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Original Airdate: 02/03/97
As The Colonel and Ruth retire to rest, they express their sympathy to Annie about the recent death of her mother. In the room, the two visitors talk about Lucy's never-ending talking and how the family is too "perky."
In the garage, Matt sits down Simon, Ruthie and Lucy and goes over survival tactics for the next few days. The biggest thing, Matt tells those assembled, is not to show any fear. Simon confesses he is dead meat because he's scared to death of The Colonel. At that moment, Eric seeks sanctuary in the garage as well and they all hide out.
Annie invites The Colonel and Ruth to go to the hardware store with her and they accept, causing Lucy to want to go as well. Mary also decides to go to help distract Lucy from The Colonel. At the store, Annie notices a necklace on the checkout clerk that looks like the two wedding rings that were stolen from Annie at gun point a couple months earlier. The clerk says they were a gift from her son and Annie tries to tell herself they really aren't her rings.
At the church, The Colonel visits Eric in his office to talk. The Colonel asks how Eric's sister is doing - saying she is weak for not battled alcoholism. During his conversation, The Colonel finds a nine-year-old boy huddled behind a coat rack. They learn the boy's name is George and he is an orphan.
That night over dinner the grown ups discuss George's situation and The Colonel takes an immediate liking to the boy. Eric asks if George can stay with them for a few days and the family agrees that it is a good idea. Up in his room, Simon and George appear to be getting along until George says that Simon's nick name, "Lucky Man" is lame. Simon goes to bed angry.
Eric and Annie talk about adopting George and the impact that would make on their family. They agree to talk to the kids in the morning. Not being able to sleep, George sneaks out of Simon's room and goes to play cards with The Colonel and Ruth. The next morning when Eric asks the kids about adopting George, there is a general feeling that this would not be a good idea, and the two parents are a little discouraged by their lack of encouragement.
Unknown to Eric, The Colonel and Ruth go to the social services office to talk with a counselor about adopting George. With a little help from the governor, they get the necessary approvals to adopt the boy. When they tell Annie and Eric about their plans, Eric and The Colonel get into an argument and Eric tells his father that he never gave Eric the kind of love and attention he needed, so he would not be a fit father for George.
Finally, when The Colonel and Ruth are about to leave back for New York, Annie and Eric present them with George's adoption papers and George is excited about going home with his new mom and dad. Matt goes to the clerk at the hardware store and persuades her to give Annie back her wedding rings. Simon ends up winning a raffle contest for a new car, but since he is under 18 he is ineligible to win.