A Day Late and a Dollar Short (2014) Movie Script
1
When I was 16,
I married the first man who lit up my bed,
and then I popped out four kids
faster than I could manage.
So no, I've never been to France.
But that doesn't mean
I can't have my artifacts...
Or my dreams.
Want to keep those toes,
you better lift those feet.
Turn it off.
We need to talk.
We can talk all you want,
as long as you pick your feet up.
- You okay?
- Yeah, I'm okay.
Cord is not so good.
You want to talk? What? What is it?
I want us to do something together,
something big...
sell the house, move to Florida,
buy a boat, we can charter
in the Everglades.
Are you out of your mind?!
Sell the house and buy a boat?!
How about you buy me
a vacuum cleaner?!
I'm not out of my mind.
I'm awake for the first time in years.
Vy, we've been asleep too long.
There's nothing going on for us here,
not inside this house or outside of it.
Oh, I think you better speak for yourself,
'cause I have a lot going on.
I have the house, I have the church,
and I have the kids.
The kids are 15 years past needing us.
15 years past needing you.
All you were to them was a wallet.
I raised them.
I mind their business
better than I mind my own.
You used to.
Nowadays, it seems like
you're sleeping through that, too.
Why don't we at least take a vacation?
We can throw a few things in the car,
drive up the shore,
find a motel with a hot tub in it.
I'll even do my big-daddy dance for you.
Where's big daddy been
the last 30 years?
All those times I wanted
to go and do something adventurous...
where's he been?
I've been working,
building up my business,
taking care of my family.
Well, now I'm working,
cleaning my kitchen,
taking care of my house.
Come on, Vy. Vy.
Please, don't do this, Vy.
It's not too late for us.
We can still find us if we look for us.
Cecil, what do you want?
Was I not a good wife?
Was I not a good mother?
Didn't you get everything you wanted?
Yes, I got everything I wanted.
Well, I didn't get everything I wanted.
Okay. What is it you want?
Right now I want to be left alone
so I can clean the counter.
So you have no interest
in trying to fix
what's broken between us?
The only thing I want you to fix
is the pipe in the basement.
I'll get my things in the morning.
When you're done
feeling sorry for yourself,
pick up some Chinese, will you?
I love you, Vy.
I really do.
I just don't like your ass no more.
Janelle: Hi, mama. It's me. Pick up.
I know you can hear me.
You're the last person
on the planet with a machine.
You've been all cooped up
since you and daddy...
I can't even say it.
I'll come get you,
we'll go shopping, okay?
You wear too much gray.
Damn asthma.
They say smoking or the environment
brings on asthma.
You want to know what brings it on?
Rotten kids and ungrateful husbands.
911. What's the nature
of your emergency?
Hello? Can you hear me?
Biscuits at the truck.
Cecil, it's Vy's doc.
Dr. Cielto.
Vy's here.
I, uh, put her in intensive care.
How bad? I've got her
on her favorite ventilator,
and you know how she gets.
Call the kids if you can find them all
and get them over here
and save my nurses.
Thank you.
Viola: I love my children,
but they annoy me.
...of Fleur de sel.
Al!
Wake up the girls on your way out here!
Charlotte was a bossy, little thing
right out of the womb.
We then sprinkle them with a
little bit of fresh, ground coriander.
Now, if she really
wanted to do something,
she'd put a little mango up in there.
Now, if you don't have
coriander in your spice rack...
And get a better bra
for those fake boobs.
Show-off.
Watching your sister's show again?
Perfect.
Get off of me.
You got a whole lot more
going on than her.
Charlotte, my wife.
Mm! Hmm?
- Full-time mother.
- Ooh.
Expert courier.
Owner of the finest laundromat
in Cook County.
Mm!
Your wife, whose handsome husband
is going to meet her
at Wendell's Furniture later.
I saw the most beautiful armoire.
It's gonna look gorgeous
in Tiffany's room.
Now, who else do I know
that fills every corner of her house
with stuff that she don't need, huh?
Like mother, like daughter.
I am nothing like my mother.
It's your pops.
Where would he get the idea
I want to talk to him?
Yes, sir.
Your beautiful,
strong daughter is right here.
Take it.
Yeah, pop.
"Paris."
You do something to a child
when you name her for a place
you're never gonna see.
Spends her whole life
proving she's worth what you sacrificed.
Is everything, like, okay, Ms. Price?
You seemed a little distracted today.
My 16-year-old son
didn't come home last night.
Oh. I'm sure he's fine.
That's about the age
for that sort of thing.
Take care now.
It's about the age boys like him
get measured for orange jumpsuits.
My grandson is no closer to jail
than his father is to being respectable,
and Paris needs to learn
the difference between them.
What she doesn't need is any
more of those little, white pills.
What she does need is a good orgasm.
Hey, mama. It smells good.
What's cooking this week?
You just threw a cabbage at my head.
Because I don't have an ax.
Look, I was at Meagan's house.
- We were watching a movie. I fell asleep on-
- You were supposed to be...
studying
for your PSATs.
Mama, I've been varsity
since sophomore year.
I got a 4.1 average.
What would be enough?
Getting appointed to the cabinet?
Oh, no, no.
Then it would be what?
"You're only secretary of transportation.
If you worked a little harder,
you would have gotten State."
Hello.
O- Okay. Uh, I'll be right there.
What's wrong?
Janelle is all over the place.
One minute she's studying stained glass,
then she's studying real estate.
She studies everything except
what's going on right in front of her.
Shanice, come help me
with George Washington.
This is so stupid.
No, it isn't.
All holidays deserve to be acknowledged,
and not least the birth of our country.
Our country can go screw itself.
If this is another tantrum
about boarding school,
I've told you, we can't afford it.
It's not as if it's your money.
George owns like a gazillion
apartment buildings anyway.
If I said we can't afford it,
we can't afford it.
George: Afford what?
Your stepdaughter wants to go to Exeter
in New Hampshire.
It's expensive, but it's awesome.
They have, like, two orchestras
and a planetarium.
It's not about the money, Shanice.
We'd miss you...
miss seeing you grow up.
You're already 15.
You'll be leaving for college soon.
Well, if my dad were alive,
he'd take care of me.
Hi, daddy. Everything okay?
Cecil: Your mama's in the
hospital. Had another attack.
I'll be there in 10 minutes.
Viola: Teachers said Lewis is a genius,
IQ of 146.
Step to the window.
But I've never seen him use it.
I don't see a lot of
existentialists coming through.
Yeah, well,
man is condemned to be free.
Let's not see you back here.
Tell me about it.
Donnetta: What the hell happened
to you this time, Lewis?
You had a scheduled visit
with your son yesterday.
Yes, Donnetta, I know that.
I got called in to work.
What do you want me to do?
But I'm on my way to your house
right now.
"Work." yeah, right.
Drunk and disorderly
or breaking and entering?
Don't set foot on my driveway
without a check for back child support.
Just put Jimar on the phone
so I can explain to him what's what.
He's out with Todd.
So when will he be back?
Just... tell Jimar I'll call him back, all right?
Dad, what is it?
Mm.
Mama's awake!
Surprised?
Hey, mama. How you doing?
- Hey, mama.
- You look good, mama.
How are you feeling, Vy?
You tore my heart out.
Now I'm laying here
without my good wig.
How do you think I feel?
She's looking at you like she
wants to stab you with a pitchfork.
No, she isn't. That's just
her normal facial expression.
You know she has bitchy resting face.
Paris, she's asthmatic, not deaf.
I'd be looking at daddy that way, too.
This is the third attack she's had
since he up and abandoned her.
This is neither the time nor the place
to get into that, Charlotte.
Oh, please, Paris.
Do not tell me what to do.
This is not some fancy catering job
where you can just snap your
fingers and the waiters jump.
Okay? This is about my mother!
The last time you hung up on me,
you told me I never was
and never would be your mother.
Are you capital "c" crazy?
The way you treat her...
the two of you are barely even speaking.
You want cause and effect?
Look in the mirror.
I'm not the pack a day that mama
smoked for the past 30 years!
So now you're blaming me
for her asthma?!
Can you believe this, Lewis?!
I don't know, Charlotte.
When was the last time you
and mama did anything but fight?
Spoken by a man that would
smoke his mama's ashes
if he thought it would get him high.
Your fighting
is just as stressful for mama
as Lewis' drinking,
and stress isn't good for one's health.
And you married a creepy guy
that pays your rent.
You don't think that's stressful
for her? Really?
Yeah, she's got a point.
Look, all of this carrying on...
that's what's stressful.
Now, can we at least give your mother
some peace and harmony, please?
No, daddy.
You do not get to toss 38 years
of marriage into the trash
and talk to us like you are
Jesus come down from the cross.
Daddy didn't
toss anything anywhere.
They're just going through
one of their rough patches.
You and mom are gonna
work this out, right, daddy?
Cecil: I don't think so, baby girl.
Oh, for god's sake, Janelle,
quit being so clueless!
It's over!
And really and truly, it's about time.
Some marriages are just born to die.
Oh, there you go.
There you go with your
picture-perfect marriage.
Compared to you,
pining after a deadbeat,
who took a better offer 10 years ago?
Janelle: How can you be so mean?!
Lewis: Yes, Charlotte,
You know Paris kicked
Nathan out on his ass.
Oh, so everybody's
ganging up on me now?!
Who's ganging up on you?!
I should be used to it by now.
That's enough!
- Yo!
- That's enough!
You got the people in
the parking lot taking sides.
Dr. Cielto, I'm sorry.
We Prices are very passionate people.
Well, get passionate someplace else.
I'm about to take that tube
out of Vy's throat,
and I'd like her to be
reasonably calm when I do it.
I'll call and let you know how she's doing.
Come on.
- Sorry, mama.
- Okay, mama.
Dr. Cielto: You don't need me
to dance around it.
Your condition is deteriorating.
How bad?
You got a birthday coming up this month,
a big, round number?
It's a little too big and too round.
Maybe it's time
for that Paris-themed shindig
you're always saying
you're gonna throw next year
with the whole family
and all your friends?
Are you saying I'm out of next years?
The tests are showing that
fluid is accumulating
around the heart.
There's a high risk
of congestive heart failure.
It's 30 years of smoking, Vy.
I was gonna ask you
to go to the gift shop
and get me a pack of Marlboro.
If you want, I'll, uh...
I'll talk to your family... about options.
Not yet.
There's a whole lot of mess
I got to clean up before I go.
I can't have them killing
each other after I'm gone,
so I got to go.
Vy, you're not going anywhere right now.
Just rest.
You rest.
I am just now waking up.
Mama, did you give me
your prescriptions?
Yeah, all seven of them.
Shanice, hop in the front.
You can get started on the groceries
while I get the prescription.
You know what?
Why don't you let me
take Shanice with me?
I could use some help inside.
Okay.
Come on, you with the long face.
Come on and help granny.
I have so much to see about
where this family is concerned,
so I might as well get started
by finding out what's going on
under that damn hat.
Paramedics got dirt all over the rug.
And they trampled my tulips, too.
But I'm still here.
You okay, granny?
I could ask you the same question.
Are you okay?
'Cause I noticed you and this hat
seemed to have developed
quite a relationship.
Come on. Take it off.
It's a thousand degrees outside.
No.
You'd say no to your granny?
I don't care who you are.
I'm sick of people telling me what to do.
Hey!
Look at me.
Look at me!
Sorry, granny.
Of course I took her to the doctor.
He said kids act out,
especially when they've lost
a parent to violence.
Jimmy died when she was a baby.
What are you talking about?
And now she's a teenager.
Not all teenagers pull out their hair.
It's got to be something else.
Is it boys? Is it drugs?
You know, if you need parenting
advice on a wayward child,
talk to your sister Charlotte.
She tracks those kids like packages.
And they're still brats.
Well, Tiffany's nice.
Is everything okay with you and George?
George and I are fine.
Just because you're still bitter
about you and daddy
doesn't mean all husbands are bad.
I'm just saying...
something is eating at your child,
and you need to open your eyes
and pay attention.
Shanice has track practice.
Mm-hmm.
Your groceries are in the fridge.
Mm-hmm.
Call me if you need anything.
No kiss?
Mm-hmm.
Just because
Janelle doesn't want to hear it
doesn't mean I'm going to stop talking.
But right now I see a little something
I'd like to plant myself.
Hello!
Good morning, Mrs. Price.
Paris: Hello?
Hello. Paris?
Hey, mama.
You need to drop
whatever pot you're stirring
and get your behind over here,
and I mean but quick.
Nothing to drop. I'm five
blocks away. Is everything okay?
I can't speak for everything,
but some things could not be finer.
Hurry up now, hear?
Okay.
Let me get that for you, Mrs. Price.
Oh, would you, please?
Thank you so much.
Mama wouldn't forgive me if I didn't.
Uh, it's Randall, right?
Yes, ma'am. That's right.
Where would you like me to take this?
Oh, just right over there in the sun.
All right. More sun, more blossoms.
That's what they say.
Oh, Paris! I didn't know
you were coming over.
Come on. I want to introduce you
to Randall.
Randall, this is my daughter Paris.
Paris, this is Randall.
- Nice to meet you.
- Hey, nice to m-
You know, she's always saying
she wants to find
a really good landscape artist,
and I thought of you
because of the beautiful job
that you've done
right over there at the Simpsons'.
- Mom, please.
- I'm just saying.
And I think
that you should exchange cards.
Oh, great idea.
Yeah. I got one right here.
How about a consult?
Uh, I got nothing to do tomorrow,
if you don't mind doing it on a Sunday.
Well, you know, I- I really don't know.
She'll be ready at 10:00 A.M.
Oh. 10:00.
All right. That sounds good.
- I'll see you then.
- All right.
Mm-hmm.
And put your coffee grounds on the soil.
More acid, more blossoms.
So embarrassing.
What's gotten in to you?
Would you just say thank you?
"Thank you, mama, for thinking of me."
Have you heard from your brother?
Not since the hospital.
I made you a kale/grapefruit tonic.
I'm gonna go put it in the fridge.
Great. Thank you.
Two down.
Lewis.
Lewis!
Oh. Mm.
Hey, mama.
You smell like a distillery.
Why are you sleeping in my car?
Mine got impounded,
and it was too late
to ring the doorbell, so...
What time is it?
I don't know. Come on.
I'll make you some breakfast.
All right.
You got evicted. Seriously, Lewis?
You know, you don't have to stay
in the same room with a derelict
if you don't want to, Paris.
You're welcome to cast
your aspersions elsewhere.
Paris, will you do me a favor, please?
Will you go up to my room,
get my yellow pills?
They're on the vanity.
Thank you.
When was the last time
you saw your son, Lewis?
Come on, mama.
You can't be any harder on me
than I am on myself.
Well, what are you gonna do about it?
I don't know.
Maybe it's better that I stay away.
I'm not exactly a good example,
if you know what I mean.
Now you're just making excuses
to stay away from your son.
I let your father get away with that.
Well, at least daddy was a provider.
Yes, your father was motivated.
And you... you were not
motivated in school.
You weren't motivated in your marriage.
And now you're not motivated
in your son's life.
Let me tell you, boy,
you better find that motivation,
because time's a-wasting.
I got it!
Hello?
What are you doing there?
Checking in on our mother.
What are you doing
that's more important?
Go to hell.
But first, put mama on the phone,
and then go to hell.
It's your second-born beast.
I heard that, bitch.
I remember when Charlotte
had real sweet parts on her.
I plan to see those again.
Charlotte, hold on a second, baby.
I'm gonna call you later, mama.
Hold up. I need a ride.
Oh, you need a getaway driver?
Very funny, Paris.
I'm going to the employment
office, all right?
Mama, what you doing?
What's with you?
Nothing. Can't I just kiss my kids?
Charlotte: Mom, did you forget
about me?!
Mama!
Hey, Charlotte.
Listen, are you coming over
like I asked you to?
- 'Cause I need some help.
- With what?
I'm throwing myself a birthday party,
Paris-themed,
and I want you to help
with the decorations.
I can't! I'm working!
I've got two kids who soak up money,
a spoiled husband
who wants a Sunday dinner
on a Wednesday.
I've got a growing business to run,
a home to keep up all by my damn self.
I wish I had time
for your fancy, little parties.
Maybe you ought to try a little
anger management, sweetie.
Look, mama,
I do not need anger management.
What I need are more hours in the day,
and for people to stay off my back.
You know, you're starting
to sound an awful lot like me.
Yeah, I don't want to have this
conversation with you right now.
Yeah, well, perhaps you need to.
'Cause if you're not careful,
you're gonna end up driving Al away
and wake up one day and be all alone...
I mean all alone.
Mark my words.
Mama,
are you talking about me and Al
or you and dad?
Cecil...
truth is, I pushed him away.
And ain't this the bitch? I need him now.
How you doing?
How you doing?
Where is Cecil?
Nice to see you, too, Vy.
Heard you were in the hospital.
You look good, though.
Being single put a whole
new plush in them cheeks.
Where is my husband?
He said he was having lunch in the park.
Be about an hour.
You can hang with me till then.
Howie, you've been wasting
that charm on me for 20 years.
Either Cecil joined big brothers,
or this is bad news.
I've got presents!
Mwah!
Hey, hey!
Brenda Williams, the welfare hussy?
At least now I know what woke
Cecil up all of a sudden.
Come listen to the baby.
Hey.
You look good, Donnetta.
Well, I'd look a lot better
with a check in my hand.
And I'd look like a movie star
with a check in mine.
But just because
a man doesn't have one
doesn't mean he can't see his son.
According to the law, it does.
No, Donnetta no, Lewis is right.
How you doing, buddy?
Hey.
Us fathers got to stick together, right?
Yeah, right, Todd.
However, you did miss a few
scheduled visits with Jimar, and...
and we just can't have that.
Kids need structure.
Yeah, you can't just show up
at our home unannounced, Lewis.
Well, let's let Jimar decide. Jimar!
Jimar, come on out, son.
Jimar, it's your dad.
Jimar!
I guess he's just a stickler
for rules, too, huh?
Hey.
Amazing place you have here.
I am so sorry, I- I should have called to cancel.
I've got so much going on, with
my book and my mother's party,
so... uh, why don't you just
tell me your hourly rate and I...
Oh, really, don't... don't even think of it.
It's totally fine.
But I dragged you out here on a Sunday.
My mom has my daughter today.
I didn't have anything else planned.
And it's worth the trip
just to look at a beautiful,
blank canvas like that.
May I?
Yeah. Sure.
Wow. This is amazing.
This is beautiful. Gosh.
Oh, man!
Possibilities.
You don't think
it's hopelessly flat and boring?
No way.
You haul three standing stones
under that Japanese maple over there
and rake some gravel around it,
you can totally rip off
my favorite garden in the world.
Three standing stones?
Are you talking about
Shunmyo Masuno Samukawa shrine
in the Kanagawa prefecture?
Yes, I am.
I worship Shunmyo Masuno.
I know what Shunmyo Masuno
had for breakfast.
You make a waterfall against
that wall, and you'd have-
The Saiken-ji temple in Shizuoka.
And with the geometric path
running out to it...
Totally the courtyard he made
for the foreign ministry of Tokyo.
If you wanted to go all the way,
you know what you'd do?
Oh, yeah.
Streambed with a bridge
carved out of rock.
Like that hotel he did in Singapore.
The one with the running water
over the mossy stone.
Like silk over velvet.
I- I'm... I'm not... I'm not really sure
that I have space in my life
for something big a- and,
um, new right... right now.
But if you... if you can draw
up some sketches for me,
maybe we can, um...
Take it... slow.
Yes. Slow.
Slow is good.
Would coming by tomorrow...
to take some measurements,
be too un-slow?
No.
Tomorrow would be... just fine.
As much as I'm looking forward
to my big, Parisian birthday party,
I've got some Cecil business to attend to.
This hat might be
a little much for church,
but, heck, I'm not gonna
save it for my funeral.
Open up your guards
your mighty gates
let the lord of hosts
come marching in
open up your hearts
throw away the locks
let the heavens' rain
wash away your sins
gonna sing it high
gonna sing it low
gonna name his name
so you will know
gonna sing it high, gonna sing it...
So, I see you finally got the
courage to face daddy, huh?
This has nothing to do with your father.
This is about my spiritual rebuilding.
I've heard a thing or two
about Ms. Brenda Williams.
Hard for me to believe that Cecil's truck
is the only thing she's been riding.
Stop asking why
stop saying it
lift up those gates
lift them up on high
cry out his name
and hear my cry
Yes, yes! Amen! Yes, amen!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And Tiffany has a dentist's
appointment tomorrow at 11:00,
so I'm gonna need you
to pick her up from school
and then drop her back off
when it's over.
No, I can't.
I'm going fishing with Smitty tomorrow.
What, so you're gonna leave me
to do everything by myself, as usual?
Look, if I had known there was
a dentist's appointment,
I wouldn't have made plans.
Well, now you know.
I mean, sorry about Smitty's luck,
but you're gonna have to cancel.
I ain't canceling.
So you're just gonna have
a grown-man playdate,
and that's all there is to it?
Look, reasonable women, they
communicate with their husbands.
They don't give them a hard time
for what they do on their days off.
But Smitty's wife... she don't care.
Well, glory be to Smitty's perfect wife.
I'll go pick up the kids.
Oh, Al...
Listen, whatever you just did
to make him mad, go apologize.
Mama, how do you know it's my fault?
Because you're breathing.
Now, whatever you have to do,
you got to feed him or, you know, the...
You know.
- Don't look at me like that!
- Mama, we are in church!
I'm just saying, whatever you
have to do, just take care of it.
And... don't leave it for too long, okay? Go.
When you want information
around this place,
there's only one place to get it.
Hey!
Hello, sister Violet.
Oh, it's so nice
to see the two of you again.
And may I say that voice of yours...
it's like an angel is singing.
Oh, sister Vy, it's nice to have you back.
Well, it's never a bad idea
to spend a little time
in the house of the Lord.
Mm-hmm.
But I have to tell you,
I'm thinking of finding
another place of worship.
Oh, sister Vy,
we're really sorry to hear about you two.
Yeah.
We're praying for brother Cecil.
Well, it appears that your
prayers have been answered.
The Lord hasn't seen fit
to leave him lonely for long.
Brenda Williams as an
instrument of the Lord?
- Mm-hmm.
- Now, that's something
I never thought that I would hear.
Excuse me, ladies.
Cecil.
Vy, a word, please.
Oh, sure.
Excuse me.
I just want you to know
that what I have with Brenda...
it started after we split.
No, it didn't.
A man doesn't abandon ship
unless he knows he has
a lifeboat waiting in the wings.
But I don't care about any of that.
What I care about is that you
remember you have your own family.
The kids don't need
my paychecks anymore.
No. But they're going to need your love.
They always had my love.
What's different now?
What's wrong, Vy?
What... what's going on?
- What's up?
- Nothing.
There's nothing up.
But you're not getting any younger.
I just want to make sure
that you spend some time with your kids,
be a father to your kids.
Is that a bad thing to say?
Okay.
I'll be seeing you.
So... what is it you were
about to tell me about, uh...
- Brenda Williams?
- Brenda Williams.
That maybe she started
coming to church with Cecil...
- Mm-hmm...
- But that doesn't mean
that she did it for the
salvation of her eternal soul.
Geraldine, the Lord doesn't like gossips.
It is said that it's not gossip if it's true,
and you don't take any pleasure in it.
Mm-hmm.
Sister Vy, there's so much to say,
I don't know where to start.
I do what I do
yes, I be who I be
and trust I live how I live...
Shanice, why aren't you dressed
for track?
George is waiting to take you to practice.
I'm not going today.
You can't just not go.
Your team is counting on you.
Well, they can count on somebody else.
What do you want, Shanice?
Granny thinks there's something
going on with you,
something hurtful.
Yeah, it is what it is,
and still I am who I am
Is somebody bothering you at school?
Granny's on too much medication.
I'll go to the stupid track practice.
Well... hurry.
He could be a star in the morning
but the night's mine and this is...
How long is the seminar?
Just a couple hours.
There's a mixer afterwards.
Lots of connected real-estate agents.
Then we'll be home before you, then.
Oh, yeah. Ice cream for dinner!
No, you can't.
Shanice is in one of her moods.
Do not let her con you into skipping track
and going to sizzler.
Shanice, I'll wait for you in the car.
Call Charlotte.
Yeah.
I need parenting advice.
What a surprise, Janelle calling
when she needs something.
Charlotte...
All right, all right. Just make it
snappy. I'm busy ignoring Al.
Shanice has been acting squirrelly,
and she won't tell me why.
Mama even gave her the third degree.
Mm! She dove into my business yesterday.
Me, too!
She hasn't done that in years.
Anyway, Shanice didn't crack.
Whoa. That's big.
So what did you find in her room?
I can't go through her room.
That... that's an invasion of privacy.
It's a parental necessity.
I do it at least once a month.
No!
Janelle, it's not...
I was rubbing her shoulder.
It was sore from track.
Out.
Out.
Out!
Baby...
Get away from me.
Get out! Get out, get out!
Get out! Get out, get out! Out!
Get out!
Where are you going?
To the bathroom to wipe my ass,
if that's okay with you, Charlotte.
And then I'm gonna go pack
for my fishing trip with Smitty.
Look, Al, I know you're mad at me,
but you don't have to be stink about it.
Well, now you know how it feels.
Charlotte may yell and scream,
but she listens.
Lela: Hello.
Hey, Lela, it's Charlotte.
I'm so sorry for calling so early, but...
but I wanted to make
my special buttermilk fried chicken
for Al and Smitty's fishing trip today.
Is smitty still watching his cholesterol?
What fishing trip?
Smitty's chained to the house today.
He promised he'd paint the basement.
He's not going anywhere.
Thank you.
Shanice, he's gone.
He didn't come back last night.
I hope he never does.
C- Can I come in?
It's unlocked.
Shanice, please stop doing that.
Baby, I am so sorry.
Why?
At least he was generous.
Look at all this stuff.
I clean up.
Who are you calling?
They said the detective
that handles these things
would be in at 9:00.
No police, ever.
I'm not gonna let him get away with this.
If you tell the cops,
I'm gonna say that you're lying,
that you're pissed
because he's leaving you.
Why?...
Why would you do that?
Nobody can find out.
I don't want anyone to know.
Shanice.
Baby...
You... you have to let me help you.
What am I supposed to do?
Nothing, mom.
That should be really easy for you.
You've been doing it for years.
Brenda: Why does Viola
want to see you?
Didn't you tell her everything
you had to in church?
She probably wants
to talk about the kids.
She wants to talk to you about
your grown-ass children?
They're older than me.
Why don't I take you and the kids
to Red Lobster tonight?
So you can let me down easy?
So I can do what now?
I'm not stupid, Cecil, and I'm not weak.
I can take care of myself, my kids,
and this baby if I have to.
I just need to know, do you still have
one foot in another door?
I have both feet planted
right here, Brenda.
I'm not going anywhere.
Yeah? We'll see.
Kids, wash your hands
and get to the kitchen
for something to eat!
Let's get married.
Kids, stay in that bedroom
until I tell you different.
Are you sure?
I want to be a real daddy.
I want to be a real daddy to all of you.
Let's get married.
You gotta get a divorce first.
I wish I had a ring right now.
Yes, yes!
Yes!
Lewis, what are you still doing here?
Didn't I tell you you had to leave?
Mama, I move very carefully
when money's involved.
You know your father's
on his way over here,
and I have to talk to him.
Yeah, and believe me,
I want to get going,
but it was my last $20.
All right, look.
I have $50 in my dresser drawer.
Take it, fix my carburetor,
stay out of the house
for the rest of the day,
and maybe go see your son.
What do you think of that?
Why are you planning your funeral?
'Cause I'm old,
and that's what old people do.
You're only 59 years old,
and you have a circle around
a Dynasty copper casket?
You know, now is not the best time
for you to start using your intelligence.
Move.
This is not the time for laundry.
You know, you need to have
a little more respect for me
when I'm folding your underwear.
Why didn't you tell us?
I can't get you all in the same
room for five minutes together
without you tearing each other apart.
And that's why daddy's coming over,
so you can tell him?
- No.
I don't plan to tell him,
I don't plan to tell your sisters,
and neither will you.
If one of us kept something
like that from you,
you would never forgive us.
Lewis... I promise you
I will tell everybody soon.
- You have to tell them.
- Lewis!
I will tell them soon.
How long do you have?
What, to get all this folded?
Come on. Help me. Come on, now.
I don't know what this boy has
against garbage bins.
Mom, it's not what it looks like.
Well, I thought it was you having sex
in the backseat of my car
during your lunch break,
but if it wasn't, please enlighten me.
W- We were just kissing.
You see, Dingus, this is what
I'm talking about... the lies.
Now, where do your parents
think you are right now?
At school.
Mm-hmm. More lies.
Okay, look, mom,
it's not that big of a deal.
It will be when she's pregnant.
And I know your parents don't want
some little kinky-headed grandchild
from their 16-year-old daughter!
Whoa, whoa!
Okay, look, mom, take it easy.
I wish I could, Dingus.
I wish that I could take my eyes
off of you for one minute!
Why don't you leave my son alone
so he can fulfill his potential?
One wrong move and he doesn't
end up in daddy's mail room.
He ends up in jail.
Holy crap! Mom, you can't
talk to people like that.
It's no wonder
why no one wants to be with you.
I just did that girl a favor.
You're not ready to be playing house.
You're not ready to be with anyone.
You know, your father
was the same way.
Thought he could just skate by
on charm forever.
I am trying to raise you
so that you don't run out
when things get tough,
so that you don't turn into a selfish prick
who abandons the people who love him!
I am not dad.
Not yet.
Didn't anyone teach you
not to sneak up on people?
I'm sorry. I didn't realize
you were... you were...
Yeah, I guess you didn't.
All right, look, I'm just...
I'm just gonna head out back and, um...
get started with the measurements.
Getting that dja vu feeling?
That's French for
"you've seen this crap before."
I told Charlotte
she's got more of me in her
than she'd like to admit.
I knew he wasn't done with that bitch.
But there is one big difference
between her and me...
You don't see Charlotte
staying put behind a damn tree.
Albert St. Charles!
You are a dirty liar...
- Get him out.
- And a cheat.
You said that you would
never see that hussy again.
You promised!
Charlotte, let's just go
somewhere, and let's talk, okay?
I am not going anywhere.
Who's that boy?
Charlotte, I ended that affair
10 years ago, just like I said.
Whose son is that?
He's mine.
Look, he's mine.
So let's just go home,
and let's talk about this, okay?
Home.
Right.
My home.
You don't live there anymore.
Charlotte!
Charlotte!
So, the rape occurred last night?
I found out.
I found them... yesterday.
It started before.
When?
I don't know when.
I know who...
my husband, George Porter.
He runs the division at the airport.
He's a captain.
Your husband's a police officer?
Yes.
We need a statement
from your daughter,
and then we can issue a warrant.
- No.
- She'll only have to do it once.
It's all coordinated...
social services, the D.A.
- She won't.
- We can come to your house.
S- She just won't... she won't talk to you.
She won't talk to me.
S- She won't let me hold her. I...
I need to help my daughter.
Mrs. Porter... don't call me that.
We can't go after him
without talking to your daughter.
Because he's a cop?
Because it's your word against his.
Either your husband
or your daughter needs to talk,
or else there's no case.
Homemade lemonade.
Labor-intensive, but worth it.
Thank you.
Cheers.
I like fresh mint.
So, do we talk about koi ponds,
or do you tell me how crazy
I sounded earlier today?
Children will do that to you,
and vice versa.
I'm not saying I would have handled
the situation the same way, but...
you got to protect your kids.
Yeah, especially when you're
doing it alone.
But Dingus thinks he's in love.
Hit me 'round about the same age.
Too bad I never really knew her.
Which is worse... not knowing someone
or having them
completely change on you?
They're both tough, but
the biggest mistake is to...
never try again.
Now, that was a dumb move.
Amateur.
I should let you get back to it,
and I shall lock myself in my lair.
My mother's party is Saturday,
and I still haven't planned the menu.
So I'll just go- Ooh!
Paris...
Okay, what are you... what are you on?
What are you talking about?
When I came up the drive,
you were taking...
Some ibuprofen for a headache.
I've traveled a long way
down that road myself.
I know over-the-counter from
the hard stuff when I see it.
I have a prescription for anxiety.
I've got it under control.
Words I've spoken myself.
Paris, if you need help,
it's all around you.
I can take you to a meeting.
- Are you my therapist now?
- I'm a friend.
Based on what? Why'd you say that?
I barely know you.
I think you should leave.
- Paris...
- Yeah, go.
Just go.
What did you do to daddy?
He's fine.
I'm the one you should be worried about.
He's leaving because of some stupid thing
he did ten whole years ago.
It's not fair, mom.
I am not taking marriage counseling
from a 16-year-old.
Here. Take this money,
go buy some pizza for dinner,
and then go home
and do your homework.
We can't do homework
if you're getting a divorce.
Somebody better take this money
from my hand
before I change my mind.
Daddy helps me practice my flute.
Yeah, and he was supposed to help me
pick out a dress for granny's birthday.
Listen, neither one of you
mentions this to granny.
Do you understand me?
Why is it a secret?
Because it's our family,
and it's our business.
Okay, so, so,
how are you gonna explain it
to granny when daddy doesn't show up
to her big party on Saturday, huh?
And how are you gonna hold
your perfect marriage
over Paris' head when you let
go of your husband?
Mama's in the house.
What kind of mood is she in?
I have something important to tell her.
I don't know.
So, uh, you still working
at that garage on Halsted?
I got laid off a year ago.
Well, I know this guy.
He has a security outfit.
I can see if he needs an extra hand.
That figures.
I tell you I've been let go,
and you assume I've been sitting
on my ass all this time.
Well, am I wrong, son?
No, sir.
Unemployed, evicted, and subpoenaed.
That's me.
Donnetta's taking you to court again.
Back child support.
Man to man, Lewis,
it's past due time
you provided for your son.
I agree, pop.
I mean, you were the great provider,
and look how well I turned out.
One finger or two?
Two, since it's the good stuff.
You only bring that out for two reasons...
good news and bad news.
Which is it?
Two of that last one
if you're up for hearing that I'm dying,
but I'll start with something easy.
Thanks. Let's have it, then.
You know I care about you, right, Cecil?
And that I would never want
to see you played.
But I'm sorry to tell you
you are not the father of Brenda's baby.
Come on, Vy, you don't know
what you're talking about.
Oh, but I do,
and I'm about to save you
a whole lot of heartache.
How far along is she?
About four months?
It's closer to three.
Ah.
Well, four months ago...
and I can get you the exact date
if you want...
Brenda went to Las Vegas
with her second baby daddy.
I know. She told me.
She moved on from him.
Well, I don't know
what she moved on from,
but a month after that,
she started paying
very close attention to you.
She... said she wanted something more stable.
And you've been buying
her groceries ever since.
You all right?
You need another one?
I'll see you Saturday.
What, now, Cecil,
you know I would never be
the bearer of bad news
if I didn't have to be.
I just...
No, no, no, no, no, no. Thinner, thinner...
I need to be able to read
a newspaper through it.
Bonjour, Paris.
You're still gonna be here
at 5:00 with the food, right?
As I've told you nine times
since Wednesday.
What are you really calling about?
Janelle said George
wasn't coming to the party,
and when I asked her why,
she clammed up on me.
Do you know anything?
Well, I would if she'd returned
my calls all week.
I know you, mama. That
still isn't why you're calling.
Well... how's it going
with you and Randall?
There's nothing going
with me and Randall.
He didn't turn out to be
the designer for me.
That's why he acted so strange
when I invited him to the party.
What?!
Why would you do something like that?
'Cause he's my friend, and I like him.
- He's refined...
- Thinner!
And he kind of likes you, too.
Don't let that demiglace burn.
If you do, that's 16 quarts of veal stock
coming out of your paycheck.
I got my hands full, mom.
I'll see you at 5:00.
Au revoir, Paris.
Should I just... should I do it myself?
It's crooked.
Hey.
Hey.
Thought your mom was
dropping you off at 7:00.
Oh, I told her
I wanted to go with you.
I took the bus to come to your place,
but the landlord said you moved.
You don't have to be gentle, son.
I got evicted.
You know, I came to see you last week.
You didn't come to the door.
I'm here now.
It's lame,
living with mom and Todd and the baby.
Can I live with you?
Believe me, there's nothing
I would love more.
But it's just not that simple.
Your mom has custody,
and you're a minor.
Don't worry.
I'll work it out somehow,
just as soon as I get my stuff together.
Not one word about our split
to mama or anybody else.
Today, we are a happy family.
I want to be a happy family every day.
Do we have a deal or not, Al?
Sunday dinners with you
and the kids for a month
buys my silence.
It's a win-win deal
as far as I'm concerned.
- Just get in the car.
- I'll get in the car.
Shanice, stay in your room.
If you're here for your stuff,
come back tomorrow.
I'll have it boxed up in the garage.
I don't care about my stuff.
I came here to talk to you.
You wouldn't answer my calls, so...
Anything you have to say,
tell it to your lawyer.
I'm talking to him tomorrow.
I'm seeing a therapist tomorrow
to figure out why I did this,
to make sure that I never do it again.
I- I'm sick, Janelle, but I can heal.
Look, I love you,
and I love the life
that we've built together.
And I- I know it's gonna take years
to regain your trust,
but I'm thinking about us and Shanice.
If I lose my job, we lose this house.
And who's gonna pay
for Shanice's school?
Who's gonna buy the groceries?
If you're saying I have no job
and I have no skills
and I have no place to go...
you're right, George.
I don't have a lot of options.
In fact, I only have one.
To make sure they bury you under the jail
for what you did to my child!!
Crazy bitch!
If Shanice was gonna testify,
I'd be in jail already.
But she won't say a word,
because she knows
that once she got into court,
they'd make her admit
the truth that you don't want to face...
It takes two.
Here to tell you I'm not
feeling all that well this evening,
but I look spectacular.
And on the day that you're
telling your family you're dying,
well, that's all that matters.
Are you gonna talk to your mom?
She's been acting crazy all week.
I'll try.
Brenda, I will talk to you when I'm ready.
Please stop calling me.
Who's this?
- This is Meagan.
- Hi.
Hi.
Now, you went a little heavy
on the salt with the...
what is this?
Anchoieade.
It's anchovy puree.
It's high blood pressure on a cracker.
If I want to hang salt licks
from the ceiling, Charlotte,
it's none of your damn business.
- Oh, what you doing?
- Oh, I'm sorry, baby!
Come on, man. Got an extra shirt
for you upstairs.
I'm sorry!
You look like hell.
What are you doing in here?
What you hiding from?
There's too many people.
Shanice, your breath
does not smell like punch.
Granny, don't.
What are you doing
drinking a wine cooler?
What are you doing
drinking a wine cooler?
Ask your daughter.
"Ask your daughter."
Now, it's gonna be a little big, but...
you can hang on to this
until our next visit, all right?
Is that a sports injury?
No.
Is something going on at home?
Sometimes, Todd has a bad temper.
Does your mother know about this?
What is going on at your house, girl?
And where is George?
All you need to know
is that I'm handling it.
Handling what?
I need to borrow your car, mama.
I got the keys out of your purse.
What are you doing in my purse?
I need to go talk to Donnetta's husband
about putting his hands on my son.
Is that true, baby?
Do not do anything stupid.
I'm just gonna talk to him, man to man.
You need to run that prick over
with a car.
You need to mind your business.
Do not forget
you have a court date coming up.
This is my son we're talking about.
That's my grandson.
And you let cooler heads prevail. Hear?
I'll take your advice
when you stop keeping secrets.
Come on.
What secrets?
Yeah, well, you tell me yours,
and I'll tell you mine.
Shanice.
What are you staring at, "wheels"?
Shanice, you apologize right now.
You don't get to tell me
what to do ever again.
Hey, Lewis. How you doing, buddy?
Talk to me about punching my son
in his chest.
Wait. What are you talking about?
Go ahead. Take a look.
I bet you didn't know
about your husband's approach
to parenting, did you?
Did Jimar tell you what I found
in his schoolbag?
You do not slug a 13-year-old boy
for carrying a little weed.
Oh, what, you wait
until it's a little smack?
Did... did Jimar tell you
that he shoved me first?
- Yeah.
- Wow! "He hit me first."
- That's- that's very adult of you, Todd.
- Lewis. Lewis.
He shoved you because you told him
he was a worthless piece of dirt.
I will not tolerate any kind of drug use
under my roof.
And I will not tolerate you
demeaning and striking my son.
Well, that sounds a lot like
a threat to me, Lewis.
Not good for your probation, buddy.
Okay, Lewis,
why don't you take Jimar
back to your mom's?
We're gonna
talk about this in the morning.
Okay, Todd, um...
You and I both know Jimar is a good kid.
Now, I'm not one to disrespect
a man in his own home,
but Jimar is my son.
So how about I talk to him
about the drug use
from my own personal experience
and you keep your hands
in your pockets?
That sounds reasonable.
On Monday, I want to talk to you
about some kind
of joint-custody situation.
Okay, on Monday.
- All right?
- Okay.
Jimar, why don't you pack a bag?
You're gonna stay with
your father for the weekend.
No. Donnetta, don't patronize him.
How is he gonna afford to feed him?
Jimar, just go pack.
No, seriously, Donnetta,
they both need to hear this.
If Jimar disobeys me,
if he disrespects me,
I will discipline him any way that I see fit.
And considering the fact
that we can count on one hand
the number of times
that you've contributed
to the well-being of your son
in the past four years,
I don't think you have a say-so here.
Now, you kindly leave my house.
Okay.
No!
You will not tell me
how to raise my son!
- No, no! Stop, stop!
Get off of me!
Just...
Go, please!
Jimar is safe with me, I swear to you.
Come on, mama. You can do it.
Cecil.
Cecil.
Cut the cake! Cake. Cake.
- This is not the place.
- I'm sorry, Cecil.
I don't know why you're angry at me.
I don't know if you're scared or what.
But I had to come here.
I have something to show you.
It's a girl.
Lucky for Hakeem, he's got you.
It's gonna be a whole lot
of women in one house.
That's not my baby.
No matter what they say
about me, I've changed.
Oh, you changed before or after Vegas?
I never lied about the way
I felt about you, Cecil.
I just wanted a good man for my kids.
I was going to marry you.
Well, where it started isn't where it is.
I love you.
We could be a family.
No. You need to go home to your family.
She had to be mighty desperate
to come here on my birthday, Cecil.
Hey, mama.
Look, I really, really need
to talk to you about something.
I really, really need
to finish this cake in peace.
Paris, Paris, you can barely stand.
Let me take you home.
I don't...
I don't need anything from you.
Okay?
Okay.
It's a shame they spent
all that money on flowers
and they're just gonna die tomorrow.
You know what your problem is, babes?
Is that you don't appreciate
beauty for its own sake.
But I do.
And that's what I call beautiful.
And what I call beautiful is
a husband
who doesn't cheat on his wife.
Babes, man,
the kids are up in the playroom,
having their own party with their cousins.
Why don't we just leave them there,
go home tonight, talk this thing through?
Al, if you even think about coming home,
I will change the locks.
You will what?
I hate you.
Don't ask.
I wasn't going to.
Join me?
Yeah.
Ooh. Who knew the real party
was in here?
Did I just hear you say
you locked Al out of the house?
And when did you get back?
Did everything go okay at Donnetta's?
Everything went fine.
Paris: What? What's this about locks?
Trouble in paradise?
She put Al out...
the only good man
any one of you ever married.
What the hell is so damn funny?
You have been torturing me
with your happy marriage for years,
and now it's over?
Please tell me he did something good,
like burn your house down
or cheat on you.
When did Paris turn into the mean one?
Oh, he did!...
He cheated on you?!
This is awesome!
You just live to embarrass me.
It's not enough
that you're mama's favorite,
but you always got to throw
your damn money in my face.
You flatter yourself if you think I give you
that much time in my day.
Oh, please, Paris, you're not that perfect.
Actually, you're an old maid,
except for the drama
that you got going on
between you and that little gardener.
He's a landscape designer,
not that you would know the difference.
All right. That's enough of all of this.
You know why you talk down to me?!
Because you're jealous!
You always have been,
right back from the time
where you tried to kill me on the stairs!
- Oh, my God!
- I'm saying it again.
You know she tried to kill me!
Here comes the tale
of Charlotte's harrowing tumble.
Show me the crack in your skull.
You're fine.
Well, no thanks to you.
You should have finished the damn job.
Don't be an idiot, Charlotte.
No one tried to kill you.
Yes, you did.
You deliberately tried
to kill me on the stairs.
Are you losing your mind
in front of everyone?
No, I'm not losing my mind.
I'm crazy for not whupping
your ass decades ago!
Cecil: No, you two settle down!
Settle down!
Knock it off.
Stop! Stop!
Okay, you have to calm down.
You can't act like this.
Why not?
Charlotte always acts like
she's 10 years old.
- Please.
- Why can't I?!
Because you're gonna be a grandmother.
Meagan's pregnant.
I've been trying to tell you all night.
Lord...
Well, so much for your perfect son.
- Not now, Charlotte.
- Please, Al.
I'm not gonna let you ruin your life.
You have to take care of this.
"Take care of this"?
You were younger than me
when you got pregnant.
You wish you would have
taken care of me?
We're getting married.
I need some aspirin.
No, no.
- Paris, let me help you.
- No, get away!
Let me help you.
No, I just...
I have an announcement, too.
- Shanice. Shanice, come on, honey.
- No!
I can drink what I want.
I'm grown up. A woman.
- Get down.
- You hear that?
- Get down!
- I'm a woman,
and my mother's husband, George, knows it.
George is good to me.
He buys me whatever I want.
George is so good to me
that he sneaks into my bedroom
and screws me whenever he wants to!
Get down! No!
And if you had been good
and done what you were supposed to
with your husband,
I- I wouldn't have had to!
Cheers.
Where the hell is George now?
I don't know, daddy. He moved out.
Excuse me.
Is Lewis price here?
Woman: Oh, God...
Yeah. That's me.
I have to take you in, Lewis,
on suspicion of assault and battery.
Officer, can we please do this outside?
I'm sorry, mama... Daddy.
Come on, baby.
Come on, baby.
I think...
This party is over.
I love you all for coming,
and I thank you, but it's time to go.
Everybody, please, just go.
Thank you.
Come on, let's go.
Charlotte, I want you to go...
with Shanice and your sister.
See what you can do to help.
I'm going, too.
You're not going anywhere except home.
No, I have to go find George
and put a bullet in his head.
Take a number.
I'll take care of George.
Viola: No, you won't.
Promise me...
that you will leave this to the police.
I promise you that I'll try
to restrain myself.
And, grandma, I'm gonna stay with you.
No. Go with Meagan.
You show her that not all
the Prices are crazy.
I love you.
I love you, too.
What has happened here?
Our grandkids... two of them...
being messed with?
You just get some rest.
I'm gonna handle it.
Get everybody back here tomorrow.
There's something I need to tell them,
something they need...
Vy, you don't always have
the gospel on what the kids need.
I'm their father.
I know what they need right now...
Time.
Give it to them.
I'm gonna go check on Lewis.
He's right,
but time is the one thing I- I don't have.
If this is it, Lord,
remember, I just want my kids
to be happy.
I want them to find their place
in the world.
Deep river
my home is over Jordan
deep river
Lord, I want to cross over
into campground
Thank you for everything.
Anything I can do?
Hide that last piece of sock-it-to-me cake
from Lewis' lawyer.
I didn't even get a chance to smell it
before he sucked it all down.
You know what, Charlotte?
If you're going to be hateful and ugly
on the day that I buried my mother,
why don't you just leave?
Don't you two get started, please.
There's no one holding you back.
Do what you want to do.
Both of you should be ashamed.
Charlotte, wait.
There's nothing for me here.
Yes, there is.
Get your ass back in this house now.
Paris, you sit there, Janelle, here.
This better go fast.
My lawyer's breathing fire out the ass.
It will go as fast as it goes.
Do I have to be here?
Yes. Here's a letter with your name on it.
Open it.
Granny made a mistake. It's for you.
It says, "Dear Janelle."
Granny was bossy to the end.
It says in mine
that she wants us to read to each other...
Paris to Charlotte, Janelle to Shanice,
and me and Lewis.
Paris, you start.
Mama was out of her mind. This is crazy.
And we're doing it,
just like she wants us to.
"Dear Charlotte,
"I hope you aren't still mad at me,
"'cause I'm not mad at you.
"You're my s- sweet girl.
"Sometimes, it's hard to tell
when one child might need
"a little more attention and affection
"than the other ones.
"If I could go back,
I would hug you more,
"kiss you more,
"let you sit on my lap
as long as you wanted to
"instead of getting up
to check the damn laundry.
"I'm sorry if I didn't make you feel like
"you were something special,
'cause you were.
"But do me a favor.
"Don't take it out on Al.
"He's a good man
for standing by the son he made
"with a woman he doesn't care about...
"all the more reason
to love him and forgive him.
And most of all, don't take it out..."
"Don't take it out on Paris."
"That famous time she shoved you
down the stairs...
"that was my fault...
"coming down with too much laundry
"right behind her.
"You gonna come kick me in my grave?
"And who do you think it was
"who sat in the doctor's office and cried
"like she was the one getting
stitches in her head?
"Paris loved you
from the second she saw light,
and if she doesn't show that now..."
"it's just her own problems talking.
"I love you, sweet one,
"and don't you ever forget it.
Your mama, always."
"Dear Paris, I'm sorry
for making you feel like
"you had to be the best at everything"
"and take care of everyone"
"just 'cause you were born
so reliable and mature."
"It's time to stop trying to be
superwoman."
"Do something half-assed.
For once in your life..."
"let the crpe stick to the pan and burn."
"And let yourself be taken care of.
"You've done worse
than Randall... a lot worse.
Focus on him instead of Dingus."
I don't know if all this hugging
and kissing you're looking at
is what will be or what I hope will be,
but either way, it's a beautiful thing.
"Trust how you raised that boy.
"He's already a good man.
"Stanford can wait.
"The only thing that can't wait is
"the life you are living right this second.
Live it knowing
you will always have my love.
Mama."
Shanice, you're next.
"Dear Janelle, I know why you put
"all those crazy decorations
on your lawn...
"giant Easter bunnies, groundhogs,
"an inflatable secretary sitting
at a real typewriter.
"You're hiding from the world
that killed your Jimmy
"and trying to keep Shanice safe
behind a wall of 'happy'.
"you didn't know the danger was
inside your house.
"You need to forgive yourself first,
"and Shanice will follow.
"I love you, my sweetest, my kindest,
and I always will."
"Dear Shanice,
"I understand why you lashed out
the way you did.
"You were scared and angry
and blaming yourself.
"There is no blame, Shanice, baby.
"A monster is a monster,
"and your mother's gonna get him.
"One day, you'll have children of your own,
"and you will realize
how hard you can love someone
"and how much it can hurt
"and how much it's worth
to see them grow"
"and find their place in the world."
"Let your mama take care of you now."
"The both of you have my love forever."
It's your turn, daddy.
"Dear Lewis,
for all the problems you gave me..."
I- I will tell you all that...
when Lewis was conceived
I had a condom on.
No, this is true. How- How it got out
of the condom, I don't know.
I wanted to name him Hercules.
They called him Lewis.
"Dear Lewis,
for all the problems you gave me..."
"I wish I could have had two more of you,
"'cause you have a heart of gold.
"I failed you as a mother.
"I was expecting you
to turn into what my idea
"of what a man should be.
"And for that, I'm sorry.
"But that's no excuse
"for you trying
to drink your way to happiness.
"Has it worked so far?"
"Time for you to grow up
and do whatever it takes"
"to be the man I know you can be."
If you think your daddy
didn't do good by you,
"show him how it's done
by doing good by Jimar.
"And watch over your sisters.
"You're the only brother.
"Be strong for them,
like they've been trying to be for you."
"And I want you to know
I'll be your biggest cheerleader
"wherever I am in the universe.
"I am beaming my love your way.
Mama."
"Cecil, I understand why you left."
"I know I turned into a first-class bitch"
"these past 5 or 10 years."
I just want you to know
how much joy
"you brought me over the years
"and how grateful I am to you
"for my four beautiful kids
and that I loved you like
you were a delicious apple."
"Do you remember when we
used to make each other smile?
"Well, I'm smiling now, Cecil.
"I'm smiling 'cause you got
a chance at happiness
"with that young woman and them kids.
"Doesn't matter who started it,
"as long as you finish it by...
"being the father
you always wanted to be.
"A mother isn't everything.
"Kids need their daddies.
"Our kids are grown,
and they still need you.
"I'm leaving this wayward family to you.
You're in charge now."
When I was 16,
I married the first man who lit up my bed,
and then I popped out four kids
faster than I could manage.
So no, I've never been to France.
But that doesn't mean
I can't have my artifacts...
Or my dreams.
Want to keep those toes,
you better lift those feet.
Turn it off.
We need to talk.
We can talk all you want,
as long as you pick your feet up.
- You okay?
- Yeah, I'm okay.
Cord is not so good.
You want to talk? What? What is it?
I want us to do something together,
something big...
sell the house, move to Florida,
buy a boat, we can charter
in the Everglades.
Are you out of your mind?!
Sell the house and buy a boat?!
How about you buy me
a vacuum cleaner?!
I'm not out of my mind.
I'm awake for the first time in years.
Vy, we've been asleep too long.
There's nothing going on for us here,
not inside this house or outside of it.
Oh, I think you better speak for yourself,
'cause I have a lot going on.
I have the house, I have the church,
and I have the kids.
The kids are 15 years past needing us.
15 years past needing you.
All you were to them was a wallet.
I raised them.
I mind their business
better than I mind my own.
You used to.
Nowadays, it seems like
you're sleeping through that, too.
Why don't we at least take a vacation?
We can throw a few things in the car,
drive up the shore,
find a motel with a hot tub in it.
I'll even do my big-daddy dance for you.
Where's big daddy been
the last 30 years?
All those times I wanted
to go and do something adventurous...
where's he been?
I've been working,
building up my business,
taking care of my family.
Well, now I'm working,
cleaning my kitchen,
taking care of my house.
Come on, Vy. Vy.
Please, don't do this, Vy.
It's not too late for us.
We can still find us if we look for us.
Cecil, what do you want?
Was I not a good wife?
Was I not a good mother?
Didn't you get everything you wanted?
Yes, I got everything I wanted.
Well, I didn't get everything I wanted.
Okay. What is it you want?
Right now I want to be left alone
so I can clean the counter.
So you have no interest
in trying to fix
what's broken between us?
The only thing I want you to fix
is the pipe in the basement.
I'll get my things in the morning.
When you're done
feeling sorry for yourself,
pick up some Chinese, will you?
I love you, Vy.
I really do.
I just don't like your ass no more.
Janelle: Hi, mama. It's me. Pick up.
I know you can hear me.
You're the last person
on the planet with a machine.
You've been all cooped up
since you and daddy...
I can't even say it.
I'll come get you,
we'll go shopping, okay?
You wear too much gray.
Damn asthma.
They say smoking or the environment
brings on asthma.
You want to know what brings it on?
Rotten kids and ungrateful husbands.
911. What's the nature
of your emergency?
Hello? Can you hear me?
Biscuits at the truck.
Cecil, it's Vy's doc.
Dr. Cielto.
Vy's here.
I, uh, put her in intensive care.
How bad? I've got her
on her favorite ventilator,
and you know how she gets.
Call the kids if you can find them all
and get them over here
and save my nurses.
Thank you.
Viola: I love my children,
but they annoy me.
...of Fleur de sel.
Al!
Wake up the girls on your way out here!
Charlotte was a bossy, little thing
right out of the womb.
We then sprinkle them with a
little bit of fresh, ground coriander.
Now, if she really
wanted to do something,
she'd put a little mango up in there.
Now, if you don't have
coriander in your spice rack...
And get a better bra
for those fake boobs.
Show-off.
Watching your sister's show again?
Perfect.
Get off of me.
You got a whole lot more
going on than her.
Charlotte, my wife.
Mm! Hmm?
- Full-time mother.
- Ooh.
Expert courier.
Owner of the finest laundromat
in Cook County.
Mm!
Your wife, whose handsome husband
is going to meet her
at Wendell's Furniture later.
I saw the most beautiful armoire.
It's gonna look gorgeous
in Tiffany's room.
Now, who else do I know
that fills every corner of her house
with stuff that she don't need, huh?
Like mother, like daughter.
I am nothing like my mother.
It's your pops.
Where would he get the idea
I want to talk to him?
Yes, sir.
Your beautiful,
strong daughter is right here.
Take it.
Yeah, pop.
"Paris."
You do something to a child
when you name her for a place
you're never gonna see.
Spends her whole life
proving she's worth what you sacrificed.
Is everything, like, okay, Ms. Price?
You seemed a little distracted today.
My 16-year-old son
didn't come home last night.
Oh. I'm sure he's fine.
That's about the age
for that sort of thing.
Take care now.
It's about the age boys like him
get measured for orange jumpsuits.
My grandson is no closer to jail
than his father is to being respectable,
and Paris needs to learn
the difference between them.
What she doesn't need is any
more of those little, white pills.
What she does need is a good orgasm.
Hey, mama. It smells good.
What's cooking this week?
You just threw a cabbage at my head.
Because I don't have an ax.
Look, I was at Meagan's house.
- We were watching a movie. I fell asleep on-
- You were supposed to be...
studying
for your PSATs.
Mama, I've been varsity
since sophomore year.
I got a 4.1 average.
What would be enough?
Getting appointed to the cabinet?
Oh, no, no.
Then it would be what?
"You're only secretary of transportation.
If you worked a little harder,
you would have gotten State."
Hello.
O- Okay. Uh, I'll be right there.
What's wrong?
Janelle is all over the place.
One minute she's studying stained glass,
then she's studying real estate.
She studies everything except
what's going on right in front of her.
Shanice, come help me
with George Washington.
This is so stupid.
No, it isn't.
All holidays deserve to be acknowledged,
and not least the birth of our country.
Our country can go screw itself.
If this is another tantrum
about boarding school,
I've told you, we can't afford it.
It's not as if it's your money.
George owns like a gazillion
apartment buildings anyway.
If I said we can't afford it,
we can't afford it.
George: Afford what?
Your stepdaughter wants to go to Exeter
in New Hampshire.
It's expensive, but it's awesome.
They have, like, two orchestras
and a planetarium.
It's not about the money, Shanice.
We'd miss you...
miss seeing you grow up.
You're already 15.
You'll be leaving for college soon.
Well, if my dad were alive,
he'd take care of me.
Hi, daddy. Everything okay?
Cecil: Your mama's in the
hospital. Had another attack.
I'll be there in 10 minutes.
Viola: Teachers said Lewis is a genius,
IQ of 146.
Step to the window.
But I've never seen him use it.
I don't see a lot of
existentialists coming through.
Yeah, well,
man is condemned to be free.
Let's not see you back here.
Tell me about it.
Donnetta: What the hell happened
to you this time, Lewis?
You had a scheduled visit
with your son yesterday.
Yes, Donnetta, I know that.
I got called in to work.
What do you want me to do?
But I'm on my way to your house
right now.
"Work." yeah, right.
Drunk and disorderly
or breaking and entering?
Don't set foot on my driveway
without a check for back child support.
Just put Jimar on the phone
so I can explain to him what's what.
He's out with Todd.
So when will he be back?
Just... tell Jimar I'll call him back, all right?
Dad, what is it?
Mm.
Mama's awake!
Surprised?
Hey, mama. How you doing?
- Hey, mama.
- You look good, mama.
How are you feeling, Vy?
You tore my heart out.
Now I'm laying here
without my good wig.
How do you think I feel?
She's looking at you like she
wants to stab you with a pitchfork.
No, she isn't. That's just
her normal facial expression.
You know she has bitchy resting face.
Paris, she's asthmatic, not deaf.
I'd be looking at daddy that way, too.
This is the third attack she's had
since he up and abandoned her.
This is neither the time nor the place
to get into that, Charlotte.
Oh, please, Paris.
Do not tell me what to do.
This is not some fancy catering job
where you can just snap your
fingers and the waiters jump.
Okay? This is about my mother!
The last time you hung up on me,
you told me I never was
and never would be your mother.
Are you capital "c" crazy?
The way you treat her...
the two of you are barely even speaking.
You want cause and effect?
Look in the mirror.
I'm not the pack a day that mama
smoked for the past 30 years!
So now you're blaming me
for her asthma?!
Can you believe this, Lewis?!
I don't know, Charlotte.
When was the last time you
and mama did anything but fight?
Spoken by a man that would
smoke his mama's ashes
if he thought it would get him high.
Your fighting
is just as stressful for mama
as Lewis' drinking,
and stress isn't good for one's health.
And you married a creepy guy
that pays your rent.
You don't think that's stressful
for her? Really?
Yeah, she's got a point.
Look, all of this carrying on...
that's what's stressful.
Now, can we at least give your mother
some peace and harmony, please?
No, daddy.
You do not get to toss 38 years
of marriage into the trash
and talk to us like you are
Jesus come down from the cross.
Daddy didn't
toss anything anywhere.
They're just going through
one of their rough patches.
You and mom are gonna
work this out, right, daddy?
Cecil: I don't think so, baby girl.
Oh, for god's sake, Janelle,
quit being so clueless!
It's over!
And really and truly, it's about time.
Some marriages are just born to die.
Oh, there you go.
There you go with your
picture-perfect marriage.
Compared to you,
pining after a deadbeat,
who took a better offer 10 years ago?
Janelle: How can you be so mean?!
Lewis: Yes, Charlotte,
You know Paris kicked
Nathan out on his ass.
Oh, so everybody's
ganging up on me now?!
Who's ganging up on you?!
I should be used to it by now.
That's enough!
- Yo!
- That's enough!
You got the people in
the parking lot taking sides.
Dr. Cielto, I'm sorry.
We Prices are very passionate people.
Well, get passionate someplace else.
I'm about to take that tube
out of Vy's throat,
and I'd like her to be
reasonably calm when I do it.
I'll call and let you know how she's doing.
Come on.
- Sorry, mama.
- Okay, mama.
Dr. Cielto: You don't need me
to dance around it.
Your condition is deteriorating.
How bad?
You got a birthday coming up this month,
a big, round number?
It's a little too big and too round.
Maybe it's time
for that Paris-themed shindig
you're always saying
you're gonna throw next year
with the whole family
and all your friends?
Are you saying I'm out of next years?
The tests are showing that
fluid is accumulating
around the heart.
There's a high risk
of congestive heart failure.
It's 30 years of smoking, Vy.
I was gonna ask you
to go to the gift shop
and get me a pack of Marlboro.
If you want, I'll, uh...
I'll talk to your family... about options.
Not yet.
There's a whole lot of mess
I got to clean up before I go.
I can't have them killing
each other after I'm gone,
so I got to go.
Vy, you're not going anywhere right now.
Just rest.
You rest.
I am just now waking up.
Mama, did you give me
your prescriptions?
Yeah, all seven of them.
Shanice, hop in the front.
You can get started on the groceries
while I get the prescription.
You know what?
Why don't you let me
take Shanice with me?
I could use some help inside.
Okay.
Come on, you with the long face.
Come on and help granny.
I have so much to see about
where this family is concerned,
so I might as well get started
by finding out what's going on
under that damn hat.
Paramedics got dirt all over the rug.
And they trampled my tulips, too.
But I'm still here.
You okay, granny?
I could ask you the same question.
Are you okay?
'Cause I noticed you and this hat
seemed to have developed
quite a relationship.
Come on. Take it off.
It's a thousand degrees outside.
No.
You'd say no to your granny?
I don't care who you are.
I'm sick of people telling me what to do.
Hey!
Look at me.
Look at me!
Sorry, granny.
Of course I took her to the doctor.
He said kids act out,
especially when they've lost
a parent to violence.
Jimmy died when she was a baby.
What are you talking about?
And now she's a teenager.
Not all teenagers pull out their hair.
It's got to be something else.
Is it boys? Is it drugs?
You know, if you need parenting
advice on a wayward child,
talk to your sister Charlotte.
She tracks those kids like packages.
And they're still brats.
Well, Tiffany's nice.
Is everything okay with you and George?
George and I are fine.
Just because you're still bitter
about you and daddy
doesn't mean all husbands are bad.
I'm just saying...
something is eating at your child,
and you need to open your eyes
and pay attention.
Shanice has track practice.
Mm-hmm.
Your groceries are in the fridge.
Mm-hmm.
Call me if you need anything.
No kiss?
Mm-hmm.
Just because
Janelle doesn't want to hear it
doesn't mean I'm going to stop talking.
But right now I see a little something
I'd like to plant myself.
Hello!
Good morning, Mrs. Price.
Paris: Hello?
Hello. Paris?
Hey, mama.
You need to drop
whatever pot you're stirring
and get your behind over here,
and I mean but quick.
Nothing to drop. I'm five
blocks away. Is everything okay?
I can't speak for everything,
but some things could not be finer.
Hurry up now, hear?
Okay.
Let me get that for you, Mrs. Price.
Oh, would you, please?
Thank you so much.
Mama wouldn't forgive me if I didn't.
Uh, it's Randall, right?
Yes, ma'am. That's right.
Where would you like me to take this?
Oh, just right over there in the sun.
All right. More sun, more blossoms.
That's what they say.
Oh, Paris! I didn't know
you were coming over.
Come on. I want to introduce you
to Randall.
Randall, this is my daughter Paris.
Paris, this is Randall.
- Nice to meet you.
- Hey, nice to m-
You know, she's always saying
she wants to find
a really good landscape artist,
and I thought of you
because of the beautiful job
that you've done
right over there at the Simpsons'.
- Mom, please.
- I'm just saying.
And I think
that you should exchange cards.
Oh, great idea.
Yeah. I got one right here.
How about a consult?
Uh, I got nothing to do tomorrow,
if you don't mind doing it on a Sunday.
Well, you know, I- I really don't know.
She'll be ready at 10:00 A.M.
Oh. 10:00.
All right. That sounds good.
- I'll see you then.
- All right.
Mm-hmm.
And put your coffee grounds on the soil.
More acid, more blossoms.
So embarrassing.
What's gotten in to you?
Would you just say thank you?
"Thank you, mama, for thinking of me."
Have you heard from your brother?
Not since the hospital.
I made you a kale/grapefruit tonic.
I'm gonna go put it in the fridge.
Great. Thank you.
Two down.
Lewis.
Lewis!
Oh. Mm.
Hey, mama.
You smell like a distillery.
Why are you sleeping in my car?
Mine got impounded,
and it was too late
to ring the doorbell, so...
What time is it?
I don't know. Come on.
I'll make you some breakfast.
All right.
You got evicted. Seriously, Lewis?
You know, you don't have to stay
in the same room with a derelict
if you don't want to, Paris.
You're welcome to cast
your aspersions elsewhere.
Paris, will you do me a favor, please?
Will you go up to my room,
get my yellow pills?
They're on the vanity.
Thank you.
When was the last time
you saw your son, Lewis?
Come on, mama.
You can't be any harder on me
than I am on myself.
Well, what are you gonna do about it?
I don't know.
Maybe it's better that I stay away.
I'm not exactly a good example,
if you know what I mean.
Now you're just making excuses
to stay away from your son.
I let your father get away with that.
Well, at least daddy was a provider.
Yes, your father was motivated.
And you... you were not
motivated in school.
You weren't motivated in your marriage.
And now you're not motivated
in your son's life.
Let me tell you, boy,
you better find that motivation,
because time's a-wasting.
I got it!
Hello?
What are you doing there?
Checking in on our mother.
What are you doing
that's more important?
Go to hell.
But first, put mama on the phone,
and then go to hell.
It's your second-born beast.
I heard that, bitch.
I remember when Charlotte
had real sweet parts on her.
I plan to see those again.
Charlotte, hold on a second, baby.
I'm gonna call you later, mama.
Hold up. I need a ride.
Oh, you need a getaway driver?
Very funny, Paris.
I'm going to the employment
office, all right?
Mama, what you doing?
What's with you?
Nothing. Can't I just kiss my kids?
Charlotte: Mom, did you forget
about me?!
Mama!
Hey, Charlotte.
Listen, are you coming over
like I asked you to?
- 'Cause I need some help.
- With what?
I'm throwing myself a birthday party,
Paris-themed,
and I want you to help
with the decorations.
I can't! I'm working!
I've got two kids who soak up money,
a spoiled husband
who wants a Sunday dinner
on a Wednesday.
I've got a growing business to run,
a home to keep up all by my damn self.
I wish I had time
for your fancy, little parties.
Maybe you ought to try a little
anger management, sweetie.
Look, mama,
I do not need anger management.
What I need are more hours in the day,
and for people to stay off my back.
You know, you're starting
to sound an awful lot like me.
Yeah, I don't want to have this
conversation with you right now.
Yeah, well, perhaps you need to.
'Cause if you're not careful,
you're gonna end up driving Al away
and wake up one day and be all alone...
I mean all alone.
Mark my words.
Mama,
are you talking about me and Al
or you and dad?
Cecil...
truth is, I pushed him away.
And ain't this the bitch? I need him now.
How you doing?
How you doing?
Where is Cecil?
Nice to see you, too, Vy.
Heard you were in the hospital.
You look good, though.
Being single put a whole
new plush in them cheeks.
Where is my husband?
He said he was having lunch in the park.
Be about an hour.
You can hang with me till then.
Howie, you've been wasting
that charm on me for 20 years.
Either Cecil joined big brothers,
or this is bad news.
I've got presents!
Mwah!
Hey, hey!
Brenda Williams, the welfare hussy?
At least now I know what woke
Cecil up all of a sudden.
Come listen to the baby.
Hey.
You look good, Donnetta.
Well, I'd look a lot better
with a check in my hand.
And I'd look like a movie star
with a check in mine.
But just because
a man doesn't have one
doesn't mean he can't see his son.
According to the law, it does.
No, Donnetta no, Lewis is right.
How you doing, buddy?
Hey.
Us fathers got to stick together, right?
Yeah, right, Todd.
However, you did miss a few
scheduled visits with Jimar, and...
and we just can't have that.
Kids need structure.
Yeah, you can't just show up
at our home unannounced, Lewis.
Well, let's let Jimar decide. Jimar!
Jimar, come on out, son.
Jimar, it's your dad.
Jimar!
I guess he's just a stickler
for rules, too, huh?
Hey.
Amazing place you have here.
I am so sorry, I- I should have called to cancel.
I've got so much going on, with
my book and my mother's party,
so... uh, why don't you just
tell me your hourly rate and I...
Oh, really, don't... don't even think of it.
It's totally fine.
But I dragged you out here on a Sunday.
My mom has my daughter today.
I didn't have anything else planned.
And it's worth the trip
just to look at a beautiful,
blank canvas like that.
May I?
Yeah. Sure.
Wow. This is amazing.
This is beautiful. Gosh.
Oh, man!
Possibilities.
You don't think
it's hopelessly flat and boring?
No way.
You haul three standing stones
under that Japanese maple over there
and rake some gravel around it,
you can totally rip off
my favorite garden in the world.
Three standing stones?
Are you talking about
Shunmyo Masuno Samukawa shrine
in the Kanagawa prefecture?
Yes, I am.
I worship Shunmyo Masuno.
I know what Shunmyo Masuno
had for breakfast.
You make a waterfall against
that wall, and you'd have-
The Saiken-ji temple in Shizuoka.
And with the geometric path
running out to it...
Totally the courtyard he made
for the foreign ministry of Tokyo.
If you wanted to go all the way,
you know what you'd do?
Oh, yeah.
Streambed with a bridge
carved out of rock.
Like that hotel he did in Singapore.
The one with the running water
over the mossy stone.
Like silk over velvet.
I- I'm... I'm not... I'm not really sure
that I have space in my life
for something big a- and,
um, new right... right now.
But if you... if you can draw
up some sketches for me,
maybe we can, um...
Take it... slow.
Yes. Slow.
Slow is good.
Would coming by tomorrow...
to take some measurements,
be too un-slow?
No.
Tomorrow would be... just fine.
As much as I'm looking forward
to my big, Parisian birthday party,
I've got some Cecil business to attend to.
This hat might be
a little much for church,
but, heck, I'm not gonna
save it for my funeral.
Open up your guards
your mighty gates
let the lord of hosts
come marching in
open up your hearts
throw away the locks
let the heavens' rain
wash away your sins
gonna sing it high
gonna sing it low
gonna name his name
so you will know
gonna sing it high, gonna sing it...
So, I see you finally got the
courage to face daddy, huh?
This has nothing to do with your father.
This is about my spiritual rebuilding.
I've heard a thing or two
about Ms. Brenda Williams.
Hard for me to believe that Cecil's truck
is the only thing she's been riding.
Stop asking why
stop saying it
lift up those gates
lift them up on high
cry out his name
and hear my cry
Yes, yes! Amen! Yes, amen!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And Tiffany has a dentist's
appointment tomorrow at 11:00,
so I'm gonna need you
to pick her up from school
and then drop her back off
when it's over.
No, I can't.
I'm going fishing with Smitty tomorrow.
What, so you're gonna leave me
to do everything by myself, as usual?
Look, if I had known there was
a dentist's appointment,
I wouldn't have made plans.
Well, now you know.
I mean, sorry about Smitty's luck,
but you're gonna have to cancel.
I ain't canceling.
So you're just gonna have
a grown-man playdate,
and that's all there is to it?
Look, reasonable women, they
communicate with their husbands.
They don't give them a hard time
for what they do on their days off.
But Smitty's wife... she don't care.
Well, glory be to Smitty's perfect wife.
I'll go pick up the kids.
Oh, Al...
Listen, whatever you just did
to make him mad, go apologize.
Mama, how do you know it's my fault?
Because you're breathing.
Now, whatever you have to do,
you got to feed him or, you know, the...
You know.
- Don't look at me like that!
- Mama, we are in church!
I'm just saying, whatever you
have to do, just take care of it.
And... don't leave it for too long, okay? Go.
When you want information
around this place,
there's only one place to get it.
Hey!
Hello, sister Violet.
Oh, it's so nice
to see the two of you again.
And may I say that voice of yours...
it's like an angel is singing.
Oh, sister Vy, it's nice to have you back.
Well, it's never a bad idea
to spend a little time
in the house of the Lord.
Mm-hmm.
But I have to tell you,
I'm thinking of finding
another place of worship.
Oh, sister Vy,
we're really sorry to hear about you two.
Yeah.
We're praying for brother Cecil.
Well, it appears that your
prayers have been answered.
The Lord hasn't seen fit
to leave him lonely for long.
Brenda Williams as an
instrument of the Lord?
- Mm-hmm.
- Now, that's something
I never thought that I would hear.
Excuse me, ladies.
Cecil.
Vy, a word, please.
Oh, sure.
Excuse me.
I just want you to know
that what I have with Brenda...
it started after we split.
No, it didn't.
A man doesn't abandon ship
unless he knows he has
a lifeboat waiting in the wings.
But I don't care about any of that.
What I care about is that you
remember you have your own family.
The kids don't need
my paychecks anymore.
No. But they're going to need your love.
They always had my love.
What's different now?
What's wrong, Vy?
What... what's going on?
- What's up?
- Nothing.
There's nothing up.
But you're not getting any younger.
I just want to make sure
that you spend some time with your kids,
be a father to your kids.
Is that a bad thing to say?
Okay.
I'll be seeing you.
So... what is it you were
about to tell me about, uh...
- Brenda Williams?
- Brenda Williams.
That maybe she started
coming to church with Cecil...
- Mm-hmm...
- But that doesn't mean
that she did it for the
salvation of her eternal soul.
Geraldine, the Lord doesn't like gossips.
It is said that it's not gossip if it's true,
and you don't take any pleasure in it.
Mm-hmm.
Sister Vy, there's so much to say,
I don't know where to start.
I do what I do
yes, I be who I be
and trust I live how I live...
Shanice, why aren't you dressed
for track?
George is waiting to take you to practice.
I'm not going today.
You can't just not go.
Your team is counting on you.
Well, they can count on somebody else.
What do you want, Shanice?
Granny thinks there's something
going on with you,
something hurtful.
Yeah, it is what it is,
and still I am who I am
Is somebody bothering you at school?
Granny's on too much medication.
I'll go to the stupid track practice.
Well... hurry.
He could be a star in the morning
but the night's mine and this is...
How long is the seminar?
Just a couple hours.
There's a mixer afterwards.
Lots of connected real-estate agents.
Then we'll be home before you, then.
Oh, yeah. Ice cream for dinner!
No, you can't.
Shanice is in one of her moods.
Do not let her con you into skipping track
and going to sizzler.
Shanice, I'll wait for you in the car.
Call Charlotte.
Yeah.
I need parenting advice.
What a surprise, Janelle calling
when she needs something.
Charlotte...
All right, all right. Just make it
snappy. I'm busy ignoring Al.
Shanice has been acting squirrelly,
and she won't tell me why.
Mama even gave her the third degree.
Mm! She dove into my business yesterday.
Me, too!
She hasn't done that in years.
Anyway, Shanice didn't crack.
Whoa. That's big.
So what did you find in her room?
I can't go through her room.
That... that's an invasion of privacy.
It's a parental necessity.
I do it at least once a month.
No!
Janelle, it's not...
I was rubbing her shoulder.
It was sore from track.
Out.
Out.
Out!
Baby...
Get away from me.
Get out! Get out, get out!
Get out! Get out, get out! Out!
Get out!
Where are you going?
To the bathroom to wipe my ass,
if that's okay with you, Charlotte.
And then I'm gonna go pack
for my fishing trip with Smitty.
Look, Al, I know you're mad at me,
but you don't have to be stink about it.
Well, now you know how it feels.
Charlotte may yell and scream,
but she listens.
Lela: Hello.
Hey, Lela, it's Charlotte.
I'm so sorry for calling so early, but...
but I wanted to make
my special buttermilk fried chicken
for Al and Smitty's fishing trip today.
Is smitty still watching his cholesterol?
What fishing trip?
Smitty's chained to the house today.
He promised he'd paint the basement.
He's not going anywhere.
Thank you.
Shanice, he's gone.
He didn't come back last night.
I hope he never does.
C- Can I come in?
It's unlocked.
Shanice, please stop doing that.
Baby, I am so sorry.
Why?
At least he was generous.
Look at all this stuff.
I clean up.
Who are you calling?
They said the detective
that handles these things
would be in at 9:00.
No police, ever.
I'm not gonna let him get away with this.
If you tell the cops,
I'm gonna say that you're lying,
that you're pissed
because he's leaving you.
Why?...
Why would you do that?
Nobody can find out.
I don't want anyone to know.
Shanice.
Baby...
You... you have to let me help you.
What am I supposed to do?
Nothing, mom.
That should be really easy for you.
You've been doing it for years.
Brenda: Why does Viola
want to see you?
Didn't you tell her everything
you had to in church?
She probably wants
to talk about the kids.
She wants to talk to you about
your grown-ass children?
They're older than me.
Why don't I take you and the kids
to Red Lobster tonight?
So you can let me down easy?
So I can do what now?
I'm not stupid, Cecil, and I'm not weak.
I can take care of myself, my kids,
and this baby if I have to.
I just need to know, do you still have
one foot in another door?
I have both feet planted
right here, Brenda.
I'm not going anywhere.
Yeah? We'll see.
Kids, wash your hands
and get to the kitchen
for something to eat!
Let's get married.
Kids, stay in that bedroom
until I tell you different.
Are you sure?
I want to be a real daddy.
I want to be a real daddy to all of you.
Let's get married.
You gotta get a divorce first.
I wish I had a ring right now.
Yes, yes!
Yes!
Lewis, what are you still doing here?
Didn't I tell you you had to leave?
Mama, I move very carefully
when money's involved.
You know your father's
on his way over here,
and I have to talk to him.
Yeah, and believe me,
I want to get going,
but it was my last $20.
All right, look.
I have $50 in my dresser drawer.
Take it, fix my carburetor,
stay out of the house
for the rest of the day,
and maybe go see your son.
What do you think of that?
Why are you planning your funeral?
'Cause I'm old,
and that's what old people do.
You're only 59 years old,
and you have a circle around
a Dynasty copper casket?
You know, now is not the best time
for you to start using your intelligence.
Move.
This is not the time for laundry.
You know, you need to have
a little more respect for me
when I'm folding your underwear.
Why didn't you tell us?
I can't get you all in the same
room for five minutes together
without you tearing each other apart.
And that's why daddy's coming over,
so you can tell him?
- No.
I don't plan to tell him,
I don't plan to tell your sisters,
and neither will you.
If one of us kept something
like that from you,
you would never forgive us.
Lewis... I promise you
I will tell everybody soon.
- You have to tell them.
- Lewis!
I will tell them soon.
How long do you have?
What, to get all this folded?
Come on. Help me. Come on, now.
I don't know what this boy has
against garbage bins.
Mom, it's not what it looks like.
Well, I thought it was you having sex
in the backseat of my car
during your lunch break,
but if it wasn't, please enlighten me.
W- We were just kissing.
You see, Dingus, this is what
I'm talking about... the lies.
Now, where do your parents
think you are right now?
At school.
Mm-hmm. More lies.
Okay, look, mom,
it's not that big of a deal.
It will be when she's pregnant.
And I know your parents don't want
some little kinky-headed grandchild
from their 16-year-old daughter!
Whoa, whoa!
Okay, look, mom, take it easy.
I wish I could, Dingus.
I wish that I could take my eyes
off of you for one minute!
Why don't you leave my son alone
so he can fulfill his potential?
One wrong move and he doesn't
end up in daddy's mail room.
He ends up in jail.
Holy crap! Mom, you can't
talk to people like that.
It's no wonder
why no one wants to be with you.
I just did that girl a favor.
You're not ready to be playing house.
You're not ready to be with anyone.
You know, your father
was the same way.
Thought he could just skate by
on charm forever.
I am trying to raise you
so that you don't run out
when things get tough,
so that you don't turn into a selfish prick
who abandons the people who love him!
I am not dad.
Not yet.
Didn't anyone teach you
not to sneak up on people?
I'm sorry. I didn't realize
you were... you were...
Yeah, I guess you didn't.
All right, look, I'm just...
I'm just gonna head out back and, um...
get started with the measurements.
Getting that dja vu feeling?
That's French for
"you've seen this crap before."
I told Charlotte
she's got more of me in her
than she'd like to admit.
I knew he wasn't done with that bitch.
But there is one big difference
between her and me...
You don't see Charlotte
staying put behind a damn tree.
Albert St. Charles!
You are a dirty liar...
- Get him out.
- And a cheat.
You said that you would
never see that hussy again.
You promised!
Charlotte, let's just go
somewhere, and let's talk, okay?
I am not going anywhere.
Who's that boy?
Charlotte, I ended that affair
10 years ago, just like I said.
Whose son is that?
He's mine.
Look, he's mine.
So let's just go home,
and let's talk about this, okay?
Home.
Right.
My home.
You don't live there anymore.
Charlotte!
Charlotte!
So, the rape occurred last night?
I found out.
I found them... yesterday.
It started before.
When?
I don't know when.
I know who...
my husband, George Porter.
He runs the division at the airport.
He's a captain.
Your husband's a police officer?
Yes.
We need a statement
from your daughter,
and then we can issue a warrant.
- No.
- She'll only have to do it once.
It's all coordinated...
social services, the D.A.
- She won't.
- We can come to your house.
S- She just won't... she won't talk to you.
She won't talk to me.
S- She won't let me hold her. I...
I need to help my daughter.
Mrs. Porter... don't call me that.
We can't go after him
without talking to your daughter.
Because he's a cop?
Because it's your word against his.
Either your husband
or your daughter needs to talk,
or else there's no case.
Homemade lemonade.
Labor-intensive, but worth it.
Thank you.
Cheers.
I like fresh mint.
So, do we talk about koi ponds,
or do you tell me how crazy
I sounded earlier today?
Children will do that to you,
and vice versa.
I'm not saying I would have handled
the situation the same way, but...
you got to protect your kids.
Yeah, especially when you're
doing it alone.
But Dingus thinks he's in love.
Hit me 'round about the same age.
Too bad I never really knew her.
Which is worse... not knowing someone
or having them
completely change on you?
They're both tough, but
the biggest mistake is to...
never try again.
Now, that was a dumb move.
Amateur.
I should let you get back to it,
and I shall lock myself in my lair.
My mother's party is Saturday,
and I still haven't planned the menu.
So I'll just go- Ooh!
Paris...
Okay, what are you... what are you on?
What are you talking about?
When I came up the drive,
you were taking...
Some ibuprofen for a headache.
I've traveled a long way
down that road myself.
I know over-the-counter from
the hard stuff when I see it.
I have a prescription for anxiety.
I've got it under control.
Words I've spoken myself.
Paris, if you need help,
it's all around you.
I can take you to a meeting.
- Are you my therapist now?
- I'm a friend.
Based on what? Why'd you say that?
I barely know you.
I think you should leave.
- Paris...
- Yeah, go.
Just go.
What did you do to daddy?
He's fine.
I'm the one you should be worried about.
He's leaving because of some stupid thing
he did ten whole years ago.
It's not fair, mom.
I am not taking marriage counseling
from a 16-year-old.
Here. Take this money,
go buy some pizza for dinner,
and then go home
and do your homework.
We can't do homework
if you're getting a divorce.
Somebody better take this money
from my hand
before I change my mind.
Daddy helps me practice my flute.
Yeah, and he was supposed to help me
pick out a dress for granny's birthday.
Listen, neither one of you
mentions this to granny.
Do you understand me?
Why is it a secret?
Because it's our family,
and it's our business.
Okay, so, so,
how are you gonna explain it
to granny when daddy doesn't show up
to her big party on Saturday, huh?
And how are you gonna hold
your perfect marriage
over Paris' head when you let
go of your husband?
Mama's in the house.
What kind of mood is she in?
I have something important to tell her.
I don't know.
So, uh, you still working
at that garage on Halsted?
I got laid off a year ago.
Well, I know this guy.
He has a security outfit.
I can see if he needs an extra hand.
That figures.
I tell you I've been let go,
and you assume I've been sitting
on my ass all this time.
Well, am I wrong, son?
No, sir.
Unemployed, evicted, and subpoenaed.
That's me.
Donnetta's taking you to court again.
Back child support.
Man to man, Lewis,
it's past due time
you provided for your son.
I agree, pop.
I mean, you were the great provider,
and look how well I turned out.
One finger or two?
Two, since it's the good stuff.
You only bring that out for two reasons...
good news and bad news.
Which is it?
Two of that last one
if you're up for hearing that I'm dying,
but I'll start with something easy.
Thanks. Let's have it, then.
You know I care about you, right, Cecil?
And that I would never want
to see you played.
But I'm sorry to tell you
you are not the father of Brenda's baby.
Come on, Vy, you don't know
what you're talking about.
Oh, but I do,
and I'm about to save you
a whole lot of heartache.
How far along is she?
About four months?
It's closer to three.
Ah.
Well, four months ago...
and I can get you the exact date
if you want...
Brenda went to Las Vegas
with her second baby daddy.
I know. She told me.
She moved on from him.
Well, I don't know
what she moved on from,
but a month after that,
she started paying
very close attention to you.
She... said she wanted something more stable.
And you've been buying
her groceries ever since.
You all right?
You need another one?
I'll see you Saturday.
What, now, Cecil,
you know I would never be
the bearer of bad news
if I didn't have to be.
I just...
No, no, no, no, no, no. Thinner, thinner...
I need to be able to read
a newspaper through it.
Bonjour, Paris.
You're still gonna be here
at 5:00 with the food, right?
As I've told you nine times
since Wednesday.
What are you really calling about?
Janelle said George
wasn't coming to the party,
and when I asked her why,
she clammed up on me.
Do you know anything?
Well, I would if she'd returned
my calls all week.
I know you, mama. That
still isn't why you're calling.
Well... how's it going
with you and Randall?
There's nothing going
with me and Randall.
He didn't turn out to be
the designer for me.
That's why he acted so strange
when I invited him to the party.
What?!
Why would you do something like that?
'Cause he's my friend, and I like him.
- He's refined...
- Thinner!
And he kind of likes you, too.
Don't let that demiglace burn.
If you do, that's 16 quarts of veal stock
coming out of your paycheck.
I got my hands full, mom.
I'll see you at 5:00.
Au revoir, Paris.
Should I just... should I do it myself?
It's crooked.
Hey.
Hey.
Thought your mom was
dropping you off at 7:00.
Oh, I told her
I wanted to go with you.
I took the bus to come to your place,
but the landlord said you moved.
You don't have to be gentle, son.
I got evicted.
You know, I came to see you last week.
You didn't come to the door.
I'm here now.
It's lame,
living with mom and Todd and the baby.
Can I live with you?
Believe me, there's nothing
I would love more.
But it's just not that simple.
Your mom has custody,
and you're a minor.
Don't worry.
I'll work it out somehow,
just as soon as I get my stuff together.
Not one word about our split
to mama or anybody else.
Today, we are a happy family.
I want to be a happy family every day.
Do we have a deal or not, Al?
Sunday dinners with you
and the kids for a month
buys my silence.
It's a win-win deal
as far as I'm concerned.
- Just get in the car.
- I'll get in the car.
Shanice, stay in your room.
If you're here for your stuff,
come back tomorrow.
I'll have it boxed up in the garage.
I don't care about my stuff.
I came here to talk to you.
You wouldn't answer my calls, so...
Anything you have to say,
tell it to your lawyer.
I'm talking to him tomorrow.
I'm seeing a therapist tomorrow
to figure out why I did this,
to make sure that I never do it again.
I- I'm sick, Janelle, but I can heal.
Look, I love you,
and I love the life
that we've built together.
And I- I know it's gonna take years
to regain your trust,
but I'm thinking about us and Shanice.
If I lose my job, we lose this house.
And who's gonna pay
for Shanice's school?
Who's gonna buy the groceries?
If you're saying I have no job
and I have no skills
and I have no place to go...
you're right, George.
I don't have a lot of options.
In fact, I only have one.
To make sure they bury you under the jail
for what you did to my child!!
Crazy bitch!
If Shanice was gonna testify,
I'd be in jail already.
But she won't say a word,
because she knows
that once she got into court,
they'd make her admit
the truth that you don't want to face...
It takes two.
Here to tell you I'm not
feeling all that well this evening,
but I look spectacular.
And on the day that you're
telling your family you're dying,
well, that's all that matters.
Are you gonna talk to your mom?
She's been acting crazy all week.
I'll try.
Brenda, I will talk to you when I'm ready.
Please stop calling me.
Who's this?
- This is Meagan.
- Hi.
Hi.
Now, you went a little heavy
on the salt with the...
what is this?
Anchoieade.
It's anchovy puree.
It's high blood pressure on a cracker.
If I want to hang salt licks
from the ceiling, Charlotte,
it's none of your damn business.
- Oh, what you doing?
- Oh, I'm sorry, baby!
Come on, man. Got an extra shirt
for you upstairs.
I'm sorry!
You look like hell.
What are you doing in here?
What you hiding from?
There's too many people.
Shanice, your breath
does not smell like punch.
Granny, don't.
What are you doing
drinking a wine cooler?
What are you doing
drinking a wine cooler?
Ask your daughter.
"Ask your daughter."
Now, it's gonna be a little big, but...
you can hang on to this
until our next visit, all right?
Is that a sports injury?
No.
Is something going on at home?
Sometimes, Todd has a bad temper.
Does your mother know about this?
What is going on at your house, girl?
And where is George?
All you need to know
is that I'm handling it.
Handling what?
I need to borrow your car, mama.
I got the keys out of your purse.
What are you doing in my purse?
I need to go talk to Donnetta's husband
about putting his hands on my son.
Is that true, baby?
Do not do anything stupid.
I'm just gonna talk to him, man to man.
You need to run that prick over
with a car.
You need to mind your business.
Do not forget
you have a court date coming up.
This is my son we're talking about.
That's my grandson.
And you let cooler heads prevail. Hear?
I'll take your advice
when you stop keeping secrets.
Come on.
What secrets?
Yeah, well, you tell me yours,
and I'll tell you mine.
Shanice.
What are you staring at, "wheels"?
Shanice, you apologize right now.
You don't get to tell me
what to do ever again.
Hey, Lewis. How you doing, buddy?
Talk to me about punching my son
in his chest.
Wait. What are you talking about?
Go ahead. Take a look.
I bet you didn't know
about your husband's approach
to parenting, did you?
Did Jimar tell you what I found
in his schoolbag?
You do not slug a 13-year-old boy
for carrying a little weed.
Oh, what, you wait
until it's a little smack?
Did... did Jimar tell you
that he shoved me first?
- Yeah.
- Wow! "He hit me first."
- That's- that's very adult of you, Todd.
- Lewis. Lewis.
He shoved you because you told him
he was a worthless piece of dirt.
I will not tolerate any kind of drug use
under my roof.
And I will not tolerate you
demeaning and striking my son.
Well, that sounds a lot like
a threat to me, Lewis.
Not good for your probation, buddy.
Okay, Lewis,
why don't you take Jimar
back to your mom's?
We're gonna
talk about this in the morning.
Okay, Todd, um...
You and I both know Jimar is a good kid.
Now, I'm not one to disrespect
a man in his own home,
but Jimar is my son.
So how about I talk to him
about the drug use
from my own personal experience
and you keep your hands
in your pockets?
That sounds reasonable.
On Monday, I want to talk to you
about some kind
of joint-custody situation.
Okay, on Monday.
- All right?
- Okay.
Jimar, why don't you pack a bag?
You're gonna stay with
your father for the weekend.
No. Donnetta, don't patronize him.
How is he gonna afford to feed him?
Jimar, just go pack.
No, seriously, Donnetta,
they both need to hear this.
If Jimar disobeys me,
if he disrespects me,
I will discipline him any way that I see fit.
And considering the fact
that we can count on one hand
the number of times
that you've contributed
to the well-being of your son
in the past four years,
I don't think you have a say-so here.
Now, you kindly leave my house.
Okay.
No!
You will not tell me
how to raise my son!
- No, no! Stop, stop!
Get off of me!
Just...
Go, please!
Jimar is safe with me, I swear to you.
Come on, mama. You can do it.
Cecil.
Cecil.
Cut the cake! Cake. Cake.
- This is not the place.
- I'm sorry, Cecil.
I don't know why you're angry at me.
I don't know if you're scared or what.
But I had to come here.
I have something to show you.
It's a girl.
Lucky for Hakeem, he's got you.
It's gonna be a whole lot
of women in one house.
That's not my baby.
No matter what they say
about me, I've changed.
Oh, you changed before or after Vegas?
I never lied about the way
I felt about you, Cecil.
I just wanted a good man for my kids.
I was going to marry you.
Well, where it started isn't where it is.
I love you.
We could be a family.
No. You need to go home to your family.
She had to be mighty desperate
to come here on my birthday, Cecil.
Hey, mama.
Look, I really, really need
to talk to you about something.
I really, really need
to finish this cake in peace.
Paris, Paris, you can barely stand.
Let me take you home.
I don't...
I don't need anything from you.
Okay?
Okay.
It's a shame they spent
all that money on flowers
and they're just gonna die tomorrow.
You know what your problem is, babes?
Is that you don't appreciate
beauty for its own sake.
But I do.
And that's what I call beautiful.
And what I call beautiful is
a husband
who doesn't cheat on his wife.
Babes, man,
the kids are up in the playroom,
having their own party with their cousins.
Why don't we just leave them there,
go home tonight, talk this thing through?
Al, if you even think about coming home,
I will change the locks.
You will what?
I hate you.
Don't ask.
I wasn't going to.
Join me?
Yeah.
Ooh. Who knew the real party
was in here?
Did I just hear you say
you locked Al out of the house?
And when did you get back?
Did everything go okay at Donnetta's?
Everything went fine.
Paris: What? What's this about locks?
Trouble in paradise?
She put Al out...
the only good man
any one of you ever married.
What the hell is so damn funny?
You have been torturing me
with your happy marriage for years,
and now it's over?
Please tell me he did something good,
like burn your house down
or cheat on you.
When did Paris turn into the mean one?
Oh, he did!...
He cheated on you?!
This is awesome!
You just live to embarrass me.
It's not enough
that you're mama's favorite,
but you always got to throw
your damn money in my face.
You flatter yourself if you think I give you
that much time in my day.
Oh, please, Paris, you're not that perfect.
Actually, you're an old maid,
except for the drama
that you got going on
between you and that little gardener.
He's a landscape designer,
not that you would know the difference.
All right. That's enough of all of this.
You know why you talk down to me?!
Because you're jealous!
You always have been,
right back from the time
where you tried to kill me on the stairs!
- Oh, my God!
- I'm saying it again.
You know she tried to kill me!
Here comes the tale
of Charlotte's harrowing tumble.
Show me the crack in your skull.
You're fine.
Well, no thanks to you.
You should have finished the damn job.
Don't be an idiot, Charlotte.
No one tried to kill you.
Yes, you did.
You deliberately tried
to kill me on the stairs.
Are you losing your mind
in front of everyone?
No, I'm not losing my mind.
I'm crazy for not whupping
your ass decades ago!
Cecil: No, you two settle down!
Settle down!
Knock it off.
Stop! Stop!
Okay, you have to calm down.
You can't act like this.
Why not?
Charlotte always acts like
she's 10 years old.
- Please.
- Why can't I?!
Because you're gonna be a grandmother.
Meagan's pregnant.
I've been trying to tell you all night.
Lord...
Well, so much for your perfect son.
- Not now, Charlotte.
- Please, Al.
I'm not gonna let you ruin your life.
You have to take care of this.
"Take care of this"?
You were younger than me
when you got pregnant.
You wish you would have
taken care of me?
We're getting married.
I need some aspirin.
No, no.
- Paris, let me help you.
- No, get away!
Let me help you.
No, I just...
I have an announcement, too.
- Shanice. Shanice, come on, honey.
- No!
I can drink what I want.
I'm grown up. A woman.
- Get down.
- You hear that?
- Get down!
- I'm a woman,
and my mother's husband, George, knows it.
George is good to me.
He buys me whatever I want.
George is so good to me
that he sneaks into my bedroom
and screws me whenever he wants to!
Get down! No!
And if you had been good
and done what you were supposed to
with your husband,
I- I wouldn't have had to!
Cheers.
Where the hell is George now?
I don't know, daddy. He moved out.
Excuse me.
Is Lewis price here?
Woman: Oh, God...
Yeah. That's me.
I have to take you in, Lewis,
on suspicion of assault and battery.
Officer, can we please do this outside?
I'm sorry, mama... Daddy.
Come on, baby.
Come on, baby.
I think...
This party is over.
I love you all for coming,
and I thank you, but it's time to go.
Everybody, please, just go.
Thank you.
Come on, let's go.
Charlotte, I want you to go...
with Shanice and your sister.
See what you can do to help.
I'm going, too.
You're not going anywhere except home.
No, I have to go find George
and put a bullet in his head.
Take a number.
I'll take care of George.
Viola: No, you won't.
Promise me...
that you will leave this to the police.
I promise you that I'll try
to restrain myself.
And, grandma, I'm gonna stay with you.
No. Go with Meagan.
You show her that not all
the Prices are crazy.
I love you.
I love you, too.
What has happened here?
Our grandkids... two of them...
being messed with?
You just get some rest.
I'm gonna handle it.
Get everybody back here tomorrow.
There's something I need to tell them,
something they need...
Vy, you don't always have
the gospel on what the kids need.
I'm their father.
I know what they need right now...
Time.
Give it to them.
I'm gonna go check on Lewis.
He's right,
but time is the one thing I- I don't have.
If this is it, Lord,
remember, I just want my kids
to be happy.
I want them to find their place
in the world.
Deep river
my home is over Jordan
deep river
Lord, I want to cross over
into campground
Thank you for everything.
Anything I can do?
Hide that last piece of sock-it-to-me cake
from Lewis' lawyer.
I didn't even get a chance to smell it
before he sucked it all down.
You know what, Charlotte?
If you're going to be hateful and ugly
on the day that I buried my mother,
why don't you just leave?
Don't you two get started, please.
There's no one holding you back.
Do what you want to do.
Both of you should be ashamed.
Charlotte, wait.
There's nothing for me here.
Yes, there is.
Get your ass back in this house now.
Paris, you sit there, Janelle, here.
This better go fast.
My lawyer's breathing fire out the ass.
It will go as fast as it goes.
Do I have to be here?
Yes. Here's a letter with your name on it.
Open it.
Granny made a mistake. It's for you.
It says, "Dear Janelle."
Granny was bossy to the end.
It says in mine
that she wants us to read to each other...
Paris to Charlotte, Janelle to Shanice,
and me and Lewis.
Paris, you start.
Mama was out of her mind. This is crazy.
And we're doing it,
just like she wants us to.
"Dear Charlotte,
"I hope you aren't still mad at me,
"'cause I'm not mad at you.
"You're my s- sweet girl.
"Sometimes, it's hard to tell
when one child might need
"a little more attention and affection
"than the other ones.
"If I could go back,
I would hug you more,
"kiss you more,
"let you sit on my lap
as long as you wanted to
"instead of getting up
to check the damn laundry.
"I'm sorry if I didn't make you feel like
"you were something special,
'cause you were.
"But do me a favor.
"Don't take it out on Al.
"He's a good man
for standing by the son he made
"with a woman he doesn't care about...
"all the more reason
to love him and forgive him.
And most of all, don't take it out..."
"Don't take it out on Paris."
"That famous time she shoved you
down the stairs...
"that was my fault...
"coming down with too much laundry
"right behind her.
"You gonna come kick me in my grave?
"And who do you think it was
"who sat in the doctor's office and cried
"like she was the one getting
stitches in her head?
"Paris loved you
from the second she saw light,
and if she doesn't show that now..."
"it's just her own problems talking.
"I love you, sweet one,
"and don't you ever forget it.
Your mama, always."
"Dear Paris, I'm sorry
for making you feel like
"you had to be the best at everything"
"and take care of everyone"
"just 'cause you were born
so reliable and mature."
"It's time to stop trying to be
superwoman."
"Do something half-assed.
For once in your life..."
"let the crpe stick to the pan and burn."
"And let yourself be taken care of.
"You've done worse
than Randall... a lot worse.
Focus on him instead of Dingus."
I don't know if all this hugging
and kissing you're looking at
is what will be or what I hope will be,
but either way, it's a beautiful thing.
"Trust how you raised that boy.
"He's already a good man.
"Stanford can wait.
"The only thing that can't wait is
"the life you are living right this second.
Live it knowing
you will always have my love.
Mama."
Shanice, you're next.
"Dear Janelle, I know why you put
"all those crazy decorations
on your lawn...
"giant Easter bunnies, groundhogs,
"an inflatable secretary sitting
at a real typewriter.
"You're hiding from the world
that killed your Jimmy
"and trying to keep Shanice safe
behind a wall of 'happy'.
"you didn't know the danger was
inside your house.
"You need to forgive yourself first,
"and Shanice will follow.
"I love you, my sweetest, my kindest,
and I always will."
"Dear Shanice,
"I understand why you lashed out
the way you did.
"You were scared and angry
and blaming yourself.
"There is no blame, Shanice, baby.
"A monster is a monster,
"and your mother's gonna get him.
"One day, you'll have children of your own,
"and you will realize
how hard you can love someone
"and how much it can hurt
"and how much it's worth
to see them grow"
"and find their place in the world."
"Let your mama take care of you now."
"The both of you have my love forever."
It's your turn, daddy.
"Dear Lewis,
for all the problems you gave me..."
I- I will tell you all that...
when Lewis was conceived
I had a condom on.
No, this is true. How- How it got out
of the condom, I don't know.
I wanted to name him Hercules.
They called him Lewis.
"Dear Lewis,
for all the problems you gave me..."
"I wish I could have had two more of you,
"'cause you have a heart of gold.
"I failed you as a mother.
"I was expecting you
to turn into what my idea
"of what a man should be.
"And for that, I'm sorry.
"But that's no excuse
"for you trying
to drink your way to happiness.
"Has it worked so far?"
"Time for you to grow up
and do whatever it takes"
"to be the man I know you can be."
If you think your daddy
didn't do good by you,
"show him how it's done
by doing good by Jimar.
"And watch over your sisters.
"You're the only brother.
"Be strong for them,
like they've been trying to be for you."
"And I want you to know
I'll be your biggest cheerleader
"wherever I am in the universe.
"I am beaming my love your way.
Mama."
"Cecil, I understand why you left."
"I know I turned into a first-class bitch"
"these past 5 or 10 years."
I just want you to know
how much joy
"you brought me over the years
"and how grateful I am to you
"for my four beautiful kids
and that I loved you like
you were a delicious apple."
"Do you remember when we
used to make each other smile?
"Well, I'm smiling now, Cecil.
"I'm smiling 'cause you got
a chance at happiness
"with that young woman and them kids.
"Doesn't matter who started it,
"as long as you finish it by...
"being the father
you always wanted to be.
"A mother isn't everything.
"Kids need their daddies.
"Our kids are grown,
and they still need you.
"I'm leaving this wayward family to you.
You're in charge now."