Previous Episode | Next Episode
Original Airdate: 01/19/98
Services at the church let out and Eric is greeting the congregation as they come out of the church. The financial officer, Lou, asks to speak with Eric for a minute and tells him that there isn't enough money in the account to continue the Wednesday service. Eric refuses to cancel the service, saying that it is one of the most important services they have. Simon interrupts Annie as she is talking and reminds her of her promise to take him to play golf. He pulls a putter out of his pocket, explaining that he was able to do it because of the hole she never fixed. She tells him she never promised and she told him to leave the clubs at home. She then walks over to where Lou and Eric are still talking and joins in the conversation. Eric tells Lou he would like it if Mary looked over the books. Lou objects, but finally gives in. A loud crash draws all their attention and Annie sees a golf ball stuck in Lou's windshield and Simon holding the putter. Lou drives off after removing the golf ball, and Simon knows he's in for it.That night, Eric helps make dinner after being reminded that he was stirring boiling water – he then adds the pasts. Annie meanwhile is looking over the books and punching numbers on the computer and notices something weird. Eric comes over to look and they both see that $2500 dollars is missing from the church account. Eric calls Lou but gets his wife who practically hangs up on him. He wants in his heart to believe there is a logical explanation.
Matt is in his room reading "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" for Coach Koper's English class when Lucy walks in and asks if she can study in his room since Mary is going on and on about Koper and how he is so wonderful. Matt tells Lucy about Koper's assignment and paper and asks Lucy what she thought certain colors symbolized. When she tells him, he nods and goes back to his reading. Simon eats his dinner in his room, and since he is being punished, decides to practice his swing with an imaginary golf club. But then his eyes spot a club on the top bunk and the urge to pick it up is just too great. He then spies a golf ball on the floor and while fighting with himself what to do, Happy picks it up in her mouth and carries it off.
Eric calls Lou again and this time gets a hold of him and tells him they need to talk. Lou agrees but gets upset when Eric says first thing in the morning. Lou raises his voice and says he'll be there as soon as he can tomorrow. Eric's bad feeling hunch just gets stronger.
The next day in Koper's class, Matt is called upon to tell a little about his report after Matt tells Koper he's read the book. Matt gets up and tells about the symbolism of colors that Lucy told him the night before, and wins Koper over – which pleases Matt since their relationship has been strained since day one. Matt finds Lucy in the hallway after class and thanks her, and asks her to find Mary and tell her to find a ride home after school. Lucy says sure, but when she finds Mary and Koper, she sees them sharing a big, long hug. Lucy doesn't know what to do so she goes around the corner, waits a couple seconds, and then goes and tells Mary about finding a ride home. As Lucy walks away, she can't shake the feeling that something was wrong with that hug.
Lou arrives at the church and sits down. Eric tell shim he hopes there is a good explanation, but Lou thinks Eric hopes the opposite so he can fire him and be done with it. He pleads with Eric to wait a couple days and he will return the money. Lou then walks out leaving Eric with still no explanation.
The next morning, there is a loud crash upstairs and Annie and Eric rush in to Simon's room to find both Simon and Ruthie standing at the window with a golf-ball sized hole in it. Ruthie takes the blame, much to Simon's bewilderment, and they both are sentenced to four weeks without golf. Throughout the day, Simon will try to make it up to Ruthie, but she refuses his help with anything in any way.
When the doorbell rings, Eric answers is and finds Lou there returning the $2500, minus the cost of repairing his windshield. Lou also offers to both resign as financial officer and as a member of the church. Eric asks what's going on, but Lou is still adamant about not telling. While grocery shopping, Annie sees Lou's wife with another man and goes to tell Eric.
Between periods, Matt approaches Koper and confronts him about what he is doing to Mary. Mr. Koper tells Matt he doesn't appreciate the accusation and they both march to the principal's office. There, both Mary and Lucy are also brought in, and Mary explains that she had just beaten her mile record and it was a simple hug. Koper smiles and walks out, as Lucy breaks down and cries about how she is always wrong. She just had a feeling.
After hearing about the man at the grocery store, Eric and Annie go to Lou's and are surprised when the man comes to the door after Lou opens it. They learn that Lou has a son, Lewis Jr., who is autistic and has been living in a state hospital since he was seven. After the hospital lost its funding, Lou had to find a way for Lewis to go to a private institution and needed a down payment, so he took the money. Eric understands and offers to help Lou find Lewis a new home.
Not being able to take it anymore, Simon spills the beans about Ruthie taking the heat for the ball through the window, which was really his fault. Annie said she suspected something was up, but was just waiting for one of them to crack. She then tells Ruthie she is still going to be punished.
Only one woman, Mrs. Hollister, shows up for Wednesday services – but then Annie and Lou's family show up and Eric looks at Lou and tells him attendance at Sunday's services just shot up 400%. Lou tells Eric that Lewis is on a list for a new private home that is going to open, and that families of people living there can do work around the place to get a discount on the fee. Eric begins the service and during the moment of silent prayer, Annie gets a strange feeling and rushes out of the church.
Mary goes to Koper's classroom and apologizes for what happened. He tells her that maybe they should stop their physical therapy classes since he has a reputation to protect, not to mention his career. Mary picks up a basketball from a bag in the corner and tosses it to him, pleading for him to help her get back in shape. As she sits down, he starts to give her a neck massage. As he continues and the massage gets more intense, Mary starts to feel uneasy. He leans closer to her and smells her hair. As she protests, he gets angry and blocks her way out the door when she tries to leave. As he starts to loosen up his tie and explain how nobody would ever believe her, the principal and Annie hear the whole thing and Koper is fired on the spot. Mary and Annie give each other a hug, as they both know this could have turned out very bad.