"Saving Grace"
I own nothing, yada, yada, yada...
This story is LG centric. It takes place after the season finale. Adam and Joan are closer then before and the family is not aware of Luke's romance with Grace. There is no immediate mention of God because Joan is still reeling from "Silence."
We see the Girardi family in various states of duress, as they get ready for the day. Helen is especially stressed, as it is the first day of school. Kevin and Luke are eating cereal at the breakfast table. Will is waiting for coffee to brew at the counter. Adam and Joan are eating yogurt as they stand next to Will. Helen is frantically running around the kitchen and living rooms gathering things for her class.
Will looks at his wife sympathetically, "So we're eating breakfast like a normal family and you're running around like a chicken with your head cut off. What's up?"
Helen stops and glares at her spouse, "What's up? Will, I have like a million things to do before class and I am totally not ready! This day is going to be a disaster." Helen throws down a pile of papers and sits next to Luke at the table in a huff.
Will comes up and rests his head on her shoulder, "It will all work out in the end. You are an amazing teacher Helen, give yourself some credit."
Adam perks up at the mention of his favorite class, "Unchallenged, Mrs. G! I can't wait for your class! It is by far the highlight of my scholastic day."
Kevin looks blankly at Adam, "Can someone translate what the hell he just said?"
Luke shrugs, "Don't look at me, I don't speak Adam."
Joan glares at Luke and then turns toward her mom, "Mom, chill alright? You'll do fine."
Helen smiles at Joan and pats Will's head. Sighing she rises, "Will, I have a yearbook meeting after school so I won't be home till after five."
Joan hearing her mother's plan, "You are doing yearbook again? Great. I work at the bookstore 'till six."
Kevin pulls away from the kitchen table and places his bowl in the sink, "I have physio after work until six-thirty and I should be home after seven."
Everyone turns to Luke expectantly, Luke stares at his cereal, "I have...um...Chem club and then I'm...I don't know, just don't expect me home before seven."
Helen looks at Luke bewildered, "You don't know what you'll be doing? Luke, you're starting to sound like Joan. Next you'll be building boats and stop bathing."
Joan looks down at her yogurt, ashamed. Adam tilts her head up with his hand and meets her gaze reassuringly.
Will sees the two staring and becomes uncomfortable; easing the tension he tries to get Adam's attention, "What about you Adam? Aren't you going to tell us your plans for the day?"
Adam turns away from Joan, "Well, after Jane and I get out of school I work until eight and then I was planning to finish melding this great bronze pipe that I have onto this sculpture that I've been working with. Its gonna be dope yo."
Will looks at Adam with confusion, "Huh? OK...Well that sounds nice."
The group smiles and continue to eat their breakfasts as Will walks over to the coffee pot. Will reads a headline from the newspaper on the counter and crumples it up and throws it into the trash as Grace walks into the kitchen from the back door.
"Damn it!" Will shouts, "I can't believe this paper!"
Kevin rolls over to his father, "What is it Dad? What article has got you so angry?"
Grace walks over to Joan and Adam while eying Luke, "Whoa, what's his damage?"
Joan shrugs.
Will looks at Kevin in disbelief, "You have to ask?"
Kevin shrugs, "Dad, I only write for the entertainment section now, I don't read the whole paper..."
"Well, that editor of yours had better watch out or she's gonna get herself in some serious trouble printing slander like that." Will walks over to the telephone and dials a number. Helen, Luke, Grace, Joan, Adam, and Kevin all stare at him. "Toni, yeah, I read it, yeah, give me ten minutes. See ya." The group of people that were staring at him all try to immediately pay attention to their food. Will notices everyone's interest, which only fuels his anger. Will hangs up the phone, grabs his jacket from the counter and leaves the kitchen through the back door, slamming it. The coffee stops brewing, but Will leaves before he can drink any.
Grace looks at Joan, "Remind me not to come to your house before your dad's had his morning cup of coffee. He's a little too Oscar the grouch for my taste."
Luke, shaking his head, throws his bowl in the sink and shouts as he's leaving the kitchen, "I'm going to walk to school."
Helen rushes behind him, "Wait, I'll drive you. Joan, Adam, Grace hurry up!"
Kevin rolls out of the house with his backpack, "Bye all!"
Helen, Luke and Grace follow close behind Kevin. Joan and Adam are scrambling to get their backpacks and things for school. Helen reaches in the car and honks her horn to hurry Joan and Adam.
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The bell rings and school is out for the day. Grace and Luke are standing beside Grace's locker talking when Adam and Joan walk up.
Grace nods to Joan and Adam, "Well, if it isn't dumb and dumber..."
Adam gives Grace a strange look, "That was harsh, yo, what's that all about?"
Grace rolls her eyes, "You two need to stop making out and start taking notes in class. You guys are so gonna fail chemistry."
Luke crosses his arms in agreement, "How can you two go on like that during class. I get so caught up in Ms. Lischak's lecture I can't even begin to fathom how you can ignore her."
Grace shuts her locker, rolls her eyes at Adam and Joan and starts to leave, "Hey Luke, can I talk to you about our assignment for a minute?"
Luke smiles, but tries to hide it, "Yeah!" He runs next to Grace and the two walk off leaving Adam and Joan at their lockers. Once they are near the girls restroom, Grace pushes Luke in the door, slamming him against the wall as she kisses him. Luke breaks away for a moment, "I've been wanting to do that all day."
Grace blushes, "Well, I'm glad that you didn't. Unlike your sister, I need my space."
Luke smiles giddily, "Yeah..." and starts kissing Grace again.
After a few minutes, Grace breaks away, "I...we...should go. Joan's gonna want to walk home soon and if I don't get back there she's gonna know something's up."
Luke sighs, "Something is up..." and looks down at his pants.
Grace steps back and slaps Luke's arm, "Gross Guiridi! You're sick."
"I can't help it, it's your fault!" Luke shouts in defense. Grace blushes. "I really hate keeping this from Joan and Adam, it makes me feel like we're in this illicit affair or something."
Grace starts to laugh, "Well, we have to keep this quiet, or do you want the Rabbi breathing down your neck?"
Luke laughs, "I'm not afraid of your dad, it's my family I'm afraid of. I thought Mom was gonna have a stroke when I was dating Glennis and I didn't even really like her."
"So you really...like...me?" Grace said mocking Luke with air quotes.
"Shut up! Polanski! You know how I feel about you!" Luke said pushing Grace against the bathroom wall for another kiss.
After several minutes, the couple separate and try to regain their breath. Grace straightens Luke's shirt and rolls her shoulders, "OK, are you ready?"
Luke stares longingly at Grace for a minute, "Not really, but we'd better go." Grace walks out of the restroom first and heads back to Adam and Joan. Luke walks out after her and runs into two girls who look at Luke and laugh as he heads out of the school.
Grace walks up on Joan and Adam deep in conversation. "I have to learn how to knit! You on the other hand get to build a car in auto shop. It is so sexist and totally not fair." Joan says crossing her arms in protest.
Adam takes Joan's hands, "Cha, Jane, I'd much rather bake cookies then listen to Mr. Parish ramble for an hour about the importance of oil changes."
Adam and Joan laugh sweetly and look like they're about to kiss when Mr. Price walks up to the couple and bangs on the locker behind Adam's head. "Mr. Rove, Miss Girardi, I thought you and I had a discussion during lunch about public displays of affection."
Joan steps away from Adam, "Mr. Price, we weren't doing anything!"
"Not yet, but you were working on it," Mr. Price states flatly.
Adam slams his locker shut, "Work! Oh, God Jane, I'm gonna be so late!"
"Ahh! Sorry Adam, lets go." Joan shouts as Grace walks up and joins the two.
"I do not want to see a repeat performance from you two any time soon!" Mr. Price shouts.
"Yes Mr. Price..." Joan shouts back at Price as she, Adam and Grace run out of the school.
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Adam is pushing his carpet cleaner in the hallway of the hotel. He reaches his destination and pushes the cleaner into a room when he sees a woman lying on the bed. "Sorry ma'am, I'll come back later," he says backing out of the room, but the woman doesn't move, so Adam walks up next to her. He sees blood on the bed and then he looks at the woman's face, it is waxen, she is dead. Adam reaches over to the phone next to the bed and calls Joan at work.
Joan is ringing up a customer when the phone rings. She is going to ignore the phone and tend to the elderly black man buying the books. "You gonna answer that sugar?" the man asks Joan.
"The machine will pick it up." Joan replies, "That'll be $21.50."
The man leans across the counter, "You should answer it Joanie, Adam needs you."
Joan looks at the man and realizes that he is God. She is still unsure about her working with God and her illness, but hearing Adam mentioned, she answers the phone. "Adam? What! Adam, you've got to call the police! Their number is 911! Where's the eidetic memory when you need it? Sorry. Yes, you call, I'll be right there." Joan hangs up the phone and looks in the direction of the customer, his books are in front of her, but he is gone. Joan runs to the doors of the bookstore, locks them and leaves. As she walks down the street she calls Kevin on her cell. "Kevin? Yeah, can you give me a ride from the bookstore to Adam's hotel, its an emergency. Yeah, five minutes, sure thanks."
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Dt. Williams, Will, and Under sheriff Roy Roebuck all arrive at the hotel. Will sees Adam standing outside of the hotel room with his manager. Will puts his hand on Adam's shoulder, "Adam are you ok?" he asks with concern.
Adam is visibly shaken, "No, not really sir, all I can see is that dead lady's face..."
"Do you want me to call your dad?" Will asks Adam.
Adam shakes his head no, "Jane said she would."
Will is taken aback, "Joan is coming here?"
"Yeah. I panicked and I couldn't remember the number for the cops, so I called her and now she's coming here. Sorry." Adam says blankly.
Will looks frustrated and angry at Adam who looks frightened and ashamed. Joan, Kevin and a tall blonde woman arrive as the two are staring each other down. Joan runs to Adam and throws her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Kevin rolls up next to Will and pats his shoulder. The woman stands with a camera and takes a picture.
Will rushes to the woman, "No press!" he shouts at her.
"Sorry, I'm here with Kevin for the paper." The woman who is revealed to be pregnant replies.
" Who is that?" Will asks Kevin.
Kevin laughs, "She's the new photographer I'm working with. Her name is Faith Cooper."
Will, angry, stares at Kevin, "You shouldn't have brought her hear. The two of you are members of the press."
"Dad, I brought Joan for Adam and Faith was already with me, so I brought her along." Kevin replied.
Will, frustrated, "Well, keep her away from the crime scene, better yet, why don't you two leave?"
"Dad, we will, sorry." Kevin turns and rolls away and the woman leaves with him.
Will looks at Adam who is being consoled by Joan, he walks into the hotel room where the dead woman is and begins his investigation. After several hours, Will walks out of the room to find Mr. Rove, Adam and Joan waiting for him in the hall. Will pats Joan's head, "Honey, are you ready to go home now?"
The Roves and Joan stand and stretch. "Yeah Dad, lets get out of here."
Mr. Rove addresses Will, "Are you all done with my boy?"
"Yes sir, you can take your son home." Will replies.
The four walk away from the hotel room and out of the hotel.
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It is about six pm when Will and Joan arrive at their home and the house is strangely dark. When they enter the living room, they walk in on Luke and Grace making out on the couch. An embarrassed Grace quickly buttons her shirt looks mortified at Joan and runs out of the house. Luke, dazed, pulls his shirt on and tries to run out after Grace.
"Whoa!" Will shouts at Luke grabbing his arm, "What the hell is going on? Does my house look like a brothel to you?"
Joan, grossed out, shouts "Ew, ew, ew!"
Luke tries to break free from his father, "Dad! I have to go after her!"
"Why? I thought she was gay!" Will shouts, regretting his statement the second he said it.
Luke stares at his father with rage and punches him in the face. Luke steps away from his father and runs out the front door. Joan stares at her father in shock. Will shakes his head as his nose bleeds, "Is Mom here?" he finally asks Joan.
"I doubt it. I mean, they wouldn't do that if she was." Joan replies. "Ew, mental picture reforming, I have to stop talking about this." Joan runs to the kitchen and gets her father some ice. She returns, hands the ice to the shocked Will and he applies it to his nose. Joan starts to cry, "What is going on? I mean how could my best friend and my brother be...and me not know about it? They've been lying to me! Oh my God! I can't believe this! Ahhh!" Joan continues to rant as Will sits on the couch.
An hour later, Helen arrives with a pizza and soda. She walks right past Joan and Will to set her things in the kitchen, when no one greets her, she returns to the living room. "Hey guys, is everything alright?" she says when entering the room. She immediately sees Joan's tear stained face and Will's bruises. "Joan, what's wrong? Is it Kevin? Is it Luke? Oh God, oh God!"
Joan starts to cry again, "No, Mom, we're all fine. It's just, Adam saw this woman who committed suicide in her hotel room and Luke and Grace were all over each other on the couch and have been lying to us, and Dad and Luke argued and Luke punched Dad and everything is just wrong!"
Helen sits down next to Will, "What? Adam saw a dead woman? Luke and Grace Polk? He hit you? Oh Will, what happened?"
Will puts down his bag of ice, "It was my fault, I said some inappropriate things about Grace and Luke went ballistic. I know I was wrong, but I can't believe he would do this..."
Helen looks worried, "Well, where is he now?"
"I don't know, he ran off..." Will said reluctantly.
As Helen was about to say something, the front door opened and Kevin and Faith Cooper appeared in the doorway.
"Mom? I brought a friend home for dinner!" Kevin shouted. He stopped suddenly when he saw the group in the living room. "What the hell...?"
Joan stood up, "Luke hit Dad for calling Grace a lesbian after we caught them...eh...making out and stuff."
"He what?" Kevin said in amazement, "Luke, hit Dad? Wow! Wait a minute; Luke was doing the deed with your Grace? Grace Polk?"
Faith perked up at the mention of Grace. "Excuse me, but are you talking about Grace Polanski?" she asked.
Joan turned to Faith, "Yeah, why do you know her?"
"Yes as a matter-of-fact, I do. Grace is my baby sister and I can tell you for a fact that she is not gay—she is dating her best friends little brother." Faith replied.
The room turned silent. Joan was the first to speak, "Wait a minute, rewind. Grace has a sister? She's never mentioned anyone..."
Faith laughs, "Sounds like Grace. Yes she has a sister; actually, she has two sisters, a brother-in-law, and will be an aunt of twins in four months." Helen sits, slack jawed by Faith's revelation as Faith continues. "I am a 20 year old photographer, I'm pregnant with twins, and I'm married. My husband, Abe is 21 and is stationed in Iraq with the Army. My older sister, Hope, is 24 and is a fashion designer in New York. I assume that you know that our father is a Rabbi and our mother is a stay at home mom. Oh and Grace is dating a little Catholic boy named Luke and is afraid of how our dad will take it. Did I miss anything?"
The room remains silent. Kevin rolls next to Faith, "Way to go, you've been here five minutes and you've managed to silence the room. I've lived with them my whole life and never accomplished that!" Faith and Kevin laugh, lightening the room. "Come on, I'm starving and I smell pizza." Kevin and Faith, followed by Joan go to the kitchen and start eating pizza. Helen and Will remain silent in the living room.
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Dinner continues and Helen and Will finally join the group eating and they are all laughing about the days events. Luke and Grace arrive through the kitchen door and stop in their tracks at the sight of the family eating dinner. Grace is especially aware of Faith's presence. The group eating stops and look at the young couple, Luke and Grace hold hands out of fear and defiance. Faith is the first to speak, "Hi Luke!" she says encouragingly.
"Hi Faith," Luke replies nervously.
"What are you doing here?" Grace asks awkwardly.
Faith smiles, "Eating. What does it look like?" Grace gives her an evil glare.
Helen gathers her courage and asks "Hey guys are you hungry?"
"No, thanks mom," Luke barely whispers.
Helen stands up, "Well, come sit down then, we need to talk."
Luke and Grace stand still, "With everyone here?" Luke finally manages to ask.
"Yeah, Dork Brain, everyone already knows what happened, so we might as well stick around and see how things turn out," Joan states with malice. Luke and Grace back up toward the door as if to leave.
"Hold it young man," Will shouts, "Sit down and let's talk about this. No fists, no threats, just discussion."
Luke stops looking especially guilty and he and Grace return to the table and tentatively sit.
"So, what are we going to discuss?" Grace boldly asks.
"Sex," Helen says matter-of-factly. Out of surprise, Kevin spits out his soda all over his plate. Faith takes one look at him and starts giggling uncontrollably. Luke also looks shocked and turns pale. Grace stares at Faith in wonder, but appears to be comforted by her presence. Helen shifts in her seat, "I know from your dad and Joan that you and Grace were doing something in the living room this evening when they got home. Your dad handled the situation badly as did you and things were said..."
Luke, interrupting Helen, "Mom..."
Helen, interrupting Luke, "I also remember having a little discussion with you when you first told me about Glennis about no alone time without an adult present. Now, do you want to see Grace outside of school?"
"Yeah..." Luke replies quietly.
"Then I suggest that you apologize to Joan and your dad for your display this afternoon and NEVER repeat your irresponsible actions in the house again." Helen states flatly.
Luke a bit shocked at the easiness of the conversation immediately agrees with his mother, "Ah, yes ma'am."
"Luke, I'm serious. I'm too busy to be a grandmother right now." Helen sighs.
Luke stands up, "Whoa! Mom, slow down, Grace and I haven't even gotten..."
Joan interrupts Luke, "No details! Stop before Dad and I hurl!"
"Joan, you shouldn't talk for Dad, the probability that he'll cope with all of this is slim." Luke asserts.
Joan rolls her eyes at Luke, "Can you please not be Mr. Science Guy right now?"
Grace puts her hand on Luke's, "Joan, he's just trying to be realistic. You don't have to bite his head off."
Everyone laughs, everyone, but Will, that is. Luke stares, frightened at his father.
" I guess we need to do this, don't we Luke?" Will says sadly. Luke looks down at the table, unable to meet his father's gaze. "Let's go outside and talk. Man to man." The two rise and leave the table. Grace stares at Luke, wishing she could go with him. The kitchen door closes and the group at the table all turn their attention to Grace.
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Faith stands and takes the seat next to her sister, giving her an encouraging hug. "Hey, Gracie."
Grace looks relived, "Hey Faith and company" she replies patting her sister's stomach. Grace looks at Helen who looks disappointed, Kevin who looks confused, and Joan who looks enraged. "So can we just get the disappointed speeches and yelling over with already? I still have to go home tonight and face my father."
Joan stands up, "Go then, you don't owe me anything, you're obviously not my best friend because my friend wouldn't keep something that important to herself and wouldn't lie to me!"
"I didn't lie, Girardi. I just didn't tell you and it was only because I was so worried when you were sick. You seemed so depressed; I didn't want to pile my shit on you. Plus, Luke is Catholic and my dad is so not going to like that. I had to watch Faith get pushed out of the family over Abe's religion and I am not going down like that. I mean, I'm not saying that I'm like in love with Luke or anything because I'm not really sure, but I would like the opportunity to see where this is going and if my dad found out. Well, it could get ugly. Besides this weekend is my Bat Mitzvah and he's so excited and proud and I just don't want to disappoint him." Grace realizes how much she has given away to Joan and becomes self-conscious and quiet.
Joan perks up, "Wait, you made it to your Bat Mitzvah?"
"Yep." Grace says unenthusiastically.
"That's so great! When is it?" Joan asks.
"Saturday. The ceremony is Jews-only, but you can come to my party afterwards. I even have an invitation for you." Grace hands Joan the fancy invitation.
Joan opens the invitation and glows, "Grace, I'm so happy for you!" Joan jumps up, hugs Grace and all is forgiven.
As the girls reconnect, Will and Luke stare each other down in the back yard. Will kicks the ground in frustration and finally speaks, "I can't believe that you hit me!" he shouts.
Luke stares coldly at his father, "Well, I can't believe you called my girlfriend a dyke."
The two stare lividly at each other. Tense moments pass as both glare and Will is the first to turn away. Will looks ashamed and drops his gaze to the grass beneath his feet. Luke sees the guilt ridden on his father's face, "Dad, I'm sorry. I overreacted. I was embarrassed and then I got so angry with you. I lost control. I shouldn't have hit you, it was rash and melodramatic, I'm sorry."
Will sighs, "Ditto. I'm sorry Luke. I overreacted to you and Grace and was very inappropriate. I just didn't expect such behavior from the two of you. I was hurt and I took it out on you. I shouldn't have said what I did about Grace. I'm sorry son. Truce?" The two shake hands and pull into a hug.
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After the confrontations, the group reconvenes in the living room. Everyone looks exhausted. Joan moans on the couch, "What a crappy day!"
"No kidding..." groans Will.
Kevin laughs, "It's Murphy's law!"
Luke looks confused, "Murphy? I've never heard of him. What's his theory?"
Faith laughs, "If something bad can happen, it will. That's Murphy's law."
"Oh, so he's not an actual theorist?" Luke says, relieved.
Grace rolls her eyes at Luke, "No Einstein, it's just a life law. Speaking of the laws of life. I sort of have to talk to my dad about all of this, so you may not get to see much of me for the next few days."
Helen interrupts Grace, "Don't worry, Luke is grounded for the rest of the week."
Grace, worried asks, "But he can still come to my party. Right?"
"Yes, as long as it's ok with your father," Helen replies.
"Well, it's my party and he can't stop me." Grace states with a glint of defiance in her eyes.
Faith starts singing, "It's my party and I'll..."
Grace throws a pillow at Faith, silencing her. "Enough! Mercy! I give! Please stop singing!" she shouts mocking Faith. The two sisters laugh and stand.
"Well, I'm sorry that we had to meet this way, but it was nice to meet all of you," Faith says sincerely to Will and Helen as Luke and Grace sneak off to the front door.
The couple kiss and Grace and Faith leave. Luke looks at his family and shakes his head. "I am so not discussing any more of this tonight. Night everyone." He shouts as he heads upstairs.
Joan sits on the couch and starts channel surfing. Kevin, Helen and Will all leave to various other rooms in the house. Suddenly as Joan continues to surf channels, reporter God appears on screen. "Tomorrow's weather will be windy and wet, so remember your raincoat Joan," He says smiling.
Joan stares at the TV, no believing her eyes. "I don't hear you. You're not there. I must need my medicine." Joan goes to the kitchen and comes back to the TV with pills and a glass of water.
"Forgiving your friend was big of you Joan, I hope that you can forgive me. I'm here when you're ready to talk to me." God says encouragingly, but Joan stands up and turns off the TV.
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The next day starts out much as the previous one did. We see the Girardi family eating breakfast around the kitchen. Will is sitting at the table reading the newspaper. Kevin is slurping his cereal, Luke is eating an apple, Helen is eating toast and Joan is eating a pop tart. Adam walks into the kitchen wearing clean and pressed clothes with his orange bag. He carries a lunch sack and his sketch book. Joan sees Adam and races to him, kissing and hugging him.
Joan happily surprised shouts, "Wow! You look so nice!"
Adam smiles, enjoying the praise, "Yeah, dad freaked out last night and he made me quit my job. He says he needs to focus on being a better parent and I need to work on my art."
Helen smiles, "That's wonderful Adam. He must really love you."
"He does," Adam says happily as Grace appears in the kitchen.
Grace is also dressed nicely, but in a different way. She is wearing a knee length islet skirt, clogs, and a lavender cardigan. Her hair is artfully flipped and she is wearing makeup. Luke smiles and stands up to give Grace a hug. "I see Hope has arrived at last," Luke says, emphasizing the double meaning.
Grace tries to laugh, "Yeah, she has an obsession with fashion, makeup, hair, and laundry. It's really creepy."
Will laughs and says, sarcastically, "Sounds like someone I know and her fetish with our laundry machine."
Helen looks at Will and defensively says, "Its not a fetish."
Kevin chuckles, "Sure Mom, you keep telling yourself that."
Helen starts laughing, "Stop, stop..."
Joan is still looking at Adam, "He made you lunch? That's so sweet. My Mom stopped making our lunches when we were like ten."
" Only because you wouldn't eat what I made." Helen replies.
Joan shakes her head, "Mom, tuna salad is not cool lunch food. Sandwiches, chips, granola bars, pudding- all are acceptable lunch food."
"Junk food you mean." Helen says defensively.
Joan turns away, "Same difference."
Kevin interrupts their conversation, "Grace, how's Faith doing this morning?"
Grace laughs, "I don't know, she hasn't stopped yaking yet, but when she does, she'll meet you at work."
"Is she ok," Kevin asks, genuinely concerned.
Grace stares blankly at him, "Well, she is pregnant—so yeah, I think she's aloud to barf."
"Well, if she needs anything..." Kevin replies.
Grace looks strangely at Kevin, "Then she'll call Abe or Dad."
Luke notices the tension between the two, "Well we'd better get going."
Helen grabs Luke's arm, "Luke, wait, Joan and Adam are going with you." Adam and Joan grab their things and the four leave.
Will looks at Kevin, "Hey Kev, why are you so worried about your photographer?"
"Oh, um, well, she, she's new in town and her husband's in the middle East, and she has a difficult relationship with her dad and she's pregnant... " Kevin stammers.
Will looks knowingly at Kevin and does not believe his story, "Right..."
Helen is concerned, "Do you like this girl?"
"Yeah, of course. I mean, she's a really great person, but she's not, you know, my type and she's sorta married."
Helen nods her head, "Well, keep telling yourself that, ok?"
Kevin gives his mother an irritates look, "Fine. Gotta go! See ya after basketball!" he shouts as he rolls out of the house leaving Will and Helen at the kitchen table.
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I own nothing, yada, yada, yada...
This story is LG centric. It takes place after the season finale. Adam and Joan are closer then before and the family is not aware of Luke's romance with Grace. There is no immediate mention of God because Joan is still reeling from "Silence."
We see the Girardi family in various states of duress, as they get ready for the day. Helen is especially stressed, as it is the first day of school. Kevin and Luke are eating cereal at the breakfast table. Will is waiting for coffee to brew at the counter. Adam and Joan are eating yogurt as they stand next to Will. Helen is frantically running around the kitchen and living rooms gathering things for her class.
Will looks at his wife sympathetically, "So we're eating breakfast like a normal family and you're running around like a chicken with your head cut off. What's up?"
Helen stops and glares at her spouse, "What's up? Will, I have like a million things to do before class and I am totally not ready! This day is going to be a disaster." Helen throws down a pile of papers and sits next to Luke at the table in a huff.
Will comes up and rests his head on her shoulder, "It will all work out in the end. You are an amazing teacher Helen, give yourself some credit."
Adam perks up at the mention of his favorite class, "Unchallenged, Mrs. G! I can't wait for your class! It is by far the highlight of my scholastic day."
Kevin looks blankly at Adam, "Can someone translate what the hell he just said?"
Luke shrugs, "Don't look at me, I don't speak Adam."
Joan glares at Luke and then turns toward her mom, "Mom, chill alright? You'll do fine."
Helen smiles at Joan and pats Will's head. Sighing she rises, "Will, I have a yearbook meeting after school so I won't be home till after five."
Joan hearing her mother's plan, "You are doing yearbook again? Great. I work at the bookstore 'till six."
Kevin pulls away from the kitchen table and places his bowl in the sink, "I have physio after work until six-thirty and I should be home after seven."
Everyone turns to Luke expectantly, Luke stares at his cereal, "I have...um...Chem club and then I'm...I don't know, just don't expect me home before seven."
Helen looks at Luke bewildered, "You don't know what you'll be doing? Luke, you're starting to sound like Joan. Next you'll be building boats and stop bathing."
Joan looks down at her yogurt, ashamed. Adam tilts her head up with his hand and meets her gaze reassuringly.
Will sees the two staring and becomes uncomfortable; easing the tension he tries to get Adam's attention, "What about you Adam? Aren't you going to tell us your plans for the day?"
Adam turns away from Joan, "Well, after Jane and I get out of school I work until eight and then I was planning to finish melding this great bronze pipe that I have onto this sculpture that I've been working with. Its gonna be dope yo."
Will looks at Adam with confusion, "Huh? OK...Well that sounds nice."
The group smiles and continue to eat their breakfasts as Will walks over to the coffee pot. Will reads a headline from the newspaper on the counter and crumples it up and throws it into the trash as Grace walks into the kitchen from the back door.
"Damn it!" Will shouts, "I can't believe this paper!"
Kevin rolls over to his father, "What is it Dad? What article has got you so angry?"
Grace walks over to Joan and Adam while eying Luke, "Whoa, what's his damage?"
Joan shrugs.
Will looks at Kevin in disbelief, "You have to ask?"
Kevin shrugs, "Dad, I only write for the entertainment section now, I don't read the whole paper..."
"Well, that editor of yours had better watch out or she's gonna get herself in some serious trouble printing slander like that." Will walks over to the telephone and dials a number. Helen, Luke, Grace, Joan, Adam, and Kevin all stare at him. "Toni, yeah, I read it, yeah, give me ten minutes. See ya." The group of people that were staring at him all try to immediately pay attention to their food. Will notices everyone's interest, which only fuels his anger. Will hangs up the phone, grabs his jacket from the counter and leaves the kitchen through the back door, slamming it. The coffee stops brewing, but Will leaves before he can drink any.
Grace looks at Joan, "Remind me not to come to your house before your dad's had his morning cup of coffee. He's a little too Oscar the grouch for my taste."
Luke, shaking his head, throws his bowl in the sink and shouts as he's leaving the kitchen, "I'm going to walk to school."
Helen rushes behind him, "Wait, I'll drive you. Joan, Adam, Grace hurry up!"
Kevin rolls out of the house with his backpack, "Bye all!"
Helen, Luke and Grace follow close behind Kevin. Joan and Adam are scrambling to get their backpacks and things for school. Helen reaches in the car and honks her horn to hurry Joan and Adam.
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The bell rings and school is out for the day. Grace and Luke are standing beside Grace's locker talking when Adam and Joan walk up.
Grace nods to Joan and Adam, "Well, if it isn't dumb and dumber..."
Adam gives Grace a strange look, "That was harsh, yo, what's that all about?"
Grace rolls her eyes, "You two need to stop making out and start taking notes in class. You guys are so gonna fail chemistry."
Luke crosses his arms in agreement, "How can you two go on like that during class. I get so caught up in Ms. Lischak's lecture I can't even begin to fathom how you can ignore her."
Grace shuts her locker, rolls her eyes at Adam and Joan and starts to leave, "Hey Luke, can I talk to you about our assignment for a minute?"
Luke smiles, but tries to hide it, "Yeah!" He runs next to Grace and the two walk off leaving Adam and Joan at their lockers. Once they are near the girls restroom, Grace pushes Luke in the door, slamming him against the wall as she kisses him. Luke breaks away for a moment, "I've been wanting to do that all day."
Grace blushes, "Well, I'm glad that you didn't. Unlike your sister, I need my space."
Luke smiles giddily, "Yeah..." and starts kissing Grace again.
After a few minutes, Grace breaks away, "I...we...should go. Joan's gonna want to walk home soon and if I don't get back there she's gonna know something's up."
Luke sighs, "Something is up..." and looks down at his pants.
Grace steps back and slaps Luke's arm, "Gross Guiridi! You're sick."
"I can't help it, it's your fault!" Luke shouts in defense. Grace blushes. "I really hate keeping this from Joan and Adam, it makes me feel like we're in this illicit affair or something."
Grace starts to laugh, "Well, we have to keep this quiet, or do you want the Rabbi breathing down your neck?"
Luke laughs, "I'm not afraid of your dad, it's my family I'm afraid of. I thought Mom was gonna have a stroke when I was dating Glennis and I didn't even really like her."
"So you really...like...me?" Grace said mocking Luke with air quotes.
"Shut up! Polanski! You know how I feel about you!" Luke said pushing Grace against the bathroom wall for another kiss.
After several minutes, the couple separate and try to regain their breath. Grace straightens Luke's shirt and rolls her shoulders, "OK, are you ready?"
Luke stares longingly at Grace for a minute, "Not really, but we'd better go." Grace walks out of the restroom first and heads back to Adam and Joan. Luke walks out after her and runs into two girls who look at Luke and laugh as he heads out of the school.
Grace walks up on Joan and Adam deep in conversation. "I have to learn how to knit! You on the other hand get to build a car in auto shop. It is so sexist and totally not fair." Joan says crossing her arms in protest.
Adam takes Joan's hands, "Cha, Jane, I'd much rather bake cookies then listen to Mr. Parish ramble for an hour about the importance of oil changes."
Adam and Joan laugh sweetly and look like they're about to kiss when Mr. Price walks up to the couple and bangs on the locker behind Adam's head. "Mr. Rove, Miss Girardi, I thought you and I had a discussion during lunch about public displays of affection."
Joan steps away from Adam, "Mr. Price, we weren't doing anything!"
"Not yet, but you were working on it," Mr. Price states flatly.
Adam slams his locker shut, "Work! Oh, God Jane, I'm gonna be so late!"
"Ahh! Sorry Adam, lets go." Joan shouts as Grace walks up and joins the two.
"I do not want to see a repeat performance from you two any time soon!" Mr. Price shouts.
"Yes Mr. Price..." Joan shouts back at Price as she, Adam and Grace run out of the school.
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Adam is pushing his carpet cleaner in the hallway of the hotel. He reaches his destination and pushes the cleaner into a room when he sees a woman lying on the bed. "Sorry ma'am, I'll come back later," he says backing out of the room, but the woman doesn't move, so Adam walks up next to her. He sees blood on the bed and then he looks at the woman's face, it is waxen, she is dead. Adam reaches over to the phone next to the bed and calls Joan at work.
Joan is ringing up a customer when the phone rings. She is going to ignore the phone and tend to the elderly black man buying the books. "You gonna answer that sugar?" the man asks Joan.
"The machine will pick it up." Joan replies, "That'll be $21.50."
The man leans across the counter, "You should answer it Joanie, Adam needs you."
Joan looks at the man and realizes that he is God. She is still unsure about her working with God and her illness, but hearing Adam mentioned, she answers the phone. "Adam? What! Adam, you've got to call the police! Their number is 911! Where's the eidetic memory when you need it? Sorry. Yes, you call, I'll be right there." Joan hangs up the phone and looks in the direction of the customer, his books are in front of her, but he is gone. Joan runs to the doors of the bookstore, locks them and leaves. As she walks down the street she calls Kevin on her cell. "Kevin? Yeah, can you give me a ride from the bookstore to Adam's hotel, its an emergency. Yeah, five minutes, sure thanks."
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Dt. Williams, Will, and Under sheriff Roy Roebuck all arrive at the hotel. Will sees Adam standing outside of the hotel room with his manager. Will puts his hand on Adam's shoulder, "Adam are you ok?" he asks with concern.
Adam is visibly shaken, "No, not really sir, all I can see is that dead lady's face..."
"Do you want me to call your dad?" Will asks Adam.
Adam shakes his head no, "Jane said she would."
Will is taken aback, "Joan is coming here?"
"Yeah. I panicked and I couldn't remember the number for the cops, so I called her and now she's coming here. Sorry." Adam says blankly.
Will looks frustrated and angry at Adam who looks frightened and ashamed. Joan, Kevin and a tall blonde woman arrive as the two are staring each other down. Joan runs to Adam and throws her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Kevin rolls up next to Will and pats his shoulder. The woman stands with a camera and takes a picture.
Will rushes to the woman, "No press!" he shouts at her.
"Sorry, I'm here with Kevin for the paper." The woman who is revealed to be pregnant replies.
" Who is that?" Will asks Kevin.
Kevin laughs, "She's the new photographer I'm working with. Her name is Faith Cooper."
Will, angry, stares at Kevin, "You shouldn't have brought her hear. The two of you are members of the press."
"Dad, I brought Joan for Adam and Faith was already with me, so I brought her along." Kevin replied.
Will, frustrated, "Well, keep her away from the crime scene, better yet, why don't you two leave?"
"Dad, we will, sorry." Kevin turns and rolls away and the woman leaves with him.
Will looks at Adam who is being consoled by Joan, he walks into the hotel room where the dead woman is and begins his investigation. After several hours, Will walks out of the room to find Mr. Rove, Adam and Joan waiting for him in the hall. Will pats Joan's head, "Honey, are you ready to go home now?"
The Roves and Joan stand and stretch. "Yeah Dad, lets get out of here."
Mr. Rove addresses Will, "Are you all done with my boy?"
"Yes sir, you can take your son home." Will replies.
The four walk away from the hotel room and out of the hotel.
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It is about six pm when Will and Joan arrive at their home and the house is strangely dark. When they enter the living room, they walk in on Luke and Grace making out on the couch. An embarrassed Grace quickly buttons her shirt looks mortified at Joan and runs out of the house. Luke, dazed, pulls his shirt on and tries to run out after Grace.
"Whoa!" Will shouts at Luke grabbing his arm, "What the hell is going on? Does my house look like a brothel to you?"
Joan, grossed out, shouts "Ew, ew, ew!"
Luke tries to break free from his father, "Dad! I have to go after her!"
"Why? I thought she was gay!" Will shouts, regretting his statement the second he said it.
Luke stares at his father with rage and punches him in the face. Luke steps away from his father and runs out the front door. Joan stares at her father in shock. Will shakes his head as his nose bleeds, "Is Mom here?" he finally asks Joan.
"I doubt it. I mean, they wouldn't do that if she was." Joan replies. "Ew, mental picture reforming, I have to stop talking about this." Joan runs to the kitchen and gets her father some ice. She returns, hands the ice to the shocked Will and he applies it to his nose. Joan starts to cry, "What is going on? I mean how could my best friend and my brother be...and me not know about it? They've been lying to me! Oh my God! I can't believe this! Ahhh!" Joan continues to rant as Will sits on the couch.
An hour later, Helen arrives with a pizza and soda. She walks right past Joan and Will to set her things in the kitchen, when no one greets her, she returns to the living room. "Hey guys, is everything alright?" she says when entering the room. She immediately sees Joan's tear stained face and Will's bruises. "Joan, what's wrong? Is it Kevin? Is it Luke? Oh God, oh God!"
Joan starts to cry again, "No, Mom, we're all fine. It's just, Adam saw this woman who committed suicide in her hotel room and Luke and Grace were all over each other on the couch and have been lying to us, and Dad and Luke argued and Luke punched Dad and everything is just wrong!"
Helen sits down next to Will, "What? Adam saw a dead woman? Luke and Grace Polk? He hit you? Oh Will, what happened?"
Will puts down his bag of ice, "It was my fault, I said some inappropriate things about Grace and Luke went ballistic. I know I was wrong, but I can't believe he would do this..."
Helen looks worried, "Well, where is he now?"
"I don't know, he ran off..." Will said reluctantly.
As Helen was about to say something, the front door opened and Kevin and Faith Cooper appeared in the doorway.
"Mom? I brought a friend home for dinner!" Kevin shouted. He stopped suddenly when he saw the group in the living room. "What the hell...?"
Joan stood up, "Luke hit Dad for calling Grace a lesbian after we caught them...eh...making out and stuff."
"He what?" Kevin said in amazement, "Luke, hit Dad? Wow! Wait a minute; Luke was doing the deed with your Grace? Grace Polk?"
Faith perked up at the mention of Grace. "Excuse me, but are you talking about Grace Polanski?" she asked.
Joan turned to Faith, "Yeah, why do you know her?"
"Yes as a matter-of-fact, I do. Grace is my baby sister and I can tell you for a fact that she is not gay—she is dating her best friends little brother." Faith replied.
The room turned silent. Joan was the first to speak, "Wait a minute, rewind. Grace has a sister? She's never mentioned anyone..."
Faith laughs, "Sounds like Grace. Yes she has a sister; actually, she has two sisters, a brother-in-law, and will be an aunt of twins in four months." Helen sits, slack jawed by Faith's revelation as Faith continues. "I am a 20 year old photographer, I'm pregnant with twins, and I'm married. My husband, Abe is 21 and is stationed in Iraq with the Army. My older sister, Hope, is 24 and is a fashion designer in New York. I assume that you know that our father is a Rabbi and our mother is a stay at home mom. Oh and Grace is dating a little Catholic boy named Luke and is afraid of how our dad will take it. Did I miss anything?"
The room remains silent. Kevin rolls next to Faith, "Way to go, you've been here five minutes and you've managed to silence the room. I've lived with them my whole life and never accomplished that!" Faith and Kevin laugh, lightening the room. "Come on, I'm starving and I smell pizza." Kevin and Faith, followed by Joan go to the kitchen and start eating pizza. Helen and Will remain silent in the living room.
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Dinner continues and Helen and Will finally join the group eating and they are all laughing about the days events. Luke and Grace arrive through the kitchen door and stop in their tracks at the sight of the family eating dinner. Grace is especially aware of Faith's presence. The group eating stops and look at the young couple, Luke and Grace hold hands out of fear and defiance. Faith is the first to speak, "Hi Luke!" she says encouragingly.
"Hi Faith," Luke replies nervously.
"What are you doing here?" Grace asks awkwardly.
Faith smiles, "Eating. What does it look like?" Grace gives her an evil glare.
Helen gathers her courage and asks "Hey guys are you hungry?"
"No, thanks mom," Luke barely whispers.
Helen stands up, "Well, come sit down then, we need to talk."
Luke and Grace stand still, "With everyone here?" Luke finally manages to ask.
"Yeah, Dork Brain, everyone already knows what happened, so we might as well stick around and see how things turn out," Joan states with malice. Luke and Grace back up toward the door as if to leave.
"Hold it young man," Will shouts, "Sit down and let's talk about this. No fists, no threats, just discussion."
Luke stops looking especially guilty and he and Grace return to the table and tentatively sit.
"So, what are we going to discuss?" Grace boldly asks.
"Sex," Helen says matter-of-factly. Out of surprise, Kevin spits out his soda all over his plate. Faith takes one look at him and starts giggling uncontrollably. Luke also looks shocked and turns pale. Grace stares at Faith in wonder, but appears to be comforted by her presence. Helen shifts in her seat, "I know from your dad and Joan that you and Grace were doing something in the living room this evening when they got home. Your dad handled the situation badly as did you and things were said..."
Luke, interrupting Helen, "Mom..."
Helen, interrupting Luke, "I also remember having a little discussion with you when you first told me about Glennis about no alone time without an adult present. Now, do you want to see Grace outside of school?"
"Yeah..." Luke replies quietly.
"Then I suggest that you apologize to Joan and your dad for your display this afternoon and NEVER repeat your irresponsible actions in the house again." Helen states flatly.
Luke a bit shocked at the easiness of the conversation immediately agrees with his mother, "Ah, yes ma'am."
"Luke, I'm serious. I'm too busy to be a grandmother right now." Helen sighs.
Luke stands up, "Whoa! Mom, slow down, Grace and I haven't even gotten..."
Joan interrupts Luke, "No details! Stop before Dad and I hurl!"
"Joan, you shouldn't talk for Dad, the probability that he'll cope with all of this is slim." Luke asserts.
Joan rolls her eyes at Luke, "Can you please not be Mr. Science Guy right now?"
Grace puts her hand on Luke's, "Joan, he's just trying to be realistic. You don't have to bite his head off."
Everyone laughs, everyone, but Will, that is. Luke stares, frightened at his father.
" I guess we need to do this, don't we Luke?" Will says sadly. Luke looks down at the table, unable to meet his father's gaze. "Let's go outside and talk. Man to man." The two rise and leave the table. Grace stares at Luke, wishing she could go with him. The kitchen door closes and the group at the table all turn their attention to Grace.
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Faith stands and takes the seat next to her sister, giving her an encouraging hug. "Hey, Gracie."
Grace looks relived, "Hey Faith and company" she replies patting her sister's stomach. Grace looks at Helen who looks disappointed, Kevin who looks confused, and Joan who looks enraged. "So can we just get the disappointed speeches and yelling over with already? I still have to go home tonight and face my father."
Joan stands up, "Go then, you don't owe me anything, you're obviously not my best friend because my friend wouldn't keep something that important to herself and wouldn't lie to me!"
"I didn't lie, Girardi. I just didn't tell you and it was only because I was so worried when you were sick. You seemed so depressed; I didn't want to pile my shit on you. Plus, Luke is Catholic and my dad is so not going to like that. I had to watch Faith get pushed out of the family over Abe's religion and I am not going down like that. I mean, I'm not saying that I'm like in love with Luke or anything because I'm not really sure, but I would like the opportunity to see where this is going and if my dad found out. Well, it could get ugly. Besides this weekend is my Bat Mitzvah and he's so excited and proud and I just don't want to disappoint him." Grace realizes how much she has given away to Joan and becomes self-conscious and quiet.
Joan perks up, "Wait, you made it to your Bat Mitzvah?"
"Yep." Grace says unenthusiastically.
"That's so great! When is it?" Joan asks.
"Saturday. The ceremony is Jews-only, but you can come to my party afterwards. I even have an invitation for you." Grace hands Joan the fancy invitation.
Joan opens the invitation and glows, "Grace, I'm so happy for you!" Joan jumps up, hugs Grace and all is forgiven.
As the girls reconnect, Will and Luke stare each other down in the back yard. Will kicks the ground in frustration and finally speaks, "I can't believe that you hit me!" he shouts.
Luke stares coldly at his father, "Well, I can't believe you called my girlfriend a dyke."
The two stare lividly at each other. Tense moments pass as both glare and Will is the first to turn away. Will looks ashamed and drops his gaze to the grass beneath his feet. Luke sees the guilt ridden on his father's face, "Dad, I'm sorry. I overreacted. I was embarrassed and then I got so angry with you. I lost control. I shouldn't have hit you, it was rash and melodramatic, I'm sorry."
Will sighs, "Ditto. I'm sorry Luke. I overreacted to you and Grace and was very inappropriate. I just didn't expect such behavior from the two of you. I was hurt and I took it out on you. I shouldn't have said what I did about Grace. I'm sorry son. Truce?" The two shake hands and pull into a hug.
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After the confrontations, the group reconvenes in the living room. Everyone looks exhausted. Joan moans on the couch, "What a crappy day!"
"No kidding..." groans Will.
Kevin laughs, "It's Murphy's law!"
Luke looks confused, "Murphy? I've never heard of him. What's his theory?"
Faith laughs, "If something bad can happen, it will. That's Murphy's law."
"Oh, so he's not an actual theorist?" Luke says, relieved.
Grace rolls her eyes at Luke, "No Einstein, it's just a life law. Speaking of the laws of life. I sort of have to talk to my dad about all of this, so you may not get to see much of me for the next few days."
Helen interrupts Grace, "Don't worry, Luke is grounded for the rest of the week."
Grace, worried asks, "But he can still come to my party. Right?"
"Yes, as long as it's ok with your father," Helen replies.
"Well, it's my party and he can't stop me." Grace states with a glint of defiance in her eyes.
Faith starts singing, "It's my party and I'll..."
Grace throws a pillow at Faith, silencing her. "Enough! Mercy! I give! Please stop singing!" she shouts mocking Faith. The two sisters laugh and stand.
"Well, I'm sorry that we had to meet this way, but it was nice to meet all of you," Faith says sincerely to Will and Helen as Luke and Grace sneak off to the front door.
The couple kiss and Grace and Faith leave. Luke looks at his family and shakes his head. "I am so not discussing any more of this tonight. Night everyone." He shouts as he heads upstairs.
Joan sits on the couch and starts channel surfing. Kevin, Helen and Will all leave to various other rooms in the house. Suddenly as Joan continues to surf channels, reporter God appears on screen. "Tomorrow's weather will be windy and wet, so remember your raincoat Joan," He says smiling.
Joan stares at the TV, no believing her eyes. "I don't hear you. You're not there. I must need my medicine." Joan goes to the kitchen and comes back to the TV with pills and a glass of water.
"Forgiving your friend was big of you Joan, I hope that you can forgive me. I'm here when you're ready to talk to me." God says encouragingly, but Joan stands up and turns off the TV.
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The next day starts out much as the previous one did. We see the Girardi family eating breakfast around the kitchen. Will is sitting at the table reading the newspaper. Kevin is slurping his cereal, Luke is eating an apple, Helen is eating toast and Joan is eating a pop tart. Adam walks into the kitchen wearing clean and pressed clothes with his orange bag. He carries a lunch sack and his sketch book. Joan sees Adam and races to him, kissing and hugging him.
Joan happily surprised shouts, "Wow! You look so nice!"
Adam smiles, enjoying the praise, "Yeah, dad freaked out last night and he made me quit my job. He says he needs to focus on being a better parent and I need to work on my art."
Helen smiles, "That's wonderful Adam. He must really love you."
"He does," Adam says happily as Grace appears in the kitchen.
Grace is also dressed nicely, but in a different way. She is wearing a knee length islet skirt, clogs, and a lavender cardigan. Her hair is artfully flipped and she is wearing makeup. Luke smiles and stands up to give Grace a hug. "I see Hope has arrived at last," Luke says, emphasizing the double meaning.
Grace tries to laugh, "Yeah, she has an obsession with fashion, makeup, hair, and laundry. It's really creepy."
Will laughs and says, sarcastically, "Sounds like someone I know and her fetish with our laundry machine."
Helen looks at Will and defensively says, "Its not a fetish."
Kevin chuckles, "Sure Mom, you keep telling yourself that."
Helen starts laughing, "Stop, stop..."
Joan is still looking at Adam, "He made you lunch? That's so sweet. My Mom stopped making our lunches when we were like ten."
" Only because you wouldn't eat what I made." Helen replies.
Joan shakes her head, "Mom, tuna salad is not cool lunch food. Sandwiches, chips, granola bars, pudding- all are acceptable lunch food."
"Junk food you mean." Helen says defensively.
Joan turns away, "Same difference."
Kevin interrupts their conversation, "Grace, how's Faith doing this morning?"
Grace laughs, "I don't know, she hasn't stopped yaking yet, but when she does, she'll meet you at work."
"Is she ok," Kevin asks, genuinely concerned.
Grace stares blankly at him, "Well, she is pregnant—so yeah, I think she's aloud to barf."
"Well, if she needs anything..." Kevin replies.
Grace looks strangely at Kevin, "Then she'll call Abe or Dad."
Luke notices the tension between the two, "Well we'd better get going."
Helen grabs Luke's arm, "Luke, wait, Joan and Adam are going with you." Adam and Joan grab their things and the four leave.
Will looks at Kevin, "Hey Kev, why are you so worried about your photographer?"
"Oh, um, well, she, she's new in town and her husband's in the middle East, and she has a difficult relationship with her dad and she's pregnant... " Kevin stammers.
Will looks knowingly at Kevin and does not believe his story, "Right..."
Helen is concerned, "Do you like this girl?"
"Yeah, of course. I mean, she's a really great person, but she's not, you know, my type and she's sorta married."
Helen nods her head, "Well, keep telling yourself that, ok?"
Kevin gives his mother an irritates look, "Fine. Gotta go! See ya after basketball!" he shouts as he rolls out of the house leaving Will and Helen at the kitchen table.
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