All The World's A Stage (Still)
At the coffee house, JT's not sure he'll be up for open mic night: Maybe - if I'm not in too much pain. Spotting him, Mac flashes back to the suana kiss and takes a deep breath before marching over - JT! OH my gosh! What happened to you? You're all beat up. Still on crutches, his black eye slightly fading, JT whines: Bobby wailed on me - didn't give me a chance. He's not the only one. I don't hate you, Mac insists, I hate what happened to us. I just have to move on. Yeah, I guess it's what you have to do, JT sadly agrees as Kevin arrives. Mac - JT, Kevin greets brightly: You look different - get a hair cut? he cracks.

Let's go get a table on the patio, Mac quickly separates the boys. Bounding after her like an eager puppy, Kevin sits to report he's great - I took your advice and put together a resume. He'll need to get a place of his own soon (when Mike gets married). With your help I can get a job anywhere. When Mac finds fault with the first line, Kevin stands close behind her to bask in her expertise. Once done, Mac refuses to mope over JT - it wasn't meant to be. I'm sadder but wiser. I just wish I hadn't given so much away. Inside, a glum JT continues to watch from the sidelines.

Bobby visits Ang in his old office at the club. You were right about me regreting everything, he admits. She sure played you for a fool, Ang agrees - guys like you and me were made to lead one kind of life. Vinnie likes the action here. Bobby has fond memories in this office: easy money - easy broads. Vinnie will be back soon - he had a shipment, Ang explains (he's just glad Bobby's back in the family). They hug awkwardly, then laugh: get off me. Ang isn't sure he wants to leave Bobby alone in the office You don't trust me? Bobby looks hurt. Ang thinks he should have given JT a more permanent message. He then gets a call: Yeah - I'm on my way. He needs to check on a liquor delivery. Bobby offers to watch the place for a few hours - either you trust me or you don't. Who's better at running this place than I am? Pushing his reservations aside, Ang leaves: I owe ya one.

Bobby closes the door: step one.... He opens the safe and peers inside. Spreading papers across the desk, he takes photos with his cell phone/camera - then replaces the documents. Excuse me Sir - where would you like these? Putting the boxes down, Brit takes off her hat. Bobby's stunned: Are you crazy!? I couldn't stay away another moment, Brit says passionately as she hugs him. I want my husband - I want my baby's real father - I'm scared. Bobby's sure it'll be over - we can go back to our lives - the white picket fence - everything we talked about, I promise.

The Classifieds
You gonna look at that number all day? Kevin bugs in Mike's office. You're irritating, Mike snaps as he makes the call. Quickly hanging up, he reports he got the voicemail of Scott Granger (but left no message). He's a grad student who lives in Toronto. Kevin finds it odd - she never mentioned him - there's no photos - it's like he's invisible. When Gloria arrives, Kevin beats a hasty retreat: YOU can cheer Mike up. Mike wonders aloud if there's anything wrong with a mother not wanting her son at her wedding - why doesn't she want him there? Maybe she's ashamed? Gloria ponders: For any number of reasons - maybe the son is a drug addict? Mike would never think less of her for that. When things aren't right with your children - a mother blames herself, Gloria informs. Mike knows all about dysfunctional families - he wants to make a fresh start - he doesn't want a situation like the one he had to grow up in. Gloria agrees - but you might need to consider one thing: Maybe, just maybe, it's the son who doesn't want to have anything to do with Lauren - what then?? Mike considers it and admits he would never have been the one to reach out to HER. He's tempted to go to Toronto - talk to Scott himself. Gloria encourages it - he'll be your stepson (and my grandson). You need to know what you're dealing with. We can wrap up ALL the loose ends. Gloria announces she had Ms Schwartz file the notice - it's in the Chronicle today. Mike reads and chuckles (anyone knowing the whereabout of Tom Fisher....) I can't wait to bury the bastard. It appeared in Detroit too. Good - everything is taken care of, Mike concludes. Do you think he could be out there someplace? Gloria asks. Mike thinks the chances of Tom seeing the ad add are slim to nil. No one looks at these things. Both are relieved - makes me sick to think I could still be married to that man. If he's out there, alive - he's dead to me. Long dead.

Ladies Who Lunch
Lauren spots Ash at the club: mind if I join you? Tom watches over his newspaper as Ash whines about Brad's ultimatum: I can have custody of Abby IF I stay home and become a stay at home Mom. Don't YOU have a son? Lauren explains her son lives far away. I'd love to take time off from Jabot - but things are crazy right now, Ash continues: Brad has another agenda - he's back at NE - the plot thickens. He WAS supportive but now it's all or nothing. I treasure every moment with Abby. Lauren wishes her son lived closer. He's doing well. Then you made the right choices, Ash smiles. I did, Lauren agrees: for both of us. Ash informs they won't be going on that double date as she's not seeing Tom anymore. Lauren's surprised: You seemed smitten. Ash just wanted to be friends - there's something that didn't feel quite right - I got a feeling he could be dangerous. Plus, I'm not interested in a serious relationship. Lauren suggests the double date include Paul. Ash is game- but has to hurry off - see you soon. Tom is halfway out the door after her when Lauren calls out: Tom. If I didn't now better, I'd say you were spying on us. I know she ended things with you. Tom assures he has no hard feelings towards Ash - she's one honest lady. Lauren's sorry things didn't work out - will you stay in GC? Tom's not sure. I got a little money making opportunity in Florida - and I DO have family here. They'd like to see me disappear - but you always want a chance to get things right with your people before you die. You're not dying are you? Not that I know of, Tom replies. My family will find out soon how committed I really am. Now, if you'll excuse me.... At the bar, Lauren opens the paper to read Gloria's legal notice - aloud. Anyone knowing about the whereabouts of Tom Fisher... Tom comes back and snatches the newspaper from Lauren's hands: What the hell! What are they trying to do to me!? Oh God. You're him, Lauren realizes. Tom turns to give her an evil, contemptuous stare.

Pipe Dreams: Not What They're Cracked Up To Be
At the police station, Neil sends the agitated Devon home - and asks to see Yolanda. She's not charged with anything - but she's whacked out of her mind, he's told. You're holding her til she calms down, Neil realizes: I promised Devon I'd make sure his mother's alright - the kid's worried sick. Fine. Neil's led back to see Yolanda.

Yolanda assumes he's from the he public defenders office: I don't know about shipments and suppliers, she babbles. Neil introduces himself as Devon's foster father. Yeah - I met your wife - she loves my boy, Yolanda recalls. We both do, Neil replies, he's a special young man. He's almost an adult - with a bright future ahead of him. Yolanda's glad. That bright future doesn't include YOU, Neil barks.

Lily and Devon return to the condo: I've never seen your Dad so mad before. Lily's not sure which one of them he's angrier at. Devon confides he started seeing his mother a few weeks ago. Everyone's so stressed out around here (too busy for him). I tried not to think about her. She's your Mom, Lily understands - but it doesn't look like things have changed. Devon vows to get her off that junk.

Skeptical, Lily thinks she looks far gone. Devon doesn't think she's tried hard enough - why would she? They took me away - it messed her up even more. Lily thinks Yolanda could have tried to get him back. She won't get better until she wants to. So, I should take your Dad's advice? Write her off? Devon balks: I can't pretend she doesn't exist. What kind of person would I be if I had a nice life going for myself - and let her go on like she is? If it were your mom wouldn't you want to help her? When Grandma died, she just got deeper and deeper into drugs - didn't your Dad get help? If he can do it, why can't my mother? She's not hopeless - nobody's hopeless. Look at me - I'm thinking about college. You saw something I didn't even know was there. You're a good person - I love you, Lily smiles. I love you too - like a sister, Devon answers. Do you understand now? Lily does - but doesn't want him to get hurt. Devon feels it's time to give something back - give his mother a family that loves and supports her.

Back at the station, Yolanda claims she told Devon to stay away - he won't listen. He wants to help you, Neil replies: You're a crack addict. (Yolanda never said she was anything else) Your life is about getting high. I know about addiction - how powerful and vicious it can be. Have you checked a mirror lately? You're doing God knows what to get your drugs - then sleep it off wherever. You used to call Devon your son - he desperately wants to help you - but you don't care enough about him to try. He can't save me, Yolanda states defiantly. What about saving yourself? Neil asks. Yolanda's silent. Yeah. I thought so, Neil sneers: Remember, you may have given up hope - but there's hope for Devon. Until you clean up your act, you're not to come anywhere near MY boy - MY son. Are you finished? she asks. Yeah I am. Question is - how 'bout you? Neil glares - taps hard on the door twice and glares down at Yolanda once more as he exits.

My Thoughts
Today's show rates a 7.5... Why would Kevin think that Mac can help him get a job anywhere? If she's so good at it, why doesn't she have a job of her own? .... I hope Mac DOES move on - Even when the truth comes out, she must find it a bit disconcerting to know how easily - and well JT can lie. How could you ever trust a guy who's so darn good at fabricating? ... How stupid IS the GC branch? chapter? of the mob - Ang didn't even change the safe combination? The boys is Sicily oughtta have y'all whacked .... OK - first Bobby's sharing a homophobic hug with Ang - and now he's kissing Brit in her penciled mustache ... Not that there's anything wrong with that... Note the way Brit's hair sticks to the side of her face thanks to her ever so clever disguise (she needs a tip or two from Phyllis) .... I guess Bobby's forgetting the fact that even after this is all over, he'll STILL be too broke to buy a white picket fence ... Silly Kevin - ALL children in GC are invisible at some point in their childhood ... How completely unbelievable that Gloria and Tom have not bumped into one another already at the club ... GREAT idea - I'm sure your double date with Ashley and your ex Paul would be SUCH a fun filled evening (too bad Mary's not around - she might actually think Ashley Abbott worthy of her son and give her approval) ... At first, it seems Neil is being incredibly rude and insensitive - BUT, is it possible that he's challenging Yolanda to clean up? Trying to get her angry enough to fight her addiction? Don't forget, he IS a recovering alcoholic - so that makes him a complete expert on all kinds of addictions (just like Dr Liv is an expert in all areas of medicine) ... And biology schmiology - who cares if Yolanda gave birth to Devon. Possession is 9 tenths of the law - finders keepers and all that - Neil Winters has acquired himself a son ..... How refreshing to hear Gloria's enthusiasm about being a grandma (to Scotty) - in comparison to Nikki Newman (who never allowed Noah or Cassie to call her anything other than Nikki) ... Also refreshing: I'm relieved Devon is no longer thinking of, or looking at Lily as anything other than a sister. Tomorrow's spoiler may be delayed as I have to meet Mike Baldwin at the Toronto airport (heh).

Next: At the door, Mike asks: Scott Granger? Who are you? (the young man has his back to the camera) ... A content John smiles at Gloria - assured there's no more secrets she's hiding ... Still at the Abbott home, Gloria can hardly believe her eyes - she squints in disbelief: Tom Fisher?!

Thanks for your most generous support. I still have a few emails to send out - and names to add to the subscription list.

*****

For those who were members of the message boards - and therefore, no doubt, a friend of 'Leafy's' - Amy Kay has created a very touching tribute. http://dump.grendosa.com/Leafy.wmv . Just added: my own eulogy or sorts. My thoughts: From the heart - Leafy.