Sleeping Beauty Next Door (2026)

[bunniefuu]

(gentle airy music)

(engine humming)

(door slams) (Joe whistles cheerfully)

(keys jingle)

Thank you!

Wow! Big yawn for a big night.

Sorry. Long day.

And here I thought I was charming.

You are! You just

make me feel comfortable.

(gentle airy music continues)

I had a really great time tonight.

Me too!

You know...

You're pretty amazing.

I think you're pretty amazing too.

(dog barks)

(Sydney sighs) (body thuds)

Sydney!

[Sydney] Romance is hard for everyone.

Are you okay?

[Sydney] But when you have a condition

that makes you pass

out from strong emotions,

dating becomes a minefield.

Laugh too hard? Out cold.

Get startled? Face plant.

Butterflies on the first date?

I'll get help!

[Sydney] Game over.

For three million people on this planet,

narcolepsy is a daily struggle.

I'm one of the lucky few.

(school bell rings)

My epic journey began long ago

in the dark halls of junior high.

I was just going about my

life, and then suddenly...

(group laughs)

(body thuds)

Instant ragdoll.

[Teen] Um, you good?

[Sydney] My mom passed

away when I was little.

I don't really remember her,

but Dad always made

sure I never felt alone.

He has this way of making

even the hardest things

feel a little lighter.

Sleeping Beauty?

Afternoon nap is over, Sleeping Beauty.

Hey, Prince never showed.

Yeah! Gonna file an official

complaint, don't you worry.

[Sydney] Tests, pills,

therapists, nothing really worked.

School got harder and so did life.

(players chattering)

(players cheer)

[Player] Catch it, Sydney! Catch it!

(players chattering)

(ball pounds)

[Teen] Not again!

[Player] Come on!

(students chattering)

Hey, Syd! We're going

to lunch. Wanna come?

I'm good here. Thanks.

Okay!

(students chattering)

And sleeping at night? Forget about it.

Especially when the hallucinations started.

(wind howling) (eerie music)

(dragon growling)

But let's not dwell on that.

These days, I've got things under control.

The secret? I stay

calm, cool, and collected.

(bright airy music) (birds singing)

(tea kettle whistles)

(bright airy music continues)

(Sydney exhales calmly)

Are you guys thirsty?

Well, you look great.

(dog barks)

(ball bouncing)

(leaves rustle)

Ugh!

(wistful music)

(delivery person knocks)

(bags rustling)

(keyboard tapping)

(Sydney sighs contentedly)

No, 100%. I don't like it at all.

These people moving in here

are turning this

neighborhood into the ghetto.

I know! All this gangster

music they're listening to.

And I haven't got the patience!

Hello.

(child chattering)

My neighbor is not meant to be a parent.

(gentle cheerful music)

"Mary, I see how much you

give to your kids and others,

and I know it must be hard,

but you really are doing a great job.

Hope these flowers brighten your day."

(gentle cheerful music continues)

(Sydney yawns)

(keyboard tapping) (mower engine humming)

(mower engine cuts out)

(mower engine revs) (Sydney chuckles)

(Sydney sighs)

(keyboard taps)

(phone ringing)

Hey, Dad!

[Wes] Hey! I'm thinking

about stopping by.

Are you sure you're up for the journey?

[Wes] Oh, yeah. I've packed

provisions. I should be good.

Cool. Text me if you get lost.

Will do.

(bright bouncy music)

(door clicks)

I got ice cream!

Imported from the corner store!

Has it really been a year?

Almost!

That's incredible. We are celebrating.

Sure!

Just give me a cake that says,

"Congrats on being the

most boring person alive."

(Wes laughs)

No, no, that is too wordy.

We are putting in big block letters,

"Boring! Simpler, bolder, sadder."

Mm! Good call.

Hey, I need your help.

There's a guy at pickleball, Luke Johnson,

he is always coaching me

right as he sends it into the net.

I can't go alone anymore.

I need you Tuesdays and

Thursdays, one hour max!

Sometimes two, usually three.

Tempting!

We both know that's not gonna happen.

Because that would require...

Leaving the house.

Ah! Right.

Yeah. Bad idea.

- The worst!

- Hmm.

You know, I have it good

here, but sometimes I do want...

What? Drama?

Romance? Adventure?

Romance, hard pass.

Drama, definitely not.

Adventure, maybe.

All right!

Listen, I understand that

living next to your dad is thrilling.

Well, yeah. It's awesome. Obviously!

Front row seat to your

dad jokes. Literal dream life.

Yeah! Oh, yeah.

But I see you, Syd, you're lonely.

Stop!

I have you. I have my plants.

We're thriving!

Yeah. You can't fool me.

You like people! You've

always liked people.

Liking people isn't the

problem. It's what comes after.

After what?

After I try.

I always end up looking like

an idiot, or scaring people,

or getting laughed at.

It's fine!

It's always fine.

I just gotta keep things

calm, cool, and collected.

That's what works best.

Yeah!

(dragon growling gently)

(gentle tense music)

(dragon snuffs)

(dragon growls)

(light switch clicks)

You're not real!

(playful suspenseful music) (owl hooting)

(playful suspenseful music continues)

(ball thuds)

(door clicks)

(gentle airy music)

(Sydney sighs)

(pills rattle)

(tea kettle whistles)

(bright music)

(keyboard tapping)

(vacuum humming)

(bright music continues)

Oh!

Sorry!

Won't happen again!

Good morning, Carl.

Oh! Oh, hi! I was just

admiring the flowers.

Ah...

I found the card on the sidewalk.

Must have been the wind or something.

Crazy weather patterns

we've been having, you know?

Thank you!

Ah, who is it from?

[Mary] It doesn't say.

Oh!

Well, I'll keep an eye out for you

and we'll figure out who this was.

You don't have to do that.

Oh, it's not a problem at all.

Us neighbors gotta look out

for each other, right? (Laughs)

Bye, Carl.

(Mary speaking Spanish)

(car horn honks)

(engine rumbling)

(gentle bright music)

(door slams)

(airy tense music)

Oh, no!

(body thuds)

(Sydney sighs)

[Ruby] You new here?

[Taylor] I am new here.

I just moved in right there.

[Ruby] Wanna play?

[Taylor] I would love to!

Do you have room for me?

Yeah!

Oh! Oh, very good. Very good.

What's your name?

- [Ruby] Ruby.

- [Taylor] Ruby? Taylor.

Nice to meet you.

Are you... (ball thuds)

You sh**t with one

hand? Are you kidding me?

[Ruby] Yeah.

[Taylor] Yeah? Does

it hurt? You all right?

Okay, I gotta go!

I gotta finish saying hi

to my new neighbors.

But I'm sure I'll see you around.

(ball bouncing)

(upbeat tense music)

(fist knocking)

Hello there!

Hi! Do you live here? I

just moved in next door.

Oh, no. The woman who

lives here keeps to herself.

The only person I've ever

seen her talk to is her dad.

He lives next door.

I've only caught glances.

Like, blink, and then she's gone.

Total shut-in!

Only opens the door to

grab groceries and then, poof,

gone again!

Okay! Well, since you're here.

Oh, for me? Thank you!

[Taylor] They're macaroons.

Just for the neighborhood, you know?

I figured I'd make the rounds.

Love that! I'm Carl.

Taylor!

That's my house just over there.

The one with the flower bed

desperately trying to

outshine Tom's lawn. (Chuckles)

That's his house over there.

He mows it daily. Like, actually daily.

And then there's Mary.

Her husband currently serving overseas,

fighting on a distant foreign b*ttlefield.

Mary and her son spend every day wondering

if they'll ever see him again.

It sounds like he's in the military.

Yeah, he's in the military. Yeah.

Well, Carl, I look forward

to meeting everybody.

Hey?

If you ever need anything,

don't hesitate to ask.

Okay! Thanks, Carl, I'll

definitely keep that in mind.

(Sydney sighs)

(airy wistful music)

(keyboard tapping)

(gentle bright music)

You're being ridiculous.

Numbers. Focus on numbers.

Syd? (Sydney gasps)

Hey, sorry about the surprise visit.

Hi!

Whoa! Are you okay? Did I scare you?

I'm fine! Everything's fine.

Okay!

There's been a lot of excitement today.

Do you want some tea?

Yes, I'd love some tea.

Uh-oh!

(Wes sighs)

Sorry, Sleepy Beauty.

You don't have to call me

that anymore. I'm fully grown.

Oh, you're right. You've evolved.

Snooze Queen, it is.

Dad!

Hey, that is a royal upgrade.

Don't make me laugh. I've

already gone down once today.

Okay. Sorry.

Sorry.

I'm just bummed about that cake.

Me too.

Turns out hiding inside

doesn't make you invincible.

(airy brooding music)

You remember that thing you said yesterday

about me being lonely?

Yeah, listen...

[Sydney] You weren't wrong.

What?

I've got you, but...

I feel stuck.

So I was thinking maybe

I give therapy another go.

Finally shut the door on this,

"Stay inside forever,

world is terrifying" mindset.

Yes! Syd, this is great!

Look, sometimes you gotta close one door

so you can finally open the

one marked, "Adventure."

Wow! That was almost profound.

Yeah, I know. I should

have put a pun in there.

You sure about this?

Yes!

Worst case, it's a bust

and I go back to hermit

life and no one dies.

I love it.

You know, actually, I heard

about this therapist recently

that's supposed to be

Perfect! I'll book it!

Don't you wanna hear

anything about the therapist?

No!

Because if I think about it

for more than five seconds,

I'll talk myself out of it.

(Wes laughs)

Okay! All right, that's my girl!

Yeah!

To therapy! May it

knock some sense into ya.

(mugs clink)

It's just talking.

Just one hour of talking.

Totally fine.

Totally fine.

(gentle bright music)

(pills rattle)

(tea kettle whistles)

(Sydney gasps)

(gentle bright music continues)

(Sydney sighs)

(phone dings)

Thank you!

(door clicks)

Sydney, are you ready?

Ah-huh!

It's very normal to be

nervous in the first session.

Right!

Sorry, I've done therapy

before, but it's been a while.

My dad recommended you, so here I am.

Oh! I'm not Dr. Taylor Bennett.

You're not?

Nope! I'm Judy, his assistant.

Oh! (Judy laughs)

Dr. Bennett is just through here.

Thank you.

(door clicks)

Sydney?

(bright tense music)

(body thuds)

Oh, hey.

Hey. You okay?

(Sydney whimpers)

I can't believe that just happened.

Are you able to sit up for me?

Mm-hmm!

Sorry, I wasn't expecting you.

Yeah!

Yeah, I get that reaction a lot.

But I promise you I've got a full degree.

Careful!

And a lot of years of experience

in helping people not faint.

Let's get you down right there.

I guess I thought

Dr. Bennett was, well, a woman,

because of your first name, Taylor.

What about Taylor Lautner?

Not nearly as famous

as his ex, Taylor Swift.

That's fair. I walked into that.

I'll throw in Taylor Hawkins.

Foo Fighters? Respect.

I'll counter with Taylor Dane.

Oh! An '80s fan, huh?

I dabble in all the decades.

To be fair, you're not

the only one with a name

that swings both ways.

That's true. Sydney Poitier.

Exactly! "Lilies of the Field."

Brilliant!

Um...

Sorry again for the dramatic entrance.

Don't give it another thought.

Now the important thing

is that you're all right.

Do you need any water

or anything, by the way?

I'm fine! Thank you.

Okay.

All right, well, we'll take

it as slow as you need to.

Okay?

And I've worked with

narcoleptic patients before.

Although, to be honest,

this is the first time I've seen

a cataplexy episode in

the first meeting, but...

(Sydney chuckles nervously)

But I'd love to help,

and I think that we can work through this.

I would like that.

Okay.

And truly, there is no rush.

We'll go as slow as you need.

You just let me know

when you're ready to begin.

Okay.

(body thuds)

Well, at least you're consistent.

(airy wistful music)

(phone dings)

(phone beeps whoosh)

(airy wistful music continues)

Are you sure you don't

need anything, Mom?

Taylor, I'm the one

with the stocked fridge!

The question is: Do you need anything?

Besides someone to properly

alphabetize your books!

Just knowing that you're

healthy and happy is enough.

You still didn't have

to move all the way here

just to keep an eye on me.

I know!

I wanted to. Come here.

Could I actually get your

opinion on something?

Always!

I have a new client.

It's a young woman, type one narcolepsy,

cataplexy, hallucinations, sleep paralysis.

She had five episodes during the intake.

Yikes!

Any updated studies?

No! Nothing recent.

Most of her diagnostics

were done when she was a kid.

One doctor tried to put her

on CPAP. Only made it worse.

Ah! Of course it did.

Sounds like she needs a full reset.

Well, see, that's what

I'm trying to figure out

because I don't wanna

make it worse, you know?

I mean, she's someone I wanna...

She's someone I wanna get it right for.

Then start simple.

Patterns, triggers, control where you can.

If her body's on edge,

don't throw more chaos at it.

If she's been carrying around

this diagnosis from childhood,

she's not just tired, she's

probably really scared.

That's a good point.

That actually helps a lot. Thank you.

Of course, sweetheart.

(airy tense music)

(dragon growling gently)

(children chattering cheerfully)

Oh, Mary! Mary, what are you doing?

Let me help you with that.

Oh, thank you so much.

[Taylor] You got it!

(children chattering)

Get the door okay?

[Mary] I got it.

Thanks again.

You're very welcome. Have a good one!

[Mary] Ciao!

- Hey, Taylor!

- Hey, Ruby!

Hey, guys!

[Ruby] Wanna see how far I can throw?

Yeah, sure.

Whoa!

Well, that was pretty impressive.

Don't worry. Let me

see if I can get a ladder.

I'll get it down, okay?

Don't worry. The

Midnight Ninja will get it.

The who?

The Midnight Ninja!

Whenever I lose something outside

or get my soccer ball stuck in a tree.

Ah-huh?

The Midnight Ninja comes out after dark,

he gets it for me, and

he leaves it on my porch.

Wow! And you've seen him?

Once!

I woke up in the middle of

the night and he was outside.

You'll see!

All right! Well, if you're sure.

Have fun! (Children chattering)

[Ruby] Bye, Taylor!

[Taylor] Bye!

(Sydney exhales deeply)

Get a grip!

(playful suspenseful music)

Hey there!

Hey, I was wondering when

I'd get a chance to meet you.

I'm Taylor, your new neighbor!

Sorry, I didn't mean to spook you.

Um, do you like macaroons?

- Take them!

- Oh!

Yeah. I saw you!

Ha!

Yeah, see, my theory is

if you make eye contact,

they feel too guilty to come back.

Hey, you must be the new guy?

That's me. Yeah.

I...

Thanks for scaring off that porch pirate.

Okay. To be honest, I didn't

know that's what I was doing.

But look, I'm happy to help.

I heard your daughter lives here.

I see you met Carl.

Yeah!

Yeah, that's right. I'm Wes, by the way.

Take those.

Taylor. Very nice to meet you.

Hey, what are you doing in an hour?

You wanna come over for dinner?

I'm sure my daughter would

love to thank you in person

for saving her packages.

I'm making my world famous lasagne!

Store-bought.

(Taylor laughs)

That's very kind of you, Wes.

I'm gonna have to take a rain check.

My mom's actually coming over tonight.

All right, deal. You can bring her.

Wait. Well, I, I...

You sure?

Yeah!

- Really?

- Yeah!

Okay, yeah! Yeah, we'd love to.

Do you want us to bring anything, or?

No, you're good. You're good.

Dessert! Ice cream! Yeah.

Yeah, done! Okay!

I'll see you in an hour!

Great!

(keyboard tapping)

Syd?

Syd!

Hey!

You okay?

Ah-huh!

I see that you have redecorated.

Too many distractions!

Besides, the wall doesn't look at me funny.

Syd, I don't think

anybody looks at you funny.

Yeah, well, you didn't see me collapse

five times in front of my new therapist.

No?

Yep!

You know Taylor, the guy next door?

Yeah!

Not only is he cute and charming,

he also happens to be the

therapist you recommended.

No!

Did you know?

No! Hey, no! No, I did not.

I swear to you

on the last scoop of mint

chocolate chip ice cream

on the planet.

I believe you.

Okay!

So you're not okay?

Not really, no.

But I've rearranged things,

I have my noise-canceling headphones.

I'd say I'm coping quite well.

You know, you don't have to be perfect

in front of that guy.

I was the complete opposite of perfect.

Now I can't stop thinking

about how he's seen all of it.

The worst of it!

Before I even had a chance

to say, "Hey, guess what?"

I'm your next door neighbor.

"What a coincidence."

So we're just hiding, then?

Regrouping!

Strategically.

Okay. Oh, hey!

Speaking of strategy...

I may have invited Taylor

and his mom over for dinner.

Dad!

I don't know what happened.

He saved your packages, right? I panicked.

He found out about my

lasagne, because I told him,

and the rest is a blur.

This is so bad!

He already thinks I'm a disaster.

No! Hey, he's a therapist, right?

He is literally paid to understand people

who feel like disasters.

(Sydney scoffs)

Just have some dinner with us.

No pressure!

Just be someone who

enjoys food with other humans.

Fine!

It's gonna be so hard to

make eye contact with him.

No! We can face your chair at the wall.

(fist knocks)

Welcome!

We brought ice cream and cake.

Hope you like chocolate.

Oh, we love chocolate.

Come on in!

Wes, this is my mom, Annie.

- Annie?

- Hi!

Wait a second!

I know you!

You do?

Yeah! Maxim Pickleball Courts.

You are a legend!

Oh, I wouldn't go that far.

Oh, come on! Her third

shot drop, it's ridiculous.

I don't think we've played together.

Well, no, we have not.

But I've watched a lot.

So, do you play as well?

Ah, yeah.

My backhand is horrible.

However, my forehand? Worse!

Come on in. Dinner's ready!

This is my daughter, Sydney.

Say, "Hello" Sydney.

Hi! I'm Sydney, your next door neighbor.

Hi!

And also your patient. (Chuckles)

Don't worry, you're off the clock.

You know what's funny is I'm

the one that recommended you.

Yeah, I had no clue you lived next door.

Well, thank you for the referral.

Hey, wait a second.

It was your son

that everybody was

talking about at pickleball.

How about that, huh?

Talk about kismet!

Indeed! Well, this evening

just got more interesting.

Sydney, it is lovely meeting you.

Where should I put this cake?

On the counter's fine.

(fork clinking)

Sydney, how long have you lived here?

A few years now.

She mostly keeps to herself,

but we're trying to change that.

"Trying" being the key word.

So, Taylor, how's

therapist life treating ya?

It's good!

Yeah, it's good. I love what I do.

You know, if I can help people feel

a little less alone in the world, that's...

It's a good day.

He's being humble.

He had a great practice in Denver.

Gave it all up to keep an eye on his mom.

Oh!

Well, I say it's nice having

your kids live nearby.

I highly recommend it.

You two live near one another?

Oh, yeah! I live next door.

I think it's kind of awesome, honestly,

being close to family.

You don't see much of that anymore.

It has its perks.

Built-in sports system,

endless supply of ice cream.

(group laughs)

And great jokes.

She loves the jokes. (Group laughs)

So, I'm playing this guy, total hot-shot,

shows up with a monogram

paddle, matching headband.

You would think he was about

to compete in the Olympics.

Oh! Yes, sir!

Yeah, that guy sounds like a peach.

Oh, he was. And he spent

half the match trash talking me.

No!

"You're not ready for this serve!

Hope your reflexes are faster

than average for your age."

[Wes] You've gotta be kidding me!

- [Annie] You name it.

- [Wes] Oh!

So, he hits this serve that is this slow,

I could have checked my watch

- Can I help?

- It's fine. I got it.

It's all good.

- [Wes] All of that!

- [Annie] I lob it back.

[Wes] Yeah!

He trips over his own shoelaces.

Oh!

Face first, right into the net.

Oh! Oh, that's amazing!

Oh, I would've loved to have seen that.

So please tell me you just k*lled this guy!

Well, let's just say the final

score was not in his favor.

Oh, yeah. I'm sure.

I'm sure it wasn't at all!

Oh, that's good. That's

rewarding, I'm sure.

[Annie] Very. Oh, yeah.

[Wes] Hey, did you see that at Brace Park

they're putting in courts there?

[Annie] No!

[Wes] Yeah, they're taking

out one of the tennis courts.

Please don't leave

me alone with those two.

[Wes] Imagine a little bit jealous of

You mean to tell me you're

not emotionally invested

in their riveting pickleball conversation?

Ah, not as much as your dad.

Well, your mom is a

very enthusiastic storyteller.

She just really likes pickleball.

You could always bail.

Fake a migraine or go out the window.

(Taylor inhales deeply)

No!

No, I could never leave you

to suffer that situation alone.

Admit it. You're just here for the cake.

No, that's not true.

I also have deep emotional

ties to the ice cream.

(Sydney laughs)

(face splats)

Ah, Syd! Sydney?

Hey, hey, hey, hey!

Gotta go. Here we go. Here we go.

I think I'm gonna move away now.

Maybe change my name.

Are you all right?

Yeah. Just emotionally frosted.

Oh, yes! Yes, that's my girl.

(Wes sighs)

Dad!

I've never been so proud of you.

That makes one of us.

Yeah!

Thank you for having us, Sydney.

It was a memorable evening.

It was something.

I hope to see you around more.

Maybe!

Taylor? Hey, it was great meeting you.

Annie! You let me know if

you ever wanna play a game.

[Annie] No, I'd love that.

Just don't expect me to go easy on you.

Oh, no! Heaven's no.

Walk safe now, you two.

Man, that was the most

fun that I've had in years.

That's great! I'm happy for you.

What?

I thought that went well!

Yeah!

Nothing like public humiliation

to round out an evening.

Syd!

(Wes sighs)

Well, that cake is probably still good.

You know, I gave it a good try.

I think I'd like to go back

to being boring again.

Oh! Okay!

Look, no pressure from me

if you don't wanna see Taylor.

But are you really gonna throw the towel in

after one tiny little face plant?

It's been more than one face plant!

Ever since Taylor moved in next door,

I can't stay vertical.

Sydney! Come on, don't beat yourself up.

Tonight wasn't perfect,

but you were laughing,

you were you around others.

Other people, not just me.

Yeah! Until I wasn't.

Yeah, so what? Life is awkward.

Sometimes it gets messy.

Sometimes it's a

chocolate cake to the face.

But honestly, isn't that

better than getting a cake

that says, "Boring" because

you never took a risk?

I knew you were gonna

bring that cake back around.

Of course I was! Are you kidding?

I was hanging out on that

since the second they walked in!

Besides, I think Taylor and

Annie are pretty good people

to fall down in front of.

You really like her, don't you?

What? Annie?

Yeah, she's cool. She's fun.

She's competitive, man.

She's probably the most dangerous woman

with a pickleball paddle.

Mm-hmm!

You know she's way outta your league?

Oh, I know.

She's a 5.0 plus, most likely.

I'm a 2.0, 2.5 on a good day.

What are you talking about?

Pickleball rankings. It's

how you rank your play.

Wait, what are you talking about?

Nothing.

Wait, what? What is that look?

What look?

Yeah, that look like

you're plotting something.

Maybe I'm just brainstorming

how to avoid another

surprise dinner ambush.

(tense music) (owl hooting)

(playful suspenseful music)

(ladder clunks)

(ladder creaking)

(footsteps scuffle)

(birds singing)

(footsteps clicking)

Morning, Taylor!

Good morning!

Someone left this on my porch.

I just found it with no note.

That's a pretty thoughtful

little mystery gift, isn't it?

I thought maybe it was you.

No, it wasn't me.

Hey! Maybe it was the Midnight Ninja.

What?

Ruby was saying, that

when her stuff gets stuck,

somebody always returns it by morning.

She calls him the Midnight Ninja.

(Mary giggles)

Midnight Ninja?

Yeah!

(motor sputtering) (lever clicking)

Come on. What's going on here?

Hey, Tom. Need a hand?

Well, not unless that hand

comes with an extra can of gas!

Sorry.

Figures I'd run out

on the day it hits optimal mowing humidity.

All right, grass, you win today,

but tomorrow I'm coming for ya.

Have a good one!

Yep. Sorry, I wasn't more help.

Offer still counts!

(ball bouncing)

Oh!

(leaves rustle)

Oh, man!

Keeping that Midnight Ninja busy, huh?

Hey, Judy? Did Sydney Carter

schedule another appointment?

Mm, let me see.

It doesn't look like she has.

Would you mind just

giving her a quick call?

See if she wants to

come in again just as a,

like a courtesy follow-up.

- Sure!

- Thanks.

(buttons tapping)

(birds singing)

(phone ringing)

Hello?

Hi, Sydney! This is Judy

from Dr. Bennett's office.

Just calling to see if you wanna set up

another session with him.

Oh! Ah, no thank you!

I'm good for now. Thanks.

[Judy] Are you sure? He's really

Very sure! Thanks, Judy. Bye!

(phone clicks)

Doesn't sound like she's interested.

Okay! Well, thank

you for making the call.

(Sydney sighs) (birds chirping)

(owl hoots)

(mug clunks)

(book slams)

(Taylor sighs)

Did I do something wrong?

(zipper zips)

(tense music)

Porch pirates. Hey! You get

away from that lawnmower!

Oh! No, you don't!

No!

(body thuds)

Sydney?

(Sydney groans)

Hi.

What? I'm so sorry! I

didn't know it was you.

Are you okay?

What are you doing with Tom's lawnmower?

Filling the tank up with gas.

At four in the morning?

What are you doing up this early?

Couldn't sleep.

Sorry to hear that.

But wait!

Wait! Sydney!

Sydney, wait, wait, wait, wait.

You're the Midnight Ninja?

Hey! I...

Sorry.

I heard you weren't interested in

anymore therapy sessions with me.

Not really, no.

Did I do something?

Because if I did, I'd really

like to know so I can fix it.

You didn't do anything.

It's just not gonna work, okay?

What about one more

session free of charge?

Just one more.

And if you still feel

like it's not gonna work,

I won't push it, I promise.

Why do you care so much?

Why do I care?

Because you deserve to be happy, Sydney!

Everybody does.

And I just think that sometimes

we need that one extra person in our corner

to remind us of that.

One more session. That's it!

Deal.

Oh, Syd! Okay.

Sydney?

(pulsing bright music)

All right.

You know, I'm really starting to think

this is just gonna become our thing.

(door slams)

Okay.

I really hope you're all right with me

breaking and entering.

(gentle bright music)

(airy relaxing music)

(footsteps thudding)

(mower engine humming)

(mower engine cuts out)

(mower engine humming)

(gentle wistful music)

I wanna thank you for making sure

I got in safely the other night.

I mean, I did tackle you

and break into your house,

so, you know,

making sure you got home safe

was kind of the bare minimum.

Yeah! (Chuckles)

Is that poster part of a

therapist starter pack?

I swear it's in every

office I've ever been in.

I actually agonized over that poster.

It was either that or the

kitten dangling from a branch.

Ah, yeah.

Missed opportunity. The kitten's a classic.

Yeah, well, if I ever

rebrand, I'll keep that in mind.

Thank you for being willing

to give this another chance,

by the way.

One of my main goals

is to help you identify

what triggers your episodes,

what puts your body on edge.

You mean besides existing?

I mean patterns.

Sometimes it's tied to environments,

sometimes it's tied to memories.

Things that may have happened to us.

I try not to look back so much.

Sure!

Yeah, that's fair.

But just so you know, if

something does come up,

you don't have to carry it alone.

It's stupid.

It's not stupid if it's affecting you.

That's why we're here.

When I was in middle school,

some of the kids thought

it was funny to scare me.

Scare you?

Yeah!

Slam a locker, scream in my face,

jump from around a corner

just to see if I'd collapse.

Most of the time I did.

I'm sorry.

Sounds awful.

It's middle school.

Everyone's miserable, right?

No, not like that.

I guess it made me scared of being seen.

Like I'm constantly being judged

for something I can't control, so...

So...

I avoid people.

No people, no surprises,

no collapses, no judgment.

Clean math.

But no connection either.

(airy wistful music)

You've been carrying

this around for a long time.

It's exhausting.

I guess that part of it is.

Sydney, you deserve to

feel safe just being yourself.

I don't know what that feels like.

Well then, maybe that's where we start.

We look at what happened

and we untangle it.

Less fear, fewer episodes.

More control of your life back.

Clean math.

You make it sound easy.

No, it's not.

But it is possible.

Especially if you can let

go of the version of yourself

that has to be in

survival mode all the time.

Progress, not perfection, right?

That's exactly right.

One step at a time.

(keyboard tapping)

(paper rustling)

(gentle cheerful music)

(Sydney sighs contentedly)

(desk scrapes)

(Sydney sighs contentedly)

(gentle cheerful music continues)

(phone beeps whooshing)

Okay.

If she starts spending

money, I'm gonna be losing.

So get my wallet, go to

the ATM, get me hundreds.

You got it.

If it works! Not saying it will.

Did you know he'd be here?

Well, I know they're related,

but, no, Annie has a game.

I didn't know he'd be here.

Okay!

Am I stalling enough?

- Good luck!

- Okay. I gotta go.

(Sydney sighs)

Oh!

Oh, funny seeing you here.

I thought I'd offer some moral support.

May I?

Please!

I brought snacks.

Hmm!

But do you have any pickles?

Because pickleball?

Sorry.

This is what happens when

your dad is your only friend.

Yeah. (Chuckles)

Somehow you kinda pull it off.

That's a relief to hear!

[Wes] A little cheer, okay?

You wanna do a little? (Laughing)

Oh! Okay!

I think they're flirting.

[Wes] It's embarrassing.

No!

They're not flirting, they're just...

How do you? Isn't there a way

[Taylor] They're just warming up.

Oh! I'm sorry!

Really, really close to each other.

[Wes] Feel so dainty.

So show me, like, what do you?

You know what'd be wild?

What?

If we helped it happen.

Helped what happen?

Them!

You know, just a little push.

Two eligible adults with similar interests,

who clearly need an excuse

to spend more time together.

You wanna "Parent Trap" them?

Yes!

(Taylor laughs)

I mean, do you think it'll work?

I have no idea, but it'll be fun to try.

Besides, maybe playing social matchmaker

will help me get better at being...

I don't know, more social?

(Wes and Annie chattering)

All right!

I'm in.

Okay!

[Wes] Okay!

Okay!

Lunch tomorrow sounds

perfect, Mom. I'll see you then.

(upbeat pulsing music)

Taylor said I should keep

doing the small things for now.

Yeah, Dad, I was thinking

lunch seemed doable.

Can you meet me tomorrow?

(car whooshes)

- Come here often?

- Oh!

[Annie] I'm sorry. (Laughs)

- [Wes] Ah!

I did not mean to

scare you. I'm so sorry.

What are you doing here?

I'm just meeting Taylor.

No kidding? I'm meeting Sydney.

Nice!

At some point! I don't know where she is.

Yeah, I don't know

where Taylor is either.

Hey!

You gotta get in line!

[Annie] Come on, guys.

Hey Dad!

Smells so good, I just wanted to...

I guess there are some things

that a mom would teach better than a dad.

Like toilet seats? Supposed to go down.

Yeah.

I had to learn that from TV.

(phone dings) (phone buzzes)

(upbeat pulsing music continues)

Hmm!

Oh, let me guess.

Sydney couldn't make it.

Yeah! I just got a text. Isn't that?

- So strange!

- That's so strange.

Hard to believe.

Well, it is a good day for a hike.

Yeah. Let's do it.

I mean, make it a short one.

We'll just go a ways, yeah.

I couldn't go to any dances.

So my senior year, my

dad shows up in a limo.

He had left a dress out for

me on my bed, you know?

Okay!

(rackets smacking) (ball thudding)

Serve!

Ah! Oh!

(Annie laughs)

(rackets smacking) (ball thudding)

Oh!

Oh, I like your style!

Oh! (Taylor laughs)

Am I serving again?

Keep it going. Sorry. (Annie laughs)

Woo! All right.

Here's your turn!

I missed!

(Wes speaking gibberish)

Sorry.

- Oh!

- Got it?

- Yeah!

- [Annie] Oh!

(ball smacks)

- Ah! Ah!

Oh!

All right. Just breathe. Just breathe.

All right. (Laughs)

Annie's competitive

streak is kinda terrifying.

I thought she was gonna take my dad out

when he missed that serve.

Yeah, she, ah, she gets

a little spirited for sure.

But you held your own out there.

I mean, that backhand, that was dangerous.

Oh, that? It was pure luck.

It'll never happen again!

(gentle wistful music)

Is that why you became a

therapist? Because of her?

Yeah! Yeah!

Growing up,

she had a home office and

watching people come in

with just the weight of

the world on their shoulders

and then leave with it

somehow being lifted,

it was like watching someone do magic.

Made me wanna do the same.

Was it hard having a therapist for a mom?

Or was it just kinda nice?

Yes! (Chuckles)

A little bit of both.

She always knew when I was

holding something back, which is,

you know, it's frustrating

when you're a kid

who's trying to keep secrets.

But...

But at the same time, she

was absolutely the first person

I would go to when

things felt overwhelming.

What about you and your

mom? If you don't mind me asking.

Honestly, I was so young

when she passed away.

I don't remember much.

But I do remember her being sweet and warm.

Do you ever wonder if you

should have stayed in Denver?

Annie doesn't seem like

she needs looking after.

She actually had breast

cancer a few years ago.

I'm really sorry.

It's all good now. She's good.

She's more than good.

You saw her on the court.

She's...

It just, it took a long time, too long,

for me to realize how much

I should have been there.

And then there's always that little voice

in the back of your head, you know?

One that's saying, "What

if it happens again?"

Well, I'm glad you're both here.

Yeah, me too.

(both chuckle)

Thanks for walking me home.

Of course.

I mean, now there is the huge

inconvenience of me walking

all the way back to my place, but.

Right!

Hey, I've been thinking,

I wanna throw a barbecue this

weekend, invite the neighbors.

Nothing big, just outside with people.

I don't know what I'm

doing, but I think I wanna try.

I think that sounds like a great idea.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

Well, you're invited.

Well, I'll be there.

Goodnight, Taylor.

Goodnight, Sydney.

(wistful relaxing music)

Burgers and veggie skewers.

I think we're all set.

Did you get a chance

to get the tiki torches?

I sure did. I'm gonna

set them up for you.

Thank you!

I talked to all of the neighbors.

They're in, including Carl. Brace yourself.

All of them?

Oh, yeah!

You lit the social fire, I

just fanned the flames.

Wow! I'm regretting this already.

How are things going with Taylor?

What?

Oh! There's nothing going on

with me and Taylor. (Giggles)

Yeah, I'm talking about therapy.

Oh!

Yeah. Yeah, how's the

therapy going with Taylor?

Good! Good!

Really good actually. I'm

feeling braver these days.

I guess that's what this

whole barbecue thing is about!

Me trying not to hide so much.

Yeah, that's great!

So that's what you wanted, right?

Yeah! Still pretty

scary though. (Chuckles)

I just hope it goes well.

Hey! What could go wrong?

Yeah! (Giggles)

Boy, they really went the extra mile

planning this one, huh?

Really impressed with what they've done!

Got cakes and everything.

I have to say, you are

awfully calm for being ambushed

into a romantic picnic though.

No, it's...

Company's good. It helps.

- Really?

- Yeah.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

I've been super into you

since I saw you terrorize the courts.

You make me laugh

genuinely, and you're very kind.

You have an amazing smile.

You k*ll me with that smile. I love it.

I'm glad they picked you to set me up with.

Maybe they got it right after all.

(playful suspenseful music)

Do you think they'll

finally stop dancing around?

[Taylor] Maybe if

they're not distracted by

the two weirdos stalking them.

We're not stalking! We're supervising.

Yes, you're right.

Totally normal behavior.

I can't even see what

they're doing. Can you?

No. I think we're too far.

Should we move closer?

(airy romantic music)

Yeah!

Sydney! Okay.

Sydney?

Sorry!

I think I just ruined whatever that was.

You didn't...

You didn't ruin anything.

This is why I don't do moments like that.

I'm sorry! I should have stopped it.

I should just take you home.

Okay!

There's something I need to tell you

and it's something I probably

should have said a lot sooner.

You didn't buy a motorcycle

or anything, did you?

'Cause if you're having

a midlife crisis early,

I swear, Taylor...

No! No, it's nothing like that.

It's a lot worse.

Worse?

Yeah.

It's Sydney.

I wanna help her. I am! I am helping her.

But I'm also really

starting to like her a lot.

Okay! So that's what this is.

Has anything happened?

No!

Almost! But no, no!

Taylor, you have got to step back.

You can't be her therapist

and whatever else it

is you're hoping to be.

It's not okay. You know that!

That's why boundaries

exist. To protect you both.

But what if stepping back

means I'm giving up on her

when she needs me the most?

You've done your job.

It's not your responsibility

to fix everything.

And look, if this is

meant to happen, it will.

But it can't if you're her therapist.

(clock ticking)

I know.

I know.

(Sydney sighs) (dragon growling gently)

(airy tense music)

(leaves rustling)

The Midnight Ninja! (Dog barking)

Awesome!

(Sydney panting)

(dog barking) (Sydney squeals)

[Neighbor] Hey, who's that? Who's there?

Who's out there?

(Sydney panting)

(Sydney sighs)

(airy somber music)

You're not here, are you?

(Sydney sighs)

Am I fixed?

(Sydney laughs gently)

(airy bright music)

[Mary] Do you want cheese on yours?

Yeah!

Okay. And do you want some mayonnaise?

- Here you go!

- Thank you!

- Thanks for coming.

- Thanks for having us!

(diners chattering)

Hey! Thanks so much for inviting us.

It's so nice to get out of the

house and go somewhere,

especially if it's just across the street.

Yeah, I wish I would've done it sooner.

Hi! It's so great to finally meet you.

You must be Carl.

Yes. That's me.

Ketchup on that?

Thanks for coming.

That's the one.

Right at you. Meaty.

- Excellent choice.

- Yep, yep, yep!

Oh! What are you doing here?

- Dad!

- You ready?

You ready right now?

I'll get you a good one.

- Yeah!

- Okay! All right.

With cheese.

Brought dessert.

Hi! Let's get this in the freezer.

Come inside with me?

There's something I wanna tell you.

Really? I...

I actually have something

to tell you as well.

Oh?

So I think I'm getting better.

What?

I had a really intense night last night

where I should have had

multiple cataplexy episodes,

but I didn't.

Wow! I mean, that...

That sounds like progress.

I thought you'd be a little more excited.

I am! I...

I am. I'm sorry. That's wonderful news.

Sorry! You said you

had something to tell me.

Yes, I did.

Yep!

I can't keep doing this.

(airy wistful music)

Doing what?

I can't be your therapist anymore.

Oh!

Well, that's pretty good timing I guess.

I just, I keep thinking

about us and about how I feel

and, I mean, especially

after the other day,

you know, when we almost

Right!

And how do you feel?

I'm falling for you, Sydney.

And I can't be your

therapist anymore because...

Because I wanna be with you.

You do?

Yeah.

(gentle inspiring music)

Oh! Okay, Sydney. Hey. Hey.

Syd? Stay with me. You're okay.

No! No, I thought

everything was different.

This was a mistake.

This is not a mistake. This is...

Yes, it is!

I can't believe I thought...

I can't be the person you want me to be.

I'm always gonna mess it up.

This is how it's gonna be every time,

and one day you're gonna hate me for it.

I'm not gonna hate

you for it. I want this.

You don't understand!

It's always going to be like this.

It's never gonna be easy.

And I can't...

I won't drag you through it.

[Taylor] Sydney, what are you saying?

Please just go.

Sydney, can we

please just talk about this?

Please?

Okay.

(gentle somber music)

(door slams)

(Sydney sighs)

(diners chattering)

(ball thuds) (Carl screams)

(candle clinks) (body thuds)

(flames whoosh)

(Wes gasps)

(Carl screaming)

Baby, come here!

(flames crackling) (gloves smacking)

Ah!

Hey. It's okay. It's okay. It's okay.

(water splashing)

It's okay. It's okay.

It's okay.

(dog barks)

Everything's all right.

It's okay. It's okay. I got you.

(gentle wistful music)

Hey, I'll swing by

tomorrow, finish cleaning up.

You don't have to do that.

Hey, that is my right as a dad.

(Sydney crying)

I'm sorry, Syd.

Hey!

(gentle wistful music continues)

(keyboard tapping)

(paper note rips)

(Sydney sighs)

(birds chirping)

(door slams)

Taylor? Brought this back.

Even topped it off for ya.

Actually, it wasn't me

who filled it. It was Sydney.

No kidding?

Well, she's gonna need a few days

to recover after that barbecue.

But after that I'll tell her thanks.

Wait! Recover from what?

She passed out right into a tiki torch,

whole tablecloth went up in flames.

She was fine, physically, but...

It was kind of a scene.

So anyway, hope she's all right.

She's one of the good ones.

See you later!

Yeah, she is.

(fist knocking)

(Taylor sighs)

(brooding piano music)

(brooding instrumental music)

(children chattering)

(ball thudding)

(leaves rustle)

(pen clicking)

(brooding instrumental music continues)

(footsteps clicking)

(marker squeaks)

(brooding instrumental music continues)

(phone slams)

(Ruby sighs)

She's gonna be okay.

I should have done more.

You were there and

that's doing more than most.

But I wasn't there!

Not when she really needed it.

Taylor, you're not a life raft.

You have to trust she knows how to swim.

Or at least give her the

space to learn on her own.

You taught her what you could,

and maybe you weren't

there in that exact moment

that you think she

needed, but you showed up

and you just have to

let her decide the rest.

How'd you get so smart?

(Annie chuckles)

Years of treating patients

and raising one very stubborn son. (Laughs)

(Taylor sighs)

(mower engine roars)

(mower engine cuts out)

(can thuds)

You're too kind. Mowing

Sydney's lawn and mine?

(Tom laughs)

I didn't do it to be kind.

Both your lawns are keeping me up at night.

Well, thank you.

Hey! You gonna mow my lawn next, Tom?

That would be a no for me, Carl.

(both laugh)

Well, I guess we all understand now

why Sydney never leaves the house.

That barbecue?

Wow!

If I face planted into

a table and lit it on fire,

I'd never show my face either.

Hey, you know what?

It was the tiki torch

that lit everything on fire.

And for the record, Carl,

she's actually a really sweet person, okay?

Dropped a can of gas off for my mower

in the middle of the night.

Didn't say anything, just did it.

She did it in the night? And secretly?

I didn't see her do

it, but Taylor told me.

It's Sydney! She's the Midnight Ninja!

Sorry. The what?

Ask Ruby.

She said there's someone

who's been returning

her soccer ball at night.

And think about it!

Random things showing up

right when people needed it.

Ah, not everyone!

Well, maybe she was too busy

helping people in need of

kindness instead of commentary.

And maybe it's not about

being noticed, but about noticing.

She's been showing

up for us this whole time.

And maybe it's time we

start showing up for her.

(door creaks)

Hey, there's a gas

can on your front porch.

You okay?

It's been a week.

Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired.

Ah! Just tired?

Yeah, I kinda don't believe you.

These plants are dying.

I'm thinking about selling.

Your house?

Yeah. I can move to Boring, Oregon.

(Wes laughs)

Boring, Oregon.

That is not... It's a real place!

No?

I Googled it.

(Wes laughs)

The most boring place in the world,

perfect for someone like me.

Well, I think you're joking.

But just in case you're not...

Running away won't fix it.

I'm just accepting

things for the way they are.

My narcolepsy won.

I thought I could get better, but I can't.

It's always gonna be there.

(somber wistful music)

Yeah, well, you're right.

It's always gonna be a part of your life,

but it does not get to take all of it.

You wanted more, remember?

A fuller life!

Don't let it convince

you that you can't have it.

I love you and I will support

you, whatever you wanna do.

Just don't disappear.

(door clicks)

(airy wistful music)

(dragon groans)

Are you here to tell

me I'm being a coward?

(dragon growls softly)

You know, I used to be terrified of you.

You represented all the things about me

I wish would just disappear,

and if I could finally make

it all stop, then I'd be happy.

I realize that's never gonna happen.

I guess what I'm trying to say is.

I think it's time we learn

to live with each other.

And I mean really live.

What do you say?

(dragon groans softly)

Goodnight, dragon.

(dragon huffs gently)

(footsteps gently thudding) (birds singing)

(gentle bright music)

(bag thuds)

We made this for you!

Oh, wow!

These are amazing. They're

definitely going on my fridge.

I just made some tea.

Would you like some?

I'd love some.

How long do you steep yours for?

Four minutes, max.

Any longer than that,

it starts to get bitter.

Like it's holding a grudge.

That's how I feel about Oolong.

Someone left an art supply kit on our porch

a couple weeks ago.

My son hasn't put it down since.

I don't know who's been

sending us these gifts,

but if it was you,

it meant the world.

I'm glad they helped.

Adjusting to my husband

being overseas has been rough.

Some mornings flowers

or an art supply kit feels like a lifeline.

Like someone saw me,

even when I did not want to be seen.

I know that feeling.

It's hard trying to connect

when you've forgotten how.

Yeah!

Making friends in your 30s

feels like trying to join a

club no one talks about.

(Sydney chuckles)

Tea again next Tuesday?

Absolutely!

(birds singing)

Hey!

I was hoping to catch you.

I just wanted to apologize

for not being the best neighbor.

Wow!

Thanks, Carl.

These are for Mary.

I think I owe her too.

Hey, Mary and I are actually having tea

at my house next Tuesday if you wanna join.

Really?

Yes! I'll bring scones!

I have this recipe that is unbelievable!

That's great!

I missed a spot yesterday!

[Sydney] Oh, it looks great, Tom.

Hey, Carl?

Yours is next.

Tom, thank you!

Don't thank me, Carl. Your

edging is a literal disaster.

(mower engine roaring)

I'm excited to try those scones.

Oh, you're gonna love them.

I think!

Hey, careful around the flower bed, Tom!

(airy cheerful music)

(fist knocks)

(Sydney sighs)

(Sydney sighs heavily)

Sydney?

(airy romantic music)

Hi!

Can we start over?

Yeah!

I'm Sydney, your next door neighbor.

I have narcolepsy.

Sometimes it ruins important moments,

but I've decided it's

not gonna ruin my life.

Hi, Sydney.

I'm Taylor.

And I'm a therapist.

Oh, really?

Yeah!

Although, full disclosure,

I can't treat you.

I see.

Conflict of interest.

Mm!

But I'd really love the

chance to get to know you

without the clipboard.

The real you...

Narcolepsy and all.

If you're(Sydney gasps)

(bright instrumental music)

Sydney?

(Sydney sighs)

I'm good.

Yeah?

Really good.

(bright instrumental music continues)

For a long time I thought

being okay meant being invisible.

Turns out life doesn't work that way,

not even for someone like me.

Sometimes you fall.

Sometimes it's into a chocolate cake

or a tiki torch at your own barbecue.

But if you're lucky,

there's someone to laugh with you

and maybe even to catch you.

(bright instrumental music continues)

Beautiful day for a wedding!

The rings?

(guests chattering softly)

You may now kiss the bride!

[Sydney] I still don't

have it all figured out,

but I'm done hiding.

So, yeah!

Maybe happy endings do exist

and maybe they're not about perfection.

They're about finding the

people who see you, all of you,

and love you anyway.

And maybe that's all

we really need to belong.

(guests applauding)

(cheerful upbeat music)

(cheerful upbeat music continues)