Salinger house
Thurber is wandering through the house. It is a total disaster. The phone rings. It's Claudia's guidance counselor trying to set up an appointment with Charlie about Claudia's truancy.

Opening credits

Salinger kitchen
Claudia comes in and listens to the message. When she hears Julia coming she goes to erase the message. It's too late. Julia came home at lunch to try to clean up the mess. She has already listened to the message. She calls for Bailey, who's in the living room. They try to find out why Claudia has been skipping school. Why would she do this when they are trying so hard to keep everything together, especially with Charlie in the hospital? Julia tells her to get her bag and get back to school, they will be at the school at 5 pm to meet with the guidance counselor. Julia and Bailey both talk about how busy they are. They agree to not tell Charlie.

Motorcycle shop
Rosalie tells Griffin he isn't doing the paperwork correctly. She explains the system to him. Griffin tells her to leave them, but she says she'll do them for him. Her soap opera is pre-empted and it will give her something to do during lunch.

Charlie's hospital room
Bailey tells Charlie he thinks the will idea is nuts. It's morbid. Charlie points out that he could go into remission and still get run over crossing the street. He should have done this years ago. Bailey retorts that Charlie really is a Salinger and asks for his skis. Julia comes in asks what's going on. Bay says that "Mr. Morbidity is working on his will" and while they're at it he gets dibs on Owen, she can have Claudia. Charlie gets serious. He did want to talk to them about that. He has asked Kirsten to take the kids. Bailey and Julia are upset. Why would he want to split up the family? Charlie points out that he was older than both of them when their parents died and it was completely overwhelming. Julia asks why they would change it, they're doing it now. What else does he expect from her? She's busting her ass. "Exactly," says Charlie. If anything happens to him, why should they be stuck being parents. The kids would still be in their lives. This would be about keeping things in order, going to open house and taking them to the dentist. If Bay and Julia think about it, it will make sense. Bailey says he has to go to work and leaves. Charlie asks Julia if she gets it. She just looks at him.

Motorcycle shop
Griffin brings in his paperwork all complete. Rosalie is in a sour mood. She took an expired coupon and now this guy is expecting a free tune-up. The $80 will come out of her check, company policy. Griffin says he'll do the tune-up, no paper work, after the other guys leave if she stays to stand guard.

Salinger's
Sarah is begging Bailey to come home. He can't, he has to set up for dinner. There is a leak in the basement and six inches of water in the laundry room. Sarah can't clean it up herself. Everything is water-logged and too heavy. Bailey says if they hurry he can get it cleaned up and still be back in time. He looks at his watch and remembers the meeting at Claudia's school. It's okay, Julia will cover it. He leaves with Sarah.

Salinger living room
Julia is on the phone with Owen's babysitter. The sitter's locked her keys in the car. She tries to get a hold of Bailey at the restaurant, but he's already left.

Grant High School
It's 5:25 pm and Claudia is waiting in the hall for Bailey and Julia. Her counselor tells her to come in when they do arrive.

Salinger basement
Julia is doing laundry when she hears someone coming down the steps. She calls for Claudia, but it's Bailey looking for a wet/dry vac. Julia asks how the meeting went. Bailey can't believe she didn't go to the meeting. They each thought the other would cover. What did they do? They screwed up. There is nothing they can do until tomorrow. Bailey asks if she thinks Claudia went. It doesn't matter, they didn't show up, Julia says. The school is going to ask how they expect Claudia to go to class when they can't come to a meeting. Bailey says they made one mistake, it doesn't mean they are incompetent, it doesn't mean Charlie was right.

Salinger kitchen
Julia is cleaning up some of the massive mess in the kitchen. Someone comes in the backdoor. She calls for Claudia, it's Griffin getting home from work late. Julia is glad that at least now he can get overtime. Claudia comes in. She can't believe they didn't show up. Julia tries to apologize. Claudia says that everybody has priorities. Julia says it was a mix-up and she'll reschedule in the morning with Mrs. Hoffman. It's Huffman, Claudia says as she walks out of the room.

Kirsten and Paul's apartment
Kirsten is arranging a candle-lit dinner when Paul gets home. He's had a very hard day. He has two words for parents: bicycle helmet. He had to go talk to a set of parents today. He tried to find any words to make it better. Kirsten says that she loves him for thinking like that. She knows how he feels, she went to visit Charlie. She's been thinking about it and she thinks she knows a way they can help make things less horrible for Charlie...

Grant High School
Bailey apologizes for missing the appointment. Julia says that it was a mistake. Mrs. Huffman wants to know where Charlie is, he's Claudia's guardian. Bailey says he's really swamped right now. She's been sending home letters and not getting any answers. Claudia was an honor student first semester. Now she's dropped out of orchestra, failing her classes and is skipping school all the time. Claudia isn't even there that day. Julia says she's home sick. Mrs. Huffman says this is ridiculous. Bailey tells her that some stuff is going on in their family, things that are difficult for Claudia. Charlie has pneumonia and is in the hospital. Yeah, he's kind of run-down from the radiation, Julia adds. Pneumonia, radiation, what's going on the counselor asks. Bailey admits that Charlie has Hodgkin's disease, but they're treating it and he's getting better. Mrs. Huffman says alright, but in the meantime they need to deal with Claudia. Bailey and Julia both promise to talk to her and straighten things out.

Motorcycle shop
Rosalie and Griffin are having lunch at the shop. He asks if she's thinking about the management trainee program. She isn't into long-term planning. She likes this whole motorcycle thing, like how it feels to ride on the back of a cycle holding onto your guy. Maybe Griffin could give her a ride sometime? He just smiles an uncomfortable smile.

Charlie's hospital room
Charlie is asleep. As he wakes up he sees Kirsten sitting in the chair. He was having a very strange dream. He was skiing down a mountain, but in his barefeet. Kirsten says that she also had a strange dream. She was in a boat and he was in the water swimming around her. He started going down and yelled for her to save him. She threw an innertube to him and saved him. Paul's a good man, Charlie should know that. She would like to do this for him, to help him, but Paul never wanted to have kids. That is partly why they got together. Kirsten is so sorry, but they can't take the kids. She wanted to be able to do this for him and he knows it.

Salinger house
James Day from Child Protective Services shows up at the house. Owen and Claudia are home alone. Julia is at work, but Claudia doesn't know how to get a hold of her. Claudia says she can reach Bailey at the restaurant. Mr. Day asks if he lives there. When Claudia says no, he says he's taking them to his office. Claudia protests, but he takes them away.

Child Welfare Office
Bailey and Julia come to find the kids. Kirsten shows up as well. The office called her. Mr. Day says they can't take the kids home, things have to be checked into. Why isn't anyone following up with Claudia's truancy and who is taking care of Owen? There are standards that need to be met. Day says he'll contact them about a meeting. In the meantime they are placing the kids with Kirsten and Paul. Bailey tells Claudia that this is just great, like they didn't have enough problems already.

Salinger kitchen
Julia doesn't know how she's going to tell Charlie. Griffin offers to go to the hospital with her for moral support, or to the social service meeting or he could stay home and get the house in order. Julia tells him to go to work. His concern is sweet, but the best thing he can do is go to work.

Charlie's hospital room
Charlie can't believe they let this happen. He wants to know what child welfare said, word for word. Bailey says it's just a technicality. Julia adds that they are just trying to scare them. They will pull together a whole schedule of who is doing what when. Charlie gets out of bed and starts pulling out his IV. He tells them to get a nurse. Bailey calls Dr. Rabin in the room. She tells him that his fever is up a little bit and they have spent two weeks trying to get rid of this pneumonia. If he leaves now without finishing his antibiotic, it could come back. Charlie tells her to give him a pill. Now is not the time to fool around, she'll go check his blood work. Bailey says they'll handle it. They'll handle it? They want Charlie to leave Claudia and Owen to them forever and they can't even handle two weeks. Bailey and Julia just look at each other.

Kirsten and Paul's apartment
Kirsten is playing with Owen while Claudia gets her bag ready. Kirsten asks her if she's going to school. Claudia doesn't answer her. Kirsten sits down and asks Claudia what's wrong. She knows everything is weird and scary right now and Claudia didn't mean to cause everything that's going on... Claud asks is she's going to lecture her too. Kirsten just wants to know what's going on. Where does she go all day? Claudia says she goes to movies and to Golden Gate Park sometimes. She pretends she's a tourist from back East, part of a big happy family on vacation. They must all hate her now. Kirsten says that nobody hates her.

Child Welfare office
Bailey admits that they have made mistakes, but under the circumstances couldn't Social Services cut them a little bit of slack? Mr. Day points out that they have been neglecting the kids. Why weren't they informed of Charlie's illness? Is there a plan in place in case he doesn't get better? Both Bailey and Julia say he's going to get better. Day points out that they can't guarantee it. He thinks the kids are being neglected. Bailey says they aren't hungry or living on the street. No, but he thinks Bailey and Julia are in way over their heads. They have a 15 year old who practically dropped out of school and a 4 year old who is constantly being shuttled to and from day care. That is neglect. Julia says they are really trying. Day sees a family one step away from complete disaster and he will not let that happen.

Motorcycle shop
Griffin is working on a bike. Rosalie sidles up, he can't keep track of time. All the other guys are gone and she can't lock up until he finishes. She says she's thinking about becoming a mechanic. Would he show her how to change oil? They joke and she laughs. It's something she does when she's nervous. She's thinking about doing something a little risky. Griffin asks if she's going bungee jumping. No, she says and kisses him. He says he's married. She knows, she isn't perfect either. She walks away.

Charlie's hospital room
Charlie is in bed crying. Claudia comes into his room. She asks how he is. He's terrific, just terrific, but she knows that. She says she's sorry. He interrupts her and begins berating her. Was she trying to get back at him? Is she trying to spite him for being sick? No, she just couldn't sit there in class like everything was all right. Julia and Bailey come in. Charlie asks how it went. Not great. They tried, but they aren't sure what is going to happen. Charlie asks if they are going to give them to somebody else. Julia says they might.

Hospital parking lot
Julia asks Claudia if she needs anything from the house. Claud says she needs clothes, but Julia says it will take an extra 20 minutes. Doesn't Kirsten have a washing machine? Claudia doesn't answer her. Then she says that she doesn't have anybody. Julia has Griffin and Bailey has Annie and she's all alone.

Motorcycle shop
Julia comes into the shop. Rosalie tries to stop her from coming into the employee area. Julia apologizes, her husband used to own the shop. Griffin is surprised to see her. She's brought him a clean shirt and dress pants. Will he come with her to see Mr. Day? Rosalie watches them talk.

Child Welfare office
Julia thanks Mr. Day for seeing them. This isn't Claudia's fault. The past few years have been hard, it shouldn't be surprising that she reacted this way. There should have been an adult to stop her from skipping school, but it isn't her fault. Owen and Claudia shouldn't be punished for them not paying attention. Day says he's trying to figure out what's best for the kids. Julia says she and Griffin are. Taking care of the kids just happened and they didn't get it right at first, but now they know what to do and what not to do. They're married and completely devoted to one another. They've worked through their own problems and they can handle it. She says she'll only take jobs so she can be home when the kids are. She'll make sure Claudia goes to school and does her homework and she'll be there for Owen. She knows how to do it, she had a very good mother. Day asks what kind of commitment they are making, short-term or long-term? Julia says they will make whatever commitment is necessary. How old is she, eighteen? Isn't she thinking about college? Julia says she won't go until this situation is resolved. Day asks if they are planning to move out into their own place. Griffin says they aren't going anywhere.

Charlie's hospital room
Dr. Rabin gives him a clean bill of health. He can get back home, to his normal routine. Yeah, Charlie says in a non-committal manner. Julia comes in. She smiles at Charlie. She has good news. He and Bailey both smile.

Motorcycle shop
Rosalie asks Griffin's help getting her aspirin bottle open. They both have a headache. She asks where he went. Griffin says no where. His wife is pretty. Griffin agrees.

Charlie's hospital room
Charlie is dressed and ready to go. Julia asks him to name her and Griffin as the guardians. He asks if she realizes what a sacrifice it would be. She points out that they get something back too. Hasn't he been rewarded by being their guardian? There's a lot to feel good about having them need him. Charlie agrees. So, it balances out she says. Bailey shows up with the orderly. Charlie agrees with Julia about the guardianship.

Kirsten and Paul's apartment
As they pull up in Julia's car Bailey tells Charlie that he thinks one of the nurses had a thing for him. Charlie doesn't want to date someone who's changed his bedpan. It takes away all of the mystery. Owen runs up to Charlie. Charlie thanks Kirsten. The brothers get into the backseat. Julia walks up to Claudia and says, "let's go home." They all drive away together.

Notes:

This episode focused heavily on the Salinger family with few other characters involved. We see them confronting one of their greatest fears, but one that hasn't been addressed since the first season: the potential break-up of their family. Charlie is trying to do what he thinks is best by not burdening Bailey or Julia the way he was when their parents died, but Julia does an excellent job of pointing out that the guradianship relationship is very rewarding. As the older siblings go to pick up Claudia and Owen it is apparent that it will always be better for them to remain a family, no matter what happens.

It is interesting to note that Kirsten's infertility comes up again. She admits that she and Paul got together because of his lack of interest in having his own children and her inability to bear them.