Cat Takes Surprising Interest In Marlena’s Family Photos — and Julie’s News Enrages Jennifer

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At The Spectator, Leo works on John’s obituary with the title, John Black Dies a Hero. Chad arrives and recalls how kind John was to him and his kids after Abigail’s death. Leo wants to do John’s memory justice, but the copyeditor insists the obit is too long. Chad will take care of it before heading out to his skydiving date with Cat. Detecting his reluctance to jump out of a plane, Leo suggests Chad call their charity date off, especially if Cat still has unrequited feelings for him. Chad agrees. Plus, he’s not ready to move on from Abigail. Leo says preventing Cat from clinging to a fantasy of them being together and him not jumping to his potential death is a win-win. Chad glares at him.

Welcome Home

In their kitchen, Gabi comforts Ari over her great-grandpa John. They discuss Will, who is not happy Ari is now living in the same house as Leo Stark. Gabi isn’t either. Ari relays that he’s been giving her Celine Dion CDs. “Dude, does it look like I have or ever had a CD player?” Ari wishes she could help her dad through this. Gabi says being there is enough, but maybe she could not pull any more disappearing acts. That leads to a fight… until Rafe comes home. Ari excitedly runs into her uncle’s arms.

Rafe explains he was allowed to leave training early for John’s funeral. When Ari leaves to get coffee in the Square, Gabi bemoans feeling like she doesn’t even know her daughter anymore. Rafe comforts his sister and informs her he’s working overflow assignments from the bureau’s Chicago office, which allows him to stay in Salem. But first, he needs to find the memory stick from the night EJ was shot. Gabi assumes Leo took it.

Rafe disagrees but does wonder if there’s anything on it that could incriminate Gabi. She promises she didn’t shoot EJ. She didn’t even go inside the house. She just heard him arguing with another man. Rafe wonders if the shooter discovered the camera and took the memory stick. If so, the evidence is gone forever.

Doug’s Dilemma

At the Pub, Doug pleads with someone on the phone about his missed payment. After the person hangs up on him, Holly approaches. Doug scurries behind the bar as he notices Ari entering. She beelines it to him and flirts until Holly interrupts. The teens excitedly catch up as Doug awkwardly finds busy work to do. Ari tells Holly about her great-grandfather’s passing, which stuns Holly. Having had no idea John died, she rushes out.

Not acknowledging that he knows Holly, Doug connects the dots that Ari and “her friend” are the same age. Ari assures him she’s 18. He breathes a sigh of relief and they agree to hang out again. Outside, a man snaps their photo through the window. After Ari leaves, Doug heads out himself.

More to Cat’s Story?

Tate opens the townhouse door to Cat. He’s curt with her, wondering why she’s there. She brought Felicity’s fruit tarts for Marlena. A somber Tate relays she’s resting. As she turns to leave, Cat does a double-take at Sami’s photo. She looks familiar, but she can’t place her. Upon seeing John’s photo, she notes how he helped her grandmother and mother escape an abusive situation. She owes him a great gratitude for her existence. Tate grows emotional as he calls his grandfather a hero and abruptly leaves the room. Making sure she’s alone, Cat studies the photo and says, “John, I’m so sorry.”

Welcome Home Part Two

A distraught Julie orders flowers from home as Jennifer and Jack enter. They reflect on the reason for their return, but also the miracle of Bo waking up, thanks in part to John. When Jack leaves to check on The Spectator, Jennifer inquires how Julie is handling her grief. Julie explains that counseling was going well until her wedding anniversary. Combined with thinking they were losing Bo and then John dying, grief washed over her all over again. But seeing Jack and Jennifer heals her heart. She then fills Jennifer in on Doug stealing the necklace.

Jack comes to the paper and makes glib remarks about Lady Whistleblower being a real journalist now. However, he begrudgingly compliments Leo’s work, remarking that his mother must be proud. Leo retorts that Jack must not know that woman as well as he used to. Jack knows Diana changed a lot since she sold him The Spectator. Leo corrects him, since he blackmailed her into it. They recall how she once let Leo think John was his father. Leo somberly says he should have known a man like John could never have been. Jack relates to having had an abusive father. He understands Leo’s desire to change his history, but they are not defined by their parents. Leo’s resilience and courage to change are what make all the difference. Leo asks if Jack has heard from Gwen. He hasn’t and is sorry to hear Leo hasn’t either.

Teen Drama

At the Townhouse, Tate opens the door to Holly, who embraces him. Despite their issues, she still cares about him, which surprises Tate. She assures him she and Doug are just friends and agrees that maybe Julie deserved to know the truth about him stealing her necklace. Regardless, Tate is sorry he did it and misses her. Holly knows. His dad told her. “That is so embarrassing,” Tate sighs. Holly admits she’s missed him too. Tate gets a text from Sophia, who is on her way over, so they can go on a labor and delivery tour at the hospital. They agree to continue their conversation another time. It means a lot to him that she came by.

At the paper, Leo leaves Marlena a voicemail. He’s there for her should she need anything. Doug enters and learns Leo hasn’t had time to track down the necklace’s buyer, but that’s the least of Doug’s issues. He’s pursuing two girls who know each other, and the loan shark is after more money. Leo advises that he not get caught with the girls. As for money, he needs to make more, fast. Until he does, his life is in danger.

In the Square, the photographer secretly takes photos of Ari as she strolls through with to-go coffees.

Chad and Cat Go On Their Date

A nervous Chad meets Cat in the Square. She assures him they don’t have to jump out of a plane if he doesn’t want to. Chad is scared out of his mind, but he’s willing to do it. Cat talks up how alive skydiving makes you feel. Doing it was the first time after her accident that she felt like herself again. “Maybe it’ll be an awesome experience,” Chad allows. “As long as your chute opens,” Cat deadpans and physically drags him away.

After Jennifer puts out feelers about the necklace, Julie leaves the house to pick up Marlena’s dry cleaning. But not before relaying that Chad is going on a skydiving date with Cat Greene. “What did you just say?!” Jennifer exclaims. She seethes as Jack comes home. “You are not going to believe what Julie just told me!”