Being Erica (2009) s04e03 Episode Script

Previously on "Being Erica": - What's this? - Your card.
Erica, you are a doctor in training.
I feel like you're setting me up to fail.
This process is not going to be easy.
Will you marry me? Of course I will, Ivan.
When's the last time you took a holiday? Had an adventure? Met a woman? What is this about? It's about your life outside of work.
I don't need a life outside of work.
I have never liked anyone like this before.
Is everything okay? I'm pregnant.
Uh What?! Are you Are you sure? Pretty sure.
Oh my You can't tell me you didn't notice.
Well, I didn't wanna say anything, but I thought that you just looked a little- - Fat? - No, I did not say fat.
And oh my God, Sam! How long have you known?! And why didn't you say anything? At first, I was in total denial.
You know I've always had irregular periods.
Sorry, Adam.
- It's fine.
- And so I thought I was just gaining weight until my nipples started changing colour.
- Really? - Yeah.
- I'm just So then I I don't know, I guess I was just embarrassed.
I feel like a walking, talking Jerry Springer episode.
I'm sorry.
I shouldn't be laughing.
I mean, it's not It's not funny, it's just Have you told Mom and Dad? No.
You're the first.
And are you? I mean, I can't tell how you're feeling.
Are you happy? Yes.
I love Lenin and getting to have a baby with him just feels like A gift.
Oh my God, Sam.
Life works in funny ways.
Just when you think you've got things figure out, just when it seems like everything's going according to plan That's when something happens.
Tom? Is that you? Amanda.
Do you live around here? Because I stop for a latte every day and I've never seen you.
No, no.
I was, uh I was just on a walk, I stopped in for a coffee.
Oh.
So Are you married with 2.
2 kids? Uh, divorced.
One daughter.
Me too.
Divorced.
But no kids.
Uh, Paul and I, uh split five years ago.
Well, I should probably be on my way.
Of course, but it'd be nice to catch up.
Oh, yes.
No, that would be nice.
I'll give you a call.
Something small.
Something big.
Something that makes us realize we aren't in control and never were.
Something that lands at our feet and leaves us speechless and unsure where to turn and what to do.
Hello? Yes, this is she.
Something that blindsides us, leaving us gasping for air.
No thought in our heads except how could this be happening and what do we do now? It's clearer inside of me who I will always be open me up to my heart.
Feels like I'm seeing in the dark, Waking up to my life to do it all over again and again.
Until the end the sum of my dreams and everything I ever wanted to be.
.
No, I think my mom'll be fine, I'm more worried about my dad.
Why, 'cause he's more conservative? No, because Sam and Lenin, they're not married I know.
Who cares, right? Well, I care about marriage.
Like should David and I wear suits or tuxedos? Gold rings or platinum? Who should we invite, and will those not invited hate us for eternity? It's just decisions decisions.
Yup.
Just some of the many topics we'll be going over at my big fat stag weekend.
So, pumpkin, you ready to hit the woods? Oh yeah, bring it on.
Now my best man Benny's picking us up in five, so chop-chop! Down that latte.
Have fun! I just, I wonder How do you think Lenin's dealing with the news? Oh, I don't know.
I don't envy him though.
I mean, can you imagine if I came home one day and I told you that I was pregnant? It would be a disaster.
A disaster? Well, yeah.
You know, it's the kind of thing you wanna plan, right? Yeah.
Mm-hm.
And plus, I don't know if I even wanna have kids, so What? Wait a minute, you don't You don't know if you wanna have kids? Like, since when? Uh, I don't know.
Since always.
It's not something I've been thinking about it.
Why is this? Because I want kids for sure.
I don't know what you want me to say.
It's not something I've been thinking about.
No, I mean, I know and I get it, and I'm not trying to pressure you into make a decision, - but I mean, it's good that we- - Adam? Come on.
Let's go, pumpkin! Let's just cross that bridge when we come to it.
Okay? Yeah.
Bye.
Have fun.
Let's do it.
Come in.
Dr.
Naadiah.
What can I do for you? Amanda Mathieson.
There's a name I haven't heard in a while.
A woman who was very important to you once upon a time, expresses an interest in meeting you for coffee and you throw her card in the garbage.
Well, I have no interest in catching up with Amanda.
Why? You still angry with her? No.
Of course not.
The whole thing is ancient history.
- Well, then why - Why do I have to justify this to you? I don't wanna call her.
I don't know what I would even say.
You heard the expression "Things happen for a reason"? Oh, come on I'm not suggesting that you should rekindle your romance with Amanda.
I'm just wondering after the promise you made to Dr.
Arthur No, I've been taking steps.
You've taken on two more patients.
You continue to do nothing but work.
You'll figure out what to say.
Now, girls, I just wanna warn you; Your mom's in a tizzy.
You know her and parties.
Erica, did you remember the eggs? Yes, I did.
We got two dozen, free range.
But honestly, how many parents does Lenin have? Gary, can you please help me cut the bagels? - Here.
- Oh, thank you.
Okay, so, um How did it go when you told them? Dad took it surprisingly well.
- Really? - Yeah.
And Mom? Mom was a little quiet.
Well, she's probably still in shock.
That's what I figured.
And, you know, all morning she's been like- Super stressed? Yes.
I hope that Lenin's parents aren't fussy.
Fussy? No.
Lenin's parents are a whole other deal.
Look at that work of beauty.
And I'm not talking about my handiwork.
I'm talking about your fertility basket.
Your womb.
- Thank you.
- No, thank you.
For the gift of life.
So, how are you handling everything? Well, I'm always up for an adventure, and this-- probably the biggest adventure I could ever face.
So, yeah, I'm good, it wasn't planned-- at all.
But, uh It feels right.
Good.
By the fire of your bright spirit and by the water of your radiant womb Oh yeah, by the way? My parents can be a bit much.
What, are you Are you kidding me? Look at my dad, he just found a new hero.
You were in the 63 march on Washington? The march! I was only 10 at the time.
Barb! Gus was in the '63 march! That's great.
Trifle anyone? Phoebe? No thank you.
Just being here, Barb, imbibing the sweet aura of new life, is sugar enough for me.
Okay then.
Everyone, I'm gonna pass this bowl of beads around and I want each one of you to pick one that speaks to you.
It's for the birth necklace.
Our grandchild needs all the positive energy we can send his way.
Oh wow, these are beautiful.
Mom, bead? Are you sure that one spoke to you? Loud and clear, Erica.
Hand me that bowl, please.
Yeah.
Yes! That was great.
Everyone? I wanna thank Gary and Barb for bringing us here to celebrate this coming together of two souls.
And to invocate the spirit of love growing within Sam's womb.
We couldn't be happier to welcome all of you into our family circle.
Barb and I would like to say something, too.
Lenin, welcome to our family.
I've never seen Sam happier.
- Right, Barb? - Right.
So, let's raise a glass to the happy couple.
To Sam and Lenin.
Mazel tov! To Sam and Lenin.
I'm just gonna make some more coffee.
Cheers! Hey Is everything okay? Yeah, I'm fine.
I think that the dishwasher would disagree.
Mom, what's going on? I can't do this anymore, Erica.
I've tried all day, but I'm done.
I'm done pretending like everything is fine! Like everything is wonderful when my daughter has screwed up her life because she was too stupid to use protection.
Mom, whoa 'Kay First of all, Sam did not screw up her life.
Mom, she's happy.
Sam just got divorced, Erica.
She just got her career back on track and now she's pregnant by someone who she's been dating for less than a year! And I'm supposed to celebrate that? Shhh! Your sister should not be having this baby.
Mom? Okay, you know what? I get that it is a lot to handle, and she might be having trouble dealing with it, but don't offer to host a party and then sulk your way through it, and don't act like it's the end of the world.
I mean, Sam, she's an adult.
It's not like she's sixteen, asking her mom to take care of her kid.
It's clear you have a definite point of view, which will be useful, seeing as your mother is your patient.
My mother is my patient? Mm-hmm.
Makes you look at it a little differently, doesn't it? Well, yeah.
Yeah.
Because now I'm like I'm like why is she acting that way? You know, what is what is it about? And? Why is she? What do you think? Well, I I have a theory.
Do tell.
See, Mom and Sam, they've always been very similar, right? They follow the rules and they care a lot about how they're perceived.
But now, Sam, I mean, she's divorced, she's pregnant She's dating a janitor not an investment banker, and she's breaking all the rules.
And you know what? She's happier for it.
But then my mom, it's like she can't let it go.
She's got all these expectations about how things are supposed to be done.
You know, you grow up, and you get married, you have kids-- in that order.
Well, that is a well-reasoned, well thought-through hypothesis.
Not bad, right? And I think that I know what today's assignment is.
Really? Enlighten me.
I need to help my mom realize that this is about her, not Sam, and her expectations are old-fashioned.
She just needs to let go and just be happy for her daughter.
"Life is so constructed that events cannot, will not, match our expectations.
" Charlotte Brontë.
Cheer up Sleepy Jean oh what can it mean to a daydream believer and a homecoming queen John Lennon? Cheer up Sleepy Jean Oh oh what can it mean to a daydream believer and a homecoming queen Miss Strange? Oh! Why am I in the Brady Bunch? Actually, the Brady Bunch premieres is in just two weeks, as part of the Fall television schedule for 1969.
Oh my God! You said you wanted to talk to your mother? Well There she is.
That's my mother! It is.
Although technically, not for a few more years.
I can't believe this.
How old is she? Seventeen.
She just started her senior year.
And I'm just supposed to like walk up to her and see if she's digging my vibe? Mm.
Maybe let me do the talking.
Miss Fraiberg? Hi.
I'm Mr.
Wexlar, the new guidance counsellor.
Hi.
Am I in trouble? No, no, far from it.
As a matter of fact, you were recommended to me as an honour roll student with a perfect record.
So, I was hoping that you could show Erica around; She's new to our school.
Hey.
Of course.
I'd be happy to.
Cool.
Well, I'll let you two get to know one another.
Good luck, Erica.
Erica That's a pretty name.
Erica what? Lennon owitz.
Well, uh, first bell's gonna ring, so we should probably start the tour.
Groovy.
Uh, after you, Barb.
Okay.
Barb.
The lunch room is just at the end of this hall.
What else? That is the pit.
All the hippies and burnouts smoke out there.
you are my candy girl Oh.
Warning bell.
Uh, your next class is home-ec, it's the second door on the right.
Home-ec, huh? Far out.
Not really.
Betty's a real fox.
Barb? I got dibs.
Don't you forget it.
So? Who is he? No one.
Really, you're into guys like that? And why wouldn't I be into someone like Allan Milley? He's a hunk.
He is a a hunk.
I just He seems like kinda like a Jerk.
Jinx, you owe me a coke.
Oh yeah! Okay, um Well, I guess I'll meet you after class and we can finish the tour.
Swell.
Thanks, Barb.
ba-da-da, ba-ba-da Your husband expects a delicious meal at the end of a long day.
His favourite dish is the warm welcome he deserves.
You've gotta be kidding me.
Turn to page 50 ladies, for today's is the recipe Pretzel meatloaf.
Pretzel meatloaf? I know.
Something my Nana would make.
You're new, right? I'm Nancy.
Hi, Nancy.
I'm Erica.
You're gonna love it here.
Our football team? Regional champions three years running.
We have a first rate glee club, if singing's your thing.
No, not at all.
Well, hey, if you want, I'd be more than happy to show you around.
That's very sweet of you, Nancy, but actually the guidance counsellor, he already set me up with a student.
Barbara Fraiberg.
Oh.
What? Oh, well, I'm not one to gossip, but since you're new you should probably know.
Okay, this past summer, Barbie got completely smashed at Matty Gibson's party and word is her and Allan Milley went all the way.
- "All the way" - All the way? Mm-hmm.
She was nuts about him, everyone knew it.
And? And it was a huge scandal.
So if you'd like me to show you around instead, I'd be more than happy.
No.
I'm fine with Barb.
Thank you.
Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair.
Looking fresh is just as important as a well set table, ladies.
- Barb, hey! - Hi.
How was home-ec? It was, uh enlightening.
So, should we eat outside or in the lunch room? All the jocks and cheerleaders eat out in the quad.
Really.
Whatever you like.
Actually, Barb, before we head off, do you remember that guy The the hunk? Why? Well, I just, um What? Did you hear something about me? Someone mentioned something about a party.
It's not true; We did not do it.
I am not that kind of girl.
Look, Barb, it's okay.
Whatever you did or didn't do, it's none of my business.
Barb? Barb! Hey.
It's okay.
You've been at this school two hours and you've already heard that rotten story.
All we did was make out.
He wanted to go further, but I wouldn't.
So it's a lie.
Of course it's a lie.
But it doesn't matter, because everyone believes it and now I've been branded a slut.
I know it feels like the end of the world, but it's a rumour and it'll pass.
No it won't.
Not when Allan's the one spreading it.
Allan? He's getting back at me because I wouldn't do what he wanted.
Huh.
Listen, Barb, where I'm from, girls don't put up with that sort of thing.
Take me to Allan.
What're you gonna do? You guys wanna hear a joke? I don't got one.
Allan Milley? That depends.
Who's asking? I am.
I wanna talk to the jerk that's been spreading false rumors about Barbara Fraiberg.
Hate to break it to you but Those aren't rumors.
Okay.
I'm gonna keep this real simple so that you'll understand.
If you ever tell a lie about Barb again, I will hunt you down and make you pay for it.
Okay.
Sure you will, you ugly skag.
I don't even know what that means, but I am offended.
I am a woman, hear me roar.
Good enough.
Asshole.
All done! I can't believe you just did that.
And the look on Allan's face.
It was it was priceless.
So, tell me, Barb, what do you want to be when you grow up? That's a funny question.
I'm just curious about you, you know? Do you have any hobbies? Musical tastes? John Lennon is holding a concert.
Boy, would I love to get to see that.
I'm not really a big Beatles' fan, but I do find Davy Jones really dreamy.
Davy Jones? The Monkees? Of course.
Yeah.
I mean, he's the most.
Is everything okay? It's um this tuna, it must be off.
Oh.
Smells fine to me.
Oh, but you should've got a whiff of what we cooked in home-ec class.
It was bits of pretzel and ketchup all mashed together in this, like, coagulated Barb? You okay? I'm so sorry.
I I can't believe I just did that.
You're sweating.
Are you okay? Uh, I don't know.
Um Maybe I'm coming down with something.
Anyway, um We should get back.
I hope I didn't ruin your lunch? No, uh No, not at all.
Here, let me um Help you.
Thanks.
My mom is pregnant, isn't she? She was pregnant at seventeen? Mm-hm.
How did we not know about this? No one knows about it, except for your grandparents.
Your grandmother figured it out eventually.
She sent your mom to get a pregnancy test and the whole thing blew up.
Did they make her get an abortion? No.
They pulled her from school; They sent her to live with your great-aunt Avra in Montreal.
She had the baby, and she came back and she never told a soul.
Oh my God.
I just I mean, I can't believe this.
It was a painful experience for her.
It was so painful, that after her parents arranged for the adoption, she simply put it out of her mind.
She never thought about him again.
Him? She had a son? Yes.
Sam and I have a brother.
Leo had a brother.
A brother that he didn't even know about.
She is She is reliving this whole experience all over again, isn't she? Through Sam.
It was an experience that she never fully acknowledged or dealt with herself.
Not when it happened, and not after.
So what do I do? You go back out there and you listen; That's your job today.
To really understand where your mother is coming from and what she went through.
Because until you know, you can't help her.
Oh, and I forgot to tell you.
Mr.
Hopkins, the math teacher? He's got shell-shock from the Korean War or something.
Anyway, he has been a real Thorn in my side.
Use pencil, never pen, for your assignments.
What? Nothing.
Just wondering if you were feeling better? Yeah, I don't know what that was.
I feel fine now.
You know, Barb, I really like you and I think what people are saying is awful.
I like you too, Erica.
I'm glad I was chosen to be your tour guide.
I wanna ask you a personal question and I want you to know that whatever your answer is, I'm never gonna tell anyone.
Okay.
Did you go all the way with Allan Milley? No! Why would you ask me that? I told you I didn't.
I'm not lying! Barb I gained a few pounds from all the stress.
It's It's stressful having people lie about you.
Do you remember when you last got your period? You lost track, right? I'm not pregnant.
Barb, did he use a condom? It's okay.
Everything's gonna be okay.
I promise, okay? How?! Everyone already thinks I'm the school slut and now I'm pregnant?! I have always done everything right, followed all the rules, worked hard at school, been responsible.
And now, the one time I let myself go, I mean I thought he loved me, Erica.
That's why I let him.
My parents are gonna kill me.
No, they won't.
No, you don't understand.
I am their honour-roll student, the one who never gives them any trouble.
They expect me to go to university next year.
You know what? And you will.
Okay? Listen to me.
You are gonna get through this.
I promise you.
You?! Promise?! What are you gonna do? Snap your fingers and make everything okay? - Barb - Don't touch me! Barb! Erica, what is going on with Mom? Is everything all right? Uh Ivan, stay still.
Agh! Ow! I got it.
So, Ivan, you have the boy, the ring, the house in the 'burbs The baby's coming in three months.
You and Dave thinking of adopting? Well, we've had our fun in the sun, so it's time to pay things forward.
What about you and Erica? Oh-ho-ho Erica asked me that exact same thing this morning.
And? And my answer didn't go down so well.
Why, you don't want kids? I don't know.
Erica does, and I want to want to have kids, it's just I don't know.
Adam, we may all look like bikers, but we're still homosexuals, so, come on, emote.
Share.
I just don't think I'd make a good dad.
How could you know that? I had awful parents, and, you know, "The sins of the father are visited on the sons.
" It scares me.
I don't think I could love you any more right now if I tried.
Come on, come on.
- Ivan.
- No, come to papa.
You're gonna make the best dad ever.
There you go.
You sure are.
Come on.
Sure are.
Guys! Guys, I can't breathe.
Thanks again for having us.
We should be going.
I'll, uh, see you at home.
Okay.
Thank you.
Hey.
Thank you.
'Kay, Mom, what is going on? Sam No, I'm serious.
Could you have been any more rude? If you're through yelling at me, I'm gonna answer that.
What is wrong with her? Barb Dad, just leave her alone.
Barb? Okay, fine.
I'm going out.
What? Where? Mom Adam, hey.
Hey, I'm just checking in.
I'm really glad you called.
Yeah.
Listen, I wanted to talk to you about earlier.
I know it was weird, but You just caught me off guard.
Don't even worry about it.
I'm not even thinking about it.
I'm trying to get through this weekend without freaking out.
Erica, slow down.
What's going on? So my mom is my patient, and Dr.
Tom, he brought me back to her past.
And I found out that she got pregnant when she was seventeen and she had a little boy.
What? And now she's a mess because of everything that Sam's going through, and I don't know how I'm supposed to help her, you know, I just don't know what I am supposed to do here.
Look, I gotta go.
Sam and Dad are waiting for me.
Wait, Erica.
Don't worry, everything's gonna be fine.
Bye.
Your son hired us to find you for the purpose of accessing his medical history.
His medical history? Why? Well, he and his wife just had their first baby; They're concerned about hereditary diseases.
They had a baby? Mm-hm.
Look, if you'd be willing to fill out a medical questionnaire and return it to us, he would very much appreciate it.
Fine.
Where is it? Mrs.
Strange, this is extremely helpful, so thank you.
But I have one final request from your son.
What is it? He's indicated he would like to meet you.
No.
Absolutely not.
Look, I understand, and I will let him know.
Rest assured we will not be contacting you again.
Barb? Where have you been? - Mom! - Hey, Sam, let me talk to her.
Erica, this has nothing to do with you.
Please, just I'm serious.
Just let me handle this.
Okay? Mom.
Look, we know that you're upset.
Erica, please, leave me alone.
You know Sam, she's putting on a brave face right now, but she really needs your help and support.
Sam made a huge mistake and I can't pretend she didn't.
You know what? You don't have to pretend.
We all know that is was a mistake.
Sam knows.
But she wants to have this baby and she's having it with a man that she loves.
Did you see this? I don't want to.
This is your first grandchild.
This little boy is gonna be a part of our family.
And once he's born and once you meet him, I mean, none of this is gonna matter.
And Sam, she's gonna be a terrific mother.
I thought your sister was smarter.
To make a mistake like this Sam and I, we have made tonnes of mistakes.
Same with Dad.
And you.
Mom, it's It's not the mistakes that we make that define us, it's how we deal with them.
Erica There's something I wanna tell you.
What? I It's okay, Mom, you can tell me.
Whatever it is.
Mom? Oh, honey, I'm sorry.
I I ruined the brunch.
Mom, what's going on? I need to explain things About something that happened to me a long time ago.
When I was seventeen, I got pregnant I had a baby.
You think you've got it all figured out.
You think you know, you've got a plan, and then Sam's pregnant.
My mom had a baby when she was seventeen.
My boyfriend, he doesn't even know if he wants to have kids.
And nothing in life turns out the way that you think it will.
Nothing ever does.
The more we learn, the less we know.
Keeps us humble, and it keeps us growing and changing, which, in the end, is the whole point.
You know, sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am to be living the life that I'm living.
And then I get to go back in time and hang out with my mom when she was a teenager.
I mean, can we just acknowledge for one moment how awesome that is? I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.
Even if I didn't get to see John Lennon.
Live In concert.
John Lennon.
Maybe next time.
Yeah.
You know, the first day that I met you? It was the worst day of my life.
And then, out of the blue, there you were.
And I didn't expect it, I didn't ask for it, and it scared the hell out of me.
But looking back? It's the best gift that's ever been given to me.
Thank you.
Good night, Erica.
Good night.
Hey, you.
Gah! Oh my God, you scared me.
What're you doing back? You're not supposed to be back till tomorrow night.
I wasn't.
I took a bus back this afternoon.
I was worried about you.
You okay? Wow.
Now I'm better.
Good.
'Cause you sounded like you were about to lose it.
I almost did.
But, Adam, honestly, you didn't have to come back early.
Yeah, I did.
Did you figure everything out with your mom? Not as much as I could.
I couldn't imagine keeping a secret like that for so long.
From us, from my dad.
And to know that she has another child out there, especially after Leo She was pretty traumatized by it.
I know.
I mean, of course she was.
Who wouldn't be? And listen, about earlier I'm sorry for coming down on you so hard.
Erica, I'm not saying I don't wanna have kids.
I'm saying I want them when we're ready.
When it makes sense, okay? Yeah.
Of course.
Hello, is this Amanda? Hi.
It's Tom.
Uh, I'm good actually.
I'm really good.
Barbara? Daniel.
Thank you for changing your mind.
Please, sit.
I'm sorry, I'm staring at you.
No, I'm doing the same.
I wondered if you would look like me and you do.
I mean, I guess I have that backwards; I look like you.
The woman I spoke to told me you have a baby.
Yes.
Little girl.
Oh.
And you? Ah, well, I had three children, but one died.
Oh.
I'm sorry.
No.
Don't be.
My son, Leo.
died 12 years ago, in an accident.
I have two daughters, Erica and Samantha, and Samantha's expecting her first.
We just found out.
Well, congratulations.
Thank you.
I hope that me getting in touch with you, it hasn't upset you.
I wasn't upset with you.
I was upset with myself, and the call forced me to deal with that.
Why were you upset with yourself? Because I gave you away.
You were sixteen.
- Seventeen.
- Yeah.
You did the right thing.
I got great parents.
You do? I had an amazing childhood, I got a wonderful wife and daughter.
I'll show you a picture.
- Look.
- Oh.
Red hair, like Erica.
So that's where that comes from.
Her name's Jada.
Oh.
Pretty name.
The gift that lies waiting for us is growth, is change, is the possibility that something good comes from pain.
And when the crisis hits.
When our world is turned upside down, when we are afraid-- Will we have the strength, the wisdom, to embrace the gift that's there and welcome it with open arms?