Archer's Voice

Travis visits Archer at his house and gives him a driver’s permit. Travis apologizes to Archer, who remains distrustful. Travis tells Archer that Bree has friends in town and is returning to Ohio with them. Archer is surprised. Travis insinuates that Archer is just a fling to Bree and that, when she is ready to settle down, she will choose a man with more experience. Archer knows that Travis is just being manipulative, but Travis has identified one of his deepest insecurities. Archer thinks about how he has never been out on his own and feels unworthy of Bree.

Bree rides her bike over to Archer’s house to invite him out with her friends. Archer is not home. Bree, Jordan, and Natalie all go to the pool hall. To Bree’s surprise, Archer comes to the pool hall. Archer is reserved and withdrawn and eyes Jordan distrustfully. The reader learns that Jordan and Bree had been lifelong friends; however, after the death of her father, Jordan confessed that he was in love with Bree. Bree said that she did not feel the same and Jordan forced her to kiss him. This uncomfortable exchange was part of what drove Bree to leave Ohio for Pelion.

Jordan and Bree step aside to bury the hatchet and exchange a friendly hug. Archer sees them hug and runs toward the restrooms. Bree chases him down and Archer kisses her possessively. He leaves a bitemark on her neck, and Bree feels that he is marking his territory. Bree tries to discuss Jordan with Archer, but he leaves angrily when Jordan comes to check on Bree.

Bree goes to Archer’s home and explains her relationship with Jordan. Bree is understanding and forgiving of Archer, who claims that Bree could have as many men as she wanted. Bree tries to explain that Archer is the one she chooses to be with. Archer confesses to Bree that he is afraid to love her because, if he loses her, it will destroy him. Bree tells him that the risk of losing someone is worth it when you love deeply. Archer seems to accept what she says, but Bree can tell that he is still insecure.

Bree spends the night with Archer before leaving for work. After her shift, Bree, Natalie, and Jordan begin the drive to Ohio. While riding in the car, Bree gets a text from an unknown number. It is Archer, and Bree learns that Jordan bought Archer a cell phone so that they could stay in communication.

Bree happily texts Archer through the long drive to Ohio. She feels that she and Archer are communicating in a whole new way through texting. Once in Cincinnati, Bree calls Archer and leaves him on the phone in her pocket when she goes to look at the photo lineup of suspects. Bree identifies the murderer immediately.

Bree leaves the police station and immediately heads home to Pelion. She wants to get home to Archer, although Archer is afraid that she is too tired to drive. She agrees to text him updates on the way home. The updates from Bree stop and Archer sends her message after message. There is no response.

When Archer is seven, his mother comes to him and tells them they are leaving with Uncle Connor. She tries to explain but Archer stops her and says that he wants to go with Uncle Connor and get away from his father. Alyssa apologizes to Archer and says that she has not been a very good mother. Archer disagrees. Connor arrives and they all leave together. As they get down the road the tension between them turns to a relaxed happiness. Connor tells Alyssa to buckle her seatbelt, but before she does the car is hit by another truck. The car flips many times and Archer calls for help.

Connor takes Archer from the wreckage and tells him not to look behind him. Archer does and sees Connor pulling Alyssa’s dead body from the car. Marcus emerges with a shotgun from the truck that hit them. Connor stands in front of Archer. Marcus explains that Victoria told him that Connor was running off with his wife and child. Connor tells Marcus that Archer is his son and that he must have known.

Archer is happy to know that Connor is his father. However, Archer is filled with rage that Marcus had taken away their chance at happiness and charges at Marcus. Marcus shoots Archer in the throat. Connor holds Archer and sobs. Archer feels Connor go for his gun and witnesses the two brothers shoot each other. Victoria arrives at the accident and screams at Archer that this was all his fault before he slips into unconsciousness.

Bree arrives at Archer’s house and the inside is completely trashed. She finds Archer in a catatonic state. She explains to him that her cell phone fell in a puddle and she was unable to text him back. Archer seems to be in a state of disbelief when he sees Bree. He says that he felt completely alone when she did not respond, and it was so deep of a hurt that he thought he might die. Bree and Archer fall asleep in each other’s arms.

The next morning, Archer apologizes to Bree and Bree reminds him of how he took care of her when she had a panic attack. Archer expresses concern that he is not good for Bree and Bree comforts him. When Bree leaves Archer, she feels unsure about how pensive and quiet he is.

Bree returns to the diner and is welcomed by Maggie and the locals of Pelion. She thinks about how Archer is behaving strangely and worries about him. She reflects on how possessive Archer had been in the bedroom, and though she liked it, something about it made her wonder if he was alright.

After work, Bree accepts an invitation to visit with Ann, who has not been feeling well. Ann tells Bree that she visited with Archer while she was away and talked to him about his mother and Bree. Archer seemed so happy when she discussed Bree. Bree confides in Ann that she is worried about Archer because their love seems so complicated to him. Ann says that she understands why Archer would feel that way. Midsentence, Ann grabs Bree’s arms and falls to the ground. Bree calls 911 and an ambulance comes. As Ann is loaded into the ambulance, Archer emerges, wild with fear from the woods. Bree tells him that she is fine and that Ann was having a heart attack, but Archer still seems worked up and hysterical. Bree decides to stay with Ann and help Archer later.

Bree stays with Ann until the doctor says that she is okay. Bree hurries to Archer’s to make sure he is alright. Archer tells Bree about the day of the accident and finding out that Connor was really his father. Bree observes that Archer should inherit the town instead of Travis, which Archer says that he realizes but does not want. Archer tells Bree that his inability to communicate would make him ineffective at running a town.