Editing Kotch (section)

==Plot==
In [[Los Angeles]], young mother Wilma Kotcher hires Erica "Ricky" Herzenstiel to [[Babysitting|babysit]] her infant son Duncan. Wilma's father-in-law, nicknamed "Kotch", interrupts the arrangement with an unrelated and confusing story about another Herzenstiel. Erica takes Duncan to the park, but when her boyfriend arrives, she leaves Kotch behind. At the park, Kotch saves a young girl from drowning and, in an attempt to be friendly, gives her a pat on the back. The girl's mother and a Parks Department representative are offended, and Kotch's son Gerald is also displeased.

While Gerald and Wilma go out, Kotch discovers Erica and her boyfriend having sex in the living room. He quietly leaves and later discusses his frustrations with Gerald, questioning why he and Wilma do not trust him with Duncan. Kotch's complaints about Wilma taking [[Sedative|tranquilizers]] lead her to insist that Gerald remove Kotch from their household. Gerald subsequently takes Kotch to an upscale [[retirement community]], but Kotch is put off by the tests that he must take.

Kotch finds Erica at her high school, upset over her unplanned pregnancy and her decision to leave school for a job in [[San Bernardino, California|San Bernardino]]. Despite her initial refusal, Erica accepts a small payment from Kotch, promising to repay it. Kotch subsequently travels across the country by bus, staying in motels and sending postcards to Duncan.

Returning unannounced to the Kotcher home, Kotch learns through a [[Halloween]] party letter that Erica cannot repay her debt due to serious issues. Acting as a private investigator, Kotch discovers that Erica was dismissed from her job as a hair stylist for being unlicensed and is now looking for work in [[Palm Springs, California|Palm Springs]]. Kotch finds Erica, takes her on a tram ride, and offers her a job as his housekeeper. After spending autumn alone, Erica returns on [[Christmas Eve]], ready to accept his offer.

In Palm Springs, Erica decorates and knits while Kotch buys an old car. Erica leaves a note saying that she is at a hospital, but Kotch finds out that she is attending a class on [[midwifery]]. When Erica decides to give up her baby for adoption, Kotch hires a nurse and tries to find a new family for Erica. However, Erica begins to have contractions and needs to be rushed to the hospital. Kotch ends up delivering the baby at a [[Filling station|gas station]].

Erica decides to keep her baby, and returns to Los Angeles. Gerald and Wilma offer a place to Kotch in their home, but he declines. Kotch instead plans to buy the Palm Springs house and work at a local hardware store. While cleaning up, Kotch finds a note indicating that he would have made a great-grandfather under better circumstances. He leaves with Pablo, ready for new adventures.