STANLEY: When Ricky and I were sent home from Nightlight, he never went back to Chicago. He went to a community college in White Eagle—you saw to that. A year later, I enrolled so I could keep an eye on Ricky because that’s what I do. Keep an eye on him. He didn’t socialize, never dated. He kept to the post-Nightlight program. He worked a video store job, went to school, came home. But as soon as that nursing license was in his hands…poof. Gone.

BILL: Not even a note.

STANLEY: Your confession, Bill, is also my confession. I want you to know that the entire time we were at college, I knew Ricky was faking because…I was faking.

GARY: Stick to the facts, Stanley.

<labored coughing>

STANLEY: It is a fact, Dad. I was faking. I’m faking now—but I’m always in control. Anyway, Ricky abandoned us for California. And when he did, all of your suspicious, mean little eyes fell on me. Maybe you were worried I was gonna follow him…

BILL: But now you’re a reverend. You’re the “director.”

STANLEY: After what I’ve been put through, no one will question my commitment to Nightlight again.

BILL: You should’ve left me alone. Should’ve left Ricky alone!

STANLEY: No jumping ahead. So. Ricky was enjoying his West Coast lifestyle, away from us. During that time, he met a man. What was his name?

BILL: Some Goddamn Mexican—

STANLEY: His name, Bill. I’m requiring you to remember it.

BILL: You REQUIRE me?! …God Almighty, fine. Rodrigo.

STANLEY: Rodrigo Valdes. Ricky and ’Rigo, sitting in a tree. They moved in together and made a home. But that wasn’t enough for Ricky. They wanted a commitment ceremony.

BILL: Have you ever heard of anything so HUMILIATING? Gary—

<low coughing>

STANLEY: Don’t talk, Dad. Save your strength.

BILL: Look at your dad. Get him to the nurse, damn it.

STANLEY: Two months ago, Ricky broke his silence and called me—probably in a moment of sentimental weakness. We hadn’t spoken in years, but he was so IN LOVE, he had to invite me. Me, only me, from his side of the family. Maybe he thought by seeing him get such a happy ending, it would inspire me to run away too. He was always trying to save me.

BILL: No luck there.

STANLEY: No. Such. Luck. So, Bill, I got you involved. You and I flew out for the big occasion. Please describe Ricky’s wedding.

BILL: It was no Goddamn wedding—

STANLEY: I said describe it!

GARY: Stan, is this necessary?

STANLEY: I told you to save your strength!

BILL: The wedding was on a beach.

STANLEY: Which beach?