threatening
that woman into leaving town?

Yeah, he wrote me back,
but I can't get

a straight answer from him.

It's, "You should know better

than to take
that woman seriously."

Like what?

Classic Dad. He just
wants to make it go away.

Yeah, like he made
that Leslie woman go away.

[phone rings]

BILL:
Yes, Caroline.

Okay. Yeah, send her in.

[sighs, chuckles]

[chuckles]

Dana. We meet again.

♪ ♪

Breakfast of champions.

I'm treating myself.

Mm. And what's the occasion?

My birthday.

Ah, happy... you day.

It's not as sad as it looks.

Last time I saw you,
nobody would even speak to me.

Something changed?

Yeah. Ted's been kind.

He found me a place to stay.

He's been helping me out
with the work situation.

And last night,
Martin had me over for dinner.

I spent time
with his husband and kids.

Kind of amazing, right?

Yeah. I say that's
really major progress.

More than I expected. Way more.

Especially this soon.

Gives me hope.

It's good that you see
a future for yourself.

Everybody needs that.

Yeah, they do.

Including my Aunt Nicole.

I saw her yesterday,

and she's carrying a hurt
that is hard to imagine.

But that was the plan, right?

ANNOUNCER:
The role of Ted Richardson

is now being played
by Keith D. Robinson.

Thank you, sweetheart.

So glad you came.

Don't be too glad.
Might not go the way you want.

You're here.

That's what I wanted most.

I'm still mad at you.

I know.

All I want is for you
to be open and honest with me,

and I'll do the same.

For a change.

I know you have
a lot of questions.

I doubt you can answer them.

Try me.

Okay.

How could anyone
married to my mother--

the most amazing woman
in the world

and who is everything
anyone could ever want--

even think of turning
to a skank like Leslie?

You need to understand

that the woman I met, Dana,

wasn't anything like the woman
you saw at that party.

She was warm back then.
And kind, funny.

She had a
lightheartedness to her.

I miss that so much
in your mother.

And I get that
she was having a hard time

with all the miscarriages.
I was, too.

However, whatever it was,

I was missing my wife

and her attention,
her affection.

And yes, I know that makes me
a selfish b*stard.

But back then, your mother
needed way more than she gave.

And Dana, well, Dana,

she didn't expect
anything from me.

With her, I could just be.

It was such a relief.

I... confused it with love.

I guess I have another question.

Okay.

If mom hadn't
gotten pregnant with me,

would you have
left her for Leslie?

Am-am I the only reason
your marriage survived?

Ah.

Oh, right. Sorry. [chuckles]

That's okay. I...

I've never seen you
do that before.

I-I picked up a little.
I put my jacket away.

Got my workout zines
off the floor.

Want this place to be in shape
for Naomi when she gets here.

I was gonna put that away,
but you were in the bathroom.

Is this what it was like
when you had roommates?

You mean was I
walking on eggshells? No.

I mean, did you just
drop everything

where you happened to be

and expect the house elves
to pick up?

That's not fair.
I-I pick up after myself.

Just maybe not the second
I walk in the door

after a 12-hour shift.

I know you work long hours.
So do I.

Look, this place... [sighs]

it's my first grown-up home.

Okay.

I picked it myself.

From the curtains, you know,
to the coasters. It's...

I'm proud of it.

You picked me, too, you know.

I did.

And I don't want you
to feel like

you're being judged
by your every move.

And I don't want you to think
I'm some kind of Neanderthal

taking advantage.
I'm not trying to.

Okay.

So, hey, why don't we
come up with some rules

or-or a schedule or something,
you know?

We could map out time

where we both have the place
to ourselves.

That's a good idea.

And while we're talking, I want
to remind you that, sometimes,

I host a poker night
on Wednesdays,

so as long as you're cool with
the guys smoking cigars in here.

What?

Ash, that's a joke.

- Not funny.
- Whatever.

Say hi to Naomi for me.

I'd like to believe

I'd have never left
your mother and Martin.

I rationalized, I guess,

confusing Dana's
lightheartedness

with her being a casual person.

I made up a world
where I could do whatever

felt right in the moment.

No one would have to know.

No one would get hurt.

And then your mother told me
that she was pregnant again.

And she was excited,
but she was also terrified

that she might lose
another baby.

And everything in my world
went dim for her.

My heart poured over for her,

as if all the miscarriages

had affected me
more than I realized.

It wasn't just about you, Kat.

I couldn't be sure
in the moment that our baby--

you-- would even make it.

I just became totally sure

that I belonged
with your mother.

Well, it-it's... it's kind of
late for that realization.

Leslie was already pregnant
by that time.

You are supposed to be a doctor.
Why wouldn't you wrap it up?

I was careless.

I believed Dana when she said
she was on the pill.

I didn't even know about Eva.

Listen, Kat, I know
you are disappointed in me,

but all that happened
before you were born.

The father you saw
growing up was real.

The husband you saw
that was good to

and loved your mother was real.

I just hope someday
you can trust in all that again.

Don't get it twisted.

One conversation isn't gonna fix
all the pain you caused.

I know, but I'm here.

And I'm ready to talk more
whenever you want.

Here.

Take this.

You have a standing invitation.

And so does your mother.

[door closes]

I hope Ted and Nicole
work everything out, truly.

They love each other so much.

I've seen that up close.

Yeah, I bet Leslie
loved hearing that.

I might have left that part out.

So where do things stand
between you and your mom now?

She hasn't forgiven me.

She hasn't forgiven you?

How long has she been lying
to you now?

Look, I know
it sounds backwards.

Yeah, it sounds like
a giant gaslight.

Yeah, but it makes sense
that Mama feels betrayed.

She was counting on me to help
her with the "outing Ted show,"

and instead, I sabotaged it.

And does she expect you to--

I don't know-- do something
to make it up to her?

To prove your loyalty?

You have nothing to worry about.

I will never do anything
to hurt Ted and Nicole again.

How am I supposed to
possibly believe that?

'Cause honestly,

I want to get to know Ted
as my dad.

I want to be a part of his life.

Good.

You got the
cease and desist order.

You think you're all that,
don't you?

So what you think
this was gonna do?

Well, its purpose
is to advise the recipient

of what's
in their best interest.

- My best interest?
- Yeah.

Yeah, in your case,

to refrain from further
slandering my good name.

You got a little carried away
the other night.

- Exaggerated for effect...
- The hell I did.

I waited more than 20 years
to tell everyone

about the disgusting threats
you made to me.

No, my recollection
differs greatly from yours.

And I think a jury would
find me far more persuasive

than a woman
with five or more aliases

and about two dozen wigs.

Go ahead. I mean, I don't have
anything left anyway.

There's no income, no property,

ooh, no savings.

So, you do your worst,

and I'll do mine.

We'll see who comes out ahead.

I need to see you.

Yes. Now.

[phone chimes]

♪ ♪

So what's the rest
of your day look like?

Oh, I, um, I'm checking
on a patient at the hospital.

Pneumonia.

So, you'll get to see me
twice today.

Oh, okay.

What's happening?

You seem so blah.

How's the new living
arrangements going with Derek?

Not great.

Hey, man. What's good?

Not much.

- Sorry to hear that.
- Yeah, sorry to say it.

You look tired, bro.

I am. And not for
the good reasons, either.

It's not at all how I imagined.

I didn't expect us to be...

...tense and uptight.

And that's all the time.

I keep thinking...

Maybe it's me, but...

I don't know how to fix it

'cause I-I-I don't know
what I'm doing wrong. I...

...do know that I love him.

And we know each other so well.

Who knew it wouldn't be great?

We were fine
before we moved in together,

but now, every little thing...

...turns into a huge deal.

I already have a job.

I already have a mother.

- I don't need another one.
- I don't need another one.

Okay, maybe I am a little OCD,

Type A.

Whatever.

I'll own up to being
a slob sometimes.

I do get excited
for him to come home, though.

But then, when he walks in...

Instant tension.

We should get excited
to see each other.

- We'll figure it out.
- We'll figure it out.

Hey, cousin. You summoned?

Yeah.

I have mixed feelings
about something.

'Cause you went to see your dad?

I wasn't expecting it,
but by the end,

he actually had me
feeling sorry for him.

I get it. It's really sad
what Uncle Ted did.

He had the perfect marriage.

Exactly. He screwed up so bad,

and I don't want to feel
anything but furious at him.

But...?

He's my dad.

How do I do that?

Welcome to my world.

If I was anything less than
sympathetic before, I apologize.

That's fine, Kat.
You learn when you learn.

How are we supposed to
fall in love

or trust anyone ever after
seeing what our fathers did?

Well, at least he's trying
to make it right.

At least
he didn't marry his mistress.

[scoffs] Hayley's your stepmom.

And can you imagine
if that Leslie woman,

or whatever
her name is, was yours?

Thank God for small favors.

He admitted that
he was probably naive

about who Leslie was
when they met.

Yeah, maybe
she wasn't cray cray then.

Well, whatever the story,

he knows what she's about now.

I want to know what steps
you've taken to neutralize Dana.

None.

I've tried to stay away from her
and not even think about her.

'Cause when I do, I...

My focus has been
shoring up the damage

she's caused to my family.

You're not putting
enough thought

into what she might do next.

That's a mistake.

Okay, I'm confused.

Didn't you tell me
it was too late

to do anything about Dana?

No, what I told you
is the time to deal

with problems is before
they happen.

And she's not done
causing problems

for either one of us, man.

What more does she want?
Publicly ruining my life?

She was just in here
getting in my face

about the cease and desist
letter that I sent her.

Look, Ted, I'm telling you,
that woman is unhinged.

Now, I already put her on notice
that I can sue her

for defamation.

You need to remind her

that you can press charges
for blackmail.

Yeah, because of that payout
you made to her a few weeks ago.

- Of course
she told you about that. - No, she didn't.

She made it a point to say
she doesn't have any income.

She's living
in a decent apartment.

Doesn't seem to be working.

Come on, it's logical
you paid her off.

Yeah, for all the good it did.

But look,

I'm in this mess because
I stepped in to help you.

Now, I fully expect you
to back me up.

[knock on door]

Uncle Ted and Dad,
riding together again.

I can only imagine
who you're talking about.

Look at this. That snake
Bill Hamilton gave it to me.

- What is it?
- A cease and desist order.

Can you believe it?

No remorse, no apology.
Just more threats.

Well, you kind of
should've expected

something like this
after the anniversary...

celebration.

Yeah, well, I didn't think
that Bill Hamilton

would grovel at my feet,
but after the truth came out,

I thought maybe he would have
the decency to be ashamed.

But no, no, he just keeps
lying through his teeth

and wants to run me
out of town all over again.

So why'd you want to see me?

Well, uh...

I was hoping that,

since you and your father
are so much closer,

that maybe you could
talk to him for me.

And say what?

And tell him to get
that pit bull up off of me.

Obviously, he's still furious
with me right now,

but Ted once loved me,

and I know that he knows I don't
deserve to be treated like this.

Oh, so this is all about Ted.

Got it.

I thought maybe
you wanted to see me, Mama.

It is my birthday, after all.

I believe Leslie was playing Dad
from the start.

How did he give you that sense?

Well, some of the things
he said.

Like Leslie was kind
and lighthearted

when they first met. Okay, fine.

But he also said she told him
she was on birth control.

And then what? Oops.
How'd that happen?

Mm, that's really sus.

I'll buy that she was
kind of shady even back then.

Kind of. It all fits.
The disguises.

Introducing herself
as different people

to different family members.

Inventing that phony history
for herself.

Telling Mona that Eva
is not her daughter.

- I mean, who does that?
- Nobody being for real.

Eva and Leslie met Mona

when they first got back
to the town.

Probably just trying to
find out more about your family.

And then that's how they found
out about Laura's accident.

And then Eva
was just somehow able to

slide right into Laura's job.

The cops never did figure out

who ran Laura off that road.

Oh, my God. Do you think that...

Eva and Leslie didn't
miraculously get lucky.

It was all a part of their plan.

So how's everything
in your world?

I can't complain.

I've been doing, uh, rotations
with different specialties.

I have to decide which direction
I want to go in.

- Okay.
- Obstetrics was amazing.

You got a head start on that,
in the elevator.

- With my birthing partner.
- I just held your beer.

- You know, I have a few more
deliveries under my belt now. - Mm-hmm.

And I got to observe
some cardiac surgeries.

Pretty awesome.

Yeah, if you have
the stomach for that,

which I certainly
clearly do not.

Yeah.

You know, I heard that you went
wobbly filming in the OR.

Man, word gets around.

Whoever ratted me out
is going to pay for that.

Well, in that case,
my lips are sealed. [laughs]

Uh, how's Derek?

He's good.

He actually
just moved in with me.

Oh. Oh.

That's a big step.

Congratulations.

Yeah.

Is it going well?

Yeah, it's great.

I wasn't expecting
a visit from my daughter.

Not that I'm complaining. You're
always a sight, sweetheart.

Your response to my text
left a lot to be desired,

so I figured
I'd get some clarity.

Oh, well, as you can see, I'm in
the middle of something here.

Convenient.

Uncle Ted,
I hope you're doing okay.

Can't imagine what a shock
the other night was for you.

Shock and a few other things
I haven't processed,

but thanks for your concern.

I was just telling your dad

I'm focused on
making things right.

How refreshing.

Somebody in this room could use
a role model in that regard.

My girls aren't convinced Dana

was lying
about me making threats.

But you're not denying
that you spoke to her

on Uncle Ted's behalf.

Yeah, I did. I spoke to her.

As I recall, she was very young,

a bit emotional,

and quite frankly,
somewhat irrational.

I tried to get her
to see reason.

Which can be interpreted
in a number of ways, Dad.

Look, okay, you don't want to
believe me, you can ask Ted.

He's right here.

Well, I wasn't
actually a witness,

but if I thought Bill
were capable

of any of the things
Dana was claiming,

I would've never come to him
in the first place.

I wish it was impossible
for me to believe that.

I'll try not to
take that personally.

You know I love you, Dad,
but you do not make it easy.

I have a client waiting.

We celebrated your birthday
earlier, little girl. Remember?

Before you stabbed me
in my back.

I already know
how you feel, Mama.

It's not like
I was expecting a party.

I just thought maybe you might
be thinking about me today.

Yeah, well, the day just...
Honestly, it slipped my mind.

I mean, it's hard
to think about anything

with these threats
hanging over my head.

I'm sure.

But, you know you can
do something about it,

if you really wanted to.

I mean, yesterday,
you did say that you wanted

to heal our relationship, right?

Here's your chance.

No, Mama.

I'm not gonna be the go-between
for you and Ted.

And I'm not sure why
you're getting so worked up

over a cease and desist
order anyway.

It's not like it's more than the
criminal charges you could face.

Wait, what? Uh, who-who is
talking about criminal charges?

No one yet.

Everybody's too spun out
from what you did.

But sooner or later,
the Richardsons are gonna

put the pieces together.

And eventually,

they'll have
the same questions I did

about Laura's car accident

and whether you had
something to do with it.

How will you handle that?

You have an alibi?

I don't think it's your problem

since you don't want
to be involved.

Happy birthday.

Nobody could figure out

why anyone would want to target
Laura and run her off the road.

But now it makes sense.

Because Leslie and Eva
wanted Laura out the way?

Exactly. And then Eva
could get a job with Mom.

They made friends with Mona

weeks in advance so that Mona
could make the introduction.

I don't know, cousin.
That sounds really dark

and elaborate, and
it's attempted m*rder, and...

Just so that Eva
could get into your house?

Mothers have hired hitmen
to get their daughters

on cheerleading squads.

Do you really think
that Leslie and Eva

would hire a literal hitman?

Uh, I don't know.

Maybe they handled it
themselves.

There was a... a police video.
I mean, I never saw it, but...

maybe the rider
was wearing Eva's boots.

Okay, slow down.
You're talking about Eva.

She couldn't even bring herself
to sabotage that party.

But to run somebody
off the road?

Okay, but she
didn't know us then.

She was completely
under her mother's thumb

and would do anything
that woman asked.

If she wasn't on that bike,
she knew about it.

Wait. Where are you going?

To tell my dad

what his long-lost daughter
is capable of.

Hey, do you want me
to get you some soup

from the cafeteria?

I'm comfy.

I may need to milk this
pneumonia thing for a while.

This hospital is heaven.

You know, at some point, June,
we're gonna need to talk

about where you want to go
when you're better.

Where's that hot cop?

Is he coming back to see me?

I'm sorry. You mean my husband?

[door opens]

And just like magic, he arrives.

- Hi, babe.
- Hey, June.

NAOMI:
Oh, I...

think this is yours.

You dropped this yesterday.

JUNE:
I thought I lost it.

Those kids. Who are they?

Don't really know,
but I like the picture.

It makes me happy.

- For me?
- Yeah.

Sorry, uh...

We got off on the wrong foot
this morning.

I hope your brekky
with Naomi was good.

- It was.
- I ran into Jacob.

We talked, too.

I'm glad we have married friends
to bounce off of.

Me, too.

Anyway, I got an idea.
Want to run it by you.

All right? It might
solve our problems.

[knock on door]

Dad?

Dad?

Daddy?

Why am I writing?

[knock on door]

So what should I call you?

Dana? Anna?

Leslie?

"My almost stepmother"
has a nice ring to it.

Not in this life.

[chuckles] How about
"the woman left and abandoned

with my half-sister"?

Teddy. Teddy Boo?

Hmm.

Ooh. Silence.

Well, it's not an apology, but

I guess it's as good
as I'll get,

especially from a little spoiled
Kit Kat brat like you.

When's your father coming back?

KAT:
You resent me, hmm?

Because I'm
the reason he left you.

Bull. Ted was a grown man,
and he made choices

and decisions of his own.

Bad ones, but...
now he's paying for them.

You're getting
a big dopamine hit

out of seeing him in pain,
aren't you?

But a lot of other people
got hurt, not just my dad.

So...?

You don't feel
any guilt about that?

Oh, you mean Nicole?

Collateral damage.

She deserved
to know the truth anyway.

What about Laura?

Did she deserve
what you did to her?

- What I did?
- You or Eva?

Someone ran Laura off that road,
nearly k*lled her.

Oh, and then suddenly
there's a job opening.

What a coincidence.
Eva swooped right in to fill it.

Hmm. So, that's why you're here.

Yeah. To warn daddy about Eva

and how dangerous she is. Ooh.

Hmm.

So what? You gonna tell me
it's a big crazy coincidence?

Crazy is not my preferred word.

- Hmm.
- But no.

Not gonna say
it's a coincidence at all.

I think about our situation,
and I realize

the easiest thing isn't always
the right thing, you know?

I don't get it.

I moved in with you
because my lease was up

and I had roommates,
so it was easy.

So you regret moving in with me?

No. No, of course not.

I love you, but, I mean,

we're two people
in a studio apartment

tripping over each other
with no door to shut

but the john
when you want to be alone.

- What are you saying?
- We have two salaries.

We can afford something bigger.
Not much, but enough.

There's a new complex
opening up near the firehouse,

or we could rent a house
with a garage and a yard.

Maybe get a cat.

What do you think?

I think there's
more to our issues

than just needing more space.

I heard you this morning,

and I-I get how much you love
decorating your place,

but that's the thing,
it's-it's still your place.

If we go somewhere new,
we can pick out stuff together,

and it'll be our place.

Maybe you won't feel
so territorial.

Derek, I don't know exactly
how to put this, but I just...

I think it's not just
about physical space.

- What's it about?
- Look, I-I really...

I can't talk about this right
now. I'm supposed to be working.

But you get my general idea,
though, right?

I think so. Um...

Us. More. Bigger. Now.

Can we please
talk about this later?

Thank you for the gift.
It was really thoughtful.

- Hey.
- Hey.

- What's up?
- Hey. Thanks for meeting me.

Yeah, no worries.

But I know how much you like
the crepes at the country club.

You hanging outside
the gates for a reason?

I need to decompress. Yeah.

Sometimes Fairmont Crest
can be exhausting, you know?

Lots of ears

and too many wagging tongues.

- Well, you know I don't judge.
- I do know.

Yeah.

It's already been a day,
and it's not even lunchtime.

So has Aunt Nicole
agreed to talk yet?

She's still too upset.

I did get a visit from Kat,

and I felt like
we made some progress.

And Nicole listens to her,

so I'm hoping Kat
can convince my wife

that talking is better than not.

Yeah, that would be good.
I mean...

I looked in on Aunt Nicole
yesterday. She's struggling.

I wish she would give me
a chance to help her.

I'm probably
the only one who can.

Yeah. I also...

checked in on Eva today. Yeah.

And she was hopeful,
you know, pretty grateful

that you've been
reaching out to her.

I'm gonna do what I can for Eva.
I feel like I owe her.

She grew up with
a pretty volatile person.

They're not on good terms now.

Who else she got?

So did Eva mention to you
that today is her birthday?

No.

I should've thought to ask,

given her and Kat were born
around the same time.

What do you get for a daughter
who you just met

and barely know?

You know what?

I think I can
help you out with that.

So you're admitting it?

Eva ran Laura off the road.

You're as right
about that as you've been

about everything else.

So you... you've got riddles?

What are you, a demented Yoda?

[laughs]

I bet

that you can see
in your mind's eye

everything, right, doll?

Eva climbing on that bike.

Tailing Laura.

Speeding up.

With that helmet
hiding her face.

And then she just forces
Laura right off the road.

Leaving her there.

You... you give an oddly
detailed description.

Aha.

I have a vivid imagination.

Like you.

You imagine it,

but you have no proof,

no witnesses,

no records, no motorcycle.

And I'm sure
you do not expect me

to tell you anything

or testify even against
my own daughter.

So, basically,

that means you got nothing.

So why are you telling me
all of this?

Oh, little Kit Kat brat.

Because I know
it's gonna drive you crazy

to have all these suspicions.

And you can't do
a damn thing about it.

Gotcha.