EPISODE 162
Written by : Bre L. Drew
December 13. 2021
Last Time On Town and Country
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Elijah declared he needed help with his alcoholism and went to rehab.
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Sean accused Tricia of being pregnant with Samuel's baby, after which she slapped him.
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Daniel hired Murph to look into Jordan's whereabouts.
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Will and Mae had a falling out over her passing him up for management of The Waterfall, which led to him moving to the farm.
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Steven and Courtney are set to marry on Christmas Eve.
FRANKLIN FARM : MAIN HOUSE
"You think two dozen is enough?" Sarah Lynn Saunders asks her granddaughter.
The Saunders matriarch is standing inside the kitchen, which has become the focal point of the family over the years, first by her late mother-in-law Rosemary Saunders and now by herself.
"I think that will do it," Lynn Lockhart replies
Sarah Lynn places the last batch of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies into the Tupperware onto the counter.
Her namesake tucks a loose strand of her long blonde behind her ear. "Grandma, thanks again; for doing all of this. I would do it myself. But I probably would've burned down the house if I attempted even with Toll House."
Sarah Lynn smiles at her. "It's no problem at all, and I think it's nice you're doing this for Elijah."
This afternoon Lynn is making her first visit to her boyfriend, who is currently in an inpatient rehab dealing with his alcoholism.
Sarah Lynn looks around the countertop, satisfied with the two plastic containers filled with cookies. "Looks like you are all ready to go."
She then views the look of not being assured on Lenny's face. An unusual thing for this usual bold and confident young woman.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?"
At first, Lynn is about to admit nothing but knows she couldn't hide her feelings from her grandmother. "It's just -- I don't want to say the wrong thing to Elijah. I mean, I don't want to come off like I don't have faith in him."
Sarah Lynn nods understandably. "I get it," she replies warmly. "I remember when your grandfather told me when he was younger; his father decided to stop drinking, or in his words, cut back. And for the longest while, Jimmy was sober. But eventually, he went back to drinking, and, well, unfortunately, he never sought help for it."
"Grandma, if that story about Great-Grandad Jimmy was told to cheer me up," Lenny blurts out.
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"What I'm telling is you that you can't control anyone else actions. But you're own. Elijah took a huge step by admitting he needs help. All you have to do is support him because this is a lifelong struggle for those in his life as well as for him,"
Lynn then exhales as she realizes what she is being told by her.
Steven Sullivan enters the room eyeing the baked goods.
"I knew I smelt your chocolate chip cookies," he says. "You wouldn't have made anymore?" he adds half-jokingly.
"I may have," Sarah Lynn says to her nephew.
Steven retrieves his vibrating iPhone from his pants pocket. "Hey,"
"Well, I better get going, but thanks again, grandma - for everything," Lynn remarks.
She and Sarah Lynn embrace one another.
Lenny then picks up the Tupperware using a free hand to wave to her first cousin once removed. She makes her way out of the back door.
Meanwhile, Sarah Lynn spots a distressed look upon Steven's face when he ends his call.
Steven shakes his head. "Looks like the ballroom at the Miller Inn. Where Courtney and I were supposed to have our reception is now entirely flooded. Meaning we have no space for our guests after the wedding."
In two weeks, the two will be getting married on Christmas Eve.
"I'm sure you can find somewhere else to have it, Steven,"
"I hope so,"
COVINGTON GROUP
Daniel Covington is sitting behind his desk in his spacious office. On the twentieth floor of the Covington Tower in downtown Radcliffe, gathering items he will be bringing to the meeting occurring with the executive team in thirty minutes when his phone rings, which he picks up off the hook.
"Daniel Covington," he answers. "Please send him in. Thank you, Evelyn."
Putting the device back on the receiver, he remains sitting when Murph, his private investigator, comes in.
"I thought I should tell you what I found on your grandson's mother in person."
Daniel had him look into the latest whereabouts of the girl his youngest son impregnated. The last time he saw her was after she had given birth.
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Murph takes a seat in the chair, facing his employer. "According to my sources, she is staying at an affordable motel in a town called King's Bay, Washington, two hours outside of Seattle. She's been working at a boutique part-time as a cashier."
Daniel chuckles while moving his head. "That's funny; she should go there since I suggested that city to her when she was pregnant."
"Also, she's been going around town trying to break into modeling, and she's even had a few meetings with agents there, but no dice," Murph continues.
"That damn girl still thinks she is going to be the next Naomi Campbell," Daniel mocks.
Unknown to both men, someone was entering his office without a care about what they were talking about,
"Well, I'm going to make sure she's kept occupied there. Even if I have to call Molly Taylor myself to get Jordan her damn chance to model for Objection Designs."
"How on earth are you going to do that?" the PI smirks.
Daniel brings both his hands together. "Trust me. I have my ways. If I could convince Jordan McKnight to leave town after her own son received a life-saving procedure, Then I can call Ms. Taylor to keep her busy enough never to come back."
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A woman's throat can be heard being cleared, gaining both guys' attention to her dressed in a luxurious black fur coat that is open revealing, her red long-sleeve silk bow blouse, and dark slacks, holding onto her designer clutch.
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"First of all, I guess you haven't heard about the change at the head of Objection." Emma Covington ripostes. "And second, why am I not surprised that you drove a young girl with post-partum depression to the other side of the country, Daniel."
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THE CLIFFE
Will Jackson is on the phone, taking care of business while sitting at Emma's desk inside her office above the nightclub. A light knock on the door makes him lift his head to see a familiar figure in the doorway.
While listening to the response on the other end of the phone, he casually gestures for the person to come through, which they comply.
"Yeah, I need that delivered to her by the end of this week. Yeah, that's good. Thanks again." Will then sets the phone on the desk as he acknowledges his mother, who is standing before him in a camel double-breasted peacoat.
It had been a while since mother and son had had contact with one another. Their relationship is still rocky due to his moving out when he refused to be undervalued for the sake of Antoine.
"Hey, I hope you don't mind me coming here to see you. One of the bartenders told me you were up here. How are you doing?"
"I'm doing good. Work here is keeping me pretty busy, which I ain't complainin about."
Mae Jackson gazes around the office before focusing her focus back on her son. "Seems like you're doing well,"
Will leans back in his chair. "How are you?"
"I'm good. The reason I came was to invite you over to the house for Christmas dinner."
Will is unsure of what to say since he hadn't intended an invite.
"You sure Antoine won't mind?"
Mae moves her body like she was immediately expecting that response. Oh, Will!" Lemme guess Sarah Lynn is including you in her family's plans, right?"
He detects the sharp tone in which his mother mentions the woman who had opened her home to him when he had nowhere to go.
"Well, you know, they have their tree trimming thing they do every year. And anyway, I think Christmas is going to be chill there since Steven will be on his honeymoon with Courtney. "
"The bar will always be your home," Mae says
"Is it?" he asks sarcastically.
"Son, I apologize for what I've done to make you think I don't respect you. The offer still stands. I'll see you later."
Mae maneuvers herself out of the room, leaving Will to think about what just occurred here.
WHEELER BUILDING
Jai Gupta, along with his girlfriend Louise Saunders Lockhart, steps out of the elevator on the first floor of the apartment building.
"I can't remember the last time I went to see a movie," Louise says
"It seemed like five minutes ago we were being dragged to every Pixar film, and now it's hard to find the time to see anything," Jai expresses
"Tell me about it,"
The two then notice Sean Lockhart coming inside.
Louise couldn't help but feel bizarre about not only being in the proximity of her significant other and ex-husband, who also happens to live in the same building a floor apart.
Sean throws his hand at Louise to greet her. "Hey, um, are you busy?"
She turns to Jai, who seems like he is holding his response is to be respectful of her.
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"We were on our way to a movie and dinner," he finally says.
Sean's look seems to fade into disappointment. "It can wait,"
Jai places both his hands onto Louise's arms. "Go ahead see what he wants. I'll be in the car; we got time before "House of Gucci" starts." he says in his best Italian accent.
Jai strolls out of the building to his vehicle in the resident parking lot, leaving the exes in the lobby.
"What's going on?" Louise asks curiously.
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"Tricia is pregnant," Sean announces.
RADCLIFFE RECEIVING HOSPITAL : INPATIENT REHAB
Lynn sits down at the table in the lounge room of the inpatient rehab, located on the fifth floor of Radcliffe Receiving Hospital. Also, in the room, she sees a black man in his late fifties speaking with someone who could be his grown daughter near the pool table. She tries to remember what her grandmother said as she feels nervous in the pit of her stomach at the prospect of doing or saying the wrong thing to Elijah.
"Do you recognize me?" a familiar voice calls out.
Lenny turns to see Elijah, wearing a dark blue sweatshirt and gray sweatpants.
"Can I hug you?" she asks while she stands up from the chair.
Last time I checked, this wasn't a prison," Elijah says, somewhat comically.
The two hug one another as their lips touch one another.
"How have you been?" she asks meaningfully.
"Better with you here," he says wholeheartedly.
The two let go of one another as they sat across each other at the table.
"I'm serious. How are you?"
Elijah scoffs while scratching his head. "At first, it was mind-numbing, which I heard from the other patients is quite normal when you first come here. But, according to what I've heard, the best thing is to have something to keep you occupied to keep the time moving, so you don't realize you'll be here for nearly a month, as well as the temptation to drink."
"How is that going?"
"Seriously, I still want it. I miss the taste, even the smell of it. But I refuse to let it get in my way of doing what I want to do with my life."
Elijah had been drinking while driving on Halloween when he crashed his vehicle into a pole after leaving an intervention held by Lynn, his parents, and his friends at home. Thankfully, he only had a broken leg and several cuts and bruises. Though, he got placed under arrest due to his BAC being higher than the legal limit. He even had to go to court, where the judge suspended his driver's license for six months and advised him to seek help, which he is doing.
Without any words, Lynn reaches over to hold his hand supportively.
Elijah looks at the two plastic containers on the table nearby.
"What are those?"
"Chocolate chip cookies that came out of my grandmother's oven."
He obtains one of the containers by lifting the top of it. "Thank God they didn't come out of yours."
Lenny playfully swats his arm. "Very funny; anyway, I think next year's resolution is me starting to learn how to bake."
Elijah bites into the cookie. "I don't think I can accept a lot of change right now. he replies. "So, what is going on with you?"
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FRANKLIN FARM: MAIN HOUSE
At that moment, both Courtney and Steven were using the main house's kitchen as their temporary headquarters to seek out a facility at the last minute. Meanwhile, doing her best to help out, Sarah Lynn brings both her nephew and his soon-to-be wife cups of tea, which they both graciously receive.
"Well, can you please notify me if any availability comes about?" Courtney Covington says into her iPhone.
She ends the call, then sways her head. "I thought at least one place in Radcliffe could accommodate us at the last minute, but everything is either closed or booked on Christmas Eve."
"Welcome to rural land during the holidays." Says Steven sarcastically.
Courtney and Sarah Lynn, both shoot him a look regarding his comment.
"I'm sorry, I know this is serious," he says
"Well, the wedding planner is looking into places out in Hudson Lake too. But it seems we still have the same issue." Courtney says.
She then glances at the screen of her phone.
"I better get back to the office. I have a meeting in an hour that I need to get ready for."
She then gets out of the chair, picking up her purse off the table. "I will see you later for dinner, and maybe then we will have somewhere to have our reception."
"I promise you it will happen," he assures her.
The two of them kiss each other.
She kindly thanks Sarah Lynn for her support on her way out the door.
"I forgot how much planning a wedding can be so damn stressful," Steven mentions it to his aunt.
Sarah Lynn takes a sip of her tea and nods. "Try being the bride,"
"I just want to make this perfect for Courtney since this is her first wedding and all."
Sarah Lynn sees a look dawning upon his face. "Oh, I know that look. Its code for " A Saunders has a plan."
"I think I know where we can have the reception," Steven admits.
"Where?"
"That old barn on the farm that granddad used to keep the cows in," he answers valiantly.
Sarah Lynn doesn't hold back her misgivings. "That place hadn't been used in years. Not to mention it's hardly in any condition for a party, "
Steven obtains his iPhone from his pants pocket. "I promised my fiancée we would have a spot for our reception and a spot we will have."
Sarah Lynn takes another drink of her tea while she watches him get on the phone.
"Hey, Shauna, it's Steven. I need a huge favor from you." Steven remarks
COVINGTON GROUP
"Why didn't Evelyn let me know you were here?" Daniel says this with sheer annoyance.
Emma saunters to the minibar to fix herself a glass of brandy. "You do know my name is on this building as well? Besides, Evelyn was gone from her desk, probably on a coffee break."
Murph doesn't miss his chance to check out the younger woman's shapely derrière.
Emma somehow felt his stare at her. "Remove your eyes off my ass, or I will do it for you."
Daniel gazes at the PI with dismay. "That will be all Murph, expect your payment in your account by the end of the day."
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Murph gets out of the chair and points his index finger at the CEO. "Pleasure doing business with you as always, Daniel."
He closes the door behind him, leaving brother and sister in the office.
"You sure lower your standards when it comes to the people you hire?" she says observably
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"What else can I say, he's the best, warts and all," he says. "I need your word that nothing you heard today will be said outside these walls."
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Emma takes a hearty sip of her strong beverage while shrugging her shoulders. "Luckily for you, I don't care one way or another about Jordan McKnight. She did one good thing, which was giving birth to Jeremy. Even, if he did make a great-aunt."
She takes another sip at the thought of her being only thirty-five and already having that title.
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"It's clear that Jeremy is better off with Tommy and this family than with someone who hadn't even checked on their son, not even once in almost six months."
Emma takes another taste of her drink.
"So, speaking of unsavory characters, I take it Will hasn't burnt down your club yet."
By now, Emma has taken a seat across from her brother. "Ha, ha, no, Will has actually been an asset."
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She recalls how good he has been when it comes to managing her new business. In addition, the two of them having sex is something that, shockingly, she still thinks about from time to time too.
Emma decides to change the subject altogether. "So, when does her majesty arrive?"
"I take it you are referring to our mother. The day after tomorrow."
Deirdre Covington is coming into town for the wedding.
Emma swallows the last of her brandy. "I'm surprised you hadn't found a way to put a stop to Courtney's big day."
Daniel rises from his desk to go to the minibar to get himself a club soda, "Emma, I'm not a monster. Though I admit, I wish my daughter was marrying someone closer to her age. But at least I know on some level that Steven isn't a convicted felon."
Knowing he is referring directly to Will; Emma quickly throws up the middle finger at him.
Courtney wanders towards her office on the twentieth floor. She thinks about having the reception at Home Farm, even though she knows it would be daunting for the staff to get the house ready in such a short span of time. As she turns her head, she is taken back to seeing her father's private investigator getting on the elevator.
She had a passing familiarity with the guy her father had hired over the years to look into his manners. Courtney doesn't know if she was already preoccupied with her life or had no care altogether. In a business manner, maybe her father was looking into acquiring a piece of land for the company and Murph was hired to look into it.
In any case, none of that was her primary concern right now, though something about it made her suspicious.
WHEELER BUILDING
Louise always suspected when Sean left her for a younger woman that he would go on to make another family with Tricia. Although she hadn't expected to be so soon, especially with the problems in their marriage as of late.
The two were still standing in the empty lobby of the apartment building.
"I know I fucked up terribly when I accused her that the baby, she was carrying wasn't mine." Sean says
"Yes, you did, but she should understand why you would feel that way. Let's not forget, she kissed another man."
Sean exhales about what has happened in the last forty-eight hours.
"And I cheated on you with Tricia. I mean, I don't really have any room to judge her, do I? " He says this in a self-reflective manner.
Louise remains silent, thinking about what he said as she folds her arms across her chest. "So, what are you going to do about it?"
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As Sean is about to open his mouth, his gaze is fixed behind him, which makes his ex-wife turn to see Tricia Lockhart, who is wearing a black leather coat and blue jeans also holding onto her purse.
"Yeah, Sean, tell me what you are going to do about it?" She asks.
Louise turns to face her former spouse, not daring to get involved in this private manner between current spouses. "I'm going to be late. I will see you at work tomorrow."
The farmer walks out of the building leaving the two of them to talk.
"How did you know I was down here?" Sean wonders aloud.
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"Actually, I didn't. In fact, I was going to the store to get some ginger ale and wheat crackers. "I'm still experiencing morning sickness with the mailman's baby," she says sardonically.
"Tricia, I'm sorry for accusing you of being pregnant with Samuel's child. It was wrong of me to do so."
She throws both of her hands up in defeat. "If you must know, we conceived this child on the night of our wedding anniversary."
Sean nods, remembering that night well.
"How come it is easier for you to talk to your ex-wife about our marriage than me?"
"So, what are we doing here now, Tricia?"
"About to get into another argument that I don't have time for." Tricia responds sadly.
The clicking of her boots' heels on the concrete floor made her head out the front door.
Sean balls one of his hands into a fist and hits it into his other hand. Once again, he was upset at how another conversation between him, and his wife went. He doesn't know how much more acrimony he can take in this marriage that's only one year old.
END OF EPISODE
ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
The annual Saunders family tree-trimming celebration occurs.
A blast from Esther's past returns.
Another snag hits Steven and Courtney's big day.
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