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Abby
is a 71-year-old widow who spends her days watching soap operas and her
nights doting on her overly-attached son Phillip and his wife Judith.
Monica and Tess's assignment is to help cut the apron strings between
mother and son. When Monica arrives at Abby's door to collect clothes
for the "Living the Rest of My Life" Retirement Community fundraiser,
Abby is skeptical. Later, when Tess tells her about the activities that
take place at "Living the Rest of My Life," Abby agrees to a visit to
see for herself. Abby is excited to find many other seniors who keep
busy with all sorts of activities, though she tries to mask her
enthusiasm. She meets Ramone, a young graffiti artist who serves
mandatory community service hours by helping Andrew, the Community's
handyman, paint the hallways. Abby also meets Lois, a retired artist and
widow, who hides in her apartment angrily refusing to socialize with the
other community members. Abby uses Lois and Ramone as reasons why she
wouldn't want to move here, but her real feelings are apparent when she
returns a few days later with her treasured pecan pie. When Phillip
realizes where his mother has been spending her time, he insists she put
any thoughts of moving out of her head, reminding her of how much he
needs her. But when Phillip forgets Abby's birthday, she decides it is
time to begin her new life and moves into "Living the Rest of My Life."
Phillip and Judith arrive for a visit, and Phillip desperately attempts
to sweet talk his mother into returning home. Abby is settling in,
however, and is unwilling to return, paying for her first month's rent
with some cash she'd saved away. Phillip is angry and storms out, while
Judith, unbeknownst to Phillip, gives Abby her checkbook which Phillip
had been holding for her. Meanwhile, Lois and Ramone argue about art and
insult each other's work in the process. Abby comforts Lois by writing a
check for one of her paintings, a favorite of Abby's since she and her
husband's honeymoon. In turn, Lois apologizes to Ramone and revalidates
his work. At the fundraiser, Abby sells some of her vintage hats, and is
delighted to have Phillip and Judith visit. She shows them her new
painting until Lois reclaims it, announcing that Abby's check bounced.
Phillip then admits that he depleted Abby's life savings by making bad
investments. Abby is shocked but forgives Phillip and plans to move back
home, no longer able to afford her new life. But when Abby oversees
Phillip stealing cash from her personal belongings, she can no longer
make any excuses for him. Tess reveals herself to be an angel, and tells
Abby that God understands her situation. He lets His children face the
consequences of their actions, and she must do the same for Phillip.
Abby insists that Phillip pay back all the money he lost, and tells him
that he cannot be in her life until he pulls his together. Abby prepares
to move out of the retirement community, until Ramone announces that
he's learned that Lois' artwork is worth a fortune. Lois then offers to
pay Abby's rent so she can remain a part of the family at "Living the
Rest of My Life."
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