"A Kiss So Deadly"

Mrs. Deese (Kerrie Keane) is an attractive woman who's handling the early stages of mid-life quite well. She stays active with daily workouts in their backyard pool, and will exhibit no discernable personality flaws we can detect, yet as Tom watches her swim laps he wears the expression of a condemned man. Patty comes out of the pool to make dinner plans, but Tom claims he has more clients to see. He'd rather not, but he has to get all the business he can to pay for that new condo of Catherine's. Speaking of which, Patty, says, how about leaving Catherine alone for awhile. She needs a break from her parents. Catherine meets up with Todd (Tom Bresnahan), her boyfriend of six months, at school. She complains that she never knows when her dad will show up. Todd suggests giving him visiting hours, otherwise he'll walk in on the two of them. He still can't believe she's keeping their relationship a secret from her father. But Catherine wants to do this gradually--it's bad enough she even moved out! It's another evening alone in front of the computer for June, but this time Catherine's keeping her company. While they chat, Amanda is finishing up her shift at the Marlin Bay Club. That stalker has been there all evening, and confronts her as she leaves. Amanda recognizes him by his drink: Pina Coladas without rum (that's a Virgin Pina Colada, right?). The stalker harrasses her, when suddenly Mr. Deese comes to her rescue. Amanda is surprised, but grateful: "Who knows how many creeps are in the bushes I don't see!" It turns out, he was also waiting for her, so they could talk, and he can get to know her better--as his daughter's new roommate, of course. They agree to go out for drinks somewhere else. June can't take anymore homework, and probably can't concentrate with silent Catherine right in front of her. Catherine wonders if she's being a coward for not introducing Todd to her dad. June: "Why don't you? What's the big deal?" Catherine explains that it's her first real relationship, and she's nervous about her father's disapproval. But he seems pretty cool, though, June says. Catherine isn't so sure. June excuses herself: "I hate to cut the 'therapy session' short!" Meanwhile, Mr. Deese and Amanda are sharing strawberry margaritas at a local dance club. The subject turns to father/daughter relationships. Amanda explains how her father almost kicked her out of the house when she was sixteen for appearing nude in a play. Tom: [laughing nervously] "Fathers can have a hard time with their daughters' sexuality." Amanda: "Like it was my fault the play required nudity." Tom: "Does he help you out financially? With your education?" Yes, Amanda says, they're very close. Tom admits he's attracted to her. "I'm sure you only think that because I'm young," she says, biting into a strawberry. Tom wonders, would she sleep with someone like him, if he wasn't married? Amanda: "Yeah, if you weren't my roommate's father." Tom: "Can you forget I am, for just one night?" They have a tryst in the backseat of her car in the parking lot. They're observed by the stalker, naturally. Afterwards, Tom wants to arrange regular get-togethers, in an apartment he'll rent, but Amanda's sticking to their deal: just for one night. Late that evening, Catherine's by herself when the phone rings. The caller hangs up when she answers. It's her father, of course, checking up--on Amanda!

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