EPISODE 382
Written by: Bre L Drew
March 5, 2026
Last Time on Town and Country
-
Gus still feels rejected after Mae turns down his proposal, which he confides in Esther, who tells him she will talk to Mae about it, knowing that, despite moving on, Mae still feels like she is betraying her late husband, Horace.
-
Second-string receiver Micah feels pressured by his former athlete father, Ray, to perform well in football.
-
Evan and Skye continue to clash over their different personalities.
-
Jes still wrestles with her feelings for Samuel while remaining with Antoine.
-
Tommy is determined to leave Jordan to be with Tanner, as she plans to leave Radcliffe to attend veterinary school in St. Paul, Minnesota.
RADCLIFFE HIGH SCHOOL
Despite the wintry temperature outside, the Radcliffe High Bisons are on their field playing against one of their main rivals, the Hudson Lake High Cougars, under the Friday night lights. It hasn’t stopped the spirit of family and friends in attendance in the stands, nor the fact that the Bisons are behind by six, as the Cougars are leading. The school’s dance team, “The Bisonettes,” which includes Gemma Grier, continues to move forward, striving to fill the atmosphere with pride despite the current team forecast.
Meanwhile, her boyfriend and team member Micah Kelley, along with five other players, sits on the bench on the sidelines — a permanent spot for him since he is a second-string receiver who hasn’t gotten the chance to play all season, even though he notices most of the mistakes out on the field.
Also standing on the sideline is Gemma’s father and the team’s coach, Greg Grier, doing his best to keep the momentum, knowing he will have to call a timeout soon if there is any chance for the boys to at least get on the scoreboard.
As the teams get into position to make another play, a junior on the Hudson Lake team makes exaggerated mooing sounds. The home team’s stocky quarterback, Kier Green, stands across from him and, out of frustration, lifts his finger to flip him off, promptly shutting him up.
In the bleachers, Micah’s parents, Ray and Livia Kelley, watch attentively, though the former does not hide his feelings about the game.
“They’re almost in the third quarter, and no change-up has happened yet. Micah is still sittin’ there, and of course Greg doesn’t wanna use him.”
Livia, who is used to her husband’s outbursts regarding the lack of their son’s playing time, gently places a hand on his.
“Baby, just relax. It’s going to be alright. I’m just happy that I was finally able to get a Friday night off from the hospital.”
The Kelley matriarch is a nurse at Radcliffe Receiving Hospital.
“I wish your daughter felt the same,” Ray says, half-jokingly.
The Bisons haven’t won many games this season, causing their young daughter not to attend, in addition to her big brother not playing.
Livia tosses a curl behind her ear and chuckles. In the cold air, their breath appears in white puffs. “Oh, now she’s my daughter? And you know she has been looking forward to going to the church lock-in for weeks now.
The Kelleys are devoted members of First Street Methodist.
Another near scoring opportunity for the home team slips away, and the disappointed groans from the crowd echo across the field.
A few seconds later, Skye Park, wearing a black faux leather jacket, black pants with silver chains, and a mini backpack slung over her shoulders, walks toward them. Ray and Livia notice and instantly greet their son’s gothic friend.
“You don’t mind if I sit here, do you?” Skye asks.
“Absolutely not. How are you?” Livia replies warmly.
“Good,” Skye says as she sits beside Ray. “So do I have to ask how we’re doing?”
Livia gives an optimistic expression while Ray remains silent, obviously giving the sophomore her answer.
“Oh,” Skye says innocently enough. “I’m going to the concession stand. Does anyone want anything?”
“Uh, a hot chocolate would be good right about now,” Livia requests.
“And a medium popcorn and water for me,” Ray adds.
As Skye stands, the construction worker hands her a fifty-dollar bill from his wallet. “And get something for yourself, too.”
“Thanks, Mr. Kelley. I’ll be right back,” Skye says as she moves down the stairs toward the left side of the field, where a stand built about twenty years ago still operates with a few people in line.
It doesn’t take long before someone walks up behind her, instantly recognizing her get-up.
Skye senses someone there, turns around, and immediately expresses her contempt for her classmate.
“Are you going to warn me about the dangers of vaping?” Evan Sullivan mocks.
“No, I don’t think so. Anyway, I’m here for Micah. Figured he could use some support,” Skye replies.
Evan shoves his hands into his jacket pockets and bows his head slightly. “Looks like we’re on the same side.”
“Really?” Skye asks, impressed.
“Yeah, really,” Evan answers.
Suddenly, the noise from the spectators grows louder as whistles begin blowing on the field.
“What’s going on out there?” Skye asks.
“Dunno,” Evan shrugs.
A voice soon comes over the speakers from one of the radio announcers broadcasting the game.
“This just in, Wide Receiver Tyler Fields is out due to some kind of injury he has sustained as the Bisons huddle…”
Another announcer continues, “And in a surprising turn of events, Coach Greg Grier has called in backup receiver Micah Kelley onto the field.”
The news sparks reactions throughout the stands, including from Ray and Livia. Micah himself looks stunned, but he quickly jogs onto the field and feels every set of eyes on him as he lines up for his first play of the season.=
HOPE COTTAGE
Meanwhile, in a quieter setting at Hope Cottage, Steven Sullivan decides to take advantage of a teen-free evening and turn it into something intimate. He prepares dinner for himself and his wife, and the two now sit at the kitchen table together as the soothing and sultry vocals of Olivia Dean fill the air. “So Easy (To Fall In Love)” plays softly from the Bluetooth speaker, deepening the personal mood.
“Steven, you outdid yourself with dinner. Thank you,” Courtney Covington Sullivan compliments while she nibbles some of the simple green salad.
The veterinarian has made chicken stir-fry, salad, and brown rolls, pairing it all with a good bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Steven takes a sip of his wine before responding. “Ah, thanks, but it’s no problem. Besides, I think it’s warranted. I mean, it’s been a while since it has been just the two of us.”
From his tone, Courtney knows he is referring to the tension in their marriage lately — not only with Evan coming to live with them but also her growing friendship with Jacques. Still, they have recently decided to reconnect.
“Well, I’m glad you’ve decided to make the effort… scratch that, we’ve decided to make the effort,” Courtney corrects herself.
“I mean, maybe the best thing coming out of the board meeting is for him to be voted out,” Steven remarks while taking the last helping of stir-fry from his plate.
The statement creates a subtle but undeniable shift in the air.
“Look, I know you probably do not want to hear this, but whatever came to be, Jacques was a good executive. He shouldn’t have lost his job because of somebody else’s manipulation or whatever it was,” Courtney says defensively.
A brief, unspoken flash of last year’s kiss crosses her mind, but she pushes it aside and stays present.
Steven takes another sip of wine, mostly to balance the savory taste remaining in his mouth. "I think we should just ignore anything that will cause unnecessary conflict between us this evening.”
Courtney nods agreeably, setting her fork onto her mostly empty plate. "And what do you suggest, Dr. Sullivan?” she asks.
Steven studies his wife with sincere attraction. “How about we take full advantage of having the house to ourselves?”
He smiles. “Anything you want, Mrs. Sullivan.”
It does not take long for the spouses to stand from the table. Courtney leans in and places a passionate enough kiss on her husband, prompting him to take her hand and lead her upstairs to do just that.
THE WATERFALL BAR
Somehow, the populated crowd seems to match the energy of Ray Charles’s “I Got a Woman,” which plays over the establishment’s sound system. Among the patrons are Tommy and Max Covington, the brothers seated together with beers in hand.
“You know, I can’t even remember the last time it was just you and me out like this,” Max comments.
“Yeah, fatherhood will do that to you, especially those first couple of years,” Tommy notes as he recalls being a single father for much of Jeremy’s first months of life due to Jordan’s mental health struggles. “I still can’t believe Keri is officially a year old now.”
Max swigs some of his beer before replying. “Me neither, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”
The eldest Covington reflects on initially discovering that Shauna was pregnant, finding out when she was giving birth, while they were separated. Although Shauna reveals that Antoine is the father, at first, he wasn’t happy. But the moment he lays eyes on that innocent baby girl; he knows he has to step up to be a father and to repair his marriage.
The truth about Antoine being Keri’s biological father remains only with him, his wife, Samuel, and Martha — and he is fine with that. After all, Antoine is the man who slept with his wife.
“So, are we avoiding the elephant in the room?” Tommy asks metaphorically.
“Oh, you mean another scandal-free Covington board meeting?” Max says sardonically. “Well, I can’t say that I’m not happy Jacques isn’t working for the company anymore, but for someone who claimed he wanted that opportunity, I don’t think he would self-sabotage like that.”
The other day, the board voted to remove Jacques from the company as part of Daniel’s plan to oust him. Daniel orchestrates a setup involving a supposedly profitable piece of land in Miami that turns out to be an unusable wetland. Tommy had been involved, having informed Jacques about the investment in the first place.
“Though it leaves another target on Courtney’s back,” Tommy says, taking a hearty drink of beer as something else presses on his mind.
Max notices the shift in his demeanor, sensing there is more weighing on his brother than just family business.
Simultaneously, over at the bar, Mae Jackson and Esther Saunders are having a friendly yet personal conversation regarding the state of Mae’s relationship with her beau, Gus, which is currently under strain due to her turning down his proposal at New Year’s. It was Esther who ran into Gus at the hospital on New Year's, where she told him she would see what could be done.
“There’s nothing the matter, Esther. In fact, Gus and I talked the other day, and I still care for the man, but I’m just not ready to remarry. It’s not the end of the world,” Mae insists.
Esther uses the toothpick from her martini to stir the liquid in her glass. “Look, I know you’re a grown woman, and this ain’t any of my beeswax, but the guy feels like he had the wind kicked out of him.”
Mae’s expression reveals that she hates knowing he feels that way, although she could not give him the answer he wanted to hear.
“Mae, look, darling, I know last time we, uh, talked on this subject you said—”
“I know what I said,” Mae interjects.
“And like I said before, Horace would want you to move on and be happy, and I know Gus makes you just that.”
“He would,” Mae confesses. “But a part of me still will always have Horace as a part of me.”
“Well, no one said you can’t and still move ahead with Gus by your side,” Esther says meaningfully.
Mae attempts to take in her friend’s advice just as a customer approaches the bar to be served. She turns her attention to the patron, shifting back into professional mode.
Esther takes a slow sip of her drink, knowing it will not be so simple to get through to her friend.
Also, elsewhere in the bar, Jes Choudhury sits in the corner booth with a club soda and lime in front of her. Normally, she would be having a glass of wine, but tonight she wants a clear head — she is still putting together last-minute arguments to persuade the prosecutor not to pursue charges in what is clearly a case of self-defense. As she looks down at her iPhone, Samuel Gupta enters the establishment, about to head over to the bar to grab his already ordered takeout. He spots Jes in the back, and before he consciously decides, he moves toward her.
“Hey there, stranger,” Jes says when she finally looks up from her device.
“Yeah, it’s been a minute, hasn’t it?” Samuel replies agreeably.
The last time he saw the woman he is attracted to was here on New Year’s, when she was being kissed by Antoine.
Although Jes and Antoine are officially an item, Samuel has more than made it clear how he feels about her. The two even shared a kiss. Nonetheless, she is determined to stay with the bar manager, and his mother has also made her feelings known about this potential relationship.
“I was just, uh, picking up some food to take back to my place,” he adds. “So, any more developments regarding Jolene’s case?”
Jes begrudgingly shakes her head. “No, not yet. The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office hasn’t made its decision whether or not to charge Jolene with anything, but I’m working on something that might get them not to.”
“Well, I’m sure Tricia and Jolene will appreciate anything you can do,” he says of his good friend and her mother, who have been through hell.
Jes takes a drink of her club soda and swallows. “Well, one of my law professors said never stop working because there is always something that can help your client.”
Samuel remains standing, then decides to change the subject. “So, you’re here by yourself?”
This time, the attorney sets her phone aside and places it in her purse. “Uh, no, not exactly. I’m waiting on Antoine to get back from the store; he’s making dinner.”
“For the two of you?” Samuel asks, already knowing the answer.
“That’s the plan,” she nods.
“Sounds like a keeper,” Samuel says dryly. There is an unspoken moment between them, the memory of their kiss during the lockdown lingering in the air.
Just then, Antoine Hall walks toward them with two bags in each hand. Knowing they are lifelong friends, he greets them both without much thought.
“Hey, how’s it goin’, man?”
“Good,” Samuel says tersely.
Jes places her hands over her arms and glances at the items in his possession. “You were serious when you said you had some shopping to do.”
“Yeah, well, when it comes to cooking and other things, I don’t like to spare nothin’.”
Samuel cannot resist rolling his eyes, which Jes notices.
“Well, how about I help… well, more like stand in the corner with a glass of wine while you do the hard work?” Jes says good-naturedly.
“Ai’ight,” Antoine replies. “Well, good runnin’ into you again,” he tells Samuel.
“Yeah, you too,” Samuel remarks.
Jes grabs her purse, aware of the complicated truth beneath the surface, and follows Antoine toward the stairs in the back that lead to the apartment.
Samuel remains behind at the bar, watching them go, unable to shake the thought that he wishes it were him walking away with her instead.
HOPE COTTAGE
Now in their bedroom, Courtney has changed out of her clothes and stands in front of the dresser in a red satin slip. As she reaches for her jewelry, she pauses.
Her jewelry box sits open. The neat layout is slightly disturbed, and one of her earrings is missing from its usual place.
She frowns, lightly shifting pieces around as she tries to locate the missing one.
Before she can search too hard, she hears the click of the light switch behind her and the soft closing of the en suite bathroom door. Steven steps out wearing only a pair of sweatpants, his shirt nowhere in sight.
He immediately notices the look on her face.
“What’s going on?”
Courtney gestures toward the jewelry box. “I just noticed one of my earrings is missing. I wanted to wear them tomorrow to the office.”
Steven steps closer, placing his hands on her fit frame before wrapping his arms around her from behind.
“I’m sure it’ll turn up,” he says reassuringly.
Courtney exhales, trying to remember the last time she saw both earrings together, but nothing comes to mind.
Steven rests his chin lightly near her shoulder. “We have only a few hours before Evan comes through that door downstairs, and so will all of this, so let’s not waste any more time on things we cannot control, okay?”
Courtney starts to respond, but Steven begins kissing her neck.
At first, she tries to speak through it, still half-focused on the missing jewelry. But the warmth of his touch and the familiarity of him slowly quieted her thoughts.
The case of the missing earring is set aside — at least for the rest of the night.
With more intention, they move toward the bed, shedding the last of their layers along the way.
In each other’s arms, they rediscover a closeness that feels steady and grounding — a safe harbor neither of them has retreated to in far too long.
RADCLIFFE HIGH SCHOOL
In the meantime, Coach Grier had called a timeout after Micah was sent into the game due to the starting receiver injuring his hamstring on the field. Meanwhile, Evan, along with Skye, is now sitting with Ray and Livia, holding their various treats from the concession stand where Skye had gone when she ran into Evan. The two soon made it back to the bleachers, not wanting to miss their friend finally getting a chance to play.
“I can’t watch,” Livia admits, even as her eyes remain locked on the field. “But I know I should — it’s my baby out there.”
Ray squeezes his wife’s hand reassuringly. “He’s ready for this. All that training and conditioning? This is what it’s for.”
Evan leans forward. “So, this is Micah’s first time playing all season?”
Livia nods quickly. “Exactly why I can’t watch.”
On the field, Micah lines up as a receiver, taking a steady breath and blocking out the noise while silently praying that he will not screw up.
“You got this,” he says to himself, remembering the hundreds of times he and his father have run these drills in their backyard over the years. Although the pressure feels heavy from everyone around him — including Kier, who makes a subtle motion with his fingers to signal the play Coach insisted on — Micah knows he has to focus. It does not help that Kier has made it known before that he believes Micah’s presence on the team is beneath him.
Kier drops back, peeks across the field through his helmet, and throws a clean pass into open space. Micah does his job by pulling the defense toward him, giving Kier the opening he needs — and the play ends with a rewarding touchdown.
The crowd erupts as the Bisons are finally on the board.
Kier breaks into a brief victory dance, and the Bisonettes — including Gemma — erupt into cheers and a simple but effective routine. Gemma manages to give Micah a thumbs up, and he smirks back at her. The crowd follows suit, with the Kelleys, Skye, and Evan all rising to their feet.
Soon after, the team manages to add a few more points, sealing the win. The final score flashes: 10–6. For a moment, there is stunned silence — then pure celebration as fans flood the field. Gemma runs straight to Micah, throwing her arms around him as he hugs her back, grinning, still in awe that in his first game, he helped lead the team to an unforeseen win.
“You did it, baby!” Gemma says while in his arms.
Teammates and families celebrate all around them.
Coach Grier looks elated on the sidelines, clearly proud of his team. Even Kier gives Micah a sideways glance — subtle, but unmistakable.
THE WATERFALL BAR
Joan Osborne’s “Spider Web” now plays as the bar’s current soundtrack while Max continues to suspect something more is going on with Tommy as they converse.
“Call it whatever you like, but how come I get the feeling something more is going on other than work?” Max says while taking a sip from his craft beer bottle. “Nothing wrong with Jeremy or anything, is it?”
“No, it’s, uh, nothing like that,” Tommy answers. “Well, not directly,” he adds. “Uh, if I tell you this, you’ve got to swear to me you will not breathe one word to anybody.”
“You know me better than that. What is it?” Max replies genuinely.
Tommy looks around, checking to see if anyone is nearby before continuing.
“I guess there’s no beating around the bush on this… I’ve been seeing Tanner behind Jordan’s back for some time now. In fact, I’m planning to leave Jordan to be with Tanner. We’re going to leave town as soon as we can.”
Tanner has gotten into veterinary school at the University of Minnesota–St. Paul.
Max tries to process what he has just heard as he picks up his beer bottle, almost as if to steady himself.
“Whoa. I guess that’s something I hadn’t expected to hear. But are you sure? Is this what you want? Look, I’m not judging or anything. I know you always loved Tanner, even when you married Jordan, but she is going to hit the roof when she finds out.”
“Yeah, tell me something I don’t know,” Tommy remarks while taking a drink of his beer.
Max cannot help but put himself in Jordan’s place. He has been the spouse who was cheated on, and he knows the kind of pain that causes — even though their situations are completely different, despite both involving past lovers.
“All I’ll say on the subject is that your decision will affect a lot of people — Jordan, Tanner, and most importantly, Jeremy,” he tells him.
“I know, I know,” Tommy says. “But I can’t keep living my life in limbo like this. Besides, Jordan and I deserve better than whatever we have now. But more than that, I need Tanner in my life, and I can’t keep pretending that she’s not, Max.”
Max recognizes Tommy’s certainty, even if he does not agree with how he is going about it.
“Just be prepared for the fallout,” Max cautions.
He takes another drink of his beer as Tommy sits there, determined and committed to the path ahead.
​
END OF EPISODE
​
ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
Tommy blindsides Jordan.
Courtney vents to Tricia.
Emma confesses.
​
Leave your thoughts here on the T&C forum
​
​