The Way Home

Stop her!

Okay, next up we have Alice Dhawan!

I knew you were just a one-hit-wonder.

I am so sorry. Just a cliché late parent here.

What is happening?

So, no one's been able to track Alice down.

She bolted from the scene of the crime.

Crime... Alice had stage fright. How is that a crime?

Well, it isn't, but setting off the fire alarm is

and it comes with a hefty fine.

- Okay, look, I, uh... I will pay the fine

and I am prepared to make another generous donation

to the school on behalf of the Dhawan family.

- Brady, seriously, just... Just stop.

- I agree with your wife. - Ex-wife.

- Sorry. She's been warned. This is her last strike.

- Ms. Mendoza, please. Alice...

Alice is not welcome back at this school. She's out, I'm sorry.

Alice still isn't answering.

Yeah, and Charlotte just said that she and Alice didn't speak all summer.

Apparently she's hanging with a new crowd, so...

How could you not know that?

Uh, we both know that getting anything

out of Alice is challenging.

Why weren't you there today?

I was... getting fired.

You're their best reporter.

Yeah, but suddenly the paper is downsizing and I am...

Redundant. It's weird.

I'm sorry about that, Kat.

But hey, it frees you up for some homeschooling, right?

- That job... Was everything to me.

And not all of us have family money to fall back on.

Come on. I can help you out, you just have to...

No, no, please. I... I can't do that anymore.

Just being in the house.

Kat, it's still your house.

No, it's not.

So... Where was Rachel today?

Um, I told Rachel not to come

because I have some news.

Well, we have some news.

Rachel moved in with me.

I... I didn't, um...

I didn't realize that things had progressed to that point.

Uh... So, uh... When are you gonna tell Alice?

It's Rachel. She knows where Alice is.

What? Where?

Okay, everybody out.

- You heard her, party's over. Get out of our house!

Are you serious right now?

- Are you? And... Really? This guy?

How could you do that to my friends?!

Alice. Those kids are not your friends.

They listen to me. When was the last time that either of you did that?

Well, listening would require talking.

Sit.

Hey, Kat. I gotta go.

Wait, what? Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute. What are you doing?

Well, I can't stay. I'm doing court early tomorrow morning

and I should've been back at the office hours ago.

But...

Oh, no, no, no. We are not done.

Dad's done. Besides, I'm expelled, aren't I?

What else is there to talk about?

What is going on with you?

I mean, you owned that showcase last year.

If this is about your dad and I...

Don't flatter yourself.

Ali, you are so talented.

You have such a gift. Why are you throwing it away?

- Why do you care? You didn't even show up!

Okay, wait, wait, just...

I deserved that.

But not being there does not mean that I don't care.

I am constantly worried about you

and looking out for you, and I...

I will be damned if I let you make the same mistakes

that I did when I was your age.

- So now I'm a mistake. - No, that's not what I meant.

Fine. Maybe I am. Clearly, this family is a big mistake.

Alice.

- Hello. - Hey, Mom, it's um... It's me.

Isn't it so beautiful here?

Moving back is just gonna be so good for you. For us.

It's not a move.

Dad will want me back with him when work gets less crazy.

Um... Well, I-I think right now, this is the better option.

And I think that it sucks that you lost your job,

but it shouldn't mean that I have to move to

middle of nowhere Canada and live with a grandmother

I don't know.

How are you even cool with being back here?

I mean, with what you have told me about what happened.

I don't know what I'd do if I lost my little brother that young.

I'm here because in spite of all that,

this really is a special place.

If it's so special, how come you stayed away for the last 20 years?

Mom. Hi.

Katherine.

Uh... I first just wanted to say thank you for...

Alice.

Look at you!

You have grown into such a beautiful young woman. Aw...

Welcome to Landry Farm.

How about a tour?

Oh, I was just about to start unpacking the car, so...

That's okay, you're not invited.

Don't worry about your mom. She knows the lay of the land.

Not much has changed in 20 years.

My family hails from the Carolinas, but the farm

has been in the Landry family for generations.

It was last handed down to my husband, Colton.

And someday, who knows, if you play your cards right...

- Sorry, I'm not a farmer. - Right.

You're a singer, yeah?

Well, I was, but not anymore.

Once a singer, always a singer.

You get that from Cole's side of the family.

You couldn't stop those people from singing.

Ah, Fynn! No, you crazy dog.

You're not going back in the house like that. Ugh!

There's a pond in those woods and he can't stay away from it.

It's really more like a sinkhole.

Sounds charming.

Dinner was great, Mom. I really missed your roast chicken.

Oh, my pleasure.

So, what do you two have planned while you're here?

You need a plan.

Landry women have got to keep busy.

Um... I-I...

Actually, I was thinking that I was going to write a book.

You know, there's a few editors that have expressed interest

over the years, and I've got some really great ideas, so...

Is that a practical solution?

Don't worry, there are still jobs in town.

I hear they're hiring at The Point.

Better dust off that resume, Mom.

And Alice, you start school tomorrow.

Um, actually, I'm just gonna do the rest of the year online.

That's a terrible idea. Go to school and meet some kids your age.

Honestly, I think I'm fine.

Suit yourself, but the internet out here is spotty at best.

You'll have to trek to the library.

On the bright side,

I hear they just got a set of those Twilight books.

Fine. I'll go to school.

Good. Because I already registered you.

You start tomorrow.

Which room is mine?

Upstairs, end of the hall.

Oh no, actually, I set her up in my room, there's more space.

So, I'm in Jacob's.

What the hell am I even doing here?

So, how are things with Braden?

The separation is no longer temporary.

We are filing for divorce.

We just couldn't make it work.

Well, you met at camp, what, when you were 15? People change.

Yeah, but you and Dad were teenagers and you made it work.

Well, that's the thing about young love.

You either grow together or you grow apart.

You know, I... I have to say it really meant a lot

that you took the first step to mend fences.

Your letter was so touching...

- Letter? What are you talking about?

You took the first step by calling me after all these years.

I called because of the letter.

Are you really denying sending it?

Yes, 'cause I didn't.

Mom, it was in your handwriting.

- Please, Dad. I want to come home.

I know you're busy, but I'm 15. I don't need a babysitter.

Please.

Yeah, forget it.

You're cutting out, Dad. Dad? Hello?

- I can't reach. - Let me help you.

- Stay still. - You're so heavy!

Did you know explorers used the star to lead them home

when they got lost?

Morning.

Don't you want to get dressed? You don't want to be late.

Caffeine first.

Get some breakfast too.

Sorry, I don't do breakfast.

I see.

Do you mind letting Fynn out please?

'Kay. Fynn!

You must be the American granddaughter. Alice, right?

That'll teach you to get dressed before breakfast.

You did that on purpose?

- Who are those people?! - What people?

Ah, they're just kids from the high school.

They get community service hours for working on the farm.

I can introduce you if you like.

Wow. That was kind of evil, but I really loved it.