Seeing for himself that Earl is beyond upset; he's flat out pissed. Tony decides to break the tension, but opting to get him alone. So they can talk. He says, "Hey Ker, why don't you show your mom that gift Michelle sent you." She looks at him, and doesn't know what to say at first.
Valerie also looks at him with a raised eyebrow too. But then she realizes what he's trying to do, and she has to admit. He's got gumption to want to be alone with her husband. Earl appreciates his suggestion, and encouragingly says, "You were saying how you wanted to see the hand bag in person Val. Now's as good of a time as any."
Understanding what's going on, both ladies agree to take the hint. And Kerry says, "Come on mom. It's upstairs. I can show you that along with a few other trinkets I've collected." Valerie nods, and as they walk out of the room, Valerie says, "You two play nice." Both men give her a look of engagement, as Kerry follows with, "Tony remember, voices carry in this room." He nods and the ladies disappear up the steps.
When they're out of ear shot, Earl says, "Can we step outside?" Tony agrees, and they both grab their beers off the table, walking out onto the patio. When Tony closes the door behind him, he says, "Its sound proofed." Earl replies, "So if I throw you over, nobody will hear you scream." Tony takes his comment in, understanding his feelings.
Earl sees he's not responding to him, and says, "You don't have much to say all of a sudden?" Tony boldly says, "I have a lot to say, but it won't matter if you're not ready to listen. So I figured I'd let you get your insults and anger out first." Earl replies, "You have a lot of nerve saying that to me." Tony responds, "I know. But it's not because I mean any disrespect Earl. It's because the sooner we get through the emotions surrounding this. The sooner we can be real with one another. And get to the part that really matters."
Earl, somewhat annoyed at his reply asks, "And what's that?" Tony says, "Like the fact that I am head over heels in love with your daughter, and we're having a baby together. Or the fact that seeing you throwing darts at me with your eyes is killing her, and stressing her out, which isn't good for her or your grandchild."
Earl hates to admit he's right at this point, and he refuses to do so right now. Instead, he doesn't resist the temptation of responding in anger as he replies, "And how is that all that matters when you're someone else's husband?" Tony understands his anger, and his point. But presses on as he says, "You know that privately I'm divorced Earl." He replies, "Was that before or after you bedded my daughter?"
Tony pauses and doesn't want to answer him, but he has to. Especially when Earl yells, "Answer me!" Tony says, "It's complicated!" He responds, "It's not complicated Tony. Either you were married or you weren't. And beyond that, the world still thinks you're married. So even if I buy what you're selling, which I'm having a hard time doing. Despite you having both my wife and daughter on your side. I can't give my blessing to this. My daughter doesn't deserve to be anybody's secret, or side piece. She's better than that."
Tony hears him, and as a father he gets where he's coming from. So he says, "Earl, I can't agree with you more. This situation isn't ideal, and it's not something that I would want for either one of my girls." Earl interjects, "Then how in the hell can you expect me to accept this? Are you saying your daughters are somehow more important than mine?"
He shakes his head as he hears his words being used against him, in a way he didn't see coming. But he isn't willing to give up. So he continues as he says, "Let me finish please." Earl concedes and allows him to finish.
Tony takes a breath and says, "When I met Kerry, yes I was still legally married. But my ex-wife and I hadn't been together traditionally speaking for years." Earl again interjects, "And why is that?"
He didn't want to get into an in depth conversation about his past relationship, but out of respect for Earl, he replies, "In short, we grew apart. We wanted different things, and the idea of what we crafted of a life together at one time, no longer met either of our needs." He quickly asks, "Is that a fancy way of saying you were interested in someone else? Or too bored to make things work?"
Tony feels himself getting upset, and he's trying to maintain. But the rude interruptions he's getting from him are weighing on him. Which causes him to sharply, but in a controlled manner to respond, "No, it's not. It's my way of saying I'm not going to disclose the personal nature of our separation to you. Because it's none of your business. Kerry knows the details, and to be honest that's the only one who should know. Besides, this conversation needs to be about me and Kerry, not my previous personal life."
Despite his anger toward Tony, he can't help but respect his reply. Tony takes the silence as an opportunity to try continue to impart his views to him, as he says, "Earl, I know that you're seeing this as a father. A father of a beautiful, intelligent, smart, successful, talented, special human being; who's capable of doing anything and being great at it. And you see me as being the grim reaper who is looking to dim her light, or take away from all that she can accomplish because of my baggage. But the truth is I would never do that to her. I love her that much; that I'd walk away in a heartbeat if I thought I would be her demise. Or that she could be happier without me."
Earl angrily responds, "But you are her demise Tony. If you love my daughter. I mean really love her. You'd put her first, and see that her career and reputation are on the line here. If anyone finds out about your secret life. Her career will be over, and you will rebound and move on without a second thought. Simply because one you're a man, and two you're a white man with privilege. That is an option not afforded to Kerry! Surely you see that. And to bring a baby into this too. My goodness what were either of you thinking?"
He hears his words, and they cut him deeply. Mainly because the thought of him being the reason Kerry is hindered from reaching her potential professionally, or personally, hurts him greatly. And also he can't refute Earl's response completely. It's a conversation he and Kerry has had at length, especially after they found out she was pregnant. She's expressed the same views her father is presenting right now. He now gets where her train of thought came from in that moment, and he understands it a little more in the moment.