EPISODE 304
Written by: Bre L Drew
August 5, 2024
Last Time on Town and Country
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Shauna had recently begun experiencing symptoms of pregnancy, which she ignored due to her reluctance to confront the reality that stemmed from her one-night stand with Antoine, which had left her unsure and apprehensive about the future.
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Meanwhile, Jacques had been boasting to Daniel and Deirdre about how Courtney had hired him at Covington, causing Daniel and Deirdre to feel uneasy about his new position.
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Martha learned from Samuel that Murray had failed to inform her about Samuel’s call while she, Murray, and their son SJ were at the Miller Inn Pool. Martha told Samuel she would address the issue with Murray when he returned to town.
FRANKLIN FARM: MAIN HOUSE
Martha Saunders descends the stairs of the main house on Franklin Farm this afternoon. The summer daylight casts a warm glow through the windows. While her son SJ Saunders is playing in the living room with Otis, the black and white border collie puppy, who seems to have grown noticeably in the past few weeks, not stopping his endless energy.
The doorbell rings, jolting SJ from his four-legged friend. His eyes light up, and he exclaims, “That’s Dad!” He rushes toward the door, excitement in every step.
Martha opens it to reveal Murray Hirsch.
The well-groomed talent agency owner is wearing a pastel blue crewneck t-shirt paired with dark pants that emphasize his build, including his glutes, and armed with that same charismatic smile that was responsible for her falling in lust with him all those years ago.
Without missing a beat, he bends down to greet his son. "Hey there! You missed me?" As SJ nods, Murray ruffles his hair, a similar shade of brown he has, and then turns his attention to the puppy he got for him for Christmas last year, who’s happily wagging his tail.
Murray then asks, “You two ready to head out?”
A week ago, during a FaceTime conversation when he was in Los Angeles, he promised him he would take his son and his mother to the movies and then out to eat to make up for being gone for so long, and Martha hadn't been one to let the two of them hang out together due to them not having any relationship until recently.
Martha steps forward; her expression seems neutral. "SJ, sweetie, go wash your hands. I need to talk to your father for a moment.”
Unbeknownst to what is about to happen, SJ does what he is told as he goes upstairs, with Otis following behind, who barks lightly.
"So, were you able to straighten out whatever you needed to?" Martha queries conversationally.
According to him, he had to go back to California to deal with some issues affecting the tour his artists were performing on.
"Long story short, the tour is now pushed back to the fall." However, from the tone, he can instantly tell that this isn't all she wants to speak to him about. "Alright, what's going on?" he eventually asks.
Once she sees him upstairs from where she's standing, she turns to him with a more immediate glare. "Murray, we need to talk. When Samuel called me that one time, you answered my phone and didn’t tell me. Does that ring any bells?"
Murray’s smile fades and straightens up; his mood shifts to one of alertness.
"Cat got your tongue?" Martha queries her ex's sudden silence.
A few months prior, she, SJ, and Murray were hanging out at the pool at the Miller Inn when she was in the water with their son when Murray answered Martha's phone, telling her boyfriend that she couldn't come to the phone, and went so far as to delete that he called.
Murray modestly shrugs. "I know it looks bad, but I think Samuel is making the situation worse than it sounds."
"Is he now?" Martha asks sarcastically.
HOME FARM
Move it up, down, left, right, oh
Switch it up like Nintendo
Say you can't sleep, baby, I know
That's that me espresso
​
As Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso" plays in the background, the ambiance at Home Farm Estate is set for a relaxed summer day. The pool shimmers under the bright sun, and the music adds a touch of liveliness to the scene.
Max and Tommy Covington are swimming laps around the pool, their movements cutting through the water with determination. Max pushes himself, managing to finish ahead of his younger brother.
Tommy catches his breath beside Max, a mix of exhaustion and admiration on his face. "Wow, Max, you really kicked it up a notch today!" he says, panting slightly.
Max smiles with a hint of fulfillment in his eyes. "Yeah, it feels great. After the accident, I figured I would never walk, let alone swim laps again."
Last year, Max was paralyzed from the waist down, and his being remotely mobile seemed like a faraway goal until early this summer, when he felt movement in his legs again. With outpatient physical and occupational therapy, he's on the mend now.
Tommy nods, his face reflecting proudness. “I know, man. It’s amazing how you’ve pushed through. I remember how tough it was for you, and now seeing you swim like this. It makes your victory over me almost worth it."
The older brother splashes water at Tommy with a mischievous grin, sending droplets flying across the pool. Tommy is caught off guard, laughs, and tries to swat the water away, his laughter mingling with the sound of the splashes.
As Max looks over at Shauna, he soon pauses, his gaze softening with affection.
Shauna Covington is sitting poolside, wearing a one-piece black bathing suit. which hugs her figure in all the right places, complementing her moisturized brown skin.
Her look as she observes Max is a silent celebration of his improvement, and then the memory of her one-night stand with Antoine comes floating back to her, causing her to move them away as she lovingly waves at him.
Jordan Covington approaches Shauna as she cradles her three-year-old son in an alluring high-waisted bottom and a halter-neck top adorned with a vibrant, vintage-inspired floral pattern.
The little boy is in brightly colored swim trunks featuring a nautical theme adorned with cheerful patterns of sailboats.
Jeremy stretches his arms out while the housewife sits on the chaise lounge chair.
"Oh, I think this little guy wants his aunt Shauna," Jordan concludes.
Before having any other say, Shauna receives the blonde, adorable, and cherubic toddler.
She sets him on her lap as the little boy takes a look at his father and uncle in the water, then looks up at her with a toothy smile.
Through his cuteness, she recalls her late period, which indicates it's more than likely she's pregnant with Antoine's baby—a fate she doesn't want to dwell on until she is ready.
Jordan starts putting sunscreen lotion on her legs and arms after seeing her son take well to her sister-in-law. "You can tell me if this isn't any of my business or not."
Shauna looks up from the baby to the woman she had bonded with, having gone through their tragedies courtesy of their father-in-law. "What isn't any of your business?"
"Have you and Max ever talked about trying again for a child?"
The specific question makes Shauna's hypothesized situation even more stark.
"To tell you the truth, with everything going on, a child is the last thing we've talked about," Shauna tells her.
From her expression, Jordan starts to regret asking it. "I'm just going to shut up now."
Shauna stares at her nephew, envious of him for being young enough not to understand the awkwardness around him.
​
ESTHER SAUNDERS STABLES
The stables are filled with warmth and the scent of hay and leather as Esther Saunders and Steven Sullivan lead their horses back to their stalls. The rhythmic sound of the horses' hooves on the cobblestone path.
After years of not riding together, the familiar rhythm of the horses and the bright and warm summer afternoon bring in a liveliness for mother and son.
Esther glances over at Steven. "I can't even remember the last time we rode together," she says to her only son.
"It's been way too long," Steven replies. "It also reminded me how much of a pro you still are at it, Mom."
His mother had been an equestrian champion in her youth, and even though it had been decades since she had ridden professionally, time hadn't taken away her natural talent.
The small-statured businesswoman smiles admiringly. "Flattery gets you everywhere," she teases good-naturedly. "But seriously, after everything this family is currently going through, we have to take the time to do things that bring joy and happiness, like riding is for me."
"Yeah, you're right about that," Steven expresses. "So how is Lenny doing?" he asks of his first cousin, once removed, who is going through the fight of his life battling leukemia."
"Poor thing has lost so much weight, and it's obvious she is trying not to let her cancer get her down, but I recognize that stubborn old Saunders attitude, which means she is hiding what she truly is going through."
"Well, hopefully, she will receive that bone marrow transplant and will begin the road to recovery," the veterinarian says.
"Anyway," Esther says, changing the subject. "So, how are things going with you? I'm sure Courtney is happy to have you home."
Steven and his mother had recently come back from visiting his son Evan down in Orlando, where he lives with his mother Lorraine, Steven's ex-wife.
He gives a brief look, contemplating his response.
"What does that mean? Things out of the return honeymoon stage already?" she says in her trademark southern drawl.
"Courtney has hired Jacques Laurent at Covington."
Esther glares at him with a bit of bewilderment. "I don't know the man too well, but from what I hear, you have a reason to be suspicious."
"Mom, it's more than suspicion; I think he is attracted to Courtney."
"And lemme guess she thinks you don't trust her even though there hasn't been one sign of attraction on her part, right?"
COVINGTON GROUP
The sudden sounds of the phone ringing on her desk managed to get the attention of Courtney Covington Sullivan, who had been focusing on the latest property development firm's financial reports while sitting behind her desk on the twentieth floor of the tower that bears her maiden name.
"Hello," she answers in her professional manner. She soon heard the familiar Staten Island accent of Evelyn, the longtime secretary, informing her who was here to visit her.
Instantly, a feeling of regret and reluctance came upon the Chief Executive Officer.
A mere second later, a concentrated knock occurs on the door.
"Come in," she says, trying not to sound trepidatious.
Daniel Covington enters the office in an off-white short-sleeve polo shirt, gray slacks, and dark loafers.
"What can I do you for, Dad?" Courtney is already bracing herself for disapproval.
He looks around the suite that used to belong to him and notices minor differences, including photos of the desk: one of his daughter and her husband Steven from their wedding day, and one of his late wife, her mother Keri.
Daniel took a deep breath before speaking, his tone a mix of concern. “Courtney, it’s about the decisions you’ve made around here since my removal."
Courtney tilts her head, knowingly recalling how Jacques told him and her grandmother about his new position at the company in addition to Daniel's contempt for Emma's new husband.
"Dad, if this is about me bringing Jacques on board here, I believe you wasted a trip because there is nothing you can say that will convince me to change my mind."
FRANKLIN FARM: MAIN HOUSE
Trying to recover himself, Murray takes a deep breath. "Martha, things between you and Samuel haven't been the best since I came back into the picture, so I thought you could do without the stress for a few hours. Now, what I did was wrong, but it wasn't my intention to cause problems for the two of you."
Martha wasn't sure if he was being truthful or not; it was one of the things that always made her aware that any commitment between them was never going to be serious. "Whatever you were trying to do, let me make this clear to you. You don't get a say in my life, or do I have to remind you that the only one you need to parent is our son? Now, for his sake, I'm dropping this, but if you try something like this again, I might have to rethink some things."
Murray sticks his hands into his pants pockets. "I don't want to wreck things between us. But getting closer to you and SJ again makes me realize what I missed out on."
"What did I just say?" she reminds him.
But before anything else can be said, the sound of SJ jumps the last step of the staircase. "I'm ready!" he excitedly proclaims.
Murray looks into Martha's eyes. "Let's not keep our son waiting."
Martha turns to her little boy, placing her arms around him. "You know, I just remembered that I have to take care of some things. You two go ahead and enjoy yourselves."
SJ seems a little disappointed by her sudden revelation, but Murray knows what she is doing.
"You're going to miss everything," the five-year-old notes.
"You sure?" Murray replies with a mix of shock and dissatisfaction.
She hadn't let them hang out alone without her being there.
"Well, you're just going to tell me all about it when you get back," she verbalizes to her child. She plants a kiss on his forehead, grateful that he's still young enough not to fight her for not doing so.
"Murray takes in his little boy. "You got everything, buckaroo?"
"Yeah,"
The two men head out the door as Murray faces his ex, who gives a slight head movement. Seeing them head to his rental sedan, as she is sure for them to act as co-parents, is to allow distance for now.
ESTHER SAUNDERS STABLES
"How'd you know?" Steven asks surprisingly.
"Well, darling, as long as I have been living, you pick up on a thing or two."
Including the fact that her former best friend kept it a secret that Emma was conceived during her affair with her father, Jimmy Saunders, hence why she and Steven went through less than honest means to obtain proof, which only the two of them know.
As the heat from the outside comes their way, Steven folds his arms onto his chest. "You think I'm being unreasonable?"
Esther shoots him a look of stillness. "All I mean to say is that you're going off on your suspicion. Do I think you have every right to be skeptical of the man? Absolutely so, but you can't let your imagination run away from you so much that you begin to lose sight of what's really in front of you."
Steven nods, doing his best to adhere to his mother's advice. "Sorry to turn this into a makeshift therapy session."
"It's no problem, and anyway, a parent's job is never done, and as Evan and the children you possibly will have with Courtney get older, you'll find that out," she says with a wave.
Steven couldn't help but shed a fleck of amusement at his mother's future forecast. "I'll take your word for it. How about we end our time together by going out to lunch, my treat?"
"Sounds good to me."
The two head towards the office so Esther can obtain her purse before they leave the property.
COVINGTON GROUP
Daniel remains standing across from his daughter. "Courtney, I don’t think you fully grasp the gravity of this situation.” His voice was edged with frustration. Jacques' past is a minefield. His history with your aunt and this recent marriage—it’s a mess. He should not be working here."
The female CEO, wearing a sleeveless navy-blue midi dress, goes to the mini bar to pour mineral water into a glass. "I mean this with no disrespect, but if somebody's past should disqualify them from working here, you and Jacques are in the same boat."
Daniel exhales at his daughter's statement. "Well, whatever I have done, I have always put this company first. It is not too late for you to terminate his employment."
"Giving him grounds to sue this company for termination without cause?" Courtney retorts.
"Well, we would have Frederick, and the team come up with something to cover our base," Daniel notes.
Courtney takes a sip of the water before responding to him. "Look, I know not being in charge anymore has made you feel like you have to control every one of my moves, but I assure you that you have nothing to worry about."
"Courtney," he says, sounding like he is about to plead.
She folds her arms, staring intently. "Dad, it's just a property consultant position. And besides, you are starting to sound like Steven."
Daniel raises his brow in amazement. "Steven isn’t a fan of Laurent either, I gather?"
She sighs, shaking her head. "I’m not getting into that right now. I just need you to trust that I know what I’m doing. You don’t need to worry about my decision to hire him. I know our relationship has been strained lately, but when I sent you that video of Tommy coming across the stage at graduation, I thought it was a way to extend an olive branch; but, you come to me like this shows me you have no faith in me!"
Daniel shakes his head at her. "If you do not want to see what your decision may cause for this company, you will just have to see it for yourself, because men like Jacques Laurent always have an agenda. Maybe you have to see it for yourself for you to get why I have to be proactive."
"Well, I have work I need to get back to," Courtney says, clearly bringing a close to this conversation.
Daniel takes one last look at his middle offspring, seeing her take a seat back in the chair that once belonged to him before he makes his departure, missing the power he once had, stirring Covington into a better place for not just the family alive but for future generations too, making him determined to do something about it before it's too late.
HOME FARM
Jordan, lounging by the pool, looks at Max and her husband with a playful grin. "So, who won best out of 10?"
Max strikes a pose, flexing his muscles with a satisfying smile. "That would be me."
Tommy laughs, shaking his head. "Okay, I’ll admit I’ve been out of practice. But don’t get too comfortable, Max. Next time, I’m coming for you."
As Tommy reached over to grab Jeremy from Shauna’s arms, he noticed how worn-out she looked like the little boy proudly said, "Daddy."
"Jeremy didn't tire you out, did he?" he asks his sister-in-law.
While yawning, Shauna covers her mouth. "Oh no, little man and I were talking about Bluey."
"Bluey is my favorite," the three-year-old chimes.
"Oh, I thought Daddy was your favorite," Tommy says while tickling the little boy, causing him to burst into laughter, which Shauna would find cute if her mind wasn't bringing her back to the same conclusion.
Max goes over to his wife, noticing how tired she looks. "You alright?"
The way he asks her makes Shauna feel even more guilty, as the tone in his voice shows how much he does care about her and how she let one huge argument come between them.
Shauna forces a smile, trying to hide her fatigue. "I’m fine. I just need to go into town. I’ll see you all later."
"I can drive you if you’d like." Max offers.
Shauna declines with a nod. "No, it’s okay. I can drive myself."
Max leans in to give her a simple kiss on the lips, though it conveys his love for her. Once they break apart, she throws up her hand to her husband and in-laws while she treks to the house to get changed so she can drive into town to put her doubts to rest once and for all.
​
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END OF EPISODE
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ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
Sarah Lynn consoles Lenny.
Shauna admits the truth to Martha.
Daniel puts Jacques on notice.
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