Original subtitles

Life isn't measured by the number of breaths we take, but

by the moments that take our breath away.

NPI Los Angeles, 224.

This is Agent Salvas, code 60GM.

Yeah, it's DeRitter.

31522NG. I'm going to need a cover for Lake Merrillville.

It's located in Northern California.

I don't know how long I'm staying, but just send it to my phone.

10 -4, DeRitter. We'll do it.

Merrillville? Lake Merrillville.

The fall she returned to Lake Merrillville, everything changed.

The fuck were you thinking?

You almost got yourself killed, not to mention your backup.

Please, I have a baby! Let her go.

Yes, she was running.

But she had no idea why she chose to come back here, of all places.

Oh my god. I'm sorry.

I heard a scream earlier.

Was that you? I just wanted to go for a swim. I can't. It's the only time that I

have. Would you mind?

Is it a little autumn for a dip in the lake?

Is that any of your business?

I'm fine. Get off me. Okay.

Can you tell me which one of these godforsaken roads leads to Lake

At our reunion last year, my college roommate told me about her amazing,

cabin. Got an address?

Yeah.

Oh, it's in the car.

Do you mind?

If that isn't too much to ask.

So, who was your college roommate?

Heather Adams.

Heather.

Well, quite a character. But no one's heard from her in forever.

What did you say your name was?

Mackenzie. Erin.

And you?

She remembered her mother saying the sleepy burg was filled with rather

eccentric and colorful characters, right out of a novel.

I think that has, see that has a little bit of the red.

Yeah, this is right here.

Uh -oh. I got it.

Hi, are you here for a cabin key? Ah, yeah, come on in.

Oh, damn, Colin, you have really done it this time. Well, Cassandra, darling,

you can't figure it out. Nobody can.

And you've got a few blue ones together over there.

This is too challenging for you. Oh, shame on you.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

And you are?

Mackenzie. Mackenzie. I'm here for the Heather Adams cabin. Property manager

said they'd leave the key with you. Ah, yes, yes. Right. I am so sorry. We were

just giving Paula's latest masterpiece a test run. Hold on one sec. Yeah.

Grandpapa's famous.

Oh, no. Not even remotely. He designs puzzles.

Look. Wow. First glance, it just looks like part of the design.

But when you look closer, you can see that each and every piece has its own

little story.

And it isn't until you put all those pieces together that you can actually

the big picture.

I used to do puzzles with my mom, but nothing like this.

My mom thinks they're a waste of time. She's like, what's the point of sticking

thousands of cardboard pieces together if you can just go to the store, buy a

print, and frame it? That's hardly the point. Right? Here you go.

Oh, thank you. You are welcome.

So, if you need any help getting settled in, my granddaughter here lives to be

settled in. No, I've got it. Thank you.

Bye.

Who am I?

I just happen to be the sole writer slash editor and distributor of the Pine

Mountain Gazette, which serves all 929 readers in a 50 -mile radius.

Of all the stories I've watched unfold, hers is by far my personal favorite.

Kid, are you supposed to be out here alone? Where's your mom?

Teacher, where's yours?

Touch it.

Soft things melt hard things.

Hey, I've got to be somewhere.

I'm sorry about what I just said.

Who is taking care of you? As long as the Fabio Ladies Book Club can see me,

I'm okay. My mom, she makes me wear this just in case. One time I got lost.

Yeah, yeah, I got it. Okay, I'm just going to go and make sure they know

here. Better, because... I could be halfway to Mexico by now.

She was only here because she had promised her mother she would return.

While she was a little too city for these parts, she had never broken her

to her mom.

She wouldn't start now.

She had no tolerance for patience.

She thought she might go mad from boredom.

And she was sick of this rustic cabin.

She ventured into town, where the Pine Mountain Inn served as the general

post office, and gossip central.

May I present boy of a million adventures, Freddy.

And this one you've met is still my mother, Adele. And that handsome devil

Rodney, proprietor of Rodney's Rodeo Farmground.

It's nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.

Within two visits, she learned Colin had been a highly revered philosophy

professor until he chucked it all one night.

moved into town, and began to design his complex and intricate puzzles.

Widowed, he met the highly controversial Cassandra, an anti -feminist feminist

who believed women could be insanely powerful and still be full of grace and

beauty.

She quickly came to understand why Mama Adele, founder of the Fabio Ladies Book

Club, and daughter Kat were known to all as the Endless Bickerson.

She heard a term called Freddyvision, but she would have no idea what that

until much later.

Know what I love more than rice pudding?

What, my sweet daughter?

Star -Vent series.

When the last star in the sky disappears, we begin our star venture.

And there is only one rule for the day.

No rules.

We just go wherever our whim takes us.

She had no use for nostalgia.

brittled at the cloying, bittersweet memories.

If she couldn't bury herself in her work, she would run.

In any event, grief would not best her.

If you go in there, you're going to get her killed yourself.

Wait for the negotiator.

Well, I've never seen a mother and daughter any closer than the two of you.

We all loved her.

She was one of a kind.

But you didn't take the time you needed back.

I can see the fear in your eyes. I have a baby, please! Let her go!

Do you got the balls?

I'll wake her!

You're off the case.

Off duty.

90 days.

You know, grief is a scraggy bitch.

And she doesn't give a royal fuck about best intentions or whether you have the

luxury of waiting her out.

You've got to find a way through this pain, Max.

Not around him.

Hey!

Hey!

Oh, glad I caught you. Actually, grandparents wanted to know if you

come in for some full moon mud pie.

I'm not much of a dessert person. This is not just a dessert. This is a life

-changing experience. You need to be here.

He only makes it once a month. You don't want to get FOMO.

It's real.

Oh, and we're about to start a new puzzle.

You look like you're trying to keep yourself busy, and this is not the place

that.

Well, uh, I definitely don't want to get FOMO. Great.

We start around, like, seven.

All right, then.

Colin's full -moon mud pie came from the monthly celestial event, which made the

inky night sky brilliant with stars and became the blueprint for his puzzles.

You can start.

You don't have to wait. Okay. Thanks.

Like that.

Oh, my God. That is so good.

Right? Wow. I tell them you should be a chef.

Mm -hmm.

My darling man. Oh, thank you, darling.

All right. Let's see. Thank you.

What have we got here?

Where are we?

Mademoiselle does borders. Yes.

Mademoiselle does borders, and the straight -edged pieces align themselves

earth or sky.

God, I know this. In translation, the James Merrill poem.

Every time they start a new puzzle, they quote it like scripture.

Nothing is lost or all else is translation.

And every bit of us is lost in it.

Oh, nice.

Puzzle as existential metaphor.

Go get some foam. Yes, sir.

This is Mackenzie.

Hi. This gadfly is Gabrielle's sister, my granddaughter, who I like sometimes.

In spite of herself, she was enjoying the company.

And that damn pie, it was the best thing she'd eaten since she got there.

After much urging, She finally sat in on the weekly Friday chess tournament.

Are you in?

Oh.

Get in. Go.

Okay, let's do this.

Such a disappointment is coming your way.

You don't know my chess skills, okay?

Right. But he's going to whip you like a rented mule. I'm just telling you up

front.

He seems harmless.

Like a lovely woodland creature, but no.

This is the part where he sneaks up on you.

No, no, no.

Like a monkey in the wood.

Nice, but check me.

Yeah, it's humbling, isn't it? Yes, it is. As you can see, it takes very

little. Yeah, but forget about that. Are you ready? Does a polar bear poop in

the snow?

I don't know. I did not go to college.

All right, I'm getting a chili bar for the winner.

And don't forget the whip. That's right. That's the attitude.

They might be quaint and slightly odd, but they sure had a way of enjoying

themselves.

They all seemed skilled at making the simplest occurrence quite extraordinary.

I instantly regretted it.

And that is how it's done here in Lake Merrillville. We're all about manner. We

sure are.

She still ran, but now she felt the cold, morning mist wash over her, and

didn't hate it.

So, you understand this isn't a part of the original instructions.

It's a codicil to your father's will to be acted upon given certain criteria.

What I'm about to tell you will certainly be counter to what you've

known all these years, but it's nonetheless the truth.

Don't you just love the Count, even though he's a pernicious rapscallion?

Like Rat Butler carrying Scarlet up those fancy steps. They don't make men

that anymore.

You think all that is progressive.

No, why don't you take a nap? Well, afternoon, good times, people.

I know what you're thinking. Who invited George Clooney to this affair?

Ooh, I did.

Oh, nice.

No, actually, I'm just, uh, thought I'd swing by, see if you got the mixers I

ordered. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm gonna mix that up.

I'll mix it right up for you. I wish you would. I wish you would.

So, what do you say?

You in? You in for some of the best fishing you'll ever see anywhere in

parts? Oh, I think I'll sit this one out. Maybe next time. Oh, what are you

gonna do? Go home and cry about your life?

I'm so sad. Boo!

You're no fun.

She's fun. All right, ease up. No, I will not ease up.

Uh, kind of reading the paper here.

What you reading about?

Did you have something hard to beat?

Nope.

You know, I like cheese raviolis.

You know what my mom always says?

Nope.

Because I like them a lot.

I... Like a lot, a lot. Right. And she also wishes that she was a spy

like you.

Mmm, that looks interesting.

Well, that's crazy because I'm not a spy.

Do you have somewhere to be? Nope.

Nope. Nowhere to be.

I could sit here with you all day.

If you were stranded in the rainforest, what's one item you'd have? You stay

here. I'm going to go. Hey.

She ain't coming back.

He's good luck.

You've got to have good luck when you're drinking.

That's right, because I've got questionable juju, so we need all the

get.

All right, let's roll.

Oh, I have to go to the bathroom already.

Oh, shut up.

I don't bite, you know.

Hey, you're getting off.

Okay. Thank you.

Hey.

Hey, are you okay?

Ready? Yeah.

I'm just in it.

What? Can't you feel it?

I'm memorizing it for next time.

Next time?

Like when I have to go to the hospital or get my blood drawn.

Here's something else.

I know.

But I didn't ask to be.

Hey, I didn't mean it like that.

Don't worry.

I'm used to it.

I think I don't know what people see gawking at me.

Their eyes are like pinballs.

Look anywhere but at the gork.

That's what's in their minds. But out of their mouths were special needs.

One must be PC after all.

It's okay, Max.

I have a really good life. I do.

And besides, I get to know things, feel things other

people can't.

Like how your heart is so ginormous, and that's why it hurts so

deep.

Listen, try not to worry, okay?

His lifeline's here. I can't get Rodney on his cell phone.

He's a cowboy.

He's got about as much use for his cell phone as a damn donkey. Don't defend

him, Kat. No, I'm not defending him. I'm just stating a fact.

What's the story here?

I mean, he's smart as a whip, this one.

Yeah, but what is it?

It's called Fanconi anemia.

It's rare as hell.

It clobbers the genes that do DNA repair, not to mention the seizures and

the cancer.

Breathing down their neck. If that's not enough of a challenge, then life

expectancy.

Tick -tock. His mother, Sammy.

She's a gladiator.

I've never seen her buckle. I don't know how she does it. I mean, she's made out

of steel and strawberries.

I want you to join us for dinner tonight.

Oh, no, thank you. No, you need to be with people.

Okay, I won't take no for an answer.

Well, in that case... Whoa,

whoa, whoa, you got one there, punk!

You got one?

There we go. Oh, there we go! Get it, get it, get it!

The exit!

Let's take it over there.

Hey, we better get you home.

Okay?

Yep.

That's why I didn't eat the sandals. Yeah, yeah.

Mom, Mom, Mom!

What could you possibly be thinking?

And who the hell do you think you are? Do you have a kid?

No, because if you did, you would have never taken my son without my

Mom, I... Don't even, because I know you went to the big lake. Well, of course

we did. There's no fish in the small one. Everyone knows no big lake unless

along. Did you remember to take his afternoon meds?

What if he had a seizure out there?

I brought them in my bag.

Oh, see, there you go. No harm, no foul. No harm, no foul.

No. Hey, Freddy, here's your cat.

Oh, come on.

Sammy, you can't take the fisherman's cats away from him. That wouldn't be

right. Hey, I'm really sorry, but I would never hurt your son.

Come, storyteller!

Imagine that.

Let's go make some dinner.

Let's go make some dinner!

Yeah. His party's over. So, I, uh, called Heather today.

But her phone was disconnected, so I did a little digging.

Ended up speaking to her mother.

Heather died about five years ago.

My son always believes the best in people.

But I don't suffer from that virtue.

Stay the hell away from both of us. You're right.

And I'm sorry I lied about Heather.

But the truth is, I'm working a special assignment for the EPA.

We're investigating potential environmental threats in the area. And

classified, so we work undercover.

I'm sorry for any confusion.

All right. We'll see you later, officer and whatever that is.

it's possible I was a little too rough on her. Oh, come on. She's a good girl.

Right? Trust me. When have I ever led you astray?

Do not answer that. Just go make my trout almondine the way I like it.

Well, if you would behave like a grown -up... I'm trying to, but I've got women

coming at me like bullets. Oh, man.

Did Mom ever get here? I have no idea.

That looks nice.

Thank you.

She's joining us for dinner.

I'm so sorry. You should have started without me.

That's against every good breeding tip you've ever crammed into our little

pagan... Hi, this is our mom.

Mom, this is Mackenzie Aaron.

Lovely to meet you. How long have you been here?

A week.

Enjoying your stay?

Mackenzie's a really great puzzler.

Oh, so they've lured you into their little conclave.

Hey, were you here a few summers ago?

No. Hmm.

Well, you look familiar.

Oh, just one of those faces, I guess.

Yeah?

That's just so fascinating.

Why didn't you tell us what you're doing here?

Oh, just getting away from it all.

And yes, pointedly unfascinating.

Running.

That's where I've seen you.

Have you run by the big lake yet?

Yeah, I've been hiking and running everywhere.

It's, uh, it's some kind of beautiful out there.

Some kind of beautiful.

Mom.

I, um, I understand you work for the government.

Uh, yeah. Mom used to be a congresswoman.

Now she's a consultant, though. And with the administration, you know, the

phone's ringing off the hook.

Yeah, not an easy gig. No.

Yeah, all that how -to card selling is bullshit.

I thought we had a rule here.

Yeah, no iPhones or politics at the dinner table. We get enough of it

else. Because it's the latest spectator sport. Reality by Stupid America, where

we await every day with sheer anticipation.

Aren't you clever, Sasha?

I seem to recall you didn't show up to vote.

If people want to know why millennials have checked out, it's because you made

us check out. With all your lies, BS, spins, spins, spins. All right, tell us

how you really feel. Okay, here we go. I think the millennials checked out

because we coddled you so spectacularly. Coddled?

Jesus, you were still drinking back then for days at a time. And when I needed a

mother, it wasn't you. Stop screaming at her about what she hasn't done right.

Look at you. What have you done right?

I'm sorry, Mackenzie.

My girls are usually a little more civilized. What? Oh, God.

Honey, Gabrielle. Don't look at me. I'm such a rebel. Enough.

Gabrielle. Enough.

I forgot.

Gabrielle, come with me.

Gabrielle. Gabrielle.

Don't. Katie.

Have fun.

This happens every single time you let her get away. I'm going to go help him.

Oh, my God.

Mackenzie knew from her years of FBI training that there were far deeper

buried here than her own.

On the back. Okay.

See?

Isn't it nice?

You don't always have to talk, you know.

You know what my mom's favorite word is?

No, but I bet money you're about to tell me.

Kintsukurai. Know what that means?

Not even remotely.

More beautiful for heaven than broken.

It's a joke.

I know you didn't see any reason to meet your birth mother, and I assume that's

in large part because you were told she left you.

But in fact, that's not what happened.

Does a one -legged duck swim in a circle?

Are you feeding me?

Yes.

I love when you babysit me, Gabrielle. Oh, feelings mutual, little man.

Don't listen to them, okay? They're jerks.

Hey, what happened to you?

Yeah, I stick your hand in some meat grinders.

You guys don't stop. I'm going to get mom.

Yeah, let's keep playing, okay? Yeah, lobster boy.

Get a little too close to the lawnmower.

Hey! What do you want?

What did you just say?

What do you care?

A hell of a lot is what I care.

Now listen up.

If you speak to anyone like that ever again, I'm going to find you. I'll make

your sorry little lives f***ing miserable.

You got that?

F*** you!

I'm sorry. He told me to. I really didn't mean it. It was his fault. Are

okay? I didn't want to. Then don't say it.

Are you okay?

Hey, that was cool, what you did over there.

Well, they won't be bothering Freddy anymore.

No, they certainly won't.

Honey, were those the same kids from last year?

I know that it probably doesn't feel like it, but it isn't

you they don't like. It's themselves.

Okay?

What do you say we go get you two those chili bars? Yeah.

Yeah?

Can Max come?

Um, I'm sure she has some things she has to do.

Thank you for that.

You'd think in this day and age people would be a little more sensitive.

I don't know how you deal with the bullshit.

Well, they certainly don't hand out a manual.

I don't know. You just learn to muddle through and hope like hell that people

become less ignorant and less angry.

You know, less fearful of those who look different or love different.

Freddy, don't let them get to you.

Okay? They just... See the special needs show.

Hey, don't say that.

Come on.

You know why I think they call you special needs?

Because I'm all that?

No.

It's not you who need us.

It's all of us who need you.

Okay.

True.

Don't know what I'd do without you.

Look,

I promised them I would take them for chili bars, so...

In other news, the Sister Wives just took home a Grammy for Song of the Year,

Don't Play.

Lead singer Lisa Jane remarked upon hearing the news that she hoped women

everywhere would find inspiration from their journey.

Hey, little man.

What's wrong?

Why don't you like Max?

I know what you need.

Hello? Hi.

Hi.

Thanks for your help the other day, but you're just here for a visit.

But Freddy's full -time, not a roadside attraction.

So please, whatever you do, don't play him.

Hey, the last thing I'm doing is playing your son.

Oh, shit.

Look, I shouldn't have said that.

He's pretty damn insistent that I give you a second chance.

He's got a heart that will overlook anything, and I just don't want to see

hurt.

So?

How about Saturday afternoon?

Sure.

So why puzzling?

I guess it's shown me a whole new way to see things. It's

taken me way beyond what I thought I could comprehend.

How so?

Well, none of us are remotely capable of experiencing the world we live in. You

know, we've created...

two - and three -dimensional boundaries just to try to make sense of things. But

what lives inside the spaces of those boundaries?

And you're able to see that when you're puzzling?

I've had some brief glimpses when I'm deep into a puzzle where

possibilities are limitless.

It's like looking at a cloud and seeing the face of God.

Well, too puzzling. Oh, too puzzling. To going where no man has gone before.

Oh, yeah.

Live long and prosper.

Let me help you can't help Take

me

to the nearest bar

Hey. Can I help?

No, I just need to wait for it to cool down.

Actually, I'm pretty handy with cars. What's the problem?

Well, it needs a new, uh... Well, everything.

It's just not a priority on the list next to all the bills and... I mean,

how I thought I could make a living being a dance teacher out here is beyond

You got a lot on your plate.

Look, I'm not a martyr.

Oh, that's not what I heard.

I heard that you never crumble.

Oh, trust me. I have my days.

While we're waiting, what do you tell me about him?

And then when he was five, And we had gone through one of his surgeries.

One of my old dance friends came by, and she proceeded to tell me how everyone

felt so sorry that I didn't have a normal child, and how it must be such a

burden. Oh, my God.

Yeah, and then I asked her why she thought I wanted a normal kid, because I

didn't want Freddy to be anything other than who he is.

And then she pulled me aside, and she said, Don't ever say that again. It

you sound crazy.

What?

Maybe I am crazy.

No.

No. Every day Freddie teaches me something new.

I mean, sure, the everyday challenges can be annoying, but, you

know, we really are just very happy how we are.

You know, I always say when you hug Freddie, it's like hugging God.

I mean, how does it get any better than that?

It doesn't.

Oh, well, she's not going to vanish into thin air.

Gosh, this is crazy awesome that you're here.

Care for a surprise?

Does heaven taste like cotton candy?

Mom's made the most awesome cheese raviolis ever.

in life and how things stay part of you forever.

Max got her first one from her mom when she was four and always got a new one at

Christmas and birthdays and she has like hundreds of them at home. Hey, I'm not

that old.

Okay, it's time for dinner and early bedtime for you.

Can Max stay?

I'd love to.

Yay!

Okay, little man, time for bed.

It was only then that Max began to fully grasp their daily challenges.

Wow. You weren't fooling around.

The monkeys.

Yeah, he collects them like you do nesting dolls.

Why monkeys?

Well, he used to...

Love how curious George was always busting out and doing things he

until that man with that silly yellow hat.

I say, don't mock me.

That's right.

I love you the biggest, the mostest, and

the furthest.

Mama, I love you the mostest.

You had one, didn't you?

No. No, I, I, um... Okay.

But I'm fine.

Like, more importantly, how are you?

Because I know those kids were back at the lake.

No, no. I brought a camera.

You've been very quiet all night long.

It's all right.

Why don't you have to go to my place at the hospital?

And you know I have to be there until it's okay.

Yeah, sweetie.

Is that where you've been?

Well, Mackenzie does the same thing.

She has to go to her place a lot.

A lot, a lot.

Because she hurts crazy often.

And she doesn't have someone helping her.

It looks like someone's been busy.

I kind of want to be rude, but... Well, you were the other night.

Left without saying goodbye. Yeah, I wasn't feeling well. Sorry.

Look, I'm not sure I buy that.

I'm not sure what to think, actually.

Freddie says you were just sad, and I will bet on Freddie every single time.

It's a monkey man.

If Freddy's right.

What are you so sad about?

I'm not sad. I'm just tired.

Okay, look, I'm not trying to intrude. I just wanted to say thank you.

Thank you.

Yeah, for making my son so happy.

I don't think I have ever seen him light up the way he does when you're around.

Please.

Maddening at times, but...

I'm a pretty great listener.

Like you.

I hate you.

Thank you.

We've got some for all you lovers out there.

No,

no, no. I've got a car.

Oh, you don't.

What? Keep the traction one.

How'd I get so much? Come on. Let's go kick the shit out of some dancing,

Have you seen this one dance?

Uh -oh.

You were in for a treat.

All right, dance by yourself.

Hey, have you decided yet?

Look, you gotta order something.

Okay, you know what? A scotch. Double.

You sure you wanna go that way?

Alright.

Your mother didn't choose to cut you out of her life.

That was your father's decision.

Your father was a dear friend.

I watched him agonize over this decision.

Thanks, Mamo. I love it.

Oh, my baby bobo.

You're getting so big.

Not big enough.

I can't wait to grow up and become a policeman, just like Daddy.

You don't want to grow up too fast, sweetie.

Once you've done it, there's no going back.

It's long gone, I'm gonna recover, right?

You have to work tomorrow?

Yeah, those kids.

Getting so big.

Samantha!

Do you always cut out on people without any explanation?

No, of course not. Really, Mackenzie?

I don't know what to think.

Something about you is just not right. Something is off. I don't know what...

mother died.

What? Last night a year ago.

And I just... I lost it.

And no, I'm not one to cut out on people. So I want to apologize.

My gum was in my pocket the whole time.

I don't know how you put up with it.

Yeah, I don't know.

Is that what I do?

What you do to forget or in general?

Beckett, it's me.

Listen,

I need you to do something for me.

So tell me about her.

She was... She was the only person I ever trusted.

With everything.

You know, I used to get teased a lot about being adopted, but... I couldn't

been loved more by anyone else.

She was, um...

Hey, Dad used to bring me up here.

So if I ever need to clear my head, this is where I come.

You never mentioned him.

Does he live here?

He died when I was 23.

So I know what it's like to lose a parent that shaped you.

And he's still so fresh for you.

Yeah.

Hey, I'm sorry about your dad.

No, don't be. He was amazing.

But when he passed, I sort of bottomed out.

I stopped dancing and ended up with Derek and got pregnant within a

month.

Something was wrong with the pregnancy.

You just didn't know what.

The moment that he was born, everyone pushed for a DNR.

So they administered the morphine and took him off the vent.

And when they put him on my chest, my heart broke into a million pieces.

He was so fragile.

If there's a hell on this earth, it's trying to help your baby die.

I just held him, and I prayed.

And I told him it was okay to go.

Whatever he needed.

Derek, when he left the hospital, said he couldn't be there.

And I felt like I was in a horror movie.

So surreal, just waiting and waiting for him to pass.

I need you. I can't do this alone.

But he just kept breathing and living.

Derek, the doctors, my friends, everyone, they'd already given

up on him.

What are you saying? It's too hard for you to watch him die?

I spent 135 days in the NICU. We will never.

ever come back from this.

I'm done.

135 days of strong babies dying and weak babies living.

And it was all so arbitrary.

You know, it made me realize motherhood is not an entitlement.

It's a sacred privilege.

So you damn well better bring it and don't complain.

My God, I'm sorry. We came up here to help you, and off I go on this rant.

Are you kidding me?

Thank you.

Thank you for sharing that with me.

You don't have to be sad anymore because you have us now.

We're merged.

Is he okay?

What is merged?

He merges the people he loves into his soul.

Very few get that honor.

I am honored.

Please excuse my ignorance, but when does he need the wheelchair?

Well, when he's completely well. He doesn't need it at all.

But when he's really sick, we use it to conserve his energy.

So, um, does he have any contact with his dad?

No.

Anyone else? Since?

It's one thing to date a single mom.

Quite another when you add a wheelchair to the mix.

How's that?

Well, imagine every night you come home, the first thing we talk about is

Freddy's Day.

Doctors visit, test results, therapy.

Or maybe you finally fit in that tennis game, and I'm blowing up your phone.

all day with texts from the ER.

You know, forget anyone else's needs getting met because my priority is the

Freddy Channel 24 -7.

Don't I sound like a perfect catch?

I don't play tennis.

Wow, that went fast.

I've got to get him home. Oh, sure.

Food?

Okay.

Hey, would you like to join us for dinner?

Yeah.

Yeah. I just have to drop by my cabin, but then I'll be there.

Say seven?

Yeah.

Hey, Becca, were you able to match it?

Oh, good.

Yes, yes. Send it to me right away.

Oh.

How can I help you?

What is your best bottle of red?

You don't want to know.

But I happen to have some of my private reserve for folks with discriminating

tastes. Be right back.

Of all the gin joints... Vivian.

It's kind of a shocker, huh?

Um, Buck, can I get two shots of your best scotch?

Oh, no, I don't want... No, no. It's okay, Buck. Yeah.

Pretty remarkable coincidence, if you ask me.

My mother used to bring me here as a kid, so... Coincidence dispelled.

I know who you are, Mackenzie.

Okay.

Who am I?

You're a Quantico rock star.

Although you're off at present for disciplinary action.

And I'm sorry about your mother.

But I have to ask myself, why is it that we are both vacationing in this little

town that I've made my second home?

So who are you working for? And what is it that you want?

You solve it yourself. I'm on leave.

And what happened ten years ago is nobody's business, okay?

So if you'll excuse me, I'm running late. I want you to stay away from my

family.

I still have some sway with your director, and I can make things very

uncomfortable for you.

I'll do whatever the hell I please.

I was afraid he was coming down with something.

I'm going to go get some Tylenol.

Do we need to take him in?

Unfortunately, his immune system is shot.

Every time he goes in the hospital, he catches something even worse.

And I've had plenty of practice breaking these fevers.

Look, I'm sure you have other things you need to get to.

Not a chance.

Mom?

Mom!

Where... What are you doing? Get over here quick and shut the door.

FBI.

Forget that.

How do they know each other and what the f*** is she doing here?

They probably just know each other through work.

Mom was on the intelligence committee. Couldn't they have just met there?

Gabrielle, look at this photo and try not to be a f***ing Disney princess.

What do you see?

It's like she just can't help herself.

I wonder what else she hasn't told us.

These are the nights that I'm haunted.

I can't stand to think of him suffering.

Hey, hey.

He wants to be here.

He's made that very clear.

What can I do? What do you need?

Get me out of my head.

Tell me more about your mother the way that you do, Freddie.

We would go on these star ventures.

Star ventures? Yeah.

We would get up in the morning with the stars and get in the car and then go on

an adventure.

No rules, no shoulds.

And we would have the best time you could ever imagine.

When I was like six or seven, she started this tradition where...

We would go around the table, and Mama would ask, what was the best thing that

happened to you today, and the worst?

Or, if this was your last day on Earth, what would you do?

And she would wrap it up with, what did you learn about yourself today?

So...

What did you learn about yourself today?

That my greatest mom on earth may have to share her title?

I'm not going anywhere.

Love you, monkey man.

Wait a minute. What's this?

You know what? Maybe we found enough dirt on her for one day. Do we really

to... Don't buckle now. Open it.

God, how'd he do it?

Keeping him well, the constant stress.

Dancing.

I mean, isn't that the definition of irony?

How absolute freedom of movement saves me from the way that

he's trapped inside his body.

If I didn't have dance, I don't... You could...

I mean, like, the couch is comfortable. It's so late. Oh, no. I'm fine. Thank

you.

And thank you for sharing your son with me.

Yeah.

Hey.

Are you okay?

Lame. I... I don't know why I'm crying. No, it's been a hell of a stressful day.

No, it's not that.

It's just... Well, no one...

Has ever been like you are with Freddie and

Oh my God, I don't know.

I'm sorry. I don't know why I just...

Oh, my God.

It goes so long without... Forget that passion ever existed.

Did you and Mom have a sleepover?

Uh, hi.

Hi. We did, like you and Kyle do sometimes.

How about some orange juice, and I'll make my special pancake?

Can we have another one tonight, and we can all watch a movie?

You know what? I would love that, but right now I gotta run.

Bye.

So, what's the deal with Rodney?

Are you jealous?

He's my uncle. My dad's brother.

That's how we ended up here. Are you kidding me?

Okay,

okay. Yeah, yeah.

Hey, I need to tell you something.

Oh, my God. We're going to be late.

I'm sorry. I interrupted you.

You know what? Never mind.

I can wait.

You sure? Yeah.

Have you ever tried these little pig navels?

Unbelievable. Yeah. I want to try one.

Hi,

everyone. Sorry, we're late.

Better late than never. Never late is better.

Max, these are the pinches.

Yeah, we've all met.

Apparently. Yeah, we're all practically family now.

Oh, that's right. Your cabins are only a few down from Colin. Yeah, um, maybe we

should go. This looks like a family, don't we?

Oh, no, no, no. Max, Max.

Hey, Max.

Don't be shy now.

Come, Max, come on. Okay.

I need to be here a minute.

I need to be here a minute.

In the chair. Okay.

I'd like to make a toast. Oh, yeah.

To my beautiful daughter.

My loving, lovable, tightly wound, complex daughter.

You're not as young as you used to be, but you're not as old as you're going to

be. Happy birthday. We love you.

Happy birthday.

So

how

do you all know each other?

with us, and she's pretty good at chess, too.

And she tells crazy awesome stories.

That is fascinating.

You just make friends all over the place.

Max is more than just a friend, Miss Vivian. Max and Mom are like Rodney and

Kat. You know, friends with Benedict.

Okay.

I beg your pardon?

That's not exactly...

He made me feel pretty. Well, cat's out of the bag.

Well, who can blame me? Here to the young couple. I'm getting in on that.

And when Max stays over tonight, we're all going to watch a

movie, right, Mom?

Yeah. Well, happy frickin' birthday, Mom.

I am not going to let this happen. I suggest that you leave Agent DeRidder.

Agent what? What are you talking about?

Your friend here, she's FBI.

She's been here spying on me because of the upcoming hearings. I've read her

file. She's dangerous. That's what she's doing. That's not, that's not. Vivian,

calm down. I'm not going to calm down.

She's been suspended.

She uses people, Sam.

Mom. She's always on the make. You have to leave now.

Vivian. Vivian, calm down now.

here with you. You're safe.

Give me my bag.

I'm right here, baby.

Ready?

Hey, monkey man.

Max. Hey, monkey man. I need to get him. Okay, yeah. Let's get him out of here.

Just do it. She can handle this. It's okay.

Let's get him out of here.

Okay. I'm coming. Leave him alone. I'm going to get going as well. No.

No.

You couldn't just leave, could you? I told you.

Come on.

Hey, hey, hey. Please. Just call me and let me know how he is. No.

happened. She just couldn't listen.

Who are you?

And all this time I was protecting you, thinking Sasha was too hard on you. I

don't have time for whatever Sasha has fed you. The truth! The truth, Mom!

Look, before we become judge and jury, maybe you ought to listen to some facts

here. Or a more tedious excuse. Okay, both of you, enough.

Sit down.

Go on, Viv. I'll take care of this. Go on.

Your mother didn't choose to cut you out of her life.

That was your father's decision.

He gave your mother chance after chance, but she just couldn't pull it together.

And then when you were two, she passed out while you were in her care. She

literally lost you.

And then a neighbor spotted you wandering down a busy street.

That was the last your mother ever saw of you.

So why are you telling me all this now?

Because of this console to your father's will I Was directed to share this

information with you when you turned 25 or when you got pregnant He wanted you

to meet your mother

I don't understand.

So, does that make her our sister?

Half -sister.

And Freddy's our nephew.

Forgive me for staring.

I'm just trying to take you in.

That makes two of us.

Samantha, it's Mackenzie.

Can you just call me?

It's me again. I'm sorry.

Please, just call me. I'm going crazy.

Your mother tried to do everything she could to mend fences during Samantha's

pregnancy.

They even began to forge a really nice relationship.

What happened?

Well, things blew apart when...

I need you. I can't do this alone.

I want to, honey.

I'm just not strong like you are.

We will never, ever come back from this.

I'm done.

Take me to the nearest bar.

She didn't hear from Samantha for seven years.

That's Freddie.

Grew older, he began to ask if he had any family.

Is that why we feel so close to him?

Maybe.

Maybe you just can't help but feel close to him.

Why, Mom?

Why didn't you tell us?

This really was up to Samantha to share with you. After all, she didn't have to

make contact with me.

Whatever.

Sasha, I know that you want to be angry with me to cover up your hurt.

And yes, I have made such a mess of so many things.

I am trying.

I really am.

And I can't even ask you to meet me halfway because I know that I have to

your trust back again over time.

But right now, I need to go and make sure that Freddie and Samantha are okay.

Samantha, please just let me know that Freddy's okay.

I know you're upset, but I can explain.

And there's something I need to tell you, but I can't do this over the phone.

Can you watch him? What?

I need to run to the pharmacy to pick up a seizure medication.

Oh, sure.

Okay, I'll be right back.

Miss Vivian?

Yes, honey?

You and I have a lot in common.

How's that, honey?

We only get one day at a time.

make each one count.

Your mother must have forgotten her memory back.

What are you doing here?

I thought I made myself... perfectly clear. What are you doing here? I am

to help my daughter, and so help me God, you stay away from her.

What?

What are you talking about? My daughter, Samantha, I have just gotten her back

into my life, and the last thing I am going to let you do is hurt her.

No.

No, no way. I am just...

building a relationship with her, and it would be destroyed if she finds out

what happened. She has to know, Vivian. I'm not going to lie to her anymore.

What the hell is going on here?

It's nothing.

We knew each other from years ago. No, no. Someone is going to tell me what's

going on. Oh, it shouldn't have happened.

Mackenzie. I was drunk, honey. No, that's enough, Mom!

Mackenzie.

We were lovers.

I want you both out.

Now.

I said now!

Sam, I am so sorry, but I can't take this back. It was ten years ago.

Why her?

Why her of all people? Why didn't you say something? It only lasted a week,

how could I know that she was your mother?

I was in D .C. for the Fallen Heroes Memorial, and... We were both wasted and

so much pain and... Spare me. Spare me. I know pain. That's what this life is.

It's filled with pain.

It doesn't play fair. It kicks you in the gut. But you don't have the luxury

self -pity or to go out and get wasted because you have a sick child to take

care of. And every minute has to count because it can all go away in a

heartbeat. Hey, look at me.

Look at me, please.

You don't have to be a rock every single day and you don't have to do this

alone.

Okay, you don't. Oh, God.

I don't know who I'm more in love with, you or your son, but I swear to you.

What?

Swear to me what? That I'm in this.

I'm in.

A thousand percent.

Not yet today.

Maybe tomorrow.

You have no idea what it's like to live with an expiration date.

Watching the days go by and the more days you get,

it will all expire.

And you will simply expire along with it.

Oh no.

We can't afford the time to leave you telling the truth.

Especially with your track record.

It was a year later when Mackenzie got the call.

Vivian?

Thanks for agreeing to meet me.

I guess things didn't turn out the way either one of us wanted.

Why am I here?

Because I needed to see your face when I tell you how deeply sorry I am for all

the trouble I caused.

I just got my ears chipped. Hopefully this time it'll take.

Good for you.

I moved us all permanently up to Lake Merrillville so that we could be near

Samantha and Freddie.

That little boy.

We all had one tenth the courage we have.

Sounds like one big happy family.

They need you, Mackenzie.

Dear Max, gosh, I've missed you crazy awful.

So does Mom.

She may not say it out loud, but like I told you, I can feel things.

I know things got a little messed up last fall, and everyone made mistakes,

I kind of think mistakes are like first date candles.

The more you have to blow out just means the wiser you've become.

Kind of like my mom's favorite word, can do cry.

We all got a little broken last year.

But from the broken, we can become beautiful.

My mom said she's sorry she can't be here, but have a great trip. And you

go without some home run fun.

You ready for your first StarVenture?

Incredible years passed, and I watched their love grow stronger and more

intimate each day.

Not that there weren't challenging times, but they weathered them with

dignity.

In between the illnesses, we all made sure we lived each day like it might be

our last.

Max now fully understood that making the simplest things become special was the

secret to being inside of life.

Not just a bystander.

I love you, monkey man.

I loved her.

With everything in me.

We had a plan.

To convince mom to have another child.

Because I knew she would want that.

Because I know things.

If you could tell me that I could stay a nesting doll forever.

Bundled in my shell of handmade fairytale flesh, I might consider

But I have grown very tired.

I am full of peace.

And it's their time now.