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The Birthday Party
#203 ~ October 22, 1999
by PapaC
The show begins with Syd dreaming of her mother, as is traditional.
They are in an army setting, and her mother is questioning whether she really wants to pursue a relationship with
Kyle, with his uncertain health. She reminds her that Florence Nightingale got left behind when the men went back
home to their girlfriends.
Syd asks her dad if Kyle can move into their garage, which they're converting into a guest house: it would be closer
to the hospital for him. Her father consents. Later on in the day, Syd meets Kyle at the hospital to see how his
chemotherapy is going. She gives him an alarm watch, and tells him it is imperative that he takes his medicine
on time, and asks him to move in to the guest house. He will think about it.
He later decides to take her up on her offer, and Robbie helps him start readying the garage. Kyle collapses, and
is taken to the clinic. Syd is harsh with him for having neglected to take his medication on time - without it,
the chemo can kill him. He promises not to do it again, and admits he was refusing to give in to the cancer. He
says he doesn't think he should move in, though - he'll handle it himself.
Hannah's Birthday:
Meanwhile, the household is preparing for Hannah's first
birthday party. Joannie is excited, because Richie (Hannah's father) is coming back for the occasion. She confesses
to Robbie that Richie has been writing to her for awhile, and she thinks he wants her back. She asks Robbie what
he thinks, and he says that while Richie isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, he has a good heart. Richie surprises
Joannie by showing up early, at the Barkery. He tells her he's moving back and wants to be closer to her. But then
he announces he's just gotten married.
Heather tries to set up Robbie (whom she still mistakenly believes is gay) with a date for the party, so he tells
her he already has one, and asks a co-worker at the bar.
When Richie and his new wife, Kris (a young, perky 20 year-old) show up at Hannah's party, they're both excited
to see Hannah. Richie then mentions that he is back and wants custody - he figures 50%.Kris tells Joannie that
she plans to teach Hannah all kinds of things - like mountain climbing, kayaking, etc. And, they want to take Hannah
with them for a couple of days to see Richie's parents. Joannie is extremely upset, and tells them "over her
dead body". Richie tells her Hannah needs a father, and Jim (Joannie's father)agrees. Joannie finally says
he can take Hannah to his parents', but she wants them out of the house, now. Joannie storms off... party over.
Later, Syd and Joannie talk about it. Joannie has calmed down a little, and talks about her fears of being one
of two moms, becoming less important to Hannah. Syd tells her that she'll always be her mother, and that Hannah
has only one first birthday.
Meanwhile, Doug, Joannie's former employee, appears back at the Barkery. He buys some doggie biscuits, as he's
hungry. He asks for his job back, but Joannie just can't re-hire him. Later, he returns with a present for Hannah's
birthday: a homemade alarm clock. He reminds her that puppies often sleep with a clock so that they will feel they
are hearing their mother's heartbeat. With this, Hannah can hear Joannie's "heartbeat" when she's away.
Joannie is very touched by this, and re-hires Doug.
The birthday party is continued that night. Heather answers the doorbell, and it's Robbie's "date" (shoot,
I can't remember this guy's name). Heather, the "date" and Robbie discuss why Robbie is keeping his sexuality
a "secret" from his father, and Jim appears in the hallway. He asks what Robbie is keeping a secret,
and Heather tells Jim that Robbie is gay. Robbie has to admit that he's not, and that it was a lie he had made
up to let Heather down easy. She is mortified and hurt, and leaves, saying that she's too good for Robbie.
The party goes on. Joannie is still ruffled as Kris talks about how excited she and Richie are about doing things
with Hannah. Joannie mentions that maybe Kris and Richie will their own child to do things with.Kris says she cannot
have children, and though Richie was disappointed, they're hoping Hannah will be enough for them all. Joannie is
moved.
Shortly, someone asks where Hannah is. They all look around, each thinking someone else had her. They search, and
she has climbed out an open window onto the roof to look at some bluebirds they've been watching! Joannie screams
and tries to climb down to her, but slips and hangs onto a pipe. Syd tries to hold Joannie out further, but it's
clear they won't get to Hannah quickly enough. Kris spots Hannah at the roof's edge, and climbs up to her, rescuing
her.
Later, as Richie and Kris leave, Joannie sends Hannah and her little suitcase off with them, willingly.
The Patients:
A woman brings her rabbit to Jim - he's not "thumping" anymore.
A child is brought in to Syd with knee pain. She has a new dog, and the father wonders if the dog has caused her
illness. Syd takes the dog to her father for tests. She later tells the father she has sent off a Lyme disease
titer for his daughter. He wants to get rid of the dog, regardless of how it comes out - she's his only child and
he doesn't want to take the risk.
However, the test comes back negative. Syd overhears her father telling the rabbit's owner that it has arthritis,
which can show up even in young rabbits. Bingo - Syd realizes the child could have juvenile arthritis. She goes
to the child's house and questions the father, who recalls that his sister had arthritis as a child. She'll investigate
it further, but leaves him with children's aspirin, and his dog, whom he agrees to let his daughter keep.
At the end, Kyle comes back. He's changed his mind, and wants to move into the guesthouse. He admits he would like
support going through the long chemotherapy ahead.
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