Sydney to the Max

Dad, Gemma's leaving.

Wait, I want to meet the famous Gemma!

Oh, hey. Hi. Hello.

"I like to be kneaded." Good one.

Oh, right. Yeah.

Syd and I are making bread tonight.

Oh, what a great dad.

I'm Gemma. It's "dough" nice to finally meet you.

You too. I'm Max.

Syd's been talking about you nonstop.

Do you really play in an orchestra and a rock band?

I used to play in a band but then I went classical.

You think rock‐and‐roll is crazy?

You should see the orchestra after‐parties.

Oh, yeah. I always heard

Beethoven was the first one in the pool.

Well, I‐I better go.

Great work today, rock star.

Um, it was nice meeting you, Max.

You, too, Gemma.

Dad, you have a crush on my bass teacher!

What? No.

Okay, maybe a little.

Do you think Gemma is, I don't know, single?

Not sure, but I'm happy to find out.

No, I could never ask you to do that.

But when you do, don't say that you're asking for me.

Don't worry. I won't.

"Dough nice to finally meet you." She's so funny.

Oh, boy, you got it bad.

Hey, Noodle.

Hey, possum.

You excited for your last game of the season?

Even more excited that it's my last game as a mascot.

I can't wait to break out of this hot, furry prison.

Wow,

I can't believe my grandma is not

going to be a possum anymore...

are words not a lot of kids get to say.

Well, gotta go. Take a good mental picture

and then it's goodbye forever.

By the way, I'm not just a print model,

I also do runway.

Hey, Syd, what's going on?

I need your help.

My dad met Gemma

and completely melted into a love puddle,

and I think she might like him back.

Mr. R's in love? They grow up so fast.

So I told my dad I'd find out if Gemma's single,

but I need to ask in a subtle way

so she doesn't know he wants to know.

Oh, what if I find out whether she has a boyfriend

by asking her what I should get

my boyfriend for his birthday?

But you don't have a boyfriend.

No, but I am in a long‐term relationship

with my very active imagination.

I don't know.

It's kind of a crazy idea.

But that's Gemma, so let's go with crazy.

‐Hi, Syd. ‐Hey, Gemma.

‐This is Olive. ‐What's up, Olive?

I was just dropping by to get Syd's advice

on what b‐day gift to get to get my boyfriend, Baxter.

We met during a fire drill

and he said the only thing aflame was his heart.

Wow.

I mean, what a cute story.

Anyway, we could use an expert here, Gemma.

Have you ever been in a relationship

and/or are you currently dating anyone?

I had a boyfriend when I was living in Italy,

but we broke up when I moved here last year.

I'm single now.

Yes, that's perfect!

For Baxter.

Yeah, I'll get him Italian cooking lessons

for his birthday. Thanks, Gemma.

No problem.

Well, I gotta get to Baxter's.

He hates when we're apart this long.

Someone's getting a little clingy.

Hi, Leo.

Max; the ice cream truck broke down

and they're giving it all away before it melts.

If we don't take advantage of this,

we don't deserve to be kids.

Dang,

I wish I could,

but I got to wait for my science tutor.

Since when do you have a tutor?

Since he's failing science.

I hired a ninth grader to help him pass his next test.

Miss Reynolds, I'm hurt.

Why wouldn't you hire me to tutor Max?

Because when you tutored him in math,

you guys spent the whole lesson trying to spell "tushy"

on the calculator.

Oh,

that must be her. Max, will you get that?

I smell something weird coming from the kitchen.

Must be time to turn the meatloaf.

Hi, Max, I'm Danielle, your science tutor.

Nice to meet you. This is Leo.

But my friends call me, well, Leo.

Hi, Leo. (door closes)

Is it okay if I set up here?

Oh, and who is this little fella?

It's a laptop.

You're into computers?

I'm a big computer man myself.

What model are you working with?

It's a Danielle original. I built it from spare parts.

‐You built it yourself? ‐Yeah.

I even coded a little turtle icon

to do the MC Gavel dance whenever I turn it on.

I love MC Gavel.

Me too!

Wow, you got some pretty sick moves.

Go on.

Max, mind if I go wash up?

I got a free fruit pop from a broken‐down ice cream truck.

Who can say no to that?

Yeah, kitchen's over there.

Is it suddenly warm in here?

Oh, I feel like I'm standing in an oven...

that's in a sauna that's in the desert.

At least you get to go cool off

with some of that ice cream.

Who needs ice cream?

Maxwell,

I'm in love.

Hey, Grandma.

What happened? I thought you were giving up the possum suit?

Well, I was grabbing coffee before the game and I tripped

and out of nowhere a mystery man caught me.

I didn't see his face, though,

because this possum nose fell and covered my eyes.

It's hard being a single possum in this city.

So you didn't get his number?

There was no time. I was late to the game.

What are you going to do?

I'm going to go to that coffee shop

and wait till he comes back.

I just hope I'm the only possum who's a regular.

Hey, Syd, so how was your bass lesson?

You have anything to report? Like, I don't know,

something you found out about your teacher.

I sure did.

And?

Her cat has two different colored eyes.

That's it?

Oh, and she's single.

Yes!

You should totally call her and ask her out.

Now?

What if she says no? What if I scare her away?

Come on, Dad. I mean,

what would you tell me if I was the one with a crush?

Swallow your feelings forever to avoid risking embarrassment?

No.

Be brave.

Okay. All right. You're right.

Gemma, hey. Hey,

it's Max Reynolds.

Yes, Sydney's dad. Uh, anyway,

I was calling

because I was wondering if you're

free tomorrow,

if you want to get coffee with me?

And Syd.

Oh, great. Yeah, will do. 'Kay, bye.

Wait, what happened between the "with me" and the "and Syd"?

I don't know, I panicked.

I was afraid she was going to say no.

But the important thing is we have a date.

Yes, we do.

And Syd, I owe you, okay?

If you ever need me to go on a date with you, I'm there.

Thanks, Dad.

I'll put that in my back pocket

and then throw away the pants.

Gemma's going to be here any minute.

How do I look? Does my hair make me look short?

Dad, would you calm down?

I'm sorry. I'm just a little nervous.

I mean, it's been a long time since I've been on a date.

Relax, Dad, you're going to do great.

Just promise you'll stay with me until I'm comfortable.

And if I can't think of anything to say, jump in.

Got it.