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Butterflies - Nov 19, 1979 Episode 2-10,   Grade B Detailed Summary by John T Burt 2001 Main Butterflies Page

    Food Disasters:
While Ria is upset she dangles the "ruined" leeks and fish in the boys' face and bounces the baked potato off the table.

    Special Events:
Ria tosses stuff down the stairs saying it has to go. Then she tells Ben, Adam and Russell to clean up the hall.

    Summary:
Leonard slides down a slide in the park - it's good to be a child once a day. He says he is free but Ria attached as she peers through the bush she bought. Ria wonders if she will crack at the next crisis. Leonard says she won't.

The boy's frisbee lands in the neighbors' car as they get ready to leave. It wouldn't be a problem except the wife forces the husband to complain. He talks to Ben in a dour exact manner before leaving. The boys come in wearing sort of obscene T-shirts. Ben rails at them again. Ria gets upset and dangles the "ruined" leeks and fish in their face and bounces the baked potato off the table. She thinks she's cracked.

In the church she hears the sounds of her problems and tells God off. He's really piling it on. If he made life beautiful here he'd have less work to do up there and they would all be happy - and bored. She leaves when the neighbor's wife comes in.

She tries to reassure herself driving home but after a panic stop for a dog, gets out and tells it off collecting a small crowd of observers.

The doctor says she is simply suffering from nervous exhaustion as she twists his stethoscope. (Good thing he didn't have any flowers. JTB) As she leaves she sees the neighbors wife in the waiting room. The doctor calls and tells Ben about the visit telling him to hang in there.

Ria tosses stuff down the stairs saying it has to go as Ben and the boys sit in the living room. Ria goes off shopping telling them their rooms are done and clean up the hall.

Leonard, riding home after jogging, discusses life with Thomas who says marriage is a dash of joy topped up with misery. Leonard gets excited when Ria is seen and grabs Thomas despite Thomas' warning him not to messing up his driving. He sprints over to Ria who is not talking and then quickly leaves. The neighbor's wife is in the park too and Ria accuses her of spying. But she isn't. She is there because she is worried because she has no children much like Ria is there worried because she does have children.

Feeling better, Ria runs home happy, calling for Adam, Russell and Ben.