Greenleaf (2016) s02e12 Episode Script
House Rules
1 Previously on "Greenleaf" I have this old friend of mine is the head of bloomberg news now, and she keeps asking me whether I'd be open to come up there.
Good for you.
What was your last church home? Greater Redeemer.
I had breast cancer.
That's why it's so nice to be here at Calvary.
I really feel supported.
Bishop is definitely one of a kind.
The only one that came close was Pastor Skanks.
Such a shameless hypocrite.
- You don't know the half of it.
- Kerissa.
Basie: Is that the church's money you lost in there tonight? Give us Triumph II, and you don't go to jail.
You keep your church, and we get ours.
Grace: Pastor Skanks just spoke about the need for the church to take a firm stand against homophobia.
I got a feeling you're the one with the vision.
- Maybe.
- Hmm.
Mac: You know how many times I've prayed not to go to jail? Hundreds.
[Indistinct talking.]
[Applause.]
And to all those folks who want to say, "the Bible makes it very clear, Pastor, the Lord's position on this.
We don't need to discuss it.
" And I say, "well, let's find out what else the Lord makes clear," amen, because anybody who wants to shut down a conversation with me by slamming the Bible on the table without discussing what's in it is going to have a problem With me, at least.
Let's see here.
Hebrews 13 and 4 says, "marriage should be honored by all.
And the marriage bed kept pure.
" Y'all know some of y'all left your boyfriend's bed to get to church this morning.
[Laughter.]
And have you heard what he said about shellfish in Leviticus 11 and 9.
- Right now.
- I know you have, and, yet, how many of y'all are heading down to the shrimp boat after this to take advantage of that all-you-can-eat buffet? [Laughter.]
huh? If we try to ban everyone who does not follow every biblical law from entering that church, none of us would be sitting here right now.
[Applause.]
You got to understand, when God looks at each and every one of you, he sees you through a prism of the blood of Jesus.
Without that blood, all our sins would be laying before us, people of God.
But through that blood, we all can find the love of God, the acceptance of God, and the oneness of God, a God who made us, a God who's in us, and a God who's for us.
Amen.
So I say, to the homosexual community, there is a place for you among us here for all of us that are living under God's Grace.
Amen.
Oh, okay.
I see.
It's not enough to say, "who are we to condemn? Let God handle that.
" - Right.
- Let God handle it.
It's not enough for us to say, like our brethren at Calvary fellowship, "all our welcome as long as you hide who you really are and don't put nothing on social media.
" At a time when the laws of the land that protect the rights of our gay brothers and sisters are being rolled back every day, it's not enough to say, "God is love.
" It's time to get specific.
It's time to say, "God loves gays.
" It's time to take a stand.
[Murmuring.]
Amen All right Amen Uh-huh, hmm Ooh-ooh, ooh Well Oh-ohh, ohh Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh Amen, amen oh Yeah James: And then, after preaching for two hours, he gave an additional two-hour interview on the topic.
But what is it on the front page? I assume because he called out the city after rolling back on that, um, bathroom bill after what happened in Texas.
- Oh, you're right.
- He knows how to get publicity.
- Mm-hmm.
- Mm-hmm.
- Who's that? - Oh, your new hero, Basie Skanks.
He's not my hero, Daddy.
I just happen to agree with him on this one issue.
You look exhausted.
Thanks, mama.
Hey, Charity, baby, take Nathan for a second, please.
Are you still having trouble sleeping? Yeah.
It'll pass.
Thank you.
Did you know that Darius was working on a piece about Basie? Yeah.
I haven't read it yet.
And he mentions Calvary in it by name.
- Who, Basie? - Mm-hmm.
And Darius.
And he never asked me for a comment.
May I have a look? He questions whether Basie is using this whole gay tornado to spin the spotlight on to himself.
Yes.
At the end of the story, on page 10, the page that nobody sees but the puppy.
I don't think Darius is saying anything that's going to make him popular, Daddy.
Not with churches.
I just wish Basie Skanks would keep me and Calvary out of his stump speech.
I think he must've interviewed Carlton.
Well, Carlton never said anything to me.
You can't fire him again, mama.
I'd just like to know.
I'll ask him tonight.
He pays when y'all go out, I hope.
Yes, he pays, mama.
[Laughs.]
May I keep this, Daddy? Keep it, burn it, so long as I don't see it again.
See, he doesn't inspire me the way he inspires you.
Oh, Bishop.
[Smooches.]
I love you.
All right.
I'll see y'all at church.
- Say bye.
- Oh, bye.
All right.
See y'all later.
Basie he's doing it again.
And don't know if it's by design or whether it's some mental fixation, but he is tugging at the threads that hold this family together.
You're absolutely right, Mae.
We have to do something to stop this.
What are you thinking? I think it's time for me and Jesus to pay a call on Basie Skanks.
Mm.
[Pops.]
all right.
That should do it.
Stand back.
[Laughs.]
Let there be light! Do you even know what you did? Do you have any idea why it's working now and it wasn't 10 minutes ago? I'm just focusing on gratitude.
You are focusing on blasphemy.
This whole house needs to be rewired.
Stan said so.
Every electrician that comes over here says so.
I think Tasha even mentioned it when she threw the keys at me.
Look, we can't afford to pay for it right now.
Oh, well, some trade that was.
An empty field and a money pit all to keep some hypocrite's secret? Who came out on top of that deal? You done? I'll be done when this house stops twitching like a person possessed.
Zora? Winkie? Zora: Coming.
[Sighs.]
You know there's cash in that "go help me" fund.
Unh-unh.
No, no, no, no.
See, that's what got Basie in trouble, robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Watch that thieving spirit, baby.
Okay, Pastor.
You give me no alternative but to say something you're really not going to like.
Try me.
Get a job.
I already have a job.
I'm ready.
Every pastor we know with a smaller church has a day job.
Amon has his motel 6.
Jay Dalton sells shoes.
Dalton shoes is a family business.
All I'm saying is that, unless you can figure out a way to get paid for collecting compliments about how holy you are right now, why not use the other six days to rustle up some scratch? I can pay the bills, but I can't make enough to renovate this money trap.
[Electricity crackles.]
- [Sighs.]
- Mama! Go see what your brother just turned on.
Okay.
There's nothing to be ashamed about.
- Mommy! - I'm coming.
Get a job.
- This is the last of them.
- Oy.
Oy.
I can throw it all away.
Antoine recovered most of the hard drive.
No, I'll at least go through it all, see what the heck it all is.
All right.
Now that you are outreach director, will you still be preaching? [Chuckles.]
not in the foreseeable future.
Well, that's a shame.
Really? I think you're the only person in this church to think that.
Wouldn't you miss it? Uh, I don't think so.
Tell you the truth, I'm still trying to figure out where I fit in now.
Huh.
Maybe it's outreach.
Permission to speak freely, Pastor? Oh, Darlene.
You don't need permission.
Some folks never fit in no matter how hard they try, and that's okay.
I mean, I'm sure not one of the prophets was ever employee of the month.
[Sighs.]
Basie: Look, I've been in the hole with you for $50,000.
You know you going to get the money.
Just give me some time.
Tell him to give me two weeks.
That's all.
Bishop Greenleaf, right on time, brother.
If you could excuse us? We got some church business to tend to.
Man, just don't forget our business.
I will get you those programs as soon as we get them back from the printers.
Right.
Et cetera.
Et cetera.
Mm-hmm.
Huh.
What an unexpected surprise.
If I didn't know better, I'd say you were on God's angelic payroll.
What can I do you for, Bishop? Stay away from my family.
Stay away from my church.
Don't speak my name.
Don't even think of me.
Well, when you tell a man not to think something, it makes it hard.
I don't know what you're up to with this purple parade you're now high-stepping in the front of.
I'm just seeking justice for You don't know the meaning of the word! You tried taking me down with Triumph II.
All you did was make a fool of yourself and a scene at my son.
And now you're singing this new siren song to my daughter.
I don't know precisely why, but I promise you I won't part with her easily.
I think that's up to her, isn't it? You're flailing, boy.
I know it, and you know it.
You said the judgment is coming.
It is.
It's coming for you.
[Door opens, closes.]
Well, I called the man a fool in his own church.
Told him he was flailing.
And you think he heard you this time? Because you have cautioned him before, multiple times.
I couldn't be any clearer.
Now, whether or not he'll heed my call to reason this time, or anybody's, well, your guess is as good as mine.
But, Mae, you should've seen his face when I walked in there.
Did you notice the other night, James, when Kerissa and Jacob came over for dinner The way he shut her down when she talked about Basie? Yes.
Well, yeah.
I noticed it.
But do you want to hear my story or not? I've heard the broad strokes, and I'll be excited when I see results.
Fine.
What is it you're getting at? Well, I just have a feeling that there's more to this story of parting ways with Basie than they've let on.
Well, let's go over there tonight and find out.
Over there? Over where? To the parsonage? You've always been after me to give the boy respect.
Why don't we go to him for once? Maybe it'll loosen his tongue.
- Bishop? - Yes, Karine? I have Rochelle Cross on the line.
Tell her I'll call her back.
Oh, no.
You go on and take the call.
I have Dr.
Butler coming over soon.
What do you got going with Jacinta? Mm.
Well, I'm just inviting her to be an honoree at this year's women's day, a thank you for getting the girls into the cotillion.
[Chuckles.]
is there no ragged end of our world you're not knitting together? [Chuckles.]
Mm.
You give my best to Rochelle.
[Sighs.]
Mmm-mmm.
Ms.
Cross? You know, you were just on my mind.
What can I do for you? Oh, look, please call me James.
- Where did you get this? - Kevin's files.
I also did some looking through the drive that Antoine recovered.
He was attending meetings, like, doing the program.
Yes, I know.
They drink ipecac syrup to make themselves throw up.
Oh, for God and heaven's sake.
Self-flagellation.
Daddy, this is why Basie is right.
I know you believe that, Gigi.
- Did you watch his sermons? - Yeah, I did.
I did.
And he's not wrong about the Bible.
Look, there are some folk who still look at us the way some of us look at homosexuals.
And I know, just like you do, I'm sure, what it feels like to be thought of as unworthy by another human being and how hard that can make it to see through the fog, to the pure light of God's total acceptance.
Believe me, I know it all.
Which is why we can't support this garbage.
We're not doing enough to support the people who actually face those challenges.
Kevin came to Calvary every Sunday for the past eight years, and he heard you say, Daddy, "God is love.
" But it seems like it didn't get through.
Are you really so scared that you're going to send somebody to hell if you affirm this? You know I don't think that.
I don't know what you think.
That is the problem with not taking a stand, Daddy.
Okay.
You want to know what I think, Gigi? - Yeah.
- I think that only God knows when the homosexual will be as welcomed into the church as anybody else.
You're content to just wait? No, not content.
Willing.
We got to where we are today, Gigi, with the help of God, but we got here slowly, more slowly than some wanted, but that's how long it took.
And I expect justice in this realm will take longer to achieve than most want to, but I'm prepared to practice patience.
Because this is a problem that doesn't affect you specifically.
No, because I know those that fail to understand need the love of God as much as those who are waiting to be understood.
Daddy, patience doesn't mean standing still, waiting for something to change.
Patience is lovingly guiding people who don't understand into a greater understanding.
You are the leader of this church.
You could be the difference between it taking 200 years or mobilizing it right now, today.
- No, I can't.
- Why? Because I'm not sure.
[Scoffs.]
- Why, Daddy? - Why what? Why do we always have to be the ones who have to circle back once it's too late? Just this once, can we get it right the first time? [Sighs.]
I just want to do the right thing.
Me too.
Can you leave these with me? Sure.
Yeah.
I'll pray on it.
I promise.
Thank you.
[Sighs.]
[Humming.]
Don't do that for me.
I wasn't.
I was just I just mean I've never seen a face that needed less assistance from the powder and paint department.
[Chuckles.]
well, aren't you sweet? How's it going? Good.
- Oh, good to see you.
- Nice to see you.
I've had that song of yours in my head for two weeks now, non-stop.
And you couldn't make a demo? No.
Nobody sounded quite right, and, if I'm giving a song to Nicole mullen, it needs to be You know? Yeah, yeah.
I know.
So let me show you what I brought you.
With this bad boy here, in a quiet room, you can do all your demos here.
That's great.
What's the matter? It's got a built-in mic, and a good one, too.
It's not that.
So what's the problem? So you don't want me to come to Nashville to write anymore? No.
You don't.
No, no.
I mean yes.
Yes, of course I want you to come to Nashville.
I just want to make sure you have all the tools you need to stay inspired and that I have the best person singing the songs I'm selling.
Well, this looks confusing.
It's not.
It's just like anything, you'll get used to it.
Watch.
Let me show you.
You're gonna love this.
I promise all you'll have to do is just sit there and just be magnificent.
Then I will gladly accept.
The revisions to this new book of mine just make additional work impossible.
Well, we won't tax you in the least.
And what a pleasure it will be to have Greenleaf girls at the practice dinner tonight.
So exciting.
Yes.
You know about that, Rochelle Cross.
She called me on your behalf.
Yeah, a boon for which I am grateful.
Now, how is it you know her exactly? Oh, she's been handling my finances for, goodness, - several years at this point.
- Mm-hmm.
The woman is a wizard with money.
- Oh.
- I owe her many times over.
How did you two happen to meet? She's been attending church services while she's looking for a new church home.
- Oh.
- Mm-hmm.
I was just so disheartened to hear about her experience at Greater Redeemer.
Ugh.
She told you about that? Yes.
[Sighs.]
It was a terrible situation.
Well, that's the impression I'm getting.
It's just such a shame that it's still the woman who gets blamed for situations like that, you know, as if men have no self-control.
The more things change.
Do me a favor though, Mae? Anything.
Rochelle doesn't know that I know.
I'll be the soul of discretion.
- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
Thank you.
So the moths absorb the pollution? That doesn't make sense.
It makes sense.
How? Okay, so you got to think about how the pollution affected everything else in the environment.
The soot got on the trees.
The trees got darker.
So, the lighter moths, they didn't blend in well enough, and they got eaten.
- Mm-hmm.
- Right? So the population self-selected to blend in and not get eaten.
That's how the moths got darker.
Hmm.
Can we take a break? We just took a break.
Okay.
10 minutes.
- Two minutes.
- Okay.
[Laughs.]
[Door closes.]
Um - What was that? - I'll go see.
Hey.
Did you know you can get two dozen doughnut holes at glazes for $2.
99? No.
Hey, Pastor Greenleaf.
He's helping me with biology.
- Isaiah? - Yes, sir.
You want to come out here? Sure.
Doughnut hole for the road? Nah, I'm okay.
Now, you know you're not supposed to be in Zora's room with the door closed, don't you? Yeah.
I apologize.
I just thought that Yeah.
So let me think for you.
Okay? Think about being respectful under a roof that doesn't belong to you.
Think about being mindful of the rules her mother and I set in place.
Think about leaving the door open.
Or think about not coming back.
House rules.
Yes, sir.
[Door opens.]
[Door closes.]
And I know you know better.
- You - I what? All right then.
[Singing indistinctly.]
Pretty good, right? [Laughs.]
you really like it with me singing? I do.
We make a great team.
You want to get dinner? All my sorrow All my pain You help me face it all I told Basie, should he find the name of my church passing his lips ever again, it had better be in the context of praise.
Otherwise, the Lord's judgment of his deliberate twisting of scripture won't be the only thing he's got to worry about.
Oh! You did not.
And that wasn't half of what I had in mind to say either.
Well, I'm glad somebody called him out on it.
[Laughs.]
my girlfriend sent over the, uh, YouTube link of that sermon.
And I tell you, he went there and back.
I didn't see it, but I heard about it.
Mm.
That just reinforces my decision.
About what? What I came here to tell you.
What was that? I've decided to make Calvary my new church home.
Well, jalapeño.
[Both laugh.]
You're too much.
Stop.
You are too much.
[Laughs.]
- Oh, it's a good day.
- [Laughs.]
Gigi.
Hey.
What's all this stuff? Oh, uh, outreach files Kevin left behind.
Oh.
Sorry.
Hey, not your fault.
Yeah.
Well, what's up? What time is your date tonight? Why? Just tell me when it is.
It's at 6:30.
What's going on? Jabari asked me to dinner, and mom and dad can't sit because they're going to Jacob's, and Maricel is busy, and you're busy, too, so Hey, we'll watch Nathan.
No.
No, I don't want to impose.
The official slogan for imposing.
You know what? Bye, Gigi.
[Laughs.]
come on, Charity.
Seriously.
I'm just kidding.
I'm just kidding.
Listen, the only table I could get for two was too early for us anyway, so, yeah, we'll watch him.
Are you sure? Time with my nephew? Baby sister, come on.
Yes.
Absolutely.
Oh, mm, thank you.
Yeah.
Anytime.
[Laughs.]
Go get him.
All right.
[Laughs.]
[Sighs.]
So, how many jobs did you have? I had two jobs.
I priest on Sunday mornings, taught Bible study on Wednesday nights.
In-between, I sold bibles door-to-door for southwestern, and I worked part-time for Memphis Memorial.
Doing what? Maintenance and groundskeeping.
Yes.
And see? And reaching the whole time.
- Mm-hmm.
- I don't remember any of that.
Well, you were a little boy.
But, I tell you what, he looked very much like you look right now.
- Aw.
- Kerissa, I have to tell you.
You have done a lovely, lovely job putting this place together.
I have to say.
I mean, it feels homey.
Well, we're just lucky that the lights are on so you can actually see it.
I ran into your old boss today.
- Basie.
- Yes.
I paid a visit over at Triumph.
About that sermon of his? You saw it? It's been making the rounds.
I don't know he thinks he's preaching to.
I think the man is hell-bent on losing that church, too.
When I visited Basie's office today, I crossed paths with a man Tall, rough-hewn, bearded, the kind of man that would hang around a pool hall.
Doesn't sound like an armor bearer.
- Mnh-mnh.
- Didn't look like one either.
Is he doing prison ministry nowadays? No.
What happened between you two? Everything seemed so hunky dory.
When Basie and I parted ways, we got the land and this house.
Yes, complete with demonic curse.
And Basie got his privacy.
I got to keep my word.
With the nebuchadnezzar? This is family, son.
And what went down between Basie and I had nothing to do with pop or Calvary.
First John, 2 and 5, "whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is protected.
" Well, you can't argue with that.
- Hey.
- Hey.
You ready? Yeah.
What? What's that face about? I was going to call you, but you were already on your way here.
All right.
Well, talk to me.
What's the deal? Got a later table? Tell me we did.
No.
My sister needs a sitter.
Charity and the baby? Yeah.
He'll be down by 7:00.
We can pick up some food on the way, maybe cook? I am so sorry, but she never asks, and I'm trying to prove that I care.
That didn't sound right, but you know what I mean.
I think I know what you mean.
Is it okay? Of course.
I knew you wouldn't mind.
I knew it because you're the best.
So this dinner, is it like a dinner or a class? I don't get it.
Yeah.
Yeah, which part? It's all that, both.
Dinner with the girls, get served with a five-course meal, they tell you which fork to use, and how to conduct yourself like a good Christian lady.
- Mm.
Mm-hmm.
- Gotcha.
They're probably going to make you turn your phone off, huh? You know, 'cause of, like, manners and stuff.
If I didn't have manners, I wouldn't be texting.
My dad was so harsh to him earlier.
This right here is damage control.
Baby, I done done enough talking need to know that you're mine baby, we done done enough talking Fine.
Fini.
Finito.
Done.
I'm ready to be sophisticated.
[Cellphone chimes.]
I want you to hold me down, down, down, down [cellphone chimes.]
Down forever go ahead.
Answer it.
- But that's it.
- Thank you.
- Should I pull up here? - No, then they'll try to park your car.
You don't want to do that.
- It's no trouble.
- No, just pull over right here instead.
Okay.
Great.
[Sighs.]
[Sighs.]
Um, I had a really nice time tonight.
Yeah, me too.
You were really nice to that guy.
- [Both laugh.]
- Not at all.
There was a time when I was that kid, right? Always had a demo in my pocket ready to hand out.
[Laughs.]
I don't know.
Maybe it's good.
Wait, so you'll actually listen to it? Yeah, sure.
You have to.
It's only right.
Right.
Um, okay, then.
See you in Nashville? Yeah.
Mm.
Wow.
Is he down? Yeah.
He just needed a new diaper.
He barely even moved when I changed him.
So you remember how to do all of that, huh? Like riding a bike.
Come on.
Oh.
[Laughs.]
This is very cute.
[Both laugh.]
- Oh, geez.
- Yeah.
Gosh, thank you for rolling with the punches on this.
- I owe you one.
- Oh, not at all.
It's kind of nice to see how the other half lives.
I think I'm the other half of the other half.
Yeah, this is it.
You ever invite guys over? I just mean, it must be strange.
I don't know.
Is it? [Laughs.]
I just mean when your parents are here all night.
Mm-hmm.
Hmm.
Can I ask you a question? Shoot.
Did you interview Carlton for that piece you had in the paper today? Yeah.
And you didn't tell me? I thought we had that agreement, not to mix this and the other? - Was that wrong? - No.
No.
It's just, uh, I'm trying to figure out why you didn't ask my dad for a comment on the story.
Yeah, I thought, "don't.
" Got it.
Got it.
You know, the whole Chinese wall thing was your idea.
If you want to reevaluate it, we can.
No.
Look, no.
I just You know, maybe we shouldn't do this.
Do what? This.
Us.
Why would you say that? Because it's, like, look at us.
I know there's been extenuating circumstances, but every time we get close to being more than study partners, you find a reason to pull away.
- I'm not pulling away.
- No? I mean, you traded a romantic dinner for two for babysitting.
And then you picked a fight with me.
I didn't realize we were fighting.
You're right.
We're not.
You know, you pull back too, d.
You do.
You have your ways.
- When have I pulled back? - Oh, let me see.
Oh, [chuckles.]
I, um I had this job - Mm-hmm.
- this woman in New York who really wants me to come.
I didn't need to know that.
Okay.
I told you that to include you.
And then there's this whole mysterious reason why you don't go to church, that you still haven't told me about that, and I'm a pastor.
I think I'm gonna go.
- Come on.
- Yeah, no.
I am.
I'm gonna go.
I don't know what it is about you.
I've never gotten so little from someone and stuck around.
And you don't even seem to know you do it, so it's my fault.
Hey.
- Hey.
- How's my baby? Out like a light.
- Ooh.
- Mm-hmm.
Where's Darius? Mnh-mnh.
Oh.
My night wasn't so hot either.
What happened? He pecked me on the cheek.
[Both laugh.]
Don't laugh.
You here, too.
Like, I don't know what's wrong with me.
Is there something wrong with me? Or do I just attract a certain type? I don't think he's gay.
I don't know what he is.
Is that yours? - Yes.
- Mm.
- Get you some.
- Ooh.
Because, let me tell you something, I played it too cool at dinner.
I'm starving.
And you still didn't get any.
You know what, you ain't either, so what are you talking about? - Here you go.
- Thank you.
Hey, sorry we can't, you know, give you a better explanation.
Oh, no.
We understand discretion.
And backed up by scripture.
You know, that guy was probably just a member of the church asking for rent money.
There's no shortage of that over there.
I tell you what.
I retract the request, and it was good to see both of you.
Yes.
And thank you so much for dinner.
- Oh, Bishop, before you go.
- Yes, dear? Oh, listen, do you have the car key? - Um - We still having trouble with that breaker box Whoa! No.
Let her finish her sentence.
No! Sorry, mama, but we discussed this earlier.
Kerissa, don't do that.
That's, um, my cue.
- Good night.
- Good night, darling.
And, son, just mm-hmm? [Door opens.]
- Son, take it easy.
- All right.
Speak soon.
- Good night.
- All right.
Be careful.
- Let us know when you're home.
- Mm-hmm.
What was that? A woman's attempt to care for the home she raises her children in.
- I asked you not to do that.
- Oh.
I don't care about your pride, Jacob.
- It's not pride.
- Then what is it? I told you to look for a job.
Did you look for one today? Did you even go online and look? No.
How you know what I did? Am I wrong? I have a job.
You have a hobby.
You heard Bishop.
When you work to pay the bills, it keeps the preaching pure, which is what you say you want anyway.
It is what I want.
Then get a job.
Or go down to the river and dredge up some civil war pirate ship like I heard about on the radio.
Something! Anything! But to have your kids and your wife stumbling around in the dark at night because the lights don't work? Kerissa.
I don't want to hear it anymore, Jacob.
Okay.
But you're going to.
For all the years I was creeping, you treated me this way.
And I just continued to take it because I was out of line.
But things are different now.
And you cannot continue to do that.
I'm not going to stand for it.
I have the moral authority that you wanted me to have, that you prayed for me to have.
So respect it.
The Lord will provide in his own time.
So just wait.
Just trust.
Trust me, trust him, and wait.
And maybe try paying some of this attention to your daughter.
She needs it.
I'm getting ready for bed.
[Line ringing.]
- What? - Hey, um I've been calling you.
Yeah, now.
I text you a bunch earlier, and you didn't answer.
[Sighs.]
I couldn't.
They took our phones.
I'm sorry.
Me too.
I miss you.
How was rehearsal? It's whatever.
You had to be there.
[Beep.]
[Beep.]
[Cellphone vibrating.]
Oh.
Hey, you.
Darius: You still up? Yeah.
Got a minute? Yeah.
I'm out front.
[Door opens.]
Hey.
Hey.
- Are you okay? - Yeah.
So, uh, here's the story.
What story? Why I don't go to church anymore.
You wanted to know.
I'll tell you.
You don't have to tell me anything.
I used to be married.
Why didn't you tell me? Because she's dead.
Oh, my God.
Yeah, we were on our way to a matinée one Sunday afternoon, and we got t-boned in an intersection.
I am so sorry.
I asked the Pastor after the funeral if he could help me understand.
He said, "it's best we don't question God.
" So I haven't been back to church since.
Other than as a reporter.
Thank you for telling me that.
You were right.
I was holding back, and that was why.
Am I gonna see you again? You tell me.
God, I hope so.
Then yeah.
So Basie lost the church's money, not his own.
- That's right.
- And you two paid it back? Yes, with our savings.
We got the land and the house, but we should've gotten Triumph.
Well, that certainly would beat that two-acre soup kitchen - you've got now.
- Amen.
And Basie still owes these people over a quarter of a million dollars, even after all we did.
Can you prove it? I know someone who can.
Of course, you can never tell Jacob I told you.
Understood.
He'd never forgive me.
Don't you worry, dear.
Good for you.
What was your last church home? Greater Redeemer.
I had breast cancer.
That's why it's so nice to be here at Calvary.
I really feel supported.
Bishop is definitely one of a kind.
The only one that came close was Pastor Skanks.
Such a shameless hypocrite.
- You don't know the half of it.
- Kerissa.
Basie: Is that the church's money you lost in there tonight? Give us Triumph II, and you don't go to jail.
You keep your church, and we get ours.
Grace: Pastor Skanks just spoke about the need for the church to take a firm stand against homophobia.
I got a feeling you're the one with the vision.
- Maybe.
- Hmm.
Mac: You know how many times I've prayed not to go to jail? Hundreds.
[Indistinct talking.]
[Applause.]
And to all those folks who want to say, "the Bible makes it very clear, Pastor, the Lord's position on this.
We don't need to discuss it.
" And I say, "well, let's find out what else the Lord makes clear," amen, because anybody who wants to shut down a conversation with me by slamming the Bible on the table without discussing what's in it is going to have a problem With me, at least.
Let's see here.
Hebrews 13 and 4 says, "marriage should be honored by all.
And the marriage bed kept pure.
" Y'all know some of y'all left your boyfriend's bed to get to church this morning.
[Laughter.]
And have you heard what he said about shellfish in Leviticus 11 and 9.
- Right now.
- I know you have, and, yet, how many of y'all are heading down to the shrimp boat after this to take advantage of that all-you-can-eat buffet? [Laughter.]
huh? If we try to ban everyone who does not follow every biblical law from entering that church, none of us would be sitting here right now.
[Applause.]
You got to understand, when God looks at each and every one of you, he sees you through a prism of the blood of Jesus.
Without that blood, all our sins would be laying before us, people of God.
But through that blood, we all can find the love of God, the acceptance of God, and the oneness of God, a God who made us, a God who's in us, and a God who's for us.
Amen.
So I say, to the homosexual community, there is a place for you among us here for all of us that are living under God's Grace.
Amen.
Oh, okay.
I see.
It's not enough to say, "who are we to condemn? Let God handle that.
" - Right.
- Let God handle it.
It's not enough for us to say, like our brethren at Calvary fellowship, "all our welcome as long as you hide who you really are and don't put nothing on social media.
" At a time when the laws of the land that protect the rights of our gay brothers and sisters are being rolled back every day, it's not enough to say, "God is love.
" It's time to get specific.
It's time to say, "God loves gays.
" It's time to take a stand.
[Murmuring.]
Amen All right Amen Uh-huh, hmm Ooh-ooh, ooh Well Oh-ohh, ohh Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh Amen, amen oh Yeah James: And then, after preaching for two hours, he gave an additional two-hour interview on the topic.
But what is it on the front page? I assume because he called out the city after rolling back on that, um, bathroom bill after what happened in Texas.
- Oh, you're right.
- He knows how to get publicity.
- Mm-hmm.
- Mm-hmm.
- Who's that? - Oh, your new hero, Basie Skanks.
He's not my hero, Daddy.
I just happen to agree with him on this one issue.
You look exhausted.
Thanks, mama.
Hey, Charity, baby, take Nathan for a second, please.
Are you still having trouble sleeping? Yeah.
It'll pass.
Thank you.
Did you know that Darius was working on a piece about Basie? Yeah.
I haven't read it yet.
And he mentions Calvary in it by name.
- Who, Basie? - Mm-hmm.
And Darius.
And he never asked me for a comment.
May I have a look? He questions whether Basie is using this whole gay tornado to spin the spotlight on to himself.
Yes.
At the end of the story, on page 10, the page that nobody sees but the puppy.
I don't think Darius is saying anything that's going to make him popular, Daddy.
Not with churches.
I just wish Basie Skanks would keep me and Calvary out of his stump speech.
I think he must've interviewed Carlton.
Well, Carlton never said anything to me.
You can't fire him again, mama.
I'd just like to know.
I'll ask him tonight.
He pays when y'all go out, I hope.
Yes, he pays, mama.
[Laughs.]
May I keep this, Daddy? Keep it, burn it, so long as I don't see it again.
See, he doesn't inspire me the way he inspires you.
Oh, Bishop.
[Smooches.]
I love you.
All right.
I'll see y'all at church.
- Say bye.
- Oh, bye.
All right.
See y'all later.
Basie he's doing it again.
And don't know if it's by design or whether it's some mental fixation, but he is tugging at the threads that hold this family together.
You're absolutely right, Mae.
We have to do something to stop this.
What are you thinking? I think it's time for me and Jesus to pay a call on Basie Skanks.
Mm.
[Pops.]
all right.
That should do it.
Stand back.
[Laughs.]
Let there be light! Do you even know what you did? Do you have any idea why it's working now and it wasn't 10 minutes ago? I'm just focusing on gratitude.
You are focusing on blasphemy.
This whole house needs to be rewired.
Stan said so.
Every electrician that comes over here says so.
I think Tasha even mentioned it when she threw the keys at me.
Look, we can't afford to pay for it right now.
Oh, well, some trade that was.
An empty field and a money pit all to keep some hypocrite's secret? Who came out on top of that deal? You done? I'll be done when this house stops twitching like a person possessed.
Zora? Winkie? Zora: Coming.
[Sighs.]
You know there's cash in that "go help me" fund.
Unh-unh.
No, no, no, no.
See, that's what got Basie in trouble, robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Watch that thieving spirit, baby.
Okay, Pastor.
You give me no alternative but to say something you're really not going to like.
Try me.
Get a job.
I already have a job.
I'm ready.
Every pastor we know with a smaller church has a day job.
Amon has his motel 6.
Jay Dalton sells shoes.
Dalton shoes is a family business.
All I'm saying is that, unless you can figure out a way to get paid for collecting compliments about how holy you are right now, why not use the other six days to rustle up some scratch? I can pay the bills, but I can't make enough to renovate this money trap.
[Electricity crackles.]
- [Sighs.]
- Mama! Go see what your brother just turned on.
Okay.
There's nothing to be ashamed about.
- Mommy! - I'm coming.
Get a job.
- This is the last of them.
- Oy.
Oy.
I can throw it all away.
Antoine recovered most of the hard drive.
No, I'll at least go through it all, see what the heck it all is.
All right.
Now that you are outreach director, will you still be preaching? [Chuckles.]
not in the foreseeable future.
Well, that's a shame.
Really? I think you're the only person in this church to think that.
Wouldn't you miss it? Uh, I don't think so.
Tell you the truth, I'm still trying to figure out where I fit in now.
Huh.
Maybe it's outreach.
Permission to speak freely, Pastor? Oh, Darlene.
You don't need permission.
Some folks never fit in no matter how hard they try, and that's okay.
I mean, I'm sure not one of the prophets was ever employee of the month.
[Sighs.]
Basie: Look, I've been in the hole with you for $50,000.
You know you going to get the money.
Just give me some time.
Tell him to give me two weeks.
That's all.
Bishop Greenleaf, right on time, brother.
If you could excuse us? We got some church business to tend to.
Man, just don't forget our business.
I will get you those programs as soon as we get them back from the printers.
Right.
Et cetera.
Et cetera.
Mm-hmm.
Huh.
What an unexpected surprise.
If I didn't know better, I'd say you were on God's angelic payroll.
What can I do you for, Bishop? Stay away from my family.
Stay away from my church.
Don't speak my name.
Don't even think of me.
Well, when you tell a man not to think something, it makes it hard.
I don't know what you're up to with this purple parade you're now high-stepping in the front of.
I'm just seeking justice for You don't know the meaning of the word! You tried taking me down with Triumph II.
All you did was make a fool of yourself and a scene at my son.
And now you're singing this new siren song to my daughter.
I don't know precisely why, but I promise you I won't part with her easily.
I think that's up to her, isn't it? You're flailing, boy.
I know it, and you know it.
You said the judgment is coming.
It is.
It's coming for you.
[Door opens, closes.]
Well, I called the man a fool in his own church.
Told him he was flailing.
And you think he heard you this time? Because you have cautioned him before, multiple times.
I couldn't be any clearer.
Now, whether or not he'll heed my call to reason this time, or anybody's, well, your guess is as good as mine.
But, Mae, you should've seen his face when I walked in there.
Did you notice the other night, James, when Kerissa and Jacob came over for dinner The way he shut her down when she talked about Basie? Yes.
Well, yeah.
I noticed it.
But do you want to hear my story or not? I've heard the broad strokes, and I'll be excited when I see results.
Fine.
What is it you're getting at? Well, I just have a feeling that there's more to this story of parting ways with Basie than they've let on.
Well, let's go over there tonight and find out.
Over there? Over where? To the parsonage? You've always been after me to give the boy respect.
Why don't we go to him for once? Maybe it'll loosen his tongue.
- Bishop? - Yes, Karine? I have Rochelle Cross on the line.
Tell her I'll call her back.
Oh, no.
You go on and take the call.
I have Dr.
Butler coming over soon.
What do you got going with Jacinta? Mm.
Well, I'm just inviting her to be an honoree at this year's women's day, a thank you for getting the girls into the cotillion.
[Chuckles.]
is there no ragged end of our world you're not knitting together? [Chuckles.]
Mm.
You give my best to Rochelle.
[Sighs.]
Mmm-mmm.
Ms.
Cross? You know, you were just on my mind.
What can I do for you? Oh, look, please call me James.
- Where did you get this? - Kevin's files.
I also did some looking through the drive that Antoine recovered.
He was attending meetings, like, doing the program.
Yes, I know.
They drink ipecac syrup to make themselves throw up.
Oh, for God and heaven's sake.
Self-flagellation.
Daddy, this is why Basie is right.
I know you believe that, Gigi.
- Did you watch his sermons? - Yeah, I did.
I did.
And he's not wrong about the Bible.
Look, there are some folk who still look at us the way some of us look at homosexuals.
And I know, just like you do, I'm sure, what it feels like to be thought of as unworthy by another human being and how hard that can make it to see through the fog, to the pure light of God's total acceptance.
Believe me, I know it all.
Which is why we can't support this garbage.
We're not doing enough to support the people who actually face those challenges.
Kevin came to Calvary every Sunday for the past eight years, and he heard you say, Daddy, "God is love.
" But it seems like it didn't get through.
Are you really so scared that you're going to send somebody to hell if you affirm this? You know I don't think that.
I don't know what you think.
That is the problem with not taking a stand, Daddy.
Okay.
You want to know what I think, Gigi? - Yeah.
- I think that only God knows when the homosexual will be as welcomed into the church as anybody else.
You're content to just wait? No, not content.
Willing.
We got to where we are today, Gigi, with the help of God, but we got here slowly, more slowly than some wanted, but that's how long it took.
And I expect justice in this realm will take longer to achieve than most want to, but I'm prepared to practice patience.
Because this is a problem that doesn't affect you specifically.
No, because I know those that fail to understand need the love of God as much as those who are waiting to be understood.
Daddy, patience doesn't mean standing still, waiting for something to change.
Patience is lovingly guiding people who don't understand into a greater understanding.
You are the leader of this church.
You could be the difference between it taking 200 years or mobilizing it right now, today.
- No, I can't.
- Why? Because I'm not sure.
[Scoffs.]
- Why, Daddy? - Why what? Why do we always have to be the ones who have to circle back once it's too late? Just this once, can we get it right the first time? [Sighs.]
I just want to do the right thing.
Me too.
Can you leave these with me? Sure.
Yeah.
I'll pray on it.
I promise.
Thank you.
[Sighs.]
[Humming.]
Don't do that for me.
I wasn't.
I was just I just mean I've never seen a face that needed less assistance from the powder and paint department.
[Chuckles.]
well, aren't you sweet? How's it going? Good.
- Oh, good to see you.
- Nice to see you.
I've had that song of yours in my head for two weeks now, non-stop.
And you couldn't make a demo? No.
Nobody sounded quite right, and, if I'm giving a song to Nicole mullen, it needs to be You know? Yeah, yeah.
I know.
So let me show you what I brought you.
With this bad boy here, in a quiet room, you can do all your demos here.
That's great.
What's the matter? It's got a built-in mic, and a good one, too.
It's not that.
So what's the problem? So you don't want me to come to Nashville to write anymore? No.
You don't.
No, no.
I mean yes.
Yes, of course I want you to come to Nashville.
I just want to make sure you have all the tools you need to stay inspired and that I have the best person singing the songs I'm selling.
Well, this looks confusing.
It's not.
It's just like anything, you'll get used to it.
Watch.
Let me show you.
You're gonna love this.
I promise all you'll have to do is just sit there and just be magnificent.
Then I will gladly accept.
The revisions to this new book of mine just make additional work impossible.
Well, we won't tax you in the least.
And what a pleasure it will be to have Greenleaf girls at the practice dinner tonight.
So exciting.
Yes.
You know about that, Rochelle Cross.
She called me on your behalf.
Yeah, a boon for which I am grateful.
Now, how is it you know her exactly? Oh, she's been handling my finances for, goodness, - several years at this point.
- Mm-hmm.
The woman is a wizard with money.
- Oh.
- I owe her many times over.
How did you two happen to meet? She's been attending church services while she's looking for a new church home.
- Oh.
- Mm-hmm.
I was just so disheartened to hear about her experience at Greater Redeemer.
Ugh.
She told you about that? Yes.
[Sighs.]
It was a terrible situation.
Well, that's the impression I'm getting.
It's just such a shame that it's still the woman who gets blamed for situations like that, you know, as if men have no self-control.
The more things change.
Do me a favor though, Mae? Anything.
Rochelle doesn't know that I know.
I'll be the soul of discretion.
- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
Thank you.
So the moths absorb the pollution? That doesn't make sense.
It makes sense.
How? Okay, so you got to think about how the pollution affected everything else in the environment.
The soot got on the trees.
The trees got darker.
So, the lighter moths, they didn't blend in well enough, and they got eaten.
- Mm-hmm.
- Right? So the population self-selected to blend in and not get eaten.
That's how the moths got darker.
Hmm.
Can we take a break? We just took a break.
Okay.
10 minutes.
- Two minutes.
- Okay.
[Laughs.]
[Door closes.]
Um - What was that? - I'll go see.
Hey.
Did you know you can get two dozen doughnut holes at glazes for $2.
99? No.
Hey, Pastor Greenleaf.
He's helping me with biology.
- Isaiah? - Yes, sir.
You want to come out here? Sure.
Doughnut hole for the road? Nah, I'm okay.
Now, you know you're not supposed to be in Zora's room with the door closed, don't you? Yeah.
I apologize.
I just thought that Yeah.
So let me think for you.
Okay? Think about being respectful under a roof that doesn't belong to you.
Think about being mindful of the rules her mother and I set in place.
Think about leaving the door open.
Or think about not coming back.
House rules.
Yes, sir.
[Door opens.]
[Door closes.]
And I know you know better.
- You - I what? All right then.
[Singing indistinctly.]
Pretty good, right? [Laughs.]
you really like it with me singing? I do.
We make a great team.
You want to get dinner? All my sorrow All my pain You help me face it all I told Basie, should he find the name of my church passing his lips ever again, it had better be in the context of praise.
Otherwise, the Lord's judgment of his deliberate twisting of scripture won't be the only thing he's got to worry about.
Oh! You did not.
And that wasn't half of what I had in mind to say either.
Well, I'm glad somebody called him out on it.
[Laughs.]
my girlfriend sent over the, uh, YouTube link of that sermon.
And I tell you, he went there and back.
I didn't see it, but I heard about it.
Mm.
That just reinforces my decision.
About what? What I came here to tell you.
What was that? I've decided to make Calvary my new church home.
Well, jalapeño.
[Both laugh.]
You're too much.
Stop.
You are too much.
[Laughs.]
- Oh, it's a good day.
- [Laughs.]
Gigi.
Hey.
What's all this stuff? Oh, uh, outreach files Kevin left behind.
Oh.
Sorry.
Hey, not your fault.
Yeah.
Well, what's up? What time is your date tonight? Why? Just tell me when it is.
It's at 6:30.
What's going on? Jabari asked me to dinner, and mom and dad can't sit because they're going to Jacob's, and Maricel is busy, and you're busy, too, so Hey, we'll watch Nathan.
No.
No, I don't want to impose.
The official slogan for imposing.
You know what? Bye, Gigi.
[Laughs.]
come on, Charity.
Seriously.
I'm just kidding.
I'm just kidding.
Listen, the only table I could get for two was too early for us anyway, so, yeah, we'll watch him.
Are you sure? Time with my nephew? Baby sister, come on.
Yes.
Absolutely.
Oh, mm, thank you.
Yeah.
Anytime.
[Laughs.]
Go get him.
All right.
[Laughs.]
[Sighs.]
So, how many jobs did you have? I had two jobs.
I priest on Sunday mornings, taught Bible study on Wednesday nights.
In-between, I sold bibles door-to-door for southwestern, and I worked part-time for Memphis Memorial.
Doing what? Maintenance and groundskeeping.
Yes.
And see? And reaching the whole time.
- Mm-hmm.
- I don't remember any of that.
Well, you were a little boy.
But, I tell you what, he looked very much like you look right now.
- Aw.
- Kerissa, I have to tell you.
You have done a lovely, lovely job putting this place together.
I have to say.
I mean, it feels homey.
Well, we're just lucky that the lights are on so you can actually see it.
I ran into your old boss today.
- Basie.
- Yes.
I paid a visit over at Triumph.
About that sermon of his? You saw it? It's been making the rounds.
I don't know he thinks he's preaching to.
I think the man is hell-bent on losing that church, too.
When I visited Basie's office today, I crossed paths with a man Tall, rough-hewn, bearded, the kind of man that would hang around a pool hall.
Doesn't sound like an armor bearer.
- Mnh-mnh.
- Didn't look like one either.
Is he doing prison ministry nowadays? No.
What happened between you two? Everything seemed so hunky dory.
When Basie and I parted ways, we got the land and this house.
Yes, complete with demonic curse.
And Basie got his privacy.
I got to keep my word.
With the nebuchadnezzar? This is family, son.
And what went down between Basie and I had nothing to do with pop or Calvary.
First John, 2 and 5, "whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is protected.
" Well, you can't argue with that.
- Hey.
- Hey.
You ready? Yeah.
What? What's that face about? I was going to call you, but you were already on your way here.
All right.
Well, talk to me.
What's the deal? Got a later table? Tell me we did.
No.
My sister needs a sitter.
Charity and the baby? Yeah.
He'll be down by 7:00.
We can pick up some food on the way, maybe cook? I am so sorry, but she never asks, and I'm trying to prove that I care.
That didn't sound right, but you know what I mean.
I think I know what you mean.
Is it okay? Of course.
I knew you wouldn't mind.
I knew it because you're the best.
So this dinner, is it like a dinner or a class? I don't get it.
Yeah.
Yeah, which part? It's all that, both.
Dinner with the girls, get served with a five-course meal, they tell you which fork to use, and how to conduct yourself like a good Christian lady.
- Mm.
Mm-hmm.
- Gotcha.
They're probably going to make you turn your phone off, huh? You know, 'cause of, like, manners and stuff.
If I didn't have manners, I wouldn't be texting.
My dad was so harsh to him earlier.
This right here is damage control.
Baby, I done done enough talking need to know that you're mine baby, we done done enough talking Fine.
Fini.
Finito.
Done.
I'm ready to be sophisticated.
[Cellphone chimes.]
I want you to hold me down, down, down, down [cellphone chimes.]
Down forever go ahead.
Answer it.
- But that's it.
- Thank you.
- Should I pull up here? - No, then they'll try to park your car.
You don't want to do that.
- It's no trouble.
- No, just pull over right here instead.
Okay.
Great.
[Sighs.]
[Sighs.]
Um, I had a really nice time tonight.
Yeah, me too.
You were really nice to that guy.
- [Both laugh.]
- Not at all.
There was a time when I was that kid, right? Always had a demo in my pocket ready to hand out.
[Laughs.]
I don't know.
Maybe it's good.
Wait, so you'll actually listen to it? Yeah, sure.
You have to.
It's only right.
Right.
Um, okay, then.
See you in Nashville? Yeah.
Mm.
Wow.
Is he down? Yeah.
He just needed a new diaper.
He barely even moved when I changed him.
So you remember how to do all of that, huh? Like riding a bike.
Come on.
Oh.
[Laughs.]
This is very cute.
[Both laugh.]
- Oh, geez.
- Yeah.
Gosh, thank you for rolling with the punches on this.
- I owe you one.
- Oh, not at all.
It's kind of nice to see how the other half lives.
I think I'm the other half of the other half.
Yeah, this is it.
You ever invite guys over? I just mean, it must be strange.
I don't know.
Is it? [Laughs.]
I just mean when your parents are here all night.
Mm-hmm.
Hmm.
Can I ask you a question? Shoot.
Did you interview Carlton for that piece you had in the paper today? Yeah.
And you didn't tell me? I thought we had that agreement, not to mix this and the other? - Was that wrong? - No.
No.
It's just, uh, I'm trying to figure out why you didn't ask my dad for a comment on the story.
Yeah, I thought, "don't.
" Got it.
Got it.
You know, the whole Chinese wall thing was your idea.
If you want to reevaluate it, we can.
No.
Look, no.
I just You know, maybe we shouldn't do this.
Do what? This.
Us.
Why would you say that? Because it's, like, look at us.
I know there's been extenuating circumstances, but every time we get close to being more than study partners, you find a reason to pull away.
- I'm not pulling away.
- No? I mean, you traded a romantic dinner for two for babysitting.
And then you picked a fight with me.
I didn't realize we were fighting.
You're right.
We're not.
You know, you pull back too, d.
You do.
You have your ways.
- When have I pulled back? - Oh, let me see.
Oh, [chuckles.]
I, um I had this job - Mm-hmm.
- this woman in New York who really wants me to come.
I didn't need to know that.
Okay.
I told you that to include you.
And then there's this whole mysterious reason why you don't go to church, that you still haven't told me about that, and I'm a pastor.
I think I'm gonna go.
- Come on.
- Yeah, no.
I am.
I'm gonna go.
I don't know what it is about you.
I've never gotten so little from someone and stuck around.
And you don't even seem to know you do it, so it's my fault.
Hey.
- Hey.
- How's my baby? Out like a light.
- Ooh.
- Mm-hmm.
Where's Darius? Mnh-mnh.
Oh.
My night wasn't so hot either.
What happened? He pecked me on the cheek.
[Both laugh.]
Don't laugh.
You here, too.
Like, I don't know what's wrong with me.
Is there something wrong with me? Or do I just attract a certain type? I don't think he's gay.
I don't know what he is.
Is that yours? - Yes.
- Mm.
- Get you some.
- Ooh.
Because, let me tell you something, I played it too cool at dinner.
I'm starving.
And you still didn't get any.
You know what, you ain't either, so what are you talking about? - Here you go.
- Thank you.
Hey, sorry we can't, you know, give you a better explanation.
Oh, no.
We understand discretion.
And backed up by scripture.
You know, that guy was probably just a member of the church asking for rent money.
There's no shortage of that over there.
I tell you what.
I retract the request, and it was good to see both of you.
Yes.
And thank you so much for dinner.
- Oh, Bishop, before you go.
- Yes, dear? Oh, listen, do you have the car key? - Um - We still having trouble with that breaker box Whoa! No.
Let her finish her sentence.
No! Sorry, mama, but we discussed this earlier.
Kerissa, don't do that.
That's, um, my cue.
- Good night.
- Good night, darling.
And, son, just mm-hmm? [Door opens.]
- Son, take it easy.
- All right.
Speak soon.
- Good night.
- All right.
Be careful.
- Let us know when you're home.
- Mm-hmm.
What was that? A woman's attempt to care for the home she raises her children in.
- I asked you not to do that.
- Oh.
I don't care about your pride, Jacob.
- It's not pride.
- Then what is it? I told you to look for a job.
Did you look for one today? Did you even go online and look? No.
How you know what I did? Am I wrong? I have a job.
You have a hobby.
You heard Bishop.
When you work to pay the bills, it keeps the preaching pure, which is what you say you want anyway.
It is what I want.
Then get a job.
Or go down to the river and dredge up some civil war pirate ship like I heard about on the radio.
Something! Anything! But to have your kids and your wife stumbling around in the dark at night because the lights don't work? Kerissa.
I don't want to hear it anymore, Jacob.
Okay.
But you're going to.
For all the years I was creeping, you treated me this way.
And I just continued to take it because I was out of line.
But things are different now.
And you cannot continue to do that.
I'm not going to stand for it.
I have the moral authority that you wanted me to have, that you prayed for me to have.
So respect it.
The Lord will provide in his own time.
So just wait.
Just trust.
Trust me, trust him, and wait.
And maybe try paying some of this attention to your daughter.
She needs it.
I'm getting ready for bed.
[Line ringing.]
- What? - Hey, um I've been calling you.
Yeah, now.
I text you a bunch earlier, and you didn't answer.
[Sighs.]
I couldn't.
They took our phones.
I'm sorry.
Me too.
I miss you.
How was rehearsal? It's whatever.
You had to be there.
[Beep.]
[Beep.]
[Cellphone vibrating.]
Oh.
Hey, you.
Darius: You still up? Yeah.
Got a minute? Yeah.
I'm out front.
[Door opens.]
Hey.
Hey.
- Are you okay? - Yeah.
So, uh, here's the story.
What story? Why I don't go to church anymore.
You wanted to know.
I'll tell you.
You don't have to tell me anything.
I used to be married.
Why didn't you tell me? Because she's dead.
Oh, my God.
Yeah, we were on our way to a matinée one Sunday afternoon, and we got t-boned in an intersection.
I am so sorry.
I asked the Pastor after the funeral if he could help me understand.
He said, "it's best we don't question God.
" So I haven't been back to church since.
Other than as a reporter.
Thank you for telling me that.
You were right.
I was holding back, and that was why.
Am I gonna see you again? You tell me.
God, I hope so.
Then yeah.
So Basie lost the church's money, not his own.
- That's right.
- And you two paid it back? Yes, with our savings.
We got the land and the house, but we should've gotten Triumph.
Well, that certainly would beat that two-acre soup kitchen - you've got now.
- Amen.
And Basie still owes these people over a quarter of a million dollars, even after all we did.
Can you prove it? I know someone who can.
Of course, you can never tell Jacob I told you.
Understood.
He'd never forgive me.
Don't you worry, dear.