The Strawberry Patch Pancake House

In the middle of the night, Iris wakes disoriented in her unfamiliar bedroom at Archer’s house. Hearing a crash and worried about potential kidnappers, she investigates. She finds Archer cooking in the kitchen. Startled by her appearance, he drops a bowl, spilling batter on himself. Iris helps clean up but soon feels embarrassed by her attire—just a T-shirt without pants. Archer notices her bare legs. He tells her to either get dressed or go back to bed, and Iris leaves, struggling to sleep afterward.

The next morning, Iris prepares breakfast for Olive, who is wary and uninterested in Archer’s fancy meals. Iris offers her an “emergency” strawberry Pop-Tart. When Iris accidentally mentions Olive’s parents in an insensitive way, she apologizes and tries to comfort the child. Iris makes Olive laugh with a Julia Child impression while preparing the Pop-Tart. Though Olive is late to school, and wearing unicorn slippers, Iris counts it as a win since she’s managed to form a connection with the girl.

Three days later, Archer returns home after a difficult day at work. He hesitates before entering the quiet house. Inside, he discovers Iris and Olive having a tea party with stuffed animals, both wearing homemade flower hats.