03x06 - And a Star to Steer Her By

[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]

You gave facials on the NASCAR circuit?

[Genevieve] And learned a thing or two

about what can make a man happy.

We have an all
-female clientele.

Lots of frazzled ladies looking

to maintain that post
-yoga glow.

Rest assured, if I can remove ten hours

of soot, sweat, and grease

from the pores of a grumpy driver,

I can pamper Mama while she's squeezing in

a little self
-care

in between carpool and Little League.

[Maddie chuckles]

Tell me, how did you get from NASCAR

to our serene corner spa?

My husband ran a pit crew.

Grew my marriage and my kids

on those tracks all around the country.

Took care of the drivers,

the wives the occasional pit lizard.


- Pit what?


- [chuckles] Groupies for the pit crew.

You've been to a race or two.

In the stands. Never in the pits.

Always next season. [chuckles]

[Maddie chuckles]

When I got divorced,

I settled down business
-wise.

Been seeing clients

out of my home studio in Egret Falls.

My kids are grown and on their own,

God bless them.

My ex only comes over

if I blow a gasket or a fuse.

In the car or house. [chuckles]

[Dana Sue chuckles]

Well, congratulations

for staying friendly with your ex.

The catch? The house is too quiet.

With no one around

and clients coming in one at a time,

I want action.

To be part of a team.

I've heard nothing but terrific things

about y'all, and I'm terrific,

so maybe you're my new team.

Would you need to arrange your schedule

around existing clients?

No. They'll need to become members here.

Do 'em all good.

Here's what I want in colleagues.

Good boundaries, good work ethic,

good sense of humor.

It's what I bring to the table myself.

The three of you having great skin already

makes me look brilliant

before I even unpack.

[Maddie laughs]

If you invite me in.

[gentle music playing]

Ah, and I have Helen's vote by proxy.

Welcome, Genevieve.

Thank you.

Same for me and, uh, their absent partner.

If I had a checkered flag, I'd wave it.

[both chuckle]

When can you start?

Does tomorrow make me overeager?

Sounds delightful.

Okay, well, see you then.

Thank you.

[gentle music continues]

[door opens]

[door closes]


- [Dana Sue chuckles]


- At the risk of intruding, what happened?

Is Helen okay?

It was just a little misunderstanding.

Helen'll love Genevieve.

Everyone will love Genevieve,

and it'll be great.

I'm so flattered you'd both commit

this level of energy

to convincing me everything's fine.

I'll skip right past the fact

that's how I know things are not fine.

I'll text Helen

and let her know we made a decision

and go work on Genevieve's space

while you decide what to tell me.

[solemn music playing]

We need to talk to Helen.

She may be communicating with Trotter,

but I texted her first thing,

and she hasn't responded.

It's hard to have a discussion that way.

Yep.

[solemn music continues]

Mom is the one we were worried about,

the reason we moved in with him.

So, walking into the kitchen

and finding Dad on the floor, it it was

[Erik] Indescribable.


- Carla's home with your mom and Margaret?


- Mm
-hmm.

Calling the whole family,

trying to keep everyone calm.

You want one of us to go check in on them?

If you go before I know anything,

it'll just upset 'em more.

We'll wait, then. Follow your lead.

Harlan, I'm so sorry, my friend.

We are praying for your whole family.

What can we do?

Y'all just being here

means the world to me.

Power of the basketball group text.

[chuckles]

Cheaper than a bat signal. [chuckles]

Thanks for the text.

Harlan, you let us know

what you and your family need, please.

Thank you, Dana Sue,

but I'm worried Serenity will grind

to a halt with all y'all here. [chuckles]

[chuckles] In a minute,

I am gonna arm wrestle Isaac

to see who needs to leave

and open Sullivan's.

Oh, I can go, Chef. You know, since I

[straining] don't wanna hurt you. [sighs]


- Hey, everybody.


- Oh.

Harlan.

[solemn music continues]

We should send lunch

over to the house, Chef. Dinner too.

Absolutely.

Helen. Hi.

Harlan's over there with Howie.


- Did you text Helen?


- I did.

Helen.

Dad had a stroke.

Harlan, I am so sorry.

Mr. Bixby currently has some paralysis

on the right side.

We still have tests to run.

We'll know more in the next few days.

Maybe he'll come home in a wheelchair,

but he'll come home.

And I'm not gonna ask God

for anything more right now.

This room is filled with people

ready to help your family, Harlan.

Lean on all of us.

Yeah, after I see Dad.


- Not not to be rude.


- Mm.

Go. We'll wait.

Take your time.

[solemn music continues]

Hi.


- Hey.


- Are you okay?

Well,

fathers and hospitals.

It's a hard combination for me.

Morning, Helen.

Maddie. Dana Sue.

Gentlemen.

How can we all come together

to help the Bixbys?

I should call Skeeter.

Sounds like Mr. Bixby's gonna need a ramp.

Yeah, they could need a lot more.

Anyone familiar with the house?

[Cal] It's old. Two stories.

I think most of the bedrooms are upstairs.

So it'll be an expensive road.

Someone should check

with the booster club.

I'll talk to the pastor

at the Bixbys' church.

Perhaps the foundation can be of help.

That's a wonderful idea.


- Isn't it, Dana Sue?


- It is.

It's exactly the sort of thing

we had in mind,

supporting our neighbors

in trial and in joy.

[Cal] Thank you, ladies.

I'm sure that'll be a huge comfort

for Harlan and his family.


- [Dana Sue] Mm
-hmm.


- [Ronnie] Yes, thank you.

Skeeter and I will talk to Harlan

and prioritize modifications right away.

I hope you know that I'm here to help

however and wherever I can,

but can I leave the immediate details

to y'all? I'm I'm I'm due in court.

Of course. We'll walk you out.

All right, thanks.

[solemn music continues]


- Thank you for coming.


- Well, thanks for texting me.


- We missed you this morning.


- [siren wailing in the distance]

We can't wait for you to meet Genevieve.

You'll love her.

You know best.

[Dana Sue] Helen, please.

Can we talk this through?

If you don't wanna talk about last night,

can we at least talk about

what we should be doing for the Bixbys?

Why don't you take care of that, Maddie?

If they aren't sure,

you can tell them what they need,

and then Dana Sue

can tell them how to feel about it.

Y'all have a blessed day.

[pensive music playing]

Does anybody know

what's going on with those three?

I don't know, but I'm worried.

[pensive music continues]

Well, what do you say

I take you to dinner tonight?

Oh, Bill.

That would be lovely.

I'm just so stressed

with turning Z's around. Mm.

Not that I should talk to you

about stressful jobs.

You should talk to me

about anything you want

[Kathy] Mm.

even when I respect

you don't like to talk about the past.

The past is like a snake's skin.

When it's no longer any use,

shed it and move on.

People get too hung up on things

that are done, can't be changed.

Just move on.

[mellow music playing]

Hmm?

Absolutely right. [chuckles]

[Kathy] Mm. [chuckles]

[whimsical music playing]

Next, tell me

your partner's love language.


- Quality time.


- Acts of service.


- [June] Ooh!


- [Dana Sue] Mm.


- Well
-done!


- [chuckles] What's the score now?

[chuckles]

As we've discussed, Dana Sue,

this isn't about keeping score.

Score doesn't matter.

I've already won because I have you.

[Dana Sue chuckles]

Or perhaps we're not keeping score

because this is all about learning

and growing together.


- And we are committed to that.


- [chuckling] Good.


- Final question.


- Mm
-hmm.

What is your partner's secret dream?

Ronnie wants to visit

every baseball stadium in the country.

Yes, ma'am. Not a secret,

but you can give her partial points.


- [June chuckles]


- Yeah.

And Dana Sue?

I would say Dana Sue's is

to buy the house next door

so that Annie can live there

when she has a family.

[chuckles] It's okay to say he's wrong.

Well, that would have been my answer once,

but now I want her to be able

to explore the world

on her own timetable.

Sorry.

Oh, please don't think you failed.

Frankly, if all of your answers

were perfect matches,

I'd worry

you weren't telling me the truth.

[June, Dana Sue chuckle]

This is an excellent example

of supporting each other

as life leads you through

all kinds of changes.

That beats seeing Yankee Stadium any day.

But does it b*at seeing Fenway?

[sucking teeth]


- [June chuckles]


- Uh

You two are doing impressive work.

So, can we get married again?

[hopeful music playing]

Excuse me?

We want to renew our vows

[Dana Sue] Mm.

and have you officiate.

[gasps]

Sounds like my cup of tea.

[Dana Sue, June chuckling]

[hopeful music continues]

That heat will melt the ice cream.

It's a worthy loss.

[Helen chuckles]

Run away with me.

[chuckles] To the store

for more ice cream?

I wanna take you away from Serenity.

Ah.

From your cares,

your work, your responsibilities.

One day of pure adventure.

Just you and me.

Mm. But CeCe.

I'll have you home by curfew.

Mm.

I promise.

Let me give you one day of bliss

joy

Mm.

and romance.

[chuckling]

All right, tell me more.

Charleston.


- Start at the Crab Shack at Folly Beach.


- Mm
-hmm.

[chuckles]

I now have more than $10

to buy you a soft
-shell sandwich.

[laughs] Remember remember that one

the seagull stole right out of your hand?


- I try to forget.


- [laughs]

Next

[gentle music playing]

horseback riding

Hmm.

on the sand.

And then a stop at a B and B to do

whatever occurs to us.

Mm.

After a sail around Drum Island.

Yes, and dinner on the patio

at Fleet Landing.

Then home by curfew.

[laughing] How lovely. Okay. When?


- Tomorrow.


- [gasps]

Why so soon?

To prove we can still be

the impetuous young lovers we once were.

[chuckles]

CeCe's first day of school.

So I can't leave before she does.

Mm
-hmm.

[whispers] But after,

since this young

[Ryan] Mm.

impetuous

lover has no court appearances scheduled

Mm
-hmm. [mouthing]

take me back.

[laughing]

Ah. [chuckles]

[gentle music continues]

[Cal] Harlan is spending the night

at the hospital.

Isaac took dinner over

to Carla and Mrs. Bixby.

Probably set up a playdate

with Margaret and Bex while he was at it.

And you look like

someone put you in time
-out.

I put myself in.

Helen and Dana Sue are upset with me,

and I don't know what to do about it.

Imagine.

Miss Fix
-It isn't allowed to fix

anyone else's mess and can't fix her own.

I was wondering what was going on

with you three at the hospital.

Apparently, in trying to help Helen,

I crossed a line.

Help Helen?

With Ryan.

It is what we do for each other.

Did. [sighs]

I might have managed

to break us all apart.

You're right.

I need to stay out

of other people's business.

I'm pretty sure I didn't say that.

All I wanna do is

protect the people that I love.

And you do an incredible job of that.

My concern is maybe part of the reason

you keep running to help others is

because you're running away

from something yourself.

You make me so happy.

Yeah, I can see that.

[Maddie sighs]

[emotional music playing]

Because I am happy,

I I look back at

when I was unhappy

and hurt and angry, and

I think to myself,

"It was such a waste of time."

So much pain.

And I just I wanna help people

jump over that quicksand.

And I wanna fix things so

so people feel safe,

and they don't lose their way.

My respect for all you do

equals my love for you

but you can't possibly save everyone

from everything every single day.

Even Superman had a day job.

[emotional music continues]

[jazz piano playing]


- [bartender] What can I get for you?


- Two glasses of champagne, please.

Two.

Hey, great laugh.

[chuckling] Hello, Genevieve.

Was it a very good day or a very bad day?

[chuckling]

Very good, and this one is for you.

What's the occasion?

I got a new job.

Congratulations.

May it bring you great joy.

I think it will.

[jazz piano continues]

Mm. What are you working on?


- I'm consulting on a new menu here.


- Hmm.

I like to work in the space,

you know, for inspiration.

Well, since we both have something

to celebrate, I know a great Thai place.

Right by my house.

Join me?

That

sounds inspiring.

[chuckles]

You're going away with Ryan?

[Helen] Yeah. Just for the day.

It's what happy people do.

I never questioned your happiness.

Nor did you defend it.

Maddie just wants what's best for you.

Yeah. And what do you want, Dana Sue?

Please please don't put me in the middle.

Am I the one who put you there?

I want you to be happy.

We both do.

We never meant to upset you, but we did,

and we are very sorry.

[stammers] Lord have mercy. This is like

freshman year of college all over again.

Yeah, well, we had an excuse then.

We were young and foolish.

Well, and what did we learn?

To sit down, have a margarita,

and pour it out.

Never let the sun go down on your anger

or a full tequila bottle.

More than anger.

This is hurt.

[somber music playing]

Helen.

I would rather have lunch

with Mary Vaughn every day

for the rest of my life than hurt you.

We were just trying to help,

and we blew it. [sighs]

Just let us fix it.

Fix it?

Forgive us. Come to margarita night.

We'll pour it out,

air it out, work it out.

And explain to me why I'm wrong.

No! No, we spoke to you in love!

It felt like judgment.

[somber music continues]

[yawns]

I was so glad Howie let me

spend the night with Dad,

but I didn't realize how impossible it is

to sleep in a hospital.

Well, I'll wait

and drive you back to school

if you're still sure you wanna go.

Ah, first day of school. Gotta be there.

I'll shower real quick and change

and go back to the hospital after school

and see where they are

on getting Dad discharged.

[Cal] All right.

Y'all have done so much already?

I can't tell you

how much I appreciate this.

Anything for your family.

You know how long your dad and I go back.

I do, Mr. Skeeter.

[chuckles] Harlan, what have I told you?

I've been calling you Mr. Skeeter

my whole life, sir.

I don't think I could change

even if I wanted to.

Yeah. Well, there's a few more adjustments

your dad might need inside.

These old houses have their challenges

for even the most stable.

I think the ramp will suffice.

We'll move some furniture around,

put a hospital bed in the den temporarily.

Still, bathroom might need

Well, we will do whatever you and your dad

are comfortable with

and whatever will make him sit easy.

[hopeful music playing]

Thank you.

Yeah.

Ronnie, give me a hand, please.

I can help you. Baseball taught me

some physics. I know my angles.

[upbeat music playing]

All right.

Can someone explain the texts I'm getting

about the quail and grits entrée

that was served last night?

I do not like quail. I do not order quail.

It it was kind of an emergency.

A the
-kitchen
-was
-suddenly
-overrun

by
-birds kind of emergency?

Stand down, Spartacus. I got this.

Gus had trouble with his chicken supplier.


- Uh
-huh.


- Offered quail instead.

You were at your appointment

with Pastor June,

and I didn't wanna bother you.

Adapt or starve, right?

I adapted so the customers didn't starve.

It's cold, but it

it should still be good.

It was so wonderful,

I saved some for my lunch.

[intriguing music playing]

What sorcery is this?

Uh, for me, it's the glaze.

I called Jeremy

for an airdrop of pomegranates.

Well, no wonder I'm getting

all these texts raving about it.

Well, I promised I'd take care of things

while you tend to

whatever you need to tend to.

Good, 'cause I have to go tend

to something else.

Keep up the good work, Isaac.

And Bailey

find something else for lunch.

[intriguing music continues]


- [door opens]


- [stammers]

Hey. Happy first day of school.

Hey. You too.

It's weird to be here, isn't it?

Without Nellie and Jackson.

Mrs. Lewis is a tyrant

with her forbidding them to see us.

I've been writing letters to Nellie,

but she's not answering.

I mean, not directly.

Are you communicating with Jackson at all?

It's so weird and complicated.

I can't imagine how it feels for them

when their dad quitting was, like,

the biggest news of the summer.

I mean, we both know how hard it is

when everyone's talking about your dad,

and you can't do anything

to make them stop.

All the more reason

we should be with them.

Right? Help the two of them through this?

They might need some space.

[students chattering indistinctly]

Kyle, I need to tell you something,

even though I have no right to.

You can tell me anything, Annie.

You have the best heart

out of anybody I know,

maybe anybody I ever will know.

Please, don't let the world

tell you different.

[pensive music playing]

Hello.


- Morning.


- [chuckles]

I'm trying to give Isaac

a little more latitude in the kitchen,

so I thought I'd bring these over myself.

Do you like the fridge stocked

a certain way? Alphabetical, or

If there's a candy bracelet

in your pocket, I will end you.

We are so far past candy bracelets.

We'll work it out. We always do.

And we've been through worse.

Like what?

Bill. Ronnie.

And at no time

during either of those typhoons

did one of us say to another,

"I told you so."

I did not.

You might as well have.

I asked if she was happy.

Which means you think she isn't.

We all know that,

but you can't say it to her.

Not when she is so unhappy.

Am I allowed to share with you

how ridiculous that sounds?

If you hadn't said anything,

we could have just ridden this out.


- And left her to be unhappy?


- Let her figure it out in her own time.

Okay. So this is my fault. Got it.

I'm not pointing fingers, okay?

I am pouring margaritas.


- What?


- Margarita night.

My house, tomorrow night as scheduled.

We will work everything out

because we cannot allow

this unraveling to continue.

Wow.

And what does that mean?

It's an expression

of the depth of my gratitude

that you have this all figured out.

[tense music playing]

You know what?

I got it. I'll take care of it.

Of course.

Do it your way.


- [woman] Hey, Dana Sue!


- [Dana Sue] Hello.

[tense music crescendos]

[students chattering indistinctly]


- Hey.


- Hi.

How's your first day going?

Had better. You?

Kind of depends on what Coach's syllabus

for chemistry looks like.

Your birthday. Castlewood.

Thank you again,

and I'm so sorry you had to do it.

I meant it.

I'm not taking you out there anymore.

I won't go again.

I think that's for the best.


- Welcome. Come on in. Find a seat.


- [Ty] Good to see you, Coach.

For you and Miss B and your parents,

from the newspaper staff.

We signed it at lunch.

Thank you, Annie. This means a lot.

[school bell ringing]

A warning.

Where you sit today

is where you sit all semester.

The other person at the table

is your lab partner.

Choose wisely.

Why so far up front, dude?

[Harlan] Before we start,

I have an unusual announcement.

As some of you know,

I'm dealing with a family situation,

so my phone is on, and I'll answer it

if it's my father's doctor.

This does not give y'all

a free pass to text under the table.

[students chuckle]

Now, who wants to set something on fire?

[happy music playing]

Yes.

I love, after sailing,

the feeling of still being on the water.

It's a reaction

of the vestibular labyrinth.

[laughing]

Always the romantic.

Oh, you you want romance?

[chuckles]

I must go down to the seas again

To the lonely sea and the sky

And all I ask is a tall ship

And a star to steer her by

And you, my love,

are the star I steer by.

[Helen] Mm.

[kissing]


- [sighs]


- [Ryan] Mm
-mm.


- Mm
-mm. Mm
-mm.


- [chuckles]

Let me guide you home. [chuckles]

Why can't all the days be perfect?

Hmm?

Maybe God knows

that if every day were perfect,

then we wouldn't appreciate

the special ones.

Well, maybe perfect's impossible.

Okay, then we'll get as close as we can.

[Ryan grunts]

What if we don't leave?

Sorry, sailor. I have a curfew.

[chuckles]

[chuckles]

Ryan! [laughing]

Come on!

This is where we belong, Helen.

Out in the world,

growing and changing and experiencing.

You're wasting your glory on Serenity.

I beg your pardon.

We could be doing great things,

important things.

I already am.

And you will.

You'll you'll find

your place in Serenity.

I I understand

that it's a big change for you,

but it it's what's best for us.

Is it?

Are you happy, Helen?

What? [laughing incredulously]

Yes!

How do you not know that?

Aren't you?

I'm always happy when I'm with you.

[solemn music playing]

I'm just wondering

if we couldn't be even happier.

Time to get back to Serenity.

So, who had

a terrific first day of school?

I had a great day.

Maybe the best part is

my French teacher says

my accent is already better than Ty's.

[Maddie chuckles]


- Really?


- [Kyle] Mm
-hmm.

Lean this way. Let me teach you

some new vocabulary.


- Oh!


- [Ty] How's that translate?

Hey, not at the table.


- [Ty] Sorry, sorry.


- Excuse me. It's my turn.

My teacher said we're going to be getting

lots of homework this year.

Well, that's exciting.

Really? Katie, do you wanna do

all my stats homework?

No? Mom, it's way worse

than what you said.

Give it a chance, Ty. I have

every confidence you will find your way.

So, how's the new history teacher?

I don't have her.

I do. Miss Webster.

She just moved to Serenity,

and her wife is Dr. Howie's new partner.


- Oh.


- First impression.

Impressive reading list,

encourages debate,

but no sense of humor detected.

You will be missed.

Thank you.

I'm sorry you didn't go back to school.

Do you want to share about your day?

I do, actually.

I got a new job.


- Really?


- You what?


- Nice.


- That's so great.


- Thank you.


- [Katie chuckles softly]

Yeah, I, uh, helped a bit with Skeeter

and his crew at the Bixby house,

and, uh, Skeeter hired me.

So, you're gonna build houses?

Probably carry a lot of wood

and hand them tools for the moment,

but, uh, I'm also learning a lot

about sustainable and salvaged wood,

which is pretty cool.

Do you get your own tool belt?

I do. It's in my truck.

Can I try it on?

[laughing] Uh, you can give it a sh*t.

I can barely lift it.


- I'm stronger than I look, you know.


- Mm.


- [Maddie laughs]


- A family trait.


- [all laughing]


- [upbeat music playing]

Table 13.


- Hey, Mr. Sullivan. Almost ready.


- Thanks, Bailey.

This is a pleasant surprise.

Ordered some food.

I knew you were working late,

and I'm wiped.


- How are things at the Bixbys'?


- Coming along.

Cal's a terrific addition,

and Harlan and his family

really appreciate it all.

Well, it's nice to start the foundation

by helping a family

that so many of us care for deeply.

What are you gonna do next?

Well, we were discussing

meeting with the interfaith council

to propose a program for food insecurity.

"Were"?

Well, we three aren't exactly talking

about anything right now, are we?

So everything will be fine, then.

You ladies always pull together

for margarita night.

[Bailey] Here you go.

Two chicken
-fried steak dinners

with all the trimmings.

Thanks, Bailey.

Two dinners?

Thanks a lot, Bailey.

Sorry, Mr. Sullivan.

I'm famished, Dana Sue.

I've been working hard.

But I didn't order dessert.

I will take care of that

when you get home.

[upbeat music playing]

So Cal explained that this school

can't guarantee you admission

to the college of your choice.


- Yes.


- And you still wanna respond?

Yes.

I told your mom that I would go

on the campus visit with the two of you

to give my perspective

if that interests you.

Yeah, it does.

Does this mean we can go check 'em out?

I told you I want you

to explore your options,

but you have to understand

I'm surprised you're considering this one,

especially after being so definitive

about not wanting to play ball anymore.

I'm missing it more

than I thought I would.

Nice to feel wanted, isn't it?

For someone to see you in a way

that no one else is seeing you right now.

Yes, ma'am.

You do know that your worth as a person

isn't tied to your worth as a ballplayer?

I just wanted to slip that one in there

since I struggled with it a bit myself.

Yes, I I know that. All of that.

It's just

the idea of going back

Might not match the reality?

Now, we want you to be prepared for that.

I am keeping an open mind

and an open heart.

And notice I have not mentioned anything

about the whole

moving
-away
-from
-home piece.

[chuckles] I appreciate that.

But I have to ask you, Ty.

What's at the heart of this?

[poignant music playing]

I know I'm good at this.

Was good at this.

And I was happy doing it.

All valid.

So let me ask you to consider this.

Are you holding on to an old dream

because you haven't found a new one yet,

or because you found a new one,

and it scares you or challenges you?

[poignant music continues]

I'm not gonna tell you what you should do

or how you should feel about it

or what your dream should be.

I'm just asking

that you take a little time

for some prayerful consideration

before making this choice.

[chuckles softly]

[sighs]

Thank you, Mom

[Maddie grunts]

for helping me talk this through

and trusting me.

Coach.


- [Maddie] Where are you going?


- Exploring.

I'm gonna go meet up with Gabe

and talk about dreams. Is that okay?

Of course. Have fun.

[door opens]

[door closes]

So, was that hard,

to offer him the space to think it through

rather than pointing him

in a specific direction?

No, but I was afraid he wouldn't hear me.

Hmm. It's easy to hear someone

when they say what you wanna hear.

The times it gets tough is

when they say something you want to deny.

I love you.


- Glad to hear.


- [chuckles]

[gentle music playing]

Hello?

Hey, welcome home.


- [chuckling] Hey.


- [CeCe chuckles]

Oh, did Ryan wanna come in?

I can go upstairs.

No. You stay right there.

It's been a long day.

Delightful but long,

and he wanted to get back

to his apartment.

But this is from both of us.

It's to celebrate your first day

of senior year.


- Aw.


- [Helen chuckles]

[exhales deeply] Pralines.


- [Helen chuckling]


- Ah!

Thank you for thinking of me.

Did you have fun?

It was glorious.

Though, I put in a lot of hard work

sampling pralines

at no less than five places

to make sure we were buying you the best.

[both chuckle]

So come on. Tell me about your day.


- [CeCe sighs]


- Are you happy with your schedule?


- I am.


- Yeah?

Yeah, stats with Ms. Ramirez

is gonna rock.

[Helen] Yeah.


- I have Coach Bixby for chemistry.


- He's good.

With [chuckles] Annie Sullivan

as my lab partner.


- I know you two had your differences


- That was last year, you know?

Now, new year, new start.

But here's the absolute best.

My guidance counselor

got me into US Government and Politics.


- [Helen] Wonderful. Yeah.


- Yeah.

I can fill you in tomorrow, though,

'cause you're probably tired.

Not at all! I wanna know everything!

Tell me everything!


- [both chuckle]


- Okay, but

[Helen inhales sharply]

Come on.

Okay. For you. Let's do it.

[chuckles]

So Mr. Kim says we're gonna start out

by examining cases under review

at the state supreme court

and then talk about how they got there.


- Music to my ears.


- I know. Mine too.

[both laughing]

[calm music playing]

I didn't want to start without you.

Ooh. This ridiculous customer

kept sending me back to the kitchen

for one more thing and one more thing.

I was really looking forward

to our after
-school snack. I'm sorry.

Wish you could come inside.

Since my mom can't know,

it's best that your mom doesn't know.

Okay. I'm wasting even more time.

You only have an hour

to be away from your house,

and the drive is 25 minutes each way,

and I'm almost ten minutes late,

so now we have

No time for word problems.

All that matters is I get to kiss you

and ask how school is going.

It would be so much better

if you were there.


- Mmm. [groans]


- [alarm chiming]

Crap. I have to go, but

mission accomplished.

Pretzel!

We will figure this out. Promise.

[pensive music playing]

[car engine starts]

[Erik, Ronnie exclaiming]

Hope you're handling my wife's kitchen

better than you're handling the ball.

Hey, hey, hey, Isaac's got magic

in the kitchen and on the court.


- [Isaac] Learning from the best.


- Oh!

I'd rather feel the points

than the love tonight, Ronnie.

Just rotate the old man out, Trotter,

and I will help you.

You gonna let your employee

talk to you like that, Ronnie?

[all chuckling]

Aw. So glad you could make it.

Wasn't sure we were gonna see you.

Carla threatened to lock me out

of both the hospital and the house

if I didn't talk to my friends.

[all chuckling]


- How's your dad?


- In the step
-down unit.


- Amen.


- [Harlan] Amen.

The ladies in your life?

Hanging in there.

And my mom loves the ramp.


- Yeah.


- Look, I just can't say how much I

Don't need to. It comes from love,

but you let us know

if there's anything else you need, okay?


- That enough talking to make Carla happy?


- Gonna have to be. I came to play.


- Yes!


- Yes.


- [Trotter laughs]


- [Cal] All right.


- Ronnie, Harlan, you're with me.


- Uh
-oh.


- I got you. I got you.


- I got him.

Points.


- Get him.


- Right here.


- Points!


- No. No.

[all exclaim]

[doorbell rings]

[Kyle] I got it.

[door opens]

Oh. Hi, Dad.

Kyle.

I know it's not my day,

but I was over this way,

so I thought I'd offer

to take y'all out for pizza.

Eh, give your mom the night off.

Sorry, but I'm on my way

to Sophie and Willow.

Ty's out with Gabe,

and Katie's at Girl Scouts.

Thanks for thinking of us.

Bye, Mom.

Bye, Dad.

["The Heart Wants What It Wants

(Acoustic Version)" by Kelson playing]

Is this the end? ♪

I'm gasping for air ♪

Whatever you say, it won't be fair ♪

Is this a sign? ♪

I'm searching for light ♪

There's a fire blazing bright tonight ♪

Oh, the heart wants what it wants ♪

It wants what it wants ♪

Oh, the heart wants what it wants ♪

It wants what it wants ♪

I'm coming in ♪

I'm breaking down the doors ♪

Got my eye on what I want ♪

Don't care if it's yours ♪

Oh, the heart wants what it wants ♪

It wants what it wants ♪

Oh, the heart wants what it wants ♪

It wants what it wants ♪

Oh, ooh ♪

Yeah ♪

Oh ♪


- So, finally. Oop.


- [keys jangle]

Sorry about that.

Finally, skillet apple pie biscuits.

Savory on the outside.

Sweet and gooey in the middle.

All
-American dessert but elevated.

[Kathy] Mm.

I'm not feeling it.

Okay.

Consultation means I offer you ideas,

you offer me feedback.

Can you be more specific?

This entire presentation.

It's not what I asked for.

You you asked for what I do best.

I want something ahead of its time.

Something people

will connect to emotionally.

An unusual hook

that makes diners desperate

to come back for the experience

and the food.

That's not what we discussed.

I want to push customers

to expand their culinary taste,

guide them to a more refined palate.

Michelin
-Star quality.

Again, not what we discussed.

Look, in this market,

customers respond

to a mid
-level price point.

What you're now envisioning

will increase that dramatically

and cut into your customer base.

If we build it, won't they come?

Wallets open?

[Erik sighs]

I was told you were the best.

That's why I wanted to work with you.

Did I hear wrong?

[pensive music playing]

Perhaps I did.

Please. Continue.

[door opens]

Hello?

And he comes bearing gifts.

I thought I should come by

while CeCe was at school.

Oh.

Milkshakes and afternoon romance.

You're spoiling me.

Ryan?

I wanna thank you

for our perfect day in Charleston.

For all our perfect days everywhere

over the years.

And I thank you.

You are my definition of love.

From the time we were kids, that love has

inspired me to dream big.

To push the limits.

When I'm with you, Helen,

I wanna change the world.

And I love that.

You've created this rich,

beautiful life here.

Your work.

Your friends.

Your family.

Serenity.

You are content.

And I've traveled the world for years

without finding what you have right here.

So so join me. That's

that's all I was ever asking you to do.

I can't.

[solemn music playing]

I want to, but I can't.

I I wanna make you happy

but I can't.

I'm no good at staying in one place. I

I'm no good at

living in between the peaks

of the perfect days.

I'm not the man you deserve.

[solemn music intensifies]

All this time

I thought we were dancing

among the dreams of our future.

And we were dancing

among the ghosts of our past.

I will always love you.

[tearfully] I have given you everything

I possibly can.

[crying]

I have given up more

than you can ever imagine.

And I am done!

[exhales shakily]

Done.

[solemn music continues]

Goodbye, Ryan.

[breathing shakily, sniffles]

Get out!

[solemn music intensifies]

[grunting angrily]

[sobbing]

[phone clicks off]

[crying]

[solemn music continues]

[inhales, whimpers]

[closing theme music playing]