Episode Report Card Niki: A | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Go Greyhound
By Niki | Season 2 | Episode 21 | Aired on 04.24.2001
Alone, Lily confesses her uncertainty over their decision to tell Wannabe's parents. Rick assures her that she did the right thing. "What else could you do?" he asks. Lily has no answer.
Up in the attic, Eli's throwing stuff into a bag. He's going to show them -- he's running away from home. God, is he eight years old? That's seriously the last time I pulled that stunt as a tantrum. Where's his stick and hobo kerchief? Grace wanders into the attic and sarcastically says, "Isn't my family generous? Letting you live in the attic?" Hey, I know -- why don't the two of you spring for a new house? What's that? You don't have the money? Right-o, then shut your little bitch-holes. She asks what Eli's doing. He says he's going with Wannabe. Grace's face falls, but she manages to maintain her composure enough to ask where they're going. Eli smiles and says he doesn't know yet. He says that he's going to meet Wannabe at the bus station. Grace is fighting hard to hide the fact that she wants to cry. Eli says, "You've been a really good friend." Grace's eyes grow red, and she looks at the floor. Eli adds, "To both of us." Grace asks, "What about graduation?" He's unconcerned. Grace can't believe it. Eli slaps on boots that were made for walking, and after a few seconds, Grace says, "It's funny. You're supposed to be moving in, and instead you're moving out right away." Her disappointment is palpable. He chuckles and agrees that it is pretty funny. For a split second, Grace looks like she might sob, but she manages to suck it down before Eli notices. "You're going to miss the wedding," she says, trying to sound flip. "Yeah," Eli says, not giving a shit. He stands up and says goodbye, and they hug. On his way down the stairs, he pauses and jokes, "You can have my room if you want it." Grace swallows her tears a little longer, forces a smile, and says, "Thanks." He asks her not to say anything, and she agrees. He jogs down the stairs, and Grace glances around the empty attic as we head to commercials.
When we return, Eli's in his room in Karen's basement, fishing some dollar bills out of an old jar. Karen bounds down the steps with his suit in her hand and startles him. She asks if he wants to try on his suit and make sure it's okay. Too quickly, he says no. He catches himself, swallows, and lies that he's got to get going to band practice. "Okay," Karen says, pulling the plastic bag down over the suit. Eli stares at her, realizing it's the last time he'll see her for a while, and that he's going to break her heart. He takes a few steps toward her and says, "Mom?" She smiles and nods, waiting. He hesitates, knowing he can't say what he really wants to. Instead, he manages, "Thanks." She nods, touched, and he kisses her cheek before bounding up the stairs. She stares off, puzzled by this sudden display of affection.