What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

General Hospital

I missed the very beginning, but here are the takeaway points. Valentin gave Alexis a ride home, since she couldn’t drive her car, Cameron told Franco about homecoming, and said he needed a tux, Lulu and Elizabeth met for lunch at Kelly’s, and Ava and Nina met for lunch at the MetroCourt. Maxie discovered Brando hadn’t gotten to her car, and said she was going to leave him a bad review, but Sam walked in and diffused the situation. Onward…

Alexis thanks Valentin for the lift. He says he’s happy to help, and she says he’s only happy when something’s in it for him. Doesn’t he have a stolen corporation to run? He says he didn’t steal it. He staged a legitimate takeover. He’s not above self-interest, but that’s not why he’s there. She says she doesn’t care why he’s there. Under other circumstances, she’d be happy to spar with him, but it’s not a good time. Again, she thanks him for unlocking the door, but kindly use it to leave. He says she’s being rude, but he won’t hold it against her after what she’s been through. It’s more than anyone should bear. He heard about Neil, and he’s so, so sorry.

Cameron tells Franco that he and Trina decided they were better off as friends. Franco says, that’s mature, and Cameron says, except he likes her. He likes the times they spend together, just the two of them. He thinks they should try dating for real. Franco says, tell her, and Cameron says he makes it sound easy. Franco says, it’s tortuously difficult, but Cameron and Trina went through a horrible ordeal and came out the other side together; it’s a special bond. Cameron wonders what if he missed the chance, and Franco says, then he did. Trina is a straight shooter. Just tell her how he feels. It will be okay. Cameron says, there’s a catch – Josslyn.

Lulu tells Elizabeth, if it’s any consolation, Peter approved something that might change the public’s perception of Cyrus. Elizabeth says, the sooner, the better, and Lulu says she knows her mother would help with Elizabeth and Franco’s finances, since their hours were cut. Elizabeth knows she would, but for now, they’re managing. Trina comes in, and says hello to them, and Elizabeth says she heard about homecoming. She asks if Trina is excited, and Trina says, definitely, but it’s a lot to plan. She’s going to grab a drink and get started. Trina goes to the counter, and Lulu says, it just hit her. They’re all seniors now. Elizabeth says she knows. It seems like just yesterday she was bringing Cameron home from the hospital, and now they’re talking about colleges. Lulu says she remembers being the annoying little sisters. A lot has changed since then.

Ava tells Nina, she took Avery to Sonny’s cabin while the dealt with Mike. Who should interrupt, but Nikolas. He was trying to catch her in an affair. Nina should have seen him. He was ridiculous; demanding to know which window Franco planned to escape out of. Nina asks, what’s the human part? and Ava says, when Nikolas realized it was just her and Avery, the dad in him came out. He helped Avery catch fireflies, and helped her to search for Avery in the dark. Nina asks if Avery is okay, and Ava says, Avery is fine. It’s her mother who’s hopelessly confused. She and Nikolas were hating each other, and now he’s kind and understanding for no apparent reason. Nina says, wait; back up. Ava and Nikolas had sex?

Sam tells Maxie, yes; she does know Brando, and he hasn’t neglected Maxie’s car. He got jumped. Can’t she tell by his face? Maxie says she sees the bruises, but figured he was greasing an axel and dropped a wrench on himself or something. Sam’s phone rings, and she steps away to take the call. Maxie says she’s sorry about what happened, and asks if Brando is still in pain. He says only when he’s threatened with a bad review. He introduces himself, and Maxie says, Sonny’s relative, who just popped up to save Carly’s life. He says, right place, right time. Sam says she has to take off. She tells them, play nice, and tells Brando, feel better. He thanks her for stopping to check on him. When she’s gone, Maxie says, Sam’s stamp of approval. How’d he get that?

Cameron explains to Franco that he, Josslyn, Trina, and Dev are all going together. Franco says he doesn’t know whether to give Cameron a high five or give him a lecture on respect and honesty. Cameron says they’re going as friends, and Franco says, sounds like fun. Cameron says, it sounds complicated. If he does nothing, he stays in the friendzone. If he says how he feels, he could be rejected and hurt someone’s feelings. Someone he cares about. Franco says he doesn’t know how to tell Cameron who go with, or how to sort it out, but for the tux rental, he’s got Cameron covered.

Lulu tells Elizabeth, she loves Nikolas, but the game he’s playing with Ava isn’t worth the cost to Spencer. He’s staying in this farce of a marriage just to best Ava. It’s driving her nuts. Elizabeth says, her too, but to be fair, Ava and Nikolas are doing it to each other. Lulu says she has to believe Nikolas is better than that, and there’s still some good under all the hurt and pain. She’s seen glimmers of it. Elizabeth has seen it too, right? Elizabeth flashes back to Nikolas kissing her, and says she can think of a few things he’s done, and he’s not better. Nikolas walks into Kelly’s.

Dante asks Dr. Kirk where this is coming from. The doctor came to him, and said they wanted him on a mission where a close friend or family member was involved; that he was uniquely suited for it. Dr. Kirk says, correct, and Dante asks what the problem is. The doctor says they doubt Dante can complete the mission. He’s still a danger to himself and those around him. Dante says, that’s what he told the doctor, and why he turned it down. Then his mother got in there, and he heard her crying. He’s not saving his family by staying there; he’s hurting them worse. He wants to accept the mission, and now they’re taking it away. He asks, who made the decision? Dr. Kirk says, the recommendation is in Dante’s file, and Dante says, he’s the one. Dante does look kind of crazed right now.

Nikolas tells Lulu and Elizabeth that he just came from Sonny and Carly’s; he heard about Mike. Elizabeth says, Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease, and Lulu asks how Spencer is handling it. Nikolas says, he never met Courtney’s father, and now he never will. Elizabeth says, it’s too bad Spencer is in Europe instead of being close to his family, and Nikolas says, if he could take back the past few years… Elizabeth says she has to get to the hospital, and jets. Lulu asks what Nikolas did to upset her, and he says, it’s a long list. What did he walk in on? It sounded like they were in the middle of something important. Lulu says they were. They were talking about him.

Nina says, Ava had sex with her husband? and Ava says she can hardly believe it happened too. Now she’s confused. It was easy to hate Nikolas when he was manipulating and gaslighting her, but last night the bastard reminded her that he’s capable of passion, empathy, and deep humanity. Nina says, that’s awful, and Ava says, it’s terrible. She should have seen him with Avery. He was truly sincerely sad that Sonny’s father had passed away. It’s the first time since they were stuck on Cassadine Island that he’s treated her like a human being. Nina asks, now that she’s rediscovered his humanity, what does it mean for her marriage? Franco walks in.

Alexis thanks Valentin for being so kind. They don’t typically have a cordial relationship. He says she’s been kind to him. She was the only one who didn’t condemn him in the light of Sasha and Nina, and finding out he wasn’t a Cassadine. When he was at rock bottom, she reached out. He’s returning the favor. They might not be siblings, but they can be friends. She wonders if he’s going to give her friendly advice, but he says he’s fresh out, and doubts she would take if offered. But he can sip tea, and she can tell him about Neil. She says she got a notice for Neil’s memorial; it’s happening today. It bothers her that they boil people’s lives down to two sentences. Neil’s was, esteemed colleague and respected psychiatrist. He was a lot more than a professional bio and a tragic opioid statistic. Valentin says, tell him about Neil, and she says, he was a wonderful man, full of contradictions and interests. He loved the opera and vinyl records, and had courage. He saved children from dangerous cults, and he was a father. He sang to his daughter on the anniversary of her death each year for her. So they made a mess of their careers for each other, and were planning a future of hope the night he died. The next morning, that was all gone. He’s gone. Valentin says he’s sorry. Sam walks in, and says Molly texted and said she should check on Alexis. She sees Alexis’s cast, and says, you son of a bitch. What happened? Alexis says Valentin didn’t do it. She did it to herself.

Maxie says, Sam is usually guarded, and Brando flashes back to Sam telling him that if he tries to make trouble for Molly, he’ll be in a world of trouble with her. He says, doesn’t he know it, and Maxie says, it takes a special person to win Sam over. What did he do? He guesses he made the cut, and asks about her car. She says it’s her boyfriend’s car, and he asks what it was doing before it stopped running. She says, sputtering, and not accelerating, like it was losing its grip. It would stall, catch, then loose steam. A light came on, and they looked it up. Brando says, the crankshaft position sensor, and she says, so he is good.

Dante says, Dr. Kirk did this. He got the director to rescind the offer. Dr. Kirk says Dante’s pulse is elevated, and he’s raising his voice. Dante says, no kidding. He moves closer to the doctor, who tells him, stop. Dante says Dr. Kirk told him going would be the right thing. He pounds on the door, and shouts that he was going to go home and rebuild his life. Now that’s being taken away. No way in hell is Dr. Kirk doing that to him.

Brando tells Maxie, he noticed she has two car seats, and she says she has two kids – Georgie, James, and another one on the way. She might as well sell the car and get a minivan. Oh God. Her in a minivan. He says he can see it, and she asks him if he has kids. He starts to say no, but says, yes; one boy. She says, he forgot? and Brando says, he’s a teen, and he didn’t know him in a car seat. She says there’s still time to get to know his son, and time to put a little one in a car seat. Does he want more kids? He says, most women don’t asks that question until the sixth date.

Sam tells Alexis that she’s surprised, and Alexis says osteoporosis surprised her too, but the scan says she definitely has it. Molly was there. She thought Alexis shouldn’t be alone, so she’s sure that’s why Molly texted. Sam says she’s glad Molly did. Who knows when Alexis would have told her about this. Alexis says she needed time alone to process it. Sam asks if that’s why she was having tea with Valentin, and Alexis says Valentin helped her open the door, and he invited himself in. Sam says, if she can’t open… and Alexis says she has a lot on her mind. She’s distracted. She’s been disbarred and lost her license to protect a man who died in her bed of an overdose. She just got a notice about his memorial, and found out on her phone five minutes ago. Meanwhile, she’s klutzing around with one good hand and weak bones. Her position has been diminished in her place too, and now she has to spend extra time getting the damn front door open.

Dr. Kirk tells Dante, step back, and Dante asks if the doctor is afraid of what he might do. After Dr. Kirk offered him hope, he snatched it away from him. Dante walks to the other side of the room, and says he’s not going to do that. Dr. Kirk says that’s what he told his superiors when they insisted on subjecting him to this exercise. They have an audience. He points to a camera, and says his superiors wanted him to assess whether Dante could handle the stress, to make sure he won’t harm any innocents in the course of his mission. Dante says, to make sure they’re not libel in case he snaps. The doctor says he passed the test, but it’s by no means the only metric measure of fitness. Going home won’t be easy. It will be harder than Dante can imagine, but he can still see his family, and let his demons go free.

Cameron asks Trina how she feels about the four of them going as friends. She guesses she feels fine. It’s what they all decided. What’s the problem? Is he having second thoughts?

Lulu says she’d love to believe Nikolas will make the right choice in the end, and not the lucrative one. He says he’s not ready to give up. She asks if he’s close to driving Ava away for good – he flashes back to him and Ava kissing – or is he having second thoughts?

Franco tells Nina and Ava, good morning. They all just look at each other, and he says he was hoping to find Nina. He wants to ask a favor. Cameron needs a tux, and he was hoping she might help him out. Nina tells him to call the office, and they’ll set it up. He says he knew he could count on her. She’s been a good friend, and always has his best intentions at heart. He goes back to the elevator, and Nina says, nice of Franco to say why he came there. She has a feeling it wasn’t about her. Ava says, maybe it’s because they kissed.

Brando tells Maxie, he’s starting a business, and has no time for a social life, but he does have two ladies he’s crazy about – Avery and Donna. He’s enjoying getting to know his family. Maxie asks, what about his son? and Brando says, he’s a great kid. He wouldn’t mind more… someday. She asks, what’s his son’s mom like? Are they still in touch? He says, no. Like he said, he didn’t even know about Dev until a year ago, but they’re forming a strong bond. Dev just came by and asked for help with a girl problem, although he’s the last guy for that. Maxie says she would think a guy like him had vast experience with women.

Sam tells Alexis, calm down. She knows it’s a shock, but osteoporosis isn’t a rare condition; a lot of women have it. Alexis says she knows that intellectually, but when Portia gave her the diagnosis, it was like she’d been run over by a truck. It’s a chronic condition, and doesn’t go away. She has a pamphlet listing treatments that will help manage it. Apparently, she’ll be making lifestyle changes. Sam looks at the pamphlet, and says she’s ahead with cutting back on alcohol. Eating leafy greens and more calcium, Molly has been telling her that for years. Alexis says, keep reading. She has to wear comfortable shoes, and take special care when she exercises to prevent a fall risking her bones. Sam says, life without heels can be daunting, but seriously, talk to her doctor and come up with a plan. Alexis says she thought she wouldn’t have to think about this for years. It’s too much. Valentin says she should make the necessary arrangements for her funeral. Would she like a pine box or a ceramic funerary urn?

Cameron tells Trina, he was thinking about how the decision came to be, and she tells him, just spit it out. He says he was thinking… Josslyn shows up, and says she didn’t think she’d make it. Cameron says he’s sorry to hear about Mike; he was a great guy. He hugs Josslyn, and Trina says, he was. Josslyn thanks them, and says her dad reminded her that Mike would want her to get on with her life. Have they decided anything? Trina says she started a playlist, but Cameron was about tell her something. Cameron says he doesn’t want this to get in the way, in case Trina was thinking about taking someone. Josslyn asks if there’s someone they don’t know about.

Nikolas says, it turns out he and Ava can’t hate each other for an extended period of time. Lulu asks if they’re getting along better, and he says he doesn’t know what happened. He thought the plan was foolproof until Ava overheard her talking about him and Spencer working together. She says he’s welcome, and he says, try not be happy for his failure. She says she’s on his side, and he says he supposes she is. She wonders if he’d be better off if he cut Ava loose and lost his fortune, than torturing her and losing his soul.

Nina says, Ava kissed Franco? and Ava says, it sort of happened. Nina says, like it sort of happened she slept with Nikolas? Was it mutual? Ava says, it seemed that way at the time. Afterwards, it was obvious it was a mistake. Nina says as an outsider looking at Ava’s marriage, it seems like she and Nikolas don’t hate each other as much as they think they do. Maybe a marriage of convenience could become something more, like a real marriage. Ava doesn’t know if last night was a one-time truce, or if Nikolas wants more, or wants anything at all. Nina says, who cares what Nikolas wants? What does Ava want?

Alexis says Valentin couldn’t be any more insensitive, but he’s right. It’s not a tragedy; it’s a setback. He says, it’s a fact of life. She has the option to give up or make adjustments. Sam thinks Valentin should keep his take on women’s health issues to himself, and Alexis says she knows Sam is trying to support her, but she has something to discuss with Valentin that doesn’t concern Sam. She hustles Sam to the door, and Sam says Alexis is making her nervous. Alexis says she knows what she’s doing, and Sam says she hopes so. Alexis promises to call. When Sam is gone, Alexis thanks Valentin. He completely overstepped, but he said what she needed to hear. He says she didn’t want to thank him in front of Sam, but she says she didn’t want Sam to know she wants to borrow his car and driver. He asks where she’s going, and she says, Neil’s memorial. She can’t drive herself, and needs to be there. It might give her insight into who Neil was, and why he did what he did. If she finds that out, she can learn to let go and start living her life.

Dr. Kirk gives Dante some medication, and says he’ll help Dante every step of the way. Dante says, with what? He still doesn’t know what he’s doing. Dr. Kirk gives him some papers, and says, his mission. He walks out, and Dante starts to read.

Brando says Maxie doesn’t hold back, does she? She says, there’s a new single guy in town, and she has single friends. She admits she’s trying to figure him out. He says he’ll call her a car, and she ponders.

Dr. Kirk goes into an office, and says, it’s done. Dante is going home, in spite of his strong misgivings. Dante thinks he’s in control, but he’s dangerously close to the edge, and could snap. The doctor knows he has no choice. If they say it has to happen, it has to happen.

Franco goes to the hospital, and sees Elizabeth. She says, good timing. She was just going to text him. She’d been catching up with Lulu, and saw Nikolas. He says, what a coincidence; he just saw Ava. He thinks they should talk, and Elizabeth agrees. She thinks they need to clear the air.

Trina says there is someone she wants to take, but it would be impossible. Josslyn asks, why? Trina is funny, smart, and popular. There’s no way guys aren’t lining up to ask her out. Trina thanks her, but she meant her dad. If he could be there, they could have one last father/daughter dance, where he’d be smiling and snapping photos, but obviously, that can’t happen. The four of them will just have to have a wonderful night. She suggests they get to it, and stop making it complicated.

Nikolas tells Lulu, his and Ava’s relationship might be dysfunctional, but his soul isn’t at risk. The more time he spends with Ava, the more he finds… Admire is a strong word… respect…? Lulu says, appreciate? and he says he wouldn’t go that far. Ava has a toughness that masks a deep vulnerability. She has a cutting sense of humor, and a maternal side that people wouldn’t guess of her. Lulu says she could be wrong, but it sounds like Nikolas is falling for his wife. Nikolas’s phone dings, and he sees a picture of him kissing Elizabeth. Underneath, it says, I know what you did.

Ava tells Nina, she’s not sure what she wants anymore. Nikolas is clearly a scoundrel. He hid from his family for years, and his gaslighting sent her straight to Shadybrook. Yet…  Nina says, oh my God. Ava is falling for Nikolas. Ava’s phone dings, and she sees a picture of her and Franco kissing. Underneath, it says, I know what you did.

I can’t believe it. At the time someone snapped the photos, I told a friend that I wondered if it was the same person who would try to blackmail both of them, and she said she didn’t think so. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! I was right.

Tomorrow, Scotty says the sky’s the limit, Avery tells Sonny the necklace is hers, and Carly tells Jason she did something he’s not going to like.

The Haves and The Have Nots

Vinny takes the gun from Sandy, and shoots Wyatt. Or so we think. Wyatt slumps to the floor, but he’s not shot. Vinny asks what the hell is wrong with Sandy? Is he a pansy? Sandy says, no, and Vinny says, he can’t shoot somebody? What kind of Malone can’t shoot somebody? Take the gun. Wyatt says his parents have money, but Vinny tells him, shut up, and says, this kid is a wuss. He asks if Sandy wants him to tell Mama Rose that he can’t pull the trigger. Sandy says he can do it; he’ll get better. Vinny says he won’t because he’s a wimp. He tells Sandy, get out of here, and Sandy says he’s not a wimp. Vinny says, the only person afraid of him is that girl of his. If he wants to carry the Malone name, he’d better step up. Mama Rose isn’t running this thing; he is. If Sandy thinks he’s going to put up with this sh*t… Sandy says he knows Vinny won’t. Vinny pats Sandy’s face, gives him the gun, and tells him to get the hell out. Sandy leaves, and Vinny wonders what to do with Wyatt. Wyatt begs, please, whatever Vinny wants, but Vinny asks if he said Wyatt could talk. Wyatt says, sorry, and Vinny says the only reason Wyatt is still alive is because he’s worth a million dollars. That’s what his mother says, but him? He wants Wyatt’s blood.

Vinny tells Wyatt to sit up. He’s not worth a million dollars to Vinny. He wants Wyatt dead. Vinny points to his neck, and says, Wyatt did this. Wyatt says, sorry, man, and Vinny asks if he said Wyatt could talk. WTF is wrong with him? What happened that he’s in this strung out position? Does he ever trade sex for a fix? Wyatt says, no, but Vinny bets he has. Look at those lips. His mom and dad gave him everything. If Vinny had his life, he could have been President. He asks what happened to Wyatt’s wrists? and Wyatt says he cut them. Vinny asks if he’s talking about trying to kill himself, but Wyatt says he was trying to get out of jail. Vinny says, he was in jail? This story gets better and better. Wyatt says he was trying to get out and get to a hospital to get pain meds, but he found another way out. Vinny asks if he made bail, but Wyatt says he escaped. Vinny asks what Wyatt was in jail for, and Wyatt says he shot his parents. Vinny says, man, you ungrateful piece of crap. He should do everyone a favor and kill Wyatt. The hell with the million. It’s what Mama Rose wants. Wyatt’s mother got fresh with his mother, and now she wants a million. He thought his family was bad, but Wyatt’s family sucks. Wyatt stats to cry, and Vinny asks if he looks like a therapist. Don’t cry.

On the phone, Benny says he’ll come by someone’s office. Candace comes in from the bathroom, and Benny says they want $18 for a water, and the phone is $2 a minute. She says, thank God he has his cell. He says the realtor sounds hot, and she tells him, don’t be a douche. She asks if he’s meeting with her, and he says he is. She asks what his price range is, and he says she knows him. She tells him, get something nice, and he asks if she wants to come meet with the realtor. She says she’s not feeling well. She thinks she ate something bad. He says, the $45 hamburger. She tells him to send pictures, and he leaves. Candace calls Mitch, who asks, what’s going on? She asks if he can come over, and gives him her room number.

At Charles’s house, Conley has a drink. Landon comes in, and Conley asks if he’s not Charles’s Press Secretary. He’s been watching, and thinks Landon is doing a good job. He’s also been watching Landon and him; he takes good care of him. Landon says, he’s an important man. Conley says, he is, but the attention Landon gives him is more personal. Landon says it’s his job, but Conley says he goes above and beyond. He tells Landon, don’t apologize; it’s a good thing. He needs looking after. Landon thanks him, and says he thinks so too. Conley says, so tell him about Candace Young. Landon says, well… and Conley says he knows Charles loves her. He knows Landon’s been doing clean-up with the press, and it’s going well. He thinks Charles should reach out to her. Landon says, well… and Conley says, do him a favor. Stop saying well. Charles told him that Landon knows Candace. Landon says he does, and Conley says, and…? Landon says, well… and Conley tells him, stop. Landon says he’s not comfortable talking about this. Conley says, then he won’t press it. So does Landon think Charles should reach out? Just answer the question, boy. Landon says he thinks if Charles wanted to, he would. Conley says, no; he wouldn’t. Conley suggests he reach out, but Landon says, that’s not a good idea, and Conley says, he knows this? Conley has known Charles since Charles was his student years ago. Landon says, he’s not a college kid; he’s President Elect. Charles has got to consider that in his decisions. Conley says he’s right. Charles should keep him around. He’s smart. Landon thanks him, and jets.

Veronica knocks on the window to get Samuel’s attention. He comes in, and she asks if she can talk to him. He says he’s a little sweaty, but she says she likes sweaty. He asks, what’s up? and she says she’s having a hard time reaching a cake plate. She asks if he can get for her, and he takes it down. She says he’s very handsome… and tall. She’s sure his wife appreciates it. He says she does, and Veronica asks if he’s happily married. He says, yes, and she laughs. He asks, what’s funny? and she says she laughs when men say they’re happily married. She knows they’re lying. He says he loves Laura very much; he adores her. Veronica asks if he’s cheated, but he says, no. She says he’s lying, but he says he hasn’t. Call Laura; she’ll tell her. She says, Laura went to the store, and why would she know? Maybe he’s just that good. He says he’s never cheated, and she says, there are a lot of unlucky women out there. He’s man enough to go around. He thanks her, and asks if he can go back to cleaning the pool. She asks if that’s all he wants; just to be a pool boy. He says he told her that he’s a contractor, and she asks if he doesn’t want to be rich. Doesn’t he want all this? He says, it’s nice, but he’s happy with his life. She says, nobody is happy with their life. He says she’s hanging around with the wrong people. She asks if he’s sure he doesn’t want to take a load off; have a drink. He says he doesn’t drink. She asks if he’s in recovery, and he says it’s not his thing. He’s not into it. He thanks her, and goes back to work. She says she’ll have him drinking, cheating, cussing, and in her bed in no time. She could use a man like him. Kind of dumb, but pretty. He doesn’t have to talk.

Candace let’s Mitch in, and thanks him for coming. He says, she calls, he comes, and asks, what’s going on? She says, Benny. What did Mitch say to him? Mitch says he told Benny that he had the wrong guy and had bogus information. Why? She says, Benny is acting strange. He’s too calm. It’s as if they’d never talked about Derrick being a rapist. Benny is up to something. Mitch says, with Derrick? and she says, yeah. Mitch guesses Benny fell for it, but Candace isn’t sure, and asks Mitch to keep an eye on him. He says she could have asked on the phone, and she says she just wanted company. Not like that. He ask if she’s okay, and she says she’s just trying to clear her mind. Mitch says, of what? and she says, of him. He says, Mr. President? and she says, yeah, but she doesn’t want to talk about him. Mitch says, sometimes it’s good to talk about things like this, but she says she can’t. He asks, why not? and she shakes her head. He says, oh man. The last time he saw that face was when they broke up. He thinks she loves Charles, but she says, no. What does it matter? He says, it matters a lot, and she says Charles treated her like sh*t, so there’s that. He asks what Charles did exactly, and she says, before or after he had her escorted out of his house, and put her in the car trunk? Mitch says, not cool. Sorry about that. He knows her, so talk to him. She says she’s still in love with Charles. He had her believe everything they went through was over, and he also had her believe they’d be together through thick and thin, but when the thick started to happen… Mitch says he gets it, but she’s got to understand, he’s the President Elect. A guy in that position’s got a choice to make. She says, he didn’t have to lie, and Mitch says, he made a choice. She says she wanted to be that choice, and he says he’s sorry. She says she believed him, and believed her dream had come true. The truth is, she’s done so much sh*t in her life, no matter how far she runs away and thinks it’s behind her, it will always hunt her down. He says she’s a strong woman. She’ll always have that, and she’ll be fine. Take the money she’s got and start over. But don’t be surprised if Mr. President shows his face again. She says, that’s what Landon said, and Mitch says, maybe he’s right. She says she doesn’t think so, but you never know. Mitch looks at the bottles on the table, and says they have drinks sitting there; he might as well have one. I say, that’s probably $80. He asks if she wants one, but she says, no. He says he’ll make himself a double. She tells him, don’t drink too much, and he says, okay, mom. He tells her, she’s beautiful, and she’ll be fine. He’ll check on Benny. He downs his drink, and she thanks him. He thanks her for the drink, kisses her cheek, and leaves.

A guy walks into Madison’s apartment, and starts taking off his clothes. Jeffrey comes out of the bathroom in a towel, and the guy says he was just about to join him. He realizes it’s not Madison, and says, sorry. Jeffrey asks who he is, and he says, Colby. Who’s he? Jeffrey says, a friend of Madison’s. Colby says he’s embarrassed, and Jeffrey says, obviously he knows Madison pretty well to walk in and get naked. Colby apologizes, and says he knows where Madison leaves the key. He asks if Jeffrey is dating Madison, but Jeffrey says, no. Colby says, then he’s like an escort? and Jeffrey says, no. Colby says Jeffrey looks like a guy he knows who’s a stripper; Leo. Jeffrey says he’s not him, and Colby says, okay, sorry. He’s just going to go. Jeffrey says he was just leaving, and asks how Colby knows Madison. Colby says, he’s a friend, and Jeffrey asks, what kind? Colby says, his ex, and Jeffrey asks how long he and Madison were together. Colby says, about a year, and Jeffrey asks, what happened? Colby says they both decided it was best if they went in different directions. Jeffrey says, but he’s still coming over for sex? and Colby says, sometimes. He’s said too much. He asks again if Jeffrey and Madison are dating, and Jeffrey says he asked already; no. Colby says, so it’s just hook-up sex. Jeffrey asks Colby to please finish putting on his clothes, and Colby asks if he’s turning Jeffrey on. Jeffrey tells him, put his clothes on, and Colby says, can Jeffrey? Jeffrey says he’s got to get going, and Colby asks, why the rush? Jeffrey says he has a lunch date – with Madison. Colby asks if Jeffrey is thinking what he’s thinking. They can both say hi together. Jeffrey says he’d love that. Colby asks if Jeffrey wants to ride with him; he has a nice bike. Jeffrey declines, and Colby says he’ll go with Jeffrey then. He asks Jeffrey to drop his towel. He wants to see what Jeffrey is hiding; his ass is out of this world. Jeffrey says Colby’s is too, and Colby says, squats… and lots of sex. Jeffrey says he’ll get changed, and Colby asks if he needs help. Jeffrey says he’s good, and Colby says he has skin like honey. Jeffrey says he’s heard that before, and Colby asks if he’s sure he’s not Leo.

Jim asks what David found out, but David says he wasn’t able to get any information from the police; they need to talk to Jim. Jim says, dammit, and David gives him a note, saying, it’s the password. Jim thanks him, and David calls the tracking company. He says he has Jim on the line, and Jim takes the phone. He says he has the password, but then looks at David, and says, this can’t be right. David says it is, Jim tells the tracking rep, thank you Jesus, and they laugh. Jim says he needs to know where the car is. They have his phone on file; ping it. Almost immediately, he gets an update, and tells David, it’s at 2343 Western. David says, that’s the Malone place, but Jim says, Wyatt’s not that stupid. David insists it’s the Iron Bone, and Jim says he needs to get out. He tries to sit up, and says he needs to find his son. David says Jim can’t run after Wyatt; he was just shot. Jim says David ran after Veronica after she tried to burn him, but David says, he’ll handle it. Jim agrees, and thanks him. He tries to call Mama Rose, and says, the phone’s been disconnected. She’s had the same number for 30 years. David says he’ll go over there. Stay calm. He’ll call with an update.

Tanner asks, what makes Justin do that? Justin says, what? and Tanner says, with other men. Justin says he doesn’t know, and Tanner says, no brother of his is a queer. Justin says he’s not queer, and Tanner says, gay then. Justin says he’s not gay, and Tanner says that’s not what he heard; Justin is gay and disgusting. Justin says he’s sorry for disappointing Tanner. He doesn’t know how he got like this. Tanner says he told Justin to stop playing with his cousins, and playing with pom-poms. Justin says he was six years old, and Tanner asks if he’s defending what he did. Justin says he’s just saying, and Tanner says he told Justin what it was to be a man, didn’t he? Does Justin know how bad it looks on him? Justin says it has nothing to do with Tanner, but Tanner says, it has everything to do with him. Their dad died, and he was the man of the house, and Justin wanted to act like a little girl, a p*ssy. He toughened Justin up. Remember what he did? Justin enjoyed it. Justin says he didn’t. She was fifteen and he was six. Tanner asks what’s wrong with Justin? He was fifteen too. Justin says he was six the first time he was with a girl; it’s not the same. Tanner says he’s going to fix this thing. Justin can’t be this, understand? It’s killing him and their mom and Justin’s wife. He told them that he’d talk to Justin, and he’d get himself together, understand? Justin says, yeah, and Tanner says he loves Justin. Wow. He has a funny way of showing it.

David walks into the Iron Bone, and approaches Sandy at the bar. He says he’s there to see… and Sandy says, nobody; they’re closed. David asks if Sandy knows who he is, but Sandy says he doesn’t care; they’re closed. David asks where Mama Rose is, and Sandy asks if David didn’t hear what he said. They’re not open. David says there’s a car outside that belongs to Wyatt Cryer, and he needs to find him. Has he been there? Sandy asks if David is hard of hearing, and tells the bouncers to take David out. David says, okay, and the bouncers steer him to the door. Sandy says, don’t come back. Vinny walks in while he’s on the phone. He asks someone if they’re sure about it, and thanks them. He sits down and looks at Sandy. Sandy says, sorry, Uncle Vin, and Vinny asks what he’s sorry about. Sandy says he’ll get better, and Vinny says, yes, he will. Sandy promises, and Vinny says, Mama Rose is retiring, and Mitch doesn’t want to be in the family business. He’s all that’s left, and he’ll be damned if he’ll let the Jews and Blacks take over. Sandy’s got no kids; he has five. Sandy and Mitch have nothing, and family is everything. Sandy had better start. Sandy says, he’s on it, and Vinny says Sandy said that about the girl who just had an abortion. Sandy says he didn’t know she was doing it, and Vinny says, there are a lot of things he doesn’t know. Vinny pats Sandy on the back, and says, got to get better, kid.

Hanna looks at paperwork at the Cryers, and rubs her forehead. There’s a knock at the door, and Marty comes in. He asks how she’s doing. He heard there was a break in, and she says, at least they got the door fixed. He asks if anything was taken, and she says a lot of Kathryn’s jewelry. He asks if they know who did it, and she says, Wyatt. He says, Wyatt is in jail, but Hanna says, it was him. Marty says he met with the accountant, and he wants to go over some stuff. He asks if they can set up a time. How about tonight? She agrees, and he asks if she’s starting to get the hang of this, but she says, it’s a lot of information. He tells her, don’t try to do it all at once. It takes people years to learn. She says she doesn’t have years; she was thrown into this position. He tells her, have faith, and she thanks him.

Kendrick (yep, misheard his name last week, and again wish they would all wear nametags) gives Kathryn some food wrapped in tin foil. She says, clearly, they don’t want her going to the cafeteria, and asks if he has any word on her son. Kendrick tells her, the hospital said he’s okay. She says, thank God, but he says, there’s been another problem. She says she thought everything was okay, and Kendrick says, he escaped. Apparently, he got out of his cuffs, and walked straight out. There was a break-in at her place, and it was him. He’s sorry. Kathryn asks if she can make a phone call, but he says, sorry, but they said she can’t. He needs his job. His wife just had a child, and he just started. She asks if he can make a call for her, but he says he doesn’t want to lose his job. She asks how much they’re paying him, and he says, fifty. She says, a year? How is he supposed to survive on that? He says he lives a modest life, and she says she can get him anything he needs if he’ll just help her. He says he doesn’t need anything, but she says she’ll get him money; just make a phone call for her. He says, okay, but he’ll come back after his shift change; his boss there. He’s not supposed to be talking to her. He jets, and a man walks over to Kathryn’s cell. He says he’s Chief Shepherd, and she says, finally, someone in charge. She needs to talk to him about the conditions in there. He says she’s not at a hotel, and she says she knows, but she’s been sleeping on a bench every night. He says she’s in jail, and she’s there for her own safety. She asks what he means, and he asks if she’d like to go to prison. She says, no, but she’d like to sleep on something other than a bench. He says, it’s as nice as it’s going to get. He needs to go look into an officer who was shot on duty. She says she needs him to look into something more comfortable. He says as soon as she looks into that million dollars. She asks what he’s talking about, and he says, he was told someone asked her for a million dollars for her son, and she refused. Kathryn says, so he’s working for her. He says he doesn’t know what she means, and she says he’s on her payroll. Tell that bitch she’s never paying any money. He says, what if he told her that her son was with them? She says she’d tell him that he’s lying. He asks if she wants to take that chance, and she says she’s not paying a dime. He doesn’t scare her, and she will get even. He says he doesn’t know what she means. He’ll try to make her more comfortable. He walks down the hallway, and makes a phone call. He says, she said no, and hangs up.

The realtor is on the phone in her office, and says, please stop; she has to work. Benny comes in, and she tells him that she pulled the listing. He asks if she’s okay; she looks like she’s been crying. She says, allergies, and gives him a folder to look at. She leaves, and his phone rings. He says, yo, and Veronica asks if that’s any way to talk. He asks what she wants, and she says he asked for information on Derrick, and he says he already got it. She says, then he doesn’t want it, and he says, just tell him. She says Derrick was in jail in Savannah. She thinks it’s his guy. He said he wanted to know about the guy who raped his mom. He asks how she knows, and she says she’s Veronica. She knows these things. He asks for the address, saying he’s going to kill Derrick, and she hangs up.

Next time – October 6^th – retribution is coming; Veronica tells Benny that Derrick has a record as long as his penis; Kathryn says she might be in jail, but she’s still Kathryn Cryer; Veronica tells Samuel that she loves covered in sweat; Benny asks Mitch why he lied; and Benny finds Derrick.

🌅 The Sun Also Rises…

But maybe I can get to bed before it does. Meet me for some tea tomorrow, but in the meantime, stay safe, stay high-spirited, and stay eating your leafy greens.