Chapter 47: Coal Digger (Part 5)

Claire – "Oh, look. Mister who leaves his sweatshirts at school suddenly remembers everything."

Gloria looks at Claire and says, "So it was all in my head, huh?"

Gloria then makes Claire face before rushing out of the kitchen.

Claire – "Look, it was a year ago before I even knew you. Gloria…"

Gloria doesn't even wait to hear Claire complete her sentence.

Manny looks at Luke and says, "Nice going. Now my Mom and my sister are fighting."

Claire looks at Ryan as if saying what have you done.

Ryan – "Hey, don't blame me. I tried to cover it, but you guys were the ones who said to let him talk. So I let Luke talk, and the rest is history."

Claire and Jay then head upstairs to try to cool down Gloria. After a few minutes, they returned back empty-handed.

Ryan – "So?"

Jay – "Well, she is pissed."

Claire – "She wouldn't even open the door."

Jay looks at Claire and asks, "Did you really have to call her that? A gold-digger."

Claire – "It was a year ago, Dad, and it's natural to wonder. I mean, she is this beautiful woman, and you are not exactly…."

Jay – "Not exactly what?"

Awkward silence ensures

Jay – "Go on, say it."

Claire – "Ryan, a little help here."

Ryan – "Hey, don't involve me in this mess."

Claire – "Mitchell?"

Mitchell – "You are doing great."

Jay – "This is exactly why we sweep things under the rug. So no one gets hurt."

Phil – "Well, until you sweep too much under the rug. Then you get a lumpy rug... it can create a tripping hazard... That's like openly asking for lawsuits."

Jay continues to intently stare at Phil.

Phil – "Boy, you can go a long time without blinking."

Ryan – "I think there is no point in discussing the past as it can't be changed, so let's try to come up with a solution."

Jay – "Yes, Ryan is right. We need to solve this."

Phil – "Okay, how about this? Ryan and I will try to convince Gloria."

Jay – "All right, that may work."

Ryan and Phil then head upstairs to Jay and Gloria's bedroom.

Phil knocks on the door and says, "Gloria, it's me, Phil."

Ryan pulls Phil's sleeves.

Phil – "Oh yeah, and Ryan is with me."

Gloria suddenly opens the door.

Phil – "We are here to talk."

Commentary starts –

Ryan and Phil are seen sitting on the couch.

Ryan – "So why did you make me tag along to help Gloria? "

Phil – "I see a person hurting. I help."

Phil then waves at the camera and continues, "Hello, Mr. Homeless Man, here's a dollar for bus fare. Also, take this tin foil duck full of tasty leftover chicken. Bon appetite."

Ryan – "Doesn't really answer my question."

Phil – "I thought if I am doing a good deed, might as well share it with my son-in-law."

Ryan is left loss for words, and the commentary ends with the camera focusing on Ryan's face.

Phil, along with Ryan, enters the bedroom and sits down on the bed.

Phil – "Claire feels terrible. Why don't you talk it out with her?"

Ryan – "Yeah, I am sure she didn't mean it."

Gloria – "Why I know what she thinks… coal digger. Does Jay buy me nice things? Yes, of course. Look. "

Gloria opens the table drawer next to her and starts throwing lingerie from the drawer.

Gloria – "This Yellow one, red one, blue one, pink one, every color. You think I can't live without these? Take them all away."

Phil – "Gloria, we all know you'd be fine. Without underwear."

Ryan – "Phil!"

Phil – "I mean, you know it's not about that."

Gloria – "No, it's about my new family, which has never accepted me."

Phil – "That's not true. Look at Ryan. We only met him a month ago, but he has completely settled into the family, hasn't he. Of course, there were fights, but that's what families fight, then make love."

Ryan – "Did you just say make love?"

Phil – "I mean, they love each other in the end, don't they."

Gloria – "This isn't some small fight Phil. Claire thinks I dig coal. That's the truth."

Phil – "Look, Gloria, I don't know if you know this, but you are a gorgeous woman."

Ryan – "Where is this going?"

Phil – "Keep quiet, Ryan. I am making a point."

Ryan – "Alright."

Phil – "So, like I was saying, Gloria, you are a gorgeous woman. In fact, you're probably one of those women who don't even know it."

Gloria – "No, I know."

Phil – "So, it's natural for Claire to wonder about you and her dad. This family is very protective of each other. I remember the first time Claire brought me home."

"Did Jay think I was good enough for his little girl? No way, but over time, he realized that I loved Claire just as much as he did, and by that time, Mitch had brought Cam home, so I was golden."

"Claire just needs a little time, and trust me, she will be the most loyal friend you will ever have."

Ryan - "Wow, that was quite the speech."

Claire then comes knocking on the door.

Claire – "Gloria? Come on, let's just talk this out."

Phil – "I think you better open the door. I have seen her kick doors open."

Ryan quickly gets up from the bed and removes himself from Gloria's pile of clothes, and stands next to Phil.

Due to the persistent knocking, Gloria finally decides to go open the door.

Meanwhile, downstairs Jay is seen talking with Mitchell and Cameron.

Jay – "You are not leaving, are ya?"

Mitchell – "Well, there is kind of a lot of drama."

Cameron – "So we are torn."

Jay – "I am sure Ryan will sort this out."

Mitchell – "What if he can't?"

Jay – "He is a smart kid. I am sure he will figure something out."

Mitchell – "But what if."

Jay – "Well, let's just be positive, okay."

"By the way, I wanted to ask so your sister said Gloria would never go for someone who looked like me. Now you guys are basically like women that way, so."

Mitchell – "Dad."

Jay – "I mean, you all look at guys that way, so can you tell me if it's true?"

Mitchell – "Wait, you are asking us If we think you are attractive?"

Jay – "Yeah, and what's your answer."

Mitchell – "You look great, Dad."

Cameron – "Very distinguished. "

Jay – "Very distinguished that like calling a woman handsome. I'm trying to find out if Gloria is walking around with a troll or not."

Mitchell – "You are not a troll. "

Jay – "So I was sitting in suppose one your bars and some righteous brothers is playing, would you, I don't know, pick me up?"

Mitchell – "Get out of here."

Jay – "Yeah, whatever."

Jay then starts walking away from Mitchell and Cameron.

Mitchell – "Dad… "

Cameron – "Stop right there, Jay. I will answer your question."

Jay stops and turns around, "All right, go on."

Cameron – "I guess it's weird for Mitchell 'cause he is your son, but just for the record, you are smoking hot."

Jay – "Really? "

Cameron – "Totally my type. Dangerous but gettable."

Jay – "Thanks for that. All right then, let's go watch the game."

Cameron and Jay left for the living room while Mitchell was left alone.

Mitchell – "What just happened?"

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