Afterwards Nicki is, predictably, freaking out. "We can't have Margene representing our marriage! Can you imagine Margene, public wife?" Barb isn't any more receptive to Nicki's invitation to a meltdown than she was to Bill's invitation to the convention. Nicki persists: "She doesn't have any of the uppity thing going on that you have that represented us so well in public." Barb neither responds to the compliment nor objects to being called "uppity." She just thinks Nicki's overreacting, and it's out of their hands anyway. This new, defeated Barb is certainly a change, but I hope she doesn't stick around indefinitely.

Out on the compound, Joey is helping Kathy with some tire-gardening in front of the cabin while they quietly talk about how Wanda's doing. Apparently she hasn't slept in four nights. Fortunately, Joey has a plan to deal with this worrisome sign of a relapse: not tell anyone. Because that's worked out so well for them in the past. The only way to improve this plan would be to make Wanda fix all their beverages for them during the next few weeks. Joey takes Kathy's hand and says she's the best thing that could have happened to them. Kathy tells Joey she loves both him and Wanda. Aside from the fact that they're all doomed, it's kind of a sweet moment.

Which is cut short by a segue to the Henrickson backyard, a chaotic scene full of boys literally screaming and throwing things at each other. I notice that Baby Lester is standing up unassisted, which I think is a new development. How quickly they grow when a few months of plot gets spread over nearly two years. Nicki's more concerned with her phone conversation, in which she's trying to convince Wanda to have the party off the compound. "At the banquet room. At the Silver Slipper." Nicki would rather impose a change of venue the day of the event than just say she can't make it? Especially with four small boys in her charge? But no, Nicki is insisting on throwing money at the situation, which after all at this point is becoming more about not letting Alby tell her what to do. Wanda's suspicious about the cost: "Are you in trouble again, Nicki?" she asks cannily. She says that Joey doesn't want Bill to know, and Nicki couldn't agree more. She says she's saved up, and can always save more. Which is true enough, as long as Alby keeps telling her when the all-compound meetings at Juniper Creek are taking place. "I'll make it really nice for you," she promises. Defeated, Wanda lets the phone drop from her ear. Looks like another sleepless night. And let's hope Nicki remembers to hire a bartender.