Dear Diary, my dad's back.
He's home from Paris.
Well, not home home, like here in this home,
but back in America home.
And tomorrow I get to see him. And the new place he'll be living in,
and I'll be living in part of the time.
Will it hurt Mom if I ever call Dad's house "home"?
Will it hurt Dad if I don't call it home?
I, Amber Brown, don't want to hurt anyone.
So, that's the schedule for Wednesday/Thursday.
Now, on Friday we're going to have an abbreviated history class
for those of you who wish to audition for the fall production.
All auditions are gonna be held in the auditorium,
so be sure to check the assembly bulletin board
for the production title,
as it will only be posted there and not virtually.
And you can…
leave.
You're free.
Hi, Amber.
Hey, I can't see!
Yes, what can I do for you?
We should try to be a part of the play.
Not me, but you go right ahead.
This is the third day in a row, and I don't wanna cancel on Amber again.
Yeah, I'll hold.
My dad said you needed filters--
Yeah. Thanks, Stanley.
- Bring 'em by once you have 'em. - Okay.
Loving the jacket. Still have mine hanging by a thread somewhere.
What grade are you?
- Sixth. - My daughter too.
Cool.
You have access to the garage?
- Or where do you want it? - Kitchen.
- Really? - Yeah, just--
-Hello? - Robert. Robert.
If I have back-to-back meetings till 6:00 every day,
then I have to take the Baxter group out to dinner, then the ICRF crew to dinner.
You wanted this transfer, Phil. You got it. Now make it work.
But I'll need a day this week with at least a two-hour window at 3:00.
We're all making sacrifices here, Phil.
You're not the only one with a family.
These clients are important, and we need to know
you're part of the team and you're on board
to put in the time to close this deal.
Phil, are you hearing me?
I bet it's gonna be Hairspray The Musical.
Really?
- Excuse us, Shawntay. - What?
Are you two auditioning for the play?
I'm not. I wanna be a part of the crew. Control the spotlight.
Why?
Because it's like being in space, behind a planet in the dark.
Looks like you get dressed in the dark.
Thank you.
I don't think that was a compliment.
- It wasn't. - It was to me.
- You're unusual. - Thank you.
Now that's a compliment.
- We're going to audition for the play. - You know we are.
I was born for the stage.
Have you ever been on one?
Yes. My dad had one built for me in our basement.
Well, I guess that counts.
- Not really. - Of course it does.
Hannah even has people willing to climb trees to see her.
Yikes.
I mean, wow, Hannah. Good luck on your audition.
Thank you.
Wait. Audition for what? For what part?
We don't know what the production is or what characters they need.
It doesn't matter what play it is.
- We're going to get one of the lead roles. - Yes, exactly.
The biggest role. The best part. The star. Duh.
Hope to see you at auditions, Hannah. Wizard of Oz.
And all of you too.
Wizard of Oz? That's one of the best movies ever.
I've never seen it.
What? The horror. You must see it.
Okay.
My dad's picking me up today. We'll have to see it at his house.
So, he does exist?
- Yeah. - Yeah, he does.
He was living in Paris.
I thought you made that up.
Why would I make that up?
I don't know. Try to sound all fancy.
Trying to be cool like, well, us.
- Being cool is so fifth grade. - Fourth!
Third! Oh, wait.
Come on, Shawntay.
Do you want me to walk home, so you can have time with your dad?
No. You should join us. You can see his apartment too.
Come on.
Where's Dad?
I hate that he's disappointing you like this.
- It's okay. - It's not okay.
- Is he okay? - Yes. Yes, he's okay.
Are you okay?
Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine.
Okay.
No more "okays."
Okay. Oops. Sorry.
Sorry, Amber.
He's just been back for a couple days,
and with having to move all his stuff and then also work--
Yeah, I understand it's a lot.
Why don't we stop for ice cream?
And whatever else isn't good for us?
- Yeah! - Okay.
No more "okays"!
I would say "good morning," Pam,
but Phil just told Amber, without even asking me,
that she could stay at his new house tonight.
Look, the point is, he did not tell me, and that is not okay.
Well, he is her father, Sarah.
Yeah, and I am her mother. Her mom.
Her "been there day in, day out, fears, tears, cheers, night after night,
I didn't move across the world like her father did" mom.
That's how I always refer to you.
No offense, but I'm hanging up on you.
Try to look at this from Amber's perspective.
She's so excited he's home.
He's finally home, so just let her go stay.
What difference does it make?
He can't come back and just take control.
- Can you hand me the shallots? - These are scallions.
- Fine. Scallions. - These are chives. They're chives.
Whoa. There's a difference between shallots, scallions and chives.
Phil never called me to discuss Amber spending the night at his house
on a school night.
Who cares about school?
- I do. - It's only so important.
It is very important. Please don't tell Amber things like that.
- Someone's gotta tell her before college. - Stop.
Breathe, Sarah.
Don't give Philip so much of your power.
It is wrong for Philip to make plans with Amber that do not include me.
Huh? I'm sorry, what?
No, that don't include me in the knowing.
In the discussing it. That's wh-- I--
Remember when Mom first met him? She used to call him Prince Charming.
So, are we talking about you being mad at Phil or missing him?
Dear Diary, Louis Prima, one of my dad's favorites.
Well, at least one of his songs is his favorite.
It's called "Angelina."
I eat antipasta twice Just because she's so nice
Angelina
I love to sing.
I wish I had the nerve to audition for The Wizard of Oz.
Dad got me this shirt when I was eight.
Figures, probably still fits.
I've decided when I finally get a dog, I'm gonna name her Angelina.
My mom's middle name is Angelina.
Named after my grandma's sister, my great-aunt Angie.
I love my Aunt Angie. And I really, really love my grandma.
If Mom actually does marry Max, will his mom be my third grandma?
I, Amber Brown, wonder…
how many people am I supposed to love?
Will they love me too?
I don't know what made him think that he could just waltz back into our lives
and start making plans.
- I did it. - Did what?
Called Phil, told him to do it.
What?
Pam!
Well, someone needed to remind him that Amber gets severely disappointed.
That is not your wrong to fix.
- That is his wrong to fix. - Okay.
I'm just supposed to wait around until he figures it out,
all the while Amber's heart is aching? No! That's not gonna happen.
She needs her father. Right now.
Didn't I have a book, The Wizard of Oz? The book?
I'm sure it's in there somewhere.
Oh, yes. Here it is.
Well, I don't wanna see him, so I'm just gonna drop you off.
I will not stay. I won't go in. I won't get out of the car,
but I am happy to drive you to your dad's tonight.
Thank you!
Dad said that Brandi could come over and stay until after dinner.
Great. Okay.
So, Amber, honey,
you sure you're fine with spending the night somewhere else?
Away from home? Even with school the next morning?
Yes. Absolutely. For sure.
And I can wear these pj's that Dad sent me.
I mean, wear them, like, show up in them. Cute, right?
Yes, it's very sweet.
I am so excited.
Do you think I look kind of silly wearing these footie jammies?
No. No, I think your dad will get a kick out of it.
He did send them all the way from Paris.
Mom, what are you doing?
I don't wanna see him right now. I'm just--
I'm a mess, and he's all-- He's got muscles.
- What? - I just-- I'm not ready to--
You two just go. Just get out of the car. Just go. Go.
Amber, what are you doing?
It's Stanley.
I don't wanna see him right now. I'm wearing footie pajamas.
Without a belt.
What's he doing around here?
- Stanley, the boy from school? - Yes.
That's abso-Stanley-lutely him.
Stanley's talking to your dad.
They're both looking at me. Should I duck down?
- No! - Amber, your hair!
They're walking this way.
Wait.
Stanley's leaving on his bike.
That's why you're not ready to see Dad.
You know I was waiting to tell him in person.
- I mean, I guess I could tell him now? - No, no, no, no, no. Not now.
- No? - Please.
- Okay. - Mom.
- Okay. Okay. - Hello? Amber?
Did you find your contact lens, Mrs. Brown?
Genius.
No, maybe I will find it later though.
There's my girl!
I'm so glad you're home.
Me too, little one. Me too.
Just like you to make me smile by wearing these pajamas.
You like 'em, huh? Not too silly of Dad?
I love 'em, Dad.
Sarah.
Phil.
You look nice.
Thank you.
So I guess you'll be taking Amber to school tomorrow?
Yeah, should be able to. Should be fine.
Should be? That should be thought out before you make a plan for her
to stay over on a school night.
- What? - You have no plan.
Let's not get all dramatic, Sarah.
I got this, okay? I'm all set.
I was just excited to see my girl.
Yeah, well, you have been here for six days.
New position at work. New home. Extremely busy.
Why don't you tell Amber that? Not me.
Amber and I are fine with it.
She's fine with it. Right, Amber?
Yeah, I'm fine with it, Mom.
It's okay, Dad.
Well, you have been disappointed a few times.
- Brandi. - Just saying.
- You're Brandi. - That's me, Mr. Brown.
So, how do you know Stanley?
The kid on the bike? He lives around here.
Okay. You can always call me.
- Can always come back and pick her up. - Mom.
- What? - Please.
It's just two nights.
Yeah. Just two nights.
What?
Yes.
Say goodbye, Toto.
Thanks for helping me, girls.
Look, Brandi. It's the best part.
Right, Dad?
Okay.
How many phone calls is he gonna get?
Just watch.
Then close your eyes, and tap your heels together three times.
And think to yourself, "There's no place like home.
There's no place like home. There's…"
There's no place like home. There's no place like home…
Thank you.
Dinner is served!
Oh, yeah.
Sorry I missed the movie.
Just gotta take this.
Do you think he likes me?
- Your dad? - Well, yeah.
Of course he likes you. He's your dad. He loves you.
Well, I know he loves me.
I just wonder if he likes me.
How could he not like you?
You're a very nice person, Amber Brown.
Thank you, Brandi with an I.
- I'll give you a call. - You're welcome.
Toto was so cute.
I know. Riding in that little basket on Dorothy's bike.
Have you ever heard of a play called 12 Angry Men?
"A courtroom drama like no other."
Let me see.
Whoa. If the jury was so angry, what was the criminal like?
"Philip Brown steals the show as Juror Number 8."
Wow. Your dad was a star.
"Philip Brown says he loves the theater.
When asked what his favorite part about doing the show was,
the 14-year-old Brown explained, 'It's the teamwork and shared experience.
We all have a lot in common and love to hang out together on or off the stage.'"
That's cool. What are you thinking?
It is cool.
I just wish I had the courage to audition.
By the power vested in me
by way of being your neighbor-eth
and strength of friendship-eth, I hereby grant thee courage.
Hi. I'm Amber Brown,
and I'm auditioning for the role of Dorothy.
I'm Hannah Burton, auditioning for the role of Dorothy.
Hi. My name is Jimmy Rentorski, and I'm auditioning for the Tin Man.
And I'm auditioning for the Scarecrow.
"There's no place like home. There's no place like home."
Just a sec. I memorized my line.
"Oil can."
What about the rest of the monologue?
I just memorized "oil can."
"There's no place like home. There's no place like home."
You're a scarecrow.
How do you talk when you haven't got a brain?
"Some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don't they?"
"There's no place like home."
I'm Brandi, hoping for a position on the crew.
Preferably operating the spotlight.
And the dreams that we dare to dream
Really do come true
There you are. We're in a hurry.
I have a video conference call in 20 minutes.
- We have to get back to the apartment. - Okay.
I auditioned for the school play.
- What? Really? - Yeah.
I read for Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.
Wow. I'm impressed. How'd it go?
Really good actually.
Much better than I thought it would go.
Mr. Danziger said he thought I was great.
Good for you. I'm so proud of you.
I can't believe I actually auditioned.
Well, they post the casting list next week.
You know, I was in one of their productions in the eighth grade.
It was called 12 Angry Men.
- Yeah, I think Mom told me about that. - She did?
Yeah, she said she remembered you were the lead.
The main character who carried the play.
And that's what Dorothy is too.
And you're younger than I was when I did my play.
Very exciting.
Yeah. We have a lot in common.
We do.
It's just one more night. Then she'll be back home.
Yeah, but then we have to talk about her custody schedule,
and if it's every other week, I'm not--
Okay, okay. Let's let that go for now.
All right. Let's just breathe.
And I'll be back in town tomorrow morning, okay?
Okay. Pam's here. Talk later?
-Love you. - Love you too.
Anyone love me?
I do. So much. Thank you so much for coming again.
I can't stay here every night Amber's at Phil's.
Just till I get used to it?
Not sure I can do another ten years of this.
Do you think she misses me?
Definitely.