Life by Ella (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Episode #1.1 - full transcript

Whoa. We're way up here.

Like, this is legit
spleen-explode-inside-of-your-body high.

Yep. I'm scared.

Me too. But that's how I know that
what we're about to do, is worth doing.

[friend] You know, Ella,
the more I think about this,

the more I think I enjoy
having my spleen intact.

Don't worry. You can live a
completely normal life without a spleen.

We know a kid who's doing it. I
mean, Gavin's not exactly normal,

but the lack of spleen
isn't his issue.

- I'm gonna hit the stairs.
- Kai.

We're in this together.
Remember what you promised me?



So come to find out,
baby carrots aren't babies.

They're just shaved-down
regular carrots.

We're being lied to and
no one seems to care.

- [rhythmic beeping]
- Don't care.

Come on, El. You
can get through this.

Just don't give up.

I promise you, if you
make it through this...

When you make it through,

I will do anything
you ask. Anything.

[steady beep]

Nurse! Someone help!

[laughs]

[rhythmic beeping]

Were you...



Holding my breath? Yep.

And I just owned you.

Not funny.

It so was.

And I'm holding you
to that promise.

Okay, I promise.

But why exactly do you
wanna jump from up here?

'Cause it's terrifying.

And now that I've beat cancer,

I'm done letting fear
stop me from living.

[Kai] Are you really
ready to do this?

No, I'm not.

[sniffs] Dad, what is this?
It smells terrible.

It's homeopathic green tea.
It's loaded with polyphenols

which have been shown to
inhibit tumor cell proliferation.

Not one of those words
screams "delicious."

- So, what did you wanna talk about?
- Well, um...

Hey, Grady, can you give us a
second? I need to talk to your sister.

Yeah, no problem. I'll grab
a snack in the other kitchen.

Come on, Dad, just spit it out.

Look, I know we talked about
you going back to school tomorrow...

I am going back
to school tomorrow.

- I'm not sure you're ready.
- I'm sure I'm ready.

Ella's gotta come back
to school tomorrow.

Thank you, Grady.

So that everybody can
ask her how she's doing

and stop bothering me about it.

[person] Hello?

Hey, Ella.

In anticipation of
the big day tomorrow,

I went shopping for school
supplies. At my office.

Need any binder clips
or a staple remover?

No, what I need is for you to
talk to Dad. He's stressing again.

I am not stressing. I'm just not
sure Ella's ready for school tomorrow.

Carl, we discussed this.
Ella is starting tomorrow.

Dad, did you hear that?

Look, I know everyone's excited,

but I'm not sure
the timing is right.

The last thing we want
is to rush this

and have Ella end up
back in the hospital.

Not again. Why is everything
in this house whole grain?

I'm not gonna end up back in the
hospital. The doctors said that I was fine.

Honey, I think we have
to trust the doctors.

They also said her white
blood cell count was still low.

And tomorrow the Santa
Ana winds are blowing,

which means more dust, more
pollens, more chances of fires,

which means more
carcinogens in the air.

I didn't catch cancer
from the wind,

so I'm guessing
it's not gonna bring it back.

The sooner Ella goes back
to school,

the sooner we can all
get back to normal.

Preach.

Forget it. I guess
everyone's willing

to throw caution
to the wind. Literally.

Yes! I get to go back to school.

[shudders]
Never thought I'd be that kid.

[honks] -Sorry, one
second. Here we go.

Oof.

Guys, can you get back
in the car?

It's called "drop off,"
not "stay a while."

Uh, it's a big day for Ella.

Okay, as soon as school is out,

I will be the first person
in the carpool line.

Oh, Dad, I was actually hoping to
hang out at the mall after school?

Okay. We can hit the mall.

Mom, save me.

- Carl, let her be a kid.
- I'm a kid. Can I go to the mall?

You're a kid who's
getting a C in math, so no.

- [mother chuckles]
- [honking]

Ella gets everything.

Yeah.
Like rhabdomyosarcoma.

Oh, here we go.
Lunch.

Lunch.

Dad. A cooler?

I'm going to school,
not a picnic at the beach.

I can eat regular food
like a regular kid.

This is a totally regular lunch.

Also, if you don't eat
the acai parfait for a snack,

put it in the nurse's fridge.

'Cause otherwise, the
antioxidants will break down.

They'll lose all of
their nutritional value.

Yeah, super regular.

What'd Dad give you?

Hummus? I hate hummus.

You didn't even get me,
like, pepperoni pizza bagels.

The hummus was on sale
and we're all trying to cut back.

Yet another way
cancer ruins my life.

- Grady, go.
- Bye, Grady.

In case you need some flavor
to wash down your dad's lunch.

Thank you, Mom.
I love you.

[exhales deeply]

I knew this was gonna be tough,
that's why I wrote some things down.

- [honks]
- Just...

"My beautiful Ella Rose..."

I promise you I'll read every
word of this. I love you, Dad.

- [Carl] I love you.
- Okay. I can't breathe.

- Okay. Okay.
- Okay. Go, go, go, go. Go.

- [honking]
- Oh. Okay! All right.

- Yes, we're leaving.
- Sorry.

Look who's gonna miss daytime court
shows for the first time in over a year.

Welcome back.

Did your dad pack you
a spare kidney?

Ugh. Don't give him
any ideas. [Chuckles]

So, you good
coming back to school?

Little nervous.

Yeah, me too.

What do you have to be
nervous about? Don't be weird.

- But I'm weird, that's my thing.
- [chuckles]

- Ella, so glad you pulled through.
- Me too.

Welcome back, Ella. If you
ever need someone to talk to,

I had an aunt
who had cancer, so...

Uh, I'll keep that in mind.

Ella, you look amaze. So skinny.

Yeah, cancer's the new Pilates.

I hate everyone for you.

Ugh. Pity makes
my spine tingle.

It's worse than
Rick Upchurch's face.

Rick Up church? The
channel 3 weather guy?

I get the pity thing, but what
do you have against Rick?

He's the maestro
of the Ultra Doppler 3X.

Have you looked at his eyes?
They're like two black holes

ready to suck in our galaxy
and all the life it contains.

We'd know if the galaxy were
about to end, 'cause my boy Rick

- would have it on his seven-day forecast.
- [scoffs]

Ella, you're here.

Hey, Ximena.

- I missed you so much.
- Thanks.

I didn't even know you'd be
back so soon after... everything.

Well, there's a lot
you don't know

when you don't see
someone for over a year.

Oh. Gonna wash my hands.

So...

I need to wash my hands too.

Listen, El, I am so sorry

I didn't get a chance to
visit you in the hospital.

A chance?

But I was thinking about you.

I sent flowers, I sent emails.

I wore my Ella Strong
rubber bracelet for months.

Wow, you're so brave.

Look, I, um,
I need to get back out to Kai.

What's with that anyway?

Kai was the only one who
came to visit me at the hospital

and talk to me about
his problems.

Honestly, that made me feel
better than any of my pain meds.

[water running]

[breathes heavily]

What? [Chuckles]

Nothing. I'm good if you are.

I'm good.

[whistle blows]

Two rules:

One, touch the line with
your hand, or you start over.

Two, don't come near me
with your clumsy feet.

I'm rocking fresh new kicks
and I plan on reselling them.

We understood?

[cell phone rings]

Who has the audacity to have an
unsilenced cell phone on in my class?

That was me, Coach Nattiel. My dad keeps
updating me about the air quality index.

Oh, Ella, I didn't know
you were back.

Line up.

[Ella]
I'm so sorry about the phone.

Oh, no need to apologize.

In fact, I'm sorry, uh, for everything
you've been going through.

Thanks. [Chuckles]

- Can I hug you?
- No, thanks.

I think I'll just get
in the wind sprint line.

Can I have a word with Ella?

Wow, Kai. You seem to be
moving pretty well on those feet.

You finally ready
to participate?

Uh, sorry, Coach.
Podiatrist's orders.

What are you doing? You have a totally
legit excuse to get out of that torture.

- I don't want an excuse. I just wanna run.
- You're nuts.

I pay a shady podiatrist 50 bucks a
month for a note saying I have bunions.

And I'm nuts?

Time's up, Bunion Boy.

[sighs]

[whistle blows]

[panting]

- [grunts]
- [Kai] Ella!

[Coach Nattiel]
Someone, get the nurse.

No. I'm okay, I just... [clears
throat] I'm out of shape.

You scared me.

Me too.

I was so scared, I ran over here

and scuffed my dang shoe.

[pants]
Can I have one of those?

[gulps]

Ella? You don't look so good.

I'm fine. I'm totally fine.
[exhales deeply]

That's the second time today
you got sick.

Stop. I... I just pushed
myself a little too hard.

- You sure?
- Yep.

In fact, you know what I'm
thinking we do for lunch?

We hit Fausto's for a burrito.

Would I be able to gulp down

one of those bad boys
if I were sick?

Ella, I was wondering if you'd
trade me that parfait thing?

I would,
but I just threw it away.

Argh. I have
the worst life.

Anyone wanna trade
for some hummus?

- Hey, Nurse Steve?
- Uh-huh?

Can I use the phone
to call my dad?

Why? Is everything
okay with Ella?

[sighs] I lost my lunch.

Oh.
Well, then of course.

Proper nutrition is vital.

Oh. Go ahead.

[dialing]

Hey, Dad.

Grady, is Ella okay?

- Yes, Ella's fine.
- Thank God.

- I lost my lunch.
- What did you do?

No, it's not my fault.

Truth is, some big
kids took it from me.

- Grady.
- Can you please bring me pizza bagels?

Fine. I'll see what I can do.

Thanks. Bye.

Hey. If you're being
bullied, I can help, dude.

I'm good... dude.

[cell phone ringing]

Hey, Carl. Is everything okay?

No, I can't bring Grady food.

My boss doesn't
let us off for lunch.

- Joanne? I need a word.
- G-Gotta go.

- Sorry, Marta.
- You should be.

It's been an hour
and it's still your turn

on Wild with Words.

- I need a word.
- Okay.

But your sad little "art"
is about to become "quartz."

[Marta] Mmm.

[phone chimes]

- You're fired. [Laughs]
- [chuckles]

When are you finally gonna bring
the kids around? I wanna meet them.

[sighs] Well, I'd love to
but Ella is so busy

with school and lacrosse.

And Grady's got this
academic decathlon thing, so...

Oh, you must be so proud.

- I am.
- [Marta] Aw.

- Hey, Grady. How's your sister?
- I don't know. Ask her.

[stammers]
Hey, there you are. Hey.

- Thanks, Dad, I'm starving.
- [sighs]

What's this? Where
are my pizza bagels?

They didn't have those
at the gas station.

So you get me an egg salad
sandwich from a gas station?

Fine, give it back.
Go hungry till dinner.

Ella gets everything and I can't
even get a stupid pizza bagel.

Speaking of Ella,
how's she doing today?

Ask her yourself.

Don't talk to me like that.

I'm serious.
Ask her yourself.

She's at the taco truck.

[cell phone rings]

Hey, Dad. Haven't been
rushed to the hospital yet.

Yeah, my lunch was delicious.

That parfait thing
really hit the spot.

- I'll bet it did.
- Dad?

Obviously, you are not
ready to be back at school

if these are the decisions
you're making about your health.

I cannot believe
you don't trust me.

And why would I when
I catch you eating red meat?

Dad!

Actually, that was mine.

Oh.

Oh, I'm sorry.
But you know what?

You shouldn't be eating
red meat either.

Well, I have an iron deficiency,
so my pediatrician said...

- Never mind.
- [Carl] Mmm.

Ella, if you don't start
taking better care of yourself,

you're gonna end up
back at the hospital.

- Burritos don't cause cancer.
- [cell phone rings]

Well, that's the school. Is there
anything else you're not telling me?

Oh, yeah, I actually rolled
around in some asbestos

and had a few
unnecessary X-rays.

Hi, Nurse Steve.
If this is about Ella's lunch,

I am already on to her.

Oh, I'm s...
Sorry, Grady's stuck in what?

Why is his arm
in a vending machine?

I literally just
dropped him off a sandwich.

[sighs] Okay.

Is everything okay with Grady?

Which part of the conversation
makes you think he's okay?

Oh, Grady.

We'll see you
in the carpool lane.

I'm sorry about him.
He's been through a lot.

Here, I'll give you
half of my burrito.

Oh, we've got a bleeder.
[chuckles]

[retches]

- [vomits]
- You threw up? Oh, my gosh.

- I'm... I'm fine. [Moans]
- Stop with that.

This is your third time
today you've gotten sick.

[sighs] I just...

I was so ready to be ready. I
wanna participate in life again.

But my dad was right.
I'm not ready.

I do belong at home
watching daytime court shows.

Come on, El. Couldn't it just be
your chemo meds bubbling up?

Didn't the doctors say
that might happen?

This feels different.

One second I'm fine,
and then the next,

my insides are ready
to come outside.

You don't know what's going on?

- That's a little terrifying.
- It is.

But I spent a year in the
hospital afraid of dying,

and 12 years before that
afraid of everything else.

I'm done living afraid.

- I need to get to the hospital.
- What?

I have to figure out
what's going on.

You need to tell
your dad about this.

I will. But not yet.

Ella, he's gonna know.

He's picking you up as
soon as school gets out.

Then we'll just have to
be back before then.

Watch yourself. Almost
spilled horchata on my kicks.

[elevator bell dings]

Man, this place is miserable.

Worse than Rick Upchurch's face.

Name another weather guy
who nails his barometer readings

and tells you
when the grunion are running.

It's certainly not Hail Peterson
on channel 12.

One day, you'll come to
see Rick's face is pure evil.

Come on, follow me.

Dad, none of this
would've happened

if you just gave me
pizza bagels for lunch.

Ella gets everything.

- She had cancer.
- So unfair.

Today has been a stressful day.
Can you try not to make it worse?

Hey, if you're looking
for Ella, she's not here.

I saw her take off with Kai
on a sad little scooter.

It's not funny.

- Ella? Kai. W-What are you doing here?
- Gavin.

- Oh, no. [Sighs]
- Yep.

[sighs] Didn't get to chill
with NED for too long.

- Who's Ned?
- No evidence of disease. It's cancer code.

Why didn't you tell me?

It just happened.

I came in for my routine
scan, and they said,

"Congratulations, you've won

a no-expenses-paid stay at
the world's worst resort."

At least they can't take
out my spleen again.

Sorry you have to
do this again so soon.

Now, later. What's the difference?
I'm never gonna be ready.

It's never a good time.

Sorry, Ella.

I wanna catch up
but I just had chemo

and I need to hit the bathroom.

Gonna puke up something
worse than Rick Upchurch's face.

I hate that guy.

- The worst.
- [Ella chuckles]

What is it with you guys
and Rick?

Wait. I... I think I figured
out what's wrong with me.

Honestly, before today
I was afraid...

Afraid to see Ximena
and all the other kids

I haven't seen in over a year.

Afraid that I wouldn't be
able to run in PE.

Afraid that my body would
reject food with actual flavor.

But those weren't what kept me
from living my life today.

You know what did?

Paper towels.

Every time I see one, it...

it brings me right back
to this bathroom.

To treatment.

To racing out of chemo

and spilling my soul
into that toilet.

And then wiping my face
with one of them.

They haunt me.

And everywhere I turned
today, there they were.

I will not let pieces of recycled
paper prevent me from living my life.

[sighs] If I can keep a
burrito down in this bathroom,

I know that I'll be fine
anywhere else.

[sighs] - Are you sure
you're ready to do this?

No.

But like Gavin said,

"There's never a good time."

"You just have to
get through it."

[sighs]

[water running]

[sighs]

[breathes shakily]

[sighs]

Hey, Kai. Thank you.

For what?
I didn't do anything.

You were there for me

like you have been
since the start of this.

Of course. I've always
got your back.

- Thanks for keeping me around.
- What? Why wouldn't I?

I just didn't know how things
were gonna be back at school.

I wasn't sure if us
being close was just

a "while you were sick"
thing or if it was real.

Kai. Friends who weren't
there for me when I was sick

are the friends who aren't real.

We're as real as it gets.

Honey, calm down.
So she went to the mall.

We can deal with it
when I get home.

I'm sorry I can't leave work
for that, I'm swamped.

[beeps]

Cannot believe Ella went to the
mall when I specifically told her not to.

Just to point out, you never told me
not to put my arm in a vending machine.

Just stop, Grady. Stop.

- [sighs]
- Uh, Dad.

- What did I just say?
- I found Ella.

As angry as I am right now,
I'm more hurt and disappointed.

She's still punished, right?

Grady, give us a minute.

- Do you want the truth?
- That'd be a nice change.

[breathes shakily]

You were right.

About today.

About me not being ready.

[sniffles] I got sick.

Physically nauseous three times.

So, I went to the hospital to
find out what was going on.

Oh, my God.
What did the doctor say?

It was paper towels.

Paper towels?
I don't understand.

I thought that going back to school would
bring me back to life away from cancer,

but every single time
I looked at a paper towel...

it brought me back to chemo.

So, there's no medical issue?

- No.
- Oh, God.

How fast does this thing go?

Well, it can go up to
seven miles per hour,

but I like to keep it in
safety mode. So, four.

[sighs] I'm so glad you're okay.

Oh. Okay, um.

Look, I'm sorry you had a...
A tough time.

Let's just, well,
you know. Let's just...

Let's give it a couple of days and
we'll come back when you're up for it.

You remember Gavin?

[sniffles]

His cancer came back.

So, I'm not wasting
my second chance at life

just waiting around.

I am going back
to school tomorrow.

You just told me
you're not ready.

I'm not.

But I'm not gonna
let that stop me.

I've been through much harder
things in life that I was not ready for.

Cancer. Chemo.

Having to decide whether or not

I wanted to have
my eggs harvested

in case I wanted
to have kids someday.

And that's... you never should
have had to deal with any of that.

But I did.
[sniffles]

And it showed me that
I can get through anything.

Whether I'm ready for it or not.

[crying, sniffling]

You are the toughest
13-year-old I've ever known.

And if you tell me you wanna
go back to school tomorrow,

I'm not gonna stop you.

Thanks.

But, El, your toughness

makes you think that you don't
have to protect yourself.

You do.
And I have to protect you.

I'm your dad, that's my job.

I know.

But I don't plan on
shying away from life.

I'm not living in fear
of paper towels,

of cancer,

of anything.

[upbeat music playing]

[Kai] Are you really
ready to do this?

I'm not.
But we can't let that stop us.