EPISODE 281
Written by: Bre L. Drew
March 18, 2024
Last Time on Town and Country
-
Feeling restless since the miscarriage and Max's paralysis, Shauna asked Courtney to return to work at Covington on a part-time basis; however, her sister-in-law pointed out that Max needed her more.
-
Jacques became furious when he was informed about his deportation by ICE, as he finally accomplished his goals, including winning back Emma.
-
Wanting alone time with Tommy, Jordan plans a romantic dinner for her and Tommy, while Tommy consoles Tanner after finding out Lynn has leukemia.
COVINGTON GROUP
On the twentieth floor of the Covington Tower, business is gradually winding down for the day as employees from different departments start trickling out of the building. However, as head of the company, Courtney Covington Sullivan is still in the middle of a conference with her executive architect, Mala Gupta, in her office suite going over the specifications for one of their upcoming residential properties.
​
The CEO aims her finger at a particular section of the blueprint for the interior of the building while behind her desk. "
"Maybe you could let out the wall for some space."
Mala examines what is being asked of her. "Yes, I can do that, so how is everything overall?" She queries while using her pencil to mark the suggestion as she stands near Courtney.
"Mala, it's truly incredible. You and your team did a great job on this. I just don't want to give the board members or the financiers any cause to question anything." Courtney states
Despite her confidence, Mala senses from all of her years of being in a corporate position that Courtney's been under some pressure since being voted in to take over the company from her father after his machinations of gaslighting his daughter-in-law came to light at the board meeting last year.
"You are doing a fine job, all things considered, regarding your father," Mala says encouragingly.
Courtney showcases a small amount of doubt before the phone on her desk rings, which she receives on the second ring.
"Hello," she greets her secretary, Evelyn, who, for years, worked for her father. "I was expecting him, send him in thank you."
The businesswoman hangs up the phone on the cradle.
By now, Mala is packing up her belongings when Evelyn opens the door to let Max Covington enter in his motorized wheelchair towards the desk.
Earlier, he had contacted his sister and said he was coming in to talk to her.
Mala lifts her hand to wave at the young man. "Hello Max, how are you?"
​
Oh, swell I'm in a wheelchair instead of walking because my father thought that his grandson's mother wasn't capable of being a good one. And I can't have sex with my wife because I can't raise that certain part of my anatomy. How do you think I am?
​
Although he resists being rude to her, the two have been cordial since she dated his father a few years ago.
"I'm just rolling along," he says with a hint of sardonicism that Courtney picks up on.
"I'll make those changes and let you review them," Mala notifies.
"Sounds good, and thanks for putting up with me," Courtney notes.
Mala smiles politely and then exits the room, leaving the siblings alone.
"I would stand, but you know," Max remarks ironically.
Courtney has gotten used to her older brother's quips throughout the years, yet a ping of sadness is behind them due to his current condition.
"What is it you need to say to me Max?"
"You're telling my wife that she can't come back to work here because her place is to be my caregiver."
The petite woman shakes her head while gesturing with her hands.
"Perhaps something got lost in the translation, but I do think her main concern should be with you and not interior spaces."
"Shauna is my wife, not my nurse or physical therapist, and if it makes her happy to come in the office two days a week, then, by all means, let her come back."
Courtney takes a strand of her long brown hair and tucks it behind her ear. "What is this really about, Max?"
THE CHATEAU
Jacques Laurent is mentally belaboring his misfortune of possibly being deported back to France since, according to ICE, he is in the United States without the documentation he needs to be here legally while sitting at the bar of the restaurant.
His immigration attorney told him there is a backlog of applicants, which will take five to seven additional weeks to get to his case, even though he only has sixty days. After everything he has done to ensure his family's company's financial solvency and renewing his relationship with Emma, he refuses to let this be an issue that will arise between them.
As the French shipping heir takes a hearty sip of his scotch, his phone rings, which he quickly retrieves.
"Hello," he answers.
Concurrently, Deirdre Covington sets her eyes on the man currently involved with her daughter, whom she had paid to get her away from her ex-convict lover, Will Jackson. Although he managed to blackmail her with a secret from her past, she doesn't want it revealed, causing her to want to rid him of her life for good.
The wealthy widow in a black coat and wrap dress, holding onto a clutch bag, makes her way over to the bar, purposely sitting beside Jacques, who is on the phone, not knowing she's next to him.
"Thanks for getting back to me. I know it's late over there, so please tell me you made leeway in me staying in the country."
Deirdre orders herself a gin and tonic, feeling quite satisfied after hearing confirmation of his deportation, of which she had been informed by her son thanks to his PI contact.
​
THE WATERFALL BAR
Girl, when we first started
We were spending all our time together in love
Now we're growing on
And you're afraid of losing me. Don't be.
​
Kenny Lattimore's 90's R&B ballad "Never Too Busy" is on The Waterfall's speakers as Shauna Covington strolls into her family's bar this late afternoon to have a drink and to seek refuge from her ongoing issues as of late.
Shauna makes her way over to the bar, where she sees Antoine Hall working.
"Long time, no see," he declares when he first sees his good friend and former lover.
The bar manager is wearing a tan photo-printed t-shirt with black pants.
"It's been a year so far, hasn't it?" Shauna says this while taking a seat on the stool. "Is my grandmother here?" she adds.
"No, Gus took her out to eat and to another one of those ballroom hustle lessons in Hudson Lake," he informs her.
Ever since her grandfather Horace passed away years ago, her grandmother has been single, but since Gus came into her life, the older woman has a new lease on life, which makes her happy. However, it makes her realize that her grandmother is having more of a social life with her man than Shauna is with her husband, knowing it's because of Max's paralysis, which has been affecting both their lives.
"How have you been doin'?" he asks concerningly
"That's a good question," she replies.
"Let me guess it involves Max."
"Is it that obvious?"
As Antoine prepares her a drink, Shauna decides to confide in her friend.
​
HOME FARM: GUEST HOUSE
The soulful tones of Teddy Swims' voice fill the two-story guest house on the Home Farm estate as "Lose Control" plays on the audio system.
Jordan Covington lights two candles in the center of the dining table. She then stands back to examine her handiwork and is impressed with everything, including the meal she made, which smells incredible.
She decided to make dinner for herself and Tommy, as Jordan wants Tommy to see she's capable of being his wife in every sense of the word, hoping it would lead to eventually being physically intimate with one another. And by the way, it's going so far; it's a chance, especially how good she looks in her red floral mini dress with spaghetti straps, her permanent dark brown hair hanging straight past her shoulders, and her heels, making her feel sexy and confident for the first time—she doesn't know when.
Tommy Covington uses his key to enter the home he lives in with his wife and toddler son. Instantly, the smell of homecooked food, a far cry from their usual takeout, causes him to be bewildered while gripping the strap of his messenger bag.
He wonders what brought on this until he sees the candles flickering on the table, slowly causing him to remember his agreement to have dinner with Jordan this evening after leaving campus. He somehow forgot about his plans until now.
Jordan moves closer to him as they warmly hug.
He must admit that she looked great, as the dress embraced her figure in the right places.
"How are you?" He asks with more formality than anything.
"I'm better now with you here."
The two then let go of one another, though she could tell their time together was the last thing on his mind.
"I think I should be asking you that."
The college senior shrugs as if he's carrying the weight around him.
"Would you like a drink?"
"After the day I had, I might need two," he sighs. "But maybe later,"
"Rough day?"
"I just got some unexpected news about someone, but it's not exactly mine to tell."
He reflects on Tanner telling him that Lenny has leukemia while he comforted her in her car on campus earlier today.
"I don't mean to sound demanding or insecure, but I am your wife. If there is anyone you should be sharing whatever it is, it's me, Tommy."
Tommy realizes she isn't letting up until he tells her, as she does have a point about her place in his life, even if he still has unresolved feelings for his ex-girlfriend.
"Today Lynn got diagnosed with leukemia."
The information makes Jordan speechless as she quietly dwells on her former childhood friend's illness.
"Oh my god, that's terrible," she finally says. "So, did Elijah tell you?"
Tommy knows there isn't an easy way to tell her about this.
"Uh, no, Tanner did."
The announcement makes Jordan cross her arms onto her chest, disliking their night. His ex's name has to be said, let alone that he was with her.
Despite the conversation surrounding Tanner, Jordan remains composed, knowing that this evening is about them and not the girl currently dating her older brother.
"Well, I'll send Lynn some flowers from the both of us. I know that's not usually her thing, but it'll be a way to say we're thinking of her," she expresses. "And I'm sure Tanner was in a vulnerable moment finding out her sister has cancer, and I know Presley will also be there for her too,"
Even though Tommy is aware that what she is saying is an attack on her, he can feel the sting of the mention of Presley's presence overshadowing his.
"I hope you brought your appetite because I made chicken diablo on a bed of white rice, salad, breadsticks, and something extra sweet for dessert."
"Yeah, I haven't eaten anything since this morning," he mentions.
"My mother picked up Jeremy about twenty minutes ago. He's spending the night at the rectory with her, which will give us plenty of time to catch up, so get washed up, and I'll have everything on the table by the time you get back down."
Whether it was because he confided in Jordan about Lenny or because he felt compelled to, he gives her a peck on the cheek, which takes her by surprise, though it leaves an optimistic smile on her face while he goes upstairs.
​
​
THE WATERFALL BAR
"We're just going through a lot right now," Shauna explains. "He's still trying to come to terms with being paralyzed, and because of that, our life together isn't exactly what it should be."
Between the accident causing him to be unable to walk, the miscarriage of the baby she was carrying, and the effects it had on their marriage, including their sexual life, for a few moments this morning, the young woman thought she and
Max was having intimate relations, only to find out it was only a dream.
"I ain't gonna to pretend like I'm some fan of your husband, but Daniel's bullshit changed y'all's lives. If I were him and you were my wife, I would be tryin' to make it work because you are too damn smart and fine to disappoint." Antoine says charismatically.
Shauna felt foolish that the compliment made her grin, which she hadn't done in a while; she didn't know when.
Antoine places the strawberry daiquiri in front of her, which impresses her since he not only remembers her favorite drink from years of being friends and living together upstairs with her family but also how supportive he's been to her.
"I thought you would want your favorite drink," Antoine says casually.
"Thanks for this and for letting me get some things off my chest, Antoine. Shauna remarks candidly.
"I will always be here for you, Shauna," Antoine pronounces.
Shauna nods while taking a much-wanted sip of the cocktail.
VICTORY COTTAGE
Mala steers the wheel of her black Genesis SUV in the modern rural lane where the three residential cottages are. She turns into the driveway of the home she resides in with her adult children.
She gets out of her vehicle, holding onto her briefcase in one arm while maintaining her key fob, which she uses to put the alarm on the truck.
As she proceeds up the steps, perching her sunglasses on her forehead on the still-sunlit day, she notices a beautiful bouquet of colorful, assorted flowers in front of the door.
She picks them up and immediately obtains the card attached to them to answer her assumption of who sent them.
I can't get my mind off you.
Love, Jai XO.
The message instantly brings a thoughtful smile to her lips, while taking in how things have been progressing smoothly between her and her ex-husband since this past summer.
She steadies the objects in her possession while using her key to let herself into the house, deciding to call him to thank him for the flowers.
COVINGTON GROUP
"I'm not going to lie, Courtney. Things with Shauna and I have been better. Since the accident things haven't been easy for the both of us," he confesses.
"I can only imagine," Courtney says empathically. "You two did not deserve any of this, and it's because of dad's thoughtless actions. I still cannot believe he did."
Max throws a conflicting glare towards her, indicating in a way he isn't, as he always knew his father would do anything for his family, but he despises that it came at the cost of the death of his unborn child and the ability to use his lower limbs.
"Try still living with the man; if the house wasn't set up for me to get around, we would've found a new place to live," he says. "I just hate feeling that I have no control in this damn chair."
Courtney sighs deliberately before responding.
"All right, I tell you what. Shauna can come back to work part-time."
"Court, please don't tell Shauna that I got involved in this; I don't want her to think she couldn't do it on her own."
"Whatever you want," Courtney declares.
Max grabs the lever on the chair. "Well, I better get out of here,"
"Do you need me to call for a car for you?" Courtney asks, standing up from her desk.
"I paid for a cab van to go around the block until I was ready to be picked up. Courtney, thank you for listening to me bitch and moan and for what you're doing for Shauna."
"Above everything, I want you to be happy; you deserve it and listening to you moan is in the sibling rulebook." Courtney says understandably.
Max moves towards the door and turns around. "You too, so you sticking around here?"
"I have some more things to do around here before heading home."
"Well, don't work too hard. See you later."
"Okay, take care,"
The CEO sits down while she gets some work done on her desktop computer before she makes the journey home.
THE CHATEAU
Deirdre consumes her G&T while casually hearing Jacques wrap up his call regarding his situation.
"So that's the best thing you could come up with?" Jacques says it frustratedly. "Keep working on it, and notify me when you have a better solution."
Concluding the call, he turns and unexpectedly spots Deirdre beside him.
The last person he wanted to see was the diminutive, red-haired woman.
"Oh, Jacques, don't be that way. We are acquaintances, after all," Deirdre says sarcastically.
"Is it the alcohol, or you're becoming senile?" Jacques sneers
"My my, we are really in a mood, are we?"
Jacques refuses to respond while taking another taste of his liquor.
Deirdre turns to face him, forming a mischievous smirk. "A little birdie told me that you, being an illegal foreigner, have finally caught up to you. Care to comment?"
The delight on her face instantly makes him question her possible motive.
"Did you do this? Did you contact ICE to report me?"
Deirdre throws her head back as laughter rolls out.
"Believe it or not, I do not even have that kind of power, but I will say that you not being in this country and, most importantly, away from my daughter does bring joy."
Jacques briefly looks at his empty glass, then at the woman.
"I wouldn't necessarily bring out the champagne and caviar to celebrate just yet. I mean, if I'm out of the picture, then there is a good chance that Willie will find a way to reconcile with Emma."
Deirdre recalls not only Jacques blackmailing her about the secret of her having an affair with Jimmy Saunders over thirty years ago, but also feeling relieved that he isn't aware that Emma could be the late farmer's child instead of her late husband's. In addition, when he managed to seduce Emma away from Will, he cruelly invited her over to boast about it, asking her to witness them, which she knew right then and there she would do anything to rid him out of their lives for good.
"Jacques, I would rather see my daughter involved with a boa constrictor than you."
The shipping scion stands up from his chair, putting money on the bar. He casts an ireful gaze at Deirdre.
As he takes off, Deirdre picks up her glass, and she takes a drink of her gin and tonic, ecstatic that, in a matter of weeks, Jacques Laurent won't be her problem anymore.
While stepping out of the restaurant to his car, Jacques replays the advice his solicitor gave him that it will take time for the paperwork for a visa or green card; however, off the record, if he marries an American citizen to gain citizenship, he will be able to stay in the country.
At first, he hadn't thought of marriage since he and Emma only started things up again; however, at the thought of him going home thousands of miles away, he wasn't sure they could sustain the long distance due to Will possibly providing comfort despite their breakup.
While climbing into his silver Mercedes-Benz sedan, he knows something must be done before he loses everything he worked to gain.
​
END OF EPISODE
​
ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
The Saunders-Lockhart family continues to process Lynn's cancer diagnosis.
Sarah Lynn comforts Lynn.
Brynn advises Elijah.
​
Leave your thoughts here on the T&C forum.