Justin comes home after his date with Emma and finds Brad in his kitchen eating leftovers. As they talk, Justin admits that his feelings for Emma are already stronger than simple interest. Instead of thinking about their original plan to date briefly and part ways, Justin is already imagining more elaborate future dates and hoping to keep seeing Emma beyond the expected end point.

That excitement falters when Brad asks what Emma thinks about Justin taking in his siblings in a few weeks. Justin realizes he still has not told Emma about the major change coming in his life. Justin reflects that he originally avoided the subject because he did not expect Emma to actually come to Minnesota or become important to him, but now he knows the situation will matter if he wants anything real with her. Even so, Justin decides to keep focusing on enjoying their time together for now and to worry later about whether the truth will change Emma's plans.

The conversation then shifts when Brad says he saw Justin's mother and thinks Justin should spend more time with her. Brad argues that she is not doing well and needs Justin's support before she goes to prison. Justin pushes back immediately, insisting that he is already supporting her by rearranging his life and taking on the responsibilities she is leaving behind.

Brad makes it clear he means emotional support and forgiveness, not logistics, but Justin refuses. Justin says he is being civil and doing what his mother needs, and that this is already more than she deserves. After Brad leaves, Justin sits alone with his anger. Remembering the message to choose empathy over anger, Justin admits he cannot do that with his mother, because anger is the only thing he has left, and he closes the blinds.