... And A nice Chianti | Next Episode
Original Airdate: 10/19/98
Eric drops Simon off at school, who is more than happy (who can't be Happy because Happy's Happy) to get out of the car since Ruthie has decided to take up the trumpet as her instrument. As Simon is walking into the school, he sees one of his teachers, Mr. Lane confront Mark's dad. Mark's dad seems pretty upset that Mark didn't thank him for the ride, and when Mr. Lane steps between them, he sees Mr. Lane push Mark's dad, who them leaves in a hurry.At home, Annie is trying to get a handle on her new pregnancy project - trimming the hedges, but isn't having much luck. Eric comes home with the groceries and tells her that even though he doesn't understand what she was trying to make out of the hedges - he likes them. Annie knows that he is just trying to make her feel good and starts thinking about another project she could try. She brings up the idea of piano lessons, and Eric says he will try and find her a piano teacher.
Mary is trying to stay awake in Mrs. McKee's English class and isn't doing a very good job. At the end of the period, Mrs. McKee is still reciting from the book before someone brings it to her attention the class period is over. Mary's friends all convince her to skip class tomorrow.
Simon gets called to the principal's office where he finds Mr. Lane and Mark's dad, Mr. Huff, in a meeting. Simon tells them what happened and that Mr. Lane pushed Mr. Huff. He says he probably didn't see everything, but that's what he saw. The principal and Mr. Lane thank Simon for his help and he goes back to class.
In the hallway, Lucy suddenly remembers that she left her lunch in geometry. She runs back to the room only to find that her teacher has already devoured most of it. Lucy can't believe that her teacher would eat her lunch.
Matt and a friend are at the pool hall having a soda, when one of his professors walks in and smiles at the two of them. She comes over and asks Matt to join her in a game of pool and he accepts. Later, Matt walks her to her car and misreads her signals and tries to kiss her. When she pulls back, he is embarrassed but somewhat reassured that it is OK since she says they are both adults.
At the house, Simon walks by Ruthie's room and sees her passed out on the floor. When he rushes to her side, she says she got lightheaded from all the puffing on her new instrument. Simon suggests that she find another instrument instead of going with the one with the cutest carrying case. Ruthie agrees and wonders how Simon got to be so smart.
Lucy comes home starving and tells her parents about what Ms. Reese did with her lunch. Eric and Annie take Ms. Reese's side and say maybe it will teach Lucy a thing or two.
The next day at school, Mary and her friends ditch their English class and go to the park and have a great time. They think they have gotten away with it, but after they sneak back into the school, Mrs. Mckee tells them that she missed them in class today. Busted.
Simon finds out that Mr. Lane got suspended from teacher and runs home to find Eric. He runs to him crying and Eric tries to comfort him. Eric promises to go to talk to Mr. Lane and let him know Simon is sorry.
Lucy realizes yet again that she left her lunch in math class. This time she takes off at a full-run and finds Ms. Reese chowing down again. Ms. Reese draws a diagram of the hallway and gives Lucy a private geometry lesson. She tells Lucy that if she would apply the things she is supposed to be learning in class to the real world, she wouldn't get her lunch eaten.
Matt tells his friend about what happened with his teacher, and he tells Matt that the kiss might be the reason that Matt got a C- on his recent report. Matt confronts her asking if that is in fact the reason, and she can't believe that he thought she would give him a bad grade because of an innocent mistake.
Eric meets with Mr. Lane who tells Eric what happened at the school. He also tells Eric that his dad used to abuse him, and he could see the warning signs in Mark's dad and the way Mark was scared of his father. Mark's mother and Mark decide to leave his father. Mr. Lane is allowed to go back to teaching and tells his class about his experience with being abused.
After trying many instruments, including the saxophone, Ruthie finally decides to joint he choir.