Sweet Magnolias (2020) s01e04 Episode Script

1 Still waters, Mr.
Maddox? Sorry, what? Morning, man, and I do mean good given the night you just had.
What the hell are you talking about? And how did you get Mrs.
Alcott in on it? You still afraid to use her first name? - What is it? - I have no idea.
But Carla told me what you were up to last night.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
What does your wife think she knows? She heard from her sister who heard from Mary Vaughn who happened to drop by at just the right moment - Heard what? - That you and Maddie Townsend were, uh How did she word it? Uh Canoodling.
- For the love of God.
- Yep.
- That's not what happened at all.
- On the front porch in front of God - and Mary Vaughn.
- What's the big deal, all right? It's an oral presentation.
You can fake half of it as long as you do it with style.
You could.
I don't do the whole talking in front of class thing.
Should I apologize for taking all the charisma in the family? Kyle! If I don't pass this, I'm on academic probation from the team.
I need your help.
Say that again for posterity.
Coach saw your mom's posterity last night.
It's not even what that means.
What was he talking about, anyways? I'll see ya.
Hey.
Tom, you do not have a case.
Your client claims wrongful termination, but he was quite rightfully terminated.
Prove it.
Quiet.
We all know that your claim is meaningless without evidence.
Our witness will testify to seeing your client remove, without authorization, several bottles of high-end whiskey from the restaurant.
The value of those bottles reaches near a thousand dollars, and that is petty larceny.
- It's a misdemeanor.
- It's jail time, or at the very least a substantial fine which your client may be hard-pressed to pay given his lack of employment.
Drop the suit.
And we don't press charges.
We'd also like to see your client seek treatment for his drinking problem.
That, however, is a request and not a demand.
- Screw you! - Whoa! You know, the only problem is having to listen to this bullshit.
I apologize for my client's outburst.
I'm sure he will find the terms amenable.
I'll be in touch, Helen.
God bless Isaac for coming forward, and you were fretting that your staff doesn't like you.
Yeah.
So I told her, "I don't want to take you to the restaurant where I work," and then she was all like, "Oh " Are we working, or are we chatting? Working, Chef.
It's a madhouse out there.
Yes, thank you for that brand-new information.
I'm getting my lunch to go.
Niçoise, madam, and a treat for dessert.
Thank you.
You all right, Dana Sue? You look a little flushed.
Well, I'm in a hot kitchen, if you haven't noticed.
Dana Sue, I'm just worried about you.
Okay, stop fussing! I'm fine! Dana Sue! - Hey, give me space.
- Is she okay? Somebody turn off that burner.
Dana Sue.
Isaac, stockpot, under her feet.
What's wrong with her? What's wrong with her? Helen, call 911.
Now.
Now I know at least one of you can tell me the key elements of the Marshall Plan.
Let me remind you that participation is still ten percent of your grade and that some of you need it.
So let's see some hands.
Hi, um, I'm here for Annie Sullivan.
Hi.
I just want to say thank you.
- For what? - Well, knowin' what to do.
Dana Sue's gonna be okay because of you.
How's she doing? Oh, they're, uh, running tests and more tests and other tests.
I don't know.
That's good.
When, uh When Dana Sue went down, you, uh, knew exactly exactly what to do.
And when the EMTs arrived, you were rattling off information and vitals and Lord knows what else.
Where on earth did you learn all that? Um General Hospital was my grandmama's favorite when I was growing up.
I'm gonna go open the kitchen back up.
Let me know once you know something.
Anything.
Of course.
Get off my purse, and hand me my phone right this second.
No, ma'am.
Well, I'm not staying, so Sit down, please.
You have another hour on that IV.
No, I can't spend that kind of time.
I gotta get back to the restaurant.
Howie, come on.
Now, it's very sweet of you to come all the way down here to check on me I was called in as your general practitioner, whom you rarely see.
Annie, give your mama and me a minute.
I want to stay, Dr.
Young.
Annie and I don't have secrets, Howie, and this is no big deal.
Dana Sue, you had a hyperglycemic emergency.
You have a genetic predisposition to insulin issues.
If you don't get your blood sugar under control, you're gonna be dealing with type 2 diabetes, like your mother.
You have to do what he says, Mom.
We'll start with a series of glucose tolerance tests to establish a baseline and we'll develop a treatment plan from there, but, Dana Sue, the essential element is your cooperation.
You got it.
- All right.
- All right.
I'm serious.
Watch your mother.
Maddie.
Hey.
Uh, coffee from Wharton's, poured by Ms.
Grace herself.
- Thought you could use a pick-me-up.
- I certainly could.
Thank you.
How's Dana Sue? She's doing better.
That's good.
It was nice of you to come down here.
Well, to be honest, I didn't come just to check on her.
Um You may have heard, but there are some rumors going around.
Welcome to Serenity, where we all know each other's business for good or for ill.
Except there isn't any business.
I was fixing your sink.
If this is your first brush with how tongues wag around here, congratulations.
You've been here since September.
That actually might be some sort of record.
Okay, well, uh, how do you wanna handle this? There's nothing to handle, unless you keep changing clothes in my driveway.
It was a shirt.
Don't worry.
By dinner, everyone'll have moved on to Dana Sue having the bubonic plague and we'll be fine.
There's nothing wrong with us being friends.
Friends.
Okay.
Here's to friendship.
Yes.
I'm driving you home or what? Uh, yeah, thanks.
Sorry, it's been a weird day.
I bet.
Heard my folks talking about the whole thing last night.
And my mom said after everything that your mom's been through, you know, she deserves a chance to be happy.
You driving, or you trying to be Dr.
Phil? Hey, man.
Dr.
Phil makes bank, all right? Annie, what are you doing? Dr.
Young said that you need to watch your sugar intake.
It'll be a lot easier if none of this is in the house.
What are you planning on eating? There's tons of Paleo recipes on Pinterest.
- I'll figure it out.
- Okay, look.
Look.
I know, today was scary, but you are overreacting, okay? And I am an adult, and I'm perfectly capable of watching my sugar intake without any help from you, okay? So as usual, you're perfect, and everybody else is wrong.
- No, Annie, that - Knock, knock.
- Y'all in the middle of something? - No, it's fine.
I'll clean this up later.
She's worried, and I was not gracious.
It's fine.
Y'all didn't have to go to Egret Falls to pick up Thai food.
How'd you know it was Thai? Chef's nose? Well, seems like Bangkok Palace is the only place that you don't complain about.
Hey, I never complain.
Okay.
Let us Let us just give thanks - Helen.
- that you are safe at home because, Lord forgive me there was a moment this morning where I didn't I didn't know.
God bless Erik Whitley.
You're acting like I was on death's door.
I had a bad moment.
I'm fine.
Okay, yes, but it was still serious.
I mean, especially given all the givens.
- Because diabetes killed my mother.
- Well Look.
Honestly, I get the gravity.
Okay? And thank you for worrying about me, but can we please just worry about dinner right now? Yes, ma'am.
- Of course.
Mm.
- Thank you.
I'd use more lemongrass.
That is an opinion, not a complaint! No, of course.
Yah! Hold on, okay, I genuinely need you to tell me how you're a Pirates fan.
Oh, um Let's see.
When I was six, I thought pirates were cool.
- All right.
- And, uh, now I'm an adult, and, uh pirates are still cool.
What's there to discuss? How deeply concerned I am that you don't have better taste.
In fact, you owe me a drink for making me watch soccer.
This is the world's game.
Do not denigrate the name.
What? No.
But baseball's America's pastime.
I am so sorry to bother y'all, but you're Cal Maddox, right? - Yes, he is.
- I knew it.
Mm-hmm.
I just have to tell you that I adore you.
I mean, as a ballplayer.
Uh, that's very kind of you.
You were my favorite player your first season with the Braves.
I was getting my engineering degree at Emory, and I watched every home game I could.
I must have seen you play, what, a dozen times.
You were, uh, easily the best looking guy on the roster and the best rookie at bat.
It broke my heart when you had to leave baseball.
Yeah.
It would be an honor to buy you a drink.
Thank you, but my friend here already owes me a drink and by the look of things, a few more rounds of trash talking.
Of course.
Not to trouble you further, but can I please get a selfie? Just to prove to myself that this actually happened? Yeah, of course.
- All right.
Ready? - Mm-hmm.
One, two One more? Thank you so much.
You're more than welcome.
You have a lovely evening.
Okay.
See you around.
Come by anytime.
Brother, she's smart, she's gorgeous, she digs baseball, and she's into your mediocre mug.
She's basically the perfect woman.
Maybe, but not for me.
Yeah.
- Uh - Hey.
TV? This is homework.
I'm trying to see as many interpretations of Puck as possible, and, yes, I put Katie to bed.
Okay, good.
Did you brush her teeth? I put her to bed.
It's basically empty.
How's Ms.
Dana Sue? She gave us a good scare, but she'll be fine.
That's good.
Annie's doing fine too if that's what you were gonna ask.
I wasn't, but that's great.
Whose are those? - Kyle's.
- Kyle.
My coach, Mom? Really? - What in God's name are you talking about? - It's all over school.
He came over to fix the sink.
Tyler, you were here.
You saw him.
I don't know what I saw! People are talking.
Look, Mom, if you want to date Ew.
Fine, whatever! But why couldn't you have literally picked anyone else in this stupid town? People just stopped talking about Dad, - now I have to deal with this? - I know, I know, and I'm sorry, but there is nothing going on between me and Coach Maddox, and if that changes, you will be the first to know.
Kyle, get your dishes.
Mommy! You are supposed to be asleep, Baby Bean.
I waited so you could say my prayers with me.
Well, then, I feel special.
Dear God, please bless me and Mommy and Daddy and Ty and Kyle and Nana and Meemaw and Pop-Pop, and please bless Ms.
Belanger and everyone else at school, and please bless Becca's bunny with the broken foot, and please, God, please fix my family.
Amen.
Good night, Mommy.
Good to hear Dana Sue's doing all right.
Been praying for her.
Yeah she'll be grateful to hear that, I bet.
- Mm.
- And she'll also be really grateful to get a handle on where we are with these repairs.
Mm.
Subtle.
It'll be tight, but so long as there's no more big hiccups, we might just have a snowball's chance of finishing on time.
Morning, y'all.
Oh, Mary Vaughn, what an undeserved pleasure.
I don't know what you think you're doing, but it has got to stop.
And, uh, who do you think you are? Ryan.
Um Skeeter, you remember Ryan Wingate.
Ms.
Frances' nephew who hasn't visited in a long while.
I have to say this is a surprise.
As big a surprise as learning you're tearing up my aunt's house, and no one bothered to get my thoughts on the matter.
Hm? Well, given the fact that she sold it to us outright, it is quite literally none of your business.
Ryan, have you spoken to Ms.
Frances? She told me she didn't want to discuss it.
The poor dear is clearly distressed.
The poor dear! The poor dear who could, by the way, still chew you up and spit you out, was delighted to entrust this house to people who care about its history.
If you cared, you wouldn't be tearing it down.
Renovating it! - Speaking of, I'll get back to work.
- Thank you, Skeeter.
Well, you can't because I am petitioning to have this declared a historic structure.
- A what? - You are joking! While the City Council considers Mr.
Wingate's petition, there can be no more construction that alters the original character of the house, which, of course, halts y'all's project here.
After all, we have to consider what's best for the future of Serenity.
I don't know what the mayor's little lady told you, but every step of our approach to this project has been with respect to this house and to your aunt who we see on an almost daily basis - because we don't live in San Francisco.
- I cared enough to come, didn't I? Or maybe you would care enough to allow me to show you our business plans.
I can answer all your questions then.
- I've got a showing - I can handle it but I doubt I'll be persuaded.
- The Ryan? - Yep.
You know he didn't come all this way for the house.
- He came for you.
- That is crazy.
Why do you act like it's impossible? First love never truly goes away.
You guys always had my definition of great romance.
Stealing kisses, sneaking around.
Summertime when he was here visiting Ms.
Frances.
- I was there.
Thank you very much.
- Okay.
Yeah, sneaking around 'cause Ryan's daddy couldn't stand a Wingate dating a black girl.
You can stop at any time.
There was always that hint of destiny, how you kept finding each other.
College.
San Francisco.
Which they wouldn't have had to do if he didn't keep taking off and breaking poor Helen's heart.
Whoa, whoa.
There's no poor Helen.
It was a long time ago, and it was fine, just fine.
Except the part where he's threatening the spa.
And that will be fine, too.
- You're sure about that? - Yes.
Our business plan's rock solid.
We're barely changing the exterior of the house and most importantly, Ms.
Frances is on board.
Okay.
Then why are you so fluttery? 'Cause she's gonna go see Ryan.
Just the two of you.
Private meeting.
I have a deposition.
You two can feel free to continue this little Tiger Beat meeting without me.
Oh, hey.
Hey, uh, Maddie.
- Hey.
- Hey, uh, you got a second? Yeah.
Half a one.
What's What's going on? Well, I've been thinking, um, about what you said, you and I being friends, and I have one problem.
I don't want to be friends.
I want more than that, and you are beautiful and kind and interesting and I couldn't care less what people say or think about us.
Now I know things are a little more complicated on your end, but I really think we got a shot at something.
That is if you are interested.
I don't quite know what to say.
And I totally respect that.
I just thought you should know where I stand.
Our crew is, uh, very experienced in converting older houses into businesses while retaining the character.
And most of the crew is local, and so they love this place as much as we do and they're showing it in their work.
Mrs.
Lewis painted a very different picture about what y'all were doing here.
Of course she did.
I I was a part of scrapping one of her pet projects a little while ago, so this is payback.
I'm sorry to hear that Hm.
but I'm glad she called.
Ryan, we, um We all love your aunt, and we are committed to making this project one that honors her legacy You should have called me.
Why? You know what this house, the time I spent there, what that means to me.
- You couldn't pick up the phone? - It is not your house.
I know you and Ms.
Frances were close once, but you haven't set foot in Serenity in Fourteen years.
Believe me, I know.
And I thought you didn't care.
About the house or about us? Six of one, half dozen the other.
- About your petition - I'll get back to you.
I got more thinking to do.
Huh.
What on earth were you thinking? I was thinking of you.
I figured something had to be wrong for them to get you to give up the house.
You are so full of nonsense, I can see it leaking out your ears.
No, ma'am, Aunt Frances.
If I had sold it to anyone else, you would not so much as raised an eyebrow.
You came flying back here because I sold it to Helen Decatur.
I gotta tell ya, you shutting down the girl's brand-new business is not the best way back into her heart.
This is not about Helen.
I wanted to check on you.
Am I not allowed to miss you? Oh.
Please.
You've missed me to the tune of a Christmas card and a birthday card for plenty of years.
You would have been just fine missing me a little longer.
Why are you wasting time denying it? It's Helen Decatur you're after, and you're going about it like an idiot.
Ugh, stop shooting me those puppy dog eyes, and get the pork chops on the griddle.
We're all just worried about you.
Have you eaten today? No, because I am fasting for another Dr.
Young test, and I can take care of myself, all right? Don't need you poking at me every 30 seconds.
Table 12 would like to speak to someone in charge.
They're unhappy with the shrimp and grits.
Of course they are.
- Mom, you okay? Have - Okay.
Just stop! Chef, I need you take a look at something.
All right.
Let's go.
- Is something on your mind? - With all due respect, I've never heard you rail on Annie like that.
- You're over the line.
- Chef, Dana Sue, please, it just tells me there's something wrong.
You're not letting Helen or Maddie help you.
You're not letting Annie help you, and I got a feeling you won't let me help.
Because I don't need it.
Look, all I know is, I've walked through some valleys.
I thought I could do it alone, and I couldn't.
And you shouldn't be trying to either.
I'm fine.
We're swamped.
- I know.
- Yeah, you've been ill, and you'll make yourself worse if you keep trying to do it all by yourself.
You don't have to talk to me, but talk to someone.
Lay down your burden before you drive people away.
Anything else? That's the last of the pork chops.
Well, then I guess we better get back in there and cook some chicken.
Plus, the last thing I need is people whispering about us being back here whispering.
Okay.
Prynne is the protagonist.
Ty.
Ty, you're making this way harder than it needs to be.
Okay? It's like like being on the pitcher's mound.
Right? You don't mind folks watching you then.
Yeah, but then I'm in my zone.
- You know, I know what to do.
- Then find your zone.
Okay, look.
You gotta believe what you're saying.
Okay? And try to bring the audience with you.
Yeah, but I don't even get this stuff.
How am I supposed to bring the audience with me when Jackson Lewis is sitting in front of me? First, he was trash-talking Dad and his baby mama and now Mom and Coach.
I just don't understand why they can't act like freaking adults.
Look you can't control what other people do.
All you control is how you react.
And freak out about Mom and Dad, I I get it.
But you're really gonna let Jackson "Skid Marks" Lewis intimidate you? Where'd you get that? I just made it up.
Now think about that during your presentation, okay? Let's hear it.
All right.
All right.
What are you doing? Don't look at me like that.
Stop, you're gonna make me laugh.
All right.
Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter examines sin, society, and freedom.
It asks the reader if maybe the people we shun might be stronger than the rest of us.
Morning, my darling.
Mwah.
Mama, what are you doing here? I am here to measure for that painting I'm doing for y'all.
Painting? What painting? My gift to y'all, for your opening.
You know, give the place some panache.
A commissioned Paula Vreeland original - on your walls.
- On our walls.
Mm-hmm.
You know, Mama, that is very sweet of you, but that is not necessary.
No, gifts are never necessary.
That's why they're gifts.
I'll keep measuring in a minute, but right now, you have stories for me.
About you and that prime hunk of a baseball coach restaging The Rite of Spring in your front yard.
Mama, there is nothing going on between me and Cal Maddox.
Nothing.
Oh.
Well, that's a shame.
He is gorgeous.
He is kind and he's not Bill.
What more could you ask for? Well, baseball is Ty's safe haven.
Look, things are hard enough for all of us as it is without my taking up with the coach.
Do you remember that self-portrait I did when you were a teenager? Oh, the abstract nude that hung in the public library for eight days? No, I can't say I recall that at all.
I know it was hard for you, but it was it was something that I needed to do for myself.
You needed the whole county to see your breasts.
I needed to remind myself that I was a woman.
Remember I'd had my hysterectomy a couple of months before? Mm-hmm.
It changed me.
Changed the way I felt about myself.
Oh.
You made it seem so simple.
I I I didn't realize that.
The gossip died down.
It always does, but the work the the feeling that the work gave me and all the women who saw it that remained.
Well, I'm glad.
If you want to start something with Cal Maddox, do it.
You've been doing for other people for 20 years.
It is beyond time you did something or someone for yourself.
Okay.
Well, thank you very much.
Now let's go.
Why don't we go to the yoga studio that I think will be perfect for your commission piece? Pastor June? Dana Sue.
Something on your mind? Well I'm not too fond of myself these days.
I've been wrangling some health problems, so everyone's hovering and I know that they mean well, but it's driving me crazy.
You're getting your health under control? The only way I could see Howie more often is if I took him home with me, and I am following his instructions to each and every aggravating letter.
Doctors and preachers.
Telling you to give up stuff you already know isn't good for you.
And that's the thing.
I know what to do, and I'm willing to do it but for some reason, it, uh it it makes me tense, or angry.
I feel like I'm crazy.
All I'm doing is snapping at folks.
You know, the loving, caring, nagging folks closest to me.
And the fact that they're only doing it out of love clearly doesn't help.
No.
No.
And I know I gave 'em a scare, you know, but I I scared myself, too.
I watched my mother go through this, and I remember how helpless I felt just watching her slip away.
So you know how they feel.
But, see, I'm not her, because I am in control of my life and my health and having them fret, it just makes me feel weak, and I hate that.
What makes you feel stronger? Um Well, other than the company of my wonderful pastor and my steadfast faith in the Lord uh cooking 'cause I know I'm good.
Mm-hmm.
And my food makes people happy.
You know? It gives 'em a reason to come together and - and my kitchen is my kingdom - Mm-hmm.
which is why passing out there was so utterly mortifying.
"Even the youth shall faint and be weary and the young men shall utterly fall, but they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.
" So I should grow eagle's wings.
No.
If in the kitchen is where you feel the strongest, reclaim that space, that strength, and do it out of joy, not anger.
Thank you.
Aunt Frances, Ms.
Paula, and Ms.
Grace.
Ah.
I thought it was just gonna be the two of us.
Oh, we didn't mean to intrude, it's just that it's been so long since we saw you, and we couldn't miss the opportunity to hear all about what you've been doing with yourself.
And why you're messing with my daughter's business.
All right, mama bear, this is intended to be a friendly lunch.
I hear you, Ms.
Paula, and I mean no disrespect.
I admit I might have gotten a little overheated when I heard what was going on with Aunt Frances' house.
A house that you haven't set foot in since the Bush administration! That doesn't change what the house means to me.
I see it all the time in San Francisco.
New businesses popping up in old neighborhoods, destroying the history.
Summers in Aunt Frances' house were the best times of my life.
I know the story of how the whole town sprang up around that house.
And I don't want it paved over.
What makes you think the Magnolias don't feel the same way? Those three are creating jobs.
They are creating a destination that's gonna bring customers from Castlewood, Egret Falls, even Charleston.
You'll always have your memories of the house.
We all will.
So, what are you hanging on to? Afternoon.
An amuse-bouche with my compliments.
Oh.
It is just so wonderful to see you all here today.
Enjoy.
- Thank you, darlin' -Thank you.
Afternoon, Mr.
Van.
I should engrave your name on this table, you're here so often.
- You giving me the brush-off? - Never.
Hmm.
Good.
Sullivan's is the closest I've come to a home-cooked meal since my wife passed.
For a man that can't cook, y'all are a godsend.
Well, that's the sweetest thing I've heard all week.
I'll be sure to share that with Erik.
The only thing saving me from TV dinners is you and the fish fries at the VFW.
Well, it's good you're gettin' out.
- Well, the VFW is more about company than food.
- Oh.
Makes me feel good spending time with the fellows, helping out, but, Lord, I didn't know catfish could taste that bad! Oh, now, see, bad catfish is a crime.
What spices are you using? Spices? Mr.
Van All right, now you are not leaving here without a bushel of spices and some good oil.
You know what, you sit tight.
They won.
Hey, they won! Noreen! They did it! Ha ha! - That's amazing! - The Bulldogs are goin' to regionals.
How 'bout that, huh? Well, aren't you just prouder than a peacock! The whole team's gonna be at Wharton's.
Why don't you go and just say congratulations? No, heck no.
We are going to Wharton's.
- Me and you.
Come on, let's go.
- Okay.
Later.
Hey.
Are these seats taken? Not yet, but I do have to warn you, I have been told that people might talk.
Let 'em.
Talk about what? Katydid! Come with Nana.
I need someone to eat my pepperoni for me.
They just delivered it.
And I remember this dude from earlier in the season, right? - Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Number 15.
- Yeah, exactly.
And I'm, like, signaling like crazy, and this guy right here, Mr.
Laser Focus over here You were going so fast, I couldn't even tell - what side you were throwing on.
- No, he just throws a freaking Hey, good job, team! Good game! Good game, Tyler! - Hey.
- Oh, I'm proud of you, son.
You were great tonight, honey.
- I appreciate that.
- Hashtag Team Ty.
Yeah.
Well, uh, thanks for stopping by.
Ah, come here, boy.
Oh, I'm proud of you.
All right.
I gotta get back to the team.
- Okay.
- Yeah.
I'll see you guys.
Daddy? Howie told me something might be going on, but I thought that woman had more sense.
I mean, has she given any thought to what this is gonna do to Tyler? Here she is, out in the open.
Just out in public, flirting it up with the high school baseball coach, like everything is just fine.
Perfectly fine.
I mean, she grew up in this town.
She knows how people talk and gossip and carry on.
Though the novel was published in 1850, Hawthorne's use of Puritan culture uh, his use of Puritan culture was Focus, Mr.
Townsend.
Sorry.
Hawthorne's use of Puritan culture was deliberate.
Puritans prized conformity.
They couldn't question the rules and any infraction was punished severely.
In comparison to Hester Prynne, the townspeople shunning her come across as cowardly and pretty darn pathetic.
Afternoon, y'all.
Who the hell are you? Well, I'm Dana Sue Sullivan.
I'm here to see Van Crockett.
You was the one who had Van coming back here messing with how we do things? Yes, sir.
Well God bless you.
Oh.
- Let me help you with this.
- Okay.
- I got 'em all.
yeah, I got 'em all.
- You got 'em? - Hey, I'm Vernon.
- Hello.
And this is Collins.
I know Dana Sue, you fool.
You just gonna stand there, let him intimidate me like that? - Yeah, sure.
- Yes, see how he did? Didn't trust me to do things myself, huh? Trust has nothing to do with it.
I just wanted to help is all.
That's why you brought your own provisions? Well, I thought I would show you how to bake the fish.
It'll be crispier and better for you.
Plus, I brought some healthier sides.
- Healthy.
- Okay, then.
Why don't you show us what you can do? - Yeah.
- Oh, my.
Watch your fingers.
You're doing great.
You're doing great.
Set it right over here or right over there? We've been waiting for the big reveal.
- What we got? - Oh, yeah! - It smells delicious.
- Do you like that? Dig in.
Ah.
Not bad.
Not bad.
- Not bad? - That's fantastic! It's the best we've ever done.
Thank you, Dana Sue.
- Dana Sue, you're the best.
- This is marvelous.
- Oh, I love my boys.
Thank you.
- Mmm.
What's all this? Well I owe you an apology.
I shouldn't have yelled at you the other day and the other other day.
Who are you and what have you done with my mother? I know.
I know, it just hasn't been easy around here lately, and me going to the hospital scared you.
A little bit.
Yeah.
I am not Grammy.
I'm not leaving, and I'm taking good care of myself, and I'm gonna be here to drive you crazy for a long time to come.
Okay? Okay.
Come here.
Why have I been summoned to the bar on a weeknight? Are we at war? Not at all.
An old-fashioned for my friend.
She doesn't see the irony.
Aren't you feeling your oats this evening? I have been trying to paint all day, and I needed a break with some inspiring company.
I will do my best.
What are you working on? Something for the Corner Spa and I'm a little stuck.
Oh.
To inspiration.
Ah! Indeed.
What's the painting about? Us you, the girls, that magical house of yours.
Growing up, that house was filled with people.
Parties, meetings, visits.
Near the end, I told Daddy it didn't make sense for me to keep such a big house when it was gonna be just me, and he said, "Why would it ever be just you?" So when all my family was gone, I kept filling it with people who needed laughter or shelter or quiet, but most of all, I kept filling it with friends.
We bloomed there.
They will, too.
Yeah.
Okay.
You girls all right in here? - Yes, ma'am.
- Yes, Mommy.
Daddy was at Wharton's last night but he didn't come sit with me.
He didn't even say hi.
Do you think Daddy doesn't like me anymore? Of course he still likes you.
He was probably in a hurry and didn't know you were there.
Do you miss your daddy? I do.
Very much.
But we talk and we text all the time, even if we don't see each other, so I know that he loves me, just like I know that your daddy loves you.
Who you texting? No one.
So, just when I get Katie to understand the divorce and that her daddy still loves her, he walks out of Wharton's without so much as saying hello.
Do you think he saw you with Cal? Ugh I don't know, but if he did, I will hear about it.
What's going on with you? Well, I mean, I don't have an ex-baseball star chasing me around, but I did just get myself three new boyfriends.
Wait, what? Well, I'll explain when Helen gets here, if she ever does.
I've been in court all day.
If you're here to play more games, I have happier places to be.
Come inside.
Please.
This used to be the living room.
I mean, like, when the house was first built, it was the school.
I can recite this house's history backwards and forwards just as well as you can.
When I was growing up, the the couch was here.
Green and gold floral and that is where you were sitting when I saw you for the first time.
Your mother left you with Aunt Frances while she ran some errands.
It was the summer after your father passed, and she still didn't want to leave you alone.
So you were curled up right in the corner of the couch with a book, of course and I was 14 and I wanted to fix the world for you.
Um, earlier tonight, I started to write my righteous statement for the City Council on how the Wingates used to run a soup kitchen out of here during the Great Depression, fed the town.
But all I could All I could think about was you.
You were standing right there introducing me to homemade lemonade popsicles.
That was, uh That was my room during the summers where you'd sit and talk me through all my family drama.
This was the tree where we had our first kiss.
Don't you dare imply that this house, its history, our history means less to me than it does to you! I loved you! Do you think I forgot about that? I needed to know that you hadn't.
Ryan, please.
Please.
What do you want? You.
Only you.