Jason and Jennifer knew something was up when their mother brought them out for ice cream. They heard her say to Arnie it was under the grounds of discussing their punishment, but the addition of a treat aroused suspicion.

"If we're being punished, why are we getting ice cream?" Jennifer asked as they sat down at one of the outdoor tables.

"Yeah," Jason agreed. "And why haven't you yelled at me for going to the park?"

"I need to talk to you both," Elaine started, ignoring their questions.

Jennifer, less surprised by this than Jason, questioned, "What is it?"

"How would you feel about going back to New York?"

Both kids' faces lit up.

"You mean it?!"

Elaine nodded. "I think I do."

"Did Arnie get another new job?" Jason asked. "Is he going back to his old one?"

"That's the thing…" she said carefully. "It would be without Arnie."

Delight disappeared.

"Why?" Jennifer questioned.

"Did you break up?"

"Not yet, but I think I need to."

"How come?"

"I'm afraid it's not a simple answer. The best way to sum it up is that, after what happened yesterday at the airport, none of us are happy here."

The kids looked away with guilt.

"We're sorry," Jason said after a minute, Jennifer nodding along in agreement.

"I miss Daddy," Jennifer then said, burying her head in her mother's side.

"Me, too," Jason nodded.

"And I miss Erica and my friends. I hate my school here."

"I miss my soccer team. I miss knowing where everything is, too."

Elaine bit her lip. "So… are we in agreement?"

Looking up, face damp, Jennifer asked, "Would we really have to leave Arnie? Can't you ask if he'd come with us?"

"That's another thing," Elaine said. "I don't know if my relationship with him is working out."

"You haven't fought or anything though," Jason said.

"You don't have to fight to realize something isn't working. I haven't spoken to Arnie yet so please don't mention anything when we get home."

"Why isn't it working?" Jennifer questioned.

"Another long story for another time. Let's just focus on getting back home, all right?"

An amused grin suddenly crossed Jason's face. "Does it have to do with Alex?"

"I beg your pardon?"

He shrugged. "Interesting timing is all."

"Still, what would make you think he has anything to do with it."

"I heard you up late talking to him," Jason answered.

"… What did you hear?"

"Nothing. The walls muffled whatever you were saying."

"Oh," she said quickly and with relief.

Struck with realization, Jennifer added, "Is that why we went over to Gwen's as soon as you woke up? You told me and Faye to play in her room."

"Well, if you must know, he – Gwen, too – helped me realize some things. I'm not going to get into that now."

"It's okay, Mom," Jason said. "We know you used to like him."

Shocked, Elaine asked, "How on earth would you know that?"

"He was over all the time," Jennifer observed.

"And you always talk about him."

"And you go out with him a lot."

"And—"

"All right, all right," Elaine halted. "So maybe you're on to something…"

Jason and Jennifer laughed.

Elaine shook her head. "This isn't about Alex right now. You're positive you're okay with leaving Arnie? I know how much you love him."

Hugging Elaine's arm, Jennifer said, "I'd rather have my old Mommy back."

"Yeah…" Jason agreed. "You've been different since we moved."

Jennifer nodded. "Will you have to drive again, though? I like having you home."

"I'm afraid so," she sighed.

"Marry Alex," Jason teased, sticking his tongue out.

Elaine rolled her eyes. "Let that one go for now. Finish your ice creams. I need to talk to Arnie tonight. I'm going to bring you over to Gwen's in a little while."

Jason groaned. "So that's my punishment for going to the park? Sharing a room with Jennifer and the kid?"

Jennifer glared.

"Isn't it worth it to be going home?" Elaine questioned.

Jason nodded, having to smile. Home sounded nice.