Getting By

Dolores' oldest son, Marcus, is depressed because he must repeat the ninth grade, but Cathy cheers him up.

Marcus meets a cute girl in Julie's ballet class and joins the class to be close to her. Embarrassed, he tries to keep his dancing activities a secret from the family.

Cathy invites Dolores and her sons to her family's nice cabin in the woods, but the woods and the cabin turn out to be a nightmare.

Marcus tells his girlfriend that they can date other people but is angry when she spends an evening with Darren. Nikki is reunited with an old boyfriend who has lost his sexy physique. Cathy gets drunk at a party.

Darren must attend an honorary banquet for winning an essay contest. Cathy teaches him the social graces, but he learns too well, inventing an impressive family background to make a good impression and belittling the memory of his father.

Nikki gets a job in a dress shop and spends more on clothes for herself than she can pay for on her salary.

Marcus overlooks other girls to get the most popular one to ask him to the dance. Meanwhile the mothers are going to be escorts for the dance.

Cathy gets in trouble after writing a letter to the President of the United States.

Marcus tries to fake his report card grades.

During a Halloween party at home, Dolores gets stuck in a box while helping Cathy perform a magic trick.

Marcus admires his new friend, Smoke, for his sexual exploits, until Smoke decides his next conquest will be Nikki.