At Justin's house, Emma helps treat Sarah's lice while Justin works on Alex. Sarah is embarrassed and upset, but she specifically wants Emma to help her. To calm Sarah, Emma downplays the lice problem, explains that it is common and not a sign of being dirty, and uses her medical experience to make the situation feel less scary.

As Emma combs Sarah's hair, the conversation shifts to Christine's absence. Emma reveals that her own mother was often gone and that she spent time in foster care, which lets Sarah admit some of her fears. Sarah insists that her mother had been good to her, worries that nobody understands what this is like, and fears being mocked at school because her mom is in jail. Emma validates those fears, explains that kids can be cruel, and advises Sarah not to give bullies a reaction and to lean on her friends instead.

Emma also tries to redirect Sarah's grief toward something manageable. When Sarah says she will miss her mother's cookies, Emma suggests learning to make them so the family can keep that connection alive and even bring them on visits. Emma reflects privately on her own painful childhood memories, including being forced to carry her belongings in trash bags, and realizes that her trauma is what helps her know how to comfort Sarah now.

When Justin checks in, Sarah quickly makes it clear that she wants Emma to keep helping her. After Justin leaves, Sarah tells Emma that Justin talks about her all the time. Emma admits that she likes Justin because he is funny, smart, handsome, and, most importantly, a good person who is taking care of his siblings. The exchange shows Sarah softening toward Emma and quietly acknowledging Justin's feelings.

To turn the day into something better, Emma gives Sarah the hair dye she bought on the way over after getting Justin's permission. Emma explains that when she had lice in foster care, hair dye transformed a humiliating memory into a good one. Sarah is thrilled and immediately starts planning colors. Watching her, Emma recognizes that Sarah's anger is really a shield for heartbreak and sees more clearly how much trauma Justin's family has endured.

Near the end, Leigh jokingly asks Emma to use her influence to get Justin to rename the dog. After Leigh leaves, Emma confides to Sarah that she actually agrees the dog's name should stay the same, and Sarah agrees. The small shared joke leaves Emma and Sarah smiling together, marking a genuine bond between them.