Black Cake (2023) s01e04 Episode Script

1
BYRON: Previously on Black Cake
ELEANOR [ON RECORDING]: Forgive
me for keeping so many secrets.
BENNY: The truth is,
learning that your perfect
mother went through some shit
is kind of comforting when
you spent your entire life
feeling like you could never
live up to her standards.
Eight years ago, on Thanksgiving,
was the last time I saw my family.
DALE: Marc, next week, the
board will formally announce you
as the new director.
Byron, you will be reporting to Marc.
ELEANOR [ON RECORDING]: B and B,
this is how I really became your ma.
DELROY: Which school did
you go to in Maryville?
My aunt's a teacher over at Stanton.
That's where I went.
[CHUCKLES] I didn't
realize it was co-ed.
Why you lying?
What aren't you telling us, Coventina?
Oh, stop trying to pawn
that boy off on her, Edwina!
ELLY: To Scotland!
[CUPS CLINK]
[THUDDING]
[PEOPLE SCREAMING]
Elly! Elly!
ELEANOR: Coventina Brown
was now officially dead.
BEATRICE: Eleanor?
Don't you know your own name?
BOSS: You're afraid to tell
your story because you are lying.
You're running from something.
I'm so sorry, I never
meant to cause any trouble.
- I'll see myself out.
- It's gonna be okay.
COVEY: No. Please stop.
- [THUDS]
- [GASPING]
ELEANOR: You grow up thinking
that when someone does
something terrible to you,
you will react, you will fight back.
London wasn't exactly safe,
but there he was,
my past, right in front of me.
I had to ask myself,
did I want to be seen?
[CROWD CHANTING INDISTINCTLY]
CROWD [CHANTING]: We
will! We will! We will
[INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
♪
Down with the slumlords! We
are British just like you!
[INTENSE MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING]
Fair housing now!
[INDISTINCT CHANTING CONTINUES]
- [BRAKES SQUEALING]
- [HORN BLARES]
My God, Covey!
Don't call me that.
♪
I wanted to make Scotland work.
I thought I could make a new
life for myself there, but
But then my
my coworkers started to suspect
I was lying about who I was,
so I left before they could
ask any more questions.
All this time, I thought I'd lost you.
I still can't believe
you're really here.
You have no idea how good it feels
to be able to talk to
someone who knows the real me.
I was afraid you'd forgotten about me.
Never.
When I read about the
accident, I tried to move on,
but,
no one else compared.
Turns out, you're my one and only.
But,
maybe it was silly to hold onto that.
Why would you say that?
I thought maybe you
had found someone else.
Well, have you?
Have you thought of me?
Gibbs,
thinking of you has been my escape.
A reminder of who I was.
Who I am.
You're my one and only.
You always will be.
♪
I do have a favor to ask, though.
Can we take it slow?
Of course.
As slow as you like.
ELEANOR: How could I tell Gibbs
what had happened to me in Scotland?
I didn't want him to think
of me any differently.
And I had a feeling that he was
keeping secrets from me too.
[PROJECTOR WHIRRING]
ELEANOR: But we buried all of that,
and we started living again.
[BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE
SUNDANCE KID PLAYING ON SCREEN]
- BUTCH: Then you jump first.
- SUNDANCE: No, I said.
- BUTCH: What's the matter with you?
- SUNDANCE: I can't swim!
BUTCH: Why you crazy? The
fall will probably kill you.
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
Remember when we used to beg for
rain to save us from the heat?
Now it's just a nuisance.
Speaking of those days,
have you heard from Bunny?
No.
I only went back there once,
after the accident, when I had
to settle my parent's estate.
I wish I could've met them.
Me too.
But I didn't want to
see anyone from before.
Why not?
Too many memories.
Our memories.
But I did hear that the
police arrested someone named
Short Stack or Short Shirt,
something like that.
There wasn't much evidence, though, so,
case is still open.
EDWINA: Coventina?
I can't believe it!
Edwina!
We all thought you were dead!
We We read about the train crash.
You were listed as one of the victims.
I-I know, I
- It was a mistake.
- Where is Elly?
I thought for sure, she
would've written by now.
I'm sorry.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
[COVEY PANTING]
Covey?
Hey, just breathe.
[HEAVY BREATHS]
We can't do this.
What? Do what?
Be together.
You saw what just happened.
I stole someone's identity.
I buried Coventina to be Eleanor,
which means that for
the rest of my life,
I'm gonna keep looking over my shoulder,
running from people like Edwina.
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
You don't want to
live a life of secrets.
We all have secrets.
Not like mine.
I don't want to put you in any danger.
And as long as I stay in
London, I'll never have peace.
We'll never have peace.
Then let's leave.
I have some money put
away from my parents.
We'll jump on the
next plane out of here.
Start someplace fresh.
Someplace far away.
And we'll never look back again.
And have you give up your entire life?
I can't go back to Jamaica. Little
Man's brothers think I'm dead.
We may not be able to go back,
but we can go forward.
Together.
♪
Marry me, Covey.
And I promise you'll never
carry your secrets alone.
[LAUGHS, SNIFFLES] Are you crazy?
Marry me.
And I promise to buy you a ring as
soon as we get where we're going.
[COVEY SNIFFLES]
[LAUGHS, SNIFFLES]
- But where will we go?
- [INHALES SHARPLY]
Marry me, and I'll tell you.
[MY BABY JUST CARES FOR
ME BY NINA SIMONE PLAYING]
My baby don't care for shows ♪
My baby don't care for clothes ♪
My baby just cares for me ♪
ELEANOR: Back then, it
was easier to disappear.
Back then,
you could open a new bank account,
or get a driver's license with
just part of your birth name.
Liz Taylor is not his style ♪
And even Lana Turner's smile ♪
Promise me that when we
have a family of our own,
we'll start fresh.
I want this to be the only
wedding night we remember.
We'll never speak of it again.
ELEANOR: Back then, "Gibbs"
Gilbert Bennett Grant
cut all ties with his past to
be with the woman he loved.
Happy anniversary, Bert.
ELEANOR: Yes, B and B,
Gibbs, my one and only
[BOTH LAUGHING]
ELEANOR: is your father, Bert.
Take this, son.
Let the old folks
show you how it's done.
Wait, wait, Bert, before you start,
I want to make a toast.
Congratulations, Byron,
on getting your dream job.
You've known you wanted
to be an ocean scientist
ever since you were six years old,
and you've overcome so much to get here.
We're so proud of you.
And to my Benedetta,
you have so many talents:
Your music, your painting, your cooking.
I love how passionate you are,
and I hope that culinary
school brings you
all the success and joy that you seek.
ELEANOR: Mm-hmm.
Thanks, Dad.
BYRON: Amen.
- [GLASSES CLINK]
- [ELEANOR CHUCKLES]
Now, I hope one day in
the not-too-distant future,
we'll be toasting to our in-laws.
Speaking of,
Byron has made some
progress in that department.
Who is she, Byron?
Who is she?
If you must know, her name is Lynette.
And we met when I was being interviewed
for that Trailblazers documentary.
Her documentary. She's a director, Ma.
And she is really making
a name for herself in that world.
Well, I can't wait to meet her.
- [ELEANOR CHUCKLES]
- And
what about you, hm?
Is there a young man I should be
giving a stern talking to?
I thought you were gonna school
us on charades, old man. Hm?
All right, you want some schooling?
[ALL LAUGHING]
Ahh! [CHUCKLES, CLEARS THROAT]
Woosh!
Pelican.
- Woooosh!
- [BENNY AND BYRON LAUGHING]
Parasail!
- [TIMER BUZZING]
- That's time.
It was tidal wave!
I thought that would
be easy for you, Covey.
- BENNY: Woosh!
- [BENNY AND BYRON LAUGHING]
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
[BENNY AND BYRON CONTINUE LAUGHING]
Um I'm sorry, I
I need to lie down.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[BERT SIGHS]
I'm sorry.
It just slipped out.
No.
I'm sorry.
[DEEP BREATH]
It's just hearing that name
brought everything back up again.
[DEEP BREATH]
And it reminded me how much
we've kept from the kids.
Well,
maybe it's time we finally
tell them the truth.
All these secrets,
they're a burden, Eleanor.
Look what they've done to you, hm?
It's been so long.
Hm.
Who we running from now, huh?
We've waited too long.
Now what good would
it do to tell them now?
I'm thinking about what it
will do for you, my love.
I know.
And I adore you for it.
[HEAVY BREATH]
But I can't think about myself.
Not now.
Telling them won't
change anything for them
except how they see us.
So why go through all
that pain and heartache?
What happens if they resent us?
What if they can't forgive us?
Do you really think that would happen?
I walked away from my father,
and my mother walked away from me.
Betrayal is a powerful thing.
Hm.
And I'd rather suffer in silence
than risk losing our children.
[DOOR OPENS]
You okay, Ma?
Oh.
Yes, honey.
- She just needs to rest.
- ELEANOR: Mm.
[BERT CHUCKLES]
BERT: Hm.
ELEANOR: Hm.
[BERT HUMMING]
I love you.
You too.
Come on.
ELEANOR: I wish now that I
had listened to your father.
Maybe if I had shared
my secrets, Benny,
it could have brought us closer.
Maybe
it could have kept you from
running away that Thanksgiving.
I can't believe she didn't
tell Dad about Scotland.
The saddest part is,
I think Dad would've wanted to know.
Did he tell you any of this?
No. No.
Truest thing about Bert Bennett
was his character, not his name.
You wanna keep listening?
Mm, I can stay as long as you like.
No. Thank you.
- I need a break.
- MR. MITCH: [CHUCKLES] I thought you might.
Call me when you're
ready to dive back in.
You know the drill.
And, uh take as long as you need, hm?
Do you really think Dad would've
wanted to know everything
that Mom went through?
I do.
Might've helped her in some way.
Him too.
She must have felt so alone.
How could Ma have had Bunny in her life,
how could she have gone
through so much with her,
and let Dad be so judgmental with me?
Hey. Look
That, uh
Thanksgiving was
horrible. For all of us.
But why didn't you come back?
All these years?
I reached out.
You never answered me.
What was I gonna come back to?
- More judgment?
- You felt judged by me?
Yes!
By all of you.
[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]
What about when Dad died?
You said you'd come to the funeral.
- [VOICE BREAKS] We waited for you, Benny
- I wanted to be there.
- But
- But what?
Come on, you can tell me, Ben.
You wouldn't understand.
Wait, where are you going?
I just want to talk
Please.
Just give me some space, okay?
I gotta go.
[FRONT DOOR OPENS, SHUTS]
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- [TRAFFIC NOISE, CARS HONKING]
Surprise.
What are you doing here?
Well, it's been a while,
so I thought I'd drop by and
see if everything was okay.
It's not, actually.
My mom died.
Oh, God. Benny, that's awful.
I did come bearing some
news that might cheer you up.
I think you could use a little
good news right about now.
Couldn't you?
[SANDMAN BY TAMECA JONES PLAYING]
[DOORBELL RINGS]
Hey. Welcome home.
[DOG BARKS]
I'm sorry. My flight was delayed.
So how bad was the latest
message from beyond?
Let's open the beers first.
So you know that sculpture we made,
the one we said we would never sell?
Well, Helena called.
She has a buyer.
It's a substantial offer, and
I think we ought to consider it.
I don't think I want that piece
displayed in someone's house, Steve.
I mean, it's personal.
Look.
It's good money.
You could open that café
you're always going on about.
LYNETTE: Must be really hard on Benny.
Maybe harder, in some ways.
What makes you say that?
It's been eight years
since she's been back home,
and
this is what's waiting for her?
I mean, death is disruptive
and painful,
but it's also a natural part of life.
What Eleanor's done here isn't.
Let me be here for you.
You just tell me what you need.
LYNETTE: If it were me,
I'd feel manipulated.
can make me hope ♪
I'm drowning inside ♪
I don't think I could
do that to my children.
She did the best she could.
I know.
Of course, she did.
And she's also managed to bring
you and Benny back together,
which, let me tell you, I
never thought would happen.
It's since you've been gone ♪
I can always count on you, can't I?
♪
If my pillow could talk ♪
It'd cry out his name ♪
Oh-oh-oh, cry out ♪
Cry out his name ♪
- I've missed you.
- Mm.
How'd it go at work?
You asking because you want to know,
or because you already know?
I follow Marc on Twitter.
Why? [SIGHS]
I'm a masochist.
Why didn't you tell me
they promoted him over you?
'Cause it isn't that deep.
People don't always
get the jobs they want,
it's the nature of competition.
If this was a competition,
you'd have won.
This is purely about them not wanting
to put you in a position of power.
Instead, they'd rather
praise Marc fucking Bishop
and flog you as their mascot!
I'm not a mascot, Lynette.
You know how hard I've worked.
This is the only institute that
prioritizes my kind of research.
And you want me to throw that
away by playing the race card?
I want you to get angry.
Because this is about race.
Because your mother overcame so much
and your father was
a civil rights lawyer.
And you can't even summon the courage
to fight what is clearly
workplace discrimination?
Don't use my parents to shame me.
I'm sorry. That's not what I meant.
Except, that is what you meant.
I-It's not only what I meant.
You're an extraordinary scientist,
and you deserve to be recognized
and respected for what you do.
But you know they will
never give you that.
And rather than do something about it,
it seems like you're happy
to just lie down and take it.
I don't care how it
seems to you, Lynette.
No. You know what?
[SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING]
[DEEP BREATH]
Can you just go?
Please.
♪
[BENNY CHUCKLES]
[JOANIE CHUCKLES]
Ooh, we should probably put this out.
We can't turn up to Sunday
dinner baked again. [CHUCKLES]
Uh or we could stay here
and interrogate orgasmic discourse.
- Mm-mm.
- Mmm.
[JOANIE CHUCKLES]
- JOANIE: Hm.
- [BENNY CHUCKLES]
[BOTH COUGHING, LAUGHING]
Or, if you'd rather, we
could skip dinner at my mom's,
we could go down to the OC,
go see your parents?
It'd be nice to finally meet them.
I haven't told them about us.
About me.
[JOANIE GASPS]
I mean, they're great.
Like, on the right side
of history and everything.
It's just
They can be very critical.
I get it.
My family needed a
minute when I came out.
Yeah.
It's more complicated.
[SIGHS] See, my parents,
they have an expectation
of what their first-generation
American daughter should be,
and I will never be that.
Benny,
I have worked really
hard to live my truth,
and I don't wanna push you to do
something you're not ready to do, but,
I'm not interested in hiding again.
No, Jo Joanie, I wo I would
never want you to think that.
That is not what I'm doing.
I know my parents
would love to meet you.
[THANKS TO YOU
BY RONNIE WALKER PLAYING]
[DOOR BELL RINGING]
Hey! Look at you!
I clean up nice, right?
BENNY: Very nice.
Sunrise ♪
Thank you.
Sunset ♪
- [JOANIE CHUCKLES]
- For now ♪
BENNY: Way to ease her in, fam.
Um
Hi. I'm Joanie.
Hi. Byron.
Lynette. Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving.
I'm Eleanor.
It's so nice to meet you.
Uh, this is my husband, Bert.
[CHUCKLES] Welcome to our home.
I hope you're hungry.
We've been exiled from
the kitchen for hours,
so it must be nearly time to eat.
- Oh, okay.
- [LAUGHTER]
So.
Come.
so much happiness ♪
My son listens to the sea for a living.
- Can you imagine?
- [LAUGHTER]
It's actually a job!
It's pretty amazing.
Almost as amazing as these yams, Benny.
Only one more year of
culinary school, Benedetta.
Have you started applying
for apprenticeships yet?
No.
I haven't.
'Cause [SIGHS]
Well, culinary school
wasn't really working out.
What does that mean?
I dropped out.
But don't worry. I, I have
a new job. I work at a café.
And And I love it.
And I actually get to
paint on my off hours,
and I'm learning way more than
I learned in culinary school.
Like what?
Like w-waiting tables
and working the register,
and-and-and learning the menu, and
And it's not just any café,
it's it's run by Haruto Kai.
He's a very important pastry chef.
Hm. Good for Mr. Kai.
But what does that mean for you, Benny?
W-Well, it means I get
hands-on experience and research
for when I open my
own concept café one day.
It's gonna have music and art,
kinda like a, um, cultural
space with dessert.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
I wanna serve your black cake, Ma.
BERT: You You left school,
two schools,
on which I have wasted
thousands of dollars
so that you can be a
waitress as research?
BENNY: School is not for me.
And there are a lot of people
in the restaurant business
without a formal education.
Those people are rich,
and you are not.
That's your problem, you're not
the one funding your failures.
Oh.
Is-Is-Is that all I am now?
A s-series of failures?
That's not how we feel.
Yeah, well, that is how
you make me feel.
When I was a little girl,
you and Dad, you told me that I could
be anything I wanted to be.
And when I told you that
I wanted to be an artist,
you constantly invalidated my
need to explore and think and create,
and then you force me to go to college
because that's what you think
makes somebody successful!
How dare you?
After all we done for you!
Oh, y-y-you You
flip-flop your schools,
your jobs, your apartment,
your hair, your men!
And now apparently women.
[SOFTLY] There it is.
Ben, this isn't about
No, don't try to clean up Dad's mess.
Byron, that's what he feels.
He was lying when he said,
"Bring your girlfriend.
The more the merrier! Some of our
best friends are that way."
It's such bullshit! And what
about you, Ma? Were you lying too?
Do not talk to your mother like that!
You know, we tried to support you
when you dropped this bomb on us,
just like we've been supportive
of you your entire life.
But clearly, we gave
you too much freedom,
too many choices,
because you can't even pick
something and stick with it!
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
♪
I'm so sorry you had to go through that.
But things will calm down,
just just give it a few days.
- You shouldn't have pushed me to do this.
- Pushed you?
If you weren't so hell-bent
on meeting my family,
I wouldn't have had to go through this.
And with a fucking audience, no less.
I didn't insist on
anything, you know that.
This isn't about me.
You've been keeping so
many secrets from them.
This is about you.
You know what, Joanie?
I get enough shit from them.
I don't need any more judgment.
So let's just end this.
♪
Benny?
[TIRES SQUEALING]
[AMBIENT STREET NOISE]
[PHONE RINGING]
[DISTANT SIREN WAILS]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER, LAUGHTER]
[PHONE CHIMES]
ELEANOR [ON VOICE MAIL]:
Benedetta, please come home.
I know you're still upset
about last Thanksgiving,
- but we can talk
- [CLICKS MESSAGE OFF]
- [HOUSE MUSIC PLAYING]
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[BENNY SIGHS]
It's pretty magical, right?
Watching people discover your art.
Wow, Mr. Dwyer. Hi.
Steve. Please.
- Are all the judges attending tonight?
- Mm-hmm.
I have to tell you,
I thought your light installation
at the Tate Modern was incredible.
- Were you in London when it opened?
- Uh, no. But I read about it.
Tell me about your piece.
Well we're in the middle
of a cultural reckoning,
one that transcends gender and race.
So I tried to capture some
of that collective rage
through utilizing large,
buttery brush strokes
and broken colors.
You're gifted, Benny.
I hope you know that.
Thank you.
Mm. Maybe one day, I'll be able
to support myself through my art
instead of waitressing.
Not maybe.
Definitely.
With a little guidance,
maybe as my apprentice,
I think you could be quite successful.
You offer apprenticeships?
I think it's my responsibility to
make space for up-and-coming artists.
Would you be interested?
- Absolutely!
- [STEVE CHUCKLES]
Well, I It It'd be an honor.
I'll be honored to help.
Maybe we could get a
bit of press for you.
I think your work is
exactly the sort of stuff
that that Frieze
would love to feature.
Uh, if my mom read about me
in some fancy art review
magazine like Frieze,
she would lose her shit.
Oh, rightfully so.
[CHUCKLES] Thank you.
[BOTH CHUCKLING]
STEVE: No one is doing what
Benny is doing with light,
and even some assemblage,
which is new to her.
Oh, I inspired her to try it, and now
- [BENNY CHUCKLES]
- she's hooked.
[BENNY AND STEVE LAUGH]
Your piece at our art gallery
showcase was so powerful.
Are you planning to exhibit again?
Well, Helena, we haven't approached
any other galleries as yet,
but you will see her in Frieze.
- She will?
- Mm-hmm.
I was speaking to the
editor just this morning.
Thank you.
You should see her latest piece.
Who'd like a little peek?
Uh Wait, wait. I
don't think it's ready.
STEVE: Don't do that, Benny.
Take pride in your talent.
HELENA: He's taken a
real interest in you.
Don't squander it.
BENNY: Tonight was perfect.
It has been a long time since I felt,
[EXHALES] I don't know,
supported or encouraged.
Thank you.
The pleasure has been all mine.
But I sense there's
more to this story.
Yeah, much more.
[EXHALES] You have no idea.
Then, tell me.
Well
My parents never understood that
I wanted to make a life creating.
And it's been about a year since
we had a major fight about it.
But your support
makes me believe that I can,
that I can make a life.
And instead of just
telling them about it, I can
show them that it's possible.
You should surround yourself
with people who have supported you from
the very beginning, Benny.
♪
[BENNY CHUCKLING]
STEVE: You are so stunningly beautiful.
- Stop! [LAUGHS]
- STEVE: No.
I'm gonna sculpt you.
I'm gonna sculpt you,
and you'll paint the finished sculpture.
You want to collaborate by
sculpting my body?
Yeah. Think of it as part portrait,
part self-portrait.
The lens through which I see you,
overlapping with the lens
through which you see yourself.
And how do you see me?
As a goddess.
- [BENNY CHUCKLES]
- Wait there.
[STEVE CLEARS THROAT]
Have you ever worn
your hair any other way?
Like how?
STEVE: I don't know, um,
more feminine.
[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]
Okay, look. Mm.
[CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS]
Oh!
- Let's see.
- Look at you.
- Aw! [LAUGHS]
- Look at that! Look at your hair.
It's fantastic.
I forgot how much I love
coming to the theater.
Oh, yeah. We should
make a habit of this.
Once a month. You, me, and a movie.
Mm. I love it.
[BOTH CHUCKLING]
Oh, God.
Benny?
- Benny!
- [BOTH CHUCKLING]
Wow, look at you.
- You cut off your locs.
- Oh, it was time for a change.
I can't believe it.
You swore you were gonna
let them grow to your toes.
Well, I think she looks
beautiful without them.
Steve Dwyer.
Joanie.
I think she looks stunning
regardless of how she wears her hair.
How's things with your family?
It's been, what, two years
since that Thanksgiving.
Did they come around?
They didn't.
I'm sure they're fine.
Well, um, I don't
wanna miss the trailers.
- [CHUCKLES] Yeah.
- JOANIE: But I'm rooting for you and your family.
Life is too short to hold
on to grudges, you know?
It's good seeing you, Benny.
Take care of yourself.
You too.
Come on.
- Let's get the hell outta here.
- Wait, what's wrong?
Have you any idea how
fucking humiliating that was?
The way you just stood
there gaping like an idiot!
You didn't even introduce me!
It's like
It's like you were ashamed of me.
What? No!
I was just surprised
to see her, that's all.
I have introduced you
to everyone I know.
I guess when it's about your career,
you're happy to be showboated,
but when it comes to
introducing me to your friends
Baby, I am sorry. I did not
mean to make you feel any
You still have feelings
for her, don't you?
I don't. I'm with you.
- I love you
- Come on, Benny!
Just admit it. It's so fucking obvious.
- You're still in love with her!
- I am not!
Steven, you are acting
like a fucking child!
- [BENNY YELPS]
- [MIRROR SHATTERS]
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
[BENNY PANTING]
[GRUNTS]
[HEAVY BREATHS]
[PANTING]
[SOFT MUSIC PLAYING]
[IGNITER CLICKING]
♪
[RICE CLATTERS]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
[SIGHS]
You're ignoring me.
And do you blame me?
STEVE: You won't answer my
calls or text me back,
so I came to apologize in person.
Apologize for what?
I need you to say it.
For losing my temper.
And for getting so angry
at something so fucking stupid.
I disrespected you,
and you do not deserve that.
I've never got so upset before.
[SIGHS]
And it's only because I
I love you.
[BENNY SNIFFLES]
And I don't wanna lose you.
I love you too.
- But you scared me.
- I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry. It will
never happen again.
I promise.
[PHONE RINGING]
[GROANS]
[STEVE SIGHS]
[PHONE CONTINUES RINGING]
Hello?
Wait, what What's wrong?
What?
Of course.
I'll be there, I promise.
STEVE: What's going on?
What is it?
My dad died.
I ghosted him for two years.
I thought that I was
teaching him some lesson,
setting a setting a boundary.
Why didn't I just pick up the
phone and fucking call him?
[SHAKY BREATHS]
Because he hurt you.
We hurt each other.
And I always thought that
we would figure out a way
to move past it, eventually.
I-I didn't I didn't know that
I was I was running out of time.
You can't just forget
everything that happened
and run back to your family like
Like you weren't hurt by what they did.
What?
What are you saying? That I
That I shouldn't go to the funeral?
They don't deserve you.
I have to be there for my family.
No, you don't.
Look, I want to be. Like,
I've already missed so much.
I can't get that time back with my dad,
but maybe it's time that I
that I fix things with them.
STEVE: You know what's gonna happen.
You'll get hurt again,
and I'll have to pick
up all the pieces again!
You don't know that!
Yes. Yes, I do, Benny.
Because I'm the one who shows up.
Steve, this is not about you.
Yes, it is.
Because I'm the one
who takes care of you,
pays your bills, supports your career.
I encourage your dreams!
But you don't fucking care!
That is not true.
This is about my family.
I'm your family!
I am going home,
and I am going to the funeral
You just take and you take
and you take, don't you?
- I do not have to listen to this.
- You're an opportunistic, selfish dyke!
- [THUD]
- [BENNY GASPS]
Stop!
[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]
[PHONE VIBRATING]
[PHONE STOPS VIBRATING]
[PHONE RESUMES VIBRATING]
[SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
Fuck!
[SNIFFLES]
[SOMBER MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING]
[SIGHS]
[WATER RUNNING]
[DOG BARKS]
[BENNY SIGHS]
Everything okay?
BENNY: By, I think you
were right about Dad.
I think he would've wanted to
know the truth about Scotland.
He could've helped Mom through it.
And maybe without the stress of
all these secrets weighing on her,
maybe she'd still be here.
I don't wanna end up like that.
I came to Dad's funeral,
but I never got out of my car.
I couldn't face you or Mom with
my face all bruised and swollen.
My ex-boyfriend, Steve,
he had hit me.
And it was bad.
It was really bad.
And I wanted to call you, and
I wanted to call Ma or the cops,
but I was just afraid.
Like, when I lost y'all,
Steve became my everything.
So I was afraid that if I called
you, that you wouldn't answer,
or worse,
that you would and you'd just reject me.
Reject you?
No.
If you had called, we
would've brought you home.
I couldn't bear the thought of
disappointing everybody again.
Listen.
I am proud of you.
You got that piece of shit,
Steve, out of your life.
I'm sorry that I
couldn't be there for you.
I should've had your back.
And I should've had your back.
You went through Dad's
death, his funeral, and Mom,
on your own.
I needed you just as
much as you needed me.
And I'm so sorry that I just
couldn't realize I'm so
[BENNY SOBS]
I know.
I know that now.
[BENNY CRIES]
ELEANOR: B and B,
your father's funeral was
the death of two dreams,
that Bert and I would grow old together
and that our family would, one day,
be made whole again by Benny's return.
I have to believe that we would've
found our way back to each other
if time had been on our side.
That is why, my sweet girl,
I hope you absolve yourself
of whatever guilt you feel
about missing the funeral.
Some promises are hard to keep.
B and B, I'm sharing this with you
because I now know how important
it is to lean on those you love.
Love brings the light
that will guide you out
of your darkest moments.
[SOFT MUSIC PLAYING]
Reuniting with your
father was a miracle.
[BERT HUMMING]
[BERT CHUCKLES]
♪
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER ON TV]
- [BOTH LAUGHING]
ELEANOR: The life we made for
ourselves, our home, our family,
our sweet baby boy
and girl
were miracles on top of miracles.
♪
Bert?
Bert?
[GASPS] Oh, God.
[GASPS]
[CRYING] Ohhh, my sweet Gibbs.
[SOBBING]
I promised myself I would take
all of this with me to my grave.
I didn't want to
burden you, my miracles,
with the weight of it.
But in doing that,
I lost a piece of myself, I think.
Even now, it feels like I'm drowning.
[SHARP INHALE AND EXHALE]
I wish I'd had the courage to
share the truth with you sooner
because that's what all
three of my children deserve.
You heard me correctly.
[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING]
[SHARP INHALE AND EXHALE]
A secret
I couldn't bring myself to
even share with your father,
I'm now telling you.
B and B,
you have a sister.
[DRAMATIC CRESCENDO]