Ben Is Back

- Hi. - (shushes) What are you doing?

woman: Okay, everyone into your position.

I'm missing a sheep and an angel. Has anyone...?

There you are. Liam, Lacey, do you want to come join us?

Lacey Burns-Beeby: (whispering) Not really.

Woman: We need ya.

What?

Do you know how we come to church once a yeav'?

Do you want to come every Sunday?

. (lOLldly) No! ' No!

Okay. We have to make tonight count.

- Go make me proud. - Liam Burns-Beeby: (softly) Okay.

Km mama

- Liam: Mommy! Quiet! - Holly Burns: Come on,

Where's your Christmas spirit, Liam?

- Lacey: That's mine. - Liam: No it's not.

Holly: You guys?

Good kids... get better gifts.

Wait, you did not just do that.

I did. You noticed that, didn't you?

- I did it because it works. - That's not fair.

- You didn't do it to me. - Worked on you for years. Always.

- Look we're home. - kids: Yay!

- Liam: What? - Ivy Burns: What the...?

Oh my God.

Mom? Mom? No, don't!

Oh my God, I can't believe it!

Hi Mom.

Oh, let me see you? Is it you?

Lacey: Is that Ben?

Come on, look!

- Lacey: It's Ben. - Liam: Yeah, it is Ben.

Lacey: Let go of my waist. Ben, hooray!

Oh my God. I was just,

I was truly just wondering, just wondering what if.

Lacey: Ben!

D0n't let go.

So my roommate Timmy has two years, and is like a recovery rock star.

And he offers me a free ride. And I was like, "Yeah, I'm down."

But I'm thinking that there's,

there's no way my sponsofs gonna go for this.

- But he did. - He did,

because that's how good I'm doing.

Wow, honey.

So Timmy's mom and dad and little brother pick us up.

I'm squeezed in the middle.

They're very Christian.

They're all super healthy. They don't even drink caffeine.

- (dog barks) - Holly: Oh, how great.

Mom, Ben is feeding Ponce.

Oh, yeah, guilty.

Ivy: Bread is bad for his teeth.

I think a little bit is okay, honey.

- Holly: Okay, go on. - Okay.

So we're like ten minutes into the ride.

And suddenly there's this smell. It just hangs there. (laughs)

And just when it starts to clear, another cloud of stink is unleashed.

- Wait, ifs human. Oh my God. - Ben: Mm- hmm.

- It was the silent but deadly kind. - Oh my God. That's the worst kind.

This is great. This is so great, you know.

Ponce, all of us in the kitchen.

You happy-

Zip me, please.

Holly: Oh, you got one on. Good job. Okay.

- Leave these on, okay? All right. - Liam: Bye.

- Be smart. - Lacey: Bye.

All right, then what happened?

Okay, so were trapped in back, and the farts just keep on coming.

And so I'm thinking,

surely someone is going to say "Sorry" or "Excuse me."

- Holly: "Excuse me," yes. - Or like maybe crack a window.

But no, they act like nothing is wrong.

Oh, God.

So I just said, "You know you can let me out here."

Mom, ifs not that funny.

But it is.

So I just hiked the rest of the way home.

You didn't?

- (loud thud) - (Holly cries out)

Oh, they did it again.

All right. You're gonna regret this!

Oh, go get 'em.

The big brother.

Liam: Yeah!

- Ivy: Mom? Mom? - Did you see?

He's gained some weight

and he's got the sparkle back in his eyes.

He's clearly doing better.

- Then why are you hiding everything? - You know why.

Ivy: It's sad, having to hide.

Well, I would do the same for you.

But you'll never have to.

Sweetie, I've got a very good feeling about this.

Well, I don't.

Listen, this time will be different. You'll see, it will.

Mom?

Why is he here anyway?

Weren't we supposed to go visit him tomorrow?

- Okay, you need to go watch him. - No.

No, he'll think I'm spying.

No, then just film him on your phone then, hmm?

Are you serious?

Yes Ivy, now.

Lacey: I want hot chocolate.

Lacey: Go! Go!

- (kids laughing) - What are you doing?

I'm making a video of holiday highlights.

- (kids yelling, laughing) - (Ponce barks)

Liam: Come here, boy. Come on, pup!

Lacey: No!

I was using it. Don't do that. No!

Holly: Neal?

I've got it under control.

Neal Beeby: Ivy called, texted, why didn't you?

Hey, Neal.

Hey, Ben.

How about 15 extra minutes of screen time starting right now.

Yay!

Liam: Come on, hurry up!

I'm confused.

I thought we had an understanding.

The therapists, the doctors, everyone.

Even you agreed that it's in your best interest

not to be home yet.

I know.

There's too many triggers for you here.

That was months ago.

And your sponsor said.

Please, let Ben tell me, please, honey.

Ben: Okay, I know...

I know I really fucked up last Christmas.

Ivy: And the one before that.

It's true.

Ben: Yeah, I know I've made a lot of mistakes.

But...

now since I'm doing so good and with all the support I'm getting,

and with my sponsor...

I honestly didn't think I'd ever... feel this good again.

What, you don't believe me?

Sweetie, we do.

Which is why she hid all the meds and the jewelry.

I was just removing the temptation.

Wow, fuck, you're all still scared of me.

Which is the last thing I want to make any of you feel.

You should just... you should take me back.

Mom, take me back.

- (security alarm) Front door. - (door slams)

- Ivy: Mom. - Neal: He should have known better.

Don't blame him. It's my fault.

When he called and asked what I wanted for Christmas

I shouldn't have said "him home".

That's what you said?

I wanted him to know I missed him.

I didn't... I never dreamed he would just show up.

Is he in the car?

Yep.

It's not like he came home to stay.

Obviously, that can't happen right now.

It wouldn't be good for him.

He needs to go back.

Holly: I agree.

If it weren't Christmas.

- Ifs the right thing, honey. - It is, mom.

We hope. We d0n't know.

I mean, I'm so God damn angry at the two of you right now.

- I am. - What did I do?

You gave up on him. You both have.

This is not giving up.

- It is. - It's no, it's giving a shit-.

Which we do about what's best for him and for you.

- You have a problem with him, Neal. - No.

I'm routing for him. But I'm frustrated.

He's lucky. We're playing loose with him.

Holly: Okay, Neal- -