Clock Dance

Willa tells Peter about her first experience flying and about the man holding a gun to her. She adds that she never saw the gun, so she still isn’t sure if there ever was one. Peter also suggests that the guy could have been faking having a gun. On the plane, Peter is annoyed that he and Willa aren’t seated together and even more annoyed that Willa helps the teenage boy next to her with a crossword puzzle. He works on his laptop and ignores Willa’s offer to give him earplugs. 

On the ride to Callie’s house, Willa worries that Cheryl will reject Willa and Peter because they aren’t her real grandparents. The houses on Dorcas Road are small and dingy, and some double as small businesses.

Willa and Peter meet Cheryl, who is a pudgy nine-year-old. There is also a corgi, Airplane, who belongs to Cheryl and Denise. Callie confesses that Denise explained that Willa isn’t related to Cheryl. However, Callie couldn’t afford to continue missing work to care for Cheryl, who is not in school because it’s summertime. Denise is still in the hospital since the bullet went through her bone, causing her to need surgery. No one knows where the bullet came from, but Cheryl thinks it was a criminal—maybe someone the private detective who lives down the street was after. Peter and Cheryl debate this, which makes Cheryl happy. Willa believes children love Peter because he speaks to them like adults. Callie thinks it was their neighbor Sir Joe, who wears leather and rides a motorcycle. Cheryl defends Sir Joe, however. When Cheryl goes to get Airplane’s food bowls, Callie comments that she didn’t realize Sean and Denise were never married. It changes her perspective on how Sean left Denise. Willa wants to ask for details, but she doesn’t.

Willa, Peter, Cheryl, and Airplane walk down the street to Denise’s house. Airplane behaves perfectly without a leash. Denise let Cheryl pick out a dog from the shelter to help her feel better after Sean left. Willa realizes how Sean’s presence and subsequent absence impacted the girl, and she feels ashamed of him. Denise and Cheryl’s home is old and shabby, yet cozy. The small guest room has two twin beds separated by a bureau.

Willa recalls how intimidated she was by older women when she was younger, so she is relieved that Cheryl seems comfortable around her. Willa feels she made the right decision to fly here. Willa reads through several newspaper clippings about Denise’s shooting. The police have no suspects. Cheryl asks to watch Space Junk, her favorite television show, which is about a group of unrelated strangers abducted by aliens who believe the people are a family. Cheryl thinks it’s hilarious. Denise calls and Cheryl informs her that Willa and Peter have arrived. Willa is surprised Denise does not ask to speak with her. When Cheryl hangs up, she tells Willa that they can visit Denise in the hospital tomorrow.

When Willa walks Airplane, Peter insists on joining her since someone just got shot in the neighborhood. He complains about the humidity and asks how long Denise will be in the hospital. He complains that he has nothing to do here. When Willa tucks Cheryl into bed, Cheryl asks if Sean will visit them while Willa is in town. Willa isn’t sure, but she wishes she could reassure Cheryl.

At the hospital the next day, Denise is embarrassed that Callie called Willa. Denise’s leg is in a cast, but she’s otherwise healthy. Willa reassures her that she was happy to be called upon. Peter remains silent. Denise explains that Willa’s number was next to the phone by accident. Denise believes Cheryl would’ve been fine on her own with Callie just checking in on her now and then.

Willa delivers mail and phone messages to Denise. Their neighbor Hal called. Hal’s wife is Elissa—the woman Sean ran off with. Denise and Elissa had been good friends before that. Now Hal wants to spend time with Denise because they’re both single and unhappy. Peter excuses himself to buy a newspaper. Denise is sad that she lost her good friend and her boyfriend all at once. Cheryl reassures her. Willa is horrified at Sean’s behavior.

Denise worries about how she’ll pay for her hospital stay. She works as an assistant at Cheryl’s elementary school. Cheryl tells Denise about a cop going around the neighborhood to ask about the shooting and about the eggs Willa cooked for breakfast. Denise jokes that Cheryl is having a good time without her.

Peter returns with a newspaper and a baby saguaro in a pot that he found at the gift shop for Willa. Willa excitedly tells Denise and Cheryl about saguaros, emphasizing their size. She feels protective over the tiny one in front of her and thanks Peter for the gift. Peter asks Denise when she’s going to be discharged and interrogates her about other relatives who could watch Cheryl, but there are none. Willa knows Peter feels trapped and blames her for their presence in Baltimore.

Willa calls Sean to talk about dinner plans. Willa informs him of Denise’s status. Sean doesn’t ask about Cheryl. They make plans to meet in five days. Willa may have to bring Cheryl if Denise is still in the hospital, but Sean wonders why Cheryl can’t stay by herself. Willa explains that Cheryl would want to see Sean, but Sean says it would be awkward.

Willa has grown used to the household. Cheryl is a tidy child who enjoys baking. She has many supplies for cakes and cookies and wishes to open her own bakery when she grows up. Peter stays detached, spending time on his phone or laptop.

Willa meets Erland, a skinny and awkward teenage boy poorly cutting the shrubs in Denise’s front lawn. He lives next door and wants to help Denise out. Cheryl and Erland have sibling-like banter, but when Cheryl asks what he and Willa were talking about, Erland becomes defensive. Another neighbor emerges, Mrs. Minton—an old woman who uses a walker. Mrs. Minton wishes she could help Denise, but Cheryl assures her that they’re fine. They discuss the shooting briefly before returning to their respective houses. 

Peter grills pork chops for dinner, and Cheryl excitedly bakes biscuits to accompany them. Willa realizes that Cheryl eats mostly processed foods as Denise doesn’t cook very often. Cheryl tells Willa that Erland lives with his stepbrother, Sir Joe—the leather-clad biker. Their parents died, so they only have each other. Cheryl and Erland are the only kids on their street, but Cheryl has other friends from school. They’re just away for summer break. 

After dinner, another neighbor stops by—Ben Gold, a 60-something doctor who treats patients in a small office attached to his home. He offers his assistance for Denise.

That night, Willa thinks about her father’s death, an event she has always dreaded. She’s thankful he collapsed in his driveway and didn’t die alone in his basement. To her, his death was more jarring than Derek’s because of his calm demeanor, especially compared to the chaos of her mother. Willa misses her mother as well. She thinks of the good times, of her mother’s singing. Peter exhales loudly in his sleep, jarring Willa from her drowsy train of thought. It takes her a moment to remember who he is.