Boy in the Walls

Just a reminder, don't panic.

The contractors are coming next month,

The electrical's all been hooked up,

All it needs now is a little paint.

A lot of paint.

Fine, a lot of paint.

But we'll get there soon enough

And before you know it you won't be able

To imagine living anywhere else.

Let's go check out the yard. Huh?

- Yeah. - Okay, buddy.

-It's way bigger than it looks in the pictures.

And way uglier.

-Well guys, this is going to be great.

I mean, look at the bones. Good bones.

-Alisa, you do realize good bones is what everyone says

When they've bought some money pit in the middle of nowhere.

-We're only 45 minutes from the city, maya.

Your friends can come visit anytime, stay overnight...

Oh sure, dad.

My friends will definitely come visit us

In our mildewed escape room.

-Hey. Maya. Come back and help unload.

It's okay. It's fine.

-We can play soccer out back. Huh, dad?

When you're back from your trips.

Sure thing, bug.

-And I can play with you too, theo, when your dad's away.

I've got a wicked left foot.

-My mom was a forward in college.

She almost made nationals.

-You'd tell me not to take it personally.

-It's harder when you can't put it down

To standard teenage angst.

excuse us.

- Oh... - coming through.

oh. Oh, wow.

She wasn't keeping up with the maintenance, was she?

-A house like this is a lot of work

For an old woman living alone.

-Yeah, living alone and dying alone.

-The agent said she died peacefully in bed.

You're not suddenly bothered by that, are you?

-Oh, no. God, no. No, no, no, no.

Oh, I always dreamed of a house like this.

Noise, lots of laughter, kids running down the hallway.

It was, you know, only ever just me and grandmother.

I always pictured a big house and a big messy family.

-Well, you sure got the messy part

When you ended up with a widower with two kids.

Risky swipe.

-Well, you used a very sexy photo.

And your kids were in the plus column.

More family, more love.

-It's an amazing woman that says let's have even more kids

And move to the country on our second date.

Well, I mean, we were standing next to

An overflowing garbage bin.

It seemed like a life change was in order.

-I was gonna say we were on a romantic stroll under the stars.

-Hmm, you'd had three glasses of wine.

-I remember how stunning you looked.

-Well, obviously you weren't that drunk.

Ooops, sorry.

-Yeah, that's okay. Big messy family, right?

You asked for it.

Weird.

-She was mom's. Her name is pearl.

Mom cut her hair. She was such a badass.

I don't have anything of hers.

-That's why we'll always keep her things around us. Okay?

She'll always be with us. Even in this crappy place.

-And all the rest of these you can just put in the basement.

-What are you doing with mom's stuff?

You wanna stick her in the basement?

-Maya, no. No, no. Of course not.

I'm just trying to clear some space and get rid of some junk.

Junk. Right.

What else would you like to clear out, hmm?

How about me and theo? Maybe get some new kids?

What? Maya. No. Let's, um...

Let's reset...

-I heard you and dad talking about it.

Oh, get a house this big

And you just have to fill it with babies.

-Hey, maya. Enough. Take it down a notch.

Grr!

-Bloodwork is clear. Hormone levels are promising.

okay. Some good news for once.

Try not to get discouraged.

-People say that but why isn't it happening for us yet?

-The fertility journey can be difficult

But there's no medical reason

That you can't have a healthy pregnancy.

A geriatric pregnancy. I hate that phrase.

-Me too. But how are you feeling?

-Um... A little overwhelmed to be honest.

-Well, the hormones that you're taking can be destabilizing.

This whole process is a huge stressor

So do everything you can to reduce that stress.

Lots of rest, exercise.

That's what it takes to stimulate egg growth.

One, two, three.

Okay.

Okay. Here you go, hon.

Thank you.

-You're welcome. You're welcome.

- Okay. - How'd it go?

Oh, you know. Ouch.

But I have to learn how to do it without you, so...

Ah.

You sure you're not overcompensating a little?

Sit.

Drink coffee.

Be silent.

-I admit, the house is kind of cool.

Unfortunately it comes with a step-monster included.

-At least yours isn't, like, five years older than you.

True.

She spends all day auditioning to be my new best friend.

That's my job.

-Trust me, you don't have to worry.

Oh, god.

It's only been a week and I already miss you so much.

-Me too. Your room is unbelievable! Huge!

Give me the tour.

-Okay. There are some nice touches.

I've already started on my collage wall.

Cool.

And I can finally lock my door.

Aw, lucky.

And check out this closet.

It's huge!

-It's the size of a new york studio apartment.

Boo!

God, theo. Such a sneak.

-Dad said you had to get downstairs pronto

To catch the bus for school.

-Oh my god. You're taking a bus?

-Shut up. I'll talk to you later.

Okay, bye.

-Oh, don't be such a creeper. Come on.

Oh, oh.

Um... Hi. I made a smoothie with that fruit you like.

Uh... Acai.

Acai.

However you pronounce it,

It's pretty nice that alisa made you a smoothie, isn't it?

-Don't really have time to drink it.

I have to catch the bus.

-What you mean is thanks for thinking of me, alisa.

Okay, fine. Thanks.

-Have a good day. Try to stay warm.

What's that supposed to mean?

Nothing, nothing.

You just get cold in that outfit.

Oh, my god.

Are you shaming me for showing my body?

- No! - You are!

-No, no. I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm... No.

Nice.

Very progressive. Very feminist.

Ooh!

Oh, great.

No, I'll get it. I'll get it. I'll get it.

- Can I help? - Un-huh, uh-huh.

I'm so sorry.

Okay, let's go theo. You're gonna be late.

Bye, honey. Have a good day.

Bye theo.

Bye.

Shey!

Hey! So, how's the new life?

-It's good, it's hectic. I'm out for a run.

In the countryside? Scary.

Oh, it's not that remote, shey.

-When can I come out there so we can drown those anxieties

In a bathtub full of negronis?

Well, uh, soon.

But I'm sort of hoping mine will just be herbal tea.

Oh, that's great! Fingers crossed.

And listen, for you I will come out there and drink tea.

I might have to spike mine though.

Of course you will.

I think I heard something.

A sasquatch?

No, not a sasquatch!

Listen, um, I'm gonna run but I will talk to you soon

About coming out for a visit in a couple days. Okay?

Okay. I'll be waiting.

Love you, have a good run.

-Thank you, hon. Love you too. Bye!

-Congratulations! When are you due?

- Just a couple more weeks. - Oh, not long to go...

-Are we all set? Do you need anything...?

cute town.

I know, right?

Listen. I think we have to delay the contractors.

The money just isn't there. No big purchases for a while.

-Okay. I just saw a really nice crib though.