"Busted" took place over 7 days, many of which appeared to be school days. Alas, no one said "tomorrow" or "yesterday", so no help there. "Busted" may actually take place over a two-week span, which would allow for Eli and Jessie to have their 4 nights at Karen's during this episode -- though that time was mostly off-camera. Most of the "action" took place chez Manning/Sammler.
Day # 1 -- School morning breakfast -- fried eggs (no takers) and zero cream cheese. Before Rick takes the girls to school, Grace and Jessie scoff at the idea of Eli being up before 12Noon.
A half hour later, however, Eli startles Lily in the upstairs hall, and she makes Coop's aquaintance. The boys are wide awake because they got to bed early -- at 4AM.
Later, at PA, Lily hears they're closed down and bids Christie farewell. Still later, after packing up, she goes home to find Eli watching Jerry Springer (any
Chicagoans know what time it's on there? just kidding!
That night in their BR, Rick wonders how to get Eli off his *ss and Lily invites her hubby to jump her. No such luck, as Zoe arrives followed by Jessie. Cold shower time.
Day # 2 -- Eli's turn to take Grace and Jessie to school. I believe this is the next day, but no way of confirming. Rear-ended and busted. At Police HQ's, Grace had hoped they wouldn't have to continue to school, considering the traumatic event. Eli leaves with Karen, who tells Rick he can pick him up later at her house. Which he does, and arrives HOME with Eli as Lily and the girls clean up from dinner. Eli is starving.
Back in the BR, Lily and Rick try again but experience Zoe interruptus once again.
Day # 3 -- Lily takes Eli on his job-search rounds and gets him a job at a recording studio. Rick is saved from making a dinner decision as Lily and Eli return home with the good news. Karen, on the phone, is none too thrilled.
Day # 4 -- Another weekday, this time at Stephanie Arlin's office. Eli's charge will be struck from the record -- this time. His hearing to accomplish this will be in 4 weeks -- he needs a job and a nice suit. Karen invokes the no recording studio job law..
That night in their BR, Lily is riled at E's "sentence." She will not be submissive, but she will be pinned by Rick, who is bigger than she. Successful lights out.
Day # 5 -- The next (?)morning, Grace visits Eli in the attic. They witness a real screamer between Zoe, who can't find her spiral notebook, and Jessie. Downstairs, Jake arrives for his turn taking the girls to school and wonders if Lily has $100,000. Later that morning, Lily studies weird magazines as she job-searches on the internet. Eli visits and wants to know what she'd do (about his job) if she were his mother. [ did everyone notice the wedding photo on Lily's desk, of Grace, Zoe, Barbara, and Judy?]
Later, after school, Karen stops by her house with Jessie, who wants to move back. They hear Eli playing his guitar in the basement. He informs his mom that Lily said he should take the job. Karen proceeds to Lily's to drop Jess, but more importantly to have a word with Rick. She soon shares several words with Lily.
That night, during their mediation with Zoe and Jessie, Lily finds out that Eli is moving back to his mom's for the time being. In the bathroom, Rick is touched by Lily's passionate plea on E's behalf and lovingly tells her he despises her.
Day # 6 -- This could be a weekend. Rick takes Eli to Karen's, they argue about arrangements, then she relents and agrees to let E continue at Lily's -- tomorrow. She has him for the night.
Day # 7 -- Another morning in the kitchen, and before he takes the girls to school Eli announces he's moving to the garage, thus freeing up the attic for Jessie. All's well -- for the moment.
Sue