Ep.15 - The Lie

After everyone has gone to bed they secretly depart and drive to her Mother’s hotel. Ben waits at a nearby dining table while the two become acquainted. Nancy’s mother admits that she was too young to raise a child. She was married and pregnant with Nancy before she was even 16. Now many years later she is going to marry a land developer by the name of Howard Burns. It is obvious that her mother wishes the best for her and she advices her to wait until she is good and ready for the right man and wishes her a good and happy life.

Meanwhile outside a drunken couple discover that Ben has left the keys to John-Boy’s car in the ignition. The man decides to take a joy ride but when he attempts to return the car to it’s spot he accidentally hits the fender of another parked car just as it’s driver prepares to pull out. The drunkard escapes but not before the victim writes down the plate number.

Later as Ben and Nancy prepare to return to Walton’s Mountain Ben realizes that he has forgotten the keys in the car but is unaware of the car’s misfortune while he was in the hotel. Nothing seems out of place as by now the car has been returned to where he had parked it when they arrived. As they drive home he promises to Nancy that he won't tell anyone about their adventure for fear of her father’s reaction. For his promise and efforts Ben earns a kiss on the cheek.

The next morning during breakfast Deputy Pete Wallace stops by to inquire about John-Boy’s car which was reported as the car involved in the accident. John-Boy claims no knowledge but soon discovers that his fender has indeed been damaged. Ben steps up and claims responsibility. His father doesn’t believe the vague details of Ben’s half truths and grounds him until he gives a full confession. Ben tries to convince Nancy at school to grant him permission to free his name but when she protests he backs down to honor his promise and her reputation with her father.

John-Boy decides to visit Nancy believing that she may know some details due to her close relationship with Ben. At first she claims no knowledge but as she learns of the trouble that Ben is in she becomes more persuaded to confess but at that moment her father Eustace returns home. In a fit of rage he runs John-Boy off his property.

Later John-Boy discovers a match book in his car for the hotel that Ben visited in Charlottesville. He makes some inquiries and learns the details of Ben’s visit from the server in the dining room. John-Boy and his father confront Ben with this knowledge but Ben will still not break Nancy’s trust without her permission. When Eustace forbids any contact with Nancy John steps in and convinces Eustace to trust his daughter and loosen his grip and fear of losing her. Ben's name is cleared in court but his father insists that he will have to pay for the repairs to John-Boy’s car.

• Ben begins his fascination with pretty blond-haired girls.
• Ben does not have a license yet. He has only had his learner’s permit for one month.
• Ben exhibits a ridiculous amount of sweat when he admits to his father and the Deputy about his trip to Charlottesville.