Charlie spends his first night at Howard Bowditch’s, administering pain meds, fixing soup, and setting up a snowy TV broadcast of a singing show. After Howard drifts off, Charlie researches Jack and the Beanstalk, linking the gold to fairy tales, and later discusses “Gogmagog” with Howard. Howard calls himself a former surveyor and simple woodcutter, then pushes Charlie to get sleep.

The next morning Charlie manages breakfast, walks Radar, handles banking, and begins establishing a daily rhythm of care. Physical therapy starts with Melissa, who pushes Howard through painful bends and stretches while Radar anxiously watches. Melissa is impressed by early knee bend, predicting improvement, though she avoids explaining one medication, Lynparza.

That evening, Charlie’s father, George, visits with Coca-Cola. Howard extends himself socially, praises Charlie, and the three talk comfortably; George approves of the arrangement. Charlie later streams clearer episodes of the singing show on his laptop for Howard.

On Friday, after another PT session, Charlie presses Melissa about Lynparza. She confidentially discloses Howard’s well-advanced but non-metastatic prostate cancer and that he refused chemo and radiation, accepting only Lynparza. That night, after a hard-won bowel movement, Charlie challenges Howard’s treatment choices; Howard explains he won’t add more suffering to existing pain, but commits to PT so he won’t die in bed.

As spring break ends, they face dosing logistics. Howard insists Charlie return home nights for his father’s sake, leaving noon and midnight Oxy doses ready. Howard promises to admit any cheating and give up Oxy if he slips. Charlie sets up laptop entertainment, leaves the pills, and goes home. Howard never cheats.