Eric is distressed by the fact that his daughter Mary has opted to postpone college in favor of a little soul searching and the glory of minimum wage. Mary decides to buy a car. Annie leaves Eric with a handful at home so she can complete her teaching degree. Meanwhile, Simon attempts to fit in with the treacherous terrain of high school, and Lucy looks forward to ruling the school as a senior. Lucy can't wait to start a relationship with Andrew Nayloss, but he has not come back from summer vacation yet. Meanwhile, Matt's on-again-off-again relationship with Heather threatens to be off-again—permanently. Matt considers the pre-med track at college and Ruthie learns that she will have to spend another year with her despised third grade teacher, Ms. Riddle.