Fly Away

Jeanne is awakened by Mandy's crying, and she realizes Mandy is having an anxiety attack that has become a nightly pattern. She reassures her daughter and reminds her of the coping strategies they've been using. To calm Mandy, Jeanne sings 'Lady bug, lady bug, fly away home' and stays with her until the episode subsides.

In the morning, Jeanne struggles to get Mandy ready for school while also juggling pressure from a major client. She receives an urgent phone call from her partner Sue about their joint project. Mandy's anxiety lingers as she heads toward the school day, threatening to derail their plans.

Mandy has another fit at school, disrupting her day and frightening other students. Principal Liz Howell suggests that Mandy might be better off at a different school. The recommendation underscores the growing sense that the current environment isn't accommodating her needs.

Desperate for help, Jeanne calls Mandy's father Peter to request custody for the weekend. Peter makes his usual excuses, and Jeanne is left confronting Mandy deleting her work on her laptop. The moment shows how Mandy's distress seeps into Jeanne's professional life.

The next day, Peter arrives unannounced and takes Mandy to the park. Jeanne is momentarily peaceful, then receives a distressing call from Peter reporting that Mandy has had another fit. The incident culminates with Mandy attacking yet another child on the playground.

To console Mandy after a difficult day at school, Jeanne takes her out for ice cream. Mandy's behavior disturbs the ice cream parlor, drawing attention from other customers. The scene highlights the tension between Mandy's needs and public spaces.

While walking her dog, Jeanne meets a charming neighbor named Tom. The school then calls to report another Mandy fit, forcing Jeanne to rush away from Tom. As a consequence, Mandy is suspended from school for a week, further straining Jeanne's already fragile schedule.

The following day, Jeanne and Mandy see Tom again at the dog park. Tom is charmed by Mandy's eccentricity, and they go out for pizza together. Later, Tom and Jeanne begin to grow closer, but Jeanne pulls away to focus on Mandy's care.

With Mandy expelled from school, Jeanne feels increasingly cornered about her daughter's future. Mandy cheers her mother by singing 'fly away home,' offering a small moment of resilience amid the crisis. The family faces the reality of limited options for Mandy's schooling and care.

Jeanne and Peter discuss the possibility of placing Mandy in a residential facility to ensure her safety and round-the-clock supervision. They grapple with the emotional toll of losing daily contact and the uncertainty of what comes next. The conversation marks a turning point toward long-term planning.

Overwhelmed by the sense of losing Mandy, Jeanne looks up to see an airplane flying freely in the sky and imagines Mandy one day becoming independent. The moment crystallizes a complex mix of hope and fear about Mandy's future autonomy.