In the eighth installment of "Lessons in Chemistry," the revelation of Calvin's name inscribed within a copy of "Great Expectations" by Mad and Elizabeth caused ripples of astonishment to ripple through their world, propelling them straight towards Wilson, the representative of the Remsen Foundation. This man, who had once searched high and low for the young Calvin as a boy, only to be informed by the venerable priest of St. Luke's that the lad had succumbed to the ravages of tuberculosis, greeted them with a blend of astonishment and jubilation.
Wilson's joy, however, was soon overshadowed by a more pressing matter as he steered them towards the individual they truly needed to engage with: Avery Parker, Calvin's mother. As Mad inquired about the reasons behind Avery's abandonment of her son, she unfolded a heart-wrenching tale. Avery had been stripped of her newborn son by her parents at the tender age of sixteen, shortly after giving birth to him. Since that fateful day, Avery had been on a relentless, unwavering quest to reunite with her son.
Her search had been temporarily halted, as she had believed Calvin to be no longer among the living. But as he rose to fame as a renowned scientist, her search was reignited with renewed vigor and desperation. However, Calvin, guarded and cautious of anyone claiming familial ties, had authorized Harriet to send Avery a cease and desist order. Now, Avery longed to be a part of Mad's life, yet Elizabeth pleaded for some time to process everything that had transpired.
Meanwhile, at work, the tension was palpable. Phil had threatened to fire Elizabeth if she couldn't secure a new sponsor, as she had chased away all previous ones. It was a daunting task, but Elizabeth found clarity when Mad helped her realize that her true calling wasn't on the show, but in a lab. Despite the challenges, Elizabeth had made a significant impact, something she was deeply proud of. One woman, during a show, shared how Elizabeth had inspired her to pursue an education and become a heart surgeon.
On the next episode of "Supper at Six," Elizabeth made a shocking announcement. She revealed their new sponsor, one that she could finally support with a clear conscience: Tampax. But that wasn't all. She dropped an even bigger bombshell. She was leaving the show, and one of her loyal viewers would be stepping into her shoes. It was a bittersweet moment, filled with both sadness and excitement for the future that awaited Elizabeth.
After years of tenacious battles, Harriet had triumphantly reached an agreement with the head of the network. She would announce her departure live on TV, a strategic move designed to boost viewership in the coming weeks. Part of the deal entailed securing sponsorship, but more significantly, it stipulated that Phil would be relieved of his duties and Walter would ascend to his position.
For seven long years, Harriet had valiantly led the charge against the freeway project. She rallied the councilmen, gathering enough votes to halt the construction. Her jubilation was palpable until the vote was cast and one councilman betrayed his promise, shattering her hopes.
Devastated, Harriet confided in Elizabeth, admitting that all she wanted was to weep. But Harriet was Harriet; she refused to cede ground in her fight for her family and community.
With Harriet's encouragement, Elizabeth grudgingly welcomed Avery into their lives. As the founder of the Remsen Foundation, Avery offered to support Elizabeth's pursuits in chemistry.
However, Elizabeth's journey did not lead her to a laborator
