7th Heaven s05e16 Episode Script
Parents
I'm so depressed.
Jeremy, my new boyfriend, he moved back east.
No way.
Yeah, his father got a job with the New York Philharmonic.
It's so unfair.
I finally meet the man of my dreams and fall madly in love with him and now he's gone.
Don't worry Luce.
You'll fall madly in love again and again and then you'll meet Mr.
Right and live happily ever after.
Thanks.
Are you talking to Lucy again? He Quit hogging my friends, mom.
Sorry.
Bye, Luce.
Hey, why don't the three of us go shoot some pool? Help Lucy take her mind off of Jeremy leaving? That sounds fun.
Count me in.
I'm gonna go change and then we'll go pick up Lucy.
Your mom is so un-mom like.
Tell me about it.
Hey! Hi, Dad.
How's your U.
N.
research paper coming? Oh, it's coming.
Well, it better be more than just coming.
It's due Monday, counts for a third of your grade in History.
I've got everything under control.
Yeah, yeah, everything's under control.
And what, you've already finished your paper? Oh, I'm in a different History class.
I don't have a paper due.
Keith's helping me.
Well, when you're ready to go home, just let me know.
I don't need a ride, I drove.
Keith just got his license last week.
Congratulations.
Finish your paper.
Just the Dad I was looking for.
No.
I haven't asked anything yet.
But you were going to ask me something.
Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't.
Okay, so let's say I was going to ask for something.
How can you say "no" before I've even asked? Maybe it's something you can't say no to.
Come on.
Can I have that really huge, really cool makeup kit that's on sale at the department store? The one you asked about yesterday? No, you're too young to wear makeup.
But my friend Rachel gets to wear makeup.
You have a ten-year-old friend who wears makeup? Just blush and lipstick.
Rachel's parents don't think she's to young.
Her mom bought her that makeup kit.
Sorry, no makeup.
Well, thanks for nothing.
Parenting really is it's own reward.
Yeah.
Yes, good job.
Hi.
Hi.
I'm sorry, is this Reverend Camden's house? Yeah, I'm Eric Camden.
Oh, great.
I wasn't sure if I had the right address or not.
I had it scribbled on a cocktail napkin.
Did the church send you over? Oh, will you look at me? Where are my manners? What must you good people think? I'm Ed, Ed Palmer.
Oh.
I was looking for Robbie.
I was just passing through town and I heard he was living with you good people, and, uh, I thought I'd look him up.
Robbie's at work.
Did you say your last name is Palmer? Yes, ma'am.
Just like Robbie's? I hope so.
I'm his father.
& 7th Heaven & & When I see their happy faces & & Smiling back at me & & 7th Heaven & & I know there's no greater feeling & & Than the love of family & & Where can you go & & When the world don't treat you right? & & The answer is home & & That's the one place that you'll find & & 7th Heaven & & Mmm, 7th Heaven & & 7th Heaven.
& What's wrong with the guy in the living room? What makes you think anything's wrong with him? Every time someone shows up at our house late at night, they usually have a problem.
The later they come, the bigger the problem.
So, what's his problem? No, he doesn't have a problem.
He's looking for Robbie.
What's Robbie's problem? No one has a problem; Ed, the man in the living room, is Robbie's father and he's here to see Robbie.
I didn't know Robbie had a father.
Everyone has a father.
Yeah, but not everybody has a father who lets them buy makeup.
Unh, unh, unh, unh, I have already spoken with your father.
We are in total agreement, no makeup.
Makeup kit? I don't understand why she wants it so badly.
Her friend has it.
Remind me to, uh, call Rachel's parents and thank them for buying their ten-year-old daughter makeup.
Did you get ahold of Robbie at the grocery store? Yeah.
Well, how did he take the news that his father is here? I didn't tell him.
I wasn't sure how Robbie would react to his dad being back in town and I didn't want him upset and driving, so I just told him he needed to come home as soon as possible.
You don't like Ed, do you? I don't know him well enough not to like him.
I don't trust him, I mean, he did abandon Robbie and his family when Robbie was just a kid.
Okay, I don't trust him and I don't like him.
Me, neither.
Did you have to go to Columbia for that coffee? I spoke with Robbie.
He's on his way home.
You didn't tell him I'm here? No.
Hey, it's okay.
I don't know how Robbie's gonna take the news, either.
You know I had to leave town when he was very young.
"Had to"? I had no choice.
My parents needed me.
How do you take your coffee, Ed? Well, when I was living in France, it was black.
Now it's kind of half coffee, half sugar.
France, huh? Yeah, well, that was back in the '70s.
I joined the Peace Corps and, uh, they had me stationed in a little village outside Paris.
I helped the local farmers build a damn so they would have water for their farming.
You don't look like a Peace Corps kind of guy.
Well, that was a long time ago.
Yeah, let's see, You must have been very young.
Did I say '70s? I meant '80s.
I wasn't aware that the Peace Corps operated in developed countries, like France.
I'm hungry.
Do you have anything to go with this coffee besides cookies.
Maybe a little sandwich, some chips? I could really go for a sandwich.
Oh, I'll see what I can do.
You're a lucky man.
I had plenty of wives, none of them ever did anything for me.
And this one's a looker, too.
Yeah, she is.
Sandwich.
Have you finished your paper? You know, Keith's parents never bug him about his homework.
And they gave him a car last week when he turned 16.
Your father and I are never gonna give you a car, and we're always gonna bug you about your school work.
Finish your paper.
Hi, Mrs.
Camden? Mm-hmm.
I'm here to pick up Lucy.
Hey oh, you look great.
Thanks.
Hey, that's my shirt.
I borrowed it from Ashley, I hope you don't mind.
What are friends for? Did you meet my mom? Uh, you're going out? Yeah, well, I figured it wouldn't be a problem since Ashley's mom's coming, too.
You're Ashley's mother? I thought you knew.
No, I didn't.
Well, we're just going up to the pool hall.
I promise to have her home early.
I just, you know, I kind of wanted to take her out and try to cheer her up.
It's not easy losing a boyfriend.
You and Jeremy broke up? They didn't break up, but he's moving away.
What's the difference, he's gone? Well, I didn't know.
It just happened.
Come on, you guys, let's go.
Ed says no mayo.
Hi.
Hi.
Oh, honey, this is Serena.
Ashley's mother, Serena.
Oh, nice to meet you.
Hi.
You're Ashley's mother? People always think Ashley and I are sisters.
No, Mom, that's what you always tell people.
Come on, let's go.
Bye.
Bye.
Serena's the mother? Hello.
Hello? Ruthie is that you? Yes.
Why are you whispering? 'Cause I don't want anyone to hear me.
I need your help.
Help? I want something that Mom and Dad say I can't have.
It's a makeup kit.
But you're too young to wear makeup.
Look, I have the money, but the store's too far away for me to go on my bike.
So I need someone to drive me, but everyone in this house who drives also thinks I'm too young to have makeup.
That's because you are.
Look, what I need from you is a plan.
"A plan"? Yeah, a plan.
I want to do something and Mom and Dad say I can't.
You practically made a career of doing stuff.
Mom and Dad said you couldn't do.
And look where that got me.
They aren't gonna send me to Buffalo for buying makeup! Disobeying Mom and Dad is a very bad idea.
Don't do it.
You don't understand, I have to have that makeup kit.
I saved my money and I'm gonna get it whether you help me or not.
I'm sorry, Ruthie, I can't help you do this.
I won't help you do this.
It's wrong and you know it.
What? Shut the door.
We need to talk.
Look at that guy.
He's gorgeous.
I can't believe your mom.
She does this all the time.
She's always picking up guys that are way too young for her.
Well, he's gorgeous.
Come on, it's your shot.
Okay.
Who wants to go to Alan's party with me tomorrow night? Mom, you just met Alan.
I know, that's why I can't go alone.
You two have to come and protect me.
He's got a lot of cute friends, and he wants you guys to come.
Did you tell Alan that I'm your daughter? Why would I do that? Oh, please? Okay.
Okay, I'll go.
Cute guys? I'm there.
But will your parents let you go to a party thrown by someone they don't know? Hey, no problem.
Just tell your parents, you'll be out with me A sane, rational, responsible adult.
So, is everyone coming to my party tomorrow night? Yes.
Come on, there's somebody I want you to meet.
Okay.
I love your mom.
Yeah, she's great.
I had to get someone to cover me at the store.
I got home as quickly as I could.
What's going on? There's somebody here who wants to see you.
Dad! Hey! Man, I-I can't believe it's you and you're here.
I can't believe I'm here, either.
Did you get my letters? 'Cause no matter where I've been the last ten years, I've always taken the time to sit down and write you a letter, every day.
I haven't gotten any letters.
Darn post office.
Well, they must have lost them, because I sent them.
So what are you doing here? Well, I'm here because you're here.
I wanted to see my boy! Well, where you staying? Well, I can only afford to stay for one night, so I thought maybe after we had a chance to visit that, uh, you could drive me downtown and help me find a cheap motel.
It's already pretty late.
Not to worry.
Dad Hey, why spend money on a nice motel room? It's only for one night.
Hey.
The truth is I'm between jobs.
Actually, I'm between a lot of things: Job, car, home, wife.
I, uh, spent the last of my savings on my bus ticket to get to Glenoak.
I'm not here to sponge off anybody.
I just need a ride downtown.
Since it's only one night, why don't you stay with us? That way, you and Robbie will have plenty of time to catch up.
I don't want to bother anyone.
It's not a bother.
Well, if you insist.
Thanks.
Yeah, thanks.
Come on, Dad, let's go to my room.
What just happened? I think Ed just happened.
Where are you two going? Oh, we're going to Ow! What's going on? My leg slipped.
I'm getting the feeling that you don't want me to know where you're going.
Normally, I'd be a little concerned, but since you're with Matt, okay, fine, go do.
Just be careful.
Ow! Stop kicking me.
You almost ruined everything.
Remember, it's supposed to be a surprise.
Right, right.
I'm sorry, I forgot.
I'm taking you to the store to get Mom a present, right? Why you getting Mom a present? I don't have to have a reason.
I love her, you love her, we all love her.
She's a great mom.
She works really hard and does a lot of stuff for all of us.
We're lucky we have her.
Maybe I should get her a present, too.
Maybe.
I'm going out with Keith tonight.
Excuse me? May I go out with Keith tonight? Did you finish your paper? I'm almost done.
I'm just, I'm proofing it.
You're not going anywhere with anyone until you finish.
Does that mean I can go? Finish your paper, and then we'll talk.
Oh.
Ed? Mm-hmm.
How can one man make so much mess? Determination.
Make sure he's on that bus tonight.
I'm sorry about all this mess.
It's not that.
It's just that I don't trust him, and I don't want Robbie to get hurt.
Neither do I.
I spoke to Robbie, and he and Ed are gonna spend the day together, and then he's driving Ed to the bus station.
Good.
Hey, good.
I promised myself I wouldn't ask any big questions, but there's something I have to know.
You want to know why I left.
Mom said you met some woman in a bar, cleaned out the checking accounts and took off.
But you were such a great dad, and great dads don't do things like that.
I remember that time you took me to the zoo.
I think I was only five, but I remember.
You held my hand and you bought me nuts for the monkeys and we rode the train.
So what happened? I didn't leave for another woman.
I left to take care of my sick parents.
They needed somebody to move in and look after them, so I went back home and, uh, I took care of them till they died.
And I never took anything from the family or from your mother.
As a matter of fact, I sent money back home.
Well, your mother didn't believe me, so, uh we got a divorce, and then she refused to let me see you or your brothers.
She shut me out of your lives.
Couldn't you have called or something? She got a court order.
All I could do was write, which I did.
You know, those letters you didn't get.
For a long time, I thought that staying out of yours and your brothers' lives was for the best, and, uh, well, now I see that was wrong.
If I had one thing to do over again in life, I would have fought your mother harder for custody.
I'm not here just for a visit, Robbie.
I want to make it up to you, to you and your brothers.
I want my family back.
And this time, I'm not gonna let your mother stop me.
I'd like to stay in town for a while.
Really? Yes.
I'm gonna need some help.
Maybe we could help each other, hmm? You know, like family.
Hey, you got in late last night.
After the pool hall closed, we went out for ice cream with these really cute guys.
Come on, we were out with Ashley's mother.
Oh, so can I go to a party with Ashley and Serena tonight? Whose party? Some friend of Serena's.
But you don't have to worry because we'll be with an adult the whole time Serena.
You're going to a party with your girlfriend's mother? Ashley's going, too, and there will be people of all ages at the party.
What? She's cool.
She's not like You were going to say she's not like most moms.
Moms like me, right? I didn't mean it as an insult, but yes, she's not like most moms.
You just don't like her because she doesn't bake pies and go to church activities and make lunches.
That's not true.
She's fun; I like her.
What's wrong with that? Serena's fun-ness isn't the point.
So are you saying I can't go? You know, you're gonna be graduating soon, and you'll be off in college and I won't be there to make these decisions for you Should you, shouldn't you go here or there.
So I think maybe it's time that you start making your own decisions.
If you want to go tonight, go.
If it's my decision, I'm going.
Hello.
I got it! Matt took me.
You should confess and take it back.
Never.
My plan was too perfect.
I'll never get caught.
I told Matt I wanted to go to the store to buy something for Mom.
So Matt thinks that the makeup kit is for Mom not me.
Now, Mom seemed a little suspicious, so while Matt was flirting with the sales lady, I bought some little flower thing.
When I got home, I gave the flower thing to Mom and told her Matt took me to the mall 'cause I wanted to get her something special for being such a great mom.
It was great; She almost cried.
So you lied to everyone? Yeah! That's not good.
Mom and Dad will find out They always do and then you'll be in big trouble.
Trust me, when it comes to trouble, I am an expert.
I'm not gonna get caught.
And you're not just gonna be in trouble with Mom and Dad, Matt is gonna be really mad when he finds out you lied to him and used him.
You know, you were a lot more fun when you were messing up your life.
Be careful.
It's just a party.
I'll be fine.
Okay.
Where are you going? You said I can go out.
No, I didn't.
Hey, man.
Come on in, guys.
Maybe we should talk in the living room.
There's nothing to talk about.
Did you finish your paper? Almost.
I'm sorry, but Simon won't be able togo with you tonight.
You must be kidding.
No, I'm not kidding.
Uh, we're going to take off.
Catch up with us if you can, man.
Right.
Let's go.
Come on, guys.
I hope you're happy, because you just completely humiliated me in front of my friends! I want to read your paper.
I'm not finished! You need to finish it.
You know, I don't like you very much right now.
Well, the feeling's mutual, so, I suggest you go upstairs and finish your paper.
Change your attitude, or the next time you leave the house, it will be for your high school graduation.
Hello.
Hi.
Reverend Camden? This is Sally Palmer, Robbie's mother.
Oh.
Hello.
H-How are things in Florida? Pretty well.
How's Robbie doing? Well, he You know, he's doing great.
He's, uh he's very popular down at the daycare center, and he's still working part-time at the grocery store, and he's doing really well at school.
Thank you so much for helping him and taking him in.
You don't have to thank me.
Is my ex-husband there in town? Yes, Ed got here last night.
I was afraid of that.
Afraid? He came here first.
Wait.
He was in Florida? He left two days ago.
I'm worried about Robbie.
Well, uh, Ed is leaving tonight.
He-He's probably already gone.
The thing you have to know about my ex He's always there when you don't want him, and he's never there when you need him.
Aren't you going to miss your bus? Well, I Actually, I should let Robbie tell you the good news.
Good news? My dad and I decided we need to spend some more time together.
He didn't want to leave, and I didn't want him to leave, so we rented an apartment together.
We put down a deposit, and tomorrow, we move in.
Isn't this great? I finally have my dad back.
And I finally have my son with me again.
Oh.
Sorry I'm late.
Oh, that's okay.
Um, it's been a rough night, so I ordered pizza for the kids, and I made you a salad.
Rough night? What-What What happened? Well, let's see.
Uh, Lucy's out with her new best friend Serena, who I think is 40 going on 17, and, uh, Simon didn't finish his paper, so I wouldn't let him go out with his friends, so now Simon hates me.
And of course, I save the best for last.
Ed isn't leaving.
Ed is staying.
He and Robbie put a deposit down on an apartment today, and Robbie is moving out.
Robbie can't move in with Ed.
I know.
Robbie's mom called from Florida, and Ed is no good? Well, that's old news.
We knew that the second we met him.
Well, the trick is convincing Robbie, not us.
He and Ed went out.
They'll be back any minute.
Well, I'll talk to Robbie when he gets home.
When did Robbie become one of our children? I'm not sure, but he is, and I-I can't just stand around and watch Ed ruin his life.
No.
Did you know it was going to be like this? Oh! Oh, no! Here they come again.
Why don't they leave us alone? You know, why don't we just go? I don't want to leave my mother.
Okay, well, let's do something.
Oh, those two guys are giving me the creeps.
I mean they're 27, and we're 18.
Over here, over here! Okay.
Bathroom.
Yes.
I think we should talk.
You see the problem? You want me to treat you like a man, and you're acting like a child.
Fine, talk to me, don't talk to me.
I want to read your paper.
I don't care if you're not finished.
I want to read what you've done so far.
Do you really want to be in more trouble than you're in already? Thank you.
You okay? What's wrong? Mommy, I can't get it off.
I tried soap and water, but it just won't come off.
Who's makeup did you get into? It's my makeup.
Matt took me to the store today, and I bought that makeup kit that you and Daddy said I couldn't have.
So, you didn't go to the store to buy me something.
You went to the store to buy you something.
Something you were told you could not have.
I'm in trouble, aren't I? You're in more trouble than you've ever been in before.
First, I'm going to take you in the bathroom and get that stuff off of your face, and then, when Matt gets home from the library, we're going to have a long talk about this.
Hi.
Did you hear the good news? I'm moving in with my dad.
Yeah, I know.
I-I I spoke to your mother tonight.
Well, she hates my dad, she always has.
She never has anything good to say about him.
He did abandon her and you and your brothers.
That's not true.
My dad told me what really happened.
You know, my mom's not exactly June Cleaver.
You can't believe everything she tells you.
She'd tell you anything to keep me and my dad apart.
She kept us apart for years.
Maybe she had good reasons for wanting to keep Ed away from you.
You may not be able to believe everything your mom says, but I think you can believe what she says about Ed.
I finally have my dad around after years and years of not having him, and everyone is trying to take him away.
No one's trying to keep Ed away from you, but well, we are trying to protect you.
I don't need protecting.
I can take care of myself.
And I know my dad's not perfect, but neither am I! I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Yeah, the police in New York are looking for my dad because he wrote some bad checks.
Yes.
See? He told me that.
He didn't have to, but he wants to be honest with me.
You really should call your mother.
Why? So she can badmouth my dad some more? No, thanks.
Look, one more night, and I'll be out of here, and everyone can stop worrying.
I'll be fine, my dad will be fine.
We're going to take care of each other, and we're going to be just fine! I'm sorry.
Why are you apologizing? I'm apologizing for my mother.
It's okay.
No, it isn't.
You wouldn't understand.
You have a mother, a real mother.
Sometimes I wish I had a real mother, too.
Not some woman who'd rather be my friend than my mother.
Friends, I have.
People to go to parties and dances, I have.
A mother, I don't have, and haven't had since my parents got divorced, and my mother decided that she no longer wanted to be a mother.
I had no idea you felt this way about her.
I thought that you liked that your mother was hip and cool and un-mother like.
What's so hip and cool about being locked up in some stranger's bathroom while your mom flirts and carries on with some guy who is too old for us and too young for her? Welcome to the dark side of having a hip and cool mom.
I stayed longer at the library than I planned.
Is there any dinner left? Or I could eat out.
Did you take Ruthie to the store today? Do you like the makeup kit she bought you? The makeup kit wasn't for me.
Who was it for? Ruthie.
But Ruthie's too young to wear makeup.
Bingo.
Her father and I told her she couldn't have it.
Wait.
So, she lied to me, so I'd help her get it? I-I know Ruthie's done some questionable things before, but she's never looked me in the eye and lied.
Doesn't feel so great, does it? No, it doesn't.
I was waiting for you so we could both talk to her.
No, this whole thing was my fault.
I was the adult in charge.
I'd like to handle Ruthie by myself.
Are you sure? You're going to have to punish her, and she's not going to like you for it.
I don't care.
We need to talk.
Oh.
I figured this was coming.
I know you don't want me and Robbie to move in together.
Well, I talked to Robbie's mother, and I know everything.
So, did you tell Robbie everything? Yes.
Well, I'm guessing either, uh, Robbie didn't believe you, or he doesn't care.
If he did, you wouldn't be out here asking me to leave town.
That is what you're what you're doing, isn't it? Yeah.
Well, I've had a lot of people ask me to leave, so I generally know when it's coming.
Robbie doesn't want to believe anything bad about you.
I don't know what my ex told you exactly, but you can't believe everything she says.
She's no saint.
That's true.
She's had her share of problems Financial, emotional.
She hasn't always made the best decisions, but she tried.
She did the best she could under the circumstances.
Circumstances? Being left to raise three sons on her own.
But my parents You and I both know that you didn't leave her and your children so you could take care of your sick parents.
You did leave because you weren't really into being a father, right? I mean a little too much responsibility, and you were okay with making the kids, just not raising them, or taking care of them.
Did you know that Robbie was homeless not too long ago? I don't want to see that happen again.
Robbie's doing great.
He should just stay right where he is.
You're not his father.
Neither are you.
Sticks and stones.
Ouch! Robbie may not be my son, but he is a part of this family, and this is the best place for him.
And he knows that, but he loves you, or the idea of you.
He's willing to risk his future, because he believes he has a future with you.
You can't stop me from getting an apartment with my son.
The state of New York can.
Is that a threat? No, it's not a threat, but Okay, it's a threat.
Robbie's welfare means a lot to me.
If you don't leave, I'll call the police.
I'll let them know where you are.
I don't want to do it, but I just I can't just watch Robbie throw everything away.
I I love him.
And he'll never reach his potential if he's too busy taking care of you to take care of himself.
Well, I love him, too.
And he is my son.
Then do the right thing.
Put your son's needs before your own.
Do the right thing.
I've been home for a while, but I've been in my room thinking of what I wanted to say.
I'm very upset.
The devil made me do it.
Let's not bring the devil into this.
What do you want me to do? I want you to apologize.
Oh, okay.
I'm sorry.
No, I want you to apologize and mean it.
I am sorry.
I didn't mean to lie, but I had to have that makeup kit.
That's not an apology.
Why are you being so mean to me? Look, I'm not being mean.
I'm being nice.
You have to learn that what you did was wrong and if you don't learn it today, you're gonna go out and do the same thing tomorrow and hurt someone else like you hurt me.
Now it's okay if you don't understand what I'm saying because we can talk tomorrow when I drive you back to the store to return that makeup kit.
Hello.
So did Mom and Dad find out yet? What are you? Psychic! I told you they always find out.
So did you call to just to say I told you so? No, I called for two reasons.
One, I knew you were gonna get into trouble and I figured that you were gonna get yelled at.
And I know how that feels so I wanted to make sure you were okay.
And two? I love you and I wanted to make sure that you learned your lesson because I don't want you to end up in Buffalo like me.
Okay, okay, I get it.
I really get it.
Good.
What happened? You had months to work on this and it's nowhere near your best work.
So? I'm not going to get an "A" on everything I do.
If this paper was truly the best you could do, it would be fine.
You could turn it in and that would be that.
You can still turn it in and probably get a passing grade, but then what would you have learned? That to get by in life, you don't have to do much because you're a smart kid.
If all you want to do is pass, the truth is, you don't have to work very hard.
Why you making such a big deal out of this? Because it is a big deal.
You are smart, very smart and if you don't work up to your potential, you will never truly be happy.
Sure, you'll have time to goof around with your friends, but deep down inside, you'll know that you're not the person you could be and that will make you very unhappy.
I'd rather see you mad at me for the rest of your life than to let that happen.
Hello.
Oh, hi, Luce.
What? You're where? No, no, no, I'll be right there.
Give me the address.
Uh-huh, okay.
Bye.
I made some notes on your paper.
You should read them over and start rewriting.
I'll be back and we can work on it together.
Hello.
Hi, Mom.
I'm sorry I called so late I'll, I'll try back tomorrow.
Don't hang up, I'm awake.
What did you call to talk about? Dad.
Okay.
When I was younger, who used to take me to the zoo? My brother, your uncle.
Your dad wasn't around much and he thought you boys should have a guy to do stuff with, so he took you places.
He loved the zoo, especially those monkeys.
Are you still there? Yeah, I'm still here.
Ashley? Hey, Ashley.
Mom, I'm staying the night at Lucy's.
I'll call you in the morning.
Weren't you having a good time? No.
And it would have been hard for you to notice that since you've been throwing yourself at that Alan guy all night.
Hey, hold on.
Would you just grow up, Mom, and act your age just once! You cannot talk to me that way.
I am your mother! Mother? I thought you were my best friend.
So what is it, mother or best friend? Can't I be both? No.
Why? Because I want a mom that I can call to come get me if I'm having a bad time at a party.
I want a mom that yells at me when I'm late, tells me to eat my vegetables, go to bed.
I want a mom with her own social life, her own friends.
I don't want to go to parties with my mom and watch her make a fool of herself flirting with some guy who's half her age.
I'm not saying that it has to be all about me, but why does it always have to be all about you? I know what's going on here.
You know, uh just because you bake cookies and make lunches and drive a car pool does not make you better than me.
It doesn't make you a better mother! I'm a good mother, too! This isn't about us.
This is about you and your daughter! This is about you growing up and acting your age! It's about you being an adult, so she can be a child.
Its called parenthood and it has nothing to do with cookies and everything to do with raising children.
Helping them find their way, being there for them, putting their needs first.
How is your daughter supposed to learn how to be a mother if you won't be a mother to her? I don't know what you want from me.
Well, I don't either but I don't want this.
Ashley, I had no idea you felt the way you do.
I love you, Mom, but I don't want to do this anymore.
Oh, I love you, too.
Um, look I know that you were, uh, planning on spending the night at Lucy's, but maybe instead we could go home and talk.
It seems we have a lot to talk about.
All right.
We can talk, but we're not going to settle this in one night.
No, but it will be a start, huh? I'm gonna go get my coat and then we can go, okay? You guys can go.
I'll call you tomorrow.
You're welcome.
How did you know I was going to say thank you? I'm your mother, a mother knows.
So, did my dad get off okay? Yeah.
I heard Mrs.
Camden tell Matt you were out with my dad, so I figured you were putting him on the bus.
Yeah.
I called my mom and had a long talk with her.
Sorry.
Sorry for what? For caring about me, for giving me the first real home I've ever had? For being the father I never had and always wanted? For forgiving me of my past mistakes, being so supportive and kind? You have nothing to be sorry for.
My mom told me he showed up in Florida, stole money from her and took my underage brothers out to a bar and used them to pick up women.
My mom thinks I can't see the bad in my father.
That's not true.
I don't want to see the bad in my father.
I want to believe he's just like everyone else's dad.
When I was younger, he used to disappear for months at a time, so I'd pretend he was in the CIA and he was doing undercover work.
I just couldn't let myself believe he didn't want to be with us.
I guess I'm still pretending.
That's why I let him talk me into renting that apartment.
I figured all I had to do was pay the rent and he'd be there like he never was there my whole life.
I know that sounds stupid, childish, but to have a dad I'd do almost anything.
Uh, after I dropped Ed off at the bus station, I stopped by the apartment.
I got the landlord to give me back your deposit check.
That was very fatherly of you.
Do you think my dad will ever be a dad to me and my brothers? A dad like you.
I don't know, I hope so.
What exactly did I do to deserve you and this family? I think you dated Mary.
So you do this for all your daughter's ex-boyfriends? No, just the special ones.
Thanks.
You're welcome.
I want to give you a hug.
You know, I want to give you a hug, too.
This will be our first hug.
Yeah, it will.
Jeremy, my new boyfriend, he moved back east.
No way.
Yeah, his father got a job with the New York Philharmonic.
It's so unfair.
I finally meet the man of my dreams and fall madly in love with him and now he's gone.
Don't worry Luce.
You'll fall madly in love again and again and then you'll meet Mr.
Right and live happily ever after.
Thanks.
Are you talking to Lucy again? He Quit hogging my friends, mom.
Sorry.
Bye, Luce.
Hey, why don't the three of us go shoot some pool? Help Lucy take her mind off of Jeremy leaving? That sounds fun.
Count me in.
I'm gonna go change and then we'll go pick up Lucy.
Your mom is so un-mom like.
Tell me about it.
Hey! Hi, Dad.
How's your U.
N.
research paper coming? Oh, it's coming.
Well, it better be more than just coming.
It's due Monday, counts for a third of your grade in History.
I've got everything under control.
Yeah, yeah, everything's under control.
And what, you've already finished your paper? Oh, I'm in a different History class.
I don't have a paper due.
Keith's helping me.
Well, when you're ready to go home, just let me know.
I don't need a ride, I drove.
Keith just got his license last week.
Congratulations.
Finish your paper.
Just the Dad I was looking for.
No.
I haven't asked anything yet.
But you were going to ask me something.
Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't.
Okay, so let's say I was going to ask for something.
How can you say "no" before I've even asked? Maybe it's something you can't say no to.
Come on.
Can I have that really huge, really cool makeup kit that's on sale at the department store? The one you asked about yesterday? No, you're too young to wear makeup.
But my friend Rachel gets to wear makeup.
You have a ten-year-old friend who wears makeup? Just blush and lipstick.
Rachel's parents don't think she's to young.
Her mom bought her that makeup kit.
Sorry, no makeup.
Well, thanks for nothing.
Parenting really is it's own reward.
Yeah.
Yes, good job.
Hi.
Hi.
I'm sorry, is this Reverend Camden's house? Yeah, I'm Eric Camden.
Oh, great.
I wasn't sure if I had the right address or not.
I had it scribbled on a cocktail napkin.
Did the church send you over? Oh, will you look at me? Where are my manners? What must you good people think? I'm Ed, Ed Palmer.
Oh.
I was looking for Robbie.
I was just passing through town and I heard he was living with you good people, and, uh, I thought I'd look him up.
Robbie's at work.
Did you say your last name is Palmer? Yes, ma'am.
Just like Robbie's? I hope so.
I'm his father.
& 7th Heaven & & When I see their happy faces & & Smiling back at me & & 7th Heaven & & I know there's no greater feeling & & Than the love of family & & Where can you go & & When the world don't treat you right? & & The answer is home & & That's the one place that you'll find & & 7th Heaven & & Mmm, 7th Heaven & & 7th Heaven.
& What's wrong with the guy in the living room? What makes you think anything's wrong with him? Every time someone shows up at our house late at night, they usually have a problem.
The later they come, the bigger the problem.
So, what's his problem? No, he doesn't have a problem.
He's looking for Robbie.
What's Robbie's problem? No one has a problem; Ed, the man in the living room, is Robbie's father and he's here to see Robbie.
I didn't know Robbie had a father.
Everyone has a father.
Yeah, but not everybody has a father who lets them buy makeup.
Unh, unh, unh, unh, I have already spoken with your father.
We are in total agreement, no makeup.
Makeup kit? I don't understand why she wants it so badly.
Her friend has it.
Remind me to, uh, call Rachel's parents and thank them for buying their ten-year-old daughter makeup.
Did you get ahold of Robbie at the grocery store? Yeah.
Well, how did he take the news that his father is here? I didn't tell him.
I wasn't sure how Robbie would react to his dad being back in town and I didn't want him upset and driving, so I just told him he needed to come home as soon as possible.
You don't like Ed, do you? I don't know him well enough not to like him.
I don't trust him, I mean, he did abandon Robbie and his family when Robbie was just a kid.
Okay, I don't trust him and I don't like him.
Me, neither.
Did you have to go to Columbia for that coffee? I spoke with Robbie.
He's on his way home.
You didn't tell him I'm here? No.
Hey, it's okay.
I don't know how Robbie's gonna take the news, either.
You know I had to leave town when he was very young.
"Had to"? I had no choice.
My parents needed me.
How do you take your coffee, Ed? Well, when I was living in France, it was black.
Now it's kind of half coffee, half sugar.
France, huh? Yeah, well, that was back in the '70s.
I joined the Peace Corps and, uh, they had me stationed in a little village outside Paris.
I helped the local farmers build a damn so they would have water for their farming.
You don't look like a Peace Corps kind of guy.
Well, that was a long time ago.
Yeah, let's see, You must have been very young.
Did I say '70s? I meant '80s.
I wasn't aware that the Peace Corps operated in developed countries, like France.
I'm hungry.
Do you have anything to go with this coffee besides cookies.
Maybe a little sandwich, some chips? I could really go for a sandwich.
Oh, I'll see what I can do.
You're a lucky man.
I had plenty of wives, none of them ever did anything for me.
And this one's a looker, too.
Yeah, she is.
Sandwich.
Have you finished your paper? You know, Keith's parents never bug him about his homework.
And they gave him a car last week when he turned 16.
Your father and I are never gonna give you a car, and we're always gonna bug you about your school work.
Finish your paper.
Hi, Mrs.
Camden? Mm-hmm.
I'm here to pick up Lucy.
Hey oh, you look great.
Thanks.
Hey, that's my shirt.
I borrowed it from Ashley, I hope you don't mind.
What are friends for? Did you meet my mom? Uh, you're going out? Yeah, well, I figured it wouldn't be a problem since Ashley's mom's coming, too.
You're Ashley's mother? I thought you knew.
No, I didn't.
Well, we're just going up to the pool hall.
I promise to have her home early.
I just, you know, I kind of wanted to take her out and try to cheer her up.
It's not easy losing a boyfriend.
You and Jeremy broke up? They didn't break up, but he's moving away.
What's the difference, he's gone? Well, I didn't know.
It just happened.
Come on, you guys, let's go.
Ed says no mayo.
Hi.
Hi.
Oh, honey, this is Serena.
Ashley's mother, Serena.
Oh, nice to meet you.
Hi.
You're Ashley's mother? People always think Ashley and I are sisters.
No, Mom, that's what you always tell people.
Come on, let's go.
Bye.
Bye.
Serena's the mother? Hello.
Hello? Ruthie is that you? Yes.
Why are you whispering? 'Cause I don't want anyone to hear me.
I need your help.
Help? I want something that Mom and Dad say I can't have.
It's a makeup kit.
But you're too young to wear makeup.
Look, I have the money, but the store's too far away for me to go on my bike.
So I need someone to drive me, but everyone in this house who drives also thinks I'm too young to have makeup.
That's because you are.
Look, what I need from you is a plan.
"A plan"? Yeah, a plan.
I want to do something and Mom and Dad say I can't.
You practically made a career of doing stuff.
Mom and Dad said you couldn't do.
And look where that got me.
They aren't gonna send me to Buffalo for buying makeup! Disobeying Mom and Dad is a very bad idea.
Don't do it.
You don't understand, I have to have that makeup kit.
I saved my money and I'm gonna get it whether you help me or not.
I'm sorry, Ruthie, I can't help you do this.
I won't help you do this.
It's wrong and you know it.
What? Shut the door.
We need to talk.
Look at that guy.
He's gorgeous.
I can't believe your mom.
She does this all the time.
She's always picking up guys that are way too young for her.
Well, he's gorgeous.
Come on, it's your shot.
Okay.
Who wants to go to Alan's party with me tomorrow night? Mom, you just met Alan.
I know, that's why I can't go alone.
You two have to come and protect me.
He's got a lot of cute friends, and he wants you guys to come.
Did you tell Alan that I'm your daughter? Why would I do that? Oh, please? Okay.
Okay, I'll go.
Cute guys? I'm there.
But will your parents let you go to a party thrown by someone they don't know? Hey, no problem.
Just tell your parents, you'll be out with me A sane, rational, responsible adult.
So, is everyone coming to my party tomorrow night? Yes.
Come on, there's somebody I want you to meet.
Okay.
I love your mom.
Yeah, she's great.
I had to get someone to cover me at the store.
I got home as quickly as I could.
What's going on? There's somebody here who wants to see you.
Dad! Hey! Man, I-I can't believe it's you and you're here.
I can't believe I'm here, either.
Did you get my letters? 'Cause no matter where I've been the last ten years, I've always taken the time to sit down and write you a letter, every day.
I haven't gotten any letters.
Darn post office.
Well, they must have lost them, because I sent them.
So what are you doing here? Well, I'm here because you're here.
I wanted to see my boy! Well, where you staying? Well, I can only afford to stay for one night, so I thought maybe after we had a chance to visit that, uh, you could drive me downtown and help me find a cheap motel.
It's already pretty late.
Not to worry.
Dad Hey, why spend money on a nice motel room? It's only for one night.
Hey.
The truth is I'm between jobs.
Actually, I'm between a lot of things: Job, car, home, wife.
I, uh, spent the last of my savings on my bus ticket to get to Glenoak.
I'm not here to sponge off anybody.
I just need a ride downtown.
Since it's only one night, why don't you stay with us? That way, you and Robbie will have plenty of time to catch up.
I don't want to bother anyone.
It's not a bother.
Well, if you insist.
Thanks.
Yeah, thanks.
Come on, Dad, let's go to my room.
What just happened? I think Ed just happened.
Where are you two going? Oh, we're going to Ow! What's going on? My leg slipped.
I'm getting the feeling that you don't want me to know where you're going.
Normally, I'd be a little concerned, but since you're with Matt, okay, fine, go do.
Just be careful.
Ow! Stop kicking me.
You almost ruined everything.
Remember, it's supposed to be a surprise.
Right, right.
I'm sorry, I forgot.
I'm taking you to the store to get Mom a present, right? Why you getting Mom a present? I don't have to have a reason.
I love her, you love her, we all love her.
She's a great mom.
She works really hard and does a lot of stuff for all of us.
We're lucky we have her.
Maybe I should get her a present, too.
Maybe.
I'm going out with Keith tonight.
Excuse me? May I go out with Keith tonight? Did you finish your paper? I'm almost done.
I'm just, I'm proofing it.
You're not going anywhere with anyone until you finish.
Does that mean I can go? Finish your paper, and then we'll talk.
Oh.
Ed? Mm-hmm.
How can one man make so much mess? Determination.
Make sure he's on that bus tonight.
I'm sorry about all this mess.
It's not that.
It's just that I don't trust him, and I don't want Robbie to get hurt.
Neither do I.
I spoke to Robbie, and he and Ed are gonna spend the day together, and then he's driving Ed to the bus station.
Good.
Hey, good.
I promised myself I wouldn't ask any big questions, but there's something I have to know.
You want to know why I left.
Mom said you met some woman in a bar, cleaned out the checking accounts and took off.
But you were such a great dad, and great dads don't do things like that.
I remember that time you took me to the zoo.
I think I was only five, but I remember.
You held my hand and you bought me nuts for the monkeys and we rode the train.
So what happened? I didn't leave for another woman.
I left to take care of my sick parents.
They needed somebody to move in and look after them, so I went back home and, uh, I took care of them till they died.
And I never took anything from the family or from your mother.
As a matter of fact, I sent money back home.
Well, your mother didn't believe me, so, uh we got a divorce, and then she refused to let me see you or your brothers.
She shut me out of your lives.
Couldn't you have called or something? She got a court order.
All I could do was write, which I did.
You know, those letters you didn't get.
For a long time, I thought that staying out of yours and your brothers' lives was for the best, and, uh, well, now I see that was wrong.
If I had one thing to do over again in life, I would have fought your mother harder for custody.
I'm not here just for a visit, Robbie.
I want to make it up to you, to you and your brothers.
I want my family back.
And this time, I'm not gonna let your mother stop me.
I'd like to stay in town for a while.
Really? Yes.
I'm gonna need some help.
Maybe we could help each other, hmm? You know, like family.
Hey, you got in late last night.
After the pool hall closed, we went out for ice cream with these really cute guys.
Come on, we were out with Ashley's mother.
Oh, so can I go to a party with Ashley and Serena tonight? Whose party? Some friend of Serena's.
But you don't have to worry because we'll be with an adult the whole time Serena.
You're going to a party with your girlfriend's mother? Ashley's going, too, and there will be people of all ages at the party.
What? She's cool.
She's not like You were going to say she's not like most moms.
Moms like me, right? I didn't mean it as an insult, but yes, she's not like most moms.
You just don't like her because she doesn't bake pies and go to church activities and make lunches.
That's not true.
She's fun; I like her.
What's wrong with that? Serena's fun-ness isn't the point.
So are you saying I can't go? You know, you're gonna be graduating soon, and you'll be off in college and I won't be there to make these decisions for you Should you, shouldn't you go here or there.
So I think maybe it's time that you start making your own decisions.
If you want to go tonight, go.
If it's my decision, I'm going.
Hello.
I got it! Matt took me.
You should confess and take it back.
Never.
My plan was too perfect.
I'll never get caught.
I told Matt I wanted to go to the store to buy something for Mom.
So Matt thinks that the makeup kit is for Mom not me.
Now, Mom seemed a little suspicious, so while Matt was flirting with the sales lady, I bought some little flower thing.
When I got home, I gave the flower thing to Mom and told her Matt took me to the mall 'cause I wanted to get her something special for being such a great mom.
It was great; She almost cried.
So you lied to everyone? Yeah! That's not good.
Mom and Dad will find out They always do and then you'll be in big trouble.
Trust me, when it comes to trouble, I am an expert.
I'm not gonna get caught.
And you're not just gonna be in trouble with Mom and Dad, Matt is gonna be really mad when he finds out you lied to him and used him.
You know, you were a lot more fun when you were messing up your life.
Be careful.
It's just a party.
I'll be fine.
Okay.
Where are you going? You said I can go out.
No, I didn't.
Hey, man.
Come on in, guys.
Maybe we should talk in the living room.
There's nothing to talk about.
Did you finish your paper? Almost.
I'm sorry, but Simon won't be able togo with you tonight.
You must be kidding.
No, I'm not kidding.
Uh, we're going to take off.
Catch up with us if you can, man.
Right.
Let's go.
Come on, guys.
I hope you're happy, because you just completely humiliated me in front of my friends! I want to read your paper.
I'm not finished! You need to finish it.
You know, I don't like you very much right now.
Well, the feeling's mutual, so, I suggest you go upstairs and finish your paper.
Change your attitude, or the next time you leave the house, it will be for your high school graduation.
Hello.
Hi.
Reverend Camden? This is Sally Palmer, Robbie's mother.
Oh.
Hello.
H-How are things in Florida? Pretty well.
How's Robbie doing? Well, he You know, he's doing great.
He's, uh he's very popular down at the daycare center, and he's still working part-time at the grocery store, and he's doing really well at school.
Thank you so much for helping him and taking him in.
You don't have to thank me.
Is my ex-husband there in town? Yes, Ed got here last night.
I was afraid of that.
Afraid? He came here first.
Wait.
He was in Florida? He left two days ago.
I'm worried about Robbie.
Well, uh, Ed is leaving tonight.
He-He's probably already gone.
The thing you have to know about my ex He's always there when you don't want him, and he's never there when you need him.
Aren't you going to miss your bus? Well, I Actually, I should let Robbie tell you the good news.
Good news? My dad and I decided we need to spend some more time together.
He didn't want to leave, and I didn't want him to leave, so we rented an apartment together.
We put down a deposit, and tomorrow, we move in.
Isn't this great? I finally have my dad back.
And I finally have my son with me again.
Oh.
Sorry I'm late.
Oh, that's okay.
Um, it's been a rough night, so I ordered pizza for the kids, and I made you a salad.
Rough night? What-What What happened? Well, let's see.
Uh, Lucy's out with her new best friend Serena, who I think is 40 going on 17, and, uh, Simon didn't finish his paper, so I wouldn't let him go out with his friends, so now Simon hates me.
And of course, I save the best for last.
Ed isn't leaving.
Ed is staying.
He and Robbie put a deposit down on an apartment today, and Robbie is moving out.
Robbie can't move in with Ed.
I know.
Robbie's mom called from Florida, and Ed is no good? Well, that's old news.
We knew that the second we met him.
Well, the trick is convincing Robbie, not us.
He and Ed went out.
They'll be back any minute.
Well, I'll talk to Robbie when he gets home.
When did Robbie become one of our children? I'm not sure, but he is, and I-I can't just stand around and watch Ed ruin his life.
No.
Did you know it was going to be like this? Oh! Oh, no! Here they come again.
Why don't they leave us alone? You know, why don't we just go? I don't want to leave my mother.
Okay, well, let's do something.
Oh, those two guys are giving me the creeps.
I mean they're 27, and we're 18.
Over here, over here! Okay.
Bathroom.
Yes.
I think we should talk.
You see the problem? You want me to treat you like a man, and you're acting like a child.
Fine, talk to me, don't talk to me.
I want to read your paper.
I don't care if you're not finished.
I want to read what you've done so far.
Do you really want to be in more trouble than you're in already? Thank you.
You okay? What's wrong? Mommy, I can't get it off.
I tried soap and water, but it just won't come off.
Who's makeup did you get into? It's my makeup.
Matt took me to the store today, and I bought that makeup kit that you and Daddy said I couldn't have.
So, you didn't go to the store to buy me something.
You went to the store to buy you something.
Something you were told you could not have.
I'm in trouble, aren't I? You're in more trouble than you've ever been in before.
First, I'm going to take you in the bathroom and get that stuff off of your face, and then, when Matt gets home from the library, we're going to have a long talk about this.
Hi.
Did you hear the good news? I'm moving in with my dad.
Yeah, I know.
I-I I spoke to your mother tonight.
Well, she hates my dad, she always has.
She never has anything good to say about him.
He did abandon her and you and your brothers.
That's not true.
My dad told me what really happened.
You know, my mom's not exactly June Cleaver.
You can't believe everything she tells you.
She'd tell you anything to keep me and my dad apart.
She kept us apart for years.
Maybe she had good reasons for wanting to keep Ed away from you.
You may not be able to believe everything your mom says, but I think you can believe what she says about Ed.
I finally have my dad around after years and years of not having him, and everyone is trying to take him away.
No one's trying to keep Ed away from you, but well, we are trying to protect you.
I don't need protecting.
I can take care of myself.
And I know my dad's not perfect, but neither am I! I hate to be the one to tell you this, but Yeah, the police in New York are looking for my dad because he wrote some bad checks.
Yes.
See? He told me that.
He didn't have to, but he wants to be honest with me.
You really should call your mother.
Why? So she can badmouth my dad some more? No, thanks.
Look, one more night, and I'll be out of here, and everyone can stop worrying.
I'll be fine, my dad will be fine.
We're going to take care of each other, and we're going to be just fine! I'm sorry.
Why are you apologizing? I'm apologizing for my mother.
It's okay.
No, it isn't.
You wouldn't understand.
You have a mother, a real mother.
Sometimes I wish I had a real mother, too.
Not some woman who'd rather be my friend than my mother.
Friends, I have.
People to go to parties and dances, I have.
A mother, I don't have, and haven't had since my parents got divorced, and my mother decided that she no longer wanted to be a mother.
I had no idea you felt this way about her.
I thought that you liked that your mother was hip and cool and un-mother like.
What's so hip and cool about being locked up in some stranger's bathroom while your mom flirts and carries on with some guy who is too old for us and too young for her? Welcome to the dark side of having a hip and cool mom.
I stayed longer at the library than I planned.
Is there any dinner left? Or I could eat out.
Did you take Ruthie to the store today? Do you like the makeup kit she bought you? The makeup kit wasn't for me.
Who was it for? Ruthie.
But Ruthie's too young to wear makeup.
Bingo.
Her father and I told her she couldn't have it.
Wait.
So, she lied to me, so I'd help her get it? I-I know Ruthie's done some questionable things before, but she's never looked me in the eye and lied.
Doesn't feel so great, does it? No, it doesn't.
I was waiting for you so we could both talk to her.
No, this whole thing was my fault.
I was the adult in charge.
I'd like to handle Ruthie by myself.
Are you sure? You're going to have to punish her, and she's not going to like you for it.
I don't care.
We need to talk.
Oh.
I figured this was coming.
I know you don't want me and Robbie to move in together.
Well, I talked to Robbie's mother, and I know everything.
So, did you tell Robbie everything? Yes.
Well, I'm guessing either, uh, Robbie didn't believe you, or he doesn't care.
If he did, you wouldn't be out here asking me to leave town.
That is what you're what you're doing, isn't it? Yeah.
Well, I've had a lot of people ask me to leave, so I generally know when it's coming.
Robbie doesn't want to believe anything bad about you.
I don't know what my ex told you exactly, but you can't believe everything she says.
She's no saint.
That's true.
She's had her share of problems Financial, emotional.
She hasn't always made the best decisions, but she tried.
She did the best she could under the circumstances.
Circumstances? Being left to raise three sons on her own.
But my parents You and I both know that you didn't leave her and your children so you could take care of your sick parents.
You did leave because you weren't really into being a father, right? I mean a little too much responsibility, and you were okay with making the kids, just not raising them, or taking care of them.
Did you know that Robbie was homeless not too long ago? I don't want to see that happen again.
Robbie's doing great.
He should just stay right where he is.
You're not his father.
Neither are you.
Sticks and stones.
Ouch! Robbie may not be my son, but he is a part of this family, and this is the best place for him.
And he knows that, but he loves you, or the idea of you.
He's willing to risk his future, because he believes he has a future with you.
You can't stop me from getting an apartment with my son.
The state of New York can.
Is that a threat? No, it's not a threat, but Okay, it's a threat.
Robbie's welfare means a lot to me.
If you don't leave, I'll call the police.
I'll let them know where you are.
I don't want to do it, but I just I can't just watch Robbie throw everything away.
I I love him.
And he'll never reach his potential if he's too busy taking care of you to take care of himself.
Well, I love him, too.
And he is my son.
Then do the right thing.
Put your son's needs before your own.
Do the right thing.
I've been home for a while, but I've been in my room thinking of what I wanted to say.
I'm very upset.
The devil made me do it.
Let's not bring the devil into this.
What do you want me to do? I want you to apologize.
Oh, okay.
I'm sorry.
No, I want you to apologize and mean it.
I am sorry.
I didn't mean to lie, but I had to have that makeup kit.
That's not an apology.
Why are you being so mean to me? Look, I'm not being mean.
I'm being nice.
You have to learn that what you did was wrong and if you don't learn it today, you're gonna go out and do the same thing tomorrow and hurt someone else like you hurt me.
Now it's okay if you don't understand what I'm saying because we can talk tomorrow when I drive you back to the store to return that makeup kit.
Hello.
So did Mom and Dad find out yet? What are you? Psychic! I told you they always find out.
So did you call to just to say I told you so? No, I called for two reasons.
One, I knew you were gonna get into trouble and I figured that you were gonna get yelled at.
And I know how that feels so I wanted to make sure you were okay.
And two? I love you and I wanted to make sure that you learned your lesson because I don't want you to end up in Buffalo like me.
Okay, okay, I get it.
I really get it.
Good.
What happened? You had months to work on this and it's nowhere near your best work.
So? I'm not going to get an "A" on everything I do.
If this paper was truly the best you could do, it would be fine.
You could turn it in and that would be that.
You can still turn it in and probably get a passing grade, but then what would you have learned? That to get by in life, you don't have to do much because you're a smart kid.
If all you want to do is pass, the truth is, you don't have to work very hard.
Why you making such a big deal out of this? Because it is a big deal.
You are smart, very smart and if you don't work up to your potential, you will never truly be happy.
Sure, you'll have time to goof around with your friends, but deep down inside, you'll know that you're not the person you could be and that will make you very unhappy.
I'd rather see you mad at me for the rest of your life than to let that happen.
Hello.
Oh, hi, Luce.
What? You're where? No, no, no, I'll be right there.
Give me the address.
Uh-huh, okay.
Bye.
I made some notes on your paper.
You should read them over and start rewriting.
I'll be back and we can work on it together.
Hello.
Hi, Mom.
I'm sorry I called so late I'll, I'll try back tomorrow.
Don't hang up, I'm awake.
What did you call to talk about? Dad.
Okay.
When I was younger, who used to take me to the zoo? My brother, your uncle.
Your dad wasn't around much and he thought you boys should have a guy to do stuff with, so he took you places.
He loved the zoo, especially those monkeys.
Are you still there? Yeah, I'm still here.
Ashley? Hey, Ashley.
Mom, I'm staying the night at Lucy's.
I'll call you in the morning.
Weren't you having a good time? No.
And it would have been hard for you to notice that since you've been throwing yourself at that Alan guy all night.
Hey, hold on.
Would you just grow up, Mom, and act your age just once! You cannot talk to me that way.
I am your mother! Mother? I thought you were my best friend.
So what is it, mother or best friend? Can't I be both? No.
Why? Because I want a mom that I can call to come get me if I'm having a bad time at a party.
I want a mom that yells at me when I'm late, tells me to eat my vegetables, go to bed.
I want a mom with her own social life, her own friends.
I don't want to go to parties with my mom and watch her make a fool of herself flirting with some guy who's half her age.
I'm not saying that it has to be all about me, but why does it always have to be all about you? I know what's going on here.
You know, uh just because you bake cookies and make lunches and drive a car pool does not make you better than me.
It doesn't make you a better mother! I'm a good mother, too! This isn't about us.
This is about you and your daughter! This is about you growing up and acting your age! It's about you being an adult, so she can be a child.
Its called parenthood and it has nothing to do with cookies and everything to do with raising children.
Helping them find their way, being there for them, putting their needs first.
How is your daughter supposed to learn how to be a mother if you won't be a mother to her? I don't know what you want from me.
Well, I don't either but I don't want this.
Ashley, I had no idea you felt the way you do.
I love you, Mom, but I don't want to do this anymore.
Oh, I love you, too.
Um, look I know that you were, uh, planning on spending the night at Lucy's, but maybe instead we could go home and talk.
It seems we have a lot to talk about.
All right.
We can talk, but we're not going to settle this in one night.
No, but it will be a start, huh? I'm gonna go get my coat and then we can go, okay? You guys can go.
I'll call you tomorrow.
You're welcome.
How did you know I was going to say thank you? I'm your mother, a mother knows.
So, did my dad get off okay? Yeah.
I heard Mrs.
Camden tell Matt you were out with my dad, so I figured you were putting him on the bus.
Yeah.
I called my mom and had a long talk with her.
Sorry.
Sorry for what? For caring about me, for giving me the first real home I've ever had? For being the father I never had and always wanted? For forgiving me of my past mistakes, being so supportive and kind? You have nothing to be sorry for.
My mom told me he showed up in Florida, stole money from her and took my underage brothers out to a bar and used them to pick up women.
My mom thinks I can't see the bad in my father.
That's not true.
I don't want to see the bad in my father.
I want to believe he's just like everyone else's dad.
When I was younger, he used to disappear for months at a time, so I'd pretend he was in the CIA and he was doing undercover work.
I just couldn't let myself believe he didn't want to be with us.
I guess I'm still pretending.
That's why I let him talk me into renting that apartment.
I figured all I had to do was pay the rent and he'd be there like he never was there my whole life.
I know that sounds stupid, childish, but to have a dad I'd do almost anything.
Uh, after I dropped Ed off at the bus station, I stopped by the apartment.
I got the landlord to give me back your deposit check.
That was very fatherly of you.
Do you think my dad will ever be a dad to me and my brothers? A dad like you.
I don't know, I hope so.
What exactly did I do to deserve you and this family? I think you dated Mary.
So you do this for all your daughter's ex-boyfriends? No, just the special ones.
Thanks.
You're welcome.
I want to give you a hug.
You know, I want to give you a hug, too.
This will be our first hug.
Yeah, it will.