Wednesday, April 3, 2024

by Steve Holley

At the Bistro, Ava and Harris entered ahead of their plans for a private dinner. Ava insisted that she prepare dinner. Harris said that he wanted to watch Ava cook because she was "easy on the eyes." Ava smiled affectionately at Harris. "Back at you, detective," she quipped. Ava made puttanesca for dinner, and she opened the most expensive bottle of wine in the restaurant. Ava and Harris toasted to Harris' survival.

Ava recalled that she had been beside herself when she'd thought that Harris wouldn't survive. Ava referred to Harris as the "strongest, kindest, most loyal person" she had ever known. "The best person I have ever known. And just being loved by you, it makes me think that... maybe I am okay, if he wants to be with me," Ava said tenderly. "You're not just okay. How can I put this? Just everything I want. Just everything I need," Harris said lovingly.

After dinner, Harris asked Ava to dance. Ava agreed, and she and Harris danced slowly as soft music played overhead. Harris and Ava gazed into one another's eyes, and he cradled her in his arms as they slow danced. Ava said that she wished she could stay in that moment with Harris forever.

When the conversation shifted to Ava's future, Ava surprised Harris when she said that she would no longer work at the Bistro. Harris asked what Ava intended to do for a living. Ava said only that she would find a legitimate job. "I'm serious, Harris. I am never going back to that life. Never," Ava sternly vowed.

At Wendy and Tripp's apartment, Wendy admitted to Tripp that she was still traumatized from their time as hostages at the abandoned beer tank. Tripp sought to reassure Wendy that they would both move past the trauma. Wendy revealed that she had barely been sleeping and that, when she was able to sleep, she had recurring dreams that she was still trapped inside the beer tank.

Tripp suggested that he and Wendy have a fun date night, and he returned with Jenga blocks. Wendy worried that Tripp had only proposed to her because of low oxygen levels the couple had sustained at the beer tank. Tripp said that he didn't regret anything he'd said at the beer tank. Tripp added that he wanted to marry Wendy for numerous reasons. Wendy said that she felt she and Tripp had skipped several important steps in their marriage at the beer tank. "I mean, it's easy to say till death do us part when you think death is ten minutes away," Wendy noted.

Later, when Tripp proposed a toast using beer, the smell of the beer triggered Wendy's emotions. Wendy began to hyperventilate, and she told Tripp that she couldn't breathe. Tripp tried to comfort Wendy, who started to sob before she knocked the Jenga pieces to the floor in a fit of panic-induced hysteria. Afterwards, Tripp apologized that his plan to distract Wendy had backfired.

At Xander and Sarah's apartment, Xander showed Sarah a photograph of the shooter from the night of Harris' shooting. Xander noted the difference between the jogging pants he'd worn and the pants on the shooter, and he said that he had proof of his innocence. Sarah was thrilled, and she and Xander rushed to the police station.

In Rafe's office at the Salem Police Station, Rafe and Jada were interrupted when Rafe received a call. Rafe agreed to meet Jada at the Brady Pub. After Jada left, Rafe was surprised by something he learned by phone. "Yeah. This is gonna get ugly," Rafe said to himself after the call ended.

A short while later, Xander and Sarah appeared with the hope of clearing Xander's name in Harris' shooting. Xander and Sarah showed Rafe what they believed was proof of Xander's innocence. Rafe seemed to agree with Sarah and Xander, who said that he had been motivated because he had been fighting for his life as well as his family. Xander and Sarah hugged.

Later, back at Xander and Sarah's apartment, Xander and Sarah celebrated the proof of Xander's innocence. After Victoria fell asleep, Xander said that he was thankful to have Sarah in his life. Sarah and Xander were happy, and they kissed.

At the Brady Pub, Stephanie joined Everett at a table. Everett revealed that he had seen something that had scared him when he'd been under hypnosis during his therapy session with Marlena. Everett flashed back to seeing himself with a sinister grin on his face. Everett admitted that the vision had frightened him, and he said that he hadn't told Marlena about it.

Jada entered the pub and found Everett and Stephanie together again. Agitated, she had harsh words for them. Stephanie said that she didn't understand where Jada's hostility and attitude stemmed from, and she shared that Everett had attended a therapy session with Marlena. Jada demanded to know what Everett and Marlena had discussed in his therapy session.

Jada laughed cynically when Everett said that he had seen himself smiling, and she called him a narcissist. Everett tried to apologize to Jada, who continued to hurl insults at Everett. He said that he felt confused and agonized that he couldn't remember his time with Jada in Seattle. Stephanie asked Jada to show compassion for Everett. Jada refused, and she walked away.

Afterwards, Stephanie said that she didn't understand why Jada was "constantly on the attack" about Everett. Stephanie wondered if Marlena would speak to Jada. Everett said that the best thing was for him to stay away from Jada. Everett added that he had something to tell Stephanie.

Nearby, Rafe found Jada alone at the bar. Rafe told Jada that he had news that couldn't wait. Rafe shared that he had received a call from an old friend that had started a private law practice near Seattle. "Anyway, I asked him to do some digging for me. Well, I'm not sure exactly how to tell you this," Rafe said before pausing.

Back at their table, Everett told Stephanie that his feelings for her hadn't changed. "I love you, Steph. You're everything to me," Everett said.

At the same time, Jada pleaded for Rafe to tell her what he'd learned. "Your divorce papers? They were never properly filed. So, you're still married to him. Legally, you are still Mrs. Robert Stein," Rafe said. Jada slowly shook her head in disbelief.