The Young and the Restless Recap for Friday, December 13, 2024: Phyllis loses a friend and gains another

At Crimson Lights, Phyllis breezed past Lauren and Michael and went to the counter. Lauren came over and asked Phyllis to sit down and talk it out with Michael. She told Lauren that Michael didn’t need to defend the homicidal maniac that killed the love of her son’s life. Michael told Phyllis that he wanted to find the person who had run her off the road. “I told you it was Sharon,” Phyllis sighed. “Was it?” Michael questioned. Lauren explained that she had told Michael that Phyllis said it might have been someone else. “Oh wow. I told you that in confidence. You betrayed me, too,” Phyllis said to Lauren.

Lauren explained that Sharon had overheard their conversation and shared it with Michael, but Lauren admitted she had confirmed it. Michael insisted he was looking out for Phyllis. He pointed out that if she remembered things differently than what her police statement said, she needed to correct it or she could be charged with obstruction of justice. Phyllis retorted that the friend of the person who tried to kill her by leaving her in a burning car was her enemy. “Demonizing me is not going to help you or anyone else,” Michael responded.

Phyllis reminded them that had she been a little less lucky that night, they would have been going to her funeral. Michael snipped that they had already gone to her funeral; Phyllis thought they were past all of that.”We are,” Michael lamented but said that they were past it only because he and Lauren had forgiven Phyllis. He asked her not to make things any harder.

Phyllis told Michael there was no comparison between her fake death and what Sharon had done. Phyllis knew that Michael was going for an acquittal, and if he got Sharon off for murdering Heather and ruining her family, then their friendship would be over. Lauren tried to smooth things over, but Michael told her she didn’t need to defend him for doing his duty, especially to an “ex-friend.” Phyllis called out that their friendship was done as Michael and Lauren left.

Billy and Sally had come into Crimson Lights after a night jog and witnessed Michael and Phyllis fighting as they left. Billy walked out to the patio and asked Phyllis if she was okay. She told him that she had just realized that two people she thought were her friends clearly were not.

Billy motioned to Sally, saying he’d be there for a minute. Phyllis told him that she’d let him buy her a cocktail, and they could discuss how to bring down Victor, but Sally had just bought Billy a drink. Phyllis said it couldn’t wait, but Billy told her she was upset about what just happened with Michael, and he understood that but could meet her in the morning. Phyllis told him that having a scotch with her was better than a cocoa with Sally.

Phyllis said that Billy and Sally had nothing in common except broken hearts. Billy told Phyllis she was upset about Michael and Sharon and needed to go home, but Phyllis kept poking the bear and needling him about Sally. Billy told Phyllis that Sharon had been arrested and she needed to let the police handle it. He told her goodnight and he would talk to her tomorrow. Billy returned to Sally, but as Phyllis left, she stopped to stare at them before leaving.

Sally asked what that was about, so Billy told her that, in her way, Phyllis was asking for a friend. She offered for him to go be with her, but Billy told Sally he was there with her. Sally wondered if Phyllis would do something she would regret. Billy started to say that Phyllis always does but caught himself. He said that Phyllis is always judged for being impetuous and hard-headed, the same way he is. “I think you saw the same thing I saw,” Billy suggested. Sally knew Phyllis had a look of desperation in her eye. Sally told him to go catch up with Phyllis and be a good guy. “I’ll wait up for you,” she told him with a smile, and Billy looked pleased.

At Nate’s apartment, Nate and Audra cuddled on the couch. They were interrupted when Nate received a phone call. It was the private investigator he’d hired to find his brother, Damian. He found out that she had a strong lead in California and was going to chase it down. Nate got a text and asked Audra how she would feel about spending some time with his family.

Audra noted that his family had no desire to get to know her, but Nate reminded her that she had promised to win them over. “Do it for me,” Nate said softly. “That sounds like something a boyfriend would say,” Audra told him. “And?” Nate asked. He pointed out how much he loved having her around, especially for the holidays. Audra agreed to have dinner with his family.

At Society, Abby and Devon were telling Lily a story about their honeymoon when Devon found himself swimming with a shark. He checked his phone and realized that Nate responded to his invitation, but he was bringing Audra. They all lamented about her and how they didn’t like her.

Nate and Audra joined them, and they all sat down to have dinner. They made very awkward small talk, and Devon announced that Lily was coming back to Winters. Lily talked about how she came to the conclusion to focus on the family legacy instead of someone else’s. She told Nate and Devon how much she loved them, and knowing she could trust them meant everything to her after everything she had been through.

Nate got a little emotional when Lily spoke about her family. He shared that he was searching for his brother, Damian, thinking a lot about his dad and talking to his mom, Olivia, a lot more often. He added that he was grateful to be back in his cousins’ good graces. Audra choked up and said, seeing how they were so close, she got to her. She admitted that she wasn’t close to her family, and they were so lucky to have each other. She raised a glass and said a toast to the Winters as everyone was amazed to see Audra’s softer side.

When Nate and Audra came home, they were content how the evening went. Nate said he wanted to see more of that, and also hear more about Audra’s family. Audra shared that her dad was an alcoholic and her mom was cold and an enabler, so their dinner table was a much different experience. She was surprised at her emotions earlier that evening. Nate admitted that he also had suppressed emotions about losing his dad until Amy showed up.

Nate shared that he had Malcolm and Neil had to fill the void of losing his dad and knew that Audra did not. Nate knew Audra had taken a chance to put herself out there for him at dinner, and he appreciated it. They felt closer to one another and cuddled up on the couch.

Abby and Devon came home and were very happy about the evening, their honeymoon, and that Lily was back at Winters. Devon thought it was strange to see Audra emotional, but they agreed it made her more tolerable. Devon questioned if he was buying a softer, kinder version of Audra Charles or if she was faking.

Devon didn’t know for sure if it was an act, but he just didn’t trust Audra. Abby didn’t see what her point would be, although she knew Audra was manipulative. Devon wondered if she was just acting to pull Nate in deeper.

At Society, Lily went to the bar for a drink. Phyllis came in and sat across from her. Phyllis noted that now that she was out of the hospital and out of a job, she could spend all of her time helping Daniel grieve. Lily said she was sorry about Phyllis losing her job. Phyllis was on edge and took shots at them both, being bounced out of Chancellor by Billy. She drank a scotch and added that she always bounced back.

Lily shared that she reached out to Daniel and offered her support. She explained that she’d been thinking about family and what matters, and hearing what Phyllis and her family went through contributed to her perspective that Chancellor didn’t matter. Phyllis said she’d realized the same when she woke up in the hospital and saw her kids staring down at her.

Lily told Phyllis she was going where she felt valued and appreciated, so she returned to Winters. Billy came in and told Phyllis he was glad he found her. Lily left so they could talk, and Phyllis thanked her before she left. Billy apologized for pushing Phyllis away earlier, and Phyllis gratefully admitted that she could use a friend.

Next week on The Young and the Restless

At Crimson Lights, Nate sat with Amy and the private eye. “We found him, Nate,” Amy cried. We found your brother.” Nate looked apprehensive.

At Society, Billy tells Sally that he won’t fail. “How can you be so sure?” she asks. “Because I have a plan, and he just walked in the door,” Billy says.

At Sharon’s house, Nick stands with Sharon as she tells Alan, “I accept that this may not work. But I’m willing to try whatever I can to recover my memory.”

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