Detailed Show Synopsis (Spoiler Alert)
In a bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in December, a man in his late 40s, Eddie, has come because he received a text from his deceased ex-wife’s cell phone number saying she was at this bar. Eddie is lonely and regretful, as he reflects on his relationship with her and his work as a cross-country truck driver, but he nevertheless tries to be positive and upbeat. Flashing back to September, Jess, a woman in her mid 20s, enters a well-appointed apartment in Princeton, N.J. She has come to interview for a job as a caregiver for John, a wealthy graduate student, wheelchair-bound with cerebral palsy, also in his mid 20s. Their chat is rather terse and edgy, but Jess gets the job. John is surprised to learn that Jess, who works as a bartender, graduated from Princeton University. She is annoyed by John’s elitist attitude, but pledges to do whatever is necessary for the job. Meanwhile, in another accessible apartment, in Jersey City, N.J., Eddie helps his ex-wife, Ani, move in. Just out of the hospital following a serious car accident, Ani is a quadriplegic. She clearly feels a great deal of resentment toward Eddie—he cheated on her—but underneath those feelings, there is still real affection, which he shares. She is frustrated that she needs help from him. By assisting her, Eddie is easing his own guilt, but he also still loves her. At John’s apartment, Jess shaves John, who tries to engage her in conversation. She is laconic, reluctant to get into anything personal, but eventually tells him about her mother, who came to the U.S. as an immigrant and struggled with being alone and unable to speak English. Later, in October, at Ani’s apartment, Eddie offers to serve as her regular caregiver. Ani’s nurse has failed to show up, and Eddie has come over to help her. She is resistant to Eddie’s proposal, and says she still can’t trust him, but finally relents.
In December, at John’s apartment, Jess helps him to shower. Their conversation is easier and warmer. She tells him about her experiences as a bartender. He suggests that she should go out more, and, his tone somewhat flirtatious, asks if she can come by that night. Jess is surprised by this, because she has never before come to John’s apartment at night, but she says she will find someone to cover her shift at the bar. Back in October, at Ani’s apartment, Eddie is sponge-washing her body in the bath. She is slowly warming up to him, appreciative of his kindness, less defensive and prickly. When Eddie steps away to the kitchen for a moment, Ani slips down into the bathtub, submerged. He rushes back in, and quickly pulls her up. She is scared, and pleads with him not to go.
Returning to that night in December, Jess arrives at John’s apartment, dressed stylishly for her expected date with John. He compliments her look, and asks her to help him get ready to go out. As she assists him, he casually mentions that he’s “meeting her at 8:00,” for their first date. Jess is taken aback and disappointed. She asks John if she can stay in his apartment while he’s out, but John tells her he isn’t comfortable with that; he says he knows she has stolen soap from him. He asks her to help him shave and shower, but Jess suddenly bolts out of the apartment. She phones her mother, and gets her voicemail. Speaking a non-English language, Jess tells her that she loves and misses her. Later that night, at Eddie’s apartment, Jess stands in the doorway. She wants to warm up—she has been living in her car, parked nearby—but is hesitant to enter any further. He gives her a blanket (Ani’s blanket, which he asks her to return in the morning) and a slice of reheated pizza. She tells him that she doesn’t have any family here; her mother “got sick and went back,” and now Jess is sending her whatever money she can spare. Eddie tells her that his wife died last month, and offers to let her move in with him. She seemingly considers this offer, asking the rent price, but then leaves, without eating the pizza. Eddie is alone. His cell phone buzzes, but before he can check it, Jess re-enters, with coffee for them to share. She takes one cautious step into the apartment, and Eddie takes one step toward her.