Episode #414 "The Hilton Hilton"

Erica has prepared a special dinner for Ruth and Hilton, but Darien is an hour late. Even though Hilton is starving, Erica refuses to let anyone eat until Darien explains himself. Darien says he didn't forget and that he was helping his buddy George move all day and lost track of time. He goes on to tell an already livid Erica that when they were wiring up the entertainment center, they got distracted by a basketball game, a pizza showed up and the rest is history. Suddenly, there's smoke coming from the kitchen - Ruth and Erica hurry in to discover the special dinner is currently on fire. An angry Erica serves the charred, smoking roast while Darien apologizes profusely. Hilton says that "sorry" means nothing to Erica and that she wants to hear Darien admit he was wrong. Hilton tells Darien that he better talk to Ruth too, because this is something she won't forget. Darien admits he was wrong and Erica forgives him. He then asks for Ruth's forgiveness, making the mistake of saying that Hilton has told him that Ruth tends to hold a grudge. Hilton is now the one in trouble now, as Ruth begins a lecture on the many ways that she does not harbor things. Hilton is anxious to smooth things over and says that Darien must have heard him wrong. Later, Ruth takes Erica aside and subtly convinces her that Darien didn't "forget" at all, but that he only said he was wrong because that's what Erica wanted to hear. The fight begins all over again, much to the hungry Hilton's regret. He asks Erica what her problem is and she responds that Darien's apology wasn't sincere. Ruth jumps in saying it hurts when your boyfriend is late for dinner, referring to the time thirty-five years ago when Hilton was late for dinner at Ruth's parents' house. This starts another round of big trouble between Hilton and Ruth. Finally, Darien brings about a truce by confessing that he'd been working hard all day, basketball was on TV and the last thing he wanted to do was go to a family dinner. Furthermore, his behavior was inexcusable. Moved by his truthfulness, Erica forgives him immediately.