Under the Influence

Aubrey Shepard accompanies her father to a hardware store and unexpectedly meets Erica Colburn, a friend from the family's former neighborhood. Erica has just moved to Odyssey because her father has become a Novacom vice president. Her new home stands in the wealthy gated community of Chadwick Hill, and she avoids arriving there in Ben's old truck because she says the guards are particular.

Erica's room is filled with spider decorations, fashionable clothes, and music from a group called Death Wish. She is relieved that Aubrey seems normal because people in their old neighborhood say the Shepards became religious, strange, and isolated in the woods. Aubrey quickly insists that her parents' beliefs do not necessarily belong to her.

The two girls resume their old friendship, but Aubrey can no longer afford the expensive clothing and entertainment Erica enjoys. Erica buys her an outfit and jacket, encourages a dramatic hairstyle, and promises to solve her money difficulties. Aubrey enjoys the attention even as she becomes increasingly uncomfortable with her friend's pressure.

At Whit's End, Connie struggles to manage without Whit, Nick, or Eugene. Aubrey notices the help-wanted sign and decides to ask for a job. Erica advises her to tell her parents she wants to build a college fund rather than admit she wants spending money. Aubrey uses that explanation, and Ben and Ellen approve because they expect the job to teach responsibility.

Her first shift is a disaster of spilled milkshake, burned napkins, soggy paper towels, and an activated sprinkler system. Connie remains hopeful that Aubrey will learn and that the two can become closer. She wants to answer Aubrey's spiritual questions, but Whit advises her to begin by becoming a trustworthy friend rather than forcing a religious conversation.

Erica praises Aubrey for using the college-fund explanation and urges her to take another step: leave home school and attend Odyssey High with her. Aubrey dislikes deceiving her parents but tells herself that putting away at least some money means she did not truly lie.

Ben and Ellen seriously consider her school request. Ellen worries about changing after the term has begun and distrusts Erica's influence, while Ben believes Aubrey could be a good influence on her old friend. They agree on the conditions that Aubrey maintain her grades and household duties.

Whit meanwhile meets Erica's father, Kevin Colburn, Novacom's new manager. Kevin acknowledges Whit's influence in Odyssey but tells him to stop criticizing Novacom programming. Whit responds that the company sends its beliefs into thousands of homes, including those of impressionable children. Kevin refuses the moral discussion and offers ten free advertisements for Whit's End as a gesture of goodwill. Whit declines. Their courteous meeting makes clear that each sees the other's influence as an obstacle.

Aubrey enjoys her first weeks at school and becomes increasingly attached to Erica. Connie feels uneasy about the girl's attitude but admits she may be judging by appearances. Aubrey insists Erica is an excellent friend and asks Connie to accept her judgment.

Their conversation turns to a photograph of Connie and Mitch at Trickle Lake. Connie explains that Mitch died while their relationship was unsettled, just after she decided to trust him. She sometimes becomes angry with God and may never understand why it happened, but beneath the grief she believes it belongs to something larger and still trusts God. Aubrey listens but does not share that faith, responding only that it may work for Connie.

Erica soon invites Aubrey to leave school during a pep rally for shopping and a movie. She has already skipped several times with the help of a student who forges excuse slips. Aubrey knows she should remain, but Erica appeals to her boredom, desire for adventure, and wish for new earrings. Aubrey goes.

Connie sees the girls away from school. Aubrey and Erica first claim an early dismissal, then Aubrey begs Connie not to tell her parents because they might remove her from school. At work, she calls it a first mistake, says she has learned, and declares that she will never cut school again. Connie remembers her own need for second chances and agrees not to report her.

Erica later asks whether Aubrey truly promised. Aubrey points out that she never used the exact words, allowing her to treat a deliberately created impression as something less than a lie. Erica congratulates her for learning to protect herself, and Aubrey accepts that approval despite the dishonesty that made it possible.