Once and Again (1999) s02e16 Episode Script
Aaron's Gettin' Better
lt wasn't like we never fought.
We fought all the time lt wasn't like we never fought.
We fought all the time over everything.
Who had to sit next to Grandma at Passover, the best ways to torture Judy.
lt was great.
He'll sleep here.
Grace'll be with Zoe.
l think that'll be good.
You think? - Yeah, l do.
- l just can't believe he's coming.
l mean, l can because he did so well at Judy's, but the whole thing is just so mysterious.
- This medication - There are no miracles.
They always say that, but if it works - Like it's worked with Aaron.
- They connect.
Thank you so much for stopping by so early.
Wait till we're married.
- Oh.
- [phone rings.]
Where's the? ls that in the bed? - Oh, hang on, hang on.
- Hold on.
Here.
Hello? Oh, Jake, hi.
Yeah.
Bye.
Girls, that was your dad! - He'll pick you up in two minutes! - You don't have to scream.
- Hey, Rick.
- Hi, Grace.
- You're making my bed? - What was the phone doing in it? She was talking to Spencer at midnight.
- lt wasn't midnight.
- l got up to pee.
l saw the clock.
- lt was 1 1 :32, Mom.
- That's still too late.
Mom, we went through this crucible together.
You can't just say everything you have to say to each other in a day.
So, why are you making my bed? l'm gonna get you a cup of coffee.
- Uncle Aaron's coming today.
- Tomorrow.
- Today.
- You said tomorrow.
Mom, l wanted to be here when he came.
Well, then be here.
That's easy.
He'll be here at 4:00.
Mom, Spencer, who l was talking to at 1 1 :32 - [car horn honks.]
- Yeah? Something might come up.
He might need me.
l'll get here as soon as l can.
Bye.
- Grace - Feel free to make my bed any day.
- Wait.
Grace, honey - Mom, can l ask you a quick question? Wait, sweetie.
You've got this twisted.
Let me help you.
Was Uncle Aaron always the way he is? No, honey, he was wonderful once.
Not that he isn't now.
This one time, Aaron found a mouse, and Judy had this box of troll things, and we took off one of their bizarre little outfits, and then we Oh, we were terrible.
[sighs.]
Daddy always said they had Aaron for me.
Have a great day.
l love you.
- Hey, Rick.
- Bye, Zo.
Do l scream? Only when l'm really good.
l can't wait for him to really get to know you.
We're family now.
- Hey.
- Hey.
lt was really cool talking to you last night.
Yeah, you too.
l got in trouble, of course, but it was so worth it.
l l gotta go.
Um, l agreed to be poetry editor of the lit magazine, which was really dumb.
This girl just submitted a 40-page poem called l, Darkling, - What is a darkling? - Someone who darkles, l guess.
[chuckles.]
l'm having trouble sleeping.
You? No.
My mom says l need closure to what we went through.
Yeah, right, like that'll happen anytime soon.
- That's my mom.
- Spencer, l had this idea this morning.
lt's like, what happened to us That was real, you know? And most people never get a real thing or moment, and l don't just mean in high school, but we did.
- So? - So we write about it.
For the magazine.
lnterview each other as survivors.
What do you think? - Um, l'll think about it.
- lt could be totally amazing.
l'll talk about it with everybody at the magazine.
- They're all waiting, darkling and all.
- Find me later.
Well, we made it! Hey, Shelley.
You remember Zoe? Who could forget that face? Here's your uncle, Zoe.
- Hi, Aaron.
- Hi.
Hi.
Lily.
Thank you for having me, Lily.
Thank you for coming, Aaron.
l think l should state, to be perfectly honest, that this is not my own actual suitcase.
l think Lily's probably fine with that, Aaron.
Of course l am.
Guess who's on their way.
- Judy.
- Sounds good.
And she said you'd love the bookstore, so l thought tomorrow we'd go.
That sounds like a plan.
l'd like to see where l'm going to sleep.
Grace's room.
She gets weird if you move her things, but l know where they go.
Come with me.
He's feeling a little shy.
That should pass.
And he'll sleep a lot.
Expect it.
lt's the downside of these meds.
Okay, all right, so l have everything he needs.
- Shelley, he he seems - Lily, - l saw how he connected - Connected.
How he looked at you, and whether that's the meds, or that it's March, or who the hell knows? We don't know, but that's okay.
So you have my pager.
l can be here in ten.
You're gonna be fine.
Just keep your expectations - Reasonable.
- Reasonable.
And think - about what you might need from him.
- From him? Well, l know it's been forbidden for 20 years, but he needs you to need something from him.
- Really? - Try.
And he slept.
Shelley said that he'll sleep a lot.
Right, right.
That's the downside.
Of the meds.
He's looking forward to the bookstore tomorrow.
Oh, great.
That's great.
That's You know, l was just thinking, do you remember that weekend that you and Aaron babysat for me and gave me these tiny little portions of food? Oh, Judy.
That was just two meals.
And the birthday cake you guys made for me with sand instead of sugar.
And the tree house.
You and Aaron would dangle that rope ladder.
Oh! Dangle up.
Dangle up.
l have to get Uncle Aaron a soda.
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
- Where do you want to sit? - Um - You could sit next to me if you want.
- Hmm.
l think l'll eat off everyone's plate like in that Helen Keller movie.
- l love Helen Keller.
- Oh, right.
ls she one of your favorite blind people? - Shut up.
- l'd like to help set the table.
Okay.
We have Star Wars napkins at my group home.
Every meal.
Which must be why they call us space cadets.
Ha! Oh, God.
l'm so sorry.
lt's okay, you can laugh.
But l can't.
The state'd cut off my funding.
Lily? Yeah? Grace reminds me of someone.
She does? Who? - Aunt Marion.
- Aunt Marion? - Aunt Marion.
- You remember her? Yes.
She was nice, in a way.
And so is Grace.
- ln a way? - That's what he said.
- Small way.
- [timer dings.]
- Uh, garlic bread.
- lt's the garlic bread.
Aunt Marion.
She was always centering things.
l remember once she physically moved me to the center of the couch.
Lily? So let's just eat.
We should.
l'm starving.
Does Aaron know about you and Rick, - about getting married? - Not yet, no.
Tonight.
Maybe l'll tell him tonight.
Good.
l think that's good.
And l'm warning you, Judy, tonight you'll be getting very tiny portions.
[rustling.]
Uncle Aaron.
[whispering.]
Hi.
What are you doing? Opening licorice, specifically red.
- Do you want one? - Sure.
There's an art to opening the package, though they're nothing but chemicals.
You want them to remain fresh.
Lily's taking a bath.
ls she mad that l'm late? No, not that l saw.
But l see things that are not there.
You can laugh.
So, how's it going? lt's pretty good.
- Oh, no, no, no.
No.
- What? Candles.
They're better for talking late.
Sounds good.
You know what? You clean up nice.
Grandpa always used to say that when he visited.
''l'll say this for Grace, she cleans up nice.
'' My grandpa your dad.
Some people are two things, sometimes three.
Like you.
You're mom's brother, - my uncle - l get worried.
- About being too many things? - Don't tell Lily.
l'm doing really well.
Me too.
There's this guy Spencer, and we had this astonishing experience, and when a thing like that happens, and you've been through it together, you see everything differently.
The world is like two teams.
You know? Those who were there and those who weren't.
- Do you know what l mean? - That's my life.
Wow.
Grace, where have you been? l am ten minutes late.
You said 1 0:30.
Here we go.
l said 1 0:00.
Lily was always late, and dad was always mad.
- She was? - Mm-hmm.
l didn't know that.
- Thank you very much.
- With Brian Garvin.
He was the one she was always late with.
Oh, my God.
Brian Garvin.
What happened to him? He changed into gay.
l mean, he is gay.
So, you made him gay? - No! - Are you sure? That was after me, Grace, not during me.
After.
Enough of my history.
Go upstairs and go to bed.
We'll discuss curfew in the morning.
You mean, infantilize me in the morning.
- lnfantilize.
- Whatever! When you could just trust me.
lt's not like l'm out taking drugs.
- l take drugs.
- These are different.
The ones l'm not taking.
- Okay.
Good night, Uncle Aaron.
- Good night, Grace.
- Bye.
- Good night.
Want some tea? Sounds like a plan.
Judy sure remembered that rope ladder and that tree house.
- And what about those turtles? - The ones l painted - with the peace sign.
- The peace sign.
- Oh, God, Aaron.
- [both chuckle.]
[sighs.]
Okay.
We need to go to bed.
- Did you take your medicine? - Yes, everything.
Okay.
So, there's nothing you need - l'm fine.
- Okay.
Me too.
You know what, Aaron? There's something that l wanted to tell you.
l'm getting married to Rick, who has been this amazing event in my life.
You know, there have been so many things missing, you know, things that l-l had really counted on, just gone.
My marriage and Daddy and and you.
You've been gone so long, l didn't know how much l missed you.
And now you're here, and l'm getting married, and l want you to be there, because you're the man of the family now.
Do you remember the Liebermans next door, and how you had convinced Judy they were Russian spies? - They were.
- Of course they were.
So, you do remember that? Lily l remember everything.
Good night, Lily.
Good night, Aaron.
- [tapping.]
- [Judy.]
Hey.
- Hey, Jude.
- Hi.
Wow.
This place just looks great.
Yes, it does.
Yeah, well, at least it's not a chain.
They're full of eager people.
l hate eagerness.
Aaron, come here.
l wanna show you this.
l'm sorry.
That's not a great idea in here.
She's a superb athlete.
She'll be careful.
Look at these.
They always made me think of you.
l don't read as much as l used to.
l always called this Aaron's shelf.
l'd keep in stock all the books you loved.
C.
S.
Lewis, A Wrinkle in Time, Lord of the Rings, Aaron was a really good artist when he was young.
His masterpieces were signs that read, ''Judy, keep out.
'' You know, little drawings of me in the margins, headless, looking up at my body.
He was really good.
Oh, God, Judy.
Remember The Lord of the Rings show? - Aaron, you played Frodo and Strider.
- And Lily played Lady Lorien.
Yes, right, and l was the all-purpose hobbit.
- You were short with hairy feet.
- Still hairy.
- That's why she always wears boots.
- Judy-doody.
- Judy-doody! - Judy-doody! l have to work.
Judy-doody.
- Hey! - [girl.]
l didn't do anything! [woman.]
Michelle? [Judy.]
l have to ask you to leave.
Don't touch her.
- l didn't mean to be in the way.
- lt's okay, sweetie.
l'll just sit here out of the way.
Lily, can you take him home? - l'll be all right.
Be all right here.
- [Lily.]
lt's okay.
l'll stay here out of the way like this.
l'm sorry.
l'm sorry.
l don't mean to be in the way.
- l'll just sit here.
- We should eat.
- l think you should rest, Aaron.
- l'll get sandwiches.
He needs to rest every day, according to Shelley, okay? l'll be all right here.
l hate those scooter things.
There's something totally creepy about them.
- Judy, he's okay.
Just let him be.
- He is never okay.
- Judy.
- lt's about what he can handle.
Believe me, l know that, but Shelley said he can handle more.
l talk to Shelley three times a week.
l know what she says.
lt's just lt's nothing we can count on.
l know that.
l don't want to fight.
- And neither do l.
- So l'll just take him home.
Okay? He needs his rest.
[Grace.]
Daddy? - Hey.
- Hey, Mr.
Manning.
Oh, Jake, please.
After what we went through - Jake it is, then.
- Jake it is.
So, Grace tell you that this was her grandpa's place? No Jake.
Well, it was, and he he'd have never let happen, you know what happened.
He'd have bet him for the gun [chuckles.]
and then just jumped up on a table and recited some big, fat Sandburg poem about Chicago.
So, what brings you guys here on this, uh slow day? We're doing this thing for the lit magazine, like investigative journalism, only we investigate ourselves.
- Right? - Right.
Sounds good.
Well, l will leave you guys to it.
l'll be in my office.
Okay, so l think l should do you first.
lnterview you.
Maybe ''A Day in the Life of Spencer Lewicki'' only it's that day with guns and hostages and You know, the day that whatever happened to us happened.
lt could be great.
We could do a timeline, even.
You know, like ''6:43 a.
m.
, l,'' meaning you, ''wake up.
- 6:46, l brush my teeth.
'' - Don't put that in.
We could start it later.
You're already at breakfast - Grace? - Yeah? - Could we do this later? - But we're here.
l know we are, but l'm not feeling well.
l can't swallow.
l suddenly get how complex swallowing really is and l'm not sure l can do it.
- Do you want some water? - Air.
l-l just need air.
Now.
l think l'll catch the bus.
l promised my mom l'd be home - You want me to come with you? - No! l-l'll be okay.
Just stay with your dad and, um, see ya.
You sure l can't get you guys anything? Grace? Nothing.
[door opens.]
[footsteps approaching.]
[keys jingling.]
- [door slams.]
- Uncle Aaron? She went to the market.
Rick's coming.
l know.
When did she leave? Just a short time ago with Zoe.
Oh, so it's just us.
lt's nice being here with you for just a little while.
l hope you can come more often.
- l'm doing so much better.
- Yeah.
So l just saw that boy that l was telling you about.
Are you in love? How could l know that? [sighs.]
Maybe l'm not.
Or l don't know.
l might be.
- Might makes right.
- The Wright brothers.
Kitty Hawk.
l had a book about how they flew, but l don't know where it is now.
l don't know if l'm in love.
l just don't know.
lt would be an unknown element.
Were you ever in love? Well, l think l was, but she never knew.
l remember she had a scarf, you know, wrapped around her, and there was all this fringe, like, down to her knees.
And l think l l tried to talk to her, but there was just t-too much fringe.
So, you remember a lot? Yes.
Things remember me.
l get it.
Believe me.
Sometimes l wonder if l'm actually here, or if l'm just someone else's idea of me.
But who's the someone, what's the idea, and what if it's a bad idea? [sighs.]
These are all recent weirdnesses.
So, what's it like? - Love, you mean? - Mm-hmm.
Thank you.
Snow.
Snow.
You know how there's mornings you wake up, and the night before you knew that snow might be coming, but you'd forgotten, then you go to the window and it's everywhere, and you're surprised, but not really? So is there snow? All around.
[car door closes.]
l hear Mom.
- Sorry.
- Sorry.
ls salmon the same as smoked salmon? Do you actually expect a response? l'm ignoring you.
ls there dessert? Of course there's dessert.
Apple cobbler.
l just want sorbet.
Did you get some? Oh, yes, ma'am.
l don't want to get fired.
Can l go see if Uncle Aaron's awake? No, sweetie, he needs his rest like Shelley said.
- l won't wake him up.
- No, honey.
He's resting.
[car passes.]
So when they come, sometimes you don't know sometimes, so you you wait.
They always know where you are.
Or he does.
[doorbell rings.]
- Hey, you.
- Hey, you.
- Here.
- Oh, great.
Thank you.
So He's doing well, so much better.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
l told him about us, - that we're getting married - Good.
l'm glad you did.
and that l want him at our wedding.
l told him that too.
He wasn't there the first time 'cause he was so sick, and Jake didn't want him there and neither did l.
You think he'll behave? When he's there, which is less if l stay very still But when he is, he talks about me.
He was in Nixon's Cabinet, see, so he knows all about me.
When he's there and when he's not.
[man.]
Aaron? - Aaron? - Aaron? - Talk to her, - Lily.
- You okay? - Oh, yes.
- You sure? - Tell her, l'm sure.
See, l closed my eyes and dreamed, l guess.
Remember what you dreamed about? - Trees, - Trees.
Dreamed of trees.
lf you need to rest more, that's fine.
lt's been a long day.
No, l want to be with you, Lily.
Okay, great.
Rick's here.
- l'll be down in a minute.
- Okay.
ln the last picture l have of Aaron, he's around 1 8.
He was skiing, and the face l see now is that face, or close enough.
l-l guess l just mean l l see my brother again.
- [line ringing.]
- lt's me.
- You naked? - Of course.
Are you busy tonight? Say no.
No, l thought l'd take the kids to a movie.
You want to come? How about if you guys come over here for dinner? We could go out.
- Could we do it here? - You really want the kids? - Of course.
- We'll be there.
- 7:00? - 7:00.
- Hey.
- Hey! How are you doing? l'm fine.
l'm swallowing without any awareness of the act at all, so So l did all the stuff for our project.
That's That's great.
Only it was really weird.
See, it started being all about me, - and - And what? it became sort of all about you, which was amazing because l realized that l really sort of know you, - and l felt you when l was - Grace, please stop.
Okay.
Look, maybe l shouldn't say this, um, but But that's never stopped you before.
See l've never had a girlfriend, Grace.
You know that? ls that what l am? No, l just meant that we've been, um Spencer, it's okay.
A lot of people haven't had a girlfriend or And you say you really know me, but comic books T-Take comic books.
l-l love 'em, you don't.
And Japanese anime, which l also love, and Spencer, what are you saying? l've never had a girlfriend, and if l had or ever do l don't think it would be you.
Well, because y-you're too much for me.
You're too intense for me.
- l'm too intense for you? - Right now you are.
l-l can't handle a girlfriend right now.
l l can't handle myself right now.
l'm too intense for me.
So l need two things.
And what would those be? Time and for you not to be mad at me, be-because it's me, Grace, not you.
Not even a little? Maybe a little, but but mostly me.
[man.]
lt's the same with you always, You're just the same, and what's that? - A liar.
- l can't hear you, - A liar.
- l can't hear you, - A liar! - There aren't even words, - Never.
No.
- Never's right, Never will be anything or worth a damn, - Now say your name, - Aaron.
- Louder, - Aaron.
- Louder, - Aaron! l can't hear you, so you must be nothing, You're nothing, Always and never nothing! - [Grace.]
Uncle Aaron? - Sorry.
- Are you okay? - Sorry.
lt's all right.
Here, let me help you.
- You're not doing so good, are you? - l'm better.
- Where's Mom? - Shopping.
Right.
Rick's coming with his kids.
Rick.
He's okay.
He's large.
But he's okay.
Are you? The snow boy.
l should've told you.
Snow is a meltable element.
See, you can't You can't keep things that are made of snow.
[sobbing.]
l've never been asked to do this before.
[Grace shuddering.]
Grace, l need something.
l need my medication.
l'll get it.
l'll get it.
- How many? - l need something.
How many, Uncle Aaron? - Tell her! - Two! Thank you.
[whispering.]
Don't tell Lily.
l'm sorry.
Why does it have to have spinach in it? Mom? - Where's Grace? - Somewhere.
- The subject was spinach.
- You think we need to go check on him? - l'll go up.
- Mom? lt has spinach in it because it's in the recipe and l feel it needs it.
Fine.
l feel it ruins it, but this kitchen is your property.
[knocking.]
- [breathing heavily.]
- Hey.
- Hey.
- How you doing? You okay, sweetie? Mmm.
Oh, l did it wrong.
Nah.
No, you just missed one.
- That's all.
- l'm tired, Judy.
- There you are.
- Thank you.
You know, l think it should just be us tonight.
- Hi, Aaron.
- Hi.
Rick and the kids can come another time.
l think it should just be us tonight.
- They're on their way.
- lf you don't know his cell number Do you want that, Aaron? lt's okay if you do.
No.
Are you sure? You can tell me the truth.
No, Rick's coming.
l'm okay.
Well, why don't you rest for a little while, and l'll call them and tell them to come later? - Do you need anything? - l'm good.
l'm gonna wash my face.
- l'm trying to make something happen.
- Mom? - That's quite obvious.
- ln a minute, sweetie.
- Shelley said - Oh, Shelley said.
She said we have to challenge him, to try and need something from him.
- What, to be like he was? - No, l know he can't be like he was, but God, Judy, he's so much better.
Better, right, but you're pushing, and he'll pay.
Like he needs your crap on top of everything else? Judy, l know how devoted you are to him.
- l know how often you go see him.
- Stop.
Now you're insulting me.
- How can that be insulting you? - What do you want? l want Aaron to be part of my family.
- He is! - l haven't been the perfect sister.
l want to make that up to him.
No, to you.
You want him to make it up to you so you can feel good about life and Rick.
But that's not his job, Lily.
He's sick.
He's crazy.
He's my brother too.
l know that.
Damn her! She is so like this.
This is so who she is! Poor little Judy when she's really just superior Judy.
lt's this manipulative little game she plays.
- She's always played it.
- God, l hate her! l go see him once a week, twice a week.
She's gone twice in 1 0 years.
Yeah, sure, it's easy now.
The hard part's done.
l did it.
''Oh, hey, let's have dinner!'' God.
You don't want to believe he's better.
You don't want to see what's in front of your face.
[door shuts.]
- [Grace.]
Don't be so sensitive.
- [Eli.]
l'm not.
[Grace.]
lt doesn't look bad.
You like lasagna, right? You've always liked it.
- Yeah, l think so.
- Yeah.
l love lasagna, except when it burns the roof of your mouth.
- That's pizza, you idiot.
- [Lily.]
Grace.
l'm used to being the idiot.
Maybe you can be it for a while.
ls the bottom of your mouth called the basement? Did the cosmos really need that question? Grace.
This is our typical meal conversation.
Mom says one word, like a parrot, the whole meal ''Grace.
Grace.
Grace.
'' Dad always says, ''Eli.
Eli.
'' Oh, l hope you never have you as a kid.
Aaron, you want something to drink, hon? - l don't know, Judy.
- We've got soda or milk or just water.
- Soda.
- l'll get it.
- Can you get me something too? - You can get your own.
- Eli.
- See what l mean? Just look at you, - Honey, you okay? - Yeah.
- Yeah? - l think so.
l'm fine.
- [Eli.]
Here you go.
- Thank you.
- [Rick.]
Lil, sit down.
- l have to get the salad.
- Oh, no, don't worry.
l'll get it.
- Thanks, Jessie.
And l tell you again, and l'll always tell you, because you're too stupid to listen, You disgust me, You disgust the world, Never will be anything worth a damn, You're nothing, The world hates you! l'm staying too, and there's nothing,,, Nothing, You're nothing! Because our disgust is so deep, Nothing, [screams.]
[Judy.]
Oh, God.
Everybody go upstairs.
l don't care where you go.
Lily, call Shelley.
Grace, get the medicine.
- Get his medicine! Go! - Take the girls out of the room.
Sweetie, it's okay.
Shh, it's all right.
Shelley's gonna to come.
We're gonna help you get through this.
- lt's all right.
We're here - Don't! lt's okay.
We love you.
Honey, we love you so much.
No! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! No, don't hurt him! [Aaron.]
Let go! [Aaron sobbing.]
No! [Judy.]
lt's okay.
lt's okay.
No! [Aaron sobbing.]
[Rick.]
lt's okay.
[moaning.]
He taught me which berries and leaves to eat if l ever got lost in the forest.
lt's all right.
[Rick.]
lt's all right.
He showed me the way a bird's wing works, how it's made, how it lifts, how it flies.
He's okay.
He'll sleep a million hours.
- How you doing? - Me? Oh, l'm just a little tired, l guess.
Well, this can wear you out.
l had a coat.
- Oh, it's right here.
- And do l smell lasagna, or has my medication not kicked in? You do.
lt's The lasagna's real.
There's a ton of it, Shelley.
Please take it all.
Just a taste.
l missed dinner.
Thanks.
- Thanks so much for coming, Shel.
- Please, it's Aaron, and l can see that, despite tonight, Aaron's doing better.
- The meds.
- And other things.
[Judy.]
Come.
Let me get you some lasagna.
[sighs.]
Do you think he's warm enough? Yeah.
What do you need? [sighs.]
Let's go for a walk.
[Lily.]
That's one of the things about Rick.
lt's hard to describe how it's okay for him just to be there.
He'll be all right.
That's good to know.
l made it worse.
Looks like you did.
You don't have to agree with me.
- So, you feel guilty? - Well, yeah.
- l would if l were you.
- Like you're one to talk.
- Me and my brother? - At least l talk to mine.
At least mine's sane.
l made it worse.
l wanted him Look, l'll make you a deal, okay? When we're married, you solve my problems with my brother, - l'll solve yours with yours.
- That sounds fair.
Until then, we're still on how you screwed up with Aaron.
- And my life - Okay.
Which has been such a mess, and Aaron getting better gave me hope for my life.
Maybe it wouldn't be such a mess forever.
l guess you were wrong, huh? l needed him to get better for me, to give me hope for my life.
You were wrong.
- About Aaron? - About hope.
Where it comes from.
From me.
From me.
Damn.
Yeah.
[door shuts.]
Ohh.
Oh, Lily.
[groans.]
- Hey.
- Hey.
l'm trying, Lily.
No.
Don't, Aaron.
Just be here with us however you are, 'cause l'm doing better, Aaron.
Don't worry about me.
Mom? Grace.
Honey, it's 1 :00.
lt's 1 2:49, - and l can't get to sleep.
- Sweetie, you need to try.
Between all of this and you being held hostage, l'm amazed you're in one piece.
[chuckles.]
You're so funny sometimes, Mom.
[giggles.]
So, does this stuff really work? Oh, yeah.
l'm actually 1 02.
Just don't tell Rick.
Did you ever worry about us, Mom? That it could happen? l mean, what happened to Uncle Aaron.
Honey, l worry about everything.
Mom, l knew.
l came home and l knew he was sick, and he asked me not to tell, and l didn't No, no, Grace.
No.
lt lt was me.
l want him to be something for me that he can't be.
That can hurt so much.
ls everything all right with Spencer? Spencer is insane, Mom.
No disrespect to Uncle Aaron.
- Wanna talk about it? - lt's 1 :00.
lt's 1 2:52.
ln the morning, maybe.
- One more thing.
- What's that? You're a good sister, Mom.
l just think you should know that before you go to sleep.
Good night.
Good night.
Oh, the sisters of mercy They are not departed or gone They were waiting for me When l thought that l just can't go on And they brought me their comfort And later they brought me this song Oh, l hope you run into them You who've been traveling so long Yes, you who must leave everything That you cannot control lt begins with your family But soon it comes 'round to your soul Well l've been where you're hanging l think l can see how you're pinned When you're not feeling holy Your loneliness says that you've sinned When will you face it, when it comes to women, you are outta control? - What's your friend's name? - Don't go there.
- l want Tiffany's number.
- Stay outta my personal life.
l'm talking about Paul who l have reason to believe might be stalking me.
- Jake.
- What happened? - Stay away from Judy Brooks.
- What, are you crazy?
We fought all the time lt wasn't like we never fought.
We fought all the time over everything.
Who had to sit next to Grandma at Passover, the best ways to torture Judy.
lt was great.
He'll sleep here.
Grace'll be with Zoe.
l think that'll be good.
You think? - Yeah, l do.
- l just can't believe he's coming.
l mean, l can because he did so well at Judy's, but the whole thing is just so mysterious.
- This medication - There are no miracles.
They always say that, but if it works - Like it's worked with Aaron.
- They connect.
Thank you so much for stopping by so early.
Wait till we're married.
- Oh.
- [phone rings.]
Where's the? ls that in the bed? - Oh, hang on, hang on.
- Hold on.
Here.
Hello? Oh, Jake, hi.
Yeah.
Bye.
Girls, that was your dad! - He'll pick you up in two minutes! - You don't have to scream.
- Hey, Rick.
- Hi, Grace.
- You're making my bed? - What was the phone doing in it? She was talking to Spencer at midnight.
- lt wasn't midnight.
- l got up to pee.
l saw the clock.
- lt was 1 1 :32, Mom.
- That's still too late.
Mom, we went through this crucible together.
You can't just say everything you have to say to each other in a day.
So, why are you making my bed? l'm gonna get you a cup of coffee.
- Uncle Aaron's coming today.
- Tomorrow.
- Today.
- You said tomorrow.
Mom, l wanted to be here when he came.
Well, then be here.
That's easy.
He'll be here at 4:00.
Mom, Spencer, who l was talking to at 1 1 :32 - [car horn honks.]
- Yeah? Something might come up.
He might need me.
l'll get here as soon as l can.
Bye.
- Grace - Feel free to make my bed any day.
- Wait.
Grace, honey - Mom, can l ask you a quick question? Wait, sweetie.
You've got this twisted.
Let me help you.
Was Uncle Aaron always the way he is? No, honey, he was wonderful once.
Not that he isn't now.
This one time, Aaron found a mouse, and Judy had this box of troll things, and we took off one of their bizarre little outfits, and then we Oh, we were terrible.
[sighs.]
Daddy always said they had Aaron for me.
Have a great day.
l love you.
- Hey, Rick.
- Bye, Zo.
Do l scream? Only when l'm really good.
l can't wait for him to really get to know you.
We're family now.
- Hey.
- Hey.
lt was really cool talking to you last night.
Yeah, you too.
l got in trouble, of course, but it was so worth it.
l l gotta go.
Um, l agreed to be poetry editor of the lit magazine, which was really dumb.
This girl just submitted a 40-page poem called l, Darkling, - What is a darkling? - Someone who darkles, l guess.
[chuckles.]
l'm having trouble sleeping.
You? No.
My mom says l need closure to what we went through.
Yeah, right, like that'll happen anytime soon.
- That's my mom.
- Spencer, l had this idea this morning.
lt's like, what happened to us That was real, you know? And most people never get a real thing or moment, and l don't just mean in high school, but we did.
- So? - So we write about it.
For the magazine.
lnterview each other as survivors.
What do you think? - Um, l'll think about it.
- lt could be totally amazing.
l'll talk about it with everybody at the magazine.
- They're all waiting, darkling and all.
- Find me later.
Well, we made it! Hey, Shelley.
You remember Zoe? Who could forget that face? Here's your uncle, Zoe.
- Hi, Aaron.
- Hi.
Hi.
Lily.
Thank you for having me, Lily.
Thank you for coming, Aaron.
l think l should state, to be perfectly honest, that this is not my own actual suitcase.
l think Lily's probably fine with that, Aaron.
Of course l am.
Guess who's on their way.
- Judy.
- Sounds good.
And she said you'd love the bookstore, so l thought tomorrow we'd go.
That sounds like a plan.
l'd like to see where l'm going to sleep.
Grace's room.
She gets weird if you move her things, but l know where they go.
Come with me.
He's feeling a little shy.
That should pass.
And he'll sleep a lot.
Expect it.
lt's the downside of these meds.
Okay, all right, so l have everything he needs.
- Shelley, he he seems - Lily, - l saw how he connected - Connected.
How he looked at you, and whether that's the meds, or that it's March, or who the hell knows? We don't know, but that's okay.
So you have my pager.
l can be here in ten.
You're gonna be fine.
Just keep your expectations - Reasonable.
- Reasonable.
And think - about what you might need from him.
- From him? Well, l know it's been forbidden for 20 years, but he needs you to need something from him.
- Really? - Try.
And he slept.
Shelley said that he'll sleep a lot.
Right, right.
That's the downside.
Of the meds.
He's looking forward to the bookstore tomorrow.
Oh, great.
That's great.
That's You know, l was just thinking, do you remember that weekend that you and Aaron babysat for me and gave me these tiny little portions of food? Oh, Judy.
That was just two meals.
And the birthday cake you guys made for me with sand instead of sugar.
And the tree house.
You and Aaron would dangle that rope ladder.
Oh! Dangle up.
Dangle up.
l have to get Uncle Aaron a soda.
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
- Where do you want to sit? - Um - You could sit next to me if you want.
- Hmm.
l think l'll eat off everyone's plate like in that Helen Keller movie.
- l love Helen Keller.
- Oh, right.
ls she one of your favorite blind people? - Shut up.
- l'd like to help set the table.
Okay.
We have Star Wars napkins at my group home.
Every meal.
Which must be why they call us space cadets.
Ha! Oh, God.
l'm so sorry.
lt's okay, you can laugh.
But l can't.
The state'd cut off my funding.
Lily? Yeah? Grace reminds me of someone.
She does? Who? - Aunt Marion.
- Aunt Marion? - Aunt Marion.
- You remember her? Yes.
She was nice, in a way.
And so is Grace.
- ln a way? - That's what he said.
- Small way.
- [timer dings.]
- Uh, garlic bread.
- lt's the garlic bread.
Aunt Marion.
She was always centering things.
l remember once she physically moved me to the center of the couch.
Lily? So let's just eat.
We should.
l'm starving.
Does Aaron know about you and Rick, - about getting married? - Not yet, no.
Tonight.
Maybe l'll tell him tonight.
Good.
l think that's good.
And l'm warning you, Judy, tonight you'll be getting very tiny portions.
[rustling.]
Uncle Aaron.
[whispering.]
Hi.
What are you doing? Opening licorice, specifically red.
- Do you want one? - Sure.
There's an art to opening the package, though they're nothing but chemicals.
You want them to remain fresh.
Lily's taking a bath.
ls she mad that l'm late? No, not that l saw.
But l see things that are not there.
You can laugh.
So, how's it going? lt's pretty good.
- Oh, no, no, no.
No.
- What? Candles.
They're better for talking late.
Sounds good.
You know what? You clean up nice.
Grandpa always used to say that when he visited.
''l'll say this for Grace, she cleans up nice.
'' My grandpa your dad.
Some people are two things, sometimes three.
Like you.
You're mom's brother, - my uncle - l get worried.
- About being too many things? - Don't tell Lily.
l'm doing really well.
Me too.
There's this guy Spencer, and we had this astonishing experience, and when a thing like that happens, and you've been through it together, you see everything differently.
The world is like two teams.
You know? Those who were there and those who weren't.
- Do you know what l mean? - That's my life.
Wow.
Grace, where have you been? l am ten minutes late.
You said 1 0:30.
Here we go.
l said 1 0:00.
Lily was always late, and dad was always mad.
- She was? - Mm-hmm.
l didn't know that.
- Thank you very much.
- With Brian Garvin.
He was the one she was always late with.
Oh, my God.
Brian Garvin.
What happened to him? He changed into gay.
l mean, he is gay.
So, you made him gay? - No! - Are you sure? That was after me, Grace, not during me.
After.
Enough of my history.
Go upstairs and go to bed.
We'll discuss curfew in the morning.
You mean, infantilize me in the morning.
- lnfantilize.
- Whatever! When you could just trust me.
lt's not like l'm out taking drugs.
- l take drugs.
- These are different.
The ones l'm not taking.
- Okay.
Good night, Uncle Aaron.
- Good night, Grace.
- Bye.
- Good night.
Want some tea? Sounds like a plan.
Judy sure remembered that rope ladder and that tree house.
- And what about those turtles? - The ones l painted - with the peace sign.
- The peace sign.
- Oh, God, Aaron.
- [both chuckle.]
[sighs.]
Okay.
We need to go to bed.
- Did you take your medicine? - Yes, everything.
Okay.
So, there's nothing you need - l'm fine.
- Okay.
Me too.
You know what, Aaron? There's something that l wanted to tell you.
l'm getting married to Rick, who has been this amazing event in my life.
You know, there have been so many things missing, you know, things that l-l had really counted on, just gone.
My marriage and Daddy and and you.
You've been gone so long, l didn't know how much l missed you.
And now you're here, and l'm getting married, and l want you to be there, because you're the man of the family now.
Do you remember the Liebermans next door, and how you had convinced Judy they were Russian spies? - They were.
- Of course they were.
So, you do remember that? Lily l remember everything.
Good night, Lily.
Good night, Aaron.
- [tapping.]
- [Judy.]
Hey.
- Hey, Jude.
- Hi.
Wow.
This place just looks great.
Yes, it does.
Yeah, well, at least it's not a chain.
They're full of eager people.
l hate eagerness.
Aaron, come here.
l wanna show you this.
l'm sorry.
That's not a great idea in here.
She's a superb athlete.
She'll be careful.
Look at these.
They always made me think of you.
l don't read as much as l used to.
l always called this Aaron's shelf.
l'd keep in stock all the books you loved.
C.
S.
Lewis, A Wrinkle in Time, Lord of the Rings, Aaron was a really good artist when he was young.
His masterpieces were signs that read, ''Judy, keep out.
'' You know, little drawings of me in the margins, headless, looking up at my body.
He was really good.
Oh, God, Judy.
Remember The Lord of the Rings show? - Aaron, you played Frodo and Strider.
- And Lily played Lady Lorien.
Yes, right, and l was the all-purpose hobbit.
- You were short with hairy feet.
- Still hairy.
- That's why she always wears boots.
- Judy-doody.
- Judy-doody! - Judy-doody! l have to work.
Judy-doody.
- Hey! - [girl.]
l didn't do anything! [woman.]
Michelle? [Judy.]
l have to ask you to leave.
Don't touch her.
- l didn't mean to be in the way.
- lt's okay, sweetie.
l'll just sit here out of the way.
Lily, can you take him home? - l'll be all right.
Be all right here.
- [Lily.]
lt's okay.
l'll stay here out of the way like this.
l'm sorry.
l'm sorry.
l don't mean to be in the way.
- l'll just sit here.
- We should eat.
- l think you should rest, Aaron.
- l'll get sandwiches.
He needs to rest every day, according to Shelley, okay? l'll be all right here.
l hate those scooter things.
There's something totally creepy about them.
- Judy, he's okay.
Just let him be.
- He is never okay.
- Judy.
- lt's about what he can handle.
Believe me, l know that, but Shelley said he can handle more.
l talk to Shelley three times a week.
l know what she says.
lt's just lt's nothing we can count on.
l know that.
l don't want to fight.
- And neither do l.
- So l'll just take him home.
Okay? He needs his rest.
[Grace.]
Daddy? - Hey.
- Hey, Mr.
Manning.
Oh, Jake, please.
After what we went through - Jake it is, then.
- Jake it is.
So, Grace tell you that this was her grandpa's place? No Jake.
Well, it was, and he he'd have never let happen, you know what happened.
He'd have bet him for the gun [chuckles.]
and then just jumped up on a table and recited some big, fat Sandburg poem about Chicago.
So, what brings you guys here on this, uh slow day? We're doing this thing for the lit magazine, like investigative journalism, only we investigate ourselves.
- Right? - Right.
Sounds good.
Well, l will leave you guys to it.
l'll be in my office.
Okay, so l think l should do you first.
lnterview you.
Maybe ''A Day in the Life of Spencer Lewicki'' only it's that day with guns and hostages and You know, the day that whatever happened to us happened.
lt could be great.
We could do a timeline, even.
You know, like ''6:43 a.
m.
, l,'' meaning you, ''wake up.
- 6:46, l brush my teeth.
'' - Don't put that in.
We could start it later.
You're already at breakfast - Grace? - Yeah? - Could we do this later? - But we're here.
l know we are, but l'm not feeling well.
l can't swallow.
l suddenly get how complex swallowing really is and l'm not sure l can do it.
- Do you want some water? - Air.
l-l just need air.
Now.
l think l'll catch the bus.
l promised my mom l'd be home - You want me to come with you? - No! l-l'll be okay.
Just stay with your dad and, um, see ya.
You sure l can't get you guys anything? Grace? Nothing.
[door opens.]
[footsteps approaching.]
[keys jingling.]
- [door slams.]
- Uncle Aaron? She went to the market.
Rick's coming.
l know.
When did she leave? Just a short time ago with Zoe.
Oh, so it's just us.
lt's nice being here with you for just a little while.
l hope you can come more often.
- l'm doing so much better.
- Yeah.
So l just saw that boy that l was telling you about.
Are you in love? How could l know that? [sighs.]
Maybe l'm not.
Or l don't know.
l might be.
- Might makes right.
- The Wright brothers.
Kitty Hawk.
l had a book about how they flew, but l don't know where it is now.
l don't know if l'm in love.
l just don't know.
lt would be an unknown element.
Were you ever in love? Well, l think l was, but she never knew.
l remember she had a scarf, you know, wrapped around her, and there was all this fringe, like, down to her knees.
And l think l l tried to talk to her, but there was just t-too much fringe.
So, you remember a lot? Yes.
Things remember me.
l get it.
Believe me.
Sometimes l wonder if l'm actually here, or if l'm just someone else's idea of me.
But who's the someone, what's the idea, and what if it's a bad idea? [sighs.]
These are all recent weirdnesses.
So, what's it like? - Love, you mean? - Mm-hmm.
Thank you.
Snow.
Snow.
You know how there's mornings you wake up, and the night before you knew that snow might be coming, but you'd forgotten, then you go to the window and it's everywhere, and you're surprised, but not really? So is there snow? All around.
[car door closes.]
l hear Mom.
- Sorry.
- Sorry.
ls salmon the same as smoked salmon? Do you actually expect a response? l'm ignoring you.
ls there dessert? Of course there's dessert.
Apple cobbler.
l just want sorbet.
Did you get some? Oh, yes, ma'am.
l don't want to get fired.
Can l go see if Uncle Aaron's awake? No, sweetie, he needs his rest like Shelley said.
- l won't wake him up.
- No, honey.
He's resting.
[car passes.]
So when they come, sometimes you don't know sometimes, so you you wait.
They always know where you are.
Or he does.
[doorbell rings.]
- Hey, you.
- Hey, you.
- Here.
- Oh, great.
Thank you.
So He's doing well, so much better.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
l told him about us, - that we're getting married - Good.
l'm glad you did.
and that l want him at our wedding.
l told him that too.
He wasn't there the first time 'cause he was so sick, and Jake didn't want him there and neither did l.
You think he'll behave? When he's there, which is less if l stay very still But when he is, he talks about me.
He was in Nixon's Cabinet, see, so he knows all about me.
When he's there and when he's not.
[man.]
Aaron? - Aaron? - Aaron? - Talk to her, - Lily.
- You okay? - Oh, yes.
- You sure? - Tell her, l'm sure.
See, l closed my eyes and dreamed, l guess.
Remember what you dreamed about? - Trees, - Trees.
Dreamed of trees.
lf you need to rest more, that's fine.
lt's been a long day.
No, l want to be with you, Lily.
Okay, great.
Rick's here.
- l'll be down in a minute.
- Okay.
ln the last picture l have of Aaron, he's around 1 8.
He was skiing, and the face l see now is that face, or close enough.
l-l guess l just mean l l see my brother again.
- [line ringing.]
- lt's me.
- You naked? - Of course.
Are you busy tonight? Say no.
No, l thought l'd take the kids to a movie.
You want to come? How about if you guys come over here for dinner? We could go out.
- Could we do it here? - You really want the kids? - Of course.
- We'll be there.
- 7:00? - 7:00.
- Hey.
- Hey! How are you doing? l'm fine.
l'm swallowing without any awareness of the act at all, so So l did all the stuff for our project.
That's That's great.
Only it was really weird.
See, it started being all about me, - and - And what? it became sort of all about you, which was amazing because l realized that l really sort of know you, - and l felt you when l was - Grace, please stop.
Okay.
Look, maybe l shouldn't say this, um, but But that's never stopped you before.
See l've never had a girlfriend, Grace.
You know that? ls that what l am? No, l just meant that we've been, um Spencer, it's okay.
A lot of people haven't had a girlfriend or And you say you really know me, but comic books T-Take comic books.
l-l love 'em, you don't.
And Japanese anime, which l also love, and Spencer, what are you saying? l've never had a girlfriend, and if l had or ever do l don't think it would be you.
Well, because y-you're too much for me.
You're too intense for me.
- l'm too intense for you? - Right now you are.
l-l can't handle a girlfriend right now.
l l can't handle myself right now.
l'm too intense for me.
So l need two things.
And what would those be? Time and for you not to be mad at me, be-because it's me, Grace, not you.
Not even a little? Maybe a little, but but mostly me.
[man.]
lt's the same with you always, You're just the same, and what's that? - A liar.
- l can't hear you, - A liar.
- l can't hear you, - A liar! - There aren't even words, - Never.
No.
- Never's right, Never will be anything or worth a damn, - Now say your name, - Aaron.
- Louder, - Aaron.
- Louder, - Aaron! l can't hear you, so you must be nothing, You're nothing, Always and never nothing! - [Grace.]
Uncle Aaron? - Sorry.
- Are you okay? - Sorry.
lt's all right.
Here, let me help you.
- You're not doing so good, are you? - l'm better.
- Where's Mom? - Shopping.
Right.
Rick's coming with his kids.
Rick.
He's okay.
He's large.
But he's okay.
Are you? The snow boy.
l should've told you.
Snow is a meltable element.
See, you can't You can't keep things that are made of snow.
[sobbing.]
l've never been asked to do this before.
[Grace shuddering.]
Grace, l need something.
l need my medication.
l'll get it.
l'll get it.
- How many? - l need something.
How many, Uncle Aaron? - Tell her! - Two! Thank you.
[whispering.]
Don't tell Lily.
l'm sorry.
Why does it have to have spinach in it? Mom? - Where's Grace? - Somewhere.
- The subject was spinach.
- You think we need to go check on him? - l'll go up.
- Mom? lt has spinach in it because it's in the recipe and l feel it needs it.
Fine.
l feel it ruins it, but this kitchen is your property.
[knocking.]
- [breathing heavily.]
- Hey.
- Hey.
- How you doing? You okay, sweetie? Mmm.
Oh, l did it wrong.
Nah.
No, you just missed one.
- That's all.
- l'm tired, Judy.
- There you are.
- Thank you.
You know, l think it should just be us tonight.
- Hi, Aaron.
- Hi.
Rick and the kids can come another time.
l think it should just be us tonight.
- They're on their way.
- lf you don't know his cell number Do you want that, Aaron? lt's okay if you do.
No.
Are you sure? You can tell me the truth.
No, Rick's coming.
l'm okay.
Well, why don't you rest for a little while, and l'll call them and tell them to come later? - Do you need anything? - l'm good.
l'm gonna wash my face.
- l'm trying to make something happen.
- Mom? - That's quite obvious.
- ln a minute, sweetie.
- Shelley said - Oh, Shelley said.
She said we have to challenge him, to try and need something from him.
- What, to be like he was? - No, l know he can't be like he was, but God, Judy, he's so much better.
Better, right, but you're pushing, and he'll pay.
Like he needs your crap on top of everything else? Judy, l know how devoted you are to him.
- l know how often you go see him.
- Stop.
Now you're insulting me.
- How can that be insulting you? - What do you want? l want Aaron to be part of my family.
- He is! - l haven't been the perfect sister.
l want to make that up to him.
No, to you.
You want him to make it up to you so you can feel good about life and Rick.
But that's not his job, Lily.
He's sick.
He's crazy.
He's my brother too.
l know that.
Damn her! She is so like this.
This is so who she is! Poor little Judy when she's really just superior Judy.
lt's this manipulative little game she plays.
- She's always played it.
- God, l hate her! l go see him once a week, twice a week.
She's gone twice in 1 0 years.
Yeah, sure, it's easy now.
The hard part's done.
l did it.
''Oh, hey, let's have dinner!'' God.
You don't want to believe he's better.
You don't want to see what's in front of your face.
[door shuts.]
- [Grace.]
Don't be so sensitive.
- [Eli.]
l'm not.
[Grace.]
lt doesn't look bad.
You like lasagna, right? You've always liked it.
- Yeah, l think so.
- Yeah.
l love lasagna, except when it burns the roof of your mouth.
- That's pizza, you idiot.
- [Lily.]
Grace.
l'm used to being the idiot.
Maybe you can be it for a while.
ls the bottom of your mouth called the basement? Did the cosmos really need that question? Grace.
This is our typical meal conversation.
Mom says one word, like a parrot, the whole meal ''Grace.
Grace.
Grace.
'' Dad always says, ''Eli.
Eli.
'' Oh, l hope you never have you as a kid.
Aaron, you want something to drink, hon? - l don't know, Judy.
- We've got soda or milk or just water.
- Soda.
- l'll get it.
- Can you get me something too? - You can get your own.
- Eli.
- See what l mean? Just look at you, - Honey, you okay? - Yeah.
- Yeah? - l think so.
l'm fine.
- [Eli.]
Here you go.
- Thank you.
- [Rick.]
Lil, sit down.
- l have to get the salad.
- Oh, no, don't worry.
l'll get it.
- Thanks, Jessie.
And l tell you again, and l'll always tell you, because you're too stupid to listen, You disgust me, You disgust the world, Never will be anything worth a damn, You're nothing, The world hates you! l'm staying too, and there's nothing,,, Nothing, You're nothing! Because our disgust is so deep, Nothing, [screams.]
[Judy.]
Oh, God.
Everybody go upstairs.
l don't care where you go.
Lily, call Shelley.
Grace, get the medicine.
- Get his medicine! Go! - Take the girls out of the room.
Sweetie, it's okay.
Shh, it's all right.
Shelley's gonna to come.
We're gonna help you get through this.
- lt's all right.
We're here - Don't! lt's okay.
We love you.
Honey, we love you so much.
No! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! No, don't hurt him! [Aaron.]
Let go! [Aaron sobbing.]
No! [Judy.]
lt's okay.
lt's okay.
No! [Aaron sobbing.]
[Rick.]
lt's okay.
[moaning.]
He taught me which berries and leaves to eat if l ever got lost in the forest.
lt's all right.
[Rick.]
lt's all right.
He showed me the way a bird's wing works, how it's made, how it lifts, how it flies.
He's okay.
He'll sleep a million hours.
- How you doing? - Me? Oh, l'm just a little tired, l guess.
Well, this can wear you out.
l had a coat.
- Oh, it's right here.
- And do l smell lasagna, or has my medication not kicked in? You do.
lt's The lasagna's real.
There's a ton of it, Shelley.
Please take it all.
Just a taste.
l missed dinner.
Thanks.
- Thanks so much for coming, Shel.
- Please, it's Aaron, and l can see that, despite tonight, Aaron's doing better.
- The meds.
- And other things.
[Judy.]
Come.
Let me get you some lasagna.
[sighs.]
Do you think he's warm enough? Yeah.
What do you need? [sighs.]
Let's go for a walk.
[Lily.]
That's one of the things about Rick.
lt's hard to describe how it's okay for him just to be there.
He'll be all right.
That's good to know.
l made it worse.
Looks like you did.
You don't have to agree with me.
- So, you feel guilty? - Well, yeah.
- l would if l were you.
- Like you're one to talk.
- Me and my brother? - At least l talk to mine.
At least mine's sane.
l made it worse.
l wanted him Look, l'll make you a deal, okay? When we're married, you solve my problems with my brother, - l'll solve yours with yours.
- That sounds fair.
Until then, we're still on how you screwed up with Aaron.
- And my life - Okay.
Which has been such a mess, and Aaron getting better gave me hope for my life.
Maybe it wouldn't be such a mess forever.
l guess you were wrong, huh? l needed him to get better for me, to give me hope for my life.
You were wrong.
- About Aaron? - About hope.
Where it comes from.
From me.
From me.
Damn.
Yeah.
[door shuts.]
Ohh.
Oh, Lily.
[groans.]
- Hey.
- Hey.
l'm trying, Lily.
No.
Don't, Aaron.
Just be here with us however you are, 'cause l'm doing better, Aaron.
Don't worry about me.
Mom? Grace.
Honey, it's 1 :00.
lt's 1 2:49, - and l can't get to sleep.
- Sweetie, you need to try.
Between all of this and you being held hostage, l'm amazed you're in one piece.
[chuckles.]
You're so funny sometimes, Mom.
[giggles.]
So, does this stuff really work? Oh, yeah.
l'm actually 1 02.
Just don't tell Rick.
Did you ever worry about us, Mom? That it could happen? l mean, what happened to Uncle Aaron.
Honey, l worry about everything.
Mom, l knew.
l came home and l knew he was sick, and he asked me not to tell, and l didn't No, no, Grace.
No.
lt lt was me.
l want him to be something for me that he can't be.
That can hurt so much.
ls everything all right with Spencer? Spencer is insane, Mom.
No disrespect to Uncle Aaron.
- Wanna talk about it? - lt's 1 :00.
lt's 1 2:52.
ln the morning, maybe.
- One more thing.
- What's that? You're a good sister, Mom.
l just think you should know that before you go to sleep.
Good night.
Good night.
Oh, the sisters of mercy They are not departed or gone They were waiting for me When l thought that l just can't go on And they brought me their comfort And later they brought me this song Oh, l hope you run into them You who've been traveling so long Yes, you who must leave everything That you cannot control lt begins with your family But soon it comes 'round to your soul Well l've been where you're hanging l think l can see how you're pinned When you're not feeling holy Your loneliness says that you've sinned When will you face it, when it comes to women, you are outta control? - What's your friend's name? - Don't go there.
- l want Tiffany's number.
- Stay outta my personal life.
l'm talking about Paul who l have reason to believe might be stalking me.
- Jake.
- What happened? - Stay away from Judy Brooks.
- What, are you crazy?