The Baby-Sitters Club

Summertime is the weirdest time.

When it's happening, it feels like it'll last forever,

and then when it's over, it feels like it never happened at all.

Except for this one,

because this was the summer when everything changed.

My mom got married, and when my friends and I got back to Stoneybrook from camp,

I had a new house, a new family.

Most of our stuff came with us,

but some things didn't.

It's hard to sleep without him.

I know.

Do you think he knew it was gonna happen when they took him to the vet?

He was so sick, buddy.

And he was in a lot of pain.

He knew the vet would make it go away.

And he knew we really loved him.

David Michael had been like this pretty much every day since our dog Louie,

well, you know.

His whole life, most of mine too,

Louie had been waiting at the door for us to get home.

But now he was gone.

Come on. Let's go get some breakfast.

And home wasn't home anymore. Not that Mom and Watson weren't trying.

Good morning, sleepyheads.

Welcome to the Thomas-Brewer family breakfast buffet!

Why do they do this every weekend?

To make us feel more like a family.

It was all really nice,

but, to me, family is when you can put your feet up

and eat dry cereal out of the box with your hands.

This was not that,

no matter how much fruit salad my mom made.

David Michael, you have got to taste the pancakes that Watson made.

- They're his specialty. - Yes, they are.

Hot off the griddle. I got blueberry. I got banana.

I got raspberry chocolate chip.

And check this out, little man, a D for David,

M for Michael,

and T for Thomas.

- Isn't that cute? - Isn't that cute?

I can switch the T and the M.

For a proper monogram, the T should be in the middle.

It's great, Watson. Thanks.

- You're so amazing. - I love you.

David Michael hates pancakes,

but he doesn't want to make Watson feel bad.

In the old days, he'd slip whatever he didn't want

to Louie under the table.

Now I'm Louie.

Liz,

are you responsible for the cantaloupe?

Why, yes, sweetheart. I am.

Just so you know for the future,

I prefer them cut into wedges, not cubes.

Of course, some people don't worry about feeling comfortable at all.

Take my older brothers, Charlie and Sam.

They've been "Brewers,"

and yes, those are quotation marks you hear in my voice, for two months now,

and they act like they've had everything from their pancakes to their underwear

monogrammed their whole lives.

Believe me, I am lucky to be here, but that's the thing.

When you feel lucky, it's because a part of you knows you don't belong.

I miss camp. I miss my friends. I miss...

Stacey!

Hey! I was hoping I'd see you.

Duh. What are you doing here?

- Were you just in the neighborhood? - Oh, Sam texted me.

Sam?

Yeah. He said some people were hanging, and did I want to come.

Are you dating my brother now? You know he's a sophomore, right?

We're friends who text.

So you... you didn't come to hang out with me at all?

I came hoping to hang out with both of you.

Hey, Stacey.

I'm just gonna go say hi for one sec.

- Be back. - Go say hi.

Sam!

Stacey just hugs boys now apparently.

Hey, are you looking for someone?

My name is Amanda Delaney. I live down the street.

I didn't know there were other kids in the neighborhood. I'm Kristy.

I know who you are. You're Mr. Brewer's new...

- Whatever you are. - Stepdaughter.

For your mother from mine. I have no idea why.

Back on Bradford Court,

I would've told her what she could do with her envelope, but now,

well, she looked like she belonged here,

and I knew I didn't.

I'll give it to her.

Thanks.

You know that's a bath towel, right?

What, were you born in a barn or, like, New Jersey?

So I didn't know there was more than one kind of towel,

or what was wrong with New Jersey.

Oh well. The summer was almost over,

and I was finally back where I belong.

This meeting of The Baby-Sitters Club will come to order.

Claude, what is that?

Oh, it's a Fuji X-T10. Ease of digital, look of film.

I just thought I'd really document this year.

- Just keep talking and act natural. - Oh.

Um, did you get that one on Etsy too?

B&H. I took her when she came to the city.

It's this really famous camera store on 9th Avenue.

And they gave me a very good price.

- Great. - Ooh, Dawn, you look super tan.

Three weeks in Southern California where the sun shines as advertised.

I feel like a whole new person.

It was the best summer ever. Ooh, can I see?

Well, summer's over now,

and The Baby-Sitters Club is officially back in business.

We've all grown over this past year,

physically, personally, and most importantly, in number.

So I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our newest member...

Hi! Sorry.

Jessi.

Class went late and Madame Noelle is super strict about everyone staying

to the very end.

I really, really hate people being late,

but I, too, have experienced some personal growth.

I think.

It's okay. This time.

Baby-Sitters Club.

Dr. Johanssen!

We're glad to be back too.

Thursday night?

- Stacey. Stacey McGill will be your sitter.

- We'll see you then. - That was like clockwork.

Smooth as silk. A well-oiled machine.

You guys are awesome.

Um, what are you guys wearing for the first day of school?

Ooh, I have this amazing vintage blazer that I bleach-dyed myself,

high-waisted pleather shorts, and my purple Docs.

Sorry. I just have to break them in a little bit before tonight.

Didn't you just come from ballet?

That was class. Tonight I have rehearsals for the fall showcase.

Oh.

So, Miss Best Summer Ever,

is it going to be the best fall ever?

- What do you mean? You and Logan.

Things were getting pretty serious at camp.

- I... I mean-- - They kissed.

Stop.

Thrice.

That means three, by the way.

So, are you guys, like, fully boyfriend and girlfriend now?

I don't know. We haven't talked since the end of camp.

Mary Anne!

It's only been three weeks. That's like nothing. Plus, it's summer.

He said he was going to his grandparents in Kentucky.

See, they probably don't have cell reception there.

Yes, they do.

They absolutely have cell reception in Kentucky.

If you wanna see if it's meant to be, there's one foolproof way to know.

Stalk him on social media.

- No. - No.

Compare your detailed astrological charts

to find out if your love is truly written in the stars.

We'll figure out the position of the planets

at the moment of both of your births--

Or, get this, you could just text him and tell him you miss him.

No.

- It's what you would do. - Kristy.

I told you, Sam texted me!

Right.

Anastasia Elizabeth McGill,

Sam Thomas texted you and you didn't tell me?

It's not that big a deal.

You're an Aries, right?

Okay. He invited me to hang out by the pool at Watson's,

and I mostly hung out with Kristy.

But he's making an effort to have some kind of social life

in his new neighborhood.

Unlike some people I know, Kristin Amanda Thomas.

First of all, Claudia broke out the full names, not me.

And second of all, I do have a social life within my neighborhood.

- Hm. - Who's that with?

I'm going over to this girl Amanda Delaney's house

in a couple of days.

With my mother, for tea.

- For tea. - Fancy. Okay.

It's just like Paddington.

It was not like Paddington.

For one thing, Paddington likes to eat.

And Paddington is friendly.

This is a beautiful home.

Hmm.

The architectural detail is lovely.

Is it the same upstairs?

Yes.

I am not sure I know how you met Watson.

Oh, it's really sweet, actually.

Yeah, um, he was looking for new office space,

and I was the listing agent

on this converted warehouse development in Stamford.

Oh, so you worked for him.

With him.

Well, as his Realtor.

I've always worked.

Um, that's how I support my four children.