Original subtitles

Scared me. I guess I did. I'm glad I didn't do what I originally planned,

was jump out of the closet with a knife.

Why are you doing up so early?

Couldn't sleep. Too much caffeine yesterday.

The problem you solved by getting up and having coffee.

Riddle me this, Batgirl. How do you know that this is coffee? What if it's

juice? What if it's herbal tea?

Well, the coffee maker light is on, the smell of French roast is in the air, and

you're speaking at twice the speed of sound.

Okay, I admit it. I'm a slave to the bean. No. Seriously.

I'm anxiously waiting the moment when the man in brown knocks on our door with

box of silk from Paris.

Successively waiting for him at 6 a .m. is going to make it arrive sooner? We

need that silk.

So what you're really saying is you're worried about how we're going to do in

the fashion show next week.

Yeah, I guess I am.

We really need something to happen soon.

Coffee?

Like what?

My little move at the end there.

What move?

You've got a face full of foam. No, no, no, that was a plan.

It's called a Melbourne martyr. A Melbourne what? A Melbourne martyr.

I learned it at this little secret surf spot just outside of Sydney called

Boone's. What you do is, you wait until you're just about to finish on the wave,

you hold, you hold, you hold, and then you offer yourself to the great

Melbourne martyr.

Can't believe you haven't heard of it, babe. You are so making that up. I am

not.

I'm making it up. Hey there, chipmunk.

Hey,

Jay.

Ronnie.

What are you doing here?

Now, now.

Is that any kind of greeting for your mother?

What do you want?

Hang back my death.

Message waiting.

Message waiting. Message waiting.

When I see you smile, I know everything's okay.

When I hear you laugh, it's always a Friday day.

Get into my bed, forget to rest, as long as you're with me.

What a beautiful day.

Ava! What? The delivery just came. It's gray cotton.

Look, when you're doing the overseas orders, you have to fill it out by hand.

know that you want to help me out with the business. Susanna, turn the gray

cotton around.

Highland High?

Yeah, there should be one for middle and elementary.

The kids, they're going back to school.

Right. Today?

Oh, no.

Registration is today.

No, not today, sweetheart.

I was sort of hoping you'd forget about school.

Now, would we forget about school?

You forgot to pick me out of Jason's house last week.

No, I didn't. I was merely late.

What about school?

No, school registration is today.

That's awesome.

You're the only person I know that actually looked forward to going back to

school. Quiet. I just want to learn about the ancient Indian tribes that

inhabited Playa Linda. Of course you do. So, you guys, I made a list of supplies

you're going to need, except I know you're going to want to pick out your

Oh, gosh, do you remember three ring binders?

Hearts and flowers and doodling your own name. Ava Gregory Travolta.

Travolta? Oh, I loved him.

Who the heck is Travolta?

What are you going to do?

Okay, registration.

I thought I'd go to middle school for Nikki. Susanna, can you go to Derek's

school? The fashion show is in ten days. Can I come too?

Of course you can, sweetheart.

Sweet. Johnny, high school?

Hey, hey, hey, hey, guys. Stop holding my hand after kindergarten, all right?

Ready? Break!

Let's go.

Hey, you're not as funny as you think you are. Okay, you know what the thing

I only think I'm mildly amusing, in which case I'm probably actually

That made no sense. I know it didn't. It's the caffeine talking. Damn, this

bitch is brew.

That would be coffee.

And a lesson in half an hour.

Why doesn't Jay go to a store and I'll take him to a lesson?

Sure, thanks.

Look, all I'm asking for is 15 minutes. I think you can give me that.

Bye.

I'll see you later.

I

remember

when he was a kid on the circuit.

His father gave him lessons.

I know.

cute then, but now he yells.

Are you sure you want to spend the few minutes we have together creeping me

All right, come on. I'll take you to your lessons. I don't have a lesson

noon. Well, you just said I know what I said.

Where are you going?

We'll walk by the water.

That way, if I have to scream, the waves will drown me out.

collection of pencil neck geeks.

Fran? She said she'd be back in a minute.

Why are you in here?

Fran told me to wait in here for the principal.

In here?

Yes. Fran?

Excuse me. Do you have any idea when the principal might be back?

As soon as he gets a water.

Would you like one?

You're Mr. O 'Keefe? That would be my father.

You can call me Dr.

O 'Keefe.

Here you are. Thank you.

Dr. Simon O 'Keefe.

You're a new parent here?

Kind of.

I'm sorry. You're just not what I expected.

I mean, as far as principles go.

Really? Well, you're very young.

Yes. I get that a lot.

And you're wondering, am I qualified, et cetera, et cetera.

But guess what?

What? I am.

Of course.

Well... Fran put you in here for a reason.

What is your child's name?

Nikki. Nicole Westerly.

Actually, she's my niece.

All right, here we are.

New student from Kansas.

Yes.

Please, have a seat. Thank you.

Well, let's see.

Yeah, everything seems to be in order.

Her transcripts.

Straight A's.

Debate team, science club.

That's our Nikki.

It says here she co -founded the Hogarth County Mother Daughter Book Club.

Really? I didn't know that. But it doesn't surprise me. My sister was very

involved in her children's lives.

What happened here?

Why is she with you?

My sister and her husband were killed in an accident before summer.

That sucks.

Yes, it does.

Hmm. It looks like your sister was considering skipping her.

Skipping? Yeah, bumping her up a grade.

Oh, I don't know. I mean, is that possible?

Well, yes, it's possible.

It wouldn't be my recommendation.

Why not?

Why not?

Well,

let's see.

She's 13 years old. She just lost both her parents, and she's moved 2 ,000

from everything she knows.

How many other reasons does she need?

Well, I just don't think my sister would have considered skipping her if she

didn't think she could handle it. Before?

Maybe she could have handled it before.

Well, I guess I could ask one other person whose opinion I value.

And who is that?

Nikki.

No!

Forget it. I don't want to go to high school.

Why not?

I don't want to be some dorky little brainchild.

Honey, I've seen your grades. Nikki, your test scores are better than most

graders. I mean, look, pride and prejudice for summer beach reading. What

Cameron and Amber?

But you'll still be friends with Cameron and Amber. You'll just see them after

school.

It was a New York Times notable with Anna Quinlan writing the introductions

all. No explanation necessary.

Hey there.

What are you doing?

I have to do 40 hours of community service.

Got busted for shoplifting.

Seriously?

No.

Would it make me more interesting if I was?

Sorry.

Nothing to be sorry about, Brayden.

Truth is, I'm just picking up a little cash.

Helping them get ready for the fall.

Not being the rich kid that some people are.

Callie, look.

All of that...

I'm sorry.

You say the S word a lot.

You know that, right? Yes, yes, I do.

What brings you to the Hallowed Hall of the Playa Linda High?

School's not for a month.

Well, I'm just getting registered.

And Sarah, because of Sarah.

Of course it is.

Look, Callie, something's up with her. I don't know what it is.

What? She's what?

She's actually pulling up.

I told her that I would meet her here. I should just... Go?

Yeah. You'd better.

And Brayden?

If for some reason we should meet again like this, pretend you don't know me.

Kelly.

Brayden!

What's she doing here?

Community service.

Got busted shoplifting.

She's lucky.

I had to serve food to the homeless.

What's up?

My parents called from Patagonia this morning.

They're fly fishing or mountain climbing or whatever.

Anyway, they've decided to send me to some stupid prep school in Connecticut.

I think they're trying to break us up, Romeo.

You told them about me?

Why wouldn't I tell them about my boyfriend?

Oh, it's just the way you talk doesn't sound like they really care.

And why all of a sudden would they? Who knows?

The point is, they're sending me to Connecticut where it's cold and boring.

Wow.

You say that like it's over.

Well... It's not over until I say it's over.

I've got a plan.

Oh, yeah?

Cozumel. Ever hear of it?

No.

In Mexico.

It's an island that used to be sacred for, like, the Mayans with the most

incredible surfing you've ever seen.

I don't see how that... My Aunt Connie lives there.

Horse farm right on the water's edge.

We could drive down there. We?

Well, yeah.

This is just a little... Fast?

I know it's fast, but that's how the good things in life happen.

Fast.

Look, you don't want to go.

That's fine.

I just thought you cared about me. I do, Sarah. I do care about you.

Well, Mexico... That's not the point.

The point is that I want to be with you.

I need to be with you.

New friend?

Bobby LaFontaine?

Well, not exactly. He was in my group at camp.

Bobby LaFontaine, Jr.? As in son of Robert LaFontaine?

Editor of Designer Style?

I don't know.

Bobby! It's time to go!

Derek, we still haven't heard back from you and Bobby's party.

Oh, really?

Thought my aunt called, but maybe she changed her plans and we are going up

north. Up north?

Yeah.

Remember?

Right. Well, just let us know one way or the other.

Oh, you are so going to that party.

Can I come in?

Whatever.

Message waiting.

Is everything all right?

Everything's fine.

Well, everything doesn't seem fine.

What's going on?

What if you had a friend and he had a friend?

Okay, how about we...

Cut out the friends and you just give it to me straight.

Sarah's running away to Mexico and she wants me to go with her.

Okay. I mean, not okay because you can't go with her. She's going down there to

live with one of her aunts. And she wants you to go too? That's what she

don't know. She's crazy.

I don't know what to do.

Brayden, I don't know that there is anything you can do.

Except... Maybe we could talk to her parents. Who aren't even there?

Or maybe we could try to call them again. It won't do us any good. Maybe

authorities can stop her from going. I'm not going to call the cops on her.

Look, Brayden, I wish nothing but the best for Sarah, and I really hope that

gets the help she needs, but quite frankly, she's not my concern.

You are.

And I don't want to see you get sucked into somebody else's whirlpool.

Hey, how's Ronnie?

How do you think?

She ask you for money yet? She's going to meet me here, take me to lunch.

She may be here for a few days.

You're a sucker for punishment?

She just wants to see how I'm doing.

If you say so.

Where are we going, Jay?

Whoa.

You know, I hope you mean where we're going as a nation.

Because if you're asking me where are you and I going...

I'm going to have to plead the fifth, baby.

I'm not kidding.

Yeah, neither am I. Look, wherever we're going, we just started going there.

So I'm not going to screw things up by overanalyzing it.

Where's this coming from, anyway?

Ronnie?

No, but I'm just not sure where it's going.

Well, it seems to me you've got two choices. One, you can stick around and

out.

Or two, you can run away.

Either way, Ronnie coming to you today has nothing to do with you.

It's all about her and what she wants.

And what does she want?

She's a user, Erica.

You know it as well as I do.

I don't know what it is.

She's got something up her sleeve.

I'm just going to have lunch with her.

You do that?

I will.

Damn it.

Hey, how'd it go?

It went wonderfully.

Did you know that Derek is friends with Bobby LaFontaine, son of Robert

LaFontaine? And?

And I'm going to take him to the kid's birthday party, wearing the best of our

fall line, and Robert LaFontaine will be so impressed. And he'll put us on the

cover of Designer Style.

Sounds like a plan, doesn't it? Yeah, I thought of that a month ago.

And? Well, the problem is, Derek hates Bobby LaFontaine.

Okay, whatever happened to forgive and forget? Well, I don't want to force

to go to a birthday party of a kid he doesn't like.

Ava, we really need the publicity.

All right, see if you can work it out with Derek. Oh, I can work it out.

Without resorting to bribery.

You take all the fun out of everything.

Yeah, well, if you were my girl, I wouldn't want to lose you either.

If you don't mind me saying, Erica, you are hot.

I'm mine.

Because I'm a woman?

Because you're my mother.

Not that you could tell for the last ten years.

You did the best you could.

Yeah, well, it just sometimes doesn't cut it, does it?

You know, I really wish that you could feel that you could tell me the truth,

you know?

Not just what I want to hear, and that goes both ways.

Okay.

Do you feel that Jay doesn't want you to go with me because he loves you or

because he's being possessive?

I'm not sure.

Well, sometimes it's hard to tell the difference.

I mean, with your father.

God, I often thought he just wanted me around to change the diapers, cook the

meals, and tell him how great he was. My father spent hours reading Shakespeare

and Homer to me. My father held me and sang silly songs that I still remember.

I still see Daddy's face in my dreams, upside down while he was spinning me

around. Why is it, Ronnie, that I don't have those memories of you?

Ronnie?

Ronnie!

Oh, my God! Ronnie!

Somebody help!

Call 911!

Come in.

Hey, little dog.

Uh -oh.

Uh -oh what?

Something really bad must be happening for you to come and talk to me.

We talk all the time back home.

My point exactly.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Nothing like that, at least.

Then what?

Do you like it here?

What's not to like?

I mean, you don't miss Kansas at all?

Well, I certainly don't miss the weather.

But I do miss the smell of hay.

Don't miss cleaning out the barn.

Things just happen too fast out here.

I know.

All of a sudden I'm in high school.

Exactly. But at least you've got surfing.

I can't even get a tan.

You know, sometimes I think I'd trade it all in for one triple chocolate malt at

Samuelson's. With extra whipped cream. Oh, yeah.

Later,

Nick.

So, you want to tell me what that was all about?

I'm okay.

Right.

What's going on, Ronnie?

I know what a screwed up mom I've been.

But I've always loved you.

Come on.

Drugs, they've got me on. They whack me out sometimes.

Drugs?

I never... Not doing so well.

The downside of growing up wild.

I was trying to figure out a good way to tell you.

So now you're sick.

Give me a break.

I figured you'd have that reaction.

I'm not a pretty diagnosis.

You couldn't have just told me this when you got here?

You know, I was hoping to get things right between us for resorting to the

old sick mom ploy, you know.

And I can't even get that right.

So the drugs they've got you on, they're like painkillers.

There's nothing they can really do to treat it, you know.

I know I don't deserve anything from you.

But if you could find your way to forgiving me, or at least understanding

just give me a chance to make a little time between us, right?

Please?

And most of the stuff that kids in my class were exposed to were, like,

guides and chicken soup for the teenagers, and, of course, Harry Potter.

So my mom and I decided that we should do something.

So, in our third year, we raised enough money to have Maya Angelou come and

speak, and that was pretty cool. But as you can say, Dr. O 'Keefe, Nikki is

anything but your typical 13 -year -old. Again, you are... I live at the house.

You're Miss Gregory's boyfriend.

Ex. We just live together now with two other people.

So, um, Nikki's aunt's ex -boyfriend, now roommate?

thinks that Nicky should advance to high school.

Do you have any children of your own?

Well, uh, no.

But I was a child once.

Look, I love these kids like they were my own. And if that's what's best for

Nick, hey, therein lies the big debate.

What's best for Nicky?

Nicky, if you want to take the placement test and roll the dice, who am I to

stop you?

You'll skip to ninth grade.

Next year, you'll take your PSAT.

Maybe a couple AP courses. Your grades will start to count for college.

As pretty as you are, you'll probably get asked to junior pro.

Why? By an older junior boy.

Do you want to take some time and think about it?

Yes. Yeah.

You don't even know what I'm going to say.

Yes, I do, and I'm not going to Bobby LaFontaine's party.

But, Derek, listen.

No, he's a total butthead.

Your aunt and I could really use your help right now.

Really? Yeah.

If Bobby's dad likes our clothes and decides to feature us in his magazine,

could be the boost we really need.

Otherwise... Otherwise what?

Otherwise, we might just have to start doing without things that we are used to

around here.

Think of all the good things, the opportunity.

You told me to think about it, and I did. I don't want to.

Vicki, you don't know how lucky you are.

Your parents were so supportive of you, and I know that they would have wanted

what was best for you, and so do I.

Well, what I want is to be a normal kid.

Is that too much to ask of you?

Nothing. No, go ahead.

Say it.

She's her own person, Ava.

So you agree with O 'Keefe?

I'm just saying that I'm going to support you on this one. Johnny, I just

want her to miss out on a really great opportunity that could change her life.

Because you feel you didn't have those opportunities.

I don't know. I left home when I was 18.

I left my family, my friends, my life. Put yourself through school, climbed the

ranks at one of the top ten fashion houses in the country. And it was hard.

I just think that this might be a good start for her.

Give me some clarity on this. All that you've been through, right, school, the

job, me, your life out here, what you're saying is that you regret all of that?

That it was a mistake?

Can't you take a hint?

I don't know, Adam.

She really doesn't want to see you.

I need her help.

Sarah wants to run away to Mexico.

I don't know what to do.

Wow. Can we just brace frame for a second here?

You really hurt my feelings, you know?

Yeah, yeah, I do. I have a strict policy of not allowing anyone in but like an

idiot. I made an exception in your case.

Actually, it's... So you can imagine how weird it is. You coming here asking me

to help you with your girlfriend.

And what's even weirder is that I'm actually thinking of some way I can help

you.

Thank you. I haven't actually said yes yet.

About what?

I don't know. I think she's going to do something.

Stupid? Crazy.

I'm not sure I can help you with that.

Didn't she ask your aunt or something?

She doesn't know if we can do anything about it either.

She's probably right.

I just... Her parents don't care about her. She has no friends.

And if not me, then who?

So you really love her?

Honestly,

I really don't know.

Every time I search for some sort of clue as to what it is I feel about her,

come up confused.

But you do care about her.

Yeah. Then you should tell her the truth.

Which is what?

That what you think she's doing is crazy.

Oh, yeah, right.

If not you, then who?

Yes?

Hi, I was looking for Sarah.

Is she home?

No, she's not.

Um, who are you?

I'm Brayden. Brayden Westerly.

I'm her boyfriend.

I've been trying to call her all day, but... So obviously you don't know where

she is either.

Can I ask who you guys are?

Who we are? We're Sarah's parents.

Oh. Just because from what she said.

So you guys obviously came home early then, huh? Home early from where?

You weren't fly fishing in Patagonia?

Patagonia.

No, son, we've never been to Patagonia in our lives.

Derek, come on, we're going to be late.

Wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Zip it.

We have moved on, all right?

What do you think?

A to G, fall 2004, making its debut.

It's a soccer party.

Got him an MP3?

I don't even have an MP3.

Dr. O 'Keefe?

Yeah? Hi.

Oh, it's Gregory.

Wow.

Oh, it's the F -15A.

Model building, it kind of helps me relax.

So, how can I help you?

I'm dropping off Nikki's paperwork.

I wanted to let you know that Nikki would be coming here in the fall after

Well, good. I'm glad I could help change your mind.

Actually, Nikki made the decision.

Smart girl.

Please, have a seat.

Look, I wasn't trying to push her into anything that she didn't want to do.

No? No, it's just...

I didn't have a lot of opportunities when I was growing up.

Well, we all want more for our kids.

Do you have children?

Uh, 746 of them.

Well, 47 when Nikki... You know, you're kind of... Dirty?

Complicated. Part of me likes you and part of me is not so sure.

You know, when I was a kid, I was never allowed to build models.

Ever. It's a waste of time for someone as smart as you, according to my father.

I tell you, I loved fighter jets.

And I could have been a pilot if I'd been given the chance, but... I didn't

one.

Because everyone had planned everything out for me.

Your parents planned for you to be a middle school principal?

Oh, no, no.

That is my clever and my grand revenge.

See, it still kills my father, but think about it.

But you know what?

I love every nanosecond of my job.

Because I get to help kids like Nikki find her way to what she wants and what

makes her excited.

And prevent well -meaning parents from pushing them too hard. Well... No, I get

it. I understand.

I just want you to know I'm keeping my options open. And if Nikki seems at all

bored... Well, you know, I've been thinking of starting a literary magazine

the school.

But I haven't had the right student to appoint as editor.

Until now.

Nikki's not going to get bored here, Miss Gregory.

That's a promise.

One I will hold you to.

That's fair enough.

And, um, it's Ava.

Well, then, um, it's Simon.

Ava?

Thank you, Simon.

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

Mr. LaFontaine's not here?

Shelly and Robert are on a break.

Going on three years. Or that you're too expensive to get rid of. And she's got

a file on him like two inches thick.

It's been hard on Bobby.

He's gotten into some trouble over the past couple months.

Is that one of your designs? It's adorable.

Oh, thank you. I love the skirt.

Thanks. Yeah, I'd ask you where I could get it, but really I don't know where I

would have to wear it.

PTA starts in a month.

Yeah, right.

Yeah, I was going to introduce you to my manicure.

Hey there.

Hey.

You want me to kick that around with you for a while?

No, thanks.

You ready to go then?

Did you get people to come to the show?

Take care.

Aren't you a little old for a bounce house?

I'm never too old for a bounce house. Come on. You'll love it.

Derek, I don't bounce. Yeah.

Would that stop you?

No.

Just please be careful.

Sure you don't mind covering for me?

Easy.

Thanks.

What are friends for?

That was

one

long party.

And where'd you get the MP3 player?

And what happened to you and your Jimmy Choos?

Don't ask, just mourn.

Ava, I learned two very valuable lessons today.

One, the karma police are ever vigilant when it comes to exploiting a nine -year

-old for your own selfish needs.

And the other lesson?

Don't struggle when a bounce house collapses on top of you.

Good to know.

Today... was a disaster.

And I'm worried. I'm really, really worried about our business.

And we have maxed out almost every credit card that we have.

I know. That's been weighing on me, too.

But we have the fashion show next week, so who knows?

Yeah, but we need to fill 500 units. I mean, how are we going to do that?

Well, what do you want to do?

I don't know.

I mean, I guess we just wait till next week and see.

You and I said that we were going to tell each other everything.

And this is why I haven't been sleeping.

I'm worried.

All right, Chippy.

All right. Until next time.

Take it easy, man. Cool.

Oh, you've got to be kidding me. What did she do this time?

Jay. You know what, babe? I'm sick of this. She thinks you can just waltz into

your life and play with your head, take over your life. It's not like that.

Isn't it?

Jay, we need to talk.

The foremost dreaded word to the male of the species.

You'd rather hear, take that machine gun, nurse, than we need to talk.

You don't even know what... Babe, I've been waiting to hear it all day.

Jay.

You going off with your mum?

Yes.

Yes?

She needs me, Jay. She's dying.

It's real. There's nothing they can do about it except keep her comfortable.

I want to be with her.

I promise I'll take good care of her, Jay.

I hope so, Ronnie.

I hope so, because, um... I love your daughter very much.

Yeah.

I can tell.

It's nice to see the real thing once in a while.

Did you hear what you just said? Yeah, I heard what I just said.

So... So, yeah.

I love you.

I love you,

too. Get a room.

Come on.

Mom.

I like the sound of that.

I'm going to go.

Hey.

Hey.

Wow. We're actually doing this.

Yeah. If we're lucky, we'll make it. We're bored before anyone notices we're

missing. Great.

Hey, do you think I could drag the first leg?

Always wanted to see what one of these bad boys can do.

Anything for you, my love.

So, did you call your Aunt Connie, let her know we were coming? Plenty of time

for that.

Because, actually, you don't really have an aunt out in Cozumel, do you?

What are you talking about? What were you going to do once we got there?

What is up with you? Relax.

I've got it all worked out.

Sarah, I met with your parents.

That's impossible.

No, they're not. They're not Patagonia. They're not in Phuket.

In fact, they've been here all summer.

That's what they told you? And they're not sending you to some fancy prep

in Connecticut.

They're sending you to one of those tough love schools out in Utah.

And you believe them? They're sending you there because they don't know what

else to do.

Did you ever think that maybe they were lying?

No, they're not.

Give me my keys.

I said give me them!

I'm only trying to help you, Sarah.

Oh.

That's how it is.

How pathetic is this?

Sarah, you need help.

Fine!

I'll hitchhike.

What a loser.

You told my parents?

Sorry, your parents care about you.

If people really cared about me, they would just leave me the hell alone.

Don't forget about this, Lester Lee.

Ever.

Are you okay?

Yeah.

Thanks for helping, Aunt Ava.

You did a good thing, Brayden.

I'm real proud of you.

This is my really good friend, Callie. It's nice to meet you, Callie. Nice to

meet you too, Miss Gregory.