EPISODE 269
Written by: Bre L. Drew
December 23, 2023
Last Time on Town and Country
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While at his hotel suite to confront him for his lies, Will found out Emma and Jacques slept together, causing him to nearly hit him, though he ends up taking off, leaving Emma feeling guilty.
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Tricia and Jolene both discover that they both have extramarital incidents affecting their marriage, and Tricia says that her mother can stay with her as long as possible.
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In order to protect his wife and son from his father's machinations, Tommy moved into the guest house, which infuriated Daniel, as well as telling Courtney that her abstinence from voting cost him his position as CEO, which brought her in.
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Mae announced she is having Christmas dinner at The Waterfall, where she has invited her family and her new boyfriend, Gus Hewitt.
FRANKLIN FARM: MAIN HOUSE
Brenda Lee's still-record-breaking signature song 'Rockin Around the Christmas Tree' acts as a universal soundtrack on this day.
(Aah-aah-aah-ah)
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
At the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Every couple tries to stop
​
​
Excitement fills the main house on Franklin Farm this Christmas day as Louise Saunders Lockhart, Esther Saunders, Tanner Lockhart, Lenny Lockhart, and Will Jackson contribute to putting ornaments on the 7ft pine tree. With everyone's hectic schedules this year, they incorporated their annual tree trimming celebration today, a tradition for the Saunders for over one hundred years.
Also in the living room, Sarah Lynn and Martha Saunders are filming videos of the fun using their iPhones, as the latter plans to post them on her personal Instagram page.
While her boyfriend Samuel Gupta asks her son, SJ Saunders, if he is ready, which he is, he lifts him effortlessly, where the youngest Saunders places the angel at the top of the tree, a family heirloom.
Several rounds of applause and amusement commence.
​
THE WATERFALL BAR
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Let the Christmas spirit ring
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie
And we'll do some carolin'
​
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, there is a sign on the front door of The Waterfall indicating to the public that it's closed until this evening. While inside, Mae Jackson happily gazes at the set-up of the establishment with its decor as well as the long dining table brought down from the apartment in an hour or so.
Her family will come together for Christmas dinner. It had been the first one she had thrown in years, and since it would be her first official holiday with her beau, Gus, she went out of her way to make everything even more special.
From behind the bar, Antoine Hall gets Mae's attention by holding up two bottles of wine and asking her which one to serve.
She doesn't take long to choose both since today will mark a new chapter for her family, hoping to put all the bad they have faced this year behind them.
WHEELER BUILDING: APT # 424
You will get a sentimental feelin'
When you hear
Voices singing, "Let's be jolly" (ooh)
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
​
However, a lighter affair is taking place for Tricia Lockhart. She and her mother, Jolene Woods, are sitting in the living room of her fourth-floor apartment watching a marathon of the latest season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on Bravo on the flat-screen television.
They're both about to witness Denise Richards getting read by Erika Jayne when the din of tapping gets their attention. Tricia says it's probably the Chinese food takeout they will have for dinner.
Tricia is on her feet to obtain the delivery, and Jolene continues to watch the reality show.
HOME FARM: GUEST HOUSE
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancing merrily
In the new old-fashioned way
​
Some traditions are old, and some are new, as Tommy Covington vividly takes video on his phone of his toddler son Jeremy tearing open his presents underneath the Christmas tree while his wife Jordan is enthusiastically encouraging him to do so inside the two-story guest house on the Home Farm Estate.
While Jeremy delightedly gets on his ride-along scooter, Jordan tells Tommy they take a selfie of all three in their matching pajamas. He complies as he manages to do so.
Jordan uploads the photo onto her Instagram, captioning it Christmas Miracles Do Come True.
Since this will be the first year spending the holiday with her new family at their home,
HOME FARM
You will get a sentimental feelin'
When you hear
Voices singing, "Let's be jolly" (ooh)
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
​
Nonetheless, despite the grandeur of wealth, it couldn't bring inner joy for Daniel Covington, who, while drinking scotch, views the intense flames in the stone fireplace of the spacious living room inside the mansion on the estate.
Years ago, the noise of his family would've filled the room, but due to his ploys, he isn't expecting many of them to be here.
​
Rockin' around the Christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancing merrily
In the new old-fashioned way (aah)
FRANKLIN FARM: MAIN HOUSE
The alluring aromas of savory and sweet come from the kitchen, where Sarah Lynn is heading the meal preparation as she checks on the honey-baked ham while wearing her floral apron around her waist. Impressed by the overall state of it, she closes the oven door.
"So, how is everything going?" she asks everyone else in the room,
"I'm doing good," Martha answers, stirring the batter into the cookies from her late grandmother's recipe.
"Yeah, me too," Samuel says from his spot at the table, peeling potatoes.
The psychiatrist had volunteered to help out this year by being invited; besides, he finds himself bonding with his girlfriend and her mother.
"And if next year, Mom puts you on clean-up duty, you're officially part of the family." Martha teases, causing Sarah Lynn to swat her with a dish towel.
"Samuel, ignore her," the Saunders matriarch tells him good-naturedly.
"You're doing enough."
Moments later, Louise comes in with the house's landline cordless phone, which she puts her hand over when she goes to her mother.
"It's grandma," she whispers.
Sarah Lynn uses the towel to wipe her hands as she picks up the phone to speak to her elderly mother, Betty Lou Porter, who lives forty-five minutes away.
"Merry Christmas, momma," she casually addresses.
Seeing the young woman who would've been her stepson, Louise decides to act on something she's been mentally debating.
"Samuel, can I speak to you alone?" she queries.
The two hadn't spoken since the fallout of her and Jai's engagement party, where the video of her and Sean making out was shown.
"Okay," he notes.
He tells Martha he'll be back as he and his girlfriend's sister step outside the room. Will passes them on his way into the room, holding a black garbage bag containing gifts.
"You leaving?" Martha asks while she starts setting up her stainless-steel baking sheet.
The tenant and family friend shake their head unenthusiastically.
"Between Max, Shauna and my momma and her new man, I'm gonna be the damn fifth wheel."
Recently, he discovered his lover, Emma, had slept with Jacques in his hotel suite. After learning Jacques lied about him being
"You won't be the only one there single, Antoine will be there too."
"Don't remind me," he cites the man his mother took in all those years ago he never got along with. "And what am I supposed to do when they ask why Emma ain't with me?"
Martha gives her friend and former crush a sympathetic look. "Just say whatever comes to mind."
By now, Sarah Lynn is holding the phone as she observes that Will is about to have dinner with his family. "Martha, Aunt Mindy wants to speak with you."
Martha rolls her eyes, as she isn't keen on speaking to her mother's oldest sister, but she takes the device anyway.
The blonde woman takes out a circular pan with aluminum foil.
"Here's a homemade peach pie I made last night. I hope you all enjoy it."
"Thanks for lookin' out, Sarah Lynn."
"You're welcome; be careful on the road."
The club manager takes off through the side door as Martha waves at Will while telling her aunt she still doesn't have a ring from the shrink yet.
While upstairs in SJ's bedroom, Tanner sits on the edge of her youngest cousin's bed, scrolling through her social media homepage on her phone, when she spots a picture with Tommy, Jeremy, and Jordan looking like the perfect young family in front of the Christmas tree. Even though she had told Tommy to be a family for his son's sake, sometimes it still bothers her how it came to be.
Tanner recalls a few Christmases ago, when she and Tommy were apart. He made this beautiful gesture to show how much he loved her. She ended up forging him, and they got back together, not knowing what was ahead for them would break them apart for good when it came out that he not only slept with Jordan, but they made a baby when Tanner herself was still a virgin, which caused problems in their relationship.
She hadn't realized someone else had entered the room until they said something.
"What you doing?" Lynn blurts, making Tanner nearly drop her smartphone.
Her fraternal twin sister is wearing an unbuttoned red plaid shirt that reveals her Rolling Stones t-shirt and high-rise stretch blue jeans.
"Oh my god! You almost gave me a heart attack." Tanner proclaims.
Lenny could see what she was looking at on the device. "It's okay to be still pissed at Tommy for cheating on you. No one would blame you, sis."
Tanner places the phone on the bed and then turns to Lenny. "Tommy and I moved on from that a long time ago. He has obligations to his family, and I'm with Presley."
Lenny doesn't disguise her skepticism about her sister's first love, though she decides to alter the subject.
"Where is the good reverend anyway?" referring to her sister's older boyfriend.
"He should be here any minute from church, and he's bringing Thora."
Presley had to co-minister the Christmas service this afternoon.
Lenny looks around SJ's mostly clean room, albeit with a few new toys still needing to be put up, then back onto Tanner.
"Everyone seems to be coming except for one person."
Instantly, Tanner knows she is referencing their father.
"At least he did call us this morning from grandma and grandpas, and with everything that has happened and Samuel here, maybe he did the right thing by not being here."
Sean is visiting his parents and brother Johnny in his hometown of Bowling Green to celebrate the holiday.
"I just hope he gets his ish together with Mom and stops whatever it is with Tricia." Lenny vocalizes straightforwardly.
HOME FARM
The harmonious vocals of the Choir of Claire College, Cambridge, singing 'Ding Dong! Merrily on High' plays on the state-of-the-art home stereo system in the living room of the mansion while Emma Covington descends from the stairs in a puffed-sleeve black belted midi sheath dress and black pumps.
Even though it's the holiday, her mind keeps replaying not only her sleeping with Jacques in his hotel suite but also Will finding out how hurt he was. She had never seen him like that before and wished she could've gone after him, though that might've made things worse.
She strolls into the living room when she sees her brother standing near the fireplace with a glass of scotch, looking like she's feeling.
"Isn't this fitting?" she declares.
Daniel turns around to see his considerably younger sister.
"I'm in no mood for whatever you are trying to stir up today, Emma," he says, then takes a hearty sip of the beverage.
He knows the house is devoid this year since Max and Shauna went to spend Christmas at Mae's. All because he inadvertently played a role in their losses, manipulating Jordan into losing her mind so Tommy would retain custody of Jeremy.
"Well, imagine how Jordan must've felt gaslighting her," Emma says dismissively.
The frustration rises out of him at that criticism.
"You don't even like Jordan, so please save the righteous indignation, okay?" he says heatedly.
Emma crosses her arms onto her chest, not letting her brother's anger get to her.
"That might be true, but with everything you've done to oust that girl from Tommy's life and this house, he ends up not only marrying her, but they're now living on the property as a family, so I guess your handiwork wasn't successful after all."
Daniel shakes his head at his sister's putdown.
By now, Deirdre Covington had made her way into the living room, having witnessed her children's confrontation, which she had enough of.
​
"Today is not the day for any discord." Deirdre remarks.
Emma moves her eyes around in a circle at her mother's declaration and saunters to the minibar, where she pours herself a glass of Chardonnay as the choir remains in the background.
THE WATERFALL BAR
Mere words can't explain the pain and the fear
'Cause, oh, I wonder, yes I wonder, are you gonna leave me standing here?
Today's almost over, but I don't wanna leave
Has my heart made a fool out of me?
​
The smooth voice of Luther Vandross is heard in the bar on the sound system as his seminal holiday classic 'Every Year, Every Christmas' plays.
Official introductions are being made between Antoine and Gus Hewitt from Mae as they shake hands.
"Mae told me so much about you; I feel like I know you already," the older gentleman addresses.
"I hope she didn't say nothin' terrible."
"No, no, she really does think the world of you."
Mae can't help but smile at them getting along while she holds the beautiful poinsettia Gus brought for her.
"And I think the world of her," the hospital custodian says respectfully, which makes her develop a smile.
She then decides to place the plant over the top of the bar.
Concurrently, Will enters through the unlocked front door with the gifts in one hand and the pie from Sarah Lynn in the other. However, he spots the man his momma is now seeing.
"Merry Christmas, momma," he announces to himself.
The woman wraps her arms around her youngest child, always grateful to see him.
They then unlatch from each other.
"You can leave that bag by the bar, and what is that?" She refers to the dish in his hand.
"A peach pie from Sarah Lynn's kitchen," he informs her.
"That was nice of her," she says while taking the dessert. She gestures for Gus to come over, making Will tap his feet, not looking forward to this meetup.
"Gus, this is my son Will."
"Hi, Will, it's nice to meet you," Gus says while sticking out his hand for him to shake, which he reluctantly does.
"You too," he says nonchalantly.
Mae senses her son being unreceptive to her first beau since her husband's death years ago.
"Where's Emma?" she surveys.
"She finally figured out she's too good for you." Antoine sneers while walking past them.
Will is about to shut him down. Mae reacts to Max Covington's entering the establishment with a fluff of greetings and hugs. As Shauna gently embraces Antoine, a smile spreads across his lips, glad to see his best friend, the person he still loves.
FRANKLIN FARM: MAIN HOUSE
Despite the lack of snow on the ground this time of year, the briskness of the winter chill isn't, as Louise regrets not grabbing her coat while she rubs her hands on her arms to attain some warmth as she discusses what occurred between him and Jai with his son.
"I wanted to apologize to you about what went down... or how they went down. I never intended to hurt your father, and I know that's no consolation coming from me.
Samuel, a tad warmer in his long-sleeve shirt, can hear various sounds of animals on the farm.
"What you did really hurt my father, but I never held any ill will towards you. I just wish it didn't come out the way that it did."
Louise can hear the reserved resentment in his voice as they talk about how she cheated on Jai days before their engagement party.
A chill suddenly comes over her as she moves a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "I should've handled everything better."
"I wish my sister had some of that self-reflection."
Aaliyah had been the one to record the footage outside Louise's cottage bedroom window of the exes being intimate and upload it on the projector screen for everyone to witness as part of her goal of reuniting her parents.
"Well, it seems she was right; I didn't belong with him. Hopefully, one day, he finds someone who treats him the way that he deserves."
Louise says this while having enough of the cold.
"I'm not pleased with what she did either, but I hope she learns from her mistakes."
"Well, if one of us Saunders women gets to be with a Gupta man, then I'm glad Martha has you in her life."
Even though she and her little sister aren't the closest siblings, she knows that, for her sake, she couldn't do better than Samuel.
The comment makes Samuel grin bashfully.
"Let's get back inside; it's freezing out here," Louise says while they escape the cloudy, chilly outdoors.
Back inside the house, more guests arrive as Sarah Lynn and Lynn welcome Elijah Barker and his parents, Nathaniel and Brynn at the front door.
"Merry Christmas, happy holidays," Nathaniel greets the two women.
"Merry Christmas," Sarah Lynn recites graciously.
Brynn, who still has her coat on, proudly holds a glass dish in her hand. "As always, for opening up your home to us, I brought my green bean casserole, which should be plenty for everyone."
Unbeknownst to the high school principal, everyone else in the living room trades hesitant looks since no one enjoys it.
"Uh, mom, I will go take this into the kitchen," Elijah generously volunteers.
"Why, thank you," the copper-haired woman acknowledges while giving it to him, telling him to be careful with it,
"I'll go make sure he puts it in a good spot, Mrs. Barker," Lynn says assuredly, then slyly winks at her grandmother regarding the unwanted casserole.
While Sarah Lynn continues talking to the Barkers, the couple goes into the kitchen.
"Where should I put this?" Elijah asks her, looking around the room.
"On the table, somebody will get it when it's time to set it in the dining room," Lenny notes casually
He does what he's told, though he sees Lenny wincing in pain.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?"
"Oh, nothing; it's just that my back has been killing me. I probably overdid it."
"Are you sure? You haven't had an appetite in a while, and now this." Elijah says concernedly
Lenny places her arms around her boyfriend. "I'm fine," she insists. "Anyway, are you ready to open your present from me?"
"I am, but you will always be enough for me," Elijah said.
Tanner opens the door to let in Thora and Presley McKnight.
Thora gives her a warm hug while she receives one from her boyfriend. As his mother goes to speak with Nathaniel and Brynn, the two are left together when Presley follows it up with a respectable kiss.
"How was service?"
Presley puts his coat on the rack near the door in the living room. "Oh, it was a good one; nice turn out too."
He takes something out of his coat pocket, preparing to give it to her.
"Since we're alone, I think I should give my gift to you," he says cryptically.
Tanner notices everyone else in the room is in conversation while an NBA game is on television.
"This sounds mysterious; what is it?"
He gives her a pamphlet, which she notices has a mountain resort on it.
"Since things have been going well with us, I thought a weekend getaway would benefit us and give us time alone."
Though he can spot the uncertainty on her face,
"If going away makes you uncomfortable, we can totally do something else," the reverend tells her.
"No, it isn't that," Tanner says quickly. "I just wasn't expecting this, but it's not like we haven't been away together before."
Tanner and Presley went to Nashville this summer to see her aunt Martha perform at the music festival, though this will be their first time going away by themselves.
"Like I said, we can take this relationship as slow or fast as you want, Tanner."
Tanner realizes that Tommy has moved on with his life with Jordan, and their son decides she needs to do the same with the man she is now with.
"You know what? Let's do it!" she expresses while hugging him.
"You sure?"
"Yes, I am."
HOME FARM: GUEST HOUSE
Now dressed in their clothes, Tommy and Jordan are clenching up the now-discarded wrapping paper while Jeremy is upstairs taking a nap.
"You wish you were spending the day with your parents and brother?" Tommy asks her unexpectedly; holding the trash bag, she puts the paper in.
"Although things between my parents and I are in a better place, I don't think we're at the stage where we could spend more than two hours together in the same room. And anyway, my dad's in Arizona while my mom and Presley are over at the Saunders'. I prefer this, being here with you and Jeremy," she says honestly.
"How about for this weekend, we get out of here, just the two of us?"
Maybe seeing how vulnerable she's being or perhaps growing closer to her since they got married made him want to cheer her up with something unexpected.
"You mean like a honeymoon?" she says quizzically.
"Yeah, I know it's last minute, but we can go somewhere to relax. I'm sure Thora wouldn't mind watching Jeremy. And Lillith can be on standby."
"I like that," Jordan mentions humbly.
Before anything else can do something, knocking on their door gets their attention.
"Who can that be?" Jordan wonders as Tommy opens it. Nonetheless, as soon as he sees the person, he is about to close the door on them, but they stick their foot in, blocking him from doing so.
"What do you want?" Tommy expresses his hostility toward his father.
"I came to invite you all to dinner at the house. It's also tons of presents for you and Jeremy under the tree." Daniel notifies him.
Jordan joins her husband, not backing down from the man who made her life a living hell for so long.
"You are, of course, invited too, Jordan," Daniel says, saying he is doing his best to be cordial.
"Now, why would I want to come to the house where I was tortured for months? Just drop off the gifts here; it's no point in depriving our son of his grandfather's goodwill because he was a Grinch to his mother."
"Not to mention last Christmas when Jeremy disappeared out of the house. And if I didn't know any better, Dad, I think you were behind it." Tommy adds.
On Christmas evening the previous year, Jeremy was found outside by the entrance. Daniel had arranged it to make Jordan seem like she was losing it.
"Look, it's the day we all should be together, putting aside our grievances."
At first, Jordan wonders if Tommy is considering it due to his not answering right away.
He lets go of the door, causing Daniel to stand back from being hit by it. He stands there regretfully until he decides to take off.
Inside the guest house, Tommy lets Jordan enter into his arms as she feels protected.
HOME FARM
Up at the main house, Steven Sullivan and Courtney Covington Sullivan have arrived, and they remain close to the foyer.
"Courtney, glad you made it." Deirdre says to her granddaughter and her husband. "You too, Steven," she tacks on.
The veterinarian puts his hands over his face so he can roll his eyes at how neither she nor Daniel had realized what he had done had affected his wife. Though he also recalls, he isn't exactly in a position to judge since he is still holding onto the fact that Emma is biologically his aunt as well as his wife due to the long-ago affair Deirdre had with his grandfather.
Yet he had sworn to his mother he wouldn't tell, though unsure how long he could play a part in the deception.
The front door opens, and Daniel slams it harder than needed to come into the house.
Though his sullen mood changes when he sees his daughter in his presence, the last time they had spoken, he was upset over her taking over his old position as CEO at Covington, stating that abstaining from voting him in and out was the reason he ultimately was voted out of the company.
"Merry Christmas," he says to his only daughter. "Thanks for coming."
Courtney grabs the strap of her handbag on her arm. "Dad. I know we both said some things in the heat of the moment when we were here last, but it's a holiday, so I'm willing to be civil as long as you can."
"That's all I'm asking," he nods. "Dinner should be ready soon, or that's what the temp housekeeper told me before I got some air."
He figured it was best not to mention his unsuccessful attempt to gather Tommy, Jeremy, and Jordan to have dinner with them.
"New housekeeper?" Courtney asks confusedly. "Where's Gabriella?"
Gabriella is Covington's longtime housekeeper, who has been with them since New York City. She had also been part of Daniel's plot against Jordan.
"She decided to go home to spend time with her family back east. So, I hired a temp to fill in for her until she gets back."
Daniel briefs while he goes into the kitchen to get an update.
Meanwhile, Courtney and Steven step into the living room when they notice Emma with her back turned. However, when she hears footsteps, she turns around with a glass half-filled with white wine in her hand.
"Merry Christmas, Emma," Courtney says politely to her aunt. The women were never close, though they managed to be courteous to each other.
Emma proceeds to drink a healthy amount of the alcohol and lays her gaze on them.
"Oh, look, who's here? Prince William with all of his hair... and Princess Katherine minus the beauty."
It doesn't take long for them to recognize that the petite brunette woman is drunk.
"Think you had enough?" Courtney says challengingly.
Emma goes up to them, still with the drink in her hand. "I'll be damned if I let you tell me what to do."
"Uh, Emma, I thought you would be at The Waterfall with Will." Steven expresses.
Emma puckers her lips while taking another drink. "I had sex with Jacques, and minutes after it was over, Will came to his hotel suite, and all hell... broke loose."
Both Courtney and Steven exchange expressions of shock at what she just admitted.
While Emma stumbles over to the bar to fix herself another glass of Chardonnay,
"Oh, by the way, happy anniversary... you two," she says overly cheerfully while sipping.
Yesterday, Christmas Eve, marked the second wedding anniversary for Steven and Courtney.
Courtney glances at her husband with misgivings about coming here after all.
THE WATERFALL BAR
Around the table inside the bar, everyone holds hands as Mae says grace. "In Jesus' name, we pray, amen," she concludes, with everyone else saying amen after her.
Food starts to be passed around by everyone as they fill their plates.
"Everything looks so good," Gus proclaims, sitting adjacent to his partner.
"It sure does," Max says in agreement, he is in his motorized wheelchair beside Shauna while Antoine sits across from her.
Mae places some sweet potatoes on her plate and then sets them down.
"Is Emma on her way?" she asks her son, sitting at the other end of the table.
"She was still at home when we were heading out," Max informs them of his aunt's last whereabout.
An uncomfortable quietness overcomes the table as Will takes a bite of his dinner roll before responding.
"Momma, I tell you about it later, damn," he says more sternly, then anticipates.
Gus turns to face the younger man. "Whatever is going on, don't take it out on your mother, all right?"
Mae is appreciative of Gus for defending her, yet she realizes there's more going on that is unsaid with Will.
"No offense, but I don't know you enough to care about your opinion." Will retorts.
"Will!" Mae exclaims. "Show some respect."
"She realized she could do better," Shauna asks inquisitively. There isn't any love lost between her and her uncle.
"Shauna!" Mae mediates.
"Well, we know he didn't cheat on her because he's still in one piece," Antoine instigates.
The last thirty seconds, on top of what he had been feeling for several days, took a toll on him emotionally. "Y'all want to know why Emma ain't here? It's because I caught her fuckin' her ex-fiancée in his hotel room. Is that what y'all wanted to hear?"
He soon rises out of his seat, quickly grabs his jacket, and heads out of the bar. Having had enough of everything at the moment,
His confession leaves a speechless table, as reactions range from surprised to horrified.
Finally gaining the composure to speak, Mae gives Gus a sympathetic glance. "Gus, I want to apologize for my son's behavior."
"It's alright," Gus says courteously.
More silence follows until Antoine decides to do something about it. Mae had hoped to have a nice Christmas dinner with family. It's bad enough that her wayward daughter Cassie prefers to be in the company of men who can take her overseas than to be here with her family, but on top of her son's reaction, it makes her feel humiliated.
"Anybody wants pie?" while pointing to the peach pie in the center of the table.
WHEELER BUILDING: APT #424
Tricia and Jolene were done with their dinner at the same time and now in the small apartment kitchen.
"I must admit eating Chinese takeout and watching Bravo all day is more relaxing than I thought," Jolene says, putting the left-over food cartons in the refrigerator.
"I told you," Tricia says. "It's how I've spent many holidays as a flight attendant."
"Guess it all stems from all the Christmases that were disasters when you were growing up."
Tricia, who was tossing the paper plates into the trash can, goes over to her mother. "I wasn't going to say anything about that."
The mother and daughter had come to some understanding the other day when they both told the truth about the issues affecting their marriages.
"No, it's okay. I know there were years full of arguing, and." she stops herself from mentioning violence.
"Well, think of it as we're making up for what the day should've been," Tricia says positively.
"Have you talked to Sean today?" Jolene says specifically.
Tricia folds her arms and tilts her head. "He called me early this morning and he did leave some presents. But it doesn't change the fact that our marriage is over."
It's now no secret that he has chosen to be with his former wife, and when they finally end their marriage, it is Louise that Sean will be going back to while Tricia will have to start over.
As Jolene is about to contribute to the discussion, a loud knock on the door overshadows this juncture.
"I'll go get rid of whoever it is," she tells her daughter.
However, when the older woman sees who the doorway is, she instantly regrets answering it.
She quickly makes her way out of the apartment, severing the barrier between her and Tricia.
​
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"Long time, no see, Jo," Wade Woods charismatically greets his wife, standing across from her. The statuesque white male in his sixties had gray hair with a brown blazer, a black sweater, blue jeans, and brown loafers. Also, his usual scent of his trademark cologne and cigarette smoke lingers in the air.
"What are you doing here?" she says quietly. "How did you know where I was?"
She knew Mrs. Montez would've never told him about her coming here. Since her next-door neighbor had been such a comfort to her and Tricia when they needed to escape from him,
He arrogantly smirks, which he does, especially when he knows something she doesn't.
"Remember when I got your phone fixed last year? Well, I asked the man at the store to insert one of the apps that keep track of y-o-u."
The color on her face begins to fade now that he knows she has been in Radcliffe all this time.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I had enough of everything, including... She stops talking, not wanting to mention the abuse since he doesn't know what he would do to her in the hallway.
"Why do you think I came all this way from California? I want us to work things out. I know I have a lot to make up to you, but Jo, I know I can do it with you by my side."
In spite of him being so-called sorry for cheating on her, she had heard all of his pleas throughout their thirty-three years of marriage.
She stays silent while desperately wanting to go back inside, pretending none of this is transpiring.
Wade clears his throat to get her concentration once again. "I'm going to be in town as long as it takes for us to work it out. I'll call you later."
He caresses the side of her face, which almost makes her flinch.
"I can never hurt you, baby," he mutters.
Then he turns on his feet, heading down the hall to the elevator.
Before going back into the apartment, she heavily exhales.
Tricia gazes at her mother from her spot on the sofa. "What was that all about?"
"One of your neighbors wanted me to take a picture of them with their grandchild, and then we started chatting about Bakersfield; she vacationed there a few years prior." Jolene lies.
She doesn't want Tricia to know Wade is here since she knows Tricia would do something about it that might make the situation worse.
"Oh, okay," Tricia says flatly.
Jolene ventures into the living room, gladly welcoming the antics of the women of Beverly Hills over her own reality.
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FRANKLIN FARM: MAIN HOUSE
Half of the guests are watching the basketball game on TV when Sarah Lynn announces that dinner is ready, which gets them to head to the dining room.
In the kitchen, Louise is able to speak to Sean over the phone in relative privacy.
"I better get off, but you have a good Christmas, and I see you when you get back."
His voice travels on the other side.
"Next year will be different," he guarantees her.
Louise shuts her eyes before opening them again, unsure whether she truly believe that.
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Esther is surprised yet elated to see her son and his wife so soon since they had told her that they would be late since they were going to have dinner at Home Farm.
"We were going to make it for dessert here, but before the first course was served, Courtney and I realized we belonged here," he tells his mother.
Esther puts her hands on her hips. "Were things that bad with the Addams family?"
The short but uniquely bosomed blonde never misses a chance to talk down to the Covington's, despite her daughter-in-law being one.
Courtney flashes a look to indicate she is in the ballpark with her assumption. "Like Steven said, our place is here this Christmas."
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"I'd like to start off by saying that I'm so fortunate to see many of the people I love and care about at this table. It's important not to take anything or anyone for granted. I learned that the hard way, and it's not a day goes by that I don't think of my husband."
Esther, Louise, Martha, Steven, and the twins become sentimental after hearing about their brother, father, uncle, and grandfather.
"But I know Peter would wrap this up before this speech gets too emotional, so that's what I'm doing. So everyone, please eat and drink and be merry."
As people raise their various drinks, they start partaking in selecting food when some time passes, and the door rings.
"Did I forget to invite someone?" Sarah Lynn asked while placing a few pieces of turkey on her plate.
"I'll get it," Martha offers while placing her fork on her plate as she goes to see who it is.
Eventually, the single mother returns with a cardboard box to the dining room, causing people to glimpse at her when they see what's in the box she puts on the ground.
"A dog!" SJ exclaims. "You got me a dog?!"
The little boy leaves the table as he goes up to the black and white Border collie, who is whining.
"I found it on the porch," Martha briefs them.
"I'll examine once I get done eating," Steven tells his cousin.
She sees the joy on her son's face while petting the dog and notices a sheet of paper in the corner of the box, which she retrieves. She then scans the note with its scribbled handwriting on it.
"From Dad to SJ, Merry Christmas!" she reads to herself.
She swears to herself, having thought Murray wouldn't reach out to their son again after years of avoiding him. Now, months after running into him again, he decides to do this.
"Sweetie, wash your hands, and you can play with him when you finish eating."
Still excited, SJ goes and does what he's told, as Martha is left to decide whether or not to tell her son that his absentee gave him this gift while she glimpses at Samuel, who can tell something else is going on about this situation.
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END OF EPISODE
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ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
Radcliffe brings in 2024.
Presley and Tanner are in for a surprise on their mountain getaway.
Will and Emma see each other for the first time since she and Jacques slept together.
Leave your thoughts here on the T&C forum.
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