The Nest

Matilda recalls the adjustment to life with a prosthetic foot. Because she needs to use both crutches and a wheelchair, she buys an accessible apartment with the money from the Plumbs. Initially, the money from the Plumbs seems infinite, but it dwindles as Matilda feels beholden to help any family member who asks for it. She is convinced the loss of her foot is a karmic payback for her dalliance with Leo, a married man.

Vinnie arrives with pizza and a mirror. He shows Matilda a trick he learned in rehab involving the mirror to treat the pain caused by the phantom limb, explaining that it works by rewiring the brain. He knows Matilda needs a better prosthesis and more physical therapy, which will be costly. Vinnie proposes to Matilda and her cousin Fernando that he approach Leo and ask him to use his connections to help Matilda.

Leo meets with Nathan Chowdhury, who is already drinking a Shirley Temple when Leo arrives. They are genuinely happy to see one another, and Nathan offers condolences for Leo’s divorce. Leo swiftly begins his business proposal, but Nathan will not listen. He is adamant that he will not hire Leo. Leo persists, trying to convince Nathan, but Nathan refuses. The meeting devolves into an argument, and Nathan leaves angrily.

After Nathan exits, Leo receives a phone call from Matilda Rodriquez.

Tommy O’Toole berates himself for allowing Jack Plumb inside his house. Worried that the statue would be discovered, he kept it hidden in the home he had once shared with his wife. When he learned of the ground floor apartment Stephanie had for rent, he took it.

One day, two of his daughters visit with their children. Tommy locks the statue away; both daughters are alarmed to find a locked cabinet and wonder if the neighborhood is unsafe. They chide Tommy for the shabbiness of the apartment, offering to help him decorate and shop for new furniture.

Melody is alarmed to discover that Walter believes they should sell their home to improve their financial situation. She agrees for the realtor to make some offers without officially listing the house but puts her foot down when Walter suggests the girls must attend a public state university. One day, when Walter is at work, the realtor phones with news of a cash offer; Melody turns it down, assuring the realtor that Walter agrees with this decision.

After Tommy ignores Jack’s phone calls, Jack arrives at his apartment unannounced and confronts him about the statue. Tommy responds angrily, insisting the statue was a gift from his wife. When Jack persists, Tommy moves to attack him, then breaks down crying. Jack consoles him as Tommy shares the details of acquiring the statue. Jack concedes to the sentimental value of the statue for Tommy but tells him he can help him sell it if he decides to.

Leo wakes up the day after the meeting with Nathan feeling depressed. He debates whether he should just pay his siblings back from his secret fund, liking the idea of being viewed as a hero. However, he fears not having the funds to fall back on. When Stephanie wakes, he lies and says he and Nathan spent the entire meeting catching up and have scheduled a second meeting to talk business. Stephanie reminds him to read Bea’s writing. Stephanie leaves for work, and Leo considers his unanswered messages from Matilda, Jack, and Melody.

He retrieves Bea’s writing and reads it, shocked to discover it is a story about his car accident.

Stephanie arrives home from work to find Leo upset about Bea’s story, as it reveals the details involving Matilda (which are unknown to Stephanie). Stephanie had planned to tell Leo about the pregnancy that night but decides it must wait. She begins to have doubts about continuing their relationship.

Stephanie reads Bea’s story and learns the details of the car accident and Matilda’s amputated foot. Leo concedes that it is all true and reveals that The Nest settlement was used to silence Matilda and Victoria. Leo is adamant that publication of the story will ruin him.

Leo sits on a bench at the water’s edge in Brooklyn, smoking a cigarette. He debates ending his relationship with Stephanie, fearful they are falling into old patterns and suspicious that Stephanie wants to have a baby. He thinks of his siblings and of Matilda and considers leaving New York and starting anew. A woman approaches and asks for a cigarette. They chat, and the woman reveals that she and Leo have met before through Victoria. Leo’s memory is jogged as she recounts a play Victoria directed in which the woman acted. The woman suggests they get breakfast or coffee, and Leo agrees, consciously leaving Bea’s leather satchel with her writing inside behind on the bench.

Vinnie insists to Matilda that they keep phoning Leo until he responds. Finally, Stephanie answers Leo’s phone, indicating that she does not know where he is.

Melody’s 40th birthday arrives on an unseasonably warm day in February. As she and Walter drive to a birthday party arranged by Jack and Walker, Melody is confident that Leo will announce that he is paying them back. Walter remains dubious. Melody recalls the only birthday party she had when she turned 12. Francie was inebriated the entire time, but Leo saved things by playing records and teaching the party guests blackjack, making Melody instantly popular at school the next day.

Walker prepares dinner: It is his idea, as he hopes to draw the family together. He thinks it is ridiculous that the Plumbs rely on The Nest but hopes Leo will at least offer a small repayment. Jack, meanwhile, thinks about the two potential buyers for the statue. He is uncertain how to finalize the sale without attracting attention and hopes to ask Leo for advice.

Bea is at work, worrying about Leo, who has sent an email saying he has gone “off the grid” (263). Paul notices she is tense, and Bea confides in him about the accident and Matilda Rodriquez. She wonders whether Leo read the new story, unaware that Paul witnessed Leo leaving her satchel on the bench, then picked it up himself. He returns it to Bea, and she is thrilled to discover Leo has marked up the pages, taking this as a sign of his approval.

Louisa and Nora arrive at the party and are the center of attention. The atmosphere is lively and upbeat, and everyone is happy. While they wait for Leo and Stephanie to arrive, Nora sneaks a look at Jack and Walker’s bedroom. First surprised by how plain it is, she then notices a wedding photo of the couple. Louisa enters, and Nora confesses her relationship with Simone. They have a heartfelt talk as Louisa cries softly. Melody enters, demanding to know why Louisa is crying.

Stephanie thinks back over her relationship with Leo, recalling the first time it ended. He left without telling her, leaving behind his wallet and cell phone. Initially, Stephanie assumed he was somewhere using drugs, but now she believes him to be truly missing. She accepts that their relationship is over and goes to Jack’s house to tell them that Leo is missing.

Melody tells the rest of the Plumbs that Nora and Louisa saw Leo in Central Park on the day of the oyster bar meeting. Melody is certain that this means Leo was buying drugs. Their conversation is interrupted by the ringing doorbell.

Stephanie enters and immediately excuses herself to vomit. When she returns, she tells everyone about the pregnancy, and then Melody recounts the story of Leo in Central Park. Jack and Walker leave the room to argue about Jack’s whereabouts: He has been using Leo as a cover for his visits to O’Toole.

Stephanie takes the subway home, feeling unburdened by Leo at last.