Season Two: Life at Fisher & Sons Goes On
Nate finds out that he has Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), a brain disease that could be fatal if he doesn’t have evasive surgery to correct it. He decides to take his chances without the surgery but keeps his condition a secret from everyone around him. He becomes even more emotionally attached to Brenda as he tries to concentrate on the good in his life.
Unfortunately, Brenda is more messed up by her brother Billy’s relapse than she cares to admit. This sends her into a depression, and she pulls further and further away from Nate. When she bonds with one of her massage clients, a no-nonsense prostitute named Melissa (Kellie Waymire), Brenda starts writing a book about sexual escapades. Her “research” takes on a life of its own, and she begins to seek out sex from strangers.
Brenda also has to deal with her nutty mother, Margaret (Joanna Cassidy). Nate senses something is wrong with their relationship, so when he visits Seattle, he finds some comfort in the arms of his ex-flame Lisa, who still holds a torch for him. Upon his return, however, Brenda feels compelled to make a commitment to Nate, possibly to “save” her (and him), and the two become engaged. Lisa also surprises Nate by showing up later pregnant with his child. Oh boy.
Meanwhile, Ruth is now having a full-blown affair with Nikolai, but after Russian hoodlum creditors break his legs, things between the two of them get tense. Ruth is searching for fulfillment in her life, and she ends up being seduced by a self-help seminar that promises to help her build a “blueprint to happiness.” Part of the process means she must reconnect with lost friends and relatives, including her estranged and free-spirited sister, Sarah (Patricia Clarkson).
David tries his best to move on from Keith but the two of them are still drawn to one another, especially after Keith turns to David for help when he takes custody of his niece Taylor (Aysia Polk) while his drug-addicted sister tries to straighten out. It soon becomes apparent, however, that Keith has some issues controlling his anger, something he may have inherited from his abusive father.
Claire realizes that Gabe is too far gone to be saved and as he fades from her life she seems to sink further into herself. She does, however, form an odd friendship with a recovering Billy, fresh out of the hospital. She knows it isn’t quite right, but he does manage to enlighten her on a new hidden talent–photography–which she begins to explore. Claire also finds inspiration in her Aunt Sarah.
Frederico is back at the job, but he remains satisfied. He and his wife Vanessa (Justina Machado) buy their first home, no thanks to David and Nate, who say they can’t give Rico a loan but then spend the money on a new casket wall. Kroehner’s is still after Fisher & Sons but now the spunky (and ruthless) owner Mitzi Huntley is raising the stakes, using anything at her disposal to get those boys to sell.
At the end of the second season, a surprise inspection at the funeral home gives Rico, who inherited a bit of money, the upper hand in his quest for partnership. David and Keith’s relationship intensifies as Keith’s anger issues jeopardize his job. Nate tells his family and Brenda about the AVM, and Lisa has the baby. Ruth dumps the self-help gurus–and Nikolai–and concentrates on being a grandmother. Claire decides to go to an art college. Nate finally tells Brenda about the baby but then uncovers evidence of her extracurricular activities, breaking off the engagement. Nate also decides to have the surgery–and while he goes under the knife, his family clings to one another for support.
