We Could Still Be Pen Pals (2024) Movie Script
1
And where is your end
of your paper, Sammy?
My dog ate it, Miss Lewis.
You don't have a
dog, Sammy.
My paper is finished,
Miss Lewis.
Why, thank you Stacy.
Hope it's okay.
I'm sure it is.
You're a talented writer.
Well, we learned a
lot of new things
this year, didn't we?
Yes, Miss Lewis.
Okay everyone, have
a great summer.
And remember to always be
Eager Explorers!
That's right.
Okay, check the lost and
found before you leave.
Yes, Damien, what is it?
I'm going to sixth
grade next year.
It's middle school.
I know, it's exciting.
Yeah, well, I had a question.
I was wondering,
maybe you could come teach
at the middle school.
Teach all of us for sixth grade.
I'm sorry. Damien.
I'd love to keep teaching you,
but you're going to
have new teachers
teaching you all kinds
of new things.
I know.
Damien.
Do you remember when we learned
how to write letters
to each other?
Oh when you assigned
us pen pals?
It was fun.
My pen pal was Stacy.
Her letters were always small,
but they were funny.
Well, this is my address.
What if you wrote some letters
to me sometime?
Would you like that?
I'd be your pen pal?
Yes. You could write
and tell me all about what
it's like at your new school.
All right.
And I'd get mail back from you.
Yes.
I'll write and tell you all
about my new classes.
Won't be as good as us, though.
I'm sure they won't.
Bye, Miss Lewis.
Have a good summer.
You too.
But, when did he say he
wanted to see you?
He said sometime next
week.
Hey, how was the last day?
It was good.
I'm writing a letter
to my teacher,
Miss Lewis.
Oh, that's nice-
Are you okay, mom?
I'm all right.
Dear Miss Lewis,
Today's the first day
of summer vacation.
I'm so excited for summer
and for being pen pals.
I can't wait to get your next
letter back.
I'm excited to start
sixth grade,
but also scared a little bit.
Anyway, hear from you soon.
Your student. Damien.
Dear Miss Lewis.
Today I started middle school.
There are a lot of people,
and I have a new teacher.
Her name is Mrs. Clarke.
I'm excited to learn more
from sixth grade.
I miss my old class though.
Damian, this time
of your life
is such a great time
to learn new things and
explore. Have you tried out for
any new sports teams?
I don't think sports
are for me.
Or music class.
I like the writing
classes, though.
We're learning to write
short stories.
I have one about a
red robin bird.
I have a copy here.
I hope you like it.
I'm sorry to hear
about your mother, Damien.
Writing is the only
thing
I can really understand
in my school.
I wish I could do it
as a job one day.
My dad says it's a soft
subject, though.
Writing is so
beautiful.
You can put into words on paper
sometimes things we don't feel
we can say in real life.
Never stop writing.
Damien, if you like to write,
then it is 100% what
you should pursue.
Always remember--
Creative writing,
Damien?
Could you have picked
a more unreliable future?
I don't know dad, I was thinking
about becoming a content creator
this semester.
Relax, dad.
It's too late for a
change now anyway.
And when did you make
this decision?
I don't know, must have been
first semester, sophomore year.
Look...
I was making my way
through my G.E.'s,
and I needed to pick a focus.
So I picked what I love doing.
And why am I just now hearing
about this now?
When I reach out to
my law contacts,
do I hear that you have wasted
the past three years
of your education?
I don't know, maybe
because you never asked.
I didn't--
I didn't think you'd care.
Of course I care, Damien.
We had a plan. Pre-Law.
It's reliable.
Flexible.
Good. I get it all right,
Dad, you love law.
You love your job
and your office so much,
you spend more time
there than you do at home.
But I don't.
All right. I don't.
Thanks for the catch up.
I'll see you at Thanksgiving.
Damien.
Oh, that look like a fun
conversation with your dad.
Yeah, I don't really want
to talk about it.
Okay, good. Me neither.
That sounds like a drag.
I think we should talk
about Saturday night.
Oh, it's the first week
of the semester.
Surely your coked out
friends haven't had time to plan
one of their obnoxious
parties out there.
Okay, well,
we can just hang out
with your friends
if you prefer.
Oh.
Only issue is you
don't have any.
Oh, okay. Cut deep,
why don't you.
I just.
I just feel like you're
not really trying to participate
in this relationship.
Um, I'm sorry,
Does participating in
this relationship need to just
be
parties and drinking?
Look--
Okay.
I'm--
I'm trying to figure out
my future here, Stacy.
You are too.
Ah, come on.
-Fine. Okay.
-Yay!
But, I am not playing beer pong
with those meat heads
Jessica is always bringing
around, alright?
Okay. Thanks, babe.
I'm gonna go catch
up with Jessica,
-but I'll see you later
-Okay?
Shit.
I just feel like he
doesn't
communicate with me anymore.
It's because there's
nothing
to communicate.
You just keep making up
drama in your head.
No, there's stuff to talk about.
There's plenty.
All right, what do you
wanna talk about?
The incident with your
mother to start.
Okay, you said you weren't
going to bring that
up again, Cheryl.
Cheryl.
We discussed that last week.
Now, it seems to me
that both of you
are talking to each other.
But neither one of
you is listening.
So that's what
we're going to focus on next.
Let's take a minute
to work on some true
one on one listening.
Each of you is going to have
exactly one minute to speak,
and the other person
can only listen
until it's their turn.
Understood?
Okay, Kevin,
let's start with you.
Well, I just don't see why
we have to keep rehashing
the same conversations
over and over and over again.
See you both next week.
You look busy.
Oh, I am. So much typing,
so many emails to respond to.
Mm-hmm.
Wow, that looks like
a killer email.
Fine.
I finished scheduling
all your next week's
appointments an hour ago
and now I'm just killing time.
Yeah, doing it
much too efficiently to be
eavesdropping I'm sure.
What do you expect me to do?
I can't afford your prices.
And a girl needs relationship
advice
sometimes, too.
Marcy, you're not even
in a relationship.
Wow, Lindsey. So kind.
You'll find someone.
If you don't get arrested
for breaking privacy laws first.
I'm pretty sure
they don't arrest
people for that.
But you never know.
Prison could turn out
to be a killer dating ground.
You never have to worry about
what to wear on first date.
Exactly.
Anyway, the Smiths
were boring today.
Communication. Really?
All relationship problems
can boil down to communication
and trust.
Put that on a T-shirt.
Mmm.
Hey, it's almost five.
You want to grab drinks later?
You can invite Josh.
Josh is busy tonight
and I can't.
I have to clean up
my grandmother's.
Cleaning out your dead
grandmother's house alone.
Sounds depressing.
Might not be party plans,
but it's necessary.
Not when you have a super hot
and sweet boyfriend
who would totally move
all those dusty boxes for you
if you need it.
I am not dating Josh
for free labor.
I'm pretty sure that's
in the dating
contract, actually, so.
Oh. Oh, do I sense some
relationship troubles
with the relationship therapist?
Have I been working for
a fake all along?
No.
You're looking for drama
where it doesn't exist
because you're bored.
You're probably right.
I still think you should wait
for Josh to get off.
I mean, moving
all those boxes by yourself
sounds kind of exhausting.
Empathetic, as always.
Will you lock up for me?
I'm on it, see you Monday.
I have letters for Miss Lewis.
Oh, I'm not.
I'll take these though.
Have a great day.
Thank you.
I just started my
senior year
in my university
creative writing program.
It's been a great program,
but I don't really know
where I'm going with it.
Stacy keeps telling me
I'll figure it out, but
I'm not so sure.
And she isn't really
a great person
to talk to anyway.
I feel like she used to be.
We used to have great
conversations, but
I feel like we've
lost our touch or something.
Anyway, I've ranted too much.
How are you doing?
Any exciting birdwatching
trips recently?
Your student, Damien.
Damien.
It is nice to meet you.
I'm Lindsey, Miss Lewis's
granddaughter.
I regret to inform you that
my grandmother has passed away.
I'm very sorry
you had to find out like this.
I know she always loved her
pen pal relationships,
and she loved getting to hear
from past students.
Again.
I am sorry you had to
find out like this,
but I wish you luck
in your future endeavors.
Yours,
Lindsey.
Oh, I sound like a grocery
store sympathy card.
Oh, boy.
I hope you don't hate
me for this, Grandma.
Damien.
Relationships are all
about communication
and trust.
They're hard to navigate
and even harder to predict.
However,
there are some important
practices
you can do to try
to open the lines
of communication in
your relationships.
I would advise...
Above all,
remember, open and honest
conversations are the best way
to grow in your relationship.
Oh, and another thing.
I've moved recently
to be closer to my
granddaughter.
When you write back to me,
please use the address
listed below.
Your friend, Mrs. Lewis.
So what are you wearing
on Friday?
Okay.
Hey. Good morning, gorgeous.
Oh,
I'll see you Friday.
Okay.
You're looking better.
New outlook on life, I guess.
Oh, hey,
I was thinking after
the party on Friday.
Say, Saturday morning,
we can get breakfast. Just
the two of us, to talk?
Oh, I have my recital
on Saturday.
Remember?
Right. Uh, yeah.
Of course.
After?
Uhmm.
I don't know, we usually go out
as a group after recital, so.
Then dinner.
Look, I feel like we just.
We haven't really gotten
the chance to talk.
Just the two of us.
We talk all the time.
You know what I mean?
I'm talking about real
conversation.
Not with the backdrop
of some college party.
But do you remember
freshman year?
And we would just
sit in the back of the car
and talk about anything
and everything?
Well, I did that because I
didn't know anybody else.
And we never got invited out.
Uh, right.
So you didn't enjoy our talks?
No, no.
Of course I did.
I just,
I mean, gosh, Damien,
you want to sit in the car
all night and just talk?
Don't you have more fun
out with other people?
I have fun with you.
You're cute.
You're cute.
Um.
Okay.
How about next weekend?
I mean, we're just.
We're just too popular
for our own
good this week.
Fine.
Oh, I'm going to be late, but,
I'll see you around.
Okay.
Okay.
You too popular, you mean.
Josh!
You freaked me out.
I thought you were working
an overnight tonight.
It's nice to see you, too.
I told you, I was on
call for an overnight tonight.
I never got called in,
so I thought I'd come
over and make you dinner.
I...
thought you giving
me this meant that
I can come in and surprise you.
But if it makes you
uncomfortable,
I can always text first
to make sure it's okay.
No. It's fine.
I want you to make
yourself at home.
I want you to make
yourself at home
at my place too.
Hmm.
Yeah.
I like your place.
It feels cozy.
It's almost as if
we should just have one place
that we both can come home to.
Mm.
Lindsey,
are you listening to me?
Mhm.
Is that your case of
identity fraud?
It's not identity fraud.
She was my grandmother.
It's just so weird.
This kid thinks he's
been writing to a dead woman
for the past six months.
Josh, you don't
get to make this
decision for me.
I...
I never try to make these
decisions for you.
I know,
I'm sorry.
I feel like this is dangerous.
How's this kid going to react
when he finds out the truth?
He's not going to find out.
He's struggling
in his relationships
with his dad, his girlfriend,
and I really think
I can help him.
This is what I want
to do with my life.
I want to help people.
I know. I love you.
Thank you.
Who's ready?
I made my specialty.
Pasta and sauce.
Why is that a specialty?
Because even I can't
screw it up.
I'm trying to be more open
with communication.
That's such ambiguous
advice, though.
Starting something
like this can be hard.
Give it time.
It didn't used to be as hard.
We had such ease with
each other before.
Hmm.
You can't keep people
from changing.
I know she loves me.
We've been together
for over two years.
It's just.
Lately, she's been
acting like this.
How are things going
with your dad?
My dad's always been distant.
It's just kind of
how our relationship works.
Maybe you should try talking
with him more too.
Yeah, I really don't think
that would work.
He's been kind of the same
ever since mom passed.
I'm sorry about that.
Yeah, well,
it was a long time ago.
Writing to you helped me
through that a lot, actually.
Of course.
I remember that.
I just wish I could
go back to a time
where things made more sense.
Do you think a time like that
ever really existed?
Hey, why don't you tell me
about some of those
communication games
I should try?
They're less of games, really.
Hello? Can I help you?
Yeah.
I was looking for one
of your teachers.
Mrs. Lewis.
Oh. Sorry.
She was one of my old
elementary school teachers.
Kind of taught me a lot.
I was hoping to get
to speak with her.
Do you know if she's around?
I'm sorry, dear.
Mrs. Lewis isn't
with us anymore.
What do you mean?
She retired years ago.
Oh.
And,
well.
I'm sorry.
When was this?
Over six months ago.
I'm sorry.
Can I keep this?
Of course, yeah.
Thank you.
It doesn't make any sense.
There's no way.
Mrs. Lewis.
You have got to fill me
in on your skincare routine.
You look at least
50 years younger.
Tea's ready.
Do you wanna move to the couch?
No.
It's more comfortable.
Yeah.
I don't want to be
more comfortable.
But I want to know,
is how I've been managing
to communicate with a dead woman
for the past six months.
I mean,
who even are you?
How did you get my letters?
It's a long story.
Yeah they usually are.
Okay, uh...
Mrs. Lewis was my grandmother.
After she passed, I
got one of your letters
talking about some Stacy.
And I'm a relationship
therapist.
Selena,
Mrs. Lewis,
was always really good
with people, and
I don't know, I thought
I could help.
She loved her pen pal
relationships.
She had talked about you before.
Look, I didn't mean for this
to go on as long as it did.
And I never meant for
you to find out.
I'm sorry.
Well, I,
I just needed to know.
Well wait, don't go.
I still want to talk.
How are you? How are,
how are things with Stacy?
The usual.
I guess.
I tried taking your suggestion.
I'm taking her out for lunch.
Just the two of us. But,
she just wants to go to
another one of her
stupid parties.
Hmm.
Sorry, do you need to get that?
No. It's fine.
He'll understand.
This is more important.
What is?
You.
So a party?
Yeah.
Some friend of hers.
Did you say you'd be there?
-I mean--
-It's not good
to back out of a commitment,
even if it is track
down your pen pal.
Hey, with all due respect,
I mean, not an easy
one to track down.
Kind of took me a while.
You know what?
Let's go.
What?
You made a commitment.
Let's go to that party.
Wait. You want to go with me
to Jessica's party?
No, I don't want to
go to a college party.
What I want is for you and Stacy
to have a conversation
with each other.
Yeah, I don't think
that's a good idea.
I don't think it's
the right time.
You know.
If you keep waiting around
for the right time,
it's never going to come.
Don't worry about it.
I'll coach you on the car.
Come on, let's go.
Let's go.
Oh, college life.
Yeah, isn't it great?
Okay.
Remember what I told you.
Clear communication.
Good.
You have just as many rights
in this relationship
as she does.
Don't forget that.
Wait. Are you telling me to
break up with her?
No, of course not.
My job is to help fix
relationships.
But.
I'm sorry, but?
Just know when you have
a relationship
worth fixing.
Okay.
Alright.
Hey,
aren't you going to come in
and join the party?
No.
I'm just dropping someone off.
Oh, you don't want to come in
and have some fun?
You're sweet, but I
have a boyfriend,
and I am not in college anymore.
You don't look a day
over 40, ma'am.
Thank you.
I'm 35.
Never too old to have some fun.
And I don't think your
boyfriend would mind,
with such a lucky catch.
Hey. What's up?
What's up?
Hey you, you showed up!
Finally.
Nice to see you, Jess.
I'm gonna be by the pool.
-Hey.
-Hey.
Sorry I'm late.
I didn't think you were coming.
I almost didn't.
So I'm assuming you
want to talk about our
relationship.
Am I that repetitive?
It's all you always want to do
these days. Talk.
Okay.
Well, I mean, it
is, how we grow,
you know, in our relationship.
Progress.
Progress.
To what?
I don't know, but just progress.
Yo, yo yo.
Guys. Guys.
What's up?
Kind of in the middle
of something here.
Come on.
Yeah, come on.
Get your balls out of my face.
That's what she said.
What, you wish
I was more like those guys?
No, no, no.
I mean, you know,
not as obnoxious, but I mean,
I like it here.
Loosen up a little, you know.
Have some fun.
I'm- I'm sorry is that
all our relationship is to you.
Is fun?
Relationships are supposed
to be fun, Damien.
I know I get that.
But--
there needs to be
something more.
Or else as soon as it's
not fun anymore,
there's nothing to fall back on.
Damien. I'm in college.
All right.
If I'm not worrying about grades
or school, then I want
to be having fun.
Okay. That's not.
No, I think that if you
just want someone
to sit around
and talk about life with you,
you don't want a girlfriend.
You want a therapist.
Stacy,
that's obviously not-
I'm going to be by the pool.
I'm gonna be living my life
and having fun doing it.
And if you want to join
me, that'd be great.
And if you don't, then you
can just go back to doing
whatever you were doing
before you got yourself here.
Okay.
Stace.
Why is the world
spinning around?
-It's not.
-Excuse me. Guys.
I mean, you know--
Move.
Hey.
Really?
You've got to be kidding me.
Grandma! Grandma! Grandma!
Watch the ledge.
That was fun.
I told them I was only 35.
They wanted to call me grandma.
I was gone for, like,
ten minutes.
Your school is really nice.
Look, just wait here.
Wow.
My alcohol tolerance has
dropped since college.
Well,
that was a waste of time.
Did you find Stacy?
Oh, yeah.
Just in time
to watch our relationship go.
,
Oh, sorry, oldie.
You're out of it.
Shut up.
I'm not that old.
Right. I'm sorry.
You're not actually
a grandmother.
You're just impersonating
one. Right?
My God, I said I was sorry.
What more do you want?
You know,
you weren't the only
one who lost her.
Selena meant a lot
to a lot of people.
Losing her was the worst
I've ever felt.
And I,
I didn't want someone else
to feel that way.
Is that what got you into
therapy?
She was really good
at reading people and
knowing how to help them.
And
I thought if I went
to school for
psychology, I'd be able
to help people
like she did. Except,
she never needed to study
that, for her,
it was-- it was natural.
Yeah, she was
she was special.
She must have had a million
students, but
to each one of us, she
was like, a parent.
She was.
But you didn't have to lie.
I know.
I'm sorry.
So did you figure it out?
What?
Her gift.
How to read people.
College teach you that?
I'm realizing that's
not something
that can be taught.
Sometimes,
I can't even handle my
own relationships.
I'm a fake.
And we're talking about
Josh, right?
He wants to get married.
And you don't?
I don't know.
Damn.
Like, to him,
or at all?
I don't know.
I'm sorry, but being an adult,
aren't you supposed to
like, have the answers
to these kinds of things?
It does not work like that.
You just get bigger questions.
Okay, I guess, but
you either love him or
you don't, right?
It doesn't seem that simple.
Like.
I love him.
Now,
but promising to forever?
I don't have the answers,
but I do make money off of
people pretending that I do.
Do you want to go back?
God, yes.
Or.
Or?
This is so much better.
I can think clearly again.
You shouldn't drink
on an empty stomach.
Yeah, I can't relate.
I don't drink at all.
Really?
Wait, really?
Doesn't that ever get boring?
Uh-mm.
God, I miss being young.
Yeah, it's definitely not that
great.
Yeah, but when it is,
everything just
feels right.
You definitely have a case of
rose colored glasses there.
Maybe.
It's normal to miss her.
How close were you?
My mom didn't always like
the idea of kids.
She was more of a "friend
mom" than a "mom mom"
So Selena was the person
I went to for advice.
My mom died
when I was in middle school.
I know.
Sorry.
You know, my dad.
He always wanted kids.
And, you know, was such
a good parent.
When my mom was alive.
He still is.
You know, it's just.
It's not like that.
It's just the.
I mean, he loves me.
And everything.
I just think that.
I think he kind of lost
his enthusiasm
for parenting.
After my mom died.
I have-- I have two letters.
Two letters
that I never responded to.
I wish that I responded--
I wish I responded before
she died, and--
I don't know, maybe--
Maybe she would have known
how much it meant to me.
I'm sure she knew.
Thanks.
So--
what's next?
What do you mean?
Well, I mean,
the game is up.
But I've got to say,
it would feel weird
to just never write
to you again.
Well,
we could still be pen pals.
Yeah.
Oh, how about
we use our real names this time?
Yeah.
Okay. Deal.
Hey, Lindsey.
We are friends, right?
Yeah.
I'd like to be.
Gotta say,
it feels weird being friends
with such an old woman, though.
Oh my God.
Shut up!
You let him just sleep
over?
You barely know this kid.
I know him, okay?
We've been writing for months.
So this is why you were
ignoring me last night?
To get drunk at some
college party?
Josh, you and I can
talk any time.
He needs my help.
Whatever.
Call me when you feel like it.
I guess.
Good morning. How are you?
All right, better
than you I guess.
I actually slept great.
Hangovers just don't look too
good on your gal.
Uh, thanks.
Yeah.
I'm going to get dressed,
but there's somewhere
I want to take you.
Selena always loved her birds.
We used to go birdwatching
here all the time.
Yeah, she used to write
to me about them.
Did she send you that book
she wrote a while back?
The one about the Christmas
ornament
birds that come to
life at night.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, I forgot about that.
Every year for Christmas,
we would decorate the tree
with these beautiful
glass birds.
And then she'd always tell me
that they'd come to life
and fly around the house
at night while we slept.
She was,
she was special.
Yeah. She was.
So.
Do you want to talk about Stacy?
-Oh.
-Come on.
Free therapy man, I'm not cheap.
I don't know,
I don't even know what
questions I'd have.
You know, we used to
get on so well.
I don't know if she
changed, or...
I did.
Maybe you both did.
I guess it's
it's wrong to be in a
relationship with someone if
the idea of the future
with them doesn't,
doesn't make you happy.
I guess it depends
on what you think
the purpose of a
relationship is.
My mom used to say that dating
was like interviewing
for marriage.
That is one way to look at it.
And another?
Each relationship
serves a purpose.
Sometimes you have to be
with someone to know
what you even want in a partner.
So you mean that even if--
even if it doesn't work out,
it wasn't a waste.
I don't think any
relationship should be
considered a waste.
Even one with no future?
No, because it teaches
you something.
I'm sorry, but how do you know
when you've found
the one worth sticking
around for?
That is something that
I am still figuring
out for myself.
But I don't think that
any relationship
that truly mattered to you
should be considered a waste.
Look, there it is.
-Is that...?
-Yeah.
Redwing Blackbird.
Selena's favorite.
Wow.
Hey Marcy, I totally forgot
about that couples session this
week,
Do you think you could
call them?
Hey.
Everything okay?
Yeah. Just, "hangover brain".
I'll be right down.
Oh boy.
Well, that was a disaster.
Why do you have my letters
to Mrs. Lewis?
Damien, we've been over this.
I said I'm sorry, okay?
No, these are from
before she died.
They're old letters.
I took a lot of things
from her house,
when I cleaned out.
Okay.
And you decided to take
my old letters
and keep them by your
desk. For what?
Bit of light reading?
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God,
you've been lying to me
long before she died.
She couldn't write, Damien.
She could barely speak.
By the time she passed.
How long, Lindsey?
How long?
I don't know.
She wrote to you for
years, I know that.
And then when she couldn't
hold a pen anymore,
I wrote for her, and
she would narrate.
But eventually,
she didn't have the mind to.
Oh, well.
So you thought you'd
just pick up
and pretend to be her?
For years?
Huh?
She didn't know who I was.
She barely knew her own name
by the end.
I just wanted to help you.
-I want to help people.
-No, no, no.
That might work for
for six months.
Maybe.
But that doesn't work for
however long this was.
This is wrong, Lindsay.
I know!
How long was I writing to you?
Years.
There is something seriously
wrong with you.
Finally, did you get lost?
Oh.
-Lindsey.
-Hey,
Can we talk?
Yeah.
Yeah. Come on in.
Thank you.
So what's up?
Oh, no no, no.
Don't cry.
Okay? Just talk to me.
I'm a fake.
I'm a therapist
who can't handle relationships.
Okay.
Okay. Let's relax.
Okay? And start over.
Is this about Josh?
Yeah.
And others.
Well,
just because you're a therapist
doesn't mean that
you need to have
a perfect grasp on relationships
all the time.
We think doctors never get sick.
Lawyers never get sued.
With Josh, we were
in the honeymoon phase
for a while, and,
and then we weren't.
And now I don't know
what we are.
What do you want to be?
I don't know.
I just don't want to hurt him.
What makes you think you could?
Have you ever felt like,
like maybe you were
the toxic one.
You lose so many friendships
and relationships that
after a while,
you start to wonder.
That seems really harsh.
I keep telling myself
I want to help people,
but then I end up hurting
the people I care about most.
You're not the toxic one.
How do you know?
Because I do.
Toxic people, they don't--
they don't want to
become better.
They don't break down
because they're worried
that they've hurt
those that are close to them.
If you're worried about
being toxic,
chances are you're not.
Some people are just...
bad together.
Maybe that doesn't mean
that one of them is the bad guy.
It's just...
It's life.
Some people work and some don't.
Do you think that's
what's happening with Josh?
I don't know.
I just know that I've
hurt him with...
my words and
my lack of commitment
and not knowing what I want.
Why don't you know
what you want?
Because I'm not ready
for what he wants.
Like.
He wants to move in together.
Oh.
Well, um,
what did you say?
I didn't. I blew him off.
I didn't know what to say.
Well, what do you want?
I don't know.
That's the problem, I--
I'm not ready for marriage
and life together forever.
Don't think about
forever, Lindsay.
Think about right now.
What do you want right now?
I love him.
You want to be with him?
But will I always love him?
Maybe not.
-Marcy.
-What?
It's the truth.
But the future is just
made up of "nows".
If you love him now
and tomorrow, now and
next week now,
then one day you're
going to wake up
married and living together
and wondering
what you were so worried about.
It's like
eating healthy.
If you think about
eating vegetables
every day for the rest
of your life,
you're going to hate it.
But if you do it one
day at a time,
it becomes a lifestyle.
I don't think Josh
would like that
comparison very much.
Maybe not.
But if you really love someone,
you will spend
every minute of every
day with them,
and you'll fight
to be together.
Thank you.
He might appreciate it more
if you were honest with him
about how you're feeling.
I know.
"Communication and trust
are the keys to a good
relationship".
That sounds familiar.
Yeah I don't know where
I picked it up.
Excellent.
Do you want pizza?
This guy is so late.
It is going to be stone cold.
I know it.
I do like cold pizza.
Yeah you do. You freak.
Come in.
Hey.
You doing okay?
We need to talk.
Yeah. Of course.
-Brought you your favorite.
-Thank you.
So you said you wanted
to talk?
Why are we still together,
Stacy?
What kind of question is that?
I mean,
I don't know, Stacy. We don't,
We don't want any of
the same things.
We don't.
Why are we still together?
I don't know.
We've been dating for
so long that I just--
Got used to us.
Yeah. I don't--
I don't think that's
a good reason
to stay in a relationship.
I don't regret anything.
Me neither.
You were a great
first boyfriend.
Thank you.
Yeah.
No.
Ha!
Surprise!
Not as fun when it's
on you as it.
I brought a second
one, just in case.
Come on. Really? The
silent treatment?
Leave me alone, Lindsey.
Not until you've heard
me out, and
a minute of your time on
your phone gets it.
What do you want?
I just want to talk.
See, sugar brings
people together.
Sugar.
Communication and trust
are the keys to a good
relationship.
I lost your trust though.
Damien, I'm sorry.
I wanted to help you
with your dad and with Stacy.
And I was trying to fix
everybody else's problems
instead of focusing on my own.
What do you want from me?
What?
I mean, what are you to me?
You're the granddaughter
of my old
elementary school teacher who,
who's dead now.
So--
what are we to each other?
We're friends.
We don't need to be
more than that.
People are friends for less.
Listen, those letters
you got over the years,
they weren't from Selena.
They were from me.
So whether you like it or not,
we're friends.
You were right you know,
when you said I have problems.
-Lindsey, I-I-
-No.
I have problems with commitment
and with relationships.
Maybe if I had seen
somebody sooner,
I would have been
able to fix it.
But I didn't.
Sometimes you need somebody
to point out that
you have issues.
And I'm glad you did.
Josh and I talk now more,
which is what I'm always
telling my clients.
It actually works.
So I guess therapy isn't
a scam after all.
For the price, I'd hope not.
Still, I--
I'm really sorry
for what I said.
I shouldn't have.
I'm sorry too.
For lying and
for being immature.
I really don't want to
be an adult sometimes.
I want someone else
to have the answers.
So did you decide on a job?
Graduation is months away.
That's a May problem.
And Stacy?
Oh.
No. We--
We're not together anymore.
Oh, I was wondering if
you, maybe wanted
these back, or...
-they are technically yours.
-Nope.
Okay.
I never should have
been reading them
in the first place.
Well--
I'm glad you did.
I'm just happy
I had, you know, someone
to write to during that time.
I just wish I could have said
goodbye.
Never hide your emotions
from a therapist.
We like those.
Oh.
Hey, Mrs. Lewis.
It's been a while.
Sorry I didn't make
it to your funeral.
I didn't really know
it was happening.
Look,
I just wanted to say thank you
for all you did for me
as a teacher.
Okay.
You taught me to write,
And not just well,
but to really love doing it.
I don't know how much
my letters actually
meant to you.
I know you probably got a
ton of them, but.
They meant a lot to me.
Anyway, I just wanted to tell
you that.
Thank you.
So how do you know
this woman again?
She's a friend.
From?
School.
Well, kind of.
Her grandmother was
my old elementary
school teacher.
And you met her granddaughter?
Because she took over her
grandmother's pen pal identity
-after she died.
-Right.
Of course.
Here.
Hand out.
Thanks, Dad.
Thanks for coming.
Seriously.
It's good to come visit you,
even if it's for an odd
occasion like this.
Listen.
I know I don't always understand
your life choices.
And I know
that we haven't been
close since.
Dad.
It's okay.
I'm gonna try.
-Okay?
-Okay.
Your mom--
would have liked
that you found something
that makes you happy.
Excuse me.
Mind if I borrow you?
For a second. Thank you.
-What?
-Oh,
The struggles of being
a short person.
You guys are lucky.
You don't have to wear
heels at an event
to make your legs look great.
Yeah. No one forced you to
wear heels.
Then I wouldn't be able
to look down on people.
Or even eye to eye
with them, really.
I mean, the downfalls
of being five four.
I'm guessing this
is not a struggle
you can relate to.
Yeah,
not as a healthy six foot
person, I'm afraid.
Lucky you.
I still have the whole reception
to get through.
So,
Josh or Lindsey?
Sorry?
Who invited you?
Oh, Lindsey.
Yeah, we're friends.
Pen Pals.
Oh, wait.
Are you the guy that she duped,
by writing to you under
her grandmother's name?
What?
she just told
me the whole story.
I mean, I gotta say,
that's a rough move.
And I love Lindsey, with
my whole heart.
Yeah.
I mean, I've got to say,
it was a bit of a shock.
But--
of course I wouldn't have
made her as a friend
otherwise.
I'm glad I have her.
She's--
special.
She's also taken there,
big guy.
I know, I know.
Josh is a lucky guy.
So.
Pen Pals.
What's that like?
Writing letters in
the 21st century
when we have phones and
emails and all that?
Yeah, I know it's--
it's different.
Writing--
I don't know,
it gives you a deeper connection
that you just can't really get
with those things.
You sound like my grandma.
Well, maybe she had
a point sometime.
Could be.
I would definitely
recommend it.
You wouldn't happen
to know of anyone looking
for a pen pal?
Would you?
Are mailing that off?
Yeah.
Great. It'll go out with
tomorrow's mail.
Okay. Thanks.
These came for you today.
Perfect.
Thank you.
So.
I see you two are still writing.
Yeah, we're still pen pals.
I'm using my real
name now though.
Well, I'm glad it all
worked out.
Me too.
So.
So.
Are you gonna tell them
the truth now too?
Oh, do I have to?
Yeah.
And where is your end
of your paper, Sammy?
My dog ate it, Miss Lewis.
You don't have a
dog, Sammy.
My paper is finished,
Miss Lewis.
Why, thank you Stacy.
Hope it's okay.
I'm sure it is.
You're a talented writer.
Well, we learned a
lot of new things
this year, didn't we?
Yes, Miss Lewis.
Okay everyone, have
a great summer.
And remember to always be
Eager Explorers!
That's right.
Okay, check the lost and
found before you leave.
Yes, Damien, what is it?
I'm going to sixth
grade next year.
It's middle school.
I know, it's exciting.
Yeah, well, I had a question.
I was wondering,
maybe you could come teach
at the middle school.
Teach all of us for sixth grade.
I'm sorry. Damien.
I'd love to keep teaching you,
but you're going to
have new teachers
teaching you all kinds
of new things.
I know.
Damien.
Do you remember when we learned
how to write letters
to each other?
Oh when you assigned
us pen pals?
It was fun.
My pen pal was Stacy.
Her letters were always small,
but they were funny.
Well, this is my address.
What if you wrote some letters
to me sometime?
Would you like that?
I'd be your pen pal?
Yes. You could write
and tell me all about what
it's like at your new school.
All right.
And I'd get mail back from you.
Yes.
I'll write and tell you all
about my new classes.
Won't be as good as us, though.
I'm sure they won't.
Bye, Miss Lewis.
Have a good summer.
You too.
But, when did he say he
wanted to see you?
He said sometime next
week.
Hey, how was the last day?
It was good.
I'm writing a letter
to my teacher,
Miss Lewis.
Oh, that's nice-
Are you okay, mom?
I'm all right.
Dear Miss Lewis,
Today's the first day
of summer vacation.
I'm so excited for summer
and for being pen pals.
I can't wait to get your next
letter back.
I'm excited to start
sixth grade,
but also scared a little bit.
Anyway, hear from you soon.
Your student. Damien.
Dear Miss Lewis.
Today I started middle school.
There are a lot of people,
and I have a new teacher.
Her name is Mrs. Clarke.
I'm excited to learn more
from sixth grade.
I miss my old class though.
Damian, this time
of your life
is such a great time
to learn new things and
explore. Have you tried out for
any new sports teams?
I don't think sports
are for me.
Or music class.
I like the writing
classes, though.
We're learning to write
short stories.
I have one about a
red robin bird.
I have a copy here.
I hope you like it.
I'm sorry to hear
about your mother, Damien.
Writing is the only
thing
I can really understand
in my school.
I wish I could do it
as a job one day.
My dad says it's a soft
subject, though.
Writing is so
beautiful.
You can put into words on paper
sometimes things we don't feel
we can say in real life.
Never stop writing.
Damien, if you like to write,
then it is 100% what
you should pursue.
Always remember--
Creative writing,
Damien?
Could you have picked
a more unreliable future?
I don't know dad, I was thinking
about becoming a content creator
this semester.
Relax, dad.
It's too late for a
change now anyway.
And when did you make
this decision?
I don't know, must have been
first semester, sophomore year.
Look...
I was making my way
through my G.E.'s,
and I needed to pick a focus.
So I picked what I love doing.
And why am I just now hearing
about this now?
When I reach out to
my law contacts,
do I hear that you have wasted
the past three years
of your education?
I don't know, maybe
because you never asked.
I didn't--
I didn't think you'd care.
Of course I care, Damien.
We had a plan. Pre-Law.
It's reliable.
Flexible.
Good. I get it all right,
Dad, you love law.
You love your job
and your office so much,
you spend more time
there than you do at home.
But I don't.
All right. I don't.
Thanks for the catch up.
I'll see you at Thanksgiving.
Damien.
Oh, that look like a fun
conversation with your dad.
Yeah, I don't really want
to talk about it.
Okay, good. Me neither.
That sounds like a drag.
I think we should talk
about Saturday night.
Oh, it's the first week
of the semester.
Surely your coked out
friends haven't had time to plan
one of their obnoxious
parties out there.
Okay, well,
we can just hang out
with your friends
if you prefer.
Oh.
Only issue is you
don't have any.
Oh, okay. Cut deep,
why don't you.
I just.
I just feel like you're
not really trying to participate
in this relationship.
Um, I'm sorry,
Does participating in
this relationship need to just
be
parties and drinking?
Look--
Okay.
I'm--
I'm trying to figure out
my future here, Stacy.
You are too.
Ah, come on.
-Fine. Okay.
-Yay!
But, I am not playing beer pong
with those meat heads
Jessica is always bringing
around, alright?
Okay. Thanks, babe.
I'm gonna go catch
up with Jessica,
-but I'll see you later
-Okay?
Shit.
I just feel like he
doesn't
communicate with me anymore.
It's because there's
nothing
to communicate.
You just keep making up
drama in your head.
No, there's stuff to talk about.
There's plenty.
All right, what do you
wanna talk about?
The incident with your
mother to start.
Okay, you said you weren't
going to bring that
up again, Cheryl.
Cheryl.
We discussed that last week.
Now, it seems to me
that both of you
are talking to each other.
But neither one of
you is listening.
So that's what
we're going to focus on next.
Let's take a minute
to work on some true
one on one listening.
Each of you is going to have
exactly one minute to speak,
and the other person
can only listen
until it's their turn.
Understood?
Okay, Kevin,
let's start with you.
Well, I just don't see why
we have to keep rehashing
the same conversations
over and over and over again.
See you both next week.
You look busy.
Oh, I am. So much typing,
so many emails to respond to.
Mm-hmm.
Wow, that looks like
a killer email.
Fine.
I finished scheduling
all your next week's
appointments an hour ago
and now I'm just killing time.
Yeah, doing it
much too efficiently to be
eavesdropping I'm sure.
What do you expect me to do?
I can't afford your prices.
And a girl needs relationship
advice
sometimes, too.
Marcy, you're not even
in a relationship.
Wow, Lindsey. So kind.
You'll find someone.
If you don't get arrested
for breaking privacy laws first.
I'm pretty sure
they don't arrest
people for that.
But you never know.
Prison could turn out
to be a killer dating ground.
You never have to worry about
what to wear on first date.
Exactly.
Anyway, the Smiths
were boring today.
Communication. Really?
All relationship problems
can boil down to communication
and trust.
Put that on a T-shirt.
Mmm.
Hey, it's almost five.
You want to grab drinks later?
You can invite Josh.
Josh is busy tonight
and I can't.
I have to clean up
my grandmother's.
Cleaning out your dead
grandmother's house alone.
Sounds depressing.
Might not be party plans,
but it's necessary.
Not when you have a super hot
and sweet boyfriend
who would totally move
all those dusty boxes for you
if you need it.
I am not dating Josh
for free labor.
I'm pretty sure that's
in the dating
contract, actually, so.
Oh. Oh, do I sense some
relationship troubles
with the relationship therapist?
Have I been working for
a fake all along?
No.
You're looking for drama
where it doesn't exist
because you're bored.
You're probably right.
I still think you should wait
for Josh to get off.
I mean, moving
all those boxes by yourself
sounds kind of exhausting.
Empathetic, as always.
Will you lock up for me?
I'm on it, see you Monday.
I have letters for Miss Lewis.
Oh, I'm not.
I'll take these though.
Have a great day.
Thank you.
I just started my
senior year
in my university
creative writing program.
It's been a great program,
but I don't really know
where I'm going with it.
Stacy keeps telling me
I'll figure it out, but
I'm not so sure.
And she isn't really
a great person
to talk to anyway.
I feel like she used to be.
We used to have great
conversations, but
I feel like we've
lost our touch or something.
Anyway, I've ranted too much.
How are you doing?
Any exciting birdwatching
trips recently?
Your student, Damien.
Damien.
It is nice to meet you.
I'm Lindsey, Miss Lewis's
granddaughter.
I regret to inform you that
my grandmother has passed away.
I'm very sorry
you had to find out like this.
I know she always loved her
pen pal relationships,
and she loved getting to hear
from past students.
Again.
I am sorry you had to
find out like this,
but I wish you luck
in your future endeavors.
Yours,
Lindsey.
Oh, I sound like a grocery
store sympathy card.
Oh, boy.
I hope you don't hate
me for this, Grandma.
Damien.
Relationships are all
about communication
and trust.
They're hard to navigate
and even harder to predict.
However,
there are some important
practices
you can do to try
to open the lines
of communication in
your relationships.
I would advise...
Above all,
remember, open and honest
conversations are the best way
to grow in your relationship.
Oh, and another thing.
I've moved recently
to be closer to my
granddaughter.
When you write back to me,
please use the address
listed below.
Your friend, Mrs. Lewis.
So what are you wearing
on Friday?
Okay.
Hey. Good morning, gorgeous.
Oh,
I'll see you Friday.
Okay.
You're looking better.
New outlook on life, I guess.
Oh, hey,
I was thinking after
the party on Friday.
Say, Saturday morning,
we can get breakfast. Just
the two of us, to talk?
Oh, I have my recital
on Saturday.
Remember?
Right. Uh, yeah.
Of course.
After?
Uhmm.
I don't know, we usually go out
as a group after recital, so.
Then dinner.
Look, I feel like we just.
We haven't really gotten
the chance to talk.
Just the two of us.
We talk all the time.
You know what I mean?
I'm talking about real
conversation.
Not with the backdrop
of some college party.
But do you remember
freshman year?
And we would just
sit in the back of the car
and talk about anything
and everything?
Well, I did that because I
didn't know anybody else.
And we never got invited out.
Uh, right.
So you didn't enjoy our talks?
No, no.
Of course I did.
I just,
I mean, gosh, Damien,
you want to sit in the car
all night and just talk?
Don't you have more fun
out with other people?
I have fun with you.
You're cute.
You're cute.
Um.
Okay.
How about next weekend?
I mean, we're just.
We're just too popular
for our own
good this week.
Fine.
Oh, I'm going to be late, but,
I'll see you around.
Okay.
Okay.
You too popular, you mean.
Josh!
You freaked me out.
I thought you were working
an overnight tonight.
It's nice to see you, too.
I told you, I was on
call for an overnight tonight.
I never got called in,
so I thought I'd come
over and make you dinner.
I...
thought you giving
me this meant that
I can come in and surprise you.
But if it makes you
uncomfortable,
I can always text first
to make sure it's okay.
No. It's fine.
I want you to make
yourself at home.
I want you to make
yourself at home
at my place too.
Hmm.
Yeah.
I like your place.
It feels cozy.
It's almost as if
we should just have one place
that we both can come home to.
Mm.
Lindsey,
are you listening to me?
Mhm.
Is that your case of
identity fraud?
It's not identity fraud.
She was my grandmother.
It's just so weird.
This kid thinks he's
been writing to a dead woman
for the past six months.
Josh, you don't
get to make this
decision for me.
I...
I never try to make these
decisions for you.
I know,
I'm sorry.
I feel like this is dangerous.
How's this kid going to react
when he finds out the truth?
He's not going to find out.
He's struggling
in his relationships
with his dad, his girlfriend,
and I really think
I can help him.
This is what I want
to do with my life.
I want to help people.
I know. I love you.
Thank you.
Who's ready?
I made my specialty.
Pasta and sauce.
Why is that a specialty?
Because even I can't
screw it up.
I'm trying to be more open
with communication.
That's such ambiguous
advice, though.
Starting something
like this can be hard.
Give it time.
It didn't used to be as hard.
We had such ease with
each other before.
Hmm.
You can't keep people
from changing.
I know she loves me.
We've been together
for over two years.
It's just.
Lately, she's been
acting like this.
How are things going
with your dad?
My dad's always been distant.
It's just kind of
how our relationship works.
Maybe you should try talking
with him more too.
Yeah, I really don't think
that would work.
He's been kind of the same
ever since mom passed.
I'm sorry about that.
Yeah, well,
it was a long time ago.
Writing to you helped me
through that a lot, actually.
Of course.
I remember that.
I just wish I could
go back to a time
where things made more sense.
Do you think a time like that
ever really existed?
Hey, why don't you tell me
about some of those
communication games
I should try?
They're less of games, really.
Hello? Can I help you?
Yeah.
I was looking for one
of your teachers.
Mrs. Lewis.
Oh. Sorry.
She was one of my old
elementary school teachers.
Kind of taught me a lot.
I was hoping to get
to speak with her.
Do you know if she's around?
I'm sorry, dear.
Mrs. Lewis isn't
with us anymore.
What do you mean?
She retired years ago.
Oh.
And,
well.
I'm sorry.
When was this?
Over six months ago.
I'm sorry.
Can I keep this?
Of course, yeah.
Thank you.
It doesn't make any sense.
There's no way.
Mrs. Lewis.
You have got to fill me
in on your skincare routine.
You look at least
50 years younger.
Tea's ready.
Do you wanna move to the couch?
No.
It's more comfortable.
Yeah.
I don't want to be
more comfortable.
But I want to know,
is how I've been managing
to communicate with a dead woman
for the past six months.
I mean,
who even are you?
How did you get my letters?
It's a long story.
Yeah they usually are.
Okay, uh...
Mrs. Lewis was my grandmother.
After she passed, I
got one of your letters
talking about some Stacy.
And I'm a relationship
therapist.
Selena,
Mrs. Lewis,
was always really good
with people, and
I don't know, I thought
I could help.
She loved her pen pal
relationships.
She had talked about you before.
Look, I didn't mean for this
to go on as long as it did.
And I never meant for
you to find out.
I'm sorry.
Well, I,
I just needed to know.
Well wait, don't go.
I still want to talk.
How are you? How are,
how are things with Stacy?
The usual.
I guess.
I tried taking your suggestion.
I'm taking her out for lunch.
Just the two of us. But,
she just wants to go to
another one of her
stupid parties.
Hmm.
Sorry, do you need to get that?
No. It's fine.
He'll understand.
This is more important.
What is?
You.
So a party?
Yeah.
Some friend of hers.
Did you say you'd be there?
-I mean--
-It's not good
to back out of a commitment,
even if it is track
down your pen pal.
Hey, with all due respect,
I mean, not an easy
one to track down.
Kind of took me a while.
You know what?
Let's go.
What?
You made a commitment.
Let's go to that party.
Wait. You want to go with me
to Jessica's party?
No, I don't want to
go to a college party.
What I want is for you and Stacy
to have a conversation
with each other.
Yeah, I don't think
that's a good idea.
I don't think it's
the right time.
You know.
If you keep waiting around
for the right time,
it's never going to come.
Don't worry about it.
I'll coach you on the car.
Come on, let's go.
Let's go.
Oh, college life.
Yeah, isn't it great?
Okay.
Remember what I told you.
Clear communication.
Good.
You have just as many rights
in this relationship
as she does.
Don't forget that.
Wait. Are you telling me to
break up with her?
No, of course not.
My job is to help fix
relationships.
But.
I'm sorry, but?
Just know when you have
a relationship
worth fixing.
Okay.
Alright.
Hey,
aren't you going to come in
and join the party?
No.
I'm just dropping someone off.
Oh, you don't want to come in
and have some fun?
You're sweet, but I
have a boyfriend,
and I am not in college anymore.
You don't look a day
over 40, ma'am.
Thank you.
I'm 35.
Never too old to have some fun.
And I don't think your
boyfriend would mind,
with such a lucky catch.
Hey. What's up?
What's up?
Hey you, you showed up!
Finally.
Nice to see you, Jess.
I'm gonna be by the pool.
-Hey.
-Hey.
Sorry I'm late.
I didn't think you were coming.
I almost didn't.
So I'm assuming you
want to talk about our
relationship.
Am I that repetitive?
It's all you always want to do
these days. Talk.
Okay.
Well, I mean, it
is, how we grow,
you know, in our relationship.
Progress.
Progress.
To what?
I don't know, but just progress.
Yo, yo yo.
Guys. Guys.
What's up?
Kind of in the middle
of something here.
Come on.
Yeah, come on.
Get your balls out of my face.
That's what she said.
What, you wish
I was more like those guys?
No, no, no.
I mean, you know,
not as obnoxious, but I mean,
I like it here.
Loosen up a little, you know.
Have some fun.
I'm- I'm sorry is that
all our relationship is to you.
Is fun?
Relationships are supposed
to be fun, Damien.
I know I get that.
But--
there needs to be
something more.
Or else as soon as it's
not fun anymore,
there's nothing to fall back on.
Damien. I'm in college.
All right.
If I'm not worrying about grades
or school, then I want
to be having fun.
Okay. That's not.
No, I think that if you
just want someone
to sit around
and talk about life with you,
you don't want a girlfriend.
You want a therapist.
Stacy,
that's obviously not-
I'm going to be by the pool.
I'm gonna be living my life
and having fun doing it.
And if you want to join
me, that'd be great.
And if you don't, then you
can just go back to doing
whatever you were doing
before you got yourself here.
Okay.
Stace.
Why is the world
spinning around?
-It's not.
-Excuse me. Guys.
I mean, you know--
Move.
Hey.
Really?
You've got to be kidding me.
Grandma! Grandma! Grandma!
Watch the ledge.
That was fun.
I told them I was only 35.
They wanted to call me grandma.
I was gone for, like,
ten minutes.
Your school is really nice.
Look, just wait here.
Wow.
My alcohol tolerance has
dropped since college.
Well,
that was a waste of time.
Did you find Stacy?
Oh, yeah.
Just in time
to watch our relationship go.
,
Oh, sorry, oldie.
You're out of it.
Shut up.
I'm not that old.
Right. I'm sorry.
You're not actually
a grandmother.
You're just impersonating
one. Right?
My God, I said I was sorry.
What more do you want?
You know,
you weren't the only
one who lost her.
Selena meant a lot
to a lot of people.
Losing her was the worst
I've ever felt.
And I,
I didn't want someone else
to feel that way.
Is that what got you into
therapy?
She was really good
at reading people and
knowing how to help them.
And
I thought if I went
to school for
psychology, I'd be able
to help people
like she did. Except,
she never needed to study
that, for her,
it was-- it was natural.
Yeah, she was
she was special.
She must have had a million
students, but
to each one of us, she
was like, a parent.
She was.
But you didn't have to lie.
I know.
I'm sorry.
So did you figure it out?
What?
Her gift.
How to read people.
College teach you that?
I'm realizing that's
not something
that can be taught.
Sometimes,
I can't even handle my
own relationships.
I'm a fake.
And we're talking about
Josh, right?
He wants to get married.
And you don't?
I don't know.
Damn.
Like, to him,
or at all?
I don't know.
I'm sorry, but being an adult,
aren't you supposed to
like, have the answers
to these kinds of things?
It does not work like that.
You just get bigger questions.
Okay, I guess, but
you either love him or
you don't, right?
It doesn't seem that simple.
Like.
I love him.
Now,
but promising to forever?
I don't have the answers,
but I do make money off of
people pretending that I do.
Do you want to go back?
God, yes.
Or.
Or?
This is so much better.
I can think clearly again.
You shouldn't drink
on an empty stomach.
Yeah, I can't relate.
I don't drink at all.
Really?
Wait, really?
Doesn't that ever get boring?
Uh-mm.
God, I miss being young.
Yeah, it's definitely not that
great.
Yeah, but when it is,
everything just
feels right.
You definitely have a case of
rose colored glasses there.
Maybe.
It's normal to miss her.
How close were you?
My mom didn't always like
the idea of kids.
She was more of a "friend
mom" than a "mom mom"
So Selena was the person
I went to for advice.
My mom died
when I was in middle school.
I know.
Sorry.
You know, my dad.
He always wanted kids.
And, you know, was such
a good parent.
When my mom was alive.
He still is.
You know, it's just.
It's not like that.
It's just the.
I mean, he loves me.
And everything.
I just think that.
I think he kind of lost
his enthusiasm
for parenting.
After my mom died.
I have-- I have two letters.
Two letters
that I never responded to.
I wish that I responded--
I wish I responded before
she died, and--
I don't know, maybe--
Maybe she would have known
how much it meant to me.
I'm sure she knew.
Thanks.
So--
what's next?
What do you mean?
Well, I mean,
the game is up.
But I've got to say,
it would feel weird
to just never write
to you again.
Well,
we could still be pen pals.
Yeah.
Oh, how about
we use our real names this time?
Yeah.
Okay. Deal.
Hey, Lindsey.
We are friends, right?
Yeah.
I'd like to be.
Gotta say,
it feels weird being friends
with such an old woman, though.
Oh my God.
Shut up!
You let him just sleep
over?
You barely know this kid.
I know him, okay?
We've been writing for months.
So this is why you were
ignoring me last night?
To get drunk at some
college party?
Josh, you and I can
talk any time.
He needs my help.
Whatever.
Call me when you feel like it.
I guess.
Good morning. How are you?
All right, better
than you I guess.
I actually slept great.
Hangovers just don't look too
good on your gal.
Uh, thanks.
Yeah.
I'm going to get dressed,
but there's somewhere
I want to take you.
Selena always loved her birds.
We used to go birdwatching
here all the time.
Yeah, she used to write
to me about them.
Did she send you that book
she wrote a while back?
The one about the Christmas
ornament
birds that come to
life at night.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, I forgot about that.
Every year for Christmas,
we would decorate the tree
with these beautiful
glass birds.
And then she'd always tell me
that they'd come to life
and fly around the house
at night while we slept.
She was,
she was special.
Yeah. She was.
So.
Do you want to talk about Stacy?
-Oh.
-Come on.
Free therapy man, I'm not cheap.
I don't know,
I don't even know what
questions I'd have.
You know, we used to
get on so well.
I don't know if she
changed, or...
I did.
Maybe you both did.
I guess it's
it's wrong to be in a
relationship with someone if
the idea of the future
with them doesn't,
doesn't make you happy.
I guess it depends
on what you think
the purpose of a
relationship is.
My mom used to say that dating
was like interviewing
for marriage.
That is one way to look at it.
And another?
Each relationship
serves a purpose.
Sometimes you have to be
with someone to know
what you even want in a partner.
So you mean that even if--
even if it doesn't work out,
it wasn't a waste.
I don't think any
relationship should be
considered a waste.
Even one with no future?
No, because it teaches
you something.
I'm sorry, but how do you know
when you've found
the one worth sticking
around for?
That is something that
I am still figuring
out for myself.
But I don't think that
any relationship
that truly mattered to you
should be considered a waste.
Look, there it is.
-Is that...?
-Yeah.
Redwing Blackbird.
Selena's favorite.
Wow.
Hey Marcy, I totally forgot
about that couples session this
week,
Do you think you could
call them?
Hey.
Everything okay?
Yeah. Just, "hangover brain".
I'll be right down.
Oh boy.
Well, that was a disaster.
Why do you have my letters
to Mrs. Lewis?
Damien, we've been over this.
I said I'm sorry, okay?
No, these are from
before she died.
They're old letters.
I took a lot of things
from her house,
when I cleaned out.
Okay.
And you decided to take
my old letters
and keep them by your
desk. For what?
Bit of light reading?
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God,
you've been lying to me
long before she died.
She couldn't write, Damien.
She could barely speak.
By the time she passed.
How long, Lindsey?
How long?
I don't know.
She wrote to you for
years, I know that.
And then when she couldn't
hold a pen anymore,
I wrote for her, and
she would narrate.
But eventually,
she didn't have the mind to.
Oh, well.
So you thought you'd
just pick up
and pretend to be her?
For years?
Huh?
She didn't know who I was.
She barely knew her own name
by the end.
I just wanted to help you.
-I want to help people.
-No, no, no.
That might work for
for six months.
Maybe.
But that doesn't work for
however long this was.
This is wrong, Lindsay.
I know!
How long was I writing to you?
Years.
There is something seriously
wrong with you.
Finally, did you get lost?
Oh.
-Lindsey.
-Hey,
Can we talk?
Yeah.
Yeah. Come on in.
Thank you.
So what's up?
Oh, no no, no.
Don't cry.
Okay? Just talk to me.
I'm a fake.
I'm a therapist
who can't handle relationships.
Okay.
Okay. Let's relax.
Okay? And start over.
Is this about Josh?
Yeah.
And others.
Well,
just because you're a therapist
doesn't mean that
you need to have
a perfect grasp on relationships
all the time.
We think doctors never get sick.
Lawyers never get sued.
With Josh, we were
in the honeymoon phase
for a while, and,
and then we weren't.
And now I don't know
what we are.
What do you want to be?
I don't know.
I just don't want to hurt him.
What makes you think you could?
Have you ever felt like,
like maybe you were
the toxic one.
You lose so many friendships
and relationships that
after a while,
you start to wonder.
That seems really harsh.
I keep telling myself
I want to help people,
but then I end up hurting
the people I care about most.
You're not the toxic one.
How do you know?
Because I do.
Toxic people, they don't--
they don't want to
become better.
They don't break down
because they're worried
that they've hurt
those that are close to them.
If you're worried about
being toxic,
chances are you're not.
Some people are just...
bad together.
Maybe that doesn't mean
that one of them is the bad guy.
It's just...
It's life.
Some people work and some don't.
Do you think that's
what's happening with Josh?
I don't know.
I just know that I've
hurt him with...
my words and
my lack of commitment
and not knowing what I want.
Why don't you know
what you want?
Because I'm not ready
for what he wants.
Like.
He wants to move in together.
Oh.
Well, um,
what did you say?
I didn't. I blew him off.
I didn't know what to say.
Well, what do you want?
I don't know.
That's the problem, I--
I'm not ready for marriage
and life together forever.
Don't think about
forever, Lindsay.
Think about right now.
What do you want right now?
I love him.
You want to be with him?
But will I always love him?
Maybe not.
-Marcy.
-What?
It's the truth.
But the future is just
made up of "nows".
If you love him now
and tomorrow, now and
next week now,
then one day you're
going to wake up
married and living together
and wondering
what you were so worried about.
It's like
eating healthy.
If you think about
eating vegetables
every day for the rest
of your life,
you're going to hate it.
But if you do it one
day at a time,
it becomes a lifestyle.
I don't think Josh
would like that
comparison very much.
Maybe not.
But if you really love someone,
you will spend
every minute of every
day with them,
and you'll fight
to be together.
Thank you.
He might appreciate it more
if you were honest with him
about how you're feeling.
I know.
"Communication and trust
are the keys to a good
relationship".
That sounds familiar.
Yeah I don't know where
I picked it up.
Excellent.
Do you want pizza?
This guy is so late.
It is going to be stone cold.
I know it.
I do like cold pizza.
Yeah you do. You freak.
Come in.
Hey.
You doing okay?
We need to talk.
Yeah. Of course.
-Brought you your favorite.
-Thank you.
So you said you wanted
to talk?
Why are we still together,
Stacy?
What kind of question is that?
I mean,
I don't know, Stacy. We don't,
We don't want any of
the same things.
We don't.
Why are we still together?
I don't know.
We've been dating for
so long that I just--
Got used to us.
Yeah. I don't--
I don't think that's
a good reason
to stay in a relationship.
I don't regret anything.
Me neither.
You were a great
first boyfriend.
Thank you.
Yeah.
No.
Ha!
Surprise!
Not as fun when it's
on you as it.
I brought a second
one, just in case.
Come on. Really? The
silent treatment?
Leave me alone, Lindsey.
Not until you've heard
me out, and
a minute of your time on
your phone gets it.
What do you want?
I just want to talk.
See, sugar brings
people together.
Sugar.
Communication and trust
are the keys to a good
relationship.
I lost your trust though.
Damien, I'm sorry.
I wanted to help you
with your dad and with Stacy.
And I was trying to fix
everybody else's problems
instead of focusing on my own.
What do you want from me?
What?
I mean, what are you to me?
You're the granddaughter
of my old
elementary school teacher who,
who's dead now.
So--
what are we to each other?
We're friends.
We don't need to be
more than that.
People are friends for less.
Listen, those letters
you got over the years,
they weren't from Selena.
They were from me.
So whether you like it or not,
we're friends.
You were right you know,
when you said I have problems.
-Lindsey, I-I-
-No.
I have problems with commitment
and with relationships.
Maybe if I had seen
somebody sooner,
I would have been
able to fix it.
But I didn't.
Sometimes you need somebody
to point out that
you have issues.
And I'm glad you did.
Josh and I talk now more,
which is what I'm always
telling my clients.
It actually works.
So I guess therapy isn't
a scam after all.
For the price, I'd hope not.
Still, I--
I'm really sorry
for what I said.
I shouldn't have.
I'm sorry too.
For lying and
for being immature.
I really don't want to
be an adult sometimes.
I want someone else
to have the answers.
So did you decide on a job?
Graduation is months away.
That's a May problem.
And Stacy?
Oh.
No. We--
We're not together anymore.
Oh, I was wondering if
you, maybe wanted
these back, or...
-they are technically yours.
-Nope.
Okay.
I never should have
been reading them
in the first place.
Well--
I'm glad you did.
I'm just happy
I had, you know, someone
to write to during that time.
I just wish I could have said
goodbye.
Never hide your emotions
from a therapist.
We like those.
Oh.
Hey, Mrs. Lewis.
It's been a while.
Sorry I didn't make
it to your funeral.
I didn't really know
it was happening.
Look,
I just wanted to say thank you
for all you did for me
as a teacher.
Okay.
You taught me to write,
And not just well,
but to really love doing it.
I don't know how much
my letters actually
meant to you.
I know you probably got a
ton of them, but.
They meant a lot to me.
Anyway, I just wanted to tell
you that.
Thank you.
So how do you know
this woman again?
She's a friend.
From?
School.
Well, kind of.
Her grandmother was
my old elementary
school teacher.
And you met her granddaughter?
Because she took over her
grandmother's pen pal identity
-after she died.
-Right.
Of course.
Here.
Hand out.
Thanks, Dad.
Thanks for coming.
Seriously.
It's good to come visit you,
even if it's for an odd
occasion like this.
Listen.
I know I don't always understand
your life choices.
And I know
that we haven't been
close since.
Dad.
It's okay.
I'm gonna try.
-Okay?
-Okay.
Your mom--
would have liked
that you found something
that makes you happy.
Excuse me.
Mind if I borrow you?
For a second. Thank you.
-What?
-Oh,
The struggles of being
a short person.
You guys are lucky.
You don't have to wear
heels at an event
to make your legs look great.
Yeah. No one forced you to
wear heels.
Then I wouldn't be able
to look down on people.
Or even eye to eye
with them, really.
I mean, the downfalls
of being five four.
I'm guessing this
is not a struggle
you can relate to.
Yeah,
not as a healthy six foot
person, I'm afraid.
Lucky you.
I still have the whole reception
to get through.
So,
Josh or Lindsey?
Sorry?
Who invited you?
Oh, Lindsey.
Yeah, we're friends.
Pen Pals.
Oh, wait.
Are you the guy that she duped,
by writing to you under
her grandmother's name?
What?
she just told
me the whole story.
I mean, I gotta say,
that's a rough move.
And I love Lindsey, with
my whole heart.
Yeah.
I mean, I've got to say,
it was a bit of a shock.
But--
of course I wouldn't have
made her as a friend
otherwise.
I'm glad I have her.
She's--
special.
She's also taken there,
big guy.
I know, I know.
Josh is a lucky guy.
So.
Pen Pals.
What's that like?
Writing letters in
the 21st century
when we have phones and
emails and all that?
Yeah, I know it's--
it's different.
Writing--
I don't know,
it gives you a deeper connection
that you just can't really get
with those things.
You sound like my grandma.
Well, maybe she had
a point sometime.
Could be.
I would definitely
recommend it.
You wouldn't happen
to know of anyone looking
for a pen pal?
Would you?
Are mailing that off?
Yeah.
Great. It'll go out with
tomorrow's mail.
Okay. Thanks.
These came for you today.
Perfect.
Thank you.
So.
I see you two are still writing.
Yeah, we're still pen pals.
I'm using my real
name now though.
Well, I'm glad it all
worked out.
Me too.
So.
So.
Are you gonna tell them
the truth now too?
Oh, do I have to?
Yeah.