Wed, Sep 20, 1995
Grace's hot water heater isn't working and since the landlord says it will be expensive to fix, he declares it not broken. Grace approaches her boss to ask for an advance for a water heater, but learns, due to corporate downsizing, that she is being demoted. That means her weekly pay will be cut by $147.25. Grace goes to plead her case to the executive in charge and finds out her position was not eliminated, it was the job of her boss that was eliminated so her boss took her job.
Wed, Oct 18, 1995
Rick gets two tickets to see an author Grace enjoys, but it's Halloween and Grace says she can't go. Quentin is banned from Halloween, Libby stains her costume, a troubled neighbor comes to complain. Jean expertly gets rid of the neighbor and takes over the celebration so Grace can do something for herself. Grace performs at a coffeehouse, in costume.
Wed, Nov 1, 1995
Grace posts an ad in the pharmacy for a sitter for Patrick. Jean comes to watch him the first day and asks why Grace doesn't put him in daycare. Grace explains that the only daycare she can afford won't take Patrick because he's not toilet trained. Grace decides to demand a company daycare center.
Wed, Nov 22, 1995
Emmet is off with his buddies for Thanksgiving and Jean makes a big show of letting everyone that she will be all alone, forcing Grace to invite her. Rick is invited, too, and Grace asks him to be nice to Jean. Rick and Jean are getting along so well that it makes Grace mad. Wade helps her to see that she has come to expect chaos and without it she's not happy.
Wed, Nov 29, 1995
Grace and Rick are coming home from a date and Grace is wondering why they haven't had sex yet. A car crosses their path and they crash. Feeling lucky to be alive, they do have sex. Jean brings the kids home early the next morning and she catches Rick still there. The next day, Grace drops the kids at Jean's and Rick cooks dinner before they quickly halt and go upstairs. The second time turns out to be not as enjoyable as the first time.
Wed, Dec 6, 1995
Emmet and Jean come to watch the kids while Grace and Rick go to St. Louis for the weekend. One her way out the door, Grace finds out that Emmet is going off for the weekend also. The hotel has only adult movies on demand and not the game he wants to see. They end up in a gay sports bar, to Rick's embarrassment. Then, they see Emmet in the same bar.
Wed, Jan 3, 1996
Grace and Rick are at his place kissing when a young woman enters through the front door. It's Rick's daughter, Amy, who has apparently seen many similar scenes and is quite rude to both of them. Later she volunteers to watch Libby and Patrick while Grace and Rick go out to buy a dress to wear to the symphony. While they're gone, Amy dyes Libby's hair dark like her own. This causes a fight between Grace and Rick, with Rick telling Grace not to tell him how to raise his children.
Wed, Jan 10, 1996
Everyone's trying to demonstrate how independent he/she is. Grace wants the landlord to build a bedroom for Quentin in the basement. Evie, newly married to a business owner, offers to pay to have the work done. Rick says she should have asked him for the money. Russell is frustrated with his father's late hours and Floyd is thinking of getting his own place. Grace is afraid to be dependent because she remembers the days of being dependent on Jimmy.
Wed, Feb 14, 1996
There is a gas leak at Grace's, which the landlord says will take two weeks to fix. Rick invites them all to come and stay with him. By the time Grace and the kids are leaving, more layoffs come to the refinery, but this time it's Rick who loses his job. When he realizes that Grace is leaving, he thinks it's because she was interested in his money.
Wed, Feb 28, 1996
Grace goes over to Nadine's and finds her waiting for a call from the doctor. She took a home pregnancy test and is waiting for the doctor to confirm or contest. The doctor calls, talks to Grace and confirms Nadine is finally pregnant. Grace is feeling hurt that Nadine only wants to do things with Wade now and Nadine says some hurtful things, too.
Wed, Apr 3, 1996
Grace is spending one night a week answering phones at the crisis center. Soon, 'Chris' (as she identifies herself) is becoming drawn in by a frequent caller 'Ron' who is being tempted to go back to drinking. She finds herself agreeing to meet him at a bar; they are both astonished to recognize each other.