hello, roberta.
i did. i'm in town for my mom's birthday.
no -- that's her gift.
it looks very pretty.
that's o.k. my parents didn't read it either. it looks good on their coffee table, though.
so what are you doing here? i thought you'd be in carnegie hall by now.
i'll bet you're a great teacher.
your husband ran off with your best friend.
so you're just gonna wrap presents and wait for him to come back?
that's not very sexy.
a little of both.
you know, i know this really cool lady who runs this elementary school -- i wrote a piece on her. it's a public school, but it's alternative -- she might be able to create some kind of gig for you. let me give her a call.
if she hires you, though, you have to be willing to relocate.
it's a toast. to roberta, who's made it through her first week.
look at the progress. didn't you say no one was listening to you on monday?
there's no rush.
thank you.
i follow my gut, pay attention to what i'm being drawn to.
i've been waiting to do that since mr. baines' orchestra class.
sure i did. you used to ignore me and it drove me wild.
it didn't mean i had the one i wanted.
you're not a navy wife anymore.
and is it a navy requirement that you dress like it's the 1950's?
who did you vote for in the last election?
tell me.
oh my god -- it's even worse than i thought! is this the same roberta who got the orchestra to strike until they gave us new uniforms?
i don't believe that.
because?
they're sleeping.
and what's your husband doing right now?
they're still sleeping.
texas.
farm workers. i just got the call -- it came through -- my research grant! it came through! isn't that great?
i've got a few families lined up there, some in california --
two, three months.
whoa. roberta -- last night was great but did you think i was gonna marry you in the morning?
you're gonna be fine. you have a job, a place to stay, your kids have a school to go to -- and there's a d'agostino's around the corner.
i can't believe you were still holding out hope. the guy hasn't called you or the kids in three months -- i thought you'd moved on.
no? maybe not with words.
no, no -- i'm sorry. look, i know it hurts, but you're gonna get through this, roberta -- you will.
what? you're gonna quit teaching in the middle of the term?
what are you gonna tell janet -- your husband left you and nothing else matters?
santa claus.
i'm back.
you trying to kill me?
hey, your daughter does what she wants -- or haven't you noticed?
i'm sorry. it's just.
why do people feel like the minute something's going great, they gotta name it? once you name something, you snuff the life out of it.
well, maybe if you'd actually gone through the sixties, you'd know what i'm talking about.
i'm sorry. i'm being an asshole. you can say you love me if you want.
you're crazy. why did you hire him?
when? fifty years ago?
what the hell is this?
you've gotta be kidding. those ex- cons you hired ripped this off -- and you too!
fine. do it your way.
good catch nick!
uh-oh. you know what that means?
whatsa matter? afraid of a little water? the ducks aren't afraid! are you a chicken or a duck?
looks like you got yourself a chicken, roberta!
well then you must be a duck!
he misses his dad. i'm just a surrogate.
whoa. can we just slow down here a minute? it's too much like getting married.
that kind of commitment just isn't realistic. i mean, how can we know that you and i will even be able to stand each other in five years?
and look what happened to you and charles.
look, roberta. marriage is based on a belief that one person can completely meet another person's needs. i just don't buy that.
i'm saying that it's the 80's and it's a fantasy to think of marriage lasting these days. one out of two marriages ends in divorce!
in theory, yes.
roberta, we've got something good right now -- that's the important thing. let's just keep it that way, o.k.?
you're an idiot! i told you -- you can't be your own contractor.
that's more like it.
roberta --
congratulations.
i knew you'd get here sooner or later. i'm glad i'm here to see it.