Chasing Life (2014) s02e12 Episode Script
Ready or Not
Previously on Chasing Life This is exciting.
I was really grabbed by your book Jaclyn, I can't work for you.
I'm ready to move on and try succeeding in this business on my own name.
You make me so happy.
More than anyone I've ever met.
Go at your own pace and if you get tired, just take a break.
I mean, it's dangerous if the wrong person breathes on you.
Sorry I got so territorial.
But I'm also not ready to give up on this place.
It was the future I wanted to build.
But you're totally talking about April, aren't you? Yeah, she looks pretty in that one.
She uses so many filters, though.
You can't even tell what she really looks like.
I mean, she's always been really pretty though.
Ugh.
I want her eyebrows.
Mmm, yours are better.
No.
Girl, hey.
Josh.
Josh.
Josh.
Josh.
My new roommate's eyebrows are better than this girls, right? Um Yes.
Yes.
See? I'm sorry.
You must be so bored.
My old friend from college is coming into town and we're getting lunch tomorrow, so We have to judge everything she posts online.
Why? 'Cause you hate her? No, I don't I don't hate Ellie.
She just kind of gave me a bit of a complex when we were at school.
It was between me and her for editor of the paper.
She got it And then she edged me out for valedictorian.
So you hate her.
Mm-mmm.
We always got along.
We even lived together briefly in New York.
Just thankful that Instagram wasn't popular back then or I would have had to watch her take about a million gym selfies in the mirror.
It's crazy.
She has so many followers.
Uh, I'm one of those followers.
I'm sorry.
I've been reading her blog for a while.
You know, she used to write one for Cosmo.
Oh, no.
I know.
She got that job right out of Vassar.
She's just such an oversharer, you know? It's hard not to look.
Mm.
Well, I'm gonna have to learn how to overshare myself.
- My agent said that - Oh, I'm sorry.
I just need to interrupt to make fun of you for saying "my agent.
" Go ahead.
I've waited a very long time to be able to say that.
Anyway, he said that I have to pump up my social media presence.
You know, apparently, authors don't just promote their books anymore.
They promote themselves.
Well, in your case, it wouldn't hurt to put a face to a name.
Hmm? 'Cause you're hot.
Oh.
Oh! No, I'm, um I'm Oh! My bad.
You okay? Yeah.
I just I wasn't expecting that.
I've been so in the grieving part of being a widow that I hadn't even considered the moving on part.
I'm definitely not ready for that.
Well, nobody's rushing you.
You can move on when you're ready, whenever that is.
Right.
Well, until then May as well just join your relationship.
You wanna be a throuple? Aren't we already? Yes.
Babe, babe.
My two babes.
Nice to see you so happy.
I much prefer it to violent.
Have you and Finn made it official? Mom, no one "makes it official" anymore.
We're just together.
Well, he came along at a good time for you.
I know we haven't been official for very long, but it feels like we've known each other forever.
It's weird.
Hey, Junior Ball is this week, right? Oh, yeah.
We're not going.
Aw, because of his leg? No, because it sounds like torture.
Aw, Brenn, you should go.
I mean, I know it sounds lame, but sometimes these cliche milestones can be fun.
Pretty sure it's a better milestone to never go to a high school dance.
Later.
- Bye.
- Bye.
So your 10k is coming up.
Are you ready? Uh, yeah.
I'm ready for it to be over.
This is much harder than I thought it would be.
So are you ready to move out again? Obviously not.
I'm coming over for dinner tonight.
I am ready to have a place again though.
I only lived with Ellie in New York for two months before I had to come home and you know, I didn't live with Leo for very long, so I got hit on last night.
How did that go? Awkwardly.
The idea of moving on with someone else just feels so wrong.
Like I'm replacing Leo or something.
I thought I was doing better these days, but last night kind of threw me off.
Hey, you know what? Considering what you've been through, I can't believe how together you are.
Really! I wasn't writing book proposals after your dad You're smart to keep yourself busy.
It helps you stay positive.
Not go to the dark place.
All right.
Sorry, I'm just captioning this.
Did you like the filter? Yep.
I keep trying to post this, but I'm blowing up.
I have this meet-and-greet with my Boston followers in and hour and people keep tagging me.
I don't know how you do it.
You must post things, like, 20 times a day.
I can barely think of one interesting thing to post a day.
Oh, it doesn't all have to be interesting.
When people follow you, they just want to feel like they're going through your day with you.
Nothing is off limits.
Like this morning, my cat wouldn't leave the bathroom when I was trying to do a number two, so I just took a picture.
Got over 2,000 likes.
I don't even have that many followers.
Oh, whatever.
You're killing it out here, working for The Post.
I was.
I had to quit 'cause my health.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Jeez.
Well, if you updated your social media more, I would know that.
Well, I'm trying to up my game.
I'm actually writing a memoir, so I need to get better at putting myself out there.
Memoir.
Mm-hmm.
You have to lay yourself pretty bare for one of those things.
You must have changed a lot since college.
What do you mean? Nothing.
I just You were always kind of private.
You were really easy to embarrass.
Like when you, me, and Brie were gonna streak the green and then at the last minute, you bailed and you ran back to your dorm room? And I think that I think you blamed feminism or something, but, uh, we all knew that you were - Freaking out.
Yes.
- Mm-hmm.
I remember.
I used to be a lot more concerned with what people thought of me back then, but cancer kind of eliminates that for you.
I'm living way more boldly now.
In a way, I never would have if there weren't a ticking clock on my life.
That's a really cool way of looking at it.
But I hope that you haven't changed too much because I would miss my little hall monitor.
It is so good to see you.
And I am really proud to say that I knew you when.
In fact, I'm gonna say it right now.
Let's take a selfie.
Okay.
Just look casual.
Oh, sorry.
You went to college with Ellie Pratt? She posted a picture from the gynecologist the other day that went viral.
Yeah, we were kind of frenemies back in school.
Now that we're older, I think we can finally You know, be happy for each other's successes.
Can I grab a drink? Yeah, yeah.
Oh, my God.
You remember when Graham banned me from drinking these? Crack 'em open! Mmm, no.
My cancer's already trying to kill me.
I don't need Graham after me, too.
It's fine.
I promise.
He's barely home since he got the new job.
A job.
How perfect is that for him? I mean, he works for Yelp.
He gets to be a professional complainer.
Yeah, but now that he makes more money, he has less to complain about.
He could actually afford this place on his own.
He was gonna take it over when I moved into the house.
What's the plan now? I'm still deciding.
Since the house is an even bigger project than it was, I'm thinking just cut my losses, sell it, and find something new.
You know, maybe exploring some other cities, too.
Hmm? Really? I thought you were pretty attached to Boston.
Yeah, but that could be my problem.
You know, staying attached to the idea of something I used to want.
Mmm.
As long as you're not Giving up on something that you still do want.
I know you loved that house.
Yeah, I did.
But this could be a good chance at a fresh start.
You know, sometimes it's good to know when to move on.
How many place settings do we need? - Four.
- Five.
I invited William.
I invited Beth and Josh.
Oh, no, no, no.
Is this gonna be awkward? Beth dumped William's son.
She didn't dump him.
She just used him to make another guy jealous, and then he dumped her.
Okay, yeah, you should probably text William and warn him.
This will be entertaining.
I just got your text.
Hi, April.
Didn't get your text.
So, Beth, how long have you and, uh, John, been seeing each other? - It's Josh.
- Oh.
Uh, I don't know.
About a month or so.
So how's 10k training going, guys? Um, well, I'm a bundle of nerves and my body is angry at me, but It'll be over soon enough, right? Sara, remember when you had me pretend to be your boyfriend -to make another guy jealous? -That is not at all what happened.
Remember how ridiculous that was? But with us it was harmless because at the end of the day, we're just a couple of girlfriends.
How's the fashion line, Beth? More importantly, when am I gonna get to wear one of your designs? Oh, it's new, you know.
But it's going well so far.
Okay, don't talk about me like I'm not here.
You know, it is a little scary to be out there on my own though.
Well, I think it's brave of you to take the leap.
It's gonna pay off.
I wouldn't have predicted that, though.
You seem like you'd have the next thing lined up before the first thing is over, so Babe, you've barely eaten anything.
You're not hungry? No.
For some reason, I've completely lost my appetite.
Oh, no.
So, I think this is good news.
Really? 'Cause it kinda feels like bad news.
And I have a lot of experience with that, so No, no, no.
It's good.
There's just you know, there's a complication.
But I think at the end of the day, it's good.
It's good.
It's good.
Good.
Good.
Calvin, tell me the news! There's a Boston-based book publisher called Book Smart.
I love Book Smart.
Well, they love you, too.
They really responded to your proposal.
What? That's amazing news! The tricky part is, they're also interested in this other memoir for a very similar demographic.
Chances are, they'll only choose one.
Oh.
Okay.
You know, I read this other proposal and it's not nearly as well-written as yours, but what makes me nervous is that this that girl has a substantial social media following.
She's actually in Boston right now, I assume to meet with the publisher.
I've been trying to get you in there, but what's her name? The author.
Oh, Ellie.
Ellie Pratt.
I guess she has skin cancer? I hate that Ellie has cancer But isn't it kinda weird that she didn't mention it when we hung out yesterday? I don't know.
It's a pretty personal thing to talk about.
But nothing is personal with this girl.
I mean, you follow her.
Well, maybe cancer is an exception.
Maybe.
But given our history, it's kind of a crazy coincidence, you know? It's like everything I do, she has to do too.
Yeah.
You're right.
She probably got cancer just to compete with you.
- Okay, that doesn't make any sense.
- No.
Although, it would make a really good episode of Dr.
Phil just try to give her the benefit of the doubt.
- Okay? - Fine.
There's only room for one of us.
That's okay.
I just really hope it's me.
Yeah, me too.
That way you can spoil both of us once my fashion line tanks.
Hey.
Stop with the self hate.
I don't hate myself as a designer.
Just as a businesswoman.
You want to see my business plan so far? - Mm-hmm.
- All right.
Oh, okay.
Wow.
Well, um Shouldn't you be using a spreadsheet? Ugh, I don't even know what that is.
That's okay.
That's okay.
It's easy.
I will make you a template.
Easy.
Oh, my God.
Ellie just tweeted about her skin cancer.
I'm sure she just hadn't gone public yet.
"Cancer has taught me to live boldly "in a way I never would have if there weren't a ticking clock on my life.
" That's a nice way to put it.
That's exactly the way I put it when I saw her yesterday! She stole my words! Okay.
All right.
Screw the benefit of the doubt.
She's awful.
I'm gonna unfollow her tonight.
Just You don't have to work on my spreadsheet right now.
We can Oh, I'm not.
I'm trying to figure out a way to take this bitch down.
Oh.
We really don't need to ask now.
Trust me.
The more prepared you are, the better the night will be.
No thanks, guys.
No threesome for me, but I'm flattered.
Please, if we were talking threesomes you know you're not the one we'd be asking.
Babe I know you're kidding, but please stop.
You know I have a jealous streak.
Sorry.
I was wondering if you guys were going to junior ball.
My parents are going to be out of town, so after-partying at my place.
Junior Ball I don't think so.
Oh, you should at least come to the after-party.
Fifty shades of Grey Goose Martinis.
Think about it.
I am so glad we're on the same page about this stuff.
Never been to a school dance in my entire life.
What kind of dancing could I even do? Eh, I guess there's always the robot.
Wait, you don't want to go, do you? Well, not if you don't.
I don't really care.
Finn? What? Will you go to junior ball with me? Was that a yes? - I didn't hear you.
- Sure.
There has to be some rule against what she's doing.
It's like it's like verbal plagiarism.
Is that a thing? It's a thing in that this stuff happens all the time, but it's not a thing in that you can't do anything or prove it.
Unless you happened to have a recoding device at your lunch.
Ha.
The old me probably would have.
I'm glad I'm just meeting you now.
We need to meet these publishers before Ellie does.
I have an idea.
Do you happen to have any connections at the U.
N.
? Now you're scaring me a little.
No.
I found out that The Post is hosting an event for Book Smart tomorrow.
It's a book release for a former U.
N.
Secretary.
I asked my old coworkers at the paper if they could get me in, but they can't.
Maybe you can, since you know these publishers.
You do know these publishers, right? You bet.
Let me make some calls.
Oh, now.
You want me to make the calls now.
I mean, I can it Thank you so much for doing this.
I know it's last minute to ask for a dress in like a day.
I just want you to moderate your expectations, okay? Creating my own line has been a little challenging.
Man, is it hot in here? - No.
- I feel like I'm sweating.
You know what? I'm gonna grab some water.
I'll be right back.
Okay.
Hey, Brenna.
That looks like it's gonna be a nice dress.
It's cool, right? Beth made it.
You know what? We should go.
Oh, so what's it for? Like a Bat Mitzvah? Wha ? Bat Mitzvah? Yeah.
Yeah, maybe Sarah Jessica Parker's Bat Mitzvah.
Oh, no.
I'm just saying, 'cause it looks so Buttoned up.
But maybe that's the style these days.
You know, I was gonna add more yellow Lycra, but that hasn't been a thing since I don't know.
Way before I was born.
Ah, well, these are for running.
It's called exercise.
I mean, I don't know if you maybe haven't - Let's go.
- Okay, well Shabbat shalom.
Spin around.
Oh, I hate it now.
Don't hate it.
Don't listen to him.
He's right.
You look like you're going to a Bat Mitzvah.
Don't listen.
We have invites, right? No, but it shouldn't be a problem.
Stay here.
I'm gonna go talk to the guy.
Excuse me.
Hey.
- Dominic.
- You got in! Uh, not yet.
My agent's working on it.
I hope he has connections because they're being way stricter than usual about the guest list.
It's pretty high security because of the author.
Hey.
Calvin Roth.
I'm here with my literary client, April Carver Oh, no, Calvin.
Dominic's a friend.
He can't help us.
I already tried.
Oh, sorry, bro.
Dude, I was trying to talk us in there.
Kind of like how I talked you into being my client, right April? Um, can I treat you to dinner to make it up to you? No? Okay.
I'm gonna call you in the morning.
Let's make magic.
Nice to meet you.
Ugh.
I thought you guys were friends.
Yeah, so did I, but she's gonna hijack my book deal if I don't get in there.
You know what? Time for Plan B.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Hey, hold up there.
Oh.
Yeah, yeah, I got a haircut.
No, this pass is old.
We updated our cards several months ago.
Do you still work here? Yeah, sorry.
Did I give you my old pass? My new one should be in here somewhere.
Just right in Ap? Ap! April! Can we get a medic over here? Medic! Have you ever had a seizure before? No, um No, but my doctor told me it might happen.
I have AML and I'm on a new clinical trial.
We should send you to the hospital.
No.
No, no.
You don't have to do that.
I'll I'll tell my doctor what happened.
I see her all the time.
Really.
Stay here one second, please.
Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital? Yep.
'Cause I was faking.
Come on.
They can't see us from back here.
You can't just do that, April.
I'm sorry! I I had to think fast.
And when I passes out at that blood drive, I ended up with an interview with Richie Miranda, so Well, you should have warned me.
I thought it was really happening.
Sorry.
I wasn't thinking.
April! Ellie.
Is this your boyfriend? No.
So where's your girlfriend? I don't have one.
Good to know.
Doesn't cancer just eliminate the need for small talk? You just gotta lay it all on the table out front.
Yeah, except the whole cancer part, huh? Cancer's an incredibly personal thing.
It's each person's secret to tell when they feel ready.
Ellie, you stole my words.
And now you're trying to steal my book deal? I mean, what do you even need a publisher for? Can't you just release an e-book? Or like a series of tweets to your thousands of followers? Personally, I feel like my story deserves a hard cover and a display at Barnes and Noble.
And it's not like you have a monopoly on on writing a book about cancer putting your life in perspective.
My skin cancer scare changed my whole outlook.
Scare? Yeah.
I had the mole removed, so I'm fine, but it was cancerous.
And just, you know, thinking about what might have happened was really hard.
Anyway, I should I should go find my contact from Book Smart.
'Cause we've been tweeting at each other, so Check you later? She clearly wants you.
I need to distract her so I can meet those publishers before she does.
So You wanna use me as bait.
Please.
Thank you.
April? I didn't see your name on the guest list.
Hi, Raquel.
Feel like I have deja vu.
You're in a blazer and you're here with Dominic? It's happening again? Uh, no.
No, we're just friends.
So then what are you doing here? I am writing a memoir.
Man, I told you you'd get a book deal out of this.
Well I don't have one yet, but Book Smart showed interest in my proposal, so I'm hoping to meet someone that works there.
Have you met Gwen Johnson? The president? Yeah, right.
I wish.
Well, she's here.
She's in my Krav Maga class.
Or, she was before I skipped two levels.
My teacher said that he's never seen more natural talent from someone who's never been in actual military combat.
- Wow.
- You wanna meet her? I can introduce you.
Are you kidding? Do I seem like a funny person to you? You know, I'm no fashion expert, but that dress looks done to me.
Cheers.
Thank you, but if I drink that, I am going to immediately pass out.
And that was not the desired effect.
I'm sorry.
I'm just kind of panicking about my job.
But you did so good with your first order.
That was one dress.
And look at me.
I mean, if making one dress is that taxing, then how in the hell am I going to make this a full-time business all by myself? What was I thinking leaving Jaclyn? You were being smart.
I just feel like I did this way before I was ready.
You are ready.
And, look, even if you're not, sometimes Sometimes it's a good thing to jump in without a life vest and figure it out later.
I don't know about that, because I am drowning right now.
God, I should never have let you talk me into this.
I mean, it's not like you just jumped in without a life vest.
You're a pharmaceutical rep.
Okay, my job might seem safe to you, but I actually did take risks to make it happen.
None of my family went to college and they couldn't pay for it.
I took out a loan myself and did a two year program because it's all I could afford.
And now I'm really proud of the work that I do.
In part because of how I got here.
You're not gonna stay over? Well, I just I feel like I'm not helping you here.
So let's just talk tomorrow, okay? She was our head reporter on the Bruce Hendrie campaign, and April worked with us until last fall when she had to leave for health reasons.
Now she's writing a memoir that I hope to play a significant role in.
Oh, you will definitely be in it.
I actually sent my proposal to Book Smart.
Maybe you read it? Oh, Gwen's too high ranking to read proposals.
Well, wait a minute.
I read some of them.
Um, what's it called? Chasing Life.
Hmm.
Well, titles can be changed.
It's a reference to something my dad wrote, and it applies to my life, since I'm living with cancer now.
So I kind of reclaimed it.
Oh, the cancer memoir.
I read your proposal.
That was very entertaining.
Wow, thank you.
Yeah, I wanted to give it some levity so it wasn't too depressing.
Oh, no, no, no.
That was not depressing at all.
As a matter of fact, the chapter where you thought your skin cancer was herpes at first.
Ha! Now that had me laughing out loud.
That's actually not That one's not my book.
Oh, but your book is about cancer, too? Who's your agent? Calvin Roth.
Mmm.
Uh, April, why don't you send me what you have.
I'll make sure Gwen gets it.
Thanks, Raquel.
Pleasure to meet you.
Good luck with everything.
Brenna come down.
Thank you.
Oh! Okay, hold on.
Stay.
Stay.
Wait, wait, wait.
Wait.
Stay on the stairs.
I want to get a picture of you coming down.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
That's such a bad angle.
No one looks good from underneath.
Well, Brenna does.
No no not that I've seen her from underneath that much.
I'm just saying she looks good from all angles.
I Not that I've seen her from all angles.
I'm just saying, you know, at school, I Finn, it's okay.
I'm not that kind of mom.
But I'm not not that kind of mom.
Just Yes, thank you.
We will behave.
I'm continuing down the stairs now.
Oh, um, uh, here's this Flower bracelet thing.
- Corsage.
- Yeah.
Oh, look who is getting into the spirit.
I told you cheesy milestones could be fun.
Embracing the cheese, you know? If you're gonna go for it, go big or go home.
That's right.
- Oh.
- Oh, how sweet.
Boop.
So, did you lock it up with the publisher? No.
Probably not.
I mean, she has a compelling reason to pick the flashier book and I just don't know that it'll be mine.
But you know what? I tried.
- Raquel even helped, weirdly.
- That's not weird.
The Post isn't as cut-throat as it used to be.
Raquel's way less hostile.
I'm like 20 percent less attracted to her now.
Well, she's probably realizing that old school journalism is losing it's power and we all need to stick together.
Which isn't so easy when there's a new person getting fired every day.
Or quitting.
Everyone's trying to get out, even me.
Well, you have your book though, right? It didn't sell.
Even after I added this whole subplot with sexual roleplay I don't know that I need the details.
Now I'm trying to come up with a backup plan.
Maybe I can invent something.
Ooh, any ideas? A time machine to take me back to school so I can pick another major.
Times are tough.
Even dudes with publishing deals are getting out.
Dominic's trying to sell his house so he can bail.
Yeah.
He mentioned wanting to start fresh somewhere else.
I gotta say, I'd be kind of bummed if he left.
Ugh, God.
Don't say that to him or he'll change his mind.
What do you mean? Don't tell a secret to a man with a megaphone.
That's what my parents always used to say.
Is that an old Indian saying? No.
They just said that 'cause I would tell all their secrets.
Come on, April.
You knew that guy was still in love with you.
Oh, mom! Oh, how many shower poufs did you get? I thought you might like color options.
Right, well now my bathroom is ready for gay pride.
Yes, but is it ready for This fabulous over-the-door organizer? How are you my daughter and not excited about this? Sorry, I am.
Wow.
I'm just I'm distracted.
I saw Danny today, and He basically told me that Dominic still has feelings for me.
Oh.
Well, that's a lot to process.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Well, just because you know doesn't mean you have to decide what to do about it right away.
Is Dominic dating Ellie now? No.
They probably hooked up last night.
So, I could wait to bring it up with him, but he'll just move on.
You know, you've seen the guy.
He has options.
Consequences aside, what would you tell him? I don't know.
I I would tell him that it's complicated.
You know, when we were together, for the first time in my life, I thought, "this is it.
This is the guy.
" The timing was just terrible and things ended so suddenly.
And not because we didn't have feelings for each other anymore.
But then, you know, I fell for Leo and and I threw myself completely into that.
And now it just It feels too soon to start anything again.
I know.
But when I look at that picture, I don't know.
I want I want to tell him to just I don't know, wait for me.
That's so selfish, though.
Okay, but don't let guilt make the decision for you.
Sometimes you just have to listen to your heart, no matter how selfish it sounds.
Then we do a mile along the waterfront.
And end up in the leather district.
- Oh, maybe I can find a daddy.
- I'm nervous.
I mean, I've never even made it through a full practice run.
-You know what? Maybe I shouldn't do this.
-No, the a no, the adrenaline - will help.
- No, no, no, no, no.
I I I It's been great running for fun with you, but the pressure of a race is just making me feel discouraged.
With all the family drama I've had lately, negative feelings are the last thing I need.
Use it to motivate you.
Think about someone who's wronged you.
Or or one of your children.
Hell hath no fury like a parent scorned.
Yeah, so I've noticed.
You should lighten up on Beth.
She's only 24.
Well, I just hate to see my son blindsided, and it's not like Beth upgraded.
Have you seen my son? He's taller.
He's better looking than Tristan.
Uh, Josh? Ugh.
Mmm.
I'm sure my therapist friend is not going to let that Freudian slip pass, is she? No, she is not.
Just found out that my ex is engaged to that pocket gay.
Aw, I'm sorry.
Why didn't you tell me? I was still in shock.
It's stupid, but in my mind, I was hoping that they'd Just be a fling.
You would have taken him back? I agreed to be with that man for the rest of my life.
He's the one that broke the contract.
Yeah, I didn't have that option, working things out with my husband, but I suppose if I had, I probably would have tried.
Which would have been a mistake, because I'm better off being single than living a lie.
You you can't really be that zen about it.
Weren't you angry? Well, if I let myself dwell on the details, I will get angry.
That's why I don't go there.
I'm telling you, Sara, sometimes it's good to go there.
Get angry.
It'll put a fire in your belly in a good way.
Like when you need to run a 10k.
Hmm? Yes? - Okay.
- All right.
- There you go.
- Actually, yes.
Go.
- Okay.
- Yeah.
Well, here's to making it through that train wreck.
Teej, we're waiting.
Sorry, my strawberry jalapeño shooter needs a jalapeño.
Cheers.
Cheers.
What? You don't like it? I made yours with cilantro and lime 'cause you can't drink.
That's what it is, cilantro.
I used to love the stuff, but after my transplant it tastes like soap to me.
Cilantro always tastes like soap to me.
By the way, it's your lucky night.
Mariah and her new girlfriend went to an anti-rape rally at Harvard tonight, so we have an extra room.
What do you mean you have an extra room? Oh my God, you're so cute.
Babe, what did we talk about? There's a bedroom at the end of the hall waiting for you and your lady whenever you're ready to get You know, more intimate.
Oh, don't worry.
I got your back.
And your front.
Okay, ladies, time is running out You learn something new about your best friend every day.
Never would have pegged you for a home shopping network fan.
Something about how the models spin around in those stretchy pants just calms me down.
You get it.
Nope.
I'm not wearing a bra.
Sorry.
Coming.
Hey Ellie got published, didn't she? No, but, uh, you sort of did.
What? What are you talking about? A chapter from your proposal leaked to The Post's website.
I don't even know how it happened.
My old boss, Raquel, said she was gonna slip it to Gwen at Book Smart.
Well, she slipped it to all of Boston.
Of course she wasn't trying to do me a favor.
She was trying to screw me over! Oh, my God! Is this Is this bad? Is this bad? I mean, it's not the best thing when you're looking to get published, since it's no longer exclusive.
No, no.
Calvin, Calvin.
You're supposed to tell me that it's okay.
I don't know if it is.
I'm new to this, too.
Just say it's okay.
Say it's okay.
That wall is so pink.
Yeah, it is.
I used to want a bed like this.
I always wanted a waterbed.
Well, this is awkward.
It doesn't have to be.
You're in a unique situation and you have to prioritize your health above anything.
And I get that.
Living on the edge, huh? What's wrong? You know we can't do that, as much as I want to.
I I just hate that I've only kissed my girlfriend with a stupid mask on.
Well How risky would it be if we just kissed once? I'm willing to find out if you are.
I don't want to make you sicker.
Can we just pretend that I'm not? Please? Thank you for stopping by.
I needed this.
Of course.
It was on the way to the finish line at my mom's 10k.
So, I realized I never talked to you after throwing you to the wolves at the book launch.
You mean Ellie.
Yeah, she was interesting.
Pretty aggressive.
So how long did you guys hang out for? I saw the pictures you posted.
You did? Yeah.
Well, right after that, she ditched me and started chasing after the arts and entertainment guy at The Sentinel.
Wasn't about me.
She just wanted press for her book.
Hmm.
Well, she can take mine.
Now that my excerpt leaked, there's no way it's getting published.
Hey, did you make a decision about the house? Yeah.
My mom thinks I'll be able to sell it again as is and financially, it makes the most sense for me to do that.
So I'm in the market for a new place.
Here or ? Anywhere.
You know, there's nothing tying me down to any particular city, so It's kind of exciting.
There are so many cities I can see myself living in.
Nashville, Seattle Keep me posted.
I should head to the race.
Thanks for this.
After I was diagnosed, my anger felt insurmountable.
I couldn't accept the fact that my life could be ending when I was only supposed to be a quarter of the way through it.
I feared the start of my next chapter.
Is happiness even worth experiencing if it's followed by such enormous pain? There she is! Go, mom! It's the beauty and tragedy of being alive.
And I didn't know if I was strong enough to go through another round of hope and then despair, especially as my body conspired against me.
So, I press on, like we all do.
Whether we're sick or not, we're all withstanding the lows to get a taste of the highs.
They're that good.
Beth? I'm in the bathroom.
Can you come here a second? Oh, my God.
Yeah.
I missed my period last month, but I mean, that happens to me sometimes.
So, the reason why I've been so sick and emotional is, uh Josh Junior? Or, sorry, I guess it could be Beth Junior.
Or Graham Junior.
Okay.
Okay, we can figure that out.
I really don't know what to do.
Don't.
Don't.
No, just take it.
I'll still be frozen here when you're done.
Um Hello? You really got me, April.
Sorry? Some good news first.
Book Smart picked you over Ellie.
Boom! But, I thought because the chapter leaked, that The chapter leak is what made them pick you.
The comment section on The Post website blew up.
People love your story.
Oh, my God! That's amazing! The most amazing news is that when we sell this, I'll probably get my own office.
By the way, very funny using the name Chasing Life, when you know there's a book already being shopped around with that title.
Oh, there is? "Oh, there is?" Yes, it was written by your dad.
Wait, do you know who's trying to sell the book? Is it Natalie Ortiz? Something like that.
It's, uh, hang on.
Olivia Ortiz.
I was really grabbed by your book Jaclyn, I can't work for you.
I'm ready to move on and try succeeding in this business on my own name.
You make me so happy.
More than anyone I've ever met.
Go at your own pace and if you get tired, just take a break.
I mean, it's dangerous if the wrong person breathes on you.
Sorry I got so territorial.
But I'm also not ready to give up on this place.
It was the future I wanted to build.
But you're totally talking about April, aren't you? Yeah, she looks pretty in that one.
She uses so many filters, though.
You can't even tell what she really looks like.
I mean, she's always been really pretty though.
Ugh.
I want her eyebrows.
Mmm, yours are better.
No.
Girl, hey.
Josh.
Josh.
Josh.
Josh.
My new roommate's eyebrows are better than this girls, right? Um Yes.
Yes.
See? I'm sorry.
You must be so bored.
My old friend from college is coming into town and we're getting lunch tomorrow, so We have to judge everything she posts online.
Why? 'Cause you hate her? No, I don't I don't hate Ellie.
She just kind of gave me a bit of a complex when we were at school.
It was between me and her for editor of the paper.
She got it And then she edged me out for valedictorian.
So you hate her.
Mm-mmm.
We always got along.
We even lived together briefly in New York.
Just thankful that Instagram wasn't popular back then or I would have had to watch her take about a million gym selfies in the mirror.
It's crazy.
She has so many followers.
Uh, I'm one of those followers.
I'm sorry.
I've been reading her blog for a while.
You know, she used to write one for Cosmo.
Oh, no.
I know.
She got that job right out of Vassar.
She's just such an oversharer, you know? It's hard not to look.
Mm.
Well, I'm gonna have to learn how to overshare myself.
- My agent said that - Oh, I'm sorry.
I just need to interrupt to make fun of you for saying "my agent.
" Go ahead.
I've waited a very long time to be able to say that.
Anyway, he said that I have to pump up my social media presence.
You know, apparently, authors don't just promote their books anymore.
They promote themselves.
Well, in your case, it wouldn't hurt to put a face to a name.
Hmm? 'Cause you're hot.
Oh.
Oh! No, I'm, um I'm Oh! My bad.
You okay? Yeah.
I just I wasn't expecting that.
I've been so in the grieving part of being a widow that I hadn't even considered the moving on part.
I'm definitely not ready for that.
Well, nobody's rushing you.
You can move on when you're ready, whenever that is.
Right.
Well, until then May as well just join your relationship.
You wanna be a throuple? Aren't we already? Yes.
Babe, babe.
My two babes.
Nice to see you so happy.
I much prefer it to violent.
Have you and Finn made it official? Mom, no one "makes it official" anymore.
We're just together.
Well, he came along at a good time for you.
I know we haven't been official for very long, but it feels like we've known each other forever.
It's weird.
Hey, Junior Ball is this week, right? Oh, yeah.
We're not going.
Aw, because of his leg? No, because it sounds like torture.
Aw, Brenn, you should go.
I mean, I know it sounds lame, but sometimes these cliche milestones can be fun.
Pretty sure it's a better milestone to never go to a high school dance.
Later.
- Bye.
- Bye.
So your 10k is coming up.
Are you ready? Uh, yeah.
I'm ready for it to be over.
This is much harder than I thought it would be.
So are you ready to move out again? Obviously not.
I'm coming over for dinner tonight.
I am ready to have a place again though.
I only lived with Ellie in New York for two months before I had to come home and you know, I didn't live with Leo for very long, so I got hit on last night.
How did that go? Awkwardly.
The idea of moving on with someone else just feels so wrong.
Like I'm replacing Leo or something.
I thought I was doing better these days, but last night kind of threw me off.
Hey, you know what? Considering what you've been through, I can't believe how together you are.
Really! I wasn't writing book proposals after your dad You're smart to keep yourself busy.
It helps you stay positive.
Not go to the dark place.
All right.
Sorry, I'm just captioning this.
Did you like the filter? Yep.
I keep trying to post this, but I'm blowing up.
I have this meet-and-greet with my Boston followers in and hour and people keep tagging me.
I don't know how you do it.
You must post things, like, 20 times a day.
I can barely think of one interesting thing to post a day.
Oh, it doesn't all have to be interesting.
When people follow you, they just want to feel like they're going through your day with you.
Nothing is off limits.
Like this morning, my cat wouldn't leave the bathroom when I was trying to do a number two, so I just took a picture.
Got over 2,000 likes.
I don't even have that many followers.
Oh, whatever.
You're killing it out here, working for The Post.
I was.
I had to quit 'cause my health.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Jeez.
Well, if you updated your social media more, I would know that.
Well, I'm trying to up my game.
I'm actually writing a memoir, so I need to get better at putting myself out there.
Memoir.
Mm-hmm.
You have to lay yourself pretty bare for one of those things.
You must have changed a lot since college.
What do you mean? Nothing.
I just You were always kind of private.
You were really easy to embarrass.
Like when you, me, and Brie were gonna streak the green and then at the last minute, you bailed and you ran back to your dorm room? And I think that I think you blamed feminism or something, but, uh, we all knew that you were - Freaking out.
Yes.
- Mm-hmm.
I remember.
I used to be a lot more concerned with what people thought of me back then, but cancer kind of eliminates that for you.
I'm living way more boldly now.
In a way, I never would have if there weren't a ticking clock on my life.
That's a really cool way of looking at it.
But I hope that you haven't changed too much because I would miss my little hall monitor.
It is so good to see you.
And I am really proud to say that I knew you when.
In fact, I'm gonna say it right now.
Let's take a selfie.
Okay.
Just look casual.
Oh, sorry.
You went to college with Ellie Pratt? She posted a picture from the gynecologist the other day that went viral.
Yeah, we were kind of frenemies back in school.
Now that we're older, I think we can finally You know, be happy for each other's successes.
Can I grab a drink? Yeah, yeah.
Oh, my God.
You remember when Graham banned me from drinking these? Crack 'em open! Mmm, no.
My cancer's already trying to kill me.
I don't need Graham after me, too.
It's fine.
I promise.
He's barely home since he got the new job.
A job.
How perfect is that for him? I mean, he works for Yelp.
He gets to be a professional complainer.
Yeah, but now that he makes more money, he has less to complain about.
He could actually afford this place on his own.
He was gonna take it over when I moved into the house.
What's the plan now? I'm still deciding.
Since the house is an even bigger project than it was, I'm thinking just cut my losses, sell it, and find something new.
You know, maybe exploring some other cities, too.
Hmm? Really? I thought you were pretty attached to Boston.
Yeah, but that could be my problem.
You know, staying attached to the idea of something I used to want.
Mmm.
As long as you're not Giving up on something that you still do want.
I know you loved that house.
Yeah, I did.
But this could be a good chance at a fresh start.
You know, sometimes it's good to know when to move on.
How many place settings do we need? - Four.
- Five.
I invited William.
I invited Beth and Josh.
Oh, no, no, no.
Is this gonna be awkward? Beth dumped William's son.
She didn't dump him.
She just used him to make another guy jealous, and then he dumped her.
Okay, yeah, you should probably text William and warn him.
This will be entertaining.
I just got your text.
Hi, April.
Didn't get your text.
So, Beth, how long have you and, uh, John, been seeing each other? - It's Josh.
- Oh.
Uh, I don't know.
About a month or so.
So how's 10k training going, guys? Um, well, I'm a bundle of nerves and my body is angry at me, but It'll be over soon enough, right? Sara, remember when you had me pretend to be your boyfriend -to make another guy jealous? -That is not at all what happened.
Remember how ridiculous that was? But with us it was harmless because at the end of the day, we're just a couple of girlfriends.
How's the fashion line, Beth? More importantly, when am I gonna get to wear one of your designs? Oh, it's new, you know.
But it's going well so far.
Okay, don't talk about me like I'm not here.
You know, it is a little scary to be out there on my own though.
Well, I think it's brave of you to take the leap.
It's gonna pay off.
I wouldn't have predicted that, though.
You seem like you'd have the next thing lined up before the first thing is over, so Babe, you've barely eaten anything.
You're not hungry? No.
For some reason, I've completely lost my appetite.
Oh, no.
So, I think this is good news.
Really? 'Cause it kinda feels like bad news.
And I have a lot of experience with that, so No, no, no.
It's good.
There's just you know, there's a complication.
But I think at the end of the day, it's good.
It's good.
It's good.
Good.
Good.
Calvin, tell me the news! There's a Boston-based book publisher called Book Smart.
I love Book Smart.
Well, they love you, too.
They really responded to your proposal.
What? That's amazing news! The tricky part is, they're also interested in this other memoir for a very similar demographic.
Chances are, they'll only choose one.
Oh.
Okay.
You know, I read this other proposal and it's not nearly as well-written as yours, but what makes me nervous is that this that girl has a substantial social media following.
She's actually in Boston right now, I assume to meet with the publisher.
I've been trying to get you in there, but what's her name? The author.
Oh, Ellie.
Ellie Pratt.
I guess she has skin cancer? I hate that Ellie has cancer But isn't it kinda weird that she didn't mention it when we hung out yesterday? I don't know.
It's a pretty personal thing to talk about.
But nothing is personal with this girl.
I mean, you follow her.
Well, maybe cancer is an exception.
Maybe.
But given our history, it's kind of a crazy coincidence, you know? It's like everything I do, she has to do too.
Yeah.
You're right.
She probably got cancer just to compete with you.
- Okay, that doesn't make any sense.
- No.
Although, it would make a really good episode of Dr.
Phil just try to give her the benefit of the doubt.
- Okay? - Fine.
There's only room for one of us.
That's okay.
I just really hope it's me.
Yeah, me too.
That way you can spoil both of us once my fashion line tanks.
Hey.
Stop with the self hate.
I don't hate myself as a designer.
Just as a businesswoman.
You want to see my business plan so far? - Mm-hmm.
- All right.
Oh, okay.
Wow.
Well, um Shouldn't you be using a spreadsheet? Ugh, I don't even know what that is.
That's okay.
That's okay.
It's easy.
I will make you a template.
Easy.
Oh, my God.
Ellie just tweeted about her skin cancer.
I'm sure she just hadn't gone public yet.
"Cancer has taught me to live boldly "in a way I never would have if there weren't a ticking clock on my life.
" That's a nice way to put it.
That's exactly the way I put it when I saw her yesterday! She stole my words! Okay.
All right.
Screw the benefit of the doubt.
She's awful.
I'm gonna unfollow her tonight.
Just You don't have to work on my spreadsheet right now.
We can Oh, I'm not.
I'm trying to figure out a way to take this bitch down.
Oh.
We really don't need to ask now.
Trust me.
The more prepared you are, the better the night will be.
No thanks, guys.
No threesome for me, but I'm flattered.
Please, if we were talking threesomes you know you're not the one we'd be asking.
Babe I know you're kidding, but please stop.
You know I have a jealous streak.
Sorry.
I was wondering if you guys were going to junior ball.
My parents are going to be out of town, so after-partying at my place.
Junior Ball I don't think so.
Oh, you should at least come to the after-party.
Fifty shades of Grey Goose Martinis.
Think about it.
I am so glad we're on the same page about this stuff.
Never been to a school dance in my entire life.
What kind of dancing could I even do? Eh, I guess there's always the robot.
Wait, you don't want to go, do you? Well, not if you don't.
I don't really care.
Finn? What? Will you go to junior ball with me? Was that a yes? - I didn't hear you.
- Sure.
There has to be some rule against what she's doing.
It's like it's like verbal plagiarism.
Is that a thing? It's a thing in that this stuff happens all the time, but it's not a thing in that you can't do anything or prove it.
Unless you happened to have a recoding device at your lunch.
Ha.
The old me probably would have.
I'm glad I'm just meeting you now.
We need to meet these publishers before Ellie does.
I have an idea.
Do you happen to have any connections at the U.
N.
? Now you're scaring me a little.
No.
I found out that The Post is hosting an event for Book Smart tomorrow.
It's a book release for a former U.
N.
Secretary.
I asked my old coworkers at the paper if they could get me in, but they can't.
Maybe you can, since you know these publishers.
You do know these publishers, right? You bet.
Let me make some calls.
Oh, now.
You want me to make the calls now.
I mean, I can it Thank you so much for doing this.
I know it's last minute to ask for a dress in like a day.
I just want you to moderate your expectations, okay? Creating my own line has been a little challenging.
Man, is it hot in here? - No.
- I feel like I'm sweating.
You know what? I'm gonna grab some water.
I'll be right back.
Okay.
Hey, Brenna.
That looks like it's gonna be a nice dress.
It's cool, right? Beth made it.
You know what? We should go.
Oh, so what's it for? Like a Bat Mitzvah? Wha ? Bat Mitzvah? Yeah.
Yeah, maybe Sarah Jessica Parker's Bat Mitzvah.
Oh, no.
I'm just saying, 'cause it looks so Buttoned up.
But maybe that's the style these days.
You know, I was gonna add more yellow Lycra, but that hasn't been a thing since I don't know.
Way before I was born.
Ah, well, these are for running.
It's called exercise.
I mean, I don't know if you maybe haven't - Let's go.
- Okay, well Shabbat shalom.
Spin around.
Oh, I hate it now.
Don't hate it.
Don't listen to him.
He's right.
You look like you're going to a Bat Mitzvah.
Don't listen.
We have invites, right? No, but it shouldn't be a problem.
Stay here.
I'm gonna go talk to the guy.
Excuse me.
Hey.
- Dominic.
- You got in! Uh, not yet.
My agent's working on it.
I hope he has connections because they're being way stricter than usual about the guest list.
It's pretty high security because of the author.
Hey.
Calvin Roth.
I'm here with my literary client, April Carver Oh, no, Calvin.
Dominic's a friend.
He can't help us.
I already tried.
Oh, sorry, bro.
Dude, I was trying to talk us in there.
Kind of like how I talked you into being my client, right April? Um, can I treat you to dinner to make it up to you? No? Okay.
I'm gonna call you in the morning.
Let's make magic.
Nice to meet you.
Ugh.
I thought you guys were friends.
Yeah, so did I, but she's gonna hijack my book deal if I don't get in there.
You know what? Time for Plan B.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Hey, hold up there.
Oh.
Yeah, yeah, I got a haircut.
No, this pass is old.
We updated our cards several months ago.
Do you still work here? Yeah, sorry.
Did I give you my old pass? My new one should be in here somewhere.
Just right in Ap? Ap! April! Can we get a medic over here? Medic! Have you ever had a seizure before? No, um No, but my doctor told me it might happen.
I have AML and I'm on a new clinical trial.
We should send you to the hospital.
No.
No, no.
You don't have to do that.
I'll I'll tell my doctor what happened.
I see her all the time.
Really.
Stay here one second, please.
Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital? Yep.
'Cause I was faking.
Come on.
They can't see us from back here.
You can't just do that, April.
I'm sorry! I I had to think fast.
And when I passes out at that blood drive, I ended up with an interview with Richie Miranda, so Well, you should have warned me.
I thought it was really happening.
Sorry.
I wasn't thinking.
April! Ellie.
Is this your boyfriend? No.
So where's your girlfriend? I don't have one.
Good to know.
Doesn't cancer just eliminate the need for small talk? You just gotta lay it all on the table out front.
Yeah, except the whole cancer part, huh? Cancer's an incredibly personal thing.
It's each person's secret to tell when they feel ready.
Ellie, you stole my words.
And now you're trying to steal my book deal? I mean, what do you even need a publisher for? Can't you just release an e-book? Or like a series of tweets to your thousands of followers? Personally, I feel like my story deserves a hard cover and a display at Barnes and Noble.
And it's not like you have a monopoly on on writing a book about cancer putting your life in perspective.
My skin cancer scare changed my whole outlook.
Scare? Yeah.
I had the mole removed, so I'm fine, but it was cancerous.
And just, you know, thinking about what might have happened was really hard.
Anyway, I should I should go find my contact from Book Smart.
'Cause we've been tweeting at each other, so Check you later? She clearly wants you.
I need to distract her so I can meet those publishers before she does.
So You wanna use me as bait.
Please.
Thank you.
April? I didn't see your name on the guest list.
Hi, Raquel.
Feel like I have deja vu.
You're in a blazer and you're here with Dominic? It's happening again? Uh, no.
No, we're just friends.
So then what are you doing here? I am writing a memoir.
Man, I told you you'd get a book deal out of this.
Well I don't have one yet, but Book Smart showed interest in my proposal, so I'm hoping to meet someone that works there.
Have you met Gwen Johnson? The president? Yeah, right.
I wish.
Well, she's here.
She's in my Krav Maga class.
Or, she was before I skipped two levels.
My teacher said that he's never seen more natural talent from someone who's never been in actual military combat.
- Wow.
- You wanna meet her? I can introduce you.
Are you kidding? Do I seem like a funny person to you? You know, I'm no fashion expert, but that dress looks done to me.
Cheers.
Thank you, but if I drink that, I am going to immediately pass out.
And that was not the desired effect.
I'm sorry.
I'm just kind of panicking about my job.
But you did so good with your first order.
That was one dress.
And look at me.
I mean, if making one dress is that taxing, then how in the hell am I going to make this a full-time business all by myself? What was I thinking leaving Jaclyn? You were being smart.
I just feel like I did this way before I was ready.
You are ready.
And, look, even if you're not, sometimes Sometimes it's a good thing to jump in without a life vest and figure it out later.
I don't know about that, because I am drowning right now.
God, I should never have let you talk me into this.
I mean, it's not like you just jumped in without a life vest.
You're a pharmaceutical rep.
Okay, my job might seem safe to you, but I actually did take risks to make it happen.
None of my family went to college and they couldn't pay for it.
I took out a loan myself and did a two year program because it's all I could afford.
And now I'm really proud of the work that I do.
In part because of how I got here.
You're not gonna stay over? Well, I just I feel like I'm not helping you here.
So let's just talk tomorrow, okay? She was our head reporter on the Bruce Hendrie campaign, and April worked with us until last fall when she had to leave for health reasons.
Now she's writing a memoir that I hope to play a significant role in.
Oh, you will definitely be in it.
I actually sent my proposal to Book Smart.
Maybe you read it? Oh, Gwen's too high ranking to read proposals.
Well, wait a minute.
I read some of them.
Um, what's it called? Chasing Life.
Hmm.
Well, titles can be changed.
It's a reference to something my dad wrote, and it applies to my life, since I'm living with cancer now.
So I kind of reclaimed it.
Oh, the cancer memoir.
I read your proposal.
That was very entertaining.
Wow, thank you.
Yeah, I wanted to give it some levity so it wasn't too depressing.
Oh, no, no, no.
That was not depressing at all.
As a matter of fact, the chapter where you thought your skin cancer was herpes at first.
Ha! Now that had me laughing out loud.
That's actually not That one's not my book.
Oh, but your book is about cancer, too? Who's your agent? Calvin Roth.
Mmm.
Uh, April, why don't you send me what you have.
I'll make sure Gwen gets it.
Thanks, Raquel.
Pleasure to meet you.
Good luck with everything.
Brenna come down.
Thank you.
Oh! Okay, hold on.
Stay.
Stay.
Wait, wait, wait.
Wait.
Stay on the stairs.
I want to get a picture of you coming down.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
That's such a bad angle.
No one looks good from underneath.
Well, Brenna does.
No no not that I've seen her from underneath that much.
I'm just saying she looks good from all angles.
I Not that I've seen her from all angles.
I'm just saying, you know, at school, I Finn, it's okay.
I'm not that kind of mom.
But I'm not not that kind of mom.
Just Yes, thank you.
We will behave.
I'm continuing down the stairs now.
Oh, um, uh, here's this Flower bracelet thing.
- Corsage.
- Yeah.
Oh, look who is getting into the spirit.
I told you cheesy milestones could be fun.
Embracing the cheese, you know? If you're gonna go for it, go big or go home.
That's right.
- Oh.
- Oh, how sweet.
Boop.
So, did you lock it up with the publisher? No.
Probably not.
I mean, she has a compelling reason to pick the flashier book and I just don't know that it'll be mine.
But you know what? I tried.
- Raquel even helped, weirdly.
- That's not weird.
The Post isn't as cut-throat as it used to be.
Raquel's way less hostile.
I'm like 20 percent less attracted to her now.
Well, she's probably realizing that old school journalism is losing it's power and we all need to stick together.
Which isn't so easy when there's a new person getting fired every day.
Or quitting.
Everyone's trying to get out, even me.
Well, you have your book though, right? It didn't sell.
Even after I added this whole subplot with sexual roleplay I don't know that I need the details.
Now I'm trying to come up with a backup plan.
Maybe I can invent something.
Ooh, any ideas? A time machine to take me back to school so I can pick another major.
Times are tough.
Even dudes with publishing deals are getting out.
Dominic's trying to sell his house so he can bail.
Yeah.
He mentioned wanting to start fresh somewhere else.
I gotta say, I'd be kind of bummed if he left.
Ugh, God.
Don't say that to him or he'll change his mind.
What do you mean? Don't tell a secret to a man with a megaphone.
That's what my parents always used to say.
Is that an old Indian saying? No.
They just said that 'cause I would tell all their secrets.
Come on, April.
You knew that guy was still in love with you.
Oh, mom! Oh, how many shower poufs did you get? I thought you might like color options.
Right, well now my bathroom is ready for gay pride.
Yes, but is it ready for This fabulous over-the-door organizer? How are you my daughter and not excited about this? Sorry, I am.
Wow.
I'm just I'm distracted.
I saw Danny today, and He basically told me that Dominic still has feelings for me.
Oh.
Well, that's a lot to process.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Well, just because you know doesn't mean you have to decide what to do about it right away.
Is Dominic dating Ellie now? No.
They probably hooked up last night.
So, I could wait to bring it up with him, but he'll just move on.
You know, you've seen the guy.
He has options.
Consequences aside, what would you tell him? I don't know.
I I would tell him that it's complicated.
You know, when we were together, for the first time in my life, I thought, "this is it.
This is the guy.
" The timing was just terrible and things ended so suddenly.
And not because we didn't have feelings for each other anymore.
But then, you know, I fell for Leo and and I threw myself completely into that.
And now it just It feels too soon to start anything again.
I know.
But when I look at that picture, I don't know.
I want I want to tell him to just I don't know, wait for me.
That's so selfish, though.
Okay, but don't let guilt make the decision for you.
Sometimes you just have to listen to your heart, no matter how selfish it sounds.
Then we do a mile along the waterfront.
And end up in the leather district.
- Oh, maybe I can find a daddy.
- I'm nervous.
I mean, I've never even made it through a full practice run.
-You know what? Maybe I shouldn't do this.
-No, the a no, the adrenaline - will help.
- No, no, no, no, no.
I I I It's been great running for fun with you, but the pressure of a race is just making me feel discouraged.
With all the family drama I've had lately, negative feelings are the last thing I need.
Use it to motivate you.
Think about someone who's wronged you.
Or or one of your children.
Hell hath no fury like a parent scorned.
Yeah, so I've noticed.
You should lighten up on Beth.
She's only 24.
Well, I just hate to see my son blindsided, and it's not like Beth upgraded.
Have you seen my son? He's taller.
He's better looking than Tristan.
Uh, Josh? Ugh.
Mmm.
I'm sure my therapist friend is not going to let that Freudian slip pass, is she? No, she is not.
Just found out that my ex is engaged to that pocket gay.
Aw, I'm sorry.
Why didn't you tell me? I was still in shock.
It's stupid, but in my mind, I was hoping that they'd Just be a fling.
You would have taken him back? I agreed to be with that man for the rest of my life.
He's the one that broke the contract.
Yeah, I didn't have that option, working things out with my husband, but I suppose if I had, I probably would have tried.
Which would have been a mistake, because I'm better off being single than living a lie.
You you can't really be that zen about it.
Weren't you angry? Well, if I let myself dwell on the details, I will get angry.
That's why I don't go there.
I'm telling you, Sara, sometimes it's good to go there.
Get angry.
It'll put a fire in your belly in a good way.
Like when you need to run a 10k.
Hmm? Yes? - Okay.
- All right.
- There you go.
- Actually, yes.
Go.
- Okay.
- Yeah.
Well, here's to making it through that train wreck.
Teej, we're waiting.
Sorry, my strawberry jalapeño shooter needs a jalapeño.
Cheers.
Cheers.
What? You don't like it? I made yours with cilantro and lime 'cause you can't drink.
That's what it is, cilantro.
I used to love the stuff, but after my transplant it tastes like soap to me.
Cilantro always tastes like soap to me.
By the way, it's your lucky night.
Mariah and her new girlfriend went to an anti-rape rally at Harvard tonight, so we have an extra room.
What do you mean you have an extra room? Oh my God, you're so cute.
Babe, what did we talk about? There's a bedroom at the end of the hall waiting for you and your lady whenever you're ready to get You know, more intimate.
Oh, don't worry.
I got your back.
And your front.
Okay, ladies, time is running out You learn something new about your best friend every day.
Never would have pegged you for a home shopping network fan.
Something about how the models spin around in those stretchy pants just calms me down.
You get it.
Nope.
I'm not wearing a bra.
Sorry.
Coming.
Hey Ellie got published, didn't she? No, but, uh, you sort of did.
What? What are you talking about? A chapter from your proposal leaked to The Post's website.
I don't even know how it happened.
My old boss, Raquel, said she was gonna slip it to Gwen at Book Smart.
Well, she slipped it to all of Boston.
Of course she wasn't trying to do me a favor.
She was trying to screw me over! Oh, my God! Is this Is this bad? Is this bad? I mean, it's not the best thing when you're looking to get published, since it's no longer exclusive.
No, no.
Calvin, Calvin.
You're supposed to tell me that it's okay.
I don't know if it is.
I'm new to this, too.
Just say it's okay.
Say it's okay.
That wall is so pink.
Yeah, it is.
I used to want a bed like this.
I always wanted a waterbed.
Well, this is awkward.
It doesn't have to be.
You're in a unique situation and you have to prioritize your health above anything.
And I get that.
Living on the edge, huh? What's wrong? You know we can't do that, as much as I want to.
I I just hate that I've only kissed my girlfriend with a stupid mask on.
Well How risky would it be if we just kissed once? I'm willing to find out if you are.
I don't want to make you sicker.
Can we just pretend that I'm not? Please? Thank you for stopping by.
I needed this.
Of course.
It was on the way to the finish line at my mom's 10k.
So, I realized I never talked to you after throwing you to the wolves at the book launch.
You mean Ellie.
Yeah, she was interesting.
Pretty aggressive.
So how long did you guys hang out for? I saw the pictures you posted.
You did? Yeah.
Well, right after that, she ditched me and started chasing after the arts and entertainment guy at The Sentinel.
Wasn't about me.
She just wanted press for her book.
Hmm.
Well, she can take mine.
Now that my excerpt leaked, there's no way it's getting published.
Hey, did you make a decision about the house? Yeah.
My mom thinks I'll be able to sell it again as is and financially, it makes the most sense for me to do that.
So I'm in the market for a new place.
Here or ? Anywhere.
You know, there's nothing tying me down to any particular city, so It's kind of exciting.
There are so many cities I can see myself living in.
Nashville, Seattle Keep me posted.
I should head to the race.
Thanks for this.
After I was diagnosed, my anger felt insurmountable.
I couldn't accept the fact that my life could be ending when I was only supposed to be a quarter of the way through it.
I feared the start of my next chapter.
Is happiness even worth experiencing if it's followed by such enormous pain? There she is! Go, mom! It's the beauty and tragedy of being alive.
And I didn't know if I was strong enough to go through another round of hope and then despair, especially as my body conspired against me.
So, I press on, like we all do.
Whether we're sick or not, we're all withstanding the lows to get a taste of the highs.
They're that good.
Beth? I'm in the bathroom.
Can you come here a second? Oh, my God.
Yeah.
I missed my period last month, but I mean, that happens to me sometimes.
So, the reason why I've been so sick and emotional is, uh Josh Junior? Or, sorry, I guess it could be Beth Junior.
Or Graham Junior.
Okay.
Okay, we can figure that out.
I really don't know what to do.
Don't.
Don't.
No, just take it.
I'll still be frozen here when you're done.
Um Hello? You really got me, April.
Sorry? Some good news first.
Book Smart picked you over Ellie.
Boom! But, I thought because the chapter leaked, that The chapter leak is what made them pick you.
The comment section on The Post website blew up.
People love your story.
Oh, my God! That's amazing! The most amazing news is that when we sell this, I'll probably get my own office.
By the way, very funny using the name Chasing Life, when you know there's a book already being shopped around with that title.
Oh, there is? "Oh, there is?" Yes, it was written by your dad.
Wait, do you know who's trying to sell the book? Is it Natalie Ortiz? Something like that.
It's, uh, hang on.
Olivia Ortiz.