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While
the Greenes are visiting Mississippi, Dinah befriends Eric Pascal,
the star kicker for the local high school football team. Caving in
to peer pressure, Eric lies that he and Dinah have slept together.
Josh gets wind of the rumor and confronts Eric on the football
field. Feeling backed into a corner in front of his friends, Eric
sticks by his story. Josh takes the first swing and a fight breaks
out. Russell, who is doing repair work on a boat, is called in to
meet with the high school principal. This will go on Josh's college
record. Russell asks Josh for an explanation but Josh just answers
that it's personal. When Josh returns home, Claire forces him
to talk to Dinah who is angry at Josh for attacking her friend for
no reason. In the privacy of the trailer, Josh tells Dinah that Eric
has been bragging that he slept with her. Dinah doesn't believe
Josh, and is to upset to dignify his suspicion with a defense.
Claire and Russell share a moment expressing their feelings over the
fight. While Claire is anxious to press Josh for an explanation,
Russell is proud of Josh for taking the heat and is more inclined to
let Josh work through this on his own. The sheriff informs the
Greenes that Eric's father is filing charges for assault and
battery, but recommends they work their problems out amongst
themselves if at all possible. Claire pays a visit to Eric's father,
who is determined to make them pay for ruining Eric's chances of
getting a scholarship. Dinah confronts Eric who tries to
explain how bad he feels. We learn that Eric has entrusted Dinah
with his secret -- that he is gay. Dinah tries to explain the
awkward position he's placed her in, as well as Josh. She tells Eric
that his friends will understand, just like she understood. But Eric
isn't so sure, and is doubly worried of the effect the news would
have on his relationship with his father. Ultimately, Claire waits
for the right moment to ask Dinah the inevitable question of whether
she and Eric have had sexual relations. Dinah answers her
truthfully, but without telling her mom the exact nature of Eric's
secret, conveys the issues that Eric is dealing with. Claire
commends Dinah for placing such a high value on a friend's trust.
While waiting to be called in for the hearing, Eric's friends harass
Josh, threatening him and Dinah. Eric decides to come forward and
put an end to the lies. In front of his friends and his father, Eric
admits that he lied to conceal that fact that he's gay. Eric's
father takes the news hard, driving off without him. The truth out,
Eric realizes the road ahead may not be easy but time is on his
side.
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