Cruel Summer

Previously on "Cruel Summer"...

- Cool necklace. -Thanks. - I got it for my birthday.

I need that snow globe.

Why would that piece of junk be important?

I noticed you at the garden club party.

Just the way that you were mingling with the adults,

I mistook you for one of them.

Well, why didn't you say hi?

Hi.

Remember when I said

that I had a big family secret that's been eating at me?

Sounds like it's time to shed some light on the situation.

That's exactly what I needed to hear.

You are being such a little brat!

And you're being a bitch!

Run away, until you come crawling back

with your tail between your legs.

I just feel so lonely in my own house

and in my own life all of a sudden.

How did that happen?

You're not alone.

I'm here.

I'm listening.

Let's revisit the concept of grooming.

A groomer isolates their victim.

He saw your unfulfilled need to confide in someone

then positioned himself as the singular person

to fulfill that need.

Groomers pose as saviors

when in reality, they're predators.

That false sense of security he built

was a well-laid trap.

Martin?

Are you able to see that reality?

It's hard.

When there's something I haven't told you.

I wasn't...

Kate.

Hi.

I was looking for you.

How did you sleep?

Like a baby.

I wasn't always locked in the basement.

Hello?

No, Mom, it is not a good time.

Kate stay out all night?

She's probably feeling pretty proud of herself

wherever she bunked up.

Should we call the police?

Do you really want our 16-year-old

on their radar as a troublemaker?

- You're not worried? - I'm worried sick, Rod,

but I'm trying to think straight.

Kate wouldn't put herself in harm's way.

She's somewhere safe.

And she'll show up for her first day of school.

I'll put eyes on her there.

You tell her we're sorry.

We'll sort everything out as a family,

which, Joy

we still need to do.

As soon as Kate is home safe.

Agreed.

I have to head into work early for a staff meeting.

Do you think you can manage the walk to school on your own?

Yeah.

Thank you, Martin, for listening.

For everything.

Kate, I really like our friendship and

I've never connected on this level

with another student before,

but... it's "Mr. Harris."

At least at school.

Shit. Shit.

Kate?

Hi.

I wanted to surprise you with a frozen pizza,

but it... it burned.

- Why weren't you in school today? - I was thinking about

what to say

you know, about where I've been and...

I... I need your help. I'm not really a good liar.

Your mother came to school looking for you. She came to me specifically.

Look, you need to go now.

If she calls the police, if they found out I lied,

I could lose my job or worse.

I'm so sorry.

I didn't mean to get you in any sort of trouble.

You need to go.

Okay.

I'm going.

I'm going right now.

Hello?

Speaking.

Well, that's... that's terrible news.

Thank you, Detective, for letting me know.

Bye.

You're officially a missing person.

The police are looking for you.

I can fix this.

I'll go home. I'll tell them...

Tell them what, that you've been here almost 24 hours

and I lied to your mother about it?

I don't know. I told you, I'm not a good liar.

I need your help.

I need to think.

Don't drink that. I

I forgot you were underage.

Martin

what'll we do?

I should have called your parents or the police last night,

but I didn't, that's on me.

No. No, my mom hit me. You were just helping.

You know, sometimes a distraction helps me think.

A distraction?

Yeah. Like

when I'm stuck on a homework assignment

I like to go for a run.

I mean, I know that that doesn't really help us here though,

so.

What about a game?

Do you have Monopoly?

No.

Okay, well, what about a deck of cards?

Maybe somewhere, yeah, but...

How about...

"Never Have I Ever"?

A drinking game?

Yeah, we're already drinking.

You're very convincing, you know.

Well, I am Debate Team captain, after all.

Never have I ever been on the debate team.

I handed you that one.

You know the rules. Drink up.

Never have I ever had pancakes for dinner,

but you're right, it's the bomb.

Well, breakfast for dinner is the best.

I still feel bad for Martin,

I think, because of our friendship,

before it all went wrong.

Friendship happens between two willing parties.

Given the power dynamic between you,

I wouldn't call it that.

I don't think he could help himself.

How old are you?

How old do you think I am?

Old enough to be very wise.

Age tends to do that.

You got to admit, I'm wise beyond my years, too.

You were the one that mistook me for an adult at first.

You're right, you're an old soul.

It's your turn.

Never have I ever

been on a road trip.

You got me there.

Where to?

I drove my car from Maine

all the way down the East Coast

through Florida,

until the road just

ended in Key West.

Felt like the end of the Earth.

What made you drive that far?

Was it for a girl?

- It was. - Very romantic.

You should visit Key West sometime.

It's a wild place.

You might need a tour guide.

Someone wiser?

Maybe.

See? I told you a game would relax us.

You're right.

We'll figure this out.

Your turn.

If you say so.

Never have I ever

kissed someone older.

You got me on that one.

Jamie... is six months older.

Have you ever kissed someone significantly older?

No.

Are you daring me to?

No.

I'm only kidding around.

You're ridiculously beautiful and smart and everything,

but no.

Because that would be crazy.

Would it?

Were you afraid of disappointing him?

I was raised to be afraid of disappointing anybody.

I'm sure he noticed that about you.

He noticed everything about me.

Martin liked me for me.

He made me feel sane.

I'm pretty sleepy.

Getting late.

Bed time.

Found you!

But you have to tag me first.

No!