The Benefits of Being an Octopus

Kara finds the idea of moving risky, but while Lenny is out, she takes the kids and drives to Fuchsia’s apartment to speak with Crystal. The meeting is tense until each realizes that Lenny intentionally sowed discord between them. Bryce falls in love with Jane Kitty, becoming a sweet, sensitive boy away from Lenny. Aurora too calms down and hugs Bryce instead of fighting with him. Crystal denies that she fears Michael, but her shaking hands and uncertain voice reveal the truth. Finally, she agrees to let them stay.

At home, Zoey and her family act fast, stuffing their things into black trash bags before Lenny gets home. Lenny owns the car, so Kara runs to the Pizza Pit to borrow Connor’s. The scenes are fast-paced and tense as they paint a searing picture of the fear, desperation, and determination it takes to escape an abuser.

Lenny gets home just as Zoey is throwing the final bags into the car. She struggles to attach Hector’s car seat as Lenny demands to know what’s going on. Kara makes an excuse that she has borrowed the car to take the trash to the dump.