More Sex & the Single Mom (2005) - full transcript

Okay. I got it.

Model number
DMC-FZ10 with a zoom.

And E-TTL flash.
Write it down for me, okay?

And how long before this camera
becomes as obsolete

as the one I bought you
three years ago?

Three years.

But by then I'll be 21. I won't
be celebrating it with you.

Thanks a lot.

I wasn't finished with that.
Sorry.

Will you put him
in his coat, please?

[GIGGLES]
Big boy.



[***]

Jess!

I'm showing
a loft downtown.

Can I get anything
for Sara's birthday?

Got it under control.
I'm keeping it simple.

Okay.
How was your sister's wedding?

Oh, I cried.

I always cry at weddings,
including my own.

Maybe I knew
how the marriage would turn out.

I guess everyone needs one
to learn on these days.

Hey, Jake.
Hi.

How about I pick up Sara's cake?

Loft's next door
to a great bakery.

Chocolate on chocolate.
Done.



I'm showing to a guy who's
moving here from Minneapolis.

Maybe he'll be single.
Or divorced.

Or a mass murderer.

JESS:
Bye!

VALERIE: I bought him new books.
JESS: Great.

I read this article that said
all children are born geniuses.

Their brains have three times as
many connections as our brains,

but they lose the ones that
don't get mentally stimulated.

I don't need him to be a genius.
Too bad, because he is.

How's Steve?
He's fine.

You set a date?
Not yet.

I'm used to running my own life.

It's easy to steer a ship alone

when there's no storm
on the horizon,

but you can't
always count on that.

You could use someone
in your life.

You can't keep a fish
on the hook forever.

Bye, Mom.
Bye.

[CHUCKLES]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING
AND PHONE RINGING]

I want you to talk Steve out
of trying this Bradican case.

It's a waste of money.
He hasn't got a prayer.

You're the boss.
You talk him out of it.

When he defected from
Walker's firm to come here,

I promised him a free hand.
It's in his contract.

But you're not.
You're on my time.

I need you to pass the bar
and start making your quota.

Everybody's gotta step up around
here. I'm getting married.

Congratulations.

You're meant
to congratulate the groom.

Who's the guy?
What do you mean?

You think I couldn't get a guy
if I wanted one?

I didn't know you wanted one.

Neither did I.

Oh...
Alycia's getting married.

Congratulations.
[SOFTLY] To the groom.

To the-- The groom.

Poor guy.
Like my grandmother used to say,

for every pot, there's a lid.

Insurance company's stonewalling
in the Bradican case.

Looks like we're going to court.

So, what have you got for me?

California, six years ago,

insurance refused to pay
for a bone marrow transplant

for a cancer patient.
They deemed it experimental.

Really?
Different diseases, same issues.

The woman died.

The family was
awarded $89 million.

Oh!

You know what?
You deserve a reward,

and I am
cooking Mexican tonight.

I've got the bar exam
in three months.

I can't afford to flunk.

My place
whenever you get there. Okay?

And I'll quiz you on torts.

[SIGHS] My pictures are boring.
Yeah. Do you like this color?

What am I gonna do? Job fair's
tomorrow. My interview's at 10.

What's the big deal?
The big deal's

an internship
looks good on my résumé.

Too much work.

I can't get a stupid
scholarship without work.

You wouldn't believe how many
students I have to compete with.

They're not you.

Right.
I'm unbelievably talented,

although the world
doesn't know it yet?

If I don't figure it out, I'll
be working at Pete's Pizzeria

instead of going to college.
You're going to college.

Jake's asleep.
I'll be at Steve's.

He's cooking his way
around the world.

Tonight it's Mexican.
Just don't bring us back

any more of those
doggie bags, okay?

Don't tell him Caroline
didn't eat

his sauerkraut and bratwurst.
[LAUGHS]

Hey, you didn't either.

I've got my cell.
And you know Steve's number.

It's tattooed on my brain.

And if there's an emergency,
call Megan.

How many times
do you have to tell me?

Okay.

My mom is like ten times worse.

And now she's got
a hate on for Shawn.

[RINGING]

It's Randy.

Don't answer it.
Make him sweat.

Why?
Because he's good at it.

If you haven't hooked up
by now, you're not going to.

I can't help it.

I mean, I want to, but I don't.
Not with Randy.

Well, in my opinion,
if you even die a virgin,

what are you so scared of?
I'm not scared of anything.

I told you, I just want it
to be somebody who's hot.

Yeah, well, good luck.

[***]

[JESS & STEVE MOANING]

JESS:
Oh, you're supposed
to be coaching me for the bar.

STEVE:
Yeah, after the fajitas.

This is after the fajitas.

Really?
Mm-hm.

See what you do to me?
I'm totally lost.

I can't remember anything
except making love to you.

The fajitas were excellent.
Thank you.

You're gonna make somebody
a wonderful wife.

I figured once we got married,
I'd teach you how to cook.

No. No?
Mm-mm.

Don't count on it.
Okay.

[STEVE SIGHS]

I'll be happy when we're not
in separate places.

Me too.
But I need to finish

this arc of motherhood
with Sara.

And living with me
would disrupt that?

Yes.

But that doesn't apply to Jake?

He's 3 years old.
Right.

And you'll be
the only father he'll know.

I like that.
So do I. You'll be a great dad.

And by the time we have to tell
him the truth, it won't matter.

It's never mattered.

I told you.
Yeah.

Jake's father
was a six-week fling.

I never told him about Jake.
Yes.

I don't even remember him.
Good.

Good night.
Good night.

[***]

[JESS MOANS SOFTLY]

[GASPS]

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

[***]

Sara?

Hey, Mom.

This one.

And this one.

And this one.

They're all good.
[SCOFFS] No, they're not.

And I need this internship.

Sara, I appreciate
everything you're doing

to help out with college.

But whatever happens,
you're going.

So take the pressure
off yourself, okay?

Thanks, Mom.

RANDY:
Hey.

Your cell was
turned off last night.

I had to study.

Expect me to believe you'd
rather study than talk with me?

I wouldn't rather. I just--
I had to.

Oh. You wanna go out tonight
for your birthday?

I can't.
I have my family dinner.

You wanna come?
Uh-uh.

I'm allergic to family dinners.

I can go out another night.

I might have to study.

How about tomorrow?

Yeah, okay. Tomorrow. See you.

Okay.

[***]

Who's that?

Yeah, definitely.

GIRL:
Definitely hot.

CAROLINE: Trouble.
GIRL: Definitely.

My kind of trouble.

[SCOFFS] You wish.
[CAROLINE CHUCKLES]

Go get him.
I'll lend you my leather pants.

Oh, I gotta go.
There's Shawn.

[STUDENTS CHATTERING]

[SIGHS]

Sara Gradwell?

Yes.

Gabe Emerson.

GABE:
Mm-hmm.

You know these photos
aren't exactly...

earth-shattering, don't you?

Do you know why?

No.

They're too perfect.

Look, I know I can't send
in a bunch of photographs

to the college
scholarship committee.

And I know I have to make them
stand out from everybody else's.

Which is why I need this
internship. I need to learn.

So that's what this internship
will do for you.

What will it do for me?

I will work really hard.

Mules work really hard.

I don't know
what you want me to say.

Say what's on your mind.

If I'm a mule, you're a jackass.

Okay.

Art's about truth.

And the truth is...

I am a jackass.

I'll get back to you.

You did a great job.
Morgans are happy campers.

Congratulations.
Uh, I'm late for a deposition.

What time is the party tonight?
It's after 7.

Okay.
Would you pick up wine?

Yes. Okay.

MAN:
Thanks, Dr. Lofton.
I'll see you Monday.

[***]

[ELEVATOR BELL DINGS]

Would you hold that? Thank you.
ALEX: Jess?

[ENGINE STARTS]
Jess.

What are you gonna do?
Face him down.

Look, I want this job.
I need this job.

I need to know what you know
so I can get a scholarship.

But I'm not gonna fall and beg,

and I'm not
gonna be intimidated.

I made a bet with myself.

I bet myself you had guts.

So when do I start?

If you're going to intern, we'll
spend a lot of time together.

How do you feel about that?
Fine.

I like to put things
on the table.

So do I.

Okay, then. Let me be clear.

[SIGHS]
I'm used to schoolgirl crushes.

Girls your age see me
as an artist, an outlaw,

and I want to disabuse you
of that idea.

I don't want any trouble,
so we make a pact, okay?

All work, no sex.

Agreed?

Agreed.

Okay. My studio address
is on the card.

What'd he say?

I got the job.

[CHUCKLES]

Megan, want a glass of wine?
Uh, no.

STEVE: Valerie?
WOMAN: Steve is so great.

Hey, Valerie, how's it going?
VALERIE: I'm good.

You said he was in Atlanta.
What's he doing back here?

I don't know. Maybe he's
an expert witness for someone.

What'd he say?
Nothing.

I didn't give him a chance.
I panicked.

Life is weird.

You finally find this nice guy
you wanna marry,

and then Alex Lofton shows up.

Alex was a donor.

That's it. Sperm bank.

Were you in love with him?
That's irrelevant.

The past three years,
you've been pretending

Jake's father doesn't exist,
but he does exist.

Today he was in your face.

My bet is
he's not gonna just disappear.

Thank you, Steve.
Here you go.

SARA:
Oh, exactly right.

Thanks, Mom.

Open mine next.

It's for the inner you.

Ah, you know me so well.

Because in my heart,
I'm still 18.

[CHUCKLES]

[***]

Ooh, it's pretty.

See, it's got that camera.

Cool. Thanks.

Oh, my God.
[CHUCKLES]

Thank you.

[GIGGLES]

[CAROLINE & SARA CHUCKLING]

What's the joke?
Nothing.

How did the interview go
for the internship?

Okay.
Who'd you interview with?

A photographer, Gabe Emerson.

Yeah, he's got a Harley,
and he's hot.

Oh. What's going on?
Nothing.

How old is Gabe Emerson?
Who cares?

CAROLINE:
Twenty-seven. Twenty-eight.

Why does it really matter,
anyway?

What's going on?
Nothing.

What does nothing mean?
I mean, nothing's going on.

And if there was,
it's nobody's business.

Well, it is our business.
You're our child.

I'm not a child.
STEVE: Hold it, everyone.

Now, Sara's right. She's 18.

She can vote.
She can join the Army.

Thank you. You're the only one
who seems to get it.

STEVE:
Welcome to emancipation, Sara.

I...

I know I'm not
very good at this...

letting-go stuff, Sara.

It's hard to do.

I don't know how you got
to be 18 so fast.

So if I have glue
on my fingers...

pry them loose, okay?

And happy birthday.

CAROLINE: Yeah.
Thanks.

Happy birthday.
MEGAN: Happy birthday, Sara.

SARA:
Thanks.

Are you angry at me?

I don't like
being undercut with Sara.

It was just an opinion.
Based on what?

Well--
Like you said, you have no idea

what it's like to raise a kid.
Well, she's not a kid. She's 18.

Eighteen is still a kid.

All it takes is one mistake
to mess up her entire life.

Okay. I'm sorry.

I apologize. I...

Accepted.

It's possible I overreacted.
Yeah, well, it's also possible

I'm just an amateur
at trying to be a dad, so...

Hey...

Happy birthday, Sara.
Good night.

SARA: Good night.
MEGAN: Bye.

[DOOR CLOSES]

[***]

[PHONE RINGING]

Hello?

Jess, uh, it's Alex.

Look, I know
this is awkward, but...

Listen, Alex, I've got something
to say, and don't interrupt me.

Just let me say it, okay?

Okay.

Goodbye.

[***]

When you finish your cereal,

see if you can pull Jake
away from his firetruck

and get him into his coat.
Sure.

What time should I tell your
grandmother you'll pick Jake up?

I can't pick him up today.

You always pick Jake up
on Wednesday.

I have class on Wednesdays,

and I need this time
to prep for the bar.

Why does everybody's life
have to revolve around Jake?

When you were 3, everybody's
life revolved around you.

Too bad I don't remember.
That's why I'm reminding you.

Look, I got that intern job.

I start today after school.

I don't know how late
I'm gonna be.

The one with the photographer?

The hot guy with the Harley?

He's one of the best
photographers in Baltimore.

He had a one-man exhibition
last year.

You haven't even started,
and already he's more important

than your family obligations?

Jake can stay with Grandma
until you're done.

Hold it. What kind of job goes
until the middle of the night?

And aren't those clothes
a little provocative

for someone going to work?
Talk about glue on your hands.

I am just trying to save you
from making a mistake.

If I don't make a mistake soon,

I'm gonna be the most
boring girl in school.

[SIGHS]

So, what did he say?

He just said I had the job,
and he gave me this card.

She's gonna be working
in the studio.

Is that true?
I guess so.

[SNICKERS]

Just the two of you, right?
I don't know.

So when do you start?
He didn't say.

Figured I'd go by the studio
after school and check it out.

Yeah. Maybe you should play
hard to get.

I don't think that's gonna work.

I know. It never does.

Check this out.

A 90-dollar bottle of champagne
from the Morgans.

And flowers for you.

An appreciative client.
How rare is that?

Very. And very nice.

Privacy, please.

See you later.

He wants to honeymoon
in Hawaii or the Caribbean,

but I don't exactly
see myself in a bikini.

Well, pardon me
for stating the obvious,

but the honeymoon does involve
a certain amount of being naked.

So, what's the big deal
about a bikini?

The lights are off
when I'm naked.

Elope to Aspen.

Ski clothes.
Exactly.

You're a genius.

Oh. Who's Alex?

It must be a mistake.

Hmm.

[***]

[***]

[KNOCKS ON DOOR]
SARA: Hello?

Gabe?

If that's your car outside,
you're in a tow-away zone.

You the new intern?
Yeah.

I thought
I was supposed to start today.

Eh, Gabe's loose about time.

So here to learn
about photography?

Yeah.
Well, it's probably

not a good idea
to wait for him.

He's doing some catalog work.
Gotta earn a living.

I'm Blair.
Sara.

Just leave your number.
He'll get around to you.

[SOFTLY]
Okay.

[***]

[VALERIE CHUCKLES]

Hi.
VALERIE: Hi.

I thought your mom said
you were working.

I thought I was, but I'm not.
Probably start tomorrow.

Oh, well, I'll get Jake's stuff.

Oh, I'll just have time
to make my aerobics class.

[PHONE DIALS]

Hey, Randy, it's me.

Uh, sorry to cancel last minute,

but I can't go out tonight.

My mom's got school,
and I have to babysit Jake.

But maybe we can do something

when you get back
from Arlington.

See you at school. Bye.

[DOOR CLOSES]

Thanks for picking up Jake.

I got out
earlier than I thought.

How was work?
Okay.

I gave Jake dinner
and a bath. He's asleep.

Thank you.
No problem.

Where are you going?
Caroline's. I have to study.

You're going to study.

Okay. I'm going to talk.

We have a lot to talk about.
It's a school night.

I know it's a school night.
I also know I'm an A student,

I'm working my butt off to get
a scholarship, and I'm 18.

I don't want to fight every day
so you can learn how to let go.

I'm not very good at this.

Well, practice.

[***]

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYS
INDISTINCTLY ON CAR STEREO]

CAROLINE:
So you blew off a date with
Randy so we could sit out here?

I want to see
if she's still there.

It's not even 10:00.
She's not going anywhere.

You don't show up at
a guy's place with food and wine

and leave without sex.

Maybe she lives with him.

No. She doesn't.
How do you know?

She's coming
down the stairs right now.

She's not that pretty.
She is.

Do you think she saw us?
No way.

Are you sure?
You're just imagining things.

[SIGHS]
[CELL PHONE RINGING]

It's not Randy or Mom.
[PHONE BEEPS]

Hello?

GABE:
I'm doing a fashion spread

for Baltimore Weekly.

Be here at 4:00 tomorrow.

It was him.

Oh, God.
How did he know we were here?

I don't know.
I'm so humiliated.

[SIGHS]
[DOORBELL RINGS]

[DOORBELL RINGS]

Hold on.

[***]

I don't want to see you.

I meant to honor that, I swear.

When I found out
I was coming here on a case,

I told myself
I wouldn't call you,

that I would honor your wishes.

But then I saw you
in the courthouse

and all those resolutions
went out the window.

I have nothing to say to you.
I know I hurt you.

No, that was three years ago.
I'm well over that.

Yeah, I thought I was too,
but I'm not.

How's your wife?

We're getting a divorce.
Mmm.

We've been there.

She signs the papers
as soon as I go home.

Close but no cigar.

She's got another guy.
So do I.

Jess, one cup of coffee.

JAKE:
Mom!

[JAKE CRYING]

Excuse me.

[***]

[SHUSHES]

[***]

[DOOR CLOSES]

[KNOCKS ON DOOR]

ALEX:
Jess, we need to talk.

[KNOB RATTLES]

[SIGHS]

Damn it. Jess, I'll stand
out here all night if I have to.

What's his name?

Jake.

Jake.

It was my father's name.

How old is he?
What difference does it make?

He's mine, isn't he?
He's mine.

I have a right to know.
To know what?

That I have a son.

What right?

You made a choice.
I didn't find out I was pregnant

until after you went back
to your wife.

For my children.

What would like me to do?

Call your wife
in the middle of the night

to tell her that I'm having
her husband's child?

I'm sure that's a call everybody
would have appreciated.

How could you not tell me?

When did you want me
to tell you, when he was born?

I wrote you a letter when
he was born and I burned it.

He's beautiful.

[***]

God, I've missed you.

[SIGHS]

[PHONE RINGING]

[ON MACHINE]
Hi, it's Jess, leave a message.

STEVE:
Hi. Uh, I guess you're asleep.

I'm just reminding you

how much I love you.

Good night, beautiful.
[LINE CLICKS]

I'm getting married.

Congratulations.

I want you to go now.

Please.

You have to leave.

He may be named
after your father,

but he sure looks
like my father.

I've built a life.

I won't let you come back
and tear it all apart.

You don't expect me
to forget he exists.

I told you.

I want you to leave. Now.

My cell phone's on here.

Call it when
you're ready to talk.

I'm leaving,
but I'm not going away.

[***]

[DOOR CLOSES]

Who are you?

I'm Alex.
Alex who?

You must be Sara.

I'm a friend of your mother's.

Actually, I'm...
I'm Jake's father.

You're the heart surgeon?

He's real?

In the flesh.

Alex was just leaving.

What's he doing here?

Like your mother said,
I'm just leaving.

What's going on around here?
Nothing.

Okay, if she won't tell me,
then you tell me.

Up until tonight,
I didn't know I had a son.

And now that I've found out,

I wanna make sure
I don't lose him

before I get to know him.

What's going on?
I told you. Nothing.

It's not nothing.
Don't tell me it's nothing.

Are you okay?
I'm fine.

You don't look fine.

I'm okay.
And that's fine enough.

You don't look okay, either.
Did you have sex with him?

That question is
out of bounds, but no.

Well, is he still married?
Yes. No.

I don't know. Sara, go to bed.
Come on, don't do that.

Talk to me like I'm a grown-up.

I almost did something stupid
tonight, okay?

The same stupid thing
I did three years ago.

Is that grown-up enough
for you?

[SIGHS]

Three years ago, you told me
you were in love with him.

Yeah, well,
I'm supposed to be wiser now.

Are you still in love with him?
No.

Are you telling me the truth?

Alex Lofton was important to me.

He was an event in my life.

He was the best thing
that ever happened to me.

And the worst thing
that ever happened to me.

I'm sorry, Mom.

The heart doesn't always
make the best choice.

It makes mistakes.

Sometimes mistakes are...

what make our life.

And they make us who we are.

You understand?

I'm trying to.

Anyway, everything
turned out okay.

I just can't afford
another mistake.

[***]

Four-year-old Monica Bradican
is diagnosed

with severe
acquired aplastic anemia.

No siblings, no possibility
of a perfect match,

but she has stem cells available
from her frozen umbilical cord.

Correct.
Yeah.

A perfect match
because they're hers,

but there's only a small amount.

So they were
gonna be supplemented

by a marrow transplant
from her father,

who isn't a perfect match.

Which gave the insurance company
a loophole.

Right.
They claimed the combination

made the technique experimental
and refused to pay.

Treatment not proven
using a large-scale

randomized trial criteria.
Mm-hm.

And if Terry Bradican's friends
and family were less generous

with their loans,
Monica would have died.

And that's enough
to make a jury weep.

[PHONE RINGS]
Jess Gradwell.

ALEX [OVER SPEAKER]:
I haven't heard from you.

We have nothing to talk about.

We have Jake to talk about.

I can't right now.

[HANGS UP PHONE]

Something I should know about?

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING]

Nice! Up...

Oh! Like this. Hindu!

Beautiful.

Now you hate me.

Ah! You love me! Up...

[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKING]

Beautiful. Up!

Head back!

Nice. Okay. Hold it.

You're late.
Look, about the other night,

I'm really embarrassed.
[STEREO SHUTS OFF]

I enjoy being stalked.
I was just passing by.

Whatever you say.

Uh, ladies, this is Sara.

WOMEN: Hey, Sara.
Sara wants to see some juice.

So when we get started again,
just think about the guy

who will be taking
those clothes off of you.

Is that your lunch?

Camera on your back.
Camera.

Okay. Don't worry about
where the light's coming from.

Don't worry
about anything, okay?

Just use your instincts
and shoot.

Okay.

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYS]

Okay. Give me something hot.

Uh, no. Sexy.

So good.

Even more lovely.

Okay.

GABE:
Beautiful.

Keep moving. Keep shooting.

I don't care
if all you get is an ankle,

it'll still capture the motion.

Good.

* Well, I've been up
And I've been down *

* But most of the time
I'm just played out *

* Someone said
To hit the ground running *

* Stop spinning around
About bad things coming *

* 'Cause everyone's
A shooting star... *

Beautiful. Head back.

Oh, the guy who gets you
is one hell of a lucky man.

Nice!

* Everyone's
A shooting star... *

[SARA CHUCKLING]
GABE: Move.

Shoot around.

Shoot. That's good.

* Yeah, you are

I never told him about Jake.
And I never saw him again.

And now he knows
that Jake exists?

He called me.

I said I didn't wanna talk,
so he just showed up.

At your house? Why?

I don't know why.

Okay.
I'm talking about Jake.

He saw Jake.

He put it together.
He knows that Jake is his.

And I don't know
what he's gonna do.

And is that your only concern?

Jake?
What do you mean, "only"?

Jake's the biggest concern
I've got.

Hey, don't pick a fight
with me, okay?

I don't want this guy in my life
any more than you do.

He's got the law on his side.

Want me to handle him?

No. No. This is my mess,

and I'm the one
that's gotta clean it up.

GABE:
Hmm.

This one's not bad.

I like this one.

Yeah, it's nice.
You got her just right.

You know I didn't take
that picture.

You could have.

Do you think I have talent?

I do.

Give me a couple of your photos.
I wanna show you something.

And turn on the CD player
while you're out there.

[PHONTAINE'S "MONOCHROME"
PLAYS OVER SPEAKERS]

All right.

Okay. This is a mixture
of industrial chemicals,

and I soaked your photo
to break it down.

It'll lose some of its clarity,

start to look
more like painting.

SARA:
Whoa.

Okay. Take it.

You wanna capture
the essence of the image,

the thing that made you wanna
take the picture

in the first place,
you know?

Your first impulse.

SARA:
It's beautiful.

* Fill my soul

* Help yourself
Don't let it get cold *

* Don't let it get cold

* Don't let it get cold

Go.

[JESS SIGHS]
[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

Looks like we run
a laundry factory.

Where does all
this stuff come from?

Where were you?

Nowhere.

With the photographer?

For your information, he has
a girlfriend. Her name's Blair.

Any more
information forthcoming?

No.

Okay.

What would you think
if I married Steve

before you went off to college?
Are you going to?

It's a possibility.

It's not my first choice,
but it's okay.

It wouldn't change
anything with you and me.

I'm going off to college.

You're the one
who has to live with him

and eat all those weird dinners.
[JAKE CRYING]

Here.

[DOORBELL RINGS]

Hi.
Hi.

Where's your mom?
Upstairs.

Jake's cranky tonight.

Would you go up and tell her
I need to talk to her?

No.
Please.

I'm not gonna go away
until she comes down.

She doesn't wanna see you.

Tell her I love her.

[***]

It's him, the heart surgeon.

He's downstairs.

He says he needs to see you.

He said he loves you.

Remind him I'm getting married.

How do you get these guys
to want you?

[JAKE GROANS SOFTLY]

Can we hold this conversation
another time?

Well, the heart surgeon
says he's not leaving.

What do you want me to do?

Make him some coffee
and tell him to wait.

Okay.

[CELL PHONE RINGS]

Gabe?
GABE: Come back.

Uh, Mom says
wait in the kitchen.

You know how to make instant?
That's what doctors drink.

Okay. Um...

Tell Mom I had to go.

[DOOR CLOSES]

[CAR ENGINE STARTS]

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

It's impressive.

I'm studying for the bar.

Where'd Sara go?

I-- She didn't say.

She say when she'd be back?

Sorry, no.

This is very confusing for her,
you know. She's upset.

She seemed fine to me.
Well, she's not.

And neither am I.

Maybe I made a mistake
not telling you about Jake,

but you can't just burst back
into town after three years

and disrupt everything
in your path.

You have to be crazy
to think I was gonna say

"Welcome back. Here's your son."

Well, there's gotta be something
between that and I don't exist.

Like what?
Well, start with

I'm still in love with you.

[SCOFFS]

We don't even know each other.

What do you wanna know?
Nothing.

I like the Lakers.

I don't like the Red Sox.

I don't go to church, but I
believe there's a God somewhere

that cares about what happens
to this mixed-up human race.

I'm allergic to chocolate.
I work too hard.

I have bouts of insomnia.

Two weeks ago, I fell asleep
at my daughter's dance recital.

I married my wife
when I was a surgical resident

and she was a nurse.

She got pregnant.

I felt obligated.

Too much information.
I was never in love with her.

And somewhere inside,
she knew that.

So I couldn't blame her
for having affairs.

I couldn't be righteous.
Enough.

Do you want some help with that?
Sure. You do laundry?

I have been domesticated.

Exactly the problem.

You'd think you'd appreciate
someone who was pretrained.

Look...

I know
you're not just gonna say,

"Hey, Alex, I forgive you."
[CHUCKLES]

Oh, you got that right.

Look, I know
you've got legal rights.

I didn't come here
to talk about my legal rights.

I came here to talk about us.

There's no us.

[***]

I told you, I moved on.

[JESS MOANS]

I-- I can't--
I can't do this.

You're not divorced yet.

You're not married yet.

I won't let you
mess my life up again.

I love you.
Don't say that.

I love you, Jess.

Tell me you don't love me.
I don't love you.

Tell me you never
wanna see me again.

I never wanna see you.

[***]

What do you want?

Everything.

How could we have
let this happen?

It happened
because we couldn't stop it.

I'm getting married...

to a wonderful man...

who's good to me,
and he loves me.

I love you.

But I don't love you.

I won't love you.

Okay. If you say so.

I do.

This isn't love. It's just...

an attraction.

It's just...

physical.

And it's just...
What?

Sexual.

And it's very powerful.
I admit it.

And I don't regret it because...

Because I have Jake.

But it has nothing to do
with my life today.

Is that the choice
you're making?

Steve's reliable.

I can count on him.

And he's gonna make
a wonderful husband.

[SIGHS]

And I love him.

Are you sure?
Yes.

[SIGHS]

Oh, why did you come back?

I wrecked your life once.

I don't wanna do that again.

I'll do anything you want.

I'll do anything you want...

except give up Jake.

[SIGHS]

What do you want in your coffee?
Everything, heh.

You got plans this weekend?
No.

You wanna hang?

You mean it?
[EXHALES SHARPLY]

I mean it.

[SIGHS]
I'm so happy.

Good.

You're the most wonderful thing

that's ever happened to me.
Mm-hm.

You say that to all the guys?
[CHUCKLES]

There are no other guys.

Come on. You're no virgin.

No, I am.
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

It's true.

You're my first.

[DIALING]

[DOOR CLOSES]

Just running a little late.

Don't worry.
I'll make it to school.

Hold it! I've been worried sick.

Your phone's off, Caroline
didn't know where you were.

Figured with the heart surgeon
here, you wouldn't notice.

Don't be smart.
I asked you a question.

No, you didn't.
Where were you?

Spent the night
at Gabe's studio.

The photographer?
You said he had a girlfriend.

Well, she wasn't there,
obviously.

He's committed to someone else.
How do you know?

He's not married
like your heart surgeon.

You're barely 18.

A 28-year-old man
is a mistake.

It wasn't a mistake.
It was great.

You're the one who said
your mistakes made your life.

I have the same rights.
You may have rights,

but you don't have
the same experience.

How do you expect me
to get that?

Oh, Sara.

I was hoping your first time
would be with someone special.

So I can be the oldest
living virgin in America,

just waiting for the right one?

What if he's the right one?
[SCOFFS]

What if I'm in love with Gabe,
he's in love with me?

Is that special enough?

Oh, my God.
Where are your brains?

Maybe my brains are at
the same place yours are.

Can't believe
I'm hearing this from you.

You had a baby with somebody
you knew for six weeks.

Think you're old enough
to have the answers?

I'm old enough to vote,
make my own decisions,

and old enough to know
how not to get pregnant.

That's enough.
I have to get ready for school.

Sara! Oh!
[PHONE RINGS]

Hello?
ALEX: I'm only gonna be here

another couple of days.

We need to talk about Jake.
I'm not ready.

I made a reservation at Marco's,
near the courthouse.

I know where it is.
Bring your fiancé.

I wanna
put everything on the table.

[PHONE BEEPS OFF]

[SIGHS]
I'm in love. He loves me.

Sara, I thought this was
supposed to be about sex?

Yeah, well, it took a turn.
Be specific.

Like nobody does the things that
we did unless you're in love.

You're not exactly
the greatest judge.

I mean, who do you have
to compare him with?

Maybe I'll move out of my house
and move in with Gabe,

you know,
at least until I go to college.

Did he ask you to?

No, but I'm sure
he will after this weekend.

You're gonna spend
the weekend with him?

That's the plan.
Well, that's great.

It's more than great.

I'll see you.

Randy.

The team bus is leaving
in 30 minutes.

Look, I'm sorry
about the other night.

Ah, forget it. Wish me luck
in Arlington, all right?

You know what,
I'm tired of you being weird.

If you've got something to say,
spit it out.

I met someone else.
What someone else?

Like, someone older.

Someone not
in high school, okay?

Okay by me. There's plenty
of girls waiting in Arlington.

You got 'em to cave.

You got the biggest insurance
company in the state to settle.

I'm only sorry I don't get
a chance to beat them in court.

They knew we had them.
I get to call Alycia.

Let me call the Bradicans. They
have to okay the settlement.

And then we go to Marco's
and present a solid front?

Okay.

Thank you.

I can't leave the raising
of my son to a stranger.

Yeah, well, you're the stranger
to Jake, not me, so...

Not my choice. I wasn't
given a choice, and I'm--

Right. Can we just cool it
with the accusations?

I'm just bringing you
up to speed on the history.

She's told me everything, so--
Let's keep it in the present.

Sure. Steve's sitting
where I wanna sit,

and I can't do anything.
Look, um...

we're here to talk about Jake,

so, um, let's try
and keep it civilized.

Okay. So let's talk
about our son.

Jake and I need
to get to know each other,

so, what if I flew up
once a month

and took him for the weekend?

And do what?
I don't know, usual stuff.

The zoo, playground, junk food.

[CHUCKLES]

He doesn't know you,
so I would have to be with you

the first couple of times.
That's fine.

And there's child support.
We don't need child support.

It's my obligation.
If you don't need it,

open up an account for him
after we agree on an amount.

Your discretion.
Okay.

Oh, I'd like to start
an educational fund for him.

Thank you.
Yeah.

And there's the issue
of his name.

It's Gradwell
on the birth certificate.

Yeah, I'd really like
to change that.

I had hoped to adopt him
after we got married.

That's out of the question.

Why is that out of the question?

It's non-negotiable.

Nobody wants a custody fight.
Please.

This is Jake's reality.

Steve, Alex is his father.

Yeah, biological.
Yeah, that's the definition.

Please. Look, Alex, 3-year-olds
become 13-year-olds really fast.

You have kids,
you know how that happens.

And you're gonna be in Atlanta.
I'm gonna be the primary parent,

and I would like to have
ultimate authority

over decisions
that could affect Jake's life.

Absolutely. With discussion.

How much discussion?

Enough. We're gonna
have to trust each other here.

I'm not some guy
you picked up in a bar.

Jake was conceived
in a relationship.

Yeah, it may have been
transient, but it was real love.

Hey.
Where's Sara?

Oh, uh, I don't know.

She called and asked me
to babysit until you came home.

I had nothing better to do.

I never have
anything better to do.

Oh, your luck will change.

What time did she say
she'd be back?

She said she'd be gone
all weekend.

Oh, Megan.

She thinks she's in love.

She's 18.
You can't tell her she's not.

How'd it go at dinner?
[SCOFFS]

It was hard,

especially for Steve.

I'm gonna have to share Jake
starting tomorrow.

Alex and I are
spending the day with him.

You don't wanna
give Alex another chance?

No way.

He's married, he's divorced,

he's married,
he's divorced.

Depending on the day.

I slept with him.
I thought maybe that happened.

Oh, I'm so confused.

I don't know how I feel anymore.
You better find out.

It looks to me like Alex is
in your life from here on out.

And you can't refuse
to see him.

Well, it'll be easier
after Steve and I are married.

Are you gonna marry Steve

just to protect yourself
from getting hurt again?

Where are you going?

I've got an assignment.

What assignment?

Hey, I do have to work,
you know.

It's Saturday.

I'll see you later.

When?
Around 8:00.

[MOTORCYCLE STARTS, REVVING]

All right. Come on.
Eat your breakfast.

We have to go meet your daddy.
Daddy?

I know I haven't told you
anything about your daddy,

because he's been away
for a while.

But now he's back.

It may take you a little time
to get used to him,

but he's a very nice man.

And if you give him a chance,
you're really gonna like him.

Okay.

Okay. The truth?

I'm a little nervous myself.

[***]

Mm-hm.

[CHILDREN CLAMORING EXCITEDLY]

Okay. There he is.

The man in the brown jacket.
See, doesn't he look nice?

What do you think?

Okay.

Let's bite the bullet.

This is your daddy.

ALEX: Hi.
Hi.

[***]

Okay. Wait, wait, wait.

JAKE: One of each.
JESS: Oh, okay.

Two at the same time.
Yeah.

They're really hungry, huh?
JESS: Very hungry.

[ALEX CHUCKLES]
JAKE: Whoa!

Go ahead, throw it.
He'll get it.

Good catch.

He got it.
Hey, hey.

Where's she at?

He's a great kid.

I know.

This is not gonna be so tough.

Not for you.

We're not gonna have a kid with
too many people in our lives.

I think we should be friends.

Okay. We're friends.

Would you stop being
so polite to me?

I'm always polite.
I...

That's not what I remember.
[CHUCKLES]

[CHUCKLES]

[LAUGHS]

JESS:
You do crazy things
when you're young.

We're still young.

And I think what happened the
other night qualifies as crazy.

I had a temporary lapse
in judgment.

Thank God.

It was pretty crazy.

Unlikely moments
seem to be our thing.

Never thought that
in one of those moments

we'd be creating this great kid.
I always thought

when Jake was born,
he had a plan for me.

Well, I guess he had a plan
for both of us.

I'll see you in a month,
big guy. Okay?

Okay.
Bye-bye.

[SIGHS]
Monday is my last day in court.

I'll,um, be in touch.

Okay.

Take care of yourself.

Hey.

It was a really nice day.
Yeah.

[***]

[PHONE RINGS]

[PHONE BEEPS ON]
[SIGHS]

Hello?
ALEX: Hi.

Listen, I'm on a 4 p.m. flight
back to Atlanta Monday, and, uh,

well, I've had some
second thoughts about Jake.

So have I.
Well, we need to talk,

just the two of us.

Can I come by tomorrow?
No.

Uh, I'll meet you
on neutral ground.

Okay. How about the coffee shop
near your house?

Ten o'clock.
Okay.

[PHONE BEEPS OFF]

[SARA BLOWS]

[***]

[DOORBELL RINGS]

Coq au vin?
Thanks. I'm not hungry.

Yeah. It'll freeze.

I tried to call you.

I wasn't picking up.
I figured.

Well, I've had
some thinking to do.

Can I get you some coffee?

Uh, I'd rather have a Scotch.
Thanks.

Look...

I know dinner was hard for you,
and I'm sorry.

It was hard for me too.
[ICE CLINKS]

But disappearing
is not a mature response.

Yeah, maybe not.
I'm a trial lawyer, remember?

Spent the last 24 hours
going back and forth

between being a prosecutor
and a defense attorney.

Who's on trial? Me?

[SIGHS]

No, our future.
What does that mean?

Look, um...

I never had a family.

And I didn't miss it.

At least I told myself
I didn't miss it.

And then...

I ran into you.

Suddenly not only
do I want it all,

it looks like I'm gonna have
it all until this guy shows up.

I don't have
a postcard family, Steve.

I--
I'm divorced.

I have a child out of wedlock.

You knew that.
Mm-hm.

And I'm sorry
if you've romanticized it

and it's not holding up for you.
That is not the point.

Well, what is?
Come on, you don't know?

Obviously it's about Alex.

You're damn right
it's about Alex.

How do you think it felt
watching the two of you, huh?

Like all you wanted to do was
have a go at it on the table.

That's not true.
You could cut the sex

with a knife, Jess.

I'm sorry.

About what?

I'm sorry you're hurt.
I'm sorry you're angry.

And are you sorry
you slept with him?

What, are you
taking the Fifth here?

You slept with him.

Didn't you?

Did you?

[***]

Were you...
Were you gonna tell me?

I've been trying
to find the right words.

Well, find them.

It didn't mean anything.
Oh.

So it's just sex. And what
makes you think that's okay?

Where is your integrity?
Where does that leave me?

At the altar, waiting
for a woman I can't trust?

I said I'm sorry.
Oh, come off it.

Because you--
You are not the kind of person

who has one last fling
for auld lang syne.

And you expect me
to marry a woman

who is in love
with someone else.

I'm not in love with him.

Steve--
Look...

he is going to be coming
in and out of our lives.

And every time he shows up,
I am gonna be wondering

what is going on
between the two of you.

And I can't do it.

[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]

[***]

[PHONE DIALS]

[LINE RINGING]

[ON RECORDING]
If you want Caroline,
leave a message.

Caroline, it's me.

I'm at Gabe's. My car got towed.

Can you come get me?

VALERIE:
Okay.

Thanks for giving up
your Sunday.

I didn't have
anything better to do.

Maybe I might take him
to the children's museum.

Did you know a child's brain

can hold ten times
more information

than the National Archives?

No. And I'm not sure
that's true.

Well, I read it,
and it is true.

You don't look right.

Steve and I had
a misunderstanding.

Bye, Mom.
Bye, Jake.

Well, I guess so,
with all of this going on.

Should never have taken
Steve to that dinner.

A woman can't deal
with two men at the same time.

Are you okay?
I don't know.

Can you straighten this out?

Not with Alex in our life.

Mmm.

You okay?

My car got towed.

You need a ride home?

My friend's coming to get me.

Where's Gabe?

I don't know.

Do you?

No.

Never showed up last night.

Yeah, he does that.

Why aren't you mad at me?
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

It's not your fault.
You're a kid.

Anyway,
I'm used to the way he is.

Is he always with somebody else?

It's always a possibility.

Why do you put up with it?
Because we're alike.

[VEHICLE APPROACHING]

[HORN HONKS]

[SARA SNIFFLES, SIGHS]

What happened?
He never showed up.

You spent the night there
by yourself?

Yeah. And I don't
wanna talk about it.

I just wanna go get my car.
It's Sunday.

You can't get your car
until tomorrow.

God, I can't go home and admit
to my mom that she was right.

Can I stay
at your house tonight?

Sure.

You wanna go
get something to eat?

Yeah. I'm starving.

So, um, I've been thinking.
Me too.

Steve's a decent enough guy.

I want your life
to work out for you.

[SIGHS]

The thing is, you and I
have a wonderful child.

And I got territorial.

I mean, it's possible
that I was so busy

staking out my claim on him...

that I missed
the bigger picture. You know?

No.

I'm trying to rise above
what I want

and think what's best for him.
You do understand that?

Go on.
I just start thinking about this

from his perspective.

I mean, am I doing
what's best for him,

or am I imposing myself on him
and on you for selfish reasons?

Are you?
I don't know.

Jake's pretty young for
the truth, but it's his truth.

That's the dilemma.
Yes.

Still, he's...

maybe too young
to comprehend the situation,

at least for now.

So...

you're going back to your wife?

Is that what this is about?
She's not my wife.

In less than a week, she will
officially be my ex-wife,

and I'm going
to tell her everything.

It's about your kids then.
Uh-huh, partially.

I mean, it'll be hard
to hit them with this

on top of the divorce,
you know?

I'm gonna have to figure
something to tell 'em.

I don't know
what it is you want.

You saying you're gonna
give up your legal rights?

Fine, because it'd make my life
a hell of a lot easier.

No, I didn't say that.

I just meant my kids are gonna
need some time. That's all.

Jake might need time.
Maybe you need time.

I'm trying to be a good father.
Help me.

You're the primary parent.
This is a discussion.

Okay. You're right.

You should come back
when Jake is a little older.

I think that's a great idea.

[SIGHS]

How old is old enough?
I don't know, Alex.

Five, 6, 7, never.

I don't know what you want.
You know what I want?

I want that amazing day
in the park. That's what I want.

The three of us.
You and me and Jake,

the way it might have been
if I had known we had a child.

Well, that was then,
and this is now.

[SIGHS]

Okay. Then we'll proceed
on good faith.

Just don't jump into anything.

Make sure that how and when
I become a part of Jake's life

is in his best interests.
Fine.

Thank you.

For what?
For Jake.

[***]

One minute I'm a happy person
with a fantastic daughter,

great boyfriend,
promising future...

and the next thing I know,
everything's falling apart.

How did I get here?
A-L-E-X.

I am not in love with Alex.
Then why are you sitting here?

Why aren't you trying to make
things all right with Steve?

I don't know.

Maybe because if you were
really in love with Steve,

you wouldn't
have slept with Alex.

I don't need to hear this
right now, Megan.

[SIGHS]

Looks like Sara's
not coming home again.

She's 18.
Stop saying that.

And don't tell me not to worry.
You can't stop biology.

Sara's gonna have
good experiences and bad ones.

Just hope
she finds her own truth.

That's what separates
the women from the boys.

Are you talking
about Sara or me?

Look, if you are
still in love with Alex,

and I'm not saying you are,
just a hypothetical...

then why are you
letting him get away?

I don't wanna get hurt again.
[SCOFFS]

Fine. Take that to bed
with you tonight.

[***]

There you are.

There we are.
[SIGHS]

You look terrible.
I didn't sleep much.

I can believe that.

[SUCKS TEETH]

Why don't you just call in sick?

Take a day off.

Go to a movie. Go to a spa.
Give yourself a break.

When do you get a break?
Oh, I'm fine.

Well, if I can pass the bar,
my income will go up a third

and I can start
looking for preschools.

Don't rush anything.

Thanks, Ma.
Mm-hm.

JAKE: Bye, Mom.
Bye, Jake.

[CHUCKLES]
Bye, Mom.

[***]

[SIGHS]

[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]

You want half of my sandwich?

What kind?

Peanut butter.

I didn't have any breakfast.
Me neither.

I cut work.

I cut school.

You ever do that before?

No.

Me neither.

Once.

Caroline and I went to a spa
and she charged it to her dad.

[CHUCKLES]

Thank goodness,
you're not perfect.

Why'd you cut work?
Steve and I got in a fight.

You broke up?

Yes.

Because of the heart surgeon?

[SIGHS]

I...

Maybe I'm supposed to be alone.

A lot of women are,
and they're fine.

What about the heart surgeon?

He hurt me.

I can't trust him again.

You were right about Gabe.
I didn't wanna be right.

I really wanted things
to work out with him.

Just because
we want something badly...

doesn't make it different
from what--

From what it really is.

Just so you know,
I used birth control.

Good girl.

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

Hey, at least
I'm not a virgin anymore.

Virginity's not everything
it's cracked up to be.

Yeah, well, sure was easier
being a virgin.

That's because women...

always mix up sex and love.

Why?
I don't know.

It's just the way we are.

How can you tell the difference?

To tell you the truth,
I still don't know.

You trust your heart, I guess.

What if your heart
makes a mistake?

It's better for your heart
to make a mistake

than to live your life
without heart.

Do you think
I'll ever fall in love again?

You will. Guaranteed.

Yeah. It might take a while.

It might.

[***]

What are you doing?
JESS: Paying bills.

My camera was expensive, right?
Worth every penny.

That bill doesn't come
until next month.

I guess I should get
a real job after school

instead of an internship.
Once I pass the bar,

we won't have
to worry about money so much.

I think you should marry
the heart surgeon.

For money?

I believed him
when he said he loved you.

I think you might be
in love with him too.

Oh, and what
makes you think that?

Come on, I have experience now.

[SIGHS]

He's leaving
on a 4:00 p.m. flight.

Maybe he's still at his hotel.

Not likely.

Do you have his cell number?

[DIALING]

[LINE RINGS]

RECORDED VOICE:
The party
you are trying to reach

is either unavailable
or out of the area.

Just as well. No answer.

I bet if you were to leave now,

you'd catch him
before his plane takes off.

Go.

What if it works out?
[CHUCKLES]

That'd be a good thing, Mom.

You're my only daughter,

and you're on the threshold
of your life and you need me.

Hey, I'm going off to college.

With or without a scholarship,
that's what you said, right?

So...

whatever happens,
I'm gonna be somewhere

and you're gonna be
somewhere else.

Things are never gonna be
different between us, Sara.

No matter if I'm with someone
or without someone

or where I am or wherever you go
in the world...

I am still your mother.

Heh, I knew that.

Go.
Okay.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER OVER PA]

WOMAN [OVER PA]:
Paging Dr. Lofton.

Dr. Alex Lofton, please come
to a white courtesy phone.

Come on.

Yes, this is Dr. Lofton.
Alex.

It's me, Jess.

Hello. What are you doing here?

[***]

[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]

Sorry.

Are you sure?
The question is, are you sure?

Yes.
No, I mean, we have a history.

You come close
and then you back off.

And it's always
for an honorable reason.

I will never
break your heart again.

I need to be sure.

You can't be sure.

I can't be sure
that you won't break my heart.

We've both been
through enough to know

that life doesn't come
with guarantees.

All I know is I love you.

I love you more
than I've ever loved anyone.

What if I come up
every weekend

until Sara goes to college?

Think we can get everyone
together for a camping trip,

get the kids to know each other?

Get my kids used to the idea

before you and Jake
come down to Atlanta?

I know you are gonna ace
the Georgia bar.

I'm sorry,
I'm all over the place, but...

I think you missed your plane.
Good.

Oh!

[ALEX CHUCKLES]

[GASPS, SIGHS]

[***]