- It's Cathy's 43rd birthday. Coming to the realization that this birthday may be her last, she, on an impulse, takes Lenny up on his offer to accompany him to the Bahamas for the weekend. That plan is placed in jeopardy when Paul throws Cathy a surprise birthday party at the house. For her gift, Paul gives her Rebecca, her best friend from college who she hasn't seen in fifteen years after Rebecca, who was supposed to be Cathy's maid of honor, skipped the wedding in favor of hanging out with a man she just met. Time has not changed Rebecca's perspective on life. Another surprise or not so surprise attendee at the party is Lenny, who stops by the house to pick up Cathy to head to the airport. Lenny meeting Paul, the party itself, and Cathy reminiscing with Rebecca about their good old college days make both Cathy and Lenny reevaluate if their affair is such a good idea. Meanwhile, Sean does some catching up of his own with Rebecca. And Adam notices that something is not quite right with Marlene.—Huggo
- Cathy beams as she shows Marlene the cake she got herself -- a wedding cake. It's her birthday, maybe her last, she says.
Either John or Samantha got cold feet and didn't pick up the cake.
Adam comes over to paint Marlene's door. Cathy worries about whether he's a good kid.
At school, Cathy is all doled up. Lennie brings her a birthday present -- a gorgeous scarf. He tells her he's going to the Bahamas for an art opening.
She announces she wants to go. He says great and makes plans to pick her up later.
Cathy comes home with shopping bags and is stunned to find Paul and dozens of people in her house. "Surprise!" They jump out and shout. She pretends to happy about it.
Paul points out that Cathy's birthday is in July, so she's a cancer. He tells her he's been lucky to love her, and will continue to "for the rest of our long lives."
"Well, ain't that a kick in the head," Marlene observes.
Cathy is stunned to see her old college friend Rebecca (Cynthia Nixon) there. Paul flew her in from Chicago.
Rebecca apologizes for whatever they fell out over. Cathy remembers instantly: Rebecca met a guy and missed Cathy's wedding, and she was the maid of honor.
She asks Cathy what's going on with her. Cathy says nothing then runs upstairs to call Lennie and tell him not to come.
The doorbell rings. Lennie's there. Cathy introduces him to Paul and says he's there to do a mural. They get a quiet moment and he calms her down and tells her their flight leaves late, so maybe she can slip away after the party.
"You're a bad idea with a good head on your shoulders," she says.
Sean sees Lennie touch Cathy as he goes. He marvels at the fact Lennie is black.
Cathy explains to Rebecca that the people at the party aren't really her friends, they're Paul's coworkers and Adam's friend's parents. Rebecca makes shots.
Lennie looks at a picture of Cathy with her family and is pigeonholed by Paul to share whiskey. Paul talks about Cathy whipping the house into shape and then starts drunkenly sharing about Cathy being "repressed."
He says they're going through a rough patch, but Cathy is probably the nicest person he ever met.
Cathy and Rebecca tell the story of Cathy bailing on a tattoo she was supposed to get with Rebecca. Cathy keeps checking her watch as they continue reminiscing about college and doing shots.
Paul and Lennie trade stories about being poor as children, until suddenly Paul announces he doesn't have any black friends. Lennie laughs.
Then it's karaoke time and drunk Cathy and Rebecca do a floor show to "What About Love?". Paul tells Lennie that he hasn't seen Cathy enjoy herself so much in years.
Adam cracks up as he feeds his mom something with an Asian-sounding name. Lennie stifles a laugh and tells her it's a term for a very graphic specific sex act involving many men and a woman. Adam is sent to his room.
In the kitchen, Sean and Rebecca get reacquainted, trading barbs. She's a pharmaceutical sales rep. She defends her job by saying she gives 20 percent of her salary to charity. "I'd still argue you're as bad as you are good," he says. She agrees.
Cathy packs upstairs as Lennie comes and finds her. He tells her he's leaving. He likes Paul.
Cathy points out Paul got her chocolate cake with raspberry, calling it her favorite. But it's Paul's favorite.
He tells her to spend some time deciding if he's her best move, and if she decides he is, then call.
Back downstairs, Cathy blows out her candles and thanks Paul, saying he has made her happy. Then she tells people she hasn't been really truly happy in 20 years, not like when she broke into the ice cream store with Rebecca in college.
Adam sees Marlene outside, wandering around. She's looking for her house -- in Cathy's backyard. He takes her home.
Cathy says good bye to her guests, giving them gifts that were brought by others. She tells Paul's plastic-surgery stretched aunt that it's a privilege to grow old.
Cathy finds Paul waiting for her inside and he brings up that she said she hasn't been happy pretty much the entire time she's known him. He's drunk and soon starts ranting.
Cathy hears noises downstairs and goes down to find Rebecca riding Sean on the washing machine.
With Paul still going crazy in the other room, Cathy picks up the phone. "It's me. I'm coming with you."
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