Stephen Payette

For the first time in his life, Mark is excited for the school year to start. But when he learns that Fox has a new boyfriend, he realizes that not everyone grows at the same speed. Meanwhile, Mike Jr struggles to tell his parents that he dropped out of school.

Fox's jilted boyfriend threatens to beat Mark up after school. Mark desperately asks Pop to teach him to fight. Mike Sr learns he is making less at the station than his son and Mary pushes him to demand a raise.

To impress Fox, Mark heads off school grounds for lunch with her brothers. Things take a turn for the worse, when the older boys challenge Mark to drink his first beer. Meanwhile, Mary takes a job selling Avon products.