On Saturday morning, Elizabeth calls Meghann, who complains about a disappointing date. Elizabeth shares that she painted and admits she felt attracted to her instructor, Daniel. Another call interrupts: her daughters.

Jamie, crying, says she hates swimming and is on the verge of flunking out. She reveals that she is dating her tutor, Michael. She wants to quit the swim team, claiming she needs more time for school, then admits the real reason: she feels inadequate compared to other swimmers and notes that her father no longer attends her meets. Elizabeth advises her not to quit because she feels inadequate, warning that such patterns can repeat throughout life. Jamie agrees to finish the season and complains that Stephanie is too busy with her boyfriend, Tim. Elizabeth invites Jamie home for spring break, then recognizes the awkwardness given the family situation. Jamie asks when Elizabeth is moving to New York.

Elizabeth decides to warn Jack about Jamie’s impending conversation. In New York, Jack is in a meeting with Sally when Elizabeth calls, and the conversation is awkward. Sally leaves to give them privacy. Jack says he loves his new job; Elizabeth mentions her painting class. She relays Jamie’s concerns and asks Jack to be gentle. Elizabeth raises their lie about renting the house and suggests they tell the girls the truth about the separation. Shaken, Jack asks if there is still a chance for them; Elizabeth says she hopes so. She reminds him that his relationship with his daughters is his responsibility now. They end the call feeling like strangers.

Back in Oregon, Elizabeth considers calling him back but decides against it, recognizing that she is at a crossroads and not yet ready to return.

Elizabeth receives a letter from Anita saying she understands marital unhappiness because she once left Edward before returning to him. She adds that she is taking Elizabeth’s advice and heading to the beach. Elizabeth calls Anita’s number but hangs up when she hears her father’s voice on the answering machine, then sits in her bedroom crying, talking to his memory.

Over the following week, Elizabeth paints the ocean every day and begins a new canvas with cobalt blue, the color of Jack’s eyes. On the evening of her next class, she prepares the painting as homework and arrives early, encountering Daniel in the hallway. She shows him her painting of Tamarack Cove. He recognizes the location and compliments her talent. He asks her to get coffee after class. Flustered, she blurts out that she is married with daughters his age. He clarifies it is just coffee, and she agrees.

In New York, Jack is getting ready for a movie premiere when Jamie calls. Rushed and distracted, he says he has to go to an important event as she is telling him she wants to quit swimming. Jamie angrily hangs up, accusing him of prioritizing strangers over family. Jack calls back and speaks to Stephanie, still distracted, promising to talk to them both tomorrow.

At the theater, Jack attends the premiere of True Love starring Thea Cartwright. After the film, Thea appears onstage and captivates the audience. At the after-party, she finds Jack, reveals that she got him on the guest list, and asks him to dance. As he holds her, Jack recalls the night Elizabeth caught him dancing with another woman at the New York restaurant Tavern on the Green. When he got home, he found an open suitcase on their bed beside a framed photo of their family—a symbolic ultimatum: choose your family or leave. In the present, Thea invites him to her hotel suite. He declines, recognizing the need to maintain boundaries, and leaves immediately.

At Daniel’s suggestion, Elizabeth visits a new local art gallery called Eclectica and is impressed by the quality of the work. She meets the owner, a large, eccentric woman who introduces herself as Large Marge. Marge says Daniel recommended Elizabeth for the upcoming Stormy Weather Arts Festival and offers to exhibit her work. Elizabeth hesitates, voicing fear that her work is not good enough. Seeing through her insecurity, Marge presses for an immediate decision. Elizabeth agrees to provide five pieces.

In New York, Jack meets with his boss, Tom Jinaro, who praises Jack’s special “Breakable Gods,” produced with Sally’s help. Tom confidentially says Jack is being considered for a spot on the NFL Sunday show and advises him to keep a clean public image and avoid scandals. Jack promises he will not get derailed.

After working late to perfect the special, Jack walks home feeling successful but profoundly lonely in his empty apartment. He drinks heavily. Sally arrives with champagne to celebrate. Drunk and overcome by loneliness and desire, Jack gives in and sleeps with her.

The next morning, Jack wakes hungover and finds a condom wrapper and a lipstick note from Sally on his mirror. He is filled with regret and worries about a sexual harassment scandal and the potential end of his marriage. He resolves never to repeat this mistake. At the office, Sally tells him that People magazine wants to feature him in their “Fifty Most Beautiful People” issue. Excited by the news, Jack pulls Sally into his arms, and she asks to accompany him on the photo shoot.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth is cooking a large casserole when she realizes she is still cooking for her old life. A taxi arrives, dropping off Anita, who announces that she has come to the beach. Elizabeth is shocked by Anita’s changed appearance: a simple dress and natural-colored hair in a braid. Anita explains that her previous style was for Edward. Elizabeth lets her in, feeling obligated by her father’s memory. Anita becomes emotional while looking at a family photo that includes Edward and confesses that she could not bear the empty house anymore. Elizabeth accepts her presence, saying they are family.

The next morning on the beach, Elizabeth and Anita have their first deeply personal conversation. Anita reveals that she first saw Edward when Marguerite was still alive, that Marguerite ran away to North Carolina, and that after Edward brought her home, Marguerite fell into a lasting depression. Anita confesses that she left Edward once, overwhelmed and longing for a child; after returning, she suffered three miscarriages. Feeling a new kinship, Elizabeth shares she also had a miscarriage and touches Anita’s ankle affectionately.

Back at the house, Anita shows Elizabeth a large box containing Edward’s hammock. Elizabeth is moved to tears, recalling childhood memories of watching fireflies with her father. In New York, Jamie calls Jack, berating him for not calling back. She announces that she and Stephanie are flying to New York to meet him so they can all fly to Oregon together to surprise Elizabeth for her birthday. Caught off guard, Jack agrees.

Elizabeth and Anita stay up late talking, forming a new bond. On Elizabeth’s birthday, she feels inspired and asks to paint Anita’s portrait at sunset. She paints furiously, capturing Anita’s image against the twilight sky. Later, Anita shows her a needlepoint pillow made by Marguerite and tells Elizabeth she looks just like her mother, a revelation that deeply moves her.

During the day, Elizabeth feels sad that her family has not called. She and Anita go to the beach to paint. A little after two o’clock, Anita suddenly rushes them back to the house. At the top of the stairs, Elizabeth is met with a surprise party organized by Anita, with Marge and Meghann singing “Happy Birthday.” Elizabeth learns that Anita even flew Meghann in. Overcome with gratitude, she tells Anita she wants to start their relationship over. They celebrate with a barbecue, loud music, and dancing.

In New York, Jack wakes guilty and anxious after having sex with Sally again. Jamie calls from the airport, furious that he forgot to meet them. Jack scrambles to meet his daughters and fly to Oregon. He reflects on the tense, quiet flight and feels distant from them without Elizabeth to bridge the gap. Seeing Elizabeth for the first time in weeks, he is overcome with emotion and guilt over his infidelity. The family joins the party, though Jack remains distant.

At dusk, they set off fireworks on the beach. Stephanie encourages a hesitant Elizabeth to light one for the first time. After the guests leave, Elizabeth talks with Jamie, who confesses her fears about love and loss and admits that she wanted to quit swimming to get her father’s attention. Elizabeth then finds Jack by the fire. He admits he took her for granted and feels lost as a father without her. They agree that it’s time to tell the girls the truth. Elizabeth says there is still a chance for them; he wants to believe it.

On Saturday afternoon, Jamie confronts her parents and demands to know what is going on. Jack freezes, unable to speak. Elizabeth steps in and tells the girls that she and Jack have separated. Jamie reacts with anger, while Stephanie bursts into tears. Jack comforts a crying Elizabeth, then addresses his daughters, admitting the situation is hard but affirming their love for each other. The family gathers in a group hug, crying.

That night, Elizabeth and Jack talk on the porch swing, acknowledging their shared responsibility. Elizabeth tells Jack she still loves him. The next day, Jack drives the girls to the airport. The mood is tense and sad. At the gate, Jamie angrily rebuffs his attempt to comfort her. Stephanie expresses fear and confusion and asks Jack to be honest about the future. He promises he will. The girls board without looking back.

In late March, the rains return. Elizabeth receives short, painful letters from Stephanie but has no contact from Jamie, who ignores her calls. Elizabeth finishes her portrait of Anita, who is moved to tears by its beauty.

On the first Thursday in April, Elizabeth takes Anita to the women’s support group she has been attending. Elizabeth is surprised when the women greet her with balloons and congratulations; they saw in the newspaper that she is exhibiting in the Stormy Weather Arts Festival. Several women express pride, and two—Joey and Fran—say she inspired them to take new steps: Joey enrolled in a dental hygienist class, and Fran joined a choir. The only dissenting voice is Kim, who asks how it will feel to fail. Elizabeth responds that she’d rather try and fail than never try at all. Mina welcomes Anita into the group.