All language subtitles for 7th_heaven_s05e16_parents

I'm so depressed.

Jeremy, my new boyfriend, he moved back
east.

No way.

Yeah, his father got a job with the New
York Philharmonic.

It's so unfair.

I finally meet the man of my dreams and
fall madly in love with him, and now

he's gone.

Don't worry, Luce.

You'll fall madly in love again and
again, and then you'll meet Mr. Right

live happily ever after.

Thanks.

Are you talking to Lucy again?

Yeah. Quit hogging my friends, Mom.

Sorry. Bye, Luce.

Hey, why don't the three of us go up and
shoot some pool?

Help Lucy get her mind off of Jeremy
leaving.

That sounds fun. Count me in.

I'm going to go change, and then we'll
go pick up Lucy.

Your mom is so un -mom -like. Tell me
about it.

Hi, Dad.

How's your UN research paper coming?

Oh, it's coming.

Well, it better be more than just
coming. It's due Monday. It counts for a

of your grade in history.

I've got everything under control.

Yeah, yeah, everything's under control.

And you've already finished your paper?

Oh, I'm in a different history class. I
don't have a paper deal.

Keith's helping me.

Well, when you're ready to go home, just
let me know. I don't need a ride.

I drove.

Keith just got his license last week.

Congratulations. Finish your paper.

I was looking for.

No. I haven't asked anything yet.

But you were going to ask me something.

Well, maybe I was, maybe I wasn't.

Yeah.

Okay, so let's say I was going to ask
for something.

How can you say no before I've even
asked?

Maybe it's something you can't say no
to.

Can I have that really huge, really cool
makeup kit that's on sale at the

department store?

The one you asked about yesterday?

No, you're too young to wear makeup.

But my friend Rachel gets to wear
makeup. You have a ten -year -old friend

wears makeup?

Just blush and lipstick.

Rachel's parents don't think she's too
young. Her mom bought her that makeup

kit. Sorry, no makeup.

Thanks for nothing.

Parenting really is its own reward.

Good job.

I'm sorry, is this Reverend Camden's
house?

Yeah, I'm Eric Camden. Oh, great.

I wasn't sure if I had the right address
or not. I had it scribbled on a

cocktail napkin.

Did the church send you over?

Oh, will you look at me?

Where are my manners? What must you good
people think?

I'm Ed, Ed Palmer.

I was looking for Robbie. I was just
passing through town, and I heard he was

living with you good people, and I
thought I'd look him up.

Robbie's at work.

Did you say your last name was Palmer?

Yes, ma 'am.

Just like Robbie's?

I hope so.

I'm his father.

When I see their happy faces smiling
back at me, seven

heavens, I know there's no greater
feeling than the love of family.

Where can you go when the world don't
treat

you right? The answer is home.

7th Heaven 7th Heaven

7th Heaven

What's wrong with the guy in the living
room?

What makes you think anything's wrong
with him?

Every time someone shows up at our house
late at night, they usually have a

problem. The later they come, the bigger
the problem.

Yeah, what's his problem?

He doesn't have a problem. He's looking
for Robbie.

What's Robbie's problem?

No one has a problem. Ed, the man in the
living room, is Robbie's father, and

he's here to see Robbie.

I didn't know Robbie had a father.

Oh, everyone has a father.

Yeah, but not everybody has a father who
lets them buy makeup.

I have already spoken with your father.
We are in total agreement. No makeup.

Makeup kit.

I don't understand why she wants it so
badly. Her friend has it.

Remind me to call Rachel's parents and
thank them for buying their 10 -year

daughter makeup.

Did you get a hold of Robbie at the
grocery store?

Well, how did he take the news that his
father is here?

I didn't tell him. I wasn't sure how
Robbie would react to his dad being back

town, and I didn't want him upset and
driving, so I just told him he needed to

come home as soon as possible.

You don't like Ed, do you? I don't know
him well enough not to like him. I don't

trust him.

He did abandon Robbie and his family
when Robbie was just a kid. Okay, I

trust him, and I don't like him. Me
neither.

Did you have to go to Columbia for that
coffee?

I spoke with Robbie. He's on his way
home.

You didn't tell him I'm here.

It's okay.

I don't know how Robbie's going to take
the news either.

You know, I had to leave town when he
was very young.

Had to?

I had no choice.

My parents needed me.

How do you take your coffee, Ed?

Well, when I was living in France, it
was black. Now it's kind of half coffee,

half sugar.

France, huh?

Yeah, well, that was back in the 70s. I
joined the Peace Corps, and they had me

stationed in a little village outside
Paris.

I helped the local farmers build a dam
so they would have water for their

farming. You don't look like a Peace
Corps kind of guy.

Well, that was a long time ago.

Yeah, let's see, 1970, that's 30 years
ago. You must have been very young.

Did I say 70s? I meant 80s.

I wasn't aware that the Peace Corps
operated in developed countries like

I'm hungry.

Do you have anything to go with this
coffee besides cookies? Maybe a little

sandwich, some chips?

I could really go for a sandwich.

Oh, I'll see what I can do.

You're a lucky man.

I had plenty of wives. None of them ever
did anything for me.

And this one's a looker, too.

Yeah, she is.

Have you finished your paper?

You know, Keith's parents never bug him
about his homework.

And they gave him a car last week when
he turned 16.

Your father and I are never going to
give you a car.

And we're always going to bug you about
your schoolwork.

Finish your paper.

Hi, Mr. Camden?

I'm here to pick up Lucy.

Oh, you look great.

Thanks.

Hey, that's my shirt.

I borrowed it from Ashley. I hope you
don't mind.

What are friends for?

Did you meet my mom?

You're going out?

Yeah. Well, I figured it wouldn't be a
problem since Ashley's mom's coming,

You're Ashley's mother?

I thought you knew.

No, I didn't. Well, we're just going up
to the pool hall. I promised to have her

home early.

I just...

You know, I kind of wanted to take her
out and try to cheer her up. It's not

easy losing a boyfriend.

You and Jeremy broke up?

They didn't break up, but he's moving
away.

What's the difference? He's gone.

Well, I didn't know.

It just happened.

Come on, you guys, let's go.

Ed says no mail.

Hi. Hi.

Oh, honey, this is Serena, Ashley's
mother, Serena. Oh, nice to meet you.

You're Ashley's mother?

People always think Ashley and I are
sisters.

No, Mom. That's what you always tell
people.

Come on, let's go.

Bye.

Serena's the mother?

Ruthie, is that you?

Yes. Why are you whispering?

Because I don't want anyone to hear me.

I need your help.

Help? I want something that Mom and Dad
say I can't have. It's a makeup kit.

But you're too young to wear makeup.

Look, I have the money, but the store is
too far away for me to go on my bike.

So I need someone to drive me. But
everyone in this house who drives also

I'm too young to have makeup.

That's because you are.

Look, what I need from you is a plan.

A plan.

Yeah, a plan.

I want to do something, and Mom and Dad
say I can't. You practically made a

career of doing stuff Mom and Dad said
you couldn't do.

And look where that got me.

They're going to send me to Buffalo for
buying makeup?

Disobeying Mom and Dad is a very bad
idea.

Don't do it.

You don't understand. I have to have
that makeup kit.

I saved my money, and I'm going to get
it whether you help me or not.

I'm sorry, Ruthie. I can't help you do
this.

I won't help you do this.

It's wrong and you know it.

What? Shut the door. We need to talk.

Look at that guy.

He's gorgeous. I can't believe you're a
mom.

She does this all the time. She's always
picking up guys that are way too young

for her.

Well, he's gorgeous.

Come on, show us your shot.

Okay. Who wants to go to Alan's party
with me tomorrow night?

Mom, you just met Alan.

I know. That's why I can't go alone.

You two have to come and protect me.

He's got a lot of cute friends, and he
wants you guys to come.

Did you tell Alan that I'm your
daughter?

Why would I do that?

Oh, please?

Okay, okay, I'll go.

Cute guys, I'm there.

But will your parents let you go to a
party thrown by someone they don't know?

Hey, no problem.

Just tell your parents to be out with
me.

A sane, rational, responsible adult.

So, is everyone coming to my party
tomorrow night? Yes.

Come on, there's somebody I want you to
meet.

I love your mom.

Yeah, she's great.

I had to get someone to cover me at the
store. I got home as quickly as I could.

What's going on?

There's somebody here who wants to see
you.

Dad! Hey!

Man, I can't believe it's you and you're
here.

I can't believe I'm here either.

Did you get my letters?

Because no matter where I've been the
last ten years, I've always taken the

to sit down and write you a letter.

Every day.

I haven't gotten any letters.

Darn post office.

Well, they must have lost them because I
sent them.

So what are you doing here?

Well, I'm here because you're here.

I wanted to see my boy.

Well, where are you staying?

Well, I can only afford to stay for one
night, so I thought maybe after we had a

chance to visit that you could drive me
downtown and help me find a cheap motel.

It's already pretty late. Not to worry.

Dad. Hey.

Why spend money on a nice motel room?
It's only for one night.

Hey.

The truth is I'm between jobs.

Actually, I'm between a lot of things.
Job, car, home, wife.

I, uh...

I spent the last of my savings on my bus
ticket to get to Glen Oak.

I'm not here to sponge off anybody.

I just need a ride downtown.

Yeah. Since it's only one night, why
don't you stay with us? That way, you

Robbie will have plenty of time to catch
up.

I don't want to bother anyone.

It's not a bother.

Well, if you insist.

Thanks. Yeah.

Thanks. Come on, Dad. Let's go to my
room.

What just happened?

I think Ed just happened.

Where are you two going?

Oh, we're going to... Ow!

What's going on?

My leg flipped.

I'm getting the feeling that you don't
want me to know where you're going.

Normally, I'd be a little concerned, but
since you're with Matt, okay, fine, go

do. Just be careful.

Stop kicking me.

You almost ruined everything.

Remember, it's supposed to be a
surprise.

Right, right. I'm sorry, I forgot.

Well, I'm taking you to the store to get
Mom a present, right?

Why are you getting Mom a present?

I don't have to have a reason.

I love her.

You love her.

We all love her. She's a great mom.

She works really hard, and there's a lot
of stuff for all of us.

We're lucky we have her.

Maybe I should get her a present, too.

Maybe.

I'm going out with Keith tonight. Excuse
me?

May I go out with Keith tonight?

Did you finish your paper?

I'm almost done. I'm just, I'm proofing
it. You're not going anywhere with

anyone until you finish.

Does that mean I can go? Finish your
paper and then we'll talk.

Oh.

Ed? How can one man make so much mess?

Determination.

Make sure he's on that bus tonight.

I'm sorry about all this mess.

No, it's not that. It's just that I
don't trust him, and I don't want Robbie

get hurt.

Neither do I. I spoke to Robbie, and he
and Ed are going to spend the day

together, and then he's driving Ed to
the bus station.

Good.

Hey, good.

I promised myself I wouldn't ask any big
questions, but something I have to

know.

You want to know why I left?

Mom said you met some woman in a bar,
cleaned out the checking accounts and

off.

But you were such a great dad and great
dads don't do things like that.

I remember that time you took me to the
zoo. I think I was only five, but I

remember. You held my hand and you
bought me nuts for the monkeys and we

the train.

So what happened?

I didn't leave for another woman. I left
to take care of my sick parents.

They needed somebody to move in and look
after them, so I went back home and

took care of them until they died.

And I never took anything from the
family or from your mother. As a matter

fact, I sent money back home.

Well, your mother didn't believe me, so
we got a divorce, and then she refused

to let me see you or your brothers.

She shut me out of your lives.

Couldn't you have called or something?

She got a court order.

All I could do was write, which I did.

You know those letters you didn't get?

For a long time, I thought that staying
out of yours and your brother's lives

was for the best, and, uh, well, now I
see that was wrong.

If I had one thing to do over again in
life, I would have fought your mother

harder for custody.

I'm not here just for a visit, Robbie.

I want to make it up to you and your
brothers.

I want my family back.

And this time I'm not going to let your
mother stop me.

I'd like to stay in town for a while.

Really? Yes.

I'm going to need some help.

Maybe we could help each other.

You know, like family?

Hey, you got in late last night.

After the pool hall closed, we went out
for ice cream with these really cute

guys.

Come on, we were out with Ashley's
mother.

Oh, so... Can I go to a party with
Ashley and Serena tonight?

Whose party?

Some friend of Serena's. But you don't
have to worry because we'll be with an

adult the whole time.

Serena.

You're going to a party with your
girlfriend's mother?

Ashley's going too, and there'll be
people of all ages at the party.

What? She's cool.

She's not like... You were going to say
she's not like most moms.

Moms like me, right?

I didn't mean it as an insult, but yes,
she's not like most moms.

You just don't like her because she
doesn't bake pies and go to church

activities and make lunches.

That's not true.

She's fun. I like her.

What's wrong with that?

Serena's funness isn't the point.

So are you saying I can't go?

You know, you're going to be graduating
soon, and you'll be off in college, and

I won't be there to make these decisions
for you, should you, shouldn't you, go

here or there.

So I think maybe it's time that you
start making your own decisions.

If you want to go tonight, go.

If it's my decision, I'm going.

Hello? I got it. Matt took me. You
should confess and take it back.

Never. My plan was too perfect.

I'll never get caught.

I told Matt I wanted to go to the store
to buy something for Mom.

So Matt thinks that the makeup kit is
for Mom, not me.

Now, Mom seemed a little suspicious.

So while Matt was flirting with the
sales lady, I bought some little flower

thing. When I got home, I gave the
flower thing to Mom and told her Matt

to the mall because I wanted to get her
something special for being such a great

mom. It was great. She almost cried.

So you lied to everyone.

Yeah. That's not good.

Mom and Dad will find out. They always
do, and then you'll be in big trouble.

Trust me. When it comes to trouble, I am
an expert.

I'm not going to get caught.

And you're not just going to be in
trouble with Mom and Dad.

Matt is going to be really mad when he
finds out you lied to him and used him.

No, you were a lot more fun when you
were messing up your life.

Be careful.

It's just a party. I'll be fine. Okay.

Where are you going?

You said I can go out.

No, I didn't.

Maybe we should talk in the living room.

There's nothing to talk about.

Did you finish your paper?

Almost.

I'm sorry, but Simon won't be able to go
with you tonight.

You must be kidding.

No, I'm not kidding.

We're going to take off.

Get to the list if you can.

All right.

Let's go.

I hope you're happy because you just
completely humiliated me in front of my

friends. I want to read your paper.

I'm not finished.

You need to finish it.

You know, I don't like you very much
right now.

Well, the feeling's mutual.

So I suggest you go upstairs and finish
your paper.

Change your attitude, or the next time
you leave the house, it'll be for your

high school graduation.

Hello? Hi, Reverend Hamden.

This is Sally Palmer, Robbie's mother.

Oh.

Hello. How are things in Florida?

Pretty well.

How's Robbie doing?

Well, he's doing great.

He's very popular down at the daycare
center, and he's still working part

at the grocery store.

He's doing really well at school.

Thank you so much for helping him and
taking him in. You don't have to thank

Is my ex -husband there in town?

Yes. Ed got here last night.

I was afraid of that.

Afraid? He came here first.

He was in Florida?

He left two days ago. I'm worried about
Robbie.

Well, uh, Ed is leaving tonight. He's
probably already gone.

The thing you have to know about my ex,
he's always there when you don't want

him, and he's never there when you need
him.

Aren't you going to miss your bus?

Well, I... Actually, I should let Robbie
tell you the good news.

Good news?

My dad and I decided we need to spend
some more time together.

He didn't want to leave and I didn't
want him to leave, so we rented an

apartment together.

We put down a deposit and tomorrow we
move in.

Isn't this great? I finally have my dad
back.

And I finally have my son with me again.

I'm sorry I'm late. Oh, that's okay.

It's been a rough night, so I ordered
pizza for the kids, and I made you a

salad. Rough night? What happened?

Well, let's see.

Lucy's out with her new best friend,
Serena, who I think is 40 going on 17.

And Simon didn't finish his paper, so I
wouldn't let him go out with his

friends. So now Simon hates me.

And of course, I saved the best for
last.

Ed isn't leaving.

Ed is staying.

He and Robbie put a deposit down on an
apartment today, and Robbie is moving

out. Robbie can't move in with Ed. I
know.

Robbie's mom called from Florida, and...
Ed is no good. All that's old news. We

knew that the second we met him.

Well, the trick is convincing Robbie,
not us. He and Ed went out. They'll be

back any minute.

Well, I'll talk to Robbie when he gets
home.

When did Robbie become one of our
children?

I'm not sure but he is and I can't just
stand around and watch Ed ruin his life.

No.

Did you know it was going to be like
this?

Oh, no.

Here they come again.

Why don't they leave us alone?

You know, why don't we just go?

I don't want to leave my mother.

Okay, well, let's do something.

Those two guys are giving me the creeps.
I mean, they're 27 and we're 18.

Bathroom.

I think we should talk.

You see the problem? You want me to
treat you like a man and you're acting

a child.

Fine. Talk to me. Don't talk to me.

I want to read your paper. I don't care
if you're not finished. I want to read

what you've done so far.

Do you really want to be in more trouble
than you're in already?

Thank you.

Are you okay?

What's wrong?

Mommy, I can't get it off.

I tried soap and water, but it just
won't come off.

Whose makeup did you get into?

It's my makeup.

Matt took me to the store today and I
bought that makeup kit that you and

said I couldn't have.

So you didn't go to the store to buy me
something. You went to the store to buy

you something.

Something you were told you could not
have.

I'm in trouble, aren't I? You're in more
trouble than you've ever been in

before.

First I'm going to take you in the
bathroom and get that stuff off your

And then when Matt gets home from the
library, we're going to have a long talk

about this.

Hi.

Did you hear the good news? I'm moving
in with my dad.

Yeah, I know. I spoke to your mother
tonight.

Well, she hates my dad. She always has.

She never has anything good to say about
him.

He did abandon her and you and your
brothers.

That's not true.

My dad told me what really happened.

You know, my mom's not exactly June
Cleaver. You can't believe everything

tells you. She'd tell you anything to
keep me and my dad apart.

She kept us apart for years.

Maybe she had good reasons for wanting
to keep...

Ed away from you. You may not be able to
believe everything your mom says, but I

think you can believe what she says
about Ed.

I finally have my dad around after years
and years of not having him, and

everyone's trying to take him away.

No one's trying to keep Ed away from
you, but we are trying to protect you.

I don't need protecting.

I can take care of myself, and I know my
dad's not perfect, but neither am I.

I hate to be the one to tell you this,
but... Yeah, the police in New York are

looking for my dad because he wrote some
bad checks.

Yes. See?

He told me that. He didn't have to, but
he wants to be honest with me.

You really should call your mother.

Why? So she can badmouth my dad some
more?

No thanks.

Look, one more night and I'll be out of
here and everyone can stop worrying.

I'll be fine. My dad will be fine. We're
going to take care of each other and

we're going to be just fine.

I'm sorry.

Why are you apologizing?

I'm apologizing for my mother.

It's okay.

No, it isn't.

You wouldn't understand. You have a
mother.

A real mother.

Sometimes I wish I had a real mother,
too.

Not some woman who'd rather be my friend
than my mother.

Friends I have.

People to go to parties and dances. I
have.

A mother I don't have.

And haven't had since... My parents got
divorced, and my mother decided that she

no longer wanted to be a mother.

I had no idea you felt this way about
her.

I thought that you liked that your
mother was hip and cool and

What's so hip and cool about being
locked up in some stranger's bathroom

your mom flirts and carries on with some
guy who's too old for us and too young

for her?

Welcome to the dark side of having a hip
and cool mom.

I stayed longer at the library than I
planned. Is there any dinner left?

Or I could eat out.

Did you take Ruthie to the store today?

Do you like the makeup kit she bought
you? The makeup kit wasn't for me.

Who was it for?

Ruthie.

But Ruthie's too young to wear makeup.

Bingo. Her father and I told her she
couldn't have it.

Wait, so she lied to me so I'd help her
get it?

I know Ruthie's done some questionable
things before, but she's never looked me

in the eye and lied.

Doesn't feel so great, does it?

No, it doesn't.

I was waiting for you so we could both
talk to her.

No, this whole thing was my fault. I was
the adult in charge. I'd like to handle

Ruthie by myself.

Are you sure?

You're going to have to punish her, and
she's not going to like you for it.

I don't care.

We need to talk.

I figured this was coming.

I know you don't want me and Robbie to
move in together.

I talked to Robbie's mother.

I know everything.

So did you tell Robbie everything?

Yes. Well, I'm guessing either Robbie
didn't believe you or he doesn't care.

If he did, you wouldn't be out here
asking me to leave town.

That is what you're doing, isn't it?

Well, I've had a lot of people ask me to
leave, so I generally know when it's

coming.

Robbie doesn't want to believe anything
bad about you.

I don't know what my ex told you
exactly, but you can't believe

says. She's no saint.

That's true.

She's had her share of problems,
financial, emotional. She hasn't always

the best decisions, but she tried. She
did the best she could under the

circumstances.

Circumstances? Being left.

To raise three sons on her own.

But my parents... Look, you and I both
know that you didn't leave her and your

children so you could take care of your
sick parents. You did leave because you

weren't really into being a father,
right? I mean, this is a little too much

responsibility. You were okay with
making the kids, just not raising them

taking care of them.

Did you know that Robbie was homeless
not too long ago?

I don't want to see that happen again.

Robbie's doing great.

He should just stay right where he is.

You're not his father.

Neither are you.

Sticks and stones, ouch. Robbie may not
be my son, but he is a part of this

family, and this is the best place for
him.

And he knows that.

But he loves you, or the idea of you.
He's willing to risk his future because

believes he has a future with you.

You can't stop me from getting an
apartment with my son.

The state of New York can't.

Is that a threat?

No, it's not a threat, but...

Okay, it's a threat.

Robbie's welfare means a lot to me.

If you don't leave, I'll call the
police. I'll let them know where you

don't want to do it, but I can't just
watch Robbie throw everything away. I

him.

And he'll never reach his potential if
he's too busy taking care of you to take

care of himself.

Well, I love him, too.

And he is my son.

Then do the right thing.

Put your son's needs...

Before your own.

Do the right thing.

I've been home for a while.

But I've been in my room.

Thinking of what I wanted to say. I'm
very upset.

The devil made me do it.

Let's not bring the devil into this.

What do you want me to do? I want you to
apologize.

Oh, okay.

I'm sorry. No, I want you to apologize
and mean it.

I am sorry.

I didn't mean to lie, but I had to have
that makeup kit.

That's not an apology.

Why are you being so mean to me?

Look, I'm not being mean. I'm being
nice.

You have to learn that what you did was
wrong, and if you don't learn it today,

you could go out and do the same thing
tomorrow and hurt someone else like you

hurt me.

Now, it's okay if you don't understand
what I'm saying, because we can talk

tomorrow when I drive you back to the
store to return that makeup kit.

Hello? So did Mom and Dad find out yet?

What are you, psychic?

I told you, they always find out.

So did you call just to say I told you
so?

No, I called for two reasons.

One, I knew you were going to get into
trouble, and I figured that you were

going to get yelled at, and I know how
that feels, so I wanted to make sure you

were okay.

Me too.

I love you.

And I wanted to make sure that you learn
your lesson, because I don't want you

to end up in Buffalo like me.

Okay, okay.

I get it.

I really get it.

Good.

What happened?

You had months to work on this, and it's
nowhere near your best work.

So? I'm not going to get an A on
everything I do. If this paper was truly

best you can do, it would be fine. You
could turn it in and that would be that.

You can still turn it in and probably
get a passing grade.

But then what would you have learned?

That to get by in life you don't have to
do much because you're a smart kid? If

all you want to do is pass, the truth is
you don't have to work very hard. Why

are you making such a big deal out of
this?

Because it is a big deal.

You are smart, very smart.

And if you don't work up to your
potential, you will never truly be

you'll have time to goof around with
your friends, but deep down inside,

know that you're not the person you
could be.

And that will make you very unhappy.

I'd rather see you mad at me for the
rest of your life than to let that

Hello? Oh, hi, Luz.

What? You're where?

No, no, no. I'll be right there. Give me
the address.

Uh -huh.

Okay. Bye.

I made some notes on your paper.

You should read them over and start
rewriting.

I'll be back and we can work on it
together.

Hello?

I'm sorry I called so late. I'll try
back tomorrow.

Don't hang up. I'm awake.

What did you call to talk about?

Dad.

Okay.

When I was younger, who used to take me
to the zoo?

My brother, your uncle.

Your dad wasn't around much, and he
thought you boys should have a guy to do

stuff with, so he took you places.

He loved the zoo, especially those
monkeys.

Are you still there?

Yeah, I'm still here.

Ashley. Hey.

Ashley.

Mom, I'm staying the night at Lucy's.
I'll call you in the morning.

Weren't you having a good time?

No.

And it would have been hard for you to
notice that since you've been throwing

yourself at that Alan guy all night.

Hey, hold on.

Did you just grow up, Mom?

And at your age, just once... You cannot
talk to me that way. I am your mother.

Mother? I thought you were my best
friend.

So what is it? Mother or best friend?

Can't I be both?

No. Why?

Because I want a mom that I can call to
come get me if I'm having a bad time at

a party. I want a mom that yells at me
when I'm late, tells me to eat my

vegetables, go to bed.

I want a mom with her own social life,
her own friends.

I don't want to go to parties with my
mom and watch her make a fool of herself

flirting with some guy who's half her
age.

I'm not saying that it has to be all
about me, but why does it always have to

all about you?

I know what's going on here.

You know, just because you bake cookies
and make lunches and drive a carpool

does not make you better than me.

It doesn't make you a better mother. I'm
a good mother, too. This isn't about

us. This is about you and your daughter.
This is about you growing up and acting

your age. It's about you being an adult
so she can be a child.

It's called parenthood.

And it has nothing to do with cookies
and everything to do with raising

children, helping them find their way,
being there for them, putting their

first.

How is your daughter supposed to learn
how to be a mother if you won't be a

mother to her?

I don't know what you want from me.

Well, I don't either, but I don't want
this.

Ashley, I had no idea you felt the way
you do.

I love you, Mom.

But I don't want to do this anymore.

I love you, too.

Look, I know that you were planning on
spending the night at Lucy's, but maybe

instead we could go home and talk.

Things we have a lot to talk about.

All right.

We can talk.

But we're not going to settle this in
one night.

No.

But it'll be a start, huh?

I'm gonna go get my coat and then we can
go, okay?

You guys can go.

I'll call you tomorrow.

You're welcome.

How did you know I was going to say
thank you?

I'm your mother.

Your mother knows.

So did my dad get off okay?

Yeah.

I heard Mrs. Camden tell Matt you were
out with my dad, so I figured you were

putting him on the bus.

I called my mom and had a long talk with
her.

Sorry. Sorry for what?

For caring about me?

For giving me the first... Real home
I've ever had.

For being the father I never had and
always wanted.

For forgiving me of my past mistakes.

Being so supportive and kind.

You have nothing to be sorry for.

My mom told me he showed up in Florida.

Stole money from her.

And took my underage brothers out to a
bar and used them to pick up women.

My mom thinks...

I can't see the bad in my father.

That's not true.

I don't want to see the bad in my
father.

I want to believe he's just like
everyone else's dad.

When I was younger, he used to disappear
for months at a time.

So I'd pretend he was in the CIA and he
was doing undercover work.

Couldn't let myself believe he didn't
want to be with us.

I guess I'm still pretending.

That's why I let him talk me into
renting that apartment.

I figured all I had to do was pay the
rent and he'd be there.

Like he never was there.

My whole life.

I know that sounds stupid, childish.

But to have a dad, I'd do almost
anything.

After I dropped Ed off at the bus
station, I stopped by the apartment. I

landlord to give me back your deposit
check.

That was very fatherly of you.

Do you think my dad will ever be a dad
to me or my brothers?

A dad like you?

I don't know. I hope so.

What exactly did I do to deserve you and
this family?

I think you dated Mary.

So you do this for all your daughter's
ex -boyfriends?

No.

Just the special ones.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

I want to give you a hug.

You know, I want to give you a hug, too.

This will be our first hug.

Yeah, it will.