EPISODE 311
Written by: Bre L Drew
September 22, 2024
Last Time on Town and Country
-
Thora had urged Joel to reconnect with his former lover Eleanor, whom he hadn’t seen since their missionary work in Cambodia. Joel was stunned to learn that Eleanor had passed away and left behind a sixteen-year-old daughter named Skye, who claims Joel is her father.
-
Dr. Saddleman informed the Lockhart's that Lenny requires a bone marrow transplant, with the most viable option being a donor who is a blood relative.
-
Tanner was caught off guard when Thora warned her not to hurt Presley, as Tanner grappled with her feelings for Tommy, who had confessed his continued love for her despite being married to Jordan.
-
Daniel suggested that Tommy go work for Covington, but Tommy hesitated still angry at him for gaslighting Jordan.
MCKNIGHT RESIDENCE
The city of Radcliffe basked in the warmth of a well-lit late summer mid-morning. Inside the Victorian manor she resides in with her son, Thora McKnight relishes her day off, savoring the quiet indulgence of sipping coffee in the kitchen. The house was interrupted by the chime of the doorbell. Thora in a purple v-neck blouse with elbow sleeves and dark denim jeans rises from her seat. Her blonde hair sways gently as she moves toward the door.
Peeking through the window, she saw Joel Friendly standing on the doorstep. With a rapid, hopeful smile, Thora opens the
door, inviting him inside. Joel, wearing a blue and red plaid shirt and blue jeans, greeted her with a friendly wave. His expression brightens as he saw her, but a trace of unease lay in his eyes.
“Joel!” Thora exclaims, her voice elated with surprise. “Come on in.”
The reverend steps inside, his demeanor a blend of relief and apprehension. As he settled into the foyer, standing across from his oldest friend, Thora resumed her place, her gaze filled with intrigue.
“So,” she began, her tone gently probing, “how did the meeting with Eleanor go?”
Joel took a deep breath, his gaze shifting as he began to speak. “Actually, … I didn’t meet Eleanor.”
Thora’s eyebrows furrow. “Oh? Was she a no-show?”
Joel’s expression turns restrained. “It’s more than that. Eleanor… she passed away.”
Thora’s eyes widened in shock. “Joel, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
Thora had been the one to suggest that Joel might see his ex-lover, Eleanor, after all these years, following her unexpected outreach. The idea had seemed almost unbelievable at the time, but now it was a stark reality.
Joel nods, his face carrying the weight of the news. “There’s more, though. Eleanor had a daughter.”
"A daughter?"
"And she could be mine too."
Thora doesn't hold back her shock at the revelation.
RADCLIFFE RECIEVING HOSPITAL
The elevator chimes softly as it reaches the lab of Radcliffe Receiving Hospital, and Sean Lockhart and Louise Saunders Lockhart step out side by side. They are here to be tested, hoping it will be one step closer to finding a compatible match for their daughter Lenny, who was fighting acute myeloid leukemia.
Sean notices the anxiety on Louise's face and offers a reassuring smile. “Hey, it’s going to be all right, no matter what the outcome,” he said, his voice steady.
Louise sighs deeply, tucking a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear while gripping her leather wallet. “I hope so. Because if God forbid, neither you, Tanner, nor I are a match... I don’t know what we’ll do.”
Sean smoothly places his hands on her arms, his touch both soothing and supportive. “Remember, you have a big family, and my parents and brother have also offered to donate if needed. Trust me, no matter what, we’re going to make sure our daughter gets the life she deserves.”
Louise looked at him, her expression softening. “How come it sounds so reassuring when you say it?”
Sean shook his head, as he recalls how vulnerable Lenny had seemed the other day when Sarah Lynn had shaved her head to cope with her chemotherapy-induced hair loss. “Sometimes, you have a way of making things sound better than I ever can.”
A small smile spread across Louise's lips, and she squeezed Sean’s hand.
Together, they walk over to the desk, where a late-twenties brunette medical assistant is handling phone calls and managing the check-in process.
Sean approaches the desk and informs her that they were there to be tested for bone marrow compatibility for their daughter. The medical assistant looked up from the monitor and nodded with a professional but sympathetic expression.
“Someone from the back will come to get you shortly,” she said, her tone gentle.
As Sean and Louise took their seats in the waiting area, their eyes met, both silently praying that one of them would be a match.
FIRST STRET METHODIST CHURCH
Presley McKnight was deep in thought, his attention absorbed by a stack of sermon notes spread across his desk in his office at First Street Methodist Church. The room is lined with vintage bookshelves, and sunlight was brought in from the window behind him.
Presley’s long-sleeve Henley shirt and pants, though casual, were neat and reflected his focused disposition.
Tanner Lockhart noticed that the office door was open but decided to knock anyway. Standing in the doorway in her fatigue green ribbed polo shirt and blue jeans.
Presley, who had been immersed in his work, lifted his head and saw her.
“Hey, can I come in?” Tanner asked, trying to keep her tone light despite the heaviness of the conversation she knew was inevitable.
“Yeah,” Presley replies, his voice carrying an edge of hesitation. He looked as though he wanted to say more but decided against it.
Tanner steps into the room, her brown hair tied back in a ponytail, swaying slightly with each step carrying her purse and remaining standing across from her boyfriend. “I wanted to talk about what happened with your mother.” Her voice was steady but carried a hint of vulnerability.
The reverend's expression grew guarded. He shifted slightly in his chair as if bracing himself for what was to come. “All right,” he said, nodding for her to continue.
Both recall Thora making her stance known that despite her liking Tanner, she doesn't want Presley to get hurt by her since Tommy made it known he's still in love with her despite him being married to Jordan, who happens to be Presley's sister, although Tanner was adamant, she has no intention to hurt him.
"Your mom made it clear that she doesn’t want you to get hurt by me. I understand her concern, but I hope you know I have no intention of causing any harm. I’m not involved with Tommy in that way. We’re just friends, and that’s all it is.”
Presley studies her, searching for sincerity. “It’s not just about what you say. It’s about how things look and how they might affect us.”
Tanner leans back slightly, her frustration evident. "I get that it’s a tough situation, but I need you to trust me. If you have doubts, I want us to address them openly, not let them get in the way. I care about you, Presley, and I don’t want to lose what we have because of misunderstandings.”
Presley looks away, the force of Tanner’s words settling in. The silence stretched between them, filled with unspoken thoughts and emotions. After a moment, Presley broke the silence, his voice sounding weary.
“Look, I’ve got to finish this. Is there any way we can grab lunch later so we can talk more about this?”
Tanner’s expression eased with understanding, but she shook her head. “I wish I could, but I need to get to the hospital. I’m being tested to see if I’m a match for Lenny."
She is due at the hospital to see if she is a match for Lenny, who's currently going through leukemia, and since they're twins, she knows she is likely to be a match.
Presley’s shoulders sag slightly, a sigh escaping him. “Okay, well, good luck then. We’ll talk later, okay?”
Tanner gives a small, hopeful nod. “Yeah, hopefully we can clear things up.”
As she turns to leave, she couldn’t shake the feeling that, despite the tension, their conversation could’ve ended on a worse note. The hope for resolution remains, even among the uncertainty.
HOME FARM: GUEST HOUSE
Jordan Covington stands by the door of the guest house at Home Farm, her gaze tender as she says goodbye to her three-year-old son, Jeremy. He clutched the hand of his longtime nanny, Lillith, his small face beaming with excitement at the prospect of a morning swim.
Jordan is wearing a dark brown crisscross faux leather tank top and denim blue jeans, and her naturally blonde hair, which had been chocolate brown but is now a few shades lighter, is complimentary of her stylist.
As she crouches down to give Jeremy a hug and kiss, Lillith reassured her with a friendly smile. “I will keep an eye out on him, and we'll be back for his nap.”
“Thanks again,” she tells Lillith.
Just then, Jordan heard footsteps turning to see her husband, Tommy Covington, walking down the stairs.
“Did Jer get off okay?” Tommy asked, his voice carrying a note of concern mixed with affection.
“He did," Jordan replies, brushing a strand of lighter brown hair from her face. “What are your plans for today?”
Tommy shrugs, his demeanor relaxed. “Not much. I was thinking of putting in a few job applications online. Why?”
Jordan's eyes reflecting a mix of longing suggested, “I was thinking we could go out for a bite to eat or spend the day together."
Tommy looks at her, a hint of surprise in his expression. He knew their marriage had largely revolved around their son, and he understood Jordan’s underlying need for a break from their daily routine. He was also aware of Jordan's feelings about his lingering feelings for Tanner, even though Tanner was now involved with Jordan's brother.
Before he could respond, the doorbell rang. Jordan went to answer it, opening the door to reveal Courtney Covington Sullivan wearing a slender navy-blue jumpsuit with straps and holding her large carryall purse in her possession.
“Hi, Jordan,” Courtney greeted civilly. She moves inside to embrace her brother, Tommy, with a cordial hug.
Courtney folds her arms across her chest a playful smile breaking through her conservative conduct. “So, how’s my adorable nephew doing?” She asked, her eyes sparkling with affection.
“He’s at the pool with Lillith,” Tommy replies, his voice lightening at the mention of their son. “He wanted one last swim before summer is officially over.”
As they chatted, Jordan observed her brother and sister-in-law, sensing a subtle shift in the air. It became clear that Courtney had something more to discuss, something that required Tommy’s undivided attention.
"I'm going to head out and run a few errands," Jordan said. "I feel like you two need to talk in private."
Tommy glances at her, a mix of gratitude and concern crossing his face. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” she says while obtaining her purse and keys off the living room coffee table.
Jordan leans in and gives Tommy a quick peck on the lips, a gesture both familiar and tender. He accepted it, feeling a flicker of conflict in the moment.
With a final wave, she steps out the door, leaving Tommy and Courtney in the quiet of the living room.
As the door closed shut, the atmosphere shifted. Tommy turned to Courtney; curiosity piqued. “What’s on your mind?”
A relaxed smile broke across Courtney's face. “I want you at the office, Tommy.”
He chuckles softly, shaking his head. “You sound just like Dad.” Memories of weeks ago flooded back—his father had brought up the idea of working at the family company, but Tommy had hesitated, unsure about stepping into that role.
Courtney shook her head, her expression turning more serious. “Yeah, well, I haven’t been close to Dad lately either. He still thinks I didn’t do enough to support him during that board meeting. After they voted him out because of everything that came to light about gaslighting Jordan, it’s been challenging.”
Tommy felt a twinge of empathy. Their father's actions put strain on the family, and Courtney’s disappointment is still evident. “I get it. It’s a fucked-up situation.”
She sighs, her decisiveness returning. “That’s why I need you. We can make the company stronger together, especially with Max not likely to return anytime soon. It’s important for the future, for your son, and for the next generation of our family.”
Tommy contemplates her words, weighing the decision carefully. After a moment, he finally responded, “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but yes, I will accept your offer.”
It didn’t take long for his only sister to envelop him in a grateful hug.
“That’s exactly what I hoped for!” she exclaimed; her excitement apparent.
Tommy chuckles, a blend of warmth and tension in his voice. “Just don’t make me regret it.”
RADCLIFFE RECEIVING HOSPITAL
After the simple cheek swab, Sean and Louise emerged from the procedure room and returned to the waiting area. Louise, attempting to remain positive, said, “Hopefully, within a few days, we’ll know if either one of us is a match.”
Sean throws an optimistic glance at Louise—a woman he had never truly stopped loving despite his recent divorce from Tricia—and suggests. “How about we go grab lunch somewhere to clear our heads?”
Louise nodded in agreement, though she wasn’t particularly hungry. She understood the need for a break.
As they approached the elevator, it dinged open, and Tanner stepped out. Seeing her parents, she greets them warmly.
“I’m here to get tested too,” Tanner said, a mixture of determination and apprehension in her voice. “Any advice?”
Sean offers a supportive smile, reassuring her. “It doesn’t hurt, but any pain is a small price to pay if it helps Lenny.”
Realizing it was about time, she actually confirmed her future plans. “I’d do anything for her. I even deferred from vet school to stay here. I couldn’t leave while she’s going through this."
"Are you sure that's a good idea, Tanner?" I know you care about your sister, but she wouldn't want you to prevent you from living your own life for her no matter what she is going through."
Tanner and Sean exchange a look before the younger woman responds. "Mom, I deferred to the schools I got in. So, when everything has settled down, I'll go."
Louise opens her mouth to argue, but Tanner cuts her off gently. “Don’t. I need to do this.” She then heads off to get checked in.
As Sean and Louise watched her walk away, Louise turned to Sean with a sigh. “It’s so hard watching our children go through such tough times.”
Sean's gaze becomes thoughtful. “It is. But we have to believe that they’ll come out on the other side of this.”
They enter the elevator together, the doors sliding closed as they faced forward, the weight of their shared concern lingering in the quiet space.
MCKNIGHT RESIDENCE
In the living room of the rectory, the atmosphere was heavy with the weight of unexpected revelations. Joel paces slowly across the room, attempting to come to terms with the possibility that he might have a daughter he had never known about until now.
Meanwhile, Thora sat calmly on the couch, her posture relaxed but her expression thoughtful, observing the man she has romantic feelings for with a mix of consideration and empathy.
Thora paused, her mind racing. “How did she know about you?”
Joel sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “That’s a good question. Skye showed me her mother’s obituary and decided to reach out to me through Eleanor’s Facebook page. It seems her so-called nursing conference in Radcliffe was just an excuse. You remember Eleanor was a nurse—that’s how we met during our volunteer work in Cambodia seventeen years ago.”
Thora nodded, recalling the details. “I know it’s beside the point,” she began, “but the whole nursing conference story never made sense to me.” Her voice carried a mix of curiosity and skepticism, urging for clarity.
No matter how much she liked residing in Radcliffe, Kentucky, Thora couldn’t believe it would be the host of any national nursing meetups.
Joel’s pacing came to a halt as he faced Thora, his expression a blend of confusion and determination. “I keep thinking about what this means,” he said, his voice reflecting his inner conflict. “I barely know this girl, and yet she might be my daughter.”
Thora offers a reassuring smile, her calm demeanor a steady presence amid Joel’s mood. “I understand this is overwhelming, Joel. It’s a lot to process in such a short time.”
Joel runs a hand through his mostly silver hair, his frustration evident. “I just don’t know where to start. How do I even begin to bridge this gap?”
"Have you reached out to her since the meeting at the cafe?" Thora queries.
Joel places her hand under his chin and clears his throat. "Skye did DM me her phone number and which room she's staying at the Hotel Cliffe."
Thora exhaled peacefully. “Then take the initiative and make the next move. And honestly, Joel, she wouldn’t have traveled over 800 miles if it didn’t matter. I’m sure her mother told her the truth. To put any doubts to rest—trust me, if she’s your daughter, you don’t want to add to your regrets. Take it from someone who carries a lot of them when it comes to her children.”
As she spoke, memories of losing her eldest son, EJ, washed over her. While she fought to make amends with her living children, she couldn’t shake the awareness that her years of neglect had left deep internal scars.
Joel nods slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly as he absorbed Thora’s advice. “You’re right. I need to hear her side of the story and understand what she’s been through.”
Thora leans forward, her voice gentle but consistent. “And remember, I’ll be here to support you through it all. You don’t have to go through this alone.”
Joel’s eyes soften with gratitude. “Thank you, Thora. I really appreciate it.”
A newfound resolve seems to settle over him as Joel prepares to face the unknown challenges ahead.
​
​
END OF EPISODE
​
ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
Max and Antoine run into each other.
Samuel and Martha get into it.
Joel reaches out to Skye.
​
Leave your thoughts here on the T&C forum