Party of Five s02e16 Episode Script
Comings and Goings
Wasn't even expecting you.
How come you didn't use your own keys? Were you waiting out there long? No, not very.
So anyway, we're just sitting there and he just walks in, like, "Hello, I'm your grandfather.
" And nobody knew what to say, you know? And I don't-- I don't really know what it means, that he-- That he showed up.
I mean, maybe Maybe I-- I guilted him into wanting to meet them.
But, then Then, can we trust him? You know, is he gonna stick around? The guy's definitely got a history of flaking out on people, that's for sure.
Take off your jacket.
I wasn't planning on staying.
Apparently, neither are you.
What? Well, I ran into Warren Danziger at the coffeehouse.
He had a message for you.
He said that he got into Hampshire State too, and if you were looking for a roommate And I said, "What are you talking about? "You know, Bailey's not going back East for school.
He's staying here in San Francisco.
" But apparently that's not what your guidance counselor told him.
[SIGHS.]
Okay.
Okay, look.
First of all-- First of all, when I applied to Hampshire State, you and I, we weren't even-- We weren't even together yet, and And I never thought that I would get in to that place.
It was, like, this huge long shot.
Really.
Okay.
Yes.
Yes, I got accepted.
But you're not gonna go, right? Well God.
Sarah, listen before you get upset, I-I know what you're thinking.
And-- And you have to know that me going away to college isn't gonna change anything between us at all.
What are you talking about, Bailey? You're leaving.
You're going 3000 miles away.
You're going as far away from here as you can get.
-That changes everything.
-Sarah, listen.
You're someone to be talking about flaking out.
[THE BODEANS' "CLOSER TO FREE" PLAYING.]
Everybody wants to live Like they wanna live And everybody wants to love Like they wanna love Everybody wants to be Closer to free Closer to free Okay.
Okay, I'll remember.
[GIGGLES.]
Okay! Okay.
Who's she talking to? Jake.
Grandpa Jake.
Sounds kind of weird.
[LAUGHING.]
Yeah.
Bye.
Okay.
Bye.
What did he want? I called him.
Just to talk.
You let her call him? It's a free country.
What's with you? I thinking about him all night.
I mean, weren't you guys? I just-- I can't believe it.
I mean, I can't believe that this is actually happening.
You know, that he came back.
Claudia.
You know, he's not exactly how I pictured him.
But, I mean, it doesn't matter.
You know, all of a sudden, we have a whole family.
We already have a family.
Well, yeah, no, I know, but-- CHARLIE: I'd slow down, Claud.
We spent, what, two hours with the guy? Look at his track record.
So you're not even gonna give him a chance? Let's just see if the guy sticks around.
That's the most important thing.
I bet he will.
I mean, after what he said last night-- What did he say? He didn't say anything.
He asked a lot of questions about Mom.
And he said that he was a terrible father and that he felt guilty for leaving her.
Whoop-dee-doo.
Like that was hard to admit 30 years later.
Look, Jule, I'm angry at him too.
I just-- I want him around.
Yeah, well, I don't.
We're doing fine.
I don't know what we need him for.
We don't need him for anything.
I mean, that's not the point.
Anyway, we're doing something together this afternoon.
You are not.
I am too.
No, you're not.
We don't even know him.
He's practically a stranger.
You're not going out alone with a stranger.
Look, he's my grandfather.
I mean, you can't stop me.
Charlie, you trust this guy? Then go with her, Jule.
Look, I am-- I am just going away to college.
People go away to college, like, constantly.
Right, no big deal.
That's why you kept it a secret.
No! That's not-- I don't know, look-- I guess-- Okay, I was afraid of how you'd react.
-I didn't wanna upset you.
-Oh, God, don't give me that.
What a load of crap.
Okay, look.
I am a senior, right? So didn't it ever occur to you that I might think about going away to college? No, it didn't, okay? And maybe it's because you never mentioned that you were interested.
And you talked about state schools all the time.
Last week! So, no.
The idea that you'd wanna leave me never occurred to me.
I don't wanna leave you, Sarah.
Remember these? Key to your house.
You gave it to me.
And you said that that would be a place that I could go, where I'd be safe and loved.
Yes.
Thanks.
Sarah, don't you think you're-- [SCHOOL BELL RINGS.]
Don't you think you're overreacting here a little bit? Listen.
There are-- There are tons of school vacations.
There's Christmas break.
There's spring break.
And you can come visit me whenever you want to.
And we'll talk on the phone all the time.
And we'll get that e-mail thing, so we can write each other, like, four, five times a day if you want.
Like that's close to the same thing.
Like 3000 miles away doesn't matter.
Sarah Look, it's-- It's not like I'm leaving tomorrow.
You know, I'm not.
We still have We still have six months.
That is a lot of time.
It's-- It's more time than we've been going out.
So, six months? Yeah.
Okay, so we can spend pretty much every minute together? Right.
See? Exactly.
And I can fall even more in love with you? [.]
You could.
Yeah, and then it'll hurt that much more when you leave.
Call screening.
It's gotta have call screening, because I cannot stand talking to Wayne anymore.
Last week, what was it? Oh.
His skin was breaking out from loneliness.
I mean, my God, we've been apart five months now.
Enough already.
[SIGHS.]
Can I get some help, please? Get some help for Wayne.
Hey, you should look at cell phones, Charlie.
It's impossible to track you down.
I call you at home, they think you're at Salinger's.
I call you at Salinger's.
they say you're at home.
Nobody ever seems to know where you are anymore.
[PHONE RINGS.]
Looking for a beeper? No.
Not really.
They're pretty popular these days.
A lot of kids have them.
Big with doctors too.
High-profile business types.
Guys cheating on their wives or girl-- [CLATTERS.]
Sorry.
How much you say these things were? Well, if anything strikes your fancy, you just say the word.
Thanks Grandpa.
Ha, ha.
The same offer goes for you, Julia.
Um, no thanks.
I don't like buying in places like this.
Really? Why not? Welljust because something's from the past, everyone seems to think that it's so precious and so valuable.
Most of the time, it's just a big ripoff.
Of course, you never know, uh, either way, unless you take a really good look.
For instance, what do you think of this? It's pretty cool.
Yeah.
Well, let's buy this.
Wow.
Thanks.
What do you think? Have you got anybody in mind to put in there? Mm, I don't know.
Then I can help you with that.
Now, here is your mom when she was about two years younger than you.
Wow.
Jule, look at this.
Look what Grandpa bought me.
It's okay.
I know exactly what he's buying, Claudia.
[.]
I couldn't help but notice that yours was-- Well, the hands were broken, and the crystal was cracked, and the strap was frayed, so Wow.
You like it? Yeah.
Yeah, but It's not like there's a-- A special occasion.
It's February.
[LAUGHS.]
We're celebrating February.
The shortest month of the year.
I forgot to get you something.
It's okay.
This is not about even exchanges.
Mm.
You know what I could do? Hm? I could, uh, fix that window in your bathroom, the one where the sill's warped? -Charlie -No, it's no problem.
I mean, I've got the tools in my truck.
CharlieI don't want you fixing my windows.
Why not? Because Ihave people who can do that for me.
[LAUGHS.]
And that's not what I need you for.
[BEEPER RINGING.]
What is that? [LAUGHS.]
I got a beeper.
[.]
The kids.
[GROANS.]
[LAUGHS.]
I didn't know what else to do.
I mean.
And I know you just saw one, but I swear there are at least two, and-- Ew, I may have to move! Well, there was only one in the trap, and we got rid of it, so I think you can probably come down from there now.
Good.
Good.
As long as I don't have to spend a minute here alone, then I promise not to be afraid.
Emily, uh, I don't know.
It's-- It's been kind of a-- A weird, long night.
And I thought I'd just-- Oh, no.
Oh, no, you don't.
You've been bugging me about this for a long time.
And now you're here, and I'm here, and it's late.
And you are not going anywhere.
[.]
Okay? Okay.
Good.
Umhere's the thing.
Could you carry me into the bedroom? Because I am not setting foot on this floor ever again.
Okay.
SARAH [SINGS.]
: With another guy That's what you get If you go chasin' After vengeance Ever since you've got me Boy, sure, this has been My sentence Oh, I used to be disgusted And now I try to be amused But since I went And got arrested You know, the angels wanna Wear my red shoes But when they told me About the side of the bargain That's when I knew That I could not refuse And I won't get any older What are you--? UmI don't know.
I-- I didn't think I'd need to see her.
Oh, I said I'm so happy I could die I should have looked at that picture you brought.
Maybe that would've been enough, huh? You gonna talk to her? Um yeah.
Maybe that would be all right.
For us toget to know each other a little bit.
God! She is beautiful.
Wear my red shoes And I won't get any older Now the angels wanna Wear my red shoes Thank you.
Good night.
[APPLAUSE, CHEERING.]
Sarah! Not now.
I don't wanna talk.
No.
It's-- It's not about that.
Somebody that wants to meet you.
Hi.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
I'm, um Yeah.
Yeah, I know who you are.
BARTENDER: Last call, everybody.
We're out of here in five.
Hey, man.
Give them 20 more minutes, would you? Thanks.
[.]
Sarah.
Hey.
I tried to call you last night.
Yeah, I was-- I was tired.
I had the machine on.
So, wow, huh? How did it go? I was thinking about you all night.
It went okay.
Really? Just okay? Because, I don't know, it really seemed like you guys were connecting.
What did you-- What did you talk about? You know, stuff.
Stuff.
Huh.
So, was it kind of how you expected it? You know, Bailey, I really don't feel like blabbing about this.
Oh, okay.
I just-- I just wanted to see how things went.
So are you gonna-- Are you gonna get together again, maybe? Yeah, we are.
We made plans.
Really? What are you gonna do? You know, Bailey, they're our plans.
Robin's and mine.
In fact, we're probably gonna be spending a lot of time together.
So you're just gonna have to get used to that.
What are you doing? Sarah, what, are you-- Are you punishing me? You're mad at me so you're shutting me out? Is that what you're doing? Look, Bailey, you have stuff in your life that's private.
Now I do too.
What's wrong with that? [SCHOOL BELL RINGS.]
You know, I was just thinking how depressing it's gotta be for him.
You know, to go home every day to a lonely hotel room and some dinky little fridge, TV remote nailed to the night table.
When he could be staying in a real house With his family.
Look, Claud, since he hasn't asked, I really don't see the point in offering.
Yeah, but You know, I was thinking it would be nice for us too, to have him around.
I mean, to have him right there, all the time.
Have who right where all the time? Grandpa.
What about him? Claudia wants him to move in.
Really? Move in with us? Really? I'm thinking no.
What are you worried about? I mean, he's gonna steal the silver? No.
I just think we should all give it some time.
I mean, technically, yes, he's our family.
But he's He's also a stranger.
But he's trying not to be.
BAILEY: He's right, Claud.
He's right.
It's too soon.
We should give it some more time.
So how long do we wait? I mean, you really think we're gonna get close to him by seeing him a few times a week all dressed up and on our best behavior? You think that one day, suddenly, he's just gonna feel like he's really our grandfather, and that's when we give him the key? ClaudI'm not talking about waiting a year.
I'm just saying-- Why wait at all? I mean, what for? He's here, and he wants to be a part of our lives.
And you know what? He's not so young.
I mean, what if something happens? What if something happens before we really get a chance to love him? These are so lovely.
Thank you.
[LAUGHS.]
You're welcome.
Yeah, is it okay that I'm here? I mean, do you need to get ready or anything? Oh, no.
No, it's really nice that you're here.
You know, there's this other gal in the show.
Big diva.
I mean, God help anybody who knocks on her dressing room door while she's preparing.
I don't know.
I just go on-stage.
I turn it on.
Come off, turn it off.
I know.
I know.
I do that too, with singing.
You know, no big process.
I just kind of do it.
Exactly.
Exactly.
Yep.
I'm really glad I'm getting to see this before it closes.
So do you have to look for another job now? Nope.
Thankfully, the producers like me enough to keep me for the tour.
So I will be dying across America for the next six to eight months.
Oh, God! I just gave away the ending.
I'm sorry.
Sorry! Anyway, it's a big break for me.
Thank God I won't have to be auditioning all the time, and-- What? What is it? [.]
You're leaving? Well, not permanently.
But for a little while, yeah.
You know what? I'll give you my itinerary.
Maybe we can do the pen pal bit.
I don't-- I don't understand.
Why would come looking for me if you were planning to leave? What--? Well, I just-- I just thought-- We've made a great start, Sarah.
Soit's not like we're gonna have to begin all over again when I get back.
And, you know, to tell you the truth, it made it a lot easier for me to know that you were out there and wondering about us, and wanting us to meet.
Wait, you knew? Well, yeah.
From Bailey.
At the coffeehouse? No.
He tracked me down about a month ago.
And I am so glad he did.
I am.
Because I think it feels right that we should be friends don't you? Yeah.
Yeah, wellI should let you get dressed.
JAKE: Oh, I'm sorry.
I assumed that you'd all talked this over together.
Well, we didn't.
No one said a word to me.
Because I wouldn't have just barged over here like this I better just go check back into the hotel, huh? Yeah.
Yes.
Yeah, I think that would be a really good idea.
It-- It was my mistake.
Just tell your sister I'll call her from the hotel.
Claudia! Claudia! What, are you, like, on fire or something? Did you tell Jake that he could live with us? Yeah.
Why? Why, is he here? No, he is not here.
I sent him away.
He is not moving in with us.
Charlie and Bailey said it was okay.
-I don't care! -You know what? I don't have to listen to you.
You don't get to decide.
Three to one.
You lose.
What is the matter with you, Claudia? Why are you being nice to him? Because he's my grandfather.
No! He is not! He is nothing to you! He-- He is just the man who ran out on Mom.
So you're just gonna forgive him for that? Is that it? I didn't-- God! What gives you the right to forgive him for her? Julia-- Do you have any idea what it was like for her? Do you? Did she ever tell you what it was like? -No.
-Well, she told me.
She told me what it was like to have him leave her without a goodbye or a note.
Without ever calling to say once that he loved her or thought about her.
And what it was like to think that that was her fault! And you! Just because you want someone to take you for ice cream or to some stupid swap meet.
I can't believe you! I can't believe how selfish you are! Why don't you just go to the cemetery -and spit on Mom's grave.
-Julia, that is-- Because that is what you're doing! [DOOR SLAMS.]
[PEOPLE LAUGHING, CAR HONKS.]
Come on.
You're kidding, right? Why on earth would anyone hate foreign films? Oh Lookit's got great reviews.
And believe me, Charlie, when you see this woman, you won't care that Now, go get in line.
I'll get the tickets.
[HORN HONKS.]
Charlie! Oh, hi.
Hey, hello.
Hi.
Hi.
Are you, uh? Mwah.
Are you here alone? What? Alo-- No.
Um Actually, I'm here with, umthat-- That woman.
You know, the-- The birthday that I catered? That woman.
Its--It's-- It's sort of a business thing.
She-- She wants me to do another party.
And she was thinking, like, this-- This Italian theme, because, uh-- Because her fiancé is Italian.
From Italy.
Roberto.
Oh, really? She's engaged? Yeah.
Didn't I mention that? Yeah, it's an engagement party that she's planning.
And it's, um It's a lot of business riding on it for me.
I really couldn't say no.
They're sold out.
I know.
You're devastated.
EMILY: Good thing I got here early.
Hi.
Emily.
I think maybe we met before.
Anyway, congratulations.
Charlie told me.
Oh.
Yeah.
Thanks.
Anyway, uh Well, if they're-- If they're sold out, then, uh, we should probably get going.
Yeah.
It looks like you're going in.
Oh.
Yeah.
I guess I should.
[STREETCAR RINGS.]
She's an old friend.
Hmm.
[LAUGHTER FROM TV.]
Jacob Gordon, please.
[MUFFLED CONVERSATIONS FROM TV.]
Oh, he's not? Yes.
This is Claudia Salinger.
Tell him Tell him that I'm not gonna be able to get together tomorrow like we planned.
MAN [ON TV.]
: Why, you little runt.
No.
He doesn't have to call back.
Tell him not to call back.
Thank you.
Oh, hey! I didn't expect-- You know what? I would just-- I would really-- I would really like to know why you think it's okay to lie to me about everything.
Why is it okay to treat me that way? What?! You saw her, Bailey.
A month ago.
You saw my mother.
And you never told me.
Sarah, listen-- And it's, like, every day a new lie with you! Sarah, come on.
What-- What was I supposed to dohuh? She said she didn't wanna see you.
Was I-- Was I really supposed to come home and tell you that? You can be mad at me about a lot of things, but-- But you cannot be mad at me about that.
You can't.
You just-- You just can't.
What? She's going away.
What? In two days she's going on tour for a long time.
I don't know.
I'll probably never see her again.
I didn't-- I didn't know that.
And I'm so angry at myself for being surprised.
Why-- Why am I surprised that people leave? Because Because that's-- That's what people do.
You know, people leave, right? I gotta be more careful.
Remind me of that, okay? [CAR HORN HONKS.]
Hi.
Are you waiting for me? Yeah.
Yeah, I was.
Because I wanna know what the hell you're doing.
Showing up one day and then taking off the next.
Excuse me? So-- So, what? You met her? You got her out of your system and now you're just gonna walk away.
Oh, God.
All right.
First of all, you are way out of line, kiddo.
And second of all, I'm not walking away.
I'm taking a job.
Yeah, well, that's not how Sarah sees it.
Well, that's too bad.
-Yeah, it is.
-You know what? I don't have to explain myself to you.
[SIGHS.]
Look, I-- I came to see her to see what she looks like, and to know that she's okay.
And to let her do the same thing with me.
And that's it.
Well, you picked a great time to do it.
Two days before you're leaving town? It's like you're walking out on her again.
-I am not-- -And you know what? And this is the incredible part.
I'm the one who's getting blamed for it.
What are you talking about? All I wanna do is go away to college.
That is it.
And that is not so much to want, right? People do that all the time.
And I've been counting on this for so long.
Only now, with you skipping out on her-- Is that why you're here? -That's what your problem is.
-No.
Okay, I get it.
Now, I get it.
No, you don't! I am here because of Sarah.
Because-- Because it is so unfair to just come walking into somebody's life without even thinking about what you might mean to them, or what it might mean to them when you just walk away.
Well, I'm sorry, but I didn't make her any promises.
Did you? Claudia seems more focused, more conscientious.
Her problem-solving skills seem sharper.
Great.
How late do you think you'll have to be here? She's maintaining an A-minus average.
Because I thought maybe we could get a bite or something.
And aside from a few late homework assignments, there's really nothing else to report.
Emily.
So we can do this again in a couple of months.
Emily! Enough with the professional stuff.
Aside from that I never wanna see you again.
What? You think I'm stupid? I saw that-- That woman touch you and-- And straighten your collar.
And I'm sorry, but you don't do this to your caterer.
[SIGHS.]
Oh, God.
Can I explain? Will you let me? Sure.
If you have something to say that's gonna make a difference, you tell me.
Right.
Emily.
I was so careful not to get hurt.
But, uh, what are you gonna do? What are you gonna do, you know, when you-- When you start to feel something for somebody? You gotta take a chance.
[LAUGHS.]
You have to admit, it's kind of a sick joke that this happenedthe day after I slept with you.
Anyway, umI made it a rule not to cry at parent-teacher conferences, so just get out of here, okay? [.]
I'm sorry.
I never-- I didn't mean for this to happen.
I swear.
And I know it doesn't seem that way, but You could, um be a little more careful of people, you know? You could have been a little careful of me.
Am I doing something that is so terrible? No.
No, I know I'm not.
You don't even have to answer that.
I know I'm not.
Okay, then.
Only now, I'm just the next person waiting in line to disappoint her.
And I really don't wanna do that, so I'm, like-- I'm trapped.
And it just-- It just feels like that's how it's always been.
You know.
And how it's always gonna be.
Whenever I want something for myself, there's always somebody else that I gotta take care of first.
Owen or Or Claudia.
Or Sarah.
Wellit's your life, Bay.
You're allowed to be a little bit selfish sometimes.
Right.
Right.
[SIGHS.]
It's unbelievable, huh? The one time that I get a break.
Some jerk in the Admissions office probably lost his eyeglasses.
Misread my transcript.
And I get in.
And it's the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life.
Maybe it's the second best.
Maybe Sarah's the best.
Ah, whatever I choose What a mess.
Just so you know, we had a pop quiz in Miss Schrader's class today.
It was the first pop quiz we had since the last time you guys had a fight.
Soall I'd like to know is, what did you do this time? Um, Claudia, you know what? I'm not so sure that now's the time to-- She found out, didn't she? About bachelorette number two? Hey, that is none of your-- [SIGHS.]
Yeah.
She kind of did.
I knew it.
Listen, I was gonna talk to you about it-- Save it, Charlie.
People don't change.
And given your record, it was my fault for thinking you'd do anything but screw up.
It's my fault for thinking much more of a lot of people in this family.
[.]
It's, like, I wish that just once you'd surprise me.
I'll see you guys tomorrow.
Bye.
[BANDMATES CHATTERING.]
Could you move, please? It's gonna be pretty hard to see out the windshield with me up here like this.
Look, Bailey, it's been a really long night.
I'm exhausted.
And I just wanna go home.
Sarah.
Sarah, wait.
Wait a second.
I've been thinkingand And I'm not gonna go.
I won't go.
[.]
You won't? It's freezing there this time of year.
Who needs that? I can't tell you that.
What? No, no, no, no.
Oh, is it? [SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY.]
[FIRE ENGINES PASS IN DISTANCE.]
[CAR STARTS.]
Come on, Thurber.
Thurber, you lazy good-for-nothing.
Okay.
Fine, that's it.
Thurber.
That's it! I'm going myself.
What are you-- What is this? What are you doing here? Uh, this is a A letter that I've written to all of you, explaining why I'm headed out of town.
Right.
There's not much point in staying.
Doesn't seem to be a-- A future for all of us.
No.
I-I think that's right.
This is my old-- My old pocket watch.
I used to tell your mother that this had magical powers.
And, uh, she'd swing it back and forth in front of my eyes, pretending that she was hypnotizing me.
[GASPS QUIETLY.]
I was going to leave it for her, and I don't know why I didn't.
And then over the years, I wasgoing to send it back.
But every time I'd sit down to write a letter, I'd get as far as, "Dear Diana," and then I I'd like you to have it.
I don't want it.
No, please.
I don't want things from you.
We're family.
I don't care.
We don't have that many people besides each other.
I don't care.
Someday you will.
Someday you're gonna care very much.
And it may be too late.
You wanna avoid that.
At all costs.
At all costs.
You wanna avoid letting it be too late.
You waited 30 years.
I don't feel sorry for you.
I feel sorry for my mom.
And I feel sorry for me, because I should have had a grandfather.
I want to try.
I want to try with you, Juliabecause you-- Well, standing there, you-- You're just like your mother.
I'm as close as I'll ever be to seeing her again.
Please? Okay.
Okay.
I'm just trying to-- I wanna-- I wanna be really clear here.
I wanna know exactly what you mean by-- By "an old friend"? Jared got me started in the news business before he moved over to corporate.
He and I see each other whenever we're in each other's cities.
See each other how? Because it sure as hell didn't seem like you were talking shop downstairs just now.
Well, what do you want me to say, Charlie? Oh.
I'm sorry you saw that.
It certainly wasn't my intention to wave Jared's and my relationship in your face.
Let me understand this.
You're sorry not that you're sleeping with another guy, but that I found out about it? Please, don't take the moral high ground here, Charlie, because, trust me, you'll lose.
And what's that supposed to mean? It means, I know about you and your littlefriend.
Irma, Emma, Emily? Well I-- You-- That-- That-- That's over.
And I assume you broke it off because you saw the error of your ways? Guess not.
[SIGHS.]
Guess she found out and ended it first, huh? Your turn.
Okay.
Yes, look.
I-- I didn't handle that well.
And I'm not saying that what I did was right.
It wasn't right.
It was wrong.
And-- But the truth is-- The difference is-- The difference is-- Yes, tell me what the difference is, Charlie.
Well-- The difference is-- Is that I feel bad about it.
And obviously, Kathleen, you don't give a damn.
'"Excellent, said Mr.
Lion," who was perched 'atop the toy chest with the other stuffed animals.
"I've also taught you how to roar.
"' GROUP: Yay! That was a good one, eh, Owen? Yeah.
BAILEY: Yes.
Let's try some other form of amusement.
What about the slide? BAILEY: The slide.
There we are.
It's a long time since I did any of that.
Well, I'm gonna put some tea on.
You want some? JAKE: Yes, I'd love some tea.
As long as it isn't any of that sissified herbal stuff.
[LAUGHS.]
Okay, you got it.
Who uses this? You or Charlie? I don't believe you.
I don't believe you're sitting out there with him, all friendly and kissy-kissy and everything.
After what you said to me about Mom? Claudia-- It's like I'm evil for even talking to him, but you're allowed to change your mind.
And suddenly he's your best friend.
That's not it.
Look, Claud, I'm sorry.
Is that why you said that stuff to me? Just so you could have him all to yourself? No.
Then how come all of a sudden you don't care about Mom's feelings? No, I do.
I do, Claudia.
Then why is he here? Because Because [SIGHS.]
I've been trying to figure out what she would have done.
I mean, what she would have done if one day she opened the door, and there he was, standing on the doorstep, wanting so badly to apologize.
And the thing is he hurt her so much, Claudia, that she wouldn't have forgiven him.
Well, then, why would you? But I think she might have been holding Owen, or maybe you would have been practicing in the living room, or I would've been doing my homework on the stairs, like I used to.
And she would have thought of us.
And she would have said to him, "It's too late for the two of us.
"But you know what? I have five children.
And maybe you can mean something to them.
" Don't you think she might have said that? I mean, doesn't that sound like something she might have said? [BAILEY LAUGHING.]
[CHATTERING.]
Well, I don't know.
Maybe this is too big of an imposition.
I don't know.
I mean, you tell me if it is.
But, umAmanda just hates traveling with me.
I mean, stuck in that box all day, who can blame her? So, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind keeping an eye on her? I mean, while I'm gone.
You're giving me a cat? Justlending, actually.
Oh.
Oh, okay, so I guess this is kind of like a consolation prize, right? Lose a mother, gain a pet.
Hey.
No, I mean, I should feel grateful.
You know, it's a guarantee that you'll come back.
After all, you love your cat.
[CAT MEOWS.]
[SIGHS.]
What do you want from me, Sarah? I don't know.
Something.
I wanna know that you care enough not to just disappear when we're getting started.
I wanna know that I matter to you.
And the only way I can prove that to you is by staying? You can't make rules like that.
Why? Why can't I? Because it's not fair,.
That's why.
You know, you just can't dictate what we're gonna mean to each other.
You have to let what's gonna happen just happen.
Yeah.
What if this is it? I mean, what if this is as close as we ever get? Well, I I can't promise, Sarah.
I mean, I don't know what's gonna be.
But, you know, you gotta trust that all the ways that we're alike, and all the things that connect us, means that our relationship isn't as fragile as you think.
It's not gonna disappear over Poughkeepsie.
How do you know that for sure? Well, I don't know.
But you see, Sarah, I'm okay with leaving because I know I'm coming back.
Get a little faith, Sarah.
I don't know how Bay managed it.
Because she was dating Will, but then he got her back.
Julia and Justin, they were, like, so mad at each other.
Then all of a sudden, they were just, like-- I mean, like-- Like this You have to pry them apart with a crowbar.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Uh, I'm with the family historian here.
Uh-huh.
Did you mention how many times you've been grounded lately, or did you conveniently leave that part of the update out? Hey.
My life is an open book.
Yeah.
Well Wait a minute.
Where are you going with that? Oh.
Well, I was just gonna get it out of your way.
Take it down to the basement.
Well, it isn't in my way.
I think we ought to leave it here for the time being.
Why, you going somewhere? You only just got here.
Well, I will be going out of town for a couple of days every now and then.
You know, I've got a lot of business concerns in a lot of places.
In fact, next week I'm gonna have to go to Phoenix.
For how long? I meanyou're coming back, right? Oh, I'll be back.
I promise.
Andwhile I'm gone, I want you to take care of this for me.
I don't like to travel with it.
It's got a lot of valuable stuff in it.
What's this? That's a medal.
Got it in World War II.
I got that for being wounded.
Caught a piece of shrapnel.
Cool.
Got a scar? Sure I've got a scar.
[LAUGHS.]
You have two wedding bands.
Huh? What? Two wedding bands? Oh, yeah.
Well, I'll tell you about those.
Uh Once I thought that I'd lost mine.
And I was so afraid that your grandmother would have a fit when she found out, that I-- I went out and I bought another one.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
You know what you could do with that? I've seen people wear them on a chain around the neck.
Really? Really.
Cool.
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING ON JUKEBOX.]
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
I, uh, can't stay.
Okay.
Well, uh, thanks so much for stopping by.
[SIGHS.]
Here's the thing you should know about me.
I generally like to keep my options open.
Yeah, no kidding.
I haven't had many big relationships, Charlie, just lots of little ones.
Hey, I know the type.
Fill up on appetizers because you don't like the looks of the main course.
God, please don't be glib.
[SIGHS.]
I don't wanna not give a damn.
I meanI don't wanna be the kind of person who doesn't give a damn.
I mean, I could give a damn.
I mean, Ido give a damn about you.
Yeah? Yeah.
So, uh What I was thinking is-- And this is just a suggestion.
How about you give me your little black book, and I give you mine, and we just, sort of, see what happens? [LAUGHS.]
I meant that figuratively.
You actually have a black book? [LAUGHING.]
Oh, no.
Give that to me.
[LAUGHS.]
Oh, no.
Wow.
What? I don't even get a star? [BOTH LAUGH.]
I can work on that.
Did I say I can't stay? I-I-I can't stay.
I'm going.
I'm gone.
[SOFT ROCK PLAYS.]
Hey.
Hey.
Application to State.
"Choose one word that best describes you.
" Hm, I can think of a few.
But I don't think they'd help you get into colleges.
[LAUGHS.]
Ha, ha.
Hey, guess what.
I got a cat.
You did? Yeah.
It's kind of on a loan, actually.
It's Robin's.
Can I see that? Yeah.
[SIGHS.]
Hey! What are you--? What are you doing? Look, you'll get one of those parka things.
Keep you warm.
Seeing right through you Took so long Sarah I know you'll be back.
And I am a broken record Because you love me.
And I never knew myself But I'm still learning So go Go, go Going to give you the world Just go Smile on the face of her Go, go, go Just go Wanted to give you The world Just go [.]
How come you didn't use your own keys? Were you waiting out there long? No, not very.
So anyway, we're just sitting there and he just walks in, like, "Hello, I'm your grandfather.
" And nobody knew what to say, you know? And I don't-- I don't really know what it means, that he-- That he showed up.
I mean, maybe Maybe I-- I guilted him into wanting to meet them.
But, then Then, can we trust him? You know, is he gonna stick around? The guy's definitely got a history of flaking out on people, that's for sure.
Take off your jacket.
I wasn't planning on staying.
Apparently, neither are you.
What? Well, I ran into Warren Danziger at the coffeehouse.
He had a message for you.
He said that he got into Hampshire State too, and if you were looking for a roommate And I said, "What are you talking about? "You know, Bailey's not going back East for school.
He's staying here in San Francisco.
" But apparently that's not what your guidance counselor told him.
[SIGHS.]
Okay.
Okay, look.
First of all-- First of all, when I applied to Hampshire State, you and I, we weren't even-- We weren't even together yet, and And I never thought that I would get in to that place.
It was, like, this huge long shot.
Really.
Okay.
Yes.
Yes, I got accepted.
But you're not gonna go, right? Well God.
Sarah, listen before you get upset, I-I know what you're thinking.
And-- And you have to know that me going away to college isn't gonna change anything between us at all.
What are you talking about, Bailey? You're leaving.
You're going 3000 miles away.
You're going as far away from here as you can get.
-That changes everything.
-Sarah, listen.
You're someone to be talking about flaking out.
[THE BODEANS' "CLOSER TO FREE" PLAYING.]
Everybody wants to live Like they wanna live And everybody wants to love Like they wanna love Everybody wants to be Closer to free Closer to free Okay.
Okay, I'll remember.
[GIGGLES.]
Okay! Okay.
Who's she talking to? Jake.
Grandpa Jake.
Sounds kind of weird.
[LAUGHING.]
Yeah.
Bye.
Okay.
Bye.
What did he want? I called him.
Just to talk.
You let her call him? It's a free country.
What's with you? I thinking about him all night.
I mean, weren't you guys? I just-- I can't believe it.
I mean, I can't believe that this is actually happening.
You know, that he came back.
Claudia.
You know, he's not exactly how I pictured him.
But, I mean, it doesn't matter.
You know, all of a sudden, we have a whole family.
We already have a family.
Well, yeah, no, I know, but-- CHARLIE: I'd slow down, Claud.
We spent, what, two hours with the guy? Look at his track record.
So you're not even gonna give him a chance? Let's just see if the guy sticks around.
That's the most important thing.
I bet he will.
I mean, after what he said last night-- What did he say? He didn't say anything.
He asked a lot of questions about Mom.
And he said that he was a terrible father and that he felt guilty for leaving her.
Whoop-dee-doo.
Like that was hard to admit 30 years later.
Look, Jule, I'm angry at him too.
I just-- I want him around.
Yeah, well, I don't.
We're doing fine.
I don't know what we need him for.
We don't need him for anything.
I mean, that's not the point.
Anyway, we're doing something together this afternoon.
You are not.
I am too.
No, you're not.
We don't even know him.
He's practically a stranger.
You're not going out alone with a stranger.
Look, he's my grandfather.
I mean, you can't stop me.
Charlie, you trust this guy? Then go with her, Jule.
Look, I am-- I am just going away to college.
People go away to college, like, constantly.
Right, no big deal.
That's why you kept it a secret.
No! That's not-- I don't know, look-- I guess-- Okay, I was afraid of how you'd react.
-I didn't wanna upset you.
-Oh, God, don't give me that.
What a load of crap.
Okay, look.
I am a senior, right? So didn't it ever occur to you that I might think about going away to college? No, it didn't, okay? And maybe it's because you never mentioned that you were interested.
And you talked about state schools all the time.
Last week! So, no.
The idea that you'd wanna leave me never occurred to me.
I don't wanna leave you, Sarah.
Remember these? Key to your house.
You gave it to me.
And you said that that would be a place that I could go, where I'd be safe and loved.
Yes.
Thanks.
Sarah, don't you think you're-- [SCHOOL BELL RINGS.]
Don't you think you're overreacting here a little bit? Listen.
There are-- There are tons of school vacations.
There's Christmas break.
There's spring break.
And you can come visit me whenever you want to.
And we'll talk on the phone all the time.
And we'll get that e-mail thing, so we can write each other, like, four, five times a day if you want.
Like that's close to the same thing.
Like 3000 miles away doesn't matter.
Sarah Look, it's-- It's not like I'm leaving tomorrow.
You know, I'm not.
We still have We still have six months.
That is a lot of time.
It's-- It's more time than we've been going out.
So, six months? Yeah.
Okay, so we can spend pretty much every minute together? Right.
See? Exactly.
And I can fall even more in love with you? [.]
You could.
Yeah, and then it'll hurt that much more when you leave.
Call screening.
It's gotta have call screening, because I cannot stand talking to Wayne anymore.
Last week, what was it? Oh.
His skin was breaking out from loneliness.
I mean, my God, we've been apart five months now.
Enough already.
[SIGHS.]
Can I get some help, please? Get some help for Wayne.
Hey, you should look at cell phones, Charlie.
It's impossible to track you down.
I call you at home, they think you're at Salinger's.
I call you at Salinger's.
they say you're at home.
Nobody ever seems to know where you are anymore.
[PHONE RINGS.]
Looking for a beeper? No.
Not really.
They're pretty popular these days.
A lot of kids have them.
Big with doctors too.
High-profile business types.
Guys cheating on their wives or girl-- [CLATTERS.]
Sorry.
How much you say these things were? Well, if anything strikes your fancy, you just say the word.
Thanks Grandpa.
Ha, ha.
The same offer goes for you, Julia.
Um, no thanks.
I don't like buying in places like this.
Really? Why not? Welljust because something's from the past, everyone seems to think that it's so precious and so valuable.
Most of the time, it's just a big ripoff.
Of course, you never know, uh, either way, unless you take a really good look.
For instance, what do you think of this? It's pretty cool.
Yeah.
Well, let's buy this.
Wow.
Thanks.
What do you think? Have you got anybody in mind to put in there? Mm, I don't know.
Then I can help you with that.
Now, here is your mom when she was about two years younger than you.
Wow.
Jule, look at this.
Look what Grandpa bought me.
It's okay.
I know exactly what he's buying, Claudia.
[.]
I couldn't help but notice that yours was-- Well, the hands were broken, and the crystal was cracked, and the strap was frayed, so Wow.
You like it? Yeah.
Yeah, but It's not like there's a-- A special occasion.
It's February.
[LAUGHS.]
We're celebrating February.
The shortest month of the year.
I forgot to get you something.
It's okay.
This is not about even exchanges.
Mm.
You know what I could do? Hm? I could, uh, fix that window in your bathroom, the one where the sill's warped? -Charlie -No, it's no problem.
I mean, I've got the tools in my truck.
CharlieI don't want you fixing my windows.
Why not? Because Ihave people who can do that for me.
[LAUGHS.]
And that's not what I need you for.
[BEEPER RINGING.]
What is that? [LAUGHS.]
I got a beeper.
[.]
The kids.
[GROANS.]
[LAUGHS.]
I didn't know what else to do.
I mean.
And I know you just saw one, but I swear there are at least two, and-- Ew, I may have to move! Well, there was only one in the trap, and we got rid of it, so I think you can probably come down from there now.
Good.
Good.
As long as I don't have to spend a minute here alone, then I promise not to be afraid.
Emily, uh, I don't know.
It's-- It's been kind of a-- A weird, long night.
And I thought I'd just-- Oh, no.
Oh, no, you don't.
You've been bugging me about this for a long time.
And now you're here, and I'm here, and it's late.
And you are not going anywhere.
[.]
Okay? Okay.
Good.
Umhere's the thing.
Could you carry me into the bedroom? Because I am not setting foot on this floor ever again.
Okay.
SARAH [SINGS.]
: With another guy That's what you get If you go chasin' After vengeance Ever since you've got me Boy, sure, this has been My sentence Oh, I used to be disgusted And now I try to be amused But since I went And got arrested You know, the angels wanna Wear my red shoes But when they told me About the side of the bargain That's when I knew That I could not refuse And I won't get any older What are you--? UmI don't know.
I-- I didn't think I'd need to see her.
Oh, I said I'm so happy I could die I should have looked at that picture you brought.
Maybe that would've been enough, huh? You gonna talk to her? Um yeah.
Maybe that would be all right.
For us toget to know each other a little bit.
God! She is beautiful.
Wear my red shoes And I won't get any older Now the angels wanna Wear my red shoes Thank you.
Good night.
[APPLAUSE, CHEERING.]
Sarah! Not now.
I don't wanna talk.
No.
It's-- It's not about that.
Somebody that wants to meet you.
Hi.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
I'm, um Yeah.
Yeah, I know who you are.
BARTENDER: Last call, everybody.
We're out of here in five.
Hey, man.
Give them 20 more minutes, would you? Thanks.
[.]
Sarah.
Hey.
I tried to call you last night.
Yeah, I was-- I was tired.
I had the machine on.
So, wow, huh? How did it go? I was thinking about you all night.
It went okay.
Really? Just okay? Because, I don't know, it really seemed like you guys were connecting.
What did you-- What did you talk about? You know, stuff.
Stuff.
Huh.
So, was it kind of how you expected it? You know, Bailey, I really don't feel like blabbing about this.
Oh, okay.
I just-- I just wanted to see how things went.
So are you gonna-- Are you gonna get together again, maybe? Yeah, we are.
We made plans.
Really? What are you gonna do? You know, Bailey, they're our plans.
Robin's and mine.
In fact, we're probably gonna be spending a lot of time together.
So you're just gonna have to get used to that.
What are you doing? Sarah, what, are you-- Are you punishing me? You're mad at me so you're shutting me out? Is that what you're doing? Look, Bailey, you have stuff in your life that's private.
Now I do too.
What's wrong with that? [SCHOOL BELL RINGS.]
You know, I was just thinking how depressing it's gotta be for him.
You know, to go home every day to a lonely hotel room and some dinky little fridge, TV remote nailed to the night table.
When he could be staying in a real house With his family.
Look, Claud, since he hasn't asked, I really don't see the point in offering.
Yeah, but You know, I was thinking it would be nice for us too, to have him around.
I mean, to have him right there, all the time.
Have who right where all the time? Grandpa.
What about him? Claudia wants him to move in.
Really? Move in with us? Really? I'm thinking no.
What are you worried about? I mean, he's gonna steal the silver? No.
I just think we should all give it some time.
I mean, technically, yes, he's our family.
But he's He's also a stranger.
But he's trying not to be.
BAILEY: He's right, Claud.
He's right.
It's too soon.
We should give it some more time.
So how long do we wait? I mean, you really think we're gonna get close to him by seeing him a few times a week all dressed up and on our best behavior? You think that one day, suddenly, he's just gonna feel like he's really our grandfather, and that's when we give him the key? ClaudI'm not talking about waiting a year.
I'm just saying-- Why wait at all? I mean, what for? He's here, and he wants to be a part of our lives.
And you know what? He's not so young.
I mean, what if something happens? What if something happens before we really get a chance to love him? These are so lovely.
Thank you.
[LAUGHS.]
You're welcome.
Yeah, is it okay that I'm here? I mean, do you need to get ready or anything? Oh, no.
No, it's really nice that you're here.
You know, there's this other gal in the show.
Big diva.
I mean, God help anybody who knocks on her dressing room door while she's preparing.
I don't know.
I just go on-stage.
I turn it on.
Come off, turn it off.
I know.
I know.
I do that too, with singing.
You know, no big process.
I just kind of do it.
Exactly.
Exactly.
Yep.
I'm really glad I'm getting to see this before it closes.
So do you have to look for another job now? Nope.
Thankfully, the producers like me enough to keep me for the tour.
So I will be dying across America for the next six to eight months.
Oh, God! I just gave away the ending.
I'm sorry.
Sorry! Anyway, it's a big break for me.
Thank God I won't have to be auditioning all the time, and-- What? What is it? [.]
You're leaving? Well, not permanently.
But for a little while, yeah.
You know what? I'll give you my itinerary.
Maybe we can do the pen pal bit.
I don't-- I don't understand.
Why would come looking for me if you were planning to leave? What--? Well, I just-- I just thought-- We've made a great start, Sarah.
Soit's not like we're gonna have to begin all over again when I get back.
And, you know, to tell you the truth, it made it a lot easier for me to know that you were out there and wondering about us, and wanting us to meet.
Wait, you knew? Well, yeah.
From Bailey.
At the coffeehouse? No.
He tracked me down about a month ago.
And I am so glad he did.
I am.
Because I think it feels right that we should be friends don't you? Yeah.
Yeah, wellI should let you get dressed.
JAKE: Oh, I'm sorry.
I assumed that you'd all talked this over together.
Well, we didn't.
No one said a word to me.
Because I wouldn't have just barged over here like this I better just go check back into the hotel, huh? Yeah.
Yes.
Yeah, I think that would be a really good idea.
It-- It was my mistake.
Just tell your sister I'll call her from the hotel.
Claudia! Claudia! What, are you, like, on fire or something? Did you tell Jake that he could live with us? Yeah.
Why? Why, is he here? No, he is not here.
I sent him away.
He is not moving in with us.
Charlie and Bailey said it was okay.
-I don't care! -You know what? I don't have to listen to you.
You don't get to decide.
Three to one.
You lose.
What is the matter with you, Claudia? Why are you being nice to him? Because he's my grandfather.
No! He is not! He is nothing to you! He-- He is just the man who ran out on Mom.
So you're just gonna forgive him for that? Is that it? I didn't-- God! What gives you the right to forgive him for her? Julia-- Do you have any idea what it was like for her? Do you? Did she ever tell you what it was like? -No.
-Well, she told me.
She told me what it was like to have him leave her without a goodbye or a note.
Without ever calling to say once that he loved her or thought about her.
And what it was like to think that that was her fault! And you! Just because you want someone to take you for ice cream or to some stupid swap meet.
I can't believe you! I can't believe how selfish you are! Why don't you just go to the cemetery -and spit on Mom's grave.
-Julia, that is-- Because that is what you're doing! [DOOR SLAMS.]
[PEOPLE LAUGHING, CAR HONKS.]
Come on.
You're kidding, right? Why on earth would anyone hate foreign films? Oh Lookit's got great reviews.
And believe me, Charlie, when you see this woman, you won't care that Now, go get in line.
I'll get the tickets.
[HORN HONKS.]
Charlie! Oh, hi.
Hey, hello.
Hi.
Hi.
Are you, uh? Mwah.
Are you here alone? What? Alo-- No.
Um Actually, I'm here with, umthat-- That woman.
You know, the-- The birthday that I catered? That woman.
Its--It's-- It's sort of a business thing.
She-- She wants me to do another party.
And she was thinking, like, this-- This Italian theme, because, uh-- Because her fiancé is Italian.
From Italy.
Roberto.
Oh, really? She's engaged? Yeah.
Didn't I mention that? Yeah, it's an engagement party that she's planning.
And it's, um It's a lot of business riding on it for me.
I really couldn't say no.
They're sold out.
I know.
You're devastated.
EMILY: Good thing I got here early.
Hi.
Emily.
I think maybe we met before.
Anyway, congratulations.
Charlie told me.
Oh.
Yeah.
Thanks.
Anyway, uh Well, if they're-- If they're sold out, then, uh, we should probably get going.
Yeah.
It looks like you're going in.
Oh.
Yeah.
I guess I should.
[STREETCAR RINGS.]
She's an old friend.
Hmm.
[LAUGHTER FROM TV.]
Jacob Gordon, please.
[MUFFLED CONVERSATIONS FROM TV.]
Oh, he's not? Yes.
This is Claudia Salinger.
Tell him Tell him that I'm not gonna be able to get together tomorrow like we planned.
MAN [ON TV.]
: Why, you little runt.
No.
He doesn't have to call back.
Tell him not to call back.
Thank you.
Oh, hey! I didn't expect-- You know what? I would just-- I would really-- I would really like to know why you think it's okay to lie to me about everything.
Why is it okay to treat me that way? What?! You saw her, Bailey.
A month ago.
You saw my mother.
And you never told me.
Sarah, listen-- And it's, like, every day a new lie with you! Sarah, come on.
What-- What was I supposed to dohuh? She said she didn't wanna see you.
Was I-- Was I really supposed to come home and tell you that? You can be mad at me about a lot of things, but-- But you cannot be mad at me about that.
You can't.
You just-- You just can't.
What? She's going away.
What? In two days she's going on tour for a long time.
I don't know.
I'll probably never see her again.
I didn't-- I didn't know that.
And I'm so angry at myself for being surprised.
Why-- Why am I surprised that people leave? Because Because that's-- That's what people do.
You know, people leave, right? I gotta be more careful.
Remind me of that, okay? [CAR HORN HONKS.]
Hi.
Are you waiting for me? Yeah.
Yeah, I was.
Because I wanna know what the hell you're doing.
Showing up one day and then taking off the next.
Excuse me? So-- So, what? You met her? You got her out of your system and now you're just gonna walk away.
Oh, God.
All right.
First of all, you are way out of line, kiddo.
And second of all, I'm not walking away.
I'm taking a job.
Yeah, well, that's not how Sarah sees it.
Well, that's too bad.
-Yeah, it is.
-You know what? I don't have to explain myself to you.
[SIGHS.]
Look, I-- I came to see her to see what she looks like, and to know that she's okay.
And to let her do the same thing with me.
And that's it.
Well, you picked a great time to do it.
Two days before you're leaving town? It's like you're walking out on her again.
-I am not-- -And you know what? And this is the incredible part.
I'm the one who's getting blamed for it.
What are you talking about? All I wanna do is go away to college.
That is it.
And that is not so much to want, right? People do that all the time.
And I've been counting on this for so long.
Only now, with you skipping out on her-- Is that why you're here? -That's what your problem is.
-No.
Okay, I get it.
Now, I get it.
No, you don't! I am here because of Sarah.
Because-- Because it is so unfair to just come walking into somebody's life without even thinking about what you might mean to them, or what it might mean to them when you just walk away.
Well, I'm sorry, but I didn't make her any promises.
Did you? Claudia seems more focused, more conscientious.
Her problem-solving skills seem sharper.
Great.
How late do you think you'll have to be here? She's maintaining an A-minus average.
Because I thought maybe we could get a bite or something.
And aside from a few late homework assignments, there's really nothing else to report.
Emily.
So we can do this again in a couple of months.
Emily! Enough with the professional stuff.
Aside from that I never wanna see you again.
What? You think I'm stupid? I saw that-- That woman touch you and-- And straighten your collar.
And I'm sorry, but you don't do this to your caterer.
[SIGHS.]
Oh, God.
Can I explain? Will you let me? Sure.
If you have something to say that's gonna make a difference, you tell me.
Right.
Emily.
I was so careful not to get hurt.
But, uh, what are you gonna do? What are you gonna do, you know, when you-- When you start to feel something for somebody? You gotta take a chance.
[LAUGHS.]
You have to admit, it's kind of a sick joke that this happenedthe day after I slept with you.
Anyway, umI made it a rule not to cry at parent-teacher conferences, so just get out of here, okay? [.]
I'm sorry.
I never-- I didn't mean for this to happen.
I swear.
And I know it doesn't seem that way, but You could, um be a little more careful of people, you know? You could have been a little careful of me.
Am I doing something that is so terrible? No.
No, I know I'm not.
You don't even have to answer that.
I know I'm not.
Okay, then.
Only now, I'm just the next person waiting in line to disappoint her.
And I really don't wanna do that, so I'm, like-- I'm trapped.
And it just-- It just feels like that's how it's always been.
You know.
And how it's always gonna be.
Whenever I want something for myself, there's always somebody else that I gotta take care of first.
Owen or Or Claudia.
Or Sarah.
Wellit's your life, Bay.
You're allowed to be a little bit selfish sometimes.
Right.
Right.
[SIGHS.]
It's unbelievable, huh? The one time that I get a break.
Some jerk in the Admissions office probably lost his eyeglasses.
Misread my transcript.
And I get in.
And it's the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life.
Maybe it's the second best.
Maybe Sarah's the best.
Ah, whatever I choose What a mess.
Just so you know, we had a pop quiz in Miss Schrader's class today.
It was the first pop quiz we had since the last time you guys had a fight.
Soall I'd like to know is, what did you do this time? Um, Claudia, you know what? I'm not so sure that now's the time to-- She found out, didn't she? About bachelorette number two? Hey, that is none of your-- [SIGHS.]
Yeah.
She kind of did.
I knew it.
Listen, I was gonna talk to you about it-- Save it, Charlie.
People don't change.
And given your record, it was my fault for thinking you'd do anything but screw up.
It's my fault for thinking much more of a lot of people in this family.
[.]
It's, like, I wish that just once you'd surprise me.
I'll see you guys tomorrow.
Bye.
[BANDMATES CHATTERING.]
Could you move, please? It's gonna be pretty hard to see out the windshield with me up here like this.
Look, Bailey, it's been a really long night.
I'm exhausted.
And I just wanna go home.
Sarah.
Sarah, wait.
Wait a second.
I've been thinkingand And I'm not gonna go.
I won't go.
[.]
You won't? It's freezing there this time of year.
Who needs that? I can't tell you that.
What? No, no, no, no.
Oh, is it? [SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY.]
[FIRE ENGINES PASS IN DISTANCE.]
[CAR STARTS.]
Come on, Thurber.
Thurber, you lazy good-for-nothing.
Okay.
Fine, that's it.
Thurber.
That's it! I'm going myself.
What are you-- What is this? What are you doing here? Uh, this is a A letter that I've written to all of you, explaining why I'm headed out of town.
Right.
There's not much point in staying.
Doesn't seem to be a-- A future for all of us.
No.
I-I think that's right.
This is my old-- My old pocket watch.
I used to tell your mother that this had magical powers.
And, uh, she'd swing it back and forth in front of my eyes, pretending that she was hypnotizing me.
[GASPS QUIETLY.]
I was going to leave it for her, and I don't know why I didn't.
And then over the years, I wasgoing to send it back.
But every time I'd sit down to write a letter, I'd get as far as, "Dear Diana," and then I I'd like you to have it.
I don't want it.
No, please.
I don't want things from you.
We're family.
I don't care.
We don't have that many people besides each other.
I don't care.
Someday you will.
Someday you're gonna care very much.
And it may be too late.
You wanna avoid that.
At all costs.
At all costs.
You wanna avoid letting it be too late.
You waited 30 years.
I don't feel sorry for you.
I feel sorry for my mom.
And I feel sorry for me, because I should have had a grandfather.
I want to try.
I want to try with you, Juliabecause you-- Well, standing there, you-- You're just like your mother.
I'm as close as I'll ever be to seeing her again.
Please? Okay.
Okay.
I'm just trying to-- I wanna-- I wanna be really clear here.
I wanna know exactly what you mean by-- By "an old friend"? Jared got me started in the news business before he moved over to corporate.
He and I see each other whenever we're in each other's cities.
See each other how? Because it sure as hell didn't seem like you were talking shop downstairs just now.
Well, what do you want me to say, Charlie? Oh.
I'm sorry you saw that.
It certainly wasn't my intention to wave Jared's and my relationship in your face.
Let me understand this.
You're sorry not that you're sleeping with another guy, but that I found out about it? Please, don't take the moral high ground here, Charlie, because, trust me, you'll lose.
And what's that supposed to mean? It means, I know about you and your littlefriend.
Irma, Emma, Emily? Well I-- You-- That-- That-- That's over.
And I assume you broke it off because you saw the error of your ways? Guess not.
[SIGHS.]
Guess she found out and ended it first, huh? Your turn.
Okay.
Yes, look.
I-- I didn't handle that well.
And I'm not saying that what I did was right.
It wasn't right.
It was wrong.
And-- But the truth is-- The difference is-- The difference is-- Yes, tell me what the difference is, Charlie.
Well-- The difference is-- Is that I feel bad about it.
And obviously, Kathleen, you don't give a damn.
'"Excellent, said Mr.
Lion," who was perched 'atop the toy chest with the other stuffed animals.
"I've also taught you how to roar.
"' GROUP: Yay! That was a good one, eh, Owen? Yeah.
BAILEY: Yes.
Let's try some other form of amusement.
What about the slide? BAILEY: The slide.
There we are.
It's a long time since I did any of that.
Well, I'm gonna put some tea on.
You want some? JAKE: Yes, I'd love some tea.
As long as it isn't any of that sissified herbal stuff.
[LAUGHS.]
Okay, you got it.
Who uses this? You or Charlie? I don't believe you.
I don't believe you're sitting out there with him, all friendly and kissy-kissy and everything.
After what you said to me about Mom? Claudia-- It's like I'm evil for even talking to him, but you're allowed to change your mind.
And suddenly he's your best friend.
That's not it.
Look, Claud, I'm sorry.
Is that why you said that stuff to me? Just so you could have him all to yourself? No.
Then how come all of a sudden you don't care about Mom's feelings? No, I do.
I do, Claudia.
Then why is he here? Because Because [SIGHS.]
I've been trying to figure out what she would have done.
I mean, what she would have done if one day she opened the door, and there he was, standing on the doorstep, wanting so badly to apologize.
And the thing is he hurt her so much, Claudia, that she wouldn't have forgiven him.
Well, then, why would you? But I think she might have been holding Owen, or maybe you would have been practicing in the living room, or I would've been doing my homework on the stairs, like I used to.
And she would have thought of us.
And she would have said to him, "It's too late for the two of us.
"But you know what? I have five children.
And maybe you can mean something to them.
" Don't you think she might have said that? I mean, doesn't that sound like something she might have said? [BAILEY LAUGHING.]
[CHATTERING.]
Well, I don't know.
Maybe this is too big of an imposition.
I don't know.
I mean, you tell me if it is.
But, umAmanda just hates traveling with me.
I mean, stuck in that box all day, who can blame her? So, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind keeping an eye on her? I mean, while I'm gone.
You're giving me a cat? Justlending, actually.
Oh.
Oh, okay, so I guess this is kind of like a consolation prize, right? Lose a mother, gain a pet.
Hey.
No, I mean, I should feel grateful.
You know, it's a guarantee that you'll come back.
After all, you love your cat.
[CAT MEOWS.]
[SIGHS.]
What do you want from me, Sarah? I don't know.
Something.
I wanna know that you care enough not to just disappear when we're getting started.
I wanna know that I matter to you.
And the only way I can prove that to you is by staying? You can't make rules like that.
Why? Why can't I? Because it's not fair,.
That's why.
You know, you just can't dictate what we're gonna mean to each other.
You have to let what's gonna happen just happen.
Yeah.
What if this is it? I mean, what if this is as close as we ever get? Well, I I can't promise, Sarah.
I mean, I don't know what's gonna be.
But, you know, you gotta trust that all the ways that we're alike, and all the things that connect us, means that our relationship isn't as fragile as you think.
It's not gonna disappear over Poughkeepsie.
How do you know that for sure? Well, I don't know.
But you see, Sarah, I'm okay with leaving because I know I'm coming back.
Get a little faith, Sarah.
I don't know how Bay managed it.
Because she was dating Will, but then he got her back.
Julia and Justin, they were, like, so mad at each other.
Then all of a sudden, they were just, like-- I mean, like-- Like this You have to pry them apart with a crowbar.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Uh, I'm with the family historian here.
Uh-huh.
Did you mention how many times you've been grounded lately, or did you conveniently leave that part of the update out? Hey.
My life is an open book.
Yeah.
Well Wait a minute.
Where are you going with that? Oh.
Well, I was just gonna get it out of your way.
Take it down to the basement.
Well, it isn't in my way.
I think we ought to leave it here for the time being.
Why, you going somewhere? You only just got here.
Well, I will be going out of town for a couple of days every now and then.
You know, I've got a lot of business concerns in a lot of places.
In fact, next week I'm gonna have to go to Phoenix.
For how long? I meanyou're coming back, right? Oh, I'll be back.
I promise.
Andwhile I'm gone, I want you to take care of this for me.
I don't like to travel with it.
It's got a lot of valuable stuff in it.
What's this? That's a medal.
Got it in World War II.
I got that for being wounded.
Caught a piece of shrapnel.
Cool.
Got a scar? Sure I've got a scar.
[LAUGHS.]
You have two wedding bands.
Huh? What? Two wedding bands? Oh, yeah.
Well, I'll tell you about those.
Uh Once I thought that I'd lost mine.
And I was so afraid that your grandmother would have a fit when she found out, that I-- I went out and I bought another one.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
You know what you could do with that? I've seen people wear them on a chain around the neck.
Really? Really.
Cool.
[JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING ON JUKEBOX.]
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
I, uh, can't stay.
Okay.
Well, uh, thanks so much for stopping by.
[SIGHS.]
Here's the thing you should know about me.
I generally like to keep my options open.
Yeah, no kidding.
I haven't had many big relationships, Charlie, just lots of little ones.
Hey, I know the type.
Fill up on appetizers because you don't like the looks of the main course.
God, please don't be glib.
[SIGHS.]
I don't wanna not give a damn.
I meanI don't wanna be the kind of person who doesn't give a damn.
I mean, I could give a damn.
I mean, Ido give a damn about you.
Yeah? Yeah.
So, uh What I was thinking is-- And this is just a suggestion.
How about you give me your little black book, and I give you mine, and we just, sort of, see what happens? [LAUGHS.]
I meant that figuratively.
You actually have a black book? [LAUGHING.]
Oh, no.
Give that to me.
[LAUGHS.]
Oh, no.
Wow.
What? I don't even get a star? [BOTH LAUGH.]
I can work on that.
Did I say I can't stay? I-I-I can't stay.
I'm going.
I'm gone.
[SOFT ROCK PLAYS.]
Hey.
Hey.
Application to State.
"Choose one word that best describes you.
" Hm, I can think of a few.
But I don't think they'd help you get into colleges.
[LAUGHS.]
Ha, ha.
Hey, guess what.
I got a cat.
You did? Yeah.
It's kind of on a loan, actually.
It's Robin's.
Can I see that? Yeah.
[SIGHS.]
Hey! What are you--? What are you doing? Look, you'll get one of those parka things.
Keep you warm.
Seeing right through you Took so long Sarah I know you'll be back.
And I am a broken record Because you love me.
And I never knew myself But I'm still learning So go Go, go Going to give you the world Just go Smile on the face of her Go, go, go Just go Wanted to give you The world Just go [.]