Tag Archives: Sonja Eddy

March 30, 2023 – The Llama Is Running Late, In Addition, Extra Info, Another, His Status, Emo Reunion, Salty Talk, VanderGossip, Reaction, Pets (!) & Like Us

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Dex tells Sonny, the security sweep is complete, and Sonny walks out on the pier. He thanks Dex, and says he needs competent people around him during these times. Dex says, hopefully they’ll find out who’s targeting Sonny, and Sonny says, they will. Nobody’s interfering with the Pikeman deal. Dex asks if Sonny thinks she’ll deliver, but Sonny shrugs. Selina walks out with Li, and asks if Sonny hasn’t told his people, she always brings the goods.

Josslyn and Trina practice a dance for the Nurses Ball, and Josslyn suggests they go again. Trina says, they’ve done it five times, but Josslyn says, practice can’t hurt. Trina says she’s going to pass out from dehydration, and Josslyn says, five minutes. They get some water, when Maxie walks in, arguing with someone on the phone, and asks what they’re doing here. Josslyn says, they’re practicing their performance, and Maxie says, the show is tonight, and they still need to practice? This Nurses Ball is going to hell in a handbasket.

Violet and Finn are with Elizabeth in her kitchen when the doorbell rings. Elizabeth answers, and Laura says she’s, sorry she’s late, but Elizabeth says she’s right on time, and they hug. Aiden and Jake run in, and Jake says, Cam’s coming. They all line up, and Cameron comes downstairs, asking if he heard the doorbell. They shout, surprise! and he asks, what’s going on? He thought just the four of them were having breakfast. Laura says, he didn’t think they’d let him leave for California without a proper send-off, did he? and he says he feels like the luckiest guy right now.

Esme comes into the hospital carrying Ace, with Spencer following. She tells the reception nurse that she called ahead, and the nurse asks who her pediatrician is. Esme says, they don’t have a regular one; she gave birth outside the hospital. She asks if Portia is here, but the nurse says, she’s not available, and gives Esme some forms to fill out. Esme says, please. Her son is sick and needs to be seen right away. Spencer takes the clip board and thanks the nurse. Spencer tells Esme, yelling at the nurse isn’t going to do Ace any favors, but Esme says she doesn’t care. Ace needs medical attention, and she’ll fight for him, no matter what. Spencer tells her not to fight with the wrong person. She needs to fill out these forms. She asks what he’s even doing here. She didn’t want him here, so if he’s not on her side, he can leave now. He says, this isn’t about her or sides. This is about Ace, and he’s not leaving her alone with his baby brother.

Anna loads her gun, and Valentin asks if there’s something he should know. She says she’s just making sure she’s prepped; the situation is deteriorating. He says, something happened to make Eileen bolt. Now Victor’s after her, and will more than likely find her. Anna says, she can’t outrun Victor. She knows too much; enough to bring this whole thing crashing down. There’s a knock at the door, and they both ready their guns, Valentin ducking down behind the sofa. Anna flings open the door, and aims her gun.

Maxie asks if Josslyn and Trina knew there was a 10% chance of rain tonight. Water stains silk. Rain deflates hair. And what if the ground gets slippery? One slip or fall, it will be all over social media. Five or six are a catastrophe. Trina says, 10%’s not much, and Maxie says, and the llama has the nerve to be running late. Now they’re telling her that they’re also not ready? Josslyn says, they’re doing just fine. They were just doing a few run throughs and adding some finishing touches. Trina says, they’re beyond ready, and Maxie says, that’s great, but they’ll need to leave when the Wands get here; it’s a closed set. Josslyn says, got it, and Maxie leaves, already arguing with someone else on the phone. Trina says, six-minute break? and Josslyn says, fine. The Nurses Ball is about having fun after all. Trina says, that’s her plan. She’s all about fun tonight. Josslyn says, with Spencer?

Spencer says, Esme wouldn’t happen to remember Ace’s weight when he was born, and she says she does, snatching the clipboard from him. She says, and his length, and his Apgar score from when they first got to the hospital. Ace is sick, and if filling out this stupid form will get him seen, that’s all she cares about. If he wants to make himself useful, why doesn’t he fill out this part where they ask for payment. She tells Ace, it’s okay, and Spencer says, grandmother doesn’t seem to think that it’s anything serious, but Esme says, mommy knows it’s not right. He asks how long she’s going to keep up this angelic mother act, and she tells him to get over himself. She’s sick of trying to prove she’s not the person she used to be. She needs to be a good mother to Ace. He’s what matters, not Spencer. Spencer says, it seems she lost her memory, but not her personality. She’s not going to be able to hide behind Ace forever.

Cameron thanks everyone, and asks Aiden if those are banana chocolate chip muffins. Aiden – suddenly having made an age jump – bye, little dude! – says, his best batch yet. He hopes Cameron likes them. Violet says she made the toast, and Cameron says, fantastic. He loves toast. She says, it’s the only thing her daddy would let her make, and Finn says, she can move on to things that involve a flame when she’s a little older. Aiden says he could teach her some simple dishes, and Elizabeth tells Violet to take him up on that, since she hates Finn’s spaghetti. Cameron says, it’s so very cool of everyone. He doesn’t know what to say. Jake suggests, let’s eat, and Laura agrees they eat while it’s still warm. Elizabeth says she’ll get the orange juice, and heads for the kitchen. Laura motions that Finn should follow her. He asks if there’s anything Elizabeth needs, and she says she doesn’t want to bring down the mood. It’s been an intense two days. Finn says he’s here; whatever she needs. She says, just the strength to say goodbye to her firstborn, and she smiles at Cameron.

Felicia meets Ava at Charlie’s, and asks how she’s holding up. Ava says she’s hanging in there. A lot has come to light, hasn’t it? She wasn’t entirely surprised Esme turned out to be Ryan and Heather’s daughter. That girl is just as twisted as they are. But finding out Ryan was colluding with Esme to destroy her life shook her up a little bit. Felicia says, fortunately, they never have to deal with Ryan again, and Ava says, thanks to Felicia’s husband. That Esme though, she has yet to pay.

Anna lets Drew in, and he says, Felicia told him how to get here. He wasn’t followed, and took every precaution. Valentin asks, what’s happened? and Drew says, Victor disappeared. I get confused since I was expecting him to say Eileen disappeared.

Sonny asks if Selina found out anything about the contractor who tried to kill him, and she says, as she suspected, no one in her organization frequents The Highsider, nor did anyone recognize the gunman. However, she sent Li to make inquiries with the staff at The Highsider. He had a very interesting conversation with the bartender. Sonny asks if she got an ID on the shooter or not.

Everyone is talking and laughing at Elizabeth’s house, and Laura helps with the dishes. Elizabeth says she knew this was going to be hard, but it just got real all of a sudden, and Laura says she wishes she had some magical words to make Elizabeth feel better. It’s hard sending your kids out into the world. And Cam’s her first, so it’s a particular kind of pain. Elizabeth says, she’s happy for him, and proud, but she feels like a part of her is missing, and he’s not even gone yet. Laura says, that’s the sad part, but remember, there’s wonderment and joy in watching your children forge their own paths, become adults, and live full lives. Trust her, it’s a blessing, and Elizabeth will always be his mother. Elizabeth watches everyone in the other room.

Esme tells Ace, good job. He gained two pounds and grew almost an inch. That’s good, right? The nurse says, right on target, and tells Esme that the doctor will be with her shortly. She leaves, and Spencer says, the nurse seems to think he’s okay, and Esme says, they both have their reasons for not trusting each other, but it’s all in the past. He says, is it? and she says, can it be? Ace is her present and future, and whether she likes it or not, Spencer’s his brother. He says, what she did to him and his friends isn’t something he can easily forgive, and she asks if he can try. She’d hate to see him missing out on Ace because of it. He asks if that’s a threat, but she says, no. It’s just not good for Ace if they’re fighting all of the time, and the longer Spencer keeps seeing her as her old self, the more damage it’s going to do to him. He says he guesses he doesn’t see it like that, when Austin walks in. He says, I know you, and Esme says she knows him too. He’s the man her mother tried to kill the night her son was born.

Trina says, she and Spencer will see each other at the Ball, but they’re not going together, and Josslyn asks, what’s going on with them? The last time, she heard they’d kissed. Did something happen? Trina says, no, they’re fine. They’re definitely more than friends. It’s just… complicated. Josslyn says, that’s Spencer, he’s complicated, but Trina says, it’s not just him. She feels like they’re some kind of cosmic joke. Just when she thought, finally, they’re lives blew up. The night they kissed, she just found out her mother lied to her about her father. Then Ryan Chamberlain and Heather Webber showed up on Spoon Island, nearly killing Ava. Esme had her baby, and now Esme and her baby are living with Spencer in his grandmother’s apartment. Josslyn says, because of the baby, and Trina says she totally understands Spencer wants to be close to his baby brother, but it just feels weird that he, Esme, and the baby are living together like some sort of pseudo family. She really wants to be with Spencer, but now it feels like she should take it slow. Josslyn says, slow sounds like the right idea, but Trina says, it doesn’t feel that way. But what about Josslyn. It’s been months since she broke up with Cam, and now he’s leaving for California. Is she ready to get back out there?

Selina says, the bartender recognized the gunman, and Sonny asks if she got a name. She says, unfortunately, no. The bartender said the gunman came in only once and paid in cash, but he recalled the man was staying at a nearby hotel. So she sent her men to search the establishment. The shooter’s belongings were relegated to storage – Li tosses a duffle bag down – when he didn’t return. They were able to acquire them. Sonny says he appreciates that, and she says she hopes it restores his faith in her. Please let her know if she can be a further assistance. She leaves with Li, and Sonny says, looks like they found the guy. Now they have to find out who hired him.

Anna asks when Victor disappeared, and Drew says, within the last few hours. Ever since Robert broke into Victor’s hotel room, they’ve had the MetroCourt under surveillance, and he hasn’t returned. Drew even decided to search Victor’s room himself, in case somehow he slipped by them. Valentin asks how he did that, and Drew says, he asked Olivia for assistance. Both Valentin and Anna protest, but he says, time was his main concern. He knew Olivia wasn’t going to ask any questions, and it doesn’t matter anyway, because she said Victor checked out. He can tell them, Victor didn’t do it personally. Valentin says, this can only mean one thing, and Anna says, Victor’s on to us.

Josslyn says, it’s been months? Feels more like minutes. But Trina says, no fair. Josslyn doesn’t get to grill her on her love life, and she gets nothing back. Josslyn says she’s been swamped with classes, and has no time for dating, and Trina asks if she’s sure it’s a time thing. Break-ups are hard, but Josslyn can’t let it paralyze her. She’s got to get herself back out there. Hey, she knows Nolan. Josslyn says, water polo Nolan? What about him? Trina says, he’s in her Renaissance Art class, and they’re pretty cool. Maybe she could set them up. Josslyn says, thanks, but no, and Trina says, he’s one of the hottest guys on campus. Can’t she even have coffee with him? Josslyn asks what they’d talk about, and Trina says, they’re jocks. They could swap stories of the thrill of victory or something. Josslyn says they need to get back to rehearsing, but Trina says, they do not need to practice. Is Josslyn not interested in Nolan because she’s seeing someone?

Cameron says, Scotty is still stuck in court, and Laura says, that’s too bad. She knows he wanted to be here. Cameron says, Scotty told him that he’s due a visit on the west coast so… Laura says, he means it. Cameron is very important to him. Cameron says he feels very grateful having her and Scotty as his grandparents, and she tells him that she knows she speaks for both of them when she says, it’s been a privilege to watch him grow into the fine young man he’s become. He says he owes a lot of it to her. She’s always supported him, whether things were great or terrible. He thanks her, and she says she loves him so much. Her heart is bursting with pride right now. She hugs him, and says she can’t wait to see what he’s going to do next. It’s gonna be great.

Felicia asks if Ava is planning on making Esme pay, but Ava says, don’t worry about that. She’ll leave it to the authorities. Although she wasn’t happy to hear that Felicia’s brother-in-law isn’t going to prosecute her. Felicia says, timing is everything, and Ava says, what about all those months Esme terrorized her? She made Ava fear for her daughter’s life; she destroyed Ava’s marriage. She’s not excusing Nikolas’s actions, but they were building a life together before Esme showed up. And to find out she manipulated the whole situation… She’s just as rotten as her father, may he rot in hell. Now all she has left is that big old drafty castle. Felicia says, she’s not completely alone, and Ava says she has Avery, but not all the time. Felecia says, what about Austin? and Ava says, what about him? Felicia says, he was there the night Ryan and Heather made their appearance. Wasn’t he also there when Dante and the police were searching for Nikolas? Ava flashes back to telling Austin that she’s sure Nikolas was dead, and Austin asking, then where is he? Felicia says, he seems to be with Ava a lot.

Esme says, Austin has to believe her. She didn’t know that woman was her mother. Please don’t take Heather’s actions out on her son. Ace is innocent. Austin says, that’s his name, Ace? He loves that. (Me too!) She says, he’s not mad? and he asks why he’d be mad. Hhe certainly wouldn’t be mad at her or Ace. He’s Dr. Gatlin-Holt. She says she’s Esme Prince, and he says, nice to meet her under better circumstances. He addresses Spencer, and asks, what’s going on with Baby Ace? Esme says, he’s been fussier than usual. Crying when he’s not hungry and doesn’t need changing. She kept track of the episodes, and also noticed he’s been flushing. She has some pictures… He says he wishes all his first-time moms were this organized, and she smiles.

Dex asks if Sonny wants him to examine the contents, but Sonny says, no. They’ll look through it at the office. He’s going to have Frank bring the car around. As they walk past the water, Dex says, there’s a body in the water, takes off his jacket and shoes, and jumps in.

Valentin says, Victor suspects Laura and Robert are working together, because Laura told him the other day that Victor accused her of making a move against him. Anna says, if Victor already realized the necklace is fake, he’ll assume Robert knew, gave it to Eileen to hand off to him. Drew asks if Eileen would give them up, and Valentin says, if Victor pressured her, in a heartbeat. Anna says, she was just supposed to go in, give him the necklace, then get out. But she decided to take it on herself to make a play for the decryption key. Then something happened. Something spooked her enough to make her get out of town. Drew says, Eileen Ashby is definitely gone, but she did not leave on her own.

Dex places Eileen’s body on the dock, and Sonny says, of all the bodies he could fish out of the harbor. Dex says, he knows her? and Sonny says, yeah. She’s the Deputy Mayor.

Trina says, Josslyn is seeing someone, isn’t she? Don’t lie. Josslyn says she doesn’t want to lie to Trina. Yes, she is. Trina says, that’s great. How long has this been going on? Josslyn says, a few months, and Trina says, so not long after she broke up with Cam. Is that why Josslyn didn’t tell her? Did Josslyn think she’d judge her for it? Josslyn says, no, and Trina says, because she’d never. Josslyn told her last fall that she was starting to feel distance between her and Cam. Josslyn says she didn’t want Trina in the middle. Cam is her friend too, and Spencer definitely felt a way about her breaking up with him. Trina says, that’s on Spencer though. Of course (🍷) she felt bad for Cam. He was hurting, and he’s a great guy, but things worked out. Cam is going to play soccer at Stanford. He’s starting this major new phase in his life, and even if he wasn’t, Joss is her girl. She wants the best for both of them. They hug, and Trina asks if it’s someone she knows. Josslyn says, not really, and Trina asks if she has a picture. Josslyn says she’s really sorry, but she can’t tell Trina who it is right now. There could be really serious consequences if it became public knowledge.

Elizabeth thanks Finn for coming, and bringing Violet. He says, she loves her cousins. He’s glad they could stay a part of each other’s lives. She says, it’s the connections you make that matter the most. That’s what Epiphany used to say. Finn tells her that what she said at the memorial was really beautiful, and she says, as devastated as she is, one burden has been lifted. She found out Epiphany did write a letter to the Ethics Committee, and intended to deliver it herself. Finn says, Epiphany stuck by her, and Elizabeth says, thinking she had disappointed Epiphany was a weight on her; thinking she’d let down her mentor and friend. She’s incredibly grateful that wasn’t the case.

Aiden, Jake, and Violet come downstairs, and Violet tells Cameron that they got him something. Jake, now. Jake holds up a drawing of the four of them, with symbols of Cameron’s life, like a guitar and a soccer ball, pasted on it. Jake says he did the drawing; Aiden and Violet pasted on the cutouts. Violet says, so Cameron can take them with him to California. Does he like it? Cameron says he’s not sure like is the word to use here… He loves it. Violet runs to him and hugs him, and he says, thank you so much.

Esme asks Austin to just tell her what’s wrong, and he says, nothing’s wrong at all. Ace is a totally healthy baby. What we have here is a classic case of cholic. She says she’s read about that. Is Ace in pain? Austin says, he’s got gas, so probably more uncomfortable than in pain, and he’s just crying because he can’t tell her since he can’t talk yet. So he’s sending Esme home with some soothing techniques and samples of formula that might be easier on Ace’s stomach. He’s going to start Ace on a probiotic if a change in diet doesn’t help. Esme asks if that’s safe for babies, and he says, absolutely. Ace is fine. Whatever she’s doing, just keep doing it. She’s doing a great job. He says he’ll be back, and leaves. Esme asks if Ace heard that, and Spencer says, they’re going to get him fixed up, as he rubs Ace’s back.

Ava tells Felicia that she and Austin do have something significant in common. Nothing forges a bond like being victims of the same lunatic. Felicia says she hopes they have some peace of mind now that Heather’s locked up, and Ava says she’ll have peace once Esme’s dealt with. She has to run, and tells Felicia, it’s been a pleasure. Felicia asks if she’ll see Ava at the Nurses Ball later, and Ava says she wouldn’t miss it. Something big always happens at the Nurses Ball.

Drew says he went to Eileen’s apartment after Victor went missing. He wanted to question her, since she may have been the last person to see him. There were no signs that she made any preparations to run, with or without Victor. Valentin says, quick escapes don’t leave a lot of time to collect belongings, but Drew says, pet owners never leave their dog without making some provisions. Anna says she didn’t know Eileen had a dog, and Drew says, a very hungry, very thirsty dog that was barking before he even walked up to the door. This dog had not been cared for in some time. He took him to the Qs; the dog’s doing fine. I’m glad he says this, since I was already fretting about a fictitious dog. Drew says, the point is, she loved him. He was well-groomed, he had beds and treats, the whole thing, and toys. There’s no way she would abandon him willingly. Anna says, she’s not cold-blooded. He’s right. Eileen left under duress. Something really bad happened after she hung up that phone.

An officer puts a blanket over Eileen’s dead face, and Jordan says, imagine her surprise when she heard Sonny was the one who reported this. (Ha-ha! Yeah, right?) Sonny says, imagine how surprised he was when he came across her, and Jordan says, talk to her. How is he involved in this? He says he was just taking a walk, he saw something in the water, and it was the deputy mayor. Jordan says, he was casually taking a stroll, alone, on the docks, and a body just happened to wash up right by him? That is some timing. He says he told her everything that happened. If she wants to take it further, he has to call Diane, and then it’s going to be a waste of everybody’s time. He doesn’t think she wants to do that. Laura walks up, and says she came as soon as she heard. Is it true? Is that Eileen? Jordan says she’s sorry, when her phone rings. She steps away, and Laura says, oh, Eileen, as she looks at Eileen’s bare feet sticking out. Geez, dude could have covered those too while he was at it. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want my feet hanging out there for the world to see if I end up dead on the docks. She asks if Sonny knows what happened, and he says, no, but his guess is Victor Cassadine. Jordan comes back, and says, the coroner’s en route to get the body, and Laura says she’ll have to prepare a statement for the press. Jordan leaves, and Laura turns to Sonny, obviously shook, and says, she has to deal with this. If it’s Victor, then Anna and Valentin and Lucy are all in danger, and they have to be warned. She’s barely keeping it together, and he says, he’ll check it out. Be careful. He leaves, and she quietly cries.

Josslyn promises to tell Trina when she can, but right now the stakes are just too high. Trina flashes back to Spencer having a problem with Dex at Curtis and Portia’s wedding, and Josslyn defending Dex. Trina says, it sounds serious, and Josslyn says, hopefully one day soon, she won’t have to keep this from Trina. But until then, please forget about it. Trina says, okay, but only if Josslyn promises, if she’s ever in trouble, Josslyn will come to her, and Josslyn promises. Dex walks in, and says hello to both of them.

Spencer says he’s going to take off, and Esme says, he’s leaving them here? He says he has something to do. She still has to stay and wait for the doctor to get back. She says, he’s their ride, but he says he won’t be long. She says, whatever, and tells Ace that he can’t count on anyone except her. Spencer turns back, and asks what that’s supposed to mean, even though it’s pretty self-explanatory. Esme says she can’t keep relying on him and Laura. She has to do things for herself. Like get a job. He says, doing what? She’s never worked a day in her life. She says she’ll figure it out. She got an internship, right? He says, that she orchestrated so she could spend some time scheming with her deranged father, and she says, when she was a person she doesn’t even remember. She’s a mom now. She needs to be able to provide for her son on her own. He says, the idea of her being a working single mother is ludicrous to him. He just offered to pay for Ace’s medical bills. Face it. She has no idea what to do now that she’s out of prison. My Spencer meter slides all the way past negative. She says, which was all his doing. Cameron told her how they all orchestrated (WOTD) her release; all part of the plan to take Ace away from her. But it’s backfired. She will never give up her son. He starts to say something, and she tells him, just go. He leaves, smirking, and I want to smack him.

Finn tells Cameron, good luck in California. He’s a good man. Cameron thanks Finn for being here, and for everything he’s done for this family. Can he ask Finn one last favor? Finn says, name it, and Cameron says his mom will need her friends when he’s gone. Finn says, Cameron can count on him, when Elizabeth comes out with Violet, who’s holding a box. Elizabeth says, some extra muffins for the road, and Violet gives the box to Cameron and hugs him. She and Finn leave, and Aiden and Jake come downstairs. Jake asks when Cameron will be visiting. He’s thinking of turning Cameron’s room into an art studio. Cameron says, Jake can’t wait for him to leave. He’ll visit as much as he can. Aiden says he’ll miss Cameron. Even though he was sometimes a pain, Cameron always stood up for him. Jake says, Cameron is a great big brother, and he’ll do his best to pick up where Cameron left off. He’s going to take care of Aiden and mom. Cameron says he’s going to be gone, but not for good. He’s still their brother. If they need anything, just call him. Aiden says he knows, but it won’t be the same, and they have a three-way hug. Cameron says he loves them, and they say they love Cameron too.

Valentin says, Victor and Eileen both disappear on the same night they meet; that’s not a coincidence. Anna says, best case scenario, she figured out a way to escape, she got out of there, and ran as fast as she could. Drew says, or Victor found out Eileen was compromised, which is more likely, and Anna says, then Eileen told Victor everything she knows. In which case, Victor will know they’re alive, and Lucy… Valentin says, and that the real necklace still exists, and Anna says, it puts everyone at risk. Robert, Laura, Felicia. He’ll figure out they were all working together to stop him. Drew says, Eileen never knew about him and Carly. Did she know how to find this place? Anna says, no. That is at least something in their favor. There’s a knock at the door, and Sonny says, Anna, it’s me. She opens the door, and he says, it’s good to see her, like this is nothing new. Anna asks what he’s doing here, and he says, Laura got caught up in an emergency. Eileen Ashby’s dead. And I’m thinking, half of Port Charles is going to be in on this by the weekend.

Dex says he was told to come here for rehearsal, and Trina asks if he’s the new Magic Wand. He says he is; Maxie talked him into it. Trina says, go, Maxie, and he says, they’re performing, right? Josslyn says, they’ve been rehearsing all morning, and Trina looks back and forth at them like it’s a ping pong match. Maxie walks in, and says, there he is. Wardrobe needs him for a final fitting come on. She drags him out, and Trina says, no one she knows, huh?

Elizabeth tells Cameron, it’s a great picture. It really captures the four of them. Cameron says he can’t leave, but she says, yes, he can. He says, Aiden and Jake still need him. She still needs him. She says, what she needs is to know he’s pursuing his dreams, and he asks if she’s sure. She says, it’s been her and him since the very beginning. He’s been her rock, and Jake and Aiden’s too. I get momentarily distracted by her haircut, thinking I should take it to my hairstylist. She says, he’s always stepped up for them. Now it’s time he stepped up for himself. He says, it feels so selfish, just leaving, and she says, he has a big heart and he’s so loving. It’s been the greatest gift of her life having him as her son. He’s given so much of himself to her and his brothers; now it’s his turn. So go out there and live his best life, and they’ll be here cheering him on. They hug and say I love you.

Esme wonders how much longer Austin is going to be, and suggests she and Ace take a quick trip to the vending machines. She walks out of the exam room, and sees Ava come out of the elevator. They look at each other.

Laura asks Jordan, what really happened to Eileen? but Jordan says, they won’t know until they get the M.E.’s official report. Laura says, Jordan knows something. Did she drown? Jordan says, the M.E. will check for water in her lungs, and Laura says, but? Jordan says, the coroner said she had multiple broken bones, including her spine. He suspects Eileen died from a fall. Does Laura have any reason to believe Eileen would take her own life? Laura says, no. Eileen was all about survival.

Sonny says, Jordan gave Laura the information. Laura wanted him to come here and warn them. Drew says, they have to assume they’re blown, and Valentin says, Victor got Eileen to give up the info, then disposed of her. Anna says, he’ll come after them now.

Spencer waits in the woods, and someone walks out. He thanks them for meeting him, and Victor says, anything for him. Is he to understand from this that Spencer is finally willing to do what needs to be done?

Tomorrow, Victor says he needs to hear Spencer say the actual words; Maxie asks what someone is doing here; Sonny says, if they leave now, they’ll be signing their death warrants; and Carly asks Nina, what the hell happened?

🩺 A postscript about the Epiphany memorial episode. No doubt what made this episode extra moving was the fact that you knew those tears from the characters were real. Probably one of the saddest episodes ever for me was when Mike died, but I knew Max Gail was fine and living his life in reality. I can’t even fathom how difficult it must have been for the actors to keep control, knowing that even though the storyline wasn’t real, the death was. While the episode was perfection – having real life friend Yvette Nicole Brown play the accident victim, Milo and Emma coming back to town, the photos, the flashbacks, the whole thing – it would have been nice to see Sonja Eddy in the credits one last time. But I know you can’t think of everything, so kudos again.

👩🏾‍⚕️ Whys and Whos…

Why this storyline was chosen.

All about Emma.

And Max and Milo.

🥀 More Loss For GH…

It’s so sweet that they named The Savoy bartender after her.

🏫 Not Going Too Far…

We won’t even notice he’s gone. And I hope he’s not bringing that hairdo.

🏥 Proud Papa…

I’m going to watch this later, since it’s on in the wee hours here.

https://ew.com/tv/general-hospital-maurice-benard-cries-emotional-reunion-with-daughter-tamron-hall/

🧂 Passing the Salt…

Jen gets the good news.

https://people.com/tv/jen-shah-sentence-reduced-1-year-after-reporting-prison-telemarketing-fraud-case/

And the bad news.

🍸 You Know You Want It…

If anyone has the right to shade, it’s Ariana. Tom and Raquel look like they’re dressed for a funeral.

Lala has a different kind of blackout.

Security was called? I can’t wait. I wasn’t a huge Raquel fan to begin with, although I felt sorry for her being James’s doormat. But now I can’t stand hearing her stupid baby voice saying she’s being young and living her life. I wasn’t aware that meant smiling in your friend’s face while you bang her longtime boyfriend behind her back. Normally, I’m with Trevor Noah and say, counsel, not cancel, but there’s no coming back from this.

💎 Oh Oliver…

I doubt even Garcelle’s Black Girl Magic could bring LVP back.

🐕 Recovery…

They make the world okay again.

🍳  Flipping Sides…

Stop by tomorrow for an end of the week cornucopia of soap, tea, words to regard, and music to enjoy. Until then, stay safe, stay balancing book knowledge with common sense, and stay knowing it’s the connections you make that matter the most. That’s what Epiphany used to say.

March 29, 2023 – Saying Goodbye To Epiphany, Perfect, When Did It Begin, Jax Talks Brawls & Not Alone

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Elizabeth walks into the hospital carrying a spray flowers. Bobbie sees Deanna at the desk and hugs her. I want to cry already. Felix goes to his locker, then slams it shut, sinking to the floor in tears. Marshall looks at his phone, and Curtis looks at Marshall. Spinelli and Sam look at the photos on the GH memorial wall and join hands. Outside, Laura sees Robert and they hug. Alone in the safehouse, Anna cries.

Elizabeth brings the spray to the chapel, and looks at the portrait of Epiphany there.

Bobbie sees Carly with Willow in a wheelchair, and says, Willow does realize she’s only two days out from her procedure. Carly says she tried to tell Willow to stay home and rest, and Willow says, later. Right now, this is exactly where she needs to be.

Anna looks at a In Loving Memory tribute to Epiphany on her phone, when there’s a knock at the door. It’s Felicia, and Emma steps out from the side. Anna hugs her.

Obrecht says she’s officially cleared to donate her bone marrow to Willow, and Nina says, that’s such good news. God knows they can use that, especially on a day like today. She asks if Obrecht is going to the memorial, but Obrecht shakes her head. She says she couldn’t stand that people who openly wished Britta ill attended her service, and Nina says, Obrecht is many things, but a hypocrite isn’t one of them. Obrecht says, she and Epiphany did nothing but bump heads. She’s not happy Epiphany is gone, but she’s glad Epiphany died honorably. Nina says, just like Britt, and Obrecht says, we should all be so lucky. Amen to that.

Sonny goes out on the roof, when Milo joins him, asking if he wants company. They hug.

Marshall says, it doesn’t make sense that she’s gone, and Curtis says, unfortunately, a lot of things in life don’t make sense. Portia says, hanging out with Epiphany was often the highlight of her work shift, and Marshall says he’s sure it was. Portia says, they laughed so much when Epiphany was prepping for the MCATs, she’s surprised they got anything done, but she pulled through… with Marshall’s encouragement. Marshall flashes back to encouraging Epiphany to go for the MCATs, and telling her, a valiant effort is not a failure. Far from it. It’s courageous and he’s proud of her. He says, before Epiphany took the MCATs, she was scared, and said this was all his fault, and she was right. If it wasn’t for him, Epiphany would still be here.

Elizabeth looks at a photo collage of Epiphany in the chapel, when Finn comes in. He says he wanted to see how she was holding up, and she wonders if she should move the collage, but he says he thinks it’s perfect. The fact that she pulled this all together on such short notice is impressive to say the least. She says, it’s not like she had a choice. Epiphany had it in her will that she would organize the celebration. Finn says, still bossing her around from the afterlife, and Elizabeth says, although that was before everything had come out about what she’d done. Epiphany must have been so disappointed in her. She just wishes Epiphany could have focused on being at Johns Hopkins and her future, and not… He says, Epiphany was driving home, and there was an accident at the side of the road, and she jumped in to help, just like you’d expect her to. Elizabeth says, she was being the Epiphany they all know and loved. She just wishes she could have made it right with her. Finn holds her.

Brad goes into the locker room, and says he had the feeling he’d find Felix here. Back when they were almost kind of dating, he’d wallow in here when he was sad. Felix says he’s earned the right to a little wallowing, doesn’t Brad think? Epiphany was his friend. This vital presence, and now she’s just… gone. He flashes back to Epiphany telling him that he could do better than Brad, and Brad says, she’s not. No one’s really gone. As long as Felix holds on to her in here. He puts his hand on Felix’s chest, and Felix puts his hand over it.

Laura says, look at this place, caring for the people of Port Charles for 60 years, and Robert says, these walls have seen everything. She says she’s afraid today is going to be a hard one, and he says, General Hospital’s lost one of its best. She says she couldn’t agree more, but here they are; they’re still standing. He laughs and says, sometimes barely, and she says, still something to be grateful for. They have to keep going until they can’t anymore. He says he believes Epiphany would want that, when Diane joins them. Robert says he didn’t think they’d be seeing her today, and she says, Epiphany made her executor of her will. She just has one final thing to do before the memorial. Laura says, the grind never stops, does it? She can’t stay long either. She has to fill in for the Deputy Mayor while she’s indisposed. Diane asks if there’s any update on her whereabouts, and Robert tells Laura that he required assistance the other night, and Diane helped him. She can be trusted; she’s a friend. Diane says she’ll see them inside and leaves. Laura says, Robert seems a little happier. Does it have something to do with Diane?

Curtis asks, what’s Marshall’s fault? and Marshall says he pushed Epiphany into going to med school. Curtis says, that’s a good thing, but Marshall says, if she hadn’t taken the MCATs, if she hadn’t gotten into Johns Hopkins, she wouldn’t have been on the road that night and seen that accident, and she’d still be here with them. Portia says, no. Marshall reignited her dream and she attained her dream. She got to prove to herself that all those people were wrong all those years ago who said she couldn’t do it, and she actually did it. Think of how amazing that is, and how many people really get to have that satisfaction. Before Epiphany passed, any semblance of self-doubt and regret she’d been carrying around for decades lifted off of her. That’s a gift. And if she knows Epiphany, she knows in her heart that she wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. She hugs Marshall as he cries, and Curtis mouths, thank you.

Sonny says, it’s good to see Milo. He wishes it was under different circumstances. Milo says, Epiphany was one of a kind. He’s so lucky he got to have her in his life. Sonny says, Epiphany was lucky too, and Milo flashes back to telling Epiphany that he worries all the time he’s not good enough for her. She’s beautiful inside and out, and that’s why he asked her out. He wouldn’t change a thing. He cries, and Sonny asks if he’s okay. Milo says he’s just grateful for all the memories. What about Sonny? How’s everything going? Sonny says, he means the business? It’s been a little dicey. Milo says, if he needs more hands on deck, for old times’ sake… Sonny says he appreciates it, but Milo’s one of the rare ones that got out… and lived. Let’s keep it that way.

Diane sees Obrecht, and says, just the person she was looking for. As the executor of Epiphany Johnson’s will, she’s been given a very specific set of instructions for her. They are time sensitive and must be completed today. Obrecht says, by her? But she and Nurse Johnson despised one another. Diane says, be that as it may, Epiphany thought Obrecht was the only one who could be trusted with this job, and hands her a paper. Obrecht reads it, and half-smiles. Nina asks what it says.

Willow says, Epiphany was important to her. If she hadn’t had Epiphany’s support, she may never have gone into nursing. She flashes back to telling Epiphany that she’s thinking of changing careers, and Epiphany saying, if she wants to talk about it, Willow knows where to find her. Willow says, she doesn’t think she ever told Epiphany how much she appreciated that. She just wants to attend the service and light a candle for her friend. Then she promises to head straight back home. Can she count on Bobbie and Carly’s help? Carly says, of course (🍷). She can count on them for anything. Bobbie says, always, and Carly takes Willow’s hand. She says, Willow can always count on them.

Anna asks why Emma is here, and Emma says she wanted to see Anna before heading to Epiphany’s memorial. Mom and dad really wanted to come, but sadly, they couldn’t get away from work. Anna says, of course (🍷) not. Doctors are always so busy trying to save people’s lives. Emma says, just because they couldn’t fly out, didn’t mean she couldn’t, and Felicia says, so this young lady booked herself a flight. Anna says, of course (🍷) she did. She can’t believe Emma is sitting here in front of her. Emma says, happy surprise? and Anna says, absolute happiest. She hugs Emma, giving Felicia a thumbs up. I have to say, Emma still looks like Emma, but so grown up and young lady pretty.

Diane sees Milo, and asks how long it’s been. He says, too damn long, and she takes his arm and walks with him. She asks, how’s Max? and he says, doing good. She asks how he is, and he says, very sad today. She says she’s so sorry about Epiphany, and he thanks her.

Nina tells Sonny that she’s so sorry for his loss. She knows he and Epiphany had a very special relationship. He says, it really hit home how precious life can be, and how it can be over – he snaps his fingers – like that. That’s why they have to be careful. She says, it’s funny. When she thinks of life being like that, it makes her want to stay close to the people she loves. I’m not sure why that’s funny; makes sense to me. She says she knows they can’t spend a lot of time together until things settle down, but if he wants company to the memorial, she’d love to go with him. He says he’d like that very much, and takes her hand.

Elizabeth wonders if she should cut some things, giving people more time to speak, but Finn says, the memorial is beautiful. She says she just wants it to be perfect. She needs to make it up to Epiphany. She just wishes she knew what Epiphany was thinking at the end. A woman (Yvette Nicole Brown) approaches them, and says, maybe she can help with that. Elizabeth asks if she was a friend of Epiphany’s, and she says, Epiphany was more like her guardian angel. Their dear friend died saving her life.

Felicia brings Emma into the hospital, and Emma runs to Robert, hugging him.

The woman says she read about Epiphany’s memorial service, and doesn’t even know what she was hoping to find, but she jumped in her car and here she is. Elizabeth says, she was with Epiphany when she passed? They’ve been trying to piece together all the details. The woman says, it was late. She was driving home after a double shift; she’s a nurse as well. The roads were a mess, visibility was even worse. She didn’t even see the downed power line before she was practically on it. She swerved to get out of the way, then crashed into a utility pole. There was so much smoke and fire; she was terrified. She managed to get out of the car, but she was in so much pain… there was so much blood… Then she saw the headlights. Elizabeth says, Epiphany? and the woman says, she pulled over and Epiphany just ran to her. She was barking orders at 9-1-1 the entire way. Finn and Elizabeth laugh, and Finn says, sounds about right. The woman says, Epiphany knew if she moved her that she’d bleed out, so Epiphany put pressure on her wounds, and talked to her in that soothing voice she had. She promised not to leave the woman’s side until the paramedics were here… and she didn’t. If it wasn’t for their friend… She couldn’t stop thinking about her, so she asked her colleagues at the hospital what happened, and they said that she collapsed at the site. They said she had a problem. They said there was so much smoke, she had complications. Elizabeth says, she had a pre-existing heart condition, and the woman says, and she didn’t even think twice about risking her life to save a stranger? Finn says, that was her. Epiphany was a true healer. Elizabeth says, Epiphany was a hero.

Sonny shakes Marshall’s hand and says he’s sorry for Marshall’s loss. Marshall says, they all lost her; that means Sonny too. Sonny introduces Milo, who says, it’s nice to meet Marshall. He’s heard great things. She spoke highly of him. Marshall thanks him for saying that, and Nina tells Sonny that they should head to the chapel. She, Sonny, Milo, and Portia leave, and Marshall asks Curtis how that nice young man knew Epiphany. Curtis says, that’s Epiphany’s ex-boyfriend. She was full of surprises. Marshall says, wow, and they follow the others.

Finn thanks the woman for sharing with them, and Elizabeth says, it means everything. Finn says they’re very glad she’s all right, and the woman says, only because of Epiphany. Elizabeth says, it’s comforting to know she left this world doing what she loved, and noticing people coming in, Finn says, it looks to be about that time. Elizabeth asks if the woman is staying for the service, but she says she should probably get going. She just wanted Epiphany’s loved ones to know what a wonderful person she truly was. Elizabeth says, they already knew that, but please stay. She drove all this way. Epiphany would want her here. The woman says she’ll stay, and takes a seat. Marshall asks, who’s that? and Elizabeth says, just one of the countless people who owe their life to Epiphany.

Elizabeth thanks everyone for being here. As she speaks, the camera pans over the crowd, all the people who loved Epiphany. How do you sum up a life that’s touched so many people in so many different ways? People fall into different categories. She’s the heart of the hospital, she’s the life of the operation, the soul, the glue, the entertainer, the comforter. She was all of those things wrapped in the soul of one magnificent human being. She was firm, and tender. She was a pragmatist and a dreamer. She was a taskmaster, and yet she told her nurses to take as many mental health days as necessary. There was a whole host of contradiction that for some reason never really seemed to conflict with each other. Today is just another one of those contradictions; a celebration of her life while our hearts collectively break, mourning a woman who was a mentor, a best friend, someone we all consider family. Elizabeth flashes back to Epiphany insisting they go out for a drink the night before she married Franco. Elizabeth says she’s going to miss her, but she’s also flooded with gratitude because who’s luckier than them? To have known, and loved, and been loved by Epiphany. No one’s luckier.

Deanna says, Epiphany had a gift for connecting people. For telling them the truth, even when the truth was scary. When Deanna first became a nurse, she was afraid of caring for terminal patients. She didn’t know how to be with them. Epiphany showed her by example. She got Deanna to push past her fear, so she could help those who needed her. She was generous with her time, her spirit, and her wisdom. Deanna had her credentials when she got here, but it was Epiphany who taught her how to be a nurse.

Portia says she didn’t know Epiphany as long as a lot of people in this room, but the impact Epiphany had on her life was indescribable. They were work colleagues. They got along great. Epiphany got along great with everyone. But there was a time Epiphany risked everything to protect Portia’s daughter and her daughter’s father. Portia thinks that speaks to her character. They became great friends after that, and eventually she became a part of Portia’s family.

Sonny says, his father once told him, it’s the people who show up at your darkest moments who are your real friends. God knows he’s been through some dark moments. He flashes back to being in a wheelchair after he was shot, and Epiphany helping him take his first steps. He says, if that’s the measure of true friendship, Epiphany was his best friend.  

Emma says, it’s hard to imagine General Hospital without Epiphany. She’s certainly been here for as long as Emma remembers. It won’t be the same without her.

Carly says, Epiphany was a truth teller. If she liked someone, then they were worth having in your life, but if she didn’t, it was probably best to avoid them. But Epiphany allowed for growth. Carly thinks it was one of her best qualities, because she believed people could change. They could get stronger, wiser, just better, and that’s a good thing because she was one of those people. Epiphany ran to her rescue so many times; a lot of people’s rescue. She looks at Sonny.

Diane goes up to the front, and says, just a moment before they all rush away. One last piece of business. When she agreed to be Epiphany’s executor for her will, Epiphany gave her a small, but very specific set of instructions for today. Chief among them being that she escort them to the roof. So please follow her. The guests begin to file out, but Elizabeth is still sitting, and Marshall asks if she’s coming. She says she’ll be up in a minute, and he leaves. She looks at the portrait of Epiphany.

On the roof, Diane says she has a note for all of them from Epiphany. I have to imagine some nice things were said about me today, and tears were probably shed, which I appreciate of course (🍷), but that’s not how I lived my life. Even in the darkest of times, I held on to the joy whenever I could, so be sad if you need to be…

Obrecht says, safe travels, my worthy adversary, as she lights some rockets elsewhere on the roof. She steps back as they go off.

…But I would much rather go out with a bang. Fireworks appear in the sky, and everyone marvels. Marshall raises his fist, and says, go out with a bang in peace. Milo says, correct him if he’s wrong, but these fireworks… Sonny says, are highly illegal, yes. Laura says she couldn’t hear that; the fireworks were too loud.

As Elizabeth is about to leaved the chapel, her phone rings. She says, Monica, and Monica asks if she’s disturbing the memorial. Elizabeth says, it just ended. Is she all right? Monica says she’s fine. She’s just terribly disappointed she couldn’t be at Epiphany’s memorial. If she hadn’t been the keynote speaker, she’d have backed out. Elizabeth says, Epiphany of all people would have appreciated her keeping her commitment, and Monica says she imagines Epiphany would, which brings her to why she’s calling. Diane Miller paid her a visit just before she left, and brought her a sealed letter that was written by Epiphany a few days ago; one she’d intended to hand-deliver to the GH Review Board on Elizabeth’s behalf. Elizabeth says, she did write a letter of support? and Monica says she just finished reading it, and she had to share it with Elizabeth. Elizabeth Baldwin is an extremely talented and dedicated nurse, and watching her grow from rookie to leader amongst her peers has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Her commitment to healing knows no bounds. And part of that commitment requires making snap judgements in the moment. I believe that’s what Elizabeth was doing when she made the choice to treat Esme Prince while in captivity. Was that choice the right one? Ultimately, no, as is often the case with snap decisions like that. But the thing that separates the good healers from the great ones, is accountability. Elizabeth didn’t run from her responsibility; she ran toward it, which makes her the best of us. In fact, it has always been my intention to recommend that she become head nurse when I leaved for medical school this fall. I stand by that recommendation now more than ever. Elizabeth has always made me proud, and she’ll make General Hospital proud too. Elizabeth cries silently, and Monica asks if she’s still there. She says she is, and Monica says, that’s quite a recommendation. And who is she to deny Epiphany’s last wish? Elizabeth asks if she’s saying… Monica says she’ll be glad to present the idea to the Board at the end of the month. Having another Hardy-slash-March run the 10th floor sounds right, doesn’t she think? Elizabeth thanks Monica, who says, don’t thank her. Thank Epiphany. She tells Elizabeth to take care, and Elizabeth says, thank you, Epiphany, for everything. I love you.

We hear Epiphany sing You’re Not Alone, and Elizabeth goes to the roof to join the others watching the fireworks. Sonny smiles at Carly; Milo puts his arm around Marshall, and vice versa. Brad holds out his hand to Felix, who takes it, and Portia smiles at Curtis. Laura and Bobbie put their arms around each other. We flash back to Epiphany over the years; with Robert, with Sonny, with Magic Milo. Singing, and getting together with Marshall. We flash back to Epiphany telling Obrecht that she wouldn’t dare mess with the Nurses Ball, and Obrecht saying, oh, wouldn’t I? We see her helping Felix, Carly, and Elizabeth. Elizabeth goes over to Finn, who puts his arm around her. Anna watches from outside the safehouse.

We see Epiphany’s picture, newly on the memorial wall.

Tomorrow, Maxie says, this Nurses Ball is going to hell in a handbasket; Austin knows someone; Cameron says he can’t leave; and Drew says, she did not leave on her own.

🌟 I don’t think they could have given a better send-off to Sonja Eddy. No wonder it took them so long. It was really perfect.

Vanderpump Rules

I get irritated even before the show starts. And why should Katie care about what Scheana wants anyway? Selfish twonk.

James’s dad Andros visits, and he’s impressed at how far James has come from the early days. In James’s interview, he says, back in the day, his dad was involved in the music industry, and was always his biggest supporter. James says, quitting drinking helped, and Andros says he couldn’t believe that James could DJ and not drink. Binge drinking is a rule of passage. James says his mom wasn’t happy, and we flash back to her telling James to proceed with caution. Drinking again is a dangerous game. He tells Andros that Ally is the light of his life, and Andros says he didn’t see James marrying Raquel. He can see it with Ally. They laugh about Raquel being on James’s turf now.  

At Schwartz & Sandy’s, the Toms get ready for the tasting. Schwartz says, they need balance on the menu. They went to dive-y. Manager Brett is hoping they can lock in the opening menu today, and tells them about the million and one things they still need. Schwartz says, they have so much sh*t to do, it’s unbelievable, and Sandoval suggests they ask Scheana to postpone the wedding so they don’t have to take the time off. Katie walks in, and in Schwartz’s interview, he says, after the pool party, they hugged it out; not literally, but verbally. They came to an understanding. He should have stayed out of it. He invited Katie to the tasting because he respects her opinion, and it’s also his way of saying he still cares and wants her to be part of his life. Greg’s wife JoLane and niece Gretchen join them, and in Sandoval’s interview, he says, they knew they’d have to swallow their pride and do what Greg wanted, and he was adamant about a more upscale food menu. The first thing that comes out is a lobster corndog, and I think, ugh, no. Love corndogs, love lobster, but hard pass on a lobster corndog. In his interview, Sandoval says, they want to open on August 31st, so they’ll say yes to anything Greg wants. Everyone applauds at the end, and Greg says he has a kickass chef in the back. The next thing they have to work on is desserts. Katie suggests they call her.

Scheana, Ariana, and Lala invite Ally out, and in Ariana’s interview, she says she’s hung out with Ally in group setting, but she feels Ally should be included more. She did let Raquel know she was inviting Ally. In Scheana’s interview, she says she’d love to get to know Ally more… if it doesn’t hurt Raquel’s feelings. In Lala’s interview, she says she doesn’t give a f*** if it hurts Raquel’s feelings. Scheana says she felt like everyone was arguing the other night, and Lala says, everyone got a don’t be mean text except Raquel. Raquel plans out how an argument will go, and when it doesn’t go according to plan, she short circuits. Raquel called her a mistress bimbo, when Raquel looked like a baby prostitute. Scheana says she heard Ally and James got a tarot card reading, and he’s her twin flame. Lala says she thought a twin flame could be toxic, but Ally says, not necessarily. It means a deeper connection; they’ve met in every lifetime. Ariana tells Scheana that Lisa wants to have a tea at her house, and Scheana says she swore off tea parties last year. We flash back to Lala bringing up Brock’s domestic violence charge at another tea party. Ariana says she thinks it will be fine, but wear flats if she has to run. Scheana says, nothing makes her run, and I desperately want to plop a big fat spider in front of her to test that theory.

Lala meets Brock and Scheana for lunch, and asks, how many people are coming to the wedding? Scheana says, the final count was 118, and Brock wonders how it will be with Lala and Raquel. Lala says, she told Scheana that if it was something with just bridesmaids, she can’t hide her energy, but if it’s in a group, she’s good. In Lala’s interview, she says, if she goes to events where she’s in close quarters with Raquel, there would be no escape. Unless she throws Raquel into the ocean, which she wouldn’t do because she’s afraid of prison. Brock says, the pressure Lala put on him changed his relationship with his kids’ mom, and in her interview, Lala says, she and Brock had a rough start, and we flash back to her berating Brock for not having seen his kids in years. She says, since then, she’s realized situations are not always black and white. Lala tells Brock that she’s happy he’s where he is, but it wasn’t her place. Brock says, that’s what friends do, and in her interview, Lala says, her and Scheana’s relationship changed and they got their kids together. She saw what an incredible husband Brock is to Scheana, and he’s an amazing dad. And the way he treats Ocean… She loves that dude a lot. Brock says he has a past, but he’s learned from his mistakes and won’t make them again. He doesn’t mind that Lala was holding him to a standard. Lala says she’s sorry for how she approached the situation, and gets all teary. In Scheana’s interview, she says, she and Lala even talked about raising the girls together, and having an unconventional family life. Brock would help with the kids, but the conjugal visits would just be hers. Is she confusing this with prison? Brock gets weepy.

Villa Rosa! Ponies! The tea party is on, and James says, it’s his first Pumptini in three and a half years. Lisa tells Ken that he’s on dog duty, and she’s on wild animal duty. After a false alarm lame shout of surprise! when Lala arrives, when Scheana gets there, they attack her ears with a worse rendition of Good As Gold than her own. In Ariana’s interview, she says, it’s next to impossible to surprise Scheana, since she has their locations on her phone. In Scheana’s interview, she says she was half-surprised. Her sister’s car kind of gave it away. Lala wonders if Ally wasn’t invited to the wedding because it would piss Raquel off, and James says, nailed it. In his interview, he says, it’s about what Raquel wants. He tells Lala, it’s an out-of-body experience having to be around his ex all the time. James wonders if he should ask Ally to marry him in Mexico, since Brock and Scheana got married during his engagement party weekend. Lala says, payback’s a bitch, and we flash back to that. It wasn’t a crass move unto itself, but their announcement of it was.

Lisa tells Scheana, since she can’t come to Mexico, she wanted to do something special. In Lisa’s interview, she says, if you want a successful marriage, don’t ask her to be involved. Scheana got engaged to her first husband at Lisa’s house, and Lisa officiated at Schwartz and Katie’s wedding. Her track record is 100% failure. Scheana points out that her anniversary is close to Lisa’s and Pandora’s, and suggests they share a trip every year, but Lisa tells her, slow down. Raquel and Schwartz sit in chaise lounges, and talk about Schwartz and Sandy opening on August 31st.  In Raquel’s interview, she says, she loves that she and Schwartz became tight, and maybe they’ll be tighter in the future. She tries to stick a vagina joke in there, but she’s no Lala. And I’m sure the viewers are collectively wondering if she’s already trying to divert attention. Schwartz tells Raquel about getting LVP tattooed on his ass, and in James’s interview, he says, Schwartz flirting with Raquel in front of him looks desperate and absurd. Hit the treadmill you fat f***. Apparently, some habits die hard.  

Katie had been invited, but said no, and gardens with Kristina instead. Katie tells her that tomorrow, she and Schwartz would have been married six years. Kristina thinks they should still acknowledge it to show they’re friends. Really? That sounds weird. Katie says they are having dinner in Mexico to celebrate the closing of their house. She’s been unpacking some strange emotions this week, and wasn’t prepared for how she’d feel. In Katie’s interview, she says she feels sad; the dream is over. Kristina asks about the sandwich shop, and Katie says, it’s in a holding pattern, but the owners haven’t said no. Kristina says she has a good feeling about it. Brock kicks around the bocci balls, obviously ignorant of how the game is played. James balances some of Lisa’s fine china, asking if he could do this if he was drunk, and nearly gives Lisa a heart attack. She asks how Lala can put up with him, and Lala says, he’s on a journey, and since she’s invested in him, she’s going on the journey with him. James says he thinks Ally is the one, and wants to put babies in there. Lala asks if he can say, create a family, and he says, make blond, blue-eyed gods and goddesses. Lisa says, he sounds like a dictator, and Lala says, he sounds like he’s 16. Bringing a child into the world is no joke. James says, if Brock can bring a baby into the world, it can’t be that hard. They all know how Brock left the country the first time. Lala says he’s acting out of pocket; bring it down. In Lala’s interview, she says, if you take time away from drinking because you think it’s a problem, then come back to drinking and think you can control alcohol, you’re wrong. Things are teetering on the edge right now.

They go to Schwartz and Sandy’s, and have a shot in honor of Brock and Scheana. Sandoval says, they’re looking forward to the opening, and James wonders how many soft openings they’re having. Raquel breaks the ice by saying hi to Lala, and asks if Katie is coming. Lala says, no, and we see Katie at home with her dogs, which seems preferable to hanging out with these people. Schwartz shows Raquel the sound bath, and James asks Scheana if Ally can come to the reception, since she’s going to everything else. He pulls the ace out of his sleeve, and says, remember his engagement party? In Scheana’s interview, all she says is, f***, and I laugh. Scheana says she’s visualizing the seating chart, and tells him, yes. He says he loves them, and in his interview, he says he’s glad they said yes, but if it was the final no on his final ask, it would have been his final f*** you. Raquel wonders if the men’s room has a vibe, and then decides she has to pee. Schwartz guards the door, and at least we know she flushes the toilet and doesn’t expect fairies to do it.

Everyone packs, and boom! we’re in Mexico. They all rave over the resort, and I want to go somewhere that has a welcome cocktail. Katie and Lala note how far apart their rooms are, and in Scheana’s interview, she says she had Katie moved to a different tower. Out of sight, out of mind. The group makes plans for dinner, and Schwartz says he’s having a mini celebration with Katie, then join them. Lisa and realtor Jamie call Ariana, who’s with Katie, and Lisa tells them, sometimes you can’t get what you want in business, and it can be disappointing… but don’t worry. This time it was a yes. I smelled that one coming. In Katie’s interview, she said, thank God they listened to Lisa. Because they did, they’re now business owners. Jamie tells them, enjoy Mexico, because it’s straight to work when they get back. They tell Lala, Schwartz, and Kristina, and Schwartz breaks the good liquor out of his duffel bag to celebrate.

Everyone checks out their suites, which are fabulous, no surprise. In Ariana’s interview, she says, now there’s nothing to get in the way of quality time with Tom. He’s her prisoner. Now the viewers feel collectively sick. The group meets for dinner, and Brock says, if they want, there’s a bar to go to afterwards. Kristina comes in the restaurant, but I blinked and missed her. In Scheana’s interview, she says, how dare Kristina walk into her welcome dinner uninvited? I double check, since she’s making it sound like Kristina sat down at the table. Nope. Scheana says, not only did Kristina and Stassi make fun of her first wedding dress, Stassi said it looked like it was from a skanky girl’s quinceanera, and Kristina laughed. Since Scheana is half-Mexican, making a tradition sound trashy hurt her. I don’t think she was trashing the tradition; just the dress. In Ariana’s interview, she says, when they were on the way to dinner, Brock’s drunk friend put his arm around James… In James’s interview, he says he’d never seen the guy in his life, and he was drunk, eyes rolling, falling all over… In Lala’s interview, she says, an annoying drunk hugged James, and James body checked him – hard. James says he should have Will Smith backhanded him. Ariana says she doesn’t want any fighting, but James says, it was no big deal. Ariana says, he’s already berating her, when he’s been rude and shoved a guy. In Raquel’s interview, she says, watching Ally cringe over James’s behavior makes her happy it’s not her. Lala tells James to disengage, and Ariana says, no fights is the only side she’s on. James says he didn’t punch the guy in the face, and Ariana says she doesn’t like him doing it period. In Ally’s interview, she says she can’t sit here. It’s making her question everything. Why is she in Mexico, and who is this person she’s dating? Ariana says she’s had enough – they’re done – and Ally leaves the table.

To be continued…

🍸 Scandovalish…

You figure it out.

https://www.yourtango.com/entertainment/when-did-raquel-leviss-tom-sandoval-affair-begin

🍿 It Don’t Feel So Good…

There was almost brawls.

https://extratv.com/2023/03/27/jax-taylor-confirms-near-brawl-at-pump-rules-reunion-exclusive/

🐻‍❄️ Will Do Nothing For a Klondike Bar…

Slide in tomorrow for soap and teatime. Until then, stay safe, stay never laughing at another’s expense, and stay remembering, a valiant effort is not a failure. Far from it.

February 16, 2023 – Ryan’s Road Trip Officially Starts, Tough Homecoming, I Know Him, Returning Quintet, Worse Than Teresa, Salty Ink, Raquel & Lean

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Maggie tells Dante the pub is closed, and she’s on her way home, but he asks to speak to her a minute. She says, they already talked, and she doesn’t know what more he needs from her. He says he’s looking to get some answers about Esme Prince.

Seeing the guard with the knife sticking out of his back, Esme screams, and Heather puts her hand over Esme’s mouth. Heather says, it’s going to be all right. Trust her.

Ava comes in the door to Windymere, and gets a text from Austin: Ready when you are. She flashes back to locking Nikolas’s body in the tack closet, and turning around to see Austin. She texts back: It’s time.

Sonny tells Nina that the reception seemed a little tense at the end. Portia seemed nervous about Trina. Nina says, any complication Portia and Trina have can’t hold a candle to her and Willow’s. Willow doesn’t want her at the hospital. Sonny gets a call from Brick, and Nina says, business?

Terry says she was impressed that Elizabeth stepped in for Trina, and Drew says, at least Trina made it back for the bouquet, so it all worked out.

Elizabeth asks if everything is okay with Trina, and Portia says she’s sure Trina is just tired. She thanks Elizabeth and Finn for coming, and Elizabeth for her beautiful speech. Honestly, I either missed something big there or they’re wowed easily. Portia tells Curtis that she’s going to check on Trina.

Portia tells Trina that she has the bouquet, but don’t get any ideas, and Trina just looks at her. Portia asks if she’s okay.

Maggie says she told Dante before, she doesn’t know any Esme Prince. He says, Esme needs her help. She’s in prison, and she’s pregnant. Maggie says she can’t help him. Please leave. He says he traveled a long way. He can’t leave until he gets some answers. She tells him, have a seat then, and they go inside. She says she’s grabbing a pint, and asks if he’d like stout or ale. He tells her, stout, and sits down. She picks up a cricket bat from under the bar. She comes up behind Dante, raising the bat, but he jumps up and stops her, taking it. She tries to run out, but Sam is at the door, and says, Maggie Fitzgerald. They need to talk.

Sonny steps away to take the call, when Josslyn comes back in. She tells Drew that she was looking for Trina and Spencer, but doesn’t see them. She’s here by herself. He says he’s flying solo too, and she says, they both know he shouldn’t be.

At the MetroCourt restaurant, Mac tells Felicia that he has to cut their date night short. Things are busy at work. She tells him not to apologize; she doesn’t need grand romantic gestures. He says he loves her very much, and she says she loves him too, and they kiss. He says, she’s been pretty busy herself. He’s not too preoccupied to notice she’s been slipping out for hours at night on secret missions. Something to do with Anna? She says, if her missions are so secret, he knows she can’t give him the details, and he says, understood. Just be careful. She says, always, and asks, what about The Hook investigation? but he says, so far only dead ends. They’d hoped Heather would make good on her promise to get Ryan to open up. It was a long shot, but Heather was stalling. Her time’s up. She’s going back to D’Archam.

Ryan says, first, they have to dispose of this body, so he needs another hand (BA-DUM-CHH!). Heather struggles to keep Esme quiet, and tells him, they’ll need his clothes. Go ahead and strip.

Ava let’s Austin in, and says, shall we? but he says, nope, not yet. She says, he’s the one who insisted on moving Nikolas at night; it’s dark and rainy. No more putting this off. It’s time she rids herself of her husband for good, and bury the past.

Curtis asks if everything is all right, and Portia says, they’re fine. He tells Trina that her mother was concerned when she missed the toast. Where’d she go? Was Spencer with her? Trina says, she and Spencer were together, but this has nothing to do with him. It has everything to do with Portia. Portia says she doesn’t know what’s happening here, but Trina missed everything, and Trina says, Portia’s been hiding something important from her. Curtis suggests they take this down a notch. He’s sure it’s just a misunderstanding. Portia thinks they should take it elsewhere, but Trina says, Portia knows it doesn’t just have to do with her. Taggert tells Trina, this is no way to talk to her mother, but Trina says, he doesn’t know what’s going on. Portia tells Taggert that she’s fine, and asks Trina to come figure this out. She reaches out, but Trina steps back, and says, fine. Let’s go. Curtis says he’ll come with them, but Portia says, this might be a mother/daughter situation. She’ll talk to Trina alone. He says, she’s got this, and she follows Trina out.

Austin says he wants to make sure they have their heads on straight, since there’s no margin for error, and Ava says she knows that. They have to move Nikolas before Elizabeth’s guilty conscience brings the cops here. He says, Ava seems a little overwhelmed, and she says, maybe that’s because she’s just been to a wedding when her husband’s dead body is lying in the stables because of her. She had to face his mother, his son, and this whole town, and pretend to be fine. She’s not fine. She didn’t want her marriage to end in vengeance and death. She loved her husband. Austin says he’s sure she did; this is a horrible situation. Ava says, it is what it is. There’s only one thing to do now. He says, maybe not tonight when she’s all worked up, but she says she’s Ava Jerome. She knows how to handle herself in situations like this. The only reason she needs his help is because burying a body in Pine Barrens is a two-man job. She asks if he’s backing out, but he says he’s all in. He’s asking an honest question for two reasons. He doesn’t want larger emotions to kick in when they’re in the thick of things; he doesn’t want to get caught. The second reason is, he’s concerned and curious. Is she actually all right? She says, no, she’s not, and she doesn’t know if she ever will be again.

Finn says, Terry and Yuri were really tearing it up out there, and Yuri says he was a dancer in Belarus. Terry asks why Elizabeth wasn’t out there, and Elizabeth says she wasn’t up for it. Finn says, she kept him company on the sidelines, and Terry tells Yuri that she’d love a glass of water. Elizabeth says, the same actually, and Finn and Yuri go to the bar. Terry says, Finn and Elizabeth seem on better terms, and Elizabeth says, it was awkward after the break-up, but they’re committed to being friends for Violet’s sake. Terry says she’s seen the looks they’ve been giving. Maybe their feelings for each other aren’t completely gone.

On the phone, Sonny tells Brick, all he knows is how big the shipment is, and when it’s going to be delivered. He just needs Brick to work his contacts for security. He needs to know who’s buying what Pikeman is selling, especially without official record… Whatever he can find out. The sooner the better. He thanks Brick.

Mac tells Felicia that he should be heading to Spring Ridge, and make sure the transport is ready for Heather in the morning. She says she’s not thrilled about him being involved with another prison transport, but he says he has to make sure it goes off without a hitch. Most of them do, but since she got free on the last one, he can’t be too careful. He may be late; don’t wait up. She says, since things weren’t successful, where does that leave things with Ryan? and Mac says, he’s not giving up. He knows in his gut Ryan is involved in this. How the hell does his victim’s earring end up on Rory Cabrera; that’s not a coincidence. Felicia agrees, and says she thinks she has a way to get Ryan to give them some answers. Let her talk to him.

Heather continues to struggle with Esme, telling her to calm down; it’s bad for the baby. Esme almost slips Heather’s grip, but Heather grabs her back. She says she knows Esme is scared, but she has to do what Ryan says. He’s a dangerous lunatic, but Heather is going to take care of her, she promises. Just do what Ryan says, and they’ll be okay. Ryan comes back, and says, they don’t have much time before the guards realize they aren’t in their rooms. They’ve got to move. He looks at Esme, and says he wishes she could remember who she really is. Not some pathetic, trembling creature. You’re tough, you’re tenacious, you’re a genius. And you’re my daughter. Esme screams, nooo! and he says, they’ve got to go. Heather says, road trip’s started, and Ryan says, ladies first. Heather leads Esme away. He looks through the window into his cell, where the guard’s body sits in his chair, and follows.

Maggie says, don’t hurt her, but Sam says, they don’t want to hurt her. They just want to talk. She tells Dante, according to the woman at the B&B, this is Maggie. Dante asks why she lied to them, and Sam asks what she’s afraid of. Dante says, or is it who? Sam introduces herself, and says she’s a private investigator; and Dante introduces himself, showing Maggie his PCPD badge. Maggie says, forgive her. No one’s talked to her about Esme since she’s been here. Now they come up with that cockamamie story about her being pregnant and in prison. Dante says, it’s not a story; she’s pregnant and in prison. Maggie asks, what happened? Did her father lead her into trouble? Dante says, that’s complicated, but she’s been accused of some pretty serious crimes, that she didn’t commit, and unfortunately some that she did. Sam says, she had a pretty horrible accident, and lost her memory, andDante asks if Maggie and Esme have a close relationship. Maggie says, they did, and he says, she might be the only person who could exonerate Esme. Will she help them?

Mac says, absolutely not. He’s not subjecting Felicia to Ryan Chamberlain. She says, he asked Ava, but he says, Ava’s different. She says, because she’s not your wife? and he says, maybe. When he and Doc approached Ava, they wanted information on Esme; they didn’t suspect Chamberlain’s involvement. This is too dangerous. He may not be physically attacking his victims, but signs point to his involvement. He doesn’t want her in Ryan’s crosshairs. He couldn’t live with himself if something happened to her. They’ll get Ryan another way. She says she understands. She hopes he’s not too late coming back from Spring Ridge. It’s still Valentine’s Day after all. He says, all the more reason to get a move on, kisses her, and leaves. She makes a call, and leaves a messages for Anna, saying, she might be late getting to the house. There’s a stop she has to make.

Marshall says, whatever is going on, Trina and Portia will sort it out, and Taggert says, when Trina got back, something was definitely off. He knows his daughter. Curtis says he’s going to get answers, and heads in Spencer’s direction. Spencer sends Trina a text, asking if she’s okay, and looks up to see Curtis, Marshall, and Taggert. Curtis asks where he was with Trina, and what it has to do with her being mad at her mom.

In Portia’s room, she asks what all this is about, and Trina says, she went to see Stella. She was going to convince Stella to come to the wedding if she felt up to it. But it turns out, Stella wasn’t sick; she just didn’t want to be there. Judging by the look on Portia’s face, she knew that already. Portia says she suspected, and Trina says, she didn’t understand. Stella was so excited about the wedding, she flew back from England early. Then she missed the wedding. When Trina asked her, she said she couldn’t come in good conscience; that there’s something Portia is keeping from her and Curtis. When she pushed Stella, she said Trina had to ask Portia. So she’s asking the mom she’s looked up to her entire life, what is Portia keeping from her?

Ava tells Austin, the one thing that scares her to her core is the thought of losing her child. She can’t live through that again. She doesn’t know how she did the first time. So when Nikolas threatened to take Avery, she panicked. She couldn’t let him leave, and wanted to stop him. She didn’t want to kill him. She has a job to do before Elizabeth goes to the cops, because she will not be separated from her child. He says, let’s go do what we have to do, when the doorbell rings. Ava says she’ll get rid of whoever it is, and meet him in the stables. He leaves, and she opens the door to find Felicia on the porch.

Mac is driving, and sees something up ahead. He says, what the…?

Felicia apologizes for just stopping by and asks Ava if she can come in. Ava says, it’s not a good time, but Felicia says, it’s about Ryan Chamberlain.

Mac stops the car and gets out. Heather is walking with Esme in the road, and he asks if they need help. They turn around, and Mac is like, whaat?

Sonny comes back to the table, and Nina says she saw his face when Brick called. It was enough to make her concerned. He says he can handle himself, but she says, promise her that he’ll be extra careful. He says he promises.

Elizabeth tells Terry that Finn’s always been there for her, and she’s grateful that hasn’t changed. A part of her will always love him. Terry says, they’ve been through enough to test anyone, but the fact they can still remain friends… Maybe they’ll find their way back to each other? Elizabeth doesn’t think that’s in the cards, but wishes things could be different.

Yuri asks Finn why he and Elizabeth are no longer, and Finn says, things just got complicated. Yuri says, life is complicated. Love is not… with the right person. Finn says, if only that were true, and looks at Elizabeth.

Spencer says, Curtis will have to talk to Trina, but Taggert says, Trina’s not here; Spencer is. Spencer says, it’s really not his place, and Marshall says, there’s a time and a place for chivalry; this ain’t it. Curtis says, start talking, and Spencer says, he and Trina went to see Stella. Curtis asks, why?

Trina says, after she found out about Portia’s affair, they promised to be open. She’d thought it was a turning point. Portia says, it was. She felt awful that Trina didn’t trust her, and thought they worked through that. Trina asks, then why won’t Portia tell her what Stella’s talking about? Is it really bad? They sit on the bed, and Portia says, she told Trina that her dad’s work put a strain on their marriage, and how lonely and depressed she was, always feeling like she came in second to his job. That’s when Curtis came into her life. Trina says, Stella implied that Portia and Curtis’s relationship had something to do with what Portia’s keeping from her. Did something else happen? Portia says, Curtis found out she was married, and ended things. She was heartbroken, but went back to Trina’s father. She was determined to make things work. Trina asks if Portia stopped loving Taggert, and Portia says she just wanted to be a priority to him. She thinks he sensed she was struggling, because he started to put more of an effort into their marriage, and she felt like everything was going to work out. Weeks later, she found out she was pregnant. Trina gets up and says, oh my God, and Portia says, Trina doesn’t understand, but Trina says she does understand. Portia had an affair, and got pregnant. Is Portia saying Curtis is her father?

Maggie says she stopped being Esme’s nanny, but never stopped caring about her, and Sam wonders why Maggie thought they were setting a trap for her. Maggie says she hasn’t heard from Esme in some time, and when they turned up asking questions, she assumed the worst. She was afraid Esme’s father had taken her, and sent them to make sure she never said a word about him. Ever since Esme tracked him down, she’s been living in fear of him finding her. Sam says, she knows who Esme’s father is? and Dante says, they’d like to talk to him. He could be the key to proving Esme didn’t commit these crimes. Maggie asks what Esme is being accused of, and Sam says, there’s a serial killer terrorizing Port Charles, but Maggie says, it can’t be Esme. Dante says, that’s what they’re trying to prove, so if she could just tell them his name…

Heather says, thank God Mac found them, and Mac draws his gun, saying, on your knees, hands in the air. Esme begs him to help her, and he says, hands in the air where he can see them. Heather says, Mac doesn’t understand. He made them do this. Mac is about to make a call, when Ryan hits him with a crowbar, and he falls to the ground. Esme says, no, and Ryan says, now that felt good. Hello, Mac. What a delight to find you here. Esme cries.

Ava says, Felicia has her attention, and Felicia says, Ava was working with the PCPD to get information on Ryan about Esme. Is she interested in doing that again? Ava says, no, but Felicia says, the PCPD has reason to believe Ryan is involved with The Hook murders. An earring from one of Ryan’s victims was found on Rory Cabrera’s person, like a calling card. Ava asks how it would be possible for Ryan to attack her; he’s a vegetable. Felicia says, chances are, Ryan is the mastermind and using someone else to do the footwork. She and Ava know where his weak spots are, and can get him to give them something that might point to his accomplice. If they work together, they can get to him.

Heather pushes Esme into the backseat of Mac’s car, and Esme begs, please. She wants to go home. Heather says, it will be all right, and Esme asks, what’s happening? Heather gets in the driver’s seat, and blows the horn. Ryan stands over Mac with the crowbar, and says he has to make sure Mac can’t follow him, but Heather says, they’re stealing his car. She thinks they’re okay. Ryan says, it’s like kismet, him coming along, when an alarm goes off. Heather says, Spring Ridge knows they’re not in their rooms. Any minute, they’re going to find the guard, and find them. Move it. He says, all right, throws down the crowbar, and says, it’s no fun if you can’t see the life leave their eyes anyway. The alarm continues, and Heather says, let’s get this road trip started. Ryan says, after one more stop, and gets in.

Spencer says, Trina felt Stella should be at the wedding, and Curtis says, his Aunt Stella is sick. Spencer says, Trina thought she could convince Stella if she felt up to it, but they found out Stella was never sick. She just said that to get out of coming to the wedding. Curtis asks why she’d do that, but Spencer says he doesn’t know. Curtis says, Spencer is starting to work his nerves, but Spencer says, Curtis has to talk to Trina. This concerns very personal family information, to which he is not privy, so if they’ll excuse him… He leaves, and Curtis calls Stella, but she doesn’t pick up. Marshall says, Stella is avoiding Curtis’s calls? None of this makes any sense. Why would Stella lie to avoid Curtis’s wedding? Taggert thinks Portia and Trina have been gone long enough.

Trina tells Portia to be honest with her. Is Curtis her father? Portia says she’s sorry. She doesn’t know. Trina says, but he could be… He might be. Portia says, yes, and Trina starts to cry. Portia says, Trina’s dad had come home from work, and she’d just taken a pregnancy test. He was so happy and excited, and she was thrilled. Instantly, Trina was their whole world, and it was like a new beginning for them; a new family, and that’s all she ever really wanted. And Curtis was out of her life by his choice. She was back with her husband, and things were so much better. In their hearts, Trina was their child, and at the time, she didn’t see the point in finding out who was her biological father. Trina says, she’s a doctor. She didn’t see the point? Portia let her live her whole life as a lie. Portia says, no. Taggert is her father in every way; DNA doesn’t change that. Trina asks if her dad knows, but Portia says she never told him or Curtis. Trina says, Portia kept this to herself when this huge secret effects all of their lives. This is her identity, and Portia had no right to keep it from her. Portia says she didn’t want to upset Trina or her life. Maybe she was fooling herself, thinking this day would never come, but there’s still every chance Taggert is her father. True, she wanted to spare Trina the pain… Trina says, no. Portia wanted to spare herself. Portia says she’s sorry she kept this from Trina. She’s sorry about it all. She knows this is turning Trina’s life upside down, but she and Trina’s father love her so much. And every choice she’s made from the second she knew she was pregnant with Trina has been for Trina. Trina asks, how she can believe anything Portia says? How can Portia say she loves her, when Portia’s kept this from her for her entire life?

Nina meets Sonny at the elevator, and he asks if she changed her mind about going to GH. She says she doesn’t think her heart can take it, and asks if they can just go home. He says he’d do anything for her, and she says, that’s what gets her through all of this.

Terry and Yuri leave, and Finn guesses it’s time to call it a night. Elizabeth probably wants to get home to the boys. She says, all that’s waiting for her is an empty home; Jake and Aiden are with friends, and Cameron’s at his dorm. Finn suggests they go for a cup of coffee, and Elizabeth says, that sounds really nice.

Josslyn asks Spencer, what happened with him and Trina? She saw them leave, and when they came back, Trina seemed upset. Did he do something? He says, this time, he can guarantee he had nothing to do with it. She asks if Trina’s okay, but he says he has absolutely no idea.

Portia says she knows Trina can’t comprehend this right now, but at the time, she thought she was doing the best thing for all of them. Trina says, Portia was doing what was best for herself. Not for her, or her dad, or even Curtis. She thought it was bad enough Portia cheated on her dad – the man who will always be her dad, but may not be her father. It kills her that Portia hurt him again. She can’t do this. She has to get out of here. Portia tries to stop her, but Trina says she can’t even look at Portia right now. She doesn’t know who she is right now, and sure as hell doesn’t know who Portia is. She opens the door, and Curtis and Taggert are there. Soap looks all around.

Maggie tells Dante and Sam, her father is the devil incarnate. She tried to warn Esme. She told Esme that she’d be far better off without him, but she was always desperate to know her parents. Dante asks, who is he? They need a name. Sam says, please. They might be able to save her. Maggie says, his name is Chamberlain. Ryan Chamberlain.

Ava tells Felicia that she’s in, and Felicia says, she won’t regret it. Ava says, if Ryan is behind her attack, it will be her pleasure to take him down, but she can’t do it tonight. She has other priorities. Felicia says, so does she, and Ava walks her to the door. Ava says, they’ll talk about the details tomorrow, and Felicia tells her, have a good evening. Ava opens the door, and Ryan is there.

Tomorrow, Curtis says, Portia is actually justifying her lie; Anna says, they wait to hear from Valentin’s contact, then make their next move; and Ryan says, two for the price of one.

🏥 Sad Return…

Magic Milo comes back for Sonja Eddy’s tribute episode.

🤔 Big Duh To Me…

I thought I knew him from somewhere. He was Jeffrey on The Haves and The Have Nots. I guess I didn’t recognize him without all the angst.

🔙 Five Reappearing…

Throwing a bone to the Y&R fans.

🍹 Check Your Sources…

Highly doubtful Caroline A) drank four shots of tequila, and B) kissed back. The common denominator seems to be that Brandi thinks everyone wants her, and I demand a recount about Denise. Anyone who would slap LVP is capable of anything.

🧂 Prison Prep…

As one does before arriving at one’s cellblock.

That’s a big-ass tattoo.

👠 Celebrating Her Life…

What’s funny is, even though she’s been around my whole life, I haven’t seen many of her movies. I’ve always been a fan of Kansas City Bomber, but I might be the only one.

https://people.com/movies/raquel-welch-dead-life-in-photos/

⛺️ Singing Around the Campfire…

If you come back tomorrow, I promise you soap, a spot of tea, a blob of wisdom, and a splash of music to send you off to whatever the next few days hold for you. Until then, stay safe, stay paying attention to those otherwise invisible, and stay not taking any road trips with the devil incarnate.

January 26, 2023 – Nina Gets the Lab Results, a Thought, Heartfelt Tribute, Looking Ahead, How She Wants, About That Black Eye, Golden Pets (!) & Looks Like

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny tells Nina that she has to eat, and she slices some cheese from the platter in front of her. She says, it’s no use. She can’t sit here waiting for the results of her bloodwork. Not when her daughter’s life depends on her. She picks up her phone, but he tells her, it’s all going to work out. She says she appreciates him trying to distract her, but she needs to get to the hospital right now. Nina goes into bedroom, when there’s a knock at the door. Sonny lets Sasha in, and tells her that Nina will be out shortly. Nina comes out, and asks what Sasha’s doing here, and Sasha says, someone told her that Nina could use a friend. Nina looks at Sonny, and he smiles.

Willow puts down the Crimson magazine she’s reading, and tells Michael, the good news is, pashminas are still in style for 2023. All is right with the world. He says, talk to him, and she says, this waiting is torture. She’s scared. He says he’s scared too.

Brook yells for someone to hold the elevator, and Ned puts his hand on the door. She asks him what he’s doing at the hospital.

At The Savoy, Selina tells N’neka to add Cody’s drink to her tab. He says, generous, and she says, he was very effective in the game tonight. He says, that’s what she pays him for, and she says, money well spent. She wasn’t sure he would show given recent events; her condolences. He asks why the murder of his almost girlfriend would keep him from fulfilling his obligations, when Felicia and Mac walk in. Felicia asks if they should grab a table. He sees Cody with Selina, and says, he warned Cody about that woman. She asks why he cares what happens to Cody.

Nikolas approaches Ava at the MetroCourt bar, and she tells him, please don’t ruin the moment. She’s unwinding from the day. What does he want? He says he’s here because of what she wants. He puts a manila envelope on the bar, and says, the divorce settlement agreement. Congratulations. She’s getting everything she asked for, and he’s losing the one thing he treasures.

Trina says, Spencer’s father might not be the best option to raise the baby, but he’s the only option. Spencer says, not necessarily. What about him? She says she’s sure he’ll be a good father someday in the far off future, and he says, what if the future wasn’t so distant? She asks if he’s saying his father may not be able to raise the baby, and he says he’s planning on making sure of it. He’s going for custody.

Carly says she just came to check on Wiley, but Drew says, she just missed him. He went up to the main house with Olivia for a sleepover. She says, perfect distraction for him, and Drew says he just stuck around to lock up. Carly says she’ll leave him to it, but he tells her, don’t go.

Nina asks if Sonny told Sasha, and Sasha says, Sonny was kind enough to invite her over, but it was Willow who told her. Nina asks what Willow said about her. It’s okay; Sasha doesn’t have to spare her feelings. Sasha says, Willow is reeling, same as Nina. Sasha thinks they’re both struggling to reconcile their history with the news their mother and daughter. Sonny tells them to talk; he has to make a phone call. He goes in the bedroom, and Sasha asks if she’s keeping Nina from leaving. It looked like she was going somewhere. Nina says she was going to GH. She had a test to determine if she was a bone marrow match for Willow, and there’s a chance the lab will have the results tonight. Sasha says, the odds are really good Nina is a match, right? and Nina says, a sibling is the best match, but Nelle is gone. Sasha says, let’s hope you’re a match, and Nina says she doesn’t want to think about what will happen if she’s not.

Brook asks Ned to promise her one thing; be nice. He says he’s always nice, and she says, be nicer.

Ava says, Nikolas gave her everything she asked for; Spoon Island and everything on it. He says, Windymere and all the contents in it. She left him with nothing. Not even his pride. She says, welcome to her world. the whole city knows he knocked up a girl who can’t even legally drink this martini. He says, it wasn’t his plan, and she says, it’s never his fault, is it? He lost his son, his wife, his house. He says he’s owning his mistakes, starting with the document in front of her. He gave her everything without a fight. She says, it’s easier to own your mistakes when your hand’s being forced, isn’t it? He’s so weak. She can’t believe there was time she didn’t see it. He says, she saw him and loved him regardless, just like he saw her. They beat the odds again and again. After everything they survived, can she really say the love is gone?

Trina says, Spencer is going to try to get full custody of his baby brother or sister? What about his father? What about Esme? He says, Esme doesn’t know how to parent a child. She doesn’t even know who she is. Trina says, she might remember, and Spencer says, that’s even worse. Neither of this baby’s parents are moral, upstanding citizens; far from it. She says, neither is he, and he says, his father has a proven history of selfishness, amorality, and neglect. Diane Miller thinks he may have a chance. She says, it sounds like he has his mind made up, and he says he wants to do whatever it takes to protect this baby.

Mac stares at Selina and Cody, and Felicia says, he’s looking at them again. She knows him. He cares about Cody. He says, he’s Dominique’s son. She’d want him to look after Cody, whether Cody was his or not. She says, he can’t kid a kidder. He’s such a good man, and there’s always room in his heart for more. She’s not just talking about Robin and the girls, but all those rookies who he took under his wing on the force; giving them guidance and counsel. She knows how much Dante appreciates him; Cody might too. He says, Cody’s made it clear that he’s not interested in that. He just wants to make sure Cody doesn’t get mixed up with the wrong people, and Selina Wu is definitely the wrong people.

Cody says he knows Selina wasn’t a fan of Britt, but she says, she and Dr. Westbourne came to an understanding. Her nephew’s quite devastated by Britt’s loss, as she’s sure Cody is. She has sympathy for those grieving. He says he’s sure she’s all choked up, and she says, people express emotions in different ways. She excuses herself, and walks over to where Gladys is sitting. She says, if it isn’t her old friend Gladys.

Carly wonders if Wiley asked about his mom, and Drew says, there were questions. It was kind of tricky. He didn’t want to say more than Michael and Willow wanted him to share, but Wiley’s a smart kid. He did the best he could. She says she’s sure he did great. It’s a fine line. It’s tough to know what to tell him at this age. He says, it’s a delicate balance for sure. Ultimately, honesty is the way to go. She says she really thought she was protecting Willow. She knows Sonny and Nina want to believe she was hellbent on revenge against Nina. Drew came to her defense earlier with Sonny, but other than that, he’s been really quiet on the subject. What does he think?

Trina tells Spencer, if anyone knows what an incredible lawyer Diane is, it’s her, but his dad has plenty of resources. He’s not going to give up custody of his child without a fight. Spencer says he knows, but he has a secret weapon. Ava agrees with him; she’s going to help. Trina says, he’s telling her that Ava supports this? and he says, yes. For the first time they’re in agreement; neither his father nor Esme are fit to parent this child. Trina says, that’s really something, and he asks if Trina’s surprised that he and Ava agree, or does she not agree? She says, it’s not really her place to weigh in, but he says he’s asking because he’s curious what her thoughts are, and her opinion matters to him. She says, since he asked, she doesn’t think he’s ready to be a father.

Mac and Felicia approach Cody, and Mac asks how it’s going. Cody says, date night? but Felicia says, just unwinding. Mac says, sorry to hear about Britt. How’s he doing? Cody says he’s hanging in, and thanks Mac. He says, it’s strange to have people ask how he’s doing. He and Britt didn’t really know each other that long. Felicia says, that doesn’t mean Cody didn’t care about her, and Cody says he did. He thanks Mac for sending Felicia to tell him, and Mac says he thought it might soften the blow. Cody says, Mac thought right, and he appreciates it. Mac says, hearing you lost someone is hard. Living with it is even harder.

Gladys says she knows she should have come to Selina immediately after the game, but she had to run to the restroom and collect herself. Selina says, tough night, huh? and Gladys says, win some, lose some. Selina says, seems like Gladys is losing more and more, and it’s time to cover her debts.

Nina tells Sasha that she feels like the rug keeps getting pulled out from underneath her. First she had to let go of the idea Sasha was her daughter, but thank God they’re friends now. Then she found out Nelle was her daughter after she died, and Willow is her child, but she might be too late to have a relationship with her. Sasha tells her not to say, it’s too late, but Nina says, Willow hates her. Sasha says, Willow is alive, and so is Nina. It’s not too late. Show up for Willow the way she showed up for her. Show her the Nina that Sasha grew to love. And no matter how long or short the time together, it’s precious, and it’s so worth it. Nina says she wants that with all her heart, but Willow’s made it very, very clear she doesn’t. Sonny comes in, and Nina says, Willow and Michael seem hellbent on punishing her… and Sonny.

Brook gives Willow some flowers, and says she hopes Willow likes them. Ned says, they won’t stay long. He’s sure she’s had lots of visitors. Willow says, everyone has been incredibly kind. Chase and Sasha stopped by earlier. She tells Brook, sorry, and Brook says, for what? Ned asks if anyone wants anything from the cafeteria, Michael says he’ll join Ned, and they leave without waiting for an answer. Brook sits next to the bed, and says, they can sure clear out a room. Willow says she didn’t mean to bring up a sore subject, but Brook says, it’s fine. Willow asks how Brook is coping with the break-up, and Brook says, great… mostly.

Michael thanks Ned for coming, and Ned says, they love Willow, but he didn’t come here just for her.

Drew says, Carly doesn’t have to explain. She was trying to protect Willow. She didn’t think Willow would want to know Nina was her mother. Carly says, but it wasn’t her secret to keep. She told Willow and Michael how sorry she is. He says, it’s good to make almonds amends, and she says, but there’s another apology she owes, and that’s to him. She should have said it sooner. She’s so sorry she went behind his back and lied to him, because the last thing she wants is for him not to trust her. He thanks her, and she says, if the circumstances were different, and Willow’s life wasn’t on the line, she doesn’t know if she’d regret keeping the truth from Nina. She’s still processing all the pain Nina caused her family, especially Michael and Willow. He says he never thought she was obligated to tell Nina; that was always Willow’s call to make. She says she sees that now, and she’s so grateful Willow has forgiven her. She’s just wondering, hoping, can he?

Sonny says, Willow may change her mind and Michael may still want to take him down, but Willow did ask him if he’d reconcile with Michael, and Nina says, he didn’t tell her that. He says, a lot was going on, but he thinks the situation has motivated Willow to make almonds amends. Sasha says, if Willow thinks Michael and Sonny can reconnect, there’s hope Willow can do the same with Nina. Maybe things are falling into perspective for her. Nina says, especially if she can give Willow the bone marrow she needs. She wants to show Willow that she’ll do anything for her, and Sasha says, of course (🍷) she will. Nina’s phone rings, and Nina says, it’s the lab. She answers, thanking them for getting back to her.

Brook says she and Chase are in a better place these days, and Willow says, that’s good to know, even if it’s not what she asked. How does Brook feel? Brook says, only Willow would be in a hospital bed asking how someone else is doing, and Willow says, Chase is a hard man to forget. Brook says, impossible. What does she do? Should she hold out hope, or just move on? Willow says, so much of her life these days is about holding out hope, keeping the faith, believing the impossible is possible. Brook says, her situation is different. Her and Chase’s relationship isn’t life or death. Willow says, feels that way though, huh? She puts her hand on Brook’s, and says, if Brook can’t picture her life without Chase, don’t give up. Miracles happen every day.

Ned says he knows things are tense between him and Michael, but he doesn’t like them being at odds. Michael says, none of that matters now, and Ned says, agreed. What’s important is seeing Michael and Willow through this, which is why he’s here. Because no matter what happens in business, they’re first, foremost, and forever family.

Felicia suggests Cody join her and Mac, but Cody says he should be hitting the hay; it was a long night. Mac asks what Cody’s been doing these days, and Cody says, this and that. Anything to keep his mind off of… they know. Felicia asks if they’ll see him at Britt’s memorial tomorrow.

Gladys says she knows her assets aren’t very liquid at the moment, but if Selina will stake her again, she’ll break this losing streak. Selina says, Gladys has exhausted her line of credit. She owes the house $175,000. Gladys says, a hundred and seventy-five grand? Is Selina sure? Selina says, very sure; she’s got an MBA in finance. When can she expect payment?

Ava tells Nikolas that she holds their love in the same esteem he held her dignity. She looks through the papers, and he asks if everything is in order. She says, seems so. What’s the catch? He says, there’s no catch. He just wants to do right by her. She says, no counter? Nothing he wants from her? He says, just one thing, and she says, of course (🍷). He’s forgetting she owes him nothing; he owes her. He says he grants her that, but since she seems to prefer going to his Uncle Victor these days, this might be the one last time he gets to speak to her directly. She says, unless he can tell her that he really didn’t sleep with Esme and Elizabeth, there isn’t much to talk about, and he says, things aren’t exactly as they seem.

Trina says she doesn’t think Spencer is really equipped for this. Financially, maybe, but emotionally? Raising a child takes an insane amount of responsibility, more than they can imagine. He says, his Uncle Sonny said something similar, but how is he supposed to become a more responsible person without taking on more responsibility? She says, he’d be learning at the expense of the baby, and he says, that is literally how all first time parents learn. She asks if he’s thought about what this will do with his social life. He’s still young. Being an insta-father will affect his friendships and put a definite crimp in his future relationships. He asks if she’s saying people won’t want to be his friend or be his girlfriend if he’s raising a baby, and she tells him, she’s not saying it’s one way or the other; some might. He says, what about her? Would she want to be with a man who’s raising a baby? She says she woudn’t know the answer to that. She’d have to be in the situation. He says, what about the situation she’s in with him? Is him going after custody of this child going to impact whatever it is that’s going on between them? She asks what he means, and he says, he means what they’ve been doing. They’re trying to catch the killer by pretending to be friends, potentially more. She says, it worked, didn’t it? Esme showed up, and now she’s locked away. She may not be the killer… He asks what she’s feeling though. Are they playing the game, or is the game playing them? Be real. They’re hanging out, there’s no cameras around. They text each other constantly, but they don’t publicize it. It’s a lot of behind-the-scenes effort for pretense, doesn’t she think? She says, it may not just be play acting for her.

Cody says he hasn’t decided about the memorial, and Felicia says, it may be helpful for closure. He says he’s not sure he really believes in closure, and Mac says, Felicia means, facing what you’re feeling sometimes sets you free. Cody says, sometimes it just reminds you of all the ways you screwed up. He tells them to have a nice evening, and goes to the bar.

Gladys says she doesn’t have that kind of cash on hand, and Selina says, then they have a problem. Gladys says, what about instead of cash, Selina takes her son’s garage, and Selina asks if she’s the owner of the property. Cody listens from the bar, and Gladys says, depends on what she means by owner.

Drew says, everybody makes mistakes, but Carly says, not him; he’s damn near perfect. He says he makes mistakes all the time. He used to blow through town with a chip on his shoulder. All anybody can hope for is forgiveness and the chance to make things right. She says, that’s all she wants. She just wants to make this right somehow. He says, she did the right thing by telling Nina and urging her to get tested. Maybe it will make the difference. Carly says she prays it does, but what about them? Where do they stand? He says he can’t do this again. He knows he seems like an easygoing guy, but he’s got limits. She says she understands, and she’s really sorry. She heads for the door, and he says, in the future, they can’t lie to each other anymore. She says, you said future, and he says he wants one with her. He can’t promise it’s going to be easy. She says she’s willing to try, and he says he’s ready and willing and able, and they kiss. She asks him to come home with her. Ugh. Why does Carly never have any consequences for her actions?

Gladys says, technically, the garage belongs to her daughter-in-law, but they’re in the process of selling it, so she’ll just cut out the middleman and sign it over to Selina. Sonny says, it’s worth a pretty penny. Selina says, her daughter-in-law will consent to this? and Gladys says she has the power to make these decisions for her. Cody flashes back to Sasha telling him about the guardianship, and recognizing the name Gladys. Gladys says, her daughter-in-law will be fine with this, especially when she wins it back. Do they have a deal? She holds out her hand, and Selina shakes it as Cody watches.

Going into Willow’s room, Nina says, sorry. She didn’t mean to disrupt Willow’s visit with Brook, but she thought Willow would want to know tonight. The lab called her. The results of her bloodwork are in. Willow says, and? and Nina says she’s not a match. Despite their familial DNA, she doesn’t have the right markers to be Willow’s donor. She’s so sorry. She thought she’d be able to end this nightmare for Willow. Willow says she’s not sure anyone can, and turns on her side, away from Nina. Nina almost touches Willow to comfort her, but thinks better of it.

Michael says, after all that, Nina isn’t even a match? but Sasha says, they can’t give up hope. Sonny says he’s sorry, but it’s going to be fine.

Nikolas says he knows he hurt Ava. He betrayed their trust and destroyed their marriage. He’s going to have to live with that. One day she’s going to realize their marriage was undermined by outside sources. She says, sources whose names both begin with the letter E? but he says, she’s got it wrong. Once the truth is known, he’s confident she’ll feel differently. She asks what he means, and he tells her, all he can say is, there’s more to this story. He knows he hasn’t given her any reason to believe him, but he loved her, and he still does, with all his heart. So take everything he has, and one day, all those possessions he’s granted her will be theirs again. They’re going to be married and living in Windymere, and they’ll be in love, in lust, and happy. She asks how he can be sure, and he says, because their story isn’t over. One day she’s going to realize all the sacrifices he made, and when that day comes, he’ll be waiting for her.

Trina says, for the last few weeks, she’s started to see Spencer in a certain light, and he says, same here. Why didn’t she say anything? She says, because he burned her, and she’s a little sensitive. He says, fair enough. He hopes she knows he’s never going to hurt her again, and she says she does, which is why she told her mom how she really feels about him. He asks how she took it, and Trina says, her mother was concerned, but she told her that Spencer has grown up; he’s changed. He says, it’s very nice of her to have noticed, and she says she told her mom she can make her own choices when it comes to him; that he’s her friend, and her mother doesn’t have a decision in the matter. So they don’t have to pretend anymore or hide their friendship. He says, friends, and she tells him that she knows she said they weren’t friends, but she was just really hurt. So much has changed, and he’s really been there for her. He says, trusty and steadfast, like a Golden Retriever. She says, not quite; dogs are obedient. She really hopes he feels the same way, and he says, she has no idea.

Carly and Drew walk into her bedroom, and she says she’s wanted this for months. He says, him too, and she says, part of her wanted to guard her heart; play it safe, so she didn’t risk the pain of losing him. But a part of her knew she couldn’t waste this chance. He says he knows her. She’s not afraid to take a chance, and neither is he. They start to get busy.

Spencer says he hopes a baby doesn’t change things between them. By that, he means Joss and Cam, him, and Trina. She says, her too, and he asks her to do him a favor and keep everything he told her confidential. He thinks Diane wants him to keep things quiet for now. She says, of course (🍷). So he’s determined to do this. He says, with or without anyone’s approval, but it would mean the world to him to have her support. She says she does have her reservations about him taking on this level of responsibility, but she’s proud of him for stepping up. He thanks her, and says, she hasn’t seen anything yet, but she will. He’s not like his father. When he makes a committeemen to someone, he sticks to it. And he’s ready to do just that.

Carly and Drew continue to get busy, and there’s a musical interlude.

Brook and Sasha sit on a bench, and Brook says, Willow was in such good spirits. They were teasing each other like always, now this. Sasha says, it’s more than one person should have to bear, and Brook wonders why devastating things are happening to all the good people in her life. They both cry, and Sasha says, Willow has so much to live for. She has so many people who love and support her. Brook says, Chase has to be updated, and Sasha says, it’s going to kill him. They both say, I should call him.

Cody says, the woman Selina was talking to just now, the one he took to the cleaners tonight, what’s her last name? Selina wonders why he asks, and he says he thinks he and Gladys might have a mutual acquaintance. If so, he’d like to keep his distance. Selina says, Corbin, Gladys Corbin. She’s also involved with Deception. She walks away, and Cody says, so it would seem.

Ava says, for a minute there, Nikolas almost had her; she almost believed him. She gets off the barstool, and says she nearly fell for his lies again. But believe her when she tells him, she’ll never let that happen again. She takes her wedding set off, puts it on the bar, and leaves.

Michael goes into Willow’s room, and she says, he heard? He says he did, and she says, that’s it. They’re out of options. He gets in the bed next to her, putting his arm around her, and says, she’s wrong. They can do this. They can find her a donor. She asks, how?

Nina runs out of the hospital, as Sonny follows. She drops something from her purse, then throws the purse down, yelling, damn it! He holds her, and says, tell him what she needs. She says she won’t survive losing another child.

Tomorrow, Felicia asks if Robert is willing to have that on his conscience; Victor says he wants answers, and wants them immediately; and Nina tells Ava that she’s not going to rest until that woman pays for what she did.

💡 Hmm… I wonder if it’s Sonny who’s going to be the match?

🥀 Forever Her Fan…

A lovely farewell from Tony Geary.

🎱 Magic Eightball Says…

Looking toward the year to come.

🤰🏼 Doing It Her Way…

She’ll have that kid fetching her drinks in no time.

https://people.com/parents/pregnant-kate-chastain-on-raising-her-baby-solo-ill-be-able-to-do-this-exactly-how-i-want/

🧂 She Knows Nothing…

It’s funny how there are never cameras around when you really need them.

https://people.com/tv/rhoslc-heather-gay-admits-truth-about-black-eye/

🦔 Winning Companions…

I don’t know as I’d give a chimpanzee whiskey. Especially after seeing Nope.

https://celebritypets.net/the-2023-golden-globe-award-winners-and-their-pets/

🎣 Gone Ice Fishing…

Pop in tomorrow for soap, tea, quotable quotes, and a better musical interlude than GH came up with. Until then, stay safe, stay being as decent a human being as you can, and stay facing what you’re feeling. It sometimes sets you free. Or reminds you of all the ways you screwed up. Take a chance.

January 12, 2023 – Carly Finds Out There’s No Donor, Tribute, Coming Back, New Ball, Final Bow, Details, Bravoliance, What Now, Après Globes, Historical Pets (!) & Ice

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly and Drew walk into the hospital, and Josslyn thanks Carly for calling her. She asks if Willow is okay, but Carly says she doesn’t know; she just got here. Drew says, there’s someone who might know, and they walk over to TJ at reception. Carly asks if Willow is okay.

Elizabeth comes into Kelly’s while Cameron is cleaning up for the night. She says, he missed a spot, and he asks what she’s doing here. She says wondering why she has to track him down at work to find out what’s going on with him. And don’t say nothing.

Alexis finds Gregory in her office, and he says he wasn’t expecting to see her here. She says, he wasn’t expecting to see her in her own office? and he says he spoke to her assistant. She said Alexis had some family matter to attend to, and he didn’t think she’d be back tonight. She says she didn’t think he would have made himself at home in her office. Why doesn’t he tell her what’s going on.

Cody comes back with Sasha, and says, he told her it was a good idea to raid the kitchen. The Quartermaines literally have everything. He has to give this biscotti another try once he soaks it in some wine. She wonders where Chase and Brook went.

Outside the gatehouse, Brook tells Chase that Michael said they had to rush Willow to the hospital, and he was forced to leave Wiley with Nina. Wiley is clinging to Nina’s side, and Michael woudn’t like that. What should they do? He says, the most important thing is to keep Wiley happy. She doesn’t have to kick Nina out. Just thank her for watching Wiley, but she can take over. Brook says she’s just hoping Nina plays along.

Inside, Wiley asks, what’s wrong with his mommy? and Nina says, his mommy’s going to be okay. His daddy will make sure his mommy is being taken care of. He took her to the hospital, and the doctors there will make sure she’s better. He says, his baby sister too? and she says, his baby sister too.

Brook says, Nina is really taking advantage of this crisis to get closer to Wiley. This is the last thing Willow would want. They have to put a stop to it. Chase says, she’s right. They just have to hope if they’re calm and upbeat, Nina will play along too. Brook says, calm and upbeat. She can do that. She thinks. Geez, they act like Nina is luring the kid into her car with some candy.

Michael looks in the window of Willow’s room, and says, don’t leave me. Come on, fight for us.

On his phone and getting in the car, Sonny says, everything’s okay. He’s on his way.

TJ says he’s not the best person to ask about Willow’s admission; he just got here. But he’ll make sure someone updates them soon. He leaves, and Josslyn says, Willow and the baby have to be fine. Carly hugs her, and says, Willow is going to be fine; the baby too. She looks at Drew.

Gregory says, Alexis sets a high standard. He always wants to impress her, so he’s here double-checking. She says, diligence and proper documentation are a way to her heart (mine too), and he says he would assume that’s especially true on a good day like today; the return of Esme Prince, the tragic demise of Dr. Westbourne. He figured it was all hands on deck. She says, which is why she needs his help. She knew that when she got that call. He says, lucky for him that he was there when she got it. It was a right place, right time kind of thing. She says, not that she doesn’t enjoy his company or his instinct, but he’s gone above and beyond. He says, the way he sees it, he owes her one, and he always repays his debts. She asks how he owes her, and he says, the night she talked his son off the proverbial ledge. She got through to him when Gregory couldn’t. So if he can lend a helping hand, it’s the least he can do. Plus the added benefit of spending more time with her. She says, consider us even. He doesn’t have to stick around if he doesn’t want to. He says, here’s your hat; what’s your hurry? She says, no, because if he’s going to stick around, he’s going to tell her why he wants to stick around. So sit down and spill, professor. They sit, and Gregory says, after all these years teaching journalism at colleges, he’s finding the actual work invigorating. Being here when a big story breaks. Telling the truth and a strong narrative; separating fact from speculation. He’s really enjoying being in the thick of things. She says, that’s because this is his first time. Tell her about it a month from now. He asks if she’s telling him that she’s not feeling any of the adrenaline rush he is, and she says she is.

Cameron says, nothing’s up with him. He’s just taking a couple of extra shifts at Kelly’s so he can pay for a new guitar amp. She says she knows when something’s wrong. Is it because Esme’s back in town? She’s sure it was a shock to find out Esme had been found. She knows she was shocked. He says he doesn’t care if Esme is pregnant or has memory loss. He hopes she goes away a long time after what she did to him and Joss. Elizabeth says, he certainly has right to be angry. Esme did unspeakable things to him and his friends. He says, and to her; Esme attacked her. She says she wouldn’t really call it an attack. Esme went for her phone and she fell. It was more like an accident. He says, nothing Esme has ever done has been an accident. Everything she’s done has been deliberate; from the revenge porn to framing Trina… Setting Ava’s car on fire. He hopes she gets what she deserves and he hopes they take that baby far away from her. She says, this is so not like him. Please tell her what is going on.

Michael joins the others, and Carly asks, how’s Willow? Josslyn asks, how’s the baby? and he says, Willow is stable and the baby seems fine. Dr. Navarro is doing an ultrasound as a precautionary measure. How did Carly know they were here? Carly says, Nina called her, and he says, right. Nina said she’d call Carly and watch Wiley until someone from the main house could come. He’s sorry. He’s just been so focused on Willow, everything else is a blur right now. Carly tells him, the only thing Nina said was that Willow collapsed. What happened? Drew tells Michael, it’s okay; it’s not a secret anymore. He told Carly about the leukemia. Josslyn says, and Sonny told her, and Michael asks how Sonny knew. Josslyn says she doesn’t know. She asked, but he didn’t say. Carly asks if it matters. They’re here for him. What does he need? Michael promises he’ll explain everything, but right now, he has to take care of something.

Sonny comes into the gatehouse through the back, and Nina tells Wiley, look who’s here. Sonny says he told her he’d be here in no time, and tells Wiley, get over here. Wiley hugs him, and he says, grandpa’s here. Everything is going to be okay. Brook walks in, and asks what Sonny is doing here. Nina says she called Sonny to let him know what happened, and she thought Wiley would like to see his grandpa. Sonny says he rushed over, and asks what Brook is doing here. Brook says, Michael texted, and wanted her to check up on Wiley. Wiley says he’s okay, and Chase asks if either one of them know what’s going on with Willow. Brook suggests Wiley brush his teeth and get ready for bed, but Wiley says he already did. She says, do it again, and she’ll give him five bucks, and he says, deal. He runs upstairs, and Nina asks if they should tell them. Brook says, they should. Willow’s baby is her family. Chase asks if there’s a problem with the baby. It’s too early for her to go into labor, right? Sonny says he hasn’t heard anything since they went to the hospital, but there’s a lot more going on than Willow just being pregnant. She has leukemia. Brook says she had no idea. Poor Willow. Poor Michael; he must be going crazy. Sonny says, they just found out, and Chase says, she’s going to be okay, right? Willow is going to be treated and be okay. Nina says, they don’t know the details, but from what they can tell, Willow’s leukemia is in Stage IV.

Cameron says he’s fine, really, but Elizabeth says her mother’s instinct tells her differently. He says, maybe he’s not fine, but there’s nothing she can do about it. There’s nothing anyone can do. She says, talk to her. Whatever it is, they can figure it out. He says, Joss broke up with him, and she says she’s so sorry. He says, and it’s all Esme’s fault. Her plan to send Trina to jail failed, but she succeeded in ruining his life. He and Josslyn never got back to where they were before. Everywhere they went, people were staring at them, talking, and laughing at them. Even when things died down, that feeling between them stayed. Elizabeth asks if that’s what Josslyn said.

Cody says, still no word from Chase? and Sasha says, nothing since he texted they were at the gatehouse, and Michael and Willow went to the hospital. She hopes Willow and the baby are going to be okay, and he says he’s sure everything will work out. He asks where she thinks Ned keeps the good wine. He looks in the credenza, and says, supposedly biscotti is better if you dip it in there. Is this even the kind of room you’d keep wine? What kind of a room do they call this? She says she believes Michael told her that they call it the solarium, and Cody laughs, saying, rich people and their fancy names. In that case – he puts on a British accent – would she care to join him for some biscotti in the solarium? She says, first of all, he’s very good at distracting people from their worries. Secondly, she’d love some biscotti.

Drew tells Carly, Willow and Nina deserve to know the truth. If Willow has taken a turn… She asks him to keep his voice down. She’s not going in there and telling her right now; Willow’s unconscious. Besides, he said they found a match. He says, Carly still has to tell her, and she says she knows that. She’s just not going to do it right now; now’s not the right time. He says, there’s never going to be a right time, and let him be clear. He’s not going to sit on this secret forever. She says she doesn’t expect him to, but right now, can’t they just pray for Willow and the baby? Because Willow making it through is all that matters.

Wiley comes back downstairs, and asks Brook, where’s his five bucks? Brook says, a promise is a promise, and gives it to him. Sonny tells Nina that he has to go to GH. He needs to see Michael, even though Michael doesn’t want him to. Michael’s his son, and he has to be there for him. Nina says, of course (🍷). She’ll go with him. Sonny asks Wiley to give him a big, big hug, and they say goodbye. Wiley tells Nina goodbye, and she tells him, even if he doesn’t see her for a while, she’s always with him. She touches her heart, and says she loves him so much. They hug, and she and Sonny go to the door. Nina turns for a moment, Wiley waves at her, and they leave.

Alexis says, Gregory is a natural at this type of work, and he says he hopes so. He taught it long enough. It’s nice to know he can put what he teaches into practice. She asks why he’s always taught journalism, and not gone out into the field. His wife was a journalist. He says, it’s just the path he took. He felt the adrenaline rush a couple of times, helping Jackie with her stories, but they were raising Chase. One of them had to have a more grounded job. She says, that was the past. He’s certainly not raising Chase now. Has he thought about giving up the lecture hall, and becoming a reporter? He says, does it sound exciting? Of course (🍷). But he thinks boots-to-the-ground reporting is a young person’s job. These days, he’s content watching from the sidelines. She says she thinks that’s bull. She thinks he’s being self-deprecating, and she thinks he doesn’t believe that. And he’s talking to somebody who found a second act. She didn’t have any choice. She blew up her first act, but that’s another story. He says, point taken, and she says, if he wants to teach, teach, but if he wants a change, go for the second act, third act. He can go for as many acts as he wants. She’s just trying to say he’s really good at this, and she would hate to see him write off possibilities for his future without ever having gone there. He says she’s definitely given him something to think about, and she says, good. If he’s going to stay here, he’s going to work. So take a look at the layouts, and tell her what he thinks.

Brook tells Wiley that he’s been through a lot tonight. Talk to her. He asks why mommy said Grandma Nina was bad, and Brook says, she actually said that? Wiley nods, and says he loves Grandma Nina. Is she bad? Brook says, his Grandma Nina has made some mistakes, but that doesn’t mean she’s bad. She and mommy just want the best for him, even though she messes up sometimes. He says he misses mommy, and Chase says, his mommy misses him too, and she’s doing everything she can to get back to him. Brook suggests Wiley make Willow a get well card.

Sonny and Nina come into the hospital, and Carly looks like she wants to disappear. Sonny says, Nina still hasn’t told him why she was at the Quartermaines, and Nina says she was worried about Wiley when they heard about Willow’s diagnosis. Unfortunately, she had words with Michael. She knows she should have stayed away. Michael comes out of Willow’s room, followed by Dr. Navarro and Terry. Terry says, they just wanted to give them and update, and Dr. Navarro says, the baby is fine. They’re going to keep monitoring her, along with working with Dr. Randolph on Willow’s treatment. Terry says, Willow is critical, but in stable condition. She’s going to look into clinical trials for her, but they’re running out of options. She wishes she had better news. Her pager goes off, and she excuses herself. Josslyn says she knows Michael is only focused on Willow right now, but she’s here if he needs anything, or Willow needs anything. Carly tells him, it’s going to be all right. They have to believe that. Drew asks why they’re looking into clinical trials. He thought Willow already had a match for a bone marrow donor. Michael says, she did. They found out at her last appointment that the donor isn’t healthy enough to go through with the transplant. Carly looks at Nina.

Cody says, Sasha lost her baby. She entered into a guardianship, and lost her husband. And he thought he had some problems. He asks if that was insensitive, and she says, pretty much, but also weirdly refreshing. She’s so used to everyone treating her with kid gloves, it’s nice to know she won’t fall apart if someone sets her off. He says she looks pretty tough to him, and she says she’s guessing he doesn’t watch the Home & Heart Shopping Network. He says he never heard of it, and she says she went on it to plug some products for Deception. They spontaneously added her to the next segment, about a papoose style baby carrier, and she wound up having a nervous breakdown on live television. He says he’s guessing that’s where the guardianship came in, and she says, originally, it was Brando, but when he died, his mother Gladys took over. He says, her mother-in-law’s name is Gladys? and she says, why? He says he knows a woman named Gladys, but it’s probably not her mother-in-law. She says, he’d know if he met her mother-in-law. She’s pretty memorable.

Brook says, Wiley’s mommy is going to love this picture. It’s just what she needs to brighten up her hospital room, and remind her of how much he loves her. Wiley says, all done, and asks if Chase will read him a story. He tells Wiley to pick one out, and Wiley runs upstairs. Chase says, Brook is really good with him, and she says, so is he. The kid loves him. He says, they shouldn’t be surprised. Does this feel familiar to her? It wasn’t that long ago, they were living together, taking care of Bailey. She says, they make a good team… He doesn’t have to stay.

Cameron tells Elizabeth, it doesn’t matter what Joss said. That sex tape was when all their problems started. She asks him to stop calling it that. It makes it sound like they made it willingly. He says, she’s right; they didn’t. It’s revenge porn, which is a crime, which Esme should rot in jail for. Everything was perfect before that. She says, he’s right in that she can’t fix this for him, but he knows she’s had her fair share of experience with heartbreak. She’s not going to pretend to know how things were with him and Josslyn. Maybe things were perfect before that video came out, but in her experience, rarely is it just one thing that breaks up a couple.

Josslyn asks why someone would put themselves on a bone marrow transplant list if they can’t go through with it, and Michael says, they must have had a condition they weren’t aware of when they signed up. Carly asks what this means for Willow and the baby, and Michael says, Willow needs a bone marrow transplant period. The doctors are just buying time until they find another match. He’s got to take a walk. Nina tells Sonny that she’s going to the chapel to say a prayer for Willow, and he says he’ll go with her. They leave, and Drew tells Carly, they need to put an end to this madness now. She nods, and says she knows what she has to do.

In the chapel, Nina asks how Sonny is doing. It must be pretty devastating for him to know what Michael is going through. He says, it’s never easy watching your kids suffer. He and Michael are estranged, and he wants to give Michael a hug, but Michael doesn’t want it. They’re just going to concentrate on Willow. They care about her so much, and she and Michael are good together. He’s just feeling like he doesn’t know what to do. She says, Sonny’s going to be there for them, and that’s enough. That’s a lot. He says he can’t abandon his son. He needs to let Michael know that. She says she’ll be here for him, and as much as they don’t want it, she’s here for Michael and Willow too.

Chase says, Brook’s the one who called him over about changes in a song he’s going to be singing tomorrow. Now she’s kicking him out? That makes perfect sense. He gets up, and she says, come on. She wasn’t born yesterday. She knows the only reason he came over was because he was worried about Willow, and wanted more information. Now they know Willow has leukemia, and she knows he wants to go to GH and see her. He says, when Nina and Sonny told them the news, his initial reaction was to rush over there, but is that what’s best for Michael and Willow? It’s already got to be awkward over there because of how Michael feels about Sonny. Not to mention how Carly and Joss feel about Sonny and Nina. Do they really want Willow’s ex-husband in the mix? He doesn’t think so. She says she knows how much he cares about Willow, and he, Michael and Willow are friends-ish again, right? He says, something like that, and she says, his mind must be going crazy with worry. Go be with them. She can take care of Wiley by herself, and cancel tomorrow’s performance. He asks if Linc won’t throw a fit, but she says she’ll handle Linc. Do what he needs to do. He says, if he goes to GH, he’ll only be in the way. If the best way to help Michael and Willow is to help her keep Wiley happy, then that’s what he’ll do

Elizabeth tells Cameron, maybe it’s easier to blame Esme for the break-up. God knows she played a big enough role. It must feel like she’s responsible for everything. It’s easy to look at one catastrophic event, and say that was it. Trust her; she’s been there. It will only drive him crazy if he keeps asking himself, what if this never happened? He says, if Esme never made the revenge porn, if Trina had never gone to trial, if none of those things would have happened, he’s certain he and Josslyn would still be together. She says, but if he really thinks about it, there were other issues too. Didn’t he keep Spencer’s secret that he was only pretending to believe Esme, and didn’t tell Josslyn? Regardless of the reasoning, that hurt the communication between them. He says, maybe, but it still doesn’t make it hurt any less. She says she knows Josslyn was his first girlfriend, and his first love; it’s going to hurt. But she also knows that one day he’ll be able to look back on the time he had with her, and instead of all this pain, he’ll feel grateful for what he did have.

Josslyn hugs Michael, and he thanks her for being here. She asks, where else she would be? Why didn’t he tell them? He says, first of all, because Willow didn’t tell him. Chemo is dangerous for a baby in the first trimester so she decided to wait. She didn’t want him to worry, so she didn’t tell him. By the time she told him, it was safe to start chemo, but the leukemia had already advanced. She says she’s so sorry, and he says, it’s Willow’s fight and she can do this the way she has to, but even after she told him, she didn’t want anyone else to know. She thought it was the best way to protect Wiley, so he wouldn’t be afraid. He’s reaching that age now where he’s more perceptive. She thought if Josslyn or their mom looked at her with worry, Wiley would pick up on it and realize something was wrong. She says, it makes sense; he’s a smart little boy. Her phone dings, and she sees a text from Dex: Thinking about you. Hope everything is okay. He says, Cameron? but she says, no, someone else. Is there anything she can do? She knows it feels like an empty gesture, but she’d do anything. He says, just be here with him, and she says, done. He puts his arm around her, and she puts her head on his shoulder.

Carly goes into Willow’s room, and asks TJ, how is she? He says, her vital signs are stable, but they’re not sure when she’s going to wake up. She’d appreciate Carly being here either way. He leaves, and Carly sits by the bed. She says she needs Willow to wake up. She’s so sorry. If she had known… She never intended for anything like this to happen. She loves Willow like a daughter. Please wake up. She has to tell Willow something that may save her life. Willow stirs a little, and Carly says, if you can hear the sound of my voice, it’s Carly. Please wake up. Visibly uncomfortable, Carly leaves.

Carly tells Drew, Willow’s still sleeping. She tried to wake Willow up. He says, she can tell Willow later, but she says, they’re past that. Will he stay with Michael? He says, of course (🍷), and she says, will he tell him? Tell Michael she’s so sorry… please. She starts to leave, and he asks where she’s going. She says she’s going to do what she has to do.

Chase reads, all you need is confidence in yourself. There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. True courage is in facing danger when you’re afraid, and that kind of courage, you have in plenty. He looks at Brook and Wiley sleeping, and says, goodnight, Wiley. Goodnight, Brook Lynn. Don’t worry. He’ll stand watch.

Cameron thanks Elizabeth for the talk, and she says, even if he didn’t like what she had to say? He says, she was just telling him the truth. If he continues to blame Esme for the break-up, it’s just going to fuel his anger. Now that he realizes he and Josslyn both played parts in them ending, it’s just making him sad. She says she’s so sorry, and he says he’s got to finish up, and she says, before he goes, she wants to remind him that she loves him. She’s always here for him. She starts to leave, and he says he loves her too, and they hug.

Sasha tells Cody, she read in The Invader that Britt died because she stepped in to rescue someone from The Hook. She actually saved a life, and not just by being a doctor; by being a kickass hero. He says, and that was just a week after she delivered a miracle baby on Christmas in the Quartermaine house. She says, Brando died protecting someone too. He was following Josslyn Jax to make sure she was safe. Cody says, sounds like he was a hero also. He’s grateful Britt was in his life, even if it was for a short time. She says she and Brando survived a lot of problems, but she still loved her life with him. Even knowing how it ended, she’d do it again in a heartbeat. He says, to Britt and Brando, and they clink their biscotti.

Gregory says, finished. He’ll get out of Alexis’s hair. She thanks him for his help, and says she couldn’t done without him. He says, now who’s being falsely modest? and she says, okay. She could have done it without him, but she’s glad she didn’t have to. He says, it was a pleasure. He likes spending time with her. This was fun. Have a good night. She says, him too, and he leaves. Her phone rings, and she says she just got back in the office. Can this wait?… Well now you’ve got my attention.

Josslyn sits by Willow’s bedside, and says she’s so sorry this is happening to her. She and Michael are so good together, and Wiley is such a happy little boy. This baby could not be born into a better family. And she will be born. And she will be healthy. And Willow will be there with her. Willow’s got to believe that. All of this, the doctors, the medicine, is all important of course (🍷), but so is believing. She’s going make it, and they’ll all be here for her. Her phone rings, and she says, right now?… Okay, she’ll be there.

Michael thanks TJ, and says he knows TJ has done a lot to support Willow. TJ says, that’s what friends do. If he needs anything at all, don’t hesitate to ask. Michael says he appreciates it, and TJ leaves. Michael sees Drew, and asks if Drew knows where his mom went. Drew says, she went to see Nina, and Michael says, this night’s bad enough already. Why would she want to talk to Nina of all people? Drew says, there’s something Michael needs to know.

Still turning herself inside out, Carly goes to the chapel. She asks if she can talk to Nina alone, and Sonny leaves. Carly closes the door.

Tomorrow, Jordan asks why someone didn’t come forward; Alexis tells Spencer that she’s looking for the truth; and Carly tells Nina, she may be the only person on earth who can help. I can’t wait.

💟 Glad To Hear It…

That little tribute at the end of yesterday’s episode must have been to keep the fans at bay until they could put together something more befitting Epiphany.

🧨 And Don’t Call Her Granny…

Good soap actors never really retire.

💃🏽 Welcome To the Nurses Ball…

It’s going to be quite a spring in Port Charles.

🥀 First Farewell…

Passions was a great show – so much fun.

🍊 Close, But No Cigar…

Good thing Ramona is on the east coast.

🕶 Traitors Among Traitors…

I love it. There are 20 contestants comprised of 10 reality stars and 10 normal people.

👠 Life After Housewives…

Do we care? Here it is anyway.

👗 After the Ball Is Over…

Golden Globes afterparty fashion.

🐊 And Of Course There Was a Peke…

No Corgi for Queen Victoria.

https://www.historyextra.com/period/tudor/anne-boleyns-lapdog-and-john-quincy-adamss-alligator-10-famous-people-in-history-and-their-bizarre-pets/

🧺 Housekeeping Stuck In 2023…

Will Carly spill her guts tomorrow? Come back and find out, as well as enjoy some tea, quotes, and music. Until then, stay safe, stay asking for help when you need it, and stay going for as many acts as you want.

January 10, 2023 – Drew Confronts Carly About the Search, Bye From Britt, Sonja’s Sunset, Get Out, You Too, Traitors Coming, Eli’s Thanksgiving, Special Pups (!) & Family

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Willow stares at the fireplace, when Michael and Wiley come in with a plate of cookies. She says, just what the doctor ordered, and Wiley asks if the doctor told her to have dessert. Michael says, it’s just something people say, and Wiley asks, why? Willow tells him, in this case, it means she can’t think of a better way to spend time; just the three of them. Wiley says, when his little sister is born, it will be four of them. That’s a lot.

Drew walks into Sonny’s ex-kitchen and current home of the great moss bowl🎍, and Carly says, he’s right on time. He takes off his jacket, and she asks if everything is okay. He says he’d feel like an ass if he kissed her, and then ambushed her with a question, and she says, ask her the question. He asks why she doesn’t want to find Willow’s birth mother.

Sonny asks Nina, where did these papers come from? and she says, Aunt Liesl cleaned out Britt’s office, including some papers she shouldn’t have. She was going to sort through it and return the papers that belonged to the hospital… Why? He says, see for herself, handing her a document, and she sees it’s Willow’s chemotherapy report. She says, Willow’s getting chemotherapy.

Josslyn knocks at Dex’s door, and she asks if she can come in. He says, of course (🍷), and she walks inside, saying, she can’t stop thinking about Britt. If Britt hadn’t held off The Hook, she would be dead by now. He tells her, stop, but she says, listen to her. She couldn’t have held The Hook off by herself, and by the time Dex got to the pier, it would have been too late. Britt got cut saving her. The Hook was after her. It all happened because of her. He says, what you’re feeling is survivor’s guilt, and if you’re not careful, it can really mess you up.

Esme wonders if she can ask Elizabeth a question, and Elizabeth says she doesn’t know if she can answer it, but she’ll try. Esme asks if Elizabeth thinks her lawyer is any good. She’s being accused of all these terrible things, and he thinks if they can find out where she’s been hiding out these past few months, she’ll have an alibi.

Spencer asks why Laura is at the hospital, and she says she wanted to see him. He says, maybe she doesn’t approve of him moving in with Uncle Sonny, but he had to get out of Windymere, and she says she’s happy he’s with Sonny. She just wanted to see for herself how he’s doing. He says, truthfully, he’s heartbroken that Britt is dead, and if Esme killed her, if she’s The Hook, then she needs to be held accountable.

Walking to the porch at Windymere, Dante asks Jordan if they’re going to wait for a warrant. She says, unless they can get the judge to sign one in the next ten minutes, they’ll have to hope Nikolas cooperates, and Dante says he wishes her good luck with that one. When he questioned Nikolas this morning, the only thing Nikolas would tell him is that he’s the father of Esme’s baby. She asks if the lab turned up anything from Esme’s personal effects, and he says, the only thing she had was a Christmas ornament. She asks if he’s sure it was on her, and he says, she definitely had it; he asked the doctor. She asks if they can trace it, and he says, it wasn’t mass produced. It’s from Poland, and it’s hand-painted. If they can find out who painted it, maybe they can find out who it was sold to.

Victor tells Nikolas, there was a fire in the north tower; a Christmas tree went up in flames. Who would put a Christmas tree in an unused bedroom? His guess is, the same person who put toiletries in the bathroom, or clothes in the closet. Nothing fancy. Just some sweats, loose-fitting, suitable for a pregnant woman. Nikolas has been keeping Esme prisoner, hasn’t he? Right under Victor’s nose.

Nina says, this is personal medical information. Maybe they shouldn’t be looking at this. But Sonny says, if she thinks it’s a violation of her ethics, look at it this way; he found it, she didn’t. She asks what he’s going to do with it, and he says, Willow is Wiley’s mother. She’s carrying his grandchild. He doesn’t care what’s going on as far as the fighting goes; she’s still family. He’s going to do everything he can to find out about her condition. She says she doesn’t care about right or wrong. She only wants to help Willow.

Wiley asks what his baby sister’s name is, but Michael says, they haven’t chosen one yet. What does he think it should be? Wiley says, Annabelle III, but Michael says, that might be confusing for the baby and the dog to have the same name. Any other ideas? Wiley says, T’chooka. His sister could be a dead-eyed Padawan. Michael says, that’s interesting. They’ll have to think about that one. What does Willow think? Wiping tears from her eyes without them seeing, Willow says she thinks her eyes are bigger than her stomach. She’s going to save the cookie for a late night treat. Michael says, speaking of late night, it’s past Wiley’s bedtime. He suggests Wiley get in his PJs, and he’ll read Wiley a bedtime story. Wiley says goodnight to Willow, and she tells him, sweet dreams. He gives her bump a kiss, telling his little sister to take good care of mommy. Michael brings Wiley upstairs, as they discuss which story to read, and Willow cries.

Drew says, ever since he first told Carly that he was searching for Willow’s birth parents, he felt resistance. She pours them some wine, and he says, when he told her he tracked down a source, she questioned their credibility. When he mentioned he had some great information, she was opposed to telling Willow. She asks if he thinks she was wrong, and he says, at the time, the reason seemed to make sense to him. Once they told Willow her birth mother was dead, why get her hopes up? When they found out that was a lie, why stress her out, telling her that she might have been kidnapped, and stolen from her birth parents? But then he took a step back, and there was a pattern there, and the pattern became very clear. She doesn’t want Willow’s birth parents to be found. She says, no, she doesn’t.

Dex says, of course (🍷) Josslyn is grateful to Britt; he’s grateful too. He doesn’t even want to think about how he’d be feeling if Josslyn had gotten killed. But there’s only one person responsible for Britt’s death, and that is The Hook. He’s sorrier than he can say that he’s not a better shot, and didn’t kill The Hook when he had the chance. She says she’s sorry too. The world would be a much safer and happier place. But even if he’d shot The Hook, there’s no guarantee Britt would have survived. There was poison in her system; she didn’t even know it. Does he think it would have made a difference? They took off and left Britt to cover for them. Does that make them partly responsible for her death?

Esme tells Elizabeth, Mr. Grey seems very competent. He seems like he cares about defending her, but she’s not paying him. He’s defending her for free. How does she know if she can trust him or his strategy? He says if she can get an alibi… but she has no idea where she’s been for the past few months – or her whole life for that matter. She doesn’t know how she got here. She doesn’t know who got her pregnant… Elizabeth says, she’ll remember, but Esme says, what if she doesn’t? Elizabeth says, traumatic memory loss isn’t uncommon. Permanent memory loss does happen, but it’s pretty rare, so the chances she’ll remember are good. But to answer her question, Mr. Grey is a great attorney. She thinks Esme can trust him.

Spencer says, if Esme is The Hook, Britt is dead because of him, because he brought Esme to Port Charles, but Laura says, no. They’ve talked about this. He isn’t responsible for anything Esme does. If Esme is The Hook; that hasn’t been proven yet. She’s in her third trimester of her pregnancy. Laura thinks it’s highly unlikely she’d have the physical strength to attack Britt with a hook. He says, she doesn’t know Esme like he does. She can do a lot of damage when she wants. Laura says, there isn’t just Esme to consider. There’s also a baby.

Victor asks if Nikolas had a plan. Did he have an end game, or was he just winging it; keeping Esme prisoner because he couldn’t think of anything else to do? Nikolas says, Esme turned up alive and pregnant with his child. He had every reason to believe she was The Hook. He couldn’t allow her to harm anyone else, but he couldn’t turn her over to the police, and risk her giving birth to his unborn child while incarcerated. Victor says, so he lured her to Windymere, but Nikolas says, she was already here. She was stealing money from his safe. He took her to a tower bedroom, and locked her in. He enlisted Demetrius to take care of her, and that was his mistake. Esme was able to manipulate Demetrius. Victor says, Esme manipulated Nikolas. She fooled him into putting her somewhere she could easily escape from – which she did. Very successfully, he might add. She’s cunning, creative, and she’s able to keep a cool head. Qualities Nikolas soundly lacks. He’s been protecting Nikolas for the sake of this family, but perhaps the Cassadines would be better off if they cut their losses. The doorbell rings, and Nikolas answers it. It’s Dante and Jordan, who says, they have more questions for him about Esme Prince.

Carly and Drew gravitate to the moss bowl, and Carly says, after Willow learned the truth about Harmony, Willow made the decision not to look for her birth parents, and she was relieved. Drew asks, why? He’s confused. He and Carly both grew up without their biological family, and they both went searching for answers. Unlike him, Carly found her mother right away. He waited years to connect with the Quartermaines. The point is, she and Bobbie have a strong, loving relationship. Why doesn’t she want that for Willow? Carly says, because Willow was afraid her birth mother would turn out to be someone like Nina. And the truth is, all reunions aren’t happy; some of them are awful. And Willow has had so much loss and pain, she wanted to spare Willow any more. Drew says, that wasn’t her call to make.

Nina tells Sonny, the doctor’s notes say, Willow was originally diagnosed with leukemia in late August, but she didn’t start her first round of chemotherapy until later November. Sonny wonders, why the delay? and Nina says, when Willow was first diagnosed, she was in Stage Two. By the time she received treatment, she was in Stage Four. He says, the doctors must have warned her. You don’t get diagnosed with leukemia, and wait three months to get treatment. She says, you do if you’re pregnant.

Michael says, once again, Goodnight Moon does the trick, and Willow says, bedtime’s best friend. He sees she’s been crying, and asks, what happened? She says, chemo isn’t working, and her marrow donor can’t donate. She can barely be a mother to Wiley. She can’t join in the conversation, or ask about his day, or even eat a damn cookie. He says, Wiley will be okay, but she says, he’s not okay. He knows something’s wrong and he’s scared. It’s all her fault. The whole thing is her fault. Michael holds her as she cries.

Dex says, Josslyn was willing to stay and talk to the police. He was the one who asked Britt to cover for them; he didn’t want to explain the gun. It’s on him. She says, he didn’t drag her. She left with him willingly. And yeah, Britt told them she had it covered. There was no reason not to believe her, but she feels like she’s alive at Britt’s expense. He says, maybe there’s another way to look at this. Britt saved her life, so doesn’t she owe it to Britt to live the best life she can?

Nikolas says he already sat through one pointless investigation at the PCPD. If they want to ask him more questions, they can call his lawyer. Victor says, nonsense, and tells them to come in. He asks how they can be of help, and Dante says, Esme Prince showed up on the Haunted Star in the early morning hours of January 1st. She was soaking wet and suffering from hypothermia. Which Nikolas is aware of since he showed up at the hospital with Elizabeth. Nikolas asks if it’s a crime to show concern, and Dante says, the last time Esme was seen was back in November on Pier 55, which is near the Haunted Star, and coincidentally near where the boat to Windymere docks. Since she used to live here, they think maybe she was hiding out on Spoon Island, or even right here in this house.

Laura tells Spencer, whatever Esme has or hasn’t done, that baby is innocent. Britt is gone, and there’s nothing he can do to bring her back, but he can do something to make sure Esme’s baby is born safely. Don’t confront Esme. Don’t interrogate her about Britt or anything else. He says, what if she’s lying about the memory loss? and Laura says, she’s not lying about the pregnancy. The priority right now should be the health and safety of that baby. That means allowing Esme to rest and recover. Elizabeth comes out of Esme’s room, and Spencer asks if Esme is awake. Elizabeth says, awake and alert, and he says he’d like to see her. Laura tells the guard to let Commissioner Ashford know that she okayed the visit, and Spencer thanks her. He knocks at Esme’s door, and she says, yes? He walks in, and she asks if she knows him.

Nikolas says he thinks he’d know if Esme was living in his house, and Jordan says, it’s a big house. There must be plenty of rooms that go unused. Esme could have taken refuge in any one of them, and Nikolas would never know, which is why they’d like to search the premises. Nikolas says, absolutely not, and Dante says, come on. They search the house, find out Esme was never here, and they can move on with their investigation. Nikolas says, if they want to search his house, get a warrant. And for that, they’ll need to show probable cause, and there isn’t any. Jordan says, DA Scorpio found plenty of evidence and was able to get Judge Winters to sign off on a warrant, but she thought she’d spare them the time and trouble by giving Nikolas the option to voluntarily agree to the search. Nikolas asks what evidence Robert has, and Victor says, they appreciate the courtesy, but they have nothing to hide. So feel free to search the house. Nikolas says, it could take hours, and Victor says, best get started then. He tells Nikolas to accompany the detective and his officers so they don’t get lost.

Dex tells Josslyn, the way he gives thanks for his life is by living it. Maybe she could try it. She says, maybe she could, and they kiss.

Nina tells Sonny, apparently the danger chemotherapy poses to the fetus is higher in the first trimester because the organs are developing. It’s safer for the baby in the second or third trimester. He says, safer for the baby, but not for Willow, and Nina says she has no idea how Willow is getting through this. To find out she’s pregnant, then be diagnosed with a life threatening illness; to have to choose between your health and the health of your unborn baby? Sonny takes her hand.

Willow sits up, and Michael asks, what’s wrong? She says, it’s not fair to lean on him, and he says she agreed to marry him, and that’s what married people do; they lean on each other. She asks why he’s not angry with her. She didn’t share her diagnosis with him, and didn’t include him in her decision making. She didn’t give him a vote. She gambled with her life, with Wiley’s security and future, and with everything they planned together, and now it looks like she lost.

Drew says, Carly fights like hell when someone tries to make choices for her. He’s confused. What made her decide what Willow could or couldn’t know about her own family? Carly says, Willow didn’t want to know, and he says, she reconsidered and decided she wants to track down her family. Not only that, she asked him to help search. Carly says she gets that, but Willow was having a hard pregnancy. The last thing she needs is stress. She thought it was best not to open the door to total strangers with whom Willow shares biology and nothing else. He says, she denied Willow her own family, and Carly says, Willow has family. She has her, and Michael, and Wiley, and Drew, and the Quartermaines. He says, enough excuses. Willow’s biological family can give her things that none of them can.

Nina tells Sonny, after one of her many clashes with Willow, she tracked them down at the hospital. She found them in Terry’s office. She’s an oncologist. Nina didn’t think much about it then, but – she picks up the document – Terry is treating Willow. Sonny says, Willow and Michael probably want to keep it quiet; the family didn’t say anything to him. She says, they probably do. They probably don’t want to upset Wiley. By delaying treatment, Willow is risking leaving Wiley, leaving him without the only mother he’s ever known. It must be so difficult for her. Nina wonders how much influence Michael had in Willow’s decision to delay cancer treatment. They know Michael is very selfish. He’s focused and single-minded in getting what he wants. Sonny says, this family infighting has to stop. They have to pull it together for Willow.

Carly tells Drew, she gets it. Willow is pregnant, and she wants her medical history to be complete for her baby’s sake. She understands that, but felt the emotional consideration outweighed it, so she obstructed his efforts… pretty considerably. He says, describe considerably, and she says, when he tracked down Denise Mackenzie, the firefighter who was on the commune with Harmony, she intercepted Denise before their meeting, and paid her to back Harmony’s original story about getting Willow from some mythical Joan. Then when Denise recanted, she paid Denise off for not giving her up. He says, when she went out after Denise to give her glove back. Carly says, then most recently, she found information on the commune leader Josiah, she took it and hid it, so Drew couldn’t follow up on him. Drew says, so the whole time they were supposed to be working together, she was sabotaging him.

Michael says he understands Willow is disappointed and frustrated; he is too. But they found a bone marrow match, and they’ll find another. There’s still time. She says, there’s a lot less time than when she was first diagnosed. When she made the choice not to tell him about her diagnosis or include him in her decision to wait, which is the opposite of how he’s always treated her. He didn’t have to include her in Wiley’s life, much less let her adopt him. Michael trusted her with his son. He made Wiley their son, and now she may be leaving them both. At the very moment she should have shared with him, she shut him out. Why doesn’t he hate her for that?

Laura asks Elizabeth how Esme seems, and Elizabeth says, if this is Laura’s way of asking if she thinks Esme is faking the memory loss, her answer is, she doesn’t know. Laura says, Doc started to assess her, but her brother threw him out of the room. Doc would never violate patient privacy, so he hasn’t said anything, but she has the feeling he believes Esme. He got to see Esme in all her manipulative glory when she was living with them, so she thinks he’d know if Esme was lying. Elizabeth says, maybe they’ll get lucky and she’ll never remember, and Laura asks why that would be a good thing.

Spencer introduces himself to Esme, and says, he and his friend Trina Robinson brought her to the hospital. Esme thanks him for that, and he asks how she’s feeling. She says she’s see-sawing between numb and total panic. They say she could be charged with everything from revenge porn to attempted murder, which is really scary. She doesn’t suppose he knows where she’s been hiding these past few months. Apparently it’s the only thing that could exonerate her.

Jordan asks how much contact Victor had with Esme, and he says, minimal really. He lived at the MetroCourt until recently. He and Esme never lived at Windymere at the same time. She says, their paths never crossed? and he says, occasionally, when she was dating Spencer. Their interactions were superficial at best. She says, what about Nikolas? How would Victor characterize his actions with Esme?

In front of Esme’s old prison room, Dante asks, what’s in here? and Nikolas says, a bedroom. Dante asks if anyone is using it, and Nikolas says, it’s possible one of the staff could be staying there. Dante says, Nikolas lets the staff stay with him? He thought they’d be out on the grounds. Nikolas says, like the Commissioner pointed out, it’s a big house, and if for whatever reason one of the staff needed to stay the night, he doesn’t see the harm. Dante says he’d like to check the room out, but Nikolas says, it’s locked. Dante tries the door, and it opens.

Carly says she’s so sorry for misleading Drew, and he says, lying to him. She says she made the choice to protect Willow long before they got together, but he says, there’s no contract. There’s no pre-existing condition clause. This is about them trusting each other. He let her in on an investigation, and she took advantage of his trust to undermine it. She says she was protecting Willow. Doesn’t he understand? He says she knew damn well Willow asked him to do the search, and he gets that Willow was initially resistant to finding out her birth mother, but once Carly knew she reconsidered, didn’t that change her calculations? She says she was conflicted, but then she decided Willow was better off not knowing. Drew says, if Carly knew the complete information about Willow’s health situation, she would have reacted differently, and Carly asks what he’s talking about. Is there something wrong with Willow? He says, she has leukemia.

Michael says he could never hate Willow. He wishes she’d shared her diagnosis with him from the start, but he understands why she didn’t. He’ll never forget the pain of losing Jonah, and knows she won’t either. She chose to protect the life she’s carrying the best way she could, and he’s good with that. She says she was selfish, and he says she’s the least selfish person he knows. She says she did what she wanted and if she chose wrong, he and Wiley will be left alone. He says, they’re not going to lose her, but she says, he can’t promise that. He says he can promise this much. He’ll never regret any day he’s spent with her, or making her Wiley’s mother. He’ll never regret the love she’s given Wiley, and the place she has in his life. Even if Wiley has to grow up without her, her love will sustain him. Even if Wiley doesn’t consciously remember it, Michael will remember all of it. And he’ll love her for the rest of his life. He kisses her.

Basking in the afterglow on Dex’s couch, since he apparently doesn’t have a bed, Josslyn says, this was not the plan. He asks if she regrets it, but she says, no. He says, good. Because if he hasn’t made it clear, he doesn’t want this to be a one or two time thing. She says, neither does she. She doesn’t know what she feels for him, but she knows it’s strong. He says, him too, and kisses her. Her phone dings, and she says, sorry. It might be her mom, and she’ll freak out if Josslyn doesn’t answer. She looks at the phone and says, unbelievable. She shows it to Dex, and he reads a text from Sonny: Need to see you. My office. Important. She says, how dare Sonny summon her like that?. She starts getting dressed, and says, he has no right. Who does he think he is? Dex asks where she’s going, and she says, Sonny’s office. She’s going to tell him that she’s going to see who she wants to see, and it’s none of his damn business.

Elizabeth tells Laura, if she was Esme, she’d want to forget everything too; the crimes, the mistakes. She could almost wish that for her own life… Not really of course (🍷). She’d never want to forget her kids or the people she loves, but it would be nice to forget the ways she’s messed up. Laura asks if this would have anything to do with what’s going on between her and Nikolas.

Spencer says, sorry. He has no alibi for Esme, and she says she supposes he never laid eyes on her before he and his friend brought her to the hospital. He says, that’s not true. He knows her better than anyone else in Port Charles. She asks, how? From where? Does he know why she’s in Port Charles? Does he really think she did all this crazy stuff?

Jordan asks Dante if the search is finished, but he says, the officers are still searching. Nikolas was kind enough to show him the north wing. Victor says, don’t keep them in suspense, and Dante says, they checked out the room at the top; no sign of Esme. Nikolas tells them, he said it was a waste of time, but Jordan says, due diligence is never a waste of time. If the officers find anything of interest, she and Dante may have to return and search further. They’ll be sure to bring a warrant. Nikolas says he’ll show them out, and Jordan thanks him for his time. She and Dante leave, and outside, she says, well? Dante says, the tower room has been cleaned and painted. He could smell the cleaning agents, and smell the paint; probably in the last few hours. They’ve definitely been hiding something or someone up there. Inside, Nikolas asks why Victor agreed to the search, and Victor says, because there was nothing to find. He had Demetrius do a thorough cleaning, and put everything in storage. He kept everything; ample evidence of Esme’s imprisonment. He takes the broken ornament out of his pocket, and says, just in case he needs to ensure Nikolas’s future cooperation

Elizabeth tells Laura that Nikolas is her oldest friend. They have a lot of history, and he knows her like nobody else does. She knows him too. She knows he can be selfish and reckless, and makes foolish choices. She also knows him to be generous and loving, and for the most part, he had good intentions. Laura says, Elizabeth has always been loyal to her son. She sees the good in him, and she thanks Elizabeth for that. She treasures Elizabeth, and not just because she’s the mother of her grandchildren. She’s known Elizabeth most of her life, and thinks of Elizabeth as another daughter. Elizabeth says, that means a lot to her, and Laura says, she’s very worried right now. She feels Nikolas has backed himself into a corner, and he’s in a very dark place.

Spencer says, he and Esme went to boarding school in France: Ecole Internationale de Chatel. She says, it doesn’t ring a bell, and he says he has family in Port Charles. When he graduated from boarding school, he came back here, and he brought her with him. She says, as a buddy? but he says, they were dating. She was his girlfriend and they broke up… for many reasons. She asks, how long ago did they break up? Is this his baby? He says, possibly.

On the phone, Dex says, call me. We’ve got a problem.

Josslyn strides into Sonny’s office, and says, before he starts in, she has a few things to say about the way she chooses to live her life, and how it’s none of his damn business.

Michael tucks Willow in, and she thanks him. She tells him not to let her sleep too late. She wants to see Wiley off to school. Maybe they can all have breakfast together in the morning. Michael says, they’ll figure it out. Just get some rest. She tells him that she loves him, and he says he loves her too. There’s a knock at the door, and he goes downstairs. Nina is there, and he says, it’s not a good time. She says she realizes that, and knows he doesn’t want her here, so she’ll make it quick. She needs to talk about her grandson.

Carly says, Willow has leukemia? and Drew says, Stage Four. She says, oh my God. That’s why she’s so pale and… weak. That’s why she fainted, and why Michael has been hovering, and… Why didn’t she see it? He says, Willow has been going out of her way to keep it a secret. Michael didn’t even know until she was in her second trimester. Drew just found out a few weeks ago. She asks how he found out, and he says, at first, Willow was saying the search was for medical history, but he knew there was more to it. Then she admitted she needs a bone marrow transplant. Carly says, and the best chance for a match is with a family member. He says, that’s why he stepped up the search, and she says, he doesn’t need to search. Nina is Willow’s birth mother.

Tomorrow, Chase says, Gladys won’t have to be Sasha’s guardian much longer; Drew asks if Carly was ever going to tell Willow; and Josslyn tells Dex that her life is falling apart, and she doesn’t know what to do about it.

👩🏻‍⚕️ Last Wave…

I’m sad to see her go, but she did get quite an exit.

🥀 In Memoriam…

A beautiful tribute to one taken too soon.

👠 Please Leave Now…

Is he actually watching the show?

https://people.com/tv/harry-hamlin-says-lisa-rinna-made-the-right-decision-to-leave-rhobh-exclusive/

Bless her heart.

💎 No More Diamond For You…

Another one who shouldn’t let the door hit her on the way out.

💣 Reality Turncoats…

I guess Alan Cumming needed to pay his mortgage.

🍗 At Long Last…

It’s about time. Machete is ahead by two films and a trailer.

🐶 Something Special In the Bowl…

Ending on an adorable note. I love a dog with special needs.

https://people.com/pets/puppy-bowl-2023-dogs-with-special-needs/

🌃 Yesterday Once More…

Swing by tomorrow for more soap, tea, and a tune. Until then, stay safe, stay ambitious, but not arrogant, and stay giving thanks for your life by living it.

December 26, 2022 – Heather Makes Robert an Offer, Unnecessary Cause, Lotsa Trees, More Celebrations, Christmas In the Clink, Happy Kwanzaa & Black Gold

Standard

I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Cody looks at Britta Noelle in the hospital nursery, and a nurse tells him that he has a beautiful daughter. He explains she’s not his; he only helped deliver her. She says, it’s the Christmas miracle baby everyone is talking about. Does she have a name? He says, Britta Noelle, and the nurse says, it’s a very special name. He says, she’s named for a very special woman.

In her office, Britt reads: Join me for my first birthday party ever on New Year’s Eve. Terry comes in, and says, Britt wanted to meet with her? but Britt doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Terry says she got a message to meet here, and Britt says she got the same message. She assumed it was from her Co-Chief of Staff. Is this someone’s idea of a joke? Austin comes in, and says, good, they’re both here. Can they take care of a little piece of business? Britt asks, what business is that? and he says, the business they’ve all chosen. The business of saving lives.

In the hospital waiting area, Maxie looks through some binders, and says, brussels sprouts are so 2022. Brad asks what she’s doing here, and she says she’s meeting Britt to go over the menu and details for her big birthday party. What’s his excuse? He says, actually, Britt wants his opinion on how to make this party one the town will never forget. Maxie says, no offense, but she’s a professional party planner, and he says, he’s a professional party animal, so move over. He sits down.

Heather yells from one of the exam rooms, asking what you have to do to see a doctor. She’s a very important person. Dante comes in, and she says, if it isn’t Detective Dreamboat. He didn’t have to get dressed up just to see her. He says he didn’t, and she says, he was at that memorial. She read about that; that brave, young officer killed in the line of duty. She does so wish Dante would let her help find his killer, and then he could maybe help her in return. Portia comes in wearing black, and Heather says, another mourner… That’s a really nice dress. Is that Armani? Dante tells Portia to let him know when he can take this one back to where she belongs, and Heather tells him, think about it. She’ll scratch his back if he scratches hers. He leaves, and Portia says, just to be clear, this is a court appointed evaluation to help the judge determine whether she’s sufficiently rehabbed so she can return to custody at D’Archam. Heather says, my neck still really hurts – she looks at Portia’s name tag – Dr. Robinson. Is she by chance related to that lovely young girl who was on trial earlier this year? Portia says, that’s her daughter, and checks Heather’s eyes.

At the memorial in Rice Plaza, Marshall says, the PCPD did Rory proud. He’s surprised Rory’s family didn’t attend. Trina says, Commissioner Ashford invited them personally, but they were too upset to come. They’re having a private burial just for family, which she totally gets. It’s still hard to believe. Laura joins them, and says she wants to assure Trina, whoever took Officer Cabrera’s life will pay the price. Robert says, that he solemnly promises, and Curtis says, the killer has already claimed too many lives. Marshall says, it makes you wonder when it’s going to end, and Spencer says, it ends when we find Esme. Laura asks, who’s we? and he says he just meant, we, the people of this great city. Sam says hello to everyone, and Spencer asks how Trina is. Laura says she thinks it’s nice Spencer is here to support his friend, but she wants to tell everyone that it’s important they all stand back and let the PCPD do their jobs. Spencer says, of course (🍷). He’s a Cassadine, not a cop. The last thing he wants to do is stick his neck out there. Curtis suggests Spencer stay in his lane, and Spencer walks off. Robert’s phone rings, and he asks Dante where he is. Dante says he was just with Heather Webber. She’s dropping hints like she could give them information on The Hook, but it comes with a price tag. Robert asks, how much? but Dante says he doesn’t think she’s talking about money. Robert says, got it. He’s on his way. Sam asks if Dante is okay, and Robert says, he’s fine. Laura hopes he has a lead, and Robert says, that remains to be seen, but if he does have one, she’ll be the first to know.

Maxie says, no text from Britt. Did she text Brad? Brad says, no. He wonders what’s keeping her. Maxie says she’s already started preparing a wish list for the party, from swag for the guests to a signature cocktail, but Brad says he already designed a cocktail for Britt; bourbon, rice wine and ginger. She asks, what’s it called? and he says, The Britch; what else? She asks what makes him the expert, and he says, Britt’s his best friend as well as his drinking buddy. Maxie says she’s family, mother to Britt’s nephew. She knows Britt’s likes and dislike. He says he’s family too – chosen family.

Mac tells Cody, congratulations, and Cody says, she’s not… Oh, it’s you. Mac says he heard what Cody did. He guesses the saying is true. It really does take a village to bring a new life into this mixed up world. Cody says, Britt did all the heavy lifting. He was just trying not to pass out. Mac says, that’s not the way he heard it. Cody pitched in until the paramedics could get through the snowstorm, and deliver mother and child to GH. Cody says, to be honest, he was scared to death. He’s delivered a foal to a nervous filly before, but this is a whole new ballgame. To top it off, the pregnant woman was dressed as Mary, on Christmas Eve. So no pressure there. Mac asks why Cody always does that. When someone gives him a compliment or a pat on the back, his first response is that he doesn’t deserve it. Cody says, because he doesn’t.

Austin tells Britt and Terry, the reason they’re here is a state of the art diagnostic tool that’s been Federally approved, and its ability to locate cancer cells and other potentially life-threatening illnesses. It’s remarkable. Terry says, sounds great, but she’s going to beat Britt to the punch and ask, how much? He says, it’s pricey, but he thinks it’ll be a great investment for GH. Terry says, how much? and he says, low six figures. Terry tells Britt that she doesn’t have to say it. They can’t afford that. Britt says, they can’t approve that big of a purchase, so why don’t they just recommend it to the board and pull the trigger? Terry asks, what is happening? Normally when she zigs, Britt zags. Now all of a sudden… Britt says, Terry zigs, she zigs, they zig together. Are they done here? Terry says, Britt’s not going anywhere until Britt tells her what’s really going on.

Portia checks Heather’s ears, and Heather says, the only good thing about D’Archam is, they have access to the media, and her daughter’s trial was a really big deal in the padded cells, because it was so salacious. College student taking her best friends doing the dirty, and then sending the sex tape to the entire university. The inmates really ate that up because it was so juicy. It must have been so hard for Portia as Trina’s mother to watch. Of course (🍷) Heather knew right from the beginning Trina was innocent. Portia tells her, say ahh, and checks Heather’s throat. Heather says, as someone falsely accused herself several times over the years, she always roots for the underdog. Besides, it was obvious from the beginning, she was totally set up. What was the name of the other suspect again? Portia says, Esme Prince, and Heather says, the girl who’s gone missing. Tell her. Does Portia’s daughter ever talk about Esme?

Terry says, when it comes to spending money, Britt is always about squeezing every dime. Now she’s all about letting the money flow? This isn’t her; what gives? Austin asks if Britt wants to tell her, or should he? and Terry says, tell her what? Britt says, everyone thinks Terry is this great healer and she’s just Ebenezer Scrooge in charge of the budget. She delivered a miracle breach baby, on Christmas, the roads blocked by snow, assisted by two doctors that were not OB/GYNs, the Quartermaine family, and their lame stable bum. Terry says, okay. The conditions were not ideal, but she knows Britt is an experienced OB, trained for anything. Britt says, no amount of training prepared her for how she felt. Here at the hospital, when they have a breach baby, they usually opt for a C-section. At the Quartermaines’, she had to deliver the baby breach. Does Terry have any idea all the things that could have gone wrong? After she delivered that little girl, and put her in her mother’s arms, for the first time, she realized life is a miracle, and should never be taken for granted. Terry says, suddenly Britt is agreeable, and she starts talking about miracles. Was she visited by three ghosts last night, showing her how her life would turn out?

Maxie says, okay, chosen family. If Brad knows Britt so well, tell her why this party is so important to her. He says he’s not sure. There are some things even drinking buddies don’t share. But Britt did share with him that she wanted to be remembered as more than the woman who was knocked into the MetroCourt pool when Cody parachuted into town. Maxie says, remembered? Is she planning on leaving Port Charles? Brad says he thinks it has more to do with her birthday, and that she’s not getting any younger, and wants to make the most of every second. Maxie says she guesses it’s their job to make it happen. What was he thinking about for music? He says, show tunes? and she says, no. She meant should they have a DJ or a live band? He says, DJ for sure. He actually knows this guy from the foam party circuit who’s a genius and totally ripped… She says, do not even go there, and he says, that’s the theme; foam party.

Mac says, it’s too bad Cody didn’t turn out to be his. He would talked some sense into Cody a long time ago. Cody asks if Mac is a fan of tough love, and Mac says he doesn’t know about Cody’s past, but it’s clear he’s been burned before, and he’s letting it define who he is today. All love is tough, and a lot of people fail at it. The trick is to get right back on that horse; is he right? Cody says he’s assuming Mac is in his formal dress because of the memorial service for the officer killed in the line of duty. Has he told the others, honor Officer Cabrera by getting back on the horse or in the squad car? Is that what Mac would have done? Mac says, that’s a good speech. He wishes he would have thought of it. For what it’s worth (🍷), even if it wasn’t him, he genuinely wishes Cody had a good dad growing up. Every kid deserves that. Cody says, if he’d had a good dad like Mac, he hopes he would have listened to him. It might have spared him from doing something he’ll always regret. Mac says, that’s the second time Cody made a reference to a bad decision. Does he want to talk about it? Dante comes along, and says, sorry to interrupt, but he got Mac’s text. Mac asks if he talked to Heather Webber, and Dante says, she thinks she can get Ryan to open up about Esme Prince. Mac says, this he’s got to hear this for himself.

Portia listens with her stethoscope, and tells Heather, deep breaths, please. Robert walks in, and says, remember him? Heather says, of course (🍷). How could she forget her favorite Scorpion? He says, Scorpio. Detective Falconari suggested they have a chat. Portia says she’ll give them some privacy, but Robert says he’d like her to stick around to help him evaluate looney tunes here. Heather asks if that’s any way to talk to a witness who could help him track down a killer. A killer, she might add, the PCPD has been clueless to track down so far. Robert asks if Portia feels their friend is ready to go back to D’Archam, and Portia says, without a doubt. She sees no ill effects from the crash. She doesn’t see why Heather can’t be back in her cell tonight. He says, that’s so what he wanted to hear, but Heather tells him, wait. She’ll tell him what he wants to know. He asks why he feels there’s a but in there somewhere, and she says, smart as a whip and handsome, just like she remembers. Come on. Pull up a chair. They’ll see how they can help each other.

Laura says, today’s ceremony was certainly tough, but she knows it was especially tough on Trina. Trina says, it was, but she keeps telling herself Rory won’t be forgotten, and his killer will be found. A man walks over, and introduces himself as Raymond McAvoy with The Invader. He asks if Laura has any thoughts on the latest Hook victim. She says, Officer Cabrera represented everything that was good and fine in Port Charles. And as his good friend Trina Robinson just told her, Rory will never be forgotten. Officer Rory Cabrera was in his rookie year… Spencer and Trina walk over to the side, and Spencer says, now is as good a time as any to put their plan into action. Unless she’s having second thoughts. She says, no. If they have to make themselves the target to catch Rory’s killer, so be it. Esme’s going to pay. Raymond thanks Laura, and says, this will be posted on The Invader website as part of ongoing coverage of The Hook killings. Can he get a picture? Laura says, of course (🍷), and Trina says, it’s the least they can do to honor Rory’s memory. She, Spencer, and Laura pose for the photo, and Sam tells Curtis that she didn’t know Trina was on speaking terms with Spencer. He says he didn’t either, and Raymond says, got it. Thanks so much. Laura’s phone rings, and she steps aside. Trina tells Spencer that she hopes they post the photo with the story. Curtis walks over to them, and says, nice photo. Now do they want to tell him what this is really about?

Mac asks Portia, how’s the patient? and she says, crazy like a fox, or up to no good; take his pick. But Robert didn’t need her to tell him that. She’s going to get Heather’s paperwork together right now, and get her out of this hospital asap.

Robert says, Spring Ridge? and Heather says, of course (🍷) she’d prefer unconditional freedom, but if he’s unable to give her that, she’ll take Spring Ridge over D’Archam any day. For one thing, the food is so much better. They let her paint, and it’s also where she got to know Ryan Chamberlain. Mac walks in, and says, what about Ryan Chamberlain? She says, what is it about a man in uniform? and Robert says, Heather feels she can get Ryan to open up. She tells them, what can she say? She’s got the touch. Mac says, but her help doesn’t come without a price, and she says, it’s not like she’s asking him to pay her. All they have to do is let the bus to D’Archam leave without her.

Cody asks if Dante told Mac about the small part he played in delivering that little bundle of dynamite, and Dante says he did. He thought Cody deserved a gold star. And not just for delivering the baby. Cody got him and Sam face to face the other day. Cody says, Dante was grieving a fellow cop who died doing his job, and Dante says, but he didn’t know how much he needed Sam to pull him through that. Cody stepped in, and Dante thanks him. Cody says, that’s what friends are for.

Britt tells Terry, don’t worry. She’s not going to order a Christmas turkey and say, God bless us, everyone. Terry says, Tiny Tim. He lived, remember? Britt says, it’s a sweet story, but that’s all it is; just a story. Things don’t work out that neatly in real life. Now back to the fancy new and extremely expensive equipment Dr. Gatlin-Holt is recommending. What does Terry think? Thumbs up or thumbs down? Terry says, Britt isn’t going to tank what she thinks? and Britt says, not this time. Terry says, then let’s recommend the Board approve this purchase, and Austin says, awesome. Britt says, now if the two of them don’t mind, she has a party to plan. She leaves, and Terry asks if Austin can give her a minute. He says he has a patient waiting, but she says, that wasn’t a request. They sit, and he asks, what’s up? She says, he got his pricy new toy. Now give her what she wants. He asks what she wants, and she says, the truth. Britt’s never been this cooperative, this agreeable, this nice. He says, it’s refreshing, but she says, more like terrifying. What’s wrong with Britt? He says, to be clear, she’s complaining that Britt is too nice, and she says, when he puts it that way, she guesses she’s not. But still, they work so closely together, sharing responsibility… From an administrative perspective… Austin says he’s hearing Terry say she cares about Britt, and she says she does. They started out on the wrong foot, but knowing they had to make it work showed her Britt’s strengths; her drive, her dedication, her refusal to give up on a patient. He says he’s grown fond of Britt himself, and she says, knowing Britt has made her a better doctor, a better person. He says he knows what she means.

Maxie tells Brad, seriously? A foam party. He knows Scotty is going to be there, right? Does he want to see Scotty drenched? He could slip and break a hip. He says, for Britt’s very first birthday party, they’re not going to make it simple and tasteful. Britt Westbourne is all about glitter and go-go boots, disco and drama. Britt comes out of the elevator, and he says, the girl wants to party like it’s 1977, and the number one song was the Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive. Maxie says, now he wants a disco party? What is he going to wear, a skintight suit and disco heels? He says, she had him at skintight. Maybe she was just joking, but that look sounds like a lot of fun and super-hot. Maxie would look fantastic in glitter eyeshadow and Farah Fawcett hair. Maxie jumps up and says, that will never happen. Britt says, hey, the both of them. Time out. This party is supposed to bring people together, not launch a Twitter war. She asked both of them to work on this, so it’s time for forget their differences, and work side by side as friends. Maxie says, friends? Us? Brad says, they’re definitely not friends, and Britt says, but they’re both her friends. Can’t they just fake it, for her sake? Maxie says, they’ve been trying, but she and Brad don’t have the same taste, and Britt says, then get over it. They have to get along. Don’t they see that? Brad says, not in the slightest. Why is it so important to her that he and Maxie be friends?

Robert says, he’s the DA, not a magician. Heather is in D’Archam for a reason. She’s considered a threat to herself and to others. She says, she’s a threat and should be in maximum security, but Ryan Chamberlain, who has a trail of victims from here to Hackensack, gets sponge baths at Spring Ridge? Do the citizens of Port Charles really see that as justice? Mac says, Ryan is hardly a threat. He’s basically a vegetable who blinks. She asks if they really believe that, and Mac asks if she knows something they don’t. She says, Ryan may only be able to communicate by blinking, but he can help them find Esme Prince. The gossip around Spring Ridge they had some chemistry when she was an intern there. You might call them two psycho peas in a pod. But if they don’t want to stop Esme Prince before she murders another cop like she did that poor officer… Mac says he doesn’t want to hear her say Rory’s name, but she says, easy. She respects the thin blue line. If they want to find his killer, she’s their best cop, and she thinks they know that.

Trina asks, what makes Curtis think she and Spencer are up to something? and he says he saw them step aside together for a bit, and ten seconds later, they were posing for a picture with the mayor. Spencer says, they just wanted to hear what his grandmother was saying about Rory.

Marshall asks, since when are Sam’s cousin and Trina on speaking terms? and Sam says she doesn’t know. He’d have to ask them. He says, Trina just lost someone she cares about; she’s vulnerable right now. He’d hate to think Sam’s cousin would take advantage. She says, Spencer has been through a lot of loss. He knows what it is to grieve, and she doesn’t think he’d ever take advantage of Trina. Marshall says, his track record says otherwise, and she says she gets it. She’s sure he sees a rich and spoiled kid he can’t sympathize with, but look at what Spencer did on the stand for Trina. He gave Trina an alibi, and got sent to Pentenville for his trouble. He says, Spencer did the right thing, and Sam says, then give him a chance. He’ll do the right thing now.

Laura asks Spencer for a word, and they step away. Curtis says he knows Trina is hurting, and knows her friends mean a lot to her. But might he recommend she stick with Joss and Cam, and remind herself how Spencer has treated her since he came back to town. She says she hasn’t forgotten, but suggests he doesn’t forget either, and he says, forget what? She says, boundaries, remember? but he says he guesses he just can’t help himself because… She says she knows. She loves him too. She’s grateful he cares, but she knows what she has to do. He says he hopes so too, when Marshall comes over. He says, if Curtis wants to join Portia, he’ll see to it that Trina gets home safely. Curtis asks if that fits Trina’s boundaries, and she says, it does.

Laura asks what’s going on with Spencer and Trina, and Spencer tells her not to worry. He knows what he’s doing. She says, that’s good. Then he won’t mind telling her what it is. He tells her, when she said he was a better person than he thinks, he vowed to live up to those words. He wants to be worthy of her faith in him. She says she’s glad to hear it. Just be the good man she knows he is. He says, that’s exactly what he’s doing.

Marshall says he realizes Trina and Curtis are working on her boundaries, but just so she knows, boundaries don’t apply to grandfathers. She says, but he’s not her grandfather, and he says he’ll be her step-grandfather. Just remember, no matter what else he is, that boy is still a Cassadine. Be careful. She says, don’t worry. She will be. She’s learned her lesson about Spencer. She and Spencer exchange glances.

Mac says, Heather must have lost what little is left of her marbles if she thinks they’re cutting a deal with her. Robert says, let’s not be hasty. She’s right about one thing; they’re short on new leads. So if Ryan came to care for Esme, why would he give her up? Heather asks, what’s his Plan B? They tossed Ryan’s room at Spring Ridge, and came up empty. Now all they have is a little earring that links one of Ryan’s early victims with Officer Cabrera. Mac says, so what? and she says, so she can take Esme’s place in Ryan’s world; become his nanny, his buddy, whatever he needs. She’ll work him hard and fast, and she promises she’ll get him to squeal for her. And when he does, she’ll pass the information to them, they can track down Esme, and end this nightmare. Do they have a deal or don’t they?

Cody tells Dante that he wishes he’d been a better friend to Britt. He was less than upfront with her from the start. Dante says, about what? and Cody says, not to get into the gory details, but he knew she might be in possession of something that rightly belonged to him. He kept his eye on the prize, so to speak. Dante says, and he used her to get to that prize? and Cody says, when Dante puts it that way, he sounds like a real horse’s ass. Dante says, no. Cody sounds like the kid with the chip on his shoulder he knew at camp. Britta Noelle cries, and Cody peeks in on her. He says, their lives sure went in different directions though, huh? Dante is a police detective in a healthy relationship with Sam, with a bunch of kids between them. He’s still chasing after shiny objects instead of what really matters. For a minute there, on Christmas day, he and Britt put their egos and agendas aside, and focused on something that was higher and better than both of them. They made a damn good team too. Dante tells him, they did it once. What’s to say they can’t again? Maybe Cody has a chance to go into 2023 on a high note.

Britt says she gets it. Brad and Maxie may never become friends, but one day, they’ll look back on her party, and she hopes they’ll remember how much it meant to her that they were there. That the two of them helped make it happen. And if they can work together to create one magical night, maybe they can look out for each other when she’s not around. Maxie asks, why? Where is she going? Brad asks if she’s going somewhere, and Britt tells them, she’s just saying, things change; people change. Brad says, like her and Cody. They can patch things up, and she can have someone to kiss when they ring in the New Year at her party. Britt says, it’s too late for them. Maybe if he wasn’t a selfish, deceitful lying jackass. Brad says, maybe it’s him, but that sounds kind of hot, and Britt says she’s going to miss him. He says he’s not going anywhere, and Maxie says, neither is she. Is Britt? Britt says, never. She’ll never be too far away. Brad says, that was sentimental, which is not Britt’s normal. What’s going on? Britt says, she’s just really excited about this party, so get to work, okay? This has to be the best birthday ever.

Robert says he has a few people to talk to, and will get back to Heather. Mac says, it’s only going to happen if Heather can back up her claims about Ryan, and she says, they may not have faith, but she does. Trust her. If anyone knows how to find Esme Prince, it’s the one-handed man. Mac says, let’s get out of here, and leaves with Robert. In the hallway, Mac says, Robert doesn’t think they can trust her, and Robert says, not as far as he can throw Mac. But on the other hand, she may be a bit shook, and they need to find this killer before she strikes again.

Marshall says he promised Curtis he’d get Trina home safe, and she says she knows, looking at Spencer. He says, that boy is a proven liar, remember? and she says she knows, but she also remembers something he told her, about how some lies can be morally justified. And if you asked her, her soon-to-be step-grandfather is a very wise man. They leave the plaza, and Laura tells Spencer, he hurt Trina once before. She’s even more vulnerable now. He tells her not to worry. He hasn’t forgotten what he’s done in the past, but he swears he’ll never hurt Trina again, and neither will anyone else.

Robert tells Mac, he’s the first to admit, working with Heather is a dodgy business, but if she gets information from Ryan that leads them to Esme, it’s got to be worth it. Mac asks if Robert doesn’t think Heather would say anything to avoid D’Archam, and Robert says, absolutely, but catching this killer is worth the risk. They get in the elevator, and Robert says, when it comes to Heather, there’s nothing in writing, and there’s no way on this planet she’s going to get what she wants. The elevator doors close.

Britt goes back to her office, and Austin follows. He says he’s starting think this birthday party is a way of saying goodbye without having to say goodbye. Clear up all her loose ends with her friends, and her enemies, and everybody else in between. She says, what if it is? It’s her life, isn’t it? That means it’s her death. He says, for sure, but he thinks people want to know the truth. She says she’s busy, and doesn’t have much time. He says, okay, and leaves.

An officer comes in to see Heather, and his phone chirps. She says, his phone just pinged. He must have some kind of message. He looks at his phone, and says, it’s an article from The Invader. She says she hasn’t seen a paper in ages. What’s the update? He says, none of her business. He’s just here to check her cuffs.

Curtis comes out of the hospital elevator, and Portia asks if everything is okay with Trina. He says, she’s with his dad; he’s taking her home. She says she’s glad Trina’s not alone, especially today, and he says, that’s just it. He’s afraid Trina has one too many friends. She asks, who? and he says, Spencer Cassadine.

A nurse comes into Heather’s room, and says she needs the officer to sign some paperwork. She asks him to follow her, and Heather says, bye. The second he’s gone, she looks at the phone he stupidly left there, and sees The Invader headline, Mayor Collins Issues Statement on PCPD Officer’s Murder, along with the picture.

Brad says, it’s not like Britt to show so much emotion, and Maxie says she was thinking the same thing. But since they both care about Britt so much, she’ll agree to a cease fire if he will too. He says, okay. For Britt’s sake, they’ll put aside their differences and work together to make sure her first ever party is an epic success. Now, about what the waiters should be wearing… They both say, not much, look at each other, and high-five.

Dante asks what Sam is thinking, and she says, how handsome he looks. He says, for all the wrong reasons, but she says, no; to honor a fallen comrade. He says he just wishes he’d done more to save him. He should have gone in right after he heard that shot. She says, no, because he could have been killed too. She accepts the risk he takes, and would never ask him to change who he is or what he does, but she does pray a lot more now that they’re together, that he comes home safe to her and the kids, because she doesn’t know what she’d do without him. He says she’ll never have to worry about that, and she says, good. She’s going to hold him to that. They hug.

There’s a knock at Britt’s office door, and she says, not a good time; she’s busy. Cody walks in anyway.  

Tomorrow, Maxie tells Brook, this is more serious than they thought: Drew comes bearing good news; Cody says he hasn’t been honest with Britt, but he’s going to fix that; and Sonny tells Dex that he’s going to make them regret they ever crossed him.

🥀 A Shame…

Not that any reason is a good reason, but this might have been preventable. Still in shock that she’s gone.

🎄 Tree Hoarders…

That’s a lot of trees.

🎅🏽 Celebrating the Season…

A mix of celebrity celebrations.

More trees.

https://www.tmz.com/2022/12/25/celebrity-christmas-trees-2022-shining-bright/

Not that I want to promote these people, but they do have interesting parties.

But WTF is Kourtney wearing? No, just no.

https://people.com/style/kardashian-jenner-christmas-eve-party-see-every-look/

🗝 A Different View…

Celebrity Christmas behind bars.

https://www.tmz.com/2022/12/25/celebrity-prisoners-christmas-meal-ghislaine-maxwell-r-kelly-josh-duggar/

🕯🌽 Holiday of Principles…

Great articles on Kwanzaa.

https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/seven-principles-kwanzaa

🥁 Pa Rum Pum Pum Pummed Out…

Help. I’m on the gummi bear train, and can’t get off. There was no new Deck tonight, but roll by and visit tomorrow for more soap and tea. Until then, stay safe, stay being careful about regifting, and stay not chasing after shiny objects instead of what really matters.

December 21, 2022 – Christmas Eve In Port Charles, More Sad, Granddad Sonny, Getting Closer, Mishaps On Deck, Good War, Puppies (!) & Spicier Wrapping

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Leo and Wiley open their presents at the Quartermaines’, and Olivia says, it’s a shame Monica is under the weather. She would have loved this. Michael and Willow play with Wiley.

The Gingerbread Jam is being set up at Rice Plaza, and Maxie gets a text from her mom: I’m here, where are you? Austen approaches her, and she asks what he’s doing here. He says he thought they had a plan.

Spencer arrives at Alexis’s house, and Sam says, the kids are upstairs making videos for social media. Whatever you do, do not engage. Spencer thanks Alexis for having him, and she hugs him, saying, he’s always welcome here. She’s just surprised his father didn’t monopolize him over the holidays now that he’s out of Pentenville. Spencer says he can see his father every day, not so much all of them, so he wanted to make up for it this Christmas, and Alexis say, famous last words.

Trina comes downstairs, and says, gosh, looking at all the fabulous decorations. She sees Curtis, Portia, Marshall, and Josslyn waiting for her, and says, what’s all this? Curtis says, they wanted to do something special for her, and Marshall says, but if she’s not in the mood… Trina says, no. It’s beautiful. Portia tells her, merry Christmas, and hugs her.

Violet, Finn, Chase and Gregory walk into Finn’s house, and Violet asks if they saw the house with all the angels, lights, and music. She makes a head exploding gesture, and Gregory suggests she find some more appropriate attire for their Christmas celebration. She says, on it, and runs off. Gregory says he knows Finn and Chase are hurting, but that little girl expects a merry Christmas, not a grumpy one. Can’t they focus on their blessings for one night, for her sake?

On the phone, Brook says, it’s happening? Thank you so much. You don’t know what this means… Yes, she knows they did her a favor, and she owes them. And they’re definitely going to collect.

At Alexis’s house, gifts are opened. Molly says she got socks for everyone, because you can never have too many, and TJ agrees, saying, he should know; he’s a doctor. Kristina says, you are too… you guys, and Molly thanks her, kissing TJ. They go to get more cider, and Spencer looks at the tree. Alexis asks if he’s okay, and he says he’s great. This is good. This is fun. She says, for a Cassadine, he’s a terrible liar, and he says he has a lot on his mind. She says she has a lot of time, so what’s on his mind? He says, this is probably a stupid question, but is he destined to be just like his father?

Trina says she’s sorry, but Josslyn says she has nothing to be sorry for, and Portia says, Trina is entitled to feel however she feels. There’s no pressure here. Trina says she appreciates that, but she doesn’t want to bring down the holiday, and Marshall says, she couldn’t if she tried. Curtis says, the holidays are about family; the ones we’re born into, and the ones we’ve chosen. And the ones we’re lucky enough to be chosen by. All that matters is them being here for her. Portia says, you know what they’re going to do? They’re going to follow Trina’s lead. So if she wants to do something, she has supplies to decorate ornaments. Trina says, it used to be their tradition, and Portia says, they stopped doing it for a couple of years, but she figured this was the perfect time to bring it back. And if Trina wants to be low-key, that’s absolutely fine too. Just do what makes her heart feel good. Trina says, thanks, but Christmas is even more important during hard times. Yes, she’s sad, and scared, and hurt, but being here with all of them, she knows she’s lucky too. She, Portia, and Curtis have a three-way hug.

Austin asks if he can talk to Maxie. He thinks they should clear the air. No matter what, they should know where they stand before the holidays, right? She asks where he thinks that is, and he says he doesn’t know where she’s at, but for him, he knows he messed up. He let his insecurities get the best of him, and he did some shady stuff. And the worst of that was to pressure Spinelli. He shouldn’t have done that; he knows Spinelli is important to her. He’s sorry. He thinks he might have driven a wedge between them. She says, the wedge was already there, and she thinks he knows that.

Brook comes into the sitting room, and says she didn’t know they were opening presents tonight. Olivia says, they’re letting the kids open one present, and Ned says he was beginning to think they weren’t going to see her until the show at Rice Plaza tonight. She says she has a couple of minutes before she has to go. Nothing’s more important than family at Christmas, right? Ned says, family is important, but there are other things… Leo asks, where’s Chase? He wants to show Chase his book. Brook says, he’s with family at the moment, and Leo leaves to read his book. Olivia asks if they’ll see Chase before the show, but Brook says, Chase isn’t coming. Not here, not Rice Plaza, nowhere that she is.

Gregory says, look at them, all together at Christmas. There was a time he never thought he’d spend the holiday with his sons, much less his beautiful granddaughter. They’ve come so far. Chase says he’s sorry. He’s not really in the holiday spirit. Maybe he should just go. Gregory says, Chase isn’t performing tonight; he’s free to spend time with his family. Chase says, Brook completely screwed him over, and Finn says he’s sorry. Gregory says, what Brook did was wrong… and Chase says, it was beyond wrong. She cost him his badge when she took it upon herself to make decisions about his life. The more he thinks about it, the more he’s glad that he backed out of the Gingerbread Jam. Brook can deal with the fallout. Gregory says he gets it. This is about revenge.

Michael tells Wiley that he and Willow have something to tell him, and asks Willow if she wants to do the telling. She says, they found out the baby in mommy’s tummy is a girl. He’s going to have a little sister. Michael asks how that sounds, and Wiley says he can’t wait.

Drew says he’s really glad Carly is here, and she says, her too. Donna’s with Sonny, and Avery is with her mother. Joss is with Trina, and she’d be going crazy if she was sitting in the house by herself. Not to mention she gets bonus time with Wiley. And she gets holiday bonus time with him, which is really, really nice. She wonders if Willow’s okay; she’s really pale. She seems to be having a really hard time with this pregnancy. Drew says, unfortunately, he thinks finding out that her birth mother was dead really added on the stress, but now that they know that Denise was lying, he’s not going to stop until he finds Willow’s birth parents, or at least find out what happened to them. She says, he’s a man with a mission, and he says, they have to tell her there’s hope her family’s out there. She says she thinks that would be a really big mistake, and he asks, why? She says she thinks he should wait until he has all the facts before he gives Willow more bad news. He says, like the suspicion Harmony stole Willow from her birth parents? and she says, let Willow enjoy Christmas before he puts all that on her.

Wiley asks if his sister will be here next Christmas, and Michael says, she sure will. Wiley asks if they’ll open presents together, and Michael says, she’ll have presents, but she’ll be too small to open them herself. Wiley says, then you, me, and mommy will help open them, right mommy? and Willow says, they sure will. She tells them that she’ll be right back, and leaves.

Ned says he’s sorry to hear Brook and Chase split up, and Olivia says, they were worried something like this might happen. Brook says, worried, but hardly surprised? Ned says, and Chase bailed on the performance tonight? and Brook says, Chase was only performing because they were together. Go ahead. Tell her how selfish and stupid, and she deserved what she got. Ned says he’s so sorry, and hugs her. Olivia says, they know how important Chase was to her. If anyone understands what she’s going through, it’s them. Brook says, they’re not going to lecture her? and Ned says, it’s Christmas Eve. No lecture today. Maybe on New Year’s.

Dante looks at his phone, and Sam says, no phones tonight. Tonight, Dante is all hers. Anything important? He says, no. He was just going to check on Cody; make sure he’s not alone. She says, he could invite Cody to the Gingerbread Jam, and he says he doesn’t know if he told her lately how incredible she is. She says, a couple times, when his phone dings. He says he’s got to go, and she says, was it work? It’s not another attack. He says, nothing like that. He’ll be right back. He promises.

Spencer says he shouldn’t have brought it up on Christmas, but Alexis says, it’s the perfect holiday to maximize family disfunction. What’s going on with his dad? Spence says he found out some things about him. He’s embarrassed and ashamed that it makes him look bad by association. Does that make sense? She says, sadly, it does, and he says he wants to find a life outside of his family, to stay away from his father, and even Uncle Victor, but he can’t find a permanent way out. He needs her to tell him how to escape his own family, but she says, they can’t.

Curtis suggests Marshall and Portia take a break, and Portia says, in a minute. She wants to make everything perfect for Trina. Marshall says, he’s helping; doctor’s orders. Curtis says he’s sure Trina will appreciate the effort, but what he has to tell them can’t wait.

Trina says, Josslyn doesn’t have to stay. The traffic is going to be crazy with the Gingerbread Jam at Rice Plaza. Josslyn says she’ll take the back roads, and tells Trina, stop putting everybody else first. She’s here as long as Trina needs her. Trina says she was supposed to be with Rory’s family tonight. She told him she’d go before… She was on her way to tell Rory that she didn’t love him. All because she can’t shake her feelings for Spencer. He might have broken up with her, but she’ll never know. Rory is gone, and he’d still be here if he’d never met her. She starts to cry.

Curtis says, they’re all working hard to help Trina, and she’s their number one priority. But it’s his and Portia’s first Christmas as an engaged couple in their home. It’s his and Marshall’s first Christmas in over 30 years, since Marshall came back into his life. And even after everything that’s been going on, he thinks these things need to be celebrated. He gives a gift to Portia, and one to Marshall, and says, open them. They tear open the paper, and Portia says, it’s like self-care in a box, and thanks Curtis. Marshall opens a set of record albums, and says, this is like a time machine. He thanks Curtis, and they hug.

Josslyn asks, in what universe is Trina even remotely responsible for Rory’s death? He was investigating a crime. Trina says, this crime, and Josslyn says, the killer happened to be there. Trina says, exactly. If it wasn’t for her, Rory wouldn’t have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Josslyn says, okay. It’s time for some tough love. What happened to Rory was a tragedy, and Trina is entitled to feel however she wants about that, but not responsible. The only person responsible is the monster who killed Rory. Trina says, right, and Josslyn says she knows Trina is saying it, but doesn’t think Trina means it. It’s human nature that when things get really, really bad, we try to make sense of them, and we’re willing to accept answers from anywhere, even if it means believing the worst about ourselves. Trina says, and Josslyn thinks that’s what she’s doing? Josslyn says, it is what she’s doing. Blaming herself is only going to hold her back. Rory wouldn’t want that for her. Rory would want her to keep moving forward. She puts her arms around Trina, and holds her.

Maxie says she appreciates Austin owning what he did. It proves he can still be a good man, which is why she was drawn to him in the first place. He says, helping a woman deliver a baby when she’s being chased be a crazy nurse would make anyone look like a hero, and she says, that’s where the root of their problem is. When she met him, she was trying to save her own life, and her daughter’s life, and trying to survive the most traumatic relationship she’s ever been in. And there Austin was, like a guardian angel. They went through something huge together, and became really important to each other really fast; so fast, she thinks lines were blurred. Trauma bonding is a real thing and fate  brought them together, but… He says, they’re not meant to be.

Drew tells Carly that they need to let Willow know there’s still a chance her birth parents could be out there. She needs some hope. Carly says, it’s not hopeful to hear you were taken from your family. When you’re pregnant, your hormones just compound everything, and that’s what’s going on with Willow. There’s nothing to worry about. Um… she brought up that Willow wasn’t looking too good.

Brook tells Ned and Olivia that she just got so caught up in what she wanted, she convinced herself that’s what Chase wanted too. Now Chase is gone, and she has to live with it. Ned asks what she’s going to do about the show tonight. She’ll be in breach of contract if she doesn’t show up with an act. She says, she’ll just have to get a different act… Ned could take Chase’s place. Olivia laughs.

Violet drapes a candy cane striped scarf around Finn’s neck, and says, it’s his color. He says he’ll take her word for it, and she asks if they can do the advent calendar. He says, you bet, and they sit in front of the calendar on the coffee table. She asks why there isn’t anything for Christmas Day, and he says, that’s because Santa brings her candy for her stocking, but she says she knows Finn does that. Santa only brings presents. He says, she’s getting way too smart for him.

Gregory says he’s not trying to excuse what Brook did; Chase has every right to be angry. Brook made a mistake, one that cost Chase dearly, but just because Brook made a mistake doesn’t mean Chase can’t. Chase asks what he’s talking about, and Gregory says, his badge was taken away, not his moral compass. There’s still a wrong he has to make right – tonight. Dante knocks at the door, and says he’s sorry to interrupt, but he has some news he doesn’t think can wait.

Brook says, who needs Chase when she has Eddie Maine? but Ned says, what Linc and Blaze signed up for, and what the Rice Plaza bookers agreed to was a performance by two up and comers. She can’t change the terms at the last minute. Brook says, it’s an emergency, but he says, they won’t see it that way. If there’s no way she can get Chase to do this, she needs to be honest with the people she made an agreement with. Brook says, and tell them she can’t deliver, and Ned says, unfortunately, dare he say it – Olivia says, please don’t – she has to face the music.

Drew says he doesn’t feel good keeping this from Willow, but Carly says, all they have is a theory, an extremely disturbing one at that. He says, she’s right… he thinks, and she says she’ll take that.

Willow comes back, and Michael asks if she’s okay. She says, yeah. She’s sorry for getting so… He says, they’re going to spend many and more Christmases together, and he, Willow, and Wiley have a three-way hug.

Violet says she’s taking the calendar to her room, and runs out. Gregory says, Finn is doing a good job of hiding his pain from Violet, and Finn says he wasn’t so sure after what Gregory told him the other day. Gregory says, Finn’s performance has improved. He’s not trying to pry. He knows there are elements of Finn’s break-up he doesn’t want to discuss, but Violet loves her Aunt Elizabeth. Finn says he knows, and no matter what happens between them, Elizabeth will be a part of Violet’s life. Gregory says he’s proud of Finn not leaning into despair when it would be so easy to, and Finn says he’s had a lot of practice. He’s learned his lesson this time. He’s not cut out for love and relationships. As much as he tries, some tragedy always follows him everywhere. Gregory says he knows Finn has experienced his share of darkness; they had their share of darkness as a family as well. But it would be a mistake to ignore all the joy they’ve had too. Finn asks if this is the part of the conversation where Gregory says, everything happens for reason, and Gregory says he wouldn’t dream of being so cliché, but the journey Finn has been on, put him on the path that brought Violet into his life. Would he change that? Finn says, of course (🍷) not; not for a minute. Gregory says, so maybe don’t throw in the towel yet.

Dante says, the CCRB is going to revisit Chase’s reinstatement. They’re going to take another look at his case at the next meeting in the spring. Chase says, that’s fantastic, but it was supposed to be a done deal, and Dante says, it was, but Brook managed to get them her letter. Chase says he thought it was too late for that, and Dante says, it was. He has no idea what happened; maybe she wore them down. Chase says, Brook has that effect on people, and thanks Dante for letting him know. Dante shakes his hand, and says, merry Christmas, partner. He leaves, and Chase goes back inside. Finn asks what Dante wanted, and Chase says, to deliver a Christmas miracle.

Austin says, Maxie means a lot to him. He wishes things were different, but they’re just not. So he thinks maybe they should just call it. She says she is grateful for him. Not just because he brought Bailey Lou into this world, but for the time they spent together, even though it didn’t work out. He says, him too, and they hug. He tells her, merry Christmas. He hopes those kids have a great holiday. Give little Bailey a hug for him. She says, of course (🍷), and he leaves.

Trina thanks Josslyn for being the best, and Josslyn says, call if she needs anything. Trina says, she will, and Josslyn leaves. Portia asks how Trina is feeling, and Trina says she’s okay. There’s something she wants to do, and she needs Portia’s help.

Marshall gives Curtis a gift, and says, Curtis didn’t think he’d be left out. Curtis says, he figured he’d have to wait until morning, and Marshall says, that was the plan, but Curtis inspired him. Curtis opens the gift, and Marshall says, it was their first Christmas together; Curtis’s mama, him, Tommy, and that blur is his Aunt Stella. She set the timer too fast. They all thought it was funny, so that’s their favorite. And that little boy there is Curtis. He can’t tell Curtis how grateful he is for this second chance to make up for all those holidays he missed spending with him.

Spencer tells Alexis, he doesn’t understand. She, Kristina, Molly, and Sam all have lives. They’re not… They don’t get drawn in by their family. They’re not dependent on them. They don’t get sucked into the drama, and the scheming, and the treachery. Alexis says, they’re still connected to them. She fully expected Victor to walk through that door, and refer to this gathering as if it were some little soiree, while he’s lecturing them about family. Spencer can’t escape being a Cassadine, but he can survive it. He asks, how? and she says, she and the girls have their own lives because she insisted on that; they insisted on that. That wasn’t easy. It just looks easy on nights like this. Victor has a special interest in Spencer, and she’s advising him to be very cautious about that. If Spencer has questions he can’t answer, ask her instead. Because this band of psychopathic murdering megalomaniacs are theirs. They’re their family, and always will be. He says, so basically, he’s doomed with the brontosaurus in the tarpit, and she says, this place he lives in is always going to take up space in his head. The key is to just accept that, and if you do that, it’s easier to forge your own path. He asks if that’s how she’s always able to rise above the insanity that’s their family, because that’s all he wants to do. She tells him, remember, genetics don’t dictate your actions. He’s his own person. He can never not be a Cassadine, but he can ground himself in other things. He says, such as? and she says he has to find out what makes him feel alive; him, Spencer, not Spencer Cassadine. Does that make sense? He says he’s not sure. He wants it to. She says, find out what makes him happy. Figure out what that is, then hang on to that, and let it be his guide. She promises this won’t last forever. At some point he’ll be able to ignore their attempts to pull him in, and follow his own heart.

Linc (I assume; it’s a different actor) approaches Brook at Rice Plaza, and says he’s been looking everywhere for her. Where’s his opening act? Brook says, about that… when Maxie runs over, and hugs her. Linc gets distracted by some set pieces, and Maxie asks, where’s Chase? Brook says, Chase isn’t coming, and Maxie says she’s sorry. Is there something she can do to help? Brook says, no, but thanks her anyway, and Maxie says she’s going to go find her kids and her mom. Break a leg. She hugs Brook again, and leaves. Linc says, where is he? and Brook says she’s so sorry. She knows this is disappointing, but Blaze is going to have to perform solo. Linc says, no, and Brook says, Chase isn’t coming. She doesn’t see any other option. He says, Blaze’s manager has been screaming at him all afternoon. A solo performance is a non-starter. Brook needs to fix this – now.  

Sam says, Molly’s caramel apple pie is to die for. She legitimately made this herself? Molly says she did, and thanks Sam. She says, baking has become a sort of meditation for her these days. Kristina says, she, too, has begun to realize there’s more to life than work. She’s organizing a charity clothing drive to help struggling LGBTQ+ youth. She realized helping people gives her life purpose, and she never would have realized that if she hadn’t had a job that allowed her the time to explore it. Spencer says, seems like they all found things that make them feel alive, and Molly says, that’s one way of putting it. Sam says she guesses they’re all lucky that way, and Spencer tells them, merry Christmas. He has to be going. Alexis asks if he’s okay, and Molly asks if it’s something Kristina said. He laughs, and says, it was actually what all of them said. He thanks Alexis, says, he realized there’s somewhere he has to be, and leaves.

Portia and Trina are concentrating on something, and Curtis brings Marshall some coffee. Marshall says, look at those two. Even though they know better, you would think nothing’s wrong with the world. There truly is peace on earth. Curtis says, they are beautiful, and Marshall says, this whole evening. He gets to spend Christmas with his family – that’s a gift. Curtis says, merry Christmas, dad, Marshall says, merry Christmas, and they clink cups.

We see a Rory tribute ornament, and Portia tells Trina, this was such a lovely idea, so thoughtful. Trina says, Rory holds a special place in her heart, and it’s important for her to keep his memory alive, even as she moves forward. It just needs one final touch. She puts a soda can ring over the hook, and says, she knows it’s corny, but the day she and Rory met, the police had been questioning her for a while, and he brought her a soda. Then when she was exonerated, he brought her another one. And because she’s ridiculous, she saved the tab. Portia says, she’s not ridiculous in any way, shape, or form. You know what that is? That’s perfect.

Carly tells Willow and Michael that she has to go, and tells Wiley to have a merry Christmas. He hugs her, and she says she loves him. Drew says he’ll walk her out, and when they get outside, he kisses her.

Josslyn is driving, and shields her eyes from someone’s brights. She slams on the brakes.

Drew says he’s been dying to do that all night, and Carly says, it’s been difficult keeping her hands off him. He says, before she goes, he got her a present, and hands her a small box. She opens it, and takes out a keyring from Jacksonville, with a key attached. He says, hopefully, it will remind her of their time together there, and she says, that she could never forget. She asks what the key is for, and he says, she’ll find out. He leans in for another kiss, but she says, merry Christmas, and walks off.

At Rice Plaza, Brook turns to see Chase walking toward her, wearing his leather jacket.

Gregory and Violet bring mugs into the living room, and Violet asks when she’ll be able to make hot cocoa by herself. Gregory says, far too soon, and Finn joins them on the sofa. Finn says, all right. They have their hot cocoa. Is anybody ready for a story? Violet asks if grandpa can read it, and Finn hands the book to him. Gregory says he’d be honored, and Violet sits in Finn’s lap. Gregory begins to read… ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…

Alexis says, so that charity work Kristina is doing… Kristina says she doesn’t want to argue with Alexis on Christmas Eve, but Alexis says, then Santa came early for Kristina, because she was going to say she loves that Kristina is doing something she loves. Alexis is so proud of her.

Sam lets Dante in, and says, welcome home. He says, there’s no place he’d rather be, and they hug.

Alexis and Kristina hug, and TJ and Molly kiss

There’s a knock at the door, and Trina answers it. Spencer says, merry Christmas.

Tomorrow, Brook asks Chase if they can get past this; Spencer tells Trina, if the police won’t do it, he will; and Mac says, they have a lead on Rory’s murderer.

👼🏾 Singing With the Angels…

She will be missed. I still can’t believe it. Watching GH today made me want to cry, knowing she’ll no longer be bossing people around.

🧓🏻 In Happier News…

I’ll bet he’s an amazing grandpa.

👠 They’re Coming…

I wonder who Teresa will throw something at this season.

https://ew.com/tv/the-real-housewives-of-new-jersey-season-13-trailer/

🛥 Deck Disasters…

Captain Lee will turn this boat around.

🍰 Bakers At Battle…

I am so addicted to this show. Those who can’t do, watch it on TV.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/holiday-wars

🐕 All About That Bowl…

It’s never too early to talk about the Bowl.

https://www.chiff.com/articles/puppy-bowl.htm

Westward Leading, Still Proceeding…

Come back for more of the same tomorrow. If nothing else, I’m consistent. Until then, stay safe, stay believing it’s the thought that counts, and stay remembering, genetics don’t dictate your actions. You’re your own person.

December 20, 2022 – Spencer Is Done With Nikolas (Really This Time), Goodbye Sonja, Leaving the Hospital, He Was Hooked, Lighting the Menorah, Putting Up the Tree & Wrapping

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Elizabeth says, Ava… but Ava says, there’s no need for phony small talk. It’s a bit risky, isn’t it, for a woman like Elizabeth to be in this chapel? She wouldn’t want to be struck by lightning after sneaking around with Ava’s husband. Elizabeth says she knows she owes Ava… Ava says, what? A thank you maybe? For keeping Nikolas occupied until he realized Elizabeth wanted him again? Elizabeth says she’s sorry, and Ava says, no, she’s not, but she will be.

Spencer comes inside Windymere, and checks his phone. It says no new messages, and he looks at the one from Trina that says, Welcome home.

Dex holds Josslyn, and she says she’s sorry, stepping back. He tells her, don’t be. She needed that, and it’s time she stopped denying herself what she needs.

Sam comes into the gym, and Cody says he has to talk to her. She says, he’s still here? and he says, at the gym? She says, no, Port Charles. She thought he was leaving town. He says he was going to, but Dante convinced him to stay, and Sam says, that’s because when Dante sees Cody, he sees his childhood friend; but when she sees him, she sees him as a bully and a con artist. She didn’t get a lot of sleep last night, so… He says he heard about the cop that got killed. How’s Dante handling it? She says she couldn’t say, and he tells her, look, he knows she wants him out of her life, but just answer one thing. Bully or not, Dante’s his friend and he’s worried. She says she can’t tell him how Dante is because she doesn’t know. She hasn’t seen him since yesterday.

At the hospital, Dante tells TJ that he needs to get Rory’s medical records, reports, anything that could help them catch his killer. TJ asks if he’ll still be here in a few minutes, and Dante says he will be. TJ says he’s hoping Dante can help him with something, and leaves. Mac comes in, and says, Dante looks like hell. Dante thanks him, and says he appreciates that. Did he talk to Rory’s mom? Mac says he told her that Rory’s body would be released as soon as possible. He has the autopsy report, and they found snake venom in Rory’s blood. Dante says, let him guess; the same toxin that was found in Diane, Brando, and Oz Haggerty. Looks like they’ve got a serial killer on their hands.

Drew asks Denise if he can trust everything she recalls, and she says, excuse me? He says, the stakes are high. He doesn’t have time for games. He checked out her story, the one that was identical to Harmony’s, and she didn’t tell him the truth about Willow’s mother. Carly walks in, and Drew says, every word out of Denise’s mouth has been a lie. She says, he’s calling her a liar? and he says, yeah, because she lied, and he needs to know why. What is she covering up? Who is she trying to protect? Denise glances at Carly, and Nina and Carly lock eyes.

Josslyn says, she’s good now. Dex can go. He says he’s under orders to stay with her, and she says, Sonny is his boss, not hers. He says he’s not leaving until Steve gets here, and her phone dings. She looks at a text from Cameron that says: Checking in – How u doing? She tells Dex to suit himself.

Ava says, it looks like St. Elizabeth has finally shown her true colors. Not only was she screwing Nikolas behind Ava’s back, she was screwing him behind Finn’s. She ran into Finn the other night, and he seemed a little off. Now she has to wonder, does he suspect? Does he know? Maybe she’ll ask him. Elizabeth says, he knows; she told him. Ava says, of course (🍷) she did. It’s best to get right out in front of it, isn’t it? Saying she’s sorry, telling him it will never happen again. Does Elizabeth plan on keeping Nikolas and Finn on their respective leashes? Not that she cares. She doesn’t care at all what happens between Elizabeth and Finn; although he seems like a decent guy. Finn probably deserves better, but if Elizabeth thinks she’s holding on to Nikolas, that is not going to happen. Elizabeth says, no. She and Nikolas have no future. Ava says she knows this one by heart. Elizabeth and Nikolas turn to each other when they’re both feeling lost and confused, and in so much pain. Let her tell Elizabeth something. Neither one of them knows what real pain is, so take cover. Not only will Elizabeth lose everything she cost Ava, by the time Ava is done, she’ll have lost so much more.

Cody says, Sam hasn’t heard from Dante since that cop was killed? but she says, he called and texted her last night to say he was going to be okay. He wanted her to tell the kids he was going to be okay. She could practically feel all of Dante’s feelings bottled up. She gets it. It’s really tough when you lose one of your own. Cody says he guesses Dante is doing his whole don’t worry about me I’ll be fine thing. He can’t say he’s all that surprised. Sam asks what he’s talking about, and Cody says, he’s always the first to step up when someone else needs help, but the last to ask when he needs it. One time he broke his arm at camp, and ended up being the one to console Mama Q, not the other way around. Dante has always been the strong, silent type. She says, no. One of the things she loves most about Dante is how open he is, and how willing he is to talk things out. Cody says, that’s good. It’s great, but new. She says, they don’t keep things from each other. That’s how she knows, whatever Dante is going through, it’s bad.

Dante looks in a folder, and tells Mac, there’s got to be something that will help them figure out where Esme is holed up, but Mac says, all they have is the earring Elizabeth found on Rory. Mac’s phone rings, and he steps away. He asks what he can do for Cody, and Cody says, sorry to bug him, but he still had Mac’s number in his phone from when Mac thought Cody was his son. Mac asks, what’s up? and Cody says he was hoping Mac knew where Dante was. Mac says he’s standing with Dante right now; why? Cody says, he’s with Sam at Volonino’s, and she’s worried because Dante didn’t come home last night. Mac says, thanks. On it.

Nina asks Phyllis, where was I? and Phyllis tells her, she was saying she had nothing to prove. Right before she got into that stare-down with Carly. Nina tells Phyllis, she was saying, she’s accepted the fact that her past is her past, and she’s done apologizing for it. From now on, she’s just looking toward the future. Phyllis says she’s glad to hear it.

Carly gets a text from Michael asking for a raincheck on lunch, and apologizing. At the table, Denise says, Drew came looking for her. It’s not her fault if he doesn’t like what she has to say. He says he doesn’t like it because it’s not the truth. So, one more time… She says she doesn’t have to take this, and gets up, but Carly jets over to the table, and asks, what’s going on? Drew introduces Denise, and Carly flashes back to telling Denise that she can’t believe it’s come to this, but it’s for the best. This friend of hers and Drew’s can’t find out who her birth mother is. It will cause her a world of pain. Carly remembers Denise asking if Carly is trying to justify it to herself, because she doesn’t care about the reasons, as long as Carly’s check clears. In the present, Carly holds out her hand, and says, it’s nice to meet Denise. Denise ignores Carly’s hand, and tells her, if you say so. Carly sits down, and Drew says, Denise was a member of the Friends of Peace and Love commune; that’s when she knew Harmony. Of course (🍷) then Harmony went by her given name. Carly says, Lorraine, right? and Drew says, exactly. He asked Denise how Harmony ended up raising Willow. Denise says, she told him, but Drew says, she told him a story, and that story doesn’t add up. He did a little digging, and he found out the woman that Denise claims is Willow’s mom, poor Joan, doesn’t exist. She lied. And she’s not leaving here until she tells him why.

Nikolas comes home, and sits on the sofa, when Spencer walks in. Nikolas says he wants to talk to him, and Spencer says, about Esme?

Phyllis asks Nina, what happened to the happy-go-lucky woman she was just talking to? and Nina says, she’s still in there. It’s just that she’s mentally preparing herself for Carly to come down on her again. Phyllis asks if Nina didn’t just say she was done apologizing for her past, and Nina says, her past, yes, but her present is a different story. Phyllis asks, what happened? and Nina says she got into another fight with Willow. Phyllis says she’s sure Nina had a good reason, and Nina says she certainly thought so at the time. Willow’s pregnant… Phyllis says she heard, and Nina says, the argument upset her so much, she fainted. Fortunately, Carly was there. Phyllis says she never thought she’d see the day Nina was thankful for Carly’s presence, and Nina says she didn’t know what to do; she just froze. Carly didn’t hesitate, and they both came together and helped Willow, and thank God she’s going to be okay. Phyllis says she knows Nina and Willow have had their differences, but she knows Nina doesn’t wish her any harm. Nina says, of course (🍷), even Carly admitted that, and Phyllis says, wonders never cease. Nina says she feels terrible about it though. She never knew Willow was having such a rough pregnancy.

Carly tells Drew that she thinks Denise had her reasons. Maybe she was trying to protect Harmony… Lorraine, or something. Denise says, Lorraine was her friend. It was a long time ago, but still. Carly says she also thinks it’s important to remember Lorraine is gone, so tell them the truth, and Carly will make it worth her while. Denise says, all right. Drew’s got her. There was no Joan. Lorraine and Doug already had the baby with them when they joined the commune.

TJ gives Dante an envelope, and says, these are the rest of Rory’s personal effects. He asks if Dante will see that Rory’s mother gets them, and Dante says he’ll take care of it. TJ says he didn’t know Rory well, but he seemed like a good guy, and Mac says, he was, and a good cop.  TJ says he hopes they catch this psycho soon, and Dante says, that’s the plan. TJ leaves, and Mac suggests Dante go home and get some rest, but Dante says he figured he’d go back to the crime scene. Mac says, Dante is off-duty; that’s an order. Dante says he’s too wired to sleep, and Mac says he’s taking Dante to the gym. A workout will do him good. He hustles Dante out of the hospital

Ava tells Elizabeth, nothing to say? No lame excuses for betraying Finn, for jumping into bed with Nikolas? At least she wasn’t married to his brother this time. Why is Elizabeth even here? Seeking solace, guidance from above, absolution? Ava lights a candle, and Elizabeth tells her, all she can say is, she made terrible mistakes and has to live with what she’s done. Ava says, give me a break Mary Magdalene, and Elizabeth says she should go. Ava says, no one is going to buy this noble martyr act, and she won’t be made the bad guy. For once, she’s done nothing wrong. If Elizabeth thinks she can tear Ava’s life apart, shed a few crocodile tears… Elizabeth tells her, shut up. Not everything is about her.

Josslyn says, just because Dex is standing guard doesn’t mean he actually has to stand while he’s guarding her, but he says he’s fine. She says she thought he was mad at her after what happened at Kelly’s, and he says, maybe he was. Did she think she needed to defend him from Spencer Cassadine? She says, Spencer did knock him flat, and he says, with a sucker punch. Should he have fought back? She says she’s glad he didn’t. Spencer is an idiot and a total jerk, but he’s been through a lot. Giving him a beatdown wouldn’t have proven anything. He says, it would have proven he can defend himself, and she says, for future reference, she doesn’t care what Spencer thinks. He says, what about what Cam thinks? He’s sorry. She says, for what? and he says, causing problems between them.

Sam tells Cody, stop it, and he says, stop what? She says, he’s lurking, and he says he was just doing some curls. She says, he’s stalling. Why is he even here? He says, that, and she turns to see Mac and Dante walk in. Dante says, Sam is here, and Mac says, what an amazing coincidence. Dante says he’s guessing Cody dropped the dime, and Cody asks if Dante is calling him a rat. Sam and Dante hug, and Dante says, sorry he didn’t call Sam. Mac gives Cody a thumbs up.

Phyllis comes back to the bar, and tells Nina, sorry about that. The audio system went down, but don’t worry, she fixed it. Nina stirs her coffee, and Phyllis says, she seems preoccupied again. More Carly? Nina says, who? Actually, she was thinking about how happy she was when she found out she was pregnant. She and Silas were going to be new parents, and she was overjoyed. Of course (🍷) she was a nervous young mother, but she really wanted that baby. She and Silas were having problems. He was cheating on her… with Ava actually. Phyllis says, now they’re best friends, and Nina says, life is funny. She thought her baby would save their marriage, and maybe it would have, but thanks to her mother, she never got to experience the one time she would or could ever have a baby. She will never forgive Madeline for robbing her of a life with her daughter.

Drew says, so Lorraine and Doug had the baby with them when they arrived at the commune? But they know Harmony wasn’t Willow’s birth mother; a DNA test proved that. Did they claim Willow was theirs? Denise says, Lorraine told everyone that her friend Joan had given her the baby to raise, but that was before they joined the commune, and Carly says, so Denise never met Willow’s biological mother. Denise says, no, and Drew asks, why did she lie? Denise says, like she told him, Lorraine was her friend, and she wanted to protect her, and whoever that baby grew up to be. Drew asks what she means by protect, and Denise says she always got the sense Lorraine was running from something… or someone.

Nikolas says, about Esme? and Spencer says, Esme killed Rory Cabrera. Nikolas says he heard an officer was attacked, and Spencer says, killed. Nikolas asks if that wasn’t the young man Trina was seeing, and Spencer says, he was. He was with Trina at Kelly’s when she found out Rory had been attacked. Joss and Cam were there too, and they all went to GH together, and Trina got to sit with Rory as he coded, or flatlined, or whatever they call it. She’s devastated. Nikolas asks how Spencer is feeling, and Spencer says, he barely knew Rory. Nikolas says, but he cares about Trina, and Spencer says, yes. He wants to be there for Trina, but he’s the last person who should be. So he’s relegated to standing by helpless, or staying away altogether, because he’s literally useless in this situation. There’s nothing he can do. Nikolas says he’d think Trina would want all the support her friends can give her, and Spencer says, even the so-called friend who brought Esme to town in the first place? Nikolas says, Spencer’s not responsible for Esme’s actions, and Spencer tells him, that’s exactly what grandmother said, so it must be true if they agree. Nikolas says, Laura tried calling him; it must have been about Officer Cabrera. Spencer says, Nikolas will have to ask her, and Nikolas says he’s glad she was there for Spencer. Spencer says he hopes they find Esme, and Nikolas says, there’s something else Spencer needs to know. He’s served Ava with divorce papers. Spencer says, which means a reconciliation around the corner, but Nikolas says, not this time. Spencer asks, why not? and Nikolas says, things happened. Spencer says, things? That does sound irreparable. Don’t tell him that Nikolas has finally seen Ava for the toxic opportunist she is. Nikolas tells him, don’t talk about Ava that way, and Spencer says, still defending her he sees. So it’s not really over, is it? Nikolas says, it is, but not because he doesn’t love her. He was unfaithful. Spencer says he knows; with Esme. The less they say about that, the better. Nikolas says, he was with someone else, and Spencer says, great. Whose girlfriend did Nikolas bang this time? He has no siblings, so Nikolas had to branch out. Who’s the lucky lady? Nikolas says, Elizabeth.

Ava says her husband cheated on her with Elizabeth. Damn right it’s about her. Elizabeth says, Ava left Nikolas months ago, and Ava says, so what; she leaves Nikolas all the time. And like an idiot, she always comes back. She supposes she should thank Elizabeth for snapping her out of it. Elizabeth says she didn’t do this to hurt Ava, and Ava says, this what? Cheap affair? Tawdry hook-up? She hopes Elizabeth doesn’t think it’s any more than that, that she’s special somehow. She wasn’t even Nikolas’s first choice. That honor goes to his son’s girlfriend Esme. Elizabeth says, Nikolas told her about that, and Ava says, so Nikolas lied to her, and told Elizabeth the truth, and she jumped into bed with him anyway. So now does Elizabeth think she and Nikolas are going to have some kind of happily ever after? That she can forget about all the pain she’s caused people, and move on; her, Nikolas, and their brand new baby? Elizabeth says, there’s not going to be a baby.

Josslyn says, Dex hasn’t caused problems for her and Cam, and he says, glad to hear it. She says, the problem is her. She’s been putting off a conversation that she has to have with Cameron. She’s been hiding, which makes her a coward, which she hates, but it has nothing to do with Dex. His phone dings, and he says, Steve’s here. She says, good; Dex can go. Please tell Steve to wait outside. She doesn’t want any of Sonny’s people in her house. He says, one question. Is she sorry they kissed? She doesn’t say anything, and he says, yeah, him neither, and leaves.

Phyllis says she thought Nina was focusing on her future, and Nina says, that’s easier said than done. Meanwhile, back to the present. Why doesn’t Phyllis distract her by telling her about this hunky guy she’s been texting?

Denise says she’s sorry she lied. Drew clearly cares about Lorraine’s daughter, but her advice, not that he asked, don’t go digging into Lorraine’s past. Whatever she was running from, whatever trouble she was in, she was afraid of it. She didn’t show it often, but she also didn’t stay in one place for very long. Maybe she was restless, but Denise thinks it was something more. All she’s saying is, Willow sounds like she has a good life now. Denise gets up and gathers her things, and says, maybe she should keep looking forward instead of looking back. She leaves, and Carly says, she left her gloves, and follows. Outside, she gives Denise her gloves, along with some cash, and says, thanks for not ratting her out. Denise tells Carly that she’d like to say, it was a pleasure doing business with her, but she just wants to go home. It was stupid of her to get mixed up with this in the first place. Carly says she understands. Question. Was she telling the truth to Drew? Was Lorraine really running from someone? Denise says, she was jumpy around strangers; always seemed to be looking over her shoulder.

Mac thanks Cody for calling, and says he’s sure Sam and Dante are better now. Cody says, bringing people together is what he does, and Mac says, he did a good thing. Cody says, what about Mac? Sam was talking about how hard it is for cops to lose someone in the line of duty. Mac says he’s been here before. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get any easier. He just can’t help thinking about the future Rory would have had. All the things he could have done with his life if he hadn’t gone to that apartment alone. It’s such a waste. Cody says, it’s crazy that one bad decision can change your whole life.

Spencer says, Elizabeth who? Do not tell him that Nikolas means Cameron’s mother. Nikolas says he does, and Spencer says, my God, she’s practically family. Does Cameron know? Nikolas says he’s not sure. He doesn’t think so. Spencer says, how did this… Why? Nikolas says, they were both having a hard time, and Spencer says, Nikolas was having a hard time; she was having a full-blown crisis. She checked herself into rehab because the sleeping pills she was on were making her think crazy things. Cam’s been worried sick about her for months, and what? Nikolas saw that she was vulnerable, distressed, in pain, confused, and he thought there was no way she’d turn him down? He’s disgusting. Nikolas says, it’s been a long time since Elizabeth came back from the hospital. They’re both consenting adults. Spencer says, no. She was obviously unraveling, and that’s why she turned to Nikolas, and he took advantage of their friendship. How are he and Cameron supposed to look at each other after he’s done this? Nikolas says he wouldn’t be telling Spencer this if it was a one-time indiscretion. He and Elizabeth have been seeing each other. Spencer says, after Esme, he didn’t know that he could think less of Nikolas. Turns out he can.

Ava ask what Elizabeth means by no baby, and Elizabeth says she’s no longer pregnant. Ava asks if Nikolas knows, and Elizabeth says, not yet. Ava says she’s so sorry for Elizabeth’s loss. She should go, but a word to the wise. If Elizabeth is expecting Nikolas to comfort her, forget it. That man only cares about himself. She strides out, closing the door behind her.

Spencer says, a man who would use a woman’s emotional problems to move in on her… Nikolas says, that’s not what happened, but Spencer says, that’s exactly what happened. And the fact Nikolas can’t see that makes it all worse. To think he almost bought in on Uncle Victor’s garbage about their being strength in family. There is no strength. There is no family. Nikolas has proven time and time again that this family is unsalvageable. He’s said it before, and he’ll say it again, he’s done with Nikolas. This is over. The sad part was that he bought into the fairytale that grandmother’s influence saved Nikolas. But she was too late because Nikolas was already a Cassadine through and through by the time she came into his life. Nikolas says, his mother made him a better person, and Spencer says, he was worse than this before? Nikolas says he has reasons, but Spencer says he doesn’t care. The second his sentence is over, and he’s free to live where he pleases, he’s out of here.

Drew asks Phyllis, when she was in New York, does she ever remember Lorraine talking about a baby, or a friend who was pregnant? Carly comes back in, and Phyllis says, not that she recalls. Carly and Drew both go back to their table, and Carly asks, what was that all about? He says, Phyllis was Nina’s nurse when she was in a coma, and Harmony worked in the same building, and they knew each other. Carly says she thinks she remembers Phyllis telling her that, and he says, if Harmony and Doug had the baby before they arrived at the commune, that changes everything.

In the chapel, Elizabeth asks, what is she doing? Her parents finally told her the truth about Reiko’s fall, and how they tried to make her forget what she’d done. The truth is supposed to set her free; why does it feel like a stone around her neck? But it’s not the truth that’s the problem; it’s her and the choices she’s made. She’s just tearing her life down, piece by piece, brick by brick. She lost Finn and helped Nikolas keep a pregnant woman captive because she thought she was keeping everybody else from getting hurt. But now that cop is dead, and they know Esme can’t be the killer. This isn’t her. She’s a good person, isn’t she?… Isn’t she?

Spencer says, no matter what Uncle Victor wants, he can’t be around Nikolas, so steer clear of him. He has his own money now. He’s going to get his own place, preferably as far away from Nikolas and here as possible. Nikolas says he’s so sorry he disappointed Spencer again, and Spencer says, there really is no bottom for Nikolas to hit, is there? He feels sorry for Nikolas, but there’s one good thing about this, and it’s that he’s more determined than ever to be a better man than Nikolas. Nikolas says, he will be. Spencer’s already his own man. He’s so proud of him. Spencer says, stop, and Nikolas says he knows they’re done… Nikolas’s phone rings, and he looks at it but doesn’t answer. He tells Spencer, just know that he loves him and believes in him. Spencer walks out, and Nikolas answers the phone. Elizabeth says she just had it out with Ava, and he asks, how did it go? She says she told Ava there was no baby; let Ava believe she had a miscarriage. Anyway, it’s done. No more fake baby. Now she just has to fix the million other mistakes she’s made. He says he knows this is hard, but they’ve made their choices, and there’s no going back.

Nina runs into Ava, and says she was just about to call and check in, after what Ava told her about Elizabeth and Nikolas. Ava says, coincidentally, she just ran into Elizabeth, and Nina asks if she let Elizabeth have it. Ava says, she started to, then Elizabeth told her that she lost the baby. Nina says she hates them for what they did to Ava, but still… Ava says she knows. As much as she wants to let Nikolas have it – and she really does want to let him have it – can she really go after him when he just lost a child?

Mac says he’s going to head out, and Cody says, him too, after he takes a shower. Don’t worry. Mac says, about? and Cody says he won’t keep bugging Mac. In fact, he’ll delete Mac’s number right now. Mac tells him, no; keep it. Feel free to use it if he’s ever in a jam. It’s his job. Protect and serve. Cody says, see you later, Chief, and Mac leaves.  

Josslyn remembers Dex asking if she’s sorry they kissed, and saying, him neither. She flashes back to telling Dex, try being honest, and Dex saying, she wants honest? then kissing her. She sits on the sofa, and screams into a pillow, then sighs.

Drew tells Carly, Harmony had Willow when she arrived in Colorado, and Denise thought Harmony was running from something or someone. What if Harmony stole Willow from her parents? Carly asks if he thinks Harmony kidnapped Willow, and he says, if Denise is telling the truth, it sounds like Harmony thought someone was trying to track her down. Carly asks where that leaves them, and taking her hand, Drew says, either way, they know the story about Joan’s OD is a lie. Which means it’s possible someone is out there wondering what happened to their little girl.

Tomorrow, Maxie says, fate brought her and Austin together, and he says, they’re not meant to be; Dante has some news for Chase that he doesn’t think can wait; and Michael and Willow have something to tell Wiley.

🥀 So Sad…

I loved her on GH, and always wanted her to have more storyline. I hope we find out that Epiphany passed the MCATs.

https://people.com/tv/general-hospital-actress-sonya-eddy-dead-at-55/

👎 Voted Off Spoon Island…

Nikolas will be bidding GH adieu at the end of January.

👮‍♂️ Already Old News…

Rory, we hardly knew ye.

🎊 Spinning the Dreidel…

How celebrities are enjoying their Hanukkahs this year.

https://people.com/celebrity/hanukkah-2022-see-how-stars-are-celebrating/

🎄 Fahoo Forays, Dahoo Dorays…

Celebrities. They’re not just like us this time. Or at least not just like me.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/chelseastewart/celebrity-christmas-trees-2022

There’s even a Grinch tree.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/entertainment-celebrity/here-are-some-of-the-best-celebrity-christmas-trees-of-2022-from-the-classics-to-the-wonderfully-weird/ar-AA15qfFb?li=BBnb2gh

🔔 Rocking Those Jingle Bells…

Take a break here tomorrow for some soap, tea, and perhaps a dash of holiday magic. Okay, maybe not so magical, but holiday. Until then, stay safe, stay taking a deep breath and counting to ten, and stay not apologizing for your past. Just look toward the future.

February 4, 2022 – Carly Meets Drew On the Footbridge, Suds Sweep, AMC News, a Pledge, a Goodbye, Dating Again, Threatening, Carol Tattles, Whining, Salty Talk, Puppies (!), Practically 10 Quotes & People

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Mac asks Dante if there’s any sign of what caused Kendall (apparently the driver’s name) to lose control of the vehicle. He and Dante look around the van with flashlights. Inside, the guard tells Peter that Kendall must have hit an icy patch and gone off the road. Dante says, all four tires have been punctured. They didn’t hit ice; they’ve been sabotaged. They see headlights coming toward them, and draw their guns.

Brook tells Bailey to sleep well. Mommy loves her.

Maxie says she’s glad Austin finally knows the truth about Louise. It’s been awful lying to him. He says he can imagine she’s had to juggle a lot of lies to really well-meaning people. She says she had to do what she had to do, and he says, he can’t help but wonder if her kissing him now is just another diversion.

Nina comes in to Charlie’s and, walking past Obrecht, she asks the bartender if Phyllis is around. Obrecht asks how long Nina is going to avoid her, and Nina says, Obrecht is responsible for her relationship with Mike coming out in court, so she doesn’t know. Obrecht says she did Nina a favor, and they both know it.

Chase asks if Bailey went down, and Brook says, like a champ. She had a big day. He says, all those people cooing over her. It must be exhausting being that cute. She says he should know, and he thanks her. She says she means when he was a baby. She bets he had really chubby cheeks. She puts her feet up, and he says he’ll never understand wearing shoes that hurt you. She asks, what is there to understand? These boots make her legs look amazing. He says, they do. Believe it or not, he really enjoyed today. She says, her too. She’s just glad they got out of there before the WSB came to arrest granny. He says, it woudn’t be a Quartermaine party if the police weren’t involved, and she says, that’s so true. He says he hopes it didn’t mar Ned and Olivia’s big day, but she says, no way. Nothing could diminish their happiness after how hard they worked for their marriage. He says, she’s right. Sometimes two people just belong together.

Sonny stands on the deck of the Haunted Star, wearing a white tux and holding a red rose, when Kristina comes out. She says, look at him. Carly won’t know what hit her. She asks what he’s doing out here; it’s freezing. He says he didn’t want to wait inside. He’s getting anxious, and wants to see Carly arrive so he can greet her with his rose. She says, very romantic, and he thanks her for what she did inside. She says her pleasure, and what he did to the state room looks amazing. It definitely has an island vibe. He says, not too much? but she says, no. Carly will see all the effort he put in, and see how much this night means to him. He says he just wants everything to be perfect, and Kristina says, it won’t be if she’s still here, so she’s out. She hugs him, and says, good luck, and he says he hopes this makes it right for him and Carly.

Carly walks on the footbridge, and flashes back to Sonny saying, if she’s not ready now, maybe she never will be. Drew comes onto the bridge, and says, they meet again.

Mac says, it could be an ambush, and Kendall comes up behind Dante and slugs him.

Brook tells Chase, she and Olivia have had their issues. She’s had them with her dad too, but she’s come to appreciate how good Ned and Olivia are together. He says, he’d hoped his mom and dad would find their way back to each other, but he’s had to accept that’s probably never going to happen. Maybe they don’t have what Ned and Olivia have; that connection, that something that makes you want to fight against all odds. She says, no one’s ever fought that hard for her, and he says she deserves a love that strong. She tells him that he doesn’t have to say that, but he says he said it because he believes it. She says, it’s a mighty generous thing to say to a person like her, and he says, a person like her? What is that supposed to mean? She says, it means he can cut the act. She knows what he really thinks of her. She stomps off, and out to the patio.

Felicia tells Anna, she still wishes she could have gone with Mac and Dante. She wanted to watch Peter get locked behind bars. That way, she could have taken a picture and sent it to Maxie, and Maxie would know for sure, and get on with her life. Anna says, now that Peter has been dealt with, they can get on with finding Louise. Felicia says, Maxie’s been through so much already. A dangerous psychopath is the father of her child, and all those fruitless searches for Louise. And the whole time, she’s had to handle it alone. Anna says, maybe Austin will change that, and Felicia says she likes him. He seems like a really good man. Lord knows Maxie deserves that. She doesn’t know what she’d do without Mac. How long has it been again? Anna says, not long. She’s waiting for a message from Valentin. Felicia says, Anna told her that Valentin had a lead on Louise. Wouldn’t it be wonderful? Peter behind bars, and a chance to bring Louise home? Anna says, everything would finally come together.

Maxie says she thought Austin understood, and he says he understands she was under a lot of stress, and it was really hard for her that the people she loves were really worried about Louise. She says, and she hated every minute of it; she told him that. But that has nothing to do with their kiss. She wanted to kiss him. He says he can’t help but wonder if there aren’t other factors in play, given her state emotionally. She says, that is a very clinical assessment, doctor. She knows how she feels. He says, she’s been lying to him. She’s been keeping a secret from him since the moment they met. Did she befriend him out of some kind of necessity? Everybody in this town knows her very well, and would know something was up, so she turned to him to keep them at bay because he’s new and safe. She says, he’s anything but safe. She and Brook lived in constant fear that he was going to remember what went on in the woods that night. She should have stayed away from him like she intended to, but she was drawn to him because she feels something for him. Is she alone in that? His phone rings, and he asks if they can talk later. She says, sure, and he jets.

Nina says she would have risked prison before betraying Sonny’s trust like that, and Obrecht says, that’s easy to say now, knowing it won’t happen. Nina starts to leave, but Obrecht says she doesn’t want to fight. Nina is her niece, and knows she’s always on her side. Who did Nina call to help her with Peter in Nixon Falls? Her. Nina says she did, and Obrecht almost died because of it. Obrecht says, that’s all over. She understands what it’s like to make bad choices for love’s sake; to be condemned for following your heart. If Nina needs a friendly face, here it is. Let’s sit. Nina says she was looking for Phyllis, and Obrecht says, Phyllis isn’t here, but she is. Please? They sit down, and Obrecht asks if Nina has eaten. She was supposed to have dinner with Britt, but she was a tiny bit late, and Britt ditched her. Nina says she’s not hungry, and Obrecht says, then they’ll drink. What happened to ruin her appetite? Nina says she had another run-in with Carly. It doesn’t seem to matter where she goes, Carly is there, and no matter what she says or does, Carly takes it in the worst way possible. With good reason, but Nina gets the feeling Carly is more interested in hating her than she is in helping her own husband. Obrecht asks, why does Sonny need help?

Drew asks if Carly is missing Jason, and she says, always. He was her sounding board, her voice of reason. Even when she didn’t agree with him, he never held it against her. He says he’d be willing to listen, or he can just go and let her think in peace, but she says she doesn’t want him to go. What about him? Is he thinking about Jason tonight too? He says, actually, Oscar’s been on his mind, and she says, she and Josslyn miss him a lot. Oscar and Josslyn used to come to this bridge all the time. He says he’s grateful for the few years he had with his son; he just wishes they’d had more time. She says, life is precious, and he says, they shouldn’t waste a second. She wonders why she’s stuck on this bridge trying to make a decision, and he asks what she’s trying to decide. She says, about her and Sonny.

Sonny sets the rose down on the steps, and leans on the deck railing. He says, she’ll be here.

Felicia tells Anna, still no word from Mac. She knows it’s silly of her to try. He’s got a lot going on, but she can’t help it. He said he’d call her as soon as he got to the prison. Shouldn’t he have gotten there already? Anna says, the roads are frozen. It might have slowed them down. Felicia says, maybe. Does Anna really believe that? Anna wonders if Felicia thinks something’s wrong, and Felicia says, when has dealing with Peter ever gone right? Anna says she’ll meet Felicia in the car, and takes off, Felicia not far behind her.

Carly’s phone rings, and it’s Kristina. Kristina says, it’s probably none of her business, but she wants her dad to be happy. He’s waiting for Carly on the Haunted Star. Does she want to show up? Carly says she knows Kristina loves her father, but she’s right, this is none of her business. Kristina says, he’s standing on a freezing deck with his heart on his sleeve. Can’t Carly at least meet him halfway? She helped him put everything together, and trust her, he’s pulled out all the stops to show Carly how much their marriage means to him. She can’t turn her back; it will crush him. Carly says, that’s not what she’s doing. All she asked for was a little bit of space. Kristina says, well, just show up. Please tell her that she’ll at least hear him out. Carly says she can’t do this right now. Goodbye. Drew asks if Carly is okay, but she says, no.

Nina says she wanted to talk to Obrecht, but how could she after what happened in court? Obrecht says, she only told Scotty what she suspected to keep Nina out of prison, and it worked. Thanks to Scotty’s brilliant strategy, she’s a free woman. These are different circumstances. Whatever’s going on now, she promises not to say a word to anyone; she swears. Nina says, Sonny is having some health issues, and it got so bad, she was afraid to leave him alone. She even spent a harrowing night at his place. She’s just thankful she got him to realize that he needed some help. Right after that, she ran into Carly, and tried desperately to tell her that her husband was in trouble, but Carly refused to listen to her. Obrecht says, Nina told her Sonny was sick, and she didn’t care? but Nina says she never got that far. Carly wasn’t hearing anything Nina had to say. Obrecht says, it sounds like she wasn’t trying very hard, and Nina says she’s a little conflicted because Sonny doesn’t want Carly to know what he’s going through. Obrecht says she doesn’t care what Sonny or Carly want; she cares what Nina wants. And she doesn’t think Nina wants Sonny and Carly to get back together.

Chase comes onto the patio and says, Brook can’t just tell him something like that and storm out. He puts a blanket around her shoulders, and says, besides, he doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She says, please. He acts all nice, but she knows the truth. He asks, what truth? and she says, when they first moved in, she overheard his conversation with Dante, telling him what a horrible person she is. How he wants to protect Bailey from her influence. He says he’s been trying to figure out why she’s been so hot and cold with him lately. That was just talk; he didn’t mean it. She asks why he said it, and he says, because he slipped. He said it would be a mistake if he developed feelings for her. She says, much better. Thanks for clearing that up. He says he was referring to Bailey. That’s what they’re doing here, right? If he developed feelings for her, it would complicate things, so he had to downplay it to Dante. Dante is a sharp guy, so he said all that crap about her not being his type. She asks if he really had to take it that far. He said awful things about her character. He tells her, she said herself that he’s a terrible liar, so he went too far to make sure Dante bought it. She says, so he doesn’t think she’s a horrible person? and he moves closer to her, saying, just the opposite. He says, he’s come to realize what a truly good person she is.

Spinelli tells Sam, crisis averted. James just wanted a glass of water. Where were they? Her and destiny; choosing a path. New life with Dante; second chance with Drew… She says, things with Dante are great. She loves seeing him with Scout and Danny; he’s a great father. He’s really stepped up, and taken care of all the kids’ needs. He says, what about her needs? and she says she’s not discussing her sex life with him. Okay, no complaints; none. He says, but by her own admission, she has unfinished business with Drew, and she says, if Jason hadn’t come back, they were starting a whole new life together, so it’s hard not to say what if? He says he sees no harm in asking, when Maxie walks in. She says she didn’t know Sam was here. Are Georgie and James sleeping? Spinelli says they’re both asleep, and Sam asks if something’s wrong. Maxie says, she kissed Austin, okay? Sam says, and? and Maxie says, it was horrible.

The police radio asks what the status is; please advise. Lying on the ground, Dante reaches for the radio, and says, 10-99. He repeats, 10-99. Officers down. Multiple injuries. The radio falls from his hand, and we see another man down by the van.

Carly tells Drew that Sonny planned this elaborate surprise at the Haunted Star. He’s recreated Martinique. Drew says, which is where they got married, right? She says, second wedding. Sonny really knows how to make a romantic gesture. He asks, so what is she doing here, and not there? and she says, she doesn’t need romance right now. She needs some space to figure out her feelings. Sonny wants her to commit right here, right now to fighting for her marriage. Is she wrong for not wanting to meet him halfway? He says, back up a moment. She just said she didn’t need romance; she needs time. And she said this to Sonny? She says, yes, and he says, and Sonny went ahead and planned this elaborate surprise, and wants her to come despite how she’s feeling right now? She says, yeah, and he says, that’s not about meeting Sonny halfway. That’s just Sonny being Sonny, trying to fix things on his timetable. The fact that she’s here right now is proof she has doubts. She’s 100% justified in feeling the way she does. She thanks him, and says she’s so glad he understands. He says he thinks he does, which is why he’s going to ask this. Is she positive she doesn’t want to go?

Brook asks if Chase really thinks she’s a good person, and he says, he doesn’t think; he knows. Look what she did for Maxie. Not to mention she put herself at risk to protect Bailey from her lunatic father. She says, and she lied to her family… So much lying. He says, good thing she can lie with the best of them, and she laughs. She says she never thought she’d hear Detective Harrison Chase condone duplicity, and he says, what she did was incredible. It might not have started out for the noblest of reasons, but she came through with flying colors. She stuck to her promise, and protected Bailey. Brook treated Bailey like her own daughter, all while she was taking serious hits to her reputation and character. She says she’d do anything to protect that little girl, and he says, him too, because they’re partners, which is exactly why they can’t be any more than friends. She says, but has he considered it?

Anna walks around the van, gun drawn. She looks in the van, and sees only the guard, lying across the seat. She checks for a pulse. She says, all clear, and Felicia comes out and checks Dante. She says, he’s just unconscious, but where’s Mac? Anna says she doesn’t know; be careful. Anna turns Dante over, and asks if he can talk. Felicia sees Mac, on the ground, shot, and says, oh my God, Mac. Dante asks, where’s Peter? and Anna says, he escaped.

Sonny sits on the steps, and takes a new wedding ring set out of his pocket and looks at them. He hears footsteps, and goes to the railing. He says, Carly?

Nina says, Obrecht told her that she doesn’t want to fight, but then accuses her of not wanting Sonny and Carly’s marriage to work. She gets up and grabs her coat, but Obrecht says, slow down and calm down. She’s not accusing Nina of anything, except perhaps not going after what she wants. She’s on Nina’s side, and wants her to be happy. Tell her, does she love Sonny? Nina says, Sonny is committed to his marriage, and Obrecht says, that wasn’t her question. Nina sits back down, and says, Sonny fell in love with her when he was Mike, a man without a past. Obrecht says, he was Sonny then, and he’s still Sonny now. Scotty told her that Sonny even admitted under oath that he loved Nina; that doesn’t just disappear. Nina says, it does when you have a wife and children. She can’t forget about that little detail. Sonny loves Carly. Obrecht says, perhaps he loves Nina too, but Nina says, she cannot be the woman who breaks apart Sonny and Carly’s marriage. Obrecht tells her, don’t be ridiculous. Marriages break up all the time. Is Nina going to live her life based on what others think? Does she think Sonny and Carly do? If Nina loves Sonny, and he loves her, why shouldn’t they be together?

Kristina tells Sonny, sorry; it’s only her. He says he saw her leaving, and she says, she did, but she came back. She thought he’d see her coming up the dock, but he says he was busy. He shows her the rings, saying, when he came back from Nixon Falls, he lost his wedding band, so he bought two more, since it’s the beginning. She says she’s sorry, and he says, she doesn’t have to be sorry; Carly is always late. She knows how important this night is to him. He asks what she’s doing here, and she says she wanted to be there for him… because Carly’s not coming. She called Carly. He says she didn’t have to do that, and she says she couldn’t help herself. She knows how important this night is for him, but Carly said she couldn’t do it. He says, do what? and she says, meet him halfway. He says, Carly told her that? She didn’t even want to try?… So Carly’s not coming? Kristina shakes her head.

Carly tells Drew that she can’t decide what to do. Does she show up at the Haunted Star, or call Sonny and tell him that she can’t come? He says he gets it; let’s work it through. She says, okay. She knows this much. Champagne and candles are not going to fix what’s wrong between her and Sonny, and he should respect her request for space. Drew says, agreed but is that something Sonny would really do? She says, who knows anymore? Sonny has been all over place since he came back from Nixon Falls, but he should at least try for her her sake. He says, absolutely, and she says, this is typical Sonny though. He has to be in control of everything, and he made tonight feel like an ultimatum; show up or else. Drew says, what if it is?

Mac is on a stretcher, and the paramedics tend to him. Felicia says, they have to get him to General Hospital, but a paramedic says, if they move him before he’s stabilized, they could lose him. Felicia tells Mac, please hang in there; she loves him so much. Dante asks Anna, what’s going on? and she says, Mac was shot. They’re trying to stabilize him right now, then move him to GH. He says he can’t believe he let Peter escape, and she asks if he can tell her what happened. He says he was in the van with Peter and the guard. The van lost control and was swerving everywhere. Then it just stopped. She says, spike strips; she managed to avoid them. He says he’s glad somebody did. He got out, and left Peter and the guard in the van. Mac joined him in searching for what caused the accident. He noticed the tires had been punctured. Then a light came from over here. He points, and she says, a car? Description? He says, no. It was an SUV because the lights were too high. He sensed someone walking behind him, and it was Kendall. He hit Dante over the head. Anna asks if he knows who shot the Pentenville guard or this man, pointing the guy near the van, but he says, no. He came to, and called the dispatcher. He asks, how’s Mac? He doesn’t hear any sirens. She says, they’re still working on him, and he asks if there’s any sign of Peter, but she says, no. Her guess is, he and Kendall took someone’s car. Dante says, he could be anywhere, and she says, they’ll find him. They have to.

Spinelli says, for clarification’s sake, Austin’s kiss was not satisfying? Maxie says, what? and Sam reminds her that she said it was horrible. Maxie says, that’s not what she meant. The kiss was great. It just got really messed up afterwards. Sam says she needs to hear this, when Maxie’s phone rings. She steps away, and says, Austin, hi. Austin says, they have patients coming into the ER. There was a shooting on Route 31. Maxie says, that’s the road to Pentenville. Sam asks, what’s going on? and Maxie says, there was a shooting on Route 31. Spinelli says, he’s on it, and goes to his laptop. Maxie tells Austin that she’s putting him on speaker, and asks, who was shot? He says he doesn’t have any details, but he knows one cop was injured. Sam says, that must be the prison van, and Maxie says, oh my God, Mac and Dante. Sam asks if there’s any other information, and Austin says, this is what he can tell them; multiple injured and two fatalities.

Drew tells Carly, Sonny has to know he’s in the wrong. He’s got to know that he shouldn’t be pushing like this, but it’s almost like he can’t help it. Because he can’t stand the idea of losing her and the kids and the family. All of it is way too much for him to lose. What if it’s not an ultimatum, and it’s more of a cry for help? He’s got to believe they have a future together, so what if instead thinking of it as caving, she thinks of it as throwing him a lifeline?

Sonny closes the ring box and looks like he might pitch it into the water, but he doesn’t. He opens the box, takes one of the rings out, and looks at it.  

Brook tells Chase, what is she saying? Of course (🍷) he’s considered it. He’s hot; she’s hot. He says, that’s not what he meant, and she says, he doesn’t think she’s hot? He says, no… yes… definitely. He was talking about her as a person. He likes her – Brook Lyn. That’s why they’re friends. He moves closer, and she says, friends, right. Because anything more would be too complicated. He says, exactly. So it’s out of the question. She says she never even considered it, and he says, neither did he. They look as though they might kiss.

Nina tells Obrecht that she’s going to the ladies room. Feel free to order without her. She’s leaving her stuff; don’t steal anything. Nina leaves, and Obrecht says, a drink it is. Kristina comes in on the phone, saying, she was already late for work as it was. She gets the point; he’d rather not let her see him in pain, but she should have seen the look on his face when he realized Carly wasn’t coming. It broke her heart. He told her to leave, now her dad is all alone on the Haunted Star… Right… She knows. She’ll give him some time, but she’s calling him when she gets off work. Speaking of work, she’d better get going. Thanks for listening, mom… Love you too. She sees Obrecht standing at the bar.

A detective asks what Anna thinks, and she says she thinks Kendall saw the strip in the middle of the road and did nothing to avoid it. That he intentionally disabled the van to allow the gunman, or gunmen, to move in. She needs tire track prints from the other car on the shoulder. An officer walks up, and asks if there’s any news on the chief, and she says, he’s on his way to the hospital; thanks for asking. What about Kendell? Did they find him? The officer says, five miles up the road, and Anna says, great. She’ll follow him in her car. She wants answers. He says, she won’t get them from Kendall. Kendall’s dead.

Maxie and Sam come into the hospital, and Maxie asks Austin if there’s an update. He says he doesn’t know; he just got here. Felicia comes out, and hugs Maxie. She asks where James and Georgie are, and Maxie says, they’re with Spinelli. What happened? Is Mac…? Felicia says, Mac was shot. He’s lost a lot of blood, and it took forever to stabilize him, but he’s here now. It doesn’t look good. Maxie says, he’s going to be okay. Sam asks Austin about Dante, and he says, table two. She thanks him, and goes in. Dante is hooked up to a couple of monitors, but she hugs him anyway. He says, he’s okay; he’ll be fine. He’s sorry to put her through this though. He guesses it’s the downside of dating a cop. She says, there is no downside to having him in her life, and he says he’ll make sure she remembers that. She says she’s lucky to have him in her life. He says, he’s lucky to have her, and they kiss

Obrecht orders a vodka tonic, and goes back to the table. Nina has come back, along with a glass of wine that magically appeared. Obrecht says, now’s Nina’s chance, and Nina says, for what? Obrecht says, she just heard Sonny’s daughter on the phone. Kristina was saying Sonny is in a bad way. Perhaps he’s still sick. Nina says, she thought he got his medication, but maybe he didn’t. He could be in trouble. Obrecht says, there’s only one way to find out. Sonny’s on the Haunted Star… all alone.

The detective tells Anna, they’re checking for signs Kendall was injured here. He probably succumbed to his injuries, and was dumped where the police found him. Anna says, don’t waste your time, and the officer says, Kendall was shot point blank. He died instantly. His guess is that Kendall and Peter had a disagreement, but Anna says, no; it was planned. Peter hates loose ends. She tells them to send an update that the prisoner is traveling alone, and should be considered armed and extremely dangerous.

Maxie asks Austin, what about Mac? Can they see him? He says, one of them can go in there, and only for a minute. Maxie says, that would be Felicia, and Felicia goes. Maxie asks Austin to please tell her one of those dead bodies was Peter, but he says, no; he checked first thing. Peter’s still out there.

Carly tells Drew that she’s not ready to give up on her marriage. So this isn’t about what’s fair. It’s about what they both need emotionally. He says, okay, and what does she need right now? and she says she needs Sonny to know she’s still in this. She’s not giving up, but they can figure things out without closing the door on their marriage. Right? She thanks him and gives him a hug. She says, thanks for talking to her and clarifying things. He says, always. He’s glad they bumped into each other. She says, her too, and his phone rings. He says, Anna… Wait… What happened to Dante.

At the van, Anna asks if he can hear her. Mac and Dante were transporting Peter to Pentenville, and they were ambushed. They’ve both been hurt. He says, what about August? and she says, there’s no sign of him. He says, dammit, and Carly says, what? He tells her, Peter August escaped.

Sonny closes the ring box, and says, that’s that. He turns to leave, and sees Nina walking out onto the deck.  

Chase says, they should get back, and Brook says, of course (🍷). Chase’s phone rings, and he says, Dante, what’s up? At the hospital, Dante says, there’s something he should know. Mac was shot tonight. Chase asks, how bad? but Dante says, they don’t know. He’s on his way to surgery now. Chase asks, what happened? and Dante says, the transport van was ambushed. Peter escaped. Brook says, what? and Chase says, the transport van was ambushed. Mac was shot and Peter escaped. She says, oh no, and runs inside. Chase runs after her, and Dante asks if he’s still there. Brook and Chase run into the nursery, and Bailey’s crib is empty. Brook starts to cry, and says, no, no, no!   

In a moving car, Peter tells Bailey/Louise, hello, sweetheart. Safe and snug. They’re together, and he’s never letting her go.

On Monday, Austin says, it’s a helluva story; Chase says, all signs point to Peter; Anna asks if Robert wants to go down that path; and Sonny says, his and Nina’s time together never happened.

🧹 Sweeping Up…

What’s to come on the soaps this month.

👄 La Lucci Speaks…

The diva of Pine Valley tells all.

👩🏾‍⚕️ Front Line Help…

She might not be a nurse off-camera, but she’s just as caring.

☄️ Farewell To a Star…

Another loss to the soap world.

👠 She’s Available…

Randall is an idiot.

https://people.com/tv/lala-kent-dating-again-after-randall-emmett-split/

🍊 OC Delusion…

I wanted to like her, but I’ve come to the conclusion she’s batsh*t crazy.

🗽 Accessing Production…

Like this matters anymore.

🛥 Ultimate Complaint…

What a shock. Brandi is mean.

🧂 Rubbing Salt In the Wound…

This week’s recap.

Exit stage Mary.

Everybody is getting into the act.

🐶 They’re Coming…

All you need to know about the upcoming Puppy Bowl XVIII.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/puppy-bowl-announcement

🦜 Quotes of the Week

Fashion is a movie. Every morning when you get dressed, you direct yourself. – Thierry Mugler

For a New Yorker anything is possible. – Peggy Scott (Denée Benton), The Gilded Age

Don’t let anyone who hasn’t been in your shoes tie your laces. – Judge Faith Jenkins

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. – Maya Angelou

The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them. – Ida B. Wells

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. – Alice Walker

Above all else, go with a sense of humor. It is needed armor. Joy in one’s heart and some laughter on one’s lip is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life. – Hugh Sidey

Don’t lose your sense of humor. – the only advice my father gave me when I left home. I’ve come close.

Start where you are, with what you have. Make something of it and never be satisfied. – George Washington Carver

🚶🏽‍♀️ Time To Skedaddle…

It’s here – the weekend for those still doing the 9 to 5, and the next two days for those off the work grid. Come join me on the third day for soap and a Deck Reunion. Until then, stay safe, stay pragmatic, and stay off any yacht you’re not invited aboard.