Leaving

S01E12

Tommy walks downstairs in his house and finds his father sitting at the kitchen table. Pa Gavin is upset because he thinks the world is screwed up, mostly because we don't know who the bad guys are anymore. Tommy nearly trips over Arlo, who yells at Tommy to shut up, because he's on the phone. Pa asks Tommy to drive him to the drugstore so that he can get his eye drops. Tommy yells to Teddy to come take care of Arlo, but Teddy says he's on the crapper. Pa continues to complain about his eye drops, and Tommy says he'll pick them up after work. Arlo picks up the call waiting and tells someone to call back; he then reveals to Tommy that it was Janet. Tommy is pissed, but he just grabs his stuff and leaves for work.

At the station, Chief is on the phone with his bookie, insisting that he placed a bet last night that paid off. His bookie, Mel, insists that no bet was ever placed. Chief curses and slams the phone down, which Lou hears as he enters the room. Chief explains that he's been with the same bookie for twenty years, and that the guy has never made a mistake, but now he's refusing to cover a bet on a football game. Lou can't believe that Mel doesn't write down his bets, and Chief explains that Mel keeps it all in his head, so that there won't be a paper trail if he gets arrested. Garrity walks in, and Chief orders him to find Franco and wash the truck. Garrity reports that Franco isn't in yet, and won't be in for an hour. Chief is pissed, but Garrity says that Franco's father had a stroke last night. He's paralyzed on one side. Chief expresses one second of sympathy, and then orders Garrity to go clean the truck.

Tommy finds Katie pouring herself a bowl of cereal in Janet's kitchen. They have a conversation about cooties. Janet walks in and says that she needs some money. Tommy asks what happened to the money he gave her. Janet says that the central air is out, and that she needs $4800 to fix it. ["Bullshit. We just replaced our whole furnace to fix the central air and it was a lot less than that. Quit chiselin', Janet!" -- Wing Chun] Tommy wonders if he should "pull [his] pants down and grab it from the money tree that's growing out of [his] ass." He promises to see what he can do. Janet smiles at him and asks another favor. She has a book fair at the school and might need his help looking after the kids. Like Tommy's a babysitter instead of their father. Tommy says he'll check his schedule, and Janet says pleadingly that she needs the money as soon as he can get it.

Garrity is outside washing the rig when three guys pull up on motorcycles. One of the guys calls Garrity a dildo and tells him to come down and wash their bikes. The guy takes off his helmet and Garrity recognizes him, and swoops down to give him a hug. Garrity says he wasn't expecting these guys until week. Kevin (the leader of the gang, apparently) asks if they can crash at the firehouse, and Garrity says he needs to check with Chief first. Kevin says he's Garrity's cousin, and that they're firefighters to boot, so he doesn't think it'll be a problem. Garrity says they can stay as long as they keep a low profile. The guys hoot and holler and raise their profile to "extremely elevated."

Tommy calls Teddy and says he needs money. Teddy reports that Arlo is mad at Tommy and might not want to help. Tommy says he needs the money, and Teddy says he'll see what he can do, and then gives Tommy a list of food to buy on his way home. Tommy hangs up and runs into Franco on his way into the house. Franco reports his father's stroke, and then Keela walks up and takes her father's hand. Tommy asks why she's there, and Keela says that she's going to work with her father. Tommy gives Franco a look like, "Seriously?" and Franco gives Tommy a look like, "What else can I do?" They each take one of Keela's hands and head inside.

In the kitchen, Franco finds Keela some food. He tells Garrity that his mom will be busy taking care of his dad, so Keela is staying with Franco. Keela reports that her grandfather is sick. Garrity asks if Keela will be there all day, and what they'll do if they get a call. Franco doesn't know, and suggests that Laura can stay behind and look after Keela, "make herself useful." Chief walks in and asks about Franco's dad. Franco reports that it's touch and go. Chief says hi to Keela, and then asks Franco why she's there. Franco explains, and Chief says that there are regulations. Franco promises to get her out of there in a few hours. Chief takes off to find Tommy.

Chief does find Tommy! He's so efficient! He reports that he's hearing things about Tommy and Sheila. Tommy, getting angry, says that they have a weekly family dinner, and that's it. Chief is sure there's something going on, and reminds Tommy that if he's screwing one of the widows, he's going to lose a lot of friends. Tommy denies it some more, and Chief says that Tommy needs to end it, which would be "the smartest thing [he's] done in a long time." Chief walks off and Tommy looks pissed.

The crew goes out on a call. As they grab their equipment, Franco asks Garrity if he thinks Keela will be okay. Where in the hell is Keela? In the truck? Cut to the firehouse, where Garrity's cousin and his friends are babysitting Keela, telling her motorcycle stories. The visual is funny because there are three big guys and tiny little Keela all squeezed onto a couch together.

Back at the fire, Tommy and Lou walk up to a corpse that's been covered with a sheet, and ask what happened. A paramedic reports that a guy was impaled with a tree branch from a rooftop garden. Back at the truck, Garrity asks Laura if she's seeing anyone. Laura says it's none of his business. Garrity says he was just making conversation. Laura thinks for a minute, and then asks if Garrity is seeing anyone. Garrity says he's not, and that he's a big loser. Laura isn't buying it. Garrity explains that he has a hard time meeting women, and that when he meets a good one, he always says or does something to screw it up. Laura laughs at him, and then says that she's met a lot of losers, and Garrity isn't one yet. Is that a compliment?

Tommy and Lou discuss the impalement. Lou thinks they should go up to the roof and check out this garden. Tommy suggests that they go up, uproot the whole garden, and bring it in for questioning. Lou says that it probably thinks that just because it's vegetation, it can get away with murder. Tommy says that his mother was maimed by a rosebush once.

Garrity is still hitting on Laura. He talks about how the guys gave her a lot of shit when she first arrived. Laura points out that it hasn't exactly let up. Garrity apologizes if he ever said anything mean or hurt her feelings. Laura says that she gets it. Garrity says that he thinks she's really nice. Laura asks if he's hitting on her. Garrity says he's not, and that they're just talking. He pauses, and then says, "Unless you want me to be hitting on you. Then I am." Laura stares at him, squints, and then starts cackling.

The crew arrives back at the firehouse. Chief tells Garrity that the house isn't a hotel. He adds to Franco that it's also not a day care center. Franco promises he has a girl coming to take care of Keela. Chief asks about the three guys, and Garrity explains that they're firefighters from Massachusetts, and that they've never been to New York City. Chief asks why they can't stay in a hotel, and Garrity says that they want to save their money for "booze and broads." As you do. Garrity adds that they want to put together a tribute to the four guys the house lost on September 11th. Chief asks how long they plan on staying, and Garrity says it'll only be two days. Against his better judgment, Chief says they can stay, but that there had better not be any trouble. Garrity promises there won't be, and after Chief walks off, Garrity and Franco share a grin.

Tommy's phone rings while he's in his truck. It's Sheila, and she wants to know if he's coming over tonight. Tommy says he wasn't planning on it, as he swigs from a bottle in a paper bag. That's never a good sign. Sheila says she thought they could go out to dinner and then "do something really hot, and dirty, and awful." Tommy isn't into it, and Sheila giggles, "Baby needs a spanking!" Tommy doesn't think he can make it. Sheila switches tactics and says she needs to see him so that they can talk about some stuff. Tommy hates it when people say they need to talk, instead of just talking about whatever it is they need to discuss. Sheila doesn't want to do it over the phone. Tommy orders her to tell him what it is so he doesn't have to wonder about it all night. Sheila calls him an asshole, and orders him to call her when he can come see her. She concludes, "Stop being such a dick!" Tommy hangs up the phone and mutters that it's going well.

Tommy heads into the drugstore to pick up his father's eye drops. He can't find the right kind. The guy Janet called to fix her air conditioning shows up and says hello to Tommy, adding that he's there for cough syrup, because his kids are all sick. Tommy mutters that the guy can afford it, and asks about the quote for the air conditioning repair. The guy reports that he hasn't talked to Janet in a long time, and that the price Tommy gave him is way too high anyway. ['Told you!" -- Wing Chun] The A/C guy gets all pissed off at the accusation and leaves, as Tommy wonders what scam Janet is trying to pull.

Theresa fixes Mike dinner. She notes that the more he eats, the less she will. Mike tells her that he doesn't mind if she eats. Then he broaches the subject of their moving in together. Theresa chuckles that Mike just wants to move into her place. Mike says that they could get a place together. Theresa reluctantly says that they can talk about it, but that she doesn't want to rush into anything. Mike doesn't think it would be rushing, but they're both laughing. He stands up to go to work, and Theresa says jokingly that he's always leaving her. Mike promises to call her later, and he gives her a smooch as he heads to the door. Once he's gone, Theresa hugs herself and walks into the bathroom. Moments later, Mike walks back in to retrieve something he forgot. He hears Theresa throwing up and asks if she's okay. She says in a panicky voice that she's fine and asks him to call her later. Mike, clueless as ever, leaves.

Franco pours Keela a bowl of cereal, which sets off a lecture from the little girl on why her grandmother didn't let her eat cereal. Franco says it's fine, and Keela announces that she wants to be a vegan like her grandmother. The doorbell rings, and Franco lets one of his girlfriends in. They make out and Franco says that he really appreciates her help. The girl laughs that at this point, she usually has her clothes off. Franco asks if she came up with any ideas, and the girl says that she plans to take Keela shopping. Franco promises to repay her, and they start making out again. She makes a grab for his dick, and Franco stops her, since Keela is nearby.

At the house, Lou and Tommy try to puzzle out what Janet's up to. Lou says that when a man lies, it's meaningless. Tommy agrees that it's part of men's genetic makeup. He thinks that lying helps to avoid "long, drawn-out, meaningless conversations," and thus prevents high blood pressure and cholesterol. Yeah, why don't doctors prescribe lying instead of medication? Tell two lies and call me in the morning. Lou and Tommy are worried because women don't usually lie, and Tommy says that Janet, in particular, never lies. No, that just means that he's never caught her in a lie. I'm sure she has lied before.

Chief walks in and says that his bookie sent a runner over with an envelope full of cash. Lou and Tommy are impressed, until Chief explains that it's for a game he never bet on. Last week, he couldn't get his money for a bet he won, and now he's getting money for a bet he never placed. Lou thinks that the bookie might have felt bad about it, and Chief insists that bookies don't have feelings. Chief says that he's going to take his wife out, but he's worried that his bookie has made two mistakes in one week after making none for twenty years. Tommy says it doesn't matter, because it all evens out in the end.

Laura and Garrity have a whispered conversation in another room. Laura says it's never going to happen. Garrity points out that Laura said he was cute and nice. Laura says she's not going to get involved with someone from her crew. Garrity says that they don't have to get involved; they can just have dinner and drinks. Laura says no again. Garrity says please, and Laura tells him not to beg. Laura tells him that she didn't bust her butt in probie school and eat shit in the house every day just to be Garrity's girlfriend. She wants Garrity to think of her as a firefighter. Garrity says he gets it, and Laura starts to walk away. Garrity calls out to ask if she wants to make out a little.

Theresa and Mike eat dinner in a restaurant. Mike asks how she's feeling, and says he thought she might not want to go out to eat. Theresa acts surprised, and Mike says she seemed pretty sick this morning. Theresa says she's fine, and Mike keeps going on about how she didn't look sick or mention that she didn't feel well. Theresa blurts, "I'm bulimic." Mike doesn't know what that means. Theresa says that it's a condition where you eat and then throw up. Mike doesn't think that sounds healthy. Theresa asks if he knows how fat she'd be if she didn't, and shows Mike a picture of what she looked like before she was bulimic. Mike is stunned. Theresa says that she weighed almost four hundred pounds, and asks if he still thinks she should stop. Mike smiles and says that it's her life, and that she should do what works for her. Theresa looks disappointed in his answer. I'd also like to point out that bulimics often don't lose much weight, unlike anorexics. These writers need a research staff.

Garrity goes out for beers with his cousin and the other two guys. Garrity asks the guys if they went sightseeing or anything. The guys have been in the bar all day, enjoying beers from various countries. One of the guys reports that he plans to drink one beer from each country. Garrity asks when they're leaving, and Kevin says that they still need to put together their tribute. He adds that Chuck, one of the guys, made a banner. The guys want to jazz it up a little, so they're thinking about adding an eternal flame. Garrity thinks that sounds a little complicated. One of the guys spots Mike and Theresa outside. Garrity says that can't be Mike's new girlfriend, but then Theresa and Mike start kissing, and the guys all start making whale jokes as Garrity acts disgusted.

Tommy walks into his house and finds a big mess. Pa Gavin walks in, smoking a joint. Tommy asks what's up with that, and Pa says that it helps his eyesight. He says that just today, he was able to see that Teddy's friend is a midget. Tommy grabs the joint and puts it out as Pa Gavin complains that Tommy bought the wrong eye drops. Tommy yells that his father is like a teenager, as well as a huge pain in the ass. Pa says he didn't ask to be there, and that Tommy can easily kick him out. Teddy walks in and says that he made chili. Tommy noticed, since the chili is all over the walls and ceiling. Tommy pours himself a drink as Teddy says that they don't have Tommy's money yet because Arlo wasn't feeling it at the track today. Tommy decides to have his dinner (which is apparently a bottle of liquor) alone, upstairs. He warns his roommates to keep it down.

Chief goes to visit his bookie and report the mistaken overpayment. The bookie, Mel, doesn't seem to know who Chief is. Mel promises to come right down. As Chief waits, a younger dude asks how Chief knows his father. Chief makes sure the dude isn't a cop, and then admits that Mel is his bookie. The dude, whose name is Rick, says that chief might want to take his action elsewhere, because Mel is sick with Alzheimer's. Chief expresses his sympathy. Rick adds that Mel was diagnosed a year ago, but that he's really been slipping lately. Chief realizes that's the reason for the mistakes. Rick says that Mel used to be able to remember thousands of daily bets, and now he can't remember where the bathroom is. Chief hands over the envelope full of money, but they're interrupted when Mel comes out on his balcony and asks what Chief wants. Chief starts to explain, but Mel doesn't know what's going on, and starts bitching to Rick that his son will kick both of their asses. Chief asks if Rick has a brother, and Rick, sadly walking inside, says that he doesn't.

Franco grabs his things and yells to Keela and her sitter, China, to have fun. China runs into the room and kisses Franco, and then asks him to get rid of the kid soon, so that they can have sex. Franco says that he's not getting rid of her, and that Keela's probably going to live with him for good. China is shocked, because she thought this was a temporary situation. Franco says that he can't keep tossing Keela around, because she needs some stability in her life. He fails to add, "As long as I'm not the one who needs to provide it." China says hesitantly that she loves Franco, and that she's not saying it to scare him, but that she knows they could be great together. Franco agrees. Keela yells from the other room, and China sighs and leaves.

Tommy shows up at Janet's house and asks her what's up with the fake air-conditioning repairs. Janet denies that she lied. Tommy says he can just flip the switch on the thermostat and finds out the truth. Janet admits that she lied because she needed the money, since Tommy was so free with it lately. She wanted to buy new clothes for the kids, and then tells Tommy to forget it. Tommy asks her not to lie, because then they won't have a shot at being together. He tries to make it sound like he's not lying either, and Janet stomps out.

Garrity tells the crew about Mike and Theresa. Lou wants to believe it's his sister, and Garrity says they were holding hands. Garrity tries to explain how fat she is and Franco calls Mike "a goddamn chubby chaser." Laura tells them to settle down and be nice, and Lou asks her if this is Romper Room. Laura chastises the guys for being so obvious, and wonders why it matters that Theresa is fat. The guys keep making cracks, until Laura points out that Lou and Chief could both stand to drop a few pounds. Laura walks out of the break room and finds Mike standing outside the door, listening to the guys and looking sad.

Garrity walks into another room and finds his cousin and pals putting the finishing touches on their tribute. It consists of a giant flame and a banner that says, "For our brothers who pershed [sic] on 9/11" with a little graphic representation of the Twin Towers. Chuck reports that they drank one beer from each of seventy-two countries over two days. Garrity is impressed by the eternal flame, and Kevin explains the mechanics of it.

Garrity pulls Lou aside and tells him to back off Laura a little bit. Lou asks why, and Garrity says there are a few reasons. Lou waits as Garrity thinks it over for a moment and then says that Laura does a good job, and that she's a cool chick. Lou guesses that Garrity is banging her. Garrity denies it, and Lou tells him that he'd better not be, reminding him that you don't shit where you eat. Garrity thinks that doesn't make sense because "when you eat, you have to shit, and usually very soon." Lou responds, "I don't want to get into a semantics debate, because you don't know what that is. But if you're banging her, knock it off." Lou adds that he would want to know about the sex, though. Before Garrity can say anything, the alarm sounds.

The fire trucks can't get to the scene because a delivery truck is parked in the middle of the street. There aren't any keys inside so the guys can't move it. Chief orders Franco to wait thirty seconds and then release the parking brake and shove the van aside. Lou takes a group aside to go get water, because the closest hydrant doesn't work. Chief tells Tommy that they have reports of a young girl trapped on the roof, and they can't get their ladder truck close enough, due to the street blockage. Tommy and Franco head inside to climb up to the neighboring building's roof, telling Mike to grab a ladder and follow them.

Tommy and Franco get up to the roof, but they don't see anyone. Tommy radios down to report that there's no one there. When he looks again, he sees a little girl cowering on the roof. He radios down to inquire about the ladder, and Chief says it's on its way up. Tommy looks again, then hands his helmet to Franco. Franco asks what he's doing. Tommy says he thinks he can make it across. Franco doesn't think so, and tells Tommy to wait for the ladder. Tommy says the ladder's not there yet, just as Laura and Mike arrive with the ladder. Tommy sees them, but jumps anyway, and ends up hanging from the ledge of the neighboring building. Franco yells to Tommy to swing his leg up. After a struggle, Tommy makes it onto the roof and tries to calm the little girl down. His crew is pissed.

Garrity's cousin and friends take some photos of their tribute, and then head out. After they leave, the banner starts to fall down and catches on fire.

Tommy and crew head downstairs. Tommy hands the little girl off to some paramedics. Mike is impressed by Tommy's grabs, but Franco and Laura are not. Tommy asks what their problem is. Franco says that Tommy knew the ladder was there. Laura adds that it only would have taken twenty seconds to get the ladder in place, and that Tommy would rather risk his life than wait twenty seconds. Tommy says angrily that some people like to wait around, and some people like to make the grab. He made the grab. Laura and Franco are stunned that Tommy's being such a prick.

Laura and Garrity walk back to the truck. Laura asks why, earlier, Lou called her Garrity's lady friend. Garrity admits that he told Lou to cut Laura some slack and be nice. Laura gets pissed off, and wonders if he said it before or after he asked her out. Garrity says it was after. Laura walks off and then asks Garrity if he wants to have dinner with her. Garrity thought she didn't want to go out with him. Laura says she's having a momentary lapse, and they settle on a time and place. Garrity looks terrified as Laura threatens him if he tells anyone about it, and then walks off. Once she's gone, Garrity turns, grins, and struts down the street.

Chief and Franco ride in the truck. Chief is talking about taking his wife to see Avenue Q, and Franco tells him that it's puppets. Before they can discuss it any further, they get back to their house and see that it's on fire.

Cut to the fire's aftermath. Chief is asking Garrity about the eternal flame. Chief points out that a firehouse is a pretty bad place to have a fire. Garrity says that the guys just wanted to pay tribute to their fallen brothers. Chief asks what burning the rest of the crew would accomplish. Chief wonders how he's going to explain this to the commissioner, and tells Garrity to get lost.

Sheila walks into the house and greets Chief. She makes a comment about the burning smell and they joke about it. Sheila says she just wanted to come by and say hello to some of the guys, and asks for Tommy. Chief hesitates, and then tells her that he's in the back. Lou walks out and says hello as Sheila disappears into the back. Lou asks Chief what that's about, and Chief says that he told Tommy to cut it out. Chief adds that it's about two weeks away from being a total train wreck. Laura walks up and asks how it's going. Chief says he couldn't be happier, since his house is on fire, he has to go to the theater tonight, and there are two people in the house doing something they shouldn't. Laura yells out, "That goddamn prick! He told you?" Laura stomps off. Chief asks Lou if he knows what that was about.

Tommy finds Sheila in the break room and asks what she's doing there. Sheila doesn't see the big deal. Tommy says that if the guys figure out what's going on, there will be "the shit storm to end all shit storms." Sheila says she's careful, and Tommy scoffs and reminds her that she nearly mauled him at his mother's wake, and that everyone noticed. Sheila tells Tommy that she needs to talk to him, and Tommy promises to come over to her place after work. He grabs Sheila's arm and starts leading her out. She yells that he's hurting her, so he stops, but then she says she kind of likes it and tries to hug him. Tommy pushes her out as she cackles.

Laura finds Garrity in the locker room and slaps him across the face. Garrity is confused as Laura chews him out and tells him not to look at her or talk to her. Franco witnesses the end of this and tells Garrity that it's not his day.

Lou finds Chief standing outside the house, waiting for his wife, who is late. Mike says that Chief has a phone call, so Chief heads inside. It's some guy from another house. He reports that Chief's wife is there, and that they think she's lost. The guy offers to bring her by, and Chief thanks him.

Tommy comes home and sees Teddy and Arlo sitting at the table. Teddy asks about Tommy's day, and Tommy says that it was full of "self-hatred and misery and blackness, just like any other day." Teddy says that Arlo is teaching him how to play chess. Teddy tells Tommy that his money is in an envelope on the counter. Tommy asks where Pa is, and Teddy says he's gone to Ireland. Tommy can't believe that his father just packed his bags and left. Teddy doesn't have any further information, except that Pa wanted to see Ireland before he died. Teddy is sure it'll be fine. Tommy takes a gulp of his drink, not so sure.

Chief pulls Jeanie down the street and asks her what happened. She says that she doesn't like to drive in the city, and that she got confused. Chief pulls out their tickets and says that they're late. They head inside, and Jeanie says that when her husband gets there, Chief will have to give up his seat. She rushes in as Chief stands there, the realization of just how much his wife's mind has failed dawning on him.

Theresa and Mike lie in her bed and watch TV. Theresa asks Mike what he's thinking about, and he says that she might have been right when she said that they should wait to move in together. Theresa, upset, asks if it's because she has bulimia. Mick says that's part of it. Theresa asks what the other part is. Mike doesn't answer, and says he's tired and wants to go to sleep.

Franco comes into his living room and tells China that Keela is finally asleep. He starts macking on China, who pushes him away and says that she can't do that when Keela's in the room. She wants Franco to make a choice. Franco asks if it can wait twenty minutes. China says it can't.

Tommy walks into Janet's kitchen and slaps the envelope of cash on the table. Janet thanks him. And the montage begins.

Garrity sits in a bar and downs a beer, which is clearly not even close to being his first of the evening.

Pa Gavin sits on an airplane, headed to Ireland.

Franco watches China walk out of his building.

Janet adds the money Tommy just gave her to a stash she keeps in the drawer.

Chief sits at the play, as everyone around him laughs, and looks like he might cry.

Mike sits up and checks to see if Theresa is asleep. She pretends that she is, but when he lies back down, she looks sad.

Arlo rubs a sleeping Teddy's hand and grins at him maniacally.

Tommy pulls up outside Sheila's house late at night and takes a drink. He starts to walk in and Sheila gives him shit for being so late, but doesn't turn him away.